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Percy took in a sharp breath of air.
He blinked and refocused. He blinked again as he adjusted and took in his surroundings. A slight chill bit at him. Nothing too discomforting but it was still noticeable.
He was still in his kneeling position and while his legs were most definitely asleep, their was a soreness in both of them and an ache in his more injured one.
The Son of Poseidon took another deep breath as he looked around. The Three Spinners were before him, just as he remembered from when they had first arrayed themselves before the three demigods.
Absently working on their yarn and string, the Three Spinners wasted no time in speaking. The tea untouched.
"Our mother spoke with you." It was said as a statement by their foremost sister rather than the posing question that Percy assumed it was intended to be.
He nodded but didn't say anything in response.
Unless they asked he wouldn't answer, knowing as he did of his choice in the matter. There was another silence. Percy still kneeling and the Three Spinners continued to work their trade.
They hummed after another moment of silence as they gathered their balls of yarn and string, leaving without another word. Percy's gaze following them as they disappeared behind the silk canvas that billowed between the dividers, their shadows receding from existence, most likely translocating from this place.
He didn't immediately stand but instead, sat backward reclining against the intricately designed and polished tiled floor, adjusting so that his legs would not have the sensation of pins and needles any longer.
Percy sighed in slight relief. It was not really a step up to full relaxation but it pulled the notion that the Fates were out to get him. Their fixation mistaken for vendetta, when it was simply a panicked curiosity.
He didn't know exactly how long he was kneeling and in conversation with the Primordial of Fate but however long it was, it made his injured side flare in pain.
I need a break. He thought mournfully. A nice long soak in the ocean sounded and would, no doubt, feel amazing right now. No rest for the wicked though. The unwanted thought crossed his mind as the doors opened and in walked Reyna and Morgana. The witch held a tray of refreshments and Reyna had her hands instinctually resting where her weapons would be as they sat down.
"How long was I in here?"
"About eight hours." Morgana said in immediate response. She was still in her illusionary disguise though the amulet was no longer adorned.
Percy didn't touch anything she set on the table before them and neither did Reyna but Morgana did help herself to a cup of steaming tea.
There was an awkward silence as Percy still considered how to deal with Morgana. She looked too at ease for someone that broke one of the core laws of Olympus and for someone that attacked him.
As if she was expecting something. His mind narrowed. If she thought him predictable, she was going to be sorely mistaken.
"Anything I should be made aware of before I begin?" Percy looked to his Roman counterpart.
"Nothing that I know of." Was her bored response, though there was a hint of concern.
He nodded and then set a stony gaze on Morgana. "Tell me of your Order here."
Whatever the sorceress was expecting, that wasn't it as her eyes immediately darted to him with a raised brow. Suspicion was the most apparent emotion and yet he detected a hint of panic in her dark eyes as well.
Reyna must have seen it as well, for she leaned into the table. Her own intrigue piqued as they shared a knowing look. They were going to play this like the interrogations in the war then. Percy guessed.
Morgana may be a powerful, aged demigoddess of Trivia but Reyna and Percy were now acting in an official capacity. Her bout with the Son of Poseidon may have emboldened her but the fact of the matter was that she was in the presence of the full authority of Olympus.
No matter her prowess. No matter her age, no matter her status as the leader of an order of magic users. She was simply another demigoddess when compared to the Swords of Olympus.
Their fight? An isolated affair. Something that was to be brushed under the rug for the sake of Olympian stability. Her use of the Time Stone, however, was what brought and drew the attention of the Olympian Council.
And Percy and Reyna were going to make her squirm.
"What would you like to know?"
"Your purpose. What you do and such. Give us the rundown."
She took another sip of her tea as she steadied herself.
"The purpose of the Order of Mystic Arts is to protect our world from extradimensional and mystical threats. We form the first line of defense against such incursions and hold ultimate authority in their containment and disposal. While this is an order of self-reflection, education and healing, the magics we use is ideally suited to such things. It was founded hundreds of thousands if not millions of years ago."
She took a small sip of her tea. "Our exact establishment isn't that clear and there's much debate as to when it actually did occur. But it is agreed on that it was by the first Sorcerer Supreme, a sorcerer known as Agamotto. "
"A demigod of Trivia or Hecate?" Reyna asked curiously.
"I don't know for sure." Morgana conceded. "If he was then he was an exceptionally powerful one and among the first demigods such as Lord Dionysus and Heracles. Though for all we know he could just be a gifted mortal."
"If I know my history right and if it's correct that he walked among the first half-bloods, that's around the time of the First Titanomachy." Percy remarked as he leaned backward casually, easing himself onto an elbow.
It was twofold, a blatant move to lull the sorceress into a false sense of security. Percy was under no illusion that it was known, but if even a seed of doubt could worm its way into her mind then it was good enough for him.
The other reason was much more selfish. His leg was killing him sitting as he was beforehand.
She nodded in response but still held that suspicious look in her eye as she sipped on her tea.
Another thing to ask Chiron, I guess. Was Percy's parting thought on the matter.
It didn't seem that important and, if he was being honest with himself, it would be more of a matter of confirmation rather than to learn anything of note that could prove useful in this day and age.
And if all else failed, he could ask the Magic Goddess herself or Allison. He reckoned there might be some information on the man held by the Wisdom Goddess in her archives if nothing else.
Agamotto being a demigod would help, but it wasn't necessary to learn, and quite frankly it wouldn't be that high on his priority list.
"Most of our number are mortals, only possessing knowledge of the threats we face. In fact, I'm the only half-blood here, any others are sent either to the Greek camp or Lady Lupa. As far as I'm aware, no others know of my origins or my true identity. "
"If we were concerned about that, we would have asked." Percy said in a bland and uncaring tone.
Reyna raised her hand to stop whatever may continued from him as she stared impassively at Morgana, not giving anything away. "Tell us about the artefact you used."
It was Percy who answered. "It's an Infinity Stone." He said with his own disinterest. "A pillar of creation made at the very dawn of the universe and an object of immense capability." She looked to him as he repeated what he learned of them on Asgard. "From what I understand, this particular one was entrusted to the Immortals of our pantheon to safeguard and protect, passed down from the Protogenoi to the Titans and now the Olympians. This stone, called the Time Stone, has complete dominion over the forces and realm of Time."
"You seem uniquely versed in the Infinity Stones, Son of Poseidon." Morgana's eyes narrowed in even more suspicion.
"I encountered another while I was on Asgard and King Odin had decided that I should be informed of them." He nodded but didn't explain further. It wasn't her business.
"And I can probably guess as to why its here and not on Olympus." Reyna muttered, her voice absolute in the amount of exasperation it held.
"To prevent an imbalance of power. While I doubt any of them would use it simply because of its command over the realm of Time, its better safe than sorry." Percy added and agreed in an offhand remark.
"But apparently it was used." Reyna fixed Morgana with a stare that demanded an explanation. "What gave you the authority to wield it?"
"I-" Morgana began.
Reyna interrupted. "From what you said, your order is to protect against extradimensional and mystical threats. Last I checked, He's firmly in this dimension and the extent of his magic pales to just about everyone I've met."
Percy bit his tongue to stop the retort that, in his opinion, he was at least better than the average demigod. Reyna was making a point and it wasn't best to interrupt her when she got rolling.
The sorceress stammered to a silence, caught in her own words. Morgana didn't look so sure now. "The Parcae-"
"Have abandoned you." Reyna interrupted again. "Had they any stake here, they would have said so. If they desire to let you go, let their will be known now."
Complete and utter silence. The all too familiar drum of thunder was gone.
"You, Morgana Le Fay, are alone in your decision to manipulate the realm of Time. A violation of a core law of Olympus." The Lieutenant of the Hunt finished.
Percy could see her thinking, the thoughts filtering through her mind.
"I was not acting in my capacity as the Sorceress Supreme. My order has nothing to do with this." She relented in a clipped tone but keeping a face of neutrality.
There it is. Percy sat up. He wasn't looking for her explicit guilt. That was apparent already. What he was looking for was a way to take control of her order. Lady Ananke's words echoing in his mind. Retaliation is good. Opportunity is better. The Time Stone cemented Olympian authority over her Order, so long as they retained it, Olympus held dominion over them.
Morgana just needed to provide a reason that she may be unfit for leadership.
Percy didn't need a rogue element while he went about his duty protecting this mortal world. Bringing the Order of the Mystic Arts in line was to be the first step, and to do so he needed to ensure that they didn't attack him as he went about his business.
Of course, there was always the possibility that one of their number may sabotage him, or even go against him. Bringing the Order under his direct authority meant that to go against him, would go against Olympus and thus give him justified cause to tear the entire thing down.
That's why he was going to keep Morgana alive and in charge of the Order. Morgana could run the Order however she wanted. So long as they didn't use the Time Stone or go against him, then Percy didn't care in the slightest in how they operated.
But Percy would rather they police themselves rather than having to watch them directly.
Was it an ugly and repulsive move to take advantage of her more empathetic nature? To throw a bunch of her colleagues and friends onto the ice with her as unwilling and ignorant hostages?
Most definitely yes.
But all they had to do was follow one simple command: Don't use the Time Stone unless given explicit permission.
Now she would have a vested interest in keeping them all in line but most importantly would keep herself in line.
If they couldn't follow that then Percy was under the opinion that they shouldn't exist in the first place.
"We're not going to kill you or sentence you." Percy said in a tone that was neither warm or cold, simply assured and firm. "But know that you are only spared because it was ultimately my decision to make. What I do want to know is what you meant when you said you were protecting the mortal."
Reyna shot him a questioning look but didn't say anything.
Morgana answered, a welling of relief in her eyes but her expression remained that serene one that she had since they arrived to this monastery. "Just that. There is nothing more to it, not anymore at least."
Percy eyed her for a moment, looking for any signs of deceit, only to find none. "Fine then." He simply said, he was still skeptical and in fact didn't believe her at all, but if she wanted to protect a mortal for no apparent reason that existed anymore, then that was her business unless it became an issue.
But Morgana was not going to get off scot-free from this whole ordeal, Percy was jaded and suffered being smote by the Master Bolt for her breaking of Olympian law. She would find no leniency in him.
"Your custodianship of the Time Stone is in question however." Morgana attempted to speak, her eyes narrowing in alarm and suspicion, only for Percy's scarred hand to raise to silence her. The branches of his wound, extending all the way to the palm and up into his fore and middle finger.
Reyna's head snapped to look at him, before returning to Morgana.
"You would take it?" The witch's voice was low and accusing.
"No. I couldn't care less for your Infinity Stone." Percy responded honestly. "However, Olympus can no longer trust you implicitly in its security and its sanctioned use. You said it yourself. You used it for your own reasons. What I'm saying, is that no longer will you operate with impunity or as you see fit. Using the authority granted to me by the Olympian Council, whatever autonomy you had here is now gone."
"You-!" She blustered, whatever pretense of calm and serenity Morgana had was gone, only to be cut off as Percy slammed his scarred hand against the table before them, pain rocketing upwards from the action. A wave of focused pressure shattering the ornate table and the contents upon it. Reyna standing abruptly as it washed through the room and the entire monastery shaking it at its foundations. Not anywhere strong enough to cause any lasting damage but holding the expression of his displeasure.
The Son of Poseidon's eyes were hard and violent.
Percy noted that Reyna's hand had dipped below her cloak and an outline of a sword was now easily visible.
"Would you rather return to Rome?" Percy, his own voice instead of accusatory, held challenge. "Give up the mantle of head of your order. Return the Time Stone to Olympus and actually be held accountable for your actions?" Her own eyes narrowed but she didn't respond. So Percy took that as a negative. "Olympus cannot afford to have two of their children acting as they see fit towards the same goal. There can be only one." War was guaranteed to follow if it continued. "We'll each stay in our lanes, protect this world from the threats you're supposed to face and we won't have anymore issues but come against Olympus or I again, and neither will be as forgiving."
Percy was a killer and ruthless when it came to challenge. Killing mortals and monsters was one thing, but he was loathe to turn against fellow half-bloods and would rather not do so if he could avoid it.
He would only do it as a last resort.
"The Time Stone was given to this order to safeguard but also use against those very threats you would want us to face!"
"And when was the last time you used it against such an enemy?" Reyna asked, her tone curious yet held an increasing impatience and exasperation. "If you're using it often, then these threats should be brought to the attention of Olympus regardless of how well your containment is succeeding."
Morgana's teeth ground against each other.
"That you would use it against a loyal servant of Olympus but can't remember the last time you used it against these threats you face, tells me all I need to know." His voice held an edge of mocking anger. "You will inform me first should you need to use the stone. Use it without my approval and you will be branded an enemy of Olympus and your life forfeit."
His hand and arm felt a numbing pain from the forceful gesture as he pushed himself from the ground, being mindful of the splintered wood and the porcelain and ceramic shards. His leg ached and protested the action. He really wanted a nice long soak in the sea.
Morgana made no expression and her face was tight and set in stone in her illusion. The currently bald woman not openly glaring at him, but neither was the serenity that was normally present.
"I want monthly reports and a full review of anything and everything that goes on within your order." Percy spoke, feeling an ice take hold of him as he turned away from the sorceress. Reyna following him. "Considering that you're able to translocate to here, I'm assuming I can do the same?"
There was no response so Percy assumed that he could. Morgana glaring at him. Well, not glaring, but more akin to an impassive stare that exuded all the hate she possibly had.
Reyna took his offered arm. "Where're we heading?"
"Lady Diana's camp is in Yellowstone."
"Haven't been there in a while, mind if I just drop you off at the entrance?" She gave him an unamused look. "Right." Percy extended his senses, picturing the Yellowstone entrance in his mind. From that, he extended further. Using the reference, he sought out the nearest divine source.
And in that moment, they both took a step forward, dissolving into a mist of water.
It was cold when they appeared, and Percy had to steady Reyna with a hand to ensure she didn't fully double over from their reappearance. Definitely below freezing, a frost and thick layer and ground of snow had overtaken much of the land, and where they were, he could hear the faint rush of water. Percy could sense that It wasn't moving fast as it was frozen but it was still moving.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to divine travel." The Lieutenant breathed as she took a moment to gather herself, at the very least she didn't puke as others have. "I didn't know you could take other people."
"I didn't either until recently." Percy admitted.
"That would've been useful in France." Reyna quipped as she straightened and thumbed her bracelet for her weapons to reappear.
"It would've." A tight frown forming at the thought of it.
There was a unnerving and awkward silence that followed that comment. While both had decided to move past what had happened in the purge of monsters from the country, France was a sore point for them both mostly because of the absolute chaos it was.
They took in their surroundings, Reyna clutching her cloak about her for warmth while Percy kept his opposite hand holding onto his injured side. His scarred hand hanging limply. While the cold wouldn't effect him as much, it wasn't a good idea to idle in it. His mortal instinct clashed with his demigod ability and bade him to seek some measure of warmth.
"Percy." Reyna voiced suddenly, looking at him with concern. Percy looked to the Lieutenant of the Hunt. "I know we've been over this but is there anything I can do to help?" He knew what she was getting at and he didn't respond, biting the inside of his cheek to stop the scathing retort that would have undoubtly left his mouth had he not. "You've been…acting different. Since the end of the war."
He said nothing and she continued. "You know that talking to someone helps right?" A pit began to settle in his gut at the memories that were being dredged up.
Take a walk in the Abyss, and you'll understand why I don't talk about it.
His voice was monotonous but had a tinge detachment and callousness that threatened to turn into anger. "Of course I know that."
"Then why don't you?"
No one will understand. Not even the Olympians understood and the few of the immortal realm that did, were not ones he would ever converse with willingly and would sooner try to kill him rather than have any sort of sympathetic conversation with.
Tartarus was not simply a prison and not just any immortal was sentenced there. Prometheus for example, was a leading enemy commander yet he had his own prison in the Underworld upon the Fields of Punishment.
He kept silent, knowing that he couldn't trust his voice. It would either be a choked mess with how constricted and tight his throat had become, or be one of anger anger.
"You need to talk to someone. Keeping it bottled up isn't doing you any good."
"Who would I even tell?" There were no demigods on this earth that he could share with. Their stalwart if callous commander couldn't be seen as a mess. It would hurt Olympus, if they saw the strongest of their number broken. The scene on Olympus with Reyna's own faltering stature playing in his mind.
Reyna was an option to talk to, but she was too busy with the Hunt.
And despite the cordial and decent relationship he had with them, being among them for any extended period of time was not only asking for trouble, both for the Hunt and himself, but the previous statement could also be said for the immortal handmaidens of the Huntress.
The Huntresses, the Greeks and the Romans needed to be able to rely on him. Reyna needed to rely on him, and knowing that he only kept going because if he stopped he would break, would shake that confidence in him.
And shaken confidence led to doubt. If he ever needed to lead them again, and if they were doubting him, they would doubt the Olympians and that…that would only lead to disaster.
Reyna knew something was wrong and it left a bad taste in his mouth. The fact that he kept going was probably why she knew she could still rely on him. If he spoke to her, that confidence would be shaken.
He didn't care that they hated or loved him. At the end of the day, that wasn't his to decide and he couldn't control that.
What he could control was how they perceived him. They may hate or hold him in awe, but they would all follow him because they believed that even after a stint in the Abyss and the Second Titanomachy and Gigantomachy, that he remained an unshakeable symbol.
And the immortals wouldn't care, sure a few might like his father, Hestia or even Hera might lend him an ear.
But his father had his kingdom to run, Percy may be his son but Poseidon couldn't understand what such things could do to a mortal mind.
Hestia, she was an obvious choice but that same distinction played against her. Hestia would certainly try. She would try to ease his mind and heal him with words of encouragement but to take advantage of someone that Percy looked to as a beacon of hope wasn't in his best interest. He couldn't risk that same beacon, that one goddess among the immortal realm that he looked up to and admired for her humility and respect to shatter. That she may not understand, that she may end up like all the immortals of the realm.
And Hera, for who was arguably his patron immortal, to not trust him.
What would she do or say, should he display signs of his own weariness? Of his own cracks of glass?
He was Hera's Sword that she could rely and call upon. That when the world grew dark and weary, it was him that stood ready to do what was necessary.
Percy wasn't as dumb to believe that she didn't have an idea though. Her parting words and gesture only supported it but it was of her own volition and he wouldn't burden the Queen of Olympus with the confirmation of his troubles.
He was pulled from his thoughts when Reyna questioned. "Why not a mortal?"
"What?" Was Percy's blurted and confused response.
Reyna repeated her words. "Why not go to a mortal therapist?"
Even in the odd and rather gloomy atmosphere of their conversation, Percy chuckled.
Reyna fixed him with a blank stare.
It was a moment later when Percy realized she was not joking. "You're serious."
"Why wouldn't I be?" The Lieutenant of the Hunt mused as she bundled the Aegis cloak closer to her body to stave off the cold. A small pause followed as she seemed to consider her words. "I'm not talking about your…hike…" Both of them cringed at the moniker but she continued. "A therapist is used to get better and to change. It's what they're paid for." She laughed for an attempt at levity while a light smile playing on her lips. "You don't even have to lie! Just don't expose our world or kill them!"
It was like the start of some bad joke. What could a mortal do that a half-blood doctor or immortal couldn't? There wasn't much, if anything, that stood out to him.
But as he thought on it further, it was an odd thought, one that had never occurred to him, and not as outlandish as the moments wore on.
Maybe he needed to talk to someone who didn't know who he was. No one that thought he was special. No one that feared or held him on a pedestal. No one that would talk to him based on some preconceived ideas that they had of him.
Someone that just saw him as a person.
As a mortal with mortal troubles.
Maybe Reyna was onto something here.
"I'll think on it." Percy finally said after a moment. "I have to deal with some errant Asgardians first…but I'll think about it."
Reyna's light smile never left her as she nodded. "Good, because its too cold to stand out here any longer."
They shared a laugh at that. With a farewell hug, Reyna turned into the forest and Percy disappeared in a mist of seawater, the image of home in his mind.
'I'm ruined beyond repair, is what I fear…And if so, in time we'd both be wretched and bitter. I know people can be mended. Not all, and some more immediately than others. But some can be. So I ask, why not me?'
-Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain
Happy New Year! Not much else to say here so on that note, (and as always), you can find me on the Emerald Library Discord! It's a fantastic place to interact with other writers and readers where we just chill and chat about ideas, future works and generally just have a good time! You can also find an update schedule for Of Water and Salt on there!
The link to that is on my profile!
Also I would like it known that the Kane Chronicles, Magnus Chase stuff and any other Riordan Media Post-2013 does not apply to this story. Its tagged AU (Alternate Universe) for a reason.
Credit for the cover art goes to duckduck#3344 on the Emerald Library Discord!