Heir of the Immortals Resurrection
Chapter 20
Herald appeared a foot away from Mary, his breath steaming on the air as he looked around. He was in a large square room. Narrow shelves with wire racks filled the room, each rack contained hundreds of vials of blood. Slowly, he moved forward his footsteps echoing off the frost-covered metal walls that lined the room.
Blue runes were etched all over the shelves, illuminating the space with their pale light.
"Stasis fields," he muttered as he moved along the shelves. His senses pinged on each vial of blood. He turned to Mary, "All of this is mutant blood," he glanced back at the shelves, his voice growing faint and filled with wonder, "my Claircognizance is allowing me to feel it."
"I know, but that's not the only reason I called you here." She gestured to the podium beside her, "According to this, they are collecting DNA from any mutants they can find."
Herald closed the distance between them as Mary continued speaking, "There are references about them using mutant blood for some kind of experiment," she shook her head, "they're creating something."
Stopping beside her, Herald stretched forth his hand. His red irises flared crimson and an outline of red energy appeared briefly around his hand before sinking into the glass top of the podium. The podium flickered red ones and zeros filling its screen as Herald's eyes drifted closed.
Eyes still closed, he spoke his voice far away, "Interesting, I know from Narcissa's memories that the magical world has created its own technology and this is a distribution center to get it out to the world, but this is my first time seeing it in person." He opened his eyes, his gaze drifting upward in thought, "it gives me an idea or two."
"That's all very fascinating," Mary crossed her arms over her chest, tucking her fingers into the crease of her arms to keep them warm, "but what are we going to do about this", she gestured around her, "we can't let them keep collecting mutant blood."
"Oh, we're not," Herald knelt in front of the podium. Reaching out with his power, red energy outlined the podium. Pulling with his mind the panels that covered the podium peeled away from one another.
Inside, Herald found a machine, unlike anything he'd seen before. Gears and pulleys were fused with a circuit board and computer chips. All of them merged to form the shape of the podium. In the center of the podium floated a large diamond.
Tendrils shaped into runes flowed into the diamond. Pushing his hand forward, a hair's thin thread shot from his fingertips, connecting with one of the runic tendrils. A jolt passed through his body along with images as his mind was pulled elsewhere for a split second.
A dark-skinned baby with curly black hair lay in a crib, wiggling her feet inside her pale pink onesie. Suddenly, she froze, smoke rising from her body.
Heart-wrenching screams began to echo in his mind.
On instinct, Herald reached out, her mutant power was activating, unfortunately, she would not be immune to the heat she was generating. If he wanted to save her life, he had two options. One was to reach out with his Biokinesis and change her mutant gene enough that she would gain immunity to her powers, the other was to suppress them.
While he would much rather suppress them, that wouldn't fix the issue, and the next time she lost control he wouldn't be around. Forcing more power through the thread, it became thicker.
Bolts of red electricity danced across the floor and over the podium as his mind was pulled to the child's location, his spiritual form emerged from his body as a translucent red double that flew through the thread and into the stream of runes.
–XX –
In the blink of an eye Herald appeared in a small nursery. The walls were painted lavender, white waist-high shelves held the typical things for a newborn, diapers, blankets, wipes, and an assortment of stuffed animals.
Pictures in silver frames depicted moments in her young life.
Above the frames were silver letters that spelled out the Grey Family.
Approaching the crib, he stuck his hand over it using his own Pyrokinetic abilities to suppress the heat coming up from the child's body. The redness faded from her dark skin. His lips twisted as he took in her black and onesie.
Hurried footsteps made him tense, but he focused on his task. Placing two red translucent fingers on her forehead, he focused his power through his astral form. Energy rushed through her little body as Harald began healing the damage done by her abilities. At the same moment, he reached towards her DNA, focusing on her X gene.
Having an idea of how to protect her from future incidences, he reached inside himself, his own Pyrokinetic abilities came to the forefront. Focusing on his ability to absorb heat, he combined it with his ability to alter his physical form by self-molecular manipulation.
With careful application, he slowly began to change her mutant ability where she would gain strength from absorbing heat. This would give her the immunity to heat he desired, but also make her less of a threat to those she loved and reduce the chances of accidents. Over time her original powers would manifest, but hopefully, by then, she would have some control.
Crimson light flared from the pink onesie as he repaired the damage and banished the charred skin from around her body. Lifting his hand from her head, he smiled down at her, "Be well little one. I look forward to seeing how you will change the world."
Releasing his astral form, he slowly began to drift backward, he watched as the child's mother entered the room, "Moira!" She relaxed as she saw her daughter happily wiggling her arms and legs.
–XX –
Mary moved around the room as Harald did whatever he was doing to the podium her mind drifting. According to Herald, this building was used to import magical technology, but so far, she hadn't seen anywhere where it could be delivered. She doubted they would use normal means.
As she looked down, her boot scuffed across the floor, removing frost from the tiles and revealing a crimson line. Kneeling, she wiped the frost away revealing more runes.
Wiping her hand on her pants, she turned to Herald just as he jerked. She watched as the podium disassembled itself. Power flared beneath his feet as a stream of runes ran across the shelves.
As she watched the shelves and their vials of blood disassembled into specks of pure energy.
The energy spiraled around a fist-sized diamond in his palm before coalescing into streamers that soaked into the diamond. As she watched it began to change. Its form shifted from a diamond to a large baseball-sized sphere.
Rising to her feet, she closed the distance between them, eyes locked on the glowing crimson names etched into the sphere. As she watched, the sphere became blank before a name slowly etched itself in glowing red letters onto the clear crystal.
"What is that?"
"This room was a Genetic Codex; I made it smaller."
"Genetic Codex."
"They were collecting DNA from every mutant born using a combination of scrying magic and teleportation. The scrying magic would since the mutant birth, the teleportation would collect the first vial of blood ever drawn." He shook his head, "I hate that the babies will have to get blood drawn again, but typically they only draw a small amount from the heel. However, this Codex can help me with an idea I've been tinkering with."
Slipping the orb into one of the deeper pockets on his tactical pants, Herald rose to his feet.
"So how exactly does the Codex work now?"
"The orb will detect a mutant birth. It will then release a moat of magic. That moat will try to collect a hair, if a hair is not available, it will take the first vial of blood."
"And you're not going to tell me what you're planning to do with it?"
"I would rather show you, but before I can I need to travel and collect some components." He glanced up his head angling slightly, "and visit an old friend. If he agrees to help, it will make my job a lot easier."
"Okay then," she pointed to the floor, "there's more of those weird symbols you keep using painted onto the floor." She pointed to the ones she had found.
Pointing his hands forward, a wave of pure heat washed throughout the now empty room. Permafrost liquefied and swirled around Herald before being absorbed into his body.
"Show off," Mary muttered as Herald knelt, his body going still as he took in the runes.
Ever since his powers evolved to Claircognizance, he had constantly absorbed information from his surroundings. Ghost images of two people flickered into the room before his eyes.
The woman was 5'1" tall, thin with a small bust, and pale blue eyes. A braided blonde ponytail was draped over one shoulder. She moved around the room, her lab coat flaring open from the occasional magical energy that burst from her body, revealing the khakis and lavender blouse beneath. Her boots clicked on the floor as she walked around the circle,
"Penelope Clearwater," Herald muttered his eyes partially glazed.
"Percy, proper procedure says that we are to etch the runes into the floor. With long-distance teleportation, it's dangerous to just paint them there."
The man was 5'11" tall lanky with curly red hair. Brown eyes flashed behind half-moon glasses as he angled his narrow nose into the air, "And I'm telling you, Penelope, it's better for security if we paint them, that way in case of infiltration they are easier to destroy." His dark blue robes accented in gold flared out at the end of his statement.
Energy crackled around Penelope as her eyes narrowed shining with a luminescent light, "Don't try to intimidate me Perseus," her voice low and dangerous, "you will not like the outcome."
Percy took a step back as the image faded.
"Percy Weasley and Penelope Clearwater just what were you two up to here?"
"So," Mary asked as Herald stood to his feet.
"You have a good eye, this was a long-distance portal circle they were using to teleport their technology into the building, unfortunately, because the symbols are faded around the edges," he gestured to the symbols and Mary noticed for the first time how the edges were flaked away, "we can't open a portal to wherever that place is."
Mary inclined her head, "So, what do we do now?"
"The name Fabio Medina came up a lot in Narcissa's memories, there was an asterisk beside his name in the database, I want to know why."
–XX –
Penelope Clearwater sat at a desk in a San Diego high school, her blue eyes partially glazed as she stared out at the class before her. If it was one thing she hated about this assignment, it was being around the mundanes', their senses were so stifled. their way of thinking to rigid. She shook her head, her gaze focusing on her reason for being there.
Fabio Medina was 5'6" tall. Stocky with square features, tan skin, brown eyes, and dark hair. You would think his ability would be more physical, but according to Lily Potter, who had acquired a counterpart from a future timeline, he possessed sphere generation, and those spheres were discovered to be unfertilized eggs.
After realizing those eggs could be used to produce and alter children during development. They'd been sent to watch Fabio for when they inevitably needed a replacement. After all, it's not very healthy to keep someone drugged indefinitely and only feed them through IV.
The Bell signaling the end of class cut through her thoughts. The sound of scraping chairs and shuffling papers filled the room.
Exhaling, Penelope stood to her feet, "I want you all to study chapter 6 on chemical reactions, it's due on Thursday," she called as the teens began making their way out of the room.
–XX –
Percy Weasley stood in the doorway of his history classroom; one hand tucked into the pocket of his slacks. Light reflected off his half-moon glasses as his Brown eyes followed Fabio Medina.
Unbidden, his lips twisted into a sneer. He hated being around these creatures, they were so much lesser than his people, his face relaxed and tension drain from his shoulders, but they were a necessary evil if his people were to rise to their true status in the world.
Herald slowly rose from the floor behind Percy, telepathically nudging people's gazes away from this room. Rage-filled heat rushed through his body as he picked up the man's disgusting thoughts.
Some mutants believed in their inherent superiority, given what he had experienced, Herald didn't know where he stood on the subject, but none were as bad as the creature that stood before him. Percy Weasley viewed everyone around him that wasn't magical as something less than human.
Glancing at the clock he saw the time read 3:15 PM. Most of the students should be going home.
Stretching out his right hand, red light flared from his palm and coalesced into a curved dagger. Tightening his grip on the hilt, he blurred forward. In a quick motion, he extended his arm using self-molecular manipulation, slamming his dagger and the base of Percy's neck from his crouching position.
Red light flared from Percy's eyes and mouth as his legs gave way.
Knowledge flowed into Herald's mind from the telepathic construct.
Rising to his feet, Herald closed the distance between them in a step, wrapping his arm around his waist and pulling him into the room. With a flick of his eyes, the classroom door clicked shut. The lights to the room turned off, and Herald sunk back into the floor taking the body with him.
–XX –
Fabio Medina moved down the street towards his home, cursing himself for staying late to use the school's weight room. Streetlamps on either side of him cast long shadows on the sidewalk, making the darkness all the deeper.
Glancing at the watch on his wrist, the clock read 6:15. He released a breath, at least he wouldn't have to deal with his mom for coming home late, she wouldn't be home for another two hours.
"Mr. Medina."
Fabio looked up, finding Ms. Clearwater in front of him, her slender hands tucked into the pockets of a long black thigh-length coat.
"Ms. Clearwater, what are you doing here?"
Penelope sashayed forward, a coy smile spreading across her lips, "I'm here for you Fabio."
The tone and walk may have been sensual, but there was something in her eyes that sent a shiver down Fabio's spine. He backed away, his eyes never leaving his science teacher's, "I need to go home."
Penelope shook her head, a sad expression moving across her features, "I'm afraid that's not possible Fabio, you have a greater destiny ahead. You will be instrumental in birthing an entirely new species of magical."
While the male part of him thought that sounded fun, there was something about Clearwater's tone that let him know things were not as they seemed. Pale blue energy flared around her hands, its luminescent light cutting through the darkness like a falling star.
Fabio's eyes widened at the sight. His left foot moved behind his right, sending him tumbling to the ground. Clearwater closed in, and Fabio's chest tightened. He gripped his shirt his body burning like it was being dipped in acid.
Pain-filled beads of sweat popped out on his skin as his body twitched.
With a scream, a Golden ball exploded from his chest, shredding his red T-shirt.
The large sphere slammed into Penelope's torso, sending her flying backward. She slammed into the sidewalk, rolling on impact.
Fabio stared down at his chest, his Brown eyes wide as he took in the circular patch of golden skin that now took up the majority of his chest and stomach, "What the…"
Penelope pushed herself to her feet, her eyes wide, a satisfied smile spreading across her face, "That is the instrument of the birth of a nation!"
Fabio stared at the 4-foot tall 6-foot-wide sphere sitting on the sidewalk. Part of him was disappointed he wouldn't get to help in a more physical way, he shook his head at the sinking feeling that filled him. Blinking, he took a moment to realize he was actually sinking into the sidewalk, the concrete beneath him taking on the consistency of putty.
"I think I've seen enough."
Suddenly, a woman stood between him and Clearwater, a translucent blue Katana clutched in her right hand and extended away from her body. The same energy outlined his body lifting him from the viscous concrete. "Who are you, people?" He cried his voice going up an octave.
The Auburn-haired woman glanced at him, her Brown eyes shining with an inner glow, "I am Mary Walker, a mutant like you." she gestured at Clearwater with her left hand, "that woman wants the spheres you generate because they are in actuality unfertilized eggs."
Fabio stared at the golden orb, his nose wrinkling in disgust. He is a mutant, and his power is to shoot golden embryos from his body, he shook his head, so weird.
A flash of light drew his attention, he watched as electricity danced between Clearwater's fingers. Quick as a flash, her hands flicked upwards, bolts of lightning arcing from her fingers.
The woman, Mary, blurred to the side before shooting forward, her sword angled to run the blonde through.
Penelope raised her arms, light flaring from her forearms as an oval-shaped shield of blue-white energy appeared in front of her.
Twisting her body around Penelope's, Mary brought the blade down in a slash across the woman's back, sending her stumbling forward, blood dripping onto the ground. Without hesitation, she lifted her blade, bringing it up in a horizontal slash to cleave Penelope's head from her body.
Time slowed, and Penelope disappeared.
Reappearing behind Fabio, she wrapped her slender arm around his neck, pulling him against her body, "This was fun, but I've got my prize."
"No, you don't," a deep male voice said from behind them just before heat brushed Fabio's skin as orange light exploded from Clearwater's eyes and mouth.
Her body crumpled nearly dragging Fabio down with her except for a strong arm slipping under his left armpit and holding him steady.
"Are you alright?" The same voice asked, but Fabio didn't answer his gaze was locked on the blackened remains of Clearwater's eyes and mouth.
Mary stepped forward, her sword fading from view, "I take it Weasley's been taken care of?"
That question made Fabio jerk away from the stranger's grip. He backed away, his gaze locking upon the man that just killed his science teacher, "who are you people, and what is going on?"
The man before him was over 6 feet tall with red irises, dark hair, and pale skin. Golden tribal markings covered his exposed skin. He wore the same tactical clothes as Mary.
The man slipped a hand covered in a fingerless glove into his black tactical pants, "I am Herald Edward Gallio and your mutation has awakened making you a target for a hidden magical world that seeks to use mutant DNA to create a superior race."
Fabio stared at Herald, his eyes comically wide, "Oh." He then fainted.
Mary caught him with her telekinesis, gently lowering him to the ground, "Well that could have gone better."
"It could've also gone a lot worse," Harald countered opening a portal beneath Clearwater and Fabio.
"Where are you sending them?" Mary asked as she closed the distance between them.
"I'm dropping Penelope's corpse into the sun. When Fabio awakens, he will find himself in his bed. Ororo will be here tomorrow to explain things to him."
"You've been busy."
Herald shrugged, "I was originally just going to drop him off at the Xavier Institute, but when I contacted Ororo telepathically, she thought it would be better to come here and explain things to him and his family."
Mary inclined her head, "So what now?"
Herald held up his left hand, a small golden sphere emerged from his palm. "With this, I have the last power I need to enact my plan, now I just need to collect components. That requires me to travel to a different universe, luckily the fruit of the divine spark seems to have returned my dimensional portal ability."
Mary crossed her arms over her chest, "And you still won't tell me what this plan of yours is?"
Closing the distance between them, Herald wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. When they broke apart, he smiled down at her, "Don't pout, I want it to be a surprise."
"What am I supposed to do while you're gone?"
"You could come with me?"
Mary shook her head, "I'm up for an adventure, but the last thing I need to see is an alternate version of myself, I've got enough voices in my head."
Herald nodded, worry shining in his eyes.
"Don't worry," Mary patted his cheek, "I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."
"I know but with us taking more of an active stance against the Magicals, we're going to have some big targets on our backs." He shook his head, "If you don't want to come with me, I could use your help in checking up on an old friend."
Mary raised an eyebrow.