Some Time Before…
Marcus ducked, just managing to dodge Aaron's swing.
"That the best you got?" He taunted. "No way we're winning the tournament if that's all you can bring to the table."
"Oh, you wanted me to try! " Aaron laughed. "Sorry, you were so slow I thought you weren't paying attention."
Marcus' only response was to swing his blade, which was easily blocked by Aaron's own. This tournament is the perfect chance...
"Marcus!"
Marcus' attention was grabbed as the voice called his name. Unfortunately for him, Aaron wasn't in the mood to show mercy. With a quick kick, he knocked Marcus' legs out from under him. Landing heavily, Marcus scowled up at Aaron, who wore a self satisfied smirk on his face.
"Can't have you getting distracted that easily can we? How are we supposed to win the team tournament if you can't focus just because Maddie calls your name?"
"Oh, don't be too hard on him. You'd be distracted too if a cute girl shouted your name." Kelly responded from where she was sitting in the grass.
"Not that you'd know what that felt like." Hunter said, a teasing grin on his face.
Marcus saw the glance that passed between Aaron and Kelly, but decided not to draw too much attention to it. Let them keep it a secret. It'll make it more fun when they finally do try to tell me.
Maddie hurried over. "Marcus are you okay? That looked like it hurt…"
"I'm fine." Marcus hurriedly got to his feet, brushing off his jeans. Get it together Marcus… It's just Maddie.
"Ah come on, no need to act tough. Admit it, I wounded you severely. You may as well drop out of the tournament now." Aaron threw his arm over Marcus' shoulders dramatically. "It's alright you brave soldier, we'll carry on and win in your name."
"Yeah, sure. And let you all have the chance to take on a quest for a God without me? I don't think so." Marcus scoffed.
"I wonder what God it'll be… Or Goddess." Kelly mused.
"What does it matter? We'll finally have a legitimate reason to leave camp." Alicia replied, once again cracking her whip at the training dummy she had set up. Marcus thought he could see the letter "M" scratched on it, but he wasn't sure.
She's still bitter…
"Hey man, don't let it get to you. You two have buried the hatchet enough to work together on this after all, right?" Aaron said, quiet enough that only Marcus could hear.
"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure that's only because you asked and said, and I quote, 'more time out of camp with just the five of us'..."
"Remind me why we couldn't have Maddie join us? We could use the extra power." Kelly asked. Marcus saw Alicia stiffen as she wrapped her whip around her wrist, getting ready to end her practice before flicking it out again and attacking the training dummy with even more fervor.
Gods dammit…
"I told you. This quest could be dangerous. Even Chiron says it's too soon." Marcus replied, resting his hand on Maddie's head and ignoring the pout she was trying to throw at him.
"I don't know. I for one would feel a lot safer if I knew we had the Ares power child in our corner." Hunter shrugged.
"At least then we'd know one of our powerhouses would be pulling their weight." Aaron said with a grin.
Laughter rang out as Hunter started to try to sputter a reply before trying to grab Aaron in a headlock.
"I-i-i see you all are r-r-relaxed as can be."
Marcus turned to see Joey walk over with a smile.
"Joey! Finally recovered?" Aaron asked, neatly sidestepping Hunter's grasp.
"R-r-recovered and r-r-ready!" Joey replied. Marcus looked him up and down and had to admit that he did seem healed, a far cry from the bloody heap that had been carried into camp by the other scouts after his last mission had gone sideways. Glad to see it.
"Are you fighting in the tournament Joey?" Maddie asked.
"O-o-of course! Wouldn't be m-m-much of a scout if I didn't."
Marcus once again had to pointedly ignore the pout and puppy dog eyes that Maddie threw at him. Dammit Joey…
"Ah well, seems a shame to have to beat you up so soon after recovery." Aaron smiled and nudged Joey gently with his elbow. "But just so you know, we're winning this one. Sorry buddy."
Marcus couldn't help but smile as the pair traded remarks, Joey's stuttering at odds with Aaron's confident swagger