NEVER BE THE SAME . . . percy jackson

one hundred and ten: the ocean view.

"POISON IS A nasty habit." Kymopoleia waved her hand and the murky clouds dissipated. "Secondhand poison can kill a person, you know."

Brooklyn wasn't too fond of firsthand poison either, but she decided not to mention that. Jason cut Percy out of the net and propped him against the temple wall, enveloping him in the airy shell of the storm spirit.

Her stupid boyfriend doubled over and began to retch. "Ugh. Thanks."

Brooklyn pursed her lips at him. "You're an idiot. A real big idiot."

Percy blinked, cross-eyed. "Thanks, Tinkerbell." He looked at Jason. "Did you . . . promise Kym an action figure?"

The goddess loomed over them. "Indeed he did. And I expect him to deliver."

"I will," Jason said. "When we win this war, I'm going to make sure all the gods get recognized." He put a hand on Percy's shoulder. "My friend here started that process last summer. He made the Olympians promise to pay you guys more attention."

Kym sniffed. "We know what an Olympian promise is worth."

"Which is why I'm going to finish the job." Jason declared. "I'll make sure none of the gods are forgotten at either camp. Maybe they'll get temples, or cabins, or at least shrines—"

"Or collectible trading cards," Kym suggested.

"Sure." Jason smiled. "I'll go back and forth between the camps until the job is done."

Brooklyn whistled. "You're talking about dozens of gods."

"Hundreds," Kym corrected.

"Well, then," Jason said, "It might take a while. But you'll be first on the list, Kymopoleia . . . the storm goddess who beheaded a giant and saved our quest."

Kym stroked her jellyfish hair. "That will do nicely." She regarded Percy. "Though I am still sorry I won't see you die."

"I get that comment a lot," Percy said. "Now about our ship—"

"Still in one piece," said the goddess. "Not in very good shape, but you should be able to make it to Delos."

"Thank you," Jason said.

"Yeah," agreed Percy. "And, really, your husband Briares is a good dude. You should give him a chance."

The goddess picked up her bronze disc. "Don't push your luck, brother. Briares has fifty faces; all of them are ugly. He's got a hundred hands, and he's still all thumbs around the house."

"Okay," Percy relented. "Not pushing my luck."

Kym turned over the disc, revealing straps on the bottom side like a shield. She slipped it over her shoulders, Captain America style. "I will be watching your progress. Polybotes was not boasting when he warned that your blood would awaken the Earth Mother. The giants are very confident of this."

"My blood, personally?" asked Percy.

Kym's smile was even creepier than usual. "I am not an Oracle. But I heard what the seer Phineas told you in the city of Portland. You will face a sacrifice that you may not be able to make, and it will cost you the world. You have yet to face your fatal flaw, my brother. Look around. All works of gods and men eventually turn to ruins. Would it not be easier to flee into the depths with your girlfriend here?"

Percy put his hand on Brooklyn's shoulder and struggled to his feet. "Juno offered me a choice like that, back when I found Camp Jupiter. I'll give you the same answer. I don't run when my friends need me."

Kym turned up her palms. "And there is your flaw: being unable to step away. I will retreat to the depths and watch this battle unfold. You should know that the forces of the ocean are also at war. Your friend Hazel Levesque made quite an impression on the merpeople and on their mentors, Aphros and Bythos."