Look, it's a fast update! Happy New Year, everyone! :D

Of course, the next update will probably be incredibly slow. . . . Just giving you fair warning. Appreciate this while you can. ;)

Thank you for the wonderful reviews! Congratulations to Jimanji-Faronix-Zonata, reviewer number 175!

Can you guys believe this story is about 55,000 words long, even without author's notes? This is the longest fanfic I've ever written, and I'm not even done. :P

Thanks again, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Part XII

Octavian's mouth opened, and closed, and opened again. Reyna was pleased to see that her resurrection had left him suitably stunned. For maybe the first time ever, he was at a loss for words.

Of course, it couldn't last. Before a minute had passed, Octavian was yelping wild theories.

"You can't be here!" he accused. "You're dead! You must be a robot constructed by this camp's children of Vulcan, or a projection created by Gaea to try to confuse us, or—"

Reyna laughed. "Come on, Octavian," she said. "I'm real. Would a robot feel like flesh and blood? Would you be able to touch a projection at all?"

Octavian just kept gaping. "But it's impossible," he persisted. "There's no way you can be alive. You must be—"

"Oh, give it a rest," she snapped. He did—at least for the moment. "Did you ever find my body?" He hesitated, then reluctantly shook his head no. "Did you find any blood near the last place I was seen?" Again, no. "Did you see any signs of a struggle?" Another pause, then another no. "Was there any conclusive evidence that I was dead?" Octavian couldn't seem to answer that one. Pria had to shake her head no for him, looking embarrassed and ashamed. "Then why is it so surprising that I'm here?"

There was at least a minute of silence before Octavian could come up with an answer to that one. "But . . . if you weren't dead, then where were you?" he said, trying to regain momentum. "Why weren't you taking control and leading the legion yourself?"

Reyna shrugged, a calculated move that got everyone's attention. She always had impeccable posture. Reyna Concessi never shrugged. "Oh, I was nowhere interesting," she said acidly. "Captured by Gaea and held in Tartarus, that's all. Three days ago, I found out that you were stupidly planning on attacking this camp and using my supposed death as an excuse. As soon as I knew, I eluded my guards, traveled through the pits of hell, escaped from said hell into the slightly-less-terrible hell known as the Fields of Asphodel, escaped from there with Pluto's guards on my tail, found Orpheus's secret exit, climbed out of that exit, maneuvered through millions of people to get out of Manhattan, and convinced the Gray Sisters to take me to this camp even though they don't service Romans and I summoned them with a fake drachma and they were ready to torture me endlessly because of it. I just barely managed to do all that in time to stop you, but, you know, no big deal."

All the legionnaires stared at Reyna. She was never sarcastic either. Gods, she must have been picking things up from Percy. Or maybe Leo—No, Reyna stopped herself. She would think about Leo Valdez later, once she had finished this once and for all and he was safely out of Tartarus. For now, she had an augur to convince.

"Really?" Octavian was saying, employing some sarcasm of his own. "That's quite an impressive feat, Reyna."

"It's Praetor Reyna to you," she reminded him, letting her eyes narrow ever so slightly.

"Forgive me, Praetor Reyna," he said silkily. "As I was saying, that's quite impressive. And you managed to do all that on your own . . . ?"

"No, actually," Reyna said crisply, carefully keeping any hint of emotion out of her voice. "I had help from another demigod."

"Another demigod?" Octavian said with fake amazement. "Who? We have to reward him or her for helping our praetor return safely, after all—"

Reyna cut off his ramblings before they could really get going. "His name is Leo Valdez."

The Twelfth Legion went silent in shock, all except for Octavian. "Leo Valdez," he said, glaring at her. "It's worse than I thought. Leo Valdez, of all people! How could you accept his help after what he did to New Rome, after he—" He gasped as if a thought had just occurred to him, but Reyna wasn't fooled. His every gesture, every syllable was calculated beforehand. He was going to use every word game he knew to turn the legion against her, knowing that Reyna had never been very good at those. But this time was different. This time, Reyna would make sure she outwitted Octavian once and for all. The stakes were too high to fumble now.

"Oh, Praetor!" he was saying now. "I couldn't—I would never believe it, if the evidence wasn't all there . . ." He actually started pacing back and forth. Gods, this son of Apollo was theatrical. "You only escaped because of the help from a graecus, and Rome's #1 enemy at that," he muttered, shaking his head. "Now you're coming back to defend his comrades. There's only one explanation." He lifted his head and pointed an accusatory finger at Reyna. "You're working with Greece now."

One or two legionnaires gaped, but the rest turned to Reyna with questioning looks on their faces, obviously waiting to see how she would respond. Reyna decided not to get angry, not to rise to his bait. That would only make her look guilty. "I have always worked for Rome's best interests, Octavian," Reyna said coolly, "and I always will. You know that, no matter what lies you try to spin. Believe me, ending this war is in Rome's best interests."

"You would say that!" Octavian cried, appealing to the other legionnaires. "She's obviously a traitor! Just listen to her! She's consorting with Greeks! And as if that weren't enough, she's also a coward!" He glared at her. "I guess no one ever thought about what your name means, Praetor," he said, "but I did. I've always known that concessi is the past participle form of the Latin verb concedare. I've always known that your last name meant 'I gave up'." He looked at her with almost genuine disgust. "And now you have. As soon as things seemed difficult, or dangerous, you gave up and started working with Greeks. You're a turncoat and a coward. I'd spit on you, but you don't deserve it."

Reyna saw all of the legionnaires turn to her, questions written plainly on their faces. She knew that her next words could determine whether or not there was bloodshed today. So she made them count, but not until she was ready. She laughed first.

Whatever Octavian had been expecting, laughter wasn't it. Reyna knew what he was thinking. She didn't even laugh when she was happy. Why in Mars's name was she laughing at a time this serious? "I . . ." Once again, he was at a loss for words. "I just accused you of treason, and you laughed. Why . . . What could possibly be that amusing?"

"You are, Octavian," Reyna said, and suddenly the smile that lingered on her face was more angry than entertained. "I can't believe you. You've never liked me. You've never liked me because I became praetor, and you didn't. I was elected by the legion, and you weren't. No matter how much influence you had at senate meetings, you still sat on the stone benches, and I sat in my purple praetor's cloak on the chair in front of everyone. I know you resent me for that. But that's not what's so funny." Any trace of a smile was gone now. She glared at him, more ferociously than Octavian could ever hope to glare at her. "What's so hilarious," she said, her lips pressed thinly in an expression that showed how far from amused she really was, "is that you never mentioned that when you told everyone I was dead. You were glad to pretend that you respected me as much as the rest of the legion did, as long as it furthered your own goals. My death was the perfect way to unify all five cohorts and ensure they all followed you. But then," Reyna continued, the corners of her lips curving upward, "something terrible happened." She arched one eyebrow. "I wasn't dead.

"And suddenly, all those dreams of leading the legion into battle vanished, especially when I made it clear that peace was the best path—the only path—for us to take. I was back. I was going to be praetor again, and you weren't. Oh gods, what were you going to do?" She paused. "And then you realized there was still a way to win." She shrugged for the second time ever. "All you had to do was convince everyone that I was a filthy traitorous monster, and everyone would be back on your side. No problem for the slippery-tongued son of Apollo, right?" She crossed her arms. "It's just so amusing that you were only on my side when it suited you, and you backed away from any allegiance with me as soon as you wouldn't get everything you wanted with me." She looked away from Octavian and turned towards the legion—besides Hylla, they were the closest people she had to family. Besides Leo, they were the closest people she had to friends. "What makes any of you think he wouldn't do the same to you? Oh, he says he'll stand by you all now, but he would never give his own life to protect one of yours. He would never jump in front of a hellhound's claws for you." Reyna uncrossed her arms and smiled at everyone. It was a little sad and a little worried and a little pained, but it was real.

"Octavian wouldn't . . . but I would." She kept going before he could get a chance to object. "I would gladly die for any of you because you are my people. But more than that, you are my friends and family. Being praetor isn't about power; it's about protection. It's my job to protect you and every other citizen of Rome to the best of my ability, and I take that job very seriously. It's why I risked everything to get away from Gaea and come here, and it's why I told you about Leo Valdez, even though I knew Octavian would try to use him against me. After all, I can't protect you if I'm not honest with you, which is something Octavian rarely is." She hesitated, then plowed on before she could back down. "Being your praetor is important to me not because of the power, but because it gives me the ability to try to help you all in every way that I can. And I'm glad to do that, no matter how hard it is, because I care about all of you." She tilted her head the slightest bit. "Oh, and by the way, I'm not a traitor. Just in case anyone was wondering."

Her smile spread to the legionnaires closest to her, and before long, almost the entire legion was grinning and talking amongst themselves. But Reyna wasn't done yet. "I'm also not a coward," she continued, her voice ringing out above everyone else's, "since that also seems to be in question. Has there ever been a time when I backed out of a battle when the fighting got harder? Did I ever run because I saw a monster?" She was met with silence. "That's what I thought. And anyway," she said, finally turning back to Octavian, "you've got my name defined incorrectly in the first place. It doesn't mean 'I gave up', Octavian. It means 'I conceded.'" She raised her eyebrows. "In other words, I don't stubbornly hold grudges without reason. I can hear the other side of the argument and realize that it makes more sense than mine. I can admit when I'm wrong about something." She waved a hand in the direction of the Greek camp. "And I can promise you that we were all wrong about the Greeks."

Octavian straightened, obviously still trying to retain some shred of dignity. "Oh yeah?" he grumbled. "Then prove it."

Reyna smiled slowly, feeling the recorder press against her leg. "Oh, I will," she said. "With pleasure."

Gaea finally appeared to Leo in the flesh—er, in the dirt, he supposed. Her eyes might have been closed, but her glare was still more petrifying than Medusa's.

YOU . . . She seemed at a loss for words. YOU . . . ALWAYS . . . STILL . . . EVEN NOW . . . YOU . . .

"Keep managing to show you up?" Leo suggested innocently. Styx, she was going to mangle him anyway. He might as well enjoy this moment of victory. Leo Valdez, 2. Gaea, 0.

YOU INSUFFERABLE FOOL!

"I think you mean, 'You incredibly handsome, startlingly witty genius,'" Leo told her. "Because, you know, that's what I am."

HOW DID YOU HELP REYNA CONCESSI ESCAPE?!

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Leo scolded. "I'm not about to give away my trade secrets."

I WILL DESTROY YOU!

"No, you won't," Leo said. "You need me for August 1st, remember?"

His words didn't have the desired effect. Instead of relenting, Gaea's eyebrows slowly furrowed together. For a while, the only sounds were the constant crumbling of her dirt robes onto the ground and Leo's pounding heart. Then she grinned, and it was the most terrifying thing Leo had ever seen.

It's true, spawn of Hephaestus, she said, that I can't kill you. But that doesn't mean I can't destroy you. Her sneer widened. I will physically torture you within an inch of death, of course, but that's hardly the important part. First, I will obliterate your spirit.

She turned, and for the first time Leo noticed two hulking Cyclopes in the shadows. He had just assumed they were more rocks.

Untie him from the stalagmite and carry him between you, each of you holding onto one of his arms, she told them. I expect the strain will be enough to dislocate both of his shoulders. The two Cyclopes started to laugh, but Gaea silenced them with a look. They wisely didn't say a word and just followed her orders.

Despite her instructions, Leo couldn't help himself. He spoke. "Where are you taking me?" he demanded. "What's going to happen to me?"

Gaea seemed to find this incredibly amusing. Oh, don't worry about it, godspawn, she chuckled. I've simply noticed how dirty you are. You're going to take a bath. Stupidly, Leo almost started to relax. Even if the trip would dislocate both his shoulders, a bath didn't sound too terrifying. Then Gaea continued. Yes, a bath, she mused. A bath in a river that's guaranteed to break your resilience.

Slowly, the corners of her mouth turned upward yet again. Leo really hated it when that lady smiled.

Take him to the river Cocytus.

By the time they reached the river, Leo was so numb with pain that he didn't even notice when the Cyclopes threw him in. Then the voices started.

Leo Valdez, they said in unison. So brave, and so foolish. You risked your own life to save a girl you barely knew. What was the point?

It was worth it, Leo wanted to say. It wasn't just for her. Reyna saved my camp. My family.

But he couldn't speak while he was surrounded by water. Oh, duh, he thought. Water. Leo was near the bottom of the river, which was why he couldn't speak. He needed to get out. He could talk if he got out.

Leo lifted his arms to swim upwards—and cried out with pain before he could help himself, choking on the horrible water as it rushed into his throat. The Cyclopes really had dislocated his shoulders. Leo wouldn't be swimming anywhere.

Foolish, the voices repeated. Your friends will die.

No they won't! Leo tried to scream, swallowing more water in the process. Reyna saved them!

For now, perhaps. But Gaea is still rising. They will die soon anyway.

The others will save them! They can stop Gaea in time!

The voices laughed. Your belief in the other demigods of the prophecy is touching, but futile. Gaea sent several dragons to attack your precious ship, and they couldn't fight them off without cost. The Argo II is wrecked. Your friends are stranded on a beach, helpless without you there to do repairs. They will never reach Athens in time.

All at once, Leo stopped struggling. He wanted to believe that the voices were lying, just trying to make him upset, but their words had the ring of truth. His friends really were stuck. Oh, gods . . .

Do you understand now, Leo Valdez? Do you see why it will be easier for you to comply with Gaea's wishes? Stop fighting her at every turn. Stop trying to escape. You have no chance against her forces. You could save yourself so much misery.

N-n-n-no . . . Leo thought. Even his thoughts stammered as Leo shivered. It was just so cold.

I . . . will never s-s-stop . . . fighting. . . .

Yes, you will, the voices answered, pressing in all around him. Leo wanted to put his hands to his ears, wanted to block out their cries, but he still couldn't move his arms. You must. Save yourself, Leo Valdez! Resistance is pointless! Try to stand against Gaea, and you will only feel misery, pain, and fear! Give up! Give in! It's the easier option.

Leo's vision was fading. He could feel his shivers weakening. That was it. He was going to die in this gods-forsaken river in the middle of Tartarus.

Give up, godspawn! the voices shouted.

But if Leo was going to die, he wasn't going to be submissive about it. His last coherent thought was: N-n-never . . .

Then Leo couldn't help himself. He closed his eyes and started slipping away, lungs full of misery water.

The next thing Leo knew, he was laying on dry land, getting pounded on the back to eject the water out of his system. But gods, getting pounded on the back hurt. It sent sharp pains shooting into his nerves all over again, left over from his whipping eons ago. Gods, would his injuries never heal? Would they just keep building up and building up until Leo was a huge, bloodied, broken mess?

Stop that, he chided himself. That's just the voices talking.

Oh, gods, now he sounded like a crazy person.

Eventually the pounding let up, and Leo rolled onto his aching back because it made it easier to breathe. Unfortunately, that just meant he got to stare into the eye of a hideous Cyclops.

"Enjoy that, demigod?" it rumbled.

"Sir, yes, sir," Leo gasped, hanging onto his sense of humor in the face of all this darkness. With Reyna gone, it was the only thing he had left. "May I have another?"

Excellent idea, Leo Valdez. Gaea was back. Dunk him back in.

The Cyclops lifted him up by one arm, making his shoulder scream in agony. Leo barely managed not to do the same. "Wait!" he yelped before the Cyclops could drop him into the water. "How long are you going to do this to me? What are you even doing to me?"

Breaking your spirit, Gaea said with satisfaction. I'm going to drown you within an inch of your life, watching as the voices of misery drain your resolve. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be happy to sit in your chains and wait for death. As for how long this will go on? Gaea paused, and Leo imagined she was smiling, gloating at his defeat. Well, that depends on you. How soon will you break?

The Cyclops lowered him further. "Wait!" Leo yelled again, still shivering from his time in the water, anxious to delay his return as long as possible. "You say you want to drown me within an inch of my life, right? But isn't that too dangerous? What if you miscalculate? You need me. You can't have me dying."

Gaea laughed, the sound rumbling throughout the cavern. I'm not too worried about that anymore, she told him. After all, didn't the voices of the Cocytus tell you? Your ship has crashed. Your friends are stuck on land, and that makes them vulnerable.

If you die, I will have no trouble finding six suitable replacements. Seven, if you count that scrawny son of Hades.

And with that pleasant thought, the Cyclops threw Leo back into the river.