𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 [Jason Grace]

12

𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲. Everybody ate. People talked in hushed tones. Nobody seemed particularly happy. The other campers kept glancing over at Percy like he was the corpse of honor.

Reyna made a brief speech wishing them luck. Octavian ripped open a Beanie Baby and pronounced grave omens and hard times ahead, but predicted the camp would be saved by an unexpected hero (whose initials were probably OCTAVIAN). Then the other campers went off to their afternoon classes— gladiator fighting, Latin lessons, paintball with ghosts, eagle training, and a dozen other activities that sounded better than a suicide quest.

"You guys will do great," Dante patted Percy on his shoulder, "I know you will. Just try not to die."

"If we don't die and don't complete the quest, the Romans will be the ones to kill us." Frank said.

"True," Dante hesitated. "But you know, things are stirring." He remembered Dorian's conversation. "You three are perfectly capable demigods, don't listen to the other senators. You'll do just fine."

"You're great at motivational stuff," Percy said genuinely.

"That's because I give them sparingly, I'm no Jason Grace."

Neither one of them looked like they knew what Dante meant so he just waved it aside.

"You'll find him too, I suppose."

"Don't let the Lares catch you looking disappointed," Hazel tutted.

"Can't we just let him stay missing for like... ever?" Dante hoped they caught on his humor. As much as he didn't like Jason, he knew realistically the Praetor returning would be amazing for everyone involved.

"We'll try our best not to look for him," Percy chuckled.

"You looked like him, you know," Hazel said. "In the war games, before we won."

"Okay, no need to boast." He rolled his eyes.

She gave him a sheepish smile. "You really did for a moment, though. Blond hair, blue eyes."

Dante bit his lip and looked around him to make sure no one had heard. "Oh yeah, and could we keep the shapeshifting thing between us? I'd appreciate that. Sorry if I took it too far last night" He said the last part looking at Percy.

"It's cool, we're heading to certain doom, shapeshifting is the least of our concerns," Percy shrugged, "How do you do it though? I could have sworn you looked like someone I knew—"

"Luke?"

"How do you—?" Percy's expression flickered between frustration and anger.

"You said his name," Dante said.

"The two Percys fighting together was pretty cool though," Percy went on, "I wish four people could go on quests, you'd make a great addition."

"No, my place is here," He refused politely, "But when the time comes... I'll be there if you need me, yeah?"

Percy, Frank and Hazel nodded. The four of them exchanged goodbyes.

"You're important," Dante told Percy when they shook hands, "Octavian knows that, Reyna knows that. Don't let them undermine you."

"We'll do our best."

The three started on their way to pack.

But Dante called for Percy, "Autolycus."

"What?" Percy stopped in his tracks.

"Autolycus, the son of Mercury, or Hermes, whichever you prefer." Dante shrugged. "He was Odysseus' grandfather and he could shapeshift and supposedly hide whatever he stole. He was actually just gifted with the mist. So it's something like that for me."