*yippee, double chapter on the go. I be cooking (hopefully) so yeah. Peace out and Deus vult*
Mark's leaps took him around the Luofu until he found himself all alone in the sea of people, right where ships board, around the main area, in Central Starskiff Haven. The ones around him took a moment, but seeing the prize sword on his back, paired with Hoolay's weapon, they boomed and cheered, shouting out after him.
"It's Five! Five of the Astral Express!"
Mark scoffed, simply shouting to be heard.
"Everyone, just leave me be, alright?! I know you're all eager and stuff, but calm the hell down and leave me be! I just want to relax for a moment and clear my head!"
The masses quickly scattered, rushing off while whispering among themselves. Mark caught sight of a group of kids staring at him from a distance, their eager little expressions now close to tears. That very sight made him regret shouting, and it only tore him apart more and more. His arms fell limp at his side, and he tried to step closer to them to reconcile, but the little ones scattered off, crying.
"Damn me... am I really becoming a monster or something? Cringe as it sounds... what the fuck am I even doing with myself?"
The doubt was nothing new, just the same old, growing more and more. From his insecurities related to his usually detached expression to him being a pure cluster of anger and frustration that threatened to explode. His steps guided him to the Sleepless Earl, where he took a seat outside at an empty table. Someone came to take his order, somewhat hesitant to do so after his display, but he had just closed off, speaking coldly and calmly.
"Just some tea. Whatever type you wish to serve me, but I'd appreciate something that would simply make me... relaxed..."
His gaze was fixed on the table, his fingers tapping it rhythmically, yet no thought that crossed his mind was present. Everything was a mess of regrets, of what ifs, and of his internal struggle. For a few moments, the world went silent around him as his eyes closed, forcing him to face his own mind, but this time just himself.
"You look rather troubled," said a voice that he sadly knew. His eyes shot open at once to meet a figure that shouldn't have been there under no circumstances. The woman was the last thing he wanted to see.
"You seem like you've seen a ghost," she mused softly, not even asking if the seat across him was empty. She just sat down in a smooth motion, crossing her legs while fixing her large hat. "My apologies if I startled you. My name is Jade, a senior manager in the IPC Strategic Investment Department. I've come here as quickly as I could, since I wished to talk with you ever since the events that took place on Penacony."
Mark crossed his arms, staring at her with a rather hollow gaze, unshaken. The thoughts in his mind were many, the memories a jumbled mess, some of them not meant for his eyes during that current time frame. The pain in his head changed intensities on the go, until he settled on the present.
"What do you want?" he asked bluntly, watching as his tea was placed on the table. He took a sip, the hot liquid feeling warm on his tongue, whatever heat resistance had built up inside of him working like a charm.
Her gaze studied him intently, trying to read deep inside his mind, but he didn't give an inch of ground on his thoughts. He was going to offer nothing, and even his patience would run out quickly with the IPC. The sole thing holding him back was curiosity.
"Straight to business, I see. You don't seem to wish to hold back, but sure, honesty goes a long way. Well, you see," she said, leaning a bit closer across the table, elbows on it while her chin found its resting place on her interlocked fingers. "I wish to see the 'Saviour of the Dream' with my own eyes, to understand exactly what we're dealing with, since I would like to hire you."
Mark stared at her blankly before bursting into laughter, the sound low and ominous, yet also amused at how bold she was with such a stupid request.
"Hire me? ME? Do you think you can hire ME of all people?"
She kept her cool instead, along with the mood, displaying a little smile painted to be genuine, but Mark knew what type of devil was hiding beneath that facade—or at least what type of devil had been revealed until that point in the story. His information about her was somewhat limited, but what he had was more than enough to make him want to crush her under his heel—ironic, considering her animations within the game.
"Yes, you of all people. You show great promise, and here at the IPC we like investments that can blossom over time. You, Mark, are such a walking investment. We've done some digging into your background but found nothing. You simply appeared on the Astral Express one day and have been traveling with them for a while."
He nodded along, curious to see how far their knowledge went, sipping on his tea nonchalantly.
"I've heard a few things, some of which are barely known and came at a rather high price. From the 'Savior of the Dream' to your little game as Five, and even, dare I say, 'Devourer of Cancers'?"
The cup touched the table with a thud, the hot tea rocking softly from side to side as his fingers trailed along the ceramic, feeling the smooth material under his fingertip. Her eyes were drinking in every detail about him, from the tiny motion to the way his lips moved and breath changed, which wasn't even felt. Jade kept looking him over, staring intently at his arm, looking at the exposed shoulder and the heart-shaped piece of metal implanted in it.
"That's an interesting addition you have there," she whispered, as if wanting it to be a secret between the two of them. She moved closer on the table, making sure to show off some of her cleavage, just enough to lure him in. Aware of her own charm and beauty, she didn't hesitate to make use of it. Mark held her gaze even as her fingers tugged on her collar ever so slightly, showing off a little more than needed.
"Are you done with the stupid game?" he asked dryly, scoffing while sipping on his tea once more, staring at her with cold eyes. She was a serpent, temptation itself incarnated, but Mark knew one thing: the serpent was doomed from the moment it tried to go against God.
"What game? I'm just interested in you, Mark. Young, charming, easy on the eyes, strong. What else should a woman want? Hiring you is one thing, but perhaps I want you for myself."
Her hand reached out towards him, but in that very instant, a cold, piercing feeling made itself known on her pulse point, right on her throat. It was nothing other than a sharp ice spike that grew from the very table, leading to him with a thin, frozen line.
"Listen here, Jade, or whatever else they call you. Don't think you can tempt me like you've done to so many. One desire, but you take back so much more. You're nothing but a walking curse, and I know it. Did you think I'd give in for some praise and a little flailing of your assets?"
She kept the smile on her face, looking more curious than ever.
"Strong willed too. You're such a tantalizing prize. What is it that you desire, Mark? I'll offer it to you, and don't worry about the price. For you, I'll make an exception, just to have you join our side. Think about it, Mark. Money, wealth, information—all you could ever need. You'd like a life fitting for someone of your level, fitting for a human capable of using Stellarons."
He chuckled, playing along with his own lie, not letting go of the information that easily.
"Who spouted that bullshit? Me, using Stellarons? Please, it's like saying a damned battery can hold the sun's power."
She smiled, even more amused, yet she stood still, petrified as the sharp feeling of the ice bit cooled her blood.
"You sure love keeping your cards to yourself, but that's not enough, and you know it. We have ways to learn what we want, and money is the main one that does wonders in a lot of cases."
Mark chuckled, shaking his head.
"Sure, say what you want, but let me tell you that you just helped me figure out where the rats are. I'll make sure to clean the mess myself. The lie went out just as expected."
"Still trying to cling to your own game?" she chuckled, scanning him intently. Mark, however, was having none of it.
"Listen here," he warned, leaning closer, until his breath was felt on her face. "I'll say this once: don't try to look into me. Don't tempt me, don't try to mess with me, and stay away from everyone related to the Astral Express. I don't care at all about what influence the IPC says it has. I don't care if you can turn me into a public enemy by manipulating the media. I know what the IPC is."
His voice was a low growl fueled by nothing but rage, the memories of what they've done in the past calling out to the dead, sending their desire for vengeance his way.
"More have died at the hands of the IPC than anyone could count. Preservation my ass. You're only preserving your asses, cheap fucking rats. Don't provoke me, or I'll become your biggest nightmare. I don't care about Diamond, Emanator, or not. I'll make sure to end that fucker with my own hands should the need arise, got it?"
The ice spike sank slowly in her flesh, just enough to prick at the very outer layer of her skin, not sinking enough to strike the vein. Her own gaze was fixed on his, silent as she listened to his words, taking them in without too much resistance.
"You sure are informed," she mused. "Do you truly believe you can stand up against the entirety of the IPC?"
A sinister smirk made its way on his face. There was no need for words, but she could see it in his eyes for that brief moment—a flash of something bright, a sea of fire ready to swallow the world whole. It made her shiver; the sight was a hell of his own creation.
"I will; one day I will. Try to kill me now, maybe, but it'll only backfire on you. Go on, make me a public enemy, and watch as shit goes up in your face. I will personally make sure to end you. After all, I know a rather cunning group of people who aren't on friendly terms with you. I can switch sides rather easily, so don't even try to tempt me."
She stared right into his eyes, her usually confident demeanor faltering for a brief moment before she spoke back, this time closer to real business.
"It's always better to handle pests before the situation grows out of hand. I am more than inclined to believe that you would lose, should we wish to be rid of you."
The ice on her neck pressed a little more on the artery, threatening her as he whispered.
"Should I declare war then?"
"You wouldn't dare," she growled back, and Mark sighed. The ice retreated, and she could finally sit back in her chair and calm herself down, quickly gathering her wits.
"Don't take me not killing you as some sort of 'I'm scared' type of move. I'm not scared at all. I simply have principles. I don't kill unless needed. Plus... I pity you—and not just you, but many others. Who knows? Maybe you are just a piece of shit that enjoys stealing the joy of others, dragging them into losing deals until you get them as your puppets. Or maybe there's more to you, and you have a reason. I give second chances, but never think of that as a weakness."
The Sword of Will quickly appeared in his hand, moving up in one swift motion until it rested on his shoulders, and he gave his last warning as he downed the cup of tea.
"I will personally carve the hatred of those who've died at the hands of the IPC in your being... your being and that of everyone else who's just as guilty as you."
With that, he dismissed the weapon, standing up and quickly paying for the drink. Jade stood there, recounting the words tossed around. The smirk that appeared on her face was predatory, the ecstasy of the scene sinking in her skin.
"His desires must be the tastiest of them all. I can't wait to get my hands on them. It's just about time until he'll succumb."
With that, she got up as well, ready to go back and report on the job, the tiny detour worth it, even if Mark was completely against them.