Free Web NovelChapter 206: Confrontation (3)
Marcus’s room, a once-peaceful sanctuary, had transformed into a crucible of fear and desperation. He paced back and forth, his steps echoing his relentless turmoil.
Aric’s presence in the settlement was akin to the catalyst of his impending downfall, waiting to explode in the makeshift locker room where Shinon had imprisoned him.
Marcus had always been a man of calculated moves, a puppet master pulling the strings from the shadows. But now, as he faced the consequences of his actions, panic gnawed at the edges of his composure.
As for the man who had promised Marcus power, who had whispered tempting promises of domination, he had been reduced to a looming threat, threatening to destroy everything Marcus had worked for. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Despite being partners for a while, he knew that if Aric regained consciousness, the treacherous man would not hesitate to spill the secrets Marcus had been desperate to keep hidden.
Marcus had been colluding with Aric for years, forging a sinister alliance in exchange for power and influence. He had betrayed the very people he had sworn to protect as the leader of the Phoenixes, all for the promise of dominion over the settlement.
It was a dark secret that he had guarded with all his power, going as far as killing anyone who got too close to the unknown, except Lova. But now, he couldn’t allow it to unravel.
The settlement had been Marcus’s life’s work, his legacy. He had built it from the ground up, leading the Phoenixes with an iron fist and establishing his authority as its ruler.
But that authority had been cemented through treachery and deceit, and he knew that if the truth came out, he would lose everything.
The fear of exposure gnawed at Marcus’s insides. He couldn’t allow Aric to wake up and reveal their unholy alliance. The very foundation of the settlement he had spent years building would crumble, and he would be cast aside, stripped of his leadership. He could be executed if things got worse.
The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a single solar-powered lantern casting eerie shadows on the walls. Marcus’s face, contorted with anxiety, bore witness to the torment of his thoughts.
’What if Aric wakes up and exposes me?’ Marcus pondered the question he had been wrestling with since Shinon’s return. ’I can’t let that happen... or else- No! I’ll make sure none of that ever happens!’
As he paced the room, his mind raced with thoughts about eliminating Aric before he woke. He couldn’t rely on others; the settlement’s residents held Aric responsible for countless atrocities, and they would likely seek vengeance if they knew the truth. Marcus needed to act alone, swiftly and decisively.
His mind raced through a multitude of desperate scenarios. He had considered poison a quick and discreet method to end Aric’s life.
But he lacked the necessary resources. Not to mention, there were too many witnesses outside, engaged in the festivities, and too many eyes would be on him the moment he stepped out. It would be suspicious.
Then, Marcus’s gaze fell upon an ornate dagger displayed on a shelf. It had been a gift from Aric, a symbol of their partnership and commitment.
Now, it would become a tool of betrayal. Moreover, since no one knew about the dagger, it was the perfect tool for the purpose, as no one should be able to blame Marcus for using the blade.
As he looked at the blade, it gleamed in the lantern’s soft light as if calling Marcus to use it.
’I have to do it. I have to silence him,’ Marcus thought, his palms growing sweaty. ’I can’t let Aric destroy everything I’ve built.’
With trembling hands, he reached for the dagger. His fingers closed around the hilt, and he felt its weight in his grasp. It was a decision that would seal his fate, and if caught, there would be no turning back.
’It’s now or never...’
Outside his room, the celebration continued, and the sound of joy echoed throughout the settlement. The settlers were blissfully unaware of the impending storm, of the sinister choice that Marcus was about to make.
Hiding his presence in the dark, Marcus looked around, ensuring that Shinon and the others were busy enjoying the party before slowly making his way towards the locker rooms.
As he opened the doors, Marcus saw Aric strapped to a chair. Thankfully, he seemed unconscious. However, Marcus wasn’t foolish enough to jump into the room without checking it for traps or alarms. Once satisfied, he stepped inside and carefully made his way to Aric.
"You should have died instead of getting captured," Marcus whispered in Aric’s ears. "Now, you only have yourself to blame for this."
With a deep breath, Marcus raised the dagger. He hesitated momentarily but shook the wild thoughts out of his head. Then, with a swift and resolute motion, he brought the blade down towards Aric’s chest.
But just as the blade was about to make contact, a voice shattered the silence of the room.
"You couldn’t wait, could you?"
Marcus froze, the dagger hovering inches above Aric’s chest. He slowly turned to see Shinon standing in the doorway, playing with a dagger of his own.
"Well, I can’t say I’m surprised," Shinon smirked.
"How did you-"
"Darkness is my ally, or did you forget? You can hide from the rest, but not from me." Shinon mumbled, stepping inside the room. "Besides, I knew your desperate ass would do something like this."
Marcus’s mind raced while his heart pounded inside his chest. He peaked behind Shinon, and thankfully, he was there by himself, which made things easier for him. frёeωebɳovel.com
"Put the dagger down, Marcus," Shinon ordered, his voice cold and unwavering. "There’ll be no escape for you this time."
"Fine..." Marcus softly mumbled before placing the dagger on the ground. "You win."
Shinon didn’t pay any attention to him and went to pick up the dagger. Just then, Marcus violently kicked him. But thanks to [Combat Instinct], Shinon effortlessly dodged the attack before sweeping Marcus off his feet.
"Fine, let’s do this your way," Shinon confidently smiled before assuming a fighting stance.
