Children of the Big Three Book 4: Battle of the Labyrinth

Chapter Fifteen: Memories Fade

It was weird, that was the best Percy could describe. He was sat on the beach. The setting sun on the horizon, soft sand on his feet. It was beautiful, but it didn't feel right. He didn't feel in control, he couldn't even manipulate the waters around here. He felt a little naked without the powers he'd grown accustomed to. The various golds, purples, and oranges of the sun were calming, but it was missing some blue. Was it weird that he wasn't comfortable? Maybe he was just a little too used to crazy.

He was snapped back to reality, something about gravity by the sound of someone walking, who else but Calypso? For a few minutes, she didn't say a word, she merely just sat beside Percy; placing her head on her shoulder. This wasn't the first time the sun had set on the island, but Calypso had explained that time moved differently here-so who knew how long he'd been here. The Son of Poseidon sighed, Percy knew he should be rushing off, finding a way off this island, jumping back into the fray. He just.. Couldn't, or wouldn't, he wasn't sure. Percy sighed, his back crumpling a bit in response. He didn't even have to say anything, Calypso did for him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" There had been so many times where the answer was 'do I? No. Should I? Yes.' This time though, for once..

"Yeah, yeah I think I do."

"How do you feel?" That.. Was a very good question. How did he feel? It probably wasn't the best sign that Percy's hand clenched a fist full of sand in response. The Titaness didn't bring attention to this, instead she just placed a hand on his, and gave him a patient smile.

"Sad, angry, confused, hurt; and a bunch of other bad adjectives.. But more than anything else I feel tired."

"What are you tired of, Percy?"

"I'm, tired of it all. I'm tired of wondering if today is the day I mess up, and get all my friends killed. I'm tired of being the only one that seems to come away with scars. I'm tired of fighting to stay together just to fight again. I'm tired of being second fiddle, I'm so tired of hating myself for being tired of these things! People are counting on me, lives are on the line and here I am moping on the beach! Thalia, Nico, Annabeth, Selena-Everyone I know counts on me to do the right thing-"

"Percy." Her voice was commanding, it ordered him to stop talking. "You need to take a step back. Take a deep breath, and calm yourself." Percy did as she instructed, and waited. "Do you mind if I asked you a question?" Percy didn't really have it in him to verbally answer, so he just nodded. "What do you want? Forget everything about what's going on right now, just pretend that all this God and prophecy stuff ended right here and now. What do you want?" Calypso shifted herself in the sand, so she she was now sitting directly across from The Son of Poseidon, so he was forced to look at her.

"I.. Wanted to be a marine biologist." Calypso waited, but no more came.

"Is that it? Come on, Percy! The time for vague visions and pondering is over. Tell me, where do you see yourself five years from now."

"Five years? Well, uh.. Maybe college. Somewhere close to my mom, I don't see her nearly enough. Near a coffee shop or something, Thalia's getting real big into that stuff. Oh! For Nico maybe-" Percy was interrupted, which annoyed him a small bit because this was a rather fun little exercise.

"Thalia Grace, Daughter of Zeus?"

"No, Thalia Grace, Daughter of John from your local bank." The Titaness shot Percy a look that, ironically, reminded him of Thalia. So yeah that shut him up. Then she continued to speak.