Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.
Story: Divided Soul
AN: If you read my last chapter to Child of the First One you know that I'm moving and I have to take a break from writing for a little while, but I'll be back, please be patient.
Chapter 14: The Power of Three
Castra Semideus
Scipio sat in front of the main table in the command tent looking over a map of the island. He used a wax pencil to mark specific locations on the map surrounding the camp boundary. He focused intensely on the area near the beach. He stared at the map studying the ocean near the camp; he seemed lost in thought. Suddenly, the tent flap opened revealing the Praetor of the first legion. Reyna wore the typical purple shirt and khaki shorts that most Roman campers wore. Reyna stood at attention for a minute before Scipio finally made any movement that he recognized her presence.
"Praetor, how can I help you?" Scipio asked.
Reyna stood straighter before saying, "Can I talk to you?"
"Aren't we already talking?" Scipio gave the daughter of Minerva a slightly amused grin.
Reyna shuffled her feet awkwardly. "About something personal."
Scipio nodded. The two were quiet until Scipio decided to break the silence. "How are you and Jason?"
Reyna looked at her leader in surprise as a slight blush crossed her face. "We're okay."
Scipio smiled at her uneasiness. "You know it wasn't his fault that he left."
Reyna nodded. "I know, I just got over his absence and now he shows up out of the blue."
Scipio raised an eyebrow as a mischievous smile crossed his lips. "And with a daughter of Aphrodite no less."
Reyna huffed. "You seem to be in a good mood." Reyna's mouth curled up into an amused smirk. "It wouldn't have anything to do with a certain Greek half sister of mine?"
Scipio's smile vanished as his usual stern expression appeared. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Right."
Scipio glared at the daughter of Minerva. Reyna's entire body tensed at the sight. "I meant no disrespect, sir."
"Then none shall be taken." Scipio's expression changed to an inquisitive stare. "How are the preparations for the upcoming battle?"
Reyna let out a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding. "Fine. We're ready."
"Good." Scipio looked at Reyna's confused expression. "Is there something else?"
Reyna cleared her throat nervously. "Can I ask you a personal question?"
Scipio sighed. "I suppose."
"Why do you keep yourself at such a distance from us? Don't you want to make friends here?"
Scipio stood up and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Reyna looked at him apprehensively. "Friendship is a liability to a leader. Emotions can cloud ones judgment." Scipio paced back in forth in front of the daughter of Minerva. "I learned that lesson the hard way. I swore to myself I would never let it happen again." Scipio stopped and stared down at Reyna. "Remember, it's nothing personal. I think highly of you and the others, but that's all it can ever be."
Reyna nodded reluctantly. "I understand, thank you for explaining."
Scipio nodded as Reyna left the command tent. The son of Neptune sat back down in his chair as his eyes moved back to the beach near camp. Suddenly, he stood up again as a feeling of danger flooded his senses. As he looked at the map, he could almost see the beach near camp glowing red with warning signs. Scipio clutched the trident and gladius pendant around his neck; his body glowed as his imperial gold armor surrounded his body. Scipio ran out of the tent. He caught hold of a legionnaire before he collided with him.
"Sound the alarms, alert the legions!" Scipio yelled. "We're under attack at the beach."
The poor legionnaire's eyes grew wide with shock before he sprinted off to warn the camp. Scipio felt movement behind him. He turned around quickly to see the Annabeth and Thalia with the Greeks and Hunters behind them. "Get your weapons," he told them. "We're under attack."
Scipio darted off towards the ocean. He could feel the other demigods behind him as he swiftly ran toward the sea. When he arrived at the beach, his eyes widened at the sight.
Hundreds of monsters stood on the beach in a battle line. Earthborn were also waiting in a line next to them, but what really caught Scipio's attention was the large figure standing in front of the enemy. He was roughly as tall as a three-story house and wore a suit of grey armor. The giant had reptilian legs, like a Komodo dragon, with clawed feet that seemed to drip with some type of venom. The giant's skin was green, the color of an avocado. His eyes were yellow with black slitted pupils. The giant's hair writhed like snakes and when he shook his head large reptiles fell to ground; these creatures had to be Basilisks. The giant held a large celestial bronze trident in one hand and a large fishing net that was made of bronze cables. He seemed smaller than other giants, but his body glowed with intense power and strength.
The enemy forces stayed in order as the giant commanded them. The seas around the beach were now eerily calm, as if the lord of the sea had been lulled to sleep, but Scipio knew that wasn't the case. Neptune wasn't in control of the sea—or at least this part of the ocean—at the moment. Scipio knew that Pontus was now on Gaea's side. What that meant for the upcoming battle was still up in the air.
Scipio stared at the giant and the monster's yellow eyes glowed with power. Scipio felt the presence of his forces behind him. Jason, Reyna, Thalia and Annabeth stood behind him. Scipio turned around to address them.
"That's Polybotes, he fought Neptune in the last Giant war," Scipio said. Jason and the others stood there wide eyed. "He's here to fight me." Annabeth stepped up next to Scipio, and he looked at her curiously.
"You can't fight him alone," Annabeth proclaimed.
Scipio glared at her scornfully. "I am Consul; it is my duty to protect my legions. I didn't ask for your input. You came here to help us fight, but you will not question my orders," he growled.
Annabeth glared at Scipio, but instead of arguing she turned away from the son of Neptune. Thalia looked at her friend curiously before she stepped up to her friend's defense. "What's wrong with you? She is concerned for your well being," Thalia spat.
Scipio stepped up to within inches of Thalia. The anger and power emanating from the son of Neptune was intense. Thalia stared into his eyes, but even the powerful daughter of Zeus and lieutenant of Artemis couldn't stand up to the Consul of Rome. She stepped back finally as Jason approached his leader carefully.
"Sir, she meant no disrespect," Jason said.
Scipio turned his glare to Jason. "Do not defend her, I know what she meant. If you Greeks want to help us, then support the legions, if not, then leave," Scipio said. Annabeth and Thalia stepped back from Jason and Reyna. "Legions, take on the monsters, as we planned. I will face the giant." The two Romans nodded as they went back to join their legions. Scipio looked at the Greeks. Annabeth and Thalia wore pained expressions.
Scipio shook his head before pulling out his gladius and charging the enemy. The legions screamed in anger as they followed their leader into the heat of battle. Trumpets blasted as the legions charged the enemy. The monster army retaliated with a roar and charged to meet the Roman demigods in the center of the beach. Shotgun fire could be heard all around the beach as legionnaires fired their weapons into the ranks of the enemy, decimating the assembled monsters.
Annabeth, Thalia, and the others just stared stared at the fight before them. The Greeks looked at Annabeth in concern..
"We need to get in there," Clarisse yelled.
Annabeth and Thalia turned toward the daughter of Ares. "You heard him, we're not wanted," Thalia said.
"He didn't say that, but you did question his orders," Clarisse said.
"I didn't question his orders," Annabeth said. Clarissed and Thalia both looked at her in surprise. It wasn't everyday that the daughter of Athena acted so unsure of herself.
"You sure did. Not a smart move when it comes to a Consul of Rome," Clarisse said. Thalia reluctantly nodded.
"Are you all ready to fight?" Annabeth asked. The other Greeks and the Hunters all nodded.
"Then let's get in there." The Greeks and Hunters charged into battle and helped to reinforce the legions as more monsters rose out of the eerily calm ocean.
Scipio ran toward the giant and stopped only a few yards from the monster.
Polybotes looked down at the son of Neptune with a glare of pure contempt and hatred in his reptilian eyes.
"Son of the sea god, so you have come to die," Polybotes said.
Scipio looked up at the monster; a broad, merciless smile crossed his lips. "I have no plans to die today."
Polybotes glared at Scipio before extending his celestial bronze trident. The giant held his net with one arm while angling his spear toward the son of Neptune. Scipio for his part just narrowed his eyes as he moved his shield to counter his enemy's advance.
"Die, little one!" Polybotes yelled. He sent his trident hurtling toward the son of Neptune. Scipio moved with incredible speed. The weapon stuck in the loose sand where Scipio had once stood. "Stand still and die like a good sea brat," Polybotes growled.
Scipio stretched out to the ocean, but a stronger force seemed to prevent him from controlling the water. The eerily calm sea began to churn and bubble as if the water was fighting itself. Scipio huffed in frustration, but dove out of the way as the giant's trident nearly impaled his back. Scipio turned toward his opponent with gritted teeth.
"Almost had you there, little one," Polybotes boasted.
"Almost—is that all you can accomplish?" Scipio quipped. "No wonder my father defeated you."
Polybotes roared as he threw his net at the son of Neptune. Scipio moved with such speed and grace that the giant just stood there in shock. The net hit the wet sand; green slime from the net melted the sand until the net disappeared into the ground.
Scipio looked at the giant with a flash of amusement in his eyes. Polybotes turned away from his lost net and glared at the Consul of Rome. Percy smiled as he knelt on one knee. The giant took the opportunity to charge Scipio. Scipio for his part stayed still as the child of Gaea charged him. When the giant moved within a few yards of Scipio, he raised his gladius as if he was about to plunge the blade into an unsuspecting prey, but instead thrust the blade into the wet sand up to the hilt.
The ground began to shake violently as a large crack broke open the sandy beach. Monsters screamed as they fell into the crack that seemed endless. Polybotes tried to stop his forward momentum, but it was too late; the giant fell into the large crack and disappeared along with a dozen or so monsters. The screams of the creatures echoed down the shoreline. The fighting on the beach stopped as the remaining monsters stared at the giant crack with fear evident in their eyes. The Romans and their allies were all shocked at the power of the son of Neptune.
Scipio pulled his sword out of the ground. The fighting remained stalled as everyone watched the Consul of Rome. Suddenly, a giant hand moved up out of the massive crevasse. Scipio jumped back, but instead of fleeing he crouched into an attacking stance. Scipio waited until the head of Polybotes moved up over the edge of the crevasse. Scipio's eyes narrowed as he spoke a silent prayer.
Suddenly, his gladius glowed blood red. The red aura covered Scipio's body before the demigod charged forward. The blade of his sword plunged into the throat of the giant; Polybotes's eyes widened in surprise and then terror. The red aura covered the giant's body like water rushing over a cliff. Scipio pulled out his blade, and then with two quick cuts Scipio severed both of the giant's hands at the wrists. Polybotes fell back into the crevasse. Without warning a massive explosion of fire, sand, and rock erupted from the crevasse. The ground shook violently knocking monsters and demigods off their feet. Scipio remained kneeling on the ground as if nothing had happened.
Scipio stood and then turned toward his army. "Attack!" he yelled. The Romans and their allies charged the remaining enemy force. The Romans and their allies destroyed the enemy without mercy. Shotgun fire rang out down the beach as monsters vaporized into massive clouds of dust. After only a few minutes the enemy monsters were destroyed. Only a few injured demigods could be seen on the beach.
Scipio motioned for his army and allies to approach him. Reyna stepped forward with Jason and Bobby at her side. "Report," Scipio ordered.
"We lost three legionnaires and there are about a dozen wounded," Reyna said. Scipio frowned at the number of those they had lost. Any dead soldier was too much for the son of Neptune, but he steeled himself against any emotional display.
"They shall be given the funeral rites of Rome's finest heroes," Scipio proclaimed. "I want the wounded moved into camp. Have Apollo campers that are too young to fight help in the infirmary," Scipio ordered.
"The battle is won; shouldn't we all go back to camp?" Reyna asked.
Scipio shook his head. "The battle is not complete," Scipio said. Everyone around him stared at him worriedly. "The ocean holds more danger; this part of the sea has been disconnected from me. Only a god or Titan could do that." Scipio looked at the assembled legions in front of him.
"Frank, front and center." Frank ran forward and stood in front of his leader. "How much ammunition do we have?" Frank's brow furrowed in thought before he reached into his pockets. He pulled out three shotgun shells.
"This is all that I have left," Frank said, holding the gold shells in front of him.
Scipio stared at the three shells. He looked around at the other demigods. "Ammo count," Scipio ordered. A round of numbers spread throughout the legions, Greeks and Hunters. Once completed Scipio frowned as he realized that all of the demigods were limited to just a handful of shells. Scipio turned toward the ocean.
"Legions, form up, battle stance."
Suddenly, the ocean seemed to boil with activity. A large vortex of water emerged from the surface and settled into the shallow waters along the beach. Out of the maelstrom came dozens upon dozens of monsters. The demigods all stared at the new force with fear and loathing.
Scipio grabbed Jason by the shoulder and pulled him over to the Hunters. "What's going on?" Jason asked as Scipio pulled him next to his sister.
"You two are with me," Scipio said. Jason nodded.
"I will not leave my Hunters," Thalia said angrily.
Scipio glared at her with green eyes so dark that it looked like the forest at night. Thalia stepped back. "If you want us to survive this fight you will help me," Scipio said ominously. Thalia had never seen her cousin this way before, but she couldn't argue with the tone of his voice. She knew that this fight would be desperate, but if Scipio thought it was hopeless without his plan then she had to follow it.
"Fine," Thalia sighed.
"Legions, protect us. The enemy will try everything to stop us," Scipio ordered. The legionnaires all nodded.
Before Annabeth or anyone else could question him Scipio pulled the children of the sky to the middle of the beach. The other demigods used their remaining ammunition to protect the children of the big three.
Scipio stood between Thalia and Jason. The two children of the sky looked at their cousin warily.
"Each of you take one of my hands," Scipio said. Jason grabbed Scipio's left hand, while Thalia just stared at the son of Neptune.
"I'm not holding your hand," Thalia said.
Scipio just glared at her. "We need your help… I need your help," Scipio said.
Thalia stared at Scipio, but then a small smirk crossed her lips. "So you need me now," she said smugly.
Scipio just rolled his eyes. "If you want to live hold my damn hand," he yelled over the sound of raging sea and the roar of blood thirsty monsters. Thalia grabbed his hand roughly.
Scipio looked up at the sky as dark clouds began to roll in from everywhere. Jason and Thalia looked at each other and then stared at their cousin. Scipio's green eyes seemed to lighten as the storm clouds rolled in. Lightning began to flash from cloud to cloud and then to the ground. One bolt struck a nearby tree, splitting it in half.
"Concentrate on the sky, the wind, the lightning," Scipio instructed. "Use your powers, concentrate on the winds, make them spin."
Thalia and Jason did what they were told, almost instinctively. As they held onto Scipio's hands they began to feel the power roll off of the son of Neptune. His strength was incredible. His power seemed to energize the children of the sky.
Suddenly, giant funnel clouds fell down from the heavens. The twisting vortexes of wind and rain enveloped the monster army on the beach. The roar of monsters and their screams of fear could be heard all across the island. Massive storm clouds the size of skyscrapers covered the sky. The other demigods just stared in wonder at the big three children; never had they seen such a display of power before.
Scipio's concentration was intense; he could feel his two cousins breathing hard next to him. He could sense their intense struggle to contain the power they were wielding.
"Now, pull the clouds into the sky with the monsters inside. Use the power of the wind to keep them aloft," Scipio instructed. Scipio squeezed their hands tighter as a pulse of energy seemed to erupt all around them. A few remaining monsters tried to attack the three demigods, but their allies were holding them back. Scipio felt the over power tugging in his stomach, it was now or never. "Hit the tornadoes with your lightning… all you've got."
The sky lit up as intense bursts of lightning struck each enormous funnel cloud. Electricity arched throughout the clouds as the rain and dust in the air conducted the electricity throughout the twisters. After a few minutes of constant bombardment by bolts of lightning the funnel clouds dissipated. The lightning and rain stopped. The skyscraper size clouds seemed to fade into the blue sky. The beach was eerily quiet; nothing remained of the monster army. The beach was covered in shards of glass that were created when the monsters vaporized into dust and the electricity fried them to a crisp.
Scipio held onto his cousins' hands. All three of them were on their knees in the sand. Jason and Thalia let go of their cousin's hand. Thalia's hair was even wilder than normal and her skin was pale. She could barely keep her eyes open. Jason for his part looked just as tired. His blonde hair was short, but it was a mess on his head. They both turned to look at their cousin. Scipio's short black hair was a mess and his armor had disappeared during the storm. His clothes were ripped and torn. His eyes were half closed. He looked around at his cousins and then at the beach surrounding them. He gave them both a warm, half-conscious smile before his eyes closed and he collapsed into the sand.
Jason and Thalia were too tired to help, but Reyna and Annabeth ran to the son of Neptune. They both lifted Scipio up and sat him against a sand bar. Reyna looked at Annabeth; the two children of the wisdom goddess shared a worried look. Annabeth pressed her fingers against Scipio's neck. His pulse was slow, but strong.
"Is he alright?" Reyna asked.
Annabeth stared at her Roman half-sister for a moment. She tried to figure out why Reyna was so concerned for Percy—no, Scipio. "He's fine, just exhausted. That's all," Annabeth said.
Reyna sighed. "Good, the camp needs him," Reyna said. "We all need him."
Annabeth smiled at her reassuringly. "He's strong; we'll take him to camp in a moment. He'd want us to check on the others." Reyna nodded as she gave Annabeth a thankful smile. The two walked over to Jason and Thalia. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over.
AN: So sorry for the late update, but school and now moving away has all come crashing down on me. I will be late in updating for a while as I have a lot to deal with. I will try to update as soon as I can. Starlit has been busy too, so this chapter was not reviewed, but she will when she has time. I have one more chapter to this story before I have to stop for a while. Don't worry I'm not giving up on my stories. Thanks to everyone, Theseuslives.