Chapter 16

When they arrived back at the palace Austur informed them that they had a message from Lord Euros. Apparently Jason had met the god, and done him a favor in order to get a message to Percy and the others. By the sounds of it their mission was a success. Jason informed them that Triton had given them directions to an enemy ship directed by rogue demigods just out on the water where they managed to sneak aboard and free a small flock of Pegasi, two of which decided to hang around and help pull the chariot they had found in Charleston. They were on their way back to camp, and Jason would immediately set about finding a new way to contact the group when they dropped the weapons.

Percy had wondered if when he said Rogue demigods he meant Greek or Roman defects. Whatever the case was, the news seemed to disturb Mark greatly. The fact that this unknown enemy was amassing renegade demigods seemed to disturb the Praetor greatly. He turned into bed early that night clearly needing some time to ponder just what Jason could've meant by enemy ship, and rogue demigods. As Praetor, Percy supposed he would know probably every Roman defector, or possibly even retired legionnaires who could've been recruited to the enemy side. Of course there had only been whispers of who this enemy truly was, and only Percy, Jason, and Bianca knew that the threat of the Titan Lord could soon be upon them.

The next day was finally the moment they would get their audience with Aelous. Their meeting was first thing in the morning so the gathered questers were sitting on the set watching the final minutes of his morning broadcast for Olympus. Aeolus appeared to be in his sixties with white hair, and a ton of stage makeup. He was wearing a business suit that looked like the sky. The suit being mostly blue was most interesting because it had clouds that were moving along the fabric and changing the shape, and even becoming rain clouds.

Lord Austur was standing next to the camera man holding idle chatter, but occasionally turning his blue head to Percy, Mark, and Bianca to give a thumbs up. As soon as the cut was said Austur went up to the man with a bow, "My Lord Aelous, three demigods from Camp Jupiter have arrived requesting information. They have waited two days for their appointment most patiently, and they come bearing a gift."

At the word gift Aelous perked up immediately, "Oh fantastic! Send them over."

At his words Austur motioned the group over and Mark took the lead, "Lord Aelous thank you for giving us a few minutes of your time."

The Master of the Winds immediately gave the man a huge smile, "Wow I feel very honored. Rome sent one of their Praetors to speak with me. Great words I have heard in the winds my young friend. Ms. Di Angelo, daughter of Pluto good to see you back in our time, Mr. Jackson I welcome you as well too Aeloi my home in the skies." The master of the winds struck a very interesting dance pose as he shuffled his feet apart, coming up on his tiptoes with one hand in the air and the other relaxed by his side. It looked like something suspiciously out of a movie Percy had watched as a little boy, but instead of questioning it they all bowed to the man. Bianca had shuffled her feet uncomfortably at the words Aelous had directed towards her, and if Mark was curious he didn't even look her way at the statement to indicate it. It was possible the Praetor realized that the Master of Winds before them wasn't exactly carrying all his eggs in the same basket, but if there was one thing Percy had realized just in the last week it was that Mark was always paying attention.

Aeolus smiled and never wavered when he said, "Well let's do the unpleasant part of this first shall we? The information you seek is simple. The Trojan Sea Monster will enter the San Francisco Bay this evening, and you will have your best chance of facing it on the large red bridge. If it reaches the Tiber entrance after all there will be a blood shed of the likes Rome hasn't seen in over a hundred years."

Mark, Percy, and Bianca's jaws all hit the floor at his words, Mark being the first to recover, "We have to get back home. We are twenty hour drive away, even flying. I am unsure if we would make it."

Aeolus yawned, "Yes this is all very daunting, and I am sure your fight will be streamed live on Vulcans TV Network, but I am afraid our time is running out, and I can't wait to receive the first gift I have been given by a demigod in many thousands of years."

At this Percy realized the man had been eying the sword on his belt, and the son of Neptune went down on one knee, "My Lord an enemy of Rome was slain to gain possession of this blade, but it's history is infamous and powerful. I present to you the blade of the last great King of Sparta, Menelaus, the son of the war god from the old empire."

The man roared with delight as he snatched it out of Percy's hand, swinging it around wildly making Percy stagger backwards to safety. Aeolus looked giddy, "This is an excellent gift young demigod. I am perhaps even more thankful knowing that you could have used this blade to help you in the coming fight under the seas. Your father will need every blade available yet you give this to me! How spectacular."

Percy looked confused, "My father will need blades? Lord Aeolus I don't understand the Atlantean army is massive."

The man shrugged his shoulders tossing the weapon over his shoulder into a cloud making it disappear, "Yes well when the right hand of the Ocean disappears, and with old enemies stirring around in Tartarus I think everyone in Atlantis is more than a little on edge these days as they prepare for war."

Percy stared at the man in great concern, "The right hand of the Ocean? Prepare for war? I don't understand who that is?"

Before Aelous could answer though the camera man said, "Going live in 5,4,3-"

Percy shouted out, "Wait Lord Aelous who is waging war against my father?"

Suddenly a blast of wind hit Percy so hard he was thrown backwards, and lifted into the air carried out of the room along with Mark, and Bianca. When they landed outside the room Austur followed, "Sorry young demigods. Only seven minutes of my lord's time could be afforded to you. I wish there was more time to discuss your problems, but I fear if you do not make haste the mortal bloodshed will be numerous."

Percy swore, making the ground shake around him in his fury, "Lord Austur what do you know about the threat my father faces."

Austur looked surprised, "I only caught the end of that comment from my Lord, but I thought you were already aware that Lord Oceanus has disappeared into the lower trenches of the Ocean. Even your father cannot locate him at this time. It is believed that he took many old Atlantean followers, and has decided to side with the rising enemies from Tartarus."

Percy froze at those words. He had met Oceanus during his trial in front of the Ocean Council. The man had been kind to Percy, but the fact couldn't be changed that he was a Titan, but remained neutral in the first war against the gods. The fact that he could possibly be rallying an army against his father was a bad sign for things that were to come.

Mark then posed the next question, "This rising threat from Tartarus do we know how long we have?"

Austur looked to the Praetor with a more confounded look than before, "Mighty Gods of Olympus boy! The leaders of Rome haven't figured out the rising enemy is already here when their headquarters are at your back door?"

This caused all three demigods to pale. Mark put his hand on the sword at his waste looking absolutely furious, "What more can you tell me? I need every bit of information that you can spare. It could make the difference between victory and defeat, and not just for Rome."

Austur stared at the boy in surprise at his sudden aggression, but a look of understanding followed quickly, "Go in peace son of Mars. I am afraid I cannot tell you much other than the enemy is much closer than you may have originally believed. Be on guard, and prepare from a strike that could come in any direction."

With that the south wind disappeared. Mark stared at the spot the immortal had been in moments before, and didn't move for several moments. He then turned to Percy and roughly grabbed him by the shirt, "What do you know Jackson?"

Bianca immediately protested loudly, "What the hell!"

Mark had pinned Percy to the wall against the palace in seconds, but the son of Neptune didn't resist. He knew if the situations were reversed he might be equally angry, "You and Jason came back from the quest last year, and said that Saturn was rising, not that he was about to kick in our back door. You came back keeping secrets, and saying Olympus swore you to secrecy. Why would they do that if it could cost them the war? My father himself said we were their greatest army."

Percy held his hands up in peace, but spoke a little shakily, "The secret Olympus swore us too had nothing to do with Saturn's rising. The reason they made us keep it was because they needed us united against the threat."

Mark shook his head, "But now Jason is reporting that he faced rogue demigods in the field. Who are they? Legionnaire deserters? Is Octavian right? Is there Graceus running around killing our people?"

Bianca finally put a hand on Mark in an attempt to calm him down saying, "We don't know for sure but It's probably both Praetor, now please let Percy go. Fighting among ourselves will help nothing."

The young man's grip relaxed around Percy's shirt, and the two began to separate slowly. The fire in Mark's eyes hadn't left yet. The fire of war burned brightly in each, and the red aura was slowly starting to become visible, "So it's true. Legends of people following the old empire have credence. We should hunt them down and exterminate them all. If they are going to side with the rising threat they should be put down like animals."

Percy shook his head, "This is why they wanted to keep it a secret. They are out there, but not all of them are our enemies. Bianca is right that some of these rogue demigods that Jason fought are Greeks, but some of them are also Roman deserters. The man we faced on the Empire State Building said he came from a Greek camp, and that Saturn had been speaking to him in a dream that had no qualms of crushing the secret that Olympus held onto for dear life. The last time we fought in open combat we spilled godly blood across the country in the Civil War. We don't have time for something like that again if we are to defeat the Titans."

Mark put his hands in his face and sat down leaning heavily against the wall. Several moments passed, but he finally said, "You should've told Cassie and I. This is huge. This could change everything."

Bianca shook her head, "It can't change anything. When we defeat the Titans then the time to reveal the secret will be here. It was something Olympus, Jason, Percy, and I all agreed on. We are still ancient enemies, it's true, but anything less than unity will cost us in a fight we may already not be able to win."

Mark stared at her with something that looked akin to understanding, "You were all forced into a tough situation, and had to make a decision best for Rome. You did the best you could, but I can't keep this from Cassie. She has to know. We will talk about it, and we will decide what's going to be best for the legion...but I can't see myself disagreeing with you at this point. When we defeat the Titans we will stay on a war footing though no matter what, and prepare to strike if it is deemed necessary. Now as for this threat at our back door, is there anything you two wish to tell me?"

Bianca and Percy both quickly shook their heads, "We have no idea what he was talking about. A threat from our back door sounds dangerous, but we and possibly even Olympus have no idea what he is speaking of. Even the threat in Atlantis is disturbing news to us."

Before Percy could contemplate further Mark said, "We will figure out the problems of Atlantis later, though it does explain why Mars said your father would be unable to help us find our monster. We have to get to the Golden Gate Bridge now because there's no more time to waste. We may be too late as it is."

Percy thought hard on ways of transportation. They were nowhere near any water source that Percy could use to get them closer at a reasonable speed, and the thought of finding Pegasi anywhere near Colorado mountains this time of year was unlikely. Then he remembered the whistle Lord Pluto had given him as he reached into his pocket. He quickly explained his plan, and what the whistle should do, and the three bolted towards the staircase that would take them back to Pikes Peak. It took longer than the three had time for, but when they arrived back at the top of the mountain Percy blew the ice whistle, and lines spread across it rapidly thinking he was going to break it. The worry was short lived though as the fractured lines didn't expand any further, and Mrs. O'Leary appeared with a happy bark out of a nearby shadow. Percy turned to his friends, "I should warn you guys this is going to be immensely unpleasant."

Mark and Bianca both gave him a direct head nod as they all climbed onto the creature. Percy taking a deep breath shouted to his hellhound friend, "To the Golden Gate Bridge Mrs. O'Leary."

The hounds ears went up much like last time, but it didn't have near as far to reach the darker areas of the mountain on this go around as it released a howl and tore off towards a nearby shadow making them all disappear into the cold world of the darkness.

The trip seemed much longer than the last, and the coolness was really setting into his bones until they appeared on the warm shoreline just below the golden gate bridge. The three dismounted the hell hound which licked Percy's face happily, and rolled over looking exhausted, "Thanks girl. We will make sure we have a nice big...dog treat for you when you come back?"

He ended it with a question, but at the word treat the hound barked happily and disappeared in the shadow it arrived in. Percy turned to face Bianca who looked pale, but okay. Mark on the other hand had taken a seat in the sand and buried his hands in his face for the second time that day, "That was awful."

Percy nodded, "I almost blew chunks when I landed last time. It was so cold outside though on Pikes Peak I don't think I noticed the chills."

Bianca however said, "I think my father wants me to learn how to do that. Something from the conversation you had with him makes me think about it. He asked you if I knew how to use my gift with the shadows, and maybe his children are able to travel like the Hellhounds of the underworld...I will look into it if we survive slaying our monster."

Percy looked around quickly, but Mark spoke first, "If Aeolus information was accurate, which we have to assume it was, we have the day to prepare for an attack. I'll admit that's a hell of a lot more than I thought we would get. Part of me feared we would end up taking this thing out in the water on a boat piloted by Percy. Our margin for error here is smaller if we want to avoid mortal casualties, but I think we have a better chance." The man put a hand on his face as he continued to think, "Percy get in the river and find the local water spirits. Have them take the message to the Tiber, and get Jason along with anyone else we can muster up for this fight. I grew up around this bridge and I can tell you in the center the water can be as deep as 300 feet. Bianca your father is the god of all things under the Earth do you think you can shift the foundation around a bit down there? Make it harder for the Sea Monster to navigate?"

Bianca looked very uncertain, "If the water was more shallow I think it's possible, but as wide and deep as the bridge is I don't think I have the time to shift anything that would be of value. I can summon warriors though that can be archers against our monster. Might be a good distraction. I have other ideas for how I can help as well."

Mark nodded his head thinking fast, "Good keep thinking of stuff. Percy lets get our cry to camp heard as quickly as possible."

With that Percy nodded his head at the man, and surged forward into the water. He didn't have to swim long before water spirits began approaching him, warning him of the coming beast, "I know what's coming. All of you can evacuate towards the Tiber, but I need someone to carry a message to the Tiber herself. Let her know that New Rome needs to know the monster is coming. Evacuate, send help, whatever the camp can do we would appreciate."

The nature spirits all wished him luck, and sped off in the general direction of Tiber. He could only hope they would arrive on time. Their plans and execution took most of the day, and by the time the sun began falling from the sky Percy, Bianca, and Mark were all standing on top of the bridge staring out into the sunset. The plan had been made, but it would fall apart without any assistance from the legion.

Percy had his eyes closed as he searched the Ocean tides for a sinister force with nothing appearing as of yet. Bianca was fidgeting nervously with two rows of skeleton archers standing on her left waiting for her command. Mark was looking the calmest. His arms were folded across his chest as he stared out, "This is where we hold the line."

Bianca shivered next to Percy, "Do me a favor, and don't kill this monster like Hercules did. I'm not sure I can take the mental trauma."

Mark's face split into a short grin, while Percy just stared at her in disbelief, "Hell of a time to crack jokes B."

She shrugged, "We are about to die, might as well do it with a little smile on our faces."

Mark chuckled, "You're inspiring."

"Well she is my daughter." A voice called from the side.

Percy's head whipped around to see Pluto in his familiar suit, and the three dropped to their knees. Bianca called him father, while the others merely addressed him as Lord Pluto. The man smiled at the trio, "I cannot stay long for it can be seen as interference, but Perseus your armor is ready."

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small necklace that held a single helmet plume on some type of magnet. Mark stared at wonder, "Enchanted armor? No one has had anything like that since-"

"Agrippa. Yes. Lady Trivia designed that for him, and she helped me in enchanting this. It is an old relic to Rome, and Perseus earned the right to wear it. He will need it in his fight with the Trojan Sea Monster." Pluto said easily.

Percy didn't quite understand as he took the chain from Pluto fastening it around his neck. Pluto gave the young man a grin, "Perseus, Daughter, Praetor, I expect great things out of this battle. Now as much as I wish I could stay in help I must return to my domain. Good luck."

Before Percy could even ask for a tutorial the man dissolved into a black mist. Bianca immediately turned to him, "Seems dad wanted to repay the favor for the sword, though I have to say I am unsure how yours works."

Mark stared at the two in suspicion, but merely said, "The helmet is magnetic. Pull it off and see what happens."

Percy did as he was told and the helmet immediately grew in size when he broke it off the necklace. Bianca watched curiously, "Well put it on."

Percy did as he was told, and as soon as the helmet went onto his head he felt the rest of the armor begin to shoot across his body, and within seconds he was wearing the armor of King Priam. Mark was the first to break shocked silence, "Holy shit. Olympian Silver, celestial bronze greaves, full armaments down each arm, and that little electric thing...this armor looks familiar...befitting of Royalty…"

Mark looked questioningly at Percy, and the son of Neptune sighed, "I will explain all I can if we survive this."

The Praetor nodded, "I look forward to it. I had never seen any of the Olympians in person in my life, and standing next to you I have attracted three in a week."

Percy joked weakly, "Stick around, maybe we will get to meet them all."

Mark looked like he wanted to say something further, but suddenly Percy felt the presence. He stiffened and the two noticed his shift in posture, and before they could ask what was wrong he ominously announced, "It's here."

(A/N) Good morning everyone. I am always a day late on updates so this week I thought I would come out a day early. The next chapter is our Titanic showdown between Percy and the Trojan Sea Monster, and I look forward to sharing it all with you next week.

In response to reviews:

AgellosIsAngel:

You are spot on for the time frame currently. Some time skips will follow, and that will take us into the Titan's Curse, and of course not much time after that passes before the battle of Labyrinth.

A shout out to CombatTombat. If you haven't read his Imperator Percy stories I highly recommend them, and his works inspired some arcs, and characters in this story so I will give credit where its due.

Cheers everyone, see you next week!

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