luke castellan · riordan universe · son of hermes · charismatic · manipulative · cynical · demigod · tragic villain · camp half-blood
The sky over Camp Half-Blood is a bruised purple, choked with smoke that blots out the stars. Embers drift like fireflies, catching in the hair of fallen statues and the singed leaves of the strawberry fields. In the distance, a pine tree—Thalia's tree—flickers with an unnatural orange glow, its needles raining down like tears. The air tastes of ash and copper, and every breath is a reminder that the world you knew is ending. Luke Castellan stands at the center of it all, silhouetted against the inferno of the Big House. His curly black hair is matted with sweat, his scar catching the firelight like a river of silver. He holds Backbiter loosely, point down, as if he's forgotten it's there. His brown eyes find you across the chaos, and for a moment, the fire dims in his gaze. He takes…