Chaos raged all around as Davis slipped unnoticed through the rubble-strewn streets. Most of Phoenix was occupied battling the invading Spearhead forces. Now was his chance to save Mei.
Davis spotted her up ahead, still bound and under guard near Ethan's position. He tapped into his aura powers and utilized Leap to zip across the battlefield in a blur.
The startled guards had no time to react before Davis dispatched them with swift chops. "Mei! Are you okay?" he asked urgently, pulling her to her feet.
"Davis! How did you get free?" Mei exclaimed.
"No time; we have to move now while Spearhead has them distracted," Davis said, leading Mei away from the fight at superhuman speed.
But they didn't get far before Ethan suddenly appeared in their path, eyes blazing. "You will not take what's mine!" he shouted.
Davis instantly shielded Mei with his body as a tsunami of debris flew at them. "Run!" he yelled. "I'll hold him off!"
Mei hesitated only a moment before fleeing down a side street. Davis and Ethan traded earth-shaking blows, the ground cracking beneath their clashing auras.
"She will be my queen in the new world order!" Ethan ranted as he unleashed his full might. Davis responded in kind, fighting like a man possessed to keep the deranged psychic occupied.
Finally, Mei saw her opening and activated Temporal Stop - seizing control of time's flow to immobilize Ethan temporarily. Davis didn't look back, scrambling after Mei with all his speed.
Phoenix disciples were in pursuit, their rampant abilities destroying the city around them. Davis and Mei ducked, flying rubble and deadly energy beams, the enraged shouts of their hunters drawing nearer.
At last, the exit to Spearhead's transport vehicles lay ahead. Davis felt a surge of relief seeing Booker's team laying down covering fire from the transports to cover their retreat.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
With a final desperate burst of Leap, Davis and Mei dove aboard the last armored truck just as their pursuers descended. Phoenix's wrathful blasts rocked the escaping vehicle, but its shields barely held.
Mei clutched Davis in relief as they sped to safety. He had rescued her against impossible odds. But the next clash would likely be their last chance, for good or ill.
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The smoke was still rising from downtown Wakefield as the CNN news van pulled up to the scene. Reporter Maxine Hayes stepped out, microphone in hand, and surveyed the aftermath of the devastating clash between the rival awakened guilds.
Storefronts were shattered, the street torn up, and abandoned cars lay flipped over and smoldering. The air still hummed with residual magic energy. Maxine spied Chief Ramirez coordinating recovery efforts nearby and approached him.
"Chief Ramirez, Maxine Hayes, CNN. Do you have any updates on why Spearhead and Phoenix came to blows here?"
The weary chief shook his head. "Still no justification given. But wake-up, America - this is our new normal if we don't curb unchecked power fast."
He gestured around angrily. "Today, property got destroyed. Tomorrow lives. We gotta tag and monitor anyone awakened like they're lethal weapons or putting us all at risk."
Maxine frowned. "Some argue preemptive oversight violates civil liberties until proven dangerous."
"Whose civil rights got violated today?" Ramirez countered heatedly. "These living WMDs do what they want, and we pay the price!"
Just then, a young man stumbled from the rubble, clothes torn and soot-stained. The chief moved to help what looked like an ordinary victim. But as the man lifted his head, Maxine saw his eyes and hands crackling with lingering energy.
"Please, I didn't want to fight," he rasped. "Our leader Ethan made us, took over our guild. You have to stop him before it's too late!"
The chief backed up warily, reaching for his gun. But the awakened youth seemed to use the last of his strength, relaying that message before collapsing.
Maxine's mind spun at this new reveal of internal strife. Perhaps things were not so black and white.
She turned back to the cameras resolutely. "You heard it, America. We must discern the full truth before we react in fear, including who the real villains are."
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"Good morning gossip hounds, Glenda here with your daily dirt fix! Have I got some juicy tidbits for you today on the Wakefield rumble that nearly leveled half the city.
My sources are buzzing with the real dish behind the epic throwdown between awakened heavyweights Spearhead and Phoenix. Care to guess? An old-fashioned love triangle, baby!
That's right, your master of whispers has obtained the scoop that this clash of titans came down to a feud over portal princess Mei Quezon's heart!
Word is she was caught playing the field between her current beau Booker from Spearhead, and bad boy Ethan Bates of Phoenix. Well, when pretty little Liar McLiarpants got exposed, possessive ex-lover Ethan lost it and went on the warpath with his guild in tow.
Now, white knight Booker rushed to the rescue to defend his lady's honor. One big awakened pissing match later, and half of downtown needs rebuilding! Ah, such are the wages of deception in matters of the heart.
But who knows, maybe this star-crossed drama is just beginning! Perhaps reconciliation is nigh between the dueling beaus? I'll leave you to debate: Team Booker or Team Ethan?
Meanwhile, stay tuned tomorrow as I dig deeper into these awakened Romeos' romantic histories and bedroom proclivities for my salacious listeners. Toodles!"