A few hours later, Max finished the last engraving and leaned back from the workbench.
The locket rested in his palm, warm from the magic he had poured into it. Celestial bronze shimmered softly in the light, polished to a smooth glow. The designs etched into it weren't random. They were deliberate. Patterns pulled from memories Hana had shared—fragments of her past life that weren't pain, but comfort. Trees. Small symbols of safety. Tiny lines shaped like heartbeat rhythms.
It wasn't just jewelry.
It was a promise.
He handed it to her without ceremony.
Hana stared at it for a full second before her hands trembled slightly as she took it.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
She slipped it over her neck and opened it.
Inside were two tiny photographs.
One of just her and Luna, smiling in a way that felt impossibly light.
The other was all three of them together.
Hana's breath caught.
She closed the locket slowly, and a tear slid down from her eye before she could stop it.
"This means more than anything," she said quietly.
Max smiled and kissed her head.
"No problem at all."
She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest like she was afraid he might disappear.
"Now you have to make me one," Luna said, fake-pouting as she wrapped her arms around him too.
Max laughed softly.
"I was planning to."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"But celestial bronze isn't exactly easy to get. I had to shave a piece off my sword and redesign it just to make that one."
He shrugged.
"If I find something strong enough to hold enchantments safely, you're next."
Luna brightened instantly.
"Must be nice," Hana teased, wiping her eye, "kissing alternate versions of Charlie and Vaggie."
Max snorted.
"It's nice," he admitted. "But if you weren't in those bodies? It wouldn't matter to me."
He hugged them both closer.
"You're what makes it important."
Hana smirked.
"Still. You have to be excited at some level."
"A little," Max admitted. "But you two got… exaggerated upgrades."
Luna rolled her eyes.
"Well, we needed improvements," Hana said. "Remember our old body?"
Max didn't hesitate.
"I liked your old body," he said quietly.
Both girls froze.
"Scars and injuries included," he added. "I loved you enough to deal with both of you, no matter what."
The room went silent for a moment.
Luna leaned into him.
"I can walk properly now," she said softly. "No meds. No ointments. No constant pain."
She smiled faintly.
"Hana's missing an eye, but… that's nothing compared to before."
Hana winked.
"Plus I underestimated how sexy an eyepatch is."
Max shook his head.
"You two are impossible."
"Now that emotional bonding is done," Luna announced suddenly, "we should go."
Max blinked.
"Go where?"
"Japan," she said like it was obvious.
"We need a place."
She said it with the confidence of someone who absolutely did not have the money to support that plan.
Max sighed.
"Wait," he said. "I have to meet someone first."
He handed Hana the key to the Shack.
"Stay here."
Luna huffed.
"Fine," she said. "But hurry. I want to pick somewhere nice."
Max left them arguing about imaginary apartments and headed toward the Big House.
Chiron wasn't alone when he entered the office.
A young man stood by the desk.
Blond hair.
Blue eyes.
Traditional Greek robes.
Radiant presence.
Max immediately bowed.
"Lord Apollo," he said calmly. "Nice to meet you."
Apollo smiled lazily.
"You're surprisingly respectful," he said. "For… whatever you are."
Chiron cleared his throat.
"He requires a claim," Chiron explained. "For the sake of camp stability."
Apollo hummed.
"So I've been told."
He crossed his arms.
"You want me to fake-claim you."
"Yes," Max said plainly. "Just enough to calm the campers."
He met Apollo's gaze.
"I won't disgrace you."
Apollo raised an eyebrow.
"I won't even be here much," Max added.
Chiron looked sharply at him.
"What do you mean?"
"I met devils," Max replied simply. "They need help in Japan."
"I'll be traveling back and forth."
Helping both worlds.
Apollo's interest sharpened slightly.
"And the girls?" Chiron asked.
"Only Luna comes with me," Max said. "Hana stays here to help with Percy."
He nodded toward the door.
"She'll live in my Shack."
Chiron accepted that without argument.
Apollo extended a hand.
"Your bow," he said. "An archer reveals himself through his weapon."
Max summoned Tauropolos.
The air shimmered gold.
Apollo took it carefully.
His expression changed immediately.
"…This radiates power," Apollo murmured.
He ran a finger along the curve.
"It feels like my sister's craftsmanship."
He looked up slowly.
"If you can wield this… you're exceptional."
He handed it back.
"I'll claim you."
A grin spread across his face.
"Making Artemis jealous is always a bonus."
He vanished in a flash of sunlight.
The room went quiet.
Chiron exhaled.
"Well," he said. "That went smoother than expected."
Max stood.
"Great," he muttered. "Now I wait."
He stretched.
"I'll be back."
Chiron raised an eyebrow.
"Where are you going?"
Max smirked.
"To spoil Luna."
And he left before Chiron could object.