Blood Of Poseidon

I. Back to Old life

Camp Half-Blood was alive with jubilation and relief after Percy Jackson, the twelve-year-old demigod son of Poseidon, completed the quest to retrieve the stolen master bolt. The atmosphere in the camp was filled with cheers, laughter, and a sense of security that had been missing for far too long. However, not everyone was basking in the celebrations. In Ares' cabin, the atmosphere was tense, and anger seethed among the children of the war god. Clarisse, the head of the Ares cabin, was furious. Her brothers and sisters shared her sentiment. They couldn't believe that a twelve-year-old boy, a son of Poseidon, had defeated their father. Clarisse crossed her arms, her face red with frustration. "It's unbelievable! Our dad, the god of war, was defeated by a kid who's not even old enough to get a driver's license! I don't get it!" The other Ares campers grumbled in agreement, and the cabin was filled with discontent. They couldn't fathom how Percy had managed to pull off such an incredible feat. It was a blow to their pride as children of the war god. Outside the Ares cabin, rumours began to circulate like wildfire. The stories of Percy's heroics in battling the Furies, Medusa and Chimera and his daring journey to the Underworld, where he defeated Hades's army, had spread like wildfire among the campers. Whispers echoed across the campfires and the dining pavilion. Percy had somehow become the stuff of legend in a matter of days.

And in the middle of all the rumours and stories Percy lay in his cabin not really involved in camp activities. He felt the weight of his fatigue, both physical and emotional, pressing down on him. The quest had been a rollercoaster of danger, monsters, and betrayals. He knew that even though they spread stories of his quest as some kind of legend, They saw him as a traitor, After all, he was the one who claimed their friend as a traitor. The notion that Luke Castellan had betrayed them and joined forces with "the true master" was met with vehement denial by most campers. They couldn't accept that their friend, a trusted comrade, could be a traitor. And They weren't silent on their beliefs. During the campfire, they voiced their thoughts. Percy tried to convince them night, but it fell on deaf ears. The loyalty they felt towards Luke was unwavering. They even started to see Percy as the traitor. And to add to the list his friends, especially Annabeth and Megan refused to believe him. So they all distanced themselves from him. They along with other campers looked at him with anger, sorrow and guilt. And he couldn't blame them, Even he, who witnessed it refused to believe it.

He only talked to some, And Hestia, the Goddess of Hearth and Fire was one among them. He still remembers how he approached her, who was sitting near the hearth in the Camp, poking on the coals with a stick in her 8-year-old form, just like how he saw her when he came to the camp.
He slowly sat near the hearth and said, "It was some long days, wasn't it, Perseus?" Percy just nodded at her. "You know I am sorry ran away from you that day," Percy said after a moment of silence. "Trust issues. It happens, considering what you went through, I should be the one to say sorry. After all, you had many bad experiences with others." Percy just shook his head not wanting to remember his past. "But you explained to me my many questions." He said trying to light the tension. "Yeah, I was surprised you would even listen to me, Although you threw some tantrum over the cabin. And we were some kind of crazy to think you would listen to me." "But I listened even though I didn't believe you until some kind of nature spirit confirmed it." "And what made you take the sword I gave you if you didn't believe me?" Hestia asked. And Percy just shrugged at her.
And as they talked more they became more close. Percy would talk to her about his problems. And slowly he understood more about the Immortals and his father, whom he hated for not being there for him in his troubles. And he sighed at the mention of his father.

The soft, sea scent of his cabin offered him a brief respite from the chaos of the outside world. The rhythmic sound of waves lapping at the shore in the distance, even though they were miles away, always soothed him. And he remembered the words of Poseidon, his dad, whom he saw at Olympus while returning the Master bolt,
"I am sorry, Perseus, for not being there for you. I know you may not forgive me for the pain and losses you had. And for the life I have brought to you as your father, It was an unforgivable mistake on my part. But I want you to know, my boy, that I have always watched over you from a distance, even when I couldn't be with you. I've always tried to help you. But... " Poseidon placed a hand on Percy's shoulder, his gaze filled with paternal concern. "You've grown into a remarkable demigod. But the road ahead will not be without challenges. That's why I wanted to ensure you understand your heritage and your role in this world. As my son, you have great power over the waters and the creatures of the sea. Use it wisely and with restraint. The seas can be both an ally and a formidable force. And know, I will be always there for you."
Percy felt sad that his father felt sorry that he was born. And his hate towards his father only increased, But it was Hestia who explained why Poseidon said so. She explained that his father loves him and is proud of him, But he was sorry only for the life his son will have to endure. She said that he would be hunted by monsters and other things throughout his life because he was a son of the Big Three and Powerful, After all, he was the first demigod to be born to Poseidon in almost 11 centuries. And such the Fates will not make it easier for him. After all betrayal of Luke was just the beginning. He winced at the memory of Luke betraying them.