Helluiuuuu! So glad to be finally able to post a new chapter of this story! Although, not really sure who is still reading this. Like really? Have you seen the stats on this story? I published the first chapter in 2013! And I only have gotten the 14th chappie uploaded; the word to chapter ratio is honestly no that great; this is a replace/ version fanfiction of a book that was actually published in 2014; there are way better BoO fanfics that are actually completed. what are you doing reading this? Like for those of you that dont know- the last chapter was uploaded june of 2016...this one has been posted in sptember of 2018- over TWO YEARSSSS
lmao Anyway, if you are just reading this chapter because you want to know the status of my other stories-they will be uploaded...at some point.
If you see anything that needs correcting or just something is off about a character or scene-anything! please TELL ME! I will fix it...it might take a decade, but it will happen. :)
For those of you weirdos that are actually reading this story- pls enjoy the new chapter
XIV
Reyna
Reyna pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a deep breath. Her patience was at an all-time low, and that was saying something.
She was inside the Praetor's private quarters of the campsite conducting a debate with the Roman Curiate Senate through an Iris message (their reaction to that was most amusing).
She stared the members of the senate down. "You cannot go meet these Greeks! You do not have the support of the Curiate!" One of the old men cried.
"I have already decided to be present in the meeting," Reyna ground out behind clenched teeth.
The senate member who had spoken, Aelius, sputtered about indignantly. Another decided to save him.
"This case is pointless anyway," the man said, "As you've gone to the ancient lands, your praetorship has been revoked. You killed our esteemed augur, a centurion of the First Cohort, and one that had taken the role of praetor. That is highly punishable. And if you go to the Greeks, then you will be labeled a traitor."
Reyna bristled, "Senator Seneca, I went to help the seven chosen demigods on their quest and brought back the Athena Parthenos, which I was assigned to bring by the goddess herself."
"A Greek goddess," another senate member mumbled.
"Yes," Seneca agreed, "and you were accompanied by two Greeks. One was even a faun!"
"Satyr," Reyna corrected.
A couple members squawked, appalled, but Seneca waved her off. "And let's not forget about the boy! A Greek who came to spy on us, labeling himself as Pluto's Ambassador!"
Murmurs filled the Curiate Assembly room.
Reyna's anger bubbled furiously. "Nico di Angelo did not come as a spy. He came as an escort for one of our most talented soldiers. He stayed and gave insightful information, experience, and advice. He is loyal. Whether or not he was born a Roman, he stood by New Rome and defended it."
"Gave insightful information?" Senator Marian shouted, "More like hid insightful information unless he confided in you that the Greeks still lived on."
"He did not disclose that to me," Reyna said. But she wasn't heard. The senators were all shouting in outrage. Reyna spotted Senator Seneca smirking smugly. Reyna glared. "This act of war is foolish!" She yelled. She continued when the senate had calmed down, "This act of war is foolish if we have a diplomatic option, which they are offering."
"Because they are cowards," Seneca announced boldly. "They know they are no match for the Roman Legion. I say we march on and not give in."
"Is that an offer to join the front lines, Senator?" Reyna asked. She didn't let her smile show when Seneca visibly paled. "I assure you; the Greeks are quite skilled and have viable defenses. I will go to the diplomatic meeting. If it succeeds, you will be adhering to a negotiation with them. If it fails, then we can follow your plan."
The senators nodded and whispered to each other. Seneca scowled as he heard the others around him. "Very well, Praetor," he sneered, "We accept. Are there any objections?" no one said anything. "The terms on your position will be discussed when you come back- if you do. This meeting is adjourned. You are all dismissed."
Reyna waved a hand through the image. She sighed heavily. She hated dealing with those noble pretentious senate members. But as the senate made of the centurions were apparently too disorganized, the Curiate Assembly was called into session. Getting up, she prepared herself for the meeting that she had requested with the Greeks. It would be held in what they called the Big House. All the Greek counselors with just her. Many of the soldiers close to her had voiced their opinions on that matter, but she had stood resilient against them. Reyna was certain that what was to be said would be directed to her and that she would be the only Roman they would accept the response from.
She trudged up the hill towards the tree. Reyna hoped that Hedge and Nico would be at this meeting. She hadn't seen them since the day before and had been too busy to search for them. Waiting by the huge Pine Tree was Peleus, the huge, copper dragon which was warily watching her, and Butch, the counselor for the Iris Cabin. The son of Iris nodded at her once and, without a word, spun around and marched away, leaving Reyna to follow behind him.
When they reached the blue building, Butch led her into the meeting room. Conversations quickly quieted as eyes gathered to look at her. She was disappointed that none belonged to Nico or Coach Hedge. There were chairs thrown haphazardly around a ping-pong table, and in the corner, she spotted an old nacho cheese machine.
"Praetor Reyna," Chiron said, "Welcome."
Reyna nodded, consciously keeping her hand away from her sword. Though the immortal teacher was known even in the Roman world, instinct had her go for her weapon at the sight of any centaur.
"Thank you, though I wish it was under less precarious circumstances."
"I think we all do."
"This is why we are here to discuss those that don't." Reyna took a seat.
"Gaea?" asked a green-eyed girl, tinkering with some sort of device, "I get why she would attack the camps, but do you think she would before her awakening?"
"It makes sense," said the counselor of the Athena cabin whose name, if Reyna remembered correctly from a haste introduction after her…entrance was Malcolm Pace. "They could've taken us when we were battling, or right after, since both sides would be at their weakest. When did you say Gaea was supposed to awaken, Lou Ellen?"
"In my dream," the green-eyed girl replied, "She said that she would awaken on the first of August. That's less than two weeks away."
"That is also what the others said," Reyna stated. She noticed Malcolm look at her, mildly surprised. "Besides," she continued, "there are more who would rather there be bloodshed between us than just the giants. The more influential members of the Roman Curiate Assembly are pressing for violence, and, as much as I detest it, there are those in the legion who honestly agreed with Octavian."
"Curiate Assembly?" Someone asked.
"It's another senate," Reyna explained, "This one is run by the older, noble, non-military society. It is an alternative when the main senate run by the centurions is… malfunctioning."
"So, is it safe to trust all of you?" Conner, son of Hermes, asked. "No offense," he quickly added.
Reyna sighed in defeat. "None taken," she answered.
"The negotiations and official pact should keep the senate legally bound, "Malcolm said, "and if any of your soldiers went against an official pact, they wouldn't just be charged with insubordination on the leading officers, they would also be breaking Roman laws and would be guilty of treason."
"But if the senate is opposed to the peace, the pact will be completely one-sided, one that we cannot accept!" someone called out.
"We can negotiate on those terms! That's what this whole thing is about!" someone else retorted.
"This isn't going to work. We are too different," Reyna heard a boy mutter under his breath.
Reyna gritted her teeth, feeling the oncoming of a migraine, as shouts were hurled across the room.
Reyna stood and slammed her fists on the ping-pong table, silencing the room. "These negotiations have to work, and they have to work perfectly. I can hold my own before the Curiate, but the power I rightfully have – even with the legion-is limited and can be altered by the senate. Anything, any spick out of line, and they will call it out and advance us to war." And if we fight, Reyna thought to herself, I will be forced to make a decision: one that goes against the gods and my better judgment, or one that will tear my legion apart.
"Yes," Chiron said gravely, "I think it wise for us to give you our utmost cooperation."
"I say 'aye' to that decision," Malcolm.
A chorus of agreement went around.
"Yes, we all agree to that. It would be dumb not to," said a broad, muscular girl with a spear leaning on her shoulder. Reyna was told about her from Nico. Clarisse la Rue, daughter of Ares, did not initially think of peace and had suggested to of attacking the Romans first, but ever since Reyna had brought the Athena Parthenos back, her pro-war opinions had receded. "The problem," she continued, "is how to convince your soldiers that we can be allies. Convincing the senate is all well and good, but they are not here; they are not fighting."
Murmurs went around the rec room. Before Reyna could say anything, she heard shouts from outside. "What in Hades is going on?" Clarisse growled. She stepped outside, and everyone else followed. Well, everyone except one boy who was asleep in the corner. The children of Hypnos, though unintimidating in appearance, had captured some of Reyna's attention as she walked onto the battlefield the day before since they were literally asleep during the fight and surrounded by snoozing enemies who had fallen into the trap of getting too near. A mark of one of the many differences between the two sides.
"The Romans are advancing!" yelled a boy, who looked no older than twelve, in dusty jeans and a breastplate.
What?
"Hold your ground! Do not advance!" Clarisse roared at the groups assembled on the camp boundary. She turned on Reyna and snarled, "Are you attacking us in the middle of negotiations?"
"No, why-"
"Then what is going on?"
Clarisse got her answer as the ground trembled and the Roman camps exploded.
"Something blew up their camp!" the boy noted.
Reyna swerved to look in the direction of the camp and saw plumes of dust going through the air. She saw flying figures darting around in the fumes. Distantly, Reyna heard Chiron say, "Yes, Keel, we know. Thank You. Go join your siblings."
"Wait!" "An archer, binoculars held up to his face, yelled from a tree, "They are not attacking! They are being attacked! We have… oh Holy Hera…" The army came out of the wreckage, hundreds of monsters crawling out of the torn earth, and leading them were two beings that Reyna had prayed to never see again. "We've got giants!"
Smaller than other giants, these two were exactly how Jason and Percy described them. Otis and Ephialtes, the bane of Bacchus. "Romans!" the purple-haired giant's voice boomed over the camps. Reyna narrowed her eyes at the giant warily. "In honor of our new alliance and on the order of your leaders, we have come to fight with you against the Greeks."
"Now," the other giant said with a dramatic flair of his hand, "in a true poetic fashion! Let their blood be spilt! Kill them all!" With that battle cry, the monsters charged, and the chaos ensued.
Before she could blink, Reyna had a sword at her throat. "You have two seconds to convince me not to kill you," Clarisse said.
Reyna swallowed down her instinct to pull her own weapon and looked around her. She saw the Greek soldiers murmuring amongst themselves, looking warily at the Roman Soldiers and the advancing army of monsters. Were the Romans part of this new attack?
"Greek soldiers," Reyna shouted, "the Romans may or may not be on your side! The giants may think we are all on their side, but there are many who aren't!" Reyna locked her gaze with Clarisse. "I am proof of that. Trust your instincts! And may the gods help us."
Clarisse snorted impassively as she moved her sword away, but Reyna saw her smirk.
"Alright, we can deal with the monsters and anyone else on their side," the daughter of Ares said, "The giants aren't supposed to die without the help of a god, though I still say if you hack at them enough times…"
"Leave the giants to me," Reyna said, looking at the spot the Roman camp used to be. A glint of gold seemed to dare her behind the Giants and their army. "I have an idea."
Clarisse followed her gaze. "An absolutely crazy idea. Risky, highly dangerous, not even sure it'll work," She said, then smiled, "I like it." She proceeded to raise her sword and yell, "Ares Cabin to me!" Following her example, the other cabin leaders started to organize themselves as well. Reyna also saw nymphs and other nature spirits assemble at the edge of the Strawberry fields; the satyr she had met before, Grover, was the one leading them. She raised an eyebrow. Apparently, there was more to him than just a nervous woodland creature with some nature powers.
Reyna looked passed the oncoming army to her target, shining in the sunlight. This was very risky, even without the added obstacle of the armies and giants. Reyna had no idea if this was going to work, and if it did, there was no telling what Minerva would do to her. What would Athena do to her? Reyna decided not to think too deeply about it.
Clarisse reverted her attention back to the Roman next to her. "We'll rush at them and push them as far back as we can, hopefully getting all their attention away from you."
Reyna nodded at the simply put plan. She had noticed that Greeks put more emphasis on improvisation of individual skill to work in a group than the roman way which was to have a heavily thought out strategized plan, restricting individual prowess of soldiers while at the same time utilizing them.
Reyna surveyed the incoming wave. With a start, she realized that some Roman soldiers were raising their shields, a sign of surrender or possibly a sign that they were willing to ally with the Greeks. Reyna frowned. As a trained roman, she did not like dissenters or traitors or any kind of dispute among her troops, but she quelled the feeling down. Reyna noticed that those surrendering were mostly from the fifth cohort. That was expected, and she made sure to point them out to Clarisse who relayed it to the rest of the Greeks.
"Archers, ready you're your bows!" Will Solace of Apollo Cabin cried out. Reyna shifted as Chiron pulled out his bow.'
"We go in as soon as they loosen," Clarisse ordered. "Stolls, do your thing." The twins of Hermes nodded with mischievous grins plastered on their faces.
"Fire!" Solace commanded.
"Let's move!" Clarisse shouted at the same time.
A plethora of arrows, all different colors- and some with special features- flew over her head as Reyna ran towards, the advancing troops, the enemy, her comrades. She felt sick just thinking about it. As the two sides neared each other, Reyna slowed down letting others go in front of her so she could get lost in the crowd.
As soon as the two armies met, chaos reigned once more. Reyna spotted an opening and took it.
Weaving in and around the horde of monsters and the rare roman soldier who dared get close to her, Reyna tried to get through towards the Parthenos. But there were too many. She never got too far through when she was just pushed back from the sheer number of monsters. She made a monster combust in a cloud of yellow dust, but five stepped up to replace it. This wasn't getting her anywhere.
"Yeah, come get it, you uglies! No one's getting to my babies!"
Reyna turned around to see Coach Hedge flinging a monster away with an imposing swing of his baseball bat.
"Hedge!" Reyna ducked as a crumbling telekhine flew over her.
Hedge twirled his bat as he glanced at her. "Reyna! Good to see you're still alive."
"Likewise." Reyna blocked an arrow with her sword. "Have you seen Nico?"
"No," Hedge grunted as he beat down the monster and turned to look at her, "haven't seen him since last night. Wasn't he with you?"
Reyna turned to stare at the satyr. "No, I thought he was with you."
A beat of silence passed between them. Hedge cursed. Oh my gods.
Reyna was shaken out of her thoughts when she had to dodge a spear; she gutted the offending monster with her javelin. "Anyway," She said, forcing herself back to the fight, "We can figure that out later. I have a plan for the giants. Are you in?"
"Would I leave you with all the fun?" He slammed his bat on a Roman who was sneaking up on him. Reyna winced as she heard bones crack. Hedge grinned up at her and answered his own question. "Not a chance."
"Come on, then," She said.
They rushed forward. Separately, both were stuck getting nowhere, but together they were able to blaze through.
Reyna thrust her javelin forward, spearing a hellhound through its neck. At the same time, Hedge had jumped over her and swung his bat in a fatal blow against the armored cyclops riding the hound. Both didn't even give a second thought to the monsters they turned to dust, focused on getting to the golden statue of Athena frowning at the wreckage that was occurring before her.
It wasn't long before they reached the twin giants, who looked down at them with smug scorn. "It seems as we have our first taste of demigod blood today, brother," Ephialtes exclaimed.
"So cocky, huh?" Hedge shot back. "Aren't you forgetting you just got beat by some demigods not too long ago."
Ephialtes scowled, "That was unfair! Dionysus did not follow the script!"
Reyna started to edge around them as Hedge was keeping their attention.
"Listen cupcake, your mama's not regaining power. We have defeated you before, and you'll go down once again!"
"Mother will get the blood she desires, and she will then fully awaken to return glory to this world! And it seems one has already fallen," Ephialtes laugh boomed in the clearing, "The little death boy has finally met a power greater than his own."
Reyna felt her heart stop. No, it couldn't be. "You lie, giant" she spat.
Ephialtes smiled, "I was told it was a grand performance. I wish I was there to see the show. Oh, the drama! The feeling of remorse and anger would have been overpowering."
Otis frowned at his brother. "There should have been some music and a choreography. And, Alcyoneus has been defeated again."
Ephialtes waved him off, "A small sacrifice for the beginning of Gaea's reign. He will rise once more when this war is over." He twirled the spear in his hand and smiled cruelly at Reyna and Hedge. "Now we do our duty to our mother and kill any who oppose her."
Reyna shifted into a better stance. Hedge hefted his baseball bat. "Bring it on, cupcake."
Ephialtes ran full steam at him, leaving Otis to stand guard at the statue. She heard from Jason's account that Otis was the more non-violent of the two but fully backed up his brother in the fights he got into. Right now, she wanted at least one of the giants to have their weapons drawn and pointed in her direction. Typical, Reyna mentally snorted, why can't any of my plans involve me relaxing and getting a tan at the beach?
Disgruntled at his brother's rash actions, a frown was set upon Otis's face as he regarded Reyna's approaching figure and hoisted his spear warily. Reyna tried to subtly inch around him, but the giant was not fooled and watched her every step. Trying to sneak passed him wouldn't work when he was on high alert and focused right on her. However, if she just charged at him…
Reyna paused to shift her javelin in a better stance and spot an opening. Otis had a solid defensive form, but she wasn't trying to land a hit on him; at least not yet anyway. There! She shot forward, making sure to display her trajectory as if she was going straight at him. At the last moment, she switched to his left side.
But it was not to be. In an incredible display of skill and intuitiveness, one that probably came from a millennium of experience, Otis pivoted on one foot and dragged his spear on the ground around his back, loosening the earth and sending mounds of dirt flying at her. Reyna gasped as one particular rock knocked into her, forcing her to go tumbling back a couple of yards. She groaned as she hauled herself to her hands and knees. With a glance, she saw that Otis had gone back to his defensive stance. There was a pain in her chest that told her that her ribs were badly bruised. There was a dent in her breastplate that was digging deep into her side. She grunted as she stripped it off. So much for that. Goodbye, upper body protection.
A shout and a curse made her wince. It didn't take much for her to know that Hedge had plowed rather inelegantly into the ground by her. His bat followed, almost plonking him in the head. Ephialtes laughed. "You have such big words for a such a small donkey!"
Hedge growled. He looked at Reyna. "What did you say was the plan again?"
Reyna focused on Ephialtes. "We have to lure Ephialtes towards the statue. He is reckless and will be blindly trying to kill us. But he is also an excellent shot."
"How lucky for us," Hedge grumbled.
"We need to get him to hit the statue."
"What!" Hedge asked, incredulously, "After we managed to get it all the way here?"
"The goddess will come to defend it," Reyna said. Hopefully. "Now, get ready for another spar with this guy. Here he comes."
Ephialtes was sauntering towards them, a swagger in his step. "Finished saying your last words to each other? The two of you alone will not be able to stop me!" His spearhead flashed in the sunlight as he raised it.
"I hope not," Hedge replied, throwing Reyna a skeptical glance, "I intend for mine to be a lot more aggravating."
So, a Roman Demigod and a satyr fought a Giant.
Ephialtes was easily defending against their attacks and was successfully counter-attacking. They were not much of a threat together, as it was too easy to have combat with two targets that were relatively in the same spot. So, when she saw her chance, Reyna rolled between his legs. She and Hedge renewed their combined assault locking the giant in between them. Ephialtes kept stepping back to dodge Hedge's bludgeons and counterattack the jabs from Reyna. They were slowly moving across the fields towards the statue and Otis. She could hear Hedge's heavy cursing as they were both forced to slide under a fatal swing of the giant's weapon.
In that one move, Ephialtes had maneuvered himself, and them, so that Reyna and Hedge were in the same spot.
Ephialtes held the huge spear in both hands as he plunged it down at them again. Reyna ducked. Hedge tumbled forward. The spearpoint went into the ground. Without thinking, a questioning moment really, Reyna sprung towards it.
Reyna jumped on the spear and leapt backward at Ephialtes. Reyna grunted as she forced her body to spin midair before thrusting with all her might. Her javelin found a weak point in Ephialtes's thigh and stabbed him through his scales. Reyna clutched on as her weight dragged her down, bringing her sword with her down the giant's leg. Scales rained down like green hail. Reyna had to admit that it was quite beautiful. Otis left his post to aid his brother, but it was too late. Ephialtes howled and, in his rage, hurled his spear at her. Reyna felt a huge shiver go down her spine as she watched the spear sail right past her, towards the statue. Reyna stumbled back in shock. A huge bong was heard as the spear hit a shield. The golden shield blurred with speed as it batted the spear away.
With a yell, Hedge shoved his bat in the wound on Ephialtes's leg. Ephialtes gasped in pain and fell to his knees. Reyna raised her spear and embedded it in the back of the giant's neck.
"GAAAHH!" Ephialtes bowed his head on the ground in agony, and Reyna was thrown off him. She looked up from her place on the ground to see the giant covering the wound with his hands. The goddess of wisdom herself had appeared. With incredible speed she was upon him, her spear poised for his head. Athena brought her spear down, skewering Ephialtes and turning him to dust.
"Brother!" Otis wailed and theatrically flung his spear to the side. The side where Reyna happened to be. With a smack, the shaft of the weapon was the last thing Reyna saw before her world went dark.
In her dream, she was flying above land, and something told her that this was Greece. As she flew past the ruins of a temple, she saw the tell-tale signs of a battle. Skirmishes and prints in the dirt. Trees bent and crushed. The all too familiar yellow dust of monsters that lingered in the crevices. Reyna's body started to descend. She landed several meters away from the ruins, where she was greeted by the solemn, tired faces of the seven demigods.
Reyna had to fight off the fear that rose when she took one look at Jason's beaten body on the ground. She let go a breath when she saw the slight rise and fall of his chest indicating that he was still alive. Piper and Leo sat by him not saying a word. Percy and Annabeth were off to the side whispering which, when Reyna leaned in, she figured out was an argument.
"We need to move, Percy," Annabeth said, "As I've said, we only have eleven days left."
"We are not ready to go anywhere," Percy argued. "Jason is unconscious and needs time to heal. And when-" Percy stopped himself. He continued on even quieter than before. "Our morale is at an all-time low. We won't be able to hold our own if we walk into another of Gaea's traps. And as I've said: we need time to recover. Especially Hazel."
Reyna interest perked at the name of the Roman centurion. Reyna turned and sought out the other two Roman demigods. Her feeling of dread rose even more when she found them. The daughter of Pluto was sitting under a tree, wrapped in Frank's embrace, hiding from the others. Hazel's face was flushed and her eyes were puffy from crying.
Reyna clenched her fist as she confirmed what Ephialtes had said to her. "The little death boy has finally met a power greater than his own."
She cursed. Why did he have to choose that moment to be the selfless hero again? Even though she knew why, because if not, one of the others would have taken his place, it didn't make it any better.
The scene shifted and suddenly Reyna was in New Rome but not a room she recognized. It was small and the light was dim. But there were people there. The people were arguing, and the people were whom she recognized. Several of them were Curiate senators. All of them strongly supported Octavian and despised her.
"Enough!" A man called out, silencing the crowd. Reyna recognized him as Senator Seneca. "The deal has been sealed, and the deed is in action. There is nothing we can do about it now. Squabbling like pathetic chickens is pointless."
"This deal was unauthorized. We were not aware of it and did not vote on it!" Another man said.
"Are you under the impression that we have to have votes on matters?" Seneca scoffed. "There is none of that nonsense here. Here we have a strong leader which you all appointed as, me. I am holding your word and trust that you have faith in me to make a wise decision. While a difficult choice it was, it was the best decision." He turned theatrically, placing a hand upon his heart. "And we must continue to act as so. Our esteemed augury is dead and our praetors have gone to the side of the enemy. We are the leaders now, and as the one who has been taking the lead so far, the burden will fall on me to- WAKE UP!"
Reyna almost jumped as Seneca yelled at her. "Excuse me?" Reyna demanded, affronted.
Seneca came up to her and slapped her in the face. "Come on, Praetor! Wake up!" What!? How dare that vile- Wait that wasn't Seneca. She knew that voice…
Reyna came to with a moan. Blue eyes and curly black hair was what she saw first. And a Kool-Aid stained mouth.
"Dakota?"
The CO of the fifth cohort nodded in confirmation. "Praetor, we have to move. Can you stand?"
He helped her to her feet and they started to move. Her vision went a bit hazy. Perhaps she hit her head too hard? Not to mention she felt like she was being punched, every time she breathed. Her memories started to come back to her as she looked around. The ground was covered in yellow monster dust. She didn't see Hedge anywhere nor, now that she remembered, the goddess that came to their aid. The golden statue of her had toppled over at some point, the spear pointing towards the Greek camp. She turned around when she thought she heard her name being called. A pair of familiar-looking twins were waving their arms at her, yelling something she couldn't fully hear. Reyna had a bad feeling. Dakota slashed down a lone, dizzy looking empousa warrior that had stumbled too close. "What!?" She yelled at them.
"The bag," Dakota murmured, and Reyna realized that the red on his face was not Kool-Aid. "They threw a black bag by the last giant. Though as soon as they did, Minerva-was that Minerva-disappeared."
Reyna's eyes drifted to the recuperating giant and spotted the backpack that stuck out against the yellow sand. Reyna gasped as she connected the dots. She cursed heavily. She was pretty sure that she had a good idea of what was going on. She urged Dakota to go faster, as she hobbled away as fast as she could.
"You may run, but you cannot hide!" Otis taunted after them, a new dangerous gleam in his eyes, "You may have been able to defeat one of us with a god, but there is none with you now! I am Otis, bane of Dionysus and I will-" BOOM!
Whatever he was going to say was replaced by a huge explosion. Followed by a deafening The two demigods hit the dirt. Reyna ground her teeth as her body got hit with an intense pressure and a hail of rock and mud.
Reyna turned to look at the blast site just in time to see Otis, still tumbling from the force of the blast, run straight into the golden spear of the Athena Parthenos.
The silence after the blast was deafening. Reyna's own heartbeat had never seemed louder; she thought her eardrums had burst. A harpy squawked and then everything happened so fast. The monsters, without their strong leaders, started to disappear-either running away or being shot down by arrows of the unyielding Greeks. Reyna's brow wrinkled for a frown. Was that a legion arrow just there?
Arms were being wrapped around her again. More people were bringing her and Dakota-and other wounded Demigods too- to Camp Half-Blood.
The infirmary was crowded and bustling with activity. As soon as they entered the door, a young girl took them to a cot where she did some basic inspections and cleaned them both up a bit.
There were many people, but Reyna spotted a number of purple shirts being taken care of. She saw Clarisse and Chiron enter the infirmary. They scanned the place until seeing her and made their way over.
Clarisse was the first to speak. "Nice job with the giants, I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it. Now, what was up with them showing up the way they did?"
Reyna stood and Dakota followed suit. "The legion had nothing to do with bringing them here or making any deals."
Clarisse frowned, "I want to trust you and I believe that you are on our side and want to join forces, but my instincts are screaming at me otherwise and what in Hades am I supposed to tell people about all this?"
"I can explain."
"We don't expect anything out of you, yet," Chiron said gently, "Rest, get well first."
Clarisse pursed her lips, looking like she disagreed with that. "Once you are fixed up we will have a discussion about this new turn of events-like why the giants were claiming Roman support." She promptly left the infirmary.
Chiron followed her out, but not before telling her to "get well soon".
Dakota turned to her.
"Praetor, I promise you. I had no idea about any sort of alliance with the giants. They must have been lying, aiming to confuse and divide us."
"It was Seneca," Reyna told him, "He made some sort of deal with the giants. I saw it."
"What? They have turned against us!" Dakota reeled back in surprise. He did not realize how those words affected the daughter of Bellona. "I must tell the others and get in contact with those still at camp. They have betrayed-"
"No," Reyna said, so quietly it came as a whisper.
Dakota stuttered to a halt. "Praetor…"
"No," Reyna repeated, her eyes looking at something nobody but she could see as she realized what she had done with guilty horror.
"I turned against you," Reyna stumbled.
"No, Praetor, you did what was right."
"No, I betrayed the legion."
"You battled for peace, Praetor-"
"I do not deserve that title," Reyna spat, "I abandoned my troops to lead another army against them."
"But-"
"And now the Senate has made a pact with those monsters! The legion has been divided and it's all my fault!"
"Praetor."
"Do not abandon the legion, Commander," Reyna pleaded, eyes wide in sudden, frenzied panic, "Keep the legion strongly united. No matter how tough it gets or misguided, there will always be a way to make it right!"
"Excuse me, you need to leave," a girl in an orange shirt said firmly to Dakota, leading him out.
"But-" Dakota protested.
"Promise me, Dakota"
"You cannot be here."
A hand was placed on her shoulder by a boy with freckles that she knew she recognized but just couldn't remember. "You need to lay down, Praetor," He said pushing her to sit on something. He slid a syringe in her shoulder with the other hand.
He then looked over his shoulder to address the protesting Roman Centurion. "Leave now. You are hindering the healers from their jobs."
"But- but, I'm injured, too!"
"You aren't injured enough for my consideration, and you are causing my current patients more unwarranted stress. Therefore, you are in the way! Leave my infirmary, you will get a chance to speak to her when I say so."
"Tell them, Dakota," Reyna said as he was pushed out. "Also, Nico is…" Her voice faltered as the medicine started to take her.
"Easy there, Praetor," her blonde doctor said, "We'll patch you up as quickly as possible."
Nico is… Reyna let out a pained breath as she fell into a fretful sleep.
Nico, her legion, her comrades, her sister, Romans, Greeks. The Seven. Her friends.
She wasn't good enough.
I ligit post as soon as I'm done writing. No edits, no beta read- just as is vomit style story telling :D
Honestly idk whats to come next...so WHO DO YOU WANT to be the character focus for the next chapter? please comment on that- also comment on why in tartarus you are reading this story in the first place. and again comments, reviews, critics, flames, all go into the review box. Thanks!