Percy
Four hours. That's exactly how long it took for the world's fastest horse to get from Alaska all the way to San Fransisco Bay. It really made me wish we had had Arion from the start.
And by now, I was grinning widely because my memory had completely returned. It was a relief too because Layton could no longer keep details from me, for a reason I still didn't know.
I could remember everything: Zeus's master bolt, the Sea of Monsters, the labyrinth, the war with Kronos, my sixteenth birthday and best of all, Annabeth - one really good month of dating until it went to chaos.
My abductor was an alien named Hera. Or Juno... same thing in the end. It had been two months of my life stolen so far, and I was unsure how much longer it would be. Next time I saw the Queen of Olympus, she was going to get a piece of my mind.
I could understand her plan though: Unite the Roman and Greek demigods to create one elite team of heroes, then convince the gods to fight with them.
First things first though, save Camp Jupiter, or it wouldn't matter if we could get the two to work together or not.
"Thanks Arion, you were great" Hazel said as we hopped off at our destination
"Uh guys, look" Frank said
We walked over to the side of the hill Frank was at, and my heart sank at the view. The battle had already begun, and it wasn't going so well. The Twelfth Legion was arrayed on the Field of Mars, attempting to protect the city and the innocent civilians. Scorpions fired into the ranks of the Earthborn. I could even see Hannibal the elephant plowing down monsters left and right, but we were still outnumbered.
Reyna was on her pegasus Scipio, flying around the giant Polybotes and trying to keep him occupied. Meanwhile, the Lares formed shimmering purple lines against a mob of shades in ancient armor.
Veteran demigods from the city also joined the battle, pushing their shield wall against a group of centaurs. Giant eagles circled the battlefield, doing aerial combat with the green Bargain Mart snakes - Stheno and Euryale.
"We're too late" Hazel sighed
"No, they're still fighting. We can win" I assured
"But where's Lupa?" Frank asked. "She and her wolves should be here by now"
I thought about my short time with the wolf goddess. I had come to respect her and her teachings, but I also knew that the wolves had their limits. They weren't exactly front-line fighters. They only attacked when they had the enemy outnumbered, and usually under the cover of darkness.
"She did was she said she would, she slowed them down. Now it's up to us. We have the gold eagle and the weapons for the legion" I said
"Arion is out of steam though! We can't just haul this ourselves" Hazel replied
"Maybe we don't have to..." I scanned the hilltops carefully. If Tyson had really gotten the message, he should be close.
I whistled as loud as he could, and shadows rippled in the trees. A huge black shape came out of nowhere - a Cyclopes and a harpy on their back accompanied by a Hellhound.
"Ah! Hellhound!" Frank scrambled backwards.
"It's alright, they're friends" I said
"Brother!" Tyson jumped off and ran towards me.
I tried to brace myself but that didn't exactly help when it came to Tyson. He basically slammed into me and smothered me into a hug.
"You are not dead! I like that!" He said
"Ella found a dog," She announced, "a large one, and a Cyclops"
Before I could reply, the black mastiff pounced onto me and knocked me to the ground.
"Hey, Mrs. O'Leary. Good to see you too" I chuckled "And Tyson, where's Annabeth? Is she coming to help?"
"Not yet at least" Layton answered knowingly. "You see, the original plan was a lot worse... I had to do some convincing... but hey, I shortened your suffering"
"The big ship is not yet ready. Leo says tomorrow, maybe two days. But they will come" Tyson added
"Okay then, here's the plan" I said
This was without a doubt, the strongest reinforcements in all of the Roman military history.
Hazel rode around on Arion, slashing away at monsters. Frank transformed into a bald eagle and soared above, occasionally swooping down to attack.
Tyson ran down the hill, waving his club around wildly while Ella fluttered around him and recited random facts.
Layton wore a red robe, wielding Funem Celer which was taking out groups of enemies with a single strike due to the sword's ability to extend like a whip.
As for me, I rode on Mrs. O'Leary into battle with a chariot filled with Imperial Gold weapons that clanked around. Behind, the golden eagle of the Twelfth Legion was raised up high.
We skirted around the perimeter of camp, charging onto the Field of Mars at the western edge of the battle. There, a horde of Cyclopes were hammering away at the campers of the Fifth Cohort.
Mrs. O'Leary slammed into the nearest Cyclopes and the last thing it saw were her vicious teeth.
I hopped off my hellhound and began to slash wildly through the monsters. Tyson, who was not that far away, charged at Ma Gasket, the female cyclopes Layton had temporarily mind controlled a few days back.
"Bad Cyclops lady! General Tyson commands you leave!" Tyson hit Ma Gasket and she turned into dust.
Meanwhile, Hazel charged around on Arion, slicing her sword through a Cyclopes that had been blinded by Frank's talons.
And on top of that, Cyclopes were being turned into a pile of ash by Funem Celer that was making quick work of groups clustered around the younger campers.
"Fifth Cohort! Get your Imperial gold weapons right here!" I announced like a true flee market seller
"Go go!" Dakota urged
It didn't take long for the Fifth Cohort to be equipped with new weapons, shields and helmets.
"Follow the eagle to battle!" Frank ordered
The campers cheered as I charged forward on Mrs. O'Leary , the entire cohort following on. We slammed into a herd of centaurs that were currently focused on the Third Cohort. When the campers of the Third saw the eagle, they fought with a renewed effort.
Sadly but also amusingly, the centaurs didn't stand a single chance. The two cohorts together crushed them easily. Soon, there was nothing but piles of dust and assorted hooves and horns to prove that the centaurs had been there.
"Form ranks!" the centurions shouted together. The two cohorts gathered as one, our military training kicking in. With our shields locked, we marched into battle against the Earthborn.
"Pila!" Frank shouted
A hundred spears bristled, and on command, they sailed through the air, cutting through the monsters. We drew our swords again and advanced toward the center of the battle.
At the base of the aqueduct, the First and Second Cohort were attempting to encircle Polybotes, but they were taking a beating from the giant. The remaining Earthborn threw barrages of stone and mud while karpoi threw little piranha Cupids.
Reyna soared around the giant, diving in with her javelin when he was distracted. The giant had nearly swatted her out of the air, but Scipio doged just in time. Her eyes locked on with mine and she gave me a big smile.
"Romans! Rally to the eagle!" Reyna commanded
"Huh? What's this? What is it?" Polybotes demanded
I felt the rush of power coursing through me from the standard's staff. I raised the eagle and shouted, "Twelfth Legion Fulminata!"
Thunder shook the valley as the eagle let loose its attack, and a thousand tendrils of lightning exploded from its golden wings - arcing in the front of me like branches that ignored the Roman forces.
Then, silver portals appeared that sucked in the lightning and then closed. For a second, nothing happened until double the amount of portals that had appeared, re-appeared and released the lightning in large surges of energy.
The First and Second Cohorts were facing off against one extremely surprised giant and hundreds of piles of ash. The enemy's center line had been obliterated. Of course, the silver portals had reinforced its strength as well.
Best of all, Octavian's face was priceless. He looked shocked but then outraged.
Polybotes backed up with an uncertainty, but I knew the battle wasn't over just yet. The Fourth Cohort was still surrounded by Cyclopes, and Even Hannibal the elephant was struggling to make his way through that many monsters.
On the eastern flank, the veterans and the Lares were being pushed into the city. The monsters hurled green fireballs into the streets and the gorgons had disabled the giant eagles, now flying over the giant's remaining centaurs.
"Stand your ground! I have free samples for everyone!" Stheno shouted
"Percy" Layton said from behind me and I turned
"Yeah?" I asked
He tossed Funem Celer and I caught it with my free hand, giving him a confused look.
"You're the better sword fighter, remember. I'll take my expertise elsewhere" Layton said
His robe disappeared with a flash of light. Then, the same light surrounded me and I was wearing the red robe. Additionally, I felt reenergized and faster.
Layton's bands spun and two shields the shape of a pointy teardrop formed on his arms, the sharp end sticking out past his knuckles.
With that, I handed Dakota the standard. "You're the cohort's senior centurion, take care of this"
He blinked but then straightened up wit ha great pride. He even dropped his Kool-Aid flask and took the eagle. "I will carry it with honor, thank you Percy"
I pulled out my pen and it transformed into Riptide. Now I had two powerful blades in my possession.
"Frank, Hazel, Tyson," I said, "help the Fourth Cohort. I've got a giant that owes me its death"
"We're still outnumbered and struggling" Hazel replied
"Then I've got one last trick" Layton said, motioning his hand over to the left
Up in the northern hills, a large silver portal the size of about your average two story house formed. Horns blew and slowly, an army began to appear on the ridge. Hundreds of warriors in black-and-gray camouflage appeared.
"Great, amazons" Frank said
Polybotes laughed. "Our reinforcements have finally arrived! Today, Rome falls!"
The Amazons lowered their spears and then charged down the hills. The giant's army cheered, until the Amazons changed their course and charged the monsters eastern flank.
"Amazons, forward!" A familiar voice commanded - a girl who looked like an older version of Reyna, wearing black combat armor and a golden belt around her waist
"Queen Hylla! She lived!" Hazel celebrated
"To my sister's aid! Destroy the monsters!" The Amazon queen said
"Destroy!" Her troops repeated
"You had them on speed dial?" I asked Layton
He shrugged. "You could say that"
"Romans! Advance!" Reyna added
The battlefield turned into absolute chaos. Amazon and Roman lines swung together, taking out monsters with ease.
I had one goal of mine own though. I pointed at the giant. "You and me, we finish this"
We met by the aqueduct, which was still intact somehow. Polybotes fixed that up by swiping his trident and smashing the nearest brick arch, unleashing a waterfall.
"Show me your great power, son of Neptune! Does water do your bidding and heal you? I am born to oppose your father" Polybotes taunted
The giant thrusted his hand under the water as a torrent passed through his fingers, turning it dark green. He flung some and I dodged them quickly. The liquid splattered at my feet and hissed, the grass withering away.
"My touch will turn water to poison, so let's see what happens to your blood!" Polybotes said
He threw his net at me but I rolled out of the way. I diverted the waterfall straight to the giant's face which blinded him. I swung Funem Celer and the blade whipped his face from a good twenty feet away. Then, I charged and stabbed Riptide into the giant's belly before withdrawing it and vaulting away.
"One powerful blade, or two, you will fall all the same" Polybotes snarled
"The last giant who said numbers didn't matter died" I replied
"But I will still break you" Polybotes assured
"You'll have to catch me first" I retorted
I turned around and bolted towards the city.
"Coward! Stand still and die! Make it easy!" The giant yelled
I couldn't do that of course, but I couldn't kill Polybotes on my own either. But I did have a plan - one I knew would work.
On my way, I jumped over a scorpion that was set ablaze, and also ducked as Hannibal tossed a Cyclopes across the path. Tyson on my right was pounding the Earthborn into the ground like a carnival game, with Ella fluttered above him.
Layton was also assisting Tyson, his shields made quick work of the monsters, being both great at offense and defense.
"Die!" Polybotes yelled as I kept running
Far away, I could see Hazel on Arion, galloping across the battlefield and cutting down centaurs and karpoi. Queen Hylla and Reyna had joined forces as well and rid on their Pegasi.
Frank had turned into an elephant and was with Hannibal, together they stomped through Cyclopes while Dakota held the golden eagle up high, blasting lightning at any monsters who wanted to challenge the Fifth Cohort.
Their abilities were great, but I needed a different kind of help. A god.
I glanced back and the giant was closing distance on me - about an arm's reach away. Luckily, Layton had spotted the conflict and summoned a small rock pillar that tripped the giant. He laughed and then resumed his conflict, now engaging with the Euryale and Stheno.
"Terminus!" I shouted as I reached the city limits
The nearest statue of the god was about sixty feet up ahead. His stone eyes snapped open as I ran towards him.
"This is totally unacceptable!" He complained. "There's buildings on fire! Invaders! Percy Jackson, you get them out of here!"
"I'm trying but there's this giant, Polybotes" I explained
"Yes, I know that!" Terminus replied. "Why can't they be civilized and attack slower? I'm only one god"
A flaming green cannonball sailed overhead and Terminus closed his eyes in concentration, reducing it to ash.
"Help me kill this giant and it'll be over. A god and a demigod together, that's the only way to beat him"
Terminus huffed. "I guard borders, not kill giants. Its not on my resume or my job description"
"Please Terminus" I took a step towards him
"Stop! No weapons within the Pomerian Line! That's strike one mister!"
"We're under attack!"
"Rules are rules! When people don't follow them, I get real angry!"
I grinned. "About that... hold on"
Sprinting towards the giant, I taunt him and he growled. Water was still pouring over him, turning to poison. "You will die... very slowly"
"I think I'll kill you instead" I winked
Polybotes bellowed in rage and pointed his trident at me, running towards me at a great speed. As the giant reached the Pomerian Line, I jumped aside like the world's greatest bullfighter.
"That's it! That's against the rules! I'm sick and tired of it!" Terminus cried
Polybotes frowned in confusion. "What are you? Shut up puny statue!"
Layton jogged over to my side. "What's going on now?"
"Just watch" I chuckled
Polybotes shoved the statue over casually and turned back to me.
"Now I'm really mad!" Terminus shrieked
"Enough!" The giant demanded, stepping on the status which broke him into bunches of pieces
"You did not!" Terminus shouted. "Percy Jackson, you have a deal! Let's kill this clown!"
The giant must have taken it as a joke because he laughed so hard, he didn't see me charging in until it was too late. I slashed each of his legs with each of my swords which caused him to stumble back.
"You can't win alone!" The giant groaned. "You will never win!"
"I'm not alone" I assured
"Huh?"
On cue, large chains erupted from the ground that tied around the giant's wrists and held him in place. I lifted the god's stone head up. "Meet Terminus, he's a god!"
I smashed the god's head as hard as I could into Polybotes nose, and the giant dissolved into a steaming heap of seaweed and reptile skin.
"Two ugly deaths in one day. Giants at that" Layton said
"Tell me about" I staggered away
"Ha! That should teach him to obey the rules of Rome!" Terminus said
For a moment, there was a silence across the battlefield except for a few burning fires and some retreating monsters screaming in panic.
A circle of Romans Amazons stood around my group. Frank and Hazel were grinning at me with pride, Arion nibbled on a golden shield, and Layton had his eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Percy! Percy! Percy!" The Romans chanted
"If I didn't know better, I'd say they want you for praetor" Layton said
Before I knew it, they mobbed me and raised me up with on a shield. "Praetor! Praetor! Praetor!"
Among the chanters was Reyna and Layton sarcastically joined in with a bored look on his face.
The mob of cheering Romans carried me around the Pomerian Line, avoiding Terminus's borders, and escorting me back home to Camp Jupiter.
Layton / November 27th
And so, the giants Polybotes and Alcyoneus had been defeated, Thanatos - the god of death - had been freed, and everyone had survived.
"Keep Percy alive for me, please" Annabeth had requested
"Do not interfere too much with the affairs" Juno on the other hand had said
"Fine" Jupiter had groaned after I convinced him four more months of Percy and Annabeth separated was kind of ridiculous
The mess hall was crowded around with Campers, Amazons, Lares and demigods. Even the poor fauns had been invited, since they had kindly helped out by bandaging the wounded after the battle.
Wind nymphs zipped around the room, delivering orders, and I made sure Hazel got a large glass of milk.
Despite the battle, everyone had gotten a relatively good nights rest, and was in good spirits. Causalities had been light, and the few campers who had died previous hadn't been taken to the Underworld. Cough Gwen cough.
Either Thanatos had given us an early Christmas present or Pluto was also in good spirits. Whatever it was, as much as I didn't like to admit it, Hazel was alive.
During our quest, we had become friendlier and I enjoyed making fun of her. Of course she had her own comebacks too which were fair.
Anyway, colorful Amazon and Roman banners hung up, side-by-side from the rafters. Unsurprisingly, at least to me, there was also a lot of flirting and even arm-wrestling.
At one point, I had watched Kinzie corner Percy. He had explained he already had a girlfriend, and she took it lightly.
Of course, word had gotten around of Otrera's assassination by my hands, apparently there had been a witness. I promised the group I would explain everything once the seven were gathered.
Right, my goal. Hera had picked me as her champion to gather the seven of the prophecy. Soon, my latest mission would be complete, and I would be back onto the road of traveling and hitting targets, much to my dislike.
After the feast, I joined Percy and the others down at the city which still hadn't recovered from the battle.
"Welcome, praetor!" Terminus greeted Percy. "Got any giants that need some face smashing? Let me know"
"Thanks, Terminus, I'll keep you updated" Percy replied
"You praetor's cape is an inch too low over on the left. There, that's better. Where is my assistant anyways? Julia!"
The little girl ran out from behind the pedestal and offered party hats. Percy tried to decline but Julia gave him the blue crown anyways
"I'm gonna be Percy Jackson when I grow up!" She told Hazel
"That's a good thing to be Julia" Hazel replied
"Yeah, but Frank Zhang is also good" Frank said
"Frank!" Hazel rolled her eyes
Percy
As I headed back to camp, I couldn't help but think about tomorrow. Camp Half-Blood would arrive, and I could see Annabeth again, after a long two months. Late at night, I was contemplating on wether or not to pull an all-nighter.
"Can't sleep?" Layton approached me as I rested on a rock by the Pomerian Line
"Nah, can't wait for tomorrow" I said
"That's... why you sleep" He raised his eyebrow
"So, what's next for you?" I asked, changing topics
"Tomorrow you learn the truth, Percy. After that, I'm back to what I use to do" Layton answered
"You mean, being an assassin?"
"Something like that. But there's also something I hope to prevent as soon as I leave. Details are scarce but If I'm right, Gaea will have to wait or we're done for"