"They're about to start! Hurry up!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
The Senate House was buzzing in anticipation as everyone began to arrive. Senators and New Rome citizens alike were all flooding in, eager to hear what their Praetors needed to announce. The last time they had all convened like this was to decide if they were to go to war against Terra. The thought that something similar might happen today filled them with anxiety but logic outplayed their fear. There was absolutely no way another war was here. Both Saturn and Terra were defeated along with the Giants and other Titans that had fought with them. There couldn't possibly be anyone else out there that was strong enough currently, right?
"What do you think it'll be?" A young Roman boy, no older than ten, asked his friend excitedly. This was the first time citizens had ever been allowed to enter the Senate House when a meeting was going on. This had caused a massive influx of interest, bringing practically all of the population of the city in and crowded around the Senate House as they awaited the news.
"I hope they'll expand the marketing district! I want more restaurants!"
"I hope they'll allow the Greeks to live here with us! I've heard so much about them from Dad!"
The young boy and girl continued to converse excitedly, coming up with all sorts of theories. They didn't realize that the people around them had suddenly gone quiet until an older woman sitting behind them shushed them. Whipping their heads to where everyone was looking, they both noticed two people walking to the middle of the Senate floor. They both wore regal purple and golden armor, something that didn't go unnoticed by the crowd. Mummers quickly filled the air as everyone was wondering why they were wearing such a thing. Togas were the standard for such a meeting.
With both Dakota and Reyna taking their seats at the podium, the meeting had officially begun. The daughter of Bellona was the first to speak up, drawing all eyes on her.
"Senators and citizens of New Rome, I come before you today with urgent news that Praetor Dakota and I have just recently discovered." She announced, stalling for a moment for her partner to pitch in. The son of Bacchus stalled for a moment, not realizing it was his turn to speak. Clearing his throat, he gave an apologetic look at Reyna before continuing on. He was still new at this sort of thing, only a couple of months in as Praetor.
"Last night, on the eighth of December, Praetor Reyna met with New Rome's Augur Octavia Bellason at the Temple of Jupiter. She had wanted to discuss with her visions she had received from our Lord Apollo a couple of nights before."
"Visions? Of what kind?" A senator stood up, interrupting Dakota. Reyna gave him a glare that sent the man crashing back down to his seat. That was warning enough to the rest of the Senate not to follow suit with questions.
Dakota cleared his throat awkwardly before speaking once more. "The Augur had separately discussed the details with both of us before we three convened at the Praetorium. There we planned out what should be done and how we should present it to New Rome and its citizens."
The senate was quiet as they awaited the announcement, anxiety racing through their veins as they wondered what it could be. Thoughts of fear filled their minds as they tried to dissect the Praetor's words and mannerisms. Dressing in battle armor and secretly discussing visions with the Augur was no mere coincidence. Something big was amidst.
"New Rome will soon be at war!" Reyna yelled out loud enough for even those crowding outside could hear. The floor was so silent that Dakota could hear his own rapidly beating heart. He didn't agree with how Reyna wanted to tell everyone but she was never one to sugarcoat things or beat around the bush. Quickly enough, however, the room exploded in a flurry of yells. The senators practically leapt off their seats, pointing and screaming at the Praetors and at one another.
The citizens, watching from their seats above the Senate floor, were the exact opposite. They were too stunned to even utter a peep. Some of the women were crying, however, clutching their children, who didn't grasp what was going on, tightly. Other citizens, particularly families who had lost a child in the last two wars, looked crestfallen. They realized that soon enough once again, their children would be at the forefront of the horrors that await them.
"Silence!" Dakota yelled out in a commanding tone, shooting upward from his seat. The senators wouldn't listen though. The panic growing within the mob rendering all to lose their senses. "I will have silence or so help me Gods I'll expel each and every last one of you from the senate and wipe your names out of the records!"
That threat seemed to calm them down somewhat. None wanted to lose the power they held. With all sitting back down, Reyna was able to discuss further the future of New Rome and what actions it would take.
"We don't know the enemy nor do we know when they'll attack. What we do know is that the Gods have sent clear messages that we should prepare for war."
"With what supplies? With what troops? Praetor Reyna, you do realize that the war against Terra has left New Rome severely depleted. We do not have nearly enough to survive a small monster skirmish, let alone a full-scale war once again!" A senator stood up, uncaring that he interrupted the leaders of the Senate once more.
"Senator Catiline is correct. New Rome doesn't have enough manpower or supplies to survive an attack which is why Praetor Dakota and I are proposing this legislation to the honorable Senate." Reyna replied, handing over a piece of paper for the son of Bacchus to read.
"All of New Rome's children, aged twelve to thirty-five, will be called up to serve the Twelfth Legion Fulminata. They will be inducted into service the day after this legislation piece is signed into law until the end of the war." He read off.
The crowd went completely still at that revelation. Never before in New Rome's lifetime had they called up reserves and veterans back into service. The mere thought of that was almost incomprehensible. Their future must truly be dire if the Praetor were proposing this. Dakota wasn't done, however, as he continued reading.
"Additionally, the city will enter a state of total war. All resources, manufacturing, and infrastructure will be allocated to fighting and contributing to the war. This also will be in effect immediately if this legislation passes."
Putting the piece of paper down, Dakota looked up only to find wide eyes and agape mouths from senators and citizens alike. He wanted to cringe back in his seat from the sight. He could practically feel the animosity radiating off of them. He held firm, however, with a strong posture and head held high. He would not show any hint of nervousness to these people. He was a Praetor of New Rome for Gods sake.
"We ask you to allow this law to pass, senators." Reyna pleaded, sitting up from her seat. "New Rome's future is on the line. If this doesn't pass, we will lose this war."
The demigoddess didn't show it but she was nervous. So much anxiety raced through her she could practically feel her legs shake. There was so much riding on this law right now. It was probably one of the most important things to ever be discussed in the Senate's history. If it didn't pass, she honestly didn't have a clue on what to do next. What could she do? Senator Catiline was right. They would be destroyed right now in their current state.
"We need your decision by tonight. Praetor Dakota and I will return at midnight to hear your decision." She said before hastily walking out with the son of Bacchus in tow, leaving the senators with that bombshell to deal with.
Walking out of the senate and down the long empty hallway that held statues of notable Romans throughout their history, she couldn't bear to look up at them. Was this the right decision? Was she doing her people right or just sending them to their deaths? Because she knew that was what was going to happen. Camp Jupiter and its Centurions would train these new and old recruits alike to the bone but it wouldn't make all that much of a difference. They'll be killed soon enough on the battlefield.
Exiting the building without saying another word to Dakota, she made a beeline to one of the spots she found herself frequently visiting. It was quickly becoming one of her favorite places to go to when she felt anxious or needed to think. Making her way up the steps to Temple Hill, she couldn't help but let her nervousness and anxious thoughts take hold of her. With erratic breathing that signaled a panic attack, she quickened her pace until eventually, her spot came into sight.
"Thank the Gods." She whispered, relief washing over her as the imperial gold statue of her friend grew closer. With the sword in his hand pointing forward and his regal features strong and confident, the daughter of Bellona couldn't help the relaxed sigh released from her. There was just something about him, even when he was alive, that calmed her. Maybe it was because she liked him or maybe it was because he was powerful enough to protect her and New Rome. She couldn't really put a finger on it. She just knew that Percy was a good man. A man that she could look up to even long after he was gone.
The statue of Percy Jackson didn't seem to be alone at the moment, however. There were a couple of demigod children crowding around it, looking as if they were praying. Reyna almost couldn't believe it. A demigod being prayed to? Treated as if they were a God themselves? Getting closer, she could faintly hear what the children were saying.
"Protect my brother and father when they go to war, please Lord Perseus."
"I'm afraid, Lord Perseus. Give me the courage to fight."
"Protect New Rome. Protect my mother and father."
The daughter of Bellona couldn't believe it. They were actually treating him like a God! When had this happened? She knew the stories about him were spread like wildfire after he defeated Terra. People not just in New Rome but around the world had heard about his accomplishments. It had been only a little over a year since his death though. Surely people realized that although he was strong enough to be a God, he was a demigod just like the rest of them. Maybe the statues were what caused this "legend" type aura to surround the son of Poseidon's name. There were so many built after the war was over. There were easily over ten in New Rome alone.
"Ironic isn't it?" A man's voice interrupted her thoughts, jarring her slightly. Whipping her head to the left, she was greeted by the sight of an actual God and her longtime friend, Jason Grace. "The Seven became literal Gods yet the only one who didn't is being prayed to."
"Lord Jason." Reyna quickly tried to kneel but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.
"Stop, Reyna. You know me better than that." He said, still focusing on the children praying to Percy. The pair remained silent for a moment as they watched, not really knowing what to say to one another. They hadn't seen each other since the award ceremony. They both had been too busy with their duties and just didn't have the time to catch up. She supposed this would be one of their only chances to do that considering war was coming soon.
Looking up at the blonde God, she noticed that although he was literally immortal now, he still looked the same. The scar on his lip was still there and his eyes were as blue as the sky, only now filled with even more power.
"They pray to him for courage and the will to fight." He said, answering her curiosity as to why the children pray. "They've heard his stories told to them by the people who had actually seen him fight. I personally think they're exaggerated but what do I know? I'm just the guy who was there with him for the entire quest." He laughed slightly, although Reyna could hear a little bit of jealousy behind it.
"Maybe he would've been the God of courage if he was still here." She mused, smiling at the children that had run past them in a hurry to get back to their parents. Their faces were filled with smiles, happy at the thought that they and their families had the protection of Percy Jackson over them.
"Mmh, perhaps." Jason replied curtly before deciding to talk about something else. "Everyone is doing great by the way. They all miss you too. You should stop by Olympus sometime and see them. I'm sure they'd love that."
"I'd love to." Reyna answered. "But my hands are tied. With my duties and the new war, I just don't have the time."
Jason's eyebrows shot up once he heard that. Looking Reyna square in the eyes, he questioned what she meant by that.
"New war? What do you mean new war?"
The Praetor looked confused for a moment. Surely he knew of the war. He was a God that lived on Olympus for Pluto's sake! Word had quickly gone around even up there, right?!
"Jason…Y-You don't know?"
"No, Reyna, I don't. Tell me what's going on."
She was shocked, to say the least. How in the world did he not know about it? Did the other Gods know or were they also in the dark? They had to have known! The Augur personally receives visions from Lord Apollo. He would've told the Olympians about it, right? Gods she hoped so. Nevertheless, she told Jason everything that happened so far and what was about to. He was shocked, to put it bluntly, and amazed that Reyna had proposed a total war legislation to the Senate.
"I can't believe this." He said, sitting down on a bench because his legs were beginning to feel weak. "I should've known though. I should've realized something was wrong after they shut themselves in the throne room."
"The Olympians?" Reyna questioned to which the God nodded his head.
"A month ago they've stopped all contact with the outside world, even with us minor Gods. No one has seen them since. They must be doing the exact same thing they did when the war against Terra started. Shutting themselves off from the outside world and letting the mortals figure it out for themselves! Godsdamnit!" He pounded his fist angrily, lightning dancing dangerously in his eyes.
Reyna didn't have the words to respond. She didn't know what to say. She was angry that the Gods were apparently sitting on their thrones doing nothing. It wasn't surprising though. Jupiter must've realized that Olympus and the camps were weak at the moment and couldn't really do a thing except wait for death like a cornered animal. She was happy, however. Happy that Jason still cared about the mortals even after he's become a God.
"I'll do everything in my power to help out the camps, Reyna." Jason said standing up. "I'll get the Gods off their asses and help you win this war. You have my word."
With that, the minor God of lightning flashed away, leaving Reyna standing alone in front of the statue of Percy. Looking up at his features, she couldn't help but wish for the umpteenth time that he was here. She didn't know how long she sat there admiring him. Time was a blur to her. Eventually though, she noticed that the sky had turned dark and Diana's moon was high overhead. It was time for the decision to be made. A decision that will decide the fate of New Rome.
Walking to the Senate with sluggish steps and jittery hands, she couldn't help the fear cascading over her. Once more, she thought about the what-ifs. Doing her best to block out her own voice from her head, she stopped in the hallway that held all the busts of Roman figures. Taking deep breaths she steadied herself, staring into the marble eyes of Julius Caesar.
"Alea iacta est." She said in Latin to the patron of the Twelfth Legion before entering the Senate floor.
All eyes were on her as she walked to her seat. Senators and citizens alike were dead silent as they watched her. She noticed that Dakota had already arrived and was awaiting her. She could see the nervousness in his eyes. She had a feeling hers wasn't much different. Practically collapsing in her chair, she cleared her throat before addressing the room.
"Have you come to a decision?"
The room was still until one lone senator stood up from his seat.
"We have, Praetor." He said.
"And?" She asked, unable to contain the apprehension from leaking out. One could practically feel the air grow heavy as everyone sat on the edge of their seat, awaiting the verdict. The senator let out an uneasy breath of air before announcing the fate of New Rome to all present.
"New Rome will enter a state of total war."