Honestly, I considered delaying this chapter. The comments were majority positive, but I got my fair share that were not (though those were mostly on so kudos to ao3 readers who are far nicer). It was hard to deal with them all, very tiring.

But I am thankful for my friends who supported me, and the many kind readers who gave me reviews (also, teacher reviewer, I love you, please tell me those theories you have). It's really for the nice ones that I'm posting the next chapter.

Anyways, just three things to cover here.
1) The author's note was intended for the homophobic reviewers, if you're not homophobic and especially not reviewing such, it wasn't really for you. I was not trying to open up conversation or debate on whether he is or isn't bi. I stated in the authors note that people interpret it differently and that's fine. I did not enjoy the many comments trying to debate if he's bi or not (majority so once again kudos to ao3)

2) I am not a Pernico shipper (I'm Percabeth), I have no issue with the ship, I've read some of the fics (aged up or Nico out of the Hotel sooner thus older). I am simply not comfortable with a 4 year age gap, not at 10 and 14, not at 12 and 16. This fic will not be Pernico. His crush will still remain, but they will not be together. 2 years is my max for an age gap until you're like, 18 and up. The ones that ship it are fine! I know other's have different opinions from me, I simply cannot do a ship with such a large age gap.

3) I am still open to requests for rep of basically anything, gender identity, sexuality, nationality. I have some great friends helping me make sure it's accurate. There will be aroace rep in an upcoming chapter (the words won't be used for some time, but I will be trying to make the sexuality clear until then). Let me know if you want something else as well!

(also if you don't like the authors notes I know a lot of you skip them anyways, you're free to do it but you may miss information relevant to the story or answering common questions that people ask that you may have as well. It's why I do the longer authors notes, I'm mainly answering questions I've gotten multiple of so I don't have to repeat myself in the replies)

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Come yell at me on tumblr: percabeth4l1fe

Wow that was longer than I meant it to be.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

It's nice to know the gods out there. It gives you someone to blame for all the things that go wrong. A completely random example, totally random I promise, like, if you're walking away from a bus that's just been attacked by monster hags and blown up by lightning, and it's raining on top of everything else, most people might think that's just really bad luck; but when you're a Half-Blood and know the gods, you understand it's really some divine force (cough Zeus and Hades cough) trying to mess up your day.

The three of us were walking along the shore of the New Jersey riverbank, I could hear some of the fish in the water (we were plenty close enough that I really wanted to just go through the river, but I doubt the other's would be happy about that) as we went. The Hudson didn't smell good though, it made me want to break open a sand dollar or something in it.

Grover was shivering and braying and just generally freaking out still. "Three Kindly Ones. All three at once." He mumbled, eyes full of terror.

Annabeth was still tugging us along insisting that the farther away we get, the better.

"Do you guys have anything else on you?" I asked.

"What?"

"I still have my bag, and my own money, but the money camp gave us was in your bag, and most of our snacks were in Grover's. Plus, both of you guys' clothes."

She huffed, "Well, maybe if you hadn't decided to jump into the fight—"

"I was not going to leave," I snapped. "Besides, it was your knife versus three furies wit-"

"Don't say their names," Grover moaned.

"-with whips." I continued. "They have loads more experience than you, and I wasn't about to let you guys get hurt, or killed."

"You didn't need to protect me, Percy. I would've been fine."

"Sliced like sandwich bread," Grover put in, "but fine."

"Shut up, goat boy," said Annabeth.

Grover brayed mournfully. "Tin cans… a perfectly good bag of tin cans."

I sighed, feeling the final scorching remainder fade entirely thanks to the rain.

I raised my hand to arc the rain over us.

Annabeth blinked, "How are you doing that?"

"Rain is water," I pointed out. "It's not that hard." Okay so it's kinda hard and took me a lot of practicing on the fire escape of my building and I only really got it down discreetly at Yancy. But not the point.

She looked like she wanted to say something but faltered and bit her lip.

It took another few minutes before she spoke again.

"Look, I…" she faltered. "I appreciate your coming back for us, okay? That was really brave."

I sighed, "We're a team, right?"

She was silent again for a few steps. "it's just that if you died… aside from the fact that it would really suck for you, it would mean the quest was over. This might be my only chance to see the real world."

"Yeah, it would kind of suck for me."

Grover winced.

She sighed.

I glanced over at her as the storm let up. I could barely see her in the dark that covered the area, just a faint gleam of her hair.

"So, is this the first time you've left camp since you were seven?"

"No… only short field trips. My dad—"

"The history professor."

"Yeah. It didn't work out for me living at home. I mean, Camp Half-Blood is my home." She was rushing her words now, as if afraid someone would interrupt. "At camp you train and train and train. And that's all cool and everything, but the real world is where the monsters are. That's where you learn whether you're any good or not."

I could almost here the doubt in her voice.

"You're pretty good with your knife," I said gently.

"You think so?"

I nodded, "You killed Ms. Dodds with it, and the other fury." I added teasingly, "Now she'll be trying to kill both of us."

She snorted.

"You know," she said, "maybe I should tell you… Something funny back on the bus…"

She was interrupted by a shrill toot-toot-toot, the sound of Grover's reedpipes when he just blows in them. Kinda sounds like an owl being tortured but I never had the heart to tell him that.

"Hey, my reed pipes still work!" Grover cried. "Now let me try the 'find path' song. We'll get out of these woods really quick then!"

He played a quick tune I recognized from club, I felt a warm wind on my skin, weak but there. So, he is doing magic.

The path seemed more open, but I don't think it did much else.

"I do have my veil with me, it's easy to fold so it's in my pocket. And obviously my knife…"

"I've got my reed pipes, and one tin can," Grover added.

I nodded, "Well, it's better than nothing."

We continued on until I suddenly tasted Olive Oil faintly and… I rolled my shoulders, I suddenly felt a bit stiff. Strange.

Annabeth breathed in, turning to look at something.

I turned to see what she could, shaking my head at a faint buzz.

There's a light up ahead: the colors of a neon sign.

She started heading that way and I followed, catching the faint scent of food as we grew closer. The closer we went the stronger the taste of Olive Oil became, and the stiffer my body felt. I could still move fine, but it felt odd.

Honestly the food smells good, but the buzzing is throwing me off. What spell is nearby? I think the buzzing is just the mist thing at this point so…

We ended up at a deserted two-lane road across the street from a closed-down gas station, a tattered billboard for a 1990's movie, and one open business.

It wasn't fast-food, it was a roadside curio shop, like the kind that sells lawn flamingos and wooden nick-knacks and the like. The main building is a long, low warehouse, surrounded by acres of statuary. The neon sign is annoyingly in cursive, and I have no idea what it says.

"What the heck does that say?" I asked.

"I don't know," Annabeth responded.

Right, dyslexia is a thing for all Half-Bloods.

Grover translated: "Aunty Em's Garden Gnome Emporium."

Cool.

And indeed, flanking the entrance are two cement garden gnomes. Little ugly bearded runts, smiling and waving as if they were about to get their picture taken.

I frowned, rolling my shoulders, this stiff feeling is really annoying.

"Well, we might as well get something to eat." Annabeth said.

I frowned, but the food does smell good. And I am hungry. Besides, we have weapons if we need them.

We crossed the street.

"Hey…" Grover warned.

"The lights are on inside," Annabeth said. "Maybe it's open."

I nodded, "We can get some food, and maybe use their phone. We can call camp maybe?"

"Food," agreed Annabeth, strangely focused.

I shook my head as the buzzing grew stronger, the feeling of stiffness was growing worse.

Either something is coming towards us, or…

"Are you two crazy?" Grover said. "This place is weird."

Annabeth ignored him, but I hesitated. The stiffness seemed to be coming from the statues. How strange.

We moved through the forest of statues at the front: cement animals, cement children, even a cement satyr playing the pipes, which gave Grover the creeps.

I stared at it, feeling a faint warm breeze under the stiffness.

"Bla-ha-ha!" Grover bleated. "Looks like my Uncle Ferdinand!"

I suddenly had a bad feeling, but the buzzing is bugging me and even though I can move just fine it almost feels like my joints are locked.

I can't wait for Tethys-ran to tell me how to make the feelings leave me alone, or at least lower them to manageable levels.

We stopped at the warehouse door, a sign for a corn festival on it (how odd).

"Don't knock," Grover pleaded. "I smell monsters."

My stomach dropped. The furies had that feeling of burning, but otherwise not much. And it wasn't super strong. If I'm feeling this stiff, assuming it's caused by a monster, it would probably have to be a very dangerous monster.

"Your nose is clogged up from the Furies," Annabeth told him. "All I smell is burgers. Aren't you hungry?"

"Meat!" he said scornfully. "I'm a vegetarian."

I shook my head again, "I'm not sure… maybe Grover is right?"

"We need food, you said it yourself Percy."

I bit my lip, we do need food. And maybe a map. But this place is weird… I'm not sure but… I don't think we'll be able to get her away.

I fingered my trident charm.

"In and out," I compromised. "We'll get what we need and leave immediately."

Annabeth nodded, "Yeah sure."

The door creaked open and standing in front of us was a tall Middle Eastern woman—or at least I assume so based on her long black dress and veiled head, it seems different from the veils at camp, this one covers her face. Her dark brown hands looked old, but well-manicured and elegant, so I imagined she was a grandmother who had once been a beautiful lady.

Most importantly, I felt a strong itch coming from her, along with the taste of Olive Oil becoming almost overwhelming. But there's also something… like a soft hum, it doesn't itch but it's with the itch.

"Children, it is too late to be out all alone. Where are your parents?" Her voice had a faint accent, I think Arabic.

"They're… um…" Annabeth started to say.

"We got in a wreck," I interrupted quickly.

This lady has that itch, a curse? And it has the same taste as Annabeth's invisibility hat.

"Oh dear," The woman said. "Are you hurt?"

She leaned closer, seemingly checking us over.

"No, we're okay. My mom hit her head though, and she's hurt. Dad went the other way to look for help and sent us this way."

"Ah, is there anything I can do to help? Perhaps let you stay here until your father returns? I'm afraid there's nothing nearby that would get you help quickly."

"Thank you for the offer, we were wondering if we could use your phone?"

"Oh of course dears. Come in, you poor children, I am Aunty Em." She ushered us in. "Go straight through to the back of the warehouse. There's a dinning area. You can use the phone after eating, you must be starving walking all the way here."

We thanked her and went inside.

Annabeth murmured to me, "You actually had a good idea."

I raised an eyebrow, "What, did you think my brain is full of kelp or something?"

The warehouse was filled with more statues—people in all different poses, wearing all different outfits and with different expressions on their faces. You'd need a pretty big garden to have even one of those, because they're all life-size.

I couldn't help wondering if she had any small ones. This seems like the sort of place I'd check for a trinket to gift Triton or my mom, except everything is big. And the place makes me stumble around a bit. The stiffness is hard to move around in even if I'm not actually stiff.

I noticed Grover's nervous whimpers. And a faint click behind us. The buzzing made it hard to think, it's so strong here. That should've been the only warning I needed to leave.

"Hey," He looked at me as I spoke. "It'll be okay. Auntie Em seems nice. She'll let us use her phone to call… uh… Uncle C about the crash."

He nodded, looking at me nervously. "Right…"

At the back of the warehouse a dining area was set up. It had a fast-food counter with a grill, a soda fountain, a pretzel heater, and a nacho cheese dispenser. Basically, everything you could want fast-food wise. In front of it were a few steel picnic tables.

"Please, sit down." Aunty Em said.

"Um," Grover said reluctantly, "we don't have any money, ma'am."

"No, no, children. No money. This is a special case, yes? It is my treat, for such nice kids."

"Thank you, ma'am." Annabeth said.

I murmured a thank you of my own.

She nodded, though I couldn't see her face to say her expression.

"Quite all right, Annabeth, Perseus." She said. "You children have such lovely eyes."

I stiffened as she turned away.

We hadn't introduced ourselves.

I had a sudden horrifying surge of dread, she's definitely a monster.

My gaze flicked around.

Statues.

Oh no.

I know this story, though there are two versions. But Poseidon either assaulted or just was with one of Athena's temple maidens, who then was then either blessed or cursed to turn people to stone.

Everything is life sized, the area makes me feel stiff, the lady feels cursed but that hum… Aunty Em. Aunty M.

Medusa.

She had disappeared behind the snack counter and started cooking, but Grover was looking at me worriedly.

I sat stiffly, shooting a look to Annabeth, but she's caught in… something.

I furrowed my brow and tried to push at the buzzing around us all. Before I could do much more than muffle it a little (and Annabeth looked slightly more awake) Aunty Em (Medusa, it's Medusa and we're doomed) returned.

I swallowed back my panic and pulled my best princely smile up.

"Thank you." I said politely.

She placed trays with a double cheeseburger, vanilla shake, and a large serving of fries in front of each of us.

Grover poked at the fries.

Don't make her suspicious, we might be able to get out of this.

She settled in front of us, lacing her fingers together as she watched us.

I took a bite and reached for my shake, faltering at the sudden gentle water that seemed to flow over my skin.

It was faint, barely there, but I could still feel it.

"Is it to your liking?"

I jolted out of my thoughts at her question.

"Oh, yes. Thank you. It's very good."

I took another bite, hiding my reaction to the feeling of water growing stronger. It seems to be coming… from my head? Oh, my hair pin, Silena had put it in when she tied my hair up.

I didn't know it had magic, I'll have to ask Triton about it later. I'm not sure what it's doing right now.

"What's that hissing noise?" Grover asked.

"Hissing?" Aunty Em asked. "Perhaps you hear the deep-fryer oil. You have keen ears, Grover."

"I take vitamins. For my ears."

"That's admirable," she said. "But please, relax."

I kept eating slowly, my gaze sliding to Annabeth, and I frowned. She's looking sleepier than before.

Strange.

Aunty Em ate nothing, simply sitting there and watching us. It's disconcerting, especially knowing that she's Medusa.

Wait, are her sister's here too?

"So," I started, smile back in place as I feigned interest, "Do you make all these statues yourself?" Are we going to face all three gorgons? Or just one?

"Oh, yes." She said. "I've been making them for a long time. I make most anything really, people, animals, gnomes. Custom orders as well."

"Wow, you must be very good. You make so many, and so detailed."

"I used to have two sisters, they helped me with my business. But they have since passed, and Aunty Em is all alone. I only have my statues, it's why I make them, you see. They are my company."

I couldn't help but sympathize with her, she sounds so alone. But at least she is alone, if her sister's were here this would be a whole lot worse.

Annabeth stopped eating. She sat forward and said, "Two sisters?"

"A terrible story, children," Aunty Em (Medusa) said. "I shouldn't tell it to children, really. But you see, a terrible man once attacked me in the home of a… friend. The friend arrived too late to stop the cruel man, but she did set me up with this statue business to give me an escape. And I met my love here even, my dear Lara. I was happy, until that… friend… she sent someone to attack me, aiding them in finding me. He was the reason my sisters passed on you see, and my Lara, sweet, sweet Lara. The attacker came when I was sleeping, and Lara tried to protect me. He was not merciful."

Annabeth was stiff, face pale.

I haven't heard the story with this Lara in it.

"Percy," Annabeth hissed. "Maybe we should go. I mean, your dad will be worried."

I nodded, grabbing our escape. I sympathize with Medusa, but we need to leave.

"Such lovely eyes you children have." She leaned forward, reaching out to Annabeth. "It's been a long time since I've seen grey eyes like those."

Annabeth stood suddenly, drawing her knife.

Uh oh.

Medusa stopped.

"Oh? You would turn to violence so quickly?"

"We're leaving," she snapped, shaking slightly. "Come on Percy."

I stood, ready to leave with her, though I couldn't help the regret. Medusa is all alone, I wish she didn't have to be.

"I had thought you better than your parent, Annabeth."

And saw her reaching up and my eyes widened.

"Wha-" Annabeth started indignantly, but I yanked her away, ducking into the statues.

Hissing filled the air.

"Come now children, there's no need to hide. Being turned to a statue is merciful compared to what the gods would have you do."

"No thanks," I called. "But thanks for the offer!"

Annabeth put on her hat, disappearing.

"That's Medusa, Percy," she hissed.

"I know," I whispered back.

"You think that the gods will be kind? Look at what was done to me. Attacked in my goddess's temple, turned to this to protect me, but then betrayed by my own goddess. She sent a hero to kill me you know, told him how and supplied him."

"I'm sorry," I said as I slipped around where I tasted the olive oil. "That's horrible."

"It is, child, it is." She was moving closer, I slipped past more statues.

"Did you know my Lara was a child of Poseidon? Her own father left her to die because she was blind."

I faltered in surprise. I did not know that.

Medusa snarled as Grover yelled, I risked a peak to see him hitting her with parts of statues, his eyes squeezed shut.

Being indoors is limiting us.

"Your father doesn't care for you. And Athena would betray anyone in a second if it benefitted her. The gods are cruel children." She snapped, lashing out. Grover squeaked and ducked behind some more statues.

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Annabeth snapped. "The gods are good, they help people!"

"You've been tricked," Medusa called, a sudden cry and a crash made me turn, keeping my gaze low, just in case.

Annabeth was visible, her hat on the ground. She was clutching her arm as she stumbled back, her eyes squeezed shut.

Medusa's hand rose, claws gleaming.

No.

Something filled me as my panic surged.

"Stop!"

Medusa froze, Annabeth as well.

The air seemed to sing to me.

"Maybe the gods are cruel," I said, stepping forward slowly, my gaze low. "But their cruelty doesn't give you an excuse. You're the one attacking innocent people, why?"

Neither moved.

I stumbled, exhaustion falling over me suddenly, I pushed on.

"You were used to symbolize women's shelters before, you were a symbol of protection for women. Why would you attack people now? Why wouldn't you use your power to help them?"

I was breathing hard, I'm not sure what's going on, what I'm doing, but it's exhausting. I've barely done anything, and I can't breathe.

"Attacking us just supports the people that call you a monster, when really you're a victim. You didn't- you didn't deserve what happened… what happened to you."

I leaned against a statue, not able to get enough air.

"But we- we don't de- deserve to be killed… just for who- who our parents are."

I was gasping, what's going on?

The air fell silent.

…

…

…

"You have a way with words, Perseus Jackson."

I blinked, swaying slightly, what?

My head feels fuzzy now.

"Helping people with my power… you would suggest I attack people?" She was moving towards me.

I swallowed, trying to catch my breath.

"I… I'm saying you could rescue people who are hurt… you could stop people… men and women, from hurting their spouses, their children… You could help- help a lot of people, there would be no evidence… of what happened to their abuser."

Annabeth stayed quiet, so did Grover.

"An interesting idea." She stopped right in front of me. "You almost seem to speak from experience."

"No idea what you mean." I mumbled.

She hummed. "You have protections, someone wishes you safe quite dearly…" she added under her breath, "I won't risk the backlash."

I stayed still.

"I will let you children go."

"What?" blurted Annabeth.

"I don't like harming children. And Perseus… you remind me of my Lara. Killing you would be a disservice to her memory. You spoke well and have given me a lot to consider."

I licked my lips, "Uh, thank you… um… for your mercy…"

She moved away, "I will let you go. Leave now, before I change my mind."

We scrambled away, Annabeth still clutching her bleeding arm as she snagged her cap, Grover hurrying to move with us to the door.

"And children—" we paused "—you'd do well to remember the gods are not kind, they will never care for you as their children."

We left the building behind, moving back to the woods.

Oh Pontus, I can barely breathe. It's like something is constricting my chest, every breath not enough.

"What was that Percy!?" Grover cried.

"I, I don't-" I stopped to lean against a tree, trying to breathe.

Annabeth winced, clutching her arm. "What's the matter?" She asked.

"I- I can't breathe-"

Grover blanched, "Wait, sit down. Take deep even breaths, breathe in for four seconds, hold it seven, out eight. Come on, I'll count, in, one, two, three, four-"

I tried to follow his instructions, but it's too hard, I can't get enough air.

We sat there for a while, just struggling to help me breathe again.

I slowly started to catch my breath, but it's a struggle.

"Do you know what that was?" Annabeth asked. "You just… said stop and suddenly… I couldn't do anything but listen."

I thought of the music, the strange energy and how drained I feel now.

Oh.

Did I… Did I manage to do… but I'm still on the ocarina, the song itself… using your voice is hard and dangerous for beginners of the Siren's Song. Triton told me, Fetu told me.

I didn't realize… was that the song? Did I manage it?

…

Well… It's definitely exhausting.

I guess… I guess I need to be more careful.

My head is still spinning, and everything feels weak.

"Percy?"

I blinked, seeing them both looking at me worriedly.

"Ah… I think," I paused for breath, "I think I did the Siren's Song."

Oceanus POV

Poseidon scowled at me, "How many times do we have to tell you, you can't have Triton."

Triton just shook his head with a sigh.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"No, no, you can keep your heir. I mean the little Half-Blood, Percy Jackson. I'm going to adopt him. I thought I would do you the courtesy of informing you."

Tethys shot me a look.

"I'll give you a sea serpent for him," I added.

Poseidon's eye twitched, but Triton clearly was biting back a laugh. Amphitrite, my dear daughter, gaped at me.

"No! That's my son. You can't take him!?"

I waved my hand dismissively, "It's not like you've kept an eye on him. He didn't even know his parentage until this last week."

Triton dipped his head, his lips twisted, before his brow furrowed in something like confusion as he stared at me.

Poseidon spluttered, "That's not—it was for his safety!"

I raised an eyebrow, "You kept a prince of the sea ignorant, and kept the rest of the sea ignorant, for his safety?"

Amphitrite bit her lip, clearly having the same opinion that I do. Neither her nor Triton dared to interrupt.

"Zeus would've struck him down in a heartbeat had he known of him, and I saw what Hades did to Zeus's kid, I wasn't putting him at risk like that."

I hummed, a better reason than I was expecting but, "You think the sea would betray your child? That any being of the sea would hand off a child of the sea to the sky lord?"

Poseidon scowled, "Ryujin, Sedna, Pariacaca, they would do it happily."

Oceanus rolled his eyes, "They may dislike you, but they wouldn't endanger a child like that, and they certainly wouldn't risk war with you. You've always been rather fierce in getting revenge for perceived slights against your children. Not telling the rulers of the sea, at the very least, was foolish. And simply tells me that you didn't see him as a prince. So, he's free game."

"I just explained to you why I didn't say anything," He snarled. "You cannot have my son. I will not allow it."

Oh, then he wants to do this the fun way? Alright.

Tethys shot me a look suddenly, ugh, she wants me to allow this. I did agree I suppose, but on the other hand… If he fails as a parent I feel Percy is free game to get adopted.

She leveled a stern glare.

Oh fine, I'll give him one chance to fix his mistake.

I flashed a sharp smile, "You want to keep your child?"

"I am keeping my child, that's not up for debate Oceanus." He was gripping his trident, which was glowing, how quaint.

"Then prove to us that he is your prince, show the sea that you acknowledge him. Make it abundantly clear to all of us that he is your son, the kingdoms as a whole must acknowledge it. You've made it apparent that you care not for him, he hasn't been introduced, you made no announcement, you didn't even inform the rulers of the sea kingdoms."

He glowered.

I smirked, "Prove he's your child, or I'll take him as my own."

Triton was looking between us like it's a puffer fin match.

Poseidon glared at me, "He is my son. I have no problem making that known."

I stared him down, "Then do so."

"By the winter solstice," Tethys said helpfully. "If it is known through all the kingdoms, the same way your previous children have been known, then we will consider him yours and cease trying to take him as ours."

"As our child at least," I muttered. I'm keeping the Half-Blood regardless. He's shown a fascinating amount of potential, not to mention how much Tethys clearly likes him. If he can't be our child, we'll simply take him as our grandchildren, Amphitrite is his step-mother after all, that's close enough.

"Fine," he bit out. "It will be known. The sea will know that Perseus Jackson, is one of Atlantis's princes, and one of my treasured sons."

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to leave a review, they feed my soul.

What did you think of the fight? His new show of power? What do you think will happen next? Theories for my plans for Medusa?

TDLR for author's note at top: No need to debate what's in my authors note unless it's racist/sexist/homophobic or something of similar nature, there will not be Pernico as I don't feel comfortable with the age gap, ace rep is coming soon, I'm still open to people requesting more rep of any nature and will do my absolute best to represent it accurately.

Thanks again for reading!