I rolled my eyes. "Oh get up, you lot. I want to go to sleep."

Everyone blinked. Then, everyone stood up together and exploded into protests and objections. Annabeth started firing questions in rapid-fire order.

"Why do you have two godly parents!?"

"Are you a god!?"

"Isn't Hestia a sworn maiden?"

"If the big three took the oath, then why are you alive?"

Ouch, that one hurt. I mean... my best friend is pretty much telling me I should be dead. Sorry... past best friend. Or future. Semantics.

In the middle of this absolute ruckus of yelling and screaming in the dark, Chiron was trying his best to maintain order.

Keyword: Trying.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance at the campers' attitude and stomped my foot on the ground. A tremor shook the earth, as I used my geokinesis abilities and bellowed. "Everybody, SHUT UP!" Gods, my voice almost cracked at that moment. That would've been super embarrassing. Puberty is a bitch.

Everyone, save for me, stumbled and lost footing at the small earthquake and took a step back. I withheld a snicker as the Stolls fell on their butt and everyone quietened down.

"Now, stop acting like a bunch of kindergarteners," I commanded in my best drill-sergeant voice. "And listen to what Chiron is trying to say."

The campers instantly obeyed and turned towards Chiron who gave me an appreciative glance. I nodded as he announced loudly.

"Now, I want no questions right now seeing Mr. Jackson is probably very tired after the game and the subsequent attack. Cabin councilors, please lead your respective cabin mates to the cabins. Everyone, follow your cabin leaders and injured campers, please proceed to the infirmary. The sing-along will be held at the amphitheater in an hour and everyone's attendance is mandatory." His tone left no argument, as he gave a pointed look towards the campers.

Some of the campers grumbled but everyone started shuffling to the pavilion and their cabins. I was about to go with the Hermes cabin to collect my stuff to move into the Poseidon cabin when Chiron called out my name.

I turned towards where the immortal centaur was standing. "Yes, Chiron?"

He offered me an apologetic smile. "Would you please stay back, my boy? It seems we have a lot to talk about."

I nodded. "Of course, Chiron."

We waited until the campers had retired to their cabins, after which Chiron led me to the Big-house. He crouched under the doorway and I followed him and took a seat on one of the couches in the room.

The centaur stood in front of the pinochle table, where Mr. D would've sat. "Would you like some tea?" Chiron offered as he walked over to the china cabinet to prepare the beverage. "Yes, please," I replied politely.

"Sir, where is Mr. D?" I inquired as he started brewing two cups of tea. Chiron pursed his lips and gave a tired smile. "All in a good time my boy. But he was probably called to Olympus to discuss your... unusual parentage."

I nodded. "Speaking of which," he continued. "You already knew who was your father, am I correct to presume?"

I chuckled. "Of course, Chiron. Correct as ever. I found out when I fell into the lake from a canoe during canoeing. I accidentally gulped in a large amount of water and after panicking for a second, I found out I was able to breathe normally in water as I would in air." I paused. "Of course that could also have meant I was the son of some minor water diety but that theory was disclosed when the pegasi demanded doughnuts from me when I was on stable duty. And since they were under Poseidon's domain being the creator of horses and all, I figured I was his son." I concluded with a chuckle.

Another lie I was proud of. I fist-pumped internally. Damn, I was getting good at this!

Chiron chuckled as he handed me a cup of tea, which I accepted with a 'thanks'. "Nothing escapes your keen intellect my boy, does it?"

I waved my hand dismissively. "These were merely observations, Chiron. Anyone with half-a-brain could've figured it out from the blatant clues. I do not deserve such praise."

Chiron chuckled again. "And what about Lady Hestia? How is she your mother? Last I checked, your mother was a mortal, correct?"

I nodded. "Yes, my birth mother is a mortal named Sally Jackson." I purposefully used the present tense in regards to my mom here to give Chiron a hint about her whereabouts and capture.

"That would mean that Lady Hestia is not my birth mother, she is my adoptive mother. I love her as much as I do my birth-mother, but regardless she did adopt me. Before you ask how did I come upon the situation, I would like to do something, if you don't mind."

Chiron raised an inquisitive eyebrow but nodded as he took a sip of his tea. I took a deep breath and extended my sense of shadows through the room. As I connected to the shadows of the place, I gasped at the rush of power flowing through me. The shadows seemed to empower me just as water did. I could feel every nook and cranny of the area around me. Even without my eyes open, I could feel the shadows at my commands and I could feel everything that was being touched by the dark.

It was... strange to put it simply. I could not see anything, visually, but I could differentiate between the shadows cast by different parts of the room as well as objects that obstructed these shadows. I suppose it was similar to how I could sense currents in deep trenches of the ocean.

I grinned as I found a humanoid body a meter to my left, cloaked by invisibility but touched by the shadows. I turned to Chiron who had his eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"You might want to make a third cup of tea, Chiron", I said turning to the invisible figure. "I suppose it would be rude to drink tea whilst the other is standing. Isn't that right, Annabeth?"

I grinned as the air shimmered around Annabeth, exposing her as she stumbled backward in shock, her cap clutched in her hand with a dumbfounded look on her face.

"How did you know I was there, Seaweed brain?" she demanded, still looking a bit flustered by being caught eavesdropping.

I smiled brightly at the nickname and answered with a lazy grin. "I told you, I can sense water. Since a human's body is seventy percent water, I can sense every living organism if they are in close proximity to me. If you were, maybe, a few meters away from me, I probably wouldn't have noticed you. But you were in the range of my powers, so I could sense you." I explained patiently.

Yes, it was a lie, but it wasn't a total lie either. I could sense a person with water, I just chose not to at the time, instead opting for Nyx's blessing.

Chiron gaped at me in surprise while Annabeth looked a bit ashamed that a son of Poseidon had to explain something to her. I frowned at her downcast face.

That was another thing I had to solve. The supposed 'rivalry' between Athena and Poseidon. They were not rivals in the future and even if they were, I didn't want the same to extend between the two cabins. Even if it meant to let go of my pride, I would gladly do so to mend the relations between me and the Athena cabin... again.

Chiron finally came out of his shock and whispered. "I have trained numerous demigod sons of Lord Poseidon, but I've never heard of someone having this amount of control over their hydro-kinetic ability. The only hero that comes close is Theseus but he trained for months on end to have such control over your power. I don't think he even possessed geo-kinetic powers"

Annabeth just stared at me and blinked. "You mean to say that Percy here-" she pointed a finger at me. "is the strongest son of Poseidon in the last millennium?" She finished incredulously.

Chiron nodded sagely. "And with the adoption of the firstborn of Rhea and Kronos, young Perseus here might be the strongest demigod in the last millennium. Of course, based on his powers and aura and not strength."

They both stared at me. Annabeth's gaze was cynical but still awestruck while Chiron's was grim and mournful. I wasn't sure which I preferred.

I was already blushing and super-embarrassed at the compliments showered by Chiron, but their intense gaze caused me to start fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "So... can I go now?" I asked hesitantly.

Chiron gave a tired smile as he nodded and set his cup on the table. "Of course, my boy. Also, Perseus, you must remember that you are the only child of the eldest gods right now thus the campers will be wary of you at first. They are often intimidated by what they do not understand. Your parentage will only add fuel to the fire. I request you to not take unnecessary or irrational decisions and not be discouraged by the treatments towards you. In time, they will start to look up to you." He explained with a reassuring smile, while Annabeth scowled a bit.

"I'm not sure I want that, Chiron", I admitted, finally releasing all the bottled-up emotions since the Titanomachy. "I don't want to be looked up to or be the hero. I just want to be that guy. The person who is friends with everyone, the person who makes everyone feel good about themselves, and the person who is trusted by everyone. I don't deserve to be a hero"

Chiron looked a bit surprised but immensely proud at my speech while Annabeth was looking at me with a new-found interest. "Perhaps you're not too bad, Percy," Annabeth stated with the smallest of smiles curled on her lips. "For a sea-spawn at least."

I gazed out of the window and smiled at the campers goofing around and sharing s'mores and chocolates in the light and warmth of the massive, bright-orange bonfire. I could feel the hope and optimism radiating from the demigods. I felt perfectly at home.

"I aim to please." I dipped my head in a mock bow still gazing out, eliciting a giggle from Annabeth and a fond shake of the head from the immortal trainer of heroes.

The following morning I was moved out of the Hermes cabin. Like the previous time, I didn't have anything of importance to carry from the Hermes cabin to the Poseidon cabin. I scooped up my Minotaur horn and my toiletries and threw them onto one of the bunks and flung myself on the other.

I breathed in deeply, relishing the comfort brought by the familiar scent of the ocean breeze. Looking towards the small pond of water at the edge of my cabin, I sighed as the gravity of my quest finally settled on me. I had to plan and execute everything meticulously lest the world falls into chaos again. Despite the pressure and exhaustion of being the hero once more, I wouldn't miss this if it meant saving my friends.

With a sigh of defeat, I pushed myself from my previous position into a sitting position on my bunk and gazed out the open door. The campers were laughing and chasing each other without abandon, oblivious to what the following years would bring.

I cursed silently when I remembered that Zeus probably would've given my mother a hard time after she claimed me. While she might have been the eldest and the most peaceful sibling, Zeus would not let go of the centuries of deep-seated paranoia.

I grunted as I stood from my bed and made my way to the amphitheater to find my mother.

Everyone stared at me as I walked towards the fire-pit in the center of the field. My hands were in my pocket, fidgeting with my trusty pen from all the stares I was receiving. Hushed whispers and glances were thrown towards my way but I brushed them off.

I smiled when I saw a familiar nine-year-old tending to the flames of the pit. I walked towards my mom when someone called out. "Hey, Percy!"

I turned towards the sound and found a pair of blue eyes and sandy blonde hair looking at me in curiosity.

"Hey, Luke. What's up?" I greeted with a forced smile.

Luke didn't seem to notice it and just smiled warmly. "I just wanted to check if you were adjusting okay to the camp life. It would've been difficult enough, but now that your father is Poseidon... it would only get harder. So, I wanted to see if you were alright. After all, we're all a family here."

I almost snorted at the bitter irony but caught myself in time. Luke did care about the campers, he just loathed the gods and their behavior towards their children. He was prepared to lose and destroy his life so Olympus could finally see the error of their ways. So, in some ways, I respected the guy.

"I mean it's pretty awesome here. Everything is perfect and it seems I have a new home for the time being. That being said, I don't want to idle about and do nothing. I really want to improve my sword-fighting skills. So, up for a spar later, Castellan?" I asked with a smirk.

Luke grinned widely and nodded. "You bet, Jackson. Where were you going, anyway?" He questioned.

I shrugged. "Just to visit my mom. After the claiming, Zeus definitely would've given her trouble because of me, so I was just going to catch up with her and get some advice. I was on my way when you called." I said gesturing to Hestia at the hearth.

Luke's eyes darkened for a moment but he restored his carefree facade immediately. He just nodded and walked to the arena wordlessly. I raised my eyebrow but then shrugged and walked over to my mom.

"Hello, mother" I greeted, sitting beside her.

Mom's attention turned towards me as she smiled widely, turning into her thirty-year-old form. She engulfed me in a huge hug that took the wind out of my lungs. "Ooff!"

I laughed. "I take it you're glad to see me?" I asked cheekily. She pulled away from the hug and glared at me, though I could see the mirth in her soft brown eyes. I grinned and pecked her cheek.

Mom sighed exasperatedly and muttered. "Cheeky brat"

I mock gasped in horror and put my hand on my head dramatically. "Such words for ye son. How thee wound me with thy prickly words" Mom giggled at my antics and flicked my forehead. "'Prickly' is not a word, Percy. I thought learning the English lexicon with Athena in the future improved your infinitesimal vocabulary?" she asked slyly.

"Haha," I deadpanned, rubbing my forehead. "I'm gonna pretend that I knew what half of what those words meant. Besides, we've already established I'm dumb as fuck."

"Language, young man!", mom scolded with a smack to my head before continuing mirthfully. "But yes, we have established, in a 'swag' language, that you're dumb AF"

I cringed then deadpanned at her. "I'm just gonna pretend you did not just say that sentence, mom. For both your sake as well as mine."

Mom giggled. "So, what happened? Why did my baby boy come to me?"

I frowned. "Why would I need a reason to visit my mother? I come to sit and talk with you every day, why would today be any different?"

Mom stared at me.

"Fine, I came here to ask something. But I also came here because I love my mother." I admitted with a roll of my eyes eliciting a triumphant grin from Hestia.

"So, ask away then." mom urged.

"Is Zeus... giving problems to you?" I started slowly. "I know how he is. I mean he would've blown a gasket if I was just Poseidon's son, but since you've adopted me, is he...?" I trailed off.

Mom smiled at my concern but shook her head. "Of course, my little brother was furious a first, thinking I had broken my oath. But after I swore on the Styx, I was still a virgin, and you were adopted, he finally seemed to calm down a bit. However, his bolt is still missing and he still suspects you and Poseidon. He proposed that I, along with Poseidon planned to usurp him, but that idea was shot down instantly by the council." she paused. "Though he believes it was you and your father."

I stared at her and then at the sky incredulously. "Is the drama queen serious? Does he think you, of all people, plan to dethrone him?!"

Mom suddenly started giggling. Her giggles turned into full-blown laughter until she was wheezing, trying desperately to control herself.

I blinked in confusion, my eyebrows furrowing as I tilted my head. "...mom?"

She finally calmed down after a solid three minutes, still letting out an occasional giggle. "Oh, I was just remembering your father's dumbfounded face, when I claimed you along with him. For a minute, he thought I was Sally in disguise. He looked remarkably like a deranged gold-fish."

I burst into a bout of giggles when I imagined dad with an agape expression, his mouth opening, and closing wordlessly, while he processed his son was also the son of his sister.

After we both were somewhat lucid, I asked my mother about what Poseidon thought of the adoption. The reaction was... predictable, to say the least. He got extremely protective over me and then calmed down in record time after Mom explained the circumstances of the adoption. Of course, she bullshitted her way through the explanation, saying how I needed a motherly figure in my life and how I was full of hope and love.

I cringed at the cliche 'You have hope, thus I chose you' Disney crap, though I did not dare vocalize my thoughts lest it would lead to a smack on the head.

"Percy, have the primordials contacted you in the last few days?" Mom asked.

I shook my head and frowned. "I mean, Chaos and Nyx have come by a few times, but they have been strangely quiet and... absent. I asked why were they so withdrawn and they answered that I would know when the time comes. I've been talking to Arty more and more." I shrugged, intertwining my fingers. "Although they did say they wouldn't be able to speak frequently because of their duties and whatnot, so I can't really hold that against them."

Mom nodded in understanding and gave me a quick hug. "I believe you know you will be granted a quest soon?"

I nodded. "Yes, though the timeline will change a bit from the last time. I wasn't supposed to have a quest for about a week or so, but I want this to get over quickly, and then I plan on reviving Thalia."

Mom's eyes widened as she scooted closer to me. "You mean the daughter of Zeus?"

I nodded. "Yes, her. I know we'll have to collect the golden fleece eventually, but she is-was my best friend. I can't let her suffer any more than she already is."

My thoughts went to the punk raven-haired girl. Rash yet thoughtful, prideful yet enigmatic. So much could be used to describe Thalia Grace, the sister I had in all but blood. It would be painful to see her look at me as if I was a stranger, but I was determined to endure the shaky beginning we had to reconcile with her.

Mom smiled widely and shook her head. "I know, Percy. I'm just proud of you."

I smiled, pink tinging my cheeks at the compliment before I wondered how exactly would I accomplish this. I could ask Chaos to withdraw her from her pine, but I wasn't too reliant on the idea. She had been surprisingly... vague on the subject of my powers. The only reason I could think of her behaving like this was she wanted me to prove myself or wait for a particular time.

The thing is, I don't want any more powers. I'm content enough with my water, fire, and shadow powers, that too, seems like overkill sometimes. Nyx had been more helpful on the whole subject. She had given me some valuable pointers on my umbrakinesis abilities. I had the same level of control over shadows as a child of Hades.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when a smug-looking Hestia poked my nose.

"H-huh, w-what happened?"

"Oh nothing, son." Mom waved her hand dismissively. "I just thought it would be hilarious to snap you out of your musings of a certain auburn-haired goddess, yes?"

Her tone was innocent but her eyes were anything but. They were filled with mirth, twinkling with amusement.

"W-what?! M-mom!", I spluttered indignantly. "I was not thinking about Artemis. If you want to know, I was thinking about ways to safely extract Thalia from her pine." I huffed.

Mom giggled and smirked. "Oh but I never said anything about Artemis. Care to tell me where did that come from?"

I turned bright red and mumbled something incoherently. "You're mean."

Hestia guffawed loudly at my childish pout and pat on my head. "There, there, little one. It's alright. Oh! I had to give you this." Mom said suddenly as she pulled conjured a sea-green pen with golden accents and tossed it to me. "Here, this is my gift to you, Percy."

"Gift? What kind of gift?" I asked confusedly as I uncapped the pen with a 'shink'.

"Whoa.." I breathed out as the pen sprung out into a gorgeous five-and-a-half feet trident. The trident itself was light teal with golden lines carved intricately into the steel. It had a tough leather grip, that was surprisingly comfortable and fit perfectly in my hands. I stood up wordlessly and brought the trident to my hands and slammed it on the ground.

The collision created a small shockwave that spread outwards as the ground cracked beneath the specimen. I gazed at the weapon in awe as it started glowing with a sea-green aura, pulsing with energy. "Maelstrom..." I whispered, still in shock at the raw power emanating from the trident.

The weapon started glowing violently, so much so, until I had to close my eyes lest they be burned. As the light subsided, I gasped at the sight. The trident was no longer glowing, on the contrary, it seemed to be collapsing onto itself until it transformed into the same pen. I caught the pen in midair and inspected it closely. Now, the word 'Maelstrom' was etched in silver with golden accents adorning it in a sea of green.

I glanced over to mom, still in shock and awe at the aura flared by the weapon. She was looking at me with an amused expression on her face.

I tackled her into a bone-crushing hug. She squeaked in surprise but embraced me just as tightly.

"Thank you, mom," I said, my voice muffled. Mom pulled back and grinned hugely. "I take it you liked the gift?"

"Like it?!" I asked incredulously. "I love it! But how did you acquire Maelstrom? The raw power generated by it was godly!"

Hestia giggled. "Silly boy, your father and I commissioned it to be built by the elder cyclops. It is much like a godly symbol of power. It is made of Atlantean steel, cooled in the deepest trench, which only a child of the sea can wield. As for the aura, that wasn't the trident." she explained.

"No?" I frowned. "Then what..."

"That was you."

My mouth fell open as she explained further. "At least, that's what it appeared to be. Atlantean steel recognizes one of its own and resonates with the wielder's power. The aura you felt, radiating from the trident was your power being projected from the instrument."

I just nodded numbly, still trying to process what happened.

"Ooh! Artemis also asked me to give you this. She said you would know what it was." Mom exclaimed before handing me a silver ring.

I gasped at the name carved upon it. 'Σεληνιακός' or 'Lunar'. I snatched the ring from Mom's hand and kissed it reverently.

"Oh, my baby, how I missed you! Oh, come to papa." I said tearfully, cradling the ring close to my face.

I then realized that what I was doing would've looked very wrong. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I turned slowly towards my mom. She had this weird dumbfounded look on her face, which I guess was appropriate when you find out your son is sexually attracted to a ring.

"R-right, I'm gonna pretend I did not just see that." Mom finally commented shakily. I breathed out a sigh of relief until her face morphed into a one of mischief. I paled.

"So, tell me, Percy..." she drawled. "Shame Artemis was absent. Though, she would've blown up, seeing you getting all cozy with a ring."

I gaped at her, my face heating up like a furnace. "MOM!"

After a while of playful banter and some well-needed explanations about the ring, I bid my mother goodbye and returned to my cabin. The ring was a gift from Artemis. It was an enchanted sea-green bow with orange and silver streaks, gifted from Artemis and Hestia. Σεληνιακός or 'Lunar' was the name of the bow, which was destroyed in one of the attacks on the hunter's camp. I was overjoyed to see my bow again, hence leading to the... incident.

The rest of the day passed in a rush. I sparred with Luke in the arena after lunch. I wanted to use riptide but chose not to as that gave me the perfect opportunity to test out Maelstrom. The campers were pretty shocked when a newbie strolled in to spar with the best swordsman with a badass trident, coated in greek fire. Intimidating tactics were awesome.

Of course, Chiron and Annabeth had to be spoil-sports and made me extinguish the flames. If one were to look in our direction, they would come upon a hilarious scene of a twelve-year-old with a pointy weapon scolded by a scarier twelve-year-old for using said pointy weapon.

I grumbled a bit but had to do as she asked (Ordered). The spar was surprisingly challenging, even with the advantage of me having a longer weapon. After a while of trading blows, I deliberately over-extended a thrust, which led Luke to capitalize and twist his sword downwards. I was supposed to be disarmed by the complex maneuver, but I gripped on the trident tightly, not giving the downward thrust enough area to clatter the weapon out of my hands. Luke narrowed his eyes and raised his sword to strike once again but I stepped back and sheathed Maelstrom. After wishing him a good fight I simply walked over to my cabin, leaving the dumbfounded crowd and an equally dumbfounded Luke behind.

I had seventeen days till the summer solstice rolled around, which meant I was probably going to receive the quest sometime next week. I hadn't met Grover after my claiming. Which meant he was held back by the council.

I desperately needed to gather my thoughts, so I took a detour towards the beach. I chuckled as I watched the pegasi in the stables eating hay and complaining that fodder was not doughnuts. A gentle gale was blowing across the camp, yet if one could see beyond the magical borders, they would marvel upon the wild thunderstorms brewing across the state.

I closed my eyes as I breathed in the ocean wind flitting across my body, it's familiar scent soothing my troubled mind.

"Well well, look who's here." A voice sneered. "The bastard of the sea."

I turned around to see familiar sea-green eyes and raven hair. "Lord Triton." I bowed. While I disliked my half-brother, I did want to take steps towards reconciliations. Thus I was trying to be respectful

Triton faltered at my show of respect and the fact I recognized him. "You know who I am, demi-god?"

I nodded. "Lord Triton, the god of the deep, messenger of the seas, and prince and heir of Atlantis."

"Well, aren't you a condescending little brat?" He mocked, trying to rile me up. "You know who I am, so I must assume you got your intelligence from your mortal mother. A pity she is-"

I snarled dangerously. "I would recommend against completing that sentence, Lord Triton. My fatal flaw would not take kindly to insults to my family. While I consider you family, I won't hesitate to defend my mother's honor."

He laughed. "What would you do, brat? I am god, child, while you are just a demi-god. I could snap my fingers and kill you."

I chuckled mirthlessly and flared my aura. Triton involuntarily gasped and took a small step backward. "While that may be true for most demigods, I am the son of the eldest olympian and the lord of the sea. I think you'd be surprised how well I could handle myself against you." I spoke and summoned Maelstrom, striking it onto the ground, creating a small tremor. The weapon glinted dangerously in the sunlight, emanating a soft sea-green aura at my command. My eyes burned with greek fire as shadows started to swirl around me, coating the beach in darkness and despair.

I grinned malevolently and regained control. Shadows returned to normal as the earthquake subsided. "Right, enough with the theatrics. I suppose you are here because you think I stole Zeus' oversized firecracker?" I guessed as I sheathed Maelstrom.

Triton, still a bit shook at my little show, smirked at my choice of words describing the weapon. He nodded.

I smiled. "While it is commendable you are trying to prevent a war between the seas and the sky, I swear on the Styx I have not stolen the master bolt, nor have I taken any part in its theft. And before you ask me how I know about the war, my mother keeps me up to date." I added when he opened his mouth.

Triton looked a bit shocked at my oath but nodded grudgingly. "Very well, demi-god. I hope you know you will be sent on a quest to retrieve it?"

My eyebrows rose at the fact he was trying to warn me, but I nodded. "Of course, Lord Triton. I am fully aware of Chiron's plan for me. While I am a bit hesitant at the quest, seeing it is my first, I am prepared to clear father's name." I glanced at my watch and mock sighed. "Oh look at the time! I'm sorry Lord Triton but I'm going to have to take my leave, I have Ancient greek for the next class. I hope you remain well. Farewell, brother." I spoke cheekily and turned around on my heels without watching his reaction.

The last I heard was him mutter. "Gods, he is a cheeky one, isn't he? I suppose he isn't too bad for one of father's bastards."

I grinned as I walked towards my class, accepting the fact, I was probably gonna get a beating from Annabeth for being late.

Dinner was a peaceful affair. Hushed whispers were thrown at my way, but that was expected since I almost beat the best swordsman at camp. I skipped sing-along that day, I was too tired to function properly. The 'talk' with Triton took a lot out of me.

I silently trudged to my cabin in the dark and collapsed on the bed with a groan. I nestled myself into the covers of my bedsheet and sighed contently as I drifted into the realm of Morpheus.

Of course, the Fates had different ideas.

'Percy!', a chipper voice greeted. 'How is my favorite demigod doing?'

I groaned and put my hands on my head. 'Nyx..', I whined. 'I was trying to sleep.'

'Oh pish posh!', another voice interjected. 'You can always sleep later, Percy. We cannot do this later.'

'What Chaos?', I asked, a bit irritated. 'What is so important that you cannot do it later?'

Chaos, however, remained unfazed. 'Why, grant you powers of course!', she exclaimed in glee.

That got attention. I shot up to my feet and yelled. "What?!"

'Yes!', Nyx cheered. 'We can finally unlock your full power.'

'Huh?', I asked confusedly. 'But you already gave me your blessing. Chaos didn't. I mean she did, but didn't tell me what it entailed.', I grumbled.

They both paused for a second before they burst into uncontrollable laughter. 'H-he r-really thinks-ha ha ha-that w-was my-ha ha-full blessing', Nyx wheezed out while Chaos just kept on laughing.

'C'mon guys, I'm a little lost here. What is so amusing to you?', I grumbled out.

When they finally calmed down enough to give me straight answers, Nyx explained how her blessing wasn't at full power. They had deliberately cut off my reserves of power I received from them. The umbrakinesis I received from Nyx was at the level of a child of Hades. Apparently, my abilities should've exceeded that by tenfold. At first, I thought they both were pulling my leg, but Nyx is one of the most powerful protogenoi, a daughter of Chaos, so it would make sense for the blessing to be much stronger. Since they had put cuffs on my power I couldn't extract or use it fully.

'So, we are here to remove the restraints and show you the full blessings of a protogenos. After I have done my part, Chaos will finally provide you with your inherent power as her champion', Nyx explained.

'Oh okay'

Nyx snickered a bit but turned serious and started chanting a spell. I couldn't understand what exactly she was speaking, but I could feel it. Like a knot of darkness unfurling at my core. It was always there but I couldn't access it somehow, like I didn't know it was there.

I gasped at the power that coursed through my veins. My previous control over shadows seemed to pale in comparison to this. I could feel the night and darkness call out to me. They were just like the sea, untamed, but waiting for someone to claim them. The shadows no longer felt strange or unfamiliar, they seemed to be an extension of who I was, they were... me.

I fell down on my knees, breathing heavily. But I wasn't exhausted. No, no. On the contrary, I felt like I just drank four shots of nectar-infused coffee and had a nice long nap (Yes, that's an oxymoron, but I'm weird).

"Whoa...", I breathed out audibly.

'And that, Perseus Jackson,' Chaos started in her 'creator' voice. '-is the true power of a protogenos.'

I rolled my eyes at her theatrics but was left awestruck at the events that had taken place.

Nyx was still silent. I guess she was still recouping from the energy loss, which was understandable. The amount of energy required must have taken a toll on her, especially since she was in her weakened state to not vaporize me instantly with her presence.

'Thanks, Nyx', I said genuinely. 'You're amazing.'

'I know I am, Perce', a tired voice sounded out. 'But I think I'm gonna take a nap for a couple of days.'

'Understandable', I nodded. 'Good night, Nyx'

'Hmm...good night'

'Now, with that done-', Chaos clapped. 'I can make you my official champion. Now, keep in mind, I literally cannot give you any more power. That's for two reasons. First, because you'll burn up due to the excess of power, second being I can't. Even in my weakened state, I am holding back my power furiously lest you vaporize. If I give you a new ability, let's say...lightning powers! I would have to channel my aura through you, which, no offense, will burn your soul. I can and will do that in the future when you are immortal and you will become immortal.' She said sternly when I tried to argue.

I grumbled a bit but relented, knowing Chaos, she wouldn't stop until things go her way. 'That is perfectly fine, Chaos', I said. 'I don't want any more power. I have enough as is and truthfully I don't want the additional responsibility. I am proud to call myself the Champion of Chaos, but I don't need any extra power to prove that.' I explained truthfully.

'Oh, I can't give you powers, but I can give you a domain', she said mysteriously.

I frowned. 'Huh? What-'

'What's your favorite animal, Percy?', Chaos interrupted.

'A wolf, but I don't see-', I tried to speak but doubled over in agony. My body seemed to split itself apart as my head throbbed against my skull.

Through the pain, I could barely make out my sharper eyesight and sense of smell. I screamed because of the pain until my throat was raw. I collapsed completely on the floor, unable to support myself any longer.

And then my vision cleared and the pain receded. I took in a huge gulp of air and rasped out. 'What was that?'

'All hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon and Hestia, blessed knight of Nyx, Champion of Chaos', Chaos paused dramatically.

'And the Lord of Wolves.'

And that's the seventh chapter. I really wanted to write this chapter to just bring everyone up to date about what has happened. There will be a chapter like this before every quest, to just explain and recap what will have happened till then. Also, I wanted a bit more Mother-son bonding time and make it humorous for the readers. And cool new weapons! I thought it'd be a good idea to throw Triton into the mix and fix their relationship as we go on.

I'm sorry if anyone thought this was gonna be one of those stories where I'll finish one quest in a couple of chapters, this is not that book. I want to take it slow, give three or so chapters per quest and a chapter for the recap.

We also get some answers from the two goofballs of primordial and Percy's power. I'd say he is at the level of a minor god of shadows. He is still much weaker than major gods. I didn't want to overpower Percy and make everything easy for him. Though I did like the twist at the end, making him a lord of wolves and all. He is now the Alpha of all wolf packs, except Lupa's but that complication will be dealt in the far future.

Anyway, please leave your thoughts about the 'lord of wolves' part, cause I'm still a bit unsure if it is a good idea. But I absolutely adore the idea of Percy as a midnight black wolf named 'skia'

And that's it for now.

Byeeeeee