Bernado walked to the front door and to his car where Isaias and Zen were already sitting inside and talking quietly to one another. He unlocked the door and Zen sat straighter in the passenger seat.

“We have to go by the Hormigueros' hideout to get the real vid from Nathan and to get what remains of Luis,” Isaias said as Bernado started the car. Bernado nodded and headed out of the gates of the Rodriguez estate. He always admired how his rival could live with his Arachnids and often thought of doing the same with his Guerreros. Now that he was naming a new heir it would be beneficial if there was no class in his Guerreros. That way his heir wouldn’t be judged by their class. Not that it matters. They are related to the first true Don of the era. They are the rightful heir by law anyway whether I want it or not. They need experience first though and I know where they can get that experience too and hopefully make their lives hell as well. I can be rough unlike Luis, and expect far more. Don’t know how far I’ll push it, till I’m murdered I guess.

The Hormigueros were without a leader. What better way to learn than for the heir to take over the most prestigious gang in the force? And was that a black van following them? Bernado speeded up a little and so did the van. Damn it! I do not need this right now.

Bernado pulled over on the busy curb and watched as the van also pulled up a few meters away. The back of the van opened and a few men stepped out including one Isaias knew very well.

Isaias sucked in a breath. “It’s those guys again! Zen get ready to fight! Looks like the GAA hasn’t given up on you yet.” He exited the car and unpocketed his whips. Zen looked into the rearview mirror and sighed. “These guys again?” She undid her seatbelt and exited the car, Her knives were already on and the gun was safely tucked into her jeans. She took that out now. Flame-red eyes seared them as their crazy owner laughed hysterically. “You think some whips and a gun is going to stop me from getting what I came for? Phsh! Hand over the crystal and I won’t blow this city sky high.”

Isaias’s eyes bled black. “You're not the only elemental anymore Mara,” he said as shadows began to dance around him. Zen rolled her eyes. Men!

She pointed her gun at Mara but a fire shield reflected her bullet. That was fine. It was only to see if he had one or not. Her real power was thrumming through her from the crystal piece on her chest. Her eyes were changing color. She was the real danger and this simple fire elemental simply didn’t know it. Bernado had exited the car and stood watching as his niece and nephew took on some assassins like it was an everyday thing. It has probably become an everyday thing, fighting something, thanks to me.

He raked a hand through his hair and waited as the elemental began to change color from a nice tan to a bright lobster red and deeper till he was almost lava black. “Just remember! You made me do this!” He turned around and shot fireballs at the street. They zoomed and hit cars and buildings missing people by inches. Then he raised his hands and a tidal wave of fire rose and spread in all directions. People screamed as they were fried alive. Cars began to explode, and people ran everywhere, in all colors.

None was above saving themselves. Zen watched with a disinterested glare as several Elite tugged some Lows from their hiding spot and left them to burn. Raising a hand. She put a shield over the three Lows and with another unmade the hideout for the Elite assholes and watched as they slowly burned. Still, Zen was not without compassion and waved her hand. The tidal wave rolled back and everything went back to the way it was before Mara began shooting fireballs. Mara gasped and looked over at Zen who smirked and flipped her ponytail.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Is that all?” she said, crossing her arms and leaning against Isaias who was also staring at her.

He forgot she had the crystal’s power at her fingertips. He would not make that mistake again.

Mara growled and began to glow. “How about this then!” He began to glow a dark red as fire encapsulated him and very air seemed to steam.

“Zen he’s using synergy! He’s going to blow this whole fucking town sky high as he said,” Isaias warned placing a hand on Zen’s shoulder.

Zen nodded and swept her hands out in both directions. Everything living within the distance simply disappeared and then she threw a shield over herself and Isaias. Bernado had also disappeared. Mara went off like a level-five explosive and blew everything for miles. There was a big crater where the city once stood, and only Zen and Isaias were around to see it. The explosion glanced off their shield covering them in a fiery storm for a few minutes, then there was peace again and nothing but ashes remained of Mara.

Zen looked around at the destruction, then sighed. “I’d hate to disturb his rest, but things can’t stay like this.” She rotated her hands and suddenly the blast was played backward and Isaias watched entranced, as Mara became a person once more and everything was rebuilt brick by brick, car part by car part again, till downtown Puerto Nuevo stood once more.

Mara gasped and coughed out ashes while Zen smiled.

“Had enough? She said staring down flame red eyes. She yawned and Isaias flicked his wrist at Mara who went flying through the air, as a whip hit him. He landed face-first on the concrete. Isaias pulled the whip in smirking.

“Tell your boss that it's going to take an army to get Zen,” he said to a trembling Mara who nodded. The people began to reappear one by one until everyone was back. Mara shook his head and climbed back into the van taking out his cell.

“She’s learned to use the crystal somehow! I don’t know how but she made everyone disappear! She revived me after I blew up! I..!” His voice wavered, growing more desperate with every word he said. Finally, he closed the cell and got out of the van to face them again.

“I-If it's a war you want? It’s a war you’ll get! We won’t stop til we get that crystal,” he said pointing a shaking finger at Zen who chortled.

“Come and get it then flame boy,” she taunted.

Mara shook his head. “My job is over.” He leaped into the van and closed the doors. The white van pulled away from the curve and onto the streets racing away.

Bernado blinked. “What happened? I was just standing here then I was somewhere else and now I’m back here again? ” He looked around. “What happened to the van?”

Isaias smirked. “Took care of it uncle. He won’t be returning for a while,” he said, coiling his whip and tying it to his belt loop. Zen walked to the car and opened the door. We have to get Luis, remember uncle?” she said, sitting back into the passenger seat and buckling her seat belt.

“Right,” Bernado muttered as he got in and started the car. Isaias's shadow warped inside and fastened his seat belt after a glare from his sister. She had just single-handedly restored a city from a bomb. He did not want to instill her ire right then or ever again.

###

The leader looked on from Mara’s vid as the girl simply reversed everything he did. Not only is she using the crystal but it's not taking her life force or she wouldn’t be doing such stunts. Hmmm, interesting. Mara is right about one thing: it is a war now.

He tapped his ear and a soft clicking was heard.

“Agent 26 it's time to return. Leave that idiot, we have things to prepare for. Call the Legion.”

“Yes sir.”

A click and the comm shut off.

If it's a war they want then it's a war they shall get.