ｔｈｅ ｌａｓｔ ｏｌｙｍｐｉａｎ

TW: trauma, mentions and implications of abuse, and death

LUCIA REMAINED SILENT IN HER SPOT NEXT TO SILENA AND CLARISSE. Tears didn't fall from her eyes, but she felt the grief enveloping her the longer she looked at the dying girl. It didn't feel right. Silena Beauregard was kind, beautiful, loving.

She didn't deserve a fate as cruel as this.

"What were you thinking?" Clarisse cradled Silena's head in her lap.

Silena tried to swallow, but her lips were dry and cracked. "Wouldn't...listen. Cabin would...only follow you."

"So you stole my armor," Clarisse said in disbelief. "You waited until Chris and I went out on patrol; you stole my armor and pretended to be me." She glared at her siblings. "And NONE of you noticed?"

The Ares campers developed a sudden interest in their combat boots.

"Don't blame them," Silena said. "They wanted to...to believe I was you."

"You stupid Aphrodite girl," Clarisse sobbed. "You charged a drakon? Why?"

"All my fault," Silena said, a tear streaking the side of her face. "The drakon, Charlie's death...camp endangered...Lucia—"

"Stop it!." Clarisse demanded. "That's not true."

Silena opened her hand. In her palm was a silver bracelet with a scythe charm, the mark of Kronos...

'So you chose Percy's Pegasus...' Silena gave her a knowing smile. Her blue eyes were basically sparkling. 'you're close to him aren't you?'

A freezing fist closed around Lucia's heart and squeezed so tight she forgot how to breathe. She frantically scooted away from the girl, her palms digging into the pavement.

Camp Half-Blood is the enemy

"Y-you were the spy." Lucia stuttered

Silena tried to nod. "Before...before I liked Charlie, Luke was nice to me. He was so... charming. Handsome. Later, I wanted to stop helping him, but he threatened to tell. He promised...he promised I was saving lives. Fewer people would get hurt. He said Lucia would be safe. He told me he wouldn't hurt...Charlie. He lied to me."

Lucia felt like somebody had just yanked the world out from under her feet.

Camp Half-Blood is the enemy

Behind them, the battle raged.

Clarisse scowled at her cabinmates. "Go, help the centaurs. Protect the doors. GO!"

They scrambled off to join the fight.

Silena took a heavy, painful breath. "Forgive me."

"You're not dying," Clarisse insisted. She snapped her head to Lucia, her eyes wild, filled with grief and anger. "What the Hades are you doing just sitting there? Heal her! Could you be more useless!"

Lucia remained expressionless "There's nothing to heal, Clarisse."

"Charlie..." Silena's eyes were a million miles away. "See Charlie..."

She didn't speak again.

Clarisse held her and wept. Chris put a hand on her shoulder.

Finally, Percy closed Silena's eyes.

His voice was brittle. "She gave her life to help us."

Clarisse sniffled and wiped her nose. "She was a hero, understand? A hero."

Lucia didn't say a word. She stood.

"Come on, Clarisse." Percy nodded, but his eyes didn't leave Lucia.

Clarisse picked up a sword from one of her fallen siblings. "Kronos is going to pay."

She dove into battle.

"Clarisse didn't mean that. She's hurt, and You know how sh—"

"You should break the news to Annabeth...It's going to hit her hard...All of this... I...I need to find Will." 

☼

CLARISSE RODE HER CHARIOT STRAIGHT INTO THE TITANS ARMY and crushed everything in her path.

She fought with a purpose, she was so inspiring even the panicked centaurs started to rally. The Hunters scrounged arrows from the fallen and launched volley after volley into the enemy. The Ares cabin slashed and hacked, which was their favorite thing. The monsters retreated toward 35th Street.

Clarisse drove to the drakon's carcass and looped a grappling line through its eye sockets. She lashed her horses and took off, dragging the drakon behind the chariot like a Chinese New Year dragon. She charged after the enemy, yelling insults and daring them to cross her. As she rode, Lucia realized she was literally glowing. An aura of red fire flickered around her. A blessing from Ares.

Clarisse faded away as Lucia made her way to her siblings. They had made a makeshift hospital on Olympus to tend to the wounded, but a few Apollo kids were scouting around the battlefield, ready to help those who needed immediate attention and bring them to Olympus. When she found Aurora walking with a wounded demigod she rushed over.

"Rory." Her voice was heavy. "Where is Will?"

She adjusted to keep the Ares kid from slipping. "We needed more supplies, he said he was going to get some a while ago."

"a while ago?" Lucia frowned, "How long ago did Will leave exactly?"

Aurora faltered, "This is the fourth time I've come down from Olympus."

"I'll look for him," Lucia promised. She didn't bother to wait for Aurora's response. She rushed away. Gods Will, you better be safe

Lucia made her way to an area where the fighting died down. A clearing where the sounds of swords clashing and battle cries could be muffled out. She closed her eyes and focused. "Come on Willy. Where are you-"

'Careful Will.' She said, 'I have no problem forgetting you're my brother.'

She winced, "No." Lucia choked, she squeezed her eyes shut "I didn't mean that."

Camp Half-Blood is the enemy.

I serve Kronos.

Her breathing came out in shallow breaths, Her head started aching. She held it as whimpers fell from her chapped lips. I just want to find my brother.

"How long?"

Lucia whirled around, Percy stood there. Riptide unsheathed as monster goop dripped from the blade. "Did you tell Annie what happened..."

"Don't change the subject. How long Lucia."

She shrugged "I don't know what you mean."

"Stop doing that!" He huffed, Lucia was taken aback. She didn't expect him to get angry. "Stop lying to me. Do you think that's fair? Do you think it doesn't hurt me when you're hurt?!"

"P-Percy." Her voice broke. "Calm down. You have enough going on..."

He shook his head, clenching his jaw. "How do you not see how much you matter to me after all this time Luz?"

Kill Percy Jackson

"Well stop!" She backed away from him, afraid of what would happen. She needed to get away from Percy and find Will.

"You've always pushed me away." There was something in his voice, something that caused Lucia's heart to ache, "Every single time, even before the Labyrinth. You keep thinking that keeping a distance will make the hard things easier. That it'll protect us. It won't. Being away from each other has never been easy Lucia..."

"I—"

"Luz please." Percy whispered "Tell me what's wrong. I want to help you."

Kill Percy Jackson

Kill Percy Jackson

Kill Percy Jackson

"Forget about me!" She seethed "Focus!"

"I can't!" He responded with the same amount of frustration.

They had fought before, petty fights that usually were resolved over Sally's famous blue cookies. Lucia had gotten mad at Percy and vice versa. This wasn't rare for them, not really, but it felt different.

They were pleading with each other. Lucia just wanted the people she loved to be happy. And Percy, he wanted her to realize that they couldn't be happy without her.

"Why!"

Kill-

"Because I love you!" He cried.

A beat of silence passed between them.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "if it were the other way around... you'd be furious that I didn't tell you something was wrong."

Lucia swallowed. she hated when he was right...

"Hecate cast another spell...I wanted to find Will and get the handcuffs."

Percy frowned,

"The charm speak has been back since the reservoir..." Her face was void of emotion, "Kronos has invaded every corner of my mind. I don't know what the Hades she did b-but...I keep getting memories, Of Agatha. And Davis. And my D-dad. They're throwing everything back at me. Every single memory. It's like I'm reliving it all over again. But, this time...this time all I feel is anger."

"Luz..." Riptide shrunk back into a pen, he stepped toward her but froze. "Can I touch you?"

She nodded, and he softly brushed the hair out of her face.

"Perce I'm exhausted." She whispered "There are so many things wrong with me. And every time I try and fix something, another thing breaks. How am I supposed to put shattered glass back together?"

He let her continue.

Her eyes squeezed shut. "I don't want to be Kronos' fatal weapon. Or Davis' famous singer. Or My Parent's legendary daughter." She inhaled sharply "I just want to be me. I want to stop pretending everything's always fine. I want everyone around me to stop thinking they have some kind of claim over me. That they can determine how I scream and cry, laugh and love... I want to decide for myself. Why can't I have that?"

"You can" He whispered "You deserve that and more."

His hand dropped and his arm snaked around her shoulder. She easily fell into his embrace, Her arms wrapped around his waist. "We can figure this out, Luz. Not just the spell. All of it. You have me. And I won't ever leave."

She pressed her cheek to his shoulder. "If you have to, just promise me you'll find me again."

"Always, Sunlight."

A huge weight was lifted off her shoulders, and Percy helped her carry it. Despite the pain being just as sharp and fatal. It was easier to breathe now that it wasn't buried so deep inside her.

But still, It was just as sharp, and just as fatal.

Kill Percy Jackson

Kill Percy Jackson

Kill Percy Jackson

Kill Percy Jackson

just go away I'm begging you...

Her body moved on its own, she held him tighter. Her other hand slipped into her thigh sheath, and pulled out a dagger. With a trembling hand, she slowly inched it to his lower back.

thump. thump. thump.

thump. thump. thump.

Suddenly, Lucia could hear his beating heart. And it was picking up in speed. His hand found its way into her hair, his thumb rubbed circles on her cheekbone.

I love him...

That's when her mind cleared. And her ears focused. Will's voice rang in her ear.

'What the hell do you want? Who are you?!'

A deep voice responded, 'Make it light on yourself kid, tell me where Lucia Verano is and you don't get hurt.'

Lucia gasped, the voice broke her completely out of her trance. The dagger slipped from her fingers, clanging on the ground.

"Luz?"

'Who's asking.'

Lucia pulled away from Percy abruptly, she looked like a deer in headlights. Her next words came out soaked with fear. "Will's in danger."

Another voice responded to her brother, a breathy, raspy one. one that sounded like the results of daily cigarettes.

          'Her mother.'

☼

LUCIA RAN SO FAST SHE COULD HEAR  SPARKS POPPING AT HER FEET.

Her heart dropped when the voices finally led her to Will, He was closer than she thought. The Empire State Building and war raged not so far from the isolated alley. Will stood, pressed up against a wall, Two adults looming over him.

"Will!" She called, the adults snapped their heads towards her. their movements were automated, like machines...

If it wasn't confirmed before, the owner of the voices were now clear. Lucia felt like her entire body was enveloped in Ice, Acid roiled in her stomach, threatening to exit up her esophagus.

Monsters raged all around her, but her biggest ones had just made their appearance.

"Lucia! Go!" He yelled back but before either of them could blink Davis had him pressed up against the wall, hands against his throat.

Lucia stepped forward but Agatha stopped her.

"So glad you can make an appearance Lucia" Agatha's blonde hair and smug face threw her back into a bundle of memories. Ones she wished she could escape from.

She felt a warm body appear behind her. "Let him go."

"Percy..." She whispered, she felt like an idiot. Like a stupid little girl, she couldn't do anything but stare, and tremble.

Wills in danger! you idiot! do something!

Riptide wasn't unsheathed. Neither of them knew what to do. How to handle this. It was harder knowing they were humans instead of creatures. They couldn't hurt them...they would die. and they wouldn't ever come back.

Make Them Pay.

Would that be the worst thing?

"So that's why you ran away from your punishment" Agatha seethed "I know all about what you've been up to you brat! Do you think you're hot shit now that you're a demigod? you're still—"

"Shut up." She said, she didn't need to sit and ponder on how they knew. The glint of magic in their eye and the throbbing headache was all the indicator she needed. "Let go of my brother...Or I swear on the River Styx you'll regret it."

"Is that a threat?"

She ignored her, her voice was desperate, and filled with suppressed rage. "Davis. let him go."

Will clawed at the hands that pressed on his neck. His blue eyes were aimed at his sister, blown wide.

Will was an incredible medic, he took care of and healed everyone like it was second nature. Even Lucia, even though she was older.

He was so mature and smart, and because of that, she seemed to often forget how young he was, but he was a little kid, her kid brother.

And Gods help anyone who hurt her kid brother.

"Will it's okay." She whispered, "You're going to be okay I won't let anything happen to you."

A tear spilled down his cheek and Lucia felt sparks fly from her fingertips.

Kronos knows your flaw, even when you do not. He knows how to study his enemies. You must remember this to beware of his manipulation. The most dangerous flaws are those which are good in moderation.

"We'll let him go, Lucia." Davis smiled like the Cheshire cat, his eyes sparkled with dark magic. "If you tell us where Percy's weak spot is."

Kill Percy Jackson.

I hate Percy Jackson.

She bit her tongue. She looked up at the boy who stood next to her, his eyes fogged over. She couldn't decipher what he was thinking, which was rare for Lucia.

But she knew one thing, and it was that she had to figure out a way to protect them both.

Aphrodite has too much of an influence on you. You are not able to control your love. It runs without inhibition. You would move mountains if someone simply said the word. When you feel love it is deep or not at all. You care too much. But you can not save everyone, Lucia Verano. Learn from your father's mistakes.

If she were a daughter of Athena, she'd probably listen to her wise counsel.

She wasn't.

"AHHH!" She cried, and slammed Agatha against the building wall. She groaned and Davis blinked, taken off guard by Lucia's quick attack. Suddenly there were more of her and they were surrounding him. Seemed like Kronos didn't prepare them enough because Will dropped from his grasp, his eyes wide as he frantically watched her holograms.

Will ran over to Percy's side. Suddenly, Davis was doubled over. And the real Lucia ran towards them.

"Go! Go!"

Nails dug into Lucia's bad shoulder. Agatha tore her away from reaching Percy and Will. Lucia's teeth ground together and her hand slipped away from Percy's as she let out an agonized cry. "AGHH"

"No!"

"Where's his Achilles heel, Lucia." Agatha's voice was like venom in her ears, she had gained an inhuman strength. Holding her against her chest so tight that Lucia couldn't break away. Lucia felt herself shrink down to the same pained child. "Your lord wants to know."

"Get off me."  She begged like a little kid.

I Serve Kronos

Make them Pay

Lucia winced.

Percy dove forward. He took the blunt side of riptide and slammed it behind the older woman's head. Agatha fell to her knees. Lucia was released, She, Will and Percy backed up to the open side of the alley, keeping a distance from the mortals.

"They're under a spell..." Will informed

"It's not much of a difference..." Lucia whispered, then she realized. "...This is what Ethan meant...."

Percy growled, "They're not getting away with this."

"You can't escape Lucia!"Davis' voice boomed "You're ours."

"Just let go brat...." Agatha smirked "You've always been scum..act like it. He is waiting."

Her hands shook. "What do we do? I mean...how do we stop them without-?"

Davis moved with inhuman speed, he grabbed Percy by his armor straps.

They fell into a struggle. Davis pulled a knife from his pocket.

Lucia shoved Will behind her, Afraid that Agatha would try the same thing with him.

She knew Percy could defend himself, she knew he was invincible.

That didn't stop the molten anger that rolled through her at seeing him in the hands of someone who contributed to making her life a living hell.

From the moment she met them, Davis and Agatha infested everything good in Lucia's life and tainted it. She wasn't letting them get away with it anymore.

Lucia screamed, Her hands cupping together and aiming forward. Agatha flew back skidding against the pavement. Davis let go of Percy, His hands going to his now bleeding ears.

Make them Pay.

"Luz! I'm Okay!"

Lucia heard Percy, but he sounded miles away.

'I'm going to make you regret that' her stepmother threatened as she stepped through the graveyard dragging the child through the mud 'You'll regret ever being born I swear it to you.'

She was angry, hateful, vengeful.

Ethan was right. We need some balance.

She shoved Percy away, and grabbed Davis by the neck; she easily pushed him into the same position he had Will in moments before. She flicked her bow, using it to apply pressure against the man's windpipe.  "You don't like how it feels huh? Sucks when someone stronger, someone more powerful, takes advantage of you right?"

Her voice was deep and booming. She could have killed him then and there if it wasn't for Percy pulling her away.

"We have to go." He decided, holding her by the waist. He squeezed her hip in comfort. "Come on Luz,"

Will asked, "What do we do with—"

"Don't care, as long as they're away from her."

Percy and Will seemed to be in silent agreement. They both went to leave, making sure Lucia came with them.

"Aw isn't that sweet," Agatha laughed, she got up like the bruises and scratches were nothing, her voice rung in Lucia's ear like a taunt. "If only Carlos was here to see how strong his little girl has gotten—sorry Hyacinthus...too bad he's gone. And not just as a stupid flower, but gone forever."

Lucia stopped, Percy and Will tried moving her but it was like her feet had melted into the concrete and wouldn't budge.

"Tell her the truth, Agatha." Davis jeered "Tell her how her father didn't really do it..."

"Lucia don't listen—"

"What the fuck does that mean!" She turned so quickly she could have gotten whiplash. She was confused and angry, so much so that she didn't realize she had made Percy and Will back away and clutch their ears.

The two adults fell silent. The spell seemed to have started to wear off. They stood just as threatening and vicious, but the confident and taunting fire they once held now wafted into smoke.

"Tell me!" She screamed, and she stormed forward. Sparks rose from her fingertips to her wrists. "Now you want to shut up?! Well too fucking bad. You're going to tell me the truth!."

Someone called her name. She didn't care.

The gods must pay 

I serve Kronos

Camp half blood is my enemy

I hate Percy Jackson

Kill Percy Jackson

They must pay

"Tell me!" She demanded

Agatha took a swift step forward. "It was me..."  A smirk formed on her face "I did it, I killed him."

"They're already looking for me, they'll bring us back. I see it and I can't— I won't handle it. this isn't my world."

Lucia's face dropped. The light in her wrists snuffed out.

"I made sure he would never choose you over me again. And Davis. He made sure I'd get away with it..."

Agatha started laughing again,

But know, I don't regret a single second for you... you have come from this darkness. I would choose to stay by your side forever but the fates are immovable and I am tired

"He didn't want to leave me...." She whispered it so softly she wasn't sure if she even said it out loud. "Papa...."

The gods must pay 

I serve Kronos

Camp half blood is my enemy

I hate Percy Jackson

Kill Percy Jackson

They must pay

"Let go of her." He said softly  "Just let my daughter go."

"And then you'll come?" Agatha kissed the top of Lucia's head. She cringed.

"Yes." He looked at Lucia, his purple eyes tragically sad...

THEY MUST PAY

She saw nothing but red. Before she knew it she was raising her hands. She didn't know what she was doing, she just knew that at that moment, she thought it was the only thing that could make her feel better. And gods, Lucia just wanted to feel better.

"Lucia! Don't!"

She screamed. A harsh, guttural, and painful scream that could only display a fragment of her pain. Light escaped her palms, it glided through the air.

Midway it changed, the beam solidified.

A gasp fell from her lips.

Before she could process what she did, Agatha's laughing ceased and she fell into a heap on the ground.

A thick crimson liquid seeped into the pavement.

Davis screamed, The spell seemed to have broken completely.

He wailed "Monster! You're a monster!"

Lucia didn't budge, She stared at the lifeless body in shock. She couldn't cry, she felt numb to it all.

she killed her.

"Luz." Percy was then in front of her "Don't look—"

"No!" She snapped out of it, moving away from Percy "Get away from me!"

"No." Percy frowned "No Luz don't..."

"You monst—UGHH"

Lucia jumped, she turned to see Davis groaning in pain. He started to cough, choking like he couldn't breathe. His hands slapped at his chest. He coughed and coughed until blood came out. He was sick, dying.

That isn't me?

Lucia couldn't bear to watch, even if she did hate him. She turned away, Her gaze meeting Percy's and Will's.

The look they gave her made her want to crawl into a hole and never see the light of day again.

Maybe it was true. Maybe she was the monster.

"Lulu...."  Will said

'Where is Percy?' Annabeth sniffled, apparently, she did get the news 'We need him at Olympus, right now, we need to set up the final defense. I can't believe him! where could he be!'

Lucia felt so overwhelmed she wanted to collapse then and there. I need to get them to give up. They need to leave. And Percy needs to focus.

"Don't look for me. Don't think about me. I'm dead to you."

"Lucia" Percy furrowed his eyebrows together, "Stop it, I'm not mad at you or anything-. J-just surprised but—"

"I serve only Kronos." She lied, " I suggest you forget about me. And you leave me the hell alone. Before I tell him everything I know, and make sure you're next."

His face fell. Pained eyes peered into her own, like he was already trying to look for her.

Lucia didn't think her heart could break any more. She stood corrected.

I'm sorry ocean eyes...

Particles of light shifted all around her until she wasn't visible. She walked away as Percy called for her.

At a distance she became lightheaded. a golden light took over her vision and the sound of beautiful music filled her eardrums.

"Come to me, my child," A woman's voice said, "I will soothe your battered heart ."

"Who?" Lucia whimpered, but before she could get her answer warmth coursed through her veins.

And then, she saw black.