Bab 17: In Serval We Trust
*Here again with a new chapter I barely managed to write due to a lot of circumstances. I hope you'll enjoy it. Let me know what you think about it. Also, discord server plug in :))
https://discord.com/invite/8RcQy2aQ36
I hope to see more of you there. Until then, peace out and Deus vult*
On their way back, Mark could notice that Stelle seemed a bit out of it. She kept looking left and right, as if searching for something that remained unseen. For the others, it was weird, but for Mark, who knew what was going on, it was just another day of random shit happening.
"Equilibrium..." muttered Stelle, her voice barely a whisper. Mark nodded, while the others were confused.
"Yeah, equilibrium. Quite the thing we're looking for in the world. A certain balance to all things. I guess you're tired, Stelle. Let's pick up the pace. I'm so tired I could sleep even through an earthquake."
He placed his hands behind his head and simply went ahead by himself, speeding up a little. The others followed suit, but March had to complain.
"Awww, Mark, you're walking too fast. Slow down a little."
He chuckled and looked back over his shoulder, shrugging.
"You're too slow, March."
Big mistake on his side. She did just that and simply jumped on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck, nearly choking him in the process.
"Fine, mister 'tough guy', time to teach you a lesson. That's not how you treat ladies, understood?"
Everyone burst out laughing, and even Dan Heng couldn't hold back his smile. Mark simply leaned forward a bit to get a better grip on her, but he didn't turn back at all.
"No one must see how damn red in the cheeks I am right now. Hell..."
With one swift motion, he lifted her a bit higher on his back and carried her with ease, not complaining.
"Fine. Hold on tight and don't fall, ok? If you do, it's your fault, not mine."
March didn't need more persuasion. She clung to him and just rested her head on his shoulder, her hair gently tickling Mark's right cheek. She did notice how red it was, but she chose to remain silent. Slowly but surely, she fell asleep on his back, her grip weakening slightly.
As Mark felt that, he leaned forward and walked like that despite his back screaming at him and calling him every possible word known and unknown by the universe.
"No way I'm letting her fall off of my back."
Behind him, the whispers were flying left and right, which were clearly focused on him, but it mattered little to him—at least that's the lie he tells himself all the time, despite his cheeks betraying him by getting flushed.
Quickly, he dashed ahead, entered the hotel, carried March to the room he saw her walk in on the first day, and gently lied her down to the best of his abilities, trying to not wake her up. With one careful motion, he pulled the blanket over her and just stared at her sleeping face for a moment longer than needed. She did look so innocent in her sleep. He wondered just what sort of memories she's lost.
"It's not my business either way... but still... she looks so..."
He shook his head. It wasn't good to linger around for longer than needed. In an instant, he was in his room, lying on his bed. He didn't even bother changing, and the sword and scabbard flew right to the floor, along with the metal pipe. Little was his time awake after his head found the pillow. Sleep soon enveloped him, cradling him softly.
Darkness... cold... and again, he was home. The nightmare kept repeating in the same manner, over and over, enslaving Mark in the horrors of his own mind. He couldn't rid himself of it. All he could do was watch it repeat over and over, then bury the mental wounds deep within. Again, he woke up in a cold sweat, his eyes teary, breath heavier than usual.
"Damn it..."
He wanted to cry and let it all out, but he had work to do. He stood up, gathering his wits and forcing it all to work together like nothing had happened.
"Regret... what a damn joke... it's heavy..." he whispered, as if testing his own voice and thoughts.
Indeed, he silenced his mind and just went along with the rest. Stelle, Dan Heng, and March were waiting for him outside.
"Took you long enough, sleepy head," chuckled March, and Mark gave her a sarcastic look.
"Should I remind you about how nicely you slept on my back yesterday?"
Her cheeks flushed a bit as she remained silent.
"So, everyone... ready to go?"
Indeed, the answer was yes. The group walked together to meet with Wildfire, yet no traces of Bronya were left. Seele was quick to inform them of her decision to go and talk with Cocolia directly. Mark had suggested she do the same, and yet he worried about her. As far as he knew, which was just a hunch, it didn't go all that nicely for her.
"Oh, she also told me to give you guys this letter."
She handed it over to Dan Heng, who quietly opened it and began reading. Stelle, March, and even Mark joined at his side to read. Mark did it merely to lower suspicions about how much knowledge he holds.
"Landau siblings... that's nice. Serval and Gepard. Nice, it's all going full circle for me. Heh, how peculiar."
At the mention of Serval's name, Sampo shuddered, memories of how scary she could be echoing in his mind.
"Heh, let's not mention that name for now. She's the scarier one of the siblings..."
With a loud sigh, March nodded, not really taking Sampo seriously.
"Yeah, yeah, let's just go to the surface. Come on, Sampo, lead the way, and you better not ditch us once again."
Said and done, they all set on their journey, climbing more steps than one would have ever liked. Mark could feel the sting in his calves, but luckily for him, walking and climbing were some of his favorite activities, so he endured with ease.
Outside, the air was crisp and cold, chilling Mark, who wore just a shirt on. Still, it didn't bother him too much. He had gotten used to it slowly as time went by, even before being sent to this world.
"Mhh, I forgot what fresh air tastes like... nom nom nom..."
Both Mark and Dan Heng gave March odd gazes, like she was crazy.
"What flavor is it?" asked Stelle, while Seele just scanned them both with the same confused look as the others.
"Freedom... Cold... Mainly cold. Come on, let's go."
Mark took a quick glance to the side, and Seele did the same. Both of them groaned in annoyance.
"Damned Sampo..." echoed their voices in unison.
"Where to now?" asked Stelle, looking at Mark. Everyone turned to him at the same time, expecting his knowledge to kick in.
"To Serval, of course. I made a promise to make sure things turn out well... If we need her help, I'm sure she'll lend it. Follow me."
Mark casually began strolling around, despite the number of Silvermane Guards that patrolled the streets. Somehow, no one bothered to look their way, mainly because of how calm Mark was and how easily he walked around. Truth is, he was scared and felt like any moment he'd have to make a run for it with everyone.
Once at the workshop, he tried the door, but it was locked.
"Who is it?" came a voice from inside, a voice that he hadn't heard in a while.
"Just the random guy who chose to make a sword in your workshop a while back."
Serval chuckled then opened the door, peeking outside.
"Quick. You're crazy to be wandering outside like this. Everyone is on the lookout for you. A lot of Silvermane Guards have been called back from the frontlines, and the entire city is in a panic. What have you even done?"
Mark chuckled and scratched the back of his head, pretending to be fully innocent.
"Oh, nothing much, just a little bit of digging here and there into the issue I told you about."
Dan Heng let out a tired sigh, taking out the letter and handing it over to Serval, letting her take her time with it. Meanwhile, Mark took a step back, allowing Serval to talk a bit about her relationship with Cocolia and their shared past. It was a sad fate, one that Mark wished to change.
"You know," came his words, interrupting anything that was going on. "I might be prying too much where I shouldn't, but... I'd like to see you and Cocolia on speaking terms once more. The situation sucks, I know, but..." he took a moment to look down, pondering a bit before meeting her gaze head on. "It wasn't fully her who got into those fights with you. The Stellaron's influence runs deep, deeper than expected... I ask that you try and make up with her, should the change arise."
She simply stared at him, silent. It took her a moment, but she let out a heavy breath, so heavy that it seemed to contain all her anguish and anger from years spent trying to understand Cocolia's choice of pushing her away from her research topic on the Stellaron.
"I... can't make any promises, but if she's willing to apologize, then maybe... just maybe... I'll give her a chance."
A tiny smile appeared on Mark's face as he took a seat on the counter.
"Well then, Miss Scientist, do tell us what you know about the Stellaron. It's the location we need, to be more precise."
The whole group turned to her, waiting. It was their quest, and they were finally about to get answers that led to the thing they sought.
"Well, according to survey results, the Stellaron is likely to the north of Belobog... somewhere in the vast Snow Plains."
"Could you tell us how to get there?" asked Dan Heng, already trying to assess the situation to the best of his abilities. Serval shook her head; the answer was not exactly what they expected.
"Telling you wouldn't be of much help, since that zone has been more or less swallowed up by the Fragmentum. If you wish to get to the northern Snow Plains, you'd first have to get past the Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone on the front lines first."
At that point, Mark simply disconnected his brain. He knew about whatever she had to say, so he just allowed Stelle to talk with Serval for a good while, time during which he simply looked around the place and tried to sort out his thoughts. There was one thing that did catch his ears, that of Serval wishing to see the Stellaron. With a drop of blood, he knew that she didn't get her wish to be fulfilled, so it was his duty to try and help.
As she got ready to leave and lead the way, the door rattled as someone tried to open it. Mark didn't even need her to tell him that it was Gepard. He quickly dashed away on the tips of his feet, motioning for the others to follow. Instantly, they were all hidden in the tiny room where he had lived for a while. He motioned for all of them to shut up as Serval did her best to send Gepard away with no suspicion.
It took a while, and she nearly lost her cool when he wanted to take a look in the back for something he had forgotten there, but in the end, he went away with business.
"So, the coast is clear," muttered Mark as he walked out, stretching a little. He didn't like that sort of situation, yet he was capable of utmost silence, like he was dead.
"Time to head off then," said March, ready to just walk out. It's what they did, following Serval in silence, walking away quietly and pretty confidently, acting like they weren't wanted as some criminals that wished to overthrow the Architects.
The walk was surprisingly short, which did surprise Mark a little. There was no way for him to have an idea about distance between places since the in-game mechanics prevented him from doing so. Still, some estimations could be made, but he failed miserably in this case.
Serval made quick work of talking to a soldier that was guarding the entrance, using her past reputation and relations to quietly get them in. Before their eyes was a large gear bridge, which had a part of it broken.
"The restricted zone is on the other side. It's an endless Fragmentum with a few tired Silvermane Guards."
Once again, Mark just stared off into the distance, and to his surprise, the cold didn't get to him that much.
"How curious... I don't feel that cold, despite this place being closer to that frozen hell."
He chose to slowly touch his chest, his fingers hovering gently over the area before settling down blisfully. Thud, then another one quickly after, it kept beating. It felt normal, and yet the lack of cold as expected worried him a little.
"Could it have something to do with those supposed powers or whatever that creature mentioned?"
Shaking his head, he snapped out of it, forcing his mind to focus on the task at hand.
"Yeah, let's find those terminals," he repeated, making sure that he was in line with what Serval had said. Slowly, he was getting closer to that moment, the one he dreaded and hoped to change—with no clear clue in mind.
Bab 18: Unforeseen Circumstances
*YEYO, back again with a new chapter. Hope you'll like this one. We're reaching that one point that I've been waiting for. I hope that what I have in store will be to your liking. Until then, get ready, since we're reaching the climax. Peace out and Deus vult*
With Serval leading the way, they made quick work of finding them, even if they didn't work. They had been tinkered with, or at least it seemed that way, meaning that the Silvermane Guards had cut off their sole escape in order to bring down the monsters as well, should their barricade fall.
"Come on, let's go look for the energy supply installation itself."
Right ahead, that was the sole available path. Indeed, it was the right one, even if the fence surrounding the energy supply was pretty solid. It made sense, at least for Mark. The last thing you'd need is someone meddling in with the energy and causing some crisis.
Serval asked a nearby soldier for permission, only to be told that she needed an encryption key from none other than Dunn, someone that she knew well. Mark sighed, nearly facepalming as he recalled the second-hand embarrassment that followed that scene. With a quick motion, he wiped the crimson bead that ran down from his nose. He was slowly getting used to it, even if the tiny sting annoyed him.
"Serval, do you know this Dunn?" asked March, her curiosity knowing no end.
"Of course I do. We go way back." She chuckled and whispered with a wink. "Watch me persuade him."
Mark crossed his arms and followed along, watching the charade unfold. Indeed, the smell was awful, but it didn't bother him. Hardly any scent could cause him discomfort.
Dunn was in great luck that his face was covered by the helmet. Mark was willing to bet anything on him being as embarrassed as possible. It was time for him to take action and smooth out the situation.
"Talk-no-jutsu activated, I guess."
With a faked cough, he took a step forward, standing between Dunn and Serval. He motioned to the captain, speaking in a serious, admiring tone.
"Well, that's the smell of a true soldier, someone who willingly throws away the comfort of a warm home and a good shower in order to ensure that the people are being protected all day long."
Stelle was quick to catch on and went along with him, acting just as serious and in awe.
"Oh, that's right. A true soldier, fighting for the people."
Dunn stood there, but from what Mark could see, he seemed taller, clearly infatuated with the praise. Serval smiled and gave him a warm look, the type that Mark feared but also wanted in a woman.
"Damn good-looking women... the way she's looking at him is making ME melt... hell, Dunn is done for, that's for sure."
It didn't take much for Dunn to play the humble part, which went along as Mark had expected it to.
"Oh, you speak too highly of me. I'm merely fulfilling my duty."
Serval moved a bit closer to him, leaning in as if wanting to take a look beneath the helmet. She had him cornered, and Mark nearly cried out as a fellow man wishing to save another from more heartbreak.
"How may I assist you, Serval? If everything's in order, you should head back to the city. It's not safe here."
Serval carried on with the conversation, smoothly asking for the encryption key. Dunn, clearly reluctant, wished to check in with Gepard since he had returned. Mark unfolded his arms, moving in closer to Dunn, whispering.
"Listen, Dunn, it's clear that you like Serval. Lend her a hand this time, and I'll put in a good word that maybe she should go out with you sometime, since you know... women tend to like guys who are willing to help. Plus, you're reliable, so all she needs is a bit of an external push to fall in your arms."
He leaned even closer, his words dripping with honey, luring Dunn in like a mermaid's song.
"I'll be that push she needs, only if you hand her the key. She's tired, and wasting more time is going to cause her to get upset. You don't want her to be upset now, do you?"
Mark's tone was pretty much hypnotic at this point, wrapping Dunn around his little finger. Time passed quickly and quietly, until Dunn spoke again.
"Fine. Here you go, Serval. Just... make sure to return it quickly, and speak no word of this, ok?"
She took it with a big smile, her face radiating with joy. Mark felt something die inside of him—a tinge of pity for Dunn. Still, he would ask that Serval give him a chance. In the end, it was her choice, but he could at least try to uphold his word.
Before leaving, Mark turned around and winked at Dunn, silently reminding him that the deal is on. Quickly, she moved over to the energy supply, checking it with a few grunts at how badly it was designed. Nonetheless, she found it.
"Quick, let's move."
Out they went, and she handed the key to the soldier that stood guard there.
"Please hand it over to Dunn. Thank you."
The group kept walking, and Dan Heng approached Mark.
"What did you say in order to persuade Dunn?"
Mark sighed and chuckled, shaking his head in pure irony.
"I kinda told him I'd try to set him up with Serval."
She turned around instantly, throwing Mark a glare that was a pure flip from the joyous expression she had on. He nearly lost his balance, but his words took over again.
"Yeah, Serval, you know how it is. He likes you. I'm not sure about the entire history you share, but do give the man a shot. At least a date or something. Pretty please."
She sighed, grabbing Mark by the ear, pinching it.
"Fine, but next time you better ask me before offering me up for dates. Got it?"
He nodded, forced to do so. Compliance or death, that's how he saw it.
"Well, better get ready. The moment I turn the bridge, we're most likely going to be labeled as enemies," warned Serval as she worked on the terminal. Immediately, the bridge did a ninety-degree turn, leading directly to the frontline.
"This is it. Moment of truth. Run!" shouted Mark, dashing ahead with everyone. The guards were quick to ring the alarm, and everyone came in shouting from all sides. It was different from how it originally went, so it did buy them some time, but apparently, Gepard was still there, ready to meet his sister.
"Damn it!" cussed Mark, trying to find more words to try and persuade others. Still, in the way he saw it, a battle might be the only way to solve things.
"Serval? Why are you with them? Get away from them slowly, and stand behind me. You're not like them."
Mark nearly blew a fuse at that one line, but he allowed Serval to go on.
"I'm sorry, Gepard, but I stand with them. I gave my word; I will see it through."
Her expression became downcast, having to fight with her brother once more—a pill hard to swallow.
"Just give me a few minutes and I will explain-"
She was cut short, something she did expect.
"Enough, Serval."
Mark snapped, already tired of the cliche bullshit where misunderstandings kept happening left and right.
"No, you shut up, Gepard. You heard me? You'll sit there and listen to your sister, because she's the one telling you the truth, not Cocolia. All of you here, Silvermane Guards, ready to die for the people, yet all of you are blind..."
Mark's tone went somber, his eyes piercing through the armed crowd that had gathered around. Gepard tried to argue back, but Mark didn't let him.
"I told you to shut up! You throw the Landau name left and right, but do you even understand what honor is?"
Mark's words hit a sore spot, that much was clear. Still, he didn't budge, his tone heavy and low, no shouts, just raw feelings poured out of his heart.
"You talk about honor when you, outsiders, are here to steal the Stellaron for your own gain? Yes, I know about it, Madam Cocolia informed me of it, and she also told me about your goal."
Mark sighed, his tone remaining the same.
"Idiot to the core. Will you believe her instead of your own family? Instead of your sister? Are you that much of an idiot? Cocolia is playing you, ALL OF YOU, on her fingers like puppets, and you're too blind to even notice."
He took a step closer, despite the soldiers lifting their weapons, ready for anything. Gepard's gaze never wavered, standing fixed on Mark, who had stopped in close proximity.
"I made a promise, that I will see things through to the end... a promise about saving Cocolia herself, who's under the influence of the Stellaron... why else would she try to stop others from taking it? She's throwing the blame on us, the 'outsiders', saying that we want to fulfill our selfish desires, and yet she's the one who, until the bitter end, will cling to its power."
Mark clenched his fists together, his knuckles turning white. It was much, he held a lot in, but he couldn't let it burst. Around him, everyone looked at him, silent, in pure contemplation of his words. Some called him mad, while others thought him to be speaking nonsense, but some began seeing past the image they were made to believe—but not Gepard.
"The Supreme Guardian has the duty of protecting the people of Belobog. She is doing what must be done for the people. It's our duty as Silvermane Guards to follow orders and ensure that the people do not suffer more than they are already."
His words were filled with conviction, that much was something that Mark appreciated more than words could put into perspective, yet he was set on the wrong path, like an obedient lamp sent to death.
"Gepard, open your eyes and see. That's the cause of the Eternal Freeze, we even have proof that would take too long to be brought up here. We've seen things, heard things, and know things. Cocolia wouldn't even know what to do with the Stellaron, she's merely being led by it."
Mark shook his head, tired of running his mouth like crazy. It was clear that Gepard wouldn't quite buy it, so instead, he chose to take a step back.
"Fine. All of you, soliders, people, whatever you wish to be called... it's your call. I put before you the truth, it's up to you to believe it or not."
He crossed his arms, standing silently, feeling the cold metal of the pipe resting against his neck. It felt familiar, in a way. Serval looked at her brother, the words lingering on her lips, unable to come out fully.
"Gepard, when you stand for something, you stand for it until the end. One must uphold their conviction, and you know me. I'm not one to back down, so don't think that I'll turn tail and run. I'll stand up and resist until the end."
Gepard shook his head, the idea sitting wrongfully with him.
"In my capacity as Captain of the Silvermane Guards, I hereby declare you guilty of treason against the Architects. Arrest them."
The soldiers seemed reluctant to move in, but orders were orders. As everyone got ready to fight, however, the barrier gave out. Before their very eyes, tens, maybe hundreds of Fragmentum monsters burst in.
"Shit!" yelled out Mark, feeling his blood boil as his heart picked up the pace. It was no time to hesitate, and the adrenaline did its effect quickly and neatly. Before Gepard could have a moment to think, Mark already chose to act like he saw in movies. His voice rang over the roaring of the incoming monsters.
"Soldiers! In formation! We stand here to protect the people of Belobog, families, and friends alike! Don't hesitate and fire at will!"
The soldiers were quick to form two rows and fire their rifles relentlessly in a syncronized manner, holding the enemy line at bay, halting their advance just enough for a breather. Mark turned to the others.
"Serval, you go with them. I know you'd like to help here, but you also wish to see the Stellaron. Plus, I have a feeling that you'll be needed there more. I'll try to hold the fort here with the other soldiers."
Stelle gripped his wrist.
"Mark..."
He chuckled, brushing it off with a tiny smile.
"No worries, I don't plan on dying. After all, it takes a lot more to kill me."
In his mind, he knew how different the actual truth was. He was boasting a huge game, but he had nothing to back it other than hollow words.
"Make sure to live, ok? We still have to board the Express together," said March, worry clear in her eyes. Even Dan Heng seemed a little troubled by Mark's choice. The sheer number of monsters was too much, and they were closing in.
"Make a run for it, got it? Seele, your scythe. You're fast. Make quick work of them and open a passageway through. Stelle, Dan Heng, you hold the sides, you'll all have to move in as a unit. March, you use your ice to try and stun enemies as they get closer, while Serval makes sure to hold the rear. Now go, move out."
"Since when can you bark out orders like this?" asked Seele, confused just like the others. Mark gave a shrug.
"I'm just a guy. Now go, make a break for it."
Seele gave a light nod and moved like the wind, purple butterflies following her movements with style. Stelle swung her bat with all her might, loud cracking noises filling the air, while Dan Heng moved his spear with such mastery that it made Mark feel a tinge of envy. From behind, March froze the feet of the incoming foes, fixing them to the ground for the others to finish.
What surprised Mark was Serval swinging a poleaxe, the sort that the soldiers were using, with such ease and elegance that it made him think the weapon was tailored for her.
"Get your head back in the game, Mark. You have other things to handle."
With his resolve made, he picked his metal pipe and began rushing to the enemy, who had closed in considerably.
Gepard threw orders left and right, keeping the soldiers in formation. Someone on the other side had turned the bridge again, leaving the broken part right behind them. No retreat, so they had to make it out alive like this.
"God, grant me strength," whispered Mark, looking up, then dashing to the enemy. As he swung, his body felt light, power surging through it.
"For power costs...balance must be kept..."
The words that he had woken up to in this new world played in his mind, a silent reminder of something he had not known. Small dashes of purple light moved along his body, from head to toe, and he felt his strength increase bit by bit with each heartbeat, with each pale flash of purple light along his skin. The more he swung, the harder the pipe seemed to fall upon his foes. He was lucky, since the ones sent now to the front were the crystal-like birds, which couldn't take too much of a beating.
"We're getting started."
His usual smirk appeared on his face, the left part of his lips curling up in a pleased manner. Something was going on with him, he could feel the surge of strength in him, small as it was.
"It's not much, even in terms of physical abilities. After all, it's just like being a bit stronger and faster. I still lack skills, and there are plenty of monsters coming in. What level am I even at? With how the pipe moves when I swing it, I'd say I'm somewhere near a well-trained soldier who doesn't waste time. Better than what I had."
Status Power Mingguan
200+ Peringkat
Power 
26 Power
stone 
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