Chapter ten: the beginning.

Marcus found himself sitting at the dining room table at Elissa and Kenji's safe house.

Kenji was sitting at the head of the table, while Elissa was standing near the doorway with her arms crossed.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the dining room, with only the occasional table tap from Kenji, who was tapping his pointer finger on the table.

"So…." Marcus said nervously as he tried to break the silence, "What's the plan for today?" He asked, hoping either Elissa or Kenji would join in the conversation.

They both remained silent, leaving Marcus uncomfortable. He didn't know what exactly caused them to act so strangely, but he had it feeling it had something to do with Luna's core.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Kenji spoke softly, "Marcus, are you sure you want to continue?" Kenji asked with a worried expression, "I mean you've been through so much and it's only been two months."

Marcus raised an eyebrow, "what are you talking about?" He asked as he crossed his arms. 

"I'm fine, I mean this is what I signed up for right?"

Kenji shook his head, "This is not what you signed up for Marcus and for that,  I apologize." Kenji said sincerely as he placed his hand on his chest.

"You have been misled, overworked, and put in reckless danger." Kenji then paused for a moment as he glanced towards Elissa, who gave him a reassuring nod.

Kenji then his attention back towards Marcus, "Elissa and I are willing to do whatever it takes to make things right Marcus, even if that includes financial support."

Marcus couldn't help but chuckle, causing both Kenji and Elissa to grow concerned. "Are you ok Marcus?" Kenji and Elissa asked in unison.

Marcus continued to chuckle as he waved his hand towards Kenji in a 'yes' manner, "I'm fine." Marcus said as he composed himself.

He didn't mean to laugh in Kenji's face, but he couldn't help but find it funny. 

Rather than Marcus wanting to leave off his own Volition, they were the ones suggesting he leave.

The thought that this lazy, no-good teen was more willing to stick it out than two battle-hardened veterans just seemed too sweet of irony not to laugh.

"Guys," Marcus said as he finally calmed himself down slightly.

"Is that what makes the perfect officer?" Marcus asked challengingly, "Did you guys say it would be hard, that I'd face tough challenges, that you couldn't go easy on me?"

Kenji nodded, "Yes but, that was more motivation and encouragement than anything, right now you've gone through more as a cadet than some officers went through their entire first year, do you know how insane that is?"

Marcus shrugged, "No I don't, but doesn't that give me a leg up on the competition in this year's entrance exams?" 

Kenji paused his expression turning from sympathy to confusion and concern, "You mean after all you went through, you're still down to compete?"

"Absolutely," Marcus affirmed.

"Why?"

Marcus paused for a moment as he tried to think of a logical answer.

But only one answer continuously came to mind; it was fun.

For the past six years, Marcus had grown increasingly bored with how his life was progressing.

The school had become a chore.

He had no friends or companions.

He had no hobbies besides gaming and watching television.

Yet the moment he met Elissa and Kenji, that all changed, he had something to look forward to, the training, the lore, and even Luna despite all her quirks and problems, Gabe Marcus had a new sense of purpose.

Yes, things got hard, yes he was exhausted most days, and yes he got a strange foreign object shoved down his throat, but at the end of the day, he was able to get right back up and try again the next day.

Marcus smiled, "Because all my life has been dictated by my boredom and selfish desires, but now I know there's an entire world right underneath my nose, and I'd be a fool to turn it down."

Both Kenji and Elissa paused for a moment, they then both turned to look at each other, their expressions slowly turning from confusion to acceptance.

Kenji then chuckled to himself as he glanced at Marcus, "Well alright then Marcus, we got one month left to get you into shape before the exams, so I hope you're ready for the most intense training of your life."

Kenji had a challenging grin on his face as he outstretched a hand towards Marcus.

Marcus grinned as he accepted Kenji's handshake, "I'm counting on it."

Marcus' training quickly resumed from the day forward, though there were a few changes.

Due to Luna's core awakening within him, Marcus now had to take Ether suppression pills. They were usually reserved for officers who couldn't or rather shouldn't, use ether for a brief period of time.

But though these pills were reserved for such a purpose, Dr. Fletcher had both the pull and credibility to obtain them.

As for the training itself, Kenji opted for more strength and combat-based training, as he was confident that Marcus had both the agility and stamina required already.

On the last week of training, both Kenji and Elissa picked up Marcus from school, they were both dressed in black suits, and they stood in front of a limousine with smug grins on their faces.

Marcus was confused as he crossed the street and approached them with a hesitant smile. "What's all this for?" He asked as he finally reached the duo.

Elissa crossed her arms and looked up towards the sky, her shades reflecting the summer sun with a bright glare. "We're representing an English football club, we saw your performance on the pitch, that passion you have is an incredible lad." 

Marcus instinctively cringed at Elissa's feigned British accent. "Please stop," Marcus said as he glanced across the street back towards his school.

He immediately noticed a group of students with their phones pulled out and recording.

"What's going on?" One student whispered.

"I don't know, but it looks like they're here for Marcus." Another replied.

"He was famous!" Another student asked in disbelief.

Kenji chuckled as opened the back passenger door of the limousine, "Uhm, it's probably best we explain on the way to your house Marcus."

Marcus turned to look back at Kenji with a wry smile, "Yeah ok…."

Kenji then guided Marcus into the backseat of the limousine. As he settled in, he was greeted with the cool air of the limousine's air conditioning and hat fresh car smell.

Elissa then entered the driver's seat, while Kenji made his way around the limousine and settled beside Marcus.

Once everyone was inside Elissa started the engine and pulled off from the school grounds.

After a brief moment of silence, Kenji spoke up, "So you're probably wondering what all this is for right?"

Marcus nodded, "wondering is an understatement."

Kenji chuckled, "Well remember how we disguised your training as football practice?"

"Yeah, so my folks wouldn't get suspicious about me staying out so late."

"Exactly," Kenji affirmed. "But this served two purposes, you see we hold the exams in England, under the disguise as a club recruitment camp."

"The exams are in England!" Marcus exclaimed in excitement. Marcus had never even left his home state, let alone the country. 

A large grin grew on Marcus's face as he considered all the things he could do in England.

But his thoughts were interrupted by Kenji snapping his fingers. "Hey you need to pay attention here Marcus, this next part is important."

Marcus nodded, "right I'm listening."

"As I was saying the exams are held in England under disguise as a football camp, this allows us to evaluate all cadres without raising any suspicion."

Kenji then paused for a moment he raised a finger, "But before we can do any of that, we need to take care of the basics."

"The basics?" Marcus asked curiously.

Kenji nodded, "Most of all your paperwork has been fast-tracked by Dr. Fletcher, your medical records, passport papers, all that jazz, but we still have to inform your mother of your departure, which explains all the fancy clothes and limousine." Kenji gestured to his surroundings and clothes.

Marcus nodded, "speaking of my family, is my mother allowed to come as well?"

Kenji shook his head, "Unfortunately no, at least she won't be able to go alongside you, as not only does she lack a passport, but you'll be flying on a private jet owned by the organization, can't really risk your mother spilling the beans."

Marcus nodded, he understood the delicate balance an operation like this held, yet he still felt slightly saddened about not being able to bring his mother, "at least you guys will be coming along right?"

Kenji again shook his head, his expression saddened. "Unfortunately, we're still to be stationed here for the foreseeable future, but if it makes you feel any better Dr. Fletcher will accompany you, alongside Luna in semi-secrecy."

"Aw what?!" Marcus exclaimed in disbelief, you guys are just going to abandon me, does the past three months mean nothing to you?" He asked in feigned disappointment.

Kenji chuckled.

Suddenly the limousine slowed to a crawl, "We're here Marcus." Elissa said as she exited the limousine.

Marcus followed her outside the limousine.

As he stepped out he noticed his mother holding a large sign that read, Marcus Fall the greatest player of all time, with the picture of a goat at the bottom of the sign.

There were also several members from his extended family, including uncles, aunts, and cousins.

"Elissa who arranged this?" Marcus whispered as he caught up to her side.

Elissa grinned, "We had to let your mother know, I think you deserve a little time with your folks before we depart tomorrow."

Marcus was surprised, but the deed itself was welcomed.

Marcus smiled as he turned back towards his family, he then spread his arms out wide, "Whoever hugs me first gets a million dollars when I get famous!"  

And with Marcus's challenge out in the air, his entire family charged at him like a wave. With the exception of his mother who stood proudly with her sign in hand, and his sister who was nowhere to be found.

As Marcus's family enveloped him in a warm embrace, he felt a mixture of joy and sadness. It was bittersweet for him, so much has happened in the past three months.

From sitting in his room wasting his life away playing video games for an easy escape, to starting a journey that held new adventures, new friends, and a new life to begin.

He couldn't help but shed a tear, as he looked toward his mother he noticed that she too was shedding tears of joy. 

She then mouthed the words, "I'm proud of you." As she wiped the tears running from her cheeks.

Kenji and Elissa watched the family with eyes filled with satisfaction.

"You think he'll make it?" Kenji asked as he crossed his arms.

Elissa nodded, "Yes, yes I do."