Spirit of Hope
Chapter 5: Breath of Danger
A few minutes ago, at the library. Two teens around the same age as Sohjin sit across from each other.
The library located by the office is a monumental place for students. Many go there to study, hang out with friends, or as many times as they are told not to, play games on the computers.
The front of the building has two doors, the right side is the entrance and the left is the exit. As soon as you enter the library, you are greeted with two detectors on both the entrance and exit side that detects expired books, whether this works or not is still up for discussion.
The library is split into 3 parts. The first part is on the leftmost side of the building, which is filled with 3 rows of old windows computers that face the register.
On the right most side there are two different parts. Parallel to the computers are bookshelves labeled according to genre.
In between the bookshelves and computers are 5 tables used for studying.
Perpendicular to the computers is the lounge area, where many students play various board games,study, hang out with friends, or sit alone.
In the lounge area towards the back, Hamza and his friend sit across from each other.
Hamza folds his hands on the brown wooden table, and quietly says “Jack, not sure I feel comfortable waiting for these guys to attack.”
Jack leans in, his brown eyes fixed on Hamza. He was neatly kept and had a few days worth of stubble. His pale skin tone matched the white shirt he was wearing, paired with blue baggy jeans and black and blue Jordan’s. His muscles give him a menacing appearance, but in reality he’s the nicest person you’ll ever meet. He has a blond neatly cut buzz, in the past he used to have a middle part but lost a dare and was forced to buzz it.
“Look I don’t like this plan as much as you, but the others said——” Jack starts.
Hamza interrupts, quietly slamming his fists on the table. “To hell what the others said, how can we be certain that it passed on to someone that fast? And if it has, how do we know it hasn’t gone to the enemy?”
Jack leans back and looks away pondering on the questions.
“I’m sorry for my outburst, but we’ve waited too many months, too many rumors, and, speculations. We need to act as soon as possible.” Hamza calmly said, regaining his composure.
“I see, but how would we attack an invisible enemy?” Jack asked.
“We locate whoever this power has gone too, before they can reach them.”
“Ok, sounds like a plan, we should discuss this with the team tonight. Speaking of them, where did they go again?”
“They went to scope out a potential—“ Hamza stops, feeling an intense pressure forcing down on them. The air becomes thick and hard to breathe.
“You feel..that?” Hamza questions.
“You think that..it could be them?” Jack said worriedly
“Dunno, but don’t wanna risk it, let’s go.” Hamza says, swiftly grabbing his bag and leaving. Hamza and Jack exit the Library and make their way towards the back parking lot.
“We’ll put everything in the car and then check it out.” Hamza said.
“Hey, do you sense that soul force too?” Jack asked.
“Yeah, I've sensed it ever since we got to school, wonder if it’s one of them.” Hamza said.
“I doubt it, whoever it is must be new, why would someone as experienced as them unsuppress their Soul Force so inconsistently.”
Hamza and Jack make it to Hamza's Red Honda, he opens the door and the two of them throw in their belongings and pull out their costumes. While they're quickly putting their costumes on, they both sense someone's soul force quickly closing in on their location.
“Crap” Hamza whispers, quickly hiding behind his car. Hamza peaks over to see who it is.
He immediately freezes up and can only gasp in awe, “No way, I can’t, believe it. Sohjin!” He said undoubtedly.
Hamza quickly flees from the car, puts on his mask and runs towards Sohjin. Jack quickly stands up putting on his mask, he shouts, “HEY, WAIT UP.”
Unbenounced to Sohjin, he keeps pushing forward dashing from roof to roof, finally making it to the roof of the student council that oversees the bridge. He looks over the building edge to see the culprits.
Sohjin sees 5 people step out of a portal. As each of them slowly steps out of the portal, it closes behind them. All of them form a V shape.
There was a large muscular man in the middle who appeared to be the leader. He wore an all black gi with strips of white around his gi.
Sohjin is befuddled to see him wearing Tabi's shoes. His face was unrecognizable, like a blurred memory or dream. There was no disguisable trait about them, beside their pale white color. On his back was a large 0.
Behind the leader were two color deprived men who appeared to be gray. They both had man buns but in different styles.
Behind the two men, was a strange figure that appears to be human; the body’s flesh was replaced with bone-like structure.
Behind the man on the right, is a person who was wearing a baggy black and white outfit. The arms of his shirt were torn off revealing his burnt arms. He wore a skull-like mask with different ports around his mask that covered his jaw.
If there was one thing consistent with all of them was a number that was on they’re clothes. The numbers were as follows: 0,1,3,4.
The leader stops and the others follow, The leader in a calm and steady tone says, “The intel was correct, they are here.
The humanoid skeleton makes his way to the front and his viscous and inhuman like voice asks, “Can’t you pinpoint their exact location and get this over with?”
“Cypher, why are you in your harbinger form?” He says. As he slowly turns around, Cypher instantly falls to his knees unable to get up. Cypher coughs up blood and looks down. “Please forgive me, Astren.”
“What How? There’s no way! He made him fall to his knees without laying a finger on him.” Sohjin carefully examines in awe.
"Allow me to put a veil over you, so you can revert back.” He said, in a calm and gentle voice. He turns and extends his left arm towards him and opens his hand.
“Conceal,” Astren said. Cypher instantly turns invisible and smoke guards him.
Astren quickly changes the topic to Cypher's question, “Besides their Seishin is inconsistent and hard to pinpoint an exact location.” He takes a deep breath out, “I do wish Lord Parasite and the others.”
Smoke clears and Cypher slowly stands up. His all black combat stealth armor catches Sohjin’s eye. The number G1 is visible on his right peck. His helmet is armored with his eyes being white, with his eyeballs slightly visible. He has a sheathed katana on his back. Sohjin examines his outfit in awe and concern, as he retreats behind the corner.
He instantly tenses up and falls to his knees. His hands shook in fear. “5 of them. What do I do? I’m out numbered and..and Damnit their soul force is making it hard to think, their seishin is on another level. I can’t match that!.” He panicked feeling sweat fall down his cheek.
“I wanna run but…”
“You're a guardian, your job is to protect people.”
“Why was I chosen? Why me? TO HELL WITH THIS. IF AM I GONNA DIE TODAY…I'M DOING IT WITH GLORY! I'M DOING THIS TO WIN!” He thought, standing up and getting ready to dash off the building.
Before Sohjin could jump off, someone grabbed him and pulled back over the ledge. Sohjin, unable to react, is pinned to the ground.
Before Sohjin could jump off, he is grabbed and pulled back over the ledge. Sohjin, unable to react, is pinned to the ground.
“STOP, they’ll hear us.”
“Huh? JUST WHO THE HELL AR-“ Sohjin tries to speak but his mouth is covered.
“Sohjin, didn’t I tell you to shut up!” Hamza said
Sohjin’s eyes widened in surprise as he stopped struggling. Hamza slowly uncovers his mouth and stands up, pulling off his all black mask with bright white eyes and white spots all over.
“Hamza!?” He says in surprised
Hamza slowly backs off of Sohjin, opening with, “Hey, Sohjin…I’m Apollo and I can manipulate light energy.” Hamza said, standing tall with an all white suit that is white up until the chest which is black all the way around including the arms and mask. His logo is a small bright white star that dominates the chest area.
“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, but this was to keep you safe.” Hamza said, his voice laced in seriousness.
Sohjin sat in silence staring off into space trying to comprehend what his friend of 6 years told him. “All this time, he was a superhero. He's been gone for 2 years. Fall of Freshman year, I’ll never forget.” He thought, with various emotions clouding his mind.
Finally, Sohjin snaps out of his confused state and says, “don’t worry about it, I guess I would’ve done the same, maybe.”
Hamza reached out his hand, “Don’t worry family restaurant is real and kicking.”
Sohjin takes his hand and pulls himself up, chuckling. “I had no doubt.”
“I’m the one that should be surprised, you're a superhero?”
“Oh, right..this happened a few days ago, the day I saw you actually.”
“Wait, so that means the bank was all you!”
“Oh yeah, all me. Got my butt kicked but still.”
They both laugh. Suddenly Sohjin feels someone’s soul force closing in on them from behind. With immense focus prepares to fire a seishin blast.
He turns around and sees a man wearing full dark blue spandex with long strips of white going down and around the sides of his body.
His mask covers his eyes and only reveals his nose and lips. His mask is fully dark blue with small strips of white, his eyes are fully white. Before he could fire, the man immediately shields himself.
Hamza rush’s over and stops Sohjin. “Hey, Hey he’s with me.” Sohjin crushes the Seishin ball and briefly apologizes.
“Sheesh, gave me a scare back there.” Jack said, landing on the roof.
Sohjin holds out his hand, “Hey nice to meet you I’m Sohjin.”
“And I’m Amp but my name is Jack.” Jack replied, shaking his hand.
“Oh, whoops forgot about superhero names. I’m Spectre.” He chuckles, “Still getting used to this whole gig.”
“No worries Sohjin it happens.” Jack says, happily. “So what can you do? Like powers and stuff”
“Well I can..actually I’m not really sure. All I know is that this weird figure called a kee-“ Sohjin
“Sorry to break up the conversation but we need a plan fast.” Hamza interrupted.
Jack frowns at Sohjin questioning what he was about to say.
“Hmm, we could each take 1 and then gang in on the last two.” Sohjin suggested.
“Nah, too risky. Instead Jack and I can go in together and try to take some of them out. While you get people out of the school. ” Hamza adds.
“Or we could..” Jack said.
“Wait what, why can’t I fight….” Sohjin butts in.
Unknowing to all of them, Cypher silently drifted above them. With every breath his fists slowly clenched with fury.
Hamza secretly notices and grabs them, huddling them up and tells the others, “Jack, Sohjjn. Battle is about to start. We can start by taking out the guy behind us.” Hamza says, signaling with his brows raised towards Cypher.
“SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN TO ME!” Sohjin shouts, quickly jumping in front of Hamza. He creates a small sphere of seishin.
“HRGGGHH” Sohjin growled, as hurled the Seishin ball with all his might at Cypher.
The Seishin ball glides through the air like a paper airplane before slamming into Cypher. The impact causes smoke to surround him.
“I..I think I got him!” Sohjin squealed.
Just then Cyphers fist quickly emerges from the smoke flying towards Sohjin at full speed. “WATCH OUT!” Hamza yells, while pushing Sohjin away.
Cypher immediately tackles Jack slamming, through the student council building. The force causes Sohjin and Hamza to go in different directions, with Sohjin flying into the air, falling off the building and into the grass with the enemies on his right.
Hamza recovers and runs towards the edge of the building shouting, “ARE YOU ALRIGHT.”
“I'M FINE,WHAT ABOUT JAC- I MEAN AMP.” Sohjin replied, his voice mixed with concern and anxiousness.
Suddenly, Cypher and Amp burst through the student council fighting each other in the air.
Amp throws a kick, Cypher counters, grabbing his leg, and spins him around before throwing him into the ground near Sohjin.
“Are they the ones?” Cypher asks, flying down next to Astren.
“■ ■ ■ ■” He said, his voice unrecognizable.
Sohjin looks confused, Astren's words flow out distorted and unrecognizable. “His words, I didn’t hear a single thing.”
“Guys? Can yall understand him?” Sohjin questioned.
“I’ve noticed. It's recognizable but at the same time not.” Jack said, slowly standing up from his mini crater, stretching his arm.
“His words are more clear to me. Must have to do with Seishin levels.” Hamza added.
“They must be strong. Been awhile since I’ve fought a strong opponent.” Amp smiled, as he stretched his arms.
“Alright, let’s do this! I alerted the team, all we need to do is hold out until then.” Apollo said, flying down towards Amp.
“Spectre was it? You need to get out of here while you still have a chance. Amp and I will handle this on our own.” Apollo said, staring at Sohjin, with concern building up.
“What..No! I’m staying to help.”
“You’ll only get in our way. Don’t want you to get hurt or worse. You can help by saving anyone hurt, NOW GO!”
“No, no one is going to get hurt. Our chances are better together, whether you like it or not I’m staying!” Sohjin argues, getting in an amateur fighting pose.
Apollo shakes his head and looks at the enemies ahead of them.
Amp turns towards Apollo, playfully hitting his arm. “It's fine Hamza, besides school is evacuating, I let them know to silently leave.”
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Amp smirks and yells, “HEY, WE’VE BEEN RIDING HELLA RUMORS JUST TO CATCH YOU GUYS. SO JUST WHO THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS!”
Astren chuckles. “We are the Rogues. That is the only bit of information that I’m willing to give you.”
Cypher flies in the air, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white.
“Get ready you guys.” Apollo said.
Everyone glared at each other anticipating their every move. Sohjin anxiously pans around at his foes and gets ready. He gets into his running stance, imbuing his fist in his Seishin energy.
Sohjins electricity courses around his body, striking the ground underneath his feet. Cypher takes this as an act of defiance and charges at him.
Apollo reacts by grabbing his fist before he could hit Sohjin and throwing him behind them.
Sohjin dashes towards the bridge and jumps on the railing. He locks eyes with a skull- masked person. and dashes off the rail, kicking into him.
The masked man quickly recovers and slashes the air yelling, “MURO DE CENIZA”. Suddenly a wall of fire forms, hastily making its way towards Sohjin. Sohjin jumps backwards, flipping out of the way.
Then a large fireball bursts through the fire wall. Sohjin quickly maneuvers out of the way, feeling the air rush by.
“You're an interesting opponent.” He said, licking the blood off his lip. “I guess it’s rude not to introduce myself to the person I’m going to kill. I’m Volcon.”
“I wouldn’t be so cocky, I’m Spectre and I will not lose to you!” Sohjin shouted, anger rising.
He E-dashed to Volcon. Volcon quickly fires off a barrage of mini fireballs but Sohjin weaves through each one..
Sohjin then does one last final dash landing on the left side of him. He gathers his Seishin and charges in with all his force and punches Volcon as hard as possible.
Volcon grabs his fist and pulls it away from him, yelling, “AWAY WITH YOU, ASCENSO DEL FUEGO.” Creating a large fireball with his right hand and slammed it into Sohjins chest, lifting him into the air.
“WOAHHH!” Sohjin screamed.
Volcon flies above Sohjin and clasps his hands, slamming him back onto the bridge.
He descends and watches a dizzy Sohjin, slowly stand up and back away.
He regains his vision and continues the battle E-dashing towards Volcon. Volcon smirks and sprints towards Sohjin.
Each of them cocked back their fist and slammed it into each. Sohjin launches a left hook, Volcon slips and strikes him square in his stomach.
Volcon grabs Sohjin’s left arm and twists his body, placing his right foot beside Sohjin’s right and goes to slam Sohjin into the ground. Before Sohjin could hit the ground, he fires a Seishin Blast into Volcon’s face and then e-dashes out of the way.
“He’s so fast, I can hardly make out his movements.” Sohjin said, sweat pouring down his face.
Volcon imbues his fist with fire and throws a left hook. Sohjin barely dodges it, leaping over his fist and landing behind him. He then imbues his fist with his Seishin energy and prepares an attack of his own.
But before he could attack, the middle of Volcon's back becomes a crater and spouts out fire onto Sohjin.
The fire burns his right hand, Sohjin jumps over him preparing to attack. Volcon snares and grabs his leg and slams him down in front of him.
“I’m bored ....YOUR TURN, CRIMSON.” He yells, picking Sohjin by the neck and throwing him to the gray looking man who had nothing but baggy red pants and Kung Fu shoes. His pants had a large print on his right leg that said “G3”
Crimson lifts Sohjin up and slowly pulls out his sickle to corsets his cheek,“Your blood smel..”
“NO YOU DON’T” Amp interrupted, jumping off the railing.
Suddenly music begins to play around him and his bright green aura intensifies. Jack quickly fires a Seishin blast towards Crimson. Crimson immediately blocks by using Sohjin as a body shield.
Sohjin’s body slowly outlines into the color green, and his wounds begin to heal.
“Simple healing orb.” Crimson said, his voice twisted like nails on a chalkboard.
“I can't believe you fell for that. Guess you are as stupid as you look.” He chuckled.
“Your blood smells so much richer than his. I can’t wait to drink it from your CORPSE!” Crimson declared, ripping out his other sickle and sprinted towards Jack.
Jack quickly imbues his hands and grabs the sickle with his right hand, he then uses the sickle to pull himself up and knees Crimson in the jaw.
“SPECTRE, NOW'S NOT THE TIME TO SLEEP.”
“My..bad….” Sohjin replied, slowly standing up, his limbs shaking. His hair poked out through the tears of his mask and his suit had various rips on it, ranging from big to small.
“Viper… mind dealing with this pest.” Crimson called to the man wearing the exact thing but in purple. He also had a number on his pants that read “3” as well.
“Not a problem.” He said, unsheathing his sickle and spinning it towards Sohjin.
Viper slashed diagonally at Sohjin, but Sohjin planted his foot down and swiftly twisted his body out of the way, the blade missing by mere inches. He countered and shot his right hand forward, traveling through the air eager to connect.
Viper intercepted with his right arm, blocking the strike. Without hesitation, he violently swung his left sickle aiming to impale Sohjin’s liver.
Sohjin's eyes narrowed as his blade came closer. Sohjin holds his breath, grabbing the sword before it could impale him.
With his other sickle he swings forward aiming for Sohjin’s eye. His heart sinks to his stomach as the air rushes towards him. Before it could go any farther, Sohjin catches it.
Viper pressed his sickles closer, his right sickle hovered over Sohjin’s eye, ready to strike. His grin widened, as Sohjin struggled against him, the cold steel of the bridges railing pressed up against his back.
Across the battlefield Amp side steps out of the way of Crimson’s relentless attacks and fires a Seishin blast towards Viper.
“BROTHER!” Crimson shouts.
Viper quickly jumps out of the way, Sohjin’s eyes brighten in surprise as the Seishin blast flies towards him. Electricity surged through his body, amplifying his reflexes. In a blur of motion, he barley dashes out of the way, hearing the seishin blast whistle by.
“WHOOPS. You know who I meant to hit.” Amp apologized.
“Don’t worry about it.” Sohjin replied, dusting himself off.
Crimson glares at Amp and charges toward. Amp holds his arm in the air and opens his palm.
“Harmonic Amplification.” Amp said, suddenly a bright red stereo appeared, hovering over his hand.
Rock music played in the stereo, music notes fly off, surrounding Amp. Crimson swings his sickles at Amp.
“You truly are a fool.” Amp smirks.
Amp points his finger at Crimson, making his hand into a gun. The music notes flying around him, immediately shoot off into Crimson.
The music notes slice his left leg, right arm and slightly graze his cheek. Crimson places both his hands in front of him and slices through the remaining music notes.
Amp eliminates the distance between them and punches Crimson in the face. Amp creates more music notes from the stereo and makes them hover over around his arms.
Amp launches a jab into Crimson’s face, the music notes fly off and slice around his face. With his other arm, he punches his stomach with the rest of the music notes slicing his chest.
Crimson steps back, placing his sickles by his hips. The blood from his wounds flows down his arm and into his sickles, where they begin to charge up.
“BLOOD MANIPULATION: AKUI ARU-” Crimson started, his sickles becoming more unstable and filled with blood by the second.
“I don’t like the look of this.” Amp commented.
He snaps his fingers and his music switches from Rock to Classical music, his aura follows, shifting from red to white and black.
“—ZANGEKI” Crimson shouted, swinging his sickles.
The built up blood flung off his sickles. The area fills with blood creating a storm of slashes that tear through the bridge’s structure. Each slash left deep gashes across the bridge, the deadly barrage raced straight toward Amp.
The slashes cut through Amp, slicing all around him from head to toe. Blood slowly drips from his wounds. The slashes pass through him and collapse onto each other, causing an explosion.
“You're still standing, impressive.” Crimson said, clapping his hands.
“Of course I am, before your attack could hit. I switched my music to classical music and was able to focus on defense and healing minor injuries.” Amp replied, his wounds slowly closing up.
Amp snaps his fingers, his music changes to hard metal and his aura blazes Red and Black.
Suddenly, the sky erupted as Apollo and Cypher flew in the air. Cypher pulls out his sword and trails behind Apollo, aiming straight for him. In a blink of an eye, Apollo created a bright white blade and deflected Cypher’s attack.
Cypher spun mid air and attacked once more, but Apollo barely managed to parry the attack, knocking Cypher away. Apollo holds out his left arm and fires a red energy blast.
Cypher scoffs as he cuts through it with ease. He lunged forward and in a blink of an eye, pierced through Apollo’s left arm.
Apollo leaps back, “He got me good. I need to switch colors from white to orange. But I’m afraid my body will give out.” He said, holding his left arm. “So far I can only use Red, Blue, and White.”
He widens his stance, placing both of his hands into front of him. His aura rose around him, “Color Switch: Combine—” Apollo said, his right arm began to glow red, with his left arm glowing blue.
“AND CONQUER” He yelled, smashing his hands together and cupping hands, firing a large purple beam that directly engulfed Cypher.
“Although I didn’t have time to chant the attack, it still packs a punch.” Apollo said, out of breath.
The smoke around Cypher settled, revealing his cracked visor which started at the center extending towards the right corner.
“Damn!” Apollo choked.
Before Cypher could recover, Apollo flew in and struck Cypher. Simultaneously, Cypher thrusts his sword into Apollo’s left shoulder.
The force of Apollo’s punch causes Cypher to fly back. Apollo grits his teeth as he ripped out Cypher’s sword and threw it to the ground. He infused his hand in pure light and hovered over his wound, slowly closing it.
“That was close. Too close.” Apollo thought, his mind racing.
Cypher and Apollo exchanged glares and with a burst of energy they flew into each other, grappling onto each other fiercely. Amid the chaos, Apollo glances at the chaos below.
“I need to get down there. I’m stronger than all of them, below. THEY’RE COUNTING ON ME!” Apollo thought.
“COLOR SWIT-” Apollo starts, but is quickly overpowered by Cypher, who throws him to the ground.
He slowly flew down and go on top of him, his fist trembled, as it hovered over Apollo's face for a second longer than it should have. "I'm sorry." Cypher said lightly, his voice barley audible and faded in the wind. He shot his fist into Apollo's face, with each punch shaking the ground.
Fear struck Amp like a bullet. “Spectre, go help Apollo, NOW!” He yelled.
Sohjin nods, E-dashing towards Apollo.
Volcon steps in front of him, with a sinister smile. “MURO DE CENIZA” he yells, creating a wall of fire.
The wall of fire stops Sohjin in his tracks. Behind him Viper sneaks up, grabbing Sohjin’s leg and pulling him down.
“Get out of my WAY!” Sohjin snared, kicking out of Viper’s grip.
“Make me.” Viper chuckles.
Sohjin dashes towards Viper, his fist cocked back and ready to strike. In a blur, Viper’s sickle flash in front of Sohjin, swifty piercing him through the stomach.
Sohjin stumbles around, his vision blurring. “The…hell…you do to me..” He weakly said.
Viper wipes his face and replies with, “Strong poison, you’ll be dead in a few minutes.”
“YOUR A FOOL..YOU SHOULD'VE RAN WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE.” Viper mocked, slashing Sohjin relentlessly.
Sohjin falls to his knees, blood gushes out from his open wounds. His suit is damaged beyond repair, riddled with tears that exposed his skin. His right sleeve was completely gone, revealing deep gashes, while his left arm hung limp, destroyed from the wrist up.
His mask revealed his bloodshot right eye, with tears mixed with blood running down his cheek. Multiple strands of hair stick out through his mask.
“I'VE GOT YOU SOHJIN.” Amp yells, punching Crimson, his eyes rolled back as he fell to his knees.
Amp snaps his fingers, his music suddenly changes to intense music, his aura lights up around like a blazing fire turning bright fiery red.
Sohjin lifted his head weakly, blood dripping into his eyes, blurring his vision. Through the haze, he could faintly make out a shadow moving behind Amp. His heart seized in fear, as threw his left arm towards Amp.
“Jack behind… YO-”
SLASH
Pain rippled through him, as Viper severed Sohjin’s left arm clean off. Sohjin collapses clutching his stump in agony, his screams lost in the chaos around him.
“SOHJIN NOOO!” Amp roared, before he could move a muscle, a sharp blade swiftly pierced through his chest. Crimson stood over him with a twisted grin.
Amp weakly stumbles, his aura changes from red to a dim green before collapsing to the ground.
Sohjin's heart sinks as he fearfully looks around at his friends. His tears mix in with his blood. He looks down at his shaking arm, as the pain slowly kicks in, a slight burning sensation ignites from his wounds.
“No..no….no.” He stammered, his voice cracking. “what…is…happening…” He choked out, his heart beating in terror and disbelief.
Viper loomed over him, slashing Sohjin across the face in a single motion. The force sent him into the ground where he lied weak and hopeless, as Viper repeatedly kicked against his battered body.
Before Sohjin could gather his thoughts, flames erupted on him. Volcon’s fire engulfed both him and Amp. Crimson jumps on the bridge's railing, holding out his arms, and laughing like a maniac.
“I can’t recover fast enough.” Amp thought, as his music switches to smooth jazz and his aura turns blue.
“H■ w d■ sa■ p■ in■ ing, it s■ e■ s no■ e of y■ u h■ d it.” Astren says. “It’s t■ ■ e to go, Ev■ ■ y■ ne.” He said, with his hand he tears through reality like peeling off a sticker, summoning a portal.
“so…this is it? Is this how I die?” Sohjin weakly whispers.
Cypher stops punching Apollo, picking up his sword and silently departs. Crimson jumps off the railing, his eyes immediately shooting to Sohjin.
“SIR, THIS ONE IS ALIVE, LET ME FINISH HIM.” Crimson urged, walking towards Sohjin.
“No, yo ■’ve d■ ■ e e■ ■ ■ gh. He’ll be d■ ad in a m■ ■ ter of m■ ■ utes.” Astren replies, heading towards the portal.
“BUT SI-” Crimson started.
“I said LEAVE him.” Astren shouted, his voice more clear, exerting all of his Soul Force onto Crimson who fell to his knees unable to stand.
“I apologize sir, please accept my apology.” Crimson responds, struggling to stand up.
Astren glances at Crimson and releases his Soul Force off of him.
“Joseph, you idiot, my poison will kill him soon.” Viper taunted, passing by him and punching his shoulder.
“I sorry…I just…I JUST I LOVE KILLING, THE BLOOD, THE SCREAMS. IT MAKES MY HEART BEAT FASTER, JUST THINKING ABOUT IT!” Crimson screams.
“If you insist on them being dead, I’ll cast a simple spell.” Astren reassures Crimson.
Astren holds out his hand, slowly closing it.
“From the grave, where spirits rest,
Rise, lost souls, from your prisoned shell.
March as death, an unending end,
Bring fourth chaos, and let terror fly,
By my voice, Scatter: Army of The Dead.” Astren said, opening his hand, revealing dust which fell to the ground.
Suddenly, the area in contact with the dust instantly turned into zombies. They’re limbs twisted as they began to rise.
The zombies shuffled forward, as their groans filled the air, slowly closing in on Sohjin, Amp, and Apollo. Sohjin weakly crawled towards the end of the bridge, leaving a trail of blood.
“Mom? Momma, where are you?” Sohjin cried, his voice cracking and tears falling down his cheek. As he hopelessly drags himself with one arm towards the end of the bridge, leaving a trail of blood.
His vision slowly fades to black, memories of his short life flashed before him. He weakly stops, allowing the darkness to fully take over his vision. With his final strength he reaches out, brushing his fingers against the cold metal of the bridge's railing. Sohjin lays on the bridge hopelessly, as his heart pounds against his inevitable fate.
“Sohjin…Listen to me carefully.” Ms. Magic started, “You’ve always had the strength hidden within you. Acknowledge it..Acknowledge ME!”
Sohjin’s heart begins to pound irregularly and the sound of a ringing bell can be heard. “I am the reflection of your strength, I am your guide and protector. You’ve resisted and doubted me and pushed me aside and only let me in for answers.” She continued, appearing beside him. “You can not continue your journey alone. We’re bound together by fate. You must awaken. Awaken me within, accept me, together we have the power to overcome any obstacle.”
The bell sound became louder and more violent, as if it was beside him.
“You have two choices, either accept me and live life protecting those who have no means of protecting themselves or I can grant you death now. You'll die in peace, a painless death, knowing you’ve accomplished nothing. The choice is yours.”
His keeper bends down, on the side of him. “What is your choice?”
Sohjin’s body trembled as he struggled to open his eyes. His vision blurred as he faded between being conscious and being awake. He struggles to answer the question, they stare at each other for what feels like eternity.
“I wish…TO FIGHT..TO MAKE THEM PAY FOR WHAT THEY’VE DONE!.” Sohjin declared, gritting his teeth, sparks of fire, sparking off him.
“THEN REPEAT WHAT I SAY.” Ms Magic commanded.
“Throughout the universe, I pledge that I will protect innocence no matter the cost.” Sohjin said, getting on his knees, his blue aura shifted to purple and slowly surrounded him.
“With courage and selflessness, I will uphold my duties as a Guardian.” Sohjin said, lifting himself up with his right hand. He slowly stands to his feet, turning around to face the Rogues. “Those who are aligned with evil, WILL FACE OUR POWER!” Sohjin and Ms Magic declared in unison.
“NOW SPEAK MY NAME!” She shouted.
“MS MAGICC!!”
Sohjin’s aura exploded, a mix of purple and faint red aura immediately engulfed him, the wind violently picked up, and the tips of his hairs lifted through his mask.
Sohjin’s left arm suddenly began to heal itself. Instead of simply closing the wound, the damage reversed itself. Torn flesh mended, bone knitting back together, and blood flowed backwards into his veins. His arm, as if its unwinding itself through time, restored itself to its original condition.
“I'M NOT DONE YET!” Sohjin shouted. The Rogues stop, turning in his direction.
Sohjin holds up his right arm and his aura flies up his arm making it to his hand and as it blows away a long sword appears in his hand.
His sword is sleek and elegant with the blade being black, The cutting edge is gray. The blade is smooth and has no cracks or scratches. The blade is longer than the average katana. The grip is black and purple. At the base of the hilt has a sword blade with the keychain of a flame. Sohjin wields it with elegance and throws it on his shoulder.
Crimson immediately steps up, spinning his sickles. Astren stares at Sohjin, slowly grinning.
“I AM SPECTRE, EARTH’S GUARDIAN! AND FOR AS LONG AS I STAND, I'LL FIGHT TO THE VERY END!” Spectre roared, taking the sword off his shoulder.
His suit slowly begins to repair itself. Rethreading itself back into its original condition.
Apollo weakly glances over, smiling. “Go..get em.” Amp weakly whispered.
Spectre’s aura gathers around him, electricity swarming his body as he dashes with all of his gathered Seishin towards The Army of the Undead. Jumping in the air, he slices in a downward direction.
TO BE CONTINUED
SPIRIT OF HOPE
Next Chapter 6: It’s Going Down Now!