Poseidon did a double take when he saw who Percy sat with.

The two kids next to him… aren't they Hades'? And not the I-broke-the-Oath-oops kind either. The last time Poseidon had heard whereabouts of this particular pair, was when Hades cursed Zeus and the Oracle. During the early stages of World War II.

It happens in riverside Hotel, so the fish spread the gossip and it reaches the sea, where it circulates for almost fifty years.

That and Hades give Zeus the Evil Eye until the change of the millennium.

If the kids survive the murder attempt, then why they are here? As Students? And virtually younger than Percy? Aren't they supposed to be, dunno, 80 years old?

Salacia did visit Lotus Eater Lair.

Ah.

That explains it.

Maybe Hades thinks that there are two potential candidates of Child of Prophecy, Percy and Thalia (who was freed from being a Pine Tree), who was older (physically, biologically) than them, it means these two are the last in line of being Candidate of the Prophecy. Which, is safe for them to go out and acclimate with the world at large.

It was just a weird coincidence that they were put into the same school as Percy went to.

We need to talk with our older brother

Yup. They definitely do.

At the next Winter Solstice.

"I win again!" Cheered the Son of Hades.

Percy sticks his tongue at him. "I definitely gonna win the next round!"

…are they playing Mythomagic? And Percy has a full set of the Sea Fam?

How did you know about this game? Neptune wondered.

Long story short, Kym goes crazy over this since it was one of the VERY rare stuff that actually has her as a character instead of a mere footnote. Also, Rhode hoards Helios-related stuff like a dragon.

Ah. Does it cover Greek stuff only or does it also have Roman?

It has Roman Edition.

Poseidon watches as a group of girls approach the table, and asks Percy for dance. He had to reject them, which make the girl huff (some looked like might cry in heartbreak) before moving on to the next "acceptable-looking boy" like a bunch of starved piranhas.

It amuses him that Percy starts growing up to be a heartbreaker. Not that he knows it, by his clueless and helpless look whenever a girl asks him out.

"You should have gone to the dance." The daughter of Hades told him. "Nobody asks you to stay with us."

"But I want to! I like you guys and these girls remind me of Piranhas! They're scary!" Percy whines, which makes her smile.

"Why Piranhas?" Her brother asks.

Percy launches an explanation, while his eyes darted around. Poseidon think it was because he was watching out for the next schools of Piranhas but…

But Poseidon watch how Percy tensed when his eyes land on somewhere. Following that line of sight…

…Manticore.

Manticore indeed.

At this point, Poseidon is not surprised anymore. Percy has a lousy track record of going through schools without monsters being involved. Add Children of Hades in close proximity, and you have three demigods who smell like Five Star Banquet to any monsters with working noses.

"Hey, guys." Percy's smile is strained. "Continue the game at my dorm? Less chance someone disturbs the game."

"Okie!"

How did Hades produce such a sunny child? Must be taking after the mother.

Percy led the children out of the Gym Hall. His movement is practiced at ease, but he keeps glancing behind to see who was tailing him—namely, the Manticore. He blanched then grab the children and broke into a run.

"Percy?!"

"Don't look back!"

They run past the halls and into the open wood. Into the clearing that facing the sea—main reason why Poseidon chose this school, the sea will help.

STAB!

"Gah!" Poseidon's heart leap to his throat with a scream when something stabbed Percy in the shoulder before retreated. Like Ninja. Poison oozes out from the wound and Percy almost collapses from pain.

"Percy?! What the—?"

The worst part? The worst part was the attack did not aim at Percy. It aims at the girl, and Percy pulls her. Switching places.

"Ah. How kind of you for making my job easier, Perseus Jackson." The manticore crooned in French Accent. "Especially after being so much a pain for the whole semester."

Percy called him derogatory names.

Where did he learn those? Did Arion pay a visit when Poseidon is not looking or what?

The manticore attack again at the insults, but Percy meets the next attack with the flat side of Anaklusmos (and that was skill only achievable with long and lots of practice—Percy is only 13, and he hasn't had lots of years of training under his metaphorical belt. That leaves—by the Fates, how many monster attacks he had to go through and intercept for the past six months?!). His movement is sharp, but the poison makes him sluggish.

Percy scream in pain when a spike stabbed him in the thighs. Sending him crashing down.

Shit shit shit shit shit. Poseidon should do something. Maybe the current? Making waves? But that risking Hades' children's safety and Poseidon is not going to pull Zeus! Especially when they give no reason for him to be angry at them!

"You've been giving us a lot of problems. I'd like to kill you for the troubles." The Manticore half growled. "Unfortunately, you are wanted alive, if possible. All three of you."

"Child kidnappers." Hades' son murmured from where he kneeling next to Percy. "Perce, I'm scared."

Percy cradled him close and pulled Bianca to be behind him, as if shielding them with his body. "Ssshh, I know Nico." He whispered. "I'll keep you safe. Both of you and Bianca. I promise I won't let him touch any of you."

Poseidon felt his heart clench. At how Percy binds himself and the siblings with the oath, even if it was not by Styx's name.

And at how this reminds him of something. To an event take place far back in the past. When he and his siblings are only a few centuries old. Back before they were established as Olympians.

("Ssshh. It's alright brother. I got you. I won't let them harm you.")

It was almost like reenacting the past.

(Except back then it was Hades who comfort him and whisper reassurance)

"Aww." Mocked the Manticore. "Do not worry, little brats. You will be meeting my employer soon enough. Then you will have a brand-new family. Together."

If Poseidon seethes at the audacity of someone replacing him as Percy's family, then Neptune damn near takes over so he can drag the Manticore to the deepest trench and unleash his full wrath.

They are possessive bastards and proud of it.

Percy whispers more reassurance to the siblings, before turning to the Manticore. Correctly deducts whom it was working for, before somehow tricking it into giving away information. The Great Stirring, They already know. Scouting teams reporting of older monsters start showing up. But the General…

Did someone free Atlas?! When?!

Then as if things cannot get any weirder, a hunting horn was blown and an arrow stuck at the Manticore's shoulder.

Not just any arrow. Silver Arrow.

Artemis.

Praise Diana.

The Manticore swore and shed its human skin, directing an attack to the woods, which shoot dozens upon dozens of silver arrows in response. Young girls in silver show up and advance. The Lieutenant asks in cold detachment, "Permission to kill, my lady?"

She better talks about the Manticore.

The monster wailed. "This is not fair! Direct Interference! It is against the Ancient Laws."

Yeah. Here's the thing. The Sea doesn't care about Ancient Laws when it comes to Percy's safety. Poseidon and Neptune are more likely to flip the bird at the laws and find loopholes, whenever they could.

After all. They already broke it with the vision and sometimes interference. Might as well go the whole way.

"Not so," Artemis replied. "The hunting of all wild beasts is within my sphere. And you, foul creature, are a wild beast." She looked at her Lieutenant. "Zoë, permission granted."

The manticore growled. "If I cannot have these alive, I shall have them dead!" He makes a mad lunge at Percy.

There's a tug in the air, as Percy's watch becomes a shield—isn't that Tyson's first creation?—and the wind picked up, creating another layer of defense.

What did Neptune say to him back then? Percy inherits more than what his children usually inherit.

The Hunters let their arrows fly. The first caught the manticore in the neck. Another hit his chest. The manticore staggered backward, wailing, "This is not the end, Huntress! You shall pay!"

And before anyone could react, the monster leaped over the cliff and tumbled into the darkness.

Poseidon yelps in panic as Percy finally collapses—out of adrenaline and due to the poison in his system.

That is.

He's installing a pond in the Cabin. And giving Percy something so he can carry salt water around. In large quantity.