bows I know, I left you all on a cliff hanger last chapter. But this time there's no cliff hanger 3. Only one more chapter left at camp! I have hopes I'll get it out next week too :D
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OO OO OO OO
Waves beat the shore, crashing over the sand, washing away much of the defenses. The air filled with a salty mist as the sea serpents twisted in the water, sending up a salty spray that washed towards the shore. The boats in the ocean rocked violently, the water roiling with the sea serpents arrival.
I wasn't the only one gaping up at them, I was certain of that, but I had no care to look and see everyone else's reaction. These weren't just sea serpents, they were Wa'tepov-re, Greater Sea Serpents. They were from the darkest depths of the ocean, the depths of the Abyssal and Hadal zones.
I'd seen one before, in my dreams of Okeanus' palace. It had been massive; the pupil alone had towered over me. I hadn't been able to see the majority of it either. These ones seemed to be equal in size, if not greater, and we could only see a small fraction of them.
Only the heads and the very top of their sinewy body was visible to us now, but that alone was enough. Their eyes the size of ships, their mouths large enough to devour a whale whole. Their presence pressed down, demanded attention, demanded respect.
They were beasts of the deep dark, creatures nearly as old as the Gods Themselves. Four massive serpents that towered over us, over the ships, over the land. I dragged in a shaky breath as the Wa'tepov-re twisted around, yellow eyes seeming to lock onto the land scattered with cowering Demigods.
Light refracted, skittering off of their scales and lighting up the land with rainbows. They shone as they never did in the ocean, in the dark depths where even light died. In the light of the setting sun they lit up the world like a kaleidoscope. Blue and green light flecked the beach and red and orange specks scattered across my skin like stars. Gold, silver, and bronze danced across the beach, shining off of their horns and fins and scales.
It was beautiful, terrifying, awe inspiring.
Their fins fanned out, light glancing off of the ships and washing them in a blood red shine. Silver marked the shore, teeth gleamed dull and white in their shining mouths.
The Wa'tepov-re reared up, reared back, mouths open wide. A rumble shook the ocean and my teeth, their eyes locked on their target.
And, in an instant, they struck.
Like a striking snake the one closest to shore whipped down, their mouth open wide, a hungry maw snapping shut on its target. The crunch of their teeth made me flinch, taking a step back into Annabeth, her hands steadying me even as she made a noise of terror.
Screams echoed all the way to us, campers around us gasping, shouting, terror in their breath. The waves rocked against the beach, washing away any remaining defenses. The campers fled back.
The Wa'tepo-re that struck, a her I thought from the shape of her fins and the curve of her horns, raised her head once more.
And the remains of the ship that she'd crunched between her teeth slowly sunk into the ocean.
No one moved. Even the ocean seemed to still, the boats settling in the water. My breath left me in a surge and I turned to look at the other campers.
No one moved, eyes wide, mouths open.
And then, in an instant, the moment shattered.
Cheers rose up from the campers, hope flared like a raging fire. The ships in the water became a flurry of activity.
The ones in the back turned quickly, the water twisting around them to guide them quicker. In contrast the ones in the front tried to move towards shore, but that turned out to be a very bad idea.
The Wa'tepov-re once more proved their title of Optea and struck like serpents. Four ships cracked and shattered beneath their teeth. The water stained gold with dust and light.
The boats in the front stopped moving forward.
The Wa'tepov-re twined in the water, twisting over and around each other. Their bodies were large enough to fill canyons, yet they shifted through the water like quicksilver.
The boats fleeing were allowed to pass. Not a single boat dared come closer to the shore after they struck down the first four.
The first strike was a warning. The next four were a declaration. Any further ones would end in the destruction of every ship there.
I stared up in awe, feeling the presence of the Gods around us, the Titan in the water, the sheer divinity in the air. I wanted to go out, I wanted to greet the great beasts of the deep sea. They were sacred to Okeanus, they were His vanguard. The most dangerous creatures in the sea, and yet here they were, aiding us.
I remembered my dream, the dream where I met Eurybia. I never heard His decision, but She had told me Hers.
Okeanus had chosen our side.
I took a step towards forward, towards the beach, towards the water, towards the Wa'tepov-re, but Annabeth grabbed my hand.
"Percy don't."
I faltered, my gaze turning to her. Everyone else was still watching the ships, faces awed, gaze filled with fear and hope. Annabeth was the only one to notice my movement.
"Wait until…" she bit her lip, eyes on the water. "Just… wait for a bit. Until the ships are gone at least."
"The Gods heard our prayers," breathed a camper near us.
They did. The Wa'tepov-re would not have been able to reach the camp had Poseidon not allowed them to. Okeanus could've gotten them somewhat close, I was sure of that, but not all the way to the camp.
They had been allowed to help.
The Divine could not interfere directly, but They could act in ways to aid us.
The archers had perfect accuracy, the injured healed faster than the norm, the strategy that we had been blessed with worked well, there were only a handful of deaths in a situation where normally there'd be many.
The Gods had heard us, They had helped us.
I stepped back, beside Annabeth, and watched as the ships fled.
"Just until they're gone," I murmured. "Then I-"
I didn't know what I was going to do. I wanted to go out there, to the Wa'tepov-re. I wanted to speak to them maybe, to thank them perhaps. I didn't know what I was to do, but it felt wrong to do nothing.
"Until they're gone," she agreed.
OO OO OO OO
The Wa'tepov-re stayed until the last ship was but a blip on the horizon, giving me enough time to head out into the water.
The campers were uncertain, but Annabeth argued for my actions necessity. The Sea Serpents had not left yet, and they had someone who could understand them. And wasn't it important, to know which God to thank for their appearance?
I did not say that I could explain the rough set of Gods needed. I knew most of how the process of the Wa'tepov-re getting here would work. I knew which Gods would have looked the other way to allow it.
But I wanted to go out there. I wanted to speak to them.
Even as I walked over the beach, exhaustion dragged at me. I had never felt so tired, so drained. The amount of power I'd used lately, the work we'd done, the battle we'd fought… and combined with the energy potion which would end in me having no energy-
It was all so much.
But I needed to speak to the Wa'tepov-re. I needed to- to thank them? To ask them who else to thank? I wasn't sure. But I needed it.
And so, I slipped into the water and swam forward.
Under the water I could see more of them, and it was… terrifying.
Their bulk above the water was great, just their heads and the top of their long bodies stuck up, and still they towered above the tallest trees. Yet in the water I could see their bodies stretched out to the sea floor, then stretched out further, deeper into the ocean.
They were massive, their length easily touching the rocky bottom, the ocean shivering with each twist of their coils.
It was humbling.
I couldn't imagine anything capable of taking down these creatures except for the Gods Themselves. What would dare to strike at these ancient beasts?
The coils shifted, shaking the water, making me sway until I reached for my charm and let the power sweep my human form away to leave me as a mer.
My tails swished, steadying me easier than my human legs could. And when I had steadied, the coils still once more, I turned to look up once more, to see the Wa'tepov-re and figure out how to draw their attention.
And then I screamed, flicking back quickly as I came face to eye with one of the Wa'tepo-re.
A rumble from the Optea made the water shiver, and I swallowed hard. My fingers rose of their own volition to make the proper motion of respect.
The yellow eye seemed familiar as it studied me silently, and in an instant, I realized that this was the same Wa'tepo-re I had met in my dreams to Okeanus' palace.
"Hello," I said. Then I corrected myself, remembering I was not on land. "Atula."
The eye was unblinking as it considered me. I wondered if I was to say something else, a proper greeting perhaps, when a voice echoed in my mind.
I shook under the weight of it, ancient power in each note.
Son of the Sea, it rumbled. Why do you float before us?
I swallowed hard and straightened my form. "I wished to-" I still didn't know why I had been so determined to come out, and yet I couldn't say nothing "-I wished to thank you for your aid."
The eye almost seemed to tilt, but I was unsure if that was truly the case. I wondered if the head was resting on the sea floor, or simply on a coil of their massive body. I didn't dare look down to check.
Our aid was decreed, it rumbled in my mind, the authority in the words pressing down upon me. Thanks is unnecessary
I blinked, trying to understand. Thanks was obviously owed, they'd saved us. Perhaps it meant the thanks was owed to another?
"Should I offer the thanks to the one, ta- the ones who guided you here?"
The eye of the Wa'tepo-re definitely tilted that time. The water rippled and the scales on my skin from their presence almost seemed to click. I wondered what it was thinking.
We would not speak for the divine, was said at last. And yet tis proper for a tialmau to offer thanks.
Tialmau- I didn't know that word. But these Wa'tepo-re was much older than me, perhaps it was an older word. Or perhaps it was a local dialect, there were many of those in the sea.
I offered another motion of respect nonetheless.
"Who should I offer thanks to then," I asked. "Okeanus-re'ari I presume, and my own Metua-re, Poseidon-re'ore?"
Yes. And indeed there is more, such as the High Herald, and also He who rules Northern Oceans and Fountains Pure. Include, also, She who rules the Pure Waters. And even the King of the Heavens, for He has turned His gaze aside and allowed our passage.
Okay, the High Herald was probably Triton, I vaguely recognized the title of Northern Oceans and Fountains Pure but couldn't remember who the title belonged to. Tethys was She who rules the Pure Waters, and the King of the Heavens was obviously Zeus.
I nodded and offered yet another motion of respect.
"Thank you for the guidance, we will be sure to thank each of them for their aid. Is there anything we may offer you, as well?"
The eye studied me intently for a long moment, before the head moved back, raising slightly. The water rocked with the movement, and I took a few moments to steady myself.
There is nothing for you to offer us. Return to the shore and honor those who ought to be.
And with that the head rose once more, breaking the surface and towering above all.
OO OO OO OO
I gave my report to the camp leaders and Minos, Tantalus having mysteriously reappeared as well. Carl was helping clean up the command center, it was nice to see him. I was glad he was alright.
I was swaying on my feet by the time that I finished my explanation, and I quickly promised to look into who the one who rules Northern Oceans and Fountains Pure was.
The others started planning out how to handle everything else that needed to be done, but Silena took one look at me and said that I needed to go lay down, Annabeth quickly agreed.
One of the Hermes kids, I couldn't have even hoped to remember their name at the moment, told me Leilani had been sent to our cabin to rest already as well.
I trudged up the hill to my cabin slowly, my feet dragging and my eyes heavy. I just wanted to lay down and sleep for a week.
I pushed the door open and kicked my shoes off in the little opening section before pushing the curtain aside and walking into the main sleeping area of the cabin. My gaze was drawn immediately to the bed farthest from the entrance.
Leilani was sitting on her bed, knees hugged to her chest with her head buried in her arms. Her body was shaking.
"Leilani?" I asked, stumbling as I stepped forward. I leaned against my bed for a moment before pushing forward and reaching the furthest bed, where Leilani slept.
"Leilani, are you okay?"
She sniffed, lifting her head to reveal a tear streaked face. Her lip trembled and I faltered, unsure of what to do.
"Leilani?" I asked softly.
She let out a choked sob and threw her arms around me, nearly sending us both to the floor.
I held her weight shakily, leaning forward to rest against her bed as I held her while she cried.
"It's okay," I said, rubbing her back. "You're safe now. It's okay, the attackers are gone."
I didn't know what was the matter, I didn't know what to say to help her, so I just continued to assure her that she was safe, we were safe, the enemy was gone, she could rest.
"Melissa died," she whispered, voice a bare croak.
Melissa, that was one of the Hermes cabin kids. I didn't know her that well, but it seemed like Leilani did. They'd mentioned her death earlier, along with- with Mitchell, and one other.
"I heard," I said. "I'm sorry."
"She saved me," Leilani choked out. "She- the hellhound lunged at me and- she pushed me aside and it- it- I- I couldn't stop it and it just-"
She shook, her breath coming in heaving gasps.
I hugged her tighter, her hair tickling my nose.
"It's not your fault," I said. "It's horrible, she- she didn't deserve that but- but it's not your fault."
"I should've- I could've- it- I didn't do anything," she cried. "I didn't do anything and she's- she's- she died- She was go- was going to beco-" her voice caught, her breath unsteady and choked "-she wanted to be a beekeeper, to- to help with preserving them-"
I sat on the bed, keeping my arms around her.
"She wanted to- she had so much to live for-" I was fairly certain my armor couldn't have been comfortable to cry on, but I didn't think she would let me sit back to take it off.
"I'm sorry," I managed. "She didn't- she should've gotten to do that."
Leilani's fingers tightening on my shirt as she whispered, "It's not fair."
"It's not," I agreed softly. "War- it's- it's not fair. Melissa should've lived, so should've Mitchell and-" I couldn't remember the name of the other person who died and I felt a surge of guilt for that "-none of them should've died."
"Why?" she asked. "Why do we have to fight like this?"
I didn't have an answer. I knew that the Gods cared, that they tried to protect us… but they couldn't stop the monsters from attacking.
It wasn't fair that Melissa had died, nor that Mitchell had. Mitchell had always been nice, he wasn't a big fighter, but he was nice. He was good at helping people with their emotions.
They didn't deserve to die. The Gods had helped us this battle but it wasn't enough to prevent the deaths.
It wasn't fair.
It wasn't fair that we had to fight to survive.
It wasn't fair that some of us lost that fight. Life wasn't fair.
I wished that I had some answer, something that would soothe her. Something that would make it all worth it. But life was a battle, it was a struggle, one struggle after another. We could only do our best.
"I don't know," I said finally.
"I want my dad," she whispered. "I want-"
I wondered for a moment if she was going to say her mom, and I ached at the thought. I often longed to go to Triton, to have him solve my problems. He didn't do it for me, but he often had advice, had guidance to offer. He could teach me and prepare me.
Other campers didn't have a God they could just walk up to and ask for help, or even just a hug.
"I'm sorry," I murmured.
My eyes slid shut as I hugged her, her face pressed against my armor, my face pressed into her hair. She shook slightly, maybe from crying, maybe simply shaking, and my own body was definitely shaking too.
I didn't quite grieve for the campers we'd lost, but I ached with Leilani, for the pain she felt.
I wondered if there was something wrong with me, that I felt more pain at the fact that Leilani was hurting than that they died. I felt pain at the mere thought of Tyson's- Tyson's death. I felt responsible, he came because of me, he died because of me. He was my brother and he'd died because he'd trusted me to keep him safe. But for the other campers all I felt was a vague sadness at their death.
It hurt in a distant fashion. Maybe I would hurt more later. All I knew was Leilani was hurting, and I didn't want her to hurt.
My eyes stung with tears as I held her, and I let out a shaky breath.
We sat there offering comfort to each other for a long time.
OO OO OO OO
I slept deeply, and without dreams. Simply fell onto my bed and slipped into darkness. When I awoke once more the sun was high in the sky and the cabin was empty.
I stumbled out of bed, nearly falling when my blanket tangled with my legs, and went to the bathroom to clean up.
One soak in the waterfall pool and a quick brush of my teeth later I felt ready to face the day.
I still ached with exhaustion, still longed to collapse back into bed, but I needed to go see how I could help.
The camp was quieter than normal when I walked out, and I paused for a moment to study the area.
The infirmary was bustling with activity, people entering and leaving en masse. The arts and crafts center had quite a few campers as well.
"Percy!" Silena called, hurrying over. "You're awake!"
"What time is it?" I asked, squinting at the sun.
"Like, three in the afternoon ish?"
I blinked.
"We let you sleep, Annabeth said you'd done a lot on the quest too and probably needed the rest."
"Oh… uh, what can I do to help?"
Silena hummed, rocking on her heels. "For now we're mostly finishing up treating the injured and preparing for the funeral tonight. The shrouds are being made right now by the cabins. I think Leilani is there too?"
"She wanted to help with Melissa's shroud," I remembered. "So she's probably there yeah."
Silena nodded, fingers idly twisting the edge of her veil.
I glanced around, noticing most of the girls were veiling and more boys than normal. "Should I be veiling?"
Silena blinked, "Oh, uh… well it's up to you. Because it's the solstice and also… because of the deaths. It… I dunno, it's not necessary but a lot of the girls are out of respect even if they don't normally, and a lot of the others too."
I nodded, "Would you help me put on a veil?"
She perked up at the question and offered me a smile, "I would be happy to. Do you have one?"
I nodded, "In my cabin."
I'd packed a few when we'd come to camp.
Silena let me lead the way into my cabin once more and asked me to pull out all my veils.
"Which one do you want?" she asked, studying them.
I fingered the shimmery green one, but my eyes were drawn to the one I got while on the quest last summer, with Annabeth.
"I think the constellation one."
Silena nodded, plucking up the black one dotted with stars.
"Sit, oh your hair is all tangled let me brush it-" I pointed out the brush to her and she went to brushing it.
That reminded me of the quest and Kirke.
"Uh," I bit my lip. "Hey, Silena. Do you have any recommendations for how to take care of my hair?"
Silena paused, "Huh?"
"Well… I mean, my mom probably knows but I still have a few weeks at camp… and it was pointed out that my hair is uh- not being cared for right? I dunno, I've kinda just been using shampoo and maybe conditioner but mom does other stuff for her hair… I kinda got more of my grandpas hair, you know? She has more of grandma's hair."
"Oh, okay yeah. I can help with that. Your hair is kind like Lapis' so she can probably give product recommendations. I think you have two C hair, though yours has a different texture. I know Lapis is always dealing with the frizz, but your hair doesn't seem to frizz much, it's got a like… sleek kinda texture to it."
I figured that had to do with being from the sea. I'd probably need to ask Triton or Euphemia about if there was anything to do for that. I didn't know what two C meant though.
"We can speak to Lapis tomorrow," Silena said. "Your hair does seem to be a bit dry though. A hair mask will help with that."
Did my hair need to be extra moisturized because of being from the sea, or less moisturized? I didn't know. I would need to ask Triton.
Silena finished brushing my hair and tying it into a neat bun. Then she placed the veil over my hair and pinned it under the bun.
"There, all good."
"Thank you," I said, offering her a smile.
She smiled back. I noticed the bags under her eyes.
How many of her cabin was making Mitchell's shroud?
"Uh, is there anything I can help with?" I asked. "The shroud or-"
She blinked quickly and shook her head. "No, you should get something to eat, we have snacks out because of how much everyone is doing. And you- you have Leilani to look after, and you're still- well- Tyson-"
I closed my eyes at the mention of Tyson, an ache in my chest.
"Mitchell was a good friend," I said after a moment. "I want to do something. Leilani isn't alone right now so-"
Silena softened, "Well, you are our nephew…"
I rolled my eyes but smiled at the faint smile she held.
"The shroud is being made already," she said after a moment. "All three of the bodies- they've been treated and prepared for cremation we just- we just have to pay our respects still. Most of the campers are doing that, or being treated, or helping with normal chores around the camp. We're making some cakes to place at their grave marker."
"Where is their grave marker?" I asked. "Has it been set?"
She shook her head. "No, that's being made too. It- Minos and Dionysus have been discussing what to do for it. They think maybe it should be placed at the beach, or well not at the beach but on the hill, to the right of the path."
"The one a bit to the left of where Leilani was placed?"
She nodded. "As a memorial for the battle, and for them. They haven't fully decided yet though. So, the grave marker isn't made yet."
I nodded. I didn't know the traditions for the dead here. I'd never been to a funeral, though Euphemia had taught me some of the undersea traditions.
"So, I should go pay my respects? Then uh…"
"Maybe go see if Minos or Mr. D has anything else for you to do," she offered.
"Is Tantalus not in charge?"
"Oh!" she grinned then. "Tantalus has been returned to the Underworld. He hid during the battle instead of doing anything to help guide us, and Zeus wasn't very pleased. This was supposed to be him proving he'd improved and no longer needed to be punished but he failed. So he's back to punishment."
I grinned, "So he's gone?"
She nodded, "For good!"
"Yes," I whispered. "Wait, who's the activity director then?"
"Right now, Minos and Mr. D are sharing the job. Argus is being called back to be in charge of security again and Minos will take over activity director."
"Khiron isn't coming back?"
"Nope," she said, wincing. "I don't know the details, he might be under review? Might come back later. I doubt Minos can stay for too long, he is a judge of the dead and the dead aren't allowed to stay amongst the living for long. This is a really unusual situation."
I nodded, musing over that.
"Well, we'd best get going. I still- I still need to go join the talk for the memorial. You'll probably need to join that meeting later too."
I stood with her and headed to the door, thanking her for her help.
Lot's to do still, it seemed.
OO OO OO OO
The infirmary was busy when I arrived. It wasn't a surprise, there were a lot of people injured… and of course those visiting the dead.
It seemed to be clearing out a bit though, several leaving as I arrived. I nodded and mumbled greetings to those who greeted me. One of the Apollo campers pointed me towards another doorway before going back to wrapping someone's ankle.
I pushed the door open, letting it fall shut behind me as I entered, and paused at seeing someone else sitting in a chair by the bodies.
Each was laid on a bed, cloth covering most of their bodies. I could smell oils, and noticed candles lit around the room. There was an altar in the corner of the room, with a few statues placed at it.
I stepped forward to where there were chairs surrounding the beds, and paused at the one next to Mitchell.
"Hey," whispered a voice.
I turned and realized that it was Annabeth sitting by the body.
"Hey," I murmured. "You okay?"
Her eyes were a bit red, but it didn't seem like she'd been crying. There was a pad of drawing paper in her lap and she was holding a pencil.
"Yeah… I just- paying my respects."
I nodded, "Yeah, same. I didn't know this was a uh… a custom. I've never been to a funeral."
Annabeth hummed, leaning back in her chair, her veil hanging loosely.
"Yeah, this is called prothesis, it's one of the three parts of the funeral arrangements. It uh- the bodies have been washed and anointed with oil. And right now is where we mourn them and honor them."
She drew one of her legs up, nearly sending her drawing pad to the floor as she hugged her knee to her chest. I reached down to steady it for her, blinking at the drawing on it.
"The next part is the funeral procession, it's called ekphora. That's where their bodies are brought to be burned."
"What's this drawing?" I asked, then flushed as I realized I'd interrupted her. "Sorry, you can continue. I don't actually know anything about the funeral procedures…"
She shook her head, "It's fine, we can discuss them another time. The funeral will be occurring before dawn tomorrow, so you might want to go to bed early."
I figured I could manage that.
"Right, got it. The drawing then?"
Her fingers ghosted over mine as she took the pad back.
"I'm one of the people designing the memorial," she said. "Several people will be making a version or two, and then the cabin heads and the members of the Aphrodite and Hermes cabins will vote on which one to use, or to combine them or something."
"Oh, the memorial?"
"Their gravestone," she said softly. "And also… a reminder of the battle we fought. Mr. D decreed one should be made. Apparently normally they'd be added to the gravesites in the forest, but because this one was a battle he decided a separate memorial should be made."
I blinked, "There's a gravesite in the forest?"
"Hmm, yeah… it's- you know the path you take to get to the fruit tree grove?"
I nodded.
"You take the branch off about halfway there and pass the balanced rocks. It's kept separate to minimize the effect of the lyma from the dead. Their ashes will be offered to their families, and if they don't wish to handle them themselves, they'll be placed in the gravesites there. A separate marker will be made regardless, it's where all who died in the camp boarders or during a camp quest are honored."
"That makes sense," I said. "Does that happen often?"
Annabeth shrugged, "Quests used to happen once every year or two, it's been several years since the last quest though. They usually weren't big things, just stuff to allow one that wanted to to earn themselves some fame."
"The last one was Luke's, right?"
"Right." She said, a scowl crossing her face. "His quest was the last one. The members on it- he was the only one that made it back. The Gods brought their bodies to the camp to allow us to do the funeral arrangements."
That was kind of the Gods, to ensure the bodies returned so they could be given their rites.
"But that wasn't a battle, so… we just did the normal funeral stuff, and made a headstone. We didn't do a memorial."
"Will it just be stone?" I asked, noticing the notes she had on materials. "Like the marble in the museums?"
"Oh no," she said with a small giggle. "Most of the pieces in the museums were once brightly painted. So, we'll be painting the piece when it's done. It'll be bright, and beautiful. They deserve it, to be remembered."
I nodded, settling at last in the chair next to her.
I wasn't sure what to say to them, what to do to honor them. Melissa had saved Leilani's life, and I was guiltily grateful for it. She'd died, but she'd saved Leilani.
I didn't know how the other two died, but I didn't want to ask. Annabeth looked pained enough.
"How are you doing?" I asked instead.
She blinked, her pencil pressed against her drawing pad.
"I don't know," she said at last. "My mom spoke to me last night, She spoke to all of her kids. I don't know if any other Gods spoke to Their kids but… She spoke to us. Said She was proud of our handling of the attack."
"That's good," I offered.
She nodded, "I dunno, I could feel Her presence with us as we fought. She's the Goddess of defending towns, you know? And this is basically a town, so it really fell under Her rule here. It was nice, but- I wish that we hadn't needed it."
"I do too," I said softly, remembering Leilani's tears.
Annabeth sighed, "I hope this was the last thing of the summer."
"Gods," I muttered. "Same. If there's one more thing I might just jump off the climbing wall."
She giggled, "You'll get caught by the wind spirits."
"Alas, there is no escape."
She shook her head as I draped dramatically against her shoulder.
"Dork," she muttered.
I stuck my tongue out.
"We should probably leave," she said. "So that others can pay their respects."
I nodded, standing with her. I stopped at Melissa's bed, as Annabeth left.
"Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you for saving Leilani. I hope you get Elysium."
I paused once more by Mitchell's bed, resisting the urge to reach out. "I hope your passage is smooth, and that you earn Elysium too."
I murmured another wish for Elysium over the camper whose name I didn't know, then turned and followed Annabeth out.
We still had a funeral to prepare for after all, and meetings to attend. And I was pretty sure that offerings and thanks still had to be given to the Gods that aided us in the battle, particularly the Gods who allowed the Wa'tepo-re to arrive. There wasn't any time to waste.
OO OO OO OO
Poseidon POV: Right after the battle
I watched the ships that were fleeing the camp, carefully noting the way they interacted with the water and the sea breeze. Even if Eurybia hid them from my sight once more, I would be able to track their effect on the waves.
"Well, that went well," Okeanus mused beside me.
I hummed in agreement.
The arrangement of the Wa'tepov-re had been complex, and last minute. We'd had to open several paths for them and ensured that their presence didn't interfere with the local sea life. Not to mention ensure that it wasn't direct interference.
There was only so much Zeus could turn a blind eye to. He was giving a pass today, in part thanks to the prayers Perseus had offered. Technically our actions were responding to a prayer, and though it is more open interference than would normally be permitted, Zeus also didn't want the camp to fall.
None wanted to see all of the children fall at once.
No doubt the interfering with mortal lives would come up in an emergency meeting that I had no doubt was being arranged now. We had interfered far more than we normally would. And Ares had kept his eye on his daughter throughout the quest so saw the guards Triton had sent.
Zeus had already made it clear that would need to be discussed.
He was right, Triton was doing too much. But Perseus was not like the rest of my children, even the ancient ones. Okeanus had made sure of that by making me announce him as a prince of Atlantis.
"The Wa'tepov-re will be returning to the trenches?" I asked.
Okeanus nodded, "As soon as the ships are completely out of reach and clearly won't be returning."
"Good," I muttered. "We will have to make plans for the war that is coming."
"Several sea Gods have sided with Kronos," Okeanus said. "There will be great conflict."
And yet, Okeanus had sided with the Gods. I wondered at that.
He'd never picked a side in a conflict before, and yet this time he had. I had no doubt Kronos had appealed to him, so why had he sided with us?
Something told me it had to do with Percy, but I dared not bring it up.
"We can handle it," I responded. "An emergency meeting is no doubt being arranged right now."
"You have my reports on the oceans movements," Okeanus said.
"And the ones that we have been making as well."
"Then I wish you luck in the meeting to come."
I snorted, watching the ships completely leave the reach of the shore even as Perseus went out to speak to the Wa'tepov-re. He was doing so well, I couldn't help but swell with pride.
I longed to speak with him, to congratulate him personally, but there was so much to do right now.
And Triton had acted enough for the both of us at the moment. It would be best for me to hold back, at least until the other Gods stopped bristling over Triton's interference.
My gaze skimmed the camp itself, lingering on the daughter of Athena my son had befriended. She was watching the water, ignoring the discussion going on around her.
That girl… she was the one who fled with Zeus' daughter after they harmed one of my Kyklopes children, Cyprian. She was skilled, a true merit to Athena's name, truly embodied all of Athena's clever nature. And like all of Athena's children, she resembled Pallas to a painful extent.
Athena's memorial to her love. Athena's apology to the one she murdered.
It was never enough. It would never be enough.
But she was Perseus' beloved friend, I would not harm her nor act against her.
But I would watch.
OO OO OO OO
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to leave a review, they feed my soul.
What did you think of the Sea Serpents? What about Leilani's grief? Or the funeral processes?
You'll get to see a bit of funeral next chapter, along with the camp generally recovering. And of course the grand ending to the book. The chapter after is a very important bonus scene, and then two fun ones along with info on what's been decided for the Kane Chronicles.
Mitchell is a canon character, a son of Aphrodite. Melissa and Sofia are OC's I made. Sofia is a daughter of Hermes, she's from Russia. Melissa is from the USA and is a daughter of Aristaeus, the Greek God of Beekeeping. She was unclaimed.
Halmaheran
Wa'tepov-re=Greater Sea Serpents
Wa'tepov=Sea Serpents
Optea=Serpent
Atula= Hello
Suffixes
re=Greater (this term is not quite greater, but gives a higher rank to the term used. In the case of the Sea Serpents it is denoting them as Greater Sea Serpents, in the case of the Kings it is denoting them as the High Kings, in the case of the Prince it is denoting one as the Crown Prince or High Prince ie. next in line)
re'ari=High (Past/deep/previous) King
re'ore=High King
Terminology
Abyssal and Hadal Zones=the two deepest zones of the ocean, the Hadal is the deepest and the Abyssal the second deepest.
Eurybia=The Titan Goddess of the Mastery of the Sea. She does not control the sea specifically, but holds authority over outside influences on the sea, such as the wind or the stars and moon's effect on the waves and tide.
Two C (2C) hair=a type of hair curl, it is technically wavy hair, and just on the verge of classifying as curly. Percy's mom has 3B hair, curly.
Percy's hair is a mix of several things, and thus requires a bit of specialized care to be taken care of right, he learned this thanks to Kirke's commentary and will be taking some steps to actually care for his hair right.
Prothesis=the laying out of the body, the first part of the funeral process when the people give their respects to the dead. Traditionally the body would be laid out in the home, but that would be traumatizing for the campers in their cabins, so the camp has a special place kept separate in the infirmary for it. The space will be cleansed fully after the bodies are removed.
Ekphora=the funeral procession, where the body is transported to the pyre or the gravesite to be burned or buried. It begins shortly before dawn traditionally.
The internment or cremation of the remains=the process in which the body is buried or burned. This would be done around Dawn.
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