A Daughter’s Sorrow

Two

The throne room doors shut and Perci was engulfed in a blue flurry. She spat out some red hair, grabbing hold of whatever had swamped her.

"Oh sweetheart. Are you okay? How are you? Do you need anything? I am here for you-" Amphitrite's ramblings made Perci's thoughts drift to Sally and in an instant, she was in tears.

Poseidon stepped forward to take his daughter from his wife, but the Queen held up her hand. Still in her stepmother's arms, the two sank to the floor, the younger woman clutching the older like a lifeline. Perci's father frowned at Amphitrite, displeased but unsure of what to do.

"Leave, my love. Right now she needs a mother's embrace," The Queen murmured softly at him, rocking the sobbing demigoddess in her arms.

The King bowed his head and left, his eyes still on the pair.

Perci buried her nose into her stepmother's neck, who held her tightly and hummed a soft tune into her night black hair, "It's only me left, Amph. Only me. What am I supposed to do?" The girl cried.

"I don't know, brave one. But I do know that you are always welcome here. Always."

With a slight nod, Perci sniffled, her tears slowing. Amphitrite still didn't let go, even as her stepdaughter's body slowed from a rapid shake to a small tremble. The demigoddess took a deep breath and closed her eyes, imagining that her real mum was holding her.

The thought calmed her, if only by a fraction.

"Do you think you could eat a little something? We could eat here or if you prefer, I'll take you to an inland restaurant. Do something to get your mind off everything. I could call Aphrodite."

Perci shook her head slightly and Amphitrite nodded with a sigh, "Come my little seastar. How about a little girl time? Hmm?"

Her stepdaughter looked up at her, tears still in her eyes and in a hoarse voice, "That sounds okay. You can invite Dite if you want."

"Only if you think you can handle it, sweetheart. I don't want overwhelm you. Not after everything that's happened."

The young woman gave her a watery smile, before burying her face into the Sea Queen’s shoulder.

:3

The goddess, while supporting the dozing, young heroine, took her to a room specifically made for her. With a wave of Amphitrite's hand, the sea drained from the bedroom.

A warm smile was sent Perci's way, the Queen kissed her on the forehead and placed her on the king sized bed. Having been on plenty of girl nights with Aphrodite and the original Persephone, the red headed Goddess managed to get a hold of a few terrible romcoms. From her own room, the one she shared with her King, Amphitrite retrieved nail polish, face masks and several other things.

She was just about call the servants for 'girl's night' snacks, when she stumbled. The palace quaked as though a strong force had taken hold of it. Everything in Amphitrite's arms fell and smashed on the floor.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the empty hallways and the palace began to break apart. The Queen dodged bits of debri falling from the ceiling and raced to Perci, thinking she was in trouble.

The door slammed open.

Amphitrite was now close to tears as she watched her Seastar clench the bedsheets, face twisted with pain and terror. The demigoddess was sweating profusely, tears streaming down her face. Shrieks left her throat and all Amphitrite could do was stand there, frozen, horror and fear for her step daughter's well being and what these wars had done to her.

Poseidon had obviously heard the poor girl, because in an instant he was beside her, hovering over her, unsure of what to do. The shock of seeing her King so panicked, jolted the Queen to move.

Pushing Perci forward into a fetal position, Amphitrite stepped onto the bed, sat and crossed her legs. She then gently pulled the ravenette's head into her lap, where her stepmother began run the fingers from her right hand through her wild locks while also stroking her pale cheeks, with her other hand back of her fingers .

This seemed to calm the nightmares flooding Perci's mind, because the palace slowly came to a halt and the demigoddess's screams turn to small cries.

:3

"I'm gonna go see Mum first, Okay Dad. Tell her I'm alive and everything." The demigoddess started softly.

Poseidon gave her a small smile and nodded, "Of course, my little water droplet. But let me know when you're ready to come with me."

"I will," Perci stood in the lake, as did her father. She hugged him tightly before shooting herself out of the water.

Not wanting to attract any attention, the lone Heroine dashed from her lake to her cabin, snatched her already packed bag and bolted for the camp borders.

Even after all Perci had gone through, the anticipation of seeing her mother after almost a year was sparking so many emotions in her heart.

Standing in front of the door, Perci raised her hand to knock on the three bedroom apartment. After her third set of rapping her knuckles on the door, the girl sighed.

'So much for a surprise.' The ravenette thought. Taking the spare key that was hidden behind a fake light switch, the door swung open. Without looking inside just yet, she put the key back then stepped in. And gave a blood curdling scream.

"No. No. No! No!! Mum!!! Aaaghh!!!"

The kitchen and lounge room were painted red with blood, body parts everywhere. Perci couldn't even tell what was who's.

Poseidon must've been watching her, because he was suddenly holding her back with great strain as she tried to escape him and race into the apartment in search of Hestia, her baby sister. The Sea God would not let her but, he could not hear any heart beat beside his own and his daughter's.

The girl was still kicking and screaming, in tears once again. 'How many times can a girl cry in one day?'

Perci's actions ceased as she fell into shock and her father slowly let her go. She collapsed to her knees, silent. Her dull, bloodshot eyes fell to a bloodstained note. The demigoddess reached for it, but Poseidon snatched it away before she could.

Sweet, sweet Persephone.

If you have won and are alive, though unlikely, I am leaving you one last gift. Your dead mother on a plate, with your stepfather on the side and your darling baby sister for dessert.

Enjoy, Daughter of the Sea.

There was a rumble outside and the God of the Sea peaked out of the shattered kitchen window and beheld a huge, oncoming storm. Poseidon looked to his daughter, her blank, glazed over eyes and emotionless face was enough to tell him that her inner turmoil was causing this. He struggled himself to control the oncoming cyclone, but failed.

The Sea God closed his eyes, praying and Hestia appeared, concern etched into her face, "Sister, please calm her. I cannot, nor can I cease the storm her powers have created. Help me."

She nodded once and quickly kneeled beside Perci, before pressing a palm to her forehead, whispering a few words into her ear. The Saviour of Olympus fell forward, to be caught by Hestia.

"What did you do? Poseidon asked, feeling the need to whisper.

"I showed her all of her memories of her mother. She will sleep for a few hours. I suggest you stay close to her before she wakes." The Lady of Fire murmured, staring softly at the young woman’s face.

"Thank you Hestia."

A few stray whimpers left Perci's mouth.