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chapter ten ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
010. Brainiac Get Serenaded But Not By Cass

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WOW, PERCY WASN'T COMPLETELY USELESS!

Just kidding of course, but Cassie wouldn't admit that to the boy. He'd be too cocky about it.

She had to admit though, he was doing a good job controlling the ship.

It seemed to listen to all of his orders and Percy seemed to know what he was doing.

He knew how fast they were going, which direction to turn, everything was perfect.

But now, Tyson and Grover were the only thing on his mind. He kept thinking back to Circe's island.

He would've been stuck there if it wasn't for the girls. The son of Poseidon thought of Circe's words: "See, Percy? You've unlocked your true self!"

He did feel changed. More jumpy and scared, like he was still a little animal.

And that worried Percy. Because deep down what if that had always been part of him?

༻ ─── •✧💢✧• ─── ༺

They sailed all night.

Annabeth offered to help keep lookout but quickly rushed to lie down as a nauseating feeling came over her.

That left Cassie and Percy above deck to their boredom. Cassie took the opportunity to cut her hair back to its uneven lengths.

It was barely at her shoulders now but she'd had it shorter before so she didn't mind the difference.

The red streaks stood out in the dark and Cassie fiddled with the strands.

She watched the sea in silence with Percy and many times, monsters would pop up in the waves.

The son of Poseidon even saw Nereids and tried to wave, but they vanished before he got a response.

Cassie chuckled at his disappointed face. He looked like a pouting baby seal.

Percy rolled his eyes and glared playfully. "Shut up Casanova."

"Don't mind me Barnacle Boy!" Cassie laughed back.

Percy scoffed but a smile made its way onto his face. That was until he remembered Grover.

"You think Grover's doing all right? You know with the cyclops and all?"

Cassie's face dropped into a grimace at the question.

"He'll be fine Perc. He's the strongest satyr we know. Besides, you've seen his with your empathy link." She reassured.

Percy nodded. "Yeah, he is the strongest."

"And he makes a pretty good Cyclops bride." Cassie grinned.

Percy let out a laugh. "Can't argue with that."

The brunette smiled, at least the son of Poseidon was laughing now. Life was too short to be worrying all the time.

Cassie had vowed to protect him and she planned to do just that. She'd protect them all if she could, no matter what.

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Annabeth joined them around midnight. They were making it past a volcano island.

It was so hot the sea bubbled and smoke floated out.

"One of the forges of Hephaestus, where he makes his metal monsters." Annabeth pointed out.

"Like the bronze bulls?" Percy asked.

"Yeah." Cassie confirmed.

"Go around. Far around." Annabeth directed.

Percy obeyed and steered them away from the island, which faded into a red blob as they got farther.

The son of Poseidon took the opportunity to look at Cassie who was leaning against the stairs, watching them.

Then he turned to Annabeth. "The reason you hate cyclopes so much . . . the story about how Thalia really died. What happened?"

The darkness kept him from seeing her expression. Cassie observed the two, not inputting in their conversation.

"I guess you deserve to know," Annabeth decided. "The night Grover was escorting us to camp, he got confused, took some wrong turns. You remember he told you that once?"

Percy nodded.

"Well, the worst wrong turn was into a cyclops' lair in Brooklyn."

"They've got cyclopes in Brooklyn?"

"You wouldn't believe how many, but that's not the point. This cyclops, he tricked us. He managed to split us up inside this maze of corridors in an old house in Flatbush. And he could sound like anyone, Percy. Just the way Tyson did aboard the Princess Andromeda. He lured us, one at time. Thalia thought she was running to save Luke. Luke thought he heard me scream for help. And me . . . I was alone in the dark. I was seven years old. I couldn't even find the exit."

Annabeth's gray eyes met green ones. Cassie offered a sad smile.

The daughter of Athena broke the eye contact to brush a strand of hair from her face.

"I remember finding the main room. There were bones all over the floor. And there were Thalia and Luke and Grover, tied up and gagged, hanging from the ceiling like smoked hams. The cyclops was starting a fire in the middle of the floor. I drew my knife, but he heard me. He turned and smiled. He spoke and somehow he knew my dad's voice. I guess he just plucked it out of my mind. He said, 'Now, Annabeth, done you worry. I love you. You can stay here with me. You can stay forever.'"

The way Annabeth said it was enough to send a shiver down Cassie and Percy's spines.

"What did you do?" Percy asked.

"I stabbed him in the foot."

Cassie coughed to cover up a laugh.

Percy blinked, eyes shifting between the two. "Are you kidding? You were seven years old and you stabbed a grown cyclops in the foot?"

"Oh, he would've killed me. But I surprised him. It gave me just enough time to run to Thalia and cut the ropes on her hands. She took it from there."

"Yeah, but still . . . that was pretty brave." Percy said.

Cassie let out a small hum of agreement.

Annabeth lips turned up ever so slightly, but Percy noticed.

The blonde continued with her story. "We barely got out alive. I still have nightmares. The way that cyclops talked in my father's voice. It was his fault we took so long getting to camp. All the monsters who'd been chasing us had time to catch up. That's really why Thalia died. If it hadn't been for that cyclops, she'd still be alive today."

Cassie made her way to sit down next to the two. She didn't say anything but she took Annabeth's hand in her own.

The blonde turned her head, only to see the brunette staring at the sky with a fond smile on her face.

"Go below," Annabeth broke the silence, talking to Percy. "You need some rest."

The son of Poseidon didn't protest and disappeared below deck.

Cassie didn't avert her eyes from the stars as she spoke to Annabeth.

"You know, you're really brave Chase."

Thank goodness it was dark out so Cassie couldn't see Annabeth's red cheeks.

"And you're not all that bad Carter."

Annabeth replied, a smile gracing her lips.

"Not all the bad huh? So you admit I'm not annoying, infuriating, an idiot, a-" Cassie smirked before Annabeth stopped her.

"Oh no, you are all that but occasionally you're tolerable."

"Just tolerable?" Cassie blinked innocently.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "In the somewhat wise words of someone I know: 'that's the best you're getting'."

Cassie placed her unoccupied hand over her heart dramatically. "And you said I'm occasionally an idiot but here you are quoting me? I'm not sure whether I should be honored or insulted."

"Don't get too full of yourself Warpath."

"Don't be adding to my ego then Brainiac."

"Remind me never to compliment you again." Annabeth laughed.

Cassie grinned. She liked Annabeth's laugh.

'Wait what. Where did that thought come from?' the daughter of Ares thought to herself.

The two sat in content silence watching the stars together.

Sometimes Annabeth would point out a certain constellation. Other times, Cassie would nudge Annabeth and gesture to a shooting star.

The blonde found it fun, relaxing even. And that wasn't a word you'd use on a quest like this. Or in a place like the Sea of Monsters.

But with Cassie . . . Things were just different. Out of the ordinary. Special.

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Percy didn't know how long he had slept for but he did know he didn't like Cassie's method of waking him up.

The son of Poseidon found himself on the floor with an, "Ah!"

His hammock was swaying above him, upside down and Cassie was grinning above him.

"Kelp Head, you were having a nightmare. You need to get up!"

"Wh-what is it? What's wrong?" Percy mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Land-ho! Oh, and according to Chase, we're approaching the island of the Sirens."

Percy and Cassie got above deck and the most was super thick. All they could make out was the dark blob of the island up ahead.

"I want you to do me a favor," Annabeth requested from her spot next to them. "Sirens . . . we'll be in range of their singing soon."

Cassie's brows furrowed as she pondered what the favor could be.

Percy had a good guess. He remembered the stories of the Sirens and their enchanting voices.

"No problem. We can just stop up ears. There's a big tub of candle was below deck-"

"I want to hear them." Annabeth contradicted Percy's thoughts, confirming Cassie's.

"Why?" The son of Poseidon frowned.

"They say the Sirens sing the truth about what you desire. They tell you things about yourself you didn't even realize. That's what's so enchanting. If you survive . . . you become wiser. I want to hear them. How often will I get that chance?"

That made no sense, but Annabeth was pretty persistent so Percy went along without complaint.

On the other hand, Cassie sure as hell voiced her opinion.

"What! No way are you gonna do that!"

Annabeth ignored the brunette and explained her plans. Hesitantly, Percy followed along.

Cassie couldn't believe how stupid the two were being.

"Are you crazy, Chase? Do you wanna die or something?"

"I just wanna know. What's your deal anyways?" Annabeth shrugged, not seeing the problem.

"What's my deal?! Oh I don't know, maybe it's the fact that YOU COULD DIE!" Cassie exclaimed, ruffling her hair in frustration.

Gods Annabeth was so irritating at times.

The daughter of Athena put her hand on Cassie's shoulder in a sense of comfort. Cassie shrugged it off.

"Who's supposed to help me deal with Perc if you're dead, blondie?" Cassie questioned when their eyes met.

"I'll be fine Warpath. Now come on."

Cassie didn't believe that one bit but she did watch as Percy tied Annabeth to the foremast.

He was really bad at tying good knots so Cassie had to step in.

She made sure the rope was secure around the blonde's waist.

"Don't untie me. No matter what happens or how much I plead. I'll want to go straight over the edge and drown myself." Annabeth warned.

"That's kinda hard to pass up." Cassie muttered, not looking anywhere but the rope.

"Ha-ha." Annabeth laughed dryly.

"All set." Cassie said as she back away from the daughter of Athena.

The brunette sighed but went to Percy who had the candle wax.

They stuffed their ears and Annabeth gave them a sarcastic nod of approval.

Cassie stuck her tongue back at the blonde and placed her sunglasses on her head.

Percy manned the wheel. The silence was weird and as they got closer to the island, random spiky rocks appeared.

The son of Poseidon kept the Queen Anne's Revenge from being skewered.

Cassie watched Annabeth the whole time. She seemed fine, but then her expression changed to one of confusion.

Her eyes widened and Cassie couldn't tell if she was scared or surprised.

She got her answer when the blonde fought against the ropes yelling Cassie's name.

She appeared so miserable and desperate that Cassie felt pain from just watching.

Percy sped the ship up focusing on the island. There were scraps of wood and glass floating in the water.

Percy wondered what the Sirens were singing about that could make people just abandoned ship.

He was almost tempted to take out the ear plugs but a whack to his shoulder from Cassie kept his hands on the wheel.

Percy glanced to Annabeth who was in tears now, begging . . . no, pleading them to free her.

It was like she was being held back from everything she'd ever dreamed about.

Annabeth's eyes told Cassie everything she couldn't hear.

How could you be so cruel? I thought you were my friend?

The daughter of Ares shifted her gaze from the blonde not knowing how much longer she could leave Annabeth like that.

That was her mistake.

Percy hadn't been paying attention either and in the five minutes they weren't watching Annabeth, she had escaped.

The son of Poseidon looked back to the now empty ropes and Annabeth's discarded knife.

He got Cassie's attention before jumping overboard after the blonde.

It took everything in Cassie to keep herself from jumping after him.

She held back every thought urging her to save Annabeth herself.

Percy was already down there and someone had to control the ship. Besides, out of the two of them Percy was better in the ocean.

The brunette distracted herself by keeping the ship in its spot.

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Meanwhile, Percy was dodging through sharp rocks and random floating trash.

He frantically gazed around for the daughter of Athena who had gotten him into this mess.

She was currently making her way to the coast.

That's when the most cleared and Percy saw the Sirens.

They had the body of cultures with human heads that kept changing.

Percy could hear them but he knew they were singing. Their faces shifted to people he wished to see.

His mom, Poseidon, Tyson, Grover, and Chiron.

They were so inviting, but all of their mouth were covered in the remnants of their last meal.

Annabeth was getting closer and Percy knew he had to grab her soon. He used his control over the sea to shoot him forward.

He grabbed Annabeth's ankle and in a flash he saw what the Sirens must've looked like to her.

Three people were resting on a picnic blanket in Central Park. Food was displayed in front of them but they were too busy chatting away.

Percy recognized the older man. It was Annabeth's dad.

He had the same sandy hair and mean-athletic look as the guy in the photo Annabeth had showed Percy.

Dr. Chase was holding hands with a woman. She was decked out in denim and hiking boots.

Something about her radiated power and Percy knew he was staring at Athena.

Next to them, there was . . . Luke.

They were all so happy and comfortable. Their happiness only grew when they saw Annabeth.

Her parents opened their arms and Luke patted the seat next to him.

It was as if he had never betrayed her, as if they were still friends.

Behind them was Manhattan, but completely redesigned.

Everything was sparkling white marble with golden windows. It was so much grander, even better than Mount Olympus.

Annabeth must have designed it. She was the greatest architect for her new world.

One where she was reunited with her parents. One where she had saved Luke. One where everything was how she wanted.

But then the scene changed.

Instead Percy saw the night sky. There were so many stars.

He was standing on grass and gazing around he recognized the place.

It was the strawberry fields of Camp Half-Blood.

Percy saw a familiar brunette laying in the grass, staring up at the sky.

He watched Annabeth take her place next to Cassie who turned to face her.

They were giggling about something and holding hands.

Cassie would point to the sky and whisper in Annabeth's ear.

The two were so carefree and giddy together.

Then, they sat up and started to lean in . . .

Percy blinked out of it.

He came back into reality, pulling Annabeth away.

After a lot of struggle and going underwater, Percy managed to pull Annabeth down twenty feet.

Because they were so deep, she couldn't hear the sirens . . . he hoped.

Annabeth still fought but Percy had the idea of an air bubble.

He concentrated, imagining bubbles forming together and soon, a big bubble was around the two of them.

Annabeth coughed out water, wiping her mouth. She shivered and started sobbing.

Percy could tell the sore was broken and he held her as she cried.

(platonically ok 🤨, wouldn't you comfort a crying friend?)

Percy shooed away the fish surrounding them. He knew they were gonna start gossiping and as great of a friend as Annabeth was, he didn't like her that way.

"I'll get us back to the ship. It's okay. Just hang on." Percy reassured.

Annabeth nodded and mumbled something, but Percy didn't hear it.

He moved their bubble thing with them and waited until he found the right time to surface.

Cassie was doing a pretty good job at keeping it steady.

A ladder was already set for them to climb aboard, curtesy of said daughter of Ares.

Percy and Annabeth came up and the bubble popped. They climbed onto the boat and Cassie shouted for Percy to come help.

The son of Poseidon ran to take over controlling the ship as Cassie made her way to Annabeth.

The blonde was surprised with the hug she received. Cassie held her tight whilst wrapping a towel around her.

Percy got them far away from the Siren's island.

Annabeth sat, drying in the towel. Cassie was beside her removing her earplugs and giving Percy a thumbs up.

He took out his earplugs too and joined them on the forward deck.

It was pretty much quiet except for the sound of the crashing waves. The fog was gone too.

"You okay?" Percy was the first to ask.

Cassie made a face at the bad question. Obviously Annabeth wasn't okay, but at least Percy was trying.

"I didn't realize," the blonde admitted.

"What?" Percy inquired.

"How powerful the temptation would be."

Now, this would be a very good 'I told you so' moment for Cassie who thought this plan would be terrible. But she knew now wasn't a good time.

So instead, she grabbed on of Annabeth's hands and fiddled with the blonde's fingers.

Percy was debating whether or not to tell Annabeth what he had seen. He felt like a trespasser but he owed it to Annabeth to confess.

"I saw the way you rebuilt Manhattan. And Luke and your parents. And the other thing." Percy revealed, glancing at the occupied brunette when he said the last part.

Annabeth's face heated, but Percy didn't know if it was embarrassment or something else . . .

"You saw that?"

"What Luke told you back on the Princess Andromeda, bout starting the world from scratch . . . that really got to you, huh?"

Cassie frowned at his words. What did they both see?

Annabeth wrapped the towel tighter around her which was kind of difficult with one hand.

"My fatal flaw. that's what the Sirens showed me. My fatal flaw is hubris."

Percy tilted his head. "That brown stuff they spread on veggie sandwiches?"

Cassie snickered. "Really Kelp Head? That's hummus."

The daughter of Ares couldn't stop laughing and Annabeth even smiled slightly.

"Hubris is worse." The blonde remarked.

"What could be worse than hummus?"

"Hubris means deadly pride, Percy. Thinking you can do things better than anyone else . . . even the gods." Annabeth explained.

"You feel that way?"

Annabeth started fiddling with Cassie's fingers to avoid eye contact.

"Don't you ever feel like, what if the world really is messed up? What if we could do it all over again from scratch? No more war. Nobody homeless. No more summer reading homework."

"The no homework sounds good." Cassie agreed.

"I mean, the West represents a lot of the best things mankind ever did-that's why the fire is still burning. That's why Olympus is still around. But sometimes you just see the bad stuff, you know? And you start thinking the way Luke does: 'If I could tear this all down, I would do it better' Don't you ever feel that way? Like you could do a better job if you ran the world?"

"Um . . . no. Me running the world would kind of be a nightmare." Percy denied.

"I second that." Cassie agreed.

Her running the world seemed pretty cool until you thought about how the world would actually be like.

"Then you're lucky. Hubris isn't your fatal flaws."

"What are ours?" Percy questioned.

"I don't know, Percy, but every hero has one. If you don't find it and learn to control it . . . well, they don't call it 'fatal' for nothing."

Cassie thought about it. It wasn't really optimistic.

She wondered what her fatal flaw was. Was being too amazing an option?

"Was it worth it? After all that, do you feel . . . I don't know . . . wiser?" The daughter of Ares asked.

Annabeth stared into the distance.

"I'm not sure. But we have to save the camp. If we don't stop Luke . . ." She trailed off.

Cassie had a good idea what she meant. She had no clue what Percy and Annabeth had seen, but whatever it was, it showed that even Annabeth was swayed a little.

And if Annabeth Chase was tempted to join the dark side, there was a pretty good chance other half-bloods would do just that.

"Guys." Annabeth called and the two turned their heads,

In front of them was another dark blob of land.

It was saddle shaped with forests and white beaches. Just like in Percy's dreams. He used his nautical sense.

30 degrees, 31 minutes north, 75 degrees, 12 minutes west.

This was their destination. The lair of the Cyclops.

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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ author's note

So um, I wrote this while I was sick a two weeks ago so tell me what y'all think. 👍🏼

Because I laid in bed and just finished it up in an hour or two. Which isn't how I usually write.

Also, sorry for the lack of Cassibeth moments. Though i feel like this is the normal amount but can't tell because last chapter was A LOT!!

I wanted to make Cassie go after Annabeth, but that didn't make much sense so it didn't happen. 🙃

And as many of you guessed, Cassie will totally make fun of Percy for the guinea pig thing but probably not during this act.

I'd love to add that in, but realized that Percy's a bit scared of it right now. Scared that's he's actually a frightened little animal deep down that cowers away.

I don't wasn't Cassie to make fun of him while he's lacking confidence at the moment so I'll hold off on the teasing! Sorry if that disappoints anyone! 😃

Anways, I don't really have anything else to say . . .

Oh but be on the lookout for an update and an announcement on Wednesday. (announcement in the book i mean)

Adios!!!!! Thanks for reading! 🙃

— Just Another Overthinker