The air around the Tiber River was thick with tension as Jason, Percy, and Octavian arrived at the bank. The river itself flowed quietly, its murky waters hiding secrets beneath the surface, reflecting the looming ruins of ancient Rome in the background. As the trio approached, the river seemed to part ever so slightly, as if welcoming them—or warning them of what was to come.

Tiberinus, the God of the river, appeared first. His form was regal but worn, like the weathered stone of an ancient temple. He radiated an aura of calm command, his presence as old and eternal as the river itself. His eyes were sharp, observing the demigods with the kind of steady gaze that saw more than just their appearances. Next to him stood Rhea Silvia, the mother of Rome's legendary founders. Her stance was strong, regal in its own quiet way, and her dark eyes flicked over the three demigods, lingering on Jason with a look that was almost approving.

"Welcome, sons and legacy of the Gods," Tiberinus said, his voice like the deep currents of the river, slow and deliberate. "And you, child of Rome," he added, inclining his head toward Jason. There was respect in his tone, but also a hint of expectation. Tiberinus' eyes then swept over Percy, pausing for a moment as if weighing something, before moving on to Octavian. The river God's gaze lingered a little longer on the Roman, as if sensing something foul beneath his pristine appearance.

"We've come to guide you," Rhea Silvia said, her voice cool, almost formal. "The path beneath Rome is not one you can find on your own. It's hidden, known only to a select few."

Jason nodded, stepping forward with the kind of confidence that came naturally to him. "Thank you for your help. We're ready to follow."

Percy stayed back a step, his mind still swirling from his encounter with Aphrodite. His newfound determination to act on his feelings for Nico was hard to ignore, but there wasn't time to process all that now. He couldn't let his personal life interfere with the quest. Not when the stakes were this high.

But, of course, Octavian had other plans.

The Roman legacy watched the interaction between the demigods and the River God, his sharp, calculating gaze flickering between Percy and Jason. He had never liked Percy, not since the first time he'd heard about the "invincible Greek hero" who always seemed to swoop in and save the day. Octavian had power in Rome—he was respected, feared even—but when it came to the Greeks, Percy Jackson was always the one everyone fawned over. The son of Poseidon. It grated on Octavian's nerves, especially since they did the same back at Camp Jupiter. They were always all over Jason Grace and Nico di Angelo. The power and prestige being a child of the Big Three. And now, standing here, watching the way Jason naturally commanded the room, seeing Percy hang back, clearly distracted? This was an opportunity.

As Tiberinus and Rhea Silvia began explaining the path they would need to take—through ancient tunnels beneath the city, filled with forgotten traps and creatures from Rome's dark history—Octavian sidled up next to Percy, his voice low and laced with a casual venom.

"You seem... distracted, Jackson," Octavian said, keeping his tone quiet but pointed. "Everything alright? It's not like you to be so... quiet."

Percy, who had been staring at the river god's explanation, blinked and turned to face Octavian, frowning slightly. "I'm fine," he said, though his tone didn't carry the usual confidence. "Just... focusing."

"Focusing?" Octavian's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes gleaming with something dark. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like Jason's doing all the leading here. But then again," he added with a mock thoughtful expression, "I guess you've had a lot on your mind lately. With Nico and all."

Percy's frown deepened, his stomach twisting slightly at the mention of Nico. He was still grappling with his own feelings—still figuring out how to act on them—and Octavian bringing it up now felt like a punch to the gut. "What does Nico have to do with anything?"

Octavian shrugged, his tone dripping with fake innocence. "Oh, nothing. I just thought you might be... distracted, what with Jason making his move and all. It must be hard, watching someone else take what you've been too slow to act on."

Percy's fists clenched at his sides. He didn't need this. Not now. "I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered, though even he could hear the irritation creeping into his voice.

"Of course you don't," Octavian said smoothly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "But if I were you, I'd watch your step. Jason is Roman. And we Romans don't wait around for someone else to take what's ours."

Percy's jaw tightened, a storm brewing inside him. Octavian was trying to get under his skin, and it was working. The worst part was, he couldn't entirely dismiss what the Roman was saying. Jason had kissed Nico. Jason had made the first move. And Percy... Percy had hesitated.

Before he could respond, Jason's voice cut through the tension. "Everything okay over here?"

Percy turned, forcing his expression back to neutral as Jason approached, oblivious to the tension between him and Octavian. Jason looked between the two of them, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. "You guys good?"

"Peachy," Octavian replied, his smirk never leaving his face. "Just having a little chat."

Percy gave Jason a curt nod. "Yeah, we're fine. Let's just... focus on the quest."

Jason gave them both a skeptical look but didn't push it. He turned back to Tiberinus and Rhea Silvia, who had finished their explanation and were now preparing to lead the group to the hidden entrance beneath the river.

As they began to follow the Gods down a narrow, winding path along the riverbank, Percy couldn't shake the tension in his chest. Octavian's words had hit too close to home. He was angry—angry at Jason for acting first, angry at himself for hesitating, and now, angry at Octavian for twisting the knife.

But as they walked, Percy forced himself to focus. They had a quest to complete, and there would be time—later—to deal with his feelings. Right now, they had to survive the hidden dangers of Rome.

As they approached the hidden entrance to the underground path beneath Rome, Percy couldn't shake the frustration bubbling just beneath his calm exterior. Octavian's words from earlier still gnawed at him, and now, as they prepared to dive deeper into the labyrinth of ancient Roman tunnels, the tension between the three of them felt more suffocating than the looming darkness ahead.

Just as they were about to descend, Octavian struck again.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" Octavian's voice cut through the quiet, smooth and laced with something untrustworthy. He kept his tone casual, but there was a predatory gleam in his eyes. "How Percy—of all people—was able to locate the Gods so easily." He leaned back, crossing his arms as if pondering a mystery. "Almost too perfect, don't you think?"

Jason, who had been focused on the task at hand, froze. He shot a glance at Percy, a flicker of doubt flashing across his features. "What are you getting at, Octavian?"

Octavian gave a little shrug, his expression all too smug. "Oh, nothing, Jason. It's just... curious, don't you think? I mean, here we are, wandering ancient Rome, and Percy—not a Roman, mind you—somehow knows exactly where to go. And what do you know? There's a Goddess waiting for him." He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing in amusement. "It's like he's getting... special treatment."

Percy's jaw clenched. He could feel the sharp rise of anger tightening his chest. He shot Octavian a glare that could've frozen the Styx itself. "I didn't plan that. Aphrodite just showed up, and I—"

Octavian cut him off with a faux-innocent smile. "Right, of course. Lady Aphrodite. Because she's always been so generous with her appearances to demigods." His gaze shifted back to Jason, that sneaky grin still playing on his lips. "I'm just saying, it's a little convenient, don't you think?"

Jason frowned, his eyes flickering between Percy and Octavian. He opened his mouth to respond, but there was a hesitation now, something cold and uncertain settling into his expression. Octavian had done exactly what he set out to do—he had planted the seed of doubt. Jason trusted Percy, after all Nico trusted the older demigod. But... this was weird. Aphrodite did just happen to appear, and then Percy magically knew exactly where to find Tiberinus and Rhea Silvia. Even for demigod standards, that was strange.

"Percy's been leading us," Jason said slowly, trying to sound neutral. "He found the Gods, got us this far."

Percy bristled at the implication in Jason's voice, however small it was. His usual laid-back demeanor was fraying at the edges. Octavian was trying to turn Jason against him, and Percy knew he was falling for it. "Look, I don't know what you're implying, but I'm just trying to get this quest done. And I wasn't about to ignore the lead a Goddess gave us. You know that."

Jason's expression softened slightly, but there was still a shadow of doubt there. "I know, but—"

"But what?" Percy snapped, his voice rising, harsher than usual. "You think I'm just making stuff up? That I somehow manipulated Aphrodite into showing up out of nowhere? For Gods' sake, Jason, I don't play games with people's lives."

Jason flinched at that, but it wasn't enough to break the tension Octavian had expertly crafted. Percy's defensiveness only made it worse. Jason was trying to keep calm, but now he was second-guessing everything.

Octavian, meanwhile, was practically glowing with satisfaction. He watched the two of them with the same interest someone might watch a house of cards teetering on the edge of collapse. "Easy, Jackson. I'm not saying you're playing games. I'm just pointing out that, well, it's curious. And in a quest like this... curiosity can be dangerous."

Percy rounded on him, his frustration bubbling over. "Oh, I know dangerous, Octavian. But you don't get to stand there, pretending to be innocent while you try to stir up trouble."

Octavian's grin widened, completely unbothered by Percy's anger. "Who said I was stirring trouble? I'm simply making observations." He raised his hands in mock surrender, his voice laced with condescension. "It's not my fault if the truth makes you uncomfortable."

Percy's fists clenched at his sides, and for a second, Jason could see the familiar glint in his eyes—the one that usually meant Percy was about to throw someone into the nearest body of water. Jason stepped forward, putting a hand on Percy's shoulder, his grip firm.

"Hey, let's just... keep focused, okay?" Jason's voice was steady, but Percy could hear the strain underneath. "We're here to find the Athena Parthenos. Whatever's going on with Aphrodite or... anything else, we can deal with that later."

Percy shrugged Jason's hand off, his frustration still simmering. "Yeah, fine. Let's just get this over with."

Tiberinus, who had been watching the entire exchange with the patience of a God who had seen far worse, cleared his throat. "If you're finished, we should move. The path ahead is treacherous, and the longer you delay, the more dangerous it becomes."

Rhea Silvia nodded, her dark eyes flicking over the trio with a hint of concern. "There are things beneath the city that even the Gods do not speak of lightly."

Without another word, Tiberinus led the way, his form dissolving into the water as he beckoned them to follow. Rhea Silvia turned and walked ahead, her presence as commanding as ever.

Jason hesitated for a split second, glancing between Percy and Octavian. The tension hung heavy between them, like a sword ready to drop at any moment. He wanted to trust Percy, to believe him without question, but Octavian's words had done their damage. He couldn't ignore that nagging feeling in the back of his mind.

Percy stormed ahead without waiting for either of them, his expression dark, his fists still clenched. Octavian, ever the serpent, fell into step behind Jason, his grin now hidden but still there, lurking in the shadows.

"Don't worry, Jason," Octavian murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "We'll figure this out. Just... keep an eye on him."

Jason said nothing, but the unease in his chest grew as they descended into the dark, ancient tunnels beneath Rome.

Tiberinus and Rhea Silvia, having led Percy, Jason, and Octavian to the entrance of the hidden path beneath Rome, stood silent for a moment. Their presence, though calm and steady, was now fading like the mist creeping in from the river.

"You're on your own from here," Tiberinus said, his deep voice resonating through the dimly lit tunnels. "The path is treacherous, and only those with the strength to face what lies below will make it out."

Rhea Silvia's gaze lingered on Jason for a beat longer than necessary, her eyes narrowing in a way that made Jason feel like she could see straight through to his soul. "Trust yourselves," she said quietly. "But beware—trust each other as well. The path ahead will test more than your strength."

And just like that, the two Gods dissolved into the mist, vanishing as though they had never been there, leaving the demigods alone in the underground labyrinth.

The path was tight, oppressive even, and the low flicker of torchlight along the stone walls cast long, twisting shadows that seemed to shift with every step they took. The silence was heavy, broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing from the unseen river nearby.

It didn't take long for the tension between Jason and Percy to resurface. The darkness around them didn't matter—it was the rivalry burning between them that filled the air.

Percy, sensing the underground river that ran parallel to their path, could feel the pull of water in his veins. It grounded him, connected him to the earth beneath their feet, and gave him the confidence to move forward. He reached out with his powers, manipulating the currents ever so slightly, using them as a guide.

"This way," Percy said, his voice laced with certainty as he gestured toward the narrow bend in the path. "The river's deeper here. There's something... further ahead."

Jason, who had been floating just above the ground, his stormy blue eyes scanning for any traps or signs of danger, glanced back at Percy with a raised brow. "Or," Jason countered, hovering just enough to give himself a better vantage point, "we follow this passage over here. The air currents are stronger—it's probably a better lead than water."

Percy rolled his eyes. "Air currents? Seriously? We're underground, Jason."

"Yeah, well, we're also demigods," Jason shot back, his voice taking on that familiar edge of competitiveness. "Things don't exactly follow the rules down here. You know that."

Octavian watched the exchange with barely concealed glee, his sharp gaze flicking between the two like he was watching a particularly amusing play. He said nothing but seemed to be enjoying the way Jason and Percy bristled at each other.

"Fine," Percy said, his tone clipped, a sharpness in his voice that Jason had rarely heard before. "You float around and chase your breeze. I'll stick to the water. At least my powers make sense in this place."

Jason crossed his arms over his chest, a spark of irritation in his eyes. "Your powers are great and all, but maybe you should trust someone else's instincts for once, Jackson."

The rivalry between them was palpable now, like a low simmer ready to boil over. It wasn't just about the quest anymore—it was about impressing Nico. Each of them knew it, though neither was willing to say it aloud.

Jason glanced back, floating just a few inches above the stone ground, his expression calm but strained. He felt the weight of expectation—of being a Roman, of being a leader. He needed to come out of this quest victorious, with something to bring back to Nico. After all, he was the one who had made the first move, the one who had kissed Nico. He couldn't afford to be outshone by Percy, especially now.

But Percy? Percy had his own storm brewing. He had just come to terms with his feelings for Nico, feelings he'd been too slow to act on. Jason had beaten him to the punch with that kiss, and it gnawed at Percy. Now, everything felt like a competition—a battle to prove himself, to show that he was the one who truly knew Nico best. Not Jason.

And Octavian? He was perfectly content to let them tear each other apart. The more divided they were, the easier it would be for him to execute his own plans. He trailed behind them, watching the rivalry heat up with a knowing smirk on his face.

"You two done?" Octavian's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Because while you're busy measuring your egos, we're still underground. I don't care which of you wants to be the hero—just pick a path so we can move forward."

Percy shot him a glare. "You're awfully quiet, Octavian. Got something to say, or are you just here to throw in your two cents when it's convenient?"

"Not at all, Jackson," Octavian replied smoothly, his tone dripping with mock politeness. "Just here to keep us moving. The last thing we need is the heroes of this quest slowing us down."

Jason, sensing the argument was about to escalate, cut in. "Percy, we'll go your way for now. If the water leads to something, then fine. But if not, we go where the wind takes us."

Percy gritted his teeth but gave a stiff nod. "Fine. Let's just get this done."

They moved forward, the air between them thick with unsaid words and heated glances. The underground path twisted and turned, the narrow passage forcing them to stay close, though the rivalry burned just as bright. Percy moved with a quiet determination, using his connection to the river to navigate the shifting darkness. Jason, meanwhile, floated slightly ahead, still using his air currents to scout out danger, though now his movements felt more deliberate, as if trying to prove something.

As they reached a fork in the path, Percy paused, sensing something in the water just beneath the stone floor. His fingers twitched as he reached out with his powers, trying to figure out what it was.

"There's something here," Percy muttered, more to himself than the others. "It's like... a door, or a tunnel."

Jason hovered beside him, his gaze flicking between Percy and the path ahead. "You sure? Because the air's getting weird here, too."

Octavian smirked from behind them, his voice annoyingly smug. "Maybe you should flip a coin? Settle this like demigods."

Percy's patience snapped. "You know what? How about you shut up and actually contribute something for once?"

Jason stepped in, his voice firm but calm. "Percy, we're on the same side here."

"Are we?" Percy shot back, his voice tight with frustration. "Because it feels like we're always competing."

Jason blinked, surprised by Percy's sudden outburst. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Percy muttered, his gaze darkening. "Nico."

For a moment, Jason looked genuinely taken aback. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words didn't come out. There it was, finally out in the open, hanging between them like a weight neither of them knew how to lift.

Octavian stood back, arms crossed, watching the tension with quiet amusement.

Jason's eyes softened for a moment, his voice quieter now. "Percy... this isn't about Nico. This is about the quest."

But Percy wasn't buying it. Not anymore. Not after everything. "Maybe for you, Jason. But I'm not gonna let you win this without a fight."

The two stood there, the dark path stretching out before them, both demigods caught in a silent, bitter rivalry that had nothing to do with the quest at all.

And Octavian? He couldn't have been happier.

Finally, the tension became unbearable. Jason shifted, breaking the stare-off, and glanced ahead into the deepening shadows. "Let's just keep moving," he suggested, his voice steadier now. Percy hesitated, the weight of unspoken words still heavy in the air, but the urgency of their quest propelled them forward. Octavian smirked, hiding his delight as they trudged on, the rivalry simmering just below the surface, momentarily set aside for the sake of their mission.

The tunnel was dark, the ancient stone walls narrowing as Percy, Jason, and Octavian pressed forward. Their breaths echoed in the tight space, and the flickering torchlight cast long, eerie shadows along the rough stone.

Then, the tunnel widened into a larger chamber, the air suddenly still and heavy with an unnatural quiet. Percy felt it first—a subtle shift in the atmosphere, a tingle down his spine. Jason seemed to catch it too, his eyes narrowing as his hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his gladius.

Without warning, a low, rumbling growl reverberated through the chamber, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. Out of the darkness emerged a hulking figure—a massive beast, its golden fur gleaming like molten sunlight in the dim light of the tunnel. Its eyes glowed, a deep, menacing amber, and its fangs gleamed in a snarl that sent a chill through the room.

"The Nemean Lion," Percy muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on Riptide. The beast's legendary golden fur made it almost invulnerable, but that wasn't what bothered him right now. No, what bothered him was the look on Jason's face—focused, determined, and competitive. Percy could practically hear the gears turning in his rival's mind.

"This is it," Jason said, stepping forward, sparks of electricity crackling at his fingertips. "We take it down, together."

But Percy wasn't in the mood to share the glory. Not after everything. Not after the way Octavian had planted that seed of doubt, and certainly not after Jason had kissed Nico. Percy wanted to prove something—to himself, to Jason, and maybe even to Nico. He tightened his grip on Riptide, determination surging through him.

"No," Percy said, his voice firm. "I've got this."

Before Jason could protest, Percy raised his hand and summoned a torrent of water from the underground river. It surged up around him, crashing toward the Nemean Lion in a powerful wave that filled the chamber with the roar of rushing water. The wave slammed into the lion with all the force Percy could muster.

For a split second, he thought he had it. But the lion barely flinched. Its golden fur shimmered as the water rolled off it like rain on glass, leaving the beast completely unharmed. The Nemean Lion growled, shaking off the water with an almost lazy motion before its massive paws stomped the ground, its amber eyes locked on Percy.

Jason, not one to be outdone, stepped forward, lightning sparking from his fingertips. "Step aside, Percy. Let me show you how it's done."

Before Percy could argue, Jason raised his gladius to the sky, summoning a bolt of lightning that crackled with raw, godly energy. The air filled with the scent of ozone as the bolt shot down from above, striking the Nemean Lion squarely on its back. The chamber was filled with a deafening crack as the lightning made contact.

But when the blinding light faded, the Nemean Lion was still standing. It shook itself again, as if the lightning bolt had been nothing more than an annoying fly. Its eyes turned toward Jason now, its lips pulling back into a ferocious snarl.

Jason blinked, his confidence wavering for a moment. "Oh, come on! That should've—"

"Did nothing," Percy snapped, stepping forward again. "Like I said, I've got this."

"Oh yeah?" Jason shot back, his stormy blue eyes narrowing. "Because last I checked, your water tricks didn't work either."

"You're one to talk!" Percy fired back, his frustration bubbling over. "You threw a lightning bolt at it, and it barely blinked!"

"Well, at least I didn't soak the thing for fun!" Jason snapped, his voice rising with irritation.

"Because lightning is so much better!" Percy retorted sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Real genius move, Grace."

The two stood there, squaring off, their chests heaving from the effort of their failed attacks. Neither of them was willing to back down, and the air between them crackled with tension—both magical and personal. The Nemean Lion, seemingly uninterested in their bickering, prowled closer, its massive form casting a long shadow over the two demigods.

Meanwhile, Octavian stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold with a smug grin on his face. He crossed his arms, leaning casually against the tunnel wall. "Please, take your time," he called out, his voice dripping with condescension. "Don't worry about the giant, invulnerable lion trying to kill us. I'm sure your little contest is much more important."

"Shut up, Octavian," Percy and Jason said in unison, their voices sharp.

Octavian chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. He wasn't here to fight—he was here to watch these two stumble over their egos, and so far, it was going exactly as planned.

The Nemean Lion let out a bone-rattling roar and charged. Its enormous paws struck out with brutal force, and both demigods were knocked aside like ragdolls. Percy hit the stone wall hard, his back slamming against it with enough force to knock the wind out of him. Jason wasn't faring much better, sprawled out on the floor several feet away, his shield dented from the impact.

Even as Percy gasped for breath, clutching his ribs, he could see Jason struggling to get up. And instead of thinking about the lion, instead of focusing on the actual life-threatening danger they were in, Percy's mind immediately went to one thing: I'm not letting Jason win.

"Get up," Percy muttered to himself, forcing his body to move even as pain shot through his side. "Come on, Jackson. Don't let him outshine you."

Jason, too, was already on his feet, though his gladius was dented, and he was favoring his left leg. He shot a quick glance at Percy—one that was supposed to be annoyed but had a hint of begrudging respect behind it. "You're still standing?"

Percy grinned through the pain. "Takes more than that to take me down."

"This is your fault," Jason snapped, his eyes burning with frustration. His gladius sparked with electricity, but he wasn't using it—he was too busy glaring at Percy. "You just had to go in first, didn't you?"

Percy scoffed, gripping Riptide tightly in his hand. "My fault? You're the one who thought a lightning bolt would do something to a lion whose fur is literally invincible!"

"I was trying to help, Jackson! You keep charging in without thinking—"

"Oh, please, like you don't do the exact same thing, Grace," Percy shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think you're so perfect because you float around in your little storm cloud, but guess what? You're not."

Jason's eyes flashed with anger. "At least I'm not drowning everything in sight like some kind of waterlogged maniac!"

Octavian, still leaning casually against the tunnel wall, watched the whole scene unfold with an expression of barely concealed amusement. He was like a puppet master watching his puppets dance for him, and he wasn't about to let this golden opportunity slip through his fingers.

"Well, well," Octavian drawled, his voice oily with fake concern. "You two are really making this easy for the lion, aren't you? It's almost like you*want to lose."

Percy and Jason both shot him identical glares, but Octavian just smiled wider. "I mean, it's no surprise, really. Only one of you can be the real hero. The one who brings back the glory to Camp Half-Blood or New Rome. Nico's hero."

Percy stiffened, and Jason's face darkened, his jaw tightening. The mention of Nico's name was like pouring gasoline on an already smoldering fire. They both knew Octavian was trying to get under their skin, but damn it if it wasn't working.

Octavian's smirk grew even more insufferable. "I'm just saying," he continued, feigning innocence, "I'm sure Nico would be more impressed by someone who doesn't need help. Someone who can take down the lion all on their own. A real hero."

"Shut up, Octavian," Percy growled, stepping forward, his knuckles white around Riptide's hilt. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

Jason shot Octavian a look that could've frozen him in place, but his eyes quickly flicked back to Percy. "You think Nico's impressed with that reckless attitude of yours? Charging in without thinking, getting knocked around by the lion?"

Percy glared back, his temper flaring even hotter. "Yeah? Well, Nico's not gonna be impressed by a guy who hovers while everyone else is fighting."

Jason's grip tightened on his gladius, the tension between them so thick you could cut it with a celestial bronze blade. "At least I'm not dragging everyone else down with me. You want to impress Nico? Maybe stop getting in the way."

Before Percy could snap back with a retort, the Nemean Lion let out another roar and pounced, its massive form barreling toward them with terrifying speed. They had no choice but to roll in opposite directions, barely avoiding the swipe of its claws as it tore through the stone floor where they had been standing.

But even as they scrambled to their feet, the bickering didn't stop.

"Look out next time!" Jason shouted, frustrated that Percy had nearly rolled into him.

"Maybe you should stay out of my way!" Percy shot back, summoning another torrent of water from the underground river, sending it crashing toward the lion. The beast shook it off, unaffected, but Percy wasn't ready to give up. He slashed at it with Riptide, aiming for its vulnerable underbelly.

Jason wasn't about to let Percy have the glory, though. With a surge of wind, he propelled himself upward, his gladius sparking with lightning as he struck down at the lion's back. The electricity crackled around them, the air humming with the storm Jason had summoned. But the lion, again, barely flinched, shaking its body to throw them both off balance.

"You're not going to win this on your own!" Jason shouted over the roar of the wind and the growls of the lion. "Stop trying to do everything yourself!"

"I'm not the one trying to prove something!" Percy snapped back, gritting his teeth as he barely dodged another swipe from the lion's massive paw. "You're the one who kissed Nico!"

Jason's eyes widened, and for a second, the fight around them seemed to freeze. "What?" he said, his voice catching.

"You heard me!" Percy's frustration boiled over, and he swung Riptide again, his attacks becoming more aggressive, more desperate. "You made the first move, Jason. I'm not gonna let you just win."

Jason's face twisted with a flash of something like guilt, but the lion didn't give them a moment to dwell on it. It lunged again, its claws raking through the air between them.

"Enough!" Jason shouted, summoning another bolt of lightning that streaked down from the ceiling, lighting up the chamber in a brilliant flash.

But even with their combined efforts, the Nemean Lion still stood, unharmed and unfazed, its golden fur shimmering like armor. The more they attacked, the more it seemed to mock them, as if it knew their rivalry was its greatest advantage.

The Nemean Lion, growing impatient, let out a deafening roar, shaking the very walls of the tunnel. It charged forward, its massive paws thundering against the stone floor. Both Percy and Jason barely had time to react, diving in opposite directions to avoid being crushed by the beast's bulk.

"Focus, Jackson!" Jason shouted as he rolled to his feet, his gladius raised.

"I am focused!" Percy shot back, slashing at the lion's hind legs with Riptide, but the blade barely made a scratch. The lion's fur was impenetrable, even to celestial bronze.

The Nemean Lion wheeled around, its glowing eyes burning with anger. It swiped a massive paw at Jason, who barely managed to block it with his shield. The force of the blow sent him skidding across the stone floor, sparks flying as his heels scraped against the ground.

Percy, seizing the moment, tried again. He gathered the water around him, this time directing it in a more concentrated burst—aiming for the lion's eyes. The water hit its mark, but the lion merely blinked, annoyed, before shaking its head and turning its attention to Percy.

"Seriously?!" Percy groaned. "Nothing?"

Jason, breathing heavily, stood up, brushing dirt from his jacket. "Guess we're doing this the hard way."

"You think?" Percy growled, his frustration boiling over.

The chamber echoed with the Nemean Lion's roars, each one rattling the walls as if the beast itself was shaking the very foundation of Rome. Percy and Jason, bruised and battered, stood back-to-back, their breaths heavy and ragged. The lion, however, was as relentless as ever, prowling around them with an almost smug air, its gleaming golden fur untouched by all their combined attacks.

"Gods, this thing is ridiculous," Percy muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. His body ached from the failed attempts to bring the creature down, and his muscles screamed in protest every time he moved. But there was no time for rest. Not when the lion was still pacing in front of them, completely unfazed by everything they had thrown at it.

"Tell me about it," Jason grunted, electricity crackling at his fingertips as he prepared for yet another strike. "But brute force isn't going to cut it. Not when we're both—"

"Too busy trying to outdo each other?" Percy interrupted, his tone dry as he threw Jason a side-eye. "Yeah, I noticed."

Jason huffed, but there was no bite to his words. The fight had drained whatever competitive edge he'd been holding onto. "We're making this worse," he admitted reluctantly, glancing at Percy. "If we keep going like this, that thing's going to eat us for breakfast."

Percy nodded, his eyes fixed on the lion as it stalked closer. The rivalry—this constant need to prove who was better—had gotten them nowhere. It didn't matter who kissed Nico first or who had the stronger powers. None of that would matter if they were dead.

"Alright," Percy said through gritted teeth, his pride sticking in his throat. "We do this together."

Jason exhaled, tension easing slightly from his posture. "Together," he agreed, though he looked just as frustrated to be admitting it. "What's the plan?"

Percy glanced at the lion, assessing the situation, his mind racing. "I can trap its feet with water, but we need something to take it down while it's stuck. The inside of his mouth is the weak spot."

Jason nodded, catching on. "I can hit it with a lightning strike, but it needs to be perfect timing."

"Yeah, well, let's hope we don't screw this up."

For the first time since they started this quest, Percy and Jason stood side by side, ready to face it—together.

"We end this together," Jason said, his voice firm.

"Yeah," Percy agreed, gripping Riptide tighter. "Together."

The lion, as if sensing they were finally working together, let out another deafening roar and charged. Its golden paws slammed into the stone floor, sending dust and debris flying as it lunged toward them. But this time, instead of acting on impulse, Jason and Percy moved in sync.

Percy raised his hands, summoning the river beneath the stone, the water responding to his call with an almost primal force. It surged up from the ground, thick tendrils wrapping around the lion's legs, holding it in place. The creature roared in fury, thrashing against the watery bonds, but Percy's grip held firm. His face was contorted with effort, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead as he poured every ounce of his power into keeping the lion trapped.

"Hurry, Jason!" Percy grunted, his voice strained.

Jason didn't need to be told twice. With a surge of electricity, he leaped into the air, hovering just above the lion's massive form. His gladius crackled with raw lightning, his stormy blue eyes narrowing as he focused on his target—the lion's open mouth as it roared. The only vulnerable part of its otherwise impenetrable body.

The lion, sensing the danger, twisted and bucked, but Percy's water held fast, keeping its legs rooted to the ground.

"This ends now!" Jason shouted, raising his gladius high. Lightning erupted from the blade, a brilliant arc of energy that filled the chamber with blinding light. The bolt struck true, entering through the lion's mouth and coming out its tail. There was a blinding flash, and for a split second, the entire chamber seemed to shake with the force of the impact.

The lion let out one final, earth-shattering roar before collapsing to the ground in a heap, its golden fur shimmering one last time before it went still. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of Percy's labored breathing and the faint crackle of electricity fading from Jason's blade.

They had done it. Together.

But the victory didn't feel as triumphant as it should have.

Percy and Jason sat on the cold stone floor, chests heaving, every muscle in their bodies aching from the battle with the Nemean Lion. The air in the chamber was thick with the scent of scorched stone and wet fur, and the only sound was the faint trickle of water from the underground river that had aided them in their victory. Exhaustion clung to them like a second skin, but the silence between the two demigods was louder than any battle cry.

Percy wiped a smudge of dirt from his cheek with the back of his hand, staring blankly at the lion's still form. "Well," he muttered, voice thick with exhaustion, "we didn't die."

Jason grunted in agreement, not looking at him. His gladius was still in his hand, the hilt warm from the residual electricity that had surged through it moments ago. "Barely," he added, his tone as flat as the ground beneath them.

Neither of them was willing to admit it aloud, but they both knew their rivalry had nearly cost them the fight—and possibly their lives. And yet, the thought of admitting that, of acknowledging that their egos had gotten in the way, felt too heavy to bear right now.

Across the room, Octavian stood with his arms crossed, his expression smug as ever. He hadn't lifted a finger during the entire battle, and yet here he was, looking like the victor. He took a step forward, his voice dripping with faux concern. "You know," he began, his words slow and deliberate, "if you two hadn't spent half the fight trying to outshine each other, that lion would've been dead long before now."

Percy shot him a glare. "You're welcome for not letting you become its dinner."

Octavian didn't even flinch, his smirk widening as he shrugged. "Oh, I wasn't worried. I knew you'd both figure it out eventually. But the real question is—what's Nico going to think when he hears how close you two came to blowing it?"

Jason tensed at Nico's name, and Percy's fingers tightened around the hilt of Riptide. Octavian's words hit a sore spot for both of them, and he knew it. Percy could practically hear the gears turning in Octavian's head as he continued to stoke the flames between them.

"I mean," Octavian went on, his voice deceptively casual, "I'm sure Nico will appreciate the effort. But if it were me? I'd be more impressed by someone who knows how to win without all the drama."

"Shut up, Octavian," Jason muttered, finally pulling himself to his feet, wincing as his bruised ribs protested. He glanced at Percy, who was still sitting on the ground, staring at the lion's body.

Percy, for his part, didn't have the energy to snap back this time. Octavian's words were sinking in more than he'd like to admit. The whole fight had been about proving who was the better hero, who would bring back the better story for Nico. And now, with the battle over, Percy felt more hollow than triumphant.

But Jason wasn't any better off. As he turned his sword back to its coin form, his mind raced with thoughts of how to frame their victory. He wanted to show Nico that he wasn't just some perfect Roman soldier—that he could be flexible, that he could work with Percy when it counted. But as Octavian's words echoed in his head, Jason realized that he wasn't sure if they'd worked together at all. They'd won, sure—but it had felt more like surviving than actual teamwork.

There was, however, a flicker of something in the air between them now. It wasn't exactly respect—but it was close. Despite their constant bickering, they'd managed to pull off something no one else could. Neither would ever admit it out loud, but the truth was clear: they needed each other if they were going to survive the rest of this quest. The Nemean Lion had been a test, and they had passed—barely—but it wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

"Percy," Jason said after a long pause, his voice softer now. "We've got to—" He trailed off, not sure how to say it without sounding like he was admitting defeat. "—figure this out. If we keep fighting like this..."

"I know," Percy cut him off, still staring at the lion. He finally pushed himself up, his legs feeling heavier than usual. His eyes flicked to Jason's, and there was a moment of understanding between them—an unspoken agreement that they'd need to work together from here on out, whether they liked it or not.

"Good," Jason muttered, nodding once. "Because next time, we might not get so lucky."

Percy rolled his eyes but couldn't argue with that. The lion had been too close, and they both knew it.

Octavian, seeing the shift in the atmosphere, crossed his arms tighter, clearly annoyed that they weren't going to keep tearing into each other. "Touching," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, if you're done bonding, we should probably keep moving. Unless you want to sit here and wait for the next monster to show up."

Percy turned and fixed Octavian with a glare. "You didn't exactly help, you know."

Octavian's smile never faltered. "I'm here for moral support. Besides," he added with a dismissive wave, "I'm sure Nico will hear about how you two played nice eventually. Maybe. If he doesn't care about real heroics."

Percy gritted his teeth but decided not to take the bait this time. "Let's just get moving."

Jason moved toward the fallen lion, his eyes narrowing at the shimmering golden pelt it had left behind. The Nemean Lion's fur—invulnerable, legendary—was the proof they needed. He reached down and, with some effort, pulled the pelt free from the creature's body.

"We'll take this back," Jason said, hefting the pelt over his shoulder. "It'll make a good trophy for Nico."

Percy raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at his lips despite the tension. "You really think he'll care about a lion skin?"

Jason shrugged. "It's something to bring back. And it proves we can handle whatever comes next."

Percy wasn't sure if that was true, but he didn't argue. He fell into step beside Jason as they moved deeper into the tunnel, hopefully leaving their toxic rivalry behind.