Playlist
"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri
"Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd
"Skinny Love" by Bon Iver
"Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have - but I Have It" by Lana Del Rey
"Gravity" by Sara Bareilles
"I Will Follow You into the Dark" by Death Cab for Cutie
"Stay" by The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
"I'm Not the Only One" by Sam Smith
"Hurt" by Johnny Cash
"Lost Stars" by Adam Levine
"Stay With Me" by Gracie Abrams
"Hold On" by Justin Bieber
"Nobody" by Mitski
"Thirteen" by Charli XCX
"Enough for You" by Olivia Rodrigo
"Lost Cause" by Billie Eilish
Luke's POV (1 year ago)
Ari and I lay sprawled on the cool grass in front of the Arena, the luminous glow of the stars overhead casting a tranquil aura around us. It was well past midnight, yet the night seemed alive with possibilities.
As silence enveloped us, Ari's voice, tinged with sadness, shattered the quietude. "What if I just... die?" she murmured, her words heavy with uncertainty.
I jolted upright, incredulous. "You can't speak like that, Ari," I chided gently, my gaze fixed upon her. "Promise me you're kidding."
Her eyes, fixed on the starry expanse above, glistened with tears. "Not now, but... in three years, when I turn 16. What if I don't make it until then? What then?"
"Don't say that," I implored, my heart aching at the vulnerability in her voice. "You'll make it to 16, I promise."
Ari turned to me, tears cascading down her cheeks in the moonlight. "But what if I don't want to?" she whispered, her anguish palpable.
"The world won't end, Ari," I reassured her, my voice soft yet resolute. "You can't give up just because of uncertainty."
"What's the point of my existence?" she questioned, her voice trembling with emotion. "I have nothing... nothing to hold onto."
"You have me," I replied without hesitation, reaching out to brush away her tears. "And if you ever feel like giving up, I'll be there to pull you back. I won't lose you."
Luke's POV
The dense forest enveloped me in its eerie silence as I trudged along, my footsteps muffled by the thick undergrowth. Despite the potential dangers lurking in the shadows, I couldn't bear the thought of Cleo's company weighing me down. Our shared objective compelled me to leave her and Cassandra behind, though I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at my conscience.
Lost in my thoughts, I stumbled over something solid, its metallic clang shattering the tranquil ambiance. Peering down, I discovered a sword nestled among the roots, its gleaming blade tainted with blood. My heart skipped a beat as I surveyed the scene, and there she lay, Aria crumpled against a tree trunk, her hand pressed against her stomach, blood seeping through her fingers.
"I found her!" My voice echoed through the forest as I rushed to her side, desperation fueling my actions. Aria's limp form stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering as if struggling to break free from the grip of unconsciousness.
"Aria, wake up," I urged, gently shaking her. Panic bubbled within me as Cassandra and Cleo arrived, their expressions a mixture of concern and fear.
"Cassandra, go get help-now!" I commanded, my voice laced with urgency, while Cleo stood frozen in disbelief.
"She's alive, right?" Cleo's voice trembled with apprehension, her eyes darting between Aria and me, seeking reassurance.
Ignoring her, I focused on rousing Aria from her stupor, my heart pounding in rhythm with each labored breath she took. Finally, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing pain-stricken eyes clouded with confusion.
"L-Luke?" Her voice quavered, barely audible above the rustling leaves. Relief flooded through me at the sound of her voice, though it was tinged with sorrow at her suffering.
"Yes, it's me," I reassured her, cradling her gently in my arms. "Don't try to move. Just hold on."
As she struggled to remain conscious, her words came out in gasps, each syllable laden with agony. "It hurts... my leg."
I glanced down, noticing the twisted angle of her limb, and urged her to stay still. "Don't worry, Ari. Help is on the way. Just focus on staying awake."
YOU ARE READING
Castles Crumbling | The story of Luke Castellan and Ariadne Davis
Fanfiction"Never wanted you to hate me" Ariadne Davis is a demigod residing in the Half-Blood Camp for two years. Before she arrived at the camp she was stripped of everything and now she relies on Luke for support. However, the dynamic of her relationship wi...
