Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I didn’t have much confidence in this plan. Luke was so sure it would work, but we didn’t have enough information. Still, this was Luke—he had to be right.

I wanted to say something, to offer another perspective, but just as I was about to speak, he said… that. And after, I stayed silent the whole time. What could I even say? I didn’t understand. He was so certain, speaking like it was the most natural thing in the world. But I could feel the tension in the room—Lee, Castor, even Clarisse looked uncomfortable. And yet, he smiled the whole way through.

This… is this really Luke? No, I must have misheard. It couldn’t be that bad. No way Luke would ever say something like that… right?

But later, when we talked, it was worse than I could imagine. Luke… He…

I let out a heavy sigh, my chest tightening. I don’t know what’s happening anymore. This morning, everything was normal—how did it all fall apart so quickly?

Annabeth. Annabeth, what are you doing?

Things had been wrong for months. I just refused to see it.

I knew Luke had changed. He had been different since last summer, and he thought he could hide it from me. For a while, he almost did. But even before the infirmary, before the sleepless nights and the quiet outbursts, I could feel the weight pressing down on him. If it were anyone else, he might have fooled them.

But not me.

I know him. I’ve known him longer than anyone in camp. And I knew something was wrong long before now.

I kept telling myself he would talk to me eventually. That he was my family. That we shared our problems. That’s what Thalia always said. He wouldn’t shut me out. Right?...

But that’s exactly what he did. He’s hiding something—lying to me. And the way he looked at me…

Those eyes. I’ve seen them before. The disappointment. The disgust. When he turned his back, I swear I felt my heart shatter. It was the same look my dad gave—the moment someone you love becomes a stranger. I never thought Luke could hurt me like that. If he had just hit me, maybe it would’ve hurt less. But this… this was like driving a knife straight into my heart and twisting.

I lost control. The words spilled out of me in a violent rage. I barely remember what I said before he— Before he started hurting me. He hurt me in more ways than one. I didn’t even know that was possible.

I was still in a daze. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the air itself was trying to drag me down. My thoughts kept spiraling, darker and darker, until their names echoed through my mind: Ed, Phil, Sage, Cora, Brice, Malcolm... and little Gregory. When I closed my eyes, I saw them in that meat locker. All of Cabin Six. And it was my fault.

My fingers tightened around the bayonet, knuckles white as I clung to the cold steel.

Why did it have to come to this?

I forced the memories back and kept marching. The others around me—campers from Cabin Seven—walked with the same stiff, uncertain stride. Each of us carried a firearm, though none of us looked like we belonged anywhere near one. I’d never held a gun before. Judging by their faces, neither had they.

I had no idea where these weapons came from. Luke claimed he’d found a hidden stash in the woods, and I half-believed him. Sure, they looked like relics from the Civil War—my musket could’ve passed for an antique. There was even a mark etched into the stock: Union, 1864.

But it was brand new.

The metal gleamed, untouched by time or rust, and despite its size, it was unnervingly light. Even I—half the gun’s height—could lift the barrel with ease. This was definitely magical. I’d asked one of the survivors from Cabin Nine—they swore they’d never made anything like this. 

The Apollo kids I was with were at a loss too. Uneasy, shifting from foot to foot, their eyes lingered on the weapons a little too long. When I asked what was wrong, they hesitated before answering:

"It feels... familiar. Like it’s been touched by the sun."

So what? These were blessed by Apollo? Is that why they still work? But it wasn’t just muskets. There were swords, bayonets, revolvers, pistols, mortars, rifles—there was even a machine gun. And that’s not counting the mines and explosives.

Why would Apollo bless these things? Isn’t he the bow guy? I’d sooner believe Hephaestus or Ares... or even my own mother.

And these were just lying around? Where did Luke even find this? Just one of the many questions I’ll never get answers to. Not now. Not while he’s still–

“Annabeth?” One of the Apollo kids called, his voice tight with nerves. “Are we there yet?”

His eyes kept darting back and forth, scanning the trees like shadows might reach out and grab him. I couldn’t blame him—we were the scouting party. I’d volunteered to go ahead, partly because I knew the camp like the back of my hand... and partly because I wanted to see my cabin again.

Our mission was simple: check for enemies along the route to the Big House and give the all-clear so the resistance could move medical supplies to the wounded. And reroute our position. We weren’t supposed to engage. If we saw the enemy, we ran. Or... My fingers tightened around the musket.

I’m not ready. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready... He said my eyes were too warm, he’s right.

No one was in sight. If I could just forget, it might feel like a normal walk to the Big House. I could almost see Chiron waiting on the porch, maybe playing a game with Mr. D. For a moment, I almost believed they were there. But my eyes kept darting around. We all marched with our backs stiff, glancing in every direction. I knew they were watching us. I could feel it crawling in the back of my mind. Or maybe I was just paranoid. I didn’t know anymore.

The Big House loomed ahead, inching closer with every step. And with every step, my chest tightened. I was waiting for it—the ambush. We passed the point of no return. No cover here. Maybe we could outrun them. But if worst came to worst, we’d have no choice but to shoot. And if the absolute worst happened—if the Big House had been taken—then this entire mission would be for nothing. And that would mean my entire cabin was...

I swallowed the thought, my pulse hammering in my throat.

No. No, that has to be wrong.

I clutched the bayonet tighter and prayed to my mom that it was.

We reached the front porch. Empty.

The door was closed, and the whole house looked devoid of life. But looks could be deceiving.

I crept toward the door, moving slowly, step by step. My hand flicked in a silent signal, and the others spread out to check the windows. Nothing. They were boarded shut. Pressing my ear to the door, I strained to hear anything—breathing, footsteps, the faintest shuffle of movement.

Silence.

I swallowed hard and wrapped my fingers around the doorknob. I twisted it slowly, and the latch clicked open.

Unlocked.

My pulse pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest. This was obviously a trap Or... they'd already looted the place. I didn’t know which was worse.

Theories flooded my mind, each darker than the last. But one idea stuck with me like a dagger to my chest. The images of Cabin Six flashed behind my eyes—their faces, the cold stillness of that locker. I clenched my teeth as dread coiled tighter in my chest. If the House is taken then that means the worse has come, I’ve failed, I’ve failed all of them.

The back door. They're probably waiting for us to go through the front.

I gestured for the others to move to the back, leaning in to whisper the plan.

“I'll be the distraction. I'll open the door and toss the grenade Luke gave us. After it pops, I'll go in guns blazing. That’s your cue—break through the back door and hit them from behind. We’ll route them before they know what’s happening.”

They nodded hesitantly, they wanted to say something but I ordered them to shut up. I watched as they crept around the side of the house until they vanished from view.

And just like that, I was alone.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. I’d scolded Luke for his callousness—his willingness to speak about taking a life without hesitation. And now... here I was, doing the same. The worst part? It was easy. I knew it was wrong. I knew it went against everything I believed in. 

And yet... I didn’t care. Not after what they did. Not after what they took from me.

I bit down hard, swallowing the sob that tried to claw its way out of my chest. I couldn’t break here. I wouldn’t. I was the Archon. I had to be strong—for them. They wouldn’t get away with this. I whispered their names in my head like a mantra, letting the weight of their loss harden into cold, unyielding resolve.

I’m gonna do it. I’m going to…

I adjusted my grip on the musket, its wooden stock firm against my shoulder. My other hand slid into my pocket and wrapped around the cold metal shell of the grenade.

The others should be in position by now.

It’s do or die. ...Is this how Luke felt?

I slammed the door open and hurled the grenade inside. I charged through the doorway, musket raised and ready to—

“Annabeth!? You’re here!” I froze. Gregory stood at the end of my barrel, eyes wide with shock. The rest of Cabin Six was scattered around the room—lounging by the couch, walking through the hall. Malcolm stood near the staircase, mouth open in surprise. Before anyone could react, my instincts kicked in. I shoved the musket aside and dove forward, snatching the grenade mid-bounce.

There was no time to think. I hurled it back through the open door with every ounce of strength I had. Then midflight it boomed. The explosion ripped through the air, a flash of blinding light and a shockwave that rattled the wooden floorboards beneath my feet.

I staggered upright, then sprinted toward the back exit and threw myself against the door, screaming at the top of my lungs.

“Wait! Wait! Stop! Don't shoot!” I yelled with all my might, arms waving like a maniac. 

Too late. The back doors burst open, and the Apollo kids stormed in with guns blazing. Chaos erupted. Screams filled the air—shouts, cries, metal clashing against wood. I couldn’t make out a single word through the noise. Younger kids scrambled for cover, their wails cutting through the confusion. Malcolm and the others charged in from the hall, swords flashing as they rushed to defend the cabin.

No! No, no, no!

I threw myself between the two sides, arms outstretched.

“Stop! Stop it, all of you!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, my voice cracking from the strain.

But no one listened. The chaos swallowed my words whole.

The loudest voice isn’t always the strongest. Luke's words echoed in my mind. I clenched my fists, stomping my foot to ground myself. Slipping into a practiced stance, I straightened my posture and drew in a breath. With the right body language and tone, you can control everything—even if it's just an illusion.

“Cabin Six, your Archon is here! Present yourselves!” My voice rang out, firm and steady. It wasn’t the loudest shout, but it carried enough weight to command attention.

Malcolm blinked in surprise before sheathing his sword. Like falling dominos, the others followed suit. The clamor faded into silence as the Apollo kids lowered their guns, eyes now fixed on me. The chaos died and everyone was silent.

Wow, I didn’t think that would work. Well I got their attention, I can’t stop now.

“Malcolm.” I turned to my unofficial second-in-command. “Report. What happened while I was gone?”

It took Malcolm a moment to process my words, his eyes flicking between me and the Apollo kids—mostly at our guns.

“Ah…” He mouthed, swallowing hard. “We, uh… We all arrived at the Big House, everyone accounted for. But Chiron and Mr. D weren’t there. We sent Jock to the infirmary, but no one there knew where Chiron or Mr. D went. Even Argus was gone.” He spoke like he’d just run a marathon, words tumbling out in a rush.

"Even..." I rubbed my chin, the situation growing worse by the second. Chiron was the de facto leader of our camp—without him, I wasn’t sure we’d survive. Argus, the head of security, was gone too. And Mr. D... this was definitely his jurisdiction. If they were all missing, that meant one of two things: either they were in serious trouble, or we were. I couldn’t stop myself from worrying, and Malcolm caught on immediately—damn it.

“Annabeth? What’s going on? Where’s Phil? Brice, Sage, Cora—where are they?” he asked again.

I… I couldn’t look him in the eye. But I couldn’t lie to him either. Never to them.

“They’re gone.” The words felt more real the moment they left my mouth. Some part of me hadn’t believed it until now. “They’re gone, Malcolm. I couldn’t…” My voice caught before it could turn into a sob.

"Gone? Where—” Malcolm stopped when our eyes met. He twitched, taking a step back.

I steeled myself. I couldn’t let this break me—not now. If I did, the entire cabin would panic.

“I need you to get the others and go to the attic. Take every weapon you can find. Arm yourselves.” I turned to the Apollo kids. “You two—head to the infirmary. Tell them what’s happening and get it ready. The rest of you are coming with me to the basement.”

Without another word, I marched toward the stairs, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions take over.

“Annabeth! Archon!” Malcolm called, moving to intercept me. “What’s going on!?”

I didn’t slow down. “Malcolm, the camp is under attack. We’re being invaded—an army of monsters and demigods has broken in. They’re destroying everything.”

He paled, but I pushed forward. “Alert the rest of the Areopagus. Arm the entire cabin. No one goes without a weapon.”

I didn’t wait for a response. My group and I hurried down to the basement, straight to the nectar and ambrosia reserves. I stuffed my backpack as full as my twelve-year-old body would allow—not much, but that’s why I brought the Apollo kids. Those muscles weren't just for show.

I struggled up the steps, adjusting my weight against my backpack. Darn, I won’t be able to fight like this. As I reached the top, my entire cabin stood waiting, armed to the teeth—swords, spears, shields, bows.

“Archon.” Malcolm stepped forward, clad in full bronze armor. “We’re here. We’re armed.” He gave a firm nod.

“Good. Ugh.” I let the bag drop to the floor with a thud. “I’m heading to the resistance camp. We’ve got wounded, and some injuries are too severe for ambrosia alone.” I straightened up, scanning the group. “I need you all here to defend the Big House while I’m gone. We’ll be sending the wounded this way.”

An Apollo kid stepped up, taking some of the surplus ambrosia from my bag, lightening the load just enough for me to wear it properly. I handed Malcolm an empty tin can attached to a string—one of the magical tools Luke had, surprisingly. Malcolm turned it over in his hands, inspecting it like a toy.

“I know how it looks, but bear with me. It works just as well as a walkie-talkie. Call me if anything goes wrong. I’ll alert you when we’re close.”

I turned to leave, but before I could take a step, they blocked my way.

“Anna—Archon, take us with you.”

The words came at once. Every single one of them stood firm, eyes locked on mine. No fear. No hesitation. They wanted this.

“Yeah! Take us!” Gregory’s voice was the loudest. “With the whole cabin together, there’s nothing we can’t do!”

“No one left be—”

“No!” My voice cracked through the air, shutting them up.

Memories hit me like a blade to the chest. Phil, Sage, Brice, Cora—they were the best in my cabin, and we still fell. And these guys? Most of them could barely hold a sword right. I—I wouldn’t lose anyone else. There was safety in numbers, and the Big House was one of the safest places in camp. These walls weren’t just wood; they were built by a god. I couldn’t let what happened to Ed happen again. Never. I wouldn’t let any of them get hurt.

After my outburst there was silence. I looked at their faces, damn it, I did it again. I can’t, I won’t let… The stress is eating me alive. 

“No. I need you here. ” And as far away from combat as possible. 

I didn’t say that part out loud, but I saw recognition flicker across some of their faces. They were smart—they’d figure it out. I knew I was using my authority as Archon to pressure them into staying, but…

I scanned their faces, waiting for someone—anyone—to disagree. They were my family. The only one I had left. If they wanted to fight for the camp. I’d have no choice but to let them.

The air was thick with tension, the kind that makes your stomach twist. I had no idea what they would do. Gregory stepped forward, determination flashing in his eyes—until Malcolm pushed him back. I silently thanked the gods for that.

Gregory blew a raspberry, but Malcolm just shook his head at him before turning to me with a small, reassuring smile.

“It’s okay, Archon. We’ll hold the fort. I know you want us to protect this strategic vantage point. Right, guys?”

Malcolm, as perceptive as ever, found a way to ease my mind. The weight in my chest didn’t disappear, but it loosened, just a little.

“Yes. We’ll be sending the wounded here to the infirmary, so I need you all here. This is an order. Cabin Six, protect the Big House until we get back.” I kept my tone firm—reprimanding, just enough to sell the illusion. Some of them wanted to fight. I knew that. But this was the only way to keep them out of the battlefield. Maybe I was being selfish. Maybe I was wrong. We needed all the help we could get. Two sides of me warred against each other, but in the end, I swallowed it all down and threw it away. If I was being selfish, I’d take the blame. Just this once.

“Yes, Archon,” they said in unison. And gods, I was so grateful they were my cabin. They’re safe, that’s one worry I could finally put to rest. 

Funny, they say every hero has a fatal flaw. Mine? Pride.

I saw it in my Cabin too—the pride of who we were, the fire in their eyes. They were strong, bright, always looking ahead with an optimistic grin, no matter how dark our life really is. I want to keep that light in them for as long as possible. When Ed died, I felt like I lost something I didn’t even know I had. I don’t want them to feel that. I don’t want them to know that kind of loss. That was my pride—thinking I could shield them from reality. And the craziest part? I’m not even half the age of some of them.

I fall in step with the Apollo kids as we march out the door, waving goodbye to my cabin as we depart. This was harder than I expected. A thousand things could go wrong—I might never see them again. I might come back to an empty cabin. Or worse, I might not come back at all.

So I prayed. Silently at first, then in a whisper once we were out of earshot. I prayed to my mother, to every god on Olympus, begging them to keep my cabin safe.

I never took my eyes off the Big House, watching as it shrank in the distance, growing smaller and smaller until it finally disappeared behind a hill.

Only then did I let myself cry.

"Are you alright?" one of the Apollo kids asked gently.

"I'm fine." I wiped my tears away with my shoulder, trying to sound convincing.

"It's not healthy to bottle it all up, you know," he continued. "I read in a mental health magazine that expressing emotions is better for stress relief. You should try it sometime."

I let out a small huff, half-listening. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Really, there's nothing wrong with showing a little emotion. It’s not weakness—it just proves you're human. Besides…" He hesitated before adding, a little awkwardly, "You're kinda pretty when you cry."

I blinked. Was that endearing or just plain weird? I couldn’t tell. But there was something about him, this warmth that soothed my heart in a way I hadn’t expected. The wound Luke left was still raw, but somehow, just hearing this guy talk made my thoughts feel a little steadier.

Was this one of Apollo's gifts? His cabin was known for healing, both physical and emotional. People always said music could heal the soul—maybe words could too. He looked like the sun, all golden curls and an easy, charming smile. He reminded me of Luke, but not quite. Luke had been the sun at its peak—brilliant, blinding, and harsh. This guy? He was the warmth of a lazy summer afternoon, gentle and steady.

"You're doing great, Annabeth," he said, his voice full of quiet confidence. "They’re lucky to have a councilor as caring as you."

How I wished it was Luke saying that.

"Yeah… Thank you." I adjusted my backpack, then realized something. "Oh—sorry. I don’t even know your name."

The boy just smiled, a familiar kind of smile—one that reminded me of days long past, when it was just me, Luke, and Thalia against the world.

"Will. Will Solace." He smiled.

Our group remained on high alert the entire way back to base camp, eyes sweeping the surroundings for any sign of movement. The tension didn’t ease until we passed the guards, each one scrutinizing us with a rifle in hand. Gone were the swords and spears—nearly everyone carried firearms now. A few archers lingered here and there, but they were the exception.

Ares' kids had rigged a minefield along the outer perimeter, while the remnants of Hephaestus Cabin had thrown together a makeshift wall to fortify the camp. In just an hour, the place had transformed beyond recognition. I could hardly believe it.

Above us, the golden barrier shimmered—a protective dome Luke had set up. As always, he gave the usual vague, I’ll explain when it’s the right time excuse. Honestly, it was getting old.

Pollux greeted us the moment we arrived, but none of us spoke as we handed over the ambrosia and nectar. There was no time for words—his group immediately began distributing the supplies to the most critically injured. With every passing moment, our list of wounded only grew longer. All around me were hollow eyes and agonized cries. I was pretty sure a few had already died, but no one was talking about it. That silence said everything.

They don’t put this in the brochures. Then again, who am I kidding? This was never a normal summer camp, but this... This was never supposed to happen.

“Did you find Chiron?” Lee rushed to my side, barely waiting for an answer as he barked orders to his cabin, directing them to tend to the injured.

“No,” I admitted reluctantly. “He wasn’t there. Neither was Mr. D or Argus.”

Lee’s face, already pale, somehow lost even more color. As the counselor of Cabin Seven, he had already lost too many in the initial attack. He was barely holding himself together, clinging to the desperate hope that Chiron would appear and set things right. That hope had just shattered like glass. His shoulders sagged, his expression darkening as if a storm cloud had swallowed the last bit of sunlight.

“But—your campers! The ones in the infirmary, they’re safe,” I blurted out, desperate to offer something, anything. “All of them. They haven’t left since this started.”

Lee didn’t react. Not a flicker of relief, not a sign he even heard me. Just that same blank, hollow look. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“…Thank you.”

I offered an awkward smile. It was small, but at least it was something.

“My cabin is in the Big House too,” I continued, grasping for any thread of stability. “All of them. They’re guarding it while yours prepares the infirmary. We need to set up a supply line and get the wounded there, just like Luke said.”

Lee stood in silence, taking it all in. For a moment, I wasn’t sure he’d heard me. Then, with a slow, deliberate nod, he straightened his shoulders.

“Yes. I’ll alert the others. We’ll start right away.”

He turned to leave, but a question still held my thoughts.

“Wait!” The word shot out before I could stop it. He froze mid-step. I swallowed hard. “Is… Luke still here?”

Lee’s face remained unreadable. “No. He already left with his group.” Then, without another word, he was gone.

That’s… I held my breath. I was too late. Luke had already gone on that suicide mission. This was why I thought the plan was doomed from the start—because it meant sacrificing someone. No one wanted to make that call. No one but Luke. He volunteered to be the bait. Worse, he insisted on going alone. It was reckless. Suicidal. I had to beg the others to make him take a guard, but even then, it was still certain death. If only we had more time—maybe I could’ve come up with another way. Something, anything.

Annabeth, it’s happening again.

What Luke did, what I did. I was so angry, I stormed off before I could say goodbye. But even through the anger, I knew—I didn’t want that to be our last conversation. And now it’s too late. I know the risks. Luke knew them too. He said it himself: the chances of surviving were low. Except for him.

He was so sure he’d make it back. And I—I had to believe in that. In him. Because this was Luke. And Luke could do the impossible. I closed my eyes and prayed again. To my mother, to Olympus, to any god who would listen.

Please. Bring him back alive.

I strengthened my resolve and marched straight to base camp. I put on whatever armor we had left and sheathed my knife to my hips. I held the rifle to my shoulders and walked back out. I must have looked pretty ridiculous, I didn’t have to see a mirror to know that. I looked around the campsite, it was the same with everyone else, it looked like we were going to a civil war reenactment except in armor. I could see Clarisse up front surrounded by her cabin. She was organizing everyone, making sure everything was ready for the assault. But for now we needed to get into position and wait for Luke’s signal. 

If it even comes… I shake those thoughts from my head, if I entertain those thoughts I’ll spiral again.

I marched through the crowd. Everyone looked nervous, and I couldn’t blame them. Even our drills had never prepared us for something like this. Camp was supposed to be a safe haven. This attack—this invasion—felt like reality slamming us in the face. A brutal reminder that we lived in a world of gods and monsters.

“There you are, owl head.” Clarisse rolled her eyes as I approached.

I didn’t even bother with a comeback. It felt childish now.

“So, is everyone ready?” I asked, glancing back at the assembled campers. They were as organized as they could be. But even then, they weren’t a proper army. At the end of the day, they were just kids—nervous, scared kids.

Clarisse huffed. “They’re good enough,” she spat, though the doubt in her voice was hard to miss.

I frowned. ‘ Good enough’ wasn’t exactly reassuring. This battle was life or death, and we all knew it. Then again, I couldn’t blame them. We’d never had to organize anything this fast—especially not an army. Looking around, I took in the ragtag force we had managed to pull together. A mix of Cabin Five, Eleven, with a sprinkle of Seven’s scattered among them. These were all that could fight, not little kids or the wounded, the rest had been left behind to guard the base camp. We weren’t an army. We were barely even a battle-ready unit. More like a disorganized high school assembly thrown into a war. I did not like our odds, but they were the best we could do.

Lee approached in full battle plate, a contingent of Apollo campers flanking him.

Clarisse, Lee, and I—we were supposed to lead this army. Meanwhile, Castor and his brother were left to manage the base camp while we were gone. It sounded like a solid plan on paper, but in reality? None of us were truly fit for this. Lee was the oldest, but he had no real battle experience. Clarisse was the strongest fighter, but she lacked experience. And me? I was the monster expert and had the most experience out of both of them but was arguably the weakest. None of us could lead an army. That was supposed to be Luke’s job. Only he had the charisma and experience to command. Without him, we were just kids pretending to be generals.

“So…” Lee glanced awkwardly between Clarisse and me. “Should we… say something? Like a speech?”

Speeches weren’t exactly my thing. Something Clarisse and I had in common—not that I’d ever admit it out loud.

Clarisse scoffed. “The time for words is over!” Without another thought, she turned on her heel, barking orders as she strode ahead.

“We’re moving out! Cabin Five, go!” Clarisse barked, pointing to the exit.

For a moment, no one moved. Then, like a switch had flipped, the army lurched forward. No formation, no order—just a mass of campers blindly following whoever was in front of them. Like lemmings marching toward the unknown. I couldn’t relax. My stomach twisted with dread, and Lee must’ve noticed because he shot me a worried glance. I really wished Chiron was here.

“Lee, prepare the wounded. I’ll try to get everyone on track,” I said before sprinting along the line, barking orders.

I did my best to organize them—gunners and archers in the back, sword and shield bearers up front. It was messy. I was messy. I didn’t even know what I was doing. We had no chain of command, no structure. I tried not to contradict Clarisse’s orders, but there was only so much I could do. Some campers hesitated, confused by the overlapping commands. Others lagged behind, and I had to herd them back into formation.

This wasn’t an army. And we were marching straight into war.

“Clarisse! Can you slow down a little? We’ve got stragglers at the back!” I panted, barely catching my breath after my fourth lap around the army.

“We don’t have time, Owl Head. They’re almost upon us,” she shot back without missing a step.

“But—what’s our strategy? How are we actually fighting them? Are you just going to fling campers into a meat grinder?” My frustration boiled over. “Don’t be an idiot ! There are lives at stake!”

I braced for her usual outburst, but instead, she just grinned.

“Leave that to me.” She held up one of Luke’s grenades—small, unassuming, but deceptively powerful.

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you going to tell me?”

She didn’t answer. She just kept moving forward, ignoring me completely. My mind raced. Why isn’t she telling me? We were supposed to put old rivalries aside. The camp—our home—was on the line.

My fists clenched. I could feel my face heating up.

“Clarisse—”

“Shut up and wait for the signal.”

Right. Luke’s signal. Something he was supposed to do once he had the enemy’s attention. The problem? He never actually told us what it was. Just a vague, “You’ll know it when you see it.” I hated it when he goes all cryptic.

I glanced back at the disorganized army, then at Clarisse. The plan was already falling apart. In hindsight, there were so many holes—it was a miracle we’d even gotten this far. Maybe I’d been too stressed to see it before.

I was about to give her a piece of my mind before I felt it.

A pressure, thick and heavy, pressing down on my skin like invisible hands. It sent every hair on my body standing on end, like something was watching us even worse than before. It wasn’t like the presence in the woods or the initial earthquake. This was different. The air itself felt charged, electrified. The entire army stopped. Nervous murmurs rippled through the ranks. Some campers clutched their weapons tighter. Others fidgeted with their bows. Oh no. They had rifles. If panic set in now, if even one of them fired too early—it was over.

I was about to race over, when I felt it—heat.

Not from the campers. Not from the forest. From the sky. I turned. My breath caught in my throat. 

The sun!?

Too small to be the real thing, but too bright, too hot to be anything else. It climbed higher, piercing the darkened sky with golden-orange hues. The heat was distant, yet I could still feel it—like standing under a blazing summer sun with no shade, no relief.

Then, suddenly—it fell. Straight toward the earth. And when it hit—BOOM.

An explosion erupted across the river, right where Luke said the enemy camp was. It kept ringing in my ear even when the silence returned.

Lee’s voice barely registered behind me. “Was that… the signal?”

Clarisse’s grin stretched wider. “Alright everyone! Move out!”

She bolted. Cabin Five followed without hesitation.

Oh no.

“Wait—!” I tried to stop them, but the army was already charging, a stampede of bodies rushing forward.

Lee yanked me to the side as a flood of campers rushed past, weapons and rifles raised. My stomach twisted—all my hard work, gone. Whatever semblance of formation I’d managed to establish had completely unraveled. At this point, I just hoped no one got trampled. I shouted, trying to regain control, but my voice was lost in the roar of the charge. There was no choice but to run with them. Lee and I sprinted, still barking orders. Some listened—mostly those who were already disciplined—but the majority were glued to Clarisse’s lead.

The actual plan had been to establish a safe route between the Big House and base camp. Then we’d reorganize. Then we’d fight. Step by step, a solid plan.

Now? It had all gone up in smoke.

Because Clarisse couldn’t stop being… well, Clarisse. She was more bloodthirsty than most Ares kids—not by much, but just enough to make a difference. And that difference was currently leading us straight into chaos.

I pulled out my can with string, panting as I spoke into the tin.

“Malcolm, do you copy?” I asked between breaths.

Malcolm’s voice came through clearly, with no static—better than any walkie-talkie I’d ever used.

“Copy, Archon. Cabin Six is ready and all accounted for.”

“Malcolm, we’re coming in hot. Clarisse did her thing again. Get everyone ready. Anything suspicious on your end?… Malcolm? Are you there? … Malcolm? Do you copy?”

“No, Archon. Copy.” I could hear a few snickers through the can.

“Alright, keep me posted if you see anything… Ugh, copy…”

“Copy, Archon.” He signed off, and I shoved the can back into my pocket.

At least one part of the plan was still intact. Once we regrouped at the Big House, we could reorganize our lines. I spotted its roof just peeking over the hill. I just hoped Malcolm and the rest were ready. The way things were going, the Ares kids would reach them first—and calling our relationship "strained" would be the understatement of the millennium.

I had already started mapping out formations in my mind when Clarisse suddenly stopped. All the Ares kids halted with her.

The Big House was right there, looking down at us from its hill—just a short hike up the road, and we’d be there. Yet, she wasn’t running toward it. Instead, she stood frozen, staring off into the distance. I couldn’t see her face, but her body was still as the dead.

"Clarisse?!" I shouted, but she didn’t turn. One by one, the other campers slowed, their eyes following hers.

I caught up, Lee just a step behind me. "Clarisse, what’s going on? Why did you—"

Then I saw it. My heart stopped for a second. To our left, in plain view, stood a massive army. It was nothing like our ragtag bunch—this was a force. Well-formed, strict formations, phalanx up front, monsters at the rear. A sea of spears, standing silent, disciplined to the core.

What? But…

I whipped my head back toward the Big House—it had a clear view of the army. Why hadn’t Malcolm warned us?

I yanked the can from my belt and spoke into it, my fingers tightening around the string.

“Malcolm, we have a large enemy force to the east! Why wasn’t I informed?”

Silence.

“Malcolm, copy. Are you there? Malcolm!”

Every second that passed made my fear spike higher.

“Mal—”

"Anna—Archon!" Malcolm’s voice cut through the static, broken and panicked. "Don’t—spid—"

Then the line went dead.

“Malcolm! Malcolm, do you copy?!” I screamed into the tin can.

I felt something crawl up my fingers. A shiver ran down my spine as I looked down—tiny black legs skittered over my hand. Spiders. A stream of them poured out of the tin can, their tiny bodies writhing as they spilled onto the ground.

I yelped and threw the can away, shaking my hand furiously to rid myself of the clinging legs. The can bounced once, then came to a stop, the spiders disappearing into the ground.

Lee recoiled. “What the—”

Clarisse, still staring at the enemy army, clenched her fists. “Great. Just what we needed.”

I swallowed hard. 

“You said it was all clear!” Clarisse stormed up to me, eyes blazing with fury. “Where’s the damn distraction, huh?! Now they’ve got us with our pants down!” She grabbed my shirt, her grip tight enough to bruise.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you, Owl—” She flinched.

I wasn’t even sure what she saw. Maybe it was my expression, or maybe it was something deeper, something festering inside me, something I had carried for too long. It wasn’t just for her. It was for everything. For the life I never got to choose, for the gods who sat on their thrones, playing with our fates like dice. For my mom, who forced me into this world, and my dad, who abandoned me for something easier. For this cursed camp I'm forced to live in because of a prophecy I didn't understand, this war I never wanted but had to fight anyway.

For the idiots who ruined everything.

For the bloodthirsty brats who tore the plan apart.

For the monsters that stole my home.

For my family.

For Chiron.

For Mr. D.

For Luke.

…I hate.

I shoved her off, not saying a word. She stumbled back, stunned, but I didn’t care. I leveled my gun and walked away, heading straight for the Big House.

“Annabeth,” Lee said back. “Where are you going?”

I ignored him and held my gun tighter. I couldn’t see them anymore, they were like the trees or mirages, things in the background. I could only see the Big House, its windows shut and its doors closed. It looked silent even through all this chaos. But I knew the truth, it’s just like Ed in the kitchen, it’s just like the meat locker. They’re in danger, all of them.

The world around me just lets go and I didn’t give a damn about anything. I think someone is calling my name, pulling my shoulders. I ignored it all and marched up the road. I tapped my belt to feel my knife and grenades. There was no plan, I couldn’t think of any right now. This wasn’t just anger. It was colder than that, heavier. It sat deep in my bones, pressing against my ribs, quiet yet all-consuming.

There were things I should be doing—reorganizing the formation, strategizing with the other counselors, finding help for whatever was happening in the Big House. I knew I couldn’t do this alone. But I couldn’t find it in me to care. Why should I? My cabin was in danger. And I am the Archon.

The Big House loomed before me, just a few steps away. My grip on the gun tightened until my fingers ached, but I didn’t loosen it. Then, the door creaked open. Someone stepped out, shutting it just as quickly behind them. They moved at a lazy pace, descending the steps like they had all the time in the world, their boots crunching softly against the grass. I raised my gun, steadying my aim. The barrel lined up with his head.

He lifted his hands, an awkward smile twitching at the corners of his lips.

“I-Ah…” he started.

“Who are you?!” I barked, my finger tensing on the trigger.

“Uh… wanna say ‘the good’? ‘Cause I don’t wanna be the bad, and neither of us are ugly.” He grinned, like this was all some joke.

He had the same grin as the Stoll brothers, the kind that meant trouble, the kind that said trust me, I’m up to no good. His curly black hair poked out from under his helmet, his cotton shirt was loose and worn, and his baggy pants barely clung to his frame. Brown skin, possibly Mexican. Fifteen, maybe older.

I didn’t recognize him. I knew almost everyone at camp, and this guy wasn’t one of them. Which meant—

My grip tightened. The trigger twitched beneath my finger.

“Wait! What—what was that word? Parley! I request a parley!” His voice tripped over itself in his rush to get the words out.

I pulled the trigger. He ducked.

The bullet clipped his helmet, sparking off the metal with a sharp ping. It hit the ground behind him, and the grass exploded into a miniature burst of light. When the dust settled, a small crater of sand remained where there was once green.

"Whoa." He readjusted his helmet, eyes wide as dinner plates. "Is that what bullets do nowadays?! Hot diggity dog, that’s cool!"

I cocked my gun.

"Okay, not cool now."

"On the ground. Now!" I barked.

He raised his hands slowly, sinking to his knees. "Easy, girl."

He was sweating under that golden helmet. I could smell his fear, taste it in the air. And I wanted him to be afraid. I wanted him to know exactly what it felt like to be powerless, to know that the next moment could be his last.

I stepped closer until the barrel of my gun pressed against his forehead. My breath was ragged, but my hands were steady.

I didn’t care who he was anymore.

He was the enemy.

He was in the Big House.

He attacked my cabin. I knew he did. I could see it—my siblings, cold on the floor, their faces frozen in fear, spiders crawling out of their open mouths. 

They’re dead. They’re dead. 

My chest clenched, something raw and suffocating clawing its way up my throat.

"I’ll kill you," I said, and I meant it.

The boy’s eyes softened.

No. 

"Don’t look at me like that!" I screamed.

"I know," he said, voice quiet, steady. "I know those eyes all too well."

What?

"The look of a girl who’s lost everything. A feeling no one should’ve ever know."

He smiled. Not a smirk, not a sneer—a real, warm, impossible smile, like the kind Chiron used to give when he told us everything would be okay. Like the one Thalia gave me before she—

I tightened my grip on the gun.

"You are… I think twelve. You shouldn’t be seeing this, forcing yourself to do this," he said gently. "And for that, I am sorry."

"Stop."

"It must have been hard, carrying the world on your shoulders."

My gun was shaking.

"I’m sorry," he whispered. "You lived such a life. I pray you find happiness wherever you go."

His smile was the same. The same as Thalia’s.

My eyes watered.

"Things are dark now, but there’s still a way. I know a way to save everyone, but we got to be quick," he whispered, and suddenly, the world numbed.

I swallowed. "Why don’t I just kill you now?"

He tilted his head, his voice soft and sure. "Because then… they really will die."

The words echoed in my ears, sinking deep, planting roots in my chest. And for the first time since I saw that army, since I saw the spiders crawling from my can, since I realized how alone I really was. I hesitated.

"Who are you?" My voice whimpered.

The boy tilted his head, then gave me that same infuriatingly calm smile. "Who, me? I’m nobody. But people call me Sammy."

I stared at him, heart pounding. The name meant nothing to me. Nobody meant nothing to me. My fingers twitched on the trigger, but the fire had dimmed. Just a little. I exhaled sharply and pulled back my gun. Sammy slowly rose to his feet, dusting off his pants like this was just another casual conversation.

"Owl Head!" Clarisse’s voice cut through the air like a whip.

"Where do you think you—" She stormed toward me, her armor clanking with every step. Then her eyes landed on Sammy, and something in her face twisted.

"Who the hell are you!?" she roared.

He gave a lopsided grin, raising his hands slightly in surrender.

"Uh… hey there." His voice was light, almost playful, like I wasn't seconds away from killing him. "Name’s Sammy. And, uh… looks like I’m your hostage."

Once more campers arrived, we wasted no time tying him up—right after prying Clarisse off him. She got a few good hits in before we pulled her away. Lee returned as soon as the others were in position.

We moved fast, fortifying the hill around the Big House. Archers and gunners on the top, while close-combat fighters lined the base. The Hephaestus kids worked double-time to set up the cannons. We didn’t know when the attack would come, but we took Sammy’s warning seriously—they wouldn’t make a move until we did. That gave us time, but not much.

Lee headed for the Big House, but Sammy jolted in his chair, struggling against the ropes.

"Don't go in there!" he shouted.

Lee hesitated, eyeing him suspiciously.

"It took me a lot of mental gymnastics to get her to stop killing them," Sammy added.

"Who?" Lee asked.

Sammy turned his gaze to me.

"Who?" I snapped.

He exhaled through his nose. "Someone who really hates your mother. Just saying, if you go in there, there’s nothing stopping her from killing them out of spite."

My stomach twisted. I could take a guess at who he meant, but if that was true, shouldn’t we be storming in there right now to get them out?

Sammy must've seen the gears turning in my head because he quickly added, "Her spiders are all over their bodies. If she notices even the slightest wrong move… well, let’s just say you don’t want to see what happens next."

I felt the blood drain from my face.

"Fantastic. So the Big House is off the table," Clarisse muttered. "Some hostage you turned out to be."

Sammy let out a sharp breath. "Well… this is new for me too."

I tried to focus on something else, anything else, before my thoughts started spiraling again. "You said you know how to stop them."

"Yeah. Me." Sammy glanced between us. "If you trade me, you get your friends back. They’ll leave. Simple as that."

“It can’t be that easy.” Lee said from the front porch. “Who are you?”

 “Me… Well I’m nobody.” Sammy smiled.

“Bullshit,” Clarisse shot back. “How do we know you’re not lying? You could be leading us straight into a trap!”

She stomped forward, getting right in Sammy’s face.

“You have pretty eyes,” he blurted out with an awkward laugh.

Clarisse didn’t hesitate—she smacked him upside the head. Hard. He groaned, wincing as he shook his head. Between the black eye she’d already given him and the fresh bruise forming on his forehead, he was starting to look rough.

“Clarisse, we’re already running low on nectar.” Lee responded.

“Then don’t give him any.” She scoffs and marches back to look at the enemy army. 

“Ouch. Well, I can’t prove it now but… What was the thing… It was… It had something to do with a river.” Sammy’s eyes were contemplating.

“The river styx.” I said.

“Yes! That one! I swear on the river, whatever. The river styx, that I’m not lying!”

The three of us stood there, waiting—watching him like he might get struck by lightning or melt into a puddle. I wasn’t exactly sure what happened if you broke an oath like that, but people always said it was worse than death.

Nothing happened.

I wasn’t sure what I expected, but the silence was almost disappointing.

“See? I’m telling the truth!”

“If that’s true, then who are you? Who’s this army, and why are they attacking us?” Lee, sounding more frustrated than anything, said what we were all thinking. 

Sammy let out a heavy sigh. “Well, that’s a long story. I don’t think we have the time to get into all of it, but the short version is—yeah, they’re Romans. Yes, actual Romans, like the ones from the empire that ruled the world. They hate you for destroying their city, and as for me…” Sammy’s face turned bright red. “It’s… embarrassing, alright? The person leading the army is… my girlfriend.”

He blurted it out fast, I don’t think any of us fully processed what he was saying.

“It’s complicated,” Sammy added quickly, his face still flushed.

We all stood there in silence, Sammy’s eyes darting between us like he was waiting for someone to say something—anything. I wanted to call him a liar, but if he was telling the truth… My thoughts raced at two hundred miles per hour, filling my head with uncomfortable questions and even worse answers. I was still trying to come up with a response when Clarisse beat me to it.

“Girlfriend?!” she shouted so loudly I had to cover my ears. “That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!”

“Hey, I’m not that hopeless!” Sammy shot back, puffing up his chest. “A lot of cookies are lining up for the Sam, mis—YAH!”

Clarisse had her spear at his throat in an instant, sparks crackling at the tip.

“Okay, okay! I’m not lying, alright?” He huffed through gritted teeth, eyes locked on the weapon. “I swore on the river, whatever.”

Clarisse only inched the spear closer.

“Enough.” I grabbed her arm, pushing it down before she could actually stab him.

She shoved me away like I was nothing. “Don’t touch me, owl girl!”

She towered over me, her glare sharp enough to cut, but I held my ground. I’d faced worse. I met her stare head-on.

“He’s telling the truth. He swore on the Styx. This might be our only way to end this.”

Clarisse scoffed. “How do we know he’s not delusional?! Look at him! This is obviously a trap!”

I knew that better than anyone. But still, I had hoped—just for a second—that there was a way to end this without bloodshed. That fragile hope had been slipping away, piece by piece, until it finally shattered the moment I heard Malcolm scream on the other end. Under the dark skies, with every ounce of knowledge and experience I had, I searched desperately for another way. But there was nothing. No path forward, no escape. I could only see Luke’s path—a path that went against everything I believed in. Until now.

“I believe him,” I said.

Clarisse looked at me like I was the dumbest person she’d ever met. Our relationship had always been a flaming dumpster fire, but through it all, there was some level of mutual respect—or something close to it. But now? The look in her eyes burned straight through my pride.

"Are you willing to gamble your cabin's lives on it?" she asked.

The words hit like a slap. I had no response.

Wisdom has always been elusive to me—ephemeral, like a distant memory. You can be smart without being wise. I once heard someone say that wisdom is just intelligence shaped by experience, but even experience is debatable. I’ve traveled across the country more than any demigod at camp, yet I’m the youngest in this group. Clarisse, older by definition, has more experience behind her. She can be reckless, impulsive—yet, in fleeting moments, she is wiser than me, at least in battle.

Wisdom is my mother’s domain, yet it’s always felt like a mystery to me. I don’t know if I’m being wise now. It’s just a gut feeling. For all I know, I could be leading everyone to their deaths. And I being an idiot? Maybe… I could be the wisest person here or the biggest fool of all. I just hope I’m making the right choice now.

“You don't get to tell me that. It’s my cabin that’s on the line here.” My voice was tight, barely holding back the weight pressing on my chest. I turned back to Sammy, I tried hard to hold back the nervousness. “You promise they’re still alive?”

He didn’t answer right away. Just a slow, hesitant nod. Not reassuring. Not enough.

“And how long will that last?”

Sammy furrowed his brow. “I’ve managed to confuse her. She’s... not in the best place mentally.” His voice wavered, uncertainty creeping in. “But there’s no telling how much longer that’ll hold. An hour, maybe less. That’s why we have to do this now!”

Clarisse clicked her tongue, clearly unimpressed.

“Why do you think the Romans aren’t attacking? They could’ve stormed in at any moment. She knows I’m here!” Sammy’s voice cracked. “Just take me to them. I can stop this!”

Lee stepped forward, arms crossed. “Let’s say we believe you.” His tone was careful. “Why would you—the enemy—”

“Not the enemy!” Sammy shot back.

Lee barely flinched. “Fine. Then why would you risk your life? Why willingly hand yourself over to us? Aren’t we the ones who supposedly destroyed your city? Why would you help us?”

Sammy’s eyes darted between us, scanning each face, searching for something—understanding, maybe. Then, finally, they locked onto mine.

“Because…” His fists clenched at his sides. “This is crazy. What they’re doing, what we’re doing is crazy.” He swallowed hard, voice shaking with something between frustration and guilt. “And I want no part in it.”

We all exchanged glances, but I couldn’t read Lee or Clarisse’s expressions. Their silence weighed on me heavier than words ever could.

“What about the plan?” Lee whispered.

Clarisse scoffed, crossing her arms. “The plan has already crashed and burned. Look at them! They’re already here, at full strength!”

I clenched my fists. “But Luke…” His name left my mouth before I could stop it. I exhaled sharply, frustration twisting in my gut. I didn’t know what was going on in his mind anymore. But if this plan—Sammy’s plan—meant no more bloodshed, if it meant getting everyone back safely…

Wouldn’t that be worth it?

Even Luke’s plan never promised that. All he wanted was to make them hurt.

I shook my head, forcing down the doubt creeping into my mind. “He’ll—”

Before I could finish, something else grabbed our attention. We looked up just in time to see another sun in the sky—only this one was moving fast, streaking toward the clouds. Then, just as suddenly, a red light shot it down.

For a moment, we just stood there, staring. It was another one of Luke’s signals, but none of us had a clue what it meant.

“Uh… does your side have a giant laser?” Lee asked, breaking the silence.

“Ahhh… I don’t think so,” Sammy answered, looking just as lost as the rest of us.

The tension from before vanished in an instant. I blinked, half-wondering if I was seeing things. “Well… that happened. Any guesses on what it means?”

I glanced at both of them, hoping for answers. All I got were confused expressions from Lee and Clarisse.

"So… Are you in?" I asked them both.

Lee waited for a moment then nodded. Clarisse let out a long sigh.

"If this goes wrong, I’m the one wringing his neck. Then you,Owl Head!" she said, pointing at me. That was as good of an answer I was going to get.

Earlier, I said I didn’t have confidence in Luke’s plan—but this? This felt like walking a mile-long tightrope over a burning canyon, thousands of feet in the air. Even though I was the one who suggested it, I had no proof it would work. No logic, no evidence—just a desperate hope. It wasn’t even intuition, just a path I wanted to work. 

It was too convenient. Something like this shouldn’t work in a million years. But we live in a world of gods and monsters—if they can exist, maybe miracles can too.

Thalia would have done this. I know it in my heart.

“Keep moving!” Clarisse shoved Sammy forward. His hands were still tied, but at least his legs were free—not that it mattered. If he tried to run, Clarisse would be on him before he could blink. 

I followed a few paces behind while Lee stayed back in case this was a trap. Clarisse had someone covering for her too, just in case. Honestly, she shouldn’t even be here—diplomacy and her go together like oil and water. I bet she only came so she could be the first to tell me, I told you so.

“Heh. You know, this would be a lot easier if you didn’t—ow!” Sammy winced as Clarisse yanked his wrist tighter.

“Watch your tone, funny boy,” she snapped.

Sammy smiled. “Good to see my work paid off.” That earned him another jab.

It was just the five of us—me, Sammy, Clarisse, and a couple of Ares’ kids acting as guards. Both of them held assault rifles, their fingers twitchy on the triggers. Not exactly my first choice for a hostage negotiation team, but at least they looked intimidating. That was something, I guess.

I turned toward the enemy army. They were as still as before, waiting. I waved the white flag as high as I could. Why they made me hold it when I was the shortest person here? No clue. Probably some stupid Ares logic—something about it being a "sissy flag" or a symbol of weakness.

We stopped midway in the field, an easy mark for any archer. Yet, no arrows flew. So far, the plan hadn’t failed.

A minute passed. Nothing happened. The silence stretched, I could feel the nervousness crackling in the air.

“What are they waiting for?” one of the Ares kids muttered.

Clarisse clicked her tongue and shoved Sammy forward.

“Hey!” she yelled at the enemy lines. “We got your man! You want him or not!?” Her voice echoed across the field. No way they didn’t hear that.

After a few moments, I saw movement. A small contingent of soldiers broke formation and started to cross the field.

So this is it. I swallowed hard, feeling sweat drip down my cheek.

It didn’t take long for them to reach us—five of them, just like our party. Three guards, plus two soldiers decked out in gold and purple. I recognized one of them immediately. The same guy who ambushed me in the woods.

The Ares kids gripped their weapons tighter. I couldn’t help but do the same.

“We all know the plan?” I whispered.

The Ares kids nodded. Clarisse didn’t react—she just kept staring at the opposition, maybe sizing them up, calculating her chances.

“So there you are!” the soldier from the woods hollered, his tone almost playful. “We’ve been looking all over for you!”

He was talking to Sammy.

Sammy frowned, his jaw tightened, but he kept silent.

The soldier, the one I stabbed, he hasn't left my thoughts since the incident. Now that he's here, he must have been someone very high in the totem pole. By the looks of his armor and rank, a veteran soldier, and I managed to hold him at knife point. I smile inside, I'll take what victories I can get.

“Oh!” His eyes move towards me. “Little Owl, you're here too.”

My smile died.

“I knew we would meet again, I still have your knife.” He pulls Luke's knife from a scabbard. It shines bronze in the light.

What…!? That's…

I touch the knife on my hips. That's impossible, Luke said he found it when he rescued me. I brace the handle just to confirm it was real. All while my attention was focused on the one in his hand.

Did he make another, why? To confuse me? That doesn't make sense… Is this a ploy to get my guard down?

The blade in his hand looked so familiar, but that couldn't be real. It has to be a fake. It got to be, it doesn't make sense otherwise.

“Hey Owl Head, focus.” Clarisse spat. That managed to stop the thoughts.

“Owl Head!? That's even better!” He responded back.

Clarisse ignored the banter and steadied her voice.

“I am Clarisse. Counselor of Cabin Five. Daughter of Ares. Who are you?” She pointed at the delegation.

The soldier from the woods sheathed my knife, his expression settling into something almost amused. He clapped a fist to his chest.

“Caius Tarquinius Lawrence. Son of Mars, descendant of Orcus. Newly tenured Centurion of the First Cohort of Rome. General of the Montauk campaign. Bane of Werewolves. Slayer of the Wolf King. Liberator of the Capital. Senator of the Ninth Seat. Proud member of the Caesar's company. Lover. Fighter. Teacher. Brother. And the greatest pong player this side of the West Coast!”

He bellowed the last part with a stupid grin, his enthusiasm so over-the-top I almost stepped back.

“That, girl, is how you do introductions.”

Clarisse narrowed her eyes.

“And this is Bill.” Caius gestured to his companion. “He’s… Bill, the tax collector.”

“I am one of the most celebrated tacticians of Rome!” Bill shouted indignantly.

“Yeah, sure you are.” Caius dismissed him with a whistle.

Clarisse had had enough. “If you two are done larping, we’re in the middle of something!” She pressed her spear back against Sammy’s throat. “We got your man. If you want him alive, release the prisoners. Then you and your army get out of our camp!”

“And swear on the River Styx you’ll never come back,” I added from the sidelines.

Bill snorted, looking at us like we were dirt under his boot. “You wish for us to surrender our quarry for one man? Ridiculous.” He waved his hand, the gesture exaggerated and theatrical, like an actor or politician playing a part.

“Now, now, let’s not be too hasty,” Caius chimed in. “He is a son of Rome, and Rome does not abandon its own. How about one prisoner for another? A fair deal.”

“No deal.” Clarisse adjusted her spear. “ All of them, or his head.”

That was our goal. In hostage situations, both sides had objectives. Ours were twofold. First, they had to release all the campers they’d captured—every single last one. Second, they had to leave. Take all their troops, their monsters, and get out of Camp Half-Blood for good. Both of them are very tall orders, especially when they have the upperhand, I know they would probably ask for something more, like drachmas, weapons, or favors. That was doable, there was no price too high for the safety of the camp and its campers.

Caius sighed. “Be reasonable, girl. One man isn’t worth all of your people.”

“Indeed,” Bill added smoothly. “Besides, you’re in no position to negotiate. We have your army surrounded and outmanned. At any moment, we can march over there and—”

“He’s lying.”

Sammy’s voice cut through the banter. He glared at Bill, his hands shaking in his ropes. “Don’t fall for the good cop, bad cop routine. They can’t march without her approval, and she won’t while I’m still here.”

“Tch. Don’t give the game away too early, Valdez. You’re ruining it for the rest of us,” Caius groaned.

“Game?...” I stepped forward, my grip tightening on the flagpole. My body moved before I could think, nearly ready to swing it at his smug face. “Is this a game to you?! Children are dying!”

The words tore out of me, even I was surprised by how loud my voice was, how much venom dripped from each syllable. I knew I shouldn’t have snapped, but I couldn’t help it. The audacity of this man—standing there, grinning, as if this was all some elaborate joke. It stopped being pretend when the first body hit the ground. It stopped being pretend when kids younger than me cried in terror, and I had to lie to their faces, telling them it was going to be alright.

“Who the hell do you think you are?!” My voice cracked with rage, but I didn’t care. “This isn’t ancient Rome! It’s fucking 2005! You don’t get to play emperor, slaughter children, and call it a game , you psychos!”

I could feel my heart pounding in my ears, my breath coming fast. My hands clenched so tightly around the flagpole that my knuckles burned.

“You stand there with your stupid grin, acting like this is some glorious campaign, like you’re reenacting history. But it’s not! It’s murder! You’re murderers! And you want us to sit here and play along? To pretend like any of this is fair? Like any of this is civilized ?”

I took a step closer, my voice a snarl.

“I don’t care what titles you throw around—general, senator, whatever the hell else you’ve made up to justify this. You’re not noble. You’re not warriors. You’re butchers wearing gold and purple.”

Caius’s grin died. Clarisse didn’t even retort, Sammy was just silent. I think they knew, they all knew how wrong this is. It felt like I crossed a line, but I didn’t care. All the stress of today just flowed out of me, the blame, fear, hatred, all this pain; what it made me do, made me think about doing, it makes me puke. 

Bill huff indignantly. “Butchers? Is this your best negotiator, a screaming child. We are not bunchers, little girl. This is justice. This is–”

“She’s right,” Caius cut him off again, silencing him. “She’s absolutely right. We didn’t come here for glory or fame. No one will sing songs about what we do here. We’re not soldiers. We’re not heroes.” His voice, once full of life, turned cold and bitter. “We came as butchers .”

Clarisse took a step back, pulling Sammy with her. The other Ares kids did the same.

What was this feeling? The air around Caius felt wrong, heavy, like something vile was seeping out of him. It was like a curtain had been pulled back, revealing something I was never meant to see. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, because for a moment, I didn’t see a man standing there—I saw the darkness itself, alive and watching me. The sheer hatred in its gaze made my knees weak.

“And once we’re done here,” Caius said, his voice disturbingly calm, “I fully intend to raze this place to the ground—along with everyone in it. Then I’ll salt the earth and burn away every last trace of green until nothing remains but a wasteland.”

He wasn’t yelling. He wasn’t even angry. But the weight behind those words… I had never felt anything like it before.

Clarisse leveled her spear at him. “What are you!?”

Caius let out a bitter chuckle. “A dead man. A shadow of who I once was. I have no right to call myself human anymore.”

“A wraith?” The word slipped out before I could stop it, my mind scrambling for something—anything—that made sense of what I was seeing. But if he was a ghost, he shouldn’t be able to stand here, shouldn’t feel this real.

Caius chuckled again, this time with something almost sad in his voice. “What am I? I don’t know. And I don’t care anymore. Just know this—I am a creature born of a god’s will. The god who commands this army. The one who ordered us to lay waste to this land.”

With every word, it felt like he was growing, his shadow stretching unnaturally, wrapping around him like something was trying to pull him into a new shape.

A god?

“The god of the dead. The king of the underworld. Lord of riches and the dark earth. Our muddy lord.” His voice rose as he threw his arms wide, his eyes wild. “PLUTO!”

That name slammed into us like a shockwave. I staggered back. One of the Ares kids collapsed onto the ground.

“Yes! Lord Pluto! He has come to avenge poor Rome! To judge you Greeks—for your crimes against Rome, against her children, against our families, against those you have slain!”

What the—!?

“What are you talking about!?”

His expression softened slightly as he slowly shook his head. “Tsk, tsk. Little Owl, surely you’ve figured it out by now.”

I swallowed hard. I had a theory, but it didn’t make sense.

“We never attacked Rome. No one in this camp has ever been to Rome.”

Caius crossed his arms and let out a long sigh. “Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn’t matter to me anymore. As I said, I’m already dead—marching at the command of my god. It’s not my place to question his orders.”

His gaze flicked to Sammy.

“But you,” he said, his voice sharpening.

Sammy gulped.

“You have spurned his will. Do you have any idea how many would kill to be in your position? Betrayed not only by your closest friend but by your lover as well. Shameless.”

“Lover?” Clarisse blurted out.

Caius scoffed. “Yes. Do you really not know who he is? Samuel Valdez, Lord Pluto’s mortal beloved. Honestly, these gods… stopping an entire campaign for one man.”

We all turned to Sammy. He shifted uncomfortably, his face growing redder by the second. It was the first time I’d ever seen him look embarrassed.

“I told you it’s complicated!” Sammy shouted.

“I’m not judging,” Caius said with a shrug. “Some of our emperors—and even the gods—have had lovers of the same gender.”

Sammy turned an even deeper shade of red. “Shut up! It’s not like that and you know it!”

“Hahaha! Don’t hide who you are—it’s beautiful! There’s no shame in it.”

“You’re giving them the wrong idea!”

“There’s nothing wrong with love.”

“Shut up!”

Clarisse groaned. “This is stupid.” She yanked Sammy back, readjusting her spear. “Alright, dead guy, do what we say, or lover boy here gets it.” To make her point, lightning crackled along the tip of her spear.

Caius tilted his head. “That would be unfortunate… But if you do kill him, you’d gain the ire of a god. Is that really what you want, sister?”

Clarisse’s grip tightened at that last word. Her nostrils flared.

“I can take it,” she said through clenched teeth.

Caius laughed. “The balls on this girl! That’s the makings of a centurion!”

Clarisse didn’t rise to the bait. Maybe there was a sliver of kinship between them, but I could see the hatred in her eyes reaching a breaking point. It was taking every ounce of her willpower not to run him through.

“Your move.” Her voice was ice-cold.

“Well, that would be awfully bad. Right, Bill?” Caius turned to his companion.

“Indeed,” the smaller man said, his voice quiet but sharp. He’d been keeping to the background, but now I saw the deadly gleam in his eyes. “How about this—we can’t give you all of the servi, but we can give you someone equally important.”

“No deal!” I shouted from the sidelines.

Bill smirked. “No, Greek. You’ll like this one.” He raised a hand, and someone stepped forward.

The moment I saw her, my stomach dropped. She was dragged in chains, head bowed, her hair covering her face. Her clothes were torn, skin pale, and there was a slight tremor in her step—she was hurting.

“Silena!” Clarisse’s voice cracked. She took a step forward, forgetting for a split second that she still had Sammy at spearpoint.

“A worthy prize,” Bill said smoothly. “I was told she was one of your leaders, so we saved her for this special occasion.” His voice was slimy, oozing with malice. But none of that mattered—Silena was here. Which meant her whole cabin…

Clarisse’s face twisted with fury. “What did you bastards do to her!?” She surged forward, and I barely managed to grab her arm.

“Stop!” I hissed. “This is what they want!”

“Let me go!”

“Clarisse—”

She barely heard me. It wasn’t until Sammy’s head slammed into her face that she finally stopped. Clarisse stumbled, growling as she yanked his wrist harder in retaliation.

"Clarisse, remember where you are," I whispered, my face inches from hers. If we messed this up, it wouldn’t just be us who died—the whole camp would go down with us. This was our one shot to stop it. I hated it just as much as she did. Talking to these people, listening to their excuses, their fake smiles and manipulations. They were built for this—designed to get under our skin and tear us apart from the inside. And worst of all? It's working.

Silena finally came into view—the counselor of Cabin Ten. Silena, so beautiful, so proud. She was the light of the camp, the best of us. I had envied her once—she always seemed to know exactly what to do, always carried herself so effortlessly, like she belonged anywhere she stood. She and Luke… I used to think they’d end up together. But she defied expectations, choosing Beckendorf instead. Everyone in her cabin was against it, but she didn’t care. She broke tradition for her own happiness. She was brave. She was beautiful. And now? Now she looked broken.

I swallowed hard, gripping my knife before I even realized what I was doing. I had to remind myself—this was still a negotiation. Not a fight. Not yet.

"How about it, Greeks?" Bill smiled, all smug and sure of himself. "Her for ours—seems like a fair trade, doesn't it?"

His words made my skin crawl. The way he said it, like this was some business deal, like Silena wasn’t one of us. Like she was just another bargaining chip. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Stay calm. Stay focused. But gods, I wanted to rip that smile right off his face.

Clarisse and I were silent. I wanted to say yes—I wanted to take the deal, to grab Silena and run. But… I couldn’t.

I swallowed hard. "No deal." 

I spat the words out before I could take them back.

"Owl Head!" Clarisse snapped.

"Everyone," I shot back. "We want everyone. Every last person you stole from our camp."

Bill tilted his head, his smirk twitching. "Even you know that’s a high order."

"That’s the only order you’re getting. And don’t act like you’ve got the upper hand here. You can’t attack us while we still have him!" I jabbed a finger at Sammy. "And weren’t you the one talking about earning the ire of a god? What do you think that god will do when he finds out you came back empty-handed? What happens to the idiots who let that happen?"

Bill flinched like I’d struck him, his face twisting in anger. He glared at me like I was the lowest scum on the planet. Good. That meant I was right.

"Our ire…? You dare judge us? After everything you Greeks have done? You call us monsters, but how many families did you slaughter when you destroyed Rome? How many homes did you burn? How many women, children, and elders did you slay!"

“We didn’t do any of that!”

“Liars! Then swear it! Swear on the river you didn’t!” Bill roared, his righteous fury shaking the air.

Fine. If that’s what it takes to end this. In hindsight, I should’ve done this from the start.

“I swear on the River Styx that we di—ack!”

My throat closed up. My eyes widened as I clutched my neck, panic surging through me. It was like something was lodged in my esophagus—I couldn't breathe. I could only choke on the words, gasping like a fish out of water.

What was…? What’s happening!?

“See! Proof of their hypocrisy!” Bill declared.

“Owl Head?” Clarisse turned to me, her voice laced with concern. My head felt light, my knees buckled, and I hit the ground, coughing violently. The flag slipped from my grasp as I clawed at my throat, desperate to dislodge whatever was suffocating me.

“What more do you need?” Bill pressed on. “Even the gods know your crimes!”

“Owl Head, snap out of it!” Clarisse was shouting now, slamming my back, but it wasn’t helping. The Ares kids abandoned their positions, crowding around, trying to help—but nothing worked. My lungs burned. My vision blurred at the edges. Then—

“Meow.”

A purr whispered in my ear. And just like that, the blockage vanished. I gasped, hacking out spit as sweet, glorious air filled my lungs again.

“Owl Head! Annabeth! What the hell is going on!?” Clarisse was yelling right in my ear. What shocked me even more? She actually used my name for once.

“I… I don’t-ack. Pfft. Fcoff. I don’t know.” I mumbled, wiping the tears from my eyes.

“See! The Augur was right! You can’t trust a Greek—”

“Bill. That’s enough.” Ciaus reprimanded him.

Bill snarled but said nothing more. He didn’t have to. The hatred in his eyes said it all—the kind of hatred I’ve felt moments ago.

The Ares kids helped me to my feet, but my knees were still shaking. For a moment, I really thought I was going to die. But that shouldn’t have happened. How could it? The implications alone shattered all logic. I never… I wouldn’t… My mind flashed back to the scene in front of the Big House. I was so ready to do it. 

No. That can’t be it. I don’t remember Rome. I never attacked anyone—certainly not on the scale they’re claiming.

Wait… I was about to say ‘ we’ —as in the entire camp. Did that mean someone here was responsible? No. That’s impossible. No one at camp would ever do something like that. Faces flashed through my mind, one after another, feeding stray theories and impossible guesses. But no matter how I turned it over, I couldn’t believe it. No. No one in camp would ever do that. It has to be a lie. It’s a lie.

“No one—ugh. This… ack—this camp is full of good people. No wha-one here would ever do that!” I screamed as much as my throat could carry.

Bill’s eyes just flared, he was about to speak before Caius stopped him with a glare.

"I believe in everyone here! I don’t care what the gods say—I don’t care! This camp is my home, these people are my family, and I trust them with my life!”

I don’t know why I said it—maybe to protect the camp’s honor, maybe for some other reason—but I couldn’t let that slander slide. Everything. Everyone. This camp has been my whole world for as long as I can remember. I've lived among these people, shared in their joys, their struggles, their quiet moments of hope. I’ve seen them at their worst and at their best—I know them. And no one, not a single soul here, is capable of committing something that monstrous. Not them. Not us . 

Caius looked me in the eye, his was a dark green that burns like hellfire, he was searching for something. Eyes stared deep into my soul and… After a moment his face slowly makes a grin.

“Centurion material indeed,” Caius hummed, turning casually to Bill. “I’d say this is enough.”

“What?” Bill hissed.

“She says they didn’t do it. I believe her.”

Bill’s face twisted in anger. “What did you just say? You know what they did.”

“But she doesn’t. And I don’t think any of them do either.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Caius gave him a look—just a look—but it was enough to push Bill into a rage.

“This isn’t what Caesar commanded! This isn’t what our lord commanded! You—you said you’d bring justice to Rome!” He jabbed a finger at Caius’s armor.

“That was before…” Caius’s voice was calm. “If those people stood before me, I wouldn’t hesitate to cut them down. But these aren’t those people.”

Bill opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He looked completely lost.

“So, the boy for your entire camp. That was the trade?” Caius smiled.

This… Is he really going to…?

“A-And you leave. For good.” I blurted out, before I could forget.

Caius closed his eyes, crossed his arms, and nodded. “Fair deal.”

My breath hitched. Did he really just say that? Was it really over? Hope and doubt wrestled in my head—was this a trap, or was it actually real?

“This is insubordination!” Bill shouted.

Caius ignored him, pulling Silena’s chains forward and offering them to us. One of the Ares kids hesitated, then quickly grabbed her and pulled her to our side.

“You can’t do this! Traitor! You call yourself a centurion of Rome?!”

Caius met his rage with a stare. “Your anger is understandable. I’ll allow it.” Then his tone darkened. “But don’t test me, tactician.”

Bill swallowed hard and finally shut up.

Caius exhaled, glancing at all of us. “I see now—this battle is pointless.” His voice softened. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”

“O-Owl head…” Clarisse stammered, looking as stunned as I felt. “D-Did we win?”

I had no idea.

“I see that you’re innocent. I can’t speak for the rest of your camp, but so far, all I’ve fought are kids in armor—not the bloodthirsty savages who attack Rome. Under any other circumstances, I would never have considered this, but your words… they surprised me. You love this camp as much as we love Rome. It moved me.”

The words nearly brought a tear to my eye. Relief flooded by heart.

“I just hope it’ll move him too.”

What?

I blinked then a force slammed us back. I was on the ground, back first. There was a ringing in my ear, I could faintly hear Clarisse's voice screaming. I could see golden bullets fire in the air. I struggled to lift my head and I saw… I don’t know what. It was worse than the ringing, it was like my vision was being pulled into a black hole. My hearing was slowly returning, along with sounds of gunfire.

Clarisse threw her lightning spear only for it to be blocked by the blackness. The golden bullets were being deflected by it’s skin.

Sammy, he was helping me up, the ropes easily undone on his wrist.

“What’s–”

“Don’t, we have to go.” He mutters.

He gets me up, and the black hole takes shape. It wasn't darkness, it was a man, or a god? He was larger than life, like red fire tainted by a deep black. The bullets broke on his cloak, he easily swatted away the Ares kids with his bow. The force throws us all back, we bounce on the ground, dragging along the grass. I was on the ground again, this time in pain, my back feels like it ran through a cheese grater. My arms ache as I force myself up, I quickly swiped my knife, armed it to the intruder.

Just looking at him makes my head splinter, I almost feel like something is trying to break through my skull. I had to avert my eyes just to see. Clarisse was bleeding from her head, a Ares kid is helping her up. Silena and the other kid were motionless on the ground. The Roman soldiers were dead, arrows shot through their hearts. Caius, he was impaled by an arrow, it was more like a long slab of iron straight through his chest into the ground. He’s still alive, gripping the thing like his life depended on it.

"My Lord! Please—ack!" My eyes darted toward Bill. The darkness had wrapped around his throat like a noose. His body jerked, his feet kicking in the air. "We—eh. I—ack."

"I tire of these games... " The sheer weight of the fury in his voice made my skull vibrate.

He threw Bill to the ground with a sickening thud, he hacked and gasped for air.

" The Master Bolt is not here. The gods... are not here. All I find are children playing at war. "

Caius, barely clinging to consciousness, forced the words out between bloodied lips. "Hah—Kah—Did we—ugh—displease you, great hero?" The darkness slithered over his skin, spreading from the arrow buried in his chest, devouring him inch by inch.

The man—the thing—sighed. His gaze drifted skyward, filled with something almost like disappointment. His cloak snapped in the wind, a wind that smelled of rot and ruin. The very air burned my lungs.

" You all… Disgust me ."

His next words struck like a hammer to the chest.

" HEAR ME, ROMANS! GREEKS! "

The ground trembled. My legs buckled. The weight of his presence crushed me into the dirt. It was as if the world itself bent to his will, gravity increasing tenfold.

" I grow tired of your presence. Your existence offends me. Your lives offend me."

His voice was not a voice. It was thunder, it was law. It reached the Roman army in the back, to ours frozen on the hill.

" Ten minutes. "

The words rang out like a death knell. My heart beat so fast I thought it would explode.

" That’s how long I can stomach you. Prove you're worth my time… or I'll kill you all! ”