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The second he heard the prayer, and the little offering of orange slices, he knew the child was his brothers son. A child that shouldn't exist. He was stunned. For a moment, all he knew was rage, and then he heard the prayer,
King Zeus, please give me the frame of mind to pass judgment fairly instead of acting with my fists first.
It was worded like a young child. It wasn't what his prayers were about, in this day in age, when he got them. It gave him pause.
A small amount of leaders prayed to him, for guidance in war, not exactly his anymore but he passed it along to his son and daughter, and the right to rule. Prayers for rain, sometimes, from desperate farmers.
But this child, who surely didn't know who he was yet, for he would never pray to Zeus if he knew, asked for help with judgment.
He was in one of the many halls of Olympus when it happened, walking with his son. Apollo paused a moment later, his head tilting, and then he smiled, before he seemed to freeze in place. His eyes flickered to him, but Zeus just nodded once,
"He prayed to me as well."
His son's eyes filled with panic, and then it was like a mask slipped into place where his son's face was. They didn't speak of it again, but the next day when similar prayers, 'I can't get in trouble for punching first again' slipped in at the end of it this time. He sighed, but Apollo looked at him in shock, after he assumed the boy's prayer to him had started.
He should have sent something after the boy. But his brother had never once sent anything after his daughter. He wasn't surprised by his son's reaction, but part of him wished he was.
Zeus flicked his wrist, and sent the boy a smidgen of clarity that would hopefully help him throughout the day. He couldn't contain a storm forever, the boy would eventually punch first again, as all of his brothers kids do.
The first prayer was simple, 'help me get to school safely', some orange slices. He heard it while walking with his father. And then, there came the soft singing. The kid wasn't awful, but something about it compelled him to listen in. It had been a long time since a kid, an actual kid besides his own, was praying to him and seeking safety.
He got prayers from exocentric artists, indie bass players, poets struggling through college. And sure, some of them fell under his domain of protector, but only just. And yes, some mothers would ask over their children, but it was nothing compared to when it came from a child.
This was a kid, no older than 10, asking for his protection. It made his chest swell with pride and a feeling he recognized when some of his more dormant pieces where called in.
When he tuned into it, his head just slightly tilting, walking with his father, he was sure he froze. The kid sounded like a seashell, like waves. It was pretty, but chaotic, just like the oceans that ran through his blood.
He was sure his father would kill the kid when he told him that he had prayed this father as well, but the next day came a soft prayer for safety on his way to school, and a soft little song. And Apollo breathed out a soft blessing that he would make it to his school that day without issue from monsters. He would give his protection every time this kid prayed to him, probably even long after he was a kid. A powerful demigod such as this kid, would need it.
Poseidon heard the soft prayer of his son. He was shocked. Sally had assured him that he would not be told about him until he was older. He relaxed as he realized that he was praying about missing the ocean. Not that he knew who he was. It was an odd thing, the prayer. It wasn't like normal ones, nothing about 'grant me safety on the seas' 'I would love to see a water spout' things like that.
It was just that he missed the ocean. He missed Montauk, and the sand dunes.
Poseidon hummed under his breath, his court was busy talking around him. He was half paying attention, and half letting his son work things out for him.
He didn't know how to answer his son's prayer, but he was glad it wasn't urgent. He sent a breeze through the boys open window, and hoped the smell of salt was enough for him.
Percy hid it well from his mom. The one time he brought up Greek Myths to his mom when he was eight, she started crying, though she tried to hide it. He'd made up an excuse, 'oh, some kids where talking about it, some movie.' She nodded, and told him that she didn't want him to look into it anymore.
He had ignored her, and felt bad about doing it. Hiding in the library with the books in his lap. He had slowly, and painfully read them, or listened to the audio books on the computer when the librarians let him, but everything about the subject interested him. Why had she named him Perseus if she didn't want him to look into Greek Myth?
And then one day, he'd been putting The Iliad back on the shelf, when he ran into a girl. She was a few years older then him, but she smiled when he stepped back with an apology. She had asked if he liked the stories, and when he said yes she took him to a different section of the library. The religious section.
"You can treat these as stories, but there might be something more for you here too."
And that was the first time he found out some people still worshiped the gods.
It took him a year to figure out which gods he wanted to worship.
Poseidon was easy, he might not ever sail, but the ocean called his name almost as much as his mother did. He didn't know what to pray to him for, so he usually found himself telling the god about how much he liked the ocean, how much he missed it, how he hoped the creatures of the waters where doing well.
Apollo was also an easy choice. Protector of youth, and healing. Music was ok, though Gabe didn't like it when he sang too loudly. He was ok at writing haiku's and he hoped the god liked them when he gave them as offerings. He never really said why he prayed for his hiding spots to work, or why he wanted protection on his way to school. He figured the god was busy, and usually his prayers where answered. His hiding spots have yet to fail him, and his walks to school were not followed by men with one eyes, and things that hissed.
His last choice, would probably confuse others, if they knew.
Zeus, didn't seem like someone Percy would worship. A lot of his stories were about him messing around with people he shouldn't have. Stories his mom would say he's too young for. But he was the god of hospitality, and markets, and judgment. The freedom giver. He prayed for a clear mind, in the best way he knew how. And most of the time he wouldn't punch first.
His travel altar lived in the bottom of his back pack, and he pulled it out in the hidden space at the bottom of the stairs every morning on his way to school. Gave each of the gods he worshiped an orange slice, hoping it was enough because he didn't have anything else to spare; said his prayers and then shoved the little metal box into his bag. He sang on the way to school.
It had seashells, and his poetry and every oak leaf he has found and pressed in books in the bottom of it, feathers from hawks, and crows. Dried pine needles. He would have a candle or incense but he didn't have the time to light anything in the mornings. Sometimes the things he put in there would disappear overnight. He tried not to think too hard about that.
Sitting on the floor of cabin 11, it was hitting him. How real this all was. He worshiped the gods, yes, but he didn't ever expect any of this. Kids in cabins, a god standing in front of him. He thought of them as energy, not something physical he could touch.
He was the kid of a god. He hoped his parent wasn't too upset if he had accidentally not worshiped them, but considering he worshiped 2 of the big 3, and he couldn't be a child of either of them, or Apollo, he didn't look like any of his kids. So, he hoped his parent wasn't too upset with him. He put some food in the fire, first to Hermes for letting him stay in the cabin, and then something for his parent, saying he'd add them to his altar as soon as they told him who they where. He didn't feel anything when he did, but there was a breeze from the sea when he sat back down at the table, and that cheered him up.
The third night there, Luke came and sat with him again.
"What's the box about?" He asked, his voice kind. One of the kids had taken it, and Percy had flipped out. It was returned, and the kid had promised he hadn't opened it, but Percy had still kept it close to himself the rest of the night.
Percy sighed through his nose, tracing the edge of the box.
"You don't have to tell me, but it's important to you."
Percy nodded once, and then gave a tiny bitter laugh,
"I'm Hellenistic."
Luke gave a hum, like he didn't know what that meant. He probably didn't, they have never used the word before at camp.
"I already worshiped the gods before I got here Luke. It's my travel altar."
Luke blinked at him, and then he grimaced. And Percy nodded a few times,
"Yeah, I know. This isn't how I imagined they'd keep their kids either."
Luke laughed at that, just as bitter as Percy's had been.
Percy was thankful Luke didn't ask him which gods he worshiped.
Percy still gave offerings to the gods he worshiped. He still said his prayers in the mornings, but instead of missing the ocean it was thanks for being able to stand in it's shores. The breeze was stronger then ever those mornings.
He only opened his altar when others weren't around, and only if he had something new to add to it.
His claiming was dramatic.
And then he was told that Zeus probably hated him, wanted him dead.
He wanted the earth to open up and swallow him whole, to take him to his mother. He had chosen to worship Zeus. He had to know about Percy's existence? Unless he had never actually paid attention to the prayers sent his way, despite the fact that Percy had thought he felt something when he prayed.
He sat in his empty cabin with his altar open. He very carefully pulled out each leaf and lined them up. Looked at them, made sure none were damaged. He then put them each gently back into his box. He had already pulled out anything to do with the Apollo and Poseidon, putting them in the window sill and creating a proper altar. He even put a candle up, and there were three different incense holders. He placed the box with everything to do with Zeus in the corner of the window.
"The King blames your father, and though he has not outright said anything about your existence, it would be best for you to go forth, find the bolt and return the bolt to him." Chiron said, and opened his mouth, likely to try and convince him to do it further.
Percy beat him too it. One of the gods he had worshiped for the past 2 and a half years needed something from him, and maybe he could get in good graces with him if he did this.
"Of course I'll do it. Grover, will you come with me?"
He was tired, sore and kinda sticky. The plane ride had been horrifying even though there had never been turbulence. He never wanted to do that again.
He walked up to the man at the front desk.
"I need to speak with the King."
The man looked up, blinked a few times and then said,
"Zeus doesn't speak to anyone who doesn't have an appointment kid."
Percy blinked at him, and then opened his backpack, showing the guard what was in it. The man stood up, looked at it, asked,
"Is that-"
"Do you want me to take it out?" He would never have touched it, but the man shook his head so fast, almost threw the security card at him in his haste to tell him not to take anyone up with him. Percy almost laughed, but instead just raised a brow at him.
The elevator was playing a familiar song when he got in. He smiled, leaning back on the wall while holding the backpack close to his chest. He would sing it at least once a week, in offering to Apollo. He found himself singing along before he could help it.
The doors opened as the song faded out, and the sight took his breath away.
The doors to the throne room where open. Percy peeked in. Standing in the middle of the room where two men. One was dressed in board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. He was wearing different shell bracelets, like the ones that had vanished from Percy's travel altar. No, they where the ones from Percy's altar, his offerings. He swallowed around a lump in his throat as he realized his dad was wearing his offerings.
The other man was dressed in pressed slacks and a lose shirt, his hair neat where his fathers was messy. He looked like a business man who took his meetings in restaurants in rich small towns or vineyards. Places you needed real money to go to. On his wrist was a beaded bracelet, and Percy almost cried when he recognized it.
Despite the different aesthetics, they both looked similar. His father said something, causing Zeus to roll his eyes, and then they landed on him. Percy took a deep breath and walked into the room. He paused a few steps from them, and then bowed to Zeus.
When he stood up straight he held out the backpack and almost dropped to his knees, but then the King stepped forward, taking the bag from him, and then it vanished. Percy blinked, whispered under his breath,
"Where?"
But the King heard him, an amused sound coming from his chest as he clasped Percy's shoulder,
"Sent it off to be cleaned. Don't know where my son took it." He said it with a roll of his eyes. His father stepped forward then,
"Zeus, I don't know what you are doing but-"
"I am greeting one of my most devout followers of this century, brother. One who has done me a great service. He is also my nephew, you know" he said, his face was not smiling, but there was amusement in the corner of his eyes.
Percy felt like his knees where going to give out. Poseidon's eyes widened,
"He's what?"
"Yes, prays to me every morning. A wise prayer, not leading with your fists."
Percy's face felt like it was on fire, he opened his mouth and then shut it. Suddenly a voice came from behind him, and he turned, though he tried not shift enough that the god let go of him.
"Father, Uncle, Percy." The god said. He was tall, blond, and wearing casual clothing, lose linen pants, a long sleeve shirt, and beads of different types around his neck. His eyes were like mini suns. The necklaces were offerings from him, also vanished from his altar.
The Sun god walked right up to him and gripped his arms, below where Zeus has a hand on his shoulder.
"I knew you could do it Percy! I have a haiku for you," The god cleared his throat,
'The hero returned
The Bolt back in The Kings hands
Brothers find peace yet.'"
Percy blinked once and then smiled brightly,
"'Yet' as a synonym for again, my lord?"
Apollo laughed, his hands tightening on his arms, nodding a few times. His father made a sputtering sound, and Percy turned to him. His father was flicking his eyes between the gods. Percy opened his mouth then, his eyes back on the King.
"You don't hate me, your majesty?"
Zeus looked down at him, he had been looking at his brother before. He sighed, his hand gently squeezing Percy's shoulder.
"No, I don't hate you. It was good to get prayers for domains that hadn't been called on in a while. I was angry at your father of course." He said with an eye roll towards his brother, "But, he was not the first to break the oath."
His father cleared his throat, and then pulled Percy away, asking to speak with him.
After the worst conversation he ever thought he'd have with his father, Lord Apollo escorted him out of the throne room.
"I'll transport us to your moms place, just close your eyes, ok?"
He didn't wait for Percy's answer. Percy shut his eyes tight as the light became blinding, and only opened them when the god said he could.
"Hey," Apollo said, his hand on Percy's shoulder again. Percy looked up at him, anxiety in his chest at having the god so close to home.
"About what your dad said, he isn't the best with English even after the years we've been here. He has always been a man of words in Atlantian, so the word he was looking for, well, it was something more like 'mistake'."
Percy wasn't sure how he knew the difference in the meaning of the word, but the word 'mistake' wasn't spoken in English, and it wasn't Greek either. He knew what it meant, and he knew the word had a meaning of 'burden on yourself', as in, Percy's life was a burden he'd have to bear, and his father was sad for him.
Percy blinked at the god, he bowed his head,
"Thank you, Lord Apollo."
Apollo ruffled his hair, making him look up with a slight scowl before he could stop it, which made the god laugh.
"Of course kid, you should go to your mom now."
Percy turned to the door then, as his mom walked out. She noticed him immediately, and before he knew his feet were moving him he was in his mothers arms.
He took a step back after he felt like he could breath again, and opened his mouth only for Gabe to yell from inside the apartment. Percy's face set into a scowl, and he dropped his arms from his mother.
His mother who turned and called back into the apartment. He missed it cause at that moment, Apollo stepped up next to him.
"Who is that?" The god asked, his voice hard. Percy was almost shocked at how different he was from just a few moments ago.
His mom finally noticed that they where not alone. She stood straighter, smoothed her shirt out a bit, and then spoke,
"My husband."
The god took one look at Percy, and then frowned. Percy felt sorrow in the pit of his stomach.
"My hiding places always worked," he whispered then, not sure why he opened his mouth, "thank you."
Sally made a sound like someone had hit her, or maybe like she just found out Percy prayed to Apollo for his hiding spots to work, and then the god walked into the apartment.
Percy didn't follow.
After talking with his mom for a half hour, the god asked if Percy would let him take him back to camp. Percy agreed.
His mom said she'd write him a letter. And Percy said he'd write back. He'd surprise her with an IM if he could.
Apollo took him right to the front porch of the big house, where Mr. D and Luke where talking. It looked like Luke was trying to argue with the god, but he turned and smiled when Percy showed up. His eyes were guarded when they flicked over to the god, but Percy was too busy noticing how Luke looked more like Apollo then he did his own dad.
He was tired, and it was his only explanation for why he did what he did next. He briefly hugged Apollo, who was so shocked he stood there with his arms wide for a moment, and then threw himself at Luke. Luke caught him, laughed a little, spun them around. Luke's hand pushed into his hair, smoothing it back.
"I never wanna do anything like that again," he said into Luke's shoulder. Luke laughed again, pulling him closer.
He made himself pull away, a sorry tumbling off his lips. Luke just shook his head, and ruffled Percy hair affectionately.
Apollo hummed them, making Luke's attention snap to him. But the god wasn't looking at them, he was looking at the camp. Something about the set of his eyes made Percy think he was agitated. He took a step between Luke and the god.
"This isn't right," the god whispered, and Mr.D grunted, the sound of the cards shuffling stopping.
"The horse said its always been this way."
Apollo tilted his head, and then sighed,
"Hey dad, you should see this."
Mr. D scoffed, but then there was suddenly a third god among them. Luke bowed, and Percy waved. Zeus smiled with a corner of his mouth at them, and then started to turn to his son. He paused as he did, looking out at the camp. His eyes hardened and the small smile dropped.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Zeus was the god of hospitality. He didn't appreciate the way Chiron had turned the home for the gods children into an actual summer camp. His cabin wasn't even being used for housing unclaimed demigods, and the concept! It concerned him that some gods were not even claiming their children!
He had been avoiding the place while he was under the oath, of course, but the idea that his cabin had been emptied and a statue put into it without his knowledge irritated him.
To say that the centaur was thoroughly warned that there would not be a repeat of this, was an understatement.