I don't own any characters in the Percy Jackson universe which is rightfully owned by Rick Riodan. However, the Greek gods and/or other mythological figures are used in my own imagination and well you can't claim copyright on history.

Chapter 21

Suddenly, I was in another dream. This time I was in another watchtower. I felt old, my back cracking and my knees wobbling. My son runs up to me.

"So what are we going to do about today, dad."

"Shhh, quiet down. The guards might hear."

I quickly pull out 2 sets of bronze wings. I place a pair on his back and get to work, strapping and tightening. As I put hot wax on some places my hands slip and he winces. After I finish he sets my wings into place.

"Remember not too high or the sun will melt your wings. Not too low or the sea will-"

"Yes, yes, father. Not too close to the sea or the wings will warp."

"Icarus, I'm serious. We need to-"

"Dad, I know. Have some faith in your work."

I smile, proud of myself. Suddenly the door started shaking and a banging sound could be heard.

"They're early. Still have to open the vent door…"

Suddenly the door comes crashing down.

"Going somewhere? Wow, bronze feathers. You look like a metal chicken. Should I make soup?" Minos says sarcastically.

"Hehe, chicken. Soup." A guard echos stupidly.

"Minos, I refuse to stay here any longer."

"Stay? Oh, that's fine. I'll let you leave….. leave the world of the living." He directs the guards at us. "Bring them here."

I quickly scoop up some hot wax, ignoring the burning in my hands, and throw it in the direction of Minos and the guards. They recoil at the sudden sting of pain from the heat. I quickly take advantage of the moment and open the vent and warm air rushes up towards a large chimney. My son and I steady ourselves and fly up the chimney. The guards recover and roar in anger, throwing weapons and pieces of armor in an attempt to knock us down, but we were too far out of range.

"Father, look at me. I can fly so well." Icarus shouts at me.

He soars high and dips suddenly dips towards the sea.

"Icarus, remember my warning!" I shout, but my voice is carried away by the wind.

Suddenly the feathers start to shed from his wings and he plummets to the sea. His mouth moves but no sound can be heard as the wind continues to blow. I was ready to join my son and nephew in the underworld. But Minos would still be alive. I grit my teeth and continue flying. I eventually landed in the land of Sicily, tired, and battered. I climb my way up to the castle. There I was taken to the king.

"I am King Cocalus. I welcome you to my court. Who might you be?"

"My wise king, I am Daedalus."

The image flickers once again and I groan, attempting to get up.

"No, my brave hero, don't get up. You are not healed enough to arise." A soothing voice reaches my ears.

She pushes something into my mouth and it dissolves into a pleasant flavor of Artemtis's lips and once again I delve into the darkness of sleep.

This time I'm in the courtroom with the king, but in a new castle that I had built. It was so well and strategically built that 4 people could defend the castle against an entire army.

"Daedalus, are you sure you would like to do this little riddle? I'm sure it's a trap set by King Minos."

"Yes, my king. Allow me."

The riddle to solve was to get a piece of string without outright breaking the shell. I tie a piece of a long string to the body of an ant and coax it through with honey. The ant follows the scent and soon enough the string was through the shell.

The images change and this time Minos is in the courtroom.

"I know that you are harboring Daedalus within your walls."

"I don't know of such a person."

"Do not play games with me, Cocalus. Or you will see Crete's army against yours."

Cocalus's face pales.

"He is in my castle. But, I have heard about an ass load of gold…"

"Ah, straight to business." Minos claps and immediately guards walk in leading an ass with all the gold it could possibly pull. "All this is yours if you hand over the fugitive."

"Deal." Cocalus points at his own guards. "Take the gold inside and bring Daedalus here."

"Father! At least let King Minos rest and have a bath. He must be tired from all that searching. We will personally draw his bath."

"Ah, courteous. Thank you, my young princesses."

The 2 young princesses lead Minos into the bathing room and place rose petals in the bathtub. The princesses avert their eyes as the king strips. They wanted to leave a good impression on the king to gain his trust. Besides he didn't shave and he was bushy. Minos steps in and sighs.

"Ah, thank you darlings. This really hits the spot."

"That's great to hear. Sadly, this is also your last place of life."

They pull a lever and a large basin set up by Daedalus himself, tips, and pours scalding water over Minos. The princesses are approached by Daedalus.

"Teacher, you can stay. He's gone."

"My darlings, I wish I could. Alas, Minos would find me even when dead. I must leave." He presses a mark hidden in the dark corner.

"You have been busy, teacher."

"No, the Labyrinth has been busy."

Daedalus embraces the 2 daughters, hugging them tightly and kissing their cheeks. The princesses start to cry as their beloved teacher enters the dark corridor to never return again. They use this to their advantage and carry Minos lobster red corpse out to the throne room.

"He slipped and fell into the tub of hot water. We didn't mean any harm."

The guards seeing that it was an accident, they also never really liked the king and being deep inside the foreign territory, just nodded and left.

I wake up screaming. My voice was hoarse and my throat was cracked. Suddenly a rather pretty girl appears and hands me a cup of warm liquid. It soothes my throat and calms me down.

"How, long have I been here?"

"Ah, time is hard. It is more fluid than water. Percy, are you feeling better?"

"I am feeling a little better. How do you know my name." I asked reluctantly.

"I know the names of everyone that lands here."

"And where is this?"

"This is Ogygia, my prison, and my paradise. Sleep hero."

She starts singing, voice as clear as a flowing river and I fall into a deep sleep. I woke up from what I assumed, the next day. She was right, time was hard. My power to tell time wasn't working. I follow the singing voice and sit. She looks at me.

"What is your name?"

"I am called Calypso."

"Why are you imprisoned here."

"I am the daughter of Atlas." She says with no explanation.

"There has to be more. I knew the daughter of Atlas. Her name was Zoë."

"Ah, yes. I knew Zoë. How is she?"

"She died in battle. She lives amongst the stars. Can you tell me why you are stuck here?" I press on.

"I fought alongside my father. Zoë didn't, that was the difference."

"So you're stuck here?"

"Yes. Although, my curse extends much farther than that. I'm forced to fall in-"

She stops and looks away.

"Go to sleep, Percy."

I'm aware of the fatigue my body feels and fall asleep. This time I don't dream. However, Aphrodite appears.

"Lady Aphrodite. Why are you in my head."

"All this love and heartbreak. I couldn't resist. You miss Zoë. She misses the past heroes to appear here."

"How do you know I miss Zoë?"

"Oh please, who do you think made her fall for you?" She says nonchalantly.

"So you made her love me?"

"No, merely sped things along. Sadly, she died. It could have been interesting. My powers don't start love out of nothing. That's Eros's job. I just speed along and add fuel to the fire of love."

"I miss her. Of course, but is there any other reason you came?" I ask.

"Your questions will be answered soon by Calypso. Toodles, Percy."

I wake up confused as ever. I hear crying and leave the cave.

End of chapter 21. Thanks for reading and as always please review. Peace.