[Third Person’s PoV]

Next Friday…

“Are you sure I’m going to be ready?” Nico asked, looking up at Lucian as he helped him get fitted into his golden Greek armor.

Lucian grabbed the helmet and placed it over Nico’s head, adjusting it carefully. “What’s this? Don’t tell me you’re getting nervous? What happened to all that confidence from before?”

“Well, a lot is at stake here, you know,” Nico muttered, looking down. “Bianca and I haven’t been claimed yet. This is our chance… What if I mess up? What if I disappoint him and don’t get claimed?” He hesitated before adding, “And… well, you’re kind of a big deal in camp. People are going to expect a lot from me—being your younger brother and all.”

Lucian nodded. “I get why you’d feel pressured… Alright then, I guess I have no choice but to tell you my secret.”

Nico looked up, confused. “Your secret? Don’t I already know your secret?”

“No, I’m talking about my other secret—the one that lets me stay calm no matter what I go through. Are you interested?” Lucian asked, squatting down to Nico’s eye level.

Curious, Nico nodded, tilting his head slightly.

Lucian reached over, patted Nico’s helmet, then leaned in and whispered, “My secret… is to not give a fuck.”

Nico blinked. “To not give—” He repeated slowly in disbelief.

Lucian pressed a finger to his lips. “Shhh, it’s supposed to be a secret, remember?”

Nico couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s your big secret?”

“Yup. It’s amazing, really. You want to know how to deal with the weight of everyone’s expectations? Simple: you don’t give a fuck. How can expectations stress you out if you don’t give a single fuck? Worried about disappointing someone? Don’t be—because there isn’t a single fuck to give.” Lucian said proudly.

Nico was trying hard not to laugh.

Lucian grinned. “Alright, let’s practice. Hold out your hands like you’re cupping something.”

Still confused, Nico followed his instructions.

“Alright. What’s in your hands right now?” Lucian asked.

“Uh… nothing?” Nico responded, still unsure.

“That’s right. That’s exactly how many fucks you have.” Lucian nodded. Then, using his shadows, he created a small basket floating in the air. “Now, this basket represents the opinions of others and what everyone thinks of you. Go on—try to put any fucks in there.”

Nico smiled as realization dawned on him. “I can’t.”

Lucian’s grin widened. “Why not?”

Nico finally let out a chuckle. “Because I don’t have any fucks to give.”

Lucian burst into laughter, nodding. “Exactly! Lesson learned. Just… don’t tell your sister I let you say a curse word. Or that I cursed in front of you. She still hasn’t forgiven me for giving you that gun.”

“Still the best present I’ve ever received,” Nico said proudly.

Lucian pushed himself up. “So, you ready to go?”

“Nope,” Nico said as he marched ahead. “They can wait—because I don’t have a single fuck to give.” His head was held high.

Lucian covered his mouth, looking up with watery eyes. “I raised that boy… he makes me so proud.”

…

A Few Moments Later…

Lucian and Thalia stood facing each other in their Greek armor. Lucian rested his scythe across both shoulders, its curved blade extending past him. “You know, I don’t think I ever got the chance to say this, but you look really good in that.”

Thalia, gripping her spear so that its tip pointed to the side, scoffed—though she looked a little proud of herself. “Flattery isn’t going to make me go easy on you.”

“Oh? Someone’s sounding confident~,” Lucian teased.

“Of course. Percy’s on my team now.” Thalia smirked as Percy stepped up beside her, standing next to Clarisse.

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, but you lost Luke, didn’t you? That’s gotta be a major blow.” His grin turned devilish.

The Hermes cabin members bristled, some glaring daggers at Lucian.

Meanwhile, Lucian’s team collectively went, “Oooooh~,” flicking their hands mockingly.

Thalia scoffed. “Percy’s way better than Luke for this type of game anyway.”

“Is he really?” Lucian chuckled.

“Am I?” Percy questioned in a low voice.

Thalia nodded. “Of course. No doubt, Luke was great at one-on-one fights, but Percy excels at wiping out armies. I’d gladly trade Luke for Percy.” Her voice faltered slightly at the end.

“You sound really sure of yourself there. Thanks,” Percy grumbled sarcastically.

Thalia shot him an apologetic look before turning to glare at Lucian, who was chuckling to himself.

Lucian casually rubbed his fingers against his chest. “Sure, I’ll admit it—Percy is a great addition for war games, given his ability to take down multiple enemies at once. But you seem to have forgotten something~”

He gestured behind him toward Nico and Bianca, who were trying (and failing) to appear nonchalant.

“I have two great additions to my team—my little mini-me~” Lucian said smugly.

Thalia scoffed. “Oh please. They may be your siblings, but they’re nowhere near the monster you are.”

“Oi!” Nico said, clearly offended.

“Hey!” Bianca added, equally indignant.

Lucian placed a hand over his heart with a mock-touched expression. “You know what? I’ll even do you a little favor. Since you’ve lost Luke, Percy can stay on your team indefinitely. No more switching between us like we originally planned.”

Percy leaned toward Clarisse and whispered, “Looks like Mom just won full custody…”

Clarisse rolled her eyes, having endured Percy’s sarcasm all week during their intense training sessions.

“Thanks, you’re so generous…” Thalia said dryly.

“Then can I mark this as the end of your usual trash-talking before the event?” Chiron, who had been standing beside them, interjected with a wry smile.

“Do you have anything else to add?” Lucian asked.

“No,” Thalia said, shaking her head. “Do you?”

“Nope. I guess that means we’re ready,” Lucian said, nodding toward Chiron, who returned the gesture.

Chiron then shot them both a warning look. “Before I send you to your corners, I’ve received multiple complaints about the level of destruction you two cause during these games—mainly from the dryads. So here’s my warning: keep the destruction to a minimum this time. If not, you’ll both face punishment.”

Both Thalia and Lucian pouted, muttering under their breath, “How boring.”

Chiron sighed, clearly exasperated. “You’ve been warned. To your flags now. The round will begin when the horn is blown.”

Thalia and Lucian split up without another word. When Lucian arrived at his flag, the rest of his team turned to stare at him.

“Stare too hard, and I might just blush~” he teased, earning a few chuckles. He then shifted his scythe into a bo staff.

“Alright, here’s the plan. And for all of us to win, it’ll be up to these two~” He motioned toward Nico and Bianca.

“Us?!” Bianca asked, clearly surprised.

“Yup. But first, here’s how it’s going to play out…” Lucian said, crouching down and using his staff to draw a strategy in the dirt.

Then he turned toward Annabeth. “Annabeth, do not underestimate Percy.”

“Huh?” Annabeth blinked in surprise.

“You saw it during our quest—I’m sure of it. Percy’s tricky. Being stronger or more skilled than him won’t matter. He’s crafty, and if he’s determined, he’ll do anything to win. I guarantee Thalia is going to use that to her advantage.”

“Don’t worry—” Annabeth began, waving him off dismissively.

“Ares lost because he underestimated Percy.”

Annabeth’s smug expression faded as she acknowledged Lucian’s warning.

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