Chapter Text
Persephone technically wasn’t supposed to be away from Olympus quiet yet if you went by her father’s rules. But…with what was going on between Olympus and Atlantis. She doubted anyone would actually miss her slipping away from Olympus a bit early. Since even her mother had even been unusually distracted as of late.
(Though she may pay for that later when her mother realizes she had left Olympus a few weeks early. Honestly, she was her own fully grown Goddess, just because her mother had never approved of Hades. Did not mean that she needed to be kept up in Olympus like a captive or vice versa.)
Which was how she had found Perseus on her way back to the Underworld. Though at the time she hadn't realized he was the child at the center of what was happening.
She frowned. Thanatos wasn’t usually one to allow souls to wander off. Well, not intentionally anyway. But it wouldn't be the first time, depending on just how the child had died and how much he had known at the time of his death. Him encountering Thanatos might have been enough to cause him to bolt. Even with Thanatos normally being extremely kind with children, especially.
Though alternatively she supposed the child could have unfinished business in the living realm. But that is uncommon enough among young children that she is fairly certain it isn’t the reason the child ended up separated from him. How he had managed to make it back to the surface was another question entirely, since that meant he really would have given Thanatos the slip for a decent period of time.
“Hello there little one.” Perseus jumped about a foot in the air. Apparently not expecting to be addressed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Didn’t think you could see me.” He muttered, turning slightly away from her.
“A number of Gods can see spirits depending on their domains.” And of course, with her being Queen of the Underworld, she would have been able to see him anyway. But he wouldn’t have known that to begin with, she suspects.
“Gods?” Percy repeated, scrunching up his face.
Oh dear.
So apparently he had been told next to nothing prior to his death. Which would definitely explain why he bolted from Thanatos. He probably hadn’t the faintest idea what was going on. And that would be frightening to a child no matter how Thanatos might present himself or behave around them.
“I think it is best if we get comfortable and I explain things to you.”
She really shouldn’t be the one to have to explain this to him. This should have been explained before he died. Or better yet, his actual Godly family should be the one doing the explaining. But it seems he only had a fraction of the information needed to function in their world when he faced the Minotaur.
(Which honestly made his victory the more remarkable. Since that spoke of such a lapse in information that he definitely had no training to survive a monster encounter. Well, survive the initial encounter anyway, she supposes.)
And she doesn’t think dropping Atlantis immediately on the child who had already been spooked. Before explaining things to him was the way to go about things.
So somehow the task fell to her of all Gods.
Perseus is taking it better than she expected, all things considered. Part of her suspects the metaphorical shock will hit the spirit later. Or maybe not, since he had managed to escape the Underworld, which required some idea of what was going on, arguably.
Even if it was maybe not the entire idea.
“I mean I had a bit of a suspicion about what was really going on when Grover told me he was a satyr. And we ended up running from the Minotaur. But didn’t have a chance for it to fully sink in before ya know-”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but she got the idea anyway. He hadn’t had a chance to fully process what he was being told before his injuries had killed him.
“Yes. Though I am surprised to see you here, child. You should be in the Underworld, not wandering around here.”
Percy probably would have flushed if he were still alive. As it was, he seemed somewhat embarrassed from what she could tell. “I just got freaked out. I didn’t know what was going on. The guy-god? That was with me seemed nice and gentle, but I didn’t understand what was going on, and I just wanted to get out of there. So when he got distracted talking to someone about some sort of fee for my passage since I apparently didn’t have any on me. I bolted.”
Right, because of the way the child had passed, he wouldn’t have the means to pay for passage most likely (Though...Chiron should have given passage as a just-in-case means. And the fact he hadn't was more than a bit concerning about what it meant on the current state of camp). She will have to make sure that is rectified when he eventually returns to the Underworld. If his Godly family didn’t fix it themselves. Or he didn't choose to remain in the above world as a type of spirit, which she knew would be offered.
Add in a freaked-out child who had never explained things properly. In a strange new land for him. And you have a recipe for what exactly happened, she realized.
“That was not how that was supposed to be. Rest assured, the ones who failed you in that regard will be dealt with.”
Honestly, considering how Chiron tends to treat her husband's children along with other Chthonic children, this happening wasn't a complete shock. But she would have thought he was capable of at least the bare minimum with children of other domains.
Apparently not.
She was going to pass this on to Mother as well, so it would be addressed at the next council meeting. Since she doubted this was something like this that happened was something the other Gods should be ignoring. And while they might not care enough to act if something happened to a Chthonic child. If it was one of the seas. A demigod child of the council. Maybe there was a better chance to make sure it would not happen again.
(Though with the way things had been recently. She might be putting her hopes too high.)
“Someone was supposed to give me payment?” Perseus asked her in confusion.
“Yes.”
“And them not giving me is a major problem?”
“Charon technically takes time if there is no money. So if you had no money, you would have been waiting a long time. Because of someone else’s negligence.”
Which would have set Poseidon off again. And that was not something they needed considering how tense things were at the moment. Especially when none of this should be happening if someone had done things the proper way to begin with.
"So what now?"
"I am taking you to your father. Since I do believe he would be best at handling this situation for the moment."
At the very least, he would not be pleased if he wasn't aware of his child being out and about. And with the way things were currently...it was best not to make her Uncle even angrier at the moment. By just taking the child back to the Underworld.
They arrive to an Atlantis that has already begun to transition to mourning. Half-shuttered shops and dim lighting on half-empty streets. With the flags fluttering in the current, already halfway down the pole.
She isn’t surprised that the transition has occurred. She figured that either Poseidon or Amphitrite, or both, most likely would have put out the orders as soon as they were done reeling over the news that the boy was dead. But going by the expression on young Perseus’ face. He is very much taken aback by the way the city is presenting itself. Since mortals do some of the same for royals, it's not surprising he’d picked up on something being different. And what it possibly was.
“Your father would have declared a mourning period in response to your death.” She explained.
“A mourning period…over me?” Percy repeated slowly in clear disbelief.
“Yes.”
Part of Persephone felt her heart break at the child’s confusion. As she realized he obviously was not expecting to be mourned by anyone other than his mother. Part of her wondered just what the child’s home life had been like before his passing. But now isn’t really the time to be pressing into a sensitive subject.
Perseus’s eyes stare at one of the aforementioned flags before asking. “They never even met me before. Why would they mourn me?”
Apparently, the concept of a parent wanting to mourn a child they had never met. Was entirely foreign here, and she thinks that while she could provide some answers…Poseidon is the best one to talk to him about this.
“I think this would be explained by one of the royal family. But from what I understand, the seas have always seen anyone who belongs to it as their own. Even if not directly related. So when a member of the royal family passes, the seas mourn as a community.”
Perseus stared at the flag hanging from a pole for a moment before speaking in a clearly confused tone. “But…I’m not a member of the royal family. I’m just a kid.”
Persephone could tell they weren’t going to make headway with this conversation. Or at least she wasn’t. At this point, it was best left up to Amphitrite, or better yet, the boy’s father, to explain. Since she had a feeling she would never fully explain. Though she had a suspicion, the hidden self-worth issues seemed to be showing there.
And if that were the case, no amount of explanations would make the child believe that people truly cared about him. Let alone wanted to mourn his passing.
Which was a tragedy. A child’s passing, especially one like his, where it was a murder in plain and simple terms. (Even if who the murderer was was a bit more complicated, it seemed.) Especially would be mourned to the highest degree.
She was used to this to a degree. Chthonics mourning their own to a degree that surface dwellers just never fully understood. Because things were different for them. But this was the closest she had ever seen it from one that wasn’t their own. Why?
Maybe because he didn’t realize he was murdered yet? She wasn’t sure if she should be the one to point that out. That was such a hard thing to point out to a child if they hadn’t realized it yet.
And honestly, it might be best handled by the father.
Either way, this was a conversation that at this point was best not handled by her. But by someone who was either actually related to the boy. Or close to a relative. The point was she was not the best to handle this now.
They end up finding Amphitrite before they find anyone else in the royal family. Preferably, Persephone would have liked to find Poseidon himself first. But apparently the easy way was not what the fates had planned for them.
Since, by the way, the boy tenses up at meeting his stepmother. She has a feeling that while he did not know much about that world. He did know of Hera’s reputation in particular and thus had probably drawn some notions around that about his own stepmother.
How did you find him? Amphitrite asks her while continuing a conversation with Perseus. Explaining something that Persephone had honestly already lost track of. Did Chiron do something he was not supposed to upon his passing?
I found him wandering not too far from the eastern entrance of the Underworld. He apparently had gotten spooked by the whole situation since no one had explained everything before he had died. So when Charon and Thanatos were apparently distracted by him not having a passage fee. So yes, in a way, he was not responsible enough for the situation. Which again raised the question of how much had he ignored that he shouldn't have? He apparently chose that moment to bolt.
That gets Amphitrite to look up from her discussion with Perseus with a frown. What do you mean he did not have a passage fee? I would have assumed that Chiron would have made sure he had one on hand as an emergency, just in case. Even if this never should have happened.
Just what I said. Perseus said he didn’t have the fee needed. And considering how confused he was when I first found him in New York. I have no reason to think that he was fibbing for some reason. I know Chiron should have given the fee, so I am just as lost as you are. He's admittedly never been one to care for Cthonic children. But I thought he would at least have made sure demigod children, regardless of parentage, would have the right things to move on in the worst case.
Amphitrite let out a slow breath at that, turning her attention back to her stepson. While continuing the conversation mentally with Persephone. It’s just that he has been neglecting such a simple task for an injured child. One has to wonder what else he has been neglecting.
Oh, trust me, it is a question I am wondering myself. He’s always been neglectful of our children, so it isn’t entirely a surprise, unfortunately. The extent of it possibly, however-
Persephone knows she can’t be the only one who thought Chiron’s attitude and treatment was more towards the Chthonic Gods. This opened it up beyond anything they had ever considered before.
It was unfortunate to say the least that it had taken a death of a child to bring the problem to light. But maybe this would bring about some much-needed change. Since someone apparently needed to get Chiron to act appropriately for the first time in who knew how long.
And if he would never listen to the rulers of the Underworld. Maybe he would listen to the rulers of the sea.
(Though she has a feeling that might not be the case. Since Chiron had always shown favoritism towards anyone of the sky. And she is sure if it had been one of the sky who had been hurt. They would not even be in this situation.)
This is certainly a new low even by the standards we have had to deal with.
Just how long had Chiron been allowing children's souls to sit there in Charon’s lobby? Because he either had too much faith in his own abilities to handle injuries. Or did not want to admit the extent of the actual problem within the camp.
There are a number of things I know my husband wants to bring up in council. This will be added to the list of things to address.
Good, maybe something would actually be done then. Since it seemed like them trying to bring up potential issues to surface Gods even when it could involve their own children. Fell on deaf ears.
It should not take the death of another child to enact needed change within the camp. But unfortunately that seemed to be the only way to do things.
As for why I brought him here. I know I could have given him a brief explanation. And then handed him a drachma easily and made sure he had passage with Charon. However, I started noticing some concerning behaviors during our conversations that I felt were best addressed before he crossed over.
And she fully intended to ensure the child went to Elysium, since, after beating the Minotaur, he should qualify. Even if she had to act as guide herself.
Amphitrite raised an eyebrow. Like what?
A lack of self-worth. I mentioned how someone had most likely taken his body to prepare it for the final rites or how your kingdom seemed to be mourning him. And he seemed completely convinced no one other than his dead mother would ever do that.
Amphitrite took a sharp inhale at that. Persephone had the impression that if a young, impressionable spirit wasn’t in the room, she would probably be swearing.
I know he is dead, so we cannot really ‘fix it’ now. But…
It would still be good to show him that someone cares for him. So he feels some peace in the afterlife.
Exactly. Though you might want to say something to you-know-who, Persephone didn’t name names. But well, Triton had a reputation when it came to his mortal half-siblings.
Triton’s actually angry about his death, believe it or not. It’s too reminiscent of his own daughters. He says, ‘At least with Pallas she was an Adult’. But much like with Pallas he was murdered by a choice of someone affiliated with Athena.
Percy was a child, which makes it worse.
I’m not sure how he will react to seeing him as a spirit. This is not really a situation we’ve dealt with before. Well, at least not in this fashion, admittedly. We’ve had some sea spirits around, of course. But none that were demigod children of my husband. But I will make sure he is aware of the situation before he sees Percy.
Good.
Persephone eventually left them alone. Choosing to return to the underworld, though she would be back later most likely. Since eventually Percy would have to make the choice to return to the underworld and whatever fate lay in wait for him there.
Or become a spirit of the seas. Most likely taking up permanent ghostly residence in the palace.
Which was far less common than Amphitrite knew her husband wanted. But a trapped spirit made for an unhappy one. So even if he wanted his youngest to stay with him in the only remaining fashion he could. He knew better than to push the subject other than bringing it up once they did.
But that would have to wait for a moment. Since now that Percy was here and willing to talk. Apollo needed to be informed of what he knew had happened when he died so the proper parties would be held fully accountable.
(Since they already knew who was mostly entangled in the mess. But at this point they only knew bits and pieces of the mess the centaur had woven. Finding out more would take time and discussions, and not just with Percy, about what had been going on at camp.
Though like a lot of other things. It would all begin with Percy.)
However, right away in terms of questioning. There were some hiccups in terms of questioning that no one had fully anticipated.
(In hindsight, after Persephone’s warning, Amphitrite should have seen this hiccup coming. But since she had yet to see the full extent of her stepson’s lack of moral…It wasn’t until Percy questioned Apollo’s questioning that it fully hit home.)
“I guess I am just a bit confused on why we’re having this conversation. Since I thought that was technically my fault this happened because I got injured in the first place.” Percy admits after a moment of hesitation.
Amphitrite breathed in a long breath to get her temper under control. Because part of her was wondering just who had been implanting these thoughts into the child’s head. Since that should not be the natural conclusion to jump to unless they were used to being blamed for something.
Even when they weren’t the culprit.
She wondered if she could get Persephone to convince Hades to allow for a trip to the Underworld. Since with the piling concerning comments from her stepson. She really needed some answers from the boy's mother. Since she may not claim to be a perfect mother herself.
But she definitely believed that she was a better mother. Than to allow this kind of mentality to run rampant in her children. Any mother worth their weight would not allow this.
But apparently her husband had not picked the best parent in partners. Even if he claimed at the time that Sally would be a wonderful mother. The evidence was to the contrary.
Since her child had managed to get it in his head that his death was his fault. In a fashion that she definitely did not understand.
Unfortunately, there were only a limited number of things she could do for him in death. But she fully intended to do what she could to her full extent. Which meant helping him understand why it was important for him to see justice.
Even if he had apparently been denied it before.
“How much do you remember of the Minotaur attack?” Best to start with the attack that had led to his death. Figure out what he did know, then expand from there and hopefully help the child understand what he was currently failing to grasp. Along with hopefully answering some of Apollo's questions on what had happened along the way.
“Not a lot really? I remember the crash. Mom being-” Percy cut off there, though she already knows where that was going.
She feels for the child who had lost his mother. Not for the mother who had raised a child to question why he was being given the justice he deserved. Since, until proven otherwise, she is also holding her accountable for this.
“Parts of fighting the Minotaur and then dragging Grover down the hill to that big house.”
Amphitrite frowned at that. She did not like what she was hearing, or rather not hearing. “You had no help?”
Apollo chose to comment then before Perseus could answer. "Apparently the first test got re-implemented at some point without anyone knowing. It's on the long list of things to deal with when talking to Chiron about how he's been running camp."
Well, that was just splendid to hear about. How many children had been potentially fatally injured along with her stepson because of Chiron's unnecessary test. Had what happened with Zeus' daughter a few years ago ended that way because of the test?
(The children had enough struggles as it was. Before forcing them to receive no aid prior to crossing the barrier. The test was completely unnecessary, and he'd already been told that. And yet he kept insisting on using it for some reason.)
“Well, I'm not sure what the first test is. But yeah, I had no help other than Mom, and she well-” Percy broke off there for a second before continuing. “Grover was knocked out in the car crash. So once the Minotaur took my Mom, I was left alone to deal with him.”
Well, it had already been planned to add to his list of crimes. But Perseus' comments made it definitely necessary that it would be on there. Since there was simply no way that the lack of help was not a large factor in what had happened next. If Perseus had not been as hurt as he had been fighting a Minotaur alone, then he would most likely not have needed treatment from the girl that had amounted to shoving ambrosia and nectar in his mouth, it seemed.
The treatment, combined with his injuries still not being fully treated according to Apollo. Had been what led to his untimely death.
But going after Chiron for the moment could wait. Instead she focused on the child in front of her. The one who she was already seeing had such self-image problems that he seemed to have at least partially convinced himself that he never received help because of something he had done.
(If she was reading the earlier comment right anyway.)
Not because someone was not doing their job.
“I am so sorry for what you went through that night.” For she was, this should have been resolved with the lightning bolt long before it had come to a head like this. Long before it cost her stepson’s life. “There should have been someone there to help you. I am not sure when Chiron decided to disband the patrol the camp was supposed to have. But rest assured, at the very least his choice was not one we supported. And if we had known he had reimplemented that test, something would have been done.”
She honestly had wanted to call the choice several other words. But considering there were young ears in the room. Those choices in words were not appropriate. She knows one statement won’t make a difference. But she would feel ill if she didn’t at least tell him this.
“After that, not a whole lot. I kinda remember waking up once before I died. There was a girl there; she kept trying to ask me questions between shoving spoonfuls of something in my mouth. But that’s about it.”
Which did line up with what little they did know about his treatment. Even if the information about him waking up was new.
Apollo frowned at that. “Do you know what she was giving you exactly?”
“No. I mean it tasted like buttered popcorn. But that’s it.” Percy admitted with a shrug.
So not only was she not treating his physical injuries properly, but she apparently put him at risk of burning up. Fantastic. Amphitrite said to Apollo.
Chiron and her certainly have quite a bit to answer for in this; that is for sure. Apollo agreed.
It turned out to be the stepfather at the source of a number of issues. Triton, who had been observing a lot of this conversation, can’t say he’s surprised. It’s not like the first time they’ve seen this happen. If it wasn’t the mortal parent being angry over the reminder of having a relationship with a God.
Then it was usually what other mortal entered the picture after. That, for any number of reasons, targeted the demigod child.
Of course, his younger brother had been reluctant to say anything. Having apparently been trained to talk about what was happening when his mother wasn’t around in some fashion.
And it was still a shorter list than what Triton could see from Apollo’s actual list. But he had eventually mentioned a few things.
Even if it was only because of the fact that he had wanted his stepfather gone. And it was easier to do that if they knew something had happened.
(Well, they knew more of what had happened. They already knew of the abuse thanks to Apollo. This just provided context that it was apparently all on his stepfather, not his mother. Since details were a bit dodgy at best. Since the boy obviously did not want to talk about it. And only mentioned what he did to defend his mother.
So, anything they didn’t get from Apollo’s scan. Was almost always in an effort to redirect their father’s temper away from his dead mother. Which, honestly, were probably its own concerns about what had been going on in his brother’s place.
Ones he’s not entirely sure will be given a proper answer to.)
He knows at least one mortal will be dead before the night is over. And the other will be paid a visit to in the Underworld as soon as possible. Since there was no way their father would take no as an answer. When he asked to speak to the shade of his brother’s mother.
Eventually Apollo leaves, having for the moment exhausted all information he can get from Percy. That could lead to an eventual solution of how to handle Chiron and the Athena girl wrapped in this.
Which Poseidon knows will not be resolved tonight. Even if he would rather it be resolved. Anything with the council always takes time, and so will this.
So Poseidon decides to deal with the council later. For the moment, it is more important he talks to his youngest about what had just transpired. The conversation with Apollo. While necessary since he needed to know the extent of the crimes against his son, it had been a long one.
And it showed truly how much his son had been failed for so long.
He had to stay away, personally, growing up. First because of the consequences of breaking the Styx Oath, meaning even if he was in the mortal world. Approaching his child would have been dangerous.
And then after he had feared that looking into Sally and Perseus would result in their discovery by the rest of the Greek World. Which, of course, ended up being pointless, since apparently Hades had known about Perseus's existence for Khaos knows how long, if the incident with Alecto was anything to go by.
(He really was going to need to see if he could find out how he had found out that information. He had been so sure he had been careful to keep his son’s identity a secret while he was alive.
And it seemed like he had at least succeeded with Zeus. So how had he failed with Hades? He had never gotten to asking during his visit how he had found out about Perseus. And he was regretting not thinking of that.
And that wasn’t the only mystery involving his brother. Hades was not the type to insert himself into these kinds of arguments. Not unless something else was happening that already involved him.
And he had a suspicion as to how his brother might be involved. And he did not like those implications. This would need to be addressed once he was done with his son)
But the specifics of why he hadn’t been in his son’s life or death, rather than now. Were not the thing that really mattered. Since it only provided context for why his son had never known him until now.
What mattered now was that it was important his son knew that if he could turn back time and do things over again. To make sure that his son lived through the irresponsibilities of Chiron and that girl. Then he would do it absolutely with zero hesitation.
(Just because his son was supposedly destined to die at 16. Did not mean he should have died sooner due to the sheer negligence of other parties.)
“I will forever regret not realizing what was going on until it was too late to save you,” Poseidon said before letting his chin drop. It took some effort to be able to do this since he hadn't been in touch with his Underworld side in ages. But it was worth it in the moment to get his point across.
The heavy irony of the situation was not lost on him. In trying to protect his child. In staying away from him as he had. In thinking that his son was safe as soon as he had entered the camp. In trying to keep contact at a minimum until the solstice had passed.
In trying to keep his son safe from his brother’s wrath. He had sealed his son’s fate to dying by another’s hands.
He wished he could turn back time. He wished he could do something different. He wished he could tell Sally to make a different choice. To make Chiron pull him out of that damned school as soon as the fury incident had occurred.
Or as soon as he realized he had a powerful demigod at the school. Rather than make him wait until the end of the school year.
Of course he knows that part of it didn’t really matter. Since the death hadn’t occurred at school. It had occurred while Perseus was at camp. After he had managed to survive fighting off the Minotaur.
But he can’t help but think of the what ifs of what could have happened. If his youngest had been brought to camp sooner. If Chiron had made a different choice. If Sally had made a different choice around when to send his son to the camp sooner.
None of this would have happened.
But all the wishes on how they should have done things differently didn’t matter in the end. His son was dead, and there was nothing he could do to change that.
Percy just gives a shrug of the shoulders. “You couldn’t have known.”
Percy had already figured out that the Gods weren’t omnipotent. The conversations with Apollo had kind of given that away pretty quickly. They might know a lot, but they weren’t perfect.
Or else he would probably still be alive right now.
(Well maybe, since who knows what would have happened after he woke up in camp. But at least he would have survived longer, he guessed?
Maybe even had a chance to go after his Mom. If that was even something that was allowed?)
And he might have just met his Dad for the first time. But he could tell he was beating himself up over his death.
Which was such a contrast to the person he had started building up in his head over the years. The person that had walked out on him and his Mom all those years ago to go on a sailing trip.
Apparently his Dad had cared about him this whole time. He just hadn’t been able to do anything about it. Until it was too late.
It definitely hurt in its own way. That he only got to know his mysterious dad. Once he was fully dead and could never experience things normally again.
But he guesses it's better late than never, right?
“Not knowing does not excuse not doing better. While I may have been limited in what I could have done. There were still things I could and should have done to make things better. And I will be regretting not making better choices for the rest of my existence.”
Poseidon had been expecting a visit from Hades at some point. You don’t get a spirit drop-off from either him (extremely rare) or Persephone without getting a visit at some point later.
And since it had been Persephone who had brought Perseus to Atlantis to begin with. That means seeing his brother would be coming by soon to find out about the spirit’s wishes of either staying in Atlantis or returning to the Underworld eventually.
(The former being an option because Perseus was his child and that came with certain privileges. Since he was his child and thus was of the sea and could remain here for as long as he wished. Even if it was less than ideal circumstances as a spirit.
If this was where he wished to remain instead of the Underworld. Then he had that choice.
Though Poseidon was hopeful he would take it. He also knew the odds were mostly against him. It had been centuries since he had a child of his choice to remain beyond a normal mortal capacity.
Either as a spirit like Perseus. Or take the offer of immortality when presented.)
And if Hades hadn’t ended up coming to Atlantis. Then Poseidon would have ended up coming to the Underworld himself. Since he had a matter to address with his ex-lover of just how she had been raising their child.
(Perseus might be dead, but he still deserved to have been handled better in life. Then apparently everything that had happened first in his childhood leading up to his death.
And Poseidon just wished she had taken some of the other advice that had been given on how to handle their son. He’s not sure who told her about the scent idea. Since it was not something he would have supported if he had known.
Since mortals of that variety tended not to be the best.)
So a conversation was inevitable at this point.
What he was not expecting was what the subject would also be about. His brother’s apparently missing helm and the fact he had assumed much like their younger brother. That he, for some reason, was behind the theft as well.
Poseidon nearly growled at his older brother. At this point, he was done with the accusations and the fact it was only after his son was dead because of another’s irresponsibility. And him swearing an oath to ensure his child would get justice.
That anyone seemed to actually believe the fact that he was never the thief. And he had no reason to want to take their items of power.
And with him already actively in mourning from losing his youngest child. His patience for a scenario that had already been idiotic to begin with was now at an all-time low.
But he also couldn’t just ignore the accusation either, so- “I do not understand why you or our brother are so insistent on the idea of me wanting either of your items or anything that comes with it. But I have more than enough on my hands running my own kingdom. Without adding any additional responsibility. I do not know where your helm is. You would be better off asking our brother. Since most likely whoever has the bolt has that as well.”
At least with Zeus, he had sort of a precedent for thinking he might act against him with the incident with the net. Even though he had proven time and time again that was not about wanting his items, and it had everything to do with wanting his brother to do a better job for Olympus.
(And that had failed spectacularly to communicate apparently.)
Hades…well, they had drifted apart over the years, he would admit. But he had not done anything to warrant the accusations from him. Outside of, for some reason, listening to Zeus. And he thought his older brother was more sensible than that.
It almost made him think someone was trying to drive a divide between him and his siblings. But for the moment, he could not think of who would benefit from that that could be around to cause them problems.
“And you didn’t take the bolt?”
“No. Contrary to what our brother seems to believe, I am very content running my kingdom. I only got involved with the net back in the day to try and help things for everyone. Not for myself.”
Well, not personally anyway.
“Swear it.”
Oh, this was beyond ridiculous at this point. He needed to get Persephone involved after this to talk some sense into her husband. Since he knew she would listen to her more than most things.
But he is so done with this whole debacle anyways. “I, Lord Poseidon, did not take the master bolt or the master helm without permission. Nor have I ever asked anyone to take either item of power. So I swear on the River Styx.”
“Great, now where am I supposed to look? I was hoping that now that your son was passed, it would be easier to just ask him what he did with the helm. Which apparently was nothing.”
“Brother, I may be busy, but I would be willing to assist in looking for it later.”
Just because he was angry enough with Zeus at the moment to maybe not offer the same thing (though he might once he calmed down). Did not apply to Hades; he was aggravated with his brother. Especially now that he was wondering how much he had been involved over the past six months without realizing it.
But the fact that two items of power of elder Gods were concerning. Someone seemed to be planning something, and them fighting with each other he felt would feed right into it.
And while he definitely was not happy with either of his siblings at the moment. Especially depending on how much Hades was involved with his son’s death. Something that would be determined later.
Though the fact they had reached the point that this was the first conclusion reached was a problem of its own. And something that they would need to talk about after the funeral. If Hades would stick around that long anyway.
(Which was possibly maybe not the best way to handle this, but his relationship with his brothers was already a mess at this point. Worse than he had realized, apparently. What was a few more days at this point?
He doubted the items would magically appear in the next few days, even with his assistance. But he could be surprised.)
That’s when Hades drops another bombshell on him. “I suppose at this point there is no reason not to mention this, but your son’s Mother is still alive. She is just in Stasis. I had taken her during the Minotaur attack.”
Well.
That was certainly not something he had been expecting to learn. And that certainly added a wrinkle to things, to say the very least.
Though first he has something else to address. “What do you know of the Minotaur attack?”