Triton's POV:
The rhythmic pulse of the ocean currents, usually a soothing lullaby, felt like a frantic drumbeat in my ears. I, Triton, prince of the seas, son of Poseidon and Amphitrite, was a creature of habit, a pillar of routine. Eavesdropping was decidedly not on my list of acceptable activities. It was beneath me, undignified. Yet, here I was, clinging to the edge of my father's underwater grotto, the swirling kelp forests providing a flimsy veil for my clandestine observation.
It all started with the boy, Percy. Twelve years "dead," or so the Fates would have had us believe. Twelve years vanished from the face of the earth, hidden from the prying eyes of Olympus. A feat impressive enough to pique my interest. Then came the debacle with Artemis. The moon goddess, usually so fiercely independent, so quick to dispense her own brand of justice to any male who dared cross her path, had brought the boy's transgressions before the entire council. My father had chuckled, a low rumble that shook the very foundations of the ocean floor, finding the whole affair amusing. I, however, was intrigued.
His subsequent quest only deepened my fascination. The audacity! The sheer, unadulterated nerve of the boy! Actively undermining the gods, thumbing his nose at divine authority… it bordered on madness. Yet, there was a strange kind of brilliance to it, a raw, untamed spirit that resonated with something deep within me. A shred of admiration, begrudging as it was, had taken root.
And then, the final straw: the clandestine meeting. Father, whisking the boy away for a hushed conversation, a conversation deemed too sensitive for even the gods' own ears. Curiosity, a vice I rarely indulged in, consumed me. So, I followed, lurking in the shadows, listening to the echoes of their words as they bounced off the coral walls.
What I overheard… it shattered my carefully constructed worldview. For millennia, the gods had reigned, bound by oaths, held accountable for their actions. We were immortal, yes, but not immune to consequence. I had always assumed Father had faced his retribution for whatever oath he had broken, that the silence surrounding the event was born of shame and regret. But to learn that he had escaped unscathed, that the burden of his transgression had fallen on his mortal son… the injustice of it left a bitter taste in my mouth.
He was taking it remarkably well, this Percy. A stoicism that belied his youth. A quiet acceptance that hinted at a strength I found both admirable and unsettling. He truly was peculiar, this son of Poseidon. I lingered for a moment longer, debating whether to reveal myself, to offer some word of… what? Consolation? Understanding? The thought felt absurd, out of character. No, best to leave. My presence here was already a breach of propriety.
With a powerful flick of my tails, I turned and propelled myself back towards the throne room, the weight of what I had learned dragging me down. As I entered, I was met with the unmistakable gaze of my mother, Amphitrite. Her face was a mask of serene composure, yet I could sense the storm brewing beneath the surface. That look never boded well.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" she asked, her voice smooth as polished pearl.
"Of course," I replied, attempting to project an air of nonchalance. "Who do you take me for?"
"I have never known you to lose anything, Triton," she countered, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What changed?"
"It was nothing," I insisted, forcing a dismissive wave of my hand. "Just a slight misunderstanding on my part."
Amphitrite tilted her head, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes. "…It isn't like you to take such strong inquiries about your half-brothers."
Blast. So, she knew. She always knew. "I would hardly call it strong," I retorted. "He simply… stands out. It's nothing to loom over or fret about."
"Yet," she pressed, her voice laced with amusement, "you engaged in behavior completely out of character. Listening to other people's conversations? I thought that was beneath you?"
How did she know so much? "That's not what happened," I protested weakly. "I merely happened to swim by and overheard a snippet of conversation. Nothing more."
Her expression remained unconvinced. "If you say so. I must say, he is quite the interesting boy. There is something about him that is unlike any hero I have ever encountered."
I nodded, a silent acknowledgement of her words. I knew exactly what she meant.
Just then, Poseidon materialized in the throne room, alone. Percy was nowhere in sight.
"Did I miss something?" he asked, his voice surprisingly light, as if the weight of the world hadn't just been dumped onto his son's young shoulders.
"Nothing at all, dear," Amphitrite replied, her tone deceptively sweet. "Where's the boy?"
"He is getting settled in his room," Poseidon answered. "I'm sure he'll be joining us in the morning. We have a lot more to discuss about his accommodations and what is to be done while he is here with us. Now, if that is all, I would like to have some things prepared for the boy in the meantime."
"I do have one thing," Amphitrite said, her voice hardening slightly. "What did you two have to talk about behind closed doors?"
The air in the throne room crackled with unspoken tension. I glanced at Father. He gripped his trident tighter, a telltale sign of his unease. He, the mighty Poseidon, god of the seas, was clearly wrestling with something. He had revealed a truth that had shaken the boy to his core, and now he was trying to bury it, to pretend it hadn't happened.
"It's nothing to worry about," he said, his voice dismissive.
"That's utter bullshit," I blurted out, the words escaping before I could censor them.
Both my parents turned to me, their expressions a mixture of surprise and exasperation.
"What was that?" Poseidon asked, his voice laced with warning.
"I overheard you two talking," I said, my voice rising in defiance. "And clearly, it was big enough to freak the kid out. What makes him so special compared to your family?" The words were reckless, impetuous, but I couldn't hold them back.
"You listened in!?" Poseidon roared, his eyes flashing with anger. "That was supposed to be private! I told you it was supposed to be alone!"
"Poseidon! Triton! That's enough!" Amphitrite intervened, her voice sharp and commanding. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like to know what that was all about."
Her intervention had a calming effect. Poseidon visibly deflated, taking a deep breath.
He spoke, finally, his voice laced with weariness. "Like I said, it's not something for you to worry over. Just… something else for the life of a demigod. I'm sure he can handle it."
He wasn't budging. Keeping secrets seemed to be more important.
"Triton, do you have anything to say?" Amphitrite asked, her gaze fixed on me.
I glanced at Father. His expression was unreadable, but I knew he wanted me to stay silent.
"No," I said, the word tasting like ash in my mouth. "Nothing at all. It is like he said."
"Now, let's put this matter to bed, as I have some things to take care of," Poseidon declared, effectively ending the discussion.
We all agreed. Poseidon left to make arrangements for the boy, his haste almost comical. Amphitrite retreated to her personal garden, seeking solace in the tranquility of nature.
As for me, I was adrift, lost in a sea of uncertainty. I needed to clear my head. A swim was in order. The dark water was comforting, pulling me into its depths, a temporary escape from the turmoil within. What was done was done, the echoes of the boy's conversation ringing in my ears. But for how long? I couldn't shake the feeling that the storm was only just beginning.
The sun, a molten coin in the sky, hammered against the crystalline walls of the underwater palace as I returned from my nightly swim. The coral reefs, usually ablaze with bioluminescent life, were muted in the face of the dawn's fierce arrival. From afar, the palace, normally a beacon of serenity, felt… wrong. A prickle of unease settled beneath my scales. Was it Father, brooding over the whispers of ancient monsters stirring in the deep trenches? I had personally investigated those rumors, found nothing but deep-sea squid and overactive imaginations. No, this was different. This was… vibrant. A nervous energy thrummed beneath the surface calm.
As I drew closer, the palace practically vibrated with activity. Guards, their faces etched with a frantic determination, darted through the corridors like kelp caught in a riptide. Sea spirits, normally gliding with an ethereal grace, zipped past, their spectral forms flickering with agitation. They were searching, tearing through rooms, and peering into every nook and cranny. "It hasn't even been a full day, and the kid already has everyone freaking out," I muttered, annoyance quickly turning to a simmering anger. What juvenile prank could possibly warrant this level of disruption? Had he decided to dye the royal seahorses pink? Or perhaps replace Father's trident with a kelp-wrapped stick? Whatever it was, he was going to regret it. He was a prince now, for Poseidon's sake! He should act like it. Who raised this kid to act like a common urchin?
I strode towards the throne room, my own tail lashing with irritation. The heavy doors swung inward with a resonant boom. Amphitrite sat on her throne, her posture as elegant as always. But the rhythmic flapping of her tail against the pearl-encrusted floor betrayed her unease. It was rare to see her so visibly disturbed, especially so soon after meeting the boy. Could she already have developed some affection for the brat? Unlikely. The woman was carved from glacial ice. No, something else was at play.
Poseidon, a towering figure of oceanic power, paced back and forth in the vast expanse of the throne room. His normally jovial face was a mask of grim seriousness, all traces of warmth extinguished. His arms were clasped behind his back, his powerful shoulders hunched slightly, a pose that spoke volumes of his inner turmoil.
"What appears to be the matter?" I asked, my voice a low rumble that cut through the nervous energy in the room.
Poseidon stopped pacing, his sea-green eyes locking onto mine with a flicker of desperate hope. "Where have you been?"
"I went to clear my head. Nothing more," I replied, a touch defensively. The need to breathe the open ocean was a private thing, a sanctuary I rarely spoke of.
"Percy… You haven't seen him, have you?" The question hung in the air, thick with worry.
"No. What has he done?" I asked, bracing myself for the inevitable tale of royal mischief.
"It's what he hasn't done," Poseidon said, his voice unusually subdued. "We can't find him. Anywhere. I thought perhaps he was with you, showing him around, considering you were the only one to show him some favor. And both of you missed breakfast."
"Why would he be with me?" I scoffed. The thought was absurd.
"You said you liked him," Amphitrite interjected, her voice sharp. "What else were we to assume?"
"I admired his will, his mission, not the boy himself, those are quite different, my Queen" I snapped, more tersely than intended. "What do you mean he missed breakfast? It's not exactly difficult to find the dining hall."
Poseidon sighed, running a hand through his wild, kelp-like hair. "At first, Percy was simply late. I assumed he was still adjusting to the palace. But when he failed to appear after a considerable time, I went to check on him in his room. He wasn't there. No sign of him. He could be lost, he could be…" Poseidon trailed off, unable to articulate his deepest fears. "I immediately ordered a search of the palace grounds. Every passage, every garden, every hidden grotto. So far, nothing. Not a single sign of him."
"That's… difficult to believe," I admitted, my initial annoyance slowly giving way to a burgeoning concern. For the Ruler of the Oceans to be this agitated over a missing… child? It seemed excessive.
"How long has the search been underway?" I asked.
"About thirty minutes…"
Thirty minutes? In the heart of Father's kingdom? How could a land-born boy vanish so completely in such a short amount of time? "I'm sure he'll turn up soon," I said, trying to project an optimism I didn't feel. "It's only a matter of time."
Poseidon dismissed us, the Queen and I, with a wave of his hand, resuming his restless pacing. But I could see the worry etched deeper into his face with each passing moment. This wasn't a simple case of a lost boy. Something was wrong. The kid couldn't just vanish into thin air.
Hours passed. The sun climbed higher in the sky, then began its slow descent, painting the coral reefs in hues of fiery orange and deep violet. The search widened, expanding beyond the palace walls, encompassing the entire city. No coral was left unturned, no anemone unprobed. Father, his patience frayed to the breaking point, demanded a full-scale search, a sweep of every dwelling, from the grandest palace to the humblest algae farm. Even I, initially dismissive, felt the creeping tendrils of unease tightening around my heart. No one, no matter how resourceful, could remain hidden for this long.
Finally, Poseidon ordered me to join the search.
I scanned the bustling streets of the capital, the city throbbing with nervous energy. From this level, amidst the throngs of merfolk and the swirling currents of commerce, there was no sign of him. I moved amongst the families, my eyes darting wildly, searching for the slightest glimpse of pale skin, the flicker of a lost expression. I have never failed my father before, and I don't plan on losing this child now.
Then I began to call his name, getting ever louder, until many heads were turned in my direction. I had their attention. I might as well use it. "Has anyone seen the Prince wondering through here? The Prince that showed up last night?" I yelled, my voice expelled in a commanding voice, "He's about this high," I said, gesturing with my hand. The sea of blank faces stared back at me. Murmuring began to spread through out the gathered crowd and they had no clue about the boy. "Please notify us if you have or get any news!" I shouted into the growing crowd and went on my way. Now the city was searching too.
I swam back to the palace, frustration coiling in my gut. I started in his room. Running through the list of places Percy could be in my mind, checking off the ones I had already searched. The room, now empty of its occupant, had the look of a place untouched, as if he'd never been here. Only one spot on the bed that someone clearly sat on.
Then, it occurred to me, you often find things amidst the obvious, and so I set about the task with a sort of meticulousness that was quite uncharacteristic of me. As I sifted and sorted my eyes were constantly on the look-out for any gleam of something, anything off, that might be part of the reason that Percy's gone. By the time I cleared every spec of the room I was in something of a short-temper, having turned up nothing but, the spot where some one sat.
The fact there is nothing, is something. Just up and disappeared. This could mean two things; he left on his own and wanted time to himself or something took him. But what could do that? No one can enter this realm unless they have my father's permission. It is the law of the gods, it cannot be broken. Which leads only the first option.
What do I know about him? Mostly talk from other beings of mythical relation, nothing personal. Let's see, he lived his entire life in the wilderness and managed to keep hidden from the goddess of the hunt for three or so years. All the while understanding and fighting off myths. Clearly he knows how to hide his tracks well, otherwise he'd be dead or dying right now. Also he is intelligent enough to stay hidden and avoid trouble that would catch other's attention, minus the Artemis hiccup. Then there is his defiance and flat out calls pointing at the flaws that even gods are capable of. That defiance is going to make this even more difficult. It's almost like he himself is a myth that popped out of the blue.
All signs point out that we won't find him unless he wants us to. That doesn't bode well for me. I told father that I would find him and bring him back. It is critical that I do so. To prove myself.
I don't believe he has the know-how to hide in the palace, if anything he would go back to what he knows best. Running and hiding through the natural landscape, covering his tracks as he goes. Question is, what direction will he be heading? Swimming to the upper balcony of my home, I needed to scan the horizon. From the looks of things he'd either go through the coral forests, which will have a ton of eye witnesses and spectators, or towards the mountainous landscape in the other direction.
The best option is the mountains but, he's proven multiple times that he won't always go with the obvious. Hmmm best head back into town and ask yet again for information. Swimming down with incredible speed I landed in the city center. A open market with a statue of the royal family present in the center of it all. Walkways of the softest sand and the basalt lining them. Talking to the vendors, I gained nothing from half of them. We've been searching all day and the sun was beginning to set. Swimming up to one of the older vendor stations, I asked again, "Have you seen anyone that fits the description of the prince wandering through here? It would most likely be late last night or early in the morning."
"Nothing comes to mind. It was all ordinary. Just a sec, let me get my father. He might know more." He walked further into his station and I could hear murmuring coming from within. Next thing I know, an older merman came up and I asked him again.
"Hmm there was something… I came out here and began setting up early like I would do any other day. However, as I was getting things up and ready at the back, I saw someone dash past. In the direction of the corals outside the city limits." It's not much.
"What did it look like?"
"Smallish and I don't recall seeing a tail on the lad."
"Lad? Was it a boy?"
"Definitely a male. But, like I said it was someone moving fast. Sorry if I wasn't more help." The old merman said. If only he knew how helpful he actually was.
The words echoed in my mind, "Don't worry. You've helped plenty." I needed to report back to Poseidon, and he wouldn't be pleased with the lack of substantial findings. First, though, I had to exhaust all possibilities, ensuring no one else had seen what the elderly vendor described. Methodically, I moved from tent to cart, from stall to stall, questioning merchants and passersby, but my efforts yielded nothing. Everyone I spoke to vaguely remembered seeing a blur, but no one could recall the specific details.
Returning to the palace, a sense of dread settled in my stomach. I found Poseidon in the throne room, and the sight of him was far from reassuring. The worry lines etched deeper into his face, and the restless energy that radiated from him was palpable as he continued to pace back and forth. Amphitrite, his Queen, sat motionless on her throne, her expression a mask of concern. She looked as if she hadn't moved a muscle since I last saw her. "Father, I've brought news," I announced, kneeling respectfully before him.
Poseidon stopped pacing, his eyes locking onto me with an intensity that made me shift uncomfortably. "Have you found him?" he demanded, his voice laced with a desperate hope.
"No, but I came across a lead that may be him," I replied, carefully choosing my words. "A vendor saw a blur dash by, managing only to catch a fleeting glimpse. He described a smallish lad, and he doesn't recall seeing a tail... What would you like me to do?"
Poseidon stood in silence for a long moment, his gaze distant as if he were lost in thought. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and filled with a raw emotion that tugged at my heart. "I want you to find him," he commanded, his voice barely a whisper. "Do what you must to bring him back. I don't care what it takes... I lost him once, and I don't plan on a second time."
I nodded solemnly, understanding the depth of my father's pain. "As you wish, Father," I said, rising to my feet. Without another word, I turned and headed towards the open sea. The weight of my task pressed down on me, but I knew I couldn't fail. Percy was my family, and I would do everything in my power to bring him home.
Using my powers, I willed the water to propel me forward with near-impossible speed. The ocean responded to my command, swirling around my limbs in a vortex of energy, creating a sense of buoyancy and freedom. The cool water embraced me, washing away the tension and replacing it with a sense of purpose. In the water, I had little to worry about, just the freedom of movement and my duties. It was me and the cool water, the very essence of my being. I moved with a robotic precision combined with organic fluidity, each movement a stroke nailed to perfection as my twin tails propelled me forward. Arriving at the coral reef mere seconds after leaving the palace, I marveled at the speed and efficiency of my abilities.
Trying not to waste any time, it would be better to get this done sooner rather than later. My father tended to get attached to his children very strongly, and when he lost them, he became inconsolable and depressed. The last time he lost Sally and thought he lost Percy, it was one of the worst periods in recent history. Hurricanes and tsunamis plagued many parts of the globe for months until Amphitrite finally managed to calm him down. He truly loved her. That was indisputable.
Focusing my senses, I expanded my awareness, scanning the reef and searching for any sign of Percy. I called upon the ocean's creatures, asking if they had seen anything unusual, any trace of a young boy. Safe to say that most of it was useless and didn't help my case. Perhaps the vendor was mistaken. What if Percy had decided to do a fake-out and head in the other direction? But I couldn't afford to second-guess every lead. Continuing my search, my eyes caught something unnatural amidst the vibrant coral. A couple of small fragments of coral were broken, and among them, a shred of fabric. Someone had definitely come through here and was in a hurry. I followed the minimal tracks available further.
Even more pieces... Then nothing. That wasn't right. He had to be somewhere around here then. "Gasp." I heard and knew I had him. Following the barely audible gasp, I rounded on a hole in the coral. Invisible from above and well hidden amongst the surrounding structures. "Very clever, Percy, very clever. But you should've known that I would have found you sooner or later," I said, my voice echoing slightly in the water.
He didn't respond. "Come on, Father is worried. It is time to head back... I have permission to do whatever it takes, so don't try me, boy." I was getting frustrated. Getting closer to the entrance, I peeked inside.
A flash of steel. I barely managed to dodge a wild swing of a sword, and I recoiled, taking out my own trident. What did he think he was doing? Crashing through his little hideout, he sent coral flying everywhere, as well as sand and dirt, providing him with cover. Too bad it wouldn't work on me. Diving straight in, I met his blade and caught his hilt. Yanking upward, I caught him off guard, and he let go of his weapon. Very dumb. Spinning around, I knocked him on the head with the butt end of my trident. Or so I thought. It should have knocked him out, but I felt movement underneath. Yanking my trident forward, I was met with a light headbutt, not impressed. "Let's see how you like this!" Headbutting him back, he let go, and I pointed the three prongs at his throat. One move was all it would take. I thought he would be a better fighter. Guess not.
The sand and everything began to clear up, giving me a clear view... "Who in the Hades are you? You aren't Percy! Where is he?" I demanded, anger lacing my voice. This was not Percy. Just some short and barbaric spirit wasting my time.
"Haha, like I'm going to tell you," the man answered, a smug grin on his face. I pressed a little harder, and his blood began to seep.
"You will answer me as Prince of the Sea, or the wrath of my father will fall upon you and all those you hold dear," I said, my voice dripping with venom. It was not a threat.
"That's if you remain in power," he replied smugly.
"What was that?" I pushed, my patience wearing thin.
"You shall know soon enough. Things are beginning to stir, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. This was nothing more than a formality," he said, his eyes glinting with a disturbing light. I just had about enough- His blood began pouring out, pooling around us, and his eyes rolled back into his skull. He drove himself into my trident, and killed himself with my weapon. Straight through his throat. So, he'd rather die than answer me.
Father must know.
Third Person POV:
The relentless waves of the Atlantic crashed against Triton's armor as he surged forward, driven by a single, unwavering purpose: finding Perseus Jackson. A week had bled into a torturous eternity since the demigod's disappearance, and every lead, every whispered rumor, had dissolved into nothing. He'd scoured the ocean depths, from the chattering lobster colonies near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, gossiping about currents and shipwrecks, to the chilling abyss of the Mariana Trench, where ancient, lightless horrors stirred. All for naught. It was as if Percy had been swallowed whole by the very sea he commanded, leaving behind only an echoing absence. Triton, Prince of the Sea, remained tethered to his father's command, a gilded leash forged from duty and familial concern. He wouldn't give up. Couldn't give up.
While Triton carved a furious path through the ocean's currents, his stepmother Amphitrite waged her own search on land. She couldn't sit idly by, twirling pearls between her fingers while Percy remained lost. She'd reached out to her sisters, the Nereids, and the lesser water spirits scattered across the globe, tasking them with sifting through human whispers and forgotten histories. Her initial attempts to locate Percy's mortal family had been frustratingly fruitless. He'd offered so little information beyond their names and a vague sense of location, a deliberate act of self-preservation against drawing them into his tumultuous world. Now, Amphitrite focused on chasing rumors: whispers of a powerful young man with uncanny control over water, sightings near forgotten temples dedicated to forgotten gods. Poseidon had practically ordered her to help, his regal voice laced with an uncharacteristic anxiety. She would have aided in the search regardless, but the king's direct involvement legitimized her efforts, affording her access to resources and information she wouldn't otherwise possess.
Deep within his coral-encrusted palace, Poseidon wrestled with the unbearable restriction imposed upon him. By ancient laws, he was forbidden from directly interfering in Percy's life, and with the boy vanished, any direct interaction risked invoking the wrath of the Fates. He couldn't even risk a targeted storm, a subtle push in the right direction, for fear it would be construed as blatant intervention. Trapped by his own power, Poseidon was forced to rely on others. The news Triton had delivered a week prior still echoed in his mind, an unsettling premonition of something vast and terrible brewing in the depths. Ancient forces were stirring, old power structures shifting, and Poseidon felt the tremor run through the very foundation of his domain. He had to understand the scope of this threat, identify its source, and protect his son, all while remaining bound by the shackles of his own authority. He was a king hamstrung, forced to play a patient game of chess while his kingdom burned.
Far from the Olympian machinations, on land where the sun blazed indifferently, worry began to fester. The many mothers who loved Percy differently, but fiercely, felt the chilling touch of uncertainty. They had grown accustomed to the rhythm of Percy's life, the sporadic calls, the vague assurances that he was "okay," no matter where in the world he might be. But this silence was different. It stretched on, unyielding, broken only by the gnawing anxiety in their hearts. Never, not even at the height of his demigod adventures, had he failed to check in, to offer a simple reassurance that he was alive and well. Concern hardened into a prickling fear, a premonition of something amiss. Naseae felt the shift even more acutely. She tested the waters, sending out a subtle query, a whispered plea for information to the winds. The response was an unnerving silence, a void where Percy's presence should have been.
The carefully constructed facade of calm crumbled completely for Khione. The snow goddess, never one for subtle emotions, erupted in a blizzard of icy fury. Her frustration manifested in frozen threats, icy glares directed at any who dared to withhold information. She knew where Percy was residing, the location granted to him by the Fates themselves. Over and over she had requested permission to go to Percy's place from Poseidon, wanting to check in on his well being as he did on hers so many times. Instead he only waved her off, claiming it wasn't the right thing to do. Khione considered going anyway, she knew that his banishment did not apply to her as it did for the other Olympians. If it did, she would have been barred from seeing him a long time ago. The silence had become unbearable, a frozen blade twisting in her heart.
Poseidon, King of the Seas, sat heavily upon his coral throne, the polished trident, his symbol of power, gripped tight in his calloused hand. The deep-sea glow of his throne room, usually a source of comfort, now felt like an oppressive weight, mirroring the turmoil in his heart. He was adrift in a sea of regret, the echoes of his last conversation with Percy crashing against the shores of his memory. It had been a fraught, tense affair, their words sharp and stinging, leaving a residue of unspoken anxieties hanging in the air.
From afar, Poseidon had watched Percy's quest unfold, a harrowing journey that no child should have to endure. He had seen the scars, both visible and invisible, that the demigod world had inflicted upon his son. He had witnessed the weight of responsibility settle upon Percy's young shoulders, a burden that seemed to prematurely age him. And now, the revelation that the Fates themselves held his life in a tight, unyielding grip… it was a terrifying prospect.
Poseidon feared what Percy, armed with this knowledge, might be driven to do. He had already defied the gods themselves, standing against their whims and pronouncements. What would stop him from challenging the Fates, the very architects of destiny? The idea was not only reckless but potentially catastrophic, and it filled Poseidon with a dread that chilled him to the very core.
"We will find him. I'm sure of it," a voice, smooth and reassuring, cut through the oppressive silence. Amphitrite, his queen, entered the throne room, her movements graceful and fluid as the tides she commanded. She took her place beside him, her presence a soothing balm on his troubled soul.
Poseidon sighed, the sound like the rumble of distant thunder. "How, Amphitrite? How can we find him when he doesn't want to be found? For twelve years, he was hidden, a secret whispered only among the gods. Now, just when we have him, just when I finally got to know him, he vanishes again, without a word, without a trace. We've scoured the oceans, plumbed the deepest trenches, and all we've found are… unsettling omens, whispers of things best left undisturbed."
Amphitrite reached out, her hand covering his, her touch warm and grounding. "We'll keep looking, Poseidon. He hasn't simply blinked out of existence. He's out there, somewhere."
"I know," he admitted, the weight of his worry returning. "It's just… this is the second time I've lost him. The first, I was powerless to stop. He was in Hades' realm, beyond my reach. But this time… this time he's alive, somewhere in the world. But what if he doesn't want to be found? What if he chooses to remain lost?"
Amphitrite's smile was gentle, tinged with a knowing wisdom. "That is ultimately his choice, but I don't believe that's the case."
Poseidon raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Why not? After everything, why would he want to be found?"
"Did you see him, Poseidon? Did you truly see him when he was here?" Amphitrite's voice was soft, urging him to recall the details. "He was like a child released from a cage. He was eager, curious, devouring every sight and sound with wide, innocent eyes. He walked around with a lopsided smile that held the power to brighten the entire room. He wanted to be here. I saw it in his eyes. I bet he dreamt of exploring every inch of this underwater kingdom, of feeling the power of the ocean thrumming through his veins. He is still a child, Poseidon. He still possesses that spark, that untainted innocence. It hasn't been extinguished by the horrors he's faced, unlike so many other demigods."
As Amphitrite finished speaking, a blinding flash of light erupted in the throne room, momentarily eclipsing the deep-sea glow. Both Poseidon and Amphitrite shielded their eyes, startled by the sudden intrusion.
When the light subsided, three figures stood before them, their forms ancient and withered, their faces etched with the weight of countless ages. Their eyes, though milky and clouded, seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality.
"Indeed it is," a chorus of voices echoed through the chamber, not quite in unison, but overlapping, creating a disconcerting harmony.
"Lady Fates!" Poseidon exclaimed, his voice a mixture of surprise and apprehension. He rose to his feet, his trident thudding against the coral floor. "What brings you here?" he asked, striving to maintain a respectful tone despite the unease that gnawed at him. The Fates rarely intervened directly, their presence usually portending significant, often tumultuous, events.
"Your son…" one of the Fates croaked, her voice raspy like dry leaves.
"We have big plans…" another continued, her voice a low, ominous hum.
"Yes, plans for his future…" the third finished, her voice a thin, reedy whisper.
"It is in his destiny," they concluded together, the words hanging heavy in the air.
"What are you talking about?" Poseidon demanded, his patience wearing thin. "Where is my son? Is that why he left? Because you were watching? Waiting?"
"We took him…" the first Fate stated.
"He's with us…" the second added.
"We have him…" the third asserted.
"After you told him…"
"We grabbed Percy…"
"He plays a very important part…"
Their cryptic pronouncements were infuriating. Poseidon had dealt with the Fates before, and their penchant for riddles and veiled prophecies was legendary.
"What do you mean? What are you going to do with my son?!" Poseidon's voice rose, laced with anger and a primal fear. He knew the power they wielded, the threads of destiny they controlled. He didn't like the idea of them toying with Percy's life, manipulating him like a puppet on a string. His son had already endured too much.
"A quest…" one of the Fates intoned.
"To save…" another chimed in.
"Very soon…" the third finished.
"What quest? Why did you take Percy?! I want my boy back!" Poseidon roared, his trident crackling with energy. He took a step forward, his eyes blazing with oceanic fury, but he knew, deep down, that he was powerless against them. The Fates were beyond the reach of even the gods. "Of course, but first… His prophecy."
And then, as if conjured from the very air, words formed and echoed in the throne room. Poseidon's blood ran cold.
When discord brews in verdant lands, and sacred boughs begin to fade,
Two sons of the Trident rise as one, though paths of fate have been unmade.
Through monstrous straits and fiery isles, where shadows dance and magic weaves,
They seek the golden prize, a quest that binds, the ocean's breath it truly breathes.
One scarred by exile's bitter sting, the other, royal blood so deep,
Yet side by side, they'll face the wrath, where fearsome giants softly sleep.
But choice and loss will mark their path, a friend's farewell, a somber tide,
For even heroes, strong and bold, can't always stem the fatal stride.
The Fates finished speaking, their voices fading into the silence. Before Poseidon could even formulate a coherent question, they vanished in another flash of light, leaving him standing there, seething with rage and anxiety. The prophecy hung in the air, a dark cloud casting a shadow over his heart.
Without a second thought, Poseidon turned and rushed from the throne room, forgetting all protocol and decorum in his desperate need to see Percy, to ensure his safety. He didn't dwell on the prophecy, on its cryptic warnings and veiled threats. That was a matter for later, a puzzle to be dissected and debated by the Olympians. Right now, his only concern was his son.
He tore through the underwater corridors, passing startled guards and darting spirits with reckless abandon. He could sense a faint, familiar presence emanating from Percy's chambers. A small, relieved smile flickered across his lips. He hadn't been taken away completely. He was still here.
He slammed the doors to Percy's room open, the force of his entry echoing through the chamber. And there, lying peacefully in the oversized bed, was Percy, sound asleep. The sight filled Poseidon with an overwhelming wave of relief. He was safe. For now.
He immediately called off the search for his son, dismissing the frantic calls and whispered concerns that buzzed through the palace. Percy was no longer in imminent danger, and that was all that mattered. He stared at the boy, a complex mix of emotions swirling within him. Pride, love, worry, and a fierce protectiveness.
But then, a sharp, insistent tug at his will, a summons to an emergency meeting on Olympus, shattered the fragile peace. The summons was unmistakable and could not be ignored.
With a heavy heart, Poseidon turned to leave. He paused at the doorway, his gaze lingering on Percy's sleeping form. Turning to one of his most trusted guards, Nerio, Poseidon gave a very stern look. "You are to keep watch over him. Nobody is to enter unless given permission by myself, Amphitrite, or Triton themselves."
Nerio, a veteran warrior who had served Poseidon for countless years, longer than any other in the King's personal guard, nodded curtly. His sea-green eyes, usually reflecting the calm of the deep ocean, were now sharp and alert. He had seen his fair share of battles, witnessed countless horrors, but his loyalty to the King and his family was unwavering. Nerio bowed his head in acknowledgement. He understood the gravity of the situation. Nerio would defend Percy with his life. He had already vowed as such.
Flashing onto Olympus, the familiar grandeur of the Olympian throne room did little to soothe Poseidon's frayed nerves. The air crackled with tension, thick with the scent of ozone and unspoken accusations. He was the last of the twelve Olympians to arrive, Hestia, as always, tending to the sacred hearth that blazed in the center of the room.
"So, good of you to finally decide to join us, brother," Zeus boomed, his voice echoing across the vast chamber. His words were laden with sarcasm, signaling the beginning of the inquisition. He silenced the murmur of conversations that had filled the room. "Now, care to explain yourself?"
"In what regard?" Poseidon countered, maintaining a carefully neutral expression. He wasn't about to give Zeus the satisfaction of seeing him rattled.
"Don't play dumb, Poseidon. You just received a visit from the Three, something that hasn't happened in countless centuries. Why?" Athena, her sharp intellect ever at the forefront, cut to the chase. Her words ignited a fresh wave of murmurs among the assembled gods and goddesses. The Fates rarely interfered directly, and their intervention always signaled a matter of immense significance.
"I don't know," Poseidon replied, his voice even. It was the truth. He hadn't received a clear answer, only riddles and veiled pronouncements.
"Bullshit!" Zeus roared, his face reddening with anger. The air crackled with static electricity. "I want the truth, and you're going to give it to us!"
"That is the truth!" Poseidon snapped back, his own temper flaring. "Surely you must know that whenever they do reveal themselves, it's never with a clear picture given out. Or have you forgotten the last time they flashed into this very throne room, promising greatness but delivering only chaos and destruction?"
His words hit their mark. Zeus fell silent, his anger momentarily subdued by the memory of past disasters. The murmurs around the room grew louder, a cacophony of speculation and apprehension. Zeus hadn't forgotten, and he desperately wanted to avoid a repeat of the last time the Fates had directly meddled in Olympian affairs.
"So… what did the old hags actually do?" Apollo, ever the picture of breezy nonchalance, jumped in, already suspecting the worst.
"A quest…" Poseidon reluctantly admitted, the word hanging heavy in the air.
The throne room erupted in a renewed wave of confusion and unease. Quests were common enough, but the Fates themselves rarely delivered them in person. It implied a significance that transcended the usual heroic endeavors. It must be of great importance… Or a god is involved.
"What kind of quest? Who are the members? What must be done? When? Where?" Questions were fired at him in rapid succession, each one more insistent than the last. Poseidon struggled to interject, but he was drowned out by the cacophony of voices, the gods and goddesses jumping to conclusions and spinning wild theories. It took nearly half an hour of shouting and bickering before he could finally make himself heard.
"My son is involved!" he finally roared, his voice amplified by his divine power. "It's a quest for my son!"
His words had the desired effect. A hush fell over the room, broken only by the crackling of the hearth and the distant rumble of thunder.
"Percy? But didn't he just finish a quest a week ago?" Hera, the Queen of the Gods, rarely took interest in the affairs of demigods. Her question surprised more than a few present.
"Woah, she spoke," Apollo whispered to his sister, Artemis, who shared a knowing glance.
"Since when do you care about a demigod, Hera?" Aphrodite questioned, her eyes narrowed. "Did you finally grow a heart?"
"Respect. He has earned mine." Hera's voice was cold, her gaze unwavering. It was clear she wasn't going to elaborate, sealing the discussion with one of her signature icy stares. "Now, why Percy specifically? What makes him so important?"
"Who cares! It should be one of my children to go and not that brat of the sea. What makes him so special?" Ares sneered, his brow furrowed in disgust.
"I believe it is because of the Great Prophecy. Zeus is paranoid enough to think it's already started. It makes sense that he would get more and more involved in situations of the Greek world." Athena answered Ares, her mind already racing, piecing together the fragments of information. "What else did the Fates say, Poseidon? What were their exact words?"
Poseidon sighed, defeated. He reluctantly repeated the prophecy, the ominous verses echoing through the throne room. Knowing that Percy was being thrust into yet another dangerous quest, so soon after his last, sent a wave of anxiety washing over him. Demigods could barely survive one quest, let alone two. And this time, he would have only one ally by his side. Such a small team was unprecedented.
"I knew it!" Apollo suddenly shouted, jumping up from his throne.
"What could you possibly know, brother?" Artemis retorted, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"The prophecy! I knew it! It just appeared in my head a short while ago, those exact words. As the god of prophecies, it must be new, fresh off the loom. I'm hearing it for the first time, too."
After that pronouncement, the meeting descended into chaos. Nearly everyone was fighting over the most trivial details, arguing about whether or not they should be involved, suggesting absurd strategies, and accusing each other of ulterior motives. It was a shouting match of epic proportions, a symphony of egos and anxieties crashing against each other.
All Poseidon wanted was to be back with his son, to ensure his safety. But he was trapped, forced to endure the petty squabbles of his so-called family. The meeting dragged on for hours, and as the night deepened, Poseidon felt a growing sense of dread. The Fates had set their plans in motion, and Percy was caught in the middle. He had to find a way to protect him, even if it meant defying the very fabric of fate itself.
Percy's POV:
My eyelids fluttered open, heavy and reluctant, as if glued shut by sleep. A soft, diffused light filtered in, painting the room in muted blues and greens. I blinked, vision clearing slowly, and realized I was drooling. Not just a little bit of sleep-induced dribble, but a full-on, embarrassing puddle of saliva soaking into the ridiculously plush fabric beneath my cheek. Can demigods even drool underwater? Apparently, the answer was a resounding yes. And I had chosen to christen this pristine, ocean-silk bedding with my bodily fluids. Fantastic.
The bed itself was a masterpiece. Layers of shimmering, opalescent material flowed like liquid moonlight, forming a cocoon of unimaginable comfort. It was more luxurious than anything I had ever experienced, even in Olympus. Everything in the room felt… expensive. The walls were adorned with intricate mosaics depicting scenes of marine life, glowing faintly with bioluminescent algae woven into the grout. Shells of all shapes and sizes, polished to a blinding sheen, were arranged on shelves, catching and refracting the light in dazzling patterns.
As my brain slowly rebooted, I became aware that I wasn't alone. A figure stood ramrod straight near the doorway, radiating an aura of disciplined alertness. He was clad in shimmering scales of deep indigo, a trident held loosely but confidently in his hand. One of Poseidon's royal guard, no doubt.
"Sorry! I didn't mean it!" I blurted out, scrambling to sit up. Mortification burned my cheeks. "I just sorta fell asleep and musta found a reaallly comfy spot." Gods, I sounded like an idiot. All that sleep must have scrambled my brain. "And it feels like I've been got a really good night's sleep. That never happens." Usually, my nights consisted of nightmares, monster attacks, or restless tossing and turning. To wake up feeling truly refreshed was a novel, and frankly, unsettling experience.
The guard's expression remained impassive, like a statue carved from the depths of the ocean. "It is quite alright, Prince Percy," he said, his voice deep and resonant, like the rumble of distant waves.
The "Prince" thing… ugh. It never got easier. No matter how many marine creatures or even celestial horses I met, the whole royal designation just felt… wrong. It put a weird, almost metallic tang in my mouth, like I had swallowed a rusty trident. I am Percy, son of Poseidon, yes, but also a demigod, a hero (allegedly), and a guy who preferred blue food and sarcastic remarks. Titles made me itch.
"Uh-huh… So do you mind telling me what time it is? I don't want to miss breakfast." My stomach rumbled in agreement, a deep, resonant growl that embarrassed me further. Oooo, breakfast sounded absolutely divine right at the moment. I felt like I could devour an entire buffet and still have room left over. When was the last time I had a truly hearty meal? I tried to cast my mind back, searching for the memory of satisfying fullness. Maybe that Canadian diner, the one Annabeth and I stumbled upon during a quest. They served those really thin pancakes… what were they called? Crepes? Blintzes? I couldn't remember the name, but damn, were they good. Fluffy, buttery, and drenched in maple syrup. Just thinking about it made my mouth water.
"Of course," the guard replied, his voice cutting through my rumination on breakfast foods. "It is five past midnight."
Midnight? That didn't seem right. I distinctly remembered falling asleep after that particularly vivid IM conversation with Annabeth, probably around three in the morning. So how in the world had I slept for so long?
"You serious!? Does that mean I missed the food?" My voice rose in pitch, betraying my hunger-induced panic.
The guard chuckled, a low, almost imperceptible sound, and shook his head from side to side. "Oh, thank goodness!" I shouted, clapping a hand over my mouth. People were probably asleep, and here I was, yelling about breakfast like a banshee. "Wait, how long have I been out for?"
The guard's face suddenly tightened, his usual stoicism replaced with a flash of something akin to nervousness. He straightened his already perfect posture, his shoulders drawing back as if preparing for a blow.
"A week, sir," he answered, his voice now clipped and formal.
A week?! My jaw dropped. "No wonder why I feel so refreshed…" A week of uninterrupted sleep? That was unheard of. Even ambrosia and nectar couldn't induce that kind of restorative slumber. "Do you know why?" I pressed, a growing sense of unease creeping into my gut. Something big had clearly happened while I was out cold.
"You're not gonna freak out, sir?" he asked, his eyes flicking nervously towards me.
"Eh, I see no point in it," I shrugged, trying to project an air of nonchalance I didn't quite feel. Freaking out rarely solved anything. Besides, after everything I'd been through, what was one more weird, potentially traumatic event? I managed a small, reassuring smile.
He hesitated for a moment, and then seemed to steel himself. "You were taken…" He paused, his gaze fixed on a point somewhere over my head. "But you shouldn't fret. Poseidon searched everywhere. He sent out search parties, commanded the armies to find you. Others were sent to retrieve your person, sir. Sent to bring you back safely, sir."
"Taken." Kidnapped. Abducted. Whatever you wanted to call it, it wasn't a new experience. This wasn't anything like last time I was kidnapped, which had been a disaster. The last time had been a couple years ago so I don't have anyone to blame other than myself. But now it's over so I can move on. At least this time, I wasn't aware of the whole ordeal. Small mercies, I suppose.
"I'm guessing they were successful, all things considered," I said, gesturing vaguely to my opulent surroundings. I was alive, wasn't I? That had to count for something.
"Not really, sir," he answered, his tone flat.
"What do you mean?" The unease in my stomach intensified, twisting into a knot of premonition.
"No one found you, sir, or brought you back. Or no one under your father's orders did. You simply vanished and reappeared back in your room. No one knows who or what brought you back, except Poseidon and Amphitrite, and possibly Triton, sir."
The guard's words hung in the air, thick and heavy with implication. I had just shown up out of nowhere in my room? That's not something that happens everyday.
"Ooookay," I said slowly, processing the information. "I guess I should just go and ask them." I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, feeling a little unsteady. I needed answers, and fast. As I started towards the door, the guard – I really needed to learn his name – stepped forward, blocking my path with his trident.
"I can't allow you to leave. I was put here to keep watch and not let anyone enter unless it was given explicit permission, sir." His voice was firm, unwavering.
"Look…" I sighed, running a hand through my perpetually messy hair. "What's your name? I can't keep calling you 'guard' in my head."
"Nerio, sir," he replied, his posture still rigid.
"Okay, Nerio, and can you please stop with the 'sir' business? Just treat me like you would anyone else." It was a lost cause, I knew, but I had to try.
"Of course, sir," he replied without a flicker of irony.
I mentally facepalmed, but decided to let it slide. He was probably just following orders. "Then can you call them here or something? Say that it is urgent and I need an audience with... any one of them. Please?" I didn't want to get in the way of his duty right now. Lord knows I could, because I'm the Prince! but, honestly I'm all for a break right bout now from all the hectic demigod life things.
"I'm sorry, but I can't leave my post, sir," he said, his expression unchanging. He wasn't gonna budge. That was admirable, I supposed. Stupidly admirable.
"Ugh, fine. I guess I'll just ask myself." I turned back towards the bed, slumped down on my back, and closed my eyes. It was time to try a direct approach.
I focused my thoughts, picturing my father, Poseidon, the King of the Sea. It wasn't quite prayer, more like sending a mental telegram. Hey, Dad? Mom? Triton? Anyone there? I woke up, and I'm hearing some pretty weird stuff about being kidnapped and mysteriously reappearing. Any chance you could fill me in? It's kind of important.
Someone was bound to answer or I'm gonna get ignored. As always, I doubt it is the ladder. Whatever happened in the past week must have been a huge deal and apparently I'm at the center of it. Again. The fates really do love messing with me. I wondered who took me this time. I owed them a sucker punch to the jaw, or maybe a nice dose of my own brand of water-based mayhem. Whoever it was, they were about to regret the day they crossed Percy something. Though, I have no idea who they are! Maybe that's why they took me. All I know is that there better be a good reason to bring me back after a week.