Masked

by G S Michaelson

  The Warehouse District was often empty. Today was a different day. At least 50 people stood outside the gates which separated it from mainstream Draekeor. Each of them wearing beast masks. They had been customers looking for a fix, so Jack had provided a special one tonight. Now, they were his puppets. A wall of flesh that would delay the Sabres even more.

  Upon citing the approaching Sabres, they became restless. Yelling, snarling, hurling projectiles and drawing attention to themselves.

  “We’ll have to descend either way,” Tyrone commented, “But it looks like Masquerade already prepped a welcoming party.”

  Lionel scoffed. Lightning sparked around him.

  “True,” Eva picked up the unspoken sentence, “They can’t handle us.”

  Tyrone leapt off the platform, the wind raging around him as he did so, slowing, and cushioning his landing. Around him, men snarled, exploding into monstrous forms with uncontrollable rage. Now was no time for sympathy, he reminded himself, the best way to help these men was to render them unconscious as quickly as possible. One leapt towards him, a frog mask. He slammed right into Tyrone’s fist as the latter leapt forward. Three more dashed towards him at the same time, a few more leapt at him. The frog’s head slammed into the ground as Tyrone continued moving, the wind moving with him.

  Twisting Wind Slicer!

  As the men reached Tyrone, they were suddenly blown backwards by a gust of wind so powerful and precise it blew them away while cutting through their flesh. They were too close to avoid it, and not skilled enough to move after taking the damage. About twenty or so now charged him, Tyrone wasn’t big on counting.

  A familiar crackle and smell caused him to look back at the Industria disk. An ephemeral bow formed of electricity danced around in Lionel’s hands as he took aim, and let fly.

  Lightning Arrow: Rain!

  Lightning rained from the sky, blasting the men with electricity and stunning the few it didn’t completely incapacitate. Lionel’s bow was already dissipating as he allowed another cocky grin to adorn his face. Eva dispelled her disk without warning, turning the smirk into a concerned frown. She stifled her laugh, then gathered industria into her hand, slamming it into the ground and releasing it simultaneously. The shockwave blew upwards and around, breaking her and Lionel’s fall. The rest of the men which still stood were knocked out. Tyrone had shielded himself as soon as she had dispelled the disk, anticipating what was coming. The trio surveyed the damage. They had made a ruckus, but the advance guard had been cleaned up. Tyrone clenched his fist as they prepared to head directly into the maze of warehouses. He knew without a doubt, Jack was here.

  * * *

  Minutes before.

  Warehouse Whiskey

  This was truly the last bastion for Masquerade. While they awaited Caine’s return, Jack, Rocky and Beth were the only ones who guarded the stockpile of the beast masks.

  Beth remained outside, her eyes scanning the horizon for any threat. In truth, the atmosphere inside had been strained. She felt a mild dislike for Jack, after what he had done. Rocky must have felt far more strongly, perhaps he was even questioning his choices. She understood, yet she did not vocalise her concerns, nor did she support him in any way other than a reassuring gesture. She had her own demons to deal with.

  In an inner room in the Whisky, Rocky sat in silence, his blank face occasionally slipping to betray his mood. Jack sauntered over to him in an attempt to make amends, in his own way. He placed a hand on Rocky’s shoulder, it wasn’t brushed off, not immediately anyway.

  “What do you want?” Rocky said, his voice barely rising above a whisper. He still did not meet his teammate’s eyes.

  “I wanted to apologise,” Jack said. If the wolf had looked, he would have seen the solemn expression the other man wore, “I’m feeling bad about yesterday.”

  “Lying doesn’t suit you.” Rocky simply said, “What is this really about?”

  “You and me,” Jack’s lips curled upwards into a smile, breaking his solemn expression. “We’re a team, we’re the best two of this cohort, we have that killer instinct, that drive. Cats and dogs. Tigers and Wolves. We can’t let small things like that come between us.”

  “I am here…because I promised to be, Jack. Not because I want to.” Rocky’s tone remained measured, steady, “I never liked you very much or thought of us as a team.”

  “Don’t be like that.” Jack replied, “Think of all we’ve accomplished together. You and I? We’re practically best friends — unlike that chew toy of yours.”

  “Chew toy?” Rocky erupted. In between ticks of the clock, he flipped over his seat, throwing it at Jack. It shattered on his body.

  Jack lashed out, instead of replying. Rocky evaded his first blow, the second caught him on the side of his head. A glancing blow, but it left a slight gash regardless. Jack licked his lips unconsciously as his mask began to crawl over his face in response to the sight of blood. He took a step towards Rocky, the other man stepped backwards.

  “Jack. You need to get a grip.” Rocky stepped backwards, his voice slightly tinged with fear.

  “Get a grip.” Jack repeated as his mask retreated, leaving only a maniacal grin, “I am in full control of myself.”

  “Incoming,” Beth yelled from outside, she had spotted the Sabres flying in.

  Rocky smelled them first. Lionel’s familiar scent reaching him. Then that of the others. It had only been a brief encounter, but he could identify all three of them now.

  “She’s right,” he growled, “They’re here.”

  “Good to know.” Jack walked up to Rocky and patted him on the head, “I knew having a guard dog around would prove useful.”

  “I’m not an animal.” Rocky said, “I’m a person. Somehow you’ve forgotten that.”

  “We are all animals, some of us embrace it more than others,” Jack replied. Opening the door, he gestured out, “What you shouldn’t lose sight of is what we have to do. We have one job. To guard this place until Caine is done, and kill anyone who might interfere. Can you handle that or not?”

  “I’m heading out now.” Beth’s voice broke in again, “They’re splitting up!”

  “This job. Then we’ll need to have a talk, Jack.” Rocky relented,

  Their eyes met. Rocky searched Jack’s for any trace of humanity, there was none. Just pure unrestrained bloodlust.

  “Or maybe not.” He muttered.

  “Good boy,” Jack said. “Just do your job…”

  As Rocky left, Jack felt the familiar sensation of a portal opening behind him.

  “…and I’ll do mine.”

  * * *

  The Sabres had split up, it was easier to cover more ground that way and search the warehouses faster. Unfortunately, Eva’s industria scan was ineffective here. The area was pulsing with masked energy. Tyrone and Lionel dashed right into the thick of it, Eva scoured the outskirts. Checking one, two, three, seven, ten…all empty. She was just about to continue her search when she spotted a figure silhouetted by the moon.

  It was Beth Peach. Eva’s fear had been confirmed. Poor Juniper had not one, but two serpents in his life.

  “You.” She simply said, slowing to a stop ahead of the warehouse...

  “Hello Eva,” Beth said, “It’s a shame. Yesterday, you had tea at my house. Today, we fight.”

  “I take it that means you’ll show me no courtesy.” Eva replied, “I didn’t want to believe it…”

  “I thought you were the smart one.” Beth shook her head, “Yet, you want to protect the conscience of your teammates. I respect that instinct, as much as I understand it.”

  Eva’s mouth opened to respond, but Beth’s hand slid over her face, the bone white substance of the mask trailing after it, obscuring her feature with its emotionless facsimile.

  “That is why I’ll have you disappear now. Eva.”

  * * *

  Lionel had dashed ahead, losing sight of Eva and Tyrone. His speed made him well suited for search and destroy m
issions like this one. He expected the masks would be stored at the very end. After all, they wouldn’t want to make it too easy for them. On the other hand, they could very well have anticipated that and stockpiled them at the entrance. Then again, that was what his teammates had been left to intercept.

  That’s when he heard them. Footsteps on the roofs above him. Coming closer.

  Lionel’s eyes flicked up just in time to see a familiar figure slam into him, knocking him off course.

  Rocky crouched on all fours, his mask fully covering his face, a low growl rumbled the air.

  “That was a bit loud for you. Still interested in taking it easy?” Lionel said. His fingers slipped into his knuckle dusters, lightning charged through them.

  Rocky simply leapt towards him.

  “Guess not.”

  * * *

  Tyrone had reached a different conclusion from his teammates. Search and destroy was fine and all, but they also needed to lure out Masquerade. The beast masks were a secondary concern — for now.

  He supposed he could simply fire off enough attacks, damaging enough warehouses, that someone could come for him. Tyrone had dashed rightwards while Eva and Lionel had gone left and centre respectively. They wouldn’t be caught in the collateral damage.

  He placed his hands together, the wind coalescing in the middle of his palms, shrinking and compressing to add power to the attack. This would take down at least two or three walls if he aimed it right. It just took some time to prepare.

  “No wonder you don’t use that.” A mocking voice came from behind him. Jack dangled his legs off one of the warehouse roofs. “There’s too much build up for it.”

  Wind Cannon Ball!

  Tyrone turned and fired nigh instantaneously. The blast obliterated the section of roof Jack had been on, but otherwise sailed harmlessly into the air where the sudden rush of wind broke the relative silence.

  “Straight for the kill,” Jack applauded. “But you can’t do anything from down there.”

  Tyrone’s shin snapped through the air towards Jack’s face. A well-timed shunt to catch him off guard. But not quite. his leg slipped through air as his opponent ducked, striking him in the ribs hard enough to send him flying backwards. Tyrone dug his fingers into the rooftop, slowing his skid.

  “Yes, Tyrone Sy,” Jack donned a maniacal grin, “Come at me and take revenge for Juniper. I will gut you like the dog you are.”

  Chapter 30 - Shattering, Slicing

  Weeks ago.

  Aslog

  WestScarlet. “I have a feeling you’re going to be the shortest answer I’ll get today,” Tobi had said as Bart had taken a seat opposite him in the cafeteria. He had the rest of his meat, Bart had a simple water bottle. “Brevity is always appreciated, and you never did have a tendency for depth.”

  “Yeah, well I always did uh…get to the point.” Bart uncorked the water bottle and took a swig. “Wait, was that an insult?”

  “That was positively terrible,” Tobi had said, ignoring the question.

  “So, in response to your question, Tobi, it’s because I used to think I was immortal.”

  “And that shaped your life to this much?” Tobi had begun making notes on a small notepad.

  “I know I’m not immortal,” Bart had replied, “You taught me my limits. But I used to think I was, so I came here. I was cocky, overconfident.”

  “Was?” A smile tugged at the Centurion’s lips.

  “Come on man, let’s not get too bogged down by details here.” Bart had replied, “I enjoy the feeling of a fight and the rush of adventure. But I like. I like not feeling like a freak here. I like my teammates like Aiden and Deidre, and oddly enough Lionel, who’s helped push me. If I wasn’t a Sabre, I don’t know where I would channel all this damn energy I have inside me.”

  Tobi had considered his response for a moment. Then he snorted. It was Bart, through and through.

  “Good, earnest answer. Hopefully Aiden follows your example.” He had snorted again, it was unlikely. “Welcome to the Sabres.”

  * * *

  Battle of the Sabres.

  Team Deidre vs Team Louise.

  Blood dripped from his head. The crimson liquid pooling on the ground. Bart lay prone on the ground. Deidre knelt beside him, panting. She wasn’t as injured as her partner, not yet anyway. The street around them was torn up. Emergency vehicles lay upended, wheels spinning. Buildings had been shot full of holes, and it was just the start of the battle.

  “We seem to have killed your partner.” Louise said, “For a Sabre, he doesn’t have much stamina. Unlike Paul here, he can go all day.”

  “Don’t project your weird insecurities on us,” Deidre lifted her head. “He may be a meathead, but he can bring it when it counts.”

  As if on cue, Bart’s wounds sealed themselves shut as his esoterica kicked into gear. Bone and muscle and skin stitched itself together as if directed by some divine tailor, leaving him none the worse for wear. Shaking himself off, he stood up.

  “Took you long enough,” Deidre said.

  “Shut up.” Bart smirked, “I only took a fatal hit for you. Don’t get all saucy on me now.”

  “Did he just…” Paul was stunned at the sight of the Sabre.

  As the fight had developed Deidre’s ability was made immediately obvious, Bart’s less so. He had only attempted hand to hand combat with them so far, until recently. Louise launched an attack towards Deidre, he leapt in the way. Half his torso was obliterated, and his skull was sliced open. However, in just a minute he had stood up. He was joking and kidding along with his partner, and he had used neither beast mask nor regeneration pill.

  Louise tilted her head. This would turn out to be a battle of brains, as well as brawn.

  “Just be careful ok, Bart.” Deidre was now saying. “These guys are something else.”

  “Yeah.” Bart now warily regarded their opponents.

  “You fought Quinn back in the Four Cities. We’re impressed you managed to survive that, though from the mission report you didn’t seem to particularly effective.” Paul said.

  “I think you’ll find -” Paul blinked through his mask as Deidre appeared to vanish. Dust swirled where she had been standing a moment ago.

  “-we’re a bit more effective against traitorous trash like you.” Her glasstana lanced down, slicing through the air and toward’s Paul. He began to move, but Louise had already done so. One hand shoved Paul back, the other blocked Deidre’s slash. The sword and arm collided, clanging off each other. The two women shoved off each other.

  Deidre paid particular attention to the hardness of her skin. It had deflected the glasstana, just like before. Neither of them had used their Anwanwu modes yet. They were still being toyed with.

  She retreated. Bart leapt forward. The baton had been passed. From his arms, long, wickedly curved blades of bone began to protrude. His esoterica allowed him to manipulate and strengthen his bones with industria. He often boasted that this made them harder than the toughest steel. A jest to be sure, but not far off from reality.

  Of course, it hurt and tore his body to be used that way. Regeneration was a necessary adaptation. As long as he had industria, Bart could regenerate from almost any attack.

  Louise crossed her arms to ward off his blow. Unlike with Deidre, her skin was no longer enough.

  Ossein Slicer!

  Blood spurted from her forearms. He had broken through her armour. Bart slashed at her again, swinging his entire arm to decapitate his enemy.

  The wind whistled as a thin spine thrust through the air, piercing his torso. Bart grunted as he was thrown off balance by a combination of the force of the thrust and the pain.

  From Paul’s forearm, a clump of spines had merged into one large spike. They had now embedded themselves into Bart, explaining his current predicament.

  His other hand sent spines towards Deidre. She promptly deflected them. A gesture from Paul and they formed a cage around her.

  “You’re pla
ying hard now,” Paul’s eyes hardened as the mask began to merge with him, “We can do that too.”

  Porcupine Mask: Anwanwu!

  The beast mask activated, Industria filling Paul’s body. He grew larger, his body hardened, his hair becoming a razor-sharp nest of spikes, his fingernails growing into claws.

  As Bart crouched gasping for air, Louise roundhouse kicked him into another building. Blood spewed from his mouth.

  Glass shards tore through the air, moving like a cloud of death towards Louise. Deidre swung her glasstana hilt at Louise.

  Flechette Sabre!

  “Not enough.” The masked woman murmured. “It’s not nearly enough.”

  As if hitting an invisible wall, the glass shards began to crumble into nothing.

  Deidre winced and pulled her attack back. Unlike Paul who had transformed into a grotesque, spiked, massive ball of muscle and bone, Louise had done no such thing.

  She tried again. With a wave of her hilt, the glass shards swung forth once more, only to be repelled by that invisible something that Louise was controlling. It was then she noticed it. The floor under Louise was moving, and not merely due to the heat. They had been invisible before, but as Louise’s mask had come alive, the cloak that had kept them hidden was now stripped.

  “You’ve seen it?” Louise said. “My mask, unlike the others doesn’t transform my body. I become the hive mind of an army of beast mask powered beetles.”

  Deidre could just about make them out. Fueled by the industria of the mask and powered by Louise’s mind, they must have eaten her glass before it could reach its target.

  “Beetles?” Bart approached, having dug himself out of the rubble he had been buried in. “Geez Louise. Talk about not sticking to a theme.”

  “Unlike your duo, we are compatible. A perfect offence, an invincible defence.” Louise ignored his attempt at humour. “Your attacks may not reach us, but ours will reach you.” To Paul, she said, “Now.”

  The Porcupine grunted. The two attacked in unison.

  Adamantine Piercing Spear!

  Spines lanced out from Paul’s outstretched arms, impossibly long, and as they raked up the street, impossibly hard.