𝐏𝐘𝐑𝐑𝐇𝐈𝐂 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

05 - and now she hears voices!

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

WHEN THE REST OF HER SIBLINGS WOKE, Elia was already dressed in shorts and a sage green tank top, running a brush through her hair anxiously as she sat at her desk. The beginnings of sunrise shone through the windows, casting a warm glow throughout the cabin. 

When Lee climbed down from his bunk and frowned at Elia, the girl gave him a tired smile. "Morning, Lee."

"How long have you been awake?"

Elia shrugged, still running the brush through her long hair. 

Austin came up beside her, gently taking the brush from her gasp and asking, "Do you want me to braid it?"

The blond nodded gratefully, fiddling with her camp necklace. Her brother set to work, weaving her hair into two dutch braids, the ends reaching her lower back. Lee quickly checked her bag for the tenth time before walking over and handing Elia her black converse. She slid them on her feet, giving him a grin, and made sure both her necklaces were around her neck. 

Will woke up shortly, trotting to his older sister and climbing into her lap. The younger boy wrapped his arms around her neck, murmuring, "I don't want you to go."

Elia pursed her lips, rubbing Will's back. "I know, bud. But I have to."

Will stood, telling her, "You remember everything I told you? Don't use too many hymns, you'll get tired. And make sure that if someone hits their head, their pupils still dialate. And if someone is cut, stop the bleeding before anything else."

Elia smiled softly, placing both her hands on the smaller boy's shoulders as Austin tied off her second braid. "I'll be okay, Will."

The shaggy-haired boy nodded hesitantly, letting Elia stand from her chair. Lucia, Michael, and Kayla had also woken up and were gathered nearby, waiting to say goodbye to their sister. Elia grabbed one of Lee's flannels from on top of a dresser, sliding it on and slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "Okay," she murmured, doing a final mental check for everything that she might need. "Okay, I'm ready."

Her siblings swarmed around her, taking turns hugging their sister. Will, then Kayla, who sniffled into Elia's embrace, then Austin, the dark-skinned boy adjusting her flannel gently. Michael wrapped his arms around his younger sister, making her promise to be careful as he pressed a kiss to her temple. 

"You've got this, Elle." Lucia stepped forward, pulling her sister into a hug. "Can... can you tell Annabeth... to be safe?"

Elia grinned knowingly. "I will. I'll tell her to be so  safe for you." she teased, earning a punch on the shoulder from the dark-haired girl. 

Finally, Lee pulled his little sister into a tight hug, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "I believe in you, Ellie." he murmured. "You're gonna knock 'em dead. I love you."

Elia swallowed the lump in her throat, choking out, "I love you more, Lee."

As she finnally pulled away, she gave her siblings a lingering grin before stepping out the door and heading towards what is most likely imminent death.

Great summer plan!

𓆩ꨄ︎𓆪

SOON AFTER, the quest group met at Zeus's Fist. It was a clear morning. The fog that had been lingering the last few days had burned off and the sky was blue. Campers would be having their lessons today, flying pegasi and practicing archery and scaling the lava wall.