"The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions." -Robert Lynd

Also known as: Minos bitches about the lack of temples and the kids commit war crimes

Guys, I spent so long on this chapter. There is so much work packed into this chapter. You have no idea how much effort I put into this. I spent four hours figuring out their strategy with my friend Teags (thank bestie 3), and spent a good hour comparing notes on historical offering practices with my girlfriend Izzy (thanks darling 3). That's not counting the dozen times I've rewritten the chapter to be more accurate ?

Also, you should thank my boat accuracy advisors for making it so I couldn't give the super major angst. I had such angst planned. If you want to see the angst scenes (because I WROTE THEM and then had to rewrite it cause they didn't work) then join the discord!

If you wonder about the OCs named this chapter (only a few have starring moments) then uh... I'm sorry but I ran out of characters in the AO3 authors note so... I'm gonna make a dictionary for the OC's like the Halmaheran dictionary, it'll have their names, parents (if claimed), age, gender, ethnicity, and notable powers, plus any info mentioned in the story like weapons.

Come yell at me on my tumblr: Percabeth4Life
Come chat with me on discord: h-t-t-p-s : / discord . gg / 3tGNJhu

OO OO OO OO

We moved out of the cabin quickly, Lord D taking the lead looking more serious than I'd ever seen him. We hurried around to the side of the cabin, facing the ocean.

Even in that short walk, the tension in the air was palpable. Campers were hurrying towards the beach, counselors and Athena kids shouting orders.

"Darius help Miranda on the West side of the beach–"

"Aadhev! Aaqib! Grab those mines!"

"Kyan, Jake, where are those grenades?"

Clarisse was hurrying towards the beach, spear in hand and wearing half armor, determination in every line of her body.

The ocean came into sight, faint in the distance behind the Dining Pavilion and the rolling hills… but we didn't need to see the water.

Carl made a strangled noise and Leilani, a horror filled gasp. If not for the way my throat closed up at the side I would've done the same.

The ocean was but a thin line in our view, but the threat towered high above that. Less than half-a-mile out in the sea, well within our sightline, the threat approached.

The skyline was marred with warships.

Most were wood or steel, with battlements and figures moving around over them. Several had sails, though not all. The flags that snapped in the wind shimmered with a golden scythe, visible despite the large distance.

"Apó tous Theoús," Annabeth whispered, staring at the ships in the water with wide eyes and a pale face.

"We're under attack," Minos informed us, materializing by my side.

And I meant that literally. One moment he wasn't there, the next he'd shimmered into existence. I supposed he was technically still a ghost, but that didn't stop me from jumping with a yelp and crashing into Lord D, who steadied me without a glance.

"I never would've noticed," Lord D muttered, gaze narrowing on the ships.

"Can you do anything?" I asked, my throat tight.

Annabeth's fingers curled over my own Carl hovered by my shoulder.

It couldn't end like this could it? After everything we'd done to save the camp, we were going to fall anyways? The camper barriers weren't recovered, they couldn't stand up to this kind of force. There were at least two dozen ships. And if—

My mind flashed to my dream, Alabaster making his cards, talking about winning the war in one fell swoop.

He'd be able to force his way through the barrier considering its current strength, or rather lack of it.

My stomach sank. I should've realized what the dream meant. I should've—

"I can't do much," Lord D said. "Not unless a deity acts on their side as well."

"The fact that they got so close without notice implies that someone is helping them," Minos said, voice quick and sharp. "Poseidon would've noticed something like this and given warning otherwise."

My mind drifted to the tension that I'd noted in the sea, and the dream I'd had with the meeting.

"It's possible, but I don't sense any divine interference at the moment and as such… I can't do much."

It was quite possible that my Metua wasn't able to interfere, not if enough other Gods were in His way. And if Duberdicus sided with Metani… with Okeanus—

"What kind of aid can you offer?" Minos asked. "I'll need to consider that in my plans."

My nails clicked on the scales of my choker and I wondered what I would feel if I took it off. I probably needed to take it off.

I didn't take it off.

"I'm no war God, I can incite some discomfort in the enemy and strengthen the resolve of those here but the best aid that could be offered without opening us up to the enemy getting divine aid would come from Athena and Ares, and of course Zeus."

I feared that I would feel the familiar weight of the Ocean's depths if I removed my necklace.

"What do we do?" Annabeth asked. "We can't fight that force, we don't have the numbers, or the strength and we're not prepared—"

"Yeah, that's not something we can win against," Carl confirmed, idly patting Leilani's head as she hid behind him, eyes locked onto the ships.

"Can Percy destroy them? Like with waves or a storm?" Leilani asked.

Lord D snorted, "Maybe with another ten years of experience, but not at his current level. And that'd be assuming they didn't fight back."

I nodded, "And I'm still tired from everything we did in the Wasare av Tetek. I could barely sink a rowboat right now."

I might've been able to do more honestly, but I would only have one big move in me to do alone.

Lord D tilted his head in acknowledgement.

"Yes, we can't win as we are now," Minos interrupted. "But we don't have to. I've sent a messenger to the College of Botanē, it's the closest location where there may be fighters. We just need to hold out until reinforcements can be sent."

Lord D nodded, "That means holding the camp for several hours at the least."

"It won't be easy," Minos confirmed. "But I have a strategy, the campers are already working to put it into play."

I felt a little less hopeless at that, we had a plan. We could do something. But was it enough?

"We'll need to arrange offerings to the Gods, Dionysus can you inform the rest of the Gods–"

"Already doing so. Ask for aid and you shall receive what they can give."

"Wonderful–"

"Offerings?" Annabeth asked. "But the ships are right there! And how will offerings help?"

Minos' lip curled up, "Khiron really didn't care to teach you children about all the ancient traditions did he? Truly, the fact that you celebrate so much is almost a surprise with how little you truly embody it. The camp doesn't even have a temple!"

"Uh," Annabeth faltered, shooting me a confused look.

"The Gods help those who help themselves, and they also help those who give them an offering to show that they respect the help offered and request it."

Annabeth blinked up at him.

"You can't do the offering," Lord D asked. "So who is doing it? I can't imagine we have many campers available."

"True, I will have one of the strategists do it, but I have more orders to give first, and these are time sensitive. We have only ten to twenty minutes before their first troops will hit the shore, and we need our defenses ready."

"You should have Jackson do the offerings," Lord D said, before Minos could continue. "The aid of the ocean would be invaluable."

"I was going to put him on the front lines actually, I was hoping to send him out now to start doing damage to the ships. We need the ballista taken out yesterday."

I looked between the two, eyes wide. What.

"Offerings first, we don't have long so hurry."

Minos scowled but nodded, and turned to Annabeth.

"Chase, you'll be the Emergency Battlefield Commander. If something happens and there's no time for commands from the command center, you're in charge. A harpy will be stationed with you, wearing an orange talonband, to relay messages into the battle."

Annabeth's eyes widened, before she squared her shoulders and nodded.

"The defenses are being set up to herd the monsters to the path leading to the lake, when they reach the path hold the line as long as you can then slowly fall back. The end goal is the lake, the naiads there are preparing to wash the monsters in and drown them."

Annabeth gasped, hope burning in her eyes, "That would do immense damage– we might actually be able to survive!"

"Yes," Minos said with a nod. "We'll be building the funnel as you fall back so do not fall back further than the blockade is built. If the monsters get out of the path then the satyrs and dryads will drive them back, but we need to keep them on the path."

"Got it," she said, back straight and head held high. "I won't fail."

"See to it that you don't." He promptly spun to face Leilani as Annabeth released my hand and ran to her cabin.

I wondered if she would be okay.

I wondered if I would be okay.

"Kameāloha, you need to get to the beach immediately. You'll be using your powers to turn as much of the East beach as possible into a pit fall. Potholes, hills, whatever you can. You'll be stationed at Toxeúō Beach after that, cause problems for any monsters trying to go to the east point, we want them funneled down Firework Beach to the path."

Leilani swallowed and nodded, "I understand. I–will I be alone?"

"No, two Hephaestus, half a dozen Aphrodite, and a handful of Hermes cabin members will be aiding you. You are the priority, they won't be able to get a foothold on the beach as long as you control the sand. If you must, retreat rather than fall."

Leilani nodded, face pale. "Right. I can do that. I'll… grab my armor."

She hurried back around the cabin.

"What about me?" Grover asked.

"And me!" Carl added.

"Grover, yes?" Minos asked.

Grover nodded.

"Go to the woods, the satyrs, nymphs, and dryads are preparing as a second wave and support. Help the Demeter cabin with the beach preparations on the West strip if you can."

"Right, I'll bring Momo," he hurried around to grab his wooly mammoth.

"Why is there a–" Minos shook his head "-never mind. Jackson, you're with me."

I nodded, "Should I grab my armor?"

"Yes, do so now. Meet at the Dining Pavilion with everything you need to fight."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

I spun and hurried back, leaving Carl with Lord D and Minos.

Leilani looked rather green when I entered and I grabbed my armor as I turned to her.

"Are you okay?"

"Just… scared. This– he makes it sound like I'm a key player in the fight but–"

"You can do it," I assured her. "You're getting really good at controlling the sand. Just don't over tax yourself and do your best. You won't be alone."

I was terrified myself, but Leilani looked so scared– I needed to be strong. Things were moving so fast, just minutes ago we were basking in the joy of restoring Carl, now we were preparing for an invasion.

I put my armor on, the scales gleaming dully in the light. My forearm braces as well, the Kraken design looking almost alive. My fingers brushed the pen that was always in my pocket. This battle had a good chance of being a time I'd need it.

I checked that my knife was attached properly, and fingered the trident charm on my bracelet.

I had everything I needed to fight.

I hesitated before leaving, hovering by the curtained doorway. Leilani was slowly hooking her armor in place, fingers fumbling over the ties.

I took a deep breath and hurried to the med kit. Inside was the full set, along with the few extra things I'd bought for it.

Some mortal medicine and gauze. An inflatable splint my mom got for me. And the potions I'd bought at the Lotus Hotel and Casino.

I pulled out two healing potions and an energy potion. Just in case.

"Here," I said, handing Leilani one of the healing potions, hesitating when she fumbled it. "It's a healing potion, if you need it… be safe."

She closed her fingers around it and took a deep breath. "Right. I've got this."

"You've so got this," I assured, hoping I was right. "Just remember, you're not alone."

I leaned over and gave her a quick hug, pretending not to notice the shaking.

"It'll be okay," I assured. "King Minos has a plan."

"It's a good plan," she said with a nod. "I think."

"The best plan possible," I squeezed her hands. "We're going to be okay."

She took a slow deep breath and then relaxed, "We're going to be okay."

I hoped that I wasn't lying to her, I wanted us to be okay. I wanted the camp to be okay. I didn't want anyone to get hurt or–

My mind stuck on Tyson once more, his smile, his tinkering, him being gone.

I didn't want anyone to die.

I turned and hurried out of the cabin, pushing thoughts of death and doom from my mind as I made the trek up the hill to the Dining Pavilion.

The command center was clearly set up there, tables pushed together with a map of the camp spread out, three Hermes campers taking orders and running down to the defensive line being set up. A harpy perched on the top of the pavilion, and one Ares and two Athena kids bent over the map.

I wondered briefly where Tantalus had gone, before Minos saw me.

"Jackson, over here."

He was standing in front of the brazier… which didn't look as it normally did.

Instead of being open with the bronze guard around it, it was surrounded by stone blocks, with one overtop the fire with a half sphere dip taking up half the space, and otherwise flat and smooth. As I drew closer I noticed an inscription on the stone.

For the Glory of the Gods

"This isn't right at all," Minos grumbled, scribbling something on a piece of paper. "This should be done in a temple, or failing that a palace. But it will have to do. I don't dare ask Lord Dionysus for any more aid beyond summoning some offering stones, it undermines the offering."

"Is that what those are?" I asked curiously.

Minos paused, glancing at me.

"Yes. The stones surrounding the fire have inscriptions to offer strength to the fighters, and honor the Gods, and the stone above is for laying down the offerings. Of course traditionally we'd slaughter the fattest of the livestock, and two of the youngest livestock, but this camp doesn't keep livestock, thus we shall have to do so later."

I nodded, that made sense. The camp would probably have to order the livestock from somewhere.

"Of course," Minos hummed. "We could slaughter a pegasi, they're close to the divine and thus–"

"What!?" I shrieked.

"They would do well as an offering," Minos explained, expression pinched.

"Not to the sea Gods!" I countered quickly. "They're considered children of Poseidon in the sea, horses in general but Pegasi especially. That would just make them upset."

He grimaced, "Ah… unfortunate. Then we shall have to make due. You shall be doing the actual verbal offering, it would mean more coming from you here, and well… I'm dead. The Gods would be… put out by the lyma I hold. I shall be laying out the offering food and libation for you to put in place, which is enough of a risk. Do you know what to say?"

"What's lyma?" I asked instead.

Minos took a deep breath, "Of course you're not educated on the variety of impurities that can come into your life. Why would Khiron ensure your education in respecting the Gods and bettering yourself. You do know about miasma, yes?"

I nodded, it came from doing… what was the word Euphemia used… impious? Stuff like murder.

"Lyma is the more… natural occurrence of similar impurity. It comes in normal daily life, from things like birth, death, sexual activities, the like. It's normal, and not a bad thing, but still something to purify before coming in contact with the Gods, out of respect. As I'm dead, I cannot get rid of this inherent aspect of myself. But a normal living mortal would just need a quick wash to remove it and return to katharos."

"Oooh," I nodded. That made sense, and reminded me of what I did with my mom when we did stuff at the altar. Katharos was a new term, 'pure'. "Does that mean I need to… purify myself first?"

He nodded, "Yes, we will be using khernips to do so shortly. And by that I mean that you will be using khernips because I can't interact with it without ruining their purpose. Back to my original point, do you know what to say for the offering?"

I shook my head.

"I thought not, the camp is such a disaster."

I was suddenly quite glad the camp did so much to honor the Gods, because I had a feeling Minos would not think much of it at all otherwise.

"Right, I've written out what you should say, since the camp can't be bothered with basic lessons on this. I know the sea has its own language, it may help, with the sea Gods in particular, for you to speak the words in that language."

I blinked, "Oh, uh, I'll need a minute to translate–" I stared at the long bit of writing "-all this."

"You don't need to translate these. I figured you could write the ones for the Sea Gods, use these as guidance. The ones for the Sea Gods should be in their language."

I quickly nodded and grabbed a pen while looking over the Ancient Greek words.

First was the prayer to Zeus, and kinda Hera…

That sounded fancy, and important. I had to say that with the offering?

I glanced at the busy command center, even with so few… I hoped I didn't stumble over the words.

The next prayer was to Athena.

Athena… Athena was a sea Goddess, maybe not properly but… She was still of the sea, in some form. Her's would be best in Halmaheran, I thought. It felt right to do it like that.

I got to work translating it, spending a few minutes dithering over words to make sure they matched the meaning right.

Okay, then… Ares.

His seemed much flowier, lots more praise than the others. I wondered why. Maybe Minos was trying to make up for the fact that I stabbed Ares in the heel last summer?

I swallowed at the thought, yeah probably.

Okay, then Artemis and Apollo.

That was sweet, and supportive. I liked it. It felt very… big.

I couldn't quite believe I'd be the one to read out the prayers. They seemed so important, and I still had to actually fight too. Things were- they were scary. But even reading these made me feel better, like the Gods were leaning over my shoulder waiting for me to ask them for help.

I licked my lips and picked up the pen again from the table. I needed to pray to the sea Gods too, at least ones that would help.

There were a lot of sea Gods, but I thought it would help to pray to the ones most able to help me right now. My Metua, of course. And Triton.

I'd never made a prayer like this before. I'd try to copy the ones above, I supposed.

I knew some of the titles of the Sea Gods, so I could probably copy parts of it…

Hear me, Father of mine, Ruler of the Sea Far and Wide.

I paused and frowned, titles… check… hmm… next was asking for the thing, but like, with more titles. This was a battle, so I probably needed to bring up something battle like. His trident? That seemed good…

I ask you, Uh… how to say that… your hand? No… the other prayers used fancy language, so like… whose hand that holds the trident and it… it does stuff so which the mighty sea bows to, plus of course the whole listen to me thing hear my prayer to you.

Prayers were hard to write. Okay, so next… I was supposed to bring up what I did for him, and my relationship and stuff. They used Blessed a lot for the Gods, I was pretty sure that was a good thing. So Blessed. He was my Blessed Dad.

O Blessed Father, if ever I have honored you, Wait what did I offer Him? Uhhhh, I hated having to think of things on the spot. Fish? Yeah fish. Nice fish. No not nice, that's not fancy, maybe… best? I wasn't sure if that was fancy enough but it was what I had. offered you the finest of Fish that didn't seem like enough… maybe a drink or something? Mom always poured Him a glass of water so- and the sweetest of water, then grant me my request.

Wait, what was my request? I wanted… strength? And maybe the ocean to help me? So like… fast currents to get away from enemies and to get to the boats… fast isn't right, what was the word… I wanted Hamapep, that was… currents, but like- fast ones… whats the word used in the dictionary…

…

…

SWIFT!

Okay, swift currents- wait I was putting this in Halmaheran I didn't need to remember the English word… oops. Well, swift currents, and strong waves. And uh… power? Yeah power.

Grant me swift currents and strong waves, to lend power to my own.

Then uh… guiding my strikes maybe? I didn't know where on a boat to hit but Poseidon definitely did. So like- guidance, that's what the other prayers did. And like- swift strikes, fast, and good, so the ships would break… no not break… fall? Yeah fall.

Guide my hand so my strikes may be swift, and the ships may fall before me.

And then… Something about everyone knowing how great He was. That seemed like a good note. Maybe the enemy, cause He'd be helping me, and you were supposed to dedicate actions to Gods so dedicate this to Poseidon? My Metua would like that right?

And may every fallen enemy know your strength.

Then just… the whole honoring thing at the end. I could probably just copy that.

And when the battle is done, let me honor you further.

Okay, then Triton!

Triton would be easy, that was my brother. Titles first of course, plus the "hear me" thing.

O Triton, wide-ruling of the sea, herald most high, hear my prayer now.

Okay, then the whole pointing out gifts and relationship and stuff so… What gift did I need to mention? Maybe just gifts. I've given him a lot. So reminder, and request…

If ever my gifts have pleased you, Brother Most Loved by Me, then grant me your aid.

And I wanted to… have help, guidance with attacks and stuff, so I could win quickly- No! Swiftly.

Guide my strikes so that I might win swiftly.

Oh, and this was also to like, protect the sea and stuff right? Like invasion with Sea Gods helping them, so like- I was the Prince so needed to do stuff to protect it. I could ask for strength for that too, right? I was pretty sure.

I looked up at Minos who was guiding one of the Athena kids, Yewande I thought, through something with… something on fire? Over water?

He seemed busy, I'd just add it.

Grant me the strength to do what must be done, to protect the sea as I ought.

Then something I remembered from a lesson with Euphemia. Triton wasn't technically God of the Tides, but he was associated with them… and Calm Waves. And sometimes was prayed to in war to 'calm the waves of war' in the sea. So…

O High Prince, Lord of Tides and Calm Waves, please grant me the strength to calm these seas once more.

Yeah, that seemed good. I wasn't sure who else to pray to in the sea.

I eyed the ships in the distance, smaller boats being filled. Maybe…

I really probably shouldn't, I knew that but…

O Okeanus, Lord of the Oceans Deep, the Encircling River. If ever you have welcomed me into your home, hear my prayer. Grant us the strength of the Deep, and the ability to withstand all that wants to hurt us. Please, Okeanus-re'ari, aid your children today.

All in the sea, were in their own way, Okeanus' children. And Poseidon's. Just as all were Pontus' as well. It was one of the basic rules of the sea.

If you were in need, you could call for aid as a child of the sea.

I wasn't sure it would do anything, but at least I would've tried.

"Jackson, are you done?"

I quickly grabbed the paper, nodding.

"Wonderful, now, Sterling prepared the khernips for you. Sprinkle some on the offering stone, and then wash your hands in it."

I quickly followed his instructions, carrying the bowl over to the offering stones and sprinkling water on each of the ones around the brazier, and then onto the top offering stone.

After that I placed the bowl on the table and awkwardly washed my hands in it. Everyone was watching.

"Good, now, step in front of the brazier–" he led me in front of it "-and read the prayers, carefully. We don't have time for all the proper offerings before you need to be there, so place the offerings between each prayer… do you know how to place the offerings?"

"No."

He took a deep breath that I didn't think he needed and closed his eyes. "Of course you don't know."

I shuffled awkwardly, "Er… would you be willing to explain it to me, Your majesty?"

He sighed, "Yes, I will correct Khiron's failure. There's no time for a proper explanation, unfortunately, but for now– well first you'll pour the oils and perfumes into the libation jug. That is to be placed on the flat portion of the offering stone."

I nodded quickly, oils and perfumes in the jug. Got that.

"You can place a different food offering in the dip in the offering stone with each prayer, place the libation before the prayers begin. I've placed out the food, you can put a few pieces in with each prayer.

"Right," I muttered. "I've got this."

I took a deep breath and centered myself as I was taught by Triton. This was just like the events in the sea, this was just like my introduction to the sea. Stressful, but I could do it.

I carefully picked up the first bottle of oil that Minos indicated, and poured it into the libation jug.

"Is there supposed to be anything… fancy done while I do this?"

"Generally? Yes. But for now just do it. We're in a rush, thus leeway is given."

I nodded, pouring each of the oils in, then picking up the perfume bottles and pouring them in.

They were nice ones, I recognized one as Silena's favorite. He must've had the Aphrodite kids gather the perfumes.

All of them were unused.

Once that was done I picked up the libation jug, heavy with all the liquid inside, and brought it over to the offering stone to carefully place it on the flat part of the stone.

That done I picked up three fruit tarts and placed them in the dip in the stone, before stepping back and picking up the prayer sheet.

Minos nodded when I hesitated, so I took one last deep breath and began.

"Hear me, O Zeus," I declared, with as much gravitas as I could. "Much-honored, Zeus, supremely great, King of the Heavens with your Blessed Queen Hera, if ever I have offered to You as I do now, Zeus, who shakes the- shakes with fiery light of- fiery light the world, grant us Your blessing in this fight. Grant us Your strength in this battle. Grant us Your power, so that we might survive to honor You further."

Minos motioned

My cheeks burned at my mistake with the fiery light line, yet at the same time…

The fire burned brighter, the air heavy with the attention of the King of the Gods. It was as if a crown had been placed on my head, his attention weighing me down yet… with a feeling of authority.

I didn't think I'd stumble on the rest, not with Zeus' eyes on me, his authority supporting me.

"And the next," Minos murmured when I paused.

I nodded, moving to gather more of the offerings. These had olives on them, so they fit well for Athena. That done, I stepped back once more and recited Athena's.

Farovi sa'ta, Ponova-Matpeki Taio, Tapuvuki av Herfomav teye faitak ert Aegis. Pallas Athene, Voi teye tapuvuk ert fehuav ro wova, farovi sa'ta ika ta hinru. Ta Havua Sa'opu rao ert survu poniov Opu tal eretamur sa'ta, y meteniav av era auru'fare, ie auviom, y patuva erva Opu ravir erivap, Opu rav ary pohiva. Eretamu sa'tav tie Sa'opuno atienta, uti erva tav tani siena auviom. Y iaye ert pomain em raviruk, tatifa tav hiparu Sa'opu suivaia.

I took a deep breath, the air bright and clean. A hand was on my shoulder, yet nothing was there. The paper fluttered at the attention of Athena.

I swallowed and reached for another offering, placing a honey cake and slices of beef in the indent. With that done I turned to the prayer for Ares.

I wondered if he was past the whole… conflict. I hoped so as I started reading aloud.

"Ares, exceeding in strength, golden-helmed, Savior of cities. O defender of Olympos, father of warlike Nike, hear me, helper of men, giver of strength. If ever I have honored you with offering or deed, then hear my prayer now. Shed a kindly ray from above, O blessed one, and grant strength upon the warriors who stand here today, so that we may be able to drive away bitter cowardice and face the enemy with courage in our hearts. And when the battle is done, let us honor you further."

I let out a breath when I finished, feeling more confident than before. My back straightened further, a steady thrum in my bones.

I turned back to the offerings and picked up the last honey cakes and some fresh fruits, placing them in the dip like the rest.

That done, I turned to the last prayer of the Olympian Gods. Then I only had the Einalioi Gods, as the Sea Gods were known.

"Swift-footed Artemis and far-shooting Apollo, dear children of Leto and thundering Zeus, I pray to you, O Gods, in our time of need. O Blessed Protectors of Children, if ever we have been shielded in your arms, grant safety to us once more. O Archers unmatched, of the Golden Shafts and Silver Bow, whose arrows always find the mark, grant our aim your hand. O Gentle Gods, the Saving Goddess, the Healing God, guide the hands of thine healers, and lend your blessing to the infirm. And when the battle is over, and the children safe, let us honor you further."

I paused for just a moment, licking my lips. Warmth tucked over my shoulder, a soft comfort laying over me, like a child's first laugh.

I just had the Sea Gods left.

I placed more fruits in the bowl, those were valued in the sea I knew.

Farovi sa'ta, Metua av tan, Aritoh av ert Wasare Tiem y Vulai. Ta patuva sa'opu, Teyeno auhou faitak ert Lamuhana, rinaye ert viekuki wasare karisak ie, farovi tan tialoy ie Sa'opu. O hirupuki Metua, mat roni ta tal hiparur Sa'opu, mutevar Sa'opu ert taru av lar y ert maruni av pavu, erivap kumiol ta sa'tan vulion. Kumiol ta hamapep y hasashi, ie talou vomni ie sa'tan. Eretamu tan riape uti sa'tan tupiav meye'v hamalia, y ert moaneliv meye'v hiso homiva sa'ta. Y meye'v romi hisor isevia roti sa'opun vomni. Y iaye ert pomain em raviruk, tatifa tav hiparu Sa'opu suivaia.

My Metuano prayer rolled off my tongue like waves on the shore, smooth and easy, familiar. I knew, in an instant, that He was watching, and that He had heard me.

And I knew, in my heart, that He would aid me.

I took a deep breath and gathered a collection of fruits that I knew Triton liked from our meals together, then stepped back and began reading my prayer to my brother.

"O Triton-re'aia, vulai'arivak av ert wasare, febalit suvia teit, farovi tan tialoy pohiva. Mat oni tan otopelav tal oatir sa'opu, Tatua Suvia Auhereaki muriv Sa'ta, erivap kumiol ta sa'opu atea. Eretamu tan tupiav uti erva sa'ta viek uviom hamaliat. Kumiol ta ert omniveki ie rav eaye elri'meye en ravir, ie pauroi ert wasare ika sa'ta elyria. O Apiria, Rakil av Pyev y Wasashu, hamoto kumiol sa'ta ert omniveki ie wasai erav wasarev hore suivai."

Nothing felt different with that prayer, it was as it was before, yet I didn't think he'd missed it.

It was almost as if he had been watching before that, waiting for what I had to say. The thought warmed me. My brother cared, he'd send the guards after all. I didn't think he'd leave me to fight alone.

I carefully collected a few more fruits, rare gifts in the sea from what I remembered, and placed them in the dip–which was now nearly filled. I hesitated slightly as I eyed the last prayer. But… better to try than to not.

O Okeanus-ari, Rakil av ert Moare Horenu, ert Muhomuk Vakniki. Mat roni opu tal potaivir sa'ta ro ie sa'opun fare, farovi tan tailoy. Kumiol tav ert omniveki av ert Horenu, y ert etaka ie faita kalup topta erva tehasono ie mauioto sa'tav. Hamoto, Okeanus-re'ari, atea sa'tan avoliv ertma.

That prayer had a distinct weight, a judgment laid down on me. The Gods and Minos alike seemed taken aback, yet none said anything.

And the weight of the Ocean's depths settled on my skin, coiling heavy currents that draped over me akin to a cloak.

"You need to get to the beach now. The first ships are heading towards shore," Minos said, stepping away from the brazier, drawing my attention from the offerings. "Fight well, may the Gods be with you."

I let out a breath, placing the prayer sheet on a table.

"And with you."

"There's a pegasi for you," called Malcolm. "To get you to the beach faster."

"Target the ships with heavy artillery," Yewande added. "We need them taken out the fastest."

"Got it," I said, hurrying to the waiting Pegasus.

It nickered in greeting, bending slightly to let me slide on. And then, in a beat of powerful wings, it leapt into the air.

It didn't go nearly as high as I expected, but it was still enough to see the archers on top of the Dining Pavilion, two of them from the Apollo cabin with several quivers of arrows next to them.

More archers were on the Arts and Crafts Pavilion, and the Climbing wall. The rest of the archers were spread out on the short hills before the beach began.

The pegasi, Broadhoof as he introduced himself, swept over the hills and past the very complex field of thorny vines and some strange leafy plant and skimmed the water briefly.

Is here fine, Prince?

"Yeah," I called back. "This is fine. Thank you!"

I slipped off the Pegasus' back to a faint your welcome and splashed into the ocean.

I quickly dropped deeper, for once not summoning my tails but instead using the ocean currents to guide my movements.

I reluctantly reached up and unclipped my necklace as I settled in the deeper water, swallowing as the weight of the enemy pressed down on me. Fire, shadows, light, dark, deep ocean currents, shifting sands, draping blankets, razor blades, knives and daggers, it was a cacophony of sensation.

And then it smoothed out, softened and dulled in a spiral of home and safety and go forth.

It was like being at the hearth, sitting with Hestia.

All offerings went to Hestia, I remembered. I wondered if She was offering aid as well.

I took a steadying breath, then jerked at the form that rippled in front of me. A naiad, one that had talked with me before, in the river in the Forest.

"Hello, Persi-aia."

"Hello," I said hesitantly. "Are you helping with the boats?"

Nerissa nodded, "Agata, Delta, and Greta are targeting the barges heading for land. Ines, Kasandra, Lesya and myself will be helping you with the larger boats."

That would be a large help, I didn't believe I could handle even one boat alone.

The ocean rejuvenated me and I'd rested for several days, but I was still tired. I lingered in my bones, in every breath I breathed. A need to rest, to sleep, to stop doing things.

So yes, the aid of the naiads would be very helpful.

"We're not as powerful in the sea," Nerissa said as she led me to the boat the others were waiting at. "But we can support you, and minimize the strain for you."

I took a steadying breath and nodded. "Sounds good. Is that the boat?"

Three other naiads were already there, hair flowing free in the water. My own hair was in a bun that Annabeth had done on the train, a few thin braids trailing into it.

"Persi-aia," one said, I didn't know her. "I am Kasandra."

"There's no time for pleasantries," Lesya–one I did know–said. "We need to get to work."

I nodded, "Right. What do we do?"

"Have you had any lessons on naval warfare in the ocean?"

I shook my head. That was something Triton had mentioned to me as a future subject, but we hadn't thought it would be needed, not for some time. Wars in the sea were commonly in the sea. Triton had deemed naval warfare something for later days as a result.

"Well, I was advised to break a hole in the hull, or simply capsize it, depending on how much power we have and how fast we want to do so."

"Which requires less power?" I asked, eyeing the boat moving steadily forward. We were on a time limit.

"Depends on the type of boat. Steel and metals are easier to capsize usually, wood is easier to break."

Well, this boat was wood, so…

"Guess we're breaking it," I said.

I furrowed my brow and reached to the sea. I could feel the ocean waves lapping gently, far gentler than normal. The ocean was steadying the waves, holding them down. The moon tugged at the tide, keeping it in when it should've been pulling back. A Taliv Hirupuk draped over the ocean surrounding the invading force.

That was fine, we weren't trying to capsize a boat, so this wouldn't need to counter that.

I spun the ocean in my hand, spiraling it as I did when preparing a weapon for sparing with Triton. I needed to break the boat, that was easiest to do with sharp things, right?

The naiads were doing similarly, preparing their own javelins of seawater. Though unlike myself, they had no need to guide it with their hands. Their willpower alone guided the sea to do their bidding.

Ah, the benefits of being Taliv.

I chilled the water slowly, until it was almost a slush, not frozen but icy and glinting with ice crystals.

Eddies curled around me, the currents shifted and coiled tight. Heavy currents blended with rippling tides and a soft rub of salt.

The javelin of icy water slipped from my fingers, hurling through the water in a blur alongside the naiads own javelins.

Wood cracked and creaked and shattered as one after the other our attacks hit, till a gaping hole loomed.

"Away!" Nerissa called. "We don't want to get pulled down."

The five of us hurried away, the naiads simply blurring while I called for the water to aid me.

Currents not mine swept around me and pulled me away from the boat, till I was resting beside the naiads.

The boat sunk quicker than I expected, tugging everything around down with it.

"Wow," I muttered. "I've never seen a boat sink before."

"It's quite the sight," Lesya agreed. "But we have more boats to sink."

OO OO OO OO

Sinking ships was hard. Funneling the power into the attacks to pierce the hull was hard, and the concentration needed was a lot.

And there were only a handful of wooden boats that had heavy artillery. So after only three boats we needed to come up with a new plan to sink the other boats.

We surfaced near a metal boat. I didn't know what the type of ship was called but it was metallic and would be a lot harder to break.

We were probably going to need to capsize it, but that would take more power to raise the waves against the force of the Taliv Wasashu the sea held.

"Alright," Nerissa declared. "We've got this. We just need to ready the wave under the water and if we can hit it in the side and curl it over we can drag it down. Lysa and Kassandra, you go on the other side and pull. Persi-aia, Ines, and myself will push."

"Got it-" Lysa blinked above. "We've got a message."

We all turned to look at the sky, following Lysa's gave, and found a harpy dropped towards us.

"Order from Commander Annabeth! Target ships with hellhounds! Priority!"

"Eh," I frowned. "Why hellhounds?"

Our gazes turned to the beach as the harpy flew away without answering.

On the beach was a raging battle. We were too far out to see the details, but we could clearly see the large shapes of hellhounds charging across the sand and crumbling away in swaths.

Even as we watched two hellhounds rose up on the beach, seemingly melting into being out of nothing.

Could hellhounds teleport? Apparently they could–

"Oh," Lysa whispered. "Yes that– we need to stop the hellhounds."

I didn't understand, but I nodded nonetheless. "Where's the nearest boat with hellhounds?"

It took a few minutes before we could identify the nearest boat filled with hellhounds, it seemed they were spread out amongst many boats.

"That boat has the most," Nerissa decided, pointing to a larger metallic ship than the one we'd been planning to target before. "We'll need to put more power into our wave."

With that we dipped under the water and got to work.

Ines, Nerissa, and I gathered around to begin pushing the water together. I was flagging at this point, my body beginning to ache from the strain.

The ocean spiraled and spun and condensed tighter and tighter as we drifted further and further apart, my breathing strained as I held the water in place and pulled more water into the act.

We needed to stop the hellhounds.

Hellhounds.

Why were they called hellhounds? That was a weird name, Hell wasn't even real? And it also wasn't Greek? Were Hellhounds Greek?

They were big, black, shadowing dogs that were as large as a semi. I'd not read anything about them though.

How weird.

Maybe they were adopted?

"Ready, Persi-aia?"

I jolted out of my thoughts and nodded at Nerissa. Ines was concentrating hard, brow furrowed and body almost fading out of shape. The naiads needed a physical form in the ocean, else they could lose themselves. They were of the river, not the ocean.

I took a deep breath and readied myself for the release.

Pressure raised.

The ocean rages against our bind.

Nerissa opened her mouth.

Go

I threw myself back and released my hold on the top of the pressure, Nerissa and Ines doing the same.

In a surge, in a rush, an explosion of wrathful water and waves, the ocean exploded upwards. It was a tsunami in a bottle, the wrath of the sea lashing out viciously after being bound even for a few short moments.

The ocean did not like to be bound, it did not like to be held in place, and it let us know it. The force of the ocean shook the water, shook through my skin and bones and mind. A howling cry, demanding freedom, demanding we let it rage wide and free.

My jaw clenched as I held the shape, sending it up in a cacophony of powerful waves. My vision blurred and my arms shook but I didn't dare let my grip falter. The ocean would come at us just as much as the ship if I did.

The water surged up and up and the boat above crashed as we curled the water back down, over the metal, over the beings, over the hellhounds. We dragged and dragged, Lysa and Kassandra grabbing hold as the water reached them and pulling.

I could feel the results, even if I couldn't see with the white in my vision. The boat crashed down, water swamping the decks. The ocean howled and swallowed the boat up, swallowed the lives aboard up as it raged free once more.

And then the ocean was free and the waves settled and the wind soothed the might of the sea.

Might of the Sea.

Eurybia.

I struggled for water, the ocean cradling me gently in familiar deep currents and soft eddies.

"Are you okay?" Nerissa asked.

I waved my hand, reeling from the sensation of the lives lost and the ocean's rage. I dragged water into my gills, my body shaking.

The amount of power I'd used was too much.

I couldn't do anything else.

"We still have other boats," Lysa said, concern in her voice as they led me away. "Can you–"

I fumbled for the pouch at my side, pinned closed, and pulled out one of the two potions held inside.

My fingers slipped over the stopper on the lid and I bit back a snarl. My hands were shaking, my body aching. I was exhausted from that last surge of power. I needed-

"Let me–" Ines reached over and pulled the lid off.

I downed the potion, lowering my arm to put it back in my pouch only to pause as something coiled within me.

Cool power swept from my stomach, crashing out in a flood that filled me from the tip of my toes to the ends of every hair on my head.

My fingers were still shaking, but for a different reason now.

"Okay," I said, positively buzzing with energy. "Okay. Let's do this. What else do we need to hit?"

OO OO OO OO

We sank three more boats before a Harpy came and called us back to shore. The naiads were tired themselves, but I was running on the high of the energy potion I'd taken.

I knew it wouldn't last forever, and when it ended I'd crash hard, but for now I was full of energy.

I reached the beach quickly, stepping onto the blood soaked sand only minutes after the harpy came for me.

I swallowed, staring at the golden sand that coated the white sand beach. Blood, gold and red alike, stained the sand.

"Over here," Annabeth called. "Percy!"

I hurried towards her, noting her appearance. She had a gash on her arm, though it was already bandaged, and blood stained her shirt and armor. Her pants had a tear in them that wasn't there before, but there wasn't any blood.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Are they retreating?"

It didn't seem like they were, there were still many boats beyond the seven me and the naiads had taken down, and many had been rescued from their wrecks.

"No," Minos said, expression grim. "They are graciously giving us a chance to surrender. They've declared that was just a taste of what they had, and that they would prefer taking us peacefully rather than with further battle."

I blinked.

Then blinked again.

"We need to hold out for a few more hours," Annaebth said. "How long do you think you can target boats?"

I hesitated then grimaced, "Not… not long enough? I've already taken an energy potion so I've got a good bit of power but when it wears off I'll be crashing hard. At least that's what the instructions say."

"We can probably… this can work still," Annabeth said. "You've taken down quite a few ships and we've only had three deaths so far–"

My stomach dropped, "Who died?"

"Mitchell," Annabeth whispered. "Mitchell and Sofia and Melissa."

I closed my eyes, my chest tight. Mitchell I knew quite well from my time with the Aphrodite cabin. Sofia and Melissa I'd talked to a few times, I wasn't close to them but… Leilani probably was.

"How did–"

"We can discuss our losses after," Minos interrupted, not unkindly but firmly. "Right now we must decide what to do. We've pulled the injured back, but the numbers are growing and we may not be able to hold out."

"I… the chances of us surviving either way are slim," Annabeth whispered.

"You might survive if you surrender," Minos said. "They offered you a chance to surrender, killing you would be unusual with that. But you would be prisoners, at the very least."

"We don't know when reinforcements are coming," Pointed out Lee Fletcher. "We have to do something."

"We have a strategy!"

"But it might not be enough! Especially if any hellhounds break the line-"

"What? And let them have died in vain?"

"You can't just–"

"My brother is dead for this and you want to suggest–"

Fighting broke out, campers arguing over surrendering or staying to fight en mass.

I swallowed, watching them all. They were all scared, I was scared. I didn't want to fight, not in this. I wanted to survive, to go home, I wanted them all to live. But at the same time… surrender wasn't really an option.

We were offered the chance yes, but could we really surrender and let them do as they wanted? If we surrendered now, who knew what could happen. It was a war brewing, we were the first line of defense of Olympus.

The Gods were on our side, I felt Their presence in the prayers. I'd felt the ocean cradling me, guiding me. I didn't know how the battle was going so far, but I was fairly certain that over half an hour of fighting resulting in only three deaths was… really impressive.

I didn't want to fight, but we had to. What else could we do? When our lives and freedom were on the line? When our family was?

The Gods were with us right now, I could see it in the way the healers hands shone. I could feel in the way the currents wrapped around me in the ocean. I could tell from how perfectly each of our strikes hit the boats.

We had a chance, we had to have one. Maybe we wouldn't win, but… worst come to worst we could probably all hide in the lake, it was the place of our last stand.

I rubbed my head and frowned.

I didn't know what was right, but I'd chosen to side with Triton. And right now… this battle was a result of a conflict in the ocean too. I… I had to do what was best.

For the camp.

For the ocean.

For Triton.

"I… I'm going to fight," I announced. "Maybe we can't win, maybe this will all be for nothing… but we prayed to the Gods to aid us in our fight, we've fought and bled already for this. They're offering us a chance to surrender but they didn't do that until we'd shown that we could push them back. It… it might be a hopeless battle, but I don't want to sit down and be taken prisoner so that they can move on and attack Olympus."

Annabeth straightened at my words and nodded, "You're right. We're the first line of defense for Olympus. Maybe our enemy is too strong for us, but we've held out so far. Maybe we can't win, but we have to try. We're the Children of the Gods, our parents are with us today. We can fight."

"We can win," I said softly. "If we're willing to fight, we have a chance to win. King Minos came up with a strategy, and we've held the enemy so far. What was the point in- in Mitchell, in Sofia, in Melissa dying if they died only for us to kneel to the enemy mere minutes later?"

"We can do this," Clarisse declared. "We've all fought for our lives all our lives! We can beat these stupid monsters! Just because there's more they think they can win? We've won unwinnable battles before! We only need to hold out for reinforcements, we can hold them for a few hours."

Silence reigned for a few breaths after Clarisse's words, campers sharing looks. I twisted my bracelet, watching them all carefully.

Silena fingered her own bracelet, charms gleaming. She looked worried, scared almost. My heart panged. She didn't like to fight, for all that she could and was good at it.

"Is that a joint decision then?" Minos asked. "That's three cabin heads voting, what say the rest of you?"

"I agree," Lee said. "Our archery has never been more accurate, our Dad is with us today. We… we can do this."

Beckendorf leaned forward, "We don't have much of a choice but to fight. I think… I think we should. We have traps set out, we have people ready and willing to fight- they still haven't hit all of our landmines. We might get hurt, we might die, but honestly… that's our normal daily lives. I'm not about to surrender to beings that normally eat us on the off chance they're feeling nice today."

I grimaced at that. He had a point there, Tyson wasn't the norm. Annabeth had taught me that.

Silena sighed, "I don't want to fight, but if- if we have to… we'll do our best."

Eliza scowled, "I don't want to fight. I think surrender would be better, would give us a chance at survival… but fine. We can fight, if that's what you want to do."

Castor and Pollux shrugged, "We're fighting, we're not about to abandon our Dad."

And with that the decision was made.

"Then do we just stand here and prepare or like send a message-" I stopped, my breath catching.

"Percy?"

I turned to look at the ocean, where the pressing currents bore down on me. Hard scales tightened on my arms, fangs scraped my sides, the weight of the deep ocean bore down on me.

"Percy, what is it?"

There were multiple, multiple beings that- I knew that feeling, the powerful coiling currents that wound tightly over me, scales strong as platinum, fangs dripping poison.

"Percy!?"

The water was bubbling.

"Jackson!"

I jolted, turning to them.

"What's going on?" Annabeth asked.

"I– I think–"

And the ocean erupted.

It was nothing like when I'd worked with the naiads to sink ships.

It wasn't the ocean exploding with rage and a desire, a demand, for freedom. There was no guidance, no build up.

It was simply the force of a beast rising up.

The water spilled down, the spray drifting all the way to the beach where we stood, and revealed the four figures that had come up.

Sea Serpents.

OO OO OO OO

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to leave a review, they feed my soul.

Halmaheran
Metua=Father
Wasare av Tetek=Sea of Monsters
Taliv Hirupuk=Divine Blessing
Taliv=Divine

Terminology
Apó tous Theoús=By The Gods (Ancient Greek)
Duberdicus=The God of fountains, lakes, and oceans in Lusitanian mythology
College of Botanē=College of Botany, Botanē means roughly Botany
Toxeúō Beach="bow" beach (roughly, not exact)
Offerings: traditionally done at a temple or, if not available, a palace, particularly in the case of offerings to pray for aid in war. The offering stones are placed as described, and usually covered in carvings of the Gods, phallus', or other symbols to symbolize strength and power and safety. Minos is very right to complain about the lack of temples, as there is no dedicated place for the offerings.
Offering a Pegasi: Horses are considered close to the divine and thus good offerings
Lyma: The natural impurity all people draw when interacting with death, birth, or bodily fluids. This occurs on accident often, by simply walking past a graveyard or shaking hands with someone who came from a funeral or a child's birth. It is natural, but should be washed away to interact with the Gods
Miasma: This is the impurity coming from impious behavior, such as murder, incest, adultery, sacrilege, or other severe crimes. It could also be cleaned off, with proper actions taken (not as simple as cleansing Lyma), but it also affected their surroundings, hence why criminals were often exiled and banned from communal rites (they would corrupt them).
Katharos=Pure, the natural state of all beings
Khernips: lustral water, made by extinguishing fire in pure water (usually) and then sprinkling the water on the altar and participants. Unclean people were not allowed to touch it (hence Minos not making it, but another camper) as it is not simply meant to purify you, but to consecrate you, to bring you to the sacred state needed for important rites.
Libation: A jug usually filled with wine or oils, as the camp is banned from wine, oils and nice perfumes were used. Ambrosia and Nectar should not be used, as those are divine foods already and giving the divine something they already have is lazy and disrespectful
Hellhounds=They are not Greek
Eurybia=The Titan Goddess of the Might of the Sea, She controls the aspects that influence the sea, such as the wind that blows the waves, the stars and moon on the tide, etc.

Prayers
Athena
Hear me, Bright-Eyed Goddess, Savior of Cities who holds the Aegis. Pallas Athene, she who saves the soldiers in war, hear me as I pray. I thank you for the many times you have guided myself, and others of this hearth, to victory, and ask that as you did then, you do again now. Council us with your wisdom, so that we could seek victory. And when the battle is done, let us honor you further.

Poseidon
Hear me, Father of mine, Ruler of the Sea Far and Wide. I ask you, whose hand that holds the trident, which the mighty sea bows to, hear my prayer to you. O Blessed Father, if ever I have honored you, offered you the best of Fish and the sweetest of water, then grant me my request. Grant me swift currents and strong waves, to lend power to mine. Guide my hand so my strikes may be swift, and the ships may fall before me. And may every fallen enemy know your strength. And when the battle is done, let me honor you further.

Triton
O Triton, wide-ruling of the sea, herald most high, hear my prayer now. If ever my gifts have pleased you, Brother Most Loved by Me, then grant me your aid. Guide my strikes so that I might win swiftly. Grant me the strength to do what must be done, to protect the sea as I ought. O High Prince, Lord of Tides and Calm Waves, please grant me the strength to calm these seas once more.

Okeanus
O Okeanus, Lord of the Oceans Deep, the Encircling River. If ever you have welcomed me into your home, hear my prayer. Grant us the strength of the Deep, and the ability to withstand all that wants to hurt us. Please, Okeanus-re'ari, aid your children today.

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