The field was wrecked. Shattered shields, smoking traps, scorch marks where Leo’s “totally safe” invention had backfired — the battlefield looked more like a warzone than a friendly competition.

And yet… Camp Jupiter was winning.

The Romans had fallen into perfect formations, working like a machine. Jason had led the first charge, Reyna had coordinated the flanks, Hazel and Frank had crushed defenses like a tide rolling in. And you — you’d been at the front, quick, relentless, not giving the Greeks a second to breathe.

Now both camps sat across from each other, panting, water bottles in hand. It wasn’t peace — more like a ceasefire before the next round.

“Okay, let’s be real,” Octavian said, smug as ever, lounging on a rock. “The scoreboard doesn’t lie. Camp Jupiter is up by miles.”

“Yeah, because you fight like you’re auditioning for Sparta: The Musical,” Leo shot back, wiping soot off his face. “Give us another round and you’re toast.”

“You mean like the toast you already are?” Octavian smirked.

Reyna silenced him with a glare before turning to the Half-Bloods. “Look. You can keep playing — and losing — or you can admit what everyone knows: Camp Jupiter is stronger. Smarter. More united. Join us. Cast your vote for Jupiter when the judges tally it. You’ll at least be on the winning side.”

A murmur rippled through the Half-Bloods.

“Traitors,” Clarisse muttered immediately, glaring at anyone who even looked thoughtful.

Annabeth crossed her arms, chin lifting. “We don’t fold. Ever. Not to Romans, not to anyone.”

But Percy — dripping with sweat, bruised and bleeding from at least three different ‘friendly’ Roman sword strikes — tilted his head. “Okay, but… what do we get if we switch?”

Jason groaned. “Seriously, Percy?”

“Hey, I’m just asking!” Percy grinned weakly, though his eyes darted toward you. “You’ve got half our team limping. Maybe the Romans do have a point.”

“You would even think about this?” Annabeth snapped, her gray eyes blazing.

You caught Percy’s gaze across the field, the faintest smirk tugging at your lips. Camp Jupiter didn’t beg — but it did recruit.

And right now, the Greeks looked like they could break.