Chapter 42
Neptune POV
It's times like this I really hated they way Roman society was structured. I needed to talk to Jason alone but Romans are trained to go everywhere in pairs so I couldn't get a chance to see him alone. I sound like a stalker but after waiting all day to see him I was getting frustrated, I had things to do and I couldn't just go to the augur Octavian because this needed to be discrete. All of this has lead to me sneaking into the public baths because it was the only time Jason was alone.
I cleared my throat as I entered the bath to draw Jason's attention then caused the caused the water to swirl and ripple violently but not dangerously to ensure he knew who I was. "L-lord N-Neptune" the boy greeted as I sank into the water causing it to calm "I'm sorry I didn't realize anyone else would be here. I-I'll leave so you can have some peace.".
"Nonsense." I said waving to boy off "this is a public bath open for everyone's use, besides I need to speak with you."
Jason POV
I just wanted to curl up into a ball when he asked me to stay. I walked back to the water as calmly as I could wondering what I could've done to have drawn the sea god's attention. "Calm yourself boy if I was here to kill you would already be dead." He stated before pausing slightly as he washed his arms "That wasn't very comforting was it?"
"Not really." I whispered.
"Well if it helps I'm only here to talk to you about my son." He said calmly.
"What does Triton need of me?" I asked if Neptune need a favor of me I would my best to appease him. I'd heard rumors of his son's causing earthquakes in the past. I could only imagine what the god himself might do if he was displeased.
"No Triton is fine. It's my son Percy I'm here for. I believe you met him on your quest last September where you fought the Trojan sea monster." he said in a calmly.
"Oh" I said dumbly "I didn't know he was your son. Have I offended him in some way?" I asked.
"No" Neptune Laughed "No nothing like that. It the exact opposite actually he's unsure of how to handle the attention. You see Percy is not even a full year older than yourself and I would prefer he didn't have this go to his head. That's why I wanted you to stop sacrificing to Percy at this point it would only be detrimental to him."
"I'm sorry-" I began but Neptune held up a hand
"There's no need to Apologize you had no way of knowing." He said. Still hung my head, I felt defeated until a hand was placed on my head "Don't be upset my nephew out of all my brother's demigod sons you are my favorite, you stay humble even after praise. You readily give thanks when it is due. And you're open to change, your adaptability will be your strength in the years to come so hold you head high." And with that he left without another word.
Poros POV
"What do you think your doing?" I shouted startling the son of Hades. The last thing I expected to find in the labyrinth was Nico and the ghost of king Minos raising spirits to learn forbidden information.
"I'm trying to get some answers." Nico replied.
"About what I may ask?" I already knew what he was searching for I just wanted to hear him say it.
"One of my fathers judges-" Nico began pointing to the ghost behind "said there was a law that would allow me to bring Bianca back to life something about a soul for a soul." Nico said "But he didn't know the particulars so I was going to summon some souls to find out what they were."
Sigh heavily I stepped towards the young demigod "If you wanted know more about it why didn't you just ask your father? As god of the Underworld he would be capable of answering your questions." I said noticing the ghost becoming agitated.
"My king wishes for his son to become self sufficient and reliable, he won't simply hand his son answers." The ghost declared. "He expects him to learn through experience, I am here to help him avoid potentially fatal situations."
"I see." I said getting a better idea of what was happening. "Did Hades ask you to do this?"
"No." the spirit replied "I offered the young master my services after all I am one of his father's appointed judges." I actually snorted, Hades doesn't get to chose the judges the fates do. Anger and possibly fear crossed the ghost's face when it realized I'd caught it's lie. Suddenly the labyrinth walls began moving and a grin split the ghost's face "Now we have training to return to so I must ask you to leave the labyrinth belongs to me and you are trespassing."
I was surprised the ghost could exert any sort of control over the maze but I didn't let it faze me. "Nico." I said as the walls began to close between us "Remember you will have to live with what you do. Become the man your sister knew you could be." the walls stopped shifting as I finished and I could only hope it was enough.
Percy POV
"Unca Pewcy! Unca Pewcy!" Amera shouted charging down the hall.
Triton decided that he was going to take Zoe out for the evening and therefore he needed a babysitter, namely me. And let me tell you it's very hard to say no to your brother when his ridiculously adorable daughter is giving you puppy dog eyes. "Found you Unca Pewcy!" she cheered pointing at me half under my bed.
"Amera if you want to play hide and go seek you need to give me time to hide." I said now trying to crawl out from under my bed.
"But thewe's a giwl at the door." She said trying to help me up. Despite being physically three or so she had inherited her mother's deceptive strength. On that note she even looked like her mother. It was hard to tell when she was first born but now I could easily say that aside from her eyes Amera was a clone of her mother. Standing up I picked Amera up as well and started walking down the hall.
Entering the family room I found Emily standing next to the couch. "I thought you said she was at the door."
"She left the door open so I let myself in." Emily replied before she started laughing. "She decide to play makeup artist?"
I had to chuckle at the memory "Yes while my mom was watching her Amera decided that coloring on paper wasn't enough for her so she got me while I was taking a nap."
"And your mom didn't notice?" she asked
"No she did she just care." I replied. "I tried washing it off but it didn't quite work."
"Well I for one love your purple eye-shadow...over one eye." She said giving me a peck on the cheek.
The sound of giggling caused us to look at my little niece "You know I've gotta ask who is she?" Emily asked.
"Oh this is my niece Amera." I said. "She's my brother's daughter."
Emily looked like she'd just seen a Pegasus for the first time "You mean the guy that picks you up after school?" She asked
"Yes." I replied "Why is that so shocking you've known who he was since I met you?"
"I-I just never knew he had a daughter. I mean I didn't even know he was married." She said nervously before looking at Amera. "So what do you want to do?"
Amera put her hand on her chin like she does when trying to imitate my mom "Color." she cheered
Annabeth POV
"These maps are going nowhere!" I screamed.
"Guess your not having any luck?" Malcolm asked walking up behind me.
"No." I said "I have a few theories but that's it! Everything I find contradicts itself at some point." I huffed in annoyance then turned to face him. "Did you need something?"
"Well Chiron said your prep time is up, we need to get going." he said.
"I'll be out in a minute." I sighed as I began shoving everything into my pack. Thomas was waiting for us outside "Ready?" I asked.
"Ready." he said "Are you sure you want to leave without Percy?"
I nodded "He needs time to train with Triton, we can do this without him."
