Marcus…
After reading the passage about Ruvick in Athena's old tomes, he decided to go and dig up as much information on Ruvick as possible. When Selene had mentioned that she met Ruvick when she was a child and that Adrianos seemed to know him very personally it was definitely a cause for concern but not something he wanted to prioritize as soon as possible even if he was involved with Malthael's temporary resurrection somehow.
However, things have changed.
This man, this 'Ruvick', has been around for tens of thousands of years, which was more than enough time to accumulate power, resources, influence, and assets. He could be an even greater threat to him and his sister than anything Romano could have concocted, so he needed to make preparations in case Ruvick ever decided to come after the two of them directly.
He entered Duranell's library and asked for any and all books with information on Ruvick...only to have a look of complete confusion upon their faces. When he asked about the Dark Champion, even then they said there was next to no information on him as a person other than the fact that he had mysteriously appeared in the world one day and by the end of the Amaskian War, faded out of history.
For hours he searched through as many records and history books as he could find but still, the man was like a ghost. He appeared in the war, fought in it for hundreds of years, and then disappeared.
There was...there was nothing. Not a trace.
"Shit!" he shouted as he slammed his fist down on the table he was reading at in frustration and it broke apart sending pieces of wood and splinters everywhere.
This library had information not only exclusive to Duranell, but also copies of history provided from other kingdoms all over the world and yet it had next to nothing on this man.
As he was trying to wrap his head around the situation, the librarian came rushing into the room he was reading in and stared at him in anger.
"What the hell did you do?" she asked.
After cleaning up the broken remains of the old table, making a brand new table out of his magic, and apologizing numerous times, nearly being banned from the library in the process, he left feeling hollow.
He wasted several hours pouring over as many books as he could find only to turn up with nothing.
He debated on whether or not to head back home, visit Thalia, or go to the brotherhood hall to pick up some new jobs but couldn't decide. His body eventually decided to just walk around town in the hopes that he would come across something that would take his mind off of things.
Not long after wandering for several miles he eventually came across a part of town that seemed to be focused around restaurants and food markets. He wasn't especially hungry so he wasn't sure what it was that drew him there but he had a strange feeling that made him curious about the area. It was like a strange feeling of yearning in his mind.
At some point he made his way to a café called 'Sasha’s Cafe' and went inside.
He wasn't sure what to order, not that he planned to order anything at all, but he felt that he had a reason for being there. He decided to order a cup of sweet tea and went looking for a seat.
Unfortunately, today was an especially busy day at this café and there didn't seem to be any available tables anywhere. He turned around completely to as he looked for anywhere to sit but there was no where to sit and it made him feel like an idiot for being the only one standing in the middle of the room with a cup of tea in his hands.
A man's voice then called out to him as he said, "Hey! You looking for a place to sit?"
Marcus turned round to face the person offering him a place to sit and realized he knew this man.
As he walked over to sit down he said, "Uh, thank you."
"You're welcome," he said.
"You know, I recognize you. Your the same man I met at Dagon's museum, you disappeared before I got the chance to introduce myself," he said.
The man gave him an apologetic wince as he said, "Yes, I am sorry for that. Unfortunately I had some business to attend to at that time. We can take the time we have now to exchange names then, yes?"
The man reached out his hand in a greeting gesture and Marcus took it, shaking it reluctantly.
"Name's Marcus. Marcus Wright. Its nice to officially meet you," he said genuinely.
"It is my pleasure," he said and while continuing to maintain his kindly smile, he continued, "My name is Ruvick."
Marcus's blood went cold as if his heart had stopped beating. He had never allowed himself to be so easily blindsided and outsmarted by anyone in his life when living in Terra, especially not around Romano and his men. However, this man Ruvick had so easily managed to present himself before Marcus could find any substantial information on the man.
"Is something wrong? You look pale," Ruvick said with a playful tone and look in his eyes.
Marcus had to force himself to pull his arm back and rested it at his side. He didn't dare reach for his sword with nothing to work off of and with no intelligence of Ruvick's abilities. According to Artemis, this man had effortlessly overpowered her and placed a curse on her. If he made the wrong move then he could end up dead very fast.
"When I came to this area...I had a strange feeling, as if something were pulling me here. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?" he asked.
Ruvick seemed genuinely confused when he heard that as he said, "Not...necessarily. I can't say that I was waiting here for you or that I led you here with my spiritual energy but I was going to look for you at some point today. I guess its just a coincidence that you were led here anyways. I just like the coffee here. Perhaps it was fate that we met here, haha!"
"I can't understand why you think it is appropriate for you to have such a carefree and practically jolly attitude around me considering what happened in Lunaas," Marcus said as he decided to push how much Ruvick could tolerate. He wondered if he had a breaking point for disrespect, not that he planned to push it to its limit.
"Well, despite the situation that happened there, I still wanted to treat you with some manner of respect and apologize for that mess," he said and Marcus felt more confused than ever. Sure, Ruvick's response to the comment about Lunaas more or less confirmed his involvement but he made it seem like it wasn't his idea.
"You're...apologizing? For what exactly?"
"Well, I had planned to organize a job that would force you and Selene to adapt and master your newfound power to a respectable degree but I made the mistake of putting Kayron in charge of that and I largely regret that decision. There was far too much unwanted collateral damage as a result, something that I had intended to avoid. In fact, I had arrived in Lunaas to look for Jiroh because I was under the impression that he had something I wanted but unfortunately he didn't and when Artemis arrived to stop him I figured it would be a problem if I resolved it on my own or if I took her out of the equation and everything was already in place. It was incredibly unfortunate but the moment that Kayron took action it was largely impossible for me to put things back the way they were without causing a bunch of other problems," he said with what sounded like a truly apologetic tone.
"Just to make sure I am getting things straight though...you also sent Kayron after me and my sister right?" he asked and Ruvick shook his head no.
"With that matter, Kayron actually came to me saying he had a vision or a dream of someone imprisoned and asking for him to find the person with great power who would free her. I thought he was spouting nonsense but I allowed him to go searching for whoever that person happened to be. I never would have imagined that it would lead to him traveling all the way back to Terra. I simply suggested that if he actually found someone that he bring you to me so that I could talk with you under peaceful circumstances and we become allies," Ruvick said as he was trying to smooth things over.
"You didn't order him to attack me?" Marcus asked.
Ruvick again shook his head, "Nor did I intend for Malthael's resurrection and all that followed in Lunaas. Although I do think it gave Selene an opportunity for her to avenge her father. Adrianos was a good friend of mine."
Ruvick then blinked in surprise as he stared at Marcus intently.
"That being said...I think she might find the situation with Malthael to become more complex in the future," he said before taking a sip of coffee.
"What do you mean by that? Malthael is dead."
"Dead? Yes. Gone? Unlikely. I'm guessing you ate his heart right?" Ruvick asked.
"How did you-?"
"Eating dragon hearts is an especially ancient practice to gain further strength. It works rather well if you start small with feral dragons before moving your way up to the heart of an Archdragon. The first person to ever survive eating an Archdragon's heart and gain its power needed to slaughter countless smaller and weaker dragons for fifty thousand years. You, however, went straight for the heart of arguably the most powerful dragon in the multiverse. I can't see that turning out very well."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Its not important at the moment. Lets move on to what is important though. The matter of Kayron and his connection to the two of us. I am guessing that you feel largely uncomfortable with the fact that he wants to use your power for his own agenda, correct?"
"Yes. Why, are you suggesting that you would offer your protection?"
"Sort of, yes. Kayron is a fanatic who hates the gods, all the gods. I don't know why and I don't care but his resources and connections are very useful and important to me, so he works for me. If you and I are able to come to a mutual agreement, and settle things peacefully, then I can make sure that Kayron doesn't come after you directly, and if he does, then I will personally intervene to prevent him from harming you or your sister. Between that and the fact that I would like to exchange information with you," he said and Marcus could help but feel like this situation was familiar. It felt like he was talking to Stefan Romano and getting himself involved with a criminal underworld again.
That being said, it was what he was familiar with and Ruvick seemed genuinely apologetic and respectful.
That or he is an amazing liar and manipulator.
"What are your terms? I can't imagine that you would just offer me your protection without some demands. What do you want out of it?"
Ruvick's eyes narrowed as if he were offended but then a look of realization showed on his face.
"Ahh...I see. You must be familiar with this kind of arrangement, if I'm correct? I can't really blame you for being cautious, though I am curious as to why."
"Call it an educated assessment," Marcus said sarcastically.
Ruvick chuckled as he said, "Fair enough. All I really ask for is that you remain open so that I can contact you whenever I need to speak with you, whether it is to exchange information or otherwise."
"You have the power to see me whenever you wish. What good would it do to ask me for my permission to remain in contact with me?"
"Good manners and to keep in good faith with you. Would you want me to barge into your home while you are sharing your bed with someone?"
"No, I guess not."
"Then we understand each other. Now keep in mind, if you ever need my advice for something, I am at this café quite regularly. I enjoy the coffee."
"I never said that I agreed to your terms. I don't trust you yet," Marcus said as if to prod him for information.
As if sensing his intent, Ruvick looked into his eyes and it was as if he could interpret what he wanted out of him.
"Hmm...Well, I guess I can't really blame you. I'll extend an olive branch then. I'm sure you've heard of the woman Moyako by now yes?"
Marcus's tried and failed not to look surprised as he replied, "Y-yes. I've heard of her."
"Then I'm guessing you've also heard that she is someone who is also not from this world, yes? Its important that you know that she is in fact, also from Terra."
Marcus balled his fist tightly as he heard this. If he could meet this woman then she might be able to help him return home.
"Believe it or not, Moyako and I know each other well. I've asked her to participate in the Contest of Champions, which I'm sure you'll hear about from Captain Dean quite soon."
As he was listening to what Ruvick was saying he realized that he wasn't making much sense.
"Ruvick, I assume that you are giving me this information about her knowing that I want to head back to my universe, correct? By doing this you would lose your connection to me if she has any way of helping me," he said and Ruvick nodded.
"I am aware of that, yes. However, in all my years of living on Erebus, even I haven't found a way to traverse between universes yet. Even if I did figure out how to, I'm not sure I'd be allowed to leave either. Regardless, I figure that there are other ways you might benefit from meeting her. By any luck, perhaps the two of you could find a way back together."
"I'll keep that in mind then. You said she will be participating in this 'Contest of Champions', correct?"
"Yes, and the Darkmoon Knights will need a champion of their own to participate and represent them," he said suggestively.
"Are you asking me to be the brotherhood's champion?"
"Yes. Doing so will bring you in contact with Moyako as well as give you plenty of opportunities for personal growth. You'll be hearing about it from Dean anyways but I'm telling you this now so that you have a good reason to join of your own volition," he said and Marcus was actually starting to consider it.
He then looked down at his cup of tea and realized he had barely touched it. He took a single long drink as he emptied it before standing up and replied, "I'll keep it in mind. Thank you."
His thanks was genuine since he didn't seem to have any reason to be disrespectful to Ruvick at the moment.
As Marcus turned around to leave, Ruvick called out to him and said, "Oh, before you go Marcus, I should let you know something."
"Yes, what is it?"
"When I mentioned your name to her, Moyako said she wanted to meet you as well."