𝐒 𝐓 𝐀 𝐑   𝐖 𝐀 𝐑 𝐒   !

⎯ 𝘚 𝘌 𝘝 𝘌 𝘕 ⎯

( 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔰𝔞𝔯'𝔰 𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔞𝔱𝔢 ! )

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

          𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃. This is only the beginning.

Aurora stiffened. She looked up from her bloody hands and scanned the empty field, watching as campers drew their weapons and Hannibal trumpeted nervously. Scipio reared and nearly threw Reyna off.

"I know that voice," Percy said. He didn't sound pleased, much like how Aurora felt.

In the midst of the legion, a column of fire blasted into the air. Heat seared Aurora's eyelashes and dried the blood on her hands. Campers who had been soaked by the cannons found their clothes instantly steam-dried. Everyone scrambled backward as a huge soldier stepped out of the explosion.

Aurora's blood turned cold. Her hair stood on end. She felt Hazel scoot closer to her, Aurora protectively placing a hand around the younger girl's shoulders. The soldier was ten feet tall, dressed in Canadian Forces desert camouflage. He radiated confidence and power. His black hair was cut in a flat-topped wedge like most of the boys' hair at camp. His face was angular and brutal, marked with old knife scars. His eyes were covered with infrared goggles that glowed from inside. He wore a utility belt with a sidearm, a knife holster, and several grenades. In his hands was an oversized M16 rifle.

She knew who he was. Just by the way he made his entrance, she knew. She didn't need to see the weapons or the glowing eyes to know that the war god stood in front of her, looking rather proud of himself.

Percy was stiff beside her. His hand inched towards hers and she felt his fingers interlock with her own. Despite the dried blood coating her hand, he held on tightly, making Aurora blush softly in the fading light.

Frank was the first to kneel. The other campers followed his example and knelt. Even Reyna dismounted.

"That's good," the soldier said. "Kneeling is good. It's been a long time since I've visited Camp Jupiter."

It was then that Aurora noticed that she and Percy were the only two standing. Hazel had sunk to the ground without her noticing, and Aurora made a move to do the same, but Percy's hand in her own stopped her from doing so. Meaning the two of them were prime targets for a godly smiting. Especially since Percy was glaring at the god with his sword in hand.

"You're Ares," Percy said. "What do you want?"

A collective gasp went up from two hundred campers and an elephant. Aurora's eyes widened and she sent a look towards Percy. She was shocked for two reasons: one, Percy had called him by his Greek name, and two, Percy had a death wish! Why would he willingly confront a god with zero respect? Also, why would he endanger both his life and her own?

She was beginning to think that Percy was more of a Kelp Head than she had originally thought. Aurora was afraid that Mars would aim at Percy with his M16 and blast the son of Neptune right out of the land of the living . . . and the idiot would take Aurora with him.

"You've god spunk, demigod," the god said. "Ares is my Greek form. But to these followers, to the children of Rome, I am Mars—patron of the empire, divine father of Romulus and Remus."

"We've met," Percy said. "We . . . we had a fight . . ."

Aurora's brows furrowed. She was pretty sure that if Percy had fought with Mars, he would not be holding her hand at that moment. Because if he had fought the god, he would be in the Fields of Asphodel in the Underworld. Dead. She glanced towards Nico, who's eyes were alight with curiosity and something else, and that only confirmed her suspicions about Nico knowing about Percy's past.

The god scratched his chin, as if trying to recall. "I fight a lot of people. But I assure you—you've never fought me as Mars. If you had, you'd be dead. Now, kneel, as befits a child of Rome, before you try my patience."

Around Mars's feet, the ground boiled in a circle of flame.

"Percy," Aurora whispered, leaning closer to his ear. Her eyes remained locked on Mars. "Please kneel before the god of war blasts us into oblivion with his comedically large M16 rifle that we both know he is not afraid to use."

Percy clearly did not like it, but he knelt, Aurora doing the same beside him.

"Romans, lend me your ears!" The god laughed—a good, hearty bellow, so infectious it almost made Aurora smile, though she was still frozen with fear. "I've always wanted to say that. I come from Olympus with a message. Jupiter doesn't like us communicating directly with mortals, especially nowadays, but he had allowed this exception, as you Romans have always been my special people. I'm only permitted to speak for a few minutes, so listen up."

He pointed at Gwen. "This one should be dead, yet she's not. The monsters you fight no longer return to Tartarus when they are slain. Some mortals who died long ago are now walking the earth again."

Aurora caught Mars glaring at Nico, and she furrowed her brows in confusion. What had the son of Pluto done to offend the god of war?

"Thanatos has been chained," Mars announced. "The Doors of Death have been forced open, and no one is policing them—at least, not impartially. Gaea allows our enemies to pour fourth into the world of mortals. Her sons, the giants, are mustering armies against you—armies that you will not be able to kill. Unless Death is unleashed to return to his duties, you will be overrun. You must find Thanatos and free him from the giants. Only he can revers the tide."

Mars looked around, and noticed that everyone was still silently kneeling. "Oh, you can get up now. Any questions?"

Yes, Aurora thought, multiple questions!

"Lord Mars," Reyna said. "We are honored."

"Beyond honored," said Octavian. "So far beyond honored—"

"Well?" Mars snapped. Aurora mentally thanked him.

"Well," Reyna said. "Thanatos is the god of death, the lieutenant of Pluto?"

"Right," the god said.

"And you're saying he's been captured by giants."

"Right."

"And therefore people will stop dying?"

"Not all at once," Mars said. "But the barriers between life and death will continue to weaken. Those who know how to take advantage of this will exploit it. Monsters are already harder to dispatch. Soon they will be completely impossible to kill. Some demigods will also be able to find their way back from the Underworld—like your friend Soldier Shish kabab."

Gwen winced. "Soldier Shish kebab?"

"If left unchecked," Mars continued. "Even mortals will eventually find it impossible to die. Can you imagine a world in which no one dies—ever?"

Aurora shivered. She did not want to imagine a world where she couldn't die. Being a demigod, death was a part of her life no matter what. She had already accepted that she would die someday, and now with Death being shackled, the prospect of not dying ever scared her.

Octavian raised his hand. "But, ah, mighty all-powerful Lord Mars, if we can't die, isn't that a good thing? If we can stay alive—"

"Don't be foolish, boy!" Mars bellowed. "Endless slaughter with no conclusion? Carnage without any point? Enemies that rise again and again and can never be killed? Is that what you want?"

"You're the god of war," Percy spoke up. "Don't you want endless carnage?"

Mars's infrared goggles glowed brighter. "Insolent, aren't you. Perhaps I have fought you before. I can understand why I'd want to kill you. I'm the god of Rome, child. I am the god of military might used for a righteous cause. I protect the legions. I am happy to crush my enemies underfoot, but I don't fight without reason. I don't want war without end. You will discover this. You will serve me."

"Not likely," Percy said.

Again, Aurora waited for Mars to strike Percy down. However, Mars just grinned like they were two buddies talking trash, and Aurora felt her shoulders relax.

"I order a quest!" the god announced. "You will go north and find Thanatos in the land beyond the gods. You will free him and thwart the plans of the giants. Beware Gaea! Beware her son, the eldest giant!"

Aurora noticed Hazel stiffen, a squeaking sound leaving her lips. "The land beyond the gods?"

Mars stared down at her, his grip tightening on his M16. "That's right, Hazel Levesque. You know what I mean. Everyone here remembers the land where the legion lost its honor! Perhaps if the quest succeeds, and you return by the Feast of Fortuna . . . perhaps then your honor will be restored. If you don't succeed, there won't be any camp let to return to. Rome will be overrun, its legacy lost forever. So my advice is: Don't fail."

Aurora did not feel reassured by the god's words. She could tell that Percy felt the same as he gripped her hand tighter, making her heart flip.

Octavian somehow managed to bow even lower. "Um, Lord Mars, just one tiny thing. A quest requires a prophecy, a mystical poem to guide us! We used to get them from the Sibylline books, but now it's up to the augur to glean the will of gods. So if I could just run and get about seventy stuffed animals and possibly a knife—"

"You're the augur?" the god interrupted.

"Y-yes, my lord."

Mars pulled a scroll from his utility belt. "Anyone got a pen?"

The legionnaires stared at him.

Mars sighed. "Two hundred Romans, and no one's got a pen? Never mind!"

He slung his M16 onto his back and pulled out a hand grenade. There were many screaming Romans. Then the grenade morphed into a ballpoint pen, and Mars began to write.

Aurora noticed Frank looking at Percy. The boy mouthed: Can your sword do grenade form?

Percy mouthed back, No. Shut up.

Aurora rolled her eyes at the two.

"There!" Mars finished writing and threw the scroll at Octavian. "A prophecy. You can add it to your books, engrave it on your floor, whatever."

Octavian read the scroll. "This says, 'Go to Alaska. Find Thanatos and free him. Come back by sundown on June twenty-fourth or die.'"

Aurora held back a laugh much like some of the other soldiers in the legion.

"Yes," Mars said. "Is that not clear?"

"Well, my lord . . . usually prophecies are unclear. They're wrapped in riddles. They rhyme and . . ."

Mars casually popped another grenade off his belt. Aurora found herself praying that Mars would blast his head off. "Yes?"

"The prophecy is clear!" Octavian announced. "A quest!"

"Good answer." Mars tapped the grenade to his chin, shooting Aurora a knowing look of amusement. "Now, what else? There was something else . . . oh, yes." He turned to Frank. "C'mere, kid."

Frank didn't move for a moment. Aurora was worried he would collapse to the ground from how pale he was. He moved forwards and faced the god, shaking.

Mars grinned. "Nice job taking the wall, kid. Who's the ref for this game?"

Reyna raised her hand.

"You see that play, ref?" Mars demanded. "That was my kid. First over the wall, won the game for his team. Unless you're blind, that was an MVP play. You're not blind, are you?"

Reyna looked like she was trying to swallow a mouse. "No, Lord Mars."

"Then make sure he gets the Mural Crown," Mars demanded. "My kid here!" he yelled at the legion, in case anyone hadn't heard. Frank looked like he wanted to melt into the dirt. "Emily Zhang's son," Mars continued. "She was a good soldier. Good woman. This kid Frank proved his stuff tonight. Happy late birthday, kid. Time you stepped up to a real man's weapon."

He tossed Frank his M16, and for a split second, Aurora thought the weapon would flatted Frank into a grease spot on the field. However, the gun changed in midair, becoming smaller and thinner. When Frank caught it, the weapon was a spear. It had a shaft of Imperial gold and a strange point like a white bone, flickering with ghostly light.

"The tip is a dragon's tooth," Mars said. "You haven't learned to use your mom's talents yet, have you? Well—that spear will give you some breathing room until you do. You get three chances out of it, so use it wisely." Aurora didn't understand what he meant by that, but the god acted as if the matter was closed. "Now, my kid Frank Zhang is gonna lead the quest to free Thanatos, unless there are any objections?"

Of course, no one said a word. But many of the campers glared at Frank with envy, jealousy, anger, and bitterness. Aurora felt pride swell in her chest at the mention of one of her friends finally getting the chance to prove himself.

"You can take three companions," Mars said. "Normally, only two companions are allowed, but special circumstances call for shifts in rules. One of those three needs to be this kid."

He pointed at Percy. "He's gonna learn some respect for Mars on this trip, or die trying. As for the second and third, I don't care. Pick whomever you want. Have one of your senate debates. You all are good at those."

The god's image flickered. Lightning crackled across the sky.

"That's my cue," Mars said. "Until next time, Romans. Do not disappoint me!"

The god erupted in flames, and then he was gone.

Reyna turned toward Frank. Her expression was part amazement, part nausea, like she's finally managed to swallow that mouse. She raised her arm in a Roman salute. "Ave, Frank Zhang, son of Mars."

The whole legion followed her lead, Aurora grinning brightly out of pride. Though, she could tell that Frank was growing uncomfortable. She knew how badly he wanted to be a son of Apollo, and Aurora would have been happy to have him as a sibling, but he had gotten claimed. And that was all that mattered.

Mars was his father. The god of war was sending him to Alaska. His father had gifted him a spear with three uses. And Aurora couldn't be happier for him.

Finally, Reyna spoke up again, "War games are over! Head back to your barracks! We will hold a senate meeting in the morning once Frank Zhang has chosen his other two companions!" Reyna looked at Percy and Frank before moving to stare at Aurora with conflicting eyes. "Centurions, meet at the principia in fifteen minutes! Go!"

With that, the legion walked back towards the barracks, the centurions turning toward the principia. Aurora gave Percy's hand a squeeze and shot him a small smile before she let it go and moved over to Reyna. Hazel and Frank looked at her expectantly but she waved them off. She'd tell them after the meeting.

"You know what this means, don't you?" Reyna nodded, the two looking around to make sure no one else was listening in.

"Sadly." She sighed and motioned for Scipio to come to her. "I thought I would never see the day."

"I know." Aurora met Reyna's gaze and she frowned. "The Prophecy of Eight is near. And I have a feeling that this quest will determine half of the team."

⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯

The principia was a mess of mutters and shouts. Despite there only being ten centurions and one praetor, the place was still filled with noise until Reyna and Aurora entered, silencing everyone. Even Octavian.

Reyna took her place in one of the praetor chairs, the centurions following and sitting in the impromptu seats that had been arranged earlier in the day. Aurora's hands were still soaked with blood, the girl not having time to wash them, but she ignored it to focus on the problem at hand.

"Centurions," Reyna started, "the problem has grown worse. It is time to start preparing for war."

Harley, daughter of Venus and centurion of the Fourth, frowned. "Has the problem really grown that much?"

Reyna nodded. "It appears so. Aurora?"

The daughter of Apollo stood from her chair and took the spot in front of the other centurions, shooting a scathing glare to Octavian. "Apollo has shown me the recent future, and it's not good. The giant, Polybotes, has risen and is forming an army greater than our own. He marches towards us as we speak, and will arrive on the Feast of Fortuna. Cyclopes, gorgons, centaurs, hellhounds . . . hundreds of enemies who cannot die until Thanatos is unchained."

Wooyoung, son of Mars, pursed his lips. "Have you seen the outcome?" He glanced at Octavian passingly, letting it be known that he trusted Aurora more than the augur. "Has Apollo shown you the future beyond the battle?"

Aurora shook her head. "No. All I've seen is that the army will reach our borders by midday. Without our standard and Death unchained . . ."

"We won't stand a chance," Reyna finished, her grip on her pugio tightening. "Tomorrow we send Frank Zhang and his three companions to Alaska to unchain Death and potentially save our standard." Complaints started to rise as Aurora took her seat, but Reyna stopped them. "I understand your frustration, but this is the will of the gods. While they are gone, we must fortify our defenses and prepare for war."

Reyna turned to the centurions of the First. "You will hold the meeting with the veterans in the city. Tell them what we have told you and inform them of the dangers. I want a list of those who will fight and those who we need to protect." They nodded. "Second, start taking inventory of our weapons, armor, and medicines. I want to know what we have to harm, and what we have to heal. Third, you gather the fauns and other spirits. We will need them on our side during this battle and we will need to train them properly. Fourth, I want you checking supplies. Food and shelter in case things go poorly. Make sure to set up safe havens for those who will not be fighting, as well as medical tents for those who get injured."

Finally, Reyna faced Dakota and Aurora. "I have a feeling Frank will be choosing you, Aurora, leaving the Fifth without leaders."

Aurora frowned. "Dakota?"

"I'm stepping down to allow Frank a place as centurion." Aurora's heart dropped. "It's time. I've been at camp for eleven years now. And Frank can't lead a quest unless he's a centurion or higher."

The brunette nodded. "Okay. What will be left of the Fifth?"

"Gwen informed me that she and a few of the older campers will get them prepared for battle," Reyna assured. "I will give them their orders after the senate meeting tomorrow. For now, I need you all to get some rest and prepare for battle in the coming days. Understand?"

All centurions nodded and Reyna sent them off. Aurora stayed behind, patting Argentum on his head a she joined her friend. "It will be fine."

"Is that the promise of a prophet, or the assurance of a friend?" Reyna asked, rubbing her forehead.

Aurora laughed. "How about both?" Reyna cracked a grin. "We'll do everything we can to prepare. We just have to pray that the gods will be on our side."

The daughter of Bellona sighed. "If only it was that easy."

Yeah. If only.

⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯

When she returned to the barracks, she had hardly slept a wink. With horrible nightmares and worried thoughts running rampant in her mind, she found it hard to close her eyes and sleep. The same three visions would haunt her on repeat, leaving her waking up in a cold sweat each time they ended. 

The first was of Gaea, the woman's face made of dirt and grass. The Earth goddess would speak to her in her preternatural voice, attempting to convince her that giving up and allowing the giants to win was the right thing to do. Aurora would fight to wake up each time, shouting curses at the goddess until her throat burned and her lungs collapsed. 

The next would be of Polybotes and his approaching army. Dracaenae and gorgons would slither about, hellhounds and centaurs practicing on dummies with different weapons and attack methods. And then there was the giant himself, shrouded in fog and hard to understand as he ordered the cyclopes around like servants. 

Finally she dreamed of a boy. He was young, maybe thirteen or fourteen, with messy black hair and sea-green eyes. His cheeks were a bit fuller from childhood and he was dressed in bright orange, a familiar sword glinting in his hands. He looked like a younger version of Percy, and she watched in awe as a younger version of herself fought back-to-back with him on a hill that she could never forget. Mount Tam.

When she got up in the morning, she threw on her usual purple camp tee shirt and a pair of shorts. She tied her converse on her feet and braided her hair down her left shoulder, checking to make sure her ring was around her finger. She knew Solstice would appear even if she lost it, but she still checked. Before she left the girl bunks, she slipped on her toga for the senate meeting that morning, internally groaning.

The girl made sure her cohort was up and moving before walking over to the boys dorms and pushing the door open. She didn't care about the possibility of seeing any of the guys half-naked, seeing as she barged into the dorms every day. Instead of that, though, she found a shaking Percy, a nervous Frank, and a Kool-Aid stained ghost.

Aurora rolled her eyes and moved over to the stumbling silhouette of Dakota, helping him to slip his toga on properly so he didn't suffocate. Sometimes she felt like his mother, even though she was younger than him. The other members of the dorm were rushing around, getting dressed and brushing their teeth.

"Breakfast time?" Percy asked hopefully. His morning voice made Aurora's stomach fill with butterflies and she felt her cheeks warm a bit when his eyes met hers. They were still groggy with sleep, but she found herself getting lost in them.

"A quick breakfast, Kelp Head. Then we've got a senate meeting." Aurora walked over to Percy's bunk and ruffled his already messy hair, which earned her a playful eye roll from the son of Neptune.

"Um," he paused. "Should I wear my bedsheets?"

Frank snorted. "That's just for the senators. There're ten of them, elected yearly. You've got to be at camp five years to qualify."

"So how come we're invited to the meeting?"

"Because . . . you know, the quest." Aurora glanced at Frank and noticed the worry on his face. Why he was worried? There could be plenty of reasons.

"We have to be in on the discussion. You, me, Hazel, and Aurora. I mean, if you're willing . . ." Frank trailed off, worried.

Aurora found herself placing a hand on Frank's shoulder, which was difficult since he was so much taller than her (like everyone else in the whole entire world. If Apollo was able to gift her with photokinesis, he could have gifted her with a couple more inches so she wasn't so vertically challenged! Just saying). The teen gave her a small smile that she returned before looking to Percy.

When the son of Neptune didn't say anything, Frank cleared his throat. "I, um . . . I'd better get ready . . ."

Once Frank was gone, that left Aurora alone with Percy while the other members of the boys dorm finished getting ready for the day. Dakota was ordering them around while stumbling between the bunks, nearly banging his head into a few of them. Aurora rolled her eyes with a sigh and shook her head. What was she going to do with that man?

Percy looked to Aurora, which caught her attention. "Let me guess . . . you're part of the senate?"

Aurora faked a gasp of surprise. "How did you know? Was it the 'bedsheet' I'm wearing, or the regal look?"

Percy cracked a grin and chuckle, Aurora following after. He shrugged. "I guess you just give off that air of importance. Kind of like Reyna, but not as terrifying. Yours is more . . . sunny, I guess?"

"Makes sense since my dad is the sun god." Aurora sat down next to Percy and nudged his shoulder with her own. "Now, let's get moving. We've got a long day ahead of us, and we don't want to miss breakfast, now do we?"

Percy shook his head with a lopsided grin. "Oh, no. That would be utterly horrifying. Breakfast is, after all, the most important meal of the day."

"Don't mock me, Kelp Head. Get moving."

"Whatever you say, Sleeping Beauty." Aurora's cheeks flamed at the nickname and she couldn't contain the smile that was making its way onto her lips. So, to keep herself from becoming a flustered mess, she rolled her eyes casually and stood, shoving Percy's forehead so he flopped back down onto the bed.

Plus side, she made the both of them laugh and made Percy look like a doofus. Downside (or would this count as a plus side as well?) when she pushed him, his shirt bunched up, revealing an incredibly tan and toned stomach that made her heart race and her cheeks warm even more.

"Come on! Before we're late." And with that, Aurora walked out of the barracks, ignoring Dakota's teasing look.

It only took a few minutes for Reyna to announce that breakfast was ready. Soon, the mess hall was alive with chatter and conversation, aurae floating around and passing food to the early risers like they usually did. Being a daughter of the son god, she rose and fell with the sun, except for when Daylight Savings Time came into play. Then her sleep cycle was all out of whack.

Aurora sat with Percy, Hazel, and Frank at their usual table near the back, the four of them eating as much eggs, sausage, and toast as they could. The other members of the legion were talking about the night before and the events of the war games. Which, when thinking about them, made Aurora sick to her stomach. She had scrubbed for hours to get the blood stains off of her hands.

Percy was shoveling food in his mouth so fast, Aurora thought he might end up blowing up like a balloon. She was sure he would have eaten more, but Reyna announced that the senate would now convene in the city, and everyone wearing a toga stood to leave. Which meant eating was done.

"Here we go." Hazel fidgeted with a stone that looked like a two-carat ruby.

The ghost Vitellius appeared next to them in a purple shimmer. "Bona fortuna, you four! Ah, senate meetings. I remember the one when Caesar was assassinated. Why, the amount of blood on his toga—"

"Thanks, Vitellius," Frank interrupted. "We should get going."

Reyna and Octavian led the procession of senators out of the camp, with Reyna's metal greyhounds dashing back and forth along the road. Aurora, Hazel, Frank, and Percy trailed behind. Nico di Angelo was in the group, wearing a black toga and talking with Gwen, who looked a little pale but surprisingly good considering she'd been dead the night before. Aurora and Gwen had had a sleepover last night to get rid of the nerves and shakiness that came with both the quest and Gwen's death, while also allowing Aurora to fill the girl in on the meeting between the centurions and praetor. Both girls needed it. Nico sent a wave towards Percy, then went back to his conversation, leaving both Percy and Aurora more sure than ever that Hazel's brother was trying to avoid the son of Neptune.

Dakota stumbled along in his red-speckled robe. A lot of other senators seemed to be having trouble with their togas, too—hiking up their hems, trying to keep the cloth from slipping off their shoulders.

"Why aren't you having trouble with your toga?" Percy asked, sending a look to Aurora.

The girl shrugged. "Lots of practice."

"How could Romans move, in those things?" he wondered aloud.

"They were just for formal occasions," Hazel said. "Like tuxedos. I bet the ancient Romans hated togas as much as we do. By the way, you didn't bring an weapons, did you?"

Aurora immediately placed a hand on her ring, wincing. No matter where she left the darn thing, it would always appear on her finger. Even when Terminus took it away, it would come back. She noticed Percy placing a hand to his pocket, where his pen must have been sitting.

"Why? Are we not supposed to?"

"No weapons allowed inside the Pomerian Line," She said.

"The what line?"

"Pomerian," Aurora said. "The city limits. Inside is a sacred 'safe zone.' Legions can't march through. No weapons allowed. That's so senate meetings don't get bloody."

"Like Julius Caesar getting assassinated?" Percy asked.

Frank nodded. "Don't worry. Nothing like that has happened in months."

Aurora winced in remembrance but kept moving forward.

As they got closer to the city, Aurora took a moment to appreciate how beautiful it was. The tiled roofs and gold domes gleamed in the sun. Gardens bloomed with honeysuckle and roses. The central plaza was paved in white and gray stone, decorated with statues, fountains, and gilded columns. In the surrounding neighborhoods, cobblestone streets were lined with freshly painted town houses, shops, cafes, and parks. In the distance rose the coliseum and the horse racing arena.

Once they reached city limits, Aurora frowned. Here came the hard part.

On the side of the road stood a white marble statue—a life-size muscular man with curly hair, no arms, and an irritated expression. Terminus, the god of boundaries. Great.

"Single file, please!" the statue said. "Have your IDs ready."

The statues lined the city boarders in hundred yard intervals. The senators passed through easily, Terminus checking the tattoos on their arms and calling each one by their name.

"Gwendolyn, senator, Fifth Cohort, yes. Nico Di Angelo, ambassador of Pluto—very well. Reyna, praetor, of course. Hank, senator, Third Cohort—oh, nice shoes, Hank! Aurora, senator, Fifth Cohort. I see you still have that ring on. Ah, who have we here?"

Percy, Frank, and Hazel were the last ones.

"Terminus," Aurora said, "This is Percy Jackson. Percy, this is Terminus, the god of boundaries."

"New, eh?" said the god. "Yes, probatio tablet. Fine. Ah, weapon in your pocket? Take it out! Take it out!"

Even though Percy looked confused, he took the pen from his pocket.

"Quite dangerous," Terminus said. "Leave it in the tray. Aurora, remove your ring as well. I know it will return to your finger, but for now, please just place it in the tray. Wait, where's my assistant? Julia!"

A little girl about six years old peeked out from behind the base of the statue. She had pigtails, a pink dress, and an impish grin with two missing teeth.

"Julia?" Terminus glanced behind him, and Julia scurried in the other direction. "Where did that girl go?" Terminus looked the other way and caught sight of Julia before she could hide. The little girl squealed with delight, making Aurora grin. "Oh, there you are. Front and center! Bring the tray."

Julia scrambled out and brushed off her dress. She picked up a tray and presented it to Aurora and Percy. On it were several sparing knives, a corkscrew, an oversized container of sunscreen, and a water bottle.

"Sunscreen? Really?

"You can pick up your weapons on the way out," Terminus said. "Julia will take good care of them. She's a trained professional."

The little girl nodded. "Pro-fess-ion-al."

Percy glanced to Frank and Hazel first before looking at Aurora, who was already removing her ring and placing it in the tray with a grin. She smiled at Julia and booped the girl on the nose, making her giggle. Which made Percy smile.

"The thing is," Percy admitted, looking away from Aurora and focusing on the statue. "The pen returns to my pocket automatically, so even if I give it up—"

"Not to worry," Terminus assured him. "We'll make sure it doesn't wander off like some people's weapons do—" He sent a look towards Aurora, who held her hands up. "Won't we, Julia?"

"Yes, Mr. Terminus."

Reluctantly, Percy placed his pen on the tray next to Aurora's ring. The two were about to look away before they caught sight of something strange happening. The ring and pen seemed to glow brighter when they were near each other, and Aurora could faintly see the outline of a trident beginning to appear in green light on her ring while a faint sun molded into the pen. When she blinked, it was gone, so she chalked it up to her imagination, sharing a look with Percy.

"Now, a few rules, since you're new," Terminus said. "You are entering the boundaries of the city proper. Keep the peace inside the line. Yield to chariot traffic while walking on public roads. When you get to the Senate House, sit on the left-hand side. And, down there—do you see where I'm pointing?"

"Um," Percy said. "You don't have hands."

Aurora inhaled sharply and shook her head. Terminus's face turned a dark shade of gray. "A smart aleck, eh? Well, Mr. Rule Flouter, right down there in the forum—Julia, point for me, please—" Julia dutifully set down the security tray and pointed toward the main plaza. "The shop with the blue awning, that's the general store. They sell tape measures. Buy one! I want those pants exactly one inch above the ankles and that hair regulation cut. And tuck your shirt in."

Hazel said, "Thank you, Terminus. We need to get going."

"Fine, fine, you may pass," the god said testily. "But stay on the right side of the road! And that rock right there—No, Hazel, look where I'm pointing. That rock is entirely too close to that tree. Move it two inches to the left."

Hazel did what she was told, and they continued down the path, Terminus still shouting orders at them while Julia did cartwheels across the grass.

"Is he always like that?" Percy asked.

"No," Aurora said, smiling a bit. "Today he was laid back. Usually he's more obsessive/compulsive."

"He inhabits every boundary stone around the city," Frank said. "Kind of our last line of defense if the city's attacked.

"Terminus isn't so bad," Hazel said. "Just don't make him angry, or he'll force you to measure every blade of grass in the valley."

Percy nodded to himself. "And the kid? Julia?"

Aurora grinned with Hazel. The two had a soft spot for the six year old. "Yeah, she's a cutie. Her parents live in the city. Hazel and I sometimes come down here to play with her since hanging out with the upper half of a marble statue can sometimes get boring."

Hazel nodded. "Now, come on. We'd better catch up to the senators."

As they approached the forum, Aurora noticed Percy's look of awe by the amount of people. College-age kids were hanging out at the fountain. Several of them waved at the senators as they passed. One attempted to flirt with Aurora, but both Percy and Frank pushed him away, leading to him stumbling into the fountain. A guy in his late twenties stood at a bakery counter, flirting with a young woman who was buying coffee. An older couple was watching a little boy in diapers and a miniature Camp Jupiter shirt toddle after seagulls. Merchants were opening their shops for the day, putting out signs in Latin that advertised pottery, jewelry, and half-price tickets for the Hippodrome.

"All these people are demigods?" Percy asked.

"Or descended from demigods," Hazel explained. "Like Aurora and I told you, it's a good place to go to college or raise a family without worrying about monster attacks every day. Maybe two, three hundred people live here? The veterans act as, like, advisers and reserve forces as needed, but mostly they're just citizens living their lives."

Aurora found herself feeling homesick at the sight of New Rome, like she often did. It looked a little too much like Rome, her home. Where her parents were living and where she would never return to because the Mare Nostrum was off limits to Roman demigods. She frowned a bit at the thought, but when she noticed Percy looking her way, she pushed it back and smiled.

She noticed the troubled look that crossed Percy's face and nudged his shoulder softly, giving him another—more believable—smile. He returned it and slipped his hand into her own, their cheeks flaming at the contact. Aurora found her thoughts spiraling yet again, and they followed the senators to the Senate House, where—ironically, might she add—a dove swooped down in front of them.

Venus, Aurora thought. Oh, gods.

The senators made their way to a big white-domed building on the west end of the forum. Percy paused at the doorway, which made Aurora stop. She grinned at him in encouragement and nodded towards the door. He took a deep breath and followed Hazel, Frank, and Aurora in, gasping in shock.

"Welcome to your first Roman senate, Kelp Head. Try not to drool on the upholstery."

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

𝐀 𝐔 𝐓 𝐇 𝐎 𝐑 𝐒   𝐍 𝐎 𝐓 𝐄   !

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Okay, this was another sort of filler chapter in a way. In the next chapter, the senate meeting will happen and I think they will start their quest, but I don't know. I'm following the book, if you couldn't tell. Please do not report since this is a fanfiction and I realize that all of the things that seem familiar are taken directly from the book with a few tweaks from me. I do not own anything Percy Jackson related, just Aurora, her plotline, and anything she may say or do.

Please continue reading. I love writing and I love reading your fanfictions, so I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Comment and vote!

Love you all!

~ a.h.