MARCUS

  At the age of sixteen, Marcus was on the first ship his eyes caught. He loved the salt tingling his nostrils, his fingers being bathed in the sun, and the freedom it was giving him as he was out in the open blue.

  However, Marcus was foolish to get into that sip by secret.

  At the age of eighteen, the ship found a port in the capital and tossed him out. This is where he found a strange lunatic, offering him a ship and a job. At first, he was looking at him cautiously. What kind of a man was offering a stowaway boat?

  And yet, he knew that there was nothing else to find in this cold capital. He wanted his freedom.

  So, his bargain was to find a crew. He knew people from each shadow, each part of the port. Ruffians and thieves. There was a wicked thought in his mind, growing slowly. If the man had so much money for a ship, then he would better drop dead and take with the rest his fortune. He told his friends the plan, and everyone seemed to agree. Jonah, the crooked of them all and the one with the most muscle, thought that it would be better to kill him in the open sea, so nobody would find his body. Michael, one of the smartest of the bunch, also said that they had to make sure he had all his belongings on the boat so there would be no need to steal from any house.

  That’s when Marcus talked to Odysseus, asking him if he would come with them. He replied with a joyful nod, telling him that they would need him.

  What a strange man. No, what a foolish man he was! Believing and trusting each person he could find? Marcus was now looking at the mutt he was carrying, thinking of ways to get rid of it, too. Or maybe Michael will need a pet after he spends all the money to once again be in debt.

  Two days later, the man with the name Odysseus appeared right behind a grand ship. For four hours, the crew of ten men was waiting for the man to finally appear, and he was simply smiling. But no need to be angry with him, as his death was coming sooner than he had ever expected. It had a design of a warship, the ones the empire was using a few decades ago, but the material seemed to be from strange places, with the golden colors and thick sails having a more reddish color.

  Odysseus was also groaning with a grand clothing of heavy green fabrics that were covering his entire body, even his neck, with one of his hands holding a beautiful cane. A rich cane engraving with gold.

  Everyone’s greed began to show, but Odysseus preferred to show them an entire mountain of his belongings.

  Marcus and Jonah began carrying them to the man’s cabin, trying not to fall from all the weight, while Odysseus was talking to Michae, who was now the navigator.

  ‘’He wants us to go to India’’ He whispered to Marcus, and the man laughed. This man was planning a long voyage for his life, but he didn’t know the actual destination of his soul.

  Marcus was finally back at sea, a free man with the role of a captain. He could see the all blue right in front of him as a great friend and not a foe.

  Everyone was doing their part as Odysseus was trying to cook with the little they had for food.

  It was burnt to a crisp. How could someone burn soup? Joonah was vomiting the second he took a bite, and Marcus gave it to the mutt.

  The night had fallen, and Odysseus was now in his cabin, snoring.

  Marcus and Jonah opened the door slowly and saw the sleeping man with the dog right down on the small bed.

  With one dagger, Marcus stabs the man in the heart. Then, as his body was snapping, he went for his throat.

  No movement. In the dark, he could not see a single drop of his blood, but he could feel it. Smell it and listen to it dripping from his body to the floor.

  With all the joy, the two men carried the bleeding body outside for everyone to see, and they threw him out of the boat.

  The celebration began with music and drinking while they were turning to a new destination, far from anyone to ever see them again.

  Jonah was now back at Odysseus' cabin, while Marcus kept chuckling at his newfound freedom of life.

  ‘’What a fool he was’’Michael said, with a drunk smile, and he placed a strong kiss on Marcus' warm cheek.

  ‘’He really thought a rich man like him would survive’’Chuckled Marcus and turned to Jonah, who was returning with a box of Odysseus’ belongings.

  ‘’This one is the heaviest’’He said and was trying to open it. With all of his strength. But no matter, his muckles were weak compared to that box.

  ‘’Do you need any help?’’ A voice of a man spoke amongst the crew.

  ‘’No, friend, I can handle’’ Jonah looked up from his treasure, and his face was painted pale like a spirit. And when Marcus saw the terrified expression of his brave friend, he moved slowly back to see a man who was supposed to be long gone.

  Odysseus was now holding a cup with his body drenched and his clothes half-stained red.

  ‘’No, no’’Odysseus walked calmly to Jonah’s side and opened the box slowly.

  ‘’You see, I am an apothecary, and I really need my things to be at top shape.’’

  Demon. Marcus thought all so petrified of the picture of a man that he killed not an hour ago. How could he still be alive? Maybe he missed the right spots. But then again, he couldn’t have climbed the boat so quickly.

  When the box opened at ease by the hands of Odysseus, he took out a small knife.

  And then, there was a cruel grin coming from his wounded face.

  His free hand grabbed Jonah’s wrist and pushed him to the ground.

  ‘’I pay you, so I need you to follow a few of my rules.’’

  Jonah began to struggle, and everyone was aiming with their swords. But none dared to go near him. Because Marcus had killed him, he could still see the blood on Odysseus’ clothes. Because Jonah was the strongest one of all. And he was screaming in pain as he was still on the ground.

  ‘’Rule one, don’t come to my cabin.’’His voice turned cold. ‘’Rule two…don’t touch my belongings.’’And with that, he showed up with his small knife and hit it right at Joanh’s fingers.

  There was blood splashing everywhere, with Jonah holding his tears. The fingers were now chopped out, looking all so cold without the blood and veins that were holding them inside his body.

  Marcus’ heart was rushing, trying to explode out of his chest as Odysseus was wiping himself with his hands.

  ‘’Bandage him up.’’He commanded and walked back inside his cabin.

  Marcus was not a man of religion. He had seen a lot to believe that there was no God, and not even his son would appear once again to save them from salvation. And yet, in that moment, there was the creation of God, the one who was being called the second angel once. And he still couldn't believe that Lucifer himself was walking right among them.

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  The weeks were passing, and no one ever tried to kill Odysseus again. Jonah was still trying to recover from his missing hands while Marcus and Michael were talking to each other.

  ‘’We have one more week until India’’He whispered.

  How could it be? How could they travel so fast? Maybe from that devil of a man, one of his tricks. He wasn’t getting out, he wasn’t cooking again. He was simply inside his room for days until he got out of the night sky.

  ‘’Sir’’Marcus tried to speak to him while Odysseus kept staring peacefully at the star. Was he looking at heaven? Thinking about the moments, the life he had when he was once an angel of the Mighty?

  ‘’What is it now?’’ Rasped Odysseus, and he saw Marcus reaching for him with a sharp sword, and it was piercing slowly at the center of his chest. He should die. Just like that, he should have been dead in one second. How dare he hurt Jonah? How dare this devil make them travel on a strange journey?

  ‘’I will give you credit’’ Odysseus spoke again. There was no blood dripping, no shock, nothing. He was simply standing there.

  Scared, Marcus pulled the sword out of his chest and tried to crawl back away from him.

  ‘’Devil’’He screamed.

  And Odysseus blinked with his wounded eye still open. ‘’You think that I am the devil?’’

  There was a small grin on his face.

  Panicked Marcus, he was about to ask for help, but there was no need as Odysseus looked back to the stars.

  He simply stayed there, looking at them with his hand touching his chest. And Marcus began to stare at the starlight that was right above them.

  When they finally arrived at their destination, Odysseus commanded that they stay there until he returned. And they all obeyed him. For half an hour. With the command of Marcus, they all began to prepare for a new destination. Their captain took one more look at the wild forest that was right in front of them. He could imagine that the devil was devoured by tigers or monsters that were exactly like him.

  So, as they were about to get out of the land, an entire fleet surrounded them.

  Each and every one of them was now chained up and brought to the kingdom of Gauda. Each and every one of the people was facing them, confused. But not scared. Rather more intrigued and with a mocking look.

  They were right inside the pearly white palace. Marcus was looking above, seeing the statues of their gods and the people praying to them. Maybe they would pray too and find a way not to die at the hands of the people here. Maybe, when they would tear their heads apart, there would be Odysseus sitting on his throne in hell, waiting for them.

  Someone began talking from inside.

  ‘’I am sorry, Teacher’’He was speaking Greek. ‘’But in your warm welcome, I must punish some people from your country. They seem to have gone here without a permit’’

  Maybe that teacher was someone important. A scholar who was teaching them the language here. He would definitely be a kind man to help them out.

  And with the doors of the bright palace opening, the garden of the room was exploding fluorescent scents to them, with the king sitting on his throne, wearing his golden cream garments and looking each and every one of the chained men with disgust.

  And right next to them, Odysseus was eating from a bowl of grapes.

  Marcus’s lips parted as he spoke out. ‘’Devil’’

  King’s eyebrow moved up, and he turned to Odysseus. ‘’Do you know these men?’’

  ‘’Unfortunately, your majesty, they are mine’’Odysseus spoke with his mouth full.

  And from prisoners of eternal punishment, they became guests. Bathed in oils, dressed in light garments, and they were now fed and drunk at the celebration of the king, who was laughing heavily.

  ‘’Cannot believe that you know Teacher’’The man said. ‘’You are a very lucky bunch.’’

  Jonah gasped and showed his missing hands to the king as Odysseus was now leaving the banquet, trying to ignore the music and dancing. That caught Marcus's attention, but he returned to the king. He took one sip from the liquor, and then he asked.

  ‘’Your majesty, why do you call him Teacher?’’

  The king now smiled and looked at the great divine Shiva statue that was at the center of it all.

  ‘’He helped our family line for generations, you see’’

  How old is that devil?

  ‘’We taught him many things, and he helped us in repayment in so many ways. He became our medic, he taught us your vulgar language’’

  Marcus narrowed and tried to take one more sip.

  ‘’He even fought in our wars.’’

  That drew the interest of the young man.

  ***

  The day of leaving finally came with the king embracing at ease every one of the crew, and giving them grand gifts.

  When they were back to sailing. Marcus looked up to the door of Odysseus' cabin.

  Years ago, a war began with the rise of a new empire. Out of debt, the Teacher gave us a plan that would succeed in victory. Everyone was calling him a madman. That it would be impossible, and it would make us lose everyone. And then he said that he would lead everyone.

  And the plan began to work. It worked and succeeded. But the teacher said that it was time to go. Years later, my ancestors found that a teacher had stepped into a village. Everyone was trying to defend themselves, but the teacher had no other choice but to follow orders.

  He killed everyone. People who were praying to Shiva for salvation. For the god that was not replying to their prayers. The last thing they were looking at was that bronze demon, coming to destroy them. At one look, I wondered if they could imagine that they saw the demon Mara, who was coming to burn everything to the ground.

  ***

  Those words cut deep into Marcus’ heart. When Odysseus finally opened the door, he found Marcus confused. What did he want to say?

  His face looked all tired and wounded while Pu was still inside, licking his nose.

  ‘’I uh…’’Marcus raised his shoulders.

  ‘’We can go back to the capital, and I will drop you all out’’

  Sharp words like a knife.

  ‘’Don’t worry, I will pay you every part-’’

  Marcus shook his head. He could see the sea, the ocean all around them. Even if he stuck with the devil…He had never felt this free before.

  So, he shook his head. He told him nothing more than that he would stay with him.

  The same night, he began talking to the rest. Everyone was calling him mad. Only Jonah and Michael were the ones who stood by his side. But with one command, everyone knew what to do, thanks to Marcus. They found new people for a crew not long after. They also tried to trick the Teacher but Marcus stopped them instantly, showing what he once did to Jonah.

  Soon after, everything was at peace. They were selling and travelling the world, drinking and dancing all around, with the teacher also helping them with their sickness. And Marcus was watching with the dark sky and the wide black ocean.

  Mad or not, maybe he was right. Maybe a job like this would give them freedom.

  Twenty years later.

  ‘’You are living us?’’ Marcus said to the man he was now calling Teacher.

  He replied with a nod and petted Pup’s golden head.

  ‘’I think that it’s obvious.’’

  Marcus had started getting gray. His wrinkles from the sun appeared, and his hand now had strange marks. And yet, his teacher remained the same as he had been before. Over the past few decades, Marcus could see that there was more behind this devil. That he showed kindness in many ways that he couldn’t believe he would. That he loved to tell stories from the old days.

  ‘’Teacher, I-’’

  Odysseus stood up from his seat and patted his shoulders as if he were still a boy.

  ‘’You can keep it up’’He said with a soft smile.

  ‘’But I do not want you to-’’

  ‘’Capetan’’Odysseus spoke and took a deep breath.

  So, Marcus now nodded and understood everything slowly. That his teacher, who was once called the devil, had to find a new place to make chaos.