Jason's dream was a whirlwind of fire, shadow, and the distant cries of warhorns. New Rome was under siege.
Smoke rolled through its streets. The golden domes of the Senate House shimmered like melting sunlight. Ghostly figures in armor stormed through the Forum, their faces blurred, their weapons pulsing with shadowy magic. Jason stood on the Hill, watching helplessly as buildings cracked, marble crumbled, and something—no, someone—watched him from behind the veil of smoke. A familiar voice snarled, "You can't stop this."
Then he was falling. Through storm clouds, through lightning, through the world.
He bolted upright in bed, soaked in sweat, his heart pounding.
A knock at the door. "You scream like a baby hydra, Grace," Nico's voice muttered from the other side.
Jason groaned, reaching for his shirt on the floor. "Morning to you too," he muttered, wiping the sleep from his eyes.
Will poked his head in, his hair sticking up in eight different directions. "You okay?"
Jason stretched, grimacing. "Yeah. Just a dream. But it's not a good one."
Nico raised an eyebrow. "What's the dream?"
"New Rome. Under attack. I saw smoke… shadows, figures moving through the streets." Jason's voice grew serious. "It didn't feel like monsters. It felt… purposeful."
Nico's expression shifted from casual to concerned. "Purposeful, you say?"
Jason nodded grimly. "Yeah. I couldn't see much else, but I know it's real."
Before Nico could reply, Will spoke up, his face scrunched in thought. "That sounds like something we need to look into."
"Not yet," Jason muttered. "Let's go find out if it's real. First, let's meet up with the others. We might not be the only ones who felt something."
The three of them headed toward the pavilion, where Piper waved lazily from the steps, her hair tossed by the morning breeze. "You boys look like you've been trampled by a drakon," she teased, though her eyes were more curious than playful.
"Jason had a dream," Will said as they approached.
"Dream about sparkly unicorns and rainbows?" Piper teased, but the grin faltered when she saw the serious look on Jason's face.
Jason sighed. "No, just the usual: war, fire, and impending doom."
Before anyone could make another joke, the conch horn blew. Campers scrambled, their laughter and chatter fading into the wind.
"Looks like we're not the only ones who woke up early," Nico muttered, scanning the trees. "Someone's coming."
And then they saw him.
Percy Jackson, seaweed-head himself, looking like he'd just swum through a storm cloud. His hair was dripping, his shirt shredded from the elements, and his eyes were red-rimmed, filled with exhaustion.
Will whistled, raising an eyebrow. "Rough morning?"
Percy's lips twitched into a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "We need to talk."
Jason and the others exchanged glances, their unease growing. He motioned for Percy to follow them. "Let's get inside. We can talk there."
Inside the familiar walls of Cabin One, Jason locked the door behind them. Percy sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his wet hair.
"New Rome's been invaded," Percy said, his voice low. "I don't know by who yet. I think someone—or something—is pulling the strings behind it. It's… it's bigger than just monsters."
Jason stiffened. "I had a dream about it too. This shadowy army. I saw them storming the Forum. And someone behind it all."
Percy's eyes darkened. "I think we're dealing with more than just monsters. Reyna's already heading back to New Rome to check it out. But I was told to find Apollo's son. That's our next step."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Apollo's son? You mean the one with the gift of prophecy?"
Percy nodded. "Exactly. The gods aren't saying much, but we need him. It's a long story, but it's connected."
Just as Jason was about to speak, a loud sound interrupted them.
Screaming.
But not the terrified kind. The excited, Percy's-here kind.
Jason's eyes narrowed. "You have a fan club?"
Percy's face went pale. "Please tell me that's not what I think it is."
Jason stood and moved to the window, his mouth falling open. Dozens of girls were charging across the strawberry fields, some carrying signs and others holding homemade banners. One of the signs read: "POSEIDON'S GIFT" and another boldly declared, "MAKE ME YOUR WARRIOR QUEEN."
Nico put his hand over his eyes and groaned. "This is your life now."
Percy looked utterly mortified. "I don't need this. I don't want this."
Jason chuckled dryly. "Too bad. We all have our burdens to bear."
With a quick glance to the back door, Jason grabbed Percy's arm and motioned for Nico to follow. "We need to move. Now."
They rushed out the back, heading into the forest. They were only a few steps away from the cabin when Jason's instincts kicked in. Something felt off. It wasn't just the fan club. There was a presence in the air, something… unseen.
As the three of them made their way deeper into the trees, Jason could hear the faintest whisper of wind—and just for a moment, he swore he heard footsteps behind them.
He turned to Percy. "You feel that?"
Percy hesitated. "Yeah. There's someone following us. They're good. Really good. I can't pinpoint them."
Nico narrowed his eyes, his shadow magic rippling at his feet. "We're not alone."
Jason's heart rate quickened. "Invisible, you think?"
Percy nodded grimly. "Seems like it."
Jason drew his sword with a quick motion, his other hand instinctively reaching for the dagger hidden in his boot. "Stay close. We need to be prepared."
The three of them continued to move swiftly through the woods, the wind now carrying a sense of urgency. The invisible figure—or whatever it was—was still following them. Jason could feel it, even if he couldn't see it.
They reached the border of the camp, the magical barrier humming faintly as they passed through. Jason glanced over his shoulder one last time, his senses on full alert.
Behind them, the invisible figure lingered, watching. Jason could feel their presence, like a whisper just beyond the edge of his hearing.
They weren't alone. Not anymore.
Across the camp, the door to Cabin Six creaked open.
Annabeth stepped out slowly, her eyes shadowed with days of sleepless nights. She hadn't talked to anyone in days—not really. The breakup had been her choice, but now… now she wasn't so sure.
When she saw Percy—saw him, alive and talking with the others—it sent her heart into her throat.
But before she could move toward him, the stampede began.
Percy's fan club was out in full force.
Girls with glittery signs and hearts in their eyes ran across the camp.
Annabeth's expression darkened, unsure if she wanted to yell or cry.
And then she saw it.
Jason and Nico yanked Percy out the back, ushering him away toward the forest.
Annabeth hesitated… then pulled her Yankees cap from her pocket.
Invisible, silent, and hurting, she followed them.
Meanwhile, back at the pavilion, Piper and Jason had a quiet moment of conversation before everything fully escalated. As Jason and the others made their way toward the border, Piper stayed behind, clearly worried about the situation at hand.
She caught Jason's attention, her eyes full of concern. "You're really going? Just like that?"
Jason smiled softly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "We don't have a choice. New Rome's in trouble."
Piper nodded slowly, but her gaze flicked to the trees, where Percy and the others had just disappeared. "What about Annabeth? She hasn't seen Percy yet… Do you think they'll talk soon?"
Jason's expression softened, his shoulders slumping a little. "I don't think either of them are ready. Not yet. They'll figure it out in their own time."
Piper sighed, her shoulders dropping. "I hope so. They've both been hurting for days. It's hard to watch them both drift apart."
Jason nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "I know. But there's too much happening right now. They need to focus on what's ahead. Once the storm's over… maybe they'll find their way back to each other."
Piper smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "I hope you're right."
Jason's expression brightened a little. "I'll be careful. I'll come back. Promise."
Back at the edge of the camp, Jason, Percy, and Nico stood at the border, ready to leave the safety of camp behind. But as they made their way past the line that separated them from the outside world, Jason couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was still watching them.
The air was thick with tension as they moved, and they all knew that the road ahead would be anything but easy.
Reyna's heart drummed in her chest as Scipio soared through the air, the wind whipping through her hair and the weight of her thoughts pressing on her mind. Why was she doing this? Why did she feel this pull, this urgency to reach Percy's family?
Because it's important, she told herself. The sword. Vulcan's son. I need to fix Riptide. I need to find answers. This is what Hestia said to do.
But as the miles stretched on, another question seemed to sneak into her thoughts—one that didn't have a clear answer.
Why do I care so much for Percy?
She turned the question over in her mind like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve. She had seen Percy in moments of intense battle, moments where he was fighting for survival or for others, and in those moments, he was always something more. Something extraordinary. But was that why she cared? Was it the hero in him that drew her attention, or something deeper?
Reyna sighed, letting her head lean back slightly to stare up at the gray sky above her. The storm clouds seemed to mirror her unsettled thoughts. She couldn't help but think of how he'd looked at her after the battle with Eris, his eyes full of something—something she couldn't quite place.
She had always been someone who was used to keeping her emotions under control. Feelings were something she didn't exactly have time for, especially when duty called. But now, it seemed like the more she tried to ignore them, the stronger they became.
It doesn't matter right now, she decided. There are bigger things to focus on.
Her thoughts shifted back to her destination—Sally Jackson's house. She had never met Mrs. Blofis, but from what she'd heard, Percy's mom was a force in her own right. A maternal figure for a boy who had faced more than most could imagine. The very thought of meeting her made Reyna's stomach churn in a way she wasn't prepared for.
Why am I nervous? she wondered. This is just a visit. Just... to get information. That's all it is.
But still, the nerves wouldn't leave. What if Sally didn't like her? What if Reyna said the wrong thing, or worse, what if she somehow disappointed Percy's mother? Would she think Reyna was some kind of imposter, or worse, some threat to Percy?
Stop overthinking this, Reyna scolded herself. Just go and ask for help. That's all.
Still, the questions lingered. Was this what couples felt like when they met each other's parents for the first time? The mixture of excitement, nervousness, and uncertainty? Was this how Percy had felt when he had met her for the first time, when they had crossed paths at Camp Half-Blood?
As Scipio flew lower, Reyna's mind returned to her mission. She had to focus on the reason she was here. Sally Jackson. Vulcan's son. The blade.
They were almost there. Reyna could see the silhouette of the Jackson house below, nestled between trees in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood. It looked like a home, warm and inviting. Yet to Reyna, it seemed like the most intimidating place she had seen in a long while.
She had never been one to shy away from challenges, but this felt different. The moment Scipio touched down with a soft thud, Reyna hesitated. Her feet felt heavy, like they were glued to the earth beneath her. The thought of turning around and flying off, pretending this whole idea was just a bad impulse, was incredibly tempting.
No, she thought firmly. I'm not running from this. I have a job to do. I'm not some scared little girl.
But the self-doubt continued to creep in, and for a moment, Reyna almost considered taking off again, heading back to New Rome and forgetting this entire quest.
That was when Scipio did something unexpected.
With a gentle push from his muzzle, the pegasus nudged her forward, as if saying, You can do this.
Reyna stared at the door to Sally Jackson's home, her breath coming in shallow bursts. Scipio's gentle prodding was the only thing that kept her rooted to the spot.
With a shaky breath, Reyna finally squared her shoulders and took a step forward, the ground beneath her suddenly feeling like it had been swept out from under her. But she wasn't backing down. Not this time. She wasn't going to let her doubts stop her.
The moment she raised her hand to knock on the door, her heart skipped a beat, her nerves flaring to life once more. She had no idea what was waiting on the other side. But it didn't matter.
She was ready.
Scipio gave a soft whinny, his presence a quiet reminder that Reyna wasn't alone in this.
Reyna knocked and the door swung open, and Reyna was immediately taken aback by the man who greeted her. He wasn't exactly what she expected—tall, with a disarming smile and a warm aura that seemed to fill the doorway. His features were kind, though his eyes quickly narrowed in curiosity as they settled on her.
Reyna opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat.
"Uh..." The man's eyes darted to her, then to Scipio, who stood loyally beside her. His brow furrowed, his smile faltering for a second.
"Hold on a second," he muttered, scanning Reyna from head to toe like she might suddenly transform into something monstrous.
Reyna froze, unsure of how to respond, but the man—Paul, she now realized—was already taking a step back, eyes wide with playful suspicion.
"You're not, like, a monster in disguise, are you?" Paul joked, the edges of his lips curling upward in a mischievous grin. Reyna's breath caught in her chest. Her eyes widened as the comment hung in the air. Did he seriously just...?
She blinked, still stunned by the playful accusation. She couldn't find words for a moment, caught between surprise and amusement. Was he joking, or was there something more to it?
But Paul's laughter cut through her confusion, easing the tension in the air. "Relax, kid. I'm just messing with you." He chuckled, opening the door wider. "Come on in. You must be Reyna, right?"
Still in shock, Reyna stepped forward hesitantly, allowing Scipio to nudge his way inside, tail flicking. She could feel her pulse thudding in her ears as she made her way inside the house, noticing how comfortable and lived-in everything felt. The small, cozy living room was warm with the scent of something baking in the oven.
Paul closed the door behind her, his face lighting up in a warm smile. "It's not every day Percy has guests, so I'm guessing you're here to see him, huh?" He paused for a beat, and Reyna found herself looking at him with a newfound curiosity.
"I'm Paul Blofis," he added, holding out his hand for a handshake. "I'm Percy's stepdad, and I'm guessing you know who my wife is—Sally Jackson. The legendary hero mom, or something like that."
Reyna felt a strange sense of familiarity in his words, as if she had stepped into a place that wasn't just a house but part of a legacy she only vaguely understood.
"Paul," she echoed quietly, shaking his hand. She tried to fight the grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. "I... I think I remember you briefly from the Battle of Manhattan. You fought with Percy and Annabeth, didn't you?"
Paul's face turned pink, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Ah, yeah... That was a bit of a mess, wasn't it?" He let out a nervous laugh. "I did my best, but I'm not exactly a combat expert like those guys." He seemed embarrassed, but there was also a certain pride in his voice, a knowing smile in his eyes.
Reyna couldn't help but chuckle softly. "You were there, though. That's more than most can say."
Paul shrugged, still a little self-conscious about the mention of the battle. "It's just one of those things, I guess. But you, Reyna—Percy's told me a little about you. Leader of New Rome, right?"
She nodded, feeling the weight of the title even if it was hard to swallow at times. "Yeah, that's me. But... I'm not here to talk about me," Reyna quickly added, realizing she was talking too much about herself. "I actually came to speak with Sally. I need some help with something important."
Paul raised an eyebrow, his expression turning serious, though the warmth never left his voice. "Ah, Sally's not home right now. She'll be back in an hour or so, but you're more than welcome to stay and make yourself comfortable until she gets back."
Reyna paused, the idea of sitting here—waiting in someone's home, relaxed and safe—felt strange. Comfortable? She hadn't felt comfortable in what felt like years, always being on the move, leading, strategizing, fighting. There hadn't been room for much of anything else.
Yet, here, in this quiet, peaceful space, she almost did feel like she could relax. For once, she thought, just for a little while.
She looked up at Paul, unsure of what to do, but something about his easygoing demeanor made her feel like it was okay to stay. "I... I don't want to impose. I have time constraints," Reyna murmured, glancing down at her hands. Her fingers twitched, unsure of whether to reach out and touch something or simply fold her arms.
Paul seemed to catch her hesitation and smiled kindly. "It's no trouble, Reyna. Trust me, I know what it's like to be on the go. You've been through a lot, haven't you? You look like you could use a break."
Reyna's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't realized how much she had been craving a place to just be.
"Thanks," she said softly, finally letting herself relax, just for a moment. "I'll wait for Sally then. If it's okay."
"Of course," Paul said with a warm grin. "Take a seat, make yourself at home. It's nice to finally meet you."
Reyna glanced around the room. It was simple, but there was something calming about it, about being in a home where the chaos of camp and the responsibilities of leadership felt distant. She sat down slowly, feeling the tension ease from her shoulders for the first time in what felt like ages.
Reyna sat on the edge of the couch, legs neatly crossed, her fingers folded together. Paul had offered her some tea—which she politely declined—but he was still determined to make her feel at home.
"Sheesh," Paul said with a chuckle, sitting down across from her with a steaming mug. "You look more tense than Percy during parent-teacher conferences. And believe me, that kid once knocked over an entire bookshelf trying to escape one."
Reyna cracked a smile. "He told me he wasn't good in school, but he left out the bookshelf incident."
Paul grinned. "Yeah, he tends to leave out the embarrassing bits. But he's always had a good heart. That kid's made of loyalty and trouble, in equal parts."
There was a quiet moment, a soft calm that settled between them. Reyna let herself sink into it.
"You really care about him, huh?" Paul asked gently.
Reyna hesitated. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and her voice was soft when she answered. "I do. More than I realized."
Before Paul could respond, the front door opened and Sally Jackson stepped in, a brown grocery bag on her hip and windblown hair framing her smiling face. The room instantly seemed brighter.
"Paul, I'm home—oh." She blinked in surprise at Reyna, then broke into a warm smile. "You must be Reyna."
Reyna stood quickly. "Yes, ma'am. I—"
"Let me guess," Sally interrupted with a teasing smirk. "Paul asked if you were a monster in disguise?"
Reyna blinked. "N-No! Not at all." She gave Paul a side glance, silently saving his reputation. Paul mouthed a silent thank you behind Sally's back.
Sally laughed and set the groceries down. "Percy's mentioned you before. Quite a bit, actually."
That made Reyna's cheeks flush with warmth. "He... has?"
Sally nodded, wiping her hands on a towel. "He doesn't bring many people up unless they matter." She stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Reyna's arm. "It's good to finally meet you."
In that moment, Reyna understood why everyone loved Sally Jackson. There was a power in her presence, not of divine strength, but of unwavering kindness. She didn't just look at Reyna—she saw her. It was the kind of quiet magic that made people feel safe.
"Now," Sally said, smiling, "are you staying for dinner? I made Paul's favorite—baked ziti with garlic bread."
"I—" Reyna hesitated. "I shouldn't stay long, I still have—"
"Oh, come on," Paul said from the kitchen, already pulling out another plate. "Even praetors need carbs."
Reyna sighed, but the warmth of the kitchen and the smell of garlic butter wore her down. "All right. Just for a bit."
They sat around the small wooden table, the clinking of forks and soft chatter filling the air. Reyna took a cautious bite, and her eyes widened.
"This is amazing," she said. "Gods, if we had food like this in New Rome, no one would ever leave."
Paul chuckled. "We've considered franchising."
Midway through the meal, Paul wiped his mouth and gave Sally a look. "Reyna came to see you, actually. Said she needed to talk."
Sally turned her attention to Reyna, eyes warm but alert. "Oh? What's going on?"
Reyna swallowed, suddenly unsure how to start. But Sally's gaze was gentle, encouraging.
"I came because... Percy's okay. But not really," Reyna said softly. "He's alive, he's fighting. But there's something breaking inside him."
Sally's expression grew serious. "Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out."
Reyna nodded, took a breath, and began.
She told them about the siege on New Rome. About the broken weapon—Riptide, shattered in Percy's hand. About Eris and her twisted, chaotic power. The Chimera attack in the skies. Percy's quiet grief, his slumped shoulders, the absence in his eyes. And the feeling that something darker was approaching—something even the gods feared to name.
When she finished, the room was quiet. Even the oven timer ticking in the background sounded distant.
Sally looked at Paul. They exchanged a wordless conversation with their eyes—something practiced over years of worry and love.
Paul finally broke the silence. "Percy's always been in trouble, one way or another. From the moment I met him, he had this... gravity. Like storms followed him."
"He's shown power beyond what anyone expected," Sally added, her voice quiet but sure. "But he's still our son. And sometimes he doesn't tell us the worst of it—because he doesn't want us to worry. But we do. We always will."
She reached over and gently squeezed Reyna's hand. "Thank you for telling us. For being there when we couldn't be."
Reyna swallowed a lump in her throat. "I just... I want to help him. I don't know what our role is in whatever's coming, but I know I need to keep him safe."
Sally's eyes shimmered with something between sorrow and pride. "Then do that. Stay by him. He needs someone strong, someone steady. And I think you're both of those things."
Reyna nodded, trying not to let the weight of that responsibility crush her.
She cleared her throat. "Do you know where the Fireplace Shop is? A god asked me to find it."
Paul tilted his head thoughtfully. "There's one about five blocks down. Old brick building with a fire mosaic on the door. You can't miss it."
Reyna stood, her plate half-finished, her heart full and aching. She didn't want to leave—but she knew she had to.
Sally stood with her and touched her shoulder gently. "Tell Percy I love him. And remind him—and you—that this house is your home too. Away from the madness."
Reyna gave her a tight, genuine smile. "Thank you. I will."
As she reached the door, Paul leaned in with a conspiratorial smile and whispered, "He's lucky to have you, y'know."
Reyna blushed furiously. "I—thank you."
She waved goodbye, stepping out into the cooling evening air. Scipio nickered as she approached, wings flexing in anticipation. Reyna took one last look at the warm glow of the Jackson-Blofis home. She didn't say it aloud, but in her heart, she knew she'd remember it as the first place in a long time where she felt... at peace.
With a whoosh of wind and feathers, she and Scipio soared into the night sky—toward the shrine, toward the forge, and toward the son of Vulcan.