lightningthief

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Nick's encounter made me curious. The island is doing something new. Nick's encounter with Artemis had some details that don't fit the previous mold. Percy and Coraline had missed three days, but it had started at night when they were sleeping, where Nick just lost three days while he was walking around. Also, Nick encountered Artemis here on the island, not in a scene back home, yet Artemis seemed to have her powers. I can't seem to fit these little details together into what's really going on here. That irks me. I've been thinking about it for a while, and I've been snooping around that area of the island, just to see if I can pick up any clues.

So, once again, after breakfast, I head out. Juuuust in case, I packed myself some food and water, because I realize something might happen to me too. If I wake up groggy, parched, and starved, I'll be prepared. I also have my sword Masamune with me.

I walk around for a good while. Three and a half hours, in fact. I covered the area Nick was in, and I fanned out. I know magic occurrences aren't necessarily going to drop physical clues, but I can't help feeling a tad disappointed. I've been looking around for days, but haven't found anything. As I start mentally asking myself what did I expect, I am suddenly distracted by a blur of movement off to the side. I stop and turn, my body preparing for anything. I'm about to grab my sword. Suddenly, something really fast comes, but stops in front of me. My jaw drops.

It's my dad.

Hermes, immortal messenger of Olympus, god of travel, boundaries, trickery, theft, is standing before me. He's holding his caduceus, that staff thing with the two snakes. He's looking at me. His expression looks to be remorseful, but this is Hermes. I don't trust him. I can never trust him. He had that kind of expression that one, and only, time we met, and he didn't really love me then.

"Luke..."

"Hermes?! What in Tartarus are you doing here?" Sure, Nick met Artemis around here, so one could reason why not Hermes too, but this is SO not the same!

"Son, I..." He begins, but I immediately interrupt him, "Screw you." When I was young, how many times had I prayed to him, begged him for help? As the years passed, how many times had I cursed his name? Cursed Olympus? My body is tensed. My hands are clenched at my sides. We look at each other in a silent moment of impasse.

"Please let me talk," he pleads.

No, I think as I shake my head slightly. I can't handle this. I don't want this. I don't want to be hurt by him again. He looks upset as I begin to take small steps backwards, away from him. "Forget it. Save your lies for someone more gullible than me. You'd have to..." I was turning away, but suddenly he rushes around in front of me and speaks.

He's in front of me on one bent knee. The caduceus has been cast to the ground next to him, and the two snakes look a bit huffy, but don't say anything. The god's hands are clasped and raised in front of him. "...beg you on bended knee? I will, if that's what it takes." I was about to say 'beg me on bended knee.' I freeze. My mouth is slightly agape. My father, a god of Olympus, is begging me. I am absolutely speechless. Totally. Floored. Time stretches.

Since I'm standing there dumbfounded, Hermes takes the opportunity to continue. "Please let me talk to you Luke. I think I finally understand. I've made terrible mistakes with you. Son, I'm so sorry."

He's still there on one knee. I'm still in shock. I'm actually straining against my body, which wants to actually shake. I'm actually on the verge of shaking! No. No, I won't trust him. I won't ever believe him! My mouth opens just slightly as if to speak, but I don't know what to say. All I can do is cock my head slightly and look at him with incredulity. This can't be real. Artemis wasn't real. This can't be real. Even if it is real, MY father is an uncaring, self-absorbed prick who's never lifted a finger to help me in my whole life. I hate him. Don't I? Deep emotions within me are being stirred against my will. This is going to be just like last time. I close my mouth, swallow, and summon forth some resolve as I shake my head firmly no.

"Go away."

"Luke, I don't expect you to forgive me easily. Just don't go yet, my son. Please. I need to talk to you."

I don't move. I don't say anything in reply. He continues.

"Back home, son, some... things... happen. Something significant happened that made me think long and hard about you."

Finally, I speak. "I die. I know."

"Luke, I'm sorry you found out about that before your time. Since then, I did something I should have long ago. I stole the Golden Fleece from Camp Half-Blood. I took it to your mother. She's healed."

I don't honestly think Medusa herself could freeze my whole body in place as completely as these words just did. My heart nearly pops out of my throat. There is no way to describe how I feel right now.

"Luke." The voice isn't my dad's. My eyes immediately struggle against tears. I know who it is behind me. I can't turn. This can't be real. This can't be real. This can't be... "Oh, Luke. Won't you look at me, sweetheart?"

My head is turning. There she is. She looks different. Her body language is different. I gasp out, "Oh gods..." Her instinct is to take a few hurried steps towards me, but she stops before she gets too close. Maybe she knows now! Maybe she knows now what she's been like, and why I'm always so distant with her! I see the tears streaming down her face. That's my mom. That's my mom crying! I can't...

"Luke, I understand now. I wanted to be a good mother to you, I really did." She starts crying more. As she begins to break down in front of me, she manages to croak out, "I'm so sorry."

"Mom.." Seeing her like this is tearing my heart apart. But that's always been the problem with her. Our love was always so twisted and painful. What should have been the center of a child's world was always bittersweet poison. Her little boy had to stop the oven from burning down the house too many times. Her little boy was chased to his hiding place in the closet too many times. Her little boy was caught and shook and ranted to too many times. There's too much painful history for me to readily rush to comfort her. My dad has none of those reservations, though. He goes to her. He wraps her in his arms and looks at me.

"She's barely stopped crying since I went to her with the fleece. She's explained and made me ashamed of everything that happened to you. Please, Luke. You don't have to forgive us right now. You don't even have to believe we're really here. Please. Come here. Just get a hug from your mom and dad." And, with that, he opens one arm out, welcoming me to walk to them. Mom does the same, and she reaches out for me too.

What am I supposed to do?

Every experience I've had throughout my entire life teaches me to run from this. Each of them has hurt me. I... have deep emotional scars because of them. Now, with two minutes of theatrics, I'm supposed to just cast that all aside? Gods, every fiber of my being wants this so bad. Curse them for doing this to me! Every rational thought tells me to run away now. This is a trap. It could even be dangerous. It could be a dangerous, even fatal trap.

I take a hesitant step forward.

Hermes nods and encourages me forward. "That's it son."

My mother adds, "It's okay. We won't hurt you anymore. Never again, Luke."

A very large tear rolls down the scar on my face. I can't run. I can't. My brain tells me nothing good can come of this. I can think of how this is a trap that I may never escape. But, I also know with complete certainty that I can not resist the steps I'm now taking. Gods, I'm scared. I'm scared of them! It's like I'm that little kid hiding in the closet all over again!

Suddenly, I realize I'm within their reach. I gasp in anxiety as their arms wrap around me. I tense up so bad as we come together. They start murmuring soothing things to me. They hold me. They tell me I was right, and they were wrong. They apologize profusely. They tell me everything is okay now. They tell me how much they love me.

Will Elysium ever be as good?

Hours pass.

I reluctantly go home, only because my mother insists that I take care of myself. She won't let me end up as bad off as Nick. Before I go, I vow to them I'll come back tomorrow.

There was one handsome man sleeping fitfully. There was one ridiculously attractive man yawning loudly as his hand came up to rub his eyes. And there was one beautiful goddess in bed with him. Or rather with her. What?

Coraline blinked confused down at Aphrodite, looking at her puzzled before letting out a startled yell at her everything. Falling backwards out of bed, Coraline averted her eyes anywhere that wasn't you know Aphrodite.

"Um, why are you in bed with me?" Coraline began, trying to untangle herself from the sheets. Her legs and arms going everywhere. She paused, looking up wide eyed and frantic at Aphrodite. "Why do I sound like Luke? Why do I-" Coraline glanced down. "OH GOD WHAT IS THAT?"

Coraline looked horrified down at what she never, ever, ever wanted to see in a million years. She was pretty sure Luke's body was blushing, if it wasn't then she was dying inside. Actually, genuinely dying. What the hell was his body doing- oh god no. "Nope, this isn't happening. Nope! STOP HAPPENING BODY!"

After a more interesting day at the Compound, I decided to go back home and wait up for Percy. He hadn't been back at our place when I got there, so I fired up the game system and started up dishing out some digital death.

Coraline had asked me if Percy liked her. She'd also mentioned Esther attacking her, and how she and Percy had some earlier conversation that hadn't answered her questions. I didn't honestly know anything about any of it. I'd told Coraline I'd ask Percy for her. Maybe the best thing would've been to insist that the two of them try talking again, but I thought I'd get in the middle here just for a bit. This could get messy considering not-Thalia, a.k.a. Valkyrie.

And, maybe Percy doesn't know either. I'll help him sort it out if he needs me. Anyway, until he gets here, I'm going to pile up the virtual bodies.

Apparently I have amnesia. The circumstances are so bizzare, I'll continue wondering if this is all some demented trick, but to my amazement, this whole other-world amnesia story makes the most sense out of any other explanation, so it's probably right. After being away for a while, it's time to return to the hut. The hut that I apparently share with my arch-enemy, a.k.a. roommate, Percy Jackson. When I get there, I knock at the door.

"Percy? It's Luke. I'm better now. I won't go after you, honest. That is, if you trust me at all..."

I'm braced in case the kid goes at me, but I'm guessing he won't. I adjust the ice pack on my head slightly as I wait for him to open the door.

I bolt upright, gasping for breath. The last thing I can remember was being in Mount Orthys. I was alone and counting down the hours and minutes of my life before it was time for Kronos to take me as his vessel and sunder the world. I'd nearly retched at the thought of going through with this. But now?! I don't understand why I'm in a bed. Did I pass out? Has it already happened?

My hand touches my face, my neck, my chest. I don't feel any different...

This isn't right. Something's gone wrong.

I turn my head and see a large sword close by. I immediately grip the hilt. It's not Backbiter, but within a moment, I've got a feel for the weight of it. This is a good sword. That's at least a good sign.

Getting out of the bed, I stand up and realize that I'm dressed differently. Odd. Then I realize I've got some light shorts on, but also an orange Camp Half-Blood T-shirt. My expression darkens. Not funny. If this is some accursed attempt by Olympus to save their asses, they've got another thing coming! Luke Castellan does not go quietly. If I go down, I'm making it count for all it's worth whether I personally get to crush Olympus before I go or not. Those heartless gods may have found some way to kidnap me, but Ethan can take my place. We've always, always got a backup plan.

My backup plan, for now, consists of using this sword to get some answers, and maybe as much vengeance as I can get. Who knows? With the protection the Curse of Achilles, I might defeat everyone here and still make it back in time. Why keep the Fates waiting?

With sword in hand, I stealthily creep forward and open the door and move into the next room. A son of the god of thieves knows how to be quiet when he needs to be. I'm in some type of hut, and I can see a glimpse of outside. I'm somewhere in the tropics. There's a computer, game system, and some stuff in here like modern people live here. Hmm, exits. I see a front door out and another door to the side. I need to see if they've got Ethan too. I open it, and to my deep fury, I see Percy Jackson. My dark look darkens further to outright menacing. Percy always ruins EVERYTHING!

Not. This. Time.

"Percy Jackson," I declare with spite. I lower my blade slightly with a subtle, threatening gesture. "Don't move, hero."

Ever since Valentine's Day, I've been a much better mood. I'm not dwelling so much about the past and the future. There's a present to live in. Being with Aphrodite is not only hot and highly enjoyable, I think it's snapped me out of the funk I've been in. I've just gotten done getting ready to go out to Aphrodite's hut once again, and I pause to consider my nearby roommate.

Percy has to suspect something by now. I know he'd often oblivious and easier to lead around than a puppy, but even Percy must be wondering why he hasn't seen me around a few nights, and less of me in general. Maybe his thing with Valkyrie has him distracted, but still. It's not like I've been actively trying to keep things with Aphrodite a secret, but I haven't really brought it up, either. Maybe he'll finally ask me what's going on this time.

I've got a bag with some extra clothes in it. I really should keep some things at her place now that we're going at it regularly. I pick it up and head into the main room where I see Percy there.

"Hey Percy. I'm going out. Don't wait up for me."

My conversation with Percy the other day about Valkyrie has been gnawing at me a bit. I think I did a good job helping him decide what he wanted to do. What I didn't decide is what I want him to do. Does it matter what I want? It's his life. But, Annabeth is family. What I have decided on is to go visit Thalia. I packed a bunch of food, drinks, and a few random supplies from the Compound to bring over to her. Not that Thalia needs anyone to take care of her, it's just that we used to look out for each other. Maybe she'd appreciate a little something. It takes for-friggin'-ever to get to Thalia's trailer. I know she's got the Hunter thing going on, but could she have chosen a point any physically further from the Compound? I don't really think so.

As I walk up, I call out, "Hey Thalia! Are you home?"

Just outside of Green Arrow Estates is the island's forge. I've used it a lot to make different practice weapons all these months of what seems like self-exile. It's been days since the jukebox recited our futures to us in Percy's voice, but it still seems like news to me. I haven't quite absorbed it all yet.

Percy and I told each other we should be friends now. It's so strange looking him in the eye and, for once, he knows everything and we're on the same side again. That is, if there really are 'sides' anymore. I guess that's the point of this ceremony thing. Percy suggested that we melt down Riptide and Backbiter, and I agreed. The two of us have used these weapons to fight each other. I thought the idea over, wondering why Percy suggested it, and I guess melting our swords down will be like melting the war back home down.

We considered inviting others, but in the end we decided to just do this thing together, just us. I'm looking forward to it. I genuinely want to reconnect with Percy. After hearing what he's going to do for me, I'm convinced I owe him more than just my life. Sweat is dripping off me as I work the bellows. I want to stoke the forge pretty hot for this. Percy's right near me, and I break the moment of silence.

"Percy. You don't have to melt Riptide. Backbiter is tied to Kronos, and tied to my betrayal. You've always stayed true, and fought for what's right. We could just throw in Backbiter."

Gods, I'm going to miss that sword. The sword is legendary. As Kronos's scythe, it cleaved one of the original immortals, Ouranos the sky, and brought forth the pantheon of the Titans. It created Aphrodite. It was a sign of my prestige. I've never fought with a better blade, and I doubt I ever will again. A large part of me wants to keep this sword, but, like I said, it's tied to Kronos and my betrayal. I have to melt it down like Percy suggested. I'll get by with a regular old sword.