Titans: Revelation (Book 4 of the Titans Saga)

by C. J. Lloyd

  “More importantly, who has the Titans?” the man said. “Word on the streets is that superhumans with the power to level a city in an instant are becoming a hot commodity. Every country wants one,” he added, moving his mouth in a way that deepened the wrinkles around his lips.

  “So, the data from Area Zero was a success?” the man asked, turning to Samantha.

  “Yes, Mr. Secretary,” she answered.

  “Good. Tartarus will be equipped with the highest grade of security, specifically geared toward the Dark Titan. As far as we know, he has no other weakness but electricity, and even that can only take us so far.”

  Samantha cleared her throat as Elric met her eyes. “What’s going to happen to him?”

  “Death penalty. Televised so all the world can see. A warning to his friends and a way to save our asses from any speculation that we might be hoarding the Titans. Or one of them anyway.”

  “What’s the plan for Eden, Terra, and Jennifer?” Violet asked.

  The man remained silent, shifting his mouth left to right, studying Elric. “Heavy surveillance, no leaving the country, no utilizing their powers unless Uncle Sam says so.”

  “That’s ridiculous. You can’t do that to them?” Violet pleaded.

  He turned with bunched eyebrows. “Ms. Cavers. I thought I thanked you for your services. What that means is that they are no longer needed. At the moment, we have bigger fish to fry like dealing with your friend here and trying to avoid a possible modern-day arms race.”

  Elric looked up at Violet as she looked down upon him with pity and stormed out of the room. Samantha followed behind. The men continued to study him.

  “Elric Blake, the Dark Titan, codename Black. Do you know even the Ermakians have a nickname for you? It’s Black Death,” the man with the wrinkled mouth told him. “Get him on the ship. We’re heading to Tartarus as soon as possible. Make sure we’ve got everything set for his cell, and make sure we’ve got everything set for the show.”

  Elric watched a man turn a knob up. The vibrations in his body were intense, and he could hear the humming in his ear and in his chest, then everything went black.

  He found himself in his inner world. Light consumed everything; it was like a blank canvas. Well, other than Erebus nailed down in the center, his wings bound and strapped together by golden spiked chains.

  He grumbled, sputtering a few black clouds from between his massive teeth. Elric walked by his jaw, the size of two sixteen-wheelers and as high as a three-story building. Elric took a seat in front of him and crossed his legs.

  Death. The thought of death didn’t scare him anymore. Maybe it was his guilt, but he didn’t want to avoid it. He looked up at Erebus, wondering what his thoughts were. Probably pissed, bitter, full of hate, the usual.

  He sat and took a deep breath, meditating on what they would do next. His thoughts focused on where they would take him, and what they would do to him. He placed his hand over his chest, feeling the fluttering of Jen’s life. The piece of her soul. And he nodded.

  Violet raced out of the lab, heading back to the barracks. She should’ve seen that coming, how the government would react. It reminded her of the Citadel, and it reminded her why Zaroule left the military in the first place.

  “Violet. Violet, wait!” Samantha called.

  She turned. “That’s how they’re going to treat us, Sam? We risk our lives, save the world, bring Elric in, and now it’s ‘good girl, here’s a biscuit?’”

  “Violet, what happened in there was bullshit, I agree. I don’t know what else to call it. It was wrong. But you and I know that we have to focus on the others and keeping them safe. The world isn’t going to be what it used to be now. Eden, Terra, and Jennifer are going to have to be protected. Having surveillance on them is one thing, but letting them run loose and possibly kidnapped by another country or whoever can be a hell of a lot worse.”

  Violet sighed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Just what I said.” Samantha groaned. “We’re getting word that China’s going to pull from the alliance, but they’re developing technology that will not only fight Titans but possibly capture them.”

  Violet’s heart sunk. “What? Why?”

  “Why not? Elric put on a show for the world to see. Titans are the perfect weapons, and no matter how we look at it, they will always be seen that way.”

  At a loss, Violet shook her head and threw her hands up. “Then Elric was right after all. Mankind’s greed, all they want is power. He was right.”

  “I have a plan in place for the three of them, but it’s going to require completely rebuilding their backgrounds. It’s the only way to keep them safe and hidden from the public eye. Whether you agree or not, the secretary’s restrictions make perfect sense. Though, his delivery was less than tasteful. I need all of you to go back to the house. At least there you’ll have beds until I can get this all worked out.”

  “Fine, whatever.”

  Violet wanted to scream and sling a blast through the wall. It hadn’t been a full day since they brought Elric back, and battles were still being waged across the country from Calamity’s remaining forces. But apparently, the secretary of defense believed it would be better if Violet and the others didn’t get involved. “Let the troops take care of the rest,” he’d said.

  Violet bit down on her bottom lip, trying to calm herself before she went off. “Look, I need to talk with the others, okay? Telling Jennifer Elric’s getting the death penalty will go so well. And to tell Terra and Eden that they’re pretty much under a microscope is going to make them go ballistic. I’m still pissed we can’t go out and help people.”

  “If anything, Jennifer will understand.” Samantha nodded. “They have my word that this will work out for them, Violet. And everything with Elric ... I know it’s a mess. But even after what Jen told us, it doesn’t change what he’s done.”

  “No, you’re right about that. And It’s not your word I’m worried about, Sam. At the end of the day, all you can do is follow orders, right?”

  Samantha pressed her lips together. She couldn’t answer, and Violet didn’t expect her to. This whole situation with Elric and the world about to be destroyed took everyone’s stress to the next level.

  Violet went into the barracks where everyone was in the girl’s room.

  “So, what’s up? How’s uh …?” Alfred’s gaze turned to Jennifer as she rolled her eyes.

  “How’s Elric?” Jennifer sighed.

  Violet took a deep breath, thinking about the decision that was made. She thought about all the awful things he had done, then she thought about that girl they saw in Boston, the one on the table. “They’ve decided to give Elric the death penalty.”

  The room was silent.

  Violet waited for Jennifer’s outburst. She waited for the yelling, the crying, and expected her to bust out of the base and break him out before it happened. But that’s not what happened.

  “I understand,” Jennifer murmured. She snatched up her jacket and pulled a bag from beneath her bed. It was the same bag she’d stuffed all the clothes she had from Ermak in. “Well, I guess they’re done with us then, right?”

  Everyone looked up at Jennifer.

  Violet leaned in as if she hadn’t heard her clearly enough. “Did you hear what I just said?”

  “I did. But I don’t think it’s going to go the way you think.” Jennifer’s lips tugged to the side. “I assume they’re going to start taking precautions against us?” Jennifer’s eyes bounced from Eden to Terra. “Am I wrong?”

  Violet nodded. “Apparently, they’re putting the Titans under heavy restrictions, yes.”

  Eden’s eyes sharpened, and he jumped to his feet. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Precautions? We just saved the world. What the hell are they talking about, V?”

  Terra rolled her eyes and snorted. “I can’t believe this. They’re crazy. This country is crazy. Who imprisons the ones who saved countless lives?”

  “They don’t want t
o put you guys in prison. Just restrictive living, I guess.”

  Alfred rolled up from the bed. “What are we talking for my Titan peeps, V?”

  “You can’t leave the country. There will be heavy government surveillance, and no using your powers unless authorized by the US government.”

  Eden shook his head and laughed. “And what did Sam say? Did she at least try to fight for us?”

  “You know Sam can only do so much, Eden. But she has something in the works. She wants to—”

  “Just following orders at the end of the day.” Eden interrupted with a wink. “That’s fine, all of that is fine. I need a vacation. After everything dies down, maybe I can get my GED or something. Go to college, get my business degree. Screw all this noise.”

  He brushed past Violet and headed out the room.

  Jennifer slung a duffle bag over her shoulder. “Violet, thanks for everything. And take care of yourself.” Her fingers tapped against Violet. “Don’t get sucked into this world like Elric did. Be safe.”

  “Where will you go? You don’t have a place to stay. You can stay with us at Sam’s house. She has plenty of room.”

  Jennifer shook her head. “I can’t do that. Not that I would because I can’t stand to look Sam in the face. The world is so messed up, you know. I want to travel, use my powers to right some of the wrongs Elric and the others did.”

  Violet could feel the pureness of what Jennifer was saying. Besides, she knew Jennifer wasn’t budging on her decision.

  Jennifer turned to the others. “I’ll see you guys around.”

  Terra nodded. “Are you sure you can’t stay a little while longer?”

  “Terra, you’re like the badass little sister I never had. I know we’ll meet again real soon. I promise I’ll be around when you guys need me,” Jennifer said, giving Terra a tight squeeze.

  Terra nodded.

  “Do you need me to bring you anywhere?” Violet asked.

  Jennifer smirked as her eyes became a golden glow. “Since I can move pretty fast, I’d rather use my legs if you don’t mind. I’ll help some of the soldiers and clean things up a bit.” She pulled off one of the golden bracelets from her locks, and tossed it to Violet. “I know we all heard it, but has anyone said anything about this Legion situation?”

  Violet shook her head, catching the bracelet in her hand. “From what I understand, they’re bad news, and apparently Calamity had been working for them all these centuries. Sage knew a little bit about them, but I have a feeling with Calamity being gone, they’re going to make their presence known soon.”

  Jennifer nodded. “And when they do, we’ll be there, all of us. Right?” Everyone in the room nodded. “Good, well, until then ...”

  With a flash of light and speed Violet couldn’t read, Jennifer was gone.

  Sasha leaped back against the wall. “What the hell was that?”

  Manie nodded and grinned. “The speed of light?”

  Violet fell on her bed, thinking about the events that they’d just lived through. They’d stopped Elric, and the world was saved, but she didn’t feel any relief, no peace, no joy. Just a cold emptiness to the events that had played out.

  She turned to Terra. “We should be getting you back to your parents, shouldn’t we?”

  Terra smiled. “I’d like that. But are you sure you guys don’t need me to stay longer? I can if you want.”

  Sasha came over and rubbed Terra’s shoulders. “You know the whole country get-up really grew on me, and you’re as tough as they come, Terra. I know I was a little snotty in the beginning, but you really are the best.”

  “You guys are the best friends I never had. I don’t want to go, but I miss my ma and pa.” Terra wrapped her arms around Sasha and pulled Violet in, too, squeezing them with all her might. She started crying.

  Sasha embraced her. “I’m gonna miss you too.”

  Violet watched from over Terra’s shoulder as a nervous Manie inched his way behind. Violet smiled and pulled away, then yanked Sasha away too, nodding to Manie to make his move.

  Terra turned and took a deep breath. “Hey.”

  “Aye, um ... You sure you want to go back? I mean, there’s plenty of room at Sam’s house.” Terra slipped her hands into his and fell into his arms. Manie pulled her close, and they shared a kiss.

  Violet fought back a few tears, which was better than what she could say for Sasha who had to walk away and was now crying down the hall. In the moments of their lives where they could breathe and actually live outside of the fighting, Violet was surprised they were able to find ways to have relationships. She smiled, thinking about Eden.

  “Terra, what do you want to do?” Violet asked.

  Terra pulled away from Manie, whose eyes were wide with excitement and joy.

  Manie looked up at Violet, then back at Terra. “Stay. You want to stay, right?”

  Terra gripped his hands tight and looked away. Violet could feel the battle ensuing with the young girl, her feelings for Manie, and staying with her new friends conflicted with the life she had known before fighting to save the world.

  “Manie, I’ve never had anyone like you in my life. I never had friends or knew what it meant to have brothers and sisters. To love,” she said with reddening cheeks. “But my folks need me. I promise you, though, I’ll be back. If you think I’m worth waiting for.”

  Manie’s face hung long, but in his eyes, Violet could see his passion for Terra. “Of course, I’ll wait.”

  Violet smiled as Terra came over. “I’m ready when you are.” With a bright flash of light, Violet returned to Roxy’s home.

  Terra’s mother, Roxy, and her father, George, were filled with joy and tears hearing the story of how they overcame evil and brought Elric back to his senses, but Violet had concerns of her own for the future. Terra, on the other hand, seemed to be more than excited and couldn’t wait for when she was needed again.

  Violet couldn’t help but smile and enjoy the young woman Terra had become and the growth she had experienced in just over a month. She was truly a hero in her own right. Violet knew it wasn’t going to be the last time she saw Terra.

  Chapter 33

  Afterlife

  Lights flickered above as the humming and brightness awakened Elric from his slumber. He lay on an icy white tiled floor, surrounded by three white walls, and in front of the cell were bars of thick metal that hummed intensely. Even as he got a few inches, he could feel the tingling over his skin, and a strange weakness came over him. He stepped back, looking above. There was a metal barred mechanism that was just small enough to hang over him.

  He took a deep breath, remembering what happened before he went out. He swallowed, trying not to panic and to stay composed. He placed his hand over his chest, feeling the flutter of Jennifer’s energy within, and breathed in.

  He couldn’t see anything or anyone, but only walls, and even above those, past the bars, was nothing but a white ceiling. He turned to see a small bed and a white porcelain toilet.

  “Inmate Number One, Elric Blake, Dark Titan. Responsible for over one hundred and fifteen thousand deaths, over a million injured, and trillions in damages. Sentenced to death,” a voice replied over a loudspeaker. “How does it feel to be considered the most frightening, most hated, and most powerful teenager to have ever existed?”

  Elric didn’t answer. Instead, he sat on the bed, hunched over, and started meditating. What else could he do? The humming stopped, and a loud ringing consumed the cell.

  A robotic voice echoed from the speaker, “Step away from the gate. I repeat, step away from the gate. Otherwise, violent force will be authorized.”

  Elric studied the distance from the bed to the gate and figured he was good. Four men lightly armored in black combat uniforms, with strange rifles at their hips, stepped forward. Two aimed at Elric, while the other two kept their distance.

  “Prisoner Number One, rise,” one of them demanded.

  Elric did as they asked.

 
“Prisoner Number One, hold out your arms in front of you.”

  Again, he did as they asked. The man stepped forward and latched two metal bracelets over his wrists. Three sharp probes dug into his flesh. The pain was nothing compared to what his body and mind had been through these last few years.

  “Any sign of power usage, you will be purged, do you understand?” the man in uniform barked.

  “I do.”

  “That means nothing strange coming from your fingers, energy or black smoke, especially a change in your eyes. Do you understand?”

  They were detailed and knowledgeable about his abilities. Made sense. “I do.” They shoved him out of the cell with the barrel of a rifle digging into his back.

  Outside of his cell, the place seemed like a tight concrete fortress. Cold, empty, and smelled of the ocean. He wondered what Jennifer was doing and if she was okay. He thought about the others too, but he was sure they didn’t give much thought to him, not in the way of caring anyway.

  His thoughts and his inner world were so silent. He felt alone. The death penalty. Well, I guess that’s it for me then. He had hoped he could do a little more and make amends some way before he died.

  “You’re going to get what’s coming to you, you genocidal little shit,” the man behind him said, digging the barrel of the rifle deeper into his spine. “The world is going to watch you fry. You and whatever powers or magic you’ve got inside you.”

  Elric wondered about that. His mind was so distorted from the lies and the manipulation of Calamity and Erebus that he didn’t know what was what anymore. For all he knew, killing him could free Erebus, or his essence would float around the universe, causing more chaos and havoc. They brought Elric to a chamber. In the center was a metal chair with multiple machines hooked up to it.

  Tears ran down Elric’s face. Not for his death, but because he didn’t deserve the easy way out. He deserved to make up for every death, for all the damage he had done.

  They strapped him to the chair and bolted him down. Metal pins dug into his hands. They placed some kind of helmet over his head, and a needle dug into the back of his neck.