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

Story: Divided Soul

Chapter17:Destinies and Deals

Castra Semideus

Scipio sat in the command tent as he looked over a map of the United States. The flap to the tent opened and in stepped the mother of Rome, still in her human form. Scipio looked up curiously at the other Consul of Rome.

"Lupa, what can I help you with?" Scipio asked.

"I just came from discussing matters with the Senate," Lupa said.

"Ah yes, the group of Praetors, how did they take the news of the mission?"

Lupa looked at the Consul of Rome, she could see the worry in his eyes, but she knew it had nothing to do with the Senate's decision. "They agreed with the mission, although many were jealous that they would not be going."

Scipio laughed, but it was a hollow sound. "They don't have to worry; they'll have plenty of fighting to come."

Lupa nodded. "I'm glad that the hunters will remain; we'll need their help if we are attacked again."

"Yes, when we reach Camp Half Blood, I will speak to Chiron. The Greeks and Romans must unite their forces to take the fight to Gaea. It will take an army of Greeks many days to reach Yellowstone. I will have the centaur contact you once they are half way there, then I want you and Reyna to lead the legions to join them. The gods willing the seven will return before the fight with Gaea and her allies begin." Lupa stared at Scipio; her eyes focused on the face of the son of Neptune.

"You want all of us to march on the enemy without you or the others?" Lupa asked in disbelief.

"You can't wait for us; you'll know if we've succeeded or not."

Lupa stared at the son of Neptune. She wasn't sure what he meant. "How will we know?"

"If we failed, then the monsters you kill will reform and the world as we know it will end." Scipio frowned and his eyes darkened considerably. Lupa had to look away from his gaze.

The mother of Rome nodded. "We all will pray that you succeed." Lupa looked up at Scipio; her eyes widened in realization. "You don't believe you'll make it."

The statement didn't catch Scipio off guard. He would have been more surprised if she hadn't realized his thoughts. "No, I won't let anyone else die on this mission." Scipio sighed. "I will do everything in my power to protect the others. That's all I can do."

For the first time Lupa stared at a demigod in complete astonishment. Here was the most powerful demigod she had ever met and he was willing to give his life to protect the others. Even if that meant the mission might fail. "The mission is too important for you to sacrifice yourself. People die on missions; you can't save everyone."

Scipio straightened; his eyes seemed almost black in color. His glare made Lupa uneasy. "I promised myself that I would not let people die for me. My last team of heroes died because I wasn't good enough. I won't let that happen again."

Lupa knew that she couldn't change his mind. "All I can ask is that you remember your duty to Rome. You swore and oath to the Senatus Populusque Romanus. You cannot go against that."

Scipio's eyes lightened. His anger drained; he couldn't be mad at Lupa when she was right. "I'll do what I have to. We're repeating history here. The Argo two and Jason. It's the argonauts all over again. I know my role and my destiny."

Lupa just stared at Scipio. She was lost in thought for a moment. "You're playing Hercules's role." It was a statement not a question.

Scipio gave her a small smile. "Yes, my destiny is not to finish the mission or quest as the Greeks say."

"Hercules didn't die in that mission; he was only separated from the group."

Scipio's smile grew. "I never took you for the optimist. I guess I was wrong about something."

Lupa laughed softly. "I'll make sure to write this event down. So, I take it that Jason will lead this mission. Do you think he can do it with you there? It will be difficult for him when his Consul stands nearby."

Scipio nodded. "Yes, but I will make it clear to everyone that I lead here at camp, but Jason will lead on the Argo. It's his destiny to lead this mission and I have faith in him."

Lupa stepped closer to Scipio. Her wolf like eyes stared into his sea green ones. "I have faith in the boy too. I'm glad you do as well." Scipio smiled down at his fellow Consul. Lupa shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "I must go, but remember, you have a destiny as well. It might not be the one you expect." Lupa finished before walking out of the tent.

Scipio stared after Lupa as the tent flap closed behind her. He looked down at the map hopefully. "For once, I hope I'm wrong."

Mount Olympus

The queen of the gods sat on her throne. She wore a Greek chiton and her dark hair was braided tightly behind her back. She stared dawn at a scroll she held in her hands. She read the new great prophecy over and over again to herself.

Suddenly, the doors to the throne room burst open and a tall goddess with coal black hair and piercing grey eyes stormed into the room. When she saw Hera on her throne Athena strode forward. Her eyes glaring daggers at the queen of the gods.

"Hera, why did you choose Annabeth for the seven?" Athena asked angrily.

Hera looked at the goddess in mock astonishment. "I didn't choose her; the son of Neptune did," Hera said innocently.

"Don't play games Hera. I know you enjoy putting my daughter through pain and anguish," Athena accused.

"I don't like your daughter. That doesn't mean that I would jeopardize the great prophecy by choosing her. She is a powerful demigod and her brains will come in handy during the quest," Hera explained.

Athena huffed loudly. "If she doesn't make it through this quest; I will hold you responsible," Athena said.

"Do what you must, but remember to whom you speak. I am the queen of the gods and your threats mean little to me, child," Hera said with authority.

"I don't give a Hades who you are. I will see to it that you'll pay dearly, so don't forget it," Athena said before storming out of the throne room.

Hera shook her head in disgust. Someone laughed from behind her. Hera turned around quickly. Standing behind her in a blue jogging suit and white sneakers was the messenger of the gods. His sandy blonde hair and bright blue eyes shined in the light of the throne room.

"Don't underestimate my big sister. I think she could take down dad, if she wanted," Hermes said mischievously.

"Why are you spying on me Hermes?" Hera asked. Her eyes flashed with anger.

Hermes just smiled at her in amusement. "I wasn't spying... this time."

Hera narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Hermes cleared his throat. "I heard Juno and Mars talking, or I mean Mercury heard Juno and Mars talking. Sometimes I get confused on how that works." Hermes furrowed his brow as if he was lost in thought.

"Don't play games with me." Hera stood from her throne. Both hands clenched into tight fists.

"Games, now look who's talking." Hermes's smile widened. "Mercury heard you and Mars talking about Percy's or Scipio's possible reality. I wonder what Athena or more importantly Poseidon would think of that."

"You wouldn't dare." Hera's face turned red and her eyes seemed to glow with power.

"I certainly would." Hermes's smile disappeared and he glared right back at the goddess. "You and that no good son of yours have really opened up a hornet's nest. You've unleashed a demigod with so much power and now we find out that he has a reason to hate the gods. The perfect soldier you created might turn into the perfect weapon to destroy Olympus."

Her stepped toward the god of thieves. "What do you want Hermes?"

Hermes's smile returned. "I want you to leave Annabeth Chase alone. I know you've been plaguing her with nightmares about Percy. You just love to torture her."

Hera smiled fiendishly at Hermes. "So, you want to help Athena. Why do you care?"

Hermes glared at the queen of the gods. "I'm not doing this for Athena. Luke loved Annabeth like a sister and the least I can do is look after her for him, especially when it comes to you."

Hera's smile turned into a sneer. "Alright, I will leave the girl alone, but it is too late, she is one of the seven. You can't change that."

Hermes shook his head. "I know and I don't believe she would want me to. She cares for Percy... I mean Scipio, whatever." Hermes held his head like he had a headache. "I just want you to leave the girl alone. She has enough to worry about. So, do we have a deal then?"

Hera nodded. "I suppose, but you will not divulge what you have learned, understood?"

Hermes nodded. "My silence might end in our destruction, but it was your deeds that set this in motion." Hermes began to walk out of the throne, but turned and looked at Hera one last time. "I hope those consequences don't end in the destruction of all we hold so dear."

Hera watched as Hermes left the throne room. She looked over and saw Poseidon's throne, the old leather clad fishing chair sat empty. The queen of the gods whispered, "No one can ever know the risks I have taken to preserve my family and I will never apologize for them."

AN: A short chapter, but I had this idea for the two conversations and I just had to type them out. Starlit hasn't review this, but I will post it anyway. Stay tuned more to come.