Drowning in the Siren's Song

Chapter 32

Percy felt himself return to normal just a second after, the feeling of being stitched together leaving him disoriented and dizzy. He'd never teleported before and didn't want to again. It felt absolutely horrible. 

"Sorry for the lack of warning." Apollo spoke with his back facing a steep cliff, so near that a simple gust of wind would be enough for him to fall like an eagle in the sky. The sea glimmered blue below and the air tasted salty as it ruffled his hair. 

His dizziness subsided as he looked properly, seeing a different sight from what he was expecting. Unlike his persona minutes ago, Apollo stood quiet and serious, no curve on his lips. His eyes were back to a burning gold, but other than that, there was no physical change.

But watching him now, in a different scenery and situation, he seemed so much more mature than his initial impression.

It was as if he was the noon sun in front of the hunters, bright and annoying, hot and sweltering; And now, Percy thought of him as the early rays on sunlight, warming up stiff fingers after a cold night and bringing subtle light to the darkness. 

It was a vast and surprising change, but it really showed how much the gods personified their domains. Was his behavior before simply an act? He couldn't believe that the Apollo who stood before him was the same one who was joking around so casually.  

Moments passed and they simply stared at one another. There was a certain pressure in the air as Apollo kept looking, solemn and watchful. 

"Let's have a chat, little Siren." 

Percy could hear his own heart as he felt anxiety creep through him. Thump- thump- thump, his chest hammered faster and faster. Like a prey who felt the pressure of a predator's gaze, he stood still, afraid to even breathe loudly.

"I- I don't know what you are talking about, My Lord. I'm not—"  He started, clenching his nails into his palms, cutting skin. He could feel the wetness of blood seep through, but he was much too occupied to feel the pain which followed. 

Apollo held up a hand, efficiently cutting through his panic. "Enough. I am the god of the sun with knowledge as one of my domains. There is nothing going on which I do not know of." 

He took a deep breath. 

"Son of Poseidon and Neptune, who can wield both their powers. Inheritor of the Roman's rare gift, the ability to charm with your singing, given only to some female daughters of Neptune. The favored child of nature with the spirits protection. The one blessed by the lost lord of the wild- Pan; the one human truly connected to the wild. The single being who is considered to be a student of the hunters of Artemis. That's who you are, Perseus Jackson."

Apollo smiled, but unlike his frivolous smiles he'd seen, this one was small and thoughtful. "Did I miss anything?" He wondered aloud, asking himself as well as Percy. 

"My mother." Percy blurted out. He was still a bit scared to know that Apollo knew everything, but he wouldn't let his mother be forgotten in the mess of his life.

Apollo's lips curled even more. "Of course. I apologize." He was sincere. "Sally's son. That's your first title, and a proud one to have." 

His words touched his heart. "Yes, that's who I am."

"Now, come." Apollo beckoned at him, asking him to come closer. Percy obliged, stepping forward, a bit hesitant. Apollo reached out and took his hands in his own, turning them till his palms faced the sky.

"Lets take care of this first, shall we?" Apollo ran his gentle fingers over the bloody imprints left by his nails. "I am a competent doctor, so don't worry." He chuckled to himself, his laugh infectious enough to lift his mood.

Looking now, he hadn't realized just how deep he'd cut himself. As the adrenaline left him, and pain came to him. It was short-lived though, as Apollo healed him with shimmery golden light, which he noticed was brighter than Celyn's. 

As he was healing him, Percy suddenly realized that he wasn't afraid. His crippling fear of men and his past scars which influenced his behavior whenever men were nearby was almost nonexistent. 

It was hard for him to even make eye contact with a man, but here he was, with his hands clasped by Apollo, inches away from him. Was it his sincerity? Or was it the fact that he excluded an inhuman energy which made it impossible to think he was human? 

He was confused by glad. He didn't want to remain shut in fear his whole life. 

"Thank you." Apollo was done, leaving his hands looking brand new and softer than he remembered. 

He inclined his head in response and stepped back, putting an appropriate distance between them. "Now that we're on the same page, there are a few important things I'd like to discuss, Percy."

He snapped his fingers, conjuring up a simple blanket which laid itself on the ground a few steps away from the cliff. 

"Have a seat."