[Third person POV]
Lucian clapped his hands together with a sharp, echoing smack that cut through the air. A grin spread across his face as shadows curled at his feet, stretching outward like eager hounds awaiting their master's command.
"Alright, my shadows and spirits—listen up! BlackHeart Construction is officially back in business!" he declared, his voice carrying the commanding edge of a battle-hardened general. "Pack your lunches, kiss your wife and kids goodbye, because we've got work ahead of us that won't finish itself! And remember—those who don't work, don't eat!"
"Sir, yes sir!!" Nebula barked, snapping into a perfect military salute. Her crisp movement was immediately mirrored by the rank-and-file of shadow soldiers behind her, who slammed the butts of their weapons into the ground in unison, their armored feet stomping like a drumbeat of loyalty.
"None of us even eat…" Nox muttered under his breath, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lucian's gaze snapped toward him like a whip. "Are you talking back to me, soldier?"
Nox stiffened, his posture snapping ramrod straight. "No, sir…"
Lucerna, standing a short distance away, covered her mouth to hide her chuckle, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Then what are you waiting for? MOVE!" Lucian barked, his tone sharp enough to cut steel. The shadows surged forward like an incoming tide, dispersing across the camp and setting to work—hauling timber, lifting broken beams, and mending torn structures with silent precision.
Lucian exhaled and lowered himself onto a rough log behind him, his movements just slow enough to betray the lingering ache in his body. Next to him, Annabeth sat with several hologram blueprints floating in front of her, each one an image of the camp buildings, her grey eyes scanning every line with surgical precision.
"We really didn't make any major improvements here," she remarked, her voice thoughtful but tinged with faint disappointment. "It's almost the exact same as before—just with a few added reinforcements to make it sturdier."
Lucian smirked faintly without looking up. "That's because there wasn't much to improve. It was perfect to begin with. And… thanks for your help, by the way."
"Sure. No problem. Whatever you need…" Annabeth said, though her eyes flicked toward him as if gauging something unspoken.
"I'm still not telling you the prophecy," Lucian said flatly before she could speak again.
She clicked her tongue in mock irritation and turned her head away. "I didn't even want to know your stupid prophecy anyway. Probably something stupid."
Lucian chuckled, though even the act seemed to weigh on him.
"What's next then?" Annabeth asked, lifting her gaze back to him. "Rebuilding your precious statue?"
"Nah," Lucian said, shaking his head. "It was cool the first time, but now… it just feels obnoxious. I think I'm taking it down."
Annabeth blinked at him in mock shock. "Who are you and what have you done with Lucian? The Lucian I know wouldn't pass up the chance to be obnoxious." Her eyes narrowed playfully. "Oh no… you're actually worse off than we feared."
Lucian gave her a deadpan stare that lasted long enough to make her snicker and mumble an apology.
"So, what about the camp's warding system?" she asked, shifting the topic.
Lucian reached into the dark pool at his feet and pulled out a small, gleaming automaton core, holding it up so the light caught its metallic grooves. "Thinking of going smaller this time—something compact I can bury in the dead center of camp, out of reach from… well, anyone."
"Let me handle it," Annabeth said, extending her hand.
Lucian's brow arched in skepticism, prompting her to elaborate. "I'm an expert in warding, remember? It's literally one of my specialties."
When his expression didn't change, she rolled her eyes. "As a daughter of Athena, I'm a master weaver. I can weave enchantments tighter and stronger than anyone. In fact…" her lips curved in challenge, "…I'd even say I'm better than you."
Lucian snorted. "Better than me? That's… debatable. But sure—go ahead. Knock yourself out."
"Awesome," Annabeth grinned, her mind already alight with ideas and magical schematics.
As Lucian turned to leave, his tone grew quieter but sharper. "And stop treating me like I'm fragile. I hate that."
Annabeth's lips pressed into a small, guilty smile as she rubbed the back of her neck.
Lucian had barely made it a dozen paces before a familiar voice called his name. He stopped, turning to see Nico jogging toward him with a travel-worn backpack slung over one shoulder.
"What is it?" Lucian asked, tilting his head slightly.
"I just wanted to know," Nico said, adjusting the strap, "what I should pack for our quest."
Lucian tilted his head slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips, but he said nothing.
Nico stared at him, puzzled, trying to figure out why Lucian was just standing there grinning at him like that. Slowly, his expression shifted as realization crept in. His voice flattened to a monotone.
"…I'm not going, am I?"
Lucian pressed his lips together, gave a slow shake of his head.
Nico's brows drew tight in irritation. "And why not?! I'm stronger now. I won't be a burden!"
"And I don't doubt that," Lucian said, his tone calm but edged with finality. "I'm not keeping you back because you're weak. I'm keeping you back because… there's something else I need you to do."
Nico's shoulders slumped, his gaze falling to the ground. "But I want to help you with this. Can't that other stuff wait?"
Lucian exhaled through his nose, dragging a hand through his hair in mild frustration. "What is up with everyone lately and wanting to help me?"
Nico didn't look up. His voice was low, quiet, but steady. "Because we all care about you. Obviously. We hate seeing you like this." He hesitated, then added, softer still, "…I… hate seeing you like this."
For a moment, Nico heard nothing in response. Confused, he glanced upward—only to see Lucian covering his mouth with one hand, his eyes glistening faintly.
Nico blinked. "Are… are you crying?"
Lucian turned his head away, still shielding his mouth, and raised a single finger in the universal give me a second gesture. His breathing came out in quiet, shaky exhales.
Nico rolled his eyes, shaking his head with the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "You are such a wuss."
"My sweet summer child…" Lucian said, finally uncovering his face and resting a supportive hand on Nico's shoulder. "Never change. You are simply too precious, Nico."
"…My birthday's in January," Nico said, frowning in confusion. Then he shook his head quickly, realizing he was getting off-topic. "What is it you need me to do that's so important I can't come with you?"
Lucian's voice dropped into a quieter register. "This is actually a joint mission between you and Bianca. Call her for me and meet me in my basement."
---
Later…
Lucian sat forward in his chair, elbows resting on his knees, as Nico and Bianca stood before him. His tone was calm but carried the weight of authority.
"While I'm gone, I'm going to need you two to do three things for me."
The siblings exchanged a puzzled glance before turning their attention back to him.
"First," Lucian said, raising a finger, "be there for Markus. He's going to be speaking with his mother soon. Most of us won't be around, and if he needs someone… well, you two are family. We belong to the Underworld. Maybe he'll find some comfort in confiding in you."
They both opened their mouths to speak, but Lucian continued before either could object.
"Second—keep an eye on the monsters in the holding cells. I'm confident in the security measures, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. The last thing we need is an unexpected escape."
They seemed ready to protest again, but he didn't give them the chance.
"And lastly," Lucian said, his tone sharpening just enough to draw their full attention, "there's a traitor among us"
Both sets of eyes widened at once.
"I don't mean within our little group. I mean the camp itself," Lucian clarified. "When you find them—and you will—don't confront them. Don't alert them. It might just be one person… or it might be more. Take notes. Watch how people act. How they move. Who they talk to." His gaze lingered on Bianca for the third order, and she nodded in silent understanding.
Lucian already knew who the traitor was. He had planned to kill them the moment they crossed paths again. But he had decided to let them live—for now. They would serve a different purpose.
They could help Bianca digest her stalker potion faster.
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