Burning Bright

Luke POV

The magical energies that flowed from Aphrodite's mirror felt electric in the air around us as we stepped outside, the sunlight warm against my skin. I glanced at Summer and Miles, both of them still trying to process what had just happened inside the maze. I felt a surge of responsibility wash over me; with every step, the weight of our next journey loomed ahead.Aphrodite's radiant presence filled the space, her beauty juxtaposed against the mirth in her eyes. "You have done well, children," she said, a soft smile gracing her lips. "But there is more for you to uncover. Find the 'wise girl.'"The name echoed in my mind while my friends exchanged confused glances. "The wise girl?" Summer asked, a furrow in her brow."I know who it is," I said, my heart racing. The term hit me like a wave, an echo of my father's voice calling my mother that name—'wise girl.' I felt a spark of urgency to lead us toward our destination. "It's my mom."Miles' face went blank with realization, while Summer looked baffled. "Your mom?" she echoed. "Yes. I have to take you both to New York. That's where they live."With a sense of affirmation, we gathered ourselves. I turned to Aphrodite, who nodded knowingly. "Trust in her wisdom; she has much to share."We needed to travel fast. Not long after, a chilling gust of wind signaled the arrival of a taxi unlike any other. It screeched to a halt in front of us, the sign on top flickering ominously: "Chariot of Damnation." As we climbed into the vehicle, I was met by the grotesque sight of the Gray Sisters—three ancient hags with one eye and one tooth between them. Their twisted faces were a blend of horrifying and amusing as they bickered about who got to take the controls."Get your old claw off my eye!" one shrieked, the car jolting violently as she struggled with her sisters for control."Keep your tooth to yourself! I need to see who's in the passenger seat!" another retaliated, all while the chariot careened dangerously down the street."Um, ladies, we need to actually make it somewhere..." I stammered nervously, gripping the seat as my heart raced. They seemed to ignore me, too absorbed in their brawl. "Swap! Swap! Give it to me!" they yelled in an endless chorus, and I quickly realized this wasn't just a taxi ride; it was a chaotic wrestling match too.Somehow, amidst their squabble, we were rocketing through the city, blurred lines of buildings and pedestrians. Panic twisted into a strange humor as I watched them struggle, fists flailing and their only eye darting around like it was having a panic attack. In mere moments that felt like an eternity, we hurtled toward our destination, the chaos escalating to a near-hysterical climax.Finally, as they swerved wildly to the curb, the Chariot skidded to a halt in front of my parents' apartment building, and I barely managed to haul myself out of the cab, throwing a golden drachma at them for the wild ride. The sisters continued to fight, their shrill voices echoing as I closed the door behind me."Welcome home!" Miles chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief, as we crossed the threshold into the lobby."Let's go!" I urged, leading them up the familiar stairs. Each step felt like a reminder of my childhood, filled with warmth, laughter, and love. But my heart raced with anticipation—what would my mom say? Would she have the answers we sought?As we entered our apartment, the delightful aroma of fresh-baked cookies wafted through the air, instantly comforting. My grandmother, Sally Jackson, was in the kitchen, her warm smile breaking into a wide grin upon seeing me."Luke! And friends! Come in, come in! I just baked a batch of blue cookies!" she exclaimed, brushing flour off her hands. I couldn't help but feel my spirits lift. Grandma Sally always knew how to make everything feel right.As we settled at the small kitchen table, Miles reached for a cookie. The moment he bit into it, he blinked as steam poured from it, as if trapped from the heat of the oven. I opened my mouth to warn him, but surprisingly, he just kept going, gnawing through the blistering surface. "Are you sure you want to eat those yet?" I asked, but he waved me off, determination flashing in his eyes."Delicious," he said, his voice muffled and almost reverent. There was a peculiar confidence about him, something I hadn't fully noticed yet.Annabeth Chase and Percy Jackson appeared in the doorway, intrigued by our presence. "What's going on?" Annabeth asked, always the strategist. I quickly filled them in, explaining the quest, the mirror, and of Aphrodite's warning to seek out the 'wise girl.' My heart raced at the thought of my mom, the cool knowledge she possessed, and perhaps even her reassuring strength."I can't believe you've come back. We need to strategize," Annabeth said, her stormy grey eyes clouding over with focused determination. As we dove into the discussion, Annabeth shared her insights about navigating the conflicts that lay ahead, reminding us of our strengths and the importance of working together. It felt like the pieces of a grand puzzle were falling into place, and as we embarked on this discussion, I felt a swell of pride and hope in our capacity to take on whatever challenges awaited us.And though Miles continued to inhale the hot cookies like someone who hadn't eaten for days, I knew there was something extraordinary about each of us—an unspoken bond formed through our struggles and triumphs. Together, we would confront whatever came next, armed with friendship, wisdom, and a determination stronger than any barrier we faced."Let's prepare for the journey ahead," I said, looking around the table, ready for the next step into the unknown. All we had to do was believe in one another and trust the path that awaited us.

938 words