A Hero's Blessing, Chapter 9 (Patreon)

Author's Note: You do not want to know what life has been like, I assure you. But! I hope you all enjoy the chapter! The next one is being written, and before I post on fanfiction or Ao3, I wish to have the entirety of the story posted here.

I hope you all enjoy it! It's a bit rough in a couple places, and I think there's a couple spots where the rewrite missed a scene... But it's finally here.

Herakles POV

Herakles had been quite impressed with cars. And he still was - To give ordinary people a means of crossing entire countries in a matter of days was an accomplishment Hephaestus should be proud of. However, there was something to be said for a mount that didn’t require a road.

The Mares of Diomedes carried them over the last stretch of uneven ground, their hooves digging into the earth as Herakles directed them towards a cluster of trees. Beyond them, he could see a city spreading out along the water, much of it obscured by fog. San Francisco. Assuming they had followed Zoe’s directions correctly, anyways.

He brought his mount to a stop and looked back at the others. “We’re here.” He called out. “You may dismount.”

Percy slid off his horse, took a step, and immediately grabbed a tree. Herakles hid a smile at that.

The others fared little better. Grover practically fell off his mount, landing on his hands and knees before deciding that was good enough and sitting down. Zoe helped Bianca dismount, while Thalia took a moment to glare at the ground before lowering herself carefully.

“What?” His sister demanded as she caught his look. “Never seen somebody get off a horse before?”

“Not with so much consideration.” Herakles replied pleasantly.

Alas, while the mares didn’t tire easily, the same could not be said of their riders. Especially riders who weren’t accustomed to the size of their mounts, and he had pushed hard to get here in one go. 

“I’m gonna feel that tomorrow.” Percy muttered, still holding the tree.

“Tomorrow?” Grover asked incredulously as he collapsed on the ground. “I can feel it right now!”

“At least we arrived before nightfall.” Zoe interrupted, though she was stretching her legs as well. “Had we remained on foot, we wouldst still be near the dam.”

“You see?” Herakles gave Thalia an encouraging smile. “A little discomfort in exchange for several days of walking. An excellent trade.”

“Your definition of ‘little’ needs work.” She grumbled.

One of the mares snorted, a bit of smoke escaping its mouth, and Percy gave it a wary look.

“Yeah, well, thanks for not eating us.” He told it. It promptly turned and stared at Percy for several moments. 

Herakles paused before deciding that was probably best left alone. He waited until they had gathered their belongings before reaching out and placing a hand against the nearest mare. A small effort, and he released the Noble Phantasm, their large forms breaking apart into light and smoke.

The sudden quiet was rather pleasant. Less pleasant was the way everybody was now staring at him.

“Alright.” Percy let go of the tree and faced him properly. “You said you’d answer questions.”

He had, hadn’t he? Herakles let out a sigh. He had put it off at the dam because of the skeletons, and he had no regrets about that. Explaining himself while the enemy searched for them would have been foolish. Explaining himself in front of a goddess would have been worse. Here, however, he could sense no enemies. Nor any gods, though that didn’t necessarily mean much. He had run out of excuses. “I did.” He acknowledged. “And I will.”

Thalia, who had looked ready to contribute, looked at him skeptically. “Just like that?”

“I gave you my word.”

“Yeah, and usually that comes with another reason we have to wait.”

Herakles chuckled, though the amusement faded as he looked over the others. Bianca stood next to Zoe, her hands gripping the straps of her bag. Grover had gotten to his feet, and Percy was watching him with an expression Herakles couldn’t quite place. Zoe simply waited, arms folded.

They had been patient with him. Far more than he would have been in their place. An unknown man had offered to help, and they had accepted. Then said man had repeatedly shown abilities that didn’t fit what they knew, all while refusing to explain anything about himself. His actions might have earned him some trust. But that would only go so far.

“There are things I still cannot tell you.” Herakles said, holding up a hand when Thalia immediately opened her mouth. “There is a reason. Let me explain, and you may decide whether you wish me to continue with you.”

Zoe tilted her head slightly. “Thou hast had several opportunities to explain before now.” She noted neutrally. 

“Yes.” He agreed. Out of all of them, he suspected Zoe had seen the most, and was actually quite curious as to what theories she had put together. His continued aid was no doubt the only reason she did not push. “And each time, I decided that the risk was too great.”

“What risk?” Percy asked, frowning.

Herakles glanced upwards, and saw Zoe follow the movement. “The gods.” He answered bluntly. “I don’t know how closely they are watching you. However, we have encountered enough of them that I would rather be cautious.”

Thalia looked unconvinced. “They’ve already seen you though. Ares was standing right in front of you.”

“And he was quite bothered that he didn’t recognize me.” Herakles pointed out. “Imagine how that encounter would have gone had I given him something more to be concerned about.”

That earned him a grimace. Good. They had all seen how close that had come to a fight. He took a moment to consider where to begin. “My name is Alcides.” He stated. “It was the name given to me at birth. I have used others, but that one is mine.”

Zoe’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he continued before she could ask.

“I was born in Ancient Greece. Zeus is my father. Chiron trained me, as I told you before, and I spent much of my life going on quests. I had a family. Children.” Herakles paused, pushing past the familiar ache. “And I died a very long time ago.”

For several seconds, nobody said anything. Then Grover sniffed. Herakles looked at him, and the satyr flushed. “Sorry. It’s just… You don’t smell dead.”

Herakles raised a careful eyebrow at that. 

“Hold on.” Thalia cut in, looking between him and Percy as if hoping somebody else would explain. “You’re dead?”

“I was.” Herakles confirmed, watching her struggle with that.

Thalia looked him over, as if expecting to find something she had missed before. “And you’re Zeus’ son?”

Herakles couldn’t help the small smile that formed. “I did tell you that you were my sister.”

“You made it a bet!” She protested. “Who does that?!”

“I did.” He smirked at her expression. “And it worked rather well, didn’t it?” 

Thalia looked like she wanted to strangle him, but couldn’t figure out which part to start with. Zoe took the opportunity to speak. “A shade cannot simply return to the living.” She said carefully. “Not without Lord Hades’ permission. And even were he to grant it, thou art hardly what I would expect.”

“I am not a shade.”

“Then what art thou?”

Herakles grimaced. There was the question he had been hoping to avoid. “That is part of what I cannot tell you.” He admitted.

“Oh c’mon!” Thalia threw her hands up. “You can’t tell us you’re dead and then stop there! How is being dead less of a secret then that?!”

“I have just explained why.”

“You explained why the gods can’t know.” Percy said. “We’re right here!”

Herakles opened his mouth, then closed it again. Yes. They were. And he was beginning to sound like the very people he had spent most of his life arguing with.

That was an unpleasant thought. Unfortunately, it did nothing to solve the problem. If he told them and Olympus heard, he doubted he’d be allowed to remain. A goddess had already found him without knowing what he was. How much worse would it be if they knew? And if he was taken away, who would be there when the next child decided to run underneath a giant automaton?

“There are things about me that the gods do not understand.” Herakles said eventually. “You have seen that yourselves. If I explain what I am, I suspect they will want me brought before them immediately. I would prefer that happen after we have rescued your friends.”

Bianca frowned. “Do you really think they’d do that?”

“Would they leave something they don’t understand beside two children of the ‘Great Prophecy’?” He asked, looking at Zoe. 

One day, he truly should learn what this Great Prophecy was about. But that wasn’t important at this time. 

“They sent you to find Artemis.” He continued. “They might decide you can finish without me. And perhaps you could. But I would rather be here to help.”

Percy rubbed at the back of his hand, eyes lowered to the red marks. Herakles watched the movement, and decided that much, at least, could be answered. “I can tell you why I came.”

The boy looked up.

“The night you left camp, you went into the woods.” Herakles began, watching recognition give way to alarm. “You were worried about your friends. You wanted somebody to help them. An adult hero, like the ones you had heard of in stories.”

Percy went pale. “You heard that?” He asked quietly.

“Yes.”

Thalia looked at Percy, her anger giving way to confusion. Grover moved a little closer to his friend.

“I didn’t…” Percy stopped, swallowing. “I wasn’t trying to call anybody.”

“I know.” Herakles assured him gently. “But I heard you nonetheless. And I chose to answer.”

That had been the easy part. Getting here had been rather more difficult, and he still wasn’t sure how he had managed it. The Throne had allowed him through, but whether that was because of Percy or his own determination, he couldn’t say. Perhaps both.

“So you came because of Percy?” Bianca asked hesitantly. “Just because he asked for help?”

“Yes.” Herakles answered.

Bianca seemed to be waiting for more. He wasn’t sure what else to give her. Percy had needed help. He had been able to hear him. Whatever difficulties had followed, that part had never seemed particularly complicated.

Percy was staring at his hand again. “And these?” He held it up. “They appeared after I left camp. They did something when you brought out the horses, too. Are they because of you?”

“They are connected to me.” Herakles acknowledged. “I will explain them as well. But you have not forced me to do anything, Percy.”

Percy’s mouth closed on whatever he had been about to ask.

“I came willingly.” Herakles continued. “You could not have dragged me here had I refused.”

Not easily, anyways. Command Seals were indeed powerful, but Herakles was rather confident in his ability to resist. 

“I wasn’t going to apologize.” Percy muttered.

… Ah. Herakles had been rather certain that he was.

“Can they use them to find you?” The boy asked, covering the marks with his other hand. “The gods, I mean.”

“I do not know.” He shrugged. There was no use in worrying of such details now. If they could, they had not used it yet. If they couldn’t, then nothing changes. 

“After the quest.” Zoe said slowly. “Thou hast said that before.”

“I have.”

“And what prevents thee from leaving once it is finished?”

“Besides my word?” Herakles raised an eyebrow. “The goddess at the dam intends to escort me to Olympus. I have already agreed.”

Percy blinked. “Mrs Hebert?”

“Yes.”

“I knew there was something weird about her!”

Thalia gave him a look. “You asked if she had the Sight.”

“She could have had the Sight and been weird!” Percy protested, earning a small snort from Grover.

Herakles let them have the distraction for a moment. Then he looked back to Zoe, who appeared far less surprised.

“I gave her my word that I would go with her after the quest.” He explained. “In return, she offered to delay anyone who might attempt to take me before then.”

“And thou accepted?” Zoe asked sharply.

Herakles raised an eyebrow. “You trusted her enough to stay in her home.”

“That is hardly the same as agreeing to be brought before Olympus.”

“No.” He admitted. “But I expect I will have to go regardless. This seemed preferable.”

Zoe looked displeased, but she didn’t argue further.

“Wait, you still don’t know which goddess she is?” Thalia asked.

“I do not.”

“And you made a deal with her?”

“It was a rather straightforward agreement.”

Thalia stared at him for a second before rubbing her face. “You know, you’re not nearly as reassuring when you actually explain stuff.”

He couldn’t quite argue with that.

“Look.” Percy interrupted. “Can we go find Annabeth first? We can do this while we’re walking.”

“Percy.” Thalia began.

“What? We’ve been standing here arguing about whether he’s gonna answer questions, and he’s still not answering them!”

Herakles frowned. He had answered several, actually. Quite significant ones.

… Though pointing that out would probably not help.

Zoe watched Percy for a moment, then turned back to Herakles. “Until my lady is free. Then thou shalt explain. To all of us.”

“I will.”

“And if this arrangement of thine threatens the quest, I expect to hear of it before a god arrives to collect thee.”

That was fair. He nodded, and she bent to retrieve her bag.

Thalia lingered as the others started towards the road. “I’m not forgetting this.”

“I did not ask you to.”

“No. You just keep calling me your sister like I’m supposed to know what that means.”

She walked away, and Herakles chuckled under his breath. 

What did it mean? Why did it need to change anything? They were family. It was as simple as that. 

Herakles remained by the trees a moment longer before following after them. 

Zoe was the first one to provide a plan. 

“We know Lady Artemis came here while hunting a creature. We know that Atlas seeks it as well. If we canst learn what it is, we may learn why she was taken.”

They had found a bench overlooking the water, and Zoe was spreading their map out across it. Percy was grateful for the chance to stop walking. His legs were still not particularly happy with him.

“Ok, but how do we do that?” Thalia asked. “Walk around asking people if they’ve seen a really dangerous monster lately?”

“There is one who might know.” Zoe replied. “Nereus. The Old Man of the Sea.”

Herakles grunted. There was a flash from his past he wasn’t expecting. 

“You know him?” Percy asked.

“Yes.” Herakles answered, giving Zoe a considering look. “You know where to find him?”

“He frequents the waterfront. Often in the guise of a homeless man.”

Percy glanced along the waterfront, then back to her. “Is there anything more specific? Because that’s a pretty big area.”

“His scent.” Zoe answered. “Even amongst the fish, thou shalt know him.”

Grover’s nose twitched unhappily.

“And then we ask him about the monster?” Bianca asked.

Zoe hesitated just long enough for Percy to feel worried. “After we catch him.”

Ah. There it was.

“He is a shapeshifter.” She continued. “He will attempt to escape. If thou canst hold him until he yields, he must answer one question.”

Percy waited for a second before realizing she was looking at him.

“Oh no.” He shook his head. “Why are you looking at me?”

“Thou art a son of Poseidon.”

“And he’s older than my dad, right? How does that help?”

“Shouldst he enter the water, thou wilt be able to follow.” Zoe replied patiently. “The rest of us would be at a disadvantage.”

Percy glanced at Herakles, and then back at Zoe. “What about him? He just beat up a bunch of immortal skeletons!”

“Nereus would flee before he got close.” Zoe stated, looking pointedly at the large man. “He is hardly inconspicuous.”

Herakles felt a surge of amusement at that jab. Unless this Nereus was exceptionally different, he rather doubted that. But, this would be a good workout for the boy. Nereus wouldn’t kill him - the old god was quite careful about avoiding making enemies. As far as opponents went, he was rather safe. 

“Do not look so discouraged.” Herakles told Percy, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You have an advantage in the water. Use it. The difficulty will be keeping hold of him long enough to get there.”

“That’s the part I’m worried about.” Percy muttered.

Alcides looked at him for a moment before nodding. “Then let us practice.”

“Do that - We shall find a disguise for thee.” Zoe concluded and began walking away with the others.

The practice itself went… Well enough. Though Percy was clearly unused to wrestling. It was unfortunate, but the goal in this case was not to defeat, but to temporarily restrain.

“Do not simply cling to whatever you first grab.” Alcides instructed, shifting Percy’s hand a little. “He will change shape, and he will do so quickly. If you remain holding a limb he no longer has, you will lose him.”

“And if he turns into something really small?”

“Adjust with him. Keep him close. And do not let him distract you into loosening your grip. Your advantage will be the water - he will not expert that. He will anticipate being strengthened, not the other way around.”

Percy nodded, trying to remember it all.

“Also, expect him to bite.” Herakles added.

“... Great. Why am I doing this again?”

“The experience will be good for you.” 

“Do you really think I’ll be able to sneak up on him?” 

“I have faith the others will find an appropriate disguise.” 

“Alcides? Your faith in others sucks.”

Percy looked around helplessly in the disguise the others had chosen. Herakles would give it to them - they certainly succeeded in making him appear a vagrant. Too large for his size, while secondhand. 

Thalia was already grinning, while Bianca was giving him a sympathetic look that was ruined by the way she kept glancing away to hide her smile. 

And Percy glared at them mutinously. “I hate you.”

“Hey, you wanted to be part of the quest.” Thalia snickered. 

“Just think, if I wasn’t here, this would probably have been you.” Percy pointed out. 

“Yeah, but you are here, so it’s you.” Thalia shrugged. “I bless the present I’m in as opposed to dreading the present I’m not.” 

“Come.” Zoe instructed, ignoring them. “The sooner we find him, the sooner thou canst change.”

Herakles remembered Nereus as being difficult, unpleasant, and far more troublesome to catch than a man of his apparent age had any right to be. Looking at the old god sitting near the end of the pier, he was pleased to see that some things remained consistent.

Though he didn’t remember the smell being quite so bad.

“He is there.” Zoe murmured, gesturing towards an old man sorting through a pile of cans and fishing line.

“I noticed.” Percy replied, face twisted in disgust. “Gods, how can everybody stand being near him?”

“The Mist, presumably.” Herakles said. It seemed to be doing quite a bit in this reality, so what was one more? “Remember what I showed you.”

Percy nodded and began walking over, shoulders hunched as he attempted to appear harmless. It wasn’t a bad attempt. The clothes were helping, as was the way he kept rubbing his legs. He looked like a tired boy who wanted somewhere to sit, and Nereus barely glanced at him before returning to his belongings.

The boy waited until he was close before lunging, managing to get both arms around Nereus’ middle. The god let out a startled shout, cans scattering as they stumbled backwards. A decent start. His feet were too close together, but he had caught him.

Then Nereus twisted, and Percy attempted to hold him by his coat.

Herakles winced. That had lasted less time than he hoped.

“What?” Bianca asked worriedly. “Is something wrong?”

“His grip.” Herakles muttered as Percy ducked an elbow and nearly tripped over his own feet. “He is giving him too much room to move.”

Percy attempted to pull the god back. Nereus went with the movement, causing Percy to stumble, and both of them fell against a bench.

Thalia hissed in sympathy. “Ouch.”

Herakles nearly stepped out from behind the stall. He stopped himself, with some difficulty. Percy still had hold of the god. Interfering now would only let Nereus claim they had broken whatever rules he decided applied.

Besides, he had given Percy all of a few minutes to learn. It was hardly fair to expect him to remember everything.

His feet, though. Surely he could remember his feet?

At least he hadn’t let go.

Nereus and Percy then ended up rolling across the sand back and forth, shouts and exclamations from others filling the air, and Herakles found himself rubbing his forehead. This… This wasn’t wrestling. This was some sort of parody of wrestling that Herakles saw in children. 

Did the Mist make this easier, or harder for people to watch? 

Chiron. His old teacher was alive here, and once this was all over they would have a great deal to talk about. He would add wrestling to the list.

Nereus suddenly dove off the pier, and Percy yelped as the two of them fell into the sea. Herakles moved to the railing with the others, watching as Nereus changed. 

The next part was easier to observe - once Percy was in his element, it became a matter of time before Nereus finally grew tired, and eventually, Nereus returned to his human form, his complaints audible even before Percy brought them back to the surface.

“Alright! One question! Let go, ya little leech!”

The water surged, lifting the pair back onto the pier. Percy staggered as his feet met the wood, but kept one arm wrapped firmly around the god. “Promise?” He demanded, breathing heavily.

“Yes, yes, that’s the agreement! One question!” Nereus snapped. “Not that I’ve ever had anybody try to drown me to get it before!”

“You’re a sea god!” Percy protested.

“Then you should have known it wouldn’t work!”

Herakles straightened as they approached, and Percy gave them a relieved look.

Nereus glared at all of them. “Well? I haven’t got all day.”

Percy opened his mouth, then hesitated.

Herakles could guess what he wanted to ask. The girl, Annabeth. Where she was, whether she was safe. The boy had been worrying about her since before Herakles arrived. Yet they had come here to find out what Artemis had been hunting. That was the purpose of their quest, and they still didn’t know what made the creature dangerous. Zoe waited, her expression tight, but she didn’t interrupt.

“What was the monster Artemis was hunting?” Percy asked eventually. “The one that could destroy Olympus?”

Nereus stopped glaring. For a moment, the god looked almost regretful. “The Ophiotaurus.” He answered. “Born of earth and sea. Half bull, half serpent.”

Percy blinked.

“It is harmless by itself.” Nereus continued, eyeing him carefully. “But burn its entrails in sacrifice, and whoever does so gains the power to overthrow Olympus.”

Herakles frowned. That was… Quite the weakness for the gods to leave unattended. He had never heard of such a creature in his own world. Though if the mere act of sacrificing it granted that sort of power, perhaps the gods had made sure nobody would.

“Bessie?” Percy whispered.

Everybody looked at him.

“Bessie?” Thalia repeated.

Percy looked vaguely ill. “I found a creature like that near camp. It was caught in a net, and I helped it get out. I thought it was just… I don’t know, some sort of sea cow!”

Nereus made a disapproving noise. “A sea cow. The child of Poseidon, everyone.”

Percy ignored him. “That’s what they’ve been looking for?”

“It would explain much.” Zoe murmured, looking troubled. “If my lady discovered what the creature was, then Atlas could not allow her to take it to Olympus.”

“Or they used it to get her out here.” Thalia pointed out, her expression darkening. “She was hunting it when she left us.”

Grover swallowed. “And now they’ve got Artemis, but they’re still looking for the Ophiotaurus.”

Percy loosened his hold on Nereus, staring at the water.

“Percy.” Herakles said firmly.

The boy looked back at him.

“Do not call it here.”

“I wasn’t -” Percy stopped, then grimaced. 

“You are a son of Poseidon, and it is a creature of the sea.” Herakles pointed out. “You must be careful.”

Percy looked back at the water, his hand tightened on Nereus’ coat. “Right.”

“Your answer has been given.” The god interrupted testily, tugging at Percy’s arm. “Unless you’re planning on carrying me around for the rest of the evening?”

Percy hastily released him. “Right. Sorry.”

The old god huffed and began wringing out his coat, complaining under his breath as he looked at his scattered belongings. Herakles caught a few words about young heroes and the state of the world, and decided they had probably overstayed their welcome. He guided Percy away with a hand on his shoulder.

“You did well.” He told him.

The boy looked up, some of the worry leaving his face. “Really?”

“You recognized your advantage and used it. That was good.”

Percy smiled.

“Your wrestling, however, needs considerable work.”

Thalia immediately started laughing.

“Oh c’mon!” Percy protested. “I won!”

“You did.” Herakles agreed. A good showing should always be rewarded, regardless of how horrible it looked. “Be pleased with that. We will practice the rest later.”

He was quite serious. Chiron would be hearing about this.

Percy’s POV

Percy managed to put off worrying about Bessie for about three minutes. Which, considering he had just found out that his weird sea cow friend could be used to destroy Olympus, was probably pretty impressive.

They had walked far enough down the waterfront that he could no longer hear Nereus complaining. Percy had gotten rid of most of the water in his clothes, but unfortunately being a son of Poseidon did nothing about the smell. He was going to need a shower. Possibly several.

“Mount Tamalpais.”

Percy looked up as Zoe stopped, following her gaze across the water. Beyond the bridge, he could see a dark mountain through a gap in the fog. It didn’t look particularly special. Certainly nothing like the Empire State Building, which had been fairly impressive even before he knew Olympus was on top of it.

But Zoe was staring at it like it had personally offended her.

“That’s where they are?” Percy asked, his grip tightening on Riptide in his pocket.

“The Titans have claimed it as Mount Othrys.” Zoe replied quietly. “It is where Atlas will have returned.”

Annabeth. Somewhere on that mountain, Annabeth was waiting for them. Percy took a step forward before realizing that didn’t actually help when there was an entire bay in the way. Still. They knew where she was now.

“Alright.” Thalia adjusted her bag. “How do we get there?”

“After we rest.” Alcides interjected.

Percy turned to him. “What?”

Alcides looked back, his expression far too calm for Percy’s liking. “We find somewhere to eat, clean up, and sleep for a few hours. Then we go.”

“But we’re here!” Percy protested, gesturing at the mountain. “We can see it! We can use your horses and be up there in no time at all!”

“And you can barely walk.”

“I can walk fine!”

“Alcides.” Zoe spoke sharply. “We have little time remaining.”

The large man looked at her, then at the rest of them. “We have less time to afford a mistake” Percy was about to protest that he was fine when Alcides continued.

“You know what waits on that mountain better than I do. Would you have them face it as they are?”

Zoe’s mouth tightened.

“We can manage.” Thalia said stubbornly.

“Perhaps.” Alcides agreed. “But why make it harder than it has to be? We made good time coming here. Use some of it.”

Percy found himself gritting his teeth. Annabeth was up there. He could still remember her in his dream, struggling beneath a weight he hadn’t understood. Knowing where she was and choosing to stop felt wrong. But he could also remember how quickly he’d gotten tired fighting Nereus before they hit the water. And the ride had hardly left him feeling ready to fight an army.

Zoe looked towards the mountain for a long moment.

“How long?” She asked at last.

“A meal, and four hours of sleep.” Alcides replied promptly. Like he’d already planned it, the jerk.

“Then we leave.”

“Yes.”

Zoe took a breath before turning to them. “We shall rest first.” She decided. “Check thine supplies as well. I would rather discover what we lack here than on the mountain.”

Percy glanced at Thalia, who looked about as happy as he felt. But neither of them argued. They’d come this far. A few hours to make sure they could finish it… He could do that. Probably.

Finding a hotel turned out to be surprisingly easy. Percy had expected questions about the lack of parents, the weapons, maybe the fact that one of them looked like he’d just crawled out of a dumpster. Instead, Zoe said a few words about an outing that had gone wrong, waved her hand, and the clerk was suddenly quite helpful. Percy really needed to learn how to do that.

Three rooms with connecting doors later, Alcides pointed him towards a bathroom.

“Leave the coat outside.”

Percy had been about to drop it on the bathroom floor. He settled for handing it to Alcides, who took it between two fingers and held it away from himself.

Yeah. Try wearing it.

He shut the door. The hot water was… Ok, fine, Alcides might have had a point. He felt better almost immediately, and while that did nothing to stop him worrying about Annabeth, it at least let him worry about her without smelling like Nereus.

He tried not to think about Bessie while he washed. It had been caught in a net. That was it. He’d seen something that needed help, so he helped. He hadn’t thought that somebody might want to cut it open and burn its insides.

Who even figured something like that out?! Somebody just sees a cute sea cow and thinks ‘hey, this must be able to give me power!’

By the time everybody was washed and their various injuries checked, Percy’s stomach had begun reminding him that lunch had been a while ago. Apparently it wasn’t the only one, because when Alcides suggested finding food nobody even pretended to argue.

The restaurant they found was warm, fairly busy, and smelled good enough that Percy was pretty sure he would have eaten anything they put in front of him.

Alcides seemed determined to test that.

For several minutes, they were too busy eating to do much talking. There was chicken, beef, potatoes, vegetables for Grover, and a pile of pasta that Percy had thought was excessive until he realized how much he’d already eaten. Maybe riding robot horses was hungrier work than he thought.

“Hey!” He protested as Thalia stole a potato from his plate. “You’ve got your own!”

“I finished mine.”

“Then get more from the middle!”

“Yours was closer.”

Percy pulled his plate away. In his defense, these were the ones with the crunchy bits, and Thalia had already picked most of those out of the middle. She knew exactly what she was doing.

He waited until she reached for her drink before taking the bread off her plate. She kicked him under the table.

Well, she tried.

“Ow!” Grover bleated.

“Sorry!” Thalia and Percy said together. Which was unfair, because Percy hadn’t kicked anybody.

It was… Nice, actually.

Mrs Hebert had fed them well. Percy wasn’t forgetting that. But it had been difficult to relax when he’d kept wondering why some random woman was being so helpful. Now he knew why, sort of, and he was at a restaurant with his friends. There weren’t any skeletons chasing him. Nothing had tried to eat him since they sat down. He glanced suspiciously at the kitchen, just in case.

Nope. Still good.

Alcides caught the look and raised an eyebrow, but Percy shook his head and returned to his food. He wasn’t going to say anything out loud. That was practically asking for trouble.

When the server came by to ask about dessert, Percy found himself looking at the menu hopefully.

“I don’t suppose you have anything blue?”

Thalia groaned. “Not this again.”

The server blinked before smiling. “We have blueberry sauce?”

Perfect. A bowl of ice cream arrived a few minutes later, and Percy was quite pleased to find it was just as good as it looked.

“Mrs Hebert would want you to try the other toppings first.” Bianca pointed out, smiling a little.

“Well, she isn’t here.” Percy replied, taking another bite.

“She’s a goddess.” Grover reminded him quietly.

Percy paused before looking at his ice cream. … He was not getting drawn into another argument about blue food with a goddess. He had enough problems.

He took another bite and ignored Thalia laughing at him.

Herakles POV

The meal had helped. Herakles hadn’t doubted it would, but it was good to see nonetheless. Percy and Thalia were bickering, Bianca had stopped looking as though she expected something to attack, and Grover was eating actual food. After the junkyard, he would admit to keeping a close eye on that last one.

Even Zoe had relaxed a little. Not enough to stop watching the room, but she had accepted more food without protesting, and was letting the others talk.

He ate a little himself, enjoying the unfamiliar seasoning. (He would have asked what it was, but he had already caused enough trouble with the menu.) There had been more variety in their meals these past few days than some of his quests had offered in months. Iolaus would have loved this place. Though given the amount of food on the table, they might have had trouble convincing him to leave. Herakles smiled at the thought, then returned his attention to his companions as they began discussing the mountain again.

They had lingered long enough.

Back at the hotel, Zoe spread the map across one of the beds. Herakles brought the desk chair closer, considered it for a moment, then decided to remain standing. He had been enjoying these modern conveniences. It would be a shame to break one.

“The approach is concealed by the Mist.” Zoe began. “We may encounter monsters before we reach it, but once we pass through, we must assume we are being watched.”

“By who?” Percy asked.

“Whatever Atlas has placed there.” She answered. “Monsters. Demigods. The mercenaries thou saw before. We do not know how many he has gathered.”

Herakles nodded. “And the terrain?”

“A garden lies on the path. Ladon guards it.”

Percy sighed. “Of course he does. I’m guessing Ladon isn’t a friendly gardener?”

“He is a dragon.” Zoe replied flatly.

“Yeah, that sounds about right.”

Herakles studied the map, though it told him little about what lay beyond the Mist. A garden guarded by Ladon. Atlas nearby. “The Hesperides will be there as well.” He murmured. “We should account for the seven of them as well.” 

Zoe stiffened beside him. “That is one too many.” she said tightly. 

Herakles frowned. He was quite certain he remembered correctly. “Six, then.” He conceded after a moment. Another difference. He was beginning to think he should start writing them down.

Zoe was still staring at the map. The others had noticed her reaction, but nobody seemed eager to ask about it. “We shall avoid Ladon if possible.” She continued. “I know the way through.”

“And once we’re past him?” Percy asked, leaning closer. “Artemis has the weight Annabeth was holding, right?”

“The sky.” Zoe replied, her expression darkening. “The burden Atlas was sentenced to bear.”

Herakles felt his hands tighten. He had suspected. Of course he had, once he knew Atlas was free and Artemis was imprisoned. Yet there was a difference between suspecting and hearing that a child had been forced underneath it first. He looked down at the map until his anger settled enough to think.

“Then Atlas must take it back.” He stated. “Defeating him alone will not be sufficient.”

Zoe nodded. “Another must bear the sky before my lady can leave it.”

“Very well.” Herakles considered their numbers. Not many, but each had shown promise. More importantly, they didn’t need to destroy the enemy army. They needed to reach two prisoners and make sure Atlas could not stop them.

“I will take Atlas.” Everybody looked at him.

Thalia was the first to speak. “You’re just going to fight a Titan?”

“Unless he can be persuaded to return to his punishment willingly.” Herakles said. He looked at Zoe. “Can he?”

There were enough differences. Unlikely though it may be, perhaps this would be one?

“No.” Her answer was immediate. “And do not underestimate him. Atlas commanded the armies of Kronos.”

“I do not intend to.” Herakles assured her. “But somebody must keep him occupied, and I am the best suited.” She looked like she wanted to argue with that. Unfortunately for her, they both knew it was true.

“Miss Nightshade, I would recommend you handle Luke.” He continued. “I know little of his abilities, but I would rather have somebody experienced keep him from interfering.”

Percy glanced at Thalia, who had gone quiet.

“He’s good.” Percy said reluctantly. “With a sword, I mean. Probably the best at camp.”

“Then he shall have my attention.” Zoe replied. Thalia’s jaw tightened, but she nodded.

“Percy, Bianca, Grover.” Herakles looked at each of them. “Your task is to reach Artemis and Annabeth. Clear a path between them and Atlas. Do not allow somebody to close it behind you.”

Grover swallowed. “Right. So… Fight everybody between us and them?”

“Only as much as you must.” Herakles corrected. “If you can force them back, bind them, or keep them occupied, do so. A monster tangled in roots cannot stop you simply because it is still alive.” The satyr looked a little more encouraged at that.

“Bianca, support them with thine bow. Keep where they can see you, and tell them if thou need to move.” Zoe instructed. 

She nodded seriously. “I will.” Herakles resisted the urge to add anything more. She had listened at the junkyard. Repeating the lesson in front of everybody would accomplish little beyond embarrassing her.

“And me?” Thalia demanded. “What am I doing?”

“You will remain in reserve.”

Her expression immediately soured. “You want me to have nothing to do?”

“I would be delighted if you had nothing to do.” Herakles replied honestly. “Unfortunately, battles rarely go that smoothly.”

Thalia folded her arms, clearly waiting for a better answer.

“We do not know how many enemies are there.” He explained. “Nor what they are. If the Hesperides join the fight, you will deal with them. If the others are being overwhelmed, you will help them. If another group arrives, somebody must be free to respond.”

Her glare eased a little, though she still looked annoyed.

“If I assign you to a particular opponent, then you cannot do any of that without abandoning your own task.” He continued. “We need somebody who can move.”

“So I get whoever you didn’t account for.”

“Yes.”

“And if nobody shows up?”

“Help the others reach Artemis.”

Thalia looked down at the map again. She did not unfold her arms.

“This is only a plan.” Herakles reminded them. “We may reach the summit and find something entirely different. But whatever changes, remember why we are there. We free Artemis, recover Annabeth, and leave together.”

Zoe gave a firm nod. “Do not pursue anybody who retreats. Bianca, when we choose a position for thee, stay there until we are ready to move. And do not leave the group without warning.”

Percy glanced at Bianca, then quickly looked away. Herakles chose to ignore it.

“What about the Ophiotaurus?” Grover asked. “Should we tell somebody?”

“Once my lady is free, she can bring word to Olympus.” Zoe answered. “Until then, we know neither where the creature is nor who might be listening.”

“We could use an Iris Message.” Percy said.

“And give its name and purpose where we do not know who may hear?” Zoe asked. “No. My lady will know what to do.”

Percy leaned back against the wall. He did not look convinced. Herakles couldn’t entirely blame him. It was a great deal to leave unattended, but he had no better way to reach Olympus quietly. Adding another unknown goddess to the arrangement was hardly an improvement.

They returned to checking their supplies. Herakles made Bianca draw her bow once before putting it away, to see whether her ribs were still troubling her. They were, though she tried to hide it. Zoe sent her for ice and gave him a look when he began to suggest more ambrosia.

“She hath had enough.”

He grunted and left it at that. He knew the limits. Knowing them had never made waiting for injuries to heal any less irritating.

Thalia was checking her spear near the door. He had expected another objection from her by now, but she had said little since he assigned her role. That concerned him more than arguing would have.

“Is there something you would change?” He asked.

She looked up. “Would you listen?”

“Thalia.”

“What?” She glanced at Zoe, then back at him. “You’ve already decided. I say something, you tell me why you’re right, and we end up doing it anyways.”

Herakles felt himself bristle. He had spent the last several minutes asking for their thoughts. Had changed his instructions when they needed changing. It was hardly his fault that her objection so far amounted to being unhappy with her place in the fight.

Then he noticed Percy had stopped packing.

Ah. This was not a conversation to have here.

He stepped into the hallway and held the door. Thalia stared at him for a moment before following.

“Luke?” He asked once it was closed.

“Yeah. Luke.”

“Zoe has more experience.”

“And I know him.”

“And he knows you.”

Thalia’s expression hardened. Herakles sighed. He had meant to be more careful than that.

“I am not accusing you of anything.”

“You don’t have to. You think I’m gonna freeze up.”

“I think he will speak to you. And while you are listening, somebody else may put a blade in your back.”

She opened her mouth, then looked away. From inside the room came a clatter, followed by Percy insisting he hadn’t broken anything.

Neither of them went to look.

“He kept us alive.” Thalia said. “Me and Annabeth. Before camp, before any of this. You weren’t there.”

“No.”

“So maybe I can get him to listen.”

“And if you cannot?”

“I don’t KNOW!” She snapped, then lowered her voice. “That’s why I want to talk to him.”

Herakles rubbed a hand over his face. There were arguments he could make. Quite good ones, actually. None of them would change the fact that she remembered a boy who had protected her, and he knew only the man who had helped put Annabeth beneath the sky.

He was not inclined to be generous to that man.

“If there is an opportunity to speak without endangering the others, take it.” He said at last. “But I will not arrange the battle around giving him a chance to explain himself.”

Luke had made his choices, and those choices were putting other children at risk. Perhaps in a different setting, Herakles would be more willing to talk. But as it was? A battlefield was chaotic enough. Before? He had no issue with. After? Certainly. During? No. And he would not rearrange the field to settle his little sister’s pride. 

Thalia stared at the carpet. “I didn’t ask you to.”

Hadn’t she? He stopped himself from saying it. She was already reaching for the door.

“Thalia.”

She paused.

“I do need you free to move. That was not an excuse.”

“I heard you the first time.”

She went inside. Herakles stayed where he was for a moment, listening to Zoe tell the others to get some sleep.

Well. That could have gone better. However much she disliked it though, he believed she would follow through.

Herakles took several moments to go over the plan in his head. It was as good a plan as any, and though he had no doubt something would occur to throw it into disarray, he was fairly confident in their ability to overcome it.

Several minutes later, and he walked over to the boy's room. Grover was already asleep, one arm hanging off the bed. Percy sat on the other with Riptide uncapped across his knees.

“Put that away before you fall asleep.” Herakles told him.

“I’m not tired.”

Herakles looked at him.

“Ok, I’m tired. I’m not gonna sleep with a sword out.” Percy capped it and put it beside the bed. “Happy?”

“Somewhat.”

Behind him, Percy shifted on the mattress.

“You really think you can beat Atlas?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t even have to think about it?”

Herakles turned. “I have been thinking about it since we learned he was free.”

“No. I just…” Percy looked past him towards the closed curtains. “What if he makes Annabeth hold it again? Or puts her in front of him? We’ve got this whole plan, but he’s got her.”

He had considered hostages. Keeping Atlas occupied was partly to deny him the opportunity. But Percy was looking at him as though there might be an answer he had simply forgotten to mention at the meeting.

“There is a reason I want you going straight to her.” He said.

“And if I can’t get there?”

“Then we will have to change what we are doing.”

Percy let out a frustrated breath. “That’s not much of a plan.”

“No.” Herakles admitted. “It is not.”

Percy looked down at the pen beside him, turning it slightly with one finger.

“Were you ever scared of a quest?” He asked. “When you first started, I mean.”

“No.”

“Oh.”

Herakles glanced back at him. The boy had drawn his hand away from the pen, his shoulders slumping.

Then he realized what Percy had taken from that, and laughed.

“Percy, when I was your age, I was an idiot.”

Percy blinked. “You?”

“Yes, me.” Herakles replied with some amusement. “Chiron had trained me. I was stronger than anybody else my age, and quite a few people had made certain I knew it. Of course I thought I was ready.”

“And were you?”

“For some things.”

It was the others that had caused trouble. Unfortunately, he had rarely bothered to make the distinction before setting out.

“Usually, I wanted to know where I was going and what I needed to kill. Asking what else might be there came later.”

Percy gave a small snort. “Annabeth would hate that.”

“Chiron was not particularly pleased either.”

For a moment, Percy looked almost amused. Then his gaze drifted back towards the curtains.

“I keep thinking I should be stronger by now.”

“You have had a few days.”

“Yeah, well, the fight’s tomorrow. I don’t have another few days.”

“Then live, so you have the time to make sure you no longer have to feel this way. 

Herakles went to turn out the light.

“Alcides?”

He stopped.

“Don’t let them take you yet.”

For a moment, he was back in the woods, hearing a boy ask why there was nobody to help them.

“I do not intend to.”

Percy nodded, though he kept looking at him until the light went out.

Zoe was waiting in the third room. She stood beside the window with her arms folded, and Herakles briefly wondered if he had managed to offend her as well.

Zoe moved away from the curtains. “There is something thou shouldst know before we leave. The garden... I lived there once.”

Herakles felt his brow furrow. Then several things came together at once. Her familiarity. Her knowledge of the path. The way she had corrected him about the number of Hesperides, and how tightly she had spoken of Atlas.

“You were one of his daughters.” He murmured.

“I am.” Zoe corrected. “He cannot cast that out with me.”

Herakles nodded slowly. That explained much. Though it left him with the uncomfortable realization that he might have missed something very obvious. He had been thinking of her as a Huntress. Had accepted that she had a past and left it alone because she asked him to. Yet he had spent time with the Hesperides in his own world. Not much, perhaps, but enough that he should have made the connection sooner.

“My sisters cast me out for helping a hero.” Zoe continued. “He came for the apples. I gave him aid, and for that I lost my home.”

Herakles went still. There were not many heroes who had sought the golden apples. Fewer still who could have left an impression on her that his own presence would stir.

“The one I remind you of.” He said quietly.

“Yes.” Zoe turned to face him fully. “Hercules.”

For a moment, Herakles said nothing. He had known there was another version of himself here. Of course he had. Percy had spoken of his legend, and the goddess had watched him far too closely when the name was mentioned. But it was one thing to know his life had been different here. Another to find somebody standing in front of him who had suffered because of it.

“He left you there?”

Zoe’s eyes narrowed. “I have not told thee what he did.”

Herakles shut his mouth. No. She hadn’t. But he had been thinking back through every exchange they had shared, and he was beginning to have a very unpleasant idea.

“Then tell me.”

“He could not get past Ladon.” She began. “I told him how he might succeed. I gave him a weapon. The sword Percy now carries.”

Herakles blinked. “Riptide?”

“Anaklusmos.” She confirmed. “It was mine before it was his.”

He thought back to the training sessions. How often had she watched Percy draw that sword? He had noticed that she disliked looking at it, but had assumed it was because of its owner. Another assumption he should have questioned.

“I aided him willingly.” Zoe continued, her voice growing harder. “And when it was done, he took the apples, took the sword, and left. Mine father named me traitor. Mine sisters banished me. He did nothing, abandoning me at the base of the mount, far from any town or village.”

Herakles felt a familiar heat beginning to build in his chest.

“Did he know?” He asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer.

Zoe’s expression chilled. “He knew.”

Herakles found himself looking for something she had left out. A reason he had been unable to return, perhaps. Something that would explain why a man bearing his name had done this.

“He left me to face their anger. Ladon’s as well.” Her hands tightened at her sides. “And when he told the tale, there was no mention of me. Hercules had completed his labor. Hercules had triumphed. The girl who helped him was not worth remembering.”

“And the stories say nothing?” He asked.

“Thou knows the stories. Didst thou know me?”

No. But then, he had lived a different story. 

That was not entirely fair, given where his knowledge came from. Yet he could hardly explain that, and arguing over which stories he had heard would accomplish nothing.

His hand had found the back of the desk chair. A faint creak made Zoe glance down.

Herakles took a deep breath, releasing it slowly.

He had made mistakes. Gods knew he had made enough of them. People had suffered for helping him before, sometimes because they had known the danger and sometimes because he had not understood it himself until too late.

But if he had walked away knowing she had lost her home...

“How far was he when they cast you out?”

“Does it matter?”

“If he could still have returned -”

“He could have.” Zoe cut him off. “One day, he was there, one day, he was not. Is that what thou wished to hear?”

Herakles went still.

Zoe looked away first. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest.

“No.” He said, quieter now. “I was trying to understand why he did not.”

Zoe let out a bark of laughter. “Once, I did the same. I gave up many years ago.”

There was nothing useful he could say to that. He looked at the chair instead, at the slight dent his fingers had left in the wood. He had been so pleased with himself for not sitting on it earlier.

“I have had centuries to consider it.” She murmured. “And I have a home amongst the Hunt. I did not come here to complain.”

Herakles looked back at her.

“My sisters know how to anger me.” She continued. “And they may try their words on the rest of thee as well. That is why I wished to speak before we reach the garden.”

“Will they fight?”

“Mayhaps. More likely, they will let Ladon do it for them.”

He grunted. He had already assigned Thalia to watch for them, but he had expected spiteful nymphs defending their garden. Sisters who knew exactly how to distract their guide were another matter.

“Then do not wait for them to finish speaking.” He said. “Get us through. I will keep the others moving.”

Zoe nodded, though she was still watching his hand.

Herakles looked down. He had reached for the chair again. His chest was burning with a familiar anger, in disgust. He felt the burning need to do something with his hands… 

But then, there was something considerably more useful he could be doing.

He held out his hand, and let his power fill his hand. Reality rippled, and a long strip of fabric fell into his hand, a power that was as intrinsically his as the Mares or the Lion. 

Herakles stared at the sash in his hand, its familiar power attempting to connect with his own. 

He hated it.

Or, rather, he hated what it symbolized to him. 

His result of his ninth labour. ‘The War God’s Military Sash’. 

It’s mere presence seemed to cause Zoe to stumble back in shock. “W-what is that?” She murmured in uncharacteristic shock. 

The question almost made him chuckle. Not that he could blame her - the artifact was practically drenched in divinity, as if it had been in the hands of the gods for years. 

“The banner of a powerful and noble Queen.” He replied solemnly as he eyed the rather plain fabric, memories of it being worn around a woman’s arm surging through his mind. “Though you might know of it as Hippolyta’s Girdle.”

He ignored her confusion as he sighed. 

He had come to request the banner, a powerful relic. He knew the reputation of the Amazons, and the way his other labours had gone. He had been prepared for a complication.

Instead the Queen had asked for a conversation. 

During the negotiations, his respect for Hippolyta had grown. She was strong, that much was obvious, but what was even more impressive was how shrewd a negotiator she was.

The way she drew things out to allow the heroes that accompanied him time to ‘mingle’ with the other Amazons while they were in talks was rather amusing. 

She certainly made no mystery of it - her people prided themselves on their strength. Therefore, they desired strong children. 

And she hadn’t stopped there. A trade agreement and alliance with a powerful city-state had been written up, and while favorable to both parties, Themiskyra would be doing quite well for itself. 

He had been generous, hoping for a peaceful conclusion to his labor. 

And, if he were honest with himself, he had developed a bit of a crush on the Queen. The first he had truly had since his wife and kids were killed. 

It wasn’t love - they hadn’t know each other long enough for that - but he could see the possibility of it growing into that. He had felt hope. 

And then Hera happened. 

When the fighting occurred, he had been hurt that she had betrayed him, that his feelings were getting his men killed. 

It took a long time before he learned that Hippolyta had not betrayed them. That it was not their fault, but the fault of a Goddess who couldn’t leave well enough alone. 

It was why he refused to use it himself. Since that day, this banner became a symbol of how yet again, he became the killer of his own happiness. 

He eyed Artemis’ lieutenant thoughtfully. 

It was a horrible reminder to him. But not to anybody else. 

Not just anybody could use a Noble Phantasm of course. One needed to be attuned to them, to sympathize with their legends. 

But Zoe was hardly ‘anybody’, was she?

The leader of a group of strong women, one with divine blood that had lived during the times of Ancient Greece. Hippolyta had been a priestess of Artemis, and Zoe was practically one in all but name. Both had been betrayed by the ‘same’ foolish hero. 

No, there were enough parallels. He had a feeling that the Banner would work for Miss Nightshade just fine. 

It wouldn’t make up for what he had done to Hippolyta. It wouldn’t make up for what the fool that was his doppelgänger had done (nor would he accept responsibility for what his alternate had done).

But maybe it would help. 

Zoe’s PoV

It was impossible. So impossible, she was tempted to laugh. 

She had seen the so-called ‘Hippolyta’s Girdle’. It was a golden belt with interlocking gold links, containing the blessing of Ares. 

It was NOT a banner that exuded enough divinity to pass off as Artemis’ personal weapons!

The banner itself was red with a rather simplistic pattern. It looked nothing like the Girdle. And yet there was something in the conviction in Alcides' voice that stopped her objection. 

And in all honesty, she had no idea what it was. 

She was so shocked that she didn’t realize when Alcides took a step towards her and draped the fabric over her shoulders. 

She was about to snarl at him, outraged at his action, when she stumbled at the power that seemed to flow through her. 

And with it, a faint voice. 

“May Artemis hear our prayers, and grant this people her blessings. May Ares grant us strength in battle, and Hera her guidance.

“I swear I shall do everything in my power to see Themiskyra thrive.”

She felt power flow through her, as if Artemis had given her another blessing. Her entire body shuddering with the sensation, her very blood singing as if it had been given a boost. 

No, more than that - her connection to the divinity given to her by her parents had increased. 

“Wrap it around your arms,” Alcides rumbled, the words reminding her that she wasn’t alone. “It’ll keep it out of the way. Use it for a little bit, practice, and get used to it. We’ll have a long day tomorrow after all.” 

She looked up to see the man leaving, and she frowned. “And where are you going?” She managed to ask. 

He paused briefly at the door. “I need to ask somebody some questions.” he replied eventually. 

Nereus’ POV

Nereus had just finished packing up his goods when he saw the big demigod return. He let out a scoff. “What, ya hard of hearing or hard of thinking? Only one question per group.”

The man continued to come closer. Nereus frowned. The little brat of Poseidon had ruined his coat, scattered his belongings, and subjected him to some of the worst wrestling he’d experienced in centuries. He had answered the question. That was the agreement, and he had fulfilled it. He was done with heroes for the day.

“Look, didn’t you hear me?” Nereus backed towards the edge, preparing to shift. “I said - hey!”

With unnatural speed, a hand came and clasped Nereus’ arm tightly.

“Nereus.”

All thoughts of complaint vanished, and his body instinctively froze at the sight of those eyes.

He had originally thought the man to be a babysitter to the itty-bitty demigods. A strong one, certainly, but he had put him out of his mind. There was always another strong demigod wandering around somewhere. Now, his voice thrummed with barely contained violence, power lurking under the skin. Familiar power.

… What was this?

Nereus was the god of the sea’s bounty of fish. The Old Man of the Sea. He had been around the block, before even Poseidon, and was considered a prophet by some. And he listened. When the fish gossiped, when the birds gossiped, or when the people gossiped. He was there, listening and learning. He was the Who’s-Who of the Greek World.

So who was he?!

“Tell me a tale, Old Man.”

Gods or Titans, heroes or villains, spirit or demigod, none of that mattered. Anybody worth knowing, he knew. If he didn’t know about them, he could divine it. But he couldn’t understand this. Hercules was guarding the gates to the old world in the Mediterranean…

“Tell me everything you know of Hercules.”

So who was standing in front of him right now?