"Now," Triton said. "I'm certain that all these are wonderful presents, but I thought perhaps it would be best to receive mine first, seeing how it's not wrapped."
I perked up, "Not wrapped?"
"Well," he smirked. "It's a bit hard to wrap."
He made a motion to someone behind me and one of the guards swam forward, something cradled in their hands.
My eyes widened as I realized what it was.
"An octopus!"
"A coconut octopus, to be precise," Triton said.
I cooed at the reddish-brown octopus that curled in the guards hands. It's little tentacles poked out as it seemed to look around.
"She isn't named yet," Triton said. "What would you like to name her?"
I gently scooped her out of the guards hand, they slipped back to one of the walls.
"She's so pretty," I murmured as her tentacles curled around my fingers tightly. She was easily small enough to fit in my hands, and so cute too, but her tentacles were strong. "Maybe… Hippolyta?"
"Like the amazon?" Triton mused. "That sounds good."
I beamed, gently petting her head. "Nice to meet you Hippolyta."
"Oh, she's adorable. I want an octopus," Samoa said. "But my parents are shark people."
"Ouch," Rosa said. "Everyone knows Octopi are the best."
I laughed as it started a debate, Two mer were very insistent that sharks are better but Rosa and Samoa were standing strong on octopi being the best.
I rolled my eyes as Fetu passed me a present, Hippolyta being moved to my shoulder for the moment.
"Here," he said. "Open this one."
I almost cried when I opened what was labeled as from Lagi to realize that it was a bunch of books.
Books on mer biology, individual ones on bones, nervous system, circulatory system, and scale and fins. Plus, a side one on how undersea magic interacts with those systems based on how it's drawn forth. And then the books on undersea treatment, one for both fauna and flora and their properties and uses in medicine, plus a book on undersea medicine, and a book on magical treatments in a basic manner.
Oh no.
"Oh," Lagi beamed. "I see you've opened mine."
Triton was snickering, traitor.
"Now you'll be able to begin studying medicine like you said you wanted."
He looked very pleased with himself for his gift, I didn't have the heart to tell him it made me wanna cry.
"Havu," I said, glad that I was underwater to lighten the weight of the books. Hippolyta tried to poke at one of the books with a tentacle. "I'll make sure to read through them."
"Oh, there's also another gift beneath the books."
I shuffled them around, noticing a small stone.
"It will give a boost in healing done when the person being healed is holding it. Stimulates recovery, increases speed of skin growth, that sort of thing. It's re-chargeable in terms of power as well, but takes a lot so be careful if you decide to try."
I nodded, studying the stone curiously. It had a few ivuisav carved on it that felt curling and warm. I suppose that they were what gave it the power.
"Havu, Lagi."
He twisted his hand in acknowledgement.
Hippolyta tugged on the stone with her little tentacles, having curled down my arm. I let her take it, she moved back up to sit on my shoulder, hugging her new stone.
With the debate on octopi versus sharks over, I was able to open a few presents from the mer I didn't know that well.
I received a very pretty journal from the mer that was rude to Samoa, a platinum and blue, purple, and pink coral necklace from a mer named Lorenzo, a fresh young blue and silver coral from a mer named Tutaki, a book on the history of the deeps from a mer named Atl, and an (currently dulled) knife in a really cool sheath with a kraken wrapped around a ship on it.
Hippolyta reached for the seaweed that had wrapped the presents, so I passed her a strip. Her little tentacles clung to the stone and seaweed.
"Havu," I said politely to the four, even the rude one.
I hesitated, did I just keep putting the unwrapped gifts back on the table? I didn't really have another place for them.
"Perhaps mine next, taeae soha tatu," Khrysaôr said with a bright smile.
I nodded and let him pass me a present wrapped in sparkling seaweed.
It was two presents, one long and thin, the other short and boxed.
I opened the long and thin one first and found a spear. It was a nice spear? But I didn't need another weapon… and I didn't use a spear anyways. Did Khrysaôr use a spear?
I stiffened as the waters shifted and pressed down heavy on me. I heard Triton snarl.
"Khrysaôr-"
"It's designed off of the Goddess of War's!" Khrysaôr said cheerfully. "It's very well made too."
He looked very pleased with himself as he hid behind Metua.
Triton looked ready to stab him with his trident.
"It's also poisoned!" Khrysaôr added with a big grin.
"Perhaps we should hold off on that for Persi," Poseidon said delicately. "He's a tad young for a poisoned spear."
"Yeah," Triton snapped. "Maybe when he's six-hundred."
"Oh fine," Khrysaôr said. "But I got him two things."
He smirked at me, "Open the second."
I let Triton take the spear and make it vanish before unwrapping the second box.
I studied the wood container, a bottle visible through the glass front. It was shaped interestingly, with a thick base that narrowed then got larger again. The bottle was filled with some red liquid.
"What's," I squinted to read the cursive styled writing. "Ass-om-bro-so-Reserve-ah Del Poor-toe?"
"AsomBroso Reserva Del Porto," Khrysaôr chirped as Hippolyta slipped down my arm to poke at it. "It's the best tasting tequila around."
"Oh," I considered for a moment. Did the sea have underage drinking laws? Was this a normal gift?
"NO!" Triton cried, diving for it. "You are far too young for this!"
"Oh, let the kid live," Khrysaôr cooed. "He deserves a break, a nice drink, some relaxation. It's good for him."
"Go rot in Tartarus you petulu."
"Ouch," Khrysaôr placed a hand to his chest as Poseidon groaned. "That hurts."
"Children-" Metua started.
"Do you have no sense!? He's thirteen!"
"And that's the right age to begin drinking! Honestly, it's a shame he hasn't had a drink yet."
"You-"
"Enough!" Poseidon cried. "Khrysaôr, get your brother an age appropriate in the modern day gift. Triton, put the trident away."
"Wow," a mer muttered. "That's… something."
"Persi," Poseidon held out a hand. "I'll take the…"
"AsomBroso Reserva Del Porto," Khrysaôr said helpfully.
"Yes… that."
I handed it over, not willing to fight about it. Hippolyta tried to cling to it as Metua took it away though so I had to coax her back.
"Now then," Poseidon said. "How about you open another present."
"Mine is nothing inappropriate," Masina said primely, offering another seaweed wrapped box.
I accepted it and carefully peeled away the yellow shaded seaweed to reveal some carefully rolled pipone and a current board. I unrolled the ocean paper and revealed detailed maps.
"They're maps of the currents," Masina said. "The most detailed out at the moment. They're also updated and show the current speeds and danger levels and which ones are best for quick travel along with markings for best exits."
"Wow," I said. "This is very interesting. Havu."
"I think you know what a current board is," they teased. "I thought I could teach you."
Triton's eye was twitching and Khrysaôr gave me a thumbs up.
"That sounds great," I chirped, ignoring both of them as I studied the large shell board.
Masina looked pleased.
I carefully set the presents aside to reach for the next one.
This one was a teal shade, and the name on it marked it as from Mavu'ta. Amphitrite-nai got me something?
I carefully peeled the wrapping off and found arm braces. They were intricately made, with mini krakens patterned on each of them. They felt light as a feather despite their weight.
"They're enchanted to be light and to be gentle on your arms," Amphitrite said politely. "To ensure comfort while keeping your arms protected."
"Havua," I murmured.
She flicked her fingers in acknowledgement.
"Do mine next!" Herophile said, drifting forward. "It's great."
"Sure," I agreed, reaching for the one she pointed to.
I carefully unwrapped the pretty blue seaweed, revealing an interesting circle… thing.
I had multiple parts decorated with lines, and they shifted when I picked it up.
I hummed and twisted one, noticing the lines on it shifted as well.
"Oh," I mumbled. "It's a puzzle."
"Yes!" Herophile cheered. "It's the- the-" she frowned "-four letters, starts with b, greatest-"
"Best?" Kymopoleia asked.
"Yes!" Herophile beamed. "It's the best puzzle ever."
I tried to make the lines match up but frowned when they wouldn't.
"That's the first step, it has a lot of parts as you work your way through. In the very center is a prize!"
I studied it with a frown, "This is hard."
"Yep, but you'll get it."
I wanted to spend my time on the puzzle, but I reluctantly put it with the rest of the gifts to reach for another present. I needed to get through them so everyone stopped staring at me.
I gently pulled Hippolyta away from the puzzle as I put it up, then reached for the next present.
This one was once more in two pieces, the red seaweed listed it as from Elei.
I peeled back the wrapping on the first and grinned as I recognized the style of the armor pieces inside. They were like my chest plate that I wore for capture the flag. These were different though, smaller and much more flexible.
"They're for your tail, on the joint," Elei explained. "To keep it shielded from attacks."
"Oh, havu. This will be useful."
She smirked, "You'll need them in sparring."
I grinned back, she was gonna make me suffer, then opening the second piece.
This one held a box, much like the one from Lorenzo. Opening the box revealed a small silver and pearl comb. It had multiple slightly wavy teeth that connected to a shining silver crescent moon, the 'horns' of the moon faced down, leaving the curve as the top of the comb.
"It's sharpened at the top," Elei said. "So it can be used as a weapon if needed."
"Oh!" I grinned. "Like Drew's!"
"Drew?"
"She's a daughter of Aphrodite and she has a comb like this. Havu, I really like it."
Elei twisted her hand, "Of course."
I put the hair comb with the armor, and reached for another present as I noticed Hippolyta curling in the armor piece with her stone and seaweed piece. She'd collected more seaweed pieces as well.
That was so cute.
The next present I grabbed was from Rosa.
I unwrapped the gold seaweed, revealing a stone box. I opened that to reveal a set of brushes and coral markers and ink sponges and even some small bowls.
"It's a full calligraphy set," xey said. "I'm sure that you can get your own, but this set also includes the mixer bowls, which I don't see often. If you ever get interested in customizing some inks, those are a huge help."
"Havu," I said politely. This did seem cool, I'd never thought about customizing inks before. Maybe I could learn something about that. Could xey teach me?
I closed the lid once more and set it with the rest of the gifts, then grabbed another present.
This one said it was from Rhodos and was also a nice gold shaded seaweed.
I unwrapped it and revealed an amazing statue. It was carved from some sort of blue stone (or multiple?) and looked like a wave right before it would crash down but seemed to shine like the sun was behind it. In the wave were a pair of dolphins mid jump.
"Wow," I murmured. "Havu."
"Uafoto," she replied.
I opened the next, listed as from Kymopoleia. Inside was a small kelp net, and held in the net was a small… spinning top?
"Oh no," Triton muttered.
"And that, darling Perseus," Kymopoleia said brightly. "Is the tool you'll need for learning how to make storms."
"Kym-"
"It's going to be wonderful," She said happily. "I'll teach you how it works later."
I nodded, curious despite myself. "Alright, that sounds interesting."
Triton groaned, Metua sighed.
"Open the next present," Herophile chirped.
I dipped my head, reaching for another present and grinning when I saw it was from Fetu. This one had two parts like some previous ones.
I peeled back the silvery green seaweed on the first one to reveal a book. I perked up, it was about the Siren's Song!
"You said you'd improved," Fetu said. "So, I thought I'd give you the info on the next step."
"Havu!" I cheered, flipping it open.
Triton laughed, "Read it later, finish opening the presents now."
I sighed but nodded and placed the book down to open the second part. There was a small stone box inside of it that I opened to reveal a pair of silver crescent moon earrings.
"Oh wow," I murmured.
"They've got the ivuis for good luck engraved as well," Fetu said. "Hopefully they help you avoid trouble."
I grinned at him, "Havu, re'havua. They're amazing."
I carefully closed the box and decided to switch them out after the party.
Hippolyta curled around the box, a piece of colored seaweed clutched in her tentacles.
I gently scooped her up again and set her on my shoulder as I reached for the next present.
It was wrapped in blue and green seaweed and held Okeanus-ari's name on it.
I carefully unwrapped it, rather flattered that He got me anything at all. I wasn't His kid after all, there wasn't a need for him to get me anything.
There wasn't really a need for anyone to get me a present, but I loved that they did. I'd never gotten more than two or three presents for a holiday or birthday before.
I opened the box and gasped when something shot out.
It took a moment to see because it was zipping around me so quickly, but it finally stopped in front of my eyes.
It was like a mini sea serpent, but… make of sea glass.
"Oh, wow," I whispered, reaching out to touch it.
It nuzzled my finger, it's scales (despite being glass) smooth and sturdy.
"Hello pretty one," I murmured.
It made a trilling sound, curling over my hand and winding around my wrist.
I laughed, carefully petting it with my other hand.
"Oh," Fetu said. "Those are hard to make."
"It's sentient," Lagi mused, leaning forward. "Those are very hard to make."
Metua was glaring at it.
"It's very pretty," Samoa said. "I love the way it's scales look."
"Yeah," I murmured. "They're so detailed."
It hummed, vibrating lightly on my wrist as it did so.
"Well," Metua said. "You still have a few presents to go."
I nodded, carefully nudging the sea serpent until it swept up and curled on my shoulder, a low vibration coming from it still.
Hippolyta moved across my shoulder to poke at it and pulled back in shock when it moved. I grinned as the two got to know each other.
I reached for the next gift and saw it was from Samoa.
It was wrapped in simple seaweed, which I pulled away to reveal a pearl necklace.
"That looks like the kind land-dwellers make," Avl said with a faint sneer on her lips.
"I got it at the downed ship, the one to the tiafal," Samoa said stiffly. "It was well made."
"How… quaint," Avl said mildly.
I hummed, putting the pearl necklace on, "I like it. Havu, Samoa."
She brightened, "Uafoto, Persi."
There was only one more present on the table, which was apparently labeled as from Tethys-ran. It also had a note attached.
I tucked the note away for now, I'd look at it later away from all the guests.
Inside the wrapping was a necklace.
The necklace was made of interlocking scales, deep blue-green and shimmering in the manisi pearls light. They were connected with what looked platinum, and while thin, clearly meant to be a choker.
"Oh," Mevu'ta murmured. "That's a velaru."
What was a velaru?
"Oh my," Samoa murmured. "Have you improved so much that you've earned a necklace?"
"Those are used for quelling the senses," Triton explained. "It's used as both a marker of an experienced Vakasta Imote and for helping non-sensor's handle the sensory aspect."
"Oh!" I grinned. "Okeanus-ari said he would speak with her about it."
"He said what," Metua muttered.
I carefully clipped the necklace around my neck and almost slumped at the immediate relief.
I'd started getting used to the constant sensory overload and at least in the sea most of the sensations are similar so it was a bit easier to ignore. But now… I could breathe without feeling the pressure of the water around me, the rubbing salt of Metua, the coiling currents of Mevu'ta… I let out a breath in relief.
Thank Pontus.
"Well," Metua said. "Now that the rest of the presents are out of the way, I believe it is time for me to give you mine."
He made a motion to someone behind me as I blinked in surprise. I thought the birthday party would be His present. What else was He giving me?
"My gift was waiting outside," He said with a smile. "But, ah, there he is."
I turned around, my eyes widening as the gift was brought in.
A guard was leading a hippocampus in, a foal. He was a lovely creature, with glittering rainbow scales making up his tail and shining hooves for his front half. His fur was a pale white, and his mane tied in neat braids to keep it organized.
"Oh," I whispered. "Wow."
"He is yet unnamed," Metua said. "But he is yours."
I swam over, holding out a hand to him.
"Hello," I whispered.
The hippocampus nickered, nuzzling my hand.
Hello, princeling.
I grinned.
"You'll learn from the stable hand how to care for him," Metua said. "Do you have a name idea for him?"
I considered him for a moment, petting his soft white fur as I thought.
There was only one real name I could give to a magic steed.
"Appa," I said. "His name is Appa."
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
It turned out that Benthesikyme's gift was connected to Metuan and Triton's. She got me a complete set of care tools for both Hippolyta and Appa, including food and books on how to properly care for them.
She also said that she'd be adding a tank to the Poseidon cabin and to my room back at mom's apartment so that I could bring Hippolyta with me.
I thanked her profusely of course, Hippolyta was a sweetheart, and Appa was so lovely. Honestly, all the presents were wonderful.
I was back in my room now though.
Appa was settled on a soft patch of kelp that was added just for this purpose (the manisi pearls apparently supplied it with the needed sunlight), Hippolyta was making a comfortable spot amongst some shiny bits that she pulled from the cabinets. The gift from Okeanus, the small glass sea serpent, settled on my kelp pillows.
I finally had the time and privacy to open the letter from Tethys-ran.
Persi-tou,
We are very sorry that we were forced to leave before your birthday, unfortunately our duties wait for nothing. We wish you both a wonderful thirteenth birthday, even if a bit late.
We hope that you like the gifts we have given you. Okeanus wished to give you a real sea serpent, but we weren't sure you would have a place to keep them, thus we settled for a smaller, more portable one. Fear not, it is able to swim in air as easily as water, so you may bring it with you on land. Just make sure to let it stay in water for at least an hour a day. It also has no need for food so worry not about that.
The necklace that I have given you is called a velaru, it is used in the same way that veils are for land mages. Our magic has different sources and thus must be protected against in different ways. Okeanus spoke to me about your struggles, and I gathered the pieces of this velaru myself. The scales are from fídi, Okeanus' snake messenger. They are well suited for guarding you against the sensations of those around you.
Velaru are also used to mark Vakasta Imote. Unlike most Imoteorav, Vapalivav do not have bands denoting status. A Vakasta Imote must have their velaru given to them by another purifier that is made with freely given materials. They can gather it themself as well, but usually by the point they have earned it they are an apprentice of some sort.
I hope that the velaru aids you and soothes your senses. Please send me a message if there is anything else I can do to aid you.
May the currents guide you,
Tethys-ran y Okeanus-ari
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
I winced as the tovhu had me do the finger lifts. I had to hold my hands flat on the table coral and lift the fingers one at a time as far as I could without pain.
It's only three more days before I went home, but in the meantime, I still had to finish physical therapy for my hand. It was not fun.
Next exercise up was the grip one, with a sponge ball of some sort. I had to grip and release it, lengthening the time each time and increasing my strength each time. It was miserable and my hand always ached by the end of it. I never realized squeezing a ball could hurt your hand so much, but physical therapy proved it to me.
I sighed as I moved on to the next exercise. That one required a small thin band wrapped around my hand. I had to move my thumb out which stretched the band, then I had to hold it for a few seconds. I had to repeat it twenty times.
Thankfully I was almost done with physical therapy for the day, only two more exercises before the tovhu releases me, which meant that I can finally make those Iris calls I'd been meaning to make.
I quickly moved through the last two exercises, wrist ones that made me flex my wrist up and down with a clenched fist and then side to side with my hand flat.
Now I had to get back to my room to call my friends. I really should've done that sooner but I didn't think about it till the tovhu asked me about camp on land and my friends there.
I waved goodbye and swam out. It was time for calls!
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Triton POV
I stood in front of the three best, and most discreet, warriors of Camp Tetomoa and studied them intently.
"This mission is of the greatest importance," I said solemnly.
They nodded, "Yes, Triton-re'aia."
"You cannot slip up, no one may know you're there."
"We will not fail you," Klara said firmly.
They were all sixteen, all passed the strict tests that the camp put in place. All would be fully equipped for this quest, this mission.
"You will infiltrate the school and you will have to blend in with the mortals."
"We'll ensure his safety without being found out," Acantha confirmed.
Kai flicked his tail, "We'll keep him from harm."
I pursed my lips.
"You'll have two weeks to prepare and adjust to the mortal world. Learning to walk on land isn't easy, legs are nothing like tails. Antonio will be your teacher and supervisor for this."
Antonio fingers twisted into the proper motion of respect, "I will make sure they succeed."
I let out a breath. They were younger than most, but they were the only ones that could pass for thirteen or fourteen. They were also unknown to their target, which was another necessity.
"I am putting my faith in you, don't let me down."
"We won't, Triton-re'aia."
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Okeanus POV
"What do you want, little brother?" I asked to the pit, interrupting the voice.
The area shifted, shadows reaching from the gaping pit before me. He called me to speak to him, but so far had only been swimming 'round the kelp field.
"I want to request your aid."
I frowned, he did not request anything last time, not after…
"Request my aid?"
"There is a war coming, you can tell as well."
"Of course I can, but it will be a war of your own making. Why should I aid you in it?"
"You cannot be pleased with how the world has been polluted? The oceans filled with trash? The rivers clogged? The forests destroyed?"
I frowned as he continued to speak.
"Surely you have seen how the children are treated now? The blatant favoritism? The way the Half-Bloods are treated? The world is in a far worse place then it was under our rule."
"Are you truly one to speak after what you did?"
I heard him sigh.
"I regret my actions toward my children greatly. Not only because of what it cost me in the end."
He sounded regretful.
"I know now, why I acted the way I did, the madness that took me... I understand why you stepped away in the last war, and I thank you for not aiding me in my madness. But I plead with you now, don't allow my children to continue their crimes. The world cannot last under their rule, and you know it as well."
"It is good you regret eating your children," I said coolly. "But that was not what I was referring to at this moment."
There was a stir from the depths, "Then what other crime did I commit that angers you so?"
My eyes narrowed, "Your minion set a pit scorpion on Persi Jackson, a child."
There was a beat of silence, "Oh? Did he now? How… interesting…"
I frowned, "You speak as if you weren't aware?"
"His orders were to attempt to recruit the child, and to accept his answer as it was. I have plenty of time to turn him to my side, I need not have his aid immediately. I can't imagine why Luke would decide to kill him."
I pursed my lips. My brother seemed to speak the truth, and yet…
"You wish for me to aid you in a war? And yet you cannot even keep one of your minions from trying to kill children? What guarantee could you give me that more children would not be harmed?"
He sighed, "I cannot give you a true guarantee. We both know my foolish children will send their own children to fight, they have no care for the lives lost. And despite my goal to capture rather than kill, there will be inevitable death."
I raised an eyebrow, "This is not very convincing."
"With your aid the war would end faster, it would be less deadly-"
"And what would happen to the losers? You plan to gain the pit beings' aid do you not? What will you do about them wanting to feed on the demigods?"
"I wish to leave the children out as much as possible," he insisted. "My goal is to take the camp first, quickly and painlessly. An overwhelming force that they couldn't hope to fight."
"The barriers would prevent that," I countered.
"The barriers will fall soon, you can be assured of that."
I frowned.
"I wish for the forces to enter by the sea, your aid would be invaluable."
I mused over this. Kronos was very good at creating situations where the enemy had no option but surrender. He could very well succeed in forcing them to surrender quickly and painlessly if he succeeded in this plan.
He did defeat father after all. Even when father was in the depths of his own madness my brother was able to match and defeat him.
Was it fated for every ruler to fall to madness?
I shook my head, would the camp truly surrender? And if they didn't… at the sea… Persi-tou would be front and center.
"You cannot truly guarantee anything," I said.
"Is this about young Percy?" He questioned. "You seem attached, and I have sensed your power on him. Do you favor the child?"
His tone was almost sly, my eyes narrowed. "If you would target him to try and gain my allegiance-"
"I would not," he promised. "I will be speaking with Luke on why he attempted to kill Percy. He would be extremely useful in my plans, and they would require him to be alive. I have no wish to harm my grandson."
"Children are not tools," I murmured.
"No, they are not. But, I must take their powers and skills into consideration. If it would aid in your consideration, I would guarantee his survival."
I frowned, it would actually. I was not trying to get custody of him for nothing, he should not go through more suffering because of my brother's plans.
And besides, my brother was sounding… far more sensible than he did at the end. Had he finally regained his sanity?
"All the children should be safe… though I will admit, I do favor that one."
"Trying to steal another child, brother?" He was definitely teasing me now.
I rolled my eyes, "It is not stealing if I ask first."
"Well, technically it is if they don't say yes."
I waved my hand dismissively, not that he could see.
"This minion of yours, Luke, he will not be welcome in the ocean. Ever."
Kronos sighed, "Of course. I will keep him from the water."
"You will ensure he is punished," I insisted, feeling my anger grow once more. He harmed Persi, almost killed him, a child. He didn't even do it on orders, the only thing that could've lessened our rage. I would not let him escape some sort of punishment.
"He will be punished. Even putting aside that he targeted a child, he directly disobeyed my orders and almost killed someone vital to my plans."
I nodded. If the boy dared to come near my waters, or any river… or any lake… or really any body of water, he would not live to regret his actions.
"Will you consider my proposition?" Kronos asked.
I sighed, "I will consider. But I make no promises."
"That is all I ask."
His presence retreated, and I considered his words.
Putting aside my feelings in regard to the children, my brother was correct, the gods had been failing greatly.
I had not been certain they would be a greater ruler before, in the last war, but I had thought that they couldn't be worse than my brother had become. In the beginning he ruled fairly, the world was peaceful. It was not called the golden age for nothing.
But at the end, that last small period of time, something changed.
I stared out at the wamaresia. He went from fair to cruel, eating his own children in fear of what they could become.
It made no sense, he had been delighted at the thought of children before. It was half the reason he married Rhea. But the change had happened so suddenly at Hestia's naming ceremony, and I would not aid him in that war with how he had become.
But he seemed remorseful, he seemed far saner. He was even agreeing to compromises without any prodding. He would never have done that during the last war. It was his way or the gyres.
I had stood aside twice before in conflicts of the family, could I do it once more? Could the sea survive me standing aside once more?
Could Persi?
I sighed, the Gods had been failing, the world was polluted, the waters especially, and they'd done little to nothing to stop it.
They threw tantrums every five minutes and had caused many wars due to their childishness.
They abandoned their children to suffer and didn't even hold the most basic of protections on them.
They certainly didn't give their children a way to learn their powers. Persi was one of the few to have any idea of how his powers work and he was almost certainly the only one with actual teaching from his family who knows their powers.
The Gods were no good as rulers, and if I could guarantee that at least the children had a chance…
Well, Kronos' war could actually guarantee their survival better than no war at all… But it would also threaten them…
I didn't want war, I certainly didn't want war in my land. Children were always the first to suffer in war and even if it may better their lives I still worried.
But… if it would lead to better times, if Kronos was actually saner, if he could keep his oath…
He'd already brought harm to Persi, but it seemed to have been against his will… perhaps… perhaps I could work with him.
I turned to leave, grimacing at the shadows that seemed to be spreading.
I called the wamaresia closer with a scowl to drive the shadows back before I swam away.
I sent the anglerfish back to keep Erebus at bay in my absence once more. Just because Pontus was sleeping and I was distracted did not mean Erebus could spread freely.
I focused back on the matter at hand.
This war would cause trouble regardless. Me taking a side could decide it. I did not wish to pick a side that would endanger Persi or any other children, but I had to consider the sea as a whole.
I needed to speak with Tethys, this was not a decision to make lightly. She deserved a say in it. Regardless of if I picked a side, or took neither side, I could not decide without her input.
And then… then I needed to decide how to keep the children safe, regardless of the side I chose.
OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO
Luke POV
I stretched, exhausted from the sparring. Lord Kronos was certainly good at setting up training regimes that pushed me.
I hadn't been this tired in ages.
I wandered back towards the scattered remains of Mt. Othrys, towards one of the huts that had been built up. I'd grab a drink then do some climbing. Lord Kronos said that this was rest and training time before I would be needed.
I grinned, maybe I'd go down to the beach today. I was right next to it but hadn't had a chance to check it out yet…
"Castellan," Theia, the Titaness of jewels called. "Kronos wishes to speak to you."
Theia, of the Titan's aiding Kronos, only Her and Phoebe were free right now, or at least free and here to aid us.
"Lord Kronos?" I asked. "What does He need?"
"You'll see," She said, motioning to the much nicer looking hut where Lord Kronos' casket lay.
I hurried to it, murmuring a thank you as I passed Her. What could He need?
I pushed open the door, stepping into the hut. The inside smelled of fresh grains and the gold casket drew my eye immediately.
I kneeled, "My Lord."
Luke Castellan.
His voice echoed in my head.
"How may I serve?"
You may start by explaining why you attempted to kill Percy Jackson.
I frowned, "You ordered me too."
I ordered you to attempt to recruit him, and to accept his answer as is.
Well yes, but I could catch the meaning. Accept it and tie up the loose ends if he said no.
"I… yes… and he said no. So I sought to get rid of a future threat-"
I am the one who decides what threats need removal.
"My Lord-"
He is necessary for my plans, and his death would cause many problems. You are not to go near him again.
"I understand," I murmured.
I didn't understand, he was clearly a threat to Lord Kronos! He foiled one plan already and I couldn't risk him doing it again!
You will also stay away from all water sources, be they river, lake, sea, or ocean.
I blinked, "What?"
You have succeeded in angering not just Poseidon, but also Okeanus, Tethys, and every other major deity of the sea.
I gaped, "What!?"
This is what happens when you don't follow my orders.
I winced, Lord Kronos was very displeased. But still, Percy was definitely a threat. If he wasn't on our side he needed to be disposed of.
"I apologize. I will do whatever I can to make it up to you."
You will stay in your room and wait.
"But what about the mission you had for me?" I asked desperately.
I couldn't fail him now!
It will be handled.
I bit my tongue and bowed my head, "Yes, My Lord."
This was all Jackson's fault, if he'd died (like he obviously failed to do) then I wouldn't have had this problem. I wasn't sure what's up with him and Lord Kronos' plans, but I thought it was far safer to just be rid of the kid.
Lord Kronos mentioned the sea deities… had Percy gotten Okeanus to fight against Kronos?
See! That was what I was talking about. Percy was far too connected to the ocean and his powers were too advanced. As an enemy he was too powerful, too dangerous. He was young now, weaker, but if he had time to train…
He could be a devastating opponent.
I couldn't allow that.
Lord Kronos didn't seem ready to deal with him, he said there was some plan but…
I didn't really think there was. Lord Kronos trusted me implicitly but he hadn't mentioned any such plan to me.
I knew all our future plans and not one included Jackson.
I nodded. If Lord Kronos couldn't handle Jackson for fear of angering his siblings, then I'd do it myself for him.
Lord Kronos would likely be pleased of me taking the initiative to handle such a dangerous threat, though he might end up having to punish me to keep up the charade.
It would be worth it to aid Lord Kronos.