I suck, I know. But here's the next chapter!

Mark of Athena #2

Chapter 5

Piper

Jason, Annabeth, Percy, and I all walked to the senate meeting together. Annabeth seemed so happy now that she had been reunited with Percy. I'd never seen her so happy.

As we were about to enter what Percy and Jason called New Rome, a statue stopped us.

"Alright everyone, deposit all weapons in the tray Julia is holding. Wait, Julia? Julia!" The statue called.

"Guys, this is Terminus. He's the Roman god of boundaries. He guards the borders of New Rome." Percy states.

Just then a little girl, about 7 years old ran out from behind Terminus. She was wearing a pink and yellow sundress and was missing her two front teeth. She was carrying a golden tray.

"Okay, everyone's weapons go with Julia. You can retrieve them as you are leaving New Rome." Percy said.

We all put our weapons, Percy and Jason's disguised swords and Annabeth and my daggers. Then we all headed to the principia. We got there right on time. Percy and Jason went up to the front and stood next to the chair next to Reyna's. Annabeth and I sat with Leo, Frank, Hazel, Tyson and Rachel.

"Annabeth!" Tyson said when he saw Annabeth. He got up and hugged her. "We found Percy! And Ella!" He blushed and looked at a harpy that was in the next to him.

"I'm Ella!" the harpy said. "Ella likes Tyson. And books. And food. Books and food are good for harpies."

I hadn't seen her before. I wonder why she was called to the senate meeting. Someone must've thought she was special for some reason.

"Okay everyone." Reyna said from the front of the room. "Please take your seats. Percy, Jason, will you explain why we are here?"

"Sure." Percy answered. "After the Titan War, our new oracle, Rachel, gave us the next Great Prophecy. The prophecy is:

Seven half bloods must answer the call,

To storm or fire the world must fall.

An oath to keep with a final breath,

And foes bear arms to the doors of death."

"We now have to decide who the seven half bloods are." Reyna said.

"Piper, Leo, and I are three of the seven. While I was at Camp Half- Blood, Hera herself spoke to Piper and I. Leo has known Hera for most of his life as Tia Callida. She said he would be a part of a great destiny." Jason spoke up. "Piper, Leo, come on up here."

Leo and I walked to the front of the principia and stood beside Jason and Percy.

"Another three half bloods are Hazel, Frank, and I. Since we went on the quest to free death we must be a part of it. Hazel, Frank, you come up here, too." Percy explained.

"But who is the last half blood to go on the journey?" Reyna asked.

"You'll see. Tyson, can you bring Ella up here?"

"Yes, brother." Tyson replied.

Tyson, Ella, Hazel, and Frank all walked up to the front.

"Okay, Ella, tell everyone the prophecy you told me, please." Percy asked Ella.

"Wisdom's daughter walks alone, the Mark of Athena burns through Rome." Ella states.

"Ella used to live on the roof of a library." Percy explained. "Somehow, she must have read a prophecy from the Sybilline books. The Sybilline books are Roman books of prophecies for those who don't know. She must have read a copy. I believe that prophecy has to do with this quest. So, could Annabeth please come up here. I believe she is the seventh half blood meant to go on this journey."

Annabeth walked up to Percy and stood next to him. Percy took her hand in his and they smiled at each other.

"Okay, now that we have the seven half bloods, when can you take off for Rome?" Reyna asked.

"Um, I need time to check the ship and stock it for the journey, so we should be ready by tomorrow at noon." Leo answered.

"Okay, then it's settled." Reyna decides. "Percy, Jason, Annabeth, Hazel, Frank, Piper, and Leo will leave tomorrow at noon for Rome then Greece. Senate dismissed."

Everyone started filing out. Percy and Annabeth walked out hand in hand.

"Meet you guys at dinner." Percy said over his shoulder when he was walking out.

"Hey Jason, you want to go do something?" I asked.

"I would love to, but I have to do something. I'll meet up with you in fifteen minutes under the tree near the temple of Zeus. Okay?" He says.

"Yeah, that's fine. I'll see you then." I say, though I'm a little disappointed. I hadn't had any time alone with him since before we got on the ship at Camp Half-Blood. I miss him and I'm worried about him. He's seemed only half here the last couple days and I miss him being all happy and fun. Ever since his memory started coming back a lot he's been a lot more uptight around me. I hope it isn't something that I did. I thought.

I walked out into the sunlight and thought about what I was going to say to Jason during our talk.