used to wonder if we could find Diocletians ghost and ask where he was buried...

well,
according to the legends, his scepter was buried with him.
Nico gave him a thin, creepy smile. Ah...that legend.
What legend? Hazel asked.
Nico turned to his sister. Supposedly Diocletians scepter could summon the ghosts of the
Roman legions, any of them who worshipped the old gods.
Leo whistled. Okay, now Im interested. Be nice to have a booty-kicking army of pagan
zombies on our side when we enter the House of Hades.
Not sure I wouldve put it that way, Jason muttered, but yeah.
We dont have much time, Frank warned. Its already July ninth. We have to get to Epirus,
close the Doors of Death
Which are guarded, Hazel murmured, by a smoky giant and a sorceress who wants... She
hesitated. Well, Im not sure. But according to Pluto, she plans to rebuild her domain. Whatever
that means, its bad enough that my dad felt like warning me personally.
Frank grunted. And if we survive all that, we still have to find out where the giants are waking
Gaea and get there before the first of August. Besides, the longer Percy and Annabeth are in
Tartarus
I know, Jason said. We wont take long in Split. But looking for the scepter is worth a try.
While were at the palace, I can leave a message for Reyna, letting her know the route were taking
Nico nodded. The scepter of Diocletian could make a huge difference. Youll need my help.
Jason tried not to show his discomfort, but his skin prickled at the thought of going anywhere
with Nico di Angelo.
Percy had shared some disturbing stories about Nico. His loyalties werent always clear. He
spent more time with the dead than the living. Once, hed lured Percy into a trap in the palace of
Hades. Maybe Nico had made up for that by helping the Greeks against the Titans, but still...
Piper squeezed his hand. Hey, sounds fun. Ill go, too.
Jason wanted to yell: Thank the gods!

But Nico shook his head. You cant, Piper. It should only be Jason and me. Diocletians ghost
might appear for a son of Jupiter, but any other demigods would most likely...ah, spook him. And
Im
the only one who can talk to his spirit. Even Hazel wont be able to do that.
Nicos eyes held a gleam of challenge. He seemed curious as to whether or not Jason would
The ships bell sounded. Festus creaked and whirred over the loudspeaker.
Weve arrived, Leo announced. Time to Split.