Children of The Big Three Book 2: The Sea of Monsters

Chapter Fifteen: What is Weak?

The first thing Percy noticed was the darkness.

He wasn't falling, per se. it was more of a gentle float downward, as if something had him in its hand, and was slowly guiding him deeper into the abyss. The next thing he noticed was that he was far from alone. It didn't talk for the moment, but he could feel it. He could feel its eyes upon him, ethereal; and inquisitorial. They seemed to be measuring him up, sizing him down, and they tried to get to the root of who he was. It's presence was scattered, less cohesive then his fathers was, but this one was even more immense, more powerful. The worst part was, the longer Percy sat there in silence, the more congregated the aura seemed to be. As if it were putting itself back together. It was no where near complete, of course; but it was making progress. Soon it spoke, and unlike Poseidon, this one's voice came from a single location. That somehow frightened him more.

"What do you believe you have accomplished here, Little Hero?" It's voice was loud, booming; yet contained. It was smooth and silky, like a blade cutting through paper. That, was the tone of a master manipulator. 'The Crooked One.'

"You have done nothing but reveal your intent. You believe you stand tall. You do not. I looked into your mind; child. Powerful as your bloodline may be, never forget, you are mortal. You are weak. To weak to protect those you care about. You are to weak now; as you were to weak then."

Flashes of his childhood slammed against his mind. Visions of Gabe and his mother, and all the marks that he left upon her skin. Against his will, he remembered the night he attempted to stand up to him. He had been young, only nine or ten. The experience was less then stellar, and he certainly didn't like to be forced to relive it. He had felt so weak. Then he was older, back on his first quest.  Thalia had killed an Empusa, a thing he later learned was a feat in of itself. And Nico had taken down a Cyclops. All he had done was hope for the best and rely on his dad's domain for power against a distracted God. Compared to the accomplishments of his friends, Percy couldn't help but think he looked a bit pathetic.

'Stop that.' He told himself, 'That's his Game. He wants to feel weak so he can take advantage of it.'

"Is that my game, Godling?" Percy couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit intimidated, since he was ninety nine percent sure he hadn't said that aloud, but he didn't voice any objections as the Titan continued to speak.

"Despite what you might hear of me, I am not without mercy. I will allow you to continue on this little quest of yours; get your Golden Fleece. But, you will not bring it to your pitiful little hideout. Bring the fleece to me, boy. I will spare all those you wish. Your camp will die, I cannot comprise on that; but you will be able to live. I care not for mortals, live among them as you wish, with your sad little friends, and know peace. Refuse; and all that is flesh will suffer. Good hunting, Little Hero."

Percy woke up, half expecting the Lord of Time to still be there, blade against his throat. Instead, what greeted him was the top of Thalia's head, her short black hair right up to his mouth. It seemed that while they slept, Thalia had snuggled closer. Percy was stunned for a few moments. After a second, he shook his head, and slapped himself a few times. This.. thing that he was feeling for Thals, it wasn't right; at least right now. He vaguely remembered the talk that he and she had at the beach the other day, and he how he said he didn't want to become the reason she was okay; he didn't want her to be dependent on them solely. Well, it looked like he was a bit hypocritical, because he tried to imagine what his life was before Thalia and Nico, and all that came up was negatives. Even his trips to the beach house with his mother seemed a little duller now. As he slowly untangle himself from her, he began to think to himself. To distract him from the scene he just pulled himself away from, he began to control the boat once more.