The camp was silent. Everyone was staring at Luke in a mix of shock, fear, and horror. Luke on the other hand was glaring at the ground like it had personally offended him.
Ivan in an attempt to get this over quickly, hastily spoke "Luke told Percy that he did all that he did because he had sworn allegiance to Kronos, King of the Titans. And that he was his new master. Luke revealed that he stole both the bolt and the helm during the winter solstice on the orders of Kronos to start a war among the Gods."
The campers were getting angry. Many of them looked up to Luke. He was a mentor, a brother, a friend, he was a role model.
"When Percy succeeded in his quest Luke poisoned him to get him out the way… I guess."
Most people were now glaring at Luke. Except for his allies of course. They were ready to step in and defend him.
You betray us, join Kronos, steal a bolt to start a war, and poison Percy…why Luke…why?" Travis asked.
Luke winced. This is what he expected. He loved his siblings. He knew some of them would take this hard. But he could explain. He was sure they would understand.
"Travis, look at the Hermes Cabin. It is packed, to say the least. There are not enough beds for everyone and a lot of the kids sleep on the floor. And I bet you half of them don't belong in the Hermes cabin. These are the gods you want to follow? The ones that leave their kids without them even knowing who they are?"
Everyone was staring at him. Chiron was looking disappointed and sad but at the same time, he didn't look surprised. Percy looked shocked, sad, and angry. Grover was looking at him with a horrified look on his face. Some of his siblings were glaring at him. Others had tears in their eyes.
The worst was Annabeth. She looked at him with shock, hurt, sadness, and anger. Luke looked at her and he saw that 7-year-old girl he found who swung a hammer at him. He looked away.
Some demigods don't make it to camp. They are left to die. The monsters get to them. And what do the Gods do? I'm just trying to make a better world for us. For demigods."
"And you seriously think the Titans are better? You think they will let us live after they overthrow the Gods?" Malcom Pace asked incredulously
Luke looked conflicted "Kronos promised-
"And you think the titan that was nicknamed 'The Crooked one' will keep his promise?" Malcom interrupted. "Luke, Kronos is a manipulative Titan. He will tell you all sorts of stuff just to sway you to his side. And he will continue to twist things and lie to keep you on his side. You can not trust him!"
Ethan looked at Malcolm "And what Luke said, was that a lie? So how the gods treat the demigods, those were all lies?"
"I'm not saying what Luke said were lies. I'm just saying that the fact that he thinks the Titans will treat us demigods better just shows that he is delusional."
Ethan snorted "Nevermind that. The fact that you want to support the Gods after everything just shows how brainwashed you are."
Malcom stood up "Now listen-
"Stop it. Everyone stop it!" Annabeth shouted. She had been sitting in silence and watched what was happening, and how it was affecting everyone else. People were arguing and yelling at each other. Some were saying Luke was out of his mind, but others were thinking about what Luke said and were even supporting him. Chiron was breaking up a fight between two people who were on opposite sides, Clarrise was screaming at Alabaster Torrington, Luke's siblings were arguing with each other, and the future trio were looking like they couldn't believe it got this far. But once Annabeth raised her voice everyone stopped and looked towards her.
Annabeth couldn't believe Luke would do such a thing. But at the same time…she could. Luke had not been the same since he came back from his quest. He had been training way more than usual, was glaring more, became colder, and was by himself most of the time. He began to turn a bit more into Luke from before, but that was a lie, she thought to herself bitterly.
"Luke, what you are doing is wrong. Kronos won't keep any of his promises, you should know that"
Annabeth couldn't believe Luke would do such a thing. But at the same time…she could. Luke had not been the same since he came back from his quest. He had been training way more than usual, was glaring more, became colder, and was by himself most of the time. He began to turn a bit more into Luke from before, but that was a lie, she thought to herself bitterly.
"Luke, what you are doing is wrong. Kronos won't keep any of his promises, you should know that"
"Annabeth-
"And you poisoned a twelve-year-old after your plan failed. How are you supposed to justify that?"
Luke glanced at Percy. He forgot about that tiny detail. The kid had been quiet ever since his reveal. He looked to be deep in thought but also watching everything unfold. But when Luke glanced at him, he glared at the sandy blond teen. Luke then looked at Annabeth who was glaring at him.
"I believe that was an order from Kronos. I-
"Just shut up Luke! You are just making yourself look more and more like an asshole." Travis interrupted angrily.
It was quiet for a moment before Natalie broke the silence, "I think we should take a break, right guys?" she asked while looking at her two companions.
"Yeah. Um, Chiron, would it be okay for us to continue the rest of the story at a later time? Maybe in fifteen to twenty minutes?"
Chiron nodded at them, and then turned towards the campers. "Campers, We are going to take a break. And after that we shall meet in the amphitheater in twenty minutes. Now go along."
The campers stood up while talking to one another and some kept glancing back at Luke.
Luke stood up as well and looked at his siblings, but then looked away. "C'mon" he muttered to Ethan and Alabaster and the three of them walked away towards Thalia's tree.