He shrugs. "My father--he's all about that kind of stuff. Proving you're worthy, being perfect, being good enough -- not upsetting his perfect little world. He's used to getting his way. I..." There's a pause, and Apollo sighs; thinking of Jason, of Piper, of Leo and Calypso, every one of his friends who have been forced to fight and honor the gods to prove their worth.

"..It's not worth it, in my opinion," he says finally, quietly. "Our kids don't deserve that, just because they're different from most mortals."