Will
November 28th, 2007. 8:00 a.m. My room. I know I’m asleep, yet I can’t wake myself up. I don’t know how much time has passed, but it’s the same image of that damn pack exploding over and over again. No matter how many times I fix it in my dreams, it still explodes. Check the wires? Explodes. Remove the explosive? Explodes. Throw the pack into the ocean? Explodes before I can throw it. Sometimes it's the old crew that gets slaughtered, sometimes it's the new crew. I’m not sure which one’s worse… Luke’s eyes or Vivian’s eyes. Luke’s eyes are devoid of all joy, but Vivian’s are devoid of anything but joy. It gets worse too. Now there’s a bloody Janelle corpse hanging onto my back clawing into my skin. Her body is bloody and raw, but her face is as flawless and warm as ever. Sometimes when I let the bomb go, the corpse suffocates me or wrings my neck. Then I just wake up back at base and the whole scene repeats itself again.
“WILL!” A.D.’s voice pierces my mind and something soft hits my face.
My arm swings upwards and slices whatever was on my face in two before my eyes shoot wide open. I find myself in my bed covered in cold sweat again. My arms are trembling, my chest feels cold and full of cotton, and there’s two halves of a pillow around my head… but no blood this time… That’s good. My breathing is still crazy, but my limbs aren’t shaking as violently. I manage to turn my head just enough to face A.D.
He’s sitting upright on his bed looking down at me with his arms crossed. “Alright buddy. Something’s up. Talk.”
“It’s none of your business…”
“Yeah, it is. I don’t want to wake up cut up into ribbons.” A.D. takes a deep breath before smiling at me. “I’m not angry. I just want to help. I’m worried about you.”
I hear Luke’s voice in A.D.’s for a split second. They even smile the same way. That alone is enough to make my throat tighten and my eyes begin to water. “Fine…” I wipe my face with a pillow half. “Yeah… I get nightmares sometimes. Been that way the last three years.”
“Is the Chicago mission affecting them at all?”
“I guess…” I cover my face with the pillow half. “Team Lovers has started showing up in my dreams.”
“Aaaaw…” I can hear A.D. smile. “Are you worried about us?”
“You could say that.” Even though I’ve already had the same conversation with Janelle, it still makes me feel better. “Do you ever get nightmares?”
“I only remember having one over Thanksgiving break, but it was just my teeth falling out. No one else showed up.”
“How fascinating.” I somehow muster the strength to look at A.D. “You’re not scared of us getting hurt?”
“Nah,” A.D. shakes his head. “I know you guys are all strong enough to take care of yourselves. Plus Headmaster’s looking out for us. She doesn’t send us out on stuff we can’t win.
That makes me smile for some reason. “Heh… I wish I could be as naive as you.”
“I’m trying to help you here, dude.” A.D.’s eyes narrow.
“I meant that in the best possible way.” I wipe my eyes. “Keep that optimism alive. Please.”
“Need to go to therapy?” A.D. leans back in his bed. “I heard the school counseling center’s really good.”
“I tried that before.” I shake my head. “Haven’t really found a good one yet… The fear comes and goes. Just give me a week.”
“Need some meds then?” A.D. suggests. “Maybe Josh can hook you up with some stuff.”
“I’ve…” I feel all air exit my body. “I’ve tried them before. Don’t like them. I stopped being ‘me’ whenever I tried them.”
“Well we gotta do something.” A.D. shakes his head. “This isn’t healthy.”
“Just give me a week.” Even when I open my eyes, I can still see the boys’ bodies. “I’ll be fine. Stuff usually just flares up after a big mission.”
“One week.” A.D. glares at me. “I’m telling Headmaster if you don’t improve.”
“Fair.” I smile at A.D. “Thank you for caring about me.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
I can’t help but smile at that. “So… any leads on The Conductor?”
“Nah…” A.D. rubs the back of his head. “You’d think a dude who travels exclusively by magic train would be easier to find, but no.”
“Yeah, same here… Searched him up all over in the library but nothing.” I stretch my shoulders. “The only info I could find on him was from Headmaster.”
“About that…” A.D. furrows his brow. “I don’t trust her sources.”
“Why?”
“It just seems… I dunno. Too convenient?” He shrugs.
“I’ve witnessed all those docs you’ve read first-hand.” I look A.D. in the eye.
“Really?” A.D. winces. “There’s underground labs?”
I nod.
“And kids are being trafficked all over?” A.D.’s expression continues to sour.
I nod again.
“And the banks, Hollywood, and the federal government are all colluding on that?” A.D. asks.
“Indeed.” I get out of bed and start heading towards the dorm shower.
“Seems a bit far-fetched, don’t you think?” A.D. follows me out of our dorm room. “What if Headmaster’s just lying to us?”
I turn to A.D. “If only you knew how bad things really were.”
Will
November 28th, 2007. 8:31 a.m. Dorm room. Just got out of the shower. Did double my normal workout routine this morning. I’m exhausted. My arms are shaking and my legs feel like jelly. Good. That’s good. I’m sure I can unlock new powers if I try hard enough. Out of the shower, dressed once more, and going to ace my history quiz. Just have to eat a second breakfast an-
bzzt bzzt
I open my phone and see a text from the school. “Hello, William Lloyd Cruz. This is the A.E.G.I.S. mail service. You have a package awaiting your retrieval. Please retrieve it within one week from this date or it will be sent back.”
Huh. I didn’t order anything. Don’t think Dad sent me anything either… Wait. Did… did I get my first fan mail? Thank you, Lord. This is just the pick me up I need. As I exit my dorm, I see Angela walking back to her room carrying some cans of soda. She looks like she hasn’t had any sleep; well, more so than usual. “Angela, are you okay? How’s your mission going?”
“Oh yeah…” Angela rests her forehead on her door and doesn’t look back at me. “It’s going...”
“I bet…” I pat her on the shoulder. “Good luck.”
Angela makes a sound I thought was unproducible by human lips before saying “Thank you.” and opening the door to her room. “Hey… you’re a big Jesus man. Am I going to hell if I kill?”
“Well now…” I rub the back of my head. “That depends who you ask. Original translation of the sixth commandment says ‘Thou shalt not murder’, not kill.”
Angela just stares at her dorm in silence for a few moments. She sounds like her throat is full of mucus. “So… killing in self defense is okay?”
“Yes.” I nod. “I would also argue killing to keep others safe is also warranted under certain circumstances.”
“Good…” Angela takes a deep breath. “Good.” She sounds ready to cry at any moment. “Could you say a prayer for me? I need those right now.”
“You got it. How about we pray together after these missions? I know some good passages that always put me at ease.”
“I’d like that…” Angela wipes her nose with her sleeve. “Thanks, Will.”
“No problem.” I smile. “How’s Janelle doing?”
“She’s recovering pretty well. Been sleeping like a hog in mud.”
“Good.” I nod. “Good luck out there, alright?”
“You too.” Angela enters her dorm and quietly closes the door behind her.
Went to class, aced the quiz, sat through two lectures and one physical fitness class. At around two, I finish my day and head over to the mailroom. No one else is here besides a student employee sleeping on the counter.
“Mmhm.” I loudly clear my throat.
“Bwah!” The student shoots awake and slaps his cheeks. “I’m up! Please don’t fire me! I’m getting it looked at by a professional!” He looks around frantically before seeing me and calming down. “Oh. It’s just a student… What can I do you for?”
“I’ve been told I have a package waiting for me. Name’s Will Lloyd Cruz.”
“Gotchu. Lemme see.” The student stretches his arm all the way into the back room and gropes around for a little bit. His arm has an odd texture when it stretches and makes a horrible flesh sound. I do not like it one bit. A few moments later, his arm reverts to its normal size and shape and he pulls a large white present box onto the counter. Looks to be about three feet long. “Umm… Sorry, we don’t have a gift for Will Lloyd Cruz. Just for William Lloyd Cruz.”
“Sir. I am William Lloyd Cruz.”
“Aw come on, man.” The student chuckles and scans the box. “Can’t you take a joke?” He pulls out a little sign board out from under the table. “Just sign this and I can go back to sleep.”
I sign the form, retrieve the package, and head back to my dorm. Vivian’s nowhere to be seen. A.D.’s probably still in class. Yuko’s just chilling on the couch as usual watching some inane reality tv show. Thankfully, she doesn’t react when I enter. Doesn’t even bother saying hello. Rude, but typical of her. I lock myself in my room, tear the wrapping off and pry the box open. Inside is a small card and something wrapped in a thick blanket. I open the card and begin to read it. The hand-writing looks like it was written by a fifth-grader just learning cursive.
“Hey, Will! Thank you so much for saving me back in Chicago. I was so scared under all those rocks and rubble. Thank you so so so much! I want to be a big strong hero just like you when I grow up. My family and I really wanted to thank you, so we all pitched in and got you this really cool sword we found at an auction. It isn’t much, but I hope you like it.
- Your new #1 fan”
I hold the card close to my chest and close my eyes. Finally… Finally some recognition. I have to keep going. I only managed to save this kid because I got lucky. I need to get stronger so I can save more people. I put the card on my nightstand and peel open the blanket. A sword in its sheath was hidden within the blanket’s confines. I pick it up and pull the sword from its sheath. It looks unlike any other sword I’ve seen. It’s pitch black save for a purple edge. No light reflects off its surface. Three feet long. Elaborate cross guard. It looks like a broadsword with just a slight bend towards the end. I gently touch the tip of the sword just to check its sharpness. My fingertip is punctured and blood oozes onto the sword. I pull my finger back and pull my t-shirt to wipe the blood off the blade, but it’s no use. The blade is already dry. No stain. No change in color or texture. It’s as if it had never been stained.
“Weird…” I reach into the box and pick up the sword. The weight is unearthly. It’s heavy, but I have no issue swinging it. Nice, even weight. Handle has a good rough grip. Despite all the fantastic qualities of this sword, I cannot explain why holding this sword just… feels right. It feels like this is where my hands belong. Any weapons teacher worth their salt would say to treat your weapon as an extension of yourself, but this sword feels like it is part of me. Already, I feel it is just as important as my arm or my neck. I can even feel a heartbeat within its blade. Wait. I’m pretty sure that’s mine. I don’t want to let go of this.
I feel a voice creep into my mind. It’s warm and smooth as butter and makes everything from my shoulders up feel light and healthier than it’s ever been. I feel whole, purified even.
Are you my new master? The voice asks.
“Uh…” I stare down at the sword. “Am I going loco?”
No. I am indeed a talking sword. Thank you for freeing me from that box. Twas rather dusty in there. The more the sword talks, the happier I become. All other worries melt away. I can’t help it. This sword’s just too cool.
“Oh, hello. Mr. Sword.” I admire its glimmer. “What’re you doing here?”
I am a divine sword forged by the Seraphim. My duty is to protect the downtrodden and punish sinners.
“That so?” I smile. “Seems like we’ll make good friends then.”
Indeed. I need your help. Would you be willing to listen to my plea? It comes from YHVH.
My head tilts. “I’m listening…”
YHVH has decided that Luke and you deserve a second chance. Luke entered His Kingdom far too soon. He wishes to resurrect him, but he needs to purify the blood of sinners to do so.
This is suspicious as all heck… I don’-
#$%%$f#$^&^R&*%B^z
“I’d be happy to help you, Mr. Sword. I would love to see my friends again… Where can I start?”
Start by practicing with me. God’s warrior needs to steel himself.
“You got it.”
My free hand wraps around the sword handle and I begin slowly swinging the sword around my room. With each swing; no matter how slow, the blade tears the air around it. Not slice, not poke, tear. Other swords slice air and sound like they’re whistling. This sword sounds like it’s slicing something else. Something I can’t detect. It sounds like the air is crying out in pain begging me to stop with each slash. I have to test this weapon out some more.
I sheathe the sword and sprint to the training center as fast as I can. My stomach is churning. My breathing is uneasy. Every second not gazing upon the blade feels like an eternity. I want nothing more than to just swing it around and cradle it as if it were my own child. Just as I’m about to lose it, I sign into a training room, lock the door behind me, mash a button on the wall to make some dummies slide on some conveyor belts, and finally draw the sword. Upon brandishing the blade, my body feels normal once more. My stomach is at ease. My muscles are relaxed. All tension in my joints and head vanishes in an instant.
I cannot explain why, but I feel compelled to put everything I can behind one swing. I widen my stance, draw the blade back, and swing horizontally with all my might. An ethereal crescent shoots out of the sword and cuts through the dummies across the room like they were tissue paper. As it flies, the crescent sounds like a drill spinning through radio static. It makes the hair on my arms stand up and my brain twitch… but in a good way.
This technique… this feeling. I haven’t felt it ever since I went on missions with John. This feels nostalgic. I feel powerful, complete. I wonder… could I take on another compound all by myself with this? Can I kill everyone on David’s list…? My arms are trembling, but they’ve never felt better. “YES!!! YEEEEEES!!!” I hug the sword to my chest. My breathing’s rapid. My brain’s racing a mile a minute, but I’m not complaining. It feels amazing. I feel like I can take on the whole world right about now. In fact, I think I will. I’m sure there’s some ruffians around that I can stop if I look hard enough. Maybe I can even find the Conductor and have a little rematch with him… I swing the sword around in ways and at speeds I did not think were possible. It feels so natural. So real. So perfect. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. “This feels incredible… Are you letting me do this?”
Yes. The Lord grants all his soldiers the power they need to carry out His Will.
“About that… What exactly is His Will?”
asduqwiekvflgvrigerg… The sword whispers something and I feel something unlock in my mind. I can now see through walls… I can even see through people in the building. I can see all their organs and blood vessels.
“This is incredible…” I notice a blue aura around the attendant staff and all the other students. “What is this aura?”
The blue aura you see is indicative of a good soul. People who work towards God’s Kingdom have such a soul. Those who actively sully His Kingdom and refuse to do good possess red auras. I need you to slay those possessing red auras. If you do that, your fallen comrades will be resurrected.
“Right.” I nod. “Where can I find those with red auras?”
I shall guide you. We will need to wait till nightfall to avoid any suspicion.
I spend the next hour just shooting projectiles from my sword. Each one is more powerful than the last. It doesn’t matter how hard I swing or what I focus on, it just comes naturally. I’m never letting go of this thing. Eventually night falls and the sword guides me out of the school and into the scummiest streets of L.A.
Dressed in a plain white-t, jeans, and an oni mask. Nothing too fancy. I don’t need my outfit for this. I just need some real practice. This isn’t vigilantism. I’m above that. Aside from the usual cars racing on the overpass above me, everything is quiet. The space beneath the bridges is filthy as usual, but there’s just people sleeping there. Some empty parking lots. Some places around drainage ditches. Gosh darn it. Are people really behaving themselves? What’s going on? “Hey. Sword. Where are the wicked ones?”
Be patient… They shall be here soon enough.
As I walk, I place my hand on the sword’s hilt, but that does nothing to curb my anxiety. Even though I just ate, I’m still starving… and my head feels cloudy. That’s so bizarre. I’ve been eating properly, staying hydrated, and even got plenty of sleep. Maybe an infection is coming on… I really need to buy some vitamin C supplements. Maybe some Zinc just to be safe.
A few more quiet minutes later, I see a bunch of crows fly around me. Some near. Some far. All are cawing rather loudly and piece themselves together to form a man. He’s in a big hoodie, jeans, and his face is covered in shadow. He looks like a character I made when I was ten… Good thing I burned all those sketches.
He slides a crowbar out of his jacket sleeve and points it at me. “Hey, buddy. Are you looking to do some vigilante work?”
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“Hm? No, of course not.” I shake my head. “I’m just going out for a walk.”
“Then why the hell are you dressed like an amateur anti-hero?” a crow lands on the man’s shoulder and he pets it.
“Protecting your identity is crucial.” I nod. “Please, sir. I’m just having a walk.”
“I don’t believe you.” The man snaps his fingers and a dozen anti-heroes emerge from the shadows and surround me. Some of them are half spider, some of them are engulfed in slimy tentacles, others radiate a foul green light that makes me feel like I’ll sprout a third arm. There’s even a pug that has a whip-like tail and teeth large and sharp enough to break me in half. “Leave.” The crowman demands. “This is our turf.”
I scan the area and see red auras radiating off all of the anti-heroes. My limbs begin to shake and my mind feels like it's leaping out of my skull… I blink towards the crow man and see his entire history flash before my eyes. All his heinous crimes… all the blood. He’s not the only one. “Sword…” I mutter. “What is this?”
By God’s grace, you can see into the hearts of sinners. Let no sin be left unseen, past or future.
“Hey.” The pug barks at me with a Boston accent. “Ain’tcha one of Suzy’s kids?”
“Suzy?” I tilt my head.
“Yeah, yeah you are.” The pug licks his lips with a razor-sharp tongue. “I remember youz. Go home. Your headmaster don’t want any of her pupils gettin’ hurt, see?”
“Headmaster’s… in league with these scoundrels…?” My eyes continue to flash through the area. Each time I glance at another anti-hero, more and more horrific images flash through my mind. “I’m sorry, but I-”
Before I can finish, the sword flies out of its sheath and plunges itself into the crow man’s chest. He and all the crows in the area fall to the ground. The sword begins to glow with an arcane, yet warm energy.
“WHOA!” The pug whines and shuffles back into the darkness. “I didn’t sign up for this!”
“MURDER!!!” The woman with tentacles sprouting out her back wails before her and her cohorts leap at me.
Before I can react, the sword flies out of the man’s chest and begins flying around the area. One by one, it zooms through each anti-hero’s chest at blinding speed. As more time passes, more and more blood flows from the bodies into the sword. It’s like a blood tornado. Horrifying, but strangely beautiful. Within twenty seconds, all the bodies hit the floor and blood stops flowing into the sword. The blade plunges itself back into crow man’s chest and begins pulsating as if it’s drinking something.
“What did you do!?” My face won’t stop twitching. I’m smiling, but I cannot comprehend why… and I’m not sure I want to.
I purged sinners from the Earth. The sword grows three inches longer and an inch wider. Just a few more and I will have enough to resurrect one of your comrades. Which would you like to see first?
My mouth falls ajar, but my body’s never felt more calm. “John…” I feel a wound I didn’t know I had finally begin to close. “He deserves it the most.” I run over to the crow man and throw his hood off. His skin is void of any pigment or features. In fact, his entire body looks sunken in - like a deflated balloon. I put my fingers to his neck, but it’s no use. He’s dead. I pull the sword from his chest and watch his body crumble to dust.
It shall be done. Thank you for being such a gracious host.
“Thank you for being such a great guest.” I pull the sword from the crow man’s chest and hug it tight. I should be sick to my stomach. I should be wanting to vomit. I should be running and crying for help, but I’m not. If anything, I feel… better? Lighter even. I am sad that that man perished, but it feels natural? Like a lion killing its prey. Nothing cruel or unusual- just nature running its course. The sword’s edge is now glowing ever so slightly. A small, yet bright aura emanates all around it. I close my eyes and focus. With barely a thought, a dozen ethereal versions of the sword manifest and begin spinning around me. A fly zips past me and one of the swords flies around and strikes it. Rather than being sliced in half, the fly is absorbed into the blade.
They’re… beautiful. The colors, the handicraft… this weapon is a masterpiece. I must research it more.
Just as I sheathe the sword and make the ether swords dissipate, I see the familiar red and blue lights of a police car just around the corner. As much as I would love to see the ether swords in action, I must flee. I’m not going to kill any cops tonight. This week is already complicated enough. I turn a corner and book it back to the campus.
What are you doing? Purge them too. The sword rattles and nearly escapes my grip.
“No. Not tonight.” I see crimson red auras coming from the police car, yet I still flee.
But-
“I said no.” The blade is strong, but my grip is stronger. Eventually the rattling stops and I vanish into the shadows.
Most impressive… I’ve never met someone with a grip like yours.
Janelle
November 29th, 2007. 2:12 a.m. Dorm room. I can’t sleep anymore. My eyes are dried out and swollen. No matter how much I blow my nose, it’s still stuffed up. I’m so weak. If it wasn’t for this stupid chest wound I could have… No, no. Janelle. You’re being stupid. Calm down. If Will doesn’t think you’re weak. He just wants you to be safe. Why couldn’t he just tell me about his night terrors? Do I come off as judgemental? Does he not trust me? What if… What if the cut wasn’t an accident? No. No. Stop. He wouldn’t… but what if...
No… not… not now… If only Angela weren’t here. I wander back into bed, crawl under my covers, and bury my face in my five pillows. So many thoughts are running through my head. I’m not sure which ones make sense. I just wish there was a way for me to turn my brain off, even if just for a little while. The mucus, saliva, and tears have turned my mouth into a swamp. It hurts to even open my mouth. Ggnngh… Hack. Hah… It feels like my stomach just flipped. I want to cut out my entire digestive tract. Would that get someone to notice?
I want to help him. I want him happy… but I can’t bring myself to kill or help him kill, but I know I’m not strong enough to stop him. Would that make me complicit? I know I’m not a real doctor, but I’d like to stay true to the hippocratic oath. I just want someone to talk to about this, but I don’t think anyone here would help. Will and Vivian would just tell me to kill. A.D. and Sejong would tell me not to kill. Yuko would tell me to shut up and that I’m being stupid. I don’t even want to think about how Angela or Josh would respond. This sucks. I suck. I just want to know what to do.
It’s late. I want to forget. I want to not feel. I didn’t want to do this, but I have no choice. I’ll have to make the medschool cocktail. I sneak into the kitchen, borrow some of Angela’s whiskey, make a cocktail from some various drinks. I fill a tall glass ¾’s of the way with whiskey and mix it just right with some various juices and powders or it won’t work. I pinch my nose, roll my head back and chug the whole thing down. It burns… It burns, but it’ll be well worth it if I can just finally get some sleep. I slink back into bed and hold my stomach. A different kind of pain starts to fill my abdomen. A warmth spreads through my chest from my stomach. It feels like hot, thick oil is seeping into my lungs. It feels nostalgic. If my alcohol tolerance wasn’t so high, I wouldn’t have to resort to this… Thanks, mom. As if you didn’t give me enough bad genes. You just had to stick me with the trait that makes me resist alcohol. Within minutes I feel my head grow light and my body grow heavy. I can’t keep my eyes open. All I can hear is the sound of a slow, slow heart still rattling within me. Peace at last.
Will
November 29th, 2007. 6:26 a.m. I awaken in my dorm room sleeping soundly with the sword cradled in my arms. I haven’t had a single night terror… In fact, I think that was the best sleep I’ve ever had. Despite the blade sinking into my chest, I do not bleed. It doesn’t even feel uncomfortable. If anything, I feel more comfortable hugging the sword like this. The blade is cool when I’m too hot, yet warm when I’m too cold. It’s like this was made for me. I shower with the blade, brush my teeth with the blade, eat cereal with the blade. I would use the sword as a spoon if my arms were long enough.
I have to sit through class again, but I really really really just want to go on another mission. I can’t sit still. Not even caressing the blade calms me down anymore. I want to run. I want to jump. I need to do things. This sword is wasted just sitting in a classroom, but I must oblige regardless. Dad isn’t paying for me to skip class. I sit through class and take notes. Sloppy notes. Barely legible notes. I have to use my right hand to write because my left hand must stay on the sword’s sheathe. It’s not because I have some weird compulsion or anything. This is for the class’s sake, not mine. What if the sword just shoots out of its sheath and plunges into someone again? I didn’t throw it. I know I didn’t throw it. I swear I didn’t throw it. It just flew out of my hand and flew towards the guy. Maybe he was a villain? the sword doesn’t seem angry right now… So, I don’t think anyone here is in danger. It’s hard to describe and may sound odd, but last night when that hooded figure approached me, I felt something in the sword. It seemed… hot? I think. It almost seemed like it was calling out to me in silence. Beckoning me. Though I could be wrong. I hope I’m not just making excuses.
Class eventually ends and I am dripping in sweat. Sweat’s running down my neck, my pits are stained. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I started running. I would think that it is an illness, but I feel fine. I don’t think I’ve ever run through the park this quickly. Usually it takes a minute and forty seconds for me to run from this class hall to the mission hall. Right now it took… thirty-six seconds. Okay… this sword is pretty epic.
Blitz into the mission hall, hold the door open for those exiting, and quietly close the door behind me. I check the fliers posted on the bulletin board. It’s all missions for highly specific Techs. Someone needs a fire based Tech because their heater’s broken. Some farmer up in Napa needs a water Tech to help water some crops. Someone needs someone who can talk to animals for… actually, the less I read about that mission, the better. Nothing here is particularly hard. All of them are one or two stars of difficulty. Where’s the four to five stars? Where’s the kill missions? I ask the attendant those questions and she directs me to the computers in the corner. The person on the shift before her was supposed to swap out the bulletin missions and organize the new mission folders but didn’t, so the physical mission files are completely unorganized at the moment. Doesn’t mean I can’t look missions up in the digital library though.
I enter my school username and password and I’m good to go. Pages upon pages upon pages of missions listed in alphabetical order. This is no good. Let’s see… Organize by type: Hunt. Organize by difficulty: Descending. Boom. After a little loading, I get three pages full of five star hunt missions. All targets are wanted dead or alive. At least half of the mission requests are all given by people with names I can’t pronounce. I search up all the target names online, but can’t find any information. Weird… I scroll down to the rewards. Oh. My. Goodness. The lowest reward I’ve seen is $1,000,000. I’m not sure about most of these mission givers, most of them seem pretty sketchy. I’ll go with the one given by the L.A.P.D. They’re trustworthy. Okay, comparatively trustworthy.
Good good. Hurry there. The sword rattles in my grip… and my arm rattles with it. My lips twist into a smile and my heart feels like it’s going to thump out of my chest. I write down the mission title on my hand, and run off to the local L.A.P.D. office. They require the mission-taker to be on site when they give you mission details. Mission description says there’s sensitive details they couldn’t divulge to the school. As long as I get to test out the sword, I’m happy. I should get lunch first… I’m quite famished. No. Food can wait.
4:09 p.m. L.A.P.D. office. The entire office is covered with a red aura. My body is throbbing, my mind is pulsing. I can now smell the sins in here. It’s vile… It must be purged. Who said that? I introduce myself to the nice man at the counter. I say I’m here for Hunting Mission #049. He looks at his computer for a short moment before reaching over the counter to shake my hand. I reach to shake his hand
shhnk
I know this will sound beyond stupid, but please bear with me. I… I forgot to let go of the blade. I just skewered an officer in broad daylight in an office full of people. It… It isn’t my fault! I didn’t do it! I tried to let go, but the sword wouldn’t let me! It’s the sword’s fault. It’s the sword’s fault. It’s the sword’s fault. Before I fully comprehend what just happened, all color evaporates from the man’s body as his bones and muscles contort and compress into each other. His body twists and flattens like an empty sack as it gets sucked into the blade. After the man is no more, the sword begins to glow bright and my breathing starts to regulate.
Relax… Relax young man. You did nothing wrong. That was a just act. Trust me. Everyone here is unclean. A few more souls and you’ll be strong enough to take on Eagleburger…
“How do you know that name…?” I ask the blade.
After two seconds, an officer near the back of the office pulls an alarm and everyone in the building draws their guns and starts shooting at me. Just as I see bullets about to pierce me, the ethereal swords manifest once more and start spinning around me. Each blade deflects bullets. Some go flying into the walls. Others get vaporized into nothingness. Others get reflected right back into some officers. This is bad. This is bad. I need to get out of here!
I slash my sword wildly to deflect more bullets and a tear in space opens where I slashed. The air inside is ice cold and some arcane black and purple energy is arcing off it, but I don’t care! Anywhere is better than here! I hop inside the space and the entrance closes behind me. I feel my body fall through some kind of tube. I’m rotating and spinning in every direction. Yet, I feel fine. The sword keeps me warm. The sword keeps me calm. The sword is my anchor and my rock.
A.D.
November 29th, 2007. 4:07 p.m. Headmaster’s office. I’m standing in front of Headmaster’s desk again. What did I do this time? Did I accidentally break my partner’s leg in sparring class? Did my parents not pay my tuition? Did she find out that I’ve been pirating movies using the school’s internet? I’m standing here ready to cry and she looks as she always does, except more tired. Way more tired. Has she not been getting any sleep? Did she have some sort of aneurysm from all the caffeine?
“A.D., do you know why I called you in here?”
Not going to incriminate myself. “No, ma’am. Did you just want to say hello?”
“No.” she rubs her temples and saps her cheek gently. “You’re familiar with the anti-hero Murder, correct?”
“Indeed I am. Why?”
“One of my informants just told me that him and a dozen other anti-heroes have been - well - murdered. Said he was done in by someone in blue jeans, a plain white t, and an oni mask. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
“No.” I shake my head. “When did this happen?”
Headmaster yawns. “About 11 last night. What were you doing at that time?”
“I was watching Big Trouble in Little China.”
“That’s an oddly specific alibi.” She raises an eyebrow. “Do you have anyone to affirm your presence?”
“Yeah. I was watching it with Yuko.”
“Oh, really?” She pulls out her phone and starts calling someone. It rings for half a minute. “Pick up the goddamn ph-”
“Yo.” Yuko’s voice blares from the phone.
“Hello, Yuko. Thank you for picking up. Where are you right now?”
“I’m in class.”
“Why are you on your phone in class?”
“Did you want me to pick up or not?”
“Attagirl.” A smile cracks through Headmaster’s weary face. “What were you doing last night?”
“I was watching Big Trouble in Little China with A.D. Why?”
“Are you lying?”
“Do you think I care enough to lie?”
“Fair point.” She nods. “Alright. Thank you for staying out of trouble. Get back to class.”
Yuko hangs up without saying goodbye.
“I swear…” Suzy puts her phone back in her pocket. “The youth today never say goodbye.” She rests her elbows on the desk and rubs her temples. “A.D., do you know anyone who could have killed Murder?” She spins in her swivel chair a little and starts scrolling through something on her computer.
“Nope.” I shrug. “Been steering clear of the whole anti-hero busi-”
“God DAMNIT!” Headmaster slams her elbows into the table and clenches her hair. “Can’t this clown world just calm down for two seconds!?”
“What happened now?”
“Some asshole with a sword butchered an entire LAPD office.”
“Asshole with a sword?”
What can only be described as a magic portal opens up on the ceiling of the office and plops Will down to the right of me. He quickly gets up and looks around the room like a rabid dog. He’s covered in blood, panting, and has a pristine black sword in his hand.
“WILL!” Suzy barks and points at him.
“I DIDN’T DO IT!” Will turns around, dropkicks the office door open, and sprints out of the room. “HE DESERVED IT!”
“Why didn’t you stop him?” I turn back to Suzy.
I’ve never seen Headmaster with her eyes hollow or her mouth agape like that. It feels… wrong to look at. It’s like seeing the pope naked. “I… tried.” She leans back in her chair.
“Want me to chase him down?”
“Would you? I hate to ask, but I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Of course.” I give a short bow to her. “I’ll talk some sense into him.”
“Thank you. Retrieve that sword if you can as well. I’ll give you two grand.”
“Deal!” I give her a thumbs-up and book it out of her office.”
“Thank you, A.D.” Headmaster cheers me on.
Janelle
November 29th, 2007. 4:11 p.m. My bed. My shoulder’s numb and my wound is itchy, but the pain has mostly died down. It’s constant, but more annoying than anything else. I’d give it a 3 on the pain scale. I still probably have to worry about it reopening around my shoulder though.
bzzt bzzt
My phone rings, but I don’t care. I don’t have the time or the energy. A few seconds pass and it stops ringing. Time to go back to slee-
bzzt bzzt
Okay, fine. Huh. Why’s A.D. calling? I pick up the phone and put on my customer service voice. “Hello?”
“Janelle!” A.D. nearly blows out my eardrum from the other end of the line. “Will’s lost it! I’m in the park right now! Help me chase him down and talk some sense into him!”
“On it! Just let me change!” I jump out of bed and quickly change into something decent. Not great. Not presentable. Just decent. I jump out my dorm window and use my fire to break my fall and land safely all while still on the phone. “Okay I’m outside. Where’re you guys now?”
“Damnit, Will!” I hear some screams on the other end of the line. “We’re almost at the cafeteria. Hurry up please!”
“Got it!” I fly my way around the park to the cafeteria. The cafeteria is down the road from the freshman dorms and just between the library, park, and the parking lot. My flight’s still unsteady. I feel like I can fall at any moment. Heck, I even have to continuously adjust my aim and power to not just exhaust all my heat in one go. Not just that, I get super cold doing this. I probably can’t sustain this for more than two minutes. I can already see patches of blue on my fingertips. I need to hurry up. I can see Will and A.D. parkouring through the lunch area’s tables, vending machines, and awnings. It looks like Will’s headed towards the big staircase that leads to the parking lot. I’ll cut him off at the top of the stairs. Further boosting my speed, I fly above the boys and land in front of Will. He bumps into me and falls backwards right onto his butt. I nearly fall off the stairs from the recoil, but manage to boost to regain my balance. The fire beneath my feet flows back into me and my fingertips regain color and feeling
“Janelle!” Will looks happy to see me. I think this is the happiest he’s ever looked. Even though he’s drenched with blood… but that’s kind of appealing in its own way… He stumbles to his feet as A.D. closes the distance behind him. Even when A.D. catches up, he still stays about six feet away from him with a fireball charged. “I didn’t do it! Seriously!”
“Will. Please. Calm down. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I speak in a calm voice. “Why don’t we just sit down and you can tell me what’s troubling you?”
“Y-yeah…” He nods and swings his sword up and down. I don’t recall him having that sword. Where did he get it? It looks super evil. “Just don’t get me in trouble okay? No cops, no Headmaster, because I didn’t do anything.”
Poor boy… I just want to hug him and let him know everything’s okay. “Of course.” I turn my back and sit atop the staircase with him. “Why don’t we just talk things out right here?”
“Of course…” Will approaches me with the sword still in his hand.
“Could you sheathe your sword?”
“I can try…” Will grits his teeth and forces the sword back into its sheath. It looks like he’s fighting with an invisible hand just to keep the sword sheathed. Even now, he’s grasping the handle like his life depends on it.
“Care to join us, A.D.?” I point to the space on Will’s left.
“Of course.” A.D. nods and sits next to Will at a comfortable distance.
“Good.” I take a deep breath. “A.D., why are you chasing Will?”
“Allegedly someone went into the L.A.P.D. office and slaughtered everyone in there twenty minutes ago.”
“It wasn’t me! He deserved it!” Will immediately barks and his face contorts.
“Hey, man. I said allegedly.” A.D. backs off, but manages to stay calm.
“Will,” I place my hand on his thigh. “if it was not you, how do you know he ‘deserved it’? Did you know this officer?”
“No…” Will shakes his head and looks at me. He looks ready to cry. Parts of his sclera have turned black. Is his eye tissue degenerating? “But, I can see that he was evil. I-I can just see into their souls… I can’t explain it.”
“So you did kill him?” A.D. raises an eyebrow.
“It wasn’t me! It was the sword.” Will brandishes the sword and shows it off to us. “Look! Touch this sword too and you’ll be able to see into everyone… Their good, their bad… You truly understand people with this sword. The sword judges evil. I just so happen to be wielding it.” He glances at the sword then back at us. “You two have good souls! Don’t worry!”
I take one look at the sword and shake my head. I feel like I’m going to get cursed just looking at it. “Thanks, but no thanks. Please, Will. Please, put it away.”
“Coward.” Will chastises me before turning to A.D. “What about you? Can you accept justice into your heart?”
Okay… not gonna lie… Will looked super hot when he called me a coward. The scowl. The tone in his voice. I never knew being insulted could be so exhilarating. No shut up. Focus.
“I mean I do…” A.D. puts even more space between himself and Will. “I just don’t need that thing’s help.”
“You cannot deliver justice without power.” Will stands up and holds the sword up high in front of him. “This sword… lets me see so much. I can even see where the Conductor went… Care to join me?” Will smiles down upon us. The smile looks foreign, yet familiar.
“Mind if we discuss it for a second?” A.D. points to me.
“Not at all.” Will smiles and sits back down. “Take what time you require.”
A.D. and I walk over to a little table nearby and whisper to each other.
“Janelle.” A.D. whispers. “Will’s freaking nuts.”
“I know.” I whisper back. “But… maybe if we play along with him for a little bit and take care of the Conductor, he’ll stop being so obsessed.”
“Maybe.” A.D. nods. “But what do you make of that sword? You think it’s messing with him somehow?”
“Could be… Though someone could also be manipulating him with their Tech.”
“What if the sword has a Tech?”
“Shoot… So if that’s the case, all we have to do is get the sword away from him?”
“Yeah, though I doubt that’ll be easy.” A.D. shakes his head. “I’m getting scared just being around him. How about this? We just follow him for now since we can’t leave him unsupervised. If we can, we separate him from the sword, but don’t make any rash moves. Got it?”
“Got it.” I nod. “Sounds like a plan. Don’t try touching the sword though. I think it affects whatever it touches.”
“Will do. I was thinking the same thing. Okay, break.” A.D. pats me on the shoulder and we break our huddle.
“Sure thing, Will.” I shoot him a thumbs-up and approach him. “How are we getting to the Conductor?”
“Like so.” Will slices downward and a portal opens before us. “Quickly now.” he hops in.
“Ladies first.” A.D. motions me to go in.
“Uh… how about you go in just to make sure it’s safe?”
“Aren’t elders supposed to protect the youth?”
“Just get in the portal.” I insist.
“Mmgh… I hate portals.” A.D. grumbles, but jumps in anyway.
I watch A.D. jump in. He looks fine. No screaming. No spaghettification. In fact, he just looks like he’s sliding down a slide. Looks safe to me. I jump in and feel the portal close behind me.