HER┃lukecastellan

9

LUKE, NO!

It left as sudden as it had come.

It wasn't real, it wasn't real.

It couldn't have been.

—

Time had passed as I stood in new surroundings, I could sense it.

How much, I couldn't know.

I only knew I had better become accustomed to it.

I would be weaving in and out of reality. It wasn't mine anymore, and it didn't need me.

It was rather dark, barely any light as I stared up through the tightly entwined branches of the trees.

It appeared to be dawn.

The skies were a deep purple with only streaks of pink and orange just beginning to line the edges of the horizon.

It was breathtaking, to be honest.

I broke my eyes away from the sight, deciding to focus on deciphering where I was.

And it didn't take long.

I was right back here again, tucked away in the same forest, same spot beside Thalia's tree.

But I wasn't alone.

A figure had made its presence known.

It loomed in the trees, cloaked in dark clothing.

As it drew closer, I saw it wore a hood.

It was impossible to distinguish its face.

Soon, it was a mere few steps away.

Then it stopped.

It stood directly across from me, right beside Thalia's pine as well.

Through the branches of her tree, I saw as it slipped out an object.

It would've been impossible to see, had it not been for the faint glow the object gave off.

It was held between the forefinger and thumb as it was raised up.

A vial, I realized.

A sickly colored substance was contained in it.

But not for long.

It was abruptly turned upside down, poured deep into the earth the pine tree inhabited.

Every last drop was soaked up before the empty vial returned to be hidden away once more.

The figure didn't spend a second longer.

It turned, the quick action causing for the hood it wore to slip off, revealing the blonde haired, blue-eyed son of Hermes.