Chapter 168: Show-off

[Third Person's PoV] 

"Wait, are you saying my father stole your father's helm?" Clarisse asked, her brows furrowing in displeasure. It wasn't Lucian's accusation that bothered her, but the mere implication that her father, Ares, would stoop so low.

Annabeth exchanged a knowing glance with Lucian, who shook his head, sighing in irritation. "Let's just drop it for now and eat," Lucian muttered, clearly not wanting to delve into the subject.

Clarisse let out a sigh of her own, shaking her head. "I can't. I still have to find my father's shield," she said, her voice tinged with frustration.

Percy looked displeased, his brows furrowed in confusion. "I still don't get why we have to do this," he grumbled.

Thalia, ever practical, shook her head. "Then let's just order our food to go and eat on the way to this water park," she suggested, sounding more than ready to get on with the mission.

Despite the tension, they all reluctantly agreed. No one wanted to leave Clarisse behind to handle this alone, even if they weren't thrilled about the task. They ordered simple meals and left the restaurant, the air between them still thick with unspoken frustration.

As they walked, Percy turned to Lucian, his eyes narrowing slightly. "So that's the guy you admire? You need better role models," Percy scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

Lucian let out a dismissive laugh. "I used to admire him," he corrected. "Modern times ruined him. In a world at peace, war becomes the ultimate evil. That's why he's such a jerk now."

Clarisse, walking ahead of the group, kept silent. She was lost in thought, barely touching the food she carried as she tried to focus on her task.

Percy, still brooding over their earlier encounter with Ares, pressed on. "If you knew he stole the helm, why didn't you confront him?"

Lucian's expression darkened, and his tone shifted to something more serious. "There's a time and place for everything," he said, turning to meet Percy's gaze. "Confronting him would've led to a battle—innocent people would've gotten hurt. Sometimes you have to lose a few battles to win the war. You pick and choose which fights are worth it. That one? It wasn't."

Annabeth, standing beside Lucian, placed a hand on her chest, looking up as if she'd just heard the most profound words ever. She released a soft, contented sigh, her expression glowing with admiration.

Thalia raised an eyebrow at her. "What's with you?" she asked, bewildered.

Annabeth gave her a dreamy look. "Don't you think he's just so handsome when he says something wise like that?" she said, her tone a little lovestruck.

Thalia rolled her eyes in disgust. "Ugh," she groaned, clearly not impressed.

Lucian, noticing the shift in the group's mood, decided to take action. "Shall I speed things up a bit?" he asked, his eyes scanning everyone.

"Yes, please!" Thalia and Percy exclaimed in unison, their voices a mix of relief and anticipation.

Lucian raised his fingers to his mouth and let out a sharp, ear-piercing whistle. The sound was so loud that the others instinctively covered their ears. A moment later, the shadows around Lucian shifted, and from them emerged massive hellhounds, each standing as tall as their shoulders. The creatures lowered themselves to the ground as Lucian gestured toward them.

"Climb on," he instructed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Don't worry—they're safe."

As everyone nervously mounted the giant shadowy beasts, Lucian held his hands out in front of him. "Come forth, my steed," he commanded.

In an instant, a majestic stallion appeared, its mane flowing elegantly in the breeze like something out of a legend. Annabeth's eyes flickered from the hellhound in front of her to Lucian's stallion, and she shyly asked, "Can I ride with you?"

Lucian smirked, extending his hand toward her. Without hesitation, Annabeth took it, and in a swirl of shadow, they both reappeared on the stallion's back. Annabeth sat in front, holding the reins, while Lucian rested his hands over hers. She leaned back into him, a soft giggle escaping her lips.

"Ugh, you two are insufferable," Percy groaned, his tone laced with annoyance as he watched them.

Annabeth stuck her tongue out playfully. "You're just mad because you don't have someone like this! Stay mad!" she teased, whipping the reins and clicking her tongue. "Mooch, mooch! Giddy up, horsey!" she laughed.

With that, Lucian's steed surged forward, leaving Percy and the others behind as it galloped ahead. The hellhounds followed, their paws pounding the ground in rhythmic strides.

Percy gave Thalia a deadpan look as they rode. "Are they always like this?"

Thalia sighed, giving him an awkward smile. "Annabeth's usually more serious—like, really smart, especially in battle. But when she's with Lucian, she turns into this carefree, wild spirit. It's like she becomes a completely different person," Thalia explained, shaking her head in exasperation.

"Doesn't that bother you?" Percy asked, still trying to make sense of their relationship.

Thalia shrugged. "Not really. Lucian and Annabeth have known each other longer than we've all known each other. Annabeth didn't have the best childhood because of being a demigod. Lucian helped her through some dark times. They've been close ever since. Honestly, those two are practically inseparable."

Percy nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his expression. "I see," he muttered as he held on tighter to the hellhound, the group racing forwards. 

…

It didn't take long for them to arrive at the water park, their shadowy rides making quick work of the distance. As they came to a stop, everyone jumped off the hellhounds, who melded back into Lucian's shadow, save for Sebastián, who lingered majestically.

Lucian dismounted first, turning to offer his hand to Annabeth. She smiled brightly and took it, gracefully hopping down with his help.

"What does that sign say?" Percy asked, squinting at the large board above the entrance. The letters seemed scrambled and jumbled to him.

"Waterland," Grover answered casually, reading the words for Percy.

Percy snorted. "That name is so unimaginative," he muttered, shaking his head.

Their eyes moved to the front gate, which was locked with thick chains, heavy iron links wrapped securely around the entrance. Behind the gate, they could see the water park's attractions—massive, twisting slides in vibrant colors and towering rides, now eerily silent.

"How do we get in?" Percy mused aloud, his gaze fixed on the intimidating gate.

Before anyone had a chance to suggest a plan, Percy's face lit up with an idea. "I got this!" Without hesitation, he jumped, gripping the iron bars of the gate with ease. Moving with the agility of someone well-versed in climbing, thanks to his Adventurer's Potion, Percy ascended the gate like a pro.

Once he reached the top, he swung over effortlessly, landing on one knee, hands braced against the ground. Standing up and brushing himself off, he turned and grinned, motioning to the others. "Now, for everyone else."

Lucian, watching the whole scene, raised an eyebrow. Without saying a word, he stepped forward, grabbed the thick lock in his hand, and squeezed. The metal groaned in protest before crumbling under the pressure of his supernatural strength. The chains rattled as they hit the ground, and with a gentle push, Lucian swung the gate open.

Everyone stared at the now-open gate before slowly turning their gaze back to Percy, who stood dusting off his hands, visibly deflated. "Show-off," he muttered, glaring at Lucian with a mix of annoyance and resignation.

Lucian smirked, giving Percy a playful shrug. "You looked like you were having fun. I didn't want to interrupt."

Percy rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. "Next time, maybe let me know before I go all Mission Impossible on a gate you could just crush."

Annabeth laughed, leaning against Lucian's arm. "Oh, but that was fun to watch."

"Yeah, sure," Percy grumbled good-naturedly as they all stepped through the gate, heading deeper into the eerily quiet park. 

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