Forbidden Quests

Chapter 30

Annabeth

Most people would say that you haven't known the meaning of fear until you meet an angry Athena.

I say that that is mostly true, but not so much for her children. She gets mad at them a lot, and I think that is why it's not so bad for me and my half-siblings. Cause we are used to it. But it still is not something on my everyday to-do list.

Athena had shrunk down to human size by now, but the lessened height definitely did not lessen the mood.

"You've demolished the bridge! Do you have any idea how architectural that was? Or expensive? Or how much time that took for that one demigod to do? Do-"

Athena was cut off when another god appeared. I immediately recognized the tall, tan, and lean man. Ear length jet-black hair had their own way of living on his head, much like Percy's. Green eyes stood out, sparkling in the faint light that was still present. A trident was casually laying in the palm of the man's hand.

Poseidon was laughing jovially, "Percy, my boy! Long time no see!"

I was surprised when Percy cracked a smile and went up to hug his dad, who returned the embrace. I almost never hugged my mother, and she only hugged me when she was super appreciated with me, or hanging out with or focusing on me. So that was basically never.

Athena, however, did not get any less mad, she just fumed even more, "Poseidon! You interrupted me, you fool. My daughter needs to learn a lesson."

Poseidon shook his head and tusked in disapproval, "Oh cheer up, you old grump. Give your daughter a break. She just got back from a long journey, and you greet her by grounding her?"

Athena was speechless, then she spluttered, "I am not an old grump! And I didn't ground her!"

Poseidon smirked, a smile that was almost identical to Percy's, "You were going to, Ms. Architect."

Athena glared at him and "humphed," muttering something about how annoying the sea glob and his spawn was. I was dumbstruck at the sight of someone smart talking my mother off. I almost laughed and high-fived Poseidon, but I figured my mother would not think highly of that.

So instead, I just flashed a small and grateful grin in Poseidon's direction.

He winked back at me, then turned to the rest of the group, "Come on, let's go inside Mt. Olympus! Food and beds are waiting." I think everyone groaned wistfully at the thought of fresh baked food and a nice comfy bed to sleep in tonight. Poseidon led the way up the pathway towards the home of the gods.

I was walking beside Athena, both of us not talking, and watching Percy and Poseidon carry on a conversation ahead of us. Every once in a while, one of them would burst out laughing at something the other had said.

I was instantly jealous of Percy's relationship with his godly parent. I wished I could have the same with my mother, but unfortunately, no child of Athena really had a good relationship with their mother. She was all about formality, and sternness. We thought more of her as a strict teacher. And my father was off limits to have a relationship with, cause he was, well... dead. To be blunt.

I was torn out of my thoughts when I heard Percy call my name, "Annabeth, come here."

Jogging to catch up, I came alongside Percy.

Percy started to speak, "Dad, this is Annabeth, one of the friends I've made on this journey. Annabeth, this is Poseidon, as you probably already know, but I just thought I should make introductions, since I'm assuming you've never met before."

Poseidon laughed that deep laugh again, "Well, you've assumed wrong then, Percy. I've met Ms. Chase before."

Percy blinked, looking surprised. "You have?"