𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄. percy jackson

𝟐𝟎. the end of the start

magnolia dove 𝔁 percy jackson
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
CHAPTER 20: THE END OF THE START

MAGNOLIA WAS sitting on her cabin steps, watching the path anxiously, waiting for Percy to come back alive. She was back to wearing the same old clothes she had to at camp and being questioned by her siblings why she still hadn't unpacked yet, everything was back to normal.

She instantly recognized the familiar mop of blonde curls and she instantly relaxed a little bit, knowing Percy was safe back at camp. She sprinted up to him, ignoring other people's stares and applause as she hugged him, resting her chin on his shoulder and she smiled softly to herself at how awkward he was being about it, hesitantly hugging her back. "Did you see her yet?" Magnolia whispered in his ear, the boy looking around and spotting Clarisse's glare at him and Magnolia. "Why is she..." he began softly.

"Don't worry. Annabeth'll explain everything, I have to unpack still," Magnolia whispered. 

Percy was silent for a moment before he nodded softly. "You have no idea do you?" he asked her quietly. 

"Not a clue, no," Magnolia whispered back, both demigods unable to keep the smile off their faces as they chuckled. 

───────── ⋆⋅🪩⋅⋆ ─────────

Magnolia and Luke had been friends ever since Magnolia arrived at camp, however long ago that might've been. Luke showed her around the camp and gave her his old sleeping bag from when he was new. She remembered his unscarred face and his soft smile, she remembered how he didn't speak to her for months after his quest, opting to talk to his friends who were much older than her. If she had had enough time on the quest, she probably would've missed him, but that was the past. 

"The quest is over, and everything the Oracle said has either come true or makes sense," Percy told Luke, Magnolia hiding behind a tree as they talked. 

"Has it?" Luke asked. 

"You shall go west and face the God who has turned," Percy recited.

"Ares. Okay."

"Find what was stolen and see it returned." 

"Clearly the bolt." 

"And you shall be betrayed... by one who calls you a friend." Percy finished. Magnolia was watching from afar, unable to miss the betrayal on Percy's face as he continued explaining. 

"Well, the reason Clarisse is still here is because... you never said anything to Chiron about her. Did you? You couldn't... because you knew Clarisse didn't steal the bolt. You did. You worked with Ares to plant it on me so when the shoes you gave me pulled me down into Tartarus, the bolt would be delivered right to Kronos." 

"I didn't think you'd give 'em to Grover to wear," Luke admitted weakly. 

Magnolia felt like her heart had fallen to her stomach. Sure, she hadn't had any meaningful conversations with him in months and she now had Annabeth, Grover, and Percy by her side. Yet somehow, those things didn't reassure her in any way. 

"I am your friend, Percy. None of this was meant to betray you. The gods are my enemy. You... I'm here to recruit." Luke told Percy, determination laced in his voice and etched into his face. 

"Recruit?" Percy asked.

Luke nodded softly before turning and unsheathing his sword, causing Percy to uncap Riptide and Magnolia to grip Annabeth's dagger tightly in agony to the point her knuckles turned white.