Joel looked pissed, his hand dropped down to his sidearm and he took a set forward.
Mark stared at Joel with cold eyes. Energy flowed into his construct, causing the Mana to hum.
All he needed was for the guy to twitch. If he made the first move Mark would crush him.
One of the men beside Mark then spoke up.
"Sarge, the major-"
"I know!" Joel snapped at him.
After a moment the snarl eased off his face as he masked his emotions.
“It's the Major that wants to see you, about what I am not too sure. I was just told to bring a civi in” Joel said.
Mark noted the venom when he used the word civi. He also chose to use the Majors title rather than his name.
Mark remained still for a moment longer, watching Joel.
“Tell the Major that if he attempts to use force with me again, none of you will like what happens,” Mark said in a serious tone.
The squad tensed. Some in anger others in trepidation.
“We’ll keep that in mind,” Joel said in an almost amused tone the two soldiers nearest to Mark didn't look so convinced.
Mark didn’t care that he was being underestimated. That was better actually. It was possible the guy was lumping him together with other healers. Even if he had seen what Mark had done on the wall -though he doubted it- he probably thought he could handle whatever Mark could dish out.
“Great, and you’re in luck. Now that I know it’s the Major who wants to see me I’m interested. But you really need a PR team guys,” Mark said lazily.
Mark had not made this decision lightly. He had very nearly told them to fuck off back where they came from. However, doing that would have consequences for his neutral stance. If he wanted to remain free to do as he pleased then he had to make sure to treat all comers fairly. He had heard SAGE out and had a really good relationship with them. It was now time to hear from the other side, regardless of his existing dislike.
“Alright lead the way,” Mark said.
Joel nodded and began walking back the way Mark had come from. Only this time they deviated from the main path this time, passing a checkpoint he had never seen before.
They took Mark to another section of the soldier's quarters. Unlike Major Dureal’s section which was surrounded by tents and busy soldiers. The soldiers led Mark to a more remote section of the camp. The tents were bigger and further apart here and there was overall less foot traffic. Mark actually saw people dressed in civilian clothing moving in and out of the tents.
Mark frowned at the implications of this. To him, it looked like the people here were living significantly better lives than the ones in the civilian quarters. It looked like one whole tent was shared by just four to five people, whereas one of the same-sized tents normally housed 40 people.
They were also much better protected in this area, surrounded by soldiers and the secondary wall. Continuing on Mark even saw guards outside certain tents.
Eventually, the squad led him to a command tent. Mark entered and Joel followed him in.
“Major, Civilian Mark Young has been collected, sir,” Joel said with a strictly maintained stance and salute.
Several people were in the room, flitting about the Major. Reports sprawled across every inch of the usable table.
Maps adorned the canvas walls.
Altogether it was not unlike Major Dureal's tent. With the exception of the extra bodies.
“Greetings Mark Young, I’m sure you have questions.” the Major said without looking up from the document he was signing.
Once he had finished he handed it off to a man Mark recognized.
Mr. Joseph Grantwood, the Majors brother according to Sam.
“I trust your trip here was pleasant,” the major said, finally looking up at Mark.
“Not entirely, but I’m here now. What is it I can help you with” Mark asked.
Joel tensed up next to Mark.
The major's eyes flickered over to him and back to Mark.
“... That’s unfortunate, rest assured Seargent Joel Forbs will be appropriately disciplined for any offense he may have caused”
“Sir-” Joel said.
“Dismissed sergeant. You will be informed of the decision regarding your demotion” Major Grantwood commanded.
Joel froze up, looking at Mark with rage in his eyes. After a pause he saluted, turning and heading out of the tent robotically.
Mark was shocked by the ruthlessness toward his own people but kept his thoughts off his face. He hadn't intended for this to happen, though he felt no guilt over it. He wouldn’t put it past them to set this entire thing up, in an act to win his favor.
“Now on to business. You have made quite a splash in our little camp, in such a short time. Opening our eyes to uses of Prana, submitting plans for defensive and offensive formations. Showing us the dangers of Corruption. All while being possibly the highest-level healer we have right now. I’ll be frank you are a valuable man and I don’t think you or SAGE quite knows that yet. Or they wouldn’t have you on the frontlines”
Mark listened, fairly certain he knew where this was going.
“Right now you could become a supporting pillar to this safe zone. I saw your proposal for squads to have healers in them. I’m interested in giving you your own squad that you could train, you could save so many lives. Become a hero to the people. There's just one thing I need from you”
Here it came.
“Your stance, you have to pick a side. Now I can offer you plenty of things, but that all hinges on the idea that you join us. Officially.” The major said.
Mark kind of liked the straight-shooting major. He came right out and asked, which didn’t change Mark's decision, but it did endure them to him.
Mark would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted, but that kind of offer can with too many strings attached.
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“Major, thank you for the generous offer, however, in the interest of fairness and my freedom, I do not intend to join any party right now. I will offer you the same deal as SAGE. If you need jobs done and are willing to compensate me I’ll take them on, provided I’m not busy with another job.”
The major didn’t look too disappointed, losing most of his interest in Mark.
“Understood, we’ll keep you in mind should anything come up.” the major said.
Mark didn’t count on the major calling on him often. From what he could understand Major Grantwood did not like employing civilians. The fact that Mark chose to remain neutral also offered him protection against requests from the major unless the man had absolutely no choice. Which Mark was all too happy to avoid.
Mark would have loved to leave then and there, unfortunately, fate is never so kind.
Mr. Grantwood saluted and spoke up.
“Major if I may?”
The Major nodded, and Joseph looked toward Mark.
“Hello, Mark. I’m so glad you got out of there safely.”
Mark said his obligatory thanks, not believing the man for a second.
“Mark am I to understand you are currently employed on the night wall?”
Nodding his head Mark confirmed it.
“Understood, Mark are you aware that the Sp paid out to individuals completing a job comes from the armies coffers? Such as night wall?”
Mark couldn’t see where this was going, but he didn't like it.
“Meaning, that you are employed by all factions of the army equally when you are on the night wall. That means you are required to offer equal treatment to all departments.”
Mark understood what he was getting at.
“Looks like I spoke too soon,” Mark thought, as the image of the straight-shooting major shattered.
“Basically the major would like to remind you that you are obligated to split your resources between SAGE and the infantry. We would like to set you up with a contact on the wall. Nothing restrictive. Just someone who can keep you up to date.”
Mark frowned. They weren't giving him much of a choice here. He couldn't say no to the request without a valid reason. Or it would look like he was showing favoritism. Even denying payment and operating on his own on the wall would look bad. Not to mention they probably wouldn't go for it.
“While on the wall, I’ll offer help to all departments equally,” Mark said in a slightly strained voice.
“Excellent! Mark, I think we are going to do great things together” Mr. Grantwood smiled.
If the major was the direct approach, while this man was the snake behind the crown. He had somehow managed to tie Mark closer to them all while securing his help on the wall.
Though the offer looked innocent enough he couldn't say he appreciated the they went about it.
Joseph stepped back behind the major.
Mark would have to watch out. While on these kinds of political waters, this type of man was the crack in the hull.
“Well, gentlemen, is there anything else I can help you with?” Mark said.
“That was all for now, though if you do change your mind we’ll welcome you with open arms.”
The major said, with his nose stuck in some paperwork once more.
Mark left the room and the same soldiers that had escorted him in followed him out, minus Joel who was nowhere to be seen.
On his way back to his tent he thought over the meeting.
They had put in some work trying to get a collar around his neck. The only thing stopping them, for now, was his usefulness. They couldn't afford to offend him just yet, but he had the feeling the moment that changed they wouldn't be so gentle with their attempts.
Eventually, they would stop being so polite and start making demands. At that point, Mark would have to cut his losses and pick a side.
Mark wasn't stupid, he knew his lonesome neutrality wouldn't last. Hell, even entire groups would struggle not to pick a side eventually. He just hoped it took them a while to get to that stage.
Mark had been wandering back to his tent when he spotted a large open space. He was used to tents choking every part of the camp, so when he got here it gave him pause.
There was basic equipment laying about and a small open field. Chunks were gouged out of the grass and people milled about.
It was a training ground of sorts.
Mark thought it over for a moment and changed direction. The tent would soon become noisy for the evening. Mark wanted a place he could think and clear out the corruption.
Looking around he saw no soldiers, though that may be the wall’s fault or that they had one closer to their quarters. Either way, it was only slightly busy.
Men and women hung about, testing their body's limits or training their skills. He even saw a couple of people sitting cross-legged in [meditation], scattered throughout the space.
There was a small shooting range, which was full at the moment. Though no one was shooting guns. A series of spells left the line of participants, landing against rock targets shaped like Corrupted. Though Mark could tell some spells were worse than others. Hazardous and Barely functioning spells were flung at targets. Making mark cringe.
Mark was watching them cast their spells when he felt something tap him on his shoulder. Turning his head he saw nothing. His other shoulder was tapped. His head snapped around to the other side. Again, nothing.
He turned around entirely, hearing laughter. Someone was somehow staying in his blind spot.
A grin appeared on Mark's face. There were only two people he knew that were this fast. Jonathan was on the wall, so that left…
Mark cast [Light control] allowing for the briefest burst of Mana. Making a white light expand and contact all at once.
“Yo, dog. Chill!” Andy said laughing.
Mark turned around once more to the sound of his voice, this time he saw him standing there, blinking away the eye-burning light.
“Dude, you picked up some new tricks while you were gone,” Andy suddenly moved with an incredible burst of speed, closing the distance in a blink.
“Speaking of which, what was with that letter you had us all shitting ourselves. We headed to The Knights right away”
Mark grinned, glad he had taken his warning so seriously. Though he noted a white armband subtly resting on Andy’s bicep.
“Well, luckily it's taken care of for a while. It looks like you weren't dawdling either,” he said mentioning Andy’s speed.
“Yup! I got [Sprint]. Helps keep me ahead, but come on don’t leave me hanging.”
Mark nodded and took him aside while giving him all the details. When Mark asked where everyone else was he said they were in their tent resting after work. Andy had gotten into the habit of coming to the training area to practice his skills and just happen to see Mark pull up. As it turned out he had joined Daphne’s Knights. Apparently, Ethel had made it a priority that all Knights were to train their skills in downtime. Mark's eyes had flickered to the field once more and noticed at least half the people here wore white armbands.
They chatted for a while longer, and Mark found himself glad for the interruption. It pulled him out of his head. Eventually, Andy headed out, having finished his training for the evening. Mark saw him off and went to search the clearing for a good spot.
He finally chose the opposite end of the clearing, avoiding the noisy practice range.
Finding a nice nook between two trees. It was calmer here. Mark settled into a seated position and trigger his [Meditation] skill.
As it took hold he felt for the energy in the surrounding area. He was trying to figure out if there was any difference between here and the tent in terms of Prana. The answer was yes and no. The amount of Prana and life here was around the same, but it had a different quality it. Mark eventually figured this must be because of the type of life around him. In the tent, he had been surrounded by people. Here he was surrounded by plants and trees. Both places felt great to [Meditate] in, but he wondered if it caused a difference to the skill.
As time went by his Prana reached full and he started pouring energy into [Corruption recovery], he noticed that maintaining both at the same time was becoming easier. Submerging himself in the flow of Prana, Mark directed the flow toward his Corruption. After around five hours he burned 15% off, it was twelve in the evening when he took a break.
Source: Mediation (+2 Prana, +4 exp points)
Sipping at a bottle of water his mind wandered back to that space.
“A broken throne, huh,” he thought
Closing his eyes once more he dove into [Meditation]. This time instead of allowing himself to submerge into the flow he went searching his body once more. Looking directly at the Corruption for the first time in a while.
The constant dull aches made themselves known. The pain quickly flipped to an itch that became a dark kind of pleasure.
It sat in his muscles, bones, and flesh. Waiting for a chance. A slip of judgment for it to take advantage of, but the more he looked the more certain he became.
The Corruption ran rampant through his body but it always traveled back to the same place. It flowed down towards his stomach, finally coming to rest just below the navel.
Collecting right where his Aura Center would have been.