Before I Die (Split Souls part 1)

20: Tony Wants a Custody Plan

PERCY PoV

Training with Dad is brutal. I mean, he's a god. A powerful one. What else would you expect?

I get blown all over the training grounds he had taken the time to set up for us. At first, he just spars with me. Then he said 'Without Anaklusmos now,' and I've had to learn how to use a trident. I'm a swordsman. But now I can wield a trident and mostly know what I'm doing. It hasn't been long enough for me to master the weapon, but It comes to me naturally. Not skillfully, though...

It's been three weeks. Three weeks of getting absolutely squashed by my Dad. One day is different though, because when I reached for the trident, a current pushed me away from it.

"Now, practice with your powers." Dad says. "Feel the ocean around you."

Of course, nothing stays simple. Time to train with the sea god, using water powers. Because that's a fantastic pairing when taking into consideration that you are just a mini super weak version of who you are facing.

That's another three weeks. Another three weeks of getting to dinner completely exhausted.

Annabeth is having a great time. She works with the other architects to find solutions. She is really good at what she does.

Annabeth however, did take a few weeks to get used to how different it is  to walk underwater. In the palace, you kinda glide along the floor. It's a little wierd. Outside, you kinda have to swim a little. The merpeople gave her lots of advice. My father gave her these two little silver bracelets with a couple pearls imbedded into them. She wears one on each wrist. They are pretty, but they allow her to move through the water much easier.

Speaking of the two of them. Dad has taken to calling her 'Child'. You might think it's condescending or insulting, but he means it warmly. It's an affectionate term from him. I'm just glad he likes her more than Athena likes me. Lady Wisdom and I don't exactly get along, but we aren't enemies.

Triton sometimes trains with me. Dad can't spend the whole time doting on my training. We have gotten closer since we started kicking each other's asses. Friendly competition does wonders for relationships.

Amphitrite treats me kind of like... A step child. Wow. I wonder why she would treat me like I was her step kid. Maybe because I am. Thank you brain.

I'm kinda worrying though. It's been quite a while since I left and I told Uncle T that I would visit... I hope he's not too pissed at me.

That's what I'm thinking about at dinner. Annabeth is sitting next to me, and chatting excitedly with Amphitrite about one of the remodelling plans.

"Percy." Dad says, drawing my attention to him.

"Yeah, Dad?'

"You are due to visit the mortals soon, aren't you?" He asks.

Did he read my mind earlier? "Well, yeah. Six weeks is kind of a long time for them." I admit.

"I see. I could bring you to them tonight, if you would like." Dad offers.

"How long would I be there?" I ask, excited to see them again.

"A few weeks at least. It seems fair enough, I assume?" Dad suggests.

I turn to Annabeth. She bites her lip, and looks at me. "We are right in the middle of this project..."

"Hey, it's okay. I can wait." I tell her.

"No! You should go. We haven't had nightmares in weeks, there shouldn't be a problem." Annabeth says.

"Are you sure?" I question.

"Yes. Go. You should visit your Uncle. I know they'll take care of you there. I'll be fine here-" Annabeth says, but she gets interrupted by Amphitrite.