Previously..

Lightning crackled around him as he and Hera flashed out in their usual over-the-top fashion. Hermes muttered, "Drama queen," under his breath, making Apollo chuckle.

Athena approached me, her expression unreadable. "Meet me at four this afternoon to discuss your training. Don't be late."

I nodded. "Got it."

Poseidon placed a hand on my shoulder, and in a sea-green flash, we vanished from the throne room.

I had a feeling my life was about to get even more chaotic.

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Chapter 5: Testing my Limits

As soon as we flashed out of Olympus, I barely had time to reorient myself before Dad started talking.

"We have two hours before your meeting with Athena," he said, standing next to me with his hands clasped behind his back. "That's just enough time to explain how your training in Atlantis will be."

I nodded, letting out a breath. Two years of intense training sounded like a lot, but honestly, I wasn't about to complain. Keeping myself busy would keep my mind off—An–off her.

Dad's expression softened for a moment, like he knew exactly what I was thinking, but he didn't press. Instead, he waved a hand, and the water around us shimmered, forming an image in the air. It displayed an overview of my schedule, separated into two halves.

"Your mornings will be dedicated to studying under two of Atlantis' best scholars," Dad said, gesturing toward the first segment. "Naukles and Orthonax."

The image changed, showing two mermen standing side by side.

Naukles looked older, his face lined with marks and some scars, but he seemed impossibly sharp for his age. His suit was crisp and formal, his ocean blue eyes keen as if he could see straight into my soul.

Orthonax, on the other hand, was middle-aged with longish hair, he was lean but muscular. His dark eyes were unreadable, his stance was rigid, exuding discipline.

"Naukles is an ancient teacher from the age of the titans. He has great knowledge, he is also the teacher of all atlantean royals. He will teach you history, fine arts, and advanced war strategy," Dad continued. "You must learn that strength alone is not enough. A true leader, a true warrior, must understand the world beyond the battlefield."

I blinked. "Fine arts?"

Dad gave me a knowing look. "Pottery, sculpture, architecture—it is important to create as well as destroy, Percy."

I shifted uncomfortably. That sounded… well, outside my wheelhouse. But Dad wouldn't have assigned this if he didn't think it was necessary, so I just nodded.

"Orthonax," Dad continued, "will teach you godly magic. You've seen the gods with their power—barriers, energy beams, godly shields. You will learn these abilities too."

That actually sounded pretty cool. I'd seen plenty of gods make barriers and shields, and I'd always wondered if I could do the same. Now I'd get my chance.

Dad paused, studying me. "I know this seems like a lot, but this is a crucial step in your growth."

I nodded. "I get it. And honestly, I'd rather be busy."

His eyes darkened slightly, but he let it go. "Good. Now, for the second half of your day."

The image shifted again, showing a swirling vortex of water, storms raging around it.

"You will train with me personally," Dad said. "Your prowess is already beyond any child of Poseidon before you. Even godly ones. But it is not enough."

I swallowed. That was both cool and terrifying.

"You need mastery," he continued. "We will start with your hydrokinesis abilities and build from there. As your control improves, we will move on to cryokinesis. So far only a few of my mortal children have shown some prowess over that area but I'm sure with my teaching and your power you can go much further."

"After that, you will learn to mist travel, which is beyond anything any of my mortal children have even gotten close to achieving."

"You will also learn the Stormbringer side of my powers with electrokinesis, meteorokinesis, seismokinesis, and finally quakekinesis."

I raised an eyebrow. "Since when do children of Poseidon have control over electricity and the earth?"

"I am also the Earthshaker, Percy." Dad explained. "Seismokinesis allows you to manipulate the movements of the earth, while quakekinesis is more about raw destruction. It will take time to perfect, so far only my godly children have been able to achieve the more destructive side of my powers. And only Triton has ever been able to control quakekinesis."

He added, "It is the most destructive of my abilities and one which will take the longest for you to master. I'd guess it would take a range of 6 months to a year for you to fully master it,"

"Sounds intense."

"It will be," he said seriously. "Up until now, you've only been calling on the powers of the sea, which responded to your will. But now, I'll teach you how to properly control those powers—on a level you've never reached before."

"Percy," he said, his voice low.

"Yeah?" I asked, locking eyes with him.

"What I'm about to tell you must never leave this room. Do you understand?"

I nodded, my gut clenching at the sudden shift in his tone.

"There's one more power," he said. "One that no child of mine has ever been able to unlock—not even Triton, my strongest immortal son. But you being you—you've inherited something... special. Percy, no one else has this. I had my suspicions before, but after your battle with Gaea—and a conversation I had with the Moirai—it's been confirmed."

I swallowed, my voice careful. "What are you talking about, Dad?"

He held my gaze. "Water makes up around 60% of the mortal body," he began. "Right after the First Titanomachy, I pushed my powers to their limits. That's when I realized something. The water inside a living being... was something I could control."

My eyes widened as he continued.

"I learned I could also control blood, ichor, poison—even more liquids that I didn't name." His tone darkened. "Thankfully until now, none of my children have inherited that ability. But that changed when you were conceived."

He let that hang in the air for a moment before continuing.

"During your fight with Gaea, you subconsciously manipulated the Protogenos' ichor—slowing her down, disrupting her flow. If she hadn't been such a powerful entity, Percy… I believe you could've made her spontaneously combust from the force you used."

I stood there, frozen in place, recalling the moment in Tartarus. What my father was describing was the same power that I swore to not touch unless it was life or death.

I gave a slow, steady nod. "Dad, I have something to admit."

Before I continued, I glanced up to meet his gaze. "I already controlled the poison of a goddess before Gaea..."

He stood there, a shocked expression settling on his face. "Son, what do you mean?"

"Down in Tartarus, I met Akhlys, the Primordial of Misery." I paused for a second, but he looked at me as if waiting for me to continue. "Right before the Mansion of Night."

The mention of Nyx sent a cold breeze into the room as the light darkened for a second before returning to normal, he stayed silent, listening.

"She gave us the Death Mist but tried to kill us soon after. She shot poison at me, and having no other option… I somehow controlled it." I took a deep breath before continuing. "The expression An—she gave me… It—it made me terrified of my powers. So I vowed to never use that power unless it was a life-or-death situation."

My dad listened patiently the entire time. As soon as I finished, he put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and said, "I can only imagine how Annabeth and you felt down there, son. I will never make you use that power. Moreover, I agree with her idea to only use it in extremely dangerous situations. Because as it stands, you and I are the only beings to have such a power—and I only barely understand the full extent of it."

I nodded slightly at that last part, truly thankful to have a dad like him in that moment—because, as it stands, most Olympians wouldn't have said the same to their children.

He stepped back and gestured toward the arena.

"Moving on, before we begin… I need to assess your current limits."

He gestured for me to follow, and we moved through the palace until we reached the main arena where I had fought the automations earlier that morning. The vast space was empty now, save for the rippling energy of a barrier forming around it as Dad raised his trident.

"This shield can withstand anything short of a direct Master Bolt strike," he said. "Nothing you do will break it. So, go all out."

I hesitated. "Are you sure? Last time I really let loose… Well, things got messy."

Dad met my eyes. "That is exactly why we need to see your raw power. Show me."

Taking a deep breath, I centered myself. Then, I felt a deep pull in my gut.

The moment I let go, the air crackled.

A massive surge of water erupted from my hands, forming a swirling dragon that roared to life. A hurricane materialized around me, whipping through the arena with violent gusts. The ground beneath me cracked, trembling as a small earthquake spread outward. Overhead, the sky darkened, thunder rumbling before a bolt of lightning struck the floor with a deafening boom.

I could feel my energy draining, but I pushed forward, the storm intensifying. For the first time, I didn't hold back. I unleashed everything I had.

Then, just as suddenly, I stopped.

The storm dissipated, the water falling away as I dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. My limbs shook from the exertion, sweat dripping down my face despite the cool ocean currents around us.

Dad was already moving. He placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, his face unreadable except for the awe in his sea-green eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his composure broken.

I nodded, still catching my breath. "Yeah. Just… never pushed that hard before."

Dad exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I have never seen a demigod display such raw power before. Not even Heracles or Theseus." He met my gaze. "You are already on the level of the gods, as I had expected."

I swallowed, not sure how to feel about that.

"Your official training will begin after your three days on Olympus," Dad continued. "You still have a meeting with Athena."

I sighed, rolling my shoulders. "Right. Can't wait."

Dad chuckled. "I'll teleport you there when it's time. Until then, warm up, clear your mind."

I nodded, already running through everything I had just learned. My training had officially begun, and if today was any indication, the next two years were going to be brutal.

But I was ready.

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Athena POV

I stood alone in the center of Olympus's main training arena, the sound of wind softly curling through the open colosseum. My hands were clasped behind my back as I gazed at the marble pillars surrounding the sparring grounds. The faint designs of marble etched into the floor shimmered under the noon sun. Any second now.

As I spoke—mist curled as the scent of sea salt filled my nostrils, and before me, a presence materialized. Percy Jackson appeared facing me.

He gave me a respectful nod.

His sea-green eyes met mine. As I looked into them I saw endless amounts of power swirling like a hurricane. Not just in the metaphorical sense. They held a certain edge to them, like staring into a tide that could drown the world, or calm it.

The eyes of the Destroyer.

I understood why they called him the greatest hero to walk the Earth.

"Perseus," I greeted, keeping my tone crisp and professional.

"Lady Athena," he returned, voice steady.

"Before we begin your training, I want to conduct a two-part evaluation. First, a test of your knowledge and intentions. Then, a physical assessment. Follow me."

I led him to a small table and two chairs facing each other on the far end of the arena. With a flick of my wrist, a barrier snapped into place around us

I watched him as we walked. Percy Jackson was alert. His eyes scanned every corner, every movement. He carried himself with the calm poise of a seasoned war veteran. Something which I didn't see in many other demigods. In fact, none.

We both sat.

"Let's begin. What are your true intentions, Perseus?"

He didn't miss a beat. "To protect my family and my loved ones."

I gave a small nod. "I assumed as much, given your record in the Titan and Giant wars. But I ask again now, for clarity's sake."

He simply nodded back.

"Your fatal flaw," I continued, eyes narrowing slightly, "is your personal loyalty. You would sacrifice the world for those you love. Don't you think our next enemy will use that against you—especially if it is who we suspect? The Primordial of the Pit?"

He leaned forward slightly. "My flaw isn't my weakness. It's my strength. My friends and family are the reason I've accomplished everything I have. They've carried me through every challenge and every fight I've had thrown upon me. They're the fuel to my fire—and the reason I've never given up."

That answer surprised me.

I found myself nodding, more impressed than I had anticipated. "You are better than I thought, Perseus."

There was one last question. The one I dreaded asking.

I swallowed. "And how will the death of An—my daughter affect you?"

My voice nearly caught on the last word.

Percy's gaze disoriented for the briefest second, but his jaw tightened. He took a breath.

"Nothing will get in between me and keeping my family safe. I will do whatever is necessary."

The conviction in his words hit something deep within me. I valued family, of course, though not to the same extent as Hestia—or him. But in that moment, I understood him a little more. And I admired him for it.

"Very well," I said quietly. "Let's begin the second part. The sparring assessment."

He blinked. "We're sparring?"

"Naturally."

I led him back into the arena's heart.

"Hephaestus built this arena himself. Not even Ares can break it."

Percy raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"The rules of the spar are simple, firstly, no powers," I instructed. "And the first person to either lose their weapon or balance loses."

He pouted slightly. "No elemental stuff? That's kinda unfair."

I smirked. "I'm not foolish enough to challenge you to a full-powered duel, Perseus. That's why I'll be taking this seriously."

As I said that, I summoned my spear and shield—Aegis shining with its usual brilliance—and decorated my battle armor in a shimmer of light.

He didn't flinch.

Most mortals would've given up under the pressure of my shield's aura alone.

"I released an owl feather into the air, watching it flutter down lazily between us, I then suspended it in the air. As it hovered about five feet above the ground I explained that the moment it touches the ground, the duel would begin. I caught Percy's eye. He nodded, already adjusting his stance.

I then let go of my hold on the feather.

Simultaneously, he reached for a lightweight set of armor and selected a celestial bronze sword from the rack.

I frowned. "Why aren't you using the blade the Primordials gave you?"

But before he could answer, the feather met the floor."

A thunderous boom echoed through the arena as our weapons clashed—his celestial bronze sword meeting my spear with a force that sent shockwaves rippling through the dirt beneath our feet. Dust burst upward from the floor in a ring around us.

He moved first. His first strike was a clean, horizontal slash meant to test my reflexes—I parried with the shaft of my spear and retaliated with a sweep aimed at his legs.

He jumped forward.

In a heartbeat, he'd vaulted over my strike, spinning midair. His blade came down toward my shoulder with alarming precision. I raised Aegis and absorbed the blow with the shield, the face of Medusa shimmering under the attack.

He landed lightly, and for a brief moment, we circled each other.

"Faster than I expected," I admitted.

He smirked. "Comes with being Percy Jackson, I guess.d"

Then he came again, a series of rapid thrusts and feints, testing my reach, forcing me to adjust my footing. I retaliated with practiced efficiency, each motion designed to disable or disarm. A low sweep of his legs. A jab toward his ribs. He ducked. Rolled. Reappeared behind me with the flat of his blade aimed at my shoulder.

I twisted and caught his strike with the butt of my spear, turning it aside.

It went on like this for several minutes. Weapons clashed with rhythmic intensity, echoing through the empty arena. His movements were fluid—unpredictable. He moved with a finesse that I had never seen, during his time at the Roman camp, he seemingly adapted their fighting style with his greek one. Forming a new style all together.

He was reading me.

Each time I adjusted my strategy—trying a feint, a sudden lunge, a shift in my posture—he adapted, his counters growing sharper. I tried to control the flow of battle with technique, spacing, angles. But Percy refused to be confined. Where I was composed precision, he was natural chaos.

And yet—he wasn't sloppy.

He locked my spear under his sword and twisted hard. I lost control of my momentum for a fraction of a second, and that's all he needed to slip past my guard. I ducked just in time to avoid a would-be finishing blow to my throat.

His eyes were locked on mine, this time I saw dark green orbs of power, staring at me with a cold and calculated look which sent shivers down my spine.

"You're holding back," He said.

I didn't deny it.

We moved again.

This time, the exchanges were with more power. He struck low—I deflected and countered high. He ducked, closed the gap, and tried to shoulder-check me. I shifted sideways and spun, bringing my shield around.

He raised his sword just in time to block—but the force sent him skidding back across the arena.

Instead of staying down, he launched forward again with a roar.

I barely parried the flurry of attacks that came next. Each swing was faster, more refined.

He had always fought like a brawler before—relying on instinct, but this was discipline layered atop instinct.

He pivoted past my spear point and landed a solid strike against my shield. The vibration rattled my arm. That blow would have broken the arm of any lesser opponent.

I retaliated with a rapid three-part combo: upward slash, backward sweep, downward lunge. He dodged two, caught the third on his sword, and locked my spear against his blade.

We stood chest to chest, locked in a battle of strength.

"I see you've been trained well," I said.

He didn't respond.

He broke the lock and stepped back, only to immediately press forward again. I barely had time to raise my shield when his blade came in low, then curved high in a dazzling arc. I angled my body, letting it slide off Aegis, then countered with a sweep of my spear butt, catching him in the ribs.

He grunted but didn't falter. Instead, he leaned into the pain and twisted his body around, kicking at my legs.

I jumped back.

The ground cracked beneath us from the force of our movements. Dust swirled. Sweat beaded at my brow.

He was pushing me.

Pressuring every movement, forcing me to think five, six steps ahead.

I noticed he wasn't the same boy who once stumbled his way through battles with sheer luck anymore. He was a warrior in every sense now.

I saw an opening.

A slight tilt in his left foot. He was bracing for a vertical strike. I lunged forward, feinting high but aiming low. He fell for it, parrying the wrong direction.

I slammed the rim of Aegis toward his chest.

At the last second, he twisted.

And struck.

His blade met the center of my breastplate with such force I felt the impact rattle through my entire body. I had seconds—no, milliseconds—to summon a godly barrier across my chest.

The sword shattered.

A deafening crack rang out as the tip of his blade exploded against my divine protection. The shockwave blew outward, slamming into the arena walls and leaving a visible dent in the stone.

I was thrown backward. Skidded across the marble.

Percy stood where I had once been, panting slightly, holding only the hilt of his broken sword.

He stared at it in disbelief.

So did I.

I stood slowly, brushing dust from my armor. There was a fine line where the strike had landed. Had I not summoned my barrier…

"I don't want to fight him when he's serious," I thought, stunned.

Percy dropped the hilt with a wince. "Sorry, Lady Athena. I—I didn't mean to—"

I held up a hand, silencing him.

"You've nothing to apologize for," I said, voice low with awe. "You've surpassed every expectation."

I stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are the best swordsman I have ever seen. I cannot teach you more with a blade—not anymore. From now on, I will train you in other weapons. Other tactics. We will refine you in every art of war."

He blinked, clearly overwhelmed, but nodded. "Thank you."

"One more thing," I added. "Next time… Ares will join us."

He laughed once, dry and sharp. "Can't wait."

He turned to leave.

As he walked away, I stood alone in the ruined arena, my gaze lingering on the cracked wall, the shattered blade, and the young man who had left them behind.

He left me with only one thought; Percy Jackson was no ordinary mortal.

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Bit of a shorter chapter, but it holds its weight. I plan on beginning Percy's training arc with the next chapter, with which naturally the time skip will also occur.

Also, if you didn't notice, the way Percy describes himself and acts in his head is completely different from what he looks like from other people's prospective, it's mainly got to do with his personality, him being too modest and laid back. But he is always on alert, that was one of the things I wanted y'all to see about Percy because there isn't going to be a lot of other people's scenes or 3rd pov. Mostly just Percy pov, unless you all want to see more of others povs, if so go vote on my discord!

Finally, I know it may seem like Percy is over-scaled right now and he shouldn't be able to defeat an Olympian goddess so easily, there are two things; first off, Athena said she was going to take it seriously, but she was barely going over 50-65%. That was simply to rile Percy up into believing he's going against an all out war goddess. And second, Percy is damn strong, and I wanted to show that aspect off. Read my paragraph above for a better explanation.

Make sure to join my discord server. We have polls, in-story character images, helpful mods, and lots of others interested in the story, updates will be announced there every time, I personally will be responding to everyone there so if you have questions or suggestions, head over!

Link here: discord . gg / KYGHq67HKF (Remove Spaces Please).

If you are finding this story and you are interested in my writing, I have another story that is more developed with a God!Percy, so if you are interested go to my profile and check out Storms of Olympus!

Also, I'm currently in the process of looking for beta-readers. I want to establish a mini team (3-4) of people who can beta-read chapters before I publish them. If you are interested, shoot me a DM on Discord (jayvee100) and I'll get back to you. I only ask that you be available to beta-read often and that you are willing to give a helping hand. This is done to maintain quality and make sure that each chapter is the best it can be.
Thanks,
Jv.

As always, feel free to review, comment, kudos, like, or favorite the story to support me! I look forward to reading all constructive criticism.