A Daughter’s Sorrow

A black haired woman knelt at the foot of Half Blood Hill, covered in dirt. Sweat. Monster Ash. And blood. So much blood. Her's. Her friends. Her enemies. Zeus must've taken pity on those still alive, because it began to rain. Like the King of the Gods was trying to wash away the stench of Death. Perci sensed a presence behind her. PBut she did nothing. She was staring at Riptide, embedded in the loose soil. Unblinking. Unfeeling. A strong, warm hand squeezed her shoulder as the ravenette began to tremble. Small cries left her, before gut wrenching sobs shot through her body. Perci looked up at the person, tears tracking through the dirt and grime down her cheeks. Tired, sea green eyes that mirrored her's, filled with a mix of relief, pain and sympathy. Poseidon. "Daddy," The girl tried to stand, but her father scooped her up into a fierce hug. His baby was alive. The gods surrounding them mourned their own children. But Poseidon's daughter had survived. His embrace tightened as he murmured, "I'm so sorry, my little water droplet." Perci watched as the gods spread death shrouds over each fallen demigod. She closed her tear filled eyes as they were set alight. :3 It'd been an hour or two since the campers lost were burnt, sending all to the Underworld. Perci sat at the bottom of the lake she had dubbed as hers, twirling her pen in her hand. Poseidon was beside her, an arm around her shoulders, "What do I do now? Everyone's gone Dad." "You can come home with me, Perci. To my palace. You'll have your own room or even your own wing if you want." Amphitrite, her step-mother had really taken a liking to her, having had no real relationship with her own. Besides the fact that the demigoddess had saved the world. Twice. "I don't know if I can Dad. I just think I'll...I dunno." Poseidon sighed and pulled her closer, "Council will be held tomorrow. A few things must be sorted and...I'm not sure if I'll see you afterwards. So I'll tell you now. Persephone Eris Jackson," At the sound of her full name, Perci's back went ramrod straight, "Daughter of the Sea, know now that I have never been more proud of you than that I am now and any choice you make tomorrow, I will support your decision," The Sea God's voice wavered for a few moments. He coughed into his fist, took a deep breath and cupped his daughter's cheeks, "Stay with me tonight then. Under the sea with me. You will feel safe." Perci looked up at her father's tired face, tears beginning to fall once more. But they were lost in the lake. Poseidon winced at how broken she looked. She'd lost everything and needed someone with her, even if Perci said she didn't. The poor young woman gulped and nodded a few times. :3 "Perci!!" The demigoddess's head snapped around at Thalia's strangled voice. The Huntress was dragging herself towards her friend with one hand, the other clutching her stomach while blood dribbled out of the corner of her mouth. "Jason!!" This time, the ravenette's attention turned her to Piper. The daughter of Aphrodite was holding Jason close, his blank, lifeless eyes looking skywards. In horror, Perci watched as a cyclops came up behind her and shoved a dagger into her back. A shrill shriek of pain left the girl's mouth and she collapsed onto her boyfriend. The screams and roars of monsters dulled in Perci's ears, hearing only her heartbeat. She looked around to see Hazel in the dirt, an axe in her skull, surrounded by blood and precious gems and Frank, not too far from her with a small pile of ash next to him. Reyna lay on her side, s***h marks running down her neck to her groin. Leo was propped up on a tree, his throat slashed. His blood a sickly red on his filthy orange camp shirt. Perci couldn't look behind her. Demigods, both Roman and Greek, known and unknown, friend and foe, lay dead. Minutes ago, she had seen Nico and Will, opposites like night and day, being torn to shreds by a hell hound. A dizzying rush went through the girl's head and she frowned at the wet sensation running down her face. Raising a hand to touch it, Perci paled to see she had blood on her hand. There was an evil cackle and the Daughter of Poseidon looked up to Gaia holding Annabeth by the throat. The blonde was kicking out her legs, and slashing away at Mother Earth with a dagger. The primordial being cackled again before a scowl plastered itself on her face. Perci watched in horror as Gaia clenched her hand and Annabeth fell still.