Rise of House Neptune

Big Shoes To Fill

Chapter 29

Walking through camp was surreal. It was as if a great battle had been lost. When Percy made it to the streets of New Rome people were sitting outside their houses and businesses looking devastated. At one point or another every eye went to him though as he made his way towards the Senate House where he knew the Guard would still be giving their reports. It had only been a few hours since the battle finished in the shadows of Mount Othrys, and he knew something this big happening the meetings could go for hours or however long it took to make all the appropriate decisions.

When he arrived at the senate chambers he took a deep breath and then pushed the doors open. It sounded like quite an argument was happening, and Cassie was sitting up in the Praetor high stand alone looking quite stricken. Octavian and many of his followers were screaming for blood, resignations, and exiles while Jason along with the rest of the guard weren't taking it lying down. There was name calling, shouting, and accusations flying across the room, and anger coursed through Percy as he shouted out, "SILENTIUM."

The arguments stopped immediately, and every eye in the room fell upon him as he strode down the hall. The Senators all glared at him angrily, while the Centurions, and the Guard looked relieved. When he made it to the front he gave a sad nod to Cassie, and then turned his back on her facing the assembly, "Romans I have come from Mount Olympus and received intelligence and blessings of our patrons, yet when I return home to give the news I find my own people preparing for revolution with words of treason, and damnatio flying around. With these words, and the crumbling alliance between us you spit on the grave of our unburied Praetor."

Most of the room flinched at his words, but he wasn't even close to being done, "Praetor Mark is a hero of Olympus, and deserves the burial rights of one when this is over. His own father Mars Ultor sat upon his throne beaming with pride over his sacrifice and what it meant for our side. Lord Jupiter himself claimed his sacrifice saved hundreds of demigod lives, and we should honor his loss with our undying gratitude."

Everyone seemed to bow their heads at his words, but he spoke more, "The Olympians informed me that we are facing a new threat much closer than the rising Mount Othrys. I was informed by Lord Vulcan himself that there is an entrance to the infamous Labyrinth somewhere on Mount Diablo. What is worse is that the Titan army as we speak is attempting to learn to navigate it."

Arguing commenced from the senators immediately, while some of the Centurions merely leaned back clearly disturbed. One Senator shouted, "He lies!"

Cassie however then banged her gavel down, "Senator Dasch hold your tongue. This man stood toe to toe with the Titans greatest fighter just a few hours before, and fought for your safety. Show respect, and listen before I cast you out of Rome for trying to cause discord among our ranks."

This silenced the whole room, and Percy turned, giving the woman a grateful nod, "No damage has been done yet. It could take years for the Titans to figure out how to navigate the labyrinth, but we shouldn't play with fire. I propose putting an immediate response team on this and scour the mountain until we find it. Once we do, we rig it with every bit of firepower that contains traps, explosives, and run constant area checks to ensure they can't invade us in the night. It is my belief that this is how the traitors escaped us during the insurrection. There is a good chance they know where the entrance is, but not how to move freely around it. We must prevent them from gaining that intelligence."

Silence went throughout the room at his words while Percy turned to Jason, "While you all contemplate that will someone update me on what has happened in my short absence." When he said this his eyes stonily fell upon Octavion, and the other Senators, and then he shifted his eyes Jason, "Centurion Grace perhaps?