CHAPTER 8- WHO ARE YOU?

Sleep came to an end just as quickly as it came, a dark room with a person on the bed, a person who shook violently from time to time, eyes darting around waiting for something that wouldn't likely come, his hand in a tight grip, sweat rolling down his forehead.

"Not again...not again...not again" he repeated in his mind while shaking uncontrollably, visions and reminders of the previous night came back; the ecstasy and happiness he felt while slaughtering his enemies, the words that came from his lips, the lies he told in Solaria's face, the control of his body which did not belong to him, emotions and actions which were not his.

"it's your fault...again, isn't it?" he asked seemingly no one in a dark room, he glared at his clenched fist, he knew what happened, he knew who was responsible, but he don't point fingers; no, he doesn't point fingers, the...consequences might be too bad for his mind and sanity, like the last time, he can only ask with hope for an answer, he can only hope; hope is the last thing that lasts in this situation.

"Everything is alright Master, concentrate on my voice" Marco heard a faint voice, coming from all sides; left, right, up, down, inside and out of his mind, everywhere but nowhere at the same time. He shook his head in denial, he won't agree, he did once and paid price for it, a price he don't want to pay again, he heard a faint laugh, coming once again from each side, Marco wrapped his hands around his head, pain in arm long forgotten as laughing became louder and louder with each second, pain from arm came to his head; hard and pounding as laugh continued to play with his mind.

"Marco" he heard someone call his name, he shook his head again, the voice played with his for sure, he shook his head again as the same voice called him, again and again, until his name was all he heard, he wanted it to stop, he wants to sleep and rest, put everything behind, forget the event that occurred the same night. Suddenly stinging pain on his cheek forced his eyes to open, they darted from one corner to another looking for an attacker but saw only sharp turquoise eyes and yellow bolted shaped mark cheeks, his eyes wide with...something he couldn't define.

"Get a grasp of yourself boy, otherwise you will force my hand...and trust me you don't want that '' Solaria nearly growled while glaring at him, in a second he remembered where he was, Marco took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

"I'm okay...I'm okay now" he repeated the same words again and again still in Solaria's strong grip, it started to hurt, but surprisingly it helped calm him down, pain brought him back to reality.

"When you calm down, explain what happened here" Solaria demanded, her one hand released his one arm but the other one tightened significantly, her eyes traveled around the room as well as Marcos, he saw what he...or he didn't do, he can't even say anymore if it was him or not, if it was another guy or his rage, he sighed knowing he has a lot to explain, on that might be his own life if Solaria see him as danger then...well, he won't live for long.

"i-it's hard to explain so-so suddenly" his voice hitched a few times like he was after many hours of crying or taking too many medications, his body still shook lightly, but it was more controlled than before, he heard Solaria sigh and closed her eyes.

"you WILL explain everything tomorrow, but for now, I will be in this room till you fall asleep, I don't trust you...or whatever that was being alone, considering my daughter is a few rooms from here" she released his remaining arm and lighted the chandelier, that was the moment he saw what happened to his room; clothes scattered around, some torn while other just thrown around without aim, his wife he bought the other day destroyed completely, his wardrobe upside down, the table turned over and nearly broke in half, he saw the line where smallest pressure would break it. Solaria picked the only chair in his room and turned it towards him, he tried to relax but couldn't, the whispers returned, reminding him what he did, why he did what he did.

"You are hopeless, Gloria, keep him company" he heard Solaria's voice snap into darkness, he didn't even flinch when 'his' maid came from the dark corner, smiling like nothing was wrong like the whole room wasn't destroyed.

"as you wish My Queen" she bowed her head and stripped from her dress leaving her only in her undergarments, she climbed on the bed and hugged him from behind, she had a surprisingly strong grip, considering that Marco tried to stop her arms from circling him, for a second he forgot about his fears to glare at hands that didn't want to let him go.

"stop resisting Marco, just sleep, we will talk in the morning...Gloria" Marco glanced at Solaria in confusion, till he felt arms sneaking towards his neck, his eyes widened in realization, he started thrashing in Gloria's strong grip, her elbow around his neck while the other arm held his head in place, for a woman she has a very strong grip, he expected it from Solaria but not from a maid, he started breathing hard and fast, his vision was blurry with each second, suddenly he heard her hum very familiar tune, he recognized it, in Neverzone, medics were allowed to use it in an extreme situation to calm their patients, not many knew this tune, it was considered as magic, but not any magic; blood magic was considered the foulest and brutal, to learn it one must have devoted itself to countless rituals and meditation, the calming song was the only one allowed by someone who is not studying the magic itself, his wild eyes catches glimpse of her ones, she was looking calm like she did it before already.

"y-you are...b-but how...they sho-ouldn't...exist or-outside" he managed to say with his last breath before darkness consumed him once again this night, the hold on his neck decreased slightly, Gloria sighed, the explaining will be in order tomorrow.

"When will you tell him the truth about Solaria? You know you can't hide it forever" she glanced at her boss and owner who stood from her chair with a grunt.

"soon...but not now, keep him company, make sure he won't lash out tonight, I REALY don't want to get rid of him" with those words she closed the doors behind her, Gloria sighed and leaned on the headrest, what she won't do to satisfy her boss.

"well...I surely wasn't expecting your kindness here...in Mewni '' she looked at the sword near the bed, the red hue from blood shining even without anything on it, it just glowed a few times before becoming static.

"Your time here Marco will be very, VERY interesting to see" she giggled and closed her eyes, she didn't even know how right she was.

"y-your Majesty, please forgive my son, he didn't know what he was doing," a kneeling man alongside his wife and son said, loud crack was heard through the whole throne room, Solaria's sitting place had a big crack running through the armrest.

"he perfectly knew what would happen, don't lie to me, you know the price your's AND my child would pay, everyone knows the consequences of Blood Moon curse" Solaria stood from her place and walked down, towards terrified family, who can blame them, getting a catch in the act in front of someone who can kill them with one strike is understandable.

"M-My Queen, please f-forgive my son t-this one time, I promise you he w-will be another person the next time you s-see him, so please…" his words stood in his throat when piercing red blade embed itself near his face, extreme heat causing his skin to scorch slightly, he hissed in pain, and tried to shield his face from pain, but for his unlock Solaria forced his face to ground with her feet, a crack was heard, signifying broken nose.

"And how do you want to do that huh? how can I trust you with that job...maybe I should hire him here as a squire, maybe that will open his eyes a little, or sell your wife to a brothel, choose" she put more pressure on his head before releasing, she needs an answer after all.

"i-i can cancel the wedding My Queen, e-everything but please don't hurt my family," he said even if his voice was cracking, so many weaknesses in a short time, the King of Spiderbite Kingdom begging for mercy, such a sight.

"hmmm...very well then, I have few conditions, I want to see you later, leave, for now, I don't want to see your kind in my kingdom tonight" she turned around and walked to her cracked throne and sat with a grunt, the family quickly left before she could change her mind, she should be grateful for Marco right now, if not for his bloodlust then her daughter would be forcefully bonded to someone even she doesn't like.

"What can you say about the...thing that happened in this room? '' She asked the darkness around her, no one would expect an answer, not until someone walked from the dark corner of the room.

"what can I say huh...the thing that attaches itself onto Marco...or I think it did and his sword is simply saying...a parasite," the person said bowing slightly, Gloria's smile never left her face, not even when piercing gaze fell on her, she could feel burning gaze on the back of her head.

"The parasite is very rare, nearly extinct, those who bonded with it can gain incredible powers, better strength, speed senses, you name it, I know only few who successfully bonded with it...and Marco is one of them," she said looking back into those sharp eyes that narrowed at the last words.

"But even if he made some things go wrong and he lost control right" that wasn't a question, it was a statement on which Gloria could only nod.

"yes Your Majesty, his body after returning from Neverzone is not strong and compatible anymore to contain the energy, it forcefully took his mind, something he didn't even realize till the end," she said more quietly, waiting for Solaria to digest her words carefully, the matter they are digging through is very sensitive.

"what will happen if he would lose control in the middle of the ball?" she asked curiously, the thing that was Marco in that room was wild, craving for blood and death, but senile at the same time, it didn't get hurt without purpose, it knew if the strike would kill its host or not.

"the ball would have many casualties, your daughter would be one of them I suppose, as she was standing close to him, and you would have much to explain why such dangerous parasite was near Princess Eclipsa and..." Gloria fell silent as more cracking sounds emanated through the room, Eclipsa was crushing her throne bit by bit with what strength she had.

"and what can you do to contain it" she nearly snarled at the maid with a hard glare as her hand started bleeding from stone splinters, Gloria waited patiently for her to stop and realize she hurt herself, which took long minutes, but Solaria realized what she did and relaxed, she can't have her emotions taking control of her so suddenly.

"I must have contacted a few...people and monsters and ask for their opinion, but I think there is an option to not contain it but get it under his control once again" she put her finger to her chin, she has...friends who are experts in those things, but it won't be easy or cheap to contact them.

"do everything you need to...resolve this case, money won't be a problem, Spiderbite Kingdom will pay for it. Now, Marco recognized your kind, what do you think he will do?" she asked with pure curiosity, not many know about the existence of her maid kind, those who know are very valuable and protected by any means, but what can one teenager do with that news.

"he will ask questions for sure, as he said our race is nearly extinct but there are still few of us running around the Neverzone taking care of problems for higher-ups, he didn't look terrified, only shocked...maybe he knew one of us" she muttered the last words more to herself than Solaria, but she could still hear her, events tomorrow will be interesting when Eclipsa will wake up what she will do, the next days will be or very interesting or very awkward, she laughed loudly confusing her maid, she didn't see anything funny in this situation.

"can you see my Eclipsa saying 'thank you' to Marco? it will be awkward and funny at the same time, the chemistry between them is so weird but funny at the same time" he couldn't help but laugh, she must be there to see this, Gloria could see her point and couldn't help but smile and giggle behind her hand a little, really the things will get interesting from now on.

"But let's end it here, I have to write demands and YOU will help me with it" Solaria pointed to Gloria who tried to walk out of the room unseen, sneaking around in the shadows is her specialty, but not writing.

"as you wish Solaria" she used her name to show how uncomfortable she is with her demand, she walked towards her throne with pen and paper that suddenly materialized in her hand, Solaria did not question it, that kind of behavior was normal for her, she just took the offered things in silence and started thinking of things she should demand as compensation while Gloria waited patiently at her side.

Marco groggily opened his eyes, pain and grogginess came in waves on his body, he hissed as he lifted his abdomen white from bandages, he was confused at the sight, he doesn't remember much from the previous night...or whatever day that was, but he was pretty sure bandages were not so early, they used honey, cobwebs or just let the blood flow till it stopped, cleaning deep wounds with vinegar or something else, the history lessons from Echo Creek became blurry at some point in Neverzone. Marcos' head exploded in memories of the previous night, his laugh, screams, blood, Eclipsa, Blood Moon, Gloria, him destroying his room for some reason, Solaria snapping him from his episode, Glorias...heritage and many words before his vision was black again. Suddenly something crashed into Marcos' side, he yelped and groaned in pain.

"Marco, you are alright, we were so worried...we heard you are unconscious...because-because you had fi-i-ight...it's been few h-hours" he heard someone shout in his ear, Marco groaned and tried to understand what exactly was happening now, someone was shaking him, he heard someone talk, someone he doesn't recognize, his body ached with every move he made.

"he will need to relax for a few more days, if he tries to fight in the upcoming battle I can't guarantee his body will take it as a positive thing" he heard now clearly, it must have been medic, no other option is there, the slam into his body messed with his vision for some reason.

"I'm...perfectly fine to fight…don't try to stop me" he snarled and pointed his finger at whoever said he can't fight, he will grab his sword and fight Solaria if he must prove his point.

"No one said you can't fight, only that you are restricted in the battlefield, and it's my order, Marco, so don't try to...do whatever you want to do" he recognized the voice as Solaria's, she seemed stern and angry at the beginning but happy at the end...for some weird reason.

"Uhm mom...can I speak with Marco...alone if you would please" the fourth voice took him a second to recognize as Eclipsa, she seemed angry, frustrated, and embarrassed at the same time, time seemed to stop as he locked eyes with her, he stared deeply into those purple eyes as she returned the gaze.

"come on sweety, you can say it here, we will pretend to not listen" he looked at Solaria to see her eyes full of fun and mirth even if her face was blank, Marcos student and his friend were close to his bed, Juliet hugged his one side, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder from pure instinct, he questioned himself why he did it but let it go this one time, after all, what happened he need to relax for a while.

"mom...stop" she hissed at her mother with clenched teeth and tense shoulders, what could be so important to be alone. He narrowed his eyes on her, thinking hard.

"You won't kill me...or hurt me in any form right?" he asked with a suspiciously calm voice, Eclipsa rolled her eyes at him.

"no...not yet at least" she whispered the last words under her bed, but Marco still heard her and raised an eyebrow, his sword in his arms reach, if something happens he can...no, he can't kill Eclipsa, Solaria will kill him… after torturing him for eternity, and maybe other things he doesn't want to think about.

"I just wanted to say thank you for saving me from marriage but now I don't think you deserve those words" she huffed and turned her head to the side, she observed the scenery of what's outside, while Marco grew confused and asked the question Solaria would answer in...private.

"and...what exactly happened last night? it's all a blur and flashes for me" he asked with desperation as he looked at Solaria and Eclipsa, those two must know something, Eclipsa glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, meanwhile, Solaria put her head in her hands.

"leave us, Gloria Juliet and Eclipsa can stay, the rest of you must leave, and that's an order" she hissed the last words with a hard glare from between her fingers, two medics alongside with two guards Marco didn't see walked out of his room, Marco felt a shiver down his spine, he had an idea for what occurred but he needs confirmation.

"it happened right?" he asked looking at Gloria, who he remembered what she truly is from last night, she did not answer for a few seconds, looking between his sword and himself, waiting for something to happen, unfortunately, 'Alpha' won't happen...not again, he has some sort of control.

"yes...it took control" Gloria confirmed his theory, Eclipsa and Juliet looked confused between Gloria and Marco, Solaria did not raise her head from her hands concerning her daughter.

"what are you two talking about? what exactly happened last night...and why don't I know anything about it?" Eclipsa demanded to know, Gloria said nothing, looking between Eclipsa and Solaria, she needed permission to speak about the thing from her Queen.

"tell them, Gloria, they are bound to know sooner or later" Solaria's usually hard and loud voice came weak and nearly silent, that put Eclipsa and Juliet on the edge, green-haired Princess never heard her mother so...exhausted before, not even after long days on frontlines, fighting waves upon waves of monsters.

"as you wish for my Queen. You see Princess, what happened was-" her words stuck in her throat as loud whistling sound pierced the air followed by something being ripped apart, Gloria stood from her sit grabbing something from behind her, even Solaria lifted her head to look in the direction the sound came from, Marco was holding his sword in one arm while part of the wall had big diagonal slash decoration the already destroyed room, the blade glows faintly in white, Gloria could swear the blade changed for the second before disappearing, Marco stared unblinkingly at the blade as his head swayed lightly.

"Marco?'' The words near his ear as Juliet made some distance between them, but Marco heard her like she was miles away from, the whole room seemed to grow in size and length, his holding arm shook wildly, but he calmed it just as quickly, focusing on the matter at hand.

"the thing that took control of my body and mind yesterday...forcing my mind and spirit to enter statis...its called Drallmuur, nearly extinct...powerful and dangerous demon...or parasite as many would call it...I think this body is not accustomed to such enforcement allowing it to simply...take me" he said as from his sword holding arm made dark blue veins, pulsing, just as heart would Eclipses eyes widened just as Glorias narrowed, Juliet and Solaria faces were blank.

"It's like from dark magic, if you use too much your wand hand would gain veins too" Eclipsa muttered, she must have already studied the darker side of the book of spells, Marco could only nod.

"This...this is the price one needs to pay for long use of its power...I guess he wanted to play a little and stretch its...limbs, forcing me out of my body and killing those mercenaries there, I can still hear their screams and my laugh" he said weakly with still outstretched 'Alpha' towards the wall.

"you know who I am Marco, I can help you control it in some way, but it won't be painless and kind to your body," Gloria said sitting once again and looking straight in his eyes, he returned the stare with his own, but he wasn't hard, it was exhausted, Juliet hugged his side gently once again; he didn't return the hug.

"Then I need to say...why this sword is named 'Alpha'. It's not without a reason" he said quietly glaring at the sword, it held many, many unpleasant memories he would rather bury deep inside himself than say it to someone.

"i sinned a lot in Neverzone, i wasn't epiphany of good, i killed, i murdered, i abducted and sold...just to survive, i destroyed and raided, killed whole families, selling monsters and their families, thats what im regretting the most, that i got catched into this mess, but fortunately i stopped before i was lost completely...after leaving my old company i found some humans from Earth, they were abducted just like me, we traveled a lot, they even helped me kill some Hekapoos clones...suddenly one of us got sick, we didn't knew what happened, she woke up, stood up and collapsed, without any interference, the next thing we see is that she started killing everyone around us, first was James, she cut his head off with one swipe, next was Jonathan, she forced her hand between his guts and ripped his spine, next is James, Michelle, Kondrad, Sally, Norman, Sigmund, Brad, Sakina, Maura, Adelina and finally Moyna, Sophia because that was her name, she laughed and enjoyed every second of it, the rest of us who tried to stop her saw the sadistic glint in her eyes, i don't have it here, but i and the rest who survived made tattoos on our bodies, listing every person who died with red cross near their names, but continuing my history, we didn't actually killed her ourselves...she kinds died from exhaustion and something we couldn't identify, but we saw, it trying to change hosts, so we did the only thing possible...we runned, surprisingly, the person who helped us where the 'idiot' of the group, i always knew there is something in his head after all" Marco stared at his sword that was placed on his lap, red hue appearing and disappearing every few second, like it was alive.

"and...and what he did?" Eclipsa was the one to ask the question they all had in mind, Marco sighed and hung his head closing his eyes.

NEVERZONE/ SOUL FOREST

"You are crazy, do you think it will work on...that thing?" Marco asked much older, his eyes darting around waiting for the attack to come, they don't know what happened, the only thing they know is that everything happened too fast.

"do you see any other option? if we hand it here and leave then it will stop...probably" Johny snapped at Marco with his back turned towards the circle they all made, considering there are only five of them left it wasn't too big.

"I agree with Marco here, do you think it will stop because of that? what will stop it from exiting the body and grasping new one" shaky and scared voice of Emily said from Marcos's left side, her body shook, even as a war slave she never saw such brutality as...it made, tears running down her cheeks. She forced her body to stand with a sword in her hand, even if it was barely staying still.

"We don't have any other option...this...thing will follow us to our deaths, let strung it here and leave," Jeremy said with a surprisingly calm voice for someone who was the second from death, he grabbed the rope from his backpack and made a knot with slightly shaking hands while others formed a circle around him.

"I will hide behind the tree, the thing will most likely come down this path, take its eyes from me and I will do the job," he said and crouched behind the tree waiting. The four of them stood in a smaller circle, Marco took the responsibility to look for...it.

"Come on...show yourself," Marco said through clenched teeth, his hands and legs shook when he spotted a dark creature walking towards them.

"get ready...it might be it" he whispered towards others who turned in the same direction as him, they spotted it too, walking slowly... too slow, Marco furrowed his eyes at the person, something seemed to drop on the ground every second, Marco took a step closer and heard hard breath that for sure didn't belong to the monster.

"Giovani" Marco's eyes widened when he saw one of his friends he made not long ago, a green-skinned lizard with deep blue eyes, very kind and funny to joke around, somehow he managed to walk into the light, the dim light of the moon, that shown them that half of his face was missing...more like ripped out, flash hanging freely, sharp rows of teeth reflected the moonlight, his chest dripping blood, with five big, deep and wide marks on it, his entire arm was hanging limply like it doesn't have any bones, it might have been the case, no one knows for sure, they don't want to risk.

"i-i-its...close" he managed to say somehow before falling to the ground, wounds finally taking care of him, he was dead for sure, they didn't even need to check. The five of them listened to everything, it could be everywhere, it could turn invisible and be on their side waiting for a moment to strike. Marco barely avoided the spear thrown at his head, he felt it piercing the air, it embedded itself into the ground, the silence followed, they started walking in a circle, it was one of the strategies when your group would be surrounded by enemies.

"can you all...shut the fuck up? we need to concentrate...I don't want to d-" Emily words were cut off when from her neck sipped blood, an arrow piercing Jugular Vein before any of them could react, another pierced her eye socket, this time from another direction, Emily fell on the ground dead before they reacted, now only three left in a circle.

"Look at the trees, it needs to be hiding there...I will lure it out" Marco took the responsibility, he has the biggest chance of survival considering he was awarded the title 'the killer' after the war.

"Be safe," someone from the circle whispered. Marco turned them out and focused only on trees and darkness. Suddenly an idea struck him: why must he wait in darkness when they can lure it out using brightness?

"Light up torches and throw them in the woods, the wind will help lure it out" Marco shouted and said just that, getting a torch from his belt he quickly used spell gloves he bought for all of them. Soon the fire started spreading, luckily for them wood and trees are nearly dry as dirt, but the fire wasn't on their side, the shadows melted creating shades of persons, animals, and monsters, even near them they could see someone standing, Marco didn't know if it was a real person or not, gods must be on their side, deep down from woods and animalistic screech was heard which bristle hair on their necks, Jeremy rejoined them with rope at the ready.

"protect me, when it will attack I will try to wrap it around its throat" he whispered in fear it will hear them...they don't know they are watched, shadows melting into one creature, not resembling a human monster or any creature, it was just...that….a creature made purely from shadows.

"it's here and it's...it's...something" Marcos voice died in his throat as he looked at the thing, black long tentacles where its head was, something similar to mouth in the middle of it, body moving in the air, like a puppet of some sort, skin replaced by needles...or something very similar to it, they twitched in the direction where Marco placed his foot, making nearly inaudible sound, it scratched once again but did not attack them, it just levitated in the air...waiting.

"w-what is that thing?" Marco was the only one who asked, no one answered him, entranced by the weird sight, they don't know any monster, spell...or something which could turn human into...that.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Marco turned around to see his friends looking straight at the monstrosity with blank faces, only Jeremy who hid behind Marco remained with his mind, still waiting to make a move.

"MaRco UbALdO DiaZ" spoke with a stuttering voice. Marco didn't show the surprise on his face. How does this monster know the name he didn't give anyone? Only Marco is known in those lands.

"you are strong if you can withstand the control...or maybe this sword is helping" this time it was a deep voice, a male voice, not the original person, Marco furrowed his brow in confusion, he ordered this sword to be made by some smith he met in an alleyway...could the person be better than he thought they are?.

"yes...it's the sword. How did you acquire the blade that is cursed and blessed at the same time mortal?" it said tilting its...tentacle to side, it was still levitating moving its weird skin in different directions. Marco thought in answer, he did not exactly know who was the person who made his sword, he only took it because it was cheap, he was nudged by Jeremy snapping him out of his mind.

"It was made by some smith in the alleyway, that's all I know," he said, hiding the fear as best as he could, Marco felt the creature looking him in the eyes searching for any hint of doubt.

"i...see," it said, followed by silence as both of them were just standing and levitating, waiting for something both didn't quite know.

"then you were quite a lucky mortal, the person who made this weapon is...special to say it easy," it said following with laugh incoming from each side, Marco's eyes darted to everything around them, many things like the one in front surrounded them, Marco forcefully took Jeremy's sword from his hand, he has the biggest experience in a fight among them all, so he can create an opening for escape, they will bring forces from the city when they will arrive, hopefully, they will arrive in the city.

"those are my children mortal...I will be kind enough and let you all live...under one condition...you Marco Ubaldo Diaz must bond with one of them" it floated closer to him, Marco saw red mist coming from its body, the...children as he called them neared them as well, Jeremy dared to look from the ground, but Marco didn't have such problem, his eyes counted dozens of those things, many could still be in shadows.

"one of my children will choose you as its host...don't be afraid mortal, it won't change you into me, it will just intervene itself with your DNA, it will be as another part of your body...now let's see'' Marco waited with bated breath for something to happen, time-stretched as Marco, Jeremy and Father waited in bated silence for something to happen. Marco's eyes scanned each row of those...Children, he imagined what he must have to do to survive the fight that maybe will break between them, he doesn't even know if he can kill one, but he must try to guarantee the safety of others, who still was standing, a blank look on their faces, Father has full control of them all. Marco barely saw himself being consumed by white mist, everything disappeared, the whole forest, Children, and Father were gone, his friends too, he was alone, standing in the middle of white space.

"hello master" he heard hissing and clicking sound behind him, he quickly turned to come face to face with a monster, white with brown pulsing spots, Marco looked fully at the creature in front of him, it was very similar compared to a human, it towered over him, it was nearly double his size and strength, it stood like it was ready to kill him, Marco put his hand on the hilt of his weapon, just in case. He felt warmth coming from the hold, he looked down briefly and saw it was shining in black color, a black hand symbol appeared on the monster's chest.

"I see" it muttered, Marco quickly connected the dots, the monster, the Child possessed his sword, well...better than him.

"what can I expect from this bond?" he demanded to know, as its new...master, he must know everything he can.

"you will be stronger, faster, and smarter when you wake up like another human were connected to your body lending its abilities, I can speak to you whenever I want, I will help you when you will need me the most, don't rely on me all the time master," it said and sipped slowly into the sword, Marcos world disappeared into blackness.

"and don't worry, you and your friends...what was left of them are alive and well, their memories were cleared, they don't know you, it's better that way Master...Father is not killing anyone he can because it's fun, he killed on those he must gain his body back, he is not a complete monster...not yet at least" it laughed as Marcos's eyes closed even if he wanted to remain awake.

"sir...sir please wake up, you're blocking the road-" monster stopped shaking Marcos body when the blade was pressed to his neck, he immediately put his hands up in the air in an act of surrender, Marco stood up and looked around, he was somewhere else, near the town he never was before, his body wasn't exhausted or weakened from this whole 'bonding'.

"I said Master that I will lend you my strength when you need it...and you should do something about those guards' ' Marco flinched at the sound in his head but regained his composure quickly. The child was right, two guards had their spears pointed in his direction.

"Where am I," he asked and pressed the blade to the poor monster's neck, it whimpered and did not answer.

"you are on near the main gate to Cork city, put down the weapon and let merchant go or we will be forced to restrain you" one of them came closer to him, spear still pointed into him, ready to be used, Marco eyes the guard, he could be able to kill the three, but that would alarm the city, and he needs to rest, for now, he has a lot of thinking to do.

"You can use my strength to show them who is in charge here" Marco didn't know why but he liked the idea Child gave him, he concentrated on his sword, it got white and burned the monster's skin, he screamed and jumped from Marco with wide eyes full of fear.

"He is one of them, '' one guard whispered, letting go of his spear and quickly kneeling, the second followed, ending on the merchant. Marco's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline, he was expecting a fight...not this.

"told you to show them who is in charge here, everything will be explained in time Master," the child said confusing him even more but he pocketed his sword, observing changes in the blade and hilt, the blade has now white stripe running in the middle, from hilt to tip, the grip was now warm in touch, it seemed to melt to make his grip as best as it could, the pommel was now white eye with a black slit in the middle instead of a simple ball.

"Please follow us, sir, we have much to talk about" Marco obediently followed the guards, but not before giving the merchant purse filled to the brim with gold coins.

But that is for another time" Marco finished his story holding now the newly changed blade, he didn't need to hide the blade, he could wield it proudly as one of the Children, silence was what answered him, he sighed internally, he knew the reaction wouldn't be the best.

"don't worry Master, if something happens I'm here" Marco can finally stop calling it 'Alpha' even if it sounds appropriate and cool in his opinion, he should show some respect to someone who saved his life last night….again.

"so...you want to tell me I have a superhuman as my teacher?" Juliet asked with awe and confusion in her voice, the prospect of having someone like Marco as a teacher is a blessing sent from above. Marco smiled and nodded, he stood from his bed and stretched.

"cool...can your sword talk?" Juliet asked with shining eyes, maybe she can tell her friends...when she makes them think that her teacher has a talking sentient sword.

"Yes I am a young mortal, all of Fathers Children can speak and we ARE sentient" Marcos sword white eye glowed brightly with each spoken word, Juliet blushed at being caught.

"This can't leave this room, everyone here must swear they won't reveal this...not now at least, sooner or later Marco will use...him...be it in battle or war, Means will know about him, but now is not the time. Marco, you said this...Child will lend you its powers, then why did you nearly die?" Solaria said with narrowed eyes at him, Marco to tell the truth was confused too.

"because my form is adapted to his other form from Neverzone, not this younger and weaker type, I'm still working on it" Child nearly sounded ashamed and angry as he said that, Marco looked ashamed for being called weak.

"Then what was this episode where he started destroying his room for no reason?" Gloria this time asked, something is not adding up in this story.

"because the power I gave him didn't pass, and he needed to put them somewhere...you are welcome Master, I saved your life...again," Child said emphasizing the last word, more than one eyebrow was raised at this.

"either way...let's go-to breakfast, you Marco must eat this time with others in the dining hall, Spiderbite family is here for peace talk...and don't worry my dear, I canceled your wedding, but I suspect this won't be the last time we hear from the Spiderbite Kingdom" Solaria smiled at her daughter who returned the gesture she is grateful, Marco, Child, and her Mother, if not they, she would be still stuck with a white child, especially Marco, he saved her from Blood Moon curse after all.

"Then next time when they step out of line, the kingdom will have great changes," no one said anything to those words, everyone understood the threat between the lines.

"well...let's get something to eat Juliet, your friend can join us" Marco tried to move but his knees gave up, Juliet caught his arm and helped him to stand, she wrap her arms around his waist holding him in place while Marco put his arm on her shoulders, slowly both of them walked towards doors, Eclipsa opened the doors, the person behind them quickly jumped back and smiled like she just wasn't listening...or trying to, Marco raised eyebrow and looked with obvious accusation on his face at her.

"Charlotte, please don't try to listen to what is going on inside the room where the Queen and Princess are ok?" Marco said quietly while forcing his arm on her shoulder stabilizing himself more, she hesitantly nodded with blush and helped Juliet walk Marco towards the dining hall.

"He will say this 'secret' to Juliet's friend right?" Eclipsa asked her mother and Gloria who could only nod with a heavy sigh.

"Indeed he will...well, I wish you a pleasant day Princess...My Queen, I have a job to do" Gloria bowed to both of them and walked in the opposite direction, leaving mother and daughter alone in the hallway.

"I need you with me, my love, you can demand compensation from the Spiderbite Kingdom for their crimes' ' Solaria rubbed her daughter's arm, Eclipsa nodded her agreement, but she didn't want to see Shastacan ever again in her life.

"Okay mom, let's go, hopefully, it will be the last time I'm seeing him" she grabbed her mother's arm intertwining both of their arms as they slowly walked to the inevitable meeting.

No one saw Marcos sword arm has white veins instead of purple, he finally gained some sort of control...at least for now.

AN: SORRY IF I CAME LATE WITH THIS CHAPTER BUT I HAD A SMALL PROBLEM. I WAS IN HOSPITAL FOR SOME TIME, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY FOR HOW LONG, I GOT OUT TODAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED FOR ME TO BE THERE, NO ONE WANTS TO TELL ME ANYTHING, BUT I THINK IT MUST HAVE BEEN PRETTY BAD. EITHER WAY, I DECIDED TO DO THIS CHAPTER QUICKLY, PLEASE SAY IF I MESSED SOMETHING, MY HEAD IS NOT EXACTLY IN THE PROPER PLACE, AND AS SOMEONE IN THE COMMENTS SAID, I DECIDED TO WORK ON THE NEXT AND PREVIOUS CHAPTERS GRAMMAR, USING DIFFERENT SITES AND ALL, SO YOU CAN EXPECT THEM TO BE REWRITTEN, I WON'T ADD MANY THINGS, MOSTLY GRAMMAR WILL BE BETTER, SO YOU WON'T NEED TO REREAD THEM, NOTHING IN STORY WILL BE ADDED OR ERASED. TILL NEXT TIME, AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS CHAPTER PLS