A Hero's Blessing: Part 7

Author's Note:

It's been a long time since I've posted for this story... And I feel really bad about that. See, this chapter is actually very similar to a previous post that you guys can find on here - Hebe's Intervention. But it wasn't originally my plan. I was going to more scenes to it - I wanted to go around and see what the other gods were up to. Hepheastus, Ares, Apollo, and Pan in particular. I even had a short thing with the Fates in mind.

But the more I tried to write those sections... I don't know. They just wouldn't come. And eventually it stalled enough that I had to jump to another story to write on, and this one got left in the dust for a bit.

So I'm giving it another shot, but I'm avoiding all the other perspectives. I truly want to finish this story - I know where I want to go with it and everything, and I've got an ending in mind. I just get caught on something, and once I get stuck I'm really stuck.

This chapter is still a bit unpolished, but I think the majority of it is where I want it to be. Let me know what you guys think!

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Hebe's POV

Hebe was well aware that people tended to overlook her. 

It wasn’t because she was weak - She was a daughter of Zeus and Hera; the sister of Ares and Hephaestus. Sure, her powers might not be geared towards combat, but in terms of strength she could handle herself quite well if she said so herself. 

Hebe was quite proud of the 1960‘s movement. ‘Make peace, not war’ Even with all the drama that came from Ares and Aphrodite having a tiff, it was worth it.

No, the reason for her lack of renown in comparison to the rest of her family was quite simple in her opinion: Unlike them, she actually had the self restraint to not mess with demigods in the middle of their quests. 

It was something she was quite proud of. 

So then why…

“Alright sweetie, that should take care of that gash. But I’d recommend not using that arm for a day or two if you can help it.”

Why was she here, pretending to be a helpful mortal while spying on a party of questers?

Hebe felt her soul wilt, even as she inspected and wrapped their injuries. Hades, she felt like some stalker. And all because she just didn’t understand. 

‘The goddess Hebe, ladies and gentlemen’ Hebe thought glumly, being careful to not let it show in her expression as she gave a gentle smile to her half sister.

Said half sister was scowling in irritation as she brought her arm back. “I told you before, it was fine. I already cleaned it!”

“And I told you, you got a gash in the middle of a junkyard.” Hebe rebutted, not backing down as her sister grumbled. “You’re lucky that I’m not insisting on taking you to the hospital for tetanus shots!”

Not that it would have become infected, but threatening hospital time - and worse, needles - was a great motivating threat. Enough that her little sister glared at her, but didn’t retort. 

Taking the win, Hebe then turned to the young huntress. “Alright, now let’s take a look at that leg. Lift.” She instructed firmly. 

When Hebe had found them, the questers had had a few hours to patch their wounds. Still, as a friendly Good Samaritan, ‘Mrs. Hebert’ had insisted on driving them to her house to get better medical attention. 

It was a pretty groovy house, in her humble opinion. Plenty of room, lovely decor, miles away from any neighbors who’d question how there was a house when there hadn’t been an hour earlier. 

And of course, ‘Mrs Hebert’ was a recent empty nester. Kids were all grown up, but she was used to baking a ton of food. Which meant she had a bunch of leftovers to share. 

A well-crafted story made all the difference in these situations. And it was fun.

Hebe hummed cheerfully as she carefully cleaned and re-wrapped the last of her cousin’s wounds, letting just a bit of her power flow to promote healing. Nothing that would give her away, but enough to speed things up. 

“Alrighty, that should be the last of it!” Hebe reported cheerfully, placing the remains of the first aid kit away. 

“I’d like to thank you for your assistance.” A deep voice said behind her, startling her. 

Hebe flushed, “O-oh, it’s no problem.” She stuttered, hating herself for doing so. 

C’mon Hebe, pull yourself together!

The large man grunted. “Untreated wounds have killed more people than any battle has.” The man refuted sternly. “So my thanks are still given.”

“Not that we had left them untreated.” Thalia grumbled quietly, and was quickly sushed by the satyr.

“W-well, I’ve done my best, but it would still be better if you had a doctor look at these.” Hebe faked a calm voice. 

That was something a concerned citizen would say, right? 

… Actually, a concerned citizen would probably be calling Child Protective Services right about now, so never mind. 

Finishing up, Hebe took a deep breath and turned around to face the real reason she had been stalking the questers. 

“Well, how ‘bout you big guy?” Hebe asked the large man cheerfully. 

Physically, this man was a stranger. Completely unknown. The way he acted was similarly a mystery. 

But if Hebe were to close her eyes and feel out with her senses, as she had done multiple times the last couple days…

“I am unharmed, do not worry.” 

Hebe shook her head, bringing herself back to the present. 

He called himself Alcides. The same name her husband Hercules once used. 

Their aura was practically identical.

Not many would notice. Not to the same extent. But Hebe was married to Hercules. If anybody would recognize the nature of his aura, it would be her. 

But how was this possible?

Zoe coughed, and Hebe jumped as she realized she was staring again. Gah! 

“While we art grateful for thine actions, might I ask why thou were in the desert?” Zoe asked, armed folded as she gave the goddess a firm look, her expression telling Hebe that she was well aware who she was. 

Well, it was to be expected of her sister's favorite Huntress. They’d met enough times in the past, even if they didn’t get along for obvious reasons. 

“Besides picking up stranded hikers who thought walking through a junkyard was a great idea?” Hebe asked ‘innocently’, giggling slightly at the silly excuse they had given her. “Just coming from my parents' place actually. I was actually looking for something when I found you guys.”

All true, surprisingly. Just leaving out that the thing she was looking for was them. 

This whole debacle had started a couple days prior, when an oath she had sworn years ago had suddenly reactivated, even though she had already completed it. 

Now, oaths sworn upon the Styx were not easily discarded. They weren’t something that one could ‘accidentally’ break or mistake. 

Say, for example, one were to swear on the River Styx that they would not, oh… Eat sugar. 

She had no idea why somebody would do that… But just go with it. 

If such a person existed, and somebody then slipped sugar into their meal, their oath would provide ‘resistance’ of a sort when they attempted to eat. In order to actually take a bite, that person would have to willingly acknowledge that they were breaking their oath. 

It was a safety feature of sorts. Something that made it all the more damning when somebody did break their oath. 

One didn’t lightly break an oath. For a demigod, it was forfeiting their soul to the River Styx. For a god… If they were strong enough, they could power through it. But it wasn’t exactly pleasant. 

It was a testament to their strength that Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades could break their oaths and still be considered the strongest. 

A couple nights previous, Hebe felt the sudden urge to fulfill an oath she had completed a long, long time ago. 

To bring Hercules to Olympus upon his death. 

Now, this wouldn’t normally be a problem save for a teensie little detail… She already had! 

The oath itself was extremely straightforward, more ceremonial than anything else. Hebe had delivered Hercules and felt the conclusion of the oath, she was sure of it! 

So why was that oath compelling her to act once more? 

It had taken a bit of trial and error, but she let the oath guide her, following that ‘urge’ to complete it. Instead of leading her to the Mediterranean where Hercules was, it led her further in the States, eventually to the current group of questers. 

And, more importantly, to this ’Alcides’.

The man who felt so much like Hercules, yet looked and acted nothing like him.  

Hebe stuffed her emotions down as best as she could.

“Look, I know you said you’re in a bit of a rush, but it’s getting late. I’ve got several spare bedrooms -” At least, she did now. Divine magic was a wonderful thing. “- so why don’t you stay the night? Tomorrow I can drop you off somewhere.” 

This would also give her more time to unravel this mystery. 

The younger half of the team were all hesitant and slightly suspicious. Almost instinctively they looked towards the older two.

Both Alcide’s and Zoe, in turn, stared at her consideringly. 

… Could she just say it was disconcerting for Zoe to be on the same mental wavelength as a male? Hebe had to stop herself from squirming under the sudden intensity of those looks. 

She was a powerful goddess. She didn’t squirm. 

Amusingly, both adults seemed to come to a conclusion at the same time, both relaxing in acceptance. 

“We shall have to talk about it first.” Zoe replied answered first, and Alcides nodded. 

Sensible. Zoe was probably confused that she was interfering at all. 

“Of course!” Hebe gave them a cheerful smile. “I’ll just go ahead and cook something up for us. Let me know what you decide.”

Hebe watched as the entire group shuffled outside to talk, taking a moment for herself to try to get her own thoughts in order as she went to the kitchen and started pulling out ingredients. 

One thing that would never change throughout the years was the appreciation of good food. She wasn’t as good as Aunt Hestia, but she was up there. 

And since the questers weren’t off of the property, she was still listening in on their conversation. 

“Ok. First off. Anybody trust that lady?” She heard Thalia ask, taking the reigns. 

… Hebe should probably be offended by how long it took people to answer that question.

Percy eventually let out a sigh. ”I don’t know.” He admitted. “We’ve had more strangers willingly offering us help on this quest than I’ve ever had, and it’s worked out so far.”

“But… Only Alcides and Mrs Hebert have offered us rides so far?” Bianca sounded confused.

“Yup.” 

“Eh, that’s kinda typical.” Thalia brushed off. “Most people that do are kinda weird.”

“Hmmm, should I be offended, sister dear?”

“You are weird!”

Alcides let out a bellowing laugh, loud enough for her to hear without any spying.

“Enough. I believe that the offer was made in good faith.” 

Hebe listened to the questers talk in low voices about their plans, while Alcides simply leaned back and let them decide on what to do. Content with letting them take charge. 

Yet another difference between him and Hercules. Her husband had issues about giving up control. And while he wasn’t bad with kids, he wasn’t good with them either.

Was it appropriate of her to think such negative thoughts of the man that was her husband? Probably not. But then, even though they were married, she didn’t truly consider herself Hercules’ wife. 

Hadn’t for a while. 

From the start, Hebe had known it wasn’t going to be an idealistic marriage. It wasn’t like Hercules’ life was any secret, and she was the daughter of Hera. It would be an uphill battle. Always was going to be. 

Despite that, she had hoped they could make something of it. Good marriages had been made from worse pairings.

Yet as time went on, her hope of such had dwindled until now not even the corpse of such remained. 

Hercules was just so… Bitter. So filled with anger. And perhaps it was for good reason - what had happened to him was horrible, she would readily admit that. But when he let it color every thought and action as he did, it swiftly became a problem. 

More to the point, that hatred was hurting him as well. 

Honestly, it had been three thousand years since Hercules’ death. Three. Thousand. Years. A full three millennia. Hera hadn’t even bothered him since he became a god. 

Hebe could sympathize with what he had gone through, but there were limits. 

Yet even now, that was all Hercules could talk about. About how much Hera had wronged him all those years ago.

Hebe, as his wife and as somebody that wanted to see him get better, had tried to help. 

So long as he held onto his hatred, he’d never be able to move on and actually be happy. To forgive did not mean to forget - a common misconception. Nor did it mean he had to approve of what Hera had done (Hebe certainly didn’t) or trust her in the future. It meant letting go of the corrosive anger and negativity that he was letting define his life. 

Any attempt was spurred, almost viciously. More than that, the last time she had tried he had blown up at her, ordering her to stop trying, shouting that she could never understand what he had gone through. 

Hercules had zero desire to let go of the past. 

Hebe shuddered at the memory, hugging herself a bit. 

Could one ever properly explain the pain, what it felt like to have their domain so thoroughly and consistently trampled on?

There was a reason why Poseidon would rant and rave at ocean pollution, why it was such a punishment to prevent Dionysius from drinking, or why Athena declared eternal enmity against those that burned the Library of Alexandria. 

Their domains were so much more than mere titles. Once given, they became an integral part of a god’s being. 

The closer one was, the more it affected them.

For example - mortals all over the world committed adultery, and Hera could feel each and every one. But those felt like tiny pinpricks to how it felt when Zeus did the same. 

Hebe was the goddess of forgiveness. For Hercules’ to so vehemently and consistently refuse to forgive? It hurt. Worse, Hercules was aware of that, yet he didn’t care.

So no. They might be technically married, but in her heart Hebe did not consider herself Hercules' wife. 

Which made it all the more jarring to see and hear somebody that felt so much like Hercules and yet was so different. 

He was actually laughing with the children! And there was a contentment to his aura that she had never felt in Hercules. 

What did it mean?!

“Lady Hebe.”

Hebe jumped slightly as she looked up to see Zoe Nightshade looking at her. She quickly glanced around - the others were still out on the porch. 

“Huntress.” Hebe greeted with a rueful smile.

Zoe folded her arms, “I am thankful for thine help and for thy offer, my lady. However,” Zoe gave the goddess a piercing look. “Before I accept, I would like to know why thou art here. The truth. This is most unusual for thee, to interfere.”

Hebe gave a pout, “I’m not interfering.” She protested weakly. “I’m helping!” 

Yeah, it was a terrible excuse, and she knew it. 

Regardless, she supposed it was a fair question. She was risking a lot, interfering with a quest like this. The fact that she was fulfilling an oath could probably get her some leeway from her father (he was a big ole softy for his daughters), but she couldn’t exactly explain such to Zoe until she figured out more for herself. 

Still, she genuinely liked the Huntress. Even if it wasn’t reciprocated, she felt obliged to give something.

Hebe sighed. “I’m hoping to find out more about that man.” She admitted lowly, looking at the large figure through the window. 

Zoe blinked in surprise. “Alcides?” She asked. “For what purpose?”

‘Because a part of me wants to tie him up and drag him to my chariot to bring him to Olympus’ was probably not the right answer here, despite her oath’s insistence.

Regardless, Alcides was currently helping the questers, and she wanted Artemis to be alright, so leaving them be was simply the better option. 

“There’s something about him that I’m trying to understand.” Hebe said slowly, her brow furrowed.

“He has sworn to help us.” Zoe frowned. “I do not believe him to be a danger to us.”

“Oh no, nothing dangerous.” Just really odd. “There’s something else. But I can’t quite place my finger on it.”

Zoe stared at her for a moment before letting out a breath, “very well. However, I must insist on withholding all thine questions till after the quest is over.”

Hebe raised an eyebrow at that. “Feeling protective?” She tried to tease. 

The girl surprisingly didn’t react, simply giving her a stoic look, ”He hath been of immeasurable help, and I owe him much for saving Bianca. For that, I shall ignore his… Oddities.”

“Oh?” Hebe perked at the word. 

Zoe was the oldest living Huntress. While she had her biases, if anybody were to notice something off about somebody, it would be her. 

Zoe’s eyes narrowed. “He hath his secrets, most I scarce understand. Yet I believest that we have an understanding. After Artemis is freed, then you may ask. Not before.”

See, that had some very interesting implications. 

… If only she knew what those were. 

“Fine. I can wait.” Probably. 

Zoe finally relaxed. “Then I would be most grateful in accepting thine help for the evening.”

“Of course,” she laid a hand on Zoe’s shoulder. “It’s the least I can do. And I do hope you find my sister alright.”

Grover and Bianca slowly trickled inside, making their way to the living room. Zoe went to the junior Huntress and started talking with her.

Zoe has that look in her eye - Hebe figured Bianca was going to have to get used to a bit of hovering for a bit.

Her attention went to the porch once more, where Alcides, Percy, and Thalia remained. 

The three sat in silence for a bit, gazing into the night. 

“So, we haven’t really talked about it, but that fight at the junkyard was pretty crazy.” Percy eventually said. 

“Yeah. Never thought I’d have to fight Talos.” Thalia responded. 

Alcides grunted. “That was not Talos.” He refuted firmly.

“I mean, close enough.” Thalia said with a roll of her eyes. “Like I said before, it was probably a defective model.”

“The people of Crete would have been devastated had they seen that mockery compared to their guardian.” Alcides grumbled, sounding annoyed on behalf of a people long dead.

Not that he was wrong. Hebe never did find out why Hephaestus had gifted the giant to that island, but it had pretty much guaranteed their devotion to him. They’d have been horrified at what their guardian was being compared to. 

“So, what exactly is your plan now?” Percy asked. 

“What do you mean?” Alcides looked at him curiously. 

“Well, now that your car is gone.” Percy looked like he’d rather do anything but have this conversation, yet he persevered. “It kinda felt like Zoe was just assuming you’d come along, but are you actually?”

Alcides stared into the night for a moment. “Miss Nightshade and I have an understanding.” He answered, unknowingly echoing Zoe’s own words to Hebe. “And yes, so long as you all will have me.”

“Why?” Thalia spoke up, eyes narrowed. “And don’t give that tripe of me being your sister.” 

Alcides chuckled. A sad, bitter sound. “Sister or not, you are just kids. And don’t give me that look - Bianca gave me the same look earlier. I don’t care how capable you are. You. Are. Children.”

“What, you don’t think we can do it?” Thalia challenged, and even Percy looked a little miffed at that. 

“I think you could.” Alcides refuted. “However, I think it’s irresponsible to force you to. You deserve the chance to grow up.”

“You’re probably the only person that thinks so.” Percy murmured. 

“That sounds more like a failing of others than of mine.” 

“Well, doesn’t really matter what we deserve, does it?” Thalia bit out with a bitter smile. “What with The Great Prophecy hanging over our necks.”  

Alcides looked between the two of them for a bit as a dark cloud seemed to hover over them. “I had a friend who was prophesied to die once.” He offered suddenly. “His name was Amphiaraus. A son of Apollo. An older hero. Received a vision that his death would be accompanied by a rain of fire.” 

Percy grimaced, “That sucks.” 

Alcides shrugged. “He considered it a boon. He could walk into battle with a surety, knowing that it wasn’t his turn to die.” 

“I’m not sure I’m liking the moral of the story here.” Thalia frowned.  

“Let me finish. One day, we came across an enemy that threw balls of fire at us. He saw it, and he knew that his time had come. He stepped out, arms spread, and welcomed it.” Alcides let out a huff. “Which was a real shame, because the rest of us weren’t quite ready for him to die. So we pulled him out of the way, and he lived.” He gave a small smirk. “He was quite upset with us.”

Both teenagers looked at Alcides in confusion for a bit before bursting into laughter. “Seriously?” Thalia snickered. 

“Oh yes.” Alcides looked quite pleased. “In the end, on his deathbed years later, to honor him, we all fired flaming arrows into the sky. A rain of fire, to accompany his death.” 

“The point I’m trying to make… Prophecy is hardly ever understood before it happens, only understood by those with far too much time on their hands.” Alcides looked between the two. “Don’t let it direct your life.” 

“Easier said than done.” Percy said, though it was clear the mood had lifted a little with Alcide’s story. 

“Perhaps. But first, we will need to complete this quest. Anything else can be dealt with after the fact.”  

Hebe teleported to the other side of the house as the conversation went to lighter subjects, not composed enough to talk to Alcides alone just yet.

Amphiaraus.

She knew that name. He was part of the original crew of Argonauts. She even remembered Hercules talking about him once, though she hadn’t heard that story. Especially not with that level of fondness. 

Hebe took a deep breath, trying to understand and falling short.

Look. She wasn’t dumb. All of the evidence before her  - his aura, her oath, the experiences he mentioned - they were all saying that, somehow, someway - this was Hercules. 

But that was impossible. 

Hercules was still in the Mediterranean, and a couple thousand years of marriage told her that he would never act like Alcides was. 

Gods could be in multiple places at once, especially in places where their domains were strong. But they were still the same god. Their memories and personality were unchanged. 

A god could be stripped of his divinity - a process of incarnation. They would then register as a demigod to divine senses… That might account for a change in personality. However, once again, Hercules was still on his island.

… A lot of this was coming down to the fact that Hercules rarely left his island. 

Hebe leaned against the counter and groaned in exasperation. 

So many questions. She was really regretting that she told Zoe that she wouldn’t poke. 

She just had to wait until they finished their quest. That was it. She could wait that long. She could ask all the questions she wanted after that. 

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The Next Day

Of course, it wasn’t till the next day, as Hebe was driving the questers, that she realized the downside of being in close proximity of the focus of her oath. 

‘He’s not dead yet!’ She thought furiously, hands clenching the steering wheel. ‘I’m not breaking my oath - but I can’t take him yet!’

This was going to be a long drive.

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Author's Note:

Next Chapter: Hoover Dam. I thought about skipping it - but I have an interaction between Rachel and Herakles that I really want to write :) After that, it's straight to San Francisco.

If anybody has any questions about this story, feel free to ask. Or if you think I made a mistake. I'm willing to change stuff, so long as it's before I start posting it on fanfiction.net or Archive.