V
Jason
Being on the Argo II, overlooking Camp Jupiter had made all of my memories flood back. Descending down into the middle of New Rome had probably been one of the scariest things I've ever done. Forget fighting monsters, I thought I was going to pass out.
After the long and embarrassing "reunion," Reyna and Percy gathered everyone into the Senate House, while Octavian trailed behind them, nodding and smiling as if this was all part of his magnificent plan.
The house was packed with blurs of orange and purple. For the first time, they let everybody attend the meeting. When I mean everybody, I mean everybody. All of the campers from Camp Half-Blood who had come from the Argo II and everyone from the Legion, though there weren't as many Lares in the crowd as usual. Percy and Reyna sat on the matching praetor's chairs on the dais.
I won't deny it, but it felt so weird seeing someone else taking his place as praetor. It was as if someone had kidnapped him from his home, which Hera did, made everyone at camp believe I was dead, which Hera did, and put someone else in his place, which Hera did. Watching Percy and Reyna in the high seats looking over me, well it made me feel... puny.
The stands in the Senate House were nearly full once I took my seat next to Piper and Leo. Right when I thought the building couldn't possibly hold any more people, another large group of people came squeezing through the doors. Leo, despite the fact that he fell face first in front of everybody, grinned at me with reassurance. Piper, didn't meet my eyes but instead was looking up, biting her lip like she always does when she's nervous. I follow her gaze upward to Percy and... Reyna. Oh Gods what am I going to do about them. Just as I opened my mouth to talk to Piper, Reyna raised both her arms, signaling everybody to quiet down. The meeting has begun.
~o.O.o~
Every single person stopped what they were saying and looked up at Reyna all at the same exact time. I always thought of Reyna as so... confident. Reyna always seemed so strong and untouchable, like fear could never taint her. But now in front of double the amount of people in front of her, her dark eyes were filled with uncertainty and something else I couldn't put my finger on. Doubt? Fear?
Percy seems to see it too and says, "Um, well you all know why we're here. Hera brought us together so that we could work with each other to defeat Gaea, once and for all." He looks over to Reyna, encouraging her to speak.
Taking a deep breath, she comes forward and says, "Seven heroes must go aboard the flying ship to Ancient Rome than to Ancient Greece, to triumph over Gaea and her awakening giants. Percy," gesturing over to her fellow praetor, "along with Frank and Hazel has defeated Alcyoneus, a giant born to oppose Pluto on their quest to Alaska. Also at the Feast of Fortuna Polybotes, the giant opposing Neptune, invaded Camp Jupiter. Fortunately Percy, Frank, and Hazel brought us hope and of course who can forget, the 12th Legion's Eagle!" There was applause though some of the Greeks still looked confused, probably still trying to figure out what the Feast of Fortuna was.
"That means that we know of two giants being risen and that leaves just about ten other giant to be worried abo—"
"Actually," it was Piper who had stood up. She spoke confidently, head up high and voice strong and positive in spite of all the baffled looks on her. "We've beaten another." Reyna's face was filled with surprise. Nobody was ever supposed to interrupt the praetor while speaking in the Senate House. Of course, Piper wouldn't have known, but Reyna still looked as if Piper had just walked up to her and slapped her in the face.
"So I'm sure," scanning the crowd then finally planting her eyes onto mine with an unpleasant smile, "that our old friend Jason has been having some interesting adventures as well, considering he has finally returned after a long eight month absence."
I forced down a nervous gulp. I stood reluctantly, hiding my anxiety. Piper, who was still standing, put a gentle hand on my shoulder. I gave her a look that meant, its all right. She unenthusiastically sat down.
"Piper, Leo, and I were sent on a quest as well. We went to free Juno from her prison. On the way we fought Enceladus, enemy of Athena or Minerva, on Mount Diablo. We found Hera at the Wolf House and set her free. Gaea captured her, using her power to raise the king of the giants himself, Porphyrion, enemy of Jupiter. I fought Porphyrion myself, although he escaped before we got Hera out of her cage," I finished unpleasantly.
"Then who are the seven?" It was Gwen, though I could see that she didn't wear a centurion medal. She must have stepped down and now lived in the city, probably going to college, starting a new life outside of the Legion.
"Well Percy and Jason are obviously two of them. Juno switched them for a reason," said Reyna.
"It was an exchange of leaders. Jason was sent to Camp Half-Blood and Percy was sent here, so that we can learn each others ways," said Piper who had stood back up. She's been fidgeting, itching to stand back up since I told her to sit down.
Percy, who had been sitting in his praetor chair, was listening intently with a look of seriousness. "Frank and Hazel are coming. I've made my decision and they've agreed to come along side me. I see that Jason's befriended some campers as well."
"Of course." I looked over at Piper and Leo, "You guys are in, right?"
Piper gave a comforting nod of her head and said, "I'm in."
Leo gave a playful grin, "We're with you man."
Knowing that they would follow me into a quest that might end in all of our possible deaths made me smile.
"Well that's only six. Who's the seventh?" said a voice from the crowd. Almost immediately a prideful voice spoke up. It was the last person I wanted to hear from.
"Who shall be the seventh indeed?" Octavian spoke with a large grin. "Of course, I'm up for the job. I can help interpret your prophecies." He petted a teddy bear he was holding. "Octavian, the legacy of Apollo, Augur of Camp Jupiter, Centurion of the First Cohort, Hero of Olympus. I like the sound of that," he said with a dreamy smile.
Percy looked like he was going to explode. His arms were at his sides, hands fisted so hard his knuckles turned white. It was no surprise that he disliked Octavian. Octavian wasn't the friendliest person. "No, you're not the one!" Percy said angrily. Octavian looked perplexed. Percy looked over at someone in the stands. His expression relaxed. He was looking straight at Annabeth.
"Your not leaving me again," said Annabeth, "I'm coming with you no matter what."
Now Octavian looked mad. "Why is it that there are four Greeks and only three from Camp Jupiter? Does that seem fair to you all?" Some Romans from First and Second Cohort and most of the Lares nodded in agreement.
"We must have equal representation or it will be unbalanced! I say we send another from Camp Jupiter!" More protested shouts came from the audience. Octavian quickly added, "particularly someone who can, oh I don't know, be a legacy of Apollo and help interpret the Prophecy of Seven?" Octavian may be a pain in the podex, but he can be very persuasive. But apparently, just not persuasive enough.
"Only seven heroes are mentioned in the prophecy." Annabeth said, glaring at Octavian like shooting daggers. "Bad things happen to people who mess with fate and prophecy. You should know, you're the Augur, am I right? Apparently not doing a great job of it."
Octavian's face flushed, stained bright red. His lips were pressed tightly together in a narrow line of embarrassment. He sat down. Annabeth looked quite satisfied and sat down as well.
"Well then it's settled," Reyna said, "The seven heroes, Jason, Percy, Annabeth, Piper, Leo, Frank, and Hazel will aboard the Argo II and travel to Rome and then to Greece. Good luck to you all, and may the Gods be with you."