Chapter 4

The Hollowed Shrine

(Part 3)


-One Week Later-

For a week, I had been waking up to the same sight over and over again – black and blankness. It was all because of the bandages that were still wrapped around my eyes. I thought I preferred it that way. It kept me seeing those scary red lines that could chop anything in its wake.

However, today, I was expecting someone to appear again. It had already been a week since I started my psychiatric treatment with Touko. At first, I didn't like her since she looked like a really good psychiatrist, and her talents would just be wasted on me, who had already lost hope on living. But now, I couldn't help but look forward to talking to her again.

However, I still had my suspicions about her so-called 'psychiatrist' profession. My guard was still up around her in case she suddenly showed her true-colors to me.

I felt that she was more than what she claimed to be.

However, despite all that, she was a good listener and talker. Maybe it was just me trying to find someone to talk or connect with now that I was all alone.

My thoughts were cut when I heard the door open and a couple of footsteps approached me.

"Heya, Markus. Good morning!" I couldn't help but make a small smile. Touko was finally here.

"Good morning, Ms. Touko."

"Oh my, I keep telling you to call me Touko. But whatever, if that's what you prefer to call me." She said in a cool manner as she walked away and opened the window. The gentle warm air of June poured into my room.

"Now then, what should we talk about today…Marky?"

'Marky…' 'Marky' was my nickname. Right after Touko said that, a memory flashed before my black vision.

I remembered Molly and Terra. They were the ones who usually called me that whenever they wanted to greet or say something good to me. The memories that I remembered were filled with events that involved my two beloved sisters. And I couldn't help but feeling sad.

The memories that I remembered were all happy and filled with light, ones that I wanted to relive and experience again. But I could not because all of it felt so far away now.

Before I knew it, my sadness surged inside my heart and it made my tears fall across my cheeks. I was crying and it made Touko gasped.

"Ma-Markus?" Touko called me, her voice filled with concern. She was shocked to my sudden burst of tears.

"I-I am sorry for startling you, Ms. Touko. You see… 'Marky' is my nickname. And I've been called like that…only by my family." And I can't help but miss them. I reasoned out as I wiped my tears with my hand.

"Oh, uh…I'm sorry if I made you sad. Shall I stop calling you Marky?"

"No…its just that…" I couldn't decide whether or not I liked to be called by my nickname. It made me miss my family. However, since Touko wanted to make a connection with me, I completely gave in. "You can call me 'Marky'."

"Ok then… 'Marky'." Touko said with a hint of awkwardness before she cleared her throat and added. "Since you mentioned your family earlier, maybe that's the topic we will discuss for today."

I shifted my head towards her, and made a nod. "Yeah…let's do that."


It had been an hour since I started to tell tales about my family. Touko, in her usual self, was silent, though I could tell that she was listening to me since I could hear her making soft snorts of approval.

"And that is my family in a nutshell." I finished my story with a heavy sigh. Silence enveloped for a moment between me and the psychiatrist until I heard her move and pull a chair towards my bed.

"So, if I understand this correctly, you have two fathers." Touko began as she sat down on her chair. "Your first father was your surrogate father, Scott Murphy, a human, who had passed away. And then you have a second father, Mark Grayson, who was your biological father and the current Emperor of Viltrumites…am I right?"

"Yes."

An amused hum escaped from Touko's lips as she proceeded. "You have two sisters, Terra and Molly. I could tell that you really love them and they both love you unconditionally."

Yes…I wanted to reply to the woman, but I couldn't. I only lowered my head as my chest welcomed the feeling of guilt that began to weigh me down again.

"And…you have only one mother, whose name is—excuse me—Anysha?"

"No, and I don't want to correct you about that jezebel's name. That bitch is not my mother." I spat at Touko. Anger was now making home inside my guts.

"Ok, ok, I'm sorry." The psychiatrist said and cleared her throat before she proceeded again. "I understand why you hate her. However, if I recall, your second father told you that you must understand her…because she didn't know any better."

"It's still inexcusable, Touko. I blame her for everything!" I raised my voice and gnashed my teeth. The anger inside of me was now trying to control me, seducing me to let out my uncontrollable rage.

"Now, now, Marky…calm down." Touko, sensing my rising rage, called to me in her gentle voice. It quickly affected me and brought me to the realization that I must control my anger so that I wouldn't lashed out and destroy this hospital's room.

"I'm sorry, Touko. I just can't handle her. I…I truly hate her. She's the reason why my life is now in hell." I began to reason, the anger inside of me slowly being replaced with the familiar heavy feeling of despair.

I then heard Touko make a heavy, long sigh before she spoke. "I understand that. However, Marky, you also told me that you haven't seen her face, and for some reason, your first father didn't even show one single photo of her to you. You only know her crime, but you don't truly know her."

"What are you saying, Touko?" I shifted on my bed, an uncomfortable feeling suddenly enveloping me.

"I'm saying that…you're being blinded by your own anger. You must know the whole story and all the truths. I'm not defending her or anything, truly what she's done is unforgivable and she deserves all the hate she gets…but since you also said your first father had fallen in love with her and she'd fallen in love with him…maybe she wasn't fully a monster." The psychiatrist paused before she added. "Maybe…she had changed into a better person."

I sat still for a moment and absorbed her words. It was true that I never truly knew my mother, only her crime and how Scott had described her to me. He had told me that he fell in love with her and that she was a loving person who always wanted to stay with him. The old man would also love to tell me how she was excited to be a mother Molly and I, that she would always love the two of us, forevermore.

I may not truly know her. I may not know the whole story about her.

But…still she committed a crime. She raped my biological father and I was the result of it. If she had truly changed, then why did Scott never talk about it? Why was my second father still terrified of the memory of being assaulted by her?

The answer to that was very clear to me and a complete counter argument to Touko's suggestion.

"That's bullshit." I spat again with bitterness.

"Come again?"

"Touko, if what you had said is correct, then why did Scott never tell me about it? Why was my second father still terrified of her? Let's face it, she never changed for the better, and if she did, it isn't enough for me to forgive her." I said firmly, my voice slowly becoming grave as I continued. "I will never forgive her. She's the reason why I cannot love my second father anymore! She's the reason why I cannot become a hero anymore! She's also the reason why I'm in this hellish state…and why Molly is dead…and why Terra-!"

I couldn't handle it anymore. My tears burst from my eyes and I broke down crying again. My heart collapsed and the gates cracked open, letting my despair pour out in an uncontrollable manner.

I couldn't help it. Even though I was to blame for my own mishap, I wanted to blame everything on her – my mother, the accursed woman of my life. And it was all because of her that I would never fulfill my dreams of becoming a superhero…and finding someone I could love wholeheartedly.


I didn't know how long I cried, but eventually, I stopped crying and all I could feel was a heavy numbing feeling. Touko was still silent, but I could tell that she could feel my sadness. I didn't know how, but it seemed she completely understood what I had just said.

"Marky." At last, she reacted to me with her soothing voice. "Despite what you said, your second father, and your two sisters, completely love you. I know it may look awkward at first, but if you give it a chance, things will straighten out." She began, her understanding voice slowly shifting into a hopeful one. "Plus, you can still be a superhero. You can still wear the mask of 'Invincible.' Let me tell you something. You said that Superheroes exist just to become an inspiration to the masses who are afraid to do what's right, but in reality, that's not quite how it works." Touko paused for a moment before she added. "This world doesn't truly need Superheroes. It only needs good people to do the right thing. You're a good person…You just need to find the courage to stand up and start helping people."

I was surprised with her words of encouragement. I didn't expect her to say a lot of good words to me.

"Ms. Touko…" I tried to say something to the psychiatrist, but I was so lost and confused that I couldn't come up with anything.

Touko must have noticed my confusion. I heard her make a soft, gladdened snort. "Is it too much to process?"

"No. I wasn't expecting you to say such things." I answered lividly as I shifted my head to the ceiling. The existence of superheroes, for me, was to be a perfect model for the people. We were the ones who usually inspired everyone to do better or just simply be good to one another. However, despite all that, reality was very much broad and confusing. The line between good and bad were usually muddy and the definition of both wasn't always linear. Touko was right. Maybe the world only needed people to do the right thing.

I wanted to agree with her. Her words were resounding and right. But I didn't feel like I agreed with her entirely. I didn't yet have the courage to stand and become a hero once more.

"Touko…what you've said is good. But I'm sorry," I lowered my head and sighed in disappointment. "I don't have the courage yet to move on from this and become a superhero again."

"That's ok. Baby steps, Marky. This session is all about taking your first baby steps towards your recovery." I heard the familiar beep of Touko's recorder, which also meant that today's session was finally done.

"Well, that ends our seventh session for today! Hooray! I'm glad to see that you're making some progress."

"I apologize, Ms. Touko, if my progress is slow."

"What are you saying? Progress is progress, be it slow or not." Touko chimed cheerfully as she stood up and pushed the chair back to the wall.

"By the way, I heard from the doctors that you're ok now and that they'll remove your bandages tomorrow…before they discharge you that is. Congratulations! You are finally free from this depressing institute."

Huh? My heart suddenly began to pound as fear swirled viciously inside my guts. The doctors would finally remove the bandages around my eyes, which meant I might see those red lines again.

I gulped down in horror. I did not want to see those scary images of bodies falling apart and blood spraying everywhere.

"Now then, see you tomorrow, Marky. Bye!"

I tried to call her, but before I could do so, the door of my room closed as Touko left me.


-Third P.O.V.-

Touko closed the door behind her and made an exhausted sigh. She had done her typical job again and, as usual, it took her a long time to say the right words to the boy.

Marky…you're truly a strange person—no—Viltrumite. The woman lowered her head and began to walk away.

You're both unfortunate and fortunate. You're loved by many…but you'll never return your feelings to them. She stopped in front of the elevator and pressed the button. The door opened immediately and she proceeded inside. Her face still etched a hardened frown.

"You're a good man, Marky…but sadly, this universe of ours has certain laws. And one of those laws is… 'Anything that is born from hate…will feel nothing but hate.'" The elevator made a loud ding and it opened to the hospital's lobby. She walked out and continued her way towards the exit.

Rest assured though, Marky…I'll try and help you. But by the end of the day, you're the only one who can help yourself. Touko formed a small, sad smirk as she continued sympathizing with Markus's, her patient's, fate. However, her thoughts were cut as she sensed a strong yet familiar aura. It made her stop.

Touko looked forward just in time to see a familiar man with black auburn hair, climbing up the stairs towards the entrance. His shades shifted towards her, reflecting her small smile that slowly turned into a wild, Cheshire-like grin.

"So, you're going to strike tonight?" she asked in a discreet manner, but the man didn't react. He only walked past her with an unmoving scowl plastered on his scarred face.

"Well, good luck then." Touko merely bid good luck to the man in a teasing manner as she watched him disappear after he made a turn on a corner. The psychiatrist's face then returned to a stoic expression before she took out a cigarette and puffed smoke from her mouth.

"Marky, I'm afraid today's treatment session will be our last one…because the real one is about to start." I hope you're ready to wake up, Markus. She thought with a hopeful tone as she turned her back at the hospital and walk away.


-Third P.O.V.- Hospital's Morgue

Kairi Shishigou was a mercenary mage with a perfect and impeccable record of getting the job done. However, the job that he had right now had become complicated.

I never thought I would have to use my treasured mystic code…just to get those eyes. The man cursed as he took a step on the floor of a poorly-lit basement corridor in the hospital. The job would have been too easy for him, getting those mystic eyes out of the boy, but there was one problem. The boy – Markus Murphy – was a Viltrumite, the most dangerous alien race in the entire universe.

He cursed his rotten luck for not getting the eyes sooner, but he could only straighten himself up as he reached the door with the label 'MORGUE' on the surface.

"No use crying over a spilt bourbon." He said gravely before he opened the door. His eyes adjusted to a wide room and then to a long line of gurneys with bodies on them.

"Oh well, time to work." He moved his hand to the inner pockets of his leather jacket and took out an object. The man flashed an Egyptian Ankh, colored in gold and black. A wild and nervous smile formed on his face.

"By the power of Anpu, serve your remaining time to me." The ankh glowed in golden aura after he chanted the words. Kairi observed the bodies covered in white blankets, waiting for a reaction.

And then he heard a soft ruffle of cloth.

One thing that is good on Necromancy…is that the dead will do the job for you. And as a Necromancer Mage, I have nothing but the dead at my disposal.

"Arise puppets of mine…We have a Viltrumite to kill." The Necromancer Mage said as the dead bodies began to twitch and thrash, throwing their respective white blankets to the floor.

Within minutes, Kairi stared at a group of freshly reanimated dead corpses, all ready to do his bidding.


From the moment Touko left me, I only sat still on my bed. I did not know how many hours I sat in that position, but I knew that the moon had already risen high and the night was already deep.

It had been an hour since the last nurse of the day visited me. I should be sleeping so that I could wake up early tomorrow, but I couldn't do so.

My mind was running wild from terror. Tomorrow, the doctors would remove the bandages around my eyes and I would be discharged. I would see the blue sky once again…and together with it, the accursed red lines.

Those red lines that seemed like they could cut through anything, gash through many people without mercy – I would see them every day.

Every day, I will see nothing but blood and gore.

"No!" I screamed to no one as I gave into my terror. I could not bear seeing such horrifying sights every single day. I knew it was a curse, a karma, that I received from hurting my family with my stupid decision, but I didn't want to see it ever again!

However, what was the answer to this problem then? Suicide was a big no. I didn't want to go back to that scary, endless void. And then, it struck me.

An idea formed on my mind that would prevent me from seeing those red lines.

"I must blind myself." I said to no one as I exhaled sharply.

"I don't want to see those red lines. I don't want those horrors beyond my comprehension!" I raised both of my index fingers and slowly moved it closer to my bandages.

"I'm sorry, little Viltrumite. I can't let you do that." I stopped. A grave man's voice had completely surprised me, but before I could move, my back was suddenly thrown back to my bed. Hands, many of them, took hold of my wrists, shoulders, chest and ankles.

"Wh—What!" I was completely pinned down and I could tell it was because of many people. What's more, these people were humans. "Let go of me-!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Markus Murphy." The newly arrived intruder said as he moved to the foot of my bed.

"Who are you, and why are you doing this!?" I shouted in panic, trying to learn the man's name and to draw attention from whoever was outside my room.

"No one will come and help you, Markus. I made sure of that. And as for my name," He paused before he introduced himself with a hint of smugness in his voice. "My name is Kairi Shishigou and I am a Necromancer Mage. I'm here to pluck your eyes out…and kill you, if it's possible."


Woo-hoo new chapter has arrive! I would like to thank everyone who read my fanfic. I do hope that my story has entertain you.

Looks like things are heating up with an arrival of another mage. How do you think Markus would fare against the reanimated corpses? How would he fare against the Necromancer mage? And most important of all, will he still choose the path of heroism...or will her choose an even better route. Stay tuned for more!

Thinker out!

Special thanks to Pure Red Crane for beta-reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Kara no Kyoukai and Invincible. Names, places, and events are all fictional. If one exists in real life, then its purely coincidental.