Chapter Text
Kymopoleia hadn't expected anything amusing when she had accepted her mother's invitation to join them in view of her father's request to claim the Acropolis as his own.
She certainly didn't expect to see a mortal pureblood sister carried on the shoulders of her older brother, who seemed quite content with his current situation.
Talking to Ariel had been different.
She was not like the other goddesses Kymopoleia had known.
She wasn't even like Rhodes or Bentisikime.
She was different, in a way that made the goddess, in spite of her, intrigued.
She had never liked her father's idea of having a mortal demigod daughter.
Unlike sons, who would prove their worth in battle, demigod daughters could never fight, too weak and useless according to men.
She could understand the appeal of having a daughter.
She and Briareus had Oeolyca, after all, the goddess of storm-generated waves, always there when Kymopoleia released her power upon mortals who had not properly honored Poseidon before setting out on their sea voyage.
But, despite this, despite how much she loved her beloved daughter, the only one in the family who didn't try to contain her, to control her, she would never want a mortal daughter.
Not in a world where they had no rights, property of greedy gods and arrogant men, who took what they wanted, despite the wishes of women themselves.
Some of them were lucky.
Perseus had asked for Andromeda's hand, but he had also saved her life and would have been faithful to her, as they could well boast of being hers.
Ganymede had been kidnapped by Zeus and, once he got used to his new life, he would have appreciated the gift that had come from it.
There were people who had a worse end.
Like Semele, a sweet and deluded girl, who had attracted the attention of Zeus and the wrath of Hera, dying for it.
No one was surprised when Dionysus ascended.
He had spent a lot of time inside a god.
But, to see the fate of women, one did not have to go to the mortal world.
Poseidon and Zeus had both abused Demeter, not interested in her rejection.
And Demeter was among the most powerful and important goddesses.
Hestia had only avoided such an event because of her oath of chastity, as had Artemis and Athena.
Kymopoleia watched as her sister took a seat next to her mother, next to where she should have been.
No, having a mortal daughter had no charm, according to Kymopoleia.
And sadly, not even being the daughter of an Olympian would have done anything for her safety.
During the celebration, Kymopoleia watched over her sister, knowing that she was being watched in turn by her older brother.
Then, a whisper in her ears.
A spirit of the storm, probably sent by Aeolus to warn her.
The gods are intrigued by the fountain girl.
She heard the voice whispering in her ear and she nodded towards her father who, effectively stepping away from his conversation with Delphin, walked over to her.
"Daughter. What do you think of your younger sister?"
"I think she won't have an easy life, or a happy one, as a mortal and as a woman, father. And I'm sure you are aware of that too."
Kymopoleia watched her father's eyes closing.
"The other gods are intrigued by her, father. You know what it means, too."
The goddess watched as the truth darkened her father's eyes.
The awareness of not being able to protect his mortal daughter was finally asking the price to the god.
"We will see."
Poseidon looked at the rest of the family, smiling slightly as his wife squeezed his daughter and shook her head at his son.
"For now, let's just enjoy this time together, daughter. Don't shut out your family at such a happy time."
It was only the knowledge that the god would soon have to fight to keep his mortal daughter safe that kept Kymopoleia's temper in check.
Her gaze returned to Ariel, finding her busy playing with a pod of dolphins.
Reluctantly, she smiled.
She hoped the world above didn't ruin Ariel, not like it had ruined her, Rhodes, and Bentisikime.
At least one of them deserved better.
***
Poseidon entered Olympus unexpectedly, the gaze of the two brothers resting on him.
"Brother." Zeus greeted, getting up and walking towards him.
"Brother. Sister. I understand you had an interesting conversation recently."
Zeus looked at their sister, but Hera got up to meet the king of Atlantis.
"Brother, I am beyond sorry that your daughter will not be able to join you in the world to which she clearly belongs. Mortals have been fools to prefer Athena's gift to yours."
Poseidon bowed his head, accepting his sister's comment, still remaining suspicious of her intentions.
His sister had often been shown to be incapable of feeling affection towards her own nephews, especially those born out of wedlock.
She had demonstrated cruelty not infrequently, focusing her creativity on the illegitimate children of her husband and brother, blaming them, and their mothers, for her husband's decisions.
At least, Poseidon reflected, Amphitrite had never attacked or sought vengeance on his lovers and his children, even coming to understand that he would always protect the first and love the second.
Era, to her credit, didn't comment on the clear distrust her brother was showing her, quite the contrary.
She inclined her head, and motioned towards the set table.
"Join us, brother. Let's talk together, let's solve this problem. Percy was not born out of wedlock, she is your legitimate daughter, a pure creature of the sea. She doesn't deserve to suffer for the decisions of men and mortals."
Poseidon sat opposite his brother, Hera taking a seat on either side.
Nymphs set about serving the three gods, earning a wandering glance from the king of Atlantis, who however returned his full attention to his brothers, sure not to be distracted by their petty attempts.
"How is Percy doing now? Does she have others... side effects, from the choice?"
"Her name is Ariel, according to Amphitrite's will. And I can't be sure how much she resented it."
Zeus spoke. "I'm sure you wish to see her ascend, and join you in your immortality."
Poseidon looked at his brother, not answering vocally.
He wasn't going to let the other god tease him about that.
"You're not the only one who wishes immortal life for a mortal son, brother." Zeus explained, and Poseidon's gaze narrowed. "Dionysus has ascended, brother. And it never seemed to me that his lineage was from two immortals, but only from you. His mother was a mortal, and you raised the fetus in your divine essence."
"And your daughter was born from a divine source, your essence manifested, yet she is not immortal. She may be destined for divinity, as was Dionysus. But my son was known, even mortals believed in him, talked about him, gave power to his name. He wasn't a fighter, that's for sure, but he gained approval in other ways."
"What are you suggesting, brother? That Dionysus takes care of my daughter's education?"
Zeus smiled, taking a sip of nectar, before saying. "Not at all. Dionysus is too new to divinity to be an adequate guide for your daughter. I thought my daughter, Athena, might be a good guide for her."
Poseidon narrowed his eyes. "You may not remember, brother, but it was my son, Triton, who brought up your daughter. Along with my niece, who died because of you and your daughter. I will not put my daughter into her incapable and unsafe hands."
"Your daughter needs the mortal world to gain sufficient prestige for godhood, Poseidon." Hera said, before glaring at Zeus in anger. "And Athena won't be taking care of her. We thought Athens was the best place for her though. After all, her birth was there."
"The waters of the spring came from the heart of Atlantis. She has not set foot on Athenian soil."
Hera nodded, before saying. "And yet they witnessed her birth there. She will be better protected from mortals."
Poseidon grit his teeth.
He assumed that his sister was right.
Few mortals would have dared lay their hands on a daughter of a god, and especially of a god like Poseidon, whose wrath was dangerous and easy to stir up, but hard to calm down.
"And what will protect her from Athena's care? Or from the attentions of some other gods?"
"We were thinking of a guide for your daughter. A son of mine who I want to see join me, like you with Ariel. Perseus."
Poseidon gritted his teeth, and Zeus said. "Your daughter chose his name for herself. Don't you think it could have been her Fates who sent her a message? Sent her a sign?"
Poseidon stood thoughtful, and then looked at Hera. "You hate the sons of Zeus. What would guarantee my daughter's safety in his company, safety from your curses?"
She looked at her husband, before turning to her brother and saying. "I know of my husband's desire to take his mortal son and make him one of us. Of all his wrongdoings, Perseus is the one I can bear best. I'm not disturbed by his joining us, not as unnerved to see Dionysus join us. Ariel would be safe with a loyal husband, a good son, and a hero like Perseus."
Poseidon looked thoughtful.
Soon, his gaze returned to Zeus.
"I assume you also want my forgiveness for your son's actions in my punishment?"
"If it's to protect your daughter, wouldn't you feel his guilt atoned?"
Poseidon nodded reluctantly.
If Perseus had been skilled enough to keep her daughter safe, and even grant her due immortality, he might have forgiven her intervention in killing his faithful soldier, sent to punish the proud and reckless mortal queen.
Whether he was capable though was something he couldn't determine.
"I'll test your idea, brother." Poseidon finally decided, squeezing the trident in his mighty hand, standing up and making the nymphs disappear from fear. "If Perseus succeeds in protecting Ariel, I will consider him and his wife pardoned, and will seek no further punishment. If my daughter should be hurt by his neglect, then, the punishment people have suffered for Cassiopeia's vanity will seem nothing compared to what Perseus will have to overcome."
Zeus pursed his lips, but Hera smiled at his brother. "Certainly, Poseidon. Thanks for the opportunity. We will inform Perseus of his new venture, and we will have him in Athens when needed, tomorrow afternoon."
Without further delay, Poseidon disappeared.
***
Percy didn't think her mood could get worse, but she was wrong.
Being sent back in time was bad enough, but now she also had to deal with the knowledge that her father hated who she was.
He hated the weak and pathetic mortal that she was, and he was trying in every way to fix the flaw that his daughter presented.
"Will you send me away?" She asked, interrupting the heated argument between Poseidon, who defended his decision, and Triton, who kept mentioning a similar previous mistake that had been made.
A mistake that had led to a huge loss in their family.
"That's not what I want to do, Ariel."
Poseidon approached his daughter, looking into her eyes.
"Then why are you sending me away?" Percy asked, spreading her arms and looking her father in the eyes.
"Because I think you should be able to be yourself, my child. Not the mistake that mortals have caused."
"Who says mortals made me this way, father? Maybe I'm not destined for immortality, have you thought about that?"
Poseidon shook his head, staring at his daughter. "Nonsense. I can sense a powerful ichor in you, daughter. You are one step away from divinity, and that is enough to convince me of my reason. I understand that you are frightened, my daughter. And you will not be alone. Zeus has promised that his son will watch over you."
"Perseus? But he's the king of his kingdom, Argos. He can't come and babysit me."
"What?" Triton asked, confused, and Percy corrected himself, blushing. "The nurse, I meant."
"However, he will have to do it. Fear not, Ariel, he has been informed of his feat and he is very proud of it. It is not every day the offer he has received. Immortality will also be granted to him, and, therefore, to his wife."
"And he will have to see his mother die?" Percy asked, rebelling at the idea.
"That will be Perseus' choice, my child. And, however, even if the mortal family will eventually die, his immortal family will always be here for him."
Percy remained silent, and Poseidon persisted. "Perseus will value immortality, and, anyway, he would have outlived his mother anyway."
"Perseus is a hero, a soldier, and a warrior. They rarely live long."
Percy didn't mention that he was the only one who made it.
And she didn't even mention that he had never ascended.
This meant that their venture would have no luck.
From that realization to how to get back into her world, it was doubtful, but Percy had always been good at improvising.
"Very well, father. Since you're so convinced it's a good idea, I'll go this route. But I'm sorely against the idea of being stranded in Athens."
"We'll think about this aspect later, my daughter. For now, let's focus on what we can improve. You'll get to know your cousin better by spending time with him. Fortunately, the wedding with Princess Andromeda has already been celebrated, and Perseus will have no reason to be hesitant. The king will protect his daughter very well."
Percy sighed and agreed.
That part, leaving his wife so soon, couldn't have been her fault.
Perseus was a demigod, and if there was one thing the gods would never understand, it was the concept of leisure.
Maybe it was the fact that they never died that made them dumb on that front, or maybe it was just general indifference.