Godslayer - Arc 1.4 Valen

“What happened to you?” asks Jordis as Drakvar finally returns as the day draws to a close.

“I was attacked a couple of times,” replies Drakvar as he drops the bag of food down, “Second time was just some Darklurker thugs. I took a couple of blows, but I dealt with them pretty easily.”

I’m glad that past me still had some money left over in his financial accounts.

“What about de first fight?” inquires Jordis as she quickly begins to rummage through the bag, “Is dat why you are all cut up?”

“Yes,” replies Drakvar, “I fought this weird girl made of white light. She claimed to be a Jord Warrior-Spirit of Light.”

“Oh, dat sounds like Solara,” replies Jordis casually as she pulls out a can of kanon beans.

“You know her?” says Drakvar as he looks at Jordis in mild surprise.

“Yep,” answers Jordis, “She was one of my bodyguards when I was travelling outside of Jorvic territory. So how exactly are you planning to cook dis?”

“You know the spirit-girl?” says Drakvar, ignoring Jordis’ question.

“Yeah, she and Valen were my protectors before we got split up,” explains Jordis as she tosses the can of beans at Drakvar, “We got attacked by de Children of the Forest and dey held dem off while I escaped. I made my way here to Kar’mire and den I found you. I guess Solara tracked me here and mistook you for a member of de Children due to dat fact you have some of their shadow-blades. But you never answered my question.”

“So I got attacked and beaten up simply because one of your friends mistook me for one of your attackers,” grumbles Drakvar as he tosses the can into the air and catches it again, “How unfortunate.”

“Hey Drakvar!” complains Jordis as she whacks him on the back of the head, “You still haven’t told me how you are planning to cook our food!”

“Sorry,” replies Drakvar as he tosses the can back at Jordis, “And why can’t you cook the food?”

“Because feeding me is your job stupid!” replies Jordis as she lobs the can at Drakvar’s head after catching it.

He sighs as the can of beans bounces off his head.

I don’t even know if feeding her is actually my job! That said, I’m the one without my memories while Jordis has all of hers. I best go out and find a way to cook the food I have brought.

***

With night fallen, Drakvar makes his way through the now empty streets. As he turns a corner, Drakvar hears a heavy thud. He looks down the street just in time to see an unconscious Darklurker hit the floor of the street.

Drakvar looks at the tall Kith male in the middle of the street. The Kith is extremely tall at almost three metres high and is relatively thin as despite his height, he is about a wide a normal Kith.

While he can see the red hair on the Kith’s head, Drakvar can’t see the colour of the Kith’s fur as he is wearing a black leather duster coat with white robes similar to Jordis’ beneath.

“Ah,” says the Kith as he spots Drakvar standing at the end of the street, “So you are de Farksian dat Solara fought earlier.”

“No,” replies Drakvar honestly as while he may have fought Solara earlier, he most certainly isn’t a Farksian.

“Den where did you get dose swords and all of dose glass cuts,” retorts the Kith as he draws a smoking pipe from inside his coat, “I am no fool so don’t try and play me for one.”

The Kith holds out an open hand and within it, a sphere of bright white light forms out of nothing.

That isn’t good.

“I’ll be honest,” drawls the Kith, “Dese bandits really haven’t been giving me a challenge. Let us see if you will fare better against me.”

The sphere shoots from the hand and zooms towards Drakvar, blossoming and expanding as it flies through the air. As the light-sphere soars towards him, Drakvar dashes to the side and jumps out of the way of the light-sphere as it slams into the ground where he just stood.

“Hmm, I can see what Solara was talking about,” muses the Kith as Drakvar draws his four blades, “De light just disappeared once it made contact with you.”

“Who are you?” demands Drakvar.

“I am Valen Greatflame,” declares the Kith as he strides towards Drakvar, “I am de Protector of Jordis Sunblade, Knight of de Northern Church and Fifth Circle Mage of Light and Fire! And you, Farksian scum, shall fall before my might. Lightsword! Flamesword!”

And with those final two words, a sword made of white light appears in the upper left hand of Valen and a sword made of burning flames appears his upper right hand.

“Now let’s see how well your powers fare against somebody that can actually hit you,” says Valen as he charges at Drakvar.

Despite not wanting to fight another of Jordis’ protectors when they really should be on the same side, Drakvar also charges, deciding that he wants to live even more so.

Drakvar swings a blade at Valen, who easily parries it with his sword of light. With an opening available to him, Valen swings his sword of fire at Drakvar. He tries to block it, but is easily outclassed when it comes to sword fighting and fails.

However the blade of the fire sword disappears without harming Drakvar as it makes contact with him and Drakvar doesn’t feel any heat from the sword either.

But Valen isn’t so easily beaten as while Drakvar is focused on the flame sword, the Kith slams a fist into Drakvar’s chest, which is swiftly followed by a punch to the face.

Drakvar grunts in pain and makes a feeble slash at Valen which is casually countered. Valen continues his assault on Drakvar, kicking Drakvar in the knee to keep him off balance before upper cutting him in the face with a brutal blow.

Drakvar is sent flying backwards and crashes face up into the street. In his fall, Drakvar lost his grip on three of his four swords. With annoyed snarl, Drakvar gets to his feet and sheathes his last sword.

“You’re an idiot!” shouts Drakvar as he charges straight at Valen, rapidly covering ground.

“By Mithias-” starts Valen in shock at Drakvar’s speed, only to be cut off as Drakvar smashes a fist into his face.

“Now listen to me you fool,” hisses Drakvar as Valen goes tumbling backwards, “I am not a Farksian. I don’t even know what a “Farksian” is. I got my swords from one of Jordis’ attackers when I rescued her. Since then, I have been looking after her. I can take you to her if you wish.”

“Dat...would be appreciated,” replies Valen begrudgingly as he gets to his feet and retrieves his smoking pipe.

1.10 Dinner Part 3

“One of the kindest people I have ever met,” replies Abby reassuringly, “You’ll get on great with her.”

“So what kind of Abnormal is she?” inquires Leo.

“Humanoid plant person,” answers Abby, “Sort of like a dryad. Her main power is her siren voice while she has some pretty good regen and can shapeshift as long as she remains plant-like. Some enhanced speed, reflexes and senses on the side, nothing above D class mind you. I should also mention that she can emit spores to affect people and animals in various ways. So do you like the dress I choose for you Joan?”

“Oh yes,” replies Joan as she gives Abby a bright smile, “But I wasn’t aware I had anything like this.”

“You didn’t,” says Leo, “Abigail just morphed one of your old pieces of clothing into it.”

“I hope you don’t mind,” replies Abby with a shrug as they enter one of the living rooms where two people are snogging inside, “Hello Marcy, Diana. Joan and Leo are here.”

Joan notes that Marcy is in her default form rather than having shapeshifted into a more normal looking one.

I like this form better. She looks so awesome with long gold hair, shining silver skin and those freaking awesome angel wings. Besides, Marcy shouldn’t have to hide what she looks like.

The other woman is clearly Marcy’s girlfriend Diana. Joan would class her as an Aphrodite if it weren’t for her leafy hair with flowers in it, her pale green skin and deep green eyes. And to top it all off, Diana is wearing a pink flowery dress.

“Hello Marcy!” says Joan as she dashes over to her sister.

“Hi there Joan,” replies Marcy as she and Joan embrace each other in a hug, “Good to see you again. I hope you don’t mind this form.”

“Not at all,” replies Joan, “You look awesome like that. Your skin even feels like nice, smooth metal, but soft at the same time. Can I feel your wing?”

“Sure,” says Marcy as she lets go of Joan.

Joan reaches out and touches one of Marcy’s wings.

The feathers are so soft.

“You haven’t met Diana yet have you?” says Marcy as she hefts Joan with one arm, causing Joan to squeal slightly in surprise, “Diana, this is my sister Joan. The one I was telling you about.”

“Hello Joan,” says Diana awkwardly as Marcy puts Joan down in front of her, “How are you?”

“I’m great,” replies Joan, “So what is like be all planty or...or is that a sore subject for you?”

 “Not at all!” replies Diana instantly, “You really are as adorable as Marcy told me.”

“Thanks!” beams Joan.

“No problem,” says Diana, “Mind if I give you a hug? You’re just such a cute and adorable little squirt.”

“Nope,” replies Joan and the plant woman embraces Joan.

Joan hugs Diana back, noting how weird her skin feels.

Like a plant quite unsurprisingly.

“Here you go,” says Diana as she lets Joan go.

“What is it?” asks Joan, looking around.

“You got a white rose in your hair,” answers Leo as he walks up to her, “It looks very pretty.”

Joan blinks as an image of her flashes into her head, showing the rose into her hair.

I thought you might want to see what it like sis.

Thanks Abby.

“Thank you,” Joan tells Diana.

“No problem,” says Diana, “So this is your boyfriend?”

“Leonard Orrell Geary,” says Leo, holding his hand out, “Call me Leo.”

“Hello,” replies Diana shaking Leo’s hand, “So what are your powers?”

Joan freezes and begins to freak out internal.

Oh no. How did Diana figure out that Leo is a parahuman? He’s supposed to have a secret identity for crying out loud! I didn’t blow it did I?

“Oh, I don’t have any powers,” replies Leo with a slight shake of his head.

Wow, he lies so smoothly. If I didn’t know otherwise, I would totally believe him. Wait, is Leo being a good liar something I should be pleased about? He could totally lie to me and I wouldn’t know about it.

“Um,” says Diana flustered as she pulls her hand away, “I just sort of assumed from your looks and intelligence you’re a Bellator. Plus Marcy said you are immune to her Siren Voice.”

“I’m just blessed with good genes,” replies Leo, “And I’m not immune to it. I can sense it in my head, I just sort of ignore it. I think it has something to do with the fact that I am asexual.”

“So you got a Siren Voice as well,” says Joan in an attempt to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“Yes, yes I do,” replies Diana as Joan snuggles up next to Leo, “But don’t worry, I won’t use it on you.”

“Oh, I don’t mind if you do,” Joan tells her, “As long as it is only minor stuff. I’m fine with family and friends using their powers to mess with me a little as long as it is fun and games. I only care if they do it for serious things or selfish reasons or when I really don’t want them to.”

“I get that,” says Diana, “Totally makes sense. But I still won’t my powers on you.”

“Okay, suit yourself,” replies Joan.

“Oh!” says Marcy suddenly, “I have a gift for you sis! I’ll go and get before I forget again.”

Joan blinks as one moment Marcy is there and the next she has vanished.

She must have teleported. I wonder what that is like, just being about to appear in a different place on a whim. I bet it’s really cool.

“So how is school going?” asks Diana.

“Rather well,” replies Joan, “I’m not the best, but I’m pretty smart so I do well when it comes to classwork and grades. When it comes to social stuff, I hang out with Leo, Allison or Charlie. Allison is a former friend of mine and one of Leo’s while Charlie is Leo’s best friend.”

Plus I can just ask Abby for help when I need to. Not that she always gives it to me.

“No trouble with anybody picking on you?” inquires Diana and Joan laughs.

“No one would dare mess with Leo,” laughs Joan, “He can take anybody there in a straight up fight and he is more than making them suffer indirectly.”

“No anti-super people giving you trouble?” asks Diana, “Because of your family?”

“Leo,” Joan states simply as Marcy teleports back.

“Here you go,” says Marcy as she holds a CD case out to Joan, “One of the copies of my newly released single.”

“Thank you,” says Joan as she accepts the gift.

1.10 Dinner Part 2

To cover her embarrassment, Joan looks down at the outfit Abby has chosen for her.

It is a silver dress with a flowing skirt and a tight bodice that only covers her right shoulder and lops around underneath her left armpit. Where the left sleeve is non-existent, the right one goes right down to her waist. The skirt is wavy and reaches all the way down to about halfway between her knees and ankles. The shoes are silver like the dress and while very flat, technically count as high heels or perhaps just heels. Joan doesn’t know for sure.

“Wow,” says Joan, slightly stunned, “I look brilliant.”

“That you do dear,” replies Leo as he pulls her towards him, “Are you okay?”

“Nothing much,” answers Joan as she rests her head against Leo’s shoulder, “I was just thinking about how powerless and helpless I am against parahumans. You know how it is?”

“Not personally, but I understand where you’re coming from,” replies Leo as they walk towards the gates leading to the mansion, “With my power, I never have to worry about mental things such as people messing with my mind or taking control of my body. And physical things, well. I’m a D+ Bellator with some C- elements when it comes to speed, reaction times and that sort of stuff so normal folks can’t match me. And when it comes to parahumans, I just invent things to even the playing fields. As a result, I don’t know what it is like to be powerless and helpless. Not like a normal person would anyway.”

Man, Leo really is super ultra awesome. And he is all mine. Mine and Jaylyn that is.

“You are so cool,” gushes Joan as Leo pushes a button and the gates open, “The thing is that I’m not bothered by my sisters using their powers on me. I don’t mind family using their powers to mess with me a little. In fact, I’m usually encouraging them to. It’s just, well, I enjoy it when it is someone I trust, but if it were a stranger...”

“I know what you mean,” says Leo as Joan tightens her grip on his hand, “It is okay when family or close friends do it, but is awful and terrifying somebody you don’t know or don’t trust does it. I can think of a few things like that. And if a stranger does try to use their powers to mess with you, they’ll only do so once.”

At that last part, Joan looks up at Leo’s face just in time to glimpse a dangerous look to his face before it goes away.

Whoa. I’ve never seen Leo look like that. Others have told me about what Leo can get like and I’ve seen Gears in action, but never seen that side to Leo before.

***

“Hello Joan! Hello Leo!” Abby greets them as the duo enters the entrance hall of the building.

It is so weird thinking of this place as home. I grew up here, but I spent the last two years of my life confined to a single room. Now it feels like a place where some rich people live and I don’t belong. Leo’s base feels more like home than here.

Man does Abby look so freaking beautiful.

Abby is wearing a stunning white evening gown to go with her stunning figure. Her hair is done up at the back in a bun with it going in swirls along the side. Just looking at her makes Joan feel pathetic.

I’m going to be the only girl without curves here. Even Breanne naturally has D cups and an hourglass figure. I’m so flat I don’t even need to wear bras.

“Hell Abigail,” replies Leo with a slight bow, “What are you doing out here?”

“Since I’m the only one without a date tonight, I’m greeting people as they come in,” explains Abby, “You guys are the second couple to arrive. Mum and Dad were already here while Marcy and Diana have already arrived.”

“Diana?” inquires Joan as she doesn’t know anybody called Diana.

“Marcy’s girlfriend,” answers Abby.

“Wait, Marcy’s bi?” asks Joan, confused as she remembers Marcy only dating boys in the past, “Since when?”

“Since her manifestation,” answers Abby, “Same with me, Alex and Irwin. Mum and Dad are still straight by the way.”

“So how is Alexis?” asks Leo.

“She is getting better,” replies Abby, “Soon she will be able to walk without using her flight.”

Joan is silent as she thinks about Alex. Her superhero sister survived the fight with Armageddon, but both of her legs were shattered. While her regeneration means that she will get better, the extent of the injuries means that even a week later, Alex isn’t fully healed.

At least Alex can use her flight to hover so she doesn’t need a wheelchair or clutches. And it could have been worse. Alexandria is still in hospital for example while Iceforge lost half of her right leg and they almost had to remove the other half. I’m surprised that more didn’t die against Armageddon. I know Leo said that the Harbinger was holding back, but still...

“Just so you know, Diana is another Abnormal and without any shapeshifting or other method to appear normal,” says Abby as she walks inwards with them, leaving a duplicate behind to stand guard at the entrance, “She is also a singer with Siren Voice as one of her powers. In addition to dating, Marcy and Diana are planning to start a band together.”

“What is Diana like?” asks Joan nervously.

Godslayer - Arc 1.3 Solara

Drakvar’s stomach rumbles as he makes his way through the streets. He only had enough to feed one person and since he let the young Jordis have the food, Drakvar desperately needs more food and he needs it soon.

I don’t think that I am starving quite yet, but it won’t be long if I don’t way a find a way to feed myself.

Drakvar trudges along the dark street. He fancies his chances of locating food after dark when there are less people about. He doesn’t wish to steal, but Drakvar is getting close to the point that he would be willing to commit immoral actions to survive.

At least if he gets into a fight with the Darklurkers, Drakvar now has the four swords that he took from Jordis’ attackers.

Drakvar flinches, shielding his eyes from the flashes of white light that appear out of nowhere.

Drakvar tries to look for the source, but is temporarily blinded by even more of the white light.

Growling in annoyance Drakvar stumbles backwards, drawing two of his swords. He hears the zap of a laser and moment later, Drakvar is looking into the eyes of a stunned person.

But the person isn’t a Kith. Drakvar can tell that at a glance. This person is made of white light with gold plates of armour built into her body. Her eyes are a bright shining green and the person is stunned. And the person is most definitely a she given her slender and shapely figure.

And most strangely, the person has only two arms and no fur. Well, Drakvar supposes that long tendrils of white light on the person’s head can count as head fur.

Drakvar headbutts the person as they are clearly his attack and is shocked by the results. The face of person disintegrates as its makes contact with Drakvar’s flesh and fur.

Drakvar jerks his head back and stumbles backwards. He breathes a sigh of relief as the face of the person reforms, but that relief is short lived as Drakvar notices that the stunned expression has been replaced with one of anger.

“What are you?” demands Drakvar as he draws his other two swords so all four are drawn.

“I am a Jord Warrior-Spirit of Light,” replies the person in a cheerful and youthful voice, “And you 

will fall to me Farksian.”

“Farksian?” repeats Drakvar, unsure of what the word means.

“Don’t play dumb,” replies the spirit girl, “Well, you are a Farksian so you probably are dumb, but we both know you can’t be that stupid.”

“I really have no idea about what you are talking about,” replies Drakvar dryly.

“Enough chatter!” declares the spirit girl, “You might be able to counter my power, but I can still use my power to affect the environment.”

And with that, Drakvar is blinded by another flash of light. He quickly recovers, but the spirit girl is already gone.

I didn’t even learn her name. And what is a Farksian anyway?

Suddenly several glass windows in buildings around Drakvar shatter outwards and he glances around for the spirit girl as Drakvar is sure that what just happened is her doing.

Beams of bright white light dart through the glass shards and all of a sudden, all the shards fly straight at Drakvar. He shields his eyes with two of his arms so that they don’t get injured.

Drakvar winces in pain as the glass shards cut open his flesh, tearing through fur and skin. Fortunately, the shards don’t seem to be doing any real harm to Drakvar other than inflicting pain upon him.

Now thoroughly annoyed by the actions of spirit girl, Drakvar decides that she is going to be too hard to fight. So he sheathes his swords as he prepares to leave the area.

“Hey!” yells a male Kith voice suddenly, “Dere he is!”

“Let’s get ‘im!” shouts another.

“You won’t get ‘way from us dis time Blackborn!” shouts a third Kith.

With frustrated sigh, Drakvar turns to face the six Darklurkers that are coming down the street towards him. All are armed with improvised melee weapons such as metal poles and planks of wood with nails in.

“Really,” grumbles Drakvar under his breath, “First I have to deal with this warrior spirit and now I have to deal with a bunch of thugs. I doubt they even noticed my swords yet.”

“You’re goin’ down Blackborn,” snarls the closest thug as he charges at Drakvar, wielding a long metal pole in both hands.

Drakvar doesn’t even bother drawing his swords, instead slamming his fist into thug’s gut as the thug swings the pole over his head. With a grunt of pain, the thug drops the pole and doubles over. Drakvar brings his fist down on the thug’s head, sending him to the ground in a heap.

Another thug charges and swings a metal pole of his own into Drakvar’s side, causing him to grunt in pain. Drakvar doubts that such a blow would normally hurt him so much, but he is already injured from the actions of the warrior-spirit.

He punches the second thug away, only to be beset by a third. The Kith has a brutal smile on his face and is wielding a plank of wood with multiple nails sticking out of it. The thug smashes the plank of wood into Drakvar, causing him to drop to his knees.

“I gotcha now,” the thug chuckles grimly as he slams the plank into Drakvar’s head.

Drakvar sways to the side before deciding to stop holding back. He swipes at the legs of the thug attacking him, knocking his opponent off his feet. Now that he is the one with the initiative, Drakvar doesn’t waste any time as he swiftly moves forward and stamps on the face of the third thug.

As the second and the remaining thugs get ready to rush Drakvar, Drakvar decides now is a good time to draw his swords.

With one swift motion, Drakvar draws all four of his swords and the thugs all halt in their tracks at the sudden sight of the black blades.

“Still wish to face me?” inquires Drakvar as he steps towards the now scared Darklurkers.

“N-n-no!” replies one of the thugs before joining his fellows as they turn and run.

Drakvar sighs and sheathes his swords.

And now I have to return to my original task of find some food for Jordis and me.

1.10 Dinner Part 1

“Almost ready,” says Joan to her boyfriend as Leo waits outside the room, “Abby is just telling how to put make-up.”

“You don’t need to wear make-up,” replies Leo, “You look just fine without it.”

“This is a formal dinner that my mother has invited us to,” replies Joan, “Both Mother and Father will be there, not to mention all of my siblings and their dates. I know it is a private affair in our family home, but that is still a mansion and I haven’t seen Bree or Irvin in absolutely ages. I want to make a good impression.”

Besides I look absolutely ugly due to my illness. I don’t to show up looking like a freak when everybody, but Bree is a parahuman. And Bree is naturally beautiful looking even if she can’t match the supernatural beauty of an Aphrodite or Adonis.

Don’t worry about sis. You look fine.

But I’ll never be beautiful like you.

You never know. Perhaps you’ll get your own powers someday.

You think so Abby?

Those connected to a parahuman are more likely to become parahumans themselves with the chance growing more likely with each parahuman they have ties to. A stronger connection also strengthens the chance of manifesting.

How do you know that?

Guardian has data on parahumans that she has gathered over her past lives. Gears passed it on to the government and now the eggheads are trying to confirm the data or prove their own theories right. Those trying to do the latter are fortunately in the minority.

The data also says that parahumans are more likely to be adolescent females which you are. I would also like to state that you have ties not only to Leo, but to myself and every other superpowered member of our family.

Sweet. But I won’t get my hopes up. I’m less likely to be disappointed that way.

Joan.

Yes Abby?

You’re doing your make-up pretty badly. Do you want me to take control and do it for you?

Yes please. I want to look pretty as I can.

Joan feels her sister taking control of her body via their mental link. There is nothing that Joan can do to stop Abby and that will never feel okay to her.

On the other hand, it is pretty cool. Just having your body move on its own without you being in control. At least it is when somebody you trust is doing it and it is temporary. Otherwise you would be a prisoner in your own body.

“Hey Leo,” says Abby using Joan’s body and voice, “Abby here. I’m just helping Joan put on her make-up right because she is doing such a shoddy job.”

“Okay,” replies Leo, “How much longer do I have to wait?”

“Only a few minutes,” replies Abby.

As Joan sits back in her mind and watches her body move without any input from her, she spots somebody approaching her in her mentalscape.

The person is a brightly shining woman in a toga with glowing skin and tall enough that Joan’s head only reaches her chest.

“Hello Magicka!” says Joan as Abby’s Companion approaches her, “Nice to see you again.”

“You could see me more often if you let Abby have control more often,” points out Divine Magicka as she floats up next to Joan.

“I’ll pass on that,” replies Joan, “I want to live my life as much as I can now I have the chance to. Any reason you are here?”

“You are Abigail’s sister and she wishes for you to be happy,” answers Magicka, “And so I will make you feel happiness.”

“How-?” Joan starts to ask, but is cut off as the Companion pulls her into a tight embrace.

Joan relaxes as Magicka’s warm glow washes over her, inducing a state of euphoria in Joan. She fully gives in to a moment later, her body going limp as she slides into Divine Magicka’s inhuman body.

I could stay like this forever.

If it were up to me, you would.

I would be okay with that.

Hey sis. We’re here.

Wait what?

Joan feels Divine Magicka letting go and pulling away. She groans internally as that totally awesome sensation she was feeling go away.

I don’t want it to end.

Pay attention Joan. We’ve home.

Home. It has only been my home for a week. My hospital room has been my home for the last two years.

Better get used to leaving with Mum, Dad, Marcy and Alex then. You might want to check yourself out before you go in. I chose an outfit to do with your make up. Speaking of which, I used my power a little to help with the make-up.

Cool! Thanks!

Joan focuses on the real world again and looks around her. She is just outside the entrance to the Fowler Family Mansion and is holding hands with Leo.

“Oh, hi there,” says Joan, “You look good.”

Leo is wearing his best formal clothing. He would wear a suit except for the fact he doesn’t own one. Instead Leo is wearing thick navy blue trousers and a patterned button up shirt with long sleeves. On top of that he is wearing his brown hooded jacket instead of his usual green raincoat.

“Thank you,” replies Leo, “You look good as well by the way. You were busy with Divine Magicka so Abby walked you over here with me.”

“Umm, I was fine by the way,” mutters Joan as she blushes.

I like what Divine Magicka did to me, but that doesn’t mean I want other people to know about it. It makes me realise how powerless and helpless I am against parahumans like that. I was powerless against Divine Magicka when she put me under her power. 

Interlude - The Ascendant

“Orion,” says an aging biracial man, his face slightly wrinkled and his black hair laced with grey, “Bring up the reports of the fight with Armageddon Harbinger from yesterday. I want to know the latest data.”

“Yes sir,” relies the mechanical monotone voice, “On screen now.”

“Thank you Orion,” replies the person known only as the Ascendant to those around him.

He looks through the reports. It states that the source of Armageddon’s name is the transdimensional alien known as the Guardian. From the information provided to the US government from the vigilante Gears, Guardian has faced Armageddon on past occasions and that Armageddon is part of a group known as the Dozen Harbingers of the End Times.

The Ascendant leans back in his comfy leather office chair. With more of these monsters ready to plague this world, perhaps the Transcendency should commit some of its resources to fending them off.

After all, Superior was pretty annoyed at not being able to fight Armageddon. He was eager to test his strength against that of the Harbinger even if Superior’s strongest asset would have been useless against the inhuman monster.

The Ascendant brings up the footage of the bloodied monster as it fled through a portal with unknown origin and destination. With both his eyes taken out with Guardian’s sword, once by Guardian and the second by Gears, Armageddon escaped and its current fate unknown.

“Orion, display the reports on the estimated fates of the Trinity and the Chicago Junior Heroes Union,” says the Ascendant as he pauses the footage as the portal closes.

The AI brings up the medical reports and statuses, but the Ascendant waves them away on the interactive screen.

“Summaries please,” says the Ascendant, “I’ll review the full data later if I need to.”

Several summaries of each parahuman’s current status and estimated status appears on the Ascendant’s screen.

“Ah, thank you Orion,” says the Ascendant and begins to flick through them.

John Clarkson, also known as Atlas, suffered minor injuries and was released from hospital within an hour of being brought there. Timothy King or the Mentalist wasn’t directly involved in the battle with Armageddon and therefore wasn’t hurt.

The third member of the Trinity, Elizabeth Summers aka Lightbringer, was taken away by her brother, Charles Summers aka Darkness, before the full extent of her injuries could be found out.

The Ascendant strokes his beard. Darkness, along with the Guardsmen, is a dangerous unknown with no easy way to make him less of a threat.

While the Syndicate is easy to infiltrate, the Transcendency has no one close to Darkness himself and the core of the Syndicate operations since Atrox was killed. And the Ascendant still isn’t sure if the Darkness knew about Atrox’s true loyalties or if his death was simply unlucky.

And Gears and his fellow Guardsmen aren’t worth the trouble. Minimal useful data on them available and any attempts to get more than been fended off almost casually. In fact, the Ascendant doesn’t believe that the Guardsmen even know how hard that is. To be able to fend off the most technologically advanced and smartest people in the world and a strong seed AGI with access to grand amounts of computing power with ease is nothing to be laughed at.

It makes the Ascendant wonder what secrets the Guardsmen have hidden from him and the rest of the world. Especially since Gears and Guardian took down Darkness, a feat that should be impossible to be accomplished by someone of their power level.

No, best to just leave the Guardsmen be until otherwise.

The Ascendant goes back to reviewing the status summaries of the Chicago Junior Heroes Union.

Charlotte Clarkson aka Alexandria is still in hospital with over 90% of the bones broken or otherwise damaged by Armageddon. Her power is keeping her alive and with her B+ class healing factor means that she should be mostly recovered in between one to two weeks and fully recovered in double that time. Physically at least.

Nicola Hatheway aka Glowbug suffered more severe injuries, the primary ones being a broken back and the loss of the right arm and both legs. At this point in time, Nicola has yet to awaken from a coma she is in and is protected by her power generating a personal energy field. Due to her powers and the uncertainty of the situation, only time will tell what will happen to Glowbug.

Another interesting development in Glowbug’s situation is an apparent boost to her power. Previously a B class energy projector, Oracle says that Glowbug’s power has increased to A class. Both she and Orion recommend watching Glowbug in greater detail and perhaps intervening to ensure her recovery if necessary.

Ascendant hopes his suspicions are right and the girl has achieved her second Manifestation.

The status of the other members is simple. Clarence Redmund aka Shift went missing during the fight and has yet to be found either alive or dead and is currently presumed KIA. Vanessa Horn aka Flamefly went down early in the battle and suffered only minor injuries. They were minor enough for her to be released from hospital.

Gemma Jones aka Pathfinder is in the same state as Flamefly except she was active throughout the entire battle from the point she entered it and was coordinating the defenders.

An interesting thing about Pathfinder is that her witnessing Guardian’s death is the only record of it. Perhaps he will have one of his agents bring her in for questioning. It could be useful to have a sleeper agent on the Chicago Junior Heroes Union.

The Ascendant closes the summaries and goes back to what he was doing before, reviewing the Fowler situation.

Such a concentrated group of closely connected and high level parahumans. The Transcendency needs a sleeper agent in that family and at moment, only Breanne Fowler and Joan Fowler are viable candidates.

And one or both of them need to be turned before their powers are awoken.

“Hmm,” mutters the Ascendant as one last thought hits him, “Perhaps Guardian is the one I know.”