Prologue Pt. 3

As Markus, AKA the God of Magic, walked to his destination, he pondered over his year with Daniel. He was intelligent, more so than he let on, but nonetheless his brilliant mind helped him survive foster care. He was neglected, abused, and bullied by those around him, he eventually shut himself off into his fantasies. He was hiding his pain well after the ordeal with that deadbeet of an adoptive father. Even after a year went by he still trembled at the sight of anything resembling that night or the events of. He couldn't watch Harry Potter, he was too similar to the protagonist he would begin to have flashbacks. Becoming borderline catatonic at the first film, and barely contained himself reading the first book. He was scared of police, doctors, teachers, you name it. The kid had it rough for 2 whole years with the orphanage and adoptees therein. His first year was with a family who forgot he existed except for the days when cops came over to have them sign papers saying he was healthy.

Then one day, the parents got tired of feeding him; they just stopped. Leading poor Daniel to eat lunch at school whenever he had the money to even pay. He was almost stunted if not for a teacher having enough and calling his parents. Next day he was shipped off to a very distant relative. His abusive new adoptive father. He chained him to the radiator is his shitty apartment in downtown, only letting him off to go to therapy and the hospital for treatment of his malnourishment. He had tried to kill himself in the hospital bathroom only for an orderly to save him from bleeding out from the scalpel he embedded in his wrist. He was admitted, to the anger of his adoptive father.

As he was waiting for the doctor with his guardian, the bastard tried to smother him. After the doctor came back, he saw the man sitting watching tv and the kid panting and crying in silence. The doc shrugged it off as a kid being scared of his shots. After two months, he was released and his 'father' was in debt that had more than a few zeros in it. He became abusive, beating him mercilessly days on end. The cops were called one time, by a neighbor, who heard the man shouting. He was smart, he only hit Daniel on his back and legs where he could keep him close and away from the prying eyes of the cops. Looking into the incident later found all the telltale signs of abuse, but couldn't do anything without the guardians consent. After that eight months passed in hell for Daniel. And only after pressing his hand to the pilot light of the radiator, giving himself severe burns, was he admitted and they found the bruises of the abuse. The cops began to pile evidence and as they escorted him home they were leaving giving the impression that they were done with his transport. Only if he was that lucky, the man heard sirens and assumed Daniel had called the cops. He then grabbed his crobar, sneaking up on Daniel as he turned to look at the noise of his 'father' bearing down on him with wrath.

He held his hands up in defence but only slowed the blow he took to the head. He yelped in pain as he stumbled back into the hallway leading to his room. He luckily ducked under the man's wild swing aiming to take Daniel's head off, lodging the crobar into the drywall and catching a support stud. Daniel ran as the madman screeched in vengeance, trying to pry the prybar out of the hole. Daniel locked the door and prayed for help. And after a few minutes, help busted the door off its hinges and promptly ordered the man's surrender. And after a short moment, he ran crazily at the cops, being shot dead half a moment later. And with that Daniel's nightmare ended.

Uncle Markus hummed and opened his book to finish the summoning he would need to do. With a chant and a flash of light. Two and a half men were spawned. By all accounts they had little in common except for the look of warriors they shared as they sized each other up. Bruce was a little surprised at the half man/half horse, but kept silent. "Welcome, I am the god of magic. I have summoned you for a singular task. To train my nephew in his trials he will face in the future. The Roman, dressed in his generals armor and Princeps sash scoffed, "I do not train whelps, false god. I train the legionaries of Rome, send me back to my rightful place." The oriental man looked appreshensive, "You are a god? Where am I? I was training in my home and then I show up here the second I step out my front door. Send me back as well."

"I have no problem teaching, but is he worthy?" Said the Teacher, an old man with a bow and arrow over his tunic and shawl. Uncle Markus looked at the three men and stated, "You have a choice to leave and I will send you back to your times. Or, you hear me out and train the strongest warrior in all the realms. You will be compensated of course, more fame than you could deal with, money and knowledge, and the veneration of a future godling." The mediterannian general scoffed, "I have the riches and fame of the emperor of Rome. You say godling, is he a demigod like Hercules? I might need the help of a god clearing out those two traitors." He finished with an evil calculating grin. The Chinese man stared at the tan skinned general with a hardened expression, "Who are you?" The general barked his name out with an imperial salute, "I am Gaius Julius Caesar, who are you whelp?" The martial arts master scoffed, "Arrogance will lead you nowhere betrayer of Rome, I learned about you in school. Hailed as a great general but cruel tyrant for his subjugation of the people of Gaul and the africans." The older centaur shook his head, "Children, fighting in the presence of a god, is more arrogant than Achilles himself. Be quiet and hear him out." The Roman was about to argue and then he heard Achilles, "You are Chiron…" The half man nodded with a smile. "You said godling, so I will Teach him the ways of a hero. But I need no reparations, I have veneration, and have no need for glory or wealth." Uncle Markus was pleased and the General shrugged, "I will trust the Teacher, you have my aid."

All eyes were now on Bruce, "I am Bruce Lee, Martial Practitioner. I will meet my prospective student before I say anything." Markus nodded and led them towards the library and as they walked in, they saw a figure slumped in a chair. He jumped with a start at the sounds of Chiron's hooves on the tiled floor and starred in curiosity and amazement at the entourage behind his uncle. He nodded at the three and spoke…

(1st person POV: Daniel)

I saw my uncle walking with what looks like a roman general, a centaur, and Bruce Lee! THE Bruce Lee! Wow, I always loved his movies and even his martial arts career was mind blowing. The others were a mystery, but i called out, "Uncle, how is Bruce Lee here?!" He chuckled with mirth as he introduced, "Men, this is my nephew, your new student." I stood stock still, shocked to silence, "I knew you said we would teach a godling, but why is he so weak? His hair has yet to grow!" Said the armored man inspecting him like something under his shoe, "I sense no awe when I see him, are you a false god?" My uncle's brow twitched at the Roman's blunt speech. Chiron however had a pondering look, and Bruce Lee was even more puzzled. How did this kid know him? "You mentioned me by name young man, how do you know me?" I looked at him with what could only be said to be incredulousness, "Who doesn't know THE Martial Artist, Bruce Lee?" He grinned sheepishly and responded, "What do you mean, The Martial Artist? I am just so-so." I was about to respond when my uncle interjected, "Daniel, slow down, let them introduce themselves." I nodded obediently and waited for the others to say their names. The general looked a bit angry about his spotlight being taken and stated, "I am Gaius Julius Caesar, Ruler Of Rome, you would do well to respect me more than this no name over there." I stopped and stared at the man. Tall but not giant, Sturdy and strong, shrewd eyes and silver tongue. The emperor of Rome and all her holdings was basking in the astonished glow of my eyes, until to my left the elephant, or I guess the centaur in the room, spoke with a grandfatherly tone, "I am Chiron." He said simply.

One minute passed as I failed to process what I heard. THE Chiron. As in teacher of Hercules, Jason, and Achilles. That CHIRON?! I Bowed at the waist and said, "Greetings Wise Chiron," My inner Chuuni was rejoicing that I met a literal Myth. He chuckled and looked at me, "No need for that respect yet young one, nice to know how well I am remembered." That took the cake 3 legends in one room. One new, one old, one mythological. It was surreal. "Daniel back to earth please. Now they are going to be your teachers, if they are willing." I looked expectantly at them, "What is it we will teach?" That was from Bruce, "You will teach him how to survive in a new and perilous world. Teaching him to defend himself first and foremost." This put Bruce into a contemplative silence as Caesar said, "If I teach you boy, you will be a soldier, a killing machine. Mars himself trembles at the call of a Legionnaire, this is what I will teach you. How to conquer, how to lead, and how to kill. Do you think you can handle that Boy?" He ended with a sneer and looked at me like a predator. "I will teach you morals, ethics, and how to be a hero. Are you like Jason? A conqueror. Or are you like Ajax? A defender and loyal friend. Or even Achilles. An Arrogant warrior without equal. I cannot wait to see." Chiron ended with a smile. "If I teach you, I will temper your body, mind, and soul. To be a martial artist is to know balance and be willing to stay your hand and forgive, and when to strike with a vengeance of the ancestors. Are you willing to be taught?"

"Yes!" And with that my journey to Marvel Began.