Chapter Text
Hello, welcome back to: the “Suffering of Athena” Let’s get right into it.
I was jostled awake by Clarisse, her red eyes startled me for a moment, as I’d just had a nightmare with a Hydra with hundreds of red eyes staring me down. We were on a boat, the same fishing boat I had taken to Alcatraz days ago. Jack was not at the helm, but instead in a fetal position on the deck, clutching the Orb of Overpower, as he’d named it. The orb was glowing a greenish blue thanks to him being a son of Neptune. He was the one making sure we were able to stay under the water. Ah yes, I forgot to mention, we were in an air bubble underwater, traveling to Atlantis. I tried telling them that it’s not called Atlantis. But they just kept calling Poseidon’s Kingdom Atlantis.
Ralia was at the helm, keeping the boat steady, as Zam was in the back, she was just chilling, sharpening her halberd. I got up, leaning on the railing of the edge of the ship. “How is Jack holding up?” I asked, and Jack responded, shuddering. “D- Doing gr- great! Ju- just need to take- take a dip later!” I could tell he was pushing through his exhaustion, I was thankful however, as we were far deeper underwater than we could survive if he were to not to keep it up. Clarisse patted me on the back, “How about you? How are those cramps?” Yes, recently, I experienced the worst lasting pain of my journey. My period. Clarisse could tell. “Zam, Athena needs some help.” Zam sighed, and moved toward me, she then put her hand on my shoulder, and my pain immediately lessened, it wasn’t gone, but I felt massively better. Anyone who says there’s a pain WORSE than a heavy period, either haven’t had a period, or haven’t been stabbed through the gut by a spear. I have experienced both. Zam didn’t seem very affected, except a minor frown on her face. I still have no clue how mortals face these horrible experiences for up to a week, every month. I commend all for surviving them.
Zam then sat back down, and I was able to savor the lasting lessened pain. “You were out for three hours.” Clarisse stated. “Go below deck and change your pad.” I had to follow her command, even though moving in general began to hurt again. Once I had come back up from changing, I saw Poseidon’s Kingdom in the distance, getting closer as we moved. Jack stood up, shaking heavily. “I can’t keep it up for long…” Jack alarmed us with, “We- we need to go, now!” Ralia nodded, and she began to join forces with Jack’s abilities for us to go faster. The borders keeping the water out was starting to waver, Zam got to Ralia and Jack, touching their shoulders. She started grunting, as she empowered the two using her demigod abilities from her mother, Bellona. Poseidon’s Kingdom was getting closer and closer, the bubble keeping us safe was getting smaller and smaller.
We were going to fail, I knew it from the distance and our speed, and the rate of the deterioration of the bubble. Holes formed in the bubble, water crashing in on us, filling our air bubble with fluid. I held onto Clarisse, as she brought us to the others. We held onto each other, as the water rose above our bodies, the bubble popped. I expected to be crushed from the water pressure, when I could breathe again, we were in a simple, but better air bubble now. Jack was held in Zam’s arms, he was shuddering, holding the Orb close to his chest, it wasn’t him doing this. “You needed some help?” We looked ahead, seeing a figure ahead of us, ten feet tall in height. His water-like flowing grey beard and hair floated in the water, he wore a white toga with a blue sash over it. He held a golden glowing trident in his hands. My eyes were set on his one eye, the one not covered by an eye patch. “Well,” Neptune said, “What do we have here?”
One thing was on my mind after encountering Neptune. Well, two. One was my migraine, the other was that Neptune seemed too calm at the moment. I'd remembered how a Naiad was around me, I thought I'd be fighting for my life at this point. Neptune began taking us via the bubble to his Kingdom, to his Palace. Behind us, merpeople were dragging our crushed boat as we went. I predicted what they were thinking: ‘Thanks for littering, now we get a free workout!’ I could tell I wasn't going to be all too popular here. Zam seemed focused on just keeping Jack conscious, though I could see sweat beading in her forehead. Clarisse held Ralia by the waist, the little escapade earlier likely drained the Princess of Winds. I looked toward the Palace just up ahead, deciding not to look down at the people below, I didn't want to provoke anyone.
We entered a bay, where the water emptied out, and we could stand on solid land. Well, we all still fell over because we were on a boat for five hours just prior. Our boat landed beside us as the merpeople swam above. Ok so the water didn't drain, it just went up, floating to the ceiling. Neptune walked toward us, toward Zam and Jack. He put the back of his hand to Jack's forehead. “Can you carry him?” He asked Zam, to which she nodded. “Good,” He continued. “Follow me.” Zam took the Orb from Jack, turning it into animated red and purple slashes. She picked him up into her arms, and we got going. Following Neptune.
After a few twists and turns, and water bubble shenanigans when we came across a person that was water only, we arrived into a chamber. We saw decorations of giant sea animals, leviathans, and even a Cetus, a gigantic sea snake monster that was thought to be extinct by now. At the center of the room lay a giant pink clam shell and when Neptune snapped his fingers, and it opened, revealing that it was a bed. Neptune took Jack from Zam, and brought him to the bed, tucked him in, and closed the clam shell. “He'll be right as rain in a matter of minutes.” Neptune said, and looked to us, specifically me. “Here we go.” I said, prepared for some anger, but also expecting my expectations to be subverted. So I really didn't know what to expect.
Neptune patted Ralia on the head, “Hello granddaughter, it's nice to meet my son's demigod firstborn.” Ralia was confused, as most of us were. “Uh, my granddad's Poseidon, I'm Greek.” Neptune chuckled before taking out a few necklaces from under his toga, one’s trinket was a small bag of winds, the next had a golden eye, and the last had a swirling magic pool. He took the bag into his hand, “My kid, Aeolus, your dad, doesn't change much between Roman and Greek. He's basically the same god. Unlike Athena, if she was Minerva, or if I was Poseidon right now, she'd be dead!” He said that alarmingly cheerfully. But that answered my question of why he wasn't aggressive. Though, I felt like I wasn't Athena or Minerva, more likely, my mortal form may just be Cassandra. I hoped Neptune nor Poseidon would figure out that it didn't matter soon.
The clam shell opened, and we saw Jack sit up in the clam shell bed. “The heck happened?...” He asked. And Neptune brought himself over to his son, and lifted him up onto his shoulder. “You happened!” Jack held onto his father's head, and let him continue. “If it weren't for you, your friends never would've survived to get down here! Even if you took it slow, I wouldn't have felt your presence, and I'd still be Poseidon, and I'd have killed Athena! I'm kidding of course.” Jack looked at Neptune with a mix of pride and trepidation, “Uh, thanks, could I get down now?” “I'd relish this,” I intervened, “A shoulder throne among gods is quite rare, I myself have only been on my father's shoulder a few times.” Clarisse chuckled and one upped me, “Only a few? Get on my level, eight.” “...Ok it may not be that rare.” I relented.
Jack did get down from Neptune's shoulder though, and we followed Neptune to the throne room hall. There, we found three thrones, one of which was the biggest, seeming to have been made from coral, the main colors were green and blue, but there were many other colors speckled among the sea colors. The smaller throne next to it seemed to be made from blown glass, as if it were formed from an asteroid hitting a beach at just the right angle. And the smallest throne had multiple different Trident designs sticking out from it, with dark blue rock as the base. I could tell the latter two were for Amphitrite and Triton. Both of which I was glad weren't here. At least yet.
Neptune sat at his throne and nearly put his Trident in his cup holder on his left, but he realized before he did, and put it in his Trident holder on his right. “Ugh, I get them mixed up all the time. Now, what's your business with me, the god of the sea?” About ten minutes later, we'd explained everything to him. Including Medusa's painful extended departure. He leaned back in his throne, and rubbed his eyes. For a moment, we saw his form flicker between Neptune, and Poseidon, wearing a Hawaiian shirt with khaki shorts, and a bucket hat, as well as a dad's beard. Thankfully, he stayed as Neptune, and took a deep exhale. “She'll be gone for a century at the least.” He repeated the news to himself. I instinctively hid behind Clarisse.
Jack stepped forward. “Nep- er, dad, we need your help. We've only ten days until Athena fails her quest.” Neptune leaned forward. “I… I can't.” He said. “You can't just forgive Athena?” Zam said, her arms crossed as she looked at the Roman God. “How hard is that? She's willing to say sorry!” Neptune flickered between himself and Poseidon again, this time, his Trident flickered as well, between Imperial Gold and Celestial Bronze. “If I even attempt to forgive her,” Neptune began to explain, “Poseidon will come out and he will not show mercy. He'll kill Athena.” I myself did not want Poseidon to come out. Ralia was confused though, “Okay, explain. Why would Poseidon kill Athena? You aren't that bad, right?” Ralia looked at me, and I averted my eyes. “Uh, we actually are. We secretly give each other death threats during meetings and whenever we have to interact. We usually fight when we're alone.” My confession led to disappointment among my friends.
“Athena, seriously?” Zam chided, “Death threats?” I crossed my arms, “Well he started it!” I pouted. “Nuh uh!” I heard Poseidon's familiar voice from Neptune, before he slapped himself and calmed down. “Apologies, he really hates Athena. To be fair I almost hate Minerva just as much, but still. Poseidon doesn't forgive much.” “Seems like a family trait.” Clarisse said, looking at me. “Now hold on,” I defended myself, “I don't apologize easily, there's a difference.” “Wait,” Jack said, “The prophecy. Father,” he addressed him. “What if we were to fix a mistake Athena made or caused, something that angered Poseidon, could that calm him enough to accept an apology?” I wanted to strangle Jack, but he had a good idea there.
“Hm.” Neptune rubbed his beard, “It just might. But what may he want?” Zam quickly raised her hand. I was fearful. “How about something a champion of hers did? Something that made Poseidon go on a hunt for ten years?” I immediately knew what she meant, and didn't want her to finish. “Proceed.” Neptune said, and Zam unfortunately did. “Polyphemus.” That one word, that one name, made me feel embarrassed in all regards. I remembered Odysseus' mistake, that he announced his name to the Cyclops. Poseidon heard his son's pleas, and sent himself on a hunt to make Odysseus suffer. “No!” Clarisse yelled, for the first time, I didn't know why. Clarisse marched up to Zam, angry with fire in her eyes. “The last time I went to the Sea of Monsters, the last time I was near Polyphemus, he ended up exchanging Grover for me to be his bride!” …I think I became more confused..
Neptune stood up. “I believe that’d be something he’d appreciate. It will do!” Neptune grabbed his trident, and taped it against the ground, before pointing at the five of us. “I hereby declare your quest: Go to the Sea of Monsters, find Polyphemus, and apologize to him for Odysseus and his crew blinding him!” Clarisse slowly turned her head, glaring at Zamascas. Jack stood between the two, sensing the anger Clarisse was sending at her. “Father, uh, our boat was crushed.” Jack stated nervously, “We don’t have a way to get to the Sea of Monsters. Perhaps that can be changed though?” Neptune smiled, “Of course it can. I shall arrange for a warship to be under your command,” Neptune held his trident to Jack, tapping it on his shoulder. “I dub thee: Captain Jack Saternus.” As Jack was crowned Captain of our crew, he suddenly gained an Imperial Golden Roman helmet, the blue plume seemed longer than most plumes would be.
Was I jealous Jack was the Captain instead of me? Yes. I’m willing to admit that. He was only in our world for a fraction of the time we’ve been, and he’s been given special attention the entire time. I mean,who would’ve been better to lead than a goddess? Well, ex-goddess, but still. Suddenly my cramps came back from Zam’s pain share, and I nearly folded over myself. “What’s with her?” Neptune asked. “Period.” Clarisse said. “Yeeash, oof, that sucks.” Neptune replied, “Noted, heat pads, pads, ibuprofen- tampons?” I vigorously shook my head. “Ok, no tampons, got it. We’ll get those things onto your ship.” He smiled. As the doors opened, and in swam two merpeople. “Lord Pos- er, Neptune,” One said, “Lady Amphitrite and Triton have returned from their dinner out.” Neptune got nervous, and yoinked Jack up behind his back as We saw two people swim in.
One was a beautiful woman with long, long black waving hair behind her, she wore a white gown, and actually had legs, she had a warm kind smile. Meanwhile the man beside her, had the same hair, just far shorter, green skin, and two merperson tails. He was also quite buff, with multiple scars shown on his exposed chest, he wore the aquatic equivalent of a large white button-up. He was smiling, just far less warm or kind. Both of their expressions turned to shock as they saw Neptune instead of Poseidon. “Oh dear,” Amphitrite said, “Is there another Roman-Greek sickness? I thought that was settled last year.” She assumed, she was referring to the fact that last year, the gods were going through something where they were wavering from their Roman to Greek and Greek to Roman form uncontrollably and painfully. Neptune chuckled, “No, dear Amphitrite, it’s just that we have important guests.” He gestured to us, his hands holding Jack behind his back. Triton was disinterested in us, but he seemed to be looking at Neptune like he knew he was hiding something. “Father,” Triton said, “What are you hiding?” He began to swim toward Neptune.
Neptune started to panic, and stepped further and further away, still facing us. Triton suddenly swam behind Neptune, and yoinked Jack, holding him in the water by the back of his shirt. “Uh, hey, brother?” Jack nervously said, as Triton glared at his Roman father. “Uh…” Neptune said, “He’s Roman, not Greek, so at least Poseidon didn’t do it?” Amphitrite, now wearing a black gown, and having white hair, slapped Neptune across the face. I predicted she was now Salacia, her Roman form. Triton now had blue skin instead of green, I suspected he’d become Triden, his Roman form. After some accusational arguing, we all went for dinner. And now, each of our party of five, were just given their own layer of oxygen that magically produces oxygen further. A gift from Salacia, her precision with controlling water with air properties were far better than her husband’s. We ate as we explained our quest and everything to the full family, but Triden was glaring at Jack the entire time.
“I see,” Salacia said, “Athena, I would like to say that Poseidon wouldn’t obliterate you immediately, but I’m afraid my dear husband is correct. This quest you’ll be going on seems to be one of, if not the only way you will succeed.” I assumed so, but hearing it from her didn’t help. Clarisse spoke up, “Neptune, earlier you mentioned we could have a ship to use to get to the Sea of Monsters, is there anything more you can tell us about it?” Triden slammed his fists on the table, “YOU WHAT!? Those are MY ships! You can’t just let them do this!” He yelled. Neptune replied calmly, “Well I did! And Jack’s going to be the Captain!” Triden slammed his fist through the table, breaking straight through it, “YOU’RE LETTING THAT IMPURE SPAWN COMMAND MY SHIP!?” “Hey,” Jack quietly said, “C’mon man, that’s just mean.” Triden turned to glare at Jack, “DON’T TALK TO ME YOU-”
Triden’s plate of food flew up into his face. Ralia then got up, “How about you shut up and just deal with it? You dumb butt.” The plate floated down off of his face, leaving a piece of seaweed on his chin. Triden wiped his face off and stepped up on the table about to jump at Ralia or Jack, when he suddenly was forced into his seat. “Boy!” Neptune angrily yelled at Triden. “Jack is your brother and you are a prince! Behave yourself!” Triden and Neptune looked at each other angrily, until Triden finally backed down, and left the dining hall. Neptune then looked at Jack, “Please, excuse him. He hates my demigod children, as does Triton Poseidon's.” “I could tell.” Jack replied, he looked at Ralia, “Thanks for doing that, Ralia.” Ralia held a thumbs up, “If there's anything I hate more than Venti, it's bullies.” Clarisse looked down for a second, probably thinking about how ironic Ralia's words were.
After dinner, we were brought to the same bay from before. In the crushed fishing boat’s place, we saw a giant ship. Made seemingly from Celestial Bronze, the bow of the ship was shaped as an eastern dragon’s head, the rim and the bow were painted blue, and the rest of the ship was regular Celestial Bronze. It had a large mast, the blue fabric folded up at the moment however. “Woah…” Clarisse said, “How long did this take?” She asked. “Eh, about as long as dinner.” Neptune replied, “You’d be surprised how fast merpeople can work, most of the time needed was just used to get the materials.” Jack touched the port side of the hull, “What's she named?” He asked in amazement. “Whatever you want, she's your ship, Captain.” Neptune told his boy, “Consider it a birthday present to make up for the last fifteen years.” Jack hugged Neptune, “Well it certainly makes it all up!”
Neptune helped us up to the deck, where we saw that this ship resembled a pirate ship more than Greek or Roman. At the back, Jack immediately took the helm, grasping the wheel. Zam finally spoke up, “So, what do we name her?” Before I could speak, Clarisse immediately shut me down. “Athena, don't suggest anything.” I was forced to shut up. “This isn't going to be named after some old hero or any gods or old ships. This is new, this is-” “The Destiny's Bounty!” Jack interrupted, everyone looked at him. “Why?” Zam asked. “It's got a dragon head as the bow, it's a pirate ship, like seriously, how am I not supposed to name it that?” I had to agree, it was a cool name. Until he continued. “Besides, it's a Ninjago reference, who wouldn't like that?” I facepalmed. It made my migraine hurt more though. Ralia rushed over, and high fived Jack, “Now that's what I call good naming! I love it!” She agreed with him.
Neptune then used his Trident to shoot a beam, on both sides of the hull, in cursive was engraved: “Destiny's Bounty”, he then showed us below deck. He showed us four separate bedrooms, one would inhabit Ralia and Clarisse together. Each one had a king size bed, a nightstand with a lamp, a storage chest, a closet for clothes and weapon storage, and a lap desk. Except mine had a heat pad as well, thankfully. These rooms were pressurized to have no leaks or any water coming in, so of course there was maintenance. We covered chores and timetables for it. Neptune then took us to the dining room below the helm. It was large, with a TV with GodTube, Godflix, Godney+, etcetera (Those platforms also have mortal content to watch if you wondered) There was a dining table for six, one of the chairs being far fancier and more comfortable, so of course it was Jack's. And there were six plates and goblets made from Celestial Bronze, where they were enchanted to summon any food or drink you wanted (yes you can make the food or drink blue, I knew you were curious)
Neptune soon let us be as we got ready to surface. Jack was alone at the helm, as he's the only one who can breathe underwater regularly. In the dining room, we looked out the windows to watch as water rushed past us, Poseidon's Kingdom getting further and further away. Eventually, we bursted through the water’s surface, in the air a few feet for a moment, until we landed on the water. We all came outside, seeing Jack with an octopus as a hat. He got the octopus off of him, leaving red circles on his head. “Uh, is anyone else hearing this thing talk?” None of us nodded, “It's a Posei- Neptune kid thing.” I clarified, as Jack gently put the octopus back in the water.
“So, Cap,” Zam began, “Any orders?” I desperately wanted Jack to just let us go to bed and start our chores in the morning. He looked out into the horizon, where we saw the sky had turned an orange hue, as the sun began to set. “Let's all go to bed, we've got quite the day ahead of us tomorrow. I exhaled with relief, as we went back below deck, I held my stomach. “Note:” I said, “Periods plus giant rocking ship, equals worse nausea…” Zam patted my back, sharing my pain quite literally. She helped me to my room, where I laid down, and began using the heating pad on myself. I soon fell asleep, as Zam closed my door after leaving.