Forgotten prophecy

Chapter 45

"Oh come on!" Leo shouted as Festus swerved to one side to avoid a ballista as it went zipping by them. "Every time! Seriously! And why are there forklifts with spears on them?!"

Festus cranked and creaked as he continually evaded the flaming ballista spears that were fired at him in rapid succession. Jason leapt off of Festus's back and harnessed the wind around him, flying towards the camp as fast as he could. The Romans, and what looked like Amazons of all things, were forming up and brandishing various weapons. Jason was certain that he saw a line of archers sighting at him, which did not exactly reassure him. A figure streaked from the forest, making a beeline directly for the ballista and the subsequent defenders of said weapon. "Oh no." Jason moaned as he watched Ryker descend on the crew with cold efficiency. He appreciated the assist, but Jason doubted that the people Ryker was fighting were quite as thankful.

Landing on the ground behind the ballista, Jason immediately put up his hands as a sign that he did not want to fight. He was surrounded by Amazon warriors, more than a few of whom were sporting bruises and cuts from their encounter with Ryker. "Whoa, easy now." Jason said when a particularly angry looking Amazon strode forward and leveled her spear at him. "It's me! Jason! Jason Grace!"

"What are you doing?!" A very angry and very familiar demigod demanded, pushing through the ranks. Jason's heart eased immensely when Piper came into focus and wrapped him in a tight hug. "It's Jason! Hylla, this is Jason!"

"Very well." Hylla said, lowering her spear rather slowly. "But what of the dragon?"

Piper stepped back and glared up at the dragon. It was at that moment that Jason knew that Piper knew exactly who was sitting on Festus's back. At least, she knew one of the people. Leo, buddy, you might want to stay in the air. Jason thought with a wince.

Evidently Leo had not developed mind-reading capabilities in his time away as Fests landed on the outskirts of the camp. Percy, Annabeth, Frank, Hazel, and Will showed up a few minutes later. All of them were staring at the bronze dragon with mixed expressions of fury and hope. The difference in the emotions made their faces quite the spectacle. Leo helped Calypso off of Festus's back and seemed to steel his shoulders before turning back around with a grin on his face. "Told you I would come back." Leo said as Calypso took his hand in hers. Percy evidently recognized the Titan and was glancing back and forth between the two warily. Calypso obviously recognized Percy as well. The two sides walked towards one another and stopped when they were a few feet apart.

"Talk about awkward." Jason muttered, glancing back and forth between Calypso and Percy. According to what he knew the Titan used to be in love with the son of Poseidon but Percy had broken her heart due to his need to leave her island.

"You are alive?!" Hazel shouted finally, striding across the distance between them and shoving Leo hard on the shoulder. "And you didn't tell us?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WAS LIKE?! TO THINK THAT YOU DIED?!"

"Technically I did die." Leo said in a weak defense. "Physician's Cure, remember?"

"The Physician's Cure was supposed to be given as soon as possible." Frank recalled, his eyes hard. If Leo had expected some sort of relief from the Praetor, he was sorely mistaken. "Which means that you have still been alive for these past couple months. Right?"

"Yes." Leo muttered. He glanced hopefully to Calypso but she shook her head. Jason read her message as clear as day. This is your problem. "Look, I knew that I had taken Gaea out. I deserved a little bit of time... right?"

"And you couldn't have taken that time after you told us you were alive?" Annabeth hissed. "'Hey guys, I'm alive! No need to worry about me!' Did that not occur to you?"