Finally, Nick mutters under his breath. Some nearby commuters glance at him. Nick realizes maybe he didn't say that as quietly as he thought. The Green Line pulls into Talos Station frequently enough. Usually he doesn't mind the short wait. But, today it's different. It's because of the dream, he's sure. It was different last night. And that had him worried.
Nick carries his coffee and copy of the Times. He finds a seat and settles in for his ride to Independence Port. Just a regular Thursday, he tries to tell himself. But, the dream was different. Maybe I'll go see Azuria after work, he thinks. She wasn't much help on the last visit. But, there was something about her. About the way she was acting. Before the last visit, though, Nick had never met Azuria, let alone talked to her for any length of time. So, maybe that's just the way she always acted. Distracted. Distant. And he could have sworn he saw her wiping away a tear. Who knows. Maybe it was just dust. There was a lot of old stuff in that room in City Hall.
And Nick had overheard stories about Azuria on the train. From Heroes. They weren't supposed to talk about those things, he thought. But little phrases would slip out. How does she keep losing these powerful artifacts? What kind of security do they have on that vault? She'd lose her head if it wasn't attached to her body. She sounds kind of flighty. Like she would be easily distracted and would forget to tell you something important. Well, what can it hurt? It's not like he had any plans for tonight anyway. He'd go to M.A.G.I. and tell her about the new dream. She did say he could come back if the dreams persisted. And they had. Every night for the last three weeks. Since that night.
He had thought about going back to Azuria anyway. Because the dreams happened like clockwork. But Nick wasn't sure what she meant by persisted. For Azuria, maybe was a year or more. Who knows? He could go to S.E.R.A.P.H. or D.A.T.A, but he was pretty sure this was something mystical. Because of the guy's costume if that's what you could call it. And besides, he really didn't want to have his blood drawn or be scanned with God knows what equipment. Equipment that would probably have side effects. Severe ones. At least with Azuria, if anything, he felt better, more at ease, after talking to her.
Let's see, thought Nick. What's in the Paragon City Times today? Hero A saves something. Villain B is up to no good. Typical. It should be no surprise. This city is full of villains and heroes. But it would be nice to read some normal, mundane articles every once in a while. Just one article that has no mention of a hero or villain. Tag, you're it, the man had said. Just before he disappeared. Nick put the paper down. He knew he wasn't going to be able to read it today. He leaned back and closed his eyes. And remembered the dream...
He was in a cave. But, you wouldn't really call it a cave. More like an underground lair or base. With military symbols everywhere. And there were many men. All shooting at him. Or running up and trying to hit him with the butt of their gun. Or attacking him with martial arts style kicks. The kind you see in movies. And there were robots. Some smaller than he. Others almost twice as tall. Shooting some kind of energy blast. Or swiping at him with their massive, metallic, sharp arms.
And he was dodging their attacks! He felt calm. Like this was something he did every day. Sure, his heart was pounding. But pounding as if he was out for a jog. And he was attacking them with a large sword. Nick didn't know what kind of sword it was. It kind of looked like the sword some of the Warriors carry in Talos. The Warriors that he tries to carefully avoid.
It was exhilarating! His attacks were so fast. And he was moving so quickly. Jumping or running from one attacker to another. Defeating them with one or two strikes with the sword. Or letting himself get surrounded by them and using the sword in spin or slice moves that would hit several at once. It's pretty clear that these men, this military group, was no match for him.
Then the beast came. The monster. He... No... It was 9 or 10 feet tall. It had the face of a wolf. But the arms were like grizzly bear arms. With claws. Those claws. Nick knew what was coming next. In the dream, he ran up to the beast. Determined to defeat him. Just as calm as he was with the other foes. They closed in on each other. He dodged the beast's first attack. And struck at the beast with his sword. And hit him! But, the beast seem barely phased by the strike. The beast swung his arm again. The beast made contact this time. Nick looked down to see the medieval armor that he had on. The beast's swipe had torn a hole in the armor! Ripped the metal apart. And the beast struck again. At the same spot...
Nick lurched awake. Both times. When he had the dream this morning. And just now on the train. People looked at him for a moment then went back to whatever they were doing. Nick just realized something. A connection he had not made before. Yes, he would see Azuria after work. As a matter of fact, he didn't want to wait till the end of the day. Maybe he would go at lunch time. Sure it would be a long lunch. It takes a while to get to Atlas Park. But, yes, he would go then.
That tear in the armor. It was the same tear. The one the man in the alley had that night. With all the blood.
Tag, you're it.
Lunch time. Back on the train. Yellow line to Atlas. All morning he couldn't get the dream out of his head. Nick wishes now for the old dreams. They were almost fun. Like watching an action movie. Fighting on a battlefield. Wearing armor. Fighting with a sword. Fighting other men with swords or crossbows.
Ahh, Atlas Park. At least the walk is short to City Hall. Nick starts walking at a brisk pace. Impatient to get there. Halfway to City Hall, he hears someone yelling. Hand over the valuables and no one gets hurt. About 50 yards away a group of men have surrounded some poor woman. She is holding her purse tight to her chest.
How can this be happening? In the middle of the day? In Atlas Park? Nick looks around. There are no heroes. No police. No Longbow. Where is everyone? This is not the first mugging he's seen. But there has always been someone he can call. Call for help. Not this time. He can't decide what to do. Should he run? Run to City Hall? There's sure to be someone there who can help this poor woman. But by then it will be too late. City Hall is still a few minutes away. What else is there to do, though? There are five of these... Hellions. Yes, that's what they are called. He recognizes now the red and orange gang colors with the satanic symbols. He wouldn't be a match for even one of them.
This indecision. It feels like it takes forever, but it really all happens in just one or two seconds. Then Nick feels calm. Calm like he did in the dream. When fighting that military group. He starts to run at the pack of Hellions. One of the Hellions catches him out of the corner of his eye. Nick half expects him to laugh, but instead the Hellion looks at him wide eyed. Oh, no. A cape! he says. What? Why would the Hellion say that? Nick is not a hero. The Hellion runs away! The other four do not, however. Nick can see the grim determination in their eyes. Mixed with... Fear? Why? They are looking at what he is carrying. But Nick isn't carrying... He has a sword in his hand! Where did that come from? And his hand... He's wearing a metal glove. He's got medieval armor on now. Including a helm. He does not know where the armor or sword came from, but they feel natural. Like he's supposed to be wearing this armor and wielding a sword. He fights the Hellions. It is difficult. He is clumsy with the sword, but still, there is some proficiency. Nick knows that skill wasn't ingrained in him. It came from somewhere else. As well as his ability to dodge some of the Hellions' attacks. Another Hellion runs off giving up. He defeats the other three. The woman thanks him.
Nick proceeds on to City Hall. He has the feeling that won't be the last fight he has. Not the last by far. He finds Azuria at M.A.G.I.. She has this strange smile on her face. Like she's been expecting him. Welcome, Medieval Power. Myself and others here at the Modern Arcane Guild of Investigation have sensed a disturbing trend. The Hellions are making... Medieval Power... He had never heard that name before, but yet... It is his name now.
Tag, you're it.
