XI
Percy cleared his throat. It felt dry for some reason as he stood in the snowy weather.
Which was odd.
It was summer.
And it was snowing.
Whatever artefact that was playing games with Zeus' realm was damned powerful if it could change the seasons on a dime. Demeter was probably having a fit right now.
A rumbling of storm clouds and the monsoon in the distant ocean gave him pause as he raised a brow.
Olympus was not happy for some reason.
Most likely the Nordic interference.
Percy turned his attention away from the distant weather and came face to face with Hecate, Hestia and Artemis.
Around them the masses of mortals in the busy airport were moving about their bustling business. Laughing and conversing with each other as they went about their daily lives.
None of them the wiser that beings that could snuff out their existence with a snap of their fingers simply appeared in their midst.
"Where were you?" Artemis' question was precise and harsh, one that was unexpected from the normally polite and maneuvering Moon Goddess. Her eyes radiated the silver moonlight that was her realm of power.
Hecate was looking around, biting her lip nervously at their surroundings.
Percy took a step backwards in the sudden appearance of the three Olympians. "Peace, Percy." Hestia soothed as she placed a hand on Artemis' shoulder simultaneously leveling a glare at her niece.
Answering the question, Percy held his hands up slowly as if to placate them. "I never left?" His statement came out more as a question. "What's happening?"
He had no idea what was going on.
Artemis had sent him on this quest. He had left that night after preparing and informing Calypso and his mother and arrived here, to find three immortals seemingly questioning his presence on a journey they had sent him on.
Hestia herded them to a nearby restaurant while commandeering a booth. Hecate eyes brightened to a pure white as a pure fog descended in front of them and around them, encasing them in a transparent shell.
"You disappeared." Artemis spoke. "Hecate was assigned to watch over you by the Fates."
Percy's eyes snapped to the Goddess who had the decency to look embarrassed if the flush that overtook her features was any indication. Hestia frowned at the goddess though to be fair to her Artemis she did as well.
Did they know of his vision? He didn't think so. They would've asked about it already if he had. Artemis was also gifted with foresight and his connection with the Oracle would've have alerted him if this was a precursor to a prophecy and would have subsequently told the rest of the Council had it been one.
The visions and dreams of demigods had a tendency to turn into such things.
Whatever….that being did…possessed the strength to obscure even the senses of the Olympians.
He just hoped against the odds that this wasn't another of those things.
The Son of Poseidon didn't know if he could stomach such a thing if it were to happen again.
If this being was interested in him it wouldn't do for the Olympians to know that he had been approached.
There was a certain trust between him and them. After all, they reported to Zeus. He may be the Hero of Olympus but the last few times powerful beings visited demigods in their dreams, the seat of their power had been under attack by not just monsters, Titans and Primordials but their own children as well.
The King of the God's paranoia was infamous and he was simply waiting for a valid reason to kill him. He wouldn't blink twice to smite whoever if he even smelled something treasonous. Percy certainly wouldn't. Percy had lost too many friends and family to the actions of traitors for him to spare mercy to them.
With Silena being the sole exception, he forgave none that he knew to be traitors. Especially the ones that had the misfortune of stumbling upon the vengeful Son of Poseidon in the aftermath of the war with the Gigantes.
"Are you alright?" Hestia asked, her tone full of worry as were her eyes. Hecate placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You can trust us."
Percy blinked a couple of times and looked around. He took in his surroundings once again. He was in an airport. London. A mission…He ran through his mind as his memory of the present returned to him.
"I swear on the Styx that I never left the plane that brought me here." He gestured to himself. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
The dark looming clouds receding ever so slightly in the sky at the proclamation. Not enough to completely sway their onward sweep, however, as in the moment they receded they inched ever further.
Zeus was watching and listening and if Percy's intuition was right then Poseidon was as well.
There was a solid moment where Percy and the three gods present waited for something to happen.
And nothing did.
They sat in the booth. The Olympians boring holes into Perseus as they investigated him. Hecate was looking nervously around the restaurant, even encased in the shell of mist, she looked to be overwhelmed with all the mortals.
Abruptly, Artemis' eyes flashed into a silvery hue before returning to their normal twin orbs of moonlight. If the action was meant to startle him or otherwise raise a reaction from him, it didn't work. Mostly because it was over before he had snapped his head in her direction.
Whatever Artemis had done, seemed to unsettle the Olympian if the grimace on her face was any indication. Hestia looked to her niece and the two locked eyes. An entire silent, most likely telepathic, conversation had in the span of a couple seconds.
Hecate and Percy shared a look of their own. One of confusion, though she smiles slightly. An attempt at reassurance, he doubted it was for him and most likely one for herself. The Goddess of Magic was one for solitude. Being amongst so many mortals and caught up in something seemingly grander than her was causing her an almost unbearable amount of distress.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, doing his best to calm her nerves.
And it did. She simply breathed and relaxed herself ever so slightly as she eased herself into Percy's touch.
It was often what he did with the demigod veterans of the Second Gigantomachy back at camp. After witnessing such masses in the fields of war, they were uncomfortable in the presence of crowds. Percy had been there for the more battle hardened and veteran among them, when they stood or sat in frozen silent fear at the dining tables or amphitheater.
He wasn't so blind to think he was immune to the after-effects of the war. It was simply that he couldn't be. He was their fearless leader. If he fell….they all did. Percy was oft one of the few remaining demigods at the large events, as he and those that experienced the worse of it simply waited patiently for the crowds to disperse.
Chiron had counseled him to not bottle his emotions…his remorse but did not dissuade him in his self-isolation. The old centaur had probably gone through this since since time immemorial and would probably continue to do so as the trainer of heroes.
He didn't think Chiron knew that he had to bottle his emotions. To let them out only in small amounts lest he drown the camp.
The few moments passed and the two Olympians broke their interaction as Percy lifted his hand from the Magic Goddess.
Percy missed the way Hecate's gaze locked longingly on his calloused hand as his attention was fully retuned to the two Olympians.
There was an awkward silence as the Olympians regarded the Son of Poseidon. Hecate continued to squirm in her seat beside him. Hestia leveled a neutral stare at her, an attempt to appear comforting though the warmth that inhabited her eyes had turned frosty at the Goddess of the Mist.
Percy wondered what caused the Hearth Goddess to act so icily to Hecate. It was so unlike Hestia to be anything but comforting. So many Olympians seemed to be acting away from their usual spheres of comfort, first Artemis and her attempt at peaceful serenity mere days ago before switching to a harshness of sharp silver. Hecate, a normally reclusive and disinterested Goddess had gotten stuck with observing Perseus and now Hestia, with her warm persona being an ice against her own family.
Percy had always known the immortals to be prone to mood swings and anathema to their realms on occasion. Artemis chief among them, given what had happened during the war. So he didn't know whether to be concerned by their indecision or whatever they had prepared for himself.
Still, the silence didn't last long as Artemis was the first to speak, glancing about at the oblivious mortals that ate the sparse meals in the restaurant around them. "Are you certain that nothing happened while you were on the plane? No other Titans?"
Percy narrowed his eyes slightly and raised a brow. "Other Titans?" Percy whispered as he leaned in flicking his eyes about the restaurant. The way Artemis said it, the nuanced words that would've appeared as innocent questioning had it been anyone else, to anyone else for that matter.
But Percy was not anyone else. The Son of Poseidon had encountered his fair share of the Primordial children and most he did stumble upon would have loved nothing more than to sever his connection to the mortal coil.
The freed ones being an exception. They were grateful to him for securing their release and the times he visited them ensured they had a semblance of regular company.
Artemis' insinuation made it seem as if they had so recently encountered one.
The Moon Goddess must have realized her mistake and nodded sharply, making an immediate decision to not hide the information from the demigod. Percy had his eyes take on a steely resolve. As much as the Olympians would have loved to keep their children in the dark, he felt that he had a right to know, moreso than others. "Your father, along with Hades, Athena, Ares and Bellona fought Oceanus below the tides. That is why his realm has been closed for the last year."
Percy leaned backwards, a sudden exhaustion washing over him as those same steely eyes lost that former resolve and instead took on a mask of weariness. "Is there signs to others rising?"
Hestia and Artemis shared look, though it was the Daughter of Zeus that answered. "We will be notifying both camps. Chiron will most likely send out demigod parties to investigate and the," Her features grew sharper for a moment. More aristocratic. "Praetors of New Rome would be wise to do the same. We aren't sure at the moment." Her features receded to a wilder and fuller look.
Though Percy soon became distracted. His face taking on a faraway look as his breathing labored. They were insinuating war. Death…destruction. Did no one want to simply leave them alone? Were two wars not enough? Was he cursed to forever look over his shoulder? Was that what this entity that visited him was? An enemy to Olympus? His enemy?
It seemed it was Hecate's turn to comfort the Hero of Olympus. She placed a comforting touch on his shoulder. His instincts had taken over and overridden whatever logic that remained within the demigod. A feral and fear laden Percy snapped from his stupor, his eyes vibrating a distinct poison green as his hand flicked to grip the trespassing palm of the goddess.
Nothing mattered now. He had to survive. That's all it ever was. It wasn't winning. It was surviving.
He heard a pained gasp from his side and a pair of shouts across from him. A flash of light overcame him and his head became clouded and his vision heavy. All he saw was red and that was quickly darkening. No. He can't sleep. If he slept he would be vulnerable. He had to stay awake. Stay alive.
He fought his own body. It was straining, his mind demanding he retaliate against his rebelling body's rapidly numbing senses.
"Percy!" He heard distantly. It was familiar. Warm. Safe. Another light washed over his heavy eyelids. He felt his breathing steady. His vision slowly returning.
He blinked. Again. Run through his memories. Artemis assigned him a mission from Olympus. Artefact. Retrieval or destruction. Vacation. Airport. Hecate… He blinked. His blurred vision returned to focus. Across from him was the alarmed face of Artemis and the worried and scared expression of Hestia.
He looked down. The brown polished wooden table had cracked and splintered in his left hand as it clenched tightly on the edge of the furniture, drawing blood, though he hardly felt the stinging pain in his palm. He looked to his right. Hecate's face was one of pain as she desperately attempted to remove her hand from the vice grip of his right hand.
The shell of white mist was flickering.
He immediately let go. The Magic Goddess wincing in pain as the blood returned to the lithe and dainty hand. It looked frail and purple. Bruised and most likely broken. He touched it and called upon the moisture among the air around the hand as it solidified into a glove of translucent water.
A singular intent in his mind.
It dissipated into an unseen mist almost as fast as it had formed. The bruised skin and contorted fingers found itself back to normal, only red and irritated, though healthier than before.
"'I-I…" Percy stuttered his apology. He had just attacked a Goddess for no reason other than fear. And not just any Goddess. No, one who has done nothing but help him in these past years. One of the very few that made the meaningful attempt to help him heal. Thunder rumbled in the distance. "I'm sorry." He breathed out as he moved as far as he could into the booth, practically pinning his back flush against the wall. His gaze snapped to the hand of Hecate.
He didn't see the subtle movements of Hestia's fingers as a small ember flicked from the tip of her finger and went to land on Percy.
Hecate had her features contorted into one of hurt as her eyes welled up, the pain just barely beginning its escape from her form.
It was the Magic Goddess to speak first, her voice filled with sincerity but cracks of caution made faults in her words. Her eyes betrayed a different emotion however. Fear. "No. It's my fault. I shouldn't have touched you in your state. I should know better than anyone. Well, maybe not Dionysus." She let out a chuckle as she rubbed her irritated hand. It had only a drop of humor in it and was mostly done out of nervousness rather than to ease the tension.
The Son of Poseidon felt a wash of relief at the words.
Percy forced himself at cracking a small smile, a tight one and one devoid of warmth, at that, if only to diffuse such a rapidly escalating situation. Something that seemed to happen to often when dealing with Immortals.
Hestia spoke, her voice as soothing as possible but there was still fear in her eyes though it wasn't as prevalent as before. "Perseus, you need not concern yourself with matters of the Titans any longer. Your service to Olympus concerning the Immortal World has ended." Percy's breath hitched. "Your service to Olympus concerning the Mortal World has instead now begun."
"What does that even mean?"
There was a pause before the Hearth Goddess continued as she glanced at Artemis. "It came to our attention that the Council has turned you into a crutch to be leaned upon. The demigods of both camps have been neglected and have grown complacent. As much as we would love to allow them to enjoy peace in perpetuity, that is something that simply cannot happen."
Percy regarded them with distrust. It couldn't be a coincidence. Oceanus rising and the Olympians deciding to turn their attention to the camps.
Something was coming.
Hestia continued to speak, not noticing that Percy had withdrawn into himself. "This is the Age of Heroes. Two Great Prophecies have been fulfilled and while none other has been made, we sense great conflict in the future. Heroes will be needed to take action. For you, however, your time has passed. You have sacrificed much and we have given less. So Olympus has charged you with ensuring the safety of the Mortal Realm against threats that the Olympians and their children are incapable of handling."
"This comes with sweeping authority." Artemis interjected before Hestia could continue earning a glare of ire from her aunt. Artemis had closed her eyes as she seemed to find happiness in her next words. "For the most part, you are granted leave to act as you see fit. You are not beholden to us any longer. However, it should go without saying that should you go against Olympus…" The Moon Goddess trailed off as she eyed Percy with a look of suspicion, her emotion flipping completely.
"We do however think you should continue your duties regarding the freed immortals." Hestia said after her niece finished.
The Son of Poseidon wasn't paying attention. His eyes glazed in a faraway look.
Percy's thoughts focused on maintaining an aura of calm and hearkened onto the teachings of Chiron. Breathe. One. Two. Three. Breathe. One. Two. Three. They seemed to be the only thing that would keep him from completely falling apart.
He may have wanted this. Yearned and wished for it even. Though it felt all this was doing was casting him out. It didn't make sense! Why did he want to remain? Yet why did he want them to leave him alone?
He took another breath and calmed his mind.
Percy revisited the echoing words of the Heath Goddess and that of Artemis. Too focused was he on the words that spoke of the spectres of war and destruction.
No, the two Olympians made it explicitly clear. He was still under their rule. That would not change.
But now...it wasn't his duty anymore. He could leave them to their fate. To whatever may come. His mind turned away from them, their next words an echo to the drowning white noise that he filled.
His eyes cast over the worried forms of the two Olympians, worry crossed their features and flashes of fear coursing through their eyes like waves, coming and going.
"I understand." Percy spoke deliberately. The words felt foreign to him as if they didn't belong in his mouth.
"If I may provide counsel?" Hestia asked, hoping to provide direction to the aimless demigod. At his slow nod she continued. "The group of mortals. The ones you fought with in the streets of New York. They seem to be in the business of protecting the Earth."
It went unsaid that those threats were generally beneath those of the Immortal Realm.
The demigod nodded, understanding what she was getting at. If the Olympians wanted him to protect the mortals then they seemed the best course to do what was being asked of him. It was wise but that didn't mean he had to like it.
He had done so once because he had no other choice. Not because he wanted to.
It also helped that those mortals seemed to be based in New York. It came with the added benefit of keeping him close to Olympus.
Artemis spoke now. Though his eyes continued to betray her nervousness, considering her previous outburst. "Hecate has volunteered to serve as liaison for you and provide counsel for you should you need it."
It was clear that Artemis was beginning to get uncomfortable in his presence and was eager to leave. The Moon Goddess threw a cursory glance at the three before nodding. In self-reassurance or in acceptance, Percy didn't know. She still seemed unsure of whether or not to leave but did so in a pillar of moonlight.
Percy turned and saw that Artemis had left. Though Hestia and Hecate still remained. The Hearth Goddess was a sea of emotion. Confliction. Fear. Worry. Apprehension. It seemed as though she was battling with herself about something though eventually, she nodded much too stiffly and vanished in a pillar of flame.
All that left was himself and the Goddess of the Mist.
It was another brief silence as the two sat next to each other. Hecate rubbed the hand he had very nearly broken and Percy was left to decide his next course of action. It couldn't have been anything but luck that he wasn't killed on the spot for his assault, irrespective of his mental state. Assaulting a loyal immortal, a Greek Goddess and the keeper of the Mist at that.
While her power and capability were nothing to scoff at, it was her importance and that of the Mist that made it near impossible to properly go against her. Even her treason in the Second Titanomachy was only suffered with a glare at most and hardly if any penalties were levied against her.
The Mist may have been woven into the very fabric of nature but if there was no one to maintain it then it would deteriorate the same as anything else.
Granted, it may take millions of years for it to happen, but the risks were better left avoided rather than guaranteed.
"I'm-"
He was cut off by a harsh glare from Hecate. "If you apologize again, I'll smack you." Percy clamped his mouth shut. He did not want to provoke the ire of the Magic Goddess. She continued to speak, her tone, making it explicitly clear that argument was not going to be tolerated. "Like I said Percy. I should have known better than to engage a demigod in a trance, especially one as powerful as yourself."
He looked away. He didn't know what to say.
"Percy…" The Magic Goddess placed a dainty hand on his arm and he tensed at the touch though didn't recoil nor otherwise react to it. "I volunteered because I've helped before. You have done the most for my children and I. What you've done after the Second Titan War garnered a debt that can never be fully repaid."
He didn't respond as his gaze continued to bore a hole into the damaged varnished table.
The hand retreated from his arm and Percy expected the Goddess to simply leave.
Instead, he felt that same soft hand clasp his chin and forcefully turn his head to face her. Percy had to stamp down the instinct to lash out and fight back but that didn't mean that he simply went along with it. Though Hecate was a Goddess and while not renowned for her strength, what she did possess still outstripped whatever a mortal could bring to bear and break the meagre resistance he was giving.
Still, he felt a certain calm emanate from the otherwise harsh touch and it coursed through his body like a wave, he let himself be consumed by it.
He also didn't exactly favor his chances in attempting to offer meaningful resistance to a Goddess he already harmed.
"Perseus." Her pale eyes flicked around them flashing a misty emerald and regarding the white shell for a moment before returning to Percy's own sea green orbs. Her hand delicately moved from his chin and to his cheek for only a moment before relinquishing. "The Olympians are afraid." The Son of Poseidon expected to hear a distant rumble of thunder but whatever Hecate did obscured their senses even further. "Something is obscuring you from them and it isn't me. They cannot sense you. Your thoughts, emotions, your aura and even your presence is clouded from divine vision. I can count the number of beings that are capable of this on two hands and I am one of them."
"And the others? Titans and Primordials?" Percy ventured a guess.
"Imprisoned, dead or slumbering and we would know if they were stirring." Hecate admitted while nodding as she looked away, ensuring the tinge of pink that dusted her face would vanish before she looked back to the Son of Poseidon. She pulled an errant strand of her ebony hair back behind her ear and spoke once more. "Something wants you hidden. I would guess the Fates as they seemed to have taken an interest into you as of late. If it is them, Olympus has no choice but to accept it."
Percy nodded. He didn't doubt it. For the first time in their immortal lives, someone was not bound to their balls of yarn and twine. But this wasn't them, they had no say when he was involved. No, it was something much more esoteric. Something much more powerful than the Three Spinners.
He didn't voice his thoughts though. Hecate was a friend for sure. She had helped him on numerous occasions, often without question. That didn't mean he trusted her. Not with something of this magnitude.
Her lips quirked into a simple, small smile as she looked to him again. One devoid of suspicion and fear. Percy's eyes flicked to her hand, the one he had so recently crushed with his own. It's irritated skin all but vanished. "That is why I have been assigned as your…partner so to speak. I can still scry on you with my magic if I need to."
Having calmed and recovered from his erratic instinctual attack, Percy tilted his head in slight curiosity at the Magic Goddess. "What exactly does that entail?"
Her smile grew in her joy. The chance at explaining her task apparently causing happiness.
A flash of storm grey eyes and princess curled blond hair appeared as quickly as it disappeared within his mind.
He looked away before the anguish in his features could be seen and missed the smile of the Goddess diminish ever so slightly. She spoke, her voice quieter than before, to him it appeared as though it carried through unperturbed. "As your…partner," She seemed to test the word, gauging his reaction. Though with him focused on schooling his features, Percy didn't notice the way she stressed the word. Seemingly satisfied, she brightened. "I am to provide counsel and serve as the representative of the Olympians. Where Artemis or Iris would deliver quests, that will no longer be the case. I am to also report to Olympus the goings on pertaining to yourself and your…adventures? Quests?" She narrowed her eyes in focus. "I do not know what you mortals would call them."
His smile returned slightly. "Neither do I." She laughed lightly. It was an enchanting and melodious harmony, one that he wanted to hear again. Whether that was because her laugh was actually enchanted or not, he didn't know.
He blinked away the thought.
With immortals, It was near impossible to tell and it was best not to dwell on questions he would never receive answers to.
There was a small comforting silence for only a moment before Percy spoke, his voice serious. "The mortals would question me."
"They will." Hecate said, mirth still dancing in her eyes and a smile upon her lips. They never left even though they were speaking of a sensitive and serious topic. "It is up to your discretion whether to tell them or not. You know that Zeus, nor any god or goddess for that matter, will not tolerate any mortal investigating where they shouldn't be."
"And if they do?"
She looked away, the smile vanishing. "Accidents happen all the time." Was the muttered response.
Percy nodded stiffly and watched the Magic Goddess continue to rub her recently healed hand. Her gaze locked onto his camouflage seabag.
With a single wave of her hand the duffel change into something much smaller. A small square, digital camo, satchel that had a couple loops and clips on it.
Before he could question or even speak, Hecate interrupted with a hand raised. "As your partner, I intend to make things run smoothly for you. Carrying that cumbersome thing will only slow you down."
"That was a gift." He spoke plainly. His eyes narrowed. Calypso had given that to him given all his traveling when he visited immortals.
"A gift made better then. It can hold more stuff than before." She retorted with a playful smile. That alone made it all the more apparent that she knew it was from Calypso, if nothing else.
He simply shook his head, dismissing the thoughts of hurt feelings. Percy would deal with that if it ever came up and it would do so, of that he had no doubt. Even after all she had done for him, she was still helping. Not in giant favors or action, simply making things convenient for him.
If she was anyone else, he would've questioned their motives but the Magic Goddess was only too willing to help.
"If I have to come into contact with you?" Most immortals of Olympus were incapable of being reached by Iris messaging unless they were, surprise, another immortal. With most, he could speak directly to their realms and they would more often than not be listening at the very least.
Like with Artemis and Apollo, he just needed to speak to the Moon or Sun respectively. With Hestia, a hearth or campfire. His father, the oceans. There wasn't really a direct method of communicating with his patron and, for all intents and purposes, his handler.
Hecate looked thoughtful. "That will propose a challenge. Hopefully, Iris messaging still works otherwise putting a tracker on you would be uncomfortable, to say the least. You coming to Olympus all the time would be rather inconvenient and quite the hassle, not to mention a certain somebody getting cranky if you did."
Even though she didn't say his name, Percy would have to be truly ignorant of the world he lived in to not know who she was speaking of. The sky rumbled dangerously.
Percy ignored the thunder. "You can't just flash to me?" They have done so in the past, by Hades, they had done so not half an hour prior.
She shook her head. "Not anymore. You're obscured from our vision. We can't travel to someplace we can't see. We were lucky that we knew where you would be and simply waited for you here."
The mental image that appeared when she said that would be funny if not who it portrayed and their inherent capabilities. Percy did not favor the idea of impatient and fearful Immortals standing among swathes of ignorant mortals waiting for an absent demigod. He didn't like to boast. In fact, he absolutely detested it but he knew that if someone as powerful as he were to go missing, that the collective minds of Olympus would be rather irate.
She stood suddenly though and made her way out of the booth, with the demigod following close behind and the white mist shell following them. The sea of mortals parting around the shell as if it were a large column in the center of the space. They had left the restaurant and stood where the three immortals had first encounter the Son of Poseidon. "Regardless, you have given me much to work on." A serene smile adorned her face. "I haven't been this busy…since…" Her eyes adopted a faraway look. One that was not too dissimilar to the one often seen on the Son of Poseidon.
But instead of it being one of fear and flashes of violence, hers seemed…reminiscent…nostalgic.
She shook her head, seemingly dismissing the thought that had pervaded her mind and turned to Percy approaching him and clasping her hands with his own. Her hands were cool and smooth, lithe and delicate, a stark contrast to his own worn and calloused palms.
He looked down at the Goddess of Magic. He stood a good foot above her and she had to crane her neck to look into his sea green orbs with her own pale irises. A light dusting of pink crossed her dimpled but regal face. It was the closest he has been to the Keeper of the Mist and he didn't understand why when just minutes prior, he had crushed the hands he was now holding so intimately.
"Remember, Perseus, Follow your instincts. They haven't led you astray thus far." She spoke softly before cascading into a fine white mist on an unseen wind.
The shell of wispy smoke flickered ever so slightly before it disappeared. The sea of mortals filling the gap that was created by the barrier as if it wasn't ever there. He looked in his hand.
A small maroon bead, one that was not there before, with etchings of ancient Greek in miniscule but neat script on the surfaces of it. It was very clearly a charm meant for his bracelet but for now he stuffed it into his pocket.
He felt a tug in his navel.
A certain, serene, melodious whisper echoed in his mind.
And he too disappeared in a fine watery mist in the presence of blissfully ignorant mortals.
Thor paced in worry behind the Sentry of Asgard. Something was happening to Jane and there was nothing he could do about it.
If the biting cold air that pierced Asgard some hours prior didn't set him on alert, then the fact that Jane disappeared from the ever-watchful gaze of Heimdall, did.
Nothing escaped the sight of Heimdall.
"Peace, Son of Odin." The Sentry spoke, his golden eyes locked on the cosmos before him. "I am searching far and wide for the Lady Foster." Heimdall spared a glance towards Thor, who continued to pace the length of the chamber, in spite of his reassuring words.
"I have found her." Heimdall announced and Thor snapped his head to the watchman, who had a look of confusion wash over his features.
"What is the matter? Is she safe?" Thor nearly demanded, his cloak long and silk clothes long gone, already replaced by his armor, with Mjolnir in hand.
"It is best to see for yourself." Heimdall spoke and the greatsword key twisted in the podium. The Bifrost chamber shifting quickly to life as if recognizing the urgency of the situation.
Thor did not waste a single moment and leapt into the Bifrost bridge and in a little more than a moment. The rainbow hues and lights had dissipated and he found himself on Midgard once more.
He took in the scene in but a second. Large rectangular steel containers of various colors were stacked high and wide. A white snow carpet coated the ground and all the flat surfaces. Thor felt a squelching beneath him as water pooled at his feet.
The Bifrost had melted a sizeable chunk of the snow in the circle and the Asgardian runes were etched and burned into the concrete below and wisps of steam streaked into the cool air around him.
His attention was on the scene of mortals before him. Human peacekeepers were questioning a blonde boy at their metal vehicles. Two others he recognized, well. Three. The Lady Lewis was speaking adamantly to the peacekeepers, with the waving of her arms and shouting though, most of the words escaped the Asgardian for she was speaking too fast for him to properly follow much less hear from his current position.
The reason he arrived to Midgard was here though. Jane Foster had an expression of disorientation about her as she looked to the clouds above her, the metal boxes before her gaze locked onto the last person present.
It was the last person Thor had wanted or thought he would see. The Son of Poseidon had a concentrated gaze as he clapped his hands together. A thick white mist exploding from his palms as if it had been coated in the substance. He waved his hands, seemingly dragging the mist from its descent to the ground and painting the air in front of him before thrusting his hands out.
A wave of that same mist lurched forward at the human peacekeepers, the blonde boy and the Lady Lewis, engulfing them in and blanketing them. Though they didn't seem to care. In fact, they didn't seem to notice at the mist coat them and melt into their bodies.
And as if they weren't even there, the human peacekeepers simply released the blonde human and Lewis from their questioning before entering their own vehicles and simply leaving. The Lady Lewis quickly accosted the blonde boy before they left as well, both in a seeming hurry.
It was at that moment did the Son of Poseidon turn his gaze to Jane and him respectively. His head cocking to the side in confusion to them both as if there was something wrong with their presence here.
No matter, he was of no concern at the moment. So long as he didn't threaten him or Jane then the demigod was free to do as he wished. Perseus had earned at the very least a modicum of respect for his actions in the battle with the Chitauri.
Thor quickly stepped into the snow, uncaring of the nipping cold air that pestered his exposed skin. Compared to Jotunheim, this was nothing. Then again, comparing anything cold to the Realm of the Frost Giants was unfair.
Jane however, looked at him with wide eyes, a weird concoction of surprise and fear marring her beautiful face. But why fear? It caused his heart to ache. Jane stumbled backwards, fleeing from him and running to Perseus, who looked just as surprised, if not moreso at the actions of the mortal.
Thor quickly approached the two, as Jane quickly hid behind Perseus' larger frame. In comparison to her at least. The Son of Odin was far larger than the Son of Poseidon in terms of muscle and bulk. It hurt to see Jane hide away from him but he couldn't blame the demigod. He looked as equally confused as he did.
"Jane, where did you go?" It was then the Norse God of Thunder saw it. Her usually warm brown eyes, a blood red before washing away. He blinked, almost sure he was imagining it until Jane also blinked, confusion washing over her features before recognition.
"Thor?" She stepped from behind Perseus and looked confusedly at the Son of Poseidon, who while not speaking, had tilted his head in a manner that reminded Thor of Sif who would often do the same in confusion. Thor had saw it coming but did nothing to stop the slap that hit him. He knew he deserved it.
She made to do so again but this time her eyes flashed that crimson hue again, the raised hand seemingly warring with the mind as it attempted to ball into a fist, a red mist coalescing into the palm of the small hand of Jane. Thor narrowed his eyes.
Something was wrong.
The God of Thunder reached out to intercept and attempt to snap Jane out of whatever was controlling her.
He didn't even get close to grasping her arm as a red wave of energy exploded from the spot he was to touch. Thor recoiled as the energy lashed out and stung his hand. It didn't hurt and it was more surprising that anything. It did cause him to stumble backwards though.
Jane's eyes returned to their warm brown again. She had collapsed to her knees and clutched her head in pain when the energy left her. "What's going on?" She muttered and scrunched her eyes further in pain. She was about to let out a scream when the Son of Poseidon intervened, touching a white wisping finger to the forehead of Jane.
Her eyes lolled back into her head and she would've fell backwards into the snow but Perseus was seemingly expecting it as he cradled the now slumbering astrophysicist in his arms. "What's going on?" The demigod repeated the question to Thor.
"I don't know. She seems to be possessed by something." Thor rushed to Jane's side and felt her forehead. She didn't have a fever.
"Your brother?" Perseus left the Jane in his care but stayed crouched on his haunches near them.
"No, he is is imprisoned on Asgard. This is not his doing." Thor spoke as he continued to examine his…friend. Were they still together? Thor liked to think so but he didn't want to raise his hopes. It would be a disservice and disrespectful considering the situation to force the issue at the moment. For now, he would focus on her health. Though he couldn't help himself from asking, his voice not accusatory but genuinely curious. "Why are you here?"
Perseus didn't hesitate nor even think over his answers like he did after the battle with the Chitauri. Though Thor assumed that it was because of the presence of all the mortals that made him choose his words carefully. "The Olympians, specifically the King, requested of me to investigate an artefact that was playing with his realms." He looked to the area around them. "It was tracked to here."
"You believe Jane to be the source of it." It was meant more as a question when Thor spoke the words. There was no worded response but after a moment the demigod nodded stiffly, the answer knowingly causing Thor to let out a low growl at the implication.
After a moment, Jane's eyes fluttered open, revealing her warm brown ones, instead of the menacing crimson orbs that had perverted them before. She began gathering her bearings though made no attempt to stand.
"It would be wise to find out what it is. Whatever it is its not…of this world." The Son of Poseidon hesitated on his next words and his piercing eyes softened ever so slightly. "While normally I wouldn't be above leaving a mortal to their fate, I see that she means something to you."
Thor didn't confirm nor deny the claim but was glad for the Son of Poseidon nonetheless. But it was his words that left poison in the Son of Odin ears. It reminded him too much of his father's own but while the King of Asgard's words were ones of arrogance, Perseus' were ones of mere acceptance, certainly pitying Thor much to the dismay of the Asgardian Prince.
It was one thing to receive pity from those closest to him, it was another to receive it from someone that he was at odds with.
"Do you think they would help us?" Admittedly, Thor did not want to bring Jane to Asgard if he could help it. His father would sooner have her existence removed to have Thor focus on Asgard's future.
Perseus shook his head, unsurprising given his previous statement. The Son of Poseidon was all to willing to leave the woman to her fate before and only relented due to Thor's unwillingness to do the same. If the demigod was like that then the Olympians would have no need nor want to do the same, especially if the Asgardian was involved. "The Council wouldn't even spare her a thought, much less help her."
"My father will be much the same." Thor conceded as well with a grimace to match his clear displeasure at the mere idea that his father could be so heartless.
"Can you guys stop talking as if I'm not here?" The astrophysicist blustered as she glared at them both, though she didn't remove herself from Thor's arms.
Perseus regarded her with a look and made to speak before being cut off by Thor. "Something is wrong, Jane. We are thinking of a plan.."
"I can see that." She huffed and crossed her arms and both the demigods shared a look. Something was definitely wrong, Thor thought. She was only in severe pain to the point of exhaustion and not even herself not minutes prior and now acting with all the energy in the world.
"If I may, Thor?" The Son of Odin nodded his ascent, though uncomfortable with the way the Son of Poseidon addressed him. There was a clear lilt of mocking in his voice but there was no smile nor mirth in his eyes that would have indicated it was in good humor. "Take both of us to Asgard. Have her checked and I will distract your father as an envoy."
Thor doubted it would work. Heimdall was most certainly watching and if he didn't inform his father, the Prince of Asgard had no inclination to test his King's patience against Midgardians, much less a Greek Demigod.
But then he remembered. This was no mere demigod. This was Perseus Jackson, the Son of Poseidon. The Bane of Immortals.
If there were any other mortals capable of standing against his father, Thor could think of none.
"Still here, by the way." Jane muttered.
Perseus pointedly ignored her and though Thor looked to her with a reassuring smile, his next words were clearly directed to the demigod beside them. "Do they know that you are going to Asgard?"
Jane still answered with a shake of her head but both were perturbed by Percy's next words.
"No, but they won't care so long as I don't incite war." He regarded them with a small hint of amusement in his eyes, though his tone was one of mocking and devoid of humor. Eerily similar to the way Loki often speaks. "And as much fun as that would be, I have no intention to do that."
Thor had questions but bit his tongue. Now was not the time. "Very well." Thor stood, easily pulling Jane up from the ground and holding her close to his body. It would've been nice, if not for all the armor he wore. The Son of Odin had expected to come to blows with whatever had hidden Jane.
Thor offered an arm to Perseus who looked at it. "I would rather you didn't fall from the Bifrost." The demigod still didn't take the arm and Thor simply shrugged internally. "Heimdall!"
He didn't see Perseus take a step in anticipation.
The beam of light shot through the sky in an instant and engulfed the trio. It was only moments, before they arrived in the chamber of the Bifrost, still whirring and shifting from the use. Thor, with Jane clutching closely, had stumbled. Usually, he was a lot more graceful when using the Bifrost, coming usually from steady jog to balance himself when he exited, though holding an inexperienced Jane who had all but attached herself to the God of Thunder, made the usual action more than a little muddled.
Thor looked to the Son of Poseidon, who had simply walked from the the tunnel as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He was, to say the least, only slightly disappointed that he didn't stumble nor fall flat as such a thing was common for virgin users of the Asgardian bridge.
Heimdall stepped from his dais and Thor could see past him that the day in Asgard was already well underway, it just being morn when he had departed to Midgard. A flash of…something washed over the Sentry's face as he regarded them. It was gone before the moment he blinked however.
"Ah, Jane Foster and Perseus Jackson of Midgard. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Asgard." The Watchkeeper inclined his head in greeting, his gaze falling on Jane. "Thor speaks highly of you Lady Foster."
Jane flushed as she did her best attempt at a curtsy attempting to mimic the Asgardian's tone of nobility, clearly out of her element as she took in her surroundings. Thor could relate little but took no small amount of satisfaction and joy at her awe. Even so, the Son of Poseidon looked utterly unimpressed in the golden chamber, with his face having shifted into an expression of neutrality from his previous one of mocking mirth.
"And you Perseus Jackson." The Watchman turned to face the demigod as both regarded each other. "Your reputation proceeds you." Though the words were meant good-naturedly, the was an edge of challenge as it left the lips of the sentry. At that, the Son of Poseidon offered no answer but refused to be baited with so little provocation.
Thor scrunched his eyes slightly in thought as he looked at the interaction before regarding Perseus more fully. He didn't think much of it upon their encounter in the yard of metal boxes. Their last meeting had been one of disinterest as both kept ample distance from the other to avoid an unnecessary fight just so soon after the tiring battle against the Chitauri. However, the one before that, aboard the flying human vessel had been one that led to near bloodshed.
So how come he felt no need to fight the Greek as he had done so in the past?
His thoughts were interrupted as Heimdall spoke once more. "Thor Odinson, our King would speak with them." Though his words had meant both of the Midgardians, the gaze of the Watchman lingered longer on Perseus than that of Jane.
Thor nodded. While their plan was good in theory, the words of Heimdall were counsel Thor would not rebuff, especially concerning a matter as delicate as they were facing. "Come Perseus, allow me to show you Asgard!" The Asgardian clapped the Greek on the shoulder to spur him onwards. The words that left Thor though felt odd after reflecting on his previous interactions with the demigod.
Before they would've liked nothing better than to kill each other, the words felt as if he was inviting an old friend to his home.
Though while not an old friend, perhaps Perseus' idea of alliance or at the very least, mutual understanding, between Olympus and Asgard had some merit to it after all, even if it was originally said and considered as more of a fabrication rather than an actual gesture of friendship.
They walked along the Bifrost Bridge. Jane's look of awe had not diminished in the slightest as she pointed at everything and asked for explanation on them. While Thor saw little of the splendor in Asgard, having spent his whole life living here, he smiled at Jane's antics as he continued to answer her questions to the best of his ability.
He was most interested in Perseus' reaction however. It may have been Thor's desire to see how Asgard could compare to the Mount Olympus, but it seemed that Perseus was entirely disinterested in the towering golden spires and flying skiffs. Instead, his gaze for much of the journey across the Bifrost Bridge was spent looking to the crystalline and pure waters of Asgard. Indeed, Perseus had went so far as to detach himself from the pair and, though keeping pace with them easily, had kept to the edge of the bridge.
Of the few glances Thor had sent at the Son of Poseidon whose face, that he had only seen set in hard stone or mocking indifference, showed only an expression of serenity, one utterly at peace as the waves crashed gently at the golden pillars that held the bridge aloft and the misty breeze cascade against the demigod.
The Thunder God had almost missed it had he not been paying attention at the time, but Jane had missed it entirely as her gaze was locked on a passing skiff.
He had not seen one ever before and had thought them myths told by his mother, but a feminine, lithe and tiny, form materialized in the spraying mist, coalescing into almost a solid fixture of ocean water. Thor would've sworn that the Undine had smiled and batted her eyes flatteringly and said something at the Son of Poseidon who had slowed his gait to watch and shake his head humorously. The Undine had visibly deflated but even Thor could see the hope that remained and twinkled in her translucent eyes as she dissipated in the next crash of waves.
Thor said nothing though and continued on, only glad that Jane had not seen the being. She would have raised even more questions and ones that Thor had no inkling on how to answer and doubted the Son of Poseidon would offer any even if pressed as it seemed that he desired to keep his own nature a secret if he could help it.
Though that would not deter Thor from questioning his mother if the legends of the Undine were based in truth but based on the interaction he witnessed his questions strayed further from discerning myths and more towards what gave cause for the water spirits of Asgard to slip away into obscurity.
It was at that time they arrived at the proverbial threshold of Asgard. Two Einherjar stood flanking the golden curving pillars that echoed the mouth of the Bifrost chambers that they had left but where the circle entrance closed to meet, the tips of these two pillars did not and instead came to points.
These were not the Royal Guards of the Palace as denoted by the less ornate armor they wore as it looked more charcoal black with veins of gold running through it and their helmets were closed off with only thin honeycombed visors offering sight. Thor knew them to be no less obscured in their sight as the plate that obscured the face was enchanted as if it weren't there at all to the wearer.
These were no less formidable warriors, even if their posting was less than desirable. Any one of them could cut through a gang of invaders from across the cosmos with ease that could only be compared as to taking scythe through a field of wheat.
And that was evident of the fact, of their tireless training and experience that they recognized and assessed the trio, a minute tensing of their postures at the sight of a wayward Greek demigod.
It didn't go amiss with the Son of Poseidon either, if his eyes narrowing in anticipation were any indication.
While the Einherjar didn't do anything overt against Perseus, it was clear that they did not appreciate his presence. Thor had stepped to one of them. "Summon a skiff, the King awaits his guests." Thor spoke. The commanding voice did not sit well with him and tasted like vinegar in his mouth.
"Right away, my Prince." One of the guards spoke and bowed slightly at the waist before rushing off to do as requested.
Thor turned to his charges. "Prince?" Jane jested, her eyes dancing with mischief. "I thought that was a joke!"
"My status is one I rarely speak lightly of." He smiled though and his eyes were alight with relief. He had thought that she would treat him differently given his birth.
She looked away, her eyes scanning the golden spires, lively gardens and parks atop large platforms and the day-to-day crowds of Asgard. It was livelier than usual as Thor joined her in looking upon the main thoroughfare.
A great number had stopped and were staring at them, whispering to each other as few pointed. Few with awe, most others in concern and fear.
He followed the pointed fingers and found himself looking at Perseus Jackson once again. His bright emerald eyes shifting into a darker verdant as he shuffled on his feet nervously and stuffed his hands in his pockets, wholly uncomfortable with the attention.
Thor mentally smacked himself, he should have warned him.
Vengeance. Destroyer. God-Killer. Terms that had become increasingly synonymous with the Son of Poseidon in recent years. Word had traveled fast to Asgard of the demigod that felled a Primordial and given their titles as gods and goddesses in their own right, it was only normal that the Asgardian people fear the one that had made a literal being of creation fade from existence.
It was good then, that a golden skiff arrived not a moment later piloted by another pair of Einherjar. Thor quickly ushered the two aboard, which as soon as he also stepped aboard, the craft took off. It was a quiet flight as Percy had made his way to the center of the craft looking warily at the sky. Jane was too enthralled with the scenery that passed them by to notice that he left her on the front of the craft as he approached Perseus.
"Flying makes me uncomfortable." He said as Thor approached. He did look a little pale and the Asgardian nodded though confused.
"The Bifrost didn't unnerve you?"
"That's more of a…gateway, a threshold, if you will." He explained though struggled for the words as he seemingly struggled to maintain a neutral stance upon the center of the craft.. "I am more familiar with divine methods of travel rather than conventional."
There was a silence as Thor watched Jane wave at other Asgardian peoples as they passed by, the various buildings. "I wanted to-"
"Save your breath." Perseus waved him off, though the words nor his face held any malice. Just weary resignation. "I have been on the receiving end of stares and gossip since as long as I can remember. I have learned to no longer take offense to them, otherwise I would be offended for the rest of my years."
A deep chuckle escaped the lips of the Prince of Asgard before he could catch himself and Perseus' own lips twitched in humor. He left the demigod after that and returned to Jane as they began to approach the Palace.
"Where'd you get all the gold for this?" Jane breathed as she took a step back in awe. The Palace was able to be seen from the Bifrost, it was almost a mountain in that regard and often, when one approached, the true size would be realized.
Loki had said it was a political maneuver and little more than grandstanding meant to strike both awe and fear in those that approached. Though Thor had never thought much of it, it was not often when others visited Asgard. The most they had in foreign visitors were select few trusted traders, the Dwarves of Nidavellir and most recently the Nova Prime of Xandar, though she didn't look all that impressed with the choice of color and he had once heard her complain much of the glares that would pervade her eyes.
His eyes tightened at the thought of his wayward brother. He should have been able to spot the madness in him. Perhaps, if he had paid a little more attention he would have been able to stop the destruction he had wrought.
He never answered as Jane didn't even allow him to as she spotted something else that caught her eye.
In all honesty, Thor didn't exactly know but he figured that given the hundreds of thousands if not millions of years of Asgard's existence than the accumulated wealth would've been astronomical regardless.
The skiff came to a slow halt as it allowed its passengers to disembark. The two Einherjar looking skeptically at the Son of Poseidon who didn't even so much as glance in their direction in the entire trip.
Thor attributed that to the fact that he was more concerned with maintaining his position on the skiff as they entered the palace fully. Thor filed that away for later, perhaps it will prove to be useful.
They ignored the stares all around them as Thor guided the trio into the hall. Jane continued to take in the sights. There was no sign of any of the Royal Guard, though that was expected. They didn't make a show of displaying themselves and were probably in nearby hidden compartments awaiting the call to arms.
Still it appeared his father's court was in full swing, as Asgardians milled around awaiting to make petitions to his father. Others exiting as their petitions were heard and ruled upon. Many bowing at the sight of him, their Crown Prince. Though it was made apparent that their entrance would not go unnoticed.
The recognition of Thor had already garnered a bit of attention. The sight of a Midgardian on Asgard even more so, whispers and murmurs whipping about. it was the sight of the Son of Poseidon that caused many to pause and to gawk.
Perseus' appearance was not well known, indeed, none knew what exactly what he looked like until Thor encountered him at New York, except perhaps his father and Heimdall. But the sight of the piercing emerald eyes and a head of ebony hair were defining traits that every story shared of the Greek Demigod.
The keen senses of the Asgardian people were nothing to scoff at. Any other would have trouble identifying the Son of Poseidon as such but as before at the thoroughfare and here, Asgardians had the ability to sense when powerful beings were nearby.
And Perseus was like a beacon that would not be stifled.
They approached the throne room. Thor spied several of the household palace guard standing close to the throne as they should, but he also saw the Warriors Three, well Volstagg and Fandral, and Sif standing off to the side as well.
It appeared Hogun made good on his intent to return to Vanaheim, not that Thor begrudged him, he just wished he could've been there to see his friend off.
Still it was unlike the three famed warriors to be present during court. They may be guardians and warriors of the palace and of Asgard as a whole but even they detested the idea of politics and would have liked nothing to do with them.
His mother stood at the side of Odin, her hands clasped in front of her, her normal warm gaze, calculating them as they approached but even Thor could see that she was also staring at the Greek.
While the whispers and murmuring continued, the trio approached the throne where the King of Asgard sat. They came to an abrupt halt as the Allfather stamped the butt of Gungnir against the gilded stone floor of the throne hall. A resounding gong erupting from the impact.
Thor approached his father. "Allfather, this is Jane Foster and Perseus Jackson of Midgard." The Prince of Asgard announced and gestured to both with an outstretched hand.
Thor saw the eyes of his father flash at the sight of them and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Perseus offered a stiff albeit near perfect bow at his waist, with one arm against his abdomen and another behind his back. Jane, stunned at the action, took a moment to compose herself before she offered a stumbling and awkward curtsy.
"Thor, explain to me why there is a mortal on Asgard." His father's booming voice brooked no argument.
"Father, it appears that my…friend possessed by something not of Midgard. It is nothing like I have seen." The son did not want to provoke his father's anger nor test his patience that was surely already running thin by regarding Jane as his…partner.
"That does not tell me why she is here." He spoke, while his voice stooped low, growing increasingly irate. Thor was correct. His father's patience, quite clearly, was already wearing thin.
"King Odin." Perseus stepped forward and there was a notable shift in the atmosphere. The guards around the throne moved to draw their weapons and his three friends took a step to intercept the path to his father. Thor instinctually pulled Jane behind him.
Around them, the courtiers and petitioners had taken several hurried steps back.
So that was why they were here, he realized. The best of Asgard were not here to take joy in the ails of bureaucracy but to fight the demigod should he prove a threat.
Thor watched Perseus raise his hands in a placating manner.
"Speak Perseus." Odin spoke, his voice loud and heavy as if it had struck the King's Spear against the cold stone of the throne hall again, though made no order to belay the intent of his guard.
"King Odin." The demigod began once again. His eyes never strayed from the Asgardian ruler. "Jane Foster has come into contact with an artefact. One that wields a power that would see the destruction of Earth."
"And your people sent you." Odin deduced though it was done in a simple manner, one that made the silent obvious into a spoken word. The guards did not move from their prepared stances.
Perseus nodded. "They would see it away from their realm, if not destroyed. However, the artefact is self-defending. It would see its host protected until either is freed of the other." His father looked to his mother.
His mother looked at the Son of Poseidon skeptically and stepped forward towards Jane, alongside two guards, who moved between Perseus and her. Her expression changed to one of reassurance and warm eyes as she faced Jane. She waved a hand in front of her face.
A pulsating reddish glow emanated from the forehead of the astrophysicist. Frigga looked to her husband, her eyes worried and a frown marring her usual joyful features. "They speak true."
"See her to the healers." Odin waved his hand dismissively, entirely disinterested with her. "I shall be along momentarily."
Thor nodded and bowed slightly and guided Jane towards that direction while his mother took up the other side of her. The two guards following behind them.
Thor felt a shiver run down his spine at the fading words of the Allfather. "Now Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon. Regardless of your intentions, you trespass on Asgard."
Sif did not like this arrangement at all.
If she had her way, this… Jane Foster would be cast out, left to the uncaring currents of time.
However, unlike what she would like for the…pest. She could not wish the same for Perseus Jackson as much as she would love to do the same.
Sif thought that she would be baying for the blood of the Greek. Thor had described as much. How he would only see the darkest of reds when in the presence of the demigod.
Now though it seemed, that rage…that antagonistic desire to prove better than them, it was lost.
He was nothing like the tales and stories spoke of. A stalwart golden warrior of honor and destruction. A demigod of immense strength and power capable of combating immortal deities of creation on even terms.
All she saw was a human garbed in clothing fitting for the race. She was not as informed as Thor on the realm of Midgard but she knew enough to see that he was simply adorned.
A deep blue jacket over a plain white shirt on his torso with black trousers that had quite a few pockets along with a set of dark colored boots. He stood, not poised for combat, but tall almost regally with his hands clasped behind his back and his face was not one of defiance nor one contorted into a fierce battle cry that she had expected, but one of stoicism and resolve.
Sif watched as he observed courtesy. Bowing stiffly and expertly as if he had done it for a dozen lifetimes, but he rose as quick as he bent, almost as if he was flicking his body instead of folding it.
She saw an annoyance flash across his eyes before he did the action. As if he detested the very thought of showing deference.
The Sword of Asgard tuned the conversation of theirs out. It was not her place to be involved in the affairs of the royal family until she was part of it. Her place was to protect the King of Asgard and, by extension, Asgard itself.
So she kept her gaze locked onto the only threat to the King and his people. She wasn't the only one.
And that was made apparent when the Greek had taken a step forwards.
The personal guard of the King had their blades nearly out of their sheathes and Volstagg had already hefted his greataxe. Fandral had his hand clasped around the pommel of his rapier but made no move to draw it.
Sif had even positioned herself in front of her King, her hand ready to draw the blade attached to her small silver shield.
Given her keen eyes and her watch already locked onto the demigod, Sif had seen the way his eyes darted to and fro about them before returning to rest back on the King of Asgard that was above and behind her, for she had taken a pair of steps down from the dais in anticipation of hostilities.
If she had not been looking for it, she was sure to have missed the flash of observation from the demigod.
She was snapped from her thoughts when the King had dismissed the mortal from the hall, her eyes trailing after the Son of Odin after sending a look of contempt at the girl in his arms. She mentally shook her head of those thoughts as Odin addressed the Greek standing before them, having been unmoved since his recent approach.
"Now Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon. Regardless of your intentions, you trespass on Asgard." Her King declared. "This is not the realm of Olympus. You do not get to come as you please."
"I understand that King Odin." Perseus relinquished his placating hands and seemed to clasp them behind his back as he did before.
"Then, pray tell, what reason do you have to approach my throne other than to escort your sick mortal friend?" Odin spoke, a tint of mocking and challenge in his weathered but booming voice.
The demigod looked about the throne hall, his body unmoving but his head twisting. His emerald eyes regarding her and the guards and scrutinizing the sycophants that vied for the King of Asgard's favor before returning to a neutral rest on Odin's own piercing blue.
He took a breath as if preparing himself. "I come with the voice of Olympus." Sif watched his eyes cringe at the words. The Sword of Asgard and anyone else in the hall could tell that while he had the resolute voice and honeyed words of a diplomat, he did not like the position. "I bring words of friendship and of peace, if you would hear them."
There was a pause and Sif chanced a glance back towards her King. His face remained in stone but his eyes flicked to hers and she nodded in understanding. She did not like politics but knew the intricacies of Odin's expressions when she stood guard.
Sif fully released the grip of her blade and took two measured paces backwards to her original position. The Einherjar guards along with the two warriors of renown did the same at the clacking of her armored feet.
She could just see Odin out of the corner of her eyes now and he had nodded and gestured with the hand not holding King's Spear for Perseus to continue.
The Son of Poseidon faintly licked his lips, preparing himself. "Olympus would see peace with Asgard. At the very least, a mutual treaty of non-interference."
"And what would the terms be?"
"To put simply, King Odin, my words as before. An agreement of non-interference and perhaps mutual aid." Perseus paused, inclining his head in a measure, that Sif guessed was to contemplate his next words. "For the past few years, Asgardians have been setting foot on the realms of the Olympians unchecked. I would see that should you come to Earth, or Midgard, that they have an escort or at the very least, approval."
There was silence.
"Boy, do you know why we don't cross paths?" Odin said, reclining into his throne further.
He nodded. "I was made aware that an eternal feud has been made between pantheons. One set in nature itself."
Sif watched as another silence descended upon them once again. The King of Asgard seemingly analyzing the Greek before him. "Yet I do not sense the thirst for blood against you. Why is that? If I were to believe my son's words then death was almost surely had between the two of you not one human year past."
"That I can't answer. I can say for surety it is a recent thing as during the Chitauri invasion, I very much would have loved to kill both Loki and Thor." He admitted though continued speaking as the whisperings from the courtiers began in earnest. Sif sent glares to those around, that demanded silence. "I can also say that had it not been so, I would not have stepped foot upon Asgard. Even I know my limits, King Odin, and for all my prowess I do not like my chances against a realm of warriors."
"And yet you have." Odin spoke softly with a nod of his head.
"And yet I have." The Greek agreed, his countenance did not shift. "So I decided that in the moments available to me, that it would be in the best interest of Olympus that a truce could be struck. In all honesty, it does not matter to me what happens to the mortal. I merely took advantage of the situation that arose."
"If what you say is true, you do not speak with the full authority of Olympus. You cannot offer me an olive branch and say it will bear fruit if it is just an illusion. Such things will only lead to war."
There was slight pause, one that was granted for Perseus to consider his next words, though it did not take long for the demigod to speak. "Before I came here, I was granted leave to act as I see fit in regards to my…" He contemplated for but a whisper of a second. "new assignment, with the blessing of the Olympian Council. They do not yet know my intentions here but they will."
Odin frowned. "So you would expect them to honor a truce that they have no say in."
"I expect them to be logical and rational in their decision. I will not lie and say that the years have been kind to Olympus. We have only recently ended the Second Gigantomachy. War between our realms would mean the deaths of not only millions of mortals but also the deaths of countless of my kin and for what? Dominance in a world that you care not for?" He took a breath and closed his eyes as if to calm himself. "If they do not honor a truce, however unlikely that is, I will use what little influence I have to force them to accept."
Sif looked between the two for a moment, before Odin stood and stamped Gungnir into the stone floor. "Let it be known that Midgard will remain under the rule of Olympus and that no hostility is to erupt between our people. Should they call for aid, Asgard will answer." The King of Asgard declared.
Given the inherent nature between the two pantheons, Sif guessed that Olympus would collapse before they called upon Asgardian blades.
And if Asgard ever came under attack, Sif guessed much the same for their people.
The thought was there but it held no sustenance under greater scrutiny.
At the very least, if Thor returned to Midgard then he would be safe from retaliation.
And Sif would be a fool to think that the Son of Odin would not return to the Human Realm.
Perseus bowed that same stiff and expert bow as before. Odin spoke once again, though softly and addressing Perseus. "Come let us see what is wrong with your mortal…acquaintance." Sif followed closely behind along with the honor guard. Volstagg and Fandral were waved off.
It had certainly proved to be an interesting day for the Sword of Asgard and would not doubt continue to do so.
"The true warrior understands and seizes that moment by giving an effort so intense and so intuitive that it could only be called as one from the heart."
-Pat Riley
Also for a little clarification, the seabag was changed. Mostly for practical aspects. For those that play Dungeons and Dragons think of the Seabag as a Haversack and the Satchel as a Bag of Holding because that is essentially what it is.