All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 40

An Unexpected Offer

(Diana)

Well I was one about one thing that was for certain as I flashed into Atlantis alongside Percy, after a quick stop back at his room to retrieve the bow he now carried across his back and so I could change the color of my clothes from silver to black being dressed as a hunter would have been as obvious despite changing my appearance.

As I appeared inside a bubble appeared around me courtesy of Percy as we had discussed beforehand. The idiot had of course forgotten that I could not come down here after all I can't breath under water and the water pressure would have crushed me goddess or not.

We appeared outside the palace gates and were immediately met by two mermen who eyed us wearily crossing there spears blocking the way forward.

'Lord Poseidon is indisposed at present, no one is allowed to enter.' The left hand one said without looking at us directly.

'Why? I need to see my father.' Percy asked and the guards stoic expression faded as his eyes suddenly shifted up and down as he scrutinized Percy trying to recognize him.

'Nevertheless Lord Poseidon issued us with instructions, only the royal family is allowed inside and General Tyson.'

'Tell my father I am here then, or better yet get Tyson to come out here and he will let me through.' Percy said getting agitated. I could have spoken up but I did not want to give myself away and besides Percy would have it easier on his own.

The two guards looked at each other quickly as if having a mental conversation before looking back to us.

'Who should we tell General Tyson is here, so he can tell you to leave personally.' The right hand one said with a grin.

'Perseus Jackson, Savior of Olympus, Slayer of Gaia, Bane of Giants, Titan Lord of Time, Constellations, Light and the Hunt.' He said forcefully extending his wings behind us. The two guards stood back fearfully before the right hand one placed a hand against his chest and saluted Roman style before swimming towards the palace door.

'I am sorry Milord, we did not recognize you.' The remaining guard stammered out relaxing his weapon.

'I get that a lot so don't worry about it.' Percy said far more friendly as he slowly folded each set of wings behind him before settling back into his usual smiling self.

As we stood waiting I considered it strange that Poseidon had closed the palace, surely even Percy getting injured was not enough to warrant no one but Poseidon, Amphitrite, Triton and Tyson from entering which meant there was something else happening.

Finally the Palace doors opened wide and a large figure I loosely recognized as the recently appointed general of the armies of Olympus came towards us. The Cyclops was dressed in formal armor which I considered strange as what was the need for armor when there was no threat and you were within your own palace. The other guard swam behind him careful to avoid the club he seemed to be swinging wildly as he walked with little concern until he recognized Percy and broke out into a toothy grin before running forward.

(Percy)

Now I may have gotten a lot taller and stronger but so unfortunately had my half brother as he barreled into me and grabbed me in a bone crushing hug. Compared to him I was still small as he was easily about 13ft tall by now which allowed him to lift me clean of the floor. Combined with the pressure being applied to my chest if he didn't stop soon I would have to pull an Oceanus to get him off me.

However he eventually seemed to realize and place me back on the ground uncertainly.

'Hello big brother, you have got taller and wings like a shiny bird.' He said noticing my folded wings as I stretched them out to work out the ruffled mess they had become during the hug.

'Yeah I guess though you seemed to have done as well, I felt like I was just hit by a train and taking the weight of the sky at the same time.' I told him which only seemed to make him happier.

'So what brings you here brother I thought you were busy with Titan stuff, though dad said you got injured fighting Oceanus and Mean Tethys, good to see you helped kill him by the way.' He said waving the other guard off who swam back alongside his companion and I noticed Diana was still next to them not having been pushed back by the charging Cyclops.

'Err yeah I guess, it was only a minor injury though and my duties are really boring anyway.'

'Dad was awfully angry about you though he kept blaming Ares and saying something about Artemis being involved. My job gets boring too especially when I have to be here and not in the workshop.' He said sadly and I noticed his fancy appearance, I had never seen a Cyclops in armor but it was definitely intimidating the whole thing was made of bluish steel it seemed with gold filigree in places all he was lacking was a helmet for the complete set.

'Why are you wearing that and why is the palace closed?' I asked him.

'Daddy has a very important visitor, but I will keep it a secret, dad will tell you if you come in.' He said gaining my interest who was important enough for my dad to keep it a secret from everyone.

'Who is the girl? She is pretty.' Tyson said pointing at Diana who he had obviously failed to notice until now.

'Err She's my friend.' I said hesitating.

'Is she your girlfriend? I miss Annabeth I told Ella everything about her and she is trying to write a book on her.'

'So do I big guy, but she is just my friend.'

'Hello pretty girl, I am Tyson.' He called over to the goddess who reluctantly walked across in her bubble, as she neared I noticed the blush on her cheeks but fortunately Tyson didn't.

'Err hello my name is Diana.' She said and I couldn't believe she used her own name what was the point of changing your appearance and then using your name.

'Like Artemis's Roman side?' He asked and I remembered how surprisingly perceptive he could be, I could only hope he could no longer tell how I was feeling.

'Err yeah like Artemis.' She said carefully thankfully Tyson seemed to forget about the similarities and I noticed she still had her natural eye color which would have told anyone who she was. After all, the only individual I knew with that color eyes were Artemis and Iapetus.

'Ok then Percy, Diana follow me. Dad is this way.' He said turning back towards the gates and we were forced to hurry to keep up with his massive paces.

'Your eyes are still silver, can't you change them?' I whispered to Diana who frowned.

'No they are the one thing I can't, they are a distinct part of me.' She defended bitterly.

'Well then why not use the mist like I do?' I asked confused after all now was one of the few times I had not actually concealed my golden Pupils.

'Because I didn't think of it Ok, now come on I am curious to find out who your father has got visiting.' She said walking in front of me though I did notice her wave her hand in front of her face sneakily.

As we walked through the palace grounds I had time to admire the place without the backdrop of Greek fire and monsters in the process of consuming it. There were still signs of repairs here and there even two years after the attacks which was sad to see but even I did not have the strength to return the entire city to its former grandeur, what was required was simple hard work and lots of it. There were clear signs of everyone being forced to leave mid-work as piles of materials and tools sat idly by. Clearly whatever or whoever was here had not been planned for.

At last we came to what I assumed were the throne room doors which were shut before us.

'Brother please be respectful.' Tyson said almost sounding scared as he leant on one of the doors and pushed it open and stood to one side letting us through.

As I entered I noticed several things first was that my step-mother Amphitrite and half-brother Triton were both here in their thrones alongside my father despite Diana's insistence to the contrary which I planned on using against her to tease had it not been for the rooms other occupant.

Everyone of my senses went into overload as I looked at the large figure occupying most of the centre of the room. The figure was easily 50ft tall and so barely fit inside the palaces high vaulted ceiling. The most startling thing was the fact that despite being in an underwater palace the guy or at least I guessed it was a guy was composed entirely of water with the exception of the few pieces of old Greek armor that he wore that were made of ice.

All eyes in the room turned to look at me and Diana and I was tempted to just turn around walk right back out and get as far away from this colossal water goliath or whatever he was.

Now I have been in front of all three major water lords. My father, Oceanus and Polybotes but compared to them this guy was in another league as I tried to use my extra senses to work out who he was but all I could detect was massive amount of pure power.

My father looked happy to see me especially once his eyes fell on disguised figure of Diana and he gained a curious grin.

Reluctantly we walked across the room past the stoic figure until we stood before the thrones.

I had been about to bow when my father leapt out of his throne and embraced me tightly.

'Perseus you are such a damned fool sometimes, to survive two wars and almost get killed by one of Ares children. After I would have taken revenge against your foolish cousin I would have waged war on Hades himself if necessary to get you back.'

'Thanks I guess dad but that won't be necessary as you can see I am fine.' I said as he eventually loosened his grip on me and returned to his throne.

'Queen Amphitrite, Triton.' I said bowing to the pair who smiled warmly and in Tritons case nodded to me in acknowledgement. I guess it made sense to be cordial with them after all none of us were going anywhere.'

'Lady Diana.' My father said addressing the disguised goddess who slowly shifted back to her original appearance before dissipating the mist over her face as well returning her eyes from the auburn color she had changed them to. Wait a go dad, ruin that illusion maybe we should have used signal flares to tell the whole world.

'Lord Poseidon, Amphitrite, Triton.' She said with a small curtsy.

'Thank you.' They all said at once.

'Perseus, Artemis as I am sure you may have noticed we have a guest and he was looking for you. This is Lord Pontus Primordial of the Oceans.' My father said awfully and I suddenly understood why this was such an issue. It was certainly not everyday the marine equivalent of Gaia came to visit.

I slowly turned towards the stationary figure who looked down at me or so I guessed and I realized exactly why Tyson had told me to be respectful in here. I may have slain Gaia but compared to the ancient god in front of me down here in the deeps I was but a gnat to be squashed.

'Greeting young Titan and goddess.' Pontus said slowly but very loudly as his voice boomed of the enclosed space. Each syllable sounded like someone was detonating a depth charge in here. I took a step back before holding my nose and making my ears pop only to find the Primordial chuckling which sounded more like crashing waves than a sound made by people, then again he was the physical manifestation of the ocean.

'Err Hi there Milord, how can I help?' I said being polite. I looked around to see Diana slowly walking back across the room and I realized the concussive force of his voice alone had pushed her bubble away.

'It was me who came here seeking you, I offer you a trade a favor for a favor.' He said far more calmly this time obviously no wanting to deafen me again.

'What could you possibly require of me?' I asked confused.

'Simple Little Titan, I want to Fade.'

(Diana)

I did not plan an encounter with a Primordial god when I thought up this plan, I did not want us to meet anyone but Poseidon while we were here but instead the Entire Oceanic royal family were here and just my luck my long-lost great uncle pops by to pay a visit to my boyfriend and ask him to kill him.

I had never experienced this much stress in my immortal life as I had the last month and a half and the last 24hours were starting to take there toll on me.

'You want me to kill you? Why?' Percy asked confused.

'For the last 2000 years I have been alone, my wife Thalassa faded long ago as she was rarely believed in anymore even the humans now know her only as an ancient Ocean. Of course I endured and hid myself away deep in the depths away from everything hoping that one day I could return to her. Then a few months ago I learned of the fall of Gaia and the one responsible, you.' He explained and it was hard for even me to not feel pity. That was the downside to Immortality if you wanted it all to end you couldn't and here was another example.

Some gods faded through lack of belief such as Pan or in this case Thalassa. Some found a way to fade or were killed case in point the Titans Percy slew or Gaia. The rest tried to seclude themselves away in the hope if they remained unseen belief in them would stop and they would fade away into obscurity.

'How am I supposed to kill you, you're the personification of the Ocean. If I killed you there would be consequences all over the world.' Percy said still open mouthed as he digested the Primordials words in his head.

'You wield the sword that was made from the Scythe my not so dear sister gave to her son to kill my brother. As you proved in battle the blade has the ability to cause an Immortal to fade, after all Gaia herself fell before it and as you saw there were no consequences of that battle globally.' He explained an I had to admit he had a point. If I had not been so concerned for the hunters as the time I would probably have considered it strange their was no catastrophes or disasters around the world. Before after the first Gigantomachy Greece had been hit with earthquakes for years as Gaia settled into her slumber.

'However I also said that I offer an exchange. I offer all of you the rest of my domain to safeguard.' He said and I am pretty sure every jaw dropped because mine sure as hades did. Thank Olympus my father was not here to hear that as I knew tat he would have protested against Poseidon gaining more power.

'You are offering us your domain? Who exactly are we talking about? The three of us and Perseus I suppose.' Triton said indicating himself and his parents.

'No. All of you that are here. Each of you would receive a share of mine and my wife's former domains. The only one who has a decision to make is Perseus.' He said looking from the prince of the sea back towards Percy. Wait. Did that mean he meant me as well?

'What other choice could I have to make?' Percy asked in reply looking upwards towards the Primordials 'face' which was barely distinguishable from the rest of his aquatic body.

'If you accept I could purify your blood and make you a true Titan but you would lose your fathers abilities as well as the curse of Achilles you bear as no true immortal may hold that blessing. Though you would retain your water specific powers.' He explained.

Well this was unexpected I had hoped for a way to make him a true immortal and here it was but of course it came at a price as all gifts invariably did. He would lose his birthright powers and his invulnerability or at least occasional resistance to damage depending on that stupid rivers mood.

'So then Perseus. What do you want to do?'

AN. So then guys what do you want me to do?

True Titan or not yet, the choice is yours to decide.

Leave your decision in the reviews, the one with the most wins at the end of tomorrow wins.

Therefore as always read and review