Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.

Story: Divided Soul

Chapter 12: Warning Signs

Castra Semideus

Annabeth opened her eyes. She was in a large white tent. She sat up on the cot with her feet touching the ground and looked across the tent to see the sleeping forms of her friends, Thalia, Clarisse and Piper.

Suddenly, the memories of yesterday filled her mind. She was at the Roman camp, and Percy— no, Scipio was their leader.

"Good morning Annabeth," Piper said.

Annabeth looked at her friend. Even with bed hair, Piper looked beautiful, her eyes changed colors as she stretched her arms over her head.

"How did you sleep?" Annabeth asked.

"Okay, the cot is not a bed, but it's better than the ground," Piper said. Piper smiled at her friend mischievously. "So, how was your chat with Scipio?"

Annabeth fidgeted uncomfortably on her cot. She bit her bottom lip for a second before looking at her friend. "Not bad… but he's so different than Percy," Annabeth answered.

"Tell me about it," Thalia said irritably as she sat up on her cot. The daughter of Zeus's hair stuck up in the air even more than normal as she yawned.

"He remembers that he was the child of prophecy," Annabeth said. She looked at Thalia expectantly. "And he remembers Luke."

A surprised expression crossed Thalia's face as she stared at the daughter of Athena. "He does?"

"He thinks of Luke like a big brother. He knew that he betrayed everyone for Kronos, or Saturn as Scipio calls him," Annabeth said.

"Does he hate Luke?" Piper asked.

Annabeth shook her head. "That's just it, he considers him the real hero, the one that gave his life to stop the Titan lord," Annabeth said.

Thalia sighed. "Well, that is different than Percy," she exclaimed.

"It's like Hera and Ares took my feelings toward Luke and gave them to Percy," Annabeth said. She looked at Thalia and Piper sadly. "I feel bad for him, he blames himself for the all the deaths during the war."

"He remembers everyone that died?" Thalia asked curiously.

"Yes, he believes they were all Romans. He was their leader during the war," Annabeth explained.

Thalia's mouth hung open for a moment before she said, "Damn, you were right, Hera really did screw him up."

Annabeth gave her a 'no duh' look before sighing sadly. "Something happened last night," Annabeth admitted.

Piper straightened and sat up on the edge of her cot. "You kissed him," Piper said. Thalia rolled her eyes.

Annabeth just stared at the daughter of Aphrodite in shock. "No I did not kiss him," Annabeth declared. "Sometimes you really do act like a daughter of the love goddess."

Piper huffed, which made Thalia laugh amusedly. "Sorry that I want one of my friends to be happy with the boy she loves," Piper said with a hint of anger in her voice.

"Thanks Piper, but kissing Scipio wouldn't be… right," Annabeth admitted.

Thalia looked at her friend skeptically. "Yeah, but you so want to, I can tell," Thalia said. Annabeth became very quiet. "Oh my gods, you're falling for him."

Annabeth's eyes widened. "I am not," Annabeth said, but she wouldn't look at her two friends when she said it.

"You are! Damn, I bet my mom just loves this," Piper said. Thalia nodded.

"I can't fall for him. I would feel like I'm cheating on Percy," Annabeth declared.

"Wow. You two are really screwed up," Thalia said. Annabeth gave her the death glare.

"I have to agree with Thalia," Piper said. Thalia and Annabeth both stared at her with shocked expressions on their faces. "You're worried about cheating on your boyfriend, with your boyfriend. That really sounds like a daughter of Athena, always over thinking things."

"I'm not over thinking things. How can I be in love with two people that are the same person?" Annabeth said. She placed her hand over her mouth and screamed in frustration.

"What if your Percy never resurfaces? What if he's Scipio for good?" Piper asked. Annabeth stared at Piper thoughtfully before biting her bottom lip in frustration.

"I agree, I think you should get as close to Scipio as you can. If he makes you happy, what's the problem?" Thalia asked.

"What if Percy does come back? He'll hate me for falling for his alter ego, or whatever," Annabeth declared.

"Percy could never hate you," Thalia said.

Piper stood up; clearly she was tired of the direction this conversation had been going. "Does he make you happy?" Piper asked.

Annabeth looked up at her friend. "Last night was the happiest and most confused I have been since Percy disappeared," Annabeth answered. Thalia rolled her eyes.

"Then go for it, get closer to Scipio. Percy is inside there. You said it yourself, you felt like you did with Percy, but differently. You all admit that Percy is pretty dependent on his friends, maybe Scipio is who Percy was meant to be as an adult. Scipio could be the independent Percy trying to get out," Piper hypothesized.

Thalia and Annabeth just stared at their friend in awe. "That's some pretty deep stuff there Pipes," Thalia said.

"Where did you learn that psychobabble from?" Annabeth asked.

"My dad is a celebrity, they all have shrinks and personal therapists," Piper explained.

A horn blew loudly signaling breakfast time. Clarisse jumped up and wiped the sleep from her eyes. She looked up at her three friends and frowned.

"What's going on and why didn't you wake me?" Clarisse asked.

"We were just talking to Annabeth about a certain dark haired son of the sea god," Thalia said.

Annabeth glared at Thalia. "Oh gods, she's not falling for the son of Neptune is she?" Clarisse asked jokingly. Everyone was quiet. Clarisse's eyes widened. "Oh crap, you're hopeless Wise Girl."

Annabeth shifted her glare from Thalia to Clarisse. "Since when has my personal life become fodder for you three?" Annabeth asked exasperatedly.

Clarisse glared right back at the daughter of Athena. "Ever since the day Hera took Percy away from you," Clarisse said. She sighed loudly before continuing. "I may not act like I care about Percy, but he's okay for a kelp head, and we all three care about you. Even if you are a know-it- all daughter of Athena." Clarisse's glare changed to an amused grin.

"Clarisse is right, we care about you Annabeth. Let us help you," Piper said.

Annabeth smiled at her friends. "How can anyone help me? I just want Percy back. I need him," Annabeth admitted.

Piper smiled at her. "If you haven't noticed, Scipio is Percy now. So you need to make your move," Piper urged.

Clarisse laughed. "Don't tell her to throw herself at him like a piece of meat. If Prissy really is in there, then obviously you're the only one who can find him. Get to know Scipio, become his friend. You might want to be more than friends, but we all know that Prissy was no ladies' man," Clarisse said. Thalia laughed at the description. "Look how long it took the two of you to get together. Just be there, but help him remember why you're so important to him."

Piper and Thalia both stared at Clarisse in shock. "That's really good advice," Piper said.

"Yeah, I didn't know you had it in you, hot head," Thalia said.

Clarisse rolled her eyes. "Please, I have a boyfriend," she said. "You're a forever maiden." Clarisse pointed at Thalia. "And you're pining over a boy with his own memory issues." Clarisse winked at Piper playfully. Piper and Thalia both glared at the daughter of Ares, but Clarisse just smiled at them mischievously.

"Are you three done?" Annabeth asked irritably. Her three friends nodded. "Clarisse, good plan, I guess it couldn't hurt to be his friend." Annabeth stood up and got dressed. She stepped out of the tent with her three friends at her side. They walked to the mess hall for breakfast.

Command Tent

Scipio opened his eyes. He sat up on a stone bench in a beautiful garden filled with flowers. He rubbed his eyes wondering if he was seeing things.

"Don't worry," a familiar voice said. "This is real, in a way at least." Scipio turned around to see his patron, Mars, god of war.

Scipio immediately dropped to one knee and bowed before his mentor.

"Lord Mars, is everything alright?

Mars stared at the son of Neptune curiously. "Well, we're at war, so I'm doing pretty well," Mars said with a mischievous smile.

Scipio stood up and shook his head in amusement. "War isn't fun for the soldier."

Mars nodded. "Yes, I know." Scipio stared at the god of war curiously.

"I've called you here to discuss your guests."

"The Greeks. I know they're early, but couldn't that be a good thing?"

Mars stopped pacing in front of his student. He walked up to Scipio and placed his hands on his shoulders. "It can be, as long as you don't fall for their games."

Scipo stared at his patron in confusion. "What games?"

"That daughter of Athena, you can't trust her." Mars stared into Scipio's eyes with the most serious expression that Scipio had ever seen before.

"The Annabeth girl. How can she be a threat?" Scipio asked dismissively.

Mars squeezed Scipio's shoulders tightly. "She's a smart one. She'll try to confuse you, make you doubt yourself and the gods."

"Why would she want to do that? We're at war." Scipio couldn't understand the motives for such deception.

Mars let go of Scipio's shoulders. "I know, it doesn't make sense, but Athena's children can be quite deceptive and devious." Mars sighed. "Don't forget that Athena is Poseidon's enemy."

"That's a Greek rivalry; Neptune and Minerva do not have the same bad blood." Scipio looked at Mars skeptically.

Mars looked at Scipio warily. "Why so defensive?"

"I can't picture her doing something like that."

Mars stepped closer until he was just inches away from Scipio's face. "She's getting to you."

Scipio stepped back defensively. "No, she hasn't." Scipio began to pace in front of his patron. He shook his head and stopped walking as he looked back at Mars. "Has she?"

Mars stepped towards the Consul of Rome. "You are the leader here, don't forget that. You know better than to trust someone so quickly."

Scipio sighed. "You're right of course. I'll make sure to be more careful, as always."

Mars smiled. "Good, you're doing a great job." Mars hesitated for just a moment. "I'm proud of you, son." Scipio stared at Mars in shock. The god of war never gave compliments and he was anything, but fatherly.

Scipio smiled at his mentor. "Thank you, I won't let you down."

Mars stepped back with the smile still on his face. "I know you won't. Take care, Consul of Rome." Mars began to glow. Scipio turned away as the god of war disappeared in front of him.

Scipio suddenly opened his eyes again, but this time he saw the inside of the Command tent. It had all been a dream. His meeting with Mars wasn't real, or was it? It seemed so real. Scipio sat up on his cot and ran his hand through his hair. Mars's warning ran through the son of Neptune's mind. Would Annabeth really play such a game with him? He didn't think so, but Mars had never led him astray before. The Consul of Rome promised himself to be wary of Annabeth Chase and her friends.

Later that day - On the Beach

Scipio stood on the beach with the first legion and Greeks. They were all paired up and practicing their swordsmanship. Scipio and Alex were fighting expertly. Jason and Reyna stood next to each other catching their breath from their own training and watching the two Romans battle.

Alex swiped at Scipio's abdomen with his sword, but Scipio did a spin move and smacked the flat part of his gladius against Alex's back. Alex just shook his head in awe at the skill that the Consul of Rome exhibited. He was by far the greatest swordsman he had ever seen. They continued to spar, Scipio helping his fellow Roman with his sword skills.

Annabeth and Thalia stopped their training to take a break. They both stood side by side as they watched the Romans practice. Thalia turned to watch Scipio; her lost friend seemed better than before, if that was possible. He didn't even seem tired after hours of practicing.

"I thought the Curse of Achilles was supposed to make Percy tired?" Thalia asked.

Annabeth watched Scipio closely trying to find any sign of fatigue. "It used to, especially after a fight, but he seems the same as when we started training," Annabeth said.

Scipio and Alex fought back in forth, but the Consul of Rome was always in control. Suddenly, their swords struck together, the two young men pushed as their swords locked. Alex pushed against the son of Neptune, but the strength of his opponent was incredible. Alex pushed hard once more, but his left foot slipped. Alex fell to the ground, but the blade of his sword slipped down Scipio's blade, cutting a long gash along the Consul's hand. Blood dripped down from the wound. Scipio dropped his blade into the sand as the pain shot up his arm.

Alex looked up in disbelief. "Scipio, you're hurt," Alex said. Reyna and Jason ran to the son of Neptune. Scipio just stood there watching the blood run down his hand. Annabeth and Thalia both watched, but they stood still. They were in shock at what they were seeing. Annabeth wanted to rush to her lost boyfriend's aid, but Thalia held her back.

Thalia leaned next to Annabeth's ear and said, "We shouldn't know about the curse, remember?" Thalia said. Annabeth looked at her friend as Thalia's words registered in her mind. Annabeth nodded.

"Sorry, it's just hard watching him bleed," Annabeth said. Thalia nodded.

Scipio continued to watch the blood run down his hand. Alex just sat in the sand watching the blood drip on the ground. Reyna and Jason ran up and joined the scene.

"Alex, don't sit there, go get a healer," Reyna ordered. Jason snapped his fingers in front of Alex's face, the son of Mars snapped to attention. He jumped up to his feet and turned to run toward camp.

"Hold. It's okay," Scipio said. Alex stopped and turned toward his leader.

"You're bleeding, you need to have it checked out," Reyna said.

Scipio smiled at the Praetor of the first legion. "Don't worry, I can heal it," Scipio said.

Scipio walked towards the ocean; he stepped into the waves until the water reached his waist. He placed his hand in the water carefully. Jason, Alex and Reyna watched the son of Neptune curiously. After a few moments, Scipio raised his hand out of the sea, where the cut had been was clean and fresh skin, there was only a small scar. The three Romans stared at their consul in disbelief.

"That's some trick," Jason said. Scipio smiled at the son of Jupiter.

"So is flying," Scipio said as he winked toward Jason. Jason just stared at his cousin in shock.

"How…" Jason began.

"I make it my business to know my enemies and allies," Scipio said. He looked around the beach at the other demigods. "That's enough sword training. Go to your next training task." All of the demigods nodded as they began to walk off the beach. Reyna, Jason and Alex both saluted their leader before joining the others. Thalia and Annabeth were the only Greeks left on the beach.

Scipio walked up to the two demigods. "Don't you have training to do?" Scipio asked.

"We have archery next, but we're both experts. What about you?" Thalia asked.

Scipio chuckled lightly. "I couldn't hit the side of barn with a bow and arrow. I'd much rather use a gun," Scipio said.

Annabeth looked down at Scipio's hand. "That's a pretty cool power," Annabeth said as she gestured toward Scipio's hand.

Scipio looked at his hand curiously. "It comes in handy," Scipio said, but he seemed lost in thought.

"Is there something wrong?" Annabeth asked. Scipio looked up at her with a curious expression.

"I told you about my tasks during the war," Scipio said. "And the fight with Saturn." Annabeth nodded. Thalia gave them both curious looks, but Scipio could tell that the daughter of Athena had told her. "Well in order to fight Saturn, I had to bathe in the Styx." Both demigods gave surprised looks, but Scipio sensed something odd about their expressions.

"Wow," Thalia said. Annabeth nodded.

"I should not have been cut, his blade should have bounced off my skin," Scipio said curiously.

Annabeth looked lost in thought for a moment, but it was clear to Thalia that she had already come up with a hypothesis. "Could this have something to do with the monsters reforming from Tartarus?" Annabeth asked.

Scipio seemed to consider this theory. "It might, but I'm not sure how," Scipio said.

"Maybe I can help," a familiar voice said. The three demigods turned to see the son of Hades behind them.

"How?" Scipio asked.

Nico stepped up to his three friends. "I can go to the Underworld and ask my dad," Nico said.

"I thought the gods were closed off from us?" Thalia asked.

"My dad doesn't like to follow orders, especially from his brothers," Nico said.

"He's not the only one," Thalia said, as thunder sounded over head. "You know I'm right, dad," she said to the sky.

"Do you think your dad will help?" Annabeth asked.

Nico looked lost in thought for a moment before he looked up at his friends. "I think so. Something weird is going on down there. We might be able to help," Nico said.

"I think you should try," Annabeth said. Thalia nodded. Nico looked up at Scipio.

"You're a Greek; I don't run your life. If you think it will help, then by all means," Scipio said as he gestured toward the son of Hades. Nico nodded, before he ran off and disappeared into the closest shadow.

Thalia and Annabeth turned back toward the son of Neptune. "I think you two should go talk to Alex and the others. Get yourselves outfitted with some guns," Scipio suggested.

"Is that an order?" Thalia asked. Annabeth just shook her head.

"I don't command you, Hunter, but take it as a strong suggestion," Scipio said with a wry smile. Thalia couldn't help but return the grin. She nodded before walking back toward camp. Annabeth just stayed there watching Scipio.

"Wise Girl, are you coming?" Thalia asked. Her eyes widened when she realized what she called her friend. Scipio's eyes were just as wide. Annabeth looked shocked at his expression. She finally snapped herself away from Scipio's gaze.

"Yeah, I'm coming," Annabeth said before she ran off with her friend.

Scipio watched the two Greeks run toward camp. "Wise Girl," he murmured to himself. "Why does that nickname sound so familiar?" He shook his head and turned toward the sea.

Was this one of the mind games that Mars had warned him about? It sure didn't seem like one, but he couldn't get over the impression that Thalia and Annabeth had known about the Achilles curse. Scipio held his hand up in front of his face. He could barely see a light white line where the cut had been. Suddenly, his skin glowed like a light shined from within, and then the scar disappeared completely.

AN: First Annabeth is going to try to be friends with Scipio. Mars warns Scipio that Annabeth might try to trick him. The Achilles curse is gone, but is it completely? Lastly, Nico is going to the Underworld to try to find the answer. Another great betaing job by Starlit Reader. Stay tuned more to come