history of man // percy jackson & the olympians

10 | do i know you?

ANDROMEDA SAT ON THE PIANO BENCH IN THE COZY EMBRACE OF HER CHILDHOOD APARTMENT IN MANHATTAN. the soft glow of the city lights filtered through the curtains, casting a warm ambiance over the room. the familiar notes of a piano filled the air as andromeda played a melody she couldn't quite place, yet it felt strangely close to her heart.

suddenly, a figure appeared beside her, seamlessly joining in and playing the next set of notes. as she turned her gaze to the mysterious pianist, a warm smile greeted her.

"you play it beautifully, dear niece." the man told her — revealing his identity to be apollo, the god of music and the sun, and her mother's twin. "i had hoped you would remember the only gift i ever gave you."

andromeda kneaded her eyebrows together, looking up at the god. "gift?" she asked quietly.

apollo chuckled down at her. "if i had known you wouldn't use it in nineteen years, i would've given you a gift receipt." he joked with a smile.

still confused by what her uncle was talking about, andromeda smiled. "what do you mean?"

apollo shook his head, plucking a few notes of the song on the piano as he spoke. "that melody." he told her. "it's the enchantment song. your mother and i's." he explained to the girl. "would you like to see?"

since the arch, andromeda was desperate to learn anything new about her mother. there were still so many questions to be answered. how did her parents meet? what made her decide to break her oath as the virgin goddess? why did she have to leave?

so the girl nodded. "yes."

apollo smiled, and spun around on the piano bench, the young girl following suit. as she did, the scene transformed around her. there, on the couch, sat her mother, artemis, softly singing the same melody while engrossed in a crossword puzzle.

she looked so...normal.

her hair was still wild, and there was a flower tucked behind her ear, but she was wearing a white sundress, and her feet were bare as she lazed on the couch.

i'm in the trees, i'm in the breeze
my footsteps on the ground

her mother hummed the melody that had enchanted andromeda's mind so effortlessly, as if it were second nature.

you'll see my face in every place

mikey lazaro emerged from the kitchen, making andromeda's breath hitch.

he walked right past the young girl, as if he didn't even see her, and planted a kiss on the goddess's cheek. "beautiful song." he complimented her.

artemis smiled up at him, so much love in her eyes. "thank you, dear." she answered softly. "my brother and i wrote it."

mikey wrapped his arms around artemis, and they shared a tender moment. "well, it's something special, ari." he told her. "makes me fall in love with you all over again."

her mother chuckled, rolling her eyes as she leaned into his embrace. "you're so cheesy, mike."

mikey shrugged. "can't help it." he admitted with a smile. "it's only a matter of time before you remember you're a goddess, and i'm just some guy from brooklyn." he reminded her. "i'm just savoring it while i can."