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chapter six ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
006. Well, Luke's a Bitch

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BEING KILLED BY JAVELIN-WIELDING BEARS WASN'T CASSIE'S IDEAL DEATH.

Annabeth wanted to go on her own to find Luke, but according to Cassie that wasn't happening.

Percy agreed. It was all of them together or nobody at all.

"Nobody! Please?" Tyson tried.

But he ended up coming anyways. They made a quick stop to grab their belongings. Staying on the ship another night was probably not an option.

Cassie placed her sunglasses on her head and tied the new red flannel around her waist.

Tyson was carrying all four bags. Percy and Cassie had offered to take one but Tyson was perfectly fine.

The four snuck around the boat, following the signs to the admiralty suite.

Annabeth went ahead, checking the halls invisibly. They ducked away when somebody passed, but it was only the passengers in a trance.

On deck thirteen, Annabeth's voice broke their silence as she stuffed them in a closet.

"Hide!"

Some guys were walking down the hall.

"You see that ethiopian drakon in the cargo hold?" One said.

"Yeah, it's awesome." Another chuckled.

Annabeth almost suffocated Cassie's arm with how tight she was holding.

Cassie got the hint and hit Percy's shoulder. They knew that voice.

"I hear they got two more coming. They keep arriving at this rate, oh, man-no contest." The familiar one told.

The voices became distant.

"That was Chris Rodriguez! You remember-from Cabin Eleven." Annabeth realized, now visible without her cap.

Cassie just remembered that Chris hadn't come to camp this summer. Normally he'd be hanging around in the arena with some of his other undetermined buddies.

Percy seemed to have the same thoughts as her.

"What's another half-blood doing here?"

Annabeth didn't know, shaking her head in response.

As they inched closer Percy got the feeling something evil was near.

"Percy." Annabeth halted and shot her hand out in a stop motion, but accidentally hit Cassie in the stomach.

"Ow!"

"Look."

They were near the edge of a glass barrier that blocked anyone from falling down a decorative hole through many stories.

At the bottom was a bunch of shops but it was the groups of monsters that had caught Annabeth's attention.

There was a bunch of Laistrygonian giants like the ones Percy had been attacked by at his school gym.

In the group were two hellhounds, and some . . .

"Scythian Dracaenae," Annabeth whispered. "Dragon women."

Yeah that was the name. The women had snake tails for feet.

In the middle of the semicircle of monsters was a young dude killing a straw dummy.

Cassie fought the urge to ask what the dummy had done to him. But then she saw the orange camp shirt it was wearing and got the memo.

She backed away and her friends followed her example. Annabeth held an expression Cassie couldn't explain.

"Come on. The sooner we find Luke the better." Percy said.

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They continued to the end of the hallway to a pair of double doors.

When they got closer, Tyson stopped.

"Voices inside." The cyclops warned.

"You can hear that far?" Percy questioned, amazed.

Tyson's eye shut as he concentrated.

"-the prophecy ourselves. The fools won't know which way to turn." The cyclops' voice mocked Luke's.

Then, Tyson changed his voice again.

"You really think the old horseman is gone for good?" He sounded like the guy from before who was talking to Luke.

Tyson laughed an exact copy of Luke's laugh.

"They can't trust him. Not with the skeletons in his closet. The poisoning of the tree was the final straw."

Annabeth trembled and Cassie furrowed her brows.

"Stop that, Tyson! How do you do that? It's creepy." The blonde ordered.

"I think it's kinda cool." Cassie complimented.

Annabeth shot her a glare, but Tyson beamed at her. Cassie thought it was worth it.

Two points: Carter! Zero points: Chase!

"Just listening." Tyson explained.

"Keep going. What else are they saying?" Percy encouraged.

Tyson concentrated again.

"Quiet." Tyson hushed in the other guy's voice.

"Are you sure?" He said in Luke's voice.

"Yes. Right outside." The other guys confirmed.

It was too late when they realized what was happening.

"Run!" Percy shouted.

Just then the doors opened and out came Luke and two hairy bear giant things.

That brought them to the current issue, they were about to die being speared by bears.

Luke smirked and Annabeth had to admit, his smirk was worse than Cassie's. And Annabeth hated Cassie's smirk.

"Well, if it isn't my three favorite cousins. Come right in."

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Cassie had to admit, the stateroom was pretty nice. The whole back wall was covered in windows.

That meant the blue sea and sunrise were on display.

The daughter of Ares gazed around the room. A rug stretched across the wooden floor and there was a sitting area in the middle.

A bed adorned the corner of the room and a dining table was opposite of it. The table was full of food.

Pizza, sodas, all the goods. Cassie would've sprinted for the table if it wasn't for her present dilemma.

In the back of the room was a huge golden sarcophagus. It had engravings of death scenes and cities aflame.

The casket sent a cold shiver down Cassie's spine. Not even the sunlight coming from the windows could warm her up.

"Well, a little nicer than Cabin Eleven, huh?" Luke gestured to the room.

The son of Hermes looked different. He had lost most of his 'hotness' and for some reason Cassie was glad that he did.

Maybe Annabeth wouldn't ogle over him as much.

Luke had cut his hair short and wore a fancy shirt with khaki pants and loafers.

Like an evil college villain.

He still had the scar under his eye and his sword was laying against the sofa.

Cassie could tell exactly what the sword was made of. Perks of being an Ares child.

And Percy had mentioned it. Backbiter, Luke called it. Made half of steel and half of Celestial-bronze.

The weapon could kill mortals and monsters. Perfect for a messed up blonde who wanted to kill everyone.

"Sit," Luke offered.

With a wave of his hand, the four chairs inched towards the group.

No one sat.

The bear monsters were still aiming their javelins at them. They were eight feet tall and had blue jeans.

Their hairy chests already covered enough and their hands were like paws.

They had snouts for noses and pointy teeth.

"Where are my manners? These are my assistants, Agrius and Oreius. Perhaps you've heard of them?"

Luke didn't get an answer.

Percy was scared. Scared of the blonde boy in front of him. Scared of the person he once thought was his friend.

The son of Poseidon had imagined his next meeting with Luke multiple times. He could see himself beating the son of Hermes in a duel.

But when it really happened Percy couldn't stop shaking.

"You don't know Agrius and Oreius's story? Their mother . . . well, it's sad, really. Aphrodite ordered the young woman to fall in love. She refused and ran to Artemis for help. Artemis let her become one of her maiden huntresses, but Aphrodite got her revenge," Luke explained.

"She bewitched the young woman into falling in love with a bear. When Artemis found out, she abandoned the girl in disgust. Typical of the gods, wouldn't you say? They fight with one another and the poor humans get caught in the middle. The girl's twin sons here, Agrius and Oreius, have no love for Olympus. They like half-bloods well enough, though."

"For lunch," Agrius snarled. He was the other voice from before.

"Hehe! Hehe!" Oreius giggled.

He didn't stop giggling and Cassie was getting concerned.

"Shut up, you idiot! Go punish yourself!"

Real sibling bond right there.

Oreius whined but listened and sat in the corner of the room. He banged his head on the table over and over.

To Luke, that was completely normal and the son of Hermes sat down on the couch.

"Well, Percy, we let you survive another year. I hope you appreciated it. How's your mom? How's school?" Luke tried to make small talk.

"You poisoned Thalia's tree!" Percy accused.

Luke sighed almost disappointed that Percy brought it up.

"Right to the point, eh? Okay, sure I poisoned the tree. So what?"

"How could you? Thalia saved your life! Our lives How could you dishonor her-" Cassie had never seen Annabeth so angry.

"I didn't dishonor her! The gods dishonored her, Annabeth! If Thalia were alive, she'd be on my side." Luke reasoned.

"Liar!"

"As if!" Cassie scoffed.

"If you knew what was coming, you'd understand-" Luke told them.

"I understand you want to destroy the camp! You're a monster!" The blonde's voice, thick with rage as she shouted.

"The gods have blinded you. Can't you imagine a world without them, Annabeth? What good is that ancient history you study? Three thousand years of baggage! The West is rotten to the core. It has to be destroyed. Join me! We can start the world anew. We could use your intelligence, Annabeth."

"Because you have none of your own!"

Cassie grinned. Luke walked right into that one.

"Cassie, I know he's already talked to you, but we could use your skills. Powers like those aren't common in Ares' kids. Think about your dad."

"For a guy completely against the gods, why are you trying to convince me to join you, using my dad. Who might I remind you is a god you're trying to destroy. Besides, it not going to work." Cassie denied.

"I know you, girls. You deserve better than tagging along on some hopeless quest to save the camp. Half-Blood Hill will be overrun by monsters within the month. The heroes who survive will have no choice but to join us or be hunted to extinction. Annabeth, you really want to be on a losing team . . . with company like this?" Luke was talking about Tyson.

"Hey!" Percy exclaimed.

"Traveling with a Cyclops. Talk about dishonoring Thalia's memory! I'm surprised at you, Annabeth. You of all people-" Luke was cut off by said girl.

"Stop it!"

Annabeth curled into herself, covering her face with her hands. Cassie heard the small sniffles from the blonde and her face scrunched in anger.

"You know what's not surprising? That you of all people would join Him. Just because you have daddy issues doesn't mean you have to take over the world. Just shut up and leave her alone, asshole!" Cassie defended.

"And leave Tyson out this." Percy added.

Luke ignored Cassie and turned towards Percy.

"Oh, yeah, I heard. Your father claimed him." The son of Hermes let out a mocking laugh.

Percy's expression changed to one of surprise, drawing a smile onto Luke's face.

"Yes, Percy, I know all about that. And about your plan to find the Fleece. What were those coordinates, again . . . 30, 31, 75, 12? You see, I still have friends at camp who keep me posted." Luke revealed.

"Spies, you mean." Percy said.

"Basically, traitors. Sounds like someone we know." Cassie remarked.

Luke just shrugged.

"How many insults from your father can you stand, Percy? You think he's grateful to you? You think Poseidon cares for you any more than he cares for this monster?"

Tyson balled his fists and made a growling noise.

Luke thought it was pathetic.

"The gods are so using you, Percy. Do you have any idea what's in store for you if you reach your sixteenth birthday? Has Chiron even told you the prophecy?"

"He never got the chance too because YOU got him kicked out!" Cassie rolled her eyes.

Luke was really getting on her nerves and Annabeth was trying to pull herself together.

Percy was more surprised by Luke's statement.

Somehow the blonde boy always managed to catch Percy off guard.

What did he mean sixteenth birthday?

And what did he mean by if he reached it?

That didn't sound too good.

"I know what I need to know. Like, who my enemies are." Percy jabbed back.

"Then you're a fool."

Tyson pounded the dining chair flat.

"Percy is not a fool!"

Tyson rushed forward to Luke, hands in the air about to crash into the blonde's head if it weren't for the bear twins who caught him.

They shoved Tyson back and his fall rocked the deck.

"Too bad, Cyclops. Looks like my grizzly friends together are more than a match for your strength.
Maybe I should let them-"

Percy interrupted Luke.

"Luke, listen to me. Your father sent us."

Oh Luke was sure angry now.

"Don't-ever-mention him."

"He told us to take this boat. I thought it was just for a ride, but he sent us here to find you. He told me he won't give up on you, no matter how angry you are."

"Angry? Give up on me? He abandoned me, Percy! I want Olympus destroyed! Every throne crushed to rubble! You tell Hermes it's going to happen, too. Each time a half-blood joins us, the Olympians grow weaker and we grow stronger. He grows stronger."

Luke was talking about the weird golden sarcophagus

"So? What's so special?" Percy asked as if nothing was wrong.

But Cassie knew. What was in that box was in her nightmare. And what was in her nightmare was a certain Titan Lord of Time.

Percy seemed to realize his mistake.

"Whoa, you don't mean-"

"He is re-forming. Little by little, were calling his life force out of the pit. With every recruit who pledges our cause, another small piece appears-"

"That's disgusting!" Annabeth blurted out.

Luke snarled. "Your mother was born from Zeus's split skull, Annabeth. I wouldn't talk. Soon there will be enough of the titan lord so that we can make him whole again. We will piece together a new body for him, a work worthy of the forges of Hephaestus."

"You're insane." Annabeth said.

"And messed up." Cassie added.

"Join us and you'll be rewarded. We have powerful friends, sponsors rich enough to buy this cruise ship and much more. Percy, your mother will never have to work again. You can buy her a mansion. You can have power, fame-whatever you want. Annabeth, you can realize your dream of being an architect. You can build a monument to last a thousand years. A temple to the lords of the next age! Cassie-"

"Don't even try and start with me Castellan. I'd rather not waste my time with you and your company." Cassie was talking about the bear twins.

Luke looked to Annabeth for help but the blonde rolled her eyes.

"Go to Tartarus." Annabeth cursed.

"A shame."

Luke picked up a remote and pressed the red button. Two mortal crew members entered with nightsticks at the ready.

They had the same dazed trance-like state, but still posed a big threat.

"Ah, good, security. I'm afraid we have some stowaways." He sounded just like the villains in all movies.

The fake sympathy and proper way of speaking. He had it all.

"Yes, sir." They were obviously under a trance.

"It's time to feed the ethiopian drakon. Take these fools below and show them how it's done." Luke ordered Oreius.

"Hehe! Hehe!" Oreius giggled.

"Let me go, too." Agrius volunteered, "My brother is worthless. That Cyclops-"

"Is no threat," Luke brushed off but he made a worried glance toward the golden sarcophagus.

"Agrius, stay here. We have important matters to discuss." Luke concluded.

"But-"

"Oreius, don't fail me. Stay in the hold to make sure the drakon is properly fed."

Oreius nodded and lightly jabbed Cassie to get the four to move. Some mortal security guards followed after.

The javelin was moved to Percy's back as Cassie tried to think of a plan.

Percy beat her to it. As they walked across the deck lined with lifeboats Percy turned to Tyson.

"Now." He said.

And Tyson understood. The cyclops slammed Oreius back into the pool.

The bear monster fell on top of the little kids from the dazed family from before.

"Ah! We are not having a blast in the pool!" The kids cried when they resurfaced.

One of the guards went to grab his nightstick, but Annabeth got him to hunch over with a kick to his umm . . . you know what I mean.

The other guard dashed toward the alarm.

"Stop him!" Annabeth urged.

Cassie forgot all about her powers and grabbed a deck chair. She went to strike but the guard had already hit the alarm.

Doesn't mean she didn't still whack him unconscious anyways.

The sirens blared and the red lights flashed. Cassie liked the color.

"Lifeboat!" Percy shouted.

They got to the closest one and pulled the cover off. Just as it fully came off, more monsters and men were heading towards them.

Tourists and waiters were pushed aside as the monsters stumbled forward. One greek dude slipped on piña colada.

Laistrygonian archers aimed from the deck above.

"How do you launch this thing?" Annabeth asked.

Tyson blocked the hellhound that tried to jump on Percy with a fire extinguisher.

"Get in!" Percy cried as he slashed away some of the arrows.

If they didn't leave now they would be captured.

The lifeboat dangled over the edge of the ship, above the water.

Annabeth and Tyson were struggling with the release pulley and Cassie was blocking arrows.

Percy jumped in the boat pulling Cassie in with him.

"Cas! Guys, hold on!"

Cassie followed his command and cut the ropes.

Down the fell into the open water, arrows whizzing over their heads.

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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ author's note

Chapter done! After a busy week and lots of procrastination.

There wasn't many Cassibeth moments. Sorry folks but there wasn't really somewhere to put them.

There are some upcoming though!

But enjoy!!! 🙃😄

— Just Another Overthinker