Now, I loved knowing the Gods were out there. It always gave me someone to mumble a prayer too, and obviously Triton was there too. I loved Triton! Best brother ever!
But it also gave me someone to gripe to when bad things happened.
Now, a random example of such a time you'd gripe to the Gods, I promise it's totally random. But consider if you were like, walking away from a bus that was just attacked by terrors sent by a God that was promptly blown up by lightning sent by another God, and it was raining on top of that, well… you had a good case for griping to the Gods! Some might think that was just bad luck, but luckily, I knew it was really a personal gift from a few Gods.
Wasn't that nice of Them?
Which led to now, with the three of us walking along the shore of the New Jersey riverbank. It was muddy, smelled gross, and scattered with trash. I could hear some fish in the water chatting and I really wanted to break open a Sand Dollar or something to improve the water.
I was plenty close enough to the water, I could've just walked through the river, it might've even soothed the lingering burn on my skin… but I doubted my teammates would be happy with that plan considering how the river looked.
Grover was shivering and mumbling to himself with the occasional braying noise, his eyes darting every which way as he muttered things like "Three Kindly Ones" and "All three at once" and "Tin cans".
Annabeth was tugging us along, insisting the farther away we got, the better. She wasn't wrong, but I was also getting tired.
"Do you guys have anything else on you?" I asked as we ducked under some low hanging branches. We needed to review what we had post explosion.
"What?"
"I still have my bag, and my own money, but the money camp gave us was in your bag, and most of our snacks were in Grover's. Plus, both of you guys' clothes."
She huffed, "Well, maybe if you hadn't decided to jump into the fight—"
"I was not going to leave," I snapped. "Besides, it was your knife versus three Erinyes wit-"
"Don't say their names," Grover moaned.
"-with whips." I continued. "They have loads more experience than you, with way more dangerous opponents. I wasn't about to let you guys get hurt, or killed."
"You didn't need to protect me, Percy. I would've been fine."
"Sliced like sandwich bread," Grover put in. "But fine."
"Shut up, goat boy," Annabeth grumbled, but she looked away with pursed lips all the same.
Grover brayed mournfully. "Tin cans… a perfectly good bag of tin cans."
I sighed as the final remnant of the scorching sensation faded entirely from me, probably the rain.
I raised my hand to arc the rain over us, figuring they might enjoy a break from it.
Annabeth blinked, "How are you doing that?"
"Rain is water," I pointed out. "It's not that hard."
That was a bit of an understatement of course, it took me ages sitting on my fire escape practicing. I only really mastered it while at Yancy.
But that wasn't the point.
Annabeth opened her mouth, then closed it, biting her lip.
We trudged through the mud in silence for several minutes before she spoke again.
"Look, I…" she faltered. "I appreciate your coming back for us, okay? That was really brave."
"We're a team, right?"
She was silent again for a few steps. "It's just that if you died… aside from the fact that it would really suck for you, it would mean the quest was over. This might be my only chance to see the real world."
"Yeah," I agreed with a slightly hysterical giggle. "It would kind of suck for me."
Grover winced.
Her lips twitched up slightly.
We were quiet once more, drifting further into the tree line, where there was less mud. The storm began to let up after several more minutes of trudging through the forest and I glanced over at her.
I could barely see her in the dark that covered the area, only a gleam of her blonde hair visible.
"So, is this the first time you've left camp since you were seven?"
"No… only short field trips. My dad—"
"The history professor."
"Yeah…. It didn't work out for me living at home. I mean, Camp Half-Blood is my home." She was rushing her words now, as if afraid someone would interrupt. She was twisting her fingers rather harshly. "At camp you train and train and train. And that's all cool and everything, but the real world is where the monsters are. That's where you learn whether you're any good or not."
I could almost hear the doubt in her voice.
"You're pretty good with your knife," I said gently.
"You think so?"
I nodded, "You killed Ms. Dodds with it, and the other Erinyes." I added teasingly, "Now she'll be trying to kill both of us."
She snorted.
"You know," she said, "maybe I should tell you… Something funny back on the bus…"
She was interrupted by a shrill toot-toot-toot , the sound of Grover's reed pipes when he just blew in them.
"Hey, my reed pipes still work!" Grover cried. "Now let me try the 'find path' song. We'll get out of these woods really quick then!"
He played a quick tune I recognized from music club. A warm wind swept over my skin, faint but clear. So, he was doing magic.
The path seemed more open, the darkness less oppressive, but otherwise nothing changed.
"I do have my veil with me, it's easy to fold so it's in my pocket. And obviously my knife…"
"What?" I asked.
"You wanted to know what we had… I have my veil and my knife… and my hat."
"I've got my reed pipes, and one tin can," Grover added.
I nodded, "Well, it's better than nothing."
We continued on, falling silent again as we followed the path Grover pointed out to us. I hoped he was good at that magic, I really wanted a rest. My shoulders were feeling a bit stiff, probably from all the exercise we'd just gotten.
I tasted something faintly, something familiar…
Annabeth breathed in and turned to look at something.
I followed her gaze, yawning and shaking my head a bit. My head felt fuzzy, my ears buzzing.
I really wanted to sleep. Maybe the place ahead would let us, there was a light there.
Annabeth started heading that way so I followed, catching the faint scent of food as we grew closer. It smelled amazing and my stomach growled. I shook out my arms from the stiffness, maybe I'd strained something, and licked my lips. The strange familiar taste in my mouth grew stronger. Maybe it was from the food?
Smell had something to do with taste, right?
I was really hungry though, so food sounded like a great idea.
My ears buzzed, exhaustion tugging at my eyes. It was an uncomfortable feeling, hated when that happened.
I shook my head, trying to get rid of the feel, and grimaced, rubbing my neck.
Pontos, a nap sounded lovely right now.
We ended up at a deserted two-lane road across the street from a closed-down gas station, a tattered billboard for a 1990's movie, and one single open business.
It wasn't fast-food like I'd been expecting with the smell. Instead it was a roadside curio shop, like the kind that sold lawn flamingos and wooden knick-knacks. The main building was a long, low warehouse, surrounded by acres of statuary.
I couldn't read the neon sign though, it was in cursive.
"What the heck does that say?" I asked.
"I don't know," Annabeth responded.
Right, dyslexia was a thing for all Half-Bloods.
Grover translated: "Aunty Em's Garden Gnome Emporium."
Huh, I supposed that sounded kinda cool.
And the two cement garden gnomes flanking the door did fit with the name. They were little ugly bearded runts, smiling and waving like they were about to get their picture taken.
I rubbed my shoulder, wincing at the stiff feeling. Maybe I needed to do stretches, I did them before and after running but hadn't thought about it when fighting for my life. It wasn't painful, but was uncomfortable.
"Well, we might as well get something to eat." Annabeth said.
I considered the place, rubbing my eyes. The food did smell good, and I was hungry… this would be fine. Annabeth had her knife and me my trident and waterskin if needed. If there were any creeps around we could handle them.
And what were the chances of trouble in the middle of nowhere like this?
"Hey…" Grover warned.
"The lights are on inside," Annabeth said. "Maybe it's open."
I nodded, "We can get some food, and maybe use their phone. We can call camp maybe?"
"Food," agreed Annabeth, strangely focused.
I yawned, shaking my head once more as my ears buzzed. I felt like my ears had just popped or something, buzzing right through my head. I tried to focus on what we were doing, pushing away the pounding in my head.
There was something-
"Are you two crazy?" Grover said. "This place is weird."
Annabeth ignored him, starting forward, but… something made me hesitate.
I hesitated, Grover's words pinging off… something. I wasn't sure what. Whatever it was, it didn't reveal itself then.
Annabeth was very sensible, Grover had been a bit of a wreck at school. Always finding trouble. If something was the matter surely Annabeth would notice.
So why did I feel like something was wrong? Was I missing something?
We moved through the forest of statues at the front: cement animals, cement children, even a cement satyr playing the pipes, which gave Grover the creeps.
I stared at it, a warm breeze ruffling my hair.
" Bla-ha-ha! " Grover bleated. "Looks like my Uncle Ferdinand!"
I swallowed past a foreboding feeling as Grover shuffled, looking everywhere. I pushed forward, following Annabeth who'd continued on. I slowly stretched my arms, trying to loosen up a bit.
We stopped at the warehouse door, a sign for a corn festival on it (how odd, maybe a middle of nowhere thing?).
"Don't knock," Grover pleaded. "I smell monsters."
Something stirred in my mind at that, something just out of reach. I was missing something important, something vital-
"Your nose is clogged up from the Erinyes," Annabeth told him. "All I smell are burgers. Aren't you hungry?"
My stomach growled at the mention, and I swallowed hard.
I was hungry. Starving really. And tired . I really just wanted to devour some food and drop in bed to sleep for a week.
"Meat!" Grover said scornfully. "I'm a vegetarian."
I rolled my shoulders and lifted a foot in a quick stretch. What was I missing?
I shook my head again, trying to get my head to stop aching and buzzing. "I'm not sure… maybe Grover is right?"
"We need food, you said it yourself Percy."
I bit my lip, we did need food, I was hungry, so was Annabeth and I knew Grover was too… and a map would help too but-
I fingered my trident charm. Well, if worse came to worst, surely we could handle it? Annabeth had trained for years and Triton trained me himself.
"Let's just… get in and get what we need," I compromised. "We need food, maybe a map, and a quick call to camp if possible. Then we'll leave and find a place to sleep."
Annabeth nodded, "Yeah sure. As long as we eat."
The agreement came just in time as the door before us creaked open and the owner stood before us.
She was a tall Middle Eastern woman–or well, I assumed so based on her long black dress and veiled head, like the Muslim woman that lived a few doors down from us at our apartment. It was very different from the veils at camp, covering her face and all. I wasn't sure what it was called though.
Her dark brown hands looked old, but well-manicured and elegant. I imagined she'd be nice like Mrs. Asma a few doors down, she always shared mahlab bread and om ali with mom and I.
I scratched my itchy arm, swiping at a mosquito. The taste in my mouth from earlier seemed to sharpen and I finally recognized it. Olive Oil.
I'd been coated in it earlier from the hat, that must've lingered more than I realized…
Something gentle hummed in the space, making me relax.
"Children, it is too late to be out all alone. Where are your parents?" Her voice had a faint accent, it reminded me of Mrs. Asma's voice.
"They're… um…" Annabeth started to say, she shot me a look.
"We got in a wreck," I blurted.
"Oh dear," The woman said. "Are you hurt?"
She leaned closer, seemingly checking us over.
"No, we're okay," I assured, shuffling my feet. "My mom hit her head though, and she's hurt. Me- Dad went the other way to look for help and sent us this way."
"Ah, is there anything I can do to help? Perhaps let you stay here until your father returns? I'm afraid there's nothing nearby that would get you help quickly."
"Thank you for the offer," Annabeth said with a bright smile. "We were wondering if we could use your phone?"
"Oh of course dears. Come in, you poor children, I am Aunty Em." She ushered us in. "Go straight through to the back of the warehouse. There's a dining area. You can use the phone after eating, you must be starving walking all the way here."
We thanked her and went inside.
Annabeth murmured to me, "You actually had a good idea."
I raised an eyebrow, "What, did you think my brain is full of kelp or something?"
The warehouse was filled with more statues—people in all different poses, wearing all different outfits and with different expressions on their faces. You'd need a pretty big garden to have even one of those, because they were all life-size.
I wondered if she had any small ones. This was the kind of place I'd get a trinket for my mom or Triton, but everything here was too big.
Annabeth steadied me as I stumbled, my legs a bit shaky. I'd have to do stretches before bed tonight, and maybe do them in the mornings if fighting was gonna lead to stiffness like this.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Just stiff," I assured quickly.
I noticed Grover's nervous whimpers and a faint click behind us. It was hard to think, tired as I was. And my head didn't feel any better. But I made sure to offer Grover a comforting smile.
"Hey," He looked at me as I spoke. "It'll be okay. Auntie Em seems nice. She'll let us use her phone to call… uh… Uncle D about the crash."
He nodded, looking at me nervously. "Right…"
At the back of the warehouse a dining area was set up. The smell of fast-food made sense now, it had a fast-food counter with a grill, a soda fountain, a pretzel heater, and a nacho cheese dispenser. Basically, all the best fast-food stuff. In front of it were a few steel picnic tables.
"Please, sit down." Aunty Em said, ushering us forward.
"Um," Grover said reluctantly. "We don't have any money, ma'am."
"No, no, children. No money. This is a special case, yes? It's my treat, for such nice kids."
"Thank you, ma'am." Annabeth said.
I murmured a thank you of my own.
She nodded, though I couldn't see her face to say her expression.
"Quite all right, Annabeth, Perseus," She said, "You children have such lovely eyes."
I stiffened as she turned away, we hadn't introduced ourselves.
Dread pooled in my stomach and I had a sudden nasty feeling about the way my head was buzzing.
I'd dealt with buzzing before, I just hadn't realized- this was the same kind of buzzing.
My gaze flicked around, trying to figure out who she was. She knew our names so she couldn't be a normal mortal, that meant- she was probably a terror.
Statues filled the warehouse, offering no other clues-
Statues.
Cold trailed down my spine as I realized.
We were surrounded by statues, I was having weird feelings- maybe the stiffness wasn't a sign I needed to stretch before fights but a sign-
A sign of-
I knew the story, of course. There was only one terror that was known for stone statues. By Haides, I'd literally argued about it with Annabeth just this morning.
A Roman and a Greek version. One seemed loving, Metua getting with her in a field of flowers and she died so Perseus could save his mother. The Roman one- the Roman one was a bit mixed, but she was mortal first not like the Greek one. Mortal and became a terror as punishment- or maybe as protection, interpretations seemed mixed but-
A warehouse filled with life-sized statues, stiffness, a buzz, and odd knowledge of our names? Plus- Grover mentioned earlier, we ignored him but-
Aunty Em.
Aunty M .
Medusa.
She'd disappeared behind a snack counter and started cooking, which bought us some time.
Grover looked at me in concern.
I shot a look at Annabeth but she was- she was like I suspected I'd been before the realization hit me. Out of it, dazed and hungry.
My stomach growled.
Okay, I was still hungry but-
Could I push it away? I'd done it at school and sure the kid had been institutionalized but- that was more because she was freaking out not because of the whole… getting rid of the feeling.
Probably.
Aunty Em ( Medusa ) returned as I started trying to push it away, shoving at the blanket of buzzing and slowly pushing it from myself. I needed to focus on Annabeth not me though.
I swallowed back my panic as she placed food in front of us, a double cheeseburger, chocolate shake, and a large serving of fries. It looked delicious.
I offered her a perfectly princely smile, "Thank you!"
Grover poked at the fries.
A warm sensation smoothed over my skin, making me hold back a frown. That's right, I'd felt that earlier too. It underlaid a- an itch I'd attributed to the mosquitoes.
Did that mean she wasn't a terror? Or maybe it meant she was good? I didn't know if there were different monsters for different myths, were they only according to the latest myth? Or the oldest?
Maybe she'd let us leave without attacking if we behaved?
I took a deep breath and bit into a fry as she settled before us, lacing her fingers together.
I took a bite of the cheeseburger, it was so good . I reached for my shake as well, Annabeth devouring her food beside me, when I noticed… something odd.
It was like- like a curl of river water over my skin. Pure and clean and soft. Faint, but- but I know that feeling. I would know it, anywhere and anytime. I'd spent so much time in rivers-
"Is it to your liking?"
I jolted out of my thoughts at her question.
"Oh, yes. Thank you. It's very good."
I took another bite, hiding my reaction to the gentle curls of water. It seemed to originate from… my head? I was wearing my hair tied up, with my hair pin in place.
My hairpin that Triton had gifted me.
He must've included magic in it, I hadn't known that. I would have to ask him about it later, though I wasn't sure what exactly it was doing. Triton wouldn't have given me anything harmful.
"What's that hissing noise?" Grover asked.
"Hissing?" Aunty Em asked. "Perhaps you hear the deep-fryer oil. You have keen ears, Grover."
"I take vitamins. For my ears."
"That's admirable," she said. "But please, relax. You've been through such an ordeal, just eat and rest for now."
I kept eating slowly, my gaze sliding to Annabeth, and I frowned. She looked sleepier than before, having already finished her burger and slowly picking at the fries and milkshake. Grover was also seeming a bit more tired than before, slowly relaxing from his paranoid tension.
Aunty Em ate nothing, she simply sat there and watched us. It was disconcerting, especially knowing that she was Medusa.
Wait, were her sister's here too?
"So," I started, my smile back in place as I feigned casual interest, "Do you make all these statues yourself?" Were we going to face all three gorgons? Or just one?
"Oh, yes," She said, "I've been making them for a long time. I make most anything really, people, animals, gnomes. Custom orders as well."
"Wow, you must be very good. You make so many, and so detailed."
"I used to have two sisters, they helped me with my business," her tone took on a wistful note, head tilted up as if remembering a time long gone. "But they have since passed, and Aunty Em is all alone. I only have my statues; it's why I make them, you see. They are my company."
I felt sympathy for her, she sounded very lonely. But it was also good news that she was alone. Her sisters being here would've been much worse if this turned to a fight.
Annabeth stopped eating. She sat forward and said, "Two sisters?"
"A terrible story, children," Aunty Em (Medusa) said. "I shouldn't tell children, really... But you see, a terrible man once attacked me in the home of a… friend. The friend arrived too late to stop the cruel man, but she did set me up with this statue business to give me an escape. And I met my love here even, my dear Lara. I was happy, until that… friend… helped someone to attack me. She turned her back on me. I was very hurt, and my sisters passed while I recovered… and my Lara, sweet, sweet Lara. The attacker came when I was sleeping, and Lara tried to protect me. She didn't survive the fight."
Annabeth had slowly grown stiff through the story, her face paling.
I'd never heard of Lara, she wasn't in any myth I knew.
"Percy," Annabeth hissed. "Maybe we should go. I mean, your dad will be worried."
I nodded, realizing she'd come back to herself. We needed to leave, hanging out by a terror wasn't safe and we'd eaten now.
I sympathized with Medusa, she seemed lonely and had been kind to us but uh- none of the terrors I'd met since the theft seemed very pleased to see me.
"Such lovely eyes you children have." She leaned forward, reaching out to Annabeth's face. My breath caught. "It's been a long time since I've seen grey eyes like those."
Annabeth nearly fell off her seat as she jolted back, and she stumbled to her feet and drew her knife.
I paled as Medusa stilled, head tilting in a manner tugged at an instinct for danger.
"So quick to jump to violence," Medusa murmured. "Heroes always lean towards violence."
"We're leaving," Annabeth said, her voice shaking, though her knife held steady. "Come on Percy, Grover."
I stood, wary of the shift in Medusa. We needed to get out.
"I had thought you better than your mother, Annabeth. And you look so much like-" Medusa shook her head. "What a shame."
Alarm bells rung as she reached up. I realized what was about to happen right before it did.
Her hand reached up and I realized what was happening a moment before it did.
"I look like wh-" Annabeth started, baffled.
I yanked her away, behind a statue and low to the ground. Hissing filled the air.
"Come now children, there's no need to hide. Come stand before me and accept your fate, it is quick and painless. Merciful truly, compared to the fate a hero bears."
"No thanks," I called. "But thanks for the offer."
Annabeth put on her hat, disappearing.
"That's Medusa, Percy," she hissed.
"I know," I whispered back.
"Do you think the Gods will offer you kindness?" Medusa wondered. "They are fickle beings, their favour will shift from you in an instant. I was assaulted in my Goddess' own temple because my father declared it to be. I was turned into this monstrous form for my own protection and yet- despite the mercy she displayed prior my Goddess betrayed me. She was the one who aided the hero sent to kill you, told him how and ensured he was supplied."
"I'm sorry," I called back. I tried to slip closer, following the way my joints stiffened, the place the Olive Oil in my mouth grew strong. "You were killed in your sleep, and it's not right."
"It isn't, child. It most certainly isn't."
"Don't be fooled," Annabeth cried out. "Perseus may have killed her in her sleep, but he only went after her to save his own mother."
"And I deserved death for the crimes of another?" Medusa snarled.
Hisses coiled through the air, her shoes soft as she stalked closer.
"Did you know, my darling Lara was also a child of Poseidon? She was left to die, by her home, her protectors, even her own Father, simply because she was blind."
I faltered, what was she talking about?
Grover yelled fiercely and I heard another snarl from Medusa. I risked a peak over the statues, looking low. Statue pieces bounced on the ground, and when I chanced a glance high I saw him, flying with the shoes, throwing pieces of statues.
Was that like throwing someone's missing limb at her?
"It just goes to tell you that your father doesn't care for you!" she called.
I frowned. I wasn't sure about my Father, my Metua. He'd avoided me all my life and yet- the moment I was known I had terrors coming out of the woodwork. Multiple Gods were striking out at me personally. Perhaps He had been right to avoid me.
Medusa's head swung around and I hid once more.
"Athena would betray anyone in a second if it benefited Her, I am not the only one who has suffered Her capricious nature."
I didn't know Athena personally, but I knew she was viewed with wariness at best in the sea. Reviled in some cases for killing Pallas. But the details- Triton didn't speak of them.
"The Gods are cruel, children!"
Grover squeaked and I heard something crash. I slunk further behind some statues, fear crawling up my throat. I should've been aiming for the door but I had no idea where it was. I didn't even know where Annabeth was now, invisible as she was.
Hopefully Grover was okay.
I rubbed my throat, my breath catching and my head spinning. The air was too dry, my chest bubbling with ocean water.
"Enough!" Annabeth snapped. "My mom is the patron of heroes, the defender of cities. She is Athena Amboulia, delayer of death, and she delayed yours! But a hero was in need, someone trying to save his mother. Of course she would help him. The Gods are good , they helppeople. Your death wasn't even permanent . You should be thanking her!"
A crash sounded, Annabeth cried out and I heard Medusa laugh.
"You've been tricked," Medusa declared as I peeked my gaze around once more.
A tune hummed in my chest, through my ears.
Annabeth was visible again, her hat on the ground along with her knife. Her arm dripped red, her hand covering a large gash as she stumbled away from Medusa with eyes squeezed tightly shut.
Medusa raised a hand, claws gleaming bronze.
"You believe your mother cares?" Medusa laughed. "Well, why don't we find out. Will she mourn you, do you think?"
And she took a step forward, ready to lunge.
My lungs bubbled, my breath screamed.
No .
"Stop!" I called, I breathed, I sang.
The room froze, even the air conditioning stilling.
A song I couldn't name threaded through my ears, twined in my chest, echoing with every breath I breathed. The ocean called to me, bubbled up and up and up and spilled out of my lips as I opened them.
"The Gods can be cruel," I said, stepping forward carefully as the song bubbled and burned in my lungs. "Of course they can, nature and life can be, and They are those things. But that isn't an excuse for you to hurt others."
I swallowed down the bubbling water and the song stuttered, my chest shuddering as I begged the song to return, allowing the ocean to rise up and up and unfurl within me. I was too small, too human . I couldn't contain it as it spread and spread and spread-
But I needed it. I needed the song to weave through my words.
"You're the one attacking innocent people, as if you weren't once viewed as a symbol! A symbol of protection, which stood over doors and warded off evil–"
My breath stuttered and my vision swam. I grabbed a statue to steady myself. The song fractured, cutting like ice in my chest. I clung to those shards and tried to push them up as the ocean had.
"Why do you attack others now? I asked, begged of her. My voice broke with a gasp. "Why wouldn't yo- you use these powers, given to you to he-help you , to help others ?"
I tried to stand straight, that was- my vision blurred and blackened- it was better for your lungs to stand straight. My lungs burned, stretched thin around the ocean surging through me.
I couldn't breathe, the ocean was too much. It wasn't oxygen rich water but rather a deep depth that pressed within me. A song that was sung millennial ago and wound now through me.
"Attacking us ju- it just sup- pports those who would- they'd call you a monster- but you- you're a victim. Why? You did-didn't go after others-" I dragged in a weak breath, my lungs shaking. The ever expanding ocean within me gave my voice strength but it stole the breath from me. "You didn't- didn't deserve it- it was wrong- but we not- do not deserve- be- to be killed cause you're mad at ou-our Parents."
I gasped as my lungs seemed to- I slumped against the statue as my lungs fluttered weakly, the song collapsing inward. It coiled tight in my chest, a bundle that buried deep deeper and- my lungs shook and shuddered in the absence of the ocean.
"It's not-not ri-ri-right."
My hands shook, my lips tingled. I felt dizzy.
The air was silent, my lungs empty of ocean and filled with pain. I didn't know the tune that had woven through me, couldn't name it, couldn't repeat it… but I missed it all the same.
…
…
…
"You have a way with words, Perseus Jackson."
I took a moment to register that. Way with words? I didn't think I was very clear.
I squinted, trying to steady my vision and body. I coughed, shaking my form and tearing from my chest. My head was stuffed with cotton.
"Helping people with my power…" she mused softly, her voice growing closer. "You suggest attacking others?"
I swallowed, trying to clear my throat, trying to bring my lungs to steady just a little. I drew on my own voice, straightening with shaky legs. I kept my eyes on the statue I was against.
"I- I'm not saying attack… but to- to rescue the- there are people who- they're hurt- they're trapped- you could rescue them…. The- the men and women hurting- there are children and spouses- they can't escape alone- there's no proof- but you could-"
Annabeth said nothing, I hoped she was okay. Grover made a whimpering noise.
"An… interesting idea," Medusa mused, her feet just in front of me. "Helping others to avoid what I might have… and you seem to speak from experience?"
"No idea- don't know- what you mean," I muttered.
"You are… interestingly protected. A hearth of your own, and another that welcomes you…"
I didn't dare move.
"Very well," she said. "I will… allow you to leave, children."
"What?" blurted Annabeth.
"You- well… Perhaps I overreacted. You are children, scared little things. And the two of you, you remind me of Lara. Killing you would be a… disservice to her memory. You spoke well, and have given me a lot to consider."
I licked my lips, "Uh, th-thank you… um… for your mercy…"
She moved away, "I will let you go. Leave now, before I change my mind."
I stumbled away, reaching Annabeth quickly, though hitting several statues along the way. Annabeth was clutching her bleeding arm but held her cap in hand once more. Grover hurried us both to the door, half dragging me.
"And children—" we paused "—you'd do well to remember the Gods are not kind, They will never care for you as Their children."
We left the building, moving into the woods once more. Annabeth scowled at Medusa's last comment, her hand still clutching her arm.
I stumbled into her, Grover steadying me. My lungs fluttered and I let out a vicious coughing fit. It shook my body, leaving me bent over and desperately trying to catch my breath but- every breath was tight, too tight. It burned and the world spun and–
"What was that Percy!?" Grover cried.
"I, I don't-"
Annabeth, stepped closer, blood staining her form. "What's the matter? What happened?"
"I- I can't breathe-"
Grover squeaked, "Wait, your lips are turning blue- sit down. Take deep even breaths, breathe in for four seconds, hold it seven, out eight. Come on, I'll count, in, one, two, three, four-"
I tried to follow his instructions, tried to count the breaths, but I was reduced to gasping each time. I couldn't get enough air.
Annabeth was rubbing my back, murmuring reassurance. I wondered if I was bloody now too. My head was fuzzy, my fingers tingling oddly.
Grover managed to get me to pull my med kit out, helping me find it with the world tumbling around me. He helped me sip a bit of ambrosia and kept walking me through the breathing exercise he had. Telling me to act like I was breathing through a straw, steady each breath.
Slowly, bit by bit, it became easier to breathe. My lungs ached still, each breath rubbing at my throat. I was shaky and my head pounded and I wanted to pass out. But I could breathe again.
"Do you know what that was?" Annabeth asked after I'd stopped gasping and was up to shaky but steady breaths. "You just… said stop and suddenly… I- It was like I couldn't… I had to listen to you."
I thought of the song twining through me, in me, filling my lungs to bursting and powering my voice. I thought of the warnings I was given, how the Song was too much, too strong, could kill if you weren't ready.
Did that… Had I managed to-
I was only on the ocarina, I hadn't even begun proper education in the Song, I knew it was dangerous. Triton told me, Fetu told me, Lagi gave me a medical lecture on it-
I hadn't realized just how great it was though, how much it could tear at you.
Had I managed it? I must've…
I would have to be careful, Triton said it was hard to turn off once you used it- but it seemed to have run out on its own- even if it was curled deep in me, a small spiral that I daren't poke at.
"Percy?"
I jolted at my name, blinking up at Annabeth and Grover.
They both looked worried, which was fair, I felt like passing out.
"Ah… I think," I paused for breath, "I think I did the Siren's Song."
OO OO OO OO
Okeanos POV
Poseidon scowled at me, immediately bristling in a rather familiar manner.
"How many times do we have to tell you, you can't have Triton . He is my son."
Triton shook his head with a sigh, looking ready to ride out the current custody battle.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
"Rest assured Poseidon, this time I don't want your heir. I'm speaking of the little Half-Blood, Persi Yakson. I've decided to adopt him, and am offering you the courtesy of informing you."
Tethys shot me a look.
"I'll give you a sea serpent for him," I added.
Poseidon's eye twitched and Triton did a double take before narrowing his eyes. Amphitrite, my dear granddaughter, gaped at me.
"What!?" Poseidon spluttered. "That- that's my son , you can't take him!?"
I waved a hand dismissively, "You didn't teach this one, or even keep an eye on him. He didn't even know about his parentage until last week-"
"That's not that unusual," Poseidon snapped. "Many of my children don't know their parentage until they're older, for protection or because their mortal parent wills it."
Triton dipped his head, lips twisting. He leveled a confused look at me.
Had I let slip too much information?
"And it was for his safety that I stayed away," Poseidon continued.
I raised an eyebrow, "You kept one of your children ignorant, but more importantly the rest of the sea ignorant, for… his safety?"
Amphitrite pursed her lips. Neither her nor Triton dared to interrupt.
"You are aware of the oath, yes? Zeus would have struck him down in a heartbeat if He'd known, just look at what He did to Hades' children after the oath was made. And Hades would have sent all manner of threat after Perseus, I saw what He did to Zeus' daughter. I wasn't putting Perseus at risk like that."
Okay, that was a fairly valid reason.
"Did you truly believe that the sea would betray your child? That any being of the sea would hand off a child to the Sky Lord?"
Poseidon leveled a look at me, "Ryujin would do so happily, Sedna would if asked, and Pariacaca was never the most fond of me either."
I frowned, "They may dislike you, but they wouldn't endanger a child like that, nor risk war. You've always been fierce in avenging your children. At the very least you could have informed the rulers of the sea!"
"I just explained why I didn't," Poseidon snapped. "I wasn't leaving anything to chance with Perseus' safety."
"Well, how I read the situation is that he's free game for anyone to claim as a child, because he's not been raised as the Prince he could be. As such, he shall now be my youngest child."
"You will not take my son."
So he wanted to do this the fun way, how delightful.
Tethys shot me a look, knowing me oh so well. I did agree to this, so it was only right to keep to that… but if he failed I was keeping Persi.
He would only get one chance though.
I flashed a sharp smile, "You want to keep your child?"
"I am keeping my child, that's not up for debate Okeanos ." He was gripping his glowing trident, how quaint.
"Prove then that he is your prince," I purred, issuing a challenge that I knew would not be easy to fulfill. "Show the sea that you not only acknowledge him as your child, but as a Prince of the Sea. A true announcement, with a banding, to the point that he is acknowledged in all the Sea as one of your Royal Children. You've made no announcement of him even being born, so now if you wish to prove that he is yours, you'll have to acknowledge him as far more than just a Rakil of the sea."
Poseidon bristled, his glower fierce though I didn't acknowledge it.
"Prove to all that he is unequivocally your child, or he shall be mine ."
Triton's gaze was flicking between us like a puffer fin match.
Poseidon slowly loosened his grip on his trident, eyes like ice.
"He is my son, my Tamatu. I have no issues claiming him as one of my Aipri."
I tilted my head, "Then do so."
"By the Winter Solstice," Tethys added. "If it is known through all the kingdoms in the way your other Royal Children are known then we will consider him yours and cease trying to take him as ours."
"As our child at least," I muttered. I was keeping him regardless. He'd shown great potential, was a child, and Tethys quite liked him. If he couldn't be our child then I would take him as a grandchild, or great grandchild, whatever. Amphitrite was his step-mother, and that was close enough."
"Very well," Poseidon bit out. "Then it shall be known. The sea shall know that Perseus Yakson, my tamatu , is one of Atlantis' treasured Princes, and one of my precious sons."