Markos sped through another red light narrowly missing another car, he didn't care, he had lost sight of Clarisse's car a while back, he had to get to the entrance before them, he couldn't let his sister go to her death without him. There was a bond between all children of Ares, it was stronger in those who remained near to one another, it was like an invisible pull inside. His foot pushed further onto the gas pedal, horns screamed at him as he weaved through the traffic at high speeds, but he did not care, the call to battle was too strong.
What are you going to do Markos?
Markos jumped at his father's voice, he was alone in the truck but Ares was in his head, Markos ignored the question, he was unsure of the answer
Markos, what will you do when you meet Clarisse?
"What would you have me do?"
That's not what I asked
"I do not know what I will do" he answered
Why do you resist the call to arms Markos?
"I do not resist it father" he took a breath "But I wonder… if we do this we start a war, a war against the Gods, I have no fear of battle" he trailed off
What do you have fear of?
"I fear losing the ones I care about, they will hesitate in battle, they will die against the forces of Hades and the other Gods, I fear that I will be the only one left standing due to the blood curse that runs through my veins"
Fear has no place in a warrior's heart
"I understand"
So what will you do when you find Clarisse?
"I will fight alongside my sister born of Ares until victory or death" he answer, feeling his father's grip on his soul, making the blood-curse bubble within him, his father's voice left him but the need for battle did not. He could feel his hands trembling so he gripped the wheel tighter as tension built throughout his body. His teeth clenched, his fist hit the dash, his breathing heavy.
He wasn't far from the entrance now, he looked up at the sky it was full of stars, he wondered how Annabeth was doing, surely by now she would now know that he had left, left without saying goodbye. His heartbeat returned to his normal rhythm. He remembered her voice, the flawlessness of her skin and out it felt under his touch. He was most likely to die by Hades hand, he couldn't go back, he had vowed to his father that he would not yield until victory or death, that was a vow he could not break.
Clarisse pulled up in front of the Hollywood sign, she turned back to face the other three who chose to accompany her on her suicide mission. Ryan looked up at her, he held the hilt of his sword close to his chest, there was fear in the others eyes but not his, Ryan's eyes were cold, that was the look of a man who had nothing left to lose. She nodded to them
"Let's go and avenge our home and our friends"
They jumped out of the car having a quick look around for any mortal or immortal eyes watching them. They hopped the fence, and quietly made their way up the dusty hill, they paused by the entrance, all their hearts pounding, Clarisse was about to speak the words to open the door to the Underworld when a large figure jumped in front of them, Markos stood tall before them, weapons strapped to his body
"Brother do not try to stop me" Clarisse ordered
There was a dark look in Markos's eyes "I made a vow to our father, I cannot stop you sister"
"Markos, you made an oath, you know what that means if you do not fulfil it" she stood beside him, Markos nodded solemnly "Ok then let's get this started" Clarisse spoke the words written in Greek and the entrance crumbled open, Markos entered first he drew his sword as he came face to face with Charon, the skull like face haunting in the darkness
"You are not welcome here" he said sharply
Markos faced him unafraid "You have your pay ferryman" he spat with venom "NOW TAKE US WHERE WE WANT TO GO!" he shoved the creature into his boat throwing some gold coins at him.
Charon sneered at the intruders "You will all die down here"
Markos grabbed his cloak and hauled him up "Then so be it" he whispered as the others boarded the boat, Charon began their journey, heading towards the black abyss.
