Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or any of the characters except for little Rhea
Previous chapter:
She knew that what she had done only hours ago would result in her death. But she could not find it in herself to care.
At least he would finally look at her properly, even if that gaze would be filled with the fiercest of hatred.
Eying the slowly dissolving vial on top of the piano with a fervent expression, she slowly began to laugh.
It was a sound full of madness, of a mind so broken that death would be a reprieve.
''Soon, Poseidon.'' She murmured vacantly. ''You will feel my pain… and I will be in your memory for the rest of time.
Soon, my husband. You will feel absolute despair.''
Chapter 36 – Dreams and Bonds
''This is as far as I'll drive, ya only need to grab a bus from here on and you'll be in the fuckin' busy centre of this god-forsaken city.''
The taxi driver – a nearly forty year old half-bald man with too much facial hair and decidedly not enough manners – stopped shortly before a decently sized bus station. It was early in the morning, the driver having been encouraged – meaning bribed – to drive through the night for some additional bucks, something the man had then rather gleefully done.
All of us had napped for some hours, making us even more tired and irritable than before – neither of us feeling safe enough to drop our vigilance, even with Arashi awake and ready to intervene.
The driver had reminded me of Gabe too much to even deserve some modicum of politeness, so the hours had been spent in uncomfortable silence. Instead when I was awake, not dozing off in the rather uncomfortable seat – I thought about our original quest.
To retrieve the stolen lightning bolt before the summer solstice.
The oracle had advised me to go west – which still fit with our current route; but I couldn't stop this nagging feeling inside my mind telling me that I had missed something important.
But my mind was fuzzy, body exhausted by using my powers so frequently without rest and so far away from my father's domain.
I just wanted to sleep.
Unfortunately I couldn't do so until the quest was done and over with, and it left me feeling annoyed and slightly irritable.
Which is why I only turned an unimpressed stare at the driver, before mustering a smile so false it was nearly painful. ''Yes, we do appreciate your cooperation. Letting us out here will do just fine.''
Inwardly I wondered how much this simple drive would cost in total, before repressing my anger forcefully by reminding myself of the fact that my father hardly needed to care about money. But sometimes - rarely - when I was tired, my mind not fully clear and eyelids heavy; I was reminded of my human half. My wonderful mother who used to make me omelettes in the morning, who never complained about her less than favourable lot in life, and sacrificed her life and happiness for me.
The constant buzzing noise around us, so loud even in the early morning reminded me of my life in New York, when my mother would hold my small hand in her larger one - and we would laugh happily as we bartered for fruit; happy without Gabe throwing a constant shadow over our lives.
It was so mundane - beautiful - that it made something heavy settle inside my stomach; my eyes suddenly stinging something fierce. Swallowing around the sudden lump in my throat, I turned towards the backseats, seeing Clarisse and Grover already awake - both looking as tired as I felt.
''Let's just get going.'' Clarisse grumbled faintly, Grover hiding a yawn behind his hand - and I deposited a rather significant amount of money into the driver's greedily waiting hands.
The taxi driver counted the money with swift and obviously practiced movements - before grinning at our leaving forms with no small amount of glee.
''Welcome to the city of Angels.''
Dawn was a strange time in her opinion. To see the world bathed in faint colours, the sun still lurking behind the horizon only to spill it's first rays of light onto the surroundings, always made her feel somewhat melancholic.
Clarisse had never been a fan of nature, had never stood before a blooming flower or sprawling wide landscapes – and frozen in delight at nature's beauty.
She wasn't that kind of person.
But it always served to remind her of better times. When her mother – her fiery, strong mother – still smirked that infuriating grin of hers, Clarisse beaming up at her with adoring eyes; her aunt eying them with fond exasperation.
Clarisse's mother had been all about passion, seeking and searching for life's delight – and her life had been blazing and extraordinary, but often enough her passion led her to overlook Clarisse who had been too small to keep up, too brash to just follow. Her aunt had been a few years younger, sometimes a sister more than someone of her mother's generation – but she had picked up the pieces, and carefully stitched them back together whenever her mother had been too distracted to care for Clarisse.
Clarisse had loved both of them, but she had trusted her aunt.
Truthfully Rhea reminded her of her aunt, both more like water than fire – not only seeing Clarisse's façade, but looking beyond it.
Perhaps that's why Clarisse had allowed herself to like her so strongly.
But the better she got to know Rhea, the more Clarisse was able to spot the small differences that somehow just made her like the other girl even more.
Rhea was strong, yet so very fragile – lonely and guilt-ridden even if she didn't seem to realize that. It made Clarisse want to get stronger, fierce enough to stand beside Rhea and take half the burden off her still small shoulders.
It was a strange feeling.
Seeing Rhea nearly stumble with exhaustion, having spent so much power protecting them, shielding them – Clarisse traded a short look with Grover – knowing the satyr would agree with her.
This time, they would be the one to protect her.
''We should check out the hotels in the area. All of us need some rest, otherwise we'll probably overlook something important.'' Clarisse yawned, not even having to fake her own bone-deep exhaustion.
Grover – bless that otherwise dense satyr – immediately picked up on what she was trying to do. ''I'm just about to have my first experience in the joys of sleep-walking.'' He deadpanned in an incredibly monotone way – and Clarisse barely refrained from giving him a thumbs-up.
Grover had grown in the last few days – becoming more confident with every passing minute; and Clarisse felt no remorse in double-teaming Rhea who actually looked like she wanted to protest for a few moments, before looking at her with an expression torn between relief and fond exasperation.
''Whatever.'' Rhea huffed mock-offended, but her shoulders sagged visibly. ''But if we're going to seriously rest, we should choose somewhere protected.''
Clarisse and Grover shared a look of pure victory, not minding Rhea's twitching eyebrow in the least.
Grover was the most gracious in victory. ''Do you know of any such place?''
Rhea eyed the slowly brightening sky with furrowed brows, before nodding decisively. There would be no rewards without sufficient risks.
''We're going to the Lotus Hotel.''
The Lotus Hotel was actually fairly well-known in the immortal circles. After all, there were not a lot of places where someone would lose themselves in paradise while outside decades passed by unhindered.
I had only heard my father mention the place once, but I still remembered the fact that it was able to negate a god's power to some degree. It was also protected by its wardens, and it would at least allow them to pass some hours quietly without being disturbed.
Clarisse was right. I was just so very tired, exhaustion making my mind fuzzy and limbs heavy. It was actually ridiculous how much I was reminded of the life with my mother before Poseidon took me in. Perhaps that's why I tried to shield Clarisse and Grover so badly; I didn't want anything to happen to them. Not like my mother – who was nothing but rotten remains anymore, buried and nearly forgotten among the thousands of other graves.
I never wanted to be reminded of Sally Jackson's death. Because when I let myself fall into contemplation, really looked into myself – I saw nothing but guilt.
She had shielded me with her life, while I was too happy with my father close to me that I had nearly forgotten about her.
I had been a terrible daughter.
Perhaps that's why I strove so hard to be a good friend.
It didn't take us long to navigate through the still slowly waking city, the streets were still sparsely populated; the few people already out hardly interested in us. The Lotus Hotel was located close to the city entrance – just shy one alley from the main street, the entrance gaudy and noticeable.
Even though it was still early morning, there was already an impeccably dressed doorman waiting in front of the invitingly opened door.
Frowning faintly at the vague feeling of welcoming, I acknowledged that I couldn't underestimate the enchantments in this place. The only reason why I even dared to come into this honey trap was because I knew in the worst case scenario Poseidon would break me out of the trance.
Still, I was confident enough in my own mind to feel like resisting the pull of this place was possible, especially since I knew exactly what sort of place this hotel was.
''Welcome at the Lotus Hotel. Please rest easy and relax. Here, everything will be taken care of.'' The doorman smiled at us kindly, bowing the slightest bit as he gestured at the entrance. The air blowing against them smelled of loti, and the noise from inside was somehow comforting, even though it should have been extremely irritating.
It was exactly as my father had told me; countless games were being played by poor sods who had forgotten about the passage of time, and sometimes even their own names, caught mercilessly in this honey trap like an insignificant bug.
But they looked so happy, content in a way that few people outside truly were. They had no worries, no fears or problems – and I envied them for that somewhat fierce.
Another employee soon enough stopped before us, practically shoving several cards into our hands. ''Please rest, your room has already been prepared for you. The first room on the forth floor. Room 4001 – please enjoy your stay here.''
Not letting us get another words in, he practically ushered us into the direction of a shiny elevator – and we didn't resist the temptation of comfortable beds.
The room was spacious, everything clean and welcoming – still I ignored everything but the nearest bed to the entrance, letting myself fall onto the covers before closing my eyes.
I fell asleep seconds after.
She looked peaceful, Clarisse noted with no small amount of wonder. And years younger when the few stress lines on her face smoothed out – and her mouth parted slightly, small puffs of breaths rhythmically escaping the confines of her body.
''I'm laying down as well, I didn't exaggerate when I was saying the thing about sleep-walking before.'' Grover yawned, running a hand through his slightly curly hair. ''You should probably do the same. Rhea said we don't need a guard in here, and Arashi is still there for emergencies.''
Clarisse huffed in exasperated amusement, but followed Grover's suggestion without delay. They were all tired, exhausted with the fate of the world on their shoulders.
''Night.'' Grover called out sleepily, and Clarisse mumbled something hopefully appropriate in response, before sleep lulled her into a comforting darkness only seconds after.
Only to open her eyes again moments later.
The scene that greeted her was nearly inconceivable to her still muddled mind, eyes wide in disbelief – she let them wander over her surroundings, finding solace in the similarly wide eyes of Grover who had appeared next to her.
The breeze was unexpectedly chilling, not gentle like a summer-breeze, but not quite harsh either. The sand beneath their feet was corny and slightly rough, the waves breaking against the beach in a slowly repeating motion.
Clarisse tore her eyes away; the realization that she was having what was referred to as a demigod's dream less startling than it should have been.
The crunching of feet stepping on sand made them turn to their left – a figure leisurely approaching from the edge of the water, and Clarisse could hear Grover trying to suppress a whimper as he uneasily shuffled slightly behind her.
Clarisse couldn't even blame him. She had met gods before, Dionysus and her father at the forefront of her mind – but she had never felt like this, never experienced the clump of raw terror at the back of her throat, felt like just remaining upright was beyond her capabilities.
Perhaps that's why she only realized at this exact moment that this god was carrying something in his arms – steps still steady as if he didn't acknowledge their presence at all, despite obviously having summoned them.
Clarisse had been on Mount Olympus before, had seen all the Olympian Gods at least once – so she recognized the facial structure of the god before her – but the pieces wouldn't fall into order, disjointed and ragged.
Because the daughter of Ares could still remember as Poseidon – Earthshaker, Stormbringer, God of the Ocean – had sat on his throne as the demigods and few satyrs were allowed to visit the throne room, disinterested and indifferent – fading into the background when compared with the arrogant Zeus and friendly Apollo.
This Poseidon seemed younger, more vibrant – carrying what she now recognized as her friend in his arms, Rhea sleeping soundly, face pressed against the Stormbringer's neck.
This picture just wouldn't settle into her mind – and she didn't even know why.
Grover gulped audibly behind her, preparing to greet the god before them – but the words wouldn't come out.
Finally, Poseidon halted his steps – uncomfortably near, power crackling around him; and Clarisse couldn't understand how Rhea could sleep so comfortably in her father's arms when Clarisse felt like she was slowly being crushed from the pressure alone.
It was inconceivable.
Poseidon eyed his daughters' two friends with open interest, torn between incinerating them for daring to be close to what was his, or rewarding them for providing his daughter with much needed comfort.
His internal struggle had accumulated in this decision, the dream a chance to test their worthiness, Even if Rhea would be mad at him later, he would rather kill those two now then let them hurt Rhea later on.
''My presence here is for one simple reason.'' Poseidon spoke matter-of-factly, his voice grave as he increased the pressure around the two children. He ignored the way they flinched, their hearts hammering in their chests as their most primal survival instincts awakened to scream warnings in their minds.
''I want you to cut all ties with my daughter.''
To cut all ties with Rhea? Clarisse stared at the god, uncomprehending. Even though the words echoed in her mind, refusing to leave.
How dare he... Clarisse felt the anger welling up inside of her – hot and boiling. She had always been a straightforward person. The kids that taunted her in school? She beat them up. The adults that whispered behind her mother's back? She held them in utter contempt. She hated her enemies and loved her friends. Kindness would be repaid with kindness and enmity with enmity, so that's why the mere thought of going behind Rhea's back was sickening to her. Clarisse wasn't someone who would treat her friends like that.
Unconsciously Clarisse straightened her previously slightly bowed posture, her eyes blazing angrily and her fists clenched so tightly her skin was about to make way.
The daughter of Ares barely even wondered why Grover – who usually was so sensitive to emotions – didn't stop her as she glared up at the god, too immersed in her anger to notice that the satyr was also uncharacteristically furious, a weak bleating sound echoing in the silence.
Clarisse still remembered Rhea's eyes as she talked about her father at that train stop, the soft expression that was impossible to mask, how much Rhea had loved this god who talked about depriving her of her friends so easily.
''She…'' Clarisse ground out, grinding her teeth painfully. ''Rhea… she… loves you so much… and yet….''
The waves were crashing against the shore with increasing ferocity, Poseidon's face losing the last vestiges of amiability – and Clarisse shivered as the wind cooled noticeably.
Poseidon frowned darkly, the wind growing increasingly harsher with every second, howling eerily in the background. ''You dare refuse my command?''
Grover – the satyr who had always been seen as weak and bullied, who had never truly felt confident in his own skills – stepped forward next to Clarisse, tilting his chin upwards in clear defiance for the first time in his life.
''Yes, we do.'' The words were incomparably clear, not a hint of stutter audible – and Grover stood even straighter.
The ocean was creased with countless waves, stormy and restless – waves superimposing onto each other to form a furious image of destruction.
Clarisse and Grover felt the pressure weighing them down increase, heavier with every passing moment – Poseidon's face a mask carved out of stone, seeming so inhumane that it made something inside of them shudder with abject terror.
But they refused to bow. To bow meant to accept defeat. To go back on their promise. To betray a friendship. They understood how valuable friendship was, how rare it was to trust someone in such a manner – and Rhea had always behaved like a friend would, so they would do nothing else. They had not been raised to throw away their values like that.
But it was getting harder to breathe, the air seemingly unbearably thin as they took one shallow breath after the other.
Clarisse's knees were buckling, her legs trembling faintly. She felt like her consciousness was slipping away and just as black spots were beginning to appear in her vision – the pressure vanished.
The indifferent coldness from Poseidon's face vanished like it had never existed in the first place; instead quiet contemplation replaced it in a heartbeat.
''Interesting…'' He murmured quietly, but in the silence it might have as well echoed like thunder. ''To face the possibility of death so calmly, with such resolve – is praiseworthy indeed. I see why my daughter values you so strongly.''
''Wha…?'' Grover mumbled unintelligibly, the change in situation so abrupt that he could barely keep up.
''As long as you maintain that resolve, I shall allow that friendship – but keep in mind that sooner or later you will belong to different worlds…'' The god warned gravely, eyes flashing the colour of his domain as he tried to impress those children the gravity of the situation. Poseidon did not wish to see his daughter heartbroken over broken bonds, so testing their resolve seemed only appropriate.
Clarisse's expression was less ugly now, feeling slightly mollified now that she knew that this god was acting on her friend's behalf. Though that didn't mean she felt like such an action was justified. She was well aware that a wrong answer might have spelled their demise – and it ratted her how easily their lives could be forfeit.
Poseidon didn't waste any more time on courtesies, instead he dissolved the dream world – returning the children's conscious minds to their bodies – his own power brushing over his daughter's mind.
Rhea slumbered peacefully, her mind fully relaxed now that she had felt his presence so keenly – and Poseidon felt pleased.
Every second that passed was one less second he had to spent without his daughter close by, and the children's actions – no matter how uncouth and disrespectful had aroused both his interest and even a slightest hint of respect. He knew how much power he had threatened them with, and for them to deny his command took more foolish bravery than he had encountered in a long while from children so young.
Drawing back his power, Poseidon once more brushed against his daughter's mind, this time leaving behind a lingering message – heart warm as he witnessed the lingering smile she bestowed him even in her sleep.
''Sleep soundly, my sweet child.
For I will destroy anything and anyone that would dare harm you.''
A/N This was actually very difficult to write and even after rewriting the chapter at least two and a half times, I still don't know whether I'm satisfied with it or not. I tried to give both Grover and especially Clarisse some more time and flesh out their characters a little more… Also their first meeting with an over protective Poseidon…
Additionally, some guilty and exhausted Rhea ;)
Still, I hope you liked it!
C'ya soon,
AriesOrion