Reyna's POV:

"Turn back," I yelled. I wasn't keen on giving the immortal Pegasus orders, but I was also less keen on being shot out of the sky.

We were approaching Camp Half-Blood in the pre-dawn hours of August 1st when I spotted six Onagers on the hill opposing CHB. Even in the dark, I could see the glint of imperial gold plating. The throwing arms were bent back like a ship mast in heavy storms. Their artillery crews were running about around the onagers, loading the slings and checking the specs.

"What are those?" Nico asked, flying about 20 feet off to my left on a pegasus named Guido.

"They're siege weapons," I answered. "If we get any closer, they could shoot us out of the sky."

The Pegasus on my left, Blackjack, neighed at that, which caused Pegasus to neigh back.

"Blackjack says he'd like to see them try, and Pegasus told him to shut up," Bianca translated from Blackjack and Pegasus. So, I am guessing the immortal Pegasus and I are in agreement on avoiding siege artillery that could possibly kill us.

"They kick harder than Bruce Lee, Kid," Coach added.

I rolled my eyes at the goat. Like having heavy siege equipment wouldn't hit harder than a mortal man wasn't obvious enough. "Lord Pegasus," I said, hoping to get his attention, resting my hand along the stallion's neck, "we need a safe place to land."

Sadly, from looking up here, the first cohort was surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of enemies, likely 'serving' as auxilia. I am just happy that the other cohorts are not with them, otherwise Rome would be completely surrounded.

"There," Nico pointed toward Long Island Sound, where the lights of a large yacht gleamed offshore. "We could land there. The Greeks control the Seas."

I was a little unsure of how safe the Greeks would be with a fifth of the legion now aiming heavy artillery at their camp. However, Pegasus liked the idea and veered off to the ship.

The yacht was easily identifiable as a pleasure craft, stretching 100 feet across the sea and 20 feet wide, with sleek lines and tinted windows. Painted in red on the white bow of the ship were the letters spelling Mi Amor. Thankfully, just above that was a helipad large enough to land the Athena Parthenos. However, the strangest part about the ship was that there was no crew present, or any visible activity happening on the ship. I knew it was possible that the crew was just asleep, but usually, ships this large start having someone attend the helm when out at sea 24/7.

"It's our best shot," Bianca said. "The pegasi are tired, and any closer to the Greek camp, we risk being shot at by the artillery pieces."

I nodded reluctantly. "Let's do it."

Pegasus landed on the forward deck with Blackjack Guido and Porkpie; the other pegasi just barely let down the statue easy on the helipad and then settled around it to rest. I struggled a little not to laugh as they looked like a small carousel with their harnesses and ropes still attached, though I know Athena wouldn't appreciate the comparison, and I was unsure if Pegasus would appreciate it either.

"Thank you, great one," I said, kneeling before Pegasus.

Pegasus spread his wings out and inclined his head. Even now, after flying from Boston to New York, I could barely believe that the immortal Pegasus had allowed me to ride him.

I used to always picture him as a pure white, but his coat was a rich brown, with a red and gold muzzle, which Hedge said came from when he left his mother's beheaded corpse. However, his wings were his most spectacular attribute, as they were the colors of an eagle's-gold, white, brown, and rust, making him look much more handsome and regal than plain white. He was practically the colors of all horses and representing all of his offspring...Blackjack being the black sheep of the family clearly.

Lord Pegasus nickered. 

Hedge trotted over to translate. "Pegasus says he should leave before the shooting starts. His life force is connected to all pegasi, so if he gets hurt, they all feel his pain. It's why he chooses not to go out much. He's immortal, but his offspring are not. He doesn't want them suffering because of him. He asked the remaining pegasi to see the mission through."

"I understand," I said to the immortal horse. If my legionaries felt all the pain I felt, I wouldn't go out much either. "Thank you."

Pegasus whinnied this time.

Hedge's and Bianca's eyes widened, and it looked like Coach choked back a sob before pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing his eyes.

"Coach? Bi?" Nico asked with a deep concern. "What did Pegasus say?"

"He...He says he didn't come to us because of my message." Hedge turned toward me while Bianca was still looking at the immortal Pegasus in shock. "He...He did it because of you. He experiences the feelings of all winged horses. He followed your friendship with Scipio. Pegasus says he's never been more touched by a demigod's compassion for a winged horse. He gives you the title Horse Friend. This...this is a great honor...as great of an honor as hearing the voice of the Great God Pan even."

My eyes stung. I bowed my head to Pegasus. "Thank you, mi lord, but...but I don't feel I deserve this honor. Scipio only lives because Perseus saved him for me...I thought it was too late for my friend to be saved."

Pegasus came up to me, nuzzled my head towards his shoulder, and neighed softly.

"He says that Scipio should have died before even reaching Perseus. It...it was you lending your strength to him that...that allowed Scipio to live long enough to be saved," Bianca stuttered.

Pegasus backed off from me and pawed the deck. The other pegasi whinnied in salute. Then, their father launched himself upward and spiraled into the night. 

Hedge stared at where Pegasus disappeared into the sky in amazement. "Pegasus hasn't shown himself in centuries," he patted me on the back. "You did good, Roman."

I didn't feel like I did. I was the one who put Scipio into the situation he's in in the first place, but I have to push down my feelings of guilt for now. There are more pressing matters to attend to first.

"I sense two mortals on board. I've sent some deep dreams their way, so they should be out past sunrise at least," Nico said, causing us and the pegasi to stare at him. "What?" he protested. "I was just getting ahead of the ball."

"So when can we go to shore?" Hedge asked, "My wife is waiting."

I scanned the horizon, catching a Greek trireme patrolling offshore and a silver wake coming from the shoreline a half mile to the south of CHB. I hoped it was a mortal vessel, but with demigod luck, it was either a boat from the first or a monster. Then it got closer, and I could clearly see Michael Kahale on the boat's prowel, with two others behind him. Michael was a good legionnaire and usually followed orders very well. However, he was the last person in the legion to be sponsored by Octavian, and that was when Octavian was a junior centurion and augur. Out of everyone in the first, I would not expect Michael to be one to turn their back on their fellow legionnaires. "The legion is sending a welcoming committee," I informed my company.

Nico and Bianca followed my gaze. "I could shoot them out from here," Bianca suggested.

Meanwhile, Nico said, "I didn't think Rome had a navy."

"It doesn't," I said. "The first cohort's raiding of the coffers is worse than I thought it could be, and they've been busy using it. And Bianca, don't. They are still my soldiers for now...at least until they confirm their betrayal."

Coach seemed disappointed because it meant he didn't get to bash any of their heads in.

Time Skip: I've been in and out of a cell so often I figured I should let the rest of you know my capture is pointless. I'd just time-skip myself outta there.

"Reyna Ramirez-Arellano," Michael called out like he was reading a scroll, "former Praetor."

"I am Praetor, Michael, less the whole senate has voted to remove me. Is that the case?" I questioned him, knowing damn well that he and the whole senate hadn't been together since shortly after I left and that the first had abandoned their post. 

Michael sighed heavily as if he didn't want to do this. "I have orders to arrest and hold you for trial."

"On whose traitorous orders?"

"You know whose, Reyna."

"On what charges?"

"Listen, Reyna, I don't like this anymore than you do. But I have my orders," Michael said.

"Is this true?" I asked, taking notice of the two legionaries promoted to Centurion since I've left, both of which were sponsored by Brian. 

The two looked me dead in the eyes. "It's true traitor to Rome."

"We're at war, Reyna. We have to pull together. Brian has ordered us to bring you in, preferably alive but dead if necessary."

"And what of the other cohorts? Are the four of them traitors as well?"

"Yes. Brian allowed them to repent, but all of them denied his orders. They've been deemed traitors just as you are," the new centurions said.

"So you'd wipe out  90% of the legacy of the gods for what? A power move by some traitor to Oly..."Nico started before being interrupted.

"LIES!" The two new centurions yelled at Nico. 

"They are the ones who betray the gods by keeping them in their state of confusion. Eliminating the Greeks will cure them of their wretched curse," one of them added.

Nico nodded his head. "Welp, I have a special place in my father's realm for you then."

"Silence, Ambassador of Pluto, son of Hades...whatever you call yourself, you've been named an enemy spy. I have orders to execute you." Michael scowled. 

"And what of me," Bianca asked. "Do you think I will stand idle while you murder my innocent little brother?"

"You huntress," the male Centurion spat, "are to be given to Brian." 

Yeah, all decorum was lost there. Just when I thought Lady Diana's hunters weren't as mean and violent as the stories would have me believe, Bianca lost her shit.

"You'd dare have the oath of one of Lady Diana's hunting companions violated..." Bianca said way too calmly.

The Centurion moved to open his mouth again, but within a millisecond, he had an arrow coming out from the center of his skull. 

"MURDERER!" the other Centurion was able to yell before she, too, had the addition of an arrow popping out of her skull. Note to self do not piss off Lady Diana's hunters; they are quick and efficient, as indicated by Hedge and Nico staring at her with their jaws on the floor.

Bianca had her arrow drawn back and pointed straight at Michael. "You choose how this turns out for yourself, Boy," Bianca spat, making the word boy sound like the worst insult possible. 

Michael slowly raised his hands, "I...I wasn't told about that last part," he stuttered. 

"Reyna, arrest him. I'm sure he has charges of treason, abandoning his post, dereliction of duty, and disregarding your direct orders. If not, I can always arrange his meeting with my father now."

Michael visibly and audibly gulped. I looked between the two and the two dead bodies on the deck. "That's enough death for now, Bianca. Michael, you'll willingly submit yourself to detainment; in exchange, I won't order your immediate execution." 

Michael nodded and held his hand out. "Coach, Nico. Bind his hands behind him," I ordered, only for the two to go up and wrestle his arms behind him and tie them up. 

"A shame; I could've used a guy like you on my football team," Coach muttered as a silhouette appeared where the anchor hung off the side, accompanied by a smaller shape with wings.

"Here to save friends," Tyson the Cyclops said. "Friends and sister didn't need help, though."

Bianca let out a soft chuckle while Nico looked offended. "Dude, she's my sister," Nico tried.

"And she's Percy's Sister, and Percy is my brother, so she is my sister," Tyson reasoned, leaving Nico in shock.

"Deadly," Ella the Harpy chirped as the moonlight reflected off her wings, making it seem like they were drenched in blood instead of just being red. "Tyson's sister is deadly. Deadlier than Romans."

I wanted to be offended by the Harpy's statement, but I couldn't argue against it. It was a fact that she was deadlier than the Romans. I mean, she could have probably killed them all before they even got on board the ship.

"Tyson, Ella, can you make sure they get back to CHB? Make sure Michael here is imprisoned to await a fair trial. Tell the legion my orders are to hold a defensive line till either I return to them or until the war party returns." I asked of the two.

Tyson and Ella nodded. "Listen to Praetor's orders, we will," Ella answered.

Tyson bonked Michael on the head, knocking him out, before picking him up for transport. "Let us go, friends and sister. I shall introduce you to Rainbow and friends."

With that, Tyson jumped off the ship's side, carrying the unconscious Michael. "Nico, Bianca. Disable the Onagers when you get back. I know it will be a risk to hide in the shadows, but we can't risk the statue and pegasi being shot out of the sky." I told them, signaling them to go off and get to it. I'll be fine with the stature for an hour or two.

Line Break: I had a joke about dead Romans, but it fell upon death's ears.
Thanatos: Line Break, don't make me claim your soul.

The sun was starting to break the horizon in the East, and for some reason, I felt a small inkling of strength leaving me as the moon began to set in the West.

I wonder why I felt like this. The only reason I could think of was that I had Lady Diana's approval or blessing, but I don't know why, how, or even when that started. I'm not ungrateful, but I am confused about it. It seems like I've been rapidly gaining favor amongst immortals, but I still have the hateful aura of the statue radiating towards me. I swear that goddess might as well be impossible to please. 

I sighed, wondering if I had done the right thing. My father used to say, 'Never abandon your post, never let anyone in, and above all, never betray your own.'

By helping the Greeks, I'm technically doing all of that. Thankfully, Percy took care of Octavian at least before he went on quest, so I didn't leave the legion in the hands of a madman, but I left the first cohort in the hands of one.

Blackjack seemed to sense my agitation, with my memories and questioning my own choices. He bumped his muzzle against me affectionately. I knew he was Percy's friend, though Percy could fly himself, so he didn't really ride him all too often, but the pegasus had no problem letting Bianca ride him; then again, Bianca could speak horse, but he didn't seem to mind. 

He nickered gently. I don't speak horse, but I hope he was offering me words of support. Blackjack reminded me a lot of Scipio. The only difference was their coats; Scipio's coat was much like peanut butter, whereas Blackjack's coat was as dark as the night sky...and Blackjack's unhealthy obsession with sugar.

I looked up at the fading stars in the sky. It might be my last time seeing the stars, and for some reason, I felt emptiness looking at them, like many of them were no longer visible in the sky.

"Mother," I prayed, "I haven't prayed enough. I've never met you. I've never asked for your help...I don't even know if you'd give me your help now...But please, just this once, for this morning, lend me the strength to do what is right."

As if by divine providence, something flashed off the sea to the north. A light was speeding towards the Sound, approaching like a fast-speed boat. For a small moment, I thought my mother was giving me a sign. However, as it got closer, the small hope I allowed myself turned to dread. I waited too long as the large humanoid figure was running towards me on the surface of the water. 

I somehow managed to chop the first arrow in half. However, it wasn't quick enough as the arrow's moment carried through, and the front half pierced Blackjack like a nose piercing but through his shoulder. Blackjack collapsed and shrieked in pain.

The second arrow was much worse than the first. Before I could even move from the first, the second embedded itself in the deck just in front of my feet. Attached to it was an LED screen countdown from 5:00.

"I wouldn't move, Praetor!" Orion shouted from 50 feet away, an arrow again nocked in his bow. 

Through rage and grief, I noticed that the Giant had new scars. His fight with my sister clearly left him scared. He had mottled grey and pink scar tissue littering his arms and face; he looked like a rotting, bruised peach. His left mechanical eye was missing, and his hair was clearly burned off in patches. Even his nose looked swollen and red, like it was broken. It gave me a slight twinge of dark satisfaction, though it also left me with the realization my sister may have died in the process.

Despite his injuries, he still had a smug smile gracing his face; at my feet, the time now read 4:45. "Explosive arrows can be touchy," Orion said. "Once embedded, even the slightest motion can set them off. I wouldn't want you to miss the last four minutes of your life."

My senses sharpened as I caught the last glimpse of the moon setting to the West. The pegasi were clipping around the Athena statue, and the wind broke from the East, giving a faint smell of strawberries. Lying next to me, Blackjack wheezed and shuddered, alive but wounded. My heart pounded so loudly I could clearly hear it in my own ears. I extended my strength to Blackjack, hoping to keep him alive and calm him down. Percy saved my horse friend, and now it's time I return the favor and live up to the title Lord Pegasus gave me. 

I wanted to insult him, but I surprised even myself with how calm I sounded. "What of my sister?"

Orion's white teeth flashed in fucked up face. "I would love to tell you that bitch is dead. I would love to see the pain on your face, knowing that you abandoned her and left her to die. Alas, so far as I know, your bitch of a sister still lives. I was forced into the sea like that stupid Manticore years ago to escape with my life. So do many of her subjects. They surprised me, I will admit. I've been healing and building a new bow for the past few days. But worry not, Praetor; you'll die here before those you love are sacrificed to the Earth Mother in Greece. After she is risen when the mortal world is ending, I will find your sister, and she'll join you in death. I will even tell her how you died painfully before I kill her." He grinned as if he was already living the memory. "So all is well!"

You know, sometimes one must appreciate evil's need to monologue their intent. Especially when they think they are in a position of superiority and invulnerability. It's almost too corny when it happens. 

4:00

Though, at least my sister is alive. I'd hate if my last time speaking to her was us arguing again. She still had some of her people, too, so she's also safe for now. But that wouldn't matter if I failed here. The sun was rising on what could very well be the last day of civilization and life. 

Blackjack's breathing became labored. I needed to muster my courage. Blackjack needed me. Lord Pegasus named me horse friend. I won't let him down now. I couldn't focus on the whole world now; I needed to concentrate on the situation before me. 

3:50

"So," I glared at Orion. "You are now damaged and ugly but not dead. A shame that means my sister didn't have a god to help kill you. I suppose I'll need one as well to kill you."

Orion laughed, "You Romans were never good at summoning the Gods to your aid. I guess they just don't like you."

I was tempted to agree. I prayed to my mother and was greeted with the arrival of my enemy, which doesn't exactly feel like a ringing endorsement. 

Yet my enemies need to be killed; as much as this feels like a blessed curse, she brought me an enemy of Rome to kill. I started laughing, "Oh, Orion...I was unaware you were the comedian amongst your kind," I taunted. "Bellona has answered my prayer. She doesn't fight her children's battles for them, for me. She doesn't guarantee me easy victory. She grants me the opportunity to prove myself. She gives me strong enemies and potential allies."

Orion's right eye blazed with fury. "You speak nonsense. A blast of fire is about to destroy you and that precious Greek statue. No ally will help you. Your mother has abandoned you as you abandoned your legion."

"My mother has not abandoned me," I declared. "She wasn't only a war goddess. She's not like the Greek Eyno, who's simply an embodiment of the carnage of war. Bellona's temple is where ambassadors stayed, where disputes were settled, where lasting peace and treaties were made based on strength." 2:50 

I drew my knife. "My mother grants me the chance to make peace with our Grecian kin. Increase the strength of Rome. If I die, I die for that cause. So, I dare say my mother is with me. She'll lend me her strength just as I've lent mine to my legionnaires, my friends, and my companions. Shoot your arrow, enemy of Rome. For it won't matter when I throw this blade; it will pierce your heart, and you will die."

Orion stood motionless, his one eye blinking. "A bluff," he growled in determination. "I've killed plenty of girls like you: girls playing war, girls thinking they are true hunters, pretending they are equal to the Giants! I will not grant you a quick death. I will watch you burn the way your sister burned me."

Well, at least now I knew the arrow was likely a Greek Fire Bomb arrow.

2:23

Blackjack began wheezing, kicking his legs across the deck. The sky was turning orange, and soon, it would be blue. The Athena Parthenos gleamed in the early morning light, making it seem like the goddess herself was standing on the pedestal rather than a statue. I thought that the statue would look perfectly in place at the top of Half-Blood Hill. It must happen somehow. I hope the pegasi can understand that they must finish this journey without me.

I inclined my head to the statue. "It was an honor escorting you this far, milady."

Orion scoffed, almost like he was trying not to laugh. "Talking to enemy statues? When you have just less than two minutes to live."

"Oh, but I don't abide by your time frame, giant," I declared. "A Roman does not wait for death. This one seeks it out. Welcomes death with open arms, on her own terms."

I threw my knife. It went flying and miraculously not only struck true to the Giant's chest but also split his arrow and cut his new bow's string, disabling the weapon. "OOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWW" Orion bellowed in agony.

I thought that sound was pleasing, a good last sound to hear, as I flung my praetorian cloak in front of me and fell upon the explosive arrow.

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I would've expected it to be more painful. I thought Death by Explosive Arrow would be more painful. Instead, I didn't get what I was expecting. Against my ribs, the explosion only made the smallest of pops, like the opening of a can of soda. My cloak became uncomfortably warm, like a hike through the streets back home when it rarely reached 100 degrees outside, and then nothing.

Why was I alive?

Rise, said a voice in my head.

Almost as if in a trance, I rose to my feet. Smoke curled from the edge of my cloak. I realized something was different about the purple fabric. It glittered as if, all of sudden, imperial gold had woven itself throughout my cloak. On the deck, at my feet, only a small circle of charred wood indicated that anything had happened; not even my cloak was singed.

Accept my Aegis, Reyna Avillia Ramirez-Arellano, said the voice. For today, you've proven yourself a Hero of Olympus. 

I stared at the statue in amazement as the Athena Parthenos was glowing with a faint golden aura. 

The Aegis...From my studies, I recalled that the aegis was the name for Athena's shield. However, it also occasionally referred to the goddess's cloak. According to the legends, she would cut pieces of her cloak and drape them over her chosen heroes to shield them. 

My cloak, which I'd worn for years, suddenly changed and absorbed the explosion. I wanted to thank the goddess, but my voice wouldn't work. The glowing aura of the statue dissipated, and the ringing in my ears went along with it. I then became aware of Orion still screaming in pain.

"You've failed!" he clawed the knife from his chest and tossed it into the water. "I still live!"

"Suprise bitch, So do I" 

Orion turned and tried to fire his new bow, only to find that my knife didn't just nail him in the chest. He roared in outrage before grabbing an arrow and chucking it at me like a spear. 

It felt like it was happening in slow motion, but I was seeing red. I swept my cloak in front of me, and the arrow shattered against it. I charged the railing and leaped at the Giant. 

The jump should have been impossible unless I had the flying powers of a child of Jupiter or Percy and Annabeth. I felt a surge of power rush through my limbs as if my mother was lending me her strength...a return for the strength I have lent to my allies over the years.

I grabbed the Giant's second arrow, which he was preparing to throw, and used it as a bar to shift my momentum and land on his back. I wrapped my legs around the Giant's waist, twisting my cloak into a rope, before swinging it around his neck, catching the other side and pulling back, with all the strength I had left.

It would have been nice if his head just went pop, but demigods are never that lucky. Instinctively, Orion dropped the arrow and began clawing at his neck. Whenever he grabbed hold of the fabric of my cloak, his hands began steaming and blistering. A sour, acidic smell began rising from his neck.

"This is for those you've killed," I declared, pulling back harder on my cloak and repositioning so I am now standing on his back, pulling back on my cloak. "You will die at the hands of a girl."

Orion thrashed and fought, but he wasn't able to shake me. My feet were cemented on his back, and my grip on his cloak was immovable. The power of Athena flowed through my cloak. My mother blessed me with her strength and resolve, and in the last light of Diana's moon, I felt her sheer will and ineradicable hatred to kill males like this one.  

The Giant crumbled to his knees and began sinking into the water. I didn't let go; I wouldn't, not until he turned to ash or dust.

His body soon started to turn to ash. His eye began sinking, and then the remnants of his bow and arrows. All that would remain of the Giant began to sink beneath the waves. I let it. I had no interest in these spoils. No desire to let any part of this gGiantlive on. Like with my father's mania and the ghost of my past, Orion could teach me nothing. He deserved to be forgotten.

Besides that, dawn has broken by now. 

Line break: Reyna swims funny, figured I sho... AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HELP ME 14. PLEASE HELP ME. I BEGGETH THEE.
Me: *laughing my ass off at Line Break's pointless pleas*

I didn't have time to celebrate my victory over Orion. Blackjack began foaming at the mouth, which only led me to believe that Orion shot a poisoned arrow. His three good legs started spasming, and blood began trickling from the wound in his shoulder. 

I went through the supplies I had left. Thanking the Gods that by some miracle, I had a singular healing potion that wouldn't incinerate Blackjack like ambrosia and nectar would. I swabbed the wound with the healing potion and then ran unicorn draught along the arrow shaft. 

"I'm sorry, Blackjack, but this is going to hurt," I told the horse, silently praying that this was going to work. In truth, I had no idea what I was doing, and I was only glad that the tip pierced all the way through. 

Blackjack huffed, probably an insult about that being obvious.

I wrapped my hand in my cloak and grabbed the tipped side of the arrow, pulling it the rest of the way through. I poured the rest of the healing potion on...in?... Blackjack's wound and threw the remainder of the arrow off to the side.

I trickled some unicorn draught into Blackjack's mouth, not exactly sure what it would do, but it would be better than doing nothing.

I lost track of time as Blackjack's breathing steadied, and the foam stopped coming out of his mouth. 

"You're going to be fine," I promised. "I'll get you help from Camp Halfblood."

Blackjack made a sound...and I swear to the Gods and the rivers of the Underworld that he said donuts. I swear this sleep deprivation is making me more delirious than a drunk and insane Bacchus.

I realized that the sky was now blue. The Athena Parthenos now truly gleaming in the whole light of the sun. Guido, Porkpire, and the other pegasi pawed the deck impatiently. 

"The battle..." I realized as I turned to the shore and saw a singular orange glow illuminating the hilltops. Like burning fingers, one streak of fire flew through the sky that wasn't the sun. 

The Onagers mainly were disabled, but one got its shot off.

Bonus: I still feel 25, most of the time. I still rais... OH Hi frens. You found me again...I like the Music box that 14 gave me...It is much better than Apollo the Horrible No Good Poetry Terrible Choice In Music Guy.

I pulled all my essence back to the Argo 2, smiling. Reyna performed far better than even I expected. I was even prepared to fire my bow at Orion from here if I didn't notice my sister's stupid fucking statue start glowing with her aura. I wasn't going to interfere unless absolutely necessary, as Reyna didn't call upon me but her mother and Athena. 

I don't blame the girl, either. I only recently gave her my blessing, which has made it harder for her to sleep these past couple of days.

I returned to the room containing my hunt, son, and two of his three loves, leaving Kym on deck to guard the ship. 

"Mom, what are you doing here," Zoë asked, returning to what I hope will be her usual 16-year-old form. I love her, but dealing with four-year-old her is almost like dealing with 18-year-old Apollo.

"I bring good news for your brother and his loves," I told her. "Reyna has defeated the Giant Orion."

"YAY THAT FUCKING BITCH IS DEAD AGAIN" Phoebe shouted.

I started glaring at the daughter of Ares in my hunt, "Apollo taught us those words." she gestured quickly to herself and the younger hunters.

I looked at the young girls, who seemed to be trying to figure out what to say before saying it. "Yeah, Apollo taught us, not Pheephee."

I sighed in exasperation. I regret ever teaching them the always blame Apollo strategy.

"She kept her promise," Annabeth Whispered.

"Fucking knew she could," Thalia exclaimed. "Apollo already taught them," She added quickly.

Meanwhile, my son just smiled proudly, like he knew she would be able to defeat one of the ancient enemies of the hunt.