The Nature of a Demigod

A Whirlpool and a Dark Place

[Percy's POV]

"You are in so much trouble," Clarisse said. We'd just finished a ship tour we didn't want, through dark rooms overcrowded with dead sailors. We'd seen the coal bunker, the boilers and engine, which huffed and groaned like it would explode any minute.

We'd seen the pilothouse and the powder magazine and gunnery deck (Clarisse's favorite) with two Dahlgren smoothbore cannons on the port and starboard sides and a Brooke nine-inch rifled gun fore and aft. All specially refitted to fire celestial bronze cannon balls.

Everywhere we went, dead Confederate sailors stared at us, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls. They approved of Annabeth because she told them she was from Virginia.

They were interested in me, too, because my name was Jackson, like the Southern general, but then I ruined it by telling them I was from New York. They all hissed and muttered curses about Yankees. Not sure what baseball had to do with anything, but I didn't ask. They asked where Y/N was from, and he said, "I have no clue at all." So there was a bit of a silent uncertainty among the soldiers regarding him.

Tyson was terrified of them. All through the tour, he insisted Annabeth hold his hand, which she didn't look too thrilled about. Y/N couldn't stop laughing at that. Finally, we were escorted to dinner.

The CSS Birmingham captain's quarters were about the size of a walk-in closet, but still much bigger than any other room on board. The table was set with white linen and china. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, and Dr Peppers were served by skeletal crewmen. I didn't want to eat anything served by ghosts, but my hunger overruled my fear.

"Tantalus expelled you for eternity," Clarisse told us smugly. "Mr. D said if any of you show your face at camp again, he'll turn you into squirrels and run you over with his SUV."

"Ah he'd never do that. Mr. D loves me." Y/N said, smirking at Clarisse. "Well if he doesn't Zeus might." she said. "Ah. That I can't vouch for." he said, snapping a finger. Clarisse shoved him aside.

"Did they give you this ship?" I asked. "'Course not. My father did." she said smugly.

"Ares?"

Clarisse sneered. "You think your daddy is the only one with sea power? The spirits on the losing side of every war owe a tribute to Ares. That's their curse for being defeated. I prayed to my father for a naval transport and here it is. These guys will do anything I tell them. Won't you, Captain?"

The captain stood behind her looking stiff and angry. His glowing green eyes fixed me with a hungry stare. "If it means an end to this infernal war, ma'am, peace at last, we'll do anything. Destroy anyone."

Clarisse smiled. "Destroy anyone. I like that." She glared at Y/N with a sinister expression. He had raised brows and a somewhat concerned look on his face. Tyson gulped.

"Clarisse," Annabeth said, "Luke might be after the Fleece, too. We saw him. He's got the coordinates and he's heading south. He has a cruise ship full of monsters-"

"Good! I'll blow him out of the water."

"You don't understand," Annabeth said. "We have to combine forces. Let us help you-"

"No!" Clarisse pounded the table. "This is my quest, smart girl! Finally I get to be the hero, and you three will not steal my chance."

"Clarisse, who'd you bring on the quest? Where are they?" Y/N asked, his eyes darting between undead soldiers. "They didn't come... I let them stay behind. To protect the camp."