Disclaimer: the usual
Author's notes: 12/15/17 - I almost in Winter break. the most tiresome part is over, just waiting to check out and start the holidays. So, I am finally writing. I will put the Xmas tree tomorrow. A bit late this year but there has been a couple of rough busy days.
29. Until We See Again
Spring was 2 days away and you could cut the tension with an ax in every palace, fortress, barrack or simple house of the involved gods and demigods. Olympus, Camp Jupiter, Camp Half-Blood and Atlantis were no exception.
At Camp Jupiter, Jason had planned to march with half of the army to Mount Tamalpais because legionaries found opportunist monsters looking for a way to make a lot of damage in the middle of the war. The other half was going to guard the coast because Poseidon's army was close to the shore. Finally, the reserve army, mostly former legionaries and anyone with a weapon would guard the city limits with Terminus.
"I don't think Poseidon will attack the city" said Taylor over breakfast with Em and Piper "At Atlantis; he looked like he really didn't want this war."
"Neptune hates Romans for downsized him" said Piper casually as she was spreading butter on her toast "I honestly believe that Jason should take the whole army to the coast and attack at open sea."
"Piper, if Neptune wants to, he will drown them in a snap" said Em as she was holding her cup of tea "We need to lure them out of the sea to have a fair chance. Is true that they saw Kymopoleia at the shore?"
"It seems so" said Piper "Uncle Percy once said he encountered her with Jason. Maybe Jason could convince her to help us."
"If she is as nice as Triton, I highly doubt it" said Taylor and rolled his eyes "I think Jason's plan is good but I am not sure of Mount Tamalpais."
"It's actually my idea" said Piper "Romans marching there. I saw it in Katoptris" She ate the last bite of her toast and stood up "Thanks for breakfast. I'd better get going. We are marching at Mount Tamalpais at noon."
"Are you going?" asked Taylor standing up "You could stay with me at the city limits. I could talk to Jason right not."
"Taylor, I am almost 16 and I am fighting with my fellow legionaries" said Piper meaning every word "I am NOT going to hide like you."
"I am not hiding. I am protecting the city, your city and our family" said Taylor and he looked upset.
"Whatever you say yourself at night" snorted Piper with the annoying rolling of eyes that annoyed Taylor even more.
"I won't let you" said Taylor and reached for her arm and Piper pushed him away. He looked at his wife pointing to his sister "Em, tell her something!"
"Piper, be careful" said Em and Taylor looked at her surprised.
"You can't be serious? Do you want to lose her too?" said Taylor loudly at his wife "Haven't we already lost too much?"
"Taylor, it's our way" said Em plainly and stood up to hug Piper. She kissed her sister-in-law's forehead "May Fortuna be on your side."
"Thanks, Em" said Piper and hugged her again "I will help you to paint when I come back."
"Both of you can't be serious?" asked Taylor weakly as he stared at them. He could feel his eyes in almost angry tears. He felt furious enough to grab his sister and lock her in the closest room for the rest of the year.
"Taylor, hug your sister and tell her that you love her, right now" said Em firmly "This may be your last chance."
Taylor looked at his wife surprised of her words. He had already lost part of his family and what he hated the most was not telling them how much he loved them often enough. He lowered his head as he rubbed his eyes. "Don't say that" he said weakly and defeated "She will come back." He crossed the distance between them and hugged her tightly. He whispered at her "Be safe and I love you."
"I love you too, Taylor" whispered Piper back.
At Camp Half-Blood, most of campers and former campers were getting ready to march to the Empire State. With the help of Dionysius, Manhattan was deserted by a strange case of madness that drove mortals away. Anyway, there weren't much people left in the city after the last week storms and high tide waves. It was already declared a disaster area.
The demigods in the area were together at camp regardless of their choosing side. Obviously, most of them were on Zeus' side and making cabin 1 the fortress to protect. The few on Poseidon's side were taking refuge in cabin 3: the Hades twin sisters, Ella, Juniper and her kids and a couple of campers who were against the war. Grover was against the war but his duties to Camp and Lord of the Wild made him help everybody (Mostly Mr. D) to protect the boundaries regardless of his beliefs.
The children of Poseidon: Marina and Flynt were nowhere to be found since a couple of days. Most thought that the Dark Sword got to them, others thought that they were killed by Zeus himself and only a few, their few friends, felt they were safe at Poseidon's realm. Percy in his new godly status had searched for them with the help of Triton but there wasn't any luck.
In Atlantis, the good news of Lana's memory recovery was on everybody's mouths by breakfast. Sean, Aida and Theo were eating with spread maps as they were tracing the route to follow according to Lana's notes. Percy was behind them telling them what obstacles could be on the way.
On the other side of the table, Lana was quietly eating with Amphitrite to her side. She looked to her husband's eyes full of determination and hope that made her heart break. Then Triton came in to have breakfast too. He took one look to the table and met eyes with his daughter. She nodded and quickly excused herself, following her father outside the grand dining room.
"I heard" said Triton softly and tried to smile cheerfully "This is good news."
"Father… we both know it's useless… but Theo wants to… and he has to know he did all he could for me, he has to do this" said Lana with teary eyes "Theo wouldn't forgive himself and I love him so much to let him."
They both looked at each other. Lana sighed and quickly held her breath. She was a second of start sobbing.
"If I could find my sister" said Triton trying to cheer her up, to give her hope "I could make her come into reason. She would remove the curse if I talk to her."
Lana wanted to smile at her father's hope but it was hopeless. She took his hands and said "Ewan killed her. I don't know how but I know he did. He gave me her crown as a present."
Triton looked down to his daughter's hands over his. It was supposed to be the other way around. He was supposed to protect her. He found his voice small and almost helplessly human as he whispered "I'm sorry, my daughter."
Lana felt a tiny smile on her face. This was what always wanted to have with her father: a real relationship.
"I'm not. I'm ready" said Lana trying sound braver than she felt "And I am happy that we patched things up."
"I wish we had more time" whispered Triton.
"I thought gods never wished" said Lana with a weak smile on her face as she wanted the same.
"Only for the most important things" said Triton and hugged her for the last time. He tried to take in everything around them. He knew this was a goodbye.
Lana separated of him and came back into the room to find Theo alone. Sean and Aida were now talking to Percy and Annabeth. She quietly sneaked to Theo's side to take his hand. By instinct, he turned to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. It made Lana smile.
"We should get going at once" said Theo at his wife "The sooner the better. I already talked to dad and he is helping us to get to the shore."
"That's great" said Lana "Who else is coming?"
"Just us. I don't want to risk anybody so close to the deadline" said Theo "We will pass unnoticed this way."
Lana looked at him and said gravely "We need a daughter of Poseidon… someone has to draw the curse out. I did it to you."
Before Theo could respond, Sean and Aida rushed at them.
"What are you talking about?" said Sean loudly from almost across the room as he was walking "Already planning to leave without us?"
"It's too dangerous" said Theo.
"That's why I am going" said Sean "I got your back."
"You know I am coming with you, Theodore" said Aida "Besides you need us. Lana told me that she needs a girl for this and Poseidon is lending me power, just enough for helping you out" she showed her left hand wearing a blue glove with Poseidon's trident engraved on the back of the palm.
Theo had a couple of already prepare reasons but he said none. He was glad of the support of his family. "Thanks, sis" said Theo "You too, Sean."
"Don't mention it" said Sean with an honest smile "I have to get something. Don't go anywhere without me, ok?" He walked out of the room as fast as possible. Aida looked at the happy sad couple and muttered the same leaving them alone.
Theo and Lana returned to their bedrooms to get their stuff. Theo packed a set of smalls weapons. He felt more comfortable with them. In Tartarus, he managed with whatever he had: Jason's weapons, the Arena's weapons, his mom's dagger… his thoughts turned to that particular object and to Jason. Was he safe in New Rome or Camp Half-Blood? Has he been trying to contact his parents?
Without notice, he sat on the bed staring at his favorite dagger, the one Juniper gave to him many years ago. He had lost it countless times and still managed to always return to him. He last dropped it in Central Park before Tartarus and Leo gave it to him days ago casually over dinner. As he kept staring at it, he remembered all his life since the moment he received it: fighting Mer as the Dark Sword, Devil's Golf Course, his travels on the wild, Em's and Taylor's wedding, his mom's returning memories, more travels on the wild, Rhodes' curse on his shoulder, return to home, Tartarus and now Atlantis.
Suddenly, Theo felt a hand on his hair. He lifted his eyes to see his wife. She looked better. She probably drank some nectar. She asked gently "Is everything alright?"
"Yes" said Theo as he put away the dagger on his belt.
"Thinking about Taylor?" asked Lana with a light sigh "He is fine"
"We don't know that" said Theo defensibly and ashamed as he wasn't thinking on him until that moment. He looked at the wedding ring on Lana's finger. He was worried for his best man "I wish Iris would listen to my pleas"
"You know… the upcoming war" said Lana "We can't communicate to 'other' demigods at least using IMs"
"I know, only sea related… still" said Theo and hugged her wife "I wish to know he is fine. I want to tell him that I married the most amazing girl of the world."
Lana smiled and kissed him before saying "And he would respond that I am the second best since he already married the number one… or something like that."
"Em…" whispered Theo more worried. He only knew she was on New Rome as well as Piper, nothing more.
"I am worried too but I bet she is fine and growing big" said Lana trying to be cheerful "By the way, we are waiting for you. Are you ready?"
"Yes, I guess" said Theo and his hands cupped Lana's face to kiss her gently "Are you?"
"The best I can" said Lana with a happy smile that quickly grew sad "Theo, I love you. I want you to remember that."
"Lana…" said Theo looking at her. There was no deny of how the health decreased with each ticking minute. He wasn't blind but he refused to accept the small possibility of losing her without trying everything first.
"Still I want you to know" said Lana before Theo could say anything else "Let's go. It's getting late." She pulled him out of the room to meet his friends and family by gardens, everybody's favorite spot.
They found Sean and Aida hugging everybody and saying goodbye. They did the same trying to avoid small talk or anything that would lead to waste time. Percy and Annabeth hugged Theo at last.
Percy said with a loud pat on his son's shoulder "Good luck"
"I thought you were going with us" said Theo confused.
"No, Triton" said Percy giving a small nervous glance to Lana. She understood the gesture. Her father wanted to bid her goodbye.
Before anybody could say a thing, Triton walked fast to them.
"Ready?" asked Triton fast and swiftly. Aida, Sean and Theo nodded as Lana grabbed her father's hand. "Hold tight" Quickly, Theo grabbed her sister's hand who barely grabbed Sean's hand before they disappeared in a cloud of blue mist.
The rest stared at the disappearing blue mist spot. With a loud sigh, Percy asked "Now, what are we doing?"
"It's time for us to go too" said Hazel.
"Are you sure of this?" asked Annabeth looking at her friends. Calypso looked equally concern as she felt.
"It's our home, Annabeth. Em and Piper are there" said Hazel "We have stayed here for far too long."
"You know we would go to" said Percy "Em and Piper are family to us too"
"But you have to stay and do whatever a god has to do" said Hazel.
"Are Frankie and Sammy staying?" asked Calypso. The boys were already denying it their heads.
"They are coming too… whatever happens; we will face it as a family… together" said Frank and he shook his friends' hands.
"Be careful" said Calypso.
"We will give you a ride" said Percy and took a small envelope from his back pocket "Give this to my sister Kym in case of trouble" Then there was awkward pause and Percy scratched his head nervously "Just don't mention her trading cards. She wants a new set and she has been nagging me for years."
It was almost noon at the hotel room in New York City and Claire was out of the shower. She looked herself in the mirror with Charlie at close distance. She wished for the shackles on her wrist to disappear. If she was more powerful, maybe she could overthrow its power, but she knew they were made to stop a Titan. Who was she to have that kind of power?
She dressed unceremoniously slow. She had no hurry to return to that bed to count the hours left to the start of summer.
Out of the blue, there was a knocking on the door and Ewan saying "Claire, are you done? It's time."
Claire took a deep intake of air and still felt out of oxygen. She felt complete fear and wanted to yell. She thought that she still had time. They were still days away.
"But, but, but" she stammered loudly.
"It's time" was his only reply and Claire's eyes filled with tears. She quickly tried to rub them off as she saw the annoyance on Charlie's face.
"I am coming" answered Claire and got dress quickly.
As soon as she was out of the bathroom, Ewan was waiting for her with rain cape.
"It's pouring down and winds are unbelievable fast, not even I can't get a hold of them" said Ewan and place the rain cape on her. She wanted to smile at the gesture but there was no kindness in his eyes anymore. She was just another piece, a pawn.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Where we will win" said Ewan with a satisfactory smile.
Claire took a last look around the hotel room and mentally saying goodbye to it. She took a big breathe and tried to calm her shaky hands. The shackles were making noise and Charlie looked at her annoyed.
"Move" whispered Charlie. Claire nodded and walked forward out of the room to meet her destiny.
At Camp Jupiter, the cohorts were ready and aligned to march. Piper was next to the centurion just waiting for the horns when Jason came to her. He was dressed in full Roman armor with his praetor toga too. He looked almost silly if it wasn't for the power he emanated. He looked almost to someone to fear: dangerous and strong.
"Piper, I want you to know that I'm sorry" said Jason abruptly leaving Piper flabbergasted.
"For what?" asked Piper when she finally came to her senses.
"Well, we didn't spend much time together. I guess you must have a lot of questions of your mother" said Jason.
"It's okay. We can talk later" said Piper with a quick nod.
"That's right" said Jason with a strange awkward smile, then his face looked serious "Your cohort will lead us. I think it's appropriate since it was your plan."
"I just suggested it since I saw it on my mom's blade" said Piper shyly "are you sure?"
"Of course, I am. You have to lead us" said Jason "I believe your mom would have wanted that. She would be proud of you."
Piper nodded at the honor. She wished for the rest of the family being here… or alive. As she walked to the front of the line with Jason by her side, she saw Kingston, former praetor, with his old cohort carrying a sword. He looked scared and nobody was paying attention at his words. He was pleading to everybody to return. She wanted to stay and talked to him but Jason was pulling her hand to move forward.
"It's time" said Jason as he was pulling her.
By dinner, in Atlantis the dinner table felt emptier. Calypso tried not to look to the empty seats or to sigh of worry. Leo tried to cheer her up but Calypso barely smiled at his jokes. Will and Kate ate with gloomy faces since Sammy and Franky weren't there either. Percy and Annabeth talked to each other the most in quiet almost secretive voices. Poseidon wasn't at the table and Amphitrite to make small cheerful talk but she looked edgy like the rest.
Yesterday, the table was filled with noise and laughs but now there was nothing more but tension, just one more day.
