In Demigodishness and All That...

Glory and Gore

Glory and Gore (By Lorde)

Takes place when the Romans attack Camp Half-Blood

(Let's just pretend Reyna is with the Romans... It fits the song better...)

*   *   *

There's a humming in the restless summer air

And we're slipping off the course that we prepared

But in all chaos, there is calculation

Dropping glasses just to hear them break

You've been drinking like the world was gonna end (it didn't)

Took a shiner from the fist of your best friend (go figure)

It's clear that someone's gotta go

We mean it, but I promise we're not mean...

Reyna surveyed the scene in front of her. The Roman legion stood atop the largest hill that towered over the little Greek camp. The talking and shouts that filled the camp below them sounded no more than whispers as it reached Reyna's ears.

The Romans were restless, Reyna could feel as much. But they had to wait; wait for the right time to attack. Otherwise, everything would go wrong. War indeed seemed like chaos, but there was always a genius plan behind it. And the Romans were all about planning and order. The Greeks were fierce, sure, but they were not necessarily orderly when attacking.

Besides, the Greeks' greatest heroes were overseas, much too far to be able to provide any help for the Greeks. That gave the Greek campers a major setback. They had no proper leader. No way in Pluto would the Greeks be able to come out of this battle victorious.

Reyna couldn't help it as pride filled her. The Greeks stood no chance against the Roman legion. Reyna wouldn't normally allow herself to feel prideful when her legion was about to destroy the Greeks and their camp. But the Greeks had begun the battle, in New Rome. It was the Greek boy, Leo Valdez, who had fired on the Romans. He had started the war; the Romans were simply finishing it.

Reyna kept her face masked of all emotions in her head-- pride, guilt, maybe even a little regret-- as she faced the Roman legion. She chose to let only one emotion show through-- determination.

"Legion!" Reyna shouted, her voice as strong and confident as she hoped it would be. "It is time. Prepare for battle!"

The Roman army scrambled around, joining with their cohort, just like they had practiced. Reyna turned to the centurions. "Centurions! Remember what I taught you. Lead the cohorts. And Dakota!"

The centurion on her left looked up. "Yes, Praetor?"

"Enough of the Kool-Aid! You can't focus in battle when you drink so much of that," Reyna chided.

The son of Bacchus immediately obeyed, dropping his flask, where it landed in the overgrown grass beneath their feet.

And the cry goes out (ha)

They lose their minds for us, and how it plays out (ha)

Now we're in the ring and we're coming for blood

"Thank you," Reyna continued, and she began pacing in front of the legion, "Remember your training! Fight bravely!" She stopped pacing and faced the legion, raising her dagger. "FOR ROME!"