"So what you're saying," Oliver suggests, "Is that Nemesis is trying to start a war between the camps?
The group had retreated to somewhere they knew they wouldn't be overheard by gods or campers. Ethan and Sam had explained everything that had happened, from the camp attacks to the talk with the Ares kids. While no one else was really surprised, they were all slightly shocked that Sam and Ethan had done so much research.
"Yeah," Ethan tells Oliver. "At least, that's what we decided when we heard the Ares kids talking. We don't know for sure, but we think that she wants revenge for one of her kid's death. A kid named Ethan, actually. Have any of you heard of him?"
Everyone else shakes their head.
"But why would she want to start a war with camps when she's a Greek goddess? The Romans probably had nothing to do with his death," Chase asks. "It doesn't make sense."
"She's the goddess of revenge. If she wants revenge, she's going to go big. And maybe she thinks that the Romans can defeat the Greek," Sam replies. "It makes sense in her point of view."
"So to summarize," Nicole says, "Greek and Roman campers are both hallucinating that they're seeing other campers and hearing threats from each other. Nemesis has apparently been placing these thoughts in everyone's heads to start a war that will get revenge for her fallen son, Ethan. And it's been working so far, because the Romans are blood-thirsty and the Greeks are thick-headed. Not to mention, no one else knows about this, and Sam leaves for Camp Jupiter tonight, separating our team."
No one says anything after Nicole drops the magnitude of the situation on them, and everyone just looks around, finally realizing just how far in over their heads they are.
"Hold up, guys. We've got this. Our parents are some of the best demigods to have ever walked the planet. We've got the only living children of the Big Three gods as our parents, aunts, or uncles. Why don't we ask them for help, or at least if they know anything about Nemesis' grudges or her son Ethan?"
"That's… actually a good idea, Chase," Sam admits. "Since Nemesis is a Greek goddess, why don't you all ask your parents about her son and I'll talk to mine about anything else they might know. Sound good?"
After a chorus of affirmations come from everyone else, Sam gets up and heads to the door of Bunker Nine. "Alright, guys. I've gotta call Arion and get back to Camp Jupiter. Who knows what's happened since I've left."
"We'll keep you updated by IM. Don't worry about it," Ethan tells her. "You have to go back to camp."
She smiles sadly. "Yeah. I know."
They head out of the Bunker, each of them saying goodbye to her as they head to New Athens to talk to their parents. Ethan hangs back a bit to stay with her as she calls for Arion. Though she doesn't want to admit it, Sam is slightly glad that he wants to stay back with her to say a more personal goodbye.
The horse appears only a second after she calls for him. She gives him some gold nuggets and pets him, Ethan coming up beside her.
Ethan starts to say something to her, but changes his mind. After trying to clear his head, Sam finally shakes her head at him and laughs.
"Ethan, just say it?"
"What?"
"I know something's bothering you. What is it?"
"I just… I wish you didn't have to go, you know?" Though he doesn't seem like he said all that he wanted to, he pulls her to him and wraps her in a tight hug. Pleasantly surprised, Sam hugs him back.
"Me too," she says. "We'll figure this out soon, though. And then we can go back to relaxing and doing all the pranks we want, okay?" Sam smiles and steps away from him, hopping on Arion. "I'll see you later. Keep me updated if anything happens, alright?"
Ethan just nods and looks down, waving a hand to her and turning around to catch up with his friends.