The Earth Monarch

Chapter 47: Transfer

I sat on the edge of a cloud, as it slowly drifted across the Californian plains. Cars were driving along a freeway, going through the tunnel in the hill. At the service entrance to the tunnel, 2 Roman centurions stood guard.

Atop the hill, a demigod was rushing up in a panic. He had messy black hair, a deep Mediterranean bronze tan, and sea green eyes. He had a strong body, fit for that of a trained warrior, and his instincts were good.

He turned in the direction of the ocean, a look of longing on his face. But then it turned to confusion, as he looked around him. "Ah, looking for Camp Jupiter. Quite confusing for newer demigods," I whispered to myself.

"A strange game, Hera. I look forward to how terrible it will turn out. Hermes, be sure to send me a picture of her face, I'm sure it will be hilarious," I said quietly, looking up to the sky. It glowed slightly, not noticeable to even highly trained observers.

I looked back down, and frowned. He was sliding on a food tray, while 2 Gorgons chased after him. "Stheno, and Euryale. What luck," I sighed sarcastically.

I turned into mist, and moved to the Tiber River, on the other side from the entrance to New Rome. "Halt stranger!" A guard on the wall ordered at me. I waved him off, and waited for the hunted demigod to arrive.

It took a few minutes, but 2 demigods came running from the service tunnel. One was armored in imperial gold, and carried a bow. A girl with a spatha emerged from the tunnel, and collapsed it with the Gorgons inside.

The green eyes demigod was also carrying a old, wrinkly woman. "Carry me across the Tiber, but be warned. There is a price to pay for it," the woman told the demigod, as they neared the rushing river.

The archer wasted no time, and leapt into the river, pushing against the water to the other side. "Come on!" He called. "Hurry, boy. Unless you want to have your friends catch up," the hag said.

"20 feet. I'd hurry," I commented. They turned to me, just now realizing my presence. Panic appeared briefly on the hag's face, while confused familiarity appeared on the demigod's.

He looked back, and jumped into the river. I followed after them, walking on top of the rushing water. "You will die!" Stheno wailed, leaping at them. The demigod snarled, and reached up at the gorgon. The water stopped rushing, and turned into a hand to grab the monster.

Another hand grabbed Euryale from the shore. The demigod crushed his hands into fists, and the water mimicked him. I spotted the archer quickly collect some blood in jars, unnoticed by the others.

Once on the side of the wall, where a whole army of centurions waited in stunned silence. The hag hopped off, and transformed in a tall goddess wearing lion fur.

"Juno, been a long while since our last encounter. Playing another game with another unfortunate hero, I see," I greeted. "Yes, I am. Welcome Percy Jackson, Son of Neptune! By order of Jupiter, you will welcome him into the legion," Juno ordered, then left.

"She doesn't know how it works, shame. Where is your praetor?!" I called. A young woman, around 16 or 17, walked up to me with a fierce expression. "A Daughter of Bellona, a pleasure. Where is your augur?" I asked.

"Who are you to be giving me orders?" She questioned. I chuckled, and showed her my inner wrist. SPQR was tattooed on it, with the Ω; the symbol of Olympus. The years of service was MMDCCLXVII (2,767 years).

Her eyes bulged, and she stared at me in shock. Slowly, she began to kneel, but I stopped her. "I don't need that. Where is your augur?" I asked. "Temple of Jupiter, High General," she answered. I nodded, and led Percy towards the giant temple in the distance.

The praetor and the 2 centurions that stood guard followed. Once we entered, the head of a stuffed teddy bear hit me in the face, before drifting to the ground. "Stuffed animals? The gods prefer food," I commented.

"Do they? Well, we thought this would be better instead of actual sacrifices," the praetor explained. "Definitely better. Venus had so many heart attacks in the old days. And when Venus is upset, some mortal meets Mars," I said, chuckling in remembrance.

"Octavian!" The praetor called. "The process is something I need focus, no distractions," the skinny augur snapped, gutting a teddy bear.

"You can mutilate your teddy later, augur. By order of Juno, you have a demigod to welcome to the legion," I barked. He turned to me with a wild eye. "I take from the senate and praetor. Not some lowlife," Octavian sneered. "Respect, Octavian. He is the High General, the Immortal Legionnaire," the praetor scolded.

"Perseus, the Earth King. Never in my life would I think I'd be graced by your presence. A pleasure, General," Octavian bowed. "At ease, augur. Welcome Percy here into the legion," I ordered.

He motioned Percy to come to him, and he stood over an altar. "Do you have anyone that votes with you?" He asked. "I do, along with Lord Neptune," I answered. He grunted, and prepared a sacrifice to speak with the gods.

"...They welcome you to the legion. Good luck," Octavian said. The mark of service appeared on his wrist, burnt into his skin.

"There will be a senate meeting in the evening, can I expect your attendance?" The praetor asked. "You will, Praetor," I replied. "Reyna. I will see you there," she said.

"Explore the camp, Percy. What cohort is he in?" I asked. "5th cohort," Octavian answered. "The disgraced cohort? Perfect choice," I answered. "You have no faith in him?" He said, surprised. "Nope. He will turn the 5th into the respected cohort it once was," I answered, and left Octavian to follow Percy and the 2 guards.

"Are you really an immortal?" The girl asked. "I am. I have lived through the ages of this planet, since before the Titans even existed," I explained. "You feel familiar," Percy blurted. "You are my student, Percy. Juno seems to think you a powerful hero for her plans, and has brought you here with no memories of your life prior. But you are one of my students on East Coast," I explained.

"Is that how he survived without camp for so long?" The archer asked. I smirked inwardly at their lack of information. "Yes, it is," I answered. We stopped at the temple of Pluto, where a gothic kid stood. He spotted me, and fear spread across his face.

"That is my brother, Nico," the girl said. "I feel like I know you," Percy said, confused. "You..." I started, but was cut off by the meal horn. "2nd meal. We should go," the archer said, and they ran off.

"We will speak in private, Nico. Run along," I said. He gulped, and we made our way after the others.