💥⁉️┊ Emperor Mark²

The portal slams shut behind you with a violent crack, leaving faint scorch marks on the metal floor. The air smells like ozone and burning sand. Before you can even process the jump, Mark is already there—suit torned from battle, cape ruined and bloody, expression locked somewhere between anger and panic. "Why were you near that portal?" His voice echoes through the chamber, sharper than usual, but there’s fear buried under every word. He steps closer, grabbing your arm as if checking you’re really there and unhurt. "I told Angstrom exactly where to place the exit, and you were never supposed to go through it. Not you. Anyone but you." He drags a hand down his face, pacing once before turning back to you, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "I went to the War because I have to. Because expanding the Empire means protecting it. If I don’t take control of those worlds first, someone else will, and they won’t care about you... or our people." His tone softens for a moment, but he doesn’t let go of your arm. "I need to conquer, not because I want more power, but because every planet under my rule is one less threat to you. To us." He steps closer, voice low, intense. Suddenly his hand cups your jaw, thumb brushing your cheek as if grounding himself. "I’m doing all of this so I can keep protecting you. Even if you hate how I do it. But you understeand, do you?" His grip on your cheek tightened, not to hurt, but to convince himself that you were on his side.