When I woke up, I was in front of Rockefeller center. What surprised me the instant I woke up was that there was no sound. No cars, no bustling of people. It looked to be around mid day. I was in a comfortable black jacket with a hood and a backpack that weighed a little bit.

The only thing I remembered was talking to someone important in Tartarus. I don't remember anything after ditching Koios and Phoebe. Something told me my friends were safe.

There were no cabs, the streets were deserted and the only noise I heard was the flapping of pigeons sitting on statues and benches. Who did this to my city?

I sprinted down three blocks to the Empire State building. It was closed. What the Hades? My breathing was starting to quicken, but I calmed down. This was all probably happening after Apollo released the virus. Dam, how long was I in Tartarus?

I silently walked towards my mom's house. After an annoying fifteen minute jog/walk, I reached the front door of the apartment.

I knocked and waited. Paul opened the door with a mask on.

"Its Percy," he called behind him.

My mom rushed in, but instead of hugging me, she sprayed a bottle of some soap or disinfectant on me.

"Take a bath and then tell us everything after that," she instructed.

Paul shrugged helplessly at me. I groaned and walked off to my room.

I had hardly closed the door, when I felt my body turn into mist and get whisked away somewhere.

I reappeared on a massive cruise ship, which was somewhere in the Hudson bay, cruising at forty one knots.

"Ah, the demigod is here!" someone exclaimed.

I turned around to see a man in his late forties, with a neatly trimmed white beard, slightly tanned skin and bright blue eyes, sitting on blue throne covered in crystals.

We appeared to be in the control room of the ship judging by the height.

"Who are you?" I asked, sure of the fact that he was definitely not a god.

The man gave me a warm smile, which seemed to have hidden pain and bitterness behind it.

"My name is Pontus, I am the first ruler of the seas and Primordial of all water bodies."

Feat crept into my throat, this was someone with Gaia level power.

"Um, hi," I choked out.

He smirked an leaned back in his throne.

"Tell me son of Poseidon, what do you feel when you're in the water?"

I wasn't really expecting this question so I was silent for a few seconds.

"I feel peaceful and stronger," I said truthfully.

The ship started to pick up speed. I could feel the turbines purring and the water being pushed to the side.

A tiny blue crystal in his throne started to spark and vibrate in it's place. Pontus raised an eyebrow and looked at the piece.

"A new one," he muttered.

The crystal shot out of the throne and flew away from the ship like a bullet.

The ship was now traveling at sixty four knots, which was extremely fast. I wonder how it was still in one piece since this was an extremely big ship.

"How do you think this planet would be if it was full of water?" Pontus asked, a smirk playing across his lips.

I was too shocked to respond, but didn't have to.

I heard a sonic boom, which caused both Pontus and myself to look to my left. Whatever it was, it was heading right towards us.

I didn't have the time to respond as the projectile hurtled right into my chest.

Pontus cursed like a true sailor and stared down at me in shock. I glanced down at my chest and passed out at the amount of blood I saw. Amongst all the blood, there was one thing that stood out: an ocean blue crystal which looked to hold more value than the entire economy of the United States of America.

I knew, as I lost consciousness, I would not wake up as the same old me.