Athanasios Perseus Apollyon - The Forgotten Tide

Chapter 15 Meeting Hermes and the Summons to the Deep

Percy's POV

I was at the edge of a secluded forest, feeling the crisp morning air as I strolled through the dense foliage. The scent of pine and earth filled my senses, bringing a momentary peace to my otherwise restless mind. It had been a few days since the incident with Athena, and while things had returned to a semblance of normalcy, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing just beyond the horizon.

I was lost in thought when I heard the distant sound of hooves. At first, I thought it was a wild animal, but then the sound grew louder and more frantic, accompanied by a chorus of frantic mooing. I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued, and followed the noise.

As I broke through the tree line, I found myself at the edge of a meadow where a herd of cows was stampeding. And at the center of the chaos was a small figure, darting around with incredible speed and agility. The figure was a child, perhaps no more than a few days old, but I recognized him immediately. A sly grin spread across my face.

"Hermes," I called out, my voice carrying over the cacophony of the stampede. The child froze in mid-step, looking around with wide, mischievous eyes until they landed on me. His expression shifted from surprise to a confident smirk.

"Perseus!" he replied, his voice a melodic blend of innocence and cunning. "Fancy meeting you here."

I chuckled and walked closer, my trident appearing in my hand with a flash of sea-green light. The cows immediately calmed as the power of the ocean resonated through the ground, their stampede slowing to a halt. Hermes glanced at the trident, his eyes gleaming with interest.

"Stealing cows, are we?" I teased, resting the trident on my shoulder as I approached him.

"Borrowing," Hermes corrected with a wink. "They'll be back before anyone notices they're gone. Well, most of them."

"Uh-huh," I said, pretending to believe him. "And I suppose the temple you raided earlier was just a borrowing expedition too?"

Hermes grinned, clearly enjoying the game. "Of course! What's the point of being a god if you can't have a little fun now and then?"

I shook my head, though I couldn't help but admire his audacity. Despite being a newborn, Hermes had already proven himself to be a master of trickery and deceit, traits that would make him both a valuable ally and a formidable opponent in the years to come.

"Well, you might want to return those cows before your father finds out," I advised, my tone more serious now. "Zeus might find your antics amusing now, but his patience is not endless."

Hermes pouted playfully but nodded. "Fine, fine. I suppose I've had my fun for the day." He gave a sharp whistle, and the cows began to obediently trot back in the direction they had come from. "You're no fun, Perseus."

"You'll thank me later," I replied, ruffling his curly hair. He swatted my hand away, laughing.

As the last of the cows disappeared into the forest, I turned to leave, but Hermes' voice stopped me.

"Hey, Perseus," he called out, his tone more serious now. I turned back to face him. "Thanks... for not ratting me out."

I smiled softly. "We're all family here, Hermes. Just try to keep the chaos to a minimum, alright?"

He gave me a mock salute before dashing off into the trees, leaving me alone in the clearing once more. I was about to resume my walk when I felt a sudden pull, a tugging sensation deep in my chest. It was a summons, ancient and powerful, one that could not be ignored.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the call, and in an instant, the world around me dissolved. The forest, the meadow, the sky—all vanished, replaced by the infinite darkness of the deep ocean. The pressure of the depths pressed in on me from all sides, but it was a familiar and comforting presence, like an embrace from a long-lost friend.