ｔｈｅ ｌａｓｔ ｏｌｙｍｐｉａｎ

LUCIA DIDNT WAKE UP UNTIL LONG AFTER PERCY'S VISIT TO HIS FATHER

In her slumber, Percy kept her floating in an air bubble. When he was taken into Poseidon's realm he made sure no one harmed a single hair on her head, including his own father. Despite them labeling her a 'traitor' and insisting she must be dealt with. Percy had one goal and it was: Protect Lucia.

She had no recollection of any of this when they made it to the shore of camp half-blood. The second they broke surface her eyes fluttered open, the gentle ocean waves now left her skin and for some reason, Lucia longed for them again.

"What the hell did you do!" Lucia screamed

That afternoon the lookout on duty was Connor Stoll from the Hermes cabin. When he spotted them, he got so excited he fell out of his tree. Then he blew the conch horn to signal the camp and ran to greet them.

Connor had a crooked smile that matched his crooked sense of humor. He's got curly brown hair and is a little shorter than his brother, Travis, which was the only way Lucia used to tell them apart.

"Percy!" he yelled.

Then he saw Lucia "You found her! Congrats man! you finally going to make out?"

"Say that again and I'll carve your tongue out with my dagger" Lucia hissed, she shoved Percy away from her "You shouldn't have brought me here Percy."

"Woah what's wrong with Ms. Sunshine?" He paused " What happened? Where's Beckendorf?" He saw Percy's expression, and his smile melted. "Oh, no. Poor Silena. Holy Zeus, when she finds out . . ."

Percy had to practically drag Lucia as they climbed up the sand dunes. She kept scratching at him and yelling out violent protests. Connor only glanced in confusion at her strange behavior.

Finally, Lucia willed herself to become hotter. Percy hissed, he let go of her as he stared down at his burned hands.

From the dining pavilion, Lucia saw everything. Hills ringed the valley. On the tallest, Half-Blood Hill, Thalia's pine tree stood with the Golden Fleece hanging from its branches, magically protecting the camp from its enemies. Peleus was so big now she could see him from here—curled around the tree trunk, lending up smoke signals as he snored.

To her right spread the woods. To her left, the canoe lake glittered and the climbing wall glowed from the lava pouring down its side. Twelve cabins—one for each Olympian god—made a horseshoe pattern around the commons area. Farther south were the strawberry fields, the armory, and the four-story Big House with its sky blue paint job and its bronze eagle weathervane.

A few hundred yards away, people were already streaming toward them, smiling and excited. Percy's back, they were probably thinking. He's saved the day! Lucia has been found! Maybe she brought souvenirs!

Something about it made her chest ache.

camp half blood is your enemy.

"Luz come on we have to-"  Percy stubbornly found Lucia's skin again

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Lucia shoved him. She backed up "are my attempts at stabbing you not message enough that I want nothing to do with you?."

"You don't mean-"

"Oh, I do Percy Jackson." Lucia nodded, her words coming out like hissing steam. "You're dead to me. And nothing would bring me greater joy than seeing that in practice."

Connor stepped back in surprise. "You've really pissed her off."

Percy glanced at Connor before turning back to Lucia "Lucia what's wrong? You-This isn't normal...You've been mad at me before but this—"

"What's wrong?" Lucia scoffed shoving him again. Her hands started to spark with light "What's wrong is that you are the bane of my existence. you've done nothing but ruin my life and now you have taken me away from the only happiness I've ever known!."

"You're telling me you were happiest with Kronos?!" He exclaimed, The veins in his neck protruded. He was angry and confused and hurt.

He had no idea what was going on but he knew...he knew that wasn't his Luz talking.

Chiron galloped into the pavilion first, which was easy for him since he's a white stallion from the waist down. His beard had grown wilder over the summer. He wore a green T-shirt that said MY OTHER CAR IS A CENTAUR and a bow slung over his back.

"Lucia!" he said. "You're back! Thank the gods. But where . . ."

Annabeth ran in right behind him, She paused when she saw the girl. Her eyes welled up. Lucia felt her chest ache but something stronger than her suppressed it.

"Lucy." Her voice broke "You're ok—"

"Don't." She backed up "Don't come near me child of Athena."

Annabeth's mouth fell agape, and her lower lip trembled. She looked at Percy who looked between the two girls in worry. Something was seriously wrong.

"What happened?" She grabbed Percy's arm. "Is Luke—"

"The ship blew up," He said. "He wasn't destroyed. I don't know where—"

Silena Beauregard pushed through the crowd. Her hair wasn't combed and she wasn't even wearing makeup, which wasn't like her.

"Where's Charlie?" she demanded, looking around like he might be hiding.

Percy glanced at Chiron helplessly.

The old centaur cleared his throat. "Silena, my dear, let's talk about this at the Big House—"

"Dead." Lucia's voice was laced with venom.

"No," she muttered. "No. No."

Percy's eyes widened,  "Lucia, stop!"

"Why sugarcoat it?" She scoffed "What good does that do? Do you think it hurts less when you try and soften a blow? no, a blow is a fucking blow and it's going to hurt her either way."

She started to cry, and the rest of them stood around, too stunned to speak. Everyone either had a pained look on their face or an angry or confused one aimed at Lucia. She held a straight face, she didn't care at all.

Clarisse came forward. She put her arm around Silena. Lucia wondered when that strange friendship has formed—a daughter of the war god and a daughter of the love goddess.

Clarisse was dressed in her bloodred combat armor, her brown hair tucked into a bandana. She was as big and beefy as a rugby player, with a permanent scowl on her face, but she spoke gently to Silena.

"Come on, girl," she said. "Let's get to the Big House. I'll make you some hot chocolate."

Everyone turned and wandered off in twos and threes, heading back to the cabins. Nobody wanted to hear about the blown-up ship. Nobody was excited to see Lucia now.

Only Annabeth and Chiron stayed behind.

Annabeth wiped a tear from her cheek. "I'm glad you're not dead, Seaweed Brain."

"Thanks," He said. "Me too."

Lucia rolled her eyes, "I'm not."

Annabeth stared at Lucia, Her eyebrows knitted together, and her eyes were sad. She was trying to analyze her, trying to decipher what had Lucia so unlike herself.

"Stop trying to solve me Barbie." She crossed her arms over her chest.

Annabeth turned towards Percy "What's wrong with her.."

"Fucking hell why does everyone keep saying that."  Lucia laughed hauntingly "I'm better than ever Annabeth. No. I was. until this idiot took me away from My Lord."

"Your lord?" Annabeth said in disbelief "You're talking about Kronos?!? Lucia what's gotten into you."

Percy spoke to Chiron "I think Kronos did something to her. Lucia she—"

Percy was stopped mid-sentence. Before he knew it he was pinned down to one of the dining tables, a dagger pressed up against his neck. Lucia pressed her body against his offering him no escape.

"Are you stupid? or are you stupid?" Lucia asked, "Really Percy, You piss me off."

"Get off him!" Annabeth cried, She pulled out her knife but the way her hand trembled told Lucia she would never use it. that's where she had the upper hand. she wouldn't hesitate.

"Oh I don't know Annabeth" Lucia hummed, she tilted her head and looked down at him. His feelings were an open book to Lucia. He wasn't afraid of dying right now, instead, he was worried about her. Even when it was her dagger pressed up against his neck. He worried about her. "I think Percy likes it."

Percy's eyes widened and his cheeks turned scarlet, he looked to the side avoiding her gaze completely.

"That's enough!" Chiron demanded, "Lucia you must release him."

"I don't answer to you—"

"Lucia?" a voice called, Lucia faltered. Her face shifted. She turned to see Will standing a few feet away from her.  The dagger slipped from her hand, away from Percy, and clattered to the ground.

His blonde curly hair sat like a mop above his head, he grew a lot taller from last year. In no time he would pass her she was sure of it. He had on his doctor's coat with a name tag. A memory suddenly hit her of designing it for him: William Solace: Camp Half-Bloods Health Care.

He frowned when looked at her, his face twisted in concern.

"Willy." Lucia beamed. "you've gotten so big."

Her head began to ache, she fell to her knees. Her hands found her temple and she screamed out.

The intensity made her feel like she was dying.

"Lucia!" Someone called her name but she couldn't figure out who it was or if it was them all at once.

"no no no! " tears streamed down her face, and her voice became softer "don't hurt. don't hurt him, please. he's my little brother."

The pain became sharper

Kill Percy Jackson.

"kill Percy Jackson"  Lucia repeated her eyes tightly shut

Percy watched Lucia writhe in pain and his chest ached.

camp half blood is my enemy

"camp half blood is my enemy" she gasped, the pain in her skull getting worse and worse

Annabeth broke into tears.

Olympus must fall

"Olympus must fall."  This time there was no pain in her voice. Her words rung like wicked echoes.

"This is not a normal case" Chiron affirmed "I believe something stronger than she is at play."

"What do you know!" Lucia's voice boomed causing the ground to shake. "what do you—"

Kill Percy Jackson.

Lucia turned her head, She found green eyes already staring at her. Bile rose in he throat and she felt a sharp pain in her chest. But she still flicked her wrist. Her bow fully emerged. She notched an arrow. "Kill Percy Jackson." She repeated robotically

Before she could let the arrow fly, Lucia felt a sharp pain shoot into her neck. Her weapon fell to the ground, she was too weak to carry anything her arms turned to jelly.

She reached up and clawed at the syringe embedded into her neck. She turned her eyes wide and wild when she saw tears pooling in Will's eyes.

"I'm sorry Lu." He muttered, "But you were going to regret that."

Lucia hissed, her voice dropping in octaves "I hate you all."

She fell to her knees, her vision began to blur. She said one thing before sleep consumed her completely.

"help."

☼

WHEN LUCIA COLLAPSED, PERCY CAUGHT HER. He cradled her in his arms.

"Chiron." Percy looked up. His heart felt heavy in his chest. "Chiron what did he do to her."

"I don't know son." Chiron sighed "But perhaps it's better to let her return."

"No." Three voices chimed together in protest. Percy held her closer like he was afraid if he wasn't careful she would sink into the ground.

"I can help her." Will insisted "I can figure out what's wrong."

"Will, I know you care about your dear sister but she's-"

"Please." Wills's lip trembled "Please Chiron. I'll take full responsibility for her."

"Me too," Percy affirmed, he looked down at her face. She looked so peaceful now in her sleep.

He couldn't help but stare at her. Freckles still scattered her cheeks and nose and her lips were still naturally pink. The only real difference was that her face got skinnier and more defined at the edges, Dark bags had formed under her eyes looking almost like bruises, and a new deep scar formed on the right side of her throat.

But as the sun set the orange light reflected down on her face, and Percy couldn't help but think she looked beautiful.  "Please Chiron. Something else is happening. Luz never wanted to join the Titans. She wouldn't do this."

Annabeth chimed in. "It's true, she had the chance before and never took it. They took her away for almost a year. We don't know what happened to her after the labyrinth. They've influenced her. She was always a hothead but...You knew her Chiron. You know this is unlike her."

"I understand you all. But if this can't be undone..." Chiron sighed "l'm afraid everyone is full of surprises and we are aware of that fact. The gods are not happy with her Percy. She has betrayed them. They do not take kindly to that." They all looked at him with pleading eyes "But if you wish, you may keep her in the infirmary Will, as long as you make sure she doesn't harm you or any of the other campers."

Will nodded feverishly, "I swear Chiron."

"And please." Chiron looked down at the young girl "Do everything you can to find out what's going on."

Will walked toward Percy.

"I'll help you take her." He insisted, he held her closer to his chest and was about to rise from his spot on the ground.

Chiron interrupted "Percy, You still have to tell me everything that happened. You must not get distracted, we have to call a war council immediately, to discuss this, Lucia, and other matters."

Percy hesitated. He knew he had to inform Chiron about not only what happened with Kronos but what happened with his father, there was important information that needed to be reported immediately.

But as he watched the sleeping girl, a part of him couldn't help but think that there was nothing more important than her.

"I will get someone else to help Will, but you must tell us what happened."

Percy nodded, He looked down at her one more time. His hand caressed her face. He had so many things to worry about, so many things resting on his shoulders. And the one person who could ease that weight now hated him to the point of wanting him dead.

"Take care of her." He told Will as they switched Positions

Will nodded "I will."

Percy stood next to Annabeth now, he nodded at Will in appreciation.

Percy turned toward Chiron "This is what happened."

☼

YOUNG LUCIA SAT IN THE BACKSEAT OF HER DADS CAR next to multiple suitcases. Carlos accelerated through the highway of JFK expressway.

"Papa?" Lucia asked curiously "Where are we going?"

"We're going on a trip." He repeated, his gaze kept flickering toward the mirrors like he was watching out for something. "It's going to be fun."

"Then why aren't we using the jet?" Lucia's eyebrows knitted together "Where's Ms. Agatha?"

Carlos' face twisted in disgust "She's not coming with us. Neither is Davis, it's just us. together."

Something kept gnawing at her stomach. "Papa, will I see Percy again?" She frowned "And Sally?"

"Yes," He reassured, his eyes looking up at the rearview mirror. They were still a little sad but Lucia chose to hang onto the good news. "I promise Mi Solecito."

Lucia smiled "I'm excited! Papa and Luz time!"

"Luz?" He asked raising an eyebrow

"Percy calls me that" She grinned, "he asked me how to say light in Spanish" She became shy, "he says I'm like light. I make things bright when it's dark."

"He said that?" Carlos's mouth fell open "how old are you two again?" he asked rhetorically

Lucia giggled, she gave her dad a toothy grin "Six and a half! But my mind is older! Percy's not so much!"

"Oh, gods." Carlos shook his head, but the smile on his lip grew tenfold "You two are going to be work for Sally aren't you?."

She laughed. She didnt understand what he meant but the excitement was now instilled in her. She beamed. "Where are we going Papa? to Paris!"

"No." He chuckled at his daughter's antics, "We aren't going that far, honey."

Lucia pouted "You better not be taking me to Florida. Last time a lady in the water tried to bite me! no one would bite me in Paris!"

Carlos looked at his daughter in surprise. "You remember that? you weren't even two yet"

"I remember everything!" Lucia stated matter of factly with a wide grin

He looked at her with something her young brain couldn't decipher, His eyes went back to the road. "I love you my dear daughter do you know that?"

"I love you too papà."

"Do you remember the story of when the flower fell for the sun?" He asked, stopping at the red light.

Lucia nodded "The flower loved the sun. And the sun loved the flower. Every day the flower would bloom and bask under the warm sunlight, the sun gave it energy. Every day the Flower would sway and give the sun a place to shine, it was the suns favorite flower. They loved each other so much and despite being worlds apart, love connected them."

Carlos nodded, His eyes welling up. "Good. Good, my sweet girl. The sun and The flower love you so much."

"Me?" Lucia's nose scrunched up "But I'm just a girl."

"No. You're more than that." His voice cracked "You're the love that connects them when worlds keep them apart.—My sweet girl... I'm so sorry. "

They were now out of the highway. Carlos moved to park on the side of the road.

"Papa?" Lucia frowned "Don't cry, papa." She took her seatbelt off and sat in between the seats. Her hands reached for her dad's face who began to sob in between her warm hands.

"I can't take it anymore." He cried "There 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 frowned, tears fell down her cheeks despite not understanding "Papa, no. Everything will be okay. The sun is out. Remember? The sun will always protect us."

He cried harder, his head shook. "He can't." he sobbed "He can't protect us from this."

"Papa?" Lucia whispered. Something shifted in her, her throat got tighter. Her stomach twisted into knots. "You wouldn't leave me right?"

Lucia watched as her dad's hand began to tremble. He looked up at her, Lucia's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. Her dad's eyes weren't the same light brown they always were. Instead, they were a piercing violet...

"P-"

The dream was interrupted. It shifted.

"Lucia!" A voice screeched, "Where the hell are you!" 

Lucia held her knees to her chest, she closed her eyes tightly under the dining table. She prayed to anyone that would listen that she wouldn't move the table cloth and find her.

"I'm going to kill you! you fucking idiot!" She screamed, "You had to ruin the meeting? You had to start singing!"

Lucia felt tears prick her eyes. papa come back. She closed her eyes but the sound came back. that terrible sound. She opened her eyes, her breathing became heavier. She opened her eyes wide, the light seeping under the table being the only thing that calmed her panic.

"You think you can replace me huh!" The sound of glass breaking rang in Lucia's ears. "You think you can take my career?"

Lucia shook her head. I just wanted to sing. she thought. I just wanted to sing. I'm sorry.

"You have ruined my life! You monster! don't think you'll be getting a record deal. oh no you will never leave this house again I'll make sure of it" She seethed "Come out Lucia! or I swear it'll be worse for you!"

I don't want it. Lucia thought I'm a kid. I just want to be a kid.

More things began to break, The sounds of destruction caused Lucia to break into sobs. Her hand fell over her mouth to muffle the sounds.

"You take everything!" She screamed "You took all your father's love! take all the producer's attention! but I won't let you take from me again. Remember that he's gone and I own everything including you I'll make sure you suffer every day of your life! you deserve nothing! you little bitch!"

I'm scared. I'm so scared.

A voice rang in her subconscious, one that wasn't there in the original memory.

no one bothered protecting you. make them pay Lucia. make them pay for what they did to you. hurt them all like you've been hurt.

Lucia jumped, Agatha had found her hiding spot. When she ripped the table cloth off of the table the woman smiled. Her evil eyes stared down at the girl. She grabbed her by the ankles.

"No!" Lucia screamed "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't hurt me!"

But it fell on deaf ears.