Catching Water (Discontinued, rewrite in progress)

An Interesting...Family Reunion

Bethany’s POV

Percy squeezes my shoulder, and I feel courage surge through me. I no longer feel nervous as we cross the enormous room and kneel before our father.

“Should you not address the master of this house first boy?” Zeus says angrily. 

“Peace, brother, it’s only right that they greet their father first.” Dad says. I know that voice. I look up, seeing dad clearly. He has the same rebellious look as Percy and I. He’s wearing a Hawaiian shirt, khaki Bermuda shorts, and leather sandals. It dawns on me. I’d seen him before.

I had thought about the ice cream incident for days. The man had given me hope, and a reminder to keep holding on, no matter what happened. I had to grow up and mature faster. Because I had to stay strong, even as a five year old. I kept holding on.

It had been my dad that had done that. He had given me that reminder. That I had to stay strong. The thought almost brought tears to my eyes. But I knew I had to keep my senses. So I turn to Zeus, and listen silently as Percy tells our story.

I watch as Percy lays the bolt at Zeus’s feet. We remain in silence until he opens his palm and the bolt flies into it.

Percy talks about his dreams of the pit we’d seen in the underworld, and of Ares. He explains things about someone that had set this plan in the first place. Then Zeus and Poseidon launch into an argument, which ends with Zeus giving word to speak no more of it. Then he looks at us.

“You’ve done me a service, and for that, I will spare your lives.” He says. “Do not presume to fly again, or you shall taste this bolt, and it will be your last sensation.” Thunder shakes the palace, and with a blinding flash of lightning, Zeus is gone.

We were alone with dad.

“Your uncle,” dad sighs. “Is known for dramatic exits. I think he would have done well as the god of theater.” There is an uncomfortable silence.

“Sir....” Percy asks. “What was in that pit?”

“Have you not guessed?” Poseidon asks.

“Kronos. Lord of the titans.” Percy and I answer at the same time. The room darkens. Poseidon grips his trident.

“In the first war, Zeus cut our father Kronos into a thousand pieces, just as Kronos had done to his own father, Oranos.” Poseidon explains.  “Zeus cast his remains into the darkest pit of Tartarus. His army was defeated, their mountain fortress destroyed, their master  put into the farthest corner of the earth, and yet, Titans cannot die anymore than we gods can. Whatever is left of Kronos is still in some hideous way, still conscious of his eternal pain, still hungering for power.”

“He’s healing.” Is the first thing I say since we’ve arrived. “He’s coming back!”

Poseidon shakes his head. “From time to time over the eons, Kronos has stirred. Enters men’s nightmares and breathes evil thoughts. He wakens restless monsters from the depths, but to suggest he would rise from the pit is another thing.”

“That’s what he intends father.” Percy says. “That’s what he said!”

Dad falls silent for a while. “Lord Zeus has closed discussion on this matter. He will not allow further discussion of this. You’ve completed your quest children. That’s all you need do.”

“But-“ Percy stops himself. Good catch Percy. “As you wish father.” A faint smile plays on dads lips.

“Obedience does not come naturally to either of you, does it?” He says.