OmniOne Fourth Law: "In Body And Soul, Thy Gift Shall Strengthen, Once Thou Desire Has Manifested."

"I need to protect Easton!" This thought pulses in Kiran's head.

Meba's hand flies forward.

Easton shuts his eyes and with all of his strength tries to dodge. "Dammit, I can't move! He's going to hit me!"

"NO!"

FWISH!

BASH!

Kiran's head meets Meba's as the bald man is sent crashing into a nearby bush. Easton opens his eyes and notices the bald man is gone. He also sees Kiran a mere few feet away frantically rubbing his head.

"What the hell happened?"

"My head hurts! Quick Easton, rub it!"

"No! And don't use my name so casually!"

The 1 goon looks at the one who held Kiran.

"Why the hell did you let him go?!"

"I didn't! Don't you dare talk to me like that! I am higher ranked than you!"

"Who cares if you can't do your job!"

"Do you want to talk about jobs? You did such a terrible one anyway!"

"Yeah? You try being a wood manipulator then! Oh right, you can't, because your gift is common and sucks anyway!"

"What did you just say?!"

Meba rises out of the brush. "You two stop your squabbling NOW!" His fist smashes into a tree nearby. A round dent is seen in the bark.

"I'll kill you both. I don't care if you awakened your gift. The world doesn't need more red ranks."

The goon who let Kiran go eyes' suddenly widen. "Meba! A large energy source is travelling towards us! At least Indigo ranked!"

"What?!" groans Meba. "Dammit! Did something sense me? Did I exert too much energy?!"

"It's right on top of-"

The 2 goons' heads get bumped together by a large man.

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"AGH!"

They both fall unconscious immediately. Garnett looks up and sees the man tower over him.

"S-Sir!"

"Call me Joseff, Garnett. I'm not your boss. I'm your family."

Meba's entire head pops full of veins. "How is he here?! He should be dead!"

"You- GYAH." Before Meba could even finish his word, Joseff grabbed him around his neck. With tremendous force Meba is smashed into a tree, held a metre in the air.

"AGH! H-He- AGH!"

As Meba tries to speak, Joseff tightens his grip around his throat.

"Shut up. Listen."

Meba's legs kick in the air. "W-What the hell?! I know I used enough of my gift to kill an indigo-ranked animal. His heart should've stopped. This guy! He's a freak!"

Joseff's eyes pierce into Meba's.

"I don't care what you do to me…" Joseff's voice gets lower, "But that innocent old lady?" The fingers around Meba's throat exert even more force.

"Do you know what that old lady's face looked like when I found her? When she thought she killed me?" The last words out of his mouth were said through grit teeth.

"Do you know how close she was to being overwhelmed with negative energy? Were you going to take responsibility for the people that could have been caught up in all that?!"

"S-Sor-AGH"

"Cut the crap."

Meba's hands claw at the monstrous force around his neck. "This presence! It's like Mr Wotts! But it feels worse!"

"You will do as I say. Do you understand?"

Meba nods profusely.

"You will return to that old lady and pay for the trouble you have caused."

"Y-Yes!" says Meba, but his mind thinks differently. "Like hell, I will! I'm out of here as soon as possible!"

"And if you don't."

Meba starts gasping for air as the force strengthens again.

"I will find out. And I will come for you. Trust me. I know how to find people. Be grateful I follow OmniOne's laws wholeheartedly."

Meba's legs kick around frantically. "He's going to kill me!"

"Y-Yes! I understand!"

The words come out hoarsely, as Joseff removes just enough force for him to speak. He throws Meba down on the ground and he immediately takes deep breaths. Meba sees that there are wet spots on Joseff's clothes.

"What?! So that's how…"

"Now take your men and go. I don't want to see you again."

Meba scurries and takes his 2 men. He drags them all back toward the old lady's noodle shop.

Joseff looks at Kiran and Easton.

"Are you two all right?"

Kiran struggles to sit up and rubs his head. "I… guess…" His voice is low and slow. He takes deep breaths.

Joseff places his hand on Kiran's head. "It feels hot, but not enough for something serious. Rest will do you good."

Joseff then kneels near Easton.

"Don't touch me!"

"Calm down. I'm just making sure everything is all right."

Joseff softly touches the areas on the orange jumpsuit that appear damaged. Easton only winces badly in one spot.

"Hmm. Your shoulder seems a bit bruised." Joseff gently picks his arm up. Easton doesn't flinch as much.

"Great. No broken bones. You have a strong body, Easton! Harmony is very lucky!"

"Hmph."

Joseff jumps up. "Well done both of you! A bit early for your first near-death experience, but it's bound to happen at some point in Arkodia."

He then turns to Garnett, who has fallen asleep.

"Must be that man's gift plus all that has happened today. These boys must be exhausted."

Joseff stares up at the sky. A warm orange colour is in the air as the sun sets.

"We went off track. I don't know if any animals could be further ahead, so it's best if they sleep while I take them. My body feels better after using the bathroom."

He smacks his face to focus.

"All right, everyone! I think today has been exciting enough. The sun is setting soon, so it's best if you all get some rest. I'm getting the cart, so sit tight and I'll be right back."

Kiran and Easton sit in silence. Kiran looks at Easton. "I can't believe Easton stood up against that bald man. I was sure the bald man was going to kill him. How did I get there so quickly? What was that faint voice I heard? I couldn't make out what it said… but I think I heard… chase? But I don't know what that means."

"Why are you staring at me? Are you expecting a thank you or something, you red-rank?" says Easton.

"O-Oh! N-No! I was just thinking."

"Well don't hurt your brain. And come closer."

By the time Joseff returned, all the newborns had fallen asleep, with Easton using Kiran as a pillow. He smiles as he sets up some beds on his cart.

"That man's gift has positive qualities. If only he decided to use it for good."

Joseff places each newborn inside the cart. He places a blanket over them, followed by some rope to ensure the blanket doesn't fall off. Easton gets an extra set of rope over him and his shoulder.

"There. That should do it." Joseff starts pulling the cart.

"Next stop: Harmony."