Re: Savage Stars
Okay so it took me a little longer than I expected to write this chapter. But it actually came out finished right on time. Hope you enjoy the returning to Ethier for a little bit. While I'm on the subject, the famed foursome of Chris, enka, Isaac, and Kibo will have a very long and rigorous training program.
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The night sky was full of stars for some reason despite the light from the city. Ethier walked the streets slowly, taking in the calm night air. Suddenly he heard screaming from a nearby alley. He took a look and saw five men ganging up on a woman. Ethier thought for a second and realized that he needed some training anyway.
Brittle Apocalypse
Chapter 7: Written In Blood
Ethier stepped into the alley light and the men stopped to watch him. They all stared in anger.
"The fuck you want here?'
"You going to do something man?"
Ethier looked at the woman.
Damn. He smiled.
"Maybe..." The men rushed him. All he needed was one really good punch to do what he wanted. One swung a bat at his head. He ducked right and came up spinning, throwing a hard punch right into one of the others' jaw. He felt a solid crack beneath his knuckles. The man stopped and wiped his cheek. Blood dripped from his chin.
"This is it for you." Ethier gave them a funny look and held out his right hand. One man began to swing a kick up towards Ethier's stomach.
When Ethier swung his arm back, the blood flew from the man's mouth and chin spinning into a circular blade. It sliced off the other man's leg from the knee down. Then he sent it flying around decapitating the others and coming back to finish off the legless man.
The blade of blood spun and stopped next to Ethier's hand like it was waiting for an order. He noticed the woman cowering in a corner confused as to what had happened.
Crap, she saw everything. Ethier came to a dark conclusion.
This can't leave this alleyway. My identity can't get out there or more of them will come looking for me. A silhouette of the woman was up along the wall. A small whirring and buzzing could be heard.
Blood shot across the wall. The silhouette's head slowly fell from it's body.
*****
Leo walked along a long set of train tracks. The sun was setting to his left. His shadow was long and his katanas gave his shadow the appearance of having horns. Paying too much attention to it he almost bumped into what he had been looking for at last.
Laying before him was a train. Demolished, it was split perfectly in two. It seemed to have been cut cleanly down the middle by some sort of blade. Beneath the train was a long straight crack in the earth the ran the length of the train. Leo examined the train again and then stepped back.
"I know you are here. Might as well come out and face your death honorably." He waited and then heard rustling from inside the train.
"Ah damn." A man stepped out and faced Leo. His eyes had red in them instead of a normal color. "I was hoping I could drag out that game of hide and seek. I guess beggars can't be choosers."
"Stop fucking around and come on." Leo reached for a katana and gripped the handle. Before he could react, he was a foot off the ground being held by his neck. The man was grasping him firmly allowing just enough air to enter his lungs.
"Do you know what split this train? Because your father does." He smiled widely. Leo choked out a few words.
"I'm assuming that it has something to do with your ability." He looked into the man's eyes. The red seemed so inviting. "Let me take a quick guess. Mars, is it?"
"Good guess. Now allow me to teach you a lesson in manners." Mars lifted him higher and then slammed him into the ground creating a small crater. Leo cried out in pain.
"What did I tell you last time I saw you, boy?" Mars looked into Leo's eyes. "You can't stop any of us. I know why you are after us and it isn't going to work. Let me show you why."
He lifted Leo once again and tossed him away a few feet. A crack in the crater opened a little wider and then bubbling could be heard from below. Leo managed to stand again. His neck and chest were on fire with pain. Mars held out a hand over the open crack.
Molten lava bubbled up from below and stacked itself and hardened into rock. Mars took hold and broke off a large piece like a stone club and rushed at Leo. He swung fast and collided with Leo's chest, instantly breaking several ribs. Leo went flying and flipping across the ground uncontrollably.
Mars stood up and watched him roll away defeated.
"Fuck." He turned the club into lava again and dropped it onto floor. "And here I thought you were going to be some fun." Before Leo knew it, he was right next to his ear. Mars whispered his last message. "You should have brought back up, kid."
Mars walked a few steps and opened a large portal. He stared at Leo getting to his feet. His face filled with pain and anger. Mars felt like he had gotten his message across and stepped into the portal. Leo picked himself up and walked his way back home again. The train simply sat destroyed waiting to cause a major crash.
*****
Ethier still felt so accomplished since his theory had been proved true. Not only could he control his own blood like a weapon, his powers extended to blood in general. His limits must be tested. Ethier wanted to try more. As he wished that there was a way to excel into another state of power, the alleyway seemed to become surrounded by something.
The blood from all the bodies had drained and floated around him in the air. It slowly began to enter all of his pores. As it did, his body seemed to feel stronger and even lighter helping him move faster. This to Ethier was only the beginning of getting the Zodiac back for what they had made him do. His hand touched the scar on his neck again remembering his tragic mistakes.
*****
The Zodiac exited Archea into the world once again. Suddenly they all felt heavier like their souls had returned to their bodies.
Taurus turned again to the others. His mind was made up on how to tackle their problem.
"Ok guys." They listened intently again. "There six of us left. Since the others are training, we have only our Sign Powers and brute force to rely on now. We are splitting into two man teams to cover more ground."
"I agree." Aquarius stepped forward.
"Stop kissing ass." Virgo placed a hand on her shoulder. "Obviously Taurus has decided who will be paired off."
"Thank you, Virgo. Now, Capricorn and Cancer are together." The two looked at each other and smiled a little. They already knew that their powers worked perfectly together. "Aries and Virgo are taking the East together."
Virgo looked at Aries and smiled. He scoffed her off and remembered how much she treated him like child.
"Stop it, Aries." Taurus glared at the boy as his child-like antics continued. "Aquarius, you're with me. That ok?"
"Yeah, thats fine. Better you than anyone else I guess." She stepped forward and stood next him.
"Alright. We are still the Zodiac as far as anyone else is concerned. So those other bitches that we have to kill aren't with us. No restraint and no mercy for the traitors." Taurus waved a go sign with his hand and they all split off into their three units.
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To be continued in
B.A. Chapter 8
