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Reyna watches the sun set. The sky turns a pink color, and the sun glows orange. Usually, she would like the sunset. But not today. Today was different. It felt that her life was setting, just as the sun was. In one day from now, she would have to lead Camp into a war where their chances of winning were slim. They would scale Mount Tam and try to destroy Kronos' fortress, all the while fending off monsters and a ruthless titan.
She hears footsteps behind her. Reyna doesn't have to turn to know it's Jason. She can sense him fiddling with his golden coin. As a daughter of Bellona, she can sense when people have weapons and where they are hidden or being held at the moment.
"Hi." Jason says, his voice tight with worry.
"Hi." Reyna answers back.
"How you holding up?"
"It's funny. I've been so calm. But now that the day's here-"
"You realize how real everything is."
"Yes. Jason, I want to clean the slate. I don't want to go out with any regrets."
Jason tries to make her meet his eyes, but she stares at the ground.
Reyna finally meets his eyes, as blue and endless as the sky, when he takes her chin in his hand and forces her to face him.
"Your friendship has made up for it all. Is there anything I have to apologize for?" Jason asks, tilting his head slightly.
Reyna thinks back on when she had first met him, and hated him. She tried to think of anything really, really bad he has done to her. And surprisingly, no. Jason Grace has nothing to apologize for.
"No."
He kisses her cheek. Reyna can swear she feels a static shock when he does so.
"No regrets, right Reyna?" Jason asks.
"Right. No regrets." Is all she can think to say.
Jason takes her hands in his, "You've been my best friend for two and a half years. I, Jason Grace, am honored to fight by your side."
"And I to fight by yours."
They look at one another for a long, long moment. Reyna makes a silent vow that she will protect this son of Jupiter at any cost, even if she has to lay down her life for him. And she knows that he's thinking the exact same thing. When she looks into Jason's eyes, she sees a flicker of hope. It burns through her chest and goes through her limbs. A chance that they could win, because it's in the darkest times is when hope's flame burns the brightest.