Chapter 290

A pair of golden eyes opened in the dark, a cloud of smoke swirled around the solitary figure sitting in an armchair. He looked down at the smoldering embers in the fireplace, his hand resting on a sphere of polished crystal. His thumb drifted down the smooth surface before his hand slipped away, stopping atop a flask with a name engraved on it: ‘Ironsides.’ He tapped a finger against the name once before picking up a lighter next to the flask. He turned it over in his hand and frowned at its engraving.

‘It’s bad for you, Detective. Love, Ishtar’

He flicked the lighter open and lit it. The flame rose with a spark before leaping from the lighter into his palm. It coiled in the air before darting towards the fireplace, the dying logs bursting into new life. Roaring flames flickered across his face, scattering the shadows that hid the deep scars on his face that cut into his thick beard. He snapped the lighter closed and reached for the crystal ball.

“I gave you an out, Ishtar,” he said, and the ball began to glow, “It’s my move.”

–

Drifter slipped past another checkpoint. He didn’t have much longer on the spell tablet, and he darted forward as heat began to rise up in his pocket. The security teams were on high alert, but he may as well have been invisible as he hopped the barricade and ran towards the trees at the edge of the Committee-controlled zone. He hit the foliage and kept running, not looking back. Trees whipped by him as he went deeper and deeper, his mind guiding him over roots and under branches.

Just a little further! There!

He slid to a stop amongst the brush and reached into his pocket, pulling the tablet out and tossing it on the ground before it got any hotter. He reached into his coat and spun around, pulling his gun and another tablet before taking a step back as the brush began to burn.

A glint of metal shone in the dark. He pulled the trigger, and the violet-colored knife flipped away. A pair of gleaming purple eyes was in his face the next instant. He saw the path he could take and slipped to the left towards the fire as a grin spread across his face. He came! He thought and pulled his coat around his body, crashing into the growing blaze and rolling through it. The next instant he was bathed in cold and felt the sensation of falling.  

He squeezed his eyes shut and cracked the crystal embedded in the tablet. Let there be light.

He hit the ground hard, rolling away on instinct as a pair of knives dug into the soil where he’d arrived. He could smell the corrosive poison eating away at the very earth itself; he could only imagine what it would have done to his body. He hopped to his feet and stared at the figure standing on the other side of the rising flames. A young man wreathed in darkness. Despite his strange, otherworldly appearance, he seemed oddly solid.

The young man, Blackrazor, looked down at his hand and curled his fingers into a fist.

Drifter grinned, “You’re solid now, buddy,” he said and pointed the gun at him, “Let’s see you avoid bullets.”

Blackrazor looked up at him and pointed a finger in his direction. A vaporous collection of shadow gathered on his fingertip and turned glossy and solid. Drifter’s grin grew even wider as his finger pulled down on the trigger. Then he loosened his grip and raised his hands, “You got me.”

Blackrazor narrowed his eyes as a shape soundlessly leapt from the tree behind him. An old man in a dapper suit with a cane in his hand. Maximillian came down and swung just as Blackrazor turned to react. The cane struck home, and Blackrazor was sent crashing to the ground. His body seemed to turn into liquid as Max launched past the point of impact. Drifter retreated, pulling back into the trees as the fight got underway.

It’s wearing off fast, hurry!

Max was already turning back to launch himself again in Blackrazor’s direction. The shadowy Supervillain was on his feet. A knife in each hand as more blades began to appear in the air around him. Max’s cane was a blur, each swing and jab in the villain’s direction ending with a burst of mass that sent shockwaves through the trees. Cracks formed on wood as the assassin bobbed and weaved, not raising his weapons to block attacks. He clearly knew better than to let Max’s hits land, even if it was to defend.

It’s a shame I can’t record this, Drifter thought as a bolt of green light crashed into Blackrazor’s back.

For the first time since the fight started, Blackrazor’s eyes widened slightly. Yes! That’s the way! Next came a blow from Max as the cane collided with the supervillain’s ribcage. He was thrown backwards, crashing into a wall of green light that moved to encapsulate him. The supervillain let out a low growl, and spears of pitch black erupted from his body, shattering the green wall while The Major darted into view, her gun raised and firing repeated shots into center mass.

Blackrazor wrapped himself in shadow, the bullets vanishing into his body. Above him, Max was coming down with his cane again. The old man’s eyes were bright with focus, power rippling off of him in waves. Drifter didn’t see what happened next, the cloud of dust and debris blocking his view. He could only hear the sounds of crashes, clashing metal, and the rushing snap of The Major’s magic power. Then he saw a pair of white eyes and felt a hand wrap around the collar of his shirt.

“We’re leaving, boy. Our part is done; he’ll kill us if we stay,” Max grunted. Drifter smelled blood on the old man’s breath.

Before he was carried away, Drifter caught a glimpse of an injured Blackrazor standing over an unconscious Major. He set his jaw, “Got it.”

–

Four ribs, Blackrazor thought darkly. A punctured lung. I failed to kill the target. This was a trap. 

He coughed and looked down at the woman lying prone at his feet. She had red hair and wore a combat jumpsuit that matched the ones distributed by ASTA. It was one of the high-end models too, which was the only reason she hadn’t died right then and there. He turned his head towards the fleeing pair and felt his sense of them vanish. That trick again. They are related to the vigilantes who attacked the meeting with Blight, no doubt. 

His vision swayed for a moment, and he coughed again, fresh pain working up his side. That old man is strong. He moves silently too. A deadly combination.

He returned his focus to the woman. I could kill her, but the Mistress mentioned she was collecting the abilities related to colored light. This one uses green light. I should bring her back before disposing of her; let the Mistress make that call.

He held out a hand and felt his powers flicker again, his sense of connection to the shadow sea returning in jumps and starts. That flash of light severed me from the sea. Just how many tricks do these people have? He frowned and clenched his fists as the shadows finally began to swallow the woman up. Next time you won’t get away from me.

–

“Here, eat this,” Sonya said quickly, handing Beyol a handful of berries. He popped them into his mouth and slumped onto the couch in the lounge on the ship, coughing as the bruises across his chest, face, and neck began to fade away. She had never seen him take hits like this before, and it was more than a little jarring. She knelt down and looked him in the eyes, brushing the hair out of his face to get a better look at him. “How are you feeling?”

“My body will heal,” he said quietly.

She shook her head and patted his knee, getting to her feet. “Don’t obsess over this,” she said, “That reporter will be back. You’ll have another opportunity.”

Blackrazor scowled but nodded, “Understood. What of the news agency he works for? The Night Society-”

“Won’t touch it,” Sonya said and walked towards the other couch where the woman, Addison Kelly, lay bound up in power-suppressing cuffs. “It’s too obvious a retaliation. They won’t be able to claim that you assaulted them, and questions will rise about how he managed to escape you. It’s an unbelievable story. If the news agency is undermined immediately after one of their reporters tries to bother me, on the other hand, that will be a huge red flag.”

“...understood.”

Sonya didn’t look back at him, “I know you’re upset,” she said, “Don’t make me repeat myself, though. Rest up and be ready for your next chance.”

“I am your shadow, Mistress.”

She shoved her hands into her pockets and looked up at the ceiling, “Two, maybe three of my potential targets are in the area, Beyol. They’ve weaseled their way out of a poetic end in their homelands.”

“Allow me to redeem myself,” he said quickly as she sensed him sit up straight. 

She glanced his way and smiled, her eyes softening a little. “I think it goes without saying you don’t need to redeem yourself, but I’ll leave it to you. Just make it hurt.”

He bowed his head, “Of course.”

Kera arrived only a half hour later and picked him up to take a quick breather elsewhere. Sonya stayed behind, waiting on the couch opposite Kelly for her to regain consciousness. While she did, her mind worked through what happened. That reporter, I know he was there, and I remember his voice, but his face is hard to pin down. On top of that, I couldn’t get his name with my ability. Her lips thinned, He’s working with Mimir too. Was that the detectives idea of a joke?

We’re of the same mind. It was an obvious nod to Otis, Ishtar said. He’s trying to get under your skin.

Was the trio in Jakarta just a ruse to lure me into a false sense of security? Sonya wondered.

It’s possible.

Sonya looked back at the woman and raised her hand over her face, drawing it down and concealing it in her helmet. Her heart rate is increasing. She’ll wake soon. A quick use of Augmented Reality altered her white suit into a black and silver look. Something a bit less obviously tied to herself. She had no intention of letting this person leave, but that didn’t mean she would take any risks. A chime rang in her head, and a file popped in, the shadow of Amos coming through once again.

She read the dossier and smiled to herself as a low groan drew her eyes towards the pretty redhead sitting up on the couch.

“...where?”

“Major Addison Kelly,” Sonya said through the helmet, resting her hands in her lap. “Enjoy your nap?” she asked, tilting her head a bit to the right like a predator examining prey. The door to the lounge opened, and Marta, in her full Companion armor, strode in, stopping to take up a position behind her.

The redhead opened her green eyes and looked at Sonya before then looking up at Marta and frowned. “I’m alive?”

“For now,” Sonya said. “Looks like Mimir’s little scheme to do away with my friend Blackrazor didn’t quite pan out.”

Kelly scowled and shifted in her restraints, twisting her arms as she got comfortable, “Seems like it. May I ask if the others got away?”

“Ah, the old man and the reporter,” Sonya said with a nod, “Yes, they’re alive as far as I know. I’m especially interested in the old man. Blackrazor’s description of his ability was quite fantastical. It sounds like superhuman strength, but I don’t think that’s it…”

Kelly snorted and leaned back in her seat, leveling Sonya with a stare, “You think I’ll tell you?”

“I didn’t want to assume, but if you want to share, I certainly won’t mind,” Sonya chuckled with a shrug. “There are other ways of getting information out of someone, but I already know enough about you to keep this to a conversation, again, for now. I’m quite cross with Mimir at the moment.”

The vigilante scowled, “You don’t know shit about me, and you have no right to judge Mimir.”

“He hasn’t killed Ducast yet,” Sonya shot back, “That’s reason enough.”

“Ducast is a symptom of a larger problem in France. We’re dealing with it,” Kelly growled, “We don’t need your approval as to how to approach it.”

Sonya raised her eyebrows, “‘Dealing with it’, hmm?” Sonya asked coyly, “You seem rather passionate for someone in your position, Miss Kelly.”

Kelly pressed her lips together and leaned forward, death in her eyes, “It took a long time for him to get his head on straight after what you did to him,” she growled before smirking and sitting up straight. “You think you’re all that matters? You’re just a part of the problem.”

Kelly tilted her head, her eyes going wide, “Cancers,” she hissed. “You, the Pandora Committee, and all of the corrupt heroes like Ducast. Otis. We’ll cut them out.”

Sonya snorted out a laugh, “Oh? And once you’re done with this holy war of yours to purge the world of corruption and evil, what’s the end game? Supposing you could do anything to Otis at all, let alone me.”

Kelly grinned, “Mimir just needs his eyes on that man once. Then the two worst monsters Pandora’s light ever spat out will be at his mercy. You won’t be the big hero here.”

Sonya’s jaw tightened as she felt a fire in her belly that she hadn’t felt in a while. Good old fashioned rage. Did you just lump me in with that-

Sonya, Ishtar’s voice cut in, rising up from the depths.

Sonya closed her eyes, She’s baiting me, I know.

“You keep telling yourself that, little girl,” Sonya shot back before sighing, “It’s a shame. I could have supported your group, you know. Between Mimir and I, Otis wouldn’t be a problem.”

The vigilante’s nose wrinkled, “Work with the woman crazy enough to think she runs the world? Pull the strings on both sides all you want, but there’s no way we’d ever work for you. We know you’re behind Chernovna. Look at you, you’re practically cosplaying her.”

She barked out a laugh, “The only thing we need is your real face. Then it’s over, you psycho.”

Sonya’s lips curled up into a smile, “I don’t think you have any right to call anyone psycho, Major. Do you?”

Kelly’s nose wrinkled, and she moved to sit up more when a flash of movement announced Marta’s appearance behind her. A powerful hand clapped down on her shoulder and pushed her back into the couch. Kelly snarled at Marta before rounding on Sonya, “The fuck do you know?”

“Princeton,” Sonya said simply and Kelly froze, her pupils shrinking slightly as Sonya leaned forward in her seat, “I’m shocked that Mimir is willing to trust you. With eyes like his, he knows what you did. Yet you call yourself one of his vigilantes, as if you have any right to pretend to be some sort of warrior of justice.”

Kelly’s breath came in short gasps, her eyes fixed on her hands bound up in the power restraints. Sonya got languidly to her feet and walked over, putting on a little bit of Imperious for good measure. “Nobody knows except those at the tippy top. Your subordinates' families think it was an accident, but we know the truth, don’t we, Major? Do you call yourself that to remind yourself of what you did? How you snapped under pressure and just started…” she leaned in close, “Shooting?”

“What do you want?” Kelly demanded.

Sonya extended a hand, “Let’s make a deal. I will make the troubles of those families go away. Enough money to set them up for generations. Your conscience can be a little bit clearer,” she said. “All you have to do is deliver something to Mimir for me and forget about everything you learned here today. Isn’t that easy? Just shake…” she purred as Addison’s eyes fell on her fingers, “...my…” the woman reached for her hand, “...hand.”

Kelly took it.

Analyze.

<You have acquired a new Product: Emerald Sorceress>

<Deal Ready! Proceed?>

Finally! I-

Pain exploded in her side. She blinked and looked down at her chest. A glowing knife of green light was embedded in her lung. Blood trickled down her lips just as Marta moved to engage. While Sonya stumbled back a half step, Addison reached into her own mouth and ripped out a tooth, cracking it and throwing it at Marta. The tooth exploded into a spray of silvery powder. Marta screamed and stumbled backwards, covering her face. Sonya was already conjuring up a berry in her mouth as Addison hopped back, reaching for her collar and pulling it down. There, emblazoned on her skin, was the glittering tattoo of an eye.

“We see you, Ishtar,” The Major growled and tossed a small object where Sonya knelt. Kelly’s hand was bleeding. “We know you. We are coming, and this was just a demonstration. Everything you’ve built will burn. The hunt begins today!”

Sonya threw her hand out, a spear of light shooting across the room as a column of gold enveloped Kelly and she vanished. The spear crashed into one of the distant fixtures before evaporating into particles. Sonya pulled herself to her feet and hurried to Marta’s side. Her friend was rolling on the ground. She’s not healing! Mistletoe! Shit! Sonya created a bottle of water with a pop, “Marta! Drink!”

Her friend took the bottle and drank deeply, her face and neck burned and scarred by the noxious powder. It started to heal, slowly, her breath coming in a bit more steadily. Sonya closed her eyes and sighed with relief as her fists clenched. She looked down at the item Kelly had thrown and picked it up. It was a wafer-thin piece of circuitry covered in blood. What is this? It looks like an RFID tag but way more advanced. She clenched her teeth, It was in her wrist! Who made it for him? Two of my Inner Circle in one day, and you’ve rendered one of my best products useless. Message received, Mimir. You have my attention.