(7 years ago)
"Psst, Octavian. Pssssst."
Octavian stirred awake, but he turned over. He wasn't ready to start the new day just yet.
"Octavian!" An irritated noise. "Octavian, I'm going to dump you off the SPQR if you don't wake up."
Octavian made a surprised noise as his blanket was flung off. "Jeez, Jason! Just give up for today and…" a yawn interrupted his sentence. "Seriously, Grace! It's barely past Prime! Why can't you just cut us both some slack and go away? We can settle this some other day at a better time," he reasoned, emphasizing the last two words.
Jason huffed impatiently. "It's not like us cabin boys don't usually wake up this late, Octavian. Besides, you know that I'm putting my plan into action today. Are you going to follow me or not?"
His last two sentences shook Octavian awake. "You're really going through with it?"
"Yes, and if we don't leave now, even Reyna won't be able to save us. So get up and we'll set off immediately. Hazel and Frank are already ready."
Octavian grumbled, but eventually obliged.
The Senatus Populusque Romanus (though everyone just called it the SPQR for short) had recently been put to port just a few days ago. Jason, being the confident social butterfly he was, had taken the first opportunity to talk with the other ship that was at port, Camp Half-Blood. Octavian didn't know the details but somehow, Jason and his powder monkey friends had decided to desert the SPQR and make a living for themselves as pirates.
Of course, initially, Octavian was against the idea. He was happy enough as he was: a child of noble albeit unknown birth, privileged enough to be a cabin boy aboard the renowned ship SPQR, learning the many aspects of maritime trade, and probably set to become a respected captain in the future. But what piqued his interest was when Jason mentioned Anaklusmos, the powerful, ancient magical artifact. Apparently, the cabin boy of Camp Half-Blood had the precious sword in his possession.
Octavian had always been fascinated by magic. Since young, he had the ability to prophesize. It was a rare ability, apparently, usually only found in those who resided near the Seas of Apollo.
Maybe that was where I was born, he used to wonder, but wondering never gave him an answer. He longed to know where he came from, or who his parents were, but he never told anyone. Anyway, that would never help; nobody knew the answer. And it never mattered.
What mattered was the saying that every magical ability came with a curse. Sometimes, Octavian thought jokingly that the curse was how everyone seemed to think that he had a horrible personality, causing him never to have any friends. (Well, the "horrible personality" part had a certain amount of truth to it, but usually curses weren't so...petty.)
Most magic-wielding people were less than eager to find out what their curse was, because it usually concerned their painful deaths. But Octavian was used to that already; most of his prophecies were bleak and assured disaster in one way or another. (Huh, maybe that was why nobody wanted to talk to him.) More than that, Octavian wanted to know if it was possible to reverse a curse.
Sure, it sounded crazy, but hey: that's exactly what he was. Even Jason gave him regular assurance of that statement.
By now, he'd taken Jason's golden coin and had asked him to flip it head and tails at least a thousand times over, but yet he was unable to find anything. When the name Anaklusmos popped up in the conversation, Octavian felt as though that a whole new world of wonders had opened up to him. Additionally, the chances of finding the third magical artifact increased exponentially when two of three wielders worked together to find the third - in those history books Octavian used to read, the Big Three always seemed as though they were destined to find one another.
It wasn't long before Octavian joined the plan for the new ship. Before he knew it, the day that they planned to desert the ship had come.
Jason stood at the door, his two friends waiting outside. "Ready?" he whispered.
Octavian nodded his head decisively.
"Let's go."
The four navigated through the port, trying to remain unseen. There weren't many people in the port this early in the morning, and those that were here were mostly slaves. Some guards patrolled the area, but almost none of them looked serious about their job.
Jason, who was taking the lead, motioned for them to follow into an alley. The four lowered their heads quickly turned right.
Only to bump into a patrolling guard.
"Shit," Jason cursed under his breath. The guard lowered his head, as though he was peering at them curiously.
Suddenly, a second head emerged from behind.
It craned its neck downwards, observing the four carefully as they stood frozen in fear. "Two powder monkeys," it observed. "and...a legacy. Interesting...
"And the last one is…" it said, staring at Jason intently.
Before it could say anything else, a golden sword emerged in Jason's hand. He flung it at the creature's eyes, blinding it. Fresh blood spurted out as the creature's helmet fell off, revealing the two heads that were screaming in agony.
"It's the Queen's gemini," Jason explained frantically. "Run! Don't let them catch you!"
The four quickly ran past the gemini's side, narrowly avoiding their wild thrashing. "You mustn't leave, Golden Boy," they wailed. "Queen Gaea would love that sword of yours."
"Queen Gaea can go burn in Tartarus, or wherever she wants," Jason yelled.
Provoked, the gemini swiped its claws forward to snatch the sword. They missed their target, grabbing another young boy instead.
"Put me down! You've got the wrong person!" Octavian screamed, flailing uselessly. "Jason!"
Jason stared helplessly at him, not knowing what to do as the gemini dragged Octavian away.
"We'll come back for you!" Octavian vaguely heard, before a punch was roughly thrown against his head. Darkness started to flood into his vision, then he promptly passed out.
Octavian found himself kneeling on an expensive marble floor in a wide, spacious hall. The guards left right afterwards. The door clicked shut, reverberating emptily.
Silence ensued.
Nervously, Octavian lifted his head slightly. Before him, endless darkness filled the far end of the hall. Something seemed to stir in the darkness as a shadow reached out to lift his chin upwards.
So, little one. I believe you are the Legacy? she mused, an indefinite voice echoing in his mind.
"Uh, I'm not very sure what you're talking about...your Majesty," he added awkwardly. His barely audible voice felt out of place in the dead silence.
The darkness seemed to smile. Well, aren't you a polite one, she said. You don't know? Well, that's no matter. Now you know.
He shifted hesitantly, not knowing how to reply. "Uh...I'm sorry if this may come across as rude, but...what do you plan to do with me?"
Laughter blossomed against the walls. Plans...I like you, little one. Yes, I have plans. I always have plans.
The Queen hummed thoughtfully, leaving him to sweat nervously.
What do you wish for, little one? she asked.
The question startled him. "Uh…?" he said intelligently.
Streams of chuckles trickled over the floor. It is alright, little one. I know what you want, she said. You want power. You want knowledge. And...oh, isn't this unusual? You want to see your family, don't you?
Octavian froze. Longing tugged at his heartstrings as emotions flooded into his mind.
Let me tell you a secret, little one. I know your curse.
He sputtered. "Wha - How did you know that I…?"
Amusement twinkled like stars in the darkness. I know what you want, little one. I know what you want, and I can give it to you - for a small price.
He couldn't help but feel a tinge of suspicion at the offer. Still, no harm finding out, right?
"What is it?" he asked, curious.
Soft laughter branched and curled around the pillars. Would you like to be the Captain of the Royal Navy's galleon, little one?
(5 years ago)
Octavian knelt before the darkness, his head lowered. "Your Majesty. I sent out the Roman Legacy, as you commanded, and I have...interesting news to report."
In the darkness, she straightened up. You never fail to amaze me, little one. Do tell. What have you found this time?
He nodded sharply. "A few days ago, when I was engaging the Argo II in battle, I realised that they had a new member. He's apparently the new quartermaster of the ship, although I'm not sure how long he has been aboard. The first thing that grabbed my attention was that...my instincts told me that he wasn't exactly, or entirely, human."
The Queen hummed thoughtfully. That is indeed interesting. What else, little one?
He smiled. "In addition to Grace's Ilivis and Jackson's Anaklusmos, this new member of the Argo II seems to have a...very precious sword in possession."
Immediately, the darkness swirled in deep interest. Octavian could almost see her thoughts growing out in the hall, like vines gripping the walls. He smirked proudly, knowing that he'd done a good job this time.
Pleased, warmth reached out from the shadows, lightly tousling his hair. I am proud of you, little one. You have exceeded my expectations. I think...it is time to find your family.
Octavian couldn't believe his ears. "W-What?" he managed to ask.
Familiar laughter blossomed against the walls. Yes, little one. You deserve a prize. I just need you to do one last thing.
"What is it?" he asked eagerly.
Find the man with the black sword, the Queen said. Take it and give it to me, and your family will be returned to you.
(2 years ago)
An empty-handed Octavian knelt in the hallway.
"I apologise, your Majesty," he mumbled. "They managed to get away this time. Give me one more chance, and the sword shall be yours."
The darkness remained silent.
"...your Majesty?" he asked nervously. She never took long to reply.
Now, little one, she said. How long has it been? Three years, hasn't it?
Two people bound by chains were flung onto the ground.
Octavian's eyes widened as something at the back of his mind clicked in recognition.
His parents.
Streams of chuckles trickled over the floor. You recognise them, don't you? she crooned. You wanted to see them, didn't you?
Flames swallowed his father.
Let me tell a secret, little one, the voice sang. Legacies wield magic with no curse. But you - you brought a curse upon yourself. Curiosity kills the cat, little one. Don't you know?
As the chains binding his mother turned into ropes, a little flame nibbled at their ends steadily. Darkness engulfed him, cold and unforgiving.
She has two years. Use your final chance well.
(5 days ago)
Flames licked the floor near the bottom of his mother's feet.
I'd hurry if I were you, she hummed. Find the man with the black sword. Take it and give it to me, and w̧̩͉̘̖̥̱̗̘̣͉̤̗̥̗̟͙͈͞͞ͅh̶̛̟̥̰͍̟͟͝a͙̠̰̪̲͈̦̝͢͠t̨̨̛̙̼͕̙͝'̶̵̝̰̠͍͇̠͈̲͖͖̖̳̦͔͘͜͠ş̵̴̧̯̬͈͇͍͈͡ ̷͍̯͉̤̩͕̥̱̝̯̫͍̩͍͙́͜͜l̵̙̺̬͎̳̫̖͉̫̕e̷̸̛̛̼̦̬̣̣̰̬͚̘̰̲̭̰̦̥̻͓͜f̵̶̝͉̬̦͎̼̬̗̝̲̞̼̮̭̭͕͔ţ̸̬̞͎̩̭ ͞҉̴̴̤̺̞̦͍̫̭o̧̧̲̠̠̝̻̣͎̦̹̟̠͍͇͟͠f̡̮̳̝̖̳̪͍̳̪̫̺͍̱̝̩̘̻̝́́͝ your family will be returned to you.