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Myths aren’t just told. They are lived. The fates just hold the strings as they watch the story unfold. Only when the story is done and unable to be changed will it show itself for what it is. Even the Gods cannot escape Faith.
But they can help it.
***
Percy was enjoying a sunny autumn day at the beach at montauk. He was exhausted. During the drive he had been attacked at least 3 times. If it weren’t for the ocean, he would not be so oddly calm. He blamed the tides for putting him in a daze.
A heavy growl pulled him back to reality.
“Shit” Percy cursed before rolling out of the way from the paw slashing at him. He took riptide out of his pocket and started the fight. Whoever told him you would only come across the minotaur once in your demi-god life had been lying. This was the third time he met the beast. The fight didn’t go well. His energy was way down and didn’t seem to rise. When he called upon the sea he was met with silence. He kept fighting, but soon the realization came that this might be his last fight. Third time's the charm.
He was laying on the ground with the beast leaning over him when he felt it. The sea shifted. Apparently he wasn’t the only one who felt it as the minotaur also turned to the ocean. The sea started to crash into the beach violently. Scaringly. Out of the blue the minotaur started screaming and steaming? Realization dawned on Percy. It was cooking. The minotaur was screeching in pain while falling to the ground. Percy couldn’t move even when the monster turned into golden dust. He knew who was responsible. The waves , the steaming it all pointed to Pos- before he could finish his thought a wave engulfed him pulling him into the water. He tried to resist by digging his hand in the sand. The situation felt wrong. Scary. He was able to make a narrow escape. The wave came back doubled in size.
When the sea calls you home, you answer.
He was in the end only the son of Poseidon. Not the God himself. He got pulled into the ocean and pushed into a heavy stream. He tried to swim away but only wasted energy.
“Don’t fight me on this Percy” He heard in his head.It was the voice of his father. It felt wrong. Scary. After that he lost consciousness.
***
Percy woke up in a beautiful room filled with the most grotesque decorations he had ever seen. In the middle, against the wall, was his bed with on the opposite side a vanity. The room was painted in beautiful navy blue and gold colours.
The memories of the day before came back like a whiplash. His father had brought him to Atlantis. He pushed himself off the bed and swam towards the door. After pushing and pulling without any movement, he moved on to the windows. With no lock visible on the windows he swam back to the bed in the middle of the room. The only option he had was to wait.
***
The conversation wasn’t going well. Poseidon didn’t want, or feel the need to, explain everything to his son. His choices were obvious. He did what any parent in his position would do, protect his son. The god had had enough of his boy running around the surface out of his protection, saving demigods that don’t matter.
His son didn’t understand. He reacted explosively, wild. Just like him. If not for the situation Poseidon would feel proud. The boy didn’t realize how much he was like his father. He was jjust worse. He almost felt pity for the boy.
“You will stay here. End of discussion” The God declared, using more force in his voice. Turning around, the god left the room and an angry demigod alone. He did not see the fear in his son’s eyes.
It was all wrong.
***
His life felt like his days were a record on replay. It started at 8 when a servant came to bring food. Then at 10 they brought him a snack, followed by lunch at 12. He got another snack at 4 and dinner at 6. Everything was boringly healthy, except the dessert he got every four days.
Poseidon came to visit everyday between 12 and 4. Sometimes for 5 minutes other times for the full 2 hours. Most of the time it ended with Percy begging his father to let him go.
His father always got a sad look in his eyes. Served him right.
In the morning, after much complaining form Percy that he was bored, a personal trainer came. The training was designed to be as exhausting as possible. Percy didn’t mind. It kept his mind off everything else. Most of his other time was spent alone. That was a hidden blessing.
His father had underestimated what he could do with that time. His plan took a total of 5 weeks to complete. First he stole a spoon from the lunch tray. He did this before starting to eat so he would get another one from the servant. No one would know he had taken it and it would just seem like an error on their part. From then on he started to dig at the cement around the stones. Slowly grinding away. It seemed to stupid to work. It was stupid enough that it worked. He barely fit through the whole. Besides some scratches he got through. Leaving right after dinner in the hopes no one would notice he was gone until morning.
That was the thing about routines. They are predictable.
***
Adella had been tasked with bringing the young prince his breakfast. Most of the time the boy just thanked them for the food. Overall a polite young man, better than some of the other royals.
The young prince simply didn’t understand his place in their world. He was royal and thus eternal. His father was only doing him justice by bringing him here. With time the boy would come around. she was sure of it.
She opened the door going straight for the desk to put the food on. Not hearing the usual thank you she looked around the room. The boy seemed to be sleeping in his bed.
“My prince, it is time you awaken. I have put your breakfast on the desk.” She said softly. The boy gave no sign of having heard her. “My prince?” she asked again tentatively.
Again no answer. She swam closer “My lord?”
She hovered over the boy. Her hand grabbing the blankets, waiting, hoping for a response. After 10 agonizing seconds she pulled the covers away to reveal her worst nightmare.
No prince.
***
He swam as fast as he could. He was going home. He was going to see his mom. He knew his mother couldn’t defend him from Poseidon but she could reason with him. She was his soft spot. Maybe, if she explained why Percy needed to live on the surface he would understand. He arrived in New York a bit after sunrise, giving him 2 more hours until his father would discover he was gone. If he was lucky, he could get home in an hour.
Luck seemed to be on his side.
He was nervous to ring the bell. He hadn’t seen his mom in 5 weeks. He had disappeared. Again.
“Percy” His mom exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
He ignored her question and just went to hug her. “I missed you so much.”
“Oh my sweet boy.” his mother whispered softly in his ear. “Come inside."
She took him through the house into the living erea on the couch.
“I am sorry I disappeared. I can explain, I swear.” He told his mother. She looked at him with warm eyes.
“You don’t need to explain sweetheart.” His mother said. “Your father explained everything.”
Percy felt his heart drop. the room felt 10 degrees colder. “What?”
Sally looked confused at her son. “Poseidon told me everything. I am not mad Percy, just said that you felt you couldn’t share it with me.”
Percy felt ice run down his spine. “Mom, what are you talking about?”
Sally looked at her son who was looking at her with wide eyes. The gears turning in her head. Poseidon had mentioned that Percy sometimes forgot but seeing is believing. She took her little boys hands in her own.
“Poseidon told me that you went to him because of your hallucinations.” Sally started to explain.
“Hallucinations?” Percy repeated astonished.
“Yes dear, remember?” She asked, waiting for a reply that wasn’t coming. “Some God cursed you to see things that never happened. You started to see things that weren’t there, have memories that weren’t yours. You went to him because you were afraid that you would become like Hercules. ” She further explained. That sounded like something he would say but he didn’t. “He took you to Atlantis to help your mind to heal again. To be surrounded by your energy source?”
Percy could only listen to the fabricated story that his father had told his mother. Maybe he could explain his side and she would help him.
“That isn’t true.” He started but his mother continued.
“Don’t worry darling. I am not mad you didn’t tell. I understand that for some things I am not what you need.”
He jumped up “No, you don’t understand. He kidnapped me. Locked me up and won’t let me go. I had to escape using a spoon.”
His mother looked at him with pity. Poseidon had warned her about that particular memory. “Mom, I am telling the truth.”
“I believe you believe that.” She replied. His heart broke a little after hearing that.
“I…” He started not knowing what to say.
“Do you remember Oceanus taking you?” She asked sincerely. Percy simply shaked his head. He knew that it hadn’t happened. Had it? Sally frowned. Poseidon had given that as another example of fake memory. Her son must be getting better if the hallucinations were disappearing. “I know this doesn’t make sense to you right now. But you are getting better, Percy. Poseidon told me himself. Even if it would take you a lifetime, I would rather have you somewhere safe and happy than close and scared.”
“Mom…” Percy whispered. “I don’t want to go back.”
“It is what is best for you. I wish I could keep you all safe and bundled up here but I can't protect you from yourself.” Sally explained. “This is what is best for you.”
The doorbell rang but neither of them moved. He heard the door open and heavy footsteps enter the house.
“I had Paul call him when I saw it was you.” his mom whispered. Not a moment later his father was standing in the living room. Not as tall, nor with the almighty energy that he had the past few weeks. No, just a regular, old poseidon with a Hawaiian shirt.
“Percy, I was so worried.” The god claimed, starting to get closer. His son darted away further the closer he got. The sea God, not wanting to lose the confidence of his former lover, shifted his attention from his son to her. “You did the right thing Sally. He was doing really well the past weeks. I knew it was too good to be true.”
“Nothing you didn’t warn me for. I made him a bag with things from home to help him feel better down there. Paul put it at the front door before he took Estelle to the park. I didn’t know how he would be…” Sally explained.
“I understand. I will make sure to take it with us.” the god answered.
The woman walked back to her son, taking him in her arms.
“You need to go back sweety.” She whispered as she hugged him. “It will do you well to be there.”
Percy was hugging his mom with all his might. Afraid that letting go meant never to see her again. He wasn’t wrong.
“You don’t understand mom. I am scared of him.” He whispered in her ears. Before she could ask for more information. Poseidon took his shoulder and pushed them towards the exit.
“Goodbye Sally.” Her former lover said smiling before leaving and taking her little boy with him. The bag was left in the hallway.
Sally was left alone with a strange feeling. The Poseidon that had left didn’t feel right. He felt wrong. Scary.
***
They teleported into his room. The hand that was holding him pushed him harshly towards the wall. A loud thud could be heard when he made contact with it. Percy knew from experience that he had to get up, give himself space to move, to flee if possible. His legs just didn’t seem to cooperate. Instead he tried to make himself as small as possible, putting his knees in his chest.
“I am not happy with you running away.” the God started harshly. “I must say I didn't think that you would try to dig yourself out of the room. You get points for creativity on that one.”
His father was staring at him with anger in his eyes. The type of anger he was known for in the old stories. the treacherous rage of the sea that could take down ships with a single wave.
The god sighed, seemingly trying to calm himself down. “I give you everything you need to live a long and healthy life and this is the thanks I get.”
Percy looked up from his position. A new found anger rising. “You lock me up and I have to be grateful for it?” The boy whispered back.
Poseidon looked at him and in those eyes Percy saw the sea that destroyed towns with no hesitation, that drowned mortals forgetting with no second thoughts it is… But that wasn’t the scariest part. It was the cold calculating look that was bestowed on him that made him scared.
It was wrong. Scary.
“It pains me that you see this a prison.” The god told his son turning away.
The boy laughed at the ridiculous comment his father made.“What is this supposed to be? A slumber party?”
Poseidon turned his head towards his son. “Your future."
His son looked back at him with shock. Too stunned to say anything.
“You don’t understand yet. But you will. I’ll make sure of it.” The sea God turned completely to his son swimming closer in the process. He grabbed his son by the shoulders,ignoring the frightened look on his boy's face. His legs fell down, still unable to cooperate. The longer he hung there the heavier they felt. A smile crept on the God’s face before he dropped his son on the floor.
Percy tried to swim to stay in place, but again his legs refused, making him fall down on the floor. The demi god breathed heavily, looking up at his father. Then he looked down to his legs, only to find a beautiful navy blue tail. His hand reached out to it softly petting it. He even gave it an experimental move. The longer he looked the more details he noticed, like the small gold spots spread across it or the scales that had formed on his hand. His father smiled. He knew Percy would love the tail he designed for him. He was still furious with his son, but this was also the perfect opportunity to make the next move in his plan.
“Because you tried to run away you will be locked in your room for 2 months, with no visitors. On top of that I won’t teach you how to use the tail.” The God explained.
“What?” his son asked, still dazed by the fact that he had an actual tail.
“The last part is my punishment for not thinking you would be so… innovative with your escape plan.”
Slowly the boy got out of his daze, realizing the harsh truth of what was to come. “ You can’t take my legs away and expect me to understand how to swim with a tail!” The man yelled at his father as he made his way to the exit. “ Hey, come back! I want my legs!”
The god stopped right in front of the exit. He turned to his son one last time smiling peacefully. Percy understood what that peace really was. The peace before the storm. It was wrong. Scary. “I am sure you will figure it out.”
With that said the god left the room, leaving his son behind alone. “You can’t leave me like this!” Percy called out pleading. “Please, dad, no!”
***
As a child Percy dreamt of becoming a mermaid. Nothing seemed better than being able to explore the ocean, talk to fish and meet other mermaids. He dreamt of being like Ariel. He had even watched that Australian show about the 3 girls that couldn’t touch water.
It was not what he cracked it to be.
The first day he had tried to swim but ended up crawling. He slammed the door repeatedly, to no avail. He was exhausted and had fallen asleep on the floor.
The second day he was able to swim, more like catapult, himself on the bed. It wasn’t ideal but it worked. The most important part was that he could eat now.
The fourth day he realized how serious his father had been about the no visitors rule. His food appeared and disappeared out of his desk. Since he had come back he hadn’t seen a single other person.
The eight day he had gone back to slamming on the door, demanding that he could see someone.
The tenth day he was able to actually swim short distances.
The eleventh day he screamed again at the unresponding door.
the sixteenth day again.
The twenty-fifth day again.
The twenty-eight day again.
The 30th day he had started to sob in his room. He didn’t scream at anyone. He didn’t fight the door. He just cried on his bed.
On the 60th day he woke up and his father was in the room. He sat on the bed with an impassive face. Percy wanted to scream, shout, curse at him but didn’t. He-
"Good morning Percy. Did you sleep well?” His father asked
That was the drip that made the damn burst. He started yelling, shouting, and cursing. He barely got a sentence out before his father left him all alone again.
On the 61th day he woke up to see his father was in his room again. Percy felt his heart beat faster. He sat up leaning against the headboard.
“Good morning Percy.” The God said.
“Morning” He replied.
“Did you sleep well?” His father asked.
“Fine.” he croaked out.
“My little pearl,” The sea God said dotingly while swimming over to his son. Percy felt his eyes starting to water. Without thinking he started to apologize to his father. He wasn’t entirely sure what for but he just needed his dad to be on his side at this moment. The strong arms of his father held him together while he felt like he was falling apart. “it’s alright. I’ve got you. Let it all out.”
In the end Percy was just glad to have company.
***
5 months had passed? Maybe 6? He wasn’t sure. The days blended together in his room. He still wasn’t allowed to leave his chambers. Triton came by to visit everyday. Some of his other siblings had dropped by as well. Most of them looked at him with pity in their eyes. He suspected they knew more than they were letting on. He asked Triton once but he just looked downcasted.
His suspicions were confirmed when his father and Triton had come into his room.
His father looked absolutely ecstatic while Triton looked as if someone had died. Percy hadn’t been sure what to think about it. Now, as 2 thick bracelets were clung around his pulses he was unpleased.
“These will keep you within palace grounds. If you wander any further you… Well let’s just say you will notice the effect.”
“I can leave my room?” He asked hopeful. He had been feeling more and more restless everyday.
“Yes,” The god said, smiling. His brother coughed looking at their father with a pointed look who only sighed before continuing. “ Your brother finds it necessary that you know, that by wearing these I will know where you are exactly.”
Percy wanted to pull his arm back to his chest but the cuffs had already been attached to him. He knew what this meant. No more escaping.
It didn’t stop him from trying. Not his father or brother's warnings would stop him. He did only try once. Never again.
***
Another 6?7?8? … A long time passed and more of his wardrobe had become regal. He wasn’t officially part of the royal family, yet. His father was very adamant that one day he would be. When the time was ripe.
His outfits started to become more and more like his father. He was decorated with gold and pearls. So many pearls. He tried to count them once and after 500 he gave up. He once asked his father about it who simply just laughed.
The cuffs became heavier every passing day
***
“Percy, I would like you to meet, Sir CaldWell. He is a well respected man in Atlantis.” The threat hung clear, don’t screw this up. It hadn’t been the first merman he met. Apparently all merpeople were ecstatic to meet him. He didn’t understand why.
He wasn’t against these… outings. It meant he was meeting another person, how weird they may be.
Everything had been going great. The meeting had been going on for an hour. CaldWell had been the most annoying, pretentious idiot he had ever met and he had met a lot. The merman seemed to be making a move at him every 5 seconds.
“I know a very powerful sea witch who would be more than willing to give you the ability to bear children.” The noble man told the prince.
“Excuse me?” He questioned.
“My line must be continued.” He said matter of factly. “ Beside I think you would look great pregnant.”
“What.” Percy exclaimed. They had passed the point from stupid vulgar jokes and to many touches.
“Well, it will only happen once we are mated, of course. When you accept my courting-” CaldWell started.
“Accept your courting?” He asked angrily.
The man seemed to have forgotten who he was talking to. “Gods, for such a brave hero, you are quite dense.” The merman replied, annoyed. “Perhaps that is why your father only want to do these meetings behind closed doors.”
Percy isn’t sure what happened next. Only that Sir CaldWell was a black eye richer. How generous of him.
***
Poseidon heard his son before seeing. The door flung open with a raging Percy storming in “I am not marrying that pig. What made you think you had the right, the absolute fucking right, to marry me off!”
“Did you not like Sir CaldWell?” Poseidon asked calmly, continuing to work on his papers.
“Not like? Wow dad, lets keep the tone light like is such a harsh word.” His son replied sarcastically.
“That is alright.” He responded to his son.
“Really?” The demigod asked, fury not entirely forgotten
“Of course.” Poseidon looked up from his papers and gave his son a smile. Percy hated that smile. It never meant good things. “There are many other mermen or women, if you prefer, who would jump at the chance to marry you.”
The God saw the rage building in his son's eyes. Clearly deciding what issue to tackle first. The marriage? The fact that Poseidon “forgot” about his relationship with the Athena brat? Or the fact he was deciding the candidates.
“First of all. You know I date women.” Ah yes, defending the honor of the girlfriend, who by now was 55 years old. Not that his son knew that. Time felt different down here. “And again why would I want to marry someone? I am perfectly fine on my own.”
The God simply sighed at his son's antics, making his son’s rage even worse. “Well, how else are you going to be immortal?”
Percy knew, deep down, that this had been Poseidon's ultimate goal when he kidnapped him. Not protection, not to spend more time, but immortality. He still felt like someone punched him in the gut. “I don’t want to be immortal.”
“You will grow out that silly idea.” Poseidon said while waving his hand, physically trying to remove the idea from the room.
“I said no then, I am saying no now.” Percy replied firmly.
A frown formed on the God's face. “Yes, you will.”
“No I won’t” His child answered defiantly.
“Don’t treat me like a fool, Perseus. Either you get a choice in who you marry to become immortal or I will pick for you. I might not look at looks, gender or character. I might prefer someone of status to marry my sweet little pearl.” Poseidon told his son. His voice rising with every sentence. Percy’s face turned scared. A future with that man flashing through his mind. “Or…”
“Or what” The Demigod asked his father.
“No, you don’t want that option.” The god claimed.
“No, no, no if it doesn’t involve marriage I’m interested.” His son pushed to continue.
Poseidon bent down to open a drawer. Gently he grabbed the apple, before placing it on his desk carefully. Percy’s eyes widened when he saw the gold appear. It showed just how far his father was willing to go. “You can eat the apple.”
“No.” The boy exclaimed instinctively.
“Think this through Percy.” The god said while leaning over, closing the distance between his son and him. “If you eat this apple, you can marry someone you love, you can travel the world with no restriction, you can live a life. You will be able to experience heartbreak, maybe even go to college. Eat the apple and all that will be taken, is your mortality.”
The tears formed in Percy’s eyes as he realized his fate for the rest of eternity.
Poseidon never planned on sharing his favorite son with anyone.
***
He started at the apple. His father had agreed to give him a week to think it over. After the 7 agreed upon days were over, he agreed. Now, he was sitting at the dinner table with his father who was looking at him expectantly. One bite and his life would be over. No more escaping. This wasn’t what his life was supposed to lead to. He was supposed to marry Annabeth, have 3 children and a dog.They were supposed to live in a nice house i-.
“Staring at it won’t make it disappear.” His father said with a small chuckle. But Percy knew better now, behind those eyes he could see the irritation growing. “ It has been 30 minutes, Percy.”
“Right.” Percy said, not making a move to start eating it. He just kept staring at it.
“Percy.” The God said sternly.
The boy’s hand reached out to the apple. Shakingly he took the apple in his hand.
He took the first bite. No going back. The choice was made.
"Completely." Poseidon said.
Percy looked up from the apple he had taken a bite out. The tears were forming in his eyes.
He took another bite. And another. He started to feel nauseous, but didn’t stop. And another, another, another. Tears trickled down his face.
The apple wasn’t meant to be eaten whole.
Once only the core was left did he stop. The silence between the two immortals was deafening.
***
He cries the first time he bleeds gold.
***
He cries when he finds out how many years have passed.
***
He isn’t surprised when he still isn’t allowed to leave the palace.
***
A temple was found near the coast of Greece. Archaeologists were over the moon. Not only did the temple bring new information about ancient Greece but also a new God.
They would never realize how recent the creation of the God was.
The temple told the story of Perseus, son of Poseidon not Zeus. A power to be reckoned with. Saviour of Olympus, twice. Defeating everything that came on its path. The apple of his fathers eye. A true heir, worthy of being named Destroyer.
Yet, Perseus was naïef. He believed his father to be kind like the sea on a sunny summer day. He did not see his father as the god he was.The sea would always take what belonged to her. Perseus was no different.
The God, Poseidon, had kidnapped his son to Atlantis. He told everyone who would hear that his son was cursed by another God to go mad and only his domain could stop it from happening. Dionysus believed it, Apollo believed it, Zeus believed it.
Perseus was rebellious like the sea and managed to escape using a loophole in the enchantment his father used to keep him inside.
The young demigod forgot that tides will come back for what it lost.
Denied saving from his peers and family, Poseidon whisked him back to Atlantis. Days turned into weeks, turned into months, turned into years. Even the little ocean can only be strong for so long.
Poseidon’s pearl was kept safe and hidden in his castle until the time came. Once the demigod was broken enough he proposed a marriage for immortality or small freedom and immortality. Desperate for some sense of normalcy the boy ate the apple. Sealing his fate.
And so the God, Perseus, son of Poseidon was formed.
Devotion makes a God. It was never specified whose devotion.