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Chapter Text

PROLOGUE
Third POV
A dark night........One minute consider it beautiful if not for the absence of moon in the sky not accompanying the stars. Even the sea is restless. Boats sinking in every corner of the world at the range of the seas. The world looks bleak with danger. Everyone fled to their shelters in fear of the weather except one. In a forest somewhere north an auburn haired-silver eyed goddess sank to her knees. Her bow falling from her hands, her hands shivering at what she has done. Her eyes well with tears as she shouts "No!!". She rushes forward looking graceful even in her grief. She slides down on her legs and holds a body to her.
" No.. no... Stay awake.. Please". She sobs as she clutches the body, their life force fading because of the silver arrow embedded in their chest. She looks into the dimming sea green eyes of them. The only male that held her love. His lips curve into a bloodied smile as he looks at the goddess in front of him in pain and love.
"Never thought you had it in you to kill me Moonbeam". His poor attempt at joke fails as the goddess sobs louder and his form becomes more and more transparent.
"I'm sorry.... I'm sorry.... Please don't.. I can't... Please don't leave me". She sobs desperately.
" It's okay. I think we're... " he coughs up some blood but continues his last words his eyes gradually closing up as death awaits him. " we're just not meant to be. I.. lov...." His voice fades off and before he could finish his sentence, his form fades away to nothingness leaving the goddess alone...

Chapter Text

THIRD POV
A eight year old child. Black swepy hair. Dark sea green eyes twinkling in mischief as he opens the door of the cabin he is living in and steps out, peeking back to check if his mother is still sleeping or not. He closest the door and steps out on the sand filled beach. He giggles loudly in excitement as he rushes towards the water but stops short as he sees a lone figure standing near the waves. His grin falls down as he thinks if he should address the man or not.
"Hello? Mister? " The child calls out. The man turns back in irritation at being disturbed but it soon turns to shock as his eyes widen.
"Perseus? Is that you sea star?" The stranger asks.
"Percy!! " The boy puffs up in indignation
The stranger looks at him confused "What?".
" I don't like being called Perseus. My name is Percy Jackson" Percy pouts before looking at the stranger warily. "How do you even know my name in the first place?"
The stranger chuckles at this
" An intelligent one aren't you? And I am sorry for mistaking your name. That used to be my brother's name and you look like him. I am Triton young one". And much to the amusement of Triton, Percy puffs up in indignation to the point that he resembles a blow fish.
"I am not young!! " Percy exclaims. "I am eight. I am a big boy now!! "
Percy's face soon turns excited as his eyes widen "You brother name is also Perseus?!! It's so cool!! Can I meet him?"
Triton ruffles Percy's hair ignoring the pang in his heart when Percy asked to meet his long lost brother but freezes at the familiar aura of son of Poseidon as soon as he makes contact with Percy.
"So Percy,where are your mom and dad?" he asks casually
"Mom is sleeping. I sneaked out so that I could play in sea. I love sea" Percy babbles his eyes glowing with excitement.
"Oh is it? Then your dad?" Triton asks crouching down so he could get a clear vision of his face. Percy's face crumbles at the question and averts his eyes down.
"Dunno. Never was there. Mom says he is lost at sea. Not dead but lost at sea" His eyes wobble as his eyes well with tears. " But my classmates say dad left me because I am a freak. He left to because he doesn't like me. They said daddy left because I can't read properly."
Triton hugs Percy awkwardly trying to console the distraught child. While he was mad at his father for being unfaithful to mother yet again, he is not cruel to show it on a child.
"Hey buddy.. Shh... They are wrong. I am sure your dad loves you. He left because he has very important work to do". Triton soothes though hugging Percy has brought back many memories which he long back buried in the deepest part of his mind and before Triton even knows it, Percy is sound asleep in his arms. Triton looks at the child in his arms,he looks like a carbon copy of his brother so much that his heart aches. He still could not let go of the grief even after a near thousand years. He still remembers the day vividly. He was in a meeting with the court as his presence is mandatory seeing he is the crowned heir. Then suddenly he felt empty as if something very important to him has gone. It was not tell his father screamed Perseus name that I realised what happened. Realised my brother has perished away. The seas were restless the next few days with the anger and grief of the royal family. Triton rushes out of his thoughts when he hears Percy mumble something and he leans down to hear the last words.
".... ankyou sae'bu." Triton stiffens not even able to comprehend what he heard before he was pulled into a whirlwind of memories which have been locked in the deepest parts of his brain.
"........don't laugh sa'ebu. You are....... "
"........all respect you and love you sa'ebu. You will be a perfect heir. Don't ........... "
".........love her sa'ebu. Will father agree............ "
"........can't believe it sa'ebu. I share a domain with Artem.......... "
He snaps back to present when he hears loud shout " Percy!! " A young woman in her mid-twenties who seems to be Percy's mother rushes up to us. He stands with Percy still in his arms as she stops short looking at Triton in shock.
"Lord Triton!!" She gasps in surprise as she bows to him.
Triton raise an eye brow at her in surprise. "How do you know me, mortal? "
"Milord, my name is Sally Jackson.I am a clear sighted mortal. I could see you as you are. And given I see your mertail and your conch shell on your waist I came to the conclusion of your identity" She says head bowed respectfully.
"I see" He look at her contemplative. She has brown hair that seems to fall down her shoulders in waves. Her eyes are sea blue which seems to change their shade similar to that of the goddess of beauty. The wrinkles around her eyes give the general idea that she laughs a lot. Father sure has good tastes. She is certainly a beauty.
"So Sally please entertain me on how you met my father enough to break the oath on River Styx? " He ask threateningly but to his amazement she doesn't show any fear as she gazes in his yes calmly.
"Please Triton do not blame your father. Don't get him wrong. He was grieving for your brother when I met him here on this beach." She says and his body numbs as fury boils in his viens.
"Father revealed you of my brother!!?? " He roars angrily but Sally just shakes her head slowly.
"No. Your father would never do that. It was the morai. " And the many shocks he was experiencing has him getting a headache which is very rare if not impossible for gods. Maybe Sally saw this as her eyes gain sympathetic gaze.
"Come Triton. Let's talk after you eat some of our traditional blue cookies." She says and grabs Triton's hand without an ounce of fear as she drags him towards their cabin.
Seeing this mortal, so unafraid and brave has Triton understand why his father fell for her enough to break a promise on the Styx.

Chapter Text

TRITON'S POV
I glance at the boy sleeping in my lap and the blue cookies in front of me. I take one of it and glance at the mortal Sally in ridiculousness. She smiles at me.
"That's one of our inner jokes. My husband, though I wouldn't call him that, was very adamant that there is no blue food. Blue is Percy's favorite color. So from then on I try my best to cook all the food in blue colour. Hence the blue cookies. Come on taste them. You'll love it." She encourages me. I tentatively take a small bite and all the gods above. This is delicious. I devour the cookie with great haste.
"I take it you like it?" Sally asks kindly and I fight to keep the golden hue out of my cheeks at how abhorrently I ate it.
"It was really delicious Sally. I would even go as far as to say it tastes better than ambrosia."
Sally blushes "Oh you flatter me Triton" And then her blush deepens at her next sentence.
"I admit I have to apologize you. I have been calling you by your name. It is very disrespectful of me."
I wave a hand dismissively at her apology.
"It's fine Sally. While we sea deities are certainly prideful, we are not who demand worship. While I found your behaviour unique I haven't found it disrespectful."
"Your father said something similar to me once." She says smiling and I catch on to the topic of discussion.
"Why have the morai informed you of our Perseus? The godly world itself have seen the weavers of destiny very few times and it certainly shocks me to hear they appeared in front of you while you are but a mortal."
She becomes silent thinking how to answer before coming to a decision and looks me in the eye. "Tell me Triton. What do you think of Percy here. Do you feel anything from him?"
"No... Yes.. I don't know" I sigh in frustation. "He looks same as my brother. To the dot. And even his aura feels the same but diminished. Why did you ask the question?" I ask feeling a sense of foreboding.
"He just doesn't look like your brother Triton. He is your brother." And I felt my world tilt on its axis at her words. No.... I felt my anger rise along with a flicker of hope that I try to squash down. I tighten my grip on the child in my arms subconsciously.
"This is not something to joke about Sally." I snarl. "If I find out this is some sick joke of yours I will not hesitate to kill you" I growl threateningly.
Sally shakes her head her eyes filling. "I would never play with your feeling like that Triton. What I said is true. He is your brother. Born again to save the world."
I slump down and I couldn't comprehend the many emotions I am feeling as I hug Percy to my chest afraid he will vanish again. Sally gives me a look of understanding and sadness as she continues.
"I met your father here in this beach itself Triton. At the time I don't know who he is but I can see he was grieving. I didn't ask any questions just consoled him. And I don't even know when I fell for him but I did. Very hard. And by then Percy here is already in me." She wipes her face of the tears of happiness and sadness that flows from her eyes. "But he has to leave. Because of the ancient laws. I was angry. No not even angry. I was heartbroken. Not for me. But for Percy. That he would have to live without a father. That he would be labled as a bastard."
I felt my throat constrict at her sadness but let her continue as I listen to each and every word she says with rapt attention.
"Your father asked me to come with him to Atlantis. He said he would build a palace for me but I disagreed. Its not my nature to depend on others Triton. And I wanted my son to be independent too. It was when the morai visited me in my dreams. They said the baby in my womb was a reincarnation who was destined to fade as an immortal and reborn as a hero to save the world from destruction. They forbade me in saying to your father till the time comes. And it solidified my decision. I did not go with Poseidon and decided to live here" Her voice breaks. "And many times I regretted my decision,everytime Percy comes home crying that he was called a bastard."
My eyes cloud with tears.
"Then why are you revealing it to me if the morai forbade it?"
"They forbade me in saying anything to Poseidon not you"
I shake my head "No Sally. You're playing a dangerous game with morai. You shouldn't have said it to me."
"I don't fear for my self Triton. All my life, I've been living for Percy. And if the morai didn't really want me to reveal this to anybody they would have said so. I waited a long time for the opportunity to reveal this to somebody. When Poseidon requested me to come with him I know I couldn't. I don't want him to know of Perseus. And not just because the morai forbade me either. You can call me selfish for this but I want my son in my life Triton. I know I should give him up to you one day so that he could fulfill his destiny but I don't want to part ways with my only child. And sometimes I regret the decision. That he is living this cursed life when he could live like a prince with you because I don't want to lose him" Sally holds her face in her hands as she sobs all her regrets and fears. I get up with Percy and sit beside her. I hesitate just a moment before hugging her tightly.
"It's not your fault for wanting to have your child. It's your right. And we all are indebted to you Sally. Thank you... Thank you for taking care of Perseus"
"Don't thank me for caring Triton. He's my son" Sally whispers and I let go of the hug to look at her.
"Come. It's time you visit Atlantis." I say looking at her wide eyes .
"No I couldn't Triton. I am a mortal. It's against the laws."
"To hell with the laws. Where were the laws when they reincarnated an immortal to a human? Where were the laws when the morai communicated with you?" I say fiercely and sigh at her uncertain look.
" You have spent your life in difficulties for him. To take care of him. Now it's time you spend the life you deserve with him. In Atlantis. Please Sally" I say softly my all emotions on display. She looks at Percy in my arms and nods at me looking determined.
"I promised myself I would never abandon him and I am not going to do now. So yes I will come with you."
I sigh in relief and happiness at that as I look at the child in my arms amazed at his ability to sleep during all this drama.
"Good. Now stand still a second." I rest my hand on her forehead and a blue glow emits from my hand before it fades off.
"What is it?" She asks confused. And I smile.
"You are not of the blood of seas. So I gave you the ability to breathe underwater. Now hold my hand." She does as she is instructed and I hold Percy tightly and vapor travel to the throne room of Atlantis.

Chapter Text

AMPHITRITE POV
I was tending the gardens when I felt the arrival of Triton in the throne room and there are other two presences with him. I would have left it then and there if not for the familiar aura I felt. It is the aura I grieved for many years and will grieve for many more. No this can't be....I already started rushing to the Throne Room when I felt Triton's voice inside my head.
Mother. Father. I need you both in the throne room immediately. It's urgent.
And that has me swimming faster than before. I curse Poseidon for a moment. Why did he construct the throne room so far away from gardens? At last! I think as I burst through the door and rush in.
"Triton!! I felt his presence........ " I stop short, my throat suddenly dry at what I see. I felt my vision go blurry as tears gather in my eyes. My heart beathing loud as hope rises in my chest. I shake my head as I scramble backwards in shock and disbelief. No... This can't be... Please, don't let this be a dream.
"Triton what is this. This.. I.. " I stutter and I felt Poseidon presence before I heard him.
"What is happeni.. Sally!!?? " Poseidon stops short just as I have and his eyes bulge in shock. It was then I see the presence of a woman. How does Poseidon know of her?
"Triton what's happ... Noo... " Poseidon rounds on Triton before trailing of seeing the child in his arms.
"No..no..no... That's not possible.. I must be dreaming. " He whispere in shock and looks at me frantically.
"Amphitrite, what's happening? "
But our attention snaps back to the child as he stirs awake.
"Mommy" He blinks blearily. The woman Sally, goes and takes the child to her arms.
"Yes baby? It's time to wake up. You have people to meet. "
"People? " The child perks up and stares in awe at his surroundings.
"Mommy! Mommy! Look! We're in the sea, mom! We are in the sea!! "
"Yes dear. Come on now. They are waiting for us." She gestures towards us and walks towards us all the while her eyes rest on Poseidon. I felt my gut twist at the sight.
"Poseidon. It's good to see you again." She whispers softly.
"Wh.. What.. Sally.. The child?" Poseidon stutters confused and bewildered.
"Meet your son Perseus. Percy, he is Poseidon, your father." Sally says and I freeze. Poseidon had an affair? Even with the oath? But that us not what made my blood boil. How dare they name their child after mine!?
"Perseus?" Poseidon and my voice come out at the same time though mine was frigid cold compared to the shocked tone of Poseidon. I glare at Poseidon.
"You should be ashamed Poseidon. For naming one of your bastard that name." I spat at him in disgust my fury overloading.
"It is I who named him milady. Poseidon doesn't even know of the gender of the child when he left. I was the one named him after your child." I see red at her comment. How dare Poseidon reveal her of my child!? But my fury evaporated at his shocked and confused look.
"How do you know I have a son named Perseus?" Poseidon looks so confused and I felt my thoughts whirl. Then how? How does she know? I see the mortal and Triton exchange a glance before Triton clears his throat nodding.
"Percy come on. I am sure you are eager to see some fish." Triton says smiling.
"Okay sa'ebu!! " Percy exclaims before frowning. "What was that?" He asks confusedly.
"What is what sea star?" Triton asks worriedly.
"Why do I keep calling you sa'ebu? And why do I feel that I should call them pat're and pat'mi?" He says pointing at Poseidon and me. And if the shock I felt at seeing the child calling Triton sa'ebu and Triton calling him sea star is something, it is nothing compared to the shock I felt at hearing him call us pat'mi and pat're. I felt my eyes prickle at the flow of memories hearing those words brought. Of my dear child. My Perseus.
Triton huffs out a watery chuckle as he ruffles Percy's hair fondly "I will explain it to you after we go see the fish. And maybe I will allow you to meet the dolphins too" He says carrying Percy from the room and last we heard is Percy's exclamation at meeting dolphins.
I stumble to my throne and sit on it, my head spinning. I felt Poseidon sit beside me on his throne and I clutch his hand hoping to get some reassurances but instead he himself looks like he need reassurance.
"What is happening here milord" I ask my voice faint.
"That is something even I would like to know my queen." He whispers shakily before looking at Sally.
"Sally....love... What.. How? " He adks and she smiles softly with a hint of sadness.
"I regret not taking on your offer that day Poseidon. If I had I would have explained long ago that our child is the reincarnation of you son. But the morai forbade me in saying it." And I stiffle back a gasp at that.
"That child..he's my son?" I ask my eyes tearing up as hope rises in my heart and she nods smiling softly.
"Tell us everything Sally" Poseidon asks roughly but there is no mistaking the hope in his voice. And Sally explains everything. How the morai visited her. How she kept him a secret. How she took care of him. How she met Triton. After hearing everything I stand up from my throne and reach her and without any hesitation I hug her tightly. I felt her stffen in shock before relaxing and hugging me back.
"Thankyou..thank you..for everything you have done. I am very glad you're here. And Triton is right. You deserve happiness now. A life with Percy without any burdens. Welcome to the family. " I hesitate before saying ".. Sister" She gasps and I move away fearing I have stepped out of the line.
"I'm sorry!" I exclaim. "I should have called you that. It was out of line" I apologize but she shakes her head.
"No no it's fine Lady Amphitrite. I was surprised is all. I was very afraid you would take away Percy from me when you learn of his identity. But seeing you welcoming me so openly had me startled. And thank you for welcoming me into the family, sister" She says smiling wide and I beam at her. We both look back at Poseidon to see him looking at us shell-shocked.
"Oh don't look so shocked Poseidon. It's unfitting for a king. Now go shoo. Make the arrangements needed to announce the people that their beloved Prince is back." I say and take Sally's arm and drag her out of the throne room.

Chapter Text

SALLY POV
I let Lady Amphitrite drag me to who knows where all the while my brain trying to process what happened in a span of few hours. My whole life changed in the past few hours that I have trouble believing it is real. It has always been my fear that I would lose Percy the day I reveal his identity. But now all my fears are nothing but a thing of past. I look at the queen smiling softly. It was a known fact that the queen of seas was not the jealous type unlike the queen of Olympus. But at least I thought she would have disliked me but instead I was welcomed into the family with open arms and a sister in the queen. Life couldn't be more wondrous than this to me. I was interrupted from my thoughts by Amphitrite's exclamation.
"Here we are!!" She says loudly and opens the doors we are standing in front of. And immediately I understood where we are. It's her personal chambers. Before I could even look around the room properly she drags me and pushes me onto a chair. I sit down without complains and look at her in bewilderment at her mutterings.
"What would... Ha!! Blue it is!! No maybe red.. Or gold. Or green..? " I interrupt her nervously.
"Umm.. Lady Amphitrite what are you talking about?" But immediately close my mouth shut as she glares at me her hands on her hips.
"Have I not welcomed you with open arms into the family. Then why are you calling me using those titles?" She demands.
"You are the queen milady. It is impo.... " She interrupts me.
"And you are my sister. I have made that fact clear have I not. So call me by my name or as sister" She says looking at me sharply.
I laugh softly but reply in affirmation, "Okay Amphitrite."
She smiles removing her hands from her hips and beams at me. "Okay so what dress would you like? I have a gold one. One cream. One green. Actually I have every colour. And what footwear do you want. Sadly due to my preferable mermaid form I don't have footwear. But I'm sure we can buy you some." And I stop her before she can go on and on.
"Why do I need a dress?" I ask genuinely confused. And she huffs out in disbelief.
"Today we are going to announce the arrival of the prince. It is a big occasion and you are his birth mother and part of the Royal family. You have to look like it." She explains and I sigh but agree. And after a long discussion and many arguments it's decided that I would be wearing a blue gown that compliments my eyes.
"Ok then. I'll give you privacy to change." She says and goes out closing the huge doors behind her.
I huff out laugh as I strip down my clothes. Just when I was wearing the dress the door opens suddenly, Amphitrite's head poking in.
"Sally what footwear do you... " She trails off and I hurriedly dress up fully but the damage has been done. He eyes widen in shock and horror as she enters in immediately and closes the door behind her.
"What was that?!" She exclaims loudly her face pale as she comes towards me.
"What was what sister?" I ask trying to look confused but her pointed glare has me sigh in defeat. "It's nothing Amphitrite." I try to placate her but it just angers her more.
"Don't you say it's nothing Sally. Unless you think I am blind to not see the variety of scars adorning your torso." She spats in anger and I flinch at her harsh tone. Her face softens at my flinch but her eyes remain fierce. "Who is it Sally? Who is it that abused your body such?" He gentle but firm voice makes me breakdown then and there. She hugs me as I cry all my grief out. And that is how the male members of the family saw us as they enter the room. They stop short at seeing me crying in her arms.
"Mommy!! " Percy exclaims wriggling free from Poseidon's arms as he swims towards me. I wipe my tears just in time to catch him as he barrels into me.
"Percy!! Did you enjoy yourself?" I ask and in my peripheral vision I see Amphitrite talking to Poseidon and Triton.
"Why are you crying, mommy? Did you get hurt?" Percy asks with all the seriousness of a child and I huff a watery laugh at his innocent question.
"No dear. Your pat'mi asked me a question and it made me cry." I say as honest as possible. I have long back promised myself to be as honest as possible with Percy and never I have I broken it and i am not going to do so now.
"Did she ask about Gabe?" Percy asks and I was yet again amazed by his ability to understand things.
"Gabe?" Poseidon asks his hand clenched with fury and Percy nods.
"Yes, pat're. Gabe is mommy's husband. He beats mommy a lot" And I gasp at that.
"Percy!! How did you even know that!?" I exclaim in horror. "You were not supposed to know that" I say horrified that Percy has known about my abuse. I was very careful not to reveal anything to him at such a tender age.
"But he promised he would not hurt you if I bring him money."
"Money?" Triton growls in suppressed anger.
"I'm sorry." Percy sniffles hus lips wobbling. "Did I do wrong?"
I look as Amphitrite comes towards us. "Oh sea star. You haven't done anything wrong. You were really really brave." She says softly taking Percy from me into her arms.
"Sally is it true. What Percy said about this....this Gabe" He spits the word Gabe with venom and I nod hesitantly.
"He is very bad pat're. He always drinks alcohol. And he smells bad. Ewww. Smelly Gabe." He wrinkles his nose in disgust and I see Amphitrite's heart melt at his adorable expression. Poseidon sighs loudly in frustration.
"Why didn't you leave him then? How can you even marry that..that....monster!?"
"Isn't it obvious milord. Percy said he stinks a lot. And if he smells as bad as he describes, it is safe to say that she married him so she could hide Percy's scent from the monsters. Am I right?" Amphitrite asks me and I nod. Poseidon's face falls at that.
"Sally I'm really grateful for what you have done for Percy. But you should have taken care of yourself too. And I regret leaving you more than ever. I should have just kidnapped you and brought you here to Atlantis." And seeing his face looking so crushed I couldn't help but reassure him.
"No need to worry about it. It's okay." I say but he shakes his head.
"You are too kind hearted Sally." He then turns towards the still fuming Triton. "Triton do whatever you want but I need the monster that hurt them in the dungeons before the feast begins." He orders.
Triton grins viciously and bows" It would be my pleasure milord." He says before rushing out leaving me speechless. I hurriedly look at Poseidon.
"You shouldn't worry about him. He can't hurt me anymore. Just leave him be."
"No Sally." Amphitrite answers. "He hurt you. And we don't take lightly of anyone who hurt what we think as ours. And you are our family. Just don't argue about it anymore. It's pointless."
I nod my eyes tearing up in happiness at her proclamation.
"Don't think about this anymore Sally. Today is a special occasion. Don't let all of this sadden you on our son's welcoming day" With this words he leaves us.
TIMESKIP
After two hours I am walking down the corridor that leads to the Royal balcony along with Percy, Poseidon and Amphitrite for the announcement. Poseidon and Percy are dressed in their royal robes and me and Amphitrite in beautiful gowns. We were then joined by Triton in his royal robes too.
"Father. It's done. He is in the dungeons. What should I do of him?"
"For now? Nothing. Let's celebrate for the time being. I will pay him a visit later." Poseidon dismisses casually but you have to be deaf to not hear the dark tone in his voice. And even though he deserves it I couldn't help but feel pity for Gabe at whatever punishment he is going to receive. We arrive on the balcony looking at the people below us. I couldn't help but gasp at the number of people present. Anywhere you see there are people present everyone waiting for their King to talk.
"People of Atlantis!" Poseidon's voice booms loudly. "We have mourned our lost prince for many years and we would have for more. But the time to mourn is past us now. Let us welcome your beloved Prince back. Prince Perseus is back!! " Poseidon booms gesturing for me to come forward. There was a second of silence as everyone takes a look at their prince in my arms before they burst into loud applause.
The chanting of "Prince Perseus" "Prince Perseus" "Prince Perseus" could be heard throughout the oceans as the people rejoice their Prince's return.

Chapter Text

POSEIDON'S POV
I walk out of the dungeons, my knuckles red with blood of that filth. I clean them off and start walking when I heard Triton ask.
"Father? What are you going to do now?"
"Regrettably, that scum is dead very soon. I think I have to ensure he at least receives punishment for a long painful time in his afterlife"
Triton's eyes gain recognition at that. "You are going to visit Lord Hades"
I vapour travel not giving him any answer to the obvious question. As soon as I land I was met with the familiar oily voice of my brother.
"Well.. Well... Well. I have to admit I was very shocked to hear you have requested a meeting with me Poseidon" Hades drawls looking at me with bored obsidian black eyes.
"Should I just not visit my brother?" I ask casually though I feel very uneasy standing in the underworld where none of my powers work.
Hades scoffs at my words. "Quit the act Poseidon. You haven't visited me in many years. Not since.. not since 'his' death" And I supress a flinch at the accurate statement. It's true that I had stopped visiting him since Perseus' death, wallowing in my own grief to think about others. And I forgot that Hades would suffer the same too seeing both him and Perseus have a very close bond.
"Brother.. " I start guilt seeping in my voice and Hades shakes his head harshly.
"Do not apologize Poseidon. I don't neither need it now want it. Just say whatever you want to and leave. As you always do." He says bitterly and I couldn't say anything to that. I abandoned him in his time of grief and these are the results. I clear my throat.
"I need a favour brother" I finally ask.
"Favour" He scoffs. "What made you even think I would grant you a favour?" He spats before looking at me thoughtfully. "What is this favour even? "
I swallow hard at the question knowing where it will lead to. "A soul has entered your realm not long ago with the name Gabe Ugliano. I want you to give him the most severe of the punishments you could think of"
Hades leans back in his throne looking at me hard. "That's quite....interesting. Why do you care of his punishment. It's not like you to involve yourself in mortal affairs. What is it that made you active now?"
"It...It has to do with Perseus" I admit and as expected I see the cool anger in his eyes.
"Do not paly with me Poseidon. He faded.. died long back ago" He spits out anger radiating from every pore of his body.
"And yet after all this time you couldn't even speak his name" I raise my eyebrow. He stands up glaring at me.
"Even you have not spoken his name all these years yet it seems you are forgetting the pain of his loss if you can say his name so freely." He growls looking at me in disgust. I stay silent a moment before coming to a decision knowing that I could trust Hades.
"No brother. I am able to say his name because I got him back. He's back Hades. Our Perseus is back." I say softly and he slumps down in his throne shocked.
After many arguments and promises on River Styx, he belived that Perseus is back. I then informed him of the situation with Gabe.
"That filth!!" Hades roars in anger. "Don't worry Poseidon. I personally will handle his punishment." He promises and I didn't doubt it for a single second. After talking some time about Perseus' second life I bid my leave and was preparing to vapour travel when his voice stops me.
"Brother?" Hades calls hesitantly and my heart soars at the endearment. "Could you bring him here once? I... I would like to see him again" He asks his eyes hopeful. I nod softly before travelling to my next destination.
"Hestia" I say softly to my favorite sister. She is in her nine year old form as always tending the hearth of Olympus. Se looks at me brightly and stands up.
"Brother I have been waiting for you" She says calmly with a knowing glint in her eyes. And I know that somehow she knows. She knows that he's back. She takes my arm before flashing us off and I offer no resistance knowing I trust her.
I immediately regret my thought after seeing the assembled audience before me. Nope. No way. Because before me in Hestia's palace are both Hera and Athena.
"No way Hestia. I won't" I whisper to her harshly.
"Yes you will Poseidon. You know you can trust them. They care for him as much as you."
"Maybe. But I still don't trust them. "
"What is it you won't trust us with Poseidon?" Athena asks raising an eyebrow while Hera looks on confused.
"Why did you call us sister?" Hera asks Hestia.
"Poseidon has something to discuss with us." She says calmly and looks at me pointedly. I shake my head feeling afraid and out of loop all of a sudden. A feeling I do not like at all. I see her eyes soften at my hesitancy.
"You have to trust them. You need them now and in future. You will need their support when the time comes to reveal the truth to everyone." She reasons and I nod my head still hesitant but believing her I turn to the others.
"Well what is it? I have important works than sitting here seeing you look like an idiot" Athena says irritated. I felt my own irritation rise, well if she is so busy might as well say it to her fast .
"Perseus is back" I say casually and take great joy as they stumble on nothing in surprise and disbelief.
TIME SKIP
I am walking the streets of Olympus after bidding the cooled down Hera and Athena and kissing a goodbye to my dearest sister Hestia. Sometimes I still find our eldest sister something of an enigma. The things she would know before we even say it is very intriguing. I smile again remembering how Athena went speechless for the first time since I know her. She argued a lot going as far as saying that I went mad with grief before Hestia supported my claim. I was afraid that the both of them would reveal about Perseus to Zeus but they swore they would not reveal the secret till I give them permission. It is not that I am afraid of Zeus. Zeus too loved that child as his own. Sometimes I am very lost with Perseus, he just makes everyone fall in love with him so easily and Zeus is not an exception. He adores Perseus but I am hesitant at his reaction seeing Percy is born after the oath. My thoughts come to a stand still as I hear a voice.
"Uncle P" Apollo says as he comes to stand bedide me. I stiffen at his presence.
"Nephew. What brings you here to me?" I ask hoping my voice wouldn't betray me. He just looks me in my eyes searchingly and I avert my eyes from his golden burning gaze. Apollo nods at this.
"So he's really back" He finally says sighing in relief. My trident materializes in my hand and is at his throat in an instant my eyes burning with warning.
"What did you just say?" I sak my voice low. Apollo gulps but looks back at me unwavering.
"I said I know Perseus is back." He says slowly. "The morai informed me". I release him sighing in frustration.
" I'm warning you Apollo. One word of this to anybody and you will not be alive anymore. I mean it. No one should know of him. Especially her" I say spitting the last word with poison.
"You can't order me that uncle. Artemis deserves to know" He says defiantly.
"No She doesn't. She can rot in Tartarus for all I care. She wouldn't know of him" I say standing straight glaring at him.
"She loves him Uncle" He exclaims.
"And she killed him!! " I shout back at him my face livid. Apollo's face drops at that.
"You don't understand..." He says but I interrupt.
" I understand perfectly fine Apollo. I know very well that in no purpose can she know he is back. That is final and if you go against my warning I will kill her. I was merciful last time and let her live but I won't stop this time till she dies" I warn before flashing off.

Chapter Text

PERCY'S POV(3 years later)
I block the strike aimed at my heart and parry another strike from my enemy. I move two steps away from him assessing his position as I grip my trusted weapon Riptide tighter. My breath comes out shallow but my eyes remain precise.
"Not bad sea star. But still you can't defeat me." Triton boasts his words trying to rile me up but I refuse to take the bait. But I could pretend I took the bait. With this idea I immediately leap at him with a loud cry. He raises his trident smiling smugly thinking he riled me up but before my sword could meet his trident I propelled the water to swivel me sideways as I will the charm on my bracelet to turn into a trident, it's sharp point at his neck. His eyes widen in disbelief before he laughs.
"I should have known you wouldn't fall for my bait." He says and I turn my trident back to it's charm and my sword into its pen form.
"I win. Again" I sneer arrogantly. "As always" I huff out with false arrogance before into dissolves into a carefree grin.
"Yeah yeah." He grumbles. "No need be so cheeky. It's bad enough I lose to you, just a demigod, no need to rub that off" He huffs looking like anything but the prince he is. To be frank he looks like a five year toddler rather than millinea old god.
"Oh shut up with the complains sae'bu. I was the God of swordsmanship. I know tactics." I roll my eyes and his eyes narrow.
"Exactly. You were the God of swordsmanship. Now you are just a demigod. Yet I still lose" He sulks before he looks at me softly. Almost tentatively and I know what is coming.
"Are you still getting the dreams?" He asks his eyes concerned. I shrug averting my eyes downward to the reef filled bottom, my mertail swishing.
"Sometimes. There are still many blanks in my memory. Aunt Hera and Hestia help me sort out the memories I am recovering along with sister Athena. But still there are many memories missing. And recently I am having the same dream. I am running through a forest and a girl was with me I think. I feel this intense emotion, this love before I get a sharp pain and I wake up. It's frustrating. Why are my memories so hazy? When will I receive all of them?" I say frustration creeping in my words. I know everyone knows who the girl is. But they never say it. It was always the same with them- It's best you don't know Percy. I scoff at their words. I have every right to know but everyone even the rule breaking Apollo is hell bent against the idea. Before Triton could say anything, most probably some false placatings on how everything would be fine, a guard come rushing towards us.
"Prince Perseus and Lord Triton! The King requests your presence immediately in the throne room." He says bowing. We look at each other. Father is back already? We nod at the guard dismissing him and start swimming to the throne room.
"Do you know what this is about? Father has been visiting Olympus very frequently these days and always returns in a foul mood. The storms in the southern bay are also increasing. The sky too. Are dad and uncle Zeus arguing?" I ask and hold back a sigh of frustration at his expression of hesitancy. This is another thing that's bothering me. Everyone is hiding something from me. It was like this ever since the Winter Solstice. Even mom seems to be hiding this from me.
We enter the throne room to find mom, pat'mi and pat're already present greeting us with gentle smiles. I nod at father and kiss mom and mother on cheeks in greeting. They all smiled at me the usual but their eyes held a tension that they tried to hide and I immediately became alert. I look at Triton to see him in what seems to be a mind conversation with father. I watch curiously as Triton's expression turns from indignant to anger to disbelief and then settles on defiance.
"This is ridiculous. Please tell me you are not going to do this father!! " Triton exclaims.
"Would somebody please explain to me what is happening here?" I intervene trying to be calm at their hesitancy. I wait a few seconds before talking again.
"What is happening between you and uncle Zeus?" I ask father at last.
Father sighs. "I should've known you would suspect something. Yes Perseus something has happened indeed. Zeus' master bolt has been missing. Nobody knows of this yet but even Hades' helm is missing." He reveals and I regret ever asking the question. Two of the three weapons of the elder gods missing is nothing but a huge disaster. And now I understand why the weather has been like this.
"Uncle Zeus is blaming you, isn't he?" I ask feeling a headache coming.
"Yes" Father says tiredly. "While Athena and I have been arguing that no god can steal other's weapon, he seems to have got the idea that I used a demigod to steal the bolt. " Here he looks at me. "Specifically he thinks one of my own demigod stole it." And it takes me a moment to understand the implication. My eyes widen in disbelief.
"Woah. Woah. You mean he thinks I stole it? That's ridiculous. I've not once visited Olympus let alone steal something as absurd as his weapon." I splutter at the idiocity of the situation.
"Well he doesn't blame you since he doesn't know of you. But yeah that's the gist of it. He suspects I sired a demigod and that the child helped me in stealing his bolt." He says. "And of course His Highness gave me a deadline. If the bolt is not returned by summer solstice, he will wage a war on us." He says drily with a huge amount of sarcasm that says he is doubting Zeus' sanity.
"When did Uncle Zeus become so stupid?" I exclaim and even in such a dire situation they all couldn't help but smile at my question.
"You should've seen Hera and Athena. They looked ready to strangle him then and there when he declared war." And I smile at at that. It seems like them to want to do that type of thing. Then a thought filters into my brain and my stomach churns with uneasiness.
"Pat're?" I call and chid myself at how shaky my voice sounds and he looks at me sadly and in understanding. "Does it mean it's time?" I ask my heart drumming in my ears. He nods looking pained and I sigh out shakily. Mother looks at me and father frantically and gasp as she understands.
"No!" She exclaims looking at father. "No Poseidon. I won't allow it. He is not going!!" While this is happening I look at mom my eyes pleading for advice. She smiles at me understanding. As my birth mother this life she understands me more than mother and father. She nods at me and I turn back to the argument of mother and father.
"I don't like this Amphitrite but I don't see any other option." And before mother could reply to his statement I intervene.
"I'll go mother" I say and she freezes before turning to me her eyes blazing.
"No you're not" She grits out and I sigh.
"Mother. I was given a second chance at life not to enjoy the comforts of a prince. I was born to become a hero and it's time I started my journey for that." I say firmly and saw how she breaks at that.
"But I don't want to lose you. Not again" She whispers her eyes tearing up. I felt my heart twist at her miserable expression and hug her.
"You are not going to lose me. I will come back for you. I promise." I say and she hugs me hard sobbing. After few minutes she composes herself and looks at me.
"Well then I have to pack the necessities you need. Triton come and help me." With those words both her and Triton swims out. I turn my head to father as he swims towards me and hugs me hard.
"I want nothing but to bind you and lock you in your room sea star. But I also know I couldn't do that. It is your choice and for whatever it's worth it I am proud of your decision." My throat clogs up at his sincere words and I nod. He looks at me with proud eyes before swimming out leaving me with mom.
I look at her as she comes towards me. "Do you think I made the right decision?" I ask feeling like the child I was in front of her. She doesn't say anything and hugs me. I melt into her embrace without shame and look up as she looks at me.
"When you were in my womb, always kicking me I know you'd be a fighter. And your decision just proved me that you'll be the greatest hero ever. You are ready to go save a world that owes you nothing just because you felt it was right thing. So you tell me yourself Percy. Did you do the right thing?" She asks smiling and I just hug her harder.
"I love you mom" I whisper thankful that I got such a wonderful mother.
"I love you too my son."

TIMESKIP
After two hours I am all ready and packed. There's a backpack with me containing my bracelet, a sea mirror through which I can communicate with my parents anytime. Some of our family photos, some cash, some golden drachma and of course my bow and arrow in ring form. Mother even kept some nectar and ambrosia for just in case. And for some reason she even kept my crown in there. I wore a normal blue colored tshirt and jeans with my trusty sword as a pen in my pocket. And to be frank I am excited for this. I have not stepped a foot into the mortal world since that fateful day where Triton brought us to Atlantis. I don't remember much about mortal world. Just bits and pieces like how I once drowned my classmates in a shark tank. How I bombed my bus when we visited The Grand Canyon. And of course, I think sourly. I remember my horrid step father Gabe or better yet Smelly Gabe. Mom visits the mortal world every now and then but mother is very afraid to send me. Till now. And I revise the instructions given by mother in my mind feeling amused. It's simple really. I would go near CHB. Then Uncle Hades would send few monsters after me so no one could get suspicious. I would defeat them, go to camp, get claimed, get a quest, find the bolt and helm, return it and cone back to Atlantis. And of course I have to do all this without getting a single scratch(Mother's order). I bid everyone goodbye. I get smoldered with kisses from both mother and mom. Dad suffocates me with a tight hug. Then Triton hugs me hard.
"I don't like this sea star. Not one bit. I brought you here promising myself that I would never leave you again. But you became a big boy huh? Going on all types of quests on your own." He says ruefully. "But remember this sea star. If I find you are in danger, I will come and help you. Just fuck off to the laws. I will not lose you again" He says fiercely and I hug him feeling nice at his protective nature. I bid everyone a last goodbye and start swimming upwards to start my journey as a hero.

Chapter Text

I swim to the beach , feeling nostalgic as I see the cabin me and my mom used to visit frequently. I manipulate the mist not letting the mortals see me come from the ocean. I walk towards the cabin and open the door and I grimace at the dust it accumulated along the years. I make a note to come here another time and clean it as I close the door and start walking in the direction of the city.
I was walking down the streets of New York when a boy bumps into me. "I'm sorry!! " He exclaims and I nod forgiving him easily since I see crutches on his legs. That's when I see him stiffen suddenly sniffing the air. My eyes become sharp assessing him. Is he a monster? But no that can't be right. I see no mist covering his form.
"Go-ods of Olympus!!" He exclaims,well more like bleats and I relax coming to the conclusion that he is just a satyr. It's time to act then.
"Gods? Are you a believer of any religion?" I ask innocently.
"Oh..um... Yeah. My whole family worships the Greek gods" He says smiling nervously.
"Oh really!!" I exclaim acting surprised. "Well I am strict believer of the Almighty one. I worship God with capital G" I say feeling giddy at how I am playing with him. I know it's a little cruel but I can't stop it. His eyes widen in terror.
"You don't believe in Greek myths?" He squeaks out.
"Nope. No way I am going to worship them. They are just barbaric." I hold back a wince as thunder booms loudly in the sky. Note to self: Do not criticize the gods. Not even for fun.
"I'm sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I am Percy. Perseus Jackson."
"You have a Greek name but you donot believe in them?" He asks incredulous but shakes my offered hand.
"I'm Grover. Grover Underwood" He introduces himself. "I hope I am not rude but where are you going?" He asks.
"Well I don't know. Mom is busy today. So I thought to go explore the nature. I want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. I heard there are strawberry fields nearby. So I thought to visit there." I explain hinting him subtly. His face glows at that as if Apollo parked his car on his face.
"Oh really? I know where they are. I could take you there." He offers.
"That's very nice of you. Yes please" I ask and then we proceed to book a cab and are on our way when the weather takes a drastic turn as a storm starts.
"Sorry kiddos. But this is till where I can go. You can get out now." The car driver says and I look at Grover questioningly. I don't care about the rain at all. It even refreshes me. Grover shrugs and we climb down the cab.
"Come on this way." He gestures me to follow him in climbing a hill which I know for sure is the half-blood hill. We were steadily climbing the hill when there is a roar behind us. I look back and stop a groan that threatens to come out my mouth. Did Uncle Hades suddenly start hating me or what? Because if I am not mistaken the monster behind us is certainly the Minotaur.
"Wh.. What is that!!" I scream in false horror.
"Percy I'll explain everything later. First we need to reach the camp"
"Camp? "
"Yes. It's just down the hill. Can you see the pine tree there. If we cross it we will be safe." Ah yes the infamous Thalia's tree. I have heard about the unfortunate girl who was turned into a tree. My family totally freaked out when they heard what happened to the daughter of Zeus. They were afraid I suffer a similar fate seeing I was also born out of a broken oath. I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
The Minotaur is halfway to us when we start running when I hear a screech. I turn back and immediately freeze in my tracks. Uncle Hades should really hate me because if I am not mistaken, there is also a Fury flying towards us. When father informed me that uncle would send monsters after me, I thought maybe a couple of hellhounds. Not two most dangerous monsters in the history of Greek mythology. Time for action then. I turn around and Grover bleats in misery.
"Percy what are you doing? "
"You go Grover. I will take care of them" I order.
"No way. You don't know anything about... "
"Just shut up and go Grover" I snap at him. He hesitates for a moment but rushes off to camp probably to bring reinforcements. I look as the Minotaur rushes towards me it's hands outstretched. I felt the time slow down around me as my eyes become focused. I swivel to the right just as it was about to catch me. And just as I had thought, the Minotaur couldn't take fast turns. So while it outruns me I jump on its back and cling hard as it shakes hard to remove me. My eyes find the horns and I get a stupid idea that would surely give me a house arrest if mother ever knows of it. I catch hold of a horn and pull it back with all my strength, the rain rejuvenating me. Snap! The horn breaks and I waste no time to plunge it into it's neck. I jump down from its back just as it starts dissolving into gold dust. I take the horn, my first spoil of war, I think proudly before my attention directs towards my next opponent.
"Alecto?" I whisper holding the horn in front of me in an attacking position. Alecto nods at me very subtly.
"Yes Perseus it is me. You have to kill me" She says and I flatter.
"What?"
"Do not worry. This is all Lord Hades plan. I would reform immediately. He said it would be dramatic if he sent both me and the Minotaur."
I groan at that. "Damn gods and their need of dramatics." I whisper before immediately dodging an attack from Alecto.
"Die Perseus Jackson" She shouts as she flies at me and wow. She is very good at acting. I duck at another swipe of her talons. Next I roll down rather than swiveling sideways when she flew at me and stab the horn in her abdomen.
"Sorry Alecto" I whisper as she screeches leaving nothing but golden dust behind. I turn around my breath little heavy and look at the assembled audience looking at me in shock and awe. Atleast they had a good show I think as I take my backpack which has fallen down sometime during the fight and trudge upwards the hill.
I close my eyes with a sharp intake of breath as the protective magic of Thalia's tree washes over me. But the feeling was short lived as I was immediately bombarded with hundreds of questions from everyone.
"Shut the hell up will you" I snap and they all close their mouths looking at me with wide eyes.
"Thanks. That's good. Now. " I turn my head towards Grover. "Would you mind explaining what the hell is happening now?" I ask patting myself inwardly at my acting skills. That was when Chiron(I think fondly) and is it Dionysus? comes towards us from the camp. I hold back a smile as I see them stumble on nothing when they see me. And they nearly fall down in shock as that was the moment father decided to claim me. I am gonna give a huge hug to dad when I see him next time I think as I look at the fading hologram of trident above me.
They all kneel down still in shock at the chain of shocking events. Chiron kneels down on his front legs while Dionysus continues to gape at me.
"It's determined" Chiron announces as he asks my name. I keep my expression a mixture of shock and confusion and I say my name. "It's Perseus" I pause just to see their reaction and as expected Chiron's and Dionysus' eyes widen more. "Perseus Jackson" I say. There was a couple of seconds of silence before Chiron comes out of his shock.
"All hail Perseus Jackson. Son of Poseidon. God of seas and earthquakes. All hail the son of the Stormbringer."

Chapter Text

Before anyone could even utter a single word Dionysus rushes towards me taking my arm harshly and drags me away. This sudden motion has everyone come out of their shock only to gape as they see me get dragged to who knows where by Dionysus who looks like he just visited Tartarus. I take a quick look at Aunt Hestia near the hearth and she gives me a supportive smile. I hear sound of hooves behind me and look back to see Chiron following us and the campers dispersing all the while whispering to each other and glancing at my way. Dionysus drags me to a blue colored building and the door closes behind us with a loud click. I look at my surroundings, the ping pong table, a leopard head and then turn towards the company I have. Both Chiron and Dionysus looks at me as if I am dead. And technically it's true. I am supposed to be dead.
"Umm.. Why did you bring me here? What is that monster? Why did you all bow and call me the son of some god??" I burst my questions but stop at Dionysus' glare.
"Who are you?" He snarls and I adopt a confused look.
"Percy Jackson. I think I informed you of.. " He cuts me off.
"Don't play games with me boy. Who are you?" He shouts and stamps towards me his eyes warning me to speak truth. I gulp in fear but try to look as irritated as possible.
"See dude. Whoever you are. I think you have some hearing problem or you are mad because you've been asking the same question again and again. My name is Perseus Jackson" I say sounding frustrated.
"Mr.D calm down" Chiron says and I hold back a laugh. Mr.D? That's so funny. I sigh when Dionysus averts his eyes away from me to Chiron.
"Calm down? Are you not seeing what I am seeing?"
"I can understand you Mr.D but you know this is not him. He has been dead for a long time" Chiron says his eyes pained and I see Dionysus eyes harden.
"I know it perfectly well Chiron" Dionysus says sharply. "I've mourned him for many years to remember that fact. But still a boy looking same as him till dot, having same name, same parent and came killing two monsters as if it is nothing is certainly suspicious."
"Could you please stop talking in riddles and explain why I am here?" I intervene and got placed under his glare again.
"Chiron I have to go and inform the council of this......new development. Keep an eye on him. " He says before flashing off leaving me with Chiron.
"So.. Chiron right?" I ask and he nods and I continue. "Like the centaur who taught heroes?" I ask gesturing to his horse body.
"Yes child. I am Chiron. You seem to have a great knowledge regarding the Greek myths Perseus." He says looking at me with wary look.
I shrug trying to look casual. "My school teaches them. And they seem interesting enough but not so much as to believe their existence if what I saw until now is proof"
"I see. Come on then. I will show you around the camp." He says gesturing me to follow him out.
As soon as we step out we were met with a pain of grey eyes and blond hair. A child of Athena I think as I look at the similar traits exhibited by children of Athena.
"Annabeth? What are you doing here?" Chiron asks her. She glances at me with something akin to dislike before looking at Chiron.
"Chiron!! Please go to the archery range. The Hermes campers are wrecking hell in there" She exclaims.
"Ah. It seems I have forgotten my teaching schedule in the midst of the shocking events that took place. Annabeth do me a favour and escort this young man throughout the camp while I go to the archery class" And he gallops off before listening to her reply. I look at her and she glares at me. "Come on! " She snaps. Oh wow. Rude much. She stays silent as we go around the camp looking at me with a mirad of emotions that irks me to no end. I stop suddenly making her bump into me.
"Hey!! Why the hell did you stop?" She exclaims glaring at me. That's it. This is going too far.
"What is your problem with me?" I ask coming straight to the point. Her eyes widen a smidgen with shock.
"What?"
"You've been looking at me as if I have killed your pet or something. Did I do anything to offend you somehow?" I ask looking at her pointedly and she blushes.
"It's... It's not.. " She sputters before straightening up and looking at me in the eye. "See, it's just I couldn't understand you. It's just not me. Nobody here has a clue on what to do about you. You come here killing two dangerous monsters as if they are nothing while knowing nothing about the Greek myths being true and then you were claimed by one of the Big three. This is not something you see on daily basis. Look around you. Has anyone approached you till now? No. Not even Clarisse who usually bullies the newcomers. They are afraid of you. The last child odd the big three born out of the broken oath is now a tree guarding the camp and we don't know what happens to you. And there is also this Poseidon Athena rivalry. I don't understand whether to hate you or not" She says ending her long speech. I look at her speechless at her decent Athena like explanation.
"See, I am sorry. This is all new to me too. And I don't even know what to do." I exclaim my heart weighing with guilt at my lies. Her eyes soften at my anguish.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been behaving like that with you. It's my mistake. Forgive me." And I smile as I get an idea.
"I'll accept your sorry on one condition." I say looking at her seriously. "What is it?" She asks looking at me warily. I hold out my hand towards her.
"You have to be my friend" I say. She looks speechless for a moment before laughing but accepts my hand.
"Ok then. I accept your hand in friendship dear Perseus." She says voice formal.
"Thank you my dear Annabeth" I say in the same tone. We try to stay serious for five seconds before our eyes lock each other and we fall down laughing hard. Maybe life at camp won't be hard afterall.

Chapter Text

DIONYSUS POV

I flash to Olympus my mind still whirling from the chain of events that happened in a span of few minutes. What the hell is happening. Is this some cruel joke by the fates or am I going mad. Is it possible for me to become mad seeing I am the god of madness? I look around the empty Throne Room trying to gain a semblance of calm when nobody is here yet. When I have seen the boy standing on the top of the hill looking like one of my dear friends, I nearly stumbled in shock and then it was as if the world was laughing at me as he got claimed by Poseidon with the same name- Perseus. His name was a taboo in Olympus since his death, none wanting to be on the receiving end of the seas wrath by uttering his name. Perseus- the son of Amphitrite and Poseidon. Prince of Atlantis. Younger brother of Triton. God of tides, swordsmanship, loyalty, heroes and hunt. And in my opinion the most loved person on Olympus. I haven't seen anyone who harbored ill will towards him. Even my father Zeus adored him which is still a shock to many. And now seeing the same face again had brought back many painful emotions that I have long back buried deep inside my mind. And while I came here intent on calling an emergency meeting, I'm weighing my opinions now. How will everyone react? Most of all, I think grimly, How will Artemis react? It is an even big taboo to talk about the only love story of the man hating goddess. The love story of Perseus and Artemis- the Tide and Moon. But I know I have to inform the council. If not because of his appearance but of his existence. A son of the Big Three born out of a broken oath. I fuel my powers into a purple colored flame and throw it towards the ceiling alerting the Olympians of an emergency meeting. And one by one all the Olympians flash in looking disgruntled. If it isn't me who called in the meeting I am sure I would have sported the same expression and really I can't really blame them. The fights going on between the two brothers has grated on all our nerves. All are hesitant to come to the meeting just to stop the brothers from killing each other.
"Father if this is another meeting about your bolt, I swear I've reached my patience. I have no interest in stopping you from killing each other. Again!" Athena says exasperatedly and I see the same sentiment echo in others faces. I intervene before father starts another speech about the importance of his bolt. We literally have heard it many times that we all could recite each and every word of the speech now.
"It was me who called in the meeting Athena." I say and everyone turn to me in shock since I was never one to call on a meeting.
"Don't look so shocked" I drawl irritated and they all school their expressions.
"Why did you call the meeting then?" Athena asks confused and I avert my eyes from her to Poseidon who meets my eyes calm as ever.
"It seems there is a curious situation in camp Athena." I finally say. "A child had been claimed by Poseidon as soon as the brat entered the camp. It seems we have another oathbreaker." and in a fraction of seconds chaos starts which is understandable. The news of the child of big three is not something easy to digest considering the circumstances of the oath on River Styx.
"Silence!!" Father booms and we all fall silent looking at his glare directed towards Poseidon.
"Is it true brother?" He demands electricity sparking around him in his anger but Piseidon just looks at him calmly with a hint of challenge in his eyes.
"Yes, what if it is?"
"So you did steal my bolt using this child of yours." Zeus voice was a mere whisper and I watch in fascination as Poseidon's eyes darken in fury.
"As I said time and again brother, I have nothing to do with your bolt. While it's true I sired a child, we have nothing to do with your stupid weapon." and I felt rather than see how the calm tone of Poseidon struck a chord in Zeus. My body prickles in warning and I know whatever father is gonna say is bad. Like very very bad.
"Then he will die and I will see through it." Zeus growls and before any of us could even blink, Poseidon's trident is at Zeus' neck as his eyes turn nearly black at the anger he is radiating. I summon my weapon and I see others do the same, all poised ready to interfere if things go out of hand.
"Touch a single hair on him brother" He spits the last word as if it is poison. "You will be visiting Tartarus before you can even understand it." His voice was an cold whisper and all of us are forced to lean back on our thrones at the sheer force of power radiating from him. While it is a common knowledge that Poseidon is the powerful of the Big Three, everyone tends to forget it due to his aloof and friendly personality. But seeing him now, everyone gets a reminder of how dangerous he could be behind those friendly smiles and teasing talks. Fears floods Zeus' eyes as he growls. "You would kill me for a mere demigod?"
"Yes!" Poseidon says fiercely without an ounce of hesitation and all of our eyes widen. I then freeze in terror as his eyes leave Zeus and latch onto mine slowly moving towards each and every person.
"This warning is applicable for everyone of you. Anyone who even thinks of touching a single hair on his head will not live to see the next day. Consider yourself warned." He growls menacingly and I gulp at the promise in his voice.
"You've formed a great bond with this child of yours." Zeus says looking shocked, looking almost confused as he gingerly removes the trident from his neck.
"Of course I have a bond with him. He's my son" Poseidon scoffs.
"No brother. I've known you for many eons and I've never seen you get so ballistic over a threat." Zeus voice gains a recognition as his eyes find Poseidon's in shock. "You broke the laws and have been meeting with him." He says whispering in shock and fury. Uncle Poseidon stays silent and we all inhale sharply at the revelation.
"Why did you break the law? What is it about him that made you break the ancient laws?" Father asks furiously and I intervene before it escalates into a bloody fight.
"I think I have answer to the question father." I say and all eyes turn to me again. "And I think all of you will understand it too when you see him" and I ask Iris mentally to show the boy to us. There were many gasps as the screen materialize revealing everyone the face of Perseus.

Chapter Text

ARTEMIS POV
I couldn't hold back the gasp that comes up my throat when I see the person on the screen. I felt the familiar burn in my eyes at the black haired, green eyed son of Poseidon that has been plaguing my nightmares all these years. The face of Perseus, my only love, reflects back at me and I suddenly felt it hard to breathe. I avert my eyes from the screen painfully when father stumbles back in shock onto his throne, face awash with shock.
"That's impossible" He breathes out. I look back at the screen again to see him talking with a girl and have to stop myself from growling as jealousy rears it's head inside me. No, I think firmly. This is not Perseus. Calm down. But all my thoughts evaporate as the girl calls him Perseus and I hear his laugh before the screen fades away. No. This.. It's the same name and the same laugh. The laugh that used to fill me with joy, but now it feels as if a thousand hot knives are stabbing my heart.
A sob escapes me before I could even hold it and I flash away from the meeting, the states of my fellow Olympians regarding me with mixed emotions and Poseidon's eyes filled with unspoken threats.
I fall on my bed as soon as I flash back to my tent. We have been hunting near the forests of Florida and have camped for the day. The feeling I've been trying to forget all these years comes back in a flood at seeing his face and hearing his laugh. I clutch my pillow to my face and sob feeling as if the world is breaking apart around me. The memories long back forgotten flash before my eyes as if happened yesterday bringing the longing and pain back a hundred times more. I want to hate him for leaving me and I hate myself for killing him. I scoff at the thought. As if I don't hate myself enough already. More memories flash inside my brain and I couldn't do anything to stop them.
".............. think you can defeat me Artemis? You know very well.................."
".............. promise me? I know it is................"
"............you are my moon and I am the tide that pulls towards you. I love.......... "
".........never leave you Moonbeam. I promise......."
The memories of his sweet words and promises of a happy future fills me with poison that threatens to swallow me whole. The last memory is like a knife to the gut that twists painfully wishing me to curl up then and there and die.
The flap to my tent opens and Zoë enters looking at me in shock before closing the flap and hurrying towards me.
"Mi'lady!!" She exclaims. "What happened?" She asks but I ignore her as I try to control my tears.
"Mi'lady.... " She sighs. "Artemis, is...is this about brother Perseus?" She asks and I couldn't hold back the look of shock at that. How? She looks at me with sad eyes at my shock.
"Look at thee Artemis" She says softly. I glance down at my self and I understand. I'm in my nineteen year old form opposed to the thirteen year old form I use now a days.
"Thou haven't used this form since his passing Artemis. Except on the anniversary of his birth and death" And it's true. On both the days I visit Delos, both Apollo and mine sacred place and also the place I met Perseus. On both the days I am just Artemis, a girl seeking her mother in her grief. Mother doesn't ask any questions just comforting me as I cry to sleep. I shake my thoughts as Zoë speaks again.
"So what happened that made thou sad? Did anything happen in the meeting?"
I divulge her off everything that happened and watch as her eyes flicker with various emotions before settling on understanding.
"Yes, this is certainly a grave news. But remember mi'lady, this is not our Perseus. Thou can't go through that path again. It leads to nothing but heart break. "
"I know it Zoë. I am well aware how it will end. I was just not ready to see his face is all." I try to say firmly but it sounded weak even to my own ears as I change back to my thirteen year old form.
"You can go and carry on what you've been doing." I dismiss her. I watch as she walks to the flap and before she can open it I call to her.
"Zoë?" She turns to me curiously and I avert my eyes to the ground. "Thank you for everything even though I haven't been honest with you always." I say guilt seeping through me. I see her hesitate for a second before looking at me square in the eyes.
"I don't know what happened that day. Nobody knows except maybe Lord Apollo. But I know one thing and I believe it. Thou are not guilty. Thine luv' for Perseus is too great for you to kill him with no proper reason. That I have no doubt of and thou will always have my support." She says and leaves closing the flap behind her.
Reason......her voice echoes in my brain. A reason indeed. There has been a good reason that had me kill him. A reason that I hate but which forced me to take action, I think darkly as I remember that day.
The day I rued my heart with my own arrow.
The arrow that pierced his heart has pierced mine too and broke it to many pieces.
And they have yet not glued back.

APOLLO POV
I look at the gardens of Olympus below me from the balcony of my palace. I think of the events that happened today and really Artemis' sudden leave had surprised no one. While I longed to go after her, I know my request would be denied. Father recovered soon after her leave and calmed down but I know it's only a matter if time before he does something foolish. But at least no one has suspected if he is our Perseus. Doppelgangers and look-alikes while rare are still possible, hence no one thought about a possible reincarnation. I take a sip of nectar from the goblet Perseus had gifted me during the early days of our childhood friendship. The time when we were just godlings. I still remember the day we met vividly. Artemis has come home with two boys in tow who later introduced themselves as sons of Lord Poseidon. And I saw the protective nature of Triton towards his younger brother Perseus who was barely few months older than us. The sea dieties mostly Triton have always been very protective of Perseus even then and it certainly hasn't decreased in this life. If not it increased more to the point that I fear their wrath should something happen to Perseus.
And I fear that there will be a war, not because of the bolt but if father or any Olympian for that matter touches a single hair on Perseus. A dangerous war that would destroy the mortal realm. I've always known that he would come back one day but not when the situation is so dire. I can feel Kronos' power increasing everyday, the time of the Great Prophecy is coming near and Perseus will be in the middle of it. I remember the last time he visited me just a few days before his demise.
"........afraid Apollo. What can........ "
"........ I don't want to be the reason of everyone's suffering.......... "
And I remember my words after many days of our research and spectaculation.
".......only one option and I don't like it......... "
".......to die.......to reborn......a hero........ "
And he will be the hero indeed. But a prophecy line resonates in my ears.
Heroe's soul a cursed blade shall reap
A hero or a martyr, I think darkly with heavy heart. And that might just be the end of the world.

Chapter Text

PERCY POV
The next few days in the camp are not so bad. I get the Poseidon cabin to myself seeing I am a single child. I've been talking with my parents daily with the sea mirror before going to bed. And as for the camp, slowly everyone are getting used to my presence. I even made some good friends. There is Annabeth of course, the daughter of Athena. Grover, the satyr who I befriended on my way here. I learned that he was waiting for his searchers licence for the search of Pan. And to my confusion the wild god's name had me feel a weird sense of familiarity that I couldn't place. I even learned that Grover's licence has been not issued due to his failed mission in bringing Thalia the daughter of Zeus to the camp safely. I felt a unknown emotion stir in my gut at his trust in me about discussing such topic. Then there is Silena a daughter of Aphrodite who bonded with me due to her love for Pegasus. She was very fascinated that I could communicate with them and would drag me to the stables daily, with me acting as an intermediate between them. Then there is my good friend Lee from Apollo cabin. He was obsessed on finding out the reason for my excellent archery skills seeing it shouldn't literally be possible for me to be good in archery due to the curse placed on the children of Poseidon by Apollo. While it creeped me out a little at his constant stares it soon turned into a budding friendship that was unexpected but not unwelcome. Then it is Katie, a daughter of Demeter, one of the most soft spoken person I have ever met. The only people who can make her angry are the Stoll brothers who think their life mission is to irritate the daughter of Demeter. And most of the camp either leave me alone or be friendly enough. But there are some people who don't like me and maybe hate me. When I asked Annabeth about this, she looked at me for a few seconds before sighing.
"Percy, they are jealous." She says at last and I blink at her surprised.
"Jealous?"
"Percy, many people here are undetermined. They have been waiting for their parents to claim them and then you came killing a pair of monsters and got claimed as soon as you step in the camp. And some are jealous because of many other reasons too. Your sword skills. Your archery skills." She says looking frustrated about the last skill. "Which I still don't understand how you are good at it." She glares at me as if it's my fault that I have good skills in archery.
"And you have a whole cabin to yourself without any problems. These are but few reasons they are jealous of you. And in a camp where it is full of children with parent problems, jealousy can turn to hate very easily."
I accepted her reason easily since they have some truth in them but what I donot understand is the hate Luke has towards me. He doesn't show it openly of course but I can feel his hate filled state following me whenever he thought I was not looking.
I am in the arena looking at Luke from the sidelines. His reflexes are good but he lacks the precision. But his disarming move is very good and useful and look as he disarmed yet another camper. I look as he ruffles the head of the camper he defeated giving him words of encouragement. All the campers disperse and Luke looks at me. There is a brief flash of grimace on his face before it disappears as he smiles at me and sits beside me. I have an inkling about what's happening with him and if whatever I think is true from the dreams I have been recieving since I came to camp, it is something I have to act on very soon.
"Percy!!" He explains joyfully as he pours some water on his head and I look at his face which by all standards is considered handsome except for the scar that marrs his face.
"How did you get that?" I am pointing at his scar and I know I have hit a sore point as his face darkens.
"I got it on a quest from lord Hermes to bring a golden apple of immortality from the garden of Hesperedes. I got this scar from Ladon, the immortal guardian dragon of the tree." He says darkly.
"Is that why you hate your father?" I am casually and he blanches.
"Hate? Of course not. I don't hate my father."
"Please don't question my intelligence with such a silly answer Luke. You may be the son of the god of lies but you can't fool me. I can literally feel the hate you have towards your father and all the other gods." I say glaring at him in the eye daring him to say no.
"You are very observant. I give you that and you are right. I hate them. And why shouldn't I? When they just use us like tools? They donot deserve to rule this world." He spats in anger and hate.
"And the Titan Lord deserves to rule?" I ask and take satisfaction as he pales and nearly falls down. He looks at me in shock before anger replaces it.
"I don't know how you know of this Percy, but the world will be better off with the Titan Lord than the gods" He says darkly.
"What did the gods ever do to us? Look around the camp! Many are undetermined and even those who are claimed live in Hermes cabin because they're children of minor gods. They are children Percy. They are not asking for the sky or stars are they? They are just asking their parents to recognise them. Is it a daunting task for the mighty gods? They don't even recognise us but they need us to do their dirty work. For their quests and wars. They deserve to die not rule." His voice cold with anger and he has valid reasons too except he is missing one point that most do.
"Do you know when the ancient laws come to place?" I ask probably giving him a whiplash at the abrupt change in topic but he replies with a confused shake of his head.
"They exist before even the beginning of time. That's the reason they're called as ancient laws. And these are the laws that keep the gods from interacting with their children or interacting with mortal affairs in general. Do you know why?" Again he replies with a shake of head.
"Gods are too similar yet too different from humans Luke. They feel like us, they think like us but the difference is they feel more. Way more than we can even comprehend. Their emotions are so deep that our human brains would melt should we ever feel them while not being immortal." I explain and to my slight surprise he is listening to me quite well.
"And you know what their emotions are connected to? Their domain. How shall I explain this?" I muse. "Tell me Luke who do you love the most in the world?" His guard which was slowly going down backs up again as he looks at me warily. "I mean no harm Luke. Just answer the question."
"My mother." I smile at his answer. That answer speaks of his good heart.
"So tell me what would you do if she dies?" I ask and have to admire his speed as he points his sword at my neck.
"Touch a single hair on her head and you will wish you were never born." He snarls. I slowly remove the tip of the sword from my neck feeling proud at his love towards his mother.
"It wasn't a threat Luke but still I got quite the reaction that I expected from you. Just hinting at her death you went out of your mind and you are but a mere mortal. Then how would the gods react if they see their beloved children they grew to love the most die before their eyes? They go mad with grief and their emotions which are so in tune with their domains wreck hell on earth. Everytime a demigod dies the world suffers for it. That's why the ancient laws are in place and gods stay away from us. It's not that they don't care about us, they are afraid they would care too much." I finish looking at his wide eyes that are showing a lot of emotions.
"But..but..why don't they atleast claim their children?" He asks looking for something to blame the gods for though I could see his voice wavering. I smile sadly.
"I never said they don't make mistakes Luke. They make them whether big or small, they still make them. They're not perfect. Everyone thinks they're some mighty beings capable of doing whatever they wish for... And while it's true in few cases, they don't have that type of freedom. Their situation is so fucked up that it's painfully hilarious."
I wince at the crude words that would have earned me a earful from mother but continue what I have been saying. "All I am saying is they make mistakes Luke. They're not perfect but at least they're better than someone who swallows his own children." I look at him pointedly at that. He flushes at that but there is a deep understanding of the gods in his eyes that has not there before.
"Tell me when did the Big Three swear an oath to not sire any children?" He blinks at my sudden question but answers nevertheless.
"After the World War 2"
"Exactly. Such a recent oath resulted in Thalia's misfortune. Because she was a violation to the oath. Then what do you think would happen to us if the gods ignore a millennia old laws and interfere in our lives? We would have suffered more than what you think we're suffering now. This life now would seem like a children's park compared to what it would have been. Remember that." I finish and stand up, dusting of my pants of any dust. But before I could start walking, Luke stops me.
"How do you know of these things?" He asks looking frustrated. "You speak as if you felt their pain. Like.. Like you experience them. And you are what? 12 years old or something"
My lips quirk up at his observation. "It's not something you need to bother yourself with Luke. As they say 'Ignorance is a bliss' Just think about what I said." And I turn my back to him intend on walking to my cabin when he clutches my hand tightly, his face a mix of terror and guilt.
"Percy!! But....but I stole the Bolt!!" He whispered urgently and my eyes widen.
"What?!" I whisper shout and my heart falls to the bottom of my stomach at the implications. "Don't tell me they are with the Titan Lord" I ask my voice pleading and sigh in relief when he shakes his head.
"No. But it will soon reach him. Ar.. Clarisse's Dad found me while I was escaping Olympus. He wanted to bind me and bring me to Olympus but the Crooked One whispered ideas in his head. Controlling him... Manipulating him." He says and I felt my eyebrows raise by the end. Ares has always been very easy to manipulate. He's too brash and very easy to anger which clouds his thinking. It's his nature but turning against his home? And for what? For a war that would not strengthen but weaken him? It seems dear ol' grandpa has gained more power than I thought if he can control an Olympian so easily. I curse, berating myself for assuming the Crooked One is still weak. What have I been thinking? Of course I donot know his true power. I was not yet born during the Titan war. I should have informed father when I started getting dreams of his presence ever since I entered the camp. But I was foolish to assume that I could handle things without involving anyone. I stop my mental scolding when I think of something and my eyes snap towards Luke.
"Wait, does that mean you stole the helm too? Is it with Clarisse's Dad too?" Avoiding saying any names lest we gain their attention. Luke nods to my question and I couldn't stop myself as I hug him tightly.
"You are awesome. I gotta go. Bye" I shout already halfway towards the Big House.
I burst into the Big House interrupting what seems to be an important conversation between Chiron and Dionysus.
"Percy? What happened?" Chiron asks. "But it's good you arrived. We were just about to send for you. It seems"
"you are to take a quest" "I have to go on a quest" we say at the same time. They look shocked and I scratch my ear in embarrassment at my lack of control in my excitement.
"Father talked to me in my dream. Said the Bolt was stolen and I have to retrieve it by Summer Solstice or there will be a war because Zeus thinks I stole it which is frankly stupid" and wince as thunder booms "Because I'm very afraid of my mother to steal a pizza piece let alone a weapon that could destroy the world. Mother's are scary man" I shiver slightly at that. And I think I broke the two of them because they just look at me befuddled. "So can I go to the attic?" No response. "Okaayyy. I will go then" I say and start climbing upstairs.
I stop short at seeing the Oracle or specifically the mummy before me. I take a deep breath. Okay here it goes.
"Milady" I bow "the speaker of Lord Phobeous Apollo. The great Oracle. Please grant me a prophecy that can aid me in finding the Master Bolt and Helm of Darkness."
An eerie green coloured smoke slither from her mouth, twisting in the shape of snake. The hiss of snakes fill the room as the Oracle opens its mouth.
You shall go West to the God who turned
Find what are stolen and see them safely returned
Gain new friends where time is lost
Truths will be revealed all at last

Chapter Text

Percy POV
I'm sitting at the ping pong table, eleven pairs of eyes looking at me with various degrees of emotion. In the time gap in which I have received the prophecy, Chiron and Mr.D have assembled all the best councillors for an emergency meeting, which in my opinion is the best thing they could have ever done. It's better they know it beforehand from us than finding out later which would have resulted in a camp dispute. The camp would have been plunged into a civil war following their parents.
"Well what are you waiting for Perry Johnson?" Mr.D asks and I roll my eyes inwardly at his mispronunciation of the campers' names. But still my eyes soften as I remember why he does it. It pains him less when a camper dies if he is not too familiar with them. Hence his deliberate attempts at mispronunciation. It's his way of coping and really my heart goes for him. I couldn't imagine being in this camp as a director for another century when your own children are here and there is a huge chance they might die before you and you would be helpless to aid them. That's something I wouldn't wish even on my greatest enemy let alone a god who I grew up with in my past life. My eyes avert to Luke as understanding dawns in his eyes as he comes to the same conclusion as me. It seems he is getting what I have said about the gods.
"I take it all of them know what's happening?" I ask.
"Of course Percy. That's why they are all here. Now if you could please repeat the prophecy?" Chiron asks raising an eyebrow.
"Ah yes.. of course. Here it is." And I recite the lines of the prophecy. The first two lines sound good but the next two are confusing. Friends? Truths? The last line has made my heart beat so loud I was afraid it was gonna burst and the knowing look Chiron gave me when I said the last line is nerve wrecking.
"It's a good thing right? It says we would find the Bolt and return it." Silena says looking at everyone with cautious hope.
"As it may be Silena. The line says 'are' and not 'is'. It seems the quest is not about finding one missing object but more than one." Chiron says and everyone falls silent thinking about what might have been stolen.
"But if we ignore it for now, the first line must have been referring to Lord Hades." And the confident edge in his voice irks me. I felt my blood rush to my ears at his words. Nobody has any right to blame uncle Hades. How dare he.
"Lord Hades?" Annabeth asks hesitant and Chiron nods.
"Tell me my dear. If Zeus and Poseidon weaken each other in a war, who stands to
gain?”
“Somebody else who wants to take over?” She guessed.
“Yes, quite. Someone who harbors a grudge, who has been unhappy with his lot since the world was
divided eons ago, whose kingdom would grow powerful with the deaths of millions. Someone who
hates his brothers for forcing him into an oath to have no more children, an oath that both of them have
now broken. The Lord of the Dead is the only possibility."
And I snap. "Are people in this camp generally biased or is it only you Chiron?" My tone shocks everyone to their core as is evident by their gaping mouths. But I ignore them as my anger at the unfairness increases.
"Why can't it be Athena or Hera? They too were part of the plan to strip Zeus from power aren't they? It could even be Hephaestus!! He surely must want some revenge on Zeus for toppling him out of Olympus." And while I know it was Hera who did it in a moment of anger, the other demigods do not know that.
"It could be Ares. He would be at an advantage if everyone goes to war. It could even be Hermes. Isn't he the Good of like literally bloody thieves!!? Hell!! It could even be Mr.D at this point. Maybe he wanted revenge for stripping him off his major domain which was very cruel by the way." I argue.
I felt Dionysus' power weighing on me in fury."What are you implying Jackson?" He snarls.
"I am in no way accusing you of anything Lord Dionysus. I was merely stating the possible suspects instead of placing all the blame on one person." I snark.
"You seem hell bent on defending Hades." He says looking at me calculatingly and a little suspicious. I hold back a grimace at that. Of course he was suspicious. I used to be very close with Uncle Hades in my past life. Always defending him just like how I did.....just now.
But I won't bow down to their suspicions. So I look him squarely in the eyes and say "Well of course I have to defend him. He won't steal his own helm would he?" I drop the bomb and take a little satisfaction at his widening eyes and the shocked gasps throughout the room.
"Hades lost his helm?" He asks and I nod. "Why is it we haven't been informed of it yet you seem to know of this?" He demands.
"Lord Hades has informed my father who in turn informed me. They seem to be close enough with each other to share this information. Aren't they?" I challenge and he deflates looking confused.
"Yes they were... But not since...." He grimaces looking pained and I wince in guilt. Dad and Uncle H haven't been on good terms since my previous death? I file this information for later as Dionysus shakes his head.
"Never mind that. I have to go and inform the council of this. But before I go, tell me Perseus Jackson. Who are your companions on this quest?"
I don't hesitate for even a moment before saying their names. " I chose Grover Underwood and Annabeth Chase as my companions."

ZEUS POV
I am looking at Dionysus in shock resisting the urge to massage my head at the brewing headache.
"Why is it we are hearing about this now?" I growl out.
"The son of Poseidon informed us at the meeting just now. It seems he knew about it from his father who in turn knew about it from Hades." Dionysus says and I glare at Poseidon in barely concealed anger.
"You dare hide this information from the council?!" I roar and my ire increases at his non-chalant expression.
"It wasn't mine to share" he says and I felt electricity crackle in my hands at my steadily growing anger.
"This is a huge problem Poseidon. A problem that should have been informed to the council immediately." I snarl and he shrugs!! He literally shrugs!!
"Well you would have known about it if you could have just given Hades freedom to come to Olympus as he wishes." He says glaring at me and I felt incredulousness rise within me.
"You are supporting Hades instead of us?" I ask in disgust. Since when have these two become buddy buddy again?
"Well he hasn't even thought to blame me when his helm is stolen unlike you who put the blame on me without an ounce of proof. So yes I support Hades more than you Zeus."
"Be careful with your words brother. You speak of treason."
"Treason?" He scoffs. "It would have been treason if it was someone else but in case you have forgotten he is family. He is your own brother. Is supporting our family a bad thing now too?!" He growls standing up and my blood turns cold, his words hitting close to home. I lean forward in my throne glaring at him.
"Yet it hasn't stopped you or Hades from hating me when I supported my daughter brother." My voice freezing cold. I felt the Council stiffen at the topic I brought. The trident materialised in his hands and his eyes turned into pits of hate at my words.
"DONOT compare these two situations. She" he points his trident at Artemis "killed him. And you supported her when she killed my son!!" He shouts and I too stand up now, our faces inches apart and faces bursting with fury.
"She is my daughter!!" I say fiercely.
"Does Perseus ever mean anything to you?" He asks his voice accusing and I stiffen feeling as if he has punched me.
"He was like a son to me Poseidon. I too raised him. I loved him dearly."
"Loved?" He scoffs. "Yes I have seen how much you have loved him when you supported his murderer." He sneers.
"That's enough brother." I snap. "Think whatever about me but one thing is true. I cared very deeply for him."
"If that is what you call care, then I pity all your children. Face it Zeus, you don't care about your children much less Perseus." And I felt my control snap.
"I maybe your brother but I am your King first. You know nothing of me. So never presume to know about me. You would do well to remember that." I say and flash off leaving a baffled and shocked council in my wake.
TIME SKIP
I am drinking a goblet of nectar in my chambers, my mind reflecting back on the council meeting a few hours ago. The arrival of this demigod had us bring our long back forgotten arguments to the forefront of our minds. The topic of Perseus much less his death hasn't been uttered in years but the familiar face on the young demigod is upsetting the reluctant peace that resided between the council members. I fear what his arrival means to Olympus. And I fear what would happen of the world when he dies. I still remember the day Perseus died vividly. The world nearly ended at the rage of seas and I don't think it would survive if anything happens to this boy.
I close my eyes and I feel my eyes burn with the familiar regret and guilt every time I think of Perseus.
I should have saved you that day, my boy and I wish you hadn't made me promise to not save you. I regret the decision till now and I know I will regret it all my immortal life.

Chapter Text

The next morning, I'm standing on the top of the half-blood hill with my quest mates Grover and Annabeth looking at the people that arrived to wish me luck on my quest.
"You got your nectar? Ambrosia? Don't forget to eat the food from time to time okay? And do you have your weapons wi...."
"Okay! That's enough for now Silena." I laugh. "This is like literally the fifth time you have been asking the same questions. Calm down first." I say and she glares at me.
"Calm down? Of course I am calm." She says a little hysterically. "I'm just cross checking everything."
"For five times?" I ask raising my eyebrows in amusement.
"Ok maybe I am overthinking everything" She concedes. "But you are going on a quest when you just learned about your heritage like a week back!!" She exclaims and I feel a twinge of guilt yet again about hiding and lying to them about myself.
"Chill down Silena. He is not a small kid.. ummm.. well technically he is since he is still 12 and all. But he got pretty good archery and sword skills. He will be fine." Lee tries to placate her.
"Yes Silena. Don't mother-hen him" Katie jokes with a smile and a wink in my direction.
"Hmmphh" Silena huffs. "Ok come on then. Just joke about it!! He is going on a gods know what quest to who knows where trying to find out something that not even the whole of Olympus combined could find and I have to chill out and not freak out!!! He may die out there and might not come back and he.. he.." She breaks into a sob and I felt guilty immediately at teasing her.
It seems I underestimated how much she cares and worried about me but still a warmth blooms in my chest to know that she cares a lot. Not only her I realise as I look at the others to find similar amounts of worry in their faces too. But still I was a little horrified at not knowing what to do to console a distraught Silena and look at the others eyes pleading. Annabeth rolls her eyes at me and hugs Silena trying to console her.
"Don't worry about that idiot. I'll bring him back in one piece and try my best to stop him from stabbing himself or anything stupid like that. It's why I'm here right. To balance his stupidity with my brilliance." She jokes and I look at her indignantly.
“Are you implying that I am stupid Annabeth?” I ask glaring at her but yet my lips betray me as they twitch upwards without my consent.
“Oh no!! Why would I do that?!!” She gasps dramatically a hand to her chest but her lips smiling. “I never imply something Seaweed brain. I’m saying you are stupid.”
I hid my own smile when Silena laughs at that and frown in mock anger.
“Seaweed brain??!! You are so full of yourself aren’t you Wisegirl?”
“Wisegirl?! Seriously?!! That’s so unoriginal and supports my claim about your idiocy.” She throws back and I couldn’t help it. I laugh along with the others till tears prickle in my eyes and my stomach in stitches.
We talk a little more which still to my dismay consist of more reassuring when Chiron called me to a side.
“Chiron?” I call him warily after a nerve wrecking minute of him looking at me as if peering into the depths of my soul.
Chiron simply shakes his head and gives a small apologetic smile and a tilt of his head.
“I think I owe you an apology for my proofless accusations on Lord Hades. I admit I reached to hasty conclusions while worrying my head since the Winter Solstice.”
“No need to apologize Chiron. I understand. Lord Hades is usually misunderstood and to be honest all the clues does point to him if we don’t take his missing Helm into the equation.”
“And I must apologize too. I was so rude to you during the meeting. I don’t know what came over me to disrespect you such in front of everyone. I just lost my cool I guess so to speak.” I smile sheepishly.
He just shakes his head waving off my apology and smiles at me, eyes sparkling.
“Just be safe Perseus. I don’t think we could bare to lose you again.” He says instead and my breath stutters and my spine stiffen. Before I could utter a single word, he gives me a knowing smile and trots back to where my friends are still conversing.
I stand still in shock looking at his back, my mind going through all possible explanations on how Chiron seems to know. After a few moments I shrug off my shock and decide to just go with flow for now. I trust Chiron with all my being- he is one of my dear friends after all, and hope I come back unscathed from this quest and then demand answers.
Annabeth, Grover and I say our final goodbyes to our friends and start descending down the hill when a loud shout of my name stops me. I sigh in relief when I see Luke as the owner of the voice. I was worried when he hasn’t come to wish us good luck and goodbye.
“My gods!!” He pants heavily after skidding to a stop before us. “I was afraid I had missed you guys!!” He says and hugs Annabeth.
I give her a teasing smirk behind Luke when she blushes profusely which she responds with a vicious glare. It seems Wisegirl has a crush!! I cackle in my head filing this information for future teasing material.
Luke then let go of her and hugs Grover and whisper something in his ear that makes Grover’s eyes mist over but he gives a shaky smile and nods gratefully. Luke then comes over to me and hugs me tightly nearly lifting me off my feet. I hug him back just as fiercely understanding the thanks and apology he conveys in the hug.
“Percy, the Crooked One ordered me to give these shoes he enchanted that will drag you down to Tartarus when you reach the Underworld.” He whispers in my ear showing me the box he was carrying. My eyes widen when I look at the shoes inside the box.
“No way!! Dude!! They are Herme’s exclusive flying shoes!! I can’t believe you have one of the pair, these are like one of the only six in existence. You are so lucky!!” I exclaim prodding the shoe reverently.
I see Luke’s eyes widen in shock and smiles bashfully at me. “He gave them to me for my quest.” He admits quietly and I shake my head in amazement.
“You keep then with you. I’ll take care of it when I come back.” I say pushing the box towards Luke. He nods at me understanding that I’ll remove the enchantment after I come back.
He then gives me another hug and goes to stand on the hill along with the others. When I got to the bottom of the hill, I looked back. Under the pine tree that used to be Thalia, daughter of Zeus, Chiron is standing in full horse-man form, holding his bow high in salute and all my friends waving their hands madly making me hold back my snickers. Just your typical summer camp send-off by your typical centaur and your over protective half-godly friends.

Chapter Text

Argus drove us out of the countryside and into western Long Island. It felt weird to be on the mortal world, Annabeth and Grover sitting next to me. After so many years in Atlantis, then at Camp Half-blood, it feels weird to be here in the outside world where there are no Greek styled buildings or architecture.
Ever since I started gaining my memories I have only felt at home in Atlantis which was far more familiar and in tune with my memories. It made the acceptance of my memories much easier. Even at the camp the Greek architecture reminded me enough of home and so familiar to Ancient Greece that I never felt out of place.
But now here in a van travelling through New York, I found myself staring at every McDonald’s, every kid in the back of his parents’ car, every billboard and shopping mall.
Traffic slowed us down in Queens. By the time we got into Manhattan it was sunset and starting to rain. Argus dropped us at the Greyhound Station on the Upper East Side, not far from where we used to live in what felt like decades ago.
Argus unloaded our bags, made sure we got our bus tickets, then drove away, the eye on the back of his hand opening to watch us as he pulled out of the parking lot. I thought about how close I was to my old apartment. Years ago, on a normal day my mom would be home from the candy store by now. Smelly Gabe would have been probably up there playing his stupid poker, eating up all my mom’s hard-earned money, I think darkly.
Whatever, I think, shaking my head to dismiss the unwanted memories that surfaced my mind. Gabe is dead now, I think with a little amount of satisfaction. He couldn’t lay a finger on anyone again. And from what Uncle H said to me, he’s enjoying his torture in the VIP part of Fields of Punishment.
I come out from my musings when I see Grover looking at me weirdly. Oh right, Satyrs can read emotions. I wondered if Grover could still read my emotions, mixed up as they were. I was glad he and Annabeth were with me, but I felt guilty that I hadn’t been honest with them.
The rain kept coming down. We got restless waiting for the bus and decided to play some Hacky Sack with one of Grover’s apples. It was fun. We found out that Annabeth could bounce the apple off her knee, her elbow, her shoulder, whatever. The game ended when I tossed the apple toward Grover and it got too close to his mouth. In one mega goat bite, our Hacky Sack disappeared— core, stem, and all. Grover blushed. He tried to apologize, but Annabeth and I were too busy cracking up.
Finally, the bus came. As we stood in line to board, Grover started looking around, sniffing the air with suspicious eyes.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” he said tensely. “Maybe it’s nothing.”
But I could tell it wasn’t nothing. I started looking over my shoulder, too. I was relieved when we finally got on board and found seats together in the back of the bus.
As the last passengers got on, Annabeth clamped her hand onto my knee. “Percy.” An old lady had just boarded the bus. She wore a crumpled velvet dress, lace gloves, and a shapeless orange-knit hat that shadowed her face, and she carried a big paisley purse. When she tilted her head up, her black eyes glittered, and my heart skipped a beat.
Three very familiar faces greet me- Alecto, Megaera and Tisiphone.
“It’s okay,” Annabeth said, obviously thinking hard. “The Furies. The three worst monsters from the Underworld. No problem. No problem. We’ll just slip out the windows.”
“Annabeth it’s fine. They won’t harm us.” I try to reassure her but it obviously fails when she looks at me in terror and incredulity.
But whatever she wants to say got interrupted as we hit the Lincoln Tunnel, and the bus went dark except for the running lights down the aisle. It was eerily quiet without the sound of the rain.
Alecto got up. In a flat voice, as if she’d rehearsed it, she announced to the whole bus: “I need to use the rest-room.” “So do I,” said the second sister. “So do I,” said the third sister. They all started coming down the aisle.
“I’ve got it,” Annabeth said. “Percy, take my hat.”
“What?” I ask looking shocked.
“You’re the one they want. Turn invisible and go up the aisle. Let them pass you. Maybe you can get to the front and get away. We can..”
“Perseus.” Alecto speaks to me interrupting Annabeth.
She freezes, her eyes wide as she grips her knife tighter looking as pale as ghost, her eyes never leaving the furies. On the other side, Grover started eating the aluminium can as if they are potato chips.
I sigh exasperatedly, turning to Alecto flanked on the sides by her sisters. My Demon Grandmother’s, as I often call them jokingly.
“Alecto, stop the theatrics. You are scaring my friends.” I roll my eyes at them. Beside me Grover lets out a frightened bleat, both Annabeth and Grover looking at me in shock and horror.
“I’m afraid, I can’t do anything about that deary. We have such a marvellous reputation after all.” She exclaims, smiling wolfishly with all her teeth bared. While anyone would have been trembling with fear at her expression, I just felt fond annoyance at them.
“What did you even come here for? Don’t you have some unfortunate bloke to torture in your playfield?” I ask drily.
“I got message for you. Messages actually.” She rolls her eyes in irritation which is… understandable really. Her job is to torture, not play as a messenger.
“What is it then? And from whom?” I ask instantly alert.
“We were ordered by Lord Hades to convey the message but the messages themselves are from your parents. Your father wants you to know that the Olympians are planning to monitor you throughout your quest.” She says and I roll my eyes.
“So, they’re going to spy on me through Iris then. Fantastic!!” I exclaim sassily.
“Yes indeed. And your mother wishes us to inform you that.. I can’t believe I’m saying this but her exact words are- I’m going to have your hide when you come back because you forgot your sea mirror in the camp.” Alecto conveys the words as if merely saying them is physically painful all the while looking like she sucked on a lemon.
I groan loudly at that. I totally forgot about the mirror!! I can’t believe I didn’t even remember about that till now.
“Percy, what’s happening?” Annabeth dares to speak finally, her voice low hinting at me to speak the truth, promising endless torture otherwise. I ignore her which is obviously a very bad idea but I have to clarify something with Alecto first.
“If the Olympians will be spying on me, won’t they see this conversation?”
Dread pesters in my stomach at her all too fake innocent grin. “Oh, they haven’t started yet. But they are going to start about…now.” And without any further warning she lungs at me, her claws going for my throat.
I scramble back just in time and spring up, Riptide in my hand, ready for an Oscar worthy performance.
“Perseus Jackson,” Alecto screams. “You have offended the gods. You shall die.”
“Submit now,” she hissed. “And you will not suffer eternal torment.”
“Nice try,” I told her internally applauding her for her awesome acting skills.
Alecto lashed her whip around my sword hand while Megaera and Tisiphone on the either side lunged at me. My hand felt like it was wrapped in molten lead, but I managed not to drop Riptide. I stuck the Megaera on the left with its hilt, sending her toppling backward into a seat. I turned and sliced the Tisiphone on the right. As soon as the blade connected with her neck, she screamed and exploded into dust. Annabeth got Alecto in a wrestler’s hold and yanked her backward while Grover ripped the whip out of her hands. “Ow!” he yelled. “Ow! Hot! Hot!” Megaera whom I’d hilt-slammed came at me again, talons ready, but I swung Riptide and she too was dust.
Alecto was trying to get Annabeth off her back. She kicked, clawed, hissed and bit, but Annabeth held on while Grover got Mrs. Dodds’s legs tied up in her own whip. Finally they both shoved her backward into the aisle.
Alecto tried to get up, but she didn’t have room to flap her bat wings, so she kept falling down. “Zeus will destroy you!” she promised. “Hades will have your soul!”
Even in this situation I have to stifle my laugh at her exclamations. Who even taught her to say that!! But my smile vanished when thunder shook the bus. The hair rose on the back of my neck.
“Get out!” I yelled. “Now!” They didn’t need any encouragement.
We rushed outside and found the other passengers wandering around in a daze, arguing with the driver, or running around in circles yelling just then the windows of the bus exploded as the passengers ran for cover. Lightning shredded a huge crater in the roof, and a pained wail from inside told me Alecto was not yet dead and I felt guilt flood me even though knowing she volunteered for this.
I looked once again at the bus and then we plunged into the woods as the rain poured down, the bus in flames behind us, and nothing but darkness ahead.