Markiplier x Reader | The Promised Land

Chapter 26: Courage

Mark held [Y/n] close, pain searing through every part of his upper body. He gently kissed the top of their head, carefully rocking them back and forth. They hadn't responded to what he told them, but he knew they felt the same. The way they burst into tears, putting their head on his chest, and holding him tightly. It was a clear sign they still had something to live for after all.

It was quiet for a while, and most of his shaking had subsided. However [Y/n] was still shaking terribly. He tried to soothe them, but it was no use, they were in too much pain and fear to handle anything at the moment... and he understood completely.

After a while, he began to hear sounds in all directions. Gunshots here, shouting over there, and they were getting closer. Just beyond the corner to their right, he heard rushing footsteps, and Mark braced himself for the worst.

When he looked up, to his surprise and great relief, it was Barney and Rob. They spotted him and [Y/n] and rushed over, Rob spoke first, "Holy fuck what happened!?"

"We heard explosions and tried to come help, but when we couldn't find you guys we got trapped in a cave-in near the entrance to the sewers," Barney explained, "We found a way around but there have been Skull Breakers everywhere... where the hell did they come from?"

"Barney, would you think about the present for a moment and get the bandages? They are obviously in really bad shape." Rob said quickly. Barney swiftly apologized and searched his pack for medical aid.

Mark was grateful that Rob and Barney were there, while Rob was the best doctor in the Light Ring, Barney had an unnaturally steady hand with more intense things like setting bones properly, and even surgeries.

More gunfire went off to Mark's left but he was more focused on getting [Y/n] fixed up first. When Rob tried to help Mark, he shook his head and said weakly, "No, help them first. They need it more than I do right now."

The look on Rob's face said he thought otherwise, but didn't question him. There was more gunfire in the distance, not quite the same distance as the gunfire on the left... there were more people down here?

Barney moved over to look Mark over while Rob helped [Y/n]. Mark didn't move and let Barney do his thing without a complaint. Mark just watched [Y/n], trying to read their face. They looked broken, hopeless, and hurt. He wished so badly that he could do something to fix it right then and there... but he was going to try and do everything to help them and keep them safe no matter what.

Once they were just finished being patched up, Mark heard familiar yelling a ways away, "Take that! You motherfucking ape-assed tater on a rocking chair!"

Sean!? Mark thought, hope fluttering inside of him, He's alive!?

But it was only Sean? Where was Ethan, Mink, and Danny? Chica and [P/n]? Mark shuffled to stand up, much to Barney's objections. Sean came around the corner, his back to them with two pistols. He was shooting down one of the tunnels like a maniac, laughing and seemingly enjoying himself.

Mark looked closer and Sean was bleeding in his left side, it looked like just a graze of a knife, but it could still be serious, considering it ripped all the way through his red jacket. Sean turned around to face them and did a double take, "Mark!? [Y/n]! Rob, Barney! You all are okay! Listen, hey would you mind giving me a hand and-"

A shot was fired from behind and Sean's eyes widened in shock. He looked to Mark in confusion as he stumbled and fell to the ground in a lifeless heap.

"Sean!" Mark, Rob, and Barney all yelled simultaneously.

Anger... no... rage shot through Mark. This was one of his best friends! Just as he got him back he was taken away! Mark snagged Barney's shotgun from his belt, and raced towards Sean. Rounding the corner, Mark faced the chasers Sean had been firing at. To Mark's satisfaction, it was none other than Xenia with a few others, racing maniacally.

Mark shot, killing the others in one blast. They stumbled and fell to the ground instantly. Mark then turned and took aim at Xenia. She had her knife in hand just like the first time he saw her climb through the bunker, but this time Mark felt no fear, only hatred. He let her come close, and when she was just about to take the lunge, he shot not once, not twice, but four times into the woman's chest.

She stumbled backwards, dropping her knife and looking down at the blood pouring out of her body, then looked up at him, a disgruntled look on her face, "Now look at the mess you've made? I've gotta clean this all up by myself..." Her voice trailed off and she staggered and fell to the ground, Mark approached her, and loomed over her. She looked up at him with muffled fear in her eyes as her life began to fade away.

Mark aimed the barrel of the gun straight into her head, turned away and fired. Blood splattered everywhere, all the way down his front. He looked like a complete madman with the amount of blood sprayed all over him.

He turned back, satisfied that her head was completely blown off. Blood spewed out of the top of her neck as her body twitched, "And stay dead you bitch." Mark growled.

He turned and raced for Sean, dropping the gun and kneeling down next to his friend, rolling him over. Sean was breathing, but it was shallow and quick. There was a bullet wound that went straight through his chest. He was staring blankly at the ceiling as Mark held him up. Blood dribbled out of Sean's mouth as he smiled, looking up at Mark, "You really are a hot-head... you kn-know that?" He paused for breath, and added, barely audible, "Sweet revenge..."

Rob approached, looking over Sean's wounds. He looked grim when he looked up to Mark, "Give me some time and space please." Mark nodded and slowly sat Sean's head  back onto the ground, Sean looked confused as to why Mark was leaving.

Mark walked past Barney and wrapped [Y/n] into a bloody hug.

For once Barney kept his snide comments to himself, but Mark had to ask, "Barney... where are the others?"

Barney looked at him with a reassuring glance, "They are okay. Ethan actually helped guide everyone to the passage to Oasis. That kid has some memory, he's only been there once."

"O-Oasis?" [Y/n] asked, their voice muffled from being buried in Mark's shoulder.

"It is the main safehouse we have that can only be accessed from an underground passageway inside a secret passageway," Barney explained, "No doubt that's where everyone went."

"They would've had to use the surface entrance to the first passage," Mark said to Barney.

"Why's that?"

"Because the Skull Breakers knew about this place for a while. They attacked from the inside."