𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗𝐗𝐗.
you turned into your worst fears

ᯓᡣ𐭩

𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 of the campers joined the others shortly after.

Maisie led them to where Percy and her had agreed, Ronan right on her tail, helping keep everyone in tow.

In the depths of New York, where tall buildings hid them, allowing them to be sneaky about their arrival, Camp Half-Blood was gathering an army.

However, as they came closer to their destination, Maisie allowed herself a look around the city, seeing it unusually quiet. Upon a second glance, she noticed some people laying their heads on the wheels of their cars, unable or unwilling to drive away.

"Do you see that?" she asked Ronan, quietly, pointing to the general direction of the supposed hustle and bustle of the city.

Ronan turned his gaze to where she was pointing, furrowing his brows when he noticed the seemingly sleeping mortals.

"What the hell..." he whispered, looking more confused than her.

"Kronos' doing, probably." Maisie sighed. "Come on, let's continue."

Shortly, they arrived at the hotel that Percy had deemed their headquarters, pushing open the big double doors to find everyone else. Once they were all safely inside and Maisie gave them orders to stay put until she returned, she went deeper in the hotel to find either Annabeth or Percy.

The hotel was huge, with multiple floors and ceilings that reached incomprehensible heights. It took Maisie too long to even decide where she'd begin searching for them.

Thankfully for her, Annabeth appeared out of the elevator right as Maisie had decided to start on the first floor.

The older girl's eyebrows shot up, before quickly composing herself and pulling her sister into a quick hug.

"Hey, Annie," Maisie said, when they pulled away, matching Annabeth's smile.

"Hey. Everyone get here safely?" the younger girl asked, eyebrows pointed.

"Yep. No monster attacks, surpisingly."

"Good. You better tell everyone to prepare themselves. We think they'll attack now." Annabeth started walking with Maisie falling into step next to her.

"Got it. By the way, what's with the mortals?"

Annabeth winced. "Morpheus. He put them to sleep to prevent human intervention. We're hoping to sort that out after everything," she explained.

"Oh. Okay. I guess that makes sense." Maisie shrugged.

The two girls reached the lobby where everyone else was waiting, quickly informing them about the plan. The campers were to be divided into groups, each of which would guard one of the entrances that led to Olympus.

Once everyone was up to speed, Percy and the rest of the campers came downstairs, and Percy proceeded to assign the groups. Maisie and Ronan were to guard one of the bridges.

They all made their way to their assigned spot, soon disappearing from sight. Maisie took a deep breath, before unsheathing her daggers, prepared for anything.

"You okay?" Ronan asked when they were both settled, guarding the edge of the bridge.

"Yeah," Maisie replied, sparing him a short glance. "You?"

Ronan hummed affirmatively. "This might end today. Can you even comprehend that? Years of quests and fighting and it ends now."

Maisie let out an unhumorous laugh. "I know. It's a bit scary, honestly."

"It is," Ronan agreed. "But we have to look on the bright side."

Maisie nodded, though she wasn't sure she knew where this bright side was.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

About an hour into guarding, Maisie and Ronan hadn't encountered any enemy forces.

Maisie could tell Ronan had begun to grow restless, though he wasn't letting his guard down. Anything could happen at any time.

And she was proven right when they saw someone approaching.

They both straightened up, Maisie's daggers ready for battle, while Ronan's bow was aimed directly at the intruder.

Maisie squinted, trying to make out who was coming, but the sun was setting and it was getting harder to see clearly.

It was a human, though, not a monster. That much was recognizable.

Maisie could only make out his figure when he got close, recognizing him.

Kronos, or Luke, she couldn't know yet, was approaching them, Backbiter held firmly in his hand, but not raised.

Maisie glanced at Ronan, and they shared a knowing look.

Kronos got closer and his face was now visible. His features weren't pointed, didn't radiate that wickedness. His stance was slumped, indicating he had no intention of fighting. Or so Maisie hoped.

Maisie hoped it was Luke and not Kronos. Although, with Ronan next to her, she didn't know who'd be more dangerous.

Ronan pulled his bow string back, ready to shoot that arrow, when he spoke.

"Wait. I'm not here to fight."

His voice was so familiar, despite the unusual deepness to it. It was Luke, Maisie realized instantly.

Ronan glanced back at Maisie, a questioning look on his face. What do I do?

Maisie nodded at him. Put the bow down.

He complied, and Maisie dropped her hands too, her daggers discarded next to her hips, but not leaving her hands.

"Luke?" Maisie asked, cautiously, hoping her tone wasn't giving anything away, considering Ronan was there.

Luke's face looked pained, not himself entirely but he was there. Physically and mostly mentally.

"Maise," he managed, but it looked like even that took him willpower to say. He didn't spare Ronan more than a glance, which surprised her, though she was grateful for it.

Luke walked up to her carefully, getting closer until he was standing a couple steps away.

Ronan looked at him cautiously, his hand travelling back to his bow, just in case. He turned his gaze to Maisie, who wasn't showing signs of retreating.

"I'm glad I found you," Luke said, disregarding whatever was happening next to Maisie, clearly not caring about being discovered anymore. "Listen, you need to get out of here."

Maisie frowned. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Yes, you are," he insisted, stepping even closer. "I'm serious."

"So am I. I'm staying."

Luke's palms found Maisie's cheeks, cupping her face to steady her, to ensure he had her undivided attention.

"Maise. Please."

Before anyone could say anything else, Luke groaned as his head fell. He looked at the ground, shaking his head, not letting go of Maisie.

When he finally got it together, Maisie felt the grip he had on her face grow stronger. A chill went down her spine and a horrible wave of realization washed over her.

He looked up and his face wasn't familiar anymore. Instead, Maisie was looking at Kronos' evil eyes and cruel smile.

───────

dear reader!

this one's for -onpurpcse, happy birthday <333333