Chapter 49: What is Love?
*Hi there, yall. With a new chapter in here, for the day. It's a bit late, sure, that's cuz I slept in (I'm pretty tired, but heh, I thank God for being alive and still able to do things) so yeah. I'll keep writing for you all, and do my best. I only ask that you please, PLEASE write some REVIEWS in here for the fanfic cuz they help and also give me more insight into the situation. So yeah, enjoy, and have fun. Peace out and Deus vult*
Mark made his way up, taking the elevator. He was in good health and high spirits since he faced an enemy that was pretty dangerous, despite the lack of strength when compared to its real inspiration.
"A win is a win; that much I can say for sure. Ruan Mei predicted it would survive for 56 seconds, but it only lasted for 50. I killed it, heh... I want to see the look on her face."
The researchers kept looking at Mark, especially after they saw him exit a closed-off area. Quick on his feet, the way to the meeting room was short, fueled by his energy and excitement. Stelle was still out and about her task, and Mark could hear Himeko's voice inside.
"Hm, I guess she truly is pretty damn impressive, considering that the geniuses allowed her in. I do know about it, but I find myself impressed every damn time."
Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes, feeling as the soft hum of the space around him enveloped his senses. Shadows kept moving around, trying to grab him, even as his vision was darkened by his closed eyelids. His heart sped up all the time, and he kept questioning himself, muttering prayers to himself as a way to cling to sanity. It's something he was used to doing while walking home alone at three in the morning, back in his world. No light, just that from his phone, and shady sounds that filled his senses.
The doors opened, and he snapped out of it with a slight jump. Himeko stepped out first, walking by Ruan Mei's side, both of which were still engaged in a serious discussion. Saying nothing, Mark simply stood there, watching the two with a tiny smile on his lips, just a soft motion that brought out warmth from his very heart.
Himeko's gaze moved to the side, taking notice of his presence. Instantly, her face lit up, and he found himself smiling even more.
"I'm back. I took care of what I had to, and Ruan Mei, we might need to have a chat. As for Stelle, I'm sure she's still handling the other end of it."
Himeko was eager to hear what he went through as well, while Ruan Mei kept on a poker face of nonchalance, focused more on the results of her research. From within the room, Herta emerged, followed by Screwllum. Mark brought his right hand up in a salute, bowing his head slightly.
"I see that you have returned already," said Herta, reaching out to him, offering his phone back.
"It was easy work. I made it so that you can access a separate OS made for the recent versions. What you have there is rather interesting, but also a bit of an antique."
He smiled, taking his phone, looking it all over. To his surprise, it had a different port attached, something he didn't recognize.
"I took the liberty of replacing your battery and charging port. This should be up to date with the standards."
Mark nodded, smiling softly.
"Thank you, Herta. Now I should be able to talk with everyone and send messages at insane speeds. That's cool."
Screwllum stepped forward, silently admiring Mark. The two locked gazes, and Mark found himself reaching out for a handshake, the most usual action to take when meeting someone new.
"Nice to meet you, Screwllum."
Unlike Ratio, he did answer to the salute, reaching out with a cold mechanical hand, firmly gripping that of Mark.
"It's a pleasure to meet a life form such as yourself, home to strange phenomena within the universe."
Mark felt flattered for a moment, feeling the cold metal against his skin even as he took his hand back. He glanced at Ruan Mei, not wishing to discuss those things in front of Screwllum and Herta, knowing that it could get her in a little bit of trouble. Instead, he focused on their conversation.
"So, did you finally settle on the future for the Simulated Universe and what you will do with it?"
Herta let out an annoyed sound, akin to a sigh, just somewhat robotic.
"We've discussed, and we still have things to settle. Miss Himeko's input was of great help as well, so thank you for bringing her as well."
Himeko smiled politely, shaking her head slightly.
"I'm glad that my contribution was of actual help."
Mark nodded, thinking about something of his own. Still, his thoughts were not that useful in the present situation, focused even more on what mental issues plagued him.
"Well, it's all well as long as it ends well. I guess we should wait for Stelle somewhere, most probably near the Express, same place where I think Ruan Mei will depart, right?"
She gave a light nod, prepared to leave. Suddenly, Mark's mind was struck by an inner thought that struggled to get out, despite it being close. His nose dripped with blood as he caught a few images. The shadows tried to catch him once more, increasing in number as the moment of weakness downed upon him. With great effort, he could calm his mind, holding on to the wall. Himeko's warm touch against his cheek was able to drag him out.
"Mark, are you alright? Is it the same as before?"
He shook his head, leaning against the wall for support. The others were simply staring, trying to figure out a logical reason for the event.
"I'm fine, but we gotta be careful. Something bad is about to happen. The... Annihilation Gang..."
His head was about to burst at the sudden image of a woman in purple and a few words about the Annigilation Gang having been attacked by her. The price for such knowledge ahead of time wasn't as bad as expected, possibly because of the order in which he had played the events in the game. For him, first came the woman, then came this actual quest. The order in time was different, which was how he could keep it together.
"Heh, I see..."
He wiped his nose, smudging the blood until it was no more. The others were watching him, confused, and even Stelle had managed to return in the meantime. Mark laughed all alone, thinking about the Duke Inferno's demise.
"Heh, yeah, I see. Well, I think you all should know that we have Ratio on the board as well, and just when this crisis will begin, he'll be ready to lend a hand. Prepare for it, since it'll start in a short while."
Himeko looked at him with a worried look in her eyes, trying to comprehend how come he just sputtered all of that.
"Don't worry, Himeko, I just happen to know. After all, this is my gimmick. If I lack knowledge, I need strength, and if I lack strength, I need knowledge. For now, I have a bit of both. I think it a matter of time until one or the other will fade, leaving me with no choice but to abuse what's left of me."
He stood up straight, staring around at the others.
"So, here's the deal with this whole matter; we'll keep acting as if nothing is wrong. There's this curio, the Phase Flame or something; you know better than me. Ifrit, that damned Duke Inferno, will try to sow discord on the Space Station, kidnapping researchers who are 'vocal' against the higher ups."
They all listened to him, with Stelle trying to follow along in the entire speech, still tired from her task of wandering the place until she could gather Ruan Mei's creation, yet Mark saved her from the spook of a giant beetle.
"Where are you going with all this, Mark?" asked Herta, an intrigued look on her face. For the first time, Mark gave up on trying to hide behind something with the knowledge he held. If it came to him in full at a small price, he was about to use it in full.
"Well, here's the deal. Ratio, that IPC guy, will interfere with the teleportation from that flame and store the people away in a spatial curio, or something like that. I'm not gonna get involved in this crisis, cuz it all goes well without me being here. Just don't go pointing fingers at Stelle when it does happen, alright?"
Stelle jumped at him, grabbing his shoulders, looking up at him with a slightly worried gaze.
"Me? Why me? What did I even do?"
Mark chuckled, pointing at Herta.
"You should just work with her and see what you did. Anyway, this is all for now. Oh, and don't go saying a thing to Ratio about all my interference in this. I know he's with the IPC, so that's also why I don't want them finding out too much about me. I just know you can be trusted, alright? Geniuses and my own comrades. You understand it better. Still, I'm aware that at some point, I'll be found out, but until then, I shall keep things the way they are."
He crossed his arms, and Stelle let go of him, still trying to understand his puzzling phrases and crazed mumbling. Herta looked at him, a steady feeling of curiosity in her puppet body.
"Mark, you sure seem to know a lot more than one should. Perhaps you being like Destiny's Slave isn't an exaggeration."
He scoffed, shaking his head vehemently.
"Nah, no, it's totally different. I just know things. He sees things."
With that, he turned around, looking over his shoulder to Himeko, Ruan Mei, and Stelle.
"Let us depart. I'll send Stelle back here when we're done, alright?"
He walked ahead of the rest, waiting until they were in a different area, away from prying ears. Ruan Mei stared at him, speaking in her usual tone.
"I knew you'd make for an excellent subject, but what you just said... if it proves real, then you're one of the rarest specimens one could find."
She took a step closer, getting dangerously close to him, reaching out to touch him once more in the same spot at the corner of his jaw, wishing to analyze him further.
"I think this is enough," said Himeko as she grabbed her wrist, holding it in place. Mark glanced at her, a tiny smile on his face, filled with the thoughts of Himeko wanting to take care of him—something that warmed him up.
Ruan Mei pulled her hand back, accepting that Mark wasn't for the taking.
"Fine, I understand. He's your dear companion, but if he ever changes his mind, I'll have a spot open for him."
He shook his head once more, crossing both arms instantly. It was a hard no.
"Considering that you made that giant beetle, no way in hell am I letting you try to use me for such things. Yes, I took care of it, not Stelle."
She looked at him again, muttering a simple 'fascinating' that came from deep within.
"You do know one too many things, don't you? So, did it last for fifty-six seconds, as it should have?"
He smirked, chuckling softly.
"Fifty seconds, nothing more. I killed it before it could fully destroy itself. It's also why the Space Station rattled for a bit earlier. I'm glad no one was too alarmed by it."
She nodded, thinking about the countless possibilities that Mark would open for her, only if she could study him. Still, his answer was set in stone—at least for now.
Meanwhile, she began talking with Stelle about her creations, how they're nowhere near geniuses, but they do have some sort of love for her, something they don't understand, and an emotion that she herself doesn't understand. Mark sighed, glancing briefly at Himeko for a second. She met his gaze with a flicker just as quick.
"Heh, Ruan Mei, you lack understanding in love? Well, to know God is to know love. Why? Because love itself is more of an action that one can fathom. We think it a feeling, which it also is, but with time, the emotion dulls. It's there, but not felt. So, what then is love?"
He glanced out in the abyss of space as he spoke, keeping his arms crossed as the words kept flowing out of his heart, with touches of both melancholy and hope and a bittersweet touch of regret.
"Love is to be there and suffer for another. Love is to never leave, to have trust, to simply... accept someone else for who they are, to guide them towards a better path, and to care with all your being. The greatest proof of love there is comes in the form of putting down your life for another."
He turned over to her, speaking with a soft tone.
"You still have to learn because you were focused only on research. That's the thing with geniuses, and also my reason as to why I wouldn't want to become someone like you: you lose touch with the human side. Maybe I'm no longer a human, at least in body, but I know I look like one, and I act like one. I'm stupid and the most selfish man there is, putting others in one form of pain or another to try and reach what I desire..."
He trailed off for a moment, his lips lingering in a slightly agape frame, the air coming out of his lungs in soft, unfelt breaths.
"...anyway, love is something incredible that requires some time to be learned. Just take your time and figure it out with those little things. Trust me, just being there for them, taking care of them, and offering them some affection is in itself a form of love... simply do it out of your own will..."
He sighed, staring once more out into space, the words heavy on his own heart.
"Just... take care of those little things, and don't leave them behind..."
He whispered a few words in passing before heading to the Express.
"Like I did..."
With that, he made himself unseen, leaving the three of them lost for words.
"Love, so... that's what it is?" asked Ruan Mei, feeling... something.
"He's not wrong, at least... I don't think he's wrong. He sees multiple sides of love, but his words... the way he acts... he's maybe more hurt than I thought."
Stelle simply stared at his back as he walked, his shoulders slouched, head bowed slightly. He entered the Express without looking back.
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