Disclaimer: So Rick Riordan wrote a lot, 10 amazing books which I based a lot of things.
Author's Notes: 4/20/15 - So this story is slowly building up an audience. I am making major changes in the following chapters. I hope to fix everything and not get delayed. 1,758+ views, 31 reviews, 12 favorites and 19 followers. It's good for a 3rd part.
CH 10 "Visits" (Lana)
It was a Sunday and Halloween was really soon. When I was growing up, it was my favorite holiday. The idea of dress up and pretend was the best, also the swags. I always took 2 approaches to get the biggest amount of candies, being super cute and make everybody gasped at me, or get the most awful costume and use my big baby seal eyes. Either way, I had candies for the rest of the year. The year I dressed with newspaper claiming to be the news, I obtained a stash so big that I had to give half of it to my friends at Hermes cabin in the Winter Break.
I spent most Saturday locked in the workshop working on my piece. At first, I thought of making it really classic to show real skill with the hammer and the chisel, but do I want to be remembered like the girl who made a sculpture, so beautiful, but ordinary? I tried to be more avant-garde but it's not really my style. I was trying now to make a mix of classic and modern with longer and leaner arms and fingers stretching as they were trying to touch. So far, I had the structure defined like a rough sketch with circles, and now I needed a lot to work on the details. I hope to finish it before the exhibit. Some of my classmates had their paintings down and they were working in an alternative work if the teachers don't approve their works. Not me, I only had one shot.
I was walking back to my dorm alone. Morgan said she was staying for another hour finishing some details and also a perfect opportunity to flirt with Raphael, a junior, who was with us in the workshop.
By my door, I found a tall man wearing a long coat and hat like a 40s news reporter. As I was walking to him, he turned and I saw him. His eyes and hair were just like his demigod brother Percy, but the rest of his face wasn't as trustworthy like Percy. He looked dangerous and I saw his fangs a little sharper than before.
"Triton? Father? What are you doing here?" I said surprised. I wasn't expecting to see him.
The last time we spoke was years ago when he invited to Poseidon's palace. Since then, he always sent one of his servants, no matter how many times I prayed and begged to see him. Now, he was here, meaning only one thing. He didn't come for a social visit like Ewan said when I met him 'Our dads are like that. They only show up when it's really important and you will learn to appreciate their lack of attention'.
He didn't answer my question but stared at me as I was struggling nervously with my key. I pushed the door open and we looked at each other. He was taller than Percy, handsome and I could see what my mom saw in him.
"Lana, may I come in?" said Triton softly. He wasn't demanding but I could still the authority in his tone.
"Of course" I said shrugging. I was still too surprised to act other way.
We walked inside and his eyes moved around, admiring the place I called home right now. I was nervous of seeing him in the middle of room, just looking at my things, also Morgan's.
"So this is your dorm… it's very college like" he said finally with a tin of humor.
"Thank you. I like it. I have a roommate and she is actually very nice, very college like too" I said with equal humor.
I went to my shared mini-fridge and took out two cans of soda. I gave one to my dad and I thought for a second he wouldn't open it, less drink it, but he did. It was so bizarre to see a minor God drink a really mortal drink like he was just one of us. Even if he was in his most humane form, I could still feel the energy flooding of his self, the smell of the sea and I could almost hear the seagulls in my ears.
We drank in silence. I really didn't know what to say. Then he talked "I heard Perseus' son is back"
"So?" I said with my best poker face "Percy and Annabeth are excited of having their son back"
"Are you dating him?" asked Triton already cutting the bushes, just annoying straightforward.
"What if I am? I'm 18 now" I said as I had so many pinned up emotions about him and I was trying my best not to burst out everything in one single wave.
"Lana. It's dangerous. You know that… too much sea power is havoc. I told you years ago" said Triton and of course, I remembered it. He warned not to pursuit any relationship with him, less romantically. Back then, I thought he was exaggerating because I knew Theo would never think of me like that. Now, things were different, but his words still ringed in my ears 'Sea blood tends to destroy each other'.
I was hopeful that we weren't going to end up with a cruel fate as I said "We will not fight against each other. I love him"
"Does he love you?" asked my Father, the Sea God Messenger and he didn't seem godly anymore, but just like a regular dad.
"Yes" I said.
Triton's face changed completely. He looked upset, plain angry right now. I saw him as he rubbed his face with his hands for a second. He sighed, seriously sighed. He didn't look with much control anymore as he was also holding himself of yelling at me. He said with such coldness and authority that frightened me. "If you really love him and care about his life and yours, you break up with him. Our alliance with Zeus is wearing thin if he sees danger in you. He will not hesitate. I want you safe" and I knew he was Poseidon's second in command for something, besides blood.
I knew he meant well. Percy had said something similar to me in the past but I couldn't look weak, less to him. I said as controlled and carefully dangerous as him "We cannot let Zeus dictate our love life too. We are not in ancient Greece anymore" I was his daughter for something too.
My dad almost lost it as he said angry "Break up with Perseus' son. It's an order. He is nothing but trouble like his father"
"He is good and loyal, like his dad" I said quickly and I could feel the waves in my blood getting wilder. I was to the point of yelling "Stop acting like a father now. I don't buy it. If you really care about me or my safety, you would have taken me away of my mom years ago" I was angry.
"You know the rules!" said Triton punching the wall "I can't go against the Fates" I saw his fist imprinted on the material.
"Nonsense. You are a god. You can do a lot of things like raising me. I would have being happy in the palace, anywhere else but her!" I said loudly and we both stared at each other upset. He was right on something. The sea in my blood was wild and wanted blood, his. If Theo and I got in a fight as intense as this, it won't end pretty.
For seconds that felt like eons, we stared at each other with controlled pants. I could feel my blood getting calmer but it was still threatening. I saw his tensed shoulders relaxing and his eyes looked less dangerous. He sat on the bed, Morgan's, and I sat on mine. We reached a neutral zone. We no longer wanted to tear each other's throats.
"Any news of Zeus' missing son?" asked my Father lightly, hoping to change the course of this conversation.
"Nothing" I said looking down to my feet.
"Olympians are worried for this new killer. Whoever is, it's out of the radar, untraceable like Perseus' son" said Triton and I knew he wasn't making an accusation but the hint was still there.
"Theo is not the killer" I said defending my boyfriend "I would know"
"His sister was" said Triton and he was pleading to my common sense. If Theo was indeed the killer, would I really know or my love for him would blind me?
My jaw was tensed by his words and crossed my legs and arms. I was defensive as I said "Everybody who thinks that is a fool… News of Rhode?"
"Hidden" said Triton and he crossed his arms too "My sister managed to stay concealed for 2 millenniums. She knows what she doing"
We looked at each other. I stood up again and said ready to make him leave "Triton, dad, what are you doing here? The truth?"
"I'm concerned about you. Your smell is stronger and monsters want you" said Triton and I knew he wasn't telling me something.
"Nothing new" I snorted "That has been my whole life"
"Elizabeth" said Triton with a scolding tone.
"Don't use my middle name here. I'm nothing like her" I said angry and I was so ready to punch his godly face. I didn't care if I have to face the Olympians as long as I had this little satisfaction.
Then the strangest thing happened, his hand reached mine and I felt my whole body froze, because I remembered that hand. I felt my eyes watering as a long forgotten memory hit me. He was there the day I got lost when I was 5. It was all clear now. How I got lost in the wrong turn and I was in the middle of a heavy rain and suddenly, he appeared. He had a yellow raincoat and he gave it to me. It was big and it made me trip but his hand kept me from falling to the ground and hurt my knees. He was the one who took me back to my mom. He was there. My body was shaking as he had just stirred something in me.
Suddenly, he stood up and I looked to his eyes, just like mine. He smiled and I saw him, not what he shared with Percy. He was my father. From his coat he took something that he placed in my palm.
"Take this" he said and closed my palm.
"What is this?" I asked weakly.
"A gift. You are 18 years old now. You should have something more suitable for you" he said.
I opened my hand and I saw a ring, silver and engraved with olive leaves and an owl in the middle. I took it with my two fingers and it transformed into a shiny celestial bronze sword with a silver hilt. I said "A new sword"
"Yours seems unworthy for my daughter" said Triton and I knew what he meant. My sword was hanging up by my bed and it was rusty and dirty "This once belonged to another daughter of mine"
I said "Pallas? I have heard that I look like her"
"Athena, actually. A long time ago, Athena was just like my daughter" said Triton and I gasped in surprise. I felt like dropping the sword but he closed his hand over mine keeping the sword in my grasp "Don't worry. Athena won't miss it. 'Soar' is one of many weapons she had in the palace in her youth. It's like Perseus' Riptide. I will never leave your side unless you give it away"
"I don't know what to say" I said and for the first time ever it was the truth.
"Just be careful" said Triton and his hand left mine. The sword became once again a ring and I put it my left thumb. It wasn't an engagement ring to use it in other finger.
"I will" I said "Anything else?"
Triton walked to my desk staring and then he said "These sketches are really good. It will be beautiful once it's done"
"It will" I said nodding.
"Be strong and I'm proud of you" said Triton and I breathed out a little gasp.
I stuttered "Are you proud of me?"
"Always" he said and he saw awkwardly at each other. This was a good moment to hug but we didn't.
"Thanks for telling me" I said bowing to him. I still don't know why I did it. I just felt fitting.
"One last thing" said Triton.
"What?" I asked.
"Break up with Perseus' son" he said and I knew he wasn't joking.
I sighed and said honestly "Triton, I won't. We love each other. He makes me happy and you have to accept it"
"He will break your heart. All Poseidon's children do" said Triton sadly.
"You mean my mom?" I asked.
"Not only her, but yes. I broke your mom's heart and I am ashamed of my behavior. I'm sorry for you have been through because of my bad choices" said Triton so honestly that I wanted to believe him. I did deep down, but all the years of bitterness and angriness were stronger.
I crossed my arms defensive and said not so sure of myself "I can't forgive you so easily"
"I understand. I don't want you to do it. You wouldn't be my daughter if you did" said Triton with a sarcastic smile and just like that he vanished in a turquoise cloud of sea breeze.
I felt my whole body ready to melt once he was gone. That was a ride of emotions, just like Six Flags. I didn't feel like taking a shower, but sleeping neither. I grabbed my keys and walked outside. I needed to do something physical as I was walking fast to the gym 3 blocks of the dorm. I was still on time for the last kickboxing class.
I was one block before the gym when I felt something different. I looked around and the street was silent which is impossible in New York. There was danger around and I knew it for sure. There were maybe monsters looking at me ready to attack.
"Hello?" I said weakly with my fingers over my new ring. Nothing but silence. "Who is in there?" I walked by trash cans yelling "Go out, now!"
Something caught my eye by the trash cans and I saw a hand, a human hand holding a sword, buried under black bags. I moved them not caring of the smell, the trash or the monsters that could be still out there. Then I saw the body more clearly. It was covered in blood without her legs, black straight Asian hair and probably 20 something. I turned her and I gasped because I knew her. I didn't know her name but I had seen her at camp before. She was a daughter of Hephaestus or maybe Apollo, I think.
Then a couple came in, holding hands and clearly in love. Then they saw me with blood on my shirt and I saw their fear. They really thought of running away as fast as possible.
"Please, help me. A gangster attacked me and my friend. I just need to make a phone call" I said walking to them rubbing the blood off my hand with my shirt.
"I am not sure. How do we know you are not in a gang too?" said the man.
"Please" I pleaded "I am a college student. I was on my way to the gym with Wendy".
The woman studied me and said to the man "One call. Give her your phone" The man nodded and handled me the phone.
I said "Thank you" as I dialed the first number I could think. Within seconds I heard her voice saying "Hello"
"Annabeth, I'm two blocks south of my dorm. I need you" I said and hung up quickly "Thanks"
"Who did you call?" asked the man as he took his phone back.
"My family. Thank you, you can leave now" I said "It's dangerous to stay"
"Do you want us to call the paramedics?" asked the woman.
"No, it's okay. She is death already and I'm unharmed" I said sighing.
"The police?" asked the man.
"If you can, thank you" I said weakly and full of gratitude. They nodded and felt quickly almost running.
I gave a whole loop around the block looking for anything strange and dangerous but I only thought a couple of cats and a homeless man. I knew I had minutes before the Jacksons arrived. Thereby, I approached to the dead girl studying the scene carefully. Her eyes were wide open and in terror. Her mouth was close but I saw a white piece of paper coming out of her lips. I took it out carefully.
There was a message in it that froze my insides. It said 'I'm coming for you, daughter of Triton'. I hid it in my pocket with wild eyes looking to my surroundings. I hoped to nobody saw what I had just done. This girl was dead because of me, because there is someone besides the Jacksons knows my secret.
Within seconds, I saw a car coming and it was Percy's, Annabeth, Theo and Claire with him. I waved at them and they stopped in front of me. Theo was the first to jump out of the vehicle to me.
"Are you hurt?" he said with wild worried eyes.
"No. I was just passing by" I said looking to the dead girl who I wanted so hard to remember her name. He hugged me tightly like he didn't believe me.
"Are you sure?" asked Theo.
I punched his shoulder playfully saying "Theo, I'm fine. I just ran into… this"
"Thanks, grandpa. I was worried" said Theo and hugged me again lingering longer in the embrace. I felt his body tensed of concern for me. With each deep breathe, he was relaxing. His parents and sister were examining the corpse and talking with worried tones. I saw Annabeth on the phone.
"I love you" said Theo and kissed me, just a little demanding 'I'm glad you are alive' kiss.
"I love you too" I said and he smiled.
He took my left hand and said looking to it "New ring?"
"Yes, I just got it today at the flea market" I said.
Theo turned around my finger admiring my new ring. He said "It's pretty and even it has an owl engraved. My mom will love it. Hide it or she might steal it"
"Over my dead body" I said, of course joking, but at the same time, I wasn't. I knew if anything ever happened to me, I would love Annabeth to have this ring that once belongs to her mother, Triton's adopted daughter.