"...none left it seems... we`re in trouble... doubt it." Marceus was trying to regain consciousness as he eavesdropped on the conversation. The beating he had taken was more severe than previously thought. His eyes were ridiculously tired and struggled to open them. "He`s getting up..." Marceus finally managed to sit up straight and rubbed his face with his hands. A sudden line of pain crept up from his abdomen to his ribs which resulted in heavy and bloody coughing but then his body began to violently twist and thrust in every direction. Multiple hands immediately pushed him back and tied his arms to the bed.
"What`s going on?"
"He`s having a seizure. His bones haven`t healed yet!"
"Will he survive?"
"His clavicle and sternum are very fragile and the ribs are barely holding on. He has to stay in this position for some time if you want him in a walking state sir."
"I want all the best healers on him."
"Even then it could take some time."
"Just do it!"
"Yes sir!"
Arcadeus was fuming as he turned to face Gallus and Juleus. The doctors and healers began to sedate Marceus and bring his vitals back to normal as the leader of the Demigods ordered his two sons into the next room in the hospital.
"Are you two absolutely sure this wasn't a Demigod attack?" Arcadeus asked, trying to keep his composure and anger under a weak roof. "Your oldest brother is lying in there and still hasn't recovered and I fear he isn't going to get better." Gallus and Juleus looked at each other. Juleus didn't know much of what was going on but at the moment his father didn't care because he was still in trouble. He should have never thrown himself into a hostile situation but had he not his brother would most presumably be dead instead of being restrained to the hospital bed.
"Juleus came at the last second out of nowhere. It was solely Marceus and I that was on this op." Gallus answered, arms at his side in a respective manner.
"And the second team barely survived a second but you and your brother made it out alive?" Arcadeus was not convinced.
"We've studied under you for years, we know what we`re doing, father."
"Studied under me for years and still cannot comply with my orders. Do you know how the chain of command works, Gallus?"
"We tried to help."
"Do you know how the chain of command works, Gallus!?" Arcadeus roared over him.
"He isn't dead yet!" Gallus shouted back. Juleus` eyes shot open in amazement and awe as he watched his brother do something none of them ever would have dared. "He`s in there and he`s healing and what we did was the right thing. That tactical team you sent was slaughtered and they misled you when they radioed in. That would have stolen at least two days of your time but here we are with answers to your so called `questionable party`. And no, they are not Demigods! They don`t even move like dashers. Their movements were swift and all three of them were really good at it, like they've been doing it their entire life. They were organised!" Arcadeus stood still, breathing heavily yet quietly. "And they had uniforms of some sort. Father, they knew what they were doing."
"And you said they`re looking for someone?"
"Yes and it isn't you."
"Then their aim isn't to dismantle us. Their objective is more personal."
"Yes...sir." Juleus gained eye contact with Gallus and mouthed `good call` with a very low-key thumbs-up as his brother inserted back some respect into his attitude. Arcadeus switched to his younger son and expected him to answer the question he hadn't asked yet. Juleus gulped.
"I was in the neighbourhood."
"You weren't supposed to be in the neighbourhood."
"I thought the safest place would be close to the fort, not some random city down south."
"That wasn't your call to make, Juleus."
"Why do Alexis and I have to be in hiding?"
"Because I don`t want everyone to be in one location. There needs to be a leader should I fall and I can only trust the mantle with you and your siblings."
"Understood. As always, you are very wise." Juleus bowed his head. "I will take my leave as soon as my men are ready then."
"They already are. You leave immediately." Arcadeus exited the room without saying another word. Juleus looked for aid from his brother but Gallus had none to give.
"See you soon then?"
"We will reunite once all this is over." Gallus assured. Juleus headed towards the open door.
"War never ends big brother. This is a war that will stretch on for decades." With his last words Gallus was left alone in the room, pondering the wretched idea of a never ending war.
Gallus headed out of the hospital. He felt angry but couldn't quite understand its origin. In the end he figured he was angry at everything. It scared him that Marceus was in a bed fighting for his life. The day was still young and he was hungry. There were still some restaurants that were open, run by soldiers for soldiers. A French bakery had opened its door a few blocks away and the smell of fresh croissants had filled the streets. Gallus immediately knew what he wanted and sped up. He could already picture himself with some hot chocolate but something else caught his eye and his mood dropped. Just a few more blocks away a face was peeking out of the corner, watching him with intent. It was one of the three demigod-like people. Gallus immediately went into a frenzied sprint, his coat dangling behind him. The face disappeared around the corner.
"Move!" shouted Gallus at a group of Demigods in his way, almost crashing into them. He was getting a lot of attention, people beginning to murmur. He quickly turned around the corner and saw his target. He was simply standing on the pavement with wide open eyes and watching without expression. The man was luring him but he didn't care. Someone was going to die tonight. The man vanished, leaving a blur behind him going up the street.
But one more person was watching Gallus. Juleus had not yet left the city and had curiously watched his brother since he left the hospital from afar.
"What are you up to? What did you see?" he thought to himself. Juleus looked at his men, a good fifteen people, all with different powers. "Your objective is to defend me at all costs, yes?" The team nodded in unison. "Then you are all obliged to follow me even when it's against my father's will." Juleus continued to watch Gallus. "If my suspicions are correct, I`m the wrong Mara that needs protecting today."
"Yahktarin." A dasher in Juleus' team stepped forward, a man of eastern origin with several scars on his face. He had gotten them due to his speed. When he had first obtained his powers his body had not yet fully adapted and therefore could not recover from all the cuts he received when travelling at high speeds but most of the speed Demigods were now given protective suits. Yahktarin was wearing a black army edition. "I want you to shadow my brother." The man nodded. "Use the rooftops if you can. We'll be right behind you." Yahktarin dashed away from sight as Juleus and his protection team strolled behind Gallus's trail. "Looks like today will be another interesting day."
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