The Zodiac Cycle

3.4 Lazarus

Abbadon hadn't changed a lot since the group had been there last. The whole group was together for the first time in years, and the defending silence was starting to get on Nolan's nerves. He liked having conversations with the group, but he was also stubborn and refusing to talk to Ash at the moment, and the rest of them were still in silent shock from the information they had gathered.

Keith had opted to stay on the mainland and look after the house, since they always made sure to have someone there. The rest of them hopped onto a boat that Mark took them to and got to the island far quicker than they had before. They then switched to some horses and rode a good couple hours till the sun had started to set.

"We're here." Mark called out, pulling his steed to a halt. He hopped off, stroking the horses nose for a second, before leading her to the side of a large house that was well hidden in a small grove. The group followed his lead, dismounting and guiding the animals into a stable on the side of the house, before entering the building. it was a nice house, cozy despite its size, and full of secrets. 

Mark led them down the hall to a door that had a decent of stairs beyond it. The area the steps led to wasn't lit, looming ominously below the group. 

"Are you sure you didn't lead us here to brutally murder us?" George pointed down the stairs, raising his eyebrows. 

"I'm not a fighter." Mark laughed. "I make weapons and deliver messages for the rebellion. If they wanted you dead, they would have sent Olive, and she would have been happy to oblige."

"Should we be concerned about that?" Clementine asked, still just as distrusting as always. 

"Nah, I don't think so. Olive is the person who influenced the rebellion. I don't believe she'd do anything to intentionally hurt you." Mark headed down the staircase, flipping on a light switch on his way down. light filled the room to reveal...

a regular old basement.

There were some boxes and dusty pieces of furniture as well as a furnace in the corner of the room. Mark pushed aside some boxes in the corner opposite the furnace and leaned over, messing with something only he could see. There was a whirring sound, and then a small passageway opened in front of Mark.

"Secret Tunnel," Carson smirked, "cool."

"Or creepy." Rebecca held onto Alex's arm. Not like Alex seemed any more comfortable with it than she did.

the group followed Mark through the tunnel, going down stairs again, deeper underground, and emerged from the other end in some kind of bunker. It was huge, the main area open and having wrapped-around balconies four stories tall. the bottom floor had sectioned areas with glass panes so the group could see into the areas.  the whole place had people coming in and out, who seemed interested in the fact that a new group of people had come in.

"this is our secondary base of operations. our primary one resides in Neveah, in the catacombs under the castle." Mark explained. "we've got some bunks you can stay in, a cafeteria, and a training area that barely anyone out here uses. most of our fighters stay in Luxterra, the primary base."

"light of the earth?" George asked.

"familiar with the meaning?" Mark laughed a bit. "well, are you familiar with the name Lazarus?"

"a name associated with resurrection or rebirth." George nodded.

"well, we call this base Lazarus. we also have Evangeline, and Axelia." 

"Greek for bearer of good news, and protector of mankind."

"you know your stuff." mark chuckled. "good on you."