Camp of the Gods

So, we crossed the river. Made it to the gate. And now, we are separated from each other and being interrogated without any way of contacting each other. Though Omoro had to get the worse one. Reyna seems to judge, and the farther from her, the more I feel safe. Jason, however, seems like a cool guy. We just come in, and immediately he's there smiling. I don't know why, but he hasn't asked me a single question. All he does is show me around and tell me stuff about the buildings. I am surprised by the temples. Each one to a different god or goddess. I know most, but we got to one that made me sad. I thought such a powerful god deserved respect and left behind the only thing in my pack. An apple. It seemed like Jason was surprised, yet I knew he thought more. The last place we went seemed a bit more like overkill compared to the rest. Temple of Jupiter, and apparently the king wants everyone to know it. Suddenly, Jason stopped and turned to me.

"So, from what I see. You are indeed ready. I don't ever ask questions on the interrogations, because some people lie. And some are experts due to parentage. Reyna has her ways, but I watch to understand. From what I see, the gods are not your enemy. And you respect even those Romans would normally stray away from. I can deduce your not an enemy, and thus I take you to our augur. If his readings are good, you can join the Legion. If not, well, I guess we part ways."

"Well, let's see him. And what about my friend. If she can't stay, I won't."

"She was here earlier. Reyna hasn't sent word as to the augury, but that's normal for her. So don't worry. And do you have any stuffed animals?"

I thought the question was a joke. "Why? And for what reason?"

He was suddenly apprehensive, and the sky above us was growing cloudy. "He's at it again." He started running inside, and I followed. I found him chewing out a kid in a toga surrounded by piles of fluff. That's why he asked me about stuffed animals, then. Jason was pissed, though. And the kid seemed in trouble.

"We already told you, Octavian! Those books are lost! The more you try to find them, the more we are at risk! If you don't stop, we will be found by the enemy!"

The kid replied with a squeaky voice. "Terminus has informed me of the precautions needed. Those storms above are not from me. It seems someone entered New Rome, and they do not belong. My augury showed that earlier, and the girl was wise to run. Yet, another is here. Jupiter himself wants these people gone!"

I realized Omoro was gone. She ran off. And I needed to know where. I was getting angry, so I summoned my blade. "If I can't be here, then tell me where my friend went or I'll find out the hard way."

"Lucius, put away the blade."

"How do you know my name? I never told you. And now Omoro is gone. I have no one." I was desperate. So I raised Interitus and used my ability to rewind until the exact time she left. I would have to focus on where she went, and what she says. If I knew her, she would leave a detail for me. And immediately, I was proven right. She said two words. Ironically, she said "the mountain". But I knew she meant more. I returned to my place in time, and realized I had not moved physically like I normally do, but almost as I vibrated through time itself. Well, either way, I was getting out of here. "Sorry, Jason. I have to get to my friend. And I know where she is. If you can help, try to distract everyone. You said you saw good in me, so do this. And don't stop me." I turned around, and Jason was there.

"You'll never get past Terminus. But I can get you and your friend past him. Even at the cost of my reputation, I help others. Hopefully, Reyna won't find out."

"What about Octavian?" The augur seemed a problem. Until I noticed his form in the pile of stuffed animals. "Is he dead?" I was both impressed and scared.

"Nah, he gets like that. It's weird for a son if Apollo to have any medical condition. But his is a bit worse. Too much action, and he knocks out. It's actually why he prefers to be a senator rather than the front lines. Of course, he keeps it secret."

"Well, if you say so. But how did you know my name? Was it the wolf? Or is someone here waiting for us so we can die?"I was calmed at least by the fact Omoro was alive. But also too weak to fight anything.

" He's the only one for option 2, but oddly I don't think it's either. My father has his ways. And this seems like his type of event. Since the storms are his style and ability. I believe I can get you away, but your friend has one option outside the river. And it isn't safe. So hold on to me."

"Wait, what do you..?" I couldn't finish my sentence because just then, Jason tackled me and we were flying to the plains. We crossed halfway and saw Omoro running while wreathed in flames. I knew her temper would cause a flare-up, but right now it was worse. She had set off what looked like land mines. Now, she was stuck on a small piece of ground surrounded by trenches with no way off. "Jason, set me down next to her!"

"Looks like you have a plan, but you'll be burnt to a crisp."

"Not with my sword, just let me go mid-air and I can fix the land as well as my friend. Though you'll never have met us since we can't have two of us at the same time and my abilities actually can't make another pair."

"I don't know what you mean, but do it. If we meet again, I will remember you, though. Because bonds aren't broken that easily."

"Just drop me. Because I can't take this talk."

"3, 2, 1"

I jumped, and pulled my sword out mid-roll. Omoro seems fine when I reach the ground, but I realized Jason was still above. "Omoro, what happened? I did rewind, so how is no person affected?"

Jason landed. "That was impressive, but the reason people weren't affected was Terminus, he hates it when anything messes up the landscape, but also protects every demigod with the boundary."

"Thanks, I thought I was going to die," Omoro spoke to me for the first time in weeks. And smiled for the first time in months. I couldn't believe it.

"How far did you go? I know you have a hard time with your powers, but to push yourself close to death without me nearby is insane. Why didn't you look for me? Why listen to that living scarecrow? What do you know about us that Bill didn't tell me?"

"The truth is that we aren't meant to live. We can survive for as long as possible, but we can't live. I heard Lupa telling you about the water, and realized Bill was sending us to our death." She turned to Jason, "You knew enough. And Reyna knew, too. This isn't our home, but Reyna told me we could leave. So, was that mercy or just an excuse?"

"Orders. Nothing else. We each were given a job by Mars, he said if we saw someone come into camp in a weird or unconventional way, do not kill them. He said to let them leave." Jason looked like the order was the hardest thing he had to do. His pain was written all over his face.

"Let me call Terminus, and Lucius, before you go I need you to do something. Do you control time? Well, rewind my and Reyna's brains, from the edge of the border. If we see each other, I don't want to feel what I'm feeling now."

"I can not do that. But I may be able to make all this look like a dream." I didn't really know what my limit was, but this could help.

"Do it. Reyna, too. And here's Terminus."

I turned around, and a statue was right in front of me. It did not look happy. "Well, Jason. These two do not belong here, yet they are not dead. And I heard your plan, it won't work without me. And I hate those who destroy my fields."

I wasn't ready to deal with sarcasm, so I decided to try negotiating. "I fixed it, so can you do me this favor. make it like this never happened with all those involved. Because I helped save you from having to fix the mess yourself."

Terminus still looked mad, but he seemed to have a gleam in his eyes. "Well, a rule-breaker with morals. I agree. If only to get you as far away as possible."

We walked out the boundary, so as far as we know. It seems he kept his promise, because we are currently at the foot of Mt. Tamalpais, and at the end of our journey. The future holds many threads, but for us it will always be changing.