The Rise of the Monster Within.
"Wow, you held up well," Echidna says, looking at the black screen with a smile. I remain silent, tasting the metallic flavor of blood on my tongue.
'I must endure, no matter what,' I tell myself, seeking solace to overcome this situation. It's similar to what happened to me, except I was frozen and then lost my memories.
Marco's situation remains critical, his parents are dead and who knows what happened to the others. I close my eyes, wishing for the strength to continue.
I open my eyes and find Marco standing, his gaze empty. Despite looking at everything with indifference, there's such a deep pain in my heart that I feel like I'm suffocating.
I feel like I want to explode, to tear off my skin. I clench my fists, trying to contain Marco's emotions. It's so different, I'm feeling the same as him, but instead, I...
"I can't..." I whisper, looking at the screen as I gasp slowly.
He failed.
The void that almost consumed me becomes even more torturous over time. In a luxurious room, the boss lights a cigarette as he urges Marco to take a drink. He swirls it, the sound of ice the only thing audible.
"I'm not interested," Marco says, looking at the boss without a single change in his expression.
The boss closes his eyes, smiling and taking the drink he offered.
"What happened was a pity, but it wasn't unexpected either," the boss points to a board with several printed photos of faces, all men, marked with the word "Stratfor."
"You were already marked, but what I didn't realize was that the foreign government had you so much in their sights," his smile becomes enigmatic, as if ignoring everything Marco is experiencing. "Looks like I hit the jackpot."
Marco clenches his fists, heat flooding my body, feeling all my muscles tense, trying to contain this mix of emotions.
Anger, hatred, rage, sadness.
I know, I'm familiar with this.
I remember, even if it was only for a brief period of time, I remember fiercely. When I saw them die, when I killed my mother.
'Yes, just like him, my actions led to his death.'
The whisper of fate hangs over Marco as he hands over the key to his own downfall to a man devoid of empathy.
Memory, a silent witness to secrets and tragedies, is greeted with a smile that seems to drip with venom.
"Perfect, it was worth it, with this I'll be able to get what I want."
In that moment, the mafia leader's indifference cuts like a sharp blade.
My hands, useless in the face of the powerlessness I feel, clench in a desperate attempt to contain the flood of emotions that ravages my soul.
Marco's heart, shattered by the circumstances, is evident in his narrowed eyes and forced smile.
'Calm down, Marco Luz. Your parents wouldn't want you to give up now,' he tells himself, injecting courage through the barriers that separate us.
"So, do we work together?" Marco's voice, neutral but firm, resonates in the air thick with uncertainty.
The offer of an alliance, though desperate, reveals the determination of a man willing to sacrifice his own freedom for the salvation of those he loves.
'My life may already be over, but theirs...' The connection between us, despite the dimensions that separate us, allows me to feel the weight of his words.
With each passing second, I feel my body crumbling more and more. He stands tall, while I can barely stay seated.
"Things didn't go as planned for everyone, luckily, your girlfriend's parents are slightly injured." The revelation of María's loved ones' condition makes Marco nod, smiling slightly.
He sighs, pretending to be of the same ilk as the monster in front of him. Marco extends his hand, trying to find a way out.
"So, they're alive, that's good." Marco's optimism, expressed through his outstretched hand, is moving in its desire for sacrifice.
'If I have to become a monster to save them...' echoes the dark reflection in my mind. I clench my lips tighter, looking at him with helplessness.
A drop of blood travels down my chin, staining my clothes.
No... Don't think like that.
'You, you're a light for everyone. You seek to illuminate the path of those who seem to have lost it.'
'You make everyone smile, strive for improvement, and find true happiness.'
Unfortunately, I can't change Marco's past, nor can I convey my emotions to him, no matter how much I wish.
"Then so be it," he whispers, embracing the cruel hopelessness.
"I hadn't mentioned it, but indeed only I could activate the machine to function properly," Marco's revelation, accompanied by the intense light of the pyroxene crystal on the monster's table, causes it to widen its eyes in surprise.
The surprise on the mafia man's face is palpable, as if he had discovered a winning chip in a masterful game. A slight venomous smile creeps onto his lips.
Marco takes the crystal with his left hand, squeezing it tightly.
Marco is treating this like a game. He's treating his life like a mere pawn to play with. The game has become more complex, and Marco's fate, intertwined with mine, hangs by a fragile thread on this board of fatal decisions.
"I have a way to make you the strongest person, maybe for now we can't compete, but if we grow, I promise you will be unstoppable," Marco's words resonate in the tense air, like a tempting offer wrapped in promises of greatness. The monster looks at him; its smile reveals an immeasurable ambition, a voracious hunger for recognition at any cost.
The monster's arrogant gesture intensifies as it rises and shakes Marco's hand.
"Well then, it will be a pleasure to have you, for the rest of your life."
My heart, a helpless witness to the impending decision, beats with sorrow. Marco, trapped between need and despair, seems to reluctantly accept the offer that looms like a shadow over his destiny.
"Will you get them all out?" Marco asks firmly, defiantly, as if seeking to ensure the magnitude of the deal.
"Haven't they told you not to trust the word of a drug dealer?" the man's response, a subtle game of manipulation, seeks to undermine Marco's trust.
In that moment, I observe a side of Marco that I was unaware of, a fierce determination emerging from the depths of his being.
The raw and direct threat comes from his lips: "If you ever betray me, then you will die."
The guards raise their weapons, aiming mercilessly, making the atmosphere turn more tense and chaotic. Marco, unperturbed by the threatening glares, reveals a cunning that feels foreign to me.
"You know, I have my ways and my plans," a dark smile forms on Marco's lips. "Right now, I could kill you without any problem, even if I'm not near you."
Marco squeezes the man's hand, an expression of power disguised as collaboration. The crystal in his other hand begins to glow brightly.
"Bastard, stop that shit!" one of the guards exclaims, placing the rifle's tip against Marco's temple. One tries to grab it but withdraws his hand as it burns with the crystal.
Marco looks at the monster with a smile, knowing he's not in a bad position at the moment.
"Do you know? This 'crystal' has many more ways to be used, so if you don't want to die, if you want me to leave the world at your feet..." Marco releases his hand, leaving a threat hanging in the air. "You better fulfill your part of the deal, besides, if you shoot me now, you'll also die. Only I know how to use this."
This dangerous side of Marco, the forced version of himself, deeply unsettles me. It's not his nature, I know, and I see how he stretches himself to his limits to protect those he loves.
The monster seems to grasp what he always desired.
"So, Marco Luz, you'll work for me, Oscar." The man orders his henchmen to lower their weapons, and the tension diminishes. "You'll be in charge of reproducing the machine and using it to generate enough energy to set up an underground factory for drugs, weapons, and whatever else I ask of you."
Marco nods with a look that is both resigned and defiant. Before leaving the place, he turns one last time to look at Oscar.
"I'll start when I see the first ones arrive safe and sound." Marco gives him an enigmatic smile. "After all, if I don't fulfill my end, I know you'll kill them, even if they're in other countries."
The pact is sealed in a scattered atmosphere, and the weight of the decisions weighs on Marco like a slab.
Marco is led to a secluded room in the imposing building. This room, at first glance, resembles a hospital, although the presence of armed men outside reminds me of the medical center in Irlam.
Marco advances with determination, without hesitating for a moment. His face, impassive, barely reflects the pain that consumes him inside. Each step he takes seems to take him further from his own feelings, as if he were shielded against any emotion that threatens to overflow.
But the truth is, pain consumes him, threatening to make him give in at any moment. It feels as if his heart is on the verge of breaking, or perhaps it has already shattered into pieces.
With a blend of strength and vulnerability, Marco crosses the threshold into the room. There, a chorus of whispering voices and moans intertwines in the tense air. Before facing the scene before him, Marco takes a deep breath, preparing for what is to come.
'I must suffer the consequences of my actions,' he repeats to himself before taking the first step.
The blood-stained floor reveals the harsh reality of the tragedy he has unleashed. Friends holding the hands of their loved ones, some resigned and others still awake but marked by wounds and bandages.
Despite the atmosphere heavy with pain, Marco remains undisturbed, silently observing.
'I deserve what is to come,' resonates in his mind, for he was the catalyst for all this chaos, although he also provided a slim chance of survival.
People often react according to their emotions, but sometimes, when we expect hatred, we receive something completely different. He knows it, he has experienced it firsthand.
"Damn you!" A punch to the face makes him stagger back, forcing him to close his eyes for a moment before reopening them with difficulty.
Only this seems not to be the case.
Blood begins to flow from his lip, and instead of anger or sadness, a strange expression of happiness is reflected on his face.
Marco doesn't utter a word, but the others launch themselves at him.
"You're scum!"
Marco is beaten repeatedly, not even bothering to identify who is hitting him.
"It's your fault! It's your fault my little brother won't wake up!"
Kicks and punches rain down on him like the release of pent-up rage.
'Why didn't he tell them?'
'Why didn't he tell them the truth?'
Marco bears it all, with that pain that, despite losing his family, still tries to fulfill his purpose.
Despite the brutal beating, he doesn't seem to blame his companions. Amidst the physical chaos, Marco carries an emotional weight that far surpasses the physical punishment he's enduring.
Marco made mistakes, yes, but it's not entirely his fault.
"It seems they've calmed down, that's good." He lies on the floor, fighting to catch his breath, his nose completely broken, blood gushing out in a heartbreaking parade.
"You should have risked it all, because of you, everything got ruined."
Marco struggles to get up, although everyone seems ready to hit him again. Marco's smiling gaze stops his attackers for a moment.
"I'm going to send them... out of the country, each will have... a base money and can live for a while." Marco's words are interrupted by his physical struggle, leaning against the wall as his legs tremble, each breath causing him pain.
He blows forcefully, expelling blood from his nose.
"I'm sorry, but it's the only thing I could do, you'll have a new life." Marco spits out a large amount of blood, then directs his gaze towards them. "I promise you, with the intelligence you possess, you'll surely find it easy to keep living."
Finally, Marco collapses to the ground, completely unconscious. The screen goes black, but the emotional whirlwind persists as if I had already merged with Marco's emotions.
I look at my hands, stained with blood. Fingernails bloodied from clenching tightly. My heart on the verge of breaking.
'Why can't he say what he feels?'
'Why don't his decisions lead him to happiness?'
Even his parents acted simply according to the situation. Both sacrificed their lives to give Marco time. I can understand it, but I can't comprehend how neither of them acted as they should; scared.
The look on their faces, the assurance they showed.
'What kind of situations must be experienced to become like that?'
The screen lights up again. Marco, lying in a bed in a room full of bandages, begins to regain consciousness.
"Ugh!" Marco squeezes his eyes shut in pain, and it's Maria who takes his hand.
Marco opens his eyes, settling into the bed. His eyes meet Maria's, but her gaze is already dull, uninspired, without determination, without the light that once shone.
She looks at him with deep sadness, tears on her face revealing the concern consuming her.
"Sorry! You have to bear it all!" Maria looks at Marco, pulling out of herself that she couldn't express before.
Marco looks to the side, meeting Maria's parents' gaze. It seems she told them what happened. Despite observing him sternly, they say nothing.
"You lost your parents, and yet you still have to bear it all."
Marco gently squeezes Maria's hand.
He smiles again, as my tears start to flow.
"It's okay, my parents would want me to do this." Marco looks into Maria's parents' eyes. "I never got to see them in person until now, but their daughter has been the light that has allowed me to move forward."
Marco strokes Maria's head and sits on the bed.
'It hurts, it seems like they really hate me.'
Nevertheless, Marco smiles gracefully before reaching out to them. My tears don't stop, my hands trembling, and the pressure in my heart about to burst. Despite everything, there's a truth I can recognize.
These are not just my tears.
"I'm Marco Luz, and though we'll see each other for a short time, I wish you the best of luck." Marco looks at Maria before uttering those words. "We'll end this relationship here."
Maria's eyes widen, her gaze fixed on Marco causing him to stop smiling. Marco puts his hand on his chest, containing the pain, the tearing in his muscles, containing his broken soul.
"I'll get you out of the country, I know you have other families, but the government won't do anything to them." Marco looks at them with the utmost seriousness, conveying his wish. "I know it's hard, but with the money they'll give you, you can start a new life. I'll make sure of it."
The parents are about to speak, trying to say something, but Maria takes Marco by the shoulders.
"Stop fooling around!" Maria squeezes him tightly, but Marco doesn't seem affected. "You always want to act tough, act like nothing affects you, be the coldest and warmest person at the same time."
Marco opens his eyes, surprised by Maria's words.
"¡I love you! I love you, Marco Luz!" Maria kisses him, trying to convey her emotions.
Despite it all, Marco just contains it. My tears, my trembling hands, my body seeming to lose all trace of energy.
"If you love me, the best thing you can do is live, be happy..."
Slap!
Maria slaps him and her parents hold her back, pulling her away.
"You're an idiot! You won't push me away! I'll stay by your side!" Maria cries, crying and trying to make her words reach him. "This isn't your fault! You deserve to be saved too!"
The words don't seem to reach Marco, despite being the same words I want to tell him, the same things I want to convey.
Marco has sealed himself completely.
He's left alone, in that icy room.
Marco looks at his wounds, and all he does is collapse on the bed. There's nothing but emptiness, nothing but the feeling of being in a dream. The only thing keeping him awake is the pain.
Time flows quickly, without giving space to anyone.
Oscar fulfills his part, yet Maria refuses to leave.
The situation has affected everyone; four months have passed in this interval. Marco was declared a terrorist along with his team. During all this time, Marco has only spoken with Maria and John.
The rest of the team refuses to speak with Marco.
John is the only person Marco talked about building the machine to save them all.
Almost everyone has left, leaving only Maria and John, who delayed his departure to help Marco. Contrary to his parents, who already want to leave, John has been the best support for Marco at this moment.
In an open field, a place to practice his aim, Marco stands. A small TV is showing the news.
What we do with newspapers, here is done through videos.
"A reward of ten million dollars has been declared for information on the whereabouts of the leader... Alias Marco, and his group for five million dollars, Alias..."
Marco turns off the television, looking at his hands as he shoots at some targets. Maria's parents appear, causing Marco to stop shooting.
He has tirelessly polished his aim while taking on all available jobs. He sacrificed his hours of sleep, now immersed in a life of constant work and the company of old books narrating stories of ancient machines.
Maria's parents express their gratitude with extended hand gestures.
"Thank you, thank you for allowing us to survive," they say. The initial hatred reflected in their gazes has given way to deep gratitude. "But unfortunately, we can't repay you with any help."
Marco responds with a smile, intertwining his hands with theirs.
"I hope you can start anew. The surgery was successful, and even though your faces may look altered, it's the best option."
Everyone underwent facial surgery, except Marco, who refuses to change his appearance to assure them that he won't escape.
Maria's parents thank him again, but the scene takes an unexpected turn when someone else appears. Maria looks at everyone with deep hatred, her bloodshot eyes revealing a torrent of hidden emotions.
Marco looks at Maria, his heart feeling pangs as his soul begs for understanding. Marco and Maria have reached an agreement, a pact that should free her from this dark place.
"I won't leave!" Maria exclaims in desperation.
However, things don't unfold as Marco had planned.
"I know I couldn't keep my promise, but please, you need to leave today. There won't be any more chances," Marco says, approaching Maria and recognizing a peculiar scent.
Suddenly, something catches his attention about her.
'She's drugged...'
Marco's hands tense up, but Maria hugs him tightly.
"No! If I'm not with you, I'd rather be dead!" Maria looks at Marco, but her eyes don't seem to focus on him. "I'm sorry! If I leave, then you know it'll be your fault!"
Maria's parents pull her away from Marco's arms. He keeps his eyes fixed on her, his heart overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions, sinking even further. Amidst the confusion, I can no longer distinguish between my own feelings and Marco's.
"We'll take her, we'll take her no matter what."
BOOM!
A deafening roar echoes throughout the area as Marco seems to grasp what's happening. The guards rush towards him, but he simply loads his weapon and gazes towards the horizon.
"The army's here! We have to leave!" Gunshots and screams start filling the entire place.
Marco looks towards Maria's parents and makes a decision.
"Take her, they'll be safe with Oscar. I've got something to do."
Marco springs into action, running with all his might while clutching the pistol in his hand. Upon reaching the laboratory, he sees they're already packing everything up.
"Just take this!" Marco points at a machine in the midst of construction. "We'll blow the rest."
The resistance persists, with people firing and holding their ground. Marco grabs the memory drive and some documents, stuffing them into a bag. This time, Marco has prepared the facility for such situations.
He activates a destruction sequence on his computer. Once the essentials are taken, Marco gets ready.
"We're outta here!" Marco runs with the group, but a deep pain hits him as he watches the army firing.
'How ironic.'
Marco presses forward, meeting John.
"Let's go!"
John and Marco run alongside five guards, but when they reach their escape route, they find themselves cornered.
The guards fire, providing a brief respite against the soldiers, but they are quickly killed. Marco runs alongside John, heading into a tunnel. Marco triggers a bomb that seals the entrance, and they start running.
The tunnels, a strategic creation of Marco, form a maze known only to a few. Not even John has been told the correct way to escape without dying.
"With this, we're safe," Marco tells John. "Your parents!"
John shakes his head, and Marco's gaze becomes lost. Tears well up in John's eyes, but there's a strange smile forming on his face.
"I must live, I must live to avenge myself," John observes his weapon, and as they both run, he begins to speak. "I hadn't told you, but the person who betrayed us wasn't just the professor."
Marco turns his gaze towards John, whose tears and smile seem to vie for attention on his face. He tries to articulate words between sobs.
"The person who betrayed us was Maria, your girlfriend."
Bang!
The gunshot's thunder reverberates in the air, an echo of betrayal that cuts through the confusion.