Bonus Chapter 1
The Awakened Hospital Visit
“I am Rachel Rivers, on scene here at the local hospital that has served as a testament of hope to many over the past few weeks. From the miraculous healing of Sarah Marie Stevens of Necromancy, then the subsequent apprehending of the wanted Necromancer that plagued most of England. To Wondra making a legendary visit, to an elven delegation. These last few weeks have been filled with a constant stream of activity. However, it looks like this week will not be the same, as today is a day of mourning for the world, for the U.S. and most importantly for Aru’ka who was on hand when the attack that took Warder’s life happened. I am here on site with you now showing the devastation that such a loss has. Not only did we lose a great Super with the loss of Warder, but we also lost some of our hope by not being able to continue with our…” Rachel was about to go on with her clearly prepared speech, when she was cut off.
HONK-HONK!
Screech!
As a large white Sunday school bus peeled wildly into the hospital parking lot, right in front of the reporter and the cameraman who quickly turned his camera to face the source of the disturbance. As the bus drew closer, the sound of blaring music could be heard coming from the bus, as the rhythm to Detroit Rock City could be heard blaring loudly over the empty parking lot.
No one had anticipated anyone being here. The campus where Aru’ka was attending was shut down for remembrance of Warder. Everything spoke to the fact that Aru’ka herself was not only recovering from the attack that also caught her, but that she was affected by the loss of Warder as well. Especially after notes of how Warder had taken on a part time teaching role at the campus was also leaked, explaining why the entire campus shut down in the wake of his murder that was caught on recording.
Shwoonk.
As soon as the bus came to a complete stop, the doors opened letting the music be just that much louder as Aru’ka in her full Super outfit came out, followed quickly by a stream of twenty other young Supers none of whom had ever been seen before.
“Are you getting this?” Rachel asked, as her mouth dropped open in sheer shock at the sight, as Super after super came out of the bus. What was odder still was the power they all gave off. “They are…” Rachel trailed off, she had awakened as a Soother, someone who had a soothing voice and could provide minimal calming measures. This meant two things, first her only real job choices in life were as a psychiatrist or as a journalist. The second and more important thing was the fact that she could feel the power of other Awakened. It was an odd sensation being next to an Awakened and one that was entirely different from being around a slotted-Awakened or even a mundane. With her class, she could feel the truth rolling off of these people.
“They are all Awakened, even Aru’ka. She has awakened.”
There was a pause, as everyone knew that Aru’ka was just a slotted-awakened. At least that is what everyone said, and that is what Rachel gathered from glimpsing the girl from when she was here last week covering the circus performance that constituted wall to wall media coverage last week.
Now, they had it, on live TV, Rachel Rivers got her scoop. Not only was Aru’ka now awakened, but it seemed that there were nearly two dozen other students who had also awakened.
“SHE has awakened! You see it, right behind me…” Rachel said, getting in front of the camera and then trying to have it so Aru’ka in her full Super costume was on display. “She has awakened. You saw it here first, she awoke, and her first act was to come here and heal. Not only that, but it appears that she wasn’t the only one who Awakened, as more students who all look to be following Aru’ka’s lead are all getting out and following her into the hospital.”
Rachel looked like she wanted to go, but then something stopped her, as she could not move forward. The force, the sheer pressure being released by not just Aru’ka but the three others that were right behind her were too much for Rachel. Had she been aware of their presence, had she been mentally prepared, she might have been able to push forward, but as it was, there was nothing she could do. Instead all she could do was sit back and watch the procession.
Chills.
Rachel felt literal chills.
“Hello, are you there?” The voice in Rachel’s ear went off, causing Rachel to shake her head. Apparently, the person on the other end of the call saw her physical reaction and continued. “You need to get closer, to talk to them.”
Hearing that, Rachel forced herself to take one step forward, only to be stopped as an overbearing force stopped her. In her mind she did not fear attack from the gaggle of students going forward, but rather it was the same deference that a mouse would show a lion who was understandably aware of the small presence within its domain but chose not to bother with such a small morsel. That was the same feeling that Rachel got now.
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As Aru’ka walked by, she gave a quick wave to the camera before effortlessly gliding up the stairs with quick graceful strides. Right behind her was a male who looked to be a skinny version of Warder. Just seeing the boy made Rachel’s stomach drop as she swore, she was looking at a ghost for a second, as he too waved. Then right beside him were two other female Supers, one in a dark blue outfit, and the last in a Red and black uniform that seemed to mirror Aru’ka’s in some way that was hard to describe at first glance. There was no cross of divinity on the red Super suit, but it did seem to have a similar function to it.
Then after that came a gaggle of clearly attractive females that were all wearing skintight outfits, some sauntered forward, clearly realizing they were being seen on camera. Others walked forward, not seeming to care about the camera and only caring about keeping up with their clear leader, Aru’ka who was now leading the procession inside the front doors of the hospital.
Then at the very end was the last person to come from the bus, it was also clear that they were also the driver of said bus, as they closed the door behind them and got out and smiled and waved to the camera. This person was also the first one not wearing a mask, nor a Superhero uniform, but her face and visage were hard to miss. Seeing her, and the way her aura was by no means as intimidating as the other girls who just went into the hospital, Rachel grabbed onto it and pushed her way forward.
This apparently had been the person’s wish all along as her smile brightened greatly at the presence of the reporter.
“Ms. Peacock, how are you today?” Rachel began, her words coming out a mile a minute at first, as she actively forced her body to slow down its pulse. While the rodent might know it is safe from any reprise of the tiger or its young, it still never truly relaxes until the threat is well and truly gone, and that is what Rachel felt right here and now.
“I am doing splendidly. As you can see Dawning Light Academy has produced an entire class of Supers ready to move on and prepare for the next stage of their careers.” Ms. Peacock said, her face a thousand mega-watt smile as she beamed at the camera.
“You mean to say?” Rachel said, leaving her words intentionally vague.
“That’s right, we are proud to announce the full awakening of Aru’ka, who we are all aware of. Then behind her were Skywalker, Colaza, and L.I.R…” Ms. Peacock said, listing the names of the three people that were directly behind Aru’ka.
“L.I.R.?” Rachel said, making sure to stress all three letters just as Ms. Peacock had.
“Yes, Lady In Red.” Ms. Peacock said, pausing for a moment to make sure that stook. Then once it was clear no further questions would come, she continued. “Next we had Lasher, Huntra, Lupa, Asena, Frenna, Camalla, Lokra, Star Light, Space woman, Freki, Geri, Jibbers, Brí, Demon, Star Child, Space Ace, and Catperson.” Ms. Peacock said, completing the names of Supers from her recent class.
“So, I counted twenty-one new Supers, is that correct?” Rachel said, having both counted the students as they walked by, and recounting the names as they were spoken.
“That is correct, thus the reason for the school’s church bus, as it was the only way we could get them all here.” Ms. Peacock said.
Hearing that, Rachel turned to see the last of the students going into the hospital and leaving the Principal behind.
“I thought you were closed for the day?” Rachel asked.
“We are. In fact, had Aru’ka and the others not been so insistent on coming, I would have been home right now drinking hot cocoa and mourning the loss of a good friend.” Ms. Peacock said, as her eyes grew slightly glassy at the admittance. “Instead, I was reminded of what it was to be a true Super, when Aru’ka demanded that I get her here on time. She said, ‘this isn’t for me, this is for them.’ When I argued that it would be okay to take a day off, to mourn a mentor. She pressed, stating, ‘the last thing Warder would have wanted was for his death to mean that others would have to suffer for an extra week. That we needed to come here because of his memory and what he meant to the community.’”
At that Ms. Peacock, the legendary retired Super let out a true tear, “when I heard that, and saw the way she convinced the whole class of Awakened students to go with her, to give back to the community. Well, I clearly couldn’t argue against that. So, I grabbed the keys to the biggest vehicle that would be able to transport us all safely and that’s how we got here.”
With that said, Ms. Peacock wiped away an errant tear of pride that fell down her face, while she was talking about Aru’ka’s commitment to the community and to Warder’s legacy.
“Wow, so she is just as amazing outside of the public light, as she is when she is in the public spotlight?” Rachel asked, clearly referring to Aru’ka.
“She is so much more than the mere glimpse you are allowed to see. She is one of those people who you just look at and know they will grow up to do great things, and you cherish every moment you have with them, so that way you can tell others how you got to see them grow as both a person and more importantly, how they grew to be a role model. People like her, you cannot duplicate, you can only hope that others will see her example and wish to follow in the path she blazes before her. That is what you see with the other students who followed behind her, in case you couldn’t tell, they are all devoted to her, and rightfully so. She is a credit to our campus, and to the legacy of Supers who came before her, dedicating their lives to making the world a better place.” Ms. Peacock said, her pride in her whole class of students visible for everyone.
“So, what do you see happening next for her and for the other students who follow her?” Rachel asked.
“In the future, I see greatness. For the short term, well I feel that my time acting as a mentor to her and the others is quickly drawing to an end.”
“You mean?”
“College, well college for Supers, then however long that takes, before they are all recognized as fully able Supers ready to help the world.”
“Do you see Aru’ka staying behind and being a pillar of the community like Warder and Judge?”
“I truly wish that were the case. Nothing would make me feel safer knowing that she was here to protect us, but sadly that would be such a waste, depriving her talent from the world. We saw what she was able to do in Madison, and then in England. No, keeping her bound to one geographic region would be a complete waste of her talent. She was clearly meant for so much more.” Ms. Peacock said, then pausing for a moment, she nodded as if coming to some conclusion. “Now, if you will excuse me. I have a class of recently Awakened Supers who are running around unsupervised.”
“Right, thank you for your time.” Rachel said, then let Ms. Peacock go. As she began making her way up the steps towards the hospital. Once she was away, Rachel turned to the camera. “There you have it, a Local News 9 exclusive. Aru’ka and her class are fully awakened. Their first act as fully awakened Supers, to come here to the hospital and to give back to the community. I will stay here now to provide continuing coverage of everyone here and provide continued coverage.”
With that Rachel paused, holding her face still.
“That’s it.” The Cameraman said, waving his hand at Rachel to let her know the shoot had ended.
“Phew.” Rachel said, letting out a long breath, then collapsing a little, she bent over to catch herself on her knees. “Did you feel that power? Oh my goodness, it is like being near Behemoths. I am surprised the feed didn’t short out there was so much energy being exerted from them.”
“Really?” The cameraman asked, his voice incredulous. “I didn’t feel a thing.”
“You didn’t feel that? Like a thousand storm clouds walking by, ready to strike out and randomly zap you? Gods, that was both amazing and horrifying.” Rachel said, clasping her chest as she tried to calm her racing heart.
“So are we going to follow them in?”
Rachel looked at the cameraman, then up the steps. She knew what she should do, she already got the scoop of the century, as no other news station dared to waste resources on this dead story, which was how they were able to get it all on camera. But just the thought of being near so much raw energy made Rachel’s legs feel like jelly. “Yeah, just give me a minute. I need to mentally prepare myself for this.”
“Okay, I’ll change out batteries then we can go back in.”
Hearing that, Rachel perked up immediately, knowing that meant she had at least five minutes to calm down and prepare for round two of what was likely going to be a long and amazing day.