Chapter Text
The way back to the diner was awkward.
Standing side-by-side with your immortal father for such a long stretch of time almost never happened. Usually, if Poseidon stayed in the mortal world longer than a minute, he vanished like a mirage in heat. Percy kept glancing up at him, trying to read something in his expression, but Poseidon’s face was cold as ice.
Percy was lost in his thoughts when someone suddenly grabbed his forearm, yanking him back to reality. He flinched.
“Where have you two been?! I was worried when you didn't come back!” Sally said, breathless, beads of sweat trickling down her temple. Her eyes darted between them.
Poseidon slipped into the conversation smoothly. “We were just taking a walk, weren’t we, Perseus?”
“Yeah. That’s right,” Percy agreed quickly. His heart was still racing.
The day drifted to a quiet end, the sunset turning the sky a washed-out orange. The three returned to the small cabin, its wooden walls glowing faintly in the evening light. Sally handed Percy some old PJs that smelled faintly of detergent and home, while Poseidon announced he needed to return “home” too—whatever that meant for a god.
His mom offered to sleep on the couch, but Percy refused. He collapsed into bed, the mattress creaking under him, and sleep took him before his head fully hit the pillow.
He dreamed of falling—falling into a dark abyss, swallowing him whole. He reached for something—anything—but there was nothing. No camp. No friends. No Annabeth. Just the endless drop.
Percy gasped awake as someone shook his shoulder.
Poseidon stood over him, silhouette outlined by the dim hallway light.
“Sally said to wake you. Come eat,” he muttered.
Percy groaned, rubbing his face as the dream clung to him like damp fog.
He trudged into the tiny kitchen and sat down. The smell of eggs filled the space, warm and familiar. He lifted his fork—then something slammed into the window inches beside him.
Percy jerked upright. The cabin seemed to hold its breath.
He approached the window slowly. At first, he saw only the pale morning light and the blurred reflection of his own face. Then—another violent thud. A bird with razor-sharp metallic feathers collided with the glass, leaving faint scratches.
More shapes circled overhead. Dozens of them. Their shadows passed over the cabin like dark waves.
Stymphalian Birds.
A chill ran down Percy’s spine. He remembered the clanging sound they made, the way Annabeth had yelled at him during the chariot race, the chaotic whir of wings as they swooped down at camp.
“Percy, get away from the window!” Sally cried, fear cracking her voice.
Shit.
Poseidon stepped into the room, tension radiating off him like heat from pavement. “We need to get out of here,” he said, eyes scanning the ceiling as more birds hit the roof with metallic bangs.
“Those are Stymphalian Birds. We need a loud sound—maybe a boombox or—”
“We don’t have time for that,” Poseidon snapped, his voice sharper than Percy expected.
“What are you two talking about?” Sally demanded.
Another slam shook the roof. Feathers—sharp as daggers—rain-danced against the wood.
Poseidon grabbed Sally’s hand. “Follow me!”
Outside, the cold morning air bit at Percy’s skin. He uncapped Riptide and immediately slashed at three birds diving straight for his face. Sparks flew when celestial bronze hit metallic feathers.
“Get her out of here! I’ll handle it!” Percy shouted.
Poseidon hesitated, his eyes flicking between his son and Sally with a rare look– like fear. Percy almost laughed. He didn't think he ever saw a god afraid.
“They’re after me, aren’t they?” Percy said breathlessly. “They won’t attack a god. And I’ve dealt with them before. So go!”
“God?” Sally choked out, struggling against Poseidon's grip. “Let go of me! I’m not leaving him! Are you crazy?!”
Percy turned just in time to cut down another wave of birds. His arm was already burning, and the screeching was drilling into his skull.
Sally somehow broke free from Poseidon and, with a bat—though Percy had no idea when or how she had gotten it—swung with all her strength at a bird diving straight for his head.
For a moment, he just gaped at her.
Then, before he could swing with his sword again, someone stepped in front of him.
A man with a grey hoodie, black Balenciaga pants, and a gold chain that caught the sunlight. Dark stubble framed a too-sharp grin, and his brown eyes glinted with mischief and something unreadable.
Percy recognized him instantly.
Hermes.
Messenger god of Olympus. Patron of travelers, thieves, liars—and Luke’s father.
Percy’s chest tightened.
Hermes reached into his bag and pulled out a massive horn, old and beaten like it had been dragged through the ages. He blew into it, the sound rolling out like thunder. The birds shrieked and fled, scattering like leaves in a storm.
Poseidon immediately stepped between them, his arm thrown out protectively.
“Nephew,” he said, voice low.
Hermes turned around with a bright grin. “Uncle! It’s so good to see—”
“Cut the act,” Poseidon snapped.
Sally grabbed Percy’s arm so tightly her nails pressed through his shirt.
Hermes continued, unfazed. “While I was delivering dear old Dad’s papers, I happened to notice something interesting.” He stepped closer to Percy, reaching out as if to touch his shoulder.
Poseidon grabbed Hermes’ wrist mid-air.
Hermes raised a brow, staring between them. “Don’t tell me… this child—”
“This is none of your business,” Poseidon said, voice like a rising tide.
“My business?” Hermes scoffed. “You broke your oath. Even you must realize this is beyond repair. Father will find out, and when he does—”
“He won’t,” Poseidon growled, “because you won’t tell him anything.”
Hermes laughed softly. “So I’m supposed to take his anger too?” His gaze flicked to Percy. Something like pity passed through his expression—quick, fleeting.
“Hermes,” Poseidon warned.
Hermes’ grin faded slightly. “I won’t forget this, Uncle. And if Father asks, I won’t hesitate to tell him. Consider that your warning.”
Then he vanished—gone like breath on glass.
Behind them, Sally’s shaky voice broke the silence.
“Will someone explain to me what’s going on?”
Percy and Poseidon exchanged looks.