Chapter 20

“So what is your plan when we get to where we think percy and the others are?”

Kayla pestered Clarisse- who was currently making sure the boat was sailing neatly. There really wasn’t much for Kayla to do. She helped the soldiers, then when she was no longer needed, well, that was it. Boredom. “Surround him, threaten him to give me the right coordinates, tell him it’s my quest and remind him, Annabeth and that cyclops that they’ve been kicked out of camp.” She reiterated, having mulled the idea over in her head dozens of times already. “Mh,” Kayla pouted in thought. “Okay, not bad. What if they don’t?”

“Don’t hand the coordinates over? We take them hostage.”

“Take the son of Poseidon… hostage, on a ship? Something tells me he’s gonna escape really easily.”

“Knock em out first,” Clarisse shrugged. “Give one of my men an order to look over them. Whenever they wake up, knock em back out.”

Kayla rubbed the bridge of her nose with a thin-lipped smile. “That’s- okay, we’ll figure it out fully when we come to it. I seriously can’t believe his ego, though. Leaving camp just to steal a quest?” The thought enraged Kayla. He’d barely been at camp- and this boy was already thinking he was the star of the show. Her fingers curled into her palms.

“Jealous much? I know that look anywhere.”

“And you’re not? You only know that look cause you see it in the mirror too much.”

“Hmph.” Clarisse replied, squinting her eyes at Kayla before focusing on steering again. “Get your ass downstairs before I boot you to the sharks.”

…

Arriving at their location in New Jersey was tough- especially after another half a day on the Ironclad. The fact that this wasn’t even supposed to be part of the quest had Kayla worried. Oh, she was screwed.

Clarisse stood- sword pointed threateningly at Percy. Kayla’s was pointed at Tyson. She tilted her head as the satyr gave her a lopsided smile.

“Clarisse,” Percy said in exasperation, his own sword, Riptide, pointed in defense. “Who are your friends?”

“You think your daddy’s the only one with sea power?”

Annabeth came running out from a few trees, instsntly on guard and wary.

“My father can’t point me to the finish line, but he can point me to my enemies. And don’t even try to lecture me on the rules, smart girl. Tantalus expelled you for deserting camp to steal my quest.” Clarisse waved her spear around egotistically. All soldiers stood like robots- one word was all they would need. Kayla stood with her dagger out, watching each one individually. Her wings were raised in a ghreatening stance- similar to how some birds raised them for them exact reason. Annabeth gave her a pointed look, which made her melt from her forced tough-look and widen her eyes in reply, as if to say, “just comply”.

Yet it was too late- Clarisse was already storming forward to take them by force herself.

“Woah, wait,” Annabeth yelped. “We give you the coordinates… if you take us with you.” Percy snapped his head around, lowering his guard for a second in shock. Kayla held back a chuckle. Annabeth went on to explain why having more people would be good for the Sea of Monsters.

“We don’t need any, Annabeth,” Kayla butted in. “We have a naval navigator to Napoleon,” She pointed her dagger to Pierre momentarily. “And an engineer extraordinaire, and- and Canthus is an argonaut who has hands-on experience with the Sea of Monsters already.” Kayla rambled. She was trying to save the girl here, to tell her to give up- yet Annabeth sent her a stubborn glare. She liked Annabeth. Sure, she could be… blunt, but she was mature for her age. Even if her blonde hair did still annoy her.

“You can take them by force,” Percy argued, regaining his focus on Clarisse with his sword. “On once condition. Single combat. I win, you give us the ship and you and your crew stay here.”

Kayla seethed, taking a step forward. “Who do you think you are? Give the goddamn-” Clarisse set the blunt of her spear into Kayla’s chest. Not harsh, but enough to warn her to stay out of it. She stumbled back, straightening her posture and making very sure to send a wave of warning nausea over in Clarisse’s head with her stare that burned into the back of her head. Unnecessary, Kayla thought.

She let out a groan from the back of her throat as she spoke, eyes focused on Percy. “It’s on, Jackson.”

All focus went to the battle before them. Soldiers stayed put. Kayla’s face showed nothing but pure, 100% jealously. Over what? So much. She would admit it, too. Percy and his ego, this entire situation just because he wanted a quest? Or, to Kayla’s knowledge, that is why. The fact she was pushed to one side enraged her. The Unnecessary but strong action of Clarisse had her wanting to go oh, so much lower to get some form of stubborn revenge. Or… notice? It made her feel unimportant.

She was ripped from her thoughts when Canthus turned into dust besides her. She shreiked, then Annabeth appeared with her cap in hand.

“You killed them!” Clarisse accused, thrusting her head to Annabeth fast enough it could have snapped her spinal chord. “Well they we’re already dead,” Percy said bluntly, lowering his sword along with Clarisse’s spear. “Maybe you should rethink your decisions.”

“Can anyone else run the engines? Navigate?” Clarisse spun in a slow circle to look at the rest of her crew. They all shook their heads. Kayla huffed, picking at her nails with a sassy stance.

“Clarisse, we just want to do the same thing. Save camp, save Grover. We just want to help you finish it. Right?” Annabeth debated. Percy nodded. “Aye-aye, Captain.”

“I don’t care about the stupid Satyr, and this is my quest!”

Regardless, Clarisse’s argument crumbled. She seethed her spear, rousing her soldiers up with the flick of a finger. “Fine, get on board. Now.”

Kayla had forgotten about Tyson. He was quiet and shy for a cyclops. Clarisse had given the three of their new crew-mates a very forced ship-tour, to which Tyson had a funny waddle-walk the entire way through due to not liking the sway of the ship. It was the only thing Kayla stared at while following Clarisse around. In Clarisse’s words, she had to follow behind ‘incase they turned on her.’ Which was way over the top, in Kayla’s opinion. This cyclops would not be trying to kill anyone any time soon. Plus, Annabeth was way too smart to do that. And anything that girl said, Percy seemed to follow. So, Kayla rounded up that they were very, very safe.

“You are in so much trouble.” Clarisse started, taking them back up on deck.

The dead confederate soldiers stared at Percy, Annabeth and Tyson as they were guided around by Clarisse. They liked Annabeth- but not Percy. Something about him being from New York. Kayla figured it was best to never mention in the future that she was also from New York. They didn’t have much of an opinion on Tyson, yet the boy himself was scared of them, forcing Annabeth to hold his hand, which she wasn’t too pleased with.

Clarisse was still rambling on- a little too secretly excited to be showing someone where everything was and what everything did. She was currently speaking to Percy. “So yes, these guys will do anything i tell them. Won’t you, Captain?”

The Captain of the ship nodded. “If it means an end to this infernal war, ma’am, peace at last, we’ll do anything. Destroy anyone.”

“Destroy anyone, I like that.” Clarisse smirked.

As they got to the wheel and Clarisse got the ship to turn around, Annabeth spoke up. “Clarisse, Luke might be after the fleece. We saw him, and he had a crew full of monsters-“

“Good! I’ll blow him out of the water.”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself.” Kayla mumbled, still stood behind them all.

They all turned to her. Percy nodded his head to her. “She’s right. Uh… what’s your name again?”

“Kayla.” Annabeth responded for her, giving Percy a scolding look.

“Shut it, Kayla. This is my quest, and I will succeed.”

“It’s technically my quest, too, since you picked me.” Kayla argued, a little hissy. “It’s mine too.” Annabeth crossed her arms.

“Oh,” Clarisse chuckled sarcastically. “You wanna bet? It is not, you bailed, wise girl,” She turned to Kayla behind her, letting go of the wheel. “You’re… an exception. Even Ares said you were a good pick.”

Percy changed conversation, rolling his eyes. “Didn’t you pick another one, once Annabeth left with me? Another friend?”

“They didn’t… I let them stay at camp. To protect the borders.”

“That’s bull, she didn’t ask anyone.” Kayla corrected. Percy snickered, yet Kayla death glared him. She wasn’t trying to make him laugh. “Kayla! Will you shut your-“

“Okay! Everyone! Stop, all of you.” Annabeth chirped in.

“Clarisse,” Annabeth started again. “Tantalus is using you. He doesn’t care abut the camp. He’d love to see it destroyed. He’s setting you up for failure.”

Kayla put her hand on Clarisse’s arm to stop her from replying. “So then why did you two- three- decide to take it up yourself? So you could be the winners? You both had your glory last year.” Kayla replied. Clarisse shook her off gently, still fuming.

“Oh, you’re both as stubborn as each other, you know that? What is your fatal flaw again, Kayla?” Annabeth asked, pointing a spiky glare at her. “Cause it’s not Clarisse’s, you’re speaking for her. It isn’t a need for glory, yours must be jealousy. There are fine lines between flaws, but both of yours, together? Thats a recipe for disaster.

Clarisse took a breath. “How do you know my-“

“Oh! So sure, Annabeth? Typical Athena kid, making everyone else’s decisions. I bet having hubris in the mix wouldn’t make it any better, would it?”

“Guys!” Percy yelled, making them all turn to him. Tyson was tucked away in the corner, watching the waves. “Can we please focus? We need to figure out how we’re gonna get to the sea of monsters. Annabeth,” He breathed out a sigh, slouching his shoulders. “Please, leave her. They’re clearly both relentless.”

Kayla and Clarisse stayed silent. Kayla was not happy. Infact, Annabeth had been avoiding looking at her for the past thirty seconds due to the death stare she was serving out. “Let’s go back downstairs,” Annabeth sighed, walking off. “I want a map, and things to work with. And a seat.”

…

Downstairs, in the room just outside the Captains quarters, they found themselves in debate of what to do. Percy had told Tyson to enjoy the breeze upstairs so he could stay out of it. Kayla was happy for that.

Clarisse sat at a high table, arm slouched on it. Kayla stood besides her, her wings tucked up tightly, effortlessly. Annabeth was stood staring into space thinking, and Percy was sat opposite Clarisse riling her up. “This is so stupid.” Percy sighed. “You’re so stupid.” Clarisse fired.

“Annabeth, will you please decide who’s more stupid?” He questioned.

“Why does she get to decide? This is my-“

“Your quest. I’m aware.” He turned to Annabeth. “I showed her where were going, but she keeps saying we either have to face Scylla or Ch…”

“Charybdis.” Clarisse answered.

“Clarisse is right,” Annbeth nodded. “You have to choose, one or the other. Claws of Scylla, or the whirlpool of Charbdis.”

“In your face, Jackson!”

Percy rolled his eyes, pointing back to the map. “But why don’t we just sail around Scylla and… the thing i know how to pronounce.”

“Doesn’t work like that.” Kayla hummed, picking as a scab on her palm. “She has a plan to blow up Charybdis, we have celestial bronze cannon balls.”

“That’s a slim chance, Charybdis isn’t that weak.” Annabeth replied, making Clarisse shuffle in her seat and gave an offended look. “Got a better plan?”

“Odysseus chose Scylla. He made it through. Six of his men didn’t, though. But… you have an army of more than ten, so-“

“I’m not doing that to them.” Clarisse finalised.

Percy huffed. “Why not? Even if your quest succeeds, they go back to the underworld. You’re just sending them home early.”

“I promised them Elysium.”

All three of them responded to Clarisse’s comment with a ‘You what?!’ in shock. That was a dumb thing to promise.

“Well,” Kayla scoffed. “Please tell me you didn’t promise on the River Styx?“

“No. Just… if the quest succeeds.” Clarisse sighed in relief, yet she still looked insanely guilty.

“You can’t promise them that!” Annabeth bristled, confused. “I was going to ask Ares!” She countered.

“Kayla,” Percy turned to her. “Could you promise them Elysium? Being the daughter of-“

“Ugh! No, I can’t! Everyone single one of them dead things has asked me the same thing. I can guide them to the underworld, talk them through Clarisse’s words, you know- “Hey, i know you’re excited for Elysium now, but Clarisse lied! It’s not up to her!” But I’ve never even tried guiding anyone before. It’s the last few pages in my book, apparently super hard. Draining.” She rambled, annoyed.

“…Okay, I was just asking, jeez.”

Kayla’s face went deadpan. This little shit. “And I was just telling.”

Meanwhile, Annabeth and Clarisse had been talking things over. They both turned. “We sail for Scylla,” Clarisse pointed to the map. “I’ll… talk to my men about it.” With that, Clarisse stormed off and straightened her posture to muster confidence.

Kayla sighed, glancing to Percy and Annabeth, who were already looking at her. “What?”

“Nothing,” Annabeth shook her head. “I’m sorry for arguing with you up on deck. But- an apology back would also-“

“I apologise.” She cut her off, fluttering her wings, which were still tucked up. She had long since dropped her death stare, but she was still in a mood. She doubted anyone in camp including Annebth had ever seen her look so unhappy before. No sunshine and rainbows, for once. “Maybe you were right about my fatal flaw. It just annoys me that you’re so confident in someone else’s problems.”

“I…”

“Annabeth didn’t mean it like that.” Percy nudged Annabeth reassuringly. “Look, I think… everyone is just stressed out because of what could happen, alright? Let’s start fresh, get our heads focused, and-“

“No offense, Jackson, but you trying to diffuse a situation is not helping. Actually- yes. Offense.”

“What did I do?” He looked to Annabeth with a quiet voice, furrowing his brows.

“I told you, seaweed brain. Fatal flaws, yeah?” She replied back. “Let’s go find something to eat.” They gave Kayla a nod, leaving to go back on deck.

That night, Kayla lay in the tiny double bed in the Captains quarters, filling in her diary. Clarisse wasn’t done on the dock yet, but other than that the usual sounds still followed. Most soldiers snoring soundly in their hammocks. The engines still roaring no matter what. The waves crashing into the boat as they got much more violent at night.

“I hate it when you’re not asleep by the time I come in here.” The door closed behind Clarisse.

“Why? That’s silly. I’m not that bad.”

“Cause then I have to settle down next to you while you’re still awake.“

Kayla snickered, shuffling up for hopes of her diary being kept secretive, and that they wouldn’t touch. She rubbed her sternum, sighing. “Too bad, dude.”

“I’m not your dude.”

“Okay, too bad.”

Clarisse moved into bed, adjusting Kayla’s pillow to make sure it was securely between them. “Thanks for defending me earlier.”

She furrowed her brows, her pencil coming to a moment of pause. “I mean, I wasn’t trying to defend you, I was just being blunt but, you’re welcome…? Thanks for- hitting me in the chest, I guess.” She replied, pulling her knees up to continue writing. “I was just- i had too much adrenaline, I didn’t mean to go that hard. Like, at all. I would’ve put someone six feet under if they did that to me.”

“Hmph.” She huffed out a soft smile, shaking it off. “Only hurt cause my chest is growing.”

“Uh- what? I don’t wanna-“

“I- not like that! That came out wrong. I mean, with my wings- it’s-” Kayla closed her diary for a second, scoffing to herself in embarrassment. “My bones, in my chest, are getting very slightly bigger to help with my wings. You know, so I don’t… fold into two whenever im flying. Once they’re strong enough I’ll be able to fly for longer. It’s alot like a literal bird. The reason their chests are so puffed is so they have enough strength for their wings. Except- my chest won’t puff out.” Kayla explained quickly. She didn’t mention how easily her sternum had bruised from it.

“Huh,” She nodded, raising an eyebrow. “That would be helpful if your bones like, sped up their progress, you know, so like, when we get to Polyphemus’ island-“

“Shut up,” Kayla scoffed. “It’s happening, just slowly.”

Clarisse settled down, humming. “Whatever, go to sleep. Long day tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” Kayla agreed. She didn’t know whether to face Clarisse or be turned away from her- the double bed was barely that, a double. She settled on turning her back to Clarisse. “Right, night.”

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This was such a mix of scenes between the book and tv show that i literally mixed perfectly and im so proud of. Plus my own scenes and dialogue, but still 😝