Hermit of the Sea Rock

 

The noise level was a mess of shouts and arguments going back and forth.

 

“Why are we making such a big deal out of this?” Athena said in irritation. “Poseidon’s spawn doesn’t want to be a god, then fine!”

 

“But we seldom grant godhood. That we do now, and yet it isn’t accepted is not normal,” Hestia pointed out what was the biggest part of the problem.

 

“It is also that many of us are actually quite attached to Perseus,” Artemis quietly spoke, glancing meaningfully around the room.

 

Athena rolled her eyes. “Yes, quite a handful. I don’t understand the draw. What is with you all?”

 

Artemis smirked, teasingly replying, “Really? Are your words truth or shall I consult my brother on the matter?”

 

“What is that to mean?” Athena frowned in confusion, feeling uneasy.

 

“D-e-enial,” Apollo sung mockingly, high-fiving Hermes.

 

“Quiet down!” Zeus’ voice boomed around the room and everyone’s voice quieted.

 

The King of Gods sat up straighter on his throne, looking around them.

 

“We are here to discuss what we shall do about this refusal. We will still grant his requests in the aftermath of the war, but the issue of godhood is what is at hand.”

 

“And yet what shall we do? This event has been unprecedented. What decision can be made? Should something be done at all? Why not just let it be and accept his answer?” Hera finally interjected herself into the conversation, speaking softly and yet her voice rung out through the room.

 

“Because his answer is unacceptable! Godhood should not be made lightly of!” Athena countered irritably.

 

“But Athena, I thought you were saying we should just let ‘Poseidon’s spawn’ be and not make such a ‘big deal’ out of this? Changed your mind?” Hermes taunted slyly.

 

Athena shot him a look.

 

But before any more arguing could be done on the matter, three unlikely figures interrupted the meeting, walking into the room and causing silence to befall onto the group.

 

“The Apportioners,” Athena muttered, warily watching the Fates stand eerily amongst them. The others were just as wary.

 

“The Moirae,” Zeus stood up and greeted them, looking at them and feeling a shiver run down his spine. He was King of the Gods, but even he was subject to these women. That they would come there…

 

Something especially important must be happening soon, or they really had something significant to say. The Fates do not just appear for anyone and they do not voluntarily give information.

 

Their white, blank eyes turned as one to stare at Zeus and he almost shuddered. Despite their first appearance to Percy and other various appearances, the Fates’ usual appearance was youthful even with their long, gray hair. However, their eyes and the constant cold expression on their faces ruined their look of youth.

 

“We speak of a matter mentioned long ago,” Klothos, the Spinner of the Threads of Life, spoke first.

 

“One that you’ve long forgotten, though you’ve always wished for it and longed for it ever since it had been brought up,” Lachesis, the Measurer, spoke next.

 

“The time has now come,” Atropos, the Cutter, spoke last.

 

Everyone froze, distant memories of a time when the Fates had come to them last, speaking of one who would grant them everlasting happiness and companionship, and no matter what would stand by them.

 

“Have we met she…or he?” Hephaestus asked hesitantly for the rest of them.

 

“Is there not one who all of you already feel a pull to?” Lachesis tilted her head, gazing with blank eyes at the group who felt growing hope.

 

“For once, the Olympians have a soul mate,” Atropos quietly spoke. “You know who he is, why we speak now when Poseidon is not here. You know what you must do. He will be unhappy at first and his fury will rage against you all like the wild storms of his father. But weather it…and he will grant you the greatest happiness in the universe for all eternity.”

 

“And we promise that he, in return, will eventually come to return that love and be happy,” Klothos ended, sounding almost strangely kind.

 

And then, as one, the Fates walked back out without another word, their white robes making no sound as they left the stunned gods behind.

 

Everyone quietly broke out into chatter with their neighbors, discussing this new development and some of them were unable to completely hide the happiness in their tone. There were three, however, that looked uneasy and kept to themselves, mouths silent.

 

Athena, having never been comfortable around the three powerful sisters and even had a slight fear of them, couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the sisters’ unexpected appearance into their meeting.

 

Zeus had a foreboding feeling about the whole thing, and was wary about one of his brothers being left out…even as the small spark of happiness in him burst into being with the news and the fact that Percy could soon return their feelings.

 

But one of them was the most wary and felt that something was entirely wrong, especially as the women gave too much information, which they usually never do, and made this all the more suspicious.

 

Hera knew the Fates expressed nothing. They were nearly apathetic to everything and sided with no one, or favored no one. They were unbiased and sometimes even cruelly so. They all knew that the Fates were cold, unfeeling, and remorseless –they rarely felt anything, and if they did it would be muted humor and entertainment at one’s misfortune and drama, anything that could bring the Fates amusement.

 

And Hera had a feeling this time would be no different and they were all going to star and be subject of some kind of epic soap opera for the sisters’ disdainful and mocking pleasure…

 

Hermes and Apollo were his only visitors. In his empty palace, he had no one but himself and two gods who flitted in and out, though they too could not provide a warmth to the cold that seemed to surround him all the time now. It was especially so, when the two of them couldn’t stay all the time and he had most of his time occupied with the growing cold and the silent and lonely prison that was his home.

 

Apollo of Night when the Sun God had his duties to do in the day.

 

Hermes of Morn before his time was spent doing his duties and delivering to the others.

 

They missed each other that way, and Percy had the time in between to himself. Sometimes that was a good thing, sometimes it was not. More time to think, but less time feeling smothered. Silent, but no sugared words or mournful apologies. Lonely, but no gods to play savior to him then.

 

He hadn’t seen Eris and her group of misfits since she’d brought him here. But he’d figured out from some things either god had said that no one was allowed to visit him in his palace. Not even Hermes or Apollo themselves, or any of the gods and goddesses, but the two were willing to break the rules and try to watch over him and keep him company. He tried to feel grateful, especially as he would hate total isolation, but he couldn’t muster up much emotion nowadays.

 

Annabeth had finished overseeing the palace and the entire project was finished. She had long left, and without a word to him.

 

His heart vaguely ached, but he was becoming so numb that he brushed it off and continued to stare off indifferently at the skies.

 

He’d been all cried out after that time with Hermes. But he’d deserved that cry.

 

They had murdered him. And they were going to brush it off as if it was nothing just for reasons they kept to themselves. In fact, they were going to lie to him and play innocent, wash their hands of any sin and look him in the face while keeping quiet about what they’d done to him.

 

And these had been people he’d trusted and had betrayed his trust. Maybe he didn’t get along with some of them, but he’d come to grow fond of all of them. That that trust had been so meaningless, that they could look the other way enough to practically torture and then end his life…

 

And that was not even adding to the fact that this was forever. There was no going back on this. He was stuck with them, he was stuck here, and he was unhappily and unwillingly as a god for the rest of eternity.

 

He was chained to that isolated palace, with no one to truly keep him company and unable to leave there himself. He could not see anyone and they could not see him.

 

It was enough to make him almost feel like crying again.

 

He continued on his meaningless and now habitual walk through the hallways of his palace, ending up back in his room sometime later. There was a nondescript box waiting for him on his bed and he sighed as he went over to it.

 

Sorry I couldn’t stop by a bit and spend some time with you. I’m glad for this morning at least. Enjoy your package. I won’t mention it to the others.

 

Hermes

 

Frowning to himself, Percy hesitantly opened the package and blankly looked at the strange handheld mirror that was revealed. Though the mirror itself was strange –the mirror was like liquid and he had the strangest thought that maybe it was a mini-wormhole, like the ones that appeared in the Stargate series Paul liked watching so much.

 

A pang went through his heart again and he had to ignore it to focus back on the strange mirror.

 

But then it shimmered and wiggled, and suddenly there was a face in the liquid mirror.

 

“Hello? Hello? Percy? Is that you?”

 

Percy, for the first time since everything that had happened, felt himself burst with energy and a grin actually split across his face.

 

“Triton? What –”

 

“So, yeah,” Triton interrupted, sounding uncomfortable. “This is a communication mirror that I kind of invented. Um…I didn’t think they’d actually let you have it, so I’m surprised that you got it and actually using it right now. We can…we can talk this way. But you can’t let anyone know or else they might take it away and we won’t be able to speak to each other anymore, alright?”

 

“Okay,” Percy agreed easily. “Though the box helped make it look harmless.”

 

“What box?” Triton asked in confusion. “I sent it as is, because no one should know what it was anyways…”

 

…Hermes?

 

Percy gave a strained smile. “It’s nothing. Anyways, I can’t believe you would do this. Why would you…”

 

Triton returned the strained smile. “Well, I hear you’re on some kind of house arrest and it’s probably lonely as Tartarus there. And boring. So I thought I might grace you with my presence, even through something like this,” he ended jokingly arrogant.

 

Percy was quiet. “But why?” he persisted.

 

Triton looked away for a second before focusing back on him seriously.

 

“You’re my brother. I can’t not support you,” the minor sea god spoke, sounding almost mournful.

 

“But I thought you disliked me,” Percy murmured, voice starting to sound deadened (like it usually was these days). “You don’t care for any of Dad’s other kids.”

 

He could visibly see Triton look conflicted.

 

“I hated you,” Triton agreed, admitting it. “But you’re an alright kid and I liked spending the time I did with you. Your mother is brilliant and I wish she were my own. You weren’t as annoying or irritating as I thought you’d be. Your stepdad was cool. And it was your birthday and I gave you the worse birthday present –I was the messenger that gave the bad news, and I was the one that failed to keep you safe when it was supposed to be my responsibility. I should have kept you safe. I shouldn’t have left you.”

 

At least there was one god that felt guilty in all this…

 

He ignored the flashes of memory of Hermes and Apollo that went through his mind, clinging to his bitterness and resentment.

 

“I doubt it would have stopped them,” Percy’s jaw clenched and unclenched. “I don’t blame you. And they were determined. I don’t think I could have hid out in the sea palace forever anyways; I doubt they would have ever given up either.”

 

Triton took a deep breath. “Gods are selfish…and everyone knows that the Olympians are more so than the rest of us. I…I was firmly against and disgusted with their plan, and my feelings have not changed towards your current situation.”

 

“I don’t really want to talk about…them. Or this,” Percy spread his arms wide, symbolizing his circumstances. “Tell me…tell me what’s going on there instead? How’s Dad? And Tyson? What have you been up to?”

 

And to talk to someone other than Hermes or Apollo, and to be able to have such a normal conversation without any of the tension he was used to having nowadays, it was just such a relief and such welcomed change.

 

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Athena was a hard goddess and had always been ruled by her logic. She didn’t dawdle or put much stock into love, as her fellow goddess Aphrodite was always wont to do. Even when she herself was a woman in love, she had always set her logic into these relationships and had been content and soothed to be with men who didn’t push her and allowed her to do things her way. It was almost one of those things she needed, to have the full reigns and control in the relationship and be the one that had final say because she always believed she knew better.

 

However, she had also been like the others, hopeful and hesitantly ecstatic to finally have the soul mate they’ve all been waiting for, as had been promised so long ago.

 

Percy was different from all the other men she’d loved. He was Poseidon’s ill-begotten son. He loved and cared too much for those he considered precious to him, so much so that –in her opinion –it had crossed a fatal line, one that was potentially dangerous. He wasn’t blond and he wasn’t an intellectual. He was far more assertive than the men she usually dated, who allowed her to be in control, though they were never timid men. Percy was the type to take initiative when usually she was more comfortable to. He was bold and cheeky and much more outgoing than she was used to. He wasn’t quiet and he usually didn’t like being calm.

 

And yet, those weren’t really bad things (just not the usual she sought in men), and she could reluctantly admit that she actually didn’t have a problem with Percy himself. Her biggest problem with him had been his fatal flaw and that he was Poseidon’s son. And there were things she really did like about him.

 

He was unfailingly humble and outspoken.́ His different looks were still handsome, and she didn’t mind his gravity-defying hair and beautiful sea-green eyes that glittered and she preferred on him than his father’s. Percy may not be a genius, but he wasn’t stupid and could hold himself in a conversation, especially with such wittiness and sarcasm. He could be calm and quiet when he wanted to, but his usual self wasn’t and she kind of liked it because he looked so alive and vibrant. His assertiveness was a change and made things fresh for her. And that fatal flaw she was so aggrieved about, secretly she always wondered and wanted to be one of those people he would dangerously care for more than the world.

 

She admitted only to herself that she loved Percy just as much as the others, though she took care to never show it.

 

And to be truthful, this whole situation with him actually made her heart ache and made her actually feel guilty. She did not want him to be unhappy. She did not want to hear the sound of anguish echoing through his home, a home she’d worked hard to design and bring to life.

 

She did not want Percy to resent them, as Apollo and now even Hermes seem to imply heavily that he did.

 

And she wasn’t blind enough to think that wasn’t the truth, much as she wanted differently.

 

Her steps echoed loudly through the silent hallways, and she could almost understand how a person could go mad in this palace with the silence and absence of people. Not that Percy was crazy…

 

He couldn’t be.

 

She reached his room much slower than she’d anticipated and her hand reached out to push it open almost as if in slow motion.

 

Oh. Her hand was shaking. She hadn’t noticed that…

 

Stepping into the room she saw Percy staring out his window with a blank face, though when his door swung opened, she thought she saw the corners of his mouth tighten.

 

“Hello, Perseus,” she quietly murmured in greeting.

 

She wasn’t supposed to be there. None of the gods, not even the other Olympians were to visit Percy. It was agreed that he needed time alone and that they would give him space. But she couldn’t help visiting and hoping to maybe see him alright.

 

He glanced at her in boredom before it actually seemed like his eyes lit up. Was it just her imagination? Or did he truly seem to be pleased to see her?
 

“How are you?” he asked and she felt hope cautiously bubbling up in her.

 

“Well enough. How about yourself?” before she immediately cringed and wanted to take that back, thinking that was rather unusually stupid and tactless of her.

 

His smile stiffened a bit before relaxing slightly.

 

“As well as I can be here. A bit dull, if you can imagine,” his voice drawled, sea-green eyes glinting strangely.

 

Her breath unnoticeably hitched at the beautiful color of his eyes reflecting towards her from their place on his face, and she noted this was the type of conversation she’d hoped to have and enjoy with him –full of his dry wit and sarcasm to challenge her.

 

They had a full conversation and Athena was actually enjoying herself. Near the time when she was to leave, he unexpectedly leaned towards her, his face close enough to hers that she could feel his breath fanning out over her face teasingly. She was surprised at his boldness.

 

“It was nice visiting with you…Annabeth,” his lips twisted up cruelly.

 

She froze and stared at him blankly. Was this madness? Had he this whole time mistaken her for her daughter –?

 

Athena looked closer into his eyes and knew. No. His eyes were completely rational and his face was smooth and cruelly amused.

 

The message on his face and in his eyes was clear. If she wanted her time with him, then it would be spent with him maliciously toying with her and callously never acknowledging her as her.

 

She nodded stiffly and his eyes softened and he gazed at her tenderly, one of his hands lifting up to gently cup her face.

 

“I’ll miss you. Come see me soon, Annabeth,” he murmured.

 

How cruel to be offered and shown such gentleness and care, when it wasn’t truly her it was for.

 

She left with a heavy heart and wondering if maybe the Fates were liars and Percy would never truly be happy with them.

 

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Percy hadn’t expected any more unexpected visitors after that.

 

However, he was mistaken. It didn’t seem like too long after when he heard more footsteps echoing through his halls and a more surprising face made itself known as his next guest.

 

“Lord Hades,” he greeted quietly, unsure how to take the dark god.

 

“Perseus,” Hades greeted back, just as quiet. “Some company?”

 

“…Would be nice,” Percy conceded.

 

Hades walked in gracefully, his resplendent robes swishing about him elegantly. The dark god headed his way, unfathomable eyes revealing nothing and making him wary.

 

“I wasn’t expecting you,” Percy admitted. “I’m surprised you’re here.”

 

Hades nodded simply. “I will cut to the chase. I will not offer my apologies. They are useless to you. Not that I don’t feel remorse, but I know better than to offer useless platitudes that are probably more than unwanted. I will also not beg for forgiveness because now is not the time and you will probably refuse harshly. But most importantly, I will not offer any excuses. I know what I did and what role I played; there is no changing that and I will not give any denial or shove off the blame. I accept responsibility for my actions.”

 

Percy stared neutrally at him. Well, this was a first. In truth, Hades was the first and only god to be completely straight with him, and also not try to justify himself and his actions to Percy. For that, Percy reluctantly could stand the god and his presence.

 

“Is there something the matter?” he murmured instead, going back to gazing out his window with a bitter stare that was becoming too usual.

 

“You have all the time in the world, and this place is a little lonely,” Hades murmured even softer. “You are not allowed visitors yet; I am not supposed to be here. But I understand a little of what it means to live in a lonely castle, waiting for Spring to end.”

 

Percy looked at the Lord of the Underworld speculatively, remembering the other’s own isolation and nodded in acceptance.

 

“I brought along a chess board. It’s a thoughtful game; it will keep your mind occupied and away from other things,” Hades waved a hand and a beautifully carved marble chess set appeared in front of the dark god and dropped into his waiting hands. “We wouldn’t have to talk, if you wish.”

 

“I don’t know how to play,” Percy said quietly, gazing at the magnificent set.

 

“We have time. I shall teach you.”

 

And Percy nodded again and conceded to this god.

 

The night comes soon enough and he’s alone. He found it a little bearable, but also found that as he looked up into the Olympian skies, that he missed the views of home and the earthen moon, and of the quiet chirping of things outside as a soft jazzy number floated out the open window of the apartment above his.

 

He became a little more than homesick than he’s ever been so far.

 

“Percy?”

 

His lips twisted up in irritation and anger, and he turned on his bed to face the newcomer at his door. He became momentarily confused, not recognizing the goddess for a moment, before it clicked and he was looking at Hestia cautiously, unsure how to take this new arrival.

 

She was wearing the Camp Half-Blood fatigues, smiling tentatively at him in her 16 year old form. He merely stared back, though he did at least make himself sit up.

 

“I was just wondering if you wanted company,” she said softly, her quiet voice ringing through the room in an echo.

 

He saw her minute flinch at that.

 

“I thought I wasn’t supposed to have visitors,” he said wryly, just a hint of a dark tone seeping in.

 

She walked a little bit closer. “I don’t know how you found out about that, but I don’t care about that rule. I just…don’t want you to be alone, not after everything. I told them this was wrong –and I voted against it.”

 

His eyes widened and he looked at her almost in sorrowful desperation, unconsciously leaning forward towards her as if longing but hesitant to reach out. She smiled faintly and held out her hand daintily, and he grasped it and held it between his, laying a grateful kiss once on it before bowing his head over the clasped hands and tears dropping every once and a while.

 

And Hestia wasn’t regretful for her lie, because she had seen the light of hope once again having shone in Percy’s beautiful sea-green eyes.