SWITCH TO PERCY POV FOR REST OF STORY

I exited the arena, bewildered. Not only had I never lost a fight before this one, I got absolutely owned. This was one seriously bad ass chick. I went to the armory, where Gwen was waiting.

Let me fill you in on our relationship, if you can call it that. Ever since Frank, Hazel, and I returned from Alaska, she's had her eyes on me. The first night back, the older demigods got a little too drunk, and we hooked up. Now, I know what you're thinking, demigods drinking, no way. We're teenagers too, same as everybody else.

Since then, Gwen has been telling people we are dating, which is not true. We're still close friends, but that's it, at least from my point of view. However, I don't think, no, I know she shares the same sentiments. Anyways, back to the armory.

"What the hell was that?" Gwen asked, angrily.

"What was what? She out dueled me, fair and square." I replied.

"But you're invincible! How could you lose to a Greek, most of all how could you lose to her?"

"She knew my achilles heel; and I'm part Greek too, you know."

"How does she know your achilles heel? And why won't you tell me?"

"Truthfully, I don't know how she knows. She knows everything about me. My family, my past, everything." I replied.

"Who is she to you?"

"Someone important, that's for sure. Past that I'm not so sure. Is that going to be a problem for you?"

Gwen was fuming. "If you're asking if I see her as a threat, then yes." She stormed out of the armory. I wasn't sure if she meant Annabeth was a threat to New Rome or to our "relationship". I assumed both.

I wanted to go to the Greek ship and talk to Annabeth, but I had duties as a praetor first. I met up with Reyna and the Senators in the Senate chambers and we came to a conclusion on the Greeks proposal of an excursion to actual Rome and Greece. It was announced to the public that we'd reached a decision, leading to another stampede in front of the Senate chambers. The entire chamber was filled as the Greeks strolled in. Everyone eyed them as they made their way to the only open seats in the front row. We were already cloaked in silence, everybody else waiting in anticipation to hear our decision.

Reyna spoke first. "I will be short and to the point. We have decided that we must join the Greeks on their quest to the ancient lands." Chatter erupted as expected. Even with charmspeak, it took the Aphrodite girl about 5 minutes to calm everybody down. Octavian was about to contest once more when Jason elbowed him in the gut. I'm beginning to like this Jason guy.

Reyna continued "the demigods for the quest have also been chosen. Jason and the three Greeks will accompany Percy, Frank, and Hazel across the Atlantic to our homeland."

"But the Greeks aren't trustworthy!" Octavian snapped.

"Half of this camp would say you aren't trustworthy, Octavian." I shot back. That shut him up real quick.

"Normally, we would not come to a decision as important as this with such haste. However, it is clear that the Great Prophecy is upon us. This isn't a mistake similar to the 1980s Alaskan expedition. Juno has been involving herself in the actions leading up to this moment. She told Percy herself that the time of the prophecy is upon us. It is not our place to contradict a goddess regardless of circumstance." Reyna announced.

The Senate chamber held its breath. Nobody was quite sure how to respond to Reyna's monologue. Octavian and his small group of followers wanted so badly to refute and contend Reyna's argument, but even they were at a loss for words.

The Greek's looked appreciatively towards Reyna and me. They probably weren't expecting such a compromise, I wasn't either. When word spread around camp that a large Greek warship was descending out of the sky upon New Rome, the majority of legionnaires wanted to shoot it out of the sky.

I couldn't take my eyes from the Greek campers, specifically, Annabeth. We made brief eye contact before she turned away, blushing. I turned towards Gwen, who was staring daggers at me. She definitely did not like the tango Annabeth and I were dancing. Gwen's glare remained unwavered, even when I flashed a smile.

My eyes passed back and forth between Annabeth and Gwen. Each of them knew I was looking at the other when I wasn't focused on them, and they began to share glares as well. The three of us were engaged in a childish game of eye poker. My cards were folded, while the girls shot intimidating looks at each other trying to force each other off the hand. I enjoyed being a part of it. Deep down, I knew I was stirring the pot a bit, but my relationship with Annabeth intrigued me, and the relationship developing between Gwen and Annabeth as a result of that intrigued me even more.

The proceedings of the Senate were entering one ear and heading out the other. I hadn't digested a single word in the past 10 minutes. Luckily, Reyna hadn't called on me, or it would've been awkward. As things wrapped up, I signaled to Annabeth to leave through the side door. I couldn't make it too obvious or Gwen would know, and I didn't really feel like dealing with her. Hopefully, she got the message.