Annabeth never really thought about the fact that Hylla's belt gave her super strength. It had been mentioned, but it never seemed that important. Annabeth realized how unfair it was as she tried to hold Hylla back from killing Jason.
It probably wasn't the best idea to start telling the story without Reyna. She would have known how to defuse her sister's anger, but Hylla had gotten impatient. She demanded to know what had happened to her sister. Annabeth was the one who told the story.
Annabeth, along with Percy, was holding Hylla back. It wasn't easy though. Even without her belt, Hylla would have been stronger than one of them. With the belt, she was stronger than both of them.
"You need to calm down," Annabeth said through gritted teeth. She had a tight grip on Hylla's left arm.
"You are dead meat Grace!" Hylla yelled. Chiron moved in front of Hylla.
"Calm yourself," Chiron ordered. He was in his Centaur form and wearing armor. "We cannot afford to be divided after Atropos has been taken."
"He hurt Reyna," Hylla said through gritted teeth. Chiron remained silent. After a minute of tense silence, Hylla glared at the ground. "Let go of me."
Annabeth glanced at Percy who slowly nodded. They released their grip on Hylla's arms. She grabbed her seat and sat down angrily.
"You're safe Grace," Hylla said. She glared at Jason. "Until this war is over."
Annabeth sat by Hylla. This wasn't something they needed at the moment. She glanced at Percy who sat by her. Everyone's attention turned to the door as it opened.
"Greeks," Sula greeted. Her gaze lingered on Hylla. "Where is my protege?"
"In her tent," Annabeth responded. She studied the Roman in front of her. Sula was wearing a full set of Roman armor, and she had two swords. One was hooked to her belt. The other was strapped across her back.
"I won't disturb her then. Jason, may I speak with you?" Sula questioned.
"I think that would be best," Hylla muttered. Sula smiled to herself. It was like she knew something they didn't. Annabeth was too tired to really think about it. Jason stood and followed Sula out of the room.
"What should we do next?" Percy questioned. "I'm tired of sitting around and doing nothing."
"We have to take the fight to Ouranos," Annabeth answered. "He cannot be allowed to sacrifice Atropos."
"Do you know anything about the ritual?" Piper asked Chiron.
"If I am thinking of the correct ritual, it is very dangerous. It could backfire, and the magical energy would have the effect of a nuclear blast," Chiron explained.
"That's not good," Percy commented. "Is it the only way to raise Gaea?"
"After the ritual at the temple of the Fates was disrupted, the Olympians quickly moved to hide away or destroy ingredients that would be used in easier rituals. This one is different," Chiron explained.
"It only requires the use of a long spell and enough energy to cast it," Chiron continued. "The ritual has three natural breaks. If it is interrupted at any other time, the results are disastrous."
"The history of the ritual, the reason why the person is being raised, and the naming of them are the natural breaks," Hylla muttered. She looked sick. "Circe had us research it while we were on the island."
"This has been planned for a long time," Annabeth said. She looked at Hylla. "You couldn't have known."
Hylla shook her head and looked at a wall. She spoke, "From what I remember, the history of the ritual shows that the user understands what they are doing and the severity of their actions. After that, the reasons why they are raising the person is stated. They cannot be specific."
"Does it ruin the ritual if they are?" Piper asked. Hylla nodded. "The naming is the only time they can be specific then. Is that when Ouranos will cut into Atropos' palm?"
"As soon as her blood hits the ground, Gaea will rise," Annabeth realized. "It's like before except she needed the blood of Olympus."
"Gaea will gain Atropos as a host body. It doesn't matter that she should be asleep," Hylla grumbled. She crossed her arms. "We have to get there before Ouranos is able to name Gaea."
"We're probably already too late," Percy said.
"No," Chiron said. "The ritual must be done at the beginning of the month. It must begin when the clock strikes midnight."
"That's two days from now," Hylla muttered. "We will have to act fast."
They all sat in silence for a few minutes as they tried to digest the information. Annabeth had no clue what they were going to do. The task seemed impossible. Ouranos would have his entire army guarding the temple.
Annabeth leaned on Percy's shoulder. It was nice to have a comforting presence. Chiron finally spoke, "I believe Rhea has already informed Zeus of what has happened. We should focus on finding where this hill is."
"Why isn't is a mountain?" Piper questioned. "That seems like a much better option."
"Ouranos wants to be closer to the earth because he is scared of being away from his love," Percy guessed.
"Gaea might still be weak while she is adjusting to Atropos' body," Annabeth added. "A hill is closer to the ground than a mountain."
"Ouranos is weak too," Hylla grumbled. "He doesn't have the host that he wants. Ouranos wants Reyna and I because of our bloodline."
"It is special," Chiron commented. Hylla looked at him. "I have known about your ancestors, but I never imagined the role you two would play."
"What's so important about it?" Hylla questioned as she crossed her arms.
"When important events in history have rolled around, your family has always been on one side. It started with Cain and Abel. From there, the bloodline diverts into the two most powerful families in the world," Chiron explained.
"What have we been involved in?" Hylla questioned. Her arms slowly uncrossed.
"There are many things. In Rome, your family was part of the Caesars. You have a rival family that actually consisted of Brutus," Chiron began. "You know the tale of how Brutus killed Julius Caesar."
"In fact, a member of your rival family was actually Otrera," Chiron continued.
"So, I did my bloodline a favor by killing her," Hylla muttered.
"One of your ancestors was King George the third," Chiron added.
"A member of the rival family was George Washington," Annabeth guessed. Chiron nodded.
"They have always been on opposite sides," Chiron said. "Now, they may not have been leaders, but they were prominent figures."
"What about today?" Percy questioned.
"There is Reyna and Hylla of course," Chiron said. He looked at Hylla. "They are the most powerful because they are demigods. I am not sure if there is another."
"The legacy of Rome will never fail as long as our daughters remain and fight," Hylla muttered. "Bellona told that to my father. She gave him a glimpse of the future. After he saw it, he begged for a savior."
Annabeth watched Hylla silently. The oldest daughter of Bellona looked like she was trying to fight tears. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Hylla opened her eyes and spoke, "He saw something that caused him to slowly lose his sanity."
"Do you know what it was?" Annabeth asked quietly. Hylla shook her head. She looked off in the distance. It was like she was experiencing a flashback.
They all jumped as the door opened. Reyna limped into the room and looked at them. She had a hand to her lip. Reyna looked at them with an angry and depressed look.
"Reyna?" Hylla questioned. She jumped to her feet and moved to her sister's side. Reyna looked at her. "What happened?"
"Where's Grace?" Reyna questioned. She turned her head and spat blood out.
"He went with Sula," Annabeth answered.
"Put the camp on lockdown," Reyna ordered.
"Why?" Percy questioned. Annabeth had her own look of confusion.
"Sula is working with Ouranos," Reyna muttered. "She attacked me and took Kronos' blade."
"We'll find them," Chiron promised. He hurried out. Piper followed him without another word. Annabeth nudged Percy who nodded and stood. He left the room.
Hylla sat Reyna down in a chair. She examined Reyna's bloody and bruised face. Hylla spoke, "How bad are you?"
"I'm fine," Reyna muttered. She was staring ahead. Her eyes had no emotion in them. Annabeth stared and grabbed a first aid kit. She moved to Reyna's side.
Hylla grabbed the first aid kit and opened it. She gently took care of the cuts on Reyna's face. Reyna looked at the ground and spoke, "Ouranos' endgame has begun."
"You don't know that," Hylla whispered.
"He built a city," Reyna muttered. "That's probably where he wants to raise Gaea. Sula told me that he is going to attack this camp."
"We'll stop him," Hylla promised. Reyna didn't respond. She just stared ahead. Annabeth pulled up a chair and redid the stitches on Reyna's lip.
"You can't lose hope," Annabeth whispered after a minute of silence. Reyna looked at her and closed her eyes. She waited till Annabeth had finished the stitches.
"I haven't lost hope. I'm just preparing for my own endgame," Reyna said. She made a pained noise as Hylla placed a hand to her ribs.
"How are you still walking?" Hylla questioned. Her voice was softer than before. She didn't seem to care about anything other than her little sister.
"I don't know," Reyna admitted. Hylla hugged her gently. She whispered to her in Spanish. Reyna hesitated before whispering the words in English. "I love you too."
Annabeth watched the two sisters. Reyna leaned on Hylla who held her close. Hylla spoke, "I am going to kill that old woman."
"Not if I get there first," Reyna muttered.
"It's going to be a race," Hylla joked. She looked at Annabeth with anger in her eyes. Annabeth knew that Sula would be lucky if Reyna got to her first.
Annabeth looked up as the door opened. She saw Piper walk in with a grim look. Piper spoke, "They're gone. Circe is as well."
"Damn it," Annabeth said looking down.
"We can't kill Jason when we find him," Piper said as she looked at Reyna. The youngest daughter of Bellona looked her in the eyes. She nodded once.
"Disable. We don't kill," Reyna agreed. "Sorry for attacking you."
"It's okay," Piper said.
"We need to find where Ouranos is building his city," Reyna muttered.
"Cavanal Hill," Annabeth said. She looked at her friends. "That's the highest hill in the United States. It has to be where he took Atropos and where the temple is."
"We have to set this camp up to fight to the bitter end," Reyna said. She stood with Hylla's help. "I need to talk to Chiron."
"You need to rest," Hylla whispered in a quiet voice.
"I can't," Reyna whispered. Hylla looked away and hugged Reyna tightly. Hylla rubbed her sister's back. They had a quiet conversation in Spanish.
Reyna finally nodded. Hylla looked at Annabeth and spoke, "We should get our troops ready for defense."
"We're going to have to sneak into Ouranos' city," Reyna said. "We find the temple. After that, the ritual has to be ruined."
"How?" Annabeth questioned. Reyna didn't answer. Her eyes grew distant. "Reyna?"
"If it came down to it, could you kill me?" Reyna asked. She looked at Annabeth.
"No," Hylla interrupted. "I don't care what you're thinking. We are not doing it."
"Could you?" Reyna repeated. Annabeth stared at her. She had no clue what Reyna was thinking, and it scared her. Annabeth finally nodded.
"Reyna, what the hell are you thinking?" Hylla demanded. "I am not going to allow you to turn yourself over to Ouranos!"
Reyna didn't answer. She just looked at the ground. Hylla stared at her. Hylla started talking in furious Latin. Reyna didn't respond.
"Annabeth, you need to talk to her," Hylla said. She sounded like she was pleading. Annabeth looked at Reyna.
"Don't waste your time," Reyna muttered. She stood. Hylla jumped in front of her sister. Reyna looked like she wanted to comment, but she suddenly stepped back and leaned on the table.
"Reyna?" Annabeth questioned.
"I'm fine," Reyna hissed. She pushed herself off of the table and tried to walk away. Hylla grabbed her, but it was gentle this time. She sat her younger sister down. Reyna gripped her head.
"What's wrong?" Hylla whispered. Reyna made a pained noise and didn't answer. She took pained breaths.
"It feels like my brain is trying to escape," Reyna hissed. She cursed in pain. After a few moments, Reyna visibly relaxed. She took a deep breath and slowly lowered her hands.
"What was that?" Annabeth asked. She looked at Reyna concerned.
"I don't know," Reyna admitted. She looked pale. "Let's just go work on defenses."
Annabeth wanted to press the subject. She knew Hylla wanted to as well, but they had to focus. Annabeth spoke, "Alright. Let's tell everyone what is going on."