Chapter Text
After the Second Titan War, things have been hectic in Camp Half-Blood, especially the ones who have fought in it (which meant most campers), due to suffering from the aftermath of the war and trauma. They were going back and forth, making shrouds for the dead, treating the injured, or building the new cabins for the minor gods. Percy was in Cabin Three, just relaxing after the biggest war fought by the camp, when a knock on his door snaps him out of his day dreaming state.
He sighs, walking to the door to see Annabeth, and his frown was replaced with a smile quickly. The blonde smiles too, but it was weary. Maybe she was getting stressed over designing the cabins, or Mount Olympus itself. He supposes that she needs a break once in a while.
"The Fates have summoned us", Annabeth says in her most relaxed voice, but behind her words, he knows that she was tense and nervous.
Percy Jackson was nervous as well. The first time he had met those three old ladies was in a bus stop in New York, with Grover. At first, he was clueless to why the Fates would show himself, cutting a yarn that looks like it belonged to him- only it didn't. The second time was in Mount Olympus, when the Fates were carrying Luke Castellan's body away from them.
"What do they want?", Percy asks with wide eyes.
"I also don't know", Annabeth replies. "But it must be something reasonable, if we, Thalia were chosen, along with some other campers."
Percy grimaces. He was looking forward to relaxing all summer long, especially after this experience, and so had been Annabeth. He sighs, but gives her a comforting kiss on the lips. They had decided that they loved one another, and would like to be with each other until the very end. Percy blushes as his thoughts flashback to yesterday, which is now dubbed as The Underwater Kiss . Thanks to Connor Stoll.
"Who're the other campers that managed to get the Fate's attention?", Percy asks. He was quite concerned because the others did not ask for this, but they could not object anyway.
Annabeth starts to list them off silently with her fingers, and she appears to be deep in thought. She stops counting and looks at Percy with a serious face. "Travis and Connor Stoll, Chris Rodriguez, Clarisse la Rue, Katie Gradner, Pollux, Will Solace, and Nico di Angelo."
"Why... them, specifically?"
Annabeth was about to open her mouth to say he does not know, but a chill settles over them, and Percy and Annabeth comes face to face with the three Fates. Annabeth snaps her mouth shut. Percy decides to keep his mouth shut as well.
Because they have also lost many of their friends and siblings, the Fate on the right says.
And we wish to let them see their fallen ones again, through this reading, the Fate in the middle continues.
"Reading?", Percy repeats. "What reading? Boring Greek and Latin books?"
Annabeth gently slaps Percy's forearm, while the other smiles sheepishly.
"I thought you love Greek and Latin, Seaweed Brain", Annabeth says with a small smile.
Do not worry, we shall tell you once you go back in time to Olympus... in the year 2006, the Fate on the left says. And you will also be acquainted with your... lost relatives.
Percy and Annabeth blinks at that. Lost relatives? For all they know, their so-called 'lost' relatives were the ones that were lost to the Battle of the Labyrinth and the Second Titan War.
Annabeth wants to calmly explain and decode the laws of time travel, especially when it goes way back in time. Do the Fates also control time to bring them back to the year 2006?
Fate does not work alone, Lachesis, the Fate on the right, says telepathically. We often receive help from the primordial god and goddess of time, Chronus and Ananke.
Annabeth and Percy stiffen when they hear that name again, but they remember that sometimes, if not often, that deities share the same domain to rule over. They relax again and hold unto each other's hands for comfort.
"What do you mean by 'long lost relatives'?", Annabeth asks.
The Fates smile cryptically, and they both shiver. The Fates did not answer their question, though, which meant that they will know once they were in the year they need to be.
"I see", Annabeth nods. "Well, we must wait for the others to get ready, before we turn back time and go back to 2006. Will there be others who are to join us?"
Your past selves and the past gods will be there for the reading, Clotho replies.
"Great", Percy says sarcastically. "Well, looks like the others are here." He waves at the demigods that were also invited to the reading, who warily wave back, looking at the Fates all tense.
"I still don't know what we're going to read", Annabeth holds Percy's hand tighter, nervous. "But since the Fates want us..."
"Then we'll give them what we want", Percy finishes. He and Amnabeth smile at each other, and kiss each other on the lips again.
"Geez, get a room", Thalia says, covering her eyes, while the others just tease them. Nico remains scowling, jealous that Percy ended up with Annabeth.
"Sometimes I regret pushing you guys in the lake", Connor chuckles, but stops when the couple mock glares at him.
"Let's just see what the Fates will do to us", Annabeth says, fave red.
They then disappear with a flash of light, going back through time.
Camp Jupiter had just recently promoted their two new praetors: Jason Grace and Reyna Ramirez Arellano. Jason for single-handedly challenging the Titan Krios in hand-to-hand combat, and winning; Reyna, for the best plan she had ever devised on how to scale Mount Othyrs and defeat the Titan Army. They were supposed to be travelling to New York to get rid of Kronos, but Lupa, the she-wolf, told them that they had already taken care of it.
Jason tugs on his purple toga, a sign of his status as praetor, rather uncomfortably.
"To be honest, I missed being a centurion", he says in a small voice, while Reyna fills a cup with water. She looks at him with a raised eyebrow.
"A Roman would seize a position like this", she says matter-of-factly. "Do you like the status of being praetor?"
Jason's mind was not made up. He had always disliked being a son of Jupiter, as anyone would bow down to him like he was some god, and he was famous. Which was why he was always with Frank Zhang, or Hazel Levesque, but he liked Reyna's company too.
"I have mixed feelings about it", Jason replies. Reyna nods, and they both dismiss the conversation.
Just then, the door slams open, and they look up to see Octavian, the legacy of Apollo, current augur, heaving and looking panicked.
Reyna groans, and Jason rolls his eyes. They have always hated Octavian, due to his arrogance and merciless nature, and wanted to remove him from his augur status, but cannot due to his family being one of the most influencial ones in New Rome.
"What is it?", Jason deadpans.
Octavian takes another deep breath befors composing himself, as if he had never had a panic attack. "They are here- the Fates, and Lady Vesta."
Jason and Reyna look at each other with wide eyes, before running out of the room, with Octavian shouting behind them. They then see the sprawl in the Field of Mars, with everyone muttering to themselves.
Reyna and Jason make it to the front and bow before Lady Vesta and the Fates, who were talking in hushed tones. Jason manages to catch some of their conversation.
"I may not think mixing Romans with Greeks is a good idea, but maybe, it is worth a try to let them cooperate with each other", Lady Vesta whispers to the Fates, who nod their heads in agreement. Jason's eyebrows furrow in confusion.
We may not think too, but it is time for Romans and Greeks to put aside their differences, the Fates say in unison. Just hearing them makes Jason shiver.
"Romans", Lady Vesta addresses the Romans present in this area. "It is time to tell you about your long lost relatives."
Jason's brow furrows, while everyone else chatter in confusion. He had memories of when he was young- the pain of his upper lip due to eating a stapler, and a girl with black hair and electric blue eyes... but he cannot remember anymore.
"Greeks still exist", Lady Vesta states, and Jason looks up in shock. Reyna was also in shock, and so are the others. Lady Vesta's form starts to flicker, until they are met with the form of a nine-year-old girl.
"You must be Hestia, then", Reyna purses her lips.
"Graeci still exist?!", Octavian bellows. "We must learn of their location and-"
"Without them, Kronos would have won", Hestia says, still in her nine-year-old form. "They are the reason why you do not need to travel all the way to New York, and vice versa."
The Romans were silent. It is the first time they have ever seen Hestia, and not the calm, elder woman they have known as Lady Vesta, but they were prompted to listen, even Octavian, but he did not look happy about it.
"Of course, we will only bring a select few", Hestia says. "Fates, you may choose who you want to include in the reading."
We shall include Jason Grace, Reyna Ramirez Arellano, Octavian, Gwendolyn, Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang and Dakota in the reading the Fates reply, all in unison. The one on the right turns to Jason Grace, and he turns to steel when he locks eyes with her.
You shall meet the one who haunts your dreams, the one whom ran away because of you, she seems to say, which made Jason more confused than relieved. He was shivering, and Reyna touches his shoulder comfortingly.
The center Fate focuses on Octavian, whose breath hitches.
Those so-called Graeci are also your peers, especially the Apollo children, who has lost so much in two battles, she says. Octavian reels, and Dakota helps him balance himself.
"Maybe you will learn to love your Greek step-siblings", Hestia advices gently.
"What if they do not accept us, because we are Romans?", Dakota asks.
"You see, the Greeks are more... carefree, and more open-minded and empathic, due to having rough pasts and parents who do not understand them", Hestia says sadly, remembering that the cause of the war was because the gods abandon their children. "Sure, they might be skeptical, but they will always invite and welcome you to their big family."
Gwen nods. "I-I see. If this is how it is, then we mustn't keep the others who are going to read along with us?"
Jason nods, reverting back to his leader persona. "Yes. We must not keep the gods waiting."
They disappear into the bright light, and they are met in a dark room with many half-bloods- the Graecus, then. He stares at how many they are, compared to the Romans. Then one catches his eyes.
A girl, who looked about fifteen, with black hair and electric blue eyes was looking at Jason with a shocked look on her face. She was then looking Juno- no, Hera, she has peacock feathers all over her, and his father- Zeus, is seated right next to her. The black haired girl looks back at Jason, and he knows he had seen her before.
"Jason?", she says hesitantly, her eyes brimming with tears.
Percy didn't know why he was here.
He had just been claimed by his godly parent- Poseidon, and now he and others were transported to Olympus, where Zeus and Poseidon were bickering, due to how his father had broken the oath. He looks at Annabeth, who was looking at her mother, Athena, in awe and pride, while Luke Castellan was glaring at every god in the room- especially his father, Hermes.
The Fates had already explained to them, that they were going to read books in Percy's point of view, with other new visitors coming around every corner to read about his stupid thoughts. He wanted to go roll up in a ball, but just before he stands and does the thing, some teenagers appear in strange light. The fighting between Zeus and Poseidon stop, as they are now more focused with the other new arrivals.
Percy looks up to see another version of him- older, taller, and leaner, with a lopsided smile, holding hands with an older Annabeth. Finally, he outgrew her.
"Uh, hey", Older Percy says with a slight wave. "We guys-" he gestures to the group that looked like older versions of some campers- "came from the year 2009."
"We should wait for more of the arrivals to come", Demeter says. "But... the Fates say that, they are included in the reading involved."
"Who's they?", Percy asks while Annabeth shouts, "Thalia!" at the same time. Percy sees her running towards the black haired girl, enveloping her in her arms. Luke stands up too, but he seems to be hesitating. It was pretty clear that they were all close.
"Hey to you too, smaller Annabeth", Thalia says, with a fond smile. "I miss you." She then looks up to see Luke, then her expression hardens. "Luke."
Luke must've been really intimidated by this Thalia, since he was looking away guiltily. "Thalia."
The older campers from 2009 glare at Luke Castellan, as if he had done something wrong. Maybe they did, if they are being like that. The most upset were Thalia and Annabeth. Older Percy has anger in his eyes, his lips pursed. Why?
The older campers weren't even better. Will Solace was looking at anyone but his siblings, Michael Yew and Lee Fletcher, the black-haired boy also was glaring at Luke with anger, Pollux was looking at his younger self and Castor with sadness in his eyes, Travis' eyes were closed while Katie Gardner rubs soothing circles on his palm, Connor was watching Chris hold back Clarisse, who was practically fuming once faced with Luke.
All of a sudden, another brilliant flash appear, and they are faced with unrecognizable demigods, with togas and armor. The gods' forms shift a bit, before settling on their original forms. Athena looks at them in disgust, as if they had done her wrong.
Thalia seems to be focused on the blond haired boy with a scar on his lip, since her eyes start to wet with tears. Who is this kid? Annabeth and Annabeth also notices her change in behavior. Percy just kept quiet, wanting to draw attention away from everyone until the reading starts.
Suddenly, the three old ladies who knit socks on his very first day knowing of the camp show up, with a nine-year-old girl who radiates power, which meant that she must be a goddess. But who?
Calm, children, the Fates seem to say telepsthically. And greet your parents and the gods, respectively. We must start with the main character, Perseus Jackson.
All eyes shift to him, except for some others, who were focused on Percy. His older self seems to be at ease, as he bows down next to his father- their father, and his wife, Amphitrite.
"Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon", he smiles at the gods, and younger Percy contemplates if he could ever be comfortable with his own father.
Poseidon looks at his son with a smile and at past Percy too, and Amphitrite also smiles, but a little coldly.
Thaliasteps in front of her father, looking at the blonde boy one last time, before saying, "Thalia Grace, Daughter of Zeus and Lieutenant of Artemis."
Jason Gracelooks at her in shock. Her last name is Grace, and she is a daughter of Zeus? Why did he only hear about his sister today? Reyna was also frowning, wary of that girl, who seems to be Jason's family. Octavian scowls at the thought of how one of their praetors are related to a Graecus.
Annabeth bows. "Annabeth Chase, Daughter of Athena, Architect of Olympus."
The Romans were surprised and disgusted at the same time. How come the Greeks have no sense of decency? They Romans take their maiden vows seriously, why did the Greeks not? Why did Athena let herself be humiliated by having a demigod child?
Athena was getting angrier and angrier when she read the thoughts of the Romans. How could they think she was some lowly goddess? And getting humiliated by having demigod children? She regretted swearing on the River Styx to not hurt the children, especially the Romans.
"Just so you all know, you treacherous Romans", Athena says, her form shifting from Greek to Roman, so now they were faced by a very angry Minerva. "I am still a maiden. My demigod children are born from my mind. I do not gift them to you because you are all worthless, copycat and treacherous Romans!"
The Romans were shocked by this revelation, especially the Greeks. They didn't know they had Roman siblings. Chiron, especially, was now weary, due to having witnessed the countless fighting between Greeks and Romans, which were always started by Athena's children to get the Athena Parthenos back to Camp Half-Blood.
Zeus was now rubbing his temples, even the other gods. They were having a migraine, now that they are faced with their Greek and Roman children.
"Keep it down, Minerva", Hermes/Mercury groans, his form shifting from Roman to Greek. "We have all sworn on the River Styx to not hurt the children, so please, do not hurt them."
Minerva huffs and changes back to Athena, who was still glaring at the Romans, who were cowering.
The campers from 2006 look at each other, queasy, and confused. They do not know what had happened between Minerva and the Romans, but they feel connected to their step siblings. The campers from 2009 want to connect to the Romans, to make alliances to them. The Romans were just thinking to themselves if they could still be accepted by the Greek population. Annabeth and Annabeth exchange a look, while Percy smiles a comforting smile to his younger self.
Silence reigns inside the room for a while until Luke clears his throat.
"Luke Castellan. Son of- him." He points discreetly at Hermes, who had a look of hurt in his face for not being adressed properly by his own son. Apollo comforts him by whispering a lullaby, while Dionysus shoots him a comforting look.
Chris steps forward after calming Clarisse down. "Chris Rodriguez, son of Hermes." This raised a lot of eyebrows from the past campers, as they look at their Chris, who has been unclaimed for three years. Chris also looks at his future self with surprise.
Travis and Travis look at each other with devilish grins, and so do Connor and Connor.
"Travis Stoll", both Travis say.
"Connor Stoll", both Connors say.
"Sons of Hermes."
Katie grimaces at the thought of these people running around and playing pranks on people, or stealing something that is not theirs. "Katie Gardner, daughter of Demeter."
Pollux looks back at his past self and Castor, before turning to his father, Dionysus, and his wife, Ariadne. "Pollux, son of Dionysus."
Ariadne glares at Dionysus, who returns a sheepish smile to her, but the couple then realize something was wrong: where is Castor?
"Excuse me, child, but where is Castor?", Ariadne asks Pollux. Nico and Will give him comforting glances, and Pollux looks down. Castor and Pollux pale, looking at each other and embracing one another, as they will know Castor's fate.
"Will Solace, son of Apollo", Will says grimly.
Will's heart stops as he sees his younger self with the old Cabin Seven counselors- Lee Fletcher and Michael Yew. Lee Fletcher was the first person who had made him welcome at camp, and he was devastated after he had witnessed his death in the Battle of the Labyrinth. Even worse, a year later, Michael was accidentally thrown off the bridge, and Percy states that it was his fault, but Will had forgiven him. The Apollo Cabin tried to find his body, but no such luck.
A cough snaps Will out of his musings, to be faced with his older brothers. His lip trembles, and he tries not to cry once he is face with his deceased siblings.
"You look very tired", Michael points out, and Lee touches his forehead to see if he has an oncoming fever. Will flinches away from the touch, leaving his past self, Michael, and Lee raising their eyebrows. Chiron looks at him in concern, wondering why he has done such an action.
"Um, I am fine", Will breathes out. Lee and Michael exchange worried looks, before realization dawns on Michael's eyes.
"Who's the camp counselor in your time?", Michael asks. Please, let it be Lee.
Will's eyes grow wide, before taking a deep breath and bowing his head. "I am." He said it so softly, that the others weren't able to hear him.
Lee gives him a lopsided smile. "Who?"
Will looks up, eyes glossy from trying to hold the tears in. He had to. After all, there were so many more campers back at Camp Half-Blood who needed his help; medical purposes or a shoulder to cry on. He takes another deep breath, and repeats, louder this time:
"I am."
Michael and Lee look at each other, and Will looks down, from thinking about how his elder brothers will be fated to die, and he taking their place as a conselor. Apollo looks stunned, and looks down at the marble floors, downcasted that one, or two, or a lot of children of his had died in a war.
Chiron was heartbroken, that many campers will die in the near future, and how many seem panicked at their own fate. Maybe this was why Dionysus tries not to be close to any of the campers as possible, lest he mourns each of their death, like Chiron does. It is a toturous cycle, but it is worth it to be forwarded with new students each day at camp.
"Nico di Angelo, son of Hades and Ghost King", Nico says. Persephone glares at Hades, who looks down in shame. Demeter mutters about not finding a faithful husband. Though Persephone also notices that he does not have Bianca with him. What happened to her?
"I am almost afraid to ask, but where is Bianca di Angelo?", Persephone asks.
Nico looks down, and Will touches his shoulder comfortingly, to let them know that he is not alone. He too have lost his siblings in the Battle of the Labyrinth, and they were all close to each other. Nico blinks back tears, remembering what Percy told him about his sister. He dislikes the Hunters of Artemis because of that, because of letting little girls prove themselves to become hunters. Hades' expression turns to one of indifference to a look of horror, then of sadness. He had a reason to why he put his children in the Lotus Casino: to be shielded from the real world. And Zeus' wrath. Persephone gasps and stands from her throne, wrapping her arms around Hades' illigitimate son. Nico was surprised; but what could he expect from Persephone, goddess of springtime? Even though they had both not been on best terms, Persephone had tried to tell him (in her own way) that she loves them. Nico wraps his arms around his stepmother, and starts to cry freely, while Will comforts him. Hades looks at him with sadness in his eyes, then goes to staring at the floor.
"Clarisse la Rue, daughter of Ares." Clarisse looks at her younger self before nodding her head to her father.
"Lee Fletcher, son of Apollo", Lee says.
"Michael Yew, son of Apollo."
"Malcolm Pace, son of Athena."
"Jake Mason, son of Hephaestus."
"Silena Braureguard, daughter of Aphrodite." Clarisse hangs her head, and Chris pats her on the shoulder.
"Charles Beckendorf, son of Hephaestus." Percy looks away.
"Ethan Nakamura, I don't actually know my godly parent yet.
"Miranda Gardiner, daughter of Demeter."
"Lou Ellen Blackstone, unclaimed camper."
"Drew Tanaka, daughter of Aphrodite."
"Castor, son of Dionysus."
It was the Romans' turn to introduce themselves.
"Jason Grace, son of Jupiter, praetor of the Twelfth Legion." The gods' forms flicker a bit. The Greeks look at each other. What is a praetor? Athena rolls her eyes.
"Reyna Ramirez Arellano, daughter of Bellona, praetor of the Twelfth Legion."
"Octavian, legacy of Apollo, augur." What do those rankings even mean? And what is a legacy?
"Gwendolyn, legacy of Venus, centurion of the Fifth Cohort."
"Dakota, son of Bacchus, centurion of the Fifth Cohort." Pollux perks up at the name 'Bacchus'. In fact, Dakota does look like a Dionysus kid, except leaner and taller. Maybe he can have another brother and not drown himself in loneliness after Castor died.
"Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto." Hades perks up at the name. She is supposed to be dead, in the Fields of Asphodel, is she not? Nico looks away sheepishly, since he was the one who took her out of the Underworld.
"Frank Zhang, unclaimed camper."
Since introductions are out of the way, let us get some rest before we start to read the books, the Fates say, and they vanish into thin air.
Silence reigns in the whole room, as the gods looks anxiously at their Greek children, then at their Roman ones. They do hope that they would not fight each other, or even try to kill each other. They have seen so many of their civil wars, that they had to make the Mist even thicker for them all.
"So, like, what's a praetor?", Percy breaks the silence in the throne room. "Is it some kind of... authority? Like, leader of the army?"
"Yes, it is", Jason affirms. "We have two praetors, an augur, and two centurions each cohort."
"'Cohort?'", Annabeth raises a brow. "You guys don't sort your campers out by godly parent?"
"Not at all", Reyna replies. "We sort them out into cohorts. We will explain this later."
"What are legacies?", Thalia asks, still looking at Jason, who was uncomfortably shifting under her gaze.
"Descendants of the gods", Gwen answers. "Us Romans have demigods, yes, but some of us are descended from demigods. I am a legacy of Venus, because my great-grandmother was a daughter of Venus, and Octavian, our augur, is a legacy of Apollo, with his family being one of the most influencial families in New Rome. His demigod anscestor was one of those who supported Camp Jupiter, and it continued for centuries."
The Greeks look at each other, then at the gods. The Romans were allowed to live their lives while they have to run and hide and die?
"You were the ones who defeated Kronos in New York?", Octavian scoffs, looking at the future campers. "You do not look like much, considering that you defeated his army single-handedly."
Percy glares at the blonde haired boy. "That's because most of us are still back at Camp Half-Blood, or some sacrificed our lives to not let Kronos rule." He thinks about Beckendorf and Silena, who sacrificed their lives in the war.
"What did you do when we were busy with the war in Manhattan?", Clarisse asks, raising a brow.
"Battling Krios and his minions and scaling Mount Othyrs", Reyna replies off-handedly. "Lupa told us that Kronos had been defeated by her wolves."
"Chiron said that the Black Throne in California crumbled on its own", Annabeth says.
"Weird", the Romans and Greeks say at the same time, before resorting to chuckles.
The gods were a little more at ease, but still wary and predicting when they will be at each other's throats.
Percy was already getting embarassed when the Fates tell him that the first five books would fully be in his point of view.
"They all sound like the quests we went through the past years", Annabeth says as they observe the books. "Just look at the titles in each book: The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian. But these other five? Nope, not familiar at all."
Percy looks at the five books. These must be from the future, then. The Lost Hero, The Son of Neptune, The Mark of Athena, The House of Hades, and The Blood of Olympus.
"And it's pretty embarassing we have to read it in my point of view", Percy sighs. "Wise Girl, please hide me from the wrath of the gods if they ever try to destroy me."
"They have to get through your father first, Seaweed Brain." Annabeth kisses his forehead.
"I love you", Percy whispers in Annabeth's hair.
"So, a daughter of Athena?", a voice snaps them out of their affectionate moment, and they all turn to see Poseidon with a calm smile.
"Uh, yeah, dad", Percy says, still not moving from Annabeth's hair, who was red in the face. "I love Wise Girl, and she loves me."
"My gods, stop being a sap, Seaweed Brain", Annabeth smiles, but faces Poseidon with a serious look. "Yes, Lord Poseidon, what he said, but a little less sappy."
Poseidon chuckles at both of them. "Do not worry, I don't judge by godly parent. I judge by how much you treat my children."
"Well, she treats me just fine, Dad", Percy says with a smile. "Don't worry about it. Besides, I should be treating her well."
Annabeth turns to glare at her boyfriend. "I'm not some damsel in distress, Seaweed Brain. I beat you in wrestling yesterday."
"Okay, okay." Percy waves his arms around, chuckling.
Annabeth was then called by her half-brother, and she decides to let father and son talk. They stand there in comfortable silence, looking at each other with proud, beaming smiles.
"Dad, do I have... Roman siblings?", Percy asks his father. Poseidon touches his temple, frowning at his oncoming headache. He sighs. His form starts to ripple, like an ocean wave in the water, until Percy is face to face with someone else who is not his father.
Pos-no, Neptune's eyes were not as merry as his father's, nor does he have the sort of cheery disposition he had like Poseidon. He still has his trident, and his signature black hair and green eyes, but he looks younger. Like, a decade younger. Like, he was older than Percy for ten years. Even he wasn't wearing the Hawaiian shirt or khaki shorts. He was wearing a sea-themed suit.
Needless to say, Percy is very uncomfortable with Neptune. The way he narrows his eyes quizically, and how he seems serious all the time.
"Yes, you did", Neptune says curtly. "My last child was... Shen Lun. Accused of creating the earthquake in San Franscisco in 1906."
Neptune looks at Percy with what looks like a hard glare, and Percy shifts uncomfortably underneath his gaze.
"The Romans have never worshipped me properly, nor even praised me." Neptune sighs, and Percy recognizes the hints of sadness in his voice. "I was loved by the Greeks, yet feared by the Romans. I can see why Minerva hates them, but I still fall in love with Roman peers- or, if somebody had recognized me in the aspect of Neptune, which is always rare."
"Why don't they ever praised you?"
"Because the Romans are scared of the sea, and all its so-called 'dangers'. I cannot blame them, nor do I harbor a grudge. They are partially, the reason to why Poseidon-" he winces, his form flickering- "-has mellowed down for the next centuries to come."
"So... you don't hate them like how Minerva hates them? What did they ever do to her?"
Neptune sighs. "Something, in all our opinions, even mine, unforgivable. There is a reason to why Greek and Roman demigods have been separated, and one of them is because of the blatant disrespect to Minerva. Yes, I become disgruntled for the small portions of sacrifice I get, but I never hate them."
"That's why you kept us separated for so long?", Percy frowns.
Neptune nods. "Yes, child. We fear that you may cause bloodshed, killing your own family. We are not a happy one, we must admit, but that was the final straw."
"Well, I promise that me and my Greek friends would get along with our Roman counterparts." Percy looks Neptune dead in the eye. "I swear on the River Styx."
Neptune's eyes widen at his little oath. He staggers back, his form flickering back and forth between Poseidon and Neptune. They were speaking in different languages-Poseidon Ancient Greek, Neptune Latin- but it is pretty clear; they are worried of what oath Percy had spoken of.
"I cannot believe you!", Neptune staggers, his form stabilizing. Then he turns into Poseidon. "Son, did you realize what you have just done?"
Percy smiles. "I'll do whatever it takes, Dad. I will, with the help of my friends, of course, set this family... together. But like, step-siblings together. I don't know about you, guys."
Poseidon sighs, as his form flickers to Neptune, who has a steely look in his eyes. Perhaps, unlike Poseidon, he was cold to his children. It must be a Roman thing.
"I hope that this plan of yours work, Perseus Jackson", he says carefully and coldly, but Percy hears the hint of worry in his voice. "Otherwise, you will have a terrible fate."
"I'm still feeling like they're reluctant to accept us yet", Reyna says in a hushed tone. The Romans were huddled up in the corner of the room, not adressing anyone outside of the circle. She looks at Jason. "Do you know that girl? The one looking at you weirdly?"
Jason looks at the black haired girl, who was busy talking to that Luke guy. "She's my sister."
"Like, full-blooded sister?", Dakota asks. "Because she is a daughter of Zeus, and you are a son of Jupiter."
Jason nods. "I remember her, but the memories are still fuzzy. We have a mother, Beryl Grace. She... she gave me away. I haven't seen Thalia since then."
The Romans nod at this revelation. Greek or not, they were still a family. Only Octavian is suspicious of them, but keeps quiet when faced with so many Apollo children.
"Mercury already has so many kids; imagine how many of them are the Hermes cabin", Dakota exclaims as he looks at both Travis and Connor Stoll.
Gwen chuckles. "Probably more than the Mercury children. What about Apollo's?"
"I don't even want to know", Octavian groans.
"Wonder if Dionysus has a lot of kids", Dakota says, looking at Pollux.
Jason smiles. "He might be unfaithful at times, but I'm pretty sure that he rarely goes about troubling mortals, seeing he's married." He scratches his head. "Though I would not say the same thing about Father."
"Our Greek siblings seem to be a little at ease", Reyna says. "I hope that they will not treat us like outcasts."
"Yet they all seem like outcasts", Dakota points out, sipping on his Kool-Aid. Everyone looks at him, and he raises a brow. "They seem to think that they are burdens to their mortal parents, they are also always picked on by their mortal peers. I can see that much when us Romans revealed we get to live our lives. They seem... bewildered, in a case, or even, there is jealousy hidden under that bewildrement."
"That..."Octavian's eyes close in surprise, "is the only smart thing you have ever said."
Dakota smiles. "Why, I pride myself for being unintelligible."
Luke cannot placate the look on Thalia's face when she walks over to him before punching the blonde. He was still grieving, mourning the loss of his sister figure, and there she was, hurting him. She looked no more than fifteen, obviously because Artemis had a hold on her. Percy, however, looked sixteen as he was talking to his younger self.
He must be the one, Luke thinks. How come he did not join Kronos' side, and sides with the Olympians? He has been abandoned by his father and accused of the thievery he never did. He will never understand.
"Thalia", Luke greets half-heartedly. "How come you're still fifteen?"
Thalia shrugs. "Being a tree for a while made me age slowly, I guess.
"How did you... come back to life?"
"Your fault, but I'm pretty sure it will be discussed in the books."
Luke nods. This Thalia must've known he was the lightning thief and not Percy. And must'be known he was trying to free Kronos from Tartarus. But how? Will it be explained in the books? He looks at the gods with a quizzical look. He hates them, but also, afraid of them, due to the immense power they had. That was why they think they can own everything, their power.
Luke tries for a smile, but Thalia only steps back with a hesitant look on her face. His smile vanishes.
"Then you truly know what I did?", Luke says, disappointment in his voice.
"Yes. And you're an asshole. I just hope you're better than this, Luke."
Luke feels anger. His oldest friend-telling him what to do and not to do. He loves his sister figure. "I'm doing this because the gods deserve to fall."
"The titans are worse than the gods", Thalia says sadly. Luke's glare softens. "Snap yourself out of it, Luke. You're so much better than this. Stop being son bitter. Why don't you go... talk to your father, for a change? Or your half-siblings?"
Luke scoffs. "I have no love for my father, and he dislikes me. But fine, I'll go talk to my siblings."
"Good."
With that, his oldest friend, Thalia, is gone, as she walks up to Lady Artemis and bows. There has got to be a reason why she became a Hunter, a Lieutenant of Artemis for that matter. Luke takes a deep breathe and approaches his half-siblings from the future.
As he was approaching, they seem to have seen him. Travis and Connor, who were discussing how to raid Olympian stores, stops talking as they see Luke approaching them. He, guiltily, didn't know who was who. The twin sitting down was staring at him in a neutral expression, while the one standing was wearing a strained smile. Chris, who was holding Clarisse's hand, excuses himself from her as he makes a beeline to his half-brothers.
"Luke", Chris breathes, a strained smile on his face. "Fancy meeting you here."
From the looks of it, they all looked like they had attended a funeral. He awkwardly waves his hand, smiling a strained smile.
"Hey", he greets as well. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"
Travis and Connor look at each other, while Chris looks down, before looking up again and touching his left shoulder.
"We screwed up", Chris says. "Big time. I hope you're going to change, Luke. Us Cabin Eleven? Everyone at Camp Half-Blood? They loved you."
Luke caught on the use of past tense, but decides not dwell on it. He sighs dejectedly. "But I can still sit with you, right?"
Connor finally smiles. "Sure, you're still our brother." There was sadness in his voice.
Travis nods. "Yep. Still our brother."
Hestia gathers everyone back into the throne room. The Romans were in the far back, due to still being awkward around the Greeks, while the Greeks sat up front, but keeping distance from the gods. The gods were on their thrones, looking as stern amd godly as ever. Hades, Persephone, and the minor gods were given makeshift thrones.
"Since the first books will be in the sea spawn's son's point of view, we shall give them the books first", Athena says, looking at Percy and Percy. Suddenly, the first book was on Percy's lap.
"Come on!", he says indignantly. "I can't even read this! Words float all over the page!"
"Don't worry", Hestia softly says, making the air more homely. "The Fates say that the language would alternate between Ancient Greek, Latin or English, depending on the reader."
Percy dejectedly sighs as he stands up to read the first chapter of the first book. Everyone waits for him to ready himself.