Percy sometimes wondered, did the gods feel like he did, regarding their immortality? He was grateful, of course, and it was an honor to be able to see the world grow and change around him, certainly, but… sometimes life felt like it would just drag on. He lived for combat; he had learned that about a hundred years in. The rush, the blood, the threat to his life, he never felt more alive than at the moments he could feel Thanatos lingering above him. It was this that made him decide he would never want to be a true god. Full immortality, taking away his chance to die, would remove the greatest joys in his life, the love of combat, and the thrill of looming death.

However, he was still Olympus' best way to handle mortal issues, something he was swiftly reminded of when he was told to watch over Heracles, Zeus' newest product of infidelity. Percy just felt bad for Heracles. He didn't ask to be born of Zeus. He didn't ask Hera to hate him. So, he had volunteered himself to Zeus in private, offering to follow around Heracles and make sure he didn't get ripped apart by the labors he had been assigned. Not only did he get to make sure a demigod didn't get killed for something that, frankly, was Hera's fault, not his own, but he also got a bit of good standing with his uncle, which he would never say no to.

To Heracles' credit, however, he was managing his labors well on his own. Percy had only had to interfere once so far, cleaning out the naiad's river so she wasn't killed by the pollution from the stables. He was annoyed at Heracles for that. The disregard he showed towards the Naiad's will and wellbeing was not a good sign.

Now he was headed towards his next trial, and, in Percy's opinion, his most ridiculous one. How in the name of the gods was Heracles expected to fight Ladon and win? Percy knew he could do it, albeit with no small degree of difficulty, but Percy knew that Heracles wasn't as good as he was. Heracles, however, was the picture of confidence. His recent victories had seemingly gone to his head. Always a dangerous prospect. As he approached the garden, Percy had concealed himself in the trees nearby, ready to hop in if the need arose, when he saw a girl approach Heracles, from inside the garden. She had olive skin, Dark hair, and eyes that matched.

"You cannot defeat Ladon, Hero. He is too powerful for you."

"I am Heracles, Girl. I am the greatest demigod to have ever lived. If I cannot kill him, no mortal can. And at any rate, who are you to judge my strength against his?"

He said what?

Percy did not consider himself an overly proud person. But that? He had been watching over this kid for a good while now. Sure, he was strong, but at the same time, he was nowhere near a match for Percy. Either the kid had forgotten Percy existed, or he was extremely proud.

"Careful, Hero. If the gods sense you are insulting one of their children, they may not take too kindly to you."

"The gods have honored me. I have seen all of Greece and I will continue to after I defeat this beast."

Percy saw a glint in the girl's eye.

"I have never seen the world past this garden. I would like to see the world."

"What is your name, pretty one?"

Pretty one? Who in hades calls someone that?

"Zoe. Zoe Nightshade."

"Well, Miss Nightshade, if you tell me how I can defeat Ladon, I shall take you with me, and I can show you the world."

Percy was suspicious. Immediately. He knew for a fact Heracles had zero respect for women, another quality that made Percy hold a degree of disdain towards the boy. However, it seemed Ms. Nightshade lacked this context, as she was firmly wrapped around his finger from what Percy could see. She pulled a clip from her hair, handing it to Heracles.

"Here, take this. It will help you defeat Ladon."
"How is a hairclip supposed to help me kill anything?"

"That is no normal clip. It holds my immortal essence. It is a weapon of the gods. It should give you a chance against Ladon."

Percy raised a brow. A godly weapon would give Heracles an edge, for sure.

Without so much as a glance back at Nightshade, Heracles walked into the garden, the clip morphing into a beautiful bronze blade as he walked.

Percy followed and watched as Heracles slowly but surely picked Ladon apart. The blade was clearly enhancing his already amazing strength, cutting through the dragon far more cleanly than any blade should hold the right to. After the guardian fell, Heracles took an apple and walked out of the garden.

And that's that. No more babysitting

Percy began to dissolve into mist, ready to head back to Atlantis. He still needed to get to know Amphitrite more, especially since the wedding was coming up soon. He still found it hard to believe that she had accepted his father after an age.

As he was about to leave, he saw Heracles walk right past Nightshade. He solidified again, his anger building as he got closer, still concealed.

"What do you mean I can't come? I helped you kill Ladon, my sisters would consider me a traitor!"

Percy could tell that Heracles' anger was growing, but he prayed that the boy would be mature about it. He was swiftly disappointed as he whirled around, grabbing the girl by the hair, and lifting her up as she screamed.

"I said No. However, … I could still find some use for you."
He reached a hand towards his club, and Percy snapped. In a blink of an eye, he was behind Heracles, and grabbed his hair, pulling his head backward and driving an elbow into his face, breaking his nose. As nightshade was dropped and Heracles recoiled, holding his nose, and yelling in pain, Percy drew Stormchaser and turned towards the boy he had lost any and all respect or pity for.

"WHO DARES TO STRIKE THE SON OF ZEUS?"

"The son of Poseidon."

Without giving the brute time to think, Perseus charged forward, driving his blade clean through Theseus' arm, pinning him to a tree.

"If I had a choice. You would lose your arm, and another part of yourself. However, that would leave Lord Zeus a bit displeased, so you escape today, but I will be watching. Remember that."
Without letting Heracles respond, Percy moved the blood out of his head towards his nose, making him pass out from blood loss. Percy turned back to the girl and quickly turned his sword back into its form as a ring, before walking up to her slowly.

"Are you alright? I stepped in as soon as I saw what he was doing, but I really should have earlier, that's my bad if I'm being honest, I'm quite so- "

He didn't get to finish his sentence as he was tackled by her in a hug, as she whispered a light thank you that it seemed she could barely get out. They stood for a moment, with her sobbing lightly.

"Do you have anywhere you can go now? I heard you say your sisters wouldn't let you hang around, is there anyone else you have?"

The girl shook her head no, seemingly still finding it difficult to form words.

"Alright, that's fine. I have an idea if you're willing. I have a friend, who takes in women like you and gives them life, free of men if that's what you want. I'll assume after Heracles that doesn't sound like the worst idea?"

The girl seemed eager and nodded, still sobbing lightly. Percy looked up and shut his eyes

Artemis. I have someone I think you would like to meet. Please, come here if you can. It's important

He felt a light breeze and when he opened his eyes, a familiar auburn-haired woman, about 20 years of age, was standing behind Nightshade.

"Miss Nightshade, this is Artemis. I will let her explain things to you. If you like what she has to offer, you can go with her, else I don't have much to offer."

Percy took a step back and grinned as Artemis gave him an appreciative nod and pulled the girl aside, speaking to her in a soft tone. Percy walked towards the unconscious Heracles and took the sword out of his hand. It was more balanced than anything he'd ever wielded, short of Stormchaser, which was made specifically for him. He walked back to Artemis and Zoe, the latter of which was no longer crying, and now had a small smile on her face.

"Here. Your sword."

"…Keep it. I wanted to give the blade to a hero. I chose poorly the first time; I have faith that I chose well now."

Percy looked at the bronze blade, flipping it once in his hand. He saw the writing on its flat end. Anakalusmos. The Riptide.

Gods above I'm bored.

400 more years passed since Percy had obtained his new blade. Things were… boring. He had observed and followed most of Zeus' most famous children, as well as several of his own brothers. His father, even after Amphitrite agreed to wed him some 200 years ago, still had a good share of infidelity, although, to his credit, he had never slept with another immortal since his wedding, only mortals. But even the demigods hadn't popped up in a decade or so. Nor had any new gods, not since Aphrodite 500 years past, which meant that Percy was effectively out of a job for the last seventeen years. He had occupied his time by hunting bandits and protecting travelers and merchants at night. Unfortunately, a mortal bandit wasn't exactly a challenge for the greatest swordsman of Olympus, and Percy quickly found himself bored out of his mind. Athena had been helpful; her library was a damned wonder, and he could very easily sink hours into quietly sitting with her in its vast halls. Nonetheless, even books could only do so much for someone who has lived for death.

As he floated in his room in Atlantis with his eyes shut, mulling over these thoughts, his door burst open, and his father came in with an arm on Amphitrite's back, both beaming.

"We're going to have a baby!"

Percy promptly fell flat on the floor.

Heya guys! I know it's been a while, Sorry about that, midterms are a bitch. I'm getting back into the writing groove, so I'll try to be more consistent with updates from now. For now though, that's me signing off. Toodles!