Chapter Text
Odysseus' life had definitely changed from then. Ever since he reincarnated, his life had been much more civilised and peaceful than before. It was monotonous at times but it was better than the violent nature of the past that he vaguely remembered. He was just a man in this world.
Despite the occasional encounters with the world he used to be in, Odysseus did not want to deal with most things to do with the gods or monsters again. Most things. Sure, he enjoyed his time with Hermes and Athena back when he was alive in Ithaca and here now, but the thought of ever going back to seemingly ever-repeating battles haunted him yet it always came back to him like a type scene. Familiar and repetitive. He did not enjoy those thoughts.
Yet here he was, dealing with a situation in which he didn't need to be in whilst in a mall.
"Uncle! That lady is following me!"
Just a moment ago, a young boy suddenly grabbed onto Odysseus' shirt tightly and addressed him as 'uncle', putting Odysseus in between him and a lady that was following him.
"Which one is it?"
The boy pointed at a very tall woman who had a long dress and a hat that covered her whole head, still walking towards them, unaware of the fact that Odysseus stared at her.
"Do you know her?"
The boy shook his head.
Have living two lives, Odysseus knew of the dangers that lurked within the societies he lived in. Kidnapping, murder, theft and many other crimes were common, though these days were mellow compared to the past. It still wasn't a good thing either way. Evidently, the woman was trying the kidnap the child.
She approached closer and Odysseus stepped forward boldly, increasing the distance between her and the boy, he asked, "Excuse me? Are you that child's mother?"
Looking closer, the woman was much taller than it first seemed. She was very, very tall, with a face that looked so hideous that Odysseus almost shuddered. She wasn't human at all. It was a monster.
Odysseus clenched his fist at the realisation of which one it was — the Mormo. The same monster that haunted children in Ancient Greece through stories told to them by their parents. Never would he thought that he would see that thing in real life. And considering the stories...
"Uh..."
The Mormo went out and murdered children after Heracles had killed some of the Laestrygonians. It was a vile thing from the monster. He wouldn't allow it and murder this child.
"I'll take it as a no then. Leave our sight or else I will call the police. Don't even think of trying it to others," Odysseus spoke lowly as the monster cursed under it's breath and went away, floating and disappearing after a few steps.
Odysseus regretted not being able to kill it.
Then his expression softened as he turned to face the boy. He reminded him of Telemachus a few years ago back when he was around the child's age. The Mormo had wanted to kill a small child. It was wrong. Though he wasn't better.
Odysseus didn't exactly have a good history with meddling with things that didn't concern him in the first place but... at least this time wasn't because he was doing it for kleos. He didn't mind dealing with this situation — it was only the right thing to do.
"Thank you, sir! That lady was weird. No one I talked to could see her floating at all!"
He could see through the mist?
"Child, what's your name?"
"Percy, sir."
"Where's your parents? Your mother? Your father? It's not safe to be alone at your age."
"Smelly Gabe brought me here, my mom is at work."
Odysseus choked.
"Who's Gabe?"
"Step-father. He brought me here instead."
"Let's find him. Do you know where he is?"
Percy nodded, "I think."
"Lead the way, Percy."
Percy started walking, leaving Odysseus a few steps behind him. The boy's head kept turning around, making sure that Odysseus was still following him in case something happened. Percy was right for that decision. Looking around, Odysseus noticed a few monsters eyeing them here and there, but they made no move to attack yet.
It wasn't long until they found 'Smelly Gabe' in a fast food place which many monsters avoided. As they arrived, they witnessed Gabe arguing with multiple workers. He pointed fingers at them, letting spit fly as he shouted at them and he received his order and sat down at a booth alone, eating whatever junk he had ordered.
Percy seemed reluctant to go near him and Odysseus could see why. At first glance, there was one thing for certain for Odysseus — he did not like that man.
"Are you sure that's your step-father?"
Percy nodded, "Yeah..."
Percy walked forwards toward Gabe. His step-father didn't seem to notice Percy until Odysseus stood right behind him.
"Percy, there you are. Sit here and have some fries," Gabe addressed Percy carelessly, and Percy obediently obeyed him. Then Gabe demanded, "Hey, what's your name?"
"My name is Mētis."
"Metis. Metis... right. Thank you for bringing Percy here."
Odysseus smiled, "No problem," then he looked down with a flash of disgust, "To be honest, you should've kept a closer eye on your son."
"Excuse me?"
Odysseus took the oppurtunity to sit in front of Gabe and looked him in the eye.
"It's a parent's responsibility. Your son is the one under your care."
"I get it! Thank you! You brought the child here so you don't need to deal with-"
"Did you even make any effort to find Percy?"
"I- I..." Gabe stammered.
"Did you even know a monster was following him?"
"No- "
"Do better."
He clenched his fist. Despite this man not being the boy's biological father, he should've had the initiative to care for the boy, not just neglect him. It angered Odysseus, for 20 years he had been wanting and trying to see with his wife and son, yet this man simply did not care for Percy.
Gabe sat there in silence, staring at the table, a bit dumbfounded yet mad.
Odysseus stood up and went for the fast food restaurant's exit, then he turned back to look at those two. Percy waved shyly, subtle enough for not Gabe to see. Odysseus gently smiled and gave a wave too, taking a glimpse of what the boy looked like.
Odysseus noticed Percy looked slightly familiar. A vague memory lit up before dimming down — he couldn't remember.
I've seen those eyes before... but where?
That was the first time he met Percy.
Odysseus walked through the mall, heading down, ignoring the monsters that he passed earlier.
Many years ago, Athena explained to him how the world changed over time, how not everyone saw past the mist, how his past was regarded as 'myth' or 'history' depending on how mortals saw it. Monsters did not attack mortals often these days but it was still possible.
On some days, Odysseus and his family recognised the monsters and spirits that roamed New York, sometimes they couldn't place their finger on where they knew those things from. It was funny. For people who had reincarnated and should've had their memories wiped, they still remembered some memories. It was almost as though someone placed a thick veil over it, concealing most from them. The feelings from each memory still remained however good or bad that memory was.
Exiting the mall, Odysseus was greeted by his son running towards him, slugging his bag over his shoulder.
The two exchanged greetings as they started to walk home together.