Circa 500 BCE – Greece and Persia
By the time Marcus arrived in ancient Greece, he had long since learned the art of blending in. He was no longer just a shadow in the background—he was now a figure who shaped the world. His knowledge of battle strategies and tactics made him an invaluable advisor to generals and leaders. He appeared in Greece during a time of great turmoil, as the Persians under Xerxes I were preparing to invade the Greek city-states.
Marcus spent time among the Greek generals, most notably Themistocles, who had a vision for defending his homeland. Themistocles believed that the key to victory lay in his navy, and when Marcus heard of the plan, he took it a step further.
"Your strength lies not in your numbers," Marcus said one night, as they looked over a map of the Greek islands. "Your strength lies in the element of surprise. Make them believe you're weak, and then strike when they least expect it."
Themistocles hesitated but took Marcus's advice. When the Persians finally launched their invasion, the Greeks feigned retreat, leading the Persian fleet into the narrow straits of Salamis. As the Persians followed, the Greek ships ambushed them, leading to a decisive Greek victory. Marcus, never seeking credit, slipped away quietly after the battle, leaving only a few to wonder who had truly given the Greeks their victory.
In the years that followed, Marcus traveled through the Persian Empire, meeting with Darius I and Xerxes, advising them on how to prevent the chaos of war from consuming their empire. He was a constant, a silent force, shaping the world without ever being seen.