Marcus felt the wind brush through his hair, but even that wasn't enough to calm his nerves as he sat perched in a tree by his cabin. Not for the first time, he was happy that he had managed to snag himself one that sat a bit away from all the others. Too close to the original Twelve to be bothered by any random camper on the Fringe looking for a fight, but too close to the Fringe for an Olympian half blood to bother him.

As his mind wandered to the Fringe, he turned to look out towards it, the daylight briefly blinding him as the leaves moved around him. He was hoping to see some more movement in the daylight, but even now, with it being almost time for dinner at camp, he could hardly see any half bloods on the fringe. I hope they're just busy preparing for the war that Chiron warned them was coming… I'd hate to think about the alternative.

Marcus turned his attention back to the lake, his thoughts wandering back down the pathways they had been lost down since he had fled here after his encounter with the Goddess at the training arena. He felt his face burn at the thought, but he couldn't deny it. He had fled home as fast as he could. He hadn't even planned to, but he had climbed into the same spot he had used to hide when he was younger. When the Olympians' kids taunts had proved too much for him. When he needed solace. An escape. He found it here, this branch, stripped bare by the winds of time, yet surrounded by leaves. Enough to hide him from any who glanced his way. He had felt then that this was a gift from his father. His own personal fortress of solitude. But he wasn't some Superman. Today proved that…

He didn't even know what Lyssa had done today. Had she frozen time around them, like Kronos had been rumored to be able to back in the Titan War? But then why didn't the training arena show any of the damage they had caused, and how had he still been able to react normally? That can't be it. But he didn't want to even consider the other possibility. It was… well, crazy. Goddess of Madness… Makes sense. Marcus cursed and clenched his fist tightly around the bark around him, trying to use the pain to ground himself.

"You tipped the scales. I can reach you as easily as she can."

Lyssa's words washed over Marcus again, causing him to grit his teeth in frustration. Tipped the scales…. He had lost it in his last battle with the New Olympians, he knew that. Gods, he couldn't stop thinking about it. But had that been what had caused the 'scales to tip'? Marcus closed his eyes, and leaned his head back against the tree. No. It must be more than just that.

Taking a deep breath, Marcus set out what he knew in front of him. He knew his rage was part of it, he knew that ever since Boston, even before, Lyssa had been there. Fueling his mad rage and those around him. She was always in his thoughts, wondering when she'd show her face next. It had gotten to the point where he'd see a flash of red hair or emerald green and jump like a startled dog. That had to be part of it. But how in Hades am I supposed to protect myself against an enemy if I ignore any thoughts about them?

His group had changed since Boston as well. Losing Joey was a blow for the entirety of camp, but Elliot's death had hit his team hard. They didn't talk about it, but even Marcus could see it in their faces. Every time they left camp now, there was a tension that hadn't been there before. A tightness, as if just waiting for another link to snap. Another line to be cut. He had felt it when Kelly died, and he knew how hard it was to come back from. He had pushed through it, using the same methods as before. Focus on a goal, to the exclusion of all others, until the pain dulls. He had seen it start to show up in Chastity, how she had chased after him and Phil in the mountains. He had seen it in Jason and Joel, their usual joking demeanor practically vanished the moment they left the camp's borders. Even Maddie, usually unphased by the darker side of life, showed more intensity in her worry about him earlier. Had poked him to get his reaction, if only to make sure he was alright. Had left Camp without him to go on a mission they all now knew she may not have come back from.

Marcus opened his eyes, gazing up through the canopy of leaves to the blue sky above him. His mind wandered back to what Lyssa had said, those words reverberating in his brain on repeat. "You've tipped the scales". He sighed. No matter how much he tried dodging it, there was one aspect he kept avoiding, one last thing that had changed since Boston, and one he had ignored. Until now.

"Aphrodite." He muttered. The wind picked up for a moment, and he could only guess it was his fathers subtle way of showing him he was on the right path. He sighed. He had always found the Goddess nearly insufferable, but now… he had to admit knowing she had been on his side had given him a feeling that he had an edge, though he had never admitted it to himself before. Guess even I relied on the Gods… Stubborn as I am.

"Aphrodite." He said again, louder. He didn't expect her to answer at his beck and call, Goddesses never did, but he had to try. Even trying could help tip the scales back the way they had been before.

Taking a deep breath, he tried one last time. "Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty, please bless this lowly demigod with your presence." The words felt like lead on his tongue.

"You know, you could at least try to sound sincere."

Marcus looked down towards the ground, surprised that she had actually answered his prayer. Yet there she was. Aphrodite leaned against the tree he was in, this time dressed in a simple skirt and blouse combo that, despite its simplicity, still managed to bring a small blush to Marcus' face. "I'll have to remember that look to recommend to Chastity." he said in response, hopping to the ground and cushioning his landing with a small air pocket.

Aphrodite looked at him, her features neutral. "After our last discussion, that's what you say to me first? You blamed me, once again, for a death you could have avoided. You took the guidance I gave you, and have failed at every turn. And now, when I warned you repeatedly about what giving in to your anger would cause, you let down your guard. You gave in. And now, another Goddess is free to run amok in your mind whenever you let down your guard."

Marcus felt each word hit with nearly physical force. Gone was the Aphrodite who would coyly tease him, who encouraged his rebellious behavior as a charming attribute. This was the Goddess. The Olympian. The demigod she had placed her faith in had failed, and he felt a touch of fear at what form her wrath might take. Alicia's words slipped through his mind. "While you're useful, you matter. The second you start to fail, you're tossed aside." Is that what Aphrodite was planning to do? She had answered his prayer, but was that only to make it finally clear that she had no further use for him. Marcus felt his chest tighten at the thought. Aphrodite's face remained neutral as she reached out towards him…

And gently cupped his face in her hand. After a shocked moment, Marcus felt the tension release from around his heart. Aphrodite watched him as he took a deep breath. After a moment, she removed her hand and stood straight. "Yes Marcus, you have failed. Yet, it is in a hero's moment of failure when they show who they truly are. You could have stubbornly clung to your anger. Your growing disdain for the Gods. And yet, instead, you call for me. You call for aid. That's not a weakness Marcus, but a strength."

Marcus nodded, finally forcing himself back to a calmer state. "I need your help Aphrodite."

"What else is new?" Aphrodite responded with a small smile. A step back towards their normal interactions. There was still a tension there, but it was less. While she had not forgotten his failures, she was willing to give him a chance to prove himself. And that was all he needed. It's more than Chiron's willing to give me right now.

"You're right. I failed. I backed myself into a corner, and I can't find a way out on my own. And I need a way out if I'm going to be useful to you." Marcus met Aphrodite's eyes, playing his trump card. "If I'm going to protect Chastity."

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow, though the corners of her mouth did raise a bit more. "Since when have you cared so much about my daughter's well being?"

"You said it yourself. She's the only blessing you're able to give." Marcus ignored the stirrings in his heart, talking to Aphrodite about Chastity like this. It felt… strange. He felt guilty, but for what he didn't know.

Aphrodite took a moment to look him up and down, appraising him. "You've made a terrible mistake Marcus. One that could undo all that we, and your own group, have been striving for. If left unchecked, Lyssa will use your rage to blind you and turn you into her Champion. If that happens, even the Olympians would be hard pressed to contend with the might of both Nike's and Lyssa's Champions, loathe though they are to admit it. Even if I help you find a way to lessen this mistake, the risk will always be there. This isn't a guarantee, but even so, the suffering you may endure to attain this solution may be more than you can bear. Are you willing to attempt it anyway?"

"What choice do I have?" Marcus shrugged.

Aphrodite shook her head. "I could always kill you. Or turn you into a dove. You wouldn't be much of a threat then."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "That's not a choice. Give me your worst." I have to protect Maddie, Chastity, all of them. I'll endure anything to do that. I refuse to lose anyone else.

Aphrodite smiled, though this time there was a touch of mischief hidden there. "Well, I do know how you love a challenge. I'm sure my sister will love to hear that."