The Beginning of the End (J. Grace)

XXI: We escort Annabeth to the Tiber

We sunk the others' ship with six million in metal on board it, a tribute to Mr D, apparently. Seaweed Brain wasn't great with the whole speech thing, but it did the trick, though it took far longer than I would have liked.

The following morning, we were in Rome. And my Gods is that city beautiful: quilts of neighbourhoods disrupted by sporadic zig-zags of streets and alleys. It sprawled further than the eye can see, leaping over the Tiber with bridges and going beyond the horizon, climbing the terrain as it went.

"We're setting down in that park." Iron Man announced as I stood on deck with the rest of the crew, gawking. Wise Girl was beside me, no doubt revelling in the varied architecture and the overall glory of this city. I glanced down to the park Leo was indicating to – a wide green space dotted with palm trees. "Let's hope the Mist makes us look like a large pigeon or something."

If the Mist didn't exist, I think we'd all be long dead or arrested.

We set down in the grassy field without any notice from locals, which I take as a win, and the oars retracted. The Colosseum rose up to greet us in the north, completely taking my breath away. What I wouldn't give to compete in a race in that structure.

Lightning Boy gestured to the base of an archers' wall to our right where steps led down to a tunnel of some sort, opposite the sloping grassy hill leading onto a gorgeous forest.

"I think I know where we are." He announced. "That's the tomb of the Scipios."

"Scipio..." Guineapig frowned. "As in Reyna's pegasus?"

"No." Bethy Baby shook her head, releasing a small sigh. She looked exhausted. "They were a noble Roman family and... wow, this place is amazing."

"I've always wanted to come here." Lightning Boy admitted, looking around is in wonder. "Studied maps of Rome before, but..."

Nobody bothered to finish his sentence for him: we all know that he would have been – and has been – exiled from Camp Jupiter for crossing into the Mare Nostrum. I just wonder is there're any demigods here, in Rome. Gods, we're in Rome. The Rome.

"Plans?" Hazelnut broke the silence that had settled over us, breaking me from my daze. Right, saving the world. Saving Nico!

"Nico has until sunset at best." I muttered, not wanting to say those words any louder in case the deadline will come sooner if I do, which is stupid, really. "And the entire city is supposedly getting destroyed today."

"You're right." Percy seemed to have to shake himself from his thoughts before turning to my bestie. "Annabeth... did you zero in on that spot from your bronze map?"

"Yes," Her response was careful, measured. What'd happened? "It's on the Tiber River. I think I can find it, but I should –"

"Take me with you." Seaweed Brain butted in. "Yeah, you're right."

Annabeth glared daggers at him, and Dove nudged me from my left, the pair of us sharing a silent giggle as we watched the couple. "That's not –"

"Safe." He interjected. "One demigod walking through Rome alone. I'll go as far as the Tiber with you. We can use that letter introduction, hopefully meet the river god Tiberinus. Maybe he can give you some help or advice. Then you can go on alone from there."

And then the staring contest commenced. Piper and I could barely hold it together.

"Fine." Wise Girl muttered eventually, and my eyes widened at the sound of her admitting defeat. "Hazel, now that we're in Rome, do you think you can pinpoint Nico's location."

My daughter blinked a few times, before seeming to register what was being asked of her. "Um... hopefully, if I get close enough. I'll have to walk around the city. Frank, mum, would you come with me?"