Chapter 688: Non-Canon Omake: The Little Spider, Chapter 24

The drive across the country was without much excitement.

There were a few monsters along the way, but Arachne hadn’t even bothered to get involved, letting the others handle them.

However, there was a tension that hung over them.

Perhaps, not just them.

Arachne felt something strange in the air as well.

Something is not quite right.

She couldn’t exactly put her finger on it. Other than the strange rolling clouds that appeared above, there wasn’t anything else that particularly stood out.

However, her instincts were telling her that something was most certainly wrong right now.

Besides her, Zoe also appeared the most...anxious.

She was the one who directed them to her former home, the Garden of the Hesperides. While there wasn’t a one hundred percent guarantee that’s where they were supposed to go, it was a very likely guess considering the evidence.

A ’Garden out west’ left very few destinations in mind.

But what made Zoe even more worried was the lack of a response from her goddess. She had tried many times in the past couple days to receive a response, but the goddess of the Hunt never did.

It wasn’t a strange thing.

Most gods didn’t want to interfere in a quest in such a way. While gods were technically allowed some leeway when a quest was in process, they were also limited in how and when they could interfere.

It was a trade-off. Some of the old rules didn’t apply, but new ones came into effect due to the nature of a quest.

It let gods do things they normally couldn’t do, but the number of times they could interfere was likewise limited.

If the Goddess of the Hunt had answered the prayer, it might limit her from doing something she wants to do later on.

It was one of the reasons that the gods observed quests like this much more seriously. Even if the looming threat of a fight between Zeus and Poseidon wasn’t in the cards, they would have observed it just the same.

That was, of course, a very narrow explanation of a vast array of rules and laws that they were forced to adhere to.

Every action on their part, despite how selfish or whimsical it may appear to mortals, had to be measured.

Even as the group arrived across the country after several days of near nonstop driving, they had not received a single godly response or acknowledgement.

Either the gods were unwilling to answer, or they couldn’t answer.

Zoe wasn’t sure which was worse right now.

They had arrived at the mountain where the Garden was hidden, Mount Tamalpais. It was usually a very popular destination for people in the area, but when they got there, there was no one around.

The others barely paid it any heed, but Arachne merely frowned as Zoe all but shot out of the car.

It was her former home; she knew the way rather easily. The others had to quickly grab their gear to keep up, but once they started to scale the mountain, Zoe had slowed down just a tad for them.

Despite the fact that the Garden had moved to this spot in the West from where it used to be, it was like she had an instinctive understanding of where everything was.

They scaled the mountain; established footpaths made it easy.

The foliage and wildlife seemed to become more vibrant as Zoe passed it, like it was welcoming home its own child.

The mists slowly began to gather with every step up the mountain they took.

Eventually, the mists gathered enough that it seemed to part off the normal upwards path, splitting to the side.

An archway of stone and marble, intertwined with vines and plants, had appeared before them, and Zoe wasted no time running inside.

Arachne was the last to enter it, giving it a cursory look but not hesitating nonetheless.

When she stepped inside, it was like a new world opened up.

They were on a mountain before, but now, it was like a vast garden without any sign of the mountain beforehand.

Arachne found herself squatting down next to Percy as they both looked at a flower they had never seen before.

She almost called it a mini-sunflower, but it also sort of looked like a rose, albeit purple in color.

Percy picked it from the stem and held it to her.

Arachne accepted it happily, hiding the tiniest blush as she put it into the side of her hair. Silently, she looked to Percy to ask, "How did it look?" ’.

Percy’s smile was all the answer she needed.

Despite the situation, the two of them got very easily distracted.

Percy wasn’t stressing because he trusted Arachne. And looking at Arache, she didn’t show any tension, so Percy was fully relaxed.

Instead, they were all but pressing their heads to the ground to look at a strange insect walking across the dirt.

It was a praying mantis but had the body of a fat caterpillar.

It was enough to amaze the two kids.

Percy noticed out of the corner of his eye something else. He excitedly ran towards it, holding it up for Arachne to see. It was a large rhinoceros beetle about the size of his palm, but its horns were much more impressive.

Arachne’s eyes all but sparkled in delight, and she threw her hands up as she ran to it as well, finding another one on a tree nearby.

They both set the two down in front of one another, and the two beetles began to ’fight’ by ramming one another with their horns.

It was like the two of them completely forgot what they were there for.

It was only when they heard Zoe scream that they seemed to come back to their senses. Arachne shot to her feet, spinning around until she found the direction of the noise, and Percy followed after her as she bolted further into the gardens.

They pushed through some wildly grown plant life until it opened up and they saw the other three standing around.

"Sisters! No!"

Zoe stood in front of a stone statue, four of them in fact, all of them looking a bit like her.

Arachne could guess they were the other Hesperides.

And considering what monster they were presumably chasing, it wasn’t hard to put two and two together.

"They’re still alive." Arachne felt the need to repeat this, even though they went over this back at Medusa’s house. "You just need to remove the curse, and they’ll be fine after."

Zoe turned to her. "How do we remove the curse?"

"Isn’t her curse infamous for how powerful it is?" Annabeth chimed in. "Can it really be removed so easily?" Despite the bluntness of her words, it wasn’t an entirely wrong question to ask.

Arachne just huffed, putting her hands on her hips. "Don’t you get a reward after you finish the quest? Just ask one of those gods to undo the curse; it isn’t very hard."

That made them go silent as they considered that alternative.

It made Arachne roll her eyes.

She further believed that her extended family in these parts was a bit stupid.

"Isn’t there also a legend that Medusa’s blood can heal any wound too?" Luke spoke up. "Something like, blood from one side is poison, and the other side is healing?"

Annabeth’s eyes lit up. "That makes sense! Like how you can distill an antidote if you have the source of a venom or poison from the same creature!"

"Either or." Arachne just shrugged.

Zoe composed herself, wiping away some tears. "We must find that despicable monster."

"So, question." Percy raised his hand. "I got a crash course on this place on the way here, and some other things. She can turn almost anything to stone; does that include the dragon as well?"

Zoe’s eyes widened. "No, Ladon is.... I mean...mayhaps?"

She seemed unsure as well.

No one ever thought to stress test Medusa’s cursed gaze against one of the most formidable creatures in the Greek world.

Ladon was notorious to the point where even Hercules decided not to fight it.

"I hope not; I didn’t come here to miss out on fighting it." Arachne pouted.

"Thou art not fighting Ladon!" Zoe all but growled. "As long as you do not go after the Apples, he can be...apathetic. I will ask him to cease hostilities and promise not to touch the apples; he will listen, considering my origin."

Arachne rolled her eyes again.

She made no promises.

"I find it highly unlikely she would have come here for the apples in the first place. All they do is make you immortal, right? As a monster, she already is kind of immortal? She doesn’t age, so they’re pointless to her. In which case...why did she come here?" Annabeth voiced a thought that perhaps several of them had at this point in time.

Zoe’s face darkened. "I shall lead thee to the other one who resides within this domain, my father. And thou should pray to the gods that nothing has happened."

Zoe already had her weapons drawn cautiously.

The others followed her away from the main path, the path that Arachne guessed had led towards the Golden Apple Tree. Instead, there was another path off the proverbial beaten road.

The air became heavier as they trod it.

Arachne could compare it to climbing a mountain, the elevation making it harder to breathe until you acclimated to the climate.

"Be cautious," Zoe spoke up. "My father is...not a dumb brute. ’Tis likely that the monster sought refuge from his ilk and bartered the Lightning Bolt. If she met with my father, he would have told her where to find others. We must convince him to reveal her location if she has already left."

The vegetation began to slowly recede as they got further.

And the dirt turned to stone under their feet.

Columns and pillars littered either side, and a large, albeit dilapidated, building sat up ahead. Part of the roof was missing, but it wouldn’t look out of place in an Ancient Greek city. The courtyard behind it was missing its walls, but there was very little greenery around it.

Zoe hesitated for a beat before crossing the entrance threshold.

The interior had all but disappeared; it wasn’t even right to call it a building from the inside, as the walls had mostly fallen down, leaving it like an open courtyard.

She took a deep breath. "Father, I’ve come to visit—"

The words died in her mouth because where her father should have been, he wasn’t.

The sky should have been upon his shoulders, pressing down on him.

Yet, instead, two very iconic pieces of equipment held it up.

The weapon of the Sky Father, Zeus, and the helmet of the God of the Underworld, Hades.

The Weapon of the Sky had the authority to hold it up, while the Symbol of the Underworld repelled the sky, stopping it from falling.

Everyone was silent until they heard loud, albeit controlled, laughter.

"Daughter, so nice of you to visit."

They turned to look at the Titan of Endurance, casually sitting down, leaning against what remained of a back wall.

His large stature dwarfed it, making it look paltry in comparison.

"No...," Zoe whispered.

He stood up, and he towered over everyone.

"It’s been so good to be able to stretch and lie down." He rolled his shoulder. "Who are your friends?"

Before Zoe could answer, a spear shot past her head and aimed at the shadows. Atlas’s eyes flashed, and he lowered his hand to block it as a startled gasp was heard.

They could then see Medusa, who was hiding in the corner behind him.

Arachne clicked her tongue, pulling on an almost invisible thread, and her spear was pulled back to her hand after being deflected.

"Father, what is the meaning of this!?" Zoe demanded. "Why—"

Atlas, the Titan of Endurance, looked down, frowning, before letting out a sigh. "I can forgive the others for how they live, but you are truly a traitorous daughter of mine. You’ve allied yourself with my enemies, become a dog for one of their gods. And instead of being excited to see me freed, you demand to know why I’m no longer confined within my cage?"

Atlas waved his hand, almost like a slap, or a half-hearted dismissal.

The remains of the build were torn apart.

Arachne grabbed Percy and pulled Zoe by the collar as she threw the two of them to the side. Luke, to his credit, had grabbed Annabeth and dived to the side as well.

The wave of his hand had sent tremors across the ground. It would have been enough to severely hurt any of them had it hit.

"I can’t have you ruining my plans. You’re no longer a daughter of mine."

"Zoe, focus!" Annabeth shouted as both she and Luke quickly climbed to their feet.

Arachne also pulled Percy up, and the two of them looked ready to fight.

"You must run! Tell my Goddess, tell anyone that my Father is free; you must—"

Arachne kicked her.

"Would you shut up?" Arachne huffed. "Percy, you and the others focus on Medusa; I will fight the Titan."

Atlas let out a loud laugh. It reverberated through the air.

They looked at her incredulously.

"Are you mad!? He is a Titan!" Zoe exclaimed.

"Listen to my traitorous daughter, girl." Atlas said with clear amusement. "Though I suppose it’s a better option than you all dying like frightened children."

Arachne could see her half-sister gulp nervously, and even Luke looked scared.

Percy seemed intimidated by his presence as well.

Arachne couldn’t fault them there. Just his presence was enough that it would make lesser people fall to their knees. His divine might radiated off him, and he did nothing to hide it.

It was an instinctual act to drop to one’s knees and bow one’s head.

"Nah, I’d win." Arachne retorted.

Atlas’s amused smile slowly faded. He went from finding the humor in it to gradually becoming offended and insulted.

"Has it been so long that even mere demigods look down on me?" Atlas questioned.

Arachne looked at Percy.

"Alright, you handle the big guy." Percy nodded and ran to the others to get out of her way.

"Handle me? Kid, you—" Before Atlas could finish, a red flash of light shot through the air.

He flicked his hand again, knocking away the thrown spear, but he failed to notice the very thin, almost translucent threads wrapped around his arm.

Arachne used them to launch herself forward; her knee collided with the Titan’s face.

The Titan let out a noise of surprise, and he took a step back.

She landed back on the ground gracefully, pulling her spear back to her.

The titan rubbed his nose, and his expression changed. "Okay," he said pointedly. "You have my attention."

The Titan of Endurance was known for his immense strength as well.

He clenched his fist and pulled back his arm, his muscles bulging.

Arachne had no time to worry about anyone else now. She was being cocky, but truthfully, she knew that she couldn’t get distracted for even a second.

This was an opponent that was far above her.

And the power he gathered around his fist proved that point.

He threw a single punch, not even directly at her, but towards her general direction.

The ground ruptured, the stone tiles turned to dust, and everything in between them was eviscerated from the sheer force.

Arachne took out another of her spears. The spear her sister had given her just before she left.

"Boost!" She cried out and used both Gae Bolg and the Boosted Spear to block.

Her strength doubled, but she still gritted her teeth, and her body still wailed as the force hit her.

Her heels dug into the ground as it sent her flying back. She had to stab her spears into the ground to keep herself from being blown away. But even still, she had been knocked out of what remained of the building’s stones, hitting the forestry area quite a distance back.

She let out a few pants as she reoriented herself, wiping away a bit of blood from her face after a few coughs.

Her head snapped up, and a massive figure descended from the sky, cratering the earth and sending rocks and debris everywhere.

"That was just a little greeting, Demigod." The Titan Atlas cracked his neck, waving away all the dust in the air from his landing.

"Hmph." Arachne grinned despite the odds stacked against her. "Now I don’t have to hold back since the others are out of the way."

Atlas raised an eyebrow. "You really are an arrogant little ant, aren’t you?"

"I am not an ant!" She declared. "I am a spider."

She threw her hand up; all her spears, every single one she treasured and carried with her, shot upwards before descending down, impaling themselves into the ground around them both.

Hundreds of different spears, some of godly might, some holding elemental power. Each one of them is a treasure that anyone would find themselves ecstatic to possess.

The world around them vibrated, and Atlas paused, confused.

"What—" He reached out, and like water, the air rippled.

That’s when symbols appeared, a language he didn’t recognize.

Primordial Runes, mixed with Modern Runes.

"Did you...seal off the space around us?" He asked incredulously.

That’s when he also noticed, all around them, wrapped between each spear, up to the sealed space, and throughout every inch of this area, almost invisible threads were present.

Arachne just grinned. She pointed upwards and finalized the casting of the spell. "Lìon an damhan-allaidh air a sgapadh le sleaghan"

From the runes glowing in the air, thousands upon thousands of threads shot out. Magical threads that wrapped around all the spears, up towards the air, down towards the ground, and every which way.

It well and truly looked like a web now.

She held Gae Bolg up, pointing at the Titan.

It was her strongest technique.

"The Spider says to the Fly, Welcome to my web."

[Line Break]

A/N

Zoe: Stop, he’s a Titan; he’s too strong!

Arachne: Stop, I can only get so hard!

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