No Time To Die | L. Castellan
000 | How Did It End?
[CONTENT WARNINGS: major character death, spoilers for the last olympian, angst.]

The 17th & 18th August 2008, Callum and Luke are 23, The Battle of Manhattan.

CALLUM CARTER knew Luke Castellan was going to die today. As soon as he woke up, Callum could feel in his bones. He guessed that this was coming, after Luke had allowed Kronos to use his body as a host. Callum could tell the boy that he loved was gone, replaced by a vengeful titan hiding in his beloved's body.

Callum rolled himself to a standing position, surveying the world around him. He had found himself in a war like no other, the second titan war. He was fighting an ancient power and for a second he wondered if his father would be proud of him. But he doubted it, Ares never seemed to like having Callum as his son.

Callum looked around at the small group of people remaining from Camp Half-Blood, his last remaining comrades. Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, hero of the Great Prophecy and their appointed leader, stood amongst Annabeth Chase, Thalia Grace and Grover Underwood.

Annabeth Chase was the daughter of Athena, one of the smartest people Callum knew and someone who Luke had once seen as a little sister.

Thalia Grace was the lieutenant of the Hunters of Artemis, the eternal maidens who follow Artemis and a powerful daughter of Zeus.

Grover Underwood was a satyr, a brave one at that. He had brought Luke, Annabeth, Thalia and Percy to Camp and he was attempting to mobilise the nymphs and nature spirits of Manhattan.

Callum turned away from them, his mind weary. He had seen too much, too quickly as of recently. He had watched his friends and siblings die or be injured. Worst of all, he had witnessed Luke's transformation into Kronos. It was a terrifying thought, that the boy he had once so tenderly loved was now nothing but a bloodthirsty titan with a mind filled with nothing but revenge.

Callum felt anger, rage like he often did especially after his mother's death and now Luke's betrayal. He was constantly angry, wanting to lash out at every single thing.

He had heard the whispers, as soon as it was discovered there was a spy among the campers, that he had betrayed them all for Luke, that he was passing along their battle plans and tactics. Callum knew it wasn't true but he could understand the logic behind that thinking, although it did offend him slightly.

As Callum reflected for a moment, he thought about how much Luke had changed or much his façade had changed. One of the most recent deaths that plagued Callum's mind was the death of Silena Beauregard, the cabin counselor for Aphrodite and a close friend of his younger sister, Clarisse.

Luke had manipulated Silena into being a spy for him and she had died trying to protect Camp Half-Blood.

Too many people had died from this war but it was far from over. Callum wondered what else this war would cost him.

CALLUM CARTER had watched as the statue of a goddess crumbled on top of Thalia, he had heard her cry out in pain.

Thalia had looked angry and broken, but she bravely told Callum, Percy, Annabeth and Grover to go and save Olympus without her, it was their last chance.

Callum could sense Luke's, no Kronos', presence before they heard him. In the moment, Callum looked around hoping to see Luke back to him, on his side but no.

Kronos stood in the middle of the throne room, his arms wide, staring at the starry ceiling as if taking it all in. His laughter echoed throughout the cavernous room.

"Finally!" he bellowed. "The Olympian Council, so proud and mighty. Which seat of power shall I destroy first?"

Callum thought it was strange hearing Kronos talk, his nail on the chalkboard voice coming out from Luke's mouth nothing like how Luke had sounded.

Ethan Nakamura and Sofía Agosti stood to one side, trying to stay out of the way of their master's scythe. Sofía and Ethan were both godly children of Nemesis. Callum had been friends with both Sofía and Ethan when they were at Camp. He missed them often, as well as Luke.

Kronos was storming around the Throne Room, destroying godly steps of power. Callum watched as a throne broke and Ethan moved to pile the wood in by the edge of the room.

Callum, Percy, Annabeth and Grover, stepped forward into the torchlight. Sofía and Ethan noticed the group first,

"My lord." Sofía warned.

Kronos turned and smiled through Luke's face. For a second, Callum's heart skipped a beat thinking that Luke was there.

But then he noticed the solid golden eyes, and his heart sank because he remembered that it wasn't Luke, it was Kronos.

Callum watched as Ethan and Sofía seemed to share side glances. He noticed that Ares', his father's, throne had been left untouched for the moment

"Well it appears we have company. Nakamura and Agosti, make sure our guests behave themselves."

Kronos issued his order, his golden eyes flicked towards Callum and he looked like he could see through the boy.

For a moment, Callum thought he saw a flicker of Luke inside those cold golden eyes but it was fleeting and gone before he blinked.

A coldness seemed to spread through Callum, the familiar feeling of rage entering his bloodstream. He felt the same anger as when he lost his mother.

Callum watched as Kronos slowly walked towards Ares' throne and began to destroy it, looking sadistically towards him.

"How does it feel to watch your father's power crumble, Callum Carter?"

Kronos exclaimed, some sort of twisted excitement in his voice.

"I don't feel anything towards my father, but Luke knew that."

Callum replies, trying to keep his voice steady and not give away the rage he felt towards this titan possessing his lover.

"How cute, you think you can deny that rage you feel?"

Kronos laughed,

"You are so naïve, Callum. Luke Castellan is gone, he gave himself to me."

With that, Callum snapped, launching himself towards Kronos, he could hear Percy and the others' cries telling him to calm down but he simply ignored them.

"So you do have some fight left in you, that's good. I was worried, Luke had spoken of you as powerful,"

Kronos chuckled mockingly,

"But what makes you believe you could fight me?"

"I know my own abilities, do you?"

Callum hisses, his sword held in an offensive position, ready to strike.

"Luke knew you could never beat him, what makes you think you can attack a titan?"

Kronos replies, the arrogance thick in his tone.

Callum swung his sword fast towards Kronos, the blade hitting his skin but not doing damage to him, but leaving a line where the impact had occurred.

Kronos laughed at Callum's attempt to harm him, his own sword cutting Callum's face, the blood beginning to rush out the wound.

"Oh poor Callum, Luke had faith you would be a good opponent to me. Clearly he was lying to me, what a shame."

Callum's head pounded, he wasn't breathing regularly anymore and there was warm blood trickling down his face but he managed hissed out,

"I've changed since Luke last saw me."

CALLUM CARTER watched as the form of Ethan Nakamura, the son of Nemesis, tumbled from Mount Olympus. Callum gasped as Ethan fell, in the end his friend had made the right choice.

Callum remembered his last words, his breathless words as if he knew he was done then.

"Deserve better," he had gasped. "If they just had thrones."

Callum's eyes were fixed on the spot where Ethan had been only a moment before.

"You killed him. You killed my brother."

Came the scream from Sofía Agosti, the daughter of Nemesis. She looks furious, she reminded Callum of himself after he lost his mother. She had a sword gripped tightly in her hand, her knuckles white.

"Oh is little Agosti sad her brother died a traitor? He means nothing now, get over it."

Kronos' harsh reply came, leaving both Callum and Sofía full of rage. Sofí looked like she could and would kill someone.

"Now Agosti, surely Nakamura told you Jackson's weak point? Tell me now."

Sofí turned at him with a murderous look on her face,

"Did thousands of years in Tartarus damage your brain? Ethan didn't tell me but even if he did, I wouldn't tell you. Especially not now you killed him."

Kronos slowly walked towards Sofía, an unnerving expression on his face.

"Well it seems being a traitor runs in the family. Shame."

With a flick of Kronos' hand, an invisible force seems to toss Sofí across the throne room like a doll. Her body hit the floor with a thud but she appears to be breathing.

"So much for them." Kronos picked up his sword. "And now for the rest of you.

CALLUM CARTER watched as the forces of Poseidon burst their way out the Hudson river, he could sense the wrath radiating off Kronos as Typhon sank into the Hudson. Callum wished that this had filled him with fresh hope but instead a sense of dread coated the young man. He could see the joy across Percy's face, his father making the Olympians' proud.

Percy turned to Kronos, his face almost illuminated with hope,

"They're on their way," He said, looking like a man on a mission, "You've lost."

Kronos gave a bitter laugh, "I haven't even started."

With that, Kronos advanced with blinding speed when Grover stepped into this path. The poor satyr was then flung across the throne room, his body landing next to Sofí's. Like Sofía, he appeared to be breathing but both seemed worse for wear.

Percy charged at Kronos, sidestepping and jabbing with his sword - Riptide, it was a good move, Callum thought, but unfortunately it was a move that Luke himself had taught Percy. The titan laughed as Percy's sword clattered out of his hand and fell through a fissure in the throne room's floor.

"Stop!" Annabeth called out, and appeared from nowhere. Callum looked at her, she had that determined Child of Athena on a mission look in her eyes.

Kronos whirled towards her, his eyes full of fury that she had interrupted his fight with Percy. He slashed Backbite - his sword scythe, towards Annabeth but she caught the strike with her dagger hilt. Callum was impressed, that was a move only the most skilled knife fighter could pull off. Callum couldn't understand where her strength had come from, she like everyone else looked like they needed a week of sleep and an hour long shower.

She moved in closer to Kronos, causing their blades to clash yet again. A shower of sparks poured from their encounter. For a few moments, they stood face to face with one another. Annabeth looked like she was trying to see something in Kronos' eyes.

Then, Annabeth said something that made Callum stop, his heart skipped a beat, his breath seemed to pause.

"Luke," she said, gritting her teeth, "I understand now. You have to trust me."

Callum allowed himself a brief moment of hope, could she save Luke?

Annabeth seemed to notice Callum's reaction, and turned to him.

"Callum, I need you to trust me as well. Please, I think I can save him."

He nodded, hoping that she was speaking the truth.

However Kronos roared in outrage, clearly disagreeing with her.

"Luke Castellan is dead! His body will burn away as I assume my true form!"

He began to attempt to move Annabeth away from him, there was something almost maniac about his movements.

"Your mother," Annabeth grunted. "She saw your fate."

"Service to Kronos!" the Titan roared. "This is my fate."

Callum's heart clenched when Kronos said those words, he felt as if he had been stabbed. This was not the fate Luke deserved.

"No, that's not Luke's fate you fucker." Callum muttered, "He never deserved to get possessed by some idiot who decided to take advantage of someone who just wanted to change things for the better."

Callum's eyes began to tear up, he couldn't keep the hurt in. He was slowly breaking - again. He missed Luke too much, and the way Kronos was talking about Luke made him want to scream. He jabbed his sword towards Kronos but received another wound from the titan. A fresh trail of blood rolled down his shirt.

"I will crush you both, Luke Castellan chose his fate when he joined my cause!"

Kronos bellowed, anger evident in his eyes.

"You won't," Annabeth said, talking to Luke who was buried alive within Kronos, "You promised. You're holding Kronos back even now."

"Lies!" Kronos pushed Annabeth again, but this time she lost her balance. With his free hand, Kronos struck her face, and she slid backward.

Callum stepped forward, trying to make his way towards Annabeth to protect her, for his sake but also for the hope that both him and Annabeth together would help bring Luke back.

But Kronos was faster than Callum. He loomed over Annabeth, his sword raised.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Callum stepped closer to the both of them, wanting to make sure that if one of them could make it out alive, it would be Annabeth.

In a final almost desperate attempt, she croaked, "Family, Luke. You promised."

Percy took a step towards the three of them but his movements were uneven and each step looked like it gave him pain. Grover and Sofí were also on their feet, standing by the throne to Hera but neither looked in fighting form. Him and Annabeth were on their own.

Before anyone could react or get anywhere closer to Annabeth, Kronos staggered.

He stared at the knife in Annabeth's hand, the blood on her face. "Promise."

Then, Kronos did something un-titanly, he gasped like he couldn't get any air. "Annabeth. Callum. "

But it wasn't the Titan's voice that came from his mouth...

It was Luke's voice.

Callum looked up at him, shook. Did this mean Luke was back, was he back to him?

He stumbled forward like he couldn't control his own body. "You're both bleeding." He took a painful breath.

Annabeth tried to gesture something to Callum, but he was too caught up in trying to process what was going on. He was wondering if he had Luke back now.

"Menace?"

Callum muttered weakly, seeming scared to speak as if he would break the moment.

"Champ?

Came the reply from the curly-haired boy boy, and Callum wanted to sob. Luke was here.

A tear rolled down Callum's cheek, before the moment was broken by Annabeth's voice.

"My knife." Annabeth tried to raise her dagger, but it clattered out of her hand. Callum noticed how her arm was bent at a funny angle. She looked around at Percy as her knife fell nearest him, "Percy, please."

Percy seemed to understand, and he lunged forward snatching the dagger up. He then rushed towards them, knocking Backbiter out of Luke's hand. Callum watched as the wretched sword fell into the hearth but Luke wasn't paying attention to his now lost sword. He was moving towards Callum and Annabeth, Callum couldn't tell why but instinctively he moved closer to Annabeth.

Percy rushed over, placing his body in between Luke and Annabeth,

"Don't touch her!"

Anger rippled across Luke's face and he spoke again but this time, it was Kronos' voice.

He growled: "Jackson."

Callum looked towards him again, and was it his imagination, or was his whole body glowing, turning gold? He really hoped it was his imagination.

Kronos gasped again. But Luke's voice came back: "He's changing. Help. He's, he's almost ready. He won't need my body anymore. Please"

Callum's heart stopped, what did Luke mean he wouldn't need his body anymore?

"No!" Kronos bellowed, reaching down for his sword but then realising that it was now sat among the coals of Hestia's hearth. He stumbled towards the hearth before Percy attempted to stop him, earning him to flinged across to the throne of Athena near Annabeth.

The knife, Percy," Annabeth muttered. Her breath was shallow. "Hero... cursed blade.."

Suddenly, Annabeth's words clicked and Callum understood what she meant. The hero of the Great Prophecy was not Percy Jackson but Luke Castellan - he knew how to defeat Kronos.

"Percy, do it please. Annabeth's right!"

Callum shouted across to Percy, he wouldn't let Luke get destroyed by Kronos.

He couldn't lose him, not again.

CALLUM CARTER watched as Kronos plunged his hands into Hestia's hearth in an attempt to recover his now molten weapon. His hands were smoking, glowing even. He groaned in pain, turning to look towards Percy.

Callum felt frozen, he wanted to help Luke but how could he assure that Kronos wasn't in control?

Luke turned and collapsed, clutching his ruined hands. "Please, Percy..."

Percy looked at him, and it was as if Callum could see his brain working.

He wanted to kill Luke.

Luke looked like he could also read Percy's mind, he shook his head slowly.

"You can't... can't do it yourself. He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can... can keep him controlled."

Luke's skin looked like it was on fire and there were definitely smoke coming off him, Callum wanted to scream, he couldn't lose Luke like this.

Callum watched as Percy raised the knife above Luke, it was like a scene from the awful horror films his Ma used to watch. Except, this time Callum couldn't pause it.

But then, Percy lowered it as if he had realised something. Callum heard him mutter, "Is this what Rachel meant?"

"Please," Luke groaned. "No time."

Callum felt shaky, he wanted to go to Luke, to comfort him but this all felt unreal and he seemed frozen to spot.

If Kronos assumed his true form, would they ever be able to stop him?

Percy took a shaken step towards Luke, and Callum heard him whisper a line from the great prophecy: A hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap.

Callum watched, uneasy, as Percy handed Luke the knife.

Grover yelped. "Percy? Are you..."

Percy replied, "Crazy? Insane? Off my rocker? Probably..."

Sofí gasped, "No, Grover. He's not..."

But they all watched as Luke gripped the hilt, his hand shaking.

He unlatched the side straps of his armor, exposing a small bit of his skin just under his left arm, a place that would be very hard to hit. His Achilles spot, Callum guessed.

With difficulty, Luke stabbed himself.

It didn't appear to be a deep cut, but Luke howled deeply.His eyes glowed like lava. The throne room shook, throwing the group off their feet. An aura of energy surrounded Luke, growing brighter and brighter. Callum shut his eyes and felt a force like a nuclear explosion blister his skin and crack his lips.

Then there was silence.

When Callum and the others opened their eyes, Luke was sprawled at the hearth. The floor around him was blackened, and the remains of Kronos' scythe was now molten metal trickling on the coals and onto the ground.

Luke's left side was covered in crimson red, but his eyes were open. His beautiful brown eyes, not Kronos' solid gold. His breath was shallow and deep as if he was just clinging to life.

"Good... blade," he croaked, looking towards Annabeth. She choked back a sob.

Callum took a shaky breath, and almost automatically his body moved to Luke's side. He couldn't stop himself and he didn't - couldn't let Luke die alone.

He knelt down next to Luke's form, his hand tracing Luke's face, pushing a stray curl away. There were tears in both boys' eyes. Annabeth, Grover and Percy limped over towards them but kept their distance, not wanting to intrude.

"Cal, my champion."

Luke's weak voice muttered, his blood-stained coming to rest on Callum's cheek.

"Luke, my menace."

Callum replied, tears welling up in his eyes, his hand resting on top of Luke's.

"You're not dying on me, Lu."

A tear rolled down Luke's cheek, and he gazed at the other boy.

"I nearly killed you, Cal," He took a shaky breath, "I nearly killed all of you."

Luke looked up at Annabeth, Grover, Sofí, and Percy. "I'm so sorry..."

Callum took Luke's other hand, holding it tight like he was afraid Luke would disappear if he let go of him.

"Shhh." Callum's voice trembled. "You were a hero at the end, menace. You'll go to Elysium, I know it."

Luke shook his head weakly. "Think, I'll rebirth, Champ. Try for three times. Isles of the Blest..."

Callum sniffled and gave a solemn smile. "You always pushed yourself too hard, Lu."

Luke coughed, his lips glistening red, another tear fell down his cheek, washing away some of the blood.

"Did you..." Luke coughed again and Callum tightened his grip, "Did you know I loved you, I still do..."

Callum smiled softly towards Luke, "I did and I do too. I love you, my menace."

Luke returns Callum's smile, "Love you too, my champion."

Within a heartbeat, Callum pulled Luke into his lap, cradling the other boy close to him.

A split second passed before Luke used some of his last remaining strength to move his head closer to Callum's and then he kissed him. It was a soft kiss, one that was Luke's goodbye to Callum, the boy who had owned his heart since they were 16.

Callum could taste the blood on Luke's lips, the salt from his tears and he could feel the finality of the kiss but he didn't want it to end.

Luke broke the kiss and sank back into Callum's lap, his body aching and tired. He look towards the others,

"Annabeth, Percy, Grover, I'm so sorry..." He coughed again, the end looming near. "I never meant to hurt you all, you're like my... family. Sofí, I'm sorry about Ethan..."

Annabeth looked like she wanted to break in a corner, Luke had always been her older brother figure and she was losing that.

"You were like a brother to me, Luke," she said softly.

He nodded, as if he'd expected it. He winced in pain. Callum wrapped his arm around him, trying to comfort the other boy.

"We can get ambrosia," Grover said, the satyr's voice shaky, "We can still save you."

"Grover," Luke gulped. "You're the bravest satyr I ever knew. But no. There's no healing..."

Another cough, the end was nearing.

Callum was now fully sobbing, salty tears running down his face.

Luke sat up and looked directly at Percy and Sofía, "Percy... Sofí..."

Both of them looked towards Luke, their expression perplexed and unsure.

He gripped Callum's sleeve, and Callum could feel the heat of his skin like a fire.

"Ethan. Me. All the unclaimed. Don't let it... Don't let it happen again."

His eyes were angry, but pleading too.

"I won't," Percy said, "I promise..."

Sofí paused before replying,

"I won't either," She said. "I'm going to honour my brother's memory."

Luke nodded, acknowledging their responses.

He took a final gaze up at Callum, before he drew a shuddering breath and the worst thing yet happened...

His body went slack.

Callum could swear his heart stopped for a minute,

"Hey, hey, hey." He started to sob fully, "No, I said no dying on me, Luke."

"Please come back, I need you..."

But Luke was gone...

[LJ's yap corner]

hi...

how we feeling after that???

i'm sorry (not really...)

the demons made me do it??

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love you all!!