There was a blinding flash of light in the sky, spreading across the horizon like a supernova.
Every eye turned to the skies, even the battling Evils. For a moment, it looked like a light that shone with faith through a dark tunnel—a ray of hope.
Someone's silhouette dropped from the source of light in the sky, descending rapidly towards the Earth.
His feet walked the earth, sending powerful vibrations to run beneath the surface. This world was nothing underneath his all-consuming power.
He wore black robes embroidered with gold, and his eyes shone a lush, earthly auburn. His eyes were on the Elite Team, particularly Etrius, before they moved to The Presence.
The Presence ceased his fighting, which Etrius found to be strange considering he wanted revenge on his son a moment ago.
Despite the confusion, Etrius raised his sword high over his head, attempting to strike The Presence down while he was distracted.
The Presence extended a hand, the force throwing him off his feet. The Presence formed a shield around himself, which crackled and flexed the air.
"You." The Presence growled, pointing a finger at the newcomer in accusation. "I got rid of you. You'd dare return and pose a threat?"
It suddenly occurred to the team that the stranger hadn't said a word since his arrival, yet just by standing there, a million silent words and threats and aspirations circled him like leaves in a whirlwind.
Finally, he spoke, his words powerful and booming, yet soft and rich. "This world is not yours to consume." His rich silver hair fell over his eyes.
"My son is dead. You'd deny justice?" A deep chuckle. "You've changed, Wise One."
The Wise One glared at The Presence with ire burning in his eyes. They changed from a chocolate brown to a deep red. Nox blinked. He had color-changing eyes just like hers.
"That's impossible," Etrius stammered, climbing to his feet. "The Wise One is dead."
"Correction," The Presence growled, readying his sword. "The Wise One will die." He came charging at him with impossible speeds.
The Wise One deftly moved to the side, his expression impassive. He unsheathed a cutlass sword of his own, which had been hidden within the folds of his cloak. H brought it down against The Presence's blade, shattering the weapon in his hands. The broken fragments evaporated into light, retreating into his hand.
The Wise One's eyes glowed a dangerous white.
The Presence was hurled back by an invisible force, sliding across the empty streets of the city. Asphalt and stones were hurtled into the air as he was forced to slide into the earth, leaving a path of destruction in his wake.
The Presence rose to his feet, bleeding severely in several parts of his body before he slowly recovered.
Beecher, who was sniping from the roof stared in awe. Even his own bullets couldn't cause any harm.
The Presence stumbled towards The Wise One, rage burning in his eyes. "You… You will pay for what you've done."
The Wise One's eyes narrowed.
He raised his hand towards the skies, all light left in the city spiraling towards it. A slight smile grew on his face, as if experiences the pleasure of using his own powers.
He brought his hand down, hurling the ball of light at The Presence.
The Presence brought up a shield, blocking the light from hitting him. But it wasn't enough.
The Presence was hurled backwards again, the light sizzling and crackling against his skin like fire. The Presence uttered a screech, writing on the floor in agony. It gave The Wise One a stare filled with hatred even he'd never experienced before. "This is not over."
And he vanished in a puff of shadows.
The Wise One stood with heavy breath before he turned to face the team. Beecher rose from his sniping position and retreated downstairs.
The Wise One waited for him to exit before he said, "We must leave. All of you. Follow me."
"Wait a minute," Etrius raised a bloodied hand. "You can't be The Wise One. He… He died. It said so in the…" He held his tongue, not wanting to say too much.
The Wise One raised a brow. "In my books? I wrote them. And they contain much false information to keep enemies from harnessing the power." She crossed his arms and sighed. "I see it failed."
Sirens wailed in the distance.
Etrius swore under his breath. "Police. Let's get out of here before we get caught in some shit."
The team never made contact with the rest of humanity. Everybody knew who their saviors were, but they decided to stray away from civilization and remain focused on the task.
Getting arrested for being in the wrong place at the wrong time wasn't something they planned on doing.
Plisskin's chopper hovered over them, throwing back dust and debris in an updraft.
"Let's get back to base," Plisskin announced, half of his headset not working. "And who's our glowing friend?"
The team and The Wise One stood in the forest just behind their base.
"The Presence will return," The Wise One said, his voice still ringing with power. He paced before the team, his eyes taking in theirs, his mind reeling as if returning to memories. "There isn't much time. You all deserve to know the truth about yourselves."
Ivan and Nox narrowed their eyes.
"I'm not to know who I am?" Ivan pressed.
Nox's eyes moved from him to The Wise One. All she'd known about her life was that she'd been given powers as a child, and her parents were killed by the government for protecting her. She'd been forced into cryo-sleep and was found by the Elite Team after half a century.
The Wise One's eyes remained glued to Nox's and Ivan's with what looked like compassion. "Your fates are reserved."
He moved his attention to the Elite Team.
Nox and Ivan decided not to question this.
"You four," His eyes darted between each team member in turn before moving a step closer. They could feel his power radiating off him like a supernova. "The Four Descendants."
He swept his cloak back, bowing before them on one knee. It surprised even the team, for such a powerful and almighty being to bow for them. "I thought the day would never come."
The team backed away, exchanging weary glances, blurting questions.
"Descendants?"
"The fuck is he talking about?"
"I can't believe this."
The Wise One frowned. "Surely you've recognized your powers?"
They stared at him, bewildered.
The Wise One inhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. "This cannot be…"
"Okay," Etrius waved his hands through the air. "Just what the fuck are you talking about?"
The Wise One looked him square in the eye, his eye color changing to a seemingly everlasting silver. "You've been exposed to the mortal air for far too long. I thought it wouldn't affect you, but… How I was wrong."
"Look, uh… Wise One. I think you have the wrong idea," Beecher rummaged around his pockets for a much-needed cigar. "We…" A laugh. "We can't be descendants."
"Yeah, we're just mortals," Boomer added in.
"Soldiers." Lloyd said bluntly.
The Wise One blinked, a smile performing on his face. It was one of those rare smiles that not everybody comes across in their lifetimes. It was powerful and all-knowing… yet reassuring.
"You took down The Mind Worm, did you not?" He inquired.
"Yeah, by inheriting the orb's power." Etrius said bluntly. "If we were average mortals, we would've failed."
"Yes, but you are not average mortals. Tell me, what do you know of your relatives?"
The entire team fell silent. Each of them grew up as orphans before signing up for the military, calling each of their comrades their brothers, blood-related or not. They knew nothing of a real family.
When The Wise One got no answer, he said, "Of course. Your parents aren't mortal. You are not Mortal."
"Stop." Etrius ran his hands through his hair, shutting his eyes. I'm not hearing this!
"You all have Ancient blood running through your veins," The Wise One's voice grew into an authority-like tone, almost like he was trying to sound convincing. "I would give you all time for this to sink there, but time has run out. The Three Elders have been released. The Presence and the Mind Worm are only the beginning."
"Three Elders?" Lloyd echoed, breathless.
The Wise One remained silent for a moment, trying to find the right words to explain. "There used to be five Elders. Each of them are entities with power far beyond your advanced knowledge. They drained the Ancients' world of it's power, and they are now looking to devour yours. You already defeated the Mind Worm, and the Presence is wreaking havoc."
"That leaves four," Nox pressed, still confused. "Why are there only three?"
The Wise One's eyes were cast to the floor. "I was once an Elder," He met their shocked stares. "But I was an Ancient far before that. The most powerful Ancient to exist. But I was a fool. I allowed myself to fall into the taunts of the Four Elders and gain ultimate power."
"So much for calling himself the Wise One." Boomer murmured, prompting Etrius to nudge him in the ribcage.
"After I was allowed in as an Elder, I saw their true intentions. They wanted to collect life from all realms and build an empire under their rule. But I wouldn't allow it. They wanted to bend the will of all minds to their own. It wasn't just. So I rebuked."
His eyes grew distant and cobalt blue. The team listened on in silence.
"I was just as powerful as them. I thought I could take them all on my own. The Elders obviously knew this. So they threatened to destroy my home world if I wouldn't stay. War broke out, and—"
He looked at the team, as if expecting them to finish the puzzle themselves.
"I gave power to four Ancient offspring and sent them into another realm. I knew the end of the Ancients was coming, and I was prepared. You are the first plan. The second plan was to trap myself and the Elders inside the sphere. When the time came, we'd be released, and war would break out. I thought I could stop it. The power I passed to you is still within you. It just has yet to be awakened. It would've taken a lifetime to grow and you'd be all-powerful, but… All these years… nothing has happened."
"Wait," Boomer narrowed his eyes. "You're an Ancient. Yet you speak English?"
"I'm currently speaking in my Ancient tongue. But my power activates your senses, and allows you to understand me."
"That… makes sense."
"A lifetime…" Lloyd thought for a moment. "It took fifty years for Nox's powers to strengthen. She was in cryo-sleep. She barely aged."
"Lloyd, what are you saying?" Etrius' emerald green eyes locked onto his.
"What if we all were put to sleep?" Lloyd explained. "For fifty years. No, a hundred. If this… power still lingers within us, we can use Cryo-sleep to activate it."
Beecher shook his head. "That's not an option. We'll be leaving Earth behind for a hundred years. God knows what The Elders will do within that time. What The General will do."
"Romanov is already tricking The General into destroying The Presence. That's one down."
"And two more powerful forces on the loose."
Etrius locked eyes with The Wise One. "You can't take them on your own?"
The Wise One bowed his head solemnly, shaking it. "Combined, their powers are far greater than my own. I need an army behind my back. And now, you four are our last hope."
"Our?" Etrius repeated.
"There are more realms than out own. I mentioned it a while ago, did I not?"
"Then it's settled," Nox said. "We put ourselves into Cryo-sleep for a hundred years. Wise One here will hold off the two remaining Elders for as long as he can until we return. Let's just hope we're not too late."
The Wise One raised a questioning brow. "You're coming?"
"We're a team," Nox and Ivan stood by the Elite Team's side. "Doesn't matter if they're descendants, or we're human experiment refugees. We stick together, no matter what."
"We made it this far with them," Etrius spoke the words truthfully. "And we won't get that far again without them."