The experience I was feeling was something I hadn't felt in a while. I was in a dazed confusion but still somewhat alert. It took some time for me to figure it out, but I knew where I was when I saw the terrain. The fog surrounded me. Its smoky ethereal form was stretched thin but was reeking with magic. I was stuck at a crossroads with three smoky images of the same woman all staring at me. They all inched forward until they all collided and became one. Right next to me was a pale woman with golden hair together in a high-set ponytail. She was someone I knew well.

"Hecate" I said with amazement.

She gave a heartfelt grin. "Yes, my child. It's been far too long."

My amazement turned into horror quickly once I knew it was her. Hecate never made her presence known for no reason, and if I was here in this smoky crossroad then that means that I was…

"I'm sleeping. This is a dream, isn't it?" I asked.

Hecate felt the polecat on her shoulder. "I'm afraid so. We don't have much time so listen well."

I sat myself down on the fog-riddled ground. I was still far too tired to even stand.

"There are other forces at work at this tournament. Someone is using all of you demigods as pawns, and I'm afraid the same could be said for the Olympians. There is an entity playing an intricate game, using our lives like chess pieces on a board. You don't see now, but you will."

I scratched my head. "The tournament is just a part of the celebration, isn't it?"

Hecate shook her head. "Do you even know who created this tournament?"

This the question I didn't want to answer. Knowing that the answer alone would unravel into something else entirely.

"Victoria. She was the original creator."

Hecate raised her eyebrows. "So, you knew." She asked.

I waved my hand over the smoky ground as it washed over me.

"Frank and Reyna told me last night with Jason. I know her more as Nike, and while she was absolutely insane, she wasn't a threat to the Gods."

Hecate felt stressed at my words. "She still isn't. She's just being used by someone else. Someone who has escaped my grasp up into now."

I crossed my legs. "I'll tell the rest of the seven and cancel the tournament."

Hecate looked towards me. "You will do no such thing. You must keep this to yourself until a certain time. The enemy is unknown, but they are always watching. I will unmask both them and their plan."

I was confused by her words. "I have to let the camp know that we're in danger. I have to tell Frank at least."

Hecate's energy was powering up. I have never seen her with this much fury.

"You will leave this all to me. I have the enemy this close to my hand and I will not let you ruin it. Once the enemy is alerted, they will flee and try again another day. I will not let that happen."

I still wasn't convinced and stood against her defiantly. I had to let Frank know. This was his camp as praetor, and we would protect it together.

Hecate lowered herself and the energy. I was sure she would vaporize me with her godly form at least.

"Swear to me. Swear to me that you will not tell a living soul of our discussion until I say so. Swear to me on the River Styx or perish by my hand."

Ok, that was a problem. I never thought Hecate would be this scary. Not only that, but I couldn't beat her in a fight, especially in a dream. I had no weapons on me or anything. When she said perish, she meant it.

I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to put the fate of my friends' lives in the hands of a goddess. Even if it was a friendly goddess like Hecate, but I had no choice.

"I swear it," I spoke. "I swear it on the River Styx."

Thunderstruck around us and the deal was made.

Hecate raised my hand to rise from the ground.

"I will find our enemy, but in the meantime. You must grow stronger. You have become a master of the Mist, but there are many incantations that could be used, and I fear we will need all of those spells for the coming battle."

I shrugged. "There's no one in camp who could teach me that right now."

Hecate smiled. "You don't need a master. There is a hidden room in the New Rome University libraries. In there is one book for learning incantations. The room is guarded, but your higher status as a centurion would allow you in. Look for the one called Arcana Pugnam Contra Vetitum. It's an ancient book so be careful with it."

The space around us started to shake violently.

Hecate smiled at me. "Good luck Hazel and stay vigilant."

The space around me washed away as my eyes truly opened.

I checked my surroundings and saw the viewing area. It seems like I was the only one here now. I felt some spit drooling down my neck and wiped it off. I must have been asleep for a while.

I heard a wheelchair behind me and saw Chiron making his way towards the couches.

"Ah, Hazel. They told me you were sleeping here."

I gave out a yawn. "I'm surprised they left me here by myself." I spoke with some honestly.

Chiron nodded. "I understand why you would think that way, but there has been an incident that transpired while you were asleep. Hazel, I need you to find Frank and bring him back here.

I reached for my sword ready to fight. "What happened? Are there monsters in the camp?"

Chiron looked confused. "What? There aren't any monsters. Our patrols are making sure of that. The incident is between Will Solace and Michael Kahale."

"Wait, what happened?" I asked.

"Will is hurt badly. I wish to tell you more, but I need our praetor back first. Please, reach the field of Mars quickly. His match would be over by the time you reach there."

"I got it Chiron," I said with certainty.

With that, I rushed out of the Coliseum towards the fields. By the time I reach the forums, I stopped myself. It would take maybe thirty minutes to be there and back. If lives were at stake, then I needed to be faster.

"Arion!" I screamed and the horse appeared out of thin air.

I nudged and caressed his long face. "That's my favorite horse in the world."

With no effort at all, I summoned a gold nugget from the earth and fed it to him.

Arion chewed and ate the gold in no time flat. A personal record.

I got on his back, and we were off to the Fields of Mars. In a matter of seconds, we reached a training ground. I got off Arion's back and ran straight to it. There were many training grounds on the fields but this one had a grizzly bear.

Frank's match was still going on. I saw Kayla dodge a bear swipe and create some distance for herself. She had only a few arrows left as she let three arrows fly towards Frank. Frank dodged them by transforming into a snake before transforming again into an eagle and flying high.

I didn't know what Frank's plan was, but Kayla was shooting and missing every time. It was risky to be a bird at this stage of the fight. One arrow and it was over. Frank didn't stay as a bird for long as he hovered a few feet above Kayla and transformed back into himself, falling at a tremendous speed.

Kayla screamed before Frank fell on top of her and had her in a headlock. There was no escaping that.

"Yield now!" He screamed.

"Uncle! I said, Uncle." Kayla yelled.

Frank got off her and tried to help her up, but she wasn't having it. Kayla just sat on the ground on the verge of tears. Knowing that she was officially out of the tournament.

There was a small crowd of Romans watching the fight that clapped for Frank. Some with begrudged faces.

Frank saw my silhouette in the crowd and ran straight towards me.

He gave me a bear hug and kiss on the cheek. I couldn't help but laugh.

Frank let the bear hug go and smiled at me. "Did you see the whole match? I tried to beat her with my bow at first and that was a disaster."

"It seems like you got quite the crowd." I said while looking at the other Romans.

Frank's smile faded. "I'm not everyone's favorite praetor right now. Everyone feels sorry for Reyna so the responsibilities of the camp all rest on me."

"I can't believe this. They're only acting like this because you're in the tournament and they aren't.

Frank shook his head. "It's more than that. I was never raised on the shield. I never became praetor at Camp Jupiter for everyone to see. I did it in a cursed land. I've been skating by these past months, but we got some real challenges now and I'm not doing the best I can. I have to step up, for Rome."

I stopped the conversation right there. I didn't want Frank to lose it.

"Frank, I need to tell you something." I said with certainty.

Frank gave me a questionable look. "Yeah? What is it?"

I was this close to being vaporized by telling Frank about my dream, but I stopped myself. I wasn't mad by the fact that I couldn't tell anybody else. I was mad that I had to keep secrets from Frank.

"Uh, Chiron needs to see you now. We got to go."

I turned around and called Arion who came at a moment's notice as we both got on.

"What's this about, Hazel?" Frank asked.

"I don't know too much myself. You will know when we get there.

With that, Arion zoomed across Camp Jupiter.

…

We reached the viewing area in record time. I looked top to bottom but there was no one there.

"Great, where did that centaur go to?" I spoke.

I got no response from Frank, so I turned and saw him looking out towards the balcony and followed him there.

"Frank, we have no time for this—"

My words were stuck to my throat as I saw it. The whole arena was stuck in vines and floral, but all of it was withering at an alarming rate.

On the floor was Katie Gardner. Her wooden armor was completely ripped apart and she was fading fast. She spoke only one word before falling unconscious. Uncle.

On top of her with her head held high was Clarisse yelling up towards the heavens. She just won her first match in losers.

"You have to be careful with her Hazel." Frank added.

I turned to him. "Wait, why me?" I asked.

Frank gave me a scared look. "Because you fight her in your next match."

The next Chapter is coming on Tuesday. Screw the original schedule. Also, I wanted to add that we have reached 10,000 views! I know views don't matter that much but it's a cool milestone. Make sure to favorite this story if you like it.

The next fight is Leo Valdez vs Travis Stoll. The Start of the Losers bracket!