Chapter 24
The party in Atlantis was beyond anything Percy had ever imagined. He was welcomed everywhere he went, and spent some time with his brother and his new wife throughout the party. He even was given an opportunity to speak with Salacia who originally he was worried to speak too, but she assured him that after his defeat of the Trojan Sea Monster he had proven his worth as a Prince of Atlantis, and that he was welcome. She reminded him slightly of Reyna as she inquired about his intentions with New Rome if he were to be successful and complete the Great Prophecy saving Olympus. She slightly berated him when he spoke of retirement and travel, and encouraged the word consul. It was a position not held by any demigod in hundreds of years, but it was an attractive option when she laid it out for him. Basically he would be on the same level as a Praetor, but not as tied down. He would be able to come and go from the camp as he pleased, answering the cries for help from the seas, Olympus, or other demigods who could use his help elsewhere. His home would be Rome, but the world could be his playground. It was a grand idea, but he was unsure how to ever get there. She gave him a knowing smile when he admitted this, and had the familiar feeling that the gods knew something he didn't.
When the night was over they pulled out a cake after the wedding reception, and wished Percy a happy birthday which was only in a few days time. Fifteen, and one year away from the great prophecy unfolding. He had to admit the thought made him anxious, and he was happy to forget it all for the night when his brother brought out Atlantean water stout. An ale that Percy paid for the next day dearly, but the experience with his brother was invaluable.
He swam back to camp the afternoon following the wedding, and made it without any problems. He spoke with Cassie and Mark upon arrival letting them know he was summoned to his brother's wedding in Atlantis, and to of course replace his broken trident. They seemed relieved it wasn't anything bad.
When Percy made it to his barracks he regaled his tales of Atlantis to his friends, and they were all wowed by his experiences. Of course he didn't mention to anyone that he dueled Achilles for his new enchanted spear, but he did give Bianca Riptide back, and thanked her for allowing him to use it.
Gwen had greeted him with a look of relief, and a soft kiss that made the young man smile happily as he rested back in his barracks rejoicing in the feeling of home.
The next few days passed in a blur. The training with Lupa was as terrible, but excellent as it had been the first day. He had really been putting the others through their paces, and found out that two on one he was pretty damn awesome with his spear. He battled Jason and Dylan at the same time, and took them down with a ferocity that he pulled deep to find. It also became clear that his armor and choice of weapon had been figured out by Lupa by the way she stared at him possessing the two ancient artifacts. She had yet to question him on it, but knew it was coming any day at this point.
The day of Percy's fifteenth birthday had arrived on August 18th, and the young man was in celebration mode from the time he woke up. It was a weekend, and his cohort had worked around getting them out of their chores, and marching duty to give them a good head start on the celebrations.
The day started with Bianca, Jason, Gwen, and Percy having breakfast at a cafe in New Rome. It was a quiet affair, but Percy wouldn't have traded it for anything. He spent the whole day with his friends, and they even had a small party in the barracks that afternoon that went throughout the day where Gwen eventually told everyone they would be leaving the party for some private time. This led to many grins, and whispers, along with a couple of cat calls, but Percy ignored them as he allowed his girlfriend to lead him out by the hand, taking him away from the barracks and towards the river. They walked in silence most of the way, and when they got where Gwen was leading them a small blanket was laid out with a picnic basket. Percy asked, "What's all this?"
"Just our private little evening under the stars. I love having our friends around us all the time, but we need our couple time too you know." Gwen said playfully.
The girl's blonde hair was well groomed tonight as it looked perfectly wavy. She was wearing a black skirt with a black blouse that had floral designs on them. She was wearing sandals on their walk, and Percy took a seat on the blanket beside her as she fished out two glasses that she quickly filled with wine, "I felt weird about this at the party the other night, but after hearing about your night in Atlantis I don't feel bad about it anymore. Chocolate in the bag too if you want any."
Percy grinned, "You're perfect you know that?"
She grinned back at him sipping her drink, "I'm glad you think so."
Laying back on the blanket and looking up at the sky he took a deep breath, "You know Lady Salacia put a pretty crazy idea in my head. You and I talked about aspirations when this is all over, and I was told that if I win this war for Olympus I could ask for pretty much anything."
She laid back with him looking up at the stars taking his hand in hers, "Tell me about your plan."
He nodded and closed his eyes, "Well with you retiring when this is over I decided that maybe I don't want to be a lifer in the cohorts at least, and I don't believe for a second they would raise me up on a shield before Jason so then the idea of Consul was thrown around."
He wasn't sure about Gwen's reaction, and the only thing he got from her was a soft encouraging squeeze of the hand to continue, "It's a powerful position, and I would still be able to train with the legion when I wanted, and I would be able to help Jason when he is praetor, but also I could come and go as I please. Travel the world, and help demigods find their way to camp, or do favors for the gods to stay on good terms with Olympus while moving around from place to place. In the end I would always come back though because this is my home, and I will have a responsibility to Rome as I always have. It's a balance of retiring and doing what I want, and it gives me an opportunity to be with someone who might retire into the city whenever I want."
A long silence fell between the two as he realized she must be processing his words. Finally she spoke, "It's an admirable goal. I also believe you are a good candidate for the position. You never put much stock in politics, and don't have the corruption I fear some of our senators could have. You could be a great voice of balance for everyone."
Percy smiled as he opened his eyes, and saw her above him peering down with a small smile, "I just want to be the best me I can be."
"I know Percy. That's really great." She said as she came a little closer to him.
Deciding that talking was leaving the equation he closed what little distance was left between them, and pressed his lips to her. This kiss was much deeper than their previous ones. Percy felt Gwen push the kiss to where his head was back on the ground, and without breaking the kiss she was suddenly on top of him. His final logical thought was holy Venus; he was grateful for this moment.
When they separated after a very thorough session of kissing she smiled at him coyly, "You are a quick learner."
"More like a very willing student." He said cheekily.
She laughed as she climbed off of him much to his disappointment. He had to fix himself as he stood up, and had no hope of her missing it which made her giggle. She offered her hand back to him, and began walking to the barracks. They kissed goodnight at her room, and she wished him a final happy birthday when they parted ways.
Back in his own barracks he laid on his mattress happily smiling at the ceiling. Jason's voice came from his right, "You look like a lunatic with how much you've been smiling lately."
Percy just folded his hands behind his head as he closed his eyes, "War is coming my friend. We have to enjoy every peaceful moment like it's our last."
The boy snorted, and Percy heard him rollover indicating he was going to sleep, and the boy followed him quickly in the realm of Morpheus.
BOOM.
An explosion rocked the barracks, and Percy shot up out of his bed. He quickly looked to his right to see Jason also bolting out of his bed, "What in the name of Pluto was that?"
BOOM.
Another explosion rang out across camp making Percy, Jason, and members of the fifth cohort jump to their feet, grab their shoes, and run for the door. Their barrack seemed intact, but when they opened the front door fire was everywhere. Jason murmured the word that echoed in Percy's mind, "No…"
Then he turned, "FIFTH COHORT ASSEMBLE. EVERYONE GET UP WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!"
Jason ran back inside screaming at people to get out of their beds, and get their stuff. There would be no time to gather armor. This was a time to grab a sword, and see what the hell was going on. Gwen came out the door next looking wide eyed and worried, "Percy what's going on?"
Before he could answer, another explosion rocked the grounds, and this one came from the Praetorian Gates. Other legionnaires were spilling out of their own barracks looking around in confusion, and panic. Percy turned to Gwen, "Gather the cohort I am going to see what I can do about these fires, and see what the hell is setting off these explosions."
He turned and blew a massive cab whistle with his fingers, and Gwen grabbed him by the arm, and pulled him for a searing kiss, "Be careful Percy."
He gave her a nod and patted her hand, "You too Gwen."
When he turned back he saw a massive black shape coming down from the sky, and he started waving his arms, "Blackjack! Down here."
The black pegasi swooped down quickly to his location asking in his mind, "Boss what is going on out here? Everyone is running around like a bunch of headless horses!"
"That's what we are going to find out buddy." Percy said as he mounted the pegasi that Jason had befriended on the Princess Andromeda.
When the two took to the sky Percy could see that this was clearly a multi front attack. Parts of New Rome were on fire, parts of the barracks were on fire, Temple Hill was on fire. They were up shits creek, but he didn't see an attacking force. No monster army, no glowing beings of power it was almost as if...then it dawned on him. The attack was coming from the inside.
Percy whirled Blackjack back around towards the barracks, and saw Jason in his golden armour leading the fifth cohort with buckets of water. Percy raised his hand and reached out towards the river, and with a pull in his gut he felt the water answer his command. It took no time for him to douse the fires around the barracks, and quickly realized he needed to do the same for Temple Hill while New Rome was simply too far for that trick work. He landed on the ground in front of Jason dismounting his pegasi, "The attack had to be an inside job. No enemy is in site from the aerial view. This is a fucking mutiny."
Jason swore in Latin, but then he looked around Percy as if he was missing something, "Where is Gwen?"
Percy's eyes shot to him, "What? She was gathering the cohort."
"Justin said she went with you on Blackjack." Jason said, confused.
Percy turned and began shouting for Justin down the line, and everyone was glancing around. It quickly became apparent he wasn't with the rest of the assembled fifth cohort. Not liking where his line of thought was going he looked over his shoulder to see Bianca coming towards him, "Optio Di Angelo go find Centurion Gwen. Do not let anyone other than Jason, myself, or the Praetors call you off this task."
She nodded her head, and disappeared. Clearly the girl had been working on her shadow traveling since they had returned from Pikes Peak, and didn't have time to ponder the thought further as he turned to Jason, "We need to find Justin. I think I saw him spill out of the barracks when Gwen came out. He knows that she didn't go with me, but we still need to contain the fires in the city, and on Temple Hill."
Jason thought for a moment before shouting out, "Bobby, Dakota. Go with Percy and track down Justin. He's lied to his senior officer, and until we find out what caused this attack he is our only suspect."
Michael Kahale ran up to them during this, "Percy good work on putting out the fire on our side. No chance we can get you to do that down the line in New Rome?"
Percy shook his head, "I can't carry the water all the way down the principia. Not enough of it anyway."
Michael nodded, "I'm missing members of my cohort."
Percy looked surprised at this, "We are too...two for sure right now, but we haven't done a numbers check yet."
Michael shook his head, "I don't like what this is adding up too."
BOOM!
Another fireball induced explosion came from the city, and Mark came rushing towards them, "Michael! Take the first and see what we can do about putting these fires out. I've already sent the second, third, and fourth to the city as well. We need to minimize casualties as fast as possible. Percy the water is close enough to Temple Hill do you think you could do what you did here?"
Percy nodded his head immediately, "Yes Praetor."
He nodded, "Good Jason take the fifth go with Percy. Make sure there aren't any people stuck in the temples. The attack came in the middle of the night, but we can't be sure no one was there. We also have to be aware of an attack."
"I checked the skies sir I didn't see any signs of the enemy." Percy said warily.
"This is a mutiny." Jason said angrily.
Mark grabbed Jason by the shirt saying, "Then we will crush it. Go put the fires out, and get me a head count as soon as possible. When we find out who did this I will have their heads on a spike before dawn now go.."
Jason nodded a fire in his eyes as he turned to Percy, "Come on Percy. We will follow you."
Percy nodded, and began to take off in a run down the praetoria It didn't take long for the fifth to hit the small bridge that took you right into the front entrance of Temple Hill. Percy easily willed the water out and began spreading it across the buildings as Jason led them forward, all of them getting doused by Percy's water that he smoothly laid across the hill trying to limit the destruction of the fires. It took longer than he would've liked, but he couldn't just drop a tidal wave on the temples without collapsing most of them. When he finished though the smoke was smoldering as he went forward to meet up with his cohort. The fire in New Rome in the distance was still raging, but he could tell the legion was beginning to fight it as a different colored smoke began to rise.
When he made it to the row of temples he could see the area had been decimated. Jupiter Optimus Maxmius was practically in ruins, the temple of Bellona was unrecognizable, Pluto's temple was smoking, and the construction for the Temple of Neptune is where he found the fifth cohort. They were all silent and staring at something ahead.
Percy pushed his way towards the cohort, and when he arrived they all seemed to split apart for him. His gut twisted. He continued stepping forward as he saw Jason crouched down with someone holding their hand. His shoulders were shaking, and Percy could tell his cousin was holding back the sobs. Gwen was lying there in a pool of blood, her eyes unfocused, but still holding the smallest sign of life. Percy felt his knees buckle, and his legs were somehow thousands of pounds, but somehow he made it to the downed duo, and Jason looked at Percy with tears coming down his face, "I'm sorry Percy there's nothing we can do."
Percy just blinked, and felt the tears rushing to his eyes. He felt the world burning down around him. He took the other hand Jason wasn't holding as he came to her other side, "Gwen. It's Percy, can you hear me?"
"P-P-Per."
"It's okay Gwen, save your strength. I can fix this." Percy said desperately as he reached out for the water spring his father magically kept filled, and was thankful he felt the small amount of water still around for him to summon. He lifted her shirt just a little, and knew it was too late. He put his hand on the wound, and let the water run into it using his water healing abilities with a prayer to every God that might listen. Gwen was turning paler by the moment she gasped out, "Ky-Ky- Lo- Kyle Logan."
Percy felt a fire swell in his gut, but he couldn't move, "I will get him Gwen I promise. You just have to keep fighting for me."
The semblance of a smile was attempting to come across her beautiful face, but it couldn't form, "Per-cy. I lo- lov."
Whatever she was going to say was never going to be heard by the living. Her eyes began to fade, and Percy squeezed her hand desperately, "Gwen no. Please don't do this to me. Please hang in there. If I can get you to the water I can-"
Jason let go of the girl's hand as the remainder of the young woman's life faded away, and merely fell backwards onto his butt. Percy however was still begging the girl to come back, "We can retire in the city together in just a few years. We can have a normal life if that's what you want. God's know I will be bored, but I will do it for you. Please Gwen."
Percy felt a soft hand on his shoulder, and then arms wrapped around him, "She's gone Percy I'm sorry."
The voice of Bianca Di Angelo brought him crashing down, and he let out a roar of a sob as he grabbed Gwen's body and hugged her tightly praying that there was a mistake. Praying that she would pull through, but his prayers were never answered.
(A/N) Many of you have seen this coming for many weeks now. I am sorry to those that truly enjoyed their relationship, but that was not as this story was intended. What was left of Percy's youth has died. What rises from the ashes will be a much more vicious war driven commander, and I look forward to sharing this darker version of Roman Percy. Look forward to bringing you new chapters, so please stay tuned.
Final shoutout to James Marx who has beta approved this chapter!
