Neptune had to restrain his jealousy.
It was a tough battle. He has lots to be jealous towards his Greek half… and Greek in general.
Like for all they both worshipped as God of Sea, Neptune usually prayed to sunk ships in times of war, or to let ship pass safely in trades. Poseidon has hymn for the water, fish, to quell earthquake, and thanks for the horse. Poseidon has a City State under his name and several temples in various states, while Neptune only had one Temple.
As for navy, Neptune is painfully aware of the Camp Jupiter's Navy… or rather, lack thereof.
Hence, he had to calm himself when he follows Perseus in the Undead Navy Ship.
But by the creator, it's hard.
Because this ship? It may had sunk long time ago, but now it was in good condition. Maybe bit overheat in piston, but still good to sail.
Of course Mars would have something like this lying around somewhere until he feels the need to use it, or loan it to his child. Of course he won't have to ask for Neptune's or Pluto's permission because "since they died in war they fell under my domain" thing, completely disregard that Neptune (or Poseidon, if you were being Greek) is the one you should pray to for safety on the sea. Of course he won't mention this tidbit to them despite that their domain intersect! Of course, why would he? Mars Gradivus is all you need to pray to, ignoring other gods that you could care less about!
It was not like Neptune is of any importance!
Neptune huffed and rein in his anger.
He is not sure how much he can do in this state, but he rather not jeopardizes Perseus' journey.
"Too much strain on the pistons. Not meant for deep water."
Yes. You are correct, little Tyson. The Piston is overworked as it was. No need to make things worse.
But, of course, things always get worse when people want them the least.
The fog parted and reveal a huge mass of rock rose out of the sea. An island with cliffs at least thirty meters tall. About half a mile south of that, the other patch of darkness was a storm brewing. The sky and sea boiled together in a roaring mass.
"Oh." Neptune breathes. "Charybdis."
Sure enough, Perseus pales.
"Chari-Charybdis?!" He squeaked. "You – you drove us here?!"
"Don't you know anything?" Questioned Mars' daughter. "If you want to get into the Sea of Monsters, you have to sail through them! Sailing around hem just make them appears in your path, again!"
Neptune did not have to be mind reader to know Percy is seriously considering his survival chance by pleading and sweet-talking his sister.
It was not high, by the way.
"…so we are heading to Charybdis." Perseus stated. "Why not go to Scylla and everyone hid under the deck?"
"If Scylla doesn't get her easy meat, she might pick up the whole ship." So? Sacrifice some. One or two. The crew are undead. Being eaten by Scylla won't hurt them. "Besides, she's too high to make a good target. My cannon can't shoot straight up. Charybdis just sits there at the center of her whirlpool. We're going to steam straight towards her, train our guns on her, and blow her to Tartarus!"
Not going to happen.
Charybdis is scarily good at task she's been entrusted with. Once she decide something, she will do her best at it.
Chase tapped Perseus' shoulder. "Can you control the water? You're Poseidon's son. You've done it before."
Perseus shook his head. Negative answer. "Think – Think if I pray to her hard enough, she will let us go away? I mean. Someone told me she is my half-sister—don't ask how. A-anyway, maybe since we are kin, she's going to play nice?"
Maybe.
If someone remember to ask the Lord of the Sea for safe pass through Sea of Monster passage and offering sacrifices. Neptune remember from Poseidon's memories that she is loyal to her father.
But of course no one remember. Perseus is not exactly taught how to honor gods the proper way, and of course the God who can save them is being overlooked.
Neptune won't be surprised any Roman who think they can go to Sea of Monster never return. Even if they choose The Rocks.
Also. Charybdis now hold grudges.
Blame Jupiter.
"Full reverse! Get us within firing range! Make ready starboard cannons!"
"…assuming Clarisse didn't piss her off."
And that, too.
The undead zombie (who was on fire—literally has his beard set on fire), reported, "Boiler room overheating, ma'am! She's going to blow!"
The Little Tyson offers to hold them together. Neptune feels proud of the Cyclops. Truly wonderful creature they are… if they are aligned with him or his other half and not the wild monster at far north.
When the ship was sucked into the whirlpool, Neptune stood at the frontmost of the deck and winces.
Charybdis had once been beautiful, majestic, and dangerous. She has power on her fingertips. But Jupiter happened and… and now she's reduced to this.
"Fire!"
And… congrats, Mars' daughter, you just anger Charybdis.
If you all die, Neptune will make sure your corpse gets the worst treatment.
The ship shuddered as the machine feels like it was hold together by a tape. Not a long term solution but it will do for now. The ship must get away otherwise they're at risk of being sucked in.
Suddenly the mouth snapped shut.
Neptune grimaced and move to hold Perseus' hand (even if the boy cannot feel it). Here come the worst.
Charybdis exhale and throw everything she did not digest. Include water and cannonball that hurl back at them. The cannonball slams against the ship and the water cause giant waves—fifteen meters at the least—and it takes all of Perseus' control to ensure that the Ship did not capsize. Neptune looked back and saw that they were hurtling closer to the cliff.
Neptune think of his statues as Sea God. Of power he has. And he willed another wave to rise and intercepts the ship before they get too close to the cliffside.
"Whoa!"
Get your footings in order, Perseus!
Another smoldering sailor bursting up to the hold, bearing grim news. "The engine is about to blow!"
Crappy ship!
And as if Fates can't get enough of their misery (or Ate. Or Miseria-or maybe it was Akhylis? Or, or someone angers Fortuna. Again), Scylla had to wake up and snatch the crew. Chase had to order everyone to get the Lifeboats ready.
They aren't made to sail the sea, and who knows how fast the Sea of Monster now is. But better try that than staying on burning, ready to explode ship! Fuck. Someone get the baby Cyclops here—
Suddenly Neptune was holding empty air.
His feature depicts horror when he looks up and saw Perseus was lifted by the Scylla.
He cannot spare even a single second of pride at how Perseus manage to jab Scylla in the eye without even trying too much. The ship explodes.
Cursing the fates, Neptune channel whatever meagre control he had over the sea as he was thrown under the sea. Barking order at Charybdis to lessen her hold so he can save her stubborn half-brothers though he didn't have hope she can hear him.
He saw a giant colorful Hippocampus hovering nervously. That was Little Tyson's ride. Good. He nudges the current to make the Hippocampus look at where Tyson is pushed downstream, flailing around while sinking-but-not sinking.
When he broke into the surface, he feels the winds being released, and let out another string of curses as he had to chase Perseus across the Ocean—to the Sea of Monster instead Atlantic Ocean he came from. He winces when Perseus hit the cliff in the head before failing down.
Neptune barely manages to usher the sea to create waves to break Perseus' fall and caught him. What little control he has (because Sea of Monster did not belong to anyone) was to ensure Perseus float above the water as the nearest lifeboat drifts close.
Once Perseus was out of water, unconscious and concussed, Neptune sighed as he sat on the lifeboat.
"You're giving me anxiety and panic attacks, Perseus."
Because he knows.
The worst had yet to come.
