INT. THE ROSE
THE PATRIARCH paces about.
THE PATRIARCH
So you let the MAVERICK live?
THE STRANGER
Had to apparently, the risk was too great to think I could pull it off, THE RENEGADE was right to stop me at the moment.
THE PATRIARCH
Twisted how fate and circumstance can intervene sometimes, isn't it?
THE STRANGER
You're telling me. But we survived, we managed to get through to fight another day. And we had the RENEGADE, which was the whole reason we went there in the first place.
PATRIARCH
But...
THE STRANGER
But things were starting to stack up against us...but we didn't know it yet...
INT. PENTHOUSE
THE OVERLORD hands THE MAVERICK a cigarette, but the MAVERICK was still heavily subdued.
THE OVERLORD
I see a man like yourself handle himself in such a manner, and I tell myself I need a man like that, then I see what he possesses within his own possessions and I begin to wonder, wonder whether killing you would be more beneficial.
THE MAVERICK
You can't kill me.
THE OVERLORD
Do not tempt me here boy, you are not the only one with powers here...
THE MAVERICK
You do not frighten me.
THE SHADOW
Suppose that is a good thing.
THE MAVERICK freezes as THE OVERLORD looks behind the MAVERICK in horror, as the MAVERICK doesn't dare look back as THE SHADOW walks slowly up behind the MAVERICK.
THE OVERLORD
How did you get in here?!
THE SHADOW
Simple...
THE OVERLORD looks to see the DOOR suddenly open and all the outside door guards lay dead in a heap of bloody gory bits.
THE SHADOW
I simply cut ahead of the line.
THE OVERLORD
I will have your head!
THE SHADOW
Settle down fat boy, I have business with this one first.
THE MAVERICK
kill me if you want...I can sense what you are a dark one...
THE SHADOW
Clever boy.
THE MAVERICK
Do it!
THE SHADOW
Hmm..perhaps another time.
THE SHADOW reaches his hand forward and tiny black blades suddenly cut THE MAVERICK'S bindings.
THE OVERLORD looks on in shock as THE MAVERICK stands and quickly draws his ANGELIC BLADE, holding it towards THE SHADOW.
THE SHADOW
I am not adhering you from your duties, run along, we shall finish our business another time.
THE MAVERICK
I do not understand...
THE SHADOW
In time, I suggest leaving now if you want to pick up on their trail.
THE MAVERICK eyes suspiciously before hurrying out, THE SHADOW waiting until he knows he is gone before turning to THE OVERLORD whose look turns from terror to relief.
THE OVERLORD
Think he bought it?
THE SHADOW
Of course he did.
THE OVERLORD
They didn't suspect a thing, they thought I had been endowed by the powers of hell, ha! What blind fools, and you want them to be in your ranks, you should be taking me instead of them!
THE SHADOW
Perhaps we will if they do not survive this test...
THE OVERLORD
The MAVERICK is a test?
THE SHADOW
An unplanned test, but a test nonetheless, my superiors seem to find it a necessity now to see if they are cut out for this.
THE OVERLORD
Why use the MAVERICK to track them?
THE SHADOW
They are suppressing their dark powers well enough that I cannot get a powerful enough reading, wherein the MAVERICK uses both human means and the angelic means of which he stole. He has much more of a better chance than I.
THE SHADOW looks about as the CITIZENS of METROP were cleaning the many dead bodies that littered the streets.
THE SHADOW
They are growing rapidly as well. I can feel it, I can see it. Soon heaven and hell will tremble, and we will be triumphant.
THE OVERLORD
What shall I do now, my master?
THE SHADOW
Do what you do best, be my eyes and ears, you will get your revenge on the little minx you seek so badly.
THE OVERLORD
I had that wench in my hand, but I will take pleasure in killing her.
THE SHADOW
Pleasure you shall have if you continue to do your part, my favorite pet.
THE OVERLORD
Yes my master.
THE OVERLORD bows as THE SHADOW smirks.
THE SHADOW
Find your last piece my disciples, find him, so we may finally begin to set things into motion.
THE SHADOW smiles and then slowly fades into darkness.
End of Part 16