Chapter 16 – Wilfre

Earlier in the day after having an unexpected run-in with Zack and his friends, Alex and Michael are welcomed back to their old home by Jackson. He puts the kettle on and brews the boys a cup of warm English tea with milk and two sugars, the way they like it.

The boys sat together in the two spare chairs on the other side of the desk in Jackson’s office. It was strange being in there to Alex as he’s only set foot in the room a few times in his life growing up. Jackson mostly keeps it locked to prevent any of the children from sneaking in and stealing any of his stuff. Michael had been in here quite a few more times, mostly due to being called in and getting told off by Jackson for misbehaving.

Jackson soon returned with his own mug full of coffee, his most preferred drink and something that’ll help him mentally handle whatever news he’s about to receive from Michael. Sitting back in his office chair, he takes a good long sip before setting it gently down on the coaster and listens closely.

Instead of easing him into it like Alex wanted, Michael went with a more direct approach and tells him off the bat that Jason had killed five police officers in cold blood, emphasising the cold-blooded part, to get the message across that it was Jason who struck first and it wasn’t self defence like he said when they caught him in the act.

Jackson couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He can’t believe it. Jason was like a son to him. How can anyone imagine their child, blood related or not, to be capable of taking the life of another human being. He almost dropped his mug in response to this news had Alex not been there to catch the underside and gently put it down on the coaster without spilling a drop. He places a hand on Jackson’s back and pats it gently.

Alex: I know, I felt the same way when I first saw him surrounded by bodies. I didn’t wanna believe it. Heck, I still can’t.

Jackson: … Jason, what have you done?

He murmured under his breath, sounding defeated and feeling like a failure as a care worker. How could he allow this to happen? It was his responsibility to look after and protect the lives of every child living under his roof. He did everything he could to make Jason’s life easier at Hillside. Allowed him to go to his room to calm down whenever he was feeling stressed and many other privileges.

Jackson: I… I-I didn’t think things would be so bad that he’d resort to violence. Why would he even kill police? How was he even able to pull it off?

Michael: We still haven’t figured out that part yet. They were already dead by the time we got there. But there’s no doubt in my mind that he intentionally killed them. Nobody can empty an entire magazine into a man’s back and call it “self defence.”

Alex: Michael wanted to call the police right then and there, but I figured we’d tell you first. Hear your opinion on how we should handle Jason moving forward.

Michael: No offence to you, Alex, but I don’t think his or your opinion matters. The outcome is clear. Jason has to answer for what he’s done, simple as that.

Alex: I know, it’s just that… I don’t want to see him suffer. A person like him won’t last long in prison. We still have no clue as to where the Crimson Nightshades have taken him.

Their argument was unexpectedly interrupted by a knock on Jackson’s office door. Jackson gets up from his chair and goes to see who it was, peeking through a crack in the door instead of opening it fully. Standing outside was a young girl gazing up at him.

Little Girl: There’s a scary looking man with green hair at the front door. He was asking for Michael.

Alex and Michael catch wind of this and both of them turn to each other at the same time, already guessing who the scary looking man is.

Alex and Michael: Drake.

The whispered in unison. Jackson calmly thanks her for informing him of this and gently closes the door and turning around to face them again.

Jackson: Looks like the Crimson Nightshades found you.

Michael: And if we’re lucky they brought Jason with them. I’ll go meet with them. You stay with Jackson, Alex.

Alex: Why?

Michael: Because they don’t know you, only me. I’d rather not waste time explaining your involvement to them.

Alex: Okay fine… But they do know me as Chaos Man. Probably not a good idea to let him know that though.

As soon as Michael left the room, Jackson makes sure the door was locked, the blinds were down, and Michael was out of earshot for what he was planning to say. He peeks through the blinds to the window leading out to the front of the house, spotting Michael chatting with the Crimson Nightshades.

Jackson: Does Michael or anyone else know your secret?

Alex: No, just you and Omnius. I hadn’t told anyone else.

Jackson: Good. Listen, with how things are going now, I think it’s best if Alex Laytham sits the rest of this one out, and for Chaos Man to pick it up from here.

Alex: You sure? You were the one who said it would be a bad idea for me to find Jason as Chaos Man.

Jackson: That was before he started killing people. (deep sigh) What you and Michael told me; it reminded me of this old veteran soldier I once cared for during my years as medical officer for Aegis. Like Jason, he wasn’t mentally stable growing up. By the time I realised this he’d already killed so many enemy soldiers. He’s known nothing but war and violence for so long that he sees everything around him as a battlefield. And people… were just more targets to shoot down.

Alex: (He gasps) Oh my god. He killed innocent people? Why would he do that?

Jackson: He could no longer tell the difference between a human being and an enemy. In the end, he had to be terminated… The point to this story is that once someone has killed enough people, they start feeling less guilty. Become immune to their emotions. After killing those officers, Jason will probably start craving that feeling of power he had in that moment. I’m worried that if Jason kills again, he’ll be unable to stop or tell the difference between friend and foe. That’s why I believe Chaos Man is needed moving forward. You can find him much faster with your powers and prevent a massacre… You must find him first, Alex. If he continues killing, Aegis will get involved and declare him a hostile threat that needs to be taken out.

Alex’s eyes widen with horror. He was saying that Aegis will kill Jason if he continues killing. He didn’t think a powerful military organisation like Aegis would even glance at the actions of a single person. They only dealt with non-human threats. Then he thought back to the time when Aegis sent soldiers after him because of his superpowers. Surely it would take a lot more then killing five people to attract their attention, right?

Alex: Aegis only deal with monsters and other threats that are beyond human control, don’t they?

Jackson: Not always. We’ve had wars before the monsters came, you know. World War 1, World War 2. And long before both of them there was The War of the Seven Continents. All of which were kicked off by humans.

Alex: Come on, this is Jason we’re talking about. He’s not the kind of person who could start a war.

Jackson was about to correct Alex and tell him he was missing the point of what he was trying to explain. That Aegis does not focus solely on monster threats. All potential threats to the world, not matter how small, will always gain their notice. The veteran soldier he was talking about almost came close to starting a war because most of his victims were people of colour. A single person can be capable of great destruction if given the chance. He wanted Alex, as Chaos Man, to not give Jason that chance.

However, they were intruded once again by Michael who wanted to share with them what he learned from the Crimson Nightshades.

Alex: Was Jason with them?

Michael: No. Drake assumed we had him here with us. They said they had Jason with them that night we found him, but then he managed to escape.

Michael explained, relaying everything Drake said to him to his friend and former care worker. Of course, he intentionally left out the parts about the scepter. Telling him would guarantee Michael would tattle on his dad and get them in even more trouble with Aegis. But Michael could tell by the way he was talking so fast and how impatient he was acting that there’s more to his story then he let on.

Alex: Jason somehow managed to escape specially trained mercenaries like them with ease? Outrun them on their hoverboards that can reach the top speed of a jet? I don’t buy it.

Michael: Me neither. There’s definitely something they’re hiding from us. I asked Drake why they’re so keen on finding him, but all he said was they stole something valuable to them. He wouldn’t say what.

Alex: (sigh) Looks like we’ve hit a dead end. What do we do now?

Michael: I’m calling the police and telling them what happened.

Jackson: I’ll handle that, Michael. You and Alex have done so much already, driving across the country looking for him. It’s getting late now. You should both go home and get some rest.

Michael: Uh, slight problem there. I don’t have a home. I only just moved out of my dad’s house; I don’t want to make myself look bad by crawling back to him. Not after that big speech I gave him.

Alex: And Omnius lives too far from here. I could easily fly back, but that’ll be a dead giveaway to Michael that I’m Chaos Man.

Jackson: Not a problem. You’re both more than welcome to spend the night here. Unfortunately, I gave your old rooms to some of the new arrivals. But one of you can use the foldout bed in my office and the other can use the sofa in the living room.

Alex: That’s nice of you, but where will you sleep?

Jackson: Hahaha. I don’t live here, Alex. I have a flat just down the street. Though sometimes I do end up working late and end up sleeping here, hence why I have a folding bed.

Michael snorted at Alex’s silly belief that Jackson actually lives at Hillside House.

Michael: Heh, this reminds me of the time you were convinced all teachers slept in school after hours. You think the dumbest things, Alex.

Alex: Shut up!

The two of them proceeded to bicker over each other’s crazy thoughts they had as kids and determine whose were the silliest. A small smile crosses Jackson’s lips from watching them. Reminding him of the good old days when they had arguments like this all the time as kids with Jason always being the decider on who was right or wrong. He would always side with Alex since he was his best friend of the two.

But that smile faded as quickly as it appeared the moment Jason crossed his mind. Why is he torturing himself by thinking of him at a time like this? Right when he was searching for the card the two detectives handed him with their contact information on it. Was it his subconscious making him believe that he was turning his back on this boy he once rescued? Is there a part of him that’s screaming not to do the right thing? Perhaps, but it’s a little voice he can’t afford paying attention to. Not unless he wanted to be an associate of murder.

After politely asking the boys to leave him alone for a while, he picked up the office phone and dialled the personal number of the detective who came by the other day. It took a couple of seconds of dial tone before someone picked up.

Jackson: Hello, Detective Vance? This is Jackson Hills. I have some information I want to share with you about Jason Dark… Yes, tomorrow in the afternoon works fine with me… Alright, see you then. Bye.

He gently sets the receiver down, exhaling a long-exhausted breath. There’s no turning back now. He can keep telling himself on repeat that he made the right call, but it will never lessen the guilt he’s feeling for doing this to Jason. Not after all he’d been through so young. But that’s just how the world is. A dark, cruel place, now more than ever.

The next day, Friday the 13th, Alex and Michael leave Hillside House and Jackson to handle the two detectives. After all that’s happened, Michael was in dire need of a drink, so he and Alex head on down to the Rising Sun and meet up with Violet.

Today was a slow Monday afternoon, the pub was practically empty since most of its usual customers were still at work around this time, so the three of them didn’t have to worry about anyone eavesdropping on them. They were sitting in one of the booths in the back of the building. Violet’s dad, Sean, gives the boys a friendly wave as he was wiping the bar counter with a wet cloth. Helen was carrying a tray full of drinks, serving them to the few customers who had the time to be here. She was still wearing that funny chibi Chaos Man T-shirt which caught Michael’s attention.

Michael: You didn’t tell me your mum was such a big Chaos Man fan, Violet.

Violet: Ugh, don’t remind me. I swear I’ve seen her wear that shirt almost every time I see her now.

Alex: I think it’s kinda funny… (sigh) We’re getting off topic here. Sorry, Violet, but we didn’t come here to socialise. We have something to tell you.

Violet: Oh okay. But first things first, did you find Jason in the end?

Michael: Yeah, that’s actually what we wanted to tell you. Brace yourself. What I’m about to say may sound disturbing.

Michael leans over the table and encourages Alex and Violet to do the same as he tells her the same story he told Jackson yesterday, keeping his voice low to keep their discussion confidential. Alex shoots him a look, telling him to not be too graphic with the details like he did with Jackson, or so Michael assumed that’s what he was telling him. As such, he leaves out some of the details and gets straight to the point of the story. That Jason had been caught murdering policemen, is now on the run, and considered armed and dangerous.

Violet puts her hand over her mouth, shocked by what she was hearing, quickly turning to Alex, she sees that this revelation is still affecting him greatly. Why wouldn’t it? Jason was his best friend; someone Alex viewed as a little brother. The only time she’d ever seen him was during the group therapy session where he caused a scene. She could see that he had a lot of anger building up inside him, but never could she have imagined it be this bad.

Violet: … Oh, Alex, I’m so sorry.

Alex: Don’t be. It’s my fault all this has happened. I should’ve been there for him more.

Violet gently places her hand atop Alex’s to help reassure him that what happened wasn’t his fault and that he shouldn’t blame himself for it. Alex glances at her and flashes a small smile in response.

Michael: What’s done is done. Crying about the past ain’t gonna help us focus on the future. Right now, we have other problems to deal with. The Crimson Nightshades are apparently searching for him too.

Violet: Those bandits I saw on the news? Why would they want someone like Jason?

Alex: They said he stole something valuable from them. Probably something they stole from someone else. Though we have no idea what it could be. They didn’t say.

Violet’s eyes drift away from the boys as she takes her time to process all that they’ve told her. It was a lot to take in. She thought she could distract herself for a second by directing her head towards the TV hanging on the wall behind the bar counter. But then she happened across something unexpected that may have answered her previous question.

Violet: Could it be something like that?

She asked as she pointed to the screen. Alex and Michael follow her finger and glance at the TV. Playing on the screen was a news broadcast on Channel 4, showing a reporter standing outside the New London Museum that had turned into a crime scene since the Crimson Nightshades robbed it the other night. Next to the reporter was a picture of the golden scepter. Michael’s eyes widened as he looked upon it. There was something scarily familiar about it.

Michael: I-I-It can’t be… Sean, turn up the volume!

He shouted as he quickly got up from the booth and rushed over to the bar. Sean remotely turns the TV up enough for everyone to hear what all the fuss was about.

News Reporter: … Police are yet to ID a suspect in last night’s robbery, going off a hunch that it could be the famed Crimson Nightshades given they’ve already broken in once before. According to night security, the cameras were down, and Magna Tech’s robots were unable to detect anyone, heavily implying the thief had hacked into them. The only item stolen was this ancient scepter recovered from the ruins of the city. Archeologists believe it to be a relic of the monsters that attacked our world years ago.

The longer Michael looked at the image on screen, the clearer his memories of it were becoming. He’d seen that scepter before. It was the weapon used to kill his mother, wielded by the queen of the monsters herself. It didn’t take him long to piece everything together. The Crimson Nightshades stole the scepter. Then Jason stole it from them and now he’s out there with it. Michael looked down at his hands. He was trembling. The thought of Jason holding the weapon used to take the life of his mother was painful to think about.

Alex: Michael, are you okay?

Even the concerns of his friends weren’t enough to break him out of this trance he found himself in. His fears started fading out, with rage taking its place. Even if Jason didn’t know that the scepter was what took his mother away from him, the thought of the guy he once knew as his friend was using it to hurt others caused him to clench his shaking hands into tight fists.

Michael: I-I know that scepter. It’s the same one that monster used to kill my mother!

He whispered under his breath. Alex and Violet glanced at each other in shock before turning back to Michael.

Alex: Michael, I-

As he was about to comfort his friend, he was interrupted by the sound of Michael’s ringtone going off in his coat pocket. Michael pulls out his phone and sees the word “Dad” on the screen before answering.

Michael: Dad, I was thinking of calling you. I’ve got something to tell you.

Chase: Sorry, Michael, but I’ve got something more important to share with you first. Three bodies were found in Dale Forest.

Michael: That’s close to Hillside!

Chase: Preciously. Aegis was called in because we believed them to be victims of a monster attack. The victims were residents of the orphanage like you.

Michael: What were their names?

Chase: Zack Knight, Liam Jernigan, and James Ribbons. Did you know them?

Michael froze with terror, unable to formulate a response. His posture hadn’t gone unnoticed by Alex and Violet either. Whatever they were talking about on the phone, they could see it wasn’t a pleasant chat by the look on his face.

The boys had just bumped into the three bullies on their way out of the orphanage yesterday. He even threatened them that their actions would be the death of them someday. He was bluffing. He never actually wanted anything bad to happen to them despite how they mistreated Jason. “Oh god” was all he could muster up as a reply.

Chase: If you have any information that could help us, I would appreciate if you could come over and provide some insight.

Michael: You mean you’re there now, in person?

Chase: Yes. Normally I don’t get personally involved in monster attacks given how often they occur. But this… this is not like any usual attack I’ve seen. Something’s off.

Michael: Right, I’ll be right there.

He hangs up and pockets the phone before turning himself around to face the others.

Violet: What’s wrong?

Michael: Alex… Zack, Liam and James are dead. Slaughtered by monsters.

Alex: No way! You serious?

Michael: Do I look like I’m making this shit up?!

He raised his voice angrily at him, only to immediately regret it and apologise softly.

Michael: …S-sorry, it’s just a big shock to me. We literally just saw them; it must’ve only been hours before they died.

Alex: I get it. They were jerks, but they didn’t deserve this.

Michael: I gotta go. Dad wants me at the crime scene. He thinks there’s more to their deaths than just another random monster attack. I’ll see you later.

Alex: It’s cool. Good luck, Michael.

Michael pats him on the shoulder as a show of respect and gratitude before exiting the Rising Sun. Luck is what he could use right now. The last two days are really starting to bring him down and it seems like its only getting worse by piling on more problems.

With him gone now, Alex and Violet are now alone together to let this new development hang over their conscience. Unfortunately, Alex couldn’t afford to stick around either. With Michael’s attention focused on the murder of their fellow orphans, it falls on him to continue the search for Jason. Or rather Chaos Man, remembering what Jackson told him.

Alex: I’m sorry, Violet. I gotta go too. I still have to try and find Jason before anyone else gets hurt. I don’t mean to sound like I’m making excuses for-

Violet: It’s okay, Alex, you don’t have to explain yourself. I understand that finding Jason is more important.

Alex: Thanks for understanding. I promise to make it up to you. I’ll call you later, okay?

Violet: Yeah, sure.

After thanking her one more time and saying goodbye to her parents, Alex rushes out the front door and onto the pavement. He looks both ways, keeping an eye out for approaching cars or any passersby who may be looking in his direction as he crossed the road and casually walked into the alleyway across from the pub. He takes one final look around, making sure nobody is watching before slipping into a tight empty space behind a few bins.

Reaching into his jacket pockets, he slowly pulls out the two golden ring bracelets Omnius gave him to keep his powers stable and slips them onto his wrists. In less than a second, his normal everyday clothes fade away and were immediately replaced by his multi-coloured supersuit. He closes his eyes as the dark blue mask forms over the top half of his face and his hair fluffs up, changing style and colour to the lighter shades of brown with the green highlights. He opens his eyes again, now changed from brown to emerald green, completing his transformation into Chaos Man.

Chaos Man: Jackson’s right. Alex Laytham’s done his part in his search for Jason. It’s time to let Chaos Man take the reins and pick it up from here… Hopefully he’ll have more luck finding him much quicker than I did.

With that in mind, Chaos Man blasted off into the sky and takes flight, continuing his search. Hopefully from the air he can see anything that stands out that could lead him straight to Jason, wherever he may be.

Once Michael arrived on the scene of the crime, he was surprised to see so many Aegis vehicles parked on the side of the road. On his way to Hillside House he encountered a roadblock, stopping all drivers in the area from entering the road that led to the orphanage. The whole area was declared a quarantine zone and off limits to passers by. It was necessary to ensure no more fatalities occurred while Aegis was around. Whatever killed the bullies may still be in the area.

Michael parks his bike on the pavement next to Chase’s humvee and enters Dale Forest, walking across the rocky path in the grass. Up ahead he can spot his dad talking with forensics, presumably about the bodies and determine the cause of death and what species of monster they can link them to. A couple soldiers and MT robots were patrolling the forest, securing the perimeter. One of the robots detects Michael’s approach and stop him.

MT Robot: This is a restricted area. Citizens are forbidden to enter.

Michael: Good thing I ain’t just a citizen then, eh?

Michael retorts as he pulls out the combat pass his father gave him and shows it to the robot. It scans the badge and permits him to enter before returning to its programmed route for patrol. He soon joins his dad at the centre of the crime scene, overlooking the forensic scientists examining the bodies for clues that could help them understand who or what had done this.

Michael: Dad!

Chase: Oh, you arrived much earlier than I expected. Wait- don’t come over here-!

Chase tried to warn him as forensics hadn’t the chance to put the bodies away in bags yet. They were still lying in the exact spots they died. Michael arrived before he could register the warning and was met with a gruesome sight to behold. One would think during his months as a soldier he’d be somewhat used to such carnage. Monsters slaughter his fellow soldiers almost all the time. But this… this felt different.

Perhaps it was because he personally knew the victims as apposed to the soldiers he only knew by last name that made it hard to stomach. James’ body was still impaled on the broken branch of a tree further into the forest a few feet away from the other two. It was just hanging there. His limbs broken, bruised and bloody. Liam’s corpse was lying face down in the grass covered with claw marks, his limbs having been torn off, and his chest ripped open with some of his organs missing, the others looking chewed along with the soft tissue of his face missing. His clothes completely soaked in his own blood and his face barely recognisable as human.

And Zack, he suffered the worst of them all. Before he was killed, he was horrifically dismembered and tortured. Both his arms and legs had been forcibly seperated from his body, given the signs of torn cloth and flesh. Multiple stab wounds were seen, along with slices of his flesh missing, some wounds deep enough to see bone or organs throughout his body, the weapon being twisted to cause more pain. He seemed to have been disembowelled shortly afterwards. And to finish him off, his severed head was found – according to Chase – impaled on another broken tree branch with his eyes gouged out with his expression one of agony, implying that whatever did this stuck its claws in his sockets to get a proper grip on his head before tearing it from his body.

Michael, unable to stomach it at all, quickly turned around and made some distance from the scene as he can before leaning over and throwing up the lunch he just had at the pub all over the grass. Chase quickly rushed to his side and rubs his hand over his back in a slow circular motion to ease his nausea.

Chase: Are you okay, son?

Michael coughs and wipes his mouth with one of the tissues he got from the packet he bought at the petrol station, calming himself down with a couple steady breaths before answering.

Michael: I- (coughs) I’m fine. I just… I wasn’t expecting that… shit! Feels like I was on the set of a horror movie.

Chase: I know what you mean. You grew up with these kids. I understand how much this upsets you.

Michael: Oh, I hated those guys. They were a bunch of assholes to me, Alex and Jason when we were kids… Still, that doesn’t mean they deserved a horrific death like that. Being torn to shreds by a monster. How the hell did one manage to slip by so close to Hillside without attracting attention?

Chase: That’s what we’re here to find out. The boys in the lab have theories that whatever did this may be a type of monster we haven’t encountered before.

Michael: A new subspecies?

Chase: Possibly. The bodies were discovered by pair of hikers. They rushed to the orphanage, told Jackson, then he reported it to me directly… This is worrisome. No monster has ever slipped under our radar before. By now we have information on almost every species from when they invaded our world. But this… This is something new.

Chase helps Michael walk back over to the crime scene, ready to catch him in case he falls over or something, acting like how a worried father should when it comes to the wellbeing of their child. But Michael assures him he was fine and he’s more mentally prepared to examine the bodies.

Michael: Do your people at least have an idea what happened here?

Chase: These boys weren’t just murdered. They were tortured. Trust me when I say, son, I’ve fought all kinds of monsters. I know how they think, how they behave. Most monsters have the intelligence of a wild animal and kill people like how any predator would their prey. Alpha class monsters, like Chernabog, are higher intelligence. But they have no reason to torture people unless they have vital information.

Michael: Them? Tch, I highly doubt these three had anything of value to give anyone.

Chase: Exactly. These boys were tortured for no reason other than the amusement of the torturer. No Eliksni can afford to do something like this without putting themselves at risk. Their numbers have declined since we cut them off from their world.

Michael: And if they were killed for food, they wouldn’t just leave the bodies here… So, what kind of new monster do you think we’re up against?

Chase was almost hesitant to answer that question as he thought back to what Richard Magna told him over the phone before Michael arrived. It was information that really got him paranoid.

Michael: Dad?

Chase: … I was talking to Richard before you arrived. He told me his robots scanned the victims and found traces of residue that has only been found one other time. In Keswick with the Kaiju class monster, that time Chaos Man was there.

Michael: What?! Come on, Dad. You don’t seriously think Chaos Man would do something like this, do you?

Chase: (shakes his head) No. I may not trust Chaos Man, but I know he isn’t capable of murder, especially one this brutal. The only logical conclusion is that we may be dealing with someone with powers similar to his. But there’s still one more question… Who wanted these boys dead?

Time was now 3:15pm. That was the usual time when kids would return home from school on weekdays. To some of them it was the best part of a school day. Others actually liked attending school and learning new things and weren’t ready for it to end yet. But kids like that are a rarity. That’s what made kids like Nigel Spencer unique. Although he liked going to school for completely different reasons. It was the one place where he could escape his abusive stepfather, the corrupt police chief, Arnold Jacobs.

Ever since he caught him with Jason that night, he’s been yelled at by the obese officer and locked up in his own room, treating him like he would an inmate in prison. There was nothing his mother could do to help him either as she was too cowardly to stand up to the man who practically ran Stratford, or so he believed.

He’d often think about Jason and was worried something may’ve happened to him. Nobody could have escaped that many cops on foot. He wondered if he’s sitting in one of the cells at the precinct right now or being interrogated, tortured, or worse.

But God forbid the next time he’d see Jason again he would be standing right outside the entrance to his house, leaning up against the door with his arms crossed.

Jason: Hi, Nigel. It’s good to see you again.

Nigel: Jason? You’re here and not in jail. (He shifts his eyes in both directions) You shouldn’t be here. My mum and stepdad are home! If they see you-

Jason silences him by kneeling down to his level and putting his index finger on his lips.

Jason: Everything’s fine now, Nigel. You don’t have to worry about your stepdad hurting you ever again.

He slowly pulls Nigel into a hug that for some strange reason felt cold to the little boy. Perhaps it was from however long he’d been standing outside his house waiting for him. It was quite chilly today. Jason then whispers something he believed he wanted to hear since he opened up to him about the abuse.

Jason: … I punished him for all those bruises he’s been giving you.

Nigel’s eyes shoot open in surprise; he gently pushes away from the embrace in order to face him.

Nigel: What do you mean by that? He’s got the entire Stratford police force on his side.

Jason: Let me show you. Trust me, you’re gonna love this.

The eager and ominous-sounding teenager opens the door – that was unlocked for some reason – and guides his young friend inside. The moment he entered a foul stench entered his nostrils, causing Nigel to cover his mouth and nose, almost gagging on the foul air.

Nigel: Ugh! W-what’s that horrible smell?!

Jason: Sorry about that. I may’ve overdone it with the punishment. Just go on through to the living room and you’ll see.

The way Jason said that sent a shiver down his spine and he had no idea why. With all the curtains closed, the whole house was dimly lit, giving off a spooky, haunted house vibe.

The young boy slowly wandered down the hall, closing in on the open archway that led to the living room. Why was he feeling so nervous all of a sudden? Maybe it had something to do, not only with the foul smell, but with the fact that it was quiet. This house has never been quiet since Arnold married into the family.

It all became clear the instant the living room came into his line of sight. His eyes opened as widely as they physically could as he gasped and covered his mouth, stunned by the horrific sight displayed in front of him that should never been seen with a child’s eyes. Splayed out in the middle of the white carpeted floor was the chief of police’s dead body laying face down in a puddle of his own blood. His body was covered in claw marks, stab wounds and what appeared to be scorch marks around the facial area, indicating he may’ve been burned and mutilated before succumbing to his wounds, staining the carpet red. Now the smell made a lot of sense.

Jason/Wilfre: You… don’t sound so happy. Didn’t you want this?

Nigel was completely frozen with terror seeing his stepfather like this that the sudden sound of Jason’s voice caused him to let out a scream and do a 180 degree jump and gaze upon the person who killed him. All he could see of Jason upon turning around was his shadow stretched out on the hallway wall. Then something bizarre happened.

Jason’s shadow was fading away, though his ears picked up the faint sounds of footsteps approaching the arch. But it wasn’t Jason whose stepping into view. It was as though his shadow covered him like a black, smokey second skin. Sharp claws and glowing white eyes, as well as back-length hair with streaks of light, as though they were highlights, flowing softly in an invisible breeze and a grin that practically dripped with malice for the dead officer.

Wilfre: I-I thought you’d be happy to see him like this. After all these years of abusing you and your mum, hurting you both so badly, are you saying he didn’t deserve this?

Wilfre asked him this with that same smile, somehow seeming kind when directed towards him, but Nigel only replied with a terrified scream at the sight of him.

Wilfre: Hey hey hey, calm down, buddy. It’s still me. No need to panic.

Nigel: N-NO! G-GET AWAY FROM ME!

Nigel attempted to run away into the kitchen, but he wound up tripping over Chief Jacob’s corpse and tumbling forward onto the floor. The poor boy ended up falling onto the blood-soaked carpet, getting some of it all over his hands, sending his mind further into a spiral of fear.

Wilfre slowly approached him with a genuine caring look in his eyes, putting his hands up to show he has no weapons and trying to calm Nigel down; to reassure him he means him no harm. But Nigel wouldn’t listen. Determined to put as much distance between him and the monster in front of him as possible, he quickly scrambles backward into the kitchen as Wilfre steps forward after him.

Jason: I-I wouldn’t go in there if I were you!

The overwhelming fear had too tight a hold on him, Nigel couldn’t hear any words that he said, only being able to focus on the literal shadowy figure that attacked his abuser.

Entering the kitchen, he was sent further into terror when he found his mother tied to a chair. Her limbs, body and mouth were bound by shadowy tentacles, preventing her from escaping. The important thing was that she was alive and unharmed from what Nigel could see.

Nigel: Mum!

Nigel desperately rushed to his mother’s side and tries to rip the tentacles off of her, but his hands couldn’t get a firm grip on either of them. They just kept phasing through as if they weren’t even there.

Wilfre: (sigh) Y-you weren’t supposed to see this… D-d-don’t worry! I have no intention of hurting her, she hasn’t done anything to deserve it! I’m only killing those who’ve hurt me, and those who have it coming.

Nigel: Why is she tied up?! L-let her go!

Wilfre: She heard Arnold’s scream and tried to call the police. I couldn’t let her do that, not when I was so close to carving out that man like the pig he was!

Wilfre closes the gap between himself and Nigel’s mother, leaning in closer to the terrified woman who was desperate to look away from his eyes, boring into her soul with inhuman hate.

Wilfre: You… you should be grateful to me! That man had been treating you like garbage for years! Pimped you out to his corrupt officers like you were property, not a person! W-why can’t you admit that you wanted him dead and just say “thank you”?!

With a flick of the wrist, he dissipates the tentacle covering her mouth, allowing her to take a deep breath and speak again.

Nigel’s Mum: I… Yes, I may’ve thought about it once or twice… But that doesn’t justify killing him like that! G-get away from us! Get away from my son!

Wilfre: I wouldn’t talk like that to me if I were you. I tend to lash out when I get angry.

He threatened her menacingly. His demonic, high-pitched voice sparking another jolt of fear into her. She starts screaming for help at the top of her lungs, calling specifically for Chaos Man to save them. Hearing that name was all it took to trigger Wilfre who roars directly in her face.

Wilfre: ENOUGH!

Nigel’s mother continued to scream until her throat gave out. The adrenaline of being terrified for so long overwhelming her body, causing her to faint. Her head goes limp and drops down while the rest of her body was still bound to the chair.

Nigel: MUM! Mum, please don’t die! Wake up!

Wilfre: She’s not dead, she just fainted… I-I don’t get it. You… you told me you were a fan of horror and monster movies! I thought you could handle a little gore!

Nigel slowly turns around and looks up at Wilfre, shooting him a terrified “are you serious?” look. What kind of messed up thought was that? How could he assume he wanted this? There’s a difference between fiction and reality. That kind of stuff is only fun in movies because he knew it was fake, and no one was actually hurt. But in real life there are lines that must never be crossed. But Jason was already miles far across it before he could even understand the concept.

Wilfre: I-I made you a promise, Nigel! To do everything in my power to protect you from your stepdad, a-and unlike some people, I never break my promises… I did this for you, my friend. I-I freed you!

Nigel drops to his knees and breaks down crying. Had he known the day he met that Jason would be capable of going this far to uphold his promise he never would’ve made it in the first place. Now he can’t help but blame himself for Arnold’s death. When Wilfre kneeled and tried to put his hand on his shoulder to comfort him, the boy retaliated and pushed him away.

Nigel: Don’t touch me!

Wilfre: N-Nigel…

Nigel: I didn’t want this! I didn’t ask you to kill him! There were other ways you could’ve helped! You could’ve threatened him into leaving us alone!

Wilfre: That wouldn’t have stopped him! People like him never give up things they’ve got their hooks into. Killing him was the only way to guarantee he’d never hurt you again. One less piece of trash polluting this world… Soon everyone whose hurt me will meet the same fate.

Nigel: Pl-please just go away! Leave us alone!

Wilfre was hurt by how much rejection he was receiving from who he thought was a kindred spirit. This didn’t play out at all like how he imagined in his head. Instead of praising him for his act of kindness for his young friend, he instead looks at him like everyone looked at monsters. Just a creature driven by bloodlust. He should’ve known better.

It was clear he wasn’t needed anymore, and his staying here will only make things worse. Wilfre could feel the dark urges boiling within him again, all screaming “kill the kid”. But he didn’t want to. Nigel was one of the few who was ever nice to him. He had no real desire to kill him, even if he now hates him, he’ll always treasure the brief, real friendship they had. Instead of exiting via portals, Wilfre decided to be respectful by going out the front door. But not before dissipating the rest of the tentacles, letting Nigel’s mother drop to the floor.

Wilfre: Nigel… I-I just want to let you know, you were the only one who I ever felt like myself around… And I’m not sorry for what I’ve done here today.

On his way out he summons the scepter to his hand and gently closes the door behind him, leaving the traumatised boy alone with his unconscious mother and dead stepfather.

Standing in the shadow of the entrance, Wilfre was about to step outside and take his leave. But as he stretched his arm out into the sun, he felt its rays for a moment as it drove away the shadows around where it touched. Then it started to feel like it was burning, causing immense pain though there was no obvious cause, no scorching of his skin. He yelps in pain and immediately retracts his hand, looking at it in bewilderment.

Wilfre: W-what? Why did that...?

The voice then starts laughing maliciously, as though it relished his pain.

Wilfre: W-what’s so funny?!

Wilfre received no answer beyond more laughter. He shook it off and summoned a portal to get to his next destination. But he was startled again by the dark voice in his head speaking up, voicing its disappointment in him for sparing the mother and child.

Dark Voice: You didn’t kill the boy and his mother! Why?!

Wilfre: I only kill those who I know deserve to die! Weren’t you listening? They did nothing wrong to me.

Dark Voice: Is that… sympathy I hear in your voice? I thought you would be beyond such worthless sentiments by now.

Wilfre: Make no mistake, Jason Dark is dead and gone! I’m just not finished severing all ties to his past. Chief Jacobs was only the beginning. There are still a few others on my list that need to be punished. My parents, May Li, The Crimson Nightshades, Will Craft, and the worst of them all, Chaos Man! They’ll all get what they deserve.

Dark Voice: Hehehehe, there’s the revenge speech I was expecting. Your inner darkness is growing stronger; I sense now why the Umbra Ruby was drawn to you.

Wilfre: I keep forgetting to ask, what is this Umbra Ruby exactly?

Dark Voice: It is one of the four Gems of Creation. Chaos Man also possesses one of them. The Genesis Emerald. With the ruby’s power in the scepter under your control, you will match, and maybe one day, exceed him in power.

Wilfre: R-really?

Dark Voice: Yes… The Umbra Ruby has the power to shape, mould and construct shadows into whatever your mind desires. But you have a long way to go before you can fully master its true potential. You can start by continuing to rid the world of its evil. You know where we must go next, don’t you?

Wilfre: Yes. I know exactly where we must go… The Miners Guild… Time to pay this Will Craft a visit. Once I kill him, the Crimson Nightshades will come to me. They, and all the filth on this planet, will face the wrath of Wilfre!

Wilfre laughs maniacally as he steps through the portal. With the matter with Nigel sorted, there was nothing holding him back from continuing down his path of vengeance.

3:45pm, the Miners Guild main building. Time was running out for the Crimson Nightshades. The guild was growing impatient, and its gas masked leader was losing faith in their capabilities. How is it the same trio who took down a witch cult that had been manipulating mankind from the shadows for centuries wound up losing the scepter to some scrawny kid from nowhere?

What Drake last said to him still lingered in the back of Will Craft’s mind, about how the scepter had supernatural powers. The concept was never outlandish to him. Some of the artefacts in his possession are said to contain mystical abilities of their own. His job was to find out if they did or not.

He was thoroughly studying the inscription etched into the stone tablet the Crimson Nightshades retrieved for him previously, translating the Egyptian hieroglyphs through his computer. Things were nice and quiet aside from his cat, Luna, snoring in the corner. He was used to it. What he wasn’t used to was the blaring, unpleasant sound of the building’s alarm going off, disrupting his work. He quickly clicks off the photos of the tablet and brings up security cam footage of the whole building.

The live feed wasn’t coming in perfectly clear so he could only make out bits and pieces of what’s going on. All he could see was some mysterious dark figure casually strolling through the hallway from the entrance. A bunch of guards tried to stop him, but this figure makes quick work of them by lunging its tendrils coming out of his back at them, stabbing through them or swatting them out of his way like the annoying insects he saw them as. Panicked, Will Craft presses a button on his office phone, calling for his butler.

Will Craft: Lawrence, where are you?!

Surprisingly his butler burst through the doors seconds after he got off the intercom. Seems he was already a step ahead and wanted to warn him in person.

Lawrence: Sir! An intruder has entered the building! He’s already killed a lot of our personal and is on his way up! We must get- Ack!

Before he could finish his sentence, he was abruptly cut off by the feeling of something sharp piercing his back and digging further into him until it erupted out through his chest. He’d been stabbed by a long golden spear blade, shocking the masked man. Lawrence vomits blood as the blade is pulled back. As soon as his body dropped to the floor, the figure comes into view, being none other than Wilfre. Casually walking over the dead butler’s body as he cleaned the fresh blood off the blade end of the scepter, the very item the guild was obsessed with getting back. Who would’ve thought they’d have it be delivered right to them?

Will Craft: That’s my scepter! Who are you?!

Wilfre: Oh, that’s right, we haven’t officially met yet, have we? I’ve only heard about you from the Crimson Nightshades. I assume you’ve heard of me too.

He says, ignoring his initial question with one of his own. Will Craft readjusts his top hat and straightens his tie, putting on a brave face. He refused to let this creature know that he fears him. Especially someone who used to be the aforementioned scrawny kid from nowhere. As he uttered his response, Will secretly reached under his desk and presses a hidden button whilst keeping his focus on Wilfre.

Will Craft: You were that child Drake took in as his errand boy. Clearly that’s not the case anymore. The scepter’s powers are more unorthodox than I thought if it could turn you into that… What has happened to you, boy?

Wilfre: I’ve evolved. I’m no longer that stupid, white-haired weakling, Jason. I am Wilfre! Controller of Shadows. I was planning to kill the Crimson Nightshades, but I don’t mind taking out their boss first.

He uttered, trying to sound intimidating. He was both a little surprised and annoyed to see that Will Craft was laughing at his threats, unamused.

Will Craft: Hahahaha! Killing me won’t destroy the organisation. I am but a single thread in the grand design. We are many.

Now it was Wilfre’s turn to laugh in his masked face. Talking as if they hold power of others just because they’re rich and hire mercenaries to do what they want. Or the fact that he collected ancient relics from all over the world to appear powerful. Those fools don’t know the meaning of the word “power”, unlike him.

Wilfre takes a good look around Will’s office, touching the artefacts and paintings he has on display much to the man’s annoyance. It was like watching a toddler putting his sticky fingers all over the exhibits in a museum. He was defiling their history, and it greatly triggered him. But Wilfre didn’t give a damn.

Wilfre: Do you honestly think all this “material” you’ve surrounded yourself with amounts to actual power?

Further illustrating his point, Wilfre stretches his arms out to the side, holding the scepter up high in his left hand. While in his right he conjures a ball of purple fire. His whole body was then enveloped in purple flames, showing off a hint of what he can truly do.

The Umbra Ruby glows a bright red, illuminating the room, mixing with the purple glow of Wilfre’s flames. He levitates Will Craft out of his chair and floats him over to the window on the left.

Wilfre: …This is power! More than you’ve ever had. More than your whole organisation has.

He throws the ball of fire at Will Craft, striking him in the chest so hard the impact sent him hurtling through the window, shattering the glass, and plummeting to his death. Wilfre power walks over to the window and peers through its broken frame, to get confirmation of his death. A malicious smile forms on his face as he spots Will Craft’s body splayed out atop a crushed MT electric Jaguar car. The people close to the building were startled by the sudden impact of a body hitting the ground from such a great height and responded how Wilfre expected they would. Screaming and running around like the mindless sheep they are.

Pleased with the result, Wilfre takes a deep breath before letting it all out, blowing the flames covering his body outwards across the floor, setting everything in the office ablaze. The Miners Guild claimed to be a powerful organisation that ran Stratford and yet he managed to destroy everything they’ve built, with years of blood, sweat and tears, in just a few seconds. Yes, there was no greater power than his.

Before departing, Wilfre notices Will Caft’s cat sitting in front of the destroyed window, uttering terrified, mourning meows for her owner. Wilfre slowly approached the feline and knelt down to its level. He slowly reached out to pet the cat, but Luna retaliated by trying to attack him with her claws and hissing at him, furious with this monster for killing her beloved owner. Wilfre quickly retracts his hand and stands up again. He didn’t blame the cat for lashing out like that. Nor did he have any reason to kill it.

Wilfre: Relax, I don’t kill animals. Humans are my only enemies… I had a dog once. A german shepherd named Scratch. She’s been more of a mother to me than my actual mom… Wait- Why am I talking to a cat? I’ve got stuff to do.

Shrugging, Wilfre turns around and leaves the cat alone to mourn over the death of her owner, leaving the door open so she can escape. He had other targets to cross of his hit list. Fortunately for him, his next victims were already on their way.

The Crimson Nightshades had already planned on driving back to Will Craft’s tower before the silent alarm he set off alerted them. They’ve already wasted so much time and lost a lot of money searching for Jason and that damn scepter. Drake hoped that Michael would at least have a solid lead on where he could’ve disappeared to. But he was just as clueless as they were. He should’ve known better than to take a chance on Alice’s former lackey. They were back to square one.

When all hope of getting their money and a little payback on Jason seemed lost a small flashing red light under the gearshift has come on, catching Drake’s attention.

Drake: Shit! That’s Will’s silent alarm. He said he’d only use it in case he needed us urgently… Or if he’s in any danger.

Scarlet: It’s gotta be Jason! He finally crawled out of whatever hole he’s been hiding in. What else could it be?

Lukas: Whether it is Jason or not, we must go to his aid at once.

Drake: Right. Strap yourselves in.

Drake picks up speed in their cloaked battle van, overtaking traffic in a desperate attempt to get to the Miners Guild headquarters faster without drawing too much unwanted attention.

Eventually they arrived at their destination but none of them could’ve anticipated the building going up in flames. Even Lukas expressed a look of shock at the sight unfolding before him. The whole street had been evacuated. Not a single person in sight.

Scarlet: We’re too late! It had to have been him! That fucking brat!

Drake: A-are saying Jason did this?!

Lukas: We all saw what he could do with the scepter. I have no doubt it was him who knocked over those fire engines too.

Lukas pointed towards the right of the windscreen. Drake and Scarlet follow and spot the overturned fire engines. They were fully automated, so no actual human firefighters were harmed. But that didn’t change the fact that the one who started the fire was going to the extreme to ensure nothing undoes the chaos he commenced.

Drake: Fuck me… He’s really lost it, hasn’t he?

Scarlet: DRAKE!

Without warning, Wilfre unleashes a huge dark energy blast from the Umbra Ruby at the approaching van, striking the part of the road they were about to drive over and launching the van into the air. Wilfre watched in awe as the advanced military-grade vehicle spiralled over his head, reminding him of the ending scene of this old movie Jackson once showed him about a boy freeing a killer whale, before it came crashing back down with a deafening thud, skidding across the concrete road before eventually slowing to a stop. Now they know what happened to those MT fire engines.

Inside the van Drake, Scarlet and Lukas were lightly injured from the crash. Nothing seemed broken thankfully, aside from some of their valuables. But that didn’t matter right now. They finally found Jason and now they’re going to make him pay greatly for what he’s done. Lying to them, stealing their scepter, and attempting to kill them just now. He just signed his death warrant.

The mercenary trio kicked the back doors open and struggle to climb out of their overturned van and get back on their feet again. Even still, they wouldn’t let a few minor injuries stop them from getting revenge. But once they saw the boy standing before them with the scepter in hand, they suddenly realised that ending Jason may be even more difficult than they imagined.

Drake: What the… Is that… Jason?

Lukas: Not anymore. That is a demon, Jason has fallen prey to scepter’s dark power and became the creature standing before us… You were right, Drake. He must be destroyed at all costs.

Wilfre: I’m sorry, were you just talking about me? If you came here to save your boss, don’t bother. He’s already dead!

As proof of this, Wilfre holds up Will Craft’s gas mask and tosses it at their feet. The Crimson Nightshades gasped in response while Wilfre laughed, amused by their reactions.

Wilfre: I’m still not sure what killed him first. The fall from the top of this building, or the flames I burned him with!

Drake: …You really have no remorse at all, do ya?

Wilfre: Why should I? Nobody showed me any remorse! You certainly didn’t!

Drake: We gave you a home, a job, it could’ve been a good life! Granted that was before we found out you lied to us, but still.

Scarlet: It doesn’t matter anymore. You killed our boss! You humiliated us! So, you’re getting exactly what you fucking deserve. A painful death!

Wilfre: Funny, I was just about to say the same thing!

Sick of his taunts, Scarlet reaches behind her in the back of the van and pulls out her sniper rifle and takes aim at him, pulling the trigger without hesitation. The barrel was aimed at his head and should’ve been a kill shot, but the bullet ended up passing through him unharmed. It just phased right through his forehead, almost as if she tried to kill a ghost. Wilfre didn’t even flinch at the bang. He just laughed it off like it was nothing.

Wilfre: Was that your best shot? Here, let me show you mine!

Before any of them could react, Wilfre unleashes a bolt of dark purple lightning from his fingertips, striking Scarlet’s chest, electrocuting her. Her grip on the rifle loosens and drops to the ground, followed shortly by her body.

Drake and Lukas: Scarlet!

Wilfre: One down. Two to go. Hahahaha!

Lukas clenched his fists tightly, rage building within him but not enough to fully express it. He can’t. Not even when the moment calls for it. The last time he let his emotions get the best of him his power got people hurt, people he cared about. He is the strongest member of this team. If anyone had any chance of killing Wilfre, it was him. But to do that he has to keep a level head.

Lukas: Keep her stable. I’ll deal with this demon.

Drake glanced at his friend as he held Scarlet close and gave him an appreciative nod.

Drake: Give him hell, bud!

Lukas turns around and stares down the monster standing in front of him. The same one he foretold he would become the moment they met. They never should’ve picked him up that night. He should have killed him when he got the chance. He won’t hesitate this time.

Harnessing the power of his Element, he telekinetically lifts up their van with his mind and gently places it back down on its wheels. Then, hoping to catch Wilfre off guard, he quickly lifts up the two damaged fire engines and throws them at the villain. Wilfre backhands them away before they could hit him using the scepter’s levitation spell. Was that his plan? To throw a bunch of cars at him? He expected more from an Elemental.

Suddenly, Lukas propels himself off the ground with his power, quickly closing the distance between them and draws his dual katanas. Wilfre blocks his downward swing with the scepter, kicking up sparks.

Wilfre’s grin never wavered since this fight began, only growing wider. He was just getting started. Letting them think they have a chance against him. Since his hands were busy keeping the ninja at bay, two shadow tendrils came out of his back and wrapped around his arms, pulling them to the side and leaving him open for him to land a few punches on him.

Wilfre: You’re even more pathetic than she was. Are you even taking this seriously?

Lukas: I take everything seriously.

With his hands stretched out and his finger spread wide Lukas sends out a destructive shockwave of purple energy, sending Wilfre and himself stumbling backwards. The scepter flies out of his hands and lands in the middle of the street with a metallic clank. Wilfre growls as he halts his stumble by digging his claws into the road, digging small trenches in the concrete.

Enraged, he throws another tentacle out of his palm, reaching for the discarded scepter, only to have it snatched away by Lukas, summoning it to his right hand. With his left he levitates Wilfre up into the air, holding his body in place. Wilfre struggled but he couldn’t move a muscle. He started to scream as he could feel Lukas’ psychic grip on him tightening around him, like a snake coiling around his neck.

Lukas: It’s over, Jason. You’re finally getting your wish. You will die at our hand, as promised.

Wilfre: N-no! NO! I’ve come so close to getting my revenge! I can’t die here! You! You… hehehe… hahahahaha!

Drake and Lukas couldn’t believe their ears. He was about to get crushed to death by gravity, and yet he continued to mock them while laughing. Why? Was he really that crazy? It made no sense.

They were so fixated on Wilfre that they failed to notice how the Umbra Ruby was glowing again. By the time it managed to catch the former ninja’s eye, another surge of lightning arcs out of the gem, shocking his body. Lukas grunts and reflexively drops both the scepter and Wilfre before falling to his knees and collapsing next to Scarlet.

Wilfre: You idiots!

The scepter responds to Wilfre’s call and automatically flies back to his hand after recovering from his strife with Lukas.

Wilfre: The Umbra Ruby is bonded to me! Which means that the scepter only works for me. Here, let me show you!

He then fires a dark energy blast from the gemstone at Lukas, further injuring him and ensuring that he stays down. It was just Drake now, armed with nothing but the sword strapped to his back.

Wilfre: Two down. And one to go.

Drake: Now you’ve really pissed me off! It’s one thing to damage my precious van. But when you start hurting my friends that’s going too far!

Drake angrily yelled, acting more serious than how he usually is. He reaches for the sword handle behind him, wrapping his fingers around it. He used his free hand to tilt the sheath forwards, making it easier to slide the sword out of its sleeve. A determined look in his eyes, Drake takes up a swordsman’s stance and points the red blade at his opponent.

Drake: When I’m done with you there won’t be anything left to identify your body.

Wilfre: Bullets can’t harm me. What makes you think a mortal blade like that can?

Drake snickered at Wilfre’s arrogance. He had no idea what kind of weapon Muramasa was. Good thing he decided to keep the important details about the sword to himself when he was working for them. Then to Wilfre’s unexpected surprise, a buildup of swirling red energy was circling the blade.

Drake: Muramasa ain’t no mortal blade. Like I said, it originally belonged to the head witch of Blood Rose, Regina Skyshatter. It has its own set of unique abilities no man-made weapon has. There ain’t nothing it can’t cut through. Not even shadows, hehehe.

Wilfre: I don’t care if your sword can hurt me or not, it won’t be enough for an advantage! DIE!

Wilfre roars as he charges for the Crimson Nightshade leader, lightning sparking from his claws. Drake lets out his own war cry and rushes towards him, unafraid to cross blades with him and make him pay for all the pain he caused.

But neither one of them got the chance to attack the other as something bright slams into the road in between them hard, resulting in a tremor that knocked the two of them on their asses and a cloud of dust to kick up and blind them.

Wilfre and Drake: What the hell was that?!

The cloud of dust quickly blows away in the breeze as they recover, revealing that the one who rudely interrupted their battle was the one and only, Chaos Man down on one knee before slowly standing back up. His multicoloured suit dimly lit up the darkened road under the grey skies, providing a warm feeling of hope for the citizens that were hiding in their homes and watching the conflict from their windows.

Chaos Man: I’m sorry, did I interrupt something cool?

Both Drake and Wilfre were not at all happy to see Chaos Man standing in between them. If anything, they were outraged. Both of them had beef with the hero and have their own desires to get back at him more than each other.

Wilfre and Drake: YOU!

They both shouted whilst pointing at him. Chaos Man turns his head side to side, glancing over them both and responds by pointing his thumb at himself with a grin.

Chaos Man: Me!

To Be Continued