Zen and Isaias were once more in a car being driven by their uncle heading to the Hormigueros' place. They parked in the inside driveway and got out. Isaias was dressed in one of his better t-shirts and jeans while Zen had opted to wear a simple tracksuit in black with her trainers. Isaias wore combat boots from his Guerrero uniform. He also wore the pendant that established him as heir. He would not, however, move ranks. He was just a beginner still and had much to learn. He would have guidance from an older member like Luis. They walked up to the Hormigueros' front door and like before Nathan and Shea were waiting for them.

“You got a new boss Hormigueros,” Bernado said as he led Isaias and Zen through.

“About time. When do we meet him?” Nathan asked and Isaias grinned.

“You’re looking at him hermano,” he said.

Nathan’s eyes widened and then he grinned. “Ya playing with me? I know I suggested it but…”

“Isaias is my heir and he needs the experience of running an operation from the ground up. I'd like it if you would mentor him, Nathan,” Bernado said.

Nathan grinned. “No shit! You bet I’ll mentor Bean Sprout, so get ready for some harsh training, Isaias.”

“Good, then the first order of business for the Hormigueros is to create a vaccine for the Guerreros who are marching to war in three days,” said Isaias.

“Three days! Isaias, it took a month to make the Guerrero’s Blood,” said Shea.

“I can stop time around the Hormigueros for a while,” said Zen as she sat up in the chair she had created from nothing.

“How long?” Shea asked.

“I can probably stretch it for a month, maybe longer.”

“That still may not be enough time Isaias,” Shea said. “Crafting antivenom is a different process than creating the venom.”

“It’ll have to be Shea. We are already stretching three days into a month. All we can do is try,” Isaias said.

“If not, the Guerreros will go to war with a tenth of its strength down,” Bernado said solemnly.

“Are we really going to war with New Arctica and Venezuela? I thought we were on great terms with both?” asked Nathan.

“They want something we refuse to give them,” Isaias said.

“Your sister right? I mean she can control time and shit now,” he said.

“Yes, I’m part of it,” Zen replied.

“Heh, a big brother does everything to protect their sibling...trust me I know. No stinking Don is going on our turf and screwing with us,” said Nathan.

“Exacto, so let’s get on with the antivenom already, “ Isaias said, slamming his hands on the rickety table before him. Shea nodded and led them to the chemical lab in the back while Zen walked outside and stood in front of the Hormiguero hideout. She waved her hands and a large bubble submerged the entire structure.

How long can we give them Ishevara?

We can extend them two months starting now.

It’ll have to be enough.

Zen glowed and the entire structure also glowed for a moment before going back to its normal drabness. Zen watched as a bird flew into the area and immediately slowed down until it passed it and time picked up again. This will cause some major jet lag for the people inside. I better warn them. She entered the inside and felt the change. Although everything functioned at the same rhythm as the outside, it was clear some things were affected like the clock on the wall which stayed at half past six with no change. Or the falling piece of paper that just hung in the air while the Hormigueros stared at it.

“Did it work?.,” Isaias asked from the lab’s door and Zen nodded.

“You have two months from now but these guys are going to feel tremendous jet lag coming in and out of the hideout,” she said suddenly collapsing.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Zen!” screamed Isaias as he shadow warped to her side.

“That’s new,” muttered Nathan walking over.

Isaias picked up Zen and placed her on top of the table disregarding two Hormigueros playing poker and sweeping the cards off to lay his sister down. He touched her forehead and flinched. “She’s running a bit of a fever. Do any of you have water or some kind of liquid on you? I need to make a call.”

I got this,” a Hormiguero said, holding up a bottle of whiskey.

“That’ll do,” Isaias said, snatching the bottle and pouring the whiskey on the water mirror. It shone brightly before showing Marco’s face.

“Isaias, what’s wrong?”

“Zen collapsed. I need to talk to your brother, is he around?”

“Yes, he’s teaching Edline and me to teleport elementally. You caught me on a break.”

“Go and get Stephan. It relates to the crystal.”

“Of course.”

There was a deep blackness then stars then Marco was beside Stephan and handing him the mirror.

“What’s wrong with Zen!”

“She collapsed. Look we didn’t tell you guys earlier cause we handled it, but Mara showed up and Zen had to reconstruct the whole city from the backlash of his bomb. He’s a fire elemental so it was huge. It wiped away downtown completely. Zen vanished the people and restored the crater that was downtown. She used up a lot of power before deflecting his abilities and saving people.”

“And she tried something big right now,” demanded Stephan.

Isaias nodded and Stephan slapped his forehead.

“She’s lucky she isn’t dead! Crystal overload is very serious not to mention dangerous. Keep her stable. I'm on my way.”

“How are you planning to get here?”

“I’ve been working on something but I think I’d better let someone drive me over.”

“In that case, I’ll send one of my men to you. They know where Carmelo’s place is and where to find this place.”

“I’ll be waiting by the gate then.”

The mirror went blank and Isaias sighed ruffling Zen’s hair.

“What is that? I’ve never encountered it’s like,” Shea said, staring at the rock in wonder.

“You can study it all you want later, doc. I need someone to run and get the guy you just saw through the mirror. His name is Stephan Marques and he’ll be waiting by the gate at Don Rodriguez’s home.”

“I’ll go. I got a fast car,” Tortuga said.

“Thanks, man.”

“No prob boss man.” He left the hideout through a side entrance.

Isaias left Zen’s side but came back every minute to check on her.

###

Stephan waited impatiently at the gates. I thought their joining prevented this from happening. I hope she doesn’t have crystal poisoning!

A car honked. Stephan turned to spot a black sedan pulling up to the curve. It rolled down its windows showing a brown-skinned male wearing a skull cap.

“You Stephan?”

“Yeah,” he replied.

The doors unlocked.”Get in I’ll take you to the girl.”

Stephan hopped into the sedan and closed the door. They zoomed off. With Tortuga’s scary driving Stephan didn’t understand why it took so long to get to him till they got downtown. It was pure chaos. People were running everywhere with suitcases and duffle bags. Large army trucks were being loaded with people and bags as they passed by. It took almost thirty minutes to get back to the designated parking lot. Tortuga was not a very big man. He wasn’t very tall either but he was nimble and they reached the hideout just as Isaias was going to send Gorrito after them.

“Sorry boss but it's hell out there. The people are panicking and the Guerreros are loading their cars full of them instead of weapons.”

“That’s fine Tortuga. Stephan, she’s running a slight fever but is otherwise fine. I’ve been checking up on her every time I could. Now that you're here, I have to pay more attention to the antitoxin,” he said, wiping his forehead with his arm which held a long tube of some green chemical.

Stephan nodded and Isaias showed him to the back rooms where the men usually slept naps in between turns. He was led to the very back and into a nice air-conditioned room. The only room that had air conditioning. Zen rested on the long couch with a pillow under her head. Stephan knelt beside her and checked her face. Other than its white pallor it didn’t bear the signs of crystal poisoning. He sighed and sat beside her. Oh was he going to let her have it for scaring nine lives out of him. He played with a strand of flyaway hair and tucked it behind her head. She moaned slightly and turned her head into his hand.

“Silly princess,” he muttered resting his head against hers and closing his eyes. His new acid powers came alive and he bit his lip reigning them in again. When under high stress they tended to do that. He wasn’t sure about them or anything about his mother. If he was the weapon why train all three kids? Why try and break all three? Why have kids at all? He knew he was missing something in the equation but for the life of him, he couldn’t figure it out. His dad had a galactical necklace but he was an elemental. A rare dual wielder. So what then? What else could it be?

He sighed and closed his eyes. They opened again. Whatever it is or was… it's not for me to find out. That I feel. So then accept my abilities as a done deal? Cause I can’t go back and change the past no matter how much I want to.

A coil of acid sprung from his back, and he let his control go. A ring of acid surrounded him and Zen. It felt natural, freeing, an escape from who he was. His acid wasn’t tainted by innocent blood like his water was. He finally shut his eyes and they remained closed.