The following morning Marcus sat in the center of the room, with Cleo on his lap and Yoshi on his shoulder, both seemed to miss Marcus as much as Jericho.

The Keepers stood off to the side, near the kitchen, as Caspian and Jericho sat beside him.

“Marcus… what are you.” Diana started, “Being in the dark of the subject has become a problem.” After Jericho told them about what happened the previous night, leaving out the light show he did with his hands, the room became silent as they began to look at Marcus. “The man who orchestrated this was a demon. What does a demon want with you. What aren’t you telling me.”

Jericho felt a little guilty getting Marcus this unwanted attention but he knew it was necessary for his safety. “He wanted you for something Marcus. Tell us what.”

“He doesn’t have to tell you shit.” Caspian interrupted. He stood behind him almost menacingly, as if he waited for the others to challenge him.

“He was just abducted by a demon and his pet wendigo for the gods sake!” Zoran shouted. “We have the right to know this, he could be putting this whole town in danger by being here.” His tail fluffed out and his ears were folded backwards as if he was ready to accept Caspain’s terms of combat.

“There’s no way in hell I’ll let you take him away like the others!” Caspian snapped.

“As much as I hate to admit it but I have to agree with Caspian with that.” Jericho announced, “Whatever he wanted, you can’t take him away like that.”

“We can and will if he’s putting others at risk!” Zoran snapped, “What part of that isn’t sinking onto your thick skulls!”

“Over my dead body.” Caspian growled darkly. Jericho made a mental note to not push the werewolf this far, he looked as if he was ready to rip the fox’s throat out with his teeth. “I refuse to let him fight your wars again.”

Zoran was about to snap back but Diana put her hand in front of him, “That’s enough Zoran.” She said simply before returning her attention back to Caspian, “What do you mean by again.”

The room fell silent as Caspian realized what he just said, “I-”

“That’s enough.” The rooms attention returned back to Marcus, he was avoiding their gaze and was looking down at Cleo, “Do you remember the story of Trishula and the war?”

“Who doesn’t.” Zoran said almost immediately. “The god of destruction, sin, chaos and every bad thing in the middle picked a vessel to inhabit and used it to combat the Keepers in the war for human freedom. But in the end the Keepers won, freeing the humans and enslaved the vessel for years. Once they felt the punishment was served they stripped him of…. all…. magical…” He didn’t need to finish the sentence as everyone started to put it together. “You’re… Trishula… That was thousands of years ago… how are you even alive.”

“I’m only his vessel.” Marcus snapped, “I wasn’t even in the war until the end, it was my dad for the most part. I just took up the mantle after he fell in battle. Being the vessel of Trishula grants me some perks such as immortality.”

“I never heard of a god named Trishula in any of the known pantheons.” Jericho interjected.

“Trishula was erased from the history books along with Adomeda.” Angela continued, looking at Diana for advice, “The Keepers made sure of that. It was their punishment for getting involved in the war.”

The room focused on Marcus as he curled into Cleo, “What are you going to do with me…”

“Nothing.” Jericho and Caspian spoke in union. For once they agreed on something. They waited for the other’s to say something but nothing happend.

“They’re right.” Diana announced. “Vesseling of gods was outlawed for this reason. The blame was set on the god for majority of the cases in the war, the vessels were just strung along. Besides, you’ve been aiding the Keepers for as long as I can remember, and not to mention but you have already served your punishment. I’m sure I can convince the Keepers from trying anything against you.”

“You’re still telling them?” Marcus asked nervously.

“Yes, but we won’t let anything happen to you. I promise. If anything it’s for your own good, if others know about this they’ll come for you. To either release him or break the curse.” Putting her hand on his shoulder, Diana spoke softly, “This is for the best.”

~~~~

Jericho lied awake in his hammock with Marcus resting soundly on top of him. After everything Marcus has been through, he understood why Marcus didn’t want to sleep alone tonight. The Keepers left, promising they’ll return with good news about Marcus and Caspian went soon after.

There is still so much he doesn’t know. What Marcus’s story with Trishula is, how did he get possessed by something like that. What did the humans do to have their knowledge of the magical world taken away. The world had become a lot larger in the past 48 hours. He wanted to learn for his sake and Marcus’. He’ll be damned if let some other demon capture and torture him, just to get a raise out of an evil god from within him.

Jericho slowly got up, carefully sliding Marcus off him, he made his way to a full body mirror, expecting himself, he started to worry. His scars were vanishing, slowly fading away. Ocean blue specks were scattered in the green of his eyes. Something was happening to him, he was starting to change and he was scared to admit it. What did he do that night… he felt as if he opened a door that was meant to be closed for a reason

Before he could give in to the ‘what ifs’ he felt a pair of arms around his waist, it didn’t take him long to realize Marcus was hugging from behind. “Everything ok? Diana said for no more hunts until she returns. You better not be going out.” Marcus’ face was buried in Jericho’s back, but he heard him clearly.

Jericho chuckled, “I’m fine, go to bed, Diana said you should get a lot of sleep. Keepers could be here any day now to question you. Marcus gave no response to what Jericho said. He only hugged him tighter. Jericho could already tell Marcus was terrified, whatever experience he had with Trishula, it had traumatized him enough to be scared of what will happen next. “I’m here for you Marcus. I’ll be beside you through this entire thing.” Turning around he held Marcus’ hand and walked towards the exit, “Let’s do a kaiju movie marathon. From Godzilla to Pacific Rim.”

Slightly leaning on Jericho, he nodded, “I’d like that.”

Jericho and Marcus spent the rest of the night watching movies and eating popcorn. Staying up till dawn, talking and joking about whatever came up. Neither of them remembered falling asleep, but both waking knowing that everything will be ok. For now.