Crash!
The three toppled on the ground, Ferris even rolled around for a bit longer to increase the effects of the crash.
Ferris was the first to notice that Judas was already in his 'unconscious state'.
Without hesitation, Ferris ran towards his body and hugged him tightly.
He then saw that 'Rainbow Man' was staring right at him with wide eyes.
"They took out our leader, protect him!" one of the colorful fighters screamed in horror before charging towards Ferris.
But, 'Rainbow Man' stood up and stopped his underling. "Wait!"
'Rainbow Man' stared at his colorful fighter with a keen set of eyes. "I think we should hear them out."
Nice one! Ferris commended Judas's quick understanding.
"Ahhhhh! Look at what you've done to my brother!" Ferris cried in pain. "I was only protecting him, damnit!"
He did his best possible rendition of a wailing act, and it was convincing. Convincing in a grim, dark sort of way.
Ferris had lost many comrades in his previous life, and he had cried for them all. That grief gave him practice—real experience in the art of sorrow. Now, as he hugged Judas's unconscious body, the tears came easily.
'Rainbow Man' watched the performance, his chest tightening. Then he turned his head slightly, hiding his reddened cheeks from the rest of the colorful fighters.
"So what if we have the villains' emblems! We only wore them because we thought they'd avoid us if we did!" Ferris desperately explained. "Why did you attack us! What's so wrong about protecting my family!"
"I worked so hard for the hero exam, but it seems like it doesn't matter anymore!"
Judas, say something, I'm running out of words!
"So if you're going to hurt my brother, take it on me instead!" Ferris finally finished his wailing as he had nothing more to say.
The colorful fighter who 'Rainbow Man' blocked suddenly shouted, "You're lying, you were literally taunting us when we were fighting you!"
"I-its because I have bipolarism, yeah! You're attacking a person with disability. Don't you feel ashamed?! A PWD!" Ferris came up with that reason in under a second.
"Urgh! They're just lying to us! Everyone attack!"
Before the colorful fighter could reply, 'Rainbow Man' suddenly pushed him away. "Stop attacking!"
'Rainbow Man's' voice echoed into every fighter's ears.
The colorful fighters looked at each other, clearly unsure. One rubbed the back of his neck."Huh? Why?"
"Yeah, weren't we just... you know, trying to kill them?"
Ferris peeked up from Judas's limp shoulder, his eyes were still watery. Don't mess this up now, Judas... he prayed.
'Rainbow Man' dramatically lifted a finger. "Look closer! These two—brothers bound by blood and pain. If we strike them down, then what makes us any different from the villains we swore to fight?"
There was only silence after that philosophical sentence.
One fighter scratched his cheek awkwardly."Well, when you put it like that..."
"Didn't think of it that way."
Another coughed, clearly embarrassed. "Man, boss, you're making us sound like jerks."
Ferris buried his face deeper, fighting a grin. Oh Jörmungandr... slay me right now.
'Rainbow Man' clenched his fist, his voice growing stronger. "Remember why we became heroes in the first place! Was it for glory? For recognition? No! It was to protect those who cannot protect themselves. To carry the burdens others cannot bear!"
The fighters began nodding, slowly at first.
Then faster!"He's right...""Damn, boss, I forgot about that."
One even sniffled, trying to hide tears. "That's the Rainbow Man I know."
Ferris sat up suddenly, still clutching Judas like a dying lover. "Y-you... you understand us? After all this suffering?" His voice cracked mid-sentence, but that only made it sound more tragic.
The fighters winced."Bro, don't cry... it's hitting me in the chest.""I can't fight a guy like that... I have a little sister at home!"
What a 180 turn! Is Judas a genius at acting? Ferris was greatly disturbed and perhaps even mad at their sudden sympathy.
'Rainbow Man' stretched his arm towards Ferris like a saint. "You've reminded us of our true path. You, boy, have shown us the heart of a hero more than any emblem or title ever could!"
Ferris almost coughed out loud when he heard such corny words, and so he quickly buried his face again.
But then again, he too said equally corny words.
"S-so you won't hurt us anymore?" Ferris asked, trying to hold his smile in.
'Rainbow Man' placed a hand on Ferris's shoulder, his voice steady and filled with nobility.
"Don't worry. No harm will come to you or your brother. You've both suffered enough."
The fighters erupted with cheers."That's our boss!""Rainbow Man, you're the real deal!""He never loses sight of the truth!"
Some raised their fists in the air, and others wiped at their eyes as if they had just witnessed history.
And then, Judas stirred a little. His body twitched in Ferris's arms before his eyes flickered wide open. He sat up slowly over Ferris's arms, though he was still a bit hazy in the brain.
But he was fine.
Although Ferris was a little worried that Judas returned a little earlier than expected. If Judas has returned, then what about the real Rainbow Man?
Judas noticed the worry on Ferris's face and to clear it up, Judas pointed at Rainbow Man in the distance.
Ferris froze. The real Rainbow Man was standing among his celebrating fighters, clapping and smiling like nothing had happened.
Wait. He's acting normal. He… doesn't even know Judas was in him? Ferris thought, then a shiver crept down on his back.
He looked down at Judas, who gave him the faintest smirk.
So that was it. While Judas possessed someone, their memories were twisted and altered. The targeted person believed everything Judas said and did came from themselves.
Ferris swallowed hard. What a terrifying blessing.
Then he remembered the prerequisite conditions that were needed to activate Judas's blessing, a weak-willed state or simply in fear, and touch.
Without another word, he let Judas drop unceremoniously to the floor with a thud.
"Oi—what the hell, Ferris?!" Judas snapped.
"Sorry, sorry. My arms just gave out," Ferris said quickly, though his crooked grin betrayed him.
Now that they were safe from harm, Ferris confronted Rainbow Man and presented an opening handshake, to which Rainbow Man accepted in joy.
"We're clear now, right?" Ferris made sure to ask.
Rainbow Man nodded, "Yeah, I'm sorry. Because we've also been kidnapped by the villains, we honestly couldn't trust anyone we encountered."
"How did you get transferred here?" Ferris continued asking again.
Rainbow Man retreated from the long handshake and sighed when he recollected his memories. "The Hero Association called us in to scout City 20, they suspected that it was the place where the kidnapped were transported."
City 20 is a villain-controlled city, and to have colorful fighters act as a scouting squad? Ferris tilted his head to see the colorful fighters standing behind Rainbow Man.
Colorful.
Rainbows.
Yep, that's super stealthy.
Rainbow Man continued, "But when we found nothing important, we retreated back to City 19, but we were ambushed."
But he rubbed his chin, "...Not exactly an ambush to kill, but when one of us went through a bathroom door to take a piss, they didn't return."
"And so we sent another one of us to investigate, and they too disappeared."
Ferris stumbled on his words, "Then, did you contact the Association for backup?"
Rainbow Man created a cross symbol with his forearms, "Nay! We never leave a colorful fighter behind, so we all rushed into the bathroom door!"
. . .
"Then we found ourselves here in City 23, we realized it quickly since one of our members used to live here before it got taken over."
It was apparent that the main cause of the transportation was via the use of doors, he recognized that it was likely the work of Lumine and her doorway blessing, the same girl who was with Zipperman before they were transported here.
Ferris nodded, "Were there other scouting groups?"
"Not just scouting groups, a lot of heroes have been mobilized, even the S-Class hero rank-8 is helping with the search."
Ferris knew who that S-Class was.
Thanathos Thymorge
S-Class Hero – Rank 8:
God of War.
Blessing:
Wrath of the Crossroads
But he was surprised that Rainbow Man didn't mention Prodigy Prince.
Ferris smiled, "It's good to know that an S-Class is helping us," he said before pointing at a certain direction.
"There's actually a mall that's been turned into a base by the surviving hero examinees, I'm sure the colorful fighter who used to live here knows where it is," Ferris assured.
Rainbow Man thanked Ferris.
"But, why are you going to the opposite direction?" Rainbow Man questioned Ferris but he did not harbor any ill intent by the question.
Copying Rainbow Man, Ferris crossed his arms. "Nay! We never leave a colorful fighter behind!" he said with a smile, "We came here with a close friend, we're looking for her."
Obviously, that was a big fat lie.
"A friend, then we must help you!" Rainbow man extended his gratitude.
However, Ferris smirked. "This is a personal thing, and please. I'm more than strong enough to defend myself and my brother, so please...
"let us do it ourselves" he eyed Rainbow Man.
Order essence gaze.