Xavier's eyes fluttered open slowly—then snapped wide in an instant. He sat up, his gaze narrowing as he scanned his surroundings. It locked onto Venom, who immediately stood from his chair upon realizing Xavier had regained consciousness.
Venom rushed over to President Xavier with quick strides.
"I'm so glad you're awake, President Xavier."
Xavier groaned, rubbing his forehead. Pain throbbed through his skull—he had slammed it against the ground during the explosion, and it still hurt.
"Have you found the person responsible for this?" he asked, his voice cold, eyes sharp.
"No, sir… I found you alone in an isolated area. No one else was around."
Xavier clenched his jaw, fists tightening on the bed.
"Argh!" he growled. He stood abruptly, storming over to the window with his back to Venom.
"No one dares to attack President Xavier and gets away with it."
A sly grin crept across his face.
"You really thought you could steal from me and disappear? We'll see about that."
He turned slowly, locking eyes with Venom.
"Do you think Dark will be affected by what happened to me?"
"Yes, but he'll only feel the pain—without knowing why or how."Venom replied, his voice suddenly laced with sympathy. "But sir, you need to be careful. It's not just Dark that needs protection… you're in danger too."
Xavier didn't respond. His expression said it all.
"Inform Ghost and Blade to meet me here immediately."
"Yes, sir," Venom nodded and left.
—A few minutes later—
Ghost and Blade entered, heads bowed respectfully after greeting him.
"Ghost," Xavier said, his cold gaze locking onto him. "I need you to gather intel on a certain location. I'll send you the address. Investigate it thoroughly and report back in two hours."
"Yes, sir," Ghost replied with a nod.
"And you," Xavier turned to Blade, "You'll be his backup in case anything goes wrong. We can't trust anyone."
"Yes, sir," Blade nodded. Both men turned to leave.
"I almost forgot…" Xavier's voice stopped them in their tracks.
They turned to face him again.
"Inform Viper that his presence is finally required. Dark needs a real guardian."
"Sir?" Blade's expression shifted in shock. "But… he's—"
"I know exactly what he is," Xavier interrupted coldly, "and that's why I chose him. Now go."
***
Nova core university
Dark pov'
Dark sat at his usual spot in the school cafeteria,relaxed and cool while operating on his phone as he await his meal. He had never been this happy after a long time. And this is as a result of being without a guardian.
Although,the guards guarding stonevale mansion were monitoring his every movement through the use of a gps tracker.
And he had no idea he was being monitored.
Ariana walked into the cafeteria, heading towards the counter. She was in a hurry.
Immediately after her lectures were over,she had hurried here so she could grab a quick snack and leave.
She needed to go to her mum villa and take care of her since she was discharged few days ago.
Unfortunately,she bumped into Mia and her tray of food fell to the ground,her dress got stained in the process."Argh!" She hit her hard on her chest."How dare you! Are you blind?" Mia snapped.
All heads turned, focusing on them.
"I'm... I'm sorry." She replied,her tone laced with guilt."I'm so sorry. I'll —" she drew her handkerchief towards her dress to clean the stain,but Mia pished her hand away.
"Get your stinky hands off me!" She shouted as if her hands were a disease she would get if by slight touch."You've ruined my meal. Now what do I eat? Uh." She scowled.
" I'll get you another..."
"No! I don't need you to buy me food... I'm not a beggar like you." She stared at her her in disgust.
Ariana was already getting angry.her tone changed. Slightly furious. "I said I'm sorry and I'll get another meal for you. Why are you acting so shitty?"
Mia chuckled."Shitty? You dare call me shitty you unwanted nobody."
"Please." Ariana sighed.her eyes tired already." I do not want to start a quarrel with you.please."
"Neither do I." She smirked,heading towards a table,she grabbed a bowl of spaghetti Arrabbiata which a student was eating and poured it directly on Arianna face.
Arianna screamed,her face burning hot due to the hot chilly peppers in the spaghetti.
Some of the students were videoing the scene, while some hurried towards her to help.
"That's served you right." Mia replied and turned to leave,but she received the shock of her life.
Dark had sat and watched the entire scene,but watching Mia pour a bowl of spaghetti on Ariana made him flare up in rage.
He walked over to Mia and slapped her hard on her face,and she spat out blood almost falling to the ground,but she was able to hold herself."you slapped me." She gazed at him in shock.
"And I'll do that countless times if that will make you more of a human and not a beast."
Meanwhile, Ariana was already rushed to an hospital.
Dark turned and left,his anger completely taking over him.
Mia finally released the tears she had fought hard to control.*"No. You can't be in love with her."*
Mia bursted out in tears till her friend came to comfort her .
Dark walked further away from prying eyes, passing numerous classrooms until he reached a solitary, empty room at the end of the corridor, where he slipped inside.
The place he slipped into was an old library which waited to be renovated.
Dark sat on the floor and buried his face in his palms. All he felt like doing was screaming.
But screaming wasn't going solve the pain,anger and disappointment he felt .
" I was born to be cold, heartless and alone. So why! Why do I feel alive and free whenever I'm around her? Argh!" He gritted his teeth,fury consuming his whole body." It's because of you mother!" Hot tears rolled down his cheeks." I wouldn't blame father because it was you who married him and gave birth to me...why did you bring me into a world you know I won't enjoy peace and freedom. Why!" He hit his fists on the wall continuously till blood erupted." Where the hell are you mother! I'm just a weak little boy who wants to end it all." His tears were really flowing down his cheeks." I..I just want to die." He buried his face completely in his hands.
.....
Blackstone mansion
Xavier stood outside his mansion,his gaze locked at a spot in his garden. His thoughts were filled up with worries,fear,anger and disappointment in himself.*" I'm just a dead man walking."* He sighed.*" If anything happens to Dark... I'm sure to face it."* He gritted his teeth.
" Xavier!"
The sound of his name diverted him from his thoughts. He turned, surprised to see Nyla wheeling herself towards him with a bucket in hand.
As soon as she was before him,she poured a small bucket of dirty water on him.
He didn't notice the bucket cause his gaze were on her and not what she carried.
"Now do your worse Xavier! If you are willing to kill me... do it... I'm ready to die. Afterall I see no use living."
Xavier closed his eyes, wiping the water from his eyes. Then he just stared at her speechless,his expression unreadable.
"Kill me you beast!" Tears welled up in her eyes." After all, that's what you do."
" You shouldn't be here." He spoke softly,but his tone laced with anger.
" I don't care where I should be Xavier... You've ruined me and my daughter." She could no longer hold back the tears." Why? Whatever have we done to deserve this pain. You've taken away my right leg. As if that wasn't enough...you chopped off my daughter's toungue." She bursted out in tears,she couldn't speak fluently because of how heartbroken she was,she choked as she spoke.
" I'm warning you woman. Leave now." His eyes were already red with rage.
"No! I'm not leaving until you kill me. Kill me Xavier...what the hell are you waiting for. Now that you've taken my daughter voice what have you gained uh? Sometimes I always wish you and your entire household had been killed years back and not the other way round."
Xavier eyes snapped wide open in shock,his gaze hardened into a glare and his eyes flashed with a deadly intensity.