Blood Of Poseidon

I. Course of Destiny

December 22, 2017.

Percy Jackson stood silently in the twilight, the shadows of Camp Half-Blood stretching long across the ground. The triumphant return from their quest was marked by mixed emotions. Campers cheered, celebrating the success, but a heavy cloud of mourning hung over the Hunters of Artemis, grieving for their lost sister, Zoë Nightshade. As they entered the camp, Artemis and Bianca made their way to Cabin 8, where the Hunters gathered. Percy watched them, his heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. Annabeth gave him a sympathetic look, but he couldn't meet her eyes. He felt as though he had failed. Zoë had died, and the burden of her loss weighed heavily on him. The campfire that night was meant to be a celebration, but the mood was somber. Thalia and Megan, took turns narrating the story of their adventures. Their voices wavered as they recounted the battles fought and the dangers faced. Percy, however, remained silent, lost in his own thoughts and regrets.

As the campfire dispersed and the demigods returned to their cabins, Percy stayed behind, staring into the flames of the undying camp hearth. The fire flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced around him. He was lost in his thoughts when he felt a presence beside him. "Percy," Nico's voice broke through his reverie. Percy turned to see the young son of Hades standing there, his dark eyes filled with gratitude and sadness. "Thank you for keeping your promise. Thank you for keeping Bianca safe." Percy nodded, his throat tight with emotion. "I would have done that even if I hadn't promised you, Nico. She was my quest mate." Nico gave him a small, sad smile before turning and heading back to his cabin. Percy watched him go, feeling a pang of empathy for the boy who had lost his sister. He understood that pain all too well.

The night wore on, and Percy found himself unable to sleep. He lay in his cabin, staring at the ceiling, his mind replaying the events of the quest over and over. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He got up and sneaked out, heading towards the beach. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the waves. Percy walked along the shore, his thoughts a turbulent sea of emotions. He was surprised to see someone else already there, standing at the water's edge. As he was about to turn back, he heard a voice. "Not able to sleep?" Percy immediately recognized it as Artemis. "Lady Artemis. I... I was just about to go back." He noticed then that the goddess was grieving. Her usually stern and regal demeanor was softened by sorrow. She stood there, looking out at the ocean, her eyes distant and filled with pain. Percy hesitated, then stepped closer. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said softly, not knowing what else to say. Artemis glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Zoë was special," she said quietly. "She was with me for a long time." Percy nodded, unsure if he should speak. Instead, he simply stood beside her, offering silent support. The waves lapped at their feet, a soothing rhythm that contrasted with the turmoil in their hearts. They sat on the sand, side by side, gazing out at the horizon. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken words, but it was a comforting silence. Percy felt a strange connection to the goddess at that moment, a shared understanding of loss and grief. Artemis finally broke the silence. "Thank you, Percy," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Percy turned to her, surprised. "For what?" "For being here. For understanding." He nodded, his throat tight with emotion. They sat there for a long time, the moon casting its gentle light upon them. Words of pain were spoken between them in that silence, only audible to their hearts. As the night slowly gave way to dawn, Artemis stood. "I must return to my Hunters," she said, her voice steadier now. "They need me." Percy nodded.

Artemis placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have a good heart, Percy Jackson. Zoë saw that in you." With that, she turned and walked away, her form shimmering in the early morning light. Percy watched her go, feeling a sense of peace settle over him.

***

December 30, 2017

Percy Jackson walked into the Big House, feeling the familiar creak of the wooden floorboards beneath his feet. The room was dimly lit by the afternoon sun filtering through the curtains. Thalia and Nico were already there, seated and waiting. Chiron, in his wheelchair form, greeted him warmly. "Ah, Percy, welcome. Please, have a seat." Percy nodded and took a seat next to Thalia and Nico. He exchanged a brief smile with Thalia and a nod with Nico, who seemed a bit more composed than usual. The weight of recent events was still palpable in the room, but there was a sense of anticipation in the air. After some casual talk about the quest and their return, Chiron cleared his throat and began to speak in a more serious tone. "The reason I've called you here today is of great importance. The gods have decided that you three will undergo special training for the future you are destined for." Percy glanced at Thalia, who nodded slightly, signaling she was already aware. "We saw the council," Percy said. "They discussed the prophecy and the decision to train us." Chiron nodded, his eyes shifting to Nico. "Nico, it's important that you understand the significance of this. There is a prophecy, one that led the Big Three—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—to swear an oath not to sire any more demigod children. This prophecy speaks of a child of the Big Three who will reach the age of sixteen and possess the power to either save or destroy Olympus." Nico's eyes widened slightly, processing the weight of Chiron's words. "And we're all the same age," he said slowly, realization dawning on him. "So any one of us could be that child." "Exactly," Chiron confirmed. "The gods have acknowledged this and decided to prepare you for whatever the future holds. Your training will be rigorous and intense, designed to help you unlock your true potential." Percy leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "So, what's the plan?"