Bobbi’s constant frustration as the war dragged along was with the worsening state of her supplies. Medication, gauze, ambrosia, nectar and just about every and any other medical supply that you might need were in short supply. The deaths, injuries and mental onset of damage from the curses was really beginning to take its toll and she was informed that they would make a supply run soon, but not soon enough. So Bobbi took it upon herself to scavenge and found herself in an abandoned section of the city, picking through a pharmacy, or what was left of it. Hearing the door creak half way through trying to get into their locked medicine cabinet, Bobbi stepped nervously behind the door and prayed that it wasn’t a Roman.

There was only so many things Martina could do at the current moment. She was, in a sense, bored. At this point she took any job they gave her. As a slightly trained person in the medical field, she had been set out to gather more medical supplies that they needed. Finding a pharmacy that hadn’t already been totally picked through was difficult, but finally she found one. She entered as quickly as she could, looking around the area, before quietly setting out to find what she could. She only had a few knives on her belt, but otherwise was rather casual for the mission.

Not recognizing the other person scavenging through her spot, Bobbi had to admit that she wasn’t prepared for a confrontation. She had the short sword and dagger that Jax had provided her as a Christmas present at the end of the previous year, but truthfully she hadn’t quite got the hang of using them. She usually ended up training about twice a week, she knew that she should train more, the threat of monsters without a war going on was enough to convince her of that, but the truth was that she spending more and more of her time working in the field hospital and she didn’t exactly get much time to herself. Swallowing, she stepped out into the open, calling out to the stranger. They could be Greek, please be Greek. “Hello?” she asked somewhat tentatively.

Martina’s head whipped around to look over at the voice, her hand on her throwing knife as she crept out to see who it was. She knew she could probably throw and hit faster than someone could pull out their sword, which made her less worried than she realistically should have been. She didn’t know who the woman was before her, just that she didn’t think she had seen her around New Rome. She narrowed her eyes at the woman,“Who are you? What are you doing here?” No one else would have been on this same mission, at least Martina assumed they wouldn’t send out two people for medical supplies.

Raising her hands to prove that she wasn’t looking for a fight, Bobbi swallowed at the sight of the throwing knives. It didn’t matter if she had a sword, if this girl was accurate she could turn her into sushi before she could say by your leave. “I’m not here for a fight,” she said quietly, “I’m just trying to get some medical supplies. My name’s Doctor Roberta Truman, but most people just call me Bobbi…” she looked nervously at the weapon before swallowing once more. “What about you?” she asked perhaps somewhat hopefully.

Taking in the raised hands and the general look of anxiety, Martina decided that the woman was telling her the truth. She shifted her hand off the hilt, but made sure to keep it close enough to pull if she had. She searched her brain for that name, knowing that she had heard it from someone at some point. “You’re with the Greeks,” She said in reply, knowing from Jax that this was his brother’s girlfriend. She definitely couldn’t fight her now, not when that would make things really awkward with Cat and Jax. “Martina Acosta. I’m looking for my own supplies,” She replied, trying not to give away the fact that the Romans weren’t doing as well as they wanted their enemy to think.

As Martina’s hand moved off of the hilt of her weapon, Bobbi couldn’t help but feel slightly better. “I’d like to say nice to meet you, I just wish that the circumstances were somewhat better…” she smiled sheepishly before nodding gently. “I am with the Greeks, actually I’m a daughter of Athena, though I’ve hardly been aware of it for very long…” she cut herself off and sighed. “Sorry, I don’t mean to ramble, it is just kind of … I’m not good in these hostile situations.” She turned and looked around the room. “I’ll split half of what I find with you?” she suggested, knowing that it was hardly an ideal solution but right now it was probably the best one that she could offer.

Martina had the feeling that the woman in front of her wasn’t much of a threat. It made her feel a bit better about being there alone. She wasn’t too worried, she could take someone out if she had to, but she really wasn’t ready to have that conversation with Jax or Cat. The woman… Seemed pretty nice anyways. “I’m not hostile yet, don’t worry.” She replied, beginning to look around the pharmacy. “You said you were a doctor? I assume you’ve had your hands full.” She looked back at the woman with her eyes narrowed,“Why?” Martina wasn’t ready to give her half what she found, so why was she willing to do that for Martina?

Raising her eyebrow, Bobbi couldn’t help but frown at the word yet. It wasn’t exactly what she wanted to hear but she was intent on hearing everything that she had to say. “Let us hope that you don’t become hostile,” she laughed nervously, “I’m not really in this for the fight, I just have a job to do.” She paused as she turned to one of the mostly abandoned shelves and swept a number of items into a bag. Bandages, disinfectant wipes, any painkillers that they had left. “I am a doctor, neurosurgeon by training and by design as well, but things don’t always work out according to plan…” she paused. “Because there are both Romans and Greeks that need help, I don’t care about the stupid differences that everyone else seems to care about. We’re all demigods and we all need as much help as we can get.”

“Let’s hope not. I don’t get much say in it either,” Martina replied lightly. She wasn’t exactly lying, most of the time her mood ended up getting affected by other people. Though, she would admit that she tended to get annoyed easily. “I’m not looking for a fight either. I would get quite the lecture if I hurt you.” She wasn’t looking to fight a woman who wasn’t a fighter either, there was nothing exciting about fighting someone who wasn’t at the same level. She nodded,“I feel that. I was in pre-med before this. Still in the Legion, but mainly working towards getting out of school early. Don’t see that happening anytime soon.” She cocked her head looking over Bobbi with critical eyes. “Romans hate the Greeks, half of them wouldn’t care if y’all ended up dying. That doesn’t seem stupid to me. I wouldn’t expect someone to patch me up after I killed their friends.”

Bobbi raised an eyebrow but decided to remain silent. She wasn’t about to lecture a Roman with weaponry about responsibility for their own actions, especially when she was in a precarious enough position as it was. “Well as there is no reason for us to fight, we can both get what we need and leave without having to fight.” She paused and raised an eyebrow at the explanation that Martina gave her, she honestly wouldn’t have pegged her as being pre-med, or any sort of med at all. “Ignorance has always been an excuse for prejudice and violent actions against people groups that don’t deserve it. I’m not here to hurt other people, I’ve got a job to do and I intend to do it.” She continued her job, at least to the best of her abilities, sifting through what meager leftovers were in the pharmacy. It wasn’t exactly encouraging.

Martina gave her short nod, agreeing for now not to try anything. She could see how grabbing one of the Greek’s doctors would do good for her, but at this point she was really feeling loyal to the Legion. Her loyalty laid with people now. She supposed it always had been. She followed people to the Cult, she’d probably follow them out if they wanted her to. “Yeah, well you’re one of the only people around here who’s got that privilege. We don’t all get what we want being passificists. Some of our jobs is to kill people,” Martina replied back tensely as she gathered supplies. This woman didn’t seem to understand that some people didn’t have the liberty to be selfish in their fight. “I’m that fucker. The one who kills people’s friends. That’s my job.”

“Maybe you should think about getting a job where they save people and you’re not put in a position where it is kill or be killed,” Bobbi replied quietly. This entire system was cruel. It forced children to fight for their lives and experience a plethora of trauma, assault and injury at a truly formative time in their lives. The fact that the Roman demigods had a standing army was nothing short of lunacy, The fact that they were mostly children made her mad. Though she couldn’t say that the Greeks were any better. That was what struck her as confusing about this entire situation. Why were they so intent on focussing on their differences and not their similarities? “You could always just leave. You don’t owe anyone enough to make you kill people’s friends… or see friends die, any of the other shit that we’ve experienced in this hell hole.”

“Get me a job where I can get enough money to support the people I need to, and I think about changing careers,” Martina replied back, knowing that she would be keeping her position with the Legion for as long as she could. No words from someone who didn’t get struggling would convince her otherwise. She looked over at Bobbi for a long moment, before scoffing,“I owe these people my entire life. I was kicked out of my home at twelve. This was the only place that took me in. These people are the reason I got any form of education, the reason that I have a place to stay. No matter the shit I have to do, I owe them. You don’t get it.”

“Being a doctor is usually at least relatively well paid and has decent benefits which mean that the people you’re having to support will benefit from your work, not to mention you said you were pre-med so you’re on the right track for it. You could really help people,” Bobbi paused for a moment and tried to recall her name. “I don’t know what you’re looking for in your life Martina, but there are few paths as challenging or as fulfilling as being a doctor. However, the hippocratic oath is not something to be taken lightly. We have to make sure that we make good on our promise not to harm or hurt anything should we be able to help it.” Pausing, she sighed. “I may not understand the process, but anything that asks you to sacrifice your morals and beliefs and ethics in a war isn’t good. It shouldn’t have ever come to this point.”

Martina stopped and placed her hands on her hips, looking at Bobbi with narrowed eyes. “I’m twenty, I’m not in Med school yet. I have years until I will actually be a doctor, not to mention the fact I’m trying to get into surgery. I’m sure you know that makes the path even longer. I ain’t going to be making that much money for years, not to even mention the amount of debt I’m going to have.” Jax might be helping her out with Milo and her brother at the moment, but she wasn’t going to rely on him forever. She needed to make her own money, get out of the debt that she was already in with him. Huffing, she shook her head at Bobbi. “You don’t get what it’s like having people on your back do you? Not as a doctor, but as a family member. I pay for my brother and my - his nephew’s,” She grimaced at her mistake,“Rent and phone bills. I’ll sacrifice anything for them. Even if it means I gotta kill people who used to be my friends. Morals don’t mean shit when you fail your family.”

Bobbi shrugged, “If you don’t start it soon then I don’t know how you’d ever manage to finish it off, but you’re right, it is a long way away and there is a lot that you need to do first, but there are several programs that help demigods reach their goals despite financial difficulties, you’re not the only one who’s made it through hard things. You could manage this too.” She paused and shrugged. “We’ve always got a need for new healers, whether you’re a trained doctor or not there is always someway that you can help.” Pausing she frowned and sighed. “I’m sorry that you’ve got that to deal with, I understand that it is difficult and I’ve never had to support my family through anything like that, but would your family want you having to do all of this?”

Martina rolled her eyes, this woman really didn’t get it. It wasn’t easy trying finance everything while still keeping herself going. Sacrifices have to be made, even if it’s her doing all the sacrificing. “Programs like that are probably on hold at the moment for the war. Not to mention that would just add to all the shit I already owe this city,” Being in debt to the collectors here was not something Martina could deal with. She could deal with Jax and Fergus, when he was around and helping, they didn’t even expect her to pay them back. She was going to, but they didn’t expect it. “I’m a Daughter of Apollo who can’t heal a scrape. They’ve got healers better than me.” She shrugged as she picked up a roll of bandages,“They don’t have to know. Plus, like I said, I owe people on this side and I’m not dying to join your’s. Rather stick with the people I know can take care of me than with nothing.”

Pausing for a long moment, Bobbi pursed her lips and continued scavenging and dividing rations up that would eventually be used to patch her and Martina’s people up. “I can’t imagine what you’re dealing with and frankly it’s none of my business o even try and do so, however I don’t think you should give up on your dreams and hopes and the possibility for a life that you’re happy with because you’re facing adversity, but I may simply not be able to understand that the obstacles you face are untenable and possibly impossible to over come.” She shrugged and placed a roll of bandages on both terribly small piles before sitting back and sighing. “I’ve separated all my stuff that I’ve been able to find, either pile is fine, but I’ve got a few more hunches if you’re interested.” She paused and quickly packed one of the piles of supplies into the rucksack that she brought with her.

“I got a lot of people who are on my shoulders. After this war, I’ll continue studying, right now though, I got to keep doing this. For them. I’ll be a doctor one day, I promise.” Martina told Bobbi, as if she was trying to convince her as much as she had to convince herself. She looked at the piles and sort the supplies she found between them too. Placing an extra roll of bandages on one pile, she took the other. Greeks probably needed it more. They had enough apollo kids that Martie was sure they wouldn’t miss one roll. “Yeah, gotta get some more stuff anyways. We will do this with those too?”

“I really hope so Martina,” Bobbi replied quietly as she double checked her supplies before zipping up her bag and shouldering it, “there is a distinct lack of capable demigod doctors.” She stood and looked around the now entirely empty pharmacy. A truly surreal experience. Bobbi noticed Martina’s generosity and smiled but didn’t acknowledge it out loud. Martina seemed to be the quiet stoic type. Or at least that’s what she assumed. “Cool, I guess you should follow me then?” she wasn’t really sure what she should say to Martina, they hadn’t known each other long enough for her to know how she would react and Martina’s tension wasn’t making her feel any less concerned.

“I mean a lot of these kids think they’re industructiable. They don’t think they need doctors. At least they don’t think so until they have arrows in their stomachs.” Martina had thought she was indestructible until she ended up in the hospital a few times herself. She couldn’t heal herself. “Where we headed? I can keep you from any sights of the Roman towers.” She zipped her own bag, slinging over her shoulder. “Don’t tell anyone I did this shit with you or for you. I can’t have people know or I’m going to be a traitor.”

“Believe me, I know the type, there was this stunt man who I had to do a few minor operations on, he never seemed to understand that if he didn’t tone it down he could get very seriously injured…” Bobbi remembered him clearly. He had eventually been killed in a car accident. The irony was somewhat palpable. “There is a small bodega with an even tinier pharmacy attached to it on the northern edge of the city. But believe me, I don’t want to jepordise my position within the Greeks anymore than you do.” Especially not because of Leo.

“I broke my wrist once. I was training too hard and too much. I didn’t go to the healers until my centurion saw how swollen it was. I had been trying to hide it under some bracers. Didn’t learn til my third break that I actually have to go to the healers.” Martina had broken quite a few bones over the years. More than she’d care to admit. “I’ll give the Greeks one thing. You tend to be far more forgiving. We aren’t. So, let’s do each other a favor and not tell anyone anything.”

Frowning gently, Bobbi couldn’t imagine ever being so desperate to train and fight that she would hide the pain and the sight of a broken bone. It was frightening what some demigods did out of a perceived duty to their Legion or their People or their godly parents. “Going to the healers is always a good idea,” she shrugged gently, “Agreed. We can definitely keept this between the two of us, for our own good.”

“Not if you got something to hide. You all tend to be nosy.” Martina was the same. She wanted to know what happened and why. She knew that sometimes people weren’t willing to give those answers. “You’re with the oldest Karavadra, aren’t you? Didn’t he leave his family for you?” It had been bothering her since the beginning. It made sense though, how she kept saying you didn’t have to give up morals for family.

“Doctors are usually obliged to keep all matters discussed confidential, I can’t imagine that any of them have been nosy for anything other than professional need, at least I hope not.” Bobbi paused before nodding. “Leo, me and Leo have been together on and off basically since high school, though I guess it was more off than on  …” she had almost married someone else. “I guess I must bear some of the blame, but he didn’t approve of the Roman treatment of the Greeks and this entire conflict, that wasn’t something that suddenly changed when I returned to his life.”

“You’d be surprised,” Martina knew that her doctors had had good intentions, but it had made a little bit of trouble for her. Excuses were harder to find after so many questions. She pressed her lips, giving the woman credit for at least taking some of the responsibility. “Take it from some who doesn’t speak to most of her family, he’ll regret it later in life. I’m not trying to start anything with you, but family should come first. At least in my book. Especially in a town like this.” She shrugged,“Hard place to be in, where you two are. Harder than mine.”

“I think everything that happens is at least somewhat surprising,” Bobbi said with a gentle incline of her head as she slipped through a small alley that wound its way between houses and apartment complexes in the center of New Rome’s italian architecture. “Leo knows exactly what he is doing and I think he is starting to make a new family. He hasn’t cut all ties to his siblings but his father is probably the worst person ever born, so I don’t think he’ll really miss him all that much.”

“I could do with a break from surprises, I think. At least for a little. I almost wish that the curses breaking would give us time to rest, but we just went straight back into this war.” Martina was tired of the war, if she was actually willing to admit that she was. She’d still fight it, still stay with New Rome and her people, but she was tired. More tired than she could explain. “Yeah, I don’t envy them with him as their dad. And mine kicked me out when I was twelve.” She didn’t know Jefferson well, but to have kids like Cat and Jax there had to be something messed up in his brain. Even if she was their friends, she had to admit they were a little messed up. “Father like that could drive anyone out.”

“There seems to be no common ground that we can agree on,” Bobbi agreed. It was nice to hear that the Greeks weren’t the only ones who were done with this entire conflict. Swallowing, Bobbi sighed. “I hope we can end this before we do irreparable damage, although I’m not sure we’re not already past that…” Bobbi wasn’t sure if there were enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe the depths of depravity that Jefferson must have decided to stoop to. “Jefferson may well think he is doing what is best for his children, despite his despicable approach he is not a stupid man. He was simply raised in a culture which is dangerous for us all.”

“I think we’re already there. Let’s say the Greeks are let back in, how do you think that’s going to go? If I had to bet, hate crimes would skyrocket, more fights wll break out a lot. Doesn’t help that half of us are under twenty five. We don’t have the brains for this shit,” Martina grumbled. She, at this point, didn’t even care if they came back. She just didn’t want to deal with this shit anymore. “Yeah, well didn’t half those kids who deserted grow up in that culture too? Why aren’t they fucked up like he is? Culture can’t be all there is to that.”

“We educate the population to avoid hate crimes, we prove that those who have a reputation for hatred mongering and scare tactics are nothing more than cowards. We do all of that and we’ll start to make the impact that we need. I am by no means saying that this is going to be an easy fix to a problem that more than likely has a years long fix to it.” Bobbi paused for a breath. “But this isn’t something that we should or that we can just ignore.” She paused and frowned. “Those children weren’t deliberately shaped to be something that they shouldn’t be. The culture is so much more extreme in the Karavadra family. Why do you think two out of three of Jefferson’s children have led soldiers into battle during this war?”

“Who is going to lead all that? I can’t see us being open to the Greeks telling us that New Rome is full of fear mongering officials, even if it is true.” Martina sighed, even if she wanted this war over, even if she didn’t care if the Greeks came back, this was going to be a city at war for a long time. She shrugged,”They probably feel like me. Like they owe someone something. Or at least, maybe they did at first and now it’s an opportunity. Lots of people are looking at this as an opportunity.”

“We do what everyone else has ever done, we compromise, we elect people democratically and we attempt to move into a better system less hell bent on upholding dangerous and deviant traditions based on prejudice.” Bobbi swallowed for a moment. Pausing, she frowned. She’d not considered that before. “Well, I can only speak to as exactly what my boyfriend has told me, but you’ll simply have to forgive me for being skeptical about any system that prioritises the militarisation of children.”

Martina snorted,“Good luck with that. I’m pretty sure the same families controlled the Senate when my grandfather was here. People are weirdly conservative here.” It was both a surprise and not that the younger population was rather conservative at times. Romans loved their traditions, even if they were too young to understand why they did them. “Dude, I went to war the first time when I was like twelve. Everything is about militarisation here. There are people who are taking the centurions who died or left as opportunities to move up. We ain’t kids here, we’re weapons. Instead of getting a barbie here, you get a dagger.”

“Just because something has been someway for a certain number of years, doesn’t mean that it should be that way,” Bobbi replied defiantly, she liked to think of herself as a realist and whilst she didn’t realistically know whether or not there would be change in her life time, she could only hope, “and things are never going to get any better if we don’t take  a stand and say enough is enough. In Sparta they used to leave their deformed children to die. We would think that was a terrible abuse of power now, and it will be the same with this eventually. Just because things have been one terrible way for a few generations doesn’t mean that we can’t find a way of making things better.”

“I just don’t see it happening. Who’s even got the support to go up against the Senate? Call me a pessimist or whatever, I just don’t know.” Martina didn’t want get her hopes up about the whole thing, not when things seemed to be in a weird limbo thing. “I don’t know who’s going to stand up against this stuff, other than you all. I mean no offense, but people could get in trouble with stuff if they do. Obviously, it’s not as bad as you guys going through your shit, but we’re selfish creatures most of the time. Maybe it’ll change, maybe it won’t. I’m not holding my breath.”

“I can’t tell you how this would pan out, but surprising things happen at times like this,” Bobbi had to hope, gods she prayed that she was right and something happened, “The Russian Revolution, the French Revolution, the rise of the Septum Piercing. Not all were ideal or necessarily good, but they happened at times of tension…” she smirked gently at her own joke. “We’ve just got to hope that something happens, because from my position I can’t see things getting anything but worse if things continue.”

The last thing that Cat had been expecting was contact from Leo. But gods had she missed him. She would even admit it. She had the perfect place for them. A small house by the lake that was hidden from view unless you knew exactly where to look. As she paced the deserted Garden of Bacchus, she tried to keep calm. The war had all but ground to a halt at this point with the effect of the curses all but crippling both the Greeks and the Romans. The Romans had come no closer to securing the cure to these curses and Cat worried that she wouldn’t be able to help her brother. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to settle on a bench and wait for her twin. Nerves usually resulted in her cleaning a weapon, but she thought that considering how things had been left that it might be better to just leave the weapons out of it for now. Finally she spotted him and rose to her feet, moving towards him cautiously she wondered if maybe this was some kind of trap and her paranoia started to kick in. With a hand checking her weapons she called out to him. “Leo?”

New Rome was not looking like the New Rome Leo knew. They really weren’t exaggerating when they said that there was a war going on. He moved as carefully and quietly he could through the city, not knowing when someone would be around. Getting to the Gardens with a small pack on him, he breathed a sigh of relief. At least he was closer to where Cat was now, though his hand didn’t leave the sword hilt that he had on his side. He moved as silently as he could, before he eventually heard Cat call out to him. “I’m here. It’s just me right now,” He said cautiously as he moved closer to her. It hadn’t been much time since he had seen her, well, seen her four years ago. That whole thing still made his brain hurt. She looked good though, healthy at least. “You’re good then? You said no curse, but you’ve been fighting a war.”

The closer that Leo got to her, the more that she was struck by just how much younger he looked. Cat knew that her brother had never exactly looked old, but he had filled out and broadened a little. The thing that really struck her was the face that was clear of worry. The last year hadn’t exactly been kind to them. Disaster after disaster had struck and now they were in the midst of another crisis. Without thinking Cat threw her arms tightly around him, she was much shorter than either of her brothers and so she literally had to jump to get to his shoulders, but damn it felt good. “You weren’t lying about a curse,” she said quietly as she took a step back to give him a proper once over again, “we will put things back to rights I promise.” At his question her mind flashed back to the various injuries that had been inflicted on her over the war and she banished them all but instantly. “Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself and the Greeks always underestimate me for my height.” She smiled at him again. How are you?”

It wasn’t as if Cat looked older than she was, but there was a certain way she held herself that felt different to Leo. She didn’t seem exactly as she did when he last remembered, though he imagined that he didn’t to her either. He held her close to him, not truly understanding the feeling of lose that had occurred between them, but understanding the need she had to hold him. “Tomorrow you’ll have to explain everything to me again, so I hope you’re ready for that.” He assumed that he was losing years rather quickly and he’d likely wake up younger again. Hopefully not six or seven years old though. He ruffled her hair with a slight grin,“You certainly made your height your greatest disguise. No one thinks you’re as badass as you are.”

Pausing momentarily, Cat almost told him off for messing with her hair, but then she remembered that this was her brother who had literally come back to her. At that point she decided that it was probably better if she were to avoid shouting at him over her hair. But the action took her back to the good old days when her father had taken her along to meetings with Leo. His friends would scoop her up and place a kiss on her cheek before mussing her hair. The memories weren’t exactly painful. Yet they weren’t the easiest things to experience. “I’m ready to do anything that you need,” she promised, “but we need to get going before someone else turns up. We’ll come back for Bobbi once you’re settled.” She took a deep shuddering breath, and considered telling him the truth. The worst that would happen is that he’d simply forget it anyway. “I’ve considered lining my trousers with stilts, but they’re a bit tricky to constantly walk around in.”

Leo didn’t doubt that Bobbi was telling the truth about him and his siblings, but it felt so hard to really believe it when he was so happy to see his sister. There couldn’t possibly be something that she could do that would make things so horrible between them. They weren’t people who could break so easily. Her words meant a lot to him, but he couldn’t help but think that he was quite the task to undertake at the moment. “I’m ready to go then, where are we headed?” He was rather sure that they had safe houses around the city, but he didn’t know if they were being used anymore. “It might be hard to fight in them as well, but it would be a cool skill to have.” Fiddling with his strap, he looked at Cat nervously. “How is everyone else? Jax, Bella, Gus, Ella?”

Pausing as she prepared to go and get on their way, Cat looked at Leo and it finally sunk in that he wasn’t lying. He didn’t know what had happened. He didn’t know that Gus was dead. A pit formed in her stomach and she considered lying to him but decided better of it. “Ella and Bella and Jax are all fine but I’ve got some bad news about Gus…” she sighed and pressed her fingers to her temple for a moment before taking a deep breath, “the long and short of it doesn’t exactly matter but he’s passed now. We built a memorial to him that I’ll show you when you’re better…” hot tears stung her eyes as she remembered her inability to save him. She just prayed he didn’t ask about Callum. Swallowing, she tightened her straps on her back before setting out through the city. “I’m going to take you through the tunnels, it’s the fastest way there. It’s a safe house even Dad and Jax don’t know about, I purchased it early last year, a little getaway just for me. But it’ll work. You’ll be safe.”

Leo felt all the air suddenly leave his chest. Gus was dead. He was a kid how did he even die? He didn’t even want to ask. He nodded, a little bombstruck. “That’s bad,” He muttered. “Let’s not tell me that anymore. Tomorrow let’s not tell me.” At least he had that, he didn’t haven’t rehear about it every day. Until he was better, if he was better. He hoped that he would be better soon. “I’d like to see it someday. How… How are you doing with that?” He could tell she was getting emotional, which made his chest hurt. “Does Jax know I’ll be staying there? He hasn’t really responded back to me.”

Pausing for a moment, Cat nodded. “Fine, I just … I didn’t want to lie to you.” She was trying to make things work, she really truly loved Leo even if he had betrayed her and broken her heart. Yet this Leo wasn’t quite that Leo. He hadn’t done anything to her and he didn’t even hate her like the other one. He didn’t think that she was a monster. Everyone had looked at her differently after what had happened to Callum. But Jax and Leo were the worst. She’d had no choice, why didn’t people understand that she was only doing what must be done. She got her hands dirty so that others did not have to. “Things aren’t easy,” she replied, “but we struggle on.” She found the grate in one of the corners of the garden and winched it up. Slipping down a ladder, she pulled out two flashlights and handed one to Leo. “I haven’t told him, I won’t unless you want me to. But I didn’t know what you’d want … so I decided to just keep quiet about it.”

“I get that. I just… I don’t think it’ll get easier as I get younger. I can’t imagine that at fourteen I’ll take it even remotely as well as I am right now.” Leo wasn’t going to lie, he wasn’t taking it great, he was basically ignoring the whole situation, but he supposed that it was the best he could do currently. “Hopefully things will be over soon. War isn’t good for anyone.” People were going to die and that was never good for anyone. Kids were going to die in a civil war. He nodded taking the flashlight, thankful that she giving him the choice in this. “I’ll let him know. He should know that I’m around.”

“I agree, this isn’t easy and we’ve got to do everything that we can to minimize the difficulty of this for you…” Cat paused and tried to imagine what having a fourteen year old Leo back with her would be like. She couldn’t imagine that it would be as fun as when she was fourteen too. Right now she would give anything just to have regular Leo back with her. Pausing for a moment as she set out into the tunnels, Cat was certain she heard a noise, but when she looked in the direction of the sound there was nothing but darkness. The beam of her flashlight cut through the darkness and led the way, and she followed through the twisting tunnels. She was glad that Leo was here, it made the journey more bearable. “Do whatever you think is right.” Pausing for a moment longer, she raised an eyebrow as she her the sound of something wet on a paving stone before whirling around to find nothing. “You don’t see anything right?” She was just being paranoid.

“At least, I’ll be real cute when I’m five again. Though, I was a really picky eater. When I get that young we probably shouldn’t even try to explain this right? It would be too much.” Leo couldn’t imagine that a five year old version of him would even understand the concept of curses or magic. It would probably be too much for a kid. He swept his flashlight back and forth, his eyes narrowing but not seeing anything noticeable. He shook his head,“I don’t see anything, but… I don’t know, something doesn’t feel right? Maybe I’m just paranoid because of the curse.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it I guess,” Cat replied really hoping that they’d have worked out a way to make this better before then. However she was starting to become more convinced that they weren’t the only ones down in these tunnels alone. There was no way that it could be monsters as this was New Rome, however with the curses flying around she wasn’t convinced that it couldn’t be something else out there in the darkness. “Come on, let’s just get out of here and then we won’t have to worry about this anymore,” she replied, spotting the ladder that would lead to the lake and then it was only a few miles to their location. “Gentlemen first this time,” she said indicating that he should take the ladder up first whilst she double checked behind them.

“Hopefully we won’t get to it anytime soon. I like being an adult. I can do things for myself which is definitely nice.” Leo told her with a slight smile. The ladder felt a little straight out of a horror movie, but Leo was pretty sure that was just him being paranoid. He never liked things like tunnels anyways, so it would make sense that he was just being hyper vigilant. He didn’t mind going first but he sent Cat a teasing look as he started to climbed,”Sure, now you wanna be super polite and let me go first.”

Laughing at his reply, Cat felt a smile tug at her lips. She hadn’t realised how much she had regretted what happened between the two of them, would they ever be able to solve their problems if things went back to normal? The meandering drip of water filled the background. As she watched Leo climb, she took one last look down the tunnel before stepping onto the first rung of the ladder and beginning to haul herself up towards the circle of light pouring into the tunnel, she was no more then a few rungs up when she felt something sticky wrap around her leg and tug it. Whipping her head around she looked down and spotted a thick pink tentacle wrapped firmly around her ankle. A second tug later and she went tumbling down towards the bottom of the tunnel, hitting the floor with a painful crunch. Fuck.

It was terrifying to think that somehow, Cat and Leo had become so broken that they weren’t speaking anymore. He had made his sister cry, she had made him cry, that had never broken them before. He couldn’t think of a world where either did something so wrong that they “hated” each other. He heard her go down and without hesitation, he was going back down the ladder to her. He pulled out his sword, whipping his head back and forth trying to understand what was happening. He saw the tentacle and swung at it, grazing it slightly. “Cat! Are you hurt?

As Leo’s boots squelched into the damp mud that ran across the bottom of the tunnel, Cat slowly rose and wiped mud from her face before grunting. “I’m going to have a really nasty bruise but I’ll be fine,” she reached to her belt and without hesitation her dagger and revolver were in hand and raised. Ready for whatever threats may come their way. Her nocturnal vision assisted her in seeing in the darkness, and without it she very well may have misestimated their opponent. They appeared to be some poor soul afflicted with a terrible curse. Their limbs had transformed into a mass of tentacles and their face was now a grinding maw of teeth that gnashed towards them. “However, I think we may have a bigger problem then my bruises.”

Whatever was in front of the two of them was nothing Leo had ever seen before. Monsters weren’t supposed to be around here, but this didn’t seem like a monster that he knew from myths. “What the fuck is that thing?” He growled out, swinging his sword out again as the monster whipped another tentacle towards him, his sword clipping it once again. “We put it down and then we go up, we don’t know if there are more of it down here.”

Normally Cat was a fan of caution, but when it came to Leo’s safety she wasn’t about to waste time trying to be careful when this thing was already threatening their way of life. “I think it is someone who has been cursed,” she said as she sprung to her feet and managed to smash the tentacles away from her for a moment. “I don’t want to have to kill someone who may be innocent, but it doesn’t look like we’ve got any other choice.” Grasping her weapon, she thought back to their training together and looked around their surroundings in hopes that there would be some advantage that would allow them to beat their enemy. “Any clever ideas?” she asked as the tentacle thing began to circle back around.

Leo frowned, the idea that this was someone who was cursed made him feel pretty terrible about the whole situation. Yet, they were faced with a pretty big decision; them or it. “Think you could knock it out, if I got you over the tentacles?” It was probably safer just to kill it, but there could be someone they know in that body, trapped deep down. He’d hate for them to die because of their decision not to try. “We could do our jump?” They certainly had quite a bit of combos between them, but it was fun and it made training more interesting.

Looking at Leo, Cat huffed and slid her revolvers back into their holsters before pulling a long dagger with a blunt pommel from her sheath. “Only for you,” she said with a frown like thunder as she prepared for the jump. “I’m ready whenever you are,” she said as the tentacle monster began making another pass at them, apparently having regained its composure. She thought back to all of the times that they had done this before and although it had been a long time since she’d fought alongside her twin, she was sure that it would feel just the same as ever. As he knitted his fingers together, she charged forwards and leaped at the monster, sailing clean over it for a moment before a tentacle whipped out and wrapped around her, sending her slamming painfully into the mud once more.

“Well, fuck,” Leo groaned as he watched Cat get slammed into the ground. He had really hoped that he wouldn’t have to try hurt whoever this poor person was. He didn’t enjoy killing anything, even a monster. Especially now that he had the idea in his head that it could potentially be a person inside that monster. He gripped his sword in his hand and resigned himself, any jovialness he had previously held, leaving him. It was like this in any fight he was in. He’d often fall into a seriousness that was unlike him when things got truly dire. “We’re just going to have to go for it then,” He told Cat as he grabbed the monsters attention again with far more threatening and fatal hits going for it.

“Yeah that wasn’t ideal,” Cat had managed to get over the monster, but now she and Leo surrounded it and the only way that they were going to get out of it was to deal with the monster and she wasn’t sure that they had a chance in hell of dealing with this non-lethally. Drawing her pistols, she took aim at the monster and fired a warning shot just above it, driving it towards the slopped walls. “I’m going to try and injure it enough that it won’t be able to fight, but that requires it to hold still that long and I’m far from convinced that is going to happen … so just watch my back and get involved when you feel like I need it. I trust your judgement.”

Leo shook his head at his sister,“I’m more of a close combat fighter. I should be jumping in there, distracting it and trying to hold it long enough that you can get a shot in.” He might not show it off often, to the point where people sometimes forgot, but he was an amazing hand to hand fighter. If anyone was going to get the monster to be still enough for a moment, it would be him, not Cat. Especially when her plan had her going in there and him trying to weave around her with a sword. More dangerous, but maybe easier with a bullet. “I’ll get stay away from that whole teeth situation and we should be good.”

“I know how good a fighter you are brother,” Cat replied with a roll of her eyes, “that is why I plan on standing back here with my revolvers and shooting at it whilst you, the big strong man that you are, take it down to pain town.” She winced at the cliche that had just spilled out of her mouth, but it was too late to take that back now. “Whatever you do,” she said aiming the pistol and opening fire, watching an imperial gold bullet cut through a tentacle with a sickening bang and hiss, “make sure that you stay away from the entire teeth situation because who the fuck knows where this things mouth has been.”

“Did you honestly just utter the words ‘pain town’? Embarrassing.” Leo teased her with a grin, before jumping back from a tentacle that sailed toward him. With impressive speed for his size, he managed to get out of the tentacles reach, though he was closer to the teeth. “Based on how it smells, at least one diaper has been in this thing’s mouth.” He side lightly, though his voice was strained as he started to attempt to wrestle with the monster. He needed to pinn or at least hold the thing still for a moment.

“Is this really the time Leo?!” Cat snapped as she suppressed the laughter that had bubbled in her stomach at her brother’s comment. Taking aim, doing her best not to hit her brother with a celestial bullet, she fired again and was rewarded by seeing more orangey-purpley gore splatter across the walls of the sewers. Wiping mud from her face, she took aim again, firing once more and wincing at the deafening echo of the gunshot ringing across the and around them. Swallowing, Cat tried to get a good look at the monster. “Can you stop playing with your food please?” she called to Leo.

The thing had muscles and even though Leo was tall and strong, it seemed whatever this thing was was stronger. “It’s the only way I have fun though! Why would they make things like goldfish if you weren’t made to play with it?” He replied back, though his breath was heavier as he finally got a good hold of the monster. His arms wrapping underneath where their arms had once been and behind the head to make the monster at least a little less wiggly.

Watching her brother fight filled Cat with a familiar dread which she inevitably felt whenever she had to watch someone that she cared about go into battle. That was one of the reasons that she limited her connections so much. You couldn’t get hurt if you didn’t have anyone who could hurt you. At least that was the working theory. “Whatever you say,” he said with a laugh before taking aim and hitting the tentacle monster with shots to the knees. “I don’t want to waste all my ammo on this thing,” she grunted as she drew a knife and approached, “do you want me to knock it out or kill it?” she asked, knowing that Leo had always been a bit more sensitive than her.

Leo understood why people loved fighting, adrenaline was a feeling that could not be described. Winning a fight was even better. “There’s a person in here, Cat,” He said, his answer seemingly obvious to himself. “I would prefer we don’t kill someone we could know,” He grunted in the effort it took to keep the thing still as it wrestled against him. “Please don’t shoot me though, I don’t need anymore scars.”

Grunting in irritation at Leo’s need to aspire to a moral absolute that was not necessarily objective. However Cat did not have time to debate ethics with her twin, in fact time was probably the single commodity that they did not have in abundance. Money couldn’t bring time to a stop anymore then it could stop the sun from rising in the East and setting in the West. “Just hold it still for a second longer,” she grunted before moving forward and striking the monster at the rough area that she expected the monster’s temple, “if this doesn’t work I’m killing it,” she said as she hit it again.

Leo knew that others looked at him differently because of his need to do what he thought was best. He was, he liked to think at least, a pacifist. Which was difficult considering he was, apparently, in a war. Still, life was precious, every life was precious. He tightened his grip, pulling the monster closer to himself to get it to still even further. “Fine with me, I just need us to try before we just kill it.” It wasn’t really fine with him, but he couldn’t argue his way out of this one.

As the stock of Cat’s revolver crunched into the side of its temple and it slumped to the ground in Leo’s grasp. “Fortunately,” she said wiping a muddy hand across her forehead and sweeping sweat away, “We weren’t forced to take lethal action against whatever poor soul has been afflicted with this awful curse.” Toeing the body of the tentacle thing, Cat looked at it disdainfully before taking a step and slowly climbing the rungs of the ladder. “Not too long now…” she said quietly as she hauled herself up to street level. Pushing a sewer cover off the ground and dragging herself onto the street, she took a deep breath of fresh air.

Compared to that, Leo didn’t think his own curse was that bad. Yeah, sure he could definitely end up losing all his memories, but at least he’d still be a person. He looked down at the body of the monster, quietly asking,“Do you think they’ll remember attacking us when the curse is lifted?” He couldn’t imagine what that would be like, how it would feel to have no control over yourself. He followed his sister out of the sewer, thankful for clean air. “I really hope this place has a shower, because we both need one.”

-

Stalking his way through the night, Percy made sure that Wally was with him as they stalked along the shore towards the bright lights of the casino. The war that was currently raging away just two miles away didn’t seem to bother New Rome’s richest as they all approached the casino. Percy could see the lights from across the lake and as they got closer he could see the finest dressed guests moving their way around the garden outside. “I can’t believe that I am wearing a tux!” he exclaimed as they got nearer, “I know that we’ve got to try and be silent about the fact that we’re Greeks, but there is a war going on and unless the Romans have been getting their supplies through another way, I can’t imagine how they justify this lavishness.” He swallowed and felt for Riptide in his pocket. “Not to mention the curses,” anger flashed in him at the injustice and he did his best to get over it with a deep sigh, “come on. Let’s get going. The sooner this is done the better.”

-

Wally peered his head over a small hill as they made their way towards the casino. To hear that some assistance might come out of this place was like catching a curveball. He shrugged and pushed his hair back, although the gel was doing its job of keeping it in place. Since they’d be heading to a more regal affair, Wally shaved and tried to make himself look presentable. “It’s how some of them are, they don’t even care enough for their own. Besides, there are tons of wealthy families in New Rome, right? They probably all pooled their money together or something to keep this place operating.” As they came closer to the entrance, Wally stopped Percy. “Alright, stand back. Now remember, this will only last for a couple hours, so if we split up, find me before then.” Wally’s magic was usually as bright as the day and as obvious as a guy with two heads, but he could contain the firework effect of it all if he tried. Warping Percy to look a different way wasn’t hard at all and was a nice change of pace from trying to stop all these curses. Illusions and transformation were his fortee, so in mere seconds, Percy Jackson no longer looked like himself, though Wally could see through the spell he worked. It was like someone was holding up a transparent picture of the real Percy infront of his disguised face. “Okay, you’re good. Now, let’s go in.”

-

There was something… not magical, but highly enjoyable about the casino to Bran. Sure, the war raging in New Rome had affected many people, but the elite of the elite still found their way here to drink and to gamble and to squander their money. It was entertaining to see rich senators slurring their speech, to watch with barely-concealed glee as this Roman or that Roman went into a full-blown panic as they lost at one of the tables. He could sense the tug of madness at their minds when they ruined themselves in roulette; or broke the bank at blackjack. Sitting at the bar, facing towards the floor of the casino with a large glass of his family’s own wine in his hand, he smirked slightly as a man nearby blew through several thousand in a loss on a poker hand. Closing his eyes for a second, he gloried in feeling the desperation the man was feeling, skirting dangerously close to madness. As a son of Bacchus, he could manipulate and feel madness. Reaching out with his abilities, he placed the mad thought of wagering even more to try and break even on the next hand in the man’s head, and gave a somewhat sadistic giggle as he watched the man start feverishly counting the chips he was left with before taking a slow drink of his wine in order to hide his smile from anyone who might be looking at the Maecenas patrician as he gloried in this one man’s despair at a game of poker.

-

As Wally quite literally worked his magic, Percy didn’t feel any different. He wouldn’t have even believed that anything had changed, but he caught his reflection in the light of the lake and even he could see the differences. “Woah,” he admitted out loud with a surprised raise of his eyebrows, “you’re really getting good at this magic shit hermano.” He smirked through his whisper to Wally and double checked on Riptide on the inside pocket of his tuxedo jacket before setting out through the front door of the casino. He spotted senators and even a few members of the Legion, but none of them seemed to realise it was him. So at least everything here was going to plan, for now if nothing else. Pausing momentarily, he reached up to stroke his beard before stopping himself. The visage he wore was clean shaven. “Do you know what you’re looking for?” he asked Wally curiously, glancing left and right trying to work out exactly what it was that they were here for.

-

“Thanks, Jackson.” Wally beamed at the other lad. Indeed, Wally had gotten better with his magic since the war had begun. He’d used the new battle-torn turf they were in to advance his powers through rougher practices with the elements and powers that be. As they walked into the casino, Wally was a bit overcome. He had never seen a casino before - well, he had seen them in movies, but they seemed different in person. Maybe it was because they were all demigods here, but Wally could feel the power in this place. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and because of their attire, the smiles, the eating and drinking, you’d never guess there was a war going on outside. “Look at all these asshats,” he commented quietly. “Yeah. Brandon Maecenas. He’s a son of Bacchus. His family owns a vineyard that was blessed by his dad. Gives ya’ a bit of an idea of who we’re dealing with. I met him at one of the parties Jason had before the war. Doesn’t like Greek’s at all. But, rumor is that his family has some really strong ties to some artifacts. Getting one would really help us with the ritual.” Heading to the bar, Wally inclined to the bartender, asking if anyone had seen the man. “Brandon Maecenas, he’s been known to frequent places like this. Tall, looks kind of like a bull?”

-

Bran was part of the way through considering whether to make the poker-playing gambler snap then and there when he heard his name being mentioned at the bar. Turning slowly on his stool, he took in the sight of the two men - one he didn’t recognize, and one he did. He’d met the one with the mis-matched eyes somewhere… It’d come to him in time, he was sure. “A Bull?” He asked dryly, eyebrows rising slightly as he drained his glass of wine, placing it down on the bar and snapping his fingers to demand a refill from the bartender. “We’ve met.” He stated simply, eyeing the one who had asked about him. “Warrington or Walsworth or something, yes?” He asked, pointing at Wally as the bartender dutifully refilled Bran’s glass. “Something with a W, anyway.” He picked up his glass of wine once more, taking another drink - and pointedly not ordering any for the pair of them. He had a nagging suspicion he had met Heterochromia over there in something less-than-acceptable circumstances, which immediately made Bran guarded towards the two newcomers.

-

For once Percy had a line ready. He was about to explain to the bartender that they were friends with Bran and that they had a gift for him. Something that would get them off the hook of suspicion. And yet before he could say anything someone was talking to Wally and it didn’t take him very long to work out that this was their target. It was awkward if he was perfectly honest, Wally hadn’t exactly insulted Bran, but there was room for offence. A nagging feeling that this might not go as well as he would’ve liked started to tug at him, he patted the inside of his jacket to ensure that Riptide was there, though he knew that it would be. Somewhat comforted by the backstory that he was beginning to concoct in his head. “Is this Bran?” he asked, leaning forwards and smiling brightly at Bran, “Duke Chadinson,” he said stretching a hand out for Bran to take, “nice to meet you.”

-

Wally tried to look confident, which was getting easier now that he had protected himself against so many attackers and even killed one. He was able to keep his back straight and take a few steps over to Bran without faltering, definitely a change from a few months ago. He looked to Percy as he introduced himself to Bran, his smile changing to something more humorous. “Bran Maecenas? We have met before, at a party months and months ago. Wally Robinson.” He didn’t put his hand out, thinking Bran might remember who he was and not only not shake his hand, but immediately call security. “Thought I might buy you a drink, offer a proposal to ya, if you’d be interested?” Thankfully their tuxes masked their forearms, helping to hide the fact that unlike everyone else here, even Percy, Wally had no SPQR tattoo. “Might we take a seat somewhere more private?”

-

Before Bran had the chance to process much of what was being said to him about where he had met ‘Wally’ (that didn’t seem right, did it?) the other man was introducing himself as ‘Duke Chadinson,’ a ludicrous name that made Bran just stare at him and his extended hand in very clear judgement for a long moment. “You are either the worst person I’ve ever met when it comes to making fake names, or you have a very unfortunate mortal parent.” He said a little jeeringly to the man he was, as of yet, unaware was Percy Jackson before turning his gaze back to Wally. “I can pay for my own drinks,” He said a little stiffly - the memory of the party coming back to him now his memory had been jogged about it. “Tell me, how is Jason these days?” He asked with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, subtly warning the two of them that he knew precisely who - or what, rather - they were. “You have five minutes,” He said flatly as he stood from his stool, brushing past them both before finishing the sentence quietly so that only ‘Duke’ and Wally would hear, “Graecus,” and led the way across the casino floor to a back reception room, shutting the door behind the three of them.

-

Following Bran through the casino, Percy considered giving up the act but thought better of it. “I actually changed my own name, I used to be called William Hernandez, not exactly the most exciting name. Not quite like Duke Chadinson.” Smirking through his drinking, he swallowed a mouthful of beer before raising an eyebrow and shrugging. “Jason’s doing as well as could be expected, all things considered of course,” he paused for a moment before stepping into a private room with Bran and Wally. “You’re not blind, you might be stupid but only time will tell,” he shrugged for a moment, “so you know that there is a number of curses affecting both Romans and Greeks. We’ve found a way to stop the curse, but we require certain components that we don’t have access to.” Pausing for another second he let that sink in. “We can’t keep things going for too much longer, we don’t think you can either.”

-

Wally sighed, giving Percy a quick look. Was that really the best name he could manage? Wally pursed his lips and held back the urge to slap the backside of Percy’s head. Espionage was not his thing. “Jason’s alive, which can’t be said for all of us,” Wally added, walking to the room with the other two men. Wally wasn’t sure if it part of who Bran was, but just looking at him made the blonde feel uneasy. It was like looking at a known murderer, which now Wally had to wonder, did this guy kill any Greeks? “You’re family I heard has a lot of highly priced jewelry, some magical, some not. Some of these items might help me,” he paused, “might help us all in ending this curse. We know that the Romans can’t be doing well, not based on what we’ve seen. So, I need to get into your house, see what you have that I can use, then we’ll be gone. I imagine that if the Roman’s haven’t fixed this by now, they can’t. So . . . that’s our proposal. You help us, we can end the curse.”

-

“Yes, I suppose doing as well as can be expected in the current circumstances is the best he can hope for as a traitor to the Legion and to Rome.” Bran said smoothly as he eyed the two now that they were alone in the small side room. Raising his wine to his lips, he took a slow sip as he considered both of them and their proposals. Eyeing ‘Duke’ for a few moments, he turned his gaze to Wally. “Your friend has quite the mouth.” He stated dryly. “It would be quite unfortunate if his propensity to running it would keep us from arriving at a deal.” He let the threat hang there for a few moments. “Rome is an eternal culture and society, Graecus.” He sneered at ‘Duke’ in response to the comment about the Romans being unable to keep things going. “My own family has held high rank and privilege in the Empire since the days of Caesar Augustus. You would do well to remember which civilization fell, and which endured.” He drained his glass of wine, and turned his attention fully to Wally and his proposal. “Well, Washington,” He said, deliberately getting the Greek’s name wrong, “What is in it for me if I lend you assistance? I am a Centurion of the Legion - consorting with a Graecus could earn me a charge of treason, no better than those so-called Praetors who await trial.” He examined the wine glass for a long moment. “Would it not just be better to let the affected… endure? Surely whatever caused this curse had its purpose.” He knew very well what had caused the curse - had been involved in unleashing it, and now stood here discussing ending it with fugitives from justice, terrorists, and Greeks.

-

Percy’s stomach boiled at Bran’s comments, but he had dealt with bullies before and he was more than certain that he would have to again. He wasn’t about to get riled up by some floppy haired puta who thought that they were still living in ancient times. “Yes well antiquated and inefficient institutions often have to be torn down by a popular revolution, I suppose it can’t be too much longer before it happens here. But for the moment we’ll have to keep with the oppressive drudgery, what is it that they say, when in Rome right?” he shrugged gently and sighed gently at the bravado of Bran. Every other bully acted like they had nothing to be afraid of too. “Was this before or after one of your Emperors appointed his horse to be his successor?” He gave Bran an amused smile before sighing. “You may not have to like us, in fact I’m certain you don’t. That’s fine. I couldn’t give a shit. What I do care about is the literal thousands of Greeks and Romans alike that are suffering through this.” A brainwave came to him and he reached into his pocket and flicked his phone onto record the rest of their conversation. “Many of the victims of the curse are suffering from things that will eventually kill them, we’re looking for a way to solve this.” He paused for a moment, he hadn’t come utterly unprepared. “We’re willing to pay you for your contribution of course,” he paused and smiled sweetly at Bran, “but I always thought that helping the Roman people was the duty of a Centurion, wouldn’t you say Bran?”

-

Wally kept exchanging glances between the two other men at the table. As both Percy and Bran talked, he worried that their deal might be slipping. It seemed like the son of Poseidon and son of Bacchus were trying to have a dick matching contest. “You must have people you care about, Bran. Have none of them been affected?” He looked sincere in his empathy and he hoped that got across to Bran. “I think we’re all okay with fighting each other fair and square, but this curse is going to destroy everything if left to continue. You may be doing fine now, but it won’t stay that way. And let’s be honest, if we had nothing that you need or want, you’d have already gotten the guards.” He nodded at Percy. “We can pay something worth your while.” He leaned back and put his hands on the table, cupped together. “Help us now, then you and I can tustle later on the battlefield.”

-

Bran fixed ‘Duke’ with a pointed look at his comment about popular revolutions and drudgery. Sneering slightly at the man, he shifted to lean back slightly to regard him suspiciously. “Who are you?” He asked simply. “I remember now – Watson over there is a Son of Hecate. A witch.” He nodded his head towards Wally. “You’re far too bold to be any run of the mill Demigod. Which means he is using his magic to hide your identity.” He challenged the man who had identified himself as ‘Duke.’ He missed the man’s hand vanishing into his pocket to start recording the conversation. “I care about the Romans. Of course I care about the Romans. You Greeks could be stacked like cordwood on the side of the road for all I care.” He gave a dismissive sniff, scrutinizing the pair of them as he was offered payment for his assistance. His gaze drifted between the pair of them. “I could just be humoring both of you before killing you both myself.” He pointed out to Wally, before giving a genuine, deep laugh at the mention of a payment worth his while. “I don’t need money, you stupid Greeks.” He smirked at the pair of them. “I want something a little more… tangible than gold.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I want prisoners – noted Greeks or traitors who have taken up arms with you – surrendered into my custody to be conveyed to the Senate for trial.” He was improvising on the spot – but if he secured the capture of traitors like Jason Grace and other Romans who had taken up arms alongside the Greeks, the Cult would emerge ahead in the calculus, even if their curse had backfired.  

-

It was an accident really. The laugh. But this situation was so absurd that Percy couldn’t help himself. It started out as a giggle, and it wasn’t long before he had to take a chair and sit in it as his body was wracked with hysterical laughter. It was almost a full minute before he was able to compose himself enough to speak. Wiping tears away from his eyes, Percy looked up at Bran and smiled amused. “That was a no if it wasn’t clear. We won’t be trading human lives just so that you can get another feather in your cap, the irony of course being that you’re putting your own people in even further jeopardy just so that you can advance your own career. I shudder to think what the senate would think of that.” He looked up at Bran for a moment before shrugging and standing. “Who I am is of little consequence as we will be leaving now, it is obvious you’re not willing to attempt to help your own people and I’ve got other options to explore.” He looked at Bran for a moment more before standing from the chair he’d sat in a moment ago. “As for attempting to kill us, Wally is the most talented battle magician I’ve seen in almost five years, I’m feeling pretty safe thanks.” He shrugged gently and looked at Bran, waiting for him to make the final offer. Maybe there wouldn’t be one at all. If that was the case then they’d think of something else.

-

Wally didn’t know whether to join in with Percy’s laughter, or . . . well, he didn’t really know how to react. Wally did smile though, because Percy wasn’t backing down at all, and he loved that. Hearing Percy compliment him in such a way really strengthened the demigod on the inside. He felt more powerful just by the other man saying it. “Look, Bran, giving ourselves up to you isn’t really an option.” He said it so smugly, which may have been a mistake, considering they needed Bran’s help. “Not to threaten you, but Duke is right. It wouldn’t take a lot of energy for me to turn half the people in here into guinea pigs. I for one wouldn’t mind becoming Circe 2.0 and turning this place into my own island. As quick as you can do whatever you can, I’m sure I’m just as fast.” He took a pause but held his hand up to let Bran know he wasn’t done. “You want a win here, I get that. It wouldn’t be much of a bargain if you didn’t get that. But your win is seeing everyone you care about be restored to their health.  Your win is New Rome being able to fight at a hundred-percent again. You have a chance here to really be a savior and help us remove these curses.” He took on a more sympathetic look, trying to show all his emotion in his eyes. “Come on, how much longer can we all hold out? Help us help you.”

-

Bran’s eyes narrowed a little as the one who had been pushing his patience the entire conversation started laughing at his demand. His eyes narrowing slightly as he stared at the other man while he took a chair and wiped tears of laughter from his eyes while laughing hysterically, he folded his arms tightly over his chest, fixing the man with a pointed stare as he was told the answer to his demand was ‘no.’ “I feel like demanding the capture of traitors and rebels is hardly putting my own career before the people.” Bran shot back pointedly as the man stood up once again. Chewing his lower lip slightly, he shifted his gaze to Wally as the witch spoke – eyes narrowing a little more at the smug tone the witch was using. Still chewing at his lower lip, he drummed his fingers against his biceps in thought as Wally spoke. “Stop the raids targeting Roman Citizens, and I’ll help.” He said simply. “Restrict yourselves to operations against the Legion. The citizens of New Rome don’t need to be caught in the middle of all of this.”

-

Raising an eyebrow, Percy shrugged gently at Bran’s reply before speaking in turn. “If your motive were to assist your people then perhaps I would agree with you, however it seems apparent from your attitude that your motivation is not to assist your people but to further your own career.” He paused for a moment, it was hardly as if they were hurting the Roman Citizens, they never harmed anyone and they didn’t take prisoners. They simply had attempted to cut off their supplies. “Agreed,” he said without hesitation knowing that they were unlikely to fight the war in the same way if and when it were to restart from the semi break that it had taken during the duration of the curses, “we will stop the raids on Roman Citizens and focus on military operations as soon as we receive what we want.” He would keep the recording, blackmailing him later may be something that they were forced to do.”

-

“See,” Wally said between them, “that wasn’t so difficult, was it.” He stayed seated for a moment longer, laying both hands flat out on the table. “To get this over with, I’d like to go to your place tonight. I imagine you have a showcase of all your prized items?” He then stood up and fixed the collar around his neck. “If you have any doubts that we’ll only be there for the items we need, try and stuff those feelings down. We don’t wanna be in your home anymore than you want us there.”

-

Bran sneered slightly at ‘Duke.’ “You know nothing about my motivations, Graecus.” He snapped slightly before nodding his head lightly as he agreed to the demand. Shifting his gaze to Wally as he spoke again, Bran gave a slight huff. “Just because you don’t think of it as much doesn’t mean it is truly a little thing.” He pointed out as Wally stood. “You will not be alone with any of my artifacts. Either I or my security will be with you at all times in my home, and you will promptly return whatever you use.” He said flatly.

-

Percy raised an eyebrow and bobbed his head in agreement with Bran’s demands. He was tired of the dick measuring contest and he didn’t want to over stay their welcome. “We shall meet you at your estate,” he said before withdrawing from the room. He and Wally didn’t speak as they began the trek from the casino to the estate they had agreed to meet at. As they waited outside of the gates, a guard informed them that they would be received shortly. “This is going better than I’d hoped,” he admitted still disguised, “for a moment there I thought that he wouldn’t bend.” -

Wally nodded at Bran, pulling his hands back into his lap. “I would not expect it any other way, Bran.” Both he and Percy stood up and started to walk out. He looked over to the demigod and smiled a little. “We’re not done yet, Perce, but yeah . . . it’s not going bad at all. This guy doesn’t seem happy about it all though, look out for any tricks or traps.” As they were let into the manor, Wally was amazed. At first he’d been impressed by the outside of the place, but the inside was far more stunning. “Gods, this place is beautiful.” He stared in awe, eyes taking long gazes from the floor to the ceiling. “Alright,” he pointed to a few of the guards. “Let’s follow them.”

-

Bran watched the pair of them leave the room at the casino, glaring pointedly after the two Greeks before getting in touch with security at his estate, and informing them of the impending arrival. If the two visitors did anything beyond their welcome - if they made to go anywhere but the display rooms of artifacts, if they made to touch anything beyond what Wally (whom he called Warburton to his security) said they needed to lift the curse, they were both to be detained. Heaving a heavy sigh, he returned to the bar - switching to whisky now as he took a heavy drink before stepping back into the side room to contact the Cult to inform them what he had done - and to offer a defense for his actions: it would save the Romans affected by the curse, and it had given him some insight into the Greeks.

Percy and Nico crossed the waterfront of the lake district, heading for a small boat house that they had turned into their ‘war room’. After all they had need somewhere above water level where they could strategise and this was perhaps the most private. As they crossed through the community of Greeks and Romans that had knitted together during this war, Percy instructed those with curses to head towards the infirmary for the ones benign enough not to cause harm. But for those who were dangerous, they had to pause to restrain them. For their own safety and the safety of others. As they left a poor soul that was screaming about Bees, Percy closed the door behind him and sighed wearily. “Wally should be here soon, but try and save your energy.” The truth was that it had occurred to him that there might not be a quick fix. He wasn’t going to let Nico die to a curse in the middle of war time. He began rummaging around and pulled out a notebook and flicking all the lights on.

The journey to the waterfront had caused Nico to lose a good deal more flesh. His now ridiculously thin form was revealed to the word - his shirt thrown loosely over an arm to show the exposed ribs, the skeletal hands and arms, and a face halfway to being nothing but a skull - his dark eyes showing some annoyance as they entered the boathouse. “Honestly I’d rather be imagining swarms of bees.” He grumbled slightly, dropping his shirt over a chair nearby and tugging his watch even tighter on his bony wrist, determined to not lose it again. “And how should I try and save my energy? It’s even standing still I’m losing things.” As if to underscore this point, the last bit of skin covering part of his left shoulder dropped away. As Percy turned on the lights, Nico started examining himself as best as he could without - well - really having much to examine.

Wally was moving as fast as he could, while at the same time trying to hide from any Romans that might be wandering about. Wally had left Z with some friends who had promised to watch over him. He felt terrible leaving Z but knew that he would be pulled here and there once this all happened. It was honestly a miracle that he’d been sparred, just so that he could try and help some other poor souls. “Percy?” Wally walked into the boat house and looked around. “I’m here. I’ve brought a few . . . things.” His voice had cracked, seeing what was, “Nico?” Wally swallowed hard and looked over the man. “Holy shit, what’s happening to you?”

Percy had sunk onto the top of a work surface, but sprung to his feet as soon as Wally entered the boat house. “I’m glad you’re here hermano.” Percy smiled warmly at Wally. It was nice to see another friendly face. No offence to Nico, but his current predicament was pretty horrific. Swallowing away his fears, he looked at Nico and sighed sadly. “We aren’t sure exactly what is happening but it seems like someone — let’s be honest probably the Romans — has put some sort of curse on us.” He remembered everyone else he had seen as he and Nico had slowly worked their way here. The city was in chaos. “Nico is just one of many…”

Nico grimaced slightly at Wally’s reaction - which only served to make his borderline skull face look more disturbing. “Hello to you too, Wally.” He said dryly, a clearly perturbed sarcastic tone in his voice as Percy started explaining the situation. “Though I think I take an award for ‘worst curse,’ honestly.” He said a little flippantly, watching as yet more skin sloughed off of his torso. Flexing his bony fingers, he looked at Wally. “So, magic boy, any chance you can keep me from crumbling into a pile of dust?” He asked bluntly - not really in any sort of a mood to beat around the bush. “Because as much as I look like I’m usually going to a funeral, I’m not ready to be the guest of honor quite yet.”

Wally thinned his lips out and nodded at Percy. “Yeah, Z’s been affected too. His eyes are just . . . gone.” He took out a scroll and spread it out onto the table. Like a pop-up book, items began to appear as the scroll rolled out. Differently colored bottles, a mortar and pestle, some objects of varying sizes. He took another look at Nico and frowned. “I’ll try. I’ve been going around, trying to help people. But since all of these curses are different, it’s been really hard, I won’t lie.” Wally looked at Nico. “Just, stay still. I need to try and feel around you.” His hands came up to ghost over Nico’s face. “I don’t think this was mone or even multiple other witches,” he told the both of them. Wally looked at Nico, at both the bone and the flesh, like he was studying it. “It’d be amazing if any group of magic-users could do this kind of extensive curse. But . . . it may not be magic-users. Could be someone else.” Wally closed his eyes. Feeling Nico’s energy, it didn’t radiate like other people. Nico’s aura or spirit or whatever you wished to call it felt incredibly weak. “I’ll try something I’ve been using on other people with deteriorating curses. It should slow down the effects, but it won’t stop it.” He moved away from Nico and went back to the table. “How do you feel, Nico? Physically, how do you feel? Is there like, is there a gnawing pain? Do you feel like you’re hungry?”

Swallowing, Percy watched as Wally quite literally did his magic. The news that Z had lost his eyes wasn’t exactly encouraging. He couldn’t help but remember Z coming to him after he had blinded Terminus. “Is Z okay?” He asked nervously. Percy couldn’t find it in himself to blame Z for responding the way he did. Someone had blackmailed him into doing it and they still had no idea who. “How do we put a stop to this?” Percy asked dejectedly. “We need to fix this and fast.” Slumping down into a chair he tried to rack his brain and think of a way that they could stop what was happening. They definitely needed help. “Wally we need that magic put to use on as many victims as possible, the more people you can teach to use it the better.”

“Eyes, skin, arms and legs becoming tentacles,” Nico said a little dourly, “whatever this curse is, it loves to fuck with people.” He sighed a little heavily as he watched Wally’s magical implements blossom into being. He gave a huffed breath as he was told to stay still, and fixed Wally with a minorly irritated look with his eyes while the other started feeling his face. “Amazing or not, is there a way to fix it?” He shot back quickly as Wally almost seemed to be admiring what was happening to Nico. As Wally announced that he would just be slowing down the curse, Nico heaved a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping a bit as he glanced between the other demigods. “Slow down - that’s great. So I’ll crumble to dust over the course of a few days rather than a few hours. Fantastic!” He snapped a little bitterly. “And I feel exactly the same as normal - just with a lot less normal!” His voice had risen in frustration with the lack of good news from Wally. He could feel his powers tugging at his own bones - now that was a weird feeling - as his temper flared slightly. “Also apparently I can control my own skeleton now it’s exposed.” His voice had become slightly dazed as he realized that. “Like if I wasn’t using it I’d be able to summon it like I can the warriors or Jules-Albert.”

“Z is . . . I don’t know, honestly.” Wally looked at Percy with a hard expression. “He’s not going to die - not saying that you will, Nico. I actually don’t know if anyone will die from these. The curses so far haven’t killed anyone, at least, the curses won’t cause it - I don’t think. So, I don’t think you’ll die from this, Nico, you’ll just . . . you’ll look really bad.” There was no other way to put it but plainly. Wally looked back as Nico got frustrated. “You have to keep calm, Nico. This . . . this is all just crazy. My bread and butter isn’t really managing curses like this.” He took bits of a flower and began grinding it up into the mortar. He pulled a crystal from his pocket and gave it to Nico. “Concentrate on this, focus on it.” Wally went back to mixing together some concoction. “I’ll do what I can. Teaching more people magic might cause more harm than good right now with how high strung everyone is. I’m gonna need to see Lina. Also, it would help a lot more if we knew exactly what caused this. That might mean,” he paused, giving Percy a knowing look, “that might mean going to New Rome or wherever this happened. It could be something as simple as breaking a statue or just killing something.”

“Well that is nothing new in our life,” Percy replied with a laugh, “everything is trying to fuck with us.” Pausing to scratch his beard thoughtfully, Percy took a big breath before nodding. Frowning at Nico’s reaction, he shook his head at his younger friend. “Nico, there’s no need to talk like that, Wally’s helping and even if it isn’t a solution to the problem it is better than nothing.” Shaking his head once more he looked at his feet. “Killing each other hasn’t helped during the war, and it certainly isn’t going to help us now.” Frowning further, he reached up and stroked his beard again. It had become a habit in the last few months and although it seemed ridiculous he almost couldn’t imagine what life without a beard would be like. “Maybe we shouldn’t teach people magic, maybe we just need to work this out. I don’t know how.” He bit his lip, contacting the Romans and going into New Rome was something that was dangerous. “If we need to travel into New Rome then that is what we’ll do, we’re only on the city limits right now, but there’s time to fix this.”

Nico chewed at his lower jaw - for he no longer had a lower lip to chew on - as Wally and Percy discussed amongst themselves for a few moments. “Well, that’s a small relief.” He mumbled darkly. “I’ll just scare people more than I did before.” He gave a mildly irritated huff before Wally thrust a crystal into his bony hand. Blinking for a moment - or, rather, trying to blink (it’s hard when one doesn’t have eyelids) - Nico sighed before starting to focus on the crystal as he had been directed to. “Easy for you to say, Percy.” He grumbled a little darkly as the other demigod told him there wasn’t a reason to talk like that to Wally. Gripping the crystal a little tighter in his hand, he heaved another sigh - trying to focus on it with as much of his attention as he could. “Anything in particular to focus on with this crystal, or is this more nebulous, cannot-be-understood Magic crap?” He asked a little bitterly as the pair of them discussed going into New Rome as a possible way of finding a solution to the curse. Nico was definitely not in a fit state to accompany them, that was obvious from looking at him - one good hit from a sword and he’d probably collapse into a heap of bones and dessicated flesh. ...That was a cheerful thought, wasn’t it

“Well, Nico,” Wally tried for a smile, “if you’re just a skeleton they won’t know its your, right? You could just go around being an anonymous judge.” If there was anything positive to focus on here, he thought that might be it. “Cannot-be-understood magic crap, Nico. That crystal is a general clear quartz infused with magic. It’ll just work to alleviate anything negative around you. I really wish I’d brought more stuff with me when we all left New Rome.” Wally closed his hands over each other and mouthed something quietly. When he opened his hands, there was a small lizard. “Reptilians, lizards most commonly are famous for being able to regrow body parts. If anyone’s seen The Amazing Spider-Man you might have an idea of what we’re gonna do here.” Wally took a small knife from his pocket and cut the head off the lizard. He covered the body with his hands, again muttering a mystical incantation in ancient Greek. “Provided I do this right, we can start growing your flesh back. But again, this all theoretical. We don’t know if you’re skin will start to rot again or what. So, just work with me Nico, and no shitty comments, okay?” Wally took his hands away from the little animals corpse. In his head he prayed for success, begging his mother to send him a sign. He  poured a bit of oil from a vile onto the lizards body then set it ablaze by snapping his fingers. In seconds the body had turned to ash. Wally put the contents into a bottle, followed by the crushed flower petals. “I just need one more thing.” Wally searched along the contents of his magical scroll for the finishing touch. “There.” He grabbed a bottle labeled ‘neutral additive’. “This liquid will turn it into an actual potion so you aren’t trying to put dust and ash down your throat.” He had kept from telling Nico that this was a totally new potion, basically just created now. “Here.” Wally the elixir off with some of his magic, placing his basic will of intent on it. “We may see the effects immediately, or we may just have to wait. But either way, Percy,” he looked to the son of Poseidon. “We need to get a team together. I’ll contact Lina, but we need to something fast. Even if these curses don’t kill people, we won’t be able to keep any control for long.”

Watching as Wally worked his literal magic, Percy sat back and chewed on his lip.”I am never going to get used to the way that you do magic.” He laughed nervously before stuffing his hands into his pocket and gripping Riptide as a pen. Another nervous habit. They wouldn’t be able to make the trip into New Rome straight away. In fact they would need time to find a team of people who were willing and able to make the trip into New Rome. Not to mention people who weren’t cursed. “I will begin assembling a team of people that are in a good enough shape to make it through the mission,” turning to look at Nico before he could say anything he addressed his young friend, “you’re a maybe already, don’t push your luck by trying to argue with me.” Turning back to Wally, he stroked his beard thoughtfully. Swinging his legs anxiously, Percy remembered why it was so difficult to sit still. Whether it was his ADHD or nerves, he couldn’t help but feel helpless at the situation. It wasn’t as if he could cut Nico’s head off and make things better, this wasn’t something that violence could exactly fix. “Wally, you’ve got to try and find a solution, give me a list of things that I need to get you if we have to, that’ll be fine, I can do whatever is needed.” He was doing everything that he could to keep himself and the situation together.

He was utterly out of his depth, Nico thought, as he watched Wally at work. Grumbling softly under his breath about “needing a bigger crystal” to alleviate the negativity around him, he watched as Wally worked - flinching a little at the magically produced lizard summarily being decapitated. As Wally chanted in Ancient Greek, Nico shot Percy a look that was somewhere between fear and concern - he wasn’t sure which one he was supposed to be feeling as Wally went full Salem on them after warning Nico not to make any shitty comments. “Fine.” He agreed dryly. “But I reserve the right to make shitty comments later.” He stated as he watched the lizard’s body spontaneously combust. As the ash joined flower dust in a bottle, Nico started to get a horrible suspicion he was about to have to drink freshly charbroiled, decapitated lizard - and was absolutely not surprised when Wally handed him the bottle. Even with a three-quarters skeletal face, it was impossible to miss the look of distaste Nico was sporting. “No chance it comes in cherry flavored?” He tried to quip for the sake of his stomach before grimacing again and drinking the potion. Thankfully, his tongue was close enough to dead after all the insanely hot food he ate that he couldn’t taste much of the burned reptile. Coughing a bit, Nico set the bottle back on the table as Wally and Percy started to form a plan. “Hard maybe.” He said, slightly correcting Percy. “All depends on if Liquid Lizard does what it’s meant to.” He raised his skeletal hands, scrutinizing them pointedly as if he might start to notice skin and muscle regrowing at the molecular level if he stared hard enough.

“Well, it’s a lot easier to turn people into animals, and a lot easier on the stomach than to try and regrow their flesh.” The son of Hecate looked at Percy and smiled a little. “I trust you’ll get the best.” Wally got the sense that these next few days or weeks would result in a very tired version of himself. He would need to whip out all the tricks and tools for this little adventure. “Actually, Percy, we may need a few things from the lake that you and Caspian could get. It might be a gods send that we’re operating out of the lake right now. Water is a natural healing element - which I’m sure you guys know. We might be able to find some fish or plants in the lake that could help make some healing potions for everyone.” There was the hope that if they did go to New Rome, Wally could sneak into one of the magic shops and take a few more spell books for research. “Nico, after this you deserve to complain for the rest of your life. And I’m gonna see to it, as will Percy that you never look like . . . this, again.” He shook his head at the question. “‘Fraid not. We only do blueberry and apple-cinnamon flavor.” Wally waved his hand over his other open palm as Nico threw back the potion. In his hand appeared two more clear quartz crystals. “Take these. It’ll help some more.” He ran his hands over his hips and sighed. “We just gotta wait now. But while we do, I think Percy, you should start trying to find people. Tell Caspian that if he can and is able to, we need to find any plants in the lake. Even kelp has a few minor healing properties to it. Actually,” Wally looked from Percy to Nico. “If this potion doesn’t work or isn’t acting fast enough, we could try putting you in a kelp wrap. You’ll be like . . . human sushi.”

This whole situation was surreal. If he was honest and Percy always tried to be honest with himself, he didn’t trust magic exactly because of situations like this. He wished Hazel were here, but he trusted Wally to do what he needed to do. “Well I can make as many trips to the bottom of the lake as needed, I’ll do anything that I can. I don’t know if Caspian will be up for that sort of thing, I’ll have to check in with him and see how he was doing. But we’ll make it happen.” He frowned gently at Nico’s reply. “Soft maybe and if you argue with me it’ll become a soft no,” he laughed gently knowing full well that almost certainly wouldn’t change a thing. Nico was as willful and headstrong as he was and he was certain that his friend would go or stay if and only if he wanted to. “Sushi is barbaric,” Percy complained despite the fact that he regularly enjoyed vegetarian sushi. Weirdly enough he couldn’t really stomach seafood anymore. He did his very best to avoid it whenever possible. “If we can avoid wrapping anyone and everyone that is cursed in kelp and turning half of the New Roman population into human sushi rolls is not something that seems tennable.” Especially if it was just him doing it.

“Remind me next time I get a curse to make sure it can be cured by Apple-Cinnamon flavored potion.” Nico’s tone of voice was dry and sardonic as he was handed two more quartz crystals. Sighing slightly, he held the crystals in his hands, focusing on them as he had previously been instructed to do - trying to will himself into growing skin back - because quite honestly this was ludicrous. He was the Son of Hades, he of all people should have been able to control decomposition and desiccation, but that was apparently asking too much of the powers of the eldest of the Big Three. Sighing once more, he glanced to Percy. “Who was arguing about anything?” He shot back. “I can argue if you want me to, and if you,” He turned to gesture at Wally with one of his own quartz crystals, “ever even suggest to me that I become ‘human sushi’ again, I will make sure you spend eternity as a chew-toy for Cerberus.” He threatened a little darkly to the Son of Hecate, before turning his gaze back to the crystals clutched in his hands. “Well - good news - you probably just avoided that.” he said slightly, shifting the crystals a little to show skin and muscle beginning to re-knit themselves across the palms of his hands where he was clutching the crystals. “The real test is whether it starts decaying again the second I’ve got skin.” He observed a little pessimistically.

“You can’t do that,” Wally told Nico on his threat of controlling the blondes afterlife. “Can you?” He asked right after, putting a hand on his hip and looking a little warily at both other men. “Hmm?” Wally moved forward and looked down at Nico’s hand. “Shit,” he said, with a hard pronunciation on the ‘t’. “It’s working,” and his gaze lifted up to Nico’s eyes - er, eye. “Just like I expected it to. Good job, Wally. Thanks, Wally for all you do.” He smiled and patted Nico on the bone, where his hand quickly moved off of. “Hope for the best. Percy, if you can, start going to look for people. I’ll stay here and make a few more potions for Nico in case he needs them. That wasn’t the most potent potion I’ve ever made, so we don’t know if one will be able to fix you entirely.” He moved back to his table of magical contents. “Nico, until you’re fully better, we may need to put you somewhere cool. Staying in the sun won’t help this at all, and water don’t do much better.”

Percy had agreed to take several Greeks out on scavenging missions, if only in an effort to get Nico to come with him. He was growing more and more concerned as time passed. He hoped that he would be able to convince him to be honest with Will. But really, he wanted to talk to his younger friend. He wanted to ensure that he was surviving this war. He’d made Bianca a promise. Lifting the tent flap, he stepped into his friend’s tent and threw a flask full of coffee at him. “Get up sleepy head,” he said without really looking, his eyes not fully acclimatized to the darkness.

Honestly, Nico wondered how he’d let himself get talked into a scavenging mission, of all things. Animals weren’t particularly fond of him - Blackjack the Pegasus had always insisted he smelled like death, and Nico was relatively sure that if Pegasi were antsy about being near him, actual animals would be even worse. It wasn’t like he was about to head to a zoo and listen to everything scream to find out, but he had his suppositions. Nonetheless, Percy had insisted, and Nico had agreed. Though he hadn’t expected that part of the deal would be to have a full flask of coffee thrown to land on his chest while he slept. Nico’s eyes shot open, his hand instantly fumbling for his sword before he realized two things: firstly, it was Percy at the entrance of the tent; and secondly his hand felt weird. Frowning slightly, he looked at Percy first. “Good morning to you, too.” He shot back a little darkly before turning his gaze to his hand, but the semidarkness of the tent didn’t allow him to see much.

Slipping out of the tent, Percy held the flap open for his friend. “Good morning Nico,” he beamed with an all but sing-song tone in his voice, reaching into his rucksack he pulled out two long subs that he had made and handed one to his younger friend, knowing that Nico wouldn’t normally bother with those most important meal of the day. “We’re going very soon, it is very important that you eat so that we have happy Nico and not the normal cranky Nico. These are relatively new Greeks and they don’t need to be dealing with you as well as trying to fight a war.” He smirked at his own joke, finally enjoying himself with Nico. It was nice that they were just friends again, rather than anything else.

The sing-song tone was a little much for Nico, especially when he had just been woken up by a flask full of liquid landing on his chest. Grumbling under his breath for a moment as Percy let the sunlight stream into the tent while rummaging for sandwiches, Nico shifted forward towards the flap of the tent, his hands emerging first to grip the mouth of the tent as he slowly crawled out. His hands, of course, were the first indication that something was wrong: the skin had seemingly melted away, allowing the exposed flesh beneath to be seen - looking a mottled, disturbing shade of purple as it was literally rotting away. Nico himself emerged from the tent a moment later, not having noticed his hands, to reveal a face looking hollow, almost shrunken - his eyes deep set into a face that seemed coated in bruises with stretched taut flesh which perfectly hugged the shape of his skull. “Thanks, Percy, I really needed to be reminded I scare people.” Nico responded a little dryly - not noticing as a hunk of his hair fell out onto the ground behind him as he stood up.

Looking at Nico in the full light, Percy immediately frowned. “Nico what the fuck?” he asked with a frown, “Hermano, you look like you went nine rounds with Mike Tyson and I mean that in the worst possible way.” He frowned and took Nico’s face in his hands, examining the bruising and even more hollow face. Nico had always been skinny, but he had taken on a deathly look that was even more terrifying. He looked even more unhealthy than before, if that were possible. “Did someone get in a fight with you?” he asked as he stowed their sandwiches away safely and looked at his friend. He didn’t look well enough to be going scavenging, especially not recently. “What the hell happened?”

Nico looked at Percy and his frown. “‘What the fuck’ what?” he asked with a note of irritation in his tone - because that was not how he was used to being greeted after waking up. At the mention of having gone nine rounds with Mike Tyson, Nico was sporting a frown of his own. “Well, I don’t know what you’re talking about - I went to sleep, woke up getting hit with coffee, the end.” He responded as Percy started touching his face, making Nico’s sunken eye twitch slightly. Something seemed to be rattling Percy, so that wasn’t a particularly good sign. Nico raised his hand to his face as Percy started putting their sandwiches away, and began gently feeling at his face. “If I knew what the hell happened, don’t you think I’d tell you?” Nico shot back with a note of annoyance in his voice. His face certainly felt wrong - in the center of his field of vision, he could see his nose looked darker and less … well… alive. “Where’s a mirror? Or a cell phone camera or something?” He asked a little more gruffly than he’d intended to.

Reaching into his back pocket. Percy pushed Nico backwards. “Stand still,” he ordered as he fumbled for the camera icon and quickly snapped a photo of his friend. Flicking through his apps to his photo storage he handed it to his friend and showed him what he meant. “I know that you like to take malnourished to a new level and that you’re not great for looking after yourself but this is a new low Nico. Even for you.” His friend looked out of sorts in more ways than he had noticed before. He wasn’t sure why he didn’t completely believe that Nico hadn’t had something to do with this, but he stopped himself from saying “what would Bianca think?” because he knew that wasn’t going to help. “Are you sure that you haven’t done anything, because, and I don’t mean this in a rude way, but you look pretty fucking awful.”

Nico stumbled a little as Percy pushed him back. Folding his arms over his chest, a bubble of anxiety swelling inside him, he watched as Percy dug out his phone and quickly took a picture of him. As Percy turned the phone and handed it to him, Nico took it gently - noticing the odd coloring of his hands as he did so. He blinked at the phone screen for a few moments, raising his left hand to feel his face once more. “And why,” He started slowly, “would I start myself decomposing, Percy?” He asked - his voice a little strained as he gingerly felt his nose - which was much smaller than it had been when he had looked healthier. “That’s not even one of my powers.” He chewed at his lip for a moment, handing Percy’s phone back to him as he took a few shaky breaths in. “This isn’t me.” He informed his friend. “This - I don’t even know what the fuck this is, but it isn’t me.” He looked down at his hands, flexing them anxiously as the skin darkened on them once more, a bit of flesh on his thumb sloughing off revealing the bone of the first finger joint beneath. When he looked back up at Percy, despite his relatively neutral expression, his sunken brown eyes were filled with alarm and fear.

Frowning, Percy slipped his phone into his back pocket, but not before sending Annabeth a text explaining the situation and asking for her advice. If anyone was smart enough, wise enough or well read enough to know exactly who it was or what it was that could be causing it then it would be his wife. “Okay, okay, okay.” He frowned. “I get it, this isn’t something that you would do to yourself and even if it was then why would you want to do it.” He was talking out loud, his voice slightly louder than normal. “This has to be the Romans,” he said with a frown as he looked around him, “or one of the Gods? Have you done anything to upset your dad or your stepmom recently?” he asked with a frown, they would fix this together. They had to.

Nico shifted on his feet, anxiously drumming his fingers against the legs of his black jeans, nervousness making it almost impossible for him to stand still as Percy texted someone - no doubt Annabeth - before trying to process through it himself. “Contrary to popular opinion, I only feel like I’m dying some days, I never said anything about wanting to look like I was already dead.” He snarkily commented as Percy finally acceded that this wasn’t something Nico had done to himself. And then when Percy mentioned the Romans, Nico felt his stomach flop slightly. “How would they even know I’m back?” He asked anxiously. The thought that the Gods were behind this didn’t make sense to Nico - his father wasn’t the type for a slow-burn curse like this, and it was entirely antithetical to Persephone to do this. Dandelions and other plants, yes. Not decaying away while being alive. “Dad didn’t want me to leave to come back here, but I don’t think that was enough to cause me to rot away like a corpse.” He answered Percy’s question. This time, the hunk of flesh that fell was his nose - leaving a gaping black hole in the middle of his face as more hair fell from his head.

Well the sarcasm and somewhat dark humour were at least good signs that Nico wasn’t entirely all gone yet. Besides, he was one of the most powerful demigods in existence, if anyone could survive this it was his cousin. Percy nodded and smirked. “I was about to let you know that there was some bad news on that front, with all the black you wear, many people have believed you to be dead and attending your own funeral, pretty much since you turned up at Camp. I would advise wearing an orange Camp Half Blood t-shirt, your counsellor one should do.” Turning his humour off for a moment, he frowned and nodded. “Good point, so we can’t blame our parents for this one and that doesn’t exactly leave us in an ideal state.” He scratched his beard and sighed. “Come on, I want to get you to a doctor, someone who can give you a look over and make sure that this isn’t an illness or a disease before we immediately jump to mythological conclusions.”

Nico’s eyes narrowed a little at Percy as his cousin started talking about how everyone had been mourning him for years and how he should wear orange to help reassure them he was alive. “Funnily enough,” He said quietly, “I don’t think I will take that advice.” It had been months of arguing and pressure from everyone before Nico had even conceded to wear a gray sweater that Will had bought him. Orange was still several bridges too far, Camp Half-Blood shirt or not. As Percy scratched somewhat anxiously at his beard, Nico kept drumming his fingers against his own thighs - trying to ignore the sensation of more flesh peeling away every few moments, revealing more bone beneath as his hands looked less and less alive. “Not Will.” Nico warned his cousin pointedly. “You’re not calling him for this. Or so help me, I’ll make sure you wish you looked like this.”

“For some reason I hadn’t expected you to take my ideas into account.” Percy frowned gently and nodded. He was doing everything that he could to clear his head. Trying to think clearly about what they could do to. “Will has as much as a right to know as you would if the situations were flipped, but it isn’t my place to be your relationship counsellor and I don’t think that either of you want that.” He paused for a moment. “So for that reason, and that reason alone I won’t say anything. But let’s be perfectly honest, you couldn’t make me wish I looked like a scrawny ghost boy for any reason.” He was about to lead Nico away when he heard a yelp from an adjacent tent and a cry for help. Rushing in, he looked at the Greek in the tent who’s hands had been replaced by tentacles. “Somehow, I get the idea this isn’t a localised problem.”

“Perhaps because I usually don’t listen to your ideas?” Nico offered simply to Percy, hopeful that his friend was at least managing to focus, because Nico was utterly distracted by the fact that he was literally falling apart before both of their eyes. “And if there’s nothing a doctor can do, do you want him to have to watch?” Nico shot back pointedly. “And I certainly could.” He huffed a little as Percy stated that nothing Nico could do would make the son of Poseidon wish he looked like Nico did. At the sound of the cry for help, Nico turned to look at the other tent as Percy ran in. Staying outside - lest his decomposing visage cause more fear than usual - Nico reached a couple of now mostly bony fingers to pull the collar of his shirt out to look down at his chest, confirming that the coloring of decomposition covered his body. That’s just great… “So it has to be the Romans.” Nico stated, irritation creeping into his voice.

“Even when they’re better for you and I am usually right 99% of the time,” Percy retorted with a laugh. He was trying to keep their interaction as light and airy as he possibly could, but the truth was that right now he couldn’t think of a situation like this within mythology or something that he had actually experienced and in this world that they lived in, that was something new and very scary. “I want him to sit and look after you, as he would want. He wouldn’t want you to have to deal with this on your own and if I know anything it is that there has been nothing and no one better for you then Will.” He was a literal ray of sunlight and had brightened all of their lives. “Please, you’re a small fish trying to be a big fish, like me.” He smirked and sighed gently. As Percy helped the poor soul who’s limbs had been replaced with tentacles from the tent and into the sunlight, he looked at Nico and sighed. “Perhaps, we can’t assume anything without more proof, but it seems like a safe bet.”

“That’s a bit generous to yourself.” Nico responded a little dryly to Percy’s claim he was right 99% of the time. He couldn’t help but take a moment to admire at least how fake-calm Percy was being, if nothing else. The green-eyed demigod was doing a remarkable job of keeping his composure and playing it cool. As Percy commented about Will keeping watch over Nico and how no one had been better for the Son of Hades, Nico had to almost physically stop himself from saying the name ‘Bianca,’ because digging that up again right now would do absolutely nothing to help the situation. Almost as if on cue, the wristwatch on his left wrist dropped off with a hunk of flesh - the leather sliding over Nico’s bony fingers as it impacted on the hard ground face-down, the impact knocking open the false back of the watch, revealing Bianca’s photograph inside - even if Nico hadn’t said her name, there she was - almost as if she’d responded to Percy herself. “Everything have to be fish with you?” Nico responded with a tiny hint of amusement in his voice at Percy’s smirk, watching as Percy pulled the tentacled Greek from their tent. “What else could it be?” He asked pointedly. “The Gods wouldn’t be firing this wildly. It has to be the Romans.”

“What can I say?” Percy replied with a smirk that danced its way across his jaw, “It is difficult being this humble when I’m so wonderful.” The teasing was all in good humour. It was one of the hallmarks of their relationship that had developed over the years. Percy mothered Nico terribly or at least he tried to. Nico made it difficult. Yet they always managed to have a healthy back and forth. Their reparte was something of its own class, or at least Percy thought so. Squatting down, Percy scooped up the watch moments after he had handed the poor tentacled person onto someone else. “Take him to the infirmary, I’ll help Nico.” He said as he closed the photo back inside of the watch and handed it back to Nico. “Everything in the world revolves around fish in one way or another, at least, that is what my dad seems to think.” He smirked and sighed sadly. “We’re not going to beat this or them with wild guesses, we need to be less reactive and more active and some of that comes in the form of being careful. But I have to say that it isn’t looking good for them.”

“Humble, yes.” Nico mumbled with a roll of his eyes in his sunken, corpse-like face. “That’s exactly what you are.” Before he could move to pick up his watch, Percy was stooping to pick it up. He watched as Percy sent their newly tentacled-friend off with another Greek back to the infirmary before handing the watch back to Nico. “Funny, my dad says something similar about death.” He responded dryly. “And I’m sure Jason would tell us Zeus thinks something similar about storms.” As Percy sighed, Nico found himself sighing slightly too. “Careful or not, you can’t tell me this isn’t very convenient for them.” He said a little dryly. “Unleash a swarm of curses against the Greeks: a very Roman strategy.”

“I’ve always been the most humble of all the children of the Big Three,” Percy continued unperturbed. “But I choose to think of it as a blessing and not a curse.” He smirked once more and tugged at his beard for the last time. “Come on, we need to get you to the infirmary too. I want someone who actually has some experience with this to give you a real experience with this,” though right now as he watched his friend slowly decompose he found it very unsurprising that there might not be a single person in this camp who had ever experienced anything like this before. “Convenient or not, we don’t know the full effects of this and we need to work out how to stop it. The longer we leave this the worst it gets.” Wrapping an arm round Nico he pulled him away from his tent. “Scavenging can wait.”

“I’m sure Thalia would agree with that absolutely.” Nico commented, his tone dry and sarcastic at Percy’s continued insistence that he was more humble than the other children of the Big Three. “Or Jason. Or Hazel. Maybe Tyson might agree with you, but he’s not the most impartial observer where you’re concerned.” Grimacing a little as he watched another clump of decayed flesh drop off his hands, he flexed his now wholly visible skeletal hands a little curiously, the middle and ring fingers of his right hand being pressed tightly together to keep the silver skull ring his father had given him in place on his bony fingers. “And where, precisely, do you propose to find someone with experience in a living person decomposing down to an ambulatory skeleton?” Nico asked, his eyebrows rising so far they were threatening to disappear into what remained of his hair. As Percy’s arm wrapped around him and the other demigod began to lead him back towards Camp, Nico stumbled a little at the sudden movement, still staying on his feet, but shooting Percy a look. “You’re lucky I’m in no fit state to tell you off for touching me.” Nico grumbled slightly.

“I forgot about Tyson, including Tyson I am definitely the SECOND most humble.” Percy corrected himself with a smirk before looking at Nico. He did his very best to keep the concern out of his emotions. After all Nico was the one who was going through this shit. Not him. He didn’t want to make it more unbearable than it was already for his friend. Biting his lip for a moment, he took a breath before replying. “Normally I would go to Hazel, but no one has seen her since they arrested Frank. So I plan on asking my friend Wally, he has enough experience with magic to tell whether this is a curse or a hex or a disease or something else entirely. Hopefully he will be the key to solving this, or at least one of them.” Pausing once more he looked at his feet nervously. This was somewhat out of his depth, but the evidence seemed to suggest that other people were being impacted. “You can pretend to be tough as much as you like Nico, but remember that               I saw the look of pure wonder in your eyes when you worked out what this world actually was. The tough guy shit won’t work for me.”