Storm Rising

Chapter 8

Percy's POV

"You're... You're.. " Bianca stammers, completely lost for words.

A wave of anger hits me through my absolute surprise. How could Poseidon do this to us, my mom and me. He called her a queen among women, offering her an beautiful palace under the sea. I wonder how many women her has falsely deceived like this. Amphitrite must be so heartbroken.

Chiron canters up with campers running behind him, they probably heard the screaming, but falters at the trident above Brandon's head.

"How?" He whispers to himself.

A bright flash of light causes us to cover our eyes momentarily. When it dies, Poseidon is standing there in his royal Atlantian clothes. Good, maybe we all get answers.

Chiron must be thinking the same thing because he kneels. "Lord Poseidon," He says respectfully.

"I present to you, my best son, Brandon Poli, who has with no training or weapon slain the legion of monsters that was attacking the camp, threatening it's safety. He has slayed the mighty Ma Gasket, the largest hellhounds alive, and the toughest, best laystrogain giants ," Poseidon said, pride evident in his voice. As if. Those hellhounds were puppies compared to Mrs. O'Leary and others I've fought. Ma Gasket was killed by Leo and Tyson, not so mighty any more. The giants were barely the size of the ones I fought in 7th grade. And Brandon didn't even slay them.

"Yeah, and Percy just stood there watching," Brandon said, giving me a small, triumphant smirk.

"Percy!" Poseidon said harshly, turning towards. "What is the meaning of this treachery?"

I open my mouth to speak, but I'm cut off by Brandon.

"Don't even try to defend yourself, Jackson. You're weak and now they see it,' Brandon says. I look into Poseidon's eyes, searching for any signs he's not himself. There are none.

"Brandon is absolutely right. I, Poseidon, ruler of Atlantis and the seas, pronounce Brandon, my sixteen year old son, the leader of Camp Half Blood. He shall be made immortal immediately. I pronounce Brandon, god of ships, tides, heroes, and swords, the prince of Atlantis. I also forbid anyone to talk to Perseus Jackson. Anyone who does will be considered an outsider and will be treated as one," Poseidon finished with a flourish of his trident. Poseidon brings the trident to Brandon's head gently and a green light pulses outward from him. Brandon collapses into a heap on the ground. I shudder as the words hit me. Poseidon cheated on Sally just a year after I was born.

Poseidon pulls a flask of nectar from his robes and drips it into Brandon's mouth. He sits up groggily and Poseidon pulls him to his feet. "And before I go, I would like to present my favorite son with a gift." Nothing happens until we feel slight tremors through the ground. The sea rocks violently and a huge wave roars towards us. I reach out my powers to feel Poseidon subconsciously controlling it. Brandon holds up his hand and the water stops, making it look like Brandon stopped the wave. But it was Poseidon's power that caused the wave to come to a halt. The wave condenses until a blue sword is lying on the ground, sea green jewels up and down the hilt. Brandon picks up the sword and does a few very sloppy swings with it.

"I name this blade, Eínai or Sea, in honor of my father," Brandon loudly proclaims. He places it in a matching blue sheath that must have appeared on his waist when the sword materialized.

"Good bye my son," Poseidon says, patting Brandon on the shoulder. "I know you will do me proud."

"Bye dad," Brandon replies.

As Poseidon is flashing out, the newer campers cheer and hoist Brandon onto the shoulders. The cries of "Brandon, Brandon, Brandon," can be heard as they head towards the dining pavilion. Chiron looks at me so sadly, he turns and follows them down the hill, his tail drooping sadly. Some of the campers who have known me longer, Clarisse, Chris, the Stolls, Katie Gardner, Leo, Ivory, Nico, Bianca, Reyna, Hazel, Frank and a few others from the titan war, stay behind.