| “ | "Ethan. Me. All the unclaimed. Don't let it...Don't let it happen again." | ” |
–Luke, making his final request to Percy in The Last Olympian | ||
Luke Castellan was a Greek demigod son of Hermes and the mortal May Castellan. He was the main antagonist of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. He was tricked by the Titan Kronos into hosting his spirit. Although he is considered as the series' main mortal antagonist, he died at age twenty three as a hero of the Great Prophecy. He is portrayed by Jake Abel in The Lightning Thief. Abel will reprise his roll in The Sea of Monsters.
History
Early Life
Luke, was a son of Hermes and May Castellan, a female mortal who can see through the Mist. When he was nine, Luke ran away from his mother's home in Westport, Connecticut because of her unstable mental problems, brought about by the curse of Hades, which was placed upon the Oracle, who she had tried to become.
When he was fourteen Luke found Thalia Grace and Annabeth Chase, and they fought for survival and avoided monsters together. When Thalia got injured by a monster and Luke and Annabeth wanted to rest, Luke took them to his mother's house to heal their wounds. 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 inadvertently revealed that he knew Luke's fate, and when Luke eagerly asked about it. Hermes refused to tell him. Luke then told his father that he couldn't possibly love him if he wouldn't tell him, and left 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 Nightshade, Artemis' lieutenant, 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 quarter began to travel to Camp Half-Blood but were chased by monsters sent by Hades. 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 that were hot 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
When he was about seventeen, Luke was offered a quest 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 the campers. It was then that he began to hold a grudge against Olympus and his father, Hermes, who he felt didn't love him. He wanted to tear Olympus down, stone by stone at that point. Luke apparently was able to injure Ladon and steal a claw; he has since kept the Ladon's claw in the Big House attic. He bided his time and began to have dreams of Kronos.
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' cause out of a desire for revenge. He was assigned to steal the Master Bolt, Zeus' primary weapon, and the Helm of Darkness, Hades' 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 was able to steal the Master bolt and the Helm of Darkness. The gods believed that no one would ever dare steal their symbols of power. 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' 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, but Kronos began to punish Luke with nightmares and he swore never to fail again.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
The Lightning Thief
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.
When Luke was about nineteen, he was told in a dream from Kronos that another camper would be coming to Camp Half-Blood, one who would unwillingly 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.
Luke, conversing with Percy, through Iris Message in the Graphic Novel
Knowing that Percy 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 provides the moral support that Percy needed 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 treachery, 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 shouldn't 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.
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 after returning the Bolt to Zeus, 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. He says he will escape and then summons a pit scorpion to poison Percy. Luke tells Percy of his bitterness and desire for revenge, as well as his allegiance to Kronos, saying that there will be a new "Golden Age" that Percy won't be a part of before teleporting away. Though the assassination attempt on Percy fails, the scorpion does sting him and it leaves an asterick shaped scar. Before losing conciousness, Percy kills the scorpion 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 and said "May the gods curse him".
The Sea of Monsters
A year 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. The plan was to later 'allow' Percy and Annabeth to take the Golden Fleece and heal Thalia's tree, so Thalia would 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 its 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, prompting Luke to order his bodyguards to feed the trio to a Drakon. Percy and the gang escape through a lifeboat propelled by the thermos containing the four winds 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 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.
The Titan's Curse
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 is assigned to aid Atlas with this. However, Thalia and Luke were childhood friends, 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. This continues to become true in The Battle of the Labyrinth.
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 the Winter Solstice because he knows that Percy will come for her.
Luke is later seen with Atlas when he summons Skeleton Warriors to hunt down Percy Jackson . His final appearance in The Titan's Curse is when Percy Jackson, Thalia and Zoë, arrive at the regrowing fortress of the Titans, where Artemis and Annabeth are being 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 ("Is that what you want? To go back to your dad in triumph?"), 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 of her spear, but she instinctively kicks him off the cliff, something that causes her both guilt and grief.
Although his body 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' magic.
After her battle with Luke, Thalia pledges herself to Artemis in order to stop the prophecy from coming true through her, as she was only a few hours away from becoming sixteen.
Poseidon later notes that the only way a non-Titan/god 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 then tricked Annabeth into taking the sky and then used Annabeth to lure Artemis into taking the sky from Annabeth and Poseidon says 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. He is also seen in many of Percy's dreams.
When Luke is last seen, he is possessed by Kronos and attacks Percy Jackson, only stopped by the combined efforts of Rachel and Nico.
The Last Olympian
For the largest part of the war, Luke is completely controlled by Kronos, with a few moments of wavering 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 near him (except for the immortals).
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. A statue of Hera falls and would have killed Percy and Annabeth if Thalia had not pushed them out of the way. Thalia's legs are trapped under the statue 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 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 hero of the prophecy. Percy gave the knife to Luke who stabbed himself in his Achilles heel, which is located under his left arm, close to the underarm.
Percy, Annabeth, and Grover look away, hearing 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 loved him like 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. Percy realizes that the string he saw the Fates cut in The Lightning Thief, was not his, but Luke's.
The Heroes of Olympus
The Lost Hero
Luke is seen in pictures belonging to Thalia. When Jason asks Annabeth, who looks pained, who he is, she says "That's Luke. He's dead now." signaling Annabeth has still not gotten over his death yet. Jason then wonders if Percy Jackson wasn't the only boy Annabeth had ever liked.
The Son of Neptune
Although never mentioned in the book, there is a hint of him. During Percy's first meeting with Octavian with Hazel, Percy tells Octavian that he reminds him of someone. Although he can't put his finger on it, Octavian shares resemblance to Luke.
Personality
Luke showed his darker side as a villain for most of the series, so his character was mostly described as 'evil', however he was a hero in the end, so his character did bad things but was good at heart. In this way, he is more 'heroic' in the old sense of the terms, such as the stories of Theseus, Jason or Hercules. Apparently Kronos chose Luke to host him because he had a strong spirit.
Appearance
Luke is described as a tall, handsome with short-cropped sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, athletic-looking, muscular and has a sneaky look like all Hermes demigod children, but good-looking features.He is described through the series as being college aged. Many girls are attracted to him, even an Empousa named Kelli. The only thing not attractive on Luke is a thick, deep pale scar that runs from the bottom of his eye down to his chin. It is said that the scar was created when Luke stole a golden apple and was then clawed by the guardian dragon of the tree.
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 being taken over by Kronos.This is possibly because he bathed in the River Styx. He wore a white chiton, which made him look timeless. Percy thought he looked too healthy, because his skin had an unnatural glow to it.
Abilities
It is not mentioned what supernatural powers Luke 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 been shown when Luke transports at the end of The Lightning Thief. Although it might have been the power of Kronos.
- As Hermes is the God of Thieves, he has the ability to steal things without other people noticing, like the Master Bolt or the Helm of Darkness.
- Luke is said to be a great fighter and swordsman ("The best in 300 years", according to a Hermes camper, except maybe for Percy). It might have been from the River Styx or he hadn't bathed in there until afterwards mentioned.
- He has a strong spirit, because even after Kronos chooses him as his host, 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.
- Once Kronos possessed him, 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 invulnerable (except in a piece of skin under his left arm, and he can also be electrocuted, drowned, etc.).
- Luke has the ability to turn Kronos' scythe back into Backbiter, which Percy makes him do in 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 (minor telekinesis).
Weapons
Luke carries the half Celestial bronze and half tempered steel sword called Backbiter. Unlike Percy's sword Riptide which can't hurt mortals, (as they aren't "important enough to kill") Backbiter can hurt mortals. It's made from Celestial bronze and mortal steel. The two metals that the sword is made from are opposites, 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 scythe 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 Ouranos. He also used to carry a bronze knife which he gave to Annabeth when they met.
Relationships
Romance
Annabeth Chase, he took care of her when she was young
Annabeth Chase
Before Luke died, he asked Annabeth if she loved him, but Annabeth said that for her, he was like a brother. Though since The Lightning Thief, Annabeth showed great concern, loyalty, and admiration to Luke.
There were many hints throughout the series that Annabeth had a crush on Luke. When Luke hugged her, Percy said that she looked like she was going to pass out. Also, in The Battle of the Labyrinth, Luke was the "love" Annabeth had lost to a fate worse than death. Percy is shown to be extremely jealous of Annabeth's unrequited crush, though he tries to play this off as his own hatred for Luke. Percy stated that Luke was one of the reasons (along with Calypso and Rachel) that made his relationship with Annabeth complicated at the end of the fourth book. The most obvious clue was when Jason wondered if Annabeth had a crush on Luke from the way she talked about him.
Annabeth's crush was most likely one-sided, as she is seven years younger than Luke. Luke, however, obviously cared a lot for her.
Thalia Grace
It is hinted that Luke and Thalia may have been involved in a romantic relationship before Thalia had sacrificed herself at Half-Blood Hill, but that dissolved when Luke poisoned Thalia's tree in The Sea of Monsters. Thalia seems to dislike Zoë Nightshade in The Titan's Curse because she had appeared to Thalia when she was with Luke and she told Thalia he would let her down (like all men). She is seen crying as she fights him in The Titan's Curse. After Thalia saw how far Luke had fallen and that Zoë was right, she turned her back on men and joined the Hunters.
Family
May Castellan
Soon after Luke's birth, May tried to take in the spirit of the Oracle, but failed as Hades had cursed the Oracle during WWII so that her spirit would never move on. May suffered several side effects for many years, such as seeing glimpses of the future. She even saw Luke's fate and would go into spats of screaming that scared Luke growing up until he ran away from home. He eventually went back with Thalia and Annabeth to get supplies, which was when he met his dad, Hermes. He ran away again and eventually made it to Camp Half-Blood. His mother still waited everyday for him to return and made him sandwiches and cookies.
Hermes
Luke felt that Hermes abandoned him and his mom and because of that, hates all the gods. He grows to dislike Hermes more when he gives him a quest that had already been completed by another hero, Heracles. However, he failed in his quest to steal a golden apple and was left with a scar to remind him of his failure.
Hermes, on the other hand, loved his son very much and sent Percy to try and bring him back in The Sea of Monsters, but was disappointed when he wasn't able to. He also becomes angry at Annabeth, because she chose not to join him in The Battle of the Labyrinth, before Luke became Kronos' vessel, though Hermes is shown telling Percy that it wasn't her fault in The Last Olympian.
Film
The Lightning Thief
thumb|right|250px 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 acquaintances rather than live long friends; Luke's back-story 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, using a L86 LSW (with red dot) on the map Favela online. 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.
Video Game
In the video game, Luke is one of the main characters until the player has defeated Hades. His attacks are mostly poison-based. The others being Isaac and Grover, he is one of the three characters that can grant Haste to a party member. He is resistant to Poison. He is also the final boss in the game where he is fought alone by Percy.
Trivia
- In the graphic novel, the scar on Luke's face is on the opposite side.
- He is Hermes' favorite son.
- According to May, his mother, Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches, Chocolate Chip cookies are Luke's favorite snacks.
- Luke happened to be fond of "Kool Aid" (when he was younger).
- His surname "Castellan" means a governor or warden of a castle.
- Octavian bears a striking resemblance to Luke, causing Percy Jackson to think he knew him.
- Luke was the last known person to die in the Second Olympian War.
- Luke and Percy are alike in several ways:
- They are both excellent sword fighters.
- At some point they were both in the Hermes Cabin.
- Both of their mothers can see through the Mist.
- Both of them have bathed in the River Styx.
- Both of them saw Annabeth while bathing in the River Styx (For Luke, he also saw Thalia).
- Both of them are their father's favorite.
- Both of them have met Ladon.
- Both of them are subjects of the First Great Prophecy.
- Both of them held the weight of the sky.
- Annabeth Chase was interested romantically in both of them at one point in time.
- In the books, Luke's scar is caused by a dragon, while in the movie, it is caused by Percy.
