Serena Stellington here. Here's part 3 to, "The link of the Gods." Happy New Year!
Percy had no idea why Will was so stressed out, but one thing he did know was that Will never panicked unless the world was about to explode or something like that. Percy picked up his pace, running as fast as he could.
Will took them to the infirmary, where all of the sick or injured campers went for treatment. As of now, the boy from the forest was the only patient.
"Could you PLEASE tell us what this is all about?" Nico asked. "Do we really have to hear it from him?"
"Yes," Will replied as he pushed the infirmary do open, "This is too big for me to tell you about. You're gonna have to hear it from Marcus himself."
"Marcus?" Said Clarisse.
"Yep, that's the guy's name."
Ella stepped inside after Annabeth. "I'm scared," she complained, "All of this suspense is driving me nuts!"
"You're always scared," Clarisse snorted.
Before they all went in, however, Will turned to Ella and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Ella," he said gently, "Why don't you go back to the Apollo cabin and wait for me there? This is kind of a meeting for cabin leaders only."
"Oh," Ella said, swallowing hard, "Then this must really be an emergency, huh?"
"It is," Will said grimly.
Ella walked off slowly, her head hanging low.
Despite the urgency, Percy couldn't help but feel sorry for her. It wasn't her fault that she got scared easily.
"I'll feel bad about that later," said Will, "But right now we have more important things to worry about."
Together, they stepped inside, Percy shutting the door behind them. It was cozy inside, although more cluttered than the Hephaestus cabin. Piles of herbs and medicines were piled high, all the way up to the ceiling. There were also strange glowing bottles and books full of healing spells. Percy could be locked in here for the rest of his life and never get bored. Okay, maybe he would get a little bored, but you get the picture.
The leaders of the other cabins were crowded around the boy, Marcus, who was now wide awake and seemed to be in almost perfect health.
"That was quick," Nico couldn't help but comment.
'Yeah," Will replied, "The poison was surprisingly easy to neutralize. I think that he's still in pain, but just really good at showing it."
Marcus nodded at the small group as they came up. He was nearly as tall as Percy was, had dark hair that was in serious need of a hairbrush, dark brown eyes. He carried himself with an air of authority, as if he was used to being shown respect.
The other cabin leaders looked anxious.
"Alright Will," Conner Stoll, one of the Stoll the brothers from the Hermes Cabin, said, "Now can you let this dude tell us WHAT IS GOING ON?!?" He shouted the last few words, venting his frustration on the ears of all who stood by.
"I wanted him to only have to say it one more time, OK?" Will answered in frustration. "He nearly died, and it was only because a Hecate kid found a good spell that he is still alive. Marcus is very weak from his ordeal."
Marcus didn't like this. "I'm perfectly fine," he protested, "And although I am very grateful for you for saving me, you don't have to treat me like a hospital patient."
Will ignored him.
"Now," he said, trying to remain calm under the pressure of an emergency, "Marcus, will you please tell the others what you told me."
Marcus groaned. "You do know that I didn't mean to tell you all of that, right? It was supposed to be a secret until somebody gave me a whopper of an anesthetic."
"Sorry about that," Will apologized. "But you did tell me, and what you told me was pretty bad, so I would love it if you could help me out a little here."
"Fine," Marcus snapped, "I guess I owe you at least that much."
He took a deep breath and faced the group of campers.
"My name is Marcus Van Detten," he said, "And I am from Camp Asgard. I was passing through the woods nearby with my friend, Helena. We didn't even know that we were anywhere close to camp Half-Blood, but I'm lucky that we were."
"Now, what I am about to tell you is top secret, and the only reason that I'm letting you all know about this is because your Camp is now in danger. You have to promise me to not tell anybody, or else this could get incredibly bad."
"How bad?" Percy asked. He had a feeling that he wasn't going to like the answer."
Marcus smiled, but it was a grim, cold smile.
"Very bad," he said, "In fact, think the gates of the underworld opening up and all of the villains that ever existed getting out kind of bad."
"Oh," Percy gulped, "That kind of bad. Ugh, this can't be good, please continue."
"Thanks," said Marcus.
"OK, now where was I? Oh yeah, this is top secret. Anybody planning on saying anything about it to your friends?"
Nobody answered.
"I didn't think so. Well, the leader of Camp Asgard, his name is Kip, was going through some old Norse battle trophies and found a book. It felt really powerful and magical, so Kip looked it up and discovered that it was a portal of sorts."
Marcus paused for a moment. 'Hang on a sec," he said, suddenly out of breath.
"You okay?" Will asked worriedly.
"I told you, I am fine," Marcus said, "Just a little out of breath."
Percy wondered how much pride it took to not admit that you were in serious pain after being clawed by a poisonous Snake. Were all Norse demi-gods like this?
Marcus coughed. "There," he said, "I told you, I'm fine."
"Now about that portal…" Annabeth said. She looked like she was about to die from the suspense.
"Right, the portal. Turns out, this was a portal that- well, it sort of- you see, the portal-"
"OH MY WORD JUST TELL US ALREADY OR I WILL SPEAR YOU AND HANG YOUR HEAD ON MY CABIN DOOR!" Clarisse yelled at him.
Everybody jumped, terrified within half an inch of their lives. An angry Clarisse was something that no one wanted to see.
Marcus was the only one who didn't seem startled be the shout.
"Be patient," he told her, "I'm getting to that."
It took five campers to keep Clarisse from ripping the boy's head off.
Marcus continued. "Anyways, the portal is basically a link between the gods. All of the gods, Norse, Greek , Roman, what the heck, even the Native American gods are linked by the portal. It connects our underworlds, so if this got into the wrong hands, we are doomed."
Nobody said anything, so he added, "Completely doomed. Like, no chance of survival doomed."
"And that is why this was such an urgent meeting," said Will. He looked at the others. "Any questions?"
Nico grabbed a table overflowing with medicines to steady himself. "Holy Halloween, this is bad!"
"Ya think?" Marcus replied.
"Yeah, I have a question," interjected Drew, leader of the Aphrodite cabin. She was in charge whenever Piper, the real leader, was at Camp Jupiter.
"Where is the portal now?" She asked, giving Marcus a dazzling smile. Only Drew could flirt in a crisis.
Marcus ignored the smile. "Here's the bad part," he said, "It's with Helena. My friend. Who was dragged off by a giant snake the last time I saw her."
"Great," muttered Percy, "Just what I needed! To know that the biggest weapon in the world is with a Snake with a capital S."
Nearly everyone looked confused.
"A Snake with a capital S?" Travis Stoll said. "What is that supposed to mean."
"Long story."
"Gotcha. I probably don't want to know."
"You don't, trust me."
Marcus waited until they were done talking, then he said, "My friend is probably dead by now, so I have to say that looking for the portal is kinda useless. As for me, I'm heading back to Camp Asgard to warn the campers there."
Annabeth looked confused. "Wait," she said, "I don't get it. Helena was your friend. Why are you so unemotional about it."
"I'm from the Hel cabin, goddess of Death," said Marcus, rolling his eyes, "I'm supposed to be heartless. What do you want me to do, cry like a toddler and scream, 'Oh woe is me, my pal has died!' Uh, no way."
He started for the door.
"I'll see you guys someday. Actually, I probably won't, we'll all be dead sooner or later. Thanks Will, I still owe you one."
"Wait!" Percy called, just as Marcus grabbed the doorknob.
He turned around, obviously impatient. "Yes?"
"Helena, your friend, she might still have the portal! She's alive; the Snake that grabbed her and nearly killed you was a very rare- oh, never mind, the point is, the portal is still out there."
Clarisse scowled at Marcus. "Yeah, we still have a fighting chance to beat the odds and win. Are you with us?"
The other cabin leaders waited breathlessly. They were all silently hoping and praying that this strange boy would agree.
Marcus smiled. "Well, if Helena really is alive, then I'm with you all the way."
Percy grinned widely. Today was indeed full of twists and turns.
"But," Marcus continued, "I still need to leave." He opened the door.
Percy's heart fell.
"Why?" Drew exclaimed, "I thought that you were going to help us!"
"I am," Marcus said," But we need reinforcements. And those, my friends, are at Camp Asgard."
Travis cleared his throat. "I can help organize the camp, just in case there is battle. I think that Percy and maybe some other people should go with Marcus, just in case."
The look that the Stoll boy was giving Percy clearly, 'Just in case means make sure that Camp Asgard is truly with us.'
Percy gave him a nod. "He's right," he said, "Marcus might need help."
"No I don't," Marcus replied.
He walked outside. "I'm going by myself," he called over his shoulder, "But I'll stop by your weapons shed on the way. Don't worry, I'll pay you back."
Will sighed. "Most stubborn patient ever."
Travis looked anxious. "You guys," he said, "Percy needs to go with him. I don't trust him; this was too quick and too easy."
"I agree," Annabeth said, "And if Percy is going, then I'm going."
Percy glanced back at Marcus, who had disappeared into the weapons shed. "We should," he said, "So how about we go ahead an catch up with him NOW?"
"Go ahead," said Will, "I'll help take care of things here."
Quickly, Percy and Annabeth sprinted from the shed together. Nico followed them.
He saw Percy's questioning look. "You also need a shadow traveler," he explained.
"I see," said Percy, who really did not see why they needed a shadow traveler.
'I'm coming too!" A small voice called from the infirmary. They stopped moving and looked back, surprised.
Ella bounced up to them.
"I was listening outside of the door," she said, "And since Will isn't going, I can go for him. You need a medic."
Annabeth sighed. She looked fondly at the little Apollo girl.
"Ella," she said gently, "You've never been on a real quest before, so I don't think that you-"
"But I'll be with you guys!" Ella interrupted. She swung her medical bag over her shoulder and marched on ahead. "Besides, wasn't there another person named Ella who read a lot of stuff and helped you guys on a mission?"
"She was half bird," Percy pointed out.
"Whatever. I'm still coming."
Nico shrugged and went after her. "You can't argue with logic like that."
Why, Percy thought, did I think it was a good idea to follow the sound of that stupid whistle?
The four questers caught up with Marcus. He was in the middle of going through the weapons shed and searching for a new sword. A terrified camper was standing by the door, watching helplessly while Marcus raided the whole supply.
Seeing Percy, the girl smiled in relief.
"Oh thank the gods that you're here," she said to them, "I tried to tell him that he wasn't supposed to be in here, but he threatened to remove my soul and send it into Jotenheim, where ever that is."
Percy looked at Annabeth. "Jotenheim?" He asked.
Annabeth shrugged. "I'm an expert in Greek places, not Norse."
"Jotenheim." Ella piped up, "Is the valley of the giants, who are the Norse god's greatest enemies. Legends say that-"
"Thank you Ella," Nico interrupted, "But we don't need the whole lesson."
The Apollo girl blushed. "Sorry," she muttered.
Marcus emerged from the shed. He was carrying a broadsword and a dagger that was tucked into his belt.
"It isn't Norse, but it'll have to do for now," he said.
The strange boy seemed completely unsurprised that he had been followed.
Percy swallowed hard and stepped back, just in case what he was about to say didn't end well. There was no telling how powerful a child of Hel was.
"Listen, Marcus," he began, "The other cabin leaders decided that it would be best if we-"
"Went with me and made sure that I really was going to help you," Marcus finished for him. "And no, you may not. I work best alone, and it would take too long. Besides, just because Will and some random Hecate kid saved my life, doesn't mean that I like you guys. Because I don't. Not even a little bit."
Nico narrowed his eyes. "But we still have to come with you," he said firmly, "Or else you may not get back alive. You need help."
Marcus paused, mentally going over his options. If he said, no, well, from what he had seen about these Camp Half-Blood kids, they would probably find a way to follow him anyways. If he said yes, then he'd have to take the chance of getting demoted by Kip. Kip had a personal vendetta against Camp half-Blood. Oh well, might as well go for the greater good!
Marcus looked them over. "Fine," he snapped, "I can see that it would be no use to tell you guys no. But we go by my rules."
"What are your rules?" Ella asked suspiciously.
"No questioning what I do, pack lightly, we travel at night, and most importantly, NO ACTING LIKE GREEKS."
He put extra emphasis on the last one.
"Why do we-" Percy began, but Annabeth interrupted him.
"It's a deal," she said quickly.
Percy was about about to protest, but he thought twice before he did anything stupid. Annabeth had a good reason for everything. And Marcus seemed satisfied (For now), so he probably shouldn't mess anything up.
"OK," Percy said, "Looks like it's settled. Give us five minutes to pack, an we'll be there."
Marcus nodded. "K," he replied, "I'll meet you at the border."
He watched the four kids dash of to their cabins.
I am so getting demoted, he thought.
--
Four minutes, five point two seconds later, Ella arrived at the border. She was the last one to get there.
"Do we have everything that we need," Annabeth asked, slinging her satchel over her shoulder.
Ella nodded as she breathlessly pushed her glasses back up her nose. She had run all the way non-stop from the Apollo cabin to the Camp's border.
"Great!" Said Percy, "Let's go!'
He stepped across the border and had hardly made it five paces before Marcus called after him, "You can walk if you want, but I was thinking more along the lines of a car."
Percy turned around, surprised.
"A car?" He said.
"A car?" Nico said.
"A car?" Ella said.
"A car?" Annabeth said.
Marcus sighed. "Yes, a car. You know, one of those big metal things that had four wheels and takes you places?"
Percy walked back to the others. "I know perfectly well what a car is," he said, "But how are we going to get one?"
Marcus smiled. "Do you think that me and Helena walked all the way from Camp Asgard to here?" he asked.
"well…" Ella began.
Marcus rolled his eyes. "Greeks aren't the only ones who have magic," he said, "Yes, a car. Wanna get one?"
"Heck yeah!" Annabeth exclaimed.
Marcus grabbed the whistle that hung around his neck and blew it five times, two short, three long. He waited a moment before blowing it again.
A howl from the other side of the camp answered him. Nightshade came bounding up from the eating pavilion, clanking and clonking as he ran.
Nico's jaw dropped. "That's your car?'
"Yep!"
Nightshade reached the five kids in no time. His tail was wagging excitedly, and he barked like a puppy. A very big, wolfish puppy.
Marcus waited until the huge animal was a few feet away, then he said in his most commanding tone, "Nightshade, sit!"
Nightshade looked disappointed, but he sat.
Ella jumped backwards in fright. "Oh no," she said, shaking her head while slowly in fright, "No way am I getting on that thing!"
Marcus ignored her and continued to order Nightshade about. "Nightshade, morph."
The silver wolf whimpered.
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "Morph," he commanded, "Right now."
The others watched in slack-jawed amazement as the dog resigned itself to doing as it was told. Nightshade's silver fur tightened and hardened until it looked just like metal.
"It IS metal!" Annabeth exclaimed.
The wolf's armor melted into it's body while it's four legs shrank and hardened into four rubber wheels. It's eyes grew bigger and bigger and turned into headlight; it's snout flattened into a hood. Nightshade's ears moved down the side of his head, stretching out into rearview mirrors. Soon enough, the silver wolf had completely turned into a fancy silver van.
"There's our car," Marcus said with a smirk.
"I should be calling the humane society right now," Ella muttered.
Marcus opened up the front door of the van. "Who wants to ride in the front?" He asked. "I claim the drivers seat."
"I'll take it," Nico volunteered as he climbed into the chair.
Annabeth hopped into the back, marveling over the transformation that had taken place. "It's incredible," she said, "And to make matters even more amazing, Nightshade is- was, whatever, a living animal, and now he is a car. I wish I had my machinery textbook with me right now."
Percy and Ella were a bit more hesitant, both for the same reason.
"What if it turns back into a wolf while we're inside?" Ella challenged Marcus. "What will happen then?"
Marcus remained perfectly calm as he responded, "Then we will die a horrible and gruesome death from suffocation or being crushed to tiny little pieces."
Ella gulped. "At least you're honest."
Soon, everyone was safely in the van. Marcus fiddled around with the control panel for a few minutes. "To be perfectly honest," he admitted, "I've never driven this thing before. Helena is the only camper who has actually done it. She's from the Odin cabin, so she's the only person smart enough to drive Nightshade with the minimum risk of explosion."
"Why do I regret going with you," Percy sighed.
"Are we going or what?" Nico asked impatiently.
Marcus was still examining the control panel. "Give me a sec," he said, "This takes time. Ah, here we go, I think that we're supposed to push the bright red button that says, 'ALL CAMPERS FROM CABIN THREE, DO NOT PUSH THIS OR YOU WILL PROBABLY END UP KILLING US ALL.'"
"Are you from cabin five?" Annabeth asked nervously.
"Nah, Hel cabin is number four. Cabin five is the Loki cabin, that's where Kip lives."
And without further ado, Marcus pushed the red button.
Everybody braced themselves. Ella shut her eyes tightly, and Percy gripped his armrests in a death lock. Annabeth and Nico sent fervent prayers to the gods for safety.
Marcus suddenly gasped. "This isn't good," he said, his calm and controlled face slipping into a terrified expression.
"What isn't?" Percy asked, still holding on tightly.
"I pushed the wrong button."
--
Will Solace was wondering if he had made the right decision about letting Percy, Nico, and Annabeth leave without a little more help. For one thing, Ella was missing. For another thing, that crazy wolf had just come bounding by in response for yet ANOTHER whistle. For another thing, Will could have sworn that he'd just heard a car zooming away from Camp Half-Blood. For another thing, along with the sound of the car, there had been the high-pitched sound of panicked screaming.
What a day, Will thought. I'm going to go Iris-message Chiron. I can't handle the craziness all by myself. I wonder if it really was screaming that I heard?
It was.