Chapter 1
Percy Jackson was meditating over top of the Little Tiber, bending the water molecules in the air to his will so he would be able to float above the river, he was manipulating the river itself. He was making the water twist into shapes of galloping horses and flying pegasi, turning them into ice and back into water, over and over again. Keeping himself in the air and making moving shapes and turning those shapes from water to ice and back to water on repeat was getting really straining, soon the struggle became too much and Percy collapsed into the river. He pulled himself out of the river, completely dry, someone cleared their throat near him, he looked to the left and saw Annabeth standing there with her arms crossed with an angry expression on her face. This isn't good, Percy thought.
"Do you know how long you've been by the river?" She said, tapping her foot on the ground.
"Ermm, no?" Percy said with a sheepish smile, Annabeth wasn't impressed.
"You've been here since lunch, it's almost dinner." She said,
"That's only a few hours," Percy said.
"You missed the second half of our classes today. If you keep doing this New Rome University will kick you out and it's only been two months since we started in September." Annabeth said.
"Oh, right, about that. I dropped out. It's really hard and I already have what I need, a degree seems useless right now." Percy said.
"But that's what we planned. After we beat Gaia we would go to New Rome and go to University and then settle down. A normal life."
"Annabeth plans change. I don't need to go to University to be able to settle down with you."
"You're just making more time for your training. The wars are done, there's nothing coming."
"You don't know that."
"You don't hang out with nearly as much anymore and now you've dropped out of University, training is all you do now, there are more important things." Annabeth's eyes were getting water now and it hurt Percy to see that because he was the cause of those tears.
"Annabeth, I can't just-"
"No! Listen to me, you are spending too much time with this training. You're putting it before everything else. We are at a time of peace, you aren't needed for war anymore."
"Sweat more during peace; Bleed less during War," Percy said. When Percy said that a perplexed expression took over Annabeth's face. It was slightly amusing.
"We don't live in ancient times Percy, where conflict is at every corner. I'm surprised you know Sun Tzu, Though," she said.
"The book showed up in my room like eight months ago. I am training because of all the people who died, the people I didn't know and the ones I did. They died because I wasn't ready for the fights, that wasn't my fault but I have time to prepare myself now. You can never know what's coming, we thought we were fine after Kronos but no, there was Gaia, and then there was the Triumvirate, those insane Roman Emperors who killed Jason and Frank. Things have been popping up one after the other, so many have died." Percy said.
"The Fates aren't cruel enough to make our entire life a constant battle," Annabeth said.
"Then you don't know The Fates as I do." When he said that Annabeth ran her hand through her hair in frustration.
"I can't do this with you anymore. You are focusing on training more than your girlfriend. The conflict you think is coming isn't here but I am. This is your only chance, me or training." Annabeth said, shocking Percy.
"I-I...You-." Percy stuttered. He didn't want to lose Annabeth but he could lose her and other people he cared about if he didn't train. He went to speak again but Annabeth cut him off. Apparently he only had a few seconds to choose and Annabeth took his silence as his answer.
"I guess that's my answer. I hope you're happy." She said,
"I never thought that you would just drop me like that, or force me to choose between two things that are important to me. So much for 'it doesn't matter as long as we are together'." Percy said with tears in his eyes. Annabeth turned and ran with tears running freely down her face.
After sitting by the river for a while, thinking about all the things he and Annabeth went through, It was long past dinner but Percy stood up and went to go get something to eat, as he was making his way through the Field of Mars he was thinking of what he could do now. He could go back into service for the legion, technically he didn't get released, Reyna just let him go to University with Annabeth, the senate is going to vote on who will fill the second Praetor spot and the only person that is going to run for Praetor at the moment was one of Octavian's lackeys, you'd think that when a guy dies he wouldn't be a problem anymore. Maybe he should try for the second Praetor spot, he's already been a Praetor, he has enough military experience, and with that book that appeared in his room eight months ago he knows how to be a successful politician and military leader, being Praetor would definitely help him get ready for the next war. The senate can be unreasonable at times though and will tell him he can't because he's greek, or something petty like that. So that means he would need to get the approval of a Roman god, Olympian most likely. Percy thought about what gods would understand his line of thought and would mutually benefit from him being Praetor, the only god that came into mind was Mars.
The more he thought about it, things started making sense, he was already getting help from Mars. The Art of War was given to him, just like when Mars gave Frank the book, and the dreams of war that were basically testing him on what he learned from the book were probably from Mars as well. Percy quickly made his way to the Temple Hill and into the Temple dedicated to Mars. The Temple of Mars is a red marble crypt with cast-iron doors, a massive statue of Mars, a display wall of skulls and assorted weapons and the ceiling has eleven identical shields that spell the letter M. Percy knelt before the statue of Mars.
"Lord Mars, it seems we have something to discuss," Percy said and waited a minute for a response.
"It is bold of you to think that a mortal would discuss something with a god, Perseus. Lucky for you I am informal and this is a serious matter." Mars said with a hint of amusement after appearing to the right of his statue.
"I know what you want and you are correct in the fact that I have already helped you. I will make this quick before Jupiter or any other god notices I am gone from Olympus. I will help you by making you my champion, a real champion of a god, not that of which Jason was to Juno." Mars said.
"What do you mean by that?" Percy asked.
"You will become my successor. Meaning that as the Champion of Mars you will not only fight in my name you will wield all the powers I am able to at a much lesser extent, and should I die and am not able to reform you will become the next God of War." Mars said.
"Okay, what will I have to do to prove I am worthy to be your successor?" Said Percy. What could possibly make The God of War fade?
"You have already proved yourself enough but there are quests you will have to complete as tradition and for the fact that the quests are important for the future anyway. Only when you complete these quests you can become my champion, return to the legion, and become Praetor." Said, Mars.
"What are the quests?" Asked Percy.
"You must find the Gladius of Julius Caesar, the old set of armor I used, the signet ring of Agustus, kill the Nemean Lion, and kill Echidna and her Chimera. All of these tasks must be completed alone, you may receive guidance by people you are not friendly with." Mars said.
"I'll get started right away then," Percy said.
"Farwell Perseus," Mars said with a nod. Percy averted his eyes when Mars flashed out of the temple. When Percy looked back at the spot where Mars was there were two pieces of paper on the ground. One was a letter for the Senate and the other was a list of the quests, an address in California, and information for a bank account. Percy made his way to the Praetorium to get Reyna, he got there and knocked on the door three times and waited a minute, he knocked three times again.
"What do you need?" A tiered voice said from behind him, Percy world around.
"Reyna. Where are you coming from?" Percy asked.
"A Senate meeting. Why are you here though? Aren't you supposed to be in University in early retirement with Annabeth?" Reyna said.
"Yeah about that. The whole thing fell apart. Annabeth broke up with me last night after I dropped out of University." Percy said a bit bitterly.
"Oh, um, I'm sorry. You seem awfully fine with it at the moment, considering it happened like twelve hours ago." Reyna said.
"It's okay. I'm not letting it get to me, I mean I still love her but she made me choose between two important things and was starting to get in the way of what was important to me. For a Daughter of Athena, she was being pretty short-sighted." Percy said. What he didn't say was that he cried enough already.
"Okay... What were you here for in the first place?" Reyna said not wanting to get into detail.
"I have two things, one that needs to be approved by the senate. Me being recalled to service in the legion and permission to leave camp to complete a few tasks Mars gave me." Percy said, causing Reyna to groan.
"I just came back from a meeting. Can this wait till tomorrow?" Reyna said.
"Nope, this is important." Said Percy.
"Fine, follow me." Reyne said and started leading Percy to the Senate House."
"I think that's the first time I've seen you express frustration," Percy said with a grin. All he got in return was a scathing glare. When they got to the Senate House Reyna called a meeting, it took a few minutes for the senators to assemble themselves, most of them grumbling about just finishing a meeting.
"Okay, now that we're all back here we can get this over with. Percy Jackson has a request for the senate." Reyna said.
"I need permission to leave Camp Jupiter until further notice to complete a few tasks Lord Mars has given me. I have a letter from him to the senate." Percy said and handed Reyna the letter.
"It reads, 'I, Lord Mars, give Perseus Jackson permission to leave Camp Jupiter until further notice so he may complete the tasks I have given him.' It has his godly seal on it too. Percy Jackson your request is approved, we cannot defy the will of a god." Reyna said. With that everyone cleared out of the Senate House and Reyna stayed behind to talk to Percy.
"I will answer your questions but only in a private place," Percy said to which Reyna nodded and gestured to follow her, she led them back to the Praetorium. They got inside the building and then went to Reyna's study, which was at the end of a hallway. she closed the door and sat down, there wasn't a chair for Percy so he stayed standing.
"What are your quests?" Was Reyna's first question.
"I have to find the Gladius of Julius Caesar, the old set of armor Mars used, the signet ring of Agustus, kill the Nemean Lion, and kill Echidna and her Chimera. All of these tasks must be completed alone, and I can receive guidance from people that I am not friendly with." Percy said, basically repeating what Mars said.
"Wow. That's quite the handful. I assume this is to prove your worth for something?" Reyna said.
"Yeah. Technically I already am worthy but its tradition and the quests are important in their own right apparently." Percy said. "If all goes well, when I'm done I will be the Champion of Mars." At that Reyna's jaw dropped and she sputtered a bit before regaining some composure.
"Why though? Why would all of this be important right now?" Reyna asked.
"Mars and I believe that a war is on the horizon. When I am Champion of Mars I will certainly have a good amount of political power and with it, I intend to be elected as Praetor alongside you. I would also improve militaristically too. All of this is to prepare for what's coming."
"Damn. You and Lord Mars are going all out, well as all-out as you can without being noticed. What confuses me is the fact that you need this to become Praetor, the people like you enough already to get elected, certainly better than Octavian's lackey." Reyna said.
"I think it has something to do with the fact that we are in a time of peace and all of the political moves I would make would be for war, I am not relevant enough yet, also with how bad your upcoming Co-Praetor will be it will make me look all the better. Also, Being associated with the Roman God of War would shut up the people who still have something to say about me being Greek." Percy said. Reyna nodded
"Well that is plenty to take in, I'll subtly make sure everyone is prepared for war, though that won't be hard for Rome," Reyna said with a grin.
"Well, I'll be off to bed. Need some energy for when I leave tomorrow morning." Percy said and then suddenly remembered that Annabeth would be in their apartment. Reyna must have seen some expression on his face.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I just remembered that Annabeth is in our apartment, I guess I could sleep with the Fifth Cohort, the announcement was supposed to be tomorrow," Percy said.
"You can stay in one of my guest rooms. You'll get a night of better sleep here than in the barracks." Reyna said.
"Okay. I appreciate it. Though you may have an undisciplined Legonairy in the future, being used to comfy beds." Percy said with amusement clear in his eyes.
"I could arrange something for when you get back," Reyna said, also with amusement, though it still kinda scared Percy.
"The room is down the hall, third door down on the left," Reyna said.
"Thank you. Goodnight." Percy said and left the study. Once he got in the guest room he took his clothes, except his boxers, off and put them at the foot of the bed and climbed into those silk sheets. He was sleeping within the minute.