Chapter Text
Jason had felt a lot of things in his fifteen years of being alive. When he was only two years old, he had been given to the Wolf House to be raised and trained by the wolf goddess Lupa, as is expected for all Roman demigods. His upbringing hadn’t been easy; the training certainly wasn’t. Yet Jason had never outright complained; Roman Demigods didn’t complain about their duties. Certainly not something so small as training. He may have been a child, but he long since learned not to hang on to the discomfort of his new life. He hardly remembered the life before the Wolf House, with the sole exception of a sister named Thalia. And even those memories were murky at best.
When he was four, he had at last been worthy of making the journey to Camp Jupiter. The journey was long, and even he couldn’t say for certain how he was able to survive it, being as young as he was. No person in their right mind would allow or believe a child that young should and could make the journey. But Jason Grace was the son of Jupiter, and if anyone could survive, it’d be one of his sons.
From there, he had been placed in the fifth cohort to learn alongside the other Romans. Another new life he had been tossed into, another life where he had been told to make something out of it. He did not complain even then; after all, he had become a prime example for other demigods. He had been on his own handful of missions and earned his own set of achievements. He rose high in the ranks and even managed to rise to the rank of Praetor alongside Reyna. The highest honor any demigod could achieve at the camp. Jason would have to be a fool not to be thankful for all he has been given, for all he went through to come to this very moment. This was the life He was always meant to live, the fate that was always going to be his. He had done everything he was supposed to, and it paid off. Jason would protect his new life with everything he had. He couldn’t let anyone ruin all he had worked for. And because of that, he found the courage to speak the truth.
“No,” Jason uttered. The single word shocked even him. His voice was something quiet and still.
“No?” the goddess Juno spoke. Her voice was calm, threading towards the edge of something dangerous as she heard the decline to her offer. It was a chilly October night that the Queen of Olympus decided to stand before Jason and tell him of her plans. She looked as regal as ever. A flowing gown of white that seemed to shimmer a faint purple. It hugged her frame in a way that was modest and otherworldly. Silver bands rested around her biceps, along with bracelets on her wrists. The royal crown sat upon her head, her hair, a deep shade of brown, almost black, down her back in curls. Her famous staff of luminous gold, the lotus flowers standing proud at the top. It was the same form she appeared to him before nine years ago when she had first offered him to the wolf house. He may have been young and his brain hardly developed, but Jason would never forget the sight of Juno first appearing before him in this form. Back then, it had even baffled two-year-old Jason, his small mind curious and welcoming the goddess. But now? Seeing her in that form felt like a cruel mockery.
“I said no,” Jason stated once again. “I won’t. I won’t do it.” Jason had never declined an offer from Juno. Hell, Jason had never done anything to disrespect the goddess. Nor had he ever not appeared to one of her summons. Juno hardly ever visited Jason. It was to be expected after all. The gods had their duty to Olympics and in turn the demigods had their duty to the camp alongside that to the gods. Jason only found that the norm was to answer to Juno.
Fifteen minutes ago he had been sitting on the cliffside alongside Reyna. The two had just finished training some new campers who arrived. After completing that, they departed for some late training together. Jason, of course, hadn’t been able to sleep and decided to slip away to get some midnight air. Not long after, Reyna found him at Score’s point. It’s what he and Reyna called their favorite spot. One of the few cliffs located on the Berkeley Hills. Reyna chose the name herself when the two of them defeated a minor army of monsters that once found their way into the camp. They hadn’t talked much, not until the end, when Jason had wanted to tell her something. Words she’d probably been waiting to hear, but he was too oblivious to truly see. And tonight he had finally found the courage to speak them. He didn’t even get the words out the second her noticed Juno’s lotus flowers fluttering in the distance. Jason had felt true frustration for the first time at a god. He felt even worse when he saw the look on Reyna’s face as he had to come up with a reason to leave. She hid the disappointment and confusion well behind understanding. It would’ve worked on anyone who wasn’t Jason.
“Now, Jason, I’m telling you all this for a reason.” Juno’s eyes drifted to her staff as her fingers lightly grazed the lotus petals. She looked back to him and her eyes hardened. The light blue in them glowed a fierce shade of purple. “And it’s not because I’m asking. You will take this quest and ensure you complete it without fail.”
At her words, Jason felt his hands ball to fists at his side, his nails digging into the palms of his hands. “With all respect, Queen Juno, what you’re saying makes no sense to me. A meeting between Greeks and Romans? It is a death sentence.”
“Romans have always fought on quests knowing death is a possibility. This mission I am handing you will be no different.”
“It is!” Jason yelled, all thoughts of respect and rational thinking flying out the window. “You’re trying to tell me that another war is on the way four months after we just won the last one. Camp Jupiter is still healing. I’m one of the two Praetors; I don’t have the luxury of just upping and leaving everyone. And even if I did, it would leave Reyna to look after the camp all on her own. I couldn’t do something like that.”
Juno just stood there. Her gaze was harsh, almost as if she was analyzing him. It made Jason suddenly aware of all he was doing, where he stood exactly in this moment as he defied a God, the Queen of Gods at that.
“You dare to say no to me, Jason Grace? Over a girl.”
Jason felt his face give way from frustration to confusion. “What? No-”
Reyna is it? She’s the second Praetor of the camp; you’re equal.”
Jason went silent, knowing better than to interrupt the queen of Olympus. He had already pushed his luck one too many times with his words. It was a miracle Juno hadn’t reprimanded him yet.
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you gained the courage to say no to me for her.”
“I’m not saying no because of her-”
“Don’t take me for a fool, boy. I saw the two of you together before you answered my call. I may not be Venus, but I know the attachment of a man can form with a woman.”
Jason just stared at the goddess. How could he possibly respond to that? Jason knew he and Reyna were attached. She was the closest person in Jason’s life. He told her everything, and mere minutes before he had almost taken their friendship to the next level. to say part of the reason Jason declined wasn’t for Reyna would be the biggest lie Jason ever told.
“Yes, part of it is because of her, but it’s not just that. The camp needs me, and quite frankly, if you told anyone else what you told me, they think it’d be a lie or foolish.” Jason realized his words could very well be interpreted as him calling Juno foolish or her words, but he couldn’t find himself to care at the moment. He was tired; his muscles ached, and he could feel his eyes threatening to close, and underneath it all he felt a tiredness of Juno for constantly asking things of him. Along with the amount of pressure she placed on him.
Juno’s eyes seemed to glow as she glared at him. Jason felt his body lock up, his senses that were trained for battle warning him that a threat was near. He couldn’t stop the flinch in his hands as they inched closer to his pocket, right where his coin lay. If the goddess noticed, she said nothing of it, simply inching forward towards him. “You are my champion, Jason Grace. You will do as I say whether you wish to or not.”
Jason fixed his own hard gaze on her. More out of instinct rather than bravery. He was a Roman for god’s sake. The fear of battle had practically been drilled out of him the second he left the Wolf House. He wasn’t meant to stand down, not even in the face of the gods.
Juno stared at the boy, her eyes almost holding something proud in them as she at last stood up straight. “Very well then. I acknowledge the loyalty and pride you have for your equal and your camp. But alas, I am your queen, and you are my chosen; therefore your choice means nothing.” She slammed her staff down, and the air seemed to shimmer with her voice. “You, Jason, grace of the two, have been chosen for a very important quest. One that could change the fate of all demigods of Olympus and potentially the world. You will embark on a journey to Camp Half-Blood, the camp for Greek demigods. You shall be the first half that will soften the hate between the two camps, and with the help of Percy Jackson, perhaps you two will solidify the bridge between your respective camps.”
Jason stood there confused. A feeling of horror took hold of him. “Greeks? You’re saying the camp you want me to go to has Greeks.” Jason had to resist the urge to touch the scar at his lip. “The Greeks and Romans don’t get along. Never have, and you think me going there will change their mind? And who even is this Percy? The Romans will never welcome him if he’s Greek, and even if it somehow worked and I’m a Praetor, your champion, I can’t take this quest.”
Juno stepped forward. “Yes, Jason Grace, you’re correct. The Romans will never welcome the Greeks, nor will the Greeks truly trust a Roman. That is why you will not be going as my champion but instead Hera’s”
Jason stilled at Juno’s statement; perhaps it was because she was a goddess that he froze, or maybe it was simply because he was too shocked. He didn’t move a muscle when he felt Juno lay a hand on his forehead. He felt the power tug at his mind immediately.
“Jason, put that down!” A girl with short black choppy hair appeared before his eyes. She couldn’t be older than nine. She wore a gray sweater and blue jeans, her fingers covered in orange Cheeto dust. Her freckles were faint and dusted across her cheeks. The ends of her thick hair stopped at her shoulders. She had a frown on her face as she quickly snatched an eraser out of the toddler’s hand. instead quickly placed a Cheeto in his mouth. Jason could hear a loud laugh, his laugh. The girl, his sister Thalia, smiled at him, munching on the chip. Suddenly, the memory became murky. Fading like dust. He couldn’t recall the way the girl’s face looked, nor her name. His head started to ache as he tried to remember what was missing and couldn’t come up with a single thing.
The next memory was one of the first he could truly remember at the Wolf House. He was in the woods, his small, chubby fingers holding a dagger in his right hand; the blade felt heavy in his hand, making it wobble. Four-year-old Jason stared forward at another wolf pup. The pup growled and circled him. Jason circled him back, keeping his own eye on the small beast.
“Begin.” Lupa’s voice rang out through the clearing. The pup charged at Jason as he jumped away. He rolled into a kneeling position and let out his own snarl. His hand gripped the dagger more tightly. The dirt crunch beneath his bare feet, and he felt the sharpness of the ground digging into his skin. He ignored it, grinding his teeth at the pain. He didn’t notice the pup jumping at him until it was too late. It caused Jason to fall on his back. The Wolf pup was now gnawing at his shirt. His teeth catching on Jason’s shoulder. He let out a cry as tears filled his eyes; he could feel his heart hammer his chest as he recalled Lupa’s words.
“Your life here will be about survival. You will not survive if you are weak, if you are naive. My pack despises weakness as do Romans. You are a demigod, a son of Jupiter; you are not allowed to be weak.”
Jason screamed and threw his fist at the pup’s jaw. Balling them up and hitting harder with each swing. He did not stop until Lupa declared the match over. Both Jason and the pup were covered in dirt, blood, and twigs. He felt the harsh tug even then. At the end, Jason couldn’t recall how he won or what he even went against.
Another memory appeared. Jason stood across a great river, surrounded by many others. A boy about seventeen stood before him. He was armed and had long sandy blonde hair, pulled back with a gray ribbon. His skin was tan in the sun, and he held his arms crossed. On his left forearm was 5 marks and the word spor. “You’re Jason Grace, correct? We’ve all been expecting you .”
Five-year-old Jason stood there, his arms holding tight onto the small bag strapped to his back. “I am.” He answered quietly. His pants were drenched from the river, his hair clung to his face, bangs a bit overgrown, and he was sweaty. A few scratches covered his body from the attack by the harpies. His training hardly saved him from the huge monsters.
The boy held out his hand. “Kieran Pierce,
Praetor of Camp.”
Jason stared at the hand as he narrowed his eyes, skeptical of the boy before him. He placed his hand in his slightly as the boy shook his head. “I hereby welcome you, Jason Grace, to Camp Jupiter.”
Jason was walking around camp, having sparing session with a Centurion. He was sore in a few places where the Centurion managed to catch him off guard. Though near the end, Jason managed to somehow defeat the man. He had shocked the older boy, but he took it well and even offered him praise for his skills. It left Jason feeling rather proud of himself.
He strolled down the path when he noticed Alex, a son of Mars, showing a girl around. She was definitely a new camper if her look was anything to go by. Her hair was in a messy braid that was clearly falling out. A few leaves and dirt covered the dark strands. Her skin was a deep bronze, and she wore a brown jacket with leggings. Thick fur boots on her feet and a heavy bag on her shoulders. A silver pocket knife still clutched tightly in her hand. She didn’t look that roughed up. Though he could only guess it was because of the two greyhounds trailing after her, one silver, the other gold. He could see why the majority of the campers were avoiding her.
Alex stopped just light of seeing Jason. His face lit up. “Hey Jason! I see you finished training.”
Jason came over. “I managed to knock one of the Centurions on his behind. So I thought I’d treat myself to a little something.”
Alex chuckled. “Figured you’d be the one who could do such a feat.” He gestured to the girl behind her. “We got a new camper. She arrived an hour ago.”
Jason raised a brow. “Alongside the hounds?”
Alex nodded with a shaky smile. “Yep.” The greyhounds proceeded to growl at Jason.
“Their names are Aurum and Argentum. The girl stated rather harshly.
Jason stared at her as he stepped forward. The hounds snarled as he did. Jason narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. “They don’t seem to like me.”
“They don’t like anyone.”
“Anyone who isn’t you, I’m guessing?” Reyna frowned up at him. Flipping her pocket knife shut. Jason simply offered a smile. “My name’s Jason, Grace, son of Jupiter.”
Reyna raised a brow at that. “So you’re the one the others have been talking about.”
“Pretty much,” Jason said simply. “And you are?” He held his hand out. The girl held his hand for a second, as if deciding in her mind whether it’d be the smart choice to take his hand. She simply nodded before gripping it firmly. “Reyna Ramirez-Arellano. The faint curve of her lip and the twinkle of her black eyes were the last thing Jason could recall before the world went black.