Percy POV
The lights of Atlantis shimmered beneath the waves, casting an otherworldly glow on the coral and sea creatures that called this place home. I wandered aimlessly through the streets, lost in thought, the recent confrontation with Nico still weighing heavily on my mind. The cool ocean currents brushed against my skin, a familiar comfort in the tumult of my emotions.
As I rounded a corner near the central plaza, a familiar figure caught my eye. Triton, with his commanding presence and easy grin, was approaching me. He was flanked by a pair of dolphins that playfully darted around him.
"Hello, Perseus,"" Triton called out, his voice echoing slightly under the water. "Fancy seeing you here. Taking a midnight stroll?" I forced a smile, nodding.
"Yeah, just... clearing my head, you know?" Triton's expression softened with understanding.
"Mind if I join you? I could use a break from royal duties myself." We walked side by side in silence for a few moments, the vibrant marine life of Atlantis unfolding around us.
"Honestly, Percy, at first, I always thought you were a pretty annoying dude, getting everything so easily and being dad's favourite," Triton admitted, breaking the silence. "But then you single handedly fought and beat Gone. I gotta admit, you did a pretty amazing job there. Not everyone can say they've taken down a threat like that." I shrugged.
"It needed to be done. Couldn't let him win like that." Triton chuckled.
"Always the humble hero, huh? You know, I'm throwing a party next week. You should definitely come. It's going to be the event of the century. I'll introduce you to all the hotshots in Atlantis and even give you part ownership of the all time buffet!"
"A party?" I echoed, not sure if I was in the mood for celebrations.
"Yeah! And you can bring Artemis too," Triton winked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Dad would be thrilled to see you both."
The mention of Artemis caused a pang in my chest.
"I don't think Artemis and I will be attending together," I said quietly. Triton glanced at me, his expression turning serious.
"Trouble in paradise?"
"You could say that," I admitted, my gaze drifting to a school of luminescent fish passing by.
"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?" I sighed, feeling the weight of the words as I spoke them.
"It's complicated. Artemis... She hid my sword during the war. Didn't tell me. I only found out recently."
"Ah," Triton nodded slowly. "Trust issues. That's rough, especially after everything you've been through."
"It's more than that," I said, struggling to articulate my feelings. "It's like... I thought we were past all the secrets and lies. You know, ever since I forgave her for everything before. But finding out about the sword, it just brought everything back. The doubts, the uncertainty, the reminders.."
Triton remained silent for a moment, allowing the sound of the gently swaying seaweed to fill the space between us.
"Percy, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that trust is a tricky thing," Triton finally said. "I'm not good at these types of talk, but I know trust is hard to gain and easy to lose. But it's not impossible to rebuild. Have you talked to Artemis about how you feel?"
"I haven't really had the chance," I admitted. "At the moment I'm not even sure I want to." Triton nodded understandingly.
"Sometimes we need space to figure things out. But remember, avoiding the problem won't make it go away. Maybe you should talk to her, clear the air. You might be surprised at what comes out of it." I mulled over his words, feeling the truth in them but also the resistance within me.
"I'll think about it," I said finally after a long pause. Triton clapped me on the shoulder.
"That's the spirit. Besides, either way, I want you at my party. No excuses. It won't be the same without the hero of the hour." I managed a genuine smile this time.
"I'll be there, Triton. Thanks."
As Triton swam away, I continued my walk through Atlantis, his words echoing in my mind. Maybe he was right. Maybe I did need to talk to Artemis. But right now, the hurt was still too raw, the wound too fresh.
The growling of my stomach finally drew my attention away from the swirling thoughts about Artemis and Triton's advice. Realising I hadn't eaten in hours, I decided to head towards the royal dining room in Atlantis. My steps were quick, driven by hunger and a need for distraction. I reached the dining room not too long later, pushing open the large, silver doors and was met with a surprising site.
Poseidon, my father, king of the seas, was sitting alone at the long table, halfway through devouring a full roast chicken, his regal demeanour momentarily forgotten in the face of a good meal.
"I thought you were with Amphitrite," I blurted out, pausing at the entrance. Poseidon looked up, his face splitting into a wry smile.
"Come on, Perseus. We can either have a long discussion about why I'm not with her, or you can sit here and dig in. The food is awesome." Choosing the latter, I joined him at the table, my hunger overtaking my curiosity. The table was laden with an array of dishes - roasted vegetables, fresh bread, and, of course, the roast chicken that had already been partially devoured by my father.
I filled my plate and began to eat, the flavours bursting in my mouth.
"Oh wow. This is really good," I commented, reaching for a second helping of chicken. Poseidon chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"The chefs here never disappoint. How have you been, Percy? I've heard bits and pieces about your recent adventures." I hesitated, my fork pausing mid-air.
"Yeah, it's been... eventful," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"That's life, my boy. What about Artemis? How are things between you two? Are we planning a proposal anytime soon, because I promise you, when it comes to Proposals, me, Apollo and Hades are the three gods you want to talk to. Who else do you think planned Eros's proposal?"
"I thought his proposal was spontaneous?" Percy frowned.
"It was," Poseidon admitted. "But not how you think. Trust me, planning his proposal took at least three years, if not more. Us gods like taking our time. Now tell me, are we planning a proposal now?"
The question caught me off guard, and I put my fork down, my appetite suddenly diminishing.
"Not exactly," I admitted. "We're... going through a rough patch." Poseidon leaned back in his chair, giving me a thoughtful look.
"Want to talk about it?" I sighed, realising I couldn't avoid the subject forever.
"It's complicated. She hid my sword during the war with Gone. I only found out recently, and it's made me question... a lot of things."
"I see," Poseidon said, nodding slowly. "Trust is the foundation of any relationship. But remember, Percy, everyone makes mistakes. The question is, can you forgive her for this one?"
"I don't know," I confessed. "I want to, but it's not just about the sword. It's about what it represents - the secrets, the lack of trust."
Poseidon took a bite of his chicken, chewing thoughtfully before responding.
"Trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild. But it's not impossible. Have you considered that Artemis might have had her reasons for hiding the sword? Reasons she thought were in your best interest?" I pondered his words, the frustration and hurt mingling with confusion.
"Not really," I frowned. "What reason could she have had? If I had my godly symbol, the war would've gone a lot better. It's like me taking your trident and hiding it, saying it's for a better reason. Besides, even if she did have a reason, it doesn't change the fact that she kept it from me after the war."
"True," Poseidon agreed. "But part of being in a relationship is navigating these difficult moments. It's about communication, understanding, and, ultimately, forgiveness. If you love her, and I believe you do, it's worth trying to work through this."
I nodded, taking in his advice. It echoed what Triton had said earlier, adding another layer to my internal debate.
We continued to eat in silence for a few minutes, the only sound being the clinking of cutlery against the plates. The food, delicious as it was, now seemed like a backdrop to my turbulent thoughts.
Eventually, Poseidon pushed his plate away, having finished his meal. He stood up, collecting the plates and utensils, and began placing them in the sink.
"I know you, Percy. Even after what I said, you're probably not going to talk to Artemis, and that's okay. Take your time, think things through. But don't close your heart to the possibility of reconciliation." I nodded, feeling a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty.
"Thanks, Dad. I'll think about it." Poseidon clapped me on the shoulder.
"That's my boy. Oh, and one more thing - Hestia wants to see you. She's at her palace. Might be good to pay her a visit."
"Will do," I said, standing up and preparing to leave.
As I walked out of the dining room, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Poseidon's words had given me much to ponder, adding yet another perspective to my situation with Artemis.
With a deep breath, I focused my thoughts and in an instant, I was outside Hestia's palace. The transition was seamless, a trick I'd become accustomed to, yet it never ceased to amaze me. The palace stood majestic and warm, its walls radiating a comforting glow.
I stepped inside, removing my shoes and coat, respecting the sanctity of Hestia's abode. The interior was a blend of ancient elegance and modern comfort, with soft light illuminating the intricate tapestries and polished marble floors. As I wandered through the halls, lost in thought, a tantalising aroma caught my attention. Following my nose, I found myself drawn towards the kitchen. The scent of a steak sizzling on a grill filled the room, and despite having just eaten, my stomach growled in anticipation.
I leaned against the doorway, watching the steak as it cooked to perfection. As I did, my mind began to wander back to Nico, to our conversation in the bar, and to Artemis. The complexity of my feelings for her, tangled with hurt and love, made it hard to see a clear path forward. Poseidon's words echoed in my mind – the importance of communication and the possibility of forgiveness.
Lost in thought, I didn't hear Hestia enter the room. When I turned, I was surprised to see her in a form that appeared to be in her twenties, which was unusual for her.
"Mother," I greeted, slightly taken aback. "You look different." She chuckled softly, a twinkle in her eye.
"I wasn't expecting you so soon, Percy." With a graceful wave of her hand, she shifted into a more familiar form, appearing in her thirties. Her smile was comforting, like the warmth of a hearth.
"Sit down, Percy. Let's eat and talk," she said, gesturing to the table where the steak was still sizzling. I sat down and Hestia served the steak. I took a bite, the flavours rich and comforting.
"Now, let's talk about Artemis," Hestia smiled, causing me to sigh. So that's why she wanted me here.
"Mother, I don't know if I can move on from this. She took Riptide and just didn't give it back until I found it myself." Hestia listened intently, her expression one of understanding.
"Tell me then, what troubles you the most?"
"It's the trust, or the lack of it now," I said, struggling to articulate the turmoil inside me. "She hid my sword during the war with Gone. It feels like a betrayal."
"Trust is delicate," Hestia agreed. "But consider this - perhaps Artemis had her reasons, however flawed they might seem to you."
"But isn't that just an excuse?" I countered, feeling a surge of frustration.
Hestia sighed, her gaze softening.
"Do you want to skip the conversation and just forgive her, or do I need to convince you?"
"Mother…" I began, but Hestia interrupted with a knowing look.
"Convince it is, then," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
As we continued to eat, Hestia began talking to me again.
"Percy, do you remember how you felt when Artemis was taken by Gone? The desperation, the fear. It was more than just a concern for a comrade, wasn't it?" I nodded, the memory vivid and painful.
"I was devastated. I couldn't imagine a world without her in it."
"That, Percy, is love," Hestia said gently. "The kind that doesn't fade with one mistake or misunderstanding. It's enduring, even through trials."
"But how can we move past this? How can I trust her again?" I asked, feeling the weight of my doubts.
"By talking to her, Percy. By giving her a chance to explain, to apologise. Forgiveness is a powerful thing. It's not about forgetting what happened, but about choosing to overcome it together." I pondered her words, the steak now forgotten. My heart was in turmoil, but Hestia's words were like a beacon in the fog.
"But what if I'm making a mistake? What if I get hurt again?" The question hung in the air, heavy with fear and uncertainty. Hestia reached across the table, her hand resting gently on mine.
"Percy, love is always a risk. But it's also the greatest reward. You won't know unless you try. And from what I see, you still love her deeply."
"I do?" Hestia shrugged.
"If you can't forgive her, if you truly believe your love has faded, then swear on the River Styx right now that you don't love her."
"Fine. I, Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon and Sally Jackson, god of heroes, god of battles, god of time, slayer of Gaia, slayer of Kronos, closer of the doors of death, survivor of Tartarus, finder of Master Bolt, twice saviour of Olympus, Fourteenth Olympian-"
"You're stalling," Hestia mused, smirking, causing me to glare at her.
"I, Perseus Jackson, swear on the river Styx that I do…" The thought of swearing such an oath suddenly sent a jolt through me. I knew I couldn't do it.
"I can't," I said softly, a small smile forming on my lips.
Hestia smiled back, a warm, maternal smile that filled the room with a sense of peace.
"Then you know what you need to do, Percy. Don't let fear hold you back. Go to her. Talk to her. See where your hearts lead you."
I stood up, feeling a newfound resolve stirring within me.
"Thank you, Mother. For everything."
"Don't thank me, Percy," Hestia said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
"Go get that girl!"
Apologies for the wait, but here it is! Happy ending after all :) Really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I got a new book coming out very soon, so stay tuned for that!
