Hey guys! Thanks for the review, please please keep them coming. I hope you all enjoyed the last chapter and are gonna enjoy this one- in which Poseidon very much wishes his daughter was just a little bit less prone to making crazy decisions, and Percy's kinda like a five year old pointing the finger. Also- to that one reviewer- Poseidon does not miss his daddy, Poseidon would like to strangle his daddy for so much as looking at his baby girl. He is a protective father. Anyway- some stuff I love is coming up within the next few chapters- Percy being a badass bitch who will not take bullshit is included in that and I loves it. Also- Luke is a worried big brother and is very suspicious.
Percy had honestly hoped that her dad wouldn't ask that- she winced slightly when she did, letting out a slow breath. "He was there." She admitted, "We fought-"
"You fought?" Poseidon's eyes narrowed, eyes flicking up and down Percy as if searching for previously unnoticed wounds.
Then he held up a familiar locket- and Percy's eyes widened, hand flying to her neck and she realised she hadn't even noticed that it was missing, "Dad-"
"Your armor was damaged, sliced clean through and yet you didn't have a mark on you. Even with the water healing you I doubt that it would have been gone that quickly. And the armor was enchanted, any blade that could slice through it would have to be incredibly dangerous indeed. So how?"
And Percy's face went bright red and she swallowed hard. "Promise you won't be mad at me?"
"Persephone Alethea Alexandria Jackson what did you do?" Poseidon raised an eyebrow, "What exactly did you do?"
"I-" Percy felt like a five year old getting told off for stealing cookies all over again, "In my defence Alabaster did it first-"
"Persephone Alabaster is currently being possessed by my father he is not the mark by which you should be judging your choices."
"I-" Percy blinked before shrugging, "Okay, okay I'll give you that you have a good point. But-" she groaned, "He bathed in the Styx."
"He-" Poseidon blinked slowly, staring at Percy in stunned silence for a long moment before he exploded.
"You bathed in the Styx? You- do you have any idea how dangerous what you did is? You could have died! Your soul itself could have been destroyed! Of all the reckless foolish-"
"I had no choice!" Percy's yell cut him off, "If I hadn't bathed in the Styx I would have been killed today dad! You think I just decided to do it on the spur of the moment? I've been considering it since my birthday. I have lost sleep over the decision. The day Drew told me she thought Alabaster bathed in the Styx I started considering it. And I spent almost a year weighing up the risks and the benefits! I even spoke to uncle Hades about it, we discussed it, and he was the one who guarded me while I went into the Styx. I took every precaution it was possible to take but at the end of the day if I have to fight him then I needed some sort of edge and bathing in the Styx means that I stand a
chance of lasting for long enough to get out of this alive!"
Poseidon's eyes were wide with surprise at Percy's outburst- and Tyson had a stunned look on his face as he looked back and forth between the god and the demigod.
There was a long unpleasant moment as Percy glared at her dad and Poseidon stared at her before he let out a loud sigh, his expression turning softer. "You truly are my daughter." He shook his head, reaching out to lay a hand on her shoulder, "I love you, I love you with all my heart my child, and I fear for you. Very much, you-" he shook his head, "Knowledge can be a heavy burden. But I fear that it's time. You're ready now. Perhaps you're more ready for the knowledge than anyone could have ever expected-"
"What do you mean dad?"
"It's time." Poseidon's hand moved from her shoulder to gently cup her cheek, and there was such a look of grief in his eyes. As if he was already mourning. "It's time for you to hear the Great Prophecy. Perhaps you'll handle it better than I am."
"Dad-"
"You and your friends will return to camp-"
"But-" Percy was cut off by a fireball that had been launched into the sky from behind the enemy lines. Percy thought Poseidon would deflect it or something, but it landed on the outer corner of the yard and exploded, sending mermen tumbling through the water. Poseidon winced as if he'd just been stabbed and Percy's eyes widened.
"Dad-"
"No." Poseidon reached out, "Before you even say it Percy, no. Your place is up there with the other campers-"
"But dad you're struggling you need help-" Percy gave her dad and Tyson pleading looks.
"Daddy... Percy can fight with a sword. She is good."
"I know that," Poseidon said gently, "I know your sister is perfectly capable, that isn't why she has to leave. She has responsibilities- the prophecy- she is needed on the surface. Percy, my daughter I know you want to help but they need you. And deep down you know that."
"But you need me too." Percy's voice was pained.
"No. I need you to return home." Poseidon patted her cheek gently, "I need you to go and be the hero you were born to be. And listen to the prophecy-"
"I-" Percy faltered. She hadn't let herself process her dad telling her she'd need to tell Chiron it was time, "Dad-"
"I know you're scared." Poseidon's smile was sad, "I wish I could reassure you but-"
"I'm going to die aren't I?" the question was barely more than a whisper, and Poseidon tensed, staring at Percy for a long moment before he spoke again.
"Tyson. Leave us-"
"But daddy-" Tyson's expression was horrified at Percy's question, and the fact that Poseidon hadn't automatically denied it.
"Leave." Poseidon's voice was sharp, and Tyson turned and fled, and Percy frowned.
"You didn't need to talk to him like that-"
"Persephone-" Poseidon closed his eyes, "I don't- your question is a difficult one. And I can't claim that I know the answer. Prophecies are tricky things. But- there will be death."
"Right." Percy nodded. "Dad-" she shook her head, "I'm okay. I've... I've kind of suspected that for a while. Annabeth's been... she's been acting weird lately, upset and worried and clingy whenever I'm around."
"It's likely she knows." Poseidon admitted, "But remember, prophecies are never certain. You cannot lose hope-"
"I won't." Percy promised, "I have a lot to live for after all." she let out a breath. "I guess I should be fetching Luke and Beckendorf and going, huh?"
"I will escort-" Poseidon faltered, he looked down at the mosaic and his shoulders sagged. On the tiles, the mermaid guy in the crawfish chariot was coming closer to the palace.
"Oceanus approaches," Poseidon's voice was heavy. "I must meet him in battle."
Percy tried to force down her fear- her dad was strong. He'd be fine. He had to be.
"Right." Percy hesitated, "Good luck dad- and- about Tyson... I hate the thought of him being in danger too but- he's strong. You should trust him-"
"He's so young." Poseidon's expression was pained.
"So am I." Percy whispered the words, "But I've fought gods and Titans."
And Poseidon sighed heavily, "I will think on it. And I will stay strong, I know you fear for me but I will not give up my domain. Just tell me, Percy, do you still have the birthday gift I gave you last summer?"
Percy nodded, hand already moving up to her camp necklace.
Along wit the beads from the summers she'd spent at camp was the sand dollar- she still wasn't sure what she was supposed to do with it.
"Of course I do dad but-"
"You'll know when the time comes. With luck, I will see you for your birthday next week, and we will have a proper celebration. But just in case-" he waved a hand and Percy felt a smile light up her face as a familiar necklace was suddenly around her neck.
"Is-"
"It's a new one, it's the same as your old one of course. I hope that this one serves you as well as that one did." and Percy could see the familiar light in his eyes as he smiled
at her.
Then the entire sea grew dark in front of them, like an inky storm was rolling in. Thunder crackled, which should've been impossible underwater. A huge icy presence was approaching. Percy sensed a wave of fear roll through the armies below them.
"I must assume my true godly form." Poseidon's voice turned grim, "Go, and good luck my daughter, once you get back to the palace just ask for someone to lead you to the infirmary."
"Thank you. I- bye dad-" and as much as Percy wished she could stay she turned and headed back where she'd originally come from- she knew sticking around wouldn't be a good idea. She doubted that the Curse of Achilles would protect her from the effect of seeing her father's true form.
It didn't take her long to find herself swimming through the familiar halls of the palace itself- and it took even less time to get help from a passing mermaid, who led her to the infirmary.
Percy flushed when she swam in and several heads turned to look in her direction and she received respectful nods- it felt strange. She'd done nothing to deserve the respect- but then again her dad was their ruler.
She looked around, her heart aching at the sight of so many injured mermen and mermaids- the war was taking it's toll- and then her gaze focused on two familiar figures, one of the beds was empty because Luke was perched at the end of Beckendorf's bed, they were talking- and despite the fact that he was missing an arm Beckendorf looked like he was in good spirits.
Because of how they were sitting it was Beckendorf who spotted her first and he grinned, lifting his left hand and giving a little wave, "Hey Percy-" and Percy laughed despite herself as Luke span around so fast that he fell off the bed.
"Sephie!" he was up and swimming towards her almost instantly and she met him halfway, his arms wrapping around her tightly as he pressed his face into her soft short curls. "Holy Zeus am I glad to see you."
"Ugh." Percy hugged him back, "I feel just the same, gods I was so worried about you guys."
"Well we all made it out alive." Beckendorf gave a wry smile, "Which nearly didn't happen- and can I just say- Holy Hades Jackson you tore through those monsters like they were nothing-"
"It wasn't anything special. Really." Percy felt her face flushing, and she felt Luke's eyes on her, slightly narrowed.
"Uh huh, I have never seen you fight like that before Sephie how did you get so- I mean you were good to begin with but that- you went toe to toe with him. You actually- I mean for a second there I was sure he'd gotten you." Luke looked slightly pale and he shuddered at the thought, tightening his grip on Percy's arms as he pulled back to look at her properly, "I swore that he killed you and then you were on your feet and you were fighting him again."
Percy winced. "It's a long story-"
"One you're going to explain later." Luke shifted, moving his arm so that it was wrapped around her shoulder, and Percy took a moment to take him in- her brother looked better than she'd expected, his clothes were slashed up, and he had some nasty looking cuts and bruises but nothing major, though he looked exhausted.
Beckendorf was also holding up better than anyone would have any right to hope for. He looked ashen and drained but he was smiling. That was something, even injured as he was he wasn't going to give up.
"What now?" that came from Beckendorf, "How do we get home?"
"I can get us home." Percy said quickly, "It shouldn't take us too long, you two just follow me and hold on when I say too."
"Sound like a plan." Luke gave a wry smile "When it comes to all things water I trust you. Did you speak to your dad?"
"Yeah." Percy couldn't help but frown "Things aren't so great down here. I wish I could help but-"
"We need you." Beckendorf said quickly, "Percy we need you up there. Without you we're screwed."
"I know." Percy huffed, "Dad said it's time though. Once we go back to camp I've been told I need to go straight to Chiron and tell him it's time-"
"Wait-" Luke's face lost all of it's color and even Beckendorf looked startled, "Are you saying-"
"Yep." Percy grimaced and leaned slightly into the comforting warmth of her big brother, "It's time for me to be told the Great Prophecy. It's the beginning of the end."
