Prologue

If I was to be honest, I never actually hated Poseidon. I never disliked him either. Of course, if you looked at our relationship now you wouldn't have thought so but looks can be deceiving.

At worst, I was frustrated and angry with the stubborn sea god. Poseidon could push my buttons in a way that hurt my pride more than anyone else. He never gave up on any arguments even when he was clearly wrong. He baited me into things that you don't even want to know about. He didn't trust me, respect me, or communicate with me unless it was absolutely necessary. His eyes were like lie detectors and his smirk annoyed the crap out of me.

At best, I adored him. I would enjoy our fights because Poseidon would never surrender until proven 100% wrong. He knew me as well if not better than I knew myself. I had to earn his trust, his respect, and time to see or talk with him because he was so busy. Poseidon's eyes would light up at times when he was truly passionate about something and his smirk made me smile on the inside.

Then there were the in between days, where I didn't talk to anyone and just looked for things that reminded me of the ocean. I'd read about marine life and tidal waves to pass the time. I designed underwater palaces and made lists of the needed materials. I would promise myself to hand the blueprint and lists to Poseidon the next time we crossed paths, but they would always end up buried under my bed. At the end of the day, I would breakdown and cry myself to sleep.

It wasn't always like this where my days were grouped so easily and my emotionless shell hadn't yet formed. Sometimes, when it doesn't hurt too much, I think of how things could have been different which I ponder far too often.

I'd do anything to go back to ancient times. Before Poseidon broke my heart. Before it hurt to love him and feel emotions without grief. Back when he loved me. Back before I swore the oath. All the way back to the beginning.

I was bored, but that could happen to anyone who spends their first sixteen years of immortal life trapped inside your dad's head. I recap my life again just to stop the boredom of the blank mind I inhabit.

My mom, Metis, was swallowed by my dad as a fly and then gave birth to me here. Metis raised me and taught me how to be a just person. Of course, I also taught her some things and told stories of the immortals I always knew of. Life was care free and relaxing, until yesterday.

Metis died, or faded to be exact, leaving me here all alone in dad's empty head. It might be cruel that I don't mourn for her but she would never have wanted that. She wanted both of us to escape this place and live meaningful lives. In fact her dying wish was for me to escape and don her armor if I ever fought in battle.

I have to respect her request but was I ready to meet my dad? That was why I was still standing here. If he didn't want me, I'd live the life of an orphan and have no one to show me the world. On the other hand, he could welcome me with open arms.

I sighed and looked at my reflection in Metis's no my dagger. I looked confident covered in the celestial bronze armor with a matching helmet on my curly black hair. My gray eyes fooled no one though, I was scared. I groaned and threw the dagger down in frustration.

Out of nowhere, I heard a man scream. I looked down to find the dagger stuck in dad's brain. I guess my theory of him feeling pain from me was accurate and my ticket out of here. I crouched down and moved the dagger around with little success besides louder screams.

Finally, something happened. A huge crack appeared in the skull as I broke my dagger free. The crack got bigger and wider until I saw something. It was a golden yellow color that brought with it warmth and somehow I knew it was sunlight. I walked over to try and to grab it but the sunlight was only staying there. I looked at the crack, all I had to do was make it bigger and then there would be a way for me to live in a world where sunlight isn't so unnatural.

I grabbed my spear and charged at the crack with a battle cry. It opened wide with a blinding light that was all I could see. Though, I could faintly hear mom speak to me from the beyond. Good luck Athena. Then my eyes started to adjust and could make a dozen people. One man caught my attention though.

He stood over me at about 6'4, had toned average size muscles, and seemed to be the same age as me. His hair was a black shaggy mess as if he just got out of a storm. His face was kind and sincre as he looked at me with worry. But his eyes, they were like their own sea green oceans always swirling around.

The man offered me his hand like it was a normal thing and anyone else would think the same. To me, it was much more than a simple gesture and more of a life line. He could see I was lost and scared and I could see he would rescue me from any harm. I took his hand and he pulled me off the floor but neither of us let go when I got to my feet.

"Who are you and where am I?"

He smiled and spoke in a caring manner. "I am Poseidon, god of the seas, and you are on Mount Olympus . . ."

"Athena and thank you."

He smiled warmly "Don't thank me yet, they" he pointed to the others "are voting."

I looked at him strangely. "On what?"

He looked at me with worry "On what to do with you."

"Oh, well isn't this just the highlight of my life."