Marcus was beyond doubt, that the odd power he had just witnessed was Zone. The innate will that came with Ekrin cores, only used by mages.
He was now walking towards Grey, his gaze lingering for a strange amount of time.
'Interesting. If you truly have that power…' He stopped in front of Grey suddenly, massaging his nose bridge. 'Why hide it? Even I can't use Zone.' He looked down at the smaller boy. 'This world is unfair… really unfair.'
Grey wondered. 'Why is this monster glaring at me?'
Trully this world was unfair, but not in the way Marcus thought. Because his own existence screamed bias.
Grey recoiled slightly in confusion, looking at Marcus with doubt: If you were a strategic or cunning fighter you probably could exploit someone whose strength surpassed yours, just by outmarching them with perception. Then victory could be possible through wit alone.
But if it was an overpowered bastard, like Marcus here: The kind where none of your plans worked no matter how carefully you crafted them, then you probably should rethink every thing about how you train and fought going forth. And if they could nearly kill you with a single attack… then-
You should have that Consideration while running.
'Wait… don't tell me… this… this bastard is trying to use me.'
He winced at the two boys, well behind them. Then back at Night. 'Yeah… that's definitely the case… after all… I just showed off a power that changed his fate.'
Grey let out an uneasy smile:
"What do you want from me?"
Marcus made a face, and said:
"Good, you are quick to catch on." He grinned, there was a sea of questions he would like to ask Grey. Not now though, the hesitation in their movements had already earned the attention of their camp mates. "There's not much time, so I'll be short..."
Grey frowned. 'I knew it… this bastard.'
Marcus asked regardless of his face: "What's the reason you hid your strength, from camp? If you had said something you probably could have gotten much better treatment, and definitely better training."
Grey was stunned. Was that really it… Was Marcus just curiouse? But it was far from that. "Oh… that's… I just… I'm not one to show off." He turned back looking at the two already closing distance… "And I don't have an elemental affinity despite possessing Zone, so it would be best if we keep this… between us." He furrowed his brow.
Grey hoped the strange questioning would come to an end quickly. He didn't want it to reach Noah and Milo back at camp. So he made an interim suggestion, with the notion that Marcus definitely wanted something from him.
But he would quickly come to regret his choice of words. 'Best…? We? What's this runt talking about. Ordering me around?' Marcus laughed out loud. The more he laughed, the further away the two boys, moved. "Has that Guy lost it?" Curly asked glasses. Grey's face was…
The mug really couldn't be explained. Marcus leaned in close, his grip tight on Grey's shoulder, his head near Grey's temple as he spoke coldly. "Ok Brave… let's make a deal, if you can beat me in a fight, any way possible. I'll make that a promise." 'There it is… I knew it!' Trying to understand Marcus… was a loss course, the excited flames in his eyes screamed battle maniac and more.
"I… I don't think that would be possible." Grey explained: "If we started fighting people would notice.
They've already been gone for an extended amount of time." 'Why me? Do I need to...? do have to kill this bastard?' Grey cried inwardly. 'Why do I have to fight a monster like you?' Grey grimaced. His thoughts almost heard.
Marcus didn't care for Grey's opinions. "Just think of it… it would be grand, a battle between two buddies…" He continued on... and on. 'Who's your buddy… you're going to drag me out and force me into this aren't you?' Grey bowed as Marcus held him close with one hand, he felt small shoulder to shoulder with his new forced friend, who was busy explaining the wonders in battle. "And just think of it, we don't have to battle now… we can do it during Noah and Milo's advance reconnaissance scouts."
They each grabbed their jars of water and made their way back to camp. "By the way… you're Grey Lucas right?" Grey nodded softly.
"I'm Marcus Night… nice to be acquainted." He smiled. "Is good for friends to know each other's names yeah...?" 'What in the world… of course it is you freak, and I know who you are, You flat-out spilled it while showing off in the labyrinth. During that short time, it looked as though Marcus and Grey had become much closer… Maybe a one sided relationship or rather pressured. Grey looked bleak, drained out of all light.
Daniel spoke suddenly, looking at his friend:
"Why didn't you run? What would you have done if that abormination had gotten hold of you?"
"Hunt you… I'd hunt you for the rest of your days." He made a face, as though he might cry. Grey cringed as he watched them, with a covert glance. It stirred something within him…
Soon later they arrived at camp. Marcus grinned at his new pal and spoke: "Better get that checked out." He pointed out to Grey's shoulder. "Wouldn't want it becoming a hindrance when we have our..."
"Its fine." Grey interrupted.
But then he flinched, hearing Noah's voice called out to Night. "Marcus! What took you guys so long? did something happen?" The two boys with them, scurried away at the sound of the voice. Marcus instantly became serious as though flipping a switch. He walked towards where Noah stood, back rest against a tree. "I have something to report." Grey's face became pale and grimace.
Marcus noticed this, then quietly raised his thumb behind his back. Reassuring him that… yeah. I got you bro… Think less of it, I'm not that kind of guy. Grey shrugged. 'This guy…' Moments later he positioned the water jar where the others were placed. Then moved away from the group, feigning the need to relieve himself off some liquid.
He glanced around, monitoring his surroundings carefully. Though he didn't stray that far from the group, it won't be hard to get attacked by a hungry beast. And also… he didn't want anybody uncovering another of his secrets… the one was good enough. 'Jeez, why am I the one who gets blackmailed. First the system, and now this guy.' "Haa!"Grey scuffed, then sat down covering his head with the tattered hood.
Faint golden glow appeared on his hair, his ears poked a bit at the cloth. In that moment his wounded body became less of a trauma. He exhaled in relief, as the glow became more radiant.
On the other side of camp. Marcus made an intresting account of the perilous event that occurred at the stream. Soon the discussion became more detailed as Noah added questions:
"Did this talkative revealed where he was?" Marcus chuckled. "No… he was a sly one." "What else… did it seemed to know where we are…" Marcus remained silent.
Noah's expression darkened. "Ah… forget that I said that." 'That was a dumb question… of course it knows where we are, and if it doesn't, it won't be hard for it to track us down. He send a faint smile at Marcus. 'Good… I made the right call sending him with them.'
Marcus was undoubtably the strongest cadet in the Ivory waste. When training against Noah he would fight like a seasoned warrior. Even after Darrin and Natasha were already down, he would be the only one still willing to face Noah…
Noah didn't know what that meant... He just knew something was off. Because it was a bit strange. Even when he was bloody, and a mess he wouldn't stop. Noah even resulted to turning him into a golden statue most of the times.
There were times when Noah would need healing after they were done.
In the end he just accepted it as the boy doing his best to become stronger. Provided the day never arise when Marcus comes to break free of the golden world. Indeed it would be a…
Anyways Noah told him to leave. Marcus turned, and wanted to… when Noah asked:
"Wait…"
"Just how did you kill the husk exactly?"
Marcus spun his head. Scratching his chin absently. "Well. With the help of my team mates of course, they ran about using the footwork techniques, just like in training." He tried not to laugh… Taking aback to how the others moved, including Grey. "The space they created gave me the room I needed to do what was expected."
"They learned well, all this time was not wasted. At least you can be sure we will be ready for what is coming." He gave a thumbs up and walked away. 'Be ready Grey Lucas. He smirked as he gently moved passed groups of cadets.