Drowning in the Siren's Song

Chapter 33

"I am the god of knowledge." Apollo looked directly at the sun, without squinting. "Many forget because it is a domain often overshadowed by flashier ones. Who would care about knowledge when Athena holds wisdom?"

Unlike normal people, Apollo's eyes didn't reflect the sun. They themselves were tiny stars, shining just as strongly back, fighting for dominance. 

"But," Apollo spoke calmly, "If wisdom refers to the ability to make the best choices, then knowledge is the fundamental 'unit' required to make any choice. With knowledge, wisdom cannot exist." 

Percy listened with wide eyes, completely immersed. It was as if he was weaving a story, so attractive that his mind was unable to wander away. He was hanging onto every sentence, every word. 

"Being wise is the ability to use knowledge in the best way possible." 

Apollo paused, letting his words sink in. He shifted, turning to face the little boy, worry in his eyes. "Now I need you to show me your wisdom." His eyes seemed a bit sad. "Use the knowledge I will give you and make the best possible choice."

"Best possible choice for who?" Percy asked, knowing full well how gods enjoyed acting. He was not going to sacrifice himself for a noble cause spoon-fed to him by a powerless deity. 

But contrary to what he expected, Apollo simply smiled. "That depends on you."

Rendered speechless, Percy could only nod and look away. All of a sudden, the trees and the sea looked much too bright.

"Work with me." Apollo clapped once, startling him and dragging his attention back to him. 

"You don't want attention."
Percy nodded.

"You want to hide you powers."
Nod, nod.

"The one who knows you are a siren are the nature spirits, Pan and me."
Nod, nod, nod.

"You're half Roman but haven't had any contact with any Roman entity and nor have you been approached by a satyr."
Nod, nod, nod, nod.

"Ok good." Apollo patted him on the head, a seeming unconscious gesture. Percy froze in place but Apollo was too occupied in his thoughts to notice his reaction. He kept ruffling his head, his warm, big hand almost covering his whole head like a soft blanket. 

"The Greeks are getting suspicious." Apollo became serious once again and retracted his hand, making Percy miss his touch. He blushed at the realization but paying attention to him nevertheless. 

"The minor gods connected to nature have already felt the ripple you created and the satyrs are panicking after Pan briefly awoke to meet you. The reserve is one of the only places with a drastically low monster count and not to mention how my sister who doesn't stay in a single place longer than a month has been there for so long. Attention has been brought to where you are."

Percy hadn't realized just how much of an impact he'd created. Hearing Apollo continue his list made his fingers tap in rhythmic anxiety. 

"If remain unchanged, then it won't be long before someone would coming sniffing. And considering the hidden influence you have, it'll be impossible for you to hide yourself."

Percy wasn't stupid. He knew that he would have to face the other world, but he'd hoped that it wouldn't be so soon. He'd stepped into the world of monsters and powers to protect himself but in the end, he did voluntarily stay in it. 

"The knowledge now lies within you. Choose whether you decide to reveal yourself as a forbidden existence or run away... far away."

Percy's mind was racing. The bridge he'd promised to cross later was right in front of him and now he was stumped. 

On one hand, he was tired. Tired of all the hiding, of living a life like a criminal- afraid and scared. But then, when he remembered what the outside world was like, he felt naked, as if all his walls were forcefully torn down. 

"But..." Apollo stopped his panic midway, dragging out the word in suspense. "The weather in California is quite pleasant this time around the year." He spoke much too slow and deliberate.

Percy was quick on the uptake. "I see, Lord Apollo. Do you recommend it as a place for a... short holiday where one might go to... escape a particularly exciting life?"

Apollo smiled. "Oh yes. There are some very cute Roman children there for you to play-fight with so you won't get bored." 

Percy could barely hide his emotions. As if responding to the positive feeding from it's prince, the sea glimmered brighter, creating sparkles all along its length. 

Apollo was truly amazing. In just a sentence, he had turning his life upside down, or rather flipped it the right side up. 

The Wolf House.
Apollo was telling him to go to the Wolf House. 

'Cute Roman children' referred to how there were Roman demigods and legacies near California, while 'Play-fight' referred to how Lupa would adopt them and they would train with the wolves to become stronger just like play-fights between cubs. And when he said 'so you won't get bored' the underlying statement he was conveying was that Percy should spend his time in a worthwhile manner and become stronger rather than wasting it. 

Percy had definitely heard about the Wolf House from Oak when she had elaborated about his Roman descent, but he hadn't considered going on their side because the Romans were a very strict and serious bunch and living with secrets was better on the Greek side. Freedom was restricted there, especially when you enter the legion. 

But in the current situation, it was a true blessing. The Roman and Greek world were forbidden from meeting, and yet, going from one side to another was a thing which he could, fortunately, do easily. He was sure that being affiliated with Lupa would definitely erase his traces from the Greek world and get him off the several radars he was placed on. 

He was still running away, but now he felt as if instead of simply running away, he was running towards something. A new beginning. 

The Wolf House.