Probably not what you were expecting, huh? It's been almost a year since the last post and I honestly wish I could give it to you, but I want to end this story. This has been over seven years of writing a story I wish didn't end, but it has to. I've written so many chapters, so many drafts, so many different ways just to reach the end. So many. We are so close to the finale and it's probably my anxiety getting the better of me.
So instead I present here, in Wrath's absence, a peek into what could've been part of Cold-Blooded. This was taken from a full chapter, slightly edited in this case, so imagine how many chapters I've written that never made the cut.
And to those that enjoy reading Cold Blooded, there may or may not a sequel on the way...please stayed tuned.
It didn't take long for them to reach the building, it took even less time for Alias to be amazed at the spectacular vicinity, store after store after store all impressively packed among several glassy floors with floral decorations, plush lounging areas and luminous signs indicating every area there was to go to. It just took a moment for Alias to go in at least 5 different stores and leave with bags. Jason almost smiled at her faint excitement, she probably hasn't travelled as much as he has and let her have this time to gather up more memories. They even took a selfie, Jason was the one to suggest it, and this trip will be saved in eternity; the smiles of their faces, the contentment in their expressions. It didn't look as it they were saving the world.
"Thank you for your visit." Alias waved at the cashier as they left the clothing store, a couple of bags in all three of their hands; nothing like a little shopping to get you in that vacation feeling. She had a half-finished ice-cream cone in her hand whilst Jason had a cold beverage he frequently sipped at to combat the humidity in this shopping mall, but it didn't take long until she started wandering off and Rex was the first to notice.
"Alias?" he called her and began following her through the sea of people, excusing anyone he accidentally bumped into and managed to catch up with her by a path to one of the public toilets in this labyrinth. "What, did you find them?"
"I think so...where's Jason?"
"Hmm. Probably found someone, or something."
"Damn...forgot my earpiece." She felt a tap on her shoulder and her eyes moved to look at Rex's open hand.
"You're welcome. Need me to come in with you?"
"Well, this is a Horseman. The first one we tackled was easy...too easy. Be careful." The Metas walked casually towards the toilets, Alias binning the cone, and were surprised to find nobody entering or exiting when they reached the junction. They exchanged looks and split up into the corresponding toilets, Alias's eyes lighting up once she step foot into the small facility. Completely spotless, completely empty too. No heat signatures, either. She frowned as she moved deeper into the toilets, letting out simultaneous blasts of ice to open every cubicle door and crossed her arms.
"Anything?" she heard Rex's voice and brought her hand up.
"Nothing. They have to know we're here, they've left no trace." She stopped by the mirrors and tilted her head at it. "They really are adapting..."
"I'm gonna head to the staff room, see if there's anybody there."
"Hey, guys," another voice joined the line as Alias walked out of the women's toilets and met with Rex at the junction. "I found her."
"Boss, where are you?"
"Second floor, cafeteria." She didn't even need to say anything because a moment after and that's where they appeared, at the perimeter of the cafeteria with Jason pointing a gun at a girl who seemed to be recovering from being slammed onto a table. "You're welcome."
"She's a...clairvoyant," Rex told them as they forwarded her, the girl giving them death stares as she regained her composure. Alias blinked and peered around her, slightly bemused as to why nobody had stopped to witness the commotion but her instincts kicked in as she dodged an incoming swing and blocked another with her forearm.
"Huh," the girl smirked underneath her doctor's mask. "Blocked me even with your guard down. Fast."
"You're not a Horseman, are you?"
"Not sure what the hell you're talking about, but if you're here to kill me try your best. I've got other idiots to get rid of."
"That depends. You just tried to punch me."
"And failed. Your point being?"
"You're using my strength against me, and you're blocking out my powers. This isn't the first time someone's done that to me. You mind?"
"Yeah, I actually do. I tracked you down because you're not the only survivor from Syndicate. And you're not the only ones here." Alias widened her eyes and Jason snapped his head to the sound of rushing feet and screeching tyres, two convoy trucks and a handful if men with a certain insignia marking a certain organisation. A moment gone as troopers rushed out of the back and fell into a line, all 16 guns trained on all four of them. "See what I mean? They're like phantoms, I thought they're not supposed to exist anymore."
"You...you brought them here," Alias breathed as she stepped back. "Why?"
"Theatrics, I guess," the girl shrugged casually. "And they were after me, but I guess you're now back on their radar, Alias."
"Subject 0001 and 0312 is in sights," one hollered and Alias fought the urge to react to her deindividuated codename, nothing but numbers, but when they called it out Jason had to see the expression on her face. The first person they took on, huh? They're real brave to confront her like this. "Awaiting orders."
"I'd like my powers back please."
"Oh. Yeah. My bad." The girl moved a hand to behind her ear and the cold shudder washed over Alias again, her impulses sending a spiked wave towards their attackers, flipping vehicles and bodies off their bases. Rex outstretched his hand and channelled the electricity running through the block of the mall they were in and just as he placed lightning mines around the Syndicate frames, Jason took the opportunity to use his firearm and set them off. "I'm not the greatest fighter," the girl spoke up again under the warfare, grabbing the Meta Mercenary's attention and she noticed the marks...no, symbols that lined her neck and hands. They were incredibly faint, but then it started to glow. "But as long as you can, I have no need to worry."
Alias's senses heightened and she dove in front of the girl and threw her hands up, her ice barrier absorbing several rockets but the force slightly staggered her back, and she peered back at her. "Those symbols...you're a Meta."
"If that's what they call us...but..." she bowed her head. "Syndicate rarely used me for combat, only finding things they needed."
"It doesn't matter if you can fight or not, you're someone special. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something. Unless you want them to take you again, and we both know what they're capable of." Just as the shield collapsed, Alias fired icy blasts as she stepped over the remains and before the girl could recover from her words she was distracted by the shattering of glass. Her amber eyes shot up and more black-clad men slid down ropes to join in the commotion, but several were shot out of the air as Jason noticed their arrival.
"Hey kid," he called out as he reloaded his guns before firing again, "You just gonna stand there, or are you gonna kick some ass?"
She peered around her; everyone was so engaged in the battle they didn't even notice her just standing in the middle of it, bullets that was supposed to connect to her bending and bouncing off an invisible forcefield she emanated. "I'll end this whole thing..." she whispered as she pulled up her left sleeve and dug her nails into the etchings carved into her forearm but hesitated as she remembered the strength of this certain spell. She wouldn't just wipe out the Syndicates here, but also the people who came to almost kill/save her. But...she had to. She didn't want to be seen as weak again.
She won't be seen as weak again.
Red energy flooded into her body and she directed it to her left arm, the power curling viciously and with the intent to destroy everything. One moment she brought her arm up and the next she slammed it onto the floor, and on impact everything turned white.
