ｔｈｅ ｂａｔｔｌｅ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ ｌａｂｙｒｉｎｔｈ

WHEN THEY MADE THEIR WAY BACK TO HEPHAESTUS' FORGE. Lucia couldn't contain her grief. Not only had she come to the huge realization that she was irrevocably in love with her best friend, the person who knew her better than anyone. But she had to leave the boy in danger to continue with the quest. A part of her wished she would have said 'fuck the quest'. I don't want to be without him.

She let Annabeth explain to the god. Lucia's fists clenched at her sides as she tried to steady her breathing. It didn't seem to be working as she flickered on and off like a faulty flashlight. The only thing able to take up her mind was Percy.

"Lucia?" Annabeth called

Lucia looked up, tears brimming her eyes. Annabeth gave her a sympathetic smile, but Lucia knew she was begging for her to focus.

"Sorry," she whispered so low she didnt know if the words even came out of her mouth. She turned to Hephaestus, "What are the telekhines creating?"

He let out a sigh before gazing at Annabeth "Child of Athena use your wit: cooled blood, the fusing of metals.."

Annabeth's eyes widened, "They're remaking Kronos's scythe"

Lucia felt chills run down her spine, The thought of a war with Kronos was terrifying enough but if he had access to that weapon. Lucia knew the odds would be stacked against them... And if Percy wasnt-- no. He's alive.. he has to be.

"We can't let that weapon be made." Lucia urged

"No need to worry girl" Hephaestus reassured "They've already been stopped"

Lucia's face twisted in realization. She stepped away from the corner she sulked in and found herself beside Annabeth. "Percy- He did it. He's okay?."

Hephaestus gave her an almost sullen look. "There was quite an explosion. Mortals have named it to be an eruption but no doubt the boy played a part in it. The telekhines scattered. Some vaporized. Some got away. I don't think they'll be using my forge anytime soon. On the other hand, neither will I. The explosion caused Typhon to stir in his sleep. We'll have to wait and see-"

"Percy," Lucia insisted. "Where is Percy?"

"The Earthshakers Son is strong." Hephaestus's sighed heftily. "But I do not sense him. As I've said Humans are much more sensitive than automatons. The explosion likely killed him."

A heartbreaking sound fell from Lucia's lips, the taste of his still lingering on them tauntingly. The sun child dimmed completely, the ache in her chest putting her at a loss for words.

Hephaestus said. "Go back. Report to the Camp all you have found. When you are ready, I will tell you how to find Daedalus."

"Lucy." Annabeth reached for her hand. "He's right, We need to tell Chiron. We need to warn camp."

Lucia couldn't stop the tears that fell down her cheeks. She thought of camp, of her siblings, of Ethan, of everyone she cared about. Despite the pain, she needed to be strong.

She needed to hold on to the promise that Percy would find her.

"Let's go."

Lucia and Annabeth plunged back into the Labyrinth, hand in hand.

☼

LUCIA TRIED HER BEST TO PULL HER WEIGHT WHEN TALKING TO CHIRON. She knew despite her strong exterior that Annabeth cared for Percy and his disappearance hurt her almost as much as it hurt Lucia. But at times it was just so hard for her to speak.

When Chiron found out about Percy his entire face dropped, Lucia almost burst into tears but she figured that wouldn't help anyone.

"You've been gone nearly three weeks, is that all," Chiron said. 

Annabeth and Lucia had agreed not to mention Nico in any part of their story. But they told him about Alcatraz and the ranch.  After over an hour Chiron was up to speed with everything they had been through. A lot of the things could have passed for the time differences in the Labyrinth and the outside world— when they finished Chiron turned them over to their cabins to rest.

"We need to go back in." Lucia disagreed  "There's no time to waste, we need to go find them. we need to get to da-"

"You are right Lucia" Chiron nodded "But there's nothing to be done right now, You two must rest. Your quest will continue. But not today."

Lucia huffed before storming out of the Big house. She trudged back to her cabin watching as Annabeth entered cabin six.

She was suddenly glad most of her siblings were out with the Ares cabin as defense systems around the clearing at Zeus' fist. She knew she could be swarmed by siblings the second she entered cabin 7, and honestly, she didn't know if she could take any questioning.

She slowly opened the door, for the most part, the Cabin was somewhat empty with her younger siblings already in bed. She guessed it was later than she initially thought it was.

Will Solace sat at his bunk, he was practicing making stitches with a silicon pad when his head flew up to look at his sister

"Lu!!" He dropped his supplies on his bed and sped forward  "Did you guys find Daedalus?!"

Lucia frowned "Not yet buddy."

"What's wrong?" Will mirrored her expression "You don't look so good."

Lucia looked down, "Nothing will. I'm alright."

"I know I'm younger" Will poked her side "But that doesn't mean I'm not your brother. Your brother who can also detect lies by the way. What's wrong Lu."

Lucia smiled at her little brother, she thought of Bianca and Nico... "You know I love you, right buddy."

"I love you too lu" 

Lucia sniffled, her nose red and stuffy "I'm just a little tired right now. why don't we talk tomorrow yeah?."

Will nodded, he pulled her by her wrist to her bunk

"Get to bed!" He demanded with authority "Doctors orders!"

Lucia laughed half-heartedly. she sat down in her bed, letting the cushions consume her as she faded into a fog of sleep. She prayed to Aphrodite for answers, not expecting how much she would regret her prayers once she got them.

☼

THE FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS WERE FILLED WITH STRESS AND WAR TALK.

Lucia had become overwhelmed by her siblings and friends asking for details about the quest. Thankfully Lee, Aurora, Annabeth, and even Will were usually there to tell them to ease up. She was there for every council and even stayed stationed outside of Zeus' fist for some hours (until Annabeth got mad and told her to conserve her energy).

She even found herself sneaking into cabin 3, with the hope that maybe just maybe, the boy she felt such strong feelings for would be sitting on his bed with his stupid crooked grin waiting for her. In short, they were the longest weeks of her life.

It wasn't until the end of the second week after her return to camp, that Lucia had been pulled into a dream.

Lucia found herself in a gorgeous cave. The ceiling glittered with different-color crystal formations— white and purple and green like she was inside one of those cut geodes you see in souvenir shops.

She looked forward and found Percy lying on a comfortable bed with feather pillows and cotton sheets. She tried to move toward him, but her feet were glued down. Then she tried using her voice but no noise came out. Lucia huffed in frustration but a smile quickly graced her face. he's alive.

Percy was wearing a white cotton T-shirt and cotton drawstring pants. His feet were bare. He looked like he lost a few pounds and was a lot paler. His hair was messy and tangled singed at the edges like Hephaestus's beard. To someone else he might have looked a little crazy but when Lucia saw him her heart soared.

The cave was divided into sections by white silk curtains. Against one wall stood a large loom and a harp. Against the other wall were shelves neatly stacked with jars of fruit preserves. Dried herbs hung from the ceiling: rosemary, thyme, and a bunch of other stuff.

It was night, but Percy seemed to have just woken up as he rose and wrapped a robe around himself before padding outside. Lucia took a hesitant step forward and when she saw she was able to move she quickly trailed behind him.

The cave opened onto a green meadow. On the left was a grove of cedar trees and on the right a huge flower garden. Four fountains gurgled in the meadow, each shooting water from the pipes of stone satyrs. Straight ahead, the grass sloped down to a rocky beach. The waves of water lapping against the stones.  It seemed like a paradise, which immediately made Lucia nervous.

The stars were brilliant—thousands of them, the type only seen way out in the country. Lucia could make out all the constellations Annabeth had taught her: Capricorn, Pegasus, Sagittarius. And there, near the southern horizon, was a new constellation: the Huntress, a tribute to their friend Zoe Nightshade.

"Percy, what do you see?"

Lucia's face dropped at the sound of a girl's voice, she took a step to where Percy stood, what she saw caused her stomach to turn.

There in front of Percy was a beautiful girl, and beautiful as in celestial beauty. Even Lucia felt attracted to her from a single glance.

She had almond eyes and caramel hair that was braided over one shoulder.  A white sleeveless Greek dress was draped over her body with a low circular neckline trimmed in gold. She seemed to glow in the moonlight. She was holding a tiny plant in her hands. Its flowers were silver and delicate.

"Calypso. I was just looking at..." Percy stared at her face. "Uh...I forgot."

Lucia took three steps back, she swore she could almost hear the sound of something breaking.

calypso. she remembered that name...oh

She laughed gently. "Well, as long as you're up, you can help me plant these."

She handed him a plant, which had a clump of dirt and roots at the base. The flowers glowed as he held them. Calypso picked up her gardening spade and directed him to the edge of the garden, where she began to dig.

"That's moonlace," Calypso explained. "It can only be planted at night."

Lucia watched the silvery light flicker around the petals. "What does it do?"

"Do?" Calypso mused. "It doesn't really do anything, I suppose. It lives, it gives light, it provides beauty. Does it have to do anything else?"

Percy glanced at the stars  "I suppose not," He said. "I guess in my experience things that give light and provide beauty can do a lot of things."

"Well, then I apologize if my moonlace is quite disappointing."

Percy looked like a deer in headlights "no-no. It's not. I just meant-"

She took the plant, and their hands met. His mouth fell shut.

Lucia's frown deepened get me out of here. I don't want to see this

She planted the moonlace and stepped back, surveying her work. "I love my garden."

"It's awesome," He agreed. He scratched at the back of his neck, glancing up at the sky once more.

"Back home," He said, "my mom always wanted a garden."

"Why did she not plant one?"

"Well, we live in Manhattan. In an apartment."

"Manhattan? Apartment?"

Percy stared at her. "You don't know what I'm talking about, do you?"

"I fear not. I haven't left Ogygia in...a long time."

"Well, Manhattan's a big city, with not much gardening space."

Calypso frowned. "That is sad. Hermes visits from time to time. He tells me the world outside has changed greatly. I did not realize it had changed so much you cannot have gardens."

"Why haven't you left your island?"

She looked down. "It is my punishment."

"Why? What did you do?"

"I? Nothing. But I'm afraid my father did a great deal. His name is Atlas." The name sent a shiver down Lucia's back.

"Still," He said hesitantly, "it's not fair to punish you for what your father's done. I knew another daughter of Atlas. Her name was Zoë. She was one of the bravest people I've ever met."

Calypso studied him for a long time. Her eyes were sad. Lucia knew that look. It was a look she'd seen on herself many times with the same boy. longing "What is it?" He asked.

"Are—are you healed yet, my brave one? Do you think you'll be ready to leave soon?"

"What? He asked. "I don't know." He moved his legs. They were still stiff. He stumbled a bit like he was disoriented. "You want me to go?"

Lucia felt a single tear falling down her cheek. you don't want to go?

"I..." Her voice broke. "I'll see you in the morning. Sleep well."

She ran off toward the beach. Percy watched until she disappeared in the dark.

Then Lucia's dream shifted

no please Lucia thought I don't want to know anymore! I don't want to know...

Lucia saw Percy sitting in the meadow, sipping nectar, and he was staring at Calypso as she worked, the way she brushed her hair over her shoulder and the little strand that fell in her face whenever she knelt to dig in the garden. There were only few but continuous moments where his eyes would linger towards the sky, as sunlight rained over the island.

Lucia could only watch despite the strong urge to scream and possibly throw a punch. I'm an idiot was all she could think he's my friend. that's all. that's all he'll ever be.

Calypso held her hand out and a dove fell on her arm.

She told it good morning, asked how it was going back at the nest, and it chirped for a while, then flew away cheerfully.

Calypso's eyes gleamed. She looked at Percy and they shared a smile, but almost immediately she got that sad expression again and turned away.

no more Lucia was begging now stop this. It h-hurts I don't want to know I don't want—

The image shifted again.

The two were eating dinner together at the beach. The table was stocked with beef stew and apple cider.

Lucia noticed that she looked beautiful in the candlelight. He was telling her about New York and Camp Half-Blood, and then he started telling her about the time Grover had eaten an apple while they were playing Hacky Sack with it. She laughed, showing off her amazing smile, and their eyes met. Then she dropped her gaze.

"There it is again," He said.

"What?"

"You keep pulling away like you're trying not to enjoy yourself."

Lucia stood at the head of the table, every time she took a breath she could feel a sharp pain in her rib cage. Yet she couldn't close her eyes, she couldn't walk away, she could only stand...and watch.

She kept her eyes on her glass of cider. "As I told you, Percy, I have been punished. Cursed, you might say."

"How? Tell me. I want to help."

"Don't say that. Please don't say that."

"Tell me what the punishment is."

She covered her half-finished stew with a napkin, and immediately an invisible servant whisked the bowl away. "Percy, this island, Ogygia, is my home, my birthplace. But it is also my prison. I am under...house arrest, I guess you would call it. I will never visit this Manhattan of yours. Or anywhere else. I am alone here."

"Because your father was Atlas."

She nodded. "The gods do not trust their enemies. And rightly so. I should not complain. Some of the prisons are not nearly as nice as mine."

"But that's not fair," Percy said. "Just because you're related doesn't mean you support him. This other daughter I knew, Zoë, Nightshade—she fought against him. She wasn't imprisoned."

"But, Percy," Calypso said gently, "I did support him in the first war. He is my father."

"What? But the Titans are evil!"

"Are they? All of them? All the time?" She pursed her lips. "Tell me, Percy. I have no wish to argue with you. but do you support the gods because they are good, or because they are your family?"

He didn't answer.

"Perhaps I was wrong in the war," Calypso said. "And in fairness, the gods have treated me well. They visit me from time to time. They bring me word of the outside world. But they can leave. And I cannot."

"You don't have any friends?" He asked. "I mean...wouldn't anyone else live here with you? it's a nice place."

A tear trickled down her cheek. "I...I promised myself I wouldn't speak of this. But—"

"Lucy?"

Lucia looked around in confusion 

"Lucy wake up."

Lucia's eyes fluttered open, the first thing in her field of vision was storm grey eyes looking down at her. Annabeth frowned and rubbed at the brunette's shoulder. "Lucy, hey, what is it? You were crying in your sleep. Is it your foresight? is something going to happen?"

Lucia touched her face and sure enough, it was wet. She stared blankly at Annabeth "He's alive."

"What—"

"Percy is alive."

Annabeth's bottom lip trembled "Lucy why don't you wake up and get ready."

"Get ready for what?"  Lucia questioned, her face run down with tears.

"You forgot?" She sighed "Today's Percy's funeral."