Marcus slipped through the doorway to the room they had found at the end of the tunnel.
"Where's Elliot?" Joel asked.
Marcus couldn't say it. He just couldn't. Sure, he wasn't the guys biggest fan but… Another half-blood gone…
Marcus felt a small hand creep into his and saw Maddie looking up at him, her expression full of worry. He forced himself to take a deep breath.
"He's… gone. They got to him before he could come through with us."
The feeling in the room shifted on a dime. Where before, the group had been looking at this, at least in their subconscious, as an adventure, albeit a dangerous one, they had always believed that somehow, they'd all make it through. Marcus knew, because he had felt the same way before… It doesn't feel real until it happens… and by then it's too late.
"What… what happened…?" Chastity's voice was soft and quiet, quieter than Marcus had ever heard.
"He saved us all is what happened." Joel muttered. "How did he… How…"
"He pushed me into the tunnel. Before he could jump in after me, they got to him. He managed to seal it, but that was all he could do." Marcus had learned if he just spat things out they didn't hurt. As much.
"He died protecting us… A death worthy of a soldier if you ask me…" Phillip said, quickly throwing what Marcus thought might have been a salutatory gesture.
"' Worthy' ?! There's nothing worthy about this!" Chastity cried out. "This wasn't the way it was supposed to happen! We're the most powerful half-bloods that the Camp has to offer!"
"That doesn't matter." Marcus said quietly. "Power or not… This is the risk you take when going out on quests… Leaving Camp…"
"Marcus... " Maddie started, and from her look, Marcus could tell she could see where his mind was going. Kelly...
"We don't have time for this." Marcus shook his head. Try as he might, Marcus couldn't stop blaming himself for what had happened, couldn't stop thinking of what he could have possibly done differently. Later. Now's not the time . "The New Olympians could find this place at any moment. We have to keep moving."
The rest of the group looked at him with shock, except Maddie, who could see just how much he was tearing himself apart inside.
"What are you talking about? We have a moment to… to say something for him at least!" Jason sputtered.
"Every second we stand here is another second we give them to track us down. We can mourn him later." Marcus moved to the other door in the room, leaning against it and listening for any sound from the other side.
"That's cold man… Could at least give us a moment to... process…" Joel muttered.
Marcus turned with a sigh. "Look, I know it isn't easy. I know we're all… in shock. But we have to keep moving. The last thing we want is for what Elliot did to be for nothing right?" Marcus didn't wait for an answer, instead watching as the signs of determination returned to his group's faces. "Alright, so here's what we're going to do. Jason, how big an illusion are you able to create right now? One that can move?"
"I don't know… maybe enough to cover two people?" Jason replied.
"Alright. Chastity-"
"Right, make myself look like one of the butt ugly New Olympians. Got it."
Marcus couldn't help but smile at that. "Glad to see we're still on the same page."
"Always are, handsome." Chastity smirked, causing Marcus to roll his eyes.
"Phil, I get the feeling I don't have to worry about you being sneaky?"
"I was a scout, Marcus. Moving unseen is what I do." Phillip said, slinging his bow across his back.
"Good. Take Maddie with you, help her stick to the shadows."
"I'm guessin' that leaves me with Chew Toy." Joel said.
"Seriously? You're still on that?" Jason sighed, though it sounded more like a whine to Marcus.
"Always will be." Joel replied with a small smile.
"What about you Marcus?" Maddie asked.
"Come on, Mads. What's Smuggler Rule Four?" Marcus forced a smile to his face.
"Blend in and look like you belong?"
"Exactly. While you all are being stealthy, I'm going to find one of those half-bloods and… appropriate a shirt or two for us. Follow the signs to the exit, and I'll be right behind you."
"Sounds to me like you're playing bait again…" Chastity muttered.
"Look, all I'll be doing is following behind and covering our escape as best I can alright? Now go. We need to report this back to Chiron."
Without another word, the party split into their respective groups and slipped out the door into the hallway, quickly finding their way via the signs plastered throughout the tunnels.
Thank the Gods… Last thing we'd want is to get lost down here…
Marcus was the last out of the room, scanning the tunnels around him for any sign of New Olympian activity. After a moment, he turned and moved in the opposite direction from the rest of the party, quiet as a shadow.
Sorry guys… I'll catch up.
Sticking to the walls, Marcus snuck his way through the tunnels, attempting to head back in the direction of the field. After a few minutes of walking, he came across another room, this time with the door ajar. Peeking inside, he found exactly what he was looking for. It appeared to be a storage room, boxes and lockers scattered about the place, and one lone New Olympian half-blood checking them all for any sign of his party.
Slipping into the room, Marcus took a moment to glance around and, finding a small screw sitting on top of a box, gently tossed it against a locker on the far side of the room. Just as he had hoped, the sound attracted the notice of the New Olympian, who immediately drew his weapon and went to investigate. Unfortunately for him, Marcus was right behind him. In just a few moments, Marcus had crept right up behind him and in one swift motion, had locked his arms around the half-blood's neck from behind in a sleeper hold, keeping him there until he was sure the half-blood was knocked out.
That was easier than expected…
Looking around, Marcus found a length of rope and used it to tie up the half-blood, taking his New Olympian shirt as he did so. Slipping it on over his head, Marcus searched around the room more closely and found a cap as well, which he immediately put on and pulled down so the brim could cover his face if he tilted his head. Perfect. Now, to go cause that distraction to cover them leaving the building…
As he went to leave the room however, Marcus froze as he heard voices just outside. Quickly, he crossed to the doorway and pulled the door closed, leaving it just open enough that he could still hear.
"Damn kid… who would have thought he'd have dug them into these tunnels…" Aaron's voice came down the hallway, shaking with fury. "We had them… Dammit we had him! "
"I'm sure they'll come to us again." Came another voice, one Marcus unfortunately recognized as Lyssa. "After all, we know-"
"I don't need to be reminded…" Aaron scoffed. "I know that you have plans for him."
"Of course I do. His blind rage makes him the perfect Champion…"
"You underestimate his stubbornness. He won't abandon the camp, no matter what tactics you use. The one he loves is there."
"Yes well… If you would simply divulge that information to us, then perhaps we could be more… convincing."
"You know Nike's orders. She also knows his worth on the battlefield. She won't have your lust for his wrath ruin what could be one of our finest generals."
This outburst was followed by what sounded to Marcus as if a body had been struck, followed swiftly by a slam of something hitting a wall.
"You forget yourself, Aaron Baldwin. You may be Nike's favorite, but I am still a goddess, and one of your New Olympians. You will show me the proper respect."
Aaron's reply was too quiet for Marcus to hear, though the laughter it brought from Lyssa made his skin crawl.
"Don't worry, Aaron. I won't hurt any of your precious half-bloods. After all, the titan Phoebe prophicized that each of that group would have a role to play before this was all said and done. Who knows? Perhaps they all may be made Champions. Then you wouldn't be so alone… would you?"
Marcus waited, but no more words were spoken. After a moment, he heard what he assumed was Aaron shuffle in the hall, perhaps picking himself up from the floor.
"As long as it brings the Olympians to their knees… I don't care what it takes." Aaron muttered, though his voice sounded pained. "Though for your sake Marcus… I pray to my mother that Lyssa never has her way with you."
Marcus heard Aaron walk back down the corridor, and immediately changed his plans.
If he's heading that way, a distraction is pointless.
After a moment, Marcus left the room he was in and headed back down the corridor as fast as he could, hoping to catch up with the rest of his group.
Plans… Champions… Prophecy… This just keeps getting better….