Percy

The celebration was in full swing by the time I had arrived. Apparently when Michael had mentioned a celebration soon he meant that very night.

I had taken the rest of the afternoon for myself after my less than stellar conversation with my two friends, although clearly that relationship was being strained.

I felt strangely conflicted on the matter. Before, I had always deferred to Jason and Reyna, and I had never really had to worry about maintaining relationships with my other officers, I just did as a consequence of also being a centurion.

But now that I was on bad terms with Reyna, and Jason had disappeared and was having adventures of his own, apparently, I couldn't rely on them as crutches anymore.

I admonished myself silently for my carelessness with my friendships.

Luckily, the event was to be held in regular legion attire, probably because everybody in the legion was too tired to get changed anyways, so I stayed with my imperial gold armour on, my purple cloak billowing behind me as always.

I could tell from the get-go that this was a ceremony greenlit and organised by the senate. Absolutely no care was placed into the organisation.

People flooded the streets like water in a river, and the noise was loud, even from where I was walking along the Via Appia towards the Pomerian line. Someone had somehow sneaked a big speaker in, and was blasting rock music on it.

Is that Nickelback?

Unfortunately, it was.

Massive crowds had formed on the streets of New Rome, and I pushed past throngs of people and the occasional lar, as they either drunkenly saluted me or congratulated me.

I flinched as I felt someone pat my shoulder, and glancing back quickly I saw an old man nodding at me approvingly. I quickly moved on.

Every bump, word exchanged, I felt my field of vision get smaller and smaller.

I felt my breathing become quicker and more superficial as I felt more contact, and flashes of what seemed like hidden knives and flashes of poison bottles seemed to jump out in my field of vision, my imagination playing tricks on me.

Gods be good, I didn't trust anybody anymore. Reyna, Michael, who was going to be next?

Eventually, I found my way to a group of second cohort soldiers, who pointed me to where Hank, Larry, and Gwen were having the time of their lives partying, non-alcoholically of course.

Relieved, I was about to call out to them when I felt someone pull on my left shoulder.

The momentary respite I had felt vanished, and I turned around roughly, pulling my shoulder away firmly.

Leila stepped back, uncertainty written on her features.

'Sorry Percy, didn't mean to startle you.' She said apologetically.

'It's fine.' I said automatically. An awkward silence seemed to stretch on forever.

'Have you talked to Theo at all?' Leila asked.

'No. Honestly it's all still a bit crazy for me.' I replied honestly.

Leila nodded. 'I get that… Listen, about before, with Michael.'

I nodded hesitantly.

'I know you're going through a lot, and I don't blame you, but Michael is taking it pretty hard. He's had a pretty rough time.' Leila explained somewhat apologetically. 'I know you guys are good friends and everything, but still. Go easy on him. Michael doesn't have your stoicism, no matter how much he pretends otherwise.

I knew I should have done something, but I just felt drained. I knew that the events I had lived were starting to catch up to me, and frankly I hadn't been in the best place mentally… Ever, really. 'I… Yeah. You're right.'

Leila nodded, pulling me in for a quick hug. 'Good luck, Perce.' And then she was gone, disappearing into the multitude of people crowded on the streets.

I realised after a moment that I still had no clue where my brother was, and I groaned frustratedly at the fact that the senate had to organise what was practically a massive party tonight.

I tried to push through the crowds again, maybe to get to the training fields beside the barracks to blow off some steam, but the constant contact was making me feel really claustrophobic for some reason.

I was still too tired to do a proper mist jump, but maybe if I could manage a small one to temple hill, I could make my way to somewhere more secluded to spend the night.

XIXI

Percy

I arrived to a surprised shriek and a lot of shuffling feet.

A couple jumped in fright, and they both quickly hurried away when they realised who I was.

Temple Hill was peaceful, which I could appreciate more acutely after the monstrosity of a celebration I had just left.

I walked down the hill, considering where to go next.

My house?

Better not, I decided. I didn't want to deal with any of the inebriated legionnaires I would probably find on my way.

Maybe the willow tree?

Ugh, I liked the spot, but it reminded me too much of Artemis, and that was truly the last thing I wanted, or probably needed, at this point.

I was broken out of my musings by a strangely familiar nasally voice. As I neared the bottom of the hill, beside the garden café. It got louder and louder, and something compelled me to investigate.

It seemed to be originating from the changing rooms to the side of the café, near the lake, and as I stepped inside, I could start to make out some of the conversation.

'What are you really here for, filthy greek?'

Oh boy. I could make out the voice now. Octavian.

Gods, is it just me or did he become even more annoying since I left?

'Celebrating our victory, just like you.' My brother calmly responded.

I swore lightly under my breath. Of course it had to be him. Of all the nights, tonight?

Really?

'Our ancestors may have been lenient, but I know better, never trust a greek. Your people are always plotting and scheming, and I will not let my beloved people pay the price!' Octavian declared dramatically.

Should I intervene?

'-I will make you pay for the crimes of your ancestors-'

And that's my cue.

'You will do no such thing, Octavian.' I commanded, sweeping into the room.

I noticed that two members of the first cohort were flanking Octavian, blocking the exit, while Theo simply stood there rather awkwardly.

'Praetor Jackson-' Octavian began, putting on his most convincing smile, dropping his head in deference.,

I held up a hand, instantly silencing him. 'Nothing. I believe you are spreading false rumours, about a member of my family no less. I will not forget that. And you two.' I turned to the two members of the first. 'Get out of here before I give enough of a shit to find out who you are, because you better believe that if I do you will find yourself straight in the auxiliary cohort.' I threatened sternly.

The two legionnaires barely hesitated before booking it, and Octavian, realising he had ran out of steam, quickly made hasty apologies to me will slowly backing out, before turning away and walking briskly away,

I turned back to Theseus. 'How do you like the lake?'

XIXI

Theseus

Percy seemed… Cool.

For the most part, at least.

He brought me to the bottom of the lake, where he leisurely stretched out and lay down on the lake floor, while I sorta floated awkwardly.

'How's your squad?' he asked, referencing the unit I belonged to within my cohort. He spoke in a no-nonsense tone, with that same strange energy he carried when he was in the senate.

'Fine. Things are kinda weird now cus of the whole thing with me being Greek, but they're more understanding than most.' I explained.

'Look, I get that it's awkward and all, but believe me, I'll do what I can to keep those people off your back.' He explained.

I nodded. 'Thanks… You didn't have to do this for me.'

Percy shook his head. 'Of course I did. Even if I didn't want to. We're family Theo. On the mortal side. That's precious.' He said wistfully, his voice dropping to the same tired note it seemed to have outside of public functions.

I gave a small nod.

'Did you… Know Mom?' I asked tentatively.

'For a bit. I can barely remember anything. Just that she used to make me feel so happy. It's all I associate her with.' Percy explained. And for just a moment, I thought I could glean the smallest upturn of his lips.

'I was in an orphanage since I can remember. I never met Mom. One of my biggest fears was always that she would be worse than the orphanage.' I opened up morosely.

Percy frowned. 'Why would you be scared of that?'

I shrugged. 'Just the inevitability of unhappiness, I guess. In my mind, knowing that there was something better out there, something worth fighting for, it gave me comfort.'

Percy seemed to consider this, staring out in the distance.

'Yeah.' He said finally. 'I can understand that.'

We stayed in the lake in comfortable silence.

'Why aren't you at the celebration?' Percy asked.

'I just didn't feel wanted. With the whole Greek thing. I'm a controversy now more than anything. Spoils the fun.' I said sheepishly.

Percy's face darkened, and it took all of my willpower not to flinch. It really was a razor's edge with him. He could be docile as a calm day, but turn into a storm in an instant.

'You won't have to deal with that anymore, you're expelled from the legion effective immediately.' Percy declared.

My eyes widened in surprise. 'What? You're just kicking me out?'

Percy held up his hands placatingly. 'It's nothing personal, but we can't have foreign citizens serving in our military. It would not be well received. You will, however, become our new envoy from the Greek camp you told us about earlier. It'll help with any future alliance we might build against Gaia, and it gives you authority within the senate without infringing on the sacrosanctity of the legion.' Percy explained patiently.

I nodded taking it all in. 'So… basically you're giving me a reason to stay, but I can't be a part of the military.' I confirmed.

Percy nodded. He was studying me, and I could have sworn I could see the gears turning in his head. I shifted nervously where I was floating.

Percy seemed to notice my discomfort, as he quickly changed the topic. 'And what's happening with you and Reyna?' He asked. I could tell he was trying to be nonchalant about it, but I noticed the same strain in his voice as Reyna when she spoke of him.

'You two don't get on, huh?' I responded, evading the question.

'We used to. But politics brings out the best and worst in everybody. We had different ideas as to how Rome should go forward.' His face took on that dark look again.

'But you shouldn't worry yourself about that. It's between me and Reyna.' He said.

I nodded, 'It's alright. I guess being a praetor isn't all it's cracked up to be.'

Percy nodded, looking off into the distance. 'You can say that again.'

XIXI

Percy

I said goodbye to Theo, leaving him to his own devices as I resumed my journey to the nearby mountains and up the small path that led to my favourite spot.

I still felt unsure about my brother. Sure, he seemed kind, brave, if the battle with Porphyrion was anything to go by, and loyal to boot, but I just couldn't shake the feeling of distrust when I saw him, the instinctive raising of my guard around him.

Because he is a graecus. I admitted quietly to myself.

I collapsed down against the trunk of the willow tree, revelling in the familiarity of the place, and the tranquillity of it all.

It had been very awkward, the talk with Theo. He was clearly caught up between Reyna and me, for differing reasons, and the legion seemingly wanted nothing to do with him at the moment. I would have to remedy that.

I groaned and rubbed my forehead, trying to forestall the migraine I could feel starting to form.

Why did I care so much about Theo?

He was my last family. Real family, not from the divine side, I supposed.

But as I thought back to my actions, the way I treated him, the pieces all started to fall together.

How I talked with him, the decisions I had made in the senate, how I opened up so quickly to him…

I was replacing Jason with Theo.

I blinked in surprise. Woah.

I had a tendency towards the introspective, but this was… Impressive. Even for me.

And he's probably just as lost as me right now.

I couldn't afford to be this weak. I was meant to be a leader, not some coward skullking behind people who did the real work.

I would be putting Octavian out of work.

I detached my purple praetor's cloak from where it rested on my shoulders, fastened to my shoulder pauldrons. I folded it up neatly, placing it on the grass in front of me.

I took in a deep breath, holding in for ten seconds. Breathing exercises had always been the bedrock of my training, be it with the sword, trident, or my powers. They hadn't failed me yet.

I felt myself detach from the world, and I closed my eyes as I began to doze lightly,

'Perseus.'

My eyes shot open, and I quickly scrambled up to see who had called my name. I recognised the figure instantly, and I felt an involuntary flutter in my chest as I took her in.

Artemis.

AN:

My chapters are getting shorter again. Ugh. Again, super busy week, honestly I'm surprised I even managed to finish this.

I'm so tired.

Also there's a bunch of drama at my school which has just left me drained emotionally, so there's also that.

Prancing-Tiger:HAhaha, I imagine Michael as Mark Anthony, and Octavian… is Octavian, what can I say. I hope the explanation for Reyna's actions at least make sense, I don't know, I spent a lot of time debating it.

Exodus12345: You have to see that not everybody would see his changes as positive, just more militarised. The shift will become more obvious after the direct attack on New Rome, but before that people kinda didn't really know about the war, so didn't really care that much. Percy didn't have much popular support from civilians. He is sort of power-hungry as is, but it's the ambition that is making most of the people around him wary of him, as they don't want another emperor. You'll see the change in attitude in later chapters, especially after he has to deal with the actual responsibility of having to actually implement his decisions when given the chance.

HellRaiderS: Cheers man, appreciate the support.

That's about that, see yous next week.

Slán, Murph