Ch13

Annabeth gripped her bag as she slipped her baseball cap on. This is my only chance. Her heart raced in her chest as she snuck through the campers. Clarisse's ship was docked in the harbor, a gift from her father. The Ares Cabin held a small ceremony for their sister as she got on board.

She swallowed her fear as she carefully snuck on behind her. You can't do this alone, too much is riding on this. Clarisse insisted on going alone even though her siblings offered to join her. Though deep down she didn't want to admit that as much as she wanted to help the camp, she always wanted to get out on her own quest and this was that chance.

As soon as she got on the deck she looked out to the crowd. In the distance, she could see Percy Jackson staring at the ship calmly, if he were irritated about not going he didn't show it. She shook her head in annoyance.

Why would I care if he goes? Besides I'm a daughter of Athena I shouldn't make friends with the child of my mother's enemy. Stupid seaweed brain I'll have my quest one day and he won't be invited. She bitterly turned away and found a place to hide as ghostly skeletal warriors walked along the deck of the ship.

The ship's horn blared loudly as the boat began to move. The campers at the beach cheered as they sped off to the ocean. Be safe guys we'll get the golden fleece and save the camp. Yet she would also be lying if she said she didn't want to go on the quest for her own benefit or because there was a chance to find Luke again.

Please be safe. Her eyes began to water just thinking of him, she didn't want to believe he had gone over to Kronos' side. Maybe I could talk some sense into him? Deep down she yearned for her old friend and crush.

Her heart raced in her chest as she found a quiet place to hide. Despite her relationship with Clarisse improving she didn't want to get on her bad side now of all times.

As the day turned to evening she found Clarisse ordering her soldiers around. "Follow those coordinates exactly."

"Yes mam," A soldier with a southern drawl said.

"I don't have any other leads," Clarisse muttered as she turned to face the sea. "But I doubt he'd be that much of a punk to lie now of all times." Unease was etched across her face, her eyes betrayed worry as they stared out at the ocean.

She watched Clarisse stare out at the ocean her body shaking. It took her a moment to realize she was shaking in fear. She's scared. Clarisse is scared.

It felt wrong seeing someone in such a vulnerable state. She took a step back ready to hide in a small corner when Clarisse's posture stiffened. "I know you're there wise girl."

Well it was worth a shot. She sighed as she removed the hat. "Before you get mad I'm not trying to steal your glory," she said quickly. "I uh just to make sure the camp is safe that's all and you could use my help."

Clarisse shook her head her gaze hard. "Fine but let us get one thing straight wise girl, this is my quest and Ares gets the glory got it?"

"Got it," she said firmly. There was something different about Clarisse, her gaze wasn't cocky and there was no bravado in her voice. The daughter of Ares was afraid and not just because of the camp.

"Find a room there are plenty of them." Clarisse rested on the edge and looked out at the sea. "You're a smarty pants what's your take on the info Jackson gave?"

She frowned. "I don't care for him but I doubt he is smart enough to make it up." She didn't like saying it but seeing the son of Poseidon made something stir inside of her, a sense of competition that sort of mirrored their parents. "It's a lead unless you have one better."

Clarisse frowned and turned around. "We'll head straight towards the Bermuda Triangle. From there we'll find the fleece and return to camp."

"Got it," she said. For a moment she saw a flicker of emotion in Clarisse's eyes that was replaced by her usual steely glare.

After backing her things in a spare room she found Clarisse in the dining hall using an Iris Message. "No I chose her as my companion I just didn't want anyone else to notice," Clarisse said folding her arms. "Don't worry we'll be back soon."

"You better," Tantalus said as he tried but failed to eat a burger.

The message ended and Clarisse turned around. "Don't worry I talked him out of permanently exiling you."

"Um thanks," she said. Her heart sank at the idea of being exiled from the camp and being forced to live with her father and wicked stepmother. We'll be successful I know it.

Clarisse snapped her fingers. "Well lets eat dinner."

She sat across from her as a soldier brought them food. "So what's your plan?" She asked.

"Find the fleece and kill anything that gets in our way," Clarisse said as she ate her burger. "You?"

She frowned. "The Sea of Monsters is a tricky destination we shouldn't take it lightly. There are sirens, witches, and-" She froze and looked down at her food, her stomach turning. "Cyclops."

Clarisse snorted. "Don't worry I can take care of them. Why don't you cook up some emergency plans, we don't can't afford any surprises."

She swallowed and nodded. "Y-Yeah." Taking a deep breath she forced the memory of the Cyclops she met when she was younger out of her head. Calm down we need to do this for the camp.

The rest of the evening was uneventful. Thankfully they didn't run into any monsters and the only signs of anything near them was what looked like a cruise ship in the distance. Clarisse spent the entire day practicing with her spear on deck.

She watched her from the side, her movements were like a caged animal as she fought off an invisible force.

"Mam we will be approaching the Bermuda Triangle soon," A ghostly soldier said.

Clarisse gripped her spear and cleaned the sweat off of her face. "Good. Keep the engines running and be prepared for any monsters."

The ghostly soldier bowed. "Yes mam."

I would be nervous too if this were my quest. She had always dreamed of her own quest, to prove herself and make her mother proud. If only that stupid seaweed brain accepted me. Her blood boiled as she returned to her room. It's fine, I'll get a better quest in the future and show him.

As the evening came she noticed Clarisse didn't come to the dining room. She ate alone but as the night came there was still no sign of her. Curiosity got the best of her and she went to look around the ship.

However, as she turned the corner she noticed a light in the room followed by a powerful presence that made her blood boil.

"You better not mess this up," growled a male voice.

Her heart raced in her chest as she felt the primal desire to flee. Is there something here? She quickly put on her invisibility hat and looked through the corner with her dagger in hand expecting a monster.

Instead, she found Clarisse on her knees her body shaking as tears fell down her face. In front of her was a man in Greek armor his very gaze making her body shake.

"I-I won't father," Clarisse said. She had never heard such fear in her voice, Clarisse had always been strong and boisterous yet here she was the fear in her eyes as if she were a normal child.

Father. Her eyes widened as she looked at the man, his very aura butting her senses on edge. Ares.

Ares clenched his fist and raised it. Clarisse flinched. "I should've given this quest to one of my sons. You better not fail or bring shame to me."

"I won't father I swear," Clarisse said quickly tears falling down her face. "I-I'll get the golden fleece and save the camp. You will be honored."

The god of war's gaze was hard as steel. "You better. This quest belongs to me, not Athena."

She closed her eyes as the god disappeared in a flash. When she opened them Clarisse was still on her knees sobbing as tears fell down her cheeks.

I'm sorry. She knew the gods could be harsh but she never would've thought that Ares would be that harsh. Cleaning the tears off of her eyes she slowly left, a part of her wanted to comfort Clarisse but she knew that the daughter of Ares' pride would not accept it even if it came from a good place.

You know I really do feel sorry for her. Her body was still shaking as she entered her room and sat down on her bed. A part of her was guilty of all the times she made fun of Clarisse and insulted her to her face and behind her back. Now I'm a stowaway on her ship.

It wasn't easy getting a quest, she herself had wanted one for ages but never could get one. For her this is a chance to honor her father and save the camp.

As she removed her baseball cap, she held it in her hands gingerly. Not everyone could have a good godly parent like mine. If she knew what Clarisse had to put up with she would've been nicer to her.

Suddenly the alarm on the ship rang loudly as something rocked the ship. An attack? She quickly grabbed her things as the ship tilted to its side.

When she arrived on the deck there was chaos everywhere as water spilled everywhere. "Man your stations!" Clarisse yelled.

"What's happening?" She yelled through the stormy weather.

Clarisse turned to her. "We are entering the Sea of Monsters."

She was nearly thrown to the ground as the ship hit something solid. Clarisse helped her up. "Come on wise girl we have a quest to complete." She nodded as she saw what appeared to be large mountains emerge from the sea.

Hecate stood in her hall as Nemesis paced in front of her pyre. "You've been contacted too?" The goddess of revenge asked.

"I have," she said frankly.

"And? What do you think?" Nemesis asked.

She paused and gripped her torch. "I will continue to make sure my family is safe and strive for a seat."

Nemesis rolled her eyes, it was more irritating because she looked like a Karen. "I don't think Olympus will budge easily."

"Things are changing," she said calmly.

"He's been contacting the other minor gods," Nemesis muttered. "A lot of them are listening. None want to make the first move of course, if Olympus finds out we'd be dead."

"Be careful Olympus isn't as blind to us as before," she warned. "Eyes watch us even when we aren't aware."

Nemesis frowned and turned to the flames. "Back in the day, Lord Zeus would send me to enact his justice. Punish hubris and enact vengeance. When was the last time he even called me to his presence?" The bitterness in her voice reflected in her eyes.

Most goddesses would call that a good thing. Yet she could sympathize with Nemesis' plight the anger and bitterness in her voice was evident. "You will play a role in the recognition you seek," she said calmly. "Focus on your son at camp and you shall gain what you desire."

Nemesis raised an eyebrow. "What do you see exactly?"

She raised her torch as the flames flickered. "Many paths. The right one will lead us to our glory with our children intact."

Nemesis' gaze flickered. "If the Olympians cared so much they wouldn't have been so complacent in their treatment of us."

"The choice is ours to make," she said calmly. Frankly she had to admit deep down she was looking at both sides and waiting to get what would be best for her and her family. "Our actions and that of our children will be everything.

Nemesis gave her one final look before disappearing in a flash of light. So many paths we could take yet some are better than others.

It didn't take long for the familiar cold presence to enter her realm as she watched over her flames. "What do you desire?" She asked politely.

"Hecate do not be fooled." Kronos' voice reverberated throughout the room casting a shadow in all corners. "The Olympians will do you know good, join me and you'll have victory and the recognition you deserve."

The flames darkened as a shiver went down her spine. For a moment she saw it in the flames. A throne for herself. Yet that throne was built on the bodies of her children.

"Do not worry we will all sacrifice but with me you shall be great," Kronos said as his presence left her realm.

She took a deep breath as a shiver went down her spine. A throne for myself but at what cost? The visions she saw were clear and as much as she wanted her respect she couldn't just build it over the backs of her children.

"We must all make sacrifices," Kronos said. "I'm sure your children would gladly want to sacrifice themselves for you."

She couldn't argue that. But deep down she knew that many of her children weren't fighters like Alabaster. Many were like Lou who while talented probably would struggle in a war.

"Think carefully," Kronos said calmly. "I can make you great, your children will be immortalized for their deaths."

Images of a throne filled her sight yet she could not ignore the bodies of all her children strewn around it. She clenched her fists. How could I sit on a throne over the bodies of my own children?

"I can help protect those that serve me," Kronos said as images played in her head. The cruise ship, various camps where Kronos' forces lay, and various legions of monsters and demigods marching through the tunnels of the labyrinth.

"They all serve me," Kronos said. "I could use the help. You can lead my forces to victory and in return you shall be rewarded with the recognition you deserve."

She froze not knowing what to say. His words were tempting but then again could she really throw her children in the line of fire?

"All I need is the fleece," Kronos said as the images of a large cruise ship filled her vision. "Perhaps your children could be of use?"

Looking at the ship she frowned as she felt another presence protect it. "Has Oceanus joined your side as well?"

Kronos chuckled. "My brother is on the fence but trust me he'll soon see the light and bring chaos to Poseidon's realm."

She paused as she looked at the ship. "Not all my children are fighters, unfortunately."

"Think carefully about who you wish to serve," Kronos said calmly. "Olympus has long taken you for granted, with me you shall receive recognition and your children shall be honored."

As soon as it came the Titan Lord's presence left. She winced and took a deep breath as one eye drifted to the flames. She could see their blood spilled on the ground and their screams echoed in her ears. In the midst was Lou and a few of her remaining siblings with tears falling down their faces at their slain siblings.

Mother why? They begged as the battlefield was strewn with the bodies of her fallen children. Just hearing them moved her heart. The flames flickered and more and more visions of her dead children passed through her eyes. So many of them on the ground bleeding and crying begging for her help.

Her immortal heart ached, seeing them in such a state. She had always worked hard to make sure her children were safe and well trained yet seeing them die one by one their bodies scattered on the ground bleeding brought various emotions up that she did not want to admit.

I'll find a path that fits all of us. Gripping her torch she raised it high to expel the shadows. My recognition and the safety of my children go hand in hand.