"Rowan and Calvin were the ones that went in after the explosion and were able to rescue me, somehow I survived but...no one else did," Chase said, staring at a window.
"Wow. That's…some story," Alice grimaced.
"I learned later on that Andrew’s father, Garrison Westcoat, the billionaire, was assassinated during the chaos and all his assets were stolen. He apparently had a girlfriend at the time that disappeared."
"So, that's why they didn't need him anymore."
"Yes."
"That's horrible!"
"It is. And it was my fault,” His voice cracked.
"No—"
"I was too emotional on that day. I should've been more careful, I should've been better. I should've been able to save at least someone!"
"Don’t blame yourself, Chase." She rested a hand on his shoulder, trying to give some comfort. “That won’t help. I mean, you learned from it at least, right?”
"I thought I did, but now with the Technician. I can't help but feel like I'm responsible for everything bad that's happened to this city. That even with this body, I can’t save anyone. I’m not worthy."
"That’s not true. You're doing your best, and there are plenty of people who look up to you when you're out there fighting to protect people," Alice exclaimed and Chase gave her a strange look. Looking away with a blush, she continued. "Plus you're only one guy, you can't help everyone, but you can and have saved some people. Everyone makes mistakes but you’re only hurting and preventing yourself from looking forward by focusing on them."
"How can I ignore my mistakes if they cost lives," he muttered.
Alice frowned. "You’re not ignoring them. You’re learning from them and moving on.” She sighed, “Alright, well it feels like the root of the problem is something more. There seemed to be a lot on your mind on that day, so what was it?"
Chase didn't respond. Even after all this time, did it really still bother him? Even after three years, it still haunted him and he hated it. How could he just move on from that? "I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
"Because…I don’t want to remember."
"Is it that bad?"
Chase didn't answer, and not wanting to pry any further, Alice tried changing the subject. "Hmm, well what happened after the explosion?"
"I was hospitalized for several days. Doctors said I'd never be able to fight again, in fact I might have never even been able to move again. My body was too damaged, and I would be as good as dead."
"But then," Alice noted his cybernetic body.
"Then Marcus Zone came to me with an offer. He'd be able to give me a new body, maybe even a stronger one, and I'd be given another chance. Another chance to fight and another chance at being a hero. But the truth is, I didn't really think I deserved another chance."
"But you still took it?"
"Even though I didn't think it, Marcus clearly did. I'm not sure why since I hardly knew him at the time, but I think Atticus may have had something to do with it."
"Atticus, as in the headmaster of Highrise Academy?"
"Yes."
"The Headmaster? You mean he helped you?"
"Probably, he was close with my team and might not have wanted another one of us to die. It would've tainted the school's reputation even more."
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
"You don't seem to like him," Alice commented.
"I don't like the way he runs his school. He gives too much freedom to kids in a violent world," Chase sighed, "but I didn't tell you all this because I don't like how someone does their job. However, you seem to be close with him, seeing as how you got him to endorse your apprenticeship with me.”
Alice rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Eeehhh, well, my dad was the one who’s all buddy buddy with him. But I did have to do some weird trials to prove myself."
Chase grumbled, “Atticus did like doing trials.”
"Well, anyways, how did you even survive that explosion? It sounded massive."
"I believe it was my Zodiac Soul."
"You’re a Zodiac Soul? Well, I guess it would explain the lightning and all that, but only Altarians can have a Zodiac Soul, unless…"
“I’m Altarian.”
Alice’s eyes widened. “You were an Altarian this whole time! That’s amazing!”
"Yes."
"Why didn't you say anything before?"
"Because it didn't matter."
"What do you mean it doesn't matter? It matters to me! You're seriously telling me that I've been hanging out with one of my own and you're in a pretty high spot in Eurona, do you know what this would--"
"Listen, I know what you’re thinking and forget it. To be honest, I doubt the rest of your Altarian friends would even consider me as one of their own."
"But think about all—"
"No. Look, I’ll do what I can to help you and Lion’s Grove, but I won’t be some revolutionary icon for you all. I already struggle as a Guardian as is."
She deflated but nodded. “Okay, I guess you have a point. But if you’re a Zodiac Soul…then could you at least maybe teach me a few things too?”
"Because you’re also a Zodiac Soul?"
She chuckled. “So, you know.”
“I had a feeling, you’re green aura and abnormally fast healing made it obvious.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t know you had one too, but I guess I just thought your suit did everything.”
“Most of it is the suit, but the reason why I can use so much electricity effectively without shocking myself is my soul. Unfortunately, I’m not sure what I can teach you, since I’ve lost contact with my soul.”
“What do you mean lost contact? You seem to be able to use it pretty well.”
“Not as well as I could before. Ever since the explosion, I could barely feel it. I can still use its power, but I can’t call it on command and sometimes it becomes wild. I usually just rely on my body instead and my soul is only used when absolutely necessary.”
“That sounds...tragic. A Zodiac Soul is linked to a person’s very…well soul, so losing it could…”
“Feel like I lost a part of myself, yes.”
“What’s your zodiac?”
“I was born during a thunderstorm under the dragon constellation atop one of the mountains in Tai Yang’s Stand in Altaria.”
“So, you’re a Dragon Zodiac!”
“Yes.”
"You just get cooler and cooler, huh?” Alice grinned. "What's your element? Wait! Let me guess, hmm something like lightning?"
"Storm."
"That's an element?"
"No, but that's what the monks called it."
"Monks?"
"I was raised in an Altarian monastery. But they weren't the peaceful kind."
“Huh, mine’s the Rabbit and Forest. Although, I don’t remember being born in a forest or under a rabbit constellation, then again I’m pretty sure I was born underground.”
“You were born underground?”
“Don’t ask, I don’t know why either.”
“Hmm, why didn’t you say so before?”
Alice shrugged, “I’m already the daughter of a diplomatic leader. Didn’t feel like drawing more attention to myself. I’m still pretty new to my powers, though. I can’t do any of the cool things, like maybe jumping high. I mean, rabbits jump high right? So, I should be able to too! Best I ever reached was 3 feet, but I guess the healing factor’s nice.” She giggled. "Anyways, I am seriously learning so much about you. Does this mean you're finally warming up to me?"
Chase sighed. "You're not as annoying as I thought you'd be. And after everything you've gone through, the least I can do is cooperate."
"Well, thanks. You're not so bad yourself." Alice said.
"Hmm," Chase stared back at the window as the rain continued to pour and thunder roared from above. "If you're still up for it, when the rain stops we'll head over to Marcus and see if he has the counter."
Alice gave him an almost offended look. “Is that even a question? Of course, I’m going with you! It’s gonna take a lot more than a big mech, hot lasers, explosions, car crashes, and a few bruises to knock me down.” She flashed a refreshing smile.
He still wasn’t sure of everything. The guilt of failing yet again still ate away at him, but now wasn't a time for weakness. Alice was right, dwelling on a mistake wouldn’t do any good. Instead, if he had made a mistake, then he'd do everything he could to fix it.
As the storm started to rage on, and the rain continued to pour through the night, the world was going to wake up to a new scene. But a few individuals were already aware enough to prepare for the coming dawn, and the two forces would soon clash as they met.