39 MORTALITY

"Divinity", Athos whispered, overjoyed at one of his biggest questions being answered.

"Divinity", Nereus confirmed. "The more intertwined your body and soul, the greater the divinity at your disposal. Take Zeus himself as an example. His body and soul are the closest to truly becoming one, making him the strongest Olympian. The 'Ascension', as some people call it, initiates the combining of the soul and the body which is usually catalysed by another immortal's divinity. This is the reason why a god can never make a mortal a god who is just as, if not more powerful than himself."

"But If divinity is what gives one immortality, who are the immortals without it?", Athos questioned.

"Ah, yes. There is a good mix of the most ancient entities, like the Hundred-Handed ones and the Elder Cyclopses, and equally anomalous weaklings like Eurytion and Chiron. There's rarely a middle ground with those guys. My parents, for instance, are one of those ancient entities who do not possess divinity. They embody concepts and moving an arm would flip a continent upside down. Their bodies and souls have truly combined, forming something....greater. They do not need divinity to create miracles, for they are one themselves", Nereus responded, a far-away look appearing in his eyes.

"But what about different gods having different domains? If all of them have divinity, albeit in different amounts, shouldn't they be able to do what the others do? And how does faith tie int-

"That's enough. I've told you what you need to know. Figure the rest out yourself", Nereus interrupted, cutting him off. "Anyway, back to where we were. You want to become a God without the help of an immortal, don't you? Fine.

You have two options, with the first one being rather simple. I tell you what you need to find and what you need to do to become a god. Equivalent exchange for the cornucopia.

The second option is even simpler. I show you an easier path to your goal. I can help you gain enough power without truly becoming a god. Enough to help you on your journey and maybe even increase the rewards you would enjoy when you 'actually' become a god. Mind you, I require some extra compensation if you choose this option"

Athos' features hardened.

'Extra compensation?!'

He had gone through so much for the cornucopia and it still wasn't enough for this greedy god?! Sure, He could go for the first option, where he would get what he paid for but Nereus just HAD to mention getting more rewards, didn't he?

"What do you want?", Athos said through clenched teeth. He needed to become a god as fast as possible. This wasn't just due to his desire for power, but the need to protect himself from the earthen bitch.

"Aha! I knew you'd pick the second. As for the compensation....surprise me! But be warned, it must be of equal value to the information I give you, or else I'll personally hunt you down", Nereus cheerily clapped, while a swampy green light flickered in his eye.

Athos nodded, before leaning forward slightly, eager to know what the god had to say. Gaining more power? He was in.

"Divinity is the result of the combination of the body and soul. The outcome of the union of the mortal and the immortal. But ever thought.....what if your body was already immortal? What would happen when immortal and the immortal combine?", Nereus grinned, the body and soul construct separating and joining back together, but this time giving out a much brighter shade of gold.

Athos' eyes widened in disbelief.

"You want me to get a divine body before I become a god? Is that even possible without the help of another immortal?", he queried.

"Eeeeh... it's just a theory of mine. Never been done before, but worry not. My theories are always right because I am always right. You have a partially divine body already. All demigods do. Nowhere near the strength of a real divine body, around maybe three to four per cent, but divine nonetheless. You need three things to fully achieve one. Not all that easy to get, but a cakewalk compared to achieving your main, impossible goal", Nereus replied, shrugging.

Athos' eyebrow's twitched in annoyance. This god was really sending him out on a theory? But then again, he was the Old man of the Sea, and if he wasn't right, no one was.

"Three things...", he mused to himself. The number three was quite prominent in the greek myths. There were the three elder gods, the three graces, the three Fates, the three Furies, the three judges of the underworld and many more. It was also the reason why Camp Half-blood refused to send out more than three demigods on a quest. It wasn't just because of tradition. If five demigods set out, only three would return. It was as though it was a law dictated by the world. Or was it the Fates again?

"Well...it's two main ingredients, really. The third just acts as a catalyst. The best catalyst", Nereus clarified.

"The best one? Is it demigod blood?"

"Oho! You know of it. Yes, demigod blood is indeed the best catalyst. You are beings that have a step in both worlds after all. Mortal and immortal", Nereus grinned.

Athos nodded. Of course he knew that. How could he not? Demigod blood was what truly woke Gaea in the books before she got blown to bits by the Seven. It was kinda funny how Gaea, a primordial, the first Protogenos, was bested by a bunch of mortals.

'But nothing can beat plot armour. Am I right or am I right?', he smirked to himself.

"Gaining demigod blood may sound easy since you are one yourself, but it's...not", Nereus chuckled, seeing Athos' smirk disappear.

"What! Why can't I use my own blood?!", Athos complained.

"Why don't you eat your arm when you're hungry? Or cut off your leg when you want a snack?", Nereus countered.

"That makes no sen-

"Quiet! You do what I say, or leave. You still owe me though", Nereus cut him off.

"Fine! What about the other two things I need to get? Other than the Blood of a Demigod?"

"The Heart of a Titan"

"Fuck!"

"The Ichor of a God"

"Shit!"

"Oh, you need to eat them too! Together no less!"

"Shitfuck!"

***

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