The moment Mark opened his eyes, dread numbed him to his core.

He sat up to find the sun barely rising, its beams shyly poking out from the horizon. Birds chirped from the forest, their songs happy and upbeat.

Though he was still tired, he forced himself to pull the blankets off him, rubbing at his eyes and grabbing that cursed glass vial from the night stand. He swung his legs off the bed and opened the glass vial, dripping some of the paint on his hands. As he massaged the pure black into his skin, miles away, Ethan was getting ready.

Ethan looked at himself in the mirror like he always did, blinking away the black of his scleras so they turned white. More human—no longer like gaping holes peering into his skull.

"I'm already on the way," he said to his phone as he combed back his hair. Konray spoke through the line, childishly impatient.

"I can make the serum by myself," she said. "I've got Sojour's list out already!"

"You're not making it until I get there," said Ethan, forcing on a shirt and pants. He grabbed his phone and headed out his room, going straight for the door. "I'm the one who needs this. Not you."

Konray groaned as Ethan slipped on his shoes.

"Fine, fine," she said. "When'll you be here?"

"A couple hours," he said. "I have to get through Centauri Park before I can get into the City."

Ethan grabbed his keys and went out the door, opening his car and sidling into it. He gave a huff, propping his phone up onto the dashboard.

"You know," said Konray through the line. "Word spreads fast here in the City—especially the slums. Rumor's going around that—"

"You can tell me about it later," said Ethan. The car rumbled to life, and he pulled off the side of the road, heading towards the Evolved City. "I'll see you then."

"Oh—by the way, Blank—"

"Ethan."

"I don't actually have anything ready," Konray said, and Ethan could practically see her sheepish smile. "You have money for the supplies, right?"

Ethan rolled his eyes at that. Of course she didn't.

"Yes, I do," he said. "But we're only getting stuff from the Market."

Konray made a sound of protest, then gave in with a sigh. "Fine. See you soon."

"See you soon."

And as Ethan hung up, Mark opened the door to his room, staring down the long hallways.

Mark ran his hand along the walls carefully, that thrumming pulse of power faint beneath his fingertips. A few streaks of black smudged on the walls but he could care less—too far in a daze to notice.

Today is the day, was his constant thought. The day I'm sent to that madman.

He'd only ever seen Antinstine on the television once—other stories of him either through articles or outright myths. Stories of sheer power, outright slaughter and massacre... Antinstine was the paragon of what all humans knew Evolveds to be.

Monsters.

Mark took a deep breath and sighed, closing his eyes to find the path to the Dark's room. That blue light flashed beneath his eyelids, and he reluctantly continued through the hallways. His feet felt like lead—dragging with each step.Or perhaps he were in quicksand—every passing moment bringing him closer to his inevitable demise.

He stopped before the dark oak door, staring at it a moment before knocking a few times. Footfalls thudded from the other side of the door, and it swung open, revealing Dark fixing the clasp of his robes.

"Mark," he softly greeted. His eyes trailed down to Mark's arms, surprised to find they were already painted. "Good morning."

Mark stepped past Dark and walked into his bedroom, stopping by his desk. He picked up a few familiar articles, finding the ones with Antinstine's name and glossing over them again.

"Who was Antinsine before he came to power?" asked Mark, flipping through pages of information. He set down the article, gazing over at Dark. "Everything I read talks about his power, a-about how—how great his cause is."

Dark's face seemed to harden, but Mark continued. "What was his childhood like? How did he—how did he become such a—"

"Enough, Mark," said Dark, letting go of the clasp around his neck. He approached Mark, gazing down at him through calm eyes. "Look... I know you want to know more, but—"

"What happened to being open with me?" Mark protested. He glared up at Dark. "You've been treating me as your equal for this long, so why keep this from me now?"

"Some things," Dark sighed, "are better left unsaid."

"So you know about him," said Mark. He stepped forward, fingers twitching. "I want to know what I'm getting into, Dark."

Dark's lips twitched into a frown, and he shook his head, examining Mark's features. "There's nothing to know," he said, pulling away and heading over to his vanity desk. Mark turned around and stared at the other's reflection in the mirror, brows furrowed.

"Well, you clearly know something."

Dark opened one of the drawers and pulled out his rings, slipping them on his fingers with a sigh. "Fine," he breathed, gazing over his shoulder and staring at Mark. He almost flinched from the severity of his gaze. "I'll tell you."

Dark twisted the rings on his fingers, turning back to Mark. He stood right in front of him, nose brushing against Mark's.

"The only people, other than me, who know about his past..." he said, "...are all dead." His eyes flashed as he said that, glaring. Mark couldn't help but straighten himself, swallowing.

Dark tilted his head and leaned forward, lips brushing against Mark's ear.

"Because I killed them," he breathed.

Mark's blood went cold, and when Dark leaned away, he could see how pale Mark's face was. He allowed a small smirk, amused with the human's reaction.

"Besides," said Dark, falling back into his caring air, "if I told you, it'd be in your memory. At a place like Antinstine's, he's bound to have recruited telepathic Evolveds."

Mark swallowed and gazed aside. He was right. Anything he had against Antinstine could be found out—especially from someone like him. He didn't have any strong abilities to deflect these Evolved's powers... he had nothing.

Nothing but his head and his words.

Dark clasped the side of Mark's shoulder and pulled him out of his trance, gazing at him softly. "Let's get ready," he said, smiling. "It'd be best you eat before we leave."

Mark lingered there, giving a curt nod and numbly following after Dark. With each step, his heart pounded faster, and his mind raced... the more time that passed, the more anxious he got, until suddenly, the day was blurring by in flashes, and he was no longer aware of himself.

He had to keep telling himself that he was doing this for all humankind. That he had to trust Dark's judgment... that if they really did succeed, they'd change life as they knew it for the better.

Humans and Evolveds—coexisting... no longer praising those for their abilities and powers but for their inner worth.

The more he told himself that, the better he felt, but he wouldn't feel that confidence for long.

———

Once the sun began to set, the atmosphere in the mansion hardened. Even the House seemed to understand the gravity of what was to come, and Mark couldn't help but lose himself in the grave feelings.

    The clock struck 6 PM.

    Dark and Mark stood before the other Evolveds, sending their parting wishes. To Mark, it felt like a funeral—the people he knew coming up to his casket and murmuring their last words before burying him. It made him feel sick, his mind in another world... lost.

    Equinox and Ether spent the most time reassuring Mark.

    While Ether gently hugged Mark, Equinox stared him deep in the eye like a determined mother.

    "We'll give Antinstine a living hell," she said, gaze never wavering. "You're the reason we'll be able to bring him down... after all these years."

    Mark hesitantly wrapped his arms around Ether, finding a strange warmth to her. He gave a weary smile and nodded, staring back at Equinox.

    "You're strong," said Equinox, and Ether pulled away, smiling at Mark.

    Turn your fear into fuel, thought Mark, replaying those damned words in his head. He glanced over at Xilef then, meeting his cold, gaping stare. Let anger be the barricade to your true identity.

    Instead of bowing his head, he stood up taller, raising his chin in the slightest. "Thank you," he said to the others.

    Dark gave a subtle smile, nodding at them. "I'll be back tonight," he said, resting a hand on the small of Mark's back. He glanced over at Eyes, who stood next to Raine.

    "Eyes, I want you on high-alert these two weeks," he said. "Any mention of Mark, Antinstine—even his friend, Ethan... I want everything."

    She nodded, and Dark looked down at Mark, eyes glimmering.

    "You ready?"

    Mark chuckled at that, wringing his hands together. "Not at all," he said, his nerves seeming to flare up inside him again. He took a deep breath and exhaled. "But the sooner we leave, the sooner it's over."

    Dark's smile wavered at that, and he sent a parting glance at the other Evolveds as he and Mark left through the front doors of the mansion.

    "It's only the beginning," he said softly, closing the door behind him.

    They lingered there for a moment, appreciating the cool breeze and the dim of the sky. The trees rustled and woodland animals darted through the forest, immune to the poison of the Fanged Elder's bark.

    Dark glanced over at Mark and took his hand, giving it a soft squeeze.

    "I know you'll get through this," he said, and they began to walk, Mark focusing on the constant presence of Dark's hand. It seemed to be the only stable thing in his life right now—the only true comfort in such a pivotal time.

    Mark wearily smiled, his heart pounding as they walked down that well-worn path, heading towards Vella—that old, 19th century-like village.

    "Even though you say that," said Mark, gazing down at their hands, "I can't help but doubt it."

    Dark softly squeezed his hand, pushing up a branch that nearly brushed into Mark. His skin was unaffected to the bark.

    "Cibil showed me what would happen," he said softly. "Not everything, but enough." He glanced over at Mark. "Enough to know our side wins."

    Mark said nothing, gazing at the path ahead.

    "You'll see her today," continued Dark. "The foreseer."

    They were halfway to the village now, and that familiar dread crawled up Mark's throat.

    "Even so," said Dark, "be careful around her. Even though she showed me Antinstine's loss, she's still on his side."

    Mark swallowed and nodded. "Does she... know I'm human?"

    Dark hesitated, brows furrowing. His look of uncertainty left as soon as it came. "You won't give her enough to know that," he said.

    They reached the edge of the path, the dirt below shifting into that rugged cobblestone. Dark pulled his robes tighter around himself, stepping forward and holding out a hand at an approaching carriage.

    At the sight of him, it stopped, the horse neighing and rearing its head as the cabby pulled on the reins. The cabby's eyes widened at the sight of the Tear Stealer, and Dark strided forward, placing a large sum in the man's hand.

    "You will not say a word of my presence here," he hissed, gaze intense. "Take us to X Amani."

    The cabby quickly nodded, taking the coins and stowing them in his pouch. Dark glanced back at Mark and nodded, and they loaded into the carriage, seating themselves and keeping the curtains shut.

    The carriage lurched into motion, and the echo of the horse's hooves clattered through the streets. It was darker now, the sun having set—warm lights flashing in through the bottom of the curtains.

    Mark sat across from Dark, wringing his hands together. He took in the details of Dark's face, trying to distract himself and getting lost in his thoughts. He didn't realize how intense he was staring until Dark leaned forward, resting a hand on his knee. Mark flinched, snapping out of his daze.

    "I believe in you, Mark," said Dark quietly, eyes glittering. "You'll get through this."

    Dark pulled the curtain back, revealing the city. It was only then that the cacophony of the city pummeled in Mark's ears, and he was harshly brought back to reality. He didn't even notice how much time passed or how much smoother the carriage rode. But now that he was aware, every flashing light of the city blinded him—so much brighter than his visit with Equinox.

    "Two weeks," said Dark, dropping the curtain and shutting out the lights of the city. Mark gave a grateful breath as the darkness of the carriage returned. "We'll communicate, you'll give us information on what goes on inside... and we'll plan the perfect attack."

    Mark glanced over at Dark's waist where his pockets would be, swallowing nervously.

    "Y-you told me he can sense electronics," said Mark. "He'd know if I have—"

    "Trust me," said Dark. "No matter how strong Antinstine may be, he's predictable. I'll give you the device before you go into the car."

    Right... the electricity in the car would blend in with the phone.

    Mark took in a deep breath, though it hitched when the carriage lurched to a rather violent stop. His heart began to race, his breaths cantered—and his panic only worsened when he realized they'd reached their destination.

    X Amani.

    Only feet away, waiting in that bustling club, was one of the most powerful Evolveds in the world. An Evolved stronger than Dark.

    Antinstine.

    Dark rested his hands on Mark's shoulders, gazing at him sternly. He didn't even realize he was nearly hyperventilating until Dark brought him back to reality.

    "Remember what we practiced," said Dark, squeezing his shoulders softly. "You're no longer Mark, but Viper." Mark swallowed, his eyes stinging. "Viper doesn't panic. He doesn't get scared. He fights back."

    Mark swallowed, biting his lip and screwing his eyes shut.

    Turn your fear into fuel, he chanted in his head. Fear into fuel, fear into fuel.

    His hands shook, and he gasped when Dark held them in his own hands, gently squeezing. Dark leaned forward and softly kissed Mark's forehead, then his temple, trailing down to his lips. He pulled away to gaze at Mark, making sure he was alright.

    "There," Dark breathed softly, giving Mark's hands one last squeeze. His shakes had faded, but his limbs still felt all tingly and numb. "It's time."

    Mark took a deep breath in, closed his eyes, and nodded, carefully pulling his hands away from Dark's. When he opened his eyes again, they were full of determination—and though his fear was still clear, the shift of his character was rather shocking.

    "Let's go," breathed Viper, and he opened the door to the carriage, heading out with stronger stride. Dark let out his own breath, forcing himself to keep calm.

    Let's go... he thought quietly.

Thank you so much for reading!

School is starting for me this week, so please bare with me on updates! Sometimes I pre-write a chapter but forget to paste it into Wattpad, so updates may be delayed. I might also miss some updates, which pains me to say. Hope you understand, and good luck to everyone else who's starting school!

Love you all, and stay safe!

Kass xoxo