Atlas entered his father's warehouse, followed by an exasperated bodyguard and a snakey brown-noser.
Once inside, the trio sees dozens of metal containers stacked everywhere. The warehouse contained around fifty men. All of them are working to carry out crates from the containers. Atlas notices a group standing near a tougher-looking metal container, in comparison to the other containers.
Looking around, Atlas sees a well-dressed man, that appears to be a leader, talking to other equally well-dressed men. He recognizes the leader as his father. Emotions of both respect and resentment bubble up Atlas' chest.
"Father!"
Atlas' father, who was busy talking with his associates, sighs exasperatedly.
He seems to mutter some tired words.
"Who told him we were here..."
Atlas quickly approaches his father, disregarding the other men talking with his father.
An associate speaks to Atlas' father.
"Atrenius, who is this buffoon?"
Atrenius growls a bit.
"My son."
Atlas pushes away Atrenius' business partners and hugs his father. Any other time it would be a scene of filial love but Atrenius' angry face spoils the picture. Atrenius locates Bradley and Hanoa and gives them a sharp look.
Bradley mouths an apology and lowers his head. Hanoa, on the other hand, is very smug.
"Father, I came to visit you. I wanted to know how business is going."
Atrenius reluctantly hugged his son. Despite Atrenius' dislike for his son's attitude, he still loved Atlas.
An associate speaks, calling Atrenius' attention.
"Atrenius, we are not done talking."
Atlas seems to fume a bit when he hears the associate interrupt their talking.
"Why are you talking?! Can't you see I am hugging my father! Do you have no manners!"
Atrenius quickly pales and shoves his son. Atlas shouts in pain as Atrenius quickly slaps him on the face. Atrenius bows to his associates quickly.
Atlas is about to question his father's sudden change of attitude but Atrenius grabs his son's head and makes him bow with him.
"I am so sorry sir Parrik! My son did not mean it!"
Atlas could not resist as his father was many times stronger than him.
Parrik clicked his tongue but he didn't say anything anymore. Atrenius releases a sigh of relief. He lets go of Atlas who looks at his father with a betrayed look. Atlas has never suffered hardships in his life, his father made sure of that. Now that Atlas has grown up, Atrenius sorely regrets allowing Atlas so much leeway.
It is more rightful for a parent to punish their child than the world.
Parrik studies Atlas a bit but returns to Atrenius.
"Atrenius, I only took this deal because I could move my containers through your port without being seen but it seems it is not as well hidden as I thought it was."
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Anne, Cieran, and Nicholas entered the warehouse where Atlas came in. They were able to avoid any detection, for now. Through Anne's unique power, their speed was enough so that could avoid being detected by the workers. And since they only used a minimal amount of will, through their unique power, they are harder to detect.
The three students listen in, doing their best to glean any information they can. They do this while hiding.
"What are they talking about Anne?"
Anne silences Nicholas with a touch of her hand. He lightly pushes it away, slightly blushing from the physical contact.
"Don't call me by my name. If anyone hears, they can try to look for us."
Cieran agrees and whispers to Nicholas that they should think of code names later. Nicholas quickly agrees. Anne points at a well-dressed and well-built man.
"That guy must be the boss? He's the one Atlas approached after all."
The other two agree. While they watch the interaction of the group, they notice Atrenius bow to Parrik with Atlas being forced to bow as well. It makes Anne rethink her first judgment.
Is that the boss?
Before Anne could think further about whether Parrik was the boss or not, Parrik suddenly turns around and raises his hand. A powerful force of energy rushes towards their spot.
"Look out!"
Anne whispers a name that activates a specific technique she developed with her power.
~Rushed Momentum~
Anne uses most of her will to activate her technique. With Rushed Momentum, Anne rapidly steals speed from the entire port, boosting her speed with some of the speed being diverted to Cieran and Nicholas. Time seems to slow down for the three students as Anne's speed gives them an insane amount of speed. Anne is extremely fast but she knows it won't last. The stress of using Rushed Momentum will impact her body horribly later on. But if she doesn't move, she'll get obliterated by the incoming blast.
Used to combat, Cieran and Nicholas react almost immediately. With their enhanced speed, they both create powerful walls of energy from their unique powers, bathing them with blinding light and suffocating darkness. The energy that Parrik shot towards them shatters both of the walls but it gives the three of them ample time to dodge out of its way. Cieran and Nicholas prepare for combat but Anne appears behind them and grabs them by the collars.
"What are you two idiots doing?! Run!!!"
When Anne shouts at them, Cieran and Nicholas don't hesitate to make a break for it.
The explosion of energies causes the laborers to run away in panic and fear. Many men, under Parrik's command, quickly infuse their bodies with will to chase the three students but most of them are moving at half their full speed. Many of the men complain under the effect of Anne's ability.
"What's happening?!"
"Why am I so slow?"
"A unique power?!"
The three students disappear from view.
Atrenius pales from the sudden situation while Parrik clicks his tongue angrily. Parrik turns to Atrenius with a livid look.
"Si-sir! I didn't know about them!"
Parrik chuckles. He didn't even speak yet this pathetic gang boss is already starting to make reasons.
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His body starts to release copious amounts of energy.
Atrenius curses to himself.
Fuck, if I knew it would come to this, I wouldn't have taken this deal...
Atrenius infuses his body with will, preparing himself to fight his superior.
Parrik notices his subordinate's willingness to fight and he sighs. Parrik turns away from Atrenius.
No point in punishing this man. He still has some uses. Those 3 weren't members of the defiants. They didn't reach the minimum requirement to join it... So what group are they from?
Since Anne, Cieran and Nicholas weren't wearing any discerning clothes, Parrik couldn't pinpoint who they were. The only way would be to spend time looking for them.
"Tch. Atrenius, I'm giving you another chance."
Atrenius stills for a moment but he doesn't let go of his stance in the situation that Parrik takes him by surprise.
"What do you mean sir?"
"I said, I'm not killing you and your little group yet."
Atrenius chills at Parrik's angry demeanor.
"Now, I need you to find those pests. Understood?"
Atrenius nods, a bit pathetic.
"Yes sir."
A deep quiet enters the warehouse. Atrenius is waiting which pisses off Parrik even more.
"What are you waiting for?! A sign?! Go! I'll check the cargo."
Atrenius bows and leaves with Atlas and his men.
Parrik, now alone with his bodyguard, turns to a nearby closed metal container.
"Setra, open it. I want to check if it's real."
Setra, Parrik's bodyguard, goes to the container. Setra grabs the handle and twists it. The metal container opens which reveals an insulated interior with lights that fully illuminate it. On each side of the container are metal shelves that contain their own metal boxes.
Parrik enters while Setra waits outside. Once inside, Parrik feels cold. The insides of the
He inspects one of the metal boxes inside. He opens a box and removes the cloth and wrap covering his prize. Parrik takes out a glass tube with metal corks on both sides. He lightly sloshes it, moving the blue liquid inside.
Parrik smirks.
"Perfect."
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Anne falls to the ground the moment they got out of the port. She was pale and felt weak. Nicholas caught her before she hits the floor.
"Anne? What's the problem?"
Cieran, who was running before, notices that they've lost their increased speed. He turns around and sees Anne weakened.
"Anne, we have to keep moving. Your power's gone and they'll catch up any moment now."
Anne scowls at Cieran.
"I know! Ju-just give me a sec."
Cieran goes to Anne's side and lifts her up.
"We don't have a second. Nicholas, carry her left side, I'll carry her right."
Nicholas nods and they both support Anne up.
"Yo-you two don't need to do this. I can fare well on my own."
Anne gets flustered as the duo supports her.
"Shut up already, I told you we're a team now. Nicholas, pick up the pace."
Nicholas frowns at Cieran rushing him.
"I am, no need to shout."
The three quickly enter the market.
Just as the trio entered the market's crowd, Parrik's men manage to catch up.
"Where are they?"
The one who leads the group asks his men.
"Sir, we don't know. We just got here, just like you."
The leader curses.
"Spread out! Find them! Call in immediately if you find them."
Parrik's men spread out and start to look for the three students.
Unfortunately for them, the three are good at hiding and running away.
It isn't long until the trio manages to evade Parrik's men.
Anne's body wasn't doing very well as the duo do their best to escape with her in tow.
After a while of carefully avoiding their pursuers, Cieran leads the group to enter a nearby restaurant.
Nicholas seats Anne in a corner so she can catch her breath. Cieran keeps a lookout while ordering some water. The waitress seems to frown at the apparent poverty that the three was showing.
"Cieran, why did you lead us here? We don't have any money."
Cieran turns to Anne.
"Anne, do you have any money?"
Anne looks at Cieran like he's an idiot.
"Well, I had to try okay. I'll pretend to order then we'll go out since we don't have any money."
Nicholas sighs. Sometimes Cieran is the brains of the two but there are also times he's an idiot.
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Atlas is angry.
No, that's incorrect. Atlas is livid.
In his whole lifetime, Atlas has never seen his powerful father bow his head to anyone.
He was walking behind his father. His father's back, which was once a symbol of pride, is now pathetic to look at.
Bradley didn't speak and was simply accompanying his master while Hanoa followed behind Atlas.
When they are far away from Parrik and his men, Atrenius stops walking. He turns around and looks at Atlas, then Hanoa, then Bradley. With anger in his voice, Atrenius screams, which scares Atlas.
"Bradley! What the fuck is my son doing here?!"
Bradley sighs and prepares to explain himself. Atlas cuts in before Bradley could speak even a single word.
"Father! What do you mean?! Am I not allowed to see the family business?!"
When Atlas spoke, Atrenius' anger towards Bradley shifts towards his son.
"Family business?!! When have you ever cared about the family business?! You've done nothing but spend the money I give you on worthless things! And now when I have the opportunity to expand our family into something bigger, you show up to ruin it!"
Atlas pales a bit, feeling guilty from his father's accusations.
"I-It isn't ruined yet, father!"
"It might as well be!"
"I can make this right!"
Atrenius face palms and lets out an exasperated sigh.
"How?"
Atlas starts thinking of what he could do, then it hits him. He just needs to make sure the perpetrators are caught.
"I'll-I'll catch those sneaking bastards! I'll take them here and make sure to silence them!"
Atrenius laughs.
"And how do you propose you'll do that? Parrik has more resources than you and I combined. He has better men, better connections, and overall better everything."
Atlas realizes how much of a bigshot Parrik is.
"I'll think of something!"
This pisses off Atrenius.
"Think? That's it? You'll think? Something you never do?!"
Atrenius strains to hold back the rage inside him.
"I'll find them, father, I promise! I'll make this right!"
Atrenius curses.
"You fucking better! If Parrik's men find them first, he will deem us useless and discard us."
Desperate, Atlas starts to stutter.
"Bu-but father! Can't we just fend them off? That's what we've been doing to the police here. If we-we can pay them off or scare them-"
"You aren't listening!!!"
Atlas quiets from Atrenius' powerful shout.
"Atlas, find them or you are disowned by this family."
Hanoa's face seems to shatter from Atrenius harsh words. Bradley simply sighs in pity.
Atlas, on the other hand, stares at his father with a broken look.
"Fa-father, you... you can't do that."
"I have to. I cannot have weak links in this family. I cannot always choose you."
Atrenius turns to Bradley.
"Bradley, form a team to look for those three."
Bradley asks a question.
"Will I work with sir Atlas?"
"No, you will hunt them on your own with your own team."
Atrenius turns to Atlas.
"Atlas, you will use whatever resources you have to hunt them. If you fail, then you are of no use."
"Bu-"
Atrenius slaps Atlas' face.
"Shut up. Do as your told."
Atrenius turns around, ignoring Atlas' hurt face. Despite being stern, Atrenius' heart bleeds for his son. He has never raised his hand to Atlas before. But Atlas must learn.
This is for the better.
Hanoa approaches Atlas, who shuns him in anger. Bradley looks at his master's son but eventually leaves. Looking for anything to shift his anger to, Atlas remembers the three intruders.
"It's those three... Everything is their fault!"
Hanoa, who sees an opportunity to brown-nose towards Atlas, speaks with a soft voice.
"My good sir, don't be afraid or fearful... We have time..."
Hanoa continues to praise Atlas which slowly brings the young man back to his arrogant state.
I will find them. I will prove my father wrong.
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Cieran was tired. He was fatigued by all this action in the morning. He just wanted to cut classes and play in the arcade but they had to pick a bad target.
Now what? Go to school to be safe?
Cieran rubs his face, tired.
"Cieran, what do we do now?"
Cieran looks at Nicholas, his best friend.
It seems I'll be the one who's gonna make the decisions again huh.
"Well, we need to get out of this restaurant first. We can go to school so it's safe. Anne, do you have any qualms with this?"
Anne shakes her head. She repeats what Nicholas said earlier.
"I'm starting to think that I should have stayed in school."
The three chuckles a bit. Nicholas comments as well.
"In hindsight, yes, school seems to be the better option."
Before the three could continue joking, they hear a noise from the waitress.
"Ahem, will you three be ordering anything? Other than water?"
Cieran nervously chuckles and puts on his best smile. But before he could say anything, Nicholas steps up to the plate.
Nicholas is a handsome young man with golden hair and blue eyes, contrasting Cieran's black hair and abyssal eyes.
"I'm sorry we were causing so much trouble for you. We originally wanted to eat here but we're trying to save up some money. I'm really sorry that we're causing you trouble."
The waitress seems to smile at Nicholas' sincereness.
"Aww, well sweetie this place isn't too cheap. I suggest that other place."
The waitress leads Nicholas to a nearby window and points at another eatery.
"Oh is the food there as good as here?"
"Well, it's as good as its price. Now scurry along before I call my manager."
The waitress jokes which Nicholas responds with a burst of hearty laughter.
"We'll be on our way before you call your boss okay? Thank you very much!"
Cieran helps Anne stand up and the three students exit the restaurant.
"How did you do that Nicholas?"
Cieran chuckles at Anne's curious question.
"The two of us have our own specialties. Nicholas here loves to brown-nose."
"Hey! Don't act like you don't benefit!"
Cieran chuckles.
The three make their way back to school despite being late.
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Ava just finished scolding Giles. She didn't like him one bit.
What is that man thinking? Doesn't he know that these students need constant attention! What if he fails like me? That's a batch of possibly dangerous individuals joining our society.
Ava scrunches her eyebrows as she thinks of ways to help out the class.
No, Ava, don't scrunch your eyebrows. It doesn't mean you don't age you can't get wrinkles.
Ava starts to think about a possible vacation. Once she imagines the forest and its calming environment, she becomes peaceful.
There we go Ava, no stress.
She feels peaceful until she sees three roughed up and disheveled students come her way.
Oh bollocks.