Chapter 20: Control

Once inside New Rome, August felt much more at home. All the buildings were a pleasant white marble with red tile roofs; shops lined the streets; demigods talked and lived normal lives all around her. August felt very safe and at peace with everything around her.

"So we're getting a Greek section here right?" August asked, excited at the prospect of being able to live someplace where her family could be safe.

"Yes, that's why Annabeth and Percy travel so much." Ariadne answered as if it were obvious.

"Just making sure. I like it here." August responded, mesmerized by her surroundings. Everything seemed so perfect; it was hard to imagine having to leave. As they walked through the city, they approached a large building with a very regal air to it, and August knew it was used for important decisions within the camp and city.

"In we go then, don't want to keep everyone waiting." Derek said, holding the door for the three of them. Once inside, they were lead to a large table where several demigods were sitting having a discussion. Among them, like in August's dream, were Percy and Annabeth. Annabeth was the first to notice them, and instantly jumped up from the table and ran over to them.

"Oh thank the Gods you're alright. Is everything going smoothly?" She asked, more to Ariadne than anyone.

"Yes, everything has been relatively smooth. We had a run in with a werewolf and had to defeat a bunch of Cyclops and griffins in a mine in the Grand Canyon, but other than that, we're doing pretty well." Ariadne explained, as it if were an everyday thing. Percy was the next to get up and ask questions.

"A werewolf? Dang, those things are pretty hard to deal with. How did you manage?" He asked, almost amazed.

"It wasn't easy at first, but then I realized he didn't like light. Once he blindfolded himself, it was easy to try and get in a hit." August explained, miming actions and all.

"And the mine? What was that about?" Percy continued.

"Hephaestus needed us to get some special metal for the heat proof armor, which happened to be in the Grand Canyon. Of course, some Cyclops who wanted it for whatever reason was mining it. But it's cool. August kicked ass and took names." Ed explained like it was no big deal. August turned slightly pink at the uplift.

"Take a seat and we'll explain everything that's been going on here." Percy motioned towards the table, where Reyna and the blonde haired boy from August's dreams were sitting.

"August, this is Jason. He's one of the heads of Camp Jupiter." Annabeth introduced the blonde boy, who stood up to greet the trio.

"I've heard of your quest, and I wish you all the best. We're on your side you know." He said, shaking August's hand.

"That's good to hear. I have a feeling that Hyperion is getting smart and will start sending more troops." August responded. Reyna stood up, more to interject than to introduce herself.

"He already has. We've had several monsters including Cyclops, hellhounds, and several furies. They're trying to pick us off while we're distracted. Forgive me for my interjection, I'm Reyna." She said, though she didn't extend a hand.

"You're the other head I'm assuming?" August asked, giving her a warm but guarded look.

"Yes, that's correct. Have a seat you three, we need to talk about your quest so far." Reyna motioned towards three empty chairs, which August and her teammates filled. Just as they sat down, the doors once again opened, and a tall young man with a long face, pale blonde haired, and a scar going from the left bridge of his nose to his mouth blustered in holding a ripped open teddy bear.

"My sacrifices keep telling me that worse will come our way very soon if we do not act! How could any of you think that it was a good idea to send three underpowered, untrained campers out to complete a quest like this?" The boy complained as he slammed the dissected bear down on the table. Noticing the three new additions to the circle, he paused and looked over. "And who might you three be?" August, now annoyed at the young man, stood up to be as eye level with him as she could be.

"I'm August, the underpowered demigod who defeated numerous monsters, talked to several gods, and lead her team here pretty much unharmed, and will be going to the underworld tomorrow to confront Hades. And who the hell are you?" She challenged, crossing her arms and cocking an eyebrow. Annabeth spoke up with an amused look on her face.

"August, this is Octavian. You two are distantly related." As the word "distantly" came out of Annabeth's mouth, Octavian visibly flinched. August could tell he was not happy with the fact that August held more relation to Apollo than him.

"I see. Well then maybe I have underestimated your ability, if you're telling the truth that is." Even though Octavian was trying to be just as threatening, he was visibly pale and slightly more sheepish looking. He took a seat at the empty chair next to Reyna at the end of the table, and August fell back into her chair with a smirk. As she looked back to her friends, she noticed Ed with a satisfied smile, and Ariadne with her hand on her face looking like she was trying to suppress giggles.

"As we were saying," Reyna continued, "it sounds like you've had and hard enough time, even without hoards of monsters. That's probably because they've all been attacking here. They're trying to lower our numbers so if and when the time comes to do battle, we will be significantly weaker." August went serious hearing that.

"Oh Gods that's awful. Have you all been managing?" She asked, now concerned for her friends.

"Of course we have. We're all still standing aren't we? To be honest, it's been more like a dozen or so, but still enough to be concerning." Jason said. August could tell he was the more laid back of the two.

"Well let's hope we can get this over with fast so you all don't have to worry. We've still got three days. We'll use tomorrow defeating the fire beast and getting into the underworld, the next day in Hawaii taking down Hyperion, and then we have a day of grace to get back." August planned out load. "Easier said than done though, but we'll manage."

"But here's the thing. Now that Hyperion knows you're a worthy opponent, he's going to make things that much harder." Percy explained, looking concerned.

"I thought about that. Here's the thing though, I feel like I've got it under control. As far as quests go, I almost feel like this one was built for me." August said, giving a half smile of confidence.

"Tomorrow before you leave, we will send you with new supplies. But first, explain everything that has happened." Reyna commanded with a tone that made her seem way older than she was. August nodded, and told them the long and interesting story. She started with the werewolf on the train, meeting Hephaestus, the pegasi, the mine, and ending with them going through the Tiber.

"So we've still got a lot on our plate. However, I've got a good team on my side." August finished, turning towards her teammates who nodded in agreement.

"I trust that you do. We will discuss more tomorrow, but for now get some rest." Reyna said, standing up from her chair.

"I'm sure you guys could use some food right? I'll show you to the dining hall." Jason got up to escort the three out of the hall, and they followed without question. Right outside the building, two new figures stood waiting. One was a tall, stocky boy with a baby face that didn't seem to match him at all. The other was a small girl with curly dark hair who seemed to be of mixed race. They smiled when they saw Jason.

"Hey man, these must be the new heroes." The boy said and turned to August. "You're new, my name's Frank." He said extending a hand. August shook it and smiled.

"August, nice to meet you. And you look like someone I know at my camp." August said to the girl who smiled at the remark.

"It's probably Nico, he's my half brother. I'm Hazel." She waved. August thought it was so weird that the God of the underworld could have such a friendly child. "And look who it is!" Hazel said, giving Ariadne a hug, who reciprocated.

"It's great to see you both!" Ariadne said turning towards Frank as well. "It's been too long."

"Totally. Onwards to the dining hall then." Jason directed, letting the two demigods tag along.

"The quest is going well then?" Hazel asked.

"Yeah, it's going pretty well actually. It's nice to have a break though." August said, putting her hands behind her head as they walked.

"I get that. When we were on a quest, things tended to get pretty brutal. It was nice when we could stop and take a breather. So tell me what happened so far?" Hazel asked as they continued to walk. Suddenly, Ariadne turned towards Hazel and started speaking in a language that was vaguely familiar. Hazel responded in the same language, and they continued to have a conversation.

"Latin. They're talking about the quest. Ariadne is mentioning that you probably didn't want to explain it again." Jason explained, and August agreed that she didn't feel like explaining everything yet another time. Grateful for Ariadne's take over, it gave August a chance to look around. As she looked around New Rome, she noticed that the buildings were low, and close to one another. August got the sudden urge to run.

"Ed, you wanna run?" August asked her friend, giving him a mischievous smile. Ed smiled back.

"We'll be back guys. Ed and I are going for a run." August said, but the other three Roman's didn't seem to notice as Ariadne continued to tell the story. August shrugged, and ran towards the nearest building. As she pulled herself up onto the roof, she took a deep breath and exhaled. She focused on her path, and regained control. Ed stood next to her, ready when she was. August nodded, and took off. She somersault jumped off one roof to the next, side flipped to the next, and then used the gutter to climb around the roof of another. Ed was close behind, mimicking her movements, making sure not to get left behind. August was in her element, and in complete bliss. She soared from one roof to the next, pulling herself up onto ones to high and flipping off onto low roofs. The world around her rushed by, until she was snapped back into reality by the sounds of screams.

"GET BACK NOW!" A voice boomed, followed by loud screeching and crashes. August stopped on top of a roof near the entrance of New Rome, over looking the scene just beyond it's boarders. A large creature with leather skin and feathers that looked like something from a Jim Henson movie screeched and threw four campers off of it.

"That's a fury if I ever saw one! August, we better move!" Ed said. Before he could finish, August had taken off again and landed from the rooftop in front of the gate. Just as she dashed through, she stopped at Julia's post.

"You're gonna need this!" Julia yelled to August, tossing her Helios. August caught it in midair, and ran directly towards the fury as she extended Helios. The usual jolt of courage she got was rendered obsolete, as she already felt like she could take on the world just from the run she had.

"Hey! Over here you poor excuse for an UrSkek!" August yelled right as she was only a few yards away from the fury. It turned around, revealing its leather beaked face and claws. August, however, wasn't afraid of anything it had to offer. "It's alright guys! I've got this all under control!" August screamed at the other campers, who seemed to obey. At this point in time, all August could think about was hoping she was right.

... I made a Dark Crystal reference. Yay!