Perseus The Disgraced Archangel

Spa and Song

      The questers were greeted by a woman wearing a blue business suit, perfect makeup, and hair pulled up in a ponytail. She gave them a smile that made them feel like they got off of Luke's cruise ship, which Percy just realized was called the Princess Andromeda. And the figurehead was the princess herself.

     As Percy looked around, he saw that their battleship wasn't the weirdest ship in the port. There were yachts, a U.S. Navy submarine, several dugout canoes, and a 3 mast pirate ship. Hell, there were other modes of transportation. A helipad with a "Channel 5 Fort Lauderdale" helicopter was next to a runway with a Learjet, and a World War 2 era propeller jet.

     "Is this your first time with us?" Clipboard lady asked.

     Percy and Clarisse exchanged confused looks. Percy spoke up. "Uh-"

     "First-time-at-spa." Clipboard lady said, pausing in between each word as she wrote it down. She looked up and examined the trio. "Let's see...mmhmm. Yes, okay, a herbal wrap to start for the young lady. And a complete makeover for the gentlemen, of course."

     Percy frowned. "I'll have you know, I look good."

     Clipboard lady didn't respond. She just continued writing. "Right. I'm sure CC will want to speak with you personally before the luau. Come, please."

     They walked through the spa, and it looked like Tyson and Clarisse got wondered looks on their faces. Percy couldn't blame them,, he sensed magic was more layered the farther they went, but of course, being an archangel, Percy wasn't fazed in the slightest.

     The actual building itself was pretty nice, though it couldn't compare to the silver city. White marble and fountains were everywhere, terraces were built into the hills, swimming pools on every level, water slides connecting them. Previously mentioned fountains would shoot up and form shapes. As soon as he saw that he had to see Tyson's reaction. It was like, when a 3 year old sees a puppy. Pure joy.

     The questers passed by tamed animals, like a sea turtle, or a leopard. Resort guests, only young women, which Percy found a bit odd, were enjoying the pools, hot tubs, some laid on deck chairs, while gunk dried on their faces. And though they were pretty, none even came close to Zoë.

     As they walked, Percy heard the voice of some woman. She was singing in some old language, which Percy knew as Minoan. She was singing about moonlight in olive groves, or something like that. Percy didn't care about that though. What he was concerned with was the music as a whole. Besides the odd night where Percy and Zoë would dance, he hadn't heard music like that since Heaven. There was music in Hell, but you know, because it was Hell, it was meant to torture, so it was usually off key opera, or whatever Justin Bieber put out.

     They finally got to the room where the singing was coming from. It was a large room, where the front was pure windows, and mirrors on opposite sides, making the room look infinite. In the corner was a rodent cage, filled with guinea pigs. In another corner was a black piano. Percy took note of that for later. The woman was in the middle of the room, sitting at a loom, weaving with incredible skill.

     She turned to the questers. She instantly frowned. "Oh dear. You DO need my help." She turned to the Clipboard lady. "Hylla, take Clarisse on a tour, will you? Show her what we have available, as the clothing will need to change."

      "What are you saying, magic woman?!" Clarisse said, enraged.

     She was ignored, as the woman continued talking to the now named Hylla. "I need to speak to the young gentleman."

     Hylla looked at Tyson and Clarisse, and motioned for them to follow her. The woman turned to Percy. "You see Percy, to unlock your true potential, you'll need serious help. The first step is to admit that you aren't happy the way you are."

     "Lady, I don't even know who you are." Percy said. "And for the record, I am plenty happy."

     "I'm C.C. And no you're not. Just look in the mirror."

      Percy sighed and looked in the mirror. In the mirror was an older version of himself. Literally, just how he looked before he decided to get reborn. He turned to C.C. "So, it shows you how you'll look when you're older?"

     C.C.'s smug face dropped. "Uh."

     "Okay." Percy said. "What do you desire?"

     "To- to turn males into the pigs they are."

      "Where is Tyson?"

     "About to be in Tartarus."

     Percy punched C.C. in the head, knocking her out. He power walked in the direction that Hylla took Tyson and Clarisse. He walked past a room, where he thought he heard a young child whimpering. 

      He burst into a room, where a young girl, who looked a lot like Hylla, was cornering Tyson, wielding a spear. Percy ran towards her, to stop her. She turned around and pointed her spear at Percy.

     "Don't hurt him." Percy said.

     He was able to convince her, and the brothers ran through the spa trying to find Clarisse. And they found her, threatening the employees of the spa.

      "Clarisse, we have to go. Now." Percy said.

     They ran back in the direction they came, trying to find their ship. They were almost out of the front door when they heard C.C. scream out, "DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!"

     That was followed by a fireball, probably because of her magic, heading towards the battleship. The fireball hit its mark, exploding and sinking the battleship. "Head to the pirate ship!" Percy yelled out.

     The witch cast another fireball, but Percy was able to uncap Riptide and slash the fireball in half, causing it to dissipate.

     They had reached the ship, which Percy saw was called "Queen Anne's Revenge". They boarded it, all while Percy was slashing and swiping at fireballs. Once his feet touched the almost rotting wood, the ship seemed to become alive. Ropes started to swing around the ship, and sails started to rise. The ship pulled out of the port.

     They sailed with a shield made of water, courtesy of Percy, behind them, preventing the Queen Anne's Revenge from becoming a flaming ship. The ship was pretty fast, not as fast as Percy with his wings, no where close, but for a ship? Pretty good speed.

     They sailed through the night, Percy only staying awake so he could steer the ship. It wasn't long before they were near the Siren's island. He snuck down to their rooms and put wax in his questmates ears. He headed back up to the deck, so he could make sure they didn't crash into the island.

     The Sirens song was supposed to show what an individual desired most in their life, something Percy could do. He was impartial to their song, but they could still show him his desires. It was hard to miss as well, as the picture they showed was as big as a theater screen.

     In it was Percy and Zoë. That was to be expected. But in their arms, were 2 little girls, only a couple of months old, swaddled in silver blankets. They had Percy's eyes and Zoë's skin tone. They both had black hair. That wasn't the only shock, however. The place they were in... It was Heaven. They were surrounded by Percy's siblings, Amenadiel, Azrael, Uriel, they were all there. Even his father and mother, who had proud expressions on their faces.

     It was everything he ever wanted. His wife, children. His siblings accepting him, his father proud of him. He was often said to be God's favorite child, but that award went to humanity. It was often that reason that was said to be why he rebelled. Of course... humanity will never know what drove him to rebel, but it wasn't because he wasn't the favorite.

     He was never the favorite. He was often overlooked, despite being an Archangel. But in this picture, he wasn't. He had it. He had a family.

     But it was fake. They would never accept him. He would continue to be the outcast.

     And that was the cruelest part of the Siren's song.