Disclaimer: I do not own all characters in this fanfiction. The general and some of the characters belong to Rick Riordan. Some of the characters I have made, and some I have acquired the permission to use.

I

JAKE

Jake paced the war ball field with his eye on the opposing team. He played midfield, with his game shield equipped. Because of this, he had to keep his right hand free if he wanted to catch and throw the ball. His teammate of the Third Cohort stood in their starting positions, as did he. It was his first game of the Camp Jupiter Summer Open.

Against any other cohort, Jake Darrow, brother of the legendary Katrina Darrow and son of Lucius Darrow, would have not treated them any different. But this was the First Cohort. He wasn't afraid to take them on, but he was cautious of one. Even underneath the helmet, he could see her red, curly hair poking through, making her distinctly different from the other members of the First Cohort.

"Ready, Jake?" Adrian Cramer, his cousin, legacy of Mars and Khione, asked.

"Yeah, I'm just waiting for the game to start," Jake responded.

"Nervous?" the Centurion asked.

"Impatient," the 13 year old spoke.

Just then, the buzzers began to light up and steam shot up from several of the nearby vents at once. The field had several environmental hazards intentionally set up, to keep the game fast-paced and exciting. Every now and then, they would release huge amounts of air, shooting up anyone too oblivious to their danger. Jake made note of them. He made sure he wasn't going to get caught in one.

All eyes turned to the center as a console of several rings began to systematically light up. His hand around his shield handle tightened. Although the game of war ball was not new to him as a Roman, this was the first time it was going to include their neighbors in the East – the Greeks.

But now, Jake was facing his fellow Romans.

The ball shot up from the center console. Teammates playing the forward positions rushed to grab the ball. Jake advanced from his position, but kept some distance from the center line, in case the ball got intercepted. Adrian moved forward with another forward. With the two of them ahead, Jake ran in after them. He slammed his transparent game shield into the first person he ran into, clearing a path of Adrian, who had just grabbed the ball.

In the game of War Ball, players were allowed to use one weapon. Jake felt most comfortable with a shield, then an actual weapon, due to his former Centurion, Hannah Copperfield (now Praetor), had specialized in sword and shield fighting. Howard Amos (also Praetor), who had been taking care of him ever since his mom had left for a quest and sister… was gone, also specialized in shield usage.

"Through here!" Jake shouted, pressing through a couple of defenders.

That was his first mistake.

The two defenders were Scott Ward and Brynn Wood, veterans of the Golden Age Revolutionary War. Like Jake, Scott Ward was part of a secret group called the Order of Romulus, who were devoted to protecting the succession of Praetors, as well as defeating corruption within the city of New Rome.

Just a year, one of the Order, Evan Pravus, betrayed them all, leading what was known as the Golden Age Revolution. He completely destroyed Camp Half-blood, save for its campers, and almost obliterated New Rome. If it were not for Jake's sister, none of them would be playing War Ball right now.

But that was a year ago, and Jake wasn't particularly fond of those events. He dismissed them from his mind and pressed the attack, deflecting an arrow from Scott Ward, who specialized in archery. It wasn't a favorable, or even honorable position within the Legion, but his skill made him better suited for that role.

Brynn on the other hand, was skilled in the use of the standard weapon set, which included the gladius. Striking with piercing attacks, she kept Jake distracted, while Scott moved behind him and hit him upside the head with his bow.

"Sorry, Darrow, but we want to win," Scott said, as he shot the ball from Adrian's hand. A runner was quick to catch it as it flew from his hand. Jake couldn't see the runner's face, but saw just a tad of red, curly hair. Ball in one hand and javelin in the other, the runner dodged and weaved past some of the Third Cohort defenders.

Jake would have gone to intercept the runner, except he was busy dealing with Brynn Wood. She was a little bit older than him, but had spent more years in the Legion, resulting in her superior skill over him. That's when Jade Cramer, Adrian's older sister, came rushing in to help Jake. She was the other Centurion of the Cohort, alongside her brother. They had somewhat closer since last year, but he kept at her at a preferred distance.

"Stop the runner, Jake!" Jade shouted at him. He turn and ran to catch up to the runner. Because he wasn't holding the ball, he wasn't the center of attention, and was able to move with the defenders easily. In seconds, he caught up, but only by a little. The runner was within some distance, and Jake was closing in as fast as he could. The runner was fast, not as fast as a Mercury kid, but fast nonetheless.

Suddenly, the runner stopped and made a complete 180 degree turn, hurling a javelin right at Jake. The Third Cohort Legionnaire had to stop in his tracks in order to block the throw, giving the runner time needed to make a goal, which eventually happened.

As the ball went in into goal, lights flared up and audiences cheered for the First Cohort. Jake grew upset with himself, letting the runner score on him like that. He glanced as the runner past him. He still couldn't the face, but he knew who it was.

Come on, Jake, he told himself.

The ball at the center console shot back up again, this time falling in the hands of Brynn Wood. Jake, enraged from his previous failure to block the opponent's score, charged right for her. He slammed right into her side, knocking the air, as well as the ball, out of her. Jake's eyes followed the ball as it rolled across the field. At the same time, he was chasing after it, unaware of where it was going.

That was his second mistake. Although he scooped up the ball, he wasn't aware of where he was standing, until he felt himself being thrown up into the air. In his short flight, he saw the ball fly from his free hand. He subsequently slammed to the ground, putting him out of commission for a few seconds as the game continued.

Getting back up to his feet, Jake tried to get his sense back together. A member of the First Cohort was coming in to take the ball before he could react. Jake tried to stop them, but they were much more in control of their senses then he was, so he did little to stop them. He tripped over his own foot and fell to the ground. Adrian came to his side and helped him up. Jake was really angry at this point, disregard the assistance his Centurion was giving him.

"Get them!" Jake shouted, pointing at the First Cohort forwards. He got himself up as Adrian chased after the opponents.

Jake was really angry now. Ever since his dad died, he had been having a really hard time managing his anger. HE figured letting it out on the field would help, but it wasn't showing. He was just getting angrier. His mind wasn't necessarily on the game, but rather on some of the things he's had to deal with, the things he was still dealing with.

Just then, Jade managed to intercept a First Cohort pass, putting the ball back into Third Cohort possession. Jake felt a small tinge of optimism shine, if only for a moment. He ran to catch up with the others, as the ball was slowly, but surely, moving toward the First Cohort goal.

Jake saw Jade point for an opening in the First Cohort defense, a line that Jake followed with his eyes. He ran to the opening, trying to anticipate her pass. Jake saw Jade throw the ball toward his way when their eyes met, confirming his guess.

Jake watched the ball fly through the air toward his way. He kept his free arm open to catch it. If things went smoothly, he would be able to cross the distance and possibly make a goal. But just as the ball was closing on him, an arrow collided with it in mid-air, altering its trajectory just slightly. The ball then landed into the hands of the runner… again.

"That's it," Jake muttered under his breath as he pursued the runner.

The runner caught on quick, speeding up. Jake pushed himself to keep up.

"Come on, come on," Jake said in between breaths, running in an all-out sprint after the sprint.

That was his third mistake. He hadn't realized he was being led on by the runner. Only when he was being thrown into the air by one of the vents again, did he realize he was being outplayed.

Jake slammed to the ground again, but wasn't getting up as fast as he did before. An official blew a whistle on him, indicating that he was injured. Two campers came running with a stretcher, loaded him up, and took him off the field. Jake was very disappointed with himself as he saw the runner score another goal as he was being taken away.

Two weeks later…

It had been two weeks since he lost the game. The First Cohort ended up being the team to represent Camp Jupiter in the finals against the Camp Half-blood representative team, the Turbulence Squadron, which consisted of the Houses of Poseidon (Neptune), Apollo, and Dionysus (Bacchus). Jake was injured with a minor concussion, but had to be taken out of the game. He hated having to lose, but hated having the option whether or not to continue taken away from him even more. But the order came from the top, the Praetors. They had been watching the game, Jake in particular.

So Jake went to work with the Order of Romulus, hoping that he could forget about his poor performance during the War Ball game. He was in the war room with Howard Amos, with whom he was just having a conversation with.

"So, what do you think of him?" Howard asked Jake.

"He's okay, but don't you think it's a little weird that- " Jake tried to say before a cheerful group of people entered the war room.

Scott Ward was holding his younger sister atop his shoulders, Cindy. She, consequentially, was holding up the trophy for the War Ball finals up over her. She waved her red, curly hair as she cheered and screamed triumphantly. Scott did the same.

Jake's face was boiling red. It was Cindy Ward, his fellow cell member in the Order of Romulus, that had caused him to get injured. He fell silent as the two, followed a couple of other members of the Order, cheered and chanted their chants.

After a couple of minutes of celebrating, Howard, Alpha (leader) of the Order, got everyone's attention for briefing.

"Okay, okay, quiet down," Howard instructed the Order. Scott stood by him. He was the only other member of his cell, and was also recognized as a leader within the Order. Scott was a unique individual, with many social connections, and held the positions of Centurion of the First Cohort, as well as augur (a ceremonial position) of the Legion and New Rome. Jake had heard stories about William Amos (Howard's father) and Martin del Sol (a distant relative of the Ward's) holding a similar relationship. "Congratulations to those of the First Cohort, for winning the finals."

Those who were part of the First Cohort cheered. The Order of Romulus had members in all Cohorts, but today it seemed like only the First was alive. Jake clenched his jaw. He wasn't just upset that he lost the game, but that he lost the first game. The tournament had been dedicated to the people who had died last year. He tried playing that in his head.

Hey, the brother of the girl who this entire tournament is dedicated to just lost in the first game, he thought to himself. No, not just lost. He got himself taken off the field.

"Now, I need you to focus on your new assignments," Howard said. Jake knew that he was a leader, not just here in the Order, but for the Legion. Along with Hannah, he was a leader of the city. A lot of pressure was always on him. It was only natural that he act so stern and serious all the time. On that, Jake tried to adopt for himself. "Last year, just before the Siege of New Rome, I picked up some suspicious activity of some kind. I knew it wasn't the enemy's or ours, so I had to dismiss it for some time. Until recently, this group's activity has started to resume."

Jake noticed Scott glancing at Cindy for a split-second. He furrowed his eyebrows, thinking of what they were trying to do.

"Current reports, as scarce as they are, suggest that they congregate within the city," Howard continued. Jake crossed his arms. The last group to operate right under their noses was the Golden Age Revolution, under the patsy leadership of former Fifth Cohort Centurion, Thurgood Marshall, with Evan Pravus, the other Centurion, being the true mastermind. The emotions toward secret groups with operations within the city were no longer taken lightly. "We're not sure what they're capable of, but we estimate that their numbers are large, even at conservative measurements."

"Did we know the intent of this group?" a member asked.

"That's why you'll be going out on the field," Howard replied. A couple of other members laughed at the inquirer. "Tasks have been assigned to your cells. I expect you all out on the field. We don't need a repeat of last year's events. Dismissed."

Members went their separate ways. Jake ended up standing next to Cindy, and a couple of the other members of their cell. The girl looked at him nervously with her bluish-brown eyes.

"What?" Jake asked, a little annoyed she wasn't saying anything but kept on staring at him.

She shook her head.

"Fine, whatever," he said.

The alpha of their cell led them to a separate room, where they went over the details of their particular mission. Jake noticed that Cindy was acting a little strange. At least, more than she usually did. She didn't really talk to him, or anyone in the cell. Ever since last year, when he saved her from certain death, she had been acting really weird around him, staring at him when he wasn't looking. Jake didn't like games. If someone had something to say, he believed they should just go out and say it.

He had been looking at her, noticing how nervous she had been ever since Howard had talked to them about the secret group. He hadn't realized others were beginning to notice.

"Darrow!" the alpha shouted at Jake. "You two done playing googly-eyes, or what?"

"What, I wasn't- " Jake tried to say before he was cut off.

"Eyes forward!" the alpha commanded.

Jake sighed and tried to block the portion of his sight that Cindy was in.

You're hiding something, Jake thought to himself.

"Right, so where was I?" the alpha continued. "Oh, right. So looks like we're going to be investigating a couple of the elderly citizens of New Rome."

"Like veterans and the reserves?" a cell member asked.

"Did I freaking stutter?" the alpha asked furiously. "No, we're investigating the elderly. Old people, walking canes, wheelchairs, gray hair, dentures, etc."

"Oh… " the cell member echoed.

"Right then, here's the list of ye olden people we need to investigate," the alpha said, passing out folders of paper. When he got his, he opened up the manila folder and looked at the list of names. There were ten of them. None of them that stuck out, or any that he had heard of. All except one.

Agnes Westfield.