The Fall of Jackson || EDITING

/11/

Nyssa and Maximos arrived back at their cabin to the sight of a broken mirror stained with blood. Pieces of the glass scattered across the floor. Anakulos' cloak was nowhere to be seen, so the two knew that the broken mirror was his doing. They tidied up the mess and Maximos replaced the mirror.

"He'll be back by morning." Maximos said to Nyssa as they headed down the hall to their bedrooms.

"And if he isn't?" They stopped by Maximos' door.

"Then he's been kidnapped and is probably off somewhere being tortured." Nyssa lightly slapped Maximos' chest with a chuckle.

"I'm just worried about him, Max. I mean, he threw a knife into Annabeths calf. He's gotten colder."

"He'll be fine, Nyssa. He's Anakulos. Besides, if he isn't set right by the time we attack, Alethea will hit his head back into place." Maximos replied with a smirk and hugged Nyssa goodnight, before walking into his room.

When she first joined the Order, Nyssa feared that she'd be disrespected by the boys. Fortunately, Anakulos had created a rule that they could not be romantically involved with each other, so they were more of a very disfuntional family. And Nyssa wouldn't want it any other way.

She got into bed that night expecting the usual nightterrors, but was relieved when she dreamt about nothing for once.

The next morning, Anakulos still hadn't returned and Nyssa had started to take Maximos' jokes seriously as she inspected the cabin for any signs of a break in, only to not find any.

"Stop worry. He'll be in the Mess Hall getting breakfast, you wait." Maximos said as he held the door open for her.

They'd put their cloaks and hoods on and were on their way to breakfast, before their second to last training session with the campers.

"He better be, or else I'll kill him."

The pair entered the Mess Hall to see Anakulos standing at the front of the room, his voice booming throughout it.

"-time, we will take the battle to them! No more sitting aroun and waiting!" He pounded his fist against the table befote him, causing a few younger demigods to jump back in fear. "Continue eating."

Anakulos joined the two with a few trays of food and set them down on their table. They dug into the food while simultaneously discussing their plan of action. Four more plates were set on their table, the owners of said plates taking seats at the table.

"Listen, we may have our differences, but we're going to help you wheter of not." The bossy voice of Annabeth came from besides Maximos.

"How about not-" Maximos was cut off by Anakulos raising his hand.

"I suppose it is the fate of your camps. Very well, we will work together, but do remember that we still hate you."

"Clearly." Someone muttered and Maximos turned to glare at the scrawny latino.

"I want the Romans to be here by the time breakfast is over." Anakulos commanded and Jason shot from jis seat and ran out of the Hall to get the message to Frank. "I'm putting my trust in you camp, they will train without us today. Assemble your war council and I'll assemble mine."

"Okay. After breakfast, the campers will be set up and we'll meet yous in the ping-pong room." Annabeth said and the demigods all left the table, sitting at random tables and getting the word across, before standing and moving to another table.

"They're like little slaves. There to beckon at your every call." Anakulos commented.

The conch horn blew and some campers rose out of their seats.

"Stay seated!" Annabeth commanded. "Counsellors, please report to the conference room! The Romans will train with everyone else today!"

The cabin counsellors all stood and joined Piper and Leo at the doors of the Hall. Annabeth adressed the other campers once again,

"As Anakulos has said, if the enemy hasn't attacked in three days, we are taking the battle to them. You're expected to train as hard as you can! Anything less and you will die out there." The doors opened and a crowd of armoured Romans marched into the room in perfect lines.

At the front of the group were their Praetors Reyna Ramirez and Frank Zhang. Behind them were Anakulos' soldiers, Demetri, Alethea, and Klemenis, all with their hoods up. The three soldiers broke line and headed over to where Anakulos was waiting for them, along with Nyssa and Maximos.

"Romans! Report to your assigned stations! Train hard and make the legion proud!" Reyna commanded and the Romans joined the crowd of Greeks.

The two joined camps all resumed eating under the supervision of Chiron- who'd promised to make sure they trained, and Mr. D, who didn't seem to care.

The counsellors exited the room, followed by the praetors. Anakulos and his soldiers all exited together and came to a stop halfway from their destination.

"Good to have you back, Demetri." Anakulos said.

"Good to be back."

The Order greeted each other more and gave quick updates. Nyssa briefly explained the prophecy and Chaos' visit.

When they finished with the pleasantries, they entered the conference room.

A heavy feeling hung in the air when Anakulos entered the room. He and his army stood at either end of the table. The demigods muttered amongst one another, no one ready for the idea of a third war.

The prospect of fighting again made the energy in the air suffocatingly awkward.

Annabeth was the first to speak. She turned her head in Anakulos' direction and everyone quietened ti hear what she had to say. Some demigods were even shocked to hear her speak so fearfully.

"What do we do?"