After a quick checkup, they decided to leave the town, wary of more monsters being drawn to the area. They piled into the car and Lucas drove them out. A few miles beyond the town limits, they pulled over and made camp.
Gathered around a small campfire, they prepared some food. Lucas watched Luke and Thalia closely, noting the quiet awkwardness between them, the way their eyes lingered but didn't quite meet. Whatever happened with the Sirens, it had changed them. For the better. Thalia seemed... lighter. Less guarded. Luke might actually have a chance now.
Feeling something shift in his pocket, Lucas reached in and pulled out the small guinea pig. It wriggled and squeaked in protest as he playfully rubbed its fur. It even tried to bite him a few times.
Luke and Thalia stared.
They exchanged glances.
Luke shrugged. Thalia shook her head.
Neither had a clue.
"Uh, Lucas..." Luke asked cautiously. "What's with the hamster?"
"Guinea pig," Lucas corrected, holding it up like a trophy. "And his name is Harold."
Another look between the two. This time, more concerned.
"Lucas," Thalia said slowly, "why do you have a guinea pig?"
"Well," Lucas began, raising his voice as if addressing a grand audience, "Harold" Emphasising his name, "tried to eat me. So now he's my partner."
He smiled and resumed petting the disgruntled guinea pig.
Thalia closed her eyes, rubbing her brow as if warding off a headache. "Story. Now."
Lucas sighed and gave them the tale: how he'd fought a Drakon alone while they were under the Sirens' spell. Both Luke and Thalia exploded in shock and envy, asking why they couldn't experience such a legendary battle. Hearing how Lucas danced around the monster with illusions and wires, before turning it into Harold, left them speechless.
They looked at the guinea pig again.
It looked like it had accepted its fate as it gave up fighting Lucas, its eyes almost lifeless.
"So," Lucas finished, rubbing the creature's head. "That's how Harold and I met. What about you two, what happened?"
Though still holding the animal, the playfulness had left his eyes. Concern replaced it.
Luke, sensing the shift, nodded.
"Well... after we split, Thalia and I wandered into the festival. We heard music. Next thing we knew, we were being drawn in."
He glanced at Thalia. She didn't speak, just nodded, her expression unreadable.
Luke cleared his throat. "I woke up in this... perfect world. The camp was full. The cabins were built for every god, even the minor ones. Everyone had a place. My family was whole. I was whole. I tried to accept it, but..."
"But what?" Lucas asked gently.
Luke hesitated, then sighed. "You happened."
Lucas blinked. "What?"
Lucas was confused. How could he have helped Luke escape the siren's grip when he himself was across town fighting a Drakon.
"I mean, dream-you," Luke clarified. "Ever since we met, you've had my back. You've guided me, helped me. Saved me, more than once. I think... my subconscious understood this and acted through you in the dream. You were the one who snapped me out of the idea that the dream was real or that I truly wanted to stay."
Lucas gave a slow smile, surprised Luke had such a high opinion of him.
Luke ignored that smile understanding when the time was right Lucas would undoubtedly tease him for saying such a thing.
"Anyway," Luke continued, "once I broke free, the Sirens hit me with my fears. My worst memories. But I didn't run. Not this time. I accepted them. And I moved on, that must have been the last illusion as I came to on the ground, after killing the sirens I came to check on Thalia but she had broken free on her own."
Lucas nodded slowly. Then, activating his Veil Sight, he studied Luke. The roiling fury and guilt that once bubbled beneath the surface had dulled. Not gone, but contained and he radiated natural confidence, no longer needing to force it out. Focused. Lucas deactivated the Sight and gave a small, proud smile.
Luke must have noticed something, because he returned the smile with a subtle nod.
"You two done?" Thalia broke in, deadpan. "Or do I need to give you some privacy?"
They laughed, and the tension eased.
Then Thalia glanced down at her hands, quiet for a moment before speaking. "They tried to trap me with the same dream. But... that memory. The one with my mom, Jason... it shattered the illusion before I even had the chance to fall for it."
Neither of the boys said anything. They didn't need to.
Luke reached out. Gently, he took her hand.
She didn't pull away.
Lucas blinked. That alone said everything.
"They forced me to relive it," she continued. "Over and over. Eventually I released my fury, breaking free and waking to Luke crouching beside me."
Lucas nodded. "Sounds like you finally processed it. Stopped running from it. You even let Luke hold your hand, definitely some emotional growth there."
She rolled her eyes, but didn't let go.
"Well," Lucas said, stretching, "looks like today we all equally gained something out of today.
"Equally?" Luke sputtered. "Me and Thalia suffered trauma! You got a fuzzy sidekick!"
Lucas held Harold protectively, even covering his ears. "Hush. You'll hurt his feelings with all that shouting."
Luke was incredulous, about to argue, but Thalia giggled and tugged him back by the collar.
"We'll take the first watch," she said. "You go get some rest."
Lucas nodded, catching the glance she gave Luke. She wanted to talk. Alone.
He dipped his head in understanding and retreated to his tent.
Harold squeaked once in protest as Lucas tucked him into a small pouch beside his sleeping bag.
"I know," Lucas whispered, grinning. "They're dramatic."
And with that, he drifted off to sleep.