This is the start of the actual meaty part of the story, where things start to become much more interesting. Please enjoy, also there's an authors note at the end about one character in this chapters.
Camp Jupiter
Dreams never came easy to Atreus when he was younger, he simply never got them. His mother told him that it was like trying to remember a fleeting memory, you could sometimes vaguely picture it in your mind but never the specifics. Trying to remember anything in detail would only leave you with a muddy perspective. Despite trying to, he could never remember if he ever dreamed at all. Atreus had resigned himself from dreams.
That all changed a few years ago when he had the most vivid dream he could ever experience. A raging storm. Wind howling at his door. Thunder crashing around him. A hammer. A god. Thor.
Ever since Atreus learned of his lineage he had started experiencing dreams more vividly. Sometimes it was of his mother, sometimes his father, other times it felt more like nightmares of things to come. Those dreams felt less vivid than his dream of Thor, but still important to him.
The one he was currently in felt more than vivid, it felt real.
"So, where did you come from? I don't ever remember sending out a part of myself into the world, much less a young kid version." The god chained to the rock spoke, his voice scratchy and disturbing. Why did he feel so familiar?
Atreus could not speak, not because he wanted to, he just lacked a mouth to do so. The god seemed to notice his lack of communication and chuckled. "Not gonna tell me? That's fine, I'll figure it out later." Atreus felt himself move closer to the god, before he knew it he was standing face to melted half-face. They were only a few arm-lengths apart now, the god grew even more curious of Atreus.
"You don't even look like me, where's the flair? Where's the chaos? You really must be a young version of me if you're this stuck up." Atreus couldn't help but feel offended at the insult, he wasn't stuck up…was he?
"Alright, it's time for you to come back now. We have work to do." The god looked to Atreus as if he expected him to do something. Nothing happened.
The god looked confused at Atreus, "Well? What are you waiting for?" Still nothing happened.
"In all my years I've never had an aspect of myself not only split off but directly oppose me. You really are a trouble maker aren't you? You are me, I am you, let's get back together now so we can…" The god stopped, looking closer at Atreus.
"No, that's wrong. You aren't me are you? You feel like me, but different. Young sure, but it's almost like you have a little something else in you. What are you?" Atreus could feel the god look him up and down, trying to find something about him.
"You're a godling, feels like you haven't even reached the peak of your power, but you're me. This can't possibly be right…can it?" Atreus tried to speak, to say anything, but he still could not find the words in his throat to do so.
"You're trying to tell me something, I can feel it. What is it, I wonder. That you enjoy sewing chaos amongst the mortals? That you have fallen in love again? What is it, what do you hold dearest, so I know what to rip away from you?"
The god made to reach out and grab him, but the chains holding him stopped him before he could reach Atreus. The god sighed, "I decided I like you, a disobedient little aspect of mine going against the rules? Well that sounds just like me. I think I'll put things on hold just for you. Ragnarok can wait while I figure out what makes you unique. Congrats kiddo, you're my new obsession. And I have a mean streak of getting really into obsessions. Why, I still haven't gotten over my Red Socks obsession yet." His form changed, revealing a white and red garb with the words 'Red' & 'Sox' on either side.
Atreus could feel himself being tugged back, what was happening now?
"Oh, leaving so soon? Fine, I guess you can go. But don't think this is over, this is just the beginning of our time together. I will learn what makes you so special. You can count on that, from one Loki to another." The god gave him a wicked smile, one Atreus would never forget, and the world faded away.
Atreus woke up with a jolt, he was breathing heavily and his brow was damp with sweat. Atreus slowed his breathing and sat up in his bed. He was at Camp Jupiter, no longer in whatever dimension held that god.
"From one Loki to another." Atreus repeated. Could he really mean…there was no way. Loki was the name given to him by his mother, a Jotnar name. But no one knew of the name except Atreus and his father. But the way the god said it, like he was Loki. What was going on?
There was a knock at his door, "Hey, you up, we're leaving soon." Annabeth's muffled voice came from behind the door.
Atreus stood up from his bed and opened the door, Annabeth stood in front of him ready to go. Behind Annabeth was Freya, waiting for him as well.
"Were you sleeping?" Annabeth asked, noticing small hints across his face.
Atreus wiped his face, "I was just waking up. Let me get my things and meet you outside." Annabeth nodded, and with Freya, left to wait for him outside the cabin.
Atreus quickly got his things, despite trying to not think of his dream his thoughts still returned to it. It was a gruesome sight, a chained god with a mask of melting flesh for a face. He had so many questions, and no answers for them.
"Focus, I have to find Father first. Answers come second." He steeled himself, and left the cabin.
It wasn't just Annabeth and Freya standing outside when he exited the cabin, Frank, Reyna, and Hazel stood talking to Annabeth as well. "If you need any assistance, we're only one rainbow message away." Reyna told Annabeth, Frank and Hazel, to either side of her, gave their approval as well.
"We have our own campers posted all across the country, if you need assistance feel free to seek them out, we'll let them know to keep an eye out for you." Frank said.
"I appreciate the offer but I don't think we'll be having that much trouble, I've already mapped out our trip and booked a plane. We'll be more than fine." Atreus looked at Freya, hoping she would know what a plane was. The goddess shrugged.
"If you say so Annabeth," Hazel sighed before turning to Freya and himself, "Take care you two."
"Oh yeah, thank you for having us." Atreus nodded at the three Roman demi-gods for their hospitality.
"Maybe whenever we get this all sorted out you can stay for longer, for now we wish you all a safe journey. Annabeth, we'll see you in a few months, your admittance into the college has already been approved." The smile on Annabeth's face grew a little.
"As I expected."
Frank couldn't help but chuckle, "Yeah, you would say that. We'd love to stay and chat but we have meetings to get to, Hazel will escort you to the car. See ya." Frank and Reyna turned away waving, Atreus returned it with his own.
"C'mon, let's get you three a car."
The walk to the car (Atreus thought it was called a rental before), was quick. It was on the outskirts of the camp and it seemed to already be waiting for them. Hazel gave her goodbye just like Frank and Reyna, she had to go back to her duties as well. The three of them packed into the car and drove off. It was quiet for the first few minutes before Atreus felt the need to talk.
"So, what exactly are we doing?" Atreus asked.
"Well, I booked us some plane tickets to get to New York, that will get us across the country in a few hours. But first we have to go to my dads place so I can get those tickets." Annabeth turned her attention back on the road for a moment, making sure she got the right turn.
"Once in New York we will stop by Camp Half-Blood, get you set in camp and consider our next move with Freya. My cousin is an Einherjar, so he can tell us what's up with Odin and Freya here." Annabeth spoke as she drove, Freya sighed once again.
"There is nothing up between me and Odin. He banished me after our marriage, that is all."
Annabeth shook her head, "Sorry, can't do that. Unrest in any pantheon usually isn't a good sign, and I'd like to avoid an apocalypse."
"Fimbulwinter is already upon us, it is inevitable." Freya said defiantly.
"Fimbulwinter? That's what happens before Ragnarok right? Doesn't that usually mean winter?" Annabeth asked.
"It was winter before we got here, snow and ice for three years." Mimir told Atreus that not all the realms experience Fimbulwinter the same as Midgard, the long winter was unique to the realm of man. When he arrived to this strange place there was no sight of winter anywhere, it confused him how Fimbulwinter was seemingly absent from here.
"Well we haven't got any of that here, you sure?" Annabeth stopped her car at a red light where other cars also stopped.
"Very." Freya quickly answered.
"Atreus?" Annabeth looked at him.
"Yeah, it started snowing three years ago. Everyone says it's Fimbulwinter, and that means Ragnarok is not far." Atreus backed up Freya, as much as he probably didn't like the idea of all the nine realms turning into chaos he couldn't deny it.
"Hmm." Annabeth didn't say much, and the car ride remained silent for the rest of the journey.
Atreus couldn't help but be somewhat concerned that Annabeth's cousin served under Odin, but would worry about it later.
Eventually the car they were in drove into a smaller part of the city. Houses lined each side of the road they were on, almost all of them held a different kind of car. The houses themselves were considerably larger than the cabin he shared with his father and Mimir. Eventually they stopped in front of one of them, the house didn't seem noticeably different from the others.
Annabeth removed the strap around her before turning to both of them, "Feel free to come in and eat some snacks, I gotta get the tickets my dad printed out." Atreus followed Annabeth out the car and inside, Freya however stayed inside.
The inside of the house seemed cozy, soft lights hung from the ceiling with seating centered around a low table. Two children, hearing the door open, rushed Annabeth for a hug.
"Annabeth!" The boys shouted and hugged either side of her, they looked about the same age as Atreus was when he and his father went on their journey to scatter mothers ashes. They looked almost identical, most likely twins.
"Hey there kiddos, how are you doing?" Annabeth ruffled their heads and they could only look up in adoration.
"Annabeth, is that you?" A woman rounded the corner, and from a quick glance Atreus could tell they were not related. The woman in front of him looked nothing like Annabeth, but the two boys surely resembled her.
"Hey Daiyu, I was just picking up some tickets from dad. He in his office?" The boys relinquished their hold on Annabeth as she walked up to the woman.
"He is, I see you brought a friend." The woman looked to Atreus, who awkwardly waved his hand.
"Oh, hi, um Annabeth invited me in." Atreus said.
"It's no problem, you must be another demi-god, well feel free to relax. Just try to not smash anything." The woman chuckled, seemingly at Annabeth's expense.
"Um, thanks D-Dyu?" Atreus tried to pronounce her name, but it came out wrong, he felt somewhat embarrassed not getting it right.
The woman didn't seem to mind, as she only chuckled at him, "Just call me Diane. Bobby, Matthew, you two still have chores to do." The two boys groaned, pleading to their mother to spend more time with Annabeth. Diane nearly dragged them away back to whatever they were doing before they arrived.
"Sorry about that, Bobby and Matthew can sometimes be a handful but they mean well. Daiyu knows how to handle them though. I'll be quick, there's some cookies on the table, feel free to have some before we leave." Annabeth as well walked off leaving Atreus alone in the room.
Seeing nothing else to do, Atreus sat down near the table where a plate of cookies rested. Most of them looked the same, but a few odd ones were colored blue for some reason. Atreus was left to his thoughts again, eating a few of the sweets in front of him. Once again his thoughts turned to his dream. It troubled him deeply.
"He can't be me…can he?" Atreus asked to no one. The god spoke so sure of himself, like it was no question he considered himself 'Loki'.
Before he could continue that line of questioning two pairs of footsteps started making their way to him. A man, who Atreus could tell was Annabeth's father, spoke to Annabeth before handing her the tickets. They exchanged a quick hug before Annabeth walked into the room he was in.
"Ready?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm ready." Atreus stood up.
"Bye dad, I'll be sure to bring Percy next time." Annabeth said as she started walking to the door.
"Of course, honey, be safe on your trip." Annabeth's father waved to them as they started to leave.
"Thank you for the cookies." Atreus quickly said before leaving with Annabeth.
The two got back in the car where Freya sat waiting, with tickets in store they made their way to the 'airport'.
Unlike their drive to Annabeth's house, the drive to the 'airport' took significantly longer. For Atreus it was a lot of stopping and going. Waiting for other cars to move forward and having to make room for others joining the line to the airport. Atreus asked why they simply couldn't just walk, Annabeth said it would take too long. Eventually the three of them left the car in a building with other cars (a parking lot Annabeth said) and finally made their way inside the actual airport.
Many people were walking every which way, some were in a hurry, some languished about, some stood crying in sadness, some in happiness. It was a very strange mix of emotions all around.
"Never been to an airport?" Annabeth asked.
"Um, no I don't think so." Atreus answered back, quickly noticing the trio were getting stares.
"I envy you, you've never had to deal with the hassle of air travel."Atreus did remember having to ride a flying boat through Helheim, but maybe that wasn't the same as an airport.
Before they entered into the line leading further into the airport Annabeth stopped and held out her bag, "Put your stuff in here." She said.
"Why?" Freya asked, notably concerned.
"Mortals are very particular about airport security, you don't want to be caught with a sword on you or else they'll lock us up and we will miss our flight." Atreus put his bow and arrows in the bag, Annabeth moved in front of Freya waiting for her to do the same.
"We stand here with out weapons bare but the mortals have no issues with that?" She wasn't wrong, Freya's sword was strapped to her back for anyone to see but no one reacted to it.
Annabeth looked at her for a moment, those eyes of her doing some internal thinking again, "You northerners must not have it," She concluded.
"Have what?" Freya asked.
"We call it the mist," Annabeth let the bag drop to her side.
"The mist?" Atreus repeated, he had heard of the mist of niflheim - been there too - but nothing in Midgard.
"I guess it's time I explained it to you too. The mist is a barrier that covers the eyes of mortals, separating them from our world. Anything that appears abnormal to them, like monsters, is reshaped into something they can comprehend." She pointed to the line ahead of them.
"Most normals can't see past this mist, bar a rare few exceptions, right now everyone sees you two not as you are now. It's different for everyone so I can't say what it is but we don't want that perception going away. Bringing your weapons through the metal detectors will trigger the alarm, and they'll start to see you differently. The last thing we want right now is to look suspicious." Annabeth picked up the bag and handed it to Freya.
"And that means putting the sword in the bag," Freya thought for a moment before Annabeth spoke again, "You can get it back after we pass the checkpoint." Freya relented before dropping the sword into the bag.
"Won't the mortals see our weapons?" Atreus asked.
"This bag is especially enchanted from some kids of Hecate, has some extra mist covering to fool most people. I use this whenever I fly to and from here." Annabeth shouldered it and the three of them went to get in line.
"What about us?" Atreus turned to Annabeth, did they need more protection too?
"As long as you don't do anything too outlandish, the mist should hold." Atreus nodded.
As they waited in line, Atreus noticed the lack of stares at either of them. Along the way the passed by a large divider that separated their line from the others. The reflection of the divider was good enough to see himself in, but just barely. The reflection was different, instead of his usual yellow garb, he wore something more similar to that of the people here - Freya as well.
Going through security (as Annabeth called it) was a hassle, the people handling that job patted all of them down and made him take off his boots. He was starting to understand what Annabeth meant. Their bag was inspected, and just like Annabeth predicted, no one was the wiser about their weapons.
"You weren't wrong when you said they were picky." Freya said as the three of them regrouped on the other side. Annabeth could only shrug. Now pass the checkpoint, Annabeth handed back their weapons.
The three of them continued on, looking for a place to sit until their plane came around. Finally finding a spot, Annabeth and Freya sat down, Atreus excused himself to look for a restroom. After a quick trip, Atreus made his way back to Annabeth and Freya before he bumped into someone.
"Oh sorry I-" Atreus looked up at the man he walked into and paled.
That wicked smile, the scars, the 'Red Sox' garb, it was him.
"Did you think I would let you go?" The god made a step to Atreus, who made a step away from the god.
"Who are you?" Atreus asked, quickly going for bow.
"I thought you knew that already, I am you, and you are me. We are Loki." 'Loki' took another step forward, Atreus once again moved a step away.
"That's a lie, you're not me!" Atreus stopped and stood his ground, ready for a fight.
"See, that's the thing, you just might be right. But how different are we really? I mean, just look at us, we seem nothing alike. But there's that small part of you I can see in myself, and I must know more." Loki went to grab him but Atreus swatted his hand away. Well he would have if his hand wasn't an illusion. Atreus' arm went right through him like he wasn't even there.
"Fascinating, you couldn't even tell an illusion was fake. You must be new at this." Loki chuckled, his hand rested on Atreus' shoulder despite not actually being there.
"Leave me alone!" Atreus said, getting away from the illusion.
"Sorry, but like I said last night, you're my obsession. I have to understand, you see? So I decided to test you." Atreus stopped, before looking at the god.
"Test me?" This couldn't be good.
"Well of course, how couldn't I see what you're capable of. That's like asking what some Seidr would do if they were told…oh I don't know, if their beloved Freya was kidnapped. Why, I would just pounce on the opportunity wouldn't I?" It was at that moment hell broke loose.
Shouting and screaming took hold of the airport, magic flung left and right, and in the middle of the chaos were just two Loki's basking in it all.
"I do love a bit of chaos in the morning. Now try not to die, I have so much in store for you my little godling." Atreus ran as the sharp cackling of Loki reverberated across the room.
So when I was writing this chapter I wanted to give a quick look (really quick look) at Annabeth's home life after the Giant War but found out that Annabeth's step mother has no canonical name (at least that's what the wiki tells me). The only thing I really know about her is that she's asian and doesn't hate Annabeth. So I looked up a common Chinese name (at least google tells me that) and that's how she became Daiyu Chase. But then as I was writing it also occurred to me that Atreus (despite being quick to pick up language) might pronounce it wrong. And that reminded me of people having to pick english names for the sake of fitting in easier. While I never had to pick an english name to fit in I do have family that have had to do something similar. That's about it. Just an interesting set of events that led to a small scene that really has not consequences. Hope you enjoyed this quick peak into into my thought process.
Edit: Sorry, I forgot to add that the scene where Annabeth takes out the Mist bottle and spray down Atreus and Freya was supposed to be a bit tongue and cheek. Perhaps it didn't come off that way in writing. If it's not well received I'll likely change it in a future update. I am meaning to go back to other chapters and fix some errors as well. Thank you and sorry for the mix up.