Sunburn ✷ Leo Valdez

01. But She Won't Answer

The sound of metals clashing against each other was the only thing Juniper Del Sol could hear. She instinctively deflected the sword that was being held by Mallory Del Sol.

Her sister was talking to her through grunts and pants, but Juniper couldn't hear her. All she could hear was the blood in her ears roaring.

Suddenly, there was a blinding light from where Percy Jackson and Luke Castellan were. They weren't fighting, somehow June had missed the moment where Percy had handed Luke Annabeth's dagger. As the Hermes boy stabbed himself, Juniper took the chance to stab at her sister.

       Mallory stiffened. As soon as Juniper pulled her sword out from her stomach, she collapsed. Fifteen year old Juniper didn't quite know what to do. She stood there, her sword that wore her sisters blood hung limply at her side, watching as her sister bled out in front of her.

Juniper felt a hand on her shoulder, except this time it wasn't a worried Annabeth Chase. Instead, it was a curious Leo Valdez, who for some reason couldn't understand that people don't like to be touched suddenly.

        She snapped out of wherever her mind was. She wasn't on Mount Olympus. Mallory wasn't here. Mallory was dead and so was Luke.

She was in a hallway on a flying warship built by the aforementioned son of Hephaestus on her way to New Rome, where her best friend Percy Jackson was.

       She turned around sharply to glare at the elfish boy. "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to touch people without asking?"

       Leo gulped slightly. "Sorry! Just wanted to let you know that we're gonna be arriving soon, so if you want to, like, come up deck, you can."

       Juniper crossed her arms across her chest. "Thanks."

       Leo studied her for a moment. He took note of her disheveled hair, which was currently bleached blonde. The roots of her hair were black, it had been a while since she'd dyed it.

        With a slight nod, Leo left her alone in the hallway.

Once Juniper had finally mustered up the courage to emerge from below deck, they were practically hovering over New Rome. Everyone on the Argo ii were scattered around. Leo was running around the quarterdeck like a mad man, Piper was pacing back and forth repeating 'lower your weapons, we just want to talk'. Pipers boyfriend, Jason, stood at the bow, essentially sacrificing himself in case anything went wrong. Juniper didn't really mind it that much.

Then, there was Annabeth Chase. She stood at the railing of the ship, looking down at where New Rome stood. Juniper moved to be next to her friend. She could tell Annabeth was nervous. Even though she didn't show it all that much, if you really knew her, you'd be able to tell.

Juniper had thought she'd know what to expect from New Rome. Jason had described it in great detail to her and Annabeth. Still, she had trouble believing her eyes.

Ringed by the Oakland Hills, the valley was at least twice the size of Camp Half-Blood. A small river snaked around one side and curled toward the center like a capital letter G, emptying into a sparkling blue lake.

       Directly below the ship, nestled at the edge of the lake, the city of New Rome gleamed in the sunlight. She recognized landmarks Jason had told her about—the hippodrome, the coliseum, the temples and parks, the neighborhood of Seven Hills with its winding streets, colorful villas, and flowering gardens.
           
       She saw evidence of the Romans' recent battle with an army of monsters. The dome was cracked open on a building she guessed was the Senate House. The forum's broad plaza was pitted with craters. Some fountains and statues were in ruins.
           
       Dozens of kids in togas were streaming out of the Senate House to get a better view of the Argo II. More Romans emerged from the shops and cafés, gawking and pointing as the ship descended.
           
       About half a mile to the west, where the horns were blowing, a Roman fort stood on a hill. It looked just like the illustrations Annabeth had seen in military history—with a defensive trench lined with spikes, high walls, and watch towers armed with scorpion ballistae. Inside, perfect rows of white barracks lined the main road—the Via Principalis.