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Hades looked around the room when no one volunteered to read. He wouldn't say it out loud, but he was invested in the books by now. Perseus wasn't like any demigod he had seen, he was different. He wanted to finish the books to understand how that demigod could become the god he was now. Not to mention, his symbol of power had been stolen and he wanted to learn who was the thief.
Not seeing anyone volunteering, he chucked the book straight at Demeter's face. The book hit the goddess' face with a 'thump.'
Persephone sighed, she couldn't understand why her husband and mother always had to antagonize each other. It was getting tiring, just as Demeter was about to retaliate back, Hestia threw both her and Hades a glare. Demeter muttered a curse under her breath and opened the chapter that was to be read, while Persephone scolded her husband, "You can't even act civil with her in front of everyone?"
Hades had no reply, so he did what he does best. Sat back and brooded.
Demeter focused on the book and read out the chapter title, I BECOME A KNOWN FUGITIVE
Everyone immediately turned their heads towards Percy, their eyes silently asking him to explain. The God looked up from where he was sitting around his children and shrugged, "Continue ahead, you'll understand."
I'd love to tell you I had some deep revelation on my way down, that I came to terms with my own mortality, laughed in the face of death, et cetera.
The truth? My only thought was: Aaaaggghhhhh!
Everyone laughed as Percy's thoughts were read out aloud, they had thought that it would be some deep revelation that was going to show them a glimpse of what made Percy different from the rest. However, he was just a kid like the others in camp.
Percy's children were certainly enjoying it more than the others, while their father was goofy and childish with them, he still had his commanding nature. Even unconsciously he radiated the warmth and leadership that inspired others, it was nice to see that he wasn't always like that.
The river raced toward me at the speed of a truck. Wind ripped the breath from my lungs. Steeples and skyscrapers and bridges tumbled in and out of my vision. And then: Flaaa-boooom!
Demeter stopped her reading to send Percy a teasing look, "Your thoughts are certainly amusing nephew." She purposefully ignored Hermes and Apollo snickering and making hand motions to imitate Percy's thoughts. Those two were utterly hopeless, that's what happens when you don't take your grains regularly.
Percy laughed, and went to reply, but Leo beat him to it. "Well, given the life of a demigod is filled with horror, death and suffering. We all have to amuse ourselves to keep going." The son of Hephaestus' words shifted the joyful mood of the room to a sombre tone. The demigods went silent, agreeing with the fire user, while the gods flinched, guilt seeping into their ichor.
Leo didn't need to look up to see that his friends were looking his way with concern. He couldn't help it, Percy's words from the last chapter had struck him deep. How many times had he felt the same? Feeling the weight of life to burden him to the point, that the fire user wished his flame would die out.
Demigods had a tough life, born with the powers of gods, yet limited by their own mortality. Having developed the instinct to hide their problems from their mortal parents, their friends, because who could understand them? Who could understand that every breathing second of their life was a struggle to control themselves so that they won't hurt those around them, or cause danger to others.
It was a harsh reality, and the gods needed to hear the harsh truth if anything was to be changed.
"Continue sister," Hestia spoke softly, she would've tried to comfort the children, but she knew that right now anything that the gods said to them would sound like a farce. They would have to show that they understood them instead of just saying it.
A whiteout of bubbles. I sank through the murk, sure that I was about to end up embedded in a hundred feet of mud and lost forever… Clouds of silt and disgusting garbage — beer bottles, old shoes, plastic bags — swirled up all around me.
Everyone growled, feeling disgust etching onto their soul at hearing the state of nature in the future. Pan and Artemis looked murderous, their eyes leaking their killing intention to everyone. Poseidon looked downright horrified, his face twisted into anger soon after, "What is my future-self doing? How could I had let my domains get this much polluted?" While rivers didn't come under his domains technically, they still came under his domains.
That's what all the gods were thinking, they wouldn't call them the most affectionate or kind immortals, but still every single one of them cared about nature.
Grover sighed, "Nature changed drastically in the future, the mortals started getting more and more selfish, and in their greed, they disregarded nature. It was the reason for Lord Pan disappearing, he couldn't watch his own domain get destroyed this much. Soon after Pan's disappearance, the other gods started ignoring the problems too, only Lady Artemis was the one who somewhat kept things in check since she spends more time on the ground than any other gods."
"Mortals got bolder and greedier, they cut down entire forests to build industries, dumping their toxic wastes directly into the rivers. Polluting land, water and air. Things are changing though, lately people have started to rebuild nature again, it's a slow process but I am hopeful for a better tomorrow."
Grover smiled softly at the end, ever since he had become the lord of wild, and the satyrs understood that the responsibility to protect nature rested upon their shoulders, instead of waiting for Pan, things had started to change. Rachel and he were doing everything in their power to help heal Earth, it also helped that his best-friend was an Olympian and helped him out too.
The gods of old all smiled at that, while none were happy about the state of nature in the future. It was a little assuring that people will realize the importance of nature and start working to improve it. Pan nodded, agreeing with the future children's plan to rebuild nature.
At that point, I realized a few things: first, I had not been flattened into a pancake.
"That is reassuring," Poseidon mumbled, only heard by his wife who patted his hand for comfort. It wasn't that the sea god was being overly dramatic, he was just whiny about his children being in danger. Something he had in common with Percy.
I had not been barbecued. I couldn't even feel the Chimera poison boiling in my veins anymore. I was alive, which was good.
"You being alive is always good, dad." Danae said from her seat on her father's lap. Penelope was constantly annoying her to move so that she could sit on their father's lap, but even the goddess of peace wasn't going to let go of her favourite seat. She was a daddy's girl after all.
Speaking of daddy's girl, Catarina had somehow climbed onto Percy's shoulder and was trying to rip out her father's hair. The lord of fate, who made Titans and Giants shudder at his mere name was reduced to a squeaking mess, begging and failing to get his daughter to let go of his precious hair.
Percy tried asking his wives for help, but they were enjoying themselves far too much seeing him get tortured. Artemis and Zoë were mentally applauding the youngest Jackson while the rest of the room looked on amused at the poor god.
Second realization: I wasn't wet. I mean, I could feel the coolness of the water… I looked at the garbage floating by and snatched an old cigarette lighter.
No way, I thought. I flicked the lighter. It sparked. A tiny flame appeared, right there at the bottom of the Mississippi.
"Woah!" Leo breathed, amazed that a fire could be started at the bottom of a river, then he turned to look at Percy with a crazy glint in his eyes, "Dude! Do you think I can light myself underwater if you take me down with you."
Percy's eyes glittered like he had found a new mission in life, but before he could reply, Calypso was hitting the back of Leo's head and chastising him for thinking up crazy scenarios.
I grabbed a soggy hamburger wrapper out of the current and immediately the paper turned dry… But the strangest thought occurred to me only last: I was breathing. I was underwater, and I was breathing normally.
"That occurred to you the last?" Reyna asked unimpressed, if she was told that this was the guy who she would see as her equal one day in Rome, she never would've believed it. There was a stark difference between the Percy Jackson who had come carrying a goddess on his shoulder into her city, and the one she was hearing about right now.
Though to be fair to Percy, it was clear after their first meeting that while he was an inhumane flesh of destruction even for demigods, he was also goofy and childlike. She had been attracted to his power and the way he held others' respect at first, but found herself falling in love with his endearingly annoying qualities later.
"Rey! I could light a fire underwater, of course I thought about something as trivial as breathing at last." Percy shook his head like he couldn't understand his wife's ignorance on the matter. Meanwhile, Artemis, Athena and Zoë were staring at him exasperatedly, already tired of his antics.
I stood up, thigh-deep in mud. My legs felt shaky. My hands trembled. I should've been dead. The fact that I wasn't seemed like . . . well, a miracle… "Urn . . . thanks." Underwater, I sounded like I did on recordings, like a much older kid. "Thank you . . . Father."
Poseidon smiled warmly at his son, glad that he was okay. Of course, Percy didn't need to thank him, he was his son, the seas were his birthright, and no one, not even him could ever take it away from him. Still, it felt good to know that his children appreciated him.
"Why would you thank him?" Heracles asked, and unlike the times where he would be arrogant and cocky, he seemed genuinely confused. He had never thanked his father for his powers, not even when he was made into a god. He had earned it all, hadn't he? He wanted to know the reason behind his cousin's thinking.
The rest of the gods from the past also turned to hear what Percy had to say. Dionysus wouldn't show it, but his eyes hidden behind the chalice he was holding had a curiosity in them. Wanting to see if Percy really was a different breed of demigod, he certainly has been showing potential until now.
Percy smiled at Heracles and answered, "The powers I get from my father are my birthright, but I had gotten it from him. I didn't need to thank him, but I did, because I was thankful for it. Back then I didn't have much more reason than that, but years later, I will thank my father again."
The Lord of fate turned to look at the sea god and spoke in a more serious manner, "I thanked my father, because these powers mean more to me than you can imagine. It's because of these powers that I was able to protect what matters to me the most, my friends and family. They also connect me to a side of myself, a heritage that's part of who I am. But it's not just about the abilities, it's about the bond I share with my dad, even if we don't see eye to eye all the time. These gifts are a reminder of my roots, my responsibility, and my connection to a greater world. They're not just tools, they're a reflection of my identity and how I will use these powers for persevering truth and justice. I will forever be grateful for them."
There was a serene silence in the throne room, everyone appreciating Percy' words and understanding the deep bond he shared with his father. Within those few sentences, Percy had given them a deeper look into his heart, the kindness, the intelligence and the humility he possessed.
Poseidon wiped away a stray tear that had left his eye out of its own volition. He was proud of him, that was clear, but now his eyes shone with another kind of approval. Respect, his son had not only taken his powers as a gift, but also as a responsibility to help others and maintain harmony. He was blessed to have a son like him.
Zeus had closed his eyes, Perseus' words reminded him of the time when he too was once free of any jealousy and paranoia. Millenia back when they had defeated their father and the lord of the sky had taken his role as the King of gods, promising to bring forth a new generation of immortals, who would be true and good. He understood why so many others were taken with the boy.
The gods of the underworld looked at the son of Poseidon in a new light. For someone to see things so clearly and possess such humility, they had no doubts that this boy would right the wrongs done by their family.
Hestia and Athena smiled, understanding their future husband a little bit better. He had humility, sure, but he possessed self-awareness that many immortals do not. Artemis and the hunters too smiled, his words akin to a balm that was slowly healing millennia old injuries of hatred and prejudice they held against the male gender.
"You look happy," Ariadne whispered to her husband, she knew why he despised demigods. They took everything for granted and never thought twice about their actions. So, it wasn't a surprise to her that her husband was interested to see a demigod who would possess humility and perhaps be different from his predecessors.
"Perhaps I should pay attention to this tiring play of the creator," Dionysus sighed, looking like he couldn't care less about the reading that was happening. However, even he couldn't control the slight upward twitch of his lips.
No response. Just the dark drift of garbage downriver, the enormous catfish gliding by, the flash of sunset on the water's surface far above, turning everything the color of butterscotch.
Why had Poseidon saved me?
Poseidon frowned, "Why wouldn't I save you? You're my child, I don't need any more reason than that."
Percy waved his father's concern away, smiling as he replied, "Back then I didn't understand your reason for that, but now I understand." He looked at his children warmly, "There's nothing in the world that you wouldn't do for your children."
Once again, many of the demigods wondered how it feels to be cared for so much by your parents. Only this time, the gods noticed.
The more I thought about it, the more ashamed I felt. So I'd gotten lucky a few times before. Against a thing like the Chimera, I had never stood a chance. Those poor people in the Arch were probably toast. I couldn't protect them. I was no hero.
Percy sighed as he immediately felt the glares of his wives aimed at him. They had told him multiple times that it wasn't his fault he couldn't save everyone, and he agreed with them. He just was never able to forget the fact that he could've done more, he could've saved a few more people. He knew it was not a healthy thing to obsess over, but he couldn't help his own thoughts.
"Percy," Annabeth said, her voice filled with love and empathy. "You're always too hard on yourself, you've done incredible things. You've saved countless lives, you've gotten injured, and every single time you stood up and fought even harder. You did everything you could."
Percy smiled; she always knew how to get to him. He sent her a grateful look, thankful that his wives were always there to help him.
"Perseus," Hades called out to him, "A hero isn't a person who saves everyone and goes home feeling happy and content. It's not the number of people you save that makes you a hero, it's the courage to stand up against the forces of darkness even when the odds are stacked against you. Remember, heroes are not infallible, they cannot save everyone."
Poseidon agreed with his brother, "You've already done more than what anyone would've expected from you. However, we know that Echidna and the Chimera were sent there to specifically test you, they wouldn't have any possible reason to kill others."
Percy thanked both his uncle and father for their reassuring words, he'd already known that there were no deaths since it was his past, but their words did help in healing some old wounds.
Maybe I should just stay down here with the catfish, join the bottom feeders.
Demeter stopped the reading and looked at Percy frowning, "You're too pessimist for your own good. A good intake of grain should help you with that."
Hades had to use every bit of self-control in order to not say anything to the agriculture goddess, which earned him a kiss on the cheek from his wife. So, it wasn't all that bad. Meanwhile, Percy was getting scolded by his children.
Sophia's words dripped with sarcasm as she addressed her father, "Dad, it's always such a delight to hear your gloomy thoughts." Her frustration with him was evident. She turned to her youngest sister, who remained perched comfortably on their father's shoulders, and instructed, "Cat, go ahead." The youngest Jackson wasted no time and immediately resumed tugging at Percy's hair.
The scene had a touch of amusement, but there was something that needed to be acknowledged. Nico left his place and settled next to Percy, placing Penelope in his lap. He directed his words to the children, saying with a gentle smile, "Kids, it's not easy to let go of past experiences. You've read about what your dad went through in the past, which has left him with these thoughts. It takes time to heal, but don't be angry with him. He'll get better when he finds people who can help him see the world in a different light. Remember, it's often harder to wake up from a nightmare while you're still living it."
Sophia and her siblings looked down, contemplating their uncle Nico's words. Without a word, they all wrapped their arms around Percy's waist and chorused, "We love you, Dad."
Percy, his eyes glistening with tears, nodded at his children, saying, "I love you too, but can you please ask Catarina to go easy on me?"
Sophia chuckled and stood up to gently remove her sister from their father's shoulder. She cradled her sister in her arms and asked Demeter to continue reading.
Fump-fump-fump. A riverboat's paddlewheel churned above me, swirling the silt around. There, not five feet in front of me, was my sword, its gleaming bronze hilt sticking up in the mud… She had long billowing hair, and her eyes, barely visible, were green like mine. A lump formed in my throat. I said, "Mom?"
Amphitrite groaned along with all the mothers inside the room. Her hand instantly left to smack the back of her husband's head, "Great, just great. Couldn't you have found someone other than the one who would remind the kid of his mother, who had disappeared in front of his eyes?"
Poseidon winced, understanding how that might not have been the greatest of choice. "I am sorry."
Amphitrite rolled her eyes, "You have the emotional awareness of a crab."
No, child, only a messenger, though your mother's fate is not as hopeless as you believe. Go to the beach in Santa Monica. "What?" …She reached out, and I felt the current brush my face like a caress. You must go to Santa Monica! And, Percy, do not trust the gifts. . . .
Grover bleated nervously, shuffling his hooves as he looked at Percy and Annabeth, "If we had understood the warning in time, we wouldn't have had to face so many terrible things." He shivered, still remembering the time he was being sucked into Tartarus, the things he had felt. He wanted to forget it.
Poseidon took notice of Grover's turmoil and was immediately alarmed, "What gifts is she talking about?" The Olympians also looked at each other with wary glances, this was a quest to have peace between the sky and the seas. What kind of trickery would the enemies perform in order to disrupt the quest?
"Do not think too much of the past child," Pan assured Grover, "There is little you can gain while troubling yourself over the past. What's done is done, it's over. You've lived through it and you are all the more better for it." Grover didn't say anything but it was clear that Pan's word got through him when his shoulders relaxed.
Her voice faded. "Gifts?" I asked. "What gifts? Wait!" … I felt like drowning myself. The only problem: I was immune to drowning.
The room once again went silent, everyone remembering Nico's words and not reprimanding Percy for his suicidal thoughts, knowing that trauma takes time to heal. Though it was safe to say that his wives and children were affected the most. They understood that Percy went through something terrible in his childhood that no one should go through, and it will take time for him to escape his traumas.
Still, it didn't stop their heart from clenching in pain every time they heard his negative thoughts.
Your father believes in you, she had said. She'd also called me brave . . . unless she was talking to the catfish.
"Yes husband," Reyna rolled her eyes, fingers tapping against the armrest of her couch as she understood the depth of her husband's stupidity, "She was calling the catfish brave, not the 12-year-old demigod who had defeated a fury, the Minotaur, Medusa and lived through an encounter with Chimera and the mother of monsters."
Some snickering went around the room as they witnessed the rare moment when the queen of Rome used sarcasm. Triton grinned at his future sister-in-law, he really liked it when people were sarcastic and sassy, "Truly sister, the catfish is an inspiring figure in Atlantis, mothers tell their children the tales of heroic catfish that go hunting through the night for worms or crustaceans. There are statues commemorating their bravery on every street."
This time everyone started laughing loudly, while the lord of fate pouted.
I waded toward Riptide and grabbed it by the hilt… I capped my sword, stuck the ballpoint pen in my pocket. "Thank you, Father," I said again to the dark water.
The room once again appreciated how Percy was really thankful for his father. Poseidon looked at his son and nodded, a silent look of respect exchanged between the father and son.
Then I kicked up through the muck and swam for the surface. I came ashore next to a floating McDonald's… Survivors. I felt a surge of relief. Maybe the park ranger and that family made it out safely. I hoped Annabeth and Grover were okay.
Artemis looked at Percy and smiled, to him the others were more important. He had fought and lost against Echidna and the Chimera, while many others would be enraged at their lost, he was relieved that no innocent was hurt. He truly was the stark opposite of what she had characterized the rest of the males as.
I tried to push through the crowd to see what was going on inside the police line… Annabeth stood behind him, trying to look angry, but even she seemed relieved to see me. "We can't leave you alone for five minutes! What happened?" "I sort of fell."
"Percy," Piper called him out on it, "Falling down from 600ft height is not considered, 'sort of fell' darling."
Percy scratched the back of his head sheepishly, a nervous trait he had. He didn't think much of the fall, aside from the thoughts of certain death, but those were not worth noting.
Annabeth nodded frantically, waving her hands around to get her sister wives' attention, "You see what I had to deal with?"
The rest of Percy's wives sympathized with the queen of demigods. Dealing with Percy was most certainly a very exhausting and demanding chore.
"Percy! Six hundred and thirty feet?"… I told them the whole story of the Chimera, Echidna, my high-dive act, and the underwater lady's message.
Grover snorted, apparently amused by what was read. When looks were sent his way, he explained, "His whole story was just him mentioning that Echidna was up there with a chimera, he forgot to tell us about the fight and that he had been injected with poison, nor that he was lit on fire."
Percy shrugged when he felt everyone's incredulous looks aimed his way. It wouldn't have helped them any better if he had told them the whole story, rather than having them panic, he decided to keep the more serious matters to himself. Looking around the room, he saw that only Athena seemed to be understanding why he decided to keep things to himself.
"Whoa," said Grover. "We've got to get you to Santa Monica! You can't ignore a summons from your dad."… against the St. Louis skyline behind us.
Demeter closed the book and looked around the room, "That wasn't a very big chapter." It wasn't to say that this chapter didn't reveal important information to them. The warning from the Nereid still bugged her, what gift should the child be wary of? Who's planning against them and what kind of trickery would they pull against the children?
"Should we start another chapter?" Hestia asked looking around the room. "It has been a long day, and we should all retire after another one."
"Sure," Aphrodite said, "Let me read this one." She opened the book and read the title, "A GOD BUYS US CHEESBURGERS"