Within the ballroom, the dim lights remained on as the emergency lights kicked in. The ballroom is filled with confusion and murmurs as the students wait for the power to swiftly return. Mr. Wilkins cursed himself for not listening to his girl’s words and dives through the crowd. With swift speed, Wilkins reaches the startled figures of Albert Cross and Sally Rider. And without a word of explanation, Mr. Wilkins impossibly strong drags Albert by the cuff of his pants away. By the time Sally Rider had a chance to react Albert Cross was already halfway across the ballroom.
Jonathan seeing the movement of Albert being forcefully tugged across the ballroom darts towards him. Before Jonathan can ask, Mr. Wilkins growls, “Escort Mr. Cross off the premise now, Jonathan.” Jonathan's eyes widen in understanding as he grabs Albert by his suit’s jacket and roughly shoves his way towards the nearest exit doors. The students protest, but Jonathan continues to push people aside making his way violently towards his destination.
Hunter from his vantage point in the corner of the ballroom spots, the duo making their way through the crowd in their direction. Diane was still pouting in stoic silence and hadn’t even noticed the emergency lights being switched on. Gareth sees the two figures suddenly redirect themselves towards them. Jonathan cold faced halts before them with a firm grip on the still dazed figure of Albert Cross. Jonathan firmly demands, “Mr. Lockhart, please transport myself and Albert Cross immediately towards the bunker area.
Diane stiffens at the harsh tone of voice and glances up with indignation at the rude tone of voice. “How dare you!? Who do you think you are to make such demands from Gareth?” Diane harshly declared in defense of Gareth.
Jonathan's eyes flicker towards the exits as he stiffens and rapidly says, “This is no longer a request. Authorization, 13-50-67, I order you, Gareth Lockhart, to immediately comply with my request.”
Gareth Lockhart’s eyes widen in surprise. He was already an active student participating in Esper Council activities and had been required to memorize all Esper counsel commands and codes. Just who was Jonathan Walker to possess such power and authority to issue such a command. But before Gareth can react from each of the exit figures emerge holding weapons of sorts in their hands.
Jonathan alertly places himself in front of Albert as Professor James Stark subtly motions for Z class to gather. The rest of the crowd lets out murmurs of unease, but still, fail to recognize the immediate danger before them. Some of the smarter teachers begin to gather instinctively together with their backs against each other in a circle of defense. At the top of the center ballroom staircase, a figure in crimson robes emerges.
Z Class instinctively forms a circle behind Professor Stark who softly says, “Everyone everything that you’ve ever learned you’re about to put into practice. And as for you Mr. Lockhart, your orders are to alert campus security of the security breach. Afterwards, return and take as many of the wounded as you can to safety.”
Professor Stark’s students stare with mixed emotions as Jonathan reaches into his boots for his army knives. Jonathon berates himself for his lack of foresight in leaving his sword behind in their dorm room, but there was nothing he could do now. And he wasn’t the only one, many of the military or athletic department teachers were cursing themselves for their lack of foresight.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Turning around to gaze at Albert, Jonathan solemnly whispers, “No matter what happens now, you are to stay and remain with me at all times, Albert. And if something does happen, you are to run to safety without looking back. This is not a request Albert Cross, but an order.”
Albert opens his mouth to protest, but a firm glance from Jonathan silences Albert. Albert reluctantly murmurs in defiance of the previous statement, “Fine, but it won’t come to that.” Jonathan never has a chance to reply as the room becomes completely silent as the red hooded figure takes a step forward.
The crimson gaunt figure pushes back his hood to reveal a tall, bald, stark faced man with crimson eyes that burn like the deepest pits of Hell. Head Priest Luther smiles coldly at the crowd and raises his arms to the sky in a proud declaration. “Today, the merciful Mother will allow us to erect justice against those that oppose her. Death to those that oppose her!” Priest Luther chanted.
A unanimous chant is shouted by the dark silhouettes stationed at the exits and entrances, “Death! Death! Death! Pleased at their faithful devotion, Priest Luther is about to give the signal for the sacred sacrifice to commence, when a faint unrecognizable swooshing sound is heard through in the air. Deadly Shuriken’s glint darkly as they glide through the air and impale themselves in a fatal fashion through the eyes or brains of those standing guard at the staircase. The guards of the High Priest Luther collapse onto the stairs and ground dead as blood pools out from underneath them.
Priest Luther barely glimpses the spinning blur moving rapidly in his direction. Unable to fully dodge the attack, Priest Luther lets out a loud hiss of pain as a sharp ninja star impales itself into his shoulder. Letting out a roar of pain, Priest Luther hisses, “COMMENCE THE SACRED OFFERING TO THE GREAT MOTHER!” The crowd beings to panic and scream as figures stream through the doorways and begin to attack.
Some of the darkened silhouettes carry firearms and begin to fire into the crowd. The bright fire fills the darkened area as the scent of sulfur fills the air. The more powerful Esper teachers, immediately erect shields of energy preventing the bullets from reaching the students. Due to the size of the energy shields, the energy shield only served to keep inmate objects such as guns and bullets out, but could not stop the advancement of the assailants from marching forward and breaching the energy shields.
Professor Stark’s hand nails grow long and sharp as his golden eye glow in the dusk light. Without a word, Professor Stark leaps forward against the panicked fleeing of the crowd. Professor Stark ducked the ceremonial sword of the first figure to breach the energy shields. Shouting as moves he rakes his claws across the attacker’s neck and tears out his jugular. The attacker gurgles loudly and falls dead to the floor. Professor Stark only pauses to gather the newly gained sword rapier and shouts behind him, “All Students gather in a classic battle circle back to back and prepare for battle!”
The already gathered students of the Z Class and the military/athletic department teachers march forward to attack and form rudimentary lines of defense as panicked students rush for safety behind them. Some of the more frightened students cling to the walls in a panicked fashion. Unable to reach them in time, the frozen students are the first to fall to the invaders. Some of the less panic-stricken students are spurned forward by the bloodbath to rush for safety only to be cut down mercilessly by the assailants. While other braver souls drag their friends or those wounded to safety.