The field lay barren, destitute.

Clouds swarmed the sky, casting grey shadows across the hills, blanketing the surrounding areas with dullness.

The wind thrashed against the trees, the only prevailing sound the cold hollow wails of the wind.

The sea was in an uproar, tumultous waves crashing into the shore, blanketing the sand with coarse rocks and crashing white foam unto the dirt.

Strawberries laid strewn on the ground, crushed and mangled in the chaos to get to the ampitheater.

A cold chill had settled over camp, the calmness was of the deepest unsettling nature.

Silence.

And then,

"Campers." A throat cleared. "Fellow Greeks and accolades. It gives me the utmost grievances to report the information that Nico, Jason and Piper have brought to us."

Chiron opened his mouth again to relay the news, but no sound came out. He staggered, his back legs falling back.

A young woman, battered and bruised with a bleeding lip stood up from behind him. She placed a hand on the weathered centaur's shoulder, relaying to him a private message.

Chiron nodded, and stepped down.

Piper rose and met the faces of the Greek demigods packed into the marble stands surrounding her. Their faces were tainted with dread for what she had to say.

Ashes rose out of the coals in the fire pit, swirling in tendrils up into the air.

She opened her mouth and stood, putting force behind the words to make them come.

"The Romans are closing in as we speak. You already know this, and you have prepared well."

"The three of us return from the ancient lands to deliver news."

"First, we have located the doors of Death, and will lead an expidition to close them from Greece, where the mortal entrance lies."

"Second, we have one month until Gaea will rise completely and we must defeat her."

Whispers flitted around the stands in a panicked wave, but were quickly quieted as Piper stood, waiting to deliver the last bit of news.

"And third-" Her voice broke.

"Third, Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase have fallen into Tartarus."

There was an uproar of noise.

Comedic gasps, moanful wails, and cries and sobs.

Jason buried his head in his hands from where he sat in the front row behind Piper.

Chiron turned away.

Tyson let out a shuddering sob.

Malcom raked his hands through his hair, a painful grimace on his face.

Grover looked dumbstruck as Juniper began sobbing next to him.

Clarisse rose in anger, completely dumbfounded.

Piper cleared her throat.

Silence fell again besides trembles of sobs and tears.

"They sacrificed themselves for this quest."

"But we have knowledge that they are not... not gone yet. They plan to meet us on the opposite side of the Doors of Death, which we must reach as soon as possible with as many reinforcements as we can to ensure their release as well as to close the doors for good."

"While the Romans seek to fight, we must plead for peace."

"We must be democratic, and ask for their help. We must ensure that Percy and Annabeth's sacrifice was not for nothing."

Chiron now took his place in the center, ready to speak, ready to lead his people.

"Percy Jackson is the most powerful, most resilient and most determined hero I have ever had the experience to work with."

"He is with Annabeth Chase, who is the most intelligent, cunning and honored demigod I have ever met. Together, they complete the greatest team Olympus could hope for. They are unmatched."

"Which is why we do not burn their shrouds, but raise them up as a reminder of hope as we prepare to make peace with the Romans."

Jason stood, and joined Piper, holding two folded pieces of silk.

One was a deep blue reminiscent of the ocean on a clear day embroidered by Tyson's careful hands with Gold thread to depict a trident, along with the words "Brother and Hero" alongside other additions such as "Saviour of Olympus" "Earthshaker" and "Seaweed Brain".

Jason hung it on the cables and hoisted it up so that it flapped in the wind, high above the camp.

Piper raised the luminescent gray silk, which had been embroidered carefully by the Athena cabinmates with silver thread in beautiful patterns and memories.

Every demigod rose, in unity, prepared to face the Romans with a new determination instilled in the pits of their stomachs.

As the whole stadium erupted into claps and cheers of determination and proudness, Piper, Jason and Nico stood at the front, ready to rally the heros that stood before them.

No one had noticed the private notes inscribed months prior into the gray and blue silk.

The one on the Blue silk read in a neat, careful hand;

Seaweed Brain,

You were the best friend I ever had, as lame as that sounds. You were the strongest and bravest and the most loyal demigod I ever met. You did great things, and I will always remember you for what you did for me. You were everything to me.

Love,

Annabeth

The words written in the silver thread were much more ragged, but care had obviously been taken;

Wise Girl,

I hope to dear gods I never have to watch this burn. It's beautiful, but it's owner is even more so. Annabeth, you're amazing. My heart belongs to you. Forever.

Love,

Percy.