I tucked the small pistol into the waistband of my leggings and pulled my top over it. After nodding to Agent Smith, I then took off in the other direction.
Cautiously, I advanced into the room of people surrounded by the Chitauri warriors and made myself known to the nearest warrior. I bumped into him; feigning distress and backed away whimpering.
The aim? Act like a lost child who got separated from her parents. My grime and blood covered face helped in my act and I forced tears to spill, leaving water tracks down my cheeks.
I backed away as the warrior approached me but it reached out an arm and grabbed a fistful of my hair. I yelled out as he lifted me off the ground and brought me up to his face. I hit the warrior on the chest as a futile attempt to be set down while he examined me throughly with his reptilian eyes.
Quickly, efficiently I unclasped a round object hanging along its waist belt, and pocketed it.
Tears of pain sprung to my eyes as he continued to dangle me and I felt him glare at my pointed ears. If my ears where enough to distract the creature while I got what I needed, I didn't care. I'd wiggle them if I thought it would keep its focus on my face rather than my thieving hands.
I almost sighed in relief as the Chitauri grunted and chucked me unceremoniously into the group of humans, trapped like rats in a cage. I fell in a heap on the ground and felt my knees scratch against the rough concrete.
Well, at least step one was complete. Now for the tricky part.
A hand touched my shoulder and from the corner of my eye I saw someone kneel down towards me. Rubbing my sore scalp with one hand I patted the small ball in my pocket, ensuring it hadn't fell. I looked up to the person who had touched me.
A young human boy was kneeling in front of me, a look of concern coated his features. Straggly, wavy, blond hair that fell to his shoulders, had been bunched back hastily. He had deep grey, Smokey eyes which looked frightened as he glance quickly back at the Chitauri that had threw me.
Why couldn't all human men prefer such long hair? Truly it would make the race somewhat more appealing.
"Hey, are you okay there mate?" The blond boy questioned, his voice heavy with an accent I was unfamiliar with.
Allowing the stranger to help me up off the ground I replied sarcastically, "Couldn't be better. It only took an invasion for me to be free from the prying eyes of agents and even with that, I'm here, stuck surrounded by aliens. Some of who, would very much like to drain the very life that keeps me breathing." I rolled my eyes at the situation I had willingly placed myself in.
I ignored the confused face of the golden haired boy, his face somewhat scrunched up in a questionable manor. Stretching on my toes, I looked past the heads of the jittery humans who cried and weeped at the sight of the plasma guns which was aimed at them. I scanned around, looking for the Chitauri who was in charge of this small troop of eight warriors. I wasn't exactly sure how I would be able to tell the difference in ranks but I was hopping one would be wearing different coloured armour or a pointy-er helmet-really anything that made a Chitauri stand out. Something to signify a higher rank.
Suddenly, a pair of smoky grey eyes blocked my view. I glared at the boy, who on a closer inspection, I would estimate was just slightly older than me. Perhaps fourteen or fifteen?
"The name's Aiden, in case you were wondering." He announced as if
I frowned at the boy in disbelief. Was he being serious? I didn't have time to be going around making friends with strangers, especially when I was trying to save said strangers from man-killing aliens. Despite the boys surprisingly charming looks, I couldn't chat. If it had of been ANY other time I would have gladly entertained a conversation with the boy but I was trying to save his life along with all the other humans trapped here. I couldn't afford formal pleasantries right now.
Inwardly rolling my eyes, I place my hand on his shoulder and shoved him to the side muttering, "I wasn't wondering. Now move, so I can see"
"Hey! I was just trying to be polite no need to go off on me like that." He whisper-yelled as he moved to my side to see where I was looking.
Ignoring the boy's obvious scowl, I scanned the Chitauri troop. I noticed one with a gold band around it's arm and double checking the other Warriors I concluded that he was the only one wearing the gold band. Mentally high-fiving myself I started to push through the crowd of humans, moving towards the gold-banded warrior. Hopefully, I wasn't mistaken in my estimation. I was stopped abruptly as I felt a hand on my wrist tug me backwards.
"You bloody insane mate? You wanna get ya' self blown up? Crikey, it feels like ya' have a death wish or somethin'." The grey eyed boy-Aiden exasperated.
This boy was getting on my nerves now. If the plan was to work, I would need to take out the high ranking warrior in the next minute and this Aiden was just getting in my way.
"Let go of me" I growled allowing my eyes to glow inhumanly. The grip of my arm lessened and the boy stepped away, confusion and fear clear on his face. I turned sharply and headed towards my target but for some reason the boy's face stayed in my mind as I pushed my way through the crowd. He had looked afraid of me, perhaps even disgusted. It left a strange unnerving feeling in my chest, one I wasn't familiar with. I shook the feeling away and focused on the task at hand.
I gently pulled the small, rounded-ball I had stolen and let my hand fall to the side; still clutching the ball. I felt the smooth surface searching for the small indentation that I knew was there.
When I finally found what I was looking for, I let my thumb rest on it. I placed my other hand on the pistol and pulled it out. No one would really notice or even care that a thirteen year old girl was holding a gun, when there was giant monster aliens roaming New York.
My eyes darted cross the broken wreckage of the building and, more disturbingly, people, until I found what I was looking for.
I took a swift glance at the positions where the other warriors stood and took a big breath. If I missed or they spotted me it was game over.
So I did what anyone would do, I crossed my toes in my boats and hoped for the best.
I pressed the small button on the bomb and threw it at the gold-banded, Chitauri's face. Hopefully, if I did it right, then the warriors that flanked his right would be caught in the crossfire.
The bomb exploded, perfectly, in my targets face, successfully taking him down with his own technology. Before the other two warriors on his right could react I aimed to shoot both in the face with my pistol, causing chaos to erupt among the humans. I was shoved and knocked off my feet before I could take down anymore but on hearing gunfire from my left I knew that Agent Smith was taking on the others from his hiding spot-where ever that was. I silently thanked the warrior for watching my back.
I landed roughly on my arms, instantly feeling the bruise that would no doubt cover them in the hour. Gritting my teeth, I quickly pushed myself back up onto my feet before I was trampled again by the screaming herd of humans running away from gunfire.
Hopefully, the Chitauri with the gold band on the cuff of his armour was the leader. Hopefully my chaos would make it harder for the other remaining warriors to respond to the attack. Like cutting the head off a snake.
It was mostly wishful thinking on my part but if I played my cards correctly, then everything would go a lot smoother.
I tripped over feet, elbowed shoulders and pushed through the crowd. I could practically smell the bitter stench of fear pulsing from the humans as they acted like a wall; preventing me from getting out. Not a single human took a second to glance at my small from as they barged their way towards the exit. I almost considered pulling out my pistol and yelling at the herd to get out of my way. To make them aware I was actually trying to help them, but I thought that would only cause more chaos.
When I finally shoved my way out of the panicked crowd I was met face-to-face with a Chitauri. It growled at me, as if knowing that it was I who had set off the bomb which had killed its commander.
Before I had a chance to react, I was whacked painfully in chest with hard metal, making me drop the small pistol. A frightened human tripped over the gun and it slid several strides away from me. I fell painfully on my behind and had to roll to the side quickly as the growling Chitauri swung another blow towards me, aiming for my head.
"Aggressive much?" I taunted at it as I stood up to face it, trying to regain my balance. It roared violently in response and I couldn't help the smile that spread on my face.
I moved slowly towards the alien, and brought my fists up close to protect my face. I wasn't completely defenceless without a weapon and this invading monster was about to learn exactly who Kyon-Ibirtha Eldra Grace was. I was so done with everyone pushing me around, 'a child' they called me. By the Gods I was a queen and someone was about to learn what that meant.
I watched as it lifted its weapon; which was more like a spear than a gun, in the air and brought it down towards me. I rolled to the right, dodging the spear and moved swiftly to its side which it had left open during its attack. I elbowed it in the side causing it to shriek in pain. While it was distracted for a second I picked up a chunk of rubble concrete and used it to harden my punch on the back of its leg. The Chitauri stumbled onto its knees but twisted the spear behind it. It would have hit my leg if I hadn't of jumped at that exact moment.
"That was a close one, friend." I smirked and raised an eyebrow at its failed attempt to stand up. Perhaps I hit it's leg harder than I thought.
Not wanting to prolong it's suffering I quickly hit the warrior on the head with my concrete-weapon successfully either knocking it unconscious or killing it. I didn't know which but I also didn't want to know if I had indeed took the creature's life. I strode away from the motionless body and lifted my abandoned pistol then went in search of Agent Smith.
I found him shortly after, directing the herd of humans away from the ongoing war that was outside the building. He must of taken care of the other four Chitauri warriors. He smiled and thumped me on the back upon seeing me.
"Dat' was a great performance! Ya' left me a great opening to get des' people out. Now we just need to get dem' to safety." He yelled over the bustling of people
I winked in response not even attempting to shout over the noise around us.
I nodded as Agent Smith explained that he noticed the emergency services leading people under the buildings away from the crossfire. We took our herd of humans to the underground tunnels but I was aware that every time I tried directing someone I was given that same discerning glare that the boy-Aiden had given me. It lefts me feeling slightly insecure but I tried to shove the unwanted feelings away, at least untill everyone was safe.
Once everyone was as safe as they could be in the middle of a war zone Agent Smith and I headed back up into the battle field that had once been the streets of New York. We left the building and was welcomed by the loud shrieks of a beast. I looked up to see the source of the sound expecting to see a horde of Chitauri scaling the wall of a building but instead I saw a huge, green man. My jaw dropped as he jumped from building to building pounding dozens of Chitauri climbing on the walls of buildings. He roared as he did and even from this distance I had to physically cover my ears at the sound.
Agent Smith looked at me strangely as I covered my ears and just when I was about to ask him had he not heard the deafening roar of the hulk, I fell to my knees as all sounds around me intensified ten-fold. I let out a silent cry as every explosion, every weapon fired, every child's plea was bombarded onto me all at once.
Not this again! Not now. I begged.
A relentless wave of pain shot through my ears and I could barely hear my own thoughts as every sound hit me like a Tsunami that overwhelmed my senses. I squeezed my eyes shut an attempted to block everything out. I felt Agent Smith kneel down at my side, the sound of his knees hitting the ground left me whimpering.
Just focus! Do what you did last time.
So I did. I focused on my breathing, trying to calm the raspy gasps that left me breathless and light-headed. I focused on evening my breaths until they came in fluid motions, until I was able to relax and allow the sound not to overwhelm me but to inform me of everything surrounding me.
As I listened I could hear the humming of the portal as it let in an army of Chitauri, I could hear the cackling of thunder from a hammer, the whiz of arrows, the clash of a shield, the vroom of thrusters, the squeak of leather and the thump of a fist. I could hear it all and for the first time since I started having these sensory overload fits, I felt in control of it.
I opened my eyes, this time in control of my senses. Laying face first amongst the rubble I realised two things. The first was that my eyesight had also improved, so much so that from my position on the ground I was able to see each fleck of dust as it floated through the air. I could see the beating of the wings of a nearby fly, moving in slow motion as each transparent wing cut through the air accompanied by the sound of fluttering. The second thing I noticed was a pair of hands on my shoulders shaking me painfully. I looked up and felt Déjà vu hit me. I smiled up to an angered Agent Smith who helped me up to my feet.
"Die Arschmade!! What are ya' playin' at young girl!!!" He yelled. Gone was the soft, comforting agent I had knew, in its place stood a man who had tipped over the edge. He looked furious and about ready to send me back into space with his own bare hands.
I gulped.
"I'm sorry?" I said, hopping to say something he wanted to hear.
He shook his head in response clearly still annoyed but not wanting to argue further. Just when I was going to explain what had happened to me a blast sent both Agent Smith and I flying backwards.
I landed painfully on my back and was instantly winded. I struggled to regain my breath while trying to roll to my side and haul myself up into a sitting position. Squinting, I looked to see where the blast came from.
Ice, cold, fear penetrated my heart as I saw a Chitauri warrior standing above me, gun aimed and fired up, ready to blow me into a million different pieces. On instinct I lifted my arms to protect my face from the blast. It fired and I felt it ricochet off something inches away from my face. Shocked but grateful for the fact I wasn't dead, I took my hands away from my face. Floating mere inches from me was what I would describe as a transparent golden shield. Dancing runes and symbols decorated it although it wasn't attached to someone. No one held it on the other side, it just floated in the air. The sudden thump of the Chitauri warrior falling to the ground dead pulled me away from my thoughts. He must have been hit with the backfire of his own weapon.
I looked to my right and noticed a human. If it wasn't for the feminine facial features I would have thought this human was a male due to its lack of hair. A characteristic, sadly, that most human men condemned themselves to. Her hairless head was her defining feature and one I knew I immediately didn't like. She wore yellow robes, different shades which somehow made the human look gentle and kind. It curled up into a collar at her neck and glided down around her feet. A thick, black cloth wrapped around her waist acted like a belt. Although the human standing in front of me looked compassionate, I could sense immense, raw power radiating from her which left goose bumps along my arms and a chill in my spine.
Her overall attire reminded me of my home planets traditional choice of clothing and I felt an ache of pain rise in my chest at the thought.
"Are you going to sit there all day and gawk at me, Kyon? The hairless human spoke softly with a twinkle in her eye.
I blinked twice as she said my name which such tenderness.
It was only now that I realised she had her arms bent and fingers curled in the air, a soft yellow glow coming from them. Looking back to the transparent shield, it slowly registered to me that she had conjured up this shield. That she had used some form of magic to protect me from the blast that would have no doubt ended my life.
Shakily, I stood up and turned to find Agent Smith laying still, on the ground, blood trickling down the side of his face from an ugly looking cut across his eyebrow. He was motionless and my breath caught in my throat.
Was he dead? Did I kill him by dragging him with me on this suicide mission?
Hastily I rushed to his side.
"He's alive. Just unconscious is all. I'd say with that nasty looking injury he'll be out for a few hours." She stated matter of factly, staring down to me.
"Who are you? How do you know my name?" I questioned, curiosity slowly getting the better of me.
Before she answered I felt her examine me. She looked me up and down with a critical eye then she spoke. "I am the sorceress supreme of this world and you, child, are an anomaly. One I, indeed, find intriguing.
I felt confused. How could this human preform such magic? A sorceress supreme? What did that even mean? So many questions came flooding that I couldn't bring myself to ask even one.
"I see you have questions Kyon. I advise, if you want answers, you come find me when this is all over." She looked to Agent Smith and pressed her lips together "Although, I suggest you find somewhere safe to leave your agent"
She turned to leave, neither her bare feet on the concrete or her robe which swirled dramatic around her legs, made a sound as she stepped away.
"Wait! How will I find you?" I called at her retreating form. "I don't know where you live!"
She turned her head slightly to the side. "When you want answers, you will find me, last daughter of Mercury." She mused and disappeared.
To say I was stunned would be an understatement. I wanted to run after her and demand that she tell me everything she knew about me but I couldn't leave Agent Smith here in the middle of a war zone. Especially after all he's done to help me. Although I promised myself that once this is all over, whatever way it ends I would see that lady again.
I would get the answers I needed.