Chapter 16: Liberation

Khepri ghosted through the trees, leaving only the barest footprints in the forest's underbrush. Her khopesh hung loosely in one hand, occasionally being used to shift branches to the side. She was in her full form, golden armour and white mask visible. It was quiet, and Khepri wished her friend was there to take her mind off things.

She wasn't nervous about the fight as such, Heartbreaker would be completely outmatched; she was more worried about keeping his thralls safe. Her partnership with the PRT via Dragon was tenuous as best and any mistakes here would make it difficult for Khepri to help in the future. Her thoughts drifted to the small beacon in her mind, a shining link that she had left untouched so far.

Arthur Crowley would also be at risk, although in a different way. Khepri had expected that light to be gone by now, with either the PRT or Cauldron killing or depowering him. She had honestly been surprised he had survived that first day when she had closed herself off, hidden under the earth with her brother.

She was still unsure of whether to contact her first parahuman. Khepri was tempted to leave him to make his own way in the world, keeping that connection at a distance and pushing the echoes of her conversation with Eden to a distant part of her mind.

Heartbreaker's current residence was a small manor house west of Montreal, deep in the forest and connected to the world only by a small road. It was three stories tall, built in a pseudo Tudor style on the surface but filled with modern amenities. Khepri could see multiple large cars parked outside, alongside some sports cars and an out of place looking old Ford.

From her position in the treeline she could spot only a few people watching out from windows, but there were likely more hidden around. It would be easy for her to flood the area with sand and cocoon all of the victims to keep them safe, but she knew that would certainly traumatise them even more. She blinked, considering the situation, then almost sighed at herself.

She was still thinking along the lines of Khepri, Endbringer, rather than the person she had been before. She brought her hand up to her, tilting it from side to side, considering the material. It was too smooth, more like coloured porcelain than flesh. She pushed with her powers, not outwards but inwards.

It was slow, as though her mind was stuck in thick, viscous sludge that pulled at her from all angles. She thought, for a moment, that she could hear a distant cracking noise, like the creaking of a glacier, then her fingers began to shrink. Her hand followed, the pale skin darkening too, minute hairs growing into place along with tiny imperfections.

The change washed over the rest of her quicker and quicker, armour disappearing and her height dropping. Eventually a young woman stood in her place, tanned of skin with thick, luscious black hair that fell to her mid back. She was clad only in a thin dress, fluffy coat layered over it. Khepri considered herself for a moment, then made small scratches and bruises show on the false skin now covering her, as well as ruined mascara.

She glanced up once more, forming tears that ran down her cheeks, and began to run towards the house.
By the time she reached the front door two women had appeared from the house. One, tall and blonde with freckles on her cheeks, looked worried, standing with her arms already open and ready to catch her into a hug. The other stood slightly back, her body language stiff, and watched with wary eyes.

[A cape, mistress]

[Acknowledgement, Queen]

"They-I," Khepri sobbed, falling into the woman's arms, "they tried to...to."

"Shh, shh sweetie," she replied, rubbing Khepri's back, "you're safe here, don't worry."

Within moments she was ushered inside. She noted the sound of the door being locked behind her even as she was led further into the manor.

"I'm Annabelle, sweetie. What should I call you?" Annabelle said, the soft hint of a southern drawl in her voice.

Khepri looked up at her, pretending to blink the water from her eyes.

"Becky," she replied, sniffing. "Becky Thorn."

"You don't need to worry now, darling. Our husband will be here soon, and then you'll be right as rain."

"Y-your husband?" she asked, glancing from woman to woman.

"Oh yes, he's ever so lovely and kind. Why, Nikos is the light of everyone's life around here."

Annabelle turned as the door opened, an eager look on her face that dulled as a young teen walked in. Khepri froze.

"Jean-Paul," Annabelle greeted, nodding.

The teen didn't acknowledge her aside from a brief look, instead turning to inspect Khepri. She forced herself to relax and continue mimicking breathing.

"Hello Jean-Paul," Khepri half-whispered, "it's good to meet you."

Regent's eyebrows rose, and he glanced up and down her body again. She twitched, almost reaching out to pull him close even as she continued to stare. Khepri saw him shift his hand, twisting it. He frowned a moment later, narrowing his eyes at her slightly.

"Jean-Paul?" Annabelle asked, glancing between them.

He didn't reply for a moment, still matching her gaze, then seemed to slump.

"Come on," the boy shrugged, even as Khepri struggled to turn her attention away from him. "Father wants to see you. Should be interesting."

"Should I come?" Anabelle asked, standing quickly. Jean-Paul didn't bother responding, already turning away and stepping out into the corridor.

"I should," she continued, slipping an arm around Khepri's shoulders. The disguised Endbringer just nodded along, flashes of memory playing through her head, almost too fast for her to focus on.

The manor was stylishly spartan inside, smooth lines of dark wood interspersed with pieces of artwork, ornaments or well tended plants leaving the overall impression of being more a museum than home. They passed the kitchen and the three women inside looked up to watch them, expressions neutral.

"In here," Jean shrugged, not bothering to look at them as he pushed the door open and strolled into a large living room. Four couches were spread around, all pointed towards a smaller love seat, upon which Nikos Vasil lounged with two of his thralls. A careless smirk rested on his face, eyebrows raised slightly. He was handsome, dark haired with an easy, confident grin.

"What have you brought me today, Louise?"

Anabelle stiffened next to her, the desire to protest and claim credit warring with her inability to disagree with Heartbreaker.

"A stray, sir," the cape replied, bowing while maintaining a fervent eye contact with Heartbreaker.

"Bring her closer then, pet," he said, nudging one of the girls away and patting the space next to him. Khepri was pushed forwards, and effected a stumble as she dropped onto the seat. She leant onto Heartbreaker as he slipped her arm around her petite shoulders.
"Now what should we call you, petit poulette."

"Khepri," she said, letting all expression fall from her face. Heartbreaker frowned, leaning back, before his eyes widened in horror as she began to shift into her true form, standing and dragging him up by the neck as she did so. Screams broke out from the girls in the room, their love for Heartbreaker not enough to overcome the intrinsic fear of an Endbringer.

Half the women in the room ran towards them while the rest fled, only to be stopped in place by a wall of sand. The cape, Kristen, hesitated at the door, hand half-raised and shaking violently.

Heartbreaker himself was hyperventilating, pupils blown wide with tears already leaking from them, desperately clawing at her arm. Khepri formed her sword, bringing it up to pierce his heart.

"P-please," he sobbed, "please no!"

The Endbringer didn't reply as she slid her sword into his chest. His scream was cut off as the khopesh severed his spine and he went limp, blood already drenching his silk shirt red.

The cape at the door began to wail, falling to her knees, no longer even watching Khepri, while the rest ran. She then lunged towards the small silver knife next to the fruit bowl, grabbing it and plunging it towards her heartThe knife bent before piercing her skin and she dropped it with a wracking sob, tears streaming down her face. A moment later, even as the rest of the estate began to react, some thralls running towards her while others hovered nearby, the cape screamed again and ran at Khepri, fist drawn back.

The Endbringer caught her, holding her aloft by her head and focusing more on the other humans around her. The non-powered humans in the kitchen had begun pulling open drawers to grab at the knives within. Khepri cocooned them in sand, quickly spreading more around to catch anyone else.

A cape on the floor above, after hearing what happened, started shooting telekinetic blasts at everyone around her. Those near her stood still, trying to let the blasts hit, and Khepri had to block each with a thick wall of sand
She spread her awareness even further. The whole estate was already in chaos. Some of Heartbreaker's children had already ran, while others were trying to calm the ex-thralls using their powers.

[Queen?]

[Yes, mistress.]

Khepri reached out using Queen's shard, forcing them all to remain still until they cried out into unison, each witnessing the same vision. Khepri felt more tiny motes of light flicker into her awareness, like Arthurs had, as their powers connected to her. Each left her with an impression of the human beyond, a thin filament of understanding flowing along the link.

Khepri allowed this understanding to flow back, unlike with Arthur, and she could feel the moment when they realised what the presence in their minds was. She scanned through those links, pulling the one she was looking for closer.

Cherish was one of the children who hadn't left quickly enough, and Khepri tapped into her powers, forcibly calming everyone in the area.

She kept them feeling calm as she used Queen to bring them down into the living room.

Soon enough they were all gathered in one place, most of them staring at the covered form of Heartbreaker. She could see the physical signs of distress even through the calm Cherish had forced onto them. Many were twitching, as though they wanted to step forwards, and all of them aside from the children had pained expressions on their faces. The capes she let have a bit more freedom of feeling, as they were the ones she was connected to.

She didn't mask the link, and she knew each of them could feel her in their heads as a blazing sun. They watched her more than Heartbreaker, especially his children, and through Cherish Khepri could feel their fear and anticipation mixing. She mentally took a moment, casting her gaze across the people in front of her. Queen was a reassuring presence at her side, out in her wolf form sprawled at Khepri's feet.

"Heartbreaker is dead," she began, shifting the sand away to reveal his face. Tears began to run down the women's faces, even through the emotional manipulation.

"For the moment this will hurt, but the PRT will do their best to save you from the effects of his power. They will be here soon to help."

She directed her sand to collect around the non-capes, urging them into the next room over and blocking the sound from reaching them. The moment they were gone Cherish spoke up.

"What do you want with us?" she asked, her head tilted in challenge even as Khepri felt the fear curling in the cape's stomach. "I can feel you, in my head."

"It was the easiest way to save you."

"That guy, the director the news spoke about, he was right wasn't he. About you being different. You're not going to just leave us. You...care."

[Request] ...Queen?

[Purpose] They are your first subjects. Of course you care, like for Insight.

Khepri tilted her head, considering the group in front of her. Her mind drifted back to the conversation with Dragon, about trying to make up for the crimes she had been forced to commit.

"I want to make the world a better place," she said, gaze flickering over the various reactions. Disgust, disbelief, hope, determination. "And there are many ways in which I cannot help, places I cannot go without causing panic."

"Why would we help you?" The brute who had guided her earlier asked, scowling. Another stepped up next to her, a slight woman with blonde hair.

"Some of us have suffered for years. You cannot force us to serve a monster any more, even with the threat of death."

"I understand," Khepri said, nodding her head in respect to the woman.

[Whole] They are part of you, mistress.

"Focus on the link to me. I will show you."

There was a bustling energy in the air at the Rig as they finally finished settling their share of Heartbreaker's victims into secure rooms. Most had gone to secure facilities around eastern Canada, but Dragon had called ahead, warning them that four were being sent to Brockton Bay, two of whom were Heartbreaker's children. His friend had communicated with him later, during a bit of down time, letting know that Khepri had done something to all the powered individuals, and that she had requested these four to be sent to Brockton Bay specifically.

Armsmaster let out a tiny sigh. 'Something' was quite a wide range of possibilities, but Dragon had only observed that Khepri had managed to get the powered victims to listen to her and, seemingly, wiped them of Heartbreaker's influence. He had noticed they were not acting as he expected, too, especially the two adults. They were more compliant than he had expected, following their orders with only mild glares or occasional relief. None of them had spoken about what had happened.

He took another deep breath as he reached the final holding room, standing straighter again. The last two capes were inside, along with Assault. Piggot had wanted them to keep the capes separate and guarded one to one, but the psychologist on call had explained that doing so would likely make the victims more unstable. Heartbreaker's children were being guarded by Dragon's suits, while Assault had been left to watch the two other victims.

"Evening," he said with a nod as he pushed the door open and stepped into the secure corridor, "I hope they've been okay." Assault nodded back.

"All quiet here boss," he said from where he was leant against the wall, facing towards the secure door, "been watching them on the cameras. They haven't spoken much, one of them is meditating. Want me to come in?"

"No, stay out here just in case."

The two Heartbreaker victims sat on opposite beds, only one of them watching him. The other had her eyes closed, meditating as Assault had said. The woman watching him was tall, long limbed with a blonde ponytail and sharp eyes. She lounged back on the bed, but Armsmaster noticed that she kept her hands free and, most likely, ready to use her power.

The other was sat crossed legged, bolt upright. She had long wavy hair that was such a light blonde it appeared almost silver, and pale, unblemished skin.

"Well enough," the lounging cape said, "considering I've been a slave for the past five years." There was a tightly controlled fury in her voice, and the way her glare switched between him and Assault was obvious.

"I believe you are Benthic, aren't you?"

"I was," she replied. He hesitated for a long second, until Dragon whispered to him through his headset.

"What would you prefer us to call you, now?"

She took her attention off of the Protectorate heroes for the first time at that, looking instead at the silent woman opposite her.

"I'm not sure I have the right to decide that anymore."

This finally brought a reaction from the silver-haired cape. She blinked her eyes open, a slight frown growing on her face.

"Everyone deserves the right to self-determination, Louise. This situation doesn't change that."

Benthic… Louise leant forward at that, almost aggressive, but the programming in his armour read her body language as being nervous instead.

"I don't recall you giving us much of a chance at self-determination."

"I merely presented you with an opportunity for freedom. You can step away at any time. Sever the link."

Louise's expression tightened at this, the muscles along her jaw flexing.

"Boss?" Assault asked through his comms, even as Armsmaster began to feel a sinking suspicion in his stomach.

"Head out and find Piggot," Armsmaster replied, subvocalizing into his microphone, "tell her that I think we have the VIE in the building. Don't let anyone else through this door until I open it."

Assault hesitated for only a second agreeing, and Armsmaster heard the outer door lock shut. Once he was sure both doors were fully sealed he turned back to them.

"Khepri?" he asked. Louise flinched, but the silver-haired woman only nodded, giving him a small smile.

"It is good to meet you in person, Armsmaster."

"We've met before," he blurted out. Khepri raised a single eyebrow, and Armsmaster was glad only Dragon was listening in.

"I mean, yes. It is good to meet you," he continued, putting his hand out for her to shake. Louise watched, shock turning into disbelief as Khepri stood and grasped his hand back.

"Why did you come here?" Armsmaster asked. He heard Dragon let out a soft sigh into his earpiece.

Khepri paused, staring at him for a moment.

"The situation needs to change," she started, turning to match Louise's gaze before turning back to him. "I thought dealing with a major threat that others couldn't handle would help, and while I do not regret it and will not abandon my promise, it is not what I was seeking. I can tell that already."

"What are you seeking?" he asked, frowning. "Freedom?"

"You sound concerned," she commented, a single eyebrow raising.

"I am unsure what it would mean," Armsmaster admitted, "for humanity." Khepri didn't reply at first, watching him intently.

"You are afraid," she eventually said. He nodded.

"Wouldn't anyone be?"

"I am too," Khepri admitted in a soft voice, "as I also don't know what it would mean. What does a slave do with freedom?"

Louise laughed, but it was a bitter, hollow sound. Armsmaster frowned.

"What did you do to the victims? Dragon mentioned…"

Khepri stood at this, and before he could react was almost nose to nose with him.

"What are you trying to imply, Colin?" she asked in a flat voice.

His mouth went dry as he stared straight into her eyes.

"Ah," he started, then took a deep breath, trying to ignore who he was talking to. "You've obviously done something - aside from the psychological aftereffects you would not think they had been under a master influence as strong as Heartbreakers. Compared to the non-capes, certainly. If I am going to be looking after them then it is my responsibility to make sure they are unharmed and will remain unharmed."

Khepri continued staring at him for a moment, then stepped back, a tiny smile forming on her face.

"They are safe from me."

"Safe because of you," Louise added, although Armsmaster thought she sounded conflicted. Khepri inclined her head towards the cape in thanks.

"What did you do then?"

"I can't tell you that. Not yet."

"Surely-"

Khepri's expression fell flat and emotionless.

"Don't push, Colin."

As always, big thanks to Burn Note and Evil Atlas for beta reading/cleaning up the messes that are my first drafts.