Throughout the square, Marona followed him despite the turmoil that erupted on all sides of her. The deeper she immersed herself, the more savage they became. Pockets of discord surrounded her, but the slender, hooded man gracefully navigated through the conflict, whereas Marona had been cut off.
Just who is he? Marona thought as she watched the back of his hood effortlessly blend into the sea of chaos that surrounded him. Something isn’t right about him. He faded away like a ghost, seemingly unaware of the Hell the square had plunged into.
Marona watched from where she stood as the guards from the perimeter of the square cleaved through the pockets of mobs that were once a crowd. No longer did it seem like a town, but the beginnings of what was to be a battlefield.
“Emil...,” Omari calmly stated.
“On it,” he replied.
Emil’s body tensed concisely as a rush of sky-blue energy outlined his figure. His job was simple. To keep the peace and to protect those who were at risk of being in harm’s way. This won’t be another Nerai! Emil jumped into the air above the crowd and threw a cascade of shuriken at the approaching guards. Illuminated with Emil’s light, the shuriken accelerated and hit their marks, lodging themselves into the armor of the enemy. Now! From the shuriken, the light that encompassed them grew in intensity before bursting in a compact explosion of light, injuring all who were afflicted. A series of gasps and screams erupted from the crowd as Emil landed in the center of the square, still radiating with his own energy. The horror of the people faded and transformed into awe as Emil’s energy danced around him like a slow burning flame. “I’m on your side!” More soldiers were in the area so he had to move quickly. In front of him, more guards awaited as well as the source of all the commotion. I can’t waste any more time. The fire around Emil’s body ignited as he stepped forward, leaving only a blue streak of energy as he rushed towards the foot soldiers.
Officially, the vanguard’s job was to keep the peace, but it was evident that they did what they pleased.
Rather than whole-heartedly attacking the Abnormals, part of their aggression was aimed at the supporters who were caught in between. “Leave them alone!” With his father’s sword, Emil cleaved through the opposition without mercy. Damn it! It’s all gone to Hell. Nothing’s making sense. Why are they attacking the people?! “Skye! Omari!” Emil cried out as he surveyed the battlefield. “Marona!” Emil paused as he scanned the area repeatedly but nothing stood out. Over the clinking metal and sounds of war, he knew his voice could no longer be heard. In mere minutes, they had lost complete control over the square. “Skye! I need you down here. People are hurt!” Emil scanned over the carnage that was still underway. “Omari!” Emil turned back to the center stage but Omari, along with Eric Crane, were gone. “Damn it!” Emil scrunched his fingers into a fist as he looked over the chaos once more. “Marona!” he cried, but again his allies failed to answer his call. In his wake only trouble followed the brave wanderer, for it seemed that history was destined to repeat itself. “Marona! Marona!” Emil yelled frantically as he weaved through the crowd, neutralizing the enemy as he searched for his comrades. His shoulders rose and fell unevenly as he siphoned air into his mask. “Omari! Skye!” A foreign blade sliced at Emil, grazing his body before he slipped past the blow.
“Out of my way!” Emil yelled as he cut into his enemy effortlessly, ignoring the hot streak that traveled down his back. With stone eyes, Emil gazed upon the soldier he had afflicted. The diagonal chasm fissured into his plated armor radiated blue as he lay helplessly on the ground. He wasn’t dead, but possibly dying. Emil averted his eyes from the wounded man’s body to the beaten path that lay ahead. We weren’t supposed to kill, but I suppose now things are different. If they live, Skye can deal with them. I have to find the others.
A sudden pulse of energy ran through Emil’s body as the aura around him resurfaced, illuminating the sword he wielded as well. This won’t be another Nerai, Emil thought as he gripped the handle of his blade tight and watched another squadron of soldiers approach him. The distaste he had for the guard amplified as he watched them rush towards what would be their death. Another jolt of energy surged from his left hand, igniting his blade with a series of ominous blue sparks that cracked the earth as it tethered to the ground. I’ll kill them all.
“DAMN YOU!” Emil roared, before Omari appeared in front of him, arms sprawled, breathing heavily.
“Emil, Stop!” Emil stopped mid-motion as the energy he aggregated slowly began to fade away from his body. “Don’t...” The scowl Emil wore beneath his mask melted away as he lent his ear to reason. “The very people you aim to protect are in this crowd. With that much energy you would have killed them with ease.”
“I...” Whatever had possessed Emil left him with the coming breeze. The blade Emil held grew heavy as it weighed his arm to the floor, momentarily deeming him unfit to wield it. Though it was impossible to read Omari’s expression under his mask, Emil felt the sting of disapproval prodding him as he and his mentor exchanged glances.
“It’s okay,” Omari grunted before he vanished into the wind, reappearing behind the men who Emil previously planned to attack. Emil’s weapon dangled from his hand as he watched Omari neutralize the guards with precision. Within seconds, he’d dealt with them in his trademark meticulous fashion, picking apart their weaknesses and striking them between their defenses with pinpoint accuracy. As they fell one by one, Emil knew they were no longer a threat. Even though they lived, the damage done would render them incapable long after the fight was over. Just as quickly as Omari had appeared, he disappeared and returned to his former position in front of Emil.
“Raise your weapon. Now isn’t the time to doubt yourself.”
“...Right.”
“Skye informed me that an Abnormal is in our presence and that he is the cause for this uprising. From what Skye explained to me, she noticed a shift among the townspeople and the guards in the square. At first, she attributed the steady climb of tension brought upon them through current events, but at one point, there was a massive spike. As I’m sure you have felt by now, the air is awry. The atmosphere is thick with emotions, but not necessarily our own. Skye believes that an Abnormal is manipulating the people by twisting their emotions.”
Emil silently backtracked over his actions leading up to the moments before Omari’s intervention. “Where is he now?”
“To my knowledge he is no longer here. By the time I reached Skye, he was no longer in her range. The last thing she told me was that she felt Marona’s signature near his before he eluded her.”
“And Marona, where is she?” Emil asked.
“She’s still in the square. Before I dropped off Eric at the determined point, I spotted her in the crowd. By happenstance, the area she’s in isn’t as afflicted as the others.”
“Good,” Emil said in relief. His shoulders dropped and he appeared visibly calmer. “So what now?” Omari paused as he reflected momentarily while still keeping split focus on the developing battlefield.
“Stay focused on the task at hand. We aren’t quite sure where the allegiance of that man lies. He could have been trying to do justice with his own hands or simply another one of your brother’s men. If we distinguish them by only an insignia, then we are naïve. Lines have already been drawn. Only by actions can we determine who we trust.”
“I can find him. Maybe he’s just afraid. Maybe we can use him to help us. If I find him, I can talk to him an—”
“No,” Omari interjected. “The degree of his power is unknown. It would be dangerous. If he has the power to influence the emotions of a whole town, imagine the effect he could have on a single individual. He could essentially destroy your mind.”
“If Arius finds him before we do—” Emil started.
“That is, if he hasn’t already,” Omari added. “If we were to confront him, friend or foe, Skye would be a necessity, but that is the least of our concern in the present moment.”
Emi
l’s train of thought shifted off its course and ultimately subsided. He realized his thought pattern was foolish. To be considering such a thing in the midst of a potential uprising exposed his shadow—his naivety.
For that, he resented himself and admired Omari.
“The people need us,” Omari insisted. “Now more than ever. I’ll cover the northern half, and you take the southern. Guard your heart, guard your mind, for everything you do flows from it. The Abnormal who was previously here may return in the future when Skye is not with us.”
“Right.” Emil nodded through the mask as he showed the upmost reverence to Omari’s character. In the face of adversity he flourished, even though everything he loved was at stake.
“Oh, and Emil, don’t worry. I’ll make sure Marona is safe. Just focus on neutralizing the guard.” Omari’s body vanished, and soon after Emil dashed in the opposite direction, recharged and refocused on what he set out to do.
Chapter 3: The Man Who Walked With Vipers
He moves too slowly, that will be his downfall... In time, our day will come, that is certain. The less aware hold no regard for their impending judgment and our ascent back to our rightful positions. Forcing the people to be consumed by their own destruction is far more pleasing than serving as only a bystander. They rally at our deaths as if it is a joyous cause... Their vice against us will be their demise.
From his back, a set of four snake-like specters, visible only to him, slowly receded back into his body as he overlooked the city square. A smile emerged on his face as he watched the ensuing chaos unwind from the rooftops of Everrmore, delighted in the progress that he had made.
I can feel their anger, their envy, their hate. I’ve tasted it all as my snakes weaved through their hearts.
The cloaked man chuckled to himself. Who would have thought? A leisurely stroll through the crowd and an uproar manifests. I simply gave them what they wanted. Sometimes it feels good to let it all out. Brother against brother, father against son, mother against daughter. It’s all there, down below, deep inside. The man in red tapped his chin as he quietly assessed his next course of action as he observed Emil, Omari, and Skye holding their own in the city square.
The three masked Abnormals still in the square do seem to pose a threat. Although a minor one. It’s a shame that they still believe those fools are worth saving.
One has energy manipulation, one has space and possibly time manipulation, and the other seems to be a healer—viable assets. Even though the same blood runs through our veins, I doubt our mission is the same. They hide behind masks like cowards, afraid to show the world who they truly are. For that, I resent them. More than likely they’ll get in my way, but I suppose I’ll let them live. Of course, only after I have my fun.
Perhaps in time they’ll learn to see things as I do.
With his heart set on destruction, the cloaked, slender man jumped from the roof, landing behind the crowd in an alley where he could not be seen. This will be fun, he thought as the serpents tethered to his back grew in size. Of all the shapes he could choose to manifest as his will, he chose the snake. The most cunning, the most sinister, the most effective, the most manipulative. It suited him perfectly. The way that they coiled and constricted their prey was the same way he chose to operate. Rather than killing them quickly, it was always painful and indirect. Breaking his opposition was more to his liking.
“Time to come out and play,” he whispered to himself as the serpents manifested themselves to his desired size. Silently, he walked into the crowds as his serpents pierced into the hearts of the people, taking what he desired and leaving them only with malice. Calmly, he treaded towards the center of the square as his demons grew. Like wings, they drifted behind his back, only bringing the promise of death to those who opposed him. He wore no armor and wielded no weapon. Instead, his hands rested gently in his pockets as he carried on with ease while his serpents passively protected him.
In the distance, his eyes caught hold of Emil as he pressed deeper into the crowd.
Ah...the manipulator. He will be the first.
Chapter 4: Emil and the Angel of Death
Guard your heart, guard your mind. Guard your heart, guard your mind. The words constantly streamed through Emil’s mind as he ran through the crowd neutralizing the guards, preventing them from wreaking any further havoc on the people of Everrmore. Emil gracefully parried and evaded enemy attacks, expending minute amounts of energy while at the same time immobilizing his opponents. His exceptional speed and dexterity worked to his advantage. All he needed was a well-placed slice or a second to channel his energy through their armor; the former wounding them and the latter rendering them unconscious.
Something isn’t right, Emil thought to himself as the air around him suddenly grew heavy. A heart-stopping chill fell over him, momentarily freezing him in place as his mind continued to search for answers. What is this? Emil’s pulse began to pick up from where it once fell off. Anxiously, he spun around in the square as he searched for the root of the perceived evil he felt slowly approaching. With every passing second, his feelings grew. He was afraid, nervous, anxious. The air was once again blanketed with emotions which magnified his own. Damn it. It’s him.
Ever so smoothly, he walked, like he was in the least bit of danger. The cloak he wore over his silver hair bounced steadily as he ominously approached. Fully on guard, Emil kept his distance. Emil’s aura reinvigorated itself and covered him. To his surprise, it seemed to protect him from the mental effects of his potential enemy’s presence.
“It doesn’t have to be like this,” Emil said as he readied his sword. “Whatever you’re doing to the people, make it stop. People are getting hurt. There are other ways to get your point across.”
The mysterious man chuckled to himself in amusement. “And what if it was my intention to hurt them? Obedience is hard to enforce through words alone.”
“So you win your battles by attacking the defenseless? I see Legion is as spineless as ever.”
A moment of silence filled the gap that was between them before the hooded man decided to speak once more.
“I do what I please. Me and Legion don’t exactly see eye to eye.” He then eyed out a bystander that was in the crowd nearby, and almost instantly, his target dropped dead. “Unless, that is, you can stop me.”
The hooded man’s gaze returned to Emil, accompanied by a coy smile.
Emil’s body grew numb as he stood terrified at what he had just seen. This...this can’t be real. I’ve never seen anything like this before.
“Impressive, yes?” the mysterious man mused as he tasted Emil’s growing fear.
How did he do that? He didn’t even move! “What did you do to him?” Emil asked as he remained on guard.
The hooded man ignored the question as he slowly began to walk towards Emil. “You say it is like us to pick on the helpless and defenseless, so tell me then...what does that make you?” Emil began to back away slowly in synch with his foe’s steps until he finally shook the cold that weighed heavily on his body.
Damn it. There’s no way he’ll let me live. I have to try something. “Take this!” Emil’s blade swung swiftly to the right and released a controlled wave of energy at his opponent. Unaware to Emil, the hooded man’s serpents expanded and folded around him like the wings of an angel, preventing any damage from coming his way. The crooked smile he wore grew as he remained unharmed.
His energy bears similar characteristics of lightning, yet it is his own. Interesting. For him to channel and send it through an object in such a concise manner shows skill, I do admit.
Emil clenched his teeth beneath his mask as he began to weigh his options. My attack didn’t even get through. He has a barrier of some sort. If I can break it, then maybe I’ll have a chance.
“Rahh!” Before his opponent had the chance to progress any further, Emil rapidly sliced his sword in the air, firing a barrage of projectiles at his enemy’s perceived barrier.
Hmm. H
e should know by now that an attack of this magnitude isn’t nearly enough. Perhaps if he weren’t desperately afraid of causalities, he could actually do some damage.
Emil continued his assault, but the hooded man remained unharmed. His feet began to move again, pressing closer to Emil as he continued to pelt him with his blinding light.
He’s moving again... It’s now or never. From his hand, Emil fired a wave of his energy that released a blinding spark upon collision. Immediately, Emil’s aura encompassed the hooded man as he rushed forward with blazing speed, concentrating his energy into his blade. If his power is within his eyes and he can’t see me, then he’s powerless. Within the second, Emil was well within striking range and was able to deliver a concentrated blow with all his might. His sword met little resistance as it penetrated through the remnants of his opponent’s energy, partly because the hooded man had foreseen the attack. Of his four snakes, only one stayed in place to guard against Emil’s assault, acting like a buffer, giving him time to parry his blade at the last possible second.
Well played, the hooded man thought to himself as he jumped into the air. His attacks from earlier were used to test the density of the barrier that he thought I had. His power is formidable.
The Last Light Series Omnibus One: - The Dreamer and the Deceiver - All Things Eternal - Ode to the King: A Superhero Epic Fantasy Collection (The Last Light Collection Book 1) Page 13
