Hey People. Thank You for your patience. I promised a chapter about three months or so ago. I apologise for the delay, but I wasn't in a good place the previous few months. Somethings took a toll on me, and I fell into dark times. Fortunately, I have a loving family to support me, something I am immensely grateful for. Thank You once again for everything. I may not respond to all your reviews, but I appreciate them nonetheless and hope you do continue to do so.

Rediscovery.

Part II.

Percy's Luxury suite, Manhattan, New York.

November 1st

07:00 EDT.

Don't ever let yourself be deluded by anyone claiming to be peaceful. Coz the more peaceful they seem outward; the more rage can be unleashed when needed. And Lady Hestia or maa as Percy called her now was downright terrifying when she needed to be. Percy decided that he would never again want to be on the receiving end of that Hestia.

At least the rest of the Gods took it in better taste. Though Apollo was still salty with Diana over the Artemis affair; but with the entire Amazon party and their patrons there, he didn't want to risk a… heated confrontation. But he along with Hermes soon became the life of the party.

Poseidon barely managed to keep his mix of rage, disbelief and happiness in check, but was glad that his only adopted son was alive. Sure, he expressed his displeasure to Percy keeping himself secluded in a dramatic way – dumping on him the icy cold Atlantic waters causing a resounding bout of laughter.

Athena, Hera and Hecate were glad that he was alive. Athena had that glint in her eye that a curious, inquisitive mechanic has towards a brand-new supercar.

Hera's feelings leaned towards ensuring that her daughter was happier than she had been since Percy's demise. Her family may not be perfect, and her husband may run around popping out a litter of bastards, but Diana provided her the solace none of her legitimate and immortal children ever did. To see her happy gave warmth in her heart knowing she finally had some measure of satisfaction.

Hecate and Percy were an unusual pair. Their interactions won't fall under any of the traditionally defined relationship categories, not romantic or platonic, or even friends. Whenever they interacted, no one could predict if it was one of their antagonistic or benign days. Whatever it might be, they somehow stuck together.

Aphrodite and Percy were the oddest pair that was there. Somehow, Percy became her confidante. He convinced her to let go of all her toxic dalliances with Ares and others, make peace with Hephaestus and bring an amicable end to her business arrangement that Zeus called a marriage, and finally blossomed into the amazing multi-faceted Goddess of Love and War (as she was worshipped in Ancient Greece), along with her domains of beauty, sexuality and desire. Their relationship however never dipped into the sexual realm. Percy held her at an arm's distance even though she did try multiple times. However, he never rebuffed her rudely and always left her feeling more happy than disappointed at the end of her attempts. Percy's disappearance affected her deeply. She fell into a cycle of toxicity which took her almost 30 years to relapse from. Ares took advantage of her and akin to the liberation of Amazons, Percy came and rescued her. She had known since then that he was alive. Her anger, frustration and sense of betrayal left him terrified and agonizing for causing her so much pain. But, over the course of the year they were able to repair their bonds and she was ecstatic that he was here. She just needed to keep this secret from Hestia. After she goes ballistic, maybe she would drop this bit of information and high tail out from there. Though that didn't do much help as Percy had thrown her under the bus too.

Hestia was furious with Percy. Almost half a century and he didn't even bother to let her know? Of course, she was glad he was alive. But that didn't stop the swelling of rage, mistrust and hurt. She took him to the side and burned him so that her point was made clear. Another such stunt would leave him in the doghouse for eternity and she would make sure he would understand. Her flare of power nearly blasted all the immortals in that suite into the comparatively icy cold night. After tempering down her outburst, she simmered through the night and finally forgave the child she considered her son after he grovelled and made a whole lot of promises and reparations. Oh! She would make him work and watch him sweat till she was happy.

Even with the mixed frosty reception, the Amazons partied like no other. Thanks to Hecate's spells, they were sequestered from the mortals. With the foresight he had, the brawl arena filled with buzzed Amazons was a good call. Who knows how much furniture would have been pummelled in their boisterous and brash ways of resolving differences?

The rest of the Olympian Council and few other gods – Nike, Nemesis and Triton came later. Zeus was visibly displeased to see Percy again. But, with Hestia and Poseidon here, it would be nothing short of a disaster to try anything so soon. He would bide his time to seek his vengeance for his honour and that of Artemis's.

Speaking of Artemis, when she entered, it became clear that except for Apollo and Zeus, she was unwelcome at the party. But Percy took the first steps to break the tenuous silence and let the awkwardness pass. Although she still hated his guts, she had come to a mutual understanding with him – be cordial and stay away.

Demeter, Dionysus and Hephaestus were more or less indifferent and were here for the good party.

Nike, Nemesis and Triton were here to support their good friend and half-brother respectively. Over the years, he had done the solid favours and helped restore their inner balance. He saved them from dire fates that would otherwise have left Olympus n far worse shape than it would have been with the loss of the Gods of victory, Retribution and the Prince and Heir of the Seas.

Overall, the party was a success. Percy was back in the good graces of most of his family, he got to meet Di's family and left good impressions on them and they all enjoyed their time at the party bruising the egoistic males who hit on them as the Greeks tended to do while also helping with trick or treat children.

With everything cleaned up and promises to everyone to keep in touch, he and Di left for this amazing breakfast diner a few blocks away. It was the best Back-to-life/Reunion/Halloween Party in his recent memory and the universe was just letting him have happiness once again. Maybe, it will last this time.

Outside Themiscyran Embassy, Washington D. C.

November 5th

13:00 EDT.

"So, I have kept my promise, right? Everyday lunch for almost a month and a half? Have you been reading the gossip in the press? Somehow, they think I am your adopted son… Can you believe that? I mean I don't look that abused and short right?" The soft sounds of laughter from Diana made him look sharply at her. "You find this funny? Maybe I should give them something better to print. You know something like a certain son of Krypton and a princess? Give some evidence to those rumours repeatedly floated around? Maybe it finds its way to the Queen of a certain island?"

"You wouldn't do it even if your life was at stake. That's just what makes you… you. Personal Loyalty, was it? More like fast track to ruining everything of importance to yourself. Besides, the Amazons' not knowing anything about pranking? I think a few more days and few well-placed rumours and sources to the press will remove that notion.

"Besides, being my adopted child shouldn't sound that terrible. I mean, effectively, you would be the only prince of a female-only island and nation-state."

Percy was not one bit amused. "The point of staying anonymous is heavily undercut when all of a sudden I am in papers and journalists are hounding my ass for a comment on being "Wonder Woman's son" or "What it was like to be raised by a feminist" or "When did she have the birds-and-the-bees talk with you?" or "Are these scars from training with them" or "did they abuse you and Wonder Woman rescued you?" I even got a few publishing houses for my story. Not to mention, now I am getting calls from creeps like Luthor who somehow found out that I own a chain of bakeries and restaurants. Not Cool Di. Not Cool at all."

"Well. Now that you have resurfaced and we have lunch everyday, it was bound to come up sometime. I'd rather have this out of the way from the start."

"Yeah… About that lunch everyday, I am going to reduce it once weekly. I have been… neglecting a few duties that I need to perform. You know, me being linked to the earth and all."

Diana narrowed her eyes. "You will do no such thing. This was the deal we agreed to remember?"

Percy smirked and retorted, "I agreed under the circumstances for ensuring no more physical abuse from you… I remember cowering curled up, begging you to stop. (Laughing on seeing Di's incredulous expression) How about we make it dinners instead? That way I would be freer and you would be able to come to a freshly cooked meal everyday instead of eating the garbage they serve on the watchtower or the junk food you order off the street? A compromise starting today? Besides, you can be back to your place in about 10 minutes, and you can fly. So, I don't think it should be much of a problem."

Diana's assistant interrupted her before she could reply, "Princess Diana, the ambassador form Bialya is here. He is finicky and will walk away if you aren't here in a minute… Possibly another temper tantrum in the general assembly. Would you like me to… sequester him?"

Diana sighed, a deep sigh of resignation. "That won't do us any good Alexandra. Make sure to keep him comfortable. I should be there in half-a-minute. (To Percy) We'll talk tonight, Perce… (As she was leaving, she turned back) Just take care, okay? My senses are in overdrive".

Percy smiled, "Relax Di. Nothing permanent can happen to me now. The being took care of that. You take care too. I know I can't interrupt fights with mortals the way you can, but I can back you up anytime you need me to. Just give me a shout. See ya tonight." He then hugged her and vanished in the shadows near her feet.

As she sped towards her meeting, the sensation was gnawing at her. But, she brushed it aside and decided to focus on the task at hand. Little did she know, that the coming days would change the world adversely and her senses warned her right.

ROANOKE ISLAND

14:45 EDT

Klarion spoke to the four notorious sorcerers in front of him - Wotan, Felix Faust, Wizard and Blackbriar Thorn. "Have you tracked it down? Whoever the idiot is can power the gem far better, more stably and for far longer than we could… I want him… (Petutantly) I want him now."

Wizard spoke up cautiously so that a Lord of Chaos doesn't poof him out of existence. "We tracked its signature down to a penthouse suite in Manhattan, New York. However, there was a huge magical gathering there last night. Lady Hecate herself was there. So, we didn't attempt to snatch it then. Now, it is back. We were going to get it now."

The witch boy got the predatory and excited look in his eyes like a kid on seeing candy. "Ooohh… Sounds like a lot of fun. (Ordering) Bring me my playtoy. It is time for chaos to run amok."

A chorus of agreement and appeasement was heard and the immature yet powerful mage grinned.

Percy's Suite.

15:00 EDT.

On reaching home, he felt the magical influence all around him. Traps were set in his apartment and he didn't know why. All of a sudden, he felt immobilized. He couldn't reach for his sword and was left with only his powers from Poseidon and his powers from his connection to the earth. He chose to wait for his moment.

Wotan was the first to peak. "Well, look at this kid. He is emitting so much magical power and a simple immobilization spell and he is out for the knock. What a shame. If only he had trained."

Wizard indignantly cried out, "Bah! I was expecting some fight at least. And he is down before we even started. What does he have than that nagging brat could want?"

Felix Faust cackled, "He has so much raw, untapped magical potential you fool. If not for Klarion, I would have drained him in my sanctum and defeated the Justice League with but a mere twitch of my little finger. Even Constantine with all his deals with the devil and Dr. Fate together would be useless against me."

Blackbriar warned, "Don't count your chickens before they hatched. Hecate was here yesterday. If she wished, we would not be alive with but a mere thought. Let's get out of here before anyone else comes."

Seeing his four attackers, Percy wills the plumbing to explode and the water forms into giant boulders and rushes towards the quartet and managed to roll over two of them before the other two realise what's happening. Immediately, a shield forms over the two of the remaining and the two that were down. The other three focus on dispelling the water boulders. Once done they realised their captive was free.

Percy uncapped his sword. Immediately felt the rush of power and willed his armour to existence. The henchmen sorcerers were shocked to see this transformation and they felt the power rolling off him. They knew they stood no chance without Klarion. Wotan, Faust and Thorn stayed while Wizard teleported to fetch the witch boy. Percy spoke, "I cannot fight you unless you challenge me or throw the first punch. You can still walk out of this alive and unharmed. So get going and I will forget this ever happened."

Wotan was the first one to break out of his trance. "Stupid Boy. Do you not know that I can crush your spine and call it a day without breaking a sweat? Giving me the chance to walk away? You dare?" He formed a ball of orange light crackling with energy and almost tossed it towards Percy when Faust spoke up, "Here is a counter-offer. Come with us peacefully and we will minimize the damage."

"Pass" was Percy's terse reply.

And the battle ensued. With Percy's immense skill and the additional powers he gained, it was like an orchestra. Artful dodges, skillful deflects, fluid movement, tactful teleportation, strategic stabs and shields of light, dark, water and earth to absorb the potent magic swung his way. And the three of them were kneeling, bleeding from the joints and would die in a minute. "Huh. I don't know why the justice league has as much trouble with you as they do. Three of you and you were barely a challenge. Well, you won't be troubling them anymore."

He was about to cleave their heads from the shoulders when they disappeared in a black energy field. A snivelly, petulant childish mocking voice spoke from behind him, "So, you are the earth's new protector. A guardian of sorts. Never thought they come this young. Then again, I am still a boy."

Klarion walked from the portal he conjured with his cat, now the size of a tank. "You know. There are days when I don't care about anything and then there are days where I care enough to create pure chaos. Today, is one such day. And I will not have you spoiling my party."

"Glad to know that I am disinvited from your party… which is what again? A couple of drunk high schoolers? Either way I don't give a shit. Get the fuck out. Lord of Chaos or not, my blade will send you into the void. So, I suggest you to get packing." Percy took his defensive stance.

"Ah. The arrogance. The confidence. The sheer audacity… I love it. A challenge from you. But you need to be taught your place, boy. And I will show you the place you have, under my boot." And he hurled red balls of energy and tried to squash him.

Percy cut through all his attacks, and he was ready to admit he met his match with a guy who didn't even touch a weapon. Perhaps a battle of power was the only way to win. He drew on his reserves and pulled out all the stops. But Klarion didn't seem the least bit perturbed. Infact, the more he attacked, the more the insufferable witch-boy grinned and laughed and cackled. He even made comments in the between suggesting improvements to his attack vectors.

After the suite was irreparably destroyed and looked like a warzone from WWII, the witch-boy sighed and said, "As fun as this has been, you're getting boring. So much power and potential. I am going to enjoying draining it from you." So saying, he chanted in a language he never heard before and all of a sudden, red bindings appeared everywhere, and Percy was assaulted with the entire chaotic force in the possession of the Lord of chaos in this plane of existence. In a mental, physical and psychological agony he hadn't experienced since first assimilating to Tartarus, Percy succumbed and Klarion had his price-scalp.

I think you know where this arc leads to. I'll do my best uploading another chapter in the next few days. I hope to keep this updated as often as I can. This chapter was more of a transition. I am setting up how the relationships are going to be between Percy and the various characters in this story. Hopefully, you enjoy the story as I do writing this. Cheers, take care and stay safe.