Chapter 27: King of the Hill

The Penultimate chapter…while it ties and complies with the canon, the stage is still set for a fateful encounter. Conspirators make their move, will friendship and honor prevail?

I own only my OCs, all PJO characters belong to Rick Riordan.

Traffic was a pain in the neck for the Legion. It took hours to return home as the mess left behind downtown resulted in multiple street closures. 'Should have taken the San Rafael Bridge,' fumed Benito. He had sent a message to prepare for a new age in Camp Jupiter. He was currently in the front passenger seat of his car looking out into downtown. 'Look at these mortals acting so bliss and naïve. They have no place in a world like ours.' Benito Soldato was by no means respectful or appreciative of mortals, especially non-Romans. For him, those auxiliary conscripts and volunteers were an eyesore to the glorious Twelfth Legion.

'In due time, there's going to be someone new running things in the valley.' If things went as planned. Sullivan Richards and Reyna Arellano would surrender their title to him or be taken care of.

New Rome Airspace,

Reyna, Jason, and the rest of the eagles flew ahead of the Legion, while the centurion took the land route back home. The riders reached New Rome airspace as Reyna called out orders. "Riders, you can return to your posts, Jason and I will return to the camp and prepare for tonight's feast." The eagles turned back and followed Alvin's lead. The praetor candidate and the old praetor flew to the stables and dismounted. Crocea Mors was on Reyna's back. After Maria relinquished it and was taken into custody, the praetor took possession of the sword. As the daughter of Bellona, she could feel the sword's power leaking out of its vessel as if wanting to save its new owner. Weapons were her domain, but Reyna had other priorities first.

"Thank you, Scipio," Reyna patted her animal companion for taking them home safely. During the battle, Scipio was crucial in harassing the enemy reserves and distracting the Titans. Jason lent Sulla to Gwen during the battle on Othrys just like he did in Tamalpais Valley. The son of Jupiter offered Sulla a fresh bucket of oats for his cooperation.

"So, Reyna. Are there going to be any more hurdles for today?" Jason was rather impatient. While usually composed, the centurion was too electrified after the battle. He was tired from battle, but also eager for tonight's feast. His actions in the battle were greatly commended and placed him as a contender for the praetorship. Not only that, but if he did, he could get Maria exonerated and offer Cary the commendations he deserved. Currently, the girl was being escorted by the Legion back on the road.

"Easy, Jason," Reyna reined his excitement, "Why don't you join me in the Principia? We can get you started with paperwork and a letter of recommendation from me." Jason rolled his eyes but obliged and followed her to her office. When they entered, Reyna dropped the Crocea Mors into a war chest next to her desk. She would need to deal with the matter later.

It was just the two of them in the room as Reyna pulled out the form Jason would need to confirm his seat to run for praetorship. The praetorship is usually passed down by election through popular vote. However, the vote became more of a courtesy than protocol when the candidate looked obvious if no one else contends. In this instance, it would be rare for anyone else to run against Jason. There was Octavian, but no one was cheering his name on the battlefield.

"Okay Jason? I think that's all the documents. Let's…" Reyna trailed off until she noticed that Jason had crashed in his seat. The poor son of Jupiter was exhausted. Rather than rouse him up, Reyna decided to grab her cloak and wrap it around his body. She smiled and decided to take a siesta. 'We can handle the details later tonight,' she pondered, 'We deserved a break.'

Later around Dusk, Aug 18th

Reyna and Jason had woken up an hour later, just ten minutes after the Legion finally showed up. Aldo reported that he had escorted Maria to the holding cell under the Principia before being dismissed. Reyna ordered the entire Legion to wash up and prepare for tonight's festivities.

Reyna and Jason went into the mess hall to see the whole room set for their return. Unlike the atmosphere when Octavian's war council took over, the room had returned to its traditional and colorful setting to welcome the Romans. 'Who's to say Romans didn't know when to break out the decorations?' Jason walked up to an aurae passing utensils around, "Hey, when you see Cary? Tell him he did a good job helping!"

The aurae had a confused look, "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. Your guest had not shown up to help today." Jason raised his eyebrows at her statement.

"Something wrong?" Reyna asked. "Yeah, Cary's just gone," Jason answered. Reyna placed her hand on her chin and pondered. 'Cary has always been punctual on these things and always had an explanation if he was running late. He wouldn't just leave without warning.'

She shook her head, "We can worry about that later. Why don't we call in the Legion for tonight?"

The first legionnaires enter the room. For their bravery, the Fifth Cohort was given the honor of seating first. The process continued sequentially up to the First. Jason sat near the front where the officer table was. Since many of Octavian's war council were killed, many seats in the VIP tables were open. They were quickly filled by the centurions and veterans who survived the whole ordeal. 'Looks like you only have five Romans total on your side, Octavian,' Reyna observed. There were more praetor loyalists than Octavian's councilmembers up front. Jason didn't join them and instead sat next to his Cohort to give praise and then some to his friends. Reyna felt a nudge and noticed that Aurum was gesturing her to look to her left. She saw a rather embittered Benito Soldato talking to someone on his Orb. 'Something's off here,' she instinctively patted her hidden knife strapped around her right leg and Caivs in her pocket. Reyna turned to see Jason checking that Ivlivs was in his possession as well.

With the whole Legion seating, the entire room began to shout for food. Aurae and fauns dashed across the room to serve hungry Romans delicious food and drinks. Fauns, minus Don, were around looking for scraps and leftovers. Reyna enjoyed the dinner as Aurum and Argentum joined her by the officer table. When all was done and served, dinner was interrupted by the praetor in charge.

Reyna clinked her cup with her fork to gain their attention, "Romans, tonight we celebrate the destruction of the Titans and the preservation of the camp!" The crowd answered with fist bumps and applause. "However, there is much more that needs to be done!" The tables silenced themselves and stared. Reyna gave a grin that she rarely wore in public, "We must choose a new praetor!" The crowd laughed at the rare jest Reyna made and cheered at this announcement.

"Now as you know, Centurion Grace of the Fifth Cohort slayed the Titan Lord Crius and destroyed the throne room. For his honorable performance and service, I would like to grant Jason Grace the seat of praetor!" The Fifth Cohort cheered and applauded this news with the Fourth through Second Cohorts being just as jovial with Reyna's choice for praetor. The reception from Benito's veterans and the First Cohort was mixed. Octavian scowled at Michael to stop him from applauding.

"However, I am more than willing to follow procedure and host an election for the next praetor. Centurions, if you would like to nominate yourselves or others in your Cohort…" Reyna trailed off.

"Forget it!" yelled May, "We want Jason!"

"There's no need to rush. But because of your bias, you probably just want your centurion in charge," teased Aldo. He turned back to Reyna, "But seriously, I'm okay with Jason." A handful of the Fourth Cohort offered their support as well. "Looks like you have my Cohort's vote, Jason," answered Leila.

"Actually… I have to object!" Benito Soldato walked to the center of the room, "How can we be sure that your nomination holds up? Don't you need Richards' vote?"

"Praetor Sullivan is out of commission, which is why we're holding discussion," Reyna answered.

"No need!" Benito interrupted Reyna, "I have a letter from Praetor Sullivan Richards recommending my nephew as praetor!" He held up a rolled-up parchment with a wax seal on it. What he didn't tell Reyna is that the letter was written under duress and that he had other plans should there still be an election.

Reyna accepted the scroll and unsealed it. She chose to read aloud: I, Praetor Sullivan Richards of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata offer my total support for Primo Soldato as my successor for the praetorship. I strongly urge Praetor Reyna Avila Ramirez-Arellano to follow and nominate him as well. Should Primo Soldato be ineligible, his closest family member should take over.

The whole dining hall murmured and whispered at this turn of events. The two hounds growled. Benito continued, "As you can see, your colleague believes otherwise. My poor nephew can no longer accept the seat because of the vile girl you took with you, Praetor. I hold no confidence in your nomination!" The whole crowd jeered at Benito, who remained unfazed.

"With all due respect, if Sully is in good health to write, then he's in good health to announce here," Jason replied.

"Heh, I don't think you understand. Sullivan is no longer with us," he turned to the crowd, "Your praetor has passed away. The best way to fulfill his wishes now is to pass down the nomination to a close family member. ME!"

"Are you serious?! We have always chosen those as teenagers or young adults as praetors," Reyna stood up, "Not veterans!" Reyna and Jason were shocked by Sullivan's passing. Reyna wanted to ask him if he could provide any accounts on who poisoned him and may be conspiring against her. 'I knew something was off, but to be this brazen,' Reyna pondered.

"Right because of conflict of interest that veterans have between exerting our influence in the outside world and protecting the seat of Roman influence," Benito handwaved, "Are you going to disobey your praetor's wishes?"

Reyna's fist clenched but before she could say anything, Jason stood up, "I don't believe it! Sully would never hand the praetorship to someone problematic like your nephew. And he never would have forged a letter that bland!"

"Are you accusing me of treason?!" Benito sneered. The hounds were ready to pounce on the veteran.

"Enough!" Reyna yelled, "In this event, we hold an election! I stand with Jason as my nominee." She restrained everyone.

Benito wagged his finger, "Not so fast! I don't intend to follow through with a flawed process." He snapped his fingers. Several officers and veterans in full-chested armor walked into the mess hall and raised their shields and spears.

"What's the meaning of this?!" Reyna yelled. She was about to take another step when she heard a bowstring being drawn. Two archers next to Benito had their sights on her and Jason.

"I'm taking the praetorship by force. Submit, or everyone in this room will be killed where they are. Don't try to be a hero everyone," ordered Benito. Many of the legionnaires were frozen in place. Some were about to reach for their utensils until Benito threatened them. Aldo steered closer to his sister and his friends to protect them if weapons started flying around.

"Well, I'm just going to scoot over to your side-Hey Hey what gives?" Octavian slipped out of his seat to join Benito, only for the veteran to shove him back down.

"Oh no. I think you're better off as my hostage," Benito warned. He turned to Reyna, "So praetor? What's it going to be? Don't bother asking for help. The aurae and faun are being taken care of outside." The sounds of a fight outside suggested that Benito's forces were engaging their allies. Before Reyna could answer, a bloody Roman ran into the room begging at Benito by the collar.

"Veteran Soldato, we're being slaughtered out there?" the messenger collapsed.

"What?! Who?!" Benito asked.

"Sullivan…brought…reinforcements," the messenger passed out from blood loss.

A few minutes prior to the Feast

"What do you mean more Romans in play?" Asked Cary. He and Don were gearing up in Roman equipment. Sully had borrowed Cary's orbs to make some calls. Less than an hour later, a force big enough to make up three cohorts showed up.

"When I went into the city, I arranged a gathering of Romans and their allies from across America. What? Do you think the Roman allies came only from New Rome?" Sully asked.

"No, Garrett was one of them. He said he traveled around, but I thought he was an exception to you guys," Cary answered.

"He is, but those exceptional Romans, who go out to the world, number in the thousands across the world. I keep in touch with the ones in this country. They're out there preserving our ideals in this country.

"Yeah… ideals," Cary dragged his words, "I didn't see any of those with the veterans that showed up to fight."

"About that. Sorry. Had things gone the way I hoped, I would have had my veterans in charge leading, not Benito's. The ones you traveled with were loyal to the Soldatos. Fortunately, my house arrest was actually a blessing," answered Sully.

"What do you mean?" Cary asked.

"Because I couldn't command my veterans, they remained on standby just outside the Metropolitan Bay area. There are more veterans aligned with me than there are supporting Bennie. They're out of harm's way thanks to being left behind, but they're ready to fight. And there will be a fight because Benito won't back down."

"That's why we're gearing up," Cary finished his explanation, "But shouldn't we warn Reyna?"

Sully shook his head, "We can't risk alerting Benito. Reyna has a terrible poker face. We warn her and she'll start behaving differently, and Benito will pick up on her body language. Now here's how it's going to go down. I'm going to lead my reinforcements to engage those Soldato forces surrounding the mess hall. I need you to barge in and get the Legion to safety. And if you could, stop Benito from escaping or he'll scheme to take over the camp again."

"This isn't the first time?" asked Cary. Sully shook his head and Cary asked again, "What happens if he does?"

"Then Benito goes on a warpath with Camp Jupiter behind him. He always goes off on his ideas that Roman ideals and seat of power must be maintained with aggressive power and submitting others to his will. It what appealed to him in the War on Terror. I believe diplomacy and collaboration is the heart of our ideals, which is how I recruited all these allies. They may not be warriors like the Soldatos, but they have the heart of a roman.

"Sure," Cary shrugged. If he wasn't focused on rescuing his friends, he would have gone on a rant on how Sully's ideals meant squat when those volunteers and conscripts from downtown -the ones he fought alongside- got slain.

"Get on Fletch and ride as soon as the fighting starts. I believe the roof is weak enough to dive in like a peregrine falcon," suggested Sully. Cary mounted on the saddle, but not before Sully had one last thing to say, "I'm sorry, I couldn't be of more help and save your cityfolk friends."

Cary nodded, "Me too," Sully walked to his forces and gave a speech about how democracy was at stake and that Camp Jupiter's future was on the line. Immediately, they rushed down the Via Principalis and engaged Benito's soldiers. Cary immediately rode Fletch and commanded him to prepare for a diving run into the roof. 'Wait don't peregrine dive bomb…' Cary realized what Fletch was getting ready for.

"This is gonna suck!" Cary yelled out as Fletch turned his body upside down and crashed through the roof. The impact rained debris on two archers and Benito himself. A few more were crushed under a dizzy eagle and a single teenager stumbling off it.

Cary dismounted and began giving orders while stumbling around, "Praetor Richards is up and alive. We must fight to protect this camp!" He began tossing rubble and whatever he could find at the Soldato forces.

Reyna, Jason, and the other allied Romans were surprised by their party crasher, but quickly recovered and began the counterattack. Reyna pulled out her hidden knife and began fending off the Soldato usurpers. Darren, May, and Norman used whatever was in reach and began attacking plates like frisbees and utensils as throwing implements. Aldo began swinging a chandelier from the table while Fern grabbed a tablecloth and tossed it over the heads and spear tips of the Soldato goons. Unprepared for this counterattack, Benito slipped away from this battle and barged out the room. Cary made his way to Reyna and Jason. "Reyna, we need to get Benito. We can't let him get away!"

The praetor nodded. She turned to Jason, "Jason, protect this room! Cary and I are going after that treasonous veteran." Jason nodded. The son of Jupiter leaped onto a table and began conjuring lightning bolts across the hall. Electric sparks burst the lightings above the rioters and sent them back cowering in the corners. At this break in the line, Cary and Reyna ran after Benito with her hounds in tow. They followed outside to see a battle between loyalists and revolting veterans. Fauns and aurae joined the loyalists in protecting the mess hall and subjugating these treasonous Romans. Reyna pointed down a path where loyalists and traitors alike were slain by Benito. A one-eyed loyalist ran up to report to Reyna.

"Benito's heading to the Principia, I don't know why though," Bert reported.

"Crap, he's going after the Crocea Mors. Where's Sully?" Reyna asked.

"He went after him along with a few others. GO!" Bert yelled. The praetor and the visitor ran after him.

Principia Holding Cell

Maria laid down on her bed. The ride back to Camp Jupiter was silent. Aldo and his squad had placed her here into the holding room in the Principia's basement. Thankfully, the room, or cell, had basic amenities: Mattress, sink, toilet, and a pillow. She worried about her fate and sentencing. She hoped the other Romans wouldn't forget about her after the feast and leave her to rot. 'How's mom?' she wondered, despite her situation, she couldn't help but worry. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of fighting outside. She tiptoed on a stool and looked outside her barred window. It appeared that a bunch of soldiers had surrounded the mess hall and held torches and spears. It reminded her of something foreboding, like a coup or an uprising.

"Hey!" she yelled out to the hallway "Is anyone out there? There's something going on outside!"

Her answer was the sound of footsteps rushing down the stairs. She peeked past the bar to see a few surly men opening the cell.

"What's going-HEY what are you doing?" Maria yelped as she was dragged out the cell and into the Principia office. More Romans were ransacking the room with the Roman leading them furiously turning the room upside down.

"Where is it?" he asked. He opened a chest to find what he wanted. Maria saw him pull out the very same sword she borrowed from Amber.

"Crocea Mors," the man turned towards her, "Did you know that Julius Caesar was the original wielder of this sword. It was lost in battle with the Celts and used against us."

Maria shook her head. She didn't care about the history lesson this guy was telling. "Some Romans eventually reclaimed it, only to lose it again in transit. Pathetic. Over 2000 years later, the sword remained lost until now. Yet, it returned to us only to end up in the hands of a Greek and a girl who thought she could join our Legion. Then when she disappears, you get it instead of my nephew." The man aimed the tip at her neck, "And what do you do with it?! You killed my nephew!"

Maria realized that the man threatening her was Primo's uncle, "I'm sorry. But he went nuts and-ACK." Benito wrapped his hand around her neck.

"He was supposed to be its next wielder!" Benito roared, "But I suppose that it doesn't matter now. It's mine and I'm going to use it to avenge my family." Before he could do anything else, a handful of loyalists entered the room and took out two of his sentries. Benito faced their leader: Praetor Sullivan Richards.

"I knew you were power hungry, but a coup," Sully scowled, "That's low for you."

Benito turned around and held Maria at swordpoint. "Try anything, and I'll slice her throat." Maria shook her head crying, "No, please don't do that!"

"You don't want her, Benny," Sully taunted, "You want me. I'm the one standing between you and the praetorship,"

"You're right. And I can start by taking this girl's life," Benito raised his sword poised to execute Maria. But before either party could act, a golden hound bit into the traitor's sword arm while a silver one dragged Maria to safety by Sully's side.

"ACK-stupid dog!" Benito cried in pain. Sully turned to see more friends. "Reyna, Cary. We have to stop him now!" Benito tossed Aurum off him and ordered his soldiers to kill the praetors.

"Understood," both answered. Reyna pulled out Caivs and handed Cary her dagger. Sully and Reyna engaged Benito while Cary pulled Maria out of the room. Their soldiers engaged with each other.

The two outsiders made their way out the building and turned a corner. "Stay here. Out of sight. Too risky to run away," Cary ordered. The fight had consumed the main camp. Fires were being lit and put out by opposing sides.

"What about those praetors?" Maria asked. Her answer came when a wall next to them exploded as three swordsmen fell out. Reyna and Sully were dazed and bruised from the explosion with Benito just as scratched. 'What the hell happened?'

Reyna slowly stood up and faced Benito in the rubble. She looked down to see Caivs beyond repair. In the beginning, she and Sully had the advantage until Benito dealt a heavy swing that broke her blade. The Imperial Gold snapped, triggering an explosion that shocked the room. Sully was just as hurt, but otherwise conscious. Aurum and Argentum were twitching as their gears took catastrophic damage. Everyone else in the room had been knocked out or worse, except for Benito, who was glowing red. 'The power of Mars. It sends the user in a bloodlust that blocks out all emotion except rage,' Reyna would have to be extra careful.

Benito screamed and swung at her. She backed away while Sully went for his back. Benito flinched before backhanding him onto a sharp rock that stabbed his shoulder. Reyna looked around for a weapon before looking at Cary and Maria. Cary took the signal and tossed a sword from one of the guys at her. Reyna returned to the battle with Maria in tow. Cary held her back, "What are you doing? You're going to get hurt!" he warned. "I can do this," answered Maria, "If I get close enough to Crocea Mors I can use it against Benito." Cary nodded and followed as well.

Benito swung at Sully's neck, but the praetor quickly grabbed a piece of table as a shield. However, the traitor followed up with a lunge that was intercepted by Reyna not a moment too soon. "Stay out of my way, brat!"

"No," Reyna coldly answered, "This ends here." The daughter of Bellona used her new sword to slash Benito across the chest and sword arm. The cuts drew blood, but Benito continued to fight back with his own sword. Sully groaned out as he massaged his shoulder, which was in pain. "Must…protect…the next praetors," he groaned. Cary ran to drag Sully to safety.

"Stay back," Cary showed up, "You're hurt, let Reyna take care of it." Sully shook his head, "No, Reyna needs help. Bennie's going to go on a spree and no one's going to be safe. Where's Maria?" His answer came when Benito screamed in pain, as Crocea Mors shocked its unworthy wielder. Maria was raising her arms. "Since I'm the chosen bearer of Crocea Mors," explained Maria, "I can overload the wielder with more power than you can afford to hold!" Instinctively, Maria had utilized similar techniques that Amber used against Coeus. The sword that was Benito's tool now became his burden. However, the veteran refused to let go.

"NOO! I will wield this and lead this camp to conquer this damn state! Screw the pacifists! Screw the Libs! Screw the mortals! Screw Hollywood!" He swung blindly against all directions hoping to land a lucky blow. Maria was forced to back off and released her hold, while Reyna and Cary dodged. Sully however, took a slash to the chest. "Sully!" cried Cary. He ran to help only to collapse clutching his chest. Maria, Reyna, and Sully did the same thing.

"Any wounds I inflict will spread to my enemies' rank. That is my power," explained Benito, "I can also make you tremble in fear of my presence. Now perish!" He raised the killing blow at Sully, only to stop and scream in pain,

"Just because we're hurt, doesn't mean you're invincible," Cary dug Reyna's knife into Benito's left foot, "You shouldn't have talked about my state like that!"

Benito screamed in excruciating pain as he pulled his foot out of Reyna's knife. He kicked Cary on his back while limping on a foot with a huge gash in it, then dug his sword now into Cary's collarbone.

"ACCK!" Cary choked.

"How does it feel knowing your life ends here? To know your meaningless existence as a dumb Orient along with your city hicks cease here?" Benito sneered.

"How does it feel," Cary retorted, "To be wide open?"

Benito didn't answer until he felt a sharp pain in his back and guts. He turned around to see Reyna now holding his knife deep into his spine and Sully stabbing him in the gut. Despite the wounds, Benito continued to swing his free arm around and begin choking Sully.

Not wanting to wait for Benito to drop dead, Cary ordered Maria to do something crazy, "Maria, charge up Crocea Mors! Fry him!"

"But the blade is in your shoulder!" remanded Maria. It could kill him too.

"Just do it!" Cary yelled. Maria screamed in compliance and charged the sword again. This time, Benito couldn't tolerate the heat and electricity and had to release his grip on Sully. The wounds and the pain of Imperial Gold in his body had taken his constitution down. Cary, however, was just in much pain as well as the blade burned through his skin. He and Cary scream in pain as the sword heats up like a broken cell phone battery.

In a burst of light, Benito's body lit up like the sun and burned itself to ashes. Sully was knocked down from the explosion and was left gasping for breath, "Reyna…Cary…" He feared that the two didn't escape the inferno. Maria up with the praetor to check for vitals. The two saw the pile of ashes that was once Benito while Reyna's body was covering Cary's.

Sully quickly checked for vitals. He felt a pulse from Reyna, who quickly groaned in response to his fingers on her neck.

"C-Cary!" Reyna quickly shot up and inspected him. When Benito started glowing, Reyna left her knife in Benito's body while diving for Cary. Sully realized what had happened. Cary was in immediate contact with Crocea Mors, he wouldn't have survived if Reyna didn't make contact and used her body as a conduit to transfer her strength into him.

She didn't feel a pulse. Reyna trembled, but immediately began performing CPR. "Come on! Don't die!" Nothing. She tried again, "You can't go out like this!" she compressed again. After several cycles of chest compressions, Reyna felt like giving up. Sully and Maria dreaded the outcome, until the three heard a cough from the visitor.

"Oh, bless the gods," she sighed before turning to Sully, "Get the fauns and the medical team here! We need to treat the wounded!"

"And the traitors," Sully asked. He was taking the orders, rather than giving them. He was going to retire anyways,

"We'll decide later. Send them to the holding cells in the basement if they're still usable. Don and the fauns would drag Cary on a stretcher to the medical room.

Aug 19th

Cary's eyes fluttered open as he stretched his arms before wincing in pain. He looked over to see a bandage around his clavicle.

"Morning," Maria answered from her chair, "Didn't think you'll be up early?"

"And you?" Cary asked.

"I've been up all night," she yawned. "Hell of a night!" Cary recalled the entire fiasco of dinner.

"W-what happened? Did we stop them? Is everyone we know okay?!" he asked.

"Calm down. Yes, the coup was a failure. Reyna is still in charge. And the Legion is still going strong. We've arrested most of the conspirators while the Legion took minimal losses.

"Phew, so it's done then. We can go home," Cary felt like relaxing.

"Actually… Reyna wants to see us. Says we have something special," Maria guided Cary to his wheelchair and insisted that he stay in it.

The Mess Hall

Due to the destruction of the Principia's office. Reyna and Sully had moved to the mess hall's officer table. Reyna was waiting for them while Sully was nowhere around.

"Mister Chang, Miss Melote. Thank you for coming," Reyna greeted, "Let's get to business."

Cary and Maria took a seat. "First off, I apologize for the amount of pain we placed on arresting you. Considering recent events, the council had decided to exonerate you for the death of Primo Soldato. We are treating his action as treason and will not hold you to trial." Maria nodded.

"Thank you so much," she answered.

"For your service, I will fulfill my promise and offer you full membership into the legion. You don't have to start as probatio," Reyna continued. Maria's eyes brightened while Cary winced back. 'Amber deserved an honor like this. I'm glad for Maria, but Amber,' Cary shook his head. As far as they know, Amber didn't make it. She was taken away by Despoina to the House of Life. 'Hopefully, she will be happier there.'

"We can discuss your Cohort later. But first, I want to talk with Mister Chang here,"

"Before that, what's going to happen with the Soldatos. They'll still be around and they might try again," Cary worried.

"We're rounding up all the conspirators. After Benito's death, those that survived were interrogated and had been taken into custody. I also got testimony from Galen proving Sully's poisoning. The pharmacist cooperated willingly."

Cary nodded, approving the doctor that he helped on his first day in New Rome.

"Cary, I want to offer you membership here," Reyna bluntly offered, "You may not be a demigod, but your service here is remarkable. I want to open the position of Praetorian Guard starting with you."

Cary pondered at the thought and considered the decision. He could join, but would he be treated as an equal? Could he be a part of his world, but also his own back home? He took a few minutes before deciding.

The penultimate chapter ends. What will the Traveler choose? Review, Comment, Enjoy