Shadows and The Sea - The Darkling

Saying Goodbye & Eye of the Storm

Percy's POV

Will, Nico, and I followed Triton out of the war room and into the throne room. I didn't quite understand what was going on but Nico and Will walked over to Hades and the other gods who were standing in front of my father's throne.

Triton put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me into a hug. I buried my face into his shoulder and returned his embrace. It hit me then that I would never see him again. As I pulled away from the hug, I heard a thumping of footsteps come from the other side of the door. The door swung open and I was lifted off the ground. It took me a second to realize that I knew who this person was.

I hugged back tighter, "Hey Tyson."

He put me down and smiled at him with the largest grin I had ever seen on him. "Little big sister! I'll miss you and made you a present!" He yelled out before opening his hand and showing me the watch that was laying in it.

"Tys, you already gave me one of these," I said, raising my wrist where the watch shield rested.

He shook his head and took off the watch he made for me so long ago. "No good. Better, stronger, for my sister." He strapped the new black watch to my wrist and it felt cool around my wrist.

I looked down at my new wrist accessory and pulled him into another hug. "Thanks buddy."

He smiled big, squeezed me tight, then let go to stand near Triton.

I turned around to face the gods and two demigods who were assisting in my escape. Hestia approached me and gave me a smile. "Persephone Jackson, you are meant for great things and you will continue to be a hero of Olympus wherever you go." She gave me a hug and I felt a warmth spread throughout my body as she did so. The goddess of the hearth pulled away and I felt a slight burning on my shoulder.

I pulled my sleeve up to show the new mark that was present on my skin. The mark of the hearth etched in black on my skin felt warm but not in a painful way anymore but more in a comforting warmth.

I pulled my sleeve down and she backed away to fall into line, where she was before.

Apollo approached me next. "My best friend, I will miss you and you better not replace me. I don't care if you're in another dimension. I am your best friend and if you find another one I will whoop your ass." he said to me jokingly and hugged me again.

I laughed tearfully and hugged him back. We stayed there for a minute before pulling away. He brought his hand to my hair and pushed a strand behind my ear. As his fingers brushed the shell of my ear, I felt a tingling sensation. Reaching a hand up, I felt a metal ear cuff that wasn't there before. I looked at him questioningly with my hand still in contact with the metal.

"It transforms into a bow and arrow. Don't worry, it's charmed to never miss. Your natural skill may have gotten better over the years but that's just a failsafe incase you revert back to your terrible ways," the sun god said to me.

I grinned at him and punched his shoulder.

He chuckled and fell back into line. My uncle came up next. He didn't hug me like the others but placed his hand on my shoulder. "My niece, you have more than enough skill to survive wherever you end up but just as a precaution," he trailed off to move his hand from my shoulder to the side of my neck. I felt another burning sensation stemming from under his palm and this one was ice cold. I shivered as he pulled away from my neck and I reached a hand up to where his touch lingered. "My insignia will keep darkness that means harm away from you."

I looked to my uncle in gratitude. Maybe this will help with the dreams of the pit too. But we'll see about that theory the next time I sleep.

"Alright sea star, it's time to go," my father said approaching my side. He put his arm around my shoulder and also gestured for Nico and Will to come over. "Meet us on the beach, you'll get to see her off there." They nodded and Nico shadow traveled them there.

My father vapor traveled us to the shore of Montauk Beach and we saw Nico and Will standing about five feet away. Mrs. O'Leary was also standing by the Ghost King, waiting for us. When Mrs. O'Leary caught sight of me, the hellhound bound over and almost flattened me to the ground.

"Down girl. I know you're excited but we have to get ready," I said with a laugh in my tone.

The wind was starting to really pick up and I could feel the moisture in the air from the storm. I could see the spiral on the horizon.

I turned to the two demigods that stood on the beach with us.

"Get out of here guys. Don't worry about me. I'll be okay," I said with a sad smile. Nico leaped on me and held me tight. Will wrapped his arms around both of us. The hug and the feeling of saying goodbye to two of the people I've known for so long brought tears to my eyes. When we all pulled apart I could feel Nico's hesitancy to let go. I put my hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring look.

When he was younger, he resented me for the loss of Bianca but over the years we grew closer. When the six died, Nico lost another sister but instead of pushing me away, he clung onto me for dear life. Will and I joined together to help Nico move on the best he could and being the son of Hades, he was able to see Hazel until she was put in Elysium, like she and the others deserved.

I nudged Nico into Will's arms and with one last look, they disappeared into the shadows.

Now it was just my father, Mrs. O'Leary, and I left on the beach. He looked at me like I was a little girl again and started to tear up.

"Dad come on," I said before pulling him into my arms. He embraced me tight and I heard a muffled response from him. "I know this is the best for you and I can call you but I still don't want to send my only daughter away."

At that I pulled away. "What do you mean you can call me?" I asked in confusion.

"Even though the gods cannot interfere there, Iris messages still connect there and a few demigods were sent there in the past. You're not completely cut from us but we can't physically do anything there," he clarified.

I felt a small wave of relief that I was not losing complete contact with the remainder of my family. Hearing a rumble come from the sky, but no lightning, we both looked up to see the cyclone had moved close enough that meant my father had to leave.

"I love you sea star."

"Love you too dad. You'll hear from me soon."

And with that, he vanished with a lingering sea water scent. I watched the droplets of water evaporate away until they were gone and turned to face the adorable but large hound next to me. My bag was slung across my body and my charmed jewelry were secured in their respective places. The vortex of the cyclone was inches away from the shoreline.

"Alright girl, time to go," I said as I got on top of Mrs. O'Leary. She barked in response and when I was settled, she took off to the storm moving towards us. Inside the cyclone was a new sensation. I can't say I've ever been in the actual vortex of one of these since all the ones I've summoned, I've either been in the eye or outside of it completely but just imagine you're surrounded by hundreds of high speed fans. My hair was whipping around and somehow, Mrs. O'Leary was able to get us to the center of this thing without losing me or her composure. Another reason she is my favorite dog of all time.

Once we made it to the middle, we waited for the portal to open. As we waited I heard something that didn't sound like it came from the storm. The ground rumbled and I could feel the rhythmic pounding of footsteps coming from my right. Mrs. O'Leary turned to face the direction of the threat and that's when I heard a sound that had brought me into this dam mythological world.

OOO ARRRR!

Dam meathead. Now you decide to show up? Really!? And in the middle of a fucking CYCLONE?!

"Come on dad, hurry up," I muttered. 

And as if he heard me right on cue, a flurry of shadows, light, fire, and water started to swirl above me. I hunched down to get closer to Mrs. O'Leary's ear so she could hear me over the noises of the storm and fucking monster pounding towards us. "Let's go, girl." As I finished my last word, she ran to be directly under the portal and started to shadow travel. The last thing I heard before everything went black was one last bellow from the Minotaur and my father's voice whispering,"Be safe."