Rome. The home of the Roman Camp for Roman Demigods, Camp Jupiter. Echoes of laughter and cheerful shouts rang in the tense air. A storm was brewing in New Rome. A storm between the Gods. A girl, maybe 14, ran throughout the streets, laughing as a teen, who was 17, chased her. "Romania! Come back! Please! Mom is waiting for us at the Senate!" The teen, Populas, yelled as he chased after his younger sister. Romania giggled and stopped in front of the Belladonna Temple, her eyes widening. Populas stopped and grabbed her arm, seeming out of breath.

     "Let's go, Romania. Pssh. You must have been blessed with speed. No one can beat you at races. But you know you should be running throughout the streets. It is dangerous at this time of day." He smiled and turned away from the Temple, walking towards the Senate in the middle of the town. Romania's hand stretched towards the Temple, as if wanting to go back. "M-Momma." She whispered. Populas seemed to pale a bit more than usual, stopping. "No. Mom's at the Senate. Not in the Temple."

     Populas knew exactly why she had said that. He knew that her mom wasn't his. Romania was sensing her real mother in the Temple. Belladonna. She had abandoned her daughter on his mother, Legion's, doorstep. Belladonna. He cursed silently and started running home, carrying Romania with him.

    Romania was confused. Why had she felt so warm and comfortable near Belladonna's temple? She had never felt that way before. And the way Populas responded to it was really abnormal. "P-Populas, what's wrong?" She stuttered out. She wasn't too young to talk. She had a stuttering problem.

   Populas just shook his head, making an excuse. "We're... Um... Er.... Late!" He finally stopped in front of the Senate, a very pale blonde woman who had tan skin was waiting for them. She tapped her foot hurriedly. "Sorry mom! Romania ran out of school before I could get her." Legion's dark green eyes narrowed on Romania. "Roma... You know better..."

   Romania nodded in shame. She knew her mother wasn't mad. She had called Romania by her nickname, Roma. That always meant she was joking."Yes ma-ama." Populas whispered into Legion's ear, and her eyes widened. She grabbed Romania's hand and raced her Home. She pulled Romania into a room. "My child... We must talk... Populas told me that... What you said at the Temple. You see... I'm not your real mom... The War Goddess, Belladonna is. And there is a war brewing." Legion's eyes grew sad. She gently cradled Romania's cheek. "You must stop this war. Convince your mother to have pity. She can't fight this war without fighting us. Remind her of her people. She'll kill us if you don't."

Romania nodded. Her light blue eyes filled with understanding. "Yes, m-mama." Populas barged in, his face full of panic. "The northwest side is completely in flames. If we don't stop them soon, they'll burn down the valley. All the crops, all the homes... Gone." Legion's face fell and she rushed out, her long purple praetor cape swishing after her. Romania's eyes locked onto Populas.

    "You k-knew. Y-y-you lied."

    Populas shook his head at Romania's words. "I'm sorry, sis. I was sworn not to tell you until your real mother started this war." He flinched and held his cheek as Romania slapped him as hard as he could. Her eyes blazed angrily.

  "Y-you l-lied to me! I trusted you! Why? Why did you lie to me??" Tears flowed down Romania's cheeks. She hiccuped, showing that her sobs were being held back. Populas pulled her into a tight hug before she could resist his hugs. "I'm sorry Roma..."

    Meanwhile.... In a not so far away Land called Caledonia...

     Scarlet Mohair paced around in her room. She fiddled with her red hair, her emerald eyes darting around the room. "The War has begun..." She whispered to herself. A green emerald, the colour of her eyes, glimmered at her neck. An eerie smile shimmered into existence on her face.

      "The War Has Begun."