𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓, 𝐏𝐉𝐎 𝐱 𝐇𝐏

𝟎𝟎𝟖.𝟏

Francis didn't come back.

Sixtine had tried to swallow the bitterness that coated her tongue when Chiron relayed that Francis intended to stay in Lyon with their adoptive parents until the start of his semester at Beauxbaton.

They tried to fool her by saying it was due to the distance, but Sixtine knew they were lying.

"You okay?" She looked up when Luke came to sit beside her near the beach, her sword fighting teacher was an exceptionally friendly person, he was one of the oldest in the camp and acted like a mentor for all of them.

"Yeah," Sixtine wrapped her arms around herself, "Just Francis didn't come back so i miss him,"

Luke nodded sympathetically, his gaze softening. "I get it. It's hard when someone you care about isn't around. But you're strong, Sixtine. Stronger than you know."

Sixtine sighed, staring out at the waves crashing gently against the shore. "I just thought he'd be here, you know? We always faced everything together. Now I'm going to Hogwarts alone."

Luke looked away to the sea himself, "Alone," he mused, "Yeah the gods have made us all alone, haven't they?"

Sixtine glanced at Luke, surprised by the anger in his voice, "The gods?"

Luke's expression hardened slightly, his eyes darkening. "Yeah, the gods. They put us in these situations, force us to face challenges, and then expect us to figure everything out on our own."

Sixtine frowned, feeling a pang of unease. "I never thought of it that way. I mean, I know they don't make things easy, but..."

"But nothing," Luke interrupted, his tone sharper than usual. "We all have to deal with their whims, their games. Look at you, Sixtine. Your father, your family history—it's all a mess because of them."

Sixtine looked down, feeling the weight of his words. "I just want to understand why things are the way they are."

"And you can," Luke's voice started edging on desperation then, "You can understand, Sixtine. You just need to help me,"

"Help you?" Sixtine asked softly.

"Yes, Help me, I have a plan just help me s-" He was cut off as Lee from the Apollo cabin ran towards them.

"Hey you," Lee tugged at Sixtine's hand, "Let's eat dinner, don't want you to starve, Luke you too, come on,"

Sixtine glanced between Luke and Lee, sensing the urgency in Luke's plea but also recognizing the need to join the others for dinner. She gave Luke a reassuring nod. "We'll talk later, okay? I promise."

Luke nodded back, his expression still serious but appreciative. "Okay. Later."

Sixtine felt a sense of unease fill her head at how Luke had talked, he'd looked desperate, as if he didn't go through with whatever he wanted, his own life would be at risk. It made Sixtine worry for him.

The entirety of August was spent in training and singing camp fire songs. Camp Half Blood felt like home, like a warm hug on a cold day. As the days passed, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Luke was keeping something from her, something serious and potentially dangerous. His plea for help echoed in her thoughts, and she found herself watching him closely during training sessions and gatherings, trying to decipher any clues in his behaviour. She tried talking to Luke again, but the boy acted as if he didn't know what she was talking about or changed the subject immediately.

September 1st was right around the corner and Sixtine was beyond panicked, did she have everything? Had she packed enough? What if they held her back at security check on airport? Oh my god, what if her owl, Gideon ended up dying on the journey to London?