Well guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter- and don't worry we're heading back to camp very soon- and just a little teaser, Percy and Leo are chaotic dumbasses in the next chapter- but hey, Percy especially has earned it I think.
When Percy drifted off slowly she found herself in the Labyrinth again- or to be more precise she found herself right in front of it, in the entrance- she knew instantly that it was a dream- one of the annoying ones- like the one she'd had of Hercules six months earlier- instead of watching someone she was someone- though she didn't know who.
She did know that it was the Labyrinth she was in front of though, not that she understood why or even how she knew- and she was stood with a woman- and with a start she realized that she recognised her. She'd seen her on Olympus with Mr. D- and Percy let out a soft shocked noise. It had to be Ariadne- and the woman was pressing something into her hands- a red ball of woven wool. It was dark all around but she could see the girls face clearly enough, hear her voice. "Remember my words. Go forward Theseus-always down and never left or right."
"I will." and Percy nodded, smiling at the beautiful princess. "I shall return soon enough, once I have defeated the monster at the heart of the maze I shall return for you."
And it shifted again- she was inside of the maze- and Ariadne was with her, their hands clasped together as the princess pulled her along. "This way-"
"How do you know Princess? You seem so certain."
"I can see. Daedalus says my sight is clearer than most. I can see the way clearly. I will lead us through the Labyrinth. He told me after all- it's not the string that will lead you out but me. People are more important than objects after all." and as they ran together, they rushed past a puddle, and Percy's gaze was drawn by it- and she felt a soft gasp slip past her lips because the reflection didn't show Theseus- who she had to be dreaming of- but it showed herself- and instead of Ariadne pulling her along she saw a familiar mass of curly hair- a paint streaked face, the knowing grin of one of her best friends- and Percy felt as if she'd been struck as realization flooded through her.
Quintus' words echoed through her mind.
Sometimes it's not the object that's special but the person.
It wasn't Ariadne's string that had gotten Theseus through the Labyrinth but Ariadne herself- Daedalus had said her sight was clearer than most- she'd been clear sighted- like Rachel. Hera was right, she'd had the answer all along she just hadn't known it.
Then she was waking up with a soft gasp and scrambling out the the bed, her mind racing.
It made so much sense- and she needed to get home as soon as possible, she needed to get Rachel- oh the String would probably still work too, so they needed to stop their enemies from getting it- but the only chance they had was with Rachel.
She moved quickly, rushing out of the room, looking around- startling a school of fish, who scattered when she rushed down the hall, retracting the path Triton had taken her own earlier- finding the Geyser and shooting upwards as they had before- and then she spotted Triton, speaking to some fish- and he turned his head- smiling slightly when he saw her before he swam towards her.
"Did you sleep well little sister?"
"I slept fine- I need to leave-"
"What's got you in such a rush."
"A demigod dream. I know how to navigate the Labyrinth."
"You do." there was a surprised look on Triton's face at that, "Well, let's take you to father then. He'll want to say goodbye before you do leave."
Percy followed Triton as he led her through the halls of the palace until she was led into a room- a lounge or something, where Poseidon was sat curled up on
a couch with Amphitrite talking- both of them looked up and smiled when Percy and Triton entered the room.
"Persephone. Did you sleep well?" Amphitrite's smile was warm, and Percy nodded.
"Yes thank you- I uh... I know I haven't been here that long but... I want to go-"
"Of course." Poseidon nodded, rising with a slightly sad smile on his lips, "I knew you would. I've contacted Hephaestus. He spoke to young Leo last night, I imagine he'll be expecting the boat today. Triton will lead you to a good boat on the surface- it will get you to Calypso's Island easily enough and it will take you straight back to Camp Half-blood after that."
"You're the best dad." Percy gave him a wide smile, "I love you-"
"I know Percy. Be careful."
"And remember." Amphitrite spoke up with a fond smile crossing her lips, "Your survival shows your strength."
"I will." Percy nodded at Amphitrite. "I'll try and come and visit you guys when things have settled down-"
"That may be some time." the goddess' smile was tight, "If Oceanus starts causing us trouble-"
"We can handle it." Triton's voice was proud- and Poseidon gave a wry smile.
"I'm sure we can son." Poseidon swam forward, hugging Percy gently, "Now my beautiful daughter, I wish you all the luck in the world. Go fetch your brother and do what you must do- and never forget that I am proud of you." he pulled back and Amphitrite moved in quickly, pulling Percy into another hug.
"And you're always welcome in our home Persephone."
"Thank you." Percy pulled back, taking a deep breath. "I- I really do wish I could stay longer-"
"I know." Poseidon shook his head, "But you need to go home. The rest of your family and your friends need you. We understand. Triton will lead you to the boat that will take you to Ogygia."
"Thank you." Percy gave a small smile before turning to Triton, "Ready to go?"
"Of course little sister." Triton looked amused as he grabbed Percy's hand and they left the room together, Triton towing her up through the water of the palace, leaving it beneath them as he swam with powerful flicks of his tail- Percy didn't even have to swim herself, it was almost peaceful letting him pull her along as the light slowly changed- not that the darkness of the deep water ever made any effect on Percy- as long as she was in water she could see fine, but she could see the difference in it as they rose, as the sunlight was actually able to reach into the water.
As the light shifted Triton started to slow, his grip on her hand was still tight, and he looked at her carefully. "Are you ready to go back to the surface?"
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
"You nearly died-"
"Are you-" Percy blinked. Because while she'd known he at the very least seemed to have decided she wasn't too bad she didn't realize that he really cared, "You're worrying about me. Triton-"
"I found you half dead Persephone. The band on your wrist cut off your powers as well as cutting off your ability to breath and causing you pain. You could have drowned."
"I-" Percy faltered slightly "I didn't know-"
"I saw the bruise on your face little sister- it faded once father managed to remove the bracelet but I saw it. I saw what was done to you- do you have any idea how worried I was? You proved yourself a worthy child of the sea when you helped save Artemis. You are my sister Persephone. Of course I care and of course I was worried.
Percy stared at him, her eyes wide. "You-" she gave a weak smile, "I'll be fine Triton. I promise."
"You'd be safer down here. We could protect you-"
"I know." Percy gave a faint smile, "But what good would that do big brother? I have a life, I have family and- and my friends and my girlfriend. And a whole prophecy that I have to complete when I turn sixteen. I'll be fine, I won't be caught again a second time."
"You better not." Triton huffed, "Because I might not be close enough to save you next time."
"I won't need saving next time." Percy declared, "Now I do believe I need to go and pick up my little brother and hug him to death and tell him off for the fact
that he followed me back into the volcano in the first place."
"Of course." Triton's lips twitched, "Now, let us head to the surface." he shifted his grip from her hand to around her waist and with a flick of his tail they were rushing towards the surface again, bursting up and into dazzling sunlight, and Percy laughed as the sun hit her skin, tilting her head backwards slightly so that she could feel the warmth of it- it was amazing, it was the first time she'd truly felt it since- well since the ranch, since since then she'd either been in the labyrinth or locked up by Alabaster or deep beneath the sea.
"Oh now that's nice."
"I'm glad to see you so please." Triton's lips twitched "Now, shall we get you to your boat?" and Percy focused again, looking around and spotting a small row
boat a short distance away from them.
"Ah hah." they swam towards it and once they reached it Percy gripped the edge and hauled herself up so that she was inside of the boat, willing herself dry. "So this will take me to the Island right?"
"Yes, it's enchanted to take you where you need to go."
Percy grinned as she ran her fingers through her hair- and it felt so so weird now that it was so short, and as she did Triton shifted, folding his arms and resting them on the boat "I guess I'll be saying bye then."
"Look after yourself little sister." then Triton pushed himself away and disappeared under the water and Percy let out a startled little yelp when the boat shifted and started to move.
Then Percy relaxed- it was the magic moving the boat, and she let herself lean back, relaxing as she dipped her hand over the edge of the boat and into the water, letting it trail through the sparkling sea, and she smirked slightly when she glanced down into the water and saw a flash of green scales before Triton darted away out of sight.
So he would watch over her until she got back to camp.
As she looked back up Percy's gaze focused on the green seaweed bandages wrapped around her wrist.
Her brows furrowed and she hesitated before she gently unwrapped the seaweed from around her wrist.
She let out a soft gasp, her eyes wide at the sight- the bracelet must have tightened around her wrist, must have burned as it did- clearly even the water
couldn't do it that much good.
The skin around it was red and raw, and the wound itself went all the way around the wrist- almost bone deep, jagged and painful looking- it must have been very difficult to take the bracelet off.
It would scar, that was pretty obvious, but it was very clearly healing, it would just take time.
She shook her head, carefully rewrapping the seaweed bandages around her wrist to keep it covered before she looked forward- and after a while in the distance she saw an island, wreathed in mist- and Percy leaned forward eagerly as she sailed onwards, into the cool damp mist until she broke past it and she gasped softly- the island itself was a tropical paradise, with a golden sandy beach, and Cedar trees and meadows were visible in the distance- and there on the beach Percy could see two figures- and Percy nearly let out a sob, hand flying to press over her mouth- because even from a distance she could recognise Leo- he looked slightly taller- which seemed crazy because it had only been two weeks, but he did.
She was too far away to make out his features or anything but she saw him jump into the air, punching it and she could hear his distant but distinct cry of joy as he did a little dance.
Then the figure next to Leo- a girl Percy knew, Calypso, though she couldn't see her very well at all, reached out, grabbing his arm to stop his victory dance and spinning him around- and Percy's eyes widened when she saw Calypso grabbing Leo's shirt and yanking him in close to press their lips together.
When they pulled apart there was a long moment where they just stared at each other, and Percy looked away when she saw Leo reaching forward and pressing his hand to Calypso's cheek- and all the while the boat slowly approached the island- and when it came to a stop a short distance from the floor Percy looked back towards Leo and Calypso- and she could see them both better now- Calypso was beautiful, with deeply tanned skin and long caramel hair.
Then Leo was lowering his hand and turning away from Calypso, rushing into the waves, wading when they got deeper- and Percy beamed at him- though she could feel Calypso's glare directed at her- and then her attention was fully on Leo, because he'd reached the boat and she grabbed his hands, hauling him up and into it, hugging him tightly. "Leo-"
"You're alive!" Leo let out a brilliant laugh, "I thought you were dead Percy! You're alive."