Chapter Text
Hazel was standing guard with Frank when this old woman started hobbling towards them. She was very weird looking, wearing some old, bright, baggy clothing. The old lady went straight for them and just stared at them.
“Well, are you going to let me in?” the lady finally asked. Hazel turned to Frank who looked equally confused.
“Uhh…” Frank said, looking very worried.
“Why would we do that?” Hazel asked, trying to sound more confident than she was. The old lady smiled at her like she saw right through Hazel’s act which didn’t surprise Hazel much she had always been a terrible liar.
“Why? Because I told you to, Hazel Levesqua, and don’t worry there will be no need to guard this entrance for the rest of the day as a gift from me.” The lady said all while smiling at Hazel and Frank. Frank looked at Hazel desperate for advice but she didn’t know. Somehow this weird lady knew about the camp and Hazel couldn’t decide to trust her or not. Well the lady didn’t seem evil and if they were wrong the lady would have to face an entire Roman legion.
“Fine. Follow us. No sudden movements or else.” Hazel said as menacing as she could manage. The lady just continued smiling as Hazel led the way through the tunnel all the way to Camp Jupiter. As they left the tunnel Hazel turned to look at Camp Jupiter. When Hazel, Frank, and the eccentric old hippie crossed the Tiber river, the other Romans started to notice them. Everyone quieted down and formed a semicircle around them with the Romans in front and the river at their backs. Everyone was staring at them, seeming very confused about the old lady. Then Hazel’s worst nightmare happened. The Romans parted for a brown pegasus on which the Praetor of Camp Jupitor, Reyna, sat. Behind Reyna Octavian glared at Hazel and Frank while trailing along with many of the other leaders.
“What is this Hazel?” Reyna asked, looking generally curious.
“Is it not obvious Reyna? These two low ranking demigods have brought a weak mortal and showed it to our camp.” Octavian said. All of the other leaders, beside Reyna, nodded their heads or just looked at Hazel suspiciously as if they expected her to suddenly turn into a chicken or something. Hazel was about to defend herself when she heard someone laughing. She turned to see that it was the old lady who was laughing which gave Hazel quite a shock.
“My dear Octavian, I am no mortal despite what you think.” the lady said as she began to shift and change until she was a seven-foot-tall beautiful woman dressed in a blue dress and a goat skin cloak while holding a staff with a white lotus flower on top. The woman now had a stern and stately look about her and she radiated power.
“Juno, the Goddess of Marriage." Reyna said. Then everyone started bowing to Juno because it was custom to do so when gods visited.
“Raise, my warriors. I have brought news. An army is on the way and it comes to destroy Camp Jupiter," everyone gasped but Juno just kept going, “your fate lies with three young heroes. Two that you will find here and one to the west who has fallen. Good luck.” Juno finished and disappeared. Everyone was silent from shock. Hazel had known that the Gods visit Camp Jupiter from time to time but she hadn’t expected to ever get such grave news before. Everyone just stood there until Nico arrived.
“Well, what did I miss?” Nico asked. Everyone turned to him and stared. Finally someone spoke.
“A lot Nico. You missed a lot.” Frank answered, still looking completely shocked. After that people started to disperse and they headed to the Dining Pavilion to eat before the War Games. Frank and Hazel took their usual spots, but nobody sat with them except Nico, which was fine with Hazel. Frank and Hazel filled Nico in on what he had missed about Juno and how two heroes from Camp Jupiter would save Camp Jupiter and Nico acting normal until they got to the part about the fallen hero to the west.
“Wait what? Can you say that again?” Nico asked, looking alarmed. Hazel found this odd because even though Nico was weird to say the least he didn’t usually act like this. Frank on the other hand did not seem to notice this.
“Juno said that two of the three heroes would come from Camp Jupiter and the last hero the others would find by going to the west.” Frank said before digging into his small slice of cake. Nico seemed to process this before glancing at Hazel and realizing that she was watching him. For a mere second Nico looked surprised before mouthing to Hazel to meet up later. As people slowly started finishing their meals they left to get ready for the games. The War Games as they always had it involved the opposing team getting past the defending team’s defenses and retrieving their flag. Also one of the newer traditions of the Fifth Cohort, also Hazel and Frank’s cohort, is always being destroyed by the other teams. As they both got ready they continued their discussion about Junos’ words.
“I think Reyna will go,” Hazel said, “she is one of the best and she has experience.”
“But then Octavian would be in charge which Reyna would never let happen. Also after what happened with Jason I doubt she’s going anywhere.” Frank reasoned. Hazel had to admit that Frank was right. Not only would Reyna never leave Camp Jupitor to be run by Octavion but she wouldn’t leave in case Jason should. Jason was the other Praetor who had disappeared about 6 months ago.
“I guess you’re right. We should get going.” Hazel said to Frank who looked way too pleased to have been right about Reyna especially because if it wasn’t Reyna going then who was going? Hazel continued to ponder this question as she and Frank made their ways to the Fifth Cohort. Dakota and Gwen, their two centurions lead them out of camp and make them form two lines. They marched North to the edge of the city and to the field of Mars which was the largest and the flattest part of the valley. At the farthest North point the engineers of the First Cohort and Second Cohorts had made a fortress multiple ways to destroy the opposing team such as scorpion ballast, guard towers, & water cannons were just a few of the ways.
…
Hazel couldn’t believe they had won and it was all because of Frank. He had been so brave when charging the First Cohort and Second Cohorts but there were more important things to think about right now. For example, how did Gwen survive being stabbed? Hazel had seen Gwen die and Hazel knew a thing or two about death. People don’t just die and then come back to life. What was going on? Nico had told her that nobody comes back from the dead. But Gwen. It didn’t make sense.
Then a thunderous voice rolled across the field.
“Death loses its hold; this is only the beginning.” the voice said. Campers drew their weapons, Hannibal trumpeted nervously, & Scipio reared almost throwing Reyna off his back. In the midst of the legion a column of fire blasted the heated air searing Hazel’s eyelashes and campers who had been soaked moments ago were now dry. Everybody stepped backwards as a huge soldier stepped out of the explosion. All of Hazel’s hair stood straight up. Something about this man made her angry. All she wanted to do was fight. The soldier was about 10 feet tall and dressed in some sort of camouflage uniform. He radiated confidence along with power just like Juno had. His black hair was cut in a flat top wedge like Frank’s. His face was angular and brutal, marked with old knife scars, his eyes were covered in infrared goggles that glowed from inside, he wore a utility belt with a sidearm, a knife holder, and several grenades in his hands was an oversized M16 rifle. Hazel was backing away when she realized that instead Frank had stepped forward. Frank looked like he wanted to resist but he couldn’t. Frank took three more steps then he sank to one knee. Everyone started following Frank's example including Hazel. Even Reyna dismounted Scipio and knelt.
“That’s good, kneeling is good. It has been a long time since I’ve visited Camp Jupiter.” the soldier said.
“Who are you?” Frank asked. Hazel felt terrified. She didn’t know who he was either but he was obviously powerful and she didn’t want Frank to die. The soldier barred his front teeth.
“Why I am Mars, patron of the empire, Divine father of Romulus and Remus, Roman God of war, and your father.” Mars started with a smile on his face. Frank looked shocked and a gasp went through the crowd. Hazel couldn’t believe her sweet, wonderful, kind Frank was the son of the Roman god of war. Mars scanned the crowd of shocked Romans.
“Romans, lend me your ears.” Mars laughed a good hearty bellow so infectious it almost made Hazel smile though she was still terrified.
“I’ve always wanted to say that I come from Olympus with a message Juiter doesn’t like us communicating directly with mortals, especially nowadays, but he was 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’re slain; some mortals who died long ago are now walking the Earth again.” Hazel saw Mars glare at Nico and she shivered. She knew what Mars was glaring at Nico for.
“Thanatos has been chained” Mars announced, “the Doors of Death have been forced open and no one is policing them. At least, not impartial 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’ll be overrun Thanatos and free him from the Giants only he can reverse the tide.” Mars looked around and realized that everyone was still silently kneeling.
“Oh, you can get up now any questions.” Mars asked. Reyna rose uneasily and approached the God followed by Octavian who was being and scraping like his life depended on it.
“Lord Mars,” Reyna started, “we’re honored.”
“Beyond honored,” said Octavian, “so far beyond honored."
“Well.” Mars snapped. Looking at them angrily.
“Well, Thanatos is the God of Death, the lieutenant of Pluto.” Reyna continued looking nervous. Hazel didn’t blame her Mars looked like he was ready to kill.
“Right.” the god said.
“And you’re saying that he has been captured by Giants.” Reyna said.
“Right.” Mars repeated.
“Therefore people will stop dying.” Reyna ventured.
“Not all at once,” Mars said, “but the barriers between life and death will continue to weaken those who know who to take advantage of this will exploit it monsters are already harder to dispatch soon it’ll be completely impossible to kill some demigods will be able to find their way back from the underworld like your friend centurion shish kabob.” Gwen winced.
“Centurion shish kabob.” Gwen said, still in shock.
“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 uhh Mighty all powerful Lord Mars if we can’t die isn’t that a good thing if we can stay alive indefinitely?” Octavian asked.
“Don’t be foolish boy,” Mars bellowed, “endless slaughter with no conclusions, carnage without any point, enemies that rise again and again and can never be killed, is that what you want?” Mars asked Octavian. Octavian shook his mumbling apologies while backing away.
“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 who is in the place beyond the Gods,” Hazel gasped and Frank turned to her looking confused.
“The land beyond the Gods?” Hazel asked. Mars glared at Hazel, his grip tightening on his M16. Hazel knew what he meant. Mars meant Alaska, the place where she had died.
“That’s right, Hazel Levesqua. 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 the gods so if I could just run and get about 70 stuffed animals and possibly a knife.” Octavian said.
“You’re the augur?” the god interrupted.
“Yes my lord.” Mars pulled a scroll from his utility belt.
“Anyone got a pen?” the legionnaire stared at him. Mars sighed.
“200 Romans and no one’s got a pen never mind.” he slung his M16 on his back and pulled out a hand grenade there were many screaming Romans then the grenade morphed into a ball point pen and Mars began to write Frank looked at Hazel with wide eyes like he couldn’t believe that a god could make a grenade turn into a pen.
“There,” Mars said looking proud of his work and he threw the scroll at Octavian, “a prophecy you can add to your books, engrave it in your floor whatever.” Octavian read the scroll.
“Go to Alaska, find Thanatos and free him, come back by sundown on June 24th or die.” Octavian looked confused and maybe a little offended.
“Yes, is that not clear.” Mars said, still looking proud.
“Well my lord usually prophecies are, uh, unclear. They’re wrapped in riddles they rhyme and.” Mars casually popped another grenade off his belt.
“Yes?” Mars said with an evil smile.
“The prophecy is clear,” Octavian announced, “a quest.”
“Good answer,” Mars tapped the grenade to his chin, “now else uh there was something else… oh yes,” he turned to Frank, who Hazel could see was terrified, “Come here kid.” Frank looked like he wanted to refuse but he didn't. Instead of running for his life to Hazel's surprise Frank stepped forward. 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 who 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.” Reyna said while shaking her head no.
“Then make sure he gets the Mural Crown,” Mars demanded, “my kid here,” he yelled at the legion in case anyone hadn’t heard. Hazel felt terrible for Frank who looked like he wanted to melt into the dirt, “Emily Zhang’s son.” Mars continued, “She was a good soldier. Good women. This kid, Frank, has proven his stuff tonight. Happy late birthday kid time you stepped up to a real man's weapon.” he tossed Frank his M16. The giant gun would have flattened Frank if in midair it hadn’t turned into an imperial gold spear with a strange point that looked like a dragon tooth. The weapon looked terrifying but it didn’t fit Frank.
“You haven’t learned how to use your mothers talents yet have you,” Mars asked, sounding slightly disappointed, “well that spear is going to give you some breathing room until you get three charges out of it so use it wisely." Hazel didn’t know what Mars meant by three charges but whatever it was it couldn’t be good. Frank seemed to agree with her because he looked equally confused. Mars on the other hand acted like the matter was closed.
“Now my kid Frank here is going to lead the quest to free Thanatos unless there are any objection.,” Nobody said anything in fact the only person who seemed to disagree was Frank himself, “You may take one companion because as Juno has told you you will find your last companion on your quest.,” Mars said, “I don’t care who you pick just pick someone and start the quest.” The gods' image flickered and lightning flashed across the sky, “That’s my cue until next time Romans do not disappoint me.” The god erupted into flames and then he was gone. Reyna turned to Frank. Her face was part amazement, part nausea like she finally managed to swallow that mouse. She raised her arm in a Roman salute for Frank. The others in the legion slowly followed. Frank looked sick like his night had been ruined. Frank looked around and she was sure that he would pick someone with experience until he turned to Hazel.
“I want Hazel to come with me,” he said. Hazel was shocked. Not only was she fairly new to the camp but she was just as disliked as Frank and picking her wouldn’t win him any popularity points. Frank turned to Reyna to make sure that it was okay.
“All right Frank if that’s what you want. We will discuss the rest in the morning.” Reyna announced. Everyone dispersed and headed to bed.