haunting ＊ percy jackson

xvi. percy fights a god (and nearly gives amos a heart attack)

Amos swore he felt his life flash before his eyes as the four of them crash-landed in the ocean, courtesy of the pearls Poseidon had gifted Percy. Considering it was the second time he was sure he was going to drown and die — the first time being on that awful ride at Waterland — Amos was seriously considering taking up swimming lessons. Maybe Percy can teach me, He thought fleetingly before shaking his head. He could envision just how embarrassing that would be, the son of Poseidon gliding in the water with ease as Amos flailed around helplessly. Yeah no, not a great idea.

It was embarrassing enough that Percy had to rescue him, moving quickly to grab onto Amos and practically throwing him towards a nearby life buoy. He did the same for Annabeth and Grover, and soon enough all four of them were wading in the water — well, Amos was more so clinging onto the buoy as tight as he could and hoping for the best, but close enough — waiting for the coast guard to come pick them up.

When they did come, Amos couldn't help but let his eyes linger on Percy. His heart ached for what his friend had gone through; all that effort, all that hope that he'd find his mother, just for her to slip from his grasp. It wasn't fair. Percy was kind and loyal, a good person; he didn't deserve to experience loss like that. With all that had happened, Amos had expected Percy to be sadder, but instead when he looked at his friend, he just saw anger. The normally bright sea green of his eyes seemed darker, almost like the sea before a storm. It was a strange look on his friend; Percy had proven that he had a bit of a temper before, but it had never been quite like this.

When they reached the shore, all of them soaking wet and varying degrees of frustrated and confused.

"I don't believe it," Annabeth said, a mix of shock and annoyance. "We went all that way... Did all that stuff... ugh!" She crossed her arms in irritation.

Percy's frown grew deeper. "It was a trick. A strategy worthy of Athena." He sounded bitter and sad, defeated almost. At his words, Annabeth raised an eyebrow, as though ready to challenge him, but he cut her off before she could say anything. "You get it, don't you?"

Percy's voice was harsh, and Amos suddenly felt like someone had poured cold water on him as he processed what his friend was saying. Because he was right, it was a trick. They had practically been lured down to the Underworld, sold on the idea that it had to have been Hades pulling the strings, with Percy's mother being used as an extra bargaining piece. They had been so satisfied with that plan, with the easy conclusion that the conflict was a result of tensions rising between the big three. It was expected, typical even, the perfect explanation that would keep them satisfied enough not to question anything. Amos felt stupid, as he was sure they all did for not questioning anything.

Annabeth sighed. "Yeah," She said defeatedly. "I get it." She paused for a moment, a sad look on her face. "Percy... I'm sorry about your mom."

Percy looked pained, and Amos felt the sudden urge to give his friend a hug, or at the very least try to comfort him in some way. Percy was angry, but more than that he was sad, devastated by the loss of his mother. "The prophecy was right," He said, ignoring Annabeth's words. None of them commented on it, but his voice broke as he spoke, sounded strained with emotion. "'You shall go west and face the god who has turned.' But it wasn't Hades, he doesn't want a war. Someone else does. They stole the master bolt, and Hades' helm, and framed me in order to frame Poseidon. Now a three-way war is about to break out and it'll all be my fault." Percy's voice broke again, and although he was glaring ahead, looking frustrated and angered by the situation, he also sort of looked like he was on the verge of tears.

Unable to take it anymore, Amos placed a hand on his shoulder, urging his friend to look at him. "It is not your fault, okay?" His voice was surprisingly stern, making Percy stare at him with wide eyes. "You didn't ask for any of this. And if you think the blame is on you, then you better blame the rest of us too. We chose to go on this quest with you, to work together and try to stop the war. It's as much our fault as it is yours."