Hermes squeezes Achilles' hand, nodding grimly. "We'll do everything we can to make it quick. If we fail, then it's war. And I don't think anyone will win if there's war on the mountain, least of all mortals."

The older Olympians don't often talk about the Titan war, but Gaia still bears scars. Hermes doubts that many humans would survive another round like that. For now, they just suffer the side effects of divine grief and displeasure--what would they suffer if all the gods raged?

"But it won't come to that. Because we won't fail." Hermes puts on a cocky, cheeky smile, winking at Achilles. "I'm the one doing the tricking, after all."