Ezekiel's demeanor was one of utter disinterest as he stood before the two individuals in front of him, his expression a mix of annoyance and irritation.
The woman, a dark-skinned beauty, exuded a sense of calm confidence. Her flawless skin seemed to glow in the light, framed by long, silky black hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a light pink dress that hugged her body, accentuating her curves, and stopped just above her knees. Her feet were shod in a pair of black sandals, adding a touch of elegance to her appearance.
Beside her stood a man of average height and build, his face hidden behind a full head mask. The mask, a solid white, featureless facade, gave him an air of mystery. Despite its lack of holes or slits, he seemed to see clearly through it. His short, brown hair was swept back and spiked in the front, adding a hint of rebellion to his otherwise casual attire. He wore a dark green shirt, khaki shorts, and sneakers, a stark contrast to the woman's more refined outfit.
The woman spoke first. "You lost? Yes? No? Who really cares? I mean, there isn't a specific destination and- Hey! Where are you going?!"
Ezekiel's face was filled with annoyance as he began to walk away. The masked man swiftly moved to block his path, a silent but firm barrier.
"Huh? You trynna die, asshole?" Ezekiel's tone grew more menacing, his irritation palpable.
The masked man remained unmoved, his body language indicating a lack of concern for the threat. The woman stepped forward, attempting to defuse the tension.
"Listen, we just want to be friends! Let's chat, get to know each other," she offered, her voice soft and inviting.
"Tch, friends? What the hell do I gain from that? Get the hell outta my way," Ezekiel retorted, his patience wearing thin.
The masked man continued to block his path, a subtle shift in his aura hinting at his growing hostility.
"What do you gain? We help you pass. Our teammates are a couple of jerks, and frankly, I'd like to see them fail. But since they're stronger than us, there's nothing we can do. But together? They don't stand a chance," the woman explained, her words laced with determination.
"I don't need your damn help," Ezekiel shot back, his tone defiant. "My only goal here is taking down that Inheritor."
The man and the woman exchanged a knowing glance before turning back to Ezekiel, nodding in understanding.
"That works too."
"I ain't working with anybody," Ezekiel declared, his stance unwavering.
"I'll say it again, and I will be as clear as possible," the woman replied, taking a step closer, her voice still gentle. "Let's be friends."
Ezekiel met her gaze with an impassive expression, his resolve unyielding.
"Fine, whatever. I'm Ezekiel."
"Hi, Zeke! I'm Aisha, and this is my brother, Alphonse," the woman introduced, attempting to lighten the mood.
Ezekiel's glare intensified, his gaze piercing through her with violent intent, a clear warning.
"Call me that again, and you're both dead. Got it?"
Alphonse gracefully shifted his position and gently placed a reassuring hand on Aisha's shoulder. She nodded in understanding, a flicker of determination lighting up her eyes.
"Got it, sorry. Well, now that we are allies, let's divulge our Gifts. The more we know about each other, the better we can work together," Aisha proposed with an innocent look on her face.
Ezekiel, however, shook his head dismissively. "You'll just have to guess. I'm not entirely convinced of your intentions yet."
"That's fair," Aisha conceded, with a hint of disappointment. "How about this, then? We'll reveal ours first. My brother possesses the Gift of phasing; he can meld into any substance and manipulate it at will. The mask"
"Interesting," Ezekiel mused. "And what about your Gift?"
Aisha hesitated, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. "Well... Don't laugh, but I was born without a Gift."
Ezekiel's eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise. "Is that even possible?"
"Yes, and no," Aisha replied cryptically.
Ezekiel's curiosity was piqued. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"For most, it's unheard of. But considering my upbringing within the cult, my connection with the Divine might be... lacking. I've been training tirelessly to compensate, but it's an uphill battle."
"You were raised by the cult?!" Ezekiel exclaimed, incredulous. "And they allowed you to participate in the exam?"
Aisha's expression hardened. "Hey! Just because I was raised by them doesn't mean I share their beliefs! And yes, they did. Arkphis wanted to showcase that everyone, regardless of their Gifts, deserves an equal chance. My lack of a Gift was the perfect testament to that."
Ezekiel shrugged, eager to move on. "Whatever, let's just get moving."
Aisha, however, stood her ground. "Wait, you have to disclose your Gift now. It's only fair."
"I never agreed to that," Ezekiel retorted, his tone laced with annoyance. "You chose to reveal yours of your own free will."
Aisha pouted, her eyes averting Ezekiel's gaze. "Haa, fine. But it's not like it's going to make any difference, anyway."
With the tension still lingering in the air, the trio resumed their journey; the siblings flanking Ezekiel, each lost in their own thoughts about the revelations and the path ahead.
"So, you're after the Inheritor, huh? Why's that?" Aisha asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"It's none of your business," Ezekiel snapped back.
"Well, it kinda is if we're gonna team up," Aisha retorted, not backing down.
"We aren't a team, and I don't owe you an explanation," Ezekiel declared, shutting down the conversation.
They walked in silence for a while until a distant explosion broke the quiet.
"Wow, they're really going at it over there," Aisha remarked, a bit of excitement in her voice.
"Looks like we've got a destination," Ezekiel said, already moving towards the sound of the explosion.
"Wait! Ezekiel!" Aisha called out after him.
She turned to her brother, a sly look in her eyes. "We've got a chance to get rid of those two." She whispered.
Alphonse nodded in agreement.
They caught up to Ezekiel, who had stopped in a clearing. The sounds of fighting were clear and close, but they couldn't see anything.
"Hey, what's the plan?!" Aisha demanded, getting impatient.
"Thinking," was all Ezekiel said, his mind racing.
He closed his eyes and kneeled, focusing hard. Suddenly, a huge shadow loomed over him. Ezekiel's eyes flew open, and he looked up to see a massive tree, its branches twisted into the shape of a hand, swinging down towards him.
Ezekiel sprang to his feet and nimbly sidestepped the tree's lumbering attack. Dusting himself off, he shot a knowing look at the siblings.
"Took you two long enough to drop the act," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Aisha replied, feigning innocence with a shrug.
Ezekiel rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the forest. He found himself encircled by trees, each one morphing its branches into giant, wooden hands with a life of their own. They lunged at him in a chaotic dance, but he dodged each attack with fluid ease.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled ominously beneath his feet. Before he could react, a thick root burst from the earth, coiling around Ezekiel like a serpent and hoisting him into the air before slamming him back down with a thud. His glasses flew off, shattering upon impact. He groaned, attempting to rise, only to find himself ensnared by the constricting roots.
"You can't move, can you?" Aisha taunted, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Nope," Ezekiel grunted, resigned.
"Good." Her smile twisted into a sadistic grin as she snapped her fingers, causing the roots to tighten their grip.
"You seemed to have anticipated my plan. Yet, you did nothing. Why?" she probed, her curiosity piqued.
Ezekiel sighed, his gaze fixed on Aisha's looming figure. "I told you already. I'm not explaining myself."
Aisha rolled her eyes in frustration. "Fine, be that way. But how did you figure out my plan?"
"Are you kidding me?" Ezekiel scoffed. "First, you claimed to be Giftless. That's practically impossible, cult upbringing or not. And there's no way a prestigious school like this would admit a 'loser' like that. Then it hit me." he paused, a smirk creeping onto his face.
Aisha's expression remained impassive, but her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your 'brother,'" Ezekiel continued, his tone laced with suspicion. "He's been with you the whole time, yet he hasn't uttered a single word. I thought maybe he was mute or shy. But as we walked, I realized something odd. I couldn't sense his presence. Even the faintest trace of divinity that everyone emits was absent. That's basic military knowledge. Only the most powerful beings can suppress that. Your brother isn't one of those, so why couldn't I sense him?"
A slow clap echoed from Aisha, her face betraying a hint of admiration. "Bravo, bravo. You're quite the detective, aren't you?"
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Ezekiel remained silent, his expression stoic, as he awaited her next move.
"You're correct. My 'brother' isn't actually my brother. He was, however, the examinee assigned to our team. Unfortunately, he met with an accident that cost him his life," Aisha revealed, her tone laced with a hint of melancholy.
"An unfortunate accident, huh? Sounds more like murder to me," Ezekiel retorted, his voice dripping with suspicion.
"Does it really matter now?" Aisha shrugged, her indifference palpable.
Ezekiel's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he looked at Aisha with a mix of disgust and curiosity. "So, what's your real Gift?"
Aisha's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with excitement as if she had been waiting for this moment. "Oh, this is my favorite part!" she exclaimed, practically skipping over to the root that held Ezekiel captive. She caressed it gently, as if it were a cherished pet.
"My Gift is a bit peculiar. I haven't named him yet, but he's been incredibly kind to me," she mused, her voice taking on a tender tone.
"By the way you're talking, I'm assuming it's some kind of avatar-type Gift," Ezekiel deduced, his analytical mind piecing together the clues.
Aisha's hand flew out, slapping Ezekiel across the face, her eyes blazing with anger. "Don't interrupt my favorite part," she hissed.
Taking a deep breath, she composed herself. "As you guessed, I do have an avatar. But it's more of a curse, given how I'm treated because of it." She leaned in close, her breath warm on his face. "Corpse possession. He can take over any corpse and use their Gift for a limited time."
"How's that a curse?" Ezekiel asked, genuinely curious.
Aisha's expression darkened. "Well, for starters, the cult raised me solely because they wanted someone with a strong Gift. They raised so many of us..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed Ezekiel had fallen asleep, his snores interrupting her story. "HEY!" she shouted, smacking him awake.
"Huh? Sorry, I just really don't care. I wanted to know your Gift, not your life story," Ezekiel mumbled, still groggy. "But, now that we got that out of the way, mind letting me go?"
Aisha sighed, rolling her eyes in frustration. "I do mind. And I will let you go if you agree to work with us," she bargained.
"Why me?" Ezekiel asked, uninterested.
"Because you understand what it means to be an outcast! Think about how everyone treats you because of what your father did! It's unfair and cruel! Don't you want some sort of revenge?" Aisha pleaded, her voice rising with passion.
Ezekiel scoffed. "Unlike you, I don't give a shit about what others think. Now let me go."
Aisha's eyes glowed an eerie green, her expression contorting into one of rage. "You really don't get it, do you? You're alone! No friends, no family, no allies. You're the perfect person for us! Join me, and together we can bring about a new era."
"Pass," Ezekiel replied flatly, unimpressed.
Aisha's eyes flared even brighter, and the roots constricting Ezekiel tightened their grip, squeezing the air from his lungs.
"Join me. Or. Die," she hissed, her ultimatum clear and deadly.
Ezekiel closed his eyes, a calm resolve settling over him. "I won't join you. And I certainly won't die."
In the next instant, the sound of a gunshot pierced the air from their right. The bullet struck Aisha with immense force, sending her flying backward to land headfirst on the forest floor. She lifted her head, fury blazing in her eyes as blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
"Who the hell has a death wish?!" she roared, her voice echoing through the trees.
Ezekiel started laughing. "Who the hell talks to themselves like that? You've really lost it, huh?"
Aisha wiped the blood from her mouth with a snarl. A pistol hovered in the air, aimed directly at her, right where Ezekiel's glasses had shattered earlier.
"You. I'm going to kill you!" she screamed, her voice filled with venom.
But her anger quickly turned to confusion. Ezekiel was no longer where he had been restrained. Frantically, she scanned the area, her eyes darting left and right in search of him.
"Up here." Came a voice from above.
She looked up to find Ezekiel standing nonchalantly on a tree branch, a smug grin on his face.
"How?! You should be restrained!" she stammered, disbelief etching her features.
"I was," Ezekiel replied, jumping down to the ground and landing with a soft thud. "But being knocked to the ground tends to break one's concentration, so your bindings were weak." He fixed his gaze on Aisha. "You've got a crazy Gift, I'll give you that. But your lack of experience and creativity shows. Also, you talk too much. Like, way too much."
Aisha's laughter turned maniacal, her sanity slipping further away. "Doesn't matter. This entire forest is my weapon! You don't scare me!" She began to glow with an eerie light, her voice deepening and warping. "I am the vessel, and the vessel is me. You cannot hurt me."
"The vessel?" Ezekiel mused, intrigued.
The ground shook violently as countless roots erupted from the earth, twisting and intertwining to form a gigantic, monstrous wooden creature. Aisha rose with the creature, its roots wrapping around her limbs and forming a helmet-like covering around her head. She cackled wildly, her eyes glowing a sinister dark green.
"I'm going to enjoy tearing you limb from limb," she snarled.
With a snap of his fingers, Ezekiel made the gun disappear and his glasses reappeared on his face.
"Come on, then!" he challenged, his voice steady.
The monstrous wooden creature let out a deafening roar, unleashing a barrage of razor-sharp splinters towards Ezekiel. With a swift motion, he removed his glasses and snapped them in two, instantly materializing a pistol in each hand. He expertly fired at the incoming projectiles, obliterating each one with pinpoint accuracy.
As the last splinter fell, Ezekiel ceased firing and looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. "That's it?" he taunted.
The creature growled in response, its massive form stomping towards him. The ground beneath Ezekiel's feet suddenly rose, and roots snaked out to grasp his leg. But without a moment's hesitation, he shot the roots away, freeing himself.
"You're pretty weak for something so big and scary," Ezekiel mocked. "You're so focused on your armor that your attacks don't pack any punch."
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Aisha bellowed, her voice echoing through the forest.
It charged at him, fists raised high above its head. Ezekiel's smirk widened as he emptied the rest of his clips into the creature. Each shot exploded on impact, sending the behemoth stumbling backward. The bullets left visible marks, but the creature quickly repaired itself with its roots.
Aisha's laughter rang out. "And what about you? Outside of your guns, what tricks do you have?"
"You'll just have to figure that out yourself," Ezekiel retorted, unfazed.
"Hmph," Aisha huffed, clearly unimpressed.
The monster raised its foot and slammed it down with tremendous force, causing the ground beneath Ezekiel to quake and the tree branches above him to snap and fall. Ezekiel nimbly dodged the falling debris and charged at the monster. He leaped into the air and spun, delivering a powerful kick to the creature's jaw, causing it to stumble back slightly.
With a flick of his wrist, Ezekiel's glasses reappeared on his face. And just like before, he broke the glasses, ready for his next move.
Ezekiel took aim once more, this time focusing on Aisha, who was barely visible within the monster's chest. His bullet found its mark, striking her squarely on the shoulder. She screamed in pain, her concentration shattered, causing the monster to move with diminished speed and precision.
Aisha grunted in agony. "That's how you reload?! Ridiculous." she spat, incredulous.
Ezekiel's smirk broadened as he unleashed a barrage of rapid-fire shots at the monster. Each bullet exploded on impact, blasting chunks of wood in all directions. He leaped and twirled, evading the barrage of roots and splinters hurled his way. Landing with grace, he aimed two precise shots at the creature's eyes. The monster howled in torment, its movements frantic as it attempted to mend its damaged eyes.
"Don't heal!" Aisha shouted in desperation. "That's what he wants you to do! Just use my eyes to see! Focus only on repairing the areas around me."
"Tch, annoying," Ezekiel muttered under his breath.
He aimed at Aisha once again, but this time the monster shielded her with a layer of wood, deflecting the shot.
"Your defenses are getting weaker, you know," Ezekiel taunted.
"I'll admit, that is a clever trick," Aisha conceded through gritted teeth.
The creature lunged forward, its arms flailing wildly in attack.
Ezekiel sprinted and ducked under its swing, then ran up its arm, leaping onto its shoulders. He fired at the exposed parts of its body, each shot eliciting cries of pain from Aisha.
"Screw this!" Aisha screamed in frustration.
The creature raised its hand, and roots spiraled around its wrist and elbow, transforming it into a massive bladed weapon.
Ezekiel tossed one of his pistols away, keeping the other at the ready.
Aisha charged at him, the blade raised high above her head.
A bullet whistled from behind the creature, piercing its elbow and severing the bladed arm, which crashed to the ground with a thunderous thud. Dust billowed up, creating a thick cloud that obscured the creature's movements.
Ezekiel closed his eyes, tuning into the Divinity of Aisha and the creature. He could sense their approach, even through the dust.
As he opened his eyes, he sidestepped the creature's oncoming fist and fired a shot that pierced the monster's armor, striking Aisha in the stomach. She doubled over in pain, coughing up blood. The monster knelt, weakened, its roots slowly unraveling, leaving Aisha increasingly exposed and vulnerable.
Aisha screamed in pain.
"Why won't you die already?!"
"Why are you so persistent?" Ezekiel responded.
As the monstrous creature charged forward with a ferocious roar, Ezekiel rolled his eyes, unimpressed by its predictable attack. With swift agility, he leaped into the air, grabbing hold of the stump where the creature's arm had once been. Using it as leverage, he propelled himself with a graceful flip, landing deftly behind the behemoth.
Without a moment's hesitation, he raised his pistol and fired a precise round into the back of the creature's head. The impact echoed through the forest, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. The monster's movements halted abruptly, and it teetered on the brink of collapse before crashing forward with a thunderous impact.
As it hit the ground, the once fearsome creature shattered into a million pieces, scattering branches, leaves, and roots in all directions. The forest floor was littered with the remnants of the beast, a testament to Ezekiel's formidable prowess.
Ezekiel landed gracefully on the ground and snapped his finger, his glasses returning once more. He slowly walked towards Aisha who lay on the ground, panting in pain.
"Please," Aisha begged, "don't kill me. I was wrong. Please. I'll tell you anything."
Aisha scrambled to rise into a sitting position, her hands clutched desperately over the wound in her stomach. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her face contorted in pain. Her eyes, wide and brimming with tears, were a mirror to her soul, reflecting a tumultuous storm of fear and disbelief. She trembled, the realization of her vulnerability and the gravity of her injury crashing over her like a relentless wave.
"Why? You attacked me."
"I- I know. I was angry, and I couldn't control my emotions. It won't happen again. Please. Just let me go."
Ezekiel walked over and stood in front of her.
"You'll tell me anything? Fine. What is your plan here?"
"My aim was the Inheritor. I was told to kill him and take control of his body."
"So, the cult is trying to use him as a pawn. What else?"
"Nothing, I swear!"
Ezekiel cocked his gun and put it against her head.
"I swear, I'm not lying! Please, please don't shoot. I'm sorry, I won't try to kill you anymore, I promise."
"Good, I'm glad we understand each other."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Ezekiel sighed and shook his head. "What a waste."
"What? Wai-"
Ezekiel's finger tensed around the trigger, his eyes narrowed with determination. But instead of the expected blast, only the hollow click of an empty magazine echoed through the air. His expression faltered for a split second, a mix of frustration and disbelief flashing across his face as he realized his weapon was devoid of bullets.
"Damn, I guess I used more energy than I thought." He said, returning his guns back to glasses.
Aisha slumped over, unconscious, and a small card and token slipped from her pocket, landing in the dirt beside her. Ezekiel bent down and picked both up, inspecting them with mild curiosity. The card was glossy, adorned with an intricate, almost hypnotic design.
"What the hell is this?" he muttered, slipping the card into his pocket. He let out a small sigh. "Wonder if the school even realizes they've let a cult member in... but hey, not my problem."
Turning his attention to the token, he noted the letter F engraved on its surface. He chuckled, a satisfied gleam in his eyes.
"Looks like I might not need to hunt down the rest of Team Z after all."
With a final glance at Aisha, lying wounded and defeated on the ground, Ezekiel turned and continued through the forest. Soon, he found himself approaching an unexpected sight—a brightly colored arch, festooned with flashing lights and stray balloons. A sign overhead read, in simple block letters, EXIT.
Ezekiel’s face twisted in disgust, his lip curling and his brow furrowing as if the garish display was an offense to his senses. His mouth parted slightly, caught between a scoff and a grimace, but with a sigh of resignation, he stepped forward and raised the token.
A small orb appeared from the top of the arch, flipping outward as it scanned the token with a flash of yellow light. After a few seconds, a voice crackled to life from the archway.
"Team F’s members have already been eliminated from the exam. Result: Ezekiel Garrison advances to the final selection."
Ezekiel’s smirk returned. "Looks like luck is on my side today." And without a backward glance, he strode forward, leaving Aisha’s unconscious form far behind.
As Ezekiel stepped through the arch, his form began to waver, flickering as if he were being erased from reality itself. Bit by bit, he faded, like chalk being wiped from a board, until there was nothing left of him in the forest but a faint shimmer in the air.