𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑'𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑, luke castellan

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

Finally, the moment had arrived.

It was the last dinner of the summer at Camp Half-Blood, at least for that year. Some were excited to return home and see their families, but most were saddened by the prospect of leaving the camp.

"A bit funny, isn't it?" remarked one of Athena's children at Keira's table. "That we're actually celebrating doing through this year."

"Well, that's what birthdays are about too, right?" rhetorically asked a sibling.

"Alright, everyone, please, quiet," announced Jon, silencing the campers. Keira stood up, knowing that the typical end-of-season announcement from the camp's older counselors was about to come, and she would have to stand by her friend. With little enthusiasm for such formalities, she gracefully rose from her seat and went to stand next to Jon, in the middle of the Dining Pavilion.

"We've made it through another year together," Jon exclaimed with a smile on his face.

"Congrats on not dying," Keira interrupted ironically with a feigned smile.

"Kei," the dark-haired boy chided in a hushed tone, "there are kids around."

The blonde widened her eyes, displaying exasperation at her friend's overreaction. "They'll eventually go through it," she defended herself.

"As Keira was saying," her friend resumed in a louder voice, "we've all worked hard this summer to survive. And as a reward, as every year, it's time for the presentation of the necklace beads."

Excitement spread through the area after these words. The younger campers loved this moment, relishing the opportunity to showcase a new necklace bead. Luke couldn't help but feel anxious too. Throughout the summer, he had noticed how the older campers proudly wore their necklaces, and he liked the prospect of having his own.

"This year, the event we chose as the milestone of the summer is the arrival of Thalia Grace at the camp," Jon commented, and at these words, a silence fell in the room. Clearly, it was a delicate topic that made all the campers uncomfortable. He became solemn, raising a cup in his hand and lifting it high, "For Thalia Grace, a demigod like all of us who fought for her life. May history remember her as she deserves!"

In response, everyone raised their cup, echoing Jon's sentiment, and exclaimed, "For Thalia Grace" in unison. Everyone except Keira, who said, "For the pine girl," earning herself an elbow in the ribs and a glare from her friend, at which she responded with an innocent smile. Fortunately for Jon, no one heard the blonde's words amidst the murmurs.

After this, with ceremonious gestures, the counselors began to distribute the necklace beads to each camper. The younger kids looked on with admiration at their new treasures, while the older campers smiled nostalgically as they received another bead to add to their collection.

Keira observed her bead with indifference. It wasn't the first time she had received this type of recognition, and to be honest, there had been more challenging summers.

Sure, Thalia's arrival and the confirmation of the Big Three Pact being broken were issues not to be taken lightly, but it didn't demonstrate significant short-term concerns for Keira. She couldn't shake the thought that this year had lacked major challenges and quests, making her a bit more alert than any pact.

Keira was a firm believer that when you thought things were going too well, they were about to take an untimely turn.

She didn't know yet, but she was right.

Luke received the necklace from Jon with a smile, but couldn't help but feel a twist in his stomach when he saw the tree figure on the bead. Jon's words had touched him, and a part of him knew that he was right: Thalia was one of them and deserved to be there.