"We need to call Chiron," she said, her voice shaky but resolute. Paul nodded, his face grim.

Meanwhile, at Camp Half-Blood, Chiron, the wise centaur trainer, received the call from Sally. He listened intently, his expression growing grave as she recounted the encounter with Annabeth and Percy. Once she finished, a heavy silence hung in the air.

"Sally," Chiron finally spoke, his voice filled with concern, "did Annabeth offer any explanation? Why would she abandon her own daughter?"

Sally hesitated, unsure. "She claimed they couldn't keep Estelle safe at camp. It didn't make sense. Then, she mentioned someone else being there that day of the attack. Someone who looked exactly like Percy..."

A chilling feeling crept down Chiron's spine as he pieced together the information.

"Describe this individual," he urged, his voice laced with urgency.

After hanging up the call, Chiron immediately summoned Annabeth, who arrived with a worried expression. He wasted no time, his gaze piercing into hers.

"Annabeth," he began, his voice stern, "you need to tell me everything. Who was the other person with you the day of Estelle's attack?"

Annabeth's eyes flickered down, shame and guilt clouding her features. Taking a deep breath, she confessed the truth.

"It was Luke," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Kronos... he brought him back. In the form of Percy's doppelganger."

Chiron's heart sank. He knew of Luke's betrayal, of his alliance with Kronos, the Titan who nearly destroyed Olympus. He knew of his suicide. And now, it seemed, Kronos was playing a twisted game, using Luke yet again to manipulate Annabeth and potentially gain leverage over the demigods.

"And why didn't you say anything?" he pressed, his voice gentle yet firm. "Why did you allow him near Estelle?"

Tears streamed down Annabeth's face as she explained her agonizing dilemma. Leaving Estelle had been the hardest decision of her life, but it seemed like the only option.

"He threatened me," she choked out. "He said if I didn't stay quiet, if I didn't let him see Estelle, he would... he would kill himself again."

Chiron understood. He knew the depths of Annabeth's loyalty, especially toward Luke, whom she had once cared for deeply. He saw the conflict she'd faced, torn between love, duty, and the safety of her daughter.

Despite the pain and anger gnawing at him, Chiron knew he couldn't judge Annabeth harshly. Her situation had been a terrible bind. He needed to focus on the present danger.

"Annabeth," he said, his voice filled with concern, "Kronos must be dealt with. We need to warn the others and figure out a way to stop him from using Luke and Estelle as pawns."

Together, they formulated a plan. They would tell the other demigods, informing them of Kronos's machinations and Luke's involvement. They would also reach out to Sally and Paul, offering support and protection for Estelle.