Tana responded, “Well that’s wonderful. Maybe my granddaughter Claymore can help you. She’s a great teacher.”
Revolver then introduced her, “Granny, this is Lilith. She was also with the assassins. Lilith, this is my grandmother Katana.”
Lilith looked shocked, “Wait, Katana? Like the cast who stopped the Rebellion, Katana?”
Revolver and Claymore smirked.
“The same,” Claymore said.
Lilith kneeled, “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Tana smiled, “The honor is mine. Looking at you four reminds me of the old days, when it was Mable, Vlayru, Ansel, and I adventuring out, and saving the day.”
I looked at Lilith, Claymore, and Revolver. It did remind me of different groups of people I knew, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“Well, are we ready to head out?” Claymore asked us.
We all nodded and turned to leave.
We heard Tana say to us, “Good luck everyone!”
Chapter 21 – Preparing for the Worst
The next day we arrived in Azura town in the morning, located in the Central Union between Central City and the Central Union/Aqua Republic. Claymore paid for a private taxi to take us from Waterfall City where we stayed for the night prior in a hotel. We were tired from the traveling and decided to stay at another hotel that was in the town. Claymore and Lilith helped pay for it. After settling in the room, Lilith started to look worried and checked her comphone. I got curious.
“Something wrong?” I asked her.
She continued to look at her comphone then looked at me with a sigh.
She answered, “It’s Sharik. Before I left, I told him I would check the Aqua Republic for you. He said if I don’t respond back in exactly two days, he would personally find you himself. That was two days ago.”
“Great,” I said, sarcastically.
“So, if he is coming to us, that means we might be able to meet him in Central Union,” Revolver said.
“Knowing him, he’ll probably start heading out tomorrow,” I pointed out.
Claymore then suggested, “So, then we can use that time to hone our fighting skills, and I can teach Lilith how to use her powers. We can go out into the forest and do a little training.”
Lilith and Claymore smiled at each other.
“Let’s get going then,” I said.
We all looked at each other and nodded in agreement. I stood up straight and gave a stretch. Everyone else did the same. We then left, and Revolver grabbed some bottles of water at a local convenience store and a cooler. After that, we all traveled into the woods outside of the town. We found a clearing which was perfect because it was away from the town. Before beginning to train, we did some stretches.
“So, we don’t hurt each other right before a big fight, let’s do this with no weapons,” Claymore suggested.
Revolver scoffed, “Way to take the fun out of it.”
He gave a little chuckle after. We chuckled along with him. We put our weapons down and got into different defensive stances. I sparred with Revolver and Lilith with Claymore. We spent some time sparring each other. Revolver was better than me, but I took the opportunity to learn and improve. We did so for a little over an hour.
“You guys want to take a break?” Lilith asked us, panting.
I nodded, “Yeah, I think we should.”
“You guys are right. Let’s take a breather then I’ll get into using powers with Lilith,” Claymore agreed.
“I’ll get the water bottles,” Revolver said.
He walked over to cooler, pulled out and passed out the bottles. We all drank in silence. We rested on the edge of the clearing to be in shade from the trees.
“Lilith, I have a question,” I asked her.
Lilith got a curious look on her face and answered, “Yes, Spex?”
“You said you found some information before leaving the H.N.A.?” I questioned.
Lilith nodded, “Yeah. I found plans from the Dark Rebellion and the Resurrect. It seemed like he was studying the plans to see how and why they failed. Other than that, I started to find information regarding the government. I had to stop before I could learn more. I was in Sharik’s room, and he was coming back in. It seems like whatever he is planning he is doing it through the government from the inside.”
“Weren’t you guys killing senators?” Claymore questioned.
“You knew?” Revolver questioned.
Claymore answered, “Well it was obvious. Senators showing up dead with no evidence of who killed them. Sounds like assassins to me.”
I agreed, “Yeah, I’m honestly surprised investigators couldn’t figure it out.”
Revolver asked her, “So you forgave us even though we killed innocent people?”
Claymore smiled, “Like I said, you’ve changed, and I can tell you have seen the error of your ways. Same as Lilith. I can’t stay mad at you for wanting to be a better person. What you did was in past.”
“Thank you, Sis,” Revolver responded, smiled.
Claymore then turned to Lilith.
“Are you ready?” she asked her.
“Yes, let’s do this,” Lilith answered.
Revolver and I stay where we were and watched.
Claymore began to explain, “Nether is actually a pretty unique element to have, depending on how it’s used. Most users use negative emotions while using it, like anger, hate, sadness, and to a lesser degree fear. That is also because it’s easier to use with those emotions. But Master Nether figured out how to use his nether powers while using positive emotion. Not the one that was giving issues on and off for the past seventy years, but the one that was part of The Masters. He found balance and that made his nether powers stronger than anyone else.”
“Wow. I never knew that,” Lilith said looking at her hands.
Claymore replied, “Lilith, I want you to think of balance. Then focus and channel your energy.”
Lilith nodded, closing her eyes. I watched with interest. Revolver did the same. After a few moments she opened her eyes and had an annoyed look on her face.
“I don’t think I’m getting this,” she said, disappointed.
“It’s alright. It happens,” Claymore reassured her. She thought for a moment then questioned,
“When did your power manifest?”
“Shortly after I found out the truth of H.N.A.,” she answered.
“So, just the other day,” I pointed out.
“What made you join the H.N.A.?” Claymore questioned.
Lilith looked around for a moment before explaining, “When I was teenager, I hated my parents. My dad believed that a new leader was needed to replace the Emperor at that time, Emperor Zadarr. Someone that could do what Emperor Kroven, the emperor before Zadarr, was trying to accomplish, which was to have complete power over the nations. My mother wanted to keep the peace, but she couldn’t stand up to my dad. He wanted me to join the military and had me do grueling exercises and do most of the cleaning around the house. If I didn’t do as he ordered, I would get beat or locked away. My mother was too scared to defend me, and I hated it. My dad was a great man until he changed. I don’t know what happened. Then one day, these men broke into our house. They killed my parents in front of me. I escaped the house and ran into another man who protected me and killed the men who killed my parents. It was Sharik. He told me that everything was going to be alright and to join him to avenge my parents. He was exactly what my parents weren’t - caring. He was there for me from then on, and I wanted to keep the peace like my mother, but my hatred and depression made me think that killing people was the right way to do it. It wasn’t until I saw for myself through Sharik’s plans that he hired those people to kill my parents. He doesn’t care at all.”
Tears rolled down her face. I shook my head, wishing Sharik was around right now so I could punch him. Revolver looked mad. It sounded like a similar situation to Revolver’s story when he ran away.
I then remembered back to one
of the new reports, “There was a man that was killed recently for abusing his family. That was you, huh?”
“Yes. I don’t want anyone to go through what I did,” She said in a sad tone.
Claymore then spoke, “So, when you found out the truth and had a change of heart, you already started to have a balance. Even though you had darkness, you turned to light. Now you have a focus on that,”
I took a breath to calm myself, then watched with anticipation. I noticed Revolver start to calm himself as well. I was curious if it would work like that. Lilith concentrated. Black aura slowly began to radiate off her body. I could feel her getting stronger. Revolver and I started to be amazed. Lilith opened her eyes and saw the aura around her. She smiled big.
“This is amazing!” she complimented.
Claymore smiled, “Good, you’re getting it. This is where you need to be. I can already feel that you are just as strong as any other nether user.”
“You’re a water user, right? How do you know how to use Nether?” Lilith asked her.
“I’m a teacher at The Trinity School for Elementals. I used to teach how to use all the elements. I learned through years of studying how to teach elements that I can’t even use. I didn’t see the point in dedicating myself to fight when there is supposed to be peace. I then changed to just teaching the fundamentals of each element,” Claymore explained to her.
Revolver approached them and spoke, “Well, we’re going to need you to fight again,”
“You ready to test out your new powers, Lilith?” I asked her as I approached them as well.
Lilith responded, “Is that a challenge coming from the person with no powers?”
I smirked, “Oh, I have powers. Stop!”
I put my hand up and stopped time. I then walked behind Lilith. I then continued time. Lilith looked around for me, same as Claymore.
“I have to power of time,” I told her.
They both were amazed.
“Wow, I never thought I’d meet another time user. There is this guy I know who has the same powers,” Claymore said.
I was curious now, “Are you talking about Master Time?”
“Yeah. Oddly enough, I think he dressed like you. I haven’t seen him in a really long time, and I Don’t remember his real name,” Claymore answered.
“I know of Master Time, but I don’t remember meeting him,” Revolver said, curiously.
I wanted to know who this person was or even where he was.
“Well, we don’t have a lot of time left, should we get to combat training?” Lilith suggested.
Revolver answered, “Yeah, she’s right.”
We spent the next few hours training with breaks. Claymore had a quick way of teaching Lilith all she needed to know, and it was working. Lilith was quick on picking up how to implement her powers with the combat style that she already had from the assassins. The sun started to set.
“Hey, do you guys want to call it a day?” I suggested to them.
Revolver agreed, “Yeah, we are going to need to rest if it’s going down tomorrow.”
Claymore nodded, “You’re right. I think Lilith knows what she is doing now.”
“I think I do too,” Lilith said in agreeance.
We left for the hotel. Lilith and Revolver were walking behind Claymore and I, holding hands. They would go back and forth between looking where we were walking and looking at each other with big smiles on their faces. We got back, changed into sleep wear, had some quick meals, and went to bed.
My mind was racing about tomorrow, and it kept me from falling asleep.
“Spex, ‘you awake?” Revolver spoke.
I opened my eyes to the darkness of the room. I decided not to move.
I answered, “Yeah, what’s up?”
“I can’t sleep. Can you?” he asked.
I answered “No, sadly.”
I started to wonder if the girls were awake.
Revolver then asked, “I’m guessing you’re nervous about tomorrow?”
“Yeah. I don’t know how it’s going to go down, and that scares me,” I admitted.
“Yeah,” Revolver replied. After a moment of silence, he continued, “Spex, I’m glad you’re my best friend. I know that together, we can take down Sharik.”
“You’re right. We can,” I said, smiling.
Revolver added, “If it does go south. Like, if something goes wrong. I need you to stay the way you are. To not dwell on the past and move forward.”
I responded, “We don’t have to worry about you dying. You’re naturally talented and could take out Sharik no problem.”
Revolver was silent for a moment then replied, “Yeah. I guess you’re right. I’m going to go outside for moment. You get some shut eye, okay?”
Revolver got out of bed and exited the room. I was concerned but I didn’t think much of it. I rolled over onto my side and I was finally able to fall asleep. I awoke to find myself on a couch. I was in Tana’s house. I was confused as to how I got here. I sat up and looked down at myself. I was in normal clothes, wearing a t-shirt and pants. Tana, who was younger looking, entered the room. She was wearing normal clothing as well. She looked gloomy at first but put on a smile as soon as she saw me.
“Good morning, Spex. Did you sleep good?” she asked me.
I was confused still but answered, “Yeah, I guess so.”
“I’m not surprised that you’re feeling a hundred and ten percent after taking that Regenium bath,” she said.
Kaido entered the room, “Hey. Good morning.”
Kaido was wearing a shirt and pajama pants. He gave Tana a kiss and they smiled big at each other.
“I’m glad you two are good now and not fighting,” I said to them.
Tana replied, “I know. I’m glad too. Aren’t you Mabel?”
Mabel smiled back, “Of course I am.”
“I guess he’s gone back to being called Mabel,” I thought.
Mable then picked up a remote that was on the coffee table and pointed it the towards the TV, turning it on.
“Want to see what is going on in the news?” he suggested to us.
He tuned it to RFN News, and the reporter was already talking about a report, “They still have yet to find the leader of terrorist group, The Resurrect. Inside sources say her name is Jessix. Eyewitnesses report that someone matching his description was found boarding a plane to Prism City located in Otrus. In similar news, the device known as the NULL was taken by government scientists for study. They hope to figure out what this device was being used for. It wasn’t very clear when the terrorist made their threats.”
“Well that can’t be good,” A familiar voice said.
Tana, Mabel, and I were startled as we turned to see Vlaykre.
“It’s been a while since you have done that,” Kaido said to him.
Vlaykre chuckled, “I’m glad I can still startled people like that.”
Regan then entered the room, “Still sneaking up on people, huh, Vlaykre?”
They shook hands and Vlaykre responded, “Of course. It’s too easy.”
“What are you doing here, Vlaykre?” I asked him.
“Just checking on everyone. We went through quite the ordeal against The Resurrect and surprisingly Master Nether,” Vlaykre Explained.
We all started to get gloomy after remembering what happened. There was then a knock at the front door. We looked at each other puzzled. Tana went into the main hallway towards the front door, and we followed. We opened the door to see Vlayru.
He smiled, “Hey everyone. I’m back.”
“Vlayru!” I heard behind me.
We turned to see Ansel who was coming down the stairs. As soon as she saw him, she smiled big and ran to him. They embraced each other, and Ansel gave him a long kiss. I remembered that Ayla had called looking for him and he had left to go get her.
“I’m so glad you’re home now,” she told him.
Vlayru smiled back, “Me too.”
“Where is A
lya?” Regan asked.
Vlayru turned to him and answered, “My mom is at our house checking on it and repacking. We have to go back find my Dad.”
We all got worried.
Kaido wondered, “Have you heard from him?”
The Masters- RE- Revolver Page 19
