THIS IS ME TRYING

29: Heroes

"3, 2, 1... PUSH!" Clarisse ordered, before letting out a groan of struggle as they attempted to remove the large rock which blocked Polyphemus' entrance and exit to the cave. They had found a large wooden branch, in amongst the multiple strange items that were hoarded within the cave, securing one end underneath the large bolder and pushing down on the opposite end of large branch in attempts to lift or roll the rock away from their exit. Clarisse struggled, "Push!"

Percy let go in defeat, "Okay, this isn't working."

"Maybe because some people aren't pushing." Clarisse shot back, her eyes quickly glancing at Luna.

"Fine," The girl lowered her hands away from the wood smartly, "Push it again without me and see how much I didn't help."

Grover suggested cautiously, "Can we maybe not argue for two seconds and focus on getting out of here?" But, when Clarisse turned to glare at him; the Satyr just gave a friendly smile.

"Good idea, Grover." Luna replied, her voice laced with annoyance as she gestured to Clarisse to retort, "Some people just don't know when to stop."

Clarisse taunted, "You do realise you're saying that whilst continuing to argue, right, genius? So, why don't you stop."

"You started it." Luna mumbled, placing her hands on the branch again, "So, are we trying again or not?"

"We try again." Clarisse ordered, and she couldn't help but remark, "And actually push this ti—"

"Oh, my..." Luna trailed off with a chuckle of disbelief, trying her best to control her frustrations. She pulled her hands away in protest, "Do it without me then—"

Percy attempted with a deep sigh of paitience, "Lu—"

"No." She continued, "If she thinks I'm not trying then it won't make a difference."

Grover exclaimed, hugging the Fleece and trying to keep the peace, "We have bigger things to worry about than this... literally. Much bigger things. Giant things! A literal Cyclops."

"Which is why we need to move this thing." Clarisse retorted.

"What'd you think we're trying to do, Clarisse?" Luna grew more impatient, "Seriously—"

"Shut up." Clarisse snapped suddenly, causing the girl to pull a face.

"That's mature—"

"No— shut up!" Clarisse explained, backing away from the bolder, "He's coming back!" She ordered, "Get ready."

The four rushed away from the entrance, as it suddenly rolled open and let a wave of daylight inside the darkness of the cave. Percy retrieved Riptide, Grover retrieved his wooden reed-pipes, and Clarisse twirled the sharpened end of a wooden ore in her hands. Luna now realised she didn't have a weapon; she was best at archery, but she hadn't taken a bow on this Quest. Just her magic... but she still hadn't figured out how it all worked. She didn't know why she became so tired when she conjured spells, or why her ears bled in result to this, or why her head pounded. Luna was an amateur at magic, however she was rather experienced with fist-fights... maybe not against Cyclops', but Luna didn't have another option. So, she clenched her fists tightly, meeting with Polyphemus' large singular eye.

Polyphemus warned, "The Fleece is mine."

But, as the Cyclops attempted to take a step, he groaned in pain which caused Luna to flinch back unexpectedly. His ankle was deeply sliced by a blade. Polyphemus roared, before whacking his arm out beside him. That was when Luna caught a glimpse of Annabeth. No! With Polyphemus' gentle hit, the Demi-God was flying off her feet and thudding onto the ground. The knife fell from her hands, her eyes were shut tightly, blood stained her face... and her chest was barely moving with breath.