Percy Jackson: An Endless of All

After I left the Dreaming realm, I searched high and low through waking cities and ancient dreamscapes, across crumbling realities and luminous astral trails. Even through different realms, unnoticed and unseen. I sifted through the dreams of angels and murderers, gods and the newly born. Yet nothing—no thread, no whisper, no sign of Orpheus's head.

Frustration gnawed at my patience, anger clawed through my veins like wildfire. Someone was hiding their trail too well. Cloaking it with divine assistance, no doubt. But whose hand had reached into my world? Into my family?

There was only one recourse I had yet to take.

The Fates. The fates were able to track Orpheus because he and his kin were a part of their design. The only being they don't have a hand to weave into their destiny was my own.

However, I loathed to summon them. They spoke in riddles, danced around truth like it was a game. Yet... they always knew. Still, they would be my last resort.

Even contacting them would make things easier, but they only allowed anyone who summoned them to ask only three questions. Make or ask the wrong question, then you get a bogus answer that would not be useful at all.

For now, I walked through the waking world beneath a veil of starlight and shadow. Searching high and low. Every crack, every rift, every light, every ally, and every little place I found suspicious.

During my search, something happened suddenly. A golden light shimmered before me. A familiar warmth pulsed in the air as Apollo emerged in his radiant glory.

"Dream," he said gently.

"Apollo," I nodded, weary.

"I came to ask how you were holding up," he said, though he already knew the answer. His voice was soft, like dawn breaking through grief.

"I could be better… if my son's head weren't missing," I replied bitterly. "It proves I was negligent in his protection… in the protections I placed on Naxos."

"You're not to blame," Apollo said firmly. "You gave him love. A sanctuary. That is more than most gods ever grant their children."

"I know. But…" I began, only for Apollo to interrupt.

"No self-pity, Dream," he said with strength. "We are powerful, yes—but not omnipresent. We do what we can. And now, we do more."

I looked at him, the corner of my mouth lifting just slightly. "Thank you, Apollo."

He smiled with that blinding beauty that once lit up my entire realm. "I'll help in the search. He's my son, too." I was thankful he would do so, and I know how busy he could be. Plus, he does have Zeus and other beings breathing down his neck when he is around me.

Before he could vanish, I raised a hand. "Wait. There's something you should know."

Apollo paused, his gold-flecked eyes watching me intently.

"When I find Orpheus... and return him to Naxos… I'm going to ask something of him. A task. And once it's done, I will give him what I owe him. A boon."

A shadow passed through Apollo's face. "You mean…"

"Yes. His final rest," I said softly and sadly. "It's been a long time coming."

Apollo nodded, though the sorrow weighed heavily on him. "He's our son. And letting go never gets easier. Losing a child is never easy. I remember all my children that I lost through time."

"I kept him around too long. Maybe it was selfish."

Apollo gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "It was love, not selfishness. If that makes us flawed, then let us be flawed."

I gave him a small smile in return, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Thank you."

"One last thing," I said, just as he began to glow with parting light. "Do you think I should contact the Fates?"

His nose scrunched in distaste. "Gods, no. You hate them." Yes, he knows me best. Never like the meddling wrinkly bitches.

"I do."

"And remember—you're an Endless, Dream," he said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Why not create a dream to track the path instead?"

I blinked. "I… didn't think of that." 

Apollo smirked proudly. "You're adorable when you're flustered. That blush—almost as good as the one you had when you were under me our first night together."

"Apollo! Not the time," I growled, flushing.

He just laughed. "You're welcome. I'll expect a reward later. Something… vigorous."

And with that, he vanished in a radiant flare. And of course, he would ask for sex for a reward. I guess my bubble butt and hole have him addicted to it somehow. He would be getting his prize even if it takes all day and night to please him. 

Then I left the waking world.

I returned through a swirl of golden sand into the Dreaming unfolding before me in soft ripples of reality. I walked to the sacred waters, where dreams are born, constant, ever evolving in a chaotic mess. The dream waters, I called it. It is vast like the ocean. I went on to dip my hand into its glowing tide, drawing a single shimmering drop.

With sand, mist, magic, and will, I forged a dream creature.

He formed from the sands in a swirl of stardust and glowing eyes—an adorable bloodhound, strong and proud, with brilliant, multicolored wings spread wide behind him.

"Aren't you adorable?" I murmured, rubbing his floppy ears.

"Woof. That's right, master," he replied with a deep, cheerful bark.

"Oh… you talk. Good. That will save time."

"Woof, naturally. Can't track dreamscapes and the waking properly without proper communication," he said matter-of-factly.

"I shall name you Nimbus," I said, "for your wings and the skies you will soar."

"Woof, couldn't have thought of a better name!"

"Could you?" I arched a brow.

"...Nope," said Nimbus.

I laughed, just a little.

"You will search across all planes, all dreams. Follow any scent that once belonged to Orpheus—his memories, his voice, his presence. If even a speck of his cloaked smell remains, you will find it."

Nimbus's eyes glowed. "Woof. I was born for this."

"Then come," I said, rising. "The winds of fate are stirring. We have work to do."

"Woof, lead the way, Master. Woof."