Leave The Monster Alone

She could not enjoy her life how she wanted her to. 

Her small head rested at his chest, her chest rumbling in pleasure as she snuggled against his chest and he felt a fondness for her. She was here to stay, wasn't she? She had been here from the start and she was not going anywhere even at Mark's lowest point. But if things got difficult, if her life ended up in danger against his own, he would save her. He owned her this much at least.

"Time for you to leave now. Have a safe journey you two" this had been a difficult decision to make but it had to be made for the sake of everyone. Mark had a say in it and this was what he chose to do. He had to leave for the sake of everyone involved in making this operation a success. 

"Be careful. We don't know how Zeno would react. Should you not take anyone with you? For protection" Liam asked, his voice tense and Mark felt his laugh leave his lips. Protection? Him? And in this form? If anything, Mark would be the one protecting in most cases and not the other way around.

"It will be alright" but there was no way to say that and still be able to maintain his collective stand so Mark just gave a nervous laugh as he downplayed the situation. He was not sure if it worked or not but Liam finally let the matter lie down.

"Let's go Kuro. it's you and me now" Alan looked worried but he made no move to follow them which Mark was grateful for. As much as he would like that company, he knew the other needed to stay with his brother and to support him emotionally right now.

Mark would be all right alone and he was not even alone. He had Kuro with him and a smaller party would also be faster. No one paid much attention to him as he left through the open garage. Most people were too afraid to look him in the eye, their instincts telling them to not engage themselves with a predator.

And Mark was very much a predator right now. There was a small window of the moment when Mark actually carved people to help him out but it soon passed for him. The moment they crossed the threshold, Mark felt a calm flow over his senses and try to drown him in those feelings.

"Let's get things done" Kuro gave a happy growl, her purr vibrating through her chest and Mark allowed her to snuggle in his lap. His system was not fully functional right now but there was no need to let it hold him back right now.

The familiar landscape looked no different than any time before but it felt different to Mark now. The creatures that had once attacked him on his journey now actively avoided him and his vehicle. They went as far as to not even show themselves to Mark now which was amusing as it was sad.

"Things are changing Kuro and I don't like it" the landscape changed far too soon for Mark's liking but it was not like the new base was very far away from the old one. In a matter of hours, Mark had arrived from the new base to the older one. 

There was a lot of activity around the place and Mark had to do his best to not hinder it. There was no use in attracting attention back to him in this manner, especially when he was about to have a go with their leader.

"You're back? Is the kid not there with you?" someone asked. Mark did know who he was through but the other did not realise this when he continued speaking, "go in and meet Zeno now" there was an urgency in his voice.

The other was trying to hide his nervousness but it was not working right now. Mark could read the other clearly and he did not feel confused at the reading at all. The poor guy was too out of the loop to understand what this all was about after all and Mark did not wish to inform him either.

"I will handle Zeno. You can rest assured about it all" the other looked doubtful but Mark had an assured face which made the other feel better. He let Mark inside without much question on his part and Mark just thanked him.

The atmosphere inside the gate was a little gloomy but it was not as bad as Mark expected it to be. Mostly, it was not as dangerous as he had thought it would be. There were no threats of death on his person for now which he would take any day.

Zeno was waiting in the central room, Mark knew this because of the instructions he had been given just now. So naturally, that was the place Mark decided to visit first of all. The room was no different from the rest of the building but certain things pushed it as different from the other building.

And Zeno was sitting right in the centre of the space, his back facing Mark but he looked sharp enough to know where Mark was standing. There was the slightest of tilts of the head before the other turned to face Mark. his face did not give anything away which was creepy but admirable at the same time.

"Why does everyone try to betray me? Us? First Shiro and now you. Is it me? Am I the one at fault?" Mark felt bad for the other but not enough to not take advantage of the other. The other was feeling vulnerable now and this was the best time to make him join their side.

"It is not you but the circumstances. Your god doesn't care about us so we have to be the ones to care about ourselves" Mark put those into words the best way he could. 

"I see. So you blame him, the almighty? I don't know why I expected you to be different from everyone else but we still have time. You will learn to like him as well and realise that there is no other choice" the other sounded convinced.

Mark wanted to tell him that it was not likely going to happen but then stopped himself. It was better if the other did what he wanted and then came back to their side. It was not like he would react well to being forced into this situation at all. 

"I will leave for now. Do think my words over" Mark started to leave but the door shut down right in his face. He looked back at the teen but he acted as if this had nothing to do with him. Just what was he planning?

"You need to stay here for now. I have orders from my god to not let you interfere any longer in his plans. You were trying to get me against him, right? Too bad but you were too late" the other phased through the walls. It felt like a mirage but Mark knew it was real.

"You cannot leave me here" but the other could and he knew it as well. In fact he was already leaving the room with Mark struck inside. Thankfully, Kuro had decided to check their rooms out so they still hope for help. If only he could open this door. 

"Don't try to struggle. Your pet would join you in soon as well" So the other did know about Kuro. But there was no need to fret since Kuro was much more adaptable than him. She would be alright even without him around and she would get him out as well. 

It was almost depressing how easily he got caught and his brain decided it was the perfect time to make him remember that he did not have his system at full functio. 

So now what? Did he just have to wait for Kuro or someone else to let him out? There was nothing he could do himself? It was a depressing thought for him and he tried to reel it in as soon as it started to bloom. 

"A-Are you alright" a nervous sound came out from the other side and Mark felt foolish all of a sudden. Right, this was always an option available to him, wasn't it? He could get someone other to open this door if Kuro could not.

"Hey, can you open this door for me? I am a little busy and in need of assistance." one of the weakest excuses but mark had panicked when he had realized that the other might leave him here alone and stuck inside.

"This door? Alright" the other actually opened the door somehow and Mark knocked him out with swift moves. He did feel sorry for the other but not enough to not be able to justify his actions.

He would make it up to the other somehow in the future.