Poseidon's Daughter

Chapter 29

Rhea POV

Mom's leaving again, and this time, she's going back to an empty apartment.

Dad explained that the mist will be covering for Gabe's disappearance and mom said that she didn't have to work two jobs anymore, now that Gabe is gone.

I was sad to see her leave but I have training to do here. After mom left, Triton took me to the training grounds and started his torture sessions, also known as endurance training. I'm forced to swim for miles at a time and run underwater. Do you know how hard it is to run underwater?

Triton got it in his head that one of the best ways to train my endurance, is to have me holding on to a rope tied around a hippocampi while it speeds around under water. My first time I held on for less than three minutes. It's like riding a bull but worse. It was also my first time getting sea sick.

"Come now Rhea, is that the best you can do?" Triton mocks me, pulling out a piece of seaweed from my hair.

I scowl at him, "Why don't you try holding onto the rope while the sea horse pulls you in swirls and twirls at impossible speeds, huh?"

He snorts at my statement, "At least you are getting stronger sister. Your arms have grown weak in the past year."

"I'll show you weak!" I threaten, mock-glaring at him.

And so I trained for another few weeks, visiting on and off with Uncle Hades and Aunt Persephone (who snuck back into the underworld again after fighting with her mother Demeter).

My father had said that the gods had calmed down about my presence over the past year, and they barely mention me anymore in Olympus.

We celebrated my tenth birthday, mom came to visit for two days before she had to go back to work, and sooner than what I would've liked, I had to go back to University, Aunt Hestia came to fetch me and off we went.

It felt strange going back to classes and doing my assignments. 2nd year isn't for the weak. I worked and when I could, I kept up with my training.

Time flew by so quickly and before I knew it, half the year had already passed and in this time I encountered my first monster- a hellhound.

It was sniffing around on campus while I was jogging, and before he knew what hit him, I had already swung my blade and severed its head, turning into golden dust that blew away in the wind. I was fortunate enough that there weren't a lot of people out at five in the morning. Well, that was anticlimactic. I thought it would surely sense me close by and attack.

I told Aunt Hestia what had happened, she congratulated me and popped off to tell my father.

When Hestia returned she said that my father freaked out over it, and wanted to rip Hades' head off.

"Why would he want to do that?" I asked her.

"Because Hellhounds falls under Hades' domain. It's possible that one just wandered onto the campus, these things happen. Hellhounds can be summoned too. Your father wants to make sure you're safe," she replied.

We moved on from the incident and nothing happened. It got kind of boring, I wanted action in my life. All the studying got me down in a funk. I wanted to play with my friends, run around on the beach and swim with the dolphins again.

Hades POV

"Hades!" Poseidon yells at me.

What now? I think, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

"Poseidon, what's wrong now?"

"There was a hellhound on Rhea's university campus. Did you send it?" he demands.

Why does my family have to be so dramatic all the time?

"No brother, I would never harm her. Is she alright? Did she get hurt?" I ask, knowing the answer. I did send a hellhound, only because when I went to visit Rhea a few months ago she told me how bored she was and wanted to fight some monsters. Kids! I sent one of the weaker hounds, and had ordered it not to attack her. I wasn't about to tell the overprotective daddy that.

"She's fine, she disposed of the beast before any harm could be done," he says.

"Then there's nothing to worry about brother. You've been training her for moments like these. Have faith that she will be able to fight."

"She's ten years old Hades. All I want to do is to protect her. This world is a harsh place to be."

"You can't protect her forever, keep her hidden forever," I say.

"Don't you think I don't know that? She has to go to camp soon. You know of the prophecy. And I'll stand behind her no matter what side she chooses."

"She won't betray the gods. You know it. I know it. Even with her young age, she is wise beyond her years and will make the right choice in the end," I tell him.

"I hate prophecies. They never make sense until it has come to pass. Useless words that only bring chaos," he says.

"It will make sense in time. We have two years to go before Rhea has to go to camp. From the way she spoke, she would have her degree in Physical Therapy by then amongst other subjects," I say.

"It doesn't make sense, does it?" he asks.

"What doesn't make sense?" I ask.

"That at her age, she has accomplished so much in such a short period of time. Her growth rate, mental capabilities. Everything. You would expect her to be a child of Athena," he tells me baffled.

"If it weren't for her looks, she would definitely be mistaken for a child of Athena."

"How are your children doing?" he asks suddenly.

"They're doing the same as they've been doing for years. It doesn't really change for them," I reply sadly.

"Do you think our children will get along?" he asks with a smile.

"I think so. Bianca has a soft heart, always looking out for Nico. And Nico, my soft-spoken boy, with a fierce love for his family. I hope they get along one day."

After Poseidon left, I went to the Lotus hotel, not interfering in anything my children are doing, but just looking out for them. Observing.

Poseidon is lucky that he gets to be so involved in Rhea's life. If Zeus finds out about both their children, he would do everything in his power to kill them. With Poseidon on his side, he knows he could stand against Zeus' unfair actions and protect those he holds dear.

Once Poseidon left, I got a visit from none other than the Fates.

"Lord Hades," they start at the same time, "we have come to give you a warning."

My eyes widen in surprise. The Fates have never been as involved as they have been the past few years.

"What warning might that be?" I say stiffly.

"You want to take your children from the Lotus hotel and bring them here. You must wait. If you do not, there will be unforeseen consequences. Take them out too soon and they will die. After Rhea leaves the Lotus hotel on her first quest, then you can start preparations to bring them into the light."

"What?" I ask and they left, leaving me baffled.

I've been considering bringing Nico and Bianca here. Now I have to wait. What do the mean about Rhea's first quest? She's going to camp once she's twelve. I have two years to prepare.

A/N: Wow guys, thanks for all the comments and votes so far.

Next chapter will be a short one.