Note: Before this Chapter, I wanted to take a moment to thank everybody who's stuck with me this far in, and apologize for the length of time between uploads on this one. A lot has changed in my life, including my living situation, and it's taking it's toll. Also, for those who are seeing this story for the first time with this Chapter, welcome! I hope you enjoy, and let me know what you think!
Sorry for the rambling. Let's begin -
"I can't believe you almost killed somebody!" Elliot's voice was painfully loud in the closed compartment of the bus.
"Marcus…" Maddie muttered. "You… you really didn't need…"
Marcus messed with her hair gently. "Don't worry Maddie. It was all in self defense."
"That's not what I heard…" Jason's voice came from a few seats behind him. "I heard you talked shit until he attacked you…"
Marcus stood and was about to walk back to "talk" to Jason when Joel spoke up.
"Yeah that sounds like our Marcus." Joel laughed. "Although, what this Thomas guy did to earn Marcus' wrath…"
"Don't push it." Marcus growled, uncomfortable with all the attention. "It's none of your business."
"Y-y-yeah! I-i-it's a problem f-f-from years ago!' Joey exclaimed from the seat behind the bus driver. "M-m-maddie has had to stop them from k-k-killing each other for years now."
"Well this time it was me who stopped Marcus." Chastity sighed, pretending to swoon over her seat to lean on Marcus. "You should have seen him. Eyes cold as ice, radiating righteous anger like some rebellious, wrathful God . Almost made me forget Hades for a second…"
Marcus pushed her off of him, sitting back in his seat with his arms crossed. Out of the corner of his eye, Marcus noticed Phillip with a small smile on his face watching Chastity and Marcus. What's he smiling about?
Turning, Marcus leaned against the window, trying to block out the rest of the yelling and banter from his group. Casting his mind back, he had never meant to make good on his threat to Thomas… As much as he hated the guy, Marcus wasn't a killer. He wasn't the kind of guy to torture or maim in cold blood… So what happened?
He had been angry. Sure. Just thinking Thomas' name made his blood burn but… Angry enough to kill?
No. That's not it…
Marcus hadn't been himself. Or he had been, just… not? Ugh, this is too confusing…
"Sounds to me like you got mixed up with the wrong kind of powers, kid." A low voice came from the very back of the bus.
The group turned as one to see a large, muscular man lounging in the back seat of the bus, his legs stretched out into the aisle so Marcus could see his black jeans and combat boots. Standing, Marcus saw that the man had slicked back black hair and wrap-around dark sunglasses, along with a red muscle shirt and leather jacket. Why… out of all the Gods why is he here?!
"Dad!" Maddie cried out, running to the back of the bus.
"Hello there Maddie. Saw your latest run in with that Angelos chick's hellhound. Nice work." Ares cocked a half smile at Maddie and patted her shoulder. "Unfortunately, I'm not here to talk about that."
Even with the sunglasses, Marcus could feel Ares' eyes burning into him. Almost without thinking, Marcus felt his hand slip into his pocket and wrap around his pocket watch.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, kid. We both know how that one ends." Ares sneered. "Besides, I'm not here for a fight. I'm here to offer help."
"The great God of War isn't looking for a fight? Why don't I believe that?" Marcus replied tensely.
"Because you're a brooding smartass who thinks the world is out to get you, and most of the time you're right. Just not this time." Ares stood and walked up the bus towards him.
Marcus saw Jason shrink back in his seat and even Chastity shied away from the God's attention. Elliot looked like he was about to speak when Ares held up a hand, silencing him before he could utter a single syllable. Even Joel seemed a little put off to be face to face with a God that actually seemed to live up to the legend. The only one of their group that seemed unaffected by Ares' aura of pure power was Phillip, but then, he was always quiet and quick to slip into the background. As Ares approached, Marcus pulled his pocket watch out of his pocket. I won't be caught off-guard…
If Ares noticed the motion, which Marcus was sure he had, he didn't say anything. Instead he stood over Marcus, his eyes blazing behind his sunglasses. For a moment, his eyes held Marcus' captive, then…
"You've seen her. Haven't you, kid?" Ares said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Marcus spat back.
"Usually I like a little spirit, but this ain't the time. How many times?" The blaze that was Ares' eyes behind his sunglasses seemed to grow brighter in Marcus' vision
"How many times what?"
"How many times have you seen her?"
"Who are you talking about?" Marcus crossed his arms and leaned back against the seat behind him.
"The woman. Red hair. Green eyes. Black gown, all ripped to Hades."
Marcus hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He had thought he had been imagining things the first time… After all, he hadn't come across any campers that looked like that, and he had never heard of any Goddess that matched that description…
"Twice."
Ares sighed. "Bad luck, kid. Very bad luck."
"What is this all about?" Joel's voice came from behind Ares. Seems like he finally got a hold of himself… Though I can't say I'm not surprised.
Ares turned and stared at Joel for a moment, then smiled again. "Settle down, Nature Boy. This isn't a problem you have to deal with. This is between me and Hot Air over here."
"'Hot Air'? Thought you said you weren't looking for a fight, Ares?" Marcus growled.
"Force of habit. Don't take it personal, kid. Look, that woman? She's bad news. Stay as far away from her as possible."
"This coming from the God of War? Can't say I'm not interested to learn more about her…" Marcus mused.
"That's up to you, kid. My woman asked me to do her a favor, and I've done it." Ares started to turn away.
"Wait!" Marcus called out. Much as I hate him… If he knows something…
"Look, I'm in a rush and honestly I didn't even want to come here. What do you want?"
"Tell me her name." Marcus said softly.
"Kid, did you not hear anything I just said? The great God of War went out of his way to give you a warning, and you're still gonna-"
"Ignore it and do what I want anyway? Of course. Your woman knew I'd do that no matter who told me, so she sent you to try and at least intimidate me. Am I right?"
Ares looked at Marcus for a moment before bursting out with laughter loud enough to shake the bus. The rest of the half-bloods looked at each other nervously, but Marcus never took his eyes off of Ares. Finally, Ares' laughter subsided and he took a deep breath.
"You got some balls, kid, I'll give you that. And you're not wrong. Fine, if you're damn determined to get yourself killed, I'll give you that small piece of information. Her name is Lyssa."
With that, Ares seemed to faze out of existence before their eyes, looking like nothing more than a heat mirage in the desert before disappearing entirely. Before the rest of the group could question Marcus on what had happened he turned and walked to the front of the bus. He was just in time, as Randy announced that they were about to reach the outer limits of Boston.
Lyssa… Why does she keep showing up? Who is she? Dammit Aphrodite, what do you know about this?!