•as the world caves in•

•pain•

According to Rachel, she had seen a Lydian drakon being killed by a child of Ares, but to be honest, I was a little skeptical. However, when the drakon came up to us, I didn't question her.

Even though camp had drakon fighting classes and I took them, nothing could have prepared me for this. I was pushing some of my stray hairs from my face and pulling my helmet on when Percy gently grabbed my wrist and asked: "Will you help me?"

I paused for a moment before nodding softly. "Of course."

"A kiss for good luck?"

I couldn't help the way I raised a brow and looked him up and down. "Why is it always me kissing you?"

Percy didn't miss a beat as he gave me that crooked smile and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "Fair enough."

And I smiled like a fool as Annabeth rolled her eyes.

I finished pulling my helmet on before following after the others, charging towards the drakon, and Mrs. O'Leary jumped at the beast.

Percy was the first to make his attack, leaping forwards to quickly stab at the drakon in the eye, which created room for me. I lunged onto its back, stabbing between two scales which caused it to roar is protest and send me flying off.

I was momentarily stunned as I tumbled to the concrete, and Percy dragged me out of the way as it whacked its tail towards me. "I said be careful!"

"Uh-huh, well, duck!" I shouted back as I yanked him down onto the ground with me as it snapped its teeth right where he was. "You're welcome!"

In that moment, I realized we had little options as we scrambled to retreat, but something paused us, the sound of chariot wheels.

"Ares!" Someone cried, a feminine voice that had to be Clarisse. I don't think I'd ever been more happy to see her. "Ares, to me!"

Her voice was a little higher pitched, but I took it for her literally charging at a drakon, I know I was definitely a little squeakier when in battle.

I watched in amazement as Clarisse and the rest of the Ares children attacked the drakon, and Clarisse stabbed at its face.

She hesitated for a moment, and I desperately called out, "You can do it, a child of Ares must!"

And in a rare moment, her blue eyes shone with fear.

Clarisse didn't have blue eyes.

The dragon spit poison on her face and Clarisse, or I wasn't even sure who, collapsed to the ground and I scrambled over.

The other Ares children followed after me as Percy distracted the drakon and when I looked to my side, there was the actual Clarisse, joining Percy.

Panic rose in my chest as my breathing grew shallow and with trembling hands, I fumbled to remove the helmet of who I was begging it to be anyone but.

The world went silent.

Lying before me was my beautiful sister, my beautiful Silena.

A scream tore from my throat as I clutched at her shoulders. "Silena! How could you?"

"We needed... Ares," Silena managed to rasp out. "It's all my fault. Drakon, Charlie, camp..."

"No!" I sobbed, uncaring for how loud I was in this moment. "You're lying, tell me you're lying!"

With all her strength, she shoved her fist at me and revealed the mark of Kronos.

My sister was the spy.

I held onto her as she coughed. "Before Charlie... Luke was so nice, charming, handsome. I... I wanted to stop helping but he threatened me... threatened you... he promised to not hurt you. I just... wanted you safe."

"You're not dying," I managed between gasping breaths. "You're not dying!"

She reached a trembling hand up to cup my cheek, using her thumb to wipe at a tear. "Forgive me, Cor?"

"Stop!" I screamed. "You're not dying! I forgive you, but you're staying here, with me!"

And she looked past me, up at the sky, and the faintest smile was on her lips. "I can see Charlie, Cor."

"Silena!" I screamed, shaking at her shoulders. "No! I need you!"

She was gone.

Another sob tore through my throat, my vision blurred as I practically screamed. I was sure the entire world could hear me, they must've.

I wasn't sure when, but eventually arms wrapped around my shaking shoulders. Fingers brushed hair from my face, and lips pressed against my temple, a mix of gentle kisses and whispered words I didn't hear against my skin.

Until I heard a soft, "Cor... we should take her back to camp. You ready?"

I looked over to Percy as I blinked through my tears and nodded softly. "As ready as I can be."

He offered a single nod, his eyes full of nothing but concern as he helped me up, taking me over to Annabeth.

I don't think I'd ever seen her look at devastated as she did in that moment as she opened her arms with a quiet, "Oh, Coriane."

Percy pressed one final kiss to my temple. "I'll carry Silena for you."

•.•.•.•

I carried Silena all the way to our base as Clarisse cleared the way, as Percy and Annabeth held me upright as I continued to cry. I stumbled, I think I fell at one point, but they were next to me, holding me, making sure I did what I had to do.

The poison had scared her face, but she was still beautiful, so beautiful. I knew she and Charlie would be happy together, even if they weren't in Elysium, although I like to believe she would make it there.

When we reached the lobby, I laid a piece of fabric over her, then sat by that fabric.

The Stolls came in. "Is it true about Silena?"

"Yeah, she's gone." Percy said, holding onto me. "Died a hero."

"No, the other-"

I glared up at them. "If you have nothing else to say, politely go-"

"Sorry." Connor said.

Then they talked strategy, and I looked back at the fabric, hoping suddenly she would gasp and wake up, we would cry and then we would all be okay.

"Percy." I said, once we were somewhat alone, Grover and Annabeth with us, waiting for the elevator. "You were right about Luke."

"I'm sorry that I was." Percy said.

I leaned into him as we got on the elevator, watching the floors go up. His hand combed through my hair as I started to cry again.

"Um..." Grover said. "Leenus died, I'm gonna plant his laurel."

"Can you plant anything?" I asked. "Like with your satyr stuff?"

He nodded. "Why?"

"Plant orchids, for Silena."