XVIII

PANDA

He stood in front of us, holding his trident in his hand and he was wearing his normal beach, godiness clothes. Usually he looked happy, thoughtful, but today he seemed to be carrying the world on his shoulders; and that was saying something. I stood up, wincing at a pain that shot up my arm. Percy got up and stood next me. I felt comforted to have him by my side.

"You were the one who chased off Laelaps?" Nico coughed. Poseidon nodded.

"Thanks," Nico said, as he slowly stood up and leaned on my shoulder. He was already sore and still recovering when Laelaps knocked into us and sent us flying; he can't possibly feel good right now. I slipped my arm around him to support him, so he could relax against me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying not to sound harsh.

"Helping you," he replied slowly. Something about his expression, his posture told me that he had something heavy on his mind. He was hesitant and slow in answering, like his mind was somewhere else. He looked down with creased eyebrows. I shared a glance with Percy, who seemed to be having the same thoughts as I.

"Dad?" he said softly. Poseidon looked up and I was shocked at the depth of sadness I saw circling in his green eyes.

"Dad, what is it?" I asked, trying to catch his gaze that was intent on not looking at us directly. He walked towards us until he was only a foot away.

"Kids," he said, his voice sounding slightly choked. My heart started to beat fast. "Your mother… she… she died." My heart froze and dropped to the bottom of my stomach. My breath caught in my throat and my legs started to shake.

"No," I whispered. I could feel Nico's hand tighten on my shoulder.

"I tried to save her, but… but I was too late," he said softly, looking down.

"How?" Percy asked, his eyes clouding like fog on the mountain tops.

"Her building caught on fire." I felt like something was wrapping itself around my chest and suddenly I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders again. This just couldn't be happening. I felt Percy's body tense besides me and I saw his hands curl into fists. Poseidon looked at me and another wash of pain came over his eyes.

"You know you like her," he said, running the back of his fingers down my cheek. I turned my head and tried to swallow the lump that was caught in my throat. She had been caught in my war against the gods. It was all my fault.

"No Panda, don't blame yourself," Poseidon said. I turned on him, my eyes turning misty and distorting my vision.

"I am to blame! I started this!" I cried.

"No you didn't," he said fiercely. "Zeus damned himself the moment he slaughtered those Hines. And Athena might call herself goddess of wisdom, but when she wants revenge, she goes too far." I felt Percy reach out and grab my hand. I wrapped my fingers around his and held on like my life depended on it. And if I wasn't holding on to Nico, I'd probably collapse. I hated myself for letting it happen, but tears rolled down my cheeks like waterfalls.

"Did she do something to you?" Percy asked, his voice breaking. Poseidon's face turned grim.

"She and the other gods exiled me from Olympus," he replied angrily. "They threw me out when I sent you supplies."

Fury was coursing through my veins. Ryder, Spyridon and Mom's death, Dad's banishment; it was all piling up on me. I wanted to cry and scream and fight. I slowly let go of Percy's hand and untwined myself from Nico and backed away.

"I have to go," I whispered as they looked at me questioningly.

"Panda?" Percy whispered. I shook my head, swallowing my sadness and anger. I didn't answer, I just turned and ran.

"PANDA!" I heard someone yell after me, but I didn't want to stop. Branches raked across my face and arms as I jumped over rocks and stumps. My heart pounded and my body felt cold. The world suddenly felt different knowing my mother was no longer in the picture. Fury churned inside me like the rough seas. My mother had been caught in my war with the gods, and she had lost her life because of me.

I burst through the trees into a small clearing, cluttered with rocks. I was breathing hard, partly from running and partly because of my anger. I looked up at the sky.

"Athena!" I yelled. Silence. "ATHENA! Show yourself!" I yelled again. "Coward!" There was a loud owl's screech, followed by a flash of light with a burst of wind that made me stumble. Standing in front of me was Athena, a defiant look on her face. Normally I'd feel nervous whenever I was under the scrutiny of her gaze, but I was too tired and too furious to care.

"Pandora," she addressed me, her face disgusted.

"Why?!" I screamed. She stayed as calm as ever, completely unfazed by my rage. "Why did you kill her?!" She stayed silent.

"What do you want from me?! Huh?!"

"I think you know what I want," she replied calmly.

"Fine! Kill me now! I'm right here! I'm not fighting, I'm not running! You've got me right where you want me!" I yelled, as I walked towards her. Now I was standing a foot away from her. She gazed at me with extreme thought. That's when I realized it.

"You don't want me dead," I said softly. "You just want me to suffer." She raised her chin and I knew I'd struck the truth.

"I've suffered enough," I said, after she said nothing. Flame fired in her eyes.

"You've not suffered nearly enough!" she yelled. I took a step back. "You don't know the pain you've caused me!"

I looked at her evenly, not flinching from her gaze.

"You're wrong."

So, I hope this chapter is okay. I'm trying to keep it flowing in chaos, which isn't easy, so I hope I'm keeping it okay. Tell me what you think guys! Thanks :) If it needs fixing, let me know. I would probably agree with you XD