Chapter Twenty-Three (Birth of a Legacy)
Fear the man who speaks softly as his heart cries out inside. For, the moment you can quell your raging emotions to seem pleasant, is the moment your legacy truly begins.
Third Person
Percy stood in silence.
Before the son of Poseidon was the congregation of councillors for the city under construction. The circular table was occupied nine times.
Jason sat for Zeus.
Annabeth sat for Athena.
Clarisse sat for Ares.
Piper sat for Aphrodite.
Katie sat for Demeter.
Will sat for Apollo.
Connor and Travis sat for Hermes.
Eric sat for Hephaestus.
Percy stood.
The son of Poseidon's hand slithered from his side and into his pocket. The swift movement was followed by every pair of eyes in the room. The wooden floor creaked as chairs shifted with anxious energy. The bronze glint caught breaths in throats. The sight of the round shape of the drachma released breaths.
"Percy…" Annabeth started cautiously. Her eyes drew the attention of the room. "I mentioned before that we wanted to discuss the future."
A low hum slipped free from Percy's lips. His eyes shifted to the coin in his hand. The soft light of the sun caught the bronze piece as it danced between his fingers.
"With you back in New Greece, there are a few things we wished to open up to you."
The coin disappeared into the palm of Percy's hand. His knuckles whitened as his fist clenched around the coin.
"Did you know that your sister died, Annabeth?"
The daughter of Athena's mouth hung open. Percy's eyes continued to rest on his closed fist.
"I… I didn't know that."
Percy nodded softly. The demigods at the table baulked, their eyes softening in the direction of the stumped daughter of Athena.
"I don't think this is the time fo-"
"Ah, Will. Your loss is double. A brother and a sister."
Will's eyes hardened as he closed his mouth. He bit his lips as he pulled his hands under the table.
"Clarisse lost a brother. Travis and Connor, you lost a brother and a sister. This might not mean much to you, Jason, but the son of Aeolus with us also died. There was a son of Aristaeus as well who died." Percy's eyes rose from his hand. The heavy vortexes of power which swirled viciously in his eyes belied the calm surface of his face. "Eight demigods died. Their pyres not yet built. Their souls yet to enter the Underworld. Yet you call me to talk about the future?"
A soft chuckle slipped free from his lips as he nodded. The sound of his mirthless sorrow faded into silence. One that was embraced by the entire room. Percy's eyes trailed across the room, eager to be met by someone else's. The air around him thrummed quietly with energy as his eyes connected with a kaleidoscopic pair of eyes.
"It's because of their deaths that we've called you, Percy."
The son of Poseidon held her gaze quietly. The lulling in his response festering the tension in the room. His eyes slowly detracted from Piper's, taking great interest in those who finally met his gaze. His hand flashed from under the table, battering the top with a resounding crash. The coin clattered frantically as the jolt of the impact sent it into a floundering dance. Its tinkly utterance lingered in the air for a few moments after Percy's hand glided over the tabletop, back to his side.
The entire room was attentive to Percy.
Percy paid them no mind.
"Interesting that you mentioned the word call." His eyes were, instead, focused on the chair which sat between him and the table. His hands trailed up the back of the majestically carved seat. It was adorned beautifully with its careful and masterfully designed ornaments dedicated to the sea. The headrest splintered under his grip. The legs screeched in agony as it was ripped from the table. The chair clattered with careless abandon, shattering under the force of Poseidon's son.
In its place, the air condensed. Vapour to an inconceivable blob of water. Water to a crude transparent seat. One which easily held Percy's weight as he sat on it.
"This is the drachma that was returned to me when I called the camp."
The eyes of the councillors were split. Some stared at the stilling form of bronze on the table. Some stared beyond Percy, to the floor where the seat they designed for him laid. Some stared at Percy in quiet awe.
None dared to speak.
"Now, many of you may find it odd that I had my drachma even returned to me. Few of you may be aware that there isn't even a need for me to use one in the first place. So, instead of talking about the future. Let's start with the past. Why were our calls for help ignored?"
The quiet void of words was filled with silent conversation. The heads of the head campers swivelling, staring at each other with a cesspool of emotions. Jason was the first to break free from the silent queries, the confusion on his face turning to Percy for answers.
"What do you mean that your calls were ignored? We came as soon as we got word!"
Percy raised an eyebrow but kept his lips together. Instead, he attempted to join the silent discussion. Though his eyes were avoided by most others in their roving around the table.
"Let's take turns describing the events which led us to this point." Percy's hand fell on the drachma once more. He slowly dragged it against the table back to himself. "We were given a mission by Demeter to retrieve a seed from an abandoned farm in Texas. Upon reaching our destination, we found a group of Satyrs and Demigods. Six Demigods to three Satyrs, to be exact."
There was silence for a moment as Percy plucked the motionless coin free from the table and placed it back into his pocket.
"Upon retreating to the farmhouse to seek safety from the worm monsters swarming beneath us in every direction; there was more. An army of monsters led by a nigh godlike Cyclops, whose corpse I brought with me, stood before us at the entrance of the Farmhouse. Just beyond the reach of the worm monsters. Seeing the numbers, we planned to get the two sets of monsters to engage each other while we made an escape for camp."
Percy paused, staring meaningfully at the son of Jupiter. Jason's hand brushed his chin as his electric eyes stared at the table in thought.
"If you were heading here, likely being chased by the same group of monsters, it would make sense that you would try to reach out in advance. I'm sorry, Percy. I swear on the Styx that the only inkling I had of the danger you faced was when the Satyrs arrived with the younger demigods asking for help."
Thunder rumbled overhead. Percy held Jason's eyes for a few moments after the sky quelled. The boys nodded at each other in recognition of the truth being told.
"I swear the same on the Styx."
The skies roiled again with another roar. Percy's eyes darted towards Clarisse. A true smile graced his face for the first time, the tremendous swirl of emotions melting under the comforting confirmation of companionship. The smile was shared as the clashing above stilled.
The three demigods looked around the table, eager to see the same oath be taken by those around them. The damning of their silence was only worsened by the avoidance of their eyes. Before the disgust and anger could form at the tip of Jason and Clarisse's tongues, Percy spoke again.
"Which leads to my next question. The Satyrs spoke of expectancy upon contact. They identified specific members of our group, and even expected to, easily mind you, wrestle control of my group from me… Could you all explain that?"
Jason huffed at the continued silence. "I think that an explanation is the least that's owed right now."
"Our intentions were never for things to reach this far." The water in Percy's seat churned violently as he slunk back into it. Percy raised his left hand lazily to his cheek as he stared at the daughter of Athena. Annabeth held herself resolutely, the greys of her eyes marbled with piercing conviction. "There was an understanding amongst most of us here. The future of the city would be brighter with the remnants of the Seven leading it. We wanted to ensure that you would return to us and reclaim your rightful place amongst us."
Percy hummed, the fingers of his right hand thrumming against the watery armrest of his chair. Clarisse scoffed, her head shaking in disbelief as she faced the daughter of Athena.
"You're just like Luke, aren't you? You placed spies in his group? How…" The daughter of Ares stopped herself. Her lips curled into a scowl the moment a scoff left them. Shaking her head, she instead glared scornfully at the demigods around her as she bit back her words.
"We wanted insurance that he would return to us. It wasn't our intention for things to end up so badly."
Jason raised an eyebrow at Piper. "And to do that you plotted insurrection in his group? An act that would inevitably create chaos and possibly death and, the moment he called out for your help, you ignored him?" The son of Jupiter chuckled. "How does that bring him closer to New Greece?"
"Are we going to act as though our roles are secondary to someone who left us in the first place?" Will scoffed, rolling his eyes. "We're building an entire city here. How rude of us to miss a single call!"
The churning water in Percy's seat silenced. The sudden quiet dripped into the conversation as all eyes shifted back to Percy. The son of Poseidon had a carefully plastered grin on his face. His eyes were hidden by his hand as he rubbed his forehead.
"You admit to planting traitors in my group. You admit to wanting me back. Yet, you didn't care what would occur in the process? Do you even care that you've lost siblings? That demigods have died?"
Percy scoffed; his hand dropped from his chin as he leaned on his closed fist. His eyes danced with energy, belying the calm etched onto his face.
"Their goal was to get you back to camp, however they deemed fit."
Travis' lips quivered for a moment before he composed himself. His words were heavy ones, damning in the eyes of Percy.
"The first mission we were on. The demigods you planted convinced the rest of them to charge in without me. You never expected us to get past that first mission, did you? A bold ambush before bonds could be built. Chrysilla was a clever one though. She was prepared for it to fail, which is why she separated herself from the others at the start. Helped me save them… A plan worthy of Athena."
The room slipped into another heavy silence.
Katie cleared her throat, the weight of the silence growing too much for her. "We… we weren't involved in the decisions they made."
Clarisse scoffed again, the table shivering as she leaned heavily on it. "You were the ones that had them do it! It doesn't matter what they did, you can't separate yourself from their actions!"
"I get that you wanted to get me back to camp. I came to terms with the fact that they were traitors a long time ago… I just don't get why you abandoned us."
His words lingered in the air as the councillors shifted in their seats. Their eyes were as on edge as their fidgeting bodies as they shared quick glances.
Clarisse's eye twitched as she pushed her seat from the table. "Somebody better start using their mouth or else I'm going to start escalating things."
Connor sighed as he raised his hands defensively. His eyes were locked with Annabeth's as she nodded. "What Will said is true. We were in a meeting when you called, Percy."
Percy chuckled, shaking his head before clicking his tongue.
"What about the call from one of your spies? Why'd you ignore Chrysilla's call?"
For the briefest of moments, the room was still. The air was quickly filled with the scent of ozone before the sound of Jason's voice.
"Guys. There was a question that needed to be answered. Why did you all ignore the call?"
"We didn't!" Eric cried out, the words spilling from his lips before he could hold them back. His eyes widened at his outburst, shaken by the fact that the words left his mouth against his will.
Clarisse narrowed her eyes at the younger boy. "Explain…"
"We received the call from Chrysilla." Katie carefully looked towards Piper as she spoke. "There wasn't any indication that you were in danger and that's why we didn't send help."
Percy shifted in his seat; his eyebrows furrowed as he glanced around the table. "That doesn't make sense. She told me that she couldn't get onto you."
Will sighed as he shook his head. "Well, she did. Is it really shocking that she would lie to you, Percy?"
"Yes. It is. She wouldn't have lied about that."
Jason shot his friend a worried look. "Percy, if she was on our side from the beginning…"
"I know that, Jason. But she wasn't then. I'd gotten everything under control by then, there was no reason for her to lie to me…." Percy took a deep breath to compose himself. His eyes hardened as he let his eyes meet the members of the council once more. "What was said?"
Annabeth seemed taken aback as her ex-boyfriend stared defiantly at her.
"We were discussing the matters we had assigned to her. We were not informed of any danger."
"Not informed, or you didn't let her get the chance to inform you?"
Annabeth recoiled slightly before she shifted in her seat to mask her reaction. Her eyes shifted around the table, relaxing as she saw her mishap go unnoticed until she met Percy's eyes. His widened eyes stared at her with immeasurable shock. He shook his head, disbelief forming words in his mouth as he dropped his gaze to the table.
"That can't be the reason why…"
Annabeth opened her mouth, but Piper quickly interjected. "It is. We spoke of her mission. That was it."
"And that's exactly the problem!"
Clarisse shook her head, "I'm sorry, but I can't have you keeping information from me too, Percy."
The daughter of Ares baulked at the sight of his eyes. The presence of animosity was raw, coated only with the lingering trace of incredulity.
"The reason that I'm certain she would not have lied to me is because we were together." Jason sucked in a breath at the revelation. The only other person in the room who seemed stunned by the revelation was Clarisse. "It was the reason I didn't suspect her. The other two were discovered after the first mission, but I couldn't figure out who the last one was for the life of me, until Ares all but gave it away."
Percy trailed off, his widened eyes staring at the table in disbelief.
"Just to make sure we're on the same page here. "Clarisse started, the air around her thickening as she struggled to reign her emotions in. "Is it that she revealed that she would no longer spy for them, and they refused to hear her out after that?"
Jason shook his head, his eyes peering at Piper and Annabeth in shock.
"They heard the reason why she had turned to Percy's side…"
The son of Jupiter's muttered word hung in the air. Clarisse scoffed her disbelief at the speculated revelation, her eyes scanning the room, begging for proof against the theory.
"Chase… Please tell me that you did not let all those demigods die because you were jealous."
Annabeth visibly shrunk for the first time in the meeting.
"I didn't know their situation… I thought that she was just telling me that they would not be staying when they reached back. I… I didn't know."
The light bulb flickered above before cracking. The swift arrival of the frigid cold sucked the breath out of the lungs of the demigods around the table. Percy rose from his seat, the water beneath him the only thing unaffected by the cold as it crept over the table.
"You may be rulers of the unbuilt city, but these are times of peace. You don't get to act like the gods and devalue our lives just because we don't play along with your little games."
Jason's eyes flashed as thunder rolled overhead. "Percy…"
The son of Poseidon took a deep breath and the temperature slowly raised.
"We made a mistake." Will sneered, his voice quaking as his body shivered. "You're the only one acting like a god, trying to kill us for that."
The wooden table in the centre began crackling. "You need to be careful with how many of those mistakes of yours affect my people."
Patches of ice began sprouting from the splits in the table. Thin layers of ice began racing over the table before the entire table erupted into shards of frozen wood. The demigods stared at the pile of frozen rubble before them, their teeth still chattering as their shivers slowly eased up.
"And I don't act like the gods. I kill them."
The room was bathed in warmth as Percy stormed out of the room. The retreating sounds of his footsteps were masked by the ugly rage of thunder above.
"Those are some heavy words…"
Percy sighed as he stepped onto the veranda. He nodded easily at the god of Wine before coming to a stop at the railings. He leaned against the barrier as he stared out at the construction before him.
"The Olympians are as much my enemy as they are my father's."
"Yet you claim to be a god killer?"
"How would you define the Cyclops I defeated?"
Dionysus chuckled from his seat. His eyes stared past the son of Poseidon as he took a swig from his chalice.
"I'd describe him as an enemy of Olympus."
"And me?"
The god placed the cup on the table, careful to avoid spilling the liquid on the Pinochle set.
"A Hero of Olympus."
Percy turned and stared back at the god. A wry grin stretched on Dionysus' face as their eyes met.
"As long as the Vanguard is favoured by the Olympus, its enemies shall fall to my blade."
"I for one have no issue with you taking more of your kind away from this place… Dare I say they stand a good chance at being decent in your presence."
Percy chuckled at the god's words, his eyes shifting back to the sprawling worksites before him.
"I'm more content with simply keeping them alive."
Dionysus hummed, the sound echoing as his lips had only just parted from his chalice.
"I'm not a fan of my brother's work, but they shall know."
The god disappeared in a flash.
Percy nodded to himself, letting out a deep breath. He pulled himself from the veranda and slowly descended the stairs. His eyes scanned the budding city once more before his sights rested on the sea. He clicked his tongue before making his way back to the hospital to see if the others were fit enough to build the pyres.
The Next Day
Percy
"I'll be there. Thanks for letting me know."
I raised a hand in acknowledgement as I slipped past the doors of the hospital. The door creaked slowly as it crept closed. A gentle breeze brushed past my face, causing my eyes to squint slightly. The door behind me thudded lightly, blocking the scurrying of Troy's feet as he prepared himself to join me on the beach.
I let my eyes flitter around the remnants of the camp. There was something peculiar that kept nibbling at the edges of my notice from the moment I had returned. I had been idly casting my eyes out ever since, trying to figure out what about the camp felt so different. I clicked my tongue, deciding instead to focus on the pyres that would need to be built.
"My lord!"
I paused as I heard the soft voice. I scanned the area around me, searching for the voice for a few moments. I sighed deeply as I found no sign of anyone near me. Clicking my tongue, I closed my eyes and reached out with my Mist Sight. I shook my head as I noticed the soft ebbing of water, trickling far below the surface. I followed the sensation, prepared to pull the water from the earth to discern the nature of it when I felt air beneath my left foot. My eyes flickered open, my breath hitching as I peered at the massive tear in the earth.
The gaping hole seemed to stretch miles downward. The best estimation I could make was that it was at least a hundred feet from where I stood to the floor below. I stared to the other side of the void and found that it seemed almost as far across. I took a deep breath as I peered back to the floor far below.
"I wasn't made aware that you were capable of that, my lord."
I swallowed thickly, offering a slow nod as I regained my composure.
"And I wasn't aware that this thing was dredged so deep."
I felt my shoulder relax as a sweet melody bounced up the walls of the trench. It was a soft tinkling, resembling the sounds of water rushing easily over rocks in a small river.
"The demigods certainly are thorough with their work."
I hummed lightly, basking in the emerging silence as I instead focused on scanning the floor to the crevice. Nodding to myself, I stepped off the edge. An airy gasp sounded as the water collected below me, against my will. I grinned as the water cushioned my fall before dispersing to either side of me. An angry face formed in the rippling waves before me, slowly forming a head and rising as the water around it settled.
"Yet they still require outside assistance."
The nymph frowned at me for a few seconds longer before dropping into a deep bow.
"I can't say that I appreciate the scare you've given me, my lord."
"Percy. You can call me Percy." I replied instinctively, urging the beautiful creature to rise to her feet. The nymph peered curiously at me, the rippling configurations of her liquid face into vivid emotions drew my awe. I blinked slightly, shifting my eyes to the stilling waters around us.
"You said what I did scared you?" I let my eyes trail back to the nymph, who seemed to settle on discomfort with the idea of simply calling me Percy, "What would there be within the waters for you to feel such a way?"
"I simply was not expecting you to audaciously jump off the ledge, my… Percy?"
I smiled gently at the Nymph, "There is no need to fear for me once it involves the water."
She seemed slightly taken aback by my words, her eyes narrowing as she studied me more intensely. I frowned slightly at the silence, having had enough of the one-sided conversations. Fighting back a petulant sigh, I let my eyes scan either side of the canyon.
"I initially failed to sense the water properly here. I'm uncertain if I would have without you alerting me of your presence. I had to come to see for myself how I failed to feel the presence of the water."
The nymph shifted slightly, sinking to her knees back into the water.
"I'm a lowly nymph, my lord. I've been given the simple task of tending to the waters of the river before it is mixed with the sea."
I raised an eyebrow, staring at the water around us. "Wouldn't that make you far more powerful than you're suggesting? And how exactly would that stop me from sensing the waters?"
The nymph opened her mouth for a moment before closing it. Her eyes trailed upwards to the top of the trench before she reached for my hand and pulled us beneath the water.
"Forgive me, my lord. I was told you would be far less perceptive than you are."
I huffed lightly, tilting my head as I stretched my senses as far as they could go.
"From everything you're saying, is it safe to assume that you were sent by Atlantis for some purpose other than aiding with the waters before the mixing?"
The nymph smiled easily at me. "That would be a safe assumption, yes. Your father insisted that you should be kept informed of the ongoings of Atlantis, as a formal prince of the city. Your mother… I suppose you would refer to her as in law, deemed that she would choose the nymph to alienate the prospect of favouritism."
I chuckled lightly, "So, to ensure that my distance to Atlantis is maintained, she chose you?"
The Nymph chuckled in response, "I was told that I would not enjoy this job but that it would be necessary for the future of Atlantis."
"The gods have rarely been right about me."
The Nymph smiled, our conversation lulling off as the serenity of the water around us eased the tension.
"You never answered my questions."
The Nymph nodded.
"I am still a lowly Nymph. I'm only a hundred years old, but I've been blessed with the chance to be tutored by your mother-in-law herself." Her face seemed to glow, the energy of the water thrumming with her excitement. "It's due to some of her lessons that I was able to hide the presence of my water from you as long as I did, but I could feel that the desperation of the water to reveal itself would be too much."
"Is that why you called out to me?"
She paused for a moment. "As it was my purpose, I intended to gather your attention without hiding myself. I only did so after seeing how furious you were when you first arrived. My lady also informed me of your visit with your father and informed me to continue to hide myself until you had calmed down."
I nodded, humming lightly as I felt something at the edge of my senses.
"Ships." I turned back to the Nymph who stared at me in amazement. "You're feeling the ships arrive from the sea?"
I nodded once again, earning an amazed scoff from the Nymph. "I was told to expect a daft boy with little understanding of his abilities. You are truly impressive beyond all expectations, my lord."
I raised an eyebrow at her words. "Are you a servant of my mother-in-law, or are you simply her student?"
The Nymph shook her head. "I serve not your father, nor your mother-in-law. I have been made to serve the prince of Atlantis. I serve you, my lord."
"Ah." I managed after a few moments, staring blankly at her. "What of your training with my mother-in-law?"
"It has been scheduled to continue. I will continue to learn from her until I have succeeded in my lessons. At that point, I am to serve you fully to the very end."
I hummed slightly, "I'm still trying to figure everything out, so bear with me for a moment." The Nymph nodded, offering a comforting smile. "To mask your interaction with me, you were sent to facilitate the merging of the water of the sea and, I'm assuming, the waters of the lake and rivers which the trench coincides with."
The Nymph nodded and I returned it with a nod of my own.
"Right. So, you are calling yourself lowly openly so that, when another nymph embodies the newfound river, it'll make your disappearance easier to handle?"
The Nymph beamed at me, nodding excitedly.
"Okay. And the reason for this is to fulfil the political agenda of Atlantis; that being, to inform me of your assignment to me. But the full extent of your role was to be covered as well, possibly because it was assumed that I would leak it somehow?"
"Even your father was worried about how you would fare with the secrecy behind it. Your loyalty to your friends could have jeopardised the cementing of your role as Prince. I have decided, from our interactions, that you can be trusted to keep this from others until the time is right."
I nodded. "Okay, I understand the situation at hand. What I don't understand is all the political backings of all that's being done. Between whatever it is the demigods are plotting and the gods, and their never-ending plotting, it's all too much. I'd much rather be back out of here, training the Vanguard and killing monsters."
The Nymph chuckled, drawing my attention back to her. "Behind the façade of a put-together leader, you're still the simple man I was warned about after all."
I smirked at her, "Unfortunately for you, you have to endure all aspects of me now that we're working together."
She stared at me curiously for a few seconds before shaking her head, "I'm working for you, my lord."
"Percy. Where are my manners? I never got your name."
The Nymph became flustered, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of blue as her eyes shifted from me.
"Given the fact that you were able to tell that I am powerful, would it be safe to say that you are aware of the system of Nymphs?"
I raised an eyebrow. "I've read only a little, and even less stayed with me. I figured you couldn't be weak due to the way that you manipulated the water. There aren't many who could contest my control over my domain, after all."
The Nymph blushed once more, waving off my compliment.
"Never mind that then. You should be aware that names are incredibly powerful." When I nodded, she continued. "Names are typically reserved for those nymphs with sole ownership of a part of nature. When there is a group of nymphs, we are called the nymphs of the overarching vicinity of nature. For instance, the nymph to be assigned to this 'trench', as you call it, would have been a lake nymph, of Camp Half-Blood. When the moat is complete, she would become a river nymph, of camp half-blood."
"Would it be safe to say that the moat itself wouldn't be enough to earn her a name?"
The Nymph shook her head, "Her title itself will be sufficient. The Nymph of The Moat or The Moat Nymph or, even, The Lady of the Moat. Whatever the campers deem fit to refer to her as would become her name. She would no longer share the lake with others and the entirety of the moat would become her domain."
"So, the system of name-giving is reserved for other beings, then?"
She opened her mouth before pausing.
"Well, many nymphs give themselves their own names, but it rarely means anything until a being of power allows that name to be attached to them. The name doesn't give the creature that much power in and of itself, it depends on the power of the being who grants them the name, and it also depends on how often they are referred to by said name."
I hummed, "So, the Nymph to take over this moat. She would be powerful only depending on how often the campers refer to her rather than the fact that they gave her her name, correct?"
She nodded at me. "If a large group of the demigods, or perhaps the son of Jupiter, gave her the name, then she would become, inherently, significantly powerful. Obviously, it would pale in comparison to the strength she would receive if the name was given to her by a god."
"I suppose your system would mirror the gods to define strength then?"
The Nymph smiled. "Precisely. As there are minor and major gods, there are lesser and greater nature spirits. Despite the distinction, both have the capability of becoming incredibly strong. It's simply that the inherent power of the greater nature spirit is beyond that of a lesser nature spirit."
I squinted slightly as I tried to keep up with the information being given to me. I quickly realised she had paused and refocused on me. She offered me a calming smile and waited patiently for me to urge her to continue.
"For example, greater spirits are those who become minor deities or even gods. Lady Amphitrite and Lady Thetis are two of the most notable. To make things more easily understandable for you, I'll use their children as an example. A child of a greater spirit and a mortal is far more likely to become a demigod with extraordinary gifts. They will still lack the raw power of a demigod of a god, but they would be far beyond a mortal."
I nodded, "Achilles gained a significant physical edge and battle prowess over the mortals around him, but he could never dream of rivalling the abilities over the water I possess."
"Exactly! That's it exactly. Achilles is a great example. A child of a lesser nature spirit and a mortal will be far more mundane in all aspects. They are all gifted in comparison to the average mortal, but to say that they would exceed them in any capacity would be a bit too much."
"They wouldn't have a chance at a longer life?"
The nymph shook her head, "They are truly unremarkable creatures in comparison to the annals of our pantheon. They live average mortal lifespans, typically accomplishing average mortal feats and often only discover their heritage in the underworld, as any knowledge of their parent would mean sure death."
I hummed lightly as she finished. The cool touch of the water around me lulling my mind from the suddenness of the new information. The thought of being taught lingered on my mind, bringing a small smile to my face.
"Thank you." My words caught her by surprise, earning a stunned expression, "For a moment there I forgot how fucked our existence is. I felt like I was simply back in class with Mr Bruno instead of Chiron."
The Nymph shook her head easily, "I can't accept that without offering it back to you. I've been a student for my whole life. Being able to teach someone the things I've learned is a wonderful experience."
I smiled easily as we fell into companionable silence. The soft burbling of the water around us lulled me in and out of consciousness.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, my lord, but the ships have begun to anchor."
I sighed deeply, opening my eyes. "I suppose all good things must indeed come to an end."
She offered a poignant smile as I shifted around the water. I paused as something crashed back into my mind.
"I am needed on the beach, but they can wait a moment longer. We still must decide a name for you."
She spluttered as she stared at me, her hands waving frantically. I ignored her words as I thought of a name that would best fit her.
"What about Nadi?"
She stilled her frantic motions, staring at me in shock as her words died in her throat.
"What… what was that, my lord!"
"Nadi, do you like that name?"
A smile slowly spread on her lips as she stared at me. The water around us bubbled, humming with growing energy.
"Servants usually wait for millennia to be named."
"Well, you don't get your first servant very often, now do you?"
Nadi smiled back, shaking her head as she agreed. I was about to leave when I remembered the gaping ravine above us.
"Oh, before I go. Why hasn't the moat been filled in yet?"
Nadi schooled her expression. "There were certain disagreements between the sea nymphs and the lake nymphs over who exactly would take control over the moat."
I nodded. "Have you been in contact with these Nymphs in your time here?"
Nadi nodded in response. "There are only a few who actually care enough for the demigods to be suitable for the intended role."
I raised an eyebrow. "They wanted to have the moat be part of the defences. Should there be an attack, the waters would be used as a barrier to the inner wall while also attacking the enemy. There were plans of setting up water cannons should the Nymph be against the demigods, but even then, they would meet resistance in gathering the water for the pump."
I hummed my appreciation at her clarification.
"Alright then, what's the issue with the nymphs that would cooperate?"
Nadi coughed into her hands. "They are lesser Nymphs, by a large way, my lord."
"Call me Percy, I'm serious." Nadi bowed her head and apologised quickly, which I waved off. "Would that still be an issue if they were named by an Olympian instead of the campers?"
Nadi stared at me for a few moments, her eyebrows raising. "It would go beyond a solution, my lord. They would become comparable to Lady Amphitrite in their own way, which would create its own set of issues."
I hummed, scratching my chin. "What about a minor god?"
Nadi stared past me in thought. "It depends on the minor god. They would still have to be powerful, in their own right, to override how abysmally weak the nymphs in question are."
"What about Lady Tyche or Lady Bia?"
Nadi peered at me, her face sparkling with disbelief at my words. "Forgive me, my lord… Percy, but I find it incredibly hard to believe that either of those deities would be interested in interacting with our domain."
I flashed Nadi a cheeky smile before closing my eyes. A brilliant flood of light swarmed my darkened vision. After a few moments, the light dissipated, and I opened my eyes once more to find Lady Bia before me.
"While I must apologise for the death of your love, I do hope that it has changed your mind on the conception of our child."
"That's… oddly forward," Nadi muttered, earning a nod from me before I faced the goddess once more.
"I think I've found the reward which I desire from you."
The goddess perked up, a small smile tugging her lips as she urged me to continue with her eyes.
"There is a nymph to take control of the eventual Moat within New Greece. If you could, with her assistance, name the nymph, I would consider it my reward."
Bia's eyebrows furrowed as she stared between Nadi and me.
"I didn't think you'd still be willing to help the demigods after the meeting you all had."
I nodded, shrugging my shoulders.
"Their ideas will pave the way for safety for many children. Children like Cassandra and Maya. They don't deserve to pay for the actions of others. I hated it when I suffered purely for being my father's child, I don't want to let the actions of others affect the lives of innocent children."
"Are you certain you did not bring me here to woo me?" I recoiled slightly in shock, but the goddess continued with a soft smile. "Worry not, Perseus… Percy. I shall name the chosen Nymph accordingly. Should I return when the moat is complete?"
I frowned slightly in thought. "You can stay. The waters we are in run along the entire path of the moat, so I'll just finish it now."
Bia turned to Nadi, offering a questioning look.
"Percy…" Nadi said carefully, "The Nymphs are almost sure to fight due to the spontaneity of…"
She paused as I raised my hand easily. "Word spreads quickly here. I would be the only one that would be capable of doing what is about to happen. Just in case, I'll alert the sea Nymphs when I arrive at the beach; but you both are acting under my authority."
Nadi nodded, straightening herself as she grew more confident in her role. Bia, on the other hand, seemed slightly on edge.
"I'm still uncertain. I've witnessed these Nymphs for many centuries. I'd like to take your word here, Percy, but I cannot promise to avoid harming some of the more aggressive of them."
I nodded easily at Bia, "I can guarantee that none would be so bold. Though I'm okay with you taking action against all of those who oppose you, bar the one you are currently with."
Bia pouted at Nadi before turning back to me. "At least hide your favouritism."
Nadi blushed as I rolled my eyes. I turned back to Nadi.
"Make sure she's safe when I call the waters, okay?"
Nadi gave me her assurance, and I nodded at the pair of them before using the water to travel as close to the sea as the trenches had been dug.
Third Person
The sea churned violently.
The grotesque gurgling of the water ripped the attention of the demigods on the beach towards the moored ship. The sleek vessel groaned as it was battered relentlessly by the sea beneath it. Waves pulled the boat viciously, close towards the sandy beach with the threat of grounding the craft; all before it spat it back out to sea.
The ocean roared its contempt.
The salt-filled water bit away at the sand, mere metres from the demigods. They scrambled from its path as it dredged the earth before it. Sand and soil were swallowed by the relentless sea. Before long the water crumbled the last barrier between the ocean and the foundation of a moat. The massive trench was filled in moments.
The sea came to a quiet calm.
The waters which had threatened to rise beyond the lip of the trench stilled suddenly. Eerily the calmness of the ocean peered back at the mortified demigods, strikingly innocent despite the horrendous ferocity it had just displayed. The ship slowly drifted back to the beach; the sea retrieved the discarded vessel as though it were offering a soft apology for the deed it had committed.
The beach was silent.
The Greeks and the Romans stood, united in their stunned quiet. Their eyes trickled over to the ship as it seemed to be re-anchored. Their eyes shifted to each other in desperate search for confirmation that the sea did, in fact, shed its calm façade and rage towards them. Their eyes shifted towards Jason, who had smothered Piper in his arms and remained floating a few feet above the ground; his blue eyes stricken the most by panic.
"Reyna! Welcome to New Greece! Or should I say the construction of it?"
All eyes shifted back to the ocean. Only the ship remained in sight, sparking confusion. The shaken demigods peered in anxious silence at the still waters of the sea. A plum of dark hair floated to the top of the water, bouncing quietly with the approaching wave. The white crest blocked the view of the hair before it crashed against the shore of the beach, startling the demigods ever so slightly. Beyond the racing, foamy water, a pair of green eyes had risen from below the mass of black hair. A nose followed before a cheeky, crooked grin.
Percy slowly rose from the water until he stood upon it, the next wave pushing him further into the air before his legs disappeared behind its crest. The son of Poseidon frowned playfully as the water swirled around him. The wave in front of him gently caressed the sand, unlike its predecessor. Instead, it swarmed back toward Percy in favour of escorting him back to the beach.
The few seconds were enough for the demigods to quickly compose themselves.
Reyna stepped towards the sea to meet its son halfway. "I don't remember you being so fond of brazen displays."
Percy raised an eyebrow as he stepped onto the beach. "I don't quite consider that a brazen display." His eyes quickly trickled past the daughter of Bellona. "Besides, how else would the moat be filled?"
The stickiness of his tone wasn't lost on any of the Roman delegates, though they spread sweetness into their smiles in response.
"Thank you, Percy." Jason's voice cut through the mounting tension, earning the first genuine smile from the son of Poseidon. "Though I would have preferred a warning..."
The son of Poseidon raised his hands in apology as the son of Jupiter lowered himself and his lover to the sandy floor.
"I took the task upon myself on short notice. The massive crater in the earth seemed too dangerous with so many children running around."
The implications of Percy's words were hard to catch against the softness of his eyes and tone, but a few of the Greeks were too cautious in their observations of the son of Poseidon to miss it.
Annabeth rose to the jab. "We were worried about that. Thank you, Percy."
Percy raised his eyebrow at the daughter of Athena before a warm body pulled him closer. His features warmed slightly as he wrapped his arms around the daughter of Bellona.
"All things aside, it's good to see you again, Percy. I'd heard of you running off into the wild by yourself and you had me a little worried." Her whispered words tickled Percy's neck. A smile fluttered on his lips as he buried his face in her loosely flowing hair to mask his words.
"There were some complications, but I wasn't alone."
Reyna smiled softly, squeezing him tightly before pulling away from the embrace.
"Should I consider you Grecian, considering your return?"
Percy's lips curled up into his crooked grin, "Vanguardian, I'd say."
"Why does that actually sound kind of sick?"
Percy chuckled at the, not so quiet, muttering of the Roman soldier.
"I know, right? It sounded much lamer in my head, for some reason."
"Nah, man. I dig it."
Percy nodded his appreciation for the younger boy before shifting his attention back to Reyna.
"I'm sure you all have a lot to talk about, and I have to go help my people set up some pyres."
Reyna frowned as the weight of his words was met with the sharp crashing of a wave.
"I had no idea there were casualties."
Percy's eyes shifted away from the daughter of Bellona. The turbulent greens of his eyes flittered to Jason's blues and Clarisse's browns before he sighed.
"The life of a demigod is often a short and unpredictable one."
Reyna stepped closer to the son of Poseidon once again, her hand rising to his chin and forcing his eyes to meet her own. "It doesn't have to be, Percy. That's what all of this is about."
Percy's smile faded for a moment, the sight wrenching Reyna's heart.
"We can talk about this another time when I'm not just acting as though I'm fine."
Reyna nodded, earning a soft smile from the son of Poseidon. He stepped back from her soft palm, his eyes flickering to Jason, Clarisse, and the Roman envoys to offer a nod. The water swarmed his feet, and he was quickly swallowed by the ocean.
Reyna stared after him for a few moments, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the information she had just received. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face the Greeks.
"I was of the mind that we could absolve matters within the day. I do believe that this changes things."
Annabeth nodded, the exhaustion around her eyes prevalent as she stepped forward. "It does seem as though we will have to move forward without Percy."
Reyna hummed lightly, her eyes flickering around the group of Greeks before settling on Jason. They stared at each other for a few moments in quiet conversation before the Praetor of Rome nodded.
"Very well. If you are willing to host me, I would kindly request that our meeting be postponed until tomorrow. I would like to pay my respects to the dead and think of how best to include the Vanguardians in our plans."
Clarisse snorted to herself, drawing Reyna's attention.
"Sorry, it's just I'm shocked how quickly he made such a catchy name for his group."
The Roman demigod from before raised an eyebrow. "Is that not the name of his group?"
Jason shook his head.
"No, they are the Vanguard."
"It's still weird seeing you walk."
"Ah!" the girl cried out at the sudden sound of Percy's voice, her hand sizzling with power.
"Woah," Percy rose out of the water fully, the water cautiously placing him on land. "It's just me."
Zina sighed as she dropped her hand, the energy festering at her fingertips dissipating.
"Sorry, I'm still a little antsy given…"
Percy smiled easily as he closed the distance between them. The daughter of Bia quickly slipped her arms around his waist. She tightened her grip around him as the weight of the past few days suddenly grew on her shoulders. She tried her best to hold back her tears, but it was futile.
"It's all good. We're still here. You can cry, it's alright." Percy's soft cooing of words soothed the girl as she fought to compose herself. Behind the pair, Jordon and Chris stepped out of the forest. Each with a wrapped body carefully in their hands.
"Shouldn't we build the pyres before carrying the bodies?" Shaquille's voice called out from the trees behind before he could be seen. The shorter boy stumbled out of the forest, stilling at the sight of Percy and Zina. The trio grew sombre as the quiet sounds of anguish continued to trickle past Zina's lips.
"It's alright guys. It's okay if some of you want to get it over with and done. It's okay if some of you want some more time. We'll figure out the best way to do it together."
The boys nodded numbly at Percy, Jordon and Chris shifting past him to place the bodies in the sand.
Zina sniffled as she pulled herself from Percy, a shy smile spreading on her lips as she faced the other boys. "I swear I'm only crying cause my leg hurts."
The four boys looked at her regrown leg before looking at each other and laughing.
"You can't use that excuse anymore, Zina!" Jordon managed to blurt out, pointing at her healthy and, very much, present, leg.
Zina rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly as she chuckled along with them, "Still getting used to having it back, to be honest."
"You're going to regret it when you have to run with us again!"
Adrastea's voice startled the group. They quickly composed themselves at the sight of the daughter of Ares. A wrapped corpse was slung carefully over her shoulder. She lumbered past the group, carefully placing the body next to the growing pile before turning back to the rest. Her smile faltered as she saw the sorrow which tainted the eyes staring back at her.
"Should… Should we get started on the pyre before the rest reach?"
All eyes turned to Percy, who was still lost in thought staring at the three wrapped bodies before him.
"Percy?"
The son of Poseidon's eyes snapped towards Chris. The son of Hephaestus stared back at him curiously, almost begging for an answer.
"Whatever Adrastea says goes now."
Her promotion came with little shock, and almost no joy. The daughter of Ares nodded mutely, the faintest traces of a smile playing at her lips.
"Alright then, let's get to work on these pyres."
The demigods split off from each other, moving quickly back to the forest. Before they could make it past the trees, the rest of the Vanguard broke the forest line.
Marc shot a curious look towards Adrastea. "Where are you guys going?"
"Back to camp for axes for the pyres." She said confidently, pausing slightly as she scanned the rest of the Vanguard. "And the rest of the bodies."
Her words sucked the air out of the group as she stumbled past them. Marc sighed as Zina walked past him, shrugging off the heaviness lingering in the air as he made his way to Percy.
"What did they say in the meeting?"
Percy sighed the moment the words came out of his mouth. The son of Poseidon shook his head, brushing the hair from his eyes as he turned to face the ocean.
Adrian whistled as he stopped next to Marc. "That bad, huh?"
Percy offered him a grim smile and nodded. His green eyes trailed back to the sea.
"They wanted us to return to the camp. By any means necessary."
"They wanted Percy to return to camp, by any means necessary." Lily scoffed as she stepped towards the three boys. "No matter the casualties. Even at the cost of our own lives. I… We should've listened to Chrysilla sooner…"
"So… they left us to die because… that would bring Percy back?"
Lily shrugged, shifting quietly as the stares beamed down onto her. Percy sighed as he saw them ready to press Lily further. "They left us to die from jealousy. At least, that's the reason they gave me."
Helen huffed as she stepped towards the others. "You don't mean that Annabeth got jealous of Chrysilla and left us to die because of that… right?"
Percy shrugged, his eyes lingering on the sand. "Her jealousy didn't let them hear the extent of the danger we were in."
Silence lingered in the air as the demigods tried their best to come to terms with what had been said.
"So, when do we leave?"
"Leave?" Tassos queried in response to Marc's question. The son of Demeter shook his head, staring at the son of Ares in disbelief. "We barely made it back alive, and you want to leave again?"
Adrian shook his head at Tassos' words, laughing quietly. Helen was the one to respond, however.
"At least we can trust the monsters to try to kill us…"
Her words stained the mood. The son of Demeter bit his tongue, but his silence belied his disagreement with her words.
"I think we should leave tonight, after the pyre."
"We can't leave so soon!" Chris cried out, dropping some logs as he sprinted towards the group. "I was talking to some of my siblings, and they figured out the ring!"
"They did?" Percy asked pointedly.
"Well, no. But when I explained what I saw the armour do, they said they had some similar enchantments that they could teach me. If I learn them, I can study your ring and improve upon the enchantments over time!"
Percy hummed lightly at his words, while Marc huffed in annoyance.
"I… I'd like some time to think this over." Shaquille admitted as he placed his logs, far more carefully, onto the floor. Jordon nodded his agreement before Tassos did as well.
"I think it would be best if I didn't come with you all. It wouldn't be right…"
Helen wanted to argue at Lily's words, but Percy spoke before she could. "I'm not forcing anyone to come with us. It's the same as it was from the very first day that we made this group. Whenever you're ready to call it quits, you can."
Adrastea hummed her agreement, the sound mirrored by Zina and Adrian as the group slipped into an amicable silence.
"Has anyone seen Cassandra?"
Zina smiled at Percy, "She was with Maya when we left for the axes. Troy said that he would gather some of their siblings and bring the rest of the bodies. Cassandra said she'd stay with Maya and come with the rest of them."
Percy cursed himself lightly, shaking his head. "I forgot about Maya."
"It's okay, Percy." Adrian consoled quietly, placing a hand on the older boy's shoulder.
Percy quietly accepted his words before forcing his eyes to meet his. "Well, that's enough sulking. Let's get those pyres ready for when everyone arrives. Did you guys bring enough axes?"
Zina gave him a small smirk. "Of course, we did, boss."
"I'm sorry for your loss."
Percy stared at the roaring flames; his eyes only glistened from the vibrant orange of the fire before him. The air sweltered as the raging inferno consumed the darkening pyres within it.
Reyna stared quietly at the son of Poseidon, slightly put off at being rebuffed. Her eyes instead trickled to his side, where Cassandra stood. The young girl clutched at a sword and shield tightly, tears streaming down her face as she bit her lips to keep her cries silent. Percy seemed to take notice of her attempt to stifle her sorrow and gently placed a hand on the crown of her head. She leaned into his leg; her cries muffled as she melted into his comforting presence.
A few moments passed.
Reyna's eyes were busied by the constant stream of demigods to and from the camp. A few of them paid their respects, some lingered with the Vanguard, but most seemed to simply be curious as to what was happening.
"Why didn't you let the rest of them know about the ceremony?"
Percy's eyes shifted towards Reyna, and she shivered. The warmth the fire had provided had been snuffed. His cold, green eyes were filled with deadly poison as he peered down at her. He closed his eyes, realising the effect he was having on her, and took a deep breath.
"What is it that you want, Reyna?"
The daughter of Bellona stuttered slightly at the question. Her eyes shifted to the pyres before returning to Percy, begging him to understand what her mouth failed to convey.
"Then let us watch in silence."
Reyna nodded meekly as he shifted his eyes back to the flames. She took a deep breath, eyeing the son of Poseidon nervously before she too, let her eyes focus on the burning fires.
Percy grunted as he picked Cassandra up. He carefully placed her head on his shoulder before turning towards her discarded sword and shield. Reyna quickly picked up the weapons, holding it and taking stride beside Percy as they began to make their way through the forest.
"Is it that you want me to be there when you meet with the councillors?"
Reyna raised an eyebrow at the soft words of the son of Poseidon. She held her tongue for a few moments, studying her own words carefully.
"Not as a member of New Greece, but rather as the leader of the Vanguard."
Percy hummed lightly, his eyes never straying from the path before him.
"The last meeting, I had been invited to, did not end well."
Reyna chuckled lightly, nodding to herself.
"I heard. Nonetheless, I'd appreciate your presence."
She was met with silence.
Her mind began racing as she tried to figure out her next set of words.
"When?"
She paused, stunned by his question.
"Tomorrow. After lunch."
Percy responded by extending his hand. Reyna stared at the appendage in confusion for a few moments before placing the sword on the inside of the shield and putting the face on his palm. She stared in awe as water formed from the air. The thin blob slipped between Percy's palm and the shield before his hand repositioned to Cassandra's back once more.
"I'll be there."
He said simply, walking away with the young girl in his arms and a sword and shield floating on a blob of water beside him.
The soft creaking of the wooden floor caught the attention of the councillors.
Their eyes shifted towards the still form of Percy. He stood at the entrance to the war room, his green eyes peering, almost emptily, back at them.
"Percy," Reyna started, rising from her chair to greet him. "Thanks for coming."
He stared quietly at her for a few moments. His eyes shifted to the centre of the elder demigods, glistening with silent mirth at the re-emergence of the ping-pong table.
Percy shook his head as the daughter of Bellona motioned towards an empty chair. "I won't be here long."
Reyna sighed, turning back to Jason for support, but Jupiter's son simply shook his head.
"Alright, well we can just cut straight to the chase." Reyna shifted her eyes back to the table, moving aside files as she searched for a particular piece of paper. Her eyes lit up as she found the document she was looking for before turning back to Percy. "This is something that I had in mind to talk about in the future, but the presence of the Vanguard offers us the chance to work on this more immediately."
Percy hummed dismissively at her words, though he feigned interest as she continued to stand at her seat. "Reyna. I don't want to waste your time. If this benefits strictly the Romans, I will consider it. There are no positive relations between the Greeks and the Vanguard."
Will coughed into his hand, stifling the awkward tension in the room for a brief moment.
"Percy…"
The son of Poseidon raised his hand, shaking his head slightly as Annabeth silenced herself.
"I came here to talk with Reyna. We've already spoken." Percy shifted his eyes back to Reyna, "Continue."
The Praetor of New Rome stared between the pair before her eyes drifted to the paper in her hands. She made a show of scanning over it in an effort to buy herself some time to think.
"I believe it would be beneficial to all of us." She admitted, "And I would still like to propose the plan before you outright deny it."
Percy stared at her for a moment before nodding.
Reyna sighed softly, turning to face the son of Poseidon once more. "We're aware of the drastic differences in our cultures and the persistent animosity that prevails, even to this day. To stifle these issues and prevent discrimination as we work to unite our two cities, I suggest that we create a fortress between our states."
The daughter of Bellona paused, shifting slightly to capture the attention of all those in attendance.
"The fortress will, primarily, be a place for our militaries to unite. There, we will send our teenagers to train together and learn from our veteran soldiers. There, small missions can be organised to build unity. There, the basis of the next generation can learn to fight together, a bond that runs deeper than any prejudices of the past."
Travis shifted in his seat, his eyebrows scrunching in thought. "Why wouldn't we just have exchange programs with our university, as we were discussing? I'm sure we can facilitate the growth of unity without expanding, especially as our city has yet to be constructed."
Annabeth was quick to respond. "The fort would be neutral grounds. There would be no established culture; no one would feel out of place for being either Roman or Greek."
Reyna nodded in agreement before giving Percy a pointed look, "And it could offer the Vanguard a place to reside, without the need to attach themselves to any city."
Percy snorted in response to her words. He leaned against the doorframe to his left, his hand slipping into his pocket.
"I appreciate the offer, but I fail to see how we would gain from this."
Piper rose from her seat, her hands playing with the edge of the table as she stood fully. "You wouldn't have to interact with us. We know that what we've done is beyond horrible. We were blindsided by how far we were looking to the future, and we failed to see the now. It doesn't change the fact that we want you to be safe."
"You've already made it abundantly clear that the safety of the Vanguard is the responsibility of the Vanguard. If you want to do us a favour, and make an effort in rebuilding our relationship, keep the same energy and leave us alone."
"But…"
Percy scowled at the floor, waving his hand as he stood upright. "Jason, I'm sorry, but no. Who do you think would be charged with establishing this new fort? Your people, who are already busy at work with your city? The Romans, who only arrived with a small delegation? Let's stop pretending like I'm stupid for once. The Vanguard will not be the tool of the gods, nor any of you."
"Percy…" Reyna slipped from her chair and took small steps towards him. "You can't ignore the fact that you're an extremely powerful son of Poseidon. That you are the Hero of Olympus, twice over. That you were one of the instrumental demigods to lead many others out of two wars. Of course, both of our peoples are going to benefit from having you on our side, both in difficult times with monsters and deities, but also as a figurehead. But you also can't ignore the fact that we all bled together. Risked our lives together. Lost friends and family together. As an asset, the cities lose you, but as a friend… as someone who we truly care about. We don't want you to die."
Percy stared evenly at Reyna. "What about the people that I cared about? What about them when we were faced with hundreds, if not thousands of monsters and a newly made god? What about when I actually needed you all?"
The son of Poseidon glared at the councillors before letting his eyes rest on Reyna once more. "This isn't just about me anymore. Why can't you all see that? You all lead, and I've respected that. Despite it all, I helped you with your moat, didn't I? And for what? The only person to come pay respect to my dead family is Reyna… and even then she asks me to come to this meeting?"
Percy shook his head. "When you actually remember what it means to be compassionate, then call me again. It may only be my hubris, but I'll show you how you're supposed to respond to a cry for help from someone you truly care about."
The son of Poseidon turned and walked out the door.
"At least he didn't blow up the ping pong table?"
Everyone glared at Connor, who shrunk back into his seat.
A/N: I don't think I want to commit to another story with such a high average word count per chapter again. Some of these chapters were pure torture to write. I feel like my actual soul has been drained writing this and I'm so glad it's over…
I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea, if I had to do this all over again, I one hundred percent would. There were a lot of difficult moments and a lot of doubts, but to be here. To be able to put completed on one of my works instead of hiatus or discontinued… It's a truly indescribable experience.
I'm so grateful that the book got so much attention and it was so well received. There's still a lot left for me to do to be the author I want to be, but this has reshaped the way I view writing and creating worlds so much. Thank you all for all the feedback you've given me throughout this last year, and I hope that I can take all of that with me into the future and improve upon my writing. One day, I want one of my books to become a movie or a series or something and I can only say that with so much conviction because of all of you guys who gave my little story a chance.
Thank you all again.
Anyway, there's still the epilogue to come within the next two weeks to put the final pin in the story.
That's about it for this chapter. I hope you're all having a great day whenever you're reading this. I'll see you all one last time, the next time I post.
-ZedricSOZ