OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY
A few scouts patrol the perimeter. Barely paying attention. The city's chaos has them distracted.
Beyond the walls, a small camp sits hidden among the rocks. Fires burn low. Tents blend into the shadows.
In the center of camp, a big man sits on a makeshift throne a crate wrapped in old banners. He drinks from a soda bottle, one hand wrapped around it like it's a skull he's crushing.
His eyes scan the distant city.
Smoke rises from four points.
He grins.
CAPTAIN:"Ahh... did our spy report back yet?"
He crushes the bottle. Soda drips through his fingers.
"I like to fight someone. See their blood. Weaken them. Take their territory."
He gestures lazily at a messenger cowering nearby.
"You there. Messenger. Speak."
The messenger steps forward. Nervous. Sweating.
MESSENGER:"Yes, sir. Our spy reported back five minutes ago. He says four explosions indicate an attack. He suggests we wait it out for him to report back fully before"
The captain rises. Slowly. His shadow falls over the messenger.
He raises a hand not to strike, just to silence.
CAPTAIN:"Did I ask for your advice?"
The messenger freezes.
The captain's voice drops. Calm. Dangerous.
CAPTAIN:"We will not attack now."
He turns back to the city.
"We wait until these people are done with their attack. I wonder what they're after... Credits?"
He laughs.
"Hope not."
A pause.
"But if they weaken them... all is forgiven. We get the city."
He waves the messenger away.
"Wait. That dumb spy is weak. Send another."
He spits.
"These mercenaries... no use."
The air shifts.
Cold.
A dark portal opens behind the captain.
A figure steps out cloaked in shadow. No face visible. Just darkness given form.
His voice is smooth. Calm. Like silk over steel.
DARK FIGURE:"Careful now, Captain."
He steps forward.
"Don't rush into war. We must wait."
A pause.
"Last time I had to help you with that sword thief. And you lost a big piece of income."
He looks at the mercenaries.
"And now... mercenaries? You're overusing yours."
The captain turns. Face red. Fist clenched.
CAPTAIN:"Dark One. I always hated you."
He steps closer.
"Don't command me. You're just a magic user."
He spits.
"So shut up. You're weak."
He throws a punch.
The Dark One doesn't move.
A dark shield forms around his hand. A vortex of shadow. Absorbs the punch.
Then a shockwave.
It throws the captain back. He stumbles. Catches himself.
The Dark One lowers his hand.
Silence.
The captain glares. But he doesn't swing again.
CAPTAIN:"Fine."
He spits blood.
"You take the lead. At least I do the fighting."
The Dark One says nothing.
He just watches the city burn.
Waiting.
The Pastor crashes through the wall.
Stone and dust explode outward. His body leaves a crater in the next room.
He doesn't get up.
In the hallway
Aurora faces the Enforcer.
The woman stands tall. Armor gleaming. Fists crackling with blue energy.
She lunges
Aurora's gauntlet flares.
A shockwave erupts.
The Enforcer gets pushed sideways. Skids across the floor.
She recovers fast. Draws two guns.
Shots ring out.
Aurora spins her staff.
Fast. Blurring.
The gauntlet activates a shimmering shock shield.
Bullets ping off it. Sparks fly.
The staff keeps spinning a barrier of steel and energy.
Then she strikes.
The Enforcer blocks with both guns
They snap open. Blades extend from the barrels.
Knives.
She swings aiming to cut the staff in half.
But the staff splits.
Two halves.
Each one swings.
Both hit the Enforcer's head.
She staggers.
Aurora's gauntlet glows EMP blast.
A wave of blue energy erupts.
The Enforcer flies backward.
Slams into the wall.
Doesn't move.
Aurora lowers her staff.
Breathes.
Looks at the Enforcer.
Then at the hole in the wall where the Pastor landed.
She smiles.
AURORA:"Two down."
The dust settles.
Pastor Rick pulls himself from the crater in the wall. Cracks spider across the stone. His robes are torn. Blood drips from his lip.
He stares at Kiro.
Confused. Angry.
PASTOR:"How do you still have your super strength?"
He pushes himself upright. His hands glow.
"What are you? Cyberware? That should be disabled too."
He summons light.
Swords form in the air. Blades of pure radiance. Huge. Sharp.
Armor wraps around his body light given form.
He looks like an angel of war.
He throws one blade.
It shoots through the air fast aimed at Kiro's chest.
Kiro raises his hand.
Catches it.
The blade stops in his grip. Pulsing. Struggling.
He looks at it.
Then crushes it.
The light shatters. Fragments fall to the ground. Fade.
He doesn't blink.
He just walks forward.
KIRO:"Your light isn't special anymore."
He cracks his neck.
"Now let's finish this."
Kiro runs at him.
Multiple palm strikes face, chin, jaw each one landing. Then a punch to his armor.
The Pastor flies backward. Skids across the floor.
He gets up fast.
Summons light beams multiple hovering like spears ready to launch.
PASTOR:"You broke my light sword and caught it. But this?"
The beams glow brighter.
"This will be too fast for you."
A blind flash of light.
Kiro dodges barely.
But the beams are too many. Too fast.
They graze him. Burns on his sides. Lower body. Smoke rises from his skin.
He catches one.
Throws it back.
It slams into the Pastor's armor.
Cracks appear. Light flickers.
Then repairs.
— ELSEWHERE —
Aurora searches for the EMP device.
She finds it.
Takes out her tool.
About to jump in
*BANG. *
She dodges.
But the shot hits her shoulder.
She stumbles.
The Enforcer stands infront her where she got knock down.
ENFORCER:"Thought I was done?"
She activates her EMP.
A wave of blue energy erupts.
It hits Aurora.
She flies backward. Slams into a wall.
She forces herself up.
Jumps for the device.
Begins hacking.
— BACK TO KIRO —
Kiro glows.
Yellow lightning surges around his arms.
He moves.
Dodges the light poles completely now weaving through them like water.
He reaches the Pastor.
Lightning on his fists.
He strikes.
Like a boxer fast, heavy, relentless.
Each hit sends shockwaves through the Pastor's armor.
The Pastor's head jerks up, down, left, right.
His body follows. Uncontrolled. Ragdoll.
Kiro's fists are relentless. Each strike sends shockwaves through the Pastor's light armor. Cracks spread. Light flickers.
He's overwhelmed.
Then
A green mist arcs across the room.
Acid poison.
It hits Kiro's back.
He stumbles.
His fists stop.
The Pastor gasps. Catches his breath. One second. That's all he needs.
His hands cycle a circular motion.
Light gathers.
His eyes glow.
The beam fires.
*BANG. *
Kiro flies backward.
Slams into the wall.
Doesn't get up.
The Pastor rises.
His voice is loud. Shaking with rage.
PASTOR:"Enough of this."
His hands rise.
"I have had it!"
The building shakes.
Roof caves in.
Daylight and rubble fall.
And through the chaos
A strong gust of wind.
And fire.
Raiji.
He's not done yet.
In the rubble
Light begins to gather.
Slow at first. Then faster. Brighter.
It swirls. Condenses. Grows.
Twenty feet tall.
A warrior of light.
Two blades in each hand. Armor glowing like molten sun.
His voice booms ancient. Angry.
WARRIOR OF LIGHT:"How dare that Paladin..."
He looks down at Kiro and the Pastor.
"I taught him. But first"
His blades rise.
"You two."
Kiro moves.
Lightning flashes his arm stretches forward. His body follows. Fast. Like a bolt striking ground.
His hand reaches the Pastor
Slams into his armor.
The Pastor flies backward.
Hits the wall.
Armor cracks.
But holds.
KIRO:"Still no dice..."
He clenches his fist.
"No break."
He glances back.
"Hurry up already."
AURORA (over comms):"Sorry about that."
She looks at the Enforcer down but stirring.
"She's got to be down now."
She jumps toward the EMP device.
Fires a bolt at the Enforcer just in case.
Then she charges the device.
Hard.
*BANG. *
A shockwave erupts through the base.
Lights flicker. Screens die. The hum of the EMP stops.
AURORA:"Kiro... you might have felt that zap."
Kiro flexes his fists.
KIRO:"Yep."
Lightning crackles around him. Stronger now. Freer.
"But it's all back now."
He turns to the Pastor.
"My full strength."
He takes a step forward.
"Time to break this Pastor."
Rain begins to fall.
Drops land on the Pastor's face.
He looks up.
Confused.
The roof is gone.
The sky is open.
And Kiro is already moving.