Marvel: Chapter 135

Chapter 135: Sprouting Feelings

Markus preferred to go with casual clothes rather than formal. When he was known as Marcellus, he wore suits and formal clothing often but now with a younger persona he mostly went with comfortable clothing. 


Dressed in black joggers, black sneakers and a greyish hoodie he stared at the Guardians who were trying to process the information they just received. 


"So we have to listen to this guy?" Peter didn't sound too happy about it but there was little he could do. 


After learning about the Time Variance Authority and their reach, Peter went pale. He feared the possible charges he might face considering his early years of crime. 


However, when Mobius revealed that they don't imprison people for those things, he breathed in relief. 


"I mean you don't have any other option." Markus replied with a calm expression, his smile not fading despite the lack of respect shown by Peter. "I can send you back to that mouse chase where certain death awaits for you and your crew."


"I apologise on his behalf." Gamora said, putting her warrior pride aside for the sake of survival. "It's just… Everything has been such a mess that none of us are in a stable mind."


"It's alright, I can understand. It's not every day that a Warlord hunts you." Markus' little remark made them look down. 


All except Drax. 


"And I still don't understand why we cannot fight him. He has an army but now we have you guys, we should face him!" 


Markus shook his head which made the others look at him. They waited for Markus to explain, however Mobius decided to tell them about it instead.


"Unfortunately, the TVA won't be helping you fight. At best, we can provide you with information and a few gear. But army? That's a no."


"I am… Groot?"


"Don't worry." 


Seeing their fallen faces, Markus spoke. "We can defeat Kang. But the reason we haven't attacked is to keep the casualties at a bare minimum. Which is not possible with a team of good strategists."


"And where do we come in this plan?" Quill asked. 


Markus smirked. 'I want to say 'you don't' so bad…' 


"Are we… pawns?" Gamora asked with a frown which made Markus immediately shake his head. 


"No, pretty lady you aren't. You the Guardians have seen the space and how warfare is held there. That makes you all priceless in my opinion and thus I need you guys to help me strategize a way to face Kang in space."


"So, are you going to make everyone under you fight Kang and his army?" Mobius' question made Markus burst out laughing. 


Erecting a temporary force field around them to prevent the Guardians from listening, Markus said.


"Forgive me, Mr. Mobius. But as much as I understand the threat of Kang, I cannot stop my operations and let my people fight a Time Warlord. I will take a few of my soldiers with me and if sacrifice is needed, I have people that I can use but I won't be using 'my' people. I value them too much to have them killed or injured."


The Guardians seemed confused at the sudden appearance of the force field but they knew better than to question it. 


Mobius frowned at Markus' response. "Do not take Kang lightly."


"I am not. And that is exactly why I am not taking my people with me." Markus sighed. "In a one on one battle, I can win against Kang. With ease I would say. But the Warlord has a massive army and enough gadgets to harm many of my friends and family. I cannot let that happen, so I will only take the ones that I know for sure won't die."


Mobius stared at the immortal warrior. "I trust your abilities but if you underestimate Kang, it will be over for everyone."


Markus nodded. "I know and I trust that what I have thought of would work."


"We will see."


…

…


[Later]


Markus sat in the basement of the High Table's conference room. The room stored prototypes of the weapons and equipment he owned. While they were not real, they were still strong enough to kill multiple superheroes. 


"Will we need them?" Selene asked, walking towards him.


"These won't be enough. We will need to bring out some of the real ones." Markus said while rubbing his forehead. 


Selene sat next to him on the couch, allowing Markus to rest his head on her shoulder. 


"You know… I am surprisingly not worried about the war. But I am worried that the next battles that are sure to come will demand sacrifice. The people I bonded with, the places I built, the peace I maintained… it will endanger them all."


Hearing this made Selene come to a realisation.


"I tend to forget that while you have experienced so many things, seen the world war… but you have never been a part of an actual war." She said, slowly moving her slender fingers over his head, caressing it. 


"Will you be willing to witness this war?" 


Markus' question surprised Selene. "What do you… oh." 


"You figured?" Markus asked with his eyes closed. 


"You were not planning on taking us?" Selene asked in surprise but when she remembered that Markus didn't inform the others about the upcoming war, it made sense to her. 


"Mhm." Markus relaxed in her warmth. "Do not worry, I have enough people to help me fight. People that will sacrifice themselves for me."


"Whatever you do. Do not carry the burden alone." Selene requested. "I never grew dependent on a man but thanks to you… I learnt that I can sometimes let others help me. And I hope you allow others to help you as well." 


"Thank you, Selene." Markus said. "There are not many that see me like this. They always see me as the ever energetic leader, ready to lead them. But being able to relax and lean onto someone like this…" Markus stopped. 


"It's alright, relax. The war will require your full attention, so relax now and forget about the other worries." Selene whispered softly. 'You are the first man that I decided to stay with for reasons other than power, Markus. And I don't want that to change.'