THIS IS ME TRYING

24: Ironclad

"THIS IS your ride!" Ares announced, gesturing to a grey boat on the water, "Ironclad. Raised her from a watery grave and amped her up. You got a 40-millimetre bang-bang on the bow. Twelve pounder on the fly bridge. And 15-inch artillery on your six, locked and loaded with 100% pure celestial bronze ammo. Boom!"

Clarisse smiled to herself, before noticing the lineup of men on the dock, "Who are they?"

"These losers?" Ares scoffed, "Those are your line officers. Raised them from the grave, too."

Clarisse nodded knowingly, "Those defeated in battle owe a debt of service to Ares."

"You'd think I'd get the winners, but no." Ares replied, "Anyway, I can't do anymore for you, Soldier, without breaking the rules. And I'm in the doghouse as it is. The Sea Twerp's got a head start on you, but you need to reach the finish line first."

Sea Twerp? Luna realised that Ares must've been talking about Percy. But... that meant that her brother left her behind to fulfill the Quest himself. Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson all left her behind... with Clarisse. She wasn't entirely sure why they had left, but Luna was sure that they had a reason. Plus, Luna didn't feel entirely betrayed because, either way, Percy or Luna had a chance of saving Grover and getting the Fleece. When she thought about it, it made sense that Luna stayed behind because, if anything went wrong on Percy's team, Luna would make sure that her team saved the Quest. It was smart... then Luna realised that it must've been Annabeth's idea.

"On my honour, I won't let you down." Clarisse promised.

"Good," Ares warned, "Because you know what'll happen to you if you fail."

Luna didn't like the sound of that, no matter how much she hated Clarisse. She looked between the Father and daughter uneasily. 

***

Luna sat at the rear of the boat, watching as the island slowly disappeared over time into miles and miles of water. She liked being alone, it helped clear her head. She thought that, by being near the ocean, she would feel Percy's presence... but it wasn't the same. Luna also wanted to be away from the loud songs sung by the dead army below deck. Their cheers and drunken songs were distant, blocked out by the loud crash of waves. She sat on the edge of the boat, making sure to hold onto the edge with a tight grip, though thankfully the ocean was calm. Her legs dangled off the edge of the ship, as her eyes roamed the horizon.

After a while, the army's songs had been silenced by the sound of Clarisse's stern orders. She was thankful that the girl had managed to get them to shut up because it was giving Luna a headache... but it also might've been caused from the gentle rocking of the sea. With every minute that passed, Luna was reminded why she wasn't a child of Poseidon.

Clarisse's distant voice spoke from the other side of the ship, "You're all losers, right? You owe a debt to the God of War because you failed in battle. But lemme ask you guys, what do you owe to yourselves? Because... maybe this is more than just another tour of duty. Maybe this is a... second chance to change how you're seen. To change your fate. You all have that chance right now, to become the heroes who found the Golden Fleece. To take this win and shove it down the throats of everyone who has ever doubted you! When you return to the Underworld, it won't be to Asphodel! It won't be to the Fields of Punishment! You will be exalted in the Fields of Elysium! Who's with me?"

There was a long moment before the crew cheered in response, "Aye, Captain!" And Luna heard the distant sound of multiple footsteps as the soldiers quickly started to work.