{𝟒) 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟-𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 | 𝙻𝚞𝚔𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚗

10.

⚔︎Ψ 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 {𝟏𝟏} Ψ⚔︎

𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚, I looked out from the boat and down below. I thought to myself if it would be better if I just simply... jumped? If I simply just ended it all?

But what would happen to Hayley? To us? How could I live with myself to do any of that? I watched the patterns of the sea flow beneath the ship as I shook my head and walked back in.

Staring at Kronos sarcophagus, I groaned softly and told him "Our...spies have been working to success, my lord. Camp Half-Blood had sent for a quest just as you predicted and with that...our side of the bargain will be complete."

I looked in the mirror seeing myself made anew compared to a few months ago when I last saw her. My beautiful...girlfriend.

One day...I would...have to call her something else...

Excellent. Kronos spoke, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Once we have the means to navigate, I will lead the vanguard through myself.

I sighed and shut my eyes, shaking my head lightly, "my lord, perhaps it is too soon. Perhaps Krios or Hyperion should lead–" but he ignored me completely.

No. I will lead. One more heart shall join our cause, and that will be sufficient. At last, I shall finally rise from Tartarus.

Trying to argue, "but the form, my lord..." my voice was shaking with anxiety and nervousness.

Show me your sword, Luke Castellan.

I didn't enjoy hearing my full name, so I simply shut my eyes and drew my sword as he grumbled, you plead yourself to me. You took this sword as proof of your oath. He spat at me.

"Yes, my lord...it's just-" but I couldn't finish with this Titan.

You wanted power. I gave you that. You are now beyond harm. I thought after seeing your little lover you'd finally understand you belong to only me. I set you free for a day not your entire life. Do you not wish to avenge everything? Just as you sought. To see Olympus crumble and fall?

I was now...regretting my choices, "yes." I spoke with a shaky voice.

His coffin began to glow, lighting up the room entirely as I shielded my eyes lightly, then make ready the strike force. As soon as the bargain is done, we shall move forward. First, Camp Half-Blood will be reduced to ashes. Once those bothersome heroes are eliminated, we will march on Olympus.

Suddenly there was a knock on the stateroom doors, the light from Kronos coffin dimmed and I rose slipping my sword back in its sheath as I adjusted myself speaking, "come in."

The doors opened and 2 dracaenae slithered inside, snake women with double serpent trunks instead of legs. In between was an empousa, she...has a crush on me. To be honest I never understood what the big deal about me was.

And my heart belonged to Hayley....

And it would only ever belong to her...

She flirtatiously walked in walking up to me, "hi Luke...." she elongated her words.

She wore a red dress and looked more human...hiding her true form to try and appeal to me.

"What the hell do you want?" I asked her annoyed and tired of her already just in the first few seconds.

Kelli pouted at me, "well that's not very nice Luke...you look tense...maybe you need to...relax. Maybe...some company?" She asked, approaching me holding my shoulder as I stared at her hand that rested upon my collar and chest.

"Are you...frustrated, I can take your mind...off of anything..." she whispered close to me as I grabbed her arm tightly and pinned it against her back.

She scoffed at my sudden actions as I tightened my grip and heard her wince in pain, "if you have something to report then say it. If not, leave!" I spat out, shoving her away.

Turning to look at me she argued, "you know...I hear all this talk about 'this and that' of you. Then suddenly as soon as you go see that stupid Daughter of Poseidon..."

I growled out, "she is not his daughter...."

She glared at me saying, "you were so much funner before she dropped into the picture!"

Listening to her I shouted, "nothing happened between us besides your fake fantasies!"

Watching Kelli close the gap of space between us she leaned closer to my lips and to my ear, "maybe...I should go find her...get a little...rise...out of you. Don't you think so?"

I grabbed her arm, "you wouldn't dare even lay a hand on her or I swear I will rid you of this existence in the very way I would any of my enemies..."

Kelli smiled my way realizing she found a weak spot, "having weakness Lukey...isn't good. It dulls the senses...just like now. The advanced team is ready but there's a presence, we're being watched." She told me and I tilted my head.

She shut my mouth and looked around the room and began to lunge her large teeth morphing into her true form quickly and...nothing.

I laughed at her saying, "oh aren't you a waste of time."

Walking out of the room she followed me, "I swear I felt something! What if it was Percy Jackson!"

I stopped in my path and looked at her, "just shut up."

Kelli crossed her arms as she said, "you used to be a lot looser and...what's the word? Oh yeah not so uptight a few months ago...right before you visited your little girlfriend. What happened? I know Lord Kronos pressured you to become his host..."

She spoke closer to my cheek with a grin plastered across her face, "what did he allow to happen just so you'll agree to being his host..."

My voice was caught in my throat as flashes of that day and the ones...at night...appeared in my head.

Her voice was like a siren calling out to me, her eyes I could stare in for days and never tire of them.

So...beautiful...

"Nothing." I finally spoke, "well...your body...clearly doesn't say it's nothing" I was confused by what she was referring to as I looked down and she cackled at me.

I grabbed her by her wrist.

"So, he let you and her...wow..." she laughed again as I warned her.

"Kelli, you so much...lay a hand on her, I become your enemy. And believe me...you don't fear me, and I can easily kill you just as I have already done with many monsters in the past. You're nothing..."

She stayed silent listening to my voice, perhaps she will finally listen for once I let go of her hastily as she turned around and walked away.

I meanwhile entered the bathroom and stared into the mirror. I groaned, rubbing my face as I turned on the faucet and splashed some water onto my face.

I don't even know. Try to ignore what just happened. I gripped the sides of the sink and shook my head softly and maybe shed a few tears to myself...

Becoming Kronos host was scary...but at least I was able to give Hayley...something special for one day. I hope...it was enough...

Of course it wasn't...

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Poor Luke...and yes he is like 20 and guys when they think of their girls get like this, were gonna see Hayley probably at her worst by the end which seems so stupid just cause every year it seems like she's at her worst...

This is crazy...