Chapter Ten
Percy
Percy could say at the very least that Triton had given him precise instructions. He found the cave without any issue, and as his half-brother had told him, it was infested with a group of Cyclopes. What Triton had failed to mention was how well armed they were. He had said 'deserters,' so Percy had expected a rag-tag group of barely armed Cyclopes who found put up a decent but not major struggled. He hadn't expected to find a well-armed and armoured unit of monsters ready to fight to the death.
"Crush you!" One of the Cyclopes roared out as Percy spun over the extended spear. Fighting underwater was still a bit alien to him, and being able to move not only side-to-side, but up and down as well made it that much more interesting. He sent a blasting current to his right, knocking the two Cyclopes trying to flank him away as Crocea Mors opened up the first monster from hip to navel. It let out a brief cry before dissolving into golden dust.
The one-eyed warriors let out a cry before regrouping and then fanning out, clearly intending to surround him. Percy let out a slight groan, but instead of taking them all on, he held out his left hand and clenched it to a fist. The water bent to his will, the pressure increasing exponentially, catching the Cyclopes off guard as they found themselves fighting back against a literal wall of solid water. He considered upping the pressure even more, but if he could withstand it, the monsters would be able to as well. Cyclopes had been designed for the deep, and the only way to kill them was with immense power or conventionally. He didn't have the energy nor the skill to wipe them all out with a thought, so it would have to be the latter.
That didn't mean he couldn't make it easier for himself. He opened a slight gap in the wall of water, allowing a single Cyclops to crash forward. Percy directed a jet of water at him, sending the creature crashing to his left, before bringing his gladius down in a vicious swipe, slashing open the monster's head from top to bottom. This one didn't make a sound as it died, which was incredibly disconcerting. He had never known a monster to be silent in its final moments of life.
He let out a huff as he looked around. There were nine more monsters left. It would take him too much time to take them on one by one, and it created too many opportunities for him to be wounded during the fighting. Desperate times called for desperate measures. Withdrawing the wall close to his body, Percy sat down, ignoring the sound of the Cyclopes beating on the water-wall and instead began taking deep breaths.
Salacia had made him do this a few times before, but never to the extent with which he was about to attempt. He focused on the water around him, drawing it in tight, packing it together so close that it became solid, like the wall currently around him. Then he shaped it, elongating it into razor sharp points. Into spears of water. Not one, not two, not even ten. Five dozen spears of water surrounded him, and the Cyclopes realised what was happening far too late. He let out a scream as he sent the spears flying, some missing, but many more hitting their targets.
The force behind the water was unstoppable, and the Cyclopes were sent flying back as they were impaled into the rock walls of the cave. Some of them cracked the stone, others were broken upon it, their bodies shattering before dissolving into golden dust. One survived the impalement and initial impact, only to be killed when part of the rockface above him broke off and crushed him to death.
Percy didn't see any of this. The moment he had expelled that energy, he has passed out, drifting gently to the floor as the group of monsters around him all died. The dust that they left behind mixed with the water, a gentle current dragging it out into the ocean, where it was spread over hundreds of thousands of miles. He never noticed the arrival or the two immortal beings.
XxX
"You silly boy," Salacia muttered under her breath. Triton made a non-committal sound beside her, but she knew he was impressed with what the demigod had just done. It was no major task for any god, but the focus and power required for a mere mortal to shape that much water? To control like he had without instantly passing out? That was what had impressed her.
"He will need to recover before taking on the Trojan Sea Monster," Triton noted, "Jupiter will have a fit if we bring him to Atlantis, however—"
"Jupiter will have to understand," she replied, waving her son's concern off, "as he was the one who mandated that Perseus kill the beast. What cannot happen is your father interacting with him."
"You can't believe we can prevent it, do you?" he scoffed, "he hasn't seen Perseus since the incident as he refers to it, and has been anxious to see him again. Even Rhode can't stop him."
"Then we will have to band together to try," Salacia said before giving her son a sly smile, "and fail."
Triton stared at her for a moment before laughter bubbled out of him. It lasted for only have a minute before dying down, and then he appraised her again.
"You've grown fond of the boy," he said, raising a hand when she went to speak, "don't try to deny it, mother, I can see it clearly in you. Perhaps you didn't mean to—or perhaps you did—but the fact it that it has happened. Father wants to meet Perseus desperately, but that you wish to assist him in doing so? You wouldn't do that for father alone. You want this for Perseus too."
Salacia sighed, knowing her son was correct, and simply nodded in response. Triton shot her another look before scooping Perseus up in his arms, kicking up, and speeding out of the cave. She hesitated a moment as she thought of his words. She hadn't intended to think of Percy as anything but her husband's bastard. But he had wormed his way in, just by being who he was. Respectful, for sure, but still insolent. He believed what he believed and wouldn't allow himself to be disabused of his ideals. In hindsight, he was much like his father, so it should be no surprise that he had won her over.
Knowing that Triton would be waiting for her, she gently kicked upwards and followed him out. He would take care of the boy while she informed her husband what was happening.
XXXX
Percy was still underwater when he awoke, but he most definitely wasn't in the cave that he last remembered being in. The roof was made of some white material, and he was clearly in a bed of some sort. He slowly scanned the room around him, blinking in surprise when he found himself face to face with a dolphin.
"Ah, you're awake," the dolphin said. Not into his mind, like most sea-creatures would have. Spoke aloud like a human, or dryad would. "Lord Neptune was beside himself when Prince Triton carried you in, but from what I understand, you did Atlantis quite the favour by eliminating those deserters. They had some information that would have… aversely affected our war effort."
Percy's mind raced through the list of options he had in dealing with a talking dolphin before a particular story that Lupa had told him forced its way to the front of his thoughts.
"You're Delphinus," he said, "the God of Dolphins."
"I am," the god replied, before laughing, "you thought I was a talking dolphin? I apologise, I forget that many have never dealt with me before. Avert your eyes."
Percy did so, and when he was told that he could open them, he found himself looking at an older man with a warm smile.
"This should be easier for you," Delphinus said, "come now, the Queen wished to see you when you awoke."
Percy rose, the feeling of being completely submerged a refreshing, if not unusual, change. He didn't know how long he had been here, but it was clearly the longest amount of time he had spent underwater, judging by how alert he felt. He let Delphinus lead him through winding corridors, the movement oddly natural, as if the building they were in followed natural currents in the ocean. Thinking on it, he realised that was the intent, because the hall did follow the currents.
"You'll have to forgive the lack of ceremony," Delphinus was saying, "the arrival of the Trojan Sea Monster near the city has caused some panic among the people. Only the brave leave their homes at the moment."
"No, it's fine," Percy replied quickly. "Uh, am I allowed to be here? Aren't there rules or something that prevent me from coming to Atlantis?"
"None that I am aware of," Delphinus responded, "and if there were, what could be done? You are in your father's realm, and only a fool would challenge him for something that occurs where he is strongest."
That… made sense, actually. Percy just hoped it didn't come to bite him on the ass later, when he wasn't in Atlantis. They emerged from the building to an indoor garden, all different forms of aquatic flora blooming in neatly organised patches. Lady Salacia was seated beside Triton, the two exchanging quiet words with one another. The spear that Triton had left for him was leaning against what Percy would best describe as a coral tree. Delphinus made a small noise and bowed before the two. Not knowing what else to do, Percy mimicked the action.
"No need for that now," Salacia said, waving them up, "Triton, be a dear and go find your father, and inform him that Perseus is awake. Due to… construction, I would advise taking the scenic route."
"Of course, mother," Triton said with a tip of his head, barely sparing Percy a glance as he swam by.
"That was a very risky thing you did, Perseus," Salacia told him once Triton was gone, "do you know how long you've been recovering?"
"No, my lad—" Delphinus gave him a slight nudge, "—my queen, I do not."
"Nearly three weeks, my boy," she told him, and Percy stiffened, "oh yes. I've been watching those mortals you associate with at your city. The son of Jupiter and daughter of Bellona returned a week ago, only to learn that there had been no news of you, and that reports of the sea monster still abounded. They believe you to be missing, or worse, dead."
"I need to kill that monster," Percy said automatically, "that's my mission. That's my objective."
"You are falling back on Lupa's teachings, Perseus," Salacia noted, "you've been given a task, and to fail in the task is to fail your father, yes? Ignore those teachings. This is not a beast you can take head on. The Trojan Sea Monster is old and dangerous. Hercules killed it once, and it has not perished since. It has become deadlier than ever before. It will take more time still to find and kill this beast."
"Not that he should have to," a new voice rumbled, and Percy turned to find himself face to face with a man he had only imagined before now. A pair of startling green eyes reminiscent of his own stared back at him. "Hello, my son. This day has been a long time coming, I believe."
Percy blinked once before dropping to a knee.
"Lord Neptune," the words flowed out of his mouth, "I thank you for seeing me."
"Lupa trained him well, my husband," Salacia chuckled from behind him, "look at how he greets you. Like a servant greeting his master, not a boy meeting his father. Are you still convinced giving him to her was the wisest idea?"
"Rise, Perseus," Neptune said, not addressing his wife. Percy did so automatically, "calm yourself, my boy, there is no need for such formality. I am your father, after all."
"Yes, my lord," Neptune sighed, and Percy corrected himself, "father."
"Give us a moment, wife, my old friend," Neptune said to Salacia and Delphinus, respectively. The two quickly left the garden. His father looked upwards, a slight grin tugging at his lips. "Jupiter is trying to cast his gaze here, but he cannot see. I think he will be more upset that I got to meet you before he met Jason than he will be that we met at all."
"Father?"
"Forgive me," Neptune said, eyes returning to him, "I was musing aloud. I'm glad you are here, Perseus. I am glad that we are able to speak, even if it will be for a brief period of time."
Neptune moved to the bench that Triton and Salacia had been sitting at, patting the spot beside him. Percy slowly lowered himself onto it, feeling incredibly small and—and inferior sitting next to his father.
"I appreciate you speaking to me," his father continued, "through my shrine. I know I cannot respond, but it means quite a bit to me, my son. You are worth more than you believe, and even if you cannot see it, the friends that you surround yourself with do."
"Even Jason?" It was a blatant test and they both knew it.
"Yes, even Jason," Neptune smiled, "Son of Jupiter he may be, but he inherited very little of his personality. Nor much of his mother's, either, which I suppose is why he turned out to be as good as he is."
"Does everyone but him see it?" Percy asked, and Neptune nodded. The two settled into a slightly uncomfortable silence for a few minutes
"I will admit, I did not want you to hunt this monster," his dad admitted, "it is a dangerous one, and it took the greatest demigod of his time, Hercules, to slay it the first time."
"So everyone keeps telling me," Percy said, "but that does not make it unkillable."
"No, it does not," Neptune agreed, "and if there were anyone able to kill it, it would be you, my son. That is why Triton gifted you this spear," he motioned towards the weapon in question, "and that is why I will give you this—the monster is off the coast of Hawaii at the moment. It will not remain there long, only a few more days before heading back towards California—towards New Rome. Do not seek it. Let it come to you, at a place of your choosing, and of your design. That is where you will be able to strike. Do you understand?"
"I do, father," Percy said, "I won't fail you, I swear."
"I know you will not," Neptune agreed, "and that is why I have full confidence that you will succeed. Our time comes to a close. Any longer and Jupiter will be forced to intervene. Your armour is in the room you awoke in, and it has been mended and reinforced. Delphinus will escort you to the borders of Atlantis. May the fates favour you, Perseus."
"Thank you, father," he said, turning to look at him, but the King of the Seas was gone, having vanished without a trace. Percy blinked in surprise, but rose to his feet as Delphinus swam in.
"Follow me, young Perseus," the god said, "you have a trial ahead of you, that much is certain."
Percy couldn't agree more.
MMXVIII
In canon, Jason kills the Trojan Sea Monster, but it made more sense for Percy to do it in this story. Please, please, please review, and if you want a response, PM me!
Cheers, CombatTombat