Broken Vows

The waves crash on the side of the boat as her hair dances in the wind, My Princess her eyes are the last treasure any man could ever need when the sun strikes them they glow more vibrant than any coin. A smile that would blind the sun. 

"Are you alright? For a girl who grew up at sea you get sea sick often these days." A slight chuckle leaves my lips as her glare runs me through with more precision than a saber.

"Oi! Don't be laughin' too hard, when it's yer turn to chum the waters." gives a playful eye roll But fair warning "I'll be the one chucklin', Chucklin` you overboard." 

"Alright, I'll hold off for now. It's almost sunrise." The bottom of the small boat grinds against the sand as the beach takes hold. "We're here." I offered her my hand to help her ashore. Always sure of herself, as she landed tripping on the sand I catch her in my arms and get lost in her eyes. 

"Thanks for the save. I guess I owe you one" Shoving Marcus into the sand. " Now get up or we'll miss the sunset" 

"Ouch, as you command" chuckling as I took to my feet.

"OI!" Shoving Marcus back into the sand. "What did I say about chucklin` at me!" 

"Okay,okay" I stood up and we continued into the dusk, making it to the edge of a boulder with a perfect view of the ocean. "Our own little paradise" Sitting there besides one another just letting the world happen around us, the birds sang as the run rose above the ocean. Her head resting on my shoulder. "Hey, Rachel. Will you run away from all this with me and be my wife? Slipping a ring out from my pocket and offering it to her. 

"Aye, You finally figured it out?" With a soft and glowing smile. "Ye…" Beep. Bzzzzp.Bzzzp. The door alarm blared as it forced marcus awake.

"Whoever that is, they will die today." Face in the pillow Marcus's hand reaches for the empty space on the bed. That was the day our life together started, but also when it ended. That was the night that I led the elvish fleet to salvador's. I killed all the lookouts and waited on the rock for her to arrive as the ships burned. In the morning i found her scared and afraid, the terror and trauma of the night had taken away her memories and she was never the same.

Light broke through the curtains, casting a faint glow on the small apartment. The door alarm screamed and hissed, jolting Marcus from his slumber. Disoriented and groggy, he forced himself out of bed, the mix of radio chatter and steam from the alarm filling the room. With a stumble, he tripped over a discarded bottle on the floor, making his way to the buzzer to grant the guest entry to the building.

In a rush, Marcus searched for his scattered clothes, finally answering the door to reveal the familiar figure of Doctor Lorien. The good doctor had come to check in on his patient, an expression of concern etched on his face as he surveyed the now cluttered space.

"It's been 3 weeks since I left you here," Lorien remarked, his voice a mix of worry and reassurance. "Let's do a quick physical, and then I'll be out of your hair."

With practiced hands, Lorien pulled out a wooden box adorned with pipes and gears, and another containing a series of tubes and vials. Marcus knew all too well the purpose of these contraptions – they were tools to aid him in his recovery.

"You do have to take care of yourself, you know," Lorien continued, his tone firm yet caring. "The drugs can only do so much."

As Marcus submitted to the examination, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the doctor's presence. In a world rife with danger and uncertainty, having someone like Lorien by his side was a rare comfort, a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Marcus scowled at the doctor but nodded in acknowledgment as Lorien scolded him about his neglected leg. "Oh, you do? That's why your leg looks worse than before. The festering scar's left by the elves' claws scab and blister as puss leaks with every step taken. Careful, or it will start to rot," Lorien warned, his tone tinged with both exasperation and genuine concern.

"It gets the job done," Marcus replied with a hint of defiance, unwilling to admit the severity of his injuries.

"I guess so," Lorien conceded, though his worry remained evident. "Well, any luck on your quest for vengeance?" he inquired.

"Just that pile of papers on the table. A few leads, but most of my contacts refuse to deal with me since H.E.A.T cut me loose," Marcus replied with a tinge of bitterness in his voice.

"Was it them?" Lorien asked, curious about the organization that had left Marcus stranded.

"I don't know yet, but I will soon. I contacted an old friend for help," Marcus revealed, trying to keep his emotions in check.

Lorien proceeded to draw a sample of Marcus's blood, his expertise in medical matters ever present. "At least you still have a few people you can trust," Lorien remarked, a glimmer of hope in his words.

As the door alarm hissed and the tension in the room grew, Lorien questioned, "Are you expecting anyone else?"

The alarm stopped and restarted multiple times, prompting Marcus to raise a finger, a warning etched on his face. "No matter what is said, do not laugh or even giggle!" he commanded, his intense gaze capable of freezing over any fire and stopping even time itself.

Two men walk through the threshold, one clad in a long tail coat with a sword on his hip, the other is a man with long gray hair and emerald eyes, the wrinkles of stress plague his clean shaven face, wearing a simple suit and leather overcoat, leaning onto a cane at his side.

"Well,Marcus, my old friend. It's been quite a while since we last crossed paths." With a sly grin "Of all the places you could had ran off to. You were right under my nose?" The man paced back and forth getting more and more angry with every step. "To think I would let this happen… In my own city… no, no, NO!" he stomped up to Marcus getting in his face. "YOU LET THIS HAPPEN, IT IS BECAUSE OF YOU MY DAUGHTER IS DEAD!" Spit flung from his face landing on marcus.

"Salvadore. I wasn't expecting you so soon." Taken back and sheepish, Taking the scolding.

"Oi, you think after ten years I would not rush over?" Drawing a weapon from his coat pocket. "DO you know how many sleepless nights I've dreamt of killing you? The gun in his hand begins to groan as sparks shine from within the glass barrel. " After all these years I should just pull the trigger and end you…" Lowering the gun as the winning slows to a stop. "You are probably the only person who feels my pain."

"I'll just leave you two to catch up." Lorien begins to pack his things to leave.

 "No, Lorien. Stay. That's not an option right now. No one just walks away from Salvadore Nigel Phileas Kingsford." Turning his head to face the doctor. "Don't worry Dr. Niwrad, I already know all about you. I do not intend to buy your magic tonics or elixirs, but I will not interrupt your experiments. Especially since you seem to be the only thing keeping my boy mobile. If anything, your work here should be bolstered, I need him alive for the short term… that is until i kill him myself."

"What brings you here so soon, Salvadore?." 

"You called me asking for my help.. I've heard some interesting rumors about you and who you fought." stepping back as he lights a cigar. " Those burns on your leg and arms are from a rather angry cat. This cat does tend to hold grudges."

"So, you know who killed her? Is that what you're saying? Was it him?" Marcus attempting to stand but wincing in the pain, "where is he?"

"Marcus, After all we've been through i had such high hopes for you my boy." Puffing smoke in Marcus's face. "This elf is Rixon, a high up member of the Thunder legion, once the royal guard to the king of the elves. Until your grandfather killed him."

"I don't care who he is! I will kill him with my own hands if I have to." enrages Marcus finds the strength to stand.

"I always admired your courage, Marcus." Salvadore picked up the pile of papers left around the table, as he began to examine them. "I heard you were looking into H.E.A.T's more envisioned plans."

"I was only looking into the disappearances of the innocent people who the corrupt officers take off the streets to meet quota. I just wanted to help them. Even the prisoners of the war that disappeared haunt me."

"We have a common focus. But don't think for a second that I've forgotten about your past actions, Marcus. This will be a simple trade to locate and free Rixon from that stronghold, Then subdue him and bring him to me, we can interrogate him together like old times."

"That will be easier said than done. Yes, I do know where they have been keeping those who were captured." Marcus looked over a piece of paper on the table. "That floor will be crawling with security. To do this without being seen will be almost impossible.

"Marcus, I don't care if they see you or not. I remember The Widowmaker never shied away from getting his hands dirty for the job. All I want is Rixon alive so I can turn him inside out, that's it."

"But.." Looking down at his hands one scarred and the other clean Marcus wondered what more he would lose, just to gain a few of these answers.

"What is it you're after? Get out of this hope for a bloodless revenge and be yourself again. Be my widow-maker. Head down to Lily's place and clear your head. A night with a woman would do you some good to wake up from this dream." Stepping out of the door nodding to Marcus as he leaves. 

"Life lost,

Revenge on hold.

A debt best paid in full.

Bring me his head, to save your own.

Run fast,

Little boy."