A/N: Here we go. The next seven chapters are everything I've been building towards. Get ready.

If Percy was on the run and hiding from the Gods, he too would have picked Meteora.

Percy and Aika had walked for nearly an hour by the time they had reached the true wonders of Meteora. The pillars of rock shot into the sky above the grassy glade, suspended by air and belief. It lay in the center of a mountain range, tall peaks surrounding Meteora in the distance. The sun's rays danced across the range, shadows and clouds creating an eerie, yet beautiful, rockscape.

It was an oasis of stone amid an unrivaled loneliness.

An unearthly quiet was present in Meteora. Whether that be due to the site being of great renown or of relative seclusion was unknown. It could have been both. But Percy could hear the humming of the air and the whispers of trees swaying with the wind. Only when he or Aika made a sound did that feeling go away, ever so slightly.

It wasn't wholly natural though.

There were no animals. No birds, flying in and out of the pillars. No butterflies among the flowers dotting the landscape. No mosquitoes buzzing in his ears. Nothing.

It was both naturally stunning and hauntingly sterile.

Percy felt like he had walked through the wardrobe into an alternate world.

Aika walked side-by-side with him. Her warmth was appreciated. The days were starting to get chillier, a cool whisper exhibited by each wind gust, causing the hair on Percy's arms to raise. It was nice to have her as company.

She walked next to him, beautiful as ever. Her hair was bouncing, each strand seemingly woven by the gods. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, the prospect of meeting her father stronger than ever in her life. Her life's mission was potentially almost complete - there was an air of finality to her steps, like the final desperate run to pass the finish line of a marathon. Exhausted, but almost there.

They still held hands. Neither wanted to let the other go. Neither was willing to give each other up. Her calluses and fingers felt just right in his grasp.

Two people alone in a world that didn't wholly want them, finding each other. It was poetry.

Percy stopped suddenly, an idea springing to mind.

Aika turned, eyebrows raised at the sudden pause in their dutiful march. They locked eyes, sea-green and electric blue connecting. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head, a grin on his lips. He held her right hand, and pulled her close to his body, their warmth overlapping. As he tucked his left hand around her waist, he guided her right hand towards his back. Her fingers glided over his skin, his body tingling. But the tingles transitioned to full-blown shivers when her fingers made contact with the small of his back.

His mortal point.

She looked at him confused, before realization kicked in. She quickly withdrew her fingers, like she had unknowingly touched cobwebs, but kept her arms around him in a hug.

"What… Percy, why… why did you show me that?"

Percy gazed down at her - she was probably four or five inches shorter, if he had to wager a guess.

"Why wouldn't I?"

She scoffed. "Because it's something incredibly private? Achilles died because someone found out, even if it was a god who told them."

"I'm not Achilles, Aika."

"Sure, but… but why tell me?"

"Because I trust you."

She stared at him, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Yeah?"

Their eyes stayed locked. "Absolutely," Percy said with confidence.

Aika grinned, before leaning in and up, capturing his lips in a kiss.

It was perfect. While his eyes may have been closed, his senses absorbed everything between them - the scent of pine trees on her skin, the softness of her pillowed lips locked with his, the complete dissolvement of tension from her body. They melted into each other like caramel candies in a hot sun, combining into a mixture of love amid both desperation and shared company. Percy could only sigh with pleasure and happiness.

A burst of passion in a dead place.

They stood there for a long time in each other's embrace, comfort melding them together. Percy didn't know how he had wound up, or who had put him here. Maybe Hera, or Kronos, or the Moirai, or Qerasia, or just luck. Whatever it may have been, Percy was grateful.

He had found someone that cared.

"Let's go meet your dad," Percy mumbled into her hair, lips etched in a smile.

Once more, they linked hands, before turning to the tallest pillar of Meteora.

The ascent was rocky. Twice, Percy and Aika had been forced to resort to their powers to clear a cliff or ledge too out of reach for their climbing capabilities. It was a bizarre rock formation, near-smooth sandstone jutting upwards from the earth in a way Percy wouldn't be able to understand. It made an ascent much more difficult, and they had to fully concentrate to do so. There were moments that were easier, sure, but it was taxing nonetheless.

Even with the blessing of the Styx, Percy found himself breathing heavily.

But the energy was palpable, emanating from Aika. Her entire body shivered with anticipation, and she seemed to only move faster the further up they got. This was it.

Finally, they reached the top. Aika had beat Percy there, vaulting over the cliff's edge. Percy followed close behind, hands grasping the sandstone and pulling himself upwards.

Aika stood just beyond the edge, looking around wildly.

It was as dead as the valley below.

The clouds were low, just feet above her head. It hid the visibility nearly completely, as if they were looking out the window of an airplane mid-storm. Only dimly-lit shapes could be seen through the fog - the occasional tree and brush.

Aika checked over her shoulder to make sure Percy was there, before diving into the cloud.

"Dad! Where are you? It's me!"

"Aika! Wait!"

Percy ran to catch up to Aika. The clouds seemed to coagulate around him, hiding the dead tree stumps that lay atop the pillar. He had to slow to a crawl, realizing he could fall off any moment.

Wait, he had powers. He shook his head - he needed to get with the program.

Stretching his arms out, he spread them apart to his sides, breathing out, focusing on the water molecules of the cloud. The droplets spread, and the clouds parted in front of him, clearing the way.

Aika stood a hundred feet ahead of him, staring at the doorway of a wooden building the size of a small cottage. The wood was pristine, without any damage whatsoever, even after spending however long in a cloud. Smoke billowed out of a chimney built into the roof.

Aika was transfixed. Her quest was almost complete. The treasure lay behind that door.

Someone was clearly living here.

Possibly her father.

"Aika!"

Percy ran forward, meeting Aika at the house. She was staring, wide-eyed, shaking nervously.

He took her hand, eyes meeting. Hers were almost frantic, panicking. Sweat beads dotted her forehead. Percy just knew every thought running through her mind - what if he doesn't like me? Or want me? What if it's not even him?

He gave her hand a comforting squeeze, and leant over to plant a soft kiss on her head.

"Let's meet your dad, Aika."

She smiled nervously, giving a small nod, before reaching up and knocking on the door, three quick taps.

They waited.

It was an agonizing moment in time.

Just waiting.

Hoping.

Maybe the door would open.

Just maybe…

Aika would have a father again.

She glanced up at Percy, eyes brimming with worry.

The door didn't open.

Percy couldn't hear any footsteps.

He gave her hand another squeeze.

The door didn't open.

"Hello?"

Percy and Aika whirled around at the voice, coming from behind them.

Nobody was there.

The pair glanced at each other, before slowly drawing their weapons - Percy uncapping Anaklusmos, Aika nocking an arrow.

But there was nothing but air.

Percy and Aika warily scanned their surroundings. Percy knew something was out there, but he couldn't get a grasp on where.

"Who's there?" Percy called out.

A twig snapped behind them. They spun, Percy slashing Anaklusmos instinctively, but no one materialized.

"That depends on who is asking."

The disembodied voice was a man's, deep and rich. It wasn't gruff - Percy didn't get the mental image of a lumberjack or anything. It sounded aristocratic, like a European royal.

The voice didn't sound mad or angry, which Percy counted as a plus. In fact, it was spoken confidently, as if it knew it controlled the grounds they stood on. That it had absolute control over the situation.

Maybe it did.

Aika stepped forwards. "I'm looking for my father. My sister told us to come to Meteora, to the tallest pillar. She said we might find him there."

A gust of wind blew across the formation. It carried the voice, a bit raspy.

"Your names?"

Aika shuffled her feet, but her bowstring remained taut.

"He's Percy Jackson and… and my name is Aikaterina Zenais."

Another whoosh of wind ruffled Percy's hair.

"Where are you from."

A note of familiarity took root within the mystery voice.

Aika looked around, suspicious. "A small mountain village no one's ever heard of."

The wind swirled. Percy could've sworn he could feel the man's breath on his neck, and yet when he spun around, no one could be seen.

"Which mountain." Not phrased as a question, but as a command.

Aika took a small step back involuntarily. "Smolikas."

Tension took hold for a moment. Percy could feel the Earth hold back its breathing, waiting for a response.

This moment felt monumental.

Historical.

A man materialized in front of them, seemingly appearing from the air itself, like he had always been there, with nary a sound nor a visual cue announcing his presence.

He was tall and lithe, but not lanky - Percy could see his musculature through his clothes. He was clean-shaven, high cheekbones prominent. He had long, midnight-black hair, flowing down past his shoulders, elegantly displayed. He wore simple clothes, although of high quality - it was the nicest tunic Percy had seen in his memory. A full quiver of arrows was slung over his shoulder, while one hand held an elegant sky blue bow, a weapon fit for a king.

And he had the same sky blue eyes Percy stared into every day.

Shining with disbelief.

"Kateri."

Aika's bow and arrow hit the ground with a thud, followed by the teardrops falling from her cheek.

"Dad?" Her voice came out in a breathless whisper, emotions breaching the surface.

"My Kateri. It's you, it's actually you." His eyes shone with wonder and elatedness.

"Dad." Aika's voice was broken, openly sobbing from happiness. A tear rolled down her father's cheek as well, as Aika crashed into him in a hug, the disbelief evident in both of their countenances.

"It's really you."

"Kateri… I thought you were dead. I missed you so much."

Father and daughter held each other, weeping, letting nearly two decades of sadness out in a therapeutic moment. A reunion both hoped for, but neither truly expected. The salt of years and years of bitter curses and agony, resolved in an instant.

The man took a look at Aika's bow, slung over her shoulder, and a quick intake of breath followed. It clearly held some significance to him.

"Gods, I can't believe you're alive."

"I can't believe you're real."

It was an ugly cry in the best way possible.

As Aika held her father, he straightened up, brushing her tears away. He kissed her head with a tenderness unseen in most deities Percy had met. He was genuinely happy to see his daughter.

But Percy could tell his power level was through the roof. Everything about him screamed dangerous - the rippling muscles, the eyes that darted as quick as a hawk, the bow that simply exuded dangerous energy. He was breathtaking, and would likely just as quickly take Percy's breath.

The man smiled down at his daughter, and the resemblance was uncanny. Percy could've sworn their faces were near mirror images of each other.

But… there was one thing.

"Who are you?" Percy asked.

The father turned towards him. A teardrop had carved a track down his cheek, a teardrop that made everything Percy and Aika had gone through worth it.

He nodded to Percy, a nod of acknowledgement, of appreciation, of understanding.

"Let's go inside. I've got some soup cooking, and I imagine you two are hungry."

He started heading towards the door, Aika not leaving his side. But before Percy could repeat his question, the man looked back over his shoulder, beckoning Percy to follow.

"My name is Lelantos. We've got a lot to talk about."

The interior of Lelantos' home was not what Percy expected.

In his time in Ancient Greece, most abodes had been rather similar - clay and wood shaped into all sorts of things, from beds to desks and anything in between. Of course, the richer the person got, the more luxurious and fanciful their items - gems, polished rock, tall ceilings, marble. Percy assumed a deity, like Lelantos, would have decorated their house like a temple, with gold and silver spread abundantly, even haphazardly, without a care in the world as to the cost.

But within that oaken door was nothing of the sort. In fact, it was a pleasant mountain cottage, similar to one Percy had seen in photos of the European Alps. A fireplace sat at one side, a roaring fire basking the expansive room in heat. Comfortable reclining chairs sat surrounding it, intricately carved from the trees nearby. Percy could tell they were handcarved, not manifested - there were too many slight imperfections to be the latter.

The kitchen sat to the left opposite the fireplace, next to a staircase leading upwards. It was a beautiful, if simple, setup - clay pots lined the windowsills, beckoning to be used, the pottery simply astonishing. A detailed glass-paned cupboard stored even more cookware, while a fridge-like structure sat on the far wall, heaps of salt leaning against it; perhaps a meat preservation effort. A clay oven took center stage, steam escaping from a pot atop the lit stove.

A modest dining table sat in the middle of the room, carved as well. Percy could make out intricate details that seemed personal, but he could only guess as to the meaning behind them - cows danced along the ridge, while a detailed engraving of the brain took center stage. The legs of the table were fashioned to look like the columns so prominent in Athens, like the ones supporting the Parthenon.

There were numerous manuscripts strewn about the table, some hanging over the edge, others fallen to the ground. Lelantos guided Aika to one of the surrounding chairs before gathering them up, a pile taking root in his hands. He put them on a table near the door, as well as hanging up his bow and quiver on a set of hooks, before gesturing to Percy to join Aika at the table.

As Percy sat down, Lelantos strolled over to the stove. "This would've lasted me the week. I'm glad I made enough for guests."

He lifted off the lid, and an aroma of tomatoes and oregano filled the air. Lelantos took a ladle, sipping the broth, before sighing and letting out a satisfied grunt. He filled three bowls, balancing them on his arms as he walked back to the table, passing Aika and Percy each a bowl.

"My manestra, a tomato orzo soup. One of my favorites."

"Thank you," Percy said, genuinely elated at the prospect of good food. It seemed far better than anything he had eaten in recent days. Aika could still barely get a word out, and could only smile as Lelantos rubbed her head affectionately.

Percy took a spoonful of the orzo, nearly moaning at the taste. "Damn, that's really good."

Lelantos himself took the chair at the head of the table, no more dignified than the others beside its position. He smirked at the compliment. "It's an old recipe, from one of my uncles. They'd be pleased, I'm sure."

The god drummed his fingers on the table, eyes still peaking towards Aika in shock. "I… hmm. Where do I start? I'm sure you have questions."

Percy, mid-spoonful, nodded quickly, as did Aika. Her eyes lit up as she tried a bite for the first time. He hastily swallowed, before speaking up.

"So, I don't mean to be rude, but… who are you?"

Lelantos let a ghost of a smile appear. "It is no harm, my child. I am old, you see, and many used to know me. But as of late, I have had to hide away from the world. It is not a surprise to see Greece has forgotten me."

"We've met a few forgotten gods on our quest," Aika said. "But they faded. We think."

Lelantos cocked his head. "Who?"

Percy counted on his fingers. "Komawenteia faded next to us, we killed Dipsioi, and… Qerasia. We saw her a few hours ago, I think she faded too?"

Aika's father leant back in his chair. "Huh. Interesting. It's sad to hear our forerunners have begun to pass on - I didn't know them very well, but they have their place in history." He coughed into his hand. "How did you kill that slippery bastard?"

"Dipsioi?" Aika asked. "I separated him from the ocean, and Percy dried him out."

"Dried out? How so?"

"Son of Poseidon," Percy supplied.

Lelantos' face filled with intrigue. "Hmm. Interesting. Well done. That's some creative thinking put to use right there." He leant forward, taking a hearty gulp of the soup, smiling at the taste. "Ah, this never comes out poorly. The gods need to take advantage of mortal food more often."

The deity stood, bending backwards to crack his back. He groaned, before straightening back up.

"To answer your question, my name is Lelantos. I am a Titan, son of Coeus and Phoebe, intelligence and intellect. I myself am the Titan of Air, and the Titan of Stalking Prey. That explains the air powers I expect you to have," he said to Aika, "but also your natural inclination to avoid open spaces, and your ability to hide and move around unseen. And your preference for archery. It is in your blood."

Lelantos walked towards the window opposite the front door. The view of Meteora stretched below, columns reaching their fingers towards the sky beneath their own.

"I hide here. I don't want to hide here, you see. But I have no desire to reach the pits of Tartarus, like so many of my family have. Would I survive and reform? Most likely. But I have no wish to do so."

"Would Olympus… I don't know, consider a truce?" Percy asked.

Lelantos let out a bitter chuckle. "No. Even if I wanted to, they wouldn't. Not in the slightest. But I have no desire to side with those animals."

"What do you mean… dad?"

Lelantos turned towards Aika, a grin on his face. "Kateri, you don't know how long I've waited to hear that word." He walked over and once more engulfed her in a hug, squeezing like his life depended on it. She reciprocated in kind.

"I despise the Olympians. I know that's strong, but they ruined any chance I had at a normal, fulfilling godhood. They uprooted everything I knew, and the world has barely improved. They killed my uncles, my grandparents, my father, my wife…"

Lelantos trailed off, eyes adrift, before snapping back into his skull. "They took everything from me, and won't stop until I'm gone too. They hate me nearly as much as Kronos. If I leave Meteora again, they'll find me instantly, and I'll be walking the glass floor of Tartarus for millennia."

Aika leaned into his embrace, sorrow fixed upon her frown. "Why do they hate you so much?"

His expression had long faded from the happiness he had on, now set in almost a militaristic fashion, a hard line stretching across his face. He separated himself from Aika, moving back towards his chair. "I nearly killed one of theirs. They want payback."

"What?!" Percy and Aika both jumped.

The Titan sat down, taking a deep breath. "It was the day of the final, conclusive battle of the War. Against the wishes of Kronos, who underestimated his opponents, I wanted to strike an early blow. An early victory." Lelantos coughed again into his hand. "I snuck into the forests on Olympus, seeking out a target. I was in the trees overlooking their camp when I shot an arrow, a poisoned one, towards Hades. But Hestia saw the arrow's glint, and dove in front of its path."

"Hestia?"

"Yes, Hestia. I had hoped to ensure the archers wouldn't be able to hurt the main army, but my plan was shot." Lelantos had a bitter tone in his voice. "I couldn't do anything but try and sneak back to camp."

Aika dribbled her fingers on the tabletop. "How did they know it was you?"

He sighed. "Well…what I didn't expect was for the Olympians to respond immediately. They didn't wait for anything - they responded to my shot with a full-fledged assault, one which Kronos and the Titans were not prepared for. It was nighttime, they were drinking!"

The Titan rubbed his head. "The Titan's defeat lay indirectly at my hands. When Zeus tortured Kronos before cutting him up, Kronos let it slip that it might have been me who shot Hestia, in retaliation of my preliminary attack. I escaped narrowly, and I've been… hiding here ever since."

"So both the Titans and the Olympians want you dead," Percy said.

Lelantos nodded. "So have declared the Fates. They've struck me from the records, eliminated my memory. I only survive due to the belief in the Titans in general - Komawenteia and them faded because their entire people lost the faith of Greece."

"Shit."

Percy took a spoonful of the orzo, delicious despite the sour note of the story. This truly was a lot of information, and he wished he had some kind of notebook to copy it all down.

But… here he was, with a Titan that not only fought the Gods, but inflicted actual damage to them. Someone that was unequivocally in support of the Titan's regime, as a Titan themselves.

And Percy didn't care.

He was struck by that realization suddenly. Did he really care about the Olympians?

The more that he thought about his pantheon, the more malaise he was. Hera had taken his memory. Zeus' support of Heracles had ruined Zoë's relationship with her family. Poseidon had drowned Eion. He had fought Ares for some reason, and he imagined it was for the right reason.

He had appreciated his interactions with Apollo and Artemis, but…

Percy wanted some form of revenge.

He had a feeling he understood Lelantos more than the Titan expected.

"But, dad…" Aika pinched her nose. "How was I born if you were up here?"

His frown turned sheepish. "I… I grew restless, and decided to risk exploring some of Greece that I knew they didn't care much for." He swallowed some more soup. "I met your mother, and I decided I couldn't just escape back here. I needed to try and live my life, to make it worth something."

"Did you love her?" Aika's voice hitched slightly, apprehensive.

Lelantos paused, leaning over the table, stretching his arm out to take Aika's hand. He gave it a squeeze, and Aika smiled slightly.

"Kateri. I have only met two women in my long, long life to have made an impact on me. My first wife, Periboa, and your mother. She was one of the most amazing people I ever met. I absolutely loved her. She was special enough to me to have you - one of only two children I've ever sired."

Aika squeezed his hand back. "Ok."

He leaned back, taking a deep breath, running a hand through his dark hair. Percy could see scars lining his arm, previously hidden by the shirt. He diverted his attention back to his soup.

"It… it killed me to leave. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you, Kateri. I cried for a year when I left, and another when I found out."

"Wait, what… What happened?" Percy asked, looking between Aika and Lelantos.

Aika shifted her attention towards him. "A few years ago, I came home and the house was on fire. Not just a regular fire, but scorch marks. A hole was drilled from the roof down towards mom. She was killed."

"Lightning," Lelantos supplied. "Zeus killed her. Just to get back at me."

He slammed his fist on the table. Aika and Percy jumped.

"And so now, I'm stuck here, because I know they're still trying their hardest to find me, no matter what. They won't let me live a life out of their way. Their revenge blinds them and it's so fucking petty!"

Percy and Aika stared at him as he gripped the table with white knuckles, still a bit shaken from the verbal onslaught.

Lelantos sighed, releasing the table. "Sorry. It gets to me."

Percy squeezed Aika's shoulder. "I'm sorry about your mom, Aika. Really."

"It is what it is. I've had years and years to come to terms with it. She left me her bow and armor before… before it happened." She gestured to her bow, leant up against the table column-leg. "She told me my father had given it to her."

Percy looked to Lelantos for confirmation, who nodded. "I knew I couldn't stay, but I needed to help my daughter somehow. I made that bow and arrow, imbued with a bit of my power, to protect my girl. I like having something to do with my hands anyway." He gestured to the table, proud of his craftsmanship.

"Thanks, Dad. It's saved my life more than once."

Lelantos smiled, before standing and walking over to the kitchen. Behind the stairs was a cabinet Percy hadn't noticed as he walked in - it was a makeshift wine cellar, bottles laid in a grid, a heavy door blocking the light. The Titan produced a bottle, grabbed a few cups, and walked back.

"Help yourselves. Let's celebrate while we still can, right?"

Percy and Aika grinned before indulging him, pouring their own cups. Lelantos gestured for them to stand.

He raised his cup. "To my Kateri, alive again."

Aika grinned. "To my dad."

"And to reunions," Percy added.

The three clinked cups, and drank. It was good wine, especially when compared to the foul stuff they had drank in Tirida.

"I'll be right back. I have something for you." Winking at Aika, he headed outside, the wooden door swinging closed behind him.

Percy turned towards Aika, and not a word passed his lips before her arms were around him. It was a hug of celebration, of incredulity. They had fulfilled their quest.

Aika tilted her head up, and Percy indulged her lips with a kiss. Victory had never tasted so sweet.

"I can't believe it," Aika said. "All this time, I…"

She shook her head in disbelief

"I started to doubt myself. And Mom. But I never should have."

He kissed her forehead again. "You always knew. Deep down, you knew."

"Mm."

Percy squeezed her. "He seems like a nice guy."

"Yeah," she chuckled. "Although he's not in the greatest situation I've ever seen."

He snorted. "Yeah."

They stayed there, a comfortable, if stunned, silence hovering about. The whole situation just seemed too fanciful.

"I hope Zoë's doing alright."

"I'm sure she's fine. If anyone can handle themselves, it's her," Aika offered.

"I hope."

Percy had a bad feeling pooling in his gut. This had all been going too… smoothly. There was something about this place…

He waved the feeling off. Just jitters. He held Aika even closer, savoring every breath, every movement, every smell. Remembering it. Memorizing it.

Her black hair, like the nighttime itself.

Her blue eyes, of infinite wonder and depth.

Her grin, filled with so much sincerity and happiness.

Zoë was right. He loved this girl.

And he was going to do whatever he could to keep her.

The door swung open, a rush of wind sweeping through the room, ruffling the manuscripts and filling the room with the smell of grass. Lelantos walked back in, a small pouch in his hand. He stopped short as he entered.

"Should I give you two some space?"

Aika and Percy tripped over themselves to put six feet of space between them.

"Um, no, Lelantos, sir," Percy stuttered.

The Titan stared in silence, before smirking slightly. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. Please, sit," he added, gesturing to the chairs once more.

Lelantos grabbed the wine bottle, taking a swig straight from the source. Aika wrinkled her nose slightly, but sipped her cup contently.

"Aika, this is something very special to me. I made it in case you or Aura ever made it up here, to protect you. This is not something to give away, understand?"

She nodded. "What is it?"

"Here." Lelantos slid the pouch across the table, towards Aika.

Reaching in with a deep breath, Aika pulled out a necklace. It wasn't an ostentatious golden behemoth of unimaginable proportions - instead, it was a simple silver chain necklace, with a blue jewel inlaid on the pendant.

"That's blue topaz. One of my favorite gems. Here, let me put it on you," Lelantos said, standing and moving behind Aika.

As he clasped it, she choked up. "It's… it's beautiful."

"It looks amazing on you," Percy supplied. A light blush colored her cheeks.

Lelantos smiled before moving back to his chair, taking another swig of his wine. "That necklace is enchanted, Kateri. The topaz holds part of my essence, my divine energy. If I enchanted it correctly, you should be able to pull on it and talk to me at any point."

Aika's mouth dropped, before it abruptly closed.

"Why would I need this?"

Lelantos' smile slowly started to wane.

"Dad?"

"I'm sorry."

Oh.

"We can't stay here, can we?" Percy asked.

Aika looked towards Percy, eyes growing wild. "Tell me that's not true, Dad. Tell me!"

"Aika - "

"Kateri - "

"Tell me!" Aika was shouting at this point, eyes shimmering with teardrops.

The Titan looked down at the table, staring at the crafted lines within. Percy suddenly realized there was another figure, carved into the wood, right underneath Lelantos' chin, with such intricate detail and attention that it must've taken years to get right.

Aika.

"I'm sorry, Kateri. I truly am. But I can't risk your life too."

"No!" Aika slammed her hand on the table. "You think I spent years and years of my life trying to find you, just for you to throw me away?"

"Kateri, please - "

"Shut the fuck up!" Aika's face was red. "I'm not going to just leave because you tell me too! It's risky enough for me to be out there, damnit!" She swung her arms out, gesturing to the world surrounding Meteora.

"Kateri, you have to go. You have a chance to live a life! Go to Libya, or Germania, or anywhere but here, if you must, but you can't stay here!"

"Come on, Dad. I just want to be with you! To have a father!"

Lelantos punched the table.

"I want to be your father! But the gods-be-damned Fates have deemed me to be the opposite!"

Aika paused her tirade..

"The Fates? Seriously? That bullshit? You just have to listen to those three assholes, huh?"

Lelantos slumped into his chair, defeated. "It is the thread they've woven for me."

Aika shook her head. "Everyone has been saying that, left and right. Fuck, Qerasia wouldn't shut up about our fates. But I'm sick of our damned fates. I want to live life how I want to live!"

The Titan took a gulp of his wine. Half the bottle was empty.

"I wish I could, Kateri."

"Oh, fuck off!" Aika ripped the necklace clasp, freeing her neck. The pendant fell to the tabletop. She stormed off, slamming open the door to the house, marching into the windy air, leaving her bow and quiver behind.

As the door shut behind her, Lelantos sighed heavily, rubbing his face.

"I'm sorry about that, Percy."

"Don't be. And don't take it personally. She's been through a lot." Percy stood from his chair, walking over to the Titan. "I'll go try and talk to her."

Lelantos gave Percy a grateful look. "Thank you. And for the record - I don't mind that you're dating my daughter."

Percy smiled. "Thank you sir. It's been a pleasure to meet you thus far."

He reached out for a handshake, a grasp Lelantos took without hesitation.

Without warning, flashes of events blinked through Percy's mind, the details staggering, scenes he both recognized and had never seen before.

His first meeting with Aika at Aegospotami.

Their duel against the Mare of Diomedes.

His entrance to Camp Jupiter.

The struggle with Dolos.

Dipsioi's water battle.

Swimming in the River Styx.

Fighting with Kronos.

Percy jumping off Olympus.

Hera, reaching to his mind.

The Strix.

A massive battle outside Camp Jupiter between monsters, giants, Amazons, and demigods.

A man in a cloak, the same one that knocked him out in Frank's house, walking through a hellish landscape.

Lelantos' pendant, surrounded by dust and bones.

Zeus, throwing his bolt.

The Earth, moving -

Percy gasped, stumbling backwards. He let go of Lelantos' hand like an electric burst had hit his palm.

"What did you do?!"

He got no response.

Lelantos had stilled.

The Titan blinked, before pitching downwards. His arm shot out, grabbing the edge of the table, balancing himself. He stood up on shaky legs, a contemplative look taking over.

"You… you're the future."

Percy stepped backwards. "Uh - "

Lelantos paused, raising his palms. "Percy, I mean no harm. I'm sorry about that, I didn't anticipate much of an effect."

"What was that?"

"I am the Titan of Air, and of Stalking Prey, yes. But my mother and father, Titans of Intelligence, they passed down their abilities," he explained. "They blessed me when I was young, giving me the power to learn what I need to know about a person with a touch. Their background, their history… even their possibilities in the future."

"So… You know."

Lelantos took a breath. "Yeah. Yeah, I know. Everything about your unusually eventful life."

Silence fell for a moment, both beings processing.

"You don't have much goodwill for Olympus, do you, Percy."

He sighed, before shaking his head. "Not really."

"And when you're once more in your… timeline, I suppose? What do you plan to do?"

Percy scratched his head above his ear. "Get all my memories back, make sure my friends are safe… and go from there, pretty much."

Lelantos seemed to weigh his options. He stuck out his index finger in a 'wait here' motion, before hurrying over to the table.

Grabbing the necklace, Lelantos hurried over to the wine cabinet, the wood opening. As Percy drifted over to follow, he saw a small compartment, built into the floor. Lelantos wrenched open the compartment's door before placing the necklace within.

"If you don't come back, come find this when you wake up. I'll try and help as much as I can."

"Uh, ok? Why wouldn't we come back? And I don't know when I'll be even close to Meteora…"

Lelantos spun, crazy-eyed, laying a hand on Percy's shoulder.

"You will. Trust me."

The Titan turned and sprinted up the stairs, rushing like he needed to escape an oncoming hurricane. Within seconds, he reappeared right beside Percy, holding a small bottle and a knife.

"Lelantos, what is…"

"Shush, Percy. Listen to me closely, yeah?"

Percy nodded.

"You don't know what you're getting into. And neither do I, I really don't like to mess with time. Thus, seeing part of your past, I know I need to do this. Or you won't be you."

"What?"

Lelantos raised his knife, cutting a long gash in his forearm, to Percy's horror. Golden ichor spilled from his arm. The god caught much of it in the bottle, swiftly moving to cap it before it overflowed.

"Ok, Percy. I need you to drink this."

He was dead serious.

"What?!"

"Listen to me, closely, Percy." Lelantos grabbed his shoulders, looking him dead in the eye. "This is my ichor, which contains my godly essence. One of the primary things Zeus and other Gods hide from demigods is the secret - if you drink the blood of a deity, you gain their powers."

Percy did a double take, looking at the bottle. "Really?"

"Yes, Percy. Some gods willingly give up their blood, like I am now. That's what we call a blessing. But you can take it from them too. Understand?"

"Is… so that's how I have control over time? I drank Kronos' blood?"

Lelantos nodded. "That's what I suspect. How you knew to do so is beyond me, but here we are. But it's also how you used power over air to defeat the strix - I had already given you my blessing."

"But, you're giving it to me now. That already happened - when I go back to my timeline, that's already in the past."

Lelantos handed him the bottle. "I don't know, exactly. It's a bit confusing to me too. But I think the key lies in the blood. Remember that."

Percy nodded. "Ok."

"Now, bottoms up, demigod."

It didn't taste awful, Percy admitted. It wasn't metallic, like mortal blood. It tasted more like a RedBull, albeit with quadruple the caffeine.

Percy felt a flow of energy enter his body. His muscles tensed, his eyes bulged. His body felt electric. It felt alive. Every portion of his body felt like it was inflamed while in a polar ocean, a disturbing feeling to Percy.

The rush slowly subsided, the hot-and-cold effect wearing away, until Percy found himself seemingly whole once more.

"Feeling good?" Lelantos asked, eyes shimmering with curiosity.

Percy nodded. "Yep."

"Good. Now go out there and find my Kateri, would you?"

"Yep. Right. It was nice to meet you, Lelantos. See you in a bit."

The Titan smiled sadly.

"Good luck, Percy. With everything."

Percy hurried out the door of Lelantos' cottage, the wooden door thudding shut behind him.

He didn't know it, but it would be thousands of years before he would return.

"Aika!"

Percy rushed out onto the pillar, rocks and tall grasses filling his vision. The clouds had once more overtaken the clear sky, dense fog once more rolling over the ground. He slowed to a stop to avoid a costly mistake in the low visibility weather.

Damned fog.

He reached within himself, clenching his fists. Feeling the water molecules within the clouds, he searched for his friend, eyes closed.

His girlfriend?

Hmm. Maybe.

They'd have to talk about that.

Soon, he found her, water droplets dancing on her shoulders. She was sitting on the cliffside to his left, legs dangling over the edge. He walked over, careful not to trip over any rocks scattered across the landscape.

Aika was crying.

Percy put his hand on her shoulder, settling down next to her, legs swinging out into the air. His shoes kicked at the low-hanging fog.

"Hi."

Aika sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand.

"Hey, Percy," she said, a quavering voice prominent. She didn't look at him, instead keeping her eyes unfocused, looking out into the clouds.

He shifted closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"I know it's hard, but your dad really does love you."

She sniffled again, leaning into his embrace.

"He…" she trailed off.

"You'll be able to talk to him, right? We'll go back and get that necklace, and you can talk to him whenever."

Aika turned, tears dripping down her cheeks, and wrapped Percy up in a hug. She mumbled something, but Percy couldn't hear.

"What was that?"

"It's not fair."

"Hey, I know. The Fates are really damn annoying. But… we found each other, yeah?"

She looked up and nodded.

"Then we'll stick together," he added. "You and I, facing the good fight. We'll have Zoë by our side, roaming the world. And you can talk to your dad whenever you want. That sound alright?"

She sighed, shakily, but calming down. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess."

"I know it's hard. But I'll always be there, yeah?"

She smiled slightly. "You better."

"I will."

The two smiled, before Percy leaned in, capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. It was tender, peaceful, and light. Just ghosts of a touch, tingles running up his spine, hair raising. It was beautiful.

"Aww. How sweet."

Percy and Aika burst apart, looking incredulously over the cliff at the source of the gruff and sarcastic voice.

It was Heracles.

He was unmistakable - muscles that rivaled the world's premier bodybuilders, with just a simple loincloth and the Nemean Lion's skin as a cape. His eyes glowed with a sadistic glee, a grin present on his face. He held his club in his right hand, a massive portion of wood that could only have come from the largest tree in Greece. A longbow, larger than any Percy had laid eyes on, was strapped to his back.

And he was flying. Levitating above the drop, looking completely in his element.

Right. Son of Zeus.

Percy grabbed for Anaklusmos, fumbling in his pocket. But he was already too late.

"Dad wants a chat, you two."

Heracles struck, faster than Percy could have ever imagined the hero could move. Aika thrust out her hands, but Heracles was faster, and had more control over the air - her control was quickly overpowered. Not even a second had gone by, and Aika was struck by the club, knocked unceremoniously unconscious, blood leaking from a cut on her head.

"AIKA!"

Percy brought out Anaklusmos, uncapping it quickly, but Heracles had already flew back, swooping in for another strike. Percy narrowly threw himself to the left, the club just millimeters from his head. Not even three seconds had passed.

He snarled, but readied himself to fight.

But Heracles was prepared.

A gust slammed into Percy, the force likely upwards of the most severe Category Five hurricanes. He was swept clean off the cliff, barely holding on to Anaklusmos as he began to fall, tumbling down the Pillars of Meteora to the ground below.

"Shit, shit, shit!"

Percy tried to channel his newfound blessing. He needed a target, fast.

Himself.

He needed to slow his fall. He'd survive the impact, but not in fighting shape immediately.

Percy spread his arms and legs outwards, looking for something. He tried to focus on the wind, on the air, on the sound blazing by his ears as he fell. He closed his eyes, seeking his inner feelings, his inner soul.

"Come on, come on…"

He focused, desperate for a result.

He needed to float. Float, damnit! Float!

The noise in his ears died down. His legs stopped flailing. He no longer felt the wind against his arms.

Percy opened his eyes. He was floating. The cliff towered in front of him, limestone rising to the sky. At this altitude, the clouds had disappeared. He turned his head, waving his fingers in front of his face.

"Yes!"

He looked back to the sky, and his grin turned to an open mouth.

Heracles was right in front of him, a snarl on his face.

"Gotcha, squirt."

Heracles' fist made direct contact with Percy's jaw, sending him flying downwards with the strength of a stomping elephant. Percy could've sworn he had seen lightning flash at the same time as the blow - as if lightning enhanced Heracles' punch.

It felt like the sky had hit him.

Percy saw black before he hit the ground.

Happiness is just the calm before the storm. And the happier you are, the more you have to lose when it hits.

Ranae Glass

Percy lurched upright.

He was in a speedboat. It was small, rocking up and down, speeding over the whitecaps. Hazel sat at the bow in front of him, watching the skyline intently.

"Percy!" Frank's voice called from behind him, relief evident in his voice.

Hazel turned quickly, before stumbling over to him. "Percy! Oh, thank god!"

Percy looked around, panicked. He looked down at himself, recognizing his modern outfit, before looking to the stars.

He screamed.

"AIKA!"

A/N: Thanks for reading, and a big thanks again to all those who continue to read, comment, and in any way participate with this story. Y'all mean a lot. Have a good week!

Also, Blessing of the Styx = impenetrable skin. Does not protect against blunt force trauma.