MΛЯK ӨF ΛƬΉΣПΛ

ANNABETH AND LUCIA SPENT A GOOD CHUNK OF THE EARLY AFTERNOON TOGETHER. But once the blonde left to eat in the mess hall, Lucia became engrossed with the subject of the Legend of Athena.

Annabeth had admitted to Lucia that she harbored feelings for Piper and she thought she did back. Granted Piper never hid her fascination with Annabeth, but it was news to Lucia that she had these other feelings for someone that wasn't her boyfriend. Annabeth however seemed hesitant. Almost fearful of saying what she felt out loud. But Lucia wasn't about to shame Annabeth for her feelings.

She could also tell that Piper wasn't the only one pulling at the blonde's heartstrings. When Lucia mentioned Reyna, Annabeth held a dreamy look in her eye. But she also talked about both girls like they were simply out of reach,  and she was just telling a friend about what could have been.

Lucia didn't like that at all. She had an inexplainable feeling that neither was truly out of Annabeth's reach. And that she had a real shot at something one day. Whichever that may be with.

But those thoughts caused Lucia to become haunted by the dream of Annabeth screaming out her name. The dreadful sound, feelings, and newly acquired information caused her to become frantic. She didn't want to wait around. The more she thought about the Mark of Athena, and the old Roman legend Reyna had mentioned, the more nervous she got.

So she started digging into the Legend. From her desk, she picked up the magic scroll gifted to her by her grandmother. When Lucia unwrapped it a blank white canvas stared back at her.

The brunette pursed her lips as she studied it. If she was honest she still hadn't gotten the hang of the thing just yet.

"Show me," She began, "The history of the mark of Athena."

Suddenly images flickered on like a TV screen. Except they flickered at super speed. Speeding so fast Lucia almost got a headache.

"Wait! Slower!" Lucia corrected she pressed down on the scroll slowing down the image.

The pacing slowed and Lucia saw the familiar silver drachma with an owl symbol. It was in the grip of a boy who looked similar to Annabeth with deep brown skin and stormy grey eyes. He had glasses on his face but the lenses were cracked. White string hung off from his limbs. There was a horrified look on his face.

Lucia let go of the image with a gasp. She scowled, "Show me something helpful."

The flashing went full speed until Lucia pressed down on the scroll once again. Another image appeared. At the bottom of some steps, there was an old wooden door with an iron pull ring. Above the ring was a metal plate with a keyhole. A blonde figure appeared and started considering ways to pick the lock, but as soon as she touched the pull ring, a fiery shape burned in the middle of the door: the silhouette of Athena's owl. Smoke plumed from the keyhole. The door swung inward.

The images became fast-paced despite Lucia's attempt to see through more of the scene.

The message of it was clear, however. It has to be a child of Athena.

The image stopped at something. Lucia felt the memory hit her as it played before her eyes.

She had been riding the subway back from the Upper East Side after visiting Percy's mom. During those long months when Percy was missing, Lucia made the trip at least twice a week—partly to give Sally Jackson and her husband Paul an update on the search, and partly because Lucia and Sally needed to lift each other's spirits and convince one another that Percy would be fine. The spring had been especially hard. By then, Lucia had reason to hope Percy was alive since Hera's plan seemed to involve sending him to the Roman side, but she couldn't be sure where he was.

Jason had remembered his old camp's location more or less, but all the Greeks' magic—even that of the campers of Hecate's cabin—couldn't confirm that Percy was there, or anywhere. He seemed to have disappeared from the planet. Rachel, her father's Oracle had tried to read the future, and while she couldn't see much, she'd been certain that Leo needed to finish the Argo II before they could contact the Romans.

Nevertheless, Lucia, Grover, and Annabeth had spent every spare moment scouring all sources for any rumors of Percy. They had talked to nature spirits, read legends about Rome, dug for clues in Daedalus's notebook, and spent hundreds of golden drachmas on Iris-messages to every friendly spirit, demigod, or monster they'd ever met, all with no luck.

That particular afternoon, Annabeth decided to go with Lucia. But when the girls were coming back from Sally's, Lucia had felt even more drained than usual. All of them had cried and then attempted to pull themselves together, but her nerves were especially frayed.

Finally, they took the Lexington Avenue subway down to Grand Central. They had just passed Sweet on America, the candy shop where Percy's mom used to work. Lucia thought of convincing Annabeth to go with her to buy some blue gummy bears, when the blonde saw Athena studying the subway map on the wall.

"Mother!" Annabeth shouted in surprise. She hadn't seen her mom in months—not since Zeus had closed the gates of Olympus and forbidden all communication with demigods. Annabeth had tried to call on her mom anyway, pleading for guidance, sending up burnt offerings with every meal at camp. She'd had no response. Just like Lucia with Apollo.

Now here was Athena, dressed in jeans and hiking boots, and a red flannel shirt, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. She held a backpack and a walking stick like she was prepared for a long journey.

"I must return home," Athena murmured, studying the map. "The way is complex. I wish Odysseus were here. He would understand."

"Mom!" Annabeth said. "Athena!" The goddess turned. She seemed to look right through Annabeth with no recognition.

"That was my name," the goddess said dreamily. "Before they sacked my city, took my identity, made me this." She looked at her clothes in disgust. "I must return home."

Annabeth stepped back in shock. "You're...you're Minerva?"

"Don't call me that!" The goddess's gray eyes flared with anger. "I used to carry a spear and a shield. I held victory in the palm of my hand. I was so much more than this."

"Mom." Annabeth's voice trembled. "It's me, Annabeth. Your daughter."

"My daughter..." Athena repeated. "Yes, my children will avenge me. They must destroy the Romans. Horrible, dishonorable, copycat Romans. Hera argued that we must keep the two camps apart. I said, No, let them fight. Let my children destroy the usurpers."

Annabeth's heartbeat thumped in her ears. "You wanted that? But you're wise. You understand warfare better than any—"

"Once!" the goddess said. "Replaced. Sacked. Looted like a trophy and carted off — away from my beloved homeland. I lost so much. I swore I would never forgive. Neither would my children." She focused more closely on Annabeth. 'You are my daughter?"

"Yes."

The goddess fished something from the pocket of her shirt and pressed it into Annabeth's hand.

"Follow the Mark of Athena," the goddess said. "Avenge me."
It was an ancient silver drachma, the kind used by Athenians. It showed an owl, Athena's sacred animal, with an olive branch on one side and a Greek inscription on the other.

The Mark of Athena.

"Mom..." She said carefully "Percy is missing. I need your help." She had started to explain Hera's plan for bringing the camps together to battle Gaea and the giants, but the goddess stamped her walking stick against the marble floor.

"Never!" she said. "Anyone who helps Rome must perish. If you would join them, you are no child of mine. You have already failed me."

"Mother!"

"Hey! Lay off her—"

"Lucy." Annabeth stopped her.  "It's okay."

She grumbled angrily under her breath. "No, it's not."

"I care nothing about this Percy. And you. Just hearing you gives me a headache." She barely regarded Lucia." If he has gone over to the Romans, let him perish. Kill him. Kill all the Romans. Find the Mark, and follow it to its source. Witness how Rome has disgraced me, and pledge your vengeance."

Lucia bit her tongue despite the intensified anger. Both for Annabeth, and because she didn't exactly have a death wish.

Minerva or Athena, it didn't matter, she'd be partying down with Hades in seconds if she said what she wanted to.

"Athena isn't the goddess of revenge." Annabeth balled her hands into fists. "My friends are everything to me."

"And revenge is everything to me," the goddess snarled. "Which of us is wiser?"

"Something is wrong with you. What's happened?"

"Rome happened!" the goddess said bitterly. "See what they have done, making a Roman of me. They wish me to be their goddess? Then let them taste their own evil. Kill them, child."

"No!"

"Then you are nothing." The goddess turned to the subway map. Her expression softened, becoming confused and unfocused. "If I could find the route... the way home, then perhaps — But, no. Avenge me or leave me. You are no child of mine."

The image faded.

"That wasn't helpful at all." She ranted, glaring daggers down at the scroll. "Give me something I don't know!"

Lucia yelped as it flashed on again. Images flashed in rapid motion. She only pressed down when a familiar face appeared through all the madness.

"You are no child of mine, Apollo!" Zeus's voice bellowed throughout the throne room. "This mayhem is because of you! Your oracle started this prophecy! And that daughter of yours is a danger to us all! You insolent fool! I have excused you for long enough, Now—"

He groaned, His image flickered into a distinct version of himself before changing back. "I banish you to the island of Delos where you were bored. You shall not step into the sky of Olympus until I see fit! And I promise you. I shall never see it fit!"

"Father, Wait!" Apollo began, A thunderbolt arced through the throne room. Apollo raised his hands to block his face.

Just like that. The scroll turned into a blank canvas once again.

The fall of the sun.

Lucia blinked. She felt sick to her stomach.

There was a gentle knock on Lucia's door. She looked up but no one entered.

Lucia rolled up the scroll hesitantly "Come in?"

"Hi." Hazel entered slowly, she shifted on her feet. "Sorry, I just..."

Lucia moved to make space. "Hazel! Come, Come.."

The girl shyly entered and sat at the foot of Lucia's berth. Her shoulders relaxed when the older girl gave her a warm smile. "I...Um."

"You're thinking of Nico?" She nodded, "That's completely understandable. I know. It hurts me too..."

"How, How do you know him?" She asked inquisitively.

Lucia grinned. She got up and walked over to her desk. "I met him and his other sister Bianca at a Military Academy a few years ago. He was a little boy. only nine. I used to take care of him when his sister needed a break. After Percy, they were my first real friends...." She grabbed something from a box, A mythomagic card she always kept in a safe space. She made her way back onto her berth "He used to love playing this game. It's called mythomagic. But things changed when...when Bianca died. He kind of hated me for a long time after that... But I think we're finally good now. I hope."

Hazel chuckled, "He can hold a grudge...."

Lucia laughed with her, her face softened. "Tell me about it...But I don't blame him... He's a really good kid. He's strong. Stronger than he needs to be..."

Hazel looked down at her hands. She played with an emerald that popped up from Lucia's berth. Lucia thought of Hazel's story...

"And you are too..."  She said softly,

Hazel looked up. Her eyes widened in surprise. She became shy, "Percy's right about you..."

"So he talked about me?." Lucia blushed with a grin. For some reason, the thought made her giddy, even after being boyfriend and girlfriend for months.

"As much as he could once he remembered it all." Hazel mirrored her smile "He loves you..."

"I know, I love him..."

"Is it nice?" Hazel hummed curiously.

"It can be." She nodded, "But it's also painful sometimes... Like whenever he's gone."

"How did you know?" She asked innocently, "That it was him...And not...."

Lucia's smile fell.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"You're fine hon," Lucia reassured, her hand falling over her knee to keep her from leaving. "I only bite when it's annoying boys."

Hazel chuckled, she looked up at Lucia waiting intently for a response. Her golden coiled hair framed her face prettily. And her big doe eyes were watching her with intrigue. Lucia couldn't help but smile at the innocence and gentleness the young girl displayed.

"I didn't. For a while, I hardly knew who I was..." Lucia hummed, "But one thing I believe Hazel. Is that love shouldn't just be emotions or affection. It's not just wanting or needing something specific from someone. The purest of love has respect as well. If you love someone you love every part of them, and you don't try to force them to be someone they can't be. Even if they have parts you don't exactly like.."

She trailed off..."Percy loved me...through everything. But Ethan, he helped put me in a position where I was at my lowest. Where I was just a shell of myself... And I truly truly felt for him... I swear no matter what anyone says, I did. But it was not the type of love I longed for..."

"I think I agree with you..." Hazel nodded, she frowned "I want a love that makes me feel safe..."

Lucia smiled knowingly, "And you're feeling conflicted about who that might be with?"

Hazel blushed, "Of Course not-"

"Listen." Lucia began, "I'm not here to judge. Trust me, I can't. I'm here to tell you to follow your heart and do what makes you happy. Because you deserve to let yourself be happy Hazel. If that's Frank then great. But if it's not. Then it's simply not. All you can do is trust your heart. And try your best to not break his in the process."

"But listen to me. Keep your boundaries. Never let a boy walk over you. " She demanded, "And If either of them does something to hurt you. I will personally kick their asses. "

The girl laughed in appreciation. Becoming much more comfortable in the sun child's presence. "Thank you, Lucia. I'm really glad I knocked on your door..."

Their smiles faded as they heard a thud come from up above. Then loud voices and frantic footsteps.

Frank stumbled down the hall and burst into Lucia's cabin. "Where's Leo?" he gasped. "Take off! Take off!"

Lucia placed the mythomagic card on her bed and shot to her feet. Hazel followed behind her. "Where's Percy?" She demanded. "And the goat?"

Frank grabbed his knees, trying to breathe. His clothes were stiff and damp like they'd been washed in pure starch. "On deck. They're fine. We're being followed!"

Lucia pushed past him flashing up the stairs in a beam of light, Hazel was quick at her heels. Frank trailed behind them, still gasping for air.

Percy and Hedge lay on the deck, looking exhausted. Hedge was missing his shoes. He grinned at the sky, muttering, "Awesome. Awesome."

Percy was covered with nicks and scratches, like he'd jumped through a window. He didn't say anything, but he grasped Lucia's hand weakly as if to say, 'Be right with you, as soon as the world stops spinning.'

She squeezed back and crouched down on the deck to cradle his head in her lap. A hand found itself going through his hair. "I'll fix it, love" Softly she began to hum, and Percy's pained face relaxed. He sighed in pure relief. 

Leo, Annabeth, Piper, and Jason, who'd been eating in the mess hall, came rushing up the stairs.

"What? What?" Leo cried, holding a half-eaten grilled cheese sandwich. "Can't a guy even take a lunch break? What's wrong?"

"Followed!" Frank yelled again.

"Followed by what?" Jason asked.

"I don't know!" Frank panted. "Whales? Sea monsters? Maybe Kate and Porky!"

Lucia furrowed her eyebrows together, she didn't think Frank meant the pig. Still, she was very confused.

Annabeth looked ready to strangle the guy, "That makes absolutely no sense. Leo, you'd better get us out of here."

Leo put his sandwich between his teeth, pirate style, and ran for the helm. Soon the Argo II was rising into the sky. Annabeth manned the aft crossbow. Announcing that she saw no sign of pursuit by whales or otherwise, but Percy, Frank, and Hedge didn't start to recover until the Atlanta skyline was a hazy smudge in the distance.

"Charleston," Percy said, hobbling around the deck like an old man. He still sounded pretty shaken up. "Set course for Charleston."

"Charleston?" Jason said the name as if it brought back bad memories. "What exactly did you find in Atlanta?"

Frank unzipped his backpack and started bringing out souvenirs. "Some peach preserves. A couple of T-shirts. A snow globe. And, um, these not-really-Chinese handcuffs."

Annabeth inhaled sharply. "How about you start from the top—of the story, not the backpack."

༄

THEY GATHERED ON THE QUARTERDECK so Leo could hear the conversation as he navigated. Percy and Frank took turns relating what had happened at the Georgia Aquarium, with Coach Hedge interjecting from time to time: "That was awesome!" or "Then I kicked her in the head!"

At least the coach seemed to have forgotten about Lucia and Percy in the stables the night before. But judging from Percy's story, Lucia had worse problems to worry about than being grounded.

When Percy explained about the captive sea creatures in the aquarium, she understood why he seemed so upset.

"That's terrible," Annabeth frowned

Lucia agreed, "We need to help them."

"We will," Percy promised. "In time. But I have to figure out how. I wish..." He shook his head. "Never mind. First, we have to deal with this bounty on our heads."

Coach Hedge had lost interest in the conversation—probably because it was no longer about him—and wandered toward the bow of the ship, practicing his roundhouse kicks and complimenting himself on his technique.

Annabeth gripped the hilt of her dagger. "A bounty on our heads...as if we didn't attract enough monsters already."

"Do we get wanted posters?" Leo asked. "And do they have our bounties, like, broken down on a price list?"

Hazel wrinkled her nose. "What are you talking about?"

"Just curious how much I'm going for these days," Leo said. "I mean, I can understand not being as pricey as Percy or Lucia or Jason, maybe...but am I worth, like, two Franks, or three Franks?"

"Hey!" Frank complained.

"Knock it off," Lucia commanded. "At least we know our next step is to go to Charleston to find this map."

Piper leaned against the control panel. Her braided brown hair hung over her shoulders.

"A map," Piper said. "But a map to what?"

"The Mark of Athena." Percy looked cautiously at Annabeth. He inched away from the blonde's hardened look and moved closer to his girlfriend. "Whatever that is," he continued. "We know it leads to something important in Rome, something that might heal the rift between the Romans and Greeks."

"The giants' bane," Hazel added.

Percy nodded. "And in my dream, the twin giants said something about a statue."

"Um..." Frank rolled his not-exactly-Chinese handcuffs between his fingers. "According to Phorcys, we'd have to be insane to try to find it. But what is it?"

While everyone looked at Annabeth. Lucia couldn't bear to.

She felt her brain become overrun with thoughts: a statue...Athena...Greek and Roman, her nightmares, the images on the scroll, and Annabeth's argument with her mom.

She saw how the pieces were coming together...

"I—I'm close to an answer," Annabeth stuttered. "I'll know more if we find this map. Jason, the way you reacted to the name Charleston...have you been there before?"

"Yeah," He admitted. "Reyna and I did a quest there about a year ago. We were salvaging Imperial gold weapons from the C.S.S. Hunley."

"The what?" Piper asked.

Lucia wrinkled her nose like she smelled something rotten. "It's a Confederate submarine. From the Civil War."

"How do you know that?" Leo asked in surprise.

The girl shrugged, "I'm related to the muse of history."

"It was designed by Roman demigods," Jason continued. "It held a secret stash of Imperial gold torpedoes—until we rescued them and brought them back to Camp Jupiter—"

"Pause." Lucia stopped him, her hand hit the table a little harder than she meant it to. "Can we backtrack? Who? designed it?"

Hazel crossed her arms. "So the Romans fought on the Confederate side? As a girl whose grandmother was a slave, can I just say...not cool?"

Jason put his hands in front of him, palms up. "I personally was not alive then. And it wasn't all Greeks on one side and all Romans on the other. But, yes. Not cool. Sometimes demigods make bad decisions." He looked sheepishly at Hazel. "Like sometimes we're too suspicious. And we speak without thinking."

Lucia raised an eyebrow, "Um, Bad decision is a huge understatement... but I see you're trying to build up to something, so go on Sparky..."

Hazel stared at him. Slowly it seemed to dawn on her that he was apologizing. Jason elbowed Leo.

"Ow!" Leo yelped. "I mean, yeah...bad decisions. Like not trusting people's brothers who, you know, might need saving. Hypothetically speaking."

Lucia sighed, "Bobo,"

"I'm trying!"  The boy defended

Hazel pursed her lips "Fine. Back to Charleston. Are you saying we should check that submarine again?"

Jason shrugged. "Well...I can think of two places in Charleston we might search. The museum where they keep the Hunley—that's one of them. It has a lot of relics from the Civil War. A map could be hidden in one. I know the layout. I could lead a team inside."

"I'll go," Leo said. "That sounds cool."

Jason nodded. He turned to Frank, who was trying to pull his fingers out of the Chinese handcuffs.

"You should come too, Frank. We might need you." Frank looked surprised. "Why? Not like I was much good at that aquarium."

"You did fine," Percy assured him. "It took all three of us to break that glass."

"Besides, you're a child of Mars," Jason said. "The ghosts of defeated causes are bound to serve you. And the museum in Charleston has plenty of Confederate ghosts. We'll need you to keep them in line." Frank gulped.

"Okay." Frank relented. "Sure." He frowned at his fingers, trying to pull them out of the trap. "Uh, how do you—?"

Leo chuckled. "Man, you've never seen those before? There's a simple trick to getting out."

Frank tugged again with no luck. Even Hazel was trying not to laugh. Frank grimaced with concentration. Suddenly, he disappeared. On the deck where he'd been standing, a green iguana crouched next to an empty set of Chinese handcuffs.

"Well done, Frank Zhang," Leo said dryly, doing his impression of Chiron the centaur. "That is exactly how people beat Chinese handcuffs. They turn into iguanas."

Everybody busted out laughing. Lucia's hand fell over her mouth to try and muffle her chuckles. Frank turned back to human, picked up the handcuffs, and shoved them in his backpack. He managed an embarrassed smile.

The golden brunette immediately heard his anxious heartbeat and decided she should say something in hopes of making him feel better. She wasn't blind to Leo's constant teasing, or the effect it seemed to have on the poor boy.

"Hey, if I had a great power like shape-shifting. I'd use it to get out of all kinds of stuff too."

Frank smiled softly in appreciation, "Anyways," He said, sounding less nervous than he was seconds ago. "The museum is one place to search. But, uh, Jason, you said there were two?"

Jason's smile faded. Whatever he was thinking about, Lucia could tell it wasn't pleasant.

"Yeah," he said. "The other place is called the Battery—it's a park right by the harbor. The last time I was there... with Reyna..." He glanced at Piper, who didn't really look upset. "We saw something in the park. A ghost or some sort of spirit, like a Southern belle from the Civil War, glowing and floating along. We tried to approach it, but it disappeared whenever we got close. Then Reyna had this feeling—she said she should try it alone. Like maybe it would only talk to a girl. She went up to the spirit by herself, and sure enough, it spoke to her."

Everyone waited.

"What did it say?" Annabeth asked.

"Reyna wouldn't tell me," Jason admitted. "But it must have been important. She seemed...shaken up. Maybe she got a prophecy or some bad news. Reyna never acted the same around me after that."

Annabeth considered that. "A girls' adventure, then,"
She said. "Piper, Lucy, and Hazel can come with me."

They nodded, though Hazel looked nervous. No doubt her time in the Underworld had given her enough ghost experiences for two lifetimes.

Piper's eyes flashed defiantly, like anything Reyna could do, she could do.

The golden brunette however realized that if all seven of them went on these two quests, it would leave Percy alone on the ship with Coach Hedge, which was maybe not a situation a caring girlfriend should leave him in.

Nor was she any eager to let Percy out of her sight again—not after they'd been apart for so many months.

Still, Percy looked so troubled by his experience with those imprisoned sea creatures, she thought maybe he needed a rest. She met his eyes, asking him a silent question.

He nodded as if to say, it's okay Sunlight.

She leaned into his side and rested her head on his shoulder. He responded by wrapping his arm around her.

"So that's settled," Lucia hummed, she looked to Leo, who was studying his console, listening to Festus creak and click over the intercom. "Leo, how long until we reach Charleston?" "

"Good question," he muttered. "Festus just detected a large group of eagles behind us—long-range radar, still not in sight."

Piper leaned over the console. "Are you sure they're Roman?"

Leo rolled his eyes.  "No, Pipes. It could be a random group of giant eagles flying in perfect formation. Of course, they're Roman! I suppose we could turn the ship around and fight—"

"Which would be a very bad idea," Jason said, "and remove any doubt that we're enemies of Rome."

"Or I've got another idea," Leo said. "If we went straight to Charleston, we could be there in a few hours. But the eagles would overtake us, and things would get complicated. Instead, we could send out a decoy to trick the eagles. We take the ship on a detour, go the long way to Charleston, and get there tomorrow morning—"

Hazel started to protest, but Leo raised his hand. "I know, I know. Nico's in trouble and we have to hurry."

"It's June twenty-seventh," Hazel said. "After today, four more days. Then he dies."

"I know! But this might throw the Romans off our trail. We still should have enough time to reach Rome."

Lucia scowled. "When you say should have enough..."

Leo shrugged. "How do you feel about barely enough?"

Hazel put her face in her hands. "Sounds about typical for us."

Lucia inhaled sharply. "As long as there's a slim chance. there's still a chance" she tried to reassure herself more than anyone.

They decided to take that as a green light.

"Okay, Leo. What kind of decoy are we talking about?" Annabeth asked,

"I'm so glad you asked!" He punched a few buttons on the console, rotated the turntable, and repeatedly pressed the A button on his Wii controller frantically. He called into the intercom, "Buford? Report for duty, please."

Frank took a step back. "There's somebody else on the ship? Who is Buford?"

A puff of steam shot from the stairwell, and Leo's automatic table climbed on deck. Lucia hadn't seen much of Buford during the trip. He mostly stayed in the engine room. (Leo insisted that Buford had a secret crush on the engine.)

He was a three-legged table with a mahogany top. His bronze base had several drawers, spinning gears, and a set of steam vents. Buford was toting a bag like a mail sack tied to one of his legs. He clattered to the helm and made a sound like a train whistle.

"This is Buford," Leo announced.

"You name your furniture?" Frank asked.

Leo snorted. "Man, you just wish you had furniture this cool. Buford, are you ready for Operation End Table?"

Buford spewed steam. He stepped to the railing. His mahogany top split into four pie slices, which elongated into wooden blades. The blades spun, and Buford took off.

"A helicopter table," Percy muttered. "Gotta admit, that's cool. What's in the bag?"

"Dirty demigod laundry," Leo said. "I hope you don't mind, Frank."

Frank choked. "What?"

"It'll throw the eagles off our scent." He excused. 

"Those were my only extra pants!"

Leo shrugged. "I asked Buford to get them laundered and folded while he's out. Hopefully, he will." He rubbed his hands and grinned. "Well! I call that a good day's work. I'm gonna calculate our detour route now. See you all at dinner!"

༄

"OUCH! OW! AGH LUZ THAT STINGS!"

She held down a squirming Percy against the sickbay berth. "It's an antiseptic. Your cuts need to be disinfected before I apply the healing balm. It's the only way to fix you up properly. I don't need Wills's voice haunting me the rest of the night saying I gave my boyfriend Tetanus."

"Come on, I'm fine. Just give some ambrosia—"

"I'm cleaning them first. So suck it up and let me take care of you." She snapped, dabbing softly at a cut on his cheek.

Percy grinned, "Have I mentioned that you're hot when you order me around."

Lucia blushed. A bang against the sick bay doors startled her before she could come up with a response. Coach Hedge stood at the entryway with his bat. He made an 'im watching you two' motion before waddling away.

Lucia rolled her eyes, "Sure, just give me a heart attack.." She grumbled before turning back to Percy.

Percy snorted, "At least you didn't have to deal with him in Atlanta."

Lucia raised an eyebrow, "Why do I suspect that you didn't exactly make it easier for yourself..."

He smirked shamelessly,

Lucia rolled her eyes, "Anyways.." she returned to tending his wounds. "I had a conversation with Hazel today. She's a real sweet girl."

"Yeah?" Percy grinned, "I saw what you did for Frank too...You're the best you know that?"

Lucia shook her head in disagreement. "I'm only being friendly. I haven't granted them any miracles."

"You're the best." He repeated with sincerity.

Lucia softly smiled, She didn't bother to argue with him. Instead, she continued to dab his cuts with the disinfectant and apply the soothing balm. Until finally, she fed him a rationed piece of ambrosia.

After a few beats of comfortable silence, her right hand reached up to cradle his cheek. She made him look up at her. Her thumb ran over his cheekbone softly.

"How are you feeling?" Lucia asked,

"Brand new, thanks to you."

Lucia shook her head, "I don't mean that..."

He looked surprised, "I...I'm really angry. But I know we can go back to help them...We have to..."

"Perce," Lucia emphasized, "What else is it?"

"You know how I said no hero was ever happy?" Percy recalled, "And you said that we have to keep chasing our happy endings..."

"Yes."

He held her hands, removing them from his face. "I want us to get to a point where we don't have to run anymore. Where we can just...be happy without worrying about an end. I'm sick of saving this world just to feel unsafe in it. I'm sick of wondering whether the last time I see my parents is the last time I see them. And I can't lose you or Annie or any of my friends on this mission. I don't know what it would do to me..."

"Luz the other night was...awesome." He kissed the back of her hands. And she snorted at his description of their late-night rendezvous. "It was a dream come true. And some people might not believe me but...I have a lot more dreams. So just tell me that they can come true."

"Why me?" Lucia questioned.

"Because you're with me in all of them."

Lucia frowned despite the flutter of her heart, "I don't know what's going to happen to us Percy. But I know that I want all of your dreams to come true..."

"Say you'll be there Luz, Please."

"I want to be...." She tried, But I don't know...

"Tell me." Percy scooted forward, "Something is wrong, isn't it? What do you feel..."

"Darkness..." She whispered, answering honestly. "A void of darkness and its snuffed-out light..."

He groaned in frustration, "What does that even mean?"

She looked at him. Her eyes pooled with tears she couldn't control or understand. "I don't know... All I know is that this isn't going to be easy, for any of us..."

Percy looked defeated,

Despite her feeling just as hopeless. She couldn't leave him like that, she just couldn't.

She knew immense loneliness and sadness firsthand. And she wanted to limit those feelings for all of them. Maybe that was partly her fatal flaw at work. But it was just who she was...

Lucia couldn't help but want to try to keep the people she loved and cared for happy. Before that meant a lot of sacrificing of her own, but she was learning to have a balance. One that prevented her from chipping at herself in the process of keeping others complete.

"I won't give up. Even if I'm left with nothing but my voice. I swear to you, Percy. I told you I feel brave and I mean it. Despite also being terrified!" She laughed, despite the tears that fell down her cheeks. "No matter what's coming, I'll face it. we'll face it. together."

His face softened. He pulled her in closer by the waist. Resting his forehead on hers. "Together we win.."

She responded by leaning forward, and kissing him like tomorrow wasn't promised.

Because to Heroes like them, It rarely was...