Lucas woke to a cool breeze drifting through his tent flap, sunlight filtering softly through the canvas walls. Memories from the previous night lingered: warm laughter, cake, quiet conversations, and painful revelations. He still felt a faint ache from Thalia's story, though a comforting warmth remained, knowing how deeply they'd come to trust each other.
Stretching, he pulled himself from his sleeping bag and quickly dressed before stepping outside. He expected a quiet morning, perhaps a lazy breakfast, but instead found someone already waiting for him. Thalia stood near the edge of the trees, arms folded, her face unreadable.
"Something wrong?" Lucas asked, approaching her.
She hesitated briefly. "After last night, I thought I could finally face my fears. I planned to talk to Luke this morning. But when I asked for him, they said he wasn't there, yet whhen I asked Annabeth, she insists he's still in his cabin."
"Why would he lie?"
"I don't know," she said quietly, glancing away. "I was hoping you could talk to him. He obviously isn't willing to see me right now. Maybe he'll open up to you."
Lucas offered a reassuring smile. "Of course. I'll wash up and head to his cabin now."
"Thanks, Lucas," Thalia murmured softly.
"Don't worry about it."
Lucas quickly cleaned himself up before heading toward the Hermes Cabin. When he arrived, he quietly entered and made his way to Luke's bunk, where he found him lying motionlessly, staring at the ceiling.
Without a word, Lucas pulled a nearby chair close and sat down. "Want to explain?"
"Explain what?" Luke muttered, refusing to meet Lucas's eyes. "Just leave me alone."
"Luke, we both know how much you care for Thalia," Lucas pressed gently. "Lying about your location and hiding in bed isn't like you."
Luke stayed silent, clearly struggling. Realizing Lucas wouldn't leave until he spoke, Luke sighed deeply. "Last night, after the party, I wanted to talk to Thalia. You know, see if there was even a possibility for us. But then I saw her heading towards your tent..." His voice faltered briefly. "I was going to leave, but then I heard her crying. I stopped. That's when I overheard everything. I can't face her knowing her deepest secrets, things she obviously didn't want me to know. If she finds out-"
"That's why you were avoiding me!?" a voice interrupted sharply. "You idiot!"
Luke jolted upright, startled.
Standing next to Luke, Thalia magically appeared. Arms folded, eyes fierce.
Luke whipped his head toward Lucas, who wore a satisfied grin. Luke's eyes narrowed. "You set me up."
Lucas rose from his chair calmly. "I'll leave you two alone. Clearly, you have a few things to talk about."
Luke shot Lucas a glare. "I'll get you back for this!"
Lucas chuckled, stepping out and closing the door behind him. Quietly, he set up silencing wards around the door before conjuring a "Please Do Not Disturb" sign and placing it carefully on the handle.
...
Later, Luke continued glaring at Lucas, even as Annabeth chatted happily with Thalia. Lucas simply enjoyed his meal, feigning innocence.
Their peaceful lunch was abruptly interrupted as a camper sprinted toward them, clearly distressed. Barely stopping to catch their breath, the camper blurted out, "Chiron needs you at the Big House - he said it's urgent!"
Confused but sensing the seriousness, the group quickly abandoned their meal and rushed toward the Big House. They found Chiron and Mr. D waiting expectantly on the porch, a game of pinochle paused between them.
Mr. D locked eyes briefly with Lucas before turning lazily toward Luke. Swirling his goblet of Diet Coke, he drawled sarcastically, "Hear this decree. Under the infinite wisdom of Olympus, we follow Hermes' whim to allow three brats to venture forth on a quest of utmost importance-"
"Mr. D," Chiron interrupted patiently, "please be serious."
"Fine," Mr. D sighed dramatically, returning his gaze to the cards on the table. "You explain, then."
Chiron cleared his throat. "Olympus has lost an artifact of symbolic importance-"
Mr. D snorted. "Symbolic embarrassment, more like."
Chiron continued, ignoring the interruption. "We require you, Luke, to retrieve the Chains of Prometheus, stolen recently and rumored to be sold at an underground auction in Las Vegas. This task must be handled discreetly."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Prometheus' chains? That sounds serious."
Before Chiron could respond, Mr. D interjected again, rolling his eyes. "They're ancient, powerless, purely symbolic. Olympus merely wishes to avoid embarrassment."
Luke frowned slightly. "Then why choose me?"
Chiron smiled. "Hermes believed you were the most suitable for this quest."
"More like we couldn't be bothered and Hermes offered his son as sacrifice." Mr. D shrugged dismissively.
Though a steely gaze from Chiron caused him to explain.
"No god particularly cared, apart from a few comments from Hermes and Athena no one else spoke out. Hermes decided to send you and the gods agreed, turning back to more important matters, like which nymph Zeus has his eyes on."
Chiron sighed, turning back to Luke. "A quest traditionally consists of three demigods. This is the safest number; any more, and the others may not return safely. As the recipient of this quest, Luke, you must choose two companions."
A heavy silence descended as they exchanged meaningful glances, knowing immediately who had to be left behind.
Luke knelt before Annabeth gently. "You should stay, Annabeth. You're too young, and it's far too dangerous."
Annabeth crossed her arms stubbornly, scowling. Luke smiled reassuringly. "We'll be back before you even have time to miss us."
Her expression softened slightly. "You better. You always leave me behind."
Thalia embraced her warmly, ruffling her hair. "When you're older, you'll get to leave us behind instead. Deal?"
Annabeth sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Deal."
They returned to their tents to gather supplies and equipment. Lucas checked his old daggers carefully, noting it would be one of the last times he'd rely on this set. He felt anticipation for the new forged blades waiting at the forge on his return.
Chiron and Annabeth accompanied them to the boundary of Half-Blood Hill. Lucas waved a final goodbye, feeling a slight pang of guilt at leaving Annabeth behind again, but confident she was safe under Chiron's protection.
Without another word, the trio slipped beyond the camp's protective barrier, turning westward toward whatever awaited them.