you knew me,truly

Nico returned to Camp Half-Blood to find the skies overcast and the air chilly despite it being late August. He reached for Ruby and felt her warm fur under his hand. Both she and Onyx had their noses pointed toward the sky, chests shaking with how fast they scented the air.

"What's wrong?" Nico asked. Was a storm coming?

Onyx pawed at the ground, letting out a low, rolling growl. The two of them did just fine accompanying Nico to the Underworld. His father even found them amusing, though that was probably because he assumed Nico was the one who tamed them.

Speaking with his father did not go the way Nico expected it to, even after Percy warned him that Hades was not a kind or patient god. And even after he saw that fact for himself. Yes, when they met for the first time, Hades had given him a sword of Stygian iron. But it came with the stipulation that Nico make Hades proud. Whatever that was supposed to mean.

Now he and the hellhounds carried the scent of the dead on their heels and Nico could only come back to camp as the harbinger of bad news.

He ignored the curious looks thrown his way as he followed the path into camp. He also ignored the few fearful glances shot at him by smaller campers and the satyrs. Nico had no idea where to look for Percy, so he started at their cabin. Only to find it empty and with all the other hellhounds clustered around it.

Nico stepped inside, but Ruby wouldn't follow. He tried to pull her along, but she slipped out of his hold and scuttled away with her tail between her legs. Meanwhile, Onyx was pushing Nico out of the way to furiously smell the interior of the cabin.

"Oh, Nico. You're back."

He turned around. Silena from the Aphrodite cabin was standing a short distance away. She was by far the most beautiful of her siblings, and the only one who'd ever shown Nico even a trace of kindness. (Whenever Percy was busy, it was her that showed him how to ride a pegasus.)

She gave him a nervous smile. "I'm not sure where you went, but you missed out on a lot. There was this freak storm that hit the camp and, well… Percy's mom is here. She's at the Big House. And I really think you should go see her."

Nico's hand instinctively rested on his sword hilt. "Is something wrong?"

Silena's smile fell. "I'm sure he's fine but… Percy's missing."

The door slammed open as the shadows in the hall darkened. Nico stormed into the Big House, searching for Percy's mom. He found her coming out of Chiron's study and when she saw him, her eyes lit up with relief.

"Oh, Nico. How was visiting your father?"

"I know about Percy," he said, coming to a stop before her. "Do you know where he went?"

Her kindly expression melted away, revealing only tired worry. Nico's own roiling mix of concern and fear (plus anger at whoever hurt Percy) grew quiet. The shadows crawling over the wall receded.

Despite the bags under her eyes and the gray in her hair, Nico had always seen Miss. Jackson as the bravest, most capable woman he knew. And the kindest. But right now, she looked so exhausted.

Not knowing what else to do, Nico stepped forward and hugged her. She let out a soft oh, but didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around him. Percy's mom ran a hand through his hair, snagging on a knot in his dark locks. She mumbled something about cutting his hair someday soon, like a mother would.

"Nico?" she asked. "I think you and I need to sit down and have a talk. You've been away for a bit."

In the privacy of an unused office on the second floor, she sat Nico down on a crate of spare medical supplies and told him everything she knew. How something scared Percy in the dead of night, how he fled into the ocean, and how she learned from Poseidon himself that Percy was in the sea god's domain.

And of course, how Percy was rapidly turning into a god himself.

"But Percy's father is going to do everything he can to keep him safe. It's just that his other parent is very intent on getting their way."

"I know," Nico said, throat tight. Gods above and below, Percy's situation was so much worse than he could've imagined.

Not to mention the news Nico was supposed to be bringing.

Miss. Jackson was sitting across from him on a spare rolling chair. She leaned forward with her elbows on her knees and asked, "Nico, is there anything you want to talk about?"

He blinked at her. "Me?"

She nodded, dead serious but not unkind. "You went to see your father, after all."

Oh. Nico's hands curled into fists in his lap.

Before him was the woman who guided him and Percy on their quest. She was there at Westover Hall in Maine, when Nico first learned that gods and monsters weren't just myths. She even gave him the aviator jacket he currently wore. Despite the summer heat, the Underworld was cold and drafty. And when he didn't feel much of a difference between himself and the dead these days, his jacket proved to be the smallest of barriers, keeping him warm.

Yes, his father gave him a sword and his powers, but he did not treat Nico the way a father would treat a son. If he had to pick his loyalties, he'd rather choose Miss. Jackson and Percy than Hades.

"Nico? We can talk about it later, if you want."

He shook his head. "No, no. It's just that my father asked me to do something for him."

"A quest?" Miss. Jackson asked.

"Not quite. More like a mission, and he wants it done within a year." Nico replied. One of his legs was bouncing in place and he hated it. But he couldn't help it, he had a terrible feeling about Hades' plans.

"My father wants me to lure Percy to the Underworld."

To his surprise, Percy's mother did nothing other than slowly close her eyes. She exhaled through her nose and rubbed her temples with her fingertips. Nico remained quiet, counting up to five, before she opened her eyes again.

"Sweetie, is there a reason why your father wants my son in his domain?" Miss. Jackson asked.

"He… he wants me to lead Percy to the Styx. In exchange for information about my mother."

But Nico didn't remember anything about his birth mother. He knew he had one, but he couldn't recall her face or voice. For so long, it had been just him and Bianca. And now she was gone.

If he refused his father's request, would Hades continue to stay out of the brewing war? The Olympians could use his help, even if they didn't want to admit it.

Nico picked at a loose thread in his jacket sleeve. He added, "My father told me that if Percy gained the Curse of Achilles, he could win the war."

But why Percy? Hades didn't particularly like him or Poseidon.

"The Curse of Achilles?" Miss. Jackson repeated.

Nico nodded. "It would give Percy invulnerability, save for one mortal weak point. The same as the ancient hero."

"A mortal weakness?" Miss Jackson's voice tilted, as if she almost wanted to laugh. "But he's barely mortal anymore. Would it even work on him?"

If Nico brought Percy to the Underworld, they could see for themselves.

"I think it's a trap," he admitted.

Miss. Jackson stood and offered a hand. "It definitely is."

If Hades wanted Nico to make him proud, what could be better than seizing Percy, a demigod who's cheated death more than once, and elevating Nico to being the subject of the Great Prophecy in one go?

Nico accepted her hand and stood. Miss. Jackson smoothed over his hair, a touch of warmth he sorely lacked in the Underworld.

"But I'm scared what my dad will do otherwise," Nico said. He'd seen Hades' vast realm. His armies, the Furies. The god's chariot pulled by skeletal horses. Hades was just as powerful as Poseidon or Zeus, he could very easily change the trajectory of the war if he wanted to.

"Is there anything else he told you?" she asked.

Nico shook his head. "No."

Miss. Jackson placed a hand on his shoulder and led him out of the room. Meanwhile, Nico was biting the inside of his cheek. There was a part of him that feared how Miss. Jackson would react to the stipulation of Achilles' curse. If Percy was to gain invulnerability, she would have to give him her blessing first. But since leaving the Underworld, an insane idea was tumbling around inside Nico's head.

It might not work, but it could maybe win over his dad without sacrificing Percy.

Percy, who went out of his way to bring Nico back to camp when he first learned his sister was dead. Who shared his cabin, who trained him to harness his powers and how to fight. When they first met, maybe Nico was infatuated with him. How could he not? Percy always felt larger than life, with sharp eyes and an even sharper, mischievous grin.

But as time went on, Nico found something he never expected. He was embarrassed to admit it, but when he looked at Percy… he saw an older brother. So maybe it was Nico's turn to do something for him.

With a gasp, Percy opened his eyes. The first thing he registered was how soft the bed beneath him was. His fingers curled in the silky-smooth sheets. He didn't understand why it felt like he was floating until he remembered everything from before he was placed in a deep sleep- the wound, his blood, the storm, the beach- so where was he now? His father's domain, right?

He sat up, eyes adjusting to the dim light. Ordinarily, his senses sharpened underwater. He could feel the currents, the changes in temperature, and somehow sense his surroundings. But now, his head hurt and he wanted to keep his eyes shut. Percy buried his face in his hands, the ocean doing nothing to cure the dull ache behind his eyes.

"Percy?"

He jumped, a rippling current stirring the water around him. How did he not notice he wasn't alone?

Percy forced his eyes open. "Huh?"

A massive hand was on his shoulder, gently trying to soothe him. Percy blinked, his vision clearing.

"Ty?"

His little brother smiled down at him. "Hello, brother."

Percy's eyes honed in on the abalone ceiling over his head. He knew he was brought to his father's palace, but the details were so fuzzy before. Percy hadn't noticed the floating orbs in the room. They gave off a very faint, pulsating light. If he didn't know any better, they looked like giant pearls.

Percy focused on Tyson and asked, "What're you doing here?"

"Dad sent me to keep watch over you while he was away."

"Away?" Percy asked.

Tyson nodded. "He went away to a secret meeting, said it was about you. Don't know when he'll be back."

Percy sat up, fighting both a terrible headache and the automatic feeling of weightlessness that came with being underwater. He was plenty comfortable in the ocean, but he wished he was on dry land for the sake of feeling like he wasn't about to float away.

Percy reached out and gasped at Tyson's shirt. "Ty, I need you to listen. Something big just went down."

Trying to keep his emotions under control, Percy relayed what exactly happened. The meeting hosted by the primordials, Percy shedding his humanity, how he was going to become a god, a primordial, in a year at best.

Cyclopes could read emotions the same way satyrs could. And very quickly, Tyson's hopeful expression melted away. He looked more pensive than Percy had ever seen. It wasn't the grim determination Tyson had in battle, or the sheer concentration when he was crafting something new. It was this stormy, broody look that he saw in their father. In himself, even.

It was haunting to see it in his brother's big, brown eye.

"If you ascend…" Tyson began. With some difficulty, he asked, "...will I ever see you again?"

And Percy very well knew the answer to that. Already, he was becoming far too dangerous to be around others. But for his brother's sake, he shook his head. "I don't know."

Avoiding his brother's knowing eye, Percy glanced around the room. There weren't any windows separating it from the ocean beyond, save for shimmery curtains that waved gently with the current. The walls were panels of polished abalone, the floor a grayish marble. His bed was decorated with sheets made of woven plant material, yet were as light and soft as silk.

Percy asked, "This room, is the whole palace like this?"

"Yes… but this room is special," Tyson said.

"Yeah?" Percy risked a glance at his brother.

Tyson added, "He made it for you."

"He?"

Just then, the hairs on the back of Percy's neck stood on end. The water suddenly, somehow, became imbued with a hint of power. It was invigorating as Percy took it in.

"Dad's home," Tyson said.

Percy shoved his covers aside. "Take me to him."

Tyson stood, or floated, and snapped his fingers. The pearls overhead intensified in light as the double doors to the room opened. His brother led Percy down a long hall decorated with pearls and coral and up a geyser that served as an elevator. It must've been night, or maybe they were just really deep down, because the ocean beyond Atlantis was so very dark.

But the city itself was incredible. It could easily rival the city on Olympus, gilded in abalone and silver, pathways decorated with glowing pearls and occupied by both sea life and mermen alike. But the inhabitants themselves looked dour. Mermen in a palace courtyard tended to wounded companions while others hurried to sharpen dulled spears and swords.

Tyson said, "The war on the surface isn't as bad as down here. Dad's been fighting the other sea gods for months."

Not for much longer, Percy thought.

Tyson brought Percy to the rooftop of a tall, spiraling tower at the center of the palace. There, they came upon a cluster of figures. They were gathered around a massive, circular mosaic on the floor. When Percy stared at it, he realized the mosaic was alive. It shifted tiles and changed colors, reflecting Atlantis and the surrounding waters.

Forces beyond the city walls were retreating into the depths.

"-does it mean?" one of the figures asked. He had black hair tied back in a short ponytail, but green skin and two fish tails.

"They cannot possibly be surrendering, not yet," another added. She was a proud and stern looking woman with flowing black tresses.

A dolphin, a regular looking dolphin, clicked in response. I will send for word from the western front right away!

Then it swam off. Aside from the dolphin, everyone on the rooftop was decked out in full armor.

Tyson leaned down and whispered, "Daddy's generals… and family."

Before Percy had a chance to respond, the water rippled and jumped in temperature. That was his only warning to avert his gaze as his father manifested at the center of the mosaic.

The woman in the group approached Poseidon, but she didn't look very pleased. "Dearest, what happened? What could have possibly called you away without hesitance?"

He watched as Dad took her hand in his own. All of a sudden, Percy felt like an intruder. He'd never given it much thought before, but his father did fall in love with his mom while he was already married to another woman.

Poseidon said, "I was summoned for a meeting I could not deny."

"To Olympus?" she asked.

"No, not quite."

"Father, Oceanus' forces are withdrawing from our western and northern fronts," a merman said. His armor was studded with pearls, a circlet of silver woven into his hair. The way he called Poseidon father gave Percy a small shock until he figured that this must've been Triton.

"Already?" Poseidon asked. The group cleared the mosaic, watching it shift as the battlefields cleared.

"Is this why you left? How could you possibly get our foes to surrender?" the woman asked. She had to be Amphitrite, then.

Poseidon seemed grim as he studied the mosaic. "I did not. This was part of a bargain orchestrated by another."

He looked up, as if he knew already Percy was hovering at the edge of the rooftop the entire time. His father made a gesture for him to come forward, saying, "You have Percy to thank for this."

All the attention turned on him and Percy immediately tensed. He always hated the spotlight, and he itched to bare his teeth when Amphitrite and Triton both stared at him down their noses, as if he were some shivering stray.

Tyson bumped Percy's shoulder and he figured he had no choice but to come forward. It wasn't hard to imagine why his father's family would be less than happy to see him. He was a bastard child, after all.

"He had something to do with this?" Amphitrite asked. "You abandoned your domain… for him?"

Percy bristled. His father stepped in. Poseidon turned to Amphitrite and said, "Percy is the reason our battlefields are now quiet for the first time in months. Look."

He summoned a golden trident to his hand and pointed it far beyond the city walls. Percy hadn't noticed it before, but Atlantis was surrounded by walls, trenches, and heavy anti-siege artillery. He squinted, sensing the currents and heat signatures around him. The ocean beyond the city was quiet. Sediment and debris floated in the water but Percy sensed that it would settle soon.

His father was in the middle of a siege on his own city when he went to meet with Chaos? All for him?

Percy always knew deep down that his father cared for him. Poseidon defended him in front of the Olympians more than once and accompanied him to his council with Chaos. But to witness such a physical testament to it almost made him dizzy.

"How could this be?" Triton asked. Up close, Triton looked a lot younger than Percy first thought. If his skin wasn't green and he had two legs, he could've been mistaken for a college kid. Triton also had their dad's eyes and jawline, but a rounder nose and more prominent cheekbones.

With a start, Percy noticed that he bore a stronger resemblance to Poseidon than Triton did. Even with his pale hair.

Triton turned his attention to Percy and continued to regard him with skepticism. "I have indeed heard tale of you, Perseus. I-"

"Percy," he said. It was second nature to him by now, correcting those who tried to call him by his full name. And especially so after the whirlwind confrontation with Chaos. Right now, Percy was in no mood to be tested by another immortal.

Triton gawked, scandalized. As if he'd never had someone interrupt him before. Percy met his stare head on, raising his brows as if to ask, What's wrong?

He felt Tyson come up from behind him, but didn't back down. Triton sneered and continued. "I heard of what an insolent hellion you are, Percy. And I had hope that even a child such as yourself could maintain a degree of mannerisms. I see now that my expectations were too high for you."

Percy wanted to snap back. But quite frankly, Triton wasn't even in the top ten scariest people he'd ever come across. Percy mustered a sardonic smile and said, "I bet you haven't even heard the half of it."

This time, Tyson stepped in. He grabbed Percy by his arm and pulled him away, whispering, "Don't, brother."

He resisted baring his teeth like a hellhound. Percy felt the slightest thrum under his skin. It was his powers awakening. Of course, he wouldn't unleash them here. It would be too easy for him to destroy everything around him, including Tyson.

To his utter surprise, his- their dad looked more upset with Triton than Percy. Poseidon's godly aura spiked, heating the water around them in warning. He slammed the end of his spear down on the mosaic hard enough to crack the enchanted tiles. His generals and even Amphitrite looked alarmed.

Poseidon's voice boomed, "Triton, that is enough. You should be grateful that Percy has accomplished what he has. You cannot even begin to imagine what he has sacrificed for us."

Turning his attention to Percy, Poseidon's expression was still stormy and brooding, but the tension in his shoulders melted away, somehow making him look more fatherly. His voice softened to a normal volume. "It is by his actions alone that we have been freed from this damnable war."

Percy winced internally. He hated the shocked, confused, and awed looks the surrounding generals were now giving him. He almost preferred Triton's blatant distrust. This was too familiar.

His father barked out a quick series of orders, sending generals to call back their forces, Amphitrite to tend to the incoming wounded from their final battles, and with a stern look, Poseidon sent Triton to the front line as well.

Now alone with just his father and Tyson, Percy felt the full weight of the situation fall upon him. The idea of his father's domain had always been a foggy idea in his head, a concept he understood but never really tried to visualize. But here it was, Atlantis in all its glory before him. And it was Percy who forced the other sea gods to back off and leave his father alone.

And… he really was going to be a god in a year, if he could keep himself together for that long.

"Dad," Percy began. His voice almost cracked, and he had no idea what to say. He was just so thankful he didn't face a room full of primordials alone. "Thank you."

Poseidon sighed. "I fear you have little to thank me for, Percy."

Percy and Tyson shared a look.

Tyson asked, "So what now?"

He wasn't sure. Percy was in flight or fight mode from the moment he stepped on that scrap of metal in his cabin and started to bleed almost pure gold. There was no immediate danger anymore, and it made his skin itch.

"I think… I think I should see my mother," Percy said.

His father nodded. "Very well. I will arrange your travels. Tyson, I want you to escort him and ensure his return as well."

"Yes, Sir," Tyson said.

Poseidon always hoped to bring Percy to Atlantis. He had a room built in the palace after claiming his son when Percy was twelve, ignoring his family's fury and chagrin. Amphitrite, perhaps understandably, was outraged when he sired his first demigod child in almost a century. She quite liked the oath he and his brothers took to swear off mortal children. Triton was also upset, though he kept his seething displeasure to himself for the most part. (The news of Tyson's existence was easier for them both to handle. Though Tyson was a remarkable blacksmith and warrior, he was not the same as a demigod child.)

It wasn't until news began trickling in about Percy's feat did his firstborn grow jealous. At only twelve years old, Percy recovered Zeus' master bolt and hand delivered it to Olympus. He sailed the Sea of Monsters and held up the sky for days on end.

Soon enough, word would spread throughout all of Atlantis that it was Percy who ended the warring between them and Poseidon's rival gods.

Triton was an accomplished warrior in his own right, without any doubt. He was Poseidon's firstborn son and a Lord of his own. But he was also vain at times, accustomed to the power and prestige he was born into.

In contrast, Percy was born of his mother. He knew hardship and sacrifice far too well. Looking at him now, Poseidon's heart ached for his only living demigod offspring. For Percy truly was only a child.

Before sending him and Tyson to Camp Half-Blood, Poseidon was reminded of something he'd long been wanting to do.

"You should leave soon, but there is something I need to give you, Percy," he said.

He sent Tyson to return to Percy's room while they remained on the rooftop. He had hoped to give this gift in better circumstances, but now would have to suffice. Poseidon snapped his fingers and a small leather satchel appeared in his hand.

"Happy birthday, my child."

Poseidon held out the satchel. Percy actually hesitated before accepting it, his instinct to question gifts from gods being so strong. But he took it quietly, turning it over in his hands.

"Go ahead, Percy."

His son undid the drawstring and pulled out his gift. It was a white, circular disk.

"A sand dollar?"

Poseidon nodded. "Indeed, in my day this was quite the coveted object. There was much it could pay for."

In light of Percy's recent struggles, something so small seemed almost trivial. But for the likes of Percy and Poseidon, there was a power to things that came from the ocean. He hoped such a gift could remind Percy that he was not only a destroyer. He had saltwater in his veins and an affinity for his father's subjects.

Looking at Percy now, Poseidon wished he could be proud of the fact that his son was going to grow into one of the most powerful heroes ever born. And after that, he would achieve ascension without any Olympian influence.

But he could not. Even without any future telling abilities, he could see the pathway Percy was now trapped in. He was destined for tragedy, to burn brightly and then fade just as quickly.

Poseidon prayed that there would still be a boy at the end of Percy's ascension, rather than a mass of raw power. A star instead of a black hole.

Percy carefully placed the sand dollar back in the pouch, saying, "Thank you, Dad."

He mustered a smile. Percy looked so much like him, but he could see the ways the boy resembled his mother. It was his unflinching gaze, his ability to weather immense difficulty and survive. Sally spent a lifetime witnessing things a mortal shouldn't have been able to, and now Percy was walking an even more dangerous line.

Before taking Percy back to his room to be transferred to camp, Poseidon said, "I need you to know, Percy. I am proud of you, and deeply grateful for your help."

Percy's lips parted in surprise, as if he wanted to reply but couldn't find the words.

That was alright. Poseidon did not need a response. He said, "Now, come. I believe it is time we get you home."

The morning sun was poking through the clouds, trying to shine on the shore of Camp Half-Blood. The way Percy understood it, he'd been gone from camp for about two days. As soon as he set foot on land, he didn't doubt there'd be more trouble waiting for him.

His hippocampus sensed his nerves and whinnied in response.

What is the matter, my lord?

Percy patted the side of her neck to soothe her.

"You still don't want me to come with you?" Tyson asked.

Their hippocampi bobbed in the gentle waters about a hundred feet from the beach. Percy sighed.

"I'll be fine. Thanks for bringing me here, Ty."

His brother gave him a warm smile. "Of course. Be safe, brother."

Percy slid off his hippocampus and propelled himself to land. He emerged from the water dry and was greeted by Andrea, who was basking in the light on the dunes. She snored softly, paws twitching in her sleep. Percy turned around and waved to Tyson, letting his brother know that he was fine. Tyson waved back before disappearing beneath the surf.

Alone with Andrea, Percy patted her leg and tried to wake her up gently. "Hey, hey. Miss me?"

Andrea perked up, blinking before her attention settled on Percy. She let out one excited bark before bowling him over and assaulting him with wet doggy kisses.

"I know, I'm sorry. I probably scared you, didn't I?" Percy asked. He couldn't believe she waited by the water for him to come back. He calmed her down just enough to climb on her and let Andrea carry him into camp.

Unfortunately, the day's activities already began. There were only a few weeks left of camp and that was usually when campers were desperate to get in as many extra training sessions as possible. He passed by the Apollo cabin at the archery field and the Ares cabin on their way to the arena, already decked out in armor. Clarisse nodded to him as he passed.

"Good to see you back," she said.

Percy nodded. "Give them hell."

She flashed him a smile before continuing on his way.

At last, Percy arrived at the Big House. Chiron was sipping an iced tea on the porch, waiting for him. Percy climbed down from Andrea's back, feeling more and more nervous as he climbed the steps to the porch.

"You gave your mother quite the scare," Chiron said.

"Sorry."

"Not to me, my boy. Your mother will be returning this evening."

Chiron gestured for Percy to sit down with him. He even offered to pour Percy some tea, but he declined.

"Tell me, Percy. Are you alright?"

He nodded.

"Good," Chiron said. He drank his tea and didn't say anything else.

Percy squirmed in his seat and drummed his fingers on the glass tabletop. "Chiron, there's something I've been keeping hidden from you."

It was exactly what his mentor was expecting. Chiron nodded for him to continue.

In hindsight, there might've not been much point in keeping his parentage hidden from his teacher. But once people knew, they started to treat Percy differently. As if he was in constant danger, or as if he was the danger. Or, in the Romans' case, as if he was a deity already. And Percy hated it.

But he fessed up at last, telling Chiron that he had not one godly parent but two. Chaos was why Percy was so inclined to hellhounds and the Labyrinth. Why he didn't stay dead. And now, he had only one year before he wasn't going to be able to die at all.

The entire time, he kept his eyes on his hands. When he was finished, he didn't have it in him to look up. The silence was a heavy weight draped over his shoulders.

In the distance, music played and campers laughed. But the Big House's patio was shaded and quiet.

"Percy," Chiron said at last. "You must know I've had my theories about you. But not even I could anticipate this. It has been an impossibly long time since a primordial of your caliber has walked the earth. The likes of Selene or Rhea have existed in peace with the Olympains for many years now, keeping to themselves in large part. But a protogenos? I did not think one could exist in our realm without tearing it apart."

A lump formed in his throat. "I know, Chiron. I know."

Chiron gave him a sympathetic look. He said, "But you are still mortal, Percy. And my student. If you expect me to cast you out for what you are, I refuse to do so. This can still be your home, as is your right granted to you by your Olympian father."

He finally looked up. Chiron undoubtedly saw many, many heroes cut down in their prime. Or before they reached any kind of success at all. Right now, he truly looked like he was several thousand years old. Like he didn't want to view Percy as a walking corpse yet, but knew his fate was already sealed.

"I wish you had told me sooner, Percy. But the past is behind us. In fact, your situation has made me more hopeful than I have been in recent times."

Percy felt like he couldn't breathe. "Really?"

Chiron hummed. "Indeed. If fate does not bend to you as you say, then this war can go many different ways now. Olympus was once threatened to be burned down, but what if something new is to occur? What if you've already changed the fate of our world for the better? Neither you nor Nico have to risk dying at the hands of a prophecy anymore. Look around you, Percy. You might have set more than yourself free."

His teacher's words repeated in Percy's head. More than anything, Percy wanted Chiron to be right. What did Chaos once say, creation and destruction were one and the same?

Was it possible that there was more than ruin in his future?

"Go rest, Percy. And think things over," Chiron said, dismissing him.

Percy stood. "Thank you, Chiron."

Nico was sequestering himself in Cabin Three, organizing his Mythomagic cards while thinking over his plans for the future. Percy had to be safe, otherwise Nico would've felt him die again. But when he came back, would he be prepared for Nico's idea?

It was dangerous and there were so many ways it could go wrong. Should he even try to do as his father wanted, or was it worth risking Hades' anger by ignoring his orders? But if he didn't try leading Percy to the Underworld, would his dad keep refusing to help the Olympians?

Nico didn't hear anyone approaching the cabin door until Ruby barked, ears perked forward. The newly repaired door opened.

"Nico?"

His head jerked up.

"Percy!"

He threw his cards down and rushed to his feet. Nico threw his arms around Percy and squeezed. The other boy hugged him back.

Nico asked, "What happened to you?"

He let go, but to his surprise, Percy was giving him a strange look. He was squinting at Nico.

"You're real, right?" Percy asked.

"Huh?"

Percy glanced around the cabin, which Nico cleaned up after coming back.

"Never mind." He slipped past Nico and stopped at his bunk. Percy reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, leather bag. He stared at it before hanging it up on the wall.

Nico already knew that Percy was ascending. Did he leave because of that?

"Percy?" Nico asked. "What's wrong?"

The other let out a long sigh. Percy massaged the heel of his palms against his eyes. Nico was afraid he was upsetting him somehow. He considered slipping out of the cabin to leave Percy alone for a while.

"Nico?" he asked.

"Yes?"

Percy faced him, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was thinking… maybe it's time you started living in the Hermes cabin."

All of Nico's growing fears ground to a halt. His breath caught in his throat.

"What?"

"Or the Big House, I'm sure Chiron would let you. Given the circumstances, and all that."

"You're kicking me out?"

A tiny voice told Nico that this was never meant to be his cabin to begin with. Percy said, "It's because I want you to be safe. And you're better off with some distance between us."

"Why?" Nico asked. "Percy, I know you're turning into a god. And I'm not afraid of you."

But not even that seemed to change his mind. Percy gave Nico a pinched expression, lips pursed and brows drawn together. He looked remarkably like his mother when he did so.

"Even if you're not afraid, being around me all the time is still going to put you in danger." Percy said. He gestured around the cabin. "Nico, look. I ran away because I realized how close to godhood I was. And when I did, I got scared. My powers kicked in even without me trying to, and I ended up making my own storm. I could've destroyed the cabin, or flooded the camp. I could've really hurt you if you were around."

Nico wanted to fight back. He could shadow travel, after all. It was easy for him to escape tough situations. But looking at Percy, he almost didn't want to argue. Percy honestly looked like he was about to cry. He was running his hands through his hair and blinking hard. He seemed overwhelmed.

Steeling his nerves, Nico approached Percy. He put a hand on the older boy's arm.

"Percy? Listen to me. If you want me out of this cabin, you're going to have to throw me out. But if you do, I'll come back. I'll shadow travel in and I'll stay until you kick me out again. There were plenty of times you could've abandoned me, but you never did. So I'm not doing the same to you."

Forget Nico's father and bringing Percy to the Underworld. Those worries could wait until at least tomorrow. For now, he had bigger things to worry about.

Namely, Percy. Who was now half hugging Nico and half collapsing into his arms.

Not knowing what to say, Nico hefted Percy upright and held him close.

"Okay? I'm not leaving," he said. They could be outcasts together.

"If I get out of control… you have to run," Percy said in between shaky breaths.

Nico didn't answer.

"You have to protect yourself," Percy said. "Promise me."

"I promise," Nico said.

But Percy didn't make him swear upon the Styx.

Percy waited until his mother's shift was over to call her. He didn't want her leaving in the middle of the day just to see him, even though he wanted to see her more than anything.

As soon as he dialed her number using one of the Big House's phones, she sounded like she was ready to cry at the sound of his voice. Not sad crying, but being overtaken by sheer relief. He did his best to assure her that he wasn't hurt.

She said what he knew she would, "I'll be right there."

"Be careful," he said. Monsters could still pick up on the signal he was putting out and possibly trace it to his mom. But if he knew her, she most likely had her crossbow in the trunk of her car.

He was in the Big House with Nico when she arrived. They saw each other only days ago, but for Percy, it felt like weeks. Before he even knew it, she was squeezing him as hard as possible while resting her forehead on his shoulder.

Quietly, Percy longed for the days when he was smaller than his mother. When they pulled apart, she cradled his face in her hands. With some awe, Percy felt the calluses she'd built up on her fingers and palms.

"I'm sorry," he said. He didn't mean to scare her, but it felt like all Percy ever did was make his mother worry.

She brushed her thumb over his cheek. "I know, it's alright. Now tell me, are you… still mortal?"

No surprise, she already figured out he was ascending. But she was relieved to know he wasn't a god yet.

"I still have one year," Percy explained.

"Until you're sixteen?" she asked. Her eyes narrowed. "Isn't that what the prophecy said?"

"Are you going to try to make it come true?" Nico asked. He was leaning against the wall by the fireplace, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets.

"I don't think there's any point in sticking to a prophecy," Percy said. He shrugged, "But I just needed more time. My other parent wanted it to happen right away. I think a year was the longest I could make them wait."

"A whole year?" Mom asked. She gave him a shy smile. "That can be quite a while, depending on how you look at it. The war, the future, it'll always be on the horizon. But for now, there's something I've been wanting to do."

She lifted a lock of Percy's hair, studying it. "I think you're long overdue for a haircut, young man."

He couldn't help it. Percy barked out a short laugh. Meanwhile, Nico had his hands clasped over his neck. Maybe Mom offered the same thing to him, but he still wanted to grow his out. Nico liked being able to tie his hair back, but Percy would gladly take a trim.

Yes, Percy's mom cut his hair. She'd been cutting it for about all his life. He was a poor kid growing up, after all. And he didn't care what she did with him, as long as it wasn't a bowl cut.

It was already after dinner and curfew was fast approaching. Percy promised that it wouldn't take very long to get Nico to return to their cabin without him. He didn't think Nico would've wanted to hang around waiting for him; at the same time, he liked it when he and his mom could just talk.

She had him lean over the edge of the tub in a bathroom on the Big House's second floor after commandeering a pair of scissors she found in a sewing kit. First, she tried washing his hair.

"Percy," she said gently.

Right. He willed the water to actually get him wet and it obeyed his command. His mom kept the spray of water away from his eyes, combing her fingers through his hair. She hummed as she ran her fingers through his hair. Percy swore he could've stayed like this forever, getting lost in the white noise of the showerhead.

After that, she tucked a towel into the collar of his shirt and sat him down on the closed toilet seat.

"You let your hair grow so long," she said.

"Cutting it never felt like a priority," he said. But his hair was starting to brush his shoulders.

"Well, at least now it won't be in the way."

One by one, damp locks of white hair fell to the floor.

As she worked, Mom said, "I was wondering… would you want to dye your hair black? You'd look the way you did before."

Percy picked up a stray lock that fell in his lap. It was still pure white, not a speck of black left. He said, "I don't think it'd make a difference at this point."

"Oh," Mom said. After a minute, she asked, "How about blue?"

He exhaled through his nose. "Blue? On me?"

"I think navy would suit you very nicely. Or maybe something brighter? With hair this light, it wouldn't be hard to color it at all."

He thought about it. Percy tossed the lock of hair into the nearby trash can.

"I don't think I'd be able to remember how to take care of it. I'd end up washing away the dye too fast. Or staining all my bedsheets."

That got his mom to laugh. She moved in front of him, snipping at his bangs. Percy focused on the lock of white she had running through her hair. Unlike the stray grays she had, Percy knew he caused part of his mother's hair to turn white. He accidentally released some of his powers around her months ago. And her hair didn't regrow in its original brown, it looked like it was staying white.

She caught him staring. "What's the matter, Percy?"

"Nothing."

Mom obviously didn't believe him. "Tilt your chin down. More. Now talk to me. You said they got together a bunch of primordials to persuade you to take godhood?"

"I'd say it was more like extortion." Percy blinked away the stray hairs that fell in his eyes.

"But they didn't hurt you, right?"

His mind immediately flashed to Tartarus and the steak knife. To the visions of Perseus that Chaos showed him.

"No. They didn't hurt me."

"Good." She moved behind him again. "They'd have to answer to me if they did."

"Of course."

The two of them were lulled back into silence. Percy just did as his mom told him, trying to keep his fidgeting to just his hands. A few times as a kid, he wiggled a little too much and ended up with some very unflattering haircuts.

To think, there was once a time when none of the gods were in his life. When Percy's biggest concern was not repeating fourth grade. There also used to be a time when Chaos was more kindly, almost benevolent.

Another lock of hair fell in his lap; he picked it up and started rolling it between his thumb and pointer finger.

"I wonder how different things would be if I kept my mouth shut and just… I don't know. Accepted them into my life."

His mom stopped for a second and asked, "Is that so?"

"Mm-hmm." Percy sighed. "I spent so long being afraid or angry. I was always either one or the other. But Mom, I've been hearing their voice inside my head for years."

Percy stopped himself, his voice dangerously close to cracking. Why did his chest hurt? Why did his eyes burn?

"What if I just let them feed their powers into me? Did as they said, thanked them for everything? Because… because, I-"

How could Percy ever think he stood a chance against the oldest, most powerful being in existence?

"Now I'm something else. I'm not a god like the Olympians, I'm not a hero. I'm more like a monster, so-"

Percy's words got caught in his throat as his mom appeared in front of him. She dropped the scissors, kneeling in front of him. Her hands were on his shoulders, her eyes staring into his. When he was younger, she used to be the only person with the strength to look him in the eye.

"You stop that right now. Do you understand me, Percy?"

Her eyes shined. Her voice was rough. But he was never an obedient child.

"But I'm right, aren't I?" Percy asked. He put a hand on his chest and felt his heartbeat. "I didn't want to make that deal, Mom. To be a god in a year. But I had no better choice. Now, I'm thinking if things were different a-and then, maybe… we could've had something better."

Percy might've been free of the fates, but he never felt more like he was stuck in a tragedy. His mom smoothed his hair over, pushing it away from his eyes. She pressed a kiss to the top of his head. He sucked in a breath. She held him close.

"I'm sorry, Percy. You've had more responsibility put on you than you deserve. But I'm proud of you, I'm so proud, Percy, that you never surrendered to any god. This is where we've landed, but there's no point in giving up yet."

Percy opened his eyes. "Mom?"

She was crying, or very close to it. Her eyes were wet but they burned. She shook his shoulders and told him, "Keep giving them hell, Percy. The titans, the primordials. Show them all that you aren't afraid of fighting back," her voice broke as she struggled to steady her breathing, "...because if you don't, they'll never stop taking from you."

His hands reached for her arms. Percy needed something to hold onto, so fearful that he'd just evaporate without something to ground him. He tried to clench his jaw but his head was spinning and his throat burned.

Tomorrow, he decided, the countdown to the day after his sixteenth birthday would begin. For now, Percy was tired. He was scared. He was homesick despite Camp Half-Blood being his home.

Percy tapped his mom's arm, letting her know to continue. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve as she picked up the scissors and rinsed them in the sink. Tomorrow was a different day. For now, all Percy wanted was to pretend today would never end.

Notes:

In the comments below, tell me what YOU think Nico's plan is

The winner will be spared on my day of reckoning!