𝓢𝓞𝓝 𝓞𝓕 𝓝𝓔𝓟𝓣𝓤𝓝𝓔

AFTER THAT, THE BATTLE GREW INTO A FRENZY.

Evangeline, Percy, Frank, and Hazel waded through the enemy, plowing down anyone who stood in their way.

The First and Second Cohorts, the pride of Camp Jupiter, a well-oiled, highly disciplined war machine— fell apart under the assault and the sheer novelty of being on the losing side.

Evangeline couldn't help but become giddy as she knocked down more soldiers. She put up a bigger fight against those who had talked down to her. To the soldiers that made her feel small and always discredited her role in camp and the war against Saturn.

But some were pretty easy targets, There was one girl from the second cohort who just stood there telling her how gorgeous she was, so of course she spared her the embarrassment.

Plus, what's better motivation than compliments?

Part of their growing success was also Percy. He fought like a demon, whirling through the defenders' ranks in a completely unorthodox style, rolling under their feet, slashing with his sword instead of stabbing like a Roman would, whacking campers with the flat of his blade, and generally causing mass panic.

As Evangeline fought beside him she couldn't help but admire his technique. He may not have fought like a Roman. But he fought like a champion.

Gods, give me the strength this boy is getting more and more attractive...

Octavian screamed in a shrill voice maybe ordering the First Cohort to stand their ground, maybe trying to sing soprano—but Percy put a stop to it. He somersaulted over a line of shields and slammed the butt of his sword into Octavian's helmet. The centurion collapsed like a sock puppet.

"I've been waiting years to see someone do that!" Evangeline cheered before she stabbed her sword against the armor of someone who charged at her. The soldier fell straight on his butt, he looked up in admiration.

"Wow!" He said, "Can you do that again?"

Frank shot arrows until his quiver was empty, using blunt-tipped missiles that wouldn't kill but left some nasty bruises. He broke his pilum over a defender's head, then reluctantly drew his gladius.

Meanwhile, Hazel climbed onto Hannibal's back. She charged toward the center of the fort, grinning down at her friends. "Let's go, slowpokes!"

"Gods of Olympus, she's beautiful", Frank murmured.

Evangeline smirked, she nudged him with her elbow. "She sure is! But no time for drooling Frankie, let's go!" She pulled him forward, waving Percy over with her other hand.

They ran to the center of the base. The inner keep was virtually unguarded. The defenders never dreamed an assault would get this far.

Hannibal busted down the huge doors. Inside, the First and Second Cohort standard-bearers were sitting around a table playing Mythomagic with cards and figurines. The cohort's emblems were propped carelessly against one wall.

Hazel and Hannibal rode straight into the room, and the standard-bearers fell backward out of their chairs. Hanni stepped on the table, and game pieces scattered.

By the time the rest of the cohort caught up with them, Percy, Frank, and Evangeline had disarmed the enemies, grabbed the banners, and climbed onto Hanni's back with Hazel. They marched out of the keep triumphantly with the enemy colors.

"Fuck yes! Take that!" Evangeline taunted, She whipped the enemy flag around. Her hair flowed with the wind. She threw her head back as joyous laughter fell from her lips.

Percy laughed with her, watching her as she kept yelling out "Suck it! I'm the winner! Woooooo!"

The Fifth Cohort formed ranks around them. Together they paraded out of the fort, past stunned enemies and lines of equally mystified allies.

Reyna circled low overhead on her pegasus. "The game is won!" She sounded as if she were trying not to laugh. She grinned proudly at Evangeline who felt her heart soar at Reyna watching her win. "Assemble for honors!"

Slowly the campers regrouped on the Field of Mars. Evangeline saw plenty of minor injuries some burns, broken bones, black eyes, cuts, and gashes, plus a lot of very unflattering hairdos from fires and exploding water cannons but nothing that couldn't be fixed.

She slid off the elephant. Her comrades swarmed her, pounding her on the back and complimenting her fighting. Evangeline wondered if she was dreaming. It was the best night of her life—until she saw Gwen.

"Help!" somebody yelled. A couple of campers rushed out of the fortress, carrying a girl on a stretcher. They set her down. and other kids started running over.

Even from a distance, Evangeline could tell it was Gwen. She was in bad shape. She lay on her side on the stretcher with a pilum sticking out of her armor—almost like she was holding it between her chest and her arm, but there was too much blood.

Evangeline shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't think of smiling or her victory anymore. "No, no, no..." she muttered as she ran to her side. "Gwen—Who hurt her!" She demanded.

The medics barked at everyone to stand back and give her air. The whole legion fell silent as the healers worked trying to get gauze and powdered unicorn horn under Gwen's armor to stop the bleeding, trying to force some nectar into her mouth. Gwen didn't move. Her face was ashen gray.

Finally, one of the medics looked up at Reyna and shook his head.

For a moment, there was no sound except water from the ruined cannons trickling down the walls of the fort. Hanni nuzzled Gwen's hair with his trunk.

Reyna surveyed the campers from her pegasus. Her expression was as hard and dark as iron. "There will be an investigation. Whoever did this, you cost the legion a good officer.
Honorable death is one thing, but this..."

Evangeline noticed the marks engraved in the wooden shaft of the pilum: CHT I LEGIO XII F.

The weapon belonged to the First Cohort, and the point was sticking out the front of her armor. Gwen had been speared from behind—likely after the game had ended...

Evangeline scanned the crowd for Octavian. The centurion was watching with more interest than concern, as if he were examining one of his stupid gutted stuffed animals. He didn't have a pilum.
Blood roared in Evangeline's ears, she was ready to pounce at him. She almost ran forward to force out some answers, but at that moment, Gwen gasped.

Everyone stepped back. Gwen opened her eyes. The color came back to her face.

"Wh-what is it?" She blinked. "What's everyone staring at?" She didn't seem to notice the seven-foot harpoon sticking out through her chest.

Behind Frank, a medic whispered, "There's no way. She was dead. She has to be dead."

"Shhh," Evangeline hushed, her face blank. She knelt in front of her.

Gwen tried to sit up, but couldn't. Eva moved forward and placed her head to rest on her lap.

"There was a river, and a man asking...for a coin? I turned around and the exit door was open. So I just...I just left. I don't understand. What's happened?"

Everyone stared at her in horror. Nobody tried to help.

"Gwenny." Evangeline forced a smile. Her eyes were blank with emotion. She refused to let herself cry in front of everyone despite the ache in her heart. "Don't try to get up. Just close your eyes for a second, okay? I'm here...You—You don't have to worry about anything..."

"Why? What—Eva?"

"Just trust me pretty..." Evangeline whispered, moving her hair out of her face. "Shhh." She helped soothe her anxiety. Gwen did what she asked, and shut her eyes.

Evangeline kept softly brushing through her hair. "Frank...Take it out.."

Frank looked shocked, but he quickly snapped out of it and grabbed the shaft of the pilum below its tip, his hands were shaking. The wood was slick. "Percy, Hazel—help us."

One of the medics realized what they were planning. "Don't!" he said. "You might—"

"What?" Hazel snapped. "Make it worse?"

Frank took a deep breath. "Hold her steady. One, two, three!"

He pulled the pilum out from the front. Gwen didn't even wince.
The blood stopped quickly.

Hazel bent down to examine the wound. "It's closing on its own," She said. "I don't know how, but—"

"I feel fine," Gwen protested. "What's everyone worried about?"

With Evangeline and Percy's help, she got to her feet.

Frank glowered at Octavian, but the centurion's face was a mask of polite concern.

"Later," Evangeline hissed. "We'll deal with him later."

"Gwen," Hazel said gently, "there's no easy way to say this. You were dead. Somehow you came back."

"I... what?" She stumbled against Evangeline. Her hand pressed against the ragged hole in her armor. "How—how?"

"Good question." Reyna turned to Nico, who was watching grimly from the edge of the crowd. "Is this some power of Pluto?"

Nico shook his head. "Pluto never lets people return from the dead."

He glanced at Hazel as if warning her to stay quiet. Evangeline wondered what that was about, but she didn't have time to think about it.

A thunderous voice rolled across the field: Death loses its hold. This is only the beginning.

Campers drew weapons. Hanni trumpeted nervously. Scipio reared, almost throwing Reyna.

"I know that voice," Percy grumbled. He didn't sound pleased whatsoever.

"Oh Dear, can't you at least say hi to them first!"

Percy sighed, "That one too..."

Evangeline's head snapped up, she gasped,

Amid the legion, a column of fire blasted into the air. Heat seared Evangeline's face. Campers who had been soaked by the cannons found their clothes instantly steam-dried. Everyone scrambled backward as two huge soldiers stepped out of the explosion.

The male 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. 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.

The female soldier stood next to him tall and regal. She was a vision of strength and beauty draped in imperial gold armor.

The breastplate that hugged her form like a second skin was etched with intricate carvings of love stories and victorious battles in Ancient Roman history. Rose vines were embossed on the greaves adorning her legs.

Her golden hair was intricately braided down her back with myrtles and diamonds emitting a soft, ethereal glow.

In one hand, she carried an imperial gold gladius.

"Maman!" Evangeline ran forward. "It's you! Maman!"

Evangeline felt her heartbeat racing. She hadn't seen her mother in so long, the last time was when she was about nine or ten. Eva was left alone with her father's new family and she slowly became miserable.

When she found her way to camp Jupiter she liked to think her mother was guiding her, but now she was here.

Even when she claimed her at camp it was through a Dove not through her actual presence. Evangeline couldn't help but become ecstatic standing in front of her. She missed her so much. She needed to see her mother more than she thought she did...

"My gorgeous brave daughter!" Venus grinned, and she clapped, looking almost as excited as Evangeline for their reunion. "Wow! You've grown beautifully Ma Colombe! You sure did get your looks from your mother. And look at that sword! You've got the hottest weapon in camp." My dove

Evangeline squealed, "Right!"

"Babe." Mars reminded, "We're here for a reason."

Venus sighed, "No dear, you are here for a reason. I'm here for multiple reasons. Percy, do you like what I've done with my hair?"

He choked out a, "No!"

"Still in the denial phase, I see." She sighed, "I guess we can carry on. Bring forth your son or whatever."

Mars stared forward.

Frank stepped up in a trance. Evangeline realized the soldier was silently willing him to approach.

Frank looked like he wanted to run away and hide, but he couldn't. He took three more steps. Then he sank to one knee.

The other campers followed his example and knelt. Even Reyna dismounted. Evangeline did the same, but she made sure to do it in front of her mother. Venus beamed a glorious smile down at her.

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

Eva noticed that one person wasn't kneeling. Percy, his sword still in hand, was glaring at the giant soldier.

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

A collective gasp went up from two hundred campers and an elephant. Evangeline wanted to say something to excuse Percy and placate the god, but she didn't know what. She was afraid the war god would blast the pretty boy down with that extra-large M16.

Instead, the god bared his brilliant white teeth. Evangeline gaped.

Venus winked at her, "I like him too. He's much feistier than that golden boy of yours but they both sure get your heart moving. Hm, yet you're still much too in love with the other to see that." Venus rubbed her chin in thought, and she shrugged. "Only time will tell. Just know I approve of either! I love a good series of tangled hearts. Either way, don't you fret my girl I won't let Mars strike him down! There's soooo much you need him for!"

"Maman!" She blushed, for the first time, someone made her feel embarrassed at the talk of love. "Don't announce my business to the entire camp!"

"Oh dear, You give them far too much credit when it comes to literacy in love. They hardly know who I'm talking about."

Some Romans began to talk over each other. Some arguing and claiming, "It's me! Of course, it's me!"

"Ouch." Dakota complained, "But she's right...Who is she talking about? Mason?"

"Is it me!" Mason grinned.

Evangeline eyes widened, she looked at Mason pitifully before turning back to the 10-foot gods in front of her. "Lord Mars! Maman! Let's get back to why you're here! "

"You've got spunk, demigod," Mars announced. "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... And Aphrodite, I...I sat in a limo with you..."

"Wait, you've met my mom?!"

"Ah yes. Percy Jackson, it's nice to see you again...Though I have to say I'm much more excited now that you've met my dove." Venus said wistfully, "See Love is love in all forms. So if you prefer my Greek name it's fine. I'm beautiful no matter what you call me."

The war 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," Evangeline warned, "Please."

Percy clearly didn't like it, but he knelt. However, he did it in front of Venus, who grinned down at him. He avoided her eyes, but when he looked at Evangeline he decided staring at the dirt was the best option for him.

Mars scanned the crowd. "Romans, lend me your ears!" He laughed a good, hearty bellow. "I've always wanted to say that. We come from Olympus with a message. Jupiter doesn't like us communicating directly with mortals, especially nowadays, but he has 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."

Was it Evangeline's imagination, or did the god glare at Nicky—Nick? Oh, whatever.

"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 forth 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 reverse the tide."

Mars looked around and noticed that everyone was still silently kneeling. He looked at Venus in confusion.

Venus sighed, she rubbed her lover's shoulder. "You have to tell them to get back up my dearest."

"Oh, you can get up now. Any questions?" He said

Reyna rose uneasily. She approached the god, followed by Octavian, who was bowing and scraping like a champion groveler.

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

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

"Not even I kiss up to him that much." Venus quipped, looking at the legion.

Evangeline covered her mouth and let out a genuine laugh.

"Well?" Mars snapped.

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

"Right," the god said.

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

"Right."

"And therefore people will stop dying?"

"Not all at once," Venus interrupted. "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.

Mars nodded, "Some demigods will also be able to find their way back from the Underworld like your friend Centurion Shishkebab."

Gwen winced. "Centurion 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?"

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

"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?"

Venus nodded, looking just as outraged. "It would be such a waste, plus you can't have true tragic love if everyone just keeps coming back!"

"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, Evangeline waited for the god to strike him down, but Mars just grinned like they were two old buddies talking trash.

He's crazy.

I like it though. Fuck.

"I order a quest!" Mars demanded. "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!"

Next to Frank, Hazel made a squeaking sound. "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 left to return to. Rome will be overrun, its legacy lost forever. So my advice is: Don't fail."

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?" Venus interrupted.

"Y-yes, my lady."

"The one who insults my daughter and belittles her to be but a piece of meat?" Venus raged. Her eyes blazed with anger. Her pink aura grew stronger. "Here's some word of advice. Respect women or beware of getting trampled on."

Evangeline could've broken into tears if she allowed herself to. Her mom had no idea how much those words meant to her.

Octavian managed to hit the ground. "Y-Yes my lady. Evangeline is a g-great legionnaire!"

Mars grinned, "Isn't she so sexy when she's mad?" He 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!"

"I've got lipliner!" Evangeline offered, taking it out of her bra.

"Hm. Good enough!"

"My girl! Always prepared!" Venus grinned.

Evangeline's 'espresso kiss' lipliner disappeared from her hand and ended up in Mar's, he began to write.

"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."

"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 a grenade off his belt. Some Romans began to scream. "Yes?"

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

"Good answer." Mars tapped the grenade to his chin. "Now, what else? There was something else...Oh, yes."

He turned to Frank. "C'mere, kid."

His legs turned wobbly. He stepped forward against his will.

Mars grinned. "Nice job coming up with the hydra arrows. That girl wouldn't have made it up the wall without you, kid. Next time, You knock someone down when they try and steal your thunder 'kay?"

Venus scoffed, "Do not start Mars unless you want a fight! You know how petty I'll become, I'll make sure you never see a day of peace! Correct yourself, She would have done it with or without his help! Your son is a warrior but so is my daughter! Now, who is the ref for this game?"

Reyna raised her hand.

"You see that play, ref?" Venus declared. "That was my girl. My daughter. Evangeline Delilah was the first over the wall and won the game for her team. Took the flag and still managed to keep her makeup intact while doing it! She is a victor. You agree, Don't you?"

Reyna swallowed, she smiled softly. "Yes, Lady Venus."

"Then make sure she gets the Mural Crown," Venus demanded. "And you." Venus turned to Mars.

Mars addressed Frank, "Don't worry kid. This is just another day of dating the goddess of love."

"You apologize to me right now! You can recognize your son without undermining my daughter! She has a winning spirit! She had every right to come up that ladder after coming up with the idea and being the only one who believed they could win!"

Mars sighed, "Yes darling..."

"Now!" Venus continued, she glanced at Frank with an annoyed look. "Claim him or whatever."

"My kid, here!" he yelled at the legion, in case anyone hadn't heard. "Emily Zhang's son," Mars continued. Smiling sheepishly when Venus glared at the mention of another's name. "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. For a split second Evangeline thought he'd be crushed under the weight of the massive assault rifle, but 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 charges out of it, so use it wisely."

Frank didn't understand, but Mars acted like 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, bitterness.

"You can take three companions," Mars said. "Those are the rules. One of them needs to be this kid and the victory girl." He pointed at Percy and Evangeline

Venus nodded in triumph. "Good. You were going to get a speech if you forgot. You saved yourself,"

Mars rolled his eyes, "Anyway, He's gonna learn some respect for Mars on this trip, or die trying. As for the 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 our cue," Mars said. "Until next time, Romans. Do not disappoint me!"

"Goodbye, my dear Romans! Evangeline keep up that victorious and passionate spirit! " Venus grinned, "Don't fail! And maybe you'll get a nice surprise when you come back—But, Darling, I do apologize in advance! Love and War complement each other but they're both just as unpredictable and painful."

The gods erupted into pink mist, and then they were gone. Leaving behind a scent of honeysuckle and jasmine.

Evangeline was too happy to dwell on her mother's words. Things were looking great for her. She won the Mural Crown, she saw her mom again, she was going on a quest, and she had gained a fraction of the respect that she fought for years to earn. The only thing that could have made it better was...

No, We're happy. Don't think about Jason...

Reyna turned toward Frank. Her expression was part amazement, part nausea, She raised her arm in a Roman salute. "Ave, Frank Zhang, son of Mars."

The whole legion followed her lead, but Frank didn't want their attention, he looked miserable. As if Mars had just signed his death sentence.

"Well hey! look at the bright side!" Evangeline tried being optimistic, she nudged him, "You're like my stepbro now! We're family!"

Frank smiled weakly,

"Anyway, I need to pack! I've got the perfect boots for this!"