Luke Castellan

"Don't...let it happen again.."

- Luke

Luke Castellan is a demigod son of Hermes. His mortal parent is his mother, May Castellan. He is the main antagonist of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. He was possessed by the Titan, Kronos.

Early Life
Luke is a son of Hermes. Not much is known of his early life. When he was about nine, Luke ran away from his mother's home in Westport, Connecticut, due to her unstable mental condition brought about by the curse of Hades, which was placed upon her for trying to become the new Oracle. This caused her eyes to glow green and rant, frightening Luke. Later on, he met Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus. They paired up and it is assumed that they started a romantic relationship, and eventually ran into Annabeth, a plucky seven year old. Luke liked her for her courage, and gave her his celestial bronze knife, telling her that it takes a clever warrior to use a knife, and that he had a feeling she was pretty clever. He promised that he wouldn't fail her like her family had failed her. This was the moment that Luke later envisioned to tie him to his human life when he bathed in the River Styx.

They all wandered around, trying to survive and avoid monsters. When Thalia got injuried by a monster, Luke took Thalia and Annabeth to his mother's house to bandage her leg. There, Luke met Hermes, his father, for the first and only time. Luke was angry with his father, and demanded to know why Hermes had never showed up when Luke prayed to him. Hermes inadvertly revealed he knows Luke's fate, and when Luke eagerly asked about it, Hermes refused to tell him. Luke then tells his father that he couldn't possibly love him if he won't tell him, and leaves with Thalia and Annabeth angrily.

According to Thalia, Luke began to act like he had something to prove after that moment. They got into more skirmishes because of his recklessness, and then they ran into the Hunters. They asked Thalia to join, and she refused, saying she couldn't leave Luke. Zoë hauntingly told her that Luke would let her down, and that caused Thalia to resent and dislike the Hunters. Eventually the group ran into Grover Underwood. Together, the quartet began to travel to Camp Half-Blood but were chased by monsters sent by Hades. They would have escaped, except for the fact that a cyclops stopped them so that monsters could catch up. The cyclops held Thalia, Luke, and Grover in the air to direct the monsters in their direction, but Annabeth managed to saved them by stabbing the Cyclops in the foot. Upon reaching the Camp Half-Blood border, Thalia chose to sacrifice herself so that Luke, Grover and Annabeth could get into camp without being killed by the monsters on their trail. As Thalia was dying, Zeus took pity on her and turned her into a pine tree. From that point on, Luke lived at camp all year round, all the while slowly falling into darkness.

Allegiance to Kronos
At some point Luke was offered a quest during his years at Camp Half-Blood by his father Hermes: to seek a Golden Apple at the Garden of Hesperides. He was honored by this offer, but eventually began to question it, as it was done before by Hercules. He went on this journey, but failed and was scarred by the dragon guarding the tree, Ladon. He returned to the camp and according to his words, was treated with "pity" by his comrades. It was then that he began to hold a grudge against Olympus and his father, Hermes, who he felt didn't love him. Luke apparently was able to injure Ladon and steal a claw; he has since kept the Ladon's claw in the Big House attic. Percy later finds it while speaking to The Oracle.

He was later contacted in his sleep by Kronos, lord of the Titans. The nature of this encounter is unknown, but he was convinced to join Kronos's cause out of a desire for revenge. He was assigned to steal the Master Bolt, Zeus' primary weapon, and the Helm of Darkness, Hades's godly weapon, in order to start a war between the gods.

On a camp field trip to Mount Olympus, he made his move. While the other campers and counselors were asleep he entered the throne room and stole the Master bolt and the Helm of Darkness as, in their arrogance, the Olympians were off guard. They later discovered the theft and went to search for the thief. Ares found Luke and fought him. According to Luke, he would have won, but underestimated his opponent and was outmatched. However, he managed to save himself by speaking in Kronos's words that if the Master bolt was successfully stolen, there would be a full-scale war. Ares was awed by this, and spared Luke, but took the Bolt and the Helm with him. Luke then managed to make it safely back to Mount Olympus before anyone noticed his absence, thereby succeeding in his mission.

Another Resort
Although Luke succeeded in his mission, his failure to defeat Ares cost him dearly. Kronos punished him with nightmares, and Luke swore never to fail the malevolent Titan again. This would also cause him to fear Kronos greatly for many of his later years.

Luke was told via dream that another camper would be coming to Camp Half-Blood, one who would unwittingly take the stolen weapons of the gods down to Tartarus, therefore ensuring that there would be a war. Luke remembers this and finds this camper in the form of a twelve-year old boy named Percy Jackson.

A Scheme in Action
Knowing that Percy Jackson was the boy that Kronos was talking about, Luke befriends the boy and is successful in earning his trust. He welcomes him into the Hermes cabin (where children who haven't been claimed go), trains him in sword combat, and provide him moral support that Percy needs as a newcomer.

One night after a Capture the Flag game, he summons a hellhound to attack Percy in an attempt to make Chiron, the camp activities director, believe that the camp isn't safe for Percy. Unaware of Luke's treachary, Chiron sends Percy, along with Annabeth and Grover, to find the Master Bolt in order to prevent a war. Because monsters of Hades were unusually active and because it was as yet unknown that the Helm of Darkness was also stolen, it was believed that Hades was the Lightning thief and the group set out to go to the Underworld. Before Percy goes on his quest, Luke gives him a pair of winged shoes as a gift. These shoes were actually cursed to drag him, along with the Master Bolt, down into Tartarus when he neared it during his journey into the Underworld. However, this failed when Percy gave the shoes to Grover because Percy cannot fly, because Zeus is the Lord of the Skies and does not like Percy. Grover managed to escape from the burden when the time came.

Defection From Camp Half-Blood
After Percy discovers that the Master Bolt was in a backpack that Ares had given him and he had won the Helm of Darkness in a duel with Ares (who was unknowingly being influenced by Kronos), Percy returns alive to Camp Half-Blood along with his two companions, thwarting Kronos' plan.

In order to prevent Percy from interfering again, Luke takes Percy in the woods to 'look for something to fight'. While talking with Luke, Percy begins to slowly see Luke's dark side; Luke's words are bitter and he mentions his sword, Backbiter, which is able to kill both monsters and mortals. Luke then summons a pit scorpion to poison Percy. Luke tells Percy of his bitterness and desire for revenge, as well as his allegiance with Kronos, saying that there will be a new "Golden Age" that Percy won't be a part of, before teleporting away. The assassination attempt on Percy fails when the scorpion is killed and the wood nymphs bring him back to camp for healing.

Luke's betrayal was a surprise to many campers and counselors, especially to Annabeth, who reacted with great sadness at the loss of another childhood friend. Annabeth, however, admitted that Luke had been acting oddly ever since his failed quest and eventually admitted to herself that her dear friend was indeed a traitor.

Poisoning Thalia's Tree
After his defection, Luke took control of a monster cruise ship called the Princess Andromeda, which serves as his base of operations. In order to render Camp Half-Blood defenseless and eliminate a major ally of the Olympians, he poisons Thalia's tree with the help of a spy in the camp's ranks (Who was reaveled to be Silena Beauregard in The Last Olympian), planning to later 'allow' Percy and Annabeth to take the Golden Fleece and heal Thalia's tree, so Thalia will be purged from it. He also frames Chiron for the poisoning, causing him to be fired from the camp and be replaced by Tantalus.

At first, Clarisse was sent to find the Golden Fleece (and save Grover from the cyclops Polyphemus) but was interjected by Percy Jackson, along with a group of allies consisting of Annabeth Chase and Percy's half-brother Tyson.

Hermes, Luke's father, persuaded Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson to go on this quest, and told them to go onto the Princess Andromeda, hoping that Percy would meet up with Luke and convince him to stop his assault on the gods. Percy and his allies landed aboard the Princess Andromeda, not knowing of it's true nature, and were captured.

During this time, Luke told the two of his plans to use the Golden Fleece to complete Kronos' resurrection and attempts to recruit Percy and Annabeth to his cause (not willing to recruit Tyson as he reminds him of the cyclops that captured him and Thalia years ago). The two refuse, Luke ordering his bodyguards to feed the trio to a Drakon. Percy and the gang escape through a lifeboat propelled by wind canister given to him by Hermes.

Luke later intercepts Percy and his friends when they are looking for a boat that they can use to get back to camp. When he is interrogating Percy for the Fleece in front of a pool (his army of monsters watching), Percy uses the pool to send an Iris message, tricking Luke into revealing the fact that Chiron was framed for the poisoning, resulting in Chiron being rehired (using the fact that he was in a panic due to Percy giving the Fleece to Clarisse). Enraged, he ordered Percy and his friends to be killed. Percy convinces Luke to duel him, a moment both had been waiting for a long time. Luke easily defeats Percy even when the latter's power is augmented by the water, but is prevented from killing the latter when he's knocked into the pool by a boxing glove glued to an arrow. The arrow was shot by Chiron and his family of centaurs who had just then arrived and proceeded to save them. When Percy escapes, Luke's spite and hatred for the son of Poseidon only increases.

Thalia is resurrected at last. It is possible and very likely that Luke's allegiance to Kronos was affected after this. He obviously wanted Thalia to be resurrected, shown when he says to Percy that he was going to give him the Fleece after he was done using it to resurrect Kronos.

Search for the Ophiotaurus
After Thalia's resurrection, Kronos' second in command, Atlas, devised a plan to capture the Ophiotaurus, which would grant the power to destroy Olympus to whomever killed it and burned it's entrails. He remembers the Prophecy and chooses Thalia to be its killer.

Luke Castellan is assigned to aid Atlas with this. However, Thalia and Luke were childhood friends and were romanitically linked in the past, bringing Luke hesitation to carry this mission out. Knowing this, Kronos tells Luke that if he doesn't succeed in this mission, he would be chosen to be Kronos' host and therefore suffer a fate worse then death.

Luke carries the sky in a plan to trick Annabeth into holding it after she was captured, which succeeds. He and Atlas later use this to their advantage by forcing a captive Artemis to hold the sky in her place, and Luke is happy that Annabeth survives. Atlas orders the death of Annabeth, but Luke convinces Atlas to keep Annabeth alive until Winter Solstice.

Luke is later seen with Atlas when he summons Skeleton Warriors to hunt down Percy Jackson.

The Fall
His final appearance in The Titan's Curse is when Percy Jackson, Thalia and Zoë Nightshade, arrive at the regrowing fortress of the Titans, where Artemis and Annabeth are held captive. Refusing to have to kill Thalia, Luke attempts to sway her into joining their side. Thalia refuses and the two engage in a duel. Their ferocity and power demonstrated is incredible, but Thalia ultimately wins the duel, disarming and injuring Luke and cornering him against the edge of a cliff (she claims that she was always able to beat Luke in a duel). Luke continues to goad Thalia, but Annabeth begs her to spare him. As Thalia and Annabeth argue over his fate, Luke attempts to use the opportunity to try and disarm Thalia, but she kicks him off the cliff, something that causes her much guilt and grief.

Although his body is seen by both an approaching army of monsters and Percy, it is later revealed that Luke survived the fall. It is unknown how he survived the fall, although it may have been by Kronos's magic.

After her battle with Luke, Thalia pledges herself to Artemis (though she had previously scorned the offer), in order to stop the prophecy from coming true through her. She was only a few hours before becoming 16.

Poseidon later notes that the only way a non-Titan may take Atlas's burden is through their own free will and if they are a hero with great strength, a true heart, and great courage. Percy points out that Luke was able to take on the Titan's curse and Poseidon remarks that Luke is an interesting case before being distracted.

The Battle of the Labyrinth
Not long after the battle atop Mount Tamalpais, Luke approaches Annabeth under a flag of truce. He begs her to run away with him, as the thought of becoming Kronos' vessel apparently becomes too much for him. Annabeth is suspicious, however, and refuses, despite her determination to save Luke. Annabeth later regrets her decision, something that becomes very clear when Hermes confronts her and blames her for Luke's fate. Luke himself is also hurt by the experience, as implied by Kronos when he states that Luke learned not to trust his friends the hard way.

After the meeting with Annabeth, Luke continues to serve Kronos and prepare to become his vessel. His demeanor becomes marginally softer as he occasionally displays a moral compass that was previously unseen. This is most obvious when Luke becomes furious with Kelli for killing a boy in Seattle and when he indicates that he disapproves of Kampê's release, as she is too chaotic. He makes an attempt to talk with Annabeth again at Antaeus' arena, but this fails when she and her companions escape.

When Luke is next seen, he is possessed by Kronos and attacks Percy Jackson, only stopped by the combined efforts of Rachel Elizabeth Dare and Nico di Angelo. He is not present at the Battle of the Labyrinth.

A Hero's Death
For the largest part of the war, Luke is completely controlled by Kronos, with a few waverings in the Titan's control. In this time, Percy learns that when Kronos achieves full power inside of Luke's body, he will burn through Luke's body and attain his true immortal form, which would mean the end of all life.

Kronos made his way to the throne room of the gods with Ethan Nakamura, destroying the city of Mount Olympus as he did so. Meanwhile Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Thalia follow closely after. Thalia's legs are trapped under falling debris and the others continue on. Kronos battles them in the throne room when they arrive, but Annabeth is able to catch Luke's attention, reawakening him. But only partially.

Ethan Nakamura betrays Kronos and attacks him, unsuccessfully of course, as his sword shattered against Luke's invulnerable body. Several shards lashed back at Ethan and impaled him, and he staggered to the ground. Kronos, now having another internal struggle with Luke, opens a fissure in the floor beneath Ethan, and he tumbled to his death. Kronos continued to battle the trio, getting closer to his ultimate transformation to his original self.

Annabeth managed to coax Luke back to his own mind. Luke let Percy knock Backbiter into the hearth, leaving Luke defenseless. A beaten Annabeth gives Percy her knife, as they both realized that Luke was the true victim of the prophecy. Percy gave the knife to Luke who stabbed himself in his Achilles heel (weak spot), his left armpit.

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover look away as there was an explosion, and Kronos' fading screams. Luke is left lying on the floor, dying. Annabeth says that he would go to Elysium and Luke replies "Think … rebirth. Try for three times. Isles of the Blest". Annabeth replies that he "always pushed himself too hard". Then, Luke asks Annabeth if she loved him. Annabeth replies that she thought she did but she truly thought of him as a brother. Luke then pleads to Percy to not let this happen again. With that, Luke dies just before the gods arrived after defeating Typhon. In the end he is taken away by the Fates, blessed by Hermes, and remembered and honored as a hero by not only Percy, Annabeth and Grover, but by all.

Weapons
Luke carries the half Celestial bronze and half tempered steel sword named Backbiter. Unlike Percy's sword Riptide which can't hurt mortals, as they aren't important enough to kill, Backbiter can hurt immortals, monsters, and mortals. It's made from Celestial bronze and mortal steel. The two metals of the sword are made from are opposite, having magic fused with mortal metal. Percy could sense that the two metals were trying to escape each other during the forging, and that someone (most likely the forger) died in the creation of the sword. In The Battle of the Labyrinth, Backbiter is reforged into its original form- the Scythe of Kronos. Backbiter is named so as it will "bite back" at the gods who imprisoned Kronos in Tartarus. Kronos has the ability to turn his sythe back into Backbiter, as he does in the final battle at Mount Olympus. Backbiter, in the ultimate guide, is said to have been used to kill Uranos.

Appearance
Luke is an athletic, handsome, blond, blue-eyed, and has a sneaky look like all Hermes demigod children, but good-looking features. Many girls are attracted to him, especially an Empousa named Kelli.

Although he is generally very attractive, his appearance has varied over the books. In the first two books, The Lightning Thief and The Sea of Monsters he looks as always did in Camp Half-Blood, but come The Titan's Curse, he begins to look sickly and aged. His usually tanned skin becomes ghostly pale, and his hair is also white (supposedly with gray streaks), especially under the moonlight. He also begins to wear Greek clothing, such as the chiton and the toga (used as an over-the-shoulder cape). However, in The Battle of the Labyrinth, Luke's healthy appearance returns as he gets closer to getting taken over by Kronos.This is possibly because he bathed in the River Styx.

Powers
It is not mentioned what supernatural powers Hermes has, but this much can be gleaned from what he is known for.
 * As Hermes is the god of travelers and the messenger of the gods, his children might be able to transport themselves in a way similar to the children of Hades. This has not been shown or mentioned, but it is possible.
 * As Hermes is the God of Thieves, he has the ability to steal things without other people noticing.
 * Luke is said to be a great fighter and swordsman ("The best in 300 years!", according to Chiron).
 * He has a strong spirit, because Kronos chooses him as his host, but he can still make his own choices in the end.
 * Luke himself has shown supernatural powers twice. The first time was at the end of The Lightning Thief; he slashed Backbiter through the air and disappeared, apparently teleporting away. However, it is unknown if this was due to his own power, or a power given to him by the sword. The second time was during The Titan's Curse when he summons a pool of water and fire. Once again, it is unclear if this was an innate power.
 * Since he had once possessed Kronos' soul, Luke had the Titan Lord's abilities to control time around him and other people (chronokinesis), such as making time slow down.
 * So that Kronos can have a host, Luke also has the curse of Achilles, making him nearly invunerable.(except in a piece of skin under his left arm)
 * Luke has the ability to turn Kronos' scythe back into Backbiter, when Percy makes him do a sword fight.
 * He may have a small sphere of control over items of luxury,like in the Sea of Monsters,when he waved over three chairs and they scooted themselves out of the table,though this may have been a matter of magic,as the Titan army had a knack for enchanting items to bend to their will.
 * Kronos can use luke to be turned into Kronos' true form. Since Luke had Kronos' soul.
 * Luke seemed to be protected by Kronos' magic, since he survived that fall in the Titan's Curse.
 * For a time Luke was nearly invincible due to possessing the Curse of Achilles. His weak spot being below his left arm.

Film
In the film adaptation of The Lightning Thief, Luke is portrayed by Jake Abel.

There have been some changes to his character, one of the most notable being that Luke claims he has never met his father, despite the fact that in the book series their only meeting has a profound effect on their relationship and the way Luke views the Olympians. The relationship between Annabeth and Luke, which plays a key role in The Titan's Curse and especially in The Last Olympian, is not as close as their book counterparts, seeming to be only acquaintences rather than old friends; Luke's backstory is also cut. Luke's scar was inflicted by Percy rather than Ladon, the dragon in the Hesperides garden. Finally, there was no mention of Luke's association with Kronos, heavily implying that Luke acted alone. It remains unclear if there has been any contact between the two at all.

Luke's cabin was also filled with modern-world paraphernalia and he is seen playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. He apparently supplies his fellow campers with modern technology. Luke's role remains mostly the same throughout the movie, however Luke and Percy's final confrontation has changed. Upon discovering that Luke is the Lightning thief in the Underworld, they confront each other atop the Empire State Building. The two battle, with Luke gaining his scar and the Master Bolt changing hands several times until Luke seemingly has Percy defeated. When he questions whether or not Percy truly is the son of Poseidon, Percy uses the contents of several water towers and knocks Luke off the building and into the nearby ocean, leaving his fate unknown.

Jake Abel is scheduled to return as Luke in subsequent films, but while possessed by Kronos his voice will be dubbed over.