I really appreciated all the advice I received last chapter. It really helped me. I am already half way through the next chapter so it looks like I am going to updating soon sometime soon. Unfortunately, I have hit a wall on my Secret Surprise Story and have no clue what to do. If you have ideas please feel free to share them with me, just don't say Capture the Flag because that has been down WAY too many times. This is a bit explaner chapter. I hope everything makes sense...

REMUS

There was nothing special about this fire. Its flames were not green or blue or any other color in between. The heat that rose of from its hearth was neither warmer nor colder than the average fire, and its light did not brighten the room in a special or unique way. It was just a fire, yet somewhere within its flames burned the heart of Rome.

As Remus watched the flames flickered freely around its mantle, he struggled to keep his eyelids from drooping down over his eyes. Cleo sat by his side. Having already been defeated in this matter, she rested her head on his arm and was lightly snoring. Remus forced himself to stay awake. He kept his attention on the ring of young women sitting around the fire in front of them. They were dressed in traditional white garments with white veils covering their faces. Remus had never met a Vestal, or even been this close to one before, but he had heard of them. They were the Roman equivalence of the Hunters, minus the immortality. Young women who have pledged their souls to a goddess, sworn off all men, and gave up their lives up for a greater cause, in this case it was to care and protect the Great Flame of Rome.

"Have you ever visited the flame before?"

Remus jumped to attention. Cornelia had returned with two cups of tea in her hands.

"I didn't think so. Most people don't. Its bit too traditional for even a true born Roman, but there's nothing to fear from it. It breathes life into to our culture, keeps our passion burning, and gives us strength to continue to strive for glory and honor." She placed the cup down next his knee, and sat down next to him. "I love watching the flames dance. It's amazing think about all those thousands of years ago, back when the flame when first lit and it's still burning today. Hopefully, it will continue to burn long after we are all gone."

Remus stared back at her as she talked about fire and Rome, unsure what to say.

"I thought of about joining the Vestals after I retire," Cornelia continued. "But forever is a long time to live without the company of men. But I guess you do get an endless supply of tea." She smiled at him before taking a sip from her tea.

Remus wasn't sure what to make of her. Her physical appearances matched the Cornelia he had met all those months ago when she had visited his school. Her black hair curled around her head like a lion's mane and her copper skin was the same shade of brown he remembered. But Lucy had told them that she had died. Did Lucy lie to them or were his eyes playing a trick on him? His mother always told him not to speak to strangers, but she never said anything about dead people.

Cornelia's eyes soften as she looked at him as if she was reading his thoughts. "I'm not going to hurt you, little one."

"Lucy said you died tonight," he stated. "She told us that you were stabbed by the Roman soldiers who took over the camp."

"Lucy told you what she thought she saw."

"Then what actually happen?"

"Oh, I stabbed by a Roman soldier," she replied calmly, taking another sip of tea.

Remus squirmed uncomfortable on the floor. "I'm sorry, I'm not following you."

Cornelia sighed. "Tell me Remus, have you ever heard any rumors about me?"

"Only that you are a kind and sincere praetor."

She smiled at him. "I guess you are too young to remember, but back when your parents were battling the giants, the Doors of Death were open. That event caused a kind of stirring amongst the God of Death's children. We tend to keep to ourselves, preferring the life of solidary to city life, but when father calls you answer. He told his us to join Camp Jupiter and keep an eye out for escaped souls. Years passed, and the order still holds. I guess somebody has to round up the souls who escape through the open veil. It's not too bad though, and it has definitely gained us more acceptances in the eyes of Romans."

"You're a daughter of Pluto?"

"Most people don't bring it up, but there are more of us than you think, especially nowadays," commented Cornelia as she studied his face carefully. "Are you frightened?"

"No," Remus quickly replied. "Hazel has always been kind to us. She makes us cookies."

Cornelia chuckled. "Yes, Hazel is very sweet. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few times."

"But that still doesn't explain why you're not dead."

"It's part of my abilities," she explained. "As you know, children of major gods sometimes have special abilities like your father or Hazel."

"And my sister," he added glancing at her sleeping figure next to him. "Cleo can produce lighting."

"Yes, like that."

"Can you make gold and jewels appear that will kill you when you touch them?" Remus asked. His parents had drilled into him at a very young age never to touch anything he found on the ground, just in case it was one of Hazel's creations.

"No," Cornelia replied quietly. Her smile disappeared, and there was a long paused before she continued. "I can create illusions of death."

Remus listened to her words very carefully. "What does that mean exactly?"

"It means I can make someone appear like they are dying without the actual dying part which allows them to escape any situation. Think of it as a kind of deleted scene where you survive but only you can watch." Cornelia quietly answered then added quietly, "I have never done it to myself before tonight.

"Why not?" Remus asked. "It seems like a very useful skill to have."

"Because my illusions are not just fragments of my imagination, they linked to the truth. From the time you come into this world, the Fates have already decided how you are going to exit it. My illusions are just sneak peeks."

"So, you're actually going to be stabbed to death one day."

"Apparently," Cornelia slowly answered. She looked back at the fire and added, "Maybe not for a few years, or by a Roman soldier, but someday yes. You can't escape fate."

Remus felt sorry for her. He didn't know if he wanted to know how he was going to die. On one hand, it would be useful to know because you would know that nothing else could harm you. He wouldn't have to be so afraid all the time. But it would also be very depressing. What if you were killed by something stupid like being hit in the head by a coconut or accidently walking off a cliff? It would be very depressing to live the rest of your knowing that you are going die stupidly.

"I knew something was wrong this morning when I woke up, children of Pluto can sense these kinds of things, but Quintus wouldn't listen to me. He always hates it when I talked about my powers in front of him, says they're not right," Cornelia mumbled. "But a dark force has overcome Camp Jupiter."

"So, this dark force," started Remus. "It's from Hades?"

"Yes, it probably escaped when the Doors of Death were open," answered Cornelia.

"But the Doors of Death were open in my parent's days," injected Remus.

"For a soul that has been suffering in Tartarus for a thousand years, ten years is a quick nap," replied Cornelia. "Perhaps they forgot to set their clocks back for Daylight Savings."

"You said soul this time," commented Remus. "Is it a dark force or souls that have taken over Camp Jupiter?"

"Both," she answered. "It's difficult to explain, but if soul has been in Tartarus long enough, it loses its human traits. But whatever it is, it probably started out as a human army that was defeated by the Roman during the Roman Empire. Now they're back, to seek their revenge."

"So, who are they really?"

"I don't know actually. That's what I came to the Capital to find out. They had an ancient accent, and spoke about a battle. Also they were looking for someone named Romulus."

"Romulus?" Remus croaked.

"Yes, but they weren't talking your brother. This Romulus was the person who defeated them the first time they died."

"So, you're talking about the original Romulus? The one who founded the first Rome?"

"That's what I had thought at first, but I have gone through every document of history that we have about him, and I can't find anything that matches up. They must be speaking about another Romulus."

"I've never heard of another Romulus in history," said Remus.

"Nor have I," admitted Cornelia. "But there has to something. If we can just found out who they are, maybe we can discover a way to defeat them or at least figure out what they are planning."

"My brother followed Lucy back to camp. Do you think they will hurt him if they find out that his name is Romulus?"

"I don't know Remus, but I'm sure your brother will be safe so long as he keeps his mouth shut."

"You obliviously don't know my brother," replied Remus nervously. He knew he was going to regret letting his brother run off on his own.

Cornelia gave him a reassuring look. "We will find a way to break the hold the dark force has on Camp Jupiter, and get your brother back. I'm going to return to my research now, and as soon as I find an answer I will tell you."

"I can help if you like. I'm a really good reader."

"That's really kind of you, but I think you have done enough. I'm the praetor. It's my job to protect you. You're not a soldier yet, Remus." Cornelia smiled at him. "Why don't take a rest like your sister? Just make sure you stay inside the Capital. The geese will protect you."

"The geese?" Remus repeated, remembering the funny circle of white birds surrounding the building.

"They're Juno's geese. When Camp Jupiter was first attack, the geese appeared and woke the Vestals. With the geese's powers, they were able to form a magical border around the Capital that the possessed soldiers can't cross."

Remus cringed when he heard the name Queen Goddess' name. Juno was the patron goddess of his father which basically meant that she forced him to go all these awful quests for her. He never spoke very highly of her.

"Do the geese usually protect New Rome?"

"No," answered Cornelia. "But the Vestals seem certain that Juno sent them to protect us."

Remus rolled his eyes. Of course, the helpful queen would send farm birds to help an invaded city.

As Cornelia began to walk away, Remus was overcome with loneliness. He wished Cornelia would let him help look through the documents, just so he could be with her instead of sitting alone in this cold stone building. Suddenly, the darkness around seemed more sinister than it had before. He looked at Cleo sleeping beside him. He couldn't protect her. He didn't know how to. He already failed his brother. He should have known better than to let his brother go off on his own. Romulus needed him. He hoped Lucy was keeping him in check. Then he thought his parents and tears formed in his eyes.

Cornelia must have heard his sniffing, because she came back. "What's wrong Remus?"

"I want my parents," he cried. He wanted to bury himself in his mother's arms and forget that all this had happen.

Cornelia bent down beside him and rubbed his arm. "I know, little one. But this will all be over soon."

"My brother said my father was hurt," Remus choked. "He could be dead."

"Your father is an amazing fighter. Both of your parents are. I'm sure they're fine."

"Is there any way to get a message to them? To make sure they're alright?"

"No, I don't think so. If they have been capture, it wouldn't be a good idea to contact them just in case their captures overhear your location." Cornelia stated. "Remus, I need you to promise me that you will stay within the circle. You're parents fought to keep you safe, they wouldn't like it if you put yourself or your sister in danger."

"I guess you're right," Remus replied slowly, rubbing his eyes.

"Why don't you drink your tea? It will calm you down." She stood up again. "I'll be back soon."

Remus watched her go, and then he looked back at the fire. The Vestals hadn't moved a muscle since he had arrived. He followed Cornelia's advice and gently sipped his tea. Pretty soon after that his eyes began to close again, so he laid down beside his sister and fell asleep.

Is the story becoming more clear now? I hope so. Please review.