Lotus Flowers

Chapter 1 - Two Parts Underwater

Summary: AU - When Poseidon hears the seas cry, he rushes to his eleven year old son's aid but some things even Gods can't fix. He leaves Percy at the Lotus Hotel and Casino, it the hopes of protecting him from the world. But when a new prophecy comes to light, things are have to change. Whether it's for the better or worse, only time will tell.

Warnings: Swearing and gore.

...

Dark clouds seeping with malice, swirled and churned. A reverberant clanking sound resonated from the skies. Much like a huge anvil was being repeatedly thrown across the corridors of Olympus, smashing everything in its path. The Stygian heavens flared with branched sterling lightning. Hissing and protesting against their prison in the sky, which they had been shackled to since the beginning of time.

To say Zeus was miffed with his older brothers was an understatement. The King of Olympus was infuriated, but even with such an impressive loss of temper, he couldn't take his rage out on the God's of Sea and Death.

For as simple and complex as the situation appeared, he too had broken their oath. The promise the three made, to sire no more demigod children, had been presumptuous at best. His conceited plan never remotely stood a chance.

The rise and fall of his idea to prevent an unfortunate repeat of history, appeared before him in the tattered form of five teenage demigods and a Cyclops. Zeus rubbed his forehead in fatigue, now with the great prophecy coming to light, all the pieces seemed to be falling into place.

If events had played out differently, he would have no reason to have been angered by Poseidon. A half Cyclops offspring was perfectly within the law he had set. But Apollo's oracle had given him justification for otherwise. The searing knowledge that the Sea God had sired a demigod child, be it boy or girl, held little relevance. That fact this child existed and their presence hidden from the Zeus enraged him to Tartarus and back. Not only had Poseidon sat looking so smugly on his thrown for all these years. Especially, when it came to attention that Zeus had broken his oath in both Greek and Roman forms to have Thalia and Jason. Then also following by the discovery of Hades' act of conceiving and hiding Nico, Bianca and Hazel.

But Poseidon also taken the self righteous aura of being the only one of the three to stay loyal to their oath, reminding his brothers and the Olympic council whenever he got the opportunity.

Zeus glanced over to his older brother, the Sea God was agitated to say the least. Knuckles having turned white form gripping his thrown too tight, and hair more unruly than usual. Apart from those outward signs, Poseidon had kept a blank demeanour, making a huge effort to school his features. Portraying very little of his inner turmoil of emotions. Zeus sighed, his brother always seemed to care more deeply for his offspring than the other habitants of Olympus.

The Sea God was tracking every wisp of conversation with his eyes, but that did not stop his gaze resting every so often to Hades. His behaviour only caused Zeus to conclude the God of Death knew about Poseidon's mortal child. The possibility still stood to end the demigod's life, as unlikely as that may be, if the council moved to eliminate the child he doubted Poseidon would give up their location willingly. Perhaps Hades would tell? The two never really got on, or had anything particular in common. As the cards stood, this demigod was too much trouble for their worth.

...

Zeus was about to speak when Hera grabbed his hand and their eyes met. He was taken back by the unspoken plea hidden deep in those hazel orbs. His wife was the Goddess of marriage, and worrying about the fates of children would generally be Hestia's job. But of course Zeus understood her motives. Even if his wife would not often show her caring sensitive side, for Hades forbid never let it be known Lady Hera actually had emotions, he knew she would never happily see an innocent child put to death.

The goddess straighten out in her seat, satisfied Zeus had gotten the message. She had remained true, even when her unfaithful dog of a husband had cheated on her, not once but twice in this century. With the same mortal woman to conceive two of the demigods standing before the council. Their continued existence was not just a testimony of her own stalwartness, but truly her ability to not condemn those who were not to blame. For what say do children have in their parents actions to bring them into this world? The hardships they face from their birthright and monsters they battle, could be considered punishment enough for their parents mistakes. Besides being in Poseidon's favour always held its benefits.

Zeus sighed again, there was no reason to remain angry at his brother. One child in comparison to the two himself and three Hades had sired seemed quite insignificant. More so, in realising to hide this demigod, they are unaware of their heritage and powers, untrained and unprepared. The easiest way to hide his child from the Gods and their world, would be to hide who they really were. Zeus smirked inwardly, after all how powerful could this ignorant, inexperienced demigod really be?

The throne room continued to buzz with discussions, arguments and theories on the child's phantom existence, even the demigods whispered ideas amongst themselves.

"Brother." Zeus turned to address the Sea God, "I ask how to managed to hide this child of yours from us for so long?"

Poseidon gave a small unsure smile, laced with the pride of fooling not only Olympus, but also every monster that walks the earth. "Zeus, as much as I would enjoy gloating, I will see the decision this council makes before I reveal something so important."

Zeus went to argue, but the thought of Hera beside him caused his tone to stay steady. No good would come from starting a fight with Poseidon, and the God of the Skies had a sneaking suspicion both his brothers had some sort of temporary truce. If his actions today lead to another war, it would ultimately be their children who suffered most. No wonder Hera was so desperate for him to keep his temper and outrage for being humiliated in check.

"Very well, brother. I believed it's time to see what exactly that entails."

Poseidon gave a weary nod, showing the facade of being ready to accept the uncertain outcome.

"SILENCE!" Zeus roared, his thunderbolt crackling by his side.

The room fell confessionally quiet. Last second words turned to ash in mouths, and nervous glances were shared by all.

"My fellow Gods and Goddesses you have had your chance to persuade or be persuaded on the fate on Lord Poseidon's child. Should this council move to allow the demigod to live, the five before you along with two others of their choice will fulfil the oracle's prophecy to rescue and bring back the demigod. But if not, and the council sees it fit, this child will be executed for their continued existence."

Zeus paused, he saw Poseidon shake from the corner of his eye, the roar of the sea echoed dimly in the room. The worried and frighten looks on his children's faces for their lost cousin, made the king of Olympus hesitate in his decrement.

"Then Hades will send the Minotaur to serve as final judgement. All those in favour for that latter raise your hands."

The throne room radiated with Zeus' overpowering voice. Eyes shot over to Athena as she unwaveringly raised her hand. Apollo sent her a questioning look, but all realised it was too much to ask the Goddess of Wisdom to get over her hatred for Poseidon. Her wake was followed by Ares and Dionysus, who pitted themselves against the God of the Sea, one in spite and one for the laugh.

Zeus opened his mouth to speak when Artemis' steady voice filled the room. "I have a question for Poseidon," she said ignoring all mannerisms, "before I cast my vote."

Thalia and Bianca looked up to the leader of the huntresses, knowing full well what she would ask before the others caught on.

"Tell me now, is this child a boy or a girl?" She asked coolly.

Poseidon struggled with himself for a moment, he didn't have to answer but not answering in itself was the biggest give away. He sighed, "a boy, Lady Artemis."

The Goddess of the Hunt lived up to her man-hating reputation, lifting her hand. Huffing in disappointment, she turned to avoid Thalia and Bianca's accusing eyes in the process. Poseidon scowled, just because she managed to sink her claws into the daughters of Zeus and Hades, did not mean she would be allowed to take his child into her hunt. That is, if he'd been a girl.

A smile crossed Athena's face. Four votes were not enough to disillusion the council, she was now under no mirage she could win the verdict. But still, it was enough to make the others register the mixture and unbalance in their opinions towards another offspring of the Big Three.

"Noted, please raise your hand for the child's survival."

Poseidon's hand tentatively rose, the whole ideal had rested heavily on his shoulders. Causing an all out disagreement between himself and Lady Amphitrite's jealously, when she couldn't decide exactly how she felt towards the legacy of her husband's latest betrayal. However, now the lines of worry were being plastered over by relief. With just four votes to beat, he was almost in the clear.

On instinct, Thalia had to grab Jason's wrist to stop the blonde from raising his hand in panic. Aphrodite beamed as Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Hephaestus, Hermes and herself followed in the Sea God's lead, and the council was overruled. She was more than eager to meet this new son of Poseidon, children of the Sea were naturally as good, or if not better looking than some of her own offspring. Absentmindedly she wondered if that had anything to do with the way she came to exist. Rising from the sea foam, and whatnot. The Goddess of Love bit her lower lip in anticipation, day-dreamily picturing a young, lean man with eyes that clash somewhere between green and blue.

"Soooo..." She drawled as casually as possible. "How old is he?"

Poseidon looked over at Aphrodite, and winked. "Twelve, he's too young for the prophecy, and too young for you." He turned to Athena next, "and you tell your offspring to keep their distance. They may look but they're not allowed to touch."

The Goddess of Wisdom spattered in shock and slowly rose from her thrown, a deep rage laced her strong features. "Why you, my children would never associate-"

"ENOUGH!" Zeus boomed, too tired for their petty squabble. His daughter quickly sunk back down to her seat, quite possibly more miffed at Poseidon, than her father had been at the beginning of the meeting.

...

Nico stilled and stood wide eyed in shock. Just like himself there was another demigod who didn't qualify for the great prophecy. After Thalia and Bianca had chosen to join Artemis' huntresses, Jason and Hazel had been left to battle for first place. Of course, Hazel couldn't have been less bothered about the position for Hero of Olympus, that was just her nature. But it left Jason on top, and Zeus had been extremely big headed about his son's title. The son of Hades had been surprised, to say the least, at the King of the God's decision to allow Poseidon's son to walk freely. Knowing full well he could of been a threat to Jason's standing. But he wondered if that choice had been influenced by Lady Hera.

Since Bianca's joined the huntresses, he's been pushed aside, by his father and camp alike, in favour of either Hazel or Jason. Nico was lucky his sister, cousins and half-sister were so stead fast loyal to carry on involving him in their lives. There are a few campers both Greek and Roman, who weren't put off by his freaky emo, 'I'm a kid of death' style. But those people were few and far between. For once they'd be someone like himself, albeit a bit younger, as Nico was just turning thirteen. Someone who everyone would ignore, because they weren't special enough to be a part of some stupid, mundane, pointless prophecy. Someone who, for the soul reason of not being powerful enough, would be shoved to the side. There would be some initial excitement about a new child of the big three, but that will soon die away.

But to give credit, where credit's due, neither Hades nor Persephone completely ignored him. The two Gods showed him love and affection, like nothing he'd felt since the ghost memories of his mother. But they looked at Hazel in a different way, there was more pride in his father's eyes, more respect. And for all the life, and death, in Nico he just couldn't understand why. What did he lack, that Hazel had? He was more powerful, more naturally skilled with his demigod powers. So even though, Hazel and Jason, and even Thalia in her own way, have shown him nothing but love. He just wanted someone else to understand, and his new cousin may just be the one person in this world to relate.

Perhaps he could teach the Sea prince how to play mythomagic, maybe he already knew about the game and collect himself? Jason kinda sucked and although beating the son of Zeus was both satisfying and good entertainment, winning all the time soon lost its meaning. His hand slipped into his jacket pocket, the rough edge of cards, tightly bound by an elastic band, rubbed against his fingertips. Nico smiled to himself, he'd show his cousin the ropes. Introduce him to the world mortals don't see, teach him to fight monsters, and be there for him when no one else will.

Zeus' deafening voice pulled the Ghost King from his thoughts.

"Alright, with eight votes to four, the council moves to see the rescue of Poseidon's son. May he be brought back to Camp Half-Blood under the supervision of the four demigods before us and two of their companions. Now, I ask you directly, for whom have you chosen?"

Hazel respectfully stepped forward to address the God, "Lord Zeus, we have decided to take Leo Valdez and Piper McLean on this quest, to fight alongside us and find Lord Poseidon's lost son."

Aphrodite gasped in approval, smiling as she turned to look at Hephaestus, who nodded in agreement.

"Very well, I accept your decision and pray the Fates may be on your side." Zeus answered.

Nico looked at the Sea God and then his father questioningly, something's was off in the tone of Zeus' reply. As if those words were true, but not the entirety of the truth. The son of Hades, straighten his stance, his black sneakers, skinny jeans and t-shirt fitted nicely alongside his dark brown jacket with the furry hoodie. Perfect for hiding in the shadows and snooping around Olympus for more information later.

"And pray tell, where on earth have you hidden your sea spawn all these years?"

Poseidon shot a dirty look at Athena, "one place my dear, where you would be too stupid to consider looking."

Her grey eyes darken murderously, she wasn't in the mood for her intellect to be mocked or questioned.

Appearing gleeful at his successful attempt to crawl under Athena's skin, the Sea God nodded at Zeus and turned to the four demigods and Cyclops. "The Lotus hotel and casino."

Nico froze. Why there of all places? It was obvious now he thought about it. The shared glances between his father and the Sea God, the agitation and almost hesitation when revealing his son's age. His cousin was trapped, probably without even realising, in the most dangerous casino on earth. But does that mean they were both at the Lotus hotel together at some point? Had they already met and he couldn't remember?

"How long?" Hermes piped up, who for the majority of the meeting had been uncharacteristically quiet.

A sadness crept into Poseidon's eyes, and his face fell as if reliving some dreadful memory. "A little over five years," he said solemnly, "just as Hades decided to remove his children from their, errrr, care." He hesitated. "I must ask the for the council's understanding," Poseidon said wearily, breathing a shallow sigh. "I have not only broken my oath, just like my brothers, but I also interfered."

"Punishment, I call-"

"Quiet Athena!" The Goddess of Love screeched, "I want to hear the whole story." She glared at the other Goddess while perching on the edge of her thrown.

Poseidon nodded and continued. "Her name was Sarah and I loved her very dearly. But she was only mortal, and after realising her child's heritage, she did only what she thought was right by her son. She married a man so foul, he could hide my son's scent from any monsters that crossed their paths."

The Sea God sighed, his eyes lost in pain. "I had no idea, I had seen neither of them since his birth. But one night, when the sea raged not in anger or hate, but in fear. I knew it not to be Triton or Amphitrite. The closer I went the louder those terrified cries became, and even after never hearing my son's voice before, I could tell it was him."

"So then what?" Aphrodite pushed.

"I did what any of you would have done," Poseidon answered strongly, and not one soul in that room wasn't shocked to see the God of the Sea's eyes shine with tears. "I went to my son, I went to fight away whatever monster was causing my child so much fear and pain and heartbreak. But I guess, some monsters are just human."

He took another shaky breath to steady himself, and even Athena with all her malice for her uncle looked prepared to comfort the broken God. "There was so much blood, just... Just everywhere. I had no idea mortals could bleed so much. By the time I reached her side she had passed from this world. She was already cold to my touch. I'd lost her all because some drunken bastard had thought he was clever cutting her up with a broken glass bottle."

Poseidon face darken and something flickered in the God's eyes that would have caused Kronos to back away with uncertainty. "His last moments were long and agonising."

"With a one way ticket to the deepest depths of Tartarus," Hades smirked. "Even after all our disagreements, when barnacle beard told me the story and begged me to allow that mortal woman safe passage to Elysium, I don't think Persephone would have forgiven me if I'd refused."

Poseidon lifted his head and offered his younger brother a weak smile in gratitude. His posture had slouched forward as his elbows had come to rest on his legs, while his hands were clasped tightly together.

"So you knew." Athena stated knowingly.

Nico arched an eyebrow, so she had realised as well that her two uncles were in this together, with a little sideline help from the Goddess of Spring.

"Why did you not inform us?" Zeus questioned, raising his voice.

"Because you never asked." Hades replied flatly, "when have any of you ever bothered to pop into the underworld for a little chat? Hmmmm."

His rhetorical question was met only with silence, and avoiding glances. "That's what I thought, at least Poseidon visits every once in a while, even if all he does is tease me and insult my preferences in interior design."

"Well, you have to admit uncle it's a bit eccentric." Apollo half-heartedly joked.

Aphrodite cleared her throat. "This is all well and good, Hades." She was the first to face the God of Death, "but you know I wouldn't be seen dead down there with all the dirt and rotten, ermm, things." She added disdainfully. "I want to know what happened with Poseidon's son."

The God of the Sea looked at the Goddess, despite most preconceptions the woman really did have her own way with words. He choked back his breath. Once he told them, he wouldn't have to tell them again. Just once and it was over.

He took a deep breath. "I can still hear my son's cries echo through the sea. I could feel his fear and sense the cold shock. I searched that entire cramped, shoddy apartment until I found him backed into a corner under the kitchen table. Just a few feet from his mother's body."

Everyone in the room were, by now, solely focused on Poseidon's retelling of the story.

"He didn't register my presence at first, just stared at his mother. And as I bent down by him, I could feel his emotions reflected in the sea. His desperation for Sarah to get up and tell him everything was going to be alright... But she wouldn't get up, she just continued to lay there, the last reserves of life seeping from her chest."

The God of the Sea shifted heavily in his seat, his eyes dark and lifeless re-watching those awful memories in his head.

"He didn't put up any resistance when I took him away," he continued quietly. "I can still remember as I lifted him up, his eyes locked into my own. They were feral, like some caged animal. By Tartarus, I hated you so much at that moment Zeus. I wanted to march all the way up to Olympus, and tear you apart piece by piece, then feed to Hades' hellhounds for your stupid law." He sighed. "But in the end... I really just hated myself for never interfering sooner. For not checking on my son's wellbeing in fear you would discover his existence, and strike him and his mother down."

It was second of his mouth moving without his brain thinking, without his temper or pride interfering that Zeus answered. "I'm sorry."

The whole room seemed to feel like having been struck by lightning. Each turning to the owner of that voice. Zeus sat with Hera grasping his wrist in her own idea of comfort. The King of the God's looked so generally, incomprehensible remorseful that his actions had brought his older brother such suffering and sorrow.

"It is in the past," Poseidon said softly, surprised himself at Zeus' confession. "I blindly believed Sarah would be alright on her own, the blame is mine alone to burden."

"I played my role in this too, Poseidon." Zeus spoke with the authority to match his title. "Let it not be send I am unable to take responsibility for my actions, no matter their outcome."

The God of the Sea nodded, knowing this is the closest thing he'd ever get to his younger brother admitting he was wrong.

"And then?" Athena questioned, sending a calculating look at the God. She needed to know all the facts, all the details to understand just where she stood in this situation. The opportunistic possibility flickered across her mind, to convince her father to abandon the law preventing the Gods seeing their kids, or at least change the conditions and boundaries of his decree.

Playing absently of her decision of how to approach such a delicate subject with her rival. And as much as she generally felt bad for her arch-nemesis, Athena's mind was already stratifying a scenario to work this newly discovered tragedy in all of their favours. Despite the warning glares Apollo, Hestia and Hermes were sending her way, Athena pushed forward.

"It's okay, just tell us how did you come to the decision to leave him at the Lotus Casino?" She trained her voice to sound sympathetic and understanding. Her eyes widen in shock, not for the fact Poseidon bought her act - hook, line and sinker - but that he seemed glad she wasn't using her usual ploy in trying to make him feel guiltier.

The Sea God took another heavy breath, "I carried him out of that place, while he to clung onto me for dear life. Even though he didn't know who I was. It was the middle of summer, but he shivered like he was cold inside. He must of witnessed all I could do... he watched his mother die at the hands of his stepfather and then the death of that bastard... And all he said was, was... 'thank you'."

Realising his brother was having trouble finishing the story, Hades continued. "That's when he came to me. I told Poseidon how I had hidden my children from Zeus, but now the great prophecy had come to light I was already preparing to send Alecto to rescue them. He asked, begged for my favour, so as my three children checked out, Poseidon's son was checked in." The God of Death narrowed his eyes in thought. "The home of the Lotus Eaters has caused countless to forget themselves and stay ensnared in that web of lies and deceit. Poseidon felt this the most painless solution to save his son from the trauma and hurt of what he witnessed that night. Now after almost five years, if he kept eating the Lotus flowers I doubt he even remembers his mother's face."

Poseidon winced at the prospect.

Nico just left everything sink in, because what in Hades? He thought he had it bad after his mother's death, but being dragged through Tartarus backwards would have be kinder than the fate his cousin had suffered. He wondered if maybe leaving him at the hotel would be a more compassionate solution.

"But he can't remain there." Hermes said, "I understand now, if the Lotus Eaters wise up they might try to use Lord Poseidon's son against us. If he's as powerful as it sounds, being able to create storms so young from just his emotions, the sooner he's rescued the better."

"I agree." Lady Hestia said as she crossed her legs, "there is no time to waste. The place he has been sent to stay has now become a treacherous prison. I suggest Hermes take the demigods back to Camp Half-Blood to prepare for their quest, and return the Cyclops back to Lord Poseidon's palace."

Zeus nodded in agreement. "Hermes go now."

The God of Messengers took no time in following his father's order, as he shifted into his mortal form.

"Hang on kiddies, dad's orders." He winked at Thalia, who looked like she was about to slap the Olympian male, but reconsidered when realising he was her free ride out of here.

"Let's just get this over with," she huffed dejectedly, but frowned as she saw Nico backed away.

"I can make my own way back," he said fading away into the shadows. The darkness cascaded around his body, before disappearing completely in thin black smoke. Sometimes, Thalia couldn't help but think it would be cool being a child of Hades instead.

Hermes shrugged, "Emo's made himself scarce, now it's your turn." Their departure was followed by the sound of fluttering wings, the other five were gone.

The twelve God and Goddesses allowed their eyes to drift back to Zeus.

Flicking her hair back, Athena carefully approached her calculated plan. "Father, I understand that as our King it has been down to you to make some difficult decisions in the past, even when we don't always understand how they will serve to benefit ourselves in the future. But I can't help but wonder if this could have all been avoided if the law had been different."

Apollo, and Ares caught on, mischievous smiles plastering their faces. They quickly masked their expression as Hera raised her eyebrow towards them.

"Now, I'm not saying we should completely abandon your law, father, just tweak it to some extent. Perhaps allow ourselves to visit our children more freely, but apply sanctions should we begin to lose sight of our duties. I can't help but feel complete isolation has been quite unhealthy in the long term. And now look what's become of the events brought about by this law. If I may be so bold, perhaps this is something to consider, father?" Athena finished hesitantly, wondering if today was the day, she finally stepped too far over the line.

Yet, no yell followed her request, no thunder pounded or lightning cracked. Just silence. And really in this situation, that response felt ten times more terrifying.

She wondered if Zeus had actually been listening to her careful crafted words, and then...

"...Maybe I was too hasty," sighed the God of the Skies. "As my advisor Athena, I shall take your counsel. From now on, Gods are still not permitted to directly interfere with their children unless the situation may be of mortal consequence, but may visit their children regularly at camp if they wish, as long as this does not interrupt their responsibilities."

Thunder clapped and lightning decorated the skies in silver branches.

The joyous and excited faces, looked from one another in a mixture of happiness, surprise and delight. Things were about to get more exciting from now on. Aphrodite took her chance to lean closer to Poseidon.

"So what's his name?" She asked curiously.

"It's Perseus Jackson. But he'd probably want you to call him Percy."

...


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