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

Story: Divided Soul

Chapter 16: Selecting the Seven

Castra Semideus

I was lying on a hard stone bench. I sat up and looked around curiously. I was in a beautiful garden with flowers of every color of the rainbow. I was sitting on a white marble bench and the sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky.

"You're awake, that was some fight you had with the giant," A familiar female voice said from behind me. I turned to see the queen of the gods behind me.

I stood and then bowed politely. "Lady Juno, is this some kind of dream?" I asked.

Juno smiled at me. "Yes, this is my garden on Olympus. I have brought you here to discuss the quest of the seven," Juno said.

"Quests are for Greeks, we Romans have tasks or missions," I corrected.

Juno's smile faded into a frown. "It is unwise to correct the queen of the gods."

Scipio smiled. "I wasn't correcting you my lady only trying to use terms relevant to our Roman demigods."

"I have brought you here to discuss the seven demigods."

"What about them?"

Juno walked toward the son of Neptune, her stern gaze shielding any apprehension of the discussion to come. "To inform you about whom the seven may be."

"The Greeks say that Jason, Piper and Leo are three of the seven."

Juno nodded. "Yes. However, that leaves four more. Do you have any idea whom they may be?"

Scipio touched his hand to his chin. "Well, Piper and Leo are Greek and Jason is Roman, so I take it that at least one more will be Greek and two more will be Roman."

"The numbers aren't even, are you worried that there will be more Greeks and Roman on this mission." Juno watched the Consul of Rome closely, trying to see if he gave away his emotions.

Scipio stood straight his eyes never leaving those of the goddess. I suggest that since we have a daughter of Aphrodite and a son of Hephaestus as well as a son of Jupiter, we could do with a son of Mars, I suggest Alex."

Juno smiled at Scipio. "My son would be happy to hear it." Juno looked at Scipio thoughtfully. "What about yourself?"

A mischievous grin spread across Scipio's face. "So, you want me on this mission, what about Reyna?"

Juno shook her head. "Reyna is a good praetor, but you are needed on this mission. You are the most powerful of demigods, they need you."

Scipio frowned at the thought. "I take it that this mission will be more dangerous than anyone can imagine."

"Yes, it will. What say you?" Juno asked impatiently.

"I will go."

"That leaves two people to choose." Juno said.

"What about Gwen? We could use an expert archer and she's the best in camp."

Juno smiled at her nephew. "Good, we need one more Greek."

"We could use the son of Hades, his powers and knowledge of the underworld could come in handy."

Juno frowned. "I'm afraid that the boy is helping his father. He is as unreliable as my older brother."

"What about the daughter of Athena? She's the daughter of wisdom, plus Athena is a war goddess. That's a big difference between her Greek and Roman forms."

Juno smiled at the thought of sending the daughter of Athena into harm's way. "Good, I agree."

Scipio frowned at the smug grin on Juno's face. "Can I go back now?"

Juno frowned at his attitude. "Yes, you shouldn't anger me Consul, even if my son thinks highly of you."

Scipio bowed, but the frown on his face showed that he wasn't happy. "No offense, my lady."

Juno waved her hand. "Return to your precious camp, and… good luck." A bright light engulfed the son of Neptune.

He opened his eyes only a moment later. He was still lying on a bed in the infirmary. Scipio sat up; he was wearing only his boxer shorts. He frowned and looked around the room for his clothes. The door to the infirmary opened revealing the son of Jupiter. Jason smiled at Scipio when he saw him awake.

"Good, you're awake. I brought you some clothes," Jason said.

Scipio smiled at younger demigod. "Thanks. How are you feeling?"

"Fine, Thalia is good to. That was some trick you played out there."

"What do you mean, trick?" Scipio stared at Jason curiously.

"The way you helped us strengthen the storm."

Scipio smiled at the former Praetor of the first legion. "It wasn't a trick. Actually, I conjure up the storm and strengthened your powers. You and your sister controlled the tornados and lightning."

Jason just stared at the son of Neptune in awe. "How?"

"Neptune is the storm bringer as well as the god of seas. His powers fuel the storms, but it takes Zeus to control individual aspects, such as lightning or tornados."

Jason shook his head. "Is there anything you can't do?"

Scipio laughed. "Well, I told you that I can't fly."

Jason laughed in return. The two demigods stopped laughing as the door to the infirmary opened. Thalia walked in and her face instantly turned red as she saw Scipio standing still in his boxer shorts. She turned around quickly.

"Are you going to get dressed or are you going to stand around half naked?" Thalia asked incredulously.

Jason smiled at his sister's embarrassment, while Scipio began to laugh again. Thalia huffed and then stormed out the door.

Scipio finally calmed down before putting on the rest of his clothes. "You're sister is a real piece of work," Scipio said.

Jason chuckled. "Well, that's one way to say it."

Scipio placed his hand on Jason's should before they both stepped out the door of the infirmary. They both separated as Scipio stared up into the blue sky. The sun was high in the sky. The son of Neptune adjusted his eyes to the bright light. Scipio's demeanor turned serious. Jason stopped and looked at his leader.

"Is there a problem sir?"

"Jason, can you bring the first legion and the Greeks to the mess hall. Lunch is over and I need to speak with all of you about a very urgent matter."

Jason nodded before running off to gather the others. Scipio walked to the command tent. He opened the flap and stepped inside. Lupa was standing by the map table in human form. She looked up at Scipio as he entered.

"Lupa, how can I help you?" Scipio asked.

Lupa cleared her throat. "Juno visited me in a dream. I know about the seven," Lupa said.

Scipio nodded. "I have called a meeting in the mess hall. We should go."

"You seem troubled." Lupa looked at her fellow Consul, she could tell he was troubled by his furrowed brow and the way his jaw was clenched.

"This mission will be extremely dangerous. I'm afraid that many won't return."

Lupa nodded sadly. "I agree. Juno was quite clear about the dangers of this mission. Do you know the identities of the seven?"

Scipio stared into Lupa's eyes. The mother of Rome flinched at the pain and anxiety evident in Scipio's green eyes. "Yes, I know their identities."

"You're one of them aren't you?" Lupa could tell by Scipio's the look on Scipio's face that he was one of the seven.

"Yes, the camp is yours. Reyna will be staying as well."

"She won't like that."

Scipio nodded. "Yes, I know, but it isn't up to her. Let's go, they'll all be waiting by now."

Lupa and Scipio left the command tent and walked side by side to the mess hall. They entered to see the first legion on one side of the table while the Greeks sat on the other. The hunters sat at another table behind the Greeks. Thalia was seated between her brother and Annabeth at the main table. All eyes turned to the Consuls of Rome as they walked toward the table. Lupa sat at one end of the table, while Scipio sat at the other.

"Thank you all for coming," Scipio began. "I have recently talked to Lady Juno about the prophesized seven. I now know their identities."

Everyone stared at Scipio in shock. Jason looked up at his leader. "Please tell us," Jason said.

"As you wish my friend," Scipio answered. "The group will be split between Roman and Greek demigods as foreseen. The Greeks will be represented by Leo Valdez, Piper McClean, and Annabeth Chase."

Clarisse stood up as her face turned red. "How come there are more Romans than Greeks?" Clarisse asked angrily.

Annabeth stood up and glared at the daughter of Ares. "Clarisse, we do not have a say in the matter. This comes from a goddess," Annabeth said.

"A Roman goddess no less, I don't like this," Clarisse said.

"I can understand your feelings, but the make-up of the group is complete," Scipio said.

"Who are the Romans?" Jason asked curiously.

Scipio looked at the son of Jupiter. A feeling of dread crossed the Consul of Rome's mind. He didn't want to see anyone killed, but he knew some would die and he hoped it wasn't the young demigod that watched him curiously.

"The Romans participants will be Jason Grace, Alex Constantine, Gwendolyn Sagitto, and Scipio Marcellus," Scipio said. All eyes were on the Consul of Rome. "Yes, I will be joining the seven."

Annabeth stared at the son of Neptune. She was glad that he was coming with them, but the sadness in his eyes made her feel uneasy. She stood up and looked toward Scipio.

"Annabeth, do you have something to say?" Scipio asked.

"You seem worried. Is there more we should know?" Annabeth asked.

Scipio shifted uncomfortably as he stood before the assembled group of demigods. "Lady Juno has informed me of the severity of this mission. The seven will face dangers unparalleled by other missions or quests," Scipio said, as he looked at the Greeks. "I'm afraid that some will not return."

Annabeth sat down in her seat as the news flooded her mind. Some of her friends could die, she could die on this quest.

The room was deathly quiet until the daughter of Zeus stood up. "What do the rest of us do while the seven are on their quest?" Thalia asked.

"Yes, I would like to know that as well," Reyna said. Her face was red with anger. Scipio could tell that she was furious that she wasn't one of the seven.

"The Greeks will accompany the seven to Camp Half Blood," Lupa said.

"My lady, the hunters and I would like to stay here and help defend this camp," Thalia said. All eyes were now on the daughter of Zeus. "You will be vulnerable here without Scipio. We would like to help." Jason looked at his sister proudly. Thalia saw him looking at her. She smiled at her brother.

"We would be honored to have your assistance," Lupa said. Thalia nodded.

Scipio cleared his throat as all eyes returned to the son of Neptune. "Good, the seven and the remaining Greeks shall prepare for departure. We leave in the morning," Scipio ordered. "Now everyone return to your duties."

The demigods left the mess hall, all except the remaining Greeks and the seven. Thalia and the hunters joined Lupa and Reyna as they left the mess hall.

Annabeth stood and approached Scipio. "How are we getting to camp?" Annabeth asked.

Scipio smiled. "We fly," Scipio said. Annabeth looked at Scipio curiously. "The Greeks aren't the only ones with Pegasi." Annabeth stood and joined Piper and Clarisse. Jason joined Alex and Gwen. "Don't forget, we leave first thing in the morning." The demigods nodded before leaving the mess hall.

Scipio sunk down into the chair. He looked at the door as Annabeth and the others left. He looked at the silver ring on his finger as the red eyes of the boar glowed. "My lord, I pray that they all return. I will do everything I can to see to it that they will survive, even at the cost of my life." Scipio stood and strode out the door with a determined look on his face.

AN: I'm back. Starlit Reader my beta hasn't reviewed this yet, so if you find mistakes, she'll correct them in her review. I'm still incredibly busy with the move, but I'll do my best to have a chapter out a week. Stay tuned more to come.