Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Where is it?”

The hissed, quiet words silenced the throne room. The door had just barely shut before the words cut through the room. 

Just seconds before, the demigods who had been visiting had just been rushed out of the room. Chiron, their trainer and camp activities director, had ushered them out with haste. Zeus had asked for them to leave, had quickly dismissed them, before sitting silently, waiting for his order to be carried out. The other Olympians, as well as Hades and Hestia, stayed mute, letting the demigods exit the throne room before throwing questions at the Lord of the Sky. Or, at least attempted to. However, before any of them got a single word out of their mouths, the words, that one question, rang loudly through the room even though it was said quietly. 

“Father, what are you talking about?” Hermes asked, a bit disappointedly, after waiting for a second. He had enjoyed seeing his son, Luke, and wanted to spend more time in his presence. Sure, the ancient laws have forbidden him from visiting Luke to spend time with him and from interfering with his life. However, when the demigod himself has been invited to the throne room by Zeus himself, Hermes could not not take advantage of it. Almost like a loophole. Now that he had been whisked away, time cut short, the Messenger of the Gods was a little more than unhappy. 

Athena was another one who had turned. Annabeth, her daughter, had also been visiting. Athena may not have been motherly but she liked to check in occasionally. Annabeth being here at Olympus had made that easier on her. “I thought that they were going to stay for the entire meeting.” She added, talking about the young children who had just left. 

Zeus, the ruler of them all, just sneered. He did not answer either of his children and opted to instead turn toward his older brother. Not Hades; no, he had never tried to take Zeus’ rightful place on the throne. He turned toward his other older brother, Poseidon. God of the Sea. The Earthshaker. “Where is it?” Zeus repeated, sneering at his brother, a threat of violence lacing his tone. 

Poseidon sighed. He had known a fight would break out. It always does. However, he must admit that this is rather curious. He had no idea what Zeus was talking about and had not expected to be directly addressed this way. He bristled, eyes narrowing at his younger brother. He may not be sure of what Zeus was talking about, but he was insulted at the tone that was being used toward him. “Dear brother, I’m not sure what you are talking about. What are you missing?” Poseidon snapped out. 

Hestia glanced around the otherwise silent throne room. No one had wanted to get in the middle of a Zeus and Poseidon fight, opting to remain quiet instead. Zeus always had a flare for dramatics and would drag others into a fight with him. He looked for reasons, admittedly some good and some bad, to fight with his family. However, he seemed to mostly never zero in on Poseidon alone. If Poseidon was involved, so was Hades, or so was Athena. It was never the Earthshaker by himself. Thus, they were surprised to find Zeus doing exactly what he seemed to actively avoid. 

“Zeus, what’s missing?” Hestia asked warmly, hoping to defuse the situation a little. She understood why Poseidon was usually avoided. He was the most benevolent between the three brothers and the most reasonable. However, he had a nasty temper. A nasty reputation when angered. When he raged, nothing was safe. He could cause seas to become savage: dragging down boats into the deep, dark sea, drowning anyone who stepped foot in the ocean, making tsunamis appear on the coasts of lands where people resided. He could cause earthquakes to shake the Earth, causing buildings to topple and infrastructures to break. Once Poseidon was angered, it was almost impossible to stop him. Hestia let her warmth grow, trying to lighten the tension filled room. It did not work. Not this time. 

Zeus growled, his anger causing thunder to roar to life in the distance. “You know what I am talking about, Poseidon,” Zeus snapped, standing to his full height. His frame tensed, staring steadfast at his brother. Poseidon may have been known to have a nasty temper, but Zeus is just as stubborn and miles more unreasonable. His temper could be just as bad, if not worse at times. 

“I am really not sure what it is you are looking for.” Poseidon replied evenly, letting his breath out through his nose. Poseidon rose to his feet, heading to meet his brother in the middle of the throne room. He stopped a couple feet away, staring straight into Zeus’ eyes. 

Apollo had small flecks of gold in his eyes. He tilted his head, trying to look at what was happening. As the God of Prophecy and Foresight, he should be able to see into the future and see what was happening. However, all he saw was darkness. His gasp made the others flinch. His gasp had heads turning to him, except for Poseidon and Zeus. Those two continued to glower at each other. 

“I cannot see.” Apollo’s voice rang loud in the room. This caused Zeus’ head to snap toward him. 

“You cannot… see?” Zeus wasn’t sure what he was hoping for. It was definitely not Apollo saying anything. He shook his head, ignoring that issue for the moment. “Nevermind,” Zeus started, turning back to his brother. “Poseidon, you must have taken it. Now, where is it?” Thunder clapped in the distance while sparks shot from his fingers. Zeus needed to know and needed it back. Now. 

“Father–” Apollo started, looking very worried. He could see Poseidon pause, his dark green eyes swirling with anger. He could feel the pressure in the air rise and could feel the anger radiate off the God of the Sea. 

“Not now, Apollo!” Zeus thundered, keeping his eyes on his older brother. 

“But–” Apollo was cut off by just a glance from his father. A glance that told him to be silent. To be still. Lightning flashed in his eyes, promising something dark, something violent, if he did not. 

“Are you calling me a thief?” Poseidon asked, softly. His voice was low and soft, but it did not fool a single one of them. They could see his shoulders tense, muscles enlarging and stretching the Hawaiian shirt he was wearing. They could see his hand grasping his trident, his weapon of power, hard. His knuckles had turned white. They could see his upper lip curling up in a sneer, promising pain on the one who was insulting him. This was the calm before the storm. 

“Apollo, please stand down.” Artemis muttered. She thought he was stupid for butting in. He should have kept quiet until their uncle and their father were done talking, or fighting, or whatever it was they were doing. She wasn’t sure, but she wasn’t about to find out. Her twin brother better stay away from it as well. However, Apollo has already decided to not talk after his father’s glance at him. Not after Poseidon’s temper had risen. 

“Father, please, what is missing?” Athena jumped in. She knew the others would not. Hephaestus would continue to tinker with his items, looking up occasionally to see what would happen. Ares’ head was going back and forth between their father and their uncle, very clearly hoping for some action. He may not join in, but he could enjoy it. Aphrodite had her brows furrowed, trying to read into their father’s emotions hoping to find a hint about what this is about. Dionysus glanced between the two gods, wondering what this was about. Demeter shifted in her seat, leaning away from the carnage that was about to happen. 

“My love, you must tell us. We cannot read your mind.” Hera tried to get the answer, talking softly to her husband. She stayed seated, but hearing her voice seemed to calm him only slightly. 

Hades rolled his eyes, already over this fight. He was ready to go back to the underworld. He knew that there was a lot of work that needed to be done, even more now as he looked at his two brothers. He just knew that they were killing mortals because of their anger. The demigods have already been sent home and he should be next. He was counting down the seconds. 

The floor began to shake the longer Poseidon waited for his answer. 

“Where is my bolt?” Zeus finally asked. Finally admitted. He had lost his weapon of power. His stance never broke and he kept his eye contact with Poseidon. Whatever any of them had been expected, this was not it. The floor stopped shaking immediately, Poseidon tilting his head at Zeus as if wondering if what he just heard was correct. 

Hephaestus frowned, hearing that the thunderbolt he had created was now missing. He knew how much power the weapon held, and what could go wrong with the weapon in the wrong hands. All of them knew what could go wrong. 

“Your bolt? Your bolt is missing?” Hades clarified, oddly calm. He was now checking on his own symbol of power, making sure that it was in its rightful spot, before freezing in his seat. His eyes turned hard, fist clenched as he could not locate his Helm of Darkness. What could he do? If he voiced that he was missing his own weapon, they would not care. They would not act fast enough to find his missing symbol. Zeus will command and order his way to finding his bolt, but what could Hades do? No, he could not tell them that his helm was missing too. He will find it on his own. 

Only two sets of eyes noticed the frozen god. Two eyes noticed the way shadows started to spread through the throne room, as if searching for something. Gray eyes as sharp as a blade stared at the God of the Underworld, trying to unravel this new mystery, before turning back to her father. The other set of eyes, a deep purple that had madness stirring in the depths. His eyes stayed on Hades, wondering why the slight sense of anger, and even a slight sense of fear, was felt through his power. 

Zeus nodded, not taking his eyes off his older brother. He raised his hand and they all were prepared for lightning to strike. However, all Zeus said was “And he took it,” as he pointed to the God of the Sea. The angry God of the Sea. “He must have.”

Poseidon had had enough. “I did not take it. I can’t even take it. I am not allowed. How would I even touch it?” Their rules forbid it. Another god or goddess cannot simply just take someone else’s symbol of power. 

Athena cocked her head, also brainstorming what could have happened. Her eyes widened as she thought about the group that was just visiting. The group of demigods who could have potentially stolen a god’s symbol of power. 

“Then you had someone steal it for you. Give it back now!” Zeus shot back. The wind started picking up speed, whipping his hair all over the place. His eyes were wide open and red, looking as if he was crazy. Which Demeter happened to think he was based on how he was picking this fight with Poseidon of all gods. Hades would have been the better choice. Poseidon is not a thief and has not been interested in taking the throne in many, many years. He had taken a step back from that thought. Although, she could admit that it was very unlikely Hades had stolen it either. 

“I have no one to steal it for me. Who do you think I would even ask?” Poseidon argued. He walked even closer to his brother, getting into his face. Needless to say, Poseidon was not about to admit to all of the Olympians that he had sired a demigod. A demigod that was now twelve years old. They did not need to know, especially now that this fiasco was happening. Poseidon would not take kindly to being called a thief. However, he would not bring his young child into this fight. 

Apollo opened his mouth, as if to say something, but a glance from Poseidon this time shut him right up. He could tell that Poseidon had been lying, that there was someone that could steal for him. However, while Zeus glare had promised violence, Poseidon’s promised death. Death, death, death. Apollo shook his head, trying to get that thought out of his mind. It had been awhile since he had seen his uncle so induced in rage that he gave that look to someone, and now Apollo was on the receiving end of it. 

Poseidon knew that Apollo was about to reveal his secret. That he was about to say that he had just told a lie, and that he does have someone to take it. Poseidon would not allow the Sun God that luxury though, because then his child, his son, would be in danger. Poseidon would not have that. 

“There must be someone,” Zeus started. “You must have allied with someone. Another god, a deity, maybe a demigod, even. But there must be someone.” 

The floor started to shake, and storm clouds started to appear. Poseidon’s trident glowed green while he growled at his younger brother. Zeus doesn’t understand. Never understands. Maybe Poseidon had wanted to usurp him once, but not this time. This time, it was someone else. “You would do-” Poseidon had to stop his threat. Had to stop his advance. 

There were three old ladies right next to him. 

The Olympians were silenced for not the first time that day. A power so strong, so old, pulsed through the throne room. 

The old ladies had graying hair. Wrinkles littered their bodies; all over their faces, winding down their arms and to the very tips of their fingers. Their eyes were all yellow, with golden irises in the middle. The ladies slowly turned in the throne room, taking in what was happening. 

“Zeus!” All three Moirai called out together. Their voices echoed in the silent throne room, layering over each other and creating a raspy sound. All of the olympians flinched at the sound. “You do not want to start this fight.”

Then, as one, they all turned towards Apollo. Only one spoke this time. “Young one,” Apollo furrowed his brows, not used to being referred to as young. “As you have noticed, you cannot see.” This got everyone’s attention. Hephaestus lowered the bolts and screws he had been about to attach to his newest creation. Aphrodite had closed her eyes, trying to understand. Athena brought her shoulders back, attempting to comprehend what was happening. 

“What do you mean?” Demeter asked. She knows that Apollo said this aloud before, but his timing had been awful. None of them had had the time to worry about it then. The fight between Zeus and Poseidon had taken all of their attention. 

“Apollo?” Hermes asked, turning toward his brother. Artemis just kept her eyes on Apollo, eyes running up and down his body. He’s a god after all, he shouldn’t be hurt. Her twin brother should be fine, but here were the Moirai, the Fates, telling him he could not see. 

“We have taken that one power away for the time being.” Another continued while they all stared at Apollo. “We will explain that reason in just a moment.” The Olympians looked confused. They had no idea that their powers could be taken away. 

“Zeus, you have made a huge mistake. You along with the other Olympians have.” The one who spoke to Apollo returned her attention to Zeus. The others kept their gaze on the Sun God. “I am Clotho and I spin life’s thread. There is a demigod in the future who has been scorned time and time again because of all of your mistakes. He has tried to fix them over and over, but we would like to help him.” 

“How?” Hera asked, confused. A demigod helping a god sounds funny. No, not funny. Crazy. It’s usually the opposite. 

“I am Lachesis and I determine how long one lives.” Lachesis started. She turned her attention to Poseidon as she spoke. “Against all odds, this demigod still lives. All of your mistakes have not helped this young child.” 

Poseidon is getting a bad feeling. His head throbbed and worry pulsed through his veins. He shifted his position, trying to get his tense frame to relax. His stomach dropped when he heard a voice in his head. “We know of your child. You are correct to think that this is about him.” The voice was soft. It did not sound like either one who had spoken yet. The last Moirai kept her eyes on Apollo, but she was definitely the one speaking in his mind. 

Poseidon tightened his hold on his trident again, twisting in his stance. He now had his trident pointing at them. He knew it was wrong, he knew it was stupid, but he could not help himself. What did they know about Percy? Were they about to harm him? Reveal to the others that he had sired another demigod son? A child against the Oath? Rage swirled up in his stomach as he growled low. Ships groaning and creaking could be heard in the distance, along with waves lashing out because of his own vexation. Demeter gave the God of the Sea her attention, confused as to why he was reacting this way. 

“Poseidon, stand down! What is wrong?” Hestia asked, concerned. She walked over to lay a hand on his arm, the one holding the trident up and pointing it in their direction. Hestia felt his muscle spasm as if he was holding himself back. 

“I am Atropos and I cut the string, deciding on how someone dies,” Atropos said. “Although this demigod lives, you have repeatedly gone after them. You have repeatedly threatened death and harm to the young child. You have pushed this one and the others that follow their lead away from the gods because of your mistakes.” 

Athena, who had been watching Poseidon’s reactions, gasped. “You have sired a child, haven’t you?” Athena asked tactlessly. 

A wave roared in Poseidon’s ears. He could hear ships groaning from the raging waters, sailors screaming for their lives, waves crashing into rocky cliffs and sides of boats. He could feel himself unraveling, the Earth shaking dangerously and his form flickering between his godly form and the monster that lives within him. The monster with tentacles that tear, rip, and kill. He turned toward the Goddess of Wisdom, prepared to protect. To fight. To maim. To kill. All for his son. 

“You broke the oath?” Hermes asked, eyebrows raised. 

“I knew it! I knew he had someone!” Zeus shouted. He knew Poseidon had someone to take his bolt. Zeus looked over at his brother, and said in a tone of finality, “He must die.” 

Hades sighed. He knew Zeus would go after the demigod. Hades was also not too happy that the demigod had been born and wasn’t too sure how he felt about the Great Prophecy possibly coming to. However, Poseidon had never gone after his lovers or his children, so he had no reason to track his son down. Although, now there was someone from Poseidon who could have taken his helm. His eyes narrowed at the sea god. Hades wanted to get involved, to tell Zeus to stop, but he was still stuck on the Moirai being in the room for this revelation. Why were they here and why had that taken away Apollo’s powers? 

It sounded so final, so without question, to Poseidon. He couldn’t let that happen. They must perish so that his son could live. 

“Poseidon!” Hestia shouted, slapping her hands on his checks, encasing his face. His mind cleared, and he could finally think. Once Poseidon’s eyes had cleared a little, Hestia stepped back, but grabbed ahold of his hand and squeezed. She was letting him know that he had her support. 

“You will do no such thing.” Poseidon scowled, eyes on the floor. He feared that if he looked up, his anger would get the better of him. The rest of the Olympians could tell that he was holding back the tsunami that threatened to crash. 

“He won’t!” The Moirai said, speaking together again with their eyes on Zeus. Poseidon’s head snapped toward them. “This demigod and their friends have gone through many troubles. We wish for you all to learn through their experiences.” 

“Even you.” Clotho turned, speaking directly to Poseidon. The Sea God flinched, wondering what mistake he had made, how he had hurt his son. “I hurt him? I hurt my son?” Poseidon whispered, sounding upset. 

“All of you have made mistakes. All of you shall learn. We have collected excerpts about Percy’s time in this world. All starting with your problem of the missing bolt.” Atropos explained. She brought out 5 journals to show the Olympians. 

Ares groaned. “We have to read about Barnacle Beard’s kid?” He asked, insulting the God of the Sea. Ares quickly sobered up seeing that Poseidon had turned all of his attention onto him because of the dig. 

“Let your egos go. See the world from a demigod's perspective. Change your ways.” Lachesis said. 

“Do not harm the children in these excerpts.” Atropos said, warning all of the Olympians. It seemed that the warning was mostly for Zeus though with the way her eyes snapped over to him for a second. 

“And young one,” Clotho started, turning back to Apollo. “We needed to take your powers away. You need to learn what happens alongside everyone else, not ahead.” 

Atropos put the books down on the floor, and then the three flashed away before anyone could ask another single question. 

No one said anything for a second. Thinking about what they had just heard. 

Aphrodite pursed her lips, eyes scanning the throne room. Her domain largely comes from the relationships people hold, and all she felt was tension in this room. Hades and Zeus were staring tensely at Poseidon. 

“Poseidon,” Hades started, hand gripping his seat. He may not want to hurt the child, but they did need to talk about this. However, if it is revealed that the child took his symbol, that would be a different story. 

“Don’t.” Poseidon said, shaking his head. “Don’t say anything.” Poseidon walked over to the journals that the Moirai left, picking up the one that had a number one on the front. He turned it over, looking at the back cover but saw nothing to reveal anything. He flipped back to the front, double checking the number once again, hand trailing along the title as he read aloud quietly, “The Lightning Thief.” 

“I knew it!” Zeus roared, life coming back to him. “You had your son take my bolt, didn’t you?”

“My love, why don’t you stop for now? We can read the journal and see what it says. The Moirai said it follows Poseidon’s son throughout his experiences and if this one is called The Lightning Thief, we may find out more.” Hera softly told Zeus. 

Poseidon glanced at her in thanks, wanting to start the journal right away, but needing Zeus to back off. Hera had done him a service by trying to get him to stop and start the readings. However, he knew that she was just as upset over his son. She resented the fact that he had an affair with his marriage. She despised it, but she was not his wife so she would not have that conversation with him. He shivered at the thought of having that conversation with Amphitrite. 

Dionysus leaned forward in his throne, feeling the turmoil that was coursing through his uncle. He relished in the feeling, loving how his power felt. 

“I want to know what happens now!” Apollo whined, upset over his power being taken away. Artemis rolled her eyes, seeing now that her brother was fine for the most part. She sat on her throne, head leaning sideways as she placed her cheek in her hand. She was curious to see how her uncle’s son lived his life. She knew he was a boy and she had many expectations, none of them good. She hoped that she was wrong. When was she ever, though?

Hephaestus went back to his creation, tinkering with his tools. He would listen as they read. He glanced at his wife, seeing her talking quietly to Ares who seemed to be stiff. 

“Why did you call him that in his presence?” Aphrodite asked, rolling her eyes. It had been stupid of Ares. He should have known that Poseidon would not react well. Especially after hearing that he and everyone else here had made mistakes regarding his son. Everyone knows how protective he is about his children, and they are about to read about one of them. She massaged his arm, trying to calm him a little. Ares slowly relaxed, seeing that Poseidon’s attention was off of him. 

“Well, let’s start.” Hades said, gesturing to Poseidon. Poseidon sighed and sat on his throne, with the first journal in his hand. He was going to read first. It was about his son and his adventures. He would take advantage of this and get to know his son. Avoid all the mistakes and try to be more involved in his life. 

Poseidon flipped open to the first page and groaned as his eyes traced over the first heading. The first excerpt in the journal that his son had called: “I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher.” 

“I, I what?” Hermes asked, already thrown off his game. He had been prepared to hear about Poseidon’s son. All about the child of the sea, his hobbies, his schooling, his name. Nothing about vaporizing teachers. Then he realized none but Poseidon knew his name. “Actually, what is this demigod's name?” 

“Percy,” Poseidon answered, smiling softly while thinking about him. However, as the title he had just read came back to mind, his smile dropped. “Do you think his teacher is a monster?” Poseidon didn’t want to think about that. His son was only twelve years old, still just a baby in his eyes. Yet, here he was most likely fighting a monster. 

“Based on that title, most likely.” Athena replied, thinking about what kind of monster the demigod could be fighting. Maybe it was a cyclops, or an empousa. 

“It’s only the first excerpt. I’m sure it can’t be that bad,” Apollo told his uncle. Poseidon just continued to frown, wondering what the monster could be. 

“Who cares if he fights a monster? He’s a child of Poseidon and could be the child of the prophecy. He needs to die before that happens.” Zeus said, standing by his previous point. Poseidon just glared. 

Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood.

Poseidon flinched. His son, his flesh and blood, did not want to be a half-blood. Does that mean that he did not want to have Poseidon as his father? His thoughts swirled in his mind, already losing focus on the reading horribly. 

“Why not? Isn’t it an honor to be related to us?” Zeus grumbled, already not liking the boy. Sure, he may want the boy to be dead, but while he is alive he should appreciate what he does have, which is his relation to the Gods. 

“There may be a different reason. I do wonder, though, if it really is that bad.” Hermes mentioned. He started thinking about what happened to Luke and his friends as they got to camp. Hermes flashed a look at Zeus, thinking about the young daughter of the Lord of the Skies who took her final stand on Half-Blood Hill five years ago. Zeus met his stare head on, as if he knew what Hermes was thinking about. 

“Poseidon,” Demeter mumbled, trying to get the God of the Sea back on track. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts and continuing to read. 

If you are reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: 

“Did he write this as a warning?” Artemis asked, surprised that a boy would have thought of this. Although, once a demigod starts to relate, not much could stop the scent strengthening to call monsters to them. Maybe this was a bad idea after all. 

“Seems like it.” Hephaestus mumbled. 

close this book right now. 

“I can’t imagine anyone actually closing the book.” Demeter said, shrugging. Her interest would have peaked if she was a demigod and she doesn’t think she would be able to put the book down after that introduction. And these were just the first couple sentences. 

Believe whatever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth and try to lead a normal life. 

“I’m not sure if that would be possible once they felt a connection to this journal,” Athena said. She was surprised to hear that Poseidon’s son had tried to warn anyone about being a half-blood. He was probably still stubborn and unbearable, though. 

Being a half-blood is dangerous. 

Hades thought about his children that were trapped in the hotel. Bianca and Nico had been there for over fifty years because his brother had threatened their lives after murdering their mother in cold blood. He could not blame this young demigod’s assessment on it being dangerous when his own brother killed his lover and condemned his children to that hotel. 

Zeus was thinking of similar thoughts about his daughter. His oldest brother had harassed Thalia, his daughter, all the way to camp with his monsters. He managed to severely hurt Thalia and Zeus had to step in to save her by turning her into a tree. He wouldn’t exactly call that safe. 

Athena and Hermes had been thinking about Annabeth and Luke, who had been with Thalia at the time on her way to camp. They had seen the same horrors and had lost a friend during that time. 

Every Olympian, no matter a parent or a patron, thought about how they lost demigods previously. They had never really thought about how dangerous it could be for the children prior to now. 

It’s scary. Most of the time, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways.

Poseidon shifted in his seat, not liking how this was going. It had been decades since his last mortal child, and he did not wish any hardships on the boy. However, he had broken the oath which condemned his son to a hard life. As a god, he would not be punished. His son, however, was not a god. Poseidon knew Percy would be powerful, he had made sure of that. All to try to protect him against that prophecy. 

“This sounds like foreshadowing.” Aphrodite jumped in. Poseidon was not happy hearing that, sending a glare her way. 

If you’re a normal kid, reading this because you think it’s fiction, great. Read on. I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened. 

“So, they are written as fiction books?” Athena asked, curiously. She’s surprised that Poseidon’s son had added this in to steer mortals off, but catch other half-blood’s interest. This way, many other demigods may be exposed to the truth and would have then been warned in time. 

But if you recognize yourself in these pages – if you feel something stirring inside – stop reading immediately. 

Zeus glared at Apollo and Hermes, as if daring them to close the book. He needs to learn what happened to his bolt. He is sure Poseidon had the child steal it, but he needed to know how. They in turn just held their hands up in surrender, letting him know that they had not even planned to. 

You might be one of us. And once you know that, it’s only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they’ll come for you.

Don’t say I didn’t want you. 

Poseidon sighed, thinking about Percy. If he was already saying this in the first excerpt, how was the rest of these 5 journals going to go? He had a bad feeling that Percy was not going to have an easy life. Poseidon had condemned him to that, though. Hopefully, Poseidon can make up for that in these journals, and if not, then after he has completed reading them. 

My name is Percy Jackson. 

Poseidon choked, not reading the next sentence out loud. He should have known based on the title of the journal. He should have known based on how the Moirai said that these journals will follow Percy’s adventures starting with what was happening now. But this really put it into his perspective. 

“Poseidon, are you okay?” Hestia asked, calmly. Poseidon coughed, before continuing to read, not answering his older sister. 

I am twelve years old. 

“How old is he now?” Ares asked, trying to get a gauge on when the beginning of the book takes place. 

“Twelve,” Poseidon whispered. 

“Brother,” Hades started. “How have you hidden your child for so long?” Poseidon flinched at the question, unsure how to answer. He hadn’t really been involved with hiding Percy as he grew up. 

“Honestly, I am not sure how Sally has kept him hidden.” He replied. The rest of the Olympians made the correct assumption that Sally was the boy’s mother, Poseidon’s lover. Poseidon thought back to his time with Sally. He had been happy, oh so very happy. She had loved to spend time with him at the beach. He had loved talking to her about anything and everything. His heart warmed just thinking about her and the son they created. 

“You still love her,” Aphrodite said, not questioned. She could feel the love radiating off of Poseidon as he thought about his lover. The god nodded his head towards her, smiling softly. She smiled back, adoring how she could feel how he felt. 

“Have you been helping them?” Demeter asked, intrigued. 

“No, she wouldn’t let me.” Poseidon answered before pushing on with the journal. He didn’t want to answer any more questions. 

Until a few months ago, I was a boarding student at Yancy Academy, a private school for troubled kids in upstate New York. 

Am I a troubled kid?

“He’s Poseidon’s child. Of course, he is.” Hades said. Hades could list the trouble that his brother’s children have caused. Poseidon even helps create troubles for his children occasionally. For example, how Theseus went after the Minotaur, a monster that Poseidon had helped create. Man, wouldn’t it be poetic for the Minotaur to go after Percy as well. 

Poseidon glared at his brother while others chuckled at the statement. 

Yeah. You could say that. 

“See, he agrees with me!” Hades said.

While others laughed, there was one god who looked troubled. Dionysus was sitting on his throne, tapping his finger. This demigod was coming to camp soon and was already calling himself a ‘troubled kid.’ Dionysus already had a bunch of troubled kids at the camp. He did not want to be there anymore. 

Poseidon had been watching Dionysus think. He was worried about Percy’s mental state, and was not glad to see that his nephew caught it as well. This fortified his worries that Percy was not a happy child. 

I could start at any point in my short miserable life to prove it,

“Short and miserable?” Aphrodite repeated. Poseidon shifted in his chair, not liking the sound of what he just read. Aphrodite glanced at the Sea God, trying to read his reaction. Percy was twelve years old, and was already saying his life was short and miserable. He must struggle to make connections with those around him. 

Poseidon once again felt a pool of worry at the bottom of his stomach. He thought back to the updates he had been given in recent years about Percy and Sally. While it was apparent that Sally was having financial problems, he never thought it was so bad that Percy would describe it as thus. 

“That’s a little concerning.” Dionysus voiced his thinking. 

Artemis raised an eyebrow, turning toward the God of Madness. She didn’t think he was paying much attention to the reading, and was surprised to hear his comment. 

“The boy has low self-esteem. He has been really negative with everything we’ve read and it’s most likely that he will continue down that path.” Dionysus continued, staring straight into Poseidon’s eyes. Dionysus had control over madness. He could make someone go mad or take the madness away from them. He was not inclined to see a twelve year old sink slowly into it. 

Poseidon shifted in his seat. 

But things really started going bad last May, when our sixth-grade class took a field trip to Manhattan – twenty-eight mental-case kids

“I get the feeling that he is including himself in that.” Ares mentioned, smirking. 

Hephaestus signed lowly at the statement. He knew how it felt to not like yourself. To think badly of yourself. He wished Poseidon’s child did not have these thoughts to bear. 

and two teachers on a yellow school bus heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to look at ancient Greek and Roman stuff. 

Athena puffed up in pride, loving that they were on their way to a field trip like this. She was of the opinion that ancient Greek and Roman history needed to be taught more in schools. This would keep them from fading. 

“Sounds like torture.” Hermes said, breaking through Athena’s thoughts. Athena turned, glaring at the offender. Hermes just didn’t understand the appeal of the field trip. 

“It does not,” Athena hissed. “It’s important that young children learn about this information, so that our influence stays alive.”

Hermes just shrugged. “Still sounds like torture.” 

I know – it sounds like torture. 

“See, Percy agrees with me!” Hermes cheered. However, there was a problem with the statement Percy just made. 

“Aren’t field trips usually a favorite in school?” 

This question made everyone turn toward the God of Wine. Dionysus was surprising them all. It seemed to Dionysus that the others did not understand what he actually did at the camp. He was in charge of all of their brats, making sure that they did not die. However, it seems like they did not appreciate what he did. 

“Why do you know that?” Artemis asked. 

“I’m the director of the camp. I hear stories about school all the time when campers return in the summer. They all brag about where they went and what they did. I’m surprised that Percy finds it at all torturous.” Dionysus explained as if it should be obvious. 

Poseidon frowned, thinking about what Dionysus said. Percy should be enjoying school, especially field trips. They sound like they are supposed to help engage students in their learning. However, Percy sounded like he hated them. He wondered what had happened to develop these feelings toward field trips. 

“Yeah, that makes sense,” Ares states, “but we just assumed you didn’t care about them.” 

It was a bold statement. Very bold by the War God. Dionysus turned toward him and simply said “That’s not it. I just don’t want to become attached.” Dionysus tried in the beginning, he really did, but he lost too many. Eventually, he just didn’t see the point in bonding with the campers as he was just going to lose them. 

Everyone flinched at that statement. They knew what that meant. Demigods are attacked often. Very often. Dionysus not wanting to become attached was for one reason, and one reason only. Just like how Zeus’ daughter had perished before she even entered camp, others could perish after entering camp by leaving for the school year or by going on quests. If one left camp and did not return, there was only that one reason for it. 

Poseidon shifted in his seat, before reading again, sensing that no one had a response to Dionysus. 

Most Yancy field trips were. 

But Mr. Brunner, 

Dionysus sat up straight. He recognized that name. That alias that a certain centaur uses whenever he was sent out, which was not often. It was not surprising to him to learn that Chiron had made the trip to teach the demigod before confirming who his parent was. He knew that Chiron had been called by a satyr a couple months ago, the satyr explaining that he thinks he found a powerful demigod. The kid must have had a strong smell. 

“The teacher, I think that’s Chiron.” He filled everyone in. 

“You think?” Hades asked. Dionysus only nodded in response, not confirming the centaur’s appearance just yet. He knew it was, but needed the book to confirm anyway. 

our Latin teacher, was leading this trip, so I had high hopes. 

Mr. Brunner was this middle-aged guy in a motorized wheel-chair. He had thinning hair and a scruffy beard and a frayed jacket, which always smelled like coffee. You wouldn’t think he’s be cool, but he told stories and jokes and let us play games in class. He also had this awesome collection of Roman armor and weapons 

“Definitely Chiron,” Dionysus confirmed. 

Poseidon felt immensely better now knowing that Chiron was on the field trip. His son would be safe if the trainer of heroes was there with him. 

so he was the only teacher whose class didn’t put me to sleep. 

Athena scoffed at that. Of course Poseidon’s son would sleep in class. She wouldn’t expect anything else from the child. 

“Probably because of his ADHD.” Hestia gave the reason. She could sympathize with her young nieces and nephews. She knew how much of a struggle it was to pay attention to what was happening and they struggled even more. “Their brains are hard-wired for battle, not a classroom.” 

I hoped this trip would be okay. At least, I hoped for once that I wouldn’t get in trouble. 

“That’s hard for a demigod.” Hestia said sadly. They always, always had trouble in public schools. They were always blamed for anything that went wrong, no matter if they had anything to do with it or not. 

Hermes agreed, thinking about his own children. Because they were troublemakers, everything was assumed to be their fault. He knew that his children do not cross certain lines, but they are assumed to do everything wrong. 

Boy was I wrong. 

Poseidon groaned at the confirmation that something was going to happen. 

See, bad things happen to me on field trips. 

“So, it makes sense that he hates them,” Poseidon said, sighing. Dionysus nodded at the Sea God. 

Like at my fifth-grade school, when we went to the Saratoga battlefield, I had this accident with a Revolutionary War cannon. I wasn’t aiming for the school bus, but of course I got expelled anyway. 

Ares snorted, thinking about a war cannon. Those can pack a punch when deployed, and thinking of the destruction one of them could cause to a school bus was amusing. However, he was confused as to why one would have the cannon ball inside. 

“Why was there a cannon ball inside it?” Hera asked. It seemed ridiculous to her that any place would keep one stocked for anyone to just walk up to and set off. 

And before that, at my fourth-grade school, 

“He’s naming each school by grade level,” Hades caught, finding that interesting. 

Poseidon sighed, saying “Yes, he has trouble at school like he has said in the journal.” Poseidon kept track of Percy’s schooling, knowing that he gets kicked out, or asked not to return, each school year. He just wasn’t sure why. 

when we took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Marine World shark pool, I sort of hit the wrong lever 

Apollo snorted, already seeing where this was going. 

on the catwalk and our class took an unplanned swim. 

Poseidon mumbled “I’m sure they just wanted to say hello to my son.” 

And the time before that… Well, you get the idea. 

Hermes and Apollo groaned. “I wanted to hear more about those,” Apollo complained. Everyone rolled their eyes at the two.

“Uncle, you must know more,” Hermes turned hopefully to the God of the Sea. Everyone knew how protective Poseidon was of his children. There was no way he didn’t keep tabs on Percy. Unfortunately, they saw the guilt in Poseidon’s eyes, because no, he did not know more. He should as the boy’s father, but he did not. 

“I know he’s switched schools a lot, but I’m not sure why. Hearing these stories, I’m thinking something like this happens often.” Poseidon inferred. He shifted guiltily, wishing he had kept a better track of Percy’s life. He couldn’t risk his family finding out though. He had had to act like Percy didn’t exist so that they would not catch on. 

On this trip, I was determined to be good. 

Aphrodite sighed, already knowing that something was going to go wrong and that Percy would be blamed. It was inevitable. She was aware that demigod children get blamed heavily. All she could think about was her own daughters, Silena and Piper. She knows her children have had the same issues in school. 

All the way into the city, I put up with Nancy Bobofit, the freckly, redheaded kleptomaniac girl, hitting my best friend Grover in the back of the head with chunks of peanut butter-and-ketchup sandwich. 

They all gagged at the thought of that type of sandwich. That sounded disgusting. Demeter looked a little green, even. “She needs a healthier option,” Demeter said, feeling queasy. 

Zeus, however, focused on something completely different. Grover. Was this the satyr that had failed his daughter? Had let his daughter sacrifice herself in order for the satyr and two other demigods to live?  His eyes narrowed, hoping it wasn’t. This satyr had already failed and did not deserve a second chance. Peculiar how the maybe second chance was Poseidon’s son after what happened to his daughter. 

Grover was an easy target. He was scrawny. He cried when he got frustrated. He must’ve been held back several grades, because he was the only sixth grader with acne and the start of a wispy beard on his chin.

Zeus tensed, realizing it was the satyr who failed his daughter. No one but Dionysus seemed to notice the God of Thunder tensing. Dionysus had known that Grover was out on another mission. He also knows that Chiron was called in so he now gets to hear about it. No wonder Chiron was called if the kid was Poseidon’s child. 

On top of all that, he was crippled. He had a note excusing him from PE for the rest of his life because he had some kind of muscular disease. 

Athena was nodding along with the excuse, thinking that it was a good one. Obviously, satyrs would walk weirdly if they had to wear shoes. This excuse helped with the questions that he would probably receive with how he walked. 

He walked funny, like every step hurt him, but don’t let that fool you. You should’ve seen him run when it was enchilada day in the cafeteria. 

“And he ruined it,” Apollo sighed heavily. Hermes was next to him shaking his head sadly. 

Dionysus frowned, wondering why this satyr was blowing his cover. He’d have to talk to the satyr if this continued. That was not safe for the demigod that he was protecting. If Percy had gotten any inkling from him, then his scent would get stronger. 

Anyway, Nancy Bobofit was throwing wads of sandwich

Aphrodite sniffed at the reminder. That sounded absolutely disgusting. 

that stuck in his curly brown hair, and she knew I couldn’t do anything because I was already on probation. 

“Probably for nothing,” Poseidon mumbled. 

“It  usually is with them,” Hermes sighed. He saw the same kind of things happening to his children. However, sometimes there was a reason for the probation for his kids.

The headmaster had threatened me with death 

“They can do that?” Hephaestus jumped in. He was not aware that that was any type of punishment. Thinking about his children that are currently in school, he frowned. 

by in-school suspension

As Poseidon finished reading this part, Hephaestus relaxed, returning to his tinkering. He was glad to know that death was not an option as a punishment in schools. Aphrodite was watching her husband in interest, surprised to see his worry for the children. 

Ares groaned in disappointment. “I thought we were about to get some action,” He mumbled, only to have Aphrodite swat at him. 

if anything bad, embarrassing, or even mildly entertaining happened on this trip. 

“I’m really going to kill her,” I mumbled. 

“Finally,” Ares said while he leaned forward. He was ready to hear about fights. Reading and sitting was boring to him, he wanted to be able to move around. He hated sitting in one place for too long, 

“He wouldn’t actually hit a maiden, would he?” Artemis asked. She thought that it was unjust of him to attack the girl, even if the girl had been bothering them how she had. 

“You know, sister, sometimes there might be a need such as in a fight. In this case, the girl is bullying his friend,” Apollo said. He knew how his sister felt about girls, but in this case he believed that Percy was reacting in a way that any young child would. They would want to stick up for their friend. 

Artemis remained silent, but continued looking annoyed. Boys should not be hitting girls, period, in her eyes. 

Grover tried to calm me down. “It’s okay. I like peanut butter.” 

“But definitely not in your hair,” Aphrodite sniffed. 

Zeus shifted in his seat, again. This is the satyr that failed his daughter, he wasn’t that upset that he was getting this treatment. 

He dodged another piece of Nancy’s lunch. 

“That’s it.” I started to get up, but Grover pulled me back to my seat. 

“Why does he keep stopping him?” Ares groaned. He wanted some action now. 

“Not everyone is a brute like you,” Hephaestus replied. He hated everything about Ares, and always agreed with the opposite opinion. Although, he did feel like this girl needed a good punch to stop. 

Ares settled for just glaring at Hephaestus for the small dig at his personality. 

“You’re already on probation,” He reminded me. “You know who’ll get blamed if anything happens.” 

Poseidon sighed sadly, knowing that it would ultimately be his son that got blamed. It always seemed to be his children. 

Looking back on it, I wish I’d decked Nancy Bobofit right then and there. 

“Me too,” Ares agreed. 

In-school suspension would’ve been nothing compared to the mess I was about to get myself into. 

Poseidon shifted on his throne. He thought that he would enjoy learning more about his son, but now he is not so sure. There seems to be a lot of foreshadowing in this journal that seems to be insinuation that his son will get hurt later on. He did not even want to think about his son getting hurt. 

Mr. Brunner led the museum tour. 

“Trust Chiron to lead the tour,” Hera said amusedly. She knew that Chiron loved to have control over events like this field trip. He probably purposefully chose the museum about Greek and Roman history. 

He rode up front in his wheelchair, 

Hephaestus leaned forward, wondering if it was the wheelchair that he had built for Chiron. The wheelchair was especially equipped, with extra weapons hidden away just in case there were any monsters hiding around. 

“He usually takes yours,” Dionysus mumbled to his brother, seeing the interest he had. Hephaestus nodded his thanks, and went on thinking about if there was anything else he could add to Chiron’s wheelchair. 

guiding us through the big echoey galleries, past marble statues and glass cases full of really old black-and-orange pottery. 

It blew my mind that this stuff had survived for two thousand, three thousand years. 

“Most definitely even older than that,” Athena sniffed. She was assuming that the Sea God’s son was about to bash the history and artifacts that he had the privilege of seeing. If he thought the whole entire trip was torture, why would he even try to learn. 

He gathered us around a thirteen-foot-tall stone column with a big sphinx on the top, and started telling us how it was a grave marker, a stele, for a girl about our age.

“They do die at a young age sometimes, don’t they?” Hestia asked, worriedly. No one had the nerve to answer her. 

He told us about the carvings on the sides. I was trying to listen to what he had to say, because it was kind of interesting,

Athena looked surprised that the child of Poseidon wanted to learn. She assumed that he would not be interested in this at all. 

but everybody around me was talking, and every time I told them to shut up, the other chaperone, Mrs. Dodds, would give me the evil eye.

Hestia sighed. She was upset that the young demigods get blamed for everything and nothing, even when they are at no fault. She hopes that changes, but she isn’t so sure it will. 

Mrs. Dodds was this little math teacher from Georgia who always wore a black leather jacket, even though she was fifty years old. She looked mean enough to ride a Harley right into your locker. She had come to Yancy halfway through the year when our last math teacher had a nervous breakdown. 

Hades stiffened, figuring out who Mrs. Dodds was. He must have believed that the boy had his Helm of Darkness and sent Alecto to retrieve the symbol of power. He glanced at Poseidon, who was frowning at the description of the teacher. He was not so excited to see how Poseidon reacted to finding out who Mrs. Dodds really was. 

Athena was watching Hades as he reacted. She saw him stiffen and then grimace, and she wondered if he recognized Mrs. Dodds. Maybe he figured out what kind of monster she was.  

From her first day, Mrs. Dodds loved Nancy Bobofit and figured I was devil spawn. She would point her crooked finger at me and say “Now, honey,” real sweet and I knew I was going to get after-school detention for a month. 

“That’s awful!” Hermes sounded offended. He hoped that his kids never had to experience anything like this.

“Seems a bit unfair,” Demeter trailed off. 

One time, after she’d made me erase answers out of old math workbooks until midnight,

“That’s much too late!” Poseidon interrupted himself. His son was a growing boy and needed rest.

Athena frowned, knowing that students needed sleep in order to do well in the classroom. She was not thrilled that this teacher, or most likely monster, was adding to the negative view on education that the boy already had. 

I told Grover that I didn’t think Mrs. Dodds was human. 

“Even the boy is catching on,” Hera said. 

He looked at me, real serious, and said, “You’re absolutely right.”

“Why would he say that?” Hestia frowned. The satyr was supposed to be trying to protect the demigod, not introduce him to this world yet. The satyr saying this just gives the demigod more ideas about it. 

Dionysus frowned as well. He knew Grover and Chiron were already out on this mission, but everything that he had heard was telling him that the satyr was not ready to be in the field again so soon. 

Zeus’ frown furthered, thinking about how that satyr should have never been sent out again. 

Mr. Brunner kept talking about Greek funeral art.

Finally, Nancy Bobofit snickered something about the naked guy on the stele,

Artemis frowned. She knew that Nancy was a maiden, but she was not being respectful. Nancy was getting on her nerves with everything that she did. Maybe Percy should have hit her before… no, it still wasn’t an option. In her mind, every maiden was welcomed into the hunt until they made a mistake. This maiden was seemingly not deserving of the hunt, but did not deserve to be hit by the boy still. 

and I turned around and said “Will you shut up!”

It came out louder than I meant it to. 

“It always does,” Apollo snickered. 

The whole group laughed. Mr. Brunner stopped his story. 

“Mr. Jackson,” he said, “did you have a comment?” 

“Why would Chiron single out Percy, but not that girl?” Poseidon asked. He knew how good Chiron’s hearing was. There was no way that he did not hear the girl making a joke of their history. 

“He’s probably just focused on Percy’s learning,” Hermes said, shrugging. Hermes thought that it was more important for Percy to learn these things anyway. Nancy did not need to know all of this to survive in her world. 

My face was totally red. I said, “No, sir.” 

Mr. Brunner pointed to one of the pictures on the stele. “Perhaps you’ll tell us what this picture represents?” 

I looked at the carving, and felt a flush of relief, because I actually recognized it. “That’s Kronos eating his kids, right? 

“It just had to be that one,” Hades groaned. None of the elder Gods liked thinking about that piece of their history. It was a nightmare. 

“Yes,” Mr. Brunner said, obviously not satisfied. “And he did this because…”

“Because father was paranoid that we would take over,” Demeter supplied. She was not thrilled at the reminder of what happened. 

“Well…” I racked my brain to remember. “Kronos was the 

Poseidon inwardly groaned, reading a little ahead. He knew that Zeus would not react well to the next couple words and he needed to be prepared to defend his son. Why, oh why, did Percy have to include this little detail in his journal? 

king god, and–” 

Zeus froze, hearing these words. Those words were wrong, just plain wrong. Wrong to the point that they were disrespectful to him and the rest of the Olympians. He knew that Poseidon paused the reading just because of this. “God?” He asked slowly, hoping he had heard his brother incorrectly. Thunder boomed in the sky, showing that the God of the Skies was not happy about the blunder. 

“I’m sure Chiron will correct him,” Hades said. He also did not like the mistake, but Zeus was one for the dramatics. He would harm the boy for this mistake, which was not necessary. Poseidon would then have war on him, something that everyone was actively trying to avoid right before the journals were dropped off. 

“He better.” Zeus growled, eyeing Poseidon. 

“He will,” Poseidon replied, gripping the book tightly. As long as Zeus had not directly threatened his son, he could reign in his protectiveness, right?

“God?” Mr. Brunner asked. 

“Titan,” I corrected myself. 

Poseidon sighed in relief, happy that Percy had corrected his mistake. 

“And… he didn’t trust his kids, who were the gods. So um, kronos as them, right? But his wife hid baby Zeus, and gave Kronos a rock to eat instead. 

“How did he not realize that it was a rock?” Hermes asked, genuinely curious. 

“Easy. Zeus has a hard head.” Hades replied smoothly, smirking at his youngest brother. Zeus glared at him, about to respond. However, Poseidon plowed on with the reading trying to avoid that fight. 

And later, when Zeus grew up, he tricked his dad, Kronos, into barfing up his brothers and sisters–” 

“A sensation I never, ever, want to feel again.” Demeter interrupted, shivering. 

“Eeew!” said one of the girls behind me. 

“--and so there was this big fight between the gods and the Titans,” I continued, “and the gods won.” 

All of them just blinked. 

“Did that boy just explain the ending of a war as ‘and the gods won’?” Athena asked, not sure if she had heard right. Sure, the Olympians won that battle and sure, it was against the Titans. However, there was so much more to that war and what happened while fighting it. She knew that her father and his siblings had done so much more than just won. The boy had barely explained the bare minimum of this war. 

“I’m hoping that Chiron elaborates on this.” Hestia said quietly. While she did not want to relive the war, she wished that there was more credit mentioned. 

Some snickers from the group. 

Behind me, Nancy Bobofit mumbled to a friend, “Like we’re going to use this in real life. Like it’s going to say on our job applications, ‘Please explain why Kronos ate his kids.’” 

“And why, Mr. Jackson,” Brunner said, “to paraphrase Miss Bobofit’s excellent question, does this matter in real life?” 

“I get why he is asking Percy, but I wish he directed it to the girl,” Hermes said, annoyed. Apollo nodded, agreeing with the messenger. 

“At least she was called out,” Aphrodite added. 

“Busted,” Grover muttered. 

“Shut up,” Nancy hissed, her face even brighter red than her hair. 

At least Nancy got packed, too. 

Apollo and Hermes snickered. 

Mr. Brunner was the only one who ever caught her saying anything wrong. He had radar ears. 

“You have no idea, Percy,” Poseidon mumbled to his son. No one mentioned that they had heard him say this. 

I thought about his question, and shrugged. “I don’t know, sir.” 

“Still can’t believe that he asked Percy and not that girl,” Hermes huffed. He completely understands why Chiron would direct it toward Percy, as his life will be involving all of it, but he thinks that the girl should have been the one to answer this question

“I see.” Mr. Brunner looked disappointed. “Well, half credit, Mr. Jackson. 

Poseidon frowned. Percy answered the first question (mostly). In his opinion, he deserved full-credit. 

Zeus did indeed feed Kronos a mixture of mustard and wine, 

All of the olympians winced at the mention of this concoction. It sounds disgusting to all of them. A certain few who were inside his stomach looked a little greener than some others. 

which made him disgorge his other five children, who, of course, being immortal gods, had been living and growing up completely undigested in the Titan’s stomach. The gods defeated their father, sliced him to pieces with his own scythe, and scattered his remains in Tartarus, the darkest part of the Underworld. 

Hades frowned at the mention of Tartarus. A piece of his realm that he does not rule, but watches over. The pit was always watched, for it was always hungry, but he nor anyone else in his realm gets remotely close to it. 

On that happy note, 

“Happy note?” Hephseastus mumbled, not really understanding how any of that could be happy. 

“It was sarcasm,” Hermes explained, hoping that he was truly right in assuming it was. There was no way Chiron meant it differently, right?

it’s time for lunch. Mrs. Dodds, would you lead us back outside? 

Hades glanced over at Poseidon, wondering if he knows who Mrs. Dodds was yet. Based off the way he was still calmly reading, he assumed that no, Poseidon had no clue yet. He turned away, only to make eye contact with the goddess of wisdom. 

“Hades, do you–” Athena was cut off by Hades. 

Quiet, Athena! Athena heard in her head. She glanced at the god, narrowing her eyes. He narrowed his eyes back at her. She knows that he is aware of who the monster is. She even has an idea of who it is. She was glad that it was Poseidon’s child dealing with the creature, and not her own. Shifting back toward Poseidon, she relented for now in order to continue reading. However, she was going to keep a close eye on her uncle. 

Unaware to both of them, a gentle spirit in the middle of the throne room was watching their exchange. She had a bad feeling about what was going to occur further in the book. 

The class drifted off, the girls holding their stomachs, the guys pushing each other around and acting like doofuses. 

“Like always,” Artemis grumbled, crossing her arms. Guys were always acting like doofuses in her eyes. They never thought out plans, and always wanted to just have fun. They were never going to look good to her. 

Her twin brother glanced over at her, frowning at her stance. He had been trying to get her to change her mind for a while now, and maybe these books are just what she needs. He hoped that Artemis would see that some guys are good by the end of this reading. 

Grover and I were about to follow when Mr. Brunner said, “Mr. Jackson.” 

Hermes and Apollo groaned. 

I knew that was coming. 

Dionysus frowned. Again, here was the boy expecting bad things or consequences to just follow him. He did not want to deal with this at the camp. He will most likely not pay attention to this boy in order to not have to keep an eye on him. 

I told Grover to keep going. Then I turned toward Mr. Brunner. “Sir?” 

Mr. Brunner had this look that wouldn’t let you go– intense brown eyes that could’ve been a thousand years old and had seen everything. 

Zeus was impressed. Not that he would voice this to Poseidon. However, he was impressed that the boy seemed to have a good instinct. He seemed to be able to understand certain things that were happening very quickly. 

“You must learn the answer to my question,” Mr. Brunner told me. 

“About the Titans?” 

“About real life. And how your studies apply to it.” 

“Oh.” 

Ares snickered at Percy’s response. 

“What you learn from me,” he said, “is vitally important. I expect you to treat it as such. 

Hestia frowned. While she was glad that Chiron had high expectations, Percy is still unaware of what he is. This conversation might not do what Chiron is hoping. It is putting extra pressure on the child before the child knows why. 

I will accept only the best from you, Percy Jackson.” 

Poseidon was not sure if he liked how Chiron was handling Percy. First, he asked Percy to answer the question about Kronos. Second, he called Percy out for the girl’s question, and had Percy answer it instead of the girl. Now, here he was putting pressure on Percy. He understood it was high standards to make sure Percy survives, and he appreciated that, but some of this was too much for his child. 

I wanted to get angry, this guy pushed me so hard. 

“He is just trying to help, though,” Hera answered the book, surprising a lot of the others. She had been quiet for a while, just listening to what was happening. She was upset that Poseidon had been unfaithful, and was trying to hold in her comments about that since it was more so Amphitrite’s right to have that conversation. She didn’t see why she needed to know about this child, as he was just a demigod. He must be the one that the oath is about, but she still thought this was all unnecessary. 

I mean, sure, it was kind of cool on tournament days, when he dressed up in a suit of Roman armor and shouted: “What ho!” and challenged us, sword-point against chalk, to run to the board and name every Greek and Roman person who had ever lived, 

“I can’t even do that,” Apollo said, appalled that Chiron asked twelve-year-olds to do it. 

and their mother, and what god they worshipped. But Mr. Brunner expected me to be as good as everyone else, despite the fact that I have dyslexia and attention deficit disorder and I had never made above a C– in my life. 

Athena huffed. Of course the boy had not gotten better grades. He was Poseidon’s child. In her opinion, grades were the most important things about school. “I can believe that he hasn’t done better,” her snide remark interrupted Poseidon’s reading. 

Poseidon glared at her. There was no need to say that. 

No– he didn’t expect me to be as good; he expected me to be better. And I just couldn’t learn all those names and facts, much less spell them correctly. 

Aphrodite frowned, knowing why Percy had so much trouble. Percy shouldn’t even be concerned over this. He should be more concerned over relationships, making friends and such. 

I mumbled something about trying harder, while Mr. Brunner took one long sad look at the stele, like he’d been at this girl’s funeral. 

Zeus frowned. How was this demigod catching these little hints? It was almost like he knew what to look for. He glanced over at his brother, wondering if he had anything to do about that. But, the rules, he couldn’t have. Could he? 

Poseidon felt Zeus looking at him. When Poseidon returned the look, Zeus turned away. He wasn’t sure what his younger brother was thinking, but he hoped it was nothing bad. 

He told me to go outside and eat my lunch. 

The class gathered on the front steps of the museum, where we could watch the foot traffic along Fifth Avenue. 

Overhead, a huge storm was brewing, 

The Olympians glanced at Poseidon, wondering if the storm was from him. 

Poseidon just shrugged. Honestly, if he was aware that Zeus was blaming him for the theft and that Percy was revealed, his mood would be all over the place. It wasn’t too surprising if there were storms. 

with clouds blacker than I’d ever seen over the city. I figured maybe it was global warming or something, because the weather all across New York state had been weird since Christmas. We’d had massive snow storms, flooding, wildfires from lightning strikes. I wouldn’t have been surprised if this was a hurricane blowing in. 

Everyone was staring at both Poseidon and Zeus now. 

“Well, it’s not that surprising.” Hera huffed, thinking about everything that was happening. Her husband would definitely start with the storms if something was bothering him. Her eyes found Zeus sitting in his throne, pridefully holding his head high. He was not bothered about all of those events happening. Her gaze traveled to Poseidon, who seemed just as unbothered. 

Hades sagged in his throne, thinking of all the mortals that could have possibly gotten killed in the snow storms, flooding, and wildfires that were mentioned. The Underworld was already crowded as it was, and his brothers were not helping that. 

Nobody else seemed to notice. 

Athena scoffed. Of course no one was noticing. 

Some of the guys were pelting pigeons with Lunchables crackers. Nancy Bobofit was trying to pickpocket something from a lady’s purse, and, of course, Mrs. Dodds wasn’t seeing a thing. 

Hermes frowned. “Clearly that’s favoritism." 

“Are we really that surprised?” Aphrodite responded. The girl had been getting away with everything. This Mrs. Dodds clearly did not care what anyone did but Percy. 

Grover and I sat on the edge of the fountain, away from the others. 

Aphrodite wondered if Percy struggled making friends. He was always putting himself down and only bothered speaking to Grover on this trip. 

We thought that maybe if we did that, everybody wouldn’t know we were from that school– the school for loser freaks 

Poseidon frowned. “I hope he doesn’t think of himself like that.” 

“He separated himself from them, so maybe he doesn’t?” Apollo ended the statement off more as a question. If he really thought about what has been happening, Percy most likely thinks of himself as a loser freak. He has been putting himself down this whole time. 

who couldn’t make it elsewhere. 

“Detention?” Grover asked. 

“Nah,” I said. “Not from Brunner, I just wish he’d lay off me sometimes. I mean– I’m not a genius.” 

“It’s for your own good.” Athena said. 

Hestia was by her hearth frowning slightly. While Chiron holding the standard for Percy high was important, the amount of pressure he’s putting on Percy is not good. Talking about life-and-death to a twelve-year-old who knows nothing about this world was not good. She hoped that Chiron would explain what he meant more to Percy as soon as he found out about monsters. 

Grover didn’t say anything for a while. Then, when I thought he was going to give me some deep philosophical comment to make me feel bitter, 

“He probably asked for food.” Dionysus interrupted. 

Everyone looked over at the god. He shifted in his seat, looking straight ahead in his throne, and said, “It’s always food with the satyrs.” 

Hermes and Apollo snickered. 

he said, “Can I have your apple?” 

Dionysus just met everyone’s eyes, as if to say I told you so. 

I didn’t have much of an appetite, so I let him take it. 

Demeter grimaced. Growing children need all the food they can get. She did not think it was healthy for Percy to not have an appetite. 

“I hope he eats later then,” Demeter commented. 

I watched the stream of cabs going down Fifth Avenue, and thought about my mom’s apartment, only a little ways uptown from where we sat. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas. I wanted so bad to jump in a taxi and head home. 

Hera smiled at the thought of someone loving their mother so much like Percy. She could tell from just those sentences that the boy and his mother have a strong connection. She wished she could have that same connection with her children. 

She’d hug me and be glad to see me, but she’d be disappointed, too. 

“Sounds like they have a good relationship.” Aphrodite said softly. She was glad that Percy had a supportive figure in his life. 

She’d send me right back to Yancy, remind me that I had to try harder, even if this was my sixth school in six years and I was probably going to be kicked out again. I wouldn’t be able to stand that sad look she’d give me. 

Hephaestus found himself comparing the boy’s mother to his own. His own mother had tossed Hephaestus off the side of Mt. Olympus because she was ashamed of him. She saw his deformity, saw his ugliness, and wanted to get rid of him. Percy’s mother, however, sounded like she wanted to keep Percy by her side. He wondered why that bothered him so much. 

Mr. Brunner parked his wheelchair at the base of the handicapped ramp. He ate celery while he read a paperback novel. A red umbrella stuck up from the back of his chair, making it look like a motorized café table. 

Hephaestus was shaken out of his thoughts at the mention of Chiron’s wheelchair. He chose to focus on that instead of his mother. He was glad that Chiron had an excuse to use it. 

I was about to unwrap my sandwich when Nancy Bobofit 

Apollo groaned at the name, already tired of her shenanigans. 

appeared in front of me with her ugly friends– I guess she’d gotten tired of stealing from the tourists– 

“And they say my children are bad,” Hermes grumbled, upset that his children get such a bad reputation but here is a mortal partaking in the activity of theft. 

and dumped her half-eaten lunch in Grover’s lap. 

“Such a waste of food,” Demeter snapped, upset that no one will be eating it. 

“Oops.” She grinned at me with her crooked teeth. 

“I wonder if she has a crush on Percy,” Aphrodite muttered. Poseidon looked horrified at the thought. 

Her freckles were orange, as if somebody had spray-painted her face with liquid cheetos. 

“Liquid cheetos?” A disgusted Hera asked. 

I tried to stay cool. The school counselor had told me a million times, “Count to ten, get control of your temper.” 

“If he is anything like Poseidon, that does not work,” Zeus commented. 

“Well maybe if my brother wasn’t so dramatic, my temper wouldn’t blow,” Poseidon snapped back. When Poseidon lost his temper, there was a high chance that Zeus caused it somehow. Just before this reading started, Zeus caused it by accusing him of theft. 

But I was so mad my mind went blank. A wave roared in my ears. 

Poseidon was intrigued. When he got angry, a similar thing happened to him. His mind would clear, and a wave rushed through his ears. 

I don’t remember touching her, but the next thing I knew, Nancy was sitting on her butt in the fountain, 

Apollo snorted at the mental image that was provided. 

screaming, “Percy pushed me!” 

Mrs. Dodds materialized next to us. 

“Materialized?” Athena muttered. She had an idea of what this monster was. She glanced at Hades, seeing how he had been watching Poseidon this whole time. Hades shifted in his seat away from Poseidon, a little more. 

Poseidon tensed. This was the teacher that was most likely a monster, and the book was insinuating it again. He knows that his son might be in trouble, and is really concerned to keep reading. He gripped the book tightly, pressing on in the reading. 

Some of the kids were whispering: “Did you see—” 

“—the water—” 

“—like it grabbed her–”

“He’s very attuned with his powers if he can do that with no training,” Athena said. Percy was just twelve-years-old, a child, and he knew nothing about this side of the world. It was both interesting and concerning how much control he had over this power without training. 

“Almost too attuned.” Zeus muttered. Zeus was thinking along the same lines. He glanced at Poseidon, wondering if he had something to do with this. This half–blood has too much power from the get-go. He will have to keep an eye on things as they read. 

Poseidon avoided their eyes, not making eye contact. 

I didn’t know what they were talking about. 

“That’s because you didn’t really push her,” Poseidon said softly, as if Percy was in the room to listen. 

“He did do something though,” Ares argued, grinning. He was about to get some action from the book. 

Poseidon just stared at the war god for several seconds before returning to the book. 

All I knew was that I was in trouble again. 

Aphrodite scowled. Of course the half-blood was in trouble. Everything that went wrong was blamed on any of their children. Sometimes she wondered if there was an aura that all half-bloods emitted like a beacon for trouble. They always somehow managed to get into it.  

As soon as Mrs. Dodds was sure poor little Nancy was okay, promising to get her a new shirt at the museum gift shop, etc., etc., Mrs. Dodds turned on me. There was a triumphant fire in her eyes, as if I’d done something she’d been waiting for all semester. 

Hades paused. Did he not know if the boy was Poseidon’s before sending Alecto? He knew that he was missing his Helm, so there was a chance he sent her without knowing as a way to get it back quickly. 

“Did the monster not know?” Artemis asked, curious. 

“Now, honey–” 

“I know,” I grumbled. 

“Oh don’t tell me he guessed his punishment,” The God of Messengers groaned quietly. 

“A month erasing workbooks.” 

Hermes groaned, shaking his head softly. “You never guess your punishment,” he said. 

That wasn’t the right thing to say. 

“Come with me,” Mrs. Dodds said. 

“Wait!” Grover yelped. “It was me. I pushed her.” 

Zeus wished the satyr sacrificed himself for Thalia just like this. He wouldn’t feel so angry if the satyr has also sacrificed himself, or at least attempted to. His daughter was much more important and deserved to live. 

I stared at him, stunned. I couldn’t believe he was trying to cover for me. Mrs. Dodds scared Grover to death. 

Dionysus hummed. That confirmed it. Even though they already kind of knew that Mrs. Dodds was a monster, Grover being that scared helped make it a definite. 

She glared at him so hard his whiskery chin trembled. 

“I don’t think so, Mr. Underwood,” she said. 

“But–” 

“You– will– stay– here.” 

Grover looked at me desperately. 

“It’s okay, man,” I told him. “Thanks for trying.” 

“He still has no idea,” Hestia muttered sadly. She was afraid that Percy was going to get hurt. 

“Honey,” Mrs. Dodds barked at me. “Now.” 

Nancy Bobofit smirked. 

Apollo rolled his eyes. It was childish to take pleasure when someone else was getting in trouble. He really did not like this girl. 

I gave her my deluxe I’ll-kill-you-later stare. 

They all turned to Poseidon. 

“What?” He asked. 

“If it is anything like yours then I don’t want to see it,” Apollo said simply. Poseidon’s stares always promised death if he was angry. He was sure that his child could emit the same aura. 

Then I turned to face Mrs. Dodds, but she wasn’t there. She was standing at the museum entrance, way at the top of the steps, gesturing impatiently at me to come on. 

Poseidon’s grip on the book tightened more. He could feel the tug of worry in his stomach, could feel the way his power forced the waves to get bigger. His unease was a new feeling. Before starting these journals, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever felt such unease as he does with Percy facing his first monster. 

How’d she get there so fast? 

I have moments like that a lot, when my brain falls asleep or something, and the next thing I know I’ve missed something, as if a puzzle piece fell out of the universe and left me staring at the blank place behind it. 

What a descriptive way of explaining it Athena thought. 

The school counselor told me this was part of the ADHD, my brain misinterpreting things. 

I wasn’t so sure. 

I went after Mrs. Dodds. 

The tension rose. The Olympians did not want to interrupt Poseidon reading, as they could hear the way he picked up his pace and read faster. They saw the way Poseidon’s knuckles turned white from the grip he had on the book. 

Halfway up the steps, I glanced back at Grover. He was looking pale, cutting his eyes between me and Mr. Brunner, 

“Yes, get Chiron!” Poseidon muttered frantically. 

like he wanted Mr. Brunner to notice what was going on, but Mr. Brunner was absorbed in his novel. 

Poseidon heard a wave crash. Why wasn’t Chiron’s attention on his son? He was there to watch Percy, and yet here Percy was about to walk into an empty museum with a monster. His foot started tapping, wanting the reading to go faster. He was torn between reading faster, and skimming over the lines ahead to see what was happening. However, he felt that the Fates would not be happy if he did that. 

I looked back up. Mrs. Dodds had disappeared again. She was now inside the building, at the end of the entrance hall.

Poseidon’s tapping got faster. 

Okay, I thought. She’s going to make me buy a new shirt for Nancy at the gift shop. 

But apparently that wasn’t the plan. 

“It never is,” Hermes muttered. 

I followed her deeper into the museum. 

“Poseidon,” Hestia started. “Percy will be okay. There are 4 other journals to read after this one. And we are only on the first excerpt. He will be okay.” 

Hestia was worried. Poseidon did not seem to be taking the reading well right now. His tense frame and tapping foot was all she needed to see that Poseidon was stressed. A stressed Poseidon was never good. 

“You are right, Hestia,” Poseidon admitted, slowing his tapping to a stop. He could not loosen his grip through. He could not calm himself. “I am just worried.” 

Poseidon started to read again after that, wanting to continue. 

When I finally caught up to her, we were back in the Greek and Roman section. 

Except for us, the gallery was empty. 

“Of course it was,” Demeter commented. The monster purposefully brought the boy to an empty space. 

Mrs. Dodds stood with her arms crossed in front of a big marble frieze of the Greek gods. She was making this weird noise in her throat, like growling. 

Ares leaned forward, ready for action. He had been a bit bored until now.

Even without the noise, I would’ve been nervous. It’s weird being alone with a teacher, especially Mrs. Dodds. Something about the way she looked at the frieze, as if she wanted to pulverize it…

Zeus caught onto the boy realizing details that most wouldn’t. Once again the boy was too attuned to what was happening. 

“You’ve been giving us problems, honey,” she said. 

I did the safe thing. I said, “Yes, ma’am.” 

She tugged on the cuffs of her leather jacket. Did you really think you would get away with it?” 

Hades knew what she was referring to. No one else did. 

“Does she mean the bolt?” Artemis asked. She was surprised that a monster was sent looking for it. 

The look in her eyes was beyond mad. It was evil. 

“Hey, uh, Poseidon,” Hades started, glancing at his brother. It was obvious what was about to be revealed. He’d rather talk to Poseidon himself and tell him, than have it revealed in the book. 

Poseidon turned toward his older brother, cocking his head sideways. His eyes were blown wide, glancing between Hades and the book. “Not right now, brother. I need to continue reading.” 

Hades winced at that statement. “B–” Hades tried to start, but Poseidon plowed on with the book, not letting him even finish a word. 

Demeter’s eyes narrowed, wondering what Hades had been trying to tell the sea god. 

She’s a teacher, I thought nervously. It’s not like she’s going to hurt me. 

Demeter gasped, working out what the monster was. She knew who this monster was. Her daughter’s husband, her brother, had sent one of them after Poseidon’s son.

Why? Demeter pushed her thoughts toward the god in question. Hades’ glanced over at her. Why would you send one of them? 

That’s my business. Hades answered, narrowing his eyes at her. His business, and maybe Poseidon’s at the end of the chapter. Or when it was revealed. Whichever came first. 

Demeter huffed, glaring at the god. She was just trying to understand him. Clearly he didn’t want her trying. He stole her daughter anyway, so she should have just left him alone. However, she knew that Poseidon should not be the one finishing this chapter. 

“Poseidon, want me to take over the reading?” She offered, holding out her hand for the book. 

Poseidon all but shoved the book away from him, needing to get it out of his hands, but needing it to still be read. His son was about to face his first monster, without even knowing about his true family. 

He settled back in his throne, gripping the armrest of the chair harshly. 

I said, “I’ll– I’ll try harder, ma’am.” 

Thunder shook the building. 

Poseidon’s eyes flashed as he shifted toward his younger brother. 

“See! I know he took the bolt!” Zeus exclaimed, once again blaming Percy. 

“Brother, have you not been listening?” Hestia started. “Percy has no idea what is happening. How could he have been the one to take your thunderbolt?” 

Poseidon nodded at her, thanking her for standing up for his son. 

“We are not fools, Percy Jackson,” Mrs. Dodds said. “It was only a matter of time before we found you out. Confess, and you will suffer less pain.” 

“What is she?” Aphrodite asked, still trying to work it out. 

“I don’t know, but finally there is action!” Ares said, leaning forward. He had been waiting for something exciting to happen since the beginning. Here his chance was. 

I didn’t know what she was talking about. 

Hestia glanced at Zeus, hoping that he caught that, too. He was still blaming Percy for the stolen bolt but he still clearly had no idea what was happening. 

All I could think of was that the teachers must’ve found the illegal stash of candy I’d been selling out of my dorm room. 

Hermes laughed a little. He wanted to lighten the mood, but he didn’t think Poseidon would appreciate it. Maybe he’d have to bring it up again later. 

Or maybe they’d realized I got my essay on Tom Sawyer from the Internet without ever reading the book and now they were going to take away my grade. Or worse, they were going to make me read the book. 

Apollo snickered. He had seen Athena’s face at this and couldn’t hold in his laughter. She had looked so disgusted at the thought of someone not reading. 

“Well?” she demanded. 

“Ma’am, I don’t…” 

“Your time is up,” she hissed. 

Hade sighed, preparing himself for Poseidon’s reaction. It was not going to be a pretty sight. 

Then the weirdest thing happened. Her eyes began to glow like barbecue coals. 

Poseidon’s grip on his armrest tightened, his knuckles going white. He felt his mind going a million miles a minute, as he slowly turned toward Hades. There was no way that this was who he thought it was, right? It was most definitely not one of them. He kept trying to convince himself that he was wrong. 

Her fingers stretched, turning into talons. Her jacket melted into large, leathery wings. 

“A Kindly One?” Hepsheastus muttered, gaze turning toward his eldest uncle. Why would Hades send a kindly one after Percy? He definitely wasn’t looking for the lightning bolt. Was Hades irritated with Poseidon because he broke the oath? He did react poorly to Zeus’ daughter. 

Demeter peeked at Poseidon, seeing if he was prepared to keep reading. He was frozen in his seat, his eyes set on Hades. Hades was looking a little uncomfortable with the stormy eyes that were glued to him. 

She wasn’t human. She was a shriveled hag with bat wings 

“A fury?” Poseidon finally asked, turning toward Hades. Poseidon had grabbed his trident to grip onto. One hand grasped his weapon, his arm flexing his muscles as he gripped tightly. The other hand stayed on his armrest. He was afraid that if he lifted his other hand, he would be on his brother. “You sent a fury?” He asked calmly. 

Ares leaned forward in his throne, excited to see Poseidon and Hades fight. He wasn’t even expecting a fight to come out of the book, but he was glad nonetheless. Aphrodite, who was sitting next to him, gave him a disappointed look. She hated that they were fighting and she did not like that Ares was always in favor of fighting. 

Hades slowly raised his hands in surrender, hoping not to argue with Poseidon in the middle of the chapter. “Poseidon, I have a reaso–” 

“I hope you do!” Poseidon snapped, gripping his trident harder and grinding his teeth. He would love to hear the reason his brother came up with. “Why, dear brother of mine, would you send a Kindly One after my son? Especially when he has no idea of this world.” 

Athena stayed quiet. She decided that now would not be the time to voice any brainstorms about why Hades sent the fury after Percy. Poseidon’s attention can stay solely on Hades. 

Hades glanced around the room. He did not want to explain this to anyone. He did not want to admit that his Helm was missing, too. He had to choose his words carefully. “Just know, brother, that there is a reason, a good one. I cannot explain it right now.” 

Poseidon heard storms brewing outside. He could not believe that Hades thought that was a good response to his question. He slowly stood up, feeling his muscles lock up, every movement was sharp and jerky. His eyes flashed anger as he faced Hades, still seated on his throne, head on. 

“That does not explain why you sent one,” he said softly, through a clenched jaw. He could feel his temper getting the better of him.

“You’re going to have to accept it, because that is all I’m giving you.” Hades replied smoothly, hoping Poseidon would accept it. 

Poseidon’s eyes narrowed. “You better hope that he doesn’t even get a scratch,” Poseidon whispered to Hades. “You better hope, because if he does, if a single hair is misplaced or a single scratch appears on his cheek, I will not be held back. I swear on the River of Styx.” Thunder boomed outside. 

The ground shook with the finality of Poseidon’s tone. He kept eye contact with Hades for several long seconds, before he slowly made his way back to his throne. His footsteps broke the silence of the throne room. 

Zeus stayed quiet during this, watching what would happen between his brothers. He wondered if Poseidon would have the same reaction every time Percy got hurt. This was just the first journal entry, and he was already fighting a high-level monster. One of Hades’ torturers. Percy was bound to get hurt, he was bound to get a scratch. Poseidon’s oath was bound to come true in just a few minutes. 

Hades, for his part, was trying not to seem concerned. On the inside, he was very concerned. There was no way an untrained demi-god was going to come out of a fight with a Kindly One without any injuries. There was even a chance he was killed, especially if Percy whipped out his Helm suddenly. But, he wouldn’t. Because he didn’t have it. Percy clearly had no idea what was happening, so Hades had sent this monster after Poseidon’s child, who had no idea about this world, for no true good reason. He just hoped Poseidon would understand if it was revealed that he was missing his Helm. 

Hades froze. He didn’t want Poseidon to know about the missing Helm. He was hoping that Poseidon would forgive him without needing to explain fully. He was hoping he found his Helm by himself and that it wasn’t mentioned in this book at all. Why would it even need to be mentioned? It’s not like Percy would be traveling to the Underworld or anything. 

“Sister,” Poseidon started, gaining Demeter’s attention after she had been watching it all go down. “Read.” 

and claws and a mouth full of yellow fangs, and she was about to slice me to ribbons. 

“I will not be held back,” ran through Hades' head over and over again. . 

Then things got even stranger. 

“How?” Hermes asked, as if forgetting it was part of a book. 

Mr. Brunner, who’d been out in front of the museum a minute before, wheeled his chair into the doorway of the gallery, holding a pen in his hand. 

“What ho, Percy!” he shouted, and tossed the pen through the air. 

Everyone’s jaw dropped. 

Chiron, the centaur, someone who watches over all of their children, just threw a pen to Percy to protect himself from the Kindly One. 

Only Poseidon knew that the pen was anaklusmos, or riptide. However, he was still shocked that Chiron is letting Percy fight this monster himself. 

Mrs. Dodds lunged at me. 

Poseidon leaned forward, gripping his armrest once again. He glanced at Hades to keep him in his sight. He needed to know where his brother was for if Percy got hurt. He sent a silent prayer that Percy does not get hurt. 

With a yelp, I dodged and felt talons slash the air next to my ear. 

Poseidon let out a breath he did not realize that he was holding. The first attack had passed without Percy getting hurt. 

“I can’t believe Chiron is letting him fight this out,” Ares, of all people, said. He was all for the children fighting their own battles, but Percy had no idea monsters were a thing. He had no idea they, the Olympians, were a thing. From the sounds of it, he had never held a sword to battle either. So what was Chiron thinking, sending an inexperienced soldier out? 

I snatched the ballpoint pen out of the air, but when it hit my hand, it wasn’t a pen anymore. It was a sword– 

Athena gasped, recognizing the sword. She glanced at the Sea God. 

Artemis scowled, remembering a certain previous owner of the sword. When Zoë gave the sword to Heracles, she had not been expecting his betrayal. Artemis, however, knew it would happen just like it always happened with boys. 

Mr. Brunner’s bronze sword, which he always used on tournament day. 

Mrs. Dodds spun toward me with a murderous look in her eyes. 

I will not be held back… Hades heard again in his head. He knew he would be just as angry if he found out that his brother sent a monster after his child. He understood what Poseidon was feeling, but he still understood his own reason for sending the fury. 

Poseidon tensed in his seat, hoping that his son made it through this with no injury. He did not want to read about Percy getting hurt whatsoever. 

Ares kept quiet, wanting to hear more about this fight. He wanted to know how Percy got out of this battle safely. He knew that Percy was fine, since there were so many books that appeared. However, there was a slim chance that Percy was just at the start, and the rest of them followed his friends. 

My knees were jelly. My hands were shaking so bad I almost dropped the sword. 

“Only a boy would react like this,” Artemis stated. Any girl would not be so afraid, and would hold her ground. 

She snarled, “Die, honey!” 

And she flew straight at me. 

Poseidon had a sharp intake of breath, still not looking away from his older brother. His glare only got worse as they read further into this battle. He motioned for Demeter to keep going, not letting any god or goddess get a single word in. He needed to know if Percy got out of this alright. 

Absolute terror ran through my body. I did the only thing that came naturally. I swung the sword. 

“Naturally?” Zeus asked. The more he read about Percy and his time before finding out about the gods, the more it confirmed. Percy was too powerful. He needed to get rid of Percy. 

“How is that natural?” Hermes asked, confused. He sees how swords and swinging go together, sure. But if one had no training would it really be that natural. 

Poseidon shushed them, turning back to Demeter to nod at her to continue. Percy was not safe yet. He knew what Zeus was thinking, and knew he needed to address it with him soon, but that can wait until Percy is confirmed safe, preferably at camp. 

The metal blade hit her shoulder and passed clean through her body as if she were made of water. Hiss!

Jaws dropped. 

“Did he just–” Hera started. It was insane for her to even think that an untrained half-blood defeated a fury. There was just no way. 

“He won?” Ares asked, surprised. He had assumed Chiron would come back to battle after letting Percy try. He thought the centaur would be the one to save him. He never believed that Percy himself would defeat the monster. 

Athena just sat there silently. Percy was a demi-god of Poseidon, who had never known of this world. Now, he just defeated a Kindly One. 

Poseidon’s chest tightened in pride, glad that his son made it out of this battle safe, unharmed. Percy defeated the fury without getting a scratch. He glanced at Hades, wondering what his brother was thinking. 

Mrs. Dodds was a sand castle in a power fan. She exploded into yellow powder, vaporized on the spot, 

Hades still stayed quiet. He supposed he should be happy that Poseidon would not be attacking him, but he was also upset that his servant was defeated so quickly by an untrained demi-god. He glanced at the sea god to make sure he was still in his seat. Poseidon looked proud of his child. His chest was puffed and a smirk was on his face. 

leaving nothing but the smell of sulfur 

Aphrodite scrunched her nose up. She hated that smell. 

and a dying screech and a chill of evil in the air, 

“He’s very observant,” Hestia said. She was impressed that Percy caught the chill that was left after Alecto died. 

as if those two glowing red eyes were still watching me. 

I was alone. 

“Where did Chiron go?” Aphrodite asked, frowning. The trainer should have stayed with Percy to explain everything. Now that Percy has experienced this type of event, the half-blood was bound to be shell-shocked. Why would Chiron leave him alone? 

Poseidon’s face winced. His fist clenched around the arm of his throne. How could they leave him like that? His son had just fought against a Kindly One and survived. Now he stood alone in the museum, in silence. No one was there to remind him he was not alone. No one there to remind him that he survived and that meant something. He unease forced the waves to crash against shores in a patternless beat. Poseidon broke the oath, but just from this one excerpt he knew that Percy was paying the price. 

The God of Wine glanced at the boy’s father. The boy was left alone. He was left in silence. Silence was the worst weapon to have against a demi-god. He has seen what it can do to them. They doubt themselves, unravel, and think they are alone in the world. He has seen little breaks of this even at camp, surrounded by people who were aware of this world. Those campers, he kept an extra close eye on. However, there was nothing he could do besides watch, all because of the old rules that say he can’t interfere. Dionysus couldn’t help but wonder if the rules were why the fates are making them read this book. 

There was a ballpoint pen in my hand. 

Mr. Brunner wasn’t there. 

The trainer who was trusted to keep their kids safe left Percy alone. A lot of the Olympians who had children were rightfully concerned about this. 

Nobody was there but me. 

“I think we passed this too quickly,” Hermes finally announced, interrupting the reading. “I’m quite concerned that Chiron thought it was necessary to leave Percy alone after he faced a Kindly One.” 

“You and me both,” Aphrodite muttered, still frowning. She was glad that Hermes was stopping the reading to discuss this. 

“Chiron has always been about learning lessons and using the tough way when teaching them,” Hera pointed out. “However, it seems that a great number of his students end up in early graves.” 

“While that is true, he has also helped many survive. His care helped countless children survive longer than they might without him. I do believe Percy should not have been left alone, but Chiron is trusting that Percy will find his strength when he needs it most. Just like how he swung the sword to defeat the Kindly One,” Hestia reminded them, gently but also firm with her tone. 

Dionysus, shifting in his throne to lounge a little more, added, “He believes that trials forge heroes. He seems to forget that these trials also forge corpses. Sooner or later, he will be called out for it.” 

Poseidon gripped his trident, which had been laying against his throne, a little tighter. This discussion was not going quick enough. “He needs to realize that our children do not need trials. They need guidance, a trainer. And if he cannot realize that, he should not be training our children.” 

Zeus sighed. His elbow was on his arm rest, and he leaned his forehead against his fist. This book was bringing to light some issues that he may have been putting off for a while now. He had noticed Chiron getting harsher in his ways and had noticed that the lessons he taught were hard lessons. “We may not agree with his methods, but Chiron has always had the best interests of our children put first,” Zeus said slowly. “If the methods continue to be questionable like this, we may need to ask Chiron to return for a talk.” 

Poseidon glared at his older brother. He thought that this was an issue that needed to be solved now. “Zeus,” Poseidon started. 

Thunder boomed in the distance, as Zeus lifted his head from his fist. “Later, Poseidon,” he snarled, needing to think about this some more. “Let’s see everything before we bring Chiron back.” 

My hands were still trembling. My lunch must’ve been contaminated with magic mushrooms or something. 

Had I imagined the whole thing? 

“Are they trying to make him think he made it up? Apollo asked. An awful idea, by the way, if anyone were to ask him. 

I went back outside. 

It had started to rain. 

Grover was sitting by the fountains, a museum map tented over his head. Nancy Bobofit was still standing there, soaked from her swim in the fountain, grumbling to her ugly friends. When she saw me, she said, “I hope Mrs. Kerr whipped your butt.” 

“Who?” Hermes asked. 

I said, “Who?” 

“Our teacher. Duh!” 

I blinked. We had no teacher named Mrs. Kerr. 

“Chiron had a half-blood lined up to be called in if needed. She must be that one,” Dionysus offered an explanation. 

I asked Nancy what she was talking about. 

She just rolled her eyes and turned away. 

I asked Grover where Mrs. Dodds was. 

He said, “Who?” 

Dionysus frowned. The boy did not need them pretending that it did not happen. He did not need the Mist covering up what happened. Percy needed the truth, or he was going to go insane. He glanced at the boy’s father, and made the assumption that Poseidon was thinking along the same page as him. He was frowning at the book, deep in thought. He clearly thought that Percy would be introduced to the gods immediately after this fight. 

But he paused first, 

“First mistake,” Hermes said, shaking his head. 

and he wouldn’t look at me, 

“Ahh, and the second mistake,” Apollo continued, putting his face in his hands. 

The others ignored the two. 

so I thought he was messing with me. 

“Not funny, man,” I told him, “This is serious.” 

Poseidon ground his teeth together. Percy was not going to be okay after this fight, but the satyr was acting like it never happened. Percy was not going to get the after battle care that was needed after fighting a monster for the first time. 

Thunder boomed overhead. 

Hera rolled her eyes at her husband’s dramatics. 

I saw Mr. Brunner sitting under his red umbrella, reading his book, as if he’d never moved. 

I went over to him. 

“He better tell him,” Poseidon growled. They could not hide this world from Percy anymore. He has been introduced to the world of monsters. He now needed an explanation for what happened. 

“For once, I agree with you, uncle.” Ares commented. The boy needed someone to take him under their wing, to guide him and teach him after first being attacked. He had a feeling that Percy was not going to get this. 

He looked up, a little distracted. “Ah, that would be my pen. Please bring your own writing utensil in the future, Mr. Jackson.” 

Apollo groaned, upset that Chiron was playing along with this ruse. 

I handed Mr. Brunner his pen. I hadn’t even realized I was still holding it. 

“Because he is in shock,” Dionysus supplied. Like Ares, Dionysus knew Percy needed care after his battle. He needed someone to help calm him down and help him comprehend what he just went through. Instead, they are leaving him unchecked and are going to let him think that he made up everything that just happened. 

“Sir,” I said, “where’s Mrs. Dodds?” 

He stared at me blankly. “Who?” 

Poseidon winced, unhappy that Chiron was trying to convince Percy that it didn’t happen. He felt that it would be more dangerous to ignore what happened, then to introduce Percy to the world and explain it to him. 

“The other chaperone. Mrs. Dodds. The pre-algebra teacher.” 

He frowned and sat forward, looking mildly concerned. “Percy, there is no Mrs. Dodds on this trip. As far as I know, there has never been a Mrs. Dodds at Yancy Academy. Are you feeling all right?” 

As Demeter finished reading the entry, the Olympians sat in thoughtful silence. A mix of emotions tinged the air. Demeter set the journal down, unsure who was reading next. It was clear that Percy carries himself with courage, and that he will only get stronger. That could be what saves Olympus, or causes its downfall. 

Zeus looked on in worry. Percy was strong. Much stronger than he should be. He wasn’t sure why Percy had such strength in his power, but it irritated him. Percy might make Olympus look weak if this continued. 

Poseidon glanced at the book. He wanted to learn more about his son, and wanted to make sure he was safe in the future. However, he was not sure if he could handle Percy getting into more trouble. He was proud that Percy was able to defeat the Fury, but he did not want his son to face more dangers. 

Apollo picked up the journal. “If everyone is ready, should I start the next entry?” 

He picked up the journal and opened to the next entry before anyone had a chance to respond. 

“Three Old Ladies Knit the Socks of Death” Apollo read, causing everyone to stare at him in silence.