The Hero Gone Wrong

Chapter 14

Lots of things shocked me during the next few years.

First of all, Luke came back.

I don't know how or why, but the day after he was kicked off the cliff, he walked into my room. No scars or scratches. No broken bones. Perfectly normal.

When I asked him, all he said was "Time flies," with a wink.

When I asked him to elaborate, he refused.

And for the rest of the day, he was the Luke that I liked to call my friend.

The Luke who smiled and made jokes. Who ruffled my hair and jokingly slapped my head.

Then, everything changed.

He became paler, more nervous. He was jumpy and angry.

I asked Noah about it one day. He didn't give me a clear answer either, just said "He's adjusting."

However, Luke continued to train with me.

He taught me everything he knew. He wasn't afraid to spar and beat me up. I'd often find new bruises and cuts.

But I'd gotten better over the years. I managed to keep up, and even give him some new scratches of his own.

This made him proud. He didn't smile as much as he used to, but I knew him well enough to know he was pleased.

One day, he pulled me aside, "Perce, stuff's about to go down."

I felt my head tilt to the side, "What do you mean?"

He glanced behind him, as if worried about people watching us. When he saw no one, he sighed and leaned closer to me.

"Percy, things are changing. Something's going to happen this year. Something big. When it does, I'll no longer be around. I want you to lead on for me. Do what I'd do, okay?" He added a wink on the last part, which made me suspicious, but I nodded anyway.

He smiled, "Be careful Percy."

And the next day, the Labyrinth opened.

***

In the Labryninth everyone was tagged with a specific job. Luke got to work on battle plans and oversee the fights. Mark, Chris, and Pheobe were to make a map of it. Katelyn was to find an opening into the Roman Camp, and I was to recruit a new demigod.

Apparently, the Camp had found a demigod last year. Two, actually. A boy and a girl, children of Hades. The girl had joined the Hunters of Artemis, and died on a quest. The boy was angered by this, and had gone rogue. Word was he was in the Labryninth, and it was my job to find him.

Nico di Angelo I read from the file Silena had given me. 11 years old, son of Hades. Very powerful. Beneficial to have on your side. Young and angry. Should be an easy recruit, but approach with caution.

Yes, I had a file. We may be evil, but we sure are organized.

I stopped at a cave opening, which glittered with a blue triangle. The mark of Daedalus. An entrance to the Labrynith. Taking a deep breath, I went into the blackness.

***

Finding Nico turned out to be the easy part. It was recruiting him that was hard.

"Why should I come with you?" He asked, crossing his arms.

If I didn't know how powerful he was, I would've laughed and given up hours ago. He was around a foot shorter than me, his sword was almost as long as his legs, and he constantly had to move his hair to look at me. In other words, he looked pathetic.

But I knew how powerful he was, and how beneficial he would be.

Plus, I might get killed if I didn't bring him back. I didn't like being killed. Being killed isn't fun.

"You know why, Nico." I told him. "You can get revenge on Zeus and Hades. The gods who killed your mother and locked you in a hotel, then allowed your sister to be killed."

Nico narrowed his eyes, "We've had this conversation before, and I haven't given you a clear answer. What makes you think I'll agree now?"

"Look Nico," I began, "I can't pretend to understand you, but if you go back to Camp, you'll become their warrior. They'll make you fight and fight and fight. You'll never get any time to yourself. All because you're the child of Hades. They'll expect you to be this great guy who never does anything wrong."

"How do you know?"

"I've met Thalia Grace. She became a hunter to avoid the responsibility. And I'm a child of Poseidon. I understand what it's like to be a mistake, something that should never have happened. I was with them for a few months before I came to Kronos, and the difference is drastic."

Nico looked to be considering. "How do I know you'll keep your promises? How do I know you'll protect me and that I'll be safe?"

"I swear on the River Styx that I'll protect and guide you, if you chose to accept."

Thunder roared in the background, sealing a promise I might not be able to keep.

Nico nodded, "I accept."

"Great!" I smiled at him, "Now, let's go get you settled."

***

Only one more person was needed to complete the rising. I wanted to tell Luke about my success with Nico, but I couldn't find him anywhere. I asked Silena about it, but she gave me a sad look before shaking her head.

I had no idea what that meant.

But there were more pressing matters.

And two hours later, I stood in front of the golden coffin as Ethan Nakamura pledged his allegiance to Kronos.

The coffin opened, blinding us viewers with a golden light.

When the light died down, we moved closer. I felt bile rise in my throat as I saw the scene inside.

Luke laid there, eyes closed. He was dressed in his usual clothes, but didn't seem to be breathing.

I turned to Mark to ask a question, but he shushed me.

The puzzle piece that Ethan had created slowly sunk into Luke's body, filling a small hole in his chest.

Luke's chest then began to move, showing he was breathing, then his eyes snapped open.

We all stumbled back as Luke climbed out of the coffin, his newly golden eyes fixed on us.

"It is good to be back." He said, a deep voice resonating from his mouth. Not his voice. Kronos's.

"I am pleased to see you all here. You all have aided in my rising." He continued, examining his hands.

"Now," he raised his head, revealing a wicked grin, "Let's prepare to kill some gods, shall we?"

***

To this day, that is still the worst thing I've ever seen.

Yet, somehow, it only got worse from there.

With literally everything being cancelled or closed, I have no excuse not to update. Sorry if these past few chapters were a bit boring, my outline didn't exactly work correctly...

Anyway, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed! There is currently one chapter left, plus some extra scenes from Heroes of Olympus!