ｔｈｅ ｌａｓｔ ｏｌｙｍｐｉａｎ

THE PRINCESS ANDROMEDA GLOWED ON THE HORIZON– a huge cruise ship lit up yellow and white. Lucia stood on the balcony of the main deck. Luke stood beside her. A smile etched on his scarred face.

He wore jeans, a white T-shirt, and flip-flops like he was just a normal college-aged guy, but his eyes told the truth. They were solid gold.

They were heading straight for New York. Lucia hadn't been back to the city in almost a year.  She probably should have felt sentimental or even excited. But she felt absolutely nothing.

As she watched herself come closer to the place she once called home, she had one thought in mind.—burn it all to the ground.

'Blackjack,' A voice said, 'set us down on the lowest stern deck.'

The corners of Lucia's lips curved up, there was a wicked glint in her violet eyes. "He's here my lord." she whispered "May I?"

"Not just yet Dearie" He mirrored her grin "Why don't you go hide, keep your ears open for your grand entrance."

Lucia nodded, she bowed "Yes, My lord."

She made her way inside the room, closing the doors that led to the balcony behind her. She found Ethan twirling his knife in hand leaning against one of the walls.

"You going to be okay?" Ethan asked

Lucia rolled her eyes, and a hand found itself on her left hip. she bitterly spat out "You doubt me?"

Ethan shook his head "Never golden girl, I'm just worried that if you see him again-"

"You worry too much E." She stepped forward, her hands wrapped around his neck. She placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "I've waited for this all year, I'm ready. I want them dead. I want them all to pay. especially him. I hate him."

"Mm," A smile returned on Ethan's lips. He leaned down to give her a proper kiss. Lucia welcomed it. "And what about me."

"Hate you too." She teased

"Oh really?" His hand fell under her chin "Because these kisses are telling me something else."

"Don't be fooled Ethan" She tilted her head "I just think you're hot and a good kisser."

Ethan laughed, Lucia could feel the vibrations of his chest against hers.

"You have to go." Lucia informed, "They're already here, He's ordered you to find the other one."

"Do you know who it is?"

Lucia shrugged "Eh who cares. Just go get them." Her hands sparked with light "I'll deal with Percy Jackson."

Ethan looked at her almost hesitantly. Like he was scared of her...or of what she had become.

Lucia felt anger fill her veins. She glared. "Are you going to keep looking at me like I'm a broken doll or are you going to do your damn job?"

Ethan nodded, "Going."

"Wait." Lucia grabbed him by the bicep. "I love you, Ethan."

A genuine smile fell on his Lips. He looked down at the girl with joy. "Me too."

Lucia smiled, but it didn't seem to reach her eyes "Go."

Ethan nodded, remembering his orders. "See you soon Golden Girl."

Lucia winked at him as he walked away.

'I'll distract them,' Percy was talking to someone on the ship. 'Meet you at the rendezvous point.'

'Percy –' A deeper voice spoke. Lucia nodded, so it wasn't Annabeth. She almost felt relief. almost.

'Wish me luck.'

'You're going to look for her aren't you?'

silence

'Good luck,' the other voice said.

Lucia heard running and the tromping flippers of the telekhines.

Lucia smiled, she knew he'd have no problem getting away from all the monsters. They stood no chance against him. He would fall right into their trap.

'FFFFfffffff,' Lucia heard a hiss

"My lord he's with Karkinos" Lucia reported "He should be coming soon"

"Patience." Kronos's voice rung in her ears

'Hey, crabby. I'm just gonna scoot around you so –'

Lucia heard shuffling and the sound of glass breaking. Clearly, the Giant Crab wasn't going to let him go so easily.

After a while, Lucia heard an explosion. The sound of water spraying had her deducing that Percy blew up the fountain.

She heard him scream 'AHHHHHHH!'

There was the sound of something clattering to the floor in a massive heap. he beat it.

Lucia could hear him running, His breathing getting heavier.

'where are you luz'

Lucia heard as the dracaenas started hissing. Which meant he was on deck eight, getting closer and closer.

'What isss thisss?' one said. 'A prize for Kronosss!'

There was more shuffling and loud noises, almost like someone was getting repeatedly smacked across the face with something metallic.

Lucia could hear the sound of his beating heart. The way air escaped from his lips as he breathed. She knew Percy was alright.

for now

'If you want to live,' Percy's voice rang in her ears again after a few seconds, 'get off this ship now. Tell the other demigods.'

"Good luck with that" Lucia laughed. They knew all about their plan. And she knew it was only a matter of time before it all came crumbling down.

That's when Percy burst outside onto the main deck.

"You're late, Percy."

Lucia felt herself inching toward the door. The urge to burst through and see the boy consumed her. She needed to get her hands on him. She needed to tear him apart.

"We've been expecting you for days." At first, he sounded normal, like Luke. But then he shuddered. His voice became heavier, ancient, and powerful – the voice of the Titan lord Kronos. "Come, bow before me."

"Yeah, that'll happen," He muttered.

Lucia could hear the sound of footsteps. The monsters and demigods were emerging. Surrounding him and getting into position. But they weren't who he had to worry about.

"Come forward," he said, "If you dare."

Footsteps shuffled. Lucia heard as Percy moved up the stairs, His heart was pounding. Then she heard the familiar sound of Riptide being uncapped, growing into a sword.

Lucia knew Kronos already had his scythe in hand.

"Where is she," Percy demanded

"Ah. That's what you're really here for isn't it?"

"I want to know where she is." He demanded "What did you do with her? If you hurt her I swear-."

Kronos made an amused sound "Oh but I have not harmed her whatsoever. Dearie why don't you come out and say hi to our guest."

Lucia opened the door. She emerged from the room, her long dark hair swayed behind her as she made her way next to Luke.

"Luz." Percy's face shifted. The pace of his heartbeat increased. He stared at the girl, eyes filled with relief and a little bit of something else.

He was taller, way taller. His hair also got longer and pieces of it fell in front of his eyes. He looked a little skinnier too like he wasn't eating as much.

Lucia once would have worried about that.

"Didn't I tell you not to call me that?" The words fell from her lips like poison.

Percy frowned a bit but he brushed it off. He stepped forward. "Lucia.."

She flicked her wrist. Her bow fully transformed, "I wouldn't step closer if I were you."

Lucia saw the shock register on his face before he could hide it.

"What's wrong? What's going on?" He asked

"As you can see" Kronos stepped next to Lucia, He moved a strand of her hair behind her ear. Percy's hand squeezed tighter around riptides hilt. "She's been well taken care of."

"Lucia?" Percy questioned

Lucia stepped away from Kronos to Percy. A small smile played on her lips, and with that, he forgot everything, he reached out to touch her. "You're actually here-"

Time slowed down. literally slowed down, because of Kronos.  Percy looked like he was moving through syrup. His arms so heavy he could barely hold his sword. Kronos smiled, swirling his scythe at normal speed and waiting for him to creep towards his death.

Giants jeered. Dracaena hissed with laughter.

He didn't try to fight the magic until Lucia took her dagger out.

"Lucia..."

"Percy Jackson." She whispered, "It's time for you to die."

Suddenly, The entire boat lurched sideways, throwing monsters off their feet. Four thousand gallons of salt water surged out of the swimming pool, dousing everyone on the deck. The water revitalized him, breaking the time spell, and he lunged forward throwing her dagger out of her hands.

"What are you doing Luz!" Percy exclaimed like she had broken his skateboard, instead of tried to stab him.

"Don't call me that" She hissed, She sliced downward with another dagger. He leaped back and the blade missed by a millimeter.

Percy refused to swing riptide, he kicked Lucia in the shin. She stumbled backward.

Lucia swung her bow this time. It intercepted with Riptide, but he only deflected it. Lucia used the dagger once again and shaved off his shirt sleeve, grazing his arm. He stumbled backward, Lucia had gone in for the stab when Percy twisted her arm away and disarmed her. He made no moves of offense.

Kronos laughed. 'A poor performance, Percy Jackson. Luke tells me you were never his match at swordplay.'

"Luke had a big head," He said. "But at least it was his head."

"A shame to kill you now," Kronos mused, 'before the final plan unfolds. I would love to see the terror in your eyes when you realize how I will destroy Olympus. Though the look you have now is exhilarating in itself."

"What did you do to her." He asked but his gaze didn't leave the girl. She stood, a look of disgust staring back at him. She held her dagger tightly, her knuckles shades lighter than her normal copper skin.

"Too much talking." Lucia rolled her eyes. "Men never know when it's time for actual action instead of useless babbling."

"Lucia!" Percy dove out of the way, and she nicked him again. She had turned into a much more difficult opponent in her time at sea. "Would you stop that?!"

"No." She shrugged and began to notch an arrow.

"Goodbye Percy Jackson" Kronos snickered

Percy stumbled back. "You'll never get this boat to Manhattan."

'And why would that be?' Kronos's golden eyes glittered. His face – Luke's face – seemed like a mask, lit from behind by some evil power. "Perhaps you are counting on your friend with the explosives?

Kronos looked at Lucia, and she nodded. Her gaze fell down toward the pool she called out, "Babe. You can come out now."

"Babe!?"

Ethan pushed through the crowd.

"Success, my lord," Ethan called. "We found him just as we were told."

He clapped his hands and two giants lumbered forward, dragging Charles Beckendorf between them. Lucia felt the tiniest pang in her heart at the sight. Beckendorf had a swollen eye and cuts all over his face and arms. His armor was gone and his shirt was nearly torn off.

'No!' Percy yelled.

Lucia felt something swirling in her stomach. She couldn't define it. She felt-

The gods must pay

I serve Kronos

They must pay

Camp half blood is my enemy

I hate Percy Jackson

I hate Percy Jackson

I hate Percy Jackson

He must be killed.

Lucia shook off whatever happened. Her gaze fell back on the scene, this time she didn't even blink at the sight in front of her. She twirled her dagger in her hand, how Ethan taught her. she hummed a little song as if this was all boring her.

"We found him amidships," one of the giants said, "trying to sneak to the engine room. Can we eat him now?"

"Soon." Kronos scowled at Ethan. "Are you sure he didn't set the explosives?"

"He was going towards the engine room, my lord."

'How do you know that?'

"Er ..." Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "He was heading in that direction. And he told us. His bag is still full of explosives."

Kronos hesitated.

Lucia wasn't fully convinced. "He told you?"

He looked at her and nodded

"Open his bag," Lucia ordered.

Kronos stopped her "I'm in charge." he warned. "Listen to her."

Lucia rolled her eyes.

One of the giants ripped the explosives satchel from Beckendorf's shoulders. He peered inside, grunted, and turned it upside down.

"Not like that you Bozo!" Lucia hissed

Panicked monsters surged backward.

If the bag really had been full of Greek fire jars, they would've all blown up. But what fell out were a dozen cans of peaches.

Lucia could hear Kronos breathing, trying to control his anger.

"Did you, perhaps," he said, "capture this demigod near the galley?"

Ethan turned pale. "Um—"

"And did you, perhaps, send someone to actually CHECK THE ENGINE ROOM?"

Ethan scrambled back in terror, then turned on his heels and ran.

Lucia cursed under her breath.

Percy watched Lucia, his face filled with angst. She watched as he turned towards Beckendorf.

He cupped his fingers and thumb, making a circle. ZERO.

Lucia grinned, she knew they were talking about the timer. If they managed to press the detonator button, the ship would blow at once. They'd never be able to get far enough away before using it. The monsters would kill them first, or disarm the explosives, or both.

Lucia would surely get her hands on Percy before he could even take a step.

Kronos turned towards Percy with a crooked smile. "You'll have to excuse my incompetent help, Percy Jackson, but it doesn't matter. We have you now. We've known you were coming for weeks."

He held out his hand and dangled a little silver bracelet with a scythe charm – the Titan lord's symbol.

He muttered, "Communication device ... spy at camp"

"You can't count on friends. They will always let you down. Isn't that right Lucia?" Kronos chuckled. "Luke learned that lesson the hard way. Now drop your sword and surrender to me, or your friend dies"

He swallowed. One of the giants had his hand around Beckendorf's neck. He was in no shape to rescue him and, even if he tried, he would die before he got there. They both would.

Something gnawed at Lucia stomach but a black veil had obstructed her from seeing anything clearly.

Percy started shaking his head, she followed his gaze the second giant still rummaging through the peach cans, which meant Beckendorf's left arm was free. He raised it slowly – towards the watch on his right wrist.

Then down by the swimming pool, one of the dracaenas hissed, 'What isss he doing? What isss that on hisss wrissst?'

Beckendorf closed his eyes tight and brought his hand up to his watch.

Things happened before Lucia could even blink.  Percy threw his sword like a javelin at Kronos.

It bounced harmlessly off his chest, but it did startle him and Lucia. That gave Percy the chance to wrap a tight arm around her.

She didn't even get the chance to protest, he was determined to get them both off the ship.

He pushed through a crowd of monsters. Lucia screamed when they made it to the edge. "Stop! I can't swim!"

"Then you better hold on tight."

Together they fell off the ship's side – towards the water thirty meters below.

Lucia heard rumbling deep in the ship. Monsters yelled from above. A spear sailed past Percy's ear. An arrow pierced Lucia's thigh, but Lucia didn't have time to register the pain.

Percy plunged them into the sea and willed the currents to take them far, far away – fifty meters, a hundred meters.

Even from that distance, the explosion shook the world. Heat seared the back of their head. Princess Andromeda blew up from both sides, a massive fireball of green flame roiling into the dark sky, consuming everything.

Beckendorf, Lucia thought.

Then she blacked out and sank like an anchor towards the bottom of the sea.