I wake, staring at the clock that's perched on the small table next to my bed.
I sit up, the covers slide off my body as I climb out of bed. I walk to the bathroom, creating a tooth brush from my shadow grabbing the white paste on the sink.
Exiting the bathroom I walk in front of the mirror, I'm completely nude. I examine myself looking up and down feeling proud of my body, I've worked hard for it, though not on the level of Corgan it's still something to be proud of.
My shadow rises like smoke, swirling around my body. It takes on the outfits I've grown most to like, a black cloak that drapes behind my back almost touching the ground, that's equally tight on my skin as it is dark.
Leaving my room into the halls.
"Allen!"
I hear a voice shout. Turning I see someone I've grown particularly close with, Alvis, though from another team we've gotten close.
"Hey man, I heard your mission went well."
"Yup. I was actually about to meet with my team to set up for the next."
He jogs to my side. We begin to talk and walk. Reaching the end of the hall I see Okin.
"OH. You're already up, I thought I was going to have to wake you."
"Coming to me I'm flattered."
I can feel Alvis tense up next to me, looking at his face that was originally devoid of color, is now bright pink.
"Hello ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you." He bows at a perfect 90 like it was practiced.
I shove my face in my hand, as I also turn a little pink at the embarrassing scene before me. God why did he do that.
Okin simply raises an eyebrow. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, but I'm going to have to drag Allen away."
His body lifts up, surprisingly fast. "He's all yours ma'am."
With that final ma'am I lose it. Grabbing him by the back of his collar I drag him a small distance away. "What is wrong with you, if this is how you flirt your forever staying single." I whisper to him
His face gets a little red from either anger or embarrassment I can't tell. "Like you're one to talk. Have you ever been in a relationship?"
He's right I don't have room to talk; but it's simple I don't care for that kind of attachment. "But I can spot someone's poor attempt to flirt."
"You'll understand when you fall in love one day."
Leaving him in the hall I follow Okin to a briefing room, were Lloyd, Alaina, Corgen and Silva.
"Alright since everyone is here." Silva says. Okin hands her a USB stick and she plugs it into the table like terminal that sits in the middle of the room, making it glow blue then projecting the image of a building and its interior.
"This is where an auction will be held on mutant slaves, we need to save them from being sold off." Okin continues to preach, but it only attracts my boredom.
"For this mission we need to separate into two teams. One will go in disguised, while another breaks into the back. The members have already been decided. Lloyd you will break into the back because they have a power supply that none of us have the capability to destroy, due to the excess energy that surrounds it. Alaina will accompany you, as we need as little attention as possible. She can erase their memories and make someone leave if you're spotted."
"The other team will be a disguised noble and slave. They will help gather info and allow access to other parts of the building."
I stand up stretching. "Well that means I'm the fake noble and Okin is the fake slave right."
Okin gave a hateful look at me. "Actually you'll be the slave and be the noble."
I look at her before turning to look at Lloyd we, both in sink ask. "You serious?"
She gave me a hard look that answers my question. "Why? You're a tribe member. It makes no sense?"
Silva trying to tame the flames. "Actually it works fine. Of recent years there have been tribe members that would sell out their own kind to rise in power and money. So it helps because she's the least likely to be expected because she has no home to return to, meaning she won't betray them."
Like hell it's better. She just doesn't want to be a slave as a tribe member.
"And there's something you should keep an eye out for." Corgen says tapping the terminal five pictures came up.
The five pictures were of Pure-Knights. "These five are paladins you may see one or two during your time there."
I stare at the images memorizing each one.
The first was of a woman who seemed really young with a solid white mask that showed nothing over her face, with her hair tucked under a white hood that hid it completely.
The second was a hair just as blond as Lloyd's, with a mask that hid only his eyes with a golden crust that surrounded the mask. He had a confident smile that made me feel nothing but disgust.
The third was a woman. Her outfit was on a more revealing side, unlike the rest that had padded armor, with a cut out area on her chest. Her mask was circular with it raping around her face except the mouth, wich was out in the open, with her blue hair flowing down beautifully.
The fourth was a skinny frail looking man with a white coat that covered him head to toe. He wore no mask but the shadow of his hood protected his face perfectly leaving no room to view except his glowing red eyes.
The fifth was one I recognized, how could I not. That star shaped golden mask that blocked all to see his face, not even his eye color was visible. The pig that took my home, my parents, and my sister.
He will die a dog's death at my hands.
My hands shake as I stare at the image. How I hate that man, I find it impossible to breathe just staring at the image. I gasp trying to suck in any oxygen but I can't.
I suddenly stop shaking and breathing is easier. I'm confused but a gentle touch on my arm tells me why I turn to see Alaina's beautiful butterflied eyes, she used her ability on me.
I tune the rest of the meeting out.
We begin to leave and as soon as my foot reaches the door a hand clasps my shoulder, it's rough and big, I know who it belongs to instantly.
Turning to Corgan he doesn't say anything, just lifts up a wooden sword.
I grimace at what he's implying, I follow him dragging my feet.
Arriving at the white training room, he takes ten steps away from me before turning to me.
I conjure swords in my hands, and even a second pair of dark hands on my back that also brandish weapons. I charge at him in an attempt to cut him down, but he slaps the flat part of my sword will dogging through the others.
He pulls the wooden sword back and hits the back of my head hard, my vision goes slightly fuzzy. I regained my position.
He has not once used his ability on me during training, but I will make him use it on me, I will force him to use it.
I lay on the ground gasping for air, I was covered in bruises, he still didn't use it. I covered my face and yelled into my hands.
"Damn it!"
Every time, I'm starting to become more hopeless that I would even hit a hair off his chin.
I feel a tap on my shoulder removing my hands. I see none other than Alaina.
"And what might I owe the pleasure of you, witnessing this uncouth position I'm in."
She giggles, her voice tickling my ears in a most pleasant manner.
"Well I needed to head out, you know, to grab supplies for the mission and I need my guardian so that I can leave."
I sigh, rubbing my face.
"Alright I'll go, just give me a moment to lie in my misery."
*
Walking through the red carpeted hallway.
Making it to the end of the hallway, I see Alaina waiting, along with another family face behind a desk.
Honse sits, feet kicked up on the desk.
"Look at the knight in black armor, finally here."
He had a scowl on his face.
Was he mad he was stuck with Alaina? He is pretty introverted.
"Just open the door, I don't need your petty commentary."
"OH. Someone's in a foul mood. Lose to Corgen again."
"Shut the hell up and open the door."
He now has a triumphant look in his eyes, as he flips a switch and the iron doors lift.
We exited. The sand under our shoes was as hot as the Sun heating it.
I created an umbrella and handed it to Alaina so the heat doesn't affect her.
"Thank you." She has such a warm smile but in this heat it's a bad thing, luckily for me I don't get hot.
We walk through the sand and at the end of our trail we see a small village covered in sand.
As we walk down to the village Alaina begins to speak.
"I saw you fighting, I think I know what your problem is."
"Really?!" I can't hide my excitement in my voice at the mention of fixing myself.
"Yes it's simple really, you only focus on mastering the weapons you create rather than your abilitie."
I tilt my head in confusion. "What does that mean exactly?"
"Well you create a sword and fight Corgen with swordsmanship, but that's not all you're capable of, you're limiting yourself, Allen."
I stay silent for a moment lost in the thought of her words.
I guess I never tried to do anything with my ability that's, unique.
"Thank you Alaina. I'll give it a try when I have time."
She gives a nod and hums a tune as we walk the rest of the way.
Entering the small village you find a lot of shops and nothing but tribesmen and children running around.
Makes us stand out like a sore thumb.
But they've gotten used to these visits, after all we use this village as camouflage. Using it to gather outside resources without it directly tracing us and brings no danger. Plus who would suspect a village of refugees.
The best camouflage indeed.
I follow Alaina, watching her swing her hips in front of me.
"What exactly did you want to grab?"
"I wanted to get something for after we completed our mission."
"Like a reward?"
She nods. "Like a reward."
After reaching halfway into the village, we stopped at this wooden building shaped almost like a church. It wasn't easy to miss its probably the tallest building in the village.
We enter and my ears are immediately violated by the sound of screaming children.
The sound makes me pull my head down and cover my ears.
Looking around I see toys scattered around the floors, with children playing with them and each other.
"Alaina, did you bring me to an orphanage?!"
She just laughs. "That's not all."
Walking further past the running children I see a desk at the end of the orphanage, with a very familiar face.
When I had first joined the MPS I was taken to the village where I would meet a woman named Verna.
She was beautiful and caring. She reminded me a bit of my mother with how she cared for children. She is responsible for supplying us with our needs like food and blankets, and for an odd reason she took a liking to me trying to get close to me. I kept her at arms reach but she persisted.
"Allen!" She yelled running from behind the desk and hugging me tight, burying my face in her chest depriving me of oxygen.
I tried to pull my face back enough so that I could breathe, but no matter how much I pulled, I couldn't escape the catacombs that were her chest.
"You should let go before you kill him." Alaina said, trying to prevent my suffocation.
Pull back I gasp for air.
Why is that every woman I meet deprives me of oxygen, whether by a punch or being smothered between their breasts.
"I'm sorry Allen, you just rarely visit, I get worried you know."
"Enough to take my life yourself."
She gave a saddened look but I don't believe it was my words that caused it.
"Well what can I get for you two. I don't think you would just come to say hi."
"Alaina wanted something. I'll just wait here."
Alaina turns her head towards me. She opens her eyes just a little before closing them. "Alright then don't run off without me."
"I'm not a child."
Verna gives a sad expression before leading Alaina to the back to look for the items she wants.
I sigh in the silence of everything. Walking to the window and leaned against it watching as the kids played…
Why does this make me feel so somber?
Watching the kids laughing and playing even when they were robbed of a proper life.
I envy that ignorance, but at the same time a bit of happiness that their lives are more normal, rather than fighting in a losing battle. What am I thinking about, I just need to wait for Alaina, and…
I feel a tug on my coat pulling me from my thoughts.
Looking down, a child probably not even seven years of age.
"What are you-" The young boy pulls me by the hand. I'm taller so seeing the boy jump to fully grasp my hand was slightly amusing.
He leads me to a group of other children.
"Ah you brought someone to help." One of the children pointed up to a ball that got stuck on top of one of the support beams.
"Im not sure how you can help, but we need someone to get the ball down."
Walking closer and staring at the ball for a bit, Alaina's words play in my head on how I should use my ability.
Stretching out my hand a black string shot from my fingers and wrapped around the ball. With a gentle tug the ball flung towards me and I quickly grabbed the ball and handed it to the kids.
"Wow, that was amazing."
"How did you do such a thing?"
They kept asking questions, one after another.
And I answered.
Alaina and Verna return and they find, and interesting site.
Me in the middle huddled around a group of children telling them stories and creating things with my ability to show them.
Looking up I see the two of them and my face turns slightly pink in embracement.
"This isn't what you think."
"Aww Allen you just want to stay back to play with the kids that's so sweet of you." Alaina says in such an odd tone.
Verna has the happiest look in her eyes, as she begins to laugh tears rolling down her eyes.
I grab Alaina's hand and leave the orphanage, with Verna waving and telling me to return soon.
As we walk to the village I give Alaina a look. "Why put that thought in her head?"
She tilts her head innocently. "Why? Is that not what you were doing?"
"You know it wasn't. I don't want Verna thinking such an embarrassing thing about me."
"But why not."
I pause as I realize myself.
Why don't I want her to see me in such an innocent light?
"I… I don't know."
"It's alright Allen I only said that to make her feel better."
I lift an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Shes worried about you Allen. She hears all the time about the mission we go on, the cuts and bruises we revive. She's been especially afraid ever since the cell experiment."
I open my mouth then shut it.
The cell experiment was the most dangerous mission I've ever gone on. They experimented on humans to see if there was a way to create specific mutations. Attempting to not only create one, but mutant that could carry multiple mutations. The experiment failed, giving birth to a horrifyingly mangled creature that had multiple limbs and faces that was also capable of infecting someone with its own virus that would tear and horribly mutilate the flesh.
I unfortunately contracted the virus and the rest of us were horribly beaten. The pain of my flesh rotting and moving around was something I will never forget, and neither will Verna who had to rush medical supplies to keep the 4 of us from dying.
"She's worried about your mental state as well."
"What do you mean? What's wrong with my mental state?"
"Allen I walked past your room one night and you were talking to yourself." She laughed a little and my expression.
I never told them about Al, felt I should keep it hidden, so I could see why I might come off as crazy to them.
"By the way, what did you get?" I pointed to the basket she held onto, asking out of curiosity and to change the subject.
She looks at the basket, reaching her hand inside, she pulls out a glass bottle, with a pure smile.
"Its alcohol."