𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀, luke castellan

ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇɴ

Choosing Sides.

⚡

NOW THAT PERCY WAS GONE, RORY STOPPED ATTENDING LUKE'S ACTIVITIES, MUCH TO VAL'S DELIGHT.

In his absence, rumors about his quest flourished. Chiron had purposely kept the details to himself, only announcing that their deadline was the summer solstice. It was best not to spread the information of the impending Zeus-Poseidon standoff, otherwise camp would fall apart in a civil war. But Rory and Luke had other plans.

The whispers spread quickly, becoming the sole topic of discussion among the campers. Each whispered rumor seemed to take on a life of its own, growing more elaborate with each retelling. It was a carefully orchestrated plan, meticulously crafted to sow chaos and discord within camp.

Rory and Luke strategically planted the first seeds of uncertainty during dinner, where the atmosphere was just chaotic enough that the campers were less likely to question the source of the rumor. Rory feigned concern over the gathering storm clouds hinting at Zeus's unrest, and Luke added a fabricated dream to back up her theory. A horse and an eagle fighting. The Ares cabin, sitting at the table beside them, were intrigued by their conversation, their curiosity piqued by the prospect of war and that was all they had needed.

After that it was easy. Dropping hints here and there, letting the campers weave their own narratives about the impending conflict. It didn't matter if the stories didn't match; was the division it caused within the camp, as lines were drawn and allegiances formed based on speculation and fear.

"You're so lucky," Val ranted to her one day. "Your mom's probably not even going to fight in the war, you don't have to choose a side."

Rory, nonchalant, responded with a shrug, "I thought you wanted this, Val. You wanted to see if your training had paid off, and now's the time."

Val frowned at that. Rory was right, this was what she had wanted, to prove herself. But a war? It seemed so much more daunting now that it was staring them in the face. "I guess..."

The conversation continued later that night, the night draping over Camp Half-Blood like a heavy cloak, the crackling bonfire casting an uncertain glow that danced across the faces of the gathered campers. The atmosphere was thick with tension, every whisper and murmur tinged with anticipation of the looming conflict that hung over them like a dark cloud.

Seated around the flickering flames, Rory leaned in close to Camille, her voice barely above a whisper, as Maddie conversed with Clarisse and the other Ares campers, their boisterous chatter a stark contrast to the rest of the conversations between the demigods.

"What do you think about the whole thing?" Rory asked her.

"It's weird, isn't it?" Camille responded, her voice betraying a hint of unease as her gaze flickered towards Maddie's animated figure before settling back on Rory. "It definitely wasn't supposed to come out like this, but someone at camp must've spread the rumor."

Val and Rory frowned at that. In the dimness of the night, Rory leaned closer, straining to discern Camille's expression amidst the shadows.

"What do you mean?" Val asked, and Rory glanced over at her, her eyes inadvertently catching sight of Luke and Chris engaged in whispered conversation nearby over her shoulder. The flickering flames of the bonfire danced eerily, casting long shadows across the campsite as the night deepened.

"I mean, that this is what they want. To cause a divide, to pit us against each other. Whoever spread it is getting exactly what they wanted."

It was true. But Camille didn't have to know that it was Rory herself who had played a role in spreading the rumor. Instead, she chose to remain silent, preferring not to draw attention to herself.