Chapter 39: The Seal

I must have been dead by now. The painless coma I was in was proof of that. It was different from that searing pain that I had experienced before.

If I wasn't dead, I desperately hoped that amnesia would strike me when I woke up. I didn't want to remember that incident for the rest of my life.

I could feel myself slowly regaining consciousness... As I forced my eyes open, I could see two blurry figures standing over me.

"Yes, he's awake," one said.

"He's not going to be pleased," the other said.

"Knock me dead," I begged the voices.

My vision stabilized and I noticed I was on Mount Olympus. I recognized the scenery from the previous times that I had been here.

"Percy? How are you doing?" Poseidon asked.

"Dad?"

I finally realized who I was talking to. That face officially pissed me off.

"DAAAAAAD!"

I immediately shot out of the bed and sat upright, staring at him with hatred in the face.

"Perseus...calm down!" another voice said.

I had been completely oblivious to the other god standing there until now.

Of course Zeus would be here to defend his brother.

"You!" I said as I glared at the two of them.

"Percy...I'm sorry...let me explain everything," Poseidon started.

"I'm sorry...Oh...where have I heard that before? Let me think, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WHEN YOU TRIED TO KILL YOUR OWN DAMN SON!"

"Calm down Percy," my so-called dad said.

"Oh...CALM DOWN? Is that the best you can do?"

Anger rushed up inside of me and I leaned forward to punch my dad.

He didn't flinch or move.

Honestly, he didn't need to, because at the moment that I leaned forward towards him, I felt the pain burning across my forehead. I fell back into the bed, giving up.

"Perseus, if you don't hold still and listen, I'll have Ares restrain you," Zeus said.

I would have killed him right there if I could have, but unfortunately, I was powerless to do stuff. I felt completely empty inside, I had nothing left.

"So, are you going to listen?" Zeus said in his thunderous voice.

I nodded, reluctantly. I was too busy looking for an opportunity to assassinate them both.

"Percy...just remember that all this was for your own good," Poseidon started.

Yeah...I was done with the lies.

I pointed to my forehead, inquiring about it.

"See for yourself," Zeus said as he brought a mirror in front of me.

Oh my god, what happened to me?

There was a large, very noticeable Ω (I liked to call it a horseshoe), in the centre of my forehead and several small horseshoes surrounding it.

I stared at it, for a decent 5 minutes.

Zeus finally broke the silence, "It's a seal, it blocks you, or should I say, Kronos from doing anything too rash. However, you've also become limited in terms of what you can do with your powers."

I gasped, finally realizing what he meant. Translation: we made you weak so you can't overthrow us.

"And who agreed to this for me?"

Dumb question.

"I did," Poseidon said, "it was either that or to kill you because Kronos was really becoming a problem."

"I'd rather if you'd killed me," I muttered under my breath.

I wasn't particularly happy at this point, but I realized all my anger had been for naught. My father had truly been trying to protect me. Yeah, protect me by stripping me of my defense mechanisms.

"Percy, the small Ωs surrounding the large Ω are to block your more devastating techniques, like the clones, Aquetis or any large-scale flooding," Poseidon explained. "The large Ω in the middle is a seal to block out Kronos' mind from taking over."

"Oh, so when did you guys agree I was a dangerous weapon and should be branded with horseshoes to prevent further destruction? I can control myself. I can LEARN to control myself."

My father shook his head in disagreement.

"Percy, I understand your disapproval of this matter. However, Zeus and I have agreed to remove some of the smaller Ωs if you learn to control yourself. In fact, they will remove themselves when they feel you are ready. When you are on the verge of losing control, they will act in a violent manner and you will experience a great deal of pain..." he flinched at that thought, "...on your forehead."

I nodded. It was most likely for the best, though I didn't have to like that. But this was a simple deal, I learn self-control, the stupid horseshoes go away. I bet you Annabeth would think Blackjack stomped on my head or something. Ha! I bet Blackjack would get something out of that.

"Oh, and either your dad or I will be coming to check on you at camp every so often," Zeus said.

I was about to yell back, I don't need to be babysat you know? But I decided now was a good time to practice self-control, if any.

"And..with that, well...you seem fine, so you can get back to camp. The seal seems to be working well too," Zeus said.

I flinched at that thought.

"I've got Blackjack on the roof waiting for you," Poseidon said, "You can go whenever you feel ready. I'll have to send a message to Chiron too."

Ha! Blackjack. What a coincidence.

"Okay, dad. I'm not going to say thank you, but I'm not going to hate you either."

I believed that was the best way to get past all this.

"I'm glad, I thought you would have wanted to massacre me after all this," my dad said.

I laughed, because that was true, in a sense.

I waved goodbye and turned for the door to the roof. Blackjack, the pegasus was waiting there, just like my dad had said.

Yo! Boss!

And then, he burst into laughter.

It looks like I stomped on you or something!

I growled at him as I got on.