So, this is a pretty short chapter too...but it has served its purpose!

So, just to clarify some things, I have nothing against Preyna. But in this story, since it's Percabeth, and Jayna, Percy and Reyna are strictly friends. Imagine dating your best friend...

Preyna isn't such a bad pairing, but I prefer Jayna, so yeah! Don't be offended Preyna fans!

MY ENGLISH EXAM IS DONE! YAY! Three more exams to go. Wonderful. And I should be studying right now...

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own anything. Sadly. If I did, Jeyna would be official.

XXI

HAZEL

To say Hazel was surprised was stupid; she was beyond that. After all, after not seeing her father for years and then he just popped out of nowhere scared the living daylights out of her. Honestly, even demigods had limits to the weird things that happened to them on a daily basis.

Not to mention he was wearing sunglasses with creepy moving pictures of tortured souls.

"Romans, Greeks," he greeted them, surveying the crowd of stunned teenagers. "I only have a few minutes to discuss some important issues before Jupiter gets angry, so may the chosen seven, Reyna Rossland, Octavian Desouro, and Rachel Dare follow me outside please." It sounded more like a demand than a question, but Hazel followed Pluto's orders, keeping her head down.

When they reached the outside of the dining room, Pluto took off his sunglasses. When his eyes should be, there was images of dying people. "I have grave news," Pluto said, taking a quick look around, but didn't acknowledge Hazel.

Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be dead, Hazel thought, sighing. Her father was going to help them, but pretend she wasn't there because if he didn't, he would have no choice but send her back to the Underworld.

"I assume you all know that my Greek son, Nico, has been captured by Terra, am I correct?" They nodded their heads and the god continued. "Your job is to rescue him, because he can help you find the Doors of Death-he was very close, anyway."

"Sir, sorry to interrupt, but we already knew that; was this the 'grave news'?" Percy cut in, staring at Pluto.

Pluto scowled. "No, Perseus, that was not it; I was merely reminding you of one of the tasks at hand. The grave danger?" He chuckled darkly, and pointing to Annabeth. "It's your girlfriend."

Percy gaped at the god. "She's going to be a great help!" he defended, wrapping a arm around her.

Pluto ignored his remark. "I'm here to warn Chase that she needs to judge her opinions more carefully from now on, and not to make rash decisions. And, no matter what you want to do, boy, you cannot be the only hero this time," he said, directing comment at Percy.

When no one else commented, Pluto looked over at Reyna, who was emotionless. "Your mother has told you your part, yes?" Reyna bowed her head slightly, indicating her agreement. "When the time comes, you must remember to trust your gut feeling; your mother gave you that for a reason," he advised. "You are a child of Rome; make us proud. We are not cowards, nor unfair people."

"Yes, my lord," Reyna replied, determination in her eyes.

Pluto looked over at Octavian and Rachel. "You two have been blessed by Apollo himself. I am not allowed to give out too much detail, but both of you hold the pieces. It is your choice of what you want to do with them, especially you, legacy of Apollo..." Pluto looked as if he was going to add something else, but he shook his head. "In time, everything will unfold. The rest of you," he boomed, looking around, "have a huge role to play in this war as well. Do not underestimate both yourselves and your enemies, and," he eyed Frank and Leo, "try your best to not play with fire."

Shaking his head at everyone's baffled expressions, Pluto waved his head in the air. A sudden breeze came in, and the god was gone.

"What...the..." Leo started to say, but went back to gaping. Hazel stifled her laughter as she shrugged.

Reyna eyed Octavian suspiciously. "What did he mean by that Rogue?"

Octavian chuckled nervously. "Huh? What do you mean? I have to dissect teddy bears now..." And with that, the blonde ran from the group of demigods, muttering about cotton.

Frank was staring at her with wide eyes, and she realized he was afraid for his stick. Hazel nodded, wrapping her sweater tightly around her, and Frank visibly relaxed.

"That was unexpected, but we should enjoy our last day here!" Percy exclaimed with false happiness as he dragged Annabeth with him.

"Bro, we should totally play hide-and-seek around Camp Jupiter!" Leo shouted excitedly to Jason. "That'll be so much fun!"

"Uh.." Jason looked over at Reyna with concern, but she shook her head. "Have fun Jason," she answered, walking away. Hazel rolled her eyes as she watched Jason watch Reyna leave the hallway. "Sure," Jason replied, forcing a smile.

Leo didn't notice as he turned to Frank and Hazel. "So, Piper's gonna play anyway," that earned a glare from the brown-haired girl, "do you guys wanna play? It'll be funner with more people," he said, pouting.

Hazel could tell Frank was about to refuse, but Hazel didn't see the harm of getting to know the Greeks better. "Sure," she said, slipping her hand into Frank's. "We'll play."

"Ready, set, HIDE!" Leo shouted, closing his eyes. "Twenty, nineteen..."

"Where do you want to hide?" Frank whispered, following Hazel.

Hazel ignored her boyfriend as she continued running to the First Cohort. On the side of the barrack, there were multiple bushes, but Hazel crawled in between third and fourth one. "Just follow me," she instructed quietly, feeling for the door. When she found the handle, she swung it open as best she could and gestured for Frank to follow her.

Hazel shut the trap door behind Frank and he looked around in amazement. "Where is this place? How did you find it?"

Hazel smiled and flicked the switch. It was a small room, dusty and only a loveseat, two chairs and a table occupied the room. The green wallpaper was faded and peeling off, and even though it looked old and insignificant, Hazel could feel the safety the room brought her, and she wondered what it was used for. "I was walking around camp, and I saw the brass handle behind the bushes, so I decided to see what it was. Turned out to be a room." Hazel looked thoughtfully around. "There's a room like this under each of the cohorts, but this only this one and the one under the Second Cohort are clean and accessible. Fifth Cohort's is damaged and full of rats," Hazel said, shivering.

"Hey, what's this book doing down here?" Frank asked, holding up a torn and dusty hardcover. Hazel peeked at the cover and read out, "Gaius Julius Octavius: One of the Best Emperors of All Time." She raised an eyebrow. "What's that doing here?"

Frank shrugged and walked over to the couch. "I was sitting down when I felt something bumpy under me, and when I lifted the cushion, there were books." He held out another dusty book and blew the dust away. "This one is about Odysseus. And the face is crossed out," Frank added, scratching his head.

Hazel looked worriedly at the books. "They weren't here before..." she trailed off, looking at the door. "Let's get out of here," she suggested, afraid of what could happen. Someone else knew about this place...

Frank noticed her scared expression and nodded, pushing the trap door open. "Let's get out of here."

They ended up being the second and third people to be found, because Piper felt bad for Leo and made obvious creaking sounds and he found her first. To their luck, as soon as they exited the bushes, Leo ran past them and deemed them out. Now they were all looking for Jason.

"Where can he be?" Leo mused, walking around aimlessly as Hazel shook her head, smiling. He reminded her so much of Sammy that it was creepy. "There's not that much places to hide, is there?"

Suddenly, a voice interrupted them. "This isn't funny Reyna!" Leo grinned mischievously, slowly walking closer to the shouting. "Jason, here I come..."

The sight in front of Hazel made her giggle. Jason's back was pinned to the ground as Reyna sat on top of him, polishing her dagger. She ruffled his hair, and said mockingly, "how does it feel now, McQueen? That's what you get for sneaking up on me."

Jason groaned, and tried to get up, but Reyna started to twirl her dagger around, and he sighed. "Whatever," he mumbled. Then he brightened, smirking. "I kind of like this position."

Reyna flushed scarlet, getting up as fast as lightning. Jason looked momentarily disappointed, but smiled. "Knew that was going to work," he said, poking her. "You softie."

The female praetor gripped her dagger. "I am not a softie. You are the hopeless romantic, McQueen."

He shrugged. "Only for you, Zombie King."

Reyna threw her hands up in frustration as she walked away. "You're not making this any easier!" she shouted over her shoulder.

"Maybe I don't want it easier!" Jason shouted back. "Maybe I meant it! Just like last time!" When Reyna didn't respond, Jason scowled. "Why is she being so difficult?" he complained. "I basically gave up my pride, again, and said really sappy things that made me want to wash my mouth in soap, and she still doesn't believe me! Godsdamnit!"

Hazel chuckled. "You know Reyna; she'll give in eventually."

Jason snorted, glancing at the direction she headed off to. "Yeah, and eventually means never."

The last part is not really important, but I needed my daily dose of Jayna, and this came out.

What do you think Octavian and Pluto are hiding? Hmmm...Octavian is not who we think he is, huh? At least, in my story.

Please read and review! It always makes my day happy and worry-free!

-DOTE