We arrived at camp in the dining pavillion during dinner time. Nico passed out cold and the campers all drew their weapons with the hand they didn't have food in. A centaur, who was obviously Chiron, trotted over and said, "Who are you?"
"I am Jackson Robinette, son of Poseidon, slayer of Scylla of the Sea of Monsters, " Which is how I normally introduced myself to my enemies and realized now it was irrelevant information, "My friend, Reyna, was poisoned and we need your help…" I explained.
"Let me see what I can do," Chiron said and walked forward to Reyna. He examined the wound, mumbling to himself. Finally, he uttered a few phrases in Latin, magic, and a ghostly green aura floated out of her mouth.
"The poison is out of her system and she is completely aware of what's going on around her, but her heartbeat is too slow for her to move. She needs something to… jumpstart it," he explained.
I sighed, "Give me a breastplate!" One huge kid passed one forward and I strapped it on. I took Reyna in my arms, leaned forward and kissed her, right on the lips. A moment or two later I felt as if I'd been shot in the stomach. I stumbled back, looked down and noticed a fist shaped dent in the celestial bronze. That was one hell of a punch. I went over, sat down at one of the tables and removed the armor.
"You're welcome," I said. She stood up, her face was bright red.
"Wha- What jus- Where?" she stammered, looking around. When she finally gained her bearings, realizing we were at Camp Half-Blood, she walked over to me, grabbed the collar of my shirt, and picked me up off the bench.
"YOU THINK YOU CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND JUST WALK AWAY!" She yelled, her voice cracking, it was now only a hoarse whisper, "You fought a god… to protect me… You only knew me for a few hours and still you risked your life," A tear ran down her cheek. This was entirely unlike her.
"Reyna, I just wanted you to be safe," I began to say, but I was cut short. She looked as if she were going to stab me, or bullet punch me again. Instead she did something that blew my mind. She kissed me. It took me a moment to figure out what was happening. She pulled away, dropping me back on the bench. Her face was even redder than a moment ago. Tears were now streaming down her face.
I wasn't sure if I should get up and comfort her or give her some space. I also didn't know if this meant I had my first girlfriend or not. I'd have to talk about it with her later. Right now, we had more pressing matters to attend to. Looking around, I realized something was missing.
"Where's Nico and the giant Athena statue," I asked.
"He shadow traveled while you two were… uh, preoccupied," Chiron explained. Reyna's eyes grew wide.
"Octavian! We need to get to the Roman war camp," She blurted out. We ran to the place where Piper had seen the army last in her knife, Katoptris, which was about half a mile away. In the valley was the Roman army with a giant statue and a snoring son of Hades in their way.
"Romans! Stop your march!" She ordered. Everyone stopped except for one very pale, very scrawny kid in armor that was much too big for him.
"What the hell is this?" He demanded.
"Jackson, this is Octavian," Reyna said.
"Yes, I am Octavian, the augur. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some graecus scum to destroy," he said impatiently.
"Well you're gonna have to go through me. It just so happens I'm graecus scum, too. Son of Poseidon, half brother to Percy Jackson," I told the scrawny asswipe.
"Not another barnacle brain… Look we're marching on that camp whether you like it or not,"
"No, You're not. I gave you orders not to attack until I got back. This is technically treason," Reyna said, anger edging its way into her voice.
"I have a solution. Octavian and I duel to the death. You and your soldiers swear upon the river Styx that, if I win, there will be peace between the camps. And, if you win, Camp Half-Blood
surrenders," I offered.
"What! Why me?" the augur stammered.
"You're obviously in charge here, dick breath," I said.
"Oh fine. Just let the army know what's going on so we're ready to negotiate surrender terms,"
Reyna turned and announced to the soldiers, "Jackson Robinette and our camp augur, Octavian, shall duel to the death. The terms are if Jackson wins there shall be peace between the camps. If Octavian wins then the Greeks will surrender. Does the army of New Rome swear on the Styx to these terms?"
A loud Oohah was heard from the army.
Octavian gulped. "All right, let's go,"
"Indeed," I said with a grin and summoned my sword.
The battle lasted all but two seconds. Octavian swung his sword and I parried and stabbed him through the gut between the two plates of his armor.
"Rest in peace," I whispered to him as he died. I layed him on the ground and closed his eyes. The kid might've been a dick but killing someone was never fun. Especially someone who never stood a chance.
Nico was awoken by the feeling of Octavian's soul going to the underworld. He walked with us back to camp. The greeks were edgy at first but soon enjoyed the company of the Romans. Food and drinks were served all around. Altogether, it was a good time.