A/N: Hey all! Sorry for the cliffie in that last chapter, I had to do it to ya ;)
Thanks to all those of you who reviewed, I'm sure you're more than ready to find out what happens, so read on and I'll leave you a note at the end!
The spear came hurtling at her in slow motion, it seemed, and yet she couldn't will herself to move away. All she could do was watch it come straight at her with a morbid fascination.
And then she felt someone tackle her from the side.
"Ughh!" she groaned, she'd landed on one of her fresh cuts, "What…?"
"Duck!" Remus yanked her down by her aegis and wrapped it around them. Whatever had been hurtled at them seemed to hit him, but nothing pierced through the fabric. But how had he known it would hold….?
"What in Hades's name are you doing?!"
He grinned at her, actually grinned! "What's it look like I'm doing? I'm saving you!"
"Saving—" another object seemed to hit Remus in the back, he winced, but still the aegis proved impenetrable. "Remus I told you to get away! You might get hurt!"
"Look, I'm sorry that I was being dumb earlier, but I'm not just gonna let the most amazing girl I've ever met get murdered while I run away like some coward!"
Is it wrong that some small part of her was flattered? "You don't even know me! I'm not worth dying for, Remus. Please-!"
"Are you done hiding under a blanket like a child?" her father's voice taunted. "Come on, mija, don't shame me even more than you already have."
"Reyna you don't have to listen to him."
She shook her head as she rose, letting the aegis fall around her shoulders, "He's right, this is not how the Ramirez-Arellano fight their battles."
"Reyna…" Remus stood by her, and while his voice was apprehensive, his stance held firm.
"Father," she looked at his spirit now, trying to find the kind person that had once lulled her to sleep, told her old legends, held her when she was sad. "I never meant to kill you, it was a mistake. I thought you had killed Hylla and I thought you meant to kill me as well. I didn't know I would take your life from you when I wielded this sabre." She gripped her hand tightly around it now, "But if I had to do it all over again I would still do it. You weren't human anymore, you were just rage and anger. Hylla and I did nothing but love you and you rewarded us with fear and pain. So kill me if you must, but know that while I am sorry I did it, I would carry that burden with me for eternity if it meant Hylla and I could be free from you."
Her father scoffed, "So be it."
All the weapons swirling around them seemed to freeze, all pointing straight at her. Remus took her hand. She locked eyes with her father, unafraid. He smirked, and the weapons began flying at her all at once.
Reyna braced herself for the worst, but suddenly, the weapons veered straight to Reyna's left, all flocking together in a gigantic pile, almost like…
"Aww yea, did you see that, Sunshine? The Leo Magnet 5000 is a total success!" a boy's voice rang out.
"Too bad we can't say the same for your 'ladies' magnet'" a female voice fired back sarcastically.
The boy laughed, and a shiver ran down Reyna's spine, "Well it seemed to work just fine on you, didn't it?"
At this point the boy and the girl had walked around the oversized magnet and came into view. There was no mistaking it, it was him.
"Valdez?!" Leo turned to her, a confused look on his face, "How-?!"
"And just who the hell do you think you are?!"
Reyna whipped her head back to her father, he looked so angry that Reyna could physically feel it. The temperature in the room dropped once more, she could see frost clawing its way up the windows.
But the girl next to Leo walked up to the spirit calmly, "That's enough out of you," she said gently, and then she placed her hand right on her father's chest, where his heart would be.
Her father gasped as if someone had punched him in the stomach. And then the room felt warmer, the leftover gusts stilled, the tension left his face. He breathed out evenly, and looked upon the girl with wonder, "What…?"
"You poor soul," she spoke, "you've been angry for much too long. It's time to realize your mistakes and let go."
The girl's palm seemed to glow as she continued to hold it over her father's heart. Reyna wasn't sure what was going on, but when the girl stepped back and her father smiled for the first time in over a decade, she realized she didn't really care.
She took a step forward, "Father?"
His eyes were warm when he looked upon her this time, "Mi Reynita!" there were tears in his eyes, "Look at you, so beautiful and all grown up. You look just like your mother…What did I do to you?"
"Papi?" her voice broke, her vision blurred…was she crying?
"I'm so sorry, mija. I was so lost, and I took it out on you and your sister. Could you ever forgive me for what I did to you?"
"Forgive you? But I was the one who—"
He shook his head, "No, mija, that wasn't your fault. You were scared, you were defending yourself. It's okay, Reyna. I forgive you."
"Father," she took a step forward, wanting to embrace him but knowing she couldn't, "Thank you. Thank you for understanding."
His figure began to blur, "It's time for me to go, mija. Tell your sister I'm sorry, and that I love her. I love you, mija. No matter what, you're my Reynita, you got that?"
She nodded, consciously keeping her tears at bay, "I love you, papi."
He smiled one last time before his figure vanished into the darkness.
Reyna released a breath, she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so free.
"Hey, you okay?" she felt Remus place a hand on her shoulder and she discreetly wiped her tears away before she turned to face him.
"Yes," she said firmly, "I feel better than I've felt in a long time."
Remus smiled at her, "Well I can't say I understand what exactly just happened, but I'm glad you're alright."
She smiled back, "I'm not sure I do either…speaking of—Valdez!"
She whirled around to find Leo, only to realize he was kneeling on the floor trying to revive the girl, "Come on, please wake up, Sunshine! Please!" his voice was worried and streined, had Leo ever sounded that serious before…?
"What happened? Did she faint?" Remus asked worriedly as he kneeled down in front of Leo, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Reyna kneeled down as well, reaching into her pockets, and taking out her emergency stash of ambrosia, "Remus help me prop her mouth open, I've got some ambrosia for her—"
"NO!" Leo yanked Calypso back violently when Reyna tried putting the square of ambrosia in the girl's mouth.
"Valdez, what are you doing?!" Reyna snapped impatiently, "She's a demigod, it's ambrosia, it'll heal her!"
"Look I don't know who the hell you are or how you know my name, but she's not a demigod, that stuff could kill her!" his voice was sharp, defensive.
"What do you mean you don't know who I am?" Sure, they'd only met a couple of times, but she wasn't that forgettable!
"I mean I don't—" the girl in his arms stirred. "Sunshine, hey! Are you okay?" his voice, previously loud and sharp was tender when he addressed the girl.
The girl sat up slowly, Leo's hands supporting her the entire time, "I'm fine, sorry. Just overexerted myself."
He rubbed her back gently, "You need to stop collapsing on me, three times was plenty, trust me."
The girl laughed weakly, but when she looked up she addressed Reyna, "Your father will go to the Underworld now, where he will be judged accordingly. I cleansed his soul from the madness; the judges should be fair in their ruling."
Reyna nodded, "Thank you. I can't tell you what that means to me."
"Everyone should get a chance to clear things up with their parents," there was a bitter tint to her smile.
As if sensitive to the girl's tone, Leo swiftly changed the subject, "So, how do you know me then?"
Reyna opened her mouth to answer, but it was the girl who spoke, "She does know you. That's Reyna. She's a praetor from Camp Jupiter."
"How…?" Now Reyna was extremely confused, because she was sure she'd never seen this girl in her life. The girl was extremely beautiful, with long caramel-colored hair and almond eyes. There was a godly aura around her that just screamed power, and yet she still seemed so small, and gentle. Reyna was sure she could never forget a girl like this.
"I lost my memories." Leo's voice was muted, "I can't remember anything before a few months ago."
"A few months ago? Then what…where were you the last three years? We thought you were dead! We held a funeral for you! Piper couldn't make it more than a minute without sobbing, and Jason—"
"I said I don't remember anything, okay?" Leo's voice was sharp, and he was clutching his head, looking pained. "Just stop talking. Please."
Reyna cut off in surprise, 'What in Jupiter's name…?'
"It's a long story, but when he tries to remember the past it hurts him. Please, don't bring it up again." Now it was the girl lending Leo her support, but Leo seemed to shake off his ailment swiftly enough.
"Soooo am I supposed to know you too?" Leo was looking at Remus now.
"Oh, no. I'm Remus." He extended his hand, Leo shook it, "I kinda just found out about the whole Greek and Roman gods are real thing." His voice was surprisingly calm for the proclamation.
"Cool," Leo grinned, "so who's your daddy?"
Remus paled, "What? No, I didn't mean that—I'm not a demigod or anything. Just a normal human…"
Leo stuck his tongue out, "That sucks. My dad's Hephaestus, in case you couldn't tell," he pointed vaguely at the giant magnet behind him.
This time it was Remus who grinned, "Sweet! So does that mean you inherit your parent's powers? Can you control fire too?"
In response, Leo lit his hand on fire, "Check it!"
"That's sick!" Remus inspected Leo's hand closely, "It doesn't burn you?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt show and tell," said Reyna, "but Leo, we need to tell your friends at Camp Half-Blood that you're okay. I know you don't remember them, but they care about you, and maybe we can find a way to get your memories back."
Leo nodded, "Well actually, we were on our way to New York when we ran into some weather and monster related issues, that's how we ended up here."
"Where were you coming from?"
"Europe, of course!"
Reyna's eyes widened, "What in the world were you doing in Europe?! It's too dangerous out there for demigods in a group, much less a lonely demigod with no memories!"
"Well I wasn't alone, exactly…" Leo rubbed the back of his head as his eyes settled on the girl, "I had someone to help keep me alive."
The girl snorted, "Yeah, thank the gods."
It was Remus who spoke up this time, "Wait so if you're not a demigod…that means you're a mortal like me! So how come you were able to make your hand glow and heal that ghost? Does that mean mortals have powers too?"
The girl's face dropped, "Umm not exactly. You see, I may be a mortal now, but…" She looked to Leo for reassurance, and he took her hand and nodded to her, "I was born a goddess."
Remus seemed to stop breathing, "You're a goddess?!"
"Well, not technically, not anymore…" the girl frowned, "I gave up my immortality."
"Why would you ever do something like that?" Remus's eyes were bulging out of their sockets as he looked upon the girl.
But she just looked at her and Leo's intertwined hands and spoke softly, "There are things more important than eternal life."
"What is your name?" Reyna asked as gently as she could, to think that a goddess would give up her immortality for Leo Valdez…it was astounding. All Reyna remembered of the boy was his cheesy jokes and idiotic mumblings, but this wasn't the same foolish boy she'd met all those years ago. This was a young man who, though still lighthearted and generally jovial, seemed wise, caring, affectionate. This wasn't the Leo Valdez that vanished years ago.
"My name is Calypso."
'Calypso…of course,' thought Reyna, 'I think Hazel mentioned something about that. About being glad that Leo got to know someone who cared for him before he died. But now…did he give up all that time just to find her…?'
"Wait…Calypso as in…Calypso, Calypso?" Remus asked eagerly.
The girl looked to Leo with a lost expression on her face.
"Yes, Remus," Reyna spoke up for the girl, "This is Calypso, daughter of Atlas. Once cursed to remain in the Island of Ogygia. But no more, it seems."
Remus stared at the young girl with wide eyes, "Holy…you look so young though. That's just. Wow."
Calypso smiled at him, but said nothing further on the matter.
"So Reyna…" began Leo, "you wouldn't happen to know how to get to Camp Half-Blood, would you? All we know is that it's in New York…"
Reyna nodded and began to stand up, "Of course, I can give you the coordinates. I'm assuming you've been traveling on that bronze dragon of yours?"
"You guys ride DRAGONS?!" came Remus's expected reply. Calypso giggled.
"You mean Festus? Yeah, he's out by the beach somewhere. He needs some repairs but I should have him ready to go in a couple of hours."
"Very well, you should get started."
A couple of hours later found Reyna sitting down on the beach next to Calypso while she finished eating their late dinner. Reyna had volunteered to go out and get food for everyone after Leo insisted that Calypso lay down and rest for a while. Meanwhile, Remus was excitedly learning everything he could about Festus from Leo, the boys seemed to get along swimmingly once they discovered their shared love for Transformers and how they could incorporate cool tricks in to Festus's hard drive.
"He seems like a nice young man," Calypso was the first to break the easy silence between the girls.
Reyna swallowed her food before answering, "I suppose he is, I've only just met him earlier today."
"Really?" Calypso turned back to look at the boys, a thoughtful expression on her face, "I find that hard to believe. You two seem so bonded already…"
"I'd imagine sharing a near death situation can bring people closer together."
Calypso shook her head, "No, it's not just that…there's something else. My powers aren't what they once were, but I can still feel certain things."
This time Reyna leaned forward, "What do you mean? What things?"
"It's hard to explain. But you two are bonded somehow. This is not the last you two will see of each other by a long shot." She looked at Remus thoughtfully one more time, "There's something about him…something more than normal."
Reyna nodded, "He can see through The Mist. It's a rare ability for a mortal, rarer still for males."
"Not just rare, Reyna," Calypso spoke, "impossible. I was once a sorceress, I know much about the workings of The Mist. Mortal males were never meant to see through it. The fact that he can see through The Mist isn't just coincidence or luck, there's something else at work here. There's power in him, I just can't—" she breathed out a sigh of frustration, "I can't put my finger on it. If I had my full powers I probably could but…"
"Is he dangerous?" Reyna asked.
"No," she shook her head, "Not dangerous. Not to us at least."
Reyna nodded, "Well then that's all that matters for now. Everything else we will figure out eventually."
"Hey, girls!" Leo's voice called out a dozen yards away, "Festus is ready to go, you two ready?"
Reyna nodded as she stood up and helped Calypso up to her feet, the girl put on a brave show, but Reyna could tell she still hadn't fully recovered. "Yes, we're ready. How long will it take you to get there?"
Leo fiddled with the dragon's command board as he input the coordinates Reyna had given him, "We should be there sometime tomorrow around late afternoon. We could fly through the night but I want to make sure Calypso fully recovers before we get to camp. We'll find a hotel once we get stateside and stay the night."
"Leo you don't have to—" Calypso began to protest, but Leo's pointed glare cut her off, "Thank you." She smiled shyly at him. Reyna almost rolled her eyes at their obvious affection for each other. Leo Valdez in love. It was still too strange.
Reyna nodded, "Very well. I should be arriving at noon tomorrow. That will give us plenty of time to discuss the War Games before your arrival throws everyone for a loop. It's quite fortuitous that you'll be arriving tomorrow, on the anniversary of your death."
Leo shuddered at her words, but nodded nonetheless, "Right. I would appreciate it if you would…you know…keep quiet about all this?"
"Of course," Reyna nodded, "I'll leave it to you to give all the explanations. I'll be eager to hear the full story myself, to be honest."
He nodded. "Thank you. It means a lot, Reyna, really."
'When did Leo Valdez get so levelheaded and diplomatic?' Reyna wondered, but when he saw him gently help Calypso up Fetus's back, she had her answer, 'I really must get to know this girl better.' If she had that effect on Leo Valdez, Reyna was curious to see how she would affect everyone else at Camp.
"Remus, it was nice meeting you," Leo and Remus shook hands with grins on their faces, "I'll be seeing you around. Maybe Sunshine and I will come visit you in Jersey sometime, it's not too far from Camp."
Remus grinned, "That would be awesome, you can feel free to pimp out my PS4 while you're at it."
Leo laughed as he climbed onto Festus, "Bet! It'll be the best gaming console in the world. And I'll kick your ass in every game!"
Remus laughed, "We'll see about that!"
Reyna shook her head hopelessly; those two together could only mean trouble.
"I'll be seeing you soon, Leo Valdez. Safe travels!" she spoke.
"Peace!" yelled Leo.
"Goodbye! See you soon!" Calypso waved at them as Festus's wings spread and propelled them upwards with a strong thrust of his wings.
"Aww man! That's sick." Remus exclaimed as he watched the golden dragon vanish into the horizon, "So now what? You take a plane to New York?"
Reyna chuckled amusedly, "A plane? No, I have a pegasus."
"Get out! You're pulling my leg!"
"Would you like to meet him?" at Remus's curious expression she turned and whistled loudly, signaling for her trusty companion to come to her. The beautiful creature appeared quickly from the skies.
"Oh my god," Remus exclaimed excitedly, "Holy—They're actually real!"
Reyna just laughed as she watched Guido make his descent towards them.
But this time Remus grabbed her hand and spun her towards him, "Reyna, I know you have to go, but please…promise me this isn't the last time we'll see each other. There's still so much I want to know about you and your world…."
Reyna smiled as she laced her fingers through his, "Yes, I imagine you still have a lot of questions. It would be rude of me to leave them unanswered. After all, you did save my life today."
A smile broke on his face, his green eyes sparkling, "That's right, and you're gonna pay me back by telling me all you know!" his cheeks reddened slightly, "Maybe over dinner, sometime?"
Reyna looked away to hide her blush, "Yes, I think that would be fine."
Remus squeezed her hand in acknowledgement, "So when Calypso said you were praetor…did she actually mean…?"
"Yes."
"So that means you're pretty freaking important."
She laughed, "In a way."
"You're amazing Reyna Ramirez-Arellano."
"Reyna Avila Ramirez-Arellano." She liked the way her name sounded when he spoke it.
He chuckled, "Of course."
She grinned at him and pointed at the pegasus waiting patiently, "So would you like a quick ride before I leave?"
The smile that broke over Remus's face was positively radiant, "Hell yes!"
A/N: Well I hope you all enjoyed the Remus/Reyna arc, this will most likely be the last of it you'll see in this story. Unless I decide to write an epilogue….maybe. I could be convinced….
Also, as for the Jersey thing, Remus is obviously getting his PhD at Princeton, since it has one of the best Classics PhD programs in the nation :D (he's a smart kid)
Anyways, please please please let me know all your thoughts on this story line, like I said, I'm willing to pursue it once this story is done. I already drafted a version of this little episode but from Remus's point of view, I think I like being inside his head ;)
And now….for the big announcement, drumroll please….
LEO GETS TO CAMP HALF-BLOOD IN THE NEXT CHAPTER!
I'll let you in on a little secret, I already wrote it, MWAHAHAHA
But I won't publish it until I get at least 10 reviews….or a week from today, whichever comes sooner (gonna make y'all work for this one!)
It's also written from another character's viewpoint, one that I haven't used yet. 50 points to Slytherin for whomever can figure it out first!
As always, thanks for reading and feel free to drop me a line and let me know your thoughts! Love you all!