A week later Percia stood in the same place she had met Amphitrite before. The week had dragged by slowly and not even the normally happy chatter from the fish at the aquarium could lift her mood. At night she had taken to writing a list of what she would need for this quest, because it couldn't be anything else. One way or another she would be leaving this world to find Kora. The Fates had all but stated it plainly, not that they ever state anything plainly. To do so was probably against some ancient rule only they knew.
It took a bit of her funds, of which she didn't have much, but she procured some sturdier clothing and a nice travel pack in worn leather. It would blend in no matter what world she went to. The clothes she chose also took on a plainer look, with mostly leggings and long sleeve shirts. Her favorite purchase was a leather duster that in her opinion made her look bad ass. The travel boots she got also seemed reminiscent of the past, but was comfortable.
The biggest issue was weapons. She still had Riptide, and never had she been more grateful for Trent's snobbish ways. Gods forbid he have a sword used by his other siblings. Percia felt honored to use a weapon one of her long dead siblings had wielded. It gave her a sense of belonging she rarely had anymore. Still she would prefer a few knives to take with her. Maybe Amphitrite could get Tyson to make her some, and update her armor. Her arm bracers especially needed a bit of work.
The cascading water alerted her to Amphitrite's arrival breaking Percia from her thoughts. Only she was not alone. Triton had come with her and he did not look good. His normally thick black hair was limp and thinning. His light green skin looked paler than it should and he held himself as if walking in any form pained him.
As they stepped onto land their forms shifted into their smaller, more human, sizes. Percia immediately ran to Triton and started fussing, forcing him to sit in the lawn chair she had brought to sun in while she waited.
"Do you need anything? I have some water, and chocolate. Can you eat chocolate? You look really bad, are you sure you should have come? Should we call Apollo? Or Ace? Both are good healers…"
"Percia, calm down," Amphitrite advised with no small amount of humor. Triton just sat there looking stunned despite his wane appearance.
"Sorry," she muttered sheepishly.
"It is alright dear," the queen chuckled. "Triton is fine. As you know he is not doing as well as he should be, but he insisted on coming with me. Stubbornness runs in our family."
Percia didn't know how to respond to that, even though a small warmth grew in her heart at the inclusion. "So have you found the way to get me where I need to go? Do we know where I am going?"
"Indeed. I spoke to Janus, the Roman god. He has found the location of the world Kora was sent to. He will be able to send you there," she reported.
"Janus? I thought he was the god of Change and Chaos?"
"He is also the Keeper of Gates and Doorways," the queen explained. "It took some time but he located the correct doorway. However, only you will be able to go through. This world has gods of their own and they will not allow any immortals or gods from our world to enter. It is an agreement most realms hold to. The only reason Kora is still there is due to Urchin changing her form."
"Okay, understandable." Percia nodded thoughtfully. "Did he say what kind of world I'm going to? I'll need to know to supplement my supplies. Will Riptide even work there? Also can Tyson make me a couple of knives and look at my armor? I haven't used it since the war and it wasn't doing too good then."
Before Amphitrite could respond Triton spoke up.
"Why?"
"Because I'll need more weapons and…"
"No. Why are you doing this," he demanded, same sea green eyes narrowed as he glared at her. "One would think you would relish a chance at the throne."
Percia blinked at his words. "I think you're sickness might be affecting your mind. One, I don't want the throne, I have never wanted the throne, nor will I ever want the throne. You are king of Atlantis, you are a good king and I doubt anyone could do half the job you do. The thought of the paper work alone also freaks me out. Two, though we are not close, and I can understand why you dislike me, you are my brother. I am not going to let some upstart fish man with delusions of grandeur hurt my brother if I can help it."
"Even if it means you might not come back," he challenged, slightly taken back by her steadfast statement. "For even if you survive the quest itself and send Kora back, there is a chance you won't return."
This had the young demigod pausing for a moment. Finally she shrugged. "If it is a world I can survive in then I will do so. I can make a life there just as I have made one here. Certainly can't be any worse than what I've had so far." A small grin formed. "And hey, if I'm lucky there won't be any monsters to deal with."
Amphitrite took over giving her son a chance to absorb all he had heard. She knew it was difficult for him, even she found Percia's willingness shocking and a bit saddening.
"Janus indicated it was a world similar to ours with forests and water. The people live in a medieval social atmosphere. Women are not typically warriors or even away from the home," she explained. "However, there are other races there that are more accepting of your abilities. It is not without dangers of its own. Though monsters do not roam there, creatures of evil still live and hunt in that world. Riptide will be effective against them and any other mortal you fight. The celestial bronze does not have the same effect there as in our world. I will be more than happy to have Tyson forge you some more blades, and we will help outfit you for your journey. Janus indicated we would need to open the gate on the new moon, which will give us time to prepare you. He will also have more information on where your quest will send you and how to open the gate there to come home once Kora is found."
"Great, it will give me a chance to get everything in order here too," Percia chirped.
The two worked out a time line of meetings for her to drop of her armor and get what supplies she would need. When they finally departed, with Percia shoving her chocolate at Triton ordering him to take it easy, she felt a lot better about this venture. She certainly had more information than some of her past quests had allowed her. Now she just needed to finished preparations.