Feel the Fire (Septiplier story)

Chapter 18.

Mark didn't know what to do, he couldn't leave his soldiers alone, but he couldn't leave Jack alone either. As much he would like to stay and fight for the city he had to go. He had to save Jack. He loved him and he couldn't let Rufus have him. With that thought, he ran through the crowd and tried to find Sydra, Skyrim, and Gloom. He found Skyrim as she was fighting a nightmare. Mark quickly shot fire at the monster and it burnt dead in front of them.

"Skyrim..." started Mark as he went closer to the girl. "I need you to open a portal for me."

"Why?" asked Skyrim.

"Rufus kidnapped Jack, I have to save him," shouted Mark through the screaming.

"But..." started Skyrim.

"Skyrim, this is important, please," said Mark and the girl did what he asked for.

After Skyrim opened the portal Mark quickly went through it and it closed behind him after he exited at the other end of it. He was in a dark cave-like room that was lit with torches. There were two doors out of the room, but Mark didn't care about those. What caught his eyes immediately was Jack chained to the wall of the cave. Mark ran up to Jack to take the chains off of his wrists, but that was when Mark saw that wires were attached to Jack's body too.

"Mark, please get me out of here." cried Jack from fear and Mark tried to melt the chains, but without success.

"Hello again." said a familiar male voice from behind him so Mark slowly turned around.

"Rufus..." started Mark when he saw the man in front of him. "Please, let him go."

"I knew you wouldn't leave him behind," said Rufus as he stepped closer to Mark with an evil grin on his face.

"Let him go. I am the one you want," said Mark, but Rufus just shook his head.

"That's not how we play this game, my dear prince," said Rufus and now he was standing right in front of Mark. "There are rules to play along with."

"What do you want?" asked Mark.

"You know exactly what I want," answered Rufus then he continued as he circled Mark. "Give me your crown."

"I can't do that," said Mark, but Rufus just smiled.

"I think you already know the cost of it," said Rufus and took a look at Jack.

Mark followed his gaze until his eyes met with Jack's. He was really scared, Mark could see it in his deep blue eyes. Mark was in a trap. He knew that Rufus would hurt Jack just to get the crown, but Mark couldn't do it. He couldn't betray his people... his parents. Their death would be worthless if Mark gave Rufus the crown. His heart twisted in his chest as he thought about the city under monsters' rule, but it twisted more when he thought about Jack in pain.

"Let me demonstrate you," said Rufus and on a remote controller, he pressed a button.

Mark fearfully turned to Rufus to stop him, but the wizard already pushed the only button that was on the remote controller. Mark quickly turned his gaze back at Jack when he heard Jack's screaming in pain. The wires that were attached to his body sent electric shocks through his entire body and it hurt Jack badly. His scream was unbearable for Mark and he turned back to Rufus to stop him.

"Please, stop!" shouted Mark and Rufus stopped.

Mark looked back at Jack, whose body relaxed from the shock, but Jack looked defeated. Mark was hesitating. He didn't know why though. He should save Jack, but his home was important for him too.

"Well? What do you say?" asked Rufus, and Mark was about to cry as he was looking at Jack.

"Don't do it, Mark," muttered Jack, but it just hurt Mark more. "You will make a mistake."

"I'm sorry father," whispered Mark and he took a deep breath before he looked up to Rufus. "Alright. But promise me that you will let both of us go."

"Give me your hand then," said Rufus, reaching out his hand towards Mark, who thought for a moment, but then he grabbed it.

As Mark grabbed Rufus's hand both hands started to glow and were surrounded by a red circle and strange symbols. It was known as the Promise spell, when both of the participants had to do as they promised, otherwise they'd die. Mark took another deep breath then looked into Rufus's eyes.

"I, Rufus promise that both you and your friend can go freely," said Rufus with a big smile.

"I, Prince Mark of Zartaria, the legal heir of the zartarian throne I'm giving the throne to Rufus, who will rule above the people of Zartaria until he won't break his promise and leave Jack alone," said Mark, and Rufus grinned more.

"Is that all?" he asked and Mark nodded.

With that, they let go of each other's hand and Rufus turned to Jack. With a quick movement with his hand, the chains released Jack's wrists and Jack collapsed onto the floor. Mark stepped over to him to catch him and help him stand up on his legs. Rufus just chuckled while Jack looked at Mark with worried eyes.

"Thank y-you," said Jack as he straightened up. "But I told you that you made a mistake."

Jack smiled widely and slowly stepped away from Mark, standing beside Rufus. Mark was confused and broken. Did Jack betray him?

"Why?" asked Mark from Jack and he just chuckled.

"You really thought I'd love you?" asked Jack. "Besides, Rufus explained everything. How you and your parents ruled this city."

"He was lying to you," said Mark, but Rufus stepped in.

"It doesn't matter now," he said to Mark, and with that, he started levitating him. "You gave me what I wanted, so thank you for that."

Mark was scared but he tried not to show it. Jack watched as Rufus levitated Mark and Mark saw that he was enjoying it too. Rufus leaned closer to Mark's face and told him with an evil grin.

"I wanted to do this for a long time." Mark looked back at Rufus. "Say hello to your parents for me too."

Rufus threw Mark against the wall and it sent Mark unconscious as he hit his head on the rock wall. Mark's body fell onto the ground and Rufus started saying magical words. With that black smoke started covering Mark's body, which was slowly killing him and sucking his power out of his body. Rufus smiled once more then he opened a portal and signed to Jack to follow him into it.