Flakes of white concrete dropped to the ground, set free from the wall which Reyna's fist had sunk itself into. Roman concrete was an ancient and secret recipe which the masons of Camp Jupiter had preserved to pave and build much of the lasting structures on the grounds. It was known to be so long-lasting that even structures thousands of years old still held up against the wear and weather. However, durable as it may be, it was still no match for the force of an angry daughter of Bellona.
Unclenching her fist and taking a deep breath to calm herself, Reyna collapsed back into her bed. To say that she was unhappy would be the understatement of the century. She rubbed her face, dragging her hands slowly down her face as she groaned into them. Gods, could there be a worse day than this? Scratch that, worse few days. Greeks she had let into the camp bombing them, losing control to Octavian, losing Jason again again in addition to losing yet another praetor on top of that, and that praetor being…
"Snap out of it," Reyna told herself, smacking her cheeks with both hands hard enough to leave red marks on her face. "Don't think about it anymore."
Presenting as calm and collected had been a skill she had near perfected during Jason's absence. Even when Percy had appeared, she tried her best not to let the mask drop; she had to present herself as a leader, no matter how much his presence had irked her in the beginning. That said, gods did Octavian get under her skin like no other piece of immortal Underworld Tartarus crawling scum could. The cherry on the cake was that it had only gotten worse since the Greek warship fired on their camp.
Octavian immediately took the chance to usurp her power, and, in a few days, she had been stripped of so much power and authority that she was praetor in all but name. It was the worst-case scenario that she had tried so hard to prevent, but the scales had finally tipped. Sitting up, Aurum and Argentum came to curl up by her side, the metallic dogs doing their best to cheer up their master. Reyna absentmindedly stroked their heads as her thought continued to trail onto other things.
Sure, Octavian used the ship attack against her, but he had eyes everywhere and knew that there was something more going on when Percy Jackson joined the fray against his troops. Of course, Reyna would never let him have that card over her and as soon as Percy left, she smashed her sink and drenched the room and herself in water to cover her tracks. She felt bad throwing him under the bus like that but as long as she retained the title of praetor, she could give them a better chance of surviving than with Octavian heading the whole thing.
Taking one hand away from Aurum's headpats, she rubbed her temples, hoping to make the stress go away. It really was incredible how one scrawny boy could be such a headache and pain in the behind all at once. Reyna's hand moved to pinch her nose as her thoughts wandered to the other problematic boys in her life AKA: all of them. Covering for Frank Zhang's messes, keeping Dakota in check during his sugar rush, Bryce Lawrence…gods, Jason, and his new girlfriend and now Percy Jackson, son of Neptune…Poseidon…whatever.
Her hand had moved to her lips as she traced their outline unconsciously. What a stupid thing to do, Reyna thought. He opens up with all of that and you go and probably ruin whatever chance you may have had. Forget as a partner, he probably doesn't even want to be friends after that. Maybe Venus was right.
Reyna's mind wandered again back to her time in South Carolina with Jason. Two years ago; the quest to retrieve the Imperial Gold torpedoes from the CSS Hunley. Funny, a son of Neptune would have been useful then. She shook the thought away as Venus' words from the time crept back into her head. Was she truly doomed to never find a requited love? It seemed like it recently as not only had Jason returned with someone else, but Percy had also left without a word after…well, best not to dwell too long on that situation. Gods, just recalling it made her want to turn invisible and curl up in a corner.
Her brooding was thankfully interrupted by a knock at the door. She shot up to attention and walked over to meet with the visitor. Dakota stood on the other side of the door straight as possible in full battle gear. He looked gloomily into the praetor's eyes, his lips-stained extra red. Reyna eyed him up and down before waving her hand, Dakota finally relaxing at the signal.
"What is it Dakota?"
"Reyna, we've tracked the passage of the ship. They haven't left the States yet," Dakota started his report. "Octavian…he's taken the senate power for himself. Those that weren't in his pocket before are being threatened with treason if they side against him. He's rallied the troops and issued an order to cut them off."
She bit her lip at the news. Things were proceeding faster than she had expected. "Where is he planning to intercept them?"
"Charleston…South Carolina."
Percy was enjoying the sensation of the water as he swam in the harbor, feeling the ebb and flow of the current circle around him. After being near concussed, possessed, and held prisoner in an aquarium exhibit by a literal Krusty Krab, the healing power of clean salt water refreshed the weary teen. Well, clean may have been a bit of a stretch. The water near the shore was muddy and turbid from the convergence of multiple rivers dumping silt into the harbor. Luckily, once he was out over deeper waters, they cleared quickly, and the local water spirits began to gather around him under the wakes left by the boats above.
It didn't take long to discover that the Nereids didn't have too much to disclose but tipped him off that there were traces of demigod tracks around the fort. He gave them his thanks before swimming off towards the island. As he drew closer to shore, he could make out large avian shadows above blotting out the sunlight. Realizing that the eagles must be above them, he decided to remain submerged for the time being. Unfortunately, fate seemed to have other ideas as a splash above his head caught his attention. A single denarius sank quickly into his opened palm. One of the Romans knew he was here so there was no point in hiding. Cursing, he swam upward.
Water and mud sloughed off his body as he walked onto the island, Riptide in hand. He scanned the shoreline, fully alert and ready to engage at a moments notice. The rocks that littered the water's edge made for unsteady footing that forced Percy to move awkwardly, sliding his feet and attempting to dig into the mud beneath. The sound of metal percussion caught his attention and he looked up and met eyes with Reyna staring down from the fort walls, dogs by her side.
"Reyna," Percy asked cautiously, moving closer, but refusing to give up his grip on Riptide.
"I'm not here to fight you and we don't have much time," She responded, raising her hands. "Please, lower your blade, Octavian and his troops will be here soon."
Percy glared at her but sighed and returned Riptide back to pen form. "What's going on?"
"If you do not surrender here, the legion will go after your camp instead," She sighed. "I tried, but Octavian has control of most of the legion. This, right here, is all I can do for you. While I cannot forgive an attack on Rome, you have shown me that there is more to this than meets the eye. I'm willing to trust you and to provide you enough leeway to escape to the Mare Nostrum. Octavian won't follow you, but it will basically be suicide."
"Reyna, it wasn't us that attacked the camp, it was eidolons-spirits," Percy protested, but she put up her hand to stop him.
"I cannot stop Octavian. Even if you convince me, you will need to flee. I pray that you make it in time, but his troops are closing in to prepare an ambush. Lie in wait. I will assist as much as I can."
She paused to take him in, likely the last time she would have the privilege of doing so if the quest went awry. His bright green eyes bore into her heart and though he had changed back into orange, the tattoos remained, a sign that they would always be connected. She wanted to cry at the thought but bit her tongue as she began to turn away. Before she could leave, she felt a gentle hand on her wrist, turning to meet the boy in the eyes. Please, don't make this harder than it has to be, she thought.
"Thank you," Percy said, pulling her into a tight hug.
The daughter of Bellona was momentarily surprised before closing her eyes and embracing him back. Her hands gripped tightly onto the back of his shirt as she desperately wished for him to stay. She fought back tears and breathed in his scent of saltwater and earth. She finally mustered the resolve to let go and Percy's hands retreated to hold her sides.
"I promised I would come back, and I will. You're incredible Reyna, and you'll get through this."
She smiled back at him and chuckled. "Are you doubting me? Cute, but I'll be fine."
"Yeah, you're right," Percy laughed back. Suddenly, he pulled her close and quickly pressed his lips on hers. It was light, quick, and intense.
Percy pulled back from Reyna, his face had turned from tan to ruby red and he had developed an intense interest with the masonry of the fort. Reyna was surprised, but in a pleasant way for the first time in years. She smiled and playfully pushed his face back, Percy stumbling a bit at the unexpectedness.
"Go, Percy, I'll kill you if you break your promise. We Romans take oaths very seriously you know?"
"Swear on the Styx."
Thunder rumbled and the pact was sealed. Percy turned and bolted back into the waves. As soon as he was gone, Reyna turned back to the fort and walked towards the cannons. She still had one last responsibility to fulfill to the crew of the Argo. Her hand traced the length of the weapon, its blackened, worn, and unused steel icy beneath her fingers. The daughter of Athena would come for her destiny, all she had to do was wait.
Octavian arrived soon enough with his troops, all but ignoring Reyna as she sat alone with her dogs. The troops were in position and were simply awaiting the Greeks in ambush. Reyna watched things unfold as the three girls walked towards the fort. Once cornered, she watched as Annabeth hurled her dagger into the water, knowing Percy would catch the signal. Seeing that amused Reyna as they may not have been so different after all as children of war goddesses.
Sure enough, it caught the attention of the waiting son of Poseidon who erupted from the water, washing the troops into the water. Jason soon arrived, Reyna guessed from the museum given the direction he came from, and promptly knocked Dakota out cold. She winced and felt a bit bad for the Kool-Aid obsessed kid. The son of Jupiter joined up quickly with Percy and the two became an unstoppable force of wind, water, and lightning.
Watching the two fights together was like viewing a symphony of chaos and destruction. Their abilities complimented each other far too well. The scene reminded her of Percy riding into Camp Jupiter bearing the standard of the Legion, its lightning arcing around him. The difference was that with Jason's combat prowess added to the mix, they were several times more powerful.
Reyna also noticed that for the first time, her eyes weren't drawn towards Jason. The son of the sea god captured most of her thought and attention as he flew across the battle. His words finally confirming what Reyna had known the entire time and dispelling any doubts Venus may have planted in her head. Having someone believe in her so strongly made her feel ready to challenge the world. Her reverie came to an end as Annabeth made her way in and Reyna turned her attention to the grey-eyed girl.
Aurum and Argentum stood and growled as she approached, but Reyna put her hands on their heads. The dogs settled down but with unhappy faces that read: Please let us attack something. Annabeth eyed Reyna, trying to gauge her reaction, whether she could be friend or foe. Reyna sighed and walked towards her.
"I know what you're here for," Reyna said, raising her hands. "But are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"I have to," Annabeth responded nervously. "It's the only way we win."
"Still speaking in terms of 'we'? I admire that tenacity," Reyna responded. "If you do not surrender here, the legion will march on your camp instead."
"Is that a threat," Annabeth asked.
"No, a warning. I wish you the gods favor in your quest, but I must know your resolve first before I let you go."
Reyna's eyes turned steely as she stared directly at Annabeth. Unlike Percy's bright and warm green, Annabeth's were cold, grey and calculating, yet curious, intelligent and inviting. Still, there was a fire Reyna felt deep beneath, like smoldering embers amongst the dark irises. Satisfied, she stood aside and allowed Annabeth to approach the barrel of the cannon.
"You're strong to have made it here," Reyna said as Annabeth retrieved the map.
Annabeth stared at her, clutching the parchment for dear life. "Reyna, thank you for trusting us."
"It is not me you should be thanking," Reyna replied to which Annabeth gave a curious look.
Though they were surrounded by sea, Annabeth briefly caught the faint scent of saltwater, silt and sand coming from Reyna. Her grey eyes widened as she began to put things together and gave the Roman girl a small pained but knowing smile. Reyna seemed to catch on as well. She may have been good at controlling her facial expressions, but nothing could stop the blood from flowing to her face.
"I think I should be thanking you," Annabeth said, looking down at her shuffling feet. "After everything we've been through, I couldn't reciprocate what he felt for me. I felt bad about it but seeing this…I just want him to be happy for once."
Reyna could see that she was holding back tears and put a reassuring hand on Annabeth's blonde hair. "Just keep yourselves safe. You, especially, have a difficult journey ahead. I will do my best here, but hurry back, I cannot stall the maniac augur forever."
Pulling herself together, Annabeth smiled at Reyna before turning to leave. "Ah, wait. You're forgetting something," Reyna called out.
"This needs to look…convincing."
"Oh," Annabeth replied awkwardly. "What do you need me to do?"
"Well, I'd like to test out that throw of yours."
The Argo II vanished over the horizon as Reyna watched along with the other Roman troops. While even more suspicious than before, Octavian had no choice but to believe Reyna's story of escape when he saw her bruised, winded, and limping out of Fort Sumter. He had stormed off angrily at the news and immediately issued the order to march the coast towards the Greek camp.
She smiled to herself at slighting the augur turned wannabe general. They had the best chances she could give them, and she had a newfound drive to succeed on her end. It was frustrating not having the time to properly talk and tell him just how much he and his words had meant. Still, they both had a job to do, and she would see hers done whether she had support or not. If it was to be her against the world, so be it. She was ready.