It was one year ago that I finished Forever War and the Ultionem Saga. When I was first writing it, I went back and forth on how I wanted a particular scene to go, and in the end, I went with Reyna siding against the peacekeepers. I also wondered what would happen if I had Reyna work with the peacekeepers. That's what this story is.

It's going to be dark, violent, and there will be character deaths. I would recommend reading the rest of the Ultionem Saga including Forever War, or just up to chapter 47 of it, if you haven't already as this story will pretty confusing without it.

I hope everyone enjoys the first chapter. Make sure to share your thoughts and buckle in. It's going to be a wild ride.

Reyna leaned against the wall and kept her gaze on the ground. She couldn't look up at the Empire State Building, let alone Mount Olympus. Thinking about the task ahead made her gut twist more and more. Reyna took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. Her hand moved to the faceplate hanging from her belt, and she slipped it onto her helmet. Her eyes moved to the two demigods near her.

Camila, the black blooded daughter of Hades, was looking around at the mortals that rushed by. Her gaze shot to the cars that screeched down the road. She looked confused and out of place. As half the cars that passed them blared their horn, she cringed. Camila closed her eyes and took deep breaths. In between breaths, she spoke, "Have you two thought of an exit strategy yet?"

"It's called 'we will handle it'," Burza muttered. The foul-tempered daughter of Jupiter was sitting against the wall. It didn't seem like she could stand. Reyna pushed herself off of the wall and thought about her own torture at the hands of the demented goddess Eris. While everything done to Reyna was some sort of sick pleasure for Eris, Burza was punished for her failures.

Reyna held her hand out to the former praetor. Burza shook her head and seemed to be filled with spite at the action. Burza slowly stood and spoke, "Try not to split open the ground. We don't need anyone to know that we are here."

"Glad to have you back," Camila muttered. She rolled her eyes and started to walk towards the shadows. A pedestrian almost slammed into her, and Camila ducked to the side. Burza cursed and grabbed onto her.

Camila slowly looked back at Burza, but they remained silent. It wasn't until Burza squeezed her fellow peacekeeper's arm that Camila rolled her eyes and spoke, "I forgive you. Now get up there and murder your father. It's time for you to back up all of that talk."

"When we are done and safe, we'll send you a message," Burza promised. Camila nodded and then looked at Reyna. She gave a separate nod to Reyna and then stepped into the shadows. The shadows wrapped around Camila, and she disappeared from sight. "Let's go. We're wasting time."

"Right behind you," Reyna promised. She watched Burza walk across the middle of the street. Cars honked and swerved to avoid hitting the demigod. Burza didn't seem to care as she walked across. Reyna looked at both sides of the street and then darted across. The two of them made it to the front door of the Empire State Building.

Reyna placed a hand on her sword. From her few visits, she knew that a guard watched the front door and held onto the key that would take them to Mount Olympus. Reyna didn't know the plan for dealing with the guards, but she could guess it would be violent. Burza glanced at her and shoved the door open. She stepped into the lobby.

It took a moment for Reyna to follow behind. A look around showed that the lobby was empty, other than a woman that was sitting behind the front counter. Her gaze focused on her phone, and she didn't even look up at them. Reyna tightened her grip on her sword, but Burza grabbed her arm and spoke, "Keep it sheathed. She's a friend."

"Friend?" Reyna asked. Her gaze moved back to the woman, who had put down her phone and was now staring at her. Reyna clenched her fist to remind herself that she was in reality, and she was bitterly happy when she was unable to clench it fully. This was not a dream. Everything that she was seeing was real.

"Burza has never called me her friend before," the woman commented. She stood and walked towards Reyna. Hazel colored eyes studied Reyna closely. "You probably heard them refer to me as the twelfth that you are going to replace. My name is Neith."

"I'm sure you heard a lot about me," Reyna commented. Neith smiled slightly. There was a powerful presence about her that was hard to identify. It was not the same feeling of power that other demigods gave off though. Reyna tried not to frown as she studied the woman in front of her. Neith studied her.

"How does the situation look on Mount Olympus?" Burza questioned. She rubbed her elbow, and a quiet curse escaped her. Reyna glanced back at Burza. The Roman wore the same set of armor that the rest of the members of the Sixth Legion did. Her faceplate hung at her side.

Just thinking about the plan made Reyna's knees shake. The two of them would walk straight into Mount Olympus. The Olympians wouldn't be too suspicious about Reyna, and no one would be able to tell who Burza was with her faceplate on. It would just seem like two members of the Sixth Legion were going to meet Jupiter. Hypothetically.

"All of the Olympians aren't here yet, or they just haven't used the front door," Neith replied. She walked back towards the desk and sat down. "Hecate checked over the serum for us. I told her that I confiscated it from some kid in the lobby, and she believed me. She said that it would have worked on the barrier."

"Good. That's our backup plan. Get it to the others," Burza ordered. Reyna glanced between the two of them, but neither of the peacekeepers moved. Whatever mysterious serum they were talking about must not have been on them. "Reyna and I will handle Mount Olympus. You should leave, so they don't question you."

"Are you sure?" Neith questioned. She gave Reyna a wary look. Reyna studied the woman in front of her. Neith wore a black jacket and jeans. She didn't seem like a threat, but there was something about the look in her eyes. "I don't want to leave the two of you alone. Who knows what will happen."

"We'll destroy the Olympians. That is what we'll do," Burza declared. She held a hand out. After a moment, Neith handed her the key to the elevator, but her eyes never left Reyna. It seemed like Neith didn't trust Reyna. "We'll be fine. Get out of here."

Neith nodded and finally looked at Burza. She grabbed Burza's shoulder gently and spoke, "Stay safe and watch your back. We can't have anything happening to our delicate little flower."

Burza shoved the hand off of her shoulder and rolled her eyes. A small smile came to Neith's face, and she turned away. As Reyna met Neith's eyes, the woman quickly lost her smile. The two studied each other, and Neith finally turned away completely. She walked towards the desk and started gathering a few items.

"You coming?" Burza questioned. Reyna turned her head and saw that Burza was already waiting in the elevator. Burza leaned against the elevator wall. It was easy to tell that she was trying to keep pressure off of her knee. Her hand kept rubbing her elbow. After a moment, Reyna walked into the elevator. "Don't let Neith bother you. She doesn't trust demigods."

"Is she not a demigod then?" Reyna asked as the elevator door closed. The daughter of Jupiter remained quiet. "Is that why I am replacing her as the twelfth?"

"Yeah," Burza finally said. She sighed painfully and closed her eyes. Burza tensed up and cursed in Latin. Her fist slammed into the elevator wall. Burza's eyes snapped open, and she stabbed her finger into the button for the elevator. Reyna felt the elevator move upwards.

Despite all of the time to think, Reyna still wasn't sure what she was going to do. She attempted to clench her fist to remind herself that she was in reality. While she still hated that Atropos posed as a soothsayer and cut deeply into her arm, she bitterly enjoyed the fact that it told her she wasn't just hallucinating all of this.

Whatever Reyna decided would have a lasting effect. She could try to kill Burza and then the rest of the peacekeepers. Or, she could help the peacekeepers destroy the gods. Could Reyna really change the world like that? Reyna crossed her arms and leaned against the elevator wall. She stared at the ground.

Everyone told her to be a Roman, but no one told her what that was supposed to mean. She tried to be a good Roman at Camp Jupiter, and that had gotten her exiled. What was she supposed to do? A sigh escaped Reyna, and she buried her face in her good hand.

"Hey, don't let Neith bother you too much," Burza said suddenly. Reyna slowly looked up. "Neith is slow to trust, and Romans did a lot of things to her people. It's nothing against you. She just knows that people don't change."

"Do you really believe that?" Reyna asked. She slowly uncrossed her arms and focused on Burza. It felt like the elevator was ascending at the speed of a crawl, and it caused her to shift uncomfortably. Her heart started to race. "You don't think anyone can change?"

"Not at all," Burza replied. She shook her head and sneered at the wall in front of her. "If someone ever acts like they have changed, it is because they are trying to get the upper hand on their enemy. They act differently, like they really changed. And when the enemy lets their guard down, their true colors will show. It is always like that and always will be."

"When I was a praetor at Camp Jupiter, I made sure we were a machine ready for war," Burza continued. She took a deep breath and sighed painfully. "A new demigod joined the legion and quickly rose through the ranks. He was powerful and impressed almost everyone."

"Except you," Reyna stated. Burza smirked and nodded. "What did you do to him?"

"I found out he was a Greek demigod, and I knew exactly what he was going to do to my camp," Burza answered. She smiled evilly. "He answered all of my questions about Camp Half-Blood. I realized they were a threat to us Romans. You've seen that, haven't you? They used you and threw you to the side. Greeks cannot be trusted. They never change."

"What about Camp Half-Blood now?" Reyna asked. She was careful to keep her face and voice free of emotions. Burza glanced at Reyna, and the smile didn't disappear. It only grew. "What happens to them, once we are done here?"

"Anyone who doesn't bow a knee will be destroyed," Burza replied. Reyna nodded slightly and looked down. Zara kept telling her that the peacekeepers wouldn't kill all of the demigods, but Burza's words said differently. "That includes Camp Jupiter. We cannot tolerate anyone to ruin the peace we are trying to create."

"So, everything you said is a bunch of bullshit," Reyna said. She moved her hand to her sword. Burza looked at her. "Zara said that you wouldn't kill all of the demigods, but it seems like I'm being lied to once again. I shouldn't be surprised."

It seemed like Burza was only out for power, and that shouldn't have surprised Reyna. Wasn't that the case with the most famous Romans in history? One way or another, every move they made was to solidify their power. Was that why the gods feared Reyna so much? Did they think she only wanted power?

Reyna sacrificed her life for them and was only given new life in exchange for working with Atropos. She did everything for them, and she did everything to protect Camp Jupiter. Reyna glared at Burza. All she wanted to do was protect her sister. She wanted to keep people safe and just stop all of the wars.

"Who said that I was lying to you?" Burza demanded. She pushed herself off of the elevator wall. "You asked me a question, and I answered. What Zara said and what I said are two different things. The same goes for all of the other peacekeepers. We all have different opinions."

"We cannot allow anyone to destroy our fragile peace," Burza continued. "And, I do plan on destroying anyone who does not bow a knee. I also plan on making sure that the demigods have no choice but to do exactly that."

"I know plenty of demigods that won't," Reyna snapped. She pushed herself off of the wall and closed the distance between herself and Burza. "And, I won't kill them.'

"Why not?" Burza questioned. Reyna narrowed her eyes. "Let me ask you a question, Reyna. What the fuck do you owe anyone?"

Reyna didn't answer. She looked away from Burza's gaze and stared at the ground. Her hand started to slide her sword out of its sheathe. Burza grabbed her arm with one hand and slammed her into the elevator wall with the other. "Look at me."

After a few moments, Reyna met Burza's eyes. The peacekeeper studied her for a long moment, "I can see that you don't have an answer. Let's run down memory lane and figure out exactly what you owe anyone, especially the Olympians. Let's start with the rogue Amazons that tried to kill you. Sure, you killed one of them, but it was only in self-defense. Your sister killed another when she saved you. You don't really owe your sister since it was her fault in the first place."

"Then, you were accused of stealing the shield. You learned who actually stole the shield, and you dueled a goddess for it. As you were dueling the goddess, big bad Ouranos made his return to the world. Not your fault. You also returned the shield to Olympus so that the thick-headed god of war would call off his dogs. Again, you don't owe anyone anything there. In fact, your sister and that other girl owe you. They were the reason you were accused after all."

"Oh, but here's my favorite part. You led Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood to war against Ouranos. The gods were too scared to deal with him, so you had to. You led the two camps the best you could through infighting, traitors, and your own insanity. I've seen your dreams about the temple of the Fates. I watched all those Romans die for you, and I guarantee it is not your fault. See? The gods did the same thing to me. I led a great portion of Camp Jupiter's army and my greatest supporters to war. It was a trap set by the gods! My father even admitted it. They wanted me to die, and I bet it was the same for you. They fear you."

"That is why they did not back you up at the temple of the Fates. That is why no one helped Camp Jupiter when it fell. The gods wanted you and you alone to defend your camp and die in the process. They wanted to martyr you, but they forgot just how damn stubborn you are."

"Enough," Reyna interrupted. She tried to pull away, but Burza grabbed her jaw and forced them to make eye contact. Lightning danced in Burza's blue eyes, but she made no move to attack Reyna. She just watched her.

"You rode this very elevator to save the gods when Ouranos attacked Mount Olympus. You saved Jupiter from his grandfather and his charmspoken son," Burza whispered. "That still wasn't good enough for the gods. Of course it wasn't. Then, you had to face Ouranos one last time before he could bring his wife back. The only way to do that was to let Kronos possess you long enough to chop Ouranos back up into a million pieces. Your friends dealt with Kronos, and everything was perfect."

"Except, you died. You died and got brought back by Atropos to be her champion. You had to return those who escaped death back to where they belonged. That included two of your so-called friends. They had cheated death, but in the end, that toll always has to be paid. Your other friends didn't understand that, and they had you exiled. Your fellow praetor and one of your Greek friends got you exiled from the one place that you called home."

"Exiled. Schizophrenic. Suffering from the war that you did not want to be part of. And on top of that, your soul was torn in two. Half of it was in Tartarus, and half of Kronos' evil twisted soul was bonded to yours. Is that your fault? Is it your fault that you did any of those things to survive?" Burza demanded. Reyna closed her eyes. "Is it?"

"I killed those Hunters of Artemis," Reyna whispered.

"Oh, who gives a shit about two Hunters of Artemis? Anyone who throws that in your face probably doesn't even know their names. No. This is all part of the Greek's plan to keep you brainwashed. They made you think that you did something wrong. They want to paint you like a monster when the truth is that you did anything you could to survive. Any one of those bastards would have done the same things in your shoes!"

"All of those things you did with half of Kronos' soul in you are not your fault. How are you supposed to fight that kind of influence!" Burza demanded. "You did what you have to do to protect yourself and your family. The war with Metis and Thoon was not one of your own doing, and once again, you did what you had to. Do you really think you deserve the betrayal that was given to you?"

Reyna didn't answer. She felt herself shrinking back against the elevator wall. Burza studied her and seemed to be waiting for an answer, but Reyna couldn't provide one. Burza shook her head and tightened her grip.

"Does it not piss you off that you were exiled? That you were made an enemy of Olympus?" Burza demanded. Reyna kept quiet and closed her eyes. "What about when your so-called friends handed the keys to the kingdom unto a pretender and then watched as you were flogged! I know it does. I know it pisses you off to your core, but I know what the real problem is. The Greeks have you brainwashed."

"When you were looking for the shield and fighting Ouranos, what drove you forward? What burned in your chest just as hot as your passion to save your family? Anger. The only thing that you have felt for so long is anger, and without that anger, you would have already slit your own throat. But, the Greeks act like the same anger that saved you is what is going to kill them. They call you a monster for that anger. Obviously, anger is the only reason you killed those barbarians. It's obviously the only reason you killed those Hunters."

"But, we know the real truth. You did those things to survive. You did those things because that anger that drove you forward against Ouranos started to fail you. It was right around the time that you were exiled. You had nothing left, and you had to find a new reason to live. Why did you need a new reason? Because deep down inside, dying scares the shit out of you. It scares me too," Burza admitted.

"You found something, someone, to drive you forward: your sister. You latched onto your sister and forgave her for everything that she did. All of the fights, all of the screaming matches, the terrible words said, and those lashes she gave you. It may have been under Circe's charmspeak, but the only reason you forgave her was so you could latch onto the idea of protecting her. You need her to live."

"But, I also know that anger is coming back. Probably around the time that the other peacekeepers and I appeared. Or, was it after the gods interfered and accused you of things you had no hand in? Truth is Reyna. I was just like you. I had to let that anger out, and you do as well. Otherwise, it will consume you."

"You need to let that anger out. For you. For your sister. For revenge. For the chance to set this world right and end the tyranny of the gods once and for all," Burza whispered. "So, Reyna. Answer me this: what the fuck do you owe anyone?"

Reyna didn't answer. Burza stepped away from her and spread her arms out. The peacekeeper spoke, "You can have a free shot at me. You can stab me in the chest and run straight to the gods. Warn them about our plans. Or, you can help me. You can help us kill these fragile tyrants.

The elevator door opened. Reyna stared at the goddess in front of them. Burza didn't seem to notice. The Roman only continued her rant, "The gods must die. It is the only way to set this world right. You understand that, Reyna. You-"

"Burza," Bellona said. Burza froze and slowly lowered her arms. She turned to face the goddess of war. "I have heard many stories about you. Why are you trying to turn my own daughter against me?"

Reyna looked past her mother and out at Mount Olympus. It seemed like no other gods were around. Was it just bad luck that her mother happened to be at the elevator? Did Bellona know something was going to happen? Was she waiting for them?

"Trying to turn your daughter against you?" Burza demanded. She laughed and moved her hand to Kronos' blade. "You're the one who slapped her around and treated her like dirt, you bitch. And, I am sick of watching it happen."

Burza stabbed forward with Kronos' sword. Bellona caught the former praetor's hand. Then, she threw Burza back into the elevator. The Roman hit the opposite wall hard and crumpled to the ground. She tried to stand a moment later. Bellona's foot stomped down on her head, and there was the sick sound of a helmet and maybe more crunching.

Bellona turned towards Reyna and spoke, "What are you doing here?"

Reyna was too shocked to speak. She glanced over at Burza. The peacekeeper had yet to stir, and a small pool of blood was forming beneath her head. It was either from a badly broken nose or worse. Bellona grabbed her shoulder roughly and spoke, "I heard Eris had captured you but the peacekeepers took you away."

"They rescued me," Reyna whispered after a moment. She looked up at her mother. Bellona studied her with cold eyes. "I saw a video. You said that you wanted me to die defending Camp Jupiter when it was attacked. That is why no one helped us. It was all so I could die, but I didn't. How many did die though?"

"It was a necessary evil," Bellona said. Reyna glared up at her mother. Bellona tightened her grip. "What are you and Burza doing here?"

"They wanted to kill Jupiter," Reyna answered. She felt that familiar anger boiling in her chest and Burza was right. Reyna had to get it out, or it was going to consume her.

"Tie her up. We will bring her to Jupiter," Bellona ordered. She let go of Reyna. When Reyna didn't immediately move, her mother gave her a cold look. "Now."

Reyna nodded and turned away. She knelt by Burza. Then, her gaze moved towards Kronos' sword. She remembered her mother slapping her across the face more than just once. Her mother never believed her and only wanted to use her. Bellona wanted her to die.

Reyna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then, she grabbed Kronos' sword from the ground. They called this sword evil. It could kill gods and send their souls straight to Tartarus. The Olympians feared her for having it. It was a god killer. Was she?

A hand grabbed her shoulder. Reyna turned and stabbed the sword forward. A gasp escaped her mother. Reyna slowly opened her eyes and saw that the sword had gone through Bellona's chest. The ichor covered tip was sticking out through her back. Reyna tightened her grip on her sword and felt a great surge of anger.

Reyna remembered every slap. She remembered every insult not just from her mother but all of the Olympians. Nothing she ever did was good enough for them. Reyna gave her life and her soul for them, but it didn't matter. It never did. Reyna yelled in anger, drawing the sword from Bellona's chest and she swung in a blind rage.

Kronos' sword fell to the floor, and Bellona's head fell next. Her body collapsed with a thud. Reyna fell to her knees and stared at the body next to her. Reyna blindly reached out for the elevator and pressed the first button her finger ran across. The elevator door closed, and Reyna sat against the wall. She stared ahead and tried to process what she had done.

Oh gods. What had she done?