With Love and Regret

"You know you have to go Percy." Annabeth said as they sat on the outskirts of Neptune's shrine. It was the only place they we could be completely alone since everyone was terrified of Neptune and wouldn't dare come near his shrine.

"But I don't want to go.. I don't want to fight anymore wars or battles and I definitely don't want to 'solidify the power' because that doesn't sound to peachy either." I said bitterly looking off into the distance.

"Percy, look at me." Annabeth said.

I turned to her.

"We are demigods. Life will probably always be some impending war or great prophecy. That's just how it is. It's not fair, it's not right but that's how it is." Annabeth said.

"Is this supposed to be motivation?" I said sarcastically.

"But," she said ignoring my comment and then placing her hand on my cheek.

"I do know that I will be here with you Percy, when hellfire rains down on Olympus, and when I'm old enough to pass off as the Grae sisters, I'm with you." Annabeth said.

I smiled and kissed her.

It wasn't like our everyday kisses or our impending death kisses but only filled with love.

I love you Annabeth.

I didn't say it out allowed but she knew I did.

I pressed my hand on her face and leaned into the kiss more and the kiss turned into a whole makeout session.

"I would say get a room but we actually have some business to attend to." A voice said.

Annabeth and I split and turned to see-

"Nico! You can't sneak up on us like that!" Annabeth said blushing furiously.

"Sorry." he said unapologetically.

"What business." I said catching my breath.

"It's about the prophecy and what Juno said about solidifying the power."

"So what does it mean?" Annabeth asked.

Nico frowned at Annabeth and then looked at me.

I nodded for him to continue.

He let out a sigh.

"We need to become princes."


"So what, we storm into our fathers domain and demand a title because you know, our fathers best history of taking demands and managing their temper." Jason sneered.

Even though my dad was the more calmer of the three gods, I couldn't remember one story where Poseidon took demands from anyone and they lived.

I pushed the eight ball back and forth on the pool table that somehow relaxed me. I always wondered why there was a pool table in the big house when we were preparing and strategizing for war but I guess it was here to successfully calm the nerves

"Well technically that's not all that has to be done." Nico says nervously.

Uh oh.

Here it comes.

"What else is involved?" Jason asked.

"According to the ancient laws, in order for a demigod to even be considered as a prince they have to complete a quest,by themselves and considering that there's no demigod princes around—"

"Either no one was stupid enough to try this or they died trying." I said swallowing nervously.

"And are there a selection quests to choose from or?"

"They just appear, do they. Like my quest, to find my dad's trident.. it's all connected." I said.

Nico nodded grudgingly.

"Well how are we supposed to become princes if there are no quests for us to complete. I don't see any quest lining up for us." Jason said frowning.

"Yeah well technically.. I already completed mine." Nico said.

Jason and I both looked at him.

"What do you mean you completed yours? When?" I said demandingly.

"When I returned the Parthenos.." he said.

"But you didn't do that by yourself, you had Reyna's help." Jason said matter of factly.

"But I still did the deed and completed the quest by myself." Nico said.

"Why didn't you become.. y'know, a prince." I asked.

"It would've been too complicated." Nico said scratching the back of his head nervously.

"Zeus probably would've had my head thinking I was trying to take over and for all we know that could've started a civil war between our fathers." Nico said shrugging.

"But couldn't the same thing happen with all of us becoming princes. They used us to prove who has the most power." Jason said.

"But Juno said it was the only way, to solidify the power.. Nico does us becoming princes somehow bring more power? To the gods?" I asked.

Nico nodded.

"When demigods and gods work together it always brings more power into the equation, us becoming a more prominent figure in our fathers domain unties our power with theirs, making it more powerful than us just simply fighting alongside with them."

"That's what it comes down to in the end.. power." I said bitterly.

"In order for the civil war in question to happen we should probably have our- er crowning together. But when?" Jason said changing the subject .

"Should probably be an important day to the gods so it can be seen by many, these types of events have meaning." Nico said.

"Winter solstice then, that's when I have to complete my quest by so the same probably goes for you Jason."

"Alright then. What's left for us to do, besides me figuring out what quest I have to complete." Jason.

"We go to our fathers.. to stake a claim on our titles." Nico said.


"Wow..that's a lot." Annabeth said as we sat on my bed in my cabin.

"Yeah.." I said.

"Well I guess you should be heading down to go see your father now right?" Annabeth asked.

I nodded silently.

"Then you'll have to start you quest?" she said.

I nodded again.

"Well, I know you're not going on this quest without me so-"

"Annabeth.."

"What Percy! You're not leaving without me! I don't care what the ancient laws say, you're not leaving without me!"She said standing up.

I sighed.

"Okay." I said forcing a smile.

"I'll come back after talking with my dad and we'll figure this out together." I said grabbing her hands as I stood up.

"But I have to go now, okay?" I said.

She nodded and looked down.

"Hey.." I said touching her chin so I could see her eyes.

"I love you Wise girl." I said.

She rolled her eyes.

"I love you too Seaweed Brain."

I slowly walked out of the room. Before stepping out of the door frame I looked back for what may be one last time.

My heart felt like it was being squeezed and part of me wanted to forget the quest, forget the gods and run back to Annabeth and us forget our whole world…

But that was impossible.

It broke my head that I had to lie to Annabeth. That I had to do this alone but I knew that it was the right decision.

And that was the only reasonable thought that made me leave the room.


Dear Annabeth,

I know you think this is probably the dumbest plan I've ever came up with and it probably is, but it's the best plan that keeps you safe and everyone else I love. I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you this to your face but I couldn't bring myself to face you like this. I know I promised I wouldn't leave you again and I'm so sorry for breaking it but I have to do this.

No matter how much I wish you could come with me, I know that I have to do this alone. I can't risk any of you getting hurt. Especially you.

I can feel it in my bones that something bigger than we've ever faced is coming and only the Fates know if we will see each other again but I do know that I love you Annabeth. And that's why I'm doing this.

I'm sorry.

With love and regret,

Percy

I sighed as I finished reading the letter and handed it to Malcom.

"Are you sure you want to do this Percy?" Malcom said with a frown.

"No..but I have to." I said looking down and started to turn around.

"Percy," Malcom called.

I turned.

He looked like he had so much to say but only two words came out.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet."


The throne room doors opened for me and I stepped through and saw my dad, Amphirite, and Triton in their respective spots.

"Percy, I see that you have come to your senses" Poseidon said with a hint of pride for me.

"Yes I have, and I know what else I have to do." I said stepping forward.

There was confusion in Poseidon and Triton's face but knowingness in Amphitrite's.

"I accept your quest and I also am here to stake a claim on my rightful title, as a prince of the seas." I said with confidence that I had no idea existed.

The room broke out in gasp and chatter as servants ran off to go tell god knows who. Tridents face went purple as he shouted in protest but I couldn't hear him.

I locked eyes with my father and he had a certain sadness in his eyes.

I nodded, to let him know it was okay but I knew he could see through my lies.

"Silence." Poseidon called for in a stern but not angry voice.

"Perseus Jackson." He said standing up.

I winced at him using my full name.

"In the completion of your quest of bringing my trident home.. you will be crowned a prince of the seas." Poseidon declared as the room erupted in chaos again.

"Silence!" Poseidon said with more force this time.

"To start your quest Percy you must find Nereus, Old Man of the Sea, he will aid you on your quest." Poseidon said.

Oh no.. not him..


I stood on the outskirts of Camp Halfblood, reluctant as ever to leave.

I had came back to get ambrosia sandwiches and gather clothes but I couldn't bring myself to leave.

"Leaving without saying goodbye?" A voice said.

I turned around to see Jason carrying a duffle bag on his shoulder.

"I couldn't bring myself to do it." I replied.

"Not even to Annabeth?" Jason asked stepping forward.

"I see you got your quest." I said dodging his question.

He look confused to how I knew but rhenbI gestured to his bag.

"Yeah I did, I have to find the Elements of Discord." He said.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Cassius' dagger, Apple of Discord, and Kronos' scythe."

"And let me guess,all three are missing."

"Yup,I'm heading to San Francisco to check back at camp to see if Cassius' dagger is in the armory or museum somewhere. Where you headed?"

" Actually,same, I have a sea god to catch and I don't want to waste any energy on water traveling

."

"You can catch a ride with me then." Jason said.

"Thanks, who's you ride?"

"Alrighty amigos! Let's go!" Someone said on cue.

Leo popped out of nowhere and paused when he saw Leo.

"Oh hey Percy, you need a ride too? Jesus does everyone need a ride today! We haven't had this many people on the Argo II since..well the war!" Leo said as he walked out of camp getting out his nintendo joystick.

"What does he mean everyone? Who else coming?"

"Hey Percy." Piper said walking passed me.

"Piper! Why!" I asked urning to Jason.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"She might know where to find the Apple of Discord, her mother did have it last."

"What happened to doing the quest by ourselves!"

"Those laws are totally outdated Percy. Of course you guys are gonna need help on your quest, besides I don't know why you're so shook, it's not like I'm the only one tagging along." Piper said.

"What does she mean? Who else?" I asked Jason.

A branch snapped and I turned to see the last person I thought I see right now.

"Annabeth?"