𝐂œ𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐬é𝐬 [Percy Jackson]

155

"For once, I wish the gods we met didn't want to kill us" Hadrian groaned. 

"Percy, do you know this... individual?" Jason sneaked a glance at the son of Poseidon.

Percy shook his head. "Doesn't look like my mom, so I'm gonna guess we're related on the godly side. You a daughter of Poseidon, Miss... uh... ?"

The pale lady raked her fingernails against the metal disc, making a screeching sound like a tortured whale. "No one knows me," she sighed. "Why would I assume my own brother would recognize me? I am Kymopoleia!"

Percy, Hadrian and Jason exchanged looks.

"So..." Percy said. "We're going to call you Kym. And you'd be a, hmm, Nereid, then? Minor goddess?"

"Minor?"

"By which," Hadrian said quickly, "he means under the drinking age! Because obviously you're so young and beautiful."

Percy flashed him a look: Nice save.

The goddess turned her full attention to Hadrian. She pointed her index finger and traced his outline in the water. 

"Hadrian Allaire," said the goddess. "Son of Eros"

"Yeah. I'm a... friend of Percy's."

"Yeah" Percy agreed, "Besties, room mates, colleagues-"

"Leave the talking to me" Hadrian raised his eyebrows. 

"And Jason Grace" Kym turned to Jason, "Son of Jupiter"

Kym's narrowed. "So it's true... these times make for strange friends and unexpected enemies. The Romans never worshipped me. To them, I was a nameless fear– a sign of Neptune's greatest wrath. They never worshipped Kymopoleia, the goddess of violent sea storms!"

She spun her disc. Another beam of green light flashed upward, churning the water and making the ruins rumble.

"The Roman's aren't big on navies anyway" Hadrian shrugged, "They don't know what they're missing out on. I mean, the violent storm upstairs? First rate craftsmanship" He slicked his hair back. He had charmspoken a goddess before, but he hoped it wouldn't come down to that again.

"Thank you," said Kym.

"Thing is, our ship is caught in it, and it's kind of being ripped apart. I'm sure you didn't mean to–"

"Oh, yes, I did."

"You did." Percy grimaced. "Well... that sucks. I don't suppose you'd cut it out, then, if we asked nicely?"

"No," the goddess agreed. "Even now, the ship is close to sinking. I'm rather amazed it's held together this long. Excellent workmanship."

Sparks flew from Jason's arms into the tornado. 

Hadrian didn't blame him. He thought about Annabeth, Leo, Hazel and Frank frantically trying to keep the ship in one piece. By coming down here, they had left the others defenseless. They had to act soon.

Hadrian didn't want to fight this Kym, but she was leaving them with no choice. 

The thing was... fighting a goddess on her home court wouldn't be easy. Even if they managed to take her down, there was no guarantee the storm would stop.

"So... Kym," he said, "what could we do to make you change your mind and let our ship go?"

Kym gave him that creepy alien smile. "Son of Eros, do you know where you are?"

Hadrian was tempted to answer underwater. "You mean these ruins. An ancient palace?"

"Indeed," Kym said. "The original palace of my father, Poseidon."