314 Misplaced Atmosphere, Minding Their Business Inside the Control Tower (1/2)

Day 47 – 2:28 PM – Control Tower, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Parañaque, Metro Manila

Leaving Umbra to his miserable thoughts, Mark and Mei looked outside the control tower. It might be just about two hours and a half past noon but the wind that was blowing was rather cold.

Mutagen had caused a drastic change in the world. The change was not only on the creatures but the overall state of Earth. Back before the outbreak, it was already kind to say that the air in Manila was bad. In fact, the pollution was too bad that when viewing the sky above Manila from outside its boundaries, it always looked like it was about to rain due to the gray colored clouds.

The air before was too dry and hot and always with thick dust and smelled like smoke and gasoline. Now, not only that it was cold but was rather refreshing. Of course, it would still depend on the location. In some parts of Manila, there were still fires that were still emitting smoke and for sure, the air below would smell bad due to the number of infected around.

While feeling the cold wind, Mark looked towards the direction where the flyover defended by the main forces of military was located. Of course, by the distance, there was no way for him to see what was currently happening there.

”Gege, are you worried about Gale and Iola?”

Mei asked.

”A little, but they should be fine. The military decided to retreat early. If not, then I will really be worried.”

Mark replied while caressing Mei's hair.

'It felt like a very long time.'

He thought as he felt the comfortable sensation on his arms.

The sounds of gunfire echoed with the distance as the forces from Bay City that participated in the mission prepared to depart. Mark would have been worried about his daughters and Odelina if the retreat was a bit later. He knew the plot were the enemies lured a lot of infected along the way to make them waste ammunition and resources. If they did not retreat now, the likelihood of being stuck within the horde due to lack of ammunition and other resources would be very high. Fortunately, it seemed that the military noticed the problem and decided to pull out early.

In any case, they already failed this mission from the start so it was more rational to retreat as soon as possible.

In Mark's view, even though they were careful, the military still underestimated the infected in this airport. Even if the enemies did not try to hinder them, it was still very unlikely for them to succeed. The only thing that the enemies did was just to ensure that they would have no way to escape and everyone would get annihilated.

Another thing, Mark left a bodyguard to guard his daughters. If this was three days ago, the little guy would not be able to guard them but now, he was the best one to do it.

'Now, to think of it, it was both fortune and misfortune, my encounter with that demon in that forest.'

Mark turned to Mei. She seemed to have something in mind.

”Mei'er, what's wrong?”

”Gege, I'm just thinking. Why did that creature inside that portal as what Gege is?”

”Haha, I don't really know myself.”

Mark took off his mask, it felt suffocating.

”Let's see… How should I say it…” Mark tapped his chin. ”It's like this… My mind and consciousness is connected to emotions of others. My soul is a fusion of different entities and creatures. My eyes can see the past and the future while my thought can open up space. My blood is the result of Mutagen while my right wrist is the embodiment of PsyPathogen. Aside from that, my body contains miasma and my genes are fused with a demon's.”

Mark then looked at Mei's eyes.

”What do you think?”

”I don't understand everything you said but it sounds confusing and chaotic.”

”That's right. I don't even know what to call myself now. Actually, everyone started to stray away from being human after Mutagen invaded Earth. It's just that my body and actions kind of overdid it.”

Mark smiled bitterly.

”But…” Mei smiled brightly. ”Gege is still Gege, right?”

For the first time, Mark stared at Mei as if he was hypnotized. That smile surely captivated him and those words really hit him home run.

Although he was a loner and preferred less contact with people as much as possible, the thought of people unable to accept what you were was still unnerving. Even demons and devils were confused and afraid to what kind of being he was now, he would be hurt of Mei and the others were not able to accept him.

However, it was an unnecessary thought.

He felt kind of ashamed now.

While in deep thought, a tight hug pulled him back to reality.

”I missed you.”

Mei whispered in his ear. Both the genuine sentiment and the feeling of her breath were ticklish.

Hearing that, Mark returned the hug and replied.

”I missed you too.”

A pink atmosphere started to form inside the control tower surrounded by the infected.

That was when…

”Your Majesty, please mind the time and place…”

A cute but stern voice interrupted them.

In surprise, both Mark and Mei stepped away from each other. Being interrupted, the emotions inside Mark's mind were swept away and he became calm once more. On the other hand, Mei was totally blushing and confused.

Mei looked forward and saw a creature she never knew that really existed.

”Aephelia, is the scouting done?”

Mark asked the little creature.

In front of Mark was another sylph similar to Amihan floating with her semitransparent wings. Behind the sylph was Miracle who was staring at Mei quietly.

”Yes, Your Majesty. I also brought the princess since she was looking for you. But seriously Your Majesty, why did you not call us if the things already settled?”

The sylph started to reprimand Mark who left Miracle outside the control tower. Although he left her in a room and was safe, the royal maid who was overprotective of the princess was angry. Not only that, the couple started flirting while a stranger was watching and there were dead bodies inside the room.

”Alright, alright. My bad.” Mark scratched his head. ”Miracle, come here.”

”Father.”