PART ONE: INVESTIGATION

CHAPTER 1: Home at Last

A small smile formed on Reyna's face as the SUVs pulled up to the side of the road. It was a rare sunny day Bay Area, and the August air was hot and humid. Cars sped by the parked cars on the highway, some drivers undoubtedly staring at the line of SUVs that had pulled up at the side of the road. Across the highway was a large rock that had the shape of a face, a seemingly innocent rock, but Reyna knew better. Behind that rock was the entrance to Camp Jupiter. Reyna was finally home.

Reyna exited the vehicle, careful to avoid getting hit by a car. With her in the vehicle were Frank, Reyna's fellow praetor, and his girlfriend Hazel, currently the centurion of the Fifth Cohort. Behind them was the entirety of the Twelfth Legion, fully armed and armored, the metallic weapons glinting in the harsh sun. Once all of the demigods had exited, the SUVs moved onward, rejoining the highway traffic and driving away.

"We finally made it back," said Frank, his arm around Hazel. "All of the quests, all of the battles, all of the hardships, and things have finally returned to normal."

"Not completely," Hazel replied, her amber locks curling about her shoulders. "You became a praetor somewhere along the way." She glanced up at her boyfriend, her eyes gleaming with pride.

Frank didn't react, instead staring at the rock with a blank expression. This would be his first real day, Reyna knew. He had been made praetor back in the ancient lands, but he never had actually commanded the legion before. This would be the first time he would be stepping into his leadership role as praetor. But Reyna knew he would be fine. He didn't have to face this role by himself, he would have her help. There was a reason the legion had two praetors, after all.

"Twelfth Legion, to the camp!" Reyna commanded loudly. She had had enough standing around on the highway, it was time to head home.

Slowly, the legion crossed the highway and made its way to the entrance to the camp. It was a quick walk across to the rock, and luckily no camper was hurt. Through the rock entrance went the legion, Reyna and Frank at the head. The Caldecott Tunnel was the same as it always was, long and straight, with a bright light at the end. Finally, Reyna and Frank stepped through the end of the tunnel, and into Camp Jupiter.

The first thing that registered to Reyna was the roar of the Little Tiber running through the camp. She looked around, and saw everything as she remembered. It had been over a month since she left, but everything looked as if untouched. The Via Principalis, where the legion slept, stood in front of her across the river. The Field of Mars, with its war-torn landscape, lay beyond. And far in the distance, gleaming white and beautiful, was New Rome, with its domes and arches, standing in glory. It was a marvelous scene, one that Reyna treasured every time she saw it.

A few minutes later, the legion was busily settling back in. Legionnaires were busy unpacking war supplies and reorganizing their barracks. Reyna, meanwhile, was sitting in the praetors' quarters with Frank, her new partner. Her dogs, Aurum and Argentum, were resting to either side of her.

"It's getting late," said Reyna. "Sunset is only a couple of hours away." She was in the middle of removing her armor, instead opting for her usual purple cloak that designated her as praetor.

"We made decent time," said Frank. "We left Camp Half-Blood early yesterday morning."

Reyna looked up at Frank. She could hear the exhaustion in his voice, and see it in his eyes. He had spent nearly a month and half aboard a flying ship, travelling through the ancient lands on a quest to defeat Gaea, the Earth Mother, who wished to awaken and destroy all of the Olympian gods. Frank and his friends had been successful, but he had not gotten any rest since then, and, though he hid it well, Reyna could tell that Frank was absolutely tired.

Reyna stood up, walked over to Frank, and placed a hand on his shoulder. That hand began to glow, and Frank began to loosen up, and life returned to his eyes. Reyna had given him some of her strength, which was one of her most valuable abilities.

"Thank you," Frank whispered.

Reyna nodded curtly. "Why don't you go supervise the unpacking," she said. "I will go to the kitchens in New Rome and have them prepare a victory feast." She began to step out of the room, but then stopped. "You did well, Praetor Zhang," Reyna said over her shoulder. "You will make a fine praetor, and I will look forward to working with you." Not waiting for a reply, Reyna stepped out the door.

The air had gotten slightly cooler, as the sun dipped toward the western horizon. Reyna walked alone along the path that led to New Rome. There were no fauns, and no Lares, it was just her. The rest of the legion would be all together, helping each other unpack, and she was all alone. Not for the first time, the solitary nature of her position weighed slightly on her mind.

It's lonely at the top, she thought.

In no time at all, the praetor reached the Pomeranian Line, and the city of New Rome stood right before her. The city was in its usual state of quiet hustle and bustle, the few people that noticed her waving and smiling, congratulating her on the legion's victory. Suddenly, the statue to Reyna's left came to life.

"Praetor," greeted Terminus. "Welcome back to Rome."

"Thank you, Terminus," Reyna replied. "I have orders to give to the kitchens. There is to be a victory feast tonight."

"That sounds marvelous," said Terminus. "I'd ask you to surrender your weapons, but I figure you know better at this point."

Reyna smiled and continued walking. Sure enough, Reyna had left all her weapons back in her quarters, and Terminus did not react as she stepped over the Pomeranian Line.

The warm greetings continued as Reyna walked through the city. She didn't know everyone, but everybody knew her. Some she recognized as former legionnaires, some were likely legionnaires that retired way before she arrived at camp. It didn't matter. Reyna received a warm welcome and many congratulations on the victory over Gaea. Reyna didn't reply with much enthusiasm, but it gave her a warm feeling to know that everyone was glad for her.

It feels good to be home, she thought as she approached the kitchens. Very, very good.

A few hours later, the victory feast was in full swing. Aurae flew around the room, bringing dishes to all of the seated campers. Lares blinked in and out of visibility, appearing by the tables every now and then. Several fauns walked along the perimeter of the room, trying to get further in, only to be denied by the legionnaires.

Reyna was sitting at a table with Frank, her fellow praetor, and all ten of the centurions. Dakota was sipping a glass of Kool-Aid, holding his glass elegantly. Reyna figured it must have been his first, since he wasn't so tipsy. Leila, Michael Kahale, and the others were also present, as well as Hazel, the newest centurion of the Fifth Cohort.

"This feast is delicious," Dakota said, lips already starting to become red.

"It was well-earned," said Reyna. "The legion fought well, and the victory over Gaea was decisive and significant."

"We couldn't have done it without the Greeks, though," Hazel added in reminder. "They were a big help."

Frank nodded, having spent his time with Hazel alongside four Greek demigods in Europe.

"You announced back at their camp that exchange programs were to be set up," Michael pointed out, munching on a hamburger. "What kind of programs?"

"Exactly what they sound like, Michael," said Frank. "We'll send some legionnaires to Camp Half-Blood for some time and they will send some of their campers here. We'll assign them to a cohort temporarily, and they will train with us. They'll participate in our war games, in our meals, and so forth."

"And when will all of that start?" Leila asked.

Frank looked toward Reyna, unsure of what to answer.

"Whenever the Greeks are ready," Reyna replied. "All they have to do is contact us."

Leila nodded slowly, as if unsure how to react to that prospect. Reyna could understand where she's coming from. It was one thing to work with the Greeks, another to invite them openly into Camp Jupiter. Reyna was unconcerned, though, she had faith that the Greek-Roman schism was completely behind them.

"Reyna!" someone called. Reyna turned her head in surprise to see a young woman approaching her. She had blue eyes and a pale face full of freckles, but what was most noticeable about her was her startling red hair. Reyna had seen this person before, and was aware that she'd be travelling with them back to camp, but she had never spoken before at length.

"Rachel Elizabeth Dare," Reyna replied as soon as Rachel arrived at the table. "I apologize for not giving you a formal welcome upon arrival, I was somewhat busy."

Rachel smiled. "Oh, don't worry about it. You have a lovely camp, by the way, and this feast is marvelous."

"Your warm words lift my spirits," said Reyna politely. "I am glad you have decided to journey back with us. Reconstructing the Sibylline Books will be a monumental task, but with time I am sure you will succeed."

Rachel blushed. "Thanks for the encouragement. I actually plan to start tomorrow, if Ella is up to it."

"That's good," said Reyna. After a moment of silence, Rachel still remained there, standing politely. "Um, is there anything else that I can do for you?"

A flash of relief crossed Rachel's face. "I'm glad you asked. Actually, I was never shown to where I would be staying."

Reyna's face paled. With embarrassment, Reyna now noticed that Rachel was wearing a large, unpacked knapsack on her back, and was carrying a duffel back in her hand.

The praetor spun on her centurions, a serious look on her face. "Not one of you showed Miss Dare to her quarters?" She turned back to Rachel. "I apologize for our legion's evident lack of hospitality. I'll show you to your room myself. Praetor Frank, if it comes time for the toast and I'm still gone, you will take the honors."

Not wanting to keep Rachel waiting any longer, Reyna immediately got up and beckoned Rachel to follow.

"You will be staying in New Rome, in one of the apartments," Reyna said to Rachel once they were out of the dining hall.

"That sounds nice," Rachel replied, eyes gaping at the beautiful buildings and fountains of New Rome. "Listen, you don't have to get tough with your campers over me, it really wasn't a bad wait."

Reyna turned to Rachel. "I am praetor. It's my job to be tough with them. I know you're Greek, and this seems foreign to you, but this is the Roman way."

"Actually, I'm not Greek at all," said Rachel. "I'm not even a demigod."

Reyna's eyes widened in surprise. "Apollo chose a mortal to house the Oracle of Delphi?"

Rachel's eyes flitted downward.

"I did not mean offense," Reyna said quickly. "You must be a very talented mortal."

"Thank you," Rachel said kindly, "though maybe I'm not so talented as I thought, since the Oracle hasn't worked in days."

"I'm sure that will be solved," Reyna said confidently. "Apollo will fix whatever is wrong."

Rachel was about to reply, but suddenly someone was walking toward them. Reyna recognized the man as a resident of the city.

"Praetor Reyna," the man called out. "There is someone here in the city to see you. He says he is a friend."

Reyna raised an eyebrow. "He didn't give you a name?"

"No," the man replied, "but he is within the Pomeranian Line, so he has no weapons on him."

"Very well," said Reyna. "Bring him to me, but be cautious."

The man nodded and returned the way he came.

"If you need to have a private discussion, I can go elsewhere," said Rachel from Reyna's side.

"This will only take a moment," Reyna replied. "You can stay here."

Rachel nodded as the man returned, a smaller person at his side. Reyna could not make out who the man was due to the dark night, but as the person got closer, his features became clearer, and his face became more recognizable. And it was a familiar face indeed.

"Nico!" Reyna exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Nico smiled. He was wearing dark clothing to match his dark hair, and his face was as pale as ever. Yet he was changed, Reyna noticed. He no longer had this bitterness in his expression. He was no longer hunched over, and he no longer looked so emaciated. It was as if he had found sudden happiness out of nowhere, for the change was quite significant.

"You forgot something at Camp Half-Blood," said Nico. He held out his hand, and in them were an assortment of golden medallions. Reyna's hand immediately went to her neck, and came up empty, as her medallions obviously weren't there.

"That's impossible," Reyna declared, shocked. "I never take them off."

"Yet there they are," said Rachel, smiling.

"Rachel?" said Nico, somewhat surprised. "I forgot you came along with the Romans."

"Is my absence that unnoticed?" Rachel asked in a teasing manner.

Nico paled. "No, no, I didn't…"

"I'm just teasing," Rachel assured.

"You got here so fast," Reyna marveled, still staring at the medallions. "How?"

"Airplane," Nico replied. "And then shadow travel."

Reyna's expression turned serious. "You shadow travelled? That was a bad idea, considering all of the shadow travelling we just did. You could have died."

"It's not that for from the airport to here," Nico countered. "I only feel lightly weary. Now take your medallions."

Reyna did as she was asked, and took her medallions in her hands and put them around her neck, letting the metal touch her neck. Upon closer inspection, Reyna noticed that the medallions did not look the same. They used to be pure Imperial Gold, but now they looked different, slightly more muted. If Reyna looked closely, it almost seemed as if there were flakes of silver in the metal.

"Nico?" Reyna asked. "Did anyone touch these medallions?"

"No, of course not," Nico replied. "Not the metal, at least.

"It seems…different," Reyna muttered. She took one of the medallions in her hands, rubbing it between her fingers.

Suddenly Reyna began to glow. An aura of light formed around her, lifting her slightly into the air.

"Reyna!" Rachel exclaimed. Reyna's eyes grey panicked, as she was trapped with seemingly no way of escape. Rachel reached out and grabbed Reyna's arm, but that didn't help. In fact, the light encased Rachel as well.

"Nico, help!" Rachel cried, squirming as she levitated into the air.

Nico hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to do. Then he rushed forward and tried to pull Reyna and Rachel down, but it was no good. Nico was also encased in the strange, glowing light, being pulled into the air.

A second after Nico grabbed Rachel's arm, the three of them disappeared. They just winked out of existence, right into the thin air. The man who brought Nico came back to where the three kids were, and he saw them the moment they disappeared. Utterly shocked, the man ran to the dining hall to report the shocking news. Reyna the praetor was missing.

(Disclaimer: I own neither Keys to the Kingdom nor Percy Jackson and the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus)