Very eventful chapter. Just a warning, the next chapter might have some sensitive topics. I will put a trigger warning on it. This one is safe tho.
To jujp, Death Fury, HellRaiderS and Formalhaut: Thank you for your kind words!
If there was anything that hadn't changed much throughout the years, it was the Olympian parties. Not that Percy was complaining.
As soon as Zeus finished speaking, the doors of the throne room were opened, letting the crowd swarm in. It was mostly comprised of minor deities, nymphs who were carrying around plates of snacks, and some beings that Percy couldn't even say what they were. Some were definitely not Greek or Roman. For example, a deity that possessed a scary resemblance to Artemis, giving off a similar aura. The only difference was in her attire and style, wearing a long emerald-colored dress, with her hair being light brown. If anything, she looked Norse, perhaps Celtic. It wouldn't surprise him, after all the adventures with other pantheons he had in the past. The Kanes immediately came to mind.
And speaking of Artemis, Percy was, of course, stationed by her side. She didn't look exactly pleased to be at the party itself.
"You're being very grumpy, you know." Percy had commented earlier shortly after they chose a corner to stay together.
"I didn't realize you would be one to like parties." She answered sarcastically.
Percy had been about to retort that, before Apollo had shown up, being followed by Hermes. "Finally I found you two." The Sun God said with his flashy smile. "It took me a lot of effort, you know?"
Artemis simply rolled her eyes. "You will pardon us if we decided to avoid the spotlights." Her eyes wandered until meeting the make-shift dance floor near the Hearth, where the most daring couples were dancing to whatever their ears were hearing. At the moment, Percy was listening to the tunes of I Was Made For Loving You, by Kiss.
"I could imagine Percy here receiving autograph requests from loyal followers." Apollo teased playfully, causing Artemis to give her brother a piercing glare.
"I'm not built for the celebrity life, trust me," Percy answered with a shudder, remembering his experience with Ohio.
"Always humble," Hermes added, to which Percy nodded.
"Something like that." The demigod said and turned back to Apollo,
By Olympus, he has actually become handsome! A familiar reptilian voice said in his head.
George! Don't be rude. Another voice, this time feminine, replied angrily.
"Yes, George, be polite." Hermes followed Martha's scolding, causing George to let out a noise similar to a snort.
I was just saying that he isn't a scrawny teenager anymore, that's all.
He hasn't been like that since he was fourteen! Martha protested. Currently not in the mood to spectate the serpents bickering, he turned to Apollo, who was trying his best to avoid Artemis's glare.
"Hey, Apollo, how's Meg?" Percy said, remembering the interesting, for the lack of a better word, daughter of Demeter.
Apollo looked fairly happy to be able to change the subject. "Oh, she's fine. Living in Palm Springs, but she will be going to Camp Half-Blood for the summer." The god abruptly turned his head towards his right and ran in that direction. Percy looked at Artemis, who looked just as confused as he was, and to Hermes, who shrugged, but it wasn't long before Apollo returned, holding three glasses of what seemed to be liquor in his hands.
"Gentlemen," He offered one of the glasses to Hermes, who gratefully accepted, and then the other one to Percy, who instead of grabbing the glass, looked nervously at Artemis. The goddess folded her arms, a look of disapproval in her eyes.
"Come on, just today?" Percy pleaded, but she was immovable.
"No," Artemis responded and turned to her brother. "Why are you offering alcohol to people who aren't allowed to drink, Apollo?"
"I took my first taste of alcohol only three years after our birth, you know," Apollo said with a smile. "And he's been through much worse than a glass of liquor, sis."
"That doesn't matter!" Artemis answered, and the two soon started a classic twin bickering, only now that George and Martha had silenced themselves. Wonderful
"Has it always been like this for thousands of years?" Percy asked in a low voice to Hermes.
"For the most part, yes." The God of Thieves said. "But being honest, it's better than the alternatives for a godly family. You know, either dating your own sibling or having a mortal hate for him, or her."
Percy once more shuddered. "Yeah, I can imagine." He looked back to the dance floor, where there were several people dancing at a slow rhythm. For a brief moment, he wondered what would be like to dance like that with the goddess currently fighting with her twin brother, but he shook that thought out of his head. Even if they went as friends, he wasn't sure about his dance skills.
Either way, he wouldn't have had a chance to dance anyway, since a few moments later, Percy was greeted with eyes very similar to his own.
"Father." Percy acknowledged. Immediately, Artemis and Apollo stopped talking with each other and turned to face the Sea God. The Sun God with a neutral expression and the Goddess of the Moon with skepticism.
"Hello, Percy." Poseidon glanced over to his fellow Olympians, a weird look on his face. "You all wouldn't mind if I borrowed Percy, right?" Judging by his tone, it wasn't much of a request at all. More like an order.
"No, of course not." Apollo splattered out, but Artemis didn't seem too happy.
"And what's the matter, Poseidon?" She bluntly inquired.
Percy's father narrowed his eyes at the moon goddess. "It is none of your business, Artemis."
"That's enough," Percy interjected, placing himself between the two staring deities. "I'll be back soon," Percy told his companion.
"I should hope so. Don't die without me." Percy tried to identify any traces of humor, but she was dead serious.
"I am not dying, okay? It's gonna be fine."
She grunted under her breath, but not audible enough for anyone to hear it. Percy took this as his take to leave, which he did soon after, walking alongside his father through the crowd.
"You seem to have developed a bond with Artemis." Poseidon noticed.
Percy smiled. "It would be worse if I antagonize her or something. It's better to play safe. And she has been a good friend all throughout this."
Poseidon's green eyes lingered on him for an extra second. "I see."
"So, what's really going on for you to pull me out of a party?" Percy said, raising his voice slightly as the crowd's noise became louder.
"Not here," Poseidon said. "Let's go to a secluded place."
Percy nodded, but his curiosity remained. Both father and son left the Throne Room, wandering through the packed streets of the city, filled with demigods, satyrs, and nymphs. Stores were opened, selling all sorts of stuff for drachmas, and even some restaurants were present. Percy took notice of how large and full of life the city actually was. They kept marching onwards, and until turning into a particular deserted street. Weirdly, Percy saw his father grabbing keys from his pocket when they were in front of a building that contrasted itself with how dirty and old it looked compared to the white architecture all around the city. That thought also made the demigod realize that most of the buildings had been designed by Annabeth, a fact that he had honestly forgotten, but which was nice to remember.
Poseidon opened the door to the building, and instantly it was clear that the ugly-looking frontage was a trick, because inside, sat a palace reminiscent of Atlantis itself, but with its own unique refinements. Its columns were either white, made of pure marble, or a sea-green material that Percy didn't recognize, but that he had seen before underwater. He noticed a single throne ahead of them, and the room itself was large enough to fit a commercial airplane in it. The walls and floor followed the same pattern as the columns, and halls could be seen nearby. There were no other people present in the room.
"Welcome to my palace in Olympus," Poseidon presented. "It is not one that I use often, but necessary under the current uproar happening in the streets outside."
"It's beautiful, but Atlantis is still better," Percy answered, making his father smile.
"Of course. Nothing could top that." The Sea God's grin faltered. "Anyway, we should get to the point."
"And what is the point of this meeting?" Percy asked, not fully understanding what this was about. "Is this about godhood again?"
"No, it is not. I believe you made a good point to your uncle today." Poseidon's voice had a hint of pride in it. "No, it is something more urgent. A family matter."
Percy felt his heart clench slightly. "Please don't say what I think you're going to say."
"It wasn't exactly me," Poseidon tried to defend himself. "But yes, Percy, I want to inform you that you have a sister."
He didn't even know how to feel about this. Another poor soul to suffer because of her lineage? Because of what she was? Percy found himself sulking in rage at his father's inability to keep it in his pants.
"There's something more to it, right? You wouldn't tell me that if everything was normal."
Poseidon grimaced. "Indeed, it is not normal. Recently, I found out that her mother had perished."
"At least you noticed one of your ex-acquaintances had died," Percy said coldly without thinking. But Poseidon didn't look angry, only hurt.
"Percy, I–"
"Look, Father, just continue. Nothing will be gained from talking about my mother."
Poseidon closed his mouth, a small amount of guilt still noticeable in his expression. "As I was saying, her mother passed away, but it wasn't natural. I believe she was murdered. And after her mother's demised, she was taken away from her home, kidnapped by an unknown figure."
Percy pinched the bridge of her nose. "And… You want me to rescue her?"
Poseidon looked even more uncomfortable. "Yes. There's a trail to follow, thanks to Lupa's pack."
"Lupa?" Percy perked his head when hearing about his wolf mentor. "That means that–"
"She is a daughter of Neptune," Poseidon confirmed. "A Roman."
Great. Even if the poor girl didn't already have enough problems, being a half-blood and an orphan, she would have to deal with judgment from Romans who disliked the sea god. Percy could only pray that he had left a good enough impression in Camp Jupiter for them not to judge spawns of the sea as they had done in the past.
"And Lupa can't retrieve her? Also, how old is she? And her name?" Percy bombarded his father with questions.
"First, it appears not. There are traces of magical activity around where the trail ends, and it is plausible that only a mortal could breach it." Poseidon explained. "She will be seven years old in September. And her name is Marilla."
Percy nodded, not at all satisfied with this situation. "If that's the mission, I do want something in return."
He could see that his father had frozen. "I never knew you were to collect debts, Percy…"
"It is something far within your reach, Dad," Percy assured. "You see, I've captured Davy Jones."
Poseidon's eyes widened. "You did?"
"Yes." He confirmed. "But as you probably know, the one that kills him gets cursed to forever sail. And I don't want that. I want to kill him because he will be a pain in the ass if kept alive, but I also do like the earth sometimes."
The king of Atlantis looked thoughtful. "Curses are difficult to counter. It is plausible to assume that whoever kills that captain, will take his place as the devil of the sea. But about the aspect of not touching land… I will have to consult my advisors. Perhaps Rhode has some answers… Or maybe Kym, since she was around in one of my old palaces…"
The sheer thought of Kymopoleia was enough to bring a shudder to Percy's spine. "Then check with who you need. I want it done by the time I'm back. And where exactly I'm going?"
"The trail of your sister ends near Philadelphia. It should be around that area. I've already ordered your pegasus to come to pick you up."
Back to Keystone State, then. "Fine," Percy grunted. "But please do something about Jones. It's my only condition."
"I will see what can be done. You can be on your way." Poseidon dismissed him, and Percy walked to the door without even saying goodbye. Really, this was obnoxious. Magic around Pennsylvania? Demigoddess kidnapped? He had an idea of what was going on, which would be a problem in itself if his suspicions were confirmed. Maybe he shouldn't have promised Artemis not to die today. Maybe the odds wouldn't be too much in his favor. All that he knew was this mission wouldn't be a walk in the park.
Walking through the crowd after leaving the disguised palace, he was glad it was just packed enough that he could wander around without being bothered. Talking like that made him sound like he was a celebrity or something, but it was simply the truth. He didn't want to sign autographs. Finally arriving back in Flying Dutchman, he quickly spotted Nine-Eyes, Cora, and other crew members having a toast of that whisky from earlier. Percy couldn't blame them.
"Captain! We were just talking about you." Cora greeted jovially, a smile on her face.
"We were talking about how you have a skill for theatrics," Jack said, his voice sounding dizzy. Could ghouls get drunk?
"I probably inherited it from my uncle," Percy shivered at the thought of inheriting anything from Zeus. "Does anyone have a paper?"
"I have a napkin." Jan offered a – thankfully – unused napkin, which Percy accepted. Grabbing Riptide from his pocket, he uncapped the sword, which briefly transformed into the bronze xiphos, before turning back to a pen when the cap met the hilt. Percy briefly wrote a message on the napkin, directed at his godly friend. One part, in particular, might have his head sliced off his body later if he even survived the coming mission.
"Anyway, I'm in a rush right now." Percy folded the paper and gave it to Nine-Eyes, following that by returning Riptide to its capped pen state. "When Artemis comes back, here, which she might do, give her this message. A family problem has just erupted and if anything goes wrong, I will send my pegasus to notify her. Stay at Camp Half-Blood too, just for good measure. If everything goes smoothly, I should be back soon."
"As you wish," Nine-Eyes added.
"Got it," Cora said, a serious expression replacing the playful mood from earlier.
Percy nodded, and right at that time, a thump was heard nearby. Turning to the source of the noise, Percy found his trustworthy mount trotting towards him.
Ay, boss. I've heard you need a ride.
"That is correct, Blackjack." Without losing any time, he got on top of the pegasus, and with a final wave towards his ghoul subordinates, the dark-winged horse took off from the deck.
You know, I was scared shitless when some fishmen showed up and told me to go to Olympus on behalf of the sea dude.
"Blackjack, where did you learn such foul language?" Percy felt like Artemis now, but he didn't remember teaching Blackjack how to swear.
It's the truth, boss! The pegasus protested. I never flew so fast in my life. Only took a while to get here because those air spirits not letting me in.
"Whatever you say," Percy replied with an honest laugh.
The flight had been mostly uneventful, barring the usual chat with Blackjack and his complaints about having his wings wetted, thanks to the rain that had fallen as soon as they left Manhattan. Despite this, the pegasus managed to fly without any issues until the landscape of Philadelphia was visible on the horizon.
They had spent almost an hour searching for something, anything that would give a clue on the whereabouts of his unknown sister. While he was happy to have another family member, Percy felt pitiful for the hardships the girl would undoubtedly face. Hell, she was already an orphan. At least Percy had his mother's love, even if he had to tolerate Gabe throughout his childhood. Marilla, as she was called, would have to be resilient, just as much as Nico, Thalia, Percy, Hazel, or Jason. It was never easy for a child of the Big Three.
After all of that time searching, there was something that caught Percy's attention when they were flying above the county of North Wales, just northwest of Philly. It seemed like the Mist was stronger here, something that was almost imperceptible. The image of the county itself blurred in some places, and it made Percy feel dizzy. Clearly, there was some sort of magic going on, and it wasn't long until a source could be found. Just around some hills, laid an incredibly old-looking manor, that looked like it was taken straight from a horror movie.
As any responsible person would do, Percy instructed Blackjack to land at the mansion's doorstep.
This place gives me the creeps, boss. Blackjack said. You really going in there?
"If this is not the place, it's at least a clue. The Mist is almost palpable here." Percy said. "Blackjack, I need you to do something."
Anything.
"Wait for me in a secluded area nearby. Don't let anyone see you. If I'm not back by sunrise, fly straight to Camp Half-Blood and warn Artemis I've probably been captured or murdered.
Woah. Blackjack said. Slow down, boss, that's a lot to take in.
Percy managed to smile. "Just stay hidden, and if everything goes to shit, fly there and meet the silver lady."
That's more of my language.
"Because of the cussing?" Percy asked with a raised eyebrow.
The pegasus neighed in a way that could only be described as his attempt at laughing and trotted away. With a smile on his face, Percy turned to the manor's door, a fabulous structure, like the rest of the building, but very old and poorly maintained. Clearly, the columns and walls had been white as ivory at one point, but now, they were so dirty that they had a gray coloring, almost black. Percy ran a hand through the nearby wall, bewildered as it was covered with dust immediately.
Cleaning the hand in his clothes (very efficient, of course) he tried to open the door, and to his surprise, he found the door unlocked, which was a shame because he was yet to test his skills in using a paperclip as a key. It also signaled that something, or someone, was waiting for him or another person to show up. The entrance was dark, but he was blinded by the lack of light. The moon wasn't visible in the sky today, which made Percy feel uncomfortable. Perhaps Artemis was watching him, but the probability of that was low.
The demigod made his way slowly toward a nearby staircase, the wooden floor beneath him creaking as he stepped forward, not helping in making this mission a stealthy one. It was when he made his first step into the stairs that he heard an ears-shattering scream from upstairs, one that could only be performed by a child.
Grabbing his revolver, he ran upstairs, not caring anymore for subtleness when the life of his sister could be in danger. He didn't know her, but she was family. That was enough to make him run to help her. When Percy reached upstairs, he was greeted by a dark hallway with multiple doors on each side, and one final door at the end of the hall, that being the only one that was open. It seemed like they intended to let him. Why, that was a mystery.
The screams had stopped, but Percy was still very wary. The doors didn't seem like they would open as he walked in front of them, but he readied his reflexes in case something jumped at him. Fortunately, nothing in that sense happened. Reaching the opened room, he found it to be much more maintained than the rest of the manor. The walls were decorated with a dark red carpet, as was the ground. A fireplace was lit, the flames crackling as the wood burned away inside of it. There wasn't a lot of furniture, apart from a black armchair that had its back turned to Percy. A lone, visibly tall figure, sat at the chair, facing the window.
"You've arrived." The man said in an emotionless voice.
"So it seems," Percy responded, glaring at the back of the armchair. "And just who are you?"
"It's funny how things are. I know you, too well in fact, but you don't even know of my existence." His voice became bitter.
"I see I've done something to you in the past. Indirectly, I'd assume."
A laugh was heard from the armchair. "You're correct," The figure raised from the chair, meeting Percy's gaze directly. He had blondish-brown hair, dull green eyes, and almost pale skin. "I am Alabaster Torrington, son of Hecate. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't even know my name."
"I do not," Percy admitted, meeting Alabaster's gaze.
"Of course." The son of Hecate laughed humorlessly. "You see, I was the commander of the demigod army of Kronos. I was there when you had your showdown at the Princess Andromeda, only survived thanks to a protective spell. I fought in Manhattan, too. Have you never wondered what happened to all of us when you defeated the Titan Lord?"
Percy shrugged. "I never gave it much thought, since I explicitly asked for amnesty for all you bunch."
Once more, Alabaster laughed. "Yes, but amnesty in the eyes of that wicked council isn't forgiveness. More like, letting you live. Not much different from criminals, that's what they are of course. My mother was pardoned on the condition that I, her strongest child, be exiled, to not corrupt my siblings. Have you ever thought about how you and your gods destroyed everything, the family we had built, the dreams we spent nights imagining?"
"You're very confident in your abilities," Percy said, giving little regard to the son of Hecate's speech.
"And yet, I vowed to have my revenge." Alabaster continued, ignoring Percy's comment at first. "Unfortunately, I'm powerless again them, but against their most prized champion? Let's just say that you will know why I am so confident, Percy Jackson."
"And kidnapping children is your best strategy?"
"I wish the girl no harm," Alabaster said. "But it was necessary to bring you here." The son of Hecate waved his hand to his left, the mist around the door morphing until two figures could be seen. One was a small girl that possessed dark brown hair and haunting sea-green eyes, much like Percy's. She looked malnourished and terrified, her eyes red from apparent crying. Her hands were tied. Holding the girl by the shoulders, was…
"I really should have killed you." Percy said to a grinning Kelli.
"Probably, honey." The empousa said viciously. "Or maybe just accepted my offer."
"When hell freezes over." He answered with venom, causing Kelli's smile to falter.
"I do not wish for the girl to be harmed, as I said," Alabaster said, not letting Kelli speak more. "But if you do not handle your weapons, I'd bet Kelli's hungry for demigod blood."
Percy narrowed his eyes. "Do you have any idea who are you speaking with?"
"I do." Alabaster responded. "And I wouldn't do this unprepared. Kelli told me a lot about your ability to manipulate blood, and how deadly it could be. As such…" A grin formed on the blonde's face. "I've crafted something especially to prevent you from controlling any liquids as long as you are in this manor."
Percy felt a hollow sensation in his stomach. A drop of sweat ran through his forehead, but when he tried to control it, nothing happened. This couldn't be.
"So, Percy, you have a choice. Give up yourself and give me your weapons, or watch your precious sister die through Kelli's hands."
This was a problem. A big one. As such, he did the first that came to his head. He shot Kelli with the revolver. But what he was not expecting was for the bullet to pass harmlessly through the empousa's head, like she was an illusion.
"Come on, you didn't think I'd think of that?" Alabaster scoffed. "They are in this room, I will assure you that, but where, that's a different story. So, Percy, how is it going to be?"
Was at times like these that Percy wished he had Annabeth's mind, in order to think of a contingency plan, but there was nothing. Nothing he could think of would help. He couldn't let an innocent child die. Weighing his options… there was nothing.
Percy dropped the revolver to the ground. It hit the floor with a loud noise, and the son of Hecate smiled.
"Wonderful. Your sword, please."
Percy grabbed Riptide from his pocket and threw it to Alabaster, who caught it mid-air without issue.
"So what, then?" The son of Poseidon asked angrily. "You're just gonna kill me because of your frustrations?"
Alabaster's smile transformed into a vicious grin, not far off from how Kelli's own smiles were. Vicious. Dangerous.
"Oh, no. In death, for you, there will be peace. And that's unacceptable. You will wish for Death, but he shall not come to your aid."