Ch5

Magnus watched as the shoreline of New York City appeared in front of them. "Well we're back," he said. His stomach felt as if butterflies were being built in his stomach. Now the hard part. Find and mobilize his allies and prepare for the summer which was still a few months away.

Behind him Alabaster Torrington shuffled his deck of cards his gaze unreadable. "Finally."

Arminius stepped forward his hair flowing in the wind as he gazed at the city. "Gain as many allies as you can." His dark eyes bore into them. "While peace is preferable remember that one must always be prepared for war."

The boat stopped at the peer and he along with Alabaster got off. "Got it."

Arminius smiled at them. "You have a loyal heart Magnus. I know you will make the right decisions this summer. We'll be in touch." With that, the large Viking ship backed into the water and towards the ocean.

He turned to Alabaster. "So um you can stay with me if you have no other place to go."

Alabaster nodded. "Thanks. I don't have any other place at the moment."

They walked down the pier where they found Blitz and Hearthstone waiting for them in front of a black car. "Hey kid come on lets get you both home," Blitz said.

Upon entering the car he was greeted by a familiar goddess. "Hello Magnus," Freya said with a wide smile. His aunt wore a fancy dress and a nice golden necklace "How was training?"

"Uh good," he said as the car started. Alabaster sat next to him and awkwardly said hi to the goddess.

Freya smiled. "Good. It was a quick training but now is the next part."

"Next part?"

His aunt nodded. "Indeed. Muster and gain any allies you can. Your friends at camp and the Egyptians."

He frowned. "I don't know if the Egyptians will be as willing. The last time I spoke to them they seemed reluctant."

"Oh don't worry Isis and Horus can't be very convincing," Freya said with a smile. "Plan well with them, I know you and all your little friends can make this work." She clapped her hands and grinned at him. "All will, it will be a fine little show. Your father and I will help you alongw the way."

"Um thank you auntie."

Freya then turned to Alabaster. "Be safe little one and don't forget what you promised us." There was enough of an edge in her voice that sent a shiver down his spine.

Alabaster nodded. "I understand."

"Good. If all goes well you can join your siblings at the camp, if you want to of course." Freya sighed. "Anyway be safe Magnus and be careful of letting others know of our plans." With that, she disappeared in a flash of light leaving the faint smell of perfume in the car.

"Your aunt seems interesting," Alabaster said.

He sighed. "Yeah she is. Sorry for her threatening you."

Alabaster shrugged. "No worries. Gods are slow to forgive or forget."

You got that right. When they arrived at his apartment the familiar feeling of being home hit him. "Home sweet home." Stretching his arms he placed his bag on the bed. "Oh Alabaster take the room next to mine. I'm going to text someone."

Alabaster nodded and walked down the hall. "Thanks."

His heart raced as he quickly shot Annabeth to come and see him along with a text to Sadie Kane letting her he was back and if she wanted to talk. Frankly I don't blame her and that pantheon for not wanting to get involve but we really could use all the help we can get. Yet deep down he hoped they could help, if Gaea and these Romans were to go up against the camp, they would need all the help they can get.

It didn't take long for him to get a response from his cousin; Annabeth told him she'll be there right away. A smile spread across his face as he rested on the couch. It feels like it has been forever.

He was cleaning up his apartment when he heard a repeated knock at his door. Well she was quick. Upon opening the door Annabeth immediately wrapped her arms around him.

"Magnus! Thank gods your back!" She sobbed as she hugged.

"H-Hey Annabeth," He hugged her tightly. "What's wrong? Still no news from Percy?"

Annabeth cleaned the tears from her eyes. "We have a lot to talk about."

He nodded. "That we do." Closing the door he led his cousin to the couch. "Oh I made a friend," he said as Alabaster appeared in the hallway. "This is Alabaster son of Hecate."

Annabeth looked at Alabaster and frowned. "Didn't he work with the Titans to capture me?"

"Yeah um sorry about that," Alabaster said awkwardly.

"He's working with me. Come on we have some things to discuss," he said.

Annabeth sat across from him and Alabaster. "Magnus this may be hard to believe but there are other demigods."

He nodded. "I know. My aunt and and father told me about the Romans."

Annabeth did a double take. "They did?"

"Yup and apparently the reason Hera told me to leave the camp is in part because Norse demigods don't get along with the Roman demigods," he said.

"They don't?" Annabeth asked.

"I assume you are familiar with the Varian Disaster or the Battle of Teutoburg Forest?" Blitz came into the room with a tray of drinks. "It was one of Rome's greatest humiliations. All because Arminius son of Tyr chose his people or the legion."

Annabeth frowned. "I've heard of that battle." She sighed. "I guess the Romans aren't well liked even in other pantheons."

Blitz snorted. "You could say that again. Look what the sons of Mercury did in India and China in the name of profit and expansion."

"Anyway Annabeth I've come to talk to you about some things but you can't tell the camp freely," he said. Taking a deep breath he met her eyes. "Annabeth Asgard will help the camp in the war against Gaea and in case the Romans attack."

Annabeth did a double take. "Really?"

Yes. I'm also trying to work with the Egyptians, yeah they are a thing to." He quickly explained how they planned to defend the camp.

Annabeth remained silent the entire time but her eyes showed unease. "Magnus this sounds great and all but it's a big gamble, involving many pantheons might be dangerous."

Blitz grinned. "Don't worry we have permission from Lady Hera herself. We'll defend the Greeks."

"Yeah I mean my siblings are there so it would suck if it go destroyed," Alabaster said with a shrug. "But so long as my mother is respected in the end then we are good."

"So what is Hera's champion like?" He was curious to know what kind of demigod Hera had sent to the camp who was supposed to represent the Romans.

"Oh his name is Jason son of Jupiter or Zeus. He's alright but still figuring himself out." Annabeth sat back in the chair. "There are also two new Greek demigods who will be helping out. Piper a daughter of Aphrodite, she's nice even if she isn't like other girls and Leo son of Hephaestus who can't stop flirting with others to save his life." She shook her head and sighed. "Still no sign of Percy who is probably at the Roman camp."

"I see. Well I know he's safe wherever he is," he said.

"Me too," Annabeth muttered.

With that they managed to catch up on their lives. Annabeth told him of some problems she was having with her mother over a statue and how the camp was dealing with everything since Percy left. It was a heartfelt exchange and it was time for her to go the two embraced.

"I'll try to come more often," Annabeth whispered in his ear.

"You're more than welcome to," he said softly.

Annabeth smiled at him one last time before she left the apartment. "Well she seems to be holding it all together," Alabaster said as he played with some cards in his hands.

He sighed and looked at his phone where he saw a text from Sadie. "I'll be back, the Egyptians are calling."

"Good luck Magnus," Blitz said.

He waved goodbye before quickly leaving the apartment. Please be good news. His heart raced in his chest as he quickly made his way through the New York night.

By the time he arrived at the park he was almost out of breath but he saw Carter and Sadie Kane sitting alone on a bench.

"Hello Magnus glad to you see you again," Sadie said with a grin.

"Nice to see you both." He sat across from Carter who eyed him cautiously. "It's been a while."

"It has." Carter said as he sat up. "We have been talking about your deal and while there is some reservations we will support you defensively in North America."

His heart nearly leaped out of his chest. "R-Really?"

Sadie grinned. "Yes really! Lets kick some Roman ass this summer."

Carter sighed. "We will only be defensive. Me, Saide, and a few select allies will be supporting in any combat roles." He then extended a hand. "I'm looking forward to this alliance."

He shook it. "Likewise."

Jason sighed as he walked through the streets of New York City. It was a cool windy evening and he wanted sometime to himself. Summer will be in a few months. The idea made his stomach turn, a part of him was worried about seeing his old camp while another was nervous.

He was so enwrapped in his thoughts he felt himself collide with someone and fall to the ground. "Oh sorry," he said apologetically.

"Don't' worry about it," the guy said.

Upon looking up he noticed the person he bumped into was around his age with short blonde hair that reached down to his neck. Something about him seemed looked familiar.

"You're from camp?" The guy asked pointing to the Camp Half Blood shirt he was wearing.

"Uh yeah are you a demigod too?" He asked.

The guy nodded. "Yeah. My cousin Annabeth goes there."

"Annabeth?" He looked the guy over and the realization hit him. "You're her cousin she's been talking about! Magnus right?"

"Well I'm glad she talks about me," Magnus said.

He extended a hand. "I'm Jason Grace son of Jupiter."

Magnus' posture went rigid as he shook his head. "Uh nice to meet you."

For a moment the air around them tensed up, Magnus looked as if he were expecting to be attacked. "Yeah. Your cousin said a lot about you."

The two stared at each other awkwardly, he could tell Magnus was on edge with him just as Chiron and Annabeth were whenever he tried to talk about him

"So uh want to get a coffee or something?" Magnus asked much to his surprise.

He looked at Magnus and shrugged. "Sure why not." A part of him was nervous but he figured he might as well get to know the guy and figure out why there was so much mystery around him.

They quickly found a near empty coffee shop and got their drinks. "So I hear you are unclaimed still?" He asked.

Magnus looked at him cautiously as he sipped his coffee. "My family is complex."

He studied people most of his life he could tell he was hiding something. "So is mine. I recently reunited with my sister Thalia."

That did take Magnus by surprise. "Wait your Thalia's sister?"

He nodded. "Yeah. She was born from my father's Greek aspect while I am from his Roman aspect." Taking a sip of coffee he looked down at the table as various emotions began emerge from deep inside of him. "I was taken from my home at a young age and raised by Lupa."

"Lupa?" Magnus asked.

"Oh she's a goddess and takes the form of a wolf," he said casually.

Magnus shivered. "Ugh sorry but I have a bad history with wolves. They sort of killed my mother."

He was taken aback by the genuine fear in Magnus' eyes. "Oh us sorry to hear about that." Taking a sip of coffee he looked Magnus over, the guy seemed nice enough and despite his calm demeanor he could tell he had a fit physique and could hold himself in a fight.

"It's nothing," Magnus said softly. "I was raised by my uncle, Annabeth's father. My cousin and I have been at the camp for most of our lives." He drank his coffee. "Though I'm currently living in the city for a personal matter."

"I see." He sipped his coffee. "Your cousin and others have missed you in camp."

Magnus gave him a small smile. "Glad to hear that. I'm a little busy at the moment preparing for summer."

That took him by surprise. "Are you talking about Gaea? What are you doing to prepare?"

Magnus looked at him calmly his gaze seemed to be analyzing him. "You'll just have to wait and see."

Well ok. Something about Magnus intrigued him, he had a free wild side to him that made something inside of him stir.

They chatted a bit before deciding to call it a night. "Well it was nice meeting you finally," he said.

Magnus nodded. "Yeah um if you ever want to meet up or anything let me know."

He met his gaze and nodded. "Yeah we should. I always wanted to explore New York City." Magnus met his gaze and nodded a bit of friendliness flickered in his gaze.

With that he immediately leaped into the air and flew back to camp. He seemed nice enough. Why is everyone on guard about him? When he arrived back at camp he made his way to his cabin and quickly fell asleep.

In his dreams he found himself in a gave with a familiar wolf goddess. "Lady Lupa," he bowed to the large she wolf.

Lupa looked at him calmly. "It's a dangerous game that Juno plays."

For a moment he thought she was talking about him swapping places with Percy Jackson but his gut was telling him otherwise. "What do you mean?" He asked.

The wolf stared at him her gaze calm yet calculating as always. "Rome was many things and many civilizations called it home. Yet not all had the realm's best interest at heart, not all my students cared for the legion."

He stared at the she wolf. "Like Arminius?"

At the mention of the name the other wolves growled only to be silenced by a look from Lupa. "He was a special case. One should never look down on an enemy."

"Why did he betray the legion?" He asked softly.

"His reasons were his own," Lupa said frankly. "He did what he did with my teachings and showed his strength even if it left Rome with a distaste for the North."

"The north?"

A chill spread through the area as the wolves growled. "Olympus isn't the only pillar of the west," Lupa said. The wolf made a sound that reminded him of a chuckle. "Oh Juno you are playing a very risky game indeed." She then turned to meet his gaze. "You must make your own choices with this Son of the North."

He awoke facing the ceiling. Son of the North. His mind drifted to Magnus, was it his title? Something inside of him was telling him it wasn't as simple as it was.

That morning after breakfast he found Annabeth speaking to Piper at the Big House. "Hey Jason!" Piper immediately wrapped her arms around him. "Want to go to the lake today?"

"Um maybe later," he said as she pulled off of him.

Piper pouted. "Come on it's a nice day."

"I'll think about it. I sort of have to talk to Annabeth," he said.

"What is it?" The daughter of Athena asked.

He looked at her and then Piper who was standing between them. "Um I wanted to speak to you in private; it's about your cousin. I sort of met him last night."

Annabeth frowned as unease flashed in her eyes. "Fine. Piper we'll be back."

Piper looked shocked. "Oh ok."

He followed Annabeth into the Big House and closed the door. "What's this about?" Annabeth asked calmly her posture rigid.

He scratched his head as he told her the story of meeting her cousin. Annabeth remained calm yet her gaze seemed prepared for a confrontation. "I don't have any issues with him," he said quickly. "He seems like a nice guy."

Annabeth sighed. "He isn't exactly a normal demigod."

"Does he go by the Son of the North?" He asked.

The daughter of Athena's gaze hardened. "Jason if any harm comes to him you'll regret it."

He raised his hands defensively, for a moment he feared she would attack him. "Wait I have no intention of harming him, I'm just curious."

Annabeth frowned and looked at a globe on the table and carefully traced Europe. "My family has a complicated his with the gods," she said as she ran her finger from Greece all the way to Scandinavia. "It's taboo to talk about here. Those that know are supposed to keep it a secret."

The air in the room tensed. Why was she being so secretive? A part of him felt guilty for asking such personal questions. "I'm sorry."

Annabeth sighed. "If you want to get to know him go ahead. Just be careful that he doesn't get hurt." Her words were firm yet carried the hints of a visible threat.

"I have no intention of harming him," he said firmly. He awkwardly shifted under her gaze. "I'm just curious that's all."

"He's planning on helping the camp," Annabeth said. "He could use all the help he can get." She then walked up to him her gaze eerily calm as she leaned close to his ear. "Though if any harm comes to him you'll regret it."

Son of the North. Just what could that mean? His gaze drifted to the globe and he saw Scandinavia. That title...just what does it mean?