Chapter 19 – Judgment
Ben covered Kira Ann as the bullets came pouring into the room. The private doctor, now motionless on the floor, her blood started to pour out on the floor and seep through the wood. Kira Ann's heart beat started to beat faster and faster the more bullets came close to her. Normally she wasn't this emotional or afraid, but now she had something to lose. She wasn't alone in the mountains where all she had to worry about was herself, she had to worry about Ben and her child.
Both of them thought the shooting would never end until they were both dead, but then the shooting stopped. Not daring to get up just yet, Kira Ann laid flat on the floor, as Ben still laid on top of her, protecting the only two things he held dear.
"Sir I think they're dead," said a faint voice that Ben heard. "No," said a stronger voice. Then footsteps could be heard slowly motioning from the door and Kira Ann knew exactly who it was. "I know you're in there, Kira Ann. Come outside we should talk."
Kira Ann was really tempted to do so, but there was also the chance that it was a chance. Ben, on the other hand, didn't trust a word Justice Lee said and was not going to put Kira Ann in danger. Kira Ann attempted to get up, but Ben was not moving off of her.
"Fine if you won't come out, I'll just come in." In an instant, Ben got up and stood in front of Kira Ann.
"Ben, It'll be alright," said Kira Ann.
"He tried to kill you. I'm not taking any chances." She knew he meant well, but Kira Ann did not like to feel defenseless. "Do you remember what I told you, back at the watering hole?" asked Ben.
ABOUT A YEAR AGO AT THE TEMPLE….
Kira Ann was walking to the watering hole to see if any of the cages had caught anything to dinner. Ben had decided to end researching early and explore the surrounding areas, saying that he needed to have time to himself. Though they were definitely some awkward moments, they had a well-developed friendship, there were times when Ben seemed almost afraid to be with her. Sometimes they would talk and talk for hours on end, but then there were the times when Ben just shut himself out. It didn't happen as much as it did when they first met, but it was a thing that always perplexed Kira Ann. She knew he was always haunted by his past, just how she was, but by being together they helped fill their voids and no longer be lonely.
As she entered the watering hole, Kira Ann felt a sudden wave of danger nearby. Her surroundings were very quiet, no animals to be seen or heard of. On top of that, one of the cages was clawed apart. Suddenly Ben sprang from the other side of the spring with a metal rod in hand. His face was very confused as to why Kira Ann was there, and vise verse. Before he could say anything, both of them heard a growl coming their way. Bracing themselves, a pair of fur-like-rhino creatures, with claws, appeared before them angry. There were only two of them, but that didn't mean it would be easy.
Summoning her power, Kira Ann formed two blades in her hand ready to fight. "Try to scare them away," said Ben, but that soon didn't become an option. Suddenly one of them charged at Ben pushing him down on the ground. Kira Ann peeped over to help and stabbed the mutant creature in the face. About to collapse on him, Ben force pushed the creature all the way to the end of the watering hole. Kira Ann had never seen Ben display so much power before. The other creature, who was shocked at what happened to its friend, scurried away into the wood.
"We should get rid of the body," said Ben as he slowly stood up, "I'm sure other animals will be smelling the blood." There were a number of scratches on his arms coming up to she shoulders. "I agree on Ben, but maybe we should get you check first." Kira Ann said as she watched the blood drip down on the floor.
"I'll be alright," said Ben, "as soon as I get rid of the body, I'll treat myself." Ben started to walk over, but Kira Ann gripped Ben's forearm which made him wince.
"Is that why you left this morning? To take care of these creatures by yourself." Ben didn't look at her, he just turned his head away. Gripping his hand, Kira Ann placed her hand on Ben's chin and moved his face towards her. "You don't have to do this alone. I live here too and besides... you're my friend and I'd do anything to help you."
"You make it sound like you want to be partners with me." Said Ben dismissively.
"Because I want to be your partner." Ben looked up at Kira Ann in disbelief. "Don't be afraid to ask for help, ok, two heads are better than one." Ben looked up again and gave an approving nod. He had always done things by himself, but maybe it wasn't so bad to take help.
"Ok," she said quietly, "we'll do it together."
BACK TO THE PAST ….
"Yes, it was the day you said that we should work together."
"And we did," said Kira Ann as she got up from the floor, "and after that we did everything together. Every book we read, the creature we fought, and any problem that came our way. We protect each other." Ben turned is head around and gave Kira Ann a small smile; they then grabbed each other's hands and interlocked them.
"So this is the baby Daddie?" said Justice Lee as he startled the two lovers. "Honestly, Kira Ann, you could have done better."
"I don't really think you have a say in my life anymore, dad." Said Kira Ann harshly. "But then again did you ever care about me? Did you even care about mom or my brother?"
Justice Lee gave a suffocating laugh. "You always take things so personally, Kira Ann. You should be glad that you were a part of my rise to power. That' s why I married your mother, I saw her power her worth, but she barely used it. That's why I had you."
"You're a sick man," said Ben, "to kill your own daughter."
"I don't think you should be one to judge, Ben… or do you go by another name?" That comment haunted Ben, how could he know about his past? "I grow bored of you." Justice Lee then shot an ice bullet at Ben sending him flying into the other room. Kira Ann was about to go and help, but Justice Lee froze Kira Ann's feet and hands. "You should have gotten the execution chair at that trial, or better yet you should have been consumed by that crazy demon you possess."
"But why?" asked Kira Ann pleadingly, "why do you want me dead?"
"Isn't it obvious? You were no use to me. I thought that your time in the military and your magical training would make you a great ally at my disposal, but I was wrong."
YEARS AGO….
Justice Lee was working at his office until an expected knock came at his door. The man who entered was quite buff, to say the least, wearing brown leather armor and a mysterious amulet with three dogs around his neck. "You must be Cerberus," said Justice Lee nonchalantly, "are you agreeing to my terms." The man called Cerberus, entered with ease, resting his hands on his back.
"As long as I get paid, I'll do the spell."
"Excellent," said Justice Lee standing up, "and you sure it will work?"
"Yes, once I trap her with my spell it will cause her to go into a rage, destroying everything in her path. Eventually, the strain of the magic should kill her."
"Well, what are we waiting for! Let's head to the show."
PRESENT DAY
"You so wanted to get out of the military business that you wanted to retire and move to earth. You were so weak and foolish to do that. I shouldn't have relied on magic to do my dirty work." Justice Lee then gripped Kira Ann's chin sending a chilling sensation all over her body. "I really should have killed you myself, I would have enjoyed it more." Kira Ann then felt a chilling pain swarm through her body. Just as she was about to act, Kira Ann felt her mind go blank, as if she wasn't in control anymore.
Channeling all the darkness she could muster Kira Ann blasted Justice Lee with a deadly dark force, sending him flying opposite of the room. Ben, who had momentarily lost conscious, saw Kira Ann walking slowly towards Justice Lee. He could feel that something was different about Kira Ann as if she was a different person. Justice Lee was about to blast Kira Ann, but using the force Ben froze him in his tracks. Kira Ann turned her head to face Ben, her eyes were a dark purple color, and gave him a wicked smile.
"Nice trick lover," said Kira Ann with a velvety voice, "why don't we end this? Shall we?" Saying that Kira Ann formed a dark sword, and started heading to the still frozen Justice Lee. Ben then stopped her. "What are you doing Ben? He is a threat! We must end this vile beast." Kira Ann attempted to approach Justice Lee again, but Ben stopped her again.
"This isn't you. The Kira Ann I know would not say those things….are… are you?"
"Very good, Ben," said Nox as she lightly stroked Ben's face, "you right about Kira Ann. As much as she would love to kill her own father, she knows it's not right. You and Kira Ann have grown weak. There was a time when both of you would have killed without a second chance."
"It's for the best! Kira Ann was almost executed for her crimes and I was some stupid pawn that almost destroyed everything that could have been my family. Killing someone out of cold blood isn't right." Ben then gripped Kira Ann's face, turning her face towards him. "We're not at war, just let the government take care of it."
"Kira Ann isn't the only one who has been affected by this man. He used both of us. And that I can't forgive him." Before Ben could say anything the two turning their attention to the sudden men assembling just outside their window. Nox was about to attack them, but Ben stopped her. Instead, Ben left the house and saw a small group of armed men pointing guns straight at him. In an instant Ben lifted all the weapons from the men's hands, lifting them up in the head. Kira Ann, who was still controlled by Nox, stepped out of the house giving Ben a suspicious look. "So much power and yet you barely use it."
"Will you destroy the weapons?" asked Ben politely. Sighing, Nox summoned her dark power and shot at all the weapons at once. The men below flinched in horror as they saw all their tools be destroyed in an instant. Nox was then about to attack the men, but Ben then froze her. "No," said Ben firmly. Suddenly, a loud buzzer sound came from the sound, with the flashing lights shinning down on the ground.
"This is the Wa-sta military," said a voice on a speaker, "surrender or we will use force." Ben turned to Nox with a worried expression. "Please don't make this worse." Nox looked at Ben and gave her signature wicked smile. "Fine, but only because I don't want to harm the children," she said as she placed her hands on her stomach, "these two will be powerful. I can feel it."
"Two?" asked Ben, but Nox was already gone. Kira Ann's body already went limp as Ben caught her just in time. Lightly stroking Kira Ann's face, Ben turned to see a group soldiers arresting the mercenaries and General Samuel walking towards him.
"Are you two ok?" General Samuel looked worried as he knelt down beside Ben. Giving a small smile, Ben looked back at Kira Ann's resting face.
"I think we'll be ok, we just need to make sure her father is locked away for a long time." General Samuel motioned two of the soldiers inside to contain Justice Lee. Entering the home, General Samuel went to the middle of the room and removed one of the wooden boards to show a recorder. "I think this will help."
"A recorder?" asked Ben, "Why didn't you tell us about it?"
"You aren't supposed to know, besides, it allowed me to keep an eye on you two." General Samuel said with a chuckle, which unsettled Ben. "Relax we'll get him. The two of you can now focus on your family." Walking out of the house, Ben looked back at Kira Ann's resting face.
"Preparing for my family," whispered Ben. He had never thought about it that way.
Note
Only two more chapters left and then I'm moving to the sequel.