Percy
It was already late afternoon by the time I left the smithing guildhouse.
The Centurions and Theo, who I had left outside waiting, already seemed ready to murder me when I exited the door.
'So?' Gwen asked.
'Contract has been all but formally agreed. Michael, get somebody to liaise with these people. Preferably someone who doesn't scare too easily. These fuckers like to throw their weight around. Apart from that, you're all dismissed. Sorry to waste your time, but hey, at least I saved you a couple of hours of dealing with whiny newbies.' I ordered.
There were a couple sparse chuckles as the group dispersed, Michael giving me a quick nod before also leaving.
I spotted Theo walking away with the group, talking with Larry about something in hushed whispers.
'Theo!' I called.
Theo turned to look at me, Larry also waiting expectantly.
'Care to join me?' I asked.
Theo turned to Larry, who nodded discreetly before clapping him on the shoulder, turning around and continuing the path he had been before.
Theo jogged up to me, and I couldn't help but notice the stark difference in his demeanour from before to after the attack as we walked along in silence.
Sunken eyes, pale, sallow skin, and red eyes.
Hasn't been eating or sleeping much. I deduced quickly.
Honestly, with Reyna in the ER since the attack, it didn't take a genius to figure out where my brother had been spending his time.
'You don't look so good.' I began.
That seemed to be the wrong thing to say though, as I noticed Theo's fists tightening, his knuckles even turning white.
'You do.' He said.
My mind raced at a million miles an hour.
What's that supposed to mean? I thought to myself.
We passed through some busy streets near the industrial area. Although as with everywhere since the attempt on my life and Reyna's, and especially since the massive conscription effort today, the streets were close to empty, with only a couple people wandering around.
'How's Reyna?' I asked eventually, deciding not to continue down whatever rabbithole Theo had opened up.
'In a medically induced coma. Doctors don't trust her body to support her consciously and fight off whatever poison was in that arrow.' Theo muttered bitterly.
'I'm sorry.'
Again, no answer.
'You're sorry.'
It wasn't phrased as a question, moreso a statement, a sense of finality in it.
'Yes.' I said.
I was still utterly perplexed by what was happening to Theo, who by all accounts seemed to be going through some sort of stroke.
'There was also an attempt on you, I'm happy you came out unscathed.' Theo mentioned off-handedly.
I frowned. 'I was recovering for a couple of days, but yes, I was very fortunate-' I began, only to be cut off.
'You got off without so much as a fucking scratch.' Theo hissed.
The sudden change in mannerism took me by surprise, to the point where I took a full step back.
'Theo, what are you saying?' I was aware of my ring in an instant, the cool metal giving me comfort that I could get an energy boost, I still wasn't fully recovered, and I wouldn't be able to take on Theo without it.
Could I? I asked myself. I had never actually gone up against Theo powers against powers, and had no idea about his level of control over the domains we both controlled.
'Reyna's in fucking hospital, she's barely alive, and you're just strolling around with your fucking dictatorial powers like nothing.' Theo spat out.
By this point, we outside of the city limits, on the path that led down to the lake, very close to a large body of water.
Okay.
Of all people, it's Theo that's going to give me a hard time. I mused drily. I thought it would be Michael. At least I could reason with him better.
That was the problem. For all the time we'd spent together since the battle with Porphyrion, Theo was still somewhat of an unknown to me. Him being so close with Reyna only exacerbated the issue.
I sighed, turned to face Theo directly, squaring my shoulders as I crossed my arms.
'What did Reyna tell you?' I asked boredly.
To his credit, Theo didn't back down.
'She didn't have to tell me anything. It's clear to everybody around you. You're turning this place into a dictatorship.' Theo stated. 'Not to mention conscription.'
I scoffed. 'That's what happens in times of emergency, Theo. I can't live off of fucking hail maries. I have a responsibility towards protecting these people. My people. Do you know how big the population is in New Rome?' I asked.
Theo seemed to hesitate slightly, though he shook his head nonetheless.
'Ten thousand strong, give or take. The largest concentration of demigods, legacies and tradition dating back to the first punic war, all in one place. It is my responsibility to safeguard this legacy, and also win a war to help your people. I can't do that with barely three hundred legionnaires, Theo.'
Theo shook his head. 'That doesn't excuse despotism.'
I groaned. 'Gods, you fucking reek of Reyna's influence.'
'So you're not denying it?'
'Denying what, Theo?' I asked tiredly.
'That it was on purpose. The attempt. Revenge for what she did to you?' He persevered.
My heart skipped a beat, and I could have sworn Theo flinched at my expression.
I stepped forward, bringing myself inches from Theo's face.
'Who the fuck told you about that?' I hissed angrily.
Theo simply stared at me in shock.
'Theo, fucking tell me who told you that right now.'
'I- Reyna! Reyna told me, alright?' Theo responded, back away quickly.
I let out a sigh of relief.
At least nobody else knows - That I know of. I assured myself.
'Listen to me very carefully, okay Theo? You don't talk to anyone about that, understood?' I threatened.
Theo stared at me with wide eyes, nodding quickly.
I squeezed my eyes shut, balling a fist frustratedly.
'Theo, look I-'
I stopped as I looked back up.
Theo had already walked away.
XIXI
Percy
Theo was… not in the best state, mentally. Clearly Reyna had affected him much more than I realised, and more than he let on.
Not that I've been keeping particularly good track.
But I couldn't nor would I, accept to lose precious time to enact another contingency I had prepared.
Theo will simply have to accept reality.
And anyways, he didn't have the influence to try anything that could actually pose a threat to me, even if he did have the stones to go against me directly.
Usually, when I interacted, I invited him to my office, and this arrangement worked just fine for both of use for the most part.
This also had the additional boon of lulling Octavian into a false sense of security regarding the whereabouts of his actual place of residence, which his family had gone to great lengths to wipe from any registry New Rome had at its disposal.
Unfortunately for House Helvidii, Rome's system of administration and registration of housing, while archaic, was damn near impenetrable, and it was a laughably simple process to walz into the imperial archive and ask for any of the many sets of records of ownership of land by the patrician houses of New Rome.
Sure enough, this short investigation bore fruit in the form of a luxurious penthouse in one of the most affluent areas of New Rome, the building being inhabited almost exclusively by some of the oldest names in the city, some tracing their origins back even to the times of the second triumvirate.
I entered the foyer swiftly, not deliberating as I opted to make my way up the building through the use of the stairwell instead of the lift pulley system employed.
The décor was a conservative affair, much in line with the views of those who resided here, and I almost rolled my eyes at the presumptuous use of purple in many of the curtains, and the carpet on the floor.
The message was clear.
Only the best services, fit for royalty.
Gods, it fucking sickened me.
I doubted any of the families in this building had done anything other than spend money from their ventures established centuries ago, sitting on their arses.
Eventually, I made it to the floor I was looking for, pushing open the uniformly ornate door softly.
The hallway was likewise bedecked in purple, with gold highlights, further accentuating the luxurious appeal.
And further exacerbating my irritation.
Due to the size of the apartments, the long hallways was practically devoid of any sort of interruption to the décor, and it was only once I had gotten close to the end of it that I finally spied the lone doorway I was looking for.
Three sharp knocks on the door later, and I found myself discreetly looking around, confirming that I was indeed the only one in the hallway, before looking back quickly towards the door as it slowly opened, revealing a slightly less composed Octavian than I was used to dealing with.
His expression could only be described as desibelief, intermingled with sharp spasms of shock and… Panic?
Fucker thought he could get away with it. I thought darkly, my suspicions all but confirmed.
'Octavian.' I greeted with false cheer. 'I was just passing by, and I remembered that you lived here, and I just had to pop in and see how you were doing.' I explained amicably.
Octavian seemed to break out of his stupefied stupor, straightening up quickly to his unimpressive full height, seemingly attempting to summon whatever bravado he could in response to the obvious bait I had laid out.
Tell the pontifex you won't let him into the house. I dare you, Helvidia.
'Pontifex, what a welcome surprise.' Octavian spoke, stepping aside, his voice subdued, lacking any of the usual pomp I was so accustomed to it being accompanied by.
I walked in confidently, taking stock of the surroundings, somewhat surprised at the modesty of the abode.
The house was almost completely plain, with no decorations to speak of, plain white walls and ceiling being contrasted only by a plain wooden floor.
I was led by a downcast Octavian to his sitting room, furnished in a similarly plain fashion with only a sofa, a big armchair, and a coffee table.
Noticing a book lying in the armchair, I decided to show the smallest bit of grace by sitting myself down in the sofa clearly meant for guests, however few Octavian must have invited to the place, leaning back contentedly.
'Can I offer you anything to drink? Something light? It's almost teatime.' Octavian offered.
I almost snorted at his proposition.
Teatime? Must be a high class thing. I thought to myself amusedly.
'Just sit down, Octavian.' I ordered calmly.
Octavian nodded quietly, moving his book to the coffee table, before taking a seat.
Though unlike me, his posture was rigid, and he did not relax even as minutes passed by.
'Tell me Octavian, what exactly is your job?'
For a few moments, I only heard the faint sounds of the city as Octavian mulled this over, before finally, he seemed to make up his mind.
'And what is yours, Pontifex?' He questioned.
The question took me by surprise not only because of the stones it took to say that to my face, but especially because it was Octavian, made me scoff in irritation and answer before I properly thought through what I was saying.
'To win this war, fuck off and be happy. And you didn't answer my question, Octavian. I will order you to respond if you refuse.' I snapped back quickly.
As if I had only proven him correct, Octavian shook his head sadly, a sad sigh escaping him.
'How can you call yourself a Roman, Pontifex?' He asked, lamenting it as if it was his favourite character in a show dying.
'You're kidding.'
'I assure you I am not.'
'Indulge me.'
'What can I say, Pontifex? I had so much hope for our partnership, that agreement we had come to, and yet, you seem to have gone back on your word.'
It took me few seconds to realise what Octavian was talking about, a feeling of realisation bubbling up before I ruthlessly quashed it, maintaining my poker face.
'I don't see how I have strayed from the terms.' I answered neutrally.
Octavian shrugged. 'Your policies just seemed so much… More, when you first pitched them to me. A full, permanent ban of the senate, the transition to an autocratic government, with you at its head, the great Houses having their full authority restored.' Octavian listed off casually.
I grimaced.
But Octavian hadn't quite ended his tirade.
'A coup of the government with the use of a Legion under your sole control.'
I stood up abruptly. 'Enough. I won't have you spreading lies.'
Octavian shrugged. 'Is it now? I suppose when you're Pontifex, you get to cherrypick the truth. What a luxury.'
'I suppose you will have more than enough time to mull that over.' I responded, clicking my fingers.
Sure enough, Three praetorian guards appeared from the doorway to another room adjacent, headed straight towards Octavian.
Octavian hung his head sadly, shaking it disappointedly.
'I suppose I shall sit out the rest of this war.' He stated melancholically.
'As you did the last.' I confirmed.
Octavian inspected the guards as they approached him, one taking out a pair of handcuffs, fastening them around Octavian's wrists, keeping them in place.
'By my own guards, too. I knew this day would come, but Percy, I didn't take you for one to add salt to the wound.' He commented idly.
'They were never loyal to you, Octavian. You only ever commanded them on my behalf to begin with. Then again, that's the only way you could command any sort of authority. By trying to hide the nature of it from me.'
Octavian shrugged. 'It was nice, while it lasted.'
I observed him for a couple of moments more, before scoffing and turning away.
'You know the hours of your shift. Don't let him out of your site, and don't let him out of the apartment. The logistics are being taken care of.' I ordered the three praetorians guarding the apartment.
Receiving curt nods, I turned away, making my way away from this depressing scene.
AN:
Yet another chapter completed.
Octavian is out of the picture, and there is virtually nobody with the authority to get in Percy's way anymore, or anybody who could at least curb the direction in which he is going.
Again, super fun chapter to write. Percy having absolute control of a country and military and going full megalomaniac will never not be funny.
As for Theo… Eh. He's served his purpose, and will be sorta kinda having his own thing with the seven, like in cannon, so more of that to look forward to ig.
And that's about that.
Reviews:
Fugy: Glad to hear, and that was exactly what I was trying to go for. I think combat Tombat summarised it best in his Imperator series when he said the Roman citizens were a mob. I just decided to take that in less of a 'Americanised' mob and more in the direction of a mob in the traditional sense of beingcontrolled, wielded against the enemies of Rome.
All it required was harnessing, which is what Percy is in the process of doing. I mean, 1300 is a massive number of Legionnaires to have at your disposal, and it'll change the course of the war and canon for sure.
MasterTrident: Well aware. I made the decision just based of canon for simplicity's sake, to show his triumph over Octavian as the only authority left in New Rome, and as a bit of a hint towards Percy's future. Though that's about all I'll say on the subject for now.
Azure Mane: Thanks dude, praise always appreciated, really makes my day. Honestly, I really struggle with pacing, consistency is a bitch, so happy to hear that it's at least gotten better.
PaladinKaladin: Happy to hear, the next couple of chapters are super great, and we'll be reaching the climax of the story soon enough, so now that I've laid all the plot groundwork, I can actually progress the story, which is an awesome feeling. And, like Rick Astley said, I'll never stop updating, never post an AN only chapter, never turn around, and desert this story, because abandoned stories suck to read.
M0NAX1A: You learn something new every day I guess. In British english it's the other way around, with the singles used as speech, and the doubles used as quotation marks within quotation marks.
School sucks equally bad tho imo.
Adis: Glad you enjoyed, imo the best writers are the ones that can make their audience feel emotion while reading their work, so for me that's the highest praise possible. Much appreciated!
And that's about it for now.
Slán, Murph
