XXXVI
Percy didn't know how to feel with the information he had just gotten.
Everything seemed too…convenient.
But it should have been expected.
He only knew of his side of the war and that of Hera's.
And unless the Queen of Olympus was lying through her teeth, which wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility, then it all added up like pieces to a puzzle.
And considering he was dealing with an immortal that had a tendency to scheme and plot, a previous hatred for all things demigod and someone that was known to hold a cold indifference to anyone that was not herself, it made it all the more likely that it was exactly that.
A puzzle to be solved.
But there was still something missing.
How did the Moirai factor into this?
Someone messing with Time and the Fates of thousands should have been something they noticed and taken action against.
Unless the Father of Time outranked them? Was this all, ultimately, his doing? And the Fates were simply abiding by his direction, unwillingly or not?
A different conclusion but one that would be more plausible was that the Primordial of Fate was also at work. If his intrusion into the past was noticed by Chronos, it wouldn't a be a stretch to say that Ananke was somehow also involved right?
But if that was the case…why didn't she intervene? Surely if Chronos could, Ananke would be much more invested than him right?
There were simply too many questions that were left unanswered.
But there was one that stood out amongst the rest.
Did it truly matter?
In the end, they had won.
And that was that.
No matter what he desired. No matter what he tried. No matter how much effort. There was no going back and trying to change what has already happened. Disregarding the Protogenos both known and unknown, Olympus would have his head if he tried such a thing.
Such a hollow victory was just that. Hollow. Everything done in desperation. There was no glory to be had. No honor. No revelry. It was just bitter satisfaction. Satisfaction that they did everything they could to achieve victory. Bitter and hollow because it was needed.
What would have happened if he wasn't forced into the past?
Was this victory only possible because he made the decision to intervene?
Whether that truly was the case was a matter of debate but it was hard to deny the cold truth and hard evidence presented with what he and Hera knew.
It felt like hole had been permanently bored into his chest. A sinking feeling of anguish that would never leave him.
Percy was responsible.
"What we did, Perseus, was for Olympus." Hera said in finality. What we did. The word's repeated in his mind. Was for Olympus.
The Will of Olympus. The poisonous words, ones drenched in the blood of his kin.
That should have been it.
Those words should have ended whatever further discussion.
It was always for Olympus.
Heavy, weighted words that held duty and sacrifice above childish and naïve notions of heroism and glory.
It was, to put simply, do or die.
Friendships broken and forgotten in the throes of war. Surviving at the cost of hundreds if not thousands.
And he would be burdened forever with the weight of what he had done.
But something still stung at him. Like a mist of fleeting and embering sparks that threatened to erupt but simply could not catch.
And something that did not go unnoticed by him.
"What happened when I was abducted?" It had been an event that was entirely skipped over by the Queen of Olympus. Circumstances that could have lead to his and Jason's abductions were not said. Covered in a veil of diplomacy between the two aspects but it seemed entirely out of the blue.
And yet Jason was the only one that was seemingly allowed the opportunity to be awake the entire time.
Percy's mind was devoid of anything directly after the Battle of Manhattan and two years after the fact and even then he had only his name and Annabeth's to remember.
At the time, it seemed like simple and straight up favoritism. Something that was easy to conclude considering the Son of Jupiter held the immortals of Olympus in a more reverent manner than he did. It was brushed off as such.
Until now that is. If there was any among the Olympians that was for elaborate schemes, political plays and grandiose plots, it was Hera.
Now more than ever, there was the implication that there was much more to it than that. Especially since she knew what she was doing when orchestrating the entire plan.
"I cannot say." Hera said. Her previous soft demeaner cracking and revealing eyes that frosted in hesitance.
"You said you would tell me everything." Percy retorted.
"And I have." Her eyes hardened. "I gave some direction but I was not directly involved in whatever happened."
"And what was that direction?"
"To mold you."
What?
A flicker of anger and a flicker of confusion fell across him.
"To mold you. Perseus Jackson." She repeated. A dark shadow casting over her demeaner as she looked off into nothing. "You were too…weak. You had potential that you refused to accept. I told you what was to come and what was going to be needed. You did not trust me."
A wash of fury. A vibration of the air around them as a swirl of water materialized from nothing, before falling to the floor in a mist.
What would have happened had she not done what was needed?
A melodious and serene whisper caressed his mind. You would have all died. The mist across the floor frosting and causing a chill to permeate into the air around them.
Perspective. Hindsight.
A juvenile that was finished fighting a war and wanted to believe that the next would be none of his concern.
Hera did what was needed. Even if it was against his will.
Had she not, they would have all died.
Was it truly bad that she did so? Perhaps.
But in the end they had all done terrible things to ensure they would emerge from the end of it all. If that meant that Hera would have to sacrifice a demigod's happiness, she would do so a hundred times over.
And Percy couldn't bring himself to disagree with her. Whether that was due to whatever influence she had on him throughout all these years or his own experiences in the pursuit of victory, he didn't know.
What he did know was that it was done.
He would leave judgement and the persecution thereof when he went to the afterlife. And not before.
And that was that.
There was a small silence as they both digested the words she just spoken. It was not awkward nor of doubt but one of simple resignation.
"What do you require of me?" Was his next words. Hera would not have made it a priority to ensure his life continued beyond the life. He was an investment. She had said it herself. One that would not be so easily let go of. His influence and connections with Titans were the forefront of that. Brokering a truce with Asgard was another if a bit waylaid in comparison to the his other works.
What stood though amongst his achievements was the erosion of animosity between Roman and Greek.
The coexistence of both aspects was paramount. So long as there was peace between them, Olympus would be able to reach heights of strength not seen in eons.
Hera looked to him, a small smile gracing her features. Melding a myriad of emotions together into a collage of intrigue. "You have done enough for Olympus." She said. He looked to her "But there are whispers and stirrings about. Your father has faced the Oceanus and I know the Sea Titan like no other. He would not have went against your father without reason or reward."
"Then tell him."
"It is not so simple. The Atlantean armies are depleted and understrength from the war. To provoke another conflict would be untenable for your father's rule. There is a hidden motive behind the actions of Oceanus, what it is I do not know."
Percy mind ran wild with possibilities and scenarios.
Fighting wars underwater was nasty business.
There was so many factors to consider that wars on the ground simply did not deal with. A conflict underwater eliminated forces that could not survive in such an environment. It also added a whole other dimension of war to consider.
Atlantean forces were not so numerous to sustain a prolonged conflict. So such bouts were short and bloody affairs.
So what could Oceanus have hoped to accomplish with waging a war that he could not win? The Titan of the Ocean would have known that a conflict with a full strength Atlantis would not end in his favor, his demise was proof of that.
There was simply too much to consider. With the conflict over and the breaking of Oceanus, that left even less an incentive to investigate what could have happened and while Percy held no doubt that some investigation was carried out, the fact that Atlantis was not on a war footing only proved that no evidence was found for ulterior motives.
Hera continued her words piercing and breaking his thoughts on how he would be able to best serve. "Right now, your immediate direction is this. Stop the war that is brewing from the attack on your person. Do not allow Olympus to divide itself."
By the Gods, Percy didn't even consider that. His father was probably raising his legions right now because of a misunderstanding.
He stood, wincing as he did so, his hand twitching slightly. The pain from his wounds burning and preventing him from moving as he wished to. Hera stood as well, flicking her hand, willing a simple crutch into existence, and handing it to him.
"We must move quickly. Your father is in court at the moment." Hera spoke as she guided the demigod. He had to take a moment to orient himself.
Percy began to move with Hera leading the way. It was an arduous journey. His healing was not done in the least and it felt like a fire had literally been lit within him with how much it ached and burned in every step.
But he pushed through it. He would have time to rest later.
Servants of the Atlantean palace were strewn about, carrying out their duties, bowing whenever they were passed. Repeated pleasantries aside, none dared slow or halt their progress. Their purposeful and serious demeanor making it clear that they would stop for no one.
And even here, outside of her realm of power and only allowed at the grace of Poseidon, there were none that dared cross her.
It was a shame that Percy couldn't enjoy his time in his home away from home.
Still, the sense of urgency in spite of his injuries was there and he wouldn't see all the effort to keep Olympus from tearing itself apart be done because of a misunderstanding and, more importantly, because of him.
It was not long until they arrived to the threshold of the throne hall of Poseidon, with Percy trailing slightly behind the Queen of Olympus.
The mermen guards waited until he was there to open the grand basalt doors. Though, Percy did not stand beside the Queen of Olympus and only hung loosely behind her.
The doors opened and the two calmly walked in.
The last time Percy here it had been because of the reappearance of the Trojan Sea Monster and had only been a passing thing.
It was sparsely populated and while there was a luminescent glow as if the entire hall was lit by sunlight, there held a gloom that clung to the coral walls and pillars.
What was readily apparent was that those present were all adorned in armor and were tightly gathered around the steps of his father's throne. Rhodes and Triton were there, helmets tucked underneath their arms while Amp0hirite conversed quietly with Delphin. Others were there. Various sea lords and ladies that held commands of their own in his father's armies.
Only Kymopoleia was not in the circle as she stood off to the side behind their father leaning against a pillar and showing her disinterest by casually inspecting her nails. The storm goddess was like him. Much more suited at being in the thick of the fighting rather than leading others into battle.
A war council. Percy summarized as the duo continued the trek towards the throne of Poseidon.
The Queen of Olympus was the first to reach them. "Hera." His father greeted, a stony gaze leveling at his sister before flicking over to him. A notable shift in his demeanor and the atmosphere was keenly felt.
Like an unnoticed gloom and storm held over the air around them had suddenly dispersed. The air seemed just a little less tense and just a bit more clearer.
Everyone quieted as they turned to regard them.
Hera nodded and stepped aside for Percy to move forward to stand before his father.
He began to ease himself onto his knee, only to be stopped by his dad who clasped him on the shoulder. It was about as close as he would ever get to a hug from the King of the Sea but for Percy it meant a lot.
The first and last time it had happened was at the end of the Second Titanomachy. When everyone was just grateful to have lived.
Percy supposed this was much the same. His father was not inclined to show his affection, the wear of many eons having eroded any sense of attachment to those of the mortal coil. But in those demigod children he had, he cherished.
"Excuse us, please." Poseidon said, the Sea Lord looking about the hall. "I would speak with my son."
It was only a moment of shared looks, ones of concern directed to him and of relief from the others. He hoped that was a good thing. The only ones that remained behind were Amphitrite and Hera.
The Queen of the Sea stepped forward and hugged him. It wasn't one filled with love, the Sea Goddess could never love him simply for what he represented, but of appreciation and respect. One that simply conveyed that she was glad that he was alive. To expect anything more from was a hope held in futility and Percy had long discarded such a thing.
Poseidon looked to him. His tired and ancient eyes brimming with relief. "It is a miracle that you are alive."
He nodded. A vacant stare as his mind churned on how to prevent a war between his father and Zeus.
The only thing that came to mind came with the risk of being killed.
Or rather…being sent back to the Abyss.
Percy didn't know if he had the nerve to knowingly put himself in such a situation again.
It seemed like a such a simple answer. Preventing such a war from coming to pass was, to put simply, his life's work. Everything was on the line. To anyone else, to those who viewed heroes through rose-colored lens, he should have immediately jumped at the opportunity of risking his life once more.
Maybe, if this was before the Gigantomachy, he would have.
Now though, Percy held the nightmares of the Abyss, like a particular poison or scar that would never leave him. Except it was borne by his soul rather than any physical or mental thing. It was not something he was willing to do again.
"Percy." The words came from his father, tinged in concern. Ancient and weathered eyes of the sea stared into him seeking whatever answers he may have.
"I'm…" The pause was miniscule, any mortal wouldn't have noticed it. But for the immortals that surrounded him, Percy could tell they had taken note. Hera's concerned look to him and Amphitrite's suspicious look directed to him only cemented it. "Fine. I'm fine." He repeated, more to himself than for them.
The turmoil that tore at his mind was like storm, with him caught within it. One that he held no dominion over.
Flashes of that choking maroonscape clouded his vision, and fear clenched at his heart, though he did his best to push through it so that it didn't show outwardly.
Percy was scared.
A cold breeze bit at his bones, bringing a moment of much needed clarity to his ragged and tired mind.
What would Annabeth want? What would she do?
A single word. A single word echoed in his mind. A melodious and serene whisper that sounded like her, but held the discordant and ethereal notes of the afterlife.
Survive.
In that moment it became clear. He could do nothing to stave off whatever may happen. Only do his part, do what he could with what he had and with what he knew, whatever that followed was not his prerogative. If Tartarus was ultimately his fate then so be it. But it would be better than letting his family slaughter each other if he kept his selfish silence.
The Will of Olympus. The words once again echoed in his mind as a growling and angry howl. For Olympus. Everything was for Olympus.
But not this time, he would disclose what he could to ensure he kept his end of the bargain with the Primordial of Time. He wouldn't outright break his oath.
But there was someone here that, as far as he knew, had never made such a promise.
"Dad…I," He stressed the word, to get his meaning across and looked to Hera, with as much emphasis as he could. "can't tell you what happened. That's all I can say."
The longest second in Percy's life took place as he mentally prepared himself for the horrors of that nightmarish realm. As much as he could anyway.
Nothing happened save for the breath of relief that escaped his lips.
Poseidon looked to his sister, eyes of steel.
Hera stared in response, her own features expressionless, giving away nothing that may be going on within the mind of the Immortal Queen of Olympus.
"Perseus time-traveled."
It was so silent that noise from outside of the throne-hall could be heard.
Poseidon's gaze flicked back and forth between the two of them, in apparent bafflement.
Percy only hung his head low, not daring to confirm or deny anything, with action, expression or word.
"When?" Was his only question.
"A little less than two decades ago, about eighteen years." Hera responded instantly.
"Eighteen years..." Percy could hear the gears turning in his father's head as he whispered the words and thought on them, if if it was for the briefest of moments. It seemed realization had hit him, "That was you? The godling that Zeus claimed to have turned to ash and the one that delved into my realm?"
Percy said nothing and did nothing.
"He warned us about the wars to come." Hera immediately defended.
"I do not care that he did it," Poseidon clarified and he could feel the voice of his father directed at him, turning slightly regretful. "and I understand why you kept secret."
Percy said nothing and did nothing.
The threat of returning to the Abyss was simply too much of a deterrence and so he remained as quiet as a grave and, save for an involuntary twitch of his hand, as still as a statue.
More silence. "We will immediately disband our legions." Poseidon said after a moment. "I will assume that my brother is not aware of this?"
Hera nodded.
"Then we will speak no more if it. What he does not know will not hurt him, and such an endeavor seems to have ultimately saved us."
"And if he should question?"
"We will deal with it then. But not now." Poseidon declared.
Percy looked up. "What now?"
His father's eyes slanted, looking all the eons of his immeasurable age. "Now, you go. I believe the Queen still has use of you elsewhere."
Percy nodded but just as they were about to leave, Amphitrite did stop him, stepping beside his father. "Perseus Jackson, I ask that you make some time to visit us. I would have you join us for a dinner or two."
Percy nodded and bowed as much as he could to his step-mother. His father looked like he wanted to say more but a stern and impatient Hera off to the side dissuaded any notion from Poseidon to talk to his son in a more informal manner.
He followed Hera out, wishing nothing more than to remain with his father.
However, duty called and Olympus needed him elsewhere.
"Your arm, Perseus." Hera intoned. The Son of Poseidon offered his unoccupied one as he closed his eyes, and having done this before with other Olympians and his own experience with divine travel, took a step in anticipation.
Even behind his eyelids and looking away, the flash of gold was bright and he had tilted his gaze away from the blinding light.
And in a moment, his step found the soft padding of snow on the ground. A slight chill in the air as he blinked and adjusted from the grand however dim underwater palace of Poseidon to the fresh morning of the earth.
The air was a relief and, being clothed simply, he could feel the shocked and chilled air biting at him. While it did little save annoy him, it was enough for him to rub his hands together for warmth. He recognized the place they were.
They stood at the edge of the forest that surrounded the property of his home. His eyes locked onto the white field. "What would you have me do?"
"Find the root of this…issue." The Queen of Olympus said following his gaze towards the sitting and serene home. "The witch is here. Question her. If she used the Time Stone…deal with her as you see fit."
"My armor was destroyed." Percy should have asked his father for another set. He didn't think he was in any condition to fight though.
"I have already commissioned Hephaestus to craft another set. It will take some time."
Percy nodded, his breath being of white mist before him as he gazed at his home. A tumble of emotions began to fall into his mind, turning into an avalanche the longer he stared.
What would have happened had I really stayed in the past?
He had consigned himself to a fate of solitude and the thought of seeing his mom and sister again was causing his heart to both break and swell in anticipation.
His perceived duty had allowed him to push away and disregard the thought of them ever meeting or even ever existing.
Percy hoped that wouldn't ever be the case any longer. If he had never received a directive to stop any other further measure of time travel, the thought that he would allow such fate altering actions did not sit well with him. In fact it only emboldened him to seek out and destroy those that would attempt such a thing.
He was blind to the ramifications only because he was already in the past with no possible way home without confronting and dealing with the Time Lord. So it was an easy decision to end in. As far as he knew at the time, his future, his time…this time, didn't exist any longer.
But now he knew, any alterations could and would be felt. Or have already been felt. It was a convoluted mess, and he did not envy the Protogenos of Time for his realm. So he would uphold his bargain and do what he could to prevent any further time travel.
Ultimately, even if it wasn't for Olympus, it would be for no other reason than to secure and maintain what small comforts and distraction that remained. Nothing more and nothing less.
"Perseus." Hera's voice broke through his tumultuous thoughts. "It is imperative that you reach the bottom of this. While circumstances have allowed it to take place, the use of the Time Stone is a direct violation of Olympian law. The witch would not have used the Stone unless forced to. Find out what forced her to."
He nodded.
"Is there anything else, Lady Hera?"
"There is the matter of your previous directive from Olympus. From before you journeyed to Asgard." Hera reminded him. "You still retain a duty to the mortal realm."
The thought of working alongside the mortals sat ill with him. Even moreso than before because of Stark. The Avengers and all these nascent and naïve heroes that were cropping up about the place left a bad taste in his mouth. Disorganized and ignorant to the dangers that they were and would be facing and more inclined to fight these…villains than to help anyone.
Calling them that was even extenuating what they were. Percy didn't see them as villains. The naked evil that Percy had been witness to; made their claims of atrocity seem tame in comparison to those that truly meant harm.
Kronos was evil. His pride would have seen everything the Olympians had ever striven for and built torn down and burned to cinder and ruling a kingdom of ash.
Gaea was evil. The wanton slaughter the Primordial would have unleashed upon the realm just because was nothing short of monstrous.
The Olympians were no better in that they had their bouts of offended massacre over the many eons, but every time they strove to better themselves and rise above.
He would draw from his experience. If Percy could unite the Immortal Realm then he could do the same with the Mortal one. Mortals were fickle beings after all.
But just as with the Immortal realm he could not do alone.
And neither could he bring himself to care for and defend a world that didn't want to become better.
A thought occurred to him, one that he had entirely forgotten about and one with the added perspective of his little displacement.
SHIELD was an option.
Fury could help. If his interaction with him had been any indication the man meant well and had worked to become the Director of SHIELD. He knew a lot and was privy to a lot of information.
Information Percy would need if he was to carry out this task.
"I take my leave, Perseus. I will send your armor when it is ready." The Queen said, pulling him from his thoughts.
Percy turned to face the Queen and did something that was long needed.
Give thanks.
The Son of Poseidon kneeled.
The wooden crutch held in one hand as he eased himself onto his uninjured knee and upon the fallen snow did he bow his head, his free hand closing into a fist over his hear. "Thank you. For everything."
He kept his head lowered and gaze locked onto the ground before him. He saw the Queen approach him and he felt a dainty hand come to a rest atop his head, a slight pressure upon him, nothing malignant but rather reassuring. "Their sacrifice was not in vain."
Words that even Percy didn't know he needed to hear. It was always said that this was 'the Will of Olympus.' No thought given to whether anyone cared for what was given. It was only his own mind that had to constantly reinforce and justify his actions.
No one had ever thought to let him know that what he did was not in vain. Not Chiron, not Reyna, not Calypso, not even his father.
To hear it from anyone else, allowed a measure of relief.
He felt a tear form in his eyes and he closed them tightly to prevent their escape.
When Percy opened his eyes, Hera was gone.
He brought himself back up and began his return to his world.
'Most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask, 'What else could this mean?''
-Shannon L Alder
A smaller chapter as we continue to adjust back. With this update, I am officially going on break, there will be no updates until Oct 1st.
The first chapter to A Lament of the Sea is released which takes place directly after chapter 32. It is a prequel to this story and takes on the perspective of Hera. It details all that went on in the past and what and how exactly she influenced the events and by extension Percy influenced the event of Of Water and Salt!
I will be active on the Emerald Library Discord, if you have any questions, you can still find me there! The link to that is on my profile! If you join please follow the rules! Also huge shoutout to MinervaStar, they made an awesome fan art of Percy (My first ever fanfiction fanart)! If you'd like to see it it's in my channel of the Emerald Library!