𝐖𝐀𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐒 | percy jackson

olympus

The sun was beginning to set, casting smears of amber and rose across the sky. Ciarda and Annabeth sat on the cool sand mound outside the cabin, the waves lapping gently at the distant shore. 

They nibbled on food they had found in the cupboards, Ciarda's canines ripping into bread and salami like it was her last meal. She couldn't remember when they last ate. 

"Zeus will kill you both. You understand that, right?" Annabeth picked at the loose threads on her denim jacket. Anxiety was clear.

Ciarda didn't respond immediately, processing the reality of that statement. Annabeth pressed on, "Either because he thinks you stole the bolt or because Percy is a forbidden kid. And you—you're not exactly ordinary, Ciarda. Ares and Aphrodite? That makes you a walking target. Zeus will never let you leave Olympus alive."

The weight of Annabeth's words hung between the two friends. They had known each other since they were very little, and Annabeth couldn't just let her go on a suicide mission. The distant sound of Grover and Percy talking in the kitchen carried faintly to them, but the girls didn't move.

After a long silence, Ciarda finally turned her head, her bronze eyes meeting Annabeth's. "I'm done running from monsters, Anna." Her calm voice made Annabeth's lips quiver. "This is too important. You've got to understand that. It's bigger than me."

Her glistening eyes examined Annabeth's face as if memorising every detail. It was clear she wasn't planning on coming back. It would be that last time they'd sit together like this, no more carefree dinners at camp, and that realisation hit Annabeth harder than she could have anticipated. 

"I have to try." 

Annabeth sighed, the breath coming out in fractured bursts. She pulled off one of her bracelets, with worn string and colourful beads, and hooked it over Ciarda's wrist. "For good luck. I'll always be by your side." 

...

In a small, fire-lit boot room, Percy and Ciarda sat side by side, lacing up their boots they'd dried by the flames. Ciarda raked her fingers through her hair, and pulled it into a ponytail. Percy looked up from his shoes to her, noticing she was staring at him in the reflection of the mirror.

"What?" Percy asked, his hand reflexively brushing at his face. "Do I have something on my face?"

For a moment, Ciarda said nothing, then broke into a smile so genuine that Percy blinked. "Well, that's not unsettling at all," He said.

Ciarda chuckled lightly, then reached up to the clasp of one of the many necklaces draped around her neck. "I was just thinking," She began, her fingers fumbling with the fastener, "About how, at camp, we get a bead for every summer we're there. That's thirteen summers for me. Plus beads for every win, every quest completed, every ridiculous stunt pulled. I've got so many that I started turning them into necklaces."

Percy tilted his head. "Okay... cool story. But what does that have to do with me?" She rolled her eyes. "I realised you don't have any beads."

"So?" Percy shrugged. "So," Ciarda huffed, "You deserve some. Before we go. And since there's a large chance we won't make it out of Olympus alive..." She trailed off, pulling the necklace free from her neck. 

Percy watched her as she stepped closer and reached around him, clasping the necklace in place. Her movements were careful, and he found himself unable to look away. When she stepped away, and the firelight caught the right side of her face, he couldn't tear his eyes away. She was seriously beautiful.

"Thanks," His voice was barely above a whisper. Ciarda smiled, her eyes creasing, and for a moment, they stood in a comfortable silence before heading back to the kitchen where Annabeth and Grover waited.

Grover glanced up when they entered, lifting himself from the sofa. "Just for clarity," He started, "How sure are we that we can't just, like... write Zeus an email to explain?" Percy grinned. "Where's the glory in that?" He quipped.

Ciarda gave him a nudge with her elbow, her mischievous grin matching his. She was rubbing off on him. "We'll be back in no time," She promised.

Grover stepped forward, arms outstretched, but Ciarda stopped him in his tracks by placing the flat of her shimmering sword between them. "That was a one-time thing, Grove. Limited stock."

Her words, paired with the sparkle in her amber eyes, brought a grin to Grover's face. 

Ciarda La Rue was back and better than ever.

...

The Empire State Building stood proudly above all the other urban buildings in New York City, peaking through the clouds like a crown of steel and glass. It didn't take Ciarda and Percy long to find it. The bustling street seemed unaware of the two demigods making their way through its entrance.  They walked in time with the crowd of tourists milling about and security guards until they made their way to the front desk. 

A bored receptionist tapped idly at his keyboard, barely sparing the pair a glance when they approached his desk. Ciarda leaned casually on the marble counter, her fingers drumming against the polished surface.

"The tour starts by the sign," He stated frankly. His tone carried the indifference of someone who'd said it a thousand times before.

Ciarda's lips curved into a smile that was anything but friendly. "Not here for the tour," She sang eerily. Before the man could respond, Percy swung his backpack off his shoulders, unzipped it, and pulled out the bolt. It hit the desk with a loud bang. 

"We're here to see Zeus," Percy declared, cutting through the man's disbelief. The receptionist froze in horror, his eyes locked on the lightning bolt. His face paled, and his mouth opened and closed soundlessly.

"No appointment," Ciarda added, her unsettling grin never wavering.

The elevator ride was smooth barring Ciarda consistently rocking on her heels. The motors churned as they went up past unimaginable levels. As the doors slid open with a soft ding, they were greeted by a sight that made them both pause.

Olympus.

And by Gods, was it the most beautiful thing Ciarda's eyes had ever laid bare to. It stretched before them in breathtaking splendour, a realm pulled straight from legend. Golden towers glittered under eternal sunlight that bathed them in a warm, celestial glow. 

Magnificent arches spanned between buildings carved from crystal and stone, their shapes defying logic and physics. Staircases with emerald bannisters wound upward toward structures perched impossibly high on mountain ledges. 

Everywhere they looked, there were scenes of wonder: drachma-filled fountains spilling liquid silver, piles of gold stacked like discarded trinkets, mythical creatures darting between marble columns. The torches lining the paths flickered with flames of every imaginable colour, illuminating a world that seemed as ancient as time itself.

"Remember, Percy," Ciarda took the first step into their ascent. "The gods are all-powerful, but they have to play by the rules." 

Percy nodded at her, recalling a memorable conversation with Luke and her around a stolen charcuterie board and the glow of a dying bonfire. He believed it was a few days before their quest began. "And they make demigods to break the rules for them," He added.

Ciarda glanced at him. Her mind was distracted by flying doves and clear rivers which were lined with sapphires. "Exactly," She shook her head to keep them on track, "If we can break the rules and they can't, then they should be just as afraid of us as we are of them."

Her heart was pounding and her mind raced. This would be interesting.

Percy broke the tension with a half-smile. "Didn't Luke say something about how it's bad being small and scary at the same time? Like Annabeth's fear of spiders - they're scary but small so she kills them."

Ciarda raised an eyebrow at him. "Let's forget the rest of that conversation, shall we?"