I settled down next to him. I thought about what to say for a few minutes as he hummed a jaunty tune, randomly reeling in the line, grumbling, and tossing it out again. When he flicked the fishing rod, the hook went soaring into the sky like a bullet, dropping into a spot in the water at least a hundred yards away. The water exploded in every direction, frothing and bubbling like a bomb had gone off.
Seafoam brushed the bottom of my shoes, and a mist coated the dock, settling over my hoodie like a gentle snowfall.
"Damn fish never bite on this dock," Poseidon broke the silence, sighing as he placed his rod beside him. It glistened and melted into water that receded into the worn wood of the dock and splattered into the ocean. He turned to face me, his mouth set in a small smile, and he offered me an ice-cold water from the cooler. "Granted, I could always make them, but that would defeat the whole purpose of trying in the first place, would it not?"
"I...yeah," I took the water bottle and cracked it open. A twirl of smoke fluttered out. Full disclosure, I didn't have any idea what he was talking about, but eh. I figured the man was taking the time out of his day to talk to me, so the least I could do was talk back. Even if it didn't make too much sense, "I think I get what you're going for."
"Good," Poseidon's smile grew. I felt a tingle in my body as he regarded me. It wasn't warm and comforting in the slightest—if anything, it was burning hot.
My body felt like I was under one of those red-light lamps they used to have at Yancy to keep the food in the cafeteria from going cold. The power rolling off of him was nothing short of mind-blowing—it reminded me of the sensation of standing next to a transformer.
I felt like he could reduce me to a grease spot on this dock with nothing more than his pinky and an afterthought.
— - —
~ The sheer proximity to an Elder's overwhelming power has forced the Game to adapt! The presence of Poseidon's divine energy is too great to ignore, and the Game has reframed it into something you can comprehend. As a result, you can now sense and interpret the flow of mana around you.
— - —
— - —
[Skill]: Mana Detection
[System Denomination]: Active/Passive
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: 5
[Description]: Mana is a fundamental substance that flows through and is produced by all living things and the environment itself, acting as the lifeblood of magic and energy in the world. It exists in varying states depending on its concentration and density. In lower concentrations, mana disperses into the air, behaving like an invisible gas that permeates everything, faint and nearly undetectable to the untrained. It flows freely, carried on winds, through soil, and even within the faintest vibrations of life. However, when mana gathers in higher concentrations, its density increases, causing it to condense into a liquid-like form. This viscous state is often found in reservoirs of magical power—such as enchanted springs, ley lines, or areas blessed by divine influence. In this form, mana becomes not only visible but also highly reactive, capable of fueling powerful spells, artifacts, or rituals. The dual nature of mana, shifting seamlessly between intangible and tangible forms, reflects its role as a bridge between the physical and metaphysical realms, connecting all things through the flow of magic.
[Leveling]: At [Level 1], you gain the ability to faintly detect mana in the air, allowing you to make rough estimates of how much mana someone is using, though the accuracy is limited. At [Level 5], your senses sharpen, enabling you to detect mana in the natural environment, like plants, water, and the earth itself. You can now attempt to gauge the amount of mana a person is channeling, with slightly better precision.
— - —
I mentally willed the notification away for now.
My dad was…well, he was interesting. I expected him to have some sort of ancient tunic on and a shield and whatnot, but he didn't look like that at all. He looked kind of…casual, actually.
If I was being honest, he reminded me of a beachcomber from Key West.
He wore leather sandals, khaki Bermuda shorts, and a Tommy Bahama shirt with coconuts and parrots all over it. His skin was deeply tanned, his hands scarred like an old-time fisherman's. His hair was black, like mine. His face had that same brooding look that had always gotten me branded a rebel. But his eyes, sea green like mine, were surrounded by crinkles that told me he smiled a lot, too.
I looked away.
Still, with my new skill, even as he was outside my line of sight, he was lighting up my vision like a lighthouse. Rays of golden light were flying off him, twirling and blasting into the sky, like the world's biggest nightlight.
Just as I was about to complain, the light dimmed.
"Perseus," Poseidon said, "You have the ability to detect mana?"
"I think so," I replied, looking at his face.
His voice stirred my oldest memories: that warm glow I remembered as a baby, the sensation of his hand on my forehead. It was a weird feeling for sure, but it also made me feel content in some way.
Almost like things had come full circle or something.
"It's been a while since a demigod was born with that skill. It's usually that upstart Hecate's children who are born with such a gift," He leaned back on the dock a bit, resting on his elbows as he looked toward the setting sun on the horizon. He paused for a moment, before murmuring, "It'll aid you well on your path."
"Thanks."
As the setting sun bathed his face in a flickering glow, I still wasn't too sure what I saw on his face.
There was no clear sign of love or approval. Nothing to encourage me. It was like looking at the ocean: some days, you could tell what mood it was in. Most days, though, it was unreadable, mysterious.
It was a weird feeling.
For the longest time, I'd had so many things I wanted to say to him—questions, thoughts, everything.
But now that he was here, it felt like my brain was a shaken-up soda, and someone had popped the cap—most of my thoughts fizzed out before I could even catch them. A few questions still managed to bubble up, though, refusing to stay down.
How did he feel when he first found out my Mom was going to have me? Why did he never visit? Why did he let my mother stay with Gabe?
"Your mother is a queen among women," Poseidon said wistfully. The expression on my face must've been too telling. "I had not met such a mortal woman in a thousand years. To see her wed a man like your stepfather was, well, jarring, to say the least."
"Was," I felt my eyes sting a bit. I stored the fact that Poseidon knew who Gabe was away for later, "She was a queen among women. Not anymore. She's dead."
Poseidon looked back at me, and for a moment, I saw the briefest glimpse of a fraction of the true might of my father. His jovial eyes were ablaze with a sea-green flame.
The air on the dock got heavy and charged with ozone. It felt like the air in my lungs was being forcefully squeezed out. The water in front of us had started to churn and crash, boiling as if the world's biggest bunsen burner had been turned on underneath it.
A few moments later, the pressure died down, and he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly—as if he'd just remembered he was in front of his twelve-year-old son. The fire in his eyes puttered out.
"Dead," He repeated as if the words were unfamiliar in his mouth. "No. She is not dead. She is in the Underworld."
"Huh?" I looked up at him, searching his face for lies. "She's in the Underworld…but not dead?"
"No. Not dead. Your uncle and I are having our worst quarrel in centuries. We are fighting over something valuable of his that was stolen. To be precise: a lightning bolt—one that he thinks I've had a hand in stealing," Poseidon scoffed. "As if. To make matters worse, he thinks that you're the thief that stole it, under my instruction."
My mouth fell open, "I've never even been to Olympus! Or seen you! Or him!"
Poseidon nodded at me. He looked annoyed, but not surprised, kind of like he was used to Zeus acting out, "I know. He's…paranoid, to say the least. While Zeus and I do not have the best of relationships, my relationship with your other uncle, Hades, is a great deal more amicable. He came to me with a proposition, informing me that he had a quest for you. A quest that could benefit everyone involved. I made haste to this camp, hoping to find you."
"A…quest?" I repeated. "How would a quest benefit all of us?"
"Your uncle's symbol of power was stolen as well. Our working theory is that whoever stole his helm either also stole the lightning bolt or is working with the thief who did. Hades seeks to lure out the true thief," Poseidon said. His eyes got a little angry again. "He believes that the thief, or thieves, are working alongside a god. That's why, for your mother's safety, he's holding her in the Underworld until the matter is sorted. It's better for us if they think their plan is going smoothly."
— - —
Quest Alert!
[STORY QUEST]
{All's Well…}
[Quest Prompt]: The gods are at odds over a stolen relic—Zeus's lightning bolt—and Poseidon is caught in the middle. To make matters worse, Zeus has wrongly accused you of being the thief. Hades has come to Poseidon with a proposal: a quest that could uncover the true thief and restore balance between the gods. The thief, or thieves, aren't working alone, and Hades believes the same person or group has also stolen his symbol of power. Poseidon has no doubt the criminal is hiding among the gods themselves, and for your mother's safety, Hades has taken her into the Underworld. Now, it's up to you to clear your name, find the real thief, and bring justice to the gods.
[Total Possible Rewards]:
- [Variable] boost in reputation with multiple Olympians!
- [+][100,000][EXP]
- [?]
Please select: [YES/NO]
— - —
"Safety?" I said, anger building in my veins. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I suddenly felt itchy everywhere. I gritted my teeth, "The Fury told me she thought I had something! The Minotaur almost killed me, for safety?"
The bouy closest to us groaned in the water, its orange tip bending downwards like an invisible giant was making origami out of it. A game notification popped up, reminding me to accept or decline the quest, but I quickly dismissed it. I didn't have time for that right now.
"Precisely," Poseidon paused slightly, taking a moment to close his eyes. They opened again, much calmer. "I do not agree with his methods—I argued with him quite a bit at first—but he was adamant that this was the only way to fool everyone. I hate to say it, but his...method…has merit. For one, keeping her in the Underworld has kept her out of harm's way. It's also better for us if, again, whoever the thief is thinks they're pulling one over on us."
"So, she's not dead?" I whispered.
"No."
Relief flooded into my body, alongside the paralyzing chill of anxiety. Do you know that ice-cold fear you feel coating your gut when you look in your pockets for keys and they aren't there? Or that feeling when the teacher comes around to collect homework and you left yours at home?
Imagine that feeling but amplified by a million.
"After she told me she was pregnant, I offered to stop the tide for her," Poseidon whispered. I could've sworn I saw him age a few years in front of my own eyes. For a brief, fleeting moment, I found myself wondering what it must be like to live forever. To never die, never fade. To just…exist, with all your triumphs and mistakes stretched out behind you like an endless tide.
It didn't seem so fun anymore.
Besides, despite the casual way we'd been talking, there was this undercurrent of tension I couldn't shake. Somewhere deep in my heart, I was just starting to process the fact that this wasn't just any conversation—it was the conversation. My first meeting with my long-lost dad. A dad who also happened to be one of the most powerful beings in existence.
It was a lot to take in.
I thought back to the myths we'd studied in Mr. Brunner's class, the stories of Greek heroes rising to meet their destinies, proving themselves worthy of their divine blood.
But that wasn't me. Not yet, anyway.
My first quest wasn't about glory or greatness—it was about proving my innocence.
And all the while, I'd be living under this impossible shadow of greatness. My father was someone who could reshape the Earth, who could bend the ocean to his will. And me? I was just a kid trying to figure out where I fit in a world that expected me to be larger than life simply because he was.
A part of me wished he could've been some boring old dad—an accountant, maybe. Someone who spent his days buried in spreadsheets, whose biggest decision was whether to use a blue or black pen for his notes. He'd have a name like Bartholomew—and Bartholomew the accountant wouldn't have gods pointing fingers at him or centuries-old feuds dripping down onto his family.
He wouldn't leave me questioning what I was supposed to be or how I was supposed to measure up.
No tidal waves of expectation, no world-shaking legacy to inherit. No mothers to save from the Underworld. He'd just be a guy who'd grill burgers on the weekends, forget my soccer games, and send me off to college with a pat on the back.
Poseidon sighed, "I wanted to build you and her a palace at the bottom of the sea. I could've solved all of her problems with a wave of my hand, given her the life she'd always wanted."
My heart started beating a little faster—I'd grown up thinking that my father didn't care about either of us, that he'd left us out to dry. "She isn't the type to take that sort of deal."
"I know."
A few more moments passed.
Poseidon sat up a little bit straighter. We'd been talking for close to an hour, now, and the Sun had almost completely set. "My time here comes to an end, Perseus. I have to return to Atlantis. Take a week or two to train, and then ask Chiron for a quest. It won't be a lot, but it will at least give you a fighting chance. If my assumptions are correct, he will come to you during that time. If, for whatever reason, he does not approve, leave anyway. Time is of the essence, and we can't stay off the thief's trail for too long."
"Chiron? Oh, yeah. Right. Okay."
"If you need anything, step in the water, or send me an IM," He said, dropping a small brown bag in my lap. It clunked against my jeans as if there were little coins inside. Poseidon looked back at me. There was a different light in his eyes, not like the anger I'd seen before—it was pride. "You will do well, Perseus. Whatever else you do, know that I am glad Fate has brought you back to me."
And with that, the air seemed to fold and bend around him. He became a hologram, then a wind, and then he was gone, leaving only the smell of a pleasant sea breeze lingering behind.
"Alright, well, uh, it was good seeing you," I said to the air. "And, now I'm talking to myself. Again. I should stop. Stop it. Okay, now. I'm done."
I stood up, patting some dirt off my jeans. My eyes drifted to the spot he'd been standing in just a few seconds ago.
Honestly, I was sort of glad he didn't try to hug me or something like that. He would've probably seemed like a human dad, making some lame excuse for not being around. Despite what I said earlier about human dads being easier to accept, it would've been a major letdown if my long-lost dad was actually some lame accountant or something.
I knew he still wasn't sure what to think of me. I could live with that. After all, I wasn't sure about him yet, either.
I let the notifications pop back up.
— - —
~ You've unlocked a skill.
— - —
— - —
[Skill]: Mana Manipulation
[System Denomination]: Active/Passive
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: 1
[Description]: Born from the surge of your emotions, this skill allows you to harness and shape the ambient mana around you. Crucially, the ferocity of your strikes and spells multiplies in direct proportion to your emotional intensity, reflecting the volatile nature of the energy you wield.
[Leveling]: At [Level 1], your mana control is fairly rudimentary: you can enhance simple attacks by infusing them with energy, and perform small push/pull maneuvers on lightweight objects. The more emotion you pour into your actions, the stronger (though less precise) the effects become.
— - —
Hm. Not bad.
I picked up the bag—it was deceptively heavy. I peered inside and saw a small pile of golden coins. Jeez, dad. There were like fifty of them here!
— - —
{Drachma}
[Description]: The classic currency of Ancient Greece, [Drachma] are highly valued for both everyday transactions and special mystical services. While they can be spent on items and gear from merchants throughout Olympus, they're most commonly used to power Iris Messaging, allowing you to send communication across great distances.
— - —
Where was I supposed to put this? Oh. Wait. My life is a videogame now.
"Inventory?"
The air in front of me warped, rippling like heat waves, until a massive, swirling vortex opened up. I hefted the small bag and dropped it in, watching it vanish into the portal as though it had never existed in my hands. A faint chime echoed, and in the top-right corner of my field of vision, an overlay appeared.
— - —
{Inventory}
Slot 1: Bag of Drachma [x1]
Capacity: [1/20] slots used!
— - —
I blinked, momentarily startled by how natural the process felt—like second nature as if this wasn't the first time I'd used a pocket dimension to manage my stuff. With the bag safely stowed away, the portal closed, leaving the air still and unruffled, as if nothing had happened at all.
I lingered on the dock for a few more minutes, letting the wood creak beneath me as the sky deepened from gold to a smoldering red. The Sun, in its final moments before dipping below the horizon, bathed the entire valley in warm, scarlet light. The water glittered like liquid fire, its surface catching the glow and throwing it back into the sky.
"Oh good, you're ready," Annabeth said, her footsteps light against the dock's boards as she approached. A flicker of curiosity crossed her face when she realized I'd been at the Poseidon cabin, but she kept any questions to herself. If anything, she seemed quietly pleased—like she'd just worked out a minor puzzle. "Let's go grab dinner."
The next morning, I woke up way earlier than I wanted to.
My brain still felt like it was on a merry-go-round from the night before: Annabeth had taken me to dinner and introduced me to every camper in sight. Seriously, if there was a record for how many people you can meet in one evening, I was pretty sure I'd smashed it.
By the time I flopped into bed, I could barely remember half their names. All I knew was that I'd never realized just how many demigods—and equally weird personality quirks—could exist in one place. Only a few names stuck out—Luke, Clarisse, and Drew—because she was hot as hell—but you could hold a gun up to my head and I probably still wouldn't be able to tell you who's who.
Again, besides Drew. Phew.
After dinner, Annabeth quietly pulled me aside, asking if I had any clue who my godly parent was. I'd only known her a day, but I already knew she was smart and strong—even if subtlety wasn't her strong suit. Still, she was my first friend here, and I trusted her enough not to spread rumors.
So, I told her the truth.
It was a good thing I did, too. She told me that I was the only son of Poseidon that the camp had seen basically ever. The camp itself, according to her, was a pretty recent thing, too. It hadn't existed before the civil war. Based on how often the gods had been around, that seemed like not much time at all.
After that, we sat by the campfire, and it was lights out.
No one noticed that I went straight to the Poseidon cabin instead of the Hermes one, where I'm told all of the unclaimed kids went, and even if they did, I wouldn't have really cared. After walking into the Poseidon one, there was no way you'd catch me anywhere else.
I rubbed my eyes as a new notification popped up.
— - —
Quest Alert!
[SIDE QUEST]
{The Civility of War!}
[Quest Prompt]: Camp Half-Blood's history is shrouded in rumor and half-truths. Some say it was built as a safe haven for demigods, others whisper of darker origins tied to ancient prophecies. What secrets do its cabins, boundaries, and wards truly protect? Why was it created in the first place—and by whom? Your quest is simple yet daunting: uncover the real reason Camp Half-Blood exists. Each new clue you'll find will peel back another layer of myth, revealing a past far more complicated than any bedtime story.
[Total Possible Rewards]:
- [?]
Please select: [YES/NO]
— - —
I mean, I guess.
I clicked yes on the quest and accepted the one from last night, too.
I swung my feet over the side of the bed, grabbing Riptide off of my nightstand. I was going to meet Annabeth for breakfast, and after that, she was going to take me to the arena. I'd told her last night that I wanted to get training as soon as I could, and she told me that she was something of a training freak herself.
Specifically speaking, I wanted to get started on mastering some of my newfound skills as soon as possible. If I knew anything about video games with RPG-like elements, it was that grinding these newfound skills out would be my best course of action.
A couple of minutes later, I was sitting next to Annabeth at the breakfast table. Technically speaking, I wasn't supposed to be doing this, but she permitted me and I was my very own cabin leader, so it wasn't like anyone could really say much.
"Maybe I'll have you train with Luke," She told me in between bites. There was that name again. Luke. "He's probably the best swordsman in the camp."
"Whatever works," I replied, sipping my orange juice. It was blue, of course, but still tasted fine. You know, I may be in a world where the Greek myths actually happened and all of that, but the coolest and most unbelievable thing to me so far has to be the fact that my drinks can be whatever color I want them to be.
Back to the training, though—at this point, I didn't care. All I wanted to do was get my mom back. I'd even learn swordsmanship from Smelly Gabe if it meant that.
Oh! Another thing—last night, after my heart-to-heart with my dad, I got a new title.
— - —
{Perseus Jackson}
[Son of Poseidon]
[LVL]: 10 (500/3000)
[HP]: 3500/3500
[SP]: 6500/6500
[MP]: 2000/2000
[FEALTY]: N/A
[STR]: 11 [+5]
[VIT]: 12
[DEX]: 17 [+5]
[INT]: 16
[CHA]: 10 [+5]
[WIS]: 10
[LUC]: 5
[AP]: 0
[PP]: 0
[$]: 46USD
[Info]: Son of the legendary lord of all seas, Poseidon, and Sally Jackson, Percy is the current [Child of Prophecy] and bearer of Olympus' flame. Despite his murky past, Percy is ready to take on his future with determination.
{Titles}
[Son of Poseidon]
- Permanently grants [+][1000][MP] and increases [Mana Regeneration] rate by [1%] per five seconds.
— - —
Ah, there it was. I'd have to be blind to miss that sort of a boost. I wasn't sure what I could use mana for just yet, but I still knew a thousand of anything was a pretty big deal—hell, it doubled the original amount of mana I had before.
Another neat thing I noticed was the direct impact my stats had on my physical attributes.
My [VIT], for example, went up by three, and to mirror that, my [HP] and [SP] had gone up by 1500—that's 500 for each point I put into my [VIT]!
"Alright," Annabeth said as our plates were instantly whisked away, courtesy of some of the wind spirits that worked for the camp. "Let's get going, Seaweed Brain."
The arena wasn't too far away. Like the rest of the camp, it looked like it had been carved straight out of Ancient Greece. Giant marble walls rose to the top, where there was a curved glass dome. At the entrance of the arena, there was a small inscription etched into the pillar.
"Είθε οι εχθροί σας να πέσουν μπροστά σας," I read aloud to Annabeth. "May your enemies fall before you?"
"A tribute to Ares," Annabeth explained. She raised her eyebrows at my ability to decipher the Greek. "You're a quick learner, huh?"
"Something like that," I checked the Game, and my skill revolving around comprehending Ancient Greek was already up to the max, somehow. It must've been from all that observing I did yesterday, but the game hadn't told me anything. Maybe I'd had it all along?
Annabeth recovered admirably, "Well, anyway, it's a tribute to the God of War. It's believed that praying to Ares before a fight grants you victory."
"I bet that gives the Ares kids a big head when it comes to this stuff, huh?"
A smile danced on Annabeth's lips. "You'd be right about that. Let's go inside."
The inside was sort of like what I'd expected. There were rows of seats in an oval-like shape around the center of the arena, where there were currently some straw dummies dressed in Greek armor. Some crates were pushed off to the side, with a tarp over them.
"Well, this is it," she said, waving her arms around.
"I'm impressed," I admitted uncapping Riptide. The bronze blade sprang to life in my hand. I curled my fingers around the worn leather grip. "This is going to be a ton of fun."
"Want to spar?" Annabeth asked curiously, unsheathing her dagger. "I'm itching to see what you're made out of."
— - —
Quest Alert!
[SIDE QUEST]
{Student of the Game [I]}
[Quest Prompt]: Annabeth has called you out for a sparring match—she's curious whether your victory over the Minotaur was pure luck or genuine talent. Step into the arena and prove that your combat prowess is more than a one-time stunt.
[Total Possible Rewards]:
- [+][500][EXP]!
- [?]
Please select: [YES/NO]
— - —
Easy. I clicked yes.
"Let's see what I'm made of, then," I agreed as the both of us walked over to the arena.
In my heart of hearts, I knew it was a little unfair, given the fact that she'd been training longer than me and was double my level, but hey! My life's a video game. I figured that made it a little more even.
I looked in the mirror last night before bed and I could already see hints of muscle starting to form as a result of my [DEX] and [STR] attributes. If it kept going like this, I'd be one of the strongest demigods at camp in no time.
We took our places, across from each other.
"Ready, set, go!" Annabeth said, rushing at me with her dagger held reversed. The metal glinted in the light of the area, sending a streak of light across her stormy eyes.
My body moved on its own.
Clang!
Our blades met in a shower of sparks. She pushed her dagger down on Riptide, but it didn't even budge.
"Not bad, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth complimented, backing up while twirling her dagger. Her eyes roved up and down. She ducked low and slashed toward my midsection.
"Shouldn't I be wearing armor or something?" I realized as I gracefully twirled—yes, my body twirled—away from the slash.
A strand of blonde hair hung in front of Annabeth's forehead. She blew it away. "Eh, I'm sure that nothing that some water and ambrosia won't fix will happen."
I sidestepped her next lunge. My hand extended forward with frightening speed, and I nearly grazed her cheek.
I marveled at the feeling that was coursing through my body right now. I'm pretty sure I knew my body pretty well, but this game was changing it so much.
I felt my muscles coiling and uncoiling like razor whips in my arm. My legs tensed on their own as Annabeth launched a whirlwind of jabs at me. There was no doubt about it to me; with my point system, I crammed years of training into just a few moments.
Give me a few more levels, and I'll be a force to be reckoned with.
A few more minutes passed. Annabeth was throwing feints left and right, trying to catch me off guard, but it wasn't working. I felt so in control of my motor skills—every time she started to press forward, I could gracefully evade.
"You're doing well," Annabeth complimented, a slight sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead. I could see her heaving with each breath. "Really well. I think you could even give Luke a run for his money."
"I aim to please," I replied again, holding Riptide in a straight line. And what happened next? Well…I don't know how to describe it.
Annabeth and I both charged at each other at the same time.
As she started bringing her dagger up, I pivoted to my other foot. A burst of strength surged through it, and I went spinning in the air like one of those helicopter leaves that fall off of trees.
Mid-spin, I grabbed Annabeth's arm.
As I came down, I brought my leg back and rammed the back of her knee. She crumpled into a heap on the floor, and, heart hammering, I held Riptide to her chest.
Our faces were pretty close to each other. I saw her cheeks flush more, but I wasn't sure if it was because of me or because of the fight. I knew she'd taken it a bit easy on me, and that one of the only reasons I'd won had been the fact that she underestimated me, but winning something always feels good.
"That," She breathed. "That was…"
"Amazing." There was clapping at the entrance of the arena.
We both turned our heads to see an older camper walk in.
The guy was about nineteen, and he looked vaguely familiar—he was one of the kids I'd met at dinner last night. He was tall and muscular, with short-cropped sandy hair and a friendly smile. He wore an orange tank top, cutoffs, sandals, and a leather necklace with five different-colored clay beads. The only thing unsettling about his appearance was a thick white scar that ran from just beneath his right eye to his jaw, like an old knife slash.
— - —
~ Due to his higher level and [?], only limited information about Luke will be displayed.
— - —
{Luke Castellan}
[Herald of the Golden Age]
[LVL]: 88
[HP]: 98,000/98,000 [resting]
[SP]: 450,000/450,000
[MP]: ?/?
[FEALTY]: Kronos
[STR]: 88 [+10]
[VIT]: 45 [+30]
[DEX]: 127 [+70]
[INT]: 83 [+35]
[CHA]: 90 [+5]
[WIS]: 75
[LUC]: N/A
[Info]: Luke Castellan was born to Hermes and a mortal woman, May Castellan. Growing up, he was hunted by monsters and burdened by a mother whose encounter with the Oracle took a severe toll on her mind. Luke carries deep resentment for the gods, believing they neglect their children and mortals alike. A skilled swordsman and master strategist, Luke honed his talents at Camp Half-Blood but gradually distanced himself, harboring a grudge against the Olympians for their perceived indifference.
{Titles}
[Herald of the Golden Age]:
- As Kronos's chosen champion, Luke Castellan stands at the threshold of a new era—one he's determined to usher in by any means necessary. Bearing this title grants Luke a host of enhancements tied to the Titan's power. His resilience is elevated by Kronos's favor, yielding [+][20][VIT] and a [15% reduction in damage] while fighting Olympians. The Titan's aura also amplifies Luke's charisma, granting [+][10][CHA] and [+15% to recruitment success] among disillusioned demigods or other Titan loyalists, ensuring he can rally followers to his cause. As the Herald of this new age, Luke gains access to Titan-exclusive skills and equipment while experiencing reduced hostility from monsters that serve Kronos.
— - —
Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. His stats were the highest I'd seen at camp! This guy was easily over five times my level, and his stats were insanely boosted. This dude could pulverize me in less than a minute! And what a badass title, too!
The breakdown of his physical attributes kind of helped my theory that different demigods evolved in different ways, though. It only makes sense.
Obviously, someone like him, a child of Hermes, is going to have more [DEX] and stamina, than say, a child of Athena or Demeter. That was why all of Annabeth's stats were more skewed towards her [INT] and [WIS].
I ignored the [+1] to my [INT] as I pondered the little tidbit about Kronos, though. It wasn't like I could act on it at the moment, unfortunately. He had the whole camp behind him, and I was just some new kid. Not to mention, he'd gut me like a fish if I tried anything.
I filed the information away for later.
"There aren't many people in the camp who can give Annie a run for her money like that," Luke said. His stare was intense. I felt like I was a weapon being examined closely. "To have reflexes and intuition like that without any proper training is nothing short of a miracle."
"Thanks, man," I replied with a grin. I offered Annabeth my hand. She took it, and I pulled her up. We walked over to Luke together.
"I think Annie swung you by our table last night, but I don't think we got the chance to talk for too long. Luke Castellan," He said, offering me his hand. "Son of Hermes."
I shook it, "Percy Jackson."
"Tell you what, Percy," Luke said, scuffing his sandal against the ground to get some dirt out. His eyes traced Riptide, down to its hilt. "You've got some potential. And trust me, I don't say that lightly. I think it would be good to have another master at camp. Come train with me every morning and we'll make it happen in no time. What do you say?"
— - —
Quest Alert!
[SIDE QUEST]
{Student of the Game [II]}
[Quest Prompt]: You've caught the attention of Luke Castellan, renowned throughout Camp Half-Blood for his unmatched skill with a blade. Rumor has it he can slice through monsters like they're made of paper, and his reflexes rival those of the gods themselves. Now, he's offering you the rare opportunity to train directly under his guidance.
[Total Possible Rewards]:
- [Variable] boost in reputation!
- [+][5,000][EXP]!
- [+][15][DEX]!
- [+][1][PP]!
Please select: [YES/NO]
— - —
I clicked yes.
"I'm down," I replied to him. "I want all the training I can get."
"Good," Luke complimented, ruffling Annabeth's hair. She turned as red as the strawberry fields across camp. Now then, lunch?"
Lunch it is.
The rest of the day went by in a blur, and before I knew it, I was back at my cabin for bed.
Well, not actually in my cabin, and I wasn't getting ready for bed, per se.
I was sitting outside, on the dock where I'd had my conversation with Poseidon. The moon hung high over the Long Island water, and I could hear the sounds of all of the wildlife through the stillness of the night.
I was sitting with my legs crossed in a lotus position, eyes closed. I was taking deep breaths, trying to slow my breathing and calm myself down. I wanted to see if I could naturally feel the mana of living things around me without relying on my powers, like some sort of crutch.
Plus, it helped that if there was anything I knew I wanted to improve, it was my [Mana Detection]. The skill was basically a warning system, and if what my dad told me was any indication, I'd need it on my quest.
Based on what I could tell, all living things had different amounts. You know, like animals and humans, even monsters. I was hoping improving the skill would let me detect monsters in my quest and get the drop on them. Sort of a what's up, bitch sneak-attack type of thing.
Okay. Focus.
Deep breath in. Deep breath out. In. Out. In. Out.
After a few minutes, I realized this wasn't working. Sitting still didn't come easily to me at all, which was probably my dad's fault. I don't think the sea likes to be restrained, and neither do I.
I got bored of waiting around and decided to fast-track the whole process.
"[Mana Detection], activate," I mumbled under my breath, and the world suddenly lost all color. It became gray, except for slivers of white that floated through the air.
I stood up a bit and looked around. I took a glance towards the stables and saw the pegasi outlined in a whitish color that was more off-white rather than the bright white humans had.
Some of the harpies flying across camp were a greenish color. I could make out the blue-ish forms of those girls I'd seen in the water earlier today—the ones Annabeth had told me about. Naiads, I think?
A few more moments passed, and I had to abruptly shut off the skill. My vision had lit up with a pillar of golden energy—the only other person I'd seen with that kind of energy was my father.
That meant that there was a god nearby.
There was a searing pain in my left eye. Whatever this source of mana was, it was coming from the middle of the courtyard.
I walked over quietly, ignoring the cries of the harpies that patrolled camp at night to make sure campers weren't out past curfew. If one of those little feathered freaks found me, this mystery deity would be the least of my worries.
In the center of the field was a huge stone-lined firepit. Even though it was a fairly warm night, the hearth smoldered. A girl about nine years old was tending the flames, poking the coals with a stick.
— - —
{Hestia}
[Goddess of the Hearth]
[LVL]: ?
[HP]: ?
[MP]: ?
[?]
— - —
Hestia? I'll admit, in my limited knowledge of the Greek world so far, I'm not too familiar with her. Even when Chiron came to teach me at Yancy, he'd never really mentioned her at all. All that I really know about her is that she used to be an Olympian, but gave up her seat for Dionysus, I think? Beats me.
— - —
Quest Alert!
[SIDE QUEST]
{We are the Champions!}
[Quest Prompt]: You've spotted Hestia, the usually unassuming goddess of the hearth, sitting quietly in the center of Camp Half-Blood all by herself. Approach her and strike up a conversation—there may be more to her presence than meets the eye.
[Total Possible Rewards]:
- [+][1000][REP] with Hestia!
- [+][2000][EXP]!
- [+][5][AP]!
- [+][1][PP]!
- [?]
Please select: [YES/NO]
— - —
I thought about clicking no and turning around, but she looked up at me and smiled warmly, almost like she knew I'd been there the whole time. "Perseus Jackson."
The quest accepted itself. Fuck.
I bowed slightly, unsure of how to act in her presence. Just about the only thing I remembered from class was how easily the gods felt disrespected. They jumped to conclusions faster than insecure girlfriends. "My lady."
"Come," Hestia gestured to the spot next to her. She patted it a few times, "Sit."
I felt nervous, but at this stage in my life, if any Olympian tells me to do anything, you'd better believe I'm going to do it. With my mom's life on the line and this budding video game thing, getting put in the ground at the age of twelve would be a real bummer.
Earlier, I wasn't too on edge with Mr. D, mainly cause Chiron was there, and I was semi-comfortable with Poseidon, you know, cause he's my dad. Chances were, neither of them would make an outwardly aggressive move on me.
Hestia, though? I had no idea what she'd consider offensive and how she'd handle it, and I wasn't too keen on being vaporized on the spot. I've been worrying about that more often than I ever thought I would, recently.
I sat down next to her, trying to keep a respectful distance.
I watched her tend to the hearth for a few moments. She poked the coals back towards the flames. As I took a glance into the hearth, I saw visions.
My mother and I, chasing after seagulls at Montauk. My fifth birthday, when my Mom had rented out a section of the aquarium and got me a blue cake. One of the nights I'd spent, crying into her arms the whole night because some kids at school had made fun of me for not having a dad—wow. That one was from years ago.
I saw her again. This time, she was resting in a bed somewhere in the Underworld. She moved a bit in her sleep, mumbling something that I couldn't quite make out.
A smile worked its way onto my face. At least she was safe.
"You don't need to be so on edge around me, Perseus. It's been a great many years since anyone at this camp has noticed me," Hestia told me, prying my eyes away from the fire. "Most just walk by, too busy in their own lives to sit and talk. Some do notice but don't care enough. You, Perseus, sought me out. I feel no inclination to harm you, in any way, shape, or form. I must admit though, I'm curious. Why is it that you came over here?"
"I could feel your godly power from my cabin," I answered, watching the dying embers float into the night sky. The summer breeze blew pleasantly, and the embers crashed into each other softly, like fireflies. "I was curious."
"Hm," Hestia hummed lightly. "So, is it power that you seek?"
"Well, no. I don't think so," I said, leaning back with my hands on the grass, subconsciously noticing the fact that I was mirroring my dad's action from earlier. I knew it had to do with Hestia's powers, but I felt so incredibly comfortable. It felt like someone had sunken me into a nice warm bath, and given me a steaming mug of hot cocoa, to top it all off. I was so relaxed. So comfortable. All I wanted to do was tell her everything on my mind. "I really just want my mom back. I guess that's kind of my main focus right now."
Hestia nodded, smiling at me again. I couldn't help but smile at her appraising look. "I know what has happened. My little brothers can be…challenging to work with at times."
That's right! Hestia was the firstborn of Kronos. That made her my aunt. I smiled at her honest admission. "That's true. I guess it doesn't matter, though. I'd work with whoever I had to if it meant that I could have my mom back."
I could tell that made her really happy. The hearth glowed a little brighter. "Really? What if I told you I could get your mother back right now? Would you like that?"
What? "Yes. Of course. I'd do anything for that."
"Even now?" She questioned, gesturing around us. The hearth crackled, "Perseus, your father and I speak often. Perhaps you won't believe me, but he's made attempts over the years to convince your mother to change her mind and raise you in Atlantis. I'm not sure entirely what you've been through, but I'd imagine even the best mortal life could scarcely compare to being raised as royalty, in a kingdom all your own, no? Do you still feel the same, knowing she hid all of this from you? Knowing that she declined your father's offer to raise you in Atlantis?"
"I...well," Hestia stumped me for a moment. I'd been so caught up in the quest and the overwhelming amount of stuff to learn about this new world, I'd almost forgotten about everything else. It took me a few minutes to find the right words. "Yes. While I...I don't know if I agree that declining my father was the best move, knowing what I know now about my childhood, I still can't deny the fact that my mother gave up everything for me to have a chance at a happy, normal life. I mean, you're totally right. Being a prince in Atlantis just sounds cooler than growing up in a one-bedroom apartment, but…I don't know. Even if wasn't a lot, she still gave up everything for me. So, I guess I'd give up everything for her to be able to do the things she never got the chance to do while she was protecting me."
"And your father?" Hestia continued, resting her head on her knees as she rocked back and forth, humming. "Do you not resent him for leaving you and your mother alone? Should he not have tried harder? Don't you think your mother would have eventually caved?"
"I do. For the longest time, I hated him with almost everything I had," I said, some of my past feelings of hatred and sadness bubbling back up. I remembered the warm glow I felt beside him when we sat on the dock. "I guess I still don't understand leaving your wife and son alone. Knowing he tried makes it feel a little better, but the wound is still there, you know?"
Hestia nodded, smiling at me, "And?"
"Well, I guess I never considered his own responsibilities. Being the lord over every body of water in the world, being an Olympian...I don't know, I guess it never dawned on me that he had so much on his plate. Even then, I still remember him visiting me as a child. I don't, well, I guess I don't resent him as much anymore. Especially if what you're saying is true."
"The life of a demigod is hard," Hestia said softly. "Especially one born to an elder god. You truly don't resent him for your birth?"
"My birth?" I repeated. "Oh. Well, you sit here often, you said. Do demigods generally have the viewpoint that they should have never been born?"
Hestia shrugged, a tear of fire rolling down her cheek. "Some demigods resent their parents for their existence. They claim they never asked to be brought into this world, just to be ignored and left out to dry. More than you would assume, actually."
"Well, I guess they have a point," I conceded. "I never asked to be brought into this world, either. Especially if my fate is to live a tough life. Still, though, if I hadn't been born to my father and my mother, I would've never gotten to experience the life I have. All those times with my mom, all those memories we made together. None of that would have happened. I guess it's hardly fair for me to say that, knowing that other demigods have it worse, but personally, I'd do it all over again without changing a thing."
Hestia's smile brightened. Before I could even ask, she leaned forward and hugged me.
My eyes widened. It didn't even feel like a hug—it felt like pure warmth cocooning around me. I was safe. I was comfortable. I was warm. The hug stirred feelings in me that I hadn't felt since I was a kid.
Complete safety and security. I wasn't worried about anything—I felt untouchable, happy. Content. Before I even knew it, tears were rolling down my face. How long had it been since I'd been held like this?
Hestia pulled away. She smiled at me again, wiping away my tears. "Perseus Jackson, you bear the flame of Olympus—I haven't felt it in a demigod in years. I know that you'll save her. There's no doubt in my mind."
Hestia's appearance changed. She still wore a brown dress, but now she seemed much older. Her hair was tucked into a linen shawl, and she grew taller and more mature-looking. She closed her eyes.
A few moments later, my body lit up in a pale red light. That warmth that I had felt when Hestia held me was back, swirling, and roaring inside of me.
— - —
~ By successfully impressing your aunt and becoming her champion, of sorts, you've been granted the following skills:
[Skill]: Pyrokinesis
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: 1
[Description]: As the champion of the Goddess of the Hearth, you possess divine authority over fire. Flames under your control burn with a richer, deeper red hue than ordinary fire—harnessing this power allows you to shape and intensify the flames to suit your needs, from offensive strikes to creating protective walls of fire.
[Leveling]: At [Level 1], your control over flames is rudimentary: you can conjure small bursts of fire and maintain them for brief periods. Greater emotional focus increases the heat and impact, but risks losing precision. As the skill grows, you'll gain finer manipulation over fire (larger areas, higher temperatures, and more complex shapes), while reducing the risk of it raging out of control.
[Mana Cost]: [300 MP/S]!
— - —
— - —
[Perk]: Food Generation
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Call upon Hestia's gift of hospitality to conjure food and drink. With a simple thought, you can manifest delicious meals, nourishing anyone in need. This power not only satiates hunger but can also boost morale, making it invaluable in dire situations or group settings.
[Mana Cost]: [300 MP] per activation!
— - —
— - —
[Skill]: Serenity Inducement
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: 1
[Description]: Channel the calming essence of the Hearth Goddess to envelop those around you in a soothing aura. By focusing on tranquility, you can diffuse tense situations and bring about a sense of peace in allies and enemies alike.
[Leveling]: At [Level 1], you can induce a mild sense of calm within a small radius, affecting only a handful of targets at once. Its duration and potency depend on your emotional control and the targets' mental resilience. As you grow in skill, you'll expand the range, intensity, and duration of the effect, giving you the power to quell chaotic crowds or ease distress on the battlefield.
[Mana Cost]: [100 MP/S]!
— - —
My jaw dropped at all of the skills. Maybe, just maybe, getting my mom back and finding this thief wouldn't be so bad after all.
— - —
Quest Complete!
[SIDE QUEST]
{Student of the Game [I]}
[Quest Prompt]: Annabeth has called you out for a sparring match—she's curious whether your victory over the Minotaur was pure luck or genuine talent. Step into the arena and prove that your combat prowess is more than a one-time stunt.
[Total Rewards Earned]:
- [+][500][EXP]!
- Unlocked the {Student of the Game [II]} quest line!
— - —
— - —
Quest Complete!
[SIDE QUEST]
{We are the Champions!}
[Quest Prompt]: You've spotted Hestia, the usually unassuming goddess of the hearth, sitting quietly in the center of Camp Half-Blood all by herself. Approach her and strike up a conversation—there may be more to her presence than meets the eye.
[Total Rewards Earned]:
- [Variable] boost in reputation!
- [+][1000][REP] with Hestia!
- [+][2000][EXP]!
- [+][5][AP]!
- [+][1][PP]!
- [+][Hestia's Favored] title!
— - —
[Original Author's Note]
AN: Chapter 2, is done!
Let me know what you guys thought!
Also, I'm going to narrow down some of the pairings, since you guys gave me so many good ones!
Percy/Hera
Percy/Piper
Percy/Artemis
Percy/Silena
Percy/Aphrodite
I'm not the biggest percabeth guy, just cause, well, it's the most dominant pairing in the whole fandom.
That's all.
-Maroon
[Patch Notes]
[4/15/21]: Changes to the visuals of the Game, a major overhaul of the levels and stats, realistic level gap added for Luke and Percy, setting and minor dialogue change for Poseidon and Percy, slight plot changes to Percy and Annabeth's friendship, major changes to Hestia's test.
[2/3/22]: Major Gamer overhaul, fixing some mistakes with grammar and flow.
[10/18/22]: Visual changes. Grammar fixes.
[01/01/25]: As per usual, overhauled all the UI. Redid a lot of the dialogue, a lot of the descriptions, and I changed the plot point of him just becoming Luke's student into more of a deliberate decision by Luke to train him. I tried to add a layer of polish, as well, and removed a lot of unnecessary dialogue in favor of subtler flavor text. Beyond that, I also redid the Hestia scene and Poseidon scene to be more subtle. In terms of new content, the quest lines have been completely redone, and you'll see how that affects it in the next chapter.