It had been a week since I arrived in New Rome, and while the city was beautiful, it still didn't

feel like home. The streets were lined with towering columns, and the scent of warm stone and

the sound of distant music filled the air, but there was an odd emptiness to it. A sense of

something missing.

I had spent the week getting settled in, learning the ins and outs of Roman life. It was different

from Camp Half-Blood, but not in a bad way.

The training was intense, and the discipline of the Roman camp gave me a sense of focus I

hadn't had in a while. Still, every night, when I lay in my room, I couldn't help but think about the

way things used to be.

The familiar faces of Camp Half-Blood, the sound of waves crashing against the shore, and, of

course, Annabeth's absence. Everything had changed, and I was still trying to catch up.

Reyna had been incredibly welcoming, but she had also been… insistent.

"You've been here long enough, Percy," she said to me one afternoon as we walked through the

heart of New Rome.

"It's time you stop hiding from your potential."

I gave her a skeptical look.

"Hiding? I'm not hiding. Just trying to get used to everything."

Frank and Hazel walked beside us, both of them giving me looks that suggested they were in on

some sort of plan.

"Right," Frank said, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Because you're totally content with being

a quiet observer."

I groaned. "I'm not trying to make waves, guys. I just want to... breathe."

Reyna glanced over at me, her eyes soft but filled with a determined glint.

"You know, there's a position opening up here, Percy. We could really use your leadership."

I raised an eyebrow.

"What position?"

"Co-praetor," she said, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.

I stopped walking, not sure I heard her correctly. "Co-praetor? Me?"

Frank smiled, though it looked a little forced. "It makes sense, doesn't it? You've led before. And

let's face it—New Rome could use someone like you."

Hazel nodded in agreement. "You're exactly what we need to help rebuild this place."

I felt a wave of unease.

"I don't know if I'm the right person for that. I'm still... figuring things out. Plus, I barely know

how things work here. I mean, you've got a whole government and everything."

Reyna chuckled. "Don't worry, Percy. We can teach you. But New Rome is rebuilding, and we

need a strong leader, someone who understands both sides of the Roman-Greek world.

Someone who can unite them."

I opened my mouth to protest, but Reyna's gaze locked with mine. There was something in her

eyes—a quiet confidence, like she believed in me more than I believed in myself. It made me

hesitate.

But then I remembered Hestia's words, about finding where I belonged. Maybe this was the

place to start.

I exhaled slowly. "Okay, I'll consider it. But I'm not sure I can just step into this role."

Frank grinned. "You don't have to. You're not alone in this. We'll help you every step of the way."

Over the next few days, I spent more time talking with Frank, Hazel, and Reyna about what the

co-praetor position would entail.

There were responsibilities—leading the camp in times of war, managing the training of the

legions, helping with diplomatic relations between the Roman and Greek camps—but none of it

seemed too overwhelming. It almost felt like a natural fit.

That was until I learned about Julian.

"Julian?" I repeated, trying to wrap my head around what Reyna had just told me. "Another

candidate?"

Reyna looked uncomfortable, and I could tell she didn't like talking about him. "He's a son of

Mars. He's ambitious... and not in a good way. He's been after the position for a while now. But

his reasons? They're not exactly noble."

Frank's expression darkened. "Julian thinks he's entitled to the position. He's got this... idea that

because he's the son of Mars, it's his birthright to lead. But it's not just that. He also has a thing

for Reyna."

I frowned. "What does that mean?"

Hazel rolled her eyes. "It means he's obsessed with her. He's not even subtle about it. And he's

been trying to manipulate the council to get what he wants."

Reyna's face hardened. "I'm not interested in him, Percy. But he's persistent, and he'll do

anything to get what he wants."

I didn't like the sound of that. Julian, from what I had gathered, was everything I despised.

Arrogant, power-hungry, and completely oblivious to how his actions affected others.

But I wasn't just fighting for a position—I was fighting for what was right.

Before the voting began, Julian found me alone. He smirked as he approached, arms crossed.

"I hope you're not getting too comfortable here, Jackson. You don't belong."

I met his gaze evenly. "Funny. I was just thinking how much New Rome needs someone who

actually cares about it."

His smirk faltered. "You think you can waltz in here and take what's mine? This city, this

position... Reyna?"

I clenched my fists. "Reyna isn't a prize, Julian. And leadership isn't about entitlement. It's about

responsibility."

He scoffed. "We'll see about that."

The day of the vote arrived quicker than I expected. The camp had gathered in the forum for the

announcement, and there was an air of nervous anticipation as the council of elders made their

way onto the stage.

I stood beside Reyna, Frank, and Hazel, all of them looking more confident than I felt.

When it was my turn to speak, I stepped forward and faced the gathered crowd.

"New Rome isn't just a city. It's an idea. A place where we can be safe, where we can build

something lasting. But safety isn't just about walls and legions. It's about unity. About

understanding. I know I wasn't raised here, but I've fought for both camps. I've seen what we

can do when we stand together. That's why I'm here. Not to take, but to give—to help rebuild, to

protect, and to lead, alongside all of you. Because this isn't just about one person. It's about

New Rome. And I believe in it. I believe in all of us."

The moment the voting began, Julian took the stage, his expression smug. He was tall, with the

kind of build that came from years of training as a son of Mars, and his eyes never left Reyna.

It was clear he thought the position of co-praetor—and Reyna—was his for the taking.

When the vote was called, I stood in front of the council, anxiously waiting.

"Percy Jackson," the head of the council announced. "You are the new co-praetor of New

Rome."

The crowd erupted into applause, and I felt a rush of relief. Reyna smiled at me. "You did it."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.