Annabeth's POV:

Ok so Tiberinus and Rhea Silvia, while helpful in moving my creator's quest along, aren't the best conversationalist or at easing my nerves.

They dropped me off by this gated water fountain and I instantly saw the mark of Athena by the water fountain. "Good luck" the river god shouted and speed away down the streets of Rome.

I sighed irritated I have to do this quest but am also thankful for Perseus's advice. If I beat this quest where her children could not, I'll prove my self not only better than her kids, but wiser if I do this based off of my brain and skill rather than powers. Honestly I can't imagine a greater insult to the goddess than that.

Honey I know you hate her but do not dwell on that. You have those that love you. Focus on returning to them. I heard the voice of my adopted mother say in my head...sighing because I know she's right. She's the eldest of the original six and she's the reason they haven't destroyed themselves yet because she's the peaceful one.

I look down at the coin and sigh. "I'm really hating you but I will be victorious just to spite your disownment." I mumbled to the coin hoping my creator heard me. I set forth with a new determination to finish this and see my loves again. Even if it means somehow defeating my greatest fear still...spiders.

I broke in and activated the mark next to the fountain. This set off a reaction that created a stairwell down. I looked around and summoned a small flame in my hand before marching forward and down to get a statue of a goddess I couldn't care less about. Wait no. If it was for Hera I could care less...somehow.

The walk down wasn't as long as I thought it would be, however it was darker after the entrance closed behind me. "Thank you mom for adopting me" I prayed to lady Vesta/Hestia unsure which of the two adopted me or if both did. The flames in my hand gave off a warmth and feeling hope that I'd be able to do this and I knew she was watching. I hope I make her proud.

After forty or so steps the stairs stopped and opened up to a large room filled with crates of string. I looked around thank full to find a few torches and lit them. With the room adequately lit I saw a hole towards the center of the room. I looked around again and notice the supplies.

My fucking boyfriend. I swear. He could have just told me all of it. But then it wouldn't be your victory but both of yours. A voice in the back of my head said that wasn't mom nor anyone I knew. Oh great I swear if I'm getting a Roman form I'm going to kill someone.

Thankfully the voice didn't respond. I sighed and got to work making a ladder. Would it be easier to use my powers to get down. Yes infinitely easier, but that would be cheating the challenges. As such I got to work making a ladder out of the string and and crates. My hands were moving on their own and I decided it would be best for my make shift rope ladder to have two supports rather than a single structural support. It would take more time but it would also be safer and more stable.

Line break: hi she built her ladder

I've built my ladder and now all that remains is finding an anchor point. I knew the torch  mounts wouldn't hold up with the weight of the ladder and myself so those were an immediate no. Then I looked around and felt stupid.

I could just use any of the pillars in the room that were supporting the roof. The only matter is finding the most stable one. So I did what Percy or Thalia would do. I went up to a pillar and pushed to see if it would move. It didn't.

I hope this works I keep saying to myself as I anchor my ladder to the pillar and send it down over the edge into the abyss the hole created.

It took a few seconds before I heard the sound of the ladder hitting the floor below. Oh yay. A good climb then.

I climb down the ladder and when I hit the floor I summoned my little fire in my hand again so I can see. When I get back I'm going to hug mom and continuously thank her for what she's gifted me. I noticed that I was probably in one of the ancient aqueduct systems that went under ground to give the city water.  I was about to tie a string to my ladder when the voice from earlier spoke this isn't the Labyrinth. This is the path of the mark of that crafts goddess. And the way you entered already sealed itself.

I swear if you're a Roman version of me I'm just not going to listen to you anymore. But then again the voice has a point. Of course I do. I'm you.

That's settles it the next thing I can kill I'm killing it. Thankfully though I could see the glowing mark after other me shut up the second time. I'm starting to hate the mark. The owl's eyes are so judgmental it makes me want to scratch them out.

Remember Mithras. Would you please shut up. Well sorry if I just want to live, return to our stud of a boyfriend and amazing girlfriend, and rub it in the face of the crafts goddess where all her children have failed.

Ok I can get on board with three of those four things. The crafts goddess honestly isn't worth my time and I hope Roman me comes to learn that too. I won't. SHUT THE MINERVA UP.

As this was likely the entry point to a second challenge I didn't activate it yet as I didn't feel rushed. I still have my bag with my laptop from the great inventor Daedalus, though I don't think I need to re-research Mithras. If I recall he was born from stone with a torch and a dagger in hand...it can't be this fucking simple can it. This seriously can't be an Occam's Razor.

I rolled my eyes and brought out my trusty dagger that Luke and Thalia gave me. I don't think a knife would qualify. I looked at the little fire in my off hand and nodded with determination. "I hope this works mom. I want to see my loves again." I prayed and with my prayer I activated the entry way to my second challenge.

The wall crumbled away and I stepped through it with my dagger and fire in hand. The passage way opened to a hall of bones, ash, weapons and melted bronze. I also noticed that of the bones all of them were males because of the number of ribs. Of course the idiots choose to fight.

You're starting to sound like my niece and her hunters, daughter a small and quiet voice from the flame in my hand whispered to me. Well I suppose mom is right...I have spent a lot of time with them prior to making my journey to New Rome.

I walked forward and noticed seven mosaics on the floor, a crack in the roof, and what I would guess is a statue of Mithras being born and killing the sacred bull. I really hope whoever's in charge here doesn't notice that any answer to this entire cult can be found in this unstable room.

I noticed I was alone for the moment. I guess I have to challenge the statue or something because deep down I sensed that this place shouldn't be empty. "I won't be another skeleton in your false temple" I said towards the statue

A girl said a raspy voice as if it was underwater. Girls aren't allowed

Oh great. They really are sexist. No wonder why her children failed. They all thought they could survive fire or fighting a god presumably.

A female demigod a second voice much like the first proclaimed INCONCEIVABLE

The chamber rumbled a little bit, and I wondered if the Italians built a subway line over this place...I hope they didn't because I don't think this room will survive much longer. I looked back to see the entryway I came from was sealed off. I went back to there and felt the new wall with my back keeping my fire and dagger in hand. The wall felt solid but from backing into it, it didn't sound solid...it sounded like there was an empty space behind it.

The benches started shimmering as either ghost or Lars appeared on them. I guess I should know if they are Lars or not but I don't think they are. If I recall correctly Lars are like household ghost. This is certainly no home...maybe it was part of one at one point but not now.

They started glaring at me as I appeared as if they wanted to kill me for interrupting their ever so important meeting, probably now on why women suck and shouldn't exist. I'm suuurrrreeeee lady Artemis just loved this cult...and by loved I mean loved castrating them.

Use moms title. Roman me said. I rolled my eyes at myself. "I'm the adopted daughter of lady Vesta, created by Athena"

"A Greek" one of the ghost said, with so much disgust it almost sounded like Hera speaking to one of her husband's children.

At the other end of the room from me, an older looking ghost that looked like he shared a wardrobe with the pope walked out from behind the statue. "This is the cavern of Mithras" he said, "you have disturbed our sacred rituals. You cannot look upon them and live."

"Fine then" I said. "Just point me the way forward on this stupid quest and I'll be out of your hair and forget you all even exist like the rest of the world" by the looks on their face I can tell that wasn't an option.

"The weaver pays us well to make sure none can pass" the old ghost said

"Oh you mean Arachne who guards that little old statue" I questioned sending most of the ghost into shock.

"She knows" one of them said, though I think he thought he was whispering.

"Shut it" the old ghost said

"Yes pater" he replied but quickly silenced with the glared directed at him. I noticed the one who spoke had a raven pin and was seated in the back, just like the raven mosaic. So he's the lowest rank.

"As Pater I must protect our mysteries and you are threatening that" the old ghost threatened

"What mysteries" I said, "that you're the head priest here and the poor fool to speak is just a raven and your lowest rank. He hasn't even passed any of the rituals besides the initiate yet"

Many of the other ghost started gasping saying 'she knows she knows'

"Well of course I know, you fools" I said, remembering the words of my Roman self. Sorry mom I quickly and mentally prayed, hoping she doesn't get mad at me for what I'm about to do. "I'm the Vestalium Maxima. You think I don't know something that happens here in the city so favored by my adoptive mother"

The ghost started looking more nervous than anything. "The greatest of the vestals here. Did we piss off Vesta. Is she here to wreck vengeance" one of the mid level dudes said.

"SILENCE. VESTAS PRIESTESSES HAVE FALLEN LONG AGO" the Pater claimed

I rolled my eyes at his ignorance. "The flame of the hearth still burns. I even hold it in my hand as we speak" I said as I caused the flame to grow in size and strength. The feeling of home soon overtaking the feeling in the room.

Some of the ghost, especially the raven dude looked like he wanted to bolt.

"The false priestess must die" The pater said.

One of the ghost jumped at me and dazed right through me. "YOU DARE ATTACK ME. THE VESTALIUM MAXIMA. WHEN PLUTO HAS YOUR SOUL AGAIN YOU WILL FACE TORTURES UNLIKE ANY OTHER BEFORE YOU FOR DARING TO ATTACK HIS SISTER'S GREATEST" I declared. The ghost looked like he just fucked up and knew it too. "Plus you're already dead you stultus"

"She gleaned our secrets" one of the ghost up front said. "She might now be lying"

"SILENCE" the pater ordered

"But she knows the ordeals" another cried, probably feeling ashamed or betrayed.

"Ridiculous" the pater said, "The girl lies about being Vesta's greatest and she lies about knowing the ordeals. Daughter of Athena choose your death. If you don't I'll choose for you"

I glared at the ghost, with the wolf glare lupa taught me, for daring to call me that goddess's daughter. "You mean to fire or dagger" I said a bit angrily. "But I already pasted your test via the third option" I claimed

The ghost gasped as they all knew the third option. Their god was born from stone after all.

"Walking"

"I came through the stonewall with fire and dagger just as your puny lord did when he was born from stone" I proclaimed

"Nonsense that doesn't count" the pager yelled out.

"Fine then don't believe me" I said, which cause many of the ghost to nod happily as if all the threats and claims I made were lies. "But for daring to insult me claiming I'm a liar my goddess and I will bring down your false temple with a singular strike" I claimed eyeing the keystone above me which seemed to be what was keeping this small room intact.

"Impossible" the pater said. "She shall die by sword"

I rolled my eyes. "So be it then" I struck the keystone with all my strength and it didn't just break and fall it turned to dust with the strike of my dagger. "Lady Vesta condemns you all to losing you temple, your home, and to face her brother's worst punishments for daring to question the Vestalium Maxima" I declared as the temple started to crumble and implode on itself. I shoved my body against the wall behind me again causing the wall to crumble away.

The next thing I knew I was falling.

A rough translation of Vestalium Maxima is "The greatest of the Vestals" (I.e., the greatest of Vesta's priestesses)