A few days have passed since the attack in one of Detroit’s nicest, calmest towns. That once nice town people can roam around and not worry of the highest crimes nor danger had been tarnished by the supernatural. Military presence has been much more intense and now, every town has them, along with the new technology given to them by the mysterious lieutenant. The only areas where there were no military presence were the outskirts, country sides of the state, and where a familiar hump stood out, three out of the top five leaders of the cult that worshipped Abyzou were present. They were having a meeting along with drinking some wine.
Ravana was pacing in front of a magical board that had notes on them.
“Okay, we might have underestimated the outside world more than we thought,” he said.
Chelsea, Shaman were present, sitting on wooden chairs. Candles were spread around the rooty room they were in. She lay back and crossed her arms.
“To think Leon would’ve gotten that much stronger. It’s so awesome yet scary because we don’ts no what the guys really mades out of?”
Shaman couldn’t help but agree and seemed worried.
“What do we do? How do we combat him now that we at least have an idea as to what the man's capable of. He treated Edgar like a damn toddler! And he isn’t a slouch.”
Ravana grabbed the top of his nose, and appeared to be grinning, but deep down inside, he was frustrated. His annoyance could be easily read by the two and he let out a small cackle.
“I know, I know! But don’t worry, I have two ideas that will guarantee our victory in reaching Abyzou.”
“Wells, you better spit it because I—”
Ravana’s eyes flickered, a vein popped out his forehead. This made Chelsea shut up, and she placed her hands on the table.
“I’m terribly sorry, Ravana.”
He sizzled his gums, and took a deep breath, quickly digging his long fingers into his fine brown hair.
“It’s fine, it’s fine—just, listen and be patient.” he said while having his hand out. “I’m already as annoyed as is.”
Shaman stood up, “the girl, is she really a copy of Abyzou?”
Ravana let out a calm breath, and grinned.
“We don’t know yet. But we’ll get our answer once we have her in our—or should I say, in my arms.”
He let out sadistic muffled chuckles. He brushed his hair, and placed his arms behind his back.
“Now, let us discuss the plans I have in mind to take care of our old friend, Leon, along with that Esper and mutt of a so-called Witch.”
Ravana stuck his fingers between his lips, and whistled. A shadow slithered through the door, and stopped in front of the leader. It fountained up, and birthed into that mysterious lieutenant man. He had a giant smile on his face, and he saluted Ravana.
“Yes, my righteous leader, sir! How could I be of service today?”
“Ahriman, my fellow cadete. What more could I ask of your brilliance?! Already you’ve made me so proud as my summon.”
He laughed and stomped the ground. “But of course! Anything for the man who freed me of my spiritual prison.”
“Right, so I have another plan in mind. With the military already fearing for the worst, I need you to have them target more than just—us.”
Ahriman rubbed his hands together, villainously. “Go on.”
“I need you to have them in a panic, paranoid, and have that new drive of paranoia target Leon. Demonstrate, show them who and what he is. Old videos, pictures, anything to convince them that Leon’s the biggest threat to their society.”
“This, this is good! Defamation at its finest. You got it, but I'd like to ask you if you have any pictures or videos of this ‘Leon’ man.”
Ravana placed his hand on his head. It glowed, Ahriman’s eyes erupted into red, and he laughed as he was being handed images, encounters, and past memories of Leon. He let off, wiped his hand on the side of his shirt, and grew a calm wicked grin.
With the permanent glint in Ravana’s eyes growing thin, he raised his finger up to the side of his face.
“I think that should be more than enough to frame the man. And don’t be afraid to use as much force as necessary because you’re going to need it.”
Ahriman rubbed his hands again. “Believe me, now that I have an idea of what I’m up against, I’ll be sure not to hold back. And if all else fails, I have a grander scheme at the palm of my ghostly hands.”
“By all means, whatever you have in mind, do it.”
A glint grew in Ahriman’s eyes as he gently let down his hands.
“Even if that means costing this world… too?”
Ravana’s smile dimmed, and straightened out.
“So long as the girl lives, then I don’t care what you do. You can damage her if she happens to get in the way, but don’t you dare kill her.”
Ahriman bowed. “Of course. I am in your debt Afterall. I’ll be on my way now, and begin my manipulation.”
He puffed out into dirt, and blew away. Chelsea and Shaman don’t like the guy. They think he’s up to no good and wonder if taking down Leon was better off with him. Afterall, they don’t really want to kill the guy compared to Ravana who has a deep hatred for him. Shaman decided to confront their leader and question him about his decision.
“Ravana, do you really think he’ll actually go with your plan? Afterall he’s a fallen spirit.”
Chelsea got out of her seating and also approached him but was cautious.
“Ye-Yeah… I don’ts trust the guy.”
Ravana waved his hand to tame their worries.
“My friends, you’re all too stressed about the wrong thing. Besides, you didn’t hear my second idea.”
“Second idea? Does this mean you also have doubts about him and your first idea not falling into plan?” Shaman said.
Ravana nodded. “Correct! The smart guy as always! And now to lay down my second idea if everything falls in line just the way I want it to.”
Someone else just happened to walk in, a mildly buff tan man who wore an outfit similar to Archards but without a hood. His hair was short, brown and his eyes were dark.
“Speaking of which, there’s my second idea coming into fruition!”
He stood before him, and slightly bowed.
“Ravana.” the new man said.
His vocal cords were heavy, ear vibrating from its low frequency. Chelsea grabbed his arm, and kissed his cheek.
“Eligor, my love, how's it to ya?”
Eligor smirked. “Nothing much, just watching everything unfold.”
Ravana clapped once, shutting everything down.
“Our third in command, and third most powerful, I have a task for you these upcoming two weeks.”
“Oh, uh sure? What plan do you have in mind?”
His long crooked finger scanned Eligor and Chelsea.
“You two lovebirds will be the ones to take down our old friend—Leon.”
Eligor’s eyes expanded. “Le-Leon?! He-he’s alive?”
Chelsea rubbed her finger on his big chest. “Yes he is, sweetheart, and much more powerful than we imagined.”
Eligor looked away, trying to correlate the news bomb. He remembered him clearly, but differently than what Ravana thinks of him. Eligor can remember his cold expression, his shy nature, but overall he was a good friend and more importantly, a great teacher to him in combat.
Eligor slowly balled a fist. “Wh-what do you mean by… takedown? Ravana.”
Ravana chuckled. “What else do you think?”
The glint in his eyes grew thick again, and as he blinked, they both could sense his hatred towards Leon.
“You’ll not only defeat him, but he’ll be put down like the dog he is.”
“I-I don’t know about that. I know you hate the guy, but don’t you think we can try to convince him to—”
“If that was possible, wouldn’t I have tried a long time ago? Eligor.”
“You’re right. But I don’t know how I still feel about that.”
Chelsea steps forward, grabbing her chest. “Yeah, I stills think it’s a—”
Ravana grunted, and in doing that blew out all the candles in the room. The two got quiet, and he took deep breaths.
“Shut up, just shut up. I know what I’m doing, don’t question—wait… were the two of you questioning or going against my plan?”
His voice got low, and grew sinister. This sent shivers down Chelsea’s spine while Eligor stayed intact. Chelsea shook her head and Eligor only blinked.
“Good, I’m glad we have an understanding.”
“So, what’s the plan after this goes the way you’re intending to?”
Ravana wiggled his finger. “Yes, yes. If things fall in the way I know they’ll play out—it’s just a matter of when that tattooed bald freak decides to strike. What was his name again?”
“Edgar?” Eligor responded.
“Yes, that idiot Edgar. Seeing as his little fragile ego has been tarnished by Leon, and having conflicted thoughts of whether she’s Abyzou or not, I know the idiot will attack her.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because I have given him a gift, one that rivals you, my friend. I lent him strength, and knowing his temper, he’ll go after the girl first to lure out Leon and get his revenge.”
Eligor didn’t like the sound of that. Shaman decided to speak again and stood up and went next to the two.
“Where do I fit in this circus?”
Ravana went up to him, and placed his hand on his shoulder.
“You’re going to befriend them all. Just for a short period to deceive them and lead Edgar for him to initiate his revenge.”
Shaman wasn’t sure about that, but given that he’s devoted to worshipping Abyzou, he has nothing else to say to that.
“So, if I’m getting this correctly, you want me to be friends with the Espers, the boy, and the girl? Only for when Edgar decides to act a fool? But how will he do that if he’ll know I’ll be there by their side?”
Ravana spread his arms out, and laughed.
“Because I lent him some of our people, our sheep to give him a hand in search of his foe. This will buy enough time for my plans to play out, and finally, have us grab a hold of the girl.”
“And once everything falls into fruition… then what will we do?”
Ravana deepened his glare, and his glint shined red.
“I will take things into my own hands, and get her myself.”
Ravana put his arms to the side, and brought his glare to the two lovebirds.
“And with her being taken away by me… will force Leon out of his hiding, and you two will take care of him from there.”
“Ho-How will we do that?” Eligor asked.
Ravana snapped his fingers, and a duffle bag appeared from above them, landing in front of their feet. The way it crashed sounded close to glass moving around. They both looked at the bag, Eligor reached down, held it up, and Chelsea zipped it open. There, some dark illuminating crystals, at least a dozen were pulsing.
She turned to Ravana, “what are these?”
Ravana’s grin reappeared, “those—are what’s going to aid you, and help lay waste to our old friend.”
Eligor moaned, and quietly blew his regret out of his nostrils. Chelsea rubbed his back to ease his guilt and also let out a quick breath. Ravana nodded again, and looked at Shaman. Shaman wanted to smile over his leader's grand plan, but hearing that this will all lead up to killing an old ally struck a nerve in him. He questioned if this is all to his plan or an act of revenge towards Leon. This brought a question as to if this cult was a legitimate one to bring back their creator and destroyer or something to hide a deeper cause. To try to bring out what he’s actually planning with all this and to see if there’s more than to abduct the duplicate, he braced himself with confidence and put his hand on Ravana’s shoulder.
“With everything planned in mind, what will come out of it besides finding out the girls a carbon copy of our lord?”
Ravana gently grabbed his hand and eased it off his shoulder. This made Shaman tense up with nervousness.
“What else? To get our lo-rd back.”
“I-I know, but h-how? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Ravana let out a sigh and calmed down his rising temper.
“If everything falls in the way I’m betting it’ll play out… then with defeating Leon, kidnapping the girl—if our God’s still alive, then she has no choice but to show herself—revealing to the world of her magnificence!”
With the doubts still on Shaman’s shoulders, it was enough to lift half of it off. He swallowed and grinned. Chelsea also expressed a soft smile but Eligor remained serious.
“You see, it’s all in my genius! Foolproof, and hopefully no silver linings that’ll make me go ballistic.”
Eligor couldn't help but cut him off, and slammed his fist on the table.
“I’m sorry… but there might be one.”
Ravana eerily brought his glare at him, and tilted his head.
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
Eligor shut his eyes, and groaned. “It’s… it’s that Exorcist, he’s here.”
“Which one? Come on, spill it ex-God man!”
“A-A…Archard. He’s here in the city… or so I think since I sensed him.”
Ravana’s grin turned upside down and knitted his brows.
“What makes this more truthful is that you stupid Exorcists can sense one another. So I know that you’re not lying, but I still have a doubt in mind.”
“Tru-trust me, he’s here. I sensed his presence on multiple occasions and they were haunting to say the least.”
Ravana grabbed his chin and started to think. Quickly, his emotions came to a stall and he was able to come to terms with the news.
“I think we have nothing to worry about, Eligor.”
“How so?”
“Well for one, we know that ego maniac loves hunting anything that seeks his twisted pleasure. We’ve already made ourselves known to the world, and for some reason, he has yet to show himself and started his hunt. Ask yourself that, Eligor.”
Eligor gasped, “you’re right! He hasn’t, but why wouldn’t he if the opportunity has presented itself?”
Ravana let out a twisted chuckle. “That’s simple…”
Shaman gulped, and balled his fists. “Because he’s also after our God…”
“Bingo! Shaman the great knowledgeable!”
“Then how's would we combat that monster if he’s after Abyzou too?” Chelsea said.
Ravana placed his hands on his hips. “We’ll figure that out once we have the girl in our hands. For now, everyone lay back and await your turn. Meanwhile, our spirited friend will do his part and once it initiates, I’ll take care of him, heheh.”
The three clapped and rejoiced in Ravana's plan. He couldn’t help but bask in his praise, swallowing the claps into his eardrums and feeling their clapping praises tingle the air on his body. Ravana arched forward, and an ear to ear smile reemerged as the glint in his eyes grew red again.
“Let the play commence!”
***
Currently, in the nicer town that has Angela’s favourite bookstore, Veronica and Mandy were having a stroll. They were getting to know each other and talking about the wonders of literature and the concept of astrology. Yet the blonde short woman couldn’t help but fit questions about her friend Sarah in the mix. Despite doing it, Veronica would answer it generously and respectfully, such as what she loves to do, what she does in her free time, her background, but more importantly, her family. Hearing everything being explained into the mix didn’t change Mandy’s mind on how she felt towards the young girl.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
They were walking right in front of the bookstore, and paused. Veronica wanted to get something from inside the store. Mandy wondered why, and stood still like a statue. Veronica placed her gaze on a figurine and drooled over it. She walked up to the shop's window and put her shining eyes on the displayed figurine.
“With this! I’ll be able to win Angela’s trust, and get closer to Jack than ever!”
Mandy rolled her eyes and also walked up to the window.
“You’re fawning over plastic?”
“Uh! Not just any plastic, missy! But an expensive piece of plastic that’ll win Jack’s sister's heart and get me closer to the man I’ll marry someday.”
“Hmph, hopeless young love.” she said in a cold demeanour.
Veronica turned to her, and pouted.
“And you mean to tell me you’ve never experienced love?”
Mandy sighed, “I don’t have time to put my focus on something so silly such as that.”
Veronica gasped loudly, and grabbed her tiny hand, holding it. She looked at Mandy, pitfully, and closed her eyes.
“You poor thing… for being close to thirty and still have yet to experience love… such a shame.”
Mandy’s jaw slightly dropped, and she twitched an eye.
“Did-did you just insult me because of my—?”
She pulled Mandy and the two walked into the store. Inside, Veronica gazed around and wanted to see what else the store had to offer so she could win over Angela’s trust. Then, she happened to gaze on both siblings mysteriously enough, which had her in a state of nervous panic.
“Eeek! They’re here!”
“Wh—?” Mandy then sensed Jack’s darkened soul, and turned to him.
Veronica eased in towards her ear, and whispered.
“Wh-What do I do?”
Mandy stepped away, and gave a look of discomfort.
“I thought I was too old and not experienced to be suitable for this topic?”
Veronica grabbed her shoulders, and wiggled her.
“This is no time for arguing and to not be in panic! We have to come up with—!”
“Veronica?” Jack said.
Veronica paused, and her head rotated as if it were a rusty nut to Jack. Him and Angela stood there, looking concerned for her well being and Angela, especially looked at her with disgust. With the bottom of her eyelids raised, her mouth half open, this made Veronica turn red as an apple.
“Eh… to think the bookworm would fall so low she’d assault an innocent woman.” Angela said.
Jack patted her head, erasing her disgusted expression.
“Now now, Angela, be nice.”
“I-I don’t think I can, brother… her obsession towards you is starting to get out of hand.”
Veronica grew so red she thought her face was about to melt. She flailed her arms and got in Angela’s face.
“Wh-Why you little demon! Why won’t you accept me?!”
“Eh… I-I think you should stop. This is just pathetic.”
Mandy couldn’t help but slightly giggle over their interaction. She noticed Jack’s gaze on her, and he looked serious. He used this opportunity to have a one on one conversation with her and indicated to her to follow him by jolting his head. She knew and followed him outside of the store. Once outside, he stepped to the side, and leaned against the wall while she stood beside him.
“Alright, who are you and what are you up to?” he asked in a serious tone.
She kept it cool, and also leaned against the wall.
“Why the suspicion when we’ve—”
“Cut the shit…” Jack said as he reached for a cigarette.
She groaned. “So, you do remember me?”
Jack put the cigarette towards his mouth, reached for a lighter and ignited the bud.
“Yeah, the night of the attack.”
He inhaled a huge breath of cancer and blew it out. Mandy tapped on his arm to get his attention.
“Got another one?” she asked.
Jack shrugged and reached for his pack, and offered one to her. She grabbed one and he also ignited her bud. She smoked a little before speaking again.
“Heh, you got me.”
“Yeah, but answer the question. What are you doing with my childhood friend?”
Mandy took another puff before speaking.
“What do you think I’m doing? Trying to get information.”
“For?”
“For Linnea, who else? I’m not in some secret organization. She’s my best friend and we're the ride and die type of friends.”
“Oh, that explains why you came to her aid instead of ours. But, cutting to the chase, uh, what type of information are you trying to get out of my friend?”
Mandy raised her right leg, and leaned her foot against the wall as she smoked.
“I’m sure she told you why she’s here, it’s the same answer.”
“Research?” Jack said.
“Yuuup.”
The young man wasn’t sure if that’s the case anymore. If that were true, then why would she be hanging around someone who’s not affiliated with the supernatural? This made him scratch the back of his neck, and indulge another puff of smoke. Mandy’s aware of his suspicion towards her, the young man’s easy to read to someone like her. To ease his worries, she reached into her long pocket, and pulled out a small handbook. She opened it, and shoved it at Jack’s face.
“W…hat’s this?” he said, grabbing it and opening it.
He flipped a page and revealed some hand drawings along with small texts beside them. Mandy kept smoking as he observed every page, seeing the supposed research they’ve done.”
“Wow, you guys have been everywhere. And I do mean—everywhere.”
Mandy rubbed her nails against her coat as her cigarette hung off the edge of her lip.
“Mhhm, now do you believe us?”
Jack squinted his eyes as he kept flipping pages. He tried reading the texts but they were written in both English and French.
Tch… I can’t figure out the rest. She’s much smarter than I’m taking her for. One could say, she’s smarter than Veronica. Jack thought.
Letting out a sigh, he handed Mandy back her small book. She grabbed it without looking at him, and put it away.
“I know it’s hard to trust people like us, Jack was it? But right now, we both share a common foe.”
“Yeah, those crazed Witch cultists.”
“Precisely, and you have to ask yourself this, Jack.”
She accidentally inhaled too much, coughed and threw the rest of the bud at a nearby dispensary.
“Sorry. Back to what I was saying, ahem! You have to ask yourself, why are they here, Jack? Think, and come to a conclusion as to why they’re causing all this commotion.”
Jack looked off to the side, and shut his eyes, smacking the wall behind him.
“My close friend, Sarah…”
“Right. And what do you think would be best to do to resolve this chaotic situation that has not only made your life a mess, but to the rest of society.”
“Wait wait, what are you trying to get at with this?”
Mandy stood in front of Jack, quickly grabbed his gun in the blink of an eye, and aimed it between the young man's eyes. Jack knit his brows as he stared down the barrel of his own gun.
“Jack, let's not waste the world's time, and especially my friends, and put an end to this charade.”
Jack squinted his anger, and eased into the gun, letting it rest on his forehead.
“Are you trying to say—that we should kill… Sarah?”
Mandy closed her eyes for a moment, and once they were opened, they glinted.
“May…be.”
The young man grew a gentle grin, and lay back on the wall.
“Mm, now I know what your goal is.”
Mandy scrunched her face in confusion.
“Oh yeah? What do you think it is?”
Jack carefully grabbed his gun, and retrieved it out of Mandy’s clutch. He put it away, and walked beside her. He leaned down to her level, and his lips straightened.
“If you don’t want me to say it, then whatever your ‘goal’ is… I just want you to stay the hell away from my friends.”
Mandy looked off to the side, and shrugged when she brought her gaze back to Jack. While the two stood in an awkward standoff, they both could sense something abnormal enter the town. They looked and wondered what it could be. While Jack did his scanning, something did stick out. It felt similar to the occurrence he experienced in the timeline when he was with Alexandria. This made him breathe heavily, frantically looking around, he stepped out of line, and shoved Mandy to get a better clue as to what’s going on.
Am-Am I reliving the same scenario? Or is this how it was supposed to occur, but without Alex? Jack thought.
Mandy felt disrespected but seeing him in a silent panic brought her own suspicion onto the young man. Jack saw the crowded street, and remembered seeing a very tall individual standing out in the crowd. For a moment, there was nothing, but as soon as he blinked, he saw the same shape, and it made him trickle a gasp. Mandy could see the drop of sweat coming down the side of his face.
“You alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” she said, having a brow raised.
Jack’s eyes shook, and he blinked again, shook his head, and the figure was gone.
“It-It’s nothing…”
He turned around, and saw Mandy’s suspiciou gaze set on him.
“Are you sure? It almost looked like you were looking for someone in particular, and they really have you on edge.”
“Trust me, it’s nothing and something only I should be concerned about.”
“Hmph, if you insist.”
The two grew quiet again. The silence was interrupted by oncoming military vehicles. The earth rumbled around them, their bodies vibrated as the new anti supernatural vehicles made themselves known. People cheered, welcoming the new toys given to the military. Mandy was flabbergasted and couldn’t believe on what she was witnessing as well as sensing. This angered her, bringing a new burden onto her already weighted shoulders. She couldn’t contain it, and knitted her brows, balling a fist as she appeared ready to do battle with the equipment.
“Hey hey, what’s with you? Why are you acting hostile towards the military?”
“You may not be able to sense what I’m sensing, but these new set of toys parading in front of us are filled with malicious mana.”
“Are you serious?!”
Mandy nodded. Jack tucked his hand into his coat where his gun was put away, and watched as military men marched beside with normal gear, but as the parade was halfway through, one vehicle stood out. A giant tank with a huge cannon drove by, and on top, a man with an old lieutenant outfit fit for the 70’s. He waved to the people with his chalky hand, and his head robotically moved side to side to them. With his creepy open mouth smile, when his black eyes set upon the two, he squinted them at the two, and winked. The parade kept moving and he kept waving. Mandy calmed her anger, and blew her frustrations out her mouth. She dragged a hand on her silky hair and flipped it.
Jack let off his gun and relaxed his arms. “Hey, did you see that weirdly dressed guy too?”
“Yeah, and he gave off nothing.”
“Nothing huh?” Jack said as he kept his eyes locked on him. “I don’t like the way he stared at us.”
Mandy sighed. “When I said nothing, I meant I couldn’t sense a presence in him.”
“Wh-What do you mean by?”
Mandy reached into her pocket and began calling for Linnea.
“There was no soul, no energy, no mana, zero. This military is up to no good and we need answers.”
“Well whatever he is, I hope to God he’s not trying to harm anyone.”
As Mandy had the phone against her ear, the other two girls came outside, and Angela quickly jumped to Jack’s side. She wrapped her arms around him, and glared at Mandy, sticking her tongue out to her.
“Your sister’s sassy, isn’t she?” Mandy said.
“Jack, why is the lady who Veronica harassed talking with you, alone?!”
“Yeah, I’m with Angela on this one, Jack S-a-m-r!” Veronica exclaimed.
The two girls glimpsed at each other, and Angela decided to get in front of Mandy’s face. She squinted her eyes, placed her fists on her hips, and pouted. Veronica stuck two fingers out and aimed them at Mandy before doing the same to Jack. Jack smiled and Mandy rolled her eyes. While they were all distracted, Mandy got a call back, giving her the opportunity to walk off to take the call. The two girls watched her until she disappeared, walking off to the side of the building. Then, they attacked Jack, and started to question him, having his full attention.
“Linnea, hey, we have a problem.”
Mandy leaned against the wall while making sure she was alone.
“The military’s up to—”
“No good? Yeah, I suspected since I’m here having brunch with Leon.”
“You-you are what?!”
“Yeah, you heard me. I’m with Leon, having brunch, catching up.”
“Woah… that’s gnarly. Ah, but back to what I was saying. There was this guy, and he was very, very inconspicuous.”
“In what way?”
Mandy furrowed her brows. “I didn’t sense a life force in him, nothing, nada.”
This worried Linnea, enough for her to cover the phone, and look at Leon who was eating his brunch.
“Leon, could you help out with what Mandy’s saying?”
Leon had a fork hanging near his mouth.
“Mandy…” he murmured.
He gently set it down and gestured to Linnea to hand her the phone. She did and Leon before speaking cleansed his pallet.
“Tell me what’s going on, Mandy.”
His stone cold low voice made the hairs on Mandy’s body rise. She grew nervous and did her best to remain calm.
“He-he was wearing an odd outfit, like a commander one meant for the times America was entering vietnam.”
Hearing this made him grow a wrinkle between his eyes.
“Where are you?”
She gazed around to see any sign of what street she was in.
“Woodward avenue.”
Leon grabbed his chin, and began to think.
“Are you alone?” he asked.
“N-No, I was with one of that young man's friends.”
“Which young man? You mean Jack?”
She gulped after his tone grew more fierce.
“Y-Yeah…”
“Which—friend?”
“The-The tall one with glasses…” she said in a panicked voice.
Leon put an arm on the table, and began leaning forward over the table, arching his eyes at Linnea.
“For what?”
Mandy didn’t know how to respond, and knew she couldn’t lie to him. She began to sweat bullets and wanted to hang up but knew it’ll only grow his suspicion on their ultimate goal.
“Ju-Just trying to get to know her…”
Leon tilted his head, and Linnea also began to show signs of nervousness.
“For what? You’re reaching thirty, there’s no need for you to befriend a seventeen year old.”
Mandy grew breathless and couldn’t contain it. The tension building, Leon’s deep suspicion swelling, Linnea sensing their true goal is about to be spilled by her friend since she doesn’t do too well under pressure. Linnea can’t risk it and would rather have it fall in her hands, knowing the character that Leon is. Mandy could feel Leon’s hidden mana begin to drift into her mind, causing her to hallucinate and relive memories of her time with witches.
She could remember the time she first met them, and the face she came to loathe.
“Abyzou…” she muttered.
She would secretly pick on her, call her weak minded, weak willed, and torment the girl's sensitive nature. Repeatedly, it was a weekly occurrence, and in one unforgettable day, she bumped into the definition of beauty, alone. There they stood in the courtyard. Abyzou saw Mandy alone, reading, and feeling one with nature. Sitting on a bench, Abyzou walked up to Mandy, and sat next to her. Feeling her bully’s energy beside her froze her, and made her tremble with the book in her clutch. Abyzou gently put her hand on Mandy’s shoulder, and eased her lips towards her ear. She gently blew into her ear, and it made her squeal, covering her ear.
She leaned away, and got in a small panic.
“Wh…at do you want? Abyzou?”
She giggled and her stare alone sent chills down her spine. The thin smile on her face, the small glint in her eyes, showed just how much she hated staring at Mandy.
“My eyes being set on someone as weak as you always sickens my day. You’re nothing but a disposable piece of flesh and bone, and I want nothing more than to watch you die a sweet pitiful death.”
Her words echoed, brewed the new hate she birthed that day. Her eyes turned lifeless and she had enough. She screamed and charged her head on, and an explosion occurred. When the smoke faded out, Abyzou was still seated and smiling while Mandy lay on the ground, defeated and battered. She stood up and gently patted herself and walked over to her. She got down to her, and patted Mandy’s head.
“You poor… poor girl. So sad, lonely, fragile. I absolutely loathe seeing you like this. It only stirs the hate I have for someone as weak as you.”
Mandy opened an eye, and saw the two eclipses staring down at her. She groaned and reached for her, grabbing her arm.
“Why…”
Abyzou tilted her head, and placed her hand on Mandy’s.
“Why what?”
Mandy grew her grip strength, but to Abyzou it felt nothing more than just a feather tickling her delicate skin.
“Why… do you… despise me?”
Abyzou grew a bigger thin smile, and brushed some of her dangling hair behind her ear.
“Aww, you want to know? It’s simple really.”
She brushed Mandy’s hand off her arm, and went to grab her chin, lifting her head off the ground.
“Anyone who dares stand in my way of getting what I! Desire, especially someone as pathetic as you… reminds me as to why I hate weak minded people such as yourself, and my ex.”
She threw her off to the side, leaving her to soak in her sorrow. Mandy’s eyes overflowed with tears as Abyzou left the scene. While she soaked in her sadness, only one person came up to check on her. That being Leon who healed and helped her on her feet. Seeing the shy quiet guy that everyone was afraid of made her surprised. She bowed to him without saying a word, and she almost walked away until he stopped her. He grabbed her arm, and his eyes were shaking.
“You’re an esper—too?”
Hearing this made her eyes glisten and heart raced.
She nodded and frantically panicked. “Yo-yo-yo-you’re!”
Leon grinned and let go. “Yeah, I’m one too.”
Ever since that day, she has grown a thing for him. They began to hangout over the course of two years and the two even began to develop feelings. But there was always someone that came in between them, that being, Abyzou. When they were reading together, she interrupted and jumped on his lap, walking side by side. She would drag him away, and in one night, prior to her confession, she saw them kissing and it shattered her heart. That was the tip that broke the iceberg, and it made her go into a frenzy, attacking her head on but Leon jumped in the way, stopping her and holding her in his arms.
Just remembering that night made Mandy’s eyes grow red with anger and ready to burst out in tears.
Mandy couldn’t take it, and gritted her teeth. “we’re-we’re here—”
Linnea sensed her friend's emotions rising from the distance, and smacked a fist on the table.
“We’re here to kill your wife—Leon!”
The news was finally out, and Leon calmed down, and eased his way back against the seat. He sighed, and his face grew still.
“I thought so.”
Linnea ground her teeth, and hung her head.
“I’m sorry… I-I didn’t want you to know.”
Leon knew they were up to no good the moment he saw them here. It questioned why they were here in the first place. When they were fighting the cultists, if Mandy hadn’t shown up then perhaps he would’ve thought differently otherwise. Yet seeing her spring into Linnea’s aid meant they were here for a purpose. He knew they only hung around Europe and not here. With their goal finally revealed, it made it more apparent as to why they’ve been around Jack and his daughter.
Leon rested one arm on the table as he locked his eyes on Linnea.
“Because if I knew you were trying to use my daughter to get to my bitch of a wife, then you’d recognize how angry I could be?”
Linnea grew ashamed, and dropped her arm off the table.
“And then what? What would you do to my precious girl? Because the last time I recall when you two were around was when she had the same appearance as my daughter.”
Linnea shut her eyes, and lay her head on the table.
“We’re sorry… Leon.”
Leon could understand, but the fact that they were trying to use Sarah to get a lead to where his wife was wouldn’t allow him to brush it aside. He put the phone against his ear, and shook his head.
“Mandy, from now on, you stay the hell away from my daughter’s friends. You got that?”
A tear dropped out of her right eye, and fell to the ground. She ground her teeth and wiped her eyes.
“Un-Understood…”
“But Jack, you can hang around him. He might be in danger and I need you to protect him.”
Mandy sniffed and wiped her nose. “In-In what way?”
“Seeing as these freaks are after Abyzou, and my daughter resembles her original appearance, they’ll most likely go after him. And hunt him down and beat the information out of him.”
Mandy blinked rapidly, her eyes rolled, she leaned her head to the side, and frowned.
“Mandy, you’re the only one I can entrust to watch after him. If you’re worried about him being beaten to a pulp, don’t. He’s been gifted three times and he can more than likely hold his own until a suitable opponent can step up to his attacker.”
Mandy still didn’t respond, and only breathed, slowly.
Leon wiped his face, and shook his head.
“Mandy, I missed you, you know.”
Mandy closed her eyes and fought the tears.
“If it weren’t for that monster trapping me in her gaze, then I would’ve most likely chosen you to be my wife.”
Mandy couldn’t help but shed silent tears, and cover her mouth.
“Please, don’t let anything happen to that boy, but more importantly, if my daughter happens to be around, don’t allow her to use her mana.”
Mandy wiggled her hand, blew air out, and took quick breaths before answering.
“Leon… do you think we can—catch up?” she said.
A grin appeared, and he softly blinked.
“Yeah, we can. I’ll talk to you soon, I’ll have Linnea here to give you my information.”
Mandy couldn’t retain her happiness and express an adorable smile.
“B…ye, Leon…”
“Bye.” Leon hung up the phone and slid it back to Linnea who still had her head down on the table.
“Get up, we have to discuss more about your vigilante justice.”
Linnea did and her face was red. She tapped the edge of her index fingers together and her eyes looked down.
“So what if you did get a lead on my wife, and dare use my daughter? What next? Attack her head on? Perhaps you have a grand plan that’ll defeat her? Which I highly doubt. So please, enlighten me as to how you’ll beat the fucking bitch.”
Linnea rubbed her cheeks and lay on the table in shame.
“Alright, all your answers are correct… but what else do you want us to do? We’ve gotten hundreds of times stronger since the last we met. I’m sure we can—”
“No, Linnea.” Leon said with a disgruntled look. “You can’t beat her, I! Can’t… nobody can other than William H. Christ.”
Linnea then remembered her promise to the masked devil Archard. She wondered how he'd react if she revealed that he’s also in part of this too. She had to think, what’s the point in lying to someone she looked up to as a brother? Feeling like there was no other option, she mustered the courage to tell him, and sat straight up.
“Leon, wh-what about—Archard?”
Leon knitted his brows, and balled his fist. “What about him?”
Her lips slightly gapped, her teeth showing her fear, she contained it and the last of her courage forced her to spill out the promise.
“I made a deal with him to lead him to her to enact his revenge also!”
Leon dug his fingers into his hair, and groaned. “Of course you did. That explains why he’s around too.”
“Huh?”
Linnea’s surprised he’s reacting rather calmly to the news, rather he appeared that he already knew of his presence.
“Why-Why are you not shocked to hear me making a deal with the devil?”
Leon rubbed his eyes and reached for the fork he had put down.
“Because I’ve been aware of his presence for a while. He’s been harassing my daughter and believe it or not, we actually met for the first time just last week.”
Linnea felt relieved and let out a breath of fresh air.
“But don’t make it seem like I’m still not angry at you two for also taking part in this mess. Not only did I have him on my mind, but with those freaks showing up and now you two involved as given me stress I haven’t experienced the day I found out Abyzou had used me.”
“Oh… sorry, again. Although, could I ask, uh, are you perhaps stronger than Archard?”
Leon shrugged, and took a bite of his food.
“I-I can’t really answer since I’ve barely met the man.”
“Hmm, well if you had to guess, were you at least even?”
Leon quickly shook his head, “can’t say, but what I could tell you is that I haven’t quaked in my shoes in a very long time.”
“So… you’re saying he’s still the strongest besides William?”
Leon’s corneas bounced around as he silently ate. After one more bite, he set the fork down and grabbed a napkin.
“Who knows? Maybe he won’t be for long.”
Hearing that made Linnea grow a smile and felt confident about Leon’s strength. She has no clue as to how much more powerful he’s gotten since the last time she saw him, he was close to blowing up their whole world.
“Alright Leon, you got to tell me…”
Linnea spread her arms out, and bounced her brows at him.
“...am I as strong as you were eighteen years ago?”
Leon rolled his head along with his eyes, but shook it with a grin.
“I won’t know until I see you at a hundred.”
***
Inside a military hut, the general, his closest lieutenants along with Ahriman were present. The general was smoking a cigarette, his closest men on edge because of the mysterious new recruitment, and Ahriman’s smile made their skins crawl. He stood in front of a projector, and had a stick in hand, waiting for something while the rest waited to see what he wanted to present to them. The general rocked on his seat, tapped the table, growing impatient, the rest doing the same and furrowing their brows towards him.
“What’s the hold up? Why are you standing there like some freak?” The general said.
Ahriman chuckled and slapped his knee. The other men glimpsed at each other, and some even decided to rest their hands on their holstered handguns.
“Oh general Shannon, relax my friend. Don’t be so cold to someone who’s handed you the latest state of the ark equipment in combating the supernatural.”
“And I for one am still not pleased to find this to be happening since everything that’s happened that was once thought impossible and only plausible through fiction—suddenly became a reality?! Yeah, very difficult to comprehend, stranger.”
“Still calling me that?! Aw, come on now. Quit being cruel to your ally who has more power than you.”
“You sure got a big mouth for someone still cosplaying an old high ranking outfit for the vietnam era. Look, Cody was it? Enough of the bullshit, stop wasting our—especially my! Time and tell us what the hell type of news you have for me this time besides your secret military branch I still yet have found any clues for its existence.”
Ahriman put his arms and showed them in a comedic way.
“You still don’t trust me? Come on! Believe in me and our new secret branch. It’s top secret guys!”
General Shannon tossed the rest of the cigarette and angrily stood on his feet.
“Just shut up and show us what you got. I already have more dead civilians than I do men who actually signed up to risk their lives for this country and for their people. So let's wrap this up, get to what’s being presented by your goofy ass, and quit pissing me off, rookie.”
Ahriman froze, nodded repeatedly and rubbed his face but kept a smile. He shrugged, and twirled the stick in amusement. General Shannon felt as if he were watching a clown putting an act, purposely killing time and buying it for the enemy to strike again.
“Okay okay, let's get to the presentation, shall we?”
He pointed at one of the men who stood near the projector. He pressed the button, and it shot out the first image. It was the well suited man with crimson eyes who stood with that twisted smile after he initiated his destruction. General Shannon sat back down and groaned with impatience.
“You all remember Mr. Scary supernatural. So, you’re asking yourself, why am I reshowing this image once again even though his face has been plastered throughout the world.”
General Shannon tapped his fingers on the table, leaning his head on one hand. Everyone else watched closely and were still on guard.
“Nobody wants to say anything? Anyone? Something? Okay, ahem, we all know he’s public enemy number one.”
“As he should be.” General Shannon said.
“Ahuh! And he should if not for the main accomplice behind the attack.”
“What do you mean by 'main accomplice'? I’m pretty sure he is the one behind everything since he was the first to almost blow up the city.”
Ahriman had an open grin, and nodded eerily.
“Yes yes. But with every attack, and attacker, there’s always someone behind it all. Behind closed doors, the master mind would never put himself out to be discovered. Am I right, General?”
He put his arms on the table, and got up again.
“You mean to tell me you’ve already found out who’s behind all this? Th-that can’t be… unless—”
His men all stood up, drew their guns halfway, and General Shannon raised his hand to stop them. His glare engulfed Ahriman’s suspicion but he casually brushed it off with a laugh and spread his arms out.
“Oh General! Don’t accuse me of being tied with them?! I know it’s easy to come to a conclusion since I did come out of nowhere and brought you equipment to fight these folks. So one can’t blame you for quickly assuming that. Oh damn you're really good, man!”
“Quit stalling and tell us who’s behind it. That way my men and I don’t have to put dozens of holes in your chalky body.”
Ahriman’s grin closed and grew into a wide thin smile.
“Of course.”
He snapped his fingers and another image popped up without the man handling the projector pressing any buttons. The next image showed a being, a man going berserk, the edges of his hair standing, fluttering, and a monstrous aura surrounding his body. Yet what stood out the most was his blank eyes, and the destruction behind him.
“Wh..at am I seeing here? Who’s this?” The general asked as he walked up to the projector.
Ahriman stepped aside, and snapped his fingers again. The next image showed the same being above a flattened area, and from what the rubble showed was once a city. Then, he snapped again, this time a video showed him charging up, roaring into the sky, and his war cry turned into manical laughter. This made the general be in disbelief. He turned white and almost collapsed, but one of his lieutenants went to catch him before he could. Ahriman continued showing more images of the monster, destroying, causing mass extinctions, and with more video to show, he wanted the general to ease himself first.
“You alright, General Shannon?” Ahriman asked while keeping his twisted smile.
General Shannon got back on his feet, and ground his teeth.
“What the hell are you showing me? How is this even possible? When did this happen? You’re not just bullshitting me with images from the internet are you?!”
He smacked the stick repeatedly against his palm, and moaned.
“Because he wiped out people’s memories. All this happened during the 90’s and early 2000’s. He’s the mastermind behind the recent attacks and his partner is the crimson eyed man.”
General Shannon can’t believe his eyes. Everything being told to him, showed is straight out of a comic book and the cartoons his niece and nephews watch. It’s unrealistic and it made him question his own faith about Christianity. He wanted to rip the necklace out of his neck behind his collar, but deep down, he still believed there was a higher power. He believed in everything being told to him, and having evidence to back up his suspicion still wasn’t enough for the General to not trust him. Although, he didn’t have any other choice, and he was their only lead of information and knowledge to fight these new foes. Putting his trust on this weirdo is the last thing he wanted to do, but now that he’s getting a better sense of what's happening, this is his last and only option.
General Shannon put his hand out to Ahriman, and nodded.
“Who and how do we stop this man, Lieutenant.”
Ahriman opened his mouth, and gasped with excitement. He shook the General’s hand, and the General felt his coldness which made him flinch his eyes.
“His name, he…heheh.”
The two panned to the projector, and he snapped his fingers one last time and showed an image of a depressed businessman with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Ahriman’s eyes glistened, “his name is Leon, Bolverkr, the destroyer.”