Born To Die

Attack

As we approach the coast, the skyline of Miami slowly comes into view. The sunlight bounces off the buildings, casting a golden glow over the water. The others are preparing below deck, going over strategies and weapon checks. Luke's been bouncing between giving orders and making sure the crew is in line, but every time he passes me, his eyes linger, making it clear he hasn't forgotten our promise.

I lean against the railing, my mind racing as I try to sort out my thoughts. There's so much riding on this. We need to intercept Percy and his team before they can get their hands on the Golden Fleece. They're a threat, especially Percy. But it's not just the Fleece—it's the power behind it. Luke wants it for Kronos, for our mission, for the future we've been promised.

But part of me can't stop thinking about the real cost of this. I push those thoughts aside, trying to focus on the task ahead. My heart still pounds with the memory of the Kraken, of nearly drowning, of Luke saving me. The promise we made to each other to never let something like that happen again keeps replaying in my head. No matter what happens, we'll be together.

Luke comes up from below deck, his eyes finding mine immediately. There's something in his gaze—a determination that feels unshakable. He crosses the deck, closing the distance between us, and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me against him.

"We're almost there," he says, his voice low but steady.

I nod, resting my head on his shoulder for a moment. "Do you think it'll work?"

His lips brush against my temple. "It has to. We've planned for this. Percy doesn't know what's coming."

"Are we really ready, though?" I ask, my voice quieter than I intended.

Luke pulls back slightly, looking down at me with a soft smile. "We're always ready, Isla. You and me? We're unstoppable. Don't doubt that."

Before I can respond, Chris comes up from behind, interrupting the moment. "Hey, we're getting close. Everyone's ready. We just need you two to finalize the plan."

Luke nods, giving my waist one last squeeze before turning to Chris. "Alright. Let's go."

The three of us make our way below deck where the rest of the team is gathered. The room feels tense, but focused. Evan's sitting at a table, tracing a map of the Sea of Monsters. Darcy and Sadia are in the corner, discussing their roles, while Duncan and Heavenly are prepping weapons. It's almost eerie how organized everything is, how smoothly Luke has been running this operation.

Luke clears his throat and everyone falls silent, turning toward him.

"Alright, everyone, listen up. Percy and his group should be coming ashore soon. We know they're after the Golden Fleece, so our job is to cut them off before they get too far. We'll split into teams—Isla and I will take point, Darcy and Chris will head up the southern side, and Evan will handle communication from the ship."

He looks around the room, his eyes narrowing in focus. "We're not just stopping them. We're taking the Fleece for Kronos. And we're sending a message that we're not to be underestimated."

There's a murmur of agreement as the team nods, gearing up for the mission. I exchange a glance with Darcy, her eyes filled with excitement and determination. She's always been one to relish the chaos of battle, unlike me, who would rather just get things over with.

Luke looks over at me, his eyes locking with mine as he speaks to the group. "Remember—Percy is dangerous, but he's not unbeatable. Stick to the plan, and we'll win."

There's a sharp clap as he finishes, and the crew starts preparing in earnest. I walk over to Luke, my heart pounding as the adrenaline builds. I reach out, grabbing his hand, pulling him close. "Whatever happens out there, we stick together."