Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson

γάμα—Gamma

That night Kronos called Luke forth.

So, you've set the bait? he asked.

For Percy? Yes. He trusts me utterly and completely. Luke couldn't help the smile the crept onto his face. The kid's as gullible as you can get.

Percy Jackson, Kronos confirmed. Yes, the exchange went well, I see. And he suspects nothing?

Nothing, my lord. He is as ignorant as the rest.

Deception upon deception, he mused with a amused edge to his voice. Excellent.

Truly, my lord, Luke started, thinking about how complicated his plan had become, thinking about how he had inadvertently failed at delivering the items of power directly to him the first time. You are well-named the Crooked One. But was it really necessary? I could have brought you what I stole directly—

You? Kronos asked derisively. You have already shown your limits. You would have failed me completely had I not intervened.

Why was it that everyone always judged by people's failures? Okay, so no one's perfect, and everyone is going to make mistakes, fail, mess up, but did it really have to be the only think that everyone dwelled on?

Luke started to object, But, my lord—

Peace, little servant. Our six months have bought us much. Zeus's anger has grown. Poseidon has played his most desperate card. Now we shall use it against him. Shortly you shall have the reward you wish, and your revenge. As soon as both items are delivered into my hands… but wait. He is here.

Luke froze, a little shocked at the unexpected news. What? You summoned him, my lord?

No. Kronos's pressing, cold voice seemed to alleviate from Luke, like he turned his attention onto Percy. Blast his father's blood—he is too changeable, too unpredictable. The boy brought himself hither.

Impossible! It didn't seem likely at all in Luke's mind with Kronos being so powerful and all.

For a weakling, such as you, perhaps, he spat his voice hitting Luke for a moment before turning his attention back to Percy. So… you wish to dream of your quest, young half-blood? Then I will oblige.

There was a moment of silence, dead air, before Kronos turned his attention back to Luke.

Continue as you have. You will get as you wish soon… very soon. Kronos said before Luke was sent back into a dreamless sleep.

More days passed and Luke was beginning to wonder what was taking them so long. There couldn't have been that many monsters attacking them could there? Things were getting worse at camp as the summer solstice neared closer and closer and it was a little unnerving. Had they got caught up somewhere along the way to the Underworld? Had Kronos's plan not worked out? Had they somehow managed to escape? That too didn't seem likely. Then again, a lot of things seemed unlikely to Luke when, in fact, they were just the opposite.

Even the campers were starting to realize how serious this was going to get as the summer solstice neared. They stopped fighting, at least, but that was either because they were saving their energy for a war that might start or they were just too tense to really care about fighting anymore. This was the real deal. World War III could break out at any moment now.

Luke hated not knowing, especially with all that was at stake.

It wasn't until the day before the summer solstice did Luke find out what happened to the trio. The news upset him. Obviously it would, and though it was a major setback, Kronos wasn't as bothered as Luke assumed he would be. Of course, he was still peeved that Percy foiled their plans because he'd given Grover the enchanted shoes—Luke would later find out when Percy's adventure was told—but he was already formulating another way, another plan to rise from the pits of Tartarus.

So, trying not to think about it too much, because he still had to keep up an act, Luke waited at patiently as he could for instructions from Kronos. Even so, it was hard not to think about Percy's victory because it was everywhere. As tradition, when they arrived back safe they had a banquet in honor of them and then burned their burial shrouds.

But it didn't end there because now that Percy was the conquering hero everyone wanted to be his friend (well, excluding the Ares cabin, because they were really hoping for his failure just because he'd made enemies with Ares now). They all wanted to hang out with him and train with him, he never had a dull moment after the quest, always having someone to talk to or hang out with.

This was good for Luke, though, in the long run. Now that everyone wanted to be his friend, Luke didn't have to be the only one there. He could go off and sulk all he wanted, and get his anger out when he felt that he couldn't contain it any longer and no one would know, especially Percy. Because he still needed to pose as Percy's friend. To his relief not for much longer, though.

Kronos had told him what his next plan of action was, and it was perfect.

The end of the summer came quickly and then suddenly it was the last night that Luke would be at camp for the first time in five years. He wasn't coming back, and what a strange thought that was. He'd always been used to staying year-round, going through the same old routine every single year. Now it was different. He'd be doing many different activities this next year.

However, he couldn't leave just yet, he still had one more thing to do before he left, so here he was again, announcing the bead at the bonfire… for the last time.

"The choice was unanimous," Luke announced standing and holding up the bead, showcasing it. "This bead commemorates the first Son of the Sea God at this camp and the quest he undertook in the darkest part of the Underworld to stop a war!"

The rest of the campers stood and cheered, loudly. To Luke's surprise, even the Ares cabin stood.

The next day Luke packed up his things into his gym bag, grabbed his newly acquired sword already in its scabbard, made sure he had the six pack of Coke, and made his way down to the arena. It was early in the day, but it's not like everyone was going to be doing much of anything. Most of the kids were packing up and loading up their things on the shuttle bus that would take them back into the mortal world until next summer and the kids that were staying were probably taking this day to relax, sleep in, take a canoe ride on the lake, sit on the beach, etc. Luke knew this from experience.

Not only would this private sword practice give him time to break out his new sword, but also let him let off all the steam he wanted. All the steam he wasn't able to let off when sword fighting with the other campers.

As soon as he got to the arena he went straight to the dummies, dropped his gym bag and started shredding the dummies, pretending that instead of dummy it was a real live enemy that he was tearing to shreds, his half-steel, half-celestial bronze sword easily slicing through the straw and armor, like a warm knife through butter. When one dummy was nothing was a pile a straw, he moved onto the next one, not even missing a beat.

He'd gotten so caught up, he almost forgot what he was going to do… that is until he caught Percy watching him out of the corner of his eyes, Percy's eyes wide with wonder and awe. Luke stopped mid-swing.

"Percy." he said.

"Um, sorry," Percy mumbled eyes shifting, embarrassed. "I just—"

"It's okay," Luke said lowering his sword, shrugging. "Just doing some last minute practice."

"Those dummies won't be bothering anybody anymore."

Luke shrugged again, looking at the piles of straw. "We build new ones every summer." Like that really mattered though.

Silence formed between the two demi-gods as Percy took in Luke's new sword. He couldn't help the small, pleased smile that formed on his face. "Oh, this? New toy. This is Backbiter."

"Backbiter?"

Luke stuck the sword out a little, the sunlight hitting it, making it smile wickedly, shining in the light.

"One is celestial bronze. The other is tempered steel. Works on mortals and immortals both."

That should've been Percy's first clue.

"I didn't know they could make weapon's like that." Percy finally said.

"They probably can't," Luke almost sneered, but stopping himself just in time. "It's one of kind." He gave Percy a small, almost secretive smile, sliding his sword back into his scabbard.

That should've been Percy's second clue.

"Listen, I was going to come looking for you. What do you say we go down to the woods one last time, look for something to fight?" Luke offered.

That should've been Percy's third clue.

Though, he did hesitate, the indecision was clear on his face.

"You think it's a good idea?" he queried. "I mean—"

Time to pull out the persuader.

"Aw, come on," Luke interrupted, going over to his gym bag and pulling out the six pack of Coke.

And that should've been Percy's fourth clue.

"Sure," Percy finally decided. "Why not?"

They headed down, looking for monsters, but they all seemed to be in their dens sleeping. Full stomachs and warm weather could do that to anyone… or anything in this case.

So, giving up, they went down to the creek, found a shady spot and sat on a crock outcropping, sipping their Cokes. It was quiet for a quite a while as they just sat there, listening to the creek, the birds, the leaves rustle when a slight breeze passed through. Then, Luke spoke: "You miss being on a quest?"

"With monsters attacking me every three feet? Are you kidding?" Percy responded looking at Luke like he was crazy.

Luke looked back, raising any eyebrow.

"Yeah, I miss it," Percy admitted. "You?"

He just had to bring that up, didn't he? Luke swallowed hard and fought to keep control.

"I've lived at Camp Half-Blood year-round since I was fourteen." he started. "Every since Thalia…" Luke trailed off unable to say it let alone think about it without feeling the hatred for the gods bubble up inside him. "Well, you know. I trained and trained and trained. I never got to be a normal teenage, out there in the real world. Then they threw me one quest, and when it came back, it was like, 'Okay, ride's over. Have a nice life.'" He couldn't help the anger that leaked through as he continued to speak.

Luke crumpled up his empty can, letting some of his anger out and threw it into the stream, not missing Percy's shocked face.

"The heck with laurel wreaths," Luke continued. "I'm not going to end up like those dusty trophies in the Big House attic."

"You make it sound like you're leaving."

Finally, he was realizing something.

Luke finally let his true self come through, enough hiding. It was time to be who he really was. His smile was twisted. "Oh, I'm leaving, all right, Percy. I brought you down here to say goodbye." A smile still on his face, Luke snapped his fingers. A hole appeared at Percy feet and through it crawled out a very large scorpion. Percy's hand started toward his pocket and Luke didn't fail to notice this. "I wouldn't." he warned. "Pit scorpions can jump up to fifteen feet. Its stinger can pierce right through your clothes. You'll be dead in sixty seconds."

Percy looked at him confused. "Luke, what—" He broke off suddenly and his face cleared. "You."

"I saw a lot out there in the world, Percy," Luke told him, standing up and brushing off his jeans like he wasn't about to indirectly kill Percy. "Didn't you feel it—the darkness gathering, the monster growing stronger? Didn't you realize how useless it all is? All the heroics—being pawns of the gods. They should've been overthrown thousands of years ago, but they've hung on, thanks to us half-blood." By now, Luke was practically spitting his words through his teeth.

"Luke… you're talking about our parents," Percy said, looking a little shocked.

Luke laughed without humor. "That's supposed to make me love them." he spat. "That precious 'Western civilization' is a disease, Percy. It's killing the world. The only way to stop it is to burn it to the ground, start over with something more honest."

"You're as crazy as Ares." Percy decided.

Luke's jaw clenched and his hands furled into fists. "Ares is a fool. He never realized the true master he was serving. If I had time, Percy, I could explain. But I'm afraid you won't live that long."

Right on cue, the scorpion made its way up onto Percy's leg.

"Kronos," Percy said almost feverishly. "That's who you serve."

The air around the two grew colder.

"You should be careful with names," Luke cautioned him, his voice quieting down again.

"Kronos got you to steal the master bold and the helm. He spoke to you in your dreams." Percy continued anyway.

Luke's eye twitched involuntarily. "He spoke to you, too, Percy. You should've listened."

"He's brainwashing you, Luke."

"You're wrong." Luke's anger rose again. "He showed me that my talents are being wasted. You know what my quest was two years ago, Percy? My father, Hermes, wanted me to steal a golden apple from the Garden of the Hesperides and return it to Olympus. After all the training I'd done, that was the best he could think up." This last sentence was said through gritted teeth.

"That's not an easy quest," Percy pointed out. "Hercules did it."

"Exactly," Luke spat. "Where's the glory in repeating what others have done? All the gods know how to do is replay their past. My heart wasn't in it. The dragon in the garden gave me this"—his hand shot up, pointing angrily at his scar—"and when I came back, all I got was pity. I wanted to pull Olympus down stone by stone right then, but I bided my time. I began to dream of Kronos. He convinced me to steal something worthwhile, something no hero had ever had the courage to take. When we went on that winter-solstice field trip, while the other campers were asleep, I snuck into the throne room and took Zues's master bolt right from his chair. Hades's helm of darkness, too. You wouldn't believe how easy it was. The Olympians are so arrogant; they never dreamed someone would dare steal from them. There security is horrible. I was halfway across New Jersey before I heard the storms rumbling, and I knew they'd discovered my theft."

Percy glanced at the pit scorpion now sitting on his knee. When he spoke, his voice was strained, like he was trying to keep it under control, to keep Luke from seeing just how panicked he felt. "So why didn't you bring the items to Kronos?"

Luke's smile faded slightly, remember the nightmares. "I… I got overconfident." he admitted. "Zeus sent out his sons and daughters to find the stolen bolt—Artemis, Apollo, my father, Hermes. But it was Ares who caught me. I could have beaten him, but I wasn't careful enough. He disarmed me, took the items of power, threatened to return them to Olympus and burn me alive. Then Kronos's voice came to me and told me wat to say. I put the idea in Ares's head about a great war between the gods. I said all he had to do was hide the itmes away for a while and watch the others fight. Ares got a wicked gleam in his eyes. I knew he was hooked. He let me go, and I returned to Olympus before anyone noticed my absence." Luke pulled out his sword and stroked it with his thumb, busying himself as he finished his story. "Afterward, the Lord of Titans… h-he punished me with nightmares. I swore not to fail again. Back at Camp Half-Blood, in my dreams, I was told that a second hero would arrive, one who could be tricked into taking the bolt and the helm the rest of the way—from Ares down to Tartarus."

Another thing dawned on Percy. "You summoned the hellhound, that night in the forest."

"We had to make Chiron think the camp wasn't safe for you, so he would start you on your quest. We had to confirm his fears that Hades was after you. And it worked." Smile.

"The flying shoes were cursed," Percy realized. "They were supposed to drag me and the backpack into Tartarus."

"And they would have, if you'd been wearing them. But you gave them to the satyr, which wasn't part of the plan. Grover messes up everything he touches. He even confused the curse." Luke looked down on his little pet that was now resting on Percy's thigh. "You should have died in Tartarus, Percy. But don't worry, I'll leave you with my little friend to set things right."

"Thalia gave her life to save you," Percy spat through his teeth. "And this is how you repay her?"

"Don't speak of Thalia!" Luke snapped infuriated that he thought he knew what Luke had gone through, what Annabeth had gone through. He wasn't there! He didn't have to watch as those hellhounds came down on Thalia like a tidal wave. He didn't hear Thalia's cries of agony. He didn't have to watch his best friend die in front of his eyes. "The gods let her die!" His voice quieted darkly. "That's one of the many things they will pay for."

"You're being used, Luke. You and Ares both. Don't listen to Kronos." Percy urged.

"I've been used?" His voice raised on octave, his anger rising as well. "Look at yourself." he snarled. "What has your dad ever done for you? Kronos will rise. You've only delayed his plans. He will cast the Olympians into Tartarus and drive humanity back to their caves. All except the strongest—the ones who serve him."

"Call off the bug," Percy said. "If you're so strong, fight me yourself."

Luke smiled, amused. "Nice try, Percy. But I'm not Ares. You can't bait me. My lord is waiting, and he's got plenty of quests for me to undertake."

"Luke—"

"Goodbye, Percy. There is a new Golden Age coming. You won't be part of it." he interrupted right before slashing his sword in an arc in the empty space next to him before stepping through the portal, ready to begin his quest to help the Titan Lord rise again and finally get his wish to tear Olympus down brick by brick.

An open enemy is better than a false friend. ~ Greek proverb

All righty, last chapter. I wasn't expecting it, either, I really wished this had been at least 4 chapters… but I did say 3-4 chapters, so, what are you gonna do?

Next "book" should be coming soon. Don't know when, can't make a promise on exactly when, but soon. And, sorry, don't have a name either, but stay tuned!

Hope you enjoyed… I know this chapter was mainly composed of dialogue from the book, but Luke doesn't really do anything in this book but set the series up, what was I supposed to write about, his sword training adventures? Boring!

thank-you-for-everything

~ See you at Camp Half-Blood!