Chapter 29 - Night-time Conversations

Clouds veiled the moon, refusing to allow its glow to shine over the beach, plunging it into darkness.

Lucas and Luke walked along the shore, avoiding the mess hall where the others celebrated. Silence and darkness offered them the privacy they needed.

Arms crossed, Lucas studied the horizon before breaking the silence.

"How much did you hear?"

"I was there from the start. I wanted to catch up with you… ask about the reason behind your plan. Seems I found out more than I expected."

"What do you think about what I said?"

"Before Camp, I only hated my father," Luke began, voice calm but eyes sharp. "But traveling with you helped me see Olympus for what it really is."

Lucas finally looked away from the horizon. Luke's gaze burned with anger and frustration, but unlike in the past, he controlled it. Lucas was relieved to see the change in his friend.

Luke went on.

"But here at camp? That's when I saw the truth. They're tyrants. Do you know what they call the Hermes Cabin behind closed doors? The Landfill. That's where they send the children whose godly parents either forgot they existed or never bothered to care. And then there's the kids of minor gods. Unclaimed. Not because their parents aren't willing, but that the Camp wouldn't accommodate them."

Lucas listened in silence, his expression unreadable.

"Whatever you're planning, don't think I'll get in your way. In fact, I'll help you," Luke said, placing a firm hand on Lucas' shoulder. "Not just as a companion. As a friend."

Lucas nodded slowly. "For now, nothing. Maybe before I could have given a clear answer, but Mr. D gave me pause. I think… maybe I should gather all the facts first. Understand Olympus before I judge it. After all, tearing something down is easy. Changing it? That's the hard part."

Luke scoffed. "Taking down Olympus is easy? You keep saying things like that, and the Titans might come smack you around."

Lucas smirked faintly, then returned to seriousness. "Maybe it's my ego talking, but I believe if the gods are unwilling to change, they should be replaced. I don't want destruction. I want accountability. Whoever sits on the throne should rule with duty, not indulgence."

Luke's eyes widened. He had known Lucas disliked the gods, but hearing him speak those words stirred something in him, a fire, a sense of purpose.

...

Later, Lucas stood alone on the beach, his thoughts lingering on the conversation with Luke, but also on Hestia and Dionysus. The memories intertwined with clarity.

His potion was digested.

The greatest trick is never in falsehood, but in truth - True Tricksters do not spin fantasy, they reveal reality in such a way that the audience questions what they thought they understood. Misdirection is a tool, but revelation is the true art.

Lucas took some time to reflect on this.

It had taken two years.

Talk about two years, it wouldn't be long before he had to return to the Torrington's house and collect his half-sibling, he was curious. Would he stay at the Hermes Cabin or would he follow in his footsteps and live in his own tent elsewhere?

Retracting his thoughts he was interested in the next sequence.

He pulled the tarot card from his coat, lighting a flame at his fingertip to see the new image burn into focus.

Sequence Six – Mentalist

Telekinesis - Manipulate small objects (up to the weight of a dagger or book)

Mind-Reading - Read surface thoughts of those who lock eyes with you.

Divination – Use tarot cards or coins to scry one's future.

Ingredients:

An object gifted by one who sees fate.

Supplementary Materials:

Seven silver drachmas touched by wisdom

Crushed blue chalcedony

Lucas chuckled softly.

Abilities many would call generic yet when used properly, Lucas believed would truly help him.

As for the materials?

Not difficult if he thought carefully. The drachmas could be borrowed from Annabeth. The stone? Easily purchased. As for the gifted object… he remembered the tales whispered in camp, about the Oracle of Delphi: currently a husk kept hidden in the Big House Attic. But his mother? Hecate could see fate through divination magic. An object from her might suffice. If not? Surely he could ask his mother for an early birthday gift.

Lucas allowed himself a moment on the beach.

The sea breeze brushed past him. He let himself relax.

After a while he heard trotting behind him, Lucas turned towards the source and found its owner - Chiron.

Seeing Lucas he smiled and came over.

"Sorry if I disturbed you," the centaur said gently.

"No, it's alright," Lucas replied, turning back toward the waves. "Just enjoying the breeze."

Chiron stepped beside him, eyes glancing at the horizon before settling on Lucas again.

"I meant to speak to you after the game. To thank you. But Mr. D advised me to give you some time."

Lucas raised a brow. "That's surprisingly thoughtful of him."

Chiron gave a soft chuckle. "There may have been a few less thoughtful words I chose not to repeat."

Lucas smiled faintly.

"What you did during the game, uplifting the underdogs, giving Cabins Ten and Twelve the spotlight; was worthy of praise. As a teacher and as a warrior, I want to thank you."

He reached out and ruffled Lucas' hair with a warm, paternal touch.

"Now, while the moon is beautiful and the breeze calming, it's late. Your team was worried about you missing dinner, so they had the wood nymphs pack something up. Thalia left it in your camp."

Lucas nodded and began walking back to his camp.