Later, as they lay panting in the grass talking, the conversation eventually shifted to Zeke’s 15-year-old brother, Tyler.
Simon was very much a fan of him, having idolized him as a younger child due to lacking siblings of his own, and was now enamoured by the 15-year old’s new-found independence.
“Tyler’s a really impressive guy now, isn’t he?” Simon asked his friend as they both stared at the passing clouds. “Is he planning to become a bounty hunter or something?”
Tyler had developed a Godspark as he had grown up. His was an ability that was suited for combat, and the boy had stopped being so glib about it and being more reserved about using it after accidentally hitting someone with it a few years ago. The memory of it still lingered in Zeke’s mind, recalling how scared Tyler was when he knew he could kill people with ease.
“I don’t know,” Zeke replied, “He hasn’t shown interest in that kind of thing. He’s stopped using his Godspark since the accident.”
He sighed.
“To be honest Simon, I am kind of jealous. I wish I could develop a Godspark too. Mum says only 1 in 10, 000, 000 develop one, and even fewer people get a visible one. With my luck, I’ll probably get one that lets me grow grass or something.”
They both laughed at the image.
What Zeke didn’t know was that Simon had already developed and manifested a Godspark privately. He had told no one. He intended to live a carefree life, and maybe grow up as a baker or chef. Get married if he lived that long, and then grow old and die. No one needed to know, people who revelled in their power made him feel small, and he would be made to feel even smaller if people knew he had powers of his own and wasn’t doing anything with them.
Zeke broke the silence again.
“Even with a Godspark, I’m only 12, so there’s not much I could do. I hate the way we have to live now. I’ve decided I’ll grow up and join the Rune Knights. I’ll be a protector of people.”
Now this surprised Simon. It was no secret that some people were struggling with the extra requirements needed to stay free, it’s why parents warned their children about wandering too far out of Karn County. It just wasn’t necessary, if one wanted to stay alive and well. The Rune Knights were the exception. They controlled half of the free states, and wielded a substantial military force, enough to challenge the Orisha and carve out territory for themselves. If the Orisha and Nephilim were the mafias, the Rune Knights were the police, giving them a hard time.
Despite knowing all this, Simon still asked. “Why do you personally want to join the Rune Knights. The bounty hunters are cooler anyway. ”
“It’s not about being cool.” Zeke looked at him oddly, “Because my parents don’t like bullies, and the Rune Knights stand up to them.”
Simon considered the statement for a few seconds, then laughed. “That’s so stupid.”
“Why,” Zeke was the one to be incredulous this time.
“So, you’re basing your beliefs on what your ‘Mummy’ and ‘Daddy’ tell you?”
“Shut up!” Zeke rolled over and lunged at Simon, the other boy avoided it and stuck his tongue out at him.
They two wrestled and rolled around for a bit, before coming to a stop at the bottom of the hill. They both lay on their backs now, panting, out of breath, but smiling.
These were the days that would unite them, that would keep them strong later on, even though they didn’t know it yet.
* * *
Three years had passed since their summer conversation. Simon was now working in his father’s grocery store on weekends and his mother’s repair shop on weeknights.
Zeke had refocused on his education, but still remained one who studied the Rune Knights, eagerly picking up whatever he could in his spare time. He made plans to travel when he had finished school, telling no one but Simon, his confidante. Both had made other friends as they had grown, from sports clubs and school societies, but still remained each other’s best friend. They would talk about their home life, school life, and dreams at night when all work was done.
“Tyler’s stopped coming home,” Zeke told Simon one such night, a sad expression on his face. “He’s made some new friends, and Dad doesn’t like it. Mum says it’s OK if he’s branching out because he’s a ‘man’ now, but Dad still doesn’t agree. All they do now is fight.”
They sat on a bench outside Mrs Aaron’s mechanic shop, illuminated only by the street lights. The moon wasn’t out tonight, it was one of those warm, still, nights that happened so frequently in the summers.
“That sucks,” Simon agreed, “I hate it when parents fight.”
Zeke noticed that he didn’t give his own opinion about Tyler, Simon had idolized him when younger, so he didn’t want to press the matter. It probably would be a strange experience for his friend to think badly about what had been his surrogate big brother for so many years.
“I don’t have a brother,” Simon looked at the clouds, instead of at Zeke. Zeke noted that he was doing that a lot nowadays. “I can’t say I have anything meaningful to say about big brothers. But your mother’s right, don’t you think? He’ll be leaving soon anyway as he grows older, wouldn’t it make sense for you to start letting him go rather than holding on to what you think of him?”
Now, it was clear to Zeke what was bothering the other boy. Simon had built his life around Zeke and Tyler, as they were growing up and leaving him, he would wonder if this conversation would be his last or whether the idea of them as brothers, only existed in his head.
“Hey,” He punched Simon in the shoulder. When the blonde turned to look at him, he smiled.
“I’ll be your big brother.”
Simon rolled his eyes.
“We’re the same age, idiot.”
“And so? I was born earlier. It’s an unspoken rule that the older twin becomes the big brother.”
“We aren’t even twins you bastard.”
Now, they were both laughing.
“Mind your language,” Zeke said, between giggles. “That’s no way for a little brother to address his big brother, is it?”
Later, after they had left to go to their respective homes. Simon had the feeling Zeke hadn’t told him everything, and he would have been right. Zeke had felt something off about Tyler for the past few months, he had been crueller, less thoughtful, and colder. It was like he suddenly stopped caring about everyone else but his new friends. Being that one of them was the son of the Mayor, and the other the daughter of one of the top lawyers in the County, it was no wonder their mum saw any concerns as overblown, which is why he would have felt bad bringing it up to Simon. But still, Zeke wondered, what if something was really wrong. Something that they couldn’t see.
* * *
Just outside town, where few people dared to wander. He sat there, eating a sandwich. Watching the town. He didn’t want to go into the town yet, that was not his objective. He had cultivated a few acolytes, trained them, indoctrinated them. Some had been less than pliable, so he had killed them.
He was Timothy, the man who served under Jason as one of his lieutenants, one of the Nephilim. By many counts, he was also an intimidating man. He had a small scar on his cheek but was built like a brick house. In his late 20s, he was in his physical prime. Old enough to have built up years of experience, and young enough to terrify everyone with a well-timed glare.
His new mission involved subterfuge. Though Karn County was paying Jason money, the decision had been made to bring it directly under Nephilim control. The population was just large enough to contribute to the Festival of Life for decades, and he needed a way to break their trust in each other first. To grind them down and turn them against each other.
His way was walking up to him as he ate.
“I’ve done as you asked, Timothy,” Tyler stood. Now tall and muscular, he looked like a born killer. His green eyes glinted with malice, and with Timothy’s help, he had trained his Godspark enough to be able to kill without hesitation or remorse. The bounty hu
nters buried in shallow graves outside Karn County could tell that story.
Timothy nodded, “Excellent work Tyler. I’ve taught you well enough, you and your friends should be able to accomplish your roles as planned. Do it well, and you’ll live happily and respected for the rest of your life.”
“Thank you,” Tyler smirked, “For this majestic opportunity.”
Timothy shuddered a little inside. Though while some would say he had corrupted the boy, he had merely awakened his inner killer and had him rope some of his friends in as well.
“You understand what I’ll be asking you to do right?” Timothy probed Tyler’s eyes, looking for any trace of hesitation left in them, “Will you have any regrets about killing your own family when it came down to it?”
“None at all,” Tyler answered instantly.
Timothy had noted the slight flinch.
Chapter 14 - Bloody Betrayal
Karn County would remain at peace for two more months until the night that would upend everything they had built arrived.
Zeke and Simon, having grown impatient, would now attempt to follow Tyler to see what he was up to. He had so far evaded them successfully, but this night was Simon’s turn to watch, and he had an ace up his sleeve. Partially activating his Hephaestus over his eye, he kept an eye on Tyler’s thermal signature and watched from afar, following him from a distance.
Finally, I’ve got eyes on Tyler! Simon smiled to himself. If I follow him, I could find out what he’s up to tonight and have some juicy gossip to share with Zeke.
The boys didn’t have anything nefarious planned, they just wanted to see what Tyler had been doing at night-time when he disappeared for hours. The mystery had tugged at them for a month before they decided to stalk him. This was the third week, Simon’s week. Zeke would cover for him if he wasn’t home. Already he knew that the latter’s parents were arguing about Tyler’s absence once more and that his own parents would be annoyed about his absence from the stores, the prospect of gossip to share was too tempting to avoid.
Tyler walked down the main street, then turned a corner, then turned another corner. Simon realised he was checking for a tail, glad that Hephaestus’ goggles allowed him to keep track on Tyler’s heat signature through buildings.
Satisfied that he wasn’t being followed at that point, Tyler continued walking towards wherever he was going. He would routinely carry out more tail-checks as he continued along. Simon was convinced he was either a drug dealer or some sort of criminal. Why else would he be checking his back so much?
Every instinct in his body screamed for him to get away from him, but he persevered. His curiosity was now piqued. He reminded himself that he and Zeke may never get this chance again, so it was for the best he continued.
It was at this point that Tyler had now found his way to the town junkyard. At night-time, it was deserted, just tall piles of crushed cars and discarded garbage, cloaked in darkness. The staff would go home, and it would become a hangout for the few delinquents in Karn County. Although Simon recalled, there had been fewer of those in recent days.
Not tonight, however, there was a group of people in the junkyard, all of them covered in darkness. Though their silhouettes would normally be hard to make out in the dark, Simon’s thermal goggles allowed him to see them like they were spotlighted.
Looking up, Simon noticed a vantage point. He clambered over a few cars, making sure to move lightly and make minimal sound. He had the feeling that being caught at this stage, would lead to a little more than a beating. His heart began to pound in his chest.
* * *
Tyler walked up to his friends, and acquaintances. While he was the leader of this operation, having been deputized by Timothy, he delegated sub-commander roles to his four closest friends.
Richard Moore, the Mayor’s son. Annabelle Adams, the daughter of the town’s top lawyer, Margaret Adams. Julian and Georgina Green. Twins he had befriended in his early teens. All had been trained by Timothy to awaken and control their godsparks, all had fully bought into his ideals. After tonight, they would no longer have to hide.
“Tonight, we move out,” Tyler said, “Are you guys ready?”
The rank and file nodded, they were nobodies, delinquent, dissatisfied teenagers, young men and women. Tyler had shown then strength, Timothy had promised them a place, and they had quickly fallen in line. In truth, he was addressing his fellow commanders, and they received the message. Julian nodded, Georgina raised her eyebrows, and Richard smirked.
“We were born ready,” Annabelle emerged from the dark, eager to begin.
From his perch above, Simon was confused. He had assumed that Tyler was doing something criminal, but the Mayor’s son Richard was here, and Annabelle worked in small charity shops and with young children. These people didn’t seem that bad, and yet, they were planning something. He focused, and Hephaestus now extended to his ears, amplifying his hearing.
Tyler started to speak again. “As I’ve already said, Richard, you have the task of killing your old man, do it flashily and with a bang, so we know when to start. I will kill my family, as will Annabelle, Georgina and Julian.” He would grit his teeth at this, but no one would notice in the dark. “After that, Annabelle can volley the town from above and the rest of you come in from the outskirts.”
He pumped his fist into the air.
“We’ll put the fear of god in this town.”
It was at this point, Simon began to panic. This didn’t sound like a party, it sounded like a massacre waiting to happen. He had to escape, he had to warn someone, and quickly! In his panic, he lost his foothold and slipped from his perch rolling and tumbling down the hill of junk he had been perched on.
When he looked up, Tyler’s eyes were burning a hole into him.
“It’s just a kid!” The murmurs started. Richard and Georgina started towards him, but Tyler waved them away.
“Forget him. All of you move out now as planned. I’ll start with my “step-brother” over there,” He said. The others looked at each other and shrugged. They began to slink away until only Tyler and Simon were left.
“Now Simon, what shall we do with you?”
For the first time in years, Simon fully activated his Godspark. Hephaestus covered his arms, legs, head and spine. If he couldn’t run, he could at least fight! But as Tyler moved menacingly towards him, his flight instinct took him over and he began to run, the Hephaestus armour granting him increased speed.
But it was all for naught, Simon had not trained his powers, and at 15 he was neither strong enough nor was it fast enough to escape Tyler. Tyler quickly caught up and slammed him into the ground.
“Bia,” Tyler whispered.
Simon had known Tyler’s Godspark was a sword, but he had not fully seen it until then, he had never expected to be cut by it either. The air flashed, and then pain. Tyler slashed him across the back, slicing right through his armour and his skin. He wanted to scream, but Tyler shoved his face roughly into the ground. He could only cry in pain and frustration.
“What were you do doing here,” he asked coldly, “Who else knows about this place?”
Tearfully, Simon choked out, “I don’t know, I don’t know about this. I didn’t know. We just wanted to see what you were doing I don’t want to be here, I was just looking for you for Zeke.”
Tyler lifted his head from the ground to look at his face and then slammed it back.
“Please,” Simon blubbered, “It’s the truth. Please don’t kill me! I won’t tell anyone.”
Even as he said it, Simon’s words tasted hollow in his mouth. He realised that if what he had heard was true, then he would likely be dead anyway. His parents! They would be upset that he had been missing for a few hours, but he might not see them again. He began to cry a little harder.
“Oh, just shut up,” Tyler scooped Simon on, lifting him from the ground where he lay and carrying him over his soldier. “Come with me.”
What Simon didn’t know then but w
ould figure out for himself in the years to come was that Tyler was still conflicted. While he had said that he was determined to kill his family, having a friend blubbering and begging for his life had pierced right through to his heart.
Even as Richard ripped his father apart with his bare hands, and Annabelle rained explosions down on her mother’s offices. Tyler still grappled with himself inside.
Chapter 15 - Life in Limbo
Explosions rocked Karn county, tearing the town apart as Annabelle flew over them, her Godspark leaving vast swathes of destruction behind.
Children ran screaming from their houses, panicked parents ran on the streets looking for children. Dinners were left abandoned on the table as panic and chaos spread.
No one knew what was going on. All they knew was that they were under attack. The local police had already been quickly subdued by Julian, so there was no one to defend the helpless and confused citizens.
Zeke ran out of the house in a panic, looking around as Karn burned. His parents had raced straight into town as the explosions hit, looking for Tyler.
After taking in the chaos, he went back in. If he was going to die, there was nothing better than dying in his own home, surrounded by the familiar.
Another explosion rattled, shattering his windows. He heard screams from outside, people crying and begging.
Zeke just felt powerless, completely and utterly helpless. A knock on his door drew his attention.
Walking towards the door gingerly, he was relieved. Tyler was there, carrying Simon who must have been injured in the explosions.
Opening the door, he ushered them in. Stopping only to text his parents that Tyler was safe and that they could come one.
Then he heard a thud.
“Gah,” Simon fell roughly to the ground, grunting as he did.
“Where are Mum and Dad,” Tyler asked his brother. Zeke didn’t notice it then, but Tyler hadn’t looked at him in the few minutes they had been here. He was far more enthralled by Simon’s wounds, as the latter had begun to bleed all over the carpeting.
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