The Muses

Chapter 7

When I left the Underworld, Hades asked that I take Deimos or Phobos and I have a feeling I will get more use out of Pain then I will Panic. Deimos and I went out looking for Maleficent. The way she said that only dragons will be able to enter implies she is in the mountains somewhere. Camping in the mountains is not fun especially when your not a dragon.

"Anya, do we really have to climb? Why can't you just shift?" Deimos asks trying to pull himself up the side of the mountain.

"Well Deimos, that would be because the sun is out and it's not cloudy. I can't shift into a giant dragon and not raise suspicions. Mortal's are not allowed to know about us." I say pulling him up easily. Deimos looks out at the horizon and shrugs brushing dust off his black jacket and jeans.

"What's so bad about people knowing who you are? I personally love who you are." Deimom rubs the back of his neck shyly and looks up the mountain realizing something. "Wait, we aren't looking for your mom are we? This is Mount Olympus." I give a small smile.

"You know, your kinda slow. We have been hiking up this mountain for a week now and you just realized it's Mount Olympus." I say shaking my head chuckling. I look around and notice a cave opening. "We should camp here tonight. Tomorrow we meet our family."

It took around an hour but eventually we have a small campsite set up. Deimos sits by the opening keeping a watch. I lean against the other wall and stare at the fire. Soon Deimos is sitting next to me and rubbing my knee.

"You know, you don't have full control of your powers when your worried?" He asked bumping his shoulder into mine. I look up from the fire and realized there were purple flames dying out around the campfire.

"Sorry, I am a bit more distracted than usual." I say straightening out my legs and leaning my head against the cave wall.

"Last time we spoke you mentioned that Zeus wanted you to become one of the Muses. Have you thought more about that?" Deimos leans his head back on the wall and looked over at me the hint of a smile on his lips. He's trying to change the subject and distract me from what I am going to have to do.

"Actually I considered it. Then my mother went crazy and then I found..." I start saying but I get quiet looking at him. Ever since I was 16 I knew he had a crush on me. Deimos seemed like a bad guy but deep down he was actually really nice. Never cared that I was Hades' daughter. Learned to like me for me.

"Found what?" Deimos asks looking at me confused.

"I, um, found my mate actually." I say looking down at my hands as Deimos takes his head off the wall looking over at me his mouth gaping.

"Your mate? It's that guy who ran after us when Phobos and I grabbed you." Deimos doesn't ask but states. I slowly nod. When I look up Deimos isn't looking at me but looking out the cave entrance. "After you kill your mom, will you go back to him?"

"If I choose him I cannot be one of the Muses but I will get to be with the man Hera picked for me to live my life with. If I reject him then I am free to become one of the Muses and Zeus will pick the God I marry then. I have known my destiny is to be a Muse, a Goddess of the Arts and Sciences and Proclaimer of Heroes." I play with my obsidian ring on my thumb. "Honestly I would love to just be Anastasia for a while longer. Just Anastasia." I quickly wipe my eyes and stand up to head outside.

Deimos stands with me and grabs my elbow spinning me into his chest and he just hugs me. He squeezes a bit when I hug him back. "Anastasia, you will figure something out. You always do." I give a small smile and when he finally lets me go I walk outside to get some air. The rest of the night was boring. We relaxed and eventually fell asleep.

The next morning I stretched awake and when I opened my eyes I realized we were cuddling. I jump, moving away quickly and Deimos eyes shoot open as his sword materializes in his hand. When he realizes there is no immediate danger his sword disappears and he rubs his face looking around the cave.

"Sorry. We need to hurry up and finish climbing." I say standing up and stretching. "We only have about 3 hours of climbing left I would think."

Deimos nods and we head outside climbing the remaining amount of mountain. When we get to the top we are greeted to tall golden gates guarded by the Horai, the Goddesses of the seasons. They meet us at the bottom of the steps.

"Welcome, Deimos, God of Terror, son of Ares, God of War and courage and Aphrodite, Goddess of s****l love and Beauty." They give small bows to Deimos and he gives a small nod acknowledging them. "Welcome, Anastasia, one of the nine Muses, daughter of Hades, God of the Underworld and one of the Big Three." I give them a small bow. Since I am only a demi goddess any God or Goddess no matter how small their role is above me. Zeus has made that very clear.

Deimos grabs my elbow and walks up to the gates as they open up. When they open I see fields and forests as far as my eyes can reach. I see people walking around looking at us confused and then suddenly Ares walks around a building where training equipment was stored. Ares stopped for a second giving a curt nod to his son. Deimos tenses for a moment and was he walks down the dirt path in front of us his hand trails down my arm as he slowly grabs my hand not taking his eyes off his father.

We walk down the long path until we make it to a large Pantheon like building where a few Gods and Goddesses stood outside. Zeus being one of them. Zeus stood a staggering 6 feet 5 inches with long blond hair he has pulled into a bun wearing his usual toga. He looks no older than 36 years old. He shoos the others away as we get closer. "Hello Grandson." Zeus says nodding to Deimos. When Zeus looks at me curiosity crossing his face, "and Niece. Why are you guys here?"

"Zeus, God of Gods, Grandfather," the last bit Deimos whispers, "Maleficent has destroyed many packs on Earth and has taken a Warlock hostage. We need help in locating her to get him back and kill her." Deimos says pulling his shoulders back standing up a little straighter.

"Deimos. Maleficent is not a God problem. She is a problem to the people below. She is her daughters problem." Zeus says looking at me the entire time. "Now if her daughter were to become what she is destined to I may be able to help." My head shoots up quickly looking at Zeus.

"Grand-" Deimos starts to say but Zeus glares at him.

"If I become a Muse you will help me?" I ask quietly, almost too quietly.