I always want people to give constructive criticism to my work but please for the love of God if you do give criticism, make sure that it is spelt correctly, makes sense, and is actually correct. ~IIAPOLLYII~
"Although monsters do come from the Earth beneath us, we know better now. We know that monsters also come from the heavens above."
A day has already passed since Percy had met with the group to discuss leaving Camp Half-Blood. All seemed well throughout the camp which was a good sign that the others haven't spread word about what they had talked about the other night. He still went through the basic routines like any other normal day. Swordsmanship training, helping the younger campers with various tasks and going to different classes such as learning Latin. He had decided to take that class because he was almost fluent in the language thanks to his time at Camp Jupiter. Despite all these things that would surely take up his attention, his mind was elsewhere at the moment. There was still much to be done before leaving camp for good. He still needed to talk to his father and get the help he had offered. He needed to gather supplies for the road ahead and most importantly he still needed to talk to Annabeth and convince her to leave with him. A day had already passed and it wouldn't be long until they departed. That meant he didn't have much time left to talk to Annabeth and that was his fault. To be Frank, he was nervous to talk to her about it, afraid of how she might respond.
Deciding that talking to Annabeth would be the last thing on his list to take care of, Percy excused himself from the training arena before making his way towards the beach. Along the way various younger and older campers greeted him as he trekked through the camp. Percy smiled in return but didn't stop to converse. He needed all the time he had left if this plan of his were to be set in motion. Drowning in his thoughts, the son of Poseidon failed to hear his name be called out multiple times by a woman. Still making his way towards the beach the woman decided to tackle the back of Percy which shook him out of his trance. Sadly however, tackling Percy Jackson wasn't the best of choices as it felt like running into a celestial bronze wall.
"Godsdamnit, Percy!. I thought you didn't have the curse of Achillies anymore." Percy heard the woman groan from the ground beneath him. Turning around he was faced with the embarrassed face of the daughter of Demeter, Katie Gardner. He laughed before helping the girl back up from the ground. Patting the dirt off her shoulder, he greeted her.
"What's up, Katie? It isn't like you to randomly try to tackle somebody."
"I called out your name multiple times, Perce. Go clean out your ears if you can't hear someone yelling your name three feet away from you." Katie replied with an annoyed sigh.
"I'll keep that in mind. So what do you need? I'm kinda in a rush." Percy replied as he gestured for her to walk with him down towards the beach. He noticed the girl subtly look around for any possible eavesdroppers. Satisfied that there weren't any she leaned in closer to him.
"Is it true what Travis told me last night?" She whispered, her eyes wide with apprehension. Percy subtly nodded, answering her question without breaking stride. Katie gave a big sigh as she shook her head, amazed at the audacity of the son of Poseidon. She couldn't believe it when Travis came to her last night and explained all what Percy had told him during their meeting. At first she was mad and who in their right mind wouldn't be? Leaving the safety of camp, going out into the real world where who knows how many monsters and other evil beings await them and betraying the Gods, basically becoming traitors. Only a fool would do such a thing. But as Travis kept telling her more and more about Percy's plan about how he had an Olympian helping him escape, how they could escape being pawns and do whatever they wanted to do without having to die for ungrateful Gods, she slowly started to become excited at the prospect of leaving camp.
During her time here, she had seen so many of her brothers, sisters and friends die especially in the past two wars. Her cabin was almost empty at this point with only a couple members left. She hated to see the depressed looks campers would wear on their faces when they were called up for a quest or to serve on the frontlines in the wars. She absolutely hated it and always wondered why they would give their lives to such ungrateful beings. During the last war with the Giants and Gaea, Katie slowly began to realize what Luke had felt like when he was still alive. She realized just how right the late son of Hermes actually was but she never voiced those dangerous thoughts of hers to anyone, not even Travis. But when he started talking about how there were others who shared the same sentiments towards the Gods as her, she felt connected in a way. She didn't feel alone anymore. She was actually happy that she could voice her opinions to someone without the risk of being labeled a traitor. And so after an hour of talking with Travis late through the night, she had finally agreed to his demand. She agreed to come with them to Alaska and escape the Gods and try to live a peaceful life where she could do all the things she wanted to do.
"Then I'm coming along too." She said with determination seeping through her voice, causing Percy to give her a big smile in return.
"That's great! I'm glad you are, we'll definitely need you and your skills when it comes to growing food and such." The son of Poseidon said as they arrived at the sandy shores of the beach. The two demigods looked out towards the ocean, enjoying the gentle breeze that caressed their faces. It seemed that things were shaping up and it wouldn't be too long now where they could finally have true freedom in their hands.
"When do we leave?" Katie asked as she sunk her toes into the water, enjoying the cool sensation.
"Tomorrow at midnight." Percy replied as he began to walk into the water. "But I still have a lot to do before that time so just keep low, pack your things and wait, ok?" Katie nodded her head and gave the black haired demigod a smile.
"Thanks for doing this, Percy. It feels nice to know that there's someone that still tries to give demigods a better life." She meant that. Katie in all her time serving Olympus had never seen such a selfless figure as Percy Jackson. He cared for all demigods greatly and despite being offered Godhood, decided to use his wish for their well-being instead. That choice to be selfless, even in the face of glory and fame, made her respect him even more than the Gods and was the reason why she could follow him into the unknown without any doubts. Percy gave the daughter of Demeter a salute before diving beneath the waves disappearing as if he himself was water.
The son of the Sea raced under the surface, enjoying the cool sensation of the water as it flew past him. When he was in the ocean he felt truly at ease and in control. The water and the ocean life obeyed his every will without question. It was one of the only things that truly relaxed him. Conversing with some fish and whales that swam past him before finally seeing Atlantis come into view, Percy immediately made his way towards the palace.
"My prince." The mermen bowed as they opened the gates to the son of the king. Percy would never get tired of this place no matter how many times he went. It could truly rival Olympus in terms of beauty. Tipping his head at the guards, Percy trekked his way towards the throne room where hopefully his father awaited. Taking his time walking through the corridors and enjoying the art on the walls, the demigod noticed a dark shadow blur past a pillar. The hairs on the back of his neck straightened, alerting his divine senses that danger was near. Pulling out riptide just in time to stop a trident from piercing his back, Percy smirked at the frustrated face of his half-brother Triton.
"It seems you have gotten better since the last time we fought, brother." His brother announced as he pulled back from his attack.
"You can thank Tartarus for that." Percy shrugged as he capped riptide before continuing his walk towards the throne room. The two brothers were silent as they walked with each other, trying to subtly size one another up. It seemed Percy had grown even more powerful since their last meeting which really pissed off the elder, immortal son of Poseidon. Never in all his years had he seen such a demigod with power the likes Percy held. Perhaps that was the reason he was favored more by their father. Glory and fame certainly plays a role in how much you are loved by a family, especially a divine one.
"Father has been awaiting you since you last conversed at Olympus." Triton was the first to break the silence.
"Good. Did he tell you the reason as to why?" Percy asked his brother, smirking at his brother's confused face as he realized the minor God was left in the dark and clueless as to why. Percy enjoyed seeing his older brother get frustrated when it came to him and his father. It was always good to knock a God down a peg or two.
"He only said that it was of great importance and it could perhaps change Olympus for the better." Triton replied. Percy didn't know about all that. Maybe his father was just playing it up because he didn't think it could change Olympus for the better. Hell, he was trying to escape Olympus! Not help it. "Brother, what exactly are you and father planning?" Triton asked as the two finally reached the double doors that led to the throne room. Percy turned to him and gave a small smirk.
"You're about to find out." He replied before opening the doors and greeted by his father and step-mother Amphitrite sitting on top of their thrones. The two brothers walked to the center of the room before bowing at the king and queen.
"It's good to see you again, my son!" Poseidon outstretched his arms, giving Percy a smile that lit up the room.
"Father. Lady Amphitrite" He greeted. The queen of the seas stiffly nodded in his direction which was a good sign to Percy. Their relationship over the years had been less than ideal but it seemed that Amphitrite was finally starting to tolerate him. Triton, after getting up, walked over to the side of his mother's throne and waited for the conversation to begin. He truly wanted to know just what his brother had up his sleeve. Percy cleared his throat before looking up at his father.
"Triton and I talked along the way so I can assume you know why I'm here." He began. Poseidon gave him a knowing look.
"I do and I couldn't be happier that you took me up on that offer." The king of the sea responded. Already Triton's eyes were wide with apprehension. Although he was getting them to talk, they were still too vague to answer his questions. What offer? Was his father offering to let him live in Atlantis now? Or possibly making him next in line to the throne? So many questions rattled off inside his head that he couldn't help but interrupt.
"Father, if I may, what exactly did you offer Perseus?" He asked with a lace of worry.
"Yes, Husband. What did you offer? Amphitrite also asked. It seemed that Poseidon didn't tell anyone what he and his son had talked about on Olympus the other night. That was a good thing for Percy as who knows who could've heard that information and bring it to Zeus who would be none too pleased that his greatest demigod warrior and many other demigods were leaving Olympus for good.
"I offered Percy the chance to escape Olympus." Poseidon answered which made Triton even more concerned.
"Oh Gods, you're letting him live here and he's going to be the next in line for the throne, aren't you!" The minor God woefully cried out as he slumped against his mother's throne.
"Silence, son! I did not offer him that but with your display of immaturity I just might!" Poseidon responded before turning back to Percy. "Percy, I assume you want to take up my offer and help you?"
"Yes, father. I've spoken to many others who share the same sentiments as I and we all want to leave Olympus and try to make a better life for us." The black haired demigod replied. "Will you help us escape?"
"Of course. Whatever you do in life, I'll always help and support you." Posiedon said, which helped ease Percy's nerves. He knew he could've counted on his father to help him. It must've pleased Poseidon as well to help him escape because one, it would make him safer from Zeus's paranoia and two Poseidon hated to see his son be a pawn for his younger brother. This was a win-win for both father and son.
"Thank you, father. So how are we going to do this?" He asked.
"You and your friends will take a cruise ship from New York to…"
"Alaska." Percy answered, which made all three immortal's eyes widen.
"Alaska!? The land past the Gods? Why in the name of Hades would you want to escape from there?" Triton questioned in which his mother promptly smacked him across the head.
"It's in the name you dimwit! Land…past…the…Gods. That means that no immortal, even Zeus, will be able to sense them if they escape there. Not even Apollo will see them with his sun chariot from above." She said before gesturing for Poseidon to continue.
"That's a good choice, Perseus but be warned that once you're in that land there is not much I can do to help you. My influence will be severely weakened there and I'd rather not risk it." Poseidon continued. Percy nodded in understanding. That was exactly why he wanted to go to Alaska because even if the Gods were to find them there, maybe they'll stand a chance in fighting if the need arises. Hopefully that wouldn't be the case as he didn't know just how weakened the Gods would be in Alaska but it was his best bet.
"I understand."
"I'll also summon you supplies when you're on the ship but once you arrive you're on your own, my son." Percy gratefully thanked him for that. He didn't know how else he and the others would get enough supplies to help them survive out there without the money that certainly didn't have. Maybe the Stolls could have stolen the supplies but thankfully it wouldn't have to come to that yet.
"Father, do you have any artifacts that could conceal our presence while we're on the ship or one similar to what Camp Half-Blood has to ward monsters away? Percy asked, remembering that conversation he had earlier with Leo about making a new camp for demigods. He would need something similar to the barrier they had at camp if he wanted to sleep relatively peacefully -not like he got any with memories of Tartarus plaguing his mind- at night without worrying about monsters waltzing in the perimeter.
"I can conceal your presence on the ship with these." His father replied, handing him golden pearls. Percy grasped them and eyed with interest. "These pearls can hide your aura. Not even the Gods will know you're on that ship but be warned that there's limited power in them so once you're off that ship, that's it. As for a barrier similar to the one at camp I'm afraid I do not."
Although Percy had hoped that he could get something like that from Atlantis, he supposed that was a little far fetched. It seemed too good to be true to get everything handed to him from his father but still he was grateful that Poseidon was aiding him this much. All that he was providing was certainly enough to get them to Alaska without too much worry. You still had to take into account monsters, the risk of a God spotting you and just plain shitty demigod luck but this "quest" so to be speak should certainly be a little more laxed considering a God was helping.
"If I may son, why exactly do you want a barrier artifact?" Poseidon asked with confusion.
"Well considering that I and the others that are coming are demigods and our scent is strong, we can't just simply live in some city or town. We would be attacked easily and once that happens we would have to deal with mortals spotting us and getting in our way. So in order to avoid that I want to make a camp similar to Camp Half-Blood where both Greek and Roman demigods can live without worrying about the Gods and being their pawn." Percy replied, noticing the peculiar looks from the three immortals in front of him.
"Son, if you are able to do that then that would be a tale told for many ages." Poseidon said with a hint of awe in his tone.
"And why is that?" He asked. To tell the truth, Percy really didn't know if he could pull something like that off but it was worth a shot. He desperately wanted his friends to live a good, long life for the remainder of their days and making a camp could bring that opportunity to reality. Amphitrite was the next to speak.
"Jackson, you are aware that you've already set your legend to be written in the history books, correct?" She asked in which the demigod nodded his head. Not to be cocky but he knew just how much he has accomplished in such a short amount of time compared to the demigods of old. Hell, he's even done some of the things that made the legends…well, legends! "Perseus, if you were to actually accomplish making a camp for both Greeks and Romans then it would be something that no demigod has ever done before. To escape the eyes and reign of the Gods is something in itself but to steal the very thing that the Gods desperately need right out from under their noses is entirely different." The Goddess said, referring to the demigods. The Gods would always need a number of demigods for many things such as doing their dirty work and worshiping in order to retain their power. What Percy was doing with taking the demigods away from the Gods was worse than stealing Zeus's lightning bolt.
"My lady, although that sounds like a good story to tell, I just want my friends to be able to live past twenty. I don't care for the fame or glory that might come along with this." Percy shrugged his shoulders.
"You might not care but the Olympians certainly will." She said, pointing a finger at her husband. So be warned that once you do this, there's no going back. You'll be labeled a traitor and hunted for the remainder of your days."
"But rest assured that you'll always have Atlantis to have your back." Poseidon interjected, slightly glaring at his wife. Percy nodded in understanding towards the both of them. It seemed this meeting was finally coming to a close and he couldn't have been happier. Everything went well and he got most of everything he needed. It seemed that he would have to make a stop on Olympus to see Hecate and cash in a favor but that was ok. He would do anything to accomplish this goal he set out for himself. So with the meeting concluded Percy thanked them for everything and promised his half-brother another spar sometime before requesting his father to flash him to a pit stop before traveling to Olympus.
Reappearing from the depths of the oceans to the alleys of New York, the son of Poseidon immediately began to make his way to the place he called home for the past eighteen years of his life. He was anxious to see his mother and even more to tell her what he was planning to do but he needed to do this. It wasn't fair for her to not know where her son was and make her suffer like she did when he was taken by Hera last year. Walking up the stairs with each step getting heavier and heavier, he had finally arrived in front of the apartment door.
"Just get it done." He said to himself before lifting a slightly shaky hand and knocking on the door. Some legendary demigod he was. He could take on monsters, Gods and Titans alike but not have the guts to confront his own mother. Waiting a few seconds in apprehensive silence, he could finally hear the door knob being turned before being greeted by a middle aged yet still beautiful, Sally Jackson. The two stared at another, one in shock the other too nervous to even speak.
"Percy!" His mother was the first to break as she flung herself at him, wrapping him in a hug that almost cracked his ribs.
"Hi, mom." Percy wheezed, hugging her back.
"Who's at the door, Sally?" He could hear Paul's voice come from the doorway. The older man came into view before a smile erupted on his face. "Percy! How's it going, kid?" He called out, giving the demigod a handshake after he was released from his mother's iron grip. The family exchanged more pleasantries as they made their way inside the apartment. As Percy walked he couldn't help but notice that the two were preparing the apartment for an upcoming child. His mother's pregnancy bump had gotten even larger than the last time he had seen her and he couldn't have been happier.
"She's due next month." Sally said, noticing Percy eyeing her stomach. Percy smiled happily as he sat down on the couch. Closing his eyes and just relaxing on the soft pillows for a moment, he couldn't have been more satisfied than he was now. Just something about being here in this small apartment with his mother relaxed him more than anything else. "So Percy, I take it you aren't just here to pay your dear old mother a visit." Sally interrupted his peace, bringing him back to the real world.
"How'd you know?" He sheepishly asked, rubbing his neck.
"Call it a mother's intuition." She replied with a small smirk. Percy tiredly rubbed his face as he tried to gather the strength to tell his mother he was leaving for perhaps a long time. To tell her that he would be going somewhere far away without a chance for him to visit her. It almost sickened him to tell her but it needed to be done.
"I-I don't know how else to tell you this so I'll just put it plainly." He began. The way the black haired demigod sounded and how tired he looked sent chills down Sally and Paul's spine. No kid under twenty should've ever looked the way Percy did. To have that thousand yard stare in his eyes and carry himself as if there was a demon behind every corner, waiting for the opportunity to strike. "I'm leaving." He announced. The two looked at him with confusion in their eyes. Leaving?
"What do you mean, son?" Sally asked, not caring that there was already a quiver in her voice. Paul could sense that what Percy was about to say would devastate his wife so he moved to her side to comfort her when needed.
"I can't do it any longer. Being a pawn of the Gods and doing all their dirty work without so much as a thank you. I can't see my friends being killed in the name of ungrateful Gods. Dying just for Olympus to continue to walk over their graves." Percy spat.
"Where will you go?" Paul asked, seeing that Sally was too in shock to speak.
"Alaska. The land past the Gods. It's the only place that's not in their sphere of influence. I've already got dad's help in getting me there along with some others who share the same thoughts as me." He answered.
"W-Will you be safe?" His mother asked with tears welling in her eyes. She had just gotten her son back after months of not knowing where he was or even if he was still alive and now she was losing him again. Her heart almost couldn't take it.
"As safe as a demigod can be." Percy answered truthfully. "But once we're in Alaska we should be safer considering that the Gods can't really do much to us there. That's if they can even find us."
That eased some of their worries. Although they were worried for Percy, they knew that he was a smart man. If he says going to Alaska and escaping the Gods would give them a shot of living a life worth living then they would support him, no matter how much it hurt them to watch him leave.
"I hate that your life is always filled with such things and I know how much you are hurting because of the Gods and their ways so all I can say is I support you, Percy. And if this is what you want then I'll stand by you even if we're thousands of miles apart." Sally said with resolve. Although this might be the last time she saw her son for a very long time she wanted to leave him on a good note. She wanted him to remember that the last time he spoke to his mother, she sent him off with love and pride in her eyes. That's all as a mother she could do.
"I'll do my best to Iris message you as much as I can. I want to see my baby sister too, you know." Percy cracked a smile. The family talked some more, trying to delay the inevitable. They talked about unimportant things and tried to uplift one another but as the sun was beginning to set Percy realized it was time to leave his home. He still needed to stop by Olympus to see Hecate. Sensing that her son was about to leave, Sally gave Percy one last hug, trying her best to keep the sobs at bay.
"I…I want you to know just how proud I am of you." Sally said in his arms. "You've done more than any hero in Greek mythology and deserve a break. So you go out there and find that break, that peace. You help those other demigods escape the clutches of Olympus and try to live a good life, ok?" Percy nodded his head as he released his mother. He gave Paul one last handshake and told her to take care of his mom before walking out the door. He and Sally gave one last, teary smile at another.
"I love you." She said.
"I love you too, mom." Percy replied before walking away, disappearing from her life once again. Once Sally had closed the door, the floodgates opened and fell to her knees, letting out heart breaking sobs. Percy tried his best to block out his mother's sobs as he walked down the stairs but he knew he'll never be able to forget the sound. It'll forever be etched into his mind. Some son he was.
It took an hour driving through New York City via taxi before finally arriving at the infamous Empire State Building. Paying the driver, Percy immediately hopped out the cab and made his way inside towards the desk where there was always someone on duty. Before he could even ask for the key to the 600th floor, the security guard handed it to him without even looking up from his magazine. The son of Poseidon took it without hesitation as he made his way inside the elevator. He supposed that the guard knew him by heart now considering how many times he'd been to Olympus.
Ignoring the horrendous elevator music while going up, he tried to think of the best way to convince Hecate to get him a barrier artifact. She did owe him a few favors but he knew how Gods think and wasn't convinced that she would simply give him one because of that. And how was he going to avoid the questions about why he needed something like that in the first place? He didn't know if he could trust the Goddess to keep this a secret but he didn't know how else to get it. Maybe he could convince her to swear on the Styx if she really wanted to know why.
With a ring the elevator doors opened, allowing him to walk into the streets of Olympus. Deciding it was best not to draw attention to himself and avoid any Gods seeing him, Percy immediately made his way to Hecate's palace. Hiding his face from the citizens of Olympus that passed him, the son of Poseidon quickly walked to the Goddess's palace- It was more of a witches house he should say. Hecate wasn't the grandiose type of immortal who liked to showcase all her wealth and achievements. Knocking on the door, Percy waited at the entrance while maintaining his cover.
Almost immediately the door opened revealing the pale, curly haired, beautiful Goddess.
"Get inside, quickly!" Hecate whispered before grabbing him by the shoulders and practically dragged him in.
"Gods, Hecate! Don't tear off my arms." Percy replied, swiping away her claws.
"Oh don't give me that. You're a big boy who can handle women snatching at you." The Goddess giggled which made the demigod roll his eyes. Hecate, ever since he had made the Olympians recognize the minor Gods and doing a few favors for her, had been acting like a flirtatious mortal girl towards him. And while he was flattered, he was a happily taken man who'd rather not be any more involved in immortal affairs.
"Did you know I was coming?" Percy asked which made Hecate roll her eyes this time. The demigod and Goddess walked over to a lounge area dimly lit by torches and sat down on some black leather seats.
"Of course I did, Perseus." Hecate responded with a lazy wave of her hand. "I'm the Goddess of Crossroads and I've sensed that you've been at a crossroad for the last few days now."
"You mean choices?" He asked. The Goddess nodded which made Percy feel uneasy. If he hadn't been on Hecate's good side and she knew about the choice he was making to leave Olympus then who knows what would've become of him. For all he knew Hecate could've taken this to Zeus who would have no quarrel in killing him.
"You have a very big choice laid out in front of you, Jackson. And since you've come to me I suppose you committed to your choice of leaving Olympus with some other demigods."
He nodded his head as the Goddess walked over to a glass case which held a small seed on a pedestal. Very gently the Goddess took the seed out and put it in a small black pouch.
"I already know what you're going to ask for. This makes us even now." Hecate said, handing him the pouch that contained the seed. Percy wordlessly took it but was confused as to what exactly the seed did. He was looking for an artifact that could make a barrier similar to one of camp. Could this small seed do such a thing? Deciding to trust Hecate he thanked her before beginning to leave the palace. There was still one more thing to do before leaving camp for good.
"Jackson." Hecate stopped him at the door. He turned to find himself being fiercely hugged by the Goddess. He noticed that she faintly smelt of firewood and he definitely noticed how her curves felt against him. "I wish you the best of luck out there. Make sure you succeed not just for you demigods but for the nameless minor Gods as well. We're all rooting for you."
Percy nodded before being released from the Goddess's grasp and made his way down the streets of Olympus back towards the elevator that would bring him back to the mortal world.