A/N: Salvete Omnes!
It's the still alive and kicking Taurus here, with another chapter. I can make excuses all I want but I still appreciate every single person who likes and wants to keep reading this story. Enjoy.

Chapter XVI

The sun cast its final rays as it hid slowly behind the horizon. Pausing from his writing in a small, red notebook—that had 'Best Teacher Ever' printed on the front cover—Mark finished the last stroke of his pen and looked up to from his writings. He looked around the room, pausing to stare at memorabilia he collected over the year. Against his teachings, intuition, and common sense, he started collecting things when he first arrived in this era. First from pure need and necessity. But later, as much as he didn't care to admit it to himself, or to his trusty diary, he came to collect them for the sake of sentimentality.

As he stared at a replica of a Greek amphora depicting the struggle of Achilles and Hector in the very climax of the Trojan War, he noticed its shadow shifting, elongating and twisting along his office in manners which the dying rays of the sun could not cause. Then it wasn't just the Amphora. Shadows strained and extended in unnatural senses, shortening and getting longer, as the fluorescent lights fixed above him started flickering, one of the bulbs frying, never giving light again.

His hands moved quickly with the use of practice and skill, taking the notebook and opening the bottom drawer of his large desk, just above where he was sitting. He pushed up the false bottom to reveal the hidden compartment he installed there. Even in this age of technology and progress, old tricks were still the best. A glint caught his eye as he placed the notebook down and covered it once again with the false bottom. 'Not for me, old friend. My time is long passed, yet you will be cherished once again. I promise you.' Mark closed the drawer and stood up. He walked to the front of his office table and leaned against it—arms against the high quality wood that supported his weight—and then, with a calm mind, he waited.

Percy found her, unexpectedly, at the sea front. She took off her shoes, which stood lonesome beside her as the waves lapped at them. Her hair flew in the breeze that was now getting chillier with the slow surrender of the sun to the moon. The smell of the salt and the lull of the waves usually gave him solace and calm, but now, as he started walking to her on the soft sand, he felt it also gave him resolve, courage and a will to help someone that once helped him. 'No, more than that. She saved my life.'

"I used to hate the sea, you know." She said, her voice still shaky, he noticed, not turning to him. He stopped a few steps away from her, and though he knew he'd remain completely dry if he wished to, he took off his shoes as well, putting them aside in a fashion similar to Reyna. He came closer, to stand beside her, but didn't look to her, instead staring at the forming and disappearing of the foamy waves. A never ending cycle.

"I always loved it, but I guess you can call me biased now." He looked up, looking at the setting sun as he felts the soft waves lap at his feet like a caring parent, comfortable and comforting. She gave a small laugh now, and for once Percy felt like he won, even though he wasn't fighting.

"The sea is big, and vast, and terrible. It brings promise of unknown riches and prosperity. It makes you feel hopeful. And I wanted to be a part of it." She said after a couple of seconds. Percy caught a glimpse of a tear rolling down softly down her cheek on his peripheral vision.

"But it won't let you. Will it? The sea is also fickle, full of rage, and worst of all, keeps its mysteries close to its heart. Yet you still want to harness a small tugboat and sail, don't you? Even though you could capsize." He asked, finally turning to look at her.

"Why won't he believe me, Percy? Why doesn't he trust me? After five years of following, expecting a solution, a promise, was I wrong to admire him?" She turned as well, and the soft light accented her obsidian gaze which came striking down at his soul like a microscopically sharpened razor. Suddenly he felt shy, powerless before her query.

He steeled himself, staring back at her with what he wanted to believe was the assurance and comfort the water made him feel. "When I first saw the sea, at least as far as I can remember, I was four. I and my mom were stuck on a coastal road with some of engine trouble. It was raining hard. Storming. Violent wind and rain and thunder, but instead of being scared, I was fascinated." He noticed the lone tear that was still on its way downwards on her cheek.

"Percy-"She started.

"So I asked my mom, who was still trying to reignite a spark over and over, if the sea was always so dark and angry, with a huge smile on my face. She stopped turning the keys and turned to me with that sad look I couldn't understand." His voice wavered, and he felt the emotion rise in him, only now did he know why she stared at him with that sad expression, and what it really meant. "She came to the back where I was sitting, not caring about the rain and the storm, and hugged me tight. She told me," He brought his thumb to her face and with a gentle motion wiped away the tear that still hung there. "That the sea was sometimes angry, and dark, but it was also beautiful, and kind, and in the deepest shade of blue. And if we could only see one side of the sea, we would see nothing more to love."

She stared at him, saying nothing. He slowly saw another tear roll down from her left eye. He didn't let it reach her cheek as he brought his left hand up and wiped it away, smiling at her as the final rays of light made her eyes sparkle again.

"Don't hate Mark because of his actions, I'm not sure what you dynamic is, but I'm sure that he sees that you're capable enough, maybe it's something else that makes his doubt, if that really is the reason his uncooperative as he is. And for what it's worth, thank you for brining me to the pool, it was nice." She tackled him into a hug that left him dazzled. It lasted for mere moments, and in his shock he couldn't hug her back. He was shocked still when she looked up at him as she let go, staring up at him with her obsidian eyes and, surprisingly, the largest smile he ever saw her wear.

"I used to hate the sea, but you were born from the sea, so I don't hate it anymore."

The figure stood at Mark's height, but slimmer, his physique lither. The mantle of dark feathers that covered him protected him from Mark's gaze, but he was sure that while the current form he took seemed human, it was only due to him not being able to manifest in a more complete form.

"Vale, imperator, strange seeing you here after all these years. We were sure your defeat made you a non-threat. Clearly, we misjudged." The amused voice escaped lips unmoving, it grinded and hissed at marks ears like a dark, grating though which he couldn't escape.

"The enemies of Rome are prone to misjudgment, as I'm sure you're well aware, Corvus." He still leaned against his table, his eyes noticing as the shadows in the room converged together to mold the ephemeral figure that stood before him.

"We won't make the same mistake twice, Roman, the sun is set, and your gods are extinct. Come willingly and my Domina assured me you will be taken as a political prisoner alone. No harm will come to you." The voice coiled around his ears, lingering and whispering promises. Mark stood up, pushing lightly with his hands against the table, and started walking around the room, looking at his possessions with an inspective eye. His intruder posed no objection.

"Who sires you now, Corvus, you don't hurry to offer your services to those who are able to reach Hades. You do well enough coiling within the depths of Tartarus. Must be quite the offer."

"I know your tricks, philosopher, and would tell you nothing more. She is a woman of great power and prestige, and can't stand any Romans to boot, I've been getting," An overly long, reptile, knife-tipped tongue slithered from the creatures mouth licking his lips. "Plenty of fresh, young, virile Roman blood." Its cackles echoed again and again in Mark's mind. His own teachings told him not to be effected, that he can't let the words of another cause his emotions to rage. In a silent prayer of forgiveness to his teachers, his family, and his philosophy, he grabbed the large amphora which he now stood by, and with unruly strength hefted it towards the intruder.

Shadows gathered in a fraction of a second around the amphora in peak height, right before it would change its trajectory to swing downwards and hit the creature. Standing in midair the amphora was now still, unmoving, and as black as the void. A second later the shattering of the ornate vessel made shards explode throughout the quiet office. The high pitched sound was accompanied by others, some heavy, and some light as the shards—like a makeshift grenade—tore the room apart. Glass went flying, torn pages littered the floor, and the lone fluorescent bulb that still functioned exploded, welcoming the blanket of night with a scene of chaos.

"Rage, O, Nox, as I take another life into your domain." The creature gave another shrill cry of laughter and turned to look at Mark's body, ripped apart by the sharp ceramic bullets. Yet all that faced him was the scene of ruin, no corpse in sight. The creature gave a shout of frustration at being tricked, and crept out of the room by the open door that still wobbled slightly on its hinges. "Keep running, Imperator, it would do you no good, the night is mine alone."

Mark ran at a pace that reminded him of his campaigns long ago. 'Teaching really makes a man appreciate walking.' He couldn't face the raven at this stage. Still too early. He had to delay him for a few days, at least to give what he needed to. And to apologize to Reyna as well. He acted rashly. Again. 'If anything, I could focus on your teachings again, Magistri, Minerva knows I need them now.' A plan rushed into his head, and his pace increased. He could feel the creature following behind him, swimming along the endless river of darkness.

They sat on an old pier, exposed to the elements and unmaintained, its color faded and the wood that held it together creaked with every step they took. Their feet were still bare, dipping inside the water as gentle waves came and went over them. Percy sat down first, wanting to show her that it could still hold weight, despite of its age. Hesitantly, she crouched down and eventually sat down beside him. The pier was wide enough for two or even three people, and yet, Percy noticed, she chose to sit close, their shoulders touching. Percy though none of it, at least he wanted to. The wind brought to his nose from time to time accents of lilac and sandalwood, and he berated himself for wishing the wind would pick up again.

They say in silence for a while, enjoying the other's company. Reyna pointed at the stars, visible due to the lack of clouds, and named constellations. As Percy relaxed and listened to her explanation, he felt a familiar tug at his stomach. It was like the one he felt when he was fighting that weird dog, but instead of a tempest, or a rage, it was now laid back, gentle, and shimmering. He willed the water to do his bidding, and out of the sea, enlightened slightly by the rising moon, a pair of dolphins made completely out of water jumped and danced around, swimming and finally exploding into a small shower of water, like an aquatic firework.

Reyna looked downwards as soon as the dolphins manifested, staring at amazement. As the show ended the grin on his face could be seen even without the soft lunar light.

"How did you do it?" She asked.

"I don't know, just a feeling I had." He replied, and stood up, leaving the warmth of her shoulder behind.

"Actually, I do know." He looked down at her, and she looked back expectantly.

"It's because you're here." He said, giving another smile. Reyna's eyes widened for a second before she turned her head, facing him with the back. Percy gave a small laugh.

"Come on," He started.

"Come on where?" She asked, still looking away as Percy put on his shoes.

"I bet you're hungry. It's blue waffles night."

"It's what?"

Percy gave another small laugh and started walking. Reyna's gaze lingered for a few seconds before rushing to place back her own shoes, and running to catch up to him.

Postscriptum: Another chapter is coming out TODAY.