Firstly, sorry for the slight delay in posting today, I was up at my normal time to post it (which is like 1/2 am for me) but I'm dealing with stuff. My Uncle passed away yesterday (8/2). So, I'm taking a short break from writing, but not to worry, I've written ahead so chapters will still be updated on time.

Second, Guest BeaFox, please reference Ch. 12 and Ch. 13 and Ch. 15 authors notes. Your Constructive criticism has been covered in those. I won't be replying to it again as I'm sure my readers are sick of the repetitiveness of those authors notes, just as I'm sick of the repetitiveness of those comments. (also I love you all, I only got four negative comments total on the last chapter and the rest were very kind. I'm very touched, thank you all!)

Third, I am still open for requests for identity representation, requests so far (that I am accepting),
Sexuality/gender-identity: aroace, grey-aro, ace, demi-sexual, pan, omni, and non-binary (there are non-binary merfolk as well already (Masina and another this chapter) but there will be more characters). All of these are planned to slip in naturally, I'm not making any of it the focus of the story, that's the plot, but you will get characters with these identities :)
Race: Black (don't worry, I'll have many black characters, just let me return to interactions with camp once more, I should've made race more clear in earlier chapters (I simply didn't touch on it) but I'll make it more evident when he returns).

If there are any more requests lmk.

Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Come yell at me on tumblr: Percabeth4L1fe

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

Honestly the night was pretty miserable, I helped bandage up Annabeth. I used the tools from my med-kit, using the purification stone to cleanse the cut of any germs, then rubbed the anti-bacterial paste on it. I cut a neat strip of the treated seaweed to wrap the injury. I'd have to see if I could study how healing works more. I don't want to risk trying to use water to heal her without any training.

We moved farther into the woods once Annabeth was fixed up. I'm still having trouble breathing, but at least I'm no longer gasping for breath the whole time, just breathing a bit hard (though my chest still feels pretty tight).

We found a good clearing, though littered with flattened soda cans and fast-food wrappers. I glared at it all, disrespecting nature so much. Why do people do this?

We decided to sleep in shifts, both because Medusa is nearby and because other monsters might come after us.

Grover took first shift, and Annabeth was asleep almost the moment she hit the blanket (the one from my med kit) but I laid awake for some time. Not being able to breath right makes it difficult to sleep apparently, I went back to counting my breaths and pulled out one of my camp shirts to ball up as a pillow. I would deal with the ground for the night.

Grover fluttered up with his flying shoes, settling on a branch in a tree at the edge of the clearing.

I sighed, rolling over.

"It makes me sad, Percy."

I blinked, turning to look at him, "What does?"

"This…" he motioned to the clearing. "All the pollution, even the sky. You can't even see the stars. It's a terrible time to be a satyr."

I nodded in understanding, "Yeah… it sucks all around. The amount of pollution in the ocean is really bad. And the rivers aren't doing much better."

He sighed, "Yeah, you know a lot about that. I suppose because your dad is Poseidon."

He looked at me, "Did you know all along? Who your dad was?"

I pursed my lips. "No. But I did know… I did know that my dad was a sea deity… just not which one." You know, besides my guess… I cleared my throat, breathing carefully, it's still hard to talk a bunch.

He blinked. "Oh… How did you meet Triton? You said you knew him?"

"Well, I was practicing in the river, when I was… eight?" I managed a half shrug laying down. "He ended up teaching me… a bunch, he made sure I knew… how to use my power and that I knew how to act… I'm from the sea as much as I'm from land- after all, I need to… to make sure to know my heritage."

Grover nodded slowly, "So you knew… Ms. Dodds."

I nodded, "Yeah, and I knew you weren't human… and that Chiron was super suspicious. I honestly thought… thought that you guys were trying to kill me."

His eyes widened, "What!?"

"You weren't human, you were- were super suspicious, and you were talking about… me behind my back… It's not like… It's not like you told me anything either. I just had to guess… what you were doing and went with the worst possible outcome. Hope for the best… prepare for the worst."

He winced, "Yeah… I guess I wasn't the best at keeping you safe."

I stared at the tree branches above me. "You tried."

He sighed looking back out, "You know, it really sucks… I can't protect you, I can't protect nature.

I shrugged, "You did your best… and protecting nature isn't a one-man- er, satyr, job… It's going to take a lot of people working together."

He peered at me mournfully, "Not enough people seem to care, at this rate… At this rate I'll never find Pan."

I frowned, Pan, the way he said it was with a lot of respect. I think I recognize it but from where?

"Who's Pan?"

"The great god Pan! The Lord of the Wild! The reason I want my searcher's license. To find him."

A strange breeze rustled through the clearing, temporarily overpowering the stink of trash and muck. It brought the smell of berries and wildflowers and clean rainwater. My skin felt like clean mint was rubbed on it, warmth filling me as my breathing steadied fully for the first time since I had used the Siren's Song. I took a moment to just breathe.

The power in that… Is this god Pan paying attention?

"Tell me about it, the search."

He looked at me curiously, as if afraid I was making fun of him.

I noticed, perhaps for the first time, that he had a sensation as well, but I must've just gotten used to it at school.

The faint taste of berries, the smell of freshly cut grass.

Is it because he's a satyr?

Grover spoke regardless. Telling me of Pan and how he vanished, presumed dead, and the humans believed his passing.

I winced, Triton has told me how gods fade. He only mentioned it briefly but with so many sea deities, sometimes they fade. A friend of his faded not that long ago, people forgot about him and he simply faded away. Belief is a large part of what keeps immortals in this world.

The world's wild places have faded since then, humans pillaging them and ruining them. The satyrs have never given up hope though.

If Pan is alive, I'll bet it's because of them. They have such faith in him, such belief…

"You want to be a searcher then?"

"It's my life's dream," he said. "My father was a searcher. And well… I think my Uncle Ferdinand was back there, that statue…"

I nodded, "I'm sorry."

Grover shook his head. "Uncle Ferdinand knew the risks. So did my dad. But I'll succeed. I'll be the first one to return alive."

I froze, the first? Alive?

"Pardon?"

He took out his reed pipes and spoke once more.

No searcher has returned, not in two thousand years. Not a single one. And yet…

I thought of the breeze that came through, soothing me, bringing fresh air. I feel that Grover will return, that he will succeed.

I made sure to tell him.

"Thanks, Percy."

We sat quietly for a bit, I thought of what we'd do next.

I still have enough money to get us a train ride probably, but I'd rather save the money. If we can find an alternative route to getting to LA that would be better.

"You should get some sleep Percy."

I frowned and was going to object, but he started to play Mozart, soft and sweet. I was asleep a few bars later.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

I was standing in a village, a young girl cowering before some men.

"How dare you, you ungrateful brat! Do you not understand all that we've done for you?"

"I'm sorry!" She cried, shielding her face. "I didn't mean to."

"Didn't mean to!? You destroyed the well, you blind brat."

"I'm sorry," she flinched back when one of the men stepped forward. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"Your father might be some great god, but he obviously doesn't care enough for you to give you an ounce of common sense."

"As if her dad is a god, that wicked mother of her's made it up. No god would have a blind child."

"Of course not. Or if they did, they would want us to dispose of such a stain on their line."

"We'd be doing her supposed godly parent a favor, getting rid of this insult to their power."

The men laughed. Cruel eyes staring down at her.

She flinched again, dodging a strike, clutching at a shell necklace.

I tried to move forward, I tried to help, but I couldn't do anything but watch.

"Toss her to the sea. If she wants to play with water so much, then let her die in it."

The men moved, grabbing her even as she tried to get away and dragging her with them, ignoring her vicious struggles.

She fought, she bit, she kicked, the ground rumbled faintly, but the men dragged her through it all

I was forced to watch as they threw her from the cliff, her desperate cries echoing as she fell.

"Good bye Lara."

I was dragged down with her, the men's cruel laughter in my ears, tumbling down hitting the water with a whoosh, my vision going black.

…

I was standing at the pit. Coiling sand brushing gently over me.

"Little Percy, so small, so young." The familiar voice of the unknown immortal whispered. "Let me help you. The gods are cruel, they will show you no mercy. Come to me, I will give you what you seek."

A shimmering image hovered over the void: my mother, frozen in the moment she'd dissolved in a shower of gold.

"Mom," I whispered.

"Help me rise Little Percy, strike a blow against the treacherous gods. What have they done for you to deserve your loyalty? Bring me the bolt and help me rise once more."

"Who are you! You're a Titan, aren't you?"

The voice paused, "I am. You need not worry though, simply bring me the bolt. You will be safe, and you will have your mother once more."

"Wha-"

Someone was shaking me.

No! I need to talk to him!

I woke.

OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO

"Well," Annabeth said, "the zombie lives."

I took a careful breath, I'm not at the pit. Not where the sandy deity with gold eyes is pleading for aid.

I don't know what to do about that. I don't have the bolt, and if I did I would need to return it to Zeus. I can't let a war happen.

I shook my head, "How long was I asleep?"

"Long enough for me to cook breakfast." Annabeth tossed me one of the few energy bars from my bag. "And Grover went exploring. Look, he brought a friend.

I blinked at what was sitting on Grover's lap. A dirty, unnaturally pink stuffed dog.

Wait.

I blinked when it moved.

Oh dear.

That's a real dog.

The poor thing.

The poodle yapped at me suspiciously.

"No, he's not," Grover said.

I blinked, "So uh… what's with the pink poodle? That is in desperate need of a bath, do you want me to give it a bath?"

Grover shook his head, "This is Gladiola, and our ticket west. Percy, Gladiola, Gladiola, Percy."

"Nice to meet you." I offered.

The poodle preened.

Grover explained how he'd come across Gladiola in the woods and after a conversation learned about the reward for Gladiola's safe return, a $600 reward.

Who wants their dog back that badly? Is Gladiola like a show dog or something? That's a lot of money, though probably just enough for some decent tickets.

"We'll turn in Gladiola," Annabeth explained in her best strategy voice. "we get money, and we buy tickets to Los Angeles. Simple."

I considered that, it could work.

I thought of my dreams, Lara being thrown off the cliff (Lara, the same name Medusa mentioned as her love. Are they the same?), the voice in the pit asking, pleading, requesting? Help.

It might work, assuming no one else messes with the quest.

Also, "Not another bus." I said firmly.

"No," Annabeth agreed.

She pointed downhill, toward train tracks I wasn't able to see last night in the pitch-black night.

"There's an Amtrak station half a mile that way. According to Gladiola, the west-bound train leaves at noon."

Triton POV

Sending out messages to all the sea kingdoms is always a mess. This is why I hate doing it all at once.

Oceanus said all the kingdoms must acknowledge Percy is Father's son. That means we can't just let them know, they have to accept it.

It's not good for us, a few of Father's enemies are allies with Oceanus, it's going to be hard to get them to recognize Percy as Father's child, especially if Oceanus asks them not to.

Honestly, I'm not sure what to think about Oceanus trying to adopt Percy. I mean, I basically raised him… but Oceanus is a good parent to his children.

I shook my head, I don't think I really want Oceanus to adopt Percy.

For one, the political ramifications, and for two… Percy is my brother, I don't want to give him up to anyone, I'm barely willing to let Poseidon have him as his kid. I'm the one that raised him, I'm the one that comforted him, I'm the one he turns to when in need.

Not Poseidon, not Oceanus, not anyone else, me.

Though how Oceanus knows of Percy and knows him well enough to know when he got claimed, is worrisome. I never introduced them, and Percy hasn't mentioned meeting Oceanus.

Perhaps I should've done proper introductions.

I'm beginning to think both of us screwed up there at least.

I mean, obviously Father screwed up more, but… it might've helped if I'd spread the word myself, instead of keeping quiet.

No point in worrying over what can't be fixed, I focused back on the letters.

Our biggest advantage in this is actually the Faumuina twins, their mom is from Ryujin's kingdom, and was high ranked. Ryujin does not like Father, or me for that matter.

But they do like Percy. That means we might be able to influence Ryujin through their family.

If Ryujin sides with us, Sedna may as well. And those two have a lot of power and influence, they might lean other's that would side against us to our side as well.

I chewed my lip as I studied the draft Father wrote up. This has to be phrased perfectly. The slightest mistake could ruin our plans.

I crossed out one of his subtle insults, now is not the time Father. Though that is funny.

Mother swept into the room, her silvery tails catching the light, she settled beside me, her flowing blue fins drifting.

"I need to know when your father's latest Half-Blood will be returning."

I shrugged, "Father said not to contact him until the solstice passes, in case we are able to avoid war. If we contact him before then war may start immediately."

I don't like it, but I can't risk it either, the kingdom comes first, and this helps keep Percy safe, if Zeus thinks Percy is conspiring against him… he might send something to kill Percy, damn the backlash he would face.

She pursed her lips but nodded, "Well, as soon as the solstice passes, make sure to bring him. With or without war."

I shook my head, "He's at the camp now. I probably can't just take him away. It'll be hard enough getting in contact with him. Once he leaves the camp I'll have more opportunity, and that will give us more time to plan."

She seemed to consider it, "Very well, once he leaves the camp. When does the camp end?"

"I'm not sure, I've never had a Half-Blood child, so never needed to know about the camp."

I should look into it, Percy is there now, and I need to know if it's safe for him.

"Ask Father."

She sighed, "Very well. I'll return, you can tell me about the most recent bastard of my faithless husband then." She swished out.

I winced, mother is more displeased than she's been letting on.

I'm not that surprised, she'd been very happy when he'd sworn to not have any more Half-Blood children. It didn't stop father from getting with Nymphs and Minor gods and goddesses, but it was at least better than nothing. She'd had hope that he might stay faithful, not cheat, that this might lead to more. But of course, Father can't do that.

I scowled, none of them seem able to, Zeus cheats even more than Father. Why is it so hard for them to be loyal? I don't get this strange need for sex that all those gods have.

It's not necessary and they insist its pleasurable even though I don't see the appeal. It's not like you need it to make children, at least not for gods. And I honestly don't get why they want romantic relationships in general, I mean they get that with their spouses already anyways right? I don't understand, I'll stick with my friends and little brother.

A throat cleared, I turned to look at one of my messengers, a mernix named Moraine, their dark blue, very sleek, tail flicked nervously.

I had sent them to retrieve the messages my seagulls and pelicans were carrying.

"Yes?"

"Ah… It appears that, the prince? Um, Percy Jackson?"

I straightened, they had info on Percy?

"He is… on a quest."

I froze.

What.

"Pardon?"

They cleared their throat again, "Well, he is on a quest, to ah, to retrieve Zeus's Master Bolt…"

My eye twitched.

Moraine swam back.

I took a deep breath.

"I'm going to fucking kill Zeus."

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

And Triton is AroAce! (It will be stated explicitly in the story at some point, I simply don't have an opportunity at the moment) ;)

Thanks for reading!

Don't forget to review! They feed my soul.

What do you think of his dream? What do you think will happen next? Do you also think it was dumb that they were only given $100?