Things in the legion had been quiet following Othrys. They had slowly marched back towards camp, each cohort carrying their dead. Reyna still had Percy's mangled corpse burned into her mind. The few vehicles that the legion owned had been seized by the Medical core, constantly ferrying the legion's injured back to new Rome at a faster rate than the weary legionaries could march. Percy had been the first to be loaded into an SUV and sped off, an extra two medicii in the back treating his grievous wounds.

The legion's trip was slow, all of it's fighters were exhausted and formation marching was all but forgotten. Arriving back at camp Jupiter late, the legion gathered for a small debrief. The legionaries gathered in rough cohorts, as the praetor, Emily, limped up to the podium.

She sighed deeply. "Ave Legionaries." She began, her voice dull. "Let me begin by saying we won, and that the black fortress has crumbled, along with Saturn's throne." There was a half hearted cheer at that, but it soon quieted. "As of now, the Hospital in New Rome is at maximum capacity, as are the field hospitals of the second, third and fourth cohorts; Any overflow has been directed either to the first's or fifth's Hospitals. Official Celebrations are planned next week, after shroud burnings have been completed. You are all dismissed for the night. Centurions stay behind."

The legionaries quickly dispersed back to their barracks, a low murmur of chat being heard. Reyna pushed towards the front against the tide of tired soldiers. As she emerged at the clearing she quickly joined the circle of centurions.

"Shrouds are being stored outside the principa, burnings are going to run from tomorrow, with the aim of having them all burned before the celebrations in New Rome. There will be a senate meeting discussing our operation and the future of legion, and standard senate things." Emily said. All nodded. "Dismissed. Oh, and congratulations on your promotion Centurion Reyna." Reyna stood there for a moment before fatigue overwhelmed her, and she made her way towards her new room, falling asleep as she fell onto the bed.

She was woken at gods knew what time to hear shouting coming from a neighboring castra. She quickly jumped out of bed, grabbed her chest plate, sword and spear. She walked at a brisk pace, strapping her sword at her side, spear on her back and putting her chest plate on. She saw some of her legionaries begin to rise but she held a hand up to stop them.

She approached the commotion coming from the first's castra. She could already see a rough perimeter of legionaries surrounding it. She brought herself together, schooled her look, and approached the perimeter, expecting to be let in without hassle, her centurion markings clearly displayed. Maybe it was because she was still half asleep, but she didn't notice that the legionary hadn't moved until placed a hand on her chest plate to stop her.

She shook herself awake and prepared herself to give her first tongue lashing as a centurion, but he beat her to the punch. "No entry. No exceptions. Praetors orders." His gruff voice let out. She scowled, but turned, too see Jason walking over, head tilted, silently questioning. She shook her head in response. They met in the middle, Reyna turning to look at the restricted zone.

They stood in silence until Reyna spoke. "They're not letting anyone in, clearly don't want whatever's going on to get out." Jason hummed in agreement. They settled into a comfortable silence.

Things were quiet until a primal shout tore through the serenity. The two saw a group of Medicii being rushed into the perimeter, where the ongoing commotion was only getting louder. They looked over to New Rome, seeing two legionaries escorting a civilian over into the chaos. Jason squinted, trying to see who it was. "Doctor Adams?" He asked quizzically.

"Why are they bringing a Psychologist into there?" Reyna asked. The question went unanswered, the air continued to be permeated by the screams of an apparent madman until they were suddenly cut short. Sound seemed to cease, as silence descended upon the valley, the cordon of legionaries began to break, sending people away. They saw a legionary approach them, and they prepared to disperse.

Jason shook his head. "Trust the First to be an impromptu military police service." He muttered. Reyna laughed and bade him goodbye as they returned to their barracks.

Reyna approached the Senate building, briskly ascending the stone steps. Upon reaching the top, she could see people in togas steadily flowing into the Senate house. She made her way in and looked around the senate room. Benches ran on either side, with an open space in the middle, just how it had been during the Empire. She made her way over to the other centurions, taking a seat next to Jason.

Emily and Bobby took the Praetors' seats, the former holding a hand up for silence. "Welcome all. Unless there are any urgent questions, we will begin."

There was a fraction of a second's silence before Octavian stood up, Reyna withholding a scowl at his nasal tone. "I believe I speak for many here when I inquire as to the situation that happened within the field hospital of the First cohort."

In truth, Reyna was curious too, as were many in the senate room if their body language was to be believed. Reyna saw Bobby tense, and Emily grimace and look avert her eyes, silently sighing. She gathered herself and addressed the senate. "The matter happened within the legion, and is of no concern to the senate."

Reyna nodded her head in agreement, seeing the logic. Octavian smiled like a snake. "I believe that Doctor Adams was brought into the situation, a civilian, thus making this a matter of the senate." Octavian had backed the Praetors into a corner, and they would now have to be forced to spill what had happened last night.

Emily cleared her throat, sending a brief scowl at the blonde weasel. "In the early hours of last night, I was alerted to an ongoing situation within the barracks of the first." She paused. "Upon arriving, it was explained to me that a legionary had suffered a psychotic mental breakdown. He was subdued and is within an environment that is safe for him."

"Him? Who is the legionary?" Octavian pressed.

Emily gave in. "The legionary was Perseus Jackson, who was in Titan captivity for about 635 days. Bodily evidence shows extensive torture, physically and mentally; The latter is most likely cause for the psychotic break." Silence reigned over the chambers. Reyna's gut wrenched horribly. She had seen how Jason had been when he left the black fortress but hadn't made the correlation.

The rest of the senate meeting was the usual bore, the second it was cancelled, Reyna was the first out the door. Lightly shoving past the other senators, she desperately needed to clear her head. She exited the front doors and made her way to an overlook of the camp. She stayed there alone for a while, until the familiar scent of ozone washed over her, and she felt an arm wrapping around her. She melted into his embrace in a rare moment of softness for the usually stoic girl.

They stayed like that until a someone cleared their throat behind them. Both whipped around to see praetor Emily, looking a lot less commanding than she usually did. Both Centurions went to snap to attention, but stopped after a soft wave from the praetor. Reyna noticed how the Praetor wouldn't meet their eyes. "He's being held inside the psychiatric ward in the hospital." She turned, "Follow."

They moved silently through new Rome, the streets reflecting the somber mood of the trio. They arrived at the front doors of the Hospital, where two legionaries stood stone still on guard outside. Reyna kept her face expressionless, suppressing her alarm and worry. They weaved through the corridors and descended down a flight of stairs into the basement.

The group passed another two legionaries and emerged in a viewing room, Doctor Adams waiting already. "Hello Praetor, Centurions." He greeted.

"Doctor." The praetor greeted, Jason and Reyna nodding a silent greeting.

"I trust your here for the analysis of the patient?" The officers nodded. "The Patient seems to be suffering from a deep, trauma induced psychosis. The limited contact we've exposed him too have begun with recognition of roman armour, the Patient then however begins to attack, with him repeating over and over It's a Lie, It's a lie, a know it's a lie. " The doctor finished grimly.

The room was silent, and Reyna looked through the glass into the padded room. Percy sat with his back against the wall; he wore white cotton socks, surgical blue shorts, and a white straightjacket. It twisted Reyna's gut to see the person who had basically become an elder brother to her in such a decrepit state. From behind the class she could see him shaking. His hair had been tied back by the staff, it was so long it was a nice pony tail behind his head. With his face clear of his inky black hair, you could clearly see his face.

His old lightning scar was still visible, starting from his right jaw, blossoming out as it got higher on his face, settling as it reached the rim of his eye. New scars marred his face, and it looked as if a child had taken a crayon to his face. Most were small, the largest and most noticeable scars being the wide claw scar over his left eye, leaving it a dull milky white. The other began at the corners of his mouth, and grew out along his cheeks giving him a forced smile.

"Our physical examination revealed numerous lacerations across his body, and detailed scarring, like someone was drawing or writing." The Doctor explained further, all the attendees flinched. "We are almost certain he suffered extensive torture,- " Reyna held herself from going duh, "-And he has adverse reactions to numerous sounds."

Emily raised a caramel eyebrow, "How so?"

"See here." The doctor turned and pressed a button on the panel below the window. All recognised the sharp crack of a whip, The officers flinched at the sound, but Percy snapped up, his eyes scanning the white room to look for a non existent danger.

Emily frowned. "The others?" She questioned.

"Sounds such as a knife on stone, and strangely, water." The Doctor answered.

"Water?" Emily questioned.

The doctor nodded, pressing another button. Reyna recognised the sloshing sound of water in a bucket, and it seemed Percy did too, she watched as he rushed into the corner, falling onto his back as he was unable to use his hands, he began franticly kicking until he had his back secreted into the corner his eyes frantically scanning every speck in the room, his form shaking uncontrollably.

The group watched on in distress as he slowly relaxed, still shaking. Reyna felt the darkness in the room waver, and a cold tendril trace the back of her neck. She relaxed and closed her eyes. reaching out and latching onto the dark, letting him know that she's there.

She didn't see him relax in comfort.

Things had been quiet in the following months within legion, they were reorganizing, and there was talk that some of the older officers were considering stepping down and retiring, earlier than the standard 10 years, but without doubt due to their valor at Othrys.

News from the hospital had been quiet too, with little progress being reportedly made, and she had heard whispers that the patient was beyond help and repair. She scowled. Patient. It was bitterly dehumanizing for the person who had almost sculpted Reyna to what she was now; She remembered the sword fighting lessons, strategy talks and politics discussions, the occasional smile he would make, like a proud teacher. She remembered how he would tease her like an older brother, only in private of course, in public he was stone cold as ever.

She was drawn back into reality by a sharp rap at the door, pulling her back into the legion's officers meeting. "Enter." Emily called out tiredly. Two girls in silver entered, Reyna recognised them from when she had been an Optio, they had come to inform them of Percy's capture, and war with the Titans. Emily stood to greet the silver wearing girls.

"Greeting ms," She paused, not knowing her name.

"Nightshade." She supplied.

"Ms Nightshade, welcome again to New Rome." Emily greeted.

She gave a terse smile. "It is refreshing to be here, alas we can only be brief. We are here to take Percy to Olympus."

The Officers were stunned. Emily blinked for a few moments before nodding, rising and suspending the meeting, leading the duo of hunters out. Reyna was quick to follow. Outside the Principa was 4 more hunters in similar apparel, nodding respectfully to Reyna. The group walked briskly to the hospital, the posted guards allowing them access, and the group soon entered the viewing room to Percy's room.

Zoe looked at the broken form of the boy in front of her, his hands left useless within the straight jacket, his hair having grown longer, unable to be cut by a nurse for fear of him having access to a blade, and had simply been pulled back into a long ponytail, exposing his damaged face for all to see. His gaunt form failed to fill his clothes, and his socks were lose around his long gone toes. She let out a silent sigh looking at him, and felt Atalanta cringe at the damage.

The room was silent before the elder huntress spoke. "Sedate him so we can move him, we will be leaving the camp boundaries and meeting with the rest of the hunt, then going to Olympus."

Emily only flicked her hand and the order was followed, a thin gas seeping into the padded room. The group waited until he slumped over into a deep slumber, before opening the door to the room. They group of immortal maidens placed a silver fold-out stretcher next to him, and lifted the concerningly light boy onto it, before two huntresses took each end, hauled him up, following their comrades out of the concealed valley and back to the rest of the hunt.

When they arrived, Thalia was waiting for them, and winced at the state of their patient. Zoe even spied Artemis slightly cringe at his state, before teleporting the immortal group to the city of the gods, where Apollo and Dionysus were both waiting.

AN

A bit of a shorter chapter, but hey. I kinda went on and off with writing this, with inspiration and willpower being frustratingly fleeting. Percy will recover eventually dont worry.

In other news, i've got a new OC stuck in my head, gods help me.

I feel that its commonly forgotten that Apollo is also the god of Arts, which come in many forms. My oc is a miami boy who just has a knack for street art / graffiti, with his spray paint bottles, golden blonde surfer hair and Gulf of mexico tan.

Please help he's living in my brain rent free. Prepare yourself for a new fic featuring him soon.

Remember to Review, reading them really does boost my mood, and also Remember to stay safe.
Bye Guys,
-Dudhehehhehehehe