This will probably be my last update for a good few days, maybe a week or so. I don't know it depends on how I feel. Because our good boy had to be put down yesterday, apparently he was in more pain than the vets realised at first. I am- and my whole family are, wrecks right now so it's going to take time and I don't know if I'll have the mental headspace to update- and if I do I might not the next day. It's gonna be hard. Thank you to everyone for your caring and understanding.
Replies:
Undeath9087: I do. And thank you. Really thank you.
Guest: Believe me I won't be pushing myself at the moment. I'm just going to do what I feel comfortable with doing. And Reyna isn't underestimating her- remember Bianca's only just come out of a three day coma from overuse of her powers.
Reyna hated sending Bianca away- she hated it more than she had the words to say, and she watched the other girl go with a painful twisting sensation in her chest. But she knew she was making the right choice, as difficult as it was. Especially since all she could do was wait until the time was right to strike, until Bianca and the others had done their jobs.
At least she wasn't entirely alone. Blackjack was still with her- whilst the other pegasi lingered back a bit from her- he Percy's pegasi, so she'd been told. He. seemed to notice her discontent because he nuzzled at her. And she raised a hand, stroking his muzzle. "Sorry boy. I don't have any treats for you. I'll make sure you get some when this is over though." and he really was a friendly pegasi. She wondered if it was because he knew Reyna was a friend to Percy. She knew Pegasi could be incredibly loyal even if you couldn't talk to them- which Percy could.
He reminded her of her own Pegasi- of Scipio's. It made her heart ache and she had to force down her tears. She was a Roman, a Praetor. She couldn't show weakness.
Except- she wasn't sure if she was anymore. She'd failed her duties- and as she stared over that dark line of hills, where her comrades in the Twelth Legion were preparing for a needless attack.
She wondered what would have happened if she'd stayed with them. Maybe she could have guided them better, could have kept Octavian in check.
But- then what would have happened to the Parthenos. She had no doubt that Annabeth and Rachel had been right about the importance of a Roman delivering the statue- even if she was certain that the Parthenos hated her for the crime of being Roman. It was the ultimate gesture of peace.
And- selfishly Reyna couldn't help but have a little voice whispering in the back of her mind that if she'd stayed with the Romans, if she hadn't trusted Rachel and Annabeth she'd have likely never gotten so close to Bianca. She and Bianca might not have ever gotten past their own doubts. And she was so painfully grateful for the fact that she and Bianca were together now.
And she wasn't looking forward to finding out what others might think of them- oh she knew her friends would be happy for her, but, well, Octavian would call it a terrible betrayal. And he could poison the legion against her- though, well, he already had hadn't he? Even without involving Bianca. Hopefully when this was over she could reclaim her place- and Bianca- well, hopefully Bianca would be happy, would spend time with her in New Rome. There was so much she wanted to do with the other girl.
And she found herself smiling softly at that thought.
What she had with Bianca felt so real, new and fresh and hopeful. She felt like there were butterflies in her stomach- which was so new for her. So real in a way that her crush on Jason had never been real.
She wondered what her mother would think of her now- would she be ashamed that her daughter abandoned her duties. Would she be happy for her? That she at last had hope?
She closed her eyes, tilting her head back towards the sky, and she opened them, looking up at the fading stars- the dawn was coming. It would soon be time for her to make a move. But- she had a little bit of time. "Mother." she felt strange saying the word, "I haven't prayed to you enough. I've never met you. Never asked for your help before. I don't know if you're proud of me- if you agree with what I'm doing. But please. Please give me the strength to do what's right."
As if on cue something flashed on the eastern horizon. It was a light across the Sound, approaching fast, like another speedboat maybe.
For just one elated moment Reyna thought that it must be a sign from her mother. But sadly that moment didn't last long. As the dark shape got closer. Reyna's hope turned to dread. She waited too long, paralysed with disbelief, as the figure resolved into a large humanoid, running towards her across the surface of the water.
Reyna watched helpless as the first arrow struck Blackjack's flank and the pegasi collapsed with a shriek of pain. She didn't have time to do anything more than scream before a second arrow hit the deck between her feet. Attached to its shaft was a glowing LED read-out the size of a wristwatch, counting down from 5:00.
4:59.
4:58.
"I wouldn't move, Praetor." the voice was familiar- and Reyna felt like she was going to throw up as her gaze snapped up.
Orion was stood on the surface of the water, maybe fifty feet to starboard, an arrow nocked in his bow.
And Reyna wasn't even sure what she was feeling, if there were words for it, for the churning mass of pure fury and grief.
She could see that the giant had several new scars. His fight with the Hunters had left him with mottled grey and pink scar tissue on his arms and face, so he looked like a bruised peach in the process of rotting. The mechanical eye on his left side was dark. His hair had burned away, leaving only ragged patches.
He was a mess. And all of that gave Reyna a twinge of dark satisfaction. Though unfortunately the giant still had that infuriatingly smug smile.
At Reyna's feet, the timer on the arrow read: 4:42.
"Explosive arrows are very touchy," said Orion. "Once they're embedded, even the slightest motion can set them off. I wouldn't want you to miss the last four minutes of your life."
Reyna's senses sharpened. The pegasi clopped nervously around the Athena Parthenos. Dawn began to break. The wind from the shore brought a faint scent of strawberries. Lying next to her on the deck, Blackjack wheezed and shuddered – still alive, but badly wounded.
Her heart pounded so hard she thought her eardrums might burst. She extended her strength to Blackjack, trying to keep him alive. She would not see him die.
She wanted to shout insults at the giant, but her first words were surprisingly calm. "What of my sister?" She needed to know. It would eat her up inside if she didn't.
Orion's white teeth flashed in his ruined face. "I would love to tell you she is dead. I would love to see the pain on your face. Alas, as far as I know, your sister still lives. So do that wench Zoe Nightshade and her pathetic Hunters. They surprised me, I'll admit. I was forced into the sea to escape them. For the past few days I have been wounded and in pain, healing slowly, building a new bow. But don't worry, Praetor. You will die first. Your precious statue will be burned in a great conflagration. After Gaia has risen, when the mortal world is ending, I will find your sister. I will tell her you died painfully. Then I will kill her. And I'll kill that wretched hunter too." He grinned. "So all is well!"
4:04.
Hylla was alive. Zoe and the Hunters were still out there somewhere. But none of that would matter if Reyna's mission failed. The sun was rising on the last day of the world…
Blackjack's breathing became more laboured.
Reyna mustered her courage. The winged horse needed her. Lord Pegasus had named her Horse Friend, and she would not let him down. She couldn't think about the entire world right now. She had to concentrate on what was right next to her.
3:54.
"So." She glared at Orion. "You're damaged and ugly, but not dead. I suppose that means I'll need the help of a god to kill you."
Orion chuckled. "Sadly, you Romans have never been very good at summoning gods to your aid. I guess they don't think much of you, eh?"
Reyna was tempted to agree. She had prayed to her mother … and been blessed with the arrival of a homicidal giant. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
And yet… Reyna laughed. "Ah, Orion."
The giant's smile wavered. "You have a strange sense of humour, girl. What are you laughing about?"
"Bellona has answered my prayer. She doesn't fight my battles for me. She doesn't guarantee me easy victory. She grants me opportunities to prove myself. She gives me strong enemies and potential allies."
Orion's left eye sparked. "You speak nonsense. A column of fire is about to destroy you and your precious Greek statue. No ally can help you. Your mother has abandoned you as you abandoned your legion."
"But she hasn't,' Reyna said. 'Bellona wasn't just a war goddess. She wasn't like the Greek Enyo, who was simply an embodiment of carnage. Bellona's Temple was where Romans greeted foreign ambassadors. Wars were declared there, but peace treaties were also negotiated – lasting peace, based on strength."
3:01.
Reyna drew her knife. "Bellona gave me the chance to make peace with the Greeks and increase the strength of Rome. I took it. If I die, I will die defending that cause. So I say my mother is with me today. She will add her strength to mine. Shoot your arrow, Orion. It won't matter. When I throw this blade and pierce your heart, you will die."
Orion stood motionless on the waves. His face was a mask of concentration. His one good eye blinked amber.
"A bluff," he growled. "I've killed hundreds like you: girls playing at war, pretending they are the equal to giants! I will not grant you a quick death, Praetor. I will watch you burn, the way the Hunters burned me."
2:31.
Blackjack wheezed, kicking his legs against the deck. The sky was turning pink. A wind from the shore caught the camouflage netting on the Athena Parthenos and stripped it away, sending the silvery cloth rippling across the Sound. The Athena Parthenos gleamed in the early light, and Reyna thought how beautiful the goddess would look on the hill above the Greek camp.
And she could almost hear a voice in her head, whispering;
Help comes Roman. You will need my blessing for the blast- but not to defeat Orion.
And Reyna blinked- had she imagined that- her gaze focused on Orion again, who's eyes had narrowed at her.
And Reyna swallowed hard.
Had that been Athena's voice? Her gaze flicked to the pegasi. Maybe they'd take the statue without her- if only they could pick up on what she needed from them.
"My lady." her voice was steadier than she'd expected, "It has been my honor to escort you."
Orion scoffed. "Talking to enemy statues now? Futile. You have roughly two minutes of life."
"Oh, but I don't abide by your time frame, giant," Reyna said. "A Roman does not wait for death. She seeks it out and meets it on her own terms."
She threw her knife. It hit true – right in the middle of the giant's chest.
Orion bellowed in agony, and Reyna thought what a pleasing last sound that was to hear.
She flung her cloak in front of her and fell on the explosive arrow, determined to shield Blackjack and the other pegasi and hopefully protect the mortals sleeping below decks. She had no idea whether her body would contain the explosion, whether her cloak could smother the flames, but it was her best chance to save her friends and her mission.
She tensed, waiting to die. She felt the pressure as the arrow detonated … but it wasn't what she expected. Against her ribs, the explosion made only the smallest pop, like an overinflated balloon. Her cloak became uncomfortably warm. No flames burst forth.
Why was she still alive?
Rise, said a voice in her head. The same voice as before.
In a trance, Reyna got to her feet. Smoke curled from the edges of her cloak. She realized something was different about the purple fabric. It glittered as if woven through with filaments of Imperial gold. At her feet, a section of the deck had been reduced to a circle of charcoal, but her cloak wasn't even singed.
Accept my aegis, Reyna Ramírez-Arellano, said the voice. For today, you have proven yourself a hero of Olympus.
