sky blue ● jason grace

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 They didn't make it to the ship.

Daria never thought a day would come when she had to fight against New Rome in battle, but there was no mistaking the deep purple on the eagles attacking them. Though, the warrior eagles should've been her first sign.

The four birds ungracefully dropped four legion members on the ground before them, each with glittering gold armor and a sword and shield in hand. Octavian was in the dead center, looking as scrawny as ever. "Surrender to Rome!" he shrieked.

Hazel drew her cavalry sword and grumbled, "fat chance, Octavian."

Daria cursed under her breath. She didn't know the other warriors by name, but they were much larger than she wanted to deal with, especially since Annabeth and Hazel only carried daggers.

Piper raised her hands in a placating gesture. "Octavian, what happened at camp was a setup. We can explain."

"Can't hear you!" Octavian yelled. "Wax in our ears—standard procedure when battling evil sirens. Now, throw down your weapons and turn around slowly so I can bind your hands."

"Let me skewer him," Hazel muttered. "Please."

Daria glanced at Annabeth who seemed deep in thought. "Got a plan? Because right now, mine aren't great, or existant."

"Yeah," Annabeth nodded back, though she didn't look too sure of herself. "Do me a favor...lay on that Jackson charm."

She didn't need to explain what that meant. Daria glanced back at Octavian, meeting the flaming hatred in his eyes. He was a dangerous enemy, one that held tremendous power even though he was an actual idiot in reality. And she had no doubt that after everything had transpired at Camp Jupiter over the course of several years, he wanted her dead.

"Where's Reyna, Octavian?" Daria demanded. She didn't have any weapons drawn, but her tongue was, as it had always been, bracingly sharp. "Is she okay with these threats?"

"May I remind you, Daria Jackson," he spat out her name, burying it deep in the soft ground beneath them. "That you and your friends are the ones who threatened New Rome first."

"Is your argument seriously 'you started it'? What are you going to do next, blow up our ship and say no takesy-backsies?"

Octavian glared at her, unable to come up with an intelligent response. Surprising. Instead, he turned to Annabeth, who was staring into the ocean, searching for something, or someone. "Well?" Octavian demanded. His three friends brandished their swords.

Very slowly, using only two fingers, Annabeth drew her dagger. Instead of dropping it, she tossed it as far as she could into the water.

Octavian made a squeaking sound. "What was that for? I didn't say toss it! That could've been evidence. Or spoils of war!"

Annabeth tried for a dumb-blonde smile, like: Oh, silly me. Nobody who knew her would have been fooled. But Octavian seemed to buy it. He huffed in exasperation.

"You other two..." He pointed his blade at Hazel and Piper. "Put your weapons on the dock. No funny business and Dar—"

Charleston Harbor erupted around them like a Las Vegas fountain. When the wall of sea water subsided, Daria could see the four Romans in the bay, spluttering and frantically trying to stay afloat in their armor.

Percy stood on the dock, holding Annabeth's dagger. "You dropped this," he said, totally poker-faced.

Annabeth threw her arms around him. "I love you!"

"Guys," Hazel interrupted. She had a little smile on her face. "We need to hurry."

Down in the water, Octavian yelled, "Get me out of here! I'll kill you!"