Chapter Title: Call Me A Ninja Because I Hide My Secrets Well

I'll be completely honest with you, my mind was filled with thoughts about why exactly Reyna would want to meet with both me and Percy alone, without Luke and Michael with us. It just seemed.. odd honestly. Very, very odd indeed.

Either way, I honestly wish I had my swords or my guns when Reyna walked into the principia, causing me and Percy to stop arguing over something — I forgot exactly what we were arguing about to be honest.

She stormed into the principia with her purple cloak billowing, and her greyhounds at her feet. Percy had been sitting in one of the praetor chairs that he'd pulled to the visitor's side, which maybe wasn't the proper thing to do. I was standing at the corner, leaning up against the wall. Percy started to get up.

"Stay seated," Reyna growled. "You two leave after lunch. We have a lot to discuss."

Yikes, I thought to myself. Hate to be the poor fuck that causes her to go over the edge while like this.

She plunked down her dagger so hard, the jelly-bean bowl rattled. Aurum and Argentum took their posts on her left and right and fixed their ruby eyes on both of us.

"What'd I do wrong?" Percy asked. "If it's about the chair—"

"It's not you, dude.." I said. "Most likely it's something else.."

"You would be correct, Colton. For it is not Percy I am angry at.." Reyna replied. "I just hate senate meetings. When Octavian gets talking..."

I growled at the mention of that asshole. Oh, how I would love to turn that smug face of his into a bloody pulp.

Percy nodded. "You're a warrior. Octavian is a talker. Put him in front of the senate, and suddenly he becomes the powerful one."

He wasn't wrong, that was for sure.

Reyna narrowed her eyes. "You're smarter than you look — just like he does."

We may be rivals — yeah, but as Kayla and Camp Half Blood would tell you, we're both smart and dangerous in our own rights, when we're not either arguing with each other or I'm looking for a fight and Percy is just denying me one.

"Gee, thanks. I hear Octavian might get elected praetor, assuming the camp survives that long."

My stomach felt like it was about to make me puke with that part. May Tyche bless these kids' souls should things ever have to come to that around these parts.

"Which brings us to the subject of doomsday," Reyna said, "and how you — and your friends, especially Colton.." I was sure that Reyna had no clue about the secrets within me right now, and I planned to keep it that way until the time was right. But even so, she knew full well that I would be especially valuable with what was to come. "..might help prevent it. But before I place the fate of Camp Jupiter in both your hands, we need to get a few things straight."

She sat down and put a ring on the table—a band of silver etched with a sword-and-torch design, like Reyna's tattoo.

"Do you know what this is?"

Percy was struggling, but I was quicker.

"The sign of Bellona, the war goddess.. and your mother.." I told her. "Which reminds me, really do need to visit her temple before I leave for my quest."

"Bellona, yes." Reyna scrutinized Percy carefully. "You don't remember where you saw this ring before? You really don't remember me or my sister, Hylla?"

I was so confused right now.

Percy shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"It would've been four years ago."

"Just before you came to camp."

Reyna frowned. "How did you—?"

"It's simple really.." I muttered. "Every stripe on your arm equals a year — so since you have four, you've been here four years and have the most of it from the looks of it."

Reyna looked at her forearm, then at both of us again. "Of course. It seems so long ago. I suppose you wouldn't recall me even if you had your memory. I was just a little girl—one attendant among so many at the spa. But you spoke with my sister, just before you and that other one, Annabeth, destroyed our home."

My memory was jogged a little bit. This probably had to have happened when my older sister, Clarisse, was off with Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson on that quest for the Golden Fleece. The summer that Kayla came to camp.

That's when I remembered I still had the telepathy link with her. I could probably use it once I got out of here, besides.. she's mostly worried sick out of her god damn mind at this point wondering if I'm okay. Gods, I miss her so damn much.. curse this war, curse whoever fucking put me to sleep.

Percy looked like he was trying, and believe me he was really trying his hardest, to remember but just failing. "It's a blank," he said. "Since your dogs aren't attacking me, I hope you'll believe me. I'm telling the truth."

Aurum and Argentum snarled. I do not think either of them liked that honestly.

Reyna tapped the silver ring.

"I believe you're sincere," she said. "But not everyone at camp does. Octavian thinks you're a spy. All four of you."

My blood boiled inside of me. That fucking bitch, I thought to myself. How dare he-

Reynacontinued. "He thinks you all were sent here by Gaea to find our weaknesses and distract us. He believes the old legends about the Greeks."

"Old legends?"

I had to admit, this was getting interesting and also infuriating at the same time. The more I learned about Octavian and what he believed in, the less I liked it. Reyna's hand rested halfway between her dagger and the jelly beans.

"Some believe Greek demigods still exist," she said, "heroes who follow the older forms of the gods. There are legends of battles between Roman and Greek heroes in relatively modern times—the American Civil War, for instance. I have no proof of this, and if our Lares know anything, they refuse to say. But Octavian believes the Greeks are still around, plotting our downfall, working with the forces of Gaea. He thinks you all are a part of them."

I didn't know anything about Romans and Greeks clashing with each other during the Civil War, but she couldn't have known just how close she was to the truth with those last two sentences, minus the part about working for Gaea.

"Is that what you believe?" Percy asked her.

"I believe all four you came from somewhere," she said. "You're all important, and dangerous. Two gods have taken a special interest in you all since you all have arrived, so I can't believe that any of you would be against Olympus.. or Rome."

She then shrugged my shoulders. "Of course, I could be wrong. Perhaps the gods sent you all here to test my judgment. But I think...I think you all were sent here to make up for the loss of our missing, especially Jason."

Jason ... neither me nor Percy couldn't go very far in this camp without hearing that name.

"My loyalties.." I spoke up. "..are to my father, and to Olympus. If Rome is also required to be among my loyalties, so it shall."

"The way you talk about him..." Percy said. "Were you two a couple?"

Reyna's eyes bored into him—like the eyes of a hungry wolf. Percy — and I too — had seen enough hungry wolves to know. I honestly took that as a no, to be quite frank here with you all.

"We might have been," Reyna said, "given time. Praetors work closely together. It's common for them to become romantically involved. But Jason was only praetor for a few months before he disappeared. Ever since then, Octavian has been pestering me, agitating for new elections. I've resisted. I need a partner in power—but I'd prefer someone like Jason. A warrior, not a schemer. And to be fair — while someone like Luke or Michael would fit the bill, you two seem to fit it more."

She waited. It then hit me. There was absolutely no fucking way she was making a move on either of us right now.

Look, Reyna was beautiful — don't get me wrong, but the thing was, I already was in a relationship with the most beautiful girl in the world, Kayla. There was no way in fucking hell I was going to cheat on the girl of my dreams.. the love of my life.

I just couldn't. Percy was in the same state as me too, which is why I suspect his throat went dry given what came out of his throat next. "Oh ... you mean ... oh."

"I believe the gods sent you all to help me, specifically you.." she said, pointing at Percy. "I don't understand where you come from, any more than I understood it four years ago. But I think your arrival is some sort of repayment. You destroyed my home once. Now you've been sent to save my home. I don't hold a grudge against you for the past, Percy. My sister hates you still, it's true, but Fate brought me here to Camp Jupiter. I've done well. All I ask is that you work with me for the future. I intend to save this camp."

I felt bad for Percy. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place. The metal dogs glared at him, their mouths frozen in snarl mode. Percy found Reyna's eyes a lot harder to meet.

"Look, I'll help," he promised. "But I'm new here, same as the others. You've got a lot of good people who know this camp better than I do. If we succeed on this quest, Hazel and Frank will be heroes. You could ask one of them—"

"Please," Reyna said. "No one will follow a child of Pluto. There's something about that girl...rumors about where she came from...No, she won't do. As for Frank Zhang, he has a good heart, but he's hopelessly naïve and inexperienced. Besides, if the others found out about his family history at this camp—"

"Family history?"

I had a funny feeling that it had to be connected to why Neptune, aka Poseidon, was so disliked by Romans around these parts.

"The point is, Percy, Colton, you both are the real power on these quests. Percy is a seasoned veteran, though I have no doubt in my mind Colton is too. I've seen what you all can do. A son of Neptune wouldn't be my first choice at least for the quest to Alaska, but if you return successfully from this mission, the legion might be saved. The praetorship will be yours for the taking. Together, you and I could expand the power of Rome. We could raise an army and find the Doors of Death, crush Gaea's forces once and for all. You would find me a very helpful...friend. The same offer goes out to you, Colton."

I take that back. Both of us were between a rock and a hard place right now. On the one hand, I could take this deal — beat Percy back to camp after getting the sword of Jupiter, become Praetor, and then destroy Gaea and Porphyrion's factions. But on the other hand, I couldn't do that with only the Romans. I'd need my forces as the Monster King, plus Camp Half Blood and Kayla.

Percy's feet started tapping on the floor, anxiously. "Reyna...I'm honored, and all. Seriously. But I've got a girlfriend. And I don't want power, or a praetorship."

She looked at me. "I'm in the same boat as him." I left out the part about being the Monster King. Even though her dogs were there, I said it convincingly enough that they did not detect me lying to them.

That was good.

Even so, I truly was worried that either of us would make her mad. Instead she just raised her eyebrows.

"Men who turn down power?" she said. "That's not very Roman of both of you. Just think about it. In four days, I have to make a choice. If we are to fight off an invasion, we must have two strong praetors. I'd prefer either of you, but if you fail on your quest, or don't come back, or refuse my offer...Well, I'll work with Octavian. I mean to save this camp, Percy Jackson and Colton Reynolds. Things are worse than you realize."

I remembered what Frank said about the monster attacks getting more frequent. "How bad?"

Reyna's nails dug into the table. "Even the senate doesn't know the whole truth. I've asked Octavian not to share his auguries, or we'd have mass panic. He's seen a great army marching south, more than we can possibly defeat. They're led by a giant—"

"Alcyoneus?"

I smacked his forehead. "Ow! What was that for..?" he said, looking at me.

"He's in Alaska, dude. Why would he risk coming out of the territory he can't be killed in? Most likely another one of the giants is leading this army."

"Colton is correct.." Reyna added.

"Great," Percy said. "So we've got two giants to worry about."

The praetor nodded. "Lupa and her wolves are trying to slow them down, but this force is too strong even for them. The enemy will be here soon—by the Feast of Fortuna at the very latest."

"That's why you didn't want us telling anyone about what Juno had said to us.." I said to her.

"Correct."

Percy shuddered.

Reyna read his expression. "Yes, it's bad, but not hopeless. If you succeed in bringing back our eagle, if you release Death so we can actually kill our enemies, then we stand a chance. Jupiter's sword would help too. And there's one more possibility..."

Reyna slid the silver ring across the table. "I can't give you much help, but your journey will take you close to Seattle. I'm asking you for a favor, which may also help you. Find my sister Hylla."

"Your sister...the one who hates me?"

"Oh, yes," Reyna agreed. "She would love to kill you. But show her that ring as a token from me, and she may help you instead."

"May?"

"I can't speak for her. In fact..." Reyna frowned. "In fact I haven't spoken to her in weeks. She's gone silent. With these armies passing through—"

"You want me to check on her," Percy guessed. "Make sure she's okay."

That made sense.

"Partially, yes. I can't imagine she's been overcome. My sister has a powerful force. Her territory is well defended. But if you can find her, she could offer you valuable help. It could mean the difference between success and failure on your quest. And if you tell her what's happening here—"

"She might send help?" Percy asked.

Hopefully that would be the case. I hoped it was at least.

Reyna didn't answer, but Percy could see the desperation in her eyes. She was terrified, grasping for anything that could save her camp. No wonder she wanted Percy's help. She was the only praetor. The defense of the camp rested on her shoulders alone. Then, I had an idea. It was a risky one, one that might scare the shit out of Camp Jupiter but would save their camp. Bring my army as the Monster King to Camp Jupiter.

Hopefully, that would be enough to defeat the army being sent by Gaea. It was risky, but I had to do it. It could be the only chance we had.

Percy took the ring. "I'll find her. Where do I look? What kind force does she have?"

"Don't worry. Just go to Seattle. They'll find you."

That didn't sound encouraging at all, I will admit, but Percy slipped the ring onto his leather necklace with his beads and his probatio tablet. "Wish me luck."

"Same here.." I added.

"Fight well, Percy Jackson and Colton Reynolds," Reyna said. "And thank you."

I could tell this was over. Reyna was having trouble holding herself together, keeping up the image of the confident commander. She needed some time by herself. I didn't feel sticking around any longer than I needed to, so before she could say anything more to me, I just turned and booked it out of there.

I had stuff to do, very important stuff to do.

- — - — - — -

As soon as I got out of the Principia, I made a beeline for Temple Hill. I had a couple places to visit. First up, first and foremost, was a visit to Bellona's temple. Walking inside of it, I had to admit, the interior was as splendid as the outside of the temple itself.

Approaching the altar, I was surprised to find that someone else was there too. I couldn't see their face yet, for they had their back turned to me, but I could tell that she was female, she was wearing armor, and she had a shield in one hand and a blood-red flame torch in the other. She also had what appeared to be short brown hair too.

I didn't exactly expect that she had been expecting me at all, but the way she spoke might as well have saying to me that yes she had — I mean, it was an explicit confirmation.. what more could you ask for?

"Greetings, Colton Reynolds.." she said, slowly turning around. "I have been expecting you."

She had dark eyes, and a face that for a moment, felt like I was staring at a statue of a great Roman emperor — even though all of those people who held that title were male. It suddenly hit me as to exactly who I was standing in front of right now.

Bellona, goddess of war and Reyna and Hylla's mother.

I instantly knelt down in front of her. "Lady Bellona.." I said. "It is an honor to finally meet you."

"At ease, Colton Reynolds.." she said back to me. "You may stand, Monster King."

I stood up, a bit shocked to hear that title uttered by her. "We Roman Gods are well aware that Typhon has crowned you that title, graceus.." she said to me, frowning as she did so. It was evident that she honestly did not approve of me being here at all. "..and I have been against bringing you here at all. However, given the circumstances of the present times, I'm here to give you a task. Reyna is my pride and joy, and I'm honored to have her as praetor of Camp Jupiter. Still, I fear for her safety in what is to come, particularly with the army coming to attack the home of the Roman Gods' children. You must complete the present quest you are going on and make it back to camp by the 24th, and ensure that she — and her sister too — survive the battle as well. I have heard many great things about you from Juno, so I put my trust in you. You have my favor on this quest and in the coming battle. Do not fail me."

I nodded sternly. I knew full well what was on the line here, and I had no intention of letting the War Goddess of Rome down at all. "I understand.." I said back to her. "I will not fail you at all. You have my word."

"We shall see, Colton Reynolds.." she said. "We shall see indeed." I didn't stick around for much longer — for I had turned and left right after that. Like I said, I didn't have much time for sticking around. I had to move quickly.

After that, I visited the temple of Mars Ultor and made an offering there. Once that was done, I headed back to the Fifth Cohort's barracks — to pick up my stuff and then meet up with Lavinia and Michael to head off on our quest.

Along the way, I tried using my telepathy link with Kayla. I crossed my fingers as I started to do so, hoping it would work.

Kayla? Kayla?

Nothing happened at first, so I tried again.

Kayla?

C-C-Colton?!

I breathed a sigh of relief and was internally jumping for joy inside. She could hear me, that was good.

Yeah — it's me. Gods, I've missed you so much.

Where are you?! Are you okay?! Are you at Camp Jupiter?!

Yeah, I am. How do you know about Camp Jupiter?

Believe me when I say, things have been happening over on our side too.

She told me about how Hera had given Annabeth a hint to our location, which led them to the Grand Canyon. There, they found two new demigods as well as four amnesic demigods who turned out to be the same missing demigods that Reyna had talked about. She told me about the quest the six of them undertook to save Hera, who had been captured and used to awaken Kronis, the new king of the Giants. In the end, he was sent back to Tartarus battered and bruised — and unlikely to return for a few months. She told me about the secret history between Roman and Greek demigods — and how violent it got. She also told me of a separate quest that Rose, Katie, Travis, Connor had undertaken at the same time as the quest to save Hera — since Iris had also been captured — and how Rose had learned that she had a sister in Camp Jupiter that was supposed to have gone to Camp Half Blood, but was switched with her for some reason — named Lily.

Reyna — Jason's fellow praetor here — mentioned that part about how Romans and Greeks fought each other during the Civil War here too. Here's another thing. She knows Percy and Annabeth.

Wait.. how?

Thinking it had something to do with their intervention to help my older sister Clarisse during her quest for the Golden Fleece the summer you came to camp. I am not sure.

That's wild.

Well.. here's the thing. You need to tell Cháris and the others of my location. I'll give you the nearest milepost of the freeway that's close to it.

We know that you're at Camp Jupiter along with the others, we're just not sure where exactly.

Well, I'll help you fill in the blanks, and fast. Gaea is making her move now. The Great Prophecy is starting.

Wait.. no.. now?

Yep. What happened in December was only the beginning. Now it's for real. Gaea's minions have forced open the Doors Of Death. Alcyoneus, the giant mentioned by Kelli, is up in Alaska — where he has captured Thanatos. Percy, Luke, and two of our new friends here Frank and Hazel are going on a quest up there.

What are you doing?

Remember that prophecy paper we got after Typhon crowned you Monster Queen?

Yeah..

Well, that's happening at the same time as that. Michael, me, and our other new friend Lavinia are going south to the Tehachapi Mountains on a quest to retrieve Argonaut, the sword of Jupiter.

Seriously?

Yeah.. the Roman version of my father, Mars, ordered both quests at the same time last night. So.. here I am, going off on another quest. But seriously, make it known to Cháris and the others that all our forces — monster-wise — must reach Camp Jupiter by the 24th. Gaea is sending an army to attack the camp — most likely led by another resurrected giant.

She's brought back more of them?

I can hear the shock in her voice.

Seems like it. There's a few other things you should know about. There's a dude here that's an asshole and looks very similar to Luke.. name is Octavian.. he's apparently the camp's equivalent to what we have here in Rachel.. except this asshole cuts up stuffed animals with his knife. It pisses me off greatly.

Wait.. what? What are these people doing there?

Following the orders of the Roman versions of the Gods we were born under. Oh, to add insult to injury, this guy is a legacy — aka a second or further generation descendant of a god whose parents were demigods — of your and Michael's father.

You.. You're kidding..

Nope.. I'm not unfortunately. This asshole has the gift of prophecy and also a lot of arrogance, bullshit beliefs, and asshole behavior like you wouldn't believe.. he's blackmailing Hazel, he thinks me, Percy, Michael, and Luke are traitors working for Gaea — apparently a lot of these people really believe the old myths about Greeks around these parts — and on top of that, last night after the guys and I helped Frank, Hazel, Lavinia and their fellow campers in what is basically the laughing stock of the camp kick Octavian and his fellow high potential campers' asses in war games, he nearly skewered me and a fellow camper I was talking to.

Oh my god! You're not hurt are you?

I'm fine. Caught it before it pierced me.

Thank goodness. I don't like this Octavian guy at all.

Well, I'm firmly pissed off at him now, seems like Michael is starting to be too, so what else is new?

How did you get your memories back?

Mars gave me the sword of the Monster King last night — more like tossed it at me, and the second my hand touched the handle, all the memories came rushing back.

Do Percy, Luke, and Michael remember yet?

They have bits and pieces of memories — but no. They haven't as of now. I don't know how exactly I'll be able to get Michael and the other two to remember, but what I do know is that I'm the only one that does — and I'm going to help out these demigods, whatever it takes.

I'm with you — we're all with you, Colton. I love you so much.

Gods, I miss hearing those words come out of your mouth.

Same here. Be safe.

I will. I'll talk again with you soon.

Okay~

I now picked up the pace towards the Fifth Cohort's barracks. At least now, to be honest — I had a fair chance of pulling off my plan to save Camp Jupiter. All I had to do now was get the quest for Jupiter's sword off and running. To do that, I would have to rely on.. a fair bit of hitchhiking.