Chapter 169: Percy and Clarisse

[Third Person's PoV] 

"So, what exactly are we supposed to be looking for again?" Percy asked, his expression turning sour as they trudged through the water park, clearly annoyed at having to do this for Ares of all gods.

"The Tunnel of Love," Clarisse answered with a dramatic eye roll, her disdain for the task equally obvious.

"Real classy," Percy scoffed, crossing his arms. "But wait, there's something I don't get. Isn't the Goddess of Love married to the God of Blacksmiths? I'm pretty sure Chiron mentioned that in class."

"She is," Annabeth replied, her tone flat. "But apparently, the God of War and the Goddess of Love have been having an affair for ages."

Percy's face twisted in disbelief. "So, the Goddess of Love is into bad boys? Great," he said sarcastically.

Annabeth couldn't help but laugh. "Haha, That's not exactly the reason."

Before Percy could press further, Annabeth suddenly felt a warm hand slide into hers. She glanced down and saw Lucian giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She turned to him in confusion, but his eyes were elsewhere, scanning the rides around them, as if deep in thought. Annabeth's brow furrowed for a second before it hit her. She looked back at him, a playful grin creeping onto her lips.

Lucian, still focused on the surroundings, seemed oblivious to her silent teasing. Amused, Annabeth decided to let the moment slide without saying a word.

Percy, not noticing the exchange, was still caught up in his confusion. "Wait, seriously? There's an actual reason behind it?"

Annabeth shrugged and turned back to Percy. "Well, it's more of a theory. War and love are both intense forces of passion. In that sense, they're drawn to each other."

Percy looked baffled. "How is war related to passion?"

To everyone's surprise, it was Clarisse who answered, her voice steady and firm. "You wouldn't go to war for something you didn't care about. Passion is one of the biggest reasons wars start in the first place. People fight for what they love or believe in. If you're not passionate about the cause, it's not really a war."

Annabeth nodded approvingly. "Exactly."

Percy slowly nodded in understanding, his annoyance replaced by contemplation. "I guess that makes sense. 'All's fair in love and war,' right?"

Their conversation was cut short when they arrived at the Tunnel of Love. The gaudy pink heart-shaped archway stood in stark contrast to their somber mood. Without hesitation, Clarisse moved to enter, her determined strides sending ripples across the shallow water.

"Wait, hold on," Percy said, grabbing her arm before she could fully step in. "Don't just rush in without a plan."

Clarisse glared at him, yanking her arm free. "What plan do we need? All I have to do is go in, grab the shield, and get out."

Percy frowned, frustration creeping into his voice. "If it were that simple, don't you think Ares would've gotten it himself? There's probably a trap waiting for us in there."

Clarisse scoffed again. "He wouldn't throw me into a trap. I'm his daughter. He sent me because he knows I can handle it."

"Percy's right," Annabeth interrupted, her voice calm but sharp as her eyes narrowed in on something by the entrance. "Look."

Clarisse, Percy, and Grover followed her gaze. Carved discreetly into the stone beside the tunnel entrance was a symbol—a faint but unmistakable Greek letter.

"Eta," Annabeth said, her finger tracing the symbol in the air. "That's the mark of Hephaestus, the God of Blacksmiths and, incidentally, the Goddess of Love's husband."

Grover's eyes widened with realization. "So, Ares knew about the trap and sent Clarisse to fall into it instead of him? That's... messed up."

Clarisse's fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. "No," she growled, refusing to believe it. "He sent me because he knows I can get through it. He wouldn't do that to me."

Ignoring the tension, she stormed toward the tunnel again. Percy let out an exasperated sigh and ran after her.

"Wait!" Grover called after them, but Percy just shot him a thumbs-up over his shoulder. "Don't worry, G-man, I've got this."

"If you say so..." Grover muttered, clearly unconvinced.

As Percy descended the steps into the Tunnel of Love behind Clarisse, the damp air thickened with the smell of stagnant water and rusted machinery. The low hum of the underground ride echoed in the distance. The tunnel's dim lighting flickered ominously, casting long, distorted shadows across the walls.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Clarisse snapped, glaring at Percy as he caught up to her.

"I could ask you the same thing," Percy shot back, his tone equally sharp. "You're charging into a trap without even thinking. We need a plan."

Clarisse's scowl deepened. "I don't need a plan. My skills are enough to handle whatever's in there."

Percy rolled his eyes, exasperated. "If you actually believe that, it's a good thing I followed you. Whether you like it or not, we're in this quest together. That means we're a team, and I'm not going to let you walk into a trap by yourself."

Clarisse's expression twisted into a mixture of anger and frustration. "You are so annoying!" she hissed, throwing her hands up in the air. "I don't need your help. I never asked for it!"

"Yeah, well, you're no joy to be around either," Percy shot back. "All you do is insult people and act like a bully. If you keep pushing everyone away, don't be surprised when no one's there to help you when you need it most. That's why I'm here. I know you won't ask for help, even when you need it."

Clarisse stopped in her tracks, her shoulders tense. For a moment, she was silent, her back to Percy as she stared into the dark tunnel ahead. The flickering lights cast fleeting glimpses of uncertainty across her face. Finally, she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Percy to hear, "I don't need anyone's help."

Percy stood his ground, unflinching. "Maybe not now. But someday you will."

…

Annabeth, still holding onto Lucian's hand, led him away from the entrance, leaving Grover and Thalia behind. Once they were far enough from the others and out of sight, she glanced at Lucian, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Want to tell me what that was about?" she asked, her tone playful.

Lucian tilted his head, his expression innocent. "What are you talking about?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes, a wide smile spreading across her face as she stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him. She looked up at him, eyes glinting with mischief. "Don't play dumb now."

Lucian's confusion deepened as he stared back at her, still not getting what she was hinting at. Annabeth sighed dramatically, then shook her head with exaggerated patience. "Are you really going to pretend you didn't just get jealous earlier?"

"Jealous?" Lucian scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "Why would I be jealous? Do you see how handsome I am?"

Her smile only grew wider, eyes sparkling with humor. Standing on her tiptoes, she pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "You got jealous when Percy made me laugh, admit it~"

Lucian rolled his eyes again, refusing to meet her gaze directly. "What gave you that idea?"

Annabeth's grin turned proud as she stepped back slightly, folding her arms. "The hand squeeze was a dead giveaway."

His turn to scoff, Lucian smirked. "The park is a big place. I didn't want you wandering off and getting lost."

Annabeth couldn't help but giggle at his weak excuse, rising on her tiptoes once more to kiss him again, her laughter slipping between the kiss. "You're so adorable when you try to cover it up~"

Lucian grumbled, but his lips curled into a reluctant smile as he pulled her closer. 

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