((How could you guys let me have two chapter fours!? Ha! I actually find it quite humorous. Maybe I should stick to my day job, which is unemployed.))
6. The Deal
Are you ready my lord? a voice from behind Atheum said.
Atheum turned his head and nodded slowly.
... And if I serve you, you will bring my love back from the abyss? Elegos asked.
He wore a tar like living armor that flowed around him in swirling currents. His cape made of the same strange substance.
That and much more. came the hollow voice of Atheum.
Very well then. I need you to give me the power to do it. Raising the one of the dead is draining enough.
The Union of Heroes' base was in a frenzy searching for Flaming Mistress and Maggie. While they were the Dark Harrier slipped away. He had failed. A child and another hero may have paid the ultimate price because of it. He flew through Steel Canyon looking down on the streets. Everything seemed darker and dirtier. People had grown a little colder. The once gleaming skyscrapers had become a lifeless dull gray in an overcast and rapidly onsetting fog. It all felt unnatural. Out of place.
But then he had grown a little colder too. He landed stepping through automatic sliding doors. The whispering whooshing opened up to a near silent hospital. He nodded to the nurse at the front desk who nodded back. He went straight for the elevators without hesitation as someone who had been there many times would. When the elevator doors opened again his heart beat a little faster even though his logic knew what would happen. Green waxed linoleum floors reflected the humming fluorescent lights above. The smell of chemicals invaded his nose. A few more clicks of his boots on the floor and he made it to the door on near the end of the hall. He always knocked without really being sure of why he did it before pushing the door open. A beautiful young woman was in the room hooked up to various machines.
Hello Jai. he said, How are you today?
His heartbeat slowed down with time. She laid there showing no signs of life just as she had for the past year. He looked over his shoulder before sitting down beside her gently brushing her hair out of her eyes.
He spoke again with hesitation, I let you down. I swore I would never let what happened to you happen to anyone else. he choked on the words, I'm sorry.
He laid down beside her, one arm wrapped around her, I'm so tired. I don't think I can...
His eyes slowly shut and drifted off to sleep.
The mansion was burning furiously. Jai, Dark Harrier, Blood Wolffe, and Solid Shot were deep inside it. The rest of the team was split up.
The marble floor above them broke off in a large chunk. Blood Wolffe shot a beam of blue energy straight up, splitting it in half. Each piece collided into the ground beside them on their ends before falling away from the group.
I could tell you our chances for survival if we stay here. Solid Shot yelled over the fire, But you wouldn't like them. I suggest we get out of here.
No! Dark Harrier replied, We have to find the others!
But they had tempted fate and pushed their luck too far. Fire had eaten through a crucial beam. When the roof came down over Dark Harrier and Jai Blood Wolffe dove, tackling Dark Harrier and sending them both rolling out of harm's way. Few could match the reflexes of Solid Shot but he was just too far away from her.
When the two got up the armored robot had already thrown his gun down and was digging through the rubble franticly. The others joined him, but when they finally reached her she was unconscious. Her Jadenium armor saved her from being killed but it was heavily warped from the weight.
Jadenium has a strange effect on heroes and villains in the invulnerability class. It is toxic to them, even the smallest bit can eventually cause death to someone like the Dark Harrier. He didn't care. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her outside. By the time he brought her to safety his arms felt like they were on fire. He gently set her down before collapsing to the ground.
He woke up with a start in the hospital room. It felt as if she was just awake. As if she had just been there. As if he had just lost her.
Two voices spoke in unison from behind him, We come with an offer.
What do you want!? a cornered man said to a Longbow Agent.
We have declared martial law in this section of the city. Now put your hands on your head!
I didn't do anything! he said.
The Longbow agent brought his rifle up and struck the man in the head with the butt stock.
Another Longbow agent came over, Hey! You can't do that!
What are you gonna do about it?
I'll take you out if I have to!
Night Collector leaned in close to the bound Flaming Mistress, I don't think I believe you. You mean to tell me you disobeyed your leader and came her for a trinket? You didn't come here to kill me?
That would have been a nice bonus. she snarled.
He ignored her comment for the moment, What of this Atheum myth? I've never heard of it. If he was at all these civilizations that disappeared why have I not heard of him?
I don't know, I guess someone has to survive to write the history books.
He held his chin pondering, An interesting lie. What could my souvenir possibly do to him if he is as powerful as they say?
He gets his power from his Mu artifact sword, I'm sure when Mu was around they had countermeasures.
I see. Collector said thoughtfully, I still don't believe you. But I won't worry about it. I can get the truth out of you eventually.
He picked up a set of pliers from a pile of rusty tools.
Brett came running in, Hey! Hey Night!
He turned to Brett with an annoyed look on his face, Haven't I told you I need to be alone when I'm in a creative mood?
It's Longbow. All over the TV, they split into factions and are fighting in the streets in Paragon. People are rioting against them.
I can't say I'm displeased but why on earth would they do that? Night Collector asked.
No one even knows yet. Brett replied.
Flaming Mistress whispered the words Azuria had said to herself, His mere presence creates wars.
Collector turned to her suddenly, What!? What did you just say?
His mere presence creates wars. she repeated, Azuria told us that when she met us.
I think they may have some merit on this one. We might want to listen.
Night Collector sighed, Very well. What is it you suggest then my little Mistress?
A temporary truce. Just long enough to beat him. Then we can go back to killing each other.
How do I know you won't try to blast me in the back when I go to take this Atheum's head?
My word.
The Night Collector stood straight up and laughed, Ha! You're word is about as good as mine. So I think not. We will work together. But I will have some insurance. Maggie is going to be coming with us.
She's just a child though, it's too dangerous!
That didn't seem to stop you did it? he paused. After he was sure she felt guilt he continued, Besides, she will have a personal bodyguard. Fenris will look after her. But the second I even think you are going to try something I will snap my fingers and he will snap her in two.
You're evil! she said.
You're no better! he replied, Brett, untie her, I will give Fenris his new commands.
Night Collector left the room they were in, still not fully trusting this new truce.
Thank you. Flaming Mistress said to Brett as he untied her.
For what?
Making him see our point of view.
Brett wheeled around and grabbed her by the neck, Do you see these scars!? he shouted as he made her take a close up look at his mangled face and neck.
Yes. she uttered with fear.
I admired my brother, a hellion. When a 'hero' with steak knives strapped to her wrists tried to gut him I got between them to defend him. She raked my face down to the skull! I was tried as an adult at sixteen and the judge had a soft spot for cat-girls. She bats her eyes and shows some leg and I end up in prison for four years! Don't ever group me with you! You call yourselves heroes. You're just people in my way. I'm doing this for me. I have to watch out for number one only. Just like you do.
I'm sor-
Don't! Just... let me untie you without you yapping.
The Night Collector walked through the rundown house to Fenris and Maggie, who was locked inside Fenris' cage.
Fenris Project! he barked.
The beast's gaze snapped down at him with full attention.
Night Collector pointed at Maggie, Protect.
Then he put his hands on his knees and bent down to Maggie's level, Now Maggie, Fenris is going to protect you and follow some simple commands such as 'attack' or 'help' or... well he doesn't do much else but if you try to run away or attack one of us he will rip you to shreds. Okay? he said with a smile on his face, We are all going to take down this supposed Atheum guy together.
What am I supposed to do? He ate my gun! she said pointing at Fenris.
Ah yes. Brett is a very skilled handyman. He can build or repair anything, except maybe your gun. But I believe he has made a compound bow with several different interesting arrowheads. I will have him bring down the tension in it and you can use that.
She scrunched her face, A bow and arrow!?
Mithril Zeta placed a hand on Cianna's shoulder. She was in a trance her fingertips against her temples. She wore her tight purple costume with her winged headband, picking up all sorts of sounds that should have been unhearable from within their base.
Anything? he asked.
No. But there is much chaos. I think something bad is going to happen.
She's right. Blood Wolffe said from the doorway, There's riots popping up in the streets, just a few now but growing. Longbow is in-fighting. It's strange, there's something in the air. I can smell it.
Where is Dark Harrier Black Gamma? Mithril Zeta asked, We need to act now.
She turned from the monitors and shook her head, I don't know. I 've been trying to reach him.
Blood Wolffe spoke, Well, the only way we will get to the bottom of this is-
Wait! Black Gamma said with a finger to her headset, Flaming Mistress? Is Maggie with you?.... What!?... Oh my... I hope you know what you're doing young lady, because I sure don't. We will send some people to pick you up right away.
She clicked off communication. When she turned around she was startled to find all three intently staring and as close as they could get without falling on top of her.
Well? Mithril asked.
Things just keep getting stranger. Black Gamma said.
. No worries, everyone does. Half the time it's waffle.