THIS IS LATE I KNOW—
SUPER LATE
I'm sorry—

When Hallez thought of visions, she thought of cryptic messages that made no sense whatsoever yet helped a character in a book forward greatly.

This was not that.

Well, it helped, maybe a bit. However, it did not show her what she thought she was going to see, nor what she wanted to—and came here in the first place to—see. She hadn't really been thinking about her quest that she had to leave for tomorrow morning. But this brought her mind straight back to just that.

The bird's eye view of Livermore, California, came into her mind. (She wasn't sure how she knew it was Livermore, but somehow she just did.) The city spread out below her in tiny, miniature flat buildings and roads and highways. There were a few hills and a few lakes in what looked to be a valley. Mountains—though they looked pathetic compared to the mountains surrounding the Castra and Rome Ultima—surrounded the valley, and spread out in the distance.

Hal leaned back, and realized that she was in a small, private plane. She could feel the rumble of the airborne vehicle. She sat in the co-pilot's seat. To her left, in the pilot's seat, sat a tall woman, perhaps in her early twenties, piloting. Her features were sharp and angular, with shoulder-length blonde hair. She wore a sleeveless white tunic, and black leggings, and her entire vibe demanded respect and wariness.

However, there was also something off about her. The way she sat in the plane—like she couldn't feel the vibration of the plane—and the fact that she wasn't wearing any seat belts or headphones...

Then, abruptly, she turned towards Hallez, her piercing blue eyes stared into Hallez's soul.

"You don't have long, daughter of Letum."

Even her voice was strong and not to be messed with.

Hallez tried to respond, but couldn't.

"Only a few days, now. Check your card. Then, come find me here in Livermore."

Then, before the vision melted away, there was a flash of bright red and gold, and the image disappeared into the interior of the Temple of Mars. Hallez's hands were on the Ancile copy, her mind processing what she'd just seen.

Only a few days? Until when? Who was she? Why Livermore? Why were we flying? What card?

Even as she thought about it, she realized what the woman had meant. At least, about the card. The other questions remained annoyingly unanswered.

Her hands moved on autopilot as she scrambled for the note given to her about Cade and the Ancile.

She took it out, leaving a small tear in her haste, and checked it again.

The message had changed:

I heard time is a powerful motivator. So, I won't be waiting long, daughter of Death. The magical date is July 8. Try to get here before the deadline. Or else it will be a dead line.

Even more questions—again, annoyingly unanswered—swirled around in her head.

But one—more of a statement—shone more clearly than the rest.

Today is July fourth.

They had four days.

They needed to go.

Hallez stuffed the note into her pocket, and ran outside.

†††

She was lucky most legionnaires were still at the mess hall, since it wasn't until she got back that she realized she had brought the copy of the Ancile with her.

Ah, well.

She winced as she stopped just inside the north gate—the name of which has completely escaped her—her legs aching. Maybe she shouldn't run while sore, or injured. She didn't feel tired, however, just soreness in her calves and shoulder, and a little winded.

"Woah, there, Hallez!"

Hal looked up to see Fiona, with two paper bags in hand, which, even from Hal's position, smelled of sweet heaven. Hallez straightened, taking in large gulps of air.

"Why were you running?" asked a different, but also familiar voice. "What's wrong?"

She turned her head, and saw Ian—the one who had spoken—along with Timothy and Lavi and Travis. Hal hadn't properly talked with the consul since she was officially initiated into the legion, which was...barely a day ago? It felt way longer than that. But right now, she was mostly glad that he was there, because they really needed to go.

"Oh, good, you're here," Hal said in a rush. She planted the Ancile copy into the ground, in the patch of dirt beside the stone streets, leaning on it. "Because we need to go to Livermore now."

Tim stepped forward. "Calm down, Hallez. Why do you need to go now? The quest starts formally tomorrow morning. Ian and I came to give you the necessities, your means of transportation and some information so you'll be ready tomorrow."

Hallez shook her head. She suddenly felt a rush of panic. The way the note had said dead line...

Would they really kill Cade?

Surely not.

...then again, denial is a river in Egypt. She had been there herself.

"We can't go tomorrow!" Hallez exclaimed, raising her voice slightly, gripping onto the Ancile copy so tightly with her hands, that they turned white. Tim leaned back slightly in shock. "Not tomorrow, morning or whatever time. Now, Tim. As soon as we can. We only have until July eighth and after you do what you came to do we need to leave—"

She tried to beat down the panic, but images flashed through her head—of the desert, three years ago, bodies lying in the sand; Cade beside her, younger, speaking hurriedly into a sat phone; twelve-year-old Hallez, doing the same, shouting into the speaker as she kneeled beside the bodies—

"Hallez! HALLEZ!"

Hal snapped back into the present, and, acting on instinct, grabbed one of the hands shaking her shoulders, then used her free hand to push on their shoulder, twisting their arm behind their back in a painful—but not damaging—way. Fiona let out a yelp.

"Cheez-Its—!"

Hallez froze, then immediately let Fiona's arm go when she realized who she was.

"Sorry," she muttered. "Self-defense."

Fiona shook her arm, wincing. "It's fine. Whew, that's a death grip! I'm starting to see how you got through the fortress so easily."

Tim stepped forward slightly. "How are you feeling? Are you alright?"

Hal shrugged. "Fine."

She was relieved when Tim didn't pry any further.

"Hallez, if you don't mind me asking, what do you mean we only have till July eighth? Why? How do you know this? And why do you have an Ancile copy with you?"

She flinched.

How was she going to tell them about the note that she got last night? It would be incredibly suspicious if she has had it, and contained possible important information, and never showed it to anyone. That also reminded her that they didn't know about Cade.

Maybe she should've thought this through.

But she didn't want to hesitate any longer. The sooner they were going, the better.

She fished the note out of her pocket—now slightly crinkled from it constantly being shoved in and out—and held it out. Tim took it gently, looking at the picture first. His eyes grew wide when he turned it around to read the back.

Everyone else, Hal excluded, gathered around to see it.

"I'm...sorry," Ian said gently, looking up. He took the note, and Tim didn't protest, simply handing it to him.

Hallez just crossed her arms, suddenly finding the Ancile copy very interesting.

"I need to scan the note, so you can keep it, and we can try to analyze it in the meanwhile." Ian took out a small, grey metal cube, and placed it onto the center of the paper. The cube immediately turned blue, and a line of blue light appeared on the note, and moved down, scanning it. A moment later, the blue light on the paper and the cube disappeared, and Ian took the cube while handing the note back to Hal.

She stuffed it into her pocket, her face a neutral mask again. "So, brief us, or whatever. Right after, we're going to Livermore."

Tim nodded. "Alright. Ian, would you mind going to—?"

Ian didn't need him to finish. "Of course. Jeez, it's my job. Just tell me to do it. I'll get the equipment." He rolled his eyes playfully. Then he started off at a jog down the street.

"Here."

Hallez looked up at Fiona, who was offering her the paper bags. Hallez took it hesitantly, despite her growing hunger.

"It's just some pastries, milkshakes and water," she explained. "Sugar does wonders for demigods—not sure why. We can run purely on sugar for days if needed, but there are aftereffects that aren't so pleasant."

Hal took out a simple glazed donut, and started eating it, as casually as possible. She felt a bit awkward having so many people staring at her as she ate. Thankfully, Tim noticed (this was the second time he'd saved her like this) and started with the briefing.

"Well, Ian will be back soon with the wristbands, which I hope you three will teach Hallez to use. We'll send you off to the Fluvius, and then you're on your own. Communications are, of course, allowed, and we'll keep you updated on any new information we might find, but we will not be able to send help. And you already know this, but just for clarity: Your goal is to find the Ancile and bring it back to Rome Ultima. Everyone got that?"

They nodded. Hallez had finished the donut, and was now drinking the milkshake—which was good milkshake, she had to admit. And the sugar really did work wonders. She felt even better than before.

Tim looked them each in the eyes, making sure they understood, before speaking again. "Because this new piece of information was so sudden, if there is anything else you are going to bring—weapons, magic items—go get them now. Be at the Fluvius in ten minutes, then you'll go together. Hallez, if you don't have anything else you would like to grab, I want a word with you."

Hallez tensed momentarily, then relaxed. She shouldn't be worried. Tim had saved her from dying of embarrassment twice now. He had given her no reason to be worried.

Fiona, Travis and Lavi quickly ran off towards the barracks, while Hallez and Tim stayed behind. Tim looked up and down the street. They were lucky the briefing was at this time of the day. Not a single legionnaire was in sight.

He turned to Hallez. She was now nibbling on some mini bagels hesitantly.

Tim cracked a smile. "Relax, Hallez. I just wanted to explain some things, since you've been here barely more than a day. The Fluvius literally means river in Latin, and it's what we call the river that you came through, when you first arrived. It has magical properties, and it's our quickest transportation route, connecting with hundreds of points around the world, so we're able to jump in and move about freely and instantaneously. Not to mention it's the only route out of the Sierra Nevada."

Hallez blinked. "We're in the Sierra Nevada?"

Tim nodded. "Yep. Quite a long way from Rome..."

For a few moments, he looked east, his eyes gazing at something in the far distance, as if he could see Rome all the way on the other side of the world.

He shook his head, breaking out of the trance. "Sorry. Anyways, another thing I should explain is the wristbands, but your contubernium will show you a bit later. It's a real fascinating piece of technology! And also very new. It can provide you with anything you need. I don't want to spoil it though, so let's head to the Fluvius to wait."

The praetor started north, towards the river. Hallez quickly yanked the Ancile copy from the ground, leaving a large groove where it had been dug into the dirt.

Whoops.

She caught up to Tim, (throwing the mostly empty paper bags in what looked like a trash can, but she wasn't sure if it actually was one) and he glanced at the Ancile copy with a questioning look, now strapped to Hallez's left arm.

Hallez spoke before Tim could. "May I borrow this?" She held up the copy. "I don't have much, and from the sounds of this quest, it will involve fighting. I don't know how to fight, but I know how to use this, and I hope it will help."

Tim hesitated, then nodded. He was still in his armour, and for no reason at all, Hallez suddenly realized that she hadn't seen Tim in anything else. Every time she saw him, he wore the same simple armour, and purple cape lined with gold. It was an odd detail she never noticed before.

"You may keep it. Just—please give it back when you return."

"If," Hallez corrected, murmuring. "If we return."

Hallez felt a hand on her shoulder, and flinched, stopping in her tracks. Tim retracted his hand a few centimeters, then placed it on her shoulder again. Hal nearly pulled away, but she stopped herself. She looked up at Tim, who was giving her a soft smile.

Tim had stopped as well, and he spoke into the silence. "I've known you barely a day, but seeing you complete the test with more ease than any of us expected...I have faith."

She nodded, not sure how to respond.

So she just settled for not speaking, but she hoped Tim would understand that she was grateful.

More so than she would admit.

†††

Not long after, they came to the Fluvius.

A few minutes after that, Fiona, Travis, Lavi and Ian showed up as well. Fiona and Travis had equipped discreet, leather shoulder guards, which Hallez didn't notice at first glance. Fiona's sword hung from her belt. She had also changed (how did she have the time to change?) and now she was wearing a light grey T-shirt, with a green four-leaf clover in the center, and black jeans.

Travis' spear had some kind of safety that covered the blade. It was still very obviously a spear, however. Lavi's bow was slung around her shoulders, and her complicated quiver now had a cap-like piece of leather covering it, hanging from her belt.

Hallez wanted to ask if the attention they were going to draw when they got to Livermore was going to help at all. Because she guessed not.

Fiona jumped up and down slightly, like she was nervous. Which she probably was.

"Here." Ian handed out a sleek, silver, metal wristband to each of them. "And this is mostly for Hallez: The weapons are out in plain sight, but if the mortals don't see the blade and think they're just prop weapons, you'll be just fine, so no need to hide. They'll think you're some cosplayer or something. I trust you three will teach her how to use the wristband. Basically, it can guide you to any resource you may need, and we have our own satellite, so it's free wireless Internet access and communication with us from basically everywhere."

...they have their own satellite?

"The wristband's radio signal is almost insusceptible to mythological creatures," Ian continued, "which means you won't attract anything that might wish bodily harm to you. The radio signal also can't be reflected and amplified by magical objects—which can also attract monsters—so you'll be safe for the most part. But if you use any other technology, any wireless sort of device that can access the Internet or contact someone not right next to you, I suggest you either stay away or use it and leave immediately."

Ian paused. He turned to Tim. "Is that all?"

Tim nodded. "I believe so."

Unexpectedly, out of the blue, Travis took out a sheathed dagger. Her dagger. He held it out to Hallez.

"You forgot this," he said simply. As she took it, he gave her a look—an unexpectedly sharp one, though not unfriendly—and Hallez was a little more nervous now. It seemed like Travis wanted to talk to her, but not in front of others.

He was acting really out of character. Hallez was unsettled as well as nervous. The obvious answer to him acting this way was something to do with her. Maybe something she did.

Alright, Hallez was a lot more nervous now. Was he mad at her? Why? She couldn't remember anything she did that could make him mad. She felt stupid that she had let her hopes up again—that they actually accepted her.

What if they never actually wanted her to pass the test?

As Hallez clipped the dagger that she hadn't even thought about going missing on her belt, trying to clear her mind, Ian came to her side.

"The others know how to lock the location in," the blonde explained. He held out his hand, and Hallez handed him the wristband. "So there are many locations in the world that magically link to the Fluvius. Even if you don't have a wristband, and you're a demigod, you can jump in any of those locations and be transported, by default, here. From the Fluvius, with a wristband, you go to any of those locations."

As he spoke, he opened the wristband, then closed it with a click around her right wrist. It was a tiny bit loose, but she didn't mind, since it wouldn't be enough for it to slide completely off her arm. The wristband's silver surface glowed green for a second, before fading again.

Ian tapped the wristband a few times in a rhythm, and the wristband lit up again, and a hologram suddenly appeared, the map of the Earth, wrapping around her wrist. Quickly, almost as if he wasn't even thinking about it, he swiped up and down, and side to side, and diagonal on the hologram in a pattern that Hallez couldn't quite catch, until it zoomed in on a 3D map of a city in a valley, with a blinking blue spot—a lake—nearby.

Three words hovered above it: Livermore, California, USA

Ian snapped his fingers, near the hologram, and it disappeared, but the wristband remained glowing blue.

"There," Ian said, stepping back. He gave a little smile at the blank, confused look on Hallez's face. "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it soon. Now, all you need to do is jump in the river, get to the bottom, and slide two fingers across your wristband. Then just hold onto your stomach—you'll be traveling through space and time, magic or not. It's just like free-falling, though."

Hallez felt her stomach already start to leave her. 'Hold onto your stomach' was not a very good sign, even without the rest of his statement.

She just nodded, at both Ian and Tim, then, turned to the river. Fiona, Travis and Lavi's wristbands were also glowing blue. They were looking at her, as she walked to the river banks. She couldn't tell how they were looking at her.

Hallez looked at the rest of her contubernium, but not focusing on their faces exactly. She didn't want to read their expressions. "Well, let's quit stalling."

She almost felt crazy doing this, but what other choice did she have? It was better to stop thinking and just do it. So, she took a breath, held it, and dove in. The cold water stung her, and she was never the best at keeping her eyes open underwater, but the light of the wristband and the Ancile copy helped a little, somehow. She swam downwards—which was a little difficult given the shield—until her right hand, with the wristband, hit the bottom.

Before her rationality could catch up to her, she slid two fingers across the surface of the metal, and the feeling of zero-G overcame her instantly, like she was falling through an endless void.