chapter 21:

                     betrayal

                         

  𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
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Of course Asteria didn't go with Annabeth. She waited till Luke and Percy were gone beforeshe started following them. She knew it was wrong but she had too. Something about Luke wasn't right.

It was getting dark quickly. Asteria followed them into the woods carefully. She tried not to snap any twigs with each step she took. Asteria was hesitant, she wanted to turn back. But her gut told her to keep going.

Asteria was vulnerable if anything were to attack her she didn't have anything to protect herself with. Asteria was struggling to see, the sky lit up with the fireworks slightly. Luke had always told her to use her necklace if anyone tried anything, she never knew what he meant by that.

"Talk about a celebration. They really pulled out all the stops for you" She heard Luke's voice as she ducked behind a rock. "Come on, you've said like two words since we left the cabins."

"Just thinking about what the Oracle said" Percy stammered over his words "That i'll fail to save what matters most in the end." He admitted, Asteria could see them from a distance their shadows. "You're thinking about your mom." Asteria got up from behind the walk, moving slowly

"I get that. Believe me i do." Asteria wanted to come out from where she was. "But prophecies? Those things are so vague" Luke scoffed, Asteria furrowed her brows what was Luke talking about

"The quest is over. And everything the Oracle said has either come true of makes sense" Luke tilted his head, Asteria moved forward slightly trying to hear better "Has it?" Luke challenged

"You shall go west and face the God who has turned." Percy started remaking "Ares. Okay." Luke shrugged as Percy proceeded. Asteria looked at Percy and for a split second she swore he made eye contact with her. "Clearly the bolt."

"And you shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend" Percy finished as Luke stayed silent. It was true then. "Well the reason Clarisse is still here is because you never said anything to Chiron about her. Did you?" Percy began realizing, it took him long enough

Luke shook his head a slight laugh coming from him "You couldn't because you knew Clarisse didn't steal the bolt. You did" Asteria felt her whole world turn upside down, she wanted to be wrong about her suspicions but she wasnt.

"You worked with Ares." Asteria clamped her hand around her mouth stopping herself from making noise. "So when the shoes you gave me pulled me down into Tartarus, the bolt would be delivered right to Kronos."

"I didn't think you'd give 'em to Grover to wear." Luke spoke for the first time in awhile, Betrayal written all over Percy's face "I am your friend. Percy none of this was meant to betray you." It was obvious Luke was using manipulation, it was something Asteria did often.

"The gods are my enemy. You- Im here to recruit" Asteria watched as Luke got closed to Percy "Recruit" The younger boy questioned, as Luke nodded

Luke picked up his sword as Percy did the same "Easy. I don't wanna fight." Luke warned putting his hand out to stop him "This is what i wanted to show you" He revealed "This is our way out" Luke seemed so sinister, his actions meaning nothing to him.

"Way out of what?" Asteria couldn't wait any longer. "Stay saying We." Percy argued, Asteria couldn't considerate on what the boys were saying. She was trying to keep quiet and not blow her cover, but the other part of her wanted to break down in sobs she had never experienced betrayal like this.

"This isn't you. He got to you" Asteria wish Percy's words were true. Asteria's back slid down the rock. She couldn't stand any longer, she was trembling. "I met your da-" Asteria automatically hears the swords clashing against eachother. Percy's words had gotten to Luke.

Asteria's breath hitched as she heard her Luke groan in pain. She heard a sword slicing and a loud thud "Luke?" Asteria cried out, finally revealing herself. At the same moment Annabeth stopped Luke from going any further "Asteria?"

"You were here the whole time?" Luke seemed genuinely bothered by the look on his sisters face.  "I heard everything." Asteria shook her head not wanting to believe it. Luke stared at his sister one last time, deep down Asteria knew he regretted it. She wanted to talk to him but he disappeared through the portal.

Asteria fell onto the ground sobbing uncontrollably. She could hear footsteps approaching her. "Asteria" Percy got near her level "Go away" She murmured "Asteria pl-"

"Go away Percy!" She cried, but he didn't go away. Instead he sat on the floor next to her comforting her. "What part of go away don't you understand." She lied. Some part of Percy wanted to say she was lying. But the desperation in her voice was making it hard too. "Stop arguing Asteria, im not going anywhere."

Asteria tried fighting out of his grip, Percy didn't let go only taking the hits to his chest. She gave up. Asteria continued crying into Percy's shoulder. He brushed his fingers through her hair. "You knew didn't you" Percy whispered, his voice was calm. "I suspected it." She was a liar. "I don't blame you Asteria, i want you to know that."

She didn't deserve him.

"But you should. Ma- Maybe if i told you my suspicions this wouldn't have all happened" She began blaming herself, she laughed slightly wiping her tears "Im so stupid" She whispered shaking her head

Percy knew that whatever he said wouldn't make Asteria feel better.  "I knew you saw everything happen, i saw you." Asteria stayed silent "I need you to stop blaming yourself, this wasn't your fault" Only if Percy knew the truth.

"You don't have to talk to me, just know that im here." That was enough for Asteria. Percy helped the clearly distraught girl out of the woods. Leading her to the cabins, he never once left her side that night.

.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣
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❥༄ ─

𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐢 ⸻ speaks
worst betrayal ever. Lowk i was so close to making Asteria a villain but i was like no, but idk