Ash drifted down like gray snow, settling over a fractured wasteland where distant, muffled screams echoed continuously, so low and constant they sounded almost like a heavy wind.
A tear ripped open in the gray fog, snapping like black static.
Malakai tumbled out, hard. He hit the soot-covered ground, rolling onto his side, coughing up thick, dark blood. His black armor was torn to ribbons, his left arm hanging uselessly at his side. He didn't bother trying to stand. He just dragged himself forward on his knees, his breath coming in ragged, desperate hitches.
A figure sat a few feet ahead, reclining on a carved, weathered stone slab. He looked surprisingly human wearing a loosely fitted, dark tunic, resting his head lazily on one palm. He didn't look angry. He just looked bored, staring down at Malakai as if watching an annoying insect crawl across the floor.
Figure: You're bleeding on my stone, Malakai
His voice was smooth, quiet and echowy. It lacked any real temper, carrying only a deep, exhausting weight.
Figure: I assume you have a very good reason for returning in pieces.
malakai: My... my Liege
He choked out, pressing a hand against his bleeding chest.
Malakai: The six... the six he sent with me are dead. Wiped out in minutes.
The figure didn't even shift position. He merely exhaled, a slow, heavy breath.
Figure: Eugene's men are weak then. I expected as much. But you... a shadow manipulator of your standing with my blessings. You let human hero-interns break you?
malakai: It wasn't the children.
He rasped, his eyes wide with raw, fresh terror.
Malakai: We were intercepted. Malphas... Malphas was there.
That name made the figure pause. For a fraction of a second, the idle tapping of his fingers against his knee stopped.
Figure: Malphas?
malakai: Yes, my Liege. The Apostle... he had no idea. We had no idea. We were sent to kill the King's child.
Silence fell over the desolate landscape, heavy enough to swallow the distant screams.
The figure slowly sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. He let out another long, slow sigh, running a hand over his face in sheer annoyance like a man who had just been handed extra work he didn't want to do. But almost as quickly as the irritation came, he composed himself. A faint, cold, terrifying smile slowly spread across his face.
Figure: Zara... So that's where you hid Ark. How wonderful.
He leaned back against the cold stone, waving a dismissive hand toward the bleeding shadow.
Figure: Get up, Malakai. Go back to Eugene. Keep him in the loop, but exclude the important details. Keep playing your part as his loyal lieutenant... until I decide it's time to collect.
malakai: At once... my Liege
Malakai bowed, his forehead kissing the ground before breaking down, dissolving back into black smoke and vanishing into the gray air.
Left alone in the falling ash, the figure closed his eyes, tilting his head back into the gloom.
Figure: Zara... you always did love playing house.
***** /Morningstar Penthouse/ /8:08pm/ ****
Finally, the penthouse saw quietness. The rest of the squad had completely surrendered to food comas in the guest wing, leaving the sprawling main living space bathed in the low, warm glow of L.A.'s distant city lights.
Ark stood out on the balcony, leaning his arms against the cool glass railing. Below him, the city hummed, but his eyes were fixed upward, searching the dark canvas above the haze.
Soft footsteps sounded behind him on the deck.
Sloane: Lost in thought?
Her voice quiet, stripped of the sharp, defensive edge she usually carried around the team. Ark didn't turn right away. A subtle smile just touched his lips.
Ark: No. I just love staring at the stars. I don't remember the last time I saw them look so beautiful.
Sloane walked up beside him, resting her elbows on the rail, looking up at the same dark sky.
Slaone: Usually the city lights drown them out. Guess you get a better view from ninety-seven floors up.
Ark: Maybe
He said softly, finally looking over at her. In the dim light, the sharp angles of her face looked softer, almost gentle.
Sloane: you know?. Back in New York, when things got... rough with my mom's schedule, I used to sit on the fire escape of our old place. Just looking up, trying to figure out where I fit into all this.
Sloane tilted her head, her dark eyes meeting his.
Ark: And did you figure it out?
Sloane: (chuckling) Not really.
Ark chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Sloane: I'm still working on it though. And sitting out here right now... feels like its helping.
Sloane held his gaze for a beat too long. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, it was something else, filled with something unspoken that made Ark's chest tighten. His heart did a strange, sudden flip, a feeling far more overwhelming than he was ready to admit to himself.
She offered a small, genuine smile before breaking the eye contact, pulling her hair behind her ear.
Sloane: It's late. We've got a long week ahead. I'm going to head to bed before your dad decides to whip up an eight-course midnight snack.
Ark: Good call. (Smiling) Goodnight, Sloane.
Sloane: Night, Ark.
But before she could take two steps forward, Ark called out to her
Sloane: yeah?.
Ark: Thanks
Sloane: (smiling) For what?.
Ark: Giving me a knock on the head
Sloane: I don't think I follow.
Ark: Okay. The thing is, my life wasn't always this sunshine-y. I haven't told anyone this, not even Paragon. But I spent the first seven years of my life with my mom and step-dad and trust me when I say this, I received every kind of abuse the man could get his hands on. He even switches to my mom when he's done with me. At some point I wished for nothing but death, imagine the thoughts of a child being to just die and end things.
Sloane looked like her soul just left her, this was probably the most shocking thing she's heard in a while and her face carried that emotion.
Sloane: I'm sorry. I didn't know.
Ark: it's all cool. But that's not why I'm telling you this. In the midst of all my abuse and depression one person taught me about what hope means. Paragon. And tha t's why I wanted to be a hero in the first place. To give people hope. But somehow I guess I lost myself. So thank you for reminding me about why I choose to do this. Why I shouldn't just gamble with peoples life, why I should strife to safe everyone I can. Thank you sloane.
Sloane: I... I don't know what to say
Ark: (smiling) you don't have to say anything. I didn't tell you this for that. Have a good night sleep.
Sloane: I feel like i should say something at least
Ark: You can, tomorrow. When you gather your thoughts. Okay?
Sloane: Okay. Goodnight
she murmured, turning and disappearing back inside the penthouse. Ark stayed frozen for a second, watching the doorway where she had stood, trying to process the warmth lingering in his chest.
Morningstar: She's a pleasant girl.
Ark: Fuck!. Dad!.
Ark almost jumped out of his skin, spinning around.
Morningstar was leaning casually against the open glass door frame, hands tucked into his tailored trousers. He looked entirely calm, but Ark's eyes narrowed instantly.
Morningstar: Language. What'd I tell you about cursing?.
Ark: Where have you been for the last three hours?. You vanished right after dinner.
Morningstar: (sighs) Business, ground floor
He replied smoothly, walking toward the bar to pour himself a glass of water.
Morningstar: Managing a minor property dispute.
Ark: You're lying
Morningstar stopped, setting the glass down. He turned, looking at his son with an amused, almost nostalgic expression.
Morningstar: I'm offended. You of all people should know I'm incapable of that.
Ark stared at him, unblinking. He stepped closer, catching a faint, metallic trace in the air that cut through his father's expensive cologne. He wrinkled his nose in genuine disgust.
Ark:You smell weird. You have this... annoying stench on you.
Morningstar raised an eyebrow, lifting his sleeve to sniff his forearm with dramatic offense.
Morningstar: Ouch. What kind of a son are you?.
Ark: The one who's saying you stink right now.
Morningstar: sheesh. I'll go take a shower then.
He offered Ark a quick, warm pat on the shoulder as he passed by, heading toward the master suite like nothing had happened at all.
Morningstar: (mumbling) That damn nose of his
Ark: I heard that dad.
Morningstar: (mumbling) That damn ear of his
Ark: still heard that dad
**** /Mojave Desert/ /1:01 AM/ ****
Beacon 1: I heed to the call of my lord
The apostle: Malakai failed. The children had someone protecting them. So.... I'm taking matters into my own hands. Theasa
Still wearing her white lab coat, she threw a bunch of files towards beacon 1 who was still down on his knees.
The apostle: we have a facility in Cayo serrana where we run some of our operations. I don't care about how you wish to convince the rest of the team. But make sure those children take this as their first and last mission
Beacon 1: I'd heed to your command.
The apostle: Good. Dismissed.