Born To Die

We recruit others

Isla's POV:

Weeks had passed since Luke and I first began sneaking out to meet with Kronos. We were in deeper than ever, not just with each other but with our plan to recruit demigods to the cause. It was becoming our secret routine—train, flirt, steal moments of affection, and then sneak out after dark, slipping away from camp unnoticed. Our mission was clear: build an army, starting with those who felt betrayed or overlooked by the gods. It was easier than I expected to find the cracks in their loyalty.

The first to join was Chris Rodriguez, Luke's half-brother. Chris had always idolized Luke, and convincing him that the gods didn't care about us came naturally. One night, after a particularly grueling sparring session, Luke and I pulled him aside.

"You ever feel like they're just using us?" Luke began, the casual tone masking the weight of his words. "All we do is fight their battles, clean up their messes, and for what? A cabin? Some crumbs of attention?"

Chris looked up from the sword he'd been cleaning, his brows furrowed. "I don't know... I guess I've never thought about it like that."

"You should," I added, leaning against a tree, playing my part. "Think about it, Chris. Your father barely acknowledges you. Is this really the life you want? Doing everything for them and getting nothing in return?"

Chris paused, considering, before nodding. "I see what you're saying. So, what are you suggesting?"

Luke smiled, his voice soft but commanding. "Kronos offers a better deal. Power. Respect. A chance to change things."

Chris wasn't hard to convince. His loyalty to Luke made it easy. He nodded slowly, his decision made. Another piece added to our growing rebellion.

Next was Alison Lyss, daughter of Iris. She had always been quiet, almost invisible among the other campers, which made her the perfect candidate for our cause. Luke and I approached her by the stables, where she often spent time alone.

"You know, the gods don't even see you," I said, casually leaning on the fence next to her.

She blinked up at me, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it," Luke interjected. "Iris is a messenger, nothing more. The gods don't value her or her children. You're just background to them."

Alison looked away, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I know... it's always felt that way."

"You don't have to be invisible," I said, taking a step closer. "With us, you could be seen. Kronos values everyone who joins him. He offers power to those willing to take it."

It took time, but eventually, Alison agreed. The hunger to be more than a forgotten child of a minor goddess was enough to pull her to our side.

Evan Cox, son of Demeter, was more of a challenge. He wasn't driven by power or resentment like the others. He was calm, grounded—more focused on nature and the balance of things. We found him tending to the camp gardens one evening, the smell of fresh earth in the air.

"I'm not interested in any war," Evan said firmly, after we first broached the subject.

"We're not asking you to fight," Luke said smoothly. "We're offering you a chance to restore balance. The gods, they're out of control. They take and take from the earth, from us. Kronos wants to restore order, a true balance."

Evan hesitated, wiping his hands on his pants. "And you think Kronos is the answer?"

"He's the only one who cares about the future," I added. "The gods are only focused on their own power. But Kronos... he's about restoring the natural order. Don't you want to see the earth thrive again?"

It was slow going, but Evan eventually saw the truth—or rather, the truth we wanted him to see. He agreed to join us, convinced that Kronos could offer something better than the indifferent gods.

The next recruit was Heavenly Nelson, daughter of Hecate. She had always been distant, drawn to her own magic and the mysteries of the universe. Luke knew exactly how to approach her, appealing to her thirst for knowledge and power.

"You could be so much more," Luke said, standing beside her as she practiced her spells one night. "The gods keep your power limited, but Kronos? He'd unlock everything Hecate's bloodline has to offer. Think of the magic you could wield."

Heavenly turned to us, eyes alight with interest. "What do you mean?"

I stepped forward, my voice steady. "They've kept you from reaching your full potential, kept you in the dark. With Kronos, you could be one of the most powerful demigods to ever exist. Don't you want that?"

Heavenly was quick to agree. Power was her weakness, and we knew just how to offer it.

Duncan Jefferson, son of Ares, was the hardest. He thrived on violence and conflict, but his loyalty to his father was strong. We had to use his own nature against him—convincing him that Ares was holding him back from the true battles he could be fighting.

Luke approached him after a particularly brutal sparring match, where Duncan had wiped the floor with a few campers.

"You're stronger than any of them," Luke said, leaning against the fence, watching Duncan with admiration. "You should be leading them into war, not sitting around waiting for Ares to throw you a bone."

Duncan wiped the sweat from his brow, giving Luke a sideways glance. "And what? Fight for Kronos?"

Luke nodded. "Kronos knows strength. He respects it. He's offering us real power, Duncan. Power that Ares will never give you."

Duncan smirked, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Fine. I'll join."

And just like that, we had a small circle of recruits—Chris, Alison, Evan, Duncan and Heavenly. Together, we were planning something much bigger than any of them realized. Luke and I would make sure of it.