Chapter IV
John's POV

OK. It was 9am on Sunday morning, I was trying to sleep in bed because last night,… we had a 'small' combat training. Just a few hours trying to take other cabins' flags while avoiding enemy patrols and monsters. It's every day training, guys. And it should be a walk in the park with Mar's son.

Step back a little. Gods still exist around us. OK? So, we had Greek Gods and their Roman personality (and trust me, switching between these 2 characters had brought lots of trouble to their children. A war between Greek demigods and Roman demigods almost erupted if our former praetor Reyna didn't call a truce just in time)

And I'm John Brook Matura, the son of Mars, the second-in-command of the Second Cohort. Last night, we played a game of combat: steal the flag (A/N: I don't have English version of this game). The 1st, 3rd and 5th Cohort against the 2nd, 4th and 6th Cohort (a new Cohort was established a few years ago, due to the fact that all Cohorts' barracks were full and not one more person was able to put in). So, it was a walk in the park with around 10 attacks on the fort, 3 elephant were injured, the eagles had a nice, real training program in taking the injured from the battlefield. And we lost, in a terrible way. The odd number had odd chance, which means they can win easily. Damn, I should had join the Third Cohort before

But we were all tired after the game. To be honest, it was the hardest game I had ever played because we had new 'stuff' then: Guns. Well, don't be surprised. This kind of gun can kill monsters only so if I shoot you with one of the kind, you won't get hurt. The praetor decided to get this new weapon after the Giant War; many centurions were killed because our enemy at Greece had long-ranged weapons. But it took us a while to convince the senators, too long if you asked me. The Giant war ended 18 years ago, and we needed 2 years to convince them to allow us to used musket. Another 3 years for 18th-century rifle, and 15 more to use 21st-century guns, but in limited use. Argh, politicians, they never understood warriors. That's why Rome fell…

Enough chit chat.

So, it was 9am on Sunday morning Usually, Sundays are our day-off. Nine out of ten soldiers can take a day-off; they are mobilized only in case of emergency. The rest was asked to do simple stuff – guard the border of the Camp, digging some trenches… But that day was strange; the horns were blown all over the camp. It was the horns alerted some VIPs were coming. Come on, I needed to rest, I was so tired because of last night game. No one can give me a decent day-off?

But I had no choice but to get dressed (in armor, our combat suit of course) then gathered with my soldier and my captain – Grant Lee James (he is the son of Gwen – Captain Barbeque, I haven't found out why she is called like that) in the Mars Field (A/N: Is it Mars Filed or the Field of Mars?). My Cohort seemed to suffer from tiredness; I saw black bags under everyone's eyes, except Nikita's. She is an owl, she can fight extremely well at night, and she rarely sleep for more than 4 hours a day.

When the entire army was whispering, asking each other about this strange activity, our praetors stepped out of the HQ. They both looked dizzy and confusing too. I didn't think they knew why the horns were blown. The Chief Praetor, Jim asked:

- Who blew the horns? And why? I'm still tired from last night game. If he or she doesn't give me a good reason, I'll put my shoes horns in his or her sorry butt.

Next to him is the Second-in-Command Praetor, Alex. This guy look like an eagle, he rarely speaks, but when he does, every one must listen (because his words are convincing and easy-to-understand) and something wrong is about to happen (maybe that's why he rarely speaks). This guy was in bad shape. His toga was worn in the wrong way: the side which should be inside was outside, and it was 4 inches too low. His eyes were also half-closed. But I could sure 1 thing, he was scanning the entire army to pick up the people who ere most likely to be responsible. Why they were still waiting for the respond, some one spoke up:

- Oh, for Lord Jupiter, who blew the horns? Raise your god dammed hand up, now!

Agreement spread out all army. There was one thing for sure; the guy who was responsible for this shall have to clean the kitchen for the rest of his service. And trust me, it's a disgusting job. Imagine the left-over from around 200 people's food smells terrible… Yuck!

But 5 minutes had passed and no one stepped out. The two praetors seemed to lost patient, they were wandering on the podium built by engineers. Jim was making a wooden stake from a branch with his knife which made of Imperial Gold while Alex was sharpening his already-sharp knife. I knew one thing that they were about to erupt anytime. And trust me, there is only one thing worse than an angry praetor, it is two mad praetors. I had seen them gone mad before and trust me when I said things weren't good at all.

The tense among the army was rising and Grant was shaking, which was odd because he had never been shaking, or afraid (except when enjoying seafood). It seemed like people can hear the sound of a flying fly in the Mars Field. This kind of tension can kill people, especially ones who suffer from ADHD, like me.

Suddenly, from the shadow of a tree near the podium, a man appeared. He was wearing aviation black leather jacket, like stuff worn by Allies' pilots in World War II (I remember being told that Churchill, son of Zeus, ordered his men to wear that. May be he wanted his father to bless his pilots because there was a mark of an eagle on the jacket). The man was panting, seemed too tired of being popping out of nowhere.

The two praetors seemed stalk, but they settled down quickly. But not the army, swords were being drawn out, shields were being raised, some javelins were out of their places, to be in some soldiers' hands now. Jim said:

- Hold, this is one of our friends from the Greek Demigod Camp. You must be Nico di Angelo, the ambassador of Pluto

- Yes, and I am his son. But I'd like to be introduced as Hades's son, I'm Greek, son.

Being called 'son' wasn't a good or pleasure experience for Jim. He scowled, but decided not to attack Nico. I wondered why. The last time someone called Jim 'boy', well, that guy had to stay 1 week in medic, and he had to be bandaged all of his body. If Jim didn't attack that man, there were 2 possible reasons: 1, that man was much older, he must be mid-thirty then, which meant 2, he was much stronger than Jim. And Jim wouldn't attack any one unless he knew he could win.

- Come on, I'm the praetor of the New Rome. You are on my territory, show me some respect before I throw you to the eagles. I am having some troubles now and I am mad.

- Easy, easy. You seem to be mad at nothing. Let me see… - Nico moving his eyes around the Mars Field and at the barracks. After around thirty seconds, he continued to speak – Ah, still wondering who blew the horn? The answer is simple: no one did. It was Minerva's fault, if you can say that to a goddess. She asked me to check whether you guys are ready for constant combat situation. That's all. And I was teleported here just for that stupid reason

Seriously? She is our goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industries and trades and she had such a sense of humor? Next time I met her, I'd give her a slap in her face, in the standard of gods. Look like the entire army was grumbling. No one was surprised, actually, I'd be surprised if no one was. Alex, remained quite so far, spoke up:

- Alright, it was a drill. Every one, we are at Defcon 6 now (A/N: Did anyone read 'The lost hero'? I remember Defcon stood for 'Defense readiness condition' and I invented Defcon 6: Relax but ready) People who don't have to do any missions are free of charged now.

All six Cohorts now spread out. They all visited the Armory first, to put away their armor, and their swords – gladius, and it was spartha with some people – as well as bows (and crossbows) of archers. Now, many of them were going back to barracks, trying to get some more sleep. Others, including me, were going into the New Rome to have breakfast. After all, nothing is better (or worse) than being waken up by alert horns.

So, I was walking to New Rome then (in jeans and purple T-shirt, of course) then I noticed Nico – or should I call him Mr. di Angelo? He was much older than us – was walking along with the two praetors. They were arguing something and from my point of view, it seemed like Mr. di Angelo was trying to convince our two praetors something which might not be a good idea.

I decided to stalk them. It was the second-in-command officer of every Cohort to monitor the praetors after all. Taking the advantage of tree shadows, rocks and some trenches, I was able to follow them and heard Alex saying:

- No, it's too risky. New Rome hasn't been able to use mortals' weapons well. I almost lost my hands in the training

- But it's our only option. Without it, we wouldn't be able to defeat this horde. There were 10 billion monsters there and I and my team were able to take down 1000 only. We were outnumbered and outgunned. My power was useless toward them

- But what about your friend in the Greek Camp? Can they…

- No, these kinds of monster were way beyond their power, at the moment. Besides, Roman you guys were much more capable of fighting in large numbers, which increase your chance of survival. My Greek friends prefer fighting alone, which,… We are being followed

I froze. How did he know I was there? I maintained stealth and silence, which I was extremely good at. My speciality was rouge – fighting in squad of five to seven with one quest: sneak behind enemy line, disrupt their communication and defense system, and then get the hell out of there before being hit. I was the best in the Camp Jupiter. So, in short, I was shock

Alex and Jim were drawing out their weapons: a gladius and a knife from right and left hands of Jim, a crossbow appeared on Alex's palms. They were looking around, searching for any possible threats when Nico pointed at where I was standing, said: 'Some one is over there. Only one, and he or she is a Roman demigod', which made both praetors point their weapons at my place. I had no choice but to step out, with 2 hands raising:

- Don't shoot! It's me, John. I was trying to gigure out what the hell you guys are talking

- Not now, son. You'll know soon enough. And trust me, not knowing about it is much more pleasant than knowing about it

It was Nico speaking. I looked in his eyes, which were deep in sadness and sorrow. It was normal, I suppose. Reyna – our former praetor had described Nico as a sorrow demigod, who always keep his feelings inside. Even his sister – Hazel (should I call her Lady Hazel, she is Praetor Frank's wife now) – complained about this characteristic of her brother. I think it was a side effect from being a son of Hades, other than controlling the death people (the zombies, skeletons…) or controlling valuable minerals like Lady Hazel.

- Jim, Alex, I don't know about you guys. But I think we should let him go, with aa small warning.

- A small… - I was trying to finish my word when Nico suddenly disappeared – What? Where the hell is he? And, why your eyes are wide-opened like that?

Suddenly, I figured out, Nico was standing right behind me, with a grab on my arm and a twist of his body, he swang me over the sky before taking my body and slam it to the ground. Alex and Jim were startled. Nico said: 'This is my warning. If you speak about my conversation to anyone, I'll hit you harder, I may torture you before killing you.. Understand?'

Jim was the first to recover from the shock:

- Ok. John, get th hell out of here. Go to the New Rome and help yourself with a decent breakfast. And remember, you haven't heard anything, clear?

- Sir YES sir!

I blurted before running all the way to the New Rome while still wondering about that part of conversation. I didn't know anything, but there was one thing for sure. There was a big trouble coming, and it could cost the Camp Jupiter everything, including itself and its brother camp – Camp Half-blood. This led to one series of action only. First, a decent breakfast. Then, library to search information. Later, secret meeting with my Rogue squad. And, finally, the augur, which I hoped I didn't have to do it because I still had nightmares about it.

A/N: Well, this is a demigod's POV and he's from Camp Jupiter. I'm trying to come up with more ideas so please, review to tell me yours. Thanks for reading

Edited: 2 Jan 2014