𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐄𝐋. pj & ac

V.

𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖊𝖋

PHOENIX WAS CERTAIN SHE HAD EVERYTHING SHE NEEDED DESPITE LUKE'S RELENTLESS QUESTIONING. Any other demigod preparing for such a quest would pack up important things like ambrosia, drachmas and I don't know— maybe, a weapon.

But she looked at the leather bag and stuffed it with some black clothes, her sketchbook, charcoals, a baggie filled with Bella's homemade blondies, and called it a day.

The Hermes campers who remained in the cabin were too busy in their own world to pay her any attention. Percy had fewer things to pack and already walked off on his own.

"Phoenix, at least let me loan you some drachmas."

"Don't need anything from you Luke." She sighed, sitting crisscrossed in front of the cabin's only full-body mirror, the fancy golden trimmings told her it was likely stolen. That, and the fact the back had 'Property of the New York Public Library' in cursive font.

She bit down on a strand of her hair and continued to work on her infamous pair of lopsided braids.

"Phee..." Luke huffed, "Forget the loan, It's a gift."

Phoenix looked up at him through the mirror. His blue eyes caught on hers against the glass. "You don't need to pretend to care so much. Y'know?"

"Who says I pretend Phee?" Luke looked disappointed, but the expression held something deeper that Phoenix couldn't comprehend.

Phoenix shrugged, she let go of the rubber band as it snapped around her hair, fastening the end of her second braid. She stood up from the ground and slung up her bag with her. "It's just obvious. You're doing your job as head counselor Luke, but you don't have to act like...like we're....we're friends...."

"Phoenix." Luke laughed, "We are friends."

She looked down at the golden drachmas cradled in his hands. "You should know better than to believe that."

Luke countered, his voice stern.  "You should know better than to not to...."

Phoenix felt herself begin to become uncomfortably hot. Sweat dripped down her neck and her hands became clammy. It was a familiar sensation she usually woke up feeling after her nightmares.

"Come with me, there's something I want you to see. Then, I'll walk you." was all he said as he walked toward the exit of the Cabin. Stuffing the rejected drachmas back into his pocket.

"Fine." A grudging Phoenix reluctantly followed him, trailing over to the armory.

In the dim light of the room, Luke walked over to the weapons rack and handed Phoenix the Poleaxe by its staff. Its gleaming surface reflected the uncertain glint in her eyes. "A gift for getting your first quest, a real weapon, for a real soldier...."

Phoenix received the weapon, its forbidden weight hung in her hands. She looked at Luke. On her usual expressionless face, there was a subtle churn of gratitude and suspicion. "Chiron always said no real weapons for me. Why the sudden change?"

Luke's eyes sparkled. "Chiron has been alive for eons. He knows that some chances are meant to be taken for the greater good." He grinned, "Plus, there are worse monsters you'll have to fight outside of these boundaries. Ones you won't be able to take down with a wooden sword... You have to defend yourself somehow."

Her suspicion lingered, but she found herself nodding.

Luke chuckled, "This first quest is an opportunity for everyone to get a glimpse of your potential."