Markus was having a bad day.
Then again, he rarely had good days. He looked over to where Robert had pulled Essie into their makeshift bubble, an air pocket at the bottom of the sea. Somehow, though Markus didn't know how, the pressure was different down here. That is to say, it wasn't crushing them like an aluminum can. Also, the merpeople were a surprise.
Markus had heard rumors about the underwater cities, but didn't grasp the reality of it until now. First off, it was absolutely enormous. Alabaster and coral polished walls domed in the city, so from the surface looking down it really only seemed like the ocean floor. But underneath the shield was an entire community of people with fish, shark, octopus and sea horse tails, swimming to get to work or training or the voting station (apparently they were a democratic people). Markus was stunned by the beauty of it all. With it's bright aquatic plants and fluorescent pearls and animals, the place was easily as stunning as Mount Olympus- in a different way. Markus turned once more to Robert, who seemed even more stressed out than he left him.
"Are you sure we'll be okay staying here?" Markus asked again, gaining another eye roll from Robert.
"For the last time, yes. Well, at least probably yes. Being Percy Jackson's son and Poseidon's grandson earned me some brownie points- but they aren't so thrilled about you and Essie," Robert looked over to where Essie lay, unconscious as they towed her toward some coral type abodes. Markus was confused.
"Why don't they like me and Essie?" he scowled. Stupid fish people didn't even know him. Robert shrugged.
"Daughter of a Titan, son of the War god- the Roman War god at that- well, they aren't too anxious to keep you around very long," Robert noticed Markus's angry expression and continued hurriedly- "But I convinced them you're both good people. They'll let us stay long enough to catch our breath and heal up,"
"What about the others? Victoria? And Zoe?" Markus said intensely, then blushed at Robert's smirk. "And everyone else, of course,"
"The merpeople said they would keep an eye out, but they won't venture close to the surface," Robert shrugged. "Already pushing my luck, so I didn't really complain."
"Great. So they'll only find our friends if they're at the bottom of the ocean," Markus growled. "Helpful,"
"Look, if we survived, I'm sure they did too," Robert manipulated the air bubble to squeeze through the entrance of the coral shack, then let it expand to fit the room. "They're resourceful kids. They'll be alright,"
But the look of Robert's face made Markus question whether he truly thought that, or was saying it just for his benefit. The sand was somehow dry under his feet, as were the seaweed beds in the corners. It had taken them half a day to find this place- a fact that bothered Markus to no end. He hated feeling like he was wasting time, and spending almost an entire day searching for their friends had cost them valuable time, not to mention energy. Essie was also a problem- the fact that she still hadn't woken up since the explosion- that was six hours ago. And however nervous about that Markus was, Robert was tenfold. He walked over, gently lying Essie on one of the beds. Robert put a hand over her face, for the thirtieth time that day. Checking for breathing.
"She's still alive," Robert exhaled sharply. "But I'd feel a lot better if we had our duffels on us. I had some ambrosia and necter in there-"
"Me too," Markus said, gritting his teeth. "And clothes, and food, and cash- I swear, I ever find out who sharknado'd us, I'll-"
"Excuse me?" a voice at the door. The boys turned to see a young looking boy, about five or six, standing in the door way. He looked almost normal, with the exception of the slightest blue tint to his skin. His moppy black hair was unruly and wild, and his blue eyes stared out with age beyond his appearance. He held up a kit with a caduceus on it- the symbol of healing. "May I?"
Robert and Markus exchanged a glance, but nodded. The boy took a deep breath, and stepped into the dry air. He smiled, showing a missing tooth.
"Wow, it's good to breathe good old air again. These stiffs never let me go up to the surface. I'm Palaemon," he said in the tone of an adult. "Minor god of...helpfulness? Never quite developed a specific title. I help mariners at sea who are in distress. Your friend looks somewhat...distressed."
"Um...yeah," Markus answered a wary voice. The maturity of this six year old severely creeped him out, but if he could help Essie..."Yeah, we got catapulted off our, um, sharks. I just realized how dumb that sounded."
"Not at all," the kid sat down next to Essie, opening the medical kit and pulling out a very modern stethoscope. He placed it on her heart. "Strong ticker. Breathing's okay. How soon after losing consciousness did you two awaken?"
"Instantly," Robert answered. "And Markus didn't even pass out. What's...what's wrong with her?"
"Hm," the child pouted. Markus raised an eyebrow. "Not sure. How long has she been like this?"
"Almost six hours, give or take twenty minutes," Markus cleared his throat. Palaemon nodded, like he'd expected as much.
"Alright. I think I know what to do here," he went for his kit again, rummaging through before pulling out a syringe. Robert looked at Markus again. The look in his eye was, Are we seriously letting a six year old stab Essie with a needle?
Markus honestly didn't know what else to do.
"So, if you're a god..." Markus started, but didn't exactly know how to end it. Palaemon looked up.
"Why do I look so young?" he smiled. Markus and Robert shifted uncomfortably. "My mother, Leucothea, was driven insane by Hera, all for caring for an infant given to her by Zeus. Dionysus still keeps in touch," He plunged the syringe into a bottle of green liquid, slowly pulling out the plunger. "Anyways, my mother jumped off a cliff with me in her arms. As we hit the ocean, we were turned into gods by Zeus, who I guess felt bad. I mean, 'Here, take my son and raise him, hope my psycho wife doesn't find you and invoke some terrible punishment on you for doing so!' might not have been convincing, but at least it would've been honest,"
"So you became immortalized in the body you were in when she jumped?" Robert guessed. Palaemon nodded, gently sticking the green filled needle into Essie's arm.
"I could of course, be a grown man, or an old man, or a fish or fire or whatever I want to be," Palaemon pushed down the plunger. "But I like this form. It's comforting."
Markus personally felt like being trapped in the body of a little kid forever would be hell, but hey. What did he know about immortal body choices? Palaemon pulled out the needle, and immediately Essie moaned in her sleep. Palaemon smiled.
"That should do it," he grinned at them again. "Now, about my service fee..."
"Service fee?" Robert furrowed his brow. Palaemon smiled kindly.
"It's not much, don't worry," he gave them a nod. "I just need a favor, if you would,"
"And what if we say no?" Markus grit his teeth. He didn't like the fact that he was trying to scam them into some godly IOU.
"Then you say no," Palaemon nodded understandingly. "But I don't think you want to. I think my proposition can be beneficial for all of us,"
"What is it?" Markus asked cautiously. Palaemon smiled excitedly.
"I want you two to help me out with something," he packed up his kit, his little hands sealing up the box. "A project I've been working on for some time now,"
"What kind of project?" Markus asked. Palaemon gave them a sideways grin.
"Follow me," he waved his hand. Markus looked at Robert, but he was stroking Essie's hair out of her face. Markus rolled his eyes. Could he be more obvious? Palaemon waited at the door, raising a tiny eyebrow. "Well?"
Markus stood, waiting for Robert's cue. Robert got to his feet, and started to walk. Palaemon, seemingly satisfied, started out the door. Robert willed air bubbles over them as they walked, and leaned in to Markus.
"What are you thinking?" he narrowed his eyes. Markus swallowed, but turned to Robert.
"I don't think we have any better options. I mean, the kid's creeptastic, but he did help Essie," he shrugged. Robert nodded, but was still alert. Palaemon walked confidently across the sandy ocean floor, somehow keeping his gravity as he did so. Markus wished he had that ability. This was sort of like walking on the moon. Palaemon led them across an anemone orchard into a cobalt temple, huge even for the domed city. As they entered, Markus caught his breath. Alabaster and mother of pearl lined the walls, bits of red and purple coral acting as pillars. The walls were lined in gold friezes, depicting mermaids and monsters of the sea, heroes and gods, athletes and animals. The floor was solid, but Markus couldn't identify the black stone. They walked farther to the temple, reaching a pair of huge double doors. Palaemon turned to them, for the first time with a grim look on his face.
"Behind these doors..." he started, then shook his head, apparently changing his mind. "Just be prepared. She's in a very bad mood,"
Markus raised an eyebrow at Robert, who returned the wary glance. The trio opened the doors. Behind them, was a huge, plexiglass cage. In the cage was a woman, if you could call her that. She had long, flowing blackish green hair and solid indigo eyes. She was human sized, with blue skin and red, coral armour. The woman was restrained as well, tied by her hands to the ceiling. She had weird things sticking out of her head- were those wings? She snarled as they approached.
"I captured Tethys soon after she attacked your parents," Palaemon sighed. "She's been terribly rude,"
"I will devour your soul!"
"I offered her some tea, but she wasn't interested," he looked truly disappointed. She bared her needle like fangs.
"Your intestines will decorate my husband's palace!" she growled. "I will feast on the hearts of your grandchildren! I-"
"Okay, so she's just a big ray of sunshine," Robert assessed. "But what do you need us for?"
"Tethys has been working for the rebirth of Kronos," Palaemon rolled his eyes, but Robert and Markus both turned to him in horror. "What? You didn't know?"
"No!" Robert said near panic. Markus too was seized with franticness. This was the opposite of okay- his parents had gone through enough sending that creep back to Tartarus. What was...was he regaining consciousness?
"Well, it's a desperate attempt by the Titans who remained after the war," he gave Tethys a disdainful look. "Of course, the Olympians won't be bothered by us minor gods, so they refuse to hear our warnings. But this time, many of us are taking initiative. Just because ZEUS is too busy to deal with this traitor, doesn't mean we aren't."
"It's that serious?" Markus exhaled sharply. Palaemon twisted his mouth.
"Not yet. We don't even know if Kronos is awake yet, wherever he is. But something's stirring these guy's up," he gestured to the insidious creature in the tank, spewing insults. "We just need to know what that is,"
"I still don't follow," Robert shook his head, but Markus was starting to. Palaemon looked almost apologetic.
"We need to know, and she isn't talking," he bit his lip. "The child of Perseus Jackson, the son of Ares-"
"Mars."
"Fine, Mars. You both show up together..." he looked terribly uncomfortable. "They're hoping you'll be able to do what we can't,"
"And what's that," Robert narrowed his eyes. Markus got the feeling Robert knew what that was, and didn't like it at all. Palaemon spread his hands apologetically.
"I can't touch her," he said. "But you can. If we need the information, and you can get it out of her-"
"What, you mean torture?" Robert spat, appalled. Markus got a sick feeling in his gut. Palaemon looked put out. "No. No, we won't do that."
"You don't exactly...have a choice," Palaemon said sadly. "I was hoping saving your friend would convince you, but the truth is they won't let you leave the city unless..."
"Unless what? We spill the ichor of this Titan?!" he pointed at the grinning Tethys. "We don't operate like that. Tell them no."
"Robert-" Markus started.
"The answer is no," Robert nodded at Palaemon. The god looked extremely saddened by his choice, but on his childlike face it was hard to take seriously. "I'm sorry."
"Then I'm sorry too, young Robert. But you have left me no choice," he dug a small pearl out of his pocket, twirling it in his little fingers. Markus and Robert stared apprehensively at it.
"What is that?" Markus asked, eyeing the pearl. Palaemon looked truly upset.
"It's a trigger," he said sadly. "If I crush this pearl, the poison I injected into your poor friend will activate, and she will die within seconds,"
"You son of a bitch!" Robert lunged, but Markus grabbed him under his arms, restraining him. "You said you healed her!"
"Oh, I did. I was honest about that," Palaemon nodded earnestly. "But the poison was optional. It can continue, unarmed, through her body for the rest of her natural life. Or I can kill her. It's your choice."
"YOU-"
"Robert! Robert, I'll do it! I'll do it, okay?" Markus shouted as Robert strained against him. The water gave him extra strength, and Markus was close to losing him. Robert turned to him, eyes full of shock.
"No. No, we don't have to-"
"They're going to kill her, Robert. Can you live with that?" Markus said, knowing the answer. "Look, you...you can't do this. Not because I think you're not able to. You have to stay good, alright?"
Robert looked actually pained.
"What are you talking about, Markus?" he asked, jaw tight. Markus didn't know exactly himself. Something he had known though, all his life, was that when it came down to moments like this- he wasn't the moral guy. He was the one who got his hands dirty. Who did what others couldn't- shouldn't. It was what being a son of Mars meant. And he hated it.
"You have to stay good, Robert. You have your moral code-" he looked over at Tethys, who was still smiling evilly. "-and I've got mine. It's how this goes."
"Markus, i can't just let you-"
"Yeah, well, newsflash. I don't report to you, Jackson," he gave him a twitch of a smile. Robert looked angrier than he had ever seen before, but turned to leave, storming away. Markus turned back to Palaemon, eyes flashing murderously.
"I'll need a sword."
"Of course," Palaemon started toward the doors, handing him a key first. "You'll find everything you need in her cage,"
Markus noticed for the first time the arrangement of tools by Tethys. When he turned back, Palaemon was gone. Markus swallowed, walking over to the cage and slowly inserted the key into the lock. Tethys laughed as he entered.
"Son of Ares," she purred. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist. After all this time, finally getting to spill some blood. You just had to, didn't you?"
Markus didn't reply, only walked over to the assortment of instruments on the rack beside her. He surveyed his tools- swords, daggers, syringes, bolt cutters and countless other sharp objects he didn't even have a name for. He ran his fingers over them, counting each. Tethys grinned.
"Don't you just love bloodlust, Markus Ramirez-Arellano?" she laughed. "How it feels in your stomach? How it tints your vision? Your mother would be so disappointed- and your father so proud,"
Markus felt a bitter taste on his tongue, like the sharp taste of metal. A flicker of a smile crossed his lips as he played with a long, thin knife in his hands. Stygian iron. Nice.
"Well, Markus. I can't say I'm not surprised. You actually picked up a weapon," she laughed. "You and I both know you'll try to kill me before you get any information out. Such is the temper of the brood of Ares. You don't have the patience for torture, my boy,"
Markus ran his finger over the blade. A thin stream of blood dissipated into the water, and he nodded. He turned his attention back to Tethys.
"You know you want to kill me," she smiled. "Torture is so slow, Markus. Sons of Ares like to feel the dried blood under their fingernails. The heat of a kill. Do it. I know you're dying to. Just try! Just try it, Son of Ares!"
She glared at him victoriously. Markus cocked his head, staring at her in amusement.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you Tethys?" he nodded. Apparently this wasn't the answer she was expecting. "You'd like me to try and kill you. And fail. But that's not what I was asked to do,"
Markus felt sick to his stomach, but was determined not to show it. Tethys actually looked nervous.
"See, when my friend's life is on the line, there's just about nothing I won't do," he said, deadly calm. "And I'm going to give one chance to tell me who's whispering in your ear. One chance. This is it,"
He leaned in close, cupping his ear. She spat in his face.
"I will tell you nothing!" her eyes gleamed. "You won't be able to get me to talk- you're much too violent for that! Beheading, stabbing- either way, you'll end up going for the kill, Markus. And you're right, you WILL fail- because I cannot die! And the most beautiful part is, even as I warn you, you know I'm right! You just won't be able to help yourself. Sons of Ares never can!"
"Well, that's an interesting theory," Markus wiped saliva off his cheek. "But you're forgetting one vital detail."
He circled around her, pressing the blade to her throat from behind. He leaned down, right to her ear, and whispered:
"I'm actually a son of Mars," he pressed the blade closer, and a trickle of ichor ran down her blue skin. "And we're a lot more patient,"
Three hours later, Markus walked out of the temple, shaking. His arms were coated in gold, sticky blood. He felt the need to throw up, but forced himself not to. Outside, Palaemon sat with Robert, who looked as though he were also about to be sick. They jumped to their feet as he approached. Markus threw down the bloody dagger at Palaemon's feet, and walked past them both.
"She knows nothing," he said angrily. "The whispers come from unknown sources."
"But-"
Markus whirled around, picking the child god up by his collar. Palaemon swallowed.
"She knows, nothing," he hissed. "We're leaving."
He dropped the god, who quickly backed away. Robert looked concerned, but said nothing. Inside, Markus was close to sobbing- though he would never admit it. His hands were still shaking from the experience, his heartbeat flooding his ears. Markus was sick to his stomach, but not for the reason he thought he would be. He had expected it to be hard- and it wasn't. He had expected it to feel bad when he cut and scraped and sliced- but instead it felt relieving. He hadn't been scared by what he did- he was scared by how he like it. He liked it.
"Do you want to talk about what happened back there?" Robert said, trying to keep up with Markus's pace.
"Nope." Markus growled.
"You're going to have to say something eventually."
"Actually, no. I don't. And if you have any respect for me, or what I did," he turned around, nose to nose with Robert. "You'll never ask me to talk about it again."
Robert looked dissatisfied, but dropped it. Makus again fought the urge to vomit, but stomached it. He was a son of Mars. It's just what they did.