Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 33

Miles faded behind him as Marcus jogged away from the setting sun, his shadow growing with every step. Exhaustion crept in, whispering in his ear, but his mind kept replaying his actions.

"Young Marcus, you need to pay attention. There's a limit to my telepathy," Kou remarked, drawing Marcus back to the moment.

Slowing to a walk, then to a stop, his heartbeat reverberated throughout his body. Marcus took in the urban surroundings, his eyes glancing over the scenery around him, seeing everything, yet nothing. His hand flew to his lips, tears streaming down his face as Marcus fell to his knees. Acidic bile burned the back of his throat and nostrils as he retched onto the ground. Several heaves later, Marcus laid on the ground, knees brought up to his chest. The position brought him little comfort, but couldn't stop the tears running free from his eyes.

"Young Marcus," Kou whispered. "I realize that you are conflicted... But this isn't the time or place for this. Find shelter first. That's all I ask of you."

Marcus sniffled, mucus and bile running down the back of his throat as he uncurled and rose to his hands and feet. Disgust brought the mixture back up, Marcus spewing it out into the dirt as more tears fell onto his shaking hands. Wiping away spittle and vomit from his lips, Marcus rose to his feet, tears obscuring most of his vision.

"This wasn't the plan, Kou," Marcus remarked, lifting his arm to wipe away his tears. "I'm not supposed to be killing kids."

"He was too far gone, Young Marcus. You can't save those beyond redemption. The greater good has to be considered, or else you're failing the people that count on you the most."

Marcus staggered away from the road, pushing open a door coated in a cracked white paint. Stepping into the darkness of some unknown lobby, Marcus found a cushioned bench. Grief and regret swirled in his heart. With a near collapse, Marcus sat down and fell to his side. Exhaustion made his eyelids droop, his knees inching towards his chest.

Orange light roused him from his uneasy slumber, his eyes opening slowly to reveal the illuminated lobby. As the furniture and furnishings came into view, Marcus sat upright, laying his head into his palms.

Nothing felt right. His head spun, nausea creeping up in the back of his mind. For the briefest of moments, he pondered why, before the reality came crashing down on him. Marcus's eyes, now wide and awake, stared down at the dirt and dust encrusted floor, his mind replaying the previous day.

"I killed him..." Marcus whispered to no one, listening to the words as they echoed back to him in the barren lobby.

"You did what needed to be done," Kou repeated. "Grieving over him will only plague you, Young Marcus. You must accept your choices and embrace the consequences of them. Remember, your intentions are for the greater good..."

"My Dad used to say something about noble intentions..." Marcus replied, rising to his feet, stretching his back as he reached for the ceiling.

Kou answered with silence as Marcus felt his joints pop with satisfaction.

"He said the road to Hell was paved with 'em," Marcus finished, tilting his neck to either side. "It fits, considering."

"Young Marcus, do you fear this Hell you speak of?" Kou inquired, stopping Marcus in his tracks. "From your memories, you were never too religious."

"Yeah, but in light of everything, it does make me wonder. I mean," Marcus raised back up, reaching for his bag and sheathed blade. "Your race is the direct descendants of Vaelone. Your existence, their existence, it all makes me wonder about whether or not Humanity is any different."