Born To Die

I minipualte my little sister

After Luke made some minor progress on Backbiter, we both knew it was time to meet with Kronos. The sword would take time, but Kronos was impatient, always urging us forward, demanding more. That night, after leaving the forge, we snuck away from camp, our destination clear: Tartarus, where Kronos's presence lingered, waiting for our report.

The journey was quick, far too familiar by now. Luke and I had been making these secret trips for a while, slipping out under the cover of darkness, away from prying eyes. We passed the border of Camp Half-Blood and found the secluded entrance that led down to Tartarus, the place where Kronos's essence awaited us. The air grew colder as we descended, a chill that wasn't just physical but seemed to seep into our bones, a reminder of the danger we were walking into.

When we arrived, the presence of Kronos enveloped us almost immediately. His voice echoed in our minds, a low, commanding tone that sent shivers down my spine every time.

"Progress?" Kronos's voice was more than a question—it was an expectation.

Luke stepped forward, his expression confident, but I could feel the tension beneath the surface. "We've begun," he said. "The sword is in progress, but it'll take time. We're making it half celestial bronze, half steel, just like you wanted."

Kronos's presence seemed to loom closer, as if scrutinizing Luke's words. "Time is running out, Luke. I need results sooner, not later."

I could feel Luke's frustration building, but he kept his voice steady. "We're working as fast as we can, Lord Kronos. But we also need more demigods on our side. Isla and I have already started recruiting—Chris, Alison, Evan, Heavenly, Duncan—but we need more. Percy Jackson has just arrived at camp, and we think he could be useful."

Kronos paused, his voice cold. "Percy Jackson... he's more than useful. He's crucial. You must ensure he joins us. His potential is... limitless."

Luke glanced at me, and I nodded, understanding the weight of Kronos's words. Percy was new, but we'd seen the power he possessed. If we could turn him, it would be a major victory for us. But something about it still felt... off. I shook off the feeling. We had no choice now—we were in too deep.

"We'll make sure of it," I said, stepping forward. "But it's going to take time to gain his trust."

Kronos's voice darkened. "You don't have time, Isla. The solstice was just the beginning. Soon, the gods will know something is amiss. I need more than promises—I need results."

Luke clenched his fists but didn't argue. "We'll bring more to our cause. We've got others in mind, but Percy... Percy is key."

Kronos's presence seemed to shift, like he was considering something. "Good. You will also need to gather more allies. The more demigods you can sway, the stronger our army will be when the time comes. Do not waste your energy on weaklings. Choose those who will bring power, who will be loyal to the cause."

I felt a knot in my stomach as I listened. Recruiting more meant manipulating more kids like we had with Chris and the others. It was one thing to convince them to join us through promises of glory and power—it was another to trap them in something they couldn't escape from. But Luke didn't seem to share my hesitation.

"Understood," Luke said firmly. "We already have a few more in mind."

Kronos's voice softened, a hint of satisfaction in it now. "Good. Remember, Isla, Luke—this is only the beginning. Your power will grow, and soon, you'll be rewarded for your loyalty. But for now, continue the work. I expect to hear of more recruits soon."

As his presence began to fade, the cold air still lingered, the weight of his words pressing down on us. When Kronos was gone, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.