Marcus had just finished another brutal sparring session with Kratos, his chest heaving as sweat dripped onto the scarred stone floor. The former God of War crossed his arms, giving a slow, appraising nod.
"Not bad, boy. You've grown strong in the short year you've trained under me."
Marcus froze mid-breath, eyes snapping up in disbelief.
"A year? I thought I was only supposed to be here a week."
Kratos turned away, his voice steady and matter-of-fact.
"Tet made it so you'd return the exact moment you left, so that you could get as much training as possible and still have an extra week to rest."
Marcus blinked, then let out a short laugh.
"Oh… cool."
Kratos faced him again, expression as stern as ever.
"I am far from satisfied with your current strength, but you've finally hit your first wall. Something only experience will let you overcome."
Marcus straightened, confidence flaring.
"But, teacher, I can punch holes through mountains."
Kratos' gaze sharpened.
"Talk to me when you can cause earthquakes with your fists."
After a pause, his tone softened slightly.
"That said, I am pleased with your progress on your demigod abilities. You can now easily manifest the power of Ares. You have mastered Spartan Rage, and even brought those strange haki abilities up to an acceptable level."
He turned and began walking away.
"Your training is over for the time being. I have two gifts for your graduation. Follow me."
Marcus hesitated only a moment before following, curiosity overtaking exhaustion. Kratos pushed open a glowing wooden door, and the world beyond shifted.
On the other side stood the familiar home of the dwarf brothers, Brok and Sindri.
Marcus' eyes widened.
"I thought Sindri didn't speak to you anymore."
Kratos replied evenly,
"Part of my payment for training you was Brok being restored to life, with his soul fully intact. Though it was not your doing, it was because of you that the bargain took place."
He gestured forward.
"They have a thank-you gift they'd like to give."
A gruff voice echoed from inside the home.
"Well, there you are. Finally felt like coming around, did you?"
Kratos answered calmly,
"I have been busy as of late."
Brok snorted.
"I know. I'm just messin' with you."
He looked Marcus up and down, eyes sharp.
"So this is the brat I've got to thank for being brought back, huh?"
Sindri hurried into the room, hands clasped together.
"Oh! Brok and I made something special for you."
Brok produced a silver armband etched with intricate runes, its surface gleaming softly.
"Normally I don't work on something so small and delicate, but this is special."
He shoved it into Marcus' hands.
"It grants whoever wears it protection from all the elements and immunity to curses. We were told you'd be going somewhere where potential enemies use all kinds of crazy stuff, so we figured we'd better help you protect yourself from magic and the like."
Kratos stepped forward.
"And this is from me."
He placed two rings into Marcus' palms.
Marcus slipped them on, uncertain.
Kratos said, "Focus your intent into them."
Marcus did as instructed. The rings reshaped themselves in a flash of familiar steel, forming weapons he recognized instantly.
The Blades of Chaos.
He looked up at Kratos, uncertainty flickering across his face.
Kratos met his gaze.
"They are yours now, my student. I am happy to be rid of them. Besides, I believe you will need them more than me."
Brok cleared his throat.
"One last thing. Take this."
He handed Marcus a key, stopping his question before it could form.
"That key was made by the Almighty at my request. It'll let you come to mine and Sindri's shop whenever you need our services."
Marcus grinned and said.
"I don't know what to say… I'm touched."
Brok waved him off.
"Oh, don't go cryin' on me now."
Sindri sighed softly.
"What my brother means is… you're welcome. And good luck."
A door shimmered into existence nearby.
Marcus looked at it, then back at Kratos.
"Guess that's my ride."
Kratos placed a hand on his shoulder.
"May fortune favor you, my student."
Marcus bowed his head.
"Farewell, teacher. Thank you… for everything."
With one last glance, Marcus stepped through the door.
------
Appearing back at Camp Half-Blood, Marcus stepped out of the light and immediately found Tet, Chiron, and Freya waiting for him. He took a step forward, still feeling the lingering weight of power humming beneath his skin.
Tet looked him over with a satisfied grin. "Not bad. You'll be able to survive the first year there no problem. You're not really going to need a power-up until maybe your second or third year." His eyes flicked downward, sharp and knowing. "Oh, and I see Kratos gave you the Blades of Chaos. Hold them out, please."
Marcus did as asked, extending his hands. Tet waved one hand lazily over the weapons, and they were temporarily engulfed in a soft, blinding light that crackled with restrained power.
"I just gave them the ability to combine together into a replica of the Blade of Olympus," Tet explained casually. "But at your current level, you can only wield it for a short two minutes. Also, remember that you can coat the blades in Haki to make them stronger. Doing so repeatedly will eventually turn them into black blades, permanently increasing their strength."
Chiron stepped forward, his expression solemn but warm. "I was only just told of your quest and what you will face," he said. "I wish you luck, young Marcus. This is my parting gift to you." He held out a small case.
Marcus accepted it and opened it, blinking. "A pair of reading glasses?"
"Specially made by Medea for demigods," Chiron said with a faint smile. "They are enchanted to automatically translate every written language into Ancient Greek and to focus the wearer's mind."
Marcus nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, Chiron. Those will be really helpful."
Freya crossed her arms, clearly caught off guard. "Well, I'm a little off guard here. I didn't know we were preparing gifts." She paused, eyes drifting upward as she thought. "Ah, here we go."
She stepped closer and gently tapped Marcus on the forehead. The instant she did, a wave of warm energy passed through him, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Woah, what was that?" Marcus asked, blinking in surprise.
"You are now immune to all charm magic below divine level," Freya said smoothly. Then, with a playful wink, she added, "I also boosted your luck in the romance department. And before you ask, no, it doesn't make girls fall in love with you. It just creates opportunities that you can take advantage of."
Marcus stared at her, visibly confused. "Thank you?"
Tet clapped his hands together. "Alright, we've talked long enough. I'll be sending you on your way now."
Marcus frowned. "Wait, I thought I had a week to rest."
"Yes," Tet replied calmly, already raising his hand. "In the other world. You need to use it to get familiar with your surroundings."
Before Marcus could say anything else, Tet snapped his fingers.
In a flash of light, Marcus disappeared.
----
When Marcus next opened his eyes, he found himself standing in a dorm room that was about as large as a single-bedroom apartment. It even had a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. All of his stuff had already been neatly placed in the closet and wardrobe, as if someone had taken great care arranging it just the way he would have.
A TV and multiple game systems sat neatly against one wall. A queen-sized bed dominated the bedroom space, flanked by a couch and two recliners that looked far more comfortable than anything he'd expected. Curious, Marcus checked the fridge and cabinets, only to find them already stocked with food and drinks, along with clean dishes put away properly.
He stepped into the bathroom next, noting the washer and dryer tucked neatly into place. A brand-new shower curtain was already hung up, still perfectly straight, as if it had never been used.
Letting out a quiet breath, Marcus walked back into the living room. That was when he noticed a wallet resting on the coffee table, a folded note placed neatly beside it. He picked up the note and read it.
Dear Marcus,
I've already fabricated an identity for you in this world and set you up a bank account that will receive a deposit once a month, so no need to worry about anything. Just enjoy yourself. Also, you have a meeting with the headmaster tomorrow morning, so make sure to get some sleep.
Sincerely,
Tet
Marcus lowered the note, staring at it for a moment before sighing deeply. Running a hand through his hair, he muttered under his breath, "Why do I feel like I'm somehow out of some kind of loop I didn't know about?"
-----
The next day, Marcus entered the headmaster's office. Before he could even fully step inside, a cheerful, almost sing-song voice called out, "Ah, Mr. Williams! Come in, have a seat."
Marcus hesitated for half a second before moving forward and taking a seat across from the desk. The headmaster leaned back comfortably, fingers steepled, and smiled. "So, what do you think of my academy so far?"
Marcus glanced around the office, then gestured vaguely as he spoke. "Why does it look kind of like a refurbished church in the middle of a stereotypical Halloween movie, and why is the lake red?"
The headmaster paused, blinking once as if that question had jogged a memory. "That reminds me. Don't go swimming, even I don't know what's at the bottom of that lake."
Marcus nodded immediately. "Got it."
"Anyway," the headmaster continued, waving a hand dismissively, "I asked for a human. From what I can tell, you are human, but not entirely. So what are you?"
Marcus answered without hesitation. "I'm a demigod, child of Ares."
The headmaster stared at Marcus blankly for a full minute, his smile slowly fading. Finally, he said, "You're a what?"
"Yeah," Marcus replied casually. "Lord Tet said he knows you wanted a human, but he couldn't, in good conscience, send someone that would die from a casual slap from the other students."
"Oh shit," the headmaster muttered, rubbing his face. "I didn't even think about that. Yeah… wow. Bullet dodged. Now that I think about it, the only way a normal human would be safe is if a strong student became their bodyguard, and that's very unlikely."
"Yeah," Marcus said with a dry snort. "I can't imagine having to be protected twenty-four seven."
"Anyway," the headmaster said, straightening up and sliding a few items across the desk, "here's your class schedule and your uniform. See you Monday."
Marcus took the items, nodded once, and walked out of the office. Once he was down the hall and out of earshot, he shook his head and muttered, "I think that guy has some screws loose."
(Authors Note: It's a bit rough right now as I'm still finding Marcus's personality and how I want to progress I want him to be more than a replacement for tsukune but in the beginning the situation's he finds himself in will be almost the same except he won't need protecting also if you think I gave him to much you haven't read Rosario Vampires's manga I actually think I didn't give him enough and finally did anyone get the reference with Marcus's name let me know if you did)