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DAYS IN THE SUN

chapter sixteen
❛ 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚍, 𝚓𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚜𝚘𝚗. ❜

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STANDING BESIDES PERCY, Amara was able to make out an island in the distance. It was safe to say the island belonged to Polyphemus, but it didn't match the image she had created in her head. The pastures were a bright green with tropical trees and white beaches, however one thing did match her image which was the long rope bridge that connected across a chasm.

"The Fleece," Annabeth breathed out, making her way besides the duo. Luckily, when the brunette had finally calmed down enough from her meltdown and Percy returned them to the surface, the blonde was still below deck dwelling in her thoughts with no idea what had just happened. And Amara planned to keep it that way, a little secret that no one else needs to find out about.

The Jackson boy held a frown as he spoke. "If we take it away, will the island die?"

The daughter of Athena shook her head, "It'll fade. Go back to what it would be normally, whatever that is."

In the meadow at the base of the ravine, several dozen sheep were milling around. Behind them, ran a path that led up all the way into the hills and towards the top near the edge of the canyon. From there, by the edge was a oak tree where something gold glittered in its thick and twisted branches.

"This is too easy," Amara scoffed, stuffing her hands into her jacket. "We could just hike up there and take it."

"There's supposed to be a guardian, right?" Percy questioned. "A dragon or . . ."

A deer emerged from the bushes, trotting into the meadow probably looking for something to eat. The sheep bleated at once and rushed towards it, the deer stumbled and was lost in a sea of wool and trampling hooves. A few seconds passed and the sheep all moved away, where the deer had been was now a pile of clean white bones.

The three demigods exchanged looks. "They're like piranhas." Annabeth muttered.

"Piranhas with wool . . ." Percy crossed his arms, frowning at the sheep. But something else caught Amara's attention through her peripheral vision, by the meadow a small boat had been run around, the other lifeboat from the CSS Birmingham.

"Hey," the brunette grabbed the blonde's arm and directed it towards the boat she had seen. "Look what washed up on shore."

The children of Athena and Poseidon let out an exasperation sigh once they caught sight of the lifeboat, before they began arguing on their next move. The daughter of Athena wanted to sneak up with her invisibility cap and grab the Fleece, however  Percy managed to convinced her something would go wrong.

Amara began growing irritated by the half-bloods she had surrounded herself, her eye twitching as the two continued to argue. "I would be fine," Annabeth yelled. "I don't need you worrying about me every second!"

Percy frowned. "What does that mean?"

The brunette was ignored, the duo leaving her out of the conversation which only further provoked her growing anger. She couldn't believe the two, acting like children when her sisters tree was dying and instead wasting time and pointless energy on an argument. Finally, lightning struck besides the boat as a white light blinded the demigods.

Grey and sea green eyes landed on the daughter of Zeus, her arms crossed as her electric blue irises held annoyance. Her lips pulled into a straight line as she uncrossed her arms and shoved past the two.

"Knock it off," she spat. "Solve your issues later, we have more important things to deal with. Like saving Grover or Thalia's tree, for example."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Only six or seven times did they have near death experiences. During the journey to the cliffs, Annabeth and Percy never spoke to one another. Rather, they grumbled out words while giving directions on where to walk or place their feet. The cliffs could barely be scaled, reminding the Grace of the lava wall back at camp, the thought made the challenge appear easier since she mastered the course numerous times. She did occasionally flatter from time to time, her foot slipping from the unstable footholds. Luckily, regardless of what happened to Percy's face, she always found another surface to rest her foot on.

She looked down, giving the boy a false smile with amusement hidden in her town. "Sorry,"

"S'okay." He grunted, his voice muffled from her converses as his sea green eyes rolled.

After reaching the top, the three demigods collapsed once successfully hauling themselves over. The blonde and raven haired duo let out complaints of pain as they rolled onto their backs. While the brunette sat herself up, her breathing slowly becoming equal.

"Garrrr!"

Turning her head towards the noise, Amara met glances with Percy in time to witness his lips slowly moving. Lunging forward, she wrapped an arm around his shoulders and yanked him back down as her free hand clamped over his mouth. He side eyed the girl as she sent him a look, a silent agreement being made between the two as she removed her hand from his mouth slowly.

The daughter of Athena crawled her way towards the ledge, the direction the voice had came from. "You're a feisty one!" The deep voice bellowed.

Her hand was fully removed from the Jackson boy as her core and body from the voice. "Challenge me!" A new voice cried, much gentler but still rough compared to the last one. "Give me back my sword and I'll fight you!"

With those words, Amara knew who had spoken. The daughter of Ares's voice was unmistakable compared to anyone she knew. A smirk curled onto the daughter of Zeus's features, leave it up to Clarisse to survive the Sea of Monsters.

The old voice roared with laughter that shook the ledge the three demigods had crawled to. With a final stretch, she was able to see who had spoken. It was by far the ugliest creature she had laid her eyes on, Polyphemus the Cyclops. His hair had been mattered with bones of his victims and sheep wolf. The La Rue girl was not far from the creature, hung upside like a meal over boiling water.

Grover stood beside the demigod, in a wedding grown nonetheless. If the situation had been different and wasn't life threatening, Amara would've laughed at the satyr below her and made sure he never lived it down. Which was the plan regardless when they made it off the island alive.

"Eat loudmouth girl now or wait for the wedding feast?" Polyphemus pondered causing the electric blue eyed girl's fingers to curl into a fist, her once amusing thoughts gone. "What does my bride think?"

The Underwood boy backed up, nearly tripping over his bridal train as he put distance between him and the cyclops. "Um, I'm not hungry right now, dear. Perhaps—"

"Did you say bride?" Clarisse demanded as Amara's eyes widened. "Who—Grover?"

"Shut up. She has to shut up." Annabeth muttered.

Polyphemus's features turned confused. "What 'Grover'?"

"The satyr!"

Annabeth's expression turn to one of anger as the youngest demigod's nails dung into the palm of her hand to keep her frustration at bay.

"Oh!" Grover yelped. "The poor thing's brain is boiling from that hot water. Pull her down, dear!"

The Cyclops singular eye narrowed, like he was trying to focus on Clarisse and see her better. "What satyr?" He demanded. "Satyrs are good eating, you bring me a satyr?"

"No, you big idiot!" Clarisse bellowed as a spark of electricity flickered between the brunette's fingers. "That satyr! Grover! The one in the wedding dress!"

Polyphemus ripped the satyr's wedding veil, revealing his identity to the monster. He had grown over the year, his horn barely reaching over his curly brown hair while his scruffy beard began quivering as his bottom lip trembled.

"I don't see very well," Polyphemus let out a heavy breath as a growl escaped from his monstrous lips and continued to spoke. "Not since many years ago when the other hero stabbed me in the eye. But you're—no—lady—Cyclops!"

He grabbed the Underwood boy's dress and tore it away, revealing the satyr's dirty jeans and t-shirt. He yelped and ducked out of the way as the monster swiped over his head.

"Stop!" Grover cried. "Don't eat me raw! I—I have a good recipe!"

Percy went to grab his sword, but Amara stopped him by grabbing his arm. "Not yet, Jackson."

Polyphemus hesitated, boulder in his hand ready to smash her friend. "Recipe?" The cyclops asked.

"Oh, y—yes! You don't want to eat me raw. You'll get all sorts of horrible things. I'll taste much better toasted over a slow fire. With mango chutney! You could go get some mangos right now, down there in the woods. I'll just wait here."

"Roasted satyr with mango chutney?" The cyclops pondered as he glanced back to the daughter of Ares. "You a satyr, too?" He questioned.

"No, you overgrown pile of dung!" She yelled. "I'm a girl, daughter of Ares! Now untie me so I can rip your arms off!"

"Rip my arms off." The monster repeated.

"And stuff them down you throat!"

"You got spunk."

"Let me down!"

Polyphemus snatched up Grover like he was a rag doll, causing Amara to almost leap over the cliff edge and use a wind spirit to get down there if it hadn't been for Percy pulling her back. He shook his head at the girl, "not yet, Grace," and they continued to listen.

"Have to graze sheep now," Polyphemus declared. "Wedding postponed until tonight. Then we'll eat the satyr for the main course!"

"But . . . you're still getting married?" Grover sounded hurt. "Who's the bride?" His question was answered by the creature sparring a glance towards the dirty blonde hanging upside.

Clarisse made a disgusted sound. "Oh, no! You can't be serious, I'm not—"

Before the trio of demigods could do anything to help, Polyphemus grabbed the demigod and satyr tossing them deep into his home. "Make yourself comfortable! I come back at sundown for big event!"

With a whistle, mixed flock of both goats and sheep flooded from their cave and past the creature. As the animals passed, the Cyclops patted some of the back and called them by names he had created.

As the last animal made its way out, Polyphemus rolled a boulder to lock the two in as he also successfully cut off their screaming. "Mangos," he muttered to himself. "What are mangos?"

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

The demigods tried for what seemed like hours to move the boulder, but it wasn't budging no matter how much the daughter of Zeus tried. Sparks flew from their swords and dagger hitting against the rock, but that was the best result they could get.

In the end, Percy and Annabeth sat on the ridge as they watched Polyphemus move among his flock. But Amara couldn't let it go that easy, she summoned various winds spirits of all shapes and sizes to move the boulder. In the end, it was Annabeth who pulled her away stating she was wasting all her energy and strength that she didn't even have fully back yet on nothing.

"Trickery," The blonde decided after dragging the brunette with her over to the son of Poseidon. "We can't beat him by force, so we'll have to use trickery."

"Okay," Percy agreed. "What trick?"

"I haven't figured that part out yet."

"Great," Amara couldn't help the smirk the appeared from the raven haired boy's sarcasm.

"Polyphemus will have to move the rock to let the sheep inside . . ." Annabeth thought out loud as she watched the creature.

"At sunset," the Grace agreed. "Which is when he'll marry Clarisse and have Grover for dinner . . ."

"Not sure which one's grosser." Percy scrunched up his nose at the thought, only dropping the expression when Amara slapped him in the back of the head.

"Ow," he mumbled sending her a glare.

Annabeth sat up. "I could get inside, with invisibility."

"What about us?" Percy questioned.

"The sheep." Annabeth mused and Amara narrowed her eyes. "How much do you like sheep?"

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

The children of the Big Three spared one another an irritated look as they hung on the underbelly of a sheep. The sheep were big enough for the two to successfully hold onto one together, downside was they were uncomfortably close — at least to Amara — and had no room to move without being spotted.

Her fingers were laced within the thick wool as her feet hooked besides the sheep's thigh bones. Since the son of Poseidon was below her, his arms were stretched besides hers as he held onto the wool next to her hand. Their legs were intertwined to support one another's body weight as his feet hooked underneath hers. Her back rested against his chest with their heads dangerously close as the daughter of Athena appeared for a brief moment before turning invisible, a grin was seen lacing on her lips as she spoke in a teasing tone.

"You two look nice and cozy," she spoke as laughter escaped.

"Shut up!" The children of Poseidon and Zeus yelled at the blonde as her laughter continued.

"Just don't let go," she called out, somewhere in the distance to Amara's right. "Easy for you to say," the brunette grumbled as she felt Percy adjust himself before coming to a place where she realized she felt more comfortable leaning against him. She spared him a look as he offered a tight smile.

"Oy, goaties and sheepies!" The roar of the cyclops reached their ears as the sheep they hung onto began moving, trudging back towards the cave.

"I'll be close by, don't worry." Annabeth's words reached their ears as the duo spared a glare in her direction. "This better work," Percy mumbled as he tightened his grip, but he didn't get a response from the demigod.

Their sheep started to waddle up the hill but after a hundred yards, Amara's body was beginning to cramp from holding on as tightly as she did. "You can loosen up a bit," the sea green eyed boy whispered to her. "I'm not cramping yet, and you're not heavy so you can rest against me more."

Avoiding the boys gaze, she allowed her grip to loosen and her body to fully rest against the Jackson boy's, her head fell between his head and shoulder as his raven hair rested against her forehead and cheeks. He offered a smile before focusing his attention on holding and supporting their body weight.

"Hasenpfeffer!" Polyphemus said, patting the sheep in front of the duo. "Einstein! Widget — eh there, Widget!"

The duo looked at one another as the cyclops patted their sheep, sea green and electric blue irises locked in a trance as they tried not to worry about the creature mere inches from them. "Putting on some extra mutton there?"

Polyphemus laughed and swatted the sheep's rear end, propelling the demigods forward as Amara's grip tightened in order not to fall fully onto the boy underneath her. "Go on, fatty, soon Polyphemus will eat you for breakfast!"

A sigh escaped from the raven haired boy as his breath tickled the girl's ear, a feeling she wasn't used too and squirmed lightly.

"Could you not do that," she mumbled.

"What?" he demanded. "Breathe?"

A grin curled onto her lips as she spared the boy a look. "Yep,"

"You're impossible, Grace."

"Thank you, Jackson."

Their attention was turned back to the cave as they witnessed the last sheep making its way inside. Amara's eyes widened as Polyphemus began to roll the rock back into place, a small but major detail not mentioned in parts of the plan.

"Hello, ugly!" Annabeth's voice echoed through the cave, causing the monster to freeze where it stood.

"Who said that?" The cyclops demanded.

"Nobody!" The blonde yelled once more.

"Nobody!" The creature roared as it began turning red from rage. "I remember you!"

"You're too stupid to remember anybody." The daughter of Athena taunted as a grin twisted it's way onto the brunette's lips. "Much less Nobody."

Her grin faltered as Polyphemus grabbed the nearest boulder — the same one he used to block the cave — and tossed it in the daughter of Athena's direction. The only noise after his furious bellow was the sound of the rock smashing into a thousand fragments.

For a moment, the silence stayed and all was still until the blonde spoke up again. "You haven't learned to throw any better either!"

Polyphemus howled. "Come here! Let me kill you, Nobody!"

"You can't kill Nobody, you stupid oaf," Annabeth taunted. "Come find me!"

The monster barreled down the hill and towards the demigods voice, all apart of the daughter of Athena's plan. "She's done her part," Amara spoke as Percy dropped from underneath her and made his way out from under the sheep. "Time to do ours," the son of Poseidon finished as they unsheathed their swords and made their way to the back of the cave.

The duo had ran down mutilple corridors filled with bones, sheepskin rugs, and life-size cement sheep. There was also rooms filled with collections of sheep t-shirts, large tubs of lanolin and wooly coats, socks and hats with ram horn. They managed to find the demigod and satyr in the spinning room where Grover was huddled in the corner attempting to cut Clarisse free with safety scissors.

"He's kidding, right?" Percy asked Amara, only to earn a shrug in return. "It's Grover, did you expect anything else?"

"True."

"It's no good." Clarisse said. "The rope is like iron!"

"Just a few more minutes!"

"Grover." She cried, exasperated. "You've been working at it for hours!"

Finally, the La Rue girl and Underwood boy saw the two children of the Big Three standing near the door. An unimpressed look was identical on one another's face as Percy leaned against his sword and Amara had hers between her shoulder blades.

"Percy? Amara?" Clarisse said. "You're supposed to be blown up!"

"Good to see you too," the raven haired boy rolled his eyes. "Now hold still while I—"

"Perrrrcccy!" Grover bleated and tackled him with a goat-hug. "You heard me! You came!"

"Yeah buddy," Percy said. "Of course I came."

"Amara!" Grover turned on the brunette next and wrapped her in a hug before she had the opportunity to back away.

The son of the Wild soon pulled away and look around with a slight frown. "Where's Annabeth?"

"Outside," Amara answered. "Distracting the monster."

"But there's no time to talk, Clarisse." Percy interrupted the moment as he swung Riptide around for good measure. "Hold still," he sliced off her ropes, freeing the dirty blonde as she mumbled out a thanks. "Show off," Amara called swinging her own sword.

He shrugged. "I try."

"So what," Grover arched his brow at the duo as he looked back and forth between the two. "You're good now, no longer enemies actually friends?"

The brunette and raven haired boy spared each other a glance before turning to the satyr. "Something like that," the two mumbled as the latter turned his attention to the daughter of Ares.

"Was anyone else onboard your life?" He asked, surprising Clarisse as she shook her head. "No, just me. Everybody else aboard the Birmingham . . . well, I didn't even know you guys made it out."

Percy stared down at the ground for a moment, before shaking his head out of whatever mood he briefly went into. "Okay, come on then, we have to help—"

A scream cut the boy off as the voice immediately registered within Amara's mind, and she took off faster than anyone could stop her. "Amara!" Percy yelled but was unable to stop the girl from summoning a wind and taking off.

"I got nobody!" Polyphemus gloated as the electric eyed girl landed at the cave entrance and was able to see the creature grinning widely, he held up empty air until he shook his fist. A baseball cap fluttered to the ground from the action and there hung Annabeth upside down by her legs.

"Ha!" The Cyclops said. "Nasty invisible girl! Already got feisty one for wife, means you gotta be grilled with mango!"

The daughter of Athena looked dazed as she struggled, a nasty cut was seen across her forehead as her grey eyes looked glossy. Amara's grip tightened on her sword as her jaw clenched, blue electricity sparking between her fingers. The other three demigods and satyr finally caught up to the girl, Percy seeming to be the only one who noticed the girls anger.

The son of Poseidon's gaze moved to the blue electricity that sparked between her fingernails, the way her fingers gripped and then ungripped the sword to control her anger. Wind flowed loosely around her body, but that was all stopped when he placed a hand on her shoulder. The wind and electricity disappeared from her eyes that seemed glossed over in rage, returned to their usual electric blue.

"We'll take him together," he informed the brunette who had finally snapped out of her rage. She looked towards the other two to notice Clarisse had armed herself with a rams-horn spare while Grover held a sheep's thigh bone, gripping it like a club.

"Attack plan Macedonia," the son of Poseidon ordered, giving Amara nod and she instantly knew what part she was playing. She took off running, sliding against the dirt as she placed the blonde's baseball cap on top her head. "Hey, ugly!" She yelled as she stood to her feet once more.

The cyclops whirled toward her voice, his head tilted lightly. "Another one? Who are you?"

"Put down my friend. I'm the one who insulted you."

"You are Nobody?"

"That's right, you one eye oaf! I'm Nobody and I'm proud of it! Now put her down and get over here, I want to stab your eye out again!"

The cyclops bellowed as her fellow demigods eyes widened from her words. The creature did as she asked, he dropped Annabeth but he had dropped her headfirst on the rocks where she laid like a rag doll.

"For Pan!" Grover let out a battle cry and rushed in from the creature's right, throwing his sheep bone which bounced off the monster's forehead. The daughter of Ares ran in from the left and placed her spear on the ground in time for the cyclops to successfully step on it. Clarisse dove to the side as Polyphemus wailed in pain, but that didn't stop him from easily plucking the spear out of his foot and advancing towards the direction of Amara's voice.

She knew her next actions weren't part of the plan, but she couldn't help it. She plucked Annabeth's cap off before tossing it in the blonde's direction, the cyclops grew angrier upon seeing the girl and charged faster.

"Get Annabeth!" Percy yelled towards the satyr as he charged ahead of the brunette, using himself as a shield while she willed blue electricity to cover her weapon. Her eyes briefly flickered teal and she joined Percy in attacking the creature.

Clarisse joined the demigods in the charge, the three dodging the ponding, stomping, and grabbing of the cyclops as he attempted to grab any of them. The La Rue girl kept the creature distracted enough for the children of the Big Three to slice Polyphemus in the toes, ankle, or with a leap using the winds, his hands.

Amara was getting tired, she was ashamed to admit it despite being a warrior but it was true. She had been using her powers much more as of late and overextending her limits, so keeping up with Percy and Clarisse while also keeping her abilities going was taking a toll on her.

"Move!" A voice yelled in the brunette's direction. She hadn't realized the cyclops was heading her way until a head of dirty blonde crashed into the younger demigod and sent them tumbling. "Fall back!" Percy instructed, glancing to the daughters of Zeus and Ares as they gave him a nod once they stopped rolling.

The three demigods took off for the bridge, Polyphemus directly behind them as he bled from his injuries and began cursing them. "Grind you into sheep chow!" He promised. "A thousand curses on Nobody!"

"I think he's talking to you, Grace," Clarisse said with a grin as the two ran side by side.

"I have ears, La Rue," Amara snapped, focusing her attention on her legs pounding against the earth beneath her.

"Move faster!" Percy yelled at the girls behind him as he led them across, earning himself a glare from the duo. Electric blue met tree brown irises as a mutual agreement was made. "Grover!" Amara shouted for the satyr, earning herself a nod.

"I got it!" He shouted, grabbing the blonde's dagger and headed for the bridge. The trio of demigods rushed onto the bridge, trying their best to stabilize themselves and keep a good pace as the Underwood boy began sawing at the ropes.

It was easy for the brunette to tell when the cyclops had made it onto the bridge, the ropes had begun swaying rapidly while Grover continued cutting. "At least make sure we'll make it before you cut them all!" Clarisse screamed at the protector as the three dived to solid ground besides the blonde.

Grover was quick to saw the last rope, the bridge falling into the chasm below as the cyclops let out a howl. But the howl was full of glee, because within a short moment Polyphemus was standing on the same platform as them.

"Failed!" He yelled gleefully. "Nobody failed!"

"Curse you!" Clarisse yelled as she got to her feet, Amara joining the daughter of Ares as they charged the cyclops. Their attempt was futile as Polyphemus smacked the daughters of Zeus and Ares to the side like they were nothing but flies in his path.

"Amara!" Percy cried as he watched the younger demigod go flying through the air before crashing into a tree, Clarisse following the girl with the same fate.

The Jackson boy earned her attention when her senses came back, her world no longer spinning but focused once more. She managed to get to her feet, witnessing the raven haired boy let loose swordsman skills she didn't know he harbored. Percy smacked the cyclops in the nose with the hilt of his sword, proceeding to slash, kick, and bash until Polyphemus had fallen onto his back dazed and moaning painful grunts. The son of the Big Three stood over the monster, tip of his sword hovering over the creature's singular eye.

"Percy!" Grover gasped. "How did you—"

"No, please!" Polyphemus begged, staring at the demigod as tears began welling in the corner of his eye. "M—m—my sheepies need me, only trying to protect my sheep!"

"Kill him!" Clarisse yelled. "What are you waiting for?"

"He's a cyclops!" Grover warned. "Don't trust him!"

Amara figured that comment hit Percy close to home, especially with what happened to Tyson and Grover having no idea about it. "We only want the Fleece," Percy finally spoke. "Will you agree to let us take it?"

"No!" Clarisse shouted. "Kill him!"

"My beautiful Fleece, prize of my collection. Take it, cruel human and go in peace." The brunette's eyes narrowed as she plucked her sword up from the ground near her feet, inching her way towards the duo.

"I'm going to step back slowly," Percy instructed. "One false move . . ."

The creature nodded as if he understood, when but Percy stepped back the cyclops smacked him to the edge of the cliff. "Foolish mortal!" He bellowed, rising to his feet. "Take my Fleece? Ha! I eat you first."

"No!" Amara cried, racing towards Polyphemus with her sword raised as the raven haired boy in the corner of her eye struggled to get to his feet. Before the daughter of Zeus could slash the creatures throat, a boulder the side of a basketball was thrown into the monsters throat. Her feet skidded to a stop as the cyclops began choking on the unexpected rock, staggering backwards until his heel slipped and he tumbled down into the chasm.

The demigods and satyr turned around to see a figure standing unharmed in the middle of the killer sheep flock. "Bad Polyphemus," Tyson's voice sounded, an unknown grin creeping onto Amara's lips at the sight of the boy. "Not all cyclops as nice as we look."

"Tyson," Percy breathed as he made his way to the brunette's side, a genuine smile gracing his lips for the first time in days she noticed. "Thank the gods, Annabeth is hurt."

"You thank the gods she is hurt?" Tyson questioned with a puzzled look upon his face.

"No!" The raven haired boy denied as the children of the Big Three made their way to the blonde. The gash in her forehead had gotten worse, her hairline was sweaty and sticky with her blood. Annabeth's once tan and smooth skin had become pale and clammy.

"Tyson," Percy called, earning the boy's attention. "The fleece, can you get it for me?"

"Which one?" Tyson asked, looking around at the hundreds of sheeps.

"In the tree!" The older demigod pointed. "The gold one!"

"Oh, pretty. Yes."

The younger cyclops made his way over, careful to not step on the surrounding sheep. He reached up and pulled the fleece from it's branch, the leaves immediately turning yellow as the oak tree began dying. "No time," Percy called. "Throw it!"

The golden ram skin flew through like air like a frisbee, the son of Poseidon caught it with a grunt as he spread it completely over the blonde's body aside from her face. Amara began to silently pray to her father, Athena, Poseidon, and even Hera along with all the gods she could think of to heal her friend. She only stopped once her oldest friend eyes fluttered, the cut on Annabeth's forehead closing.

"You're not," the blonde spoke weakly once she saw Grover. "You're not . . . married?"

Clarisse snorted as Grover grinned. "No, my friends talked me out of it."

The moment was interrupted by Tyson shouting at the sheep to leave him alone. "We need to go," Amara spoke, giving Annabeth a small grin. "They're too hungry."

Percy instructed Tyson to lead the sheep as far away as possible while they head through the meadow. "Keep the fleece around you," the brunette instructed the blonde. "Just in case you're not fully healed yet, can you stand?"

Annabeth tried, but her face turned pale once more. "Ohh, not fully healed."

"I got her," the daughter of Ares didn't give room for arguments as she placed the Chase girl over her shoulder and began making her way down to the beach. Amara could only offer the two boys who glanced at her a shrug before making her own way down, the latter's following behind.

It didn't take long for them to reach the water, nor for the Queen Anne's Revenge to round the tip of the island heading their way.

"Incoming!" Tyson's voice reached their ears as he bounded down the path to join the demigods and satyr, the sheep following behind.

"They probably won't follow us to the water," Percy stated. "If we swim for the ship, we'll be safe."

A wave of dread washed over Amara as she stared at the blue ocean waves hitting her feet, before retreating backwards. "With Annabeth like that?" Grover inquired.

"We got this," the son of Poseidon insisted. "Once we get to the ship, we're home free."

Amara stayed in the back as Clarisse, Annabeth, and Grover made their way past the brunette. Only Percy stayed behind as they watched the trio begin waddling their way through the water.

"Come on, Mara," her eyes widened slightly at the name as Percy offered a smile. He gently gripped onto her hand and began guiding her to the water.

"What are you doing?" She demanded, but couldn't find it in herself to let go as she wrapped her free arm around his. Her grip tightened as he led her through the waves and towards the others.

"Keeping my promise, you didn't think I forgot did you?" Sea green met electric blue eyes as the boy's smile widened. "So hold on, you'll be besides me the whole time. I promise you won't get away from me."

She didn't say anything, she couldn't say anything. His actions throughout the quest ever since he find out her secret last summer had been nothing but short of the unexpected. He was constantly surprising her, just like now as he gripped her hand and she hugged his arm afraid of being separated. Percy only ever offered her reassuring smiles and words of encouragement as they made their way to join the others.

The small group had just made it past the entrance to the ravine when a tremendous roar shook the water and those in it. Her grip on the boy's arm tightened as they spun around to witness Polyphemus splashing towards them with boulders in each hand.

"You'd think he'd run out of rocks." Percy muttered.

"Swim for it!" Grover cried.

Clarisse plunged into the water while keeping Annabeth afloat on her back and the duo began to paddle away. However they weren't very effective due to the fleece weighing them both down, but were making some progress.

Percy's grip on Amara tightened as a boulder landed not far from the Big Three children, nearly causing them to lose balance.

"Uh, guys," Grover spoke in a nervous tone as he began backing up. "We got vast water which we need to swim in, and an Amara. What do we do?"

She shot the satyr a glare as a roar escaped from Polyphemus and he continued making his way towards the boys and girl. "You swim with her," Percy instructed releasing her hand from his own. "And you swim faster than ever before to make it to that ship."

Amara's eyes narrowed at the raven haired boy as Grover shot her a nervous look. "We need to go, Am." But part of her didn't feel comfortable going with the satyr, for reasons she couldn't comprehend. She felt safer with the son of Poseidon, something she never thought she would ever say.

"Look, I'll be watching you two the whole time to make sure you get there," Percy said, his free hand going to his sword. "But you need to go now."

She released the boys arm from her tight grip, and instead wrapped them around Grover's neck. "You promised, Percy."

The boy's eyes widened slightly upon hearing his name slip from her mouth, he couldn't recall the last time she said his name. Not Jackson, Seaweed brain, Drool boy, Kelp head, no, just Percy. A soft smile threatened to curl onto his lips from the name, but he managed to keep his cool. "And I'm going to keep that promise, Amara."

Grover took off into the water with that, swimming as fast as he could whilst supporting the weight of Amara. But the latter wasn't focused on the deadly water surrounding her, no, her attention was focused on the battle that was going on behind her.

A smirk twisted onto her lips at the sight of Percy willing the sea to rise, a six meter wave surged upwards as it lifted him onto its crest. The way he rode reminded her of a prince riding his steed into battle, and technically, she wasn't wrong. He was Poseidon's son, prince of the sea and the same could be said to her, Zeus's daughter and princess of the skies.

"Destroy you!" She heard Polyphemus splutter. "Fleece stealer!"

"You stole the Fleece!" Percy yelled. "You've been using it to lure satyrs to their deaths!"

"So? Satyrs are good eating!" Amara felt Grover wince underneath her at the comment and she spared him a sympathetic glance.

"The Fleece should be used to heal, it belongs to the children of the gods!"

"I am a child of the gods!" Polyphemus swiped at Percy, but the boy sidestepped. "Father Poseidon, curse this thief!"

"Poseidon won't curse me," the Jackson boy said. "I'm his son too, he won't play favorites."

Grover finally reached the ship where Clarisse and Annabeth were already on board. "Give me Amara first," the daughter of Ares immediately took command as she pulled Amara up single handed, doing the same to the satyr afterwards. Once Grover made it up, Amara latched onto the nearest railing she could find as Clarisse began yelling for the sons of Poseidon to hurry.

"Young one!" Polyphemus called for Tyson, "where are you? Help me!" The younger cyclops froze in his tracks.

"You weren't raised right!" The older creature wailed, shaking his olive tree club. "Poor orphaned brother, help me!"

The sons of Poseidon and the monster didn't move, until Tyson suddenly moved forward with his hands raised. "Don't fight, cyclops brother. Put down the—"

Polyphemus spun towards his voice.

"Tyson!" Percy screamed.

Tyson flew backwards and into the sand, Polyphemus went to continue what he started by charging after him. "No!" Percy yelled, lunging forward and stabbing the older cyclops above his thigh.

The creature roared, swinging his tree towards the Jackson boy but he dodged and only managed to get raked across his back by the dozen branches. The scene unfolding in front of Amara felt familiar, getting raked across their back while fending for their life and a chance to escape. She felt like she was watching Thalia die all over again.

"Percy!" She yelled once the realization hit, earning the sea green eyed boy's attention. But she only received a smirk in return for her worry as Tyson appeared out of nowhere, tackling the creature to the ground. The brothers exchanged a word before they began sprinting towards the surf.

"I'll smash you!" Polyphemus yelled, doubling over in pain. His monstrous hands cupped over his eye that she assumed Percy had stabbed while she was lost in her thoughts.

"Where are you?" The creature screamed, picking up his tree club and threw it into the water. He barely missed the duo who were swimming towards the ship.

The raven haired boy willed a current that pushed the two through the upcoming waves, boosting them to the ship. "Yeah, Jackson!" Clarisse shouted with a prideful grin. "In your face, cyclops!"

She received a growl from her words, and a boulder narrowly missing the sons of Poseidon. "Clarisse," Amara hissed as she lightly shoved the girl. "Knock it off,"

But the daughter of Ares shrugged her off. "Yeah, yeah." She taunted as her grin widened. "You throw like a wimp! Serves you right for trying to marry me, you big idiot!"

"Clarisse," the children of the Big Three yelled at the girl. "Shut up!"

But the damage had already been done, Polyphemus had thrown another boulder and it hit it's target. The rock smashed through the hilt of the Queen Anne's Revenge, and the ship began sinking fast. The ship began creaking, groaning, and tilting forward towards the welcoming sea.

Clarisse was the first to fall off, her yells being heard the whole way down until a crash filled the air. Grover had immediately rushed over to Annabeth, wrapping his arms around her and the fleece as tight as he could.

"Amara, I can't get you both!" The satyr cried, frustration and anger clear in his tone. But she had waved him off and continued climbing the ship, trying not to let her fear show. The satyr and demigod were the next to fall, struggling with the weight of the fleece and deadweight Annabeth.

And as for Amara, she felt ready to breakdown at the mere thought of being surrounded by the water like she just had been moments ago. She gripped tightly onto a piece of wood, trying her hardest to stay afloat and not sink into the awaiting arms of the ocean.

"Hang on, Amara!" Percy's voice reached her ears as she could make out his figure fighting against the waves, swimming in her direction with a determined look. But his efforts had been in vain, Polyphemus had thrown another boulder at the ship.

The demigods and satyr had been thrown up into the air, their screams heard by their fellow demigod and cyclop as they began free-falling. "Amara!" The girl was too caught up by her panic to even think about using the wind, she was too afraid to take her eyes off the incoming water. Her eyes squeezed together and her body hit the water, being pulled underneath like she had been it's prey and it the predator.

She didn't even try to fight her fate this time, she had barely escaped it once before. She had been wrapped up in it's grip like an unwanted hug, suffocating and pushing against her body as she was dragged away from the surface. Her back seared from the pain, her lungs on fire as she desperately craved air. Her eyes fell shut as she fully accepted what was happening to her, she was drowning on a quest to save her sister. But as long as the fleece made it back to camp, she would have no regrets.

Arms wrapped themselves around her, forming a tight grip as her eyes shot open. Percy was staring at her, his raven hair flowed out of his face and give her the opportunity to analyze his eyes. His sea green eyes wide with fear, concern, and sadness as his grip tightened once more. She hadn't notice how beautiful they truly were until now. Without wasting anymore time, he began swimming them up to the surface.

Amara could truly see why he was the son of Poseidon, the sea obeyed his every command, especially when they suddenly shot upwards breaching the surface in no time as she gasped for the air her body demanded. Her arms gripped onto his as her breathing became even, her teeth chattering while the boy spared her a sympathetic look. He swam them over to an empty hippocampus, where he made sure she got on first.

"Come on, Mara," he whispered, lightening his grip on her. "You go first and I'll be right behind you."

She obeyed, releasing her grip as she climbed onto the sea creature instead. Percy's arms were out in case she fell, but she managed to get on with ease. He climbed on immediately afterwards, his hands resting on top her shoulders as they took off.

"I did it," Polyphemus cheered in the background as the children of the Big Three shared a look. "I finally sank Nobody!"

No one said anything in response to the cyclops, instead they hurried across the sea as the island shrank to a blur before completely disappearing.

"Told you," Percy grinned slightly as the two met gazes, electric blue and sea green having a silent stare off until he continued. "I kept my promise."

She smirked lightly, breaking their gaze as she wrapped her arms around the sea creature. "This time, Percy."

His smile turned into a frown. "No, always, I'll keep it always."

She let out a hum, slowly tuning the boy out until he said words that made her believe she had almost made them up. "Like I told you, as long as I'm here, nothing bad will ever happen to you in or near water. I swear upon the River Styx I will keep my promise."

Thunder roared across the sky that hadn't been the brunette's doing, and she sent the boy a wide eyed look.

"Percy—"

But he merely sent her a smile, his eyes sparkling against the water as his next words surprised her even more. "See, now you know it's true. But I would've kept my promise regardless if it was sworn on the River Styx or not."

She shook her head, a grin twisting onto her lips as she turned herself back around. "You're something else, Seaweed Brain."

"Whatever you say, Stormy."

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6-20-23

     hello hello ! this was such a long chapter omg, it sucked to edit sm. but i'm rather proud of it and i hope you all enjoyed the percy and amara moments. one chapter left and then it's time for the titans curse !! i hope you enjoyed this chapter and i'll see you all on thursday <3