Chapter 25.

Mark did what he had to do. He lifted himself up by the railing and swung his legs over. Ten screamed for him not to go but he couldn’t let Jaehyun be mangled by a Wrou. Mark had dragged the other with him to this place.

The others didn’t know how important he was.

He pulled out his own sword from its sheath and roared as he fell two stories down before landing on the back of the creature that had Jaehyun pinned to the ground.

The sword cut through the spine with a crack and right through its chest. Jaehyun rolled over to avoid being crushed and Mark fell off the creature because of the heavy landing. Chenle had his weapon out too, Doyoung and Yuta fired off arrows towards the creatures coming for Johnny. Mark told Chenle to get up.

  “You’ll die!” Chenle argued but Mark didn’t have time for it. He grabbed Chenle’s shoulder and forced him towards the ladder.

  “Go up, Jaehyun!” He commanded and Jaehyun reached out a hand, fingers curling around Mark’s wrist.

  “Johnny.” He pleaded and Mark nodded, but he didn’t look at Jaehyun. The other’s hand lingered on his wrist before he followed Chenle up.

Johnny roared, his voice powerful as he swung his sword from his right hip and upwards, slicing the neck of the first creature coming at him. Mark walked forwards avoiding the claws of the next by crouching, before swinging his sword as it passed him. He cut its skin at its belly, drawing blood and earning a cry from the Wrou. One left and it didn’t turn around, bloodlust in its eyes. Johnny was ready, sweat ran down his temples, hair drenched but there was no fear in his eyes. Not even when a monster came at him. Jaehyun and Chenle were almost up, and they were safe. Mark wondered if it was Johnny fighting or him defending Jaehyun, but never could he imagine the other fighting like this. He’d always seemed like fighting wasn’t his thing.

But Mark was wrong.

Johnny was a warrior.

  “MARK!” Haechan screamed. “BEHIND YOU! MARK LOOK BEHIND YOU!”

Mark only managed to turn around before he was knocked off his feet, flying across the space. His shoulder ached and he slid across the ground, body rolling without him controlling it. He dropped his weapon hearing it flying into the trunk of a tree. He tried to shake off the dizzy feeling as he dug his fingers into the ground. People were yelling and he pushed himself up. He straightened his back looking around to see a large figure near him. He looked to his left seeing Johnny trying to fight one off. The fifth. He had forgotten to count them all. Three coming at them, one attacking Jaehyun and Chenle. There had been four, and there were always another. It was right in front of him and Mark’s weapon wasn’t near.

He only had his dagger, which was a little longer than a grown man’s hand. He pulled it out in front of him, trying to get back on his feet slowly. Mark looked the Wrou directly in its eyes. It reminded him of the one that had killed his father. It looked old, there were streaks of grey in its brown fur, and it had scars on its face. Mark raised his dagger now finally on his feet in a low stance. Johnny let out a cry of a pain when the wolf’s claws ripped at his right arm. He hit back with more power and the Wrou backed off. Mark gasped when the Wrou attacking Johnny crouched down. Johnny despite blood drenching his sleeve raised his weapon high. The Wrou sprang up and Johnny rolled forwards to create distance. The Wrou reached out both arms and even if Johnny swung his sword he didn’t expect it to catch his legs and pull him off his feet. He fell onto his back and the Wrou raised its claws up high ready to strike.

Mark remembered the last time he killed one, forcing the blade up through the roof of the creature’s mouth. The one in front of him was ready to pounce at him and Mark gritted his teeth and growled as the Wrou opened its mouth.

The body of the creature jerked once, then twice and Mark looked at the arrows that rained down on it. 3 of them were now in its back and neck and it collapsed, blood spreading from the deep wounds the arrows had caused. Mark looked up at the bridge. Jaehyun and Haechan had stolen the bows from Doyoung and Yuta and Johnny ended his Wrou by stabbing up into its throat, it had been hit by an arrow too. Mark despite being a little shaken from the attack, was quick to run towards the ladder that Johnny was climbing.

Ten came at him first, pulling him into his arms and holding him tight against his chest. “You scared the hell out of me!” He cried and Mark wrapped his arms around the other, embracing Ten back.

  “You too…” He muttered and Ten buried his nose in Mark’s neck.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too.” Mark replied.

Mark looked at Haechan who was hugging Johnny. Ten inhaled shakily.“I love you. I can’t bear to see you get hurt.”

  “I hate to see you hurting.” Mark pulled away so he could look into Ten’s eyes. The other had such a pretty face. Features so soft and yet sharp. Ten smiled and it was warm, but Mark could see the sadness in Ten’s eyes. It had been a scarring experience. Ten who was strong… that had hurt him immensely.

  “It’ll hurt, for a long time.” Ten spoke in a soft voice. “But I have you.”

Mark nodded. “Always.” He promised and Ten nodded a tear falling from his eye.

  “So please don’t… don’t die.” Ten asked caressing Mark’s cheek. Mark nodded again.

  “I won’t.” He made another promise. A promise he hoped he could keep.

Haechan was looking at Mark, but he didn’t walk through the group to get closer. Jaehyun and Johnny stood with him on the bridge. Mark settled to sending the other a smile. Haechan smiled back but lowered his eyes and Mark looked at Jaehyun. The other was talking to Johnny. The way Jaehyun had looked up at him, calling for him.

How could he do that? When all he did was lie?

Mark asked Ten to lead the way. He waited a little until Haechan had to walk behind him. The paths weren’t that wide in some places. They found some trees that had wide trunks and large crowns, perfect for finding a nice spot to sleep. As the less experienced crawled onto a platform that had been built between large branches, probably for travelers, Jisung found a place in the trees to sleep. The sun was setting and none of them liked the thought of walking on paths with no railing when it was dark.

The Damned could manage but it seemed as if some of them were unnerved by the attack and that they would rather not end up down at the bottom of the woods with no ladder near them.

A small stone circle allowed them to make a fire and Mark walked across the space to find Haechan. He sat down beside the other.

  “Will you help me now?” He asked and Haechan blinked, dark eyes reflecting the flames, before nodding. He looked at Mark for a moment.

  “Are you sure?” He asked and Mark gave the other a stern look, he took Haechan’s hand in his, trying to ignore the tingling sensation.

  “It’s a barrier.” He stated. He looked at the people around them. He knew what he needed to know about most, but some of them hid things and he needed to know where they all stood. Like Kun who was leaning against one of the branches, eyeing them all, eyes glowing red as their world grew darker. Johnny who was talking with Ten, this time seeming like the person Mark met, calm and nice. Not the warrior that fought monsters he’d never seen before with no fear of death. Mark thought back to Haechan standing with his bow pointed at the Wrou that was about to attack Mark. The look in his eyes. Mark turned his head to look at Haechan. “I’ll get to know you too.”

Haechan looked at their hands. His skin looking bright in the light of the fire and the red sky above them. His dark eyes reflected the world behind Mark and Mark could see his own reflection in them too. “Are you sure you want to know me?”

Mark nodded. “Why should I not?”

  “I’m…” Haechan pulled his hand back. “I’ll help you. Come find me afterwards.”

Mark nodded with a smile. “I will.”

Mark took the lead, walking across the bridge to a more secret and secluded place. The others were eating and Haechan stood by the bridge to make sure no one walked up to follow Mark and Jaehyun.

Mark was fiddling with the bottom of his shirt the whole time. He found one of the places where the bridge connected with a tree and circled around it. He looked up the tree to see a branch leading to a small tree house. Mark huffed. A Love Hut.

Jaehyun followed quietly and entered the house with Mark. It hadn’t been used for a long time, there were a bench and what could be a bed if you placed some blankets on it. Mark sat down on the bed and looked up to see Jaehyun sit on the bench. Jaehyun was holding a torch and placed it in one of the hooks on the wall. He looked at Mark with calm, expecting eyes. Mark didn’t like that look, because it only made him more sure.

He didn’t say anything, keeping his lips sealed shut. He just looked at Jaehyun with an accusing gaze. A smile spread on Jaehyun’s face.

  “You’re way more intelligent than Taeyong, Mark.” He said and Mark couldn’t help but curl his fingers into fists at the mention of Taeyong. Jaehyun tilted his head. “So, you know?”

  “I have my assumptions.” Mark admitted. Jaehyun straightened his back.

  “I’m not allowed to say it.”

Mark couldn’t help but grimace. “You’re the True Commander?” He asked with both awe and disbelief in his voice.

Jaehyun didn’t nod. Mark remembered what had been said. The tattoo on the Commander’s back. Mark needed to see it. He got up from where he was sitting and Jaehyun rose to his feet. There wasn’t much light coming from the torch, leaving most of the room in dark shadows, but Jaehyun’s face was lit up in its warm light, his eyes catching the light of the flames. Mark looked up at the other. He was tall. He was young. Mark almost felt like laughing at himself but he couldn’t make a sound. He just felt his whole body tingle with anticipation as he curled his fingers around one of Jaehyun’s arms slowly pulling in the other for him to turn around. Jaehyun closed his eyes, exhaling deeply, trying to calm himself down. Mark wondered if the other was scared? He placed his hand on Jaehyun’s shoulder, his thumb brushing over the other’s shirt in a calming motion. Jaehyun seemed less tense.

Mark bit his lower lip as he hooked his fingers beneath Jaehyun’s shirt. The material was thin but strong. Jaehyun had left his jacket with the others. Mark wondered if the other knew what was going to happen. Jaehyun was smart. Much smarter than he had led on. Mark gripped Jaehyun’s shoulder with his left hand to support himself as he held his breath and lifted up in Jaehyun’s shirt.

His back was lean and his skin pale in contrast to the black ink that decorated his lower back. Mark gasped. It was the symbol of a planet. Earth, Mark guessed. Around it were beautifully drawn lines creating a star and smaller stars were drawn up his back. Mark ran his fingers over the tattoo. He counted the stars, 4 going up and three going down, almost so low they were hidden by the waistband of his pants. 7. Mark gawped. 7 clans to guard and lead. The responsibility of the world upon his shoulder. The details seemed to mock Mark. How could he have missed this? He drew his hand back from Jaehyun’s warm skin, noticing that Jaehyun’s body was trembling. Mark stepped away, stumbling back and dropping down on the wood making the platform of the bed.

Jaehyun turned around, walking over to Mark and crouching down in front of him. “I wanted to tell you. I’ve always known that I could trust you… But Johnny wouldn’t let me tell you.” Mark looked into the other’s eyes. There was a desperate look in his eyes. “I’ve waited.” He said hands touching the sides of Mark’s head. “Waited for a moment that would allow me to return to the throne, but somebody is after me. Johnny and Haechan are kids who were taken from their families, trained since young. They became my guards and my friends too. I had to flee before I could even take the throne and fled to the 4^th Clan, but they were after me. I went to the 5^th and we created a life there. A life I almost didn’t want to leave and then you… you appeared.” Jaehyun smiled up at him. “When you sent me back there… It was not where I wanted to be and it wasn’t safe for me anymore. I had to be right under his nose.”

Mark frowned. “Who’s nose?”

One of Jaehyun’s hands found Mark’s shoulder. “Lord Win.”

Mark shook his head, Jaehyun looked down and took Mark’s clenched hands into his own. “Why do you think he sent Kun? I saw through him before any of the others did. I’m thankful of you for bringing Haechan to me again. Even if he seems a little distracted lately.” Jaehyun grinned.

Mark’s sight was blurry and he blinked feeling his tears roll down his cheeks. Had everything been a lie? He looked down at their hands, thinking of the way he supported Jaehyun while taking him out of the village in the 5^th Clan. “You weren’t sick?”

Jaehyun shook his head. “Not yet. But it can’t be long before it’ll infect me.”

Mark pulled his hands to himself. “You used me?”

Jaehyun’s hair danced as he shook his head again, “no, Mark, I could never.”

  “Well, it definitely seems like it.” Mark shot back and tried to move away from Jaehyun who caught Mark’s wrists before he could escape.

  “Please.” Jaehyun begged. “You’re my friend, Mark.”

Mark chuckled. “Friend?” He sniffled.

Jaehyun moved to sit on his knees. He was blinking fast, throat tightening and it didn’t seem like he could reply. Instead he let his head fall to rest on Mark’s knee. Mark looked straight ahead. So many were betraying him. Taeyong. Jaehyun. Lord Win. Even Kun. He could even count Johnny and Haechan into the group too. Where would this take him now? How should he greet the group when Haechan and Johnny were child soldiers, Jaehyun the True Commander who they were all looking for, Kun probably sent as an assassin, Lord Win a deceiving maniac who wanted the throne for himself and Taeyong… an emotional fool?

Yet he cared for them all. He cared about Taeyong. He cared about Lord Win and Kun who loved each other dearly, but they were on the wrong side. They didn’t believe in the reunion of the Damned and their families. They wanted to rule and force it upon a people who were already terrified. Jaehyun was supposed to unite them… Mark blinked. Jaehyun would probably unite them. Of course, he would.

  “Would you?” Mark asked in the quiet darkness that had embraced them. Jaehyun lifted his head. He looked tired. Mark took Jaehyun’s hands into his. “Would you unite us?”

Jaehyun nodded. “Of course.” He stated without doubt. “The illness is spreading, but that doesn’t make you any less human than everyone else?” Mark smiled and Jaehyun did too. “When I sit on the throne. I want you with me, Mark. I need you with me.”

Mark took a moment to just look into Jaehyun’s eyes. The world around them was quiet.

  “What do we do now?” Mark asked. “We’re looking for somebody who’s right under our nose?”

Jaehyun grinned. “I’m not ready to be revealed to the others just yet.”

Mark imagined the shock on everyone’s faces. But his mind continued the image of Kun coming forward from behind the others, dagger in his hand and knocking Mark away from Jaehyun who couldn’t stop the other from cutting his throat open. He wouldn’t hesitate to perform what he was sent to do. Kill the True Commander.

They had to trick Kun. Mark had to have some kind of proof that Kun was indeed deceiving them before he accused someone of it. So he had to keep Jaehyun’s secret. The secret that Johnny and Haechan carried as well.

  “I know what to do. You just play along.” Mark stood and helped Jaehyun up. The other was taller than Mark and as Mark looked at him in the torches light it only made him realize how much Jaehyun looked like a commander. How often he had acted like one. Of course Mark would follow him. Through everything.

  “Thank you, Mark.” Jaehyun said it very softly and Mark felt his cheeks grow warm.

  “No problem,” he said and Jaehyun frowned at the awkward look on the younger’s face. Mark pointed towards the door. “We should head back.”

Jaehyun looked at the bed behind Mark. “We could also sleep here?”

Mark’s eyes widened. “IN A LOVE HUT?”

Jaehyun threw his head back when he laughed. “I’m kidding!”

Mark couldn’t help but laugh, disbelief of what had just happened coming over him. Jaehyun took the torch and told Mark to lead the way by a gesture of his arm. Mark felt reassured. He had a friend in Jaehyun.

Now he needed to talk with Haechan. He couldn’t believe the other had known who the commander was all along and not told Mark. But then again… he had been honest about the fact that he was keeping a secret.

A soldier?

Johnny and Haechan were soldiers of the 1^st Clan?

How messed up were the 1^st Clan?
 

Mark glanced down when he saw movements. A pack of three Wrous crossed the space, but with speed as if they were chasing something, but they couldn’t reach them when they were all the way up in the trees. Mark looked back at Jaehyun who were looking at the ground with a small smile on his face. Mark felt the feeling in his chest again. This was the True Commander. Mark couldn’t believe he was walking with the Commander of their 7 Clans.
Haechan turned around when he heard them coming down. He looked a little frightened as he looked at Jaehyun. Mark looked back to see that Jaehyun were giving Haechan a look. Mark stopped with them and Jaehyun leaned closer to Haechan.

  “Changing your loyalties are you?” He asked, voice low, but when Mark looked at Jaehyun he was smiling. “We’re safe.” He then promised Haechan with a ruffle of the other’s hair and then he walked over to Doyoung who had saved food for Jaehyun. Mark took Haechan’s hand and pulled him away from the others. They sat down on the bridge and looked at the group from afar. If they didn’t yell the other Damned wouldn’t be able to hear them.
Haechan was fidgeting nervously. He kept his gaze fixed on their feet.

  “A soldier?” Mark started and Haechan looked up quickly. He nodded with a small smile. Mark patted Haechan’s back. “Is that something to be ashamed of?” He asked and Haechan looked at the group.

  “I’m not sure.”

Mark shook his head to answer his own question. “It’s not.”

  “It doesn’t make me seem less of a human being?” Haechan asked and Mark frowned at him.

  “Of course not!”

Haechan chuckled. “I know how to kill people in many ways, Mark.” He explained. “I’ve learned how to hold a blade since I was 4. I’ve killed people in order to defend Jaehyun.” Haechan looked into Mark’s eyes but Mark didn’t judge the other and Haechan saw that. “We were just kids when he fled: Johnny were the one to come barging into Jaehyun’s room. Jaehyun and I were just playing some games that we’d taken from the library. Johnny’s eyes had been so wide. ‘We need to run. Now.’ He’d said and you should’ve seen Jaehyun’s expression. He didn’t want to leave, but we dragged him out of there. His parents were murdered but his best friend Se Hun who had worked as his doppelganger took over the throne. I remember one thing though. Jaehyun’s uncle… He’d always seemed wicked to me and I believe he’s behind it all. He’s controlling Commander Hun. He was the one sending Night Soldiers after us. He’s the one we need to kill.”

Mark took all this information in. Maybe it was luck that Haechan, Johnny and the True Commander himself; Jaehyun, was here with them. Because Mark knew more about the 1^st Clan now, more about the enemy hiding there. He wouldn’t go in blind.

  “Lord Win suggested it’s the 1^st Clan spreading the decease to control the clans or to kill the Tr- Jaehyun. Do you believe the same thing?”

Haechan looked at Mark. “It started in the 4^th.” He huffed. “Of course. I don’t think they thought it would spread like that.”

  “Maybe we can find a cure?” Mark gasped. Haechan gave him a look. Mark’s hopes seemed to die with that look.

But Haechan didn’t deny it, instead he said. “There is nothing to be cured.”

Mark smiled, looking into the others eyes. He felt a small pull in his chest, something that drew him closer to Haechan. Haechan looked into his eyes too and his eyes seemed to widen when he realized why Mark was coming closer. Mark wasn’t sure how he should do it, but he hoped he would do it right. Haechan squeezed his eyes shut. Mark was close enough to feel Haechan’s breath on his skin.

  “Kids.”

Mark had not paid attention to the fact that Yuta had moved up towards their bridge. Mark jumped so high in shock he nearly fell off. Haechan avoided Yuta’s gaze completely and Mark covered his mouth in shock and disbelief at the turn of events.

  “Did I scare you?” Yuta asked and Mark and Haechan shook their heads and stood. Mark once again stumbled and Haechan fixed his clothes. Yuta didn’t seem like he knew what he had interrupted. “Doyoung would like to speak with you Mark. Most of us are going to sleep, Renjun is going take the first watch.”

Mark nodded. “Sure, tell Doyoung to come up here.”

Yuta nodded and Haechan excused himself and went with Yuta, sending Mark a small smile as he left. Mark looked up through the leaves to see a small patch of sky. Stars glinted down at him.

  “I analyzed my dream with Jaehyun.” Doyoung began as the two of them stood on the bridge. Doyoung looked serious. “I’m scared of what is happening to Taeyong. From what my last dream predicted it was that someone would return to a different leader. I didn’t think much of it but then Taeyong went back. I don’t think he’ll go to Lord Win.”

Mark winced. That wasn’t good news. If Taeyong went back to Jiwon, what would he do under her command? Mark felt conflicted. Taeyong had always been honest about his struggles, that he had a harder time with controlling his emotions. What if he felt suicidal? It sounded like he’d felt like that before. Would he not care then and do whatever Jiwon asked him to do?

Mark looked at Doyoung. “Did you figure out anything else? Anything that looked like betrayal?”

Doyoung frowned. “Betrayal?”

Mark’s eyes widened. “Yeah like, if Taeyong will do something for Jiwon?” Lies. Mark was now lying to his group.

Doyoung nodded with an ‘ah’, before he thought hard. “Let me sleep on it, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Mark smiled. “Sure.” He assured the other and watched Doyoung walk down again. Everyone worked hard in their own way. Mark needed to know if he had to be careful.

He heard a branch break somewhere in the distant night. He eyed the shadows cautiously before heading back to the camp.

A/N:

WOW! The comments ;A; 

I don't care if it isn't ten, just reading the comments has made me want to update, so here I am. <3
 - (sorry if the chapter was ty, I'm not too satisfied with the way I've written it)

A lot has been revealed, what do you guys think?

Love,
Emma <3