Chapter 3 My Dad
Percy's POV
After the event at the cave with Annabeth. I drifted off to sleep but I had a really strange dream.
I could barely see myself. I mean I was pretty sure I was a ghost for a second. I could even see through my hands. Then a voice boomed all around me. I could feel the ocean and the sea around me but I wasn't anywhere near the ocean or the sea.
"You have grown up my son. I would be lying if I said that I haven't missed you. You have done a noble action by leaving your friends and family behind but you cannot handle the monsters with mortal weapons. You cannot defeat monsters to come with mortal weapons."
I was shocked. This voice could it be...
Then I yelled back at the voice, not even knowing if he could he me or not.
"Son!? You aren't my dad! I don't have a dad! He left me when I was a child! He doesn't care for me! Even if you are my dad you left me and my mother! Do you know how hard that is?!"
Then there was a moment of silence. Then the voice spook back to me.
"I know that I left when you were very young. You must understand though. I had to. I was forced. You see you aren't even suppose to exist."
I stood there well floated there shocked at what it just heard. I wasn't even suppose to exist?! What. Then he said I couldn't survive.
"How can you tell me that I'm not even suppose to exit?! Then you say that I can't survive. I can and I will. I'm with my best friend after all. Me and Annabeth can do this!"
I was so angry. This voice just shows up in my dreams and then he says I wasn't suppose to exist and that I wouldn't survive. Just thinking about it made me angry.
"My son, you must listen! You cannot comprehend the danger you are in. Have you not realized how you cannot ever defeat a monster with the weapons you use. Please listen to me. I do not have much to speak with you."
I just floated there for a second thinking of all my past battles. The one time at summer school when a dragon showed up in the cafeteria. It lit up the whole cafeteria. After I beat it down. It finally ran away but I got blamed for the crime. My mom managed to convince the school that it was an accident. They never ever believe my story so I always keep it to myself. That dragon didn't even die. It flew away. He was right every monster that I ever faced never really died they retreated or ran away.
Then a question popped into my head.
"What do you mean by a mortal weapon? What else is there besides a mortal weapon?! I mean that is what I am right? What else can I be? I'm not part fish am I?"
I heard a laugh in the distance. Great I got him laughing.
"No you are not part fish. Trust me on this one my boy. You are something greater."
I didn't know what to think anymore. I was something greater? I mean being part fish-human seemed pretty cool but then he said I was someone greater. What could be greater than a fish man!
More questions invaded my head.
"I don't need your help anyway. I can do it alone. I don't need you!" I muttered.
"Don't be a fool! My children can be so thick headed sometimes. Percy listen I do not wish for you to die by the hands of a monster or demon. I'm trying to save you my son. That is the least I do for Sally. Now listen to me. You will find what can help you very soon. It is closer than you think. "
My head hurt from thinking about it. What did he mean. I was so confused. Then I thought about it. Could he really be my dad? One of the only people that I really needed in my life. I haven't even heard of him since I was a baby. I never even meet him. I guess a lot of people around the world can relate. Millions of people never meet there parents. But this felt different. I mean I felt through all my life that my dad has watched over me. Then I awoke in a heap of sweat.
The sun has not yet risen and I could see it was still dark out. The sun was rising over the horizon. I glanced over and saw Annabeth still sleeping. I smirked as I saw her golden princess curls fall over her face. She looked so peaceful. I was glad that we were safe but I knew it was only temporary. We wouldn't be safe for long. If my dad was right I need to find a weapon that I could really use. Something not mortal.
Annabeth's POV
When I finally woke up the sun was already racing across the sky. I looked over and saw Percy.
He told me that he been up a while. Wait if he was up this whole time then what was he doing? Was he watching me while I was sleeping. I felt my face turning red. Ugh I didn't want to think about it.
We started to pack all of our supplies and gear. We decided to move on. I hope that we were doing the right thing. I planned on calling my dad and Percy's mother to let them know. I decided against calling my dad. He was still probably busy working to pay any attention. I am going to call Percy's mother though. She must still be worried sick about her boy. I wondered if Percy missed her as much as she missed him.
We traveled on and on until we stumbled onto a nearby town. Judging by all the signs and by the map that I brought we figured that we made it to the city of Reno. I was so glad to be in a real town again. Not like that one in the woods with the monster in the forest of California. If we were in Reno that means that we were in Nevada. We traveled all the way across California already. It was so dangerous but I felt kind of happy. I was happy that I was with my Seaweed Brain again. I could never tell him that to his face though. Percy said that he needed to find something important. He said it felt close and so did I. I felt something drawing me closer to it. I felt its presence radiating power. It was drawing us ever so closer to it.
After a few hours wondering Reno we decided to move on. We were both shaking. Not from fear or the cold. It was out of excitement. We were getting closer to the sensation. The more we travelled the stronger it got. Soon we made it to a hilltop overlooking a magnificent lake. I stared in awe at its beauty.
Then I heard Percy mutter something.
"Finally. Pyramid Lake."
How did he know what this place was. We were just travelling on gut instinct. I haven't even looked at my map since we arrived at Reno. I asked him if he has ever been here but he just replied with a no.
If he never been here then how did he know where we were or what it was called. It was really strange.
He must of seen it on a globe or a map. That was the most logical answer.
After staring at the look for a few minutes Percy said something.
"Annabeth...I have to tell you something. It is something I saw the other day in my dreams."
"What are you talking about Seaweed Brain?"
He started explaining the craziest story I ever heard. His dad apparently spoke to him in his dreams. I mean could this of just been a normal dream or maybe he was just imagining things. I tried to find some way to find a logical solution. Then he said that this is why he was here. His father told him he had to find something not mortal. He said we couldn't find the place for people like us if we couldn't find what we were looking for. I didn't have a clue what he meant but I just went with it. I looked back and remembered the other day. Percy was almost killed by that monster in the woods. That was a close call. If I didn't show up he...I didn't want to think about it. If this could help us on our journey than it was worth a try. We had to find it. I had doubts though. Percy led us to a giant lake. How were we suppose to find what we were looking for in a giant place like this. It could be anywhere. As we walked along the coast of the lake I looked over at the glistening water. It was so beautiful. We walked all the way to the end of a peer. It over looked the water. Then I looked at Percy for a second. I couldn't tell if he was crazy or insane because at that moment he jumped into the lake.
Percy's POV
I felt the sensation drawing me in, the overwhelming feeling filling up inside me. A little further and I would find what I was looking for. What my father told me about. The things that I could use to protect me and Annabeth. The lake was amazing. It not only looked amazing it felt amazing. Although I started to doubt how we were going to find what I was looking for in the lake. The sun was starting to set behind the mountains and hills surrounding the lake. As Annabeth and I were walking down the coast I couldn't help but feel my face turning red. I mean me and Annabeth walking down the coast seemed a little to romantic...
I quickly shook the feeling as we were walking down a peer. Most of the tourist were gone by now there were only a few left wondering the coast. Perfect. As I stared into the lake I heard a voice. It felt like a spirit calling to me.
Jump! You will find what you seek child.
I took the dive. I jumped off the peer and into the lake. I looked up and saw the shook in Annabeth face as I started to sink to the bottom of the lake.
Soon I realized that I wasn't even wet and that I could even breathe! Great I am part fish! Is this what my dad meant about me being not mortal? When I finally sank to the bottom of the lake I saw the entrance to an undersea cave. However it was blocked by giant golden gates like the ones you see on TV. As I walked up to the gates, I put my hands on the golden steel and it opened by my touch. I didn't know why but I was drawn into the cave. I hesitated at first but I eventually walked into the cave, well swam into the cave. Could this really be all a trap? The dream what is that voice was just another dream eating monster. He was just controlling my dreams making me believe it was my dad. What if there was a giant undersea monster in the cave.
I swam deeper and deeper into the cave looking at the surroundings of the cave. There was coral and seaweed everywhere. I thought for a second.
Annabeth probably would of made a joke about that seaweed right now. Oh gods I can just see it.
Hey Seaweed Brain look it's your cousin!
Then as I made it to the deepest part of the cave I saw him. There he was standing in a fisherman's suit with a scruffy beard and a fisherman's hate.
There stood my father.
"Hello my son." He said with a small smile.
"Dad...NO! You can't be my dad!"
"Percy I know the resentment you feel towards me but you must understand! I was forced to let you go. Gods cannot stay with their children. We even made a pact never to have children. We swore it on the River Styx."
"You swore it? What pact are you even talking about? Who are you?!" I yelled.
I felt all my anger explode out of me.
"Son, I am Neptune God of the sea."
I was shocked the man over there, my father, was Neptune God of the sea?!
"Now you must listen I cannot speak with you long my son. I must return to the undersea palace soon. Jupiter will be angry with me even meeting you here although it is nothing I cannot handle."
I still was to shocked to say anything.
My dad...was Neptune. All the stories and legend about him. They were true? My dad was the fact behind the legends. There was no way!
"You can't be Neptune?! He is a God! Your telling me that you are a god?!" I said.
He nodded and with a sweep of his hand a golden trident was in his palms. Then with a swipe of his trident a current blew past me almost knocking me down. I looked behind me and saw a undersea tornado forming. He swiped his hand across the air and it disappeared.
"Do you still not believe me?" He asked.
If he was Neptune than that meant one think.
"I'm a demigod." I muttered.
"Yes my son. You are. I told you that you were greater than a fish man or a mortal." He said with a chuckle.
Then his eyes turned serious.
"That is why monster hunt you down Percy. You are never safe. The can and will track you down. You barely escaped the manticore that attacked you. Trust me that is not the last you have seen of him sadly. I cannot help you with the beast Percy. I am bound by ancient law."
I just stared at my father for a second trying to comprehend what he was saying.
"You can't help us dad because of ancient law? Is there like a book or something that I can see to prove that?" I asked
He gave me a look that told me that he wasn't joking. It was deadly serious.
Then his eyes softened and he spoke again.
"Oh yes that reminds me, your girlfriend up there-"
I had to cut him off. I know he was a God and all but that was embarrassing!
"Ummm Dad! She is just my friend" I exclaimed as I felt my face turn red.
He just grinned and continued on.
"Well your friend up there is just like you my boy. One of a kind. She is although also closest to one of my distant rivals. She is however also very different from you Percy. She will hurt you beyond belief."
That made my hopes drop. What did he mean when he said that she will hurt me? I know we fight. Well we fight a lot but still. I flashbacked to the time when me and Annabeth fought over the littlest things. Who got to turn in their test first, who was first in line for lunch, who got to go first in P.E., and even who got to go into school first. We fought even over the dumbest things but they were all just for fun. Of course we had our serious fights to but I would never ever think she would turn on me. No I knew she wouldn't turn on me. I trusted her the most.
"What do you mean father?" I asked.
I had to ask. It was burning in my head.
"You will find out soon my son. Trust me I hope when that time arrives you can accept it but now the real reason I have brought you here." he said as he turned around.
I wanted to ask him more about what he said earlier but I know there was no use arguing with a God.
Then he turned back around and there was a tiny chest in his arms. It was the size of a tiny chest.
He gave me a tiny smirk and handed it to me.
"This is the best I can help you with my boy consider it a late late birthday present. Now I must take my leave my son. I may not speak with you for a long time my boy. I hope you take my words to the wise Percy. Keep your friend safe now.
He then snapped his fingers and like a water current he disappeared, leaving behind nothing.
Annabeth's POV
I was really worried but I hid it on my face. When the seaweed brain gets back up here I'm going to make him sorry.
I sat on the peer waiting for him to resurface. I was worried sick! How can someone stay under for such a long time. After sitting on the peer for what seemed like hours I heard something pop out of the water. I was realized until I found out it wasn't Percy. It was just a tiny safe. Then I felt a head right next to mine. There was Percy smiling at the little safe right next to me.
I freaked out and pushed him.
"Jeez! Don't scare me like that Seaweed Brain!" I yelled.
He just grinned and rubbed his side as he got up.
"Worried about me Wise Girl?" he said while grinning.
"Oh shut up Seaweed Brain!" I said as I playfully punched him in the stomach.
I was shocked to find out he wasn't even wet!
"How are you not wet?!" I asked.
He just grinned and said," I'll explain soon Wise Girl!"
What did he mean? I was confused. I hated feeling confused.
He bent over and grabbed the tiny safe in the water.
"Sorry for making you worry so much but I think it was worth it." he said as he patted the chest.
"I wasn't worried!" I said a bit annoyed.
"Sure you weren't! I saw your face as I was sinking down to the bottom!" he snapped.
I just rolled my eyes and Percy keep looking at the safe.
Then his eyes turned serious.
"Annabeth I met my dad." he said.
I was honestly shocked. I mean how was his dad under the lake. Maybe Percy really was part fish?! I mean that would explain a lot!
"What do you mean? You meet him under the lake? Man you really are a seaweed brain." I exclaimed.
He just smirked and said, "Yeah I did meet him under the lake. No I'm not part fish or dolphin or anything. You see my dad explained a lot. I wish he could of explained everything but he didn't."
We sat down against the peer with our legs hanging off.
"Okay start explaining Seaweed Brain." I said.
"Jeez you can at least say please." he said jokingly.
"I know why we are hunted by monsters. We aren't like normal people Wise Girl. We aren't mortal."
"What?! What are we then? I mean what else can you be. We aren't like animal hybrids right? That would explain why I'm so wise! Maybe I'm part owl!"
He just laughed.
"No that would be pretty awesome! See now your even starting to think like me Annabeth!"
"Oh gods that cannot be a good thing." I groaned.
"Yeah we aren't animal hybrids but my dad is something way cooler. I hate to admit it seeing as how he left me and all when I was a baby but my dad is Neptune God of the sea." he said.
There was no way I was going to believe that. Then after I look back on all the hints. I mean he was healed by the water. He wasn't even wet from the little dip in the lake. If he stayed under that long that means he could he breathe under water.
"Your telling me that your father is Neptune. The old sea god with all the stories and legends?" I said.
Then a giant crab sprung out of the water and landed right next to me. It started pinching and clawing at me. I quickly slapped it back into the water.
Percy just laughed.
"I don't think my dad appreciates you calling him an old sea god but yes he is."
I sat there for a second racking it in my brain. Then a question started to burn in me.
"Then if your dad is Neptune, a god, and your mother Sally is a mortal than your..."
"Yup I'm a demigod Annabeth but here is the thing...you are to."
"What?! That explains why I can see monsters to! That is why the hunt me down. Although they aren't as bad as yours. Wait...then who is my mother?"
He just shook his head.
"Sorry Wise Girl. I cannot tell you that. I have seaweed for a brain remember? Don't worry though Wise Girl. You will figure it out! I mean your Wise Girl remember?"
I just smiled and playfully pushed him. Then he pulled back out the tiny chest.
"My dad gave me this. I think its what's been drawing us here."
I realized that the sensation was now at it strongest. I felt it coming from the box! That is what we were drawn to!
Percy gave me a glance and back to the chest. He started to open it. Inside was definitely was not what I was expecting. There were two objects in the chest.
A dagger in a sheathe and a pencil that looked like it was completely made out of gold.
Percy grabbed box in each hand. He handed the dagger to me with a smile.
"Try not to hurt yourself Wise Girl."
I just grabbed the dagger and smiled.
I unsheathed it and saw it faintly glowing. It was made out of some sort of bronze. It felt so powerful and amazing. It was defiantly different from any other dagger I ever wielded. He threw the chest into the lake. As it was about to hit the surface it vaporized into water leaving behind a mist.
He stared at the pencil for a second and spoke.
"Thanks a lot dad. I came all this way for a pencil!"
Then he broke it. What happened next was what shocked me the most.
It turned from a golden pencil to a three and a half foot sword! It was golden just like the pencil. It glowed faintly like my dagger. It had an amazing undersea design imprinted along the blade. Along the grip was the picture of a trident and on the guard it read ανεμοστρόβιλος.
"Whirlwind!" I said in awe. I wasn't sure how I could read it but I could. I was dyslexic and had ADHD but I could still read it. It was like I could tell it was Greek. Then I realized that what I read was Greek. It was like I was designed to read Greek. Percy just glanced at me for a second but he quickly brought his attention back to the sword.
He sure as hell looked excited. He got up and swung it a little bit. It looked as if he wielded that blade forever.
Percy stood up and looked into the sky and said, "Dad I take back what I said! Thanks so much for the pencil! Oh I wonder if I can write with it? Can I sharpen it?
I just laughed and stood up. He just looked at me for a second and said," Well Wise Girl ready to go? We still have to find that special place right?"
I just laughed and said yes. Then he held his hand out for me to grab but I just lightly hit it away. I was to shy to do that. He looked kind of disappointed but he hid it behind his sea green eyes.
Then I put my hand around his next and we started to walk off. I saw how the sun had set and the moon was already out. Everything was fine until they attacked us right as we were walking out into the parking lot.
