Chapter X
Birds in a storm
While the world was turned upside-down by the tragic conclusion of the Grand Ceremony, the children of Younen were getting ready for their second day of training in the Second Reality. The air was cold and still, pressing on the children’s shoulders. Sun was still recovering from his wounds. The twelve children stood in melancholy looking at the spot where Taran killed the bear. Drag marks lead into the darkness of a forest with the bear’s skull laying in the bushes looking at the children.
“He came back for the bear… and left us a warning too.” Ren whispered.
“What are we going to do?” Terry jumped back.
“We train all the same. We'll still have a better chance here together.” Luna reasoned with the distressed boy.
“Yeah, but how should we start?”
“Dunno... maybe like a p.e. class?” Luna said with her hand in her pockets.
“You want me to run? I’m out.” By the time Faul finished the sentence he was halfway through the gate.
“Wait! You lazy bastard!” Niel pulled him back. “Let’s do push-ups and all that stuff, after we’re done, I guess we should use our powers on the surroundings.
“Pushups? I can move boulders the size of Marco! What would a couple of pushups do?” Ken critiqued the plans of Niel.
“Have you ever done a thousand?” Niel asked, showing a cheeky smile.
“No…” Ken answered hesitantly.
“Well here’s your chance!”
“And who are you to order me around? Sun is our leader, and he is currently not here. So, I should step up as the next one with the most votes!” Ken puffed out his chest as he made his case.
“Actually that would be Ren. He got more votes than you.” Niel turned to his friend.
“No way in hell!” Ken shouted in disbelief. Ren stood there, shocked by the hopeful gaze of his classmates and the frustrated stare of Ken. “How is that even possible?”
“Oh I’m gonna enjoy this!” Niel chuckled. “First of all, he is smarter than you. He is less hot-headed, and now that he has a power, he is possibly even… stronger than you.” Niel emphasized the last one, enjoying every letter of that word.
Ken’s hair went up like never before. Veins popped on his forehead and his face went blood red. “Oh, really?” Ken clenched his fist as he snarled. “Then I say… Let’s put that theory to the test!” Ken lunged at Ren with his glowing hair, looking to cut him in half. Ren dodged out of the way, panicking trying to get his footing. “Wait Ken! Wait! I don’t want to fight you!”
“Oh, but you will! Otherwise, I’ll chop you up!” Ken continued his pursuit.
“Stop it you bastard! Just accept him as your leader for now!” Niel tried to jump in before being stopped by Luna.
“Ren cannot be a leader if he can’t stand up for himself. Let them fight Niel.”
“Get the hell out of my way.” Niel tried to sidestep her, but Luna leaned in his way and punched him in the stomach. Niel curled around Luna’s fist as saliva flew out of his mouth. “Sorry Niel but you cannot hold Ren’s hand forever.”
“I’m sorry too.” Niel groaned in pain. “If you think a punch like that would knock me out, you are dumber than your pal!” Niel grabbed Luna by her arm and threw her over his shoulder on the ground. She coughed from the impact, but quickly stood up to face him again.
Ren jumped over slashes and slid under cuts as Ken pursued him into the woods.
“Should we go after them?” Taran asked the others.
“Are you serious? We’d be caught up in the crossfire. And I don’t want to die!” Marco scoffed at the idea.
“Yeah… knowing Ken, this won’t take long.” Faul sat down, waiting for Ken to walk out of the forest.
Ken lost Ren for a second, but like a carnivore still having a prey’s scent in its nose he did not slow down. He tore through bushes like a storm, but ice appeared in his path. He could not stop in time and slipped on the suddenly harsh terrain. He rolled for a while then with the same swiftness found his footing and stood up. “Stop playing Ren! Let’s see who is stronger! But you already know the answer!"
“I don’t want to fight you Ken! If we get hurt now, there will be two less people to protect the others.” Rens voice echoed through the woods.
“Oh come on! Like you could even hit me!” Ken let out an annoyed scream. “You don’t want to fight me because you are afraid to do anything out of your comfort zone! You don’t fight, you don’t argue, and you cannot even confess to Rosa!” Ken spun his head around an all the trees nearby were destroyed. That part of the forest became a clearing in seconds, and Ren had to jump out of one of the falling trees. He landed awkwardly and as he was finding his footing Ken stood over him mighty and proud. “You are not a fighter. Quit while you can.”
“None of us are. What happened yesterday… the biggest miracle was that Sun only got a scar on his face.” Ren moaned on the ground.
Ken’s expression went through a myriad of emotions from confidence to confusion and frustration. “And you think just because you stopped that guy you are that miracle?”
“No but running headfirst into every encounter will surely end in disaster!” Ren froze Ken’s feet to the ground and stood up. Ken was pulling as hard as he could, and when he finally freed himself and took a step back, he slipped on the icy ground.
“This is not a fight for leadership. This is for our friend’s lives.” Ren covered his fist in ice and sent a punch towards the falling boy's face. As Ken was falling back, he locked his legs around Rens arm and with a backflip he tossed Ren up in the air. As Ren was collecting himself, and locating where the ground was he saw a slash rapidly approaching him. He lifted his forearms in front of his body and created an ice shield. The slash made contact and dissipated on impact, but it also shattered the shield. An even exchange. Ren finally landed only to be punched by Ken. “You are weak in every sense of the word Ren!”
“I know. But you being strong doesn’t make you flawless!” Ren slid under one of Ken’s punches to land his own. Ken was shaken by the punch but used that feeling as fuel for his next hit. Ren, seeing him still attacking was left with nothing to do, but punch as well!
But...
Thei fist never reached each other. Both of their punches were stopped by the enormous hands of a dark figure next to them. The man towered above the kids casting an ominous shadow. Vhiz was the tallest in their school, and this person looked like he was twice his size. Of course, he wasn’t. Like gazing up at a skyscraper you cannot really tell how tall someone is at this great of a height difference. Same could be said about strength.
“Who the hell are you?” Ken asked, offended by the man’s presence.
He said nothing. Just lifted them up and put them under each of his armpits. Then walked back to the other kids who in the meantime had to deal with their own set of adversaries.
The purple-haired woman was holding Luna by her neck.
While Faul, Marco and Terry were lying on the ground around the man named Watch.
Vhiz was running towards the weakest looking one named Watch with roaring rage when a kick to the stomach from another adversary took him out. Vhiz's body flew across the battlefield like a bullet. Before he disappeared into the trees. The final stranger named Medicin caught him and landed safely.
“Take it easy Blitz! I don’t intend to catch every child you kick the shit out of.” Said the man with disproportionately bulging biceps.
“Oh, come on! I just gave him a little nudge!” Blitz exclaimed casually with his hands in his pockets.
At last, the man dropped the two wiggling kids. “Listen children! There is no need to panic! We are not here to hurt you.”
“Well then, you’re doing a fucking terrible job!” Ken screamed.
“If everyone has calmed down, let me introduce myself.” Said the brown-skinned, bald, musclar man stepping forward. “My name is Hook. I am a personal trainer. And with my four friends we’ll train you for what’s to come!”
The kids stood still at the declaration of the man.
“Train, my ass!” Ken shouted in disbelief. “You are just like that bug dude from yesterday!”
“Bug dude?” Watch stepped forward curiously.
“Stay quiet Ken! We shouldn’t give away information to strangers.” Ren whispered to Ken.
"Don’t shush me! If this guy didn’t intervene, I would have beaten the nightlights out of you.”
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“d...daylights...” Ren said ever quietly.
“Stop correcting me!”
“Enough! Who is your leader?” Medicin, the man who caught Vhiz spoke up.
“Obviously me!” Ken stood up in front of Medicine.
“Hah!” Medicin laughed. “You couldn’t lead your friends out of a bathroom.”
“Say that again and-“ Ken’s outburst was stopped by Medicin who grabbed his hand and twisted his wrist behind his back pinning him on the ground. "You were saying?”
“Our leader is in the hospital right now.” Ren stepped up.
“Now that sound like the truth.” Hook looked at him smiling. “Were you two fighting for the position?”
“He was, yes. It was more of a fight for survival for me.” Ren scratched his head in embarrassment.
“Well you lived, so I’d say you won.” Hook patted him on the back.
“What?” Ken and Ren shared the same reaction to the statement.
“I’m sorry, I’m kind of hung up on what you’ve said. Train?” Luna raised her eyebrows at the latter statement.
“Yes! I mean, no offense but look at you! There are twelve of you and five of us and you still stood no chance!” Hook looked around at the kids, some of them pinned down, some knocked out, but all defeated.
“Well this is our second day in this reality and frankly after yesterday we have a hard time trusting strangers.”
“You’ve done well to fend off whoever attacked you. But that’s exactly why we are here! We already warned every gang nearby to leave this place alone, or else! We knew what might happen if this area opens up to overhumans.”
“Open?”
“Younen a village from the human world resides in this valley, right?” Watch took over the explanation from this point on.
“Yes. Why?"
“It was made to house only people. And every overhuman who entered had to go through a lot of paperwork and the gates that turn off your powers, the noise-gates. It was a way to get some data on how and why a wave turns humans into overhumans. But now that the village has so many overhumans it is useless to separate from the outside.”
“So that was the reason only a few overhumans had entered this place before.” Ren concluded from the information Rosa told them yesterday.
“But that changed today, and a lot of people were ready to enter this place and fight you guys.”
“Why?”
“Some seek new challenges. Some seek answers. And some seek-" Watch explained but was cut off by Blitz. "A myth.” Blitz teased his friend, but as he let out a smile Watch's eyes filled with frustration.
“And what are you seeking?” Ren asked looking at the five strangers.
“The future of overhumans!” Hook exclaimed proudly.
“Us?” Marco approached the man with a hopeful smile.
“That remains to be seen! So what is your answer? Do you want to be trained by us?” Hook looked at Ren as the substitute leader of the group.
“Ye-“ Ren was ready to answer but he was interrupted by Luna
“Ren do you really trust them?” Luna demanded an answer.
“Think about it Luna. We need proper training, and as long as they are here, we are protected. Someone like Mantis will think twice about attacking us!”
Luna looked at the five strong overhumans standing over them. “You trust people too easily. They could be playing us.”
“They could’ve killed us already if they wanted to. I am willing to take responsibility if they turn out to be psychopathic child-murderers.” Ren looked into Hook’s powerful eyes believing their intentions.
“Don’t worry! We never killed anyone before!” Hook declared proudly.
“Neither did we… that’s… not something you brag about.” Luna was weirded out by that comment.
“So what will you decide? Do you want to be trained, or should we leave you alone?”
Luna shared a concerned look with Ren. His uncertainty hid behind a semi-confident nod. "Alright!"
“Awesome! Now nominate five fighters and let’s have an introductory match!” Hook rubbed his hands together in excitement.
“What? Right now?”
“Yes! Of course! You haven’t started your training yet, right? You are all fresh and ready to rumble! As our master always said: A palm tree gets stronger with every storm!” Hook said proudly, but his wide smile was narrowed by the uncertain looks the children gave him. "Your leader was hurt by someone yesterday, right? If you want to defend yourself, you have to learn how to fight. A good parring is the best for you beginners!”
“Alright! But I’ll definitely fight.” Luna exclaimed, determined.
“Then it’s decided We’ll take you on.” Ren agreed.
“Splendid! But let me just ask one last favor! As the respective leaders of our group, we should fight!” Hook stood right in front of Ren with an excited grin.
“No deal!” Niel objected to the idea.
“Hook! Do you really want to fight this pipsqueak? My arm is thicker than him!” Medicin asked confused.
“He might not look the part, but those eyes! He will be perfect!” Hook glared deeply into Ren’s eyes, behind his concerned expression, to see something no one else saw.
Ren just stood there, without saying a word. “Are you scared of me Ren? Would you send your friends into battle but not yourself?” Those words cut through Ren’s frozen stare and gave him focus.
“No. You are right. I’ll fight you.” Ren said, still with a quiver in his voice.
“Are you sure Ren? We need your brain in one piece for the upcoming tests!” Marco was concerned in his own way.
“Ren! You never fought anyone before! Hell, I even tried to teach you how to scrap but you always refused!” Niel grabbed his friend’s shoulder.
“I know… I am not a fan of fighting, but if we are really considering getting stronger, then it cannot be just you and Ken and Luna. All of us are in this. I am going to pull my weight.” Ren looked at Hook and nodded with determination.
“Well said!” Hook exclaimed proudly at the kid’s words. “Now you decide who will represent your group!”
“If Luna and I are fighting, there’s only three spots left.”
“You can bet your ass one of them is me!” Niel and Ken said it in unison.
“Well, that leaves one.”
“Let it be me.” Taran stepped up.
“That makes sense! You are tough as nails.” Ren remarked.
“And he killed a bear, so at least we know he is strong.” Luna added.
“Now to decide who fights who, let’s draw names!” Hook took out a boxing glove and put four pieces of paper in it. “Now remember, Ren and I are a guaranteed fight.” He put the glove in front of the kids, who each pulled out a paper. The kids all made eye contact with their respected opponent. Luna with Sledge, Taran with Blitz, Ken with Watch, and Niel with Medicine.
Watch’s eyes shifted as he caught a glimpse of Ken’s bloodthirsty mug. “I’m not in the mood to fight today. Blitz, do you want to beat two kids?” Watch asked his friend.
“What? Did you piss your pants just looking at me?” Ken tried to provoke the man but was ignored.
“Sure, thing Watch. One weakling or two, it doesn’t matter!” Blitz answered nonchalantly.
“You will regret looking down on us!” Ken shouted at the two.
“That’s what we hope for. Give us a good fight!”
As the kids got ready, the Five Champions walked into the forest for trees Ken’s attack cut down earlier. Out of the logs and some rope they brought, they made a “boxing ring” in no time. Ren watched them from the sidelines as they worked together, each and every one of them knew their roles.
“Should we begin Ren?” Ren snapped out of whatever was occupying his mind to Hook tapping on his shoulder.
Ren moved his head barely enough to be recognized as a nod. He walked past his friends as the world seemed to push him towards the ring. He stepped over the rope already sweating and panting and slowly looked at his opponent.
Yesterday the fight against Mantis was one on seven and we still had to try our hardest! And now I'll have to fight this man one on one... Ren thought to himself as he looked at Hook, then his eyes shifted to Niel's worrying face. It doesn't matter! I'll show you what I can do! I'll show you my strength!
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As the first real day of training was happening Maria was on her way to her second destination. Though she was uncertain of the exact whereabouts of her, she knew if she entered the dark musky forest where even animals were seldom seen she would eventually find what she was looking for. After a while she felt the eyes of many things observing her. It was certainly no living thing, maybe the leaves or the wind or the ground beneath her feet, but it was looking at her without eyes. She stopped and in the blink of an eye an abandoned old shack appeared in front of her. As she entered the smell of rotting wood and dead animals tore into her nose. She pulled out a chair. As she sat down, the ceiling collapsed and as the rubble settled an old lady appeared in the chair in front of her.
“You still love theatrics I see.” Maria sat there unimpressed.
“Oh Maria! What brings you to this decerped ol’ home of mine?” The elderly woman's voice was high and out of tune like nails on a chalkboard. She picked a broken teapot off the gound and poured her a cup of dust and spiders.
“As a medium you should be fully aware of my intentions.” Maria said while declining the offered cup.
“Come now! Even a medium can only see what she is looking at. And in the last decade you gave me no reason to look at you. But it seems you have a reason to look for me!” The woman's whole body trembled as she chuckled.
“I am here to ask about my son’s future.”
“Oh! Lendo or the young one?” She asked while taking a sip from the cup.
“The young one. And his name is Ren."
“Ren… strong name! Let’s see.” She squeezed the cup which disappeared in her hand. Sand started pouring out of the hand the cup was in. A gust of wind blew the grains around Maria and off her clothing new grains of sand joined the march of the others and entered the old lady’s nostrils. As she took a deep breath her head tilted back, then suddenly snapped forward to reveal completely grey, smoky eyes. “I see him. Ren Sciron! He is magnificent! Surging with power! He is alone. His eyes tell of loss, his scars tell of conflict, his soul sings of sacrifice!”
“Sacrifice? But he lives?”
“He… he lives. Or does he? He dies, then lives, again again again again! Oh his eyes! They are looking at me! He sees me!” The crone moaned and twisted in her chair as she screamed.
“Snap out of it Aigai!” Maria slapped the old woman so hard the dust flew out of her eyes.
“Maria!" The elder needed a second to collect herself. "I am sorry! My power has been acting weirdly since the last wave…”
“You talk about him dying! What did you see?” Maria disregarded Aigai's complains.
“Your son is what the cleaners call Fire without light, but you know that already. That’s why you came to me.”
“I need to know how to save him!”
“From the Ever Family? They are not the problem here! The boy’s biggest enemy is himself!”
“So what can I do? I am his mother! I need to protect him!”
“I may not see it clearly but remember this Maria of the Unseen Plague: Your son is not the helpless lil’ birdie in a storm, you think he is. He is the storm. You need to worry about everyone else around him.” As the old woman stood up the chair under her came to dust. Maria jumped up to go after her but the house around her was blown away by a mild breeze, taking Aigai with it.
Maria stood there for a second. Her anger surged as instead of an explanation and reassurance she got a warning. “Fortune tellers…” She scoffed as she headed home.