Last Chapter: Cary and Amber witness the announcement of war during the Feast of Fortuna. Both process this news in different manners. Charleston will have to wait a little bit.

Percy Jackson and its characters are the property of Rick Riordan. I don't own any characters except OCs

Chapter 6: Getting Ready for War

Cary excused himself after the announcement. Earlier today, he had promised to meet the girl back in Temple Hill.

"Hey Aldo, can you guys watch Amber for me? I'm going to Temple Hill to check up on something," Cary asked.

"Yeah sure. Just come back before it gets too dark," answered Aldo.

Cary departed the mess hall and jogged toward Temple Hill. Being in the area alone this time left Cary timid. This morning, the congregation of Romans gave the Temples and shrines life; now it felt like he was walking through a ghost town.

Cary had no obligation to go into Temple Hill, but tonight's announcement had him wanting to be alone, at least just for a little bit. Amber hadn't told him about anything about war. All he's been doing since his time in Camp Jupiter was run errands for Jason. By his count Jason had him run assistance with basilisk cleaning, digging defilades, washing equipment, helping townspeople, sending letters to Reyna, and supervising campers. Now, he had to make sure these guys were ready for war. He felt guilty that he wasn't doing enough for them to get ready, including Amber. He couldn't help but wonder if Primo was right; he didn't want him to be right.

Cary took a deep sigh and closed his eyes. His dad told him that whenever he would get stressed, he should meditate and take deep breaths. After a few minutes, he made his way to the base of Jupiter's temple where he met the girl. However, after making several round trips around the base, he found no one. He was about to quit until he saw a warm glow coming from Neptune's shrine. Over there, he found that same girl earlier today attending to the sea god's altar. Cary slowly walked up to avoid scaring her. The girl must have heard his feet shuffle because she greeted him without having to turn around.

"Good evening, Mr. Chang. Please have a seat here," she gestured toward a bench which mysteriously manifested itself. Cary didn't recognize it as there was never one there today. He sat across from the little girl. The little girl reached into the fire to pull out a couple of plates, utensils, and surprisingly, some food. Despite having dinner, Cary accepted the offer of rice and beans from her.

"Ummm, thank you miss. I hope I didn't make you wait," he answered, "What can I do for you?"

The girl simply answered him, "To have a conversation with Camp Jupiter's newest visitor. And to test your heart." She stares into his eyes before asking her questions, "Tell me, why are you here?"

"Ummm, to help Amber get settled here in Camp Jupiter," Cary briefly responded.

"And how is Miss Autumne doing?" she asked.

"She was doing well. Getting closer with a couple of friendly legionnaires. Until tonight, the whole legion was informed that they'll be fighting the Titans this summer. I won't be fighting, but I couldn't help worry again," he answered.

"Again, what were you worried about before?" she wondered.

"Well, the first night here, I got a very cold reception from the legion. Some of them thought I was a bad omen or just a foreigner," Cary lamented. He felt there was some racism involved with the emotions that stirred that night.

"Maybe you can prove them that you belong here. That you can just be as useful as a legacy or demigod," She suggested.

"I'm not staying here. I'm leaving when school starts again. I go back home, but Amber…" Cary paused, "she needs to stay. She needs to fight, and she might…" Cary didn't want to finish that sentence. The girl came over to his left to comfort him.

"It's not easy being a defender of Rome. Some accept the role with ease, others struggle to fit in. Some do it to protect their loved ones, others seek only to fulfill their own desires. I think you and Miss Autumne are still figuring it out," she comforted, "If you can earn the respect of her peers, you won't have to worry about her too much."

"Suppose I did, but how do I help Amber feel like she belong here? She still doesn't know her parents," he pointed out.

"I thought you weren't staying. Why do you worry for a legionnaire who will continue her career here," she coyly asked, "If you're not her family, then you have no obligation to help her, yet when Reyna offered to let you stay temporarily you accepted?"

"That's because Amber is my friend," he answered.

"Hmmm, is that all, Mr. Chang?" she asked, "Are you sure she's nothing more to you?"

"Well, I guess… I really …. Like her?" he answered half-confidently, "Can we change the subject?"

"Very well, will you join us in this war?" she asked. "Will you stand strong when forces of chaos threaten our way of life?"

"I will, but I don't know what I can bring to the table. The praetors said they'll be marching towards Mount Orthys this summer. I thought this camp was just to train demigods and legacies to have the skills to protect themselves. I didn't think it was a military camp." he said.

"The Titans stirs in Mount Orthys. My family must go out to fight while I attend to the flames at home, so that they can fight something worthwhile. If the titans are victorious, then Western civilization collapse," she warned, "My family can only do so much, without the help of mortals and prayers. Will you help them?"

Cary took a deep sigh. He stumbled onto something bigger than he thought. He can just stand by and mind his own business, but wouldn't it help to fight? After all, the end of civilization would be bad news to him. He lived around here. But a selfish thought creeped into his mind. He wanted to do something meaningful than just be a good son and a good student. He wanted the praetors to respect him and his culture. 'Wait a minute, who's her family' he thought.

"Your family, what are their names?" he asked.

"You've already met them. Earlier today, you accompanied your friend's cohort to their altars," she answered. Cary looked around to see no one. He started to piece together that his company was one of the gods. He silently cursed himself that he didn't figure it out sooner.

"Forgive me. What is your name?" he asked. He was afraid of the answer. If he was in the presence of the gods, then he better make a good impression.

"My name is Vesta, goddess of the hearth, and protector of the home. You may know me better as Hestia back home," she answered. Cary didn't see a little, innocent girl, but a powerful goddess that could alter his life with one thought. Before he could continue, she spoke again.

"Do not fear me, I am not like my brothers or sisters. I simply enjoy the company of mortals around a warm fire. Unlike my siblings, I believe the strongest power a god can possess is to simply yield," Vesta assured.

Cary breathed a sigh of relief, "I appreciate Miss… I mean Lady Vesta. What advice do you have to give?" Cary took a bite out of his rice.

"I don't have all of the answers. Gods like me cannot always make decision for you. Ask yourself this Mr. Chang. What do you seek in life that which fulfills you? Is it longevity or richness?" she asked.

"Can I not seek both?" he asked. There's nothing wrong with finding pleasure and meaning in life through growth, but Cary had always played it safe back home. He hadn't fully grasped the importance of the question.

"Demigods don't always have that luxury, understand that Mr. Chang. Your friend Amber wants to go home, but she can't until she finishes her service. However, if she performs well this summer, the praetors may be lenient and let her leave after this war. Please, Mr. Chang, protect your friends, protect our home."

"I… I will," he answered, "I will protect this camp. I will protect Amber," he said with more assurance. If he could just get Amber through this, maybe they'll both be regarded with respect.

"That is much appreciated, Mr. Chang. Now, I believe that someone is looking for you now," Vesta said.

"Mr. Chang. Cary. Are you out here?" It was the voices of Sullivan and Reyna echoing through Temple Hill.

"Praetors, hey, I was just talking to…" Cary trailed off to find himself alone. Vesta had immediately disappeared out of existence, leaving him alone, "Sorry, I just needed to be alone."

"Why don't we return to camp and continue from there?" asked Sullivan.

Sullivan and Reyna explained everything essential about the announcement at the Principia. Cary had learned that the Titans were just as real as the Gods, and that they threaten humanity. The camp was not only a haven for the gods' descendants, but also a bastion to oversee Mt. Orthys, which is now Mt. Tamalpais across the Bay in Marin County. Cary had more questions though.

"So, we need to attack the Titans? But why not do it earlier or later?" he asked.

"Normally, we don't have to, it's a stalemate. Their powers haven't been strong enough to threaten the country, but we haven't been strong enough to overtake it. However, this is no longer the case. They're now planning to strike the home of the gods, Mt. Olympus. Now the gods have nothing to worry about, they can handle the Titans because they have home field advantage. The issue is how long they can hold them off. So, we need to help them," Sullivan answered.

"So, how do we do that, travel all the way to Greece and climb the mountain," Cary asked.

"No, no. There's no need, the seat of Western Civilization follows the gods. Depending on who leads the world, the gods follow that nation," said Sullivan.

"So, where did the gods go when Rome fell?" he asked.

"They simply moved to other areas of Europe. They went to Paris, Madrid, London…" Sullivan listed.

"What about Constantinople?" Cary asked.

"No, even though the Byzantine called themselves the Eastern Roman Empire, they stopped worshipping the pantheon and converted to Christianity. The culture survived over in the east, but the gods left the empire to their own devices," Sullivan remarked, "Real Romans control the west, not east."

"So, where's Mt. Olympus?" Cary asked. "Somewhere in Manhattan, but that's not what crucial," Reyna entered the conversation, "What we need to do is take out the Titans' seat of power, Mt Orthys, when it's least defended. If we do that, the Titans lose the momentum to fight, and their power will wane, and they'll no longer be a threat in this lifetime."

"What do you mean in this lifetime? I thought the Titans went down for good when Zeus…*cough* I mean Jupiter and his siblings overthrew their father," asked Cary.

"Not necessarily, you see Titans can't be killed by conventional means. They can be stripped of power, but they are immortal. When they are killed, their essences simply retreat to the underworld, where their bodies start to reform," says Reyna.

"So, we have to constantly fight them over and over again, every generation," Cary processed.

"More like every thousand years, but that is not all. As you know, all these campers are descended from gods, and they need our prayer to keep Western Civilization strong," she added.

"Is that why we pray to the gods? To receive the gods' strengths in battle and to empower the gods?" he asked.

"In a general sense, yes. Anymore questions?" she answered.

"Which titans are we facing up there?" Cary asked.

"Honestly, we don't know. I believe Atlas is up there, but he's holding up the sky. It's not just titans up there. There are lamias, basilisks, hellhounds, Germani, etc. And we need all the help we can get. That's why Praetor Richards was downtown to prepare," said Reyna.

"I've been down there visiting various communities telling them to clear the streets when we march toward the Bay. I've also been recruiting various veterans -both mortals and of the legion- across the nation. However, we need more. So, through some powerful connections, the Senate has conscripted one man from every family in neighborhoods across the metro area. We have Chinatown, Mission, Castro, Fruitvale, and so on," Sullivan added.

"What's the plan?" Cary asked.

"Until Octavian has figured out the right time to strike in his readings, the entire legion will be training every day. They'll march across the field to build endurance, learn to fight in phalanx formation, and study battle tactics. Jason and Praetor Richards want to offer you a spot to join the legion, but Octavian and I disagree. So, we made a compromise and want to ask you if you want to join the auxiliary force as commander." Reyna answered.

"Commander? Like a leader," Cary was surprised to be offered one, he was smart enough for his own good, but untested when it came to real leadership, "Is there anyone else more qualified?"

"Reyna and I have to focus with the legion, and the centurions are focused on the cohorts. Most of the veterans are alumni who want to oversee their respective cohorts and the senators are more focused with running New Rome than the military, that leaves no one in charge of the auxiliary force. That leaves you as the sole option," Sullivan answered.

"I see, well then. If I accept, will I have to abandon my responsibility with Amber?"

"No. In fact, as we prepare for war, you'll be training alongside her for a little bit, just to see how we fight. You'll also be a liaison representing the auxiliary forces."

"Hold up, how did you manage to get a bunch of mortals to help you to fight?" Cary asked. It didn't make sense how they convinced the locals to fight for a conflict that they didn't belong to without exposing this camp. Reyna and Sullivan looked at each other with their brows furrowed; they weren't comfortable sharing this subject.

"Well, about that. Some of them are friends of our legacies, or in-laws, or simply their descendants. Others don't know they'll be fighting the Titans, they think they'll be doing community service. You see, the families we conscripted… are those that are in serious financial or social troubles. Some of them are in debt, under are protection, or simply trying to seek leniency for crimes committed in your world. You're pretty much leading a bunch of guys who have no powers or don't want to fight," Reyna answered.

"Why do they owe you?" Cary asked.

"Well with the guys we got from Chinatown, Camp Jupiter had demand reparations for Shen Lun, so Camp Jupiter extort fees from the community, as for the other neighborhoods, they pretty much do the same things on different justifications."

The more Sullivan elaborated, the more Cary started to feel that this camp was less of a bastion for the region and more of an occupying regime that treat the locals like conquered subjects. Knowing that the leadership of New Rome not only gets income and labor from mortals, but also exert influence on the politics made it feel like those conspiracy theory about a shadow government that Cary heard about more real.

"That sounds a lot like imperialism and autocracy," Cary shared his thoughts. He wasn't impressed with New Rome's policy regarding their diplomacy. It felt like those descended from gods pulled the strings over those who aren't divine. Like a secret society.

"It's not ideal, but we have to make do and use what we can," Sullivan answered.

Cary sighed, "Well it seems we don't need to worry about your secrets getting exposed if you vet these guys, Praetor. So, I just stick around, observe your training, then join the battle?"

"Pretty much, if you don't have any more questions, I say we can call it a night?" Reyna concluded.

"Sure, goodnight." Cary walked back to the barracks to check on Amber and her new pals. He needed to process all of this, and it left a bad taste in his mouth the same way his first night here did. 'Why do I put up with this?' he wondered. He turned toward the women Fifth Cohort barracks to find Aldo waiting for him.

"Hey Aldo, sorry I took so long. How's Amber?" he asked.

"She's… not doing well. I think she's having a panic attack," Aldo answered.

Aldo brought Cary along to Amber's bed to find her in a catatonic state. Amber looked like she would drop from fright. That news from the feast had rocked her mind. She had hoped that such an expedition wouldn't happen until she could leave for good.

"Hey Amber, it's Cary. How are you?" Cary whispered to avoid spooking her. He took a seat on Amber's bedframe. Amber didn't answer and just grabbed his hand with hers. "So, I guess dinner's done," Cary tried to keep the conversation going.

"I can't do it. For a moment, I thought there wouldn't be a war for the last few days. I ran because when I learned about Mt. Orthys and the Titans, I learned that I was being trained to be a soldier and sent to fight something that started thousands of years ago. When I was dragged back with you, everyone thought I was a coward or a turncoat. But when they announced the feast, everyone forgot about me running away. They're going to talk again after tonight," Amber lamented.

"Yeah, it's …rough," Cary answered. He felt awkward about all of this and wanted to tread lightly. "Do you…think you'll be ready?"

"I don't think you understand. I have to fight while you just spectate and hope I don't get killed. Is that fair, that I get to risk my life for others just because I'm a legacy or a demigod while others get to just standby?! I never asked to join this camp, I never wanted to be divine." Amber yelled.

"No, of course not, it's just …" Cary took a deep breath, "Sullivan is offering me leadership of the auxiliary forces. I'm considering accepting it." Amber snapped out of her funk to process what Cary said.

"I'm sorry, I just assume… you would take the easy way out and stay out of it," Amber embarrassingly answered.

"I wasn't happy hearing about it. But hearing the struggles of you and everyone here, while everyone outside enjoys life ignoring the fateful battle between order and destruction. It gets me thinking why do have to bear this burden. I want you to survive this and live free of this duty." Cary answered.

Amber sighed. "You just don't know when to stand down," she smirked.

"Yeah sorry. Maybe we should sleep this off, do you… want to be left alone?" he asked.

"No, can you stay with me a little longer?" Amber hoped Cary would stay a little longer. Cary obliged to stick around. They simply stayed in each other company in silence. Cary stayed as long as he can until more and more girls came in to call it a night. He wished Amber the best before leaving her be in the barracks. He then asked Maylene something.

"Can you take care of Amber when I'm not around May?"

"No problemo, Cary. Me, Aldo and the rest of us can take of her. We could have hanged out with her sooner if she had talked to us when she got started here," Maylene answered.

Cary walked back to the men barracks for the Fifth Cohort. He had a brief talk with Aldo.

"So, what are you guys doing tomorrow?" Cary asked.

"Leila and Oz want the Fourth Cohort to do equipment inspection. Can't go into battle with broken armor and weapons," Aldo answered, "Good luck to Amber."

"Appreciate it. Take care Aldo," saluted Cary. He made his way back to his bunk where Jason was waiting for him.

"Hey Jason. Sorry to go off on my alone tonight. Reyna mentioned training and that I will participate for a bit," commented Cary.

"Yeah, that's right. Glad to hear you're brought up to speed. We'll start tomorrow. Good night" Jason answered.

Cary sat on his bed to scribble some notes in his notebook. He reminded himself that he was going to train and began writing down a to-do list for himself and Amber. He wrote down the names of friends and acquaintances, while reminding himself of things to avoid offending the campers. He went to bed thinking that he was going to learn to adapt as the saying goes: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Cary now has the chance to make something of himself while helping Amber. However, things are tougher than they look on paper. Next Time, rigorous training, weapons shortage.