Percy POV

Well that could have gone better, I thought to myself. The camp was in frenzy, the soldiers were each yelling their agreements with Octavian's delectation of war. I was stuck holding Reyna's emotionally broken body and not able to yell for order in fear of hurting her anymore than she already was.

One person seemed to be enjoying the chaos erupting and that was Octavian. He had a wickedly evil smile stretched across his face. That smile usually made me mad but this time I knew he had won and that smile made me depressed, even a little scared. He noticed my depressed look and walked over to me, smiling.

"You seem to be busy at the moment praetor, would you like my assistance in quieting everyone down." He said praetor as if it were some bad disease. His voice was a sickening sweet tone. I glared at him before reluctantly nodding; knowing only people with power could quiet Romans.

After a few minutes the crowd of furious Roman demigods settled down and had formed a circle around Octavian who began to speak loudly.

"Romans we will have an emergency meeting amongst the senate to discuss what action we should take against the crimes committed by the Greeks. Unfortunately it appears we will not have the praetors in this meeting as one is emotional distraught and the other is needs to comfort her." He said this while looking in my direction. He knew I'd look like a heartless praetor if I said no. Not only that, but Reyna was a good friend and I knew I couldn't abandon her now.

As much as I didn't want to I told the Roman crowd angrily "Yey, I'll make my leave, I trust the senate will make a smart decision." I scooped up Reyna and began to walk to the praetor's cabin.

I saw Octavian's grin, if possible, widen. The Romans likely thought of my anger tone was directed to Jason, not Octavian. They were half right. I hadn't said a word to Jason and he'd already clinched number two on my shit list, right behind Gaea.

I knew war was imminent, and greatly worried me. I had to fight for Rome or have Styx reap my soul, not two great options. I sent a silent prayer to every god and goddess I knew to help figure this out. I didn't get a vocal response but I felt a feeling of warmth spread through my body. I had only felt this warm when one person touched me, and that was Hestia. I quickly made a mental note to make a camp fire tonight in hopes she'd show up.

I looked down and saw Reyna's former dark, piercing eyes look dull, the tears and hiccups had stopped which worried me. When she was crying I knew she was alive. Right now her body was limp and lifeless and I had to feel her pulse to make sure she was alive.

We eventually made it to the praetor's cabin and I set Reyna on her bed, my arms still around her. I wanted to comfort her but I wasn't sure how to do that to a lifeless body. I slipped my arms from under her. The second I wasn't touching her she lunged forward shocking me immensely.

Her hand grabbed my collar and grasped it tightly. "Don't", she practically yelled at me. Tears' appearing in her eyes once again as her body visibly tensed. She stood that way for a few second before her body went limp and she fell, forcing me to catch her. Her sorrowful eyes looked into mine before begging "please… please don't go." I couldn't leave her, not like this. I sat her down where her arms wrapped around my body tightly, refusing to let me go. I saw her eyes eventually closed as she fell asleep. Her features relaxed as she slept.

I thought of all the events that had just happened and realized, I didn't even get the chance to speak to Annabeth today. That asshole, Jason I think his name was, and his girlfriend had literally ruined everything. My chance to reunite with my girlfriend, my chance to see my home again, our chance of defeating Gaea; all of them tarnished. I wanted to take my rage out on something, but my arms were currently restricted by a Praetor. Giving up my rage, I wasn't good at staying angry for long, I close my eyes.

I eventually dosed off with Reyna.

I awoke hours later and realized it was night. A full moon showed in the sky. Reyna was still sleeping, though she looked slightly uncomfortable; she must not have been having a pleasant dream. I slipped from under her before walking outside. I sneakily went to the woods where I made a fire.

I sat watching the flame roar for at least a couple of minutes when I heard a childish voice greet me. Sitting across the fire was my favorite goddess Hestia. She was in her usual eight year old body, with a small warm chocolate dress. Her eyes were orbs of brown flames. Her brunette hair cascaded down her back effortlessly. The image was ruined only by the look of worry on her face.

Despite the situation, I felt warmth spread through my body. I felt hope, which I seemed to lack after today's events.

"Lady Hestia" I said respectively before bowing.

"Hello Perseus, you've had the quite the emotional day." She responded softly before she began to flicker. I realized I still had my praetor's cape on. I took it off and quickly and hid it behind me. After a minute or two her form stabilized.

I sighed before asking "Lady Hestia what should we do? A war is brewing and I really don't want to die, nor fight my family. Is there any way we can stop this war?"

She looked thoughtful before responding, "Honestly I don't know. With Gaea rising, a war would be catastrophic. The senate has already decided to set invasion to camp half blood tomorrow. I will speak with the gods, if there is nothing that can be done, you MUST attempt diplomacy, maybe you can convince Jason and Piper to submit."

I'm not sure how good a chance we had but I knew it was our best chance. "Thank you Lady Hestia" I said, bowing once again. She gave me a simple nod before vanishing. As soon as she left the warmth in my body abandoned me. Feeling drowsy I limped back to the praetor's cabin, my mind fried from all the things I now had to worry about. I decided to lay next to Reyna tonight. She really needed some support. Her arms unconsciously wrapped around my body and I held her tightly. I slept while dreams of a burning camp half blood haunted my sleep.