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Date: 18th of August 2011

Time: 2 a.m. New York Time Zone

Location: Perseus' room, Manhattan, New York

Chapter 2

Percy pov

~ dream ~

I was afraid of what was about to happen in my dream this time. I thought it would be like the other nightmares, memories of Tartarus. What I didn't expect though was the beautiful beach shore I was walking along.

The moon was shining down on me, a silvery glow reflected from the water. The sand on the beach looked as white as snow under the light.

I was taking in the soft sea breeze and the calming sounds of the waves hitting the beach as I spotted my father, Poseidon. He was sitting on a blanket, just a few feet ahead of me.

I was curious as to why he would join my dreams, so I lazily walked up to him and sat down.

"Percy, my boy. How are you doing?" He asked in his smooth, deep voice.

His face held a very kind smile, but I could see in his eyes that he was afraid of something. As I looked at him, I couldn't help but be amazed how alike we both were.

We both had black hair, deep see green eyes (but his held way more power in them), tanned skin (but mine was paler because of the time I spent in Tartarus), and other facial features like the high cheek bones.

"I am fine, dad." I said.

I knew this was a lie.

Yesterday my girlfriend, Annabeth Chase, the daughter of Athena, broke up with me. She said that it didn't work anymore between us, that I was holding her back. And the worst of it? I understood her.

She overcame the memories and the flashbacks of Tartarus very quickly whereas I was still dealing with them. I was, and still am, broken. She had started to heal on her own and I was holding her back.

I still was haunted by the memories,by the things I had seen, and I was very certain I wouldn't be forgetting them any time soon. So we agreed to end it between us. We decided to try and restart as friends after getting some distance from each other.

"I can see that this isn't true, Percy. You are very sad and your eyes, they look...broken. What is it?" He asked gently, worry showing in his face.

I thought about lying to him. I could just say that I was fine, that this was nothing to worry about. But I knew that it would be a lie. And my father knew it as well. Also, it probably wouldn't be that good of an idea if I lied to the god of the sea, storms, and earthquakes.

"I...I don't know what to do anymore. I am worthless right now. Mom and Paul are building their own family now, even going to be parents and I don't want to endanger my little brother or sister. Annabeth broke up with me, not that I can blame her. And you know I defeated Gaea in the war, the power I displayed was nothing an ordinary, a normal demigod should be able to do. I was controlling fucking blood, for gods' sake!"

I hadn't noticed I was crying until I felt a wet streak slide down my cheek.

"And now they are afraid of you, huh?" He asked quietly. I merely nodded.

Nearly all my friends grew distant. And like I said, I wouldn't, I couldn't blame them. But then I noticed that he surely wasn't here to listen to my problems. So I wondered what he was doing here.

"Uhm, thanks for listening, dad. But if you don't mind me asking, why are you here? I mean, it is nice to talk, but surely this isn't why you needed to see me." I asked suspiciously. Every time when I got godly visits in my dreams, they meant nothing good.

"You are right, son. This sadly is not just a friendly visit. When you said that you weren't normal, even by demigod standards, you were right. This is not a bad thing!" He hurried to say, because I was about to agree with him and say that this was bad.

I thought about interrupting him, but then came to the conclusion to not do that.

"Well, I need to tell you something. You see, you are not only my favourite child, but also my most powerful. Percy, do you know why some of my children are stronger than others?" He asked.

I wasn't sure what this had to do with anything but decided it would be best to just answer. I was about to reply that I didn't know but thought about it.

"Well, I am not sure, but probably because they inherited more from you than from the mother."

That was the only thing I could come up with. My father looked surprised at me, but I could see pride in his eyes.

"You are right Percy. You see, the powers you have come from the sea. There is a special gene all of my children inherit, at least to some extent. This allows them to control the sea, speak to fish and so on. Some of my well known sons like Orion and Theseus had much of this gene in them, making their powers, but also their scent, stronger." He explained. I still didn't know what exactly this had to do with me. So I asked him.

"Okay dad, good to know. But why exactly are you telling me this now?" I hesitantly asked. I was so confused right now.

"It is because you also inherited that gene. Don't interrupt me! But in you it is way stronger than in all of my other children. I don't know exactly why, Percy, but you inherited not only a small fraction but that entire gene from me, something that's never happened to a mortal before." He hurried to explain. By now he looked almost apologetic for what he was about to say next.

I was sure that I needed some time to think about this. I mean, would that change something? Like, I lived my whole life with it and it wasn't that important back then, so why would he tell me this NOW? I mean, it is very good to know more about myself and all, but surely that could've waited until tomorrow.

"Okay dad, but why do I need to know this now? Why is it that important that you would even visit me in a dream?" I asked. I was so lost by now. Nothing made sense, and I had so many other things to worry about... As I looked at him again he looked so nervous and apologetic that you almost thought that he was human. Almost.

"You see Percy, there are some things that Apollo found out about only a few days ago. The gene which gives powers alters the bodies of the children of the sea. Most of my sons got through that gene the ability to bear children, others could breathe underwater whilst not using their powers, but using gills. It alters the body to some extent, giving some abilities only creatures living in water have."

As he finished it slowly clicked inside my head were this was going. And I didn't like it even one bit.

"So, you are saying that I will not only inherit your powers but also an ability that a sea creature would have?" I was a little freaked out by that. And what he said next didn't make it any better. "Not only one. Percy, by inheriting the full gene your body alters itself to a life completely under the sea. And I came here today because the gene will fully activate on your eighteenth birthday, which by the way already started. While you are sleeping your body is changing. I don't know to which extent yet, but it will be a very big change. Apollo said that your body will probably take many features fish would have. Fins, gills, maybe even a tail, but we don't know for sure. What we know is that you need to be brought to the sea immediately."

I was really at a complete loss of words. And to be honest, I felt like crying right now. Couldn't my life be easy for at least once? I mean, sure, I get that I am the result of a broken oath on the Styx and that the lady of the river wouldn't really like that it was broken, but weren't two freaking wars enough punishment for that?

Or the fact that I fell into hell, literally? Or the painful breakup from my ex-girlfriend, whom I loved more than my own life? Didn't I already suffer enough from the beatings and abuse of Gabe all these years ago?

Obviously not, because my father just told me that I would be more of a freak than ever when I woke up.

Poseidon must've noticed my hopeless expression because he immediately pulled me into a bone crushing hug. I don't care if that sounds like I am a wimp, but I enjoyed the warm embrace and salty scent of the sea that my father radiated. I felt safe and at home, almost like all was good.

But I snapped out of it as soon as my father broke the hug. He held me by my shoulders and looked me in the eyes.

"Listen Percy, I know that this is definitively not easy for you. But please know that I will do all that is possible to make it better, okay? I already talked to Amphitrite and Triton, you won't have to worry about them. They are both willing to help you. Also, your room in Atlantis is finished, waiting to be claimed by the prince of the sea. I am going to talk to Sally, but she already knows much. Percy, do not be afraid, I will help you pull through his, alright?", he said.

His voice was very caring and determined. It gave me hope.

And then I thought a little clearer about this. My friends already grew distant, my mother would live her own life anyway and Annabeth had moved on.

Maybe this was my chance to move on and even overcome the nightmares, the flashbacks and the many deaths of my friends. If I looked at it this way, then maybe it wouldn't be too bad.

I sorted out all the conflicts with my stepfamily now, I would get to see Tyson and dad more often and I would be in the place I was most comfortable with, the ocean.

"Well, then. How will this work, dad? Will this be painful?" I asked a little worried.

"No, I don't think so, son. You shouldn't feel the change until you wake up and then it should already be done. Just to warn you though, you will not wake up in your room in Manhattan or in Camp Half Blood, you will be in Atlantis. And, I may even have a present for you, considering it is your 18th birthday. Anyway, I must get going now Percy, until later. Sleep well. And I wish you the best, my son. I am proud of you, not many demigods make it past their 16th birthday, even less reach adulthood. Considering your challenges I would say, well done."

He gave me one last, warm smile before he disappeared in a soft sea breeze, leaving the salty scent of the ocean as the only thing to notice that he was with me. As soon as I was completely alone I slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.

It was the first night in a long time that I slept peacefully.