Chapter 244: The Dying Sensation Part 1 (2/2)
Diego drags himself over, struggling to hold Iris on his back, sighing. ”That description doesn't match Vanguard whatsoever. Vanguard wouldn't be saving kids for the sake of it.”
”You're right,” Alton admitted. ”But I am curious; whoever is holding off against him is strong. We should still see who it is… Something doesn't add up, though.”
One final clone appeared, sneaking up on the group looking to stab Alton in the back. Before it could get the chance, Marcus flew from out of nowhere, sending the clone flying. Alton's head turned to the might, seeing Marcus battle-worn and beaten down standing behind him. Staring back at him, Marcus tutted. ”It was only a matter of time before Team Rhapsody stood at my front door. The hauntings were a sign, I suppose. You alright, Kevin?”
The little boy nodded, running over. ”All thanks to you and your friends, big brother Marcus!”
Marcus sighed, moving his arm around. ”I wouldn't go that far. Come on, no point standing around. I can already tell why you're here. We can talk more about it at the sanctuary.”
”Sanctuary?”
***
After a short walk, the group found themselves at the foot of a small worn down wall made of tree trunks. The gate slowly opened as more children came to greet their hero. Marcus gave a faint smile, meeting with the masses. Inside the wall wasn't much apart from a farm and cattle. Further back was an entrance to what looked to be an old abandoned mine. To say the group was shocked was an understatement. ”Talk about children of the corn…” Diego muttered.
”I don't like this whatsoever.” Alice brought up.
The gates closed as Marcus put the boy down. ”I can already tell you have any questions. It's not that hard to see what's going on.”
Alton looked around, shrugging his shoulders. ”You're looking after the children who lost their parents and cannot look after themselves. I always suspected a softer side from you Marcus, were you hoping this would be some sort of way to redeem yourself for everything you did four years ago?”
Marcus grabbed a bucket of feed and threw it into the pig's pen. ”Please, I'm not stupid enough to believe something like that… This wasn't even my intentions when I left the prison when Syndicate attacked. Truth be told, I was really planning on leaving Victoria altogether. V.I.R.A.L was close to putting through their endgame; I wasn't going to stick around and wait for that.”
”Where would you go? There's nothing else out there past Victoria.” Alice asked.
Marcus wagged his finger. ”Don't be so naive to jump to conclusions, Alice, after all, if that's true, where is your dear Zinnia Trost?”
”What's your point?”
”Well, Alton, you'd think by now at least one person would have seen her. The CEOs are hunting you all down day by day. I find it very unlikely not even a whisper of Zinnia has reached our ears by now. She's most certainly fled the country. Probably gone north where the sun doesn't shine.”
”Regardless of these pointless endeavours. You've been having a problem with an old friend, correct?”
”These days have been rough. I'm constantly haunted by visions of the past. Percy Misharp keeps appearing to me; he taunts me and pushes me to my limit. He threatens me with these children's lives. I'm at my breaking point, unsure how much longer I can last.”
”You're seriously doing this alone?”
”Not quite,” Marcus whispered, turning, seeing serval adults working with the children. ”You recognise them?”
Alton kept watching, nodding. ”Vaguely. You're employees?”
”Indeed. After the breakout, they found me. Turns out many of my followers still stand by me for some stupid reason. Petra, Margret and our old director Rupert.” Marcus spoke softly. ”I can't gid rid of them even if I tried. Before you start, I already know why you're here.”
”You owe me a favour. You told us to find you when we need you. Well, now's the time; the CEOs have resurrected Percy and is trying to destroy us.”
Marcus turned around, shaking his head. ”No.”
”No?”
”No. I've told you no. I cannot care about that. I only intend to protect this small sanctuary. I'll get your aid for your friends, but after that, you should leave.”
Alton held his ground, shaking his head. ”I will not. I need you no matter what you say.”
”Is that so.” Marcus scoffed, taking off his bandages. ”Do you remember what else I told you back on that day, Alton? The only person who is allowed to kill you. Is me.”
”I remember that. But you're foolish to even begin to think you can win. You're injured, and unlike last time I don't intend to hold back.”
Marcus chuckled to this, nodding. ”You did say that, didn't you.” The ground began to crack and fall apart as even Alton felt something off as Marcus was growing in power quickly. ”Then neither of us should hold back. I think it's time we end this four-year rematch once and for all.” Alton went to attack Vanguard only to flinch, finding him gone in a second. Turning around, Alton was propelled through the wall, crashing into the ground finding his body unable to respond. ”And this time, no one here can save you.”