Percy POV

We had ended up walking on the ocean floor for the rest of the night. Any minute now we're going to have to return to the world of Chaos, but for now, we held on to each other and watched the peaceful waters.

"They're gonna be looking for us."

"Shhhhh, not yet."

"Your Mom will be worried, Perce'"

"5 more minutes."

"What if something's going on?"

"Don't make this end, Wise Girl."

"I won't kiss you again unless we head back."

"Deal, hold on."

We zipped out of the water and onto the deck, only to come face to face with Oliver Queen himself. And he looked furious.

"Do you have any idea how long you've been gone? We were worried sick!"

His face was so red I could tell Annabeth had a hard time containing the giggles that were ready to burst out, me on the other hand, I just started dying laughing. He was redder than the Ares Cabin!

"Sorry, Uncle Ollie. What's up?"

"Malcolm has an idea he wants to run by the two of you. Um, both of them."

"Sounds good. We'll be up there in a little bit, I just need to clean up. The saltwater surprisingly didn't wash away all of the grime from yesterday's battle."

"Fine. But hurry up. Tommy thinks something is going to happen today."

 I smiled as my uncle turned away from us with a small smile. Not only did he get his long lost sister back, but he also got back someone he thought of as a brother. War may suck, but sometimes the impossible happens and you reach peak happiness. 

"Come on, Wise Girl. We need to meet them, and I'm craving some blue food!"

"You're such a Seaweed Brain, you know that?"

"Ya, but that's why you love me Wise Girl."

I gave her a quick kiss and then sprinted towards the dining hall. I know I said I was going to clean up, but that was before my stomach started to growl. 

Waiting for me was not what I had expected. Everyone in the dining hall was bowing down on one knee facing me. They couldn't have possibly known that I would be here at this time so what in Hades is going on? Thankfully I glanced to my right to see my father, in all his glory, standing beside me before I said anything stupid. 

"Percy, it's good to see you. Please sit down, we have much to discuss."

Confused I sat at the Poseidon table, which was once again painfully empty. 

"As I was saying, this war will be painfully more difficult than the others. We have begun to suspect that Kronos is not the only powerful enemy on their side. I don't think that he is in charge of their side if he was it would be easier. I know technically I'm not allowed to help you all. Which I find so idiotic."

Thunder rumbled in the sky.

"But I stopped listening to my little brother a long time ago. I will be giving a small blessing to all of you to increase your strength, senses, reflexes, and wit to get all of you through this. I pray to the fates that most of you make it out of this alive. Call me if you need me."

As my father began to leave I saw everyone glow just a little brighter and I felt myself grow ten times more powerful. I looked up to my father's receding figure as he glanced back and winked at me. So I stood up and ran towards him.

"Dad! Wait!"

Poseidon stopped in his tracks and glanced at me.

"I need to tell you something. Um... I think I know who the darkness is, and no one's going to like it. She visited me in my dreams to try to convince me to switch sides. It's Nyx, she claims that she allowed me and Annabeth to escape her palace. And she had this weird look in her eyes, different than Kronos and Gaea. Those two at least wanted to destroy you all and rule the world for themselves. I think Nyx just wants to destroy everything."

"That is troubling, I'll make sure to inform everyone at the meeting tonight. That is probably the other part of the prophecy. She'll recruit her children to wage war in all places all around the world. One of her favorite pastimes is watching the people she wants to destroy, destroy themselves."

"I'll tell everyone else. And Dad? Thank you. Not just for the blessings, but for everything. I know I've never really given you a lot of credit, but you're the only reason I'm still alive. Well, you and Annabeth, but still. You know what I mean."

Something I never thought would happen happened at that moment. Tears welled up in my father's eyes and he began to cry. He hugged me as hard as he could and for once in my life I felt like a child. I felt as though I've never gone through all of this crap.

"I'll see you soon, son."

He paused for a moment, and then I really had a father.

"I love you, Percy. And I'm proud of you."

I turned away and then he was gone. I smiled as I returned to my breakfast. Technically gods weren't supposed to act like parents, they were barely allowed to help us in general. And here Poseidon was stepping into a full-time father position. Being a demigod can suck, but it gave me a father, it gave me the love of my life, it gave me a family.

"You look happier, Oliver should try that sometime."

I smiled up at Felicity, she made me think of an older Annabeth. Both of them were geniuses, Annabeth probably could have been just like Felicity with computers if not for the monsters.

"I'm sure he's happier whenever he's around you, you two are great together," I laughed, "Listen to me! I sound like a ship-happy Aphrodite kid!"

The campers managed to laugh after the first battle, even if I wasn't the funniest person, I knew I was sassy as hell. Persassy!

With the news of our enemy in this war loomed above my head, I felt at peace, if only for a little while. Surrounded by my friends, family, and love I felt truly calm. Ironic considering what is coming our way. 

I allowed myself to remain at peace for a little while longer, the calm before the storm.