Non-Canon Omake: The Little Spider, Part 5 (Patreon)

It took awhile for the God of Madness to finally calm down, wiping a tear from his eye as he still chuckled a few times.

“Great, this is great. You’re officially my favorite little Demigod now, kid.”

“….what about your children, Mr.D?” Chiron asked.

“Hooh, I hadn’t laughed like that since…..well before dear ol’ pops took away my booze.” He looked at Arachne, ignoring Chiron’s comment. “I may even be a little sad when you eventually get mauled and eaten by a monster for some stupid reason.”

“Why did you get your booze taken away?” Arachne seemed to focus on that tidbit.

“Oh, you know, I went after a Nymph that was ‘off limits’.” He waved his hand flippantly through the air, underlining the sarcastic undertone of his words. “Thus, I have been tortured to not allow anything alcoholic past my lips for a hundred years.”

Arachne’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry for your loss.” She said with full sincerity.

“…..you’re a strange one.”

Dionysus felt strange, he never had a good impression of a Demigod that wasn’t his own before.

Yes, he had the strange feeling swelling up inside of him, he didn’t want this one to die so horribly…..atleast immediately. Give it a few years and he’d probably come to despise her like all the others.

“Are we still allowed to drink here?” She asked.

“Absolutely not.” Chiron spoke up. “You’re only – “

“I’m being punished, I haven’t turned into buzzkill.” He deadpanned.

“…Mr D, please don’t encourage children to drink.” Chiron sighed.

“A am Scottish.” Arachne defended. “Me mum gave me whiskey for the first time when I turned ten.”

Well, technically her mom let her try it on her tenth birthday after begging from the younger Arachne.

She of course couldn’t hold it in. It’s not like Scáthach was a bad mother who let her 10-year-old daughter drink whiskey every day.

It was only a recent development that her parents had laxed her alcohol usage considering she wasn’t human and there technically wasn’t any real harm.

“Ah, a people after my own heart.” Dionysus sighed happily. “Wait, your mom?” He refocused.

“Mom, not mother.” Arachne rolled her eyes, knowing what he meant.

“Right, right.” He nodded in understanding. “So you know who you parent is? She usually doesn’t let the father tell the kid, preferring to do the whole ‘reveal’ at camp.”

Arachne scoffed. “My Da does what he wants.”

Dionysus looked at her for a moment and shrugged.

Not his clowns, not his circus.

He was just happy to watch the show from the audience.

“Be that as it may…” Chiron seemed to choose his words carefully. “It’s perhaps wise not to flaunt it until you’re claimed by your Godly Parent. It’s a….tradition and general rule that the parent has priority in – “

“Blah blah, Chiron, save it for later.” Dionysus interrupted. “Let’s focus on the important thing. Like why you have the Bane of Olympus behind you, little girl.” He pointed at Mr. Blueberry happily nudged against Arachne’s side.

“His name is Mr. Blueberry.” Arachne corrected.

“Sure.” The God of Madness didn’t even blink at the name. “Now, we have to deal with Mr. Blueberry before pops starts throwing around lightning thinking we’re planning something nefarious.”

“We could take him up to Olympus immediately, Mr. D?” Chiron offered.

“That’s probably the best bet.”

“No, he’s mine.” Arachne interjected. “Yer not taking Mr. Blueberry anywhere.”

“Listen kid – “

“I’ll stab ya in the balls.” Arachne threatened, narrowing her eyes.

For some reason, Dionysus felt like she wasn’t just making an empty threat.

He considered his next course of action and put his hands up in surrender. “Well, looks like there’s nothing I can do.”

“Mr. D?!” Chiron blurted out in surprise.

“You know the rules, Chiron. I can’t just steal the girl’s pet. Something something, ancient laws!” He raised up a plastic cup full of diet coke with a faux reluctant sigh. “My hands are tied.”

He had no desire to get entangled with what was going to happen.

It’s not like it wouldn’t get found out, he much rather someone else grab this hot potato.

“Moo~” My Blueberry let out a happy sound.

“Yes, Yes, I am a merciful god.” Dionysus nodded as if he understood Mr. Blueberry.

Chiron just looked utterly tired.

“I suppose I’ll be the one to relay the news to the gods.” He spoke in resignation.

“Don’t be silly, Chiron. I’m the camp Director, if course I have to be the one to tell my dear sister to her face!” Dionysus spoke righteously.

“…I meant the Ophiotaurus.”

“Right, that too I suppose.”

“I’ll settle everyone in.” Chiron finally settled. “Mrs. Jackson, if you would please follow me. And….Arachne, as well.”

Sally Jackson had been standing there silently the whole time having no idea what was going on. She just nodded dumbly as Chiron led her out of the big house, Arachne hummed as she followed along with Mr. Blueberry.

@***@

“Here we are, your son should be staying in the Hermes Cabin. It’s where we have all the non-claimed children stay until their parents claim them. As the god of Travelers, he welcomes everyone. We can get you sorted with a bed as well, Miss Schweinorg.” Chiron decided not to use her first name for now.

“What?” Arachne blinked. “Why would I stay here, I know who my ‘parent’ is?”

“Be that as it may, until you’re claimed – “

“Nope.” Arachne.

“It’s the rules –“

“That’s dumb.”

“….let’s go inside.”

Arachne followed along, poking her head inside the log cabin with the picture of a Caduceus hanging over the threshold.

It was about what she expected, only more cluttered and bigger on the inside than the outside.

Lots of random things were thrown about.

“Mom!?”

“Percy!”

The mother and son pair reunited quickly as they both hugged each other tightly. The other kids in the cabin quieted down, able to read the room rather well.

Arachne felt like she did a good deed, and was feeling proud of herself.

Her mom and da always told her that while she can be selfish and prioritize her own self-interests, it’s important to also be compassionate and kind when possible.

“Mom, what happened!? I thought…”

“I was saved.” His mom smiled, glancing at Arachne.

Percy’s head peeked out from behind her and looked at Arachne, the latter of whom waved.

There was clearly a lot he wanted to say, but he was more focused on the fact that his mother was alive.

“You did a good thing, Miss Schweinorg.” Chiron praised Arachne. “It’s rare that I have a camper so….skilled come into camp for the first time. You managed to slay such a legendary monster like the Minotaur without proper training.”

“Proper training?” Arachne scoffed. “Of course I’ve been trained. Me mum had trained me since a was old enough to hold a spear.”

Chiron coughed awkwardly. “Apologies, I meant training in the proper ways such for one of your godly heritage.”

“…yes?” Arachne seemed confused. “It aint the first time mom had trained a Demigod.”

Chiron just looked at her, rather confused.

“Chiron you – “ A new girl walked in, pausing as she saw everyone, then her eyes landed on Arachne.

Her similarly grey eyes.

“Ah, Annabeth, this is our new camper, Miss. Schweinorg.” Chiron introduced.

Both pairs of grey eyes blinked at one another.

“Annabeth Chase.” The girl smiled politely.

“Arachne Uathach Schweinorg.” Arachne said without much emotion.

Annabeth however nearly choked once she heard the name.

Annabeth was by no means stupid. Like the gods before, seeing the grey eyes was nearly a dead giveaway on who her parent was, in addition to some facial features that ran in the family.

“Is that really your name!?”

“Of course it is.” Arachne said as a matter of fact.

“You can’t be serious.” Annabeth gaped. “You have to change it!”

“Why would I do that?’

“B-because it’s…..you can’t have that name!”

“It’s mah name, and nothing can change it.” Arachne huffed, crossing her arms.

“….what’s wrong with the name?” Percy was the one who spoke up.

“It’s a slight against my mother!” Annabeth squeaked out.

“So?”

“S-so!?” Annabeth repeated in astonishment. “You don’t care…?”

“Why would I? Just cause she’s my ‘mother’?” Arachne frowned.

“Wait, you know that and that’s still the name you’re calling yourself?” Annabeth was even more disturbed. She took a moment to organize her thoughts. “That can’t be the name she gave you…”

“Of course not.” Arachne rolled her eyes. “But it’s the name my da and mum gave me, so it’s the name a use.”

“….you can’t use that name.” Annabeth said again.

“Perhaps – “ Chiron took a small step between the two girls. “You should heed her advice, Miss Schweinorg? Annabeth is the Head Counselor of the Athena Cabin, her words hold weight.”

“…head Counselor?” Arachne repeated.

“That’s right!” Annabeth nodded, thankful that Chiron helped her there as her brain nearly short circuited at the sheer absurdity of the situation.

“That means you’re the strongest?” Arachne asked again.

“…..yes?” Annabeth blinked. She considered that, and she would be the ‘strongest’ in such a narrow term, of her cabin.

“…..why are you so weak?” Arachne blurted out.

“What!?”

“Why are you so weak?” Arachne said once more without an ounce of grace. “If you’re the ‘head’ or whatever, then does that mean everyone else there is weaker.”

Annabeth didn’t know how to respond to that, but she noticed something particular in Arachne’s gaze.

Was that…disappointment?

There was an awkward silence that filled the cabin, because it was more than just Arachne and Annabeth that had been involved. Besides Chiron, Percy and Sally, there were campers of the Hermes cabin that just happened to be here at the time who had silently been watching the scene unfold.

“I am not weak!” Annabeth finally regained her thoughts, defending herself.

“…..barely mid-class?” Arachne mumbled. “Maybe….less. What can ya do then, huh?”

“What do you mean? I’m a daughter of Athena, I can wield any weapon expertly. I can fight and beat people twice my size. I’m the best strategist in the Cabin and – “

“Aint that something every one of our siblings get by default?” Arachne interjected.

“Well, duh. What else do you expect?”

“….you havn’t learned any magic?”

“Magic? I’m not a child of the Goddess of Magic.” Annabeth said with a bit of sarcasm.

“How…disappointing.” Arachne lost interest.

Annabeth just gaped at her with a mix of confusion and anger as silence once more returned to the room.

“…..so who’s my dad?” Percy broke the awkward silence, asking the question that’s been on his mind this whole time. He was told that he was in Hermes cabin until his dad claimed him, but now that his mom was here, he just decided to ask it so bluntly.

“Percy, you have to wait – “

“Poseidon.” Arachne blurted it out, noticing the familiarities with her da’s Authority.

She could practically taste the storm on him.

Her disappointment in her ‘half-sister’ was pushed to the side in favor of the boy who seemed to exude more of a presence despite being completely ignorant about his innate bloodline.

“Miss Schweinorg you can’t just –“ Chiron’s words were abruptly cut off as a glowing trident appeared over Percy’s head.

His eyes widened and everyone bar Arachne shot to the ground, kneel towards the glowing symbol.

“Poseidon. Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God.” Chiron spoke reverently.

“….so, that answers that question, huh?” Percy said amidst the awkward stares his way.

“I….will show you to your new cabin, Percy.” Chiron’s words were stiff.

“Sweet.” Percy beamed. “Come on, mom!” He practically pulled her out.

Arachne, however, found herself confused herself.

Where was Mr. Blueberry!?

While they left somewhere else, she went to find her pet, leaving a bewildered Annabeth and Hermes cabin behind.

@***@

Arachne searched all over, tracking Mr. Blueberry.

He seemed to have wandered around a bit, leading her on a bit of a chase. However, after searching for awhile, she eventually found Mr. Blueberry laying down in the lap of a woman with a simmering fire nearby.

No, it would be wrong to call it a simple fire, but more a Hearth.

The young looking woman turned her head and gave Arachne a gentle smile as she rubbed Mr. Blueberry’s head.

Arachne stopped dead in her tracks, eyes widened.

“You’re –“

The words found silence before they could escape her mouth.

The young looking woman put a gentle finger to her lips. “Careful, I like to keep my identity a secret so I can tend to the hearth in the camp without causing a commotion.” Her voice was extremely gentle. “I’m curious how you noticed me so easily.”

“Aint it obvious?” Arachne tilted her head.

The young woman – or rather the Goddess Hestia looked at the demigod before her. “You must have much better sight than most Demigods. Just be careful about blurting out the names of other gods so easily.”

“A wasn’t going to blurt out your name.” Arachne stated.

Hestia Blinked. “You weren’t?”

“A was going to say that you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen before.” She said a bit bashfully, contrasting deeply with her usual demeanor. “A like how the fire dances in yer eyes.”

Hestia blinked again, finding a response hard to formulate.

Her first thought was surprise that a Demigod could see the ‘flames’ in her eyes, as she put.

The second…., well that was much more obvious. Never had a Demigod so blatantly flirted with her before.

“….I assume you’re here for your….friend?” She decided to ignore it

“Mr. Blueberry.”

“Moooo.” He made a content sound of happiness.

Hestia found herself smiling. “He is a very pure and innocent creature. Not what I would expect from something called the ‘Bane of Olympus’. Be careful about who tries to capture him.”

“A will protect him proper.” Arachne puffed up her chest. “Thank you for watching him.” Mr. Blueberry got up from Hestia’s lap and floated over to nudge Arachne.

“I was no trouble, he’s welcome to come back whenever he wants.”

Mr. Blueberry let out another noise of happiness.

“Come along, Mr. Blueberry, we need to find where we’re gonna sleep.” She pat his head.

“Moo~” He began to fly off rather quickly with a huffing Arachne following behind.

@***@

High up on mount Olympus, the gods gathered at the beckoning of one of their own.

“Dionysus, why did you call a meeting.” Zeus’s voice, despite not shouting, boomed across the room. “If this is another attempt to get out of your punishment – “

“I’m sorry, if you don’t want to know where the Ophiotaurus is, we can call the meeting here.” The God of Wine said rather evenly.

Everyone stilled as they looked at him.

Everyone knew the legends and the validity of them when it came to the Ophiotaurus. Zeus in particular went rigid when the creature was mentioned.

It was only by the skin of his teeth last time that he managed to prevent the Titans from completing the ritual during the great Titanomachy.

The fact that it reappeared now of all times….it just furthered the chaos.

“Where is it!?” Zeus demanded.

Dionysus picked his ear. “Hmm.”

Zeus narrowed his eyes. “Son.”

“It’s hard to speak with my mouth so dry.”

The sky above became thunderous, lightning threatened to drop down any moment.

Dionysus looked up, admittedly frightened, but he kept a calm expression. “Come on, pops. You know I have no desire for that thing. But you also know there’s something I want. Reward and Punishment should be meted out properly. Discovering the location of the Ophiotaurus should be more than enough to cancel out my punishment, right?”

Zeus’s hand gripped the throne with a large frown.

“Father, he doesn’t speak incorrectly.” Athena spoke, one of his most trusted aids. He tended to listen to Athena more than anyone when it came to arguments. “If he truly knows where the Ophiotaurus is, then that’s a large merit to consider.”

Zeus calmed down slightly. “I will recognize the merit.” He finally said. “But removing an established punishment would set a bad precedent.” He tapped the armrest of his throne. “You will continue to serve your time as Camp Director….but I will lift your restriction on drinking.”

A middle ground, that allowed Zeus to save face while also rewarding Dionysus for such a valuable merit.

“I’ll take it.” Dionysus could deal with being the Camp Director for a few more decades if he could atleast get utterly drunk every day.

“…and the location of the Ophiotaurus?” Poseidon asked, earning a glare from Zeus.

The two were still at each others throats. Zeus accused Poseidon of stealing his Master Bolt while the Sea God vehemently denied it. It didn’t help that a new spawn of the Sea God just so happened to arrive at camp during these turbulent times.

If it wasn’t such an important matter, Zeus would be bellowing out his anger towards his brother for everyone to hear. However, he was keeping moderate decorum while they handled the primary issue at the moment.

All the other gods leaned in with anticipation, ready to swoop in and secure it all costs.

“Oh, it’s down at the camp. One of Athena’s newest brats waltzed right in with it as her pet.” He said cheerfully. “No takebacks.”

Zeus twitched with the desire to smack his son rather hard, but that was overshadowed by the fact that the Ophiotaurus was literally in their camp under their noses.

And then, all eyes turned to Athena.

“What do mean, one of my children has it?” Athena asked in confusion.

“One of your daughters just arrived at camp, saved the mom of the other brat from Poseidon’s loins while she was at it. And the Ophiotaurus was right at her side.” Dionysus said without reservation.

Zeus furrowed his brow because he knew who the demigod he was speaking about. Of course Zeus knew about Poseidon’s breaking of the oath. Zeus even threw a lightning bolt at them in anger and watched as the boy safely made it to camp against his wishes.

Though, he didn’t pay attention to the mortal woman, why would he?

It seems he missed something else in his anger.

Likewise, Poseidon furrowed his brow because he knew about the girl. It drew his attention when he was called out so abruptly without the chance to claim his son on his own terms.

He obviously couldn’t ignore his son after being named his own, he just hadn’t gotten around to punishing the girl for daring to do so without regard of his wishes.

And of course, it would be a child of Athena, he expected nothing different.

He used that moment to turn his gaze down to the camp at his son and blinked when he realized that the girl was in the cabin with him and his mortal lover – Sally.

Not only that, his eyes widened when he noticed that the Ophiotaurus was inside his cabin too!

Was it drawn to his connection to the sea?

“Percy, you can’t just….you can’t speak for your father in something like this.” He heard sally’s voice since the Cabin was quite literally a temple of his.

“Why not? I’m the only one in the cabin, doesn’t that make me….what was it? Counselor or something? Yeah, I’m the head counselor of the Poseidon Cabin, so I can make the rules, right?”

“That sounds logical to me.” The daughter of Athena agreed with my son.

“Mooo~”

“So it’s settled, she can sleep here!” Percy stated.

Poseidon was conflicted.

He absolutely despised Athena and her children, but at the same time, she did save a woman that Poseidon still loved.

The Sea God’s gaze returned to the discussions taking place among his kin.

“Why are we even talking about this? Just go down there and take the damn thing.” Ares grumbled.

“It’s technically not allowed.” Hermes replied. “It could be considered a ‘spoil’ of hers, so as gods, we can’t just take something she ‘earned’ without permission. Either she has to offer it to one of us, or it has to be a willing trade.”

“I could hunt it.” Artemis offered. “It’s a beast, regardless of ‘ownership’ and I have permission to hunt beats.”

“You’re forbidden to hunt within the confines of the camp.” Aphrodite rebuked her just because she disliked the Goddess of the moon.

Artemis scowled in response, but couldn’t argue as that had been a rather old rule at this point due to certain…incidents in the past.

“Why don’t I go down and speak with her?” Athena offered. “If she is in fact my daughter, she can be reasoned with. It should not take much effort, perhaps offering her a reward would be appropriate as well.”

Zeus let out a low hum. “Very well, I give you permission to descend into the camp, discreetly.”

“Thank you, Lord Zeus.” Athena smiled, then turned to Dionysus. “Which of my daughters is it, Dionysus?”

“Do you have so many that you lost count?” The Camp Director snorted.

“Watch yourself.” Her eyes narrowed.

“Yes, yes, I wouldn’t want to lose my drinking privileges after just getting them back.” He rolled his own eyes, but a strange gleam appeared with a smirk. “But if you want to know your daughter’s name, I would be happy to tell you. Why, it’s none other than Arachne Uathach Schweinorg!”

There was a beat of silence.

“What did you just say?” Athena’s voice a noticeable pitch higher.

As the name registered with everyone, it was Ares who started laughing.

Poseidon almost followed along with him and decided in that moment that he wouldn’t oppose her staying in the cabin with Percy’s permission.

Athena nearly jumped from her seat and waved her arms around, a large and visible tear in the air as they could all peer down towards the camp, almost like looking at a television screen as it found the target of discussion.

“You can have this bed, since you get more privacy.” Percy’s voice rang out for all the gods to hear.

“I thank ya.” The daughter of Athena replied gracefully as she apparently got settled into the cabin.

“Poseidon, why is my daughter in your cabin!?” Athena let out a shrill cry.

Before he could answer, something strange happened.

“Quiet, we’re being watched.” Arachne’s eyes shot up, and to all the Gods looking down, it was as if she were looking back at them.

There was a flash of surprise amongst the gods that a young demigod could notice their combined gaze. Different than when Poseidon utilized his connection to the cabin to check in due to it being a temple of his. The collective gazes of the Gods made for a much more….robust presence as it bared down. Despite this, it was genuinely surprising for them that a demigod was able to detect it.

“Da says you owe 14 years of child support.” The daughter of Arachne said, looking right up at all the gods despite not being able to actually see them.

There was another beat of silence before Ares burst out in laughter again, this time joined by Dionysus and Aphrodite.

@***@

A/N

I promised an Arachne chapter, normal chapter will hopefully be up in the next few days when I get my new internet hooked up as I’m still in the middle of moving stuff.