**The Call of Duty**

February 19th, 12:00 AM The penthouse, overlooking the serene Central Park, was bathed in a warm, golden glow. Mia Guardia, an 18-year-old girl with an unknown past, sat on her plush couch, surrounded by her friends Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Malcolm. They had just finished a delicious dinner, and the evening was filled with laughter and conversation. Mia's eyes sparkled as she talked about her plans for the future. She had grown up on the streets, after running away from her abusive adoptive parents at the age of 7, and had been taken in by Thalia, Annabeth, Luke, and Grover, who were on their way to Camp Half-Blood. They had become her surrogate family, and she had eventually found her place among the demigods. As the night wore on, the atmosphere in the room began to shift. Mia's gaze drifted toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, which offered a breathtaking view of the city. The sound of car horns and distant chatter carried on the wind, but it was a gentle hum, a reminder of the world outside her luxurious penthouse. The penthouse, a gift from the gods after the Second Giant War, was a symbol of her new life, one that she had never imagined she would have. Suddenly, a burst of amber sparks erupted in front of her, like a tiny explosion. Mia's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the sparks, her mind racing with confusion. What was happening? The room fell silent, and her friends turned to her with concern etched on their faces. "Mia, what's going on?" Annabeth asked, her voice low and cautious. Mia's eyes darted around the room, her heart racing. She had no idea what was happening, but she felt a sense of dread creeping up her spine. The sparks seemed to be pulsing with an otherworldly energy, and she felt an inexplicable connection to them. As she watched, frozen in panic, the sparks began to take shape. A ribbon of white, red, and blue materialized, weaving in and out of the sparks. The colors seemed to dance in the air, mesmerizing her. Mia's mind was a jumble of questions, but one thing was certain: this was something big. Percy, ever the protector, stood up, his eyes fixed on Mia. "What's happening, Mia? Is this...magic?" Mia's gaze never left the sparks. She had heard of witches, of course. Who hadn't? It was common knowledge that witches existed, and that they were part of the magical community. But she had never thought she was one. Her mother, Athena, the new queen of Olympus, had never mentioned it. As the sparks continued to swirl, Mia's thoughts turned to the Conscription Day, a night when young witches received The Call, a summons to serve their country. She had heard about it in school, during history and US government classes. The Oath of Enlistment was a familiar phrase, one that she had memorized but never thought she would have to recite. With a surge of adrenaline, Mia remembered the oath. She took a deep breath and began to recite the words, her voice steady: "I, Mia Guardia, do solemnly pledge to protect and defend the United States of America against all enemies, foreign or domestic. I will faithfully serve and obey the rules and articles for the government of the Army of the United States, all secrets keep, all lawful commands willingly performed as dictated by the Salem Accord." As she spoke, the amber sparks levitated in the air, surrounded by the ribbon. The colors seemed to burn, as if time was running out. Mia's friends watched in awe, their faces filled with a mix of excitement and concern. The ribbon "burned" with an intense flame, as if marking the seconds ticking by. Mia's voice grew stronger, her words pouring out in a rush. She felt a sense of determination rising within her, a sense of purpose that she had never known before. As she finished the oath, the sparks coalesced into a small, shining medal. The ribbon disappeared, leaving behind a faint scent of smoke. Mia's eyes locked onto the medal, her heart pounding in her chest. She had done it. She had answered The Call. The room remained silent, the only sound the quiet hum of the city outside. Mia's friends exchanged nervous glances, their faces filled with a mix of emotions. They knew that Mia's life would never be the same. Percy was the first to break the silence. "Mia, what does this mean?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. Mia's gaze never left the medal. She felt a sense of trepidation, a sense of uncertainty about what lay ahead. But she also felt a sense of pride, a sense of purpose that she had never known before. "I don't know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I think I'm about to find out."