Chapter 65

Resolve

Nova Roma

Lily hacked her way to Jon after having spotted him.

"Where are the others?" Lily stabbed a creature in the chest.

Jon swung his axe downward and smashed another two creatures, "Up ahead, there's too many of them in between us though"

Lily looked and saw them desperately trying to avoid Selene, "We have to get to them" She sidestepped a creature that leapt at her.

"I can make my way through the crowd, but I doubt you can" Jon swung his axe smashing another one.

"No, we can do it together. Pick me up and charge at full speed" Lily said sheathing her sword.

Jon paused and looked at her weirdly, "You sure about this?"

"Just do it!" Lily shouted.

Jon put his axe in its holster on his back, "Don't blame me when you have a bruised face" he picked her up by the waist and held her in front of him as he ran.

Lily covered herself with her shield and braced herself.

Jon charged smashing through the creatures without stopping. The creatures would collide with her shield and shatter on impact.

Lily peaked out from her shield and saw Selene standing over the others, "She's up ahead, turn her into road kill!"

"No problem!" Jon said as he ran at full speed.

Selene was about to deal the killing blow when they ran into her from behind.

Jon jumped as he did, going over Billy and Tim, and then landed hard.

Selene took the brunt of the fall and skidded across the ground face first, Tim's staff falling from her grasp.

Jon and Lily hurried and helped Billy and Tim.

"I'm glad you guys interrupted" Tim said happy to see them.

"Yeah you looked like you needed a hand" Lily said with a smirk.

"Probably more than one" Billy admitted.

"It's a good thing we came back when we did" Jon said.

They felt a small rumble in the ground and looked ahead.

Selene had punched the ground in anger, "C-come…back…" she muttered.

"Is that my language I hear?" Billy asked curiously.

Selene got to her feet and stared at the ground, "Always…coming back…always…interfering…"

"But how did she…" Jon said not understanding how she could know it out of the blue.

"She was mentally attacking me earlier, trying to tear my mind apart. Maybe she picked up on it through that encounter" Tim thought of a possibility.

"It doesn't matter, the threat is the same" Lily said.

Selene's gaze rose to meet theirs, it was one of hate and loathe, "None of you know when to stay down after you've been bested. That might have impressed me at first but I've grown tired of it" She waved her hand and the remaining rocky creatures flew onto Jon from behind them.

Jon knocked the others over and fell down. The creatures merged and wrapped around his limbs before imbedding into the ground to keep him still.

Jon grit his teeth as he struggled, but to no avail.

"Jon!" Lily drew her sword and went to free him but Selene suddenly closed the distance between them.

Selene aimed a powerful punch to her stomach.

She moved so fast Lily didn't even have time to move.

At the last second Billy went in front of her and took the hit before they both were sent flying back.

Tim instinctively threw a punch.

Selene caught his fist, "Oh don't worry, you'll be hurting the most" She punched him in the face downward, sending him crashing into the ground making a mini crater.

Billy clutched his stomach and coughed up blood.

Lily got up from behind him, "Why would you do that?" She asked not understanding why the sleazy scoundrel would risk his life to help her.

Billy smiled, "Because…you're my…friend"

Lily looked sad, perhaps she misjudged this boy.

Selene grabbed Tim by his shirt and lifted him up, "Ready to see what death feels like?"

"Pretty sure its listening to you for an eternity" Tim quipped.

"Don't you touch him!" Lily shouted as she ran at her with her sword drawn.

Selene blocked a slash with a metal plate on her arm and kicked Lily sending her tumbling backwards.

Lily got up just in time to see her reaching for Tim's head, "Stop!" She shouted in horror.

A golden flash sped by her.

Right before Selene could grab Tim she felt something powerful strike her face and sent her so hard into the ground she made a small crater and kicked up dust.

Lily looked shocked, "What was that?" She could see something bright inside the dust cloud.

The dust cloud dissipated revealing Dean standing there. His chest piece and shirt were blown off showing the burns on his upper body from the blast earlier. Lightning crackled around him giving him a faint golden glow and his hair became spiky.

Lily looked joyful, "You're alive.."

Billy smiled as he stood up.

Jon laughed, "Oh you're screwed now bitch"

Selene got up feeling dizzy, "What?" Her blurry vision saw a golden glow and slowly focused on Dean as it faded.

His gaze was cold and merciless, nothing like the concerned one he wore prior.

Amara gasped as she realized who he was, "Immortales" she whispered in amazement.

Selene felt intimidated for a moment as she stared at him in wonder, "A son of Zeus" she said excitingly, "Oh this makes so much sense"

Tim smirked as he looked up at him, "Took you long enough"

"I got hit hard, if it wasn't for my gauntlets I'd probably be dead" Dean said, his focus completely on his enemy.

Selene gave him a friendly smile, "I'd be willing to forgive anything you've done until now if you—"

Selene's was interrupted as Dean closed the distance between them and clocked her, "Shut up"

Selene skidded backwards from the force of the hit. She rubbed her bruised cheek with an annoyed expression, "So be it" she charged at him.

Dean willed his power to focus in his arms and lightning began to swirl around his forearms and fists.

Selene came at him with a cocked fist, putting all her power into one attack, intending to deal the maximum amount of damage.

Dean tilted his head and dodged as he hit her with an overhand right, striking her in the jaw.

His fist had a good amount of power behind it but more than that Selene felt the shock of the lightning temporarily stun her.

Dean hit her with a swift one two combination and followed up with an uppercut that knocked her up.

Each electrified punch would stun her, that brief interruption was enough to prevent her from counterattacking.

Dean then hit her with a right hook that sent Selene flying back and tumbling across the ground.

Lily chopped up the rocky creatures and freed Jon, "C'mon, we have to regroup"

Tim and Billy slowly made their way over to them.

"Use this time to recover, I doubt even Dean can take her out on his own" Tim said.

Selene got on her feet and reacted just fast enough to block a flying punch from Dean.

The force of the punch sent her skidding back.

Selene dug her feet into the ground to slow herself down. When they came to a stop she aimed a kick at his stomach.

Dean spun forward, blocked the kick with his hands, and brought his leg down on her head sending Selene crashing into the ground and making a small crater.

"You sure about that?" Billy asked.

Selene bursted out of the crater with her indigo aura flared and threw a punch.

"Completely" Tim said checking his belt pockets to see what he had left.

Dean instinctively threw a punch and their fists collided. The lightning from his fist was repelled by her aura, it prevented it from traveling into her.

"That trick of yours won't work anymore!" Selene retaliated with an uppercut to the gut.

Dean's eyes widened as he spat out a mixture of blood and saliva. Not wasting a second he countered with a powerful right hook.

Selene's head turned from the force of the hit, knocking a few teeth out, but immediately replied with a punch to his ribcage.

The two of them went back and forth exchanging blows, both pushing past their increasingly injured bodies and neither refusing to back down.

"Ok, I don't have much left. Just some shuriken, a net, and a couple of gas pellets. But I'm ready when you guys are" Tim said willing to continue on.

"I don't know man, I'm pretty messed up" Billy said not feeling confident as he watched Dean go toe to toe with Selene.

Jon watched with envy, "Look at em, how can we compete with that?" He said feeling that his own power didn't match up to theirs.

Lily stared at the two of them, did their leader's display of strength make them feel a little inadequate inside?

Tim gave them a serious look, "You guys serious right now?" He asked with a hint of disappointment, "You see him show off his power and you just give up?"

The two of them stayed silent.

Tim pointed at their leader who was fighting his hardest, "You see what he's achieved? He got that by always pushing himself, never stopping no matter how hurt he was" he said from experience, he saw it the first time they fought together against Gorgeous George, "He's gonna keep on getting stronger, and I'm not gonna be left behind!" He said with determination.

"Tim's right" Lily agreed, "The only way to keep up is if we push ourselves as much as he does"

"So unless you plan on living in his shadow for the rest of your life, I suggest you get your shit together" Tim said.

The longer Amara watched, the deeper the sorrow she felt. They were fighting a battle that she and her people were responsible for. And because of her promise she had no choice but to stand idle, not that she was capable of helping regardless.

Selene and Dean hit each other simultaneously and were both knocked back.

Both in similar conditions, bruised and bloodied, panting from exhaustion.

Selene was slowly reaching her breaking point, "Your persistence will only prolong your suffering boy!" She shouted angrily.

Dean panted, he could tell they were both getting weaker by the minute. But if he had to guess his power was diminishing faster.

He felt someone place a hand on his shoulder, "Need a hand?"

Dean looked back and saw Tim along with his friends.

"We're not gonna let you take all the glory" Jon said having overcome his powerless feelings.

Dean smiled, "Good cause I don't think I could on my own"

"You wish to continue? So be it! When I'm done with you you'll be begging for mercy!" Selene shouted as she ran at them.

Dean went in her path to bear her first assault.

Selene threw two swift punches which Dean blocked followed by an uppercut that struck him and sent him flying upwards.

Jon swung his axe at her and she moved forward in time to catch it by the handle.

Selene then head-butted Jon before hitting him with a right cross to the face which knocked him back.

Billy ran towards her from one side while Tim came from the other swinging his staff.

Selene swung the axe, aiming to cleave Billy in half.

Billy instinctively slid underneath it but was then stopped in his tracks with a knee to the forehead which knocked him on his ass and split his head open.

Selene kept the momentum of the swing to spin around and swing downwards at Tim.

Tim stopped short, letting the axe imbed in the ground in front of him, and swung the end of his staff.

Selene backed away, letting the tip slice her neck, before reaching out to grab him.

Lily fired two arrows that pierced the metal plates on her arm.

Tim backed away and out of her reach.

Selene winced for a moment before she used the axe to knock off the arrows. She then grabbed the axe with both hands as is she were about to hurl it at her.

Lily became terrified, that giant thing flying at her would be hard to avoid.

A lightning bolt struck Selene in the back, stunning her for a moment.

Dean then came behind her and pulled the axe handle back to choke her.

Lily then fired another arrow while Tim thrusted his staff.

Selene jumped, kicked Tim in the face as she went up, and flipped over Dean letting the arrow pierce his chest.

Dean went to cry out when Selene used the axe to then choke him.

Selene then kneed him in the small of his back.

Dean dropped from the immense pain to his spine.

Amara's heart began to pound, 'I must do something, but what can I do?' She wondered as she stared at her palms, 'Am I doomed to be the useless cowardly consul my grandfather was?'

Selene then brought the axe over her head to swing it downwards.

Jon tackled her from behind, knocking her down. He got on top of her and held her down by the throat with one hand as he beat her senseless with the other.

Selene kneed Jon in the crotch before punching him in the face to knock him off.

Billy stabbed downward with his dagger.

Selene caught his hand and pulled him close before clawing his face with her nails.

"Ah!" Billy shouted as he backed away, holding his face.

Selene got up and dodged a horizontal slash from Lily.

Lily then went to shield bash her.

Selene pushed against the shield to hold it back and grabbed her hand as she went to slash downwards.

Lily went to swing her shield but Selene grabbed her other hand keeping her still.

Selene pushed her back to test her strength.

Lily struggled to free herself from Selene's grip, she wasn't strong enough to break free. She tried kicking Selene's legs to knock her off balance but she didn't budge.

Selene laughed as she forced Lily's sword towards her, "So helpless"

Lily couldn't let go because Selene's hand was wrapped around hers, keeping her weapon in her hand.

Selene slowly pushed the blade into Lily's shoulder.

Lily shouted as she tried to push Selene's hand back.

Tim thrusted his staff at her head.

Selene let go of Lily's sword hand and caught the staff right before it could pierce her eye.

Lily pulled out the blade from her shoulder and went to attack.

Selene kicked her in the chest, sending her tumbling across the ground, and pulled the staff towards her.

Tim let go and threw the remainder of his shuriken.

Selene tried to block them but most got through and sliced her up. She then charged at him.

Tim instinctively threw his last smoke pellets at the ground beneath him.

Right as she went to grab him he vanished in a puff of smoke.

Selene's vision was clouded by the smoke. Suddenly a net entangled her and tightened, constricting her.

Tim then swept her legs, making her fall down. He took back his staff and blindly thrusted downward.

He thrusted right through Selene's thigh.

Selene cried out from the pain. She ripped the net to shreds before grabbing Tim's leg and throwing him away.

Tim bounced hard off the ground a few times before tumbling towards the remaining temple ruble.

The smoke faded as Selene pulled the staff out of her.

Billy caught her in the face with a flying kick.

Selene's head turned from the force of the hit but then quickly retaliated by swinging the staff like a bat.

Billy was struck in the chest and knocked down.

Selene got up and tossed the staff aside. She looked around and everyone was down at the moment.

Selene smirked as she walked over to Billy since he was the closest.

Amara's palms began to heat up as she felt something stir up in her, 'No, I won't make the same mistake as my grandfather. I won't be a coward!'

Selene grabbed Billy by his neck and chocked him as she lifted him up.

Billy tried to hit her but she punched him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him.

"Now to rejuvenate myself" Selene went to grab Billy's forehead.

Dean looked up from where he was, "Oh crap"

Amara's eyes widened and something inside her suddenly snapped.

A never before used instinct inside her awakened, her fiery aura around her flared up bright as she slammed her hands into the ground.

"STOP!" she screamed at the top of her lungs and the ground in front of her teared open.

The ground shook and the volcano above them erupted. Lava flowed out of the volcano and the tears in the ground.

Selene stopped and looked around her in awe.

Tim noticed that Selene was preoccupied. He went to get up and then spotted Dean's sword.

"I won't stand idle!" Amara formed a fire ball in her palm and threw it at her.

Selene moved to the side while still holding Billy to dodge it, "I see you've inherited my temper as well"

Dean also noticed Selene not paying attention and got on his feet. Lightning crackled around him again and he rushed her.

"Dean!" Tim called out.

Dean looked over to him as he ran.

Tim threw his sword as hard as he could, "Alley-oop!"

Dean spun, caught his blade, spun around chopped off Selene's arm that held Billy.

Selene gasped as one of her limbs were severed.

Dean then kicked her in the chest and knocked her back.

Billy yanked off the severed arm and tossed it off the cliff.

"I'm glad to see you standing up to her princess" Dean said sincerely.

Amara nodded with respect.

Selene got on her feet and clenched her fist so hard her nails dug into her palm, making her bleed, "YOU" she yelled with hate, "IMPUDENT" her bloodshot eyes glared at them, "CHILDREN! HOW DARE YOU?!"

They slowly got up, ready to continue despite the beating they were taking, unafraid.

"WHY WON'T YOU JUST STAY DOWN?!" Selene yelled.

"Because It doesn't matter how strong you are!" Tim shouted as they all stood tall and proudly. Each of the demigods glared at her, prepared to relentlessly attack her.

Dean stepped forward and pointed his blade at her, "Our resolve is stronger!"

Selene's indigo blue aura flared again, significantly smaller now, and she charged in a furious rage.

"Take this bitch down!" Dean shouted as they charged as well.

Selene put up a barrier to block a slash from Dean and a thrust from Tim.

Jon bashed the barrier, breaking it, and Billy stabbed her in the chest.

Selene screamed and her aura exploded outward knocking them all back.

Lily rolled to a crouching stance and fired two arrows.

They both pierced her right calf.

Selene grit her teeth and went to run at her when two fireballs hit her and lit her on fire.

Selene patted the fire to put it out and looked at Amara who was glaring at her angrily.

Tim pole vaulted and swung his staff downwards.

Selene turned around and blocked with her forearm.

Jon then hit her in the back with a running punch.

Selene was sent tumbling forward to Billy who struck her with an upward kick which knocked her up.

Dean then appeared above her and sliced her stomach.

Selene used her levitation to move away from him and then fired an energy ball that blasted him down to the ground.

Lily fired a few more arrows and Amara threw more fireballs.

Selene used her levitation to avoid them, but then she noticed her body was slightly steaming. She was starting to shrivel again so she dropped to the ground, 'What do I do…what can I do? I've tried everything!'

Lily ran out of arrows so she put down her bow and grabbed her sword and shield with some difficulty.

Tim stood next to Dean who was sitting in a mini crater.

Dean's lightning had faded and he was panting heavily, "Those things hit hard"

"C'mon son of Zeus, you giving up already?" Tim asked trying to provoke his pride.

Dean smiled as he wheezed, "You're an asshole"

Tim smirked in response, "Get up and finish this fight" he gave him a hand.

Dean took it and was pulled up to a standing position. He dropped his sword, "Too heavy to carry" he joined the others who were lined up.

"I think it's time we end this" Jon said looking forward to it.

"Gladly" Dean said as they charged for their final assault.

Selene, for the first time in centuries, felt fear. Her body trembled as she scurried to dodge their attacks.

They attacked in perfect sync, following every attack with another, and coming at her from all directions.

Selene frantically retreated as she stayed on the defensive. With only one arm she was helpless against them.

That was when the people of Nova Roma, led by Lucius, arrived on the scene to shockingly observe the sorceress' demise.

Selene was knocked back by one of Jon's punches and she noticed the crowd.

For them, seeing the person they revered for centuries in such a weak and wounded state, was enough to liberate them of the overwhelming of fear she had placed over them.

"Do you see?!" Lucius shouted, "She is no goddess!"

Selene realized there was no coming back from this, her divine status was ruined and her reign of terror had come to an end.

"Don't let up! We've got her against the ropes!" Tim said as he twirled his staff before swinging it upward.

Selene blocked it but then Billy kicked her in the stomach.

Lily then went to slice her other arm off.

Selene avoided the slash but then Jon hit her in the jaw with a powerful uppercut.

Dean jumped over him and hit Selene with a double axe handle that sent her crashing into the ground, making a mini crater and kicking up dust.

The dust clouded their vision for a moment but then as it cleared they saw Selene laying still in the dirt.

Lucius walked towards Dean, holding his bronze sword, "She is defeated" he then handed it to him, "I ask you, in the name of justice, to execute her"

Dean nodded and took his weapon, "Hold her up"

Billy and Jon made her sit upright.

Selene's eyes slowly opened and looked at Dean.

Dean must be really tired, cause for a moment she looked impressed.

"I underestimated you" Selene admitted before looking at her granddaughter, "You too my dear"

Amara, still in her lava form, clenched her fists. She just wanted to be rid of her, "I hope you burn in the depths of tartarus!"

Selene smirked a little before looking at her son, "I know you must be overjoyed"

Lucius tried his best to hide his emotions from her, "This had to be done" he said in a low voice.

Tim glanced at him for a moment, he sounded a little conflicted. His mother being a power hungry tyrant must have been a traumatic experience.

Just then, the rim of the sun showed above the horizon.

Dean placed the edge of his blade against the side of her neck, picking the spot where he would aim.

As Selene felt the cold bronze touch her she observed his body language. His hand was completely still, his gaze fixed on her, he stayed true to his purpose to the end.

Then as Dean pulled back his blade, preparing to swing, Selene's gaze moved to her granddaughter, "Stay close to him" she said with a tiny smirk.

Dean then swung his blade with two hands and decapitated her.

The corpse dropped, spraying blood everywhere, while the head rolled a few times before stopping.

Dean quickly kicked them both off the cliff so he didn't have to stare at her anymore. His troubling emotions stirred his lightning which sparked around him.

The group then turned around and faced the crowd that watched. Right as they did the first rays of the rising sun shone on them.

The crowd gasped as they starred in amazement at the heavenly glow upon them. One by one they all dropped to their knees and bowed their heads in respect, "Immortales" they all said in awe.

The group stared in fascination, even as demigods they saw them as deities.

Suddenly Amara returned to her regular human form, her clothes had burned away.

"Hello!" Billy shouted as he ogled her.

Dean and Tim looked away out of respect, Jon missed cause he was still looking at the kneeling crowd, and Lily smacked Billy in the head with her shield.

Amara realized and quickly tried to cover her private parts in embarrassment.

Lucius took off his mantle and quickly wrapped it around her, "You should be more careful with your power"

Amara cringed, why did this have to happen in front of the demigods?

Jon walked over to Joey who was still out and slapped him, "Wake up!"

Joey jumped up as he was abruptly woken, "Ah!" He looked around frantically, "What happened?!"

"Fight's over" Jon said plainly as he helped him up.

"Oh" Joey said with a tiny smirk, "So we did it"

Billy coughed, "We did it"

"Did I miss anything good?" Joey asked curiously as he looked at Dean.

Tim shook his head, "No, Dean didn't do anything special" he joked.

Billy nodded, "Yeah it was mostly us doing everything" he laughed.

Dean sighed and rolled his eyes, "You guys think you're so funny"

Lily pat him on the back with a smile, "At the end of the day we won, we didn't do it for the recognition"

Dean made a sour expression, "I know"

He heard a couple pebbles fall from the path to the volcano.

Dean turned around and looked to see Logan sitting on the hill above them.

Logan grinned as he saluted him.

'He must have been sitting there the whole time waiting to see if we needed help' Dean thought.

'We both were ready to intervene if anything went wrong' Charles said.

'Thank you Professor' Dean said sincerely.

The demigods were invited to the palace of the consuls.

They looked around as they walked through a long corridor.

The palace was a grand masterpiece. Beautiful shiny marble, golden torchlights, and along the walls stood the statues of all the Roman gods. They began with the less popular gods and slowly grew in relevance.

They came across a massive doorway and above it were the statues of the big three, Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto.

The throne room on the other hand was decorated with the molds of the faces of all the previous consuls of Nova Roma.

Lucius and Amara sat on their thrones, however as soon as the demigods entered the room they got out of their seats and kneeled.

Lily felt bad for them, "Please your highness, there is no need for that"

Lucius stood up, the smile on his face since Selene's death still present. He walked over to Dean and looked upon him with admiration, "Words cannot express our gratitude for sending that witch to the underworld"

Amara shared his enthusiasm, "Thank Fortuna that the gods sent you to aid us"

Dean pondered on a thought he had. Chiron was afraid of Selene uniting Nova Roma with Camp Jupiter because of the powerful enemy that might produce. But if he could repair their relations with the Romans, them being an enemy could be avoided all together.

Dean shook his head, "We weren't sent by the gods, Chiron the trainer of heroes did"

Joey looked around nervously, "Dude what're you doing?"

"Trying to help us in the long run" Dean explained calmly.

"Chiron?" Lucius queried with a puzzled expression. It only took him a moment to piece things together, "Graecus?" he said the latin word for Greek.

Amara became uneasy at hearing the word.

Tim looked concerned, if these people felt the same towards them as Camp Jupiter then things might get violent.

Amara looked at her father in melancholy, "Father they still saved—"

Lucius calmly raised his hand to silence her, "There are some who believe that the Greeks will forever be our enemies because of the history we share" he said in a serious tone.

Lily grabbed the hilt of her blade just in case.

Lucius then smiled again, "But I am not one of them" he assured them, "The past cannot be changed, but if the future is to be bright we must cast aside the petty squabbles of our ancestors"

Dean nodded in agreement.

The others relaxed as they heard his words.

Amara smiled, there was a good reason her father was consul.

"And with the conclusion of Selene's reign, it has become painfully clear that if another threat should arise we are currently unprepared" Lucius admitted with some regret.

"Aren't there any other demigods?" Tim asked.

"Selene made sure there was no one left that could possibly stand up to her" Amara said.

Lily felt sorry for them, all these years without a solution. They must have felt helpless.

"That is why I entreat you all, to live with us on Nova Roma as heroes" Lucius said with a bright smile.

Dean frowned, this was a delicate situation. These people need the help but he couldn't stay here, it would just be too weird, "I don't know—"

"You'd all be treated like royalty!" Lucius pointed out, "All the food you can eat, golden armor forged by our most skilled smith, young maidens prepared to fulfill your every desire"

Joey looked intrigued, "That might not be such a bad idea"

Lily glared at him.

Joey laughed sheepishly.

Lucius walked over to his throne and struggled as he lifted something and came back over, "Most importantly, you son of Jupiter would be betrothed to my daughter"

Dean's eyes widened nervously.

Tim whistled, "He's putting all his cards on the table"

Amara blushed and stayed silent.

Lucius' hands wobbled as he tried to lift something but ended up dropping it.

It slid over to Dean's feet.

Dean looked down and stared at it, it was a gladius in its scabbard. He picked it up and felt it was heavier than his bronze blade. The scabbard was black, the tip of it was golden along with the hilt which was wrapped in black leather. On the scabbard was the Roman symbol of the golden eagle with the SPQR on it.

It looked very old, and since their was dust on it it probably hasn't been drawn in decades.

Dean drew the gladius, the blade was imperial gold. He saw his reflection in the blade as he ran his finger along the edge. His finger was instantly cut, 'Still razor sharp'

"That sword has been passed down from my father, my grandfather, all the way back to my ancestor who founded Nova Roma. None of them could wield it, however if you chose to stay and lead these people I'm sure you'll be able to" Lucius said hoping he would stay.

Dean stared at the blade, wondering what to do.

"I know you don't want to, but It would be rude to refuse him" Lily said knowing Roman customs, such an offer being turned down with be disrespectful.

"Can somebody tell us something?" Jon said feeling annoyed that he and Billy don't know what's going on.

"He's asking us to stay and offering the princess to Dean as a bride" Joey said.

"Why does he get to have her?" Billy asked with a hint of jealousy.

"Because his dad is king of the gods" Tim said as if it were obvious, which it was.

Dean sheathed the blade and looked at Lucius, "Can I speak to your daughter privately before I make my decision?"

Lucius didn't understand but nodded, "Yes my lord, whatever pleases you"

Amara looked nervous as the son of Zeus walked up to her.

"Walk with me" Dean said lifting his arm with a friendly smile.

Amara happily hooked her arm around his and walked out with him.

"So what're we supposed to do now?" Jon asked.

Tim shrugged, "Let's go back to the jet"

Amara and Dean had been walking around the palace gardens, talking more than she thinks she has in a whole year asking him questions.

"Nobody wears togas?" Amara asked.

Dean shook his head, "No, people would think you look weird"

"How strange" Amara said, this outside world was very different.

"Anyways, Princess, don't you feel weird that your father is trying to chose a husband for you?" Dean asked.

Amara looked a little sad for a moment, "My mother...wanted to set me up to be married since I was 12"

"Really?" Dean queried.

Amara nodded, "Arranged weddings...it's traditional" she tried to explain.

"But don't you want the freedom to choose?" Dean tried to appeal to any feminist ideals she might have deep down.

"I am prepared to do what I must for the good of my people" Amara said with pride. She then frowned at a thought, "Am I not to your liking?"

Truth be told she looked beautiful enough to make most people stop and stare and it's not just how she looked. She gave off a regal air which had its own beauty to it. But he could tell she was still very young, 14 maybe 15 at most, she doesn't know what she wants at that age. Come to think of it he's only 16, he doesn't know either.

"Princess, you are a vision to be admired" Dean complimented her, "But I already have a woman"

Amara nodded in understanding, "I see"

"I want to help your people, but I can't stay here for the rest of my life" Dean joked. He suddenly remembered something, "Princess, would you consider leaving Nova Roma?"

Amara looked skeptical at the idea, "Leave? But this is my home, if I am to lead them one day I cannot abandon them"

"It would only be for a few years, there's a place where you can learn how to control your power. Something I believe you should do, considering how destructive you can be" Dean said.

Amara had to admit that her power could be dangerous if she couldn't control it, enough to even put everyone on the island at risk, "But then what about the safety of my people?"

"I believe I have a solution" Dean said forming a plan in his mind.

The two of them returned to the throne room.

Lucius hurried over to them, "Have you decided?" He asked in anticipation.

Dean nodded, "Yes, I am grateful for your generous offer, but I must refuse" he admitted as he handed back the golden gladius, "As beautiful as your island and daughter are, I have been tasked with a mission by my father that requires me to be elsewhere"

Lucius frowned but nodded in acceptance as he took back the heirloom, "I understand"

"However" Dean continued, "I have an offer for you"

Lucius looked intrigued, "What might that be my lord?"

"Allow your daughter to come with me, to a place where she can learn how to control her powers, study our customs, and explore the outside world. And I will convince Chiron to send you aid" Dean promised him.

Lucius was surprised by his strange request, "My daughter? Why?"

"I believe Amara has the potential to become a great leader, but keeping her isolated to this island squanders that potential" Dean said.

Lucius looked skeptical. His daughter was the only family he had left and didn't wish to send her away, far from his supervision. But if he had to choose the safest place for his daughter, it would be alongside the son of Jupiter.

Lucius looked at his beloved daughter, "Is this what you want?"

Amara nodded, "I believe it to be wise"

Lucius then hesitantly gave Dean his hand, "Your terms are agreeable"

Dean shook his hand, "You won't regret this"

Lucius then stared at his daughter in melancholy, "Pack your things my dear"

Amara frowned and threw her arms around him, embracing him in a tight hug, "I will miss you father" a single tear trickled down her cheek.

Lucius chuckled, "As will I" he admitted, "Now go, listen to your teachers and return to me when you're ready"

The demigods waited inside the X-Jet along with the Professor and Logan.

Dean came up the ramp with Amara while holding a chest over his shoulder.

"What's all this?" Logan asked.

Dean smirked, "I got you a new recruit" he said putting down the chest.

Charles rolled forward with an odd look, "Does her father approve of this?"

"Absolutely. Amara is a mutant after all and she needs help controlling her power" Dean said.

Charles sighed with a smile, "Then let's not waste any more time, Logan take us home"

Logan rolled his eyes and sat in the pilot seat.

Dean sat down while Amara was immediately drawn into conversation with Charles.

Amara spent the flight answering the many question the others have about Nova Roma. Despite the time they spent on the island there is much of her home they don't know.

Amara attempted to explain it as best she could and tried to dispel many of the inaccurate basis they have off Hollywood movies about how Roman civilization worked.

This is between bouts of air-sickness. Amara apparently doesn't fly well. This was the same when she left the island to go on boats with her father, her body didn't agree with being too far from the ground.

Amara peered towards Dean and noticed he was leaning back in his chair, snoring. She smiled, for a demigod he sure acted very human like.

Earlier

Selene's body and severed head fell into the ocean.

A few moments later the corpse dissolved into tiny bits of indigo blue energy.

Not too far from there, hiding among the rocks by the shore, was Selene holding her severed arm.

She placed the limb against the spot where it was cut off and it slowly reattached.

Selene grunted, 'I managed to leave a clone in the dust cloud, if not for that I'd be dead' she looked at her body which was slowly aging, despite regaining her arm, 'I've taken all I could from this forsaken island, it's time to move on to more promising schemes'

Selene waved her hand and a small portal opened up in front of her, 'Next time I face those children they'll probably be even stronger, perhaps I'll find some friends as well' she thought as she stepped through the portal and vanished.

Author's Note: Merry Christmas! As promised here is the other part. Those enemies just keep on adding up don't they, I'm sure that'll be another issue to deal with. The next chapter I post will be the finale of Part 1, I won't bother splitting it up into parts so it'll just be one big chapter to end with. Until then I hope you enjoy, keep those reviews coming I appreciate the feedback :D