This is Chapter 1 of the Sequel to the Second Trojan War: The Players and the Pawns.
Remember:
I welcome reviews, including constructive ones. I DO NOT TOLERATE FLAMES. I wouldn't put flames on anybody's story, no matter how bad. So don't do it on mine.
Also- don't make judgements and complain if you haven't read the whole thing yet. I don't put Mary Sues and Gary Stus, every character- no matter how mystical, powerful, or even good-looking, has to relate to everyone.
This is an Alternative Timeline for modern day. If you haven't read the first story, then let me put it this way- keep reading. You'll get your explanations- I have my reasons and so do they. Yes, in real life Greece no longer has a monarchy (and they were Germans and Danes by descent) and Alexander the Great's children were killed. If you haven't read the first story, then keep reading this one to find out why. Yes, I use OCs, but they were mostly to connect the canon-characters of the universes together.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus, Kane Chronicles, Magnus Chase or the Avengers. Those rights belong to Rick Riordan and Marvel Cinematic.
Near the Carpathian Mountains, Eastern Europe…
The man climbed the cliff, scaling it with barely-practiced precision.
He would be dead.
He would be dead if the demigods and Avengers saw him or in any way, found out. Or the Magici Grabbing one rock ledge, he climbed slowly. Well, no ropes. But no going back now, and no looking down.
He was at least a hundred-and-fifty feet off the ground.
One stone gave way and he stumbled on the cliff face, barely dangling with one hand, before he managed to swing himself upwards again, regaining his footing.
Almost there, he thought. He needed to get things done.
On his back, he carried a backpack, inside the backpack was a sealed case.
What was inside the case, he needed to get to the one he was supposed to meet.
He swung himself upwards and kept climbing. The man panted as he kept on going.
He had to get to the top.
The winds whipped his hair and froze his face. The night sky was barely lit. It was a good thing he was well-trained- the full moon would have caught him out- so they went by the light of the new moon- which could be fatal for someone in his position.
But he kept on going.
Soon, he panted, reaching the top. He swung himself over and lay gasping for breath on the ground.
"You're late," a regal, smooth, well-modulated voice called out.
He looked up.
There, sitting on a chair, was a man, with chiselled patrician features, perfectly symmetrical, like a work of classical art. His hair was slicked back and combed, black as jet, almost ending at his shoulders. He was lean, yet muscular, wearing Asgardian garb in green, black and gold.
"I thought that S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers had captured you," Loki said.
"Not yet, my lord," the man panted, swinging the backpack from his shoulders and kneeling to unzip it.
"Huh." Loki grunted. He stood.
Asgard has underestimated how brave you young demigods are." He smiled, but as usual, it didn't reach his eyes.
"Do you have it?"
The man produced his briefcase. Opening it, he revealed…
A palm-sized polished globe of silvery-white light.
"The Infinity Stone," Adam said breathlessly. "The one of Attraction."
"Huh." Loki stated. "And the Olympians don't suspect a thing? What about the minor gods?"
Adam shook his head. "Nothing whatsoever."
"Good." Loki replied.
"One stone down." He said. "And whatever happens afterwards is no concern- Thanos could win- or the Olympians, their children and Asgardians combined. The mortals could fight and the Nine Realms be torn apart. Ragnarök could come. I no longer care about destruction. I just want to survive, and I suspect you will- you and your friends." He looked at Adam.
"Percy Jackson?"
Adam looked truly uneasy and even fearful now. And for good reason: even in Asgard where they were hard-pressed to praise any foreigner, Perseus Jackson was legend.
"He is currently serving in the Greek military, my lord." Adam replied.
"His friends- the sons of Zeus and Hades?"
Adam stated: "Also in Greece, my lord."
"What about the girl- the princess?"
"Serving there as always." Loki bristled. He didn't like this boy's tone. "I meant what are they doing that could be a threat to us- should we be concerned?"
"Not yet, sire," Adam replied. "Percy Jackson is occupied with his job- but it is mortal warfare or protection, my lord. Not the supernatural. S.H.I.E.L.D has contacted no demigod. Neither did the Avengers."
"Good. But they won't keep up for long."
Loki used magic to lift the Stone from the briefcase. It floated to a plinth, roughly carved out of stone.
"The Stone of Attraction was always a great liability to the users of the Infinity Gems," Loki explained, not taking his eyes off it. "On one hand you never really knew if it was real- on the other you could summon all the other stones- anything you want- with it. But then again, someone else can truly meddle with your plans." He looked at Adam, head snapping towards him.
"Let the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D deal with their mortal world." Loki said. "We will deal with something much higher. After all, we have survived this."
The stone glowed, pulsing with light.
Mexico, Templo Mayor, the main temple complex of the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec Capital…
As the two teenagers sought their goal, they knew they were running out of time.
The two teenagers, and the two S.H.I.E.L.D agents who were rather apprehensive about bringing kids along though they tried not to show it.
"Almost there," one agent said.
She was a tall, slim and compact Asian woman with very stern features, as if she wasn't used to smiling, with almond-coloured skin, a thin mouth- though grim, and small eyes that portrayed an intense and piercing gaze, dark and stern. Her hair, sleek and shiny, was black like jet but with hints of red.
Agent Melinda May, known as the Cavalry to some, kept her thoughts to herself.
Agent Phil Coulson panted as he kept going.
Agent Skye did as well- or Daisy. Whichever you called her.
"Hurry up," one of the teens instructed. "We don't have much time."
Phil Coulson waited for two more- agents Simmons and Fitz- to catch up.
"What exactly are we looking for?" He panted.
"What do you think?" The girl asked. "You've heard the warning. This is only so much we can do for you. Remember- demigods are not to be accessed in S.H.I.E.L.D's files- that was our agreement. Or found or tracked. We must vanish as far as the world is concerned."
"Yeah, well," Phil shrugged, nonchalantly. He had his hands on his knees.
"Haven't got that much experience in exercise, have you sir?" The boy asked.
"Very funny," Phil commented.
The girl, a grey-eyed demigoddess, took out a monitor made from the Hephaestus Cabin. "There." She pointed.
"The pyramid?" Phil asked incredulously.
"We've already checked," Agent Fitz burst in. "There's nothing there."
"Nothing that has been detected," the girl corrected.
"But it's there."
"What is?" Phil panted heavily.
He really wasn't such a young man anymore- though he didn't dare repeat that out loud.
Ancient City of Hattusa, the Hittite Capital, Modern-day Turkey….
"Who says this is a good idea?" The demigoddess accused.
"No one- we just have to get it done," her companion shrugged.
"Do you think she's right?" The girl asked. "That other gods from forgotten pantheons are stirring?"
"I think if she is right, we have a serious problem on our hands," the boy grunted as he climbed up a rocky step.
"But what if she's not?" The girl argued.
"Let's face it- we can argue about this, or we can find out already if she's wrong or right," the boy admonished as he climbed up higher. The girl huffed and kept going.
"The Hittites were known as the people with a thousand gods," the girl put in.
"And if I were still in America, and she was right, I think we would be in serious trouble if the Aztec gods decided to wake up," the boy remarked. "And many other gods too. The Aztec ones weren't known to be compassionate to their human worshippers- unless they provided plenty of blood."
"What about Ireland?" She challenged.
"Looking into that," the boy grunted.
"And Crete?" She pressed. "Mycenae,"
"Same thing," he said. "They're a part of Greece as well, so with them there, they could easily check.
"Huh." Was the only reply.
"There," he pointed.
And he could see it- the massive gates with lions carved out of rock. Just imagining and seeing the ruins of the walls ahead of them…
It was enough to make them shiver- with fear or excitement, they didn't know.
The Gaza Strip, Israel...
Several demigods marched.
"Come on," one of the urged. Romans.
They kept on going.
"Where is this place?" Someone grumbled. "Where are we even headed to?"
"Gaza," one of them panted. "Ancient Philistine city."
"Where they worshipped Dagon. Come on- you heard our orders. We have to keep moving. We have to find something... Some clues..."
"Dagon," one boy grunted. "What a stupid name."
And they did keep going.
Mediterranean Sea, several hundred kilometres from the Greek coast...
Percy Jackson knew all about change.
The son of Poseidon, Greek god of the Sea, secret demigod and Hero of Olympus, more than once over, stood at the bridge in secret.
He watched very closely, as the on-duty communications officer watched the sonar, and spoke to the lieutenant.
Percy Jackson, now an admiral of the Hellenic Royal Navy.
Things had changed, he thought.
New York would always be his home, his birthplace. Camp Half-Blood was his home too. And New Athens, the city they had built for Greek demigods and their children. But so was Greece.
He'd grown at home there. He still woke up, found himself homesick for New York- for his mother's apartment, for his mother's voice calling that breakfast was ready. The smell of her blue chocolate chip cookies. For his stepdad's vacation plans. For his other little sister. Hear the never-ending sound of the metropolis of Manhattan. The constant, buzz of never-ending people that somehow, always ended up on Times Square. The honking of the traffic, the smell of gasoline sometimes, or burgers and fries, or pizza. Fast food. That was home.
But so was Greece. And admittedly, now, Percy had a better life, and he had given a better life to his family, since he moved to Greece, than he had as a teenager living in the Upper East Side, with gangs of kids prodding, bullying and abusing him, his first stepfather secretly hitting his mom (behind his back) and him when he was little (behind Percy's back), stinking up the whole place so they could barely breathe, his mother barely managing to scrape together a living that Gabe always managed to squander in his never-ending poker games. Montauk had been their only escape. And even then it was brief.
Percy had moved- he'd moved to take care of and keep a close watch on his sister as he teasingly said. He also moved because the Hero of Olympus twice-over (at least), was a big target for any remaining monster in the US- not that very many came to hunt him down- especially not after they had heard what he had done. And besides… S.H.I.E.L.D already knew what he did.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Although Percy certainly respected many of its agents and the Avengers whom he had grown to respect enormously, and had helped him, his family and his friends, he knew it wasn't smart to trust them completely. S.H.I.E.L.D was an organisation. An organisation which had been infiltrated by the Nekrikí Agóna- who had been behind Greece's many wars which caused thousands, if not millions of people killed. And the invasions during the Second World War. And despite pulling many traitors out like garden weed, other organisations which had been bossed around by the Agóna- including HYDRA- still remained, and probably infiltrated the whole place. Percy couldn't be sure. But no one had ever found out what happened to the Agóna or its remnants.
Percy had grown used to life in the Hellenic Navy- and in Athens. In Athens he had grown up, heard the commotion and haggling in the markets, the taverna owners waiting for the daily shipments of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products, cooking, so that the rich, delicious smells wafted in the air. The souvenir shops displaying their products to their best advantage. It was more peaceful, less of a hassle, and Percy loved it. He loved the smell and sight of the sea, the fresh air, seeing the boats of fishermen going for their daily catch. Loved the warmth and welcome people gave in the streets, the pleasant, friendly nature, chatter and teasing bickering in some cases. The kids running wild playing soccer- or football- cheering for the games on screens in cafés, the new buildings rising (courtesy of his girlfriend Annabeth); beautiful, impeccable, artistically creative (but environmentally friendly), which blended the best of ancient and modern. He loved the clean air and rich green hills around Athens.
He had a new home. And when he wasn't there, he was in the Navy, serving. He had grown used to life in the Navy. Despite getting kicked out of various military schools in America (he hated the teachers there, and the students who took it upon themselves to be bullies), he had grown used to- even liked, can you believe it- military life.
It was partly Aglaia's fault. Percy's little sister- on his father's side- had been Greek by birth and noted that Percy- like most demigods- had dyslexia as well as ADHD. But she noted that when they mentioned that their brains were hardwired for Ancient Greek (being Greek demigods) Aglaia pointed out that she wasn't dyslexic, being perfectly capable of reading the Latin Alphabet as well as Greek. Also, dyslexia existed in Greece as well. She'd gotten an idea. Her theory was that Percy's- and the other demigods' dyslexia- were different from those of mortals. Greece today still used the same alphabet as they did in Ancient Times. The only difference? They took out old grammatical rules and words, and added new ones. So Aglaia had begun to teach Percy basic Modern Greek. After that, she moved on, and made him read and speak in Modern Greek to her. Annabeth joined in. Many people joined in. She gave classes out to them, and it was easier, being Greek demigods, and quicker for them to get to it.
Percy had become fluent. Aglaia was thrilled, and Annabeth impressed, proclaiming he was not such a Seaweed Brain anymore. Afterwards, Aglaia, who had been speaking to pretty much everyone, to learn every detail about the Second Titan and Second Giant Wars, learned more about Percy as a commander, and said he had natural- though rudimentary skills. Did he plan on staying away from the mortal world? Percy didn't know. What if he were to try something- like a career in the military? Technically, she wouldn't push him and no sister encourages her brother in that- unless he wanted to, but he could polish up those skills, help the other demigods during battle. Percy laughed, saying that the military schools kicked him out, many, many times. Aglaia had argued, saying that Percy- after going into battle- wasn't the same, angry, restless boy he and Grover had described him as, and that the military would require him to be educated- to move up in ranks. Percy had a considerable advantage due to his experience in battle, no matter how different. As for education- demigod dyslexia wouldn't be an obstacle in Greece's academy for example.
Aglaia, admittedly, wasn't expecting him to join the Greek Navy- she just hoped he would learn some skills, graduate and then move back to New Athens and only use those skills in battle and to train other, new demigods.
But as it turned out, Percy wanted to stay there after he graduated.
It was a great surprise for Aglaia. And for everyone else, including Percy's mother, who didn't think Percy would be disciplined enough to tolerate navy life. But he did. And he loved it.
Percy's arrival- being American-born, despite having Greek citizenship, didn't raise too many eyebrows. In fact, Greece found a strange number of foreigners arriving to its military. A number of them, needless to say, were demigods.
Of course, Percy had to give up his American citizenship. That was hard.
Just as hard as leaving his parents and other baby sister in New York.
It was something which he had always been since he was born. But he had to give it up- a proud American. He didn't want to. But he also wanted a peaceful life, and to give his family and himself more than what he had. And he could do better here, than as a known once-juvenile delinquent, and what he had there… Well, sadly Percy knew that some part of him would always consider it home, but there was no future for him there.
"Καπετάνιος," Percy called out. Captain.
"Μάλιστα κύριε?" The flag captain said. Yes sir?
"Γίνομαι πρόεδρος," Percy instructed. Take the chair. "Αναφορά για μένα αν συμβεί κάτι. Έχω κάποιες εκκρεμότητες για τη διεξαγωγή." He said, before rising and leaving.
Percy needed space to breathe.
Everything was going well.
Too well. Percy went into his office below and sank down and back on his chair.
He needed to unwind. He'd never done anything for anyone to fault him, and he'd never even lost a battle, but as much as Percy enjoyed what he was doing, a ceremony was coming up, to award badges and honours to various individuals- including himself- and Percy knew that Aglaia would be there.
Heck, the whole royal family would be there.
And Annabeth.
Percy opened a drawer and too out something. He popped open the item- a small box. Inside it lay a ring with a diamond, glittering and shimmering. It winked at him. A good-sized, brilliant-cut solitaire diamond, with smaller diamonds, similarly cut, on the gold band- that was how the jeweller sold it to him. And it suited her.
Annabeth.
Besides, Jason and Piper were getting married, very, very soon. Annabeth and he… With Alex- and Aglaia- they had no choice but to make peace with Hera, though they might not have fully forgiven her. But at least they understood her motives and reasons, and realised they wouldn't have met Jason, Hazel and Frank if they didn't. So, at least Hera wouldn't cure their marriage.
If she accepted.
Percy leaned back in his chair further with a sigh. If.
Percy didn't know if she would accept. Why wouldn't she?
Percy hit himself in the head. "Stop it," he muttered. "Head in the game! You're an admiral now- not just the Hero of Olympus! Man up!"
He looked over to the wall. There was the emblem of the Hellenic Royal Navy. A cross- because of the strong Greek Orthodox devotion of the majority of the population- and a trident- due to its symbolic history being connected to Poseidon, god of the seas. Percy's father.
Percy smirked. If only they knew, right?
Percy groaned. But it was better that they didn't know.
He never needed to remind himself of that.
Honestly, that part of his life was more trouble than it was worth.
He hoped it wouldn't get any worse.
Athens, Greece…
It all began with a wedding.
Jason and Piper were already getting married.
Aglaia sighed.
The two of them getting engaged wasn't completely unexpected.
Piper had- despite always hating her father's celebrity status- tried out in acting- very reluctantly at first, before adapting to it. She hated the attention, but at first, Tristan McLean persuaded his daughter to come join him for some filming- as a small role. And everyone loved her. Piper was surprised to realise it wasn't so bad- not as bad as she thought. Though it might have been the fact that she didn't live in Hollywood L.A, Beverly Hills or anywhere that would have pin-pointed the world's media to her which helped. Most of all, she was able to use her famous position to speak up about certain issues, such as Human Rights- which she had begun to be heavily involved in. As a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF, Piper's work was met with incredible success. She was also starting to become involved with the UNHCR. Needless to say she was no longer known simply as Tristan McLean's mysterious and gorgeous daughter, but as a successful woman in her own right.
It surprised people- including Aglaia herself- when Piper and Jason- like Percy and Annabeth- relocated to Greece. But it was explainable: firstly- the attention. There was less of a hassle in Europe than there was in the United States, especially when it came to Paparazzi- though Piper had always managed to evade them via her own demigoddess abilities. Secondly, in regards to her work for the UN, Piper found it easier to be in Greece as an active member. With things becoming tense in Cyprus (Again!), refugees and everything- it was the place Piper wanted to be so she could easily go to anywhere she needed to be. Thirdly, there was her demigod status. With Aglaia, people like S.H.I.E.L.D and HYDRA knew better than to trespass and intrude- furthermore, people there knew of the existence of demigods- though they didn't know who was- and was less likely to call the FBI and get them arrested for being attacked by monsters. Ever since Aglaia made herself known to such groups, there was an unspoken agreement to keep out of Greece- a reason why Percy and Annabeth for one, decided to stay there as well. Aglaia had no official political power, except for her influence. But that may be enough if she wanted to shelter them- she was wealthy enough after all.
Most of all, Jason and Piper knew that it was too dangerous for America to continue becoming the Melting Pot of cultures as it enabled access in that one country- to any mystical world.
Far too dangerous.
The gods, demigods and Egyptian Magicians decided to act. They needed to.
As for Jason and Piper...
Aglaia sighed wearily.
It wasn't their fault. She shouldn't- and didn't- blame them.
But things were growing tense. Especially now that she was of age, was fulfilling royal duties- and much more- full time. So that meant one thing.
Marriage. Ever since the family's kids started getting killed, Aglaia had been the only heir of her generation.
And now that she was old enough... It was up to her to fulfil her duty and obligation- for the nation and the monarchy.
But her marriage- if and when she did marry- would not be the same as the rest. And neither would the family life she would give to her children- if and when she had them.
Jason and Piper's engagement and upcoming wedding was kept from the press due to Jason's involvement in the military- along with his brother.
Truthfully, Aglaia was glad she could keep them safe- by keeping a close eye on everyone. Now that New Athens- and New Rome, and the camps- were easily accessible through the magical portals, thanks to Hecate, Aglaia felt things would go easier and safer for demigods and legacies alike.
Honestly, Aglaia was glad they wanted to come to her country and they helped give her people a better life, but she felt bad for them. It was a good thing too, that Hecate generously supplied them with the portals making them both hidden, yet accessible for demigods and satyrs from all over the world, so they could go back and forth (only demigods and Satyrs). But she still felt like they were making a sacrifice for her- for her people. And she felt bad.
Especially as she was still holding many secrets.
The runes had disappeared, she noted. They always disappeared with her.
But there was more than just runes.
And Aglaia thought back on the two men she had hopelessly- idiotically- yet helplessly gotten herself entangled with.
Aglaia no longer trusted herself.
She dealt with it by delving into work. Even though many politicians would do whatever it took to secure votes or their places in government, by promising to lower poverty and literacy rates, boost the tourism industry, the fashion industry, agriculture- whatever- the environment, and so forth, and she could very well take a back seat- as constitutional monarchs and their families usually did, except for the usual, Prince/Princess/King/Queen so-and-so foundation, Christening ships, opening new places and unveiling plaques, Aglaia refused to take a back-seat- if only to deal with her guilt and prove- not so much as to people- but to herself- that she was worthy of their praise which she felt was simply undeserving.
Of anything.
Aglaia drank. Though on principle she never drank alcohol- except on rare occasions, just this once, she drank.
With a wine glass in hand, she kept swilling it, as she studied the papers in front of her.
Technically, she would drink more without the work. It was either the alcohol or the work. She needed either to cope now, it seemed.
Frustrated, Aglaia took one gulp of the red wine from Lesbos and set the glass down hard on the table, nearly overturning it.
She was developing a love of alcohol. This was not good.
Aglaia had already came of age a while ago, but she always held drunks in contempt and disgust previously, especially when they stupidly drank to cope and escape. It never solved their problems, so why did they do it to begin with- especially if it was so addictive.
Now she knew not to judge so quickly. But heck, she should have figured that out ages ago.
She wasn't full-on drunk. But she was probably becoming tipsy.
To hell with it.
Going to Jason and Piper's wedding was normally not something she would have to consider very carefully in case of regret. Being seen there was.
Marriage was the last thing on her mind. To her fury, she realised it wasn't the same for a large number of individuals who wanted to marry her. And why was that? They had their eyes on her- their meal ticket, their trophy wife.
And now they were pestering her to get married.
She wanted to throw a glass at their heads.
And hurt herself.
Alex McDermott and Jason Grace was there in one of the Air Force's hangars, clearing up some stuff.
They could have easily gotten somebody else to do it, but they weren't pampered brats.
Alex had decided to stay, after all.
For one person, though.
"So…" Jason mused. "You going to come?"
Alex paused. "Yeah, I mean…" He paused. "Of course I'll come."
"Huh," Jason said.
"So, how's the wedding coming along? Piper okay? You ready for marriage? Is she ready for you?" He teased.
Jason snorted. "Very funny. And yes. I've been waiting for this for a very long time. It's kinda what you feel when you go through so much together, even though you're still young- good times and bad- you're more sure than anyone else."
"Good for you," Alex said, bending over to pick some more things up.
Jason paused. "You know, Alex…" He began. "Time keeps turning. You're going to be married, someday- I mean, if you ever all in love."
"Never thought about it much," Alex said emotionlessly, not meeting his brother's eyes.
"Yeah," Jason said. "Well… You're not alone, you've known that for a while, now, haven't you?"
Alex sighed. "Yes." He said, finally stopping his work to meet his brother's eyes. "Yes, I do know that. But marriage… Love…" He said hesitantly.
"I've had girlfriends- if you could call them that. They never really meant anything to me," he admitted. "Because I didn't want that. Because I didn't think I would be capable of feeling anything of that sort, after, well, you know…" He trailed off awkwardly. His parents- his abusive mother and her boyfriends. The father that he didn't even know existed- and it was mutual by the way. The torture. The abuse. Everything he had gone through. "I only went with those who were willing to keep it transitory- and to say goodbye, and never see me again when the time comes. Or go near me. Anything."
He shrugged.
But there's someone you haven't been able to let go, Jason wanted to tell him.
But he said nothing.
Even if Alex was only staying for one person and one person only.
The speech was long- pompous and long. Percy stood with the other admirals of the Hellenic Royal Navy, and not further off, Leonidas Dimitriou stood as well.
Watching the Chief of the HN General Staff drone on and on… Percy's ADHD had mostly been burned away by the serum, but remnants of it made him itch. It took every, single ounce of his naval training to remain still as a statue.
Nearby, the royal family sat. Aglaia's grandfather, King Pavlos sat with other members of the royal family behind him. Aglaia, and the Crown Prince, her uncle. The Crown Princess, and Princess Sereneia, Aglaia's mother. The queen.
It was quite clear that Percy was itching to fidget and scratch or do something- by the love of everything that was holy, Percy's ADHD- or what was left of it- was killing him! The serum made it better, but still….
"And now, to our esteemed…" And on and on it went. Percy wanted to scream. Even twitch.
This was the worst thing for someone like him.
Finally, they presented the medals. And the honours.
They all stood in line, at attention, whilst the king was being passed medals and honour, pinning them to the front of the naval uniforms.
At last, Percy's name was called out. He marched forwards, saluted, and the king gave a smile, as he pinned the badge and the medal of honour. Percy straightened and realised with relief, he could move back in place.
Besides, how many honours does a guy need?
Aglaia- Her Royal Highness, Princess Aglaia of Greece and Denmark to the rest of the world, third in line to the throne, was calm and poised as ever. Easy for her- she was naturally like that. Percy had never even seen her slouch- not even at campfires.
Though that might be because some old nanny of hers tied her to a chair to keep her back straight and her still.
Percy resisted the urge to grimace. That was much worse- thank whoever was responsible that nobody ever thought to do that again! That would have been torture!
"Πέρα και έξω," Aglaia muttered under her breath with relief.
She tried to pay attention, but she remembered the time when they had just won a war- courtesy of an angel.
Chiron had gone to meet the king- on Aglaia's request.
Apart from the royal family, nobody remembered that Aglaia was a demigod herself. But Chiron had something to tell.
"Your majesty," he said softly. He laid a picture down at the table and began to explain to King Pavlos all that had occurred- why their family was hunted down, who was behind these wars, and about his relatives, and grandchildren.
Needless to say, it had been a shock for him.
Aglaia winced. Her παππούς had admittedly increased her security detail heavily.
He feared that she would go through this again. The family refused to let her leave their sight now.
That was going to make things very difficult, she sighed.
Her head turned. She was looking for someone.
After the ceremony- finally, thank whoever was listening! Percy went and sought out Annabeth.
"Hey," He said, grinning mischievously. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" He asked cheekily.
Annabeth squealed and threw her arms around him. "Of course Seaweed Brain!"
And off they went.
"Aglaia?" Aglaia froze. Who was that? Alex?
Or…. Was it him?
But she turned and saw Alex at a distance. His blue eyes met hers and her heart jumped- unbelievably so.
He sought her eyes, like she didn't think he would.
"Annabeth…" Percy said awkwardly. "Hi."
Annabeth took one look at him and snorted. "Really, Seaweed Brain?" She asked. "I thought you weren't such a Seaweed Brain anymore."
Percy rolled his eyes. "Yeah. But trust me, this is a special occasion."
Annabeth could barely contain her laughter.
"What's the occasion?"
Percy took a deep breath. "Annabeth," he said awkwardly again. "Remember when you said you wanted to build something permanent?" He asked. "I do too." He looked right at her and stepped closer.
"Maybe… Some permanent things aren't made out of stone or building blocks," he said. "Or great achievements, and medals and awards." He said.
He took a deep breath. "Some things are permanent in another way," he said quietly.
"I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without you," he admitted to her. "Fatal flaw or not- even my craziest times and decisions have been made with you in mind. I can't go on… Wasting time because there might not be a future for us tomorrow… After all we've been through. Despite Tartarus being blocked," he said quietly.
"Things have been pretty peaceful these days," he admitted to himself. "But I'm not going to waste any more time, because if there's one thing I've learned- it's to cherish the time you have- with the ones you care about. And do whatever it takes- to hurry and make sure you have a future. To build something permanent, like you said." He gave her a cheeky grin.
"So, Annabeth Chase," Percy said slowly, getting down one knee. Annabeth's eyes widened, as he produced the ring.
"Will you marry me?"
For a moment, she sat there stunned. Until Percy thought his luck had worn out and Annabeth had been frozen in time.
Until…
"Yes." She breathed.
London, England, an apartment near Trafalgar Square…
Lexie wasn't stupid.
It was a hare-brained quest after all. Anyone would consider it a wild goose chase.
But she needed to do this: she needed to get this done.
She wasn't the only one. Although by day, Lexie may work for FedEx as a secretary. But in actual fact, Lexie was a member of the Rising Tide.
And that's what they were going to do.
Sneak past authorities- disregard the rules, etc.
What they were doing could be considered illegal. But the truth was, Maggie knew that they would not be considered anything more than an annoying nuisance. More like a ripple than a wave.
And Lexie had been obsessed with one thing in particular: with finding the demigods of Olympus.
There were two kinds Greek and Roman.
That was what she knew of. And they had been involved with that strange occurrence- using an extra-terrestrial weapon- that had nearly blown up the Aegean Sea, or Greece- or maybe even the whole continent- or the whole world.
Lexie pulled back her silky, caramel-brown hair and narrowed her large eyes at the computer screen.
The Rising Tide had committed itself to finding out, and revealing the secrets governments strove so hard to keep. Secrets that the whole world full of people had a right to know about.
And that was part of the reason why Lexie always chafed at the rules.
Typing away madly, she knew she wouldn't get much time off. She was good with computers- memorisation skills, organisation even- and smoothing her way with charm. She could get things done, and get it done fast. But she was on a tight schedule.
Besides if her boss ever discovered she was working for an organisation such as the Rising Tide, she was sure to be fired.
And Lexie wouldn't have anywhere to turn to.
Popping open a soda, and drinking its contents, Lexie pursed her lips together.
How was this going to work?
Damn.
Demigods.
Despite having their legends known and praised worldwide, like Hercules, Perseus, Theseus and Achilles, the modern-day demigods chose to remain frustratingly silent and anonymous. Lexie didn't see why. They had right to find out who was doing all these things- world for one, had the right to know. If the demigods saved them, then yes. If the demigods were a threat to them, also, yes, they had to know.
Lexie ran her fingers through her thick hair, frustrated.
She had been watching clips, again and again, from WHIH. That Christine Everhart… She didn't know a good story when she saw it. She didn't see a lead, when she should have. An opportunity. Lexie scowled. What a bimbo.
Lexie frowned deeply when she turned off all her equipment, and pulled on her work clothes. The Rising Tide was her life, but it wouldn't keep her fed. That job was FedEx's- if she did her job properly.
Loki sighed and shook his head.
"They have no idea what they've started." He said.
In Tenochtitlan, a massive stone engraving began to crack. Beams of light emitted from the cracks.
In Gaza, the Ancient Philistine city, the ground began to shake in the centre- where two pillars on a pedestal once stood.
That was before a scaled hand burst out from the sand and clawed its way out, making for the sea.
Greek Translations:
Καπετάνιος- Kapetánios- Captain
Μάλιστα κύριε?- Málista kýrie?- Yes, sir?
Αναφορά για μένα αν συμβεί κάτι. Έχω κάποιες εκκρεμότητες για τη διεξαγωγή-Anaforá gia ména an symveí káti. Écho kápoies ekkremótites gia ti diexagogí.- Report to me if anything happens. I have some unfinished business to conduct.
Πέρα και έξω- Péra kai éxo- Over and out.
Παππούς- pappoús- Granddad
