(A.N.) Well, I'm changing my update schedual a bit, since two weeks is too long, seeing as I already have everything throughch. 14 prepared, weekly updates went down the tube last time, I'm going by advice of one of my favorite author's, Love Robin, and i'll attempt to update every 10 days. Also, there is a poll on my profile, so please vote on my next side project, I think, I'll be reducing the deadline from August 15th to August 1st, since there's been no voters for the past 5 days. And now, please enjoy this overly long chapter which took me forever to write. I hate this chapter with a passion... So I don't mind any critism here. Anyway, please review to show me your thoughts. This chapter is 7,163 words long!
Awaken: Book of Bonds
Chapter 12: Bonds of Families
"In the shadows, I hid, waiting for the target to show his face. After a long period of time, he emerged from his concubine's room. As he walks through his impressive cobblestone hall, towards my hidden position, the adrenaline in my veins begins pumping, the thrill before the kill. He turns the corner of his beautifully candle lit home for the last time, before he has time to register his surroundings, I have him strangled between the chains of my nunchaku. His gasp for breath increase in speed and desperation, as his heart slowly gives out from the loss of flowing blood. His carcass slumps and I push him out the nearby window, and let the body fall 5 stories to the unforgiving ground. Then, I silently creep and slip the envelope through the crease in the concubine's door. 'Mission success, alert the other's of their freedom- Awaken Merc- Cory'"
We flew, somewhere deep in Michigan, into a large forest area, and before Tyson, Robert, or I knew it, the hovermech switched to auto pilot, and we were ejected into the lush area. We landed on some trees, and hopped branch to branch until we hit the ground, purely on instinct, and followed the other members through the trees and underbrush, before grouping up with the other members before an unimpressive hollow tree stump, at least ten feet tall and seemingly cut down by the forces of nature, easily at least 150 years old.
"Nice base of operations." I snort.
"You have no Idea…" Michael smirked, before jumping up and into the tree stump; we heard no thud, proving it to be far deeper than expected. Tyson immediately followed, wordlessly jumping higher than I thought possible, doing 3 back flips before landing into the tree stump opening, as the others went around back to the hidden door.
"Show off." I mutter, following the others. Robert looked at me as if I was insane, and ran up the stump, did a small handstand, and flipped himself in.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Falling through the incredibly deep trunk was like exploring a world wonder, I had flipped myself down, and out into the center of the 10 meter wide trunk, a good three meters all around the circular tunnel was used for a spiral staircase, I passed the other members on my decent before landing in a pool, with a nice impact and splash. I swam to meet up with Tyson and Michael, and stood wait, dripping wet, with them, while the others descended the kilometer long drop. I was truly amazed at the depth and size of the base, technical equipment lay around the large entry space, including impressive super computers, unbelievable T.V's and communication equipment. As the others caught up with us, Michael had them line for introductions before the three of us newbie's. List their name, past, and remove their helm were the instructions.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
"My name is Richard Arian; my back-story isn't much to brag about. I grew up in a rich family in London, so I got a majority of the things I wanted. I learned how to use my hand axe through chopping wood for camping when I was a child. When I learned about this whole secret war that had begun during WWIII, around 9 years ago, I became infuriated with the governments incompetence to contain a bunch terrorists. Then a year later, I learn that my father's latest source of income was arms dealing with what became the Dictation. I ran away, and after living in the streets of Los Angeles, where my parents wouldn't be able to find me out, as a dirt poor bum, Michael had tracked me down, his incredible snooping abilities led him to learning that the son of an arms dealer for his enemy had ran away from home, he figured that I may be willing to fight for the cause. Afterwards, I entered the Complex, did my 3 years of boot camp, entered Awaken, and did my missions for the past 5 years, what happened during those years are my business." I give my small bio and turn to my friend Cory, informing him that it's his turn to tell his life story.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
"My name is Cory Ripple, I ran away from home 8 years ago when I was living in Arizona, eventually finding myself at the door of the complex, half dead from heatstroke, I entered, befriended Richard, learned how to master the art of nunchaku, kicked some ass, took some names, and became a member. After that, it's the same as Richard, 5 years, missions, and my business." And he let the spotlight shine on someone else.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
A brunette woman stepped up, about 5'9, and looked in her early 20's "I'm Joel Ulsor; I joined 6 years ago, along with a group of people who I helped to destroy a Dictation outpost while in the compound. We had snuck out one night when we had hacked into the data phrase to find suspicious activity in the distance, so a group of 6, myself included, ran off, and found dictation setting up a base a few miles off, just at the edge of our radar. So we raided them, took a few lives, and sent them packing. But when we did it, we hadn't revealed we were Awaken, like you had. Before I had joined, I suffered a head injury, erasing my memory of everything before waking up in the desert, where I was spotted by a hovermech carrying the other future raiders to the compound; they picked me up and took me to the compound. There I learned how to defend myself with the very sai's I used to attack the Dictation base."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
A tall man, looking in his mid 30's dirty blond hair introduced himself. "I am Edward Urfa; I was one of the 6 who attacked the Dictation in the raid. I was a juggler for a circus, until a member of the government was insulted when a tightrope walker slipped and fell, causing a chain reaction where she startled the fire eater, and her set off the sprinkler system, soiling his suit, he immediately had our show shut down, and my boss was killed by dictation soldiers for it. I then began to look for a place where I could avenge my boss, who was a good friend of mine. I found Awaken talent seeker Grogan, and proved my stuff to him in the same way your friend Robert did, and was taken around the country as we picked up other recruits to be taken to the compound, then on the way we met Joel. After our famous raid, we were all decidedly ready for Membership, and shipped off here."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
An attractive blonde in a very provocative mini skirt and high heels that made her easily 6 ft. steeped up. "Names Chelsea Greenback, the only weapon I trust is my own fist, my hobbies are interrogation and boxing, make a move on me, and you won't move for a week, guaranteed. I was the first one to enter the base on the night of the raid, and the last one to leave. I personally gathered crucial information on the Dictation that night, and blackmailed Awaken into having all of us join." She stated coolly, before walking off, only to return momentarily with pictures of the raid in hand, most of it involved bloody pools with pathetic beaten men laying in them, further dying their black and red uniforms crimson. She then remained silent and allowed the next person to step up.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Now, a rather innocent looking teen with a menacingly large hammer stepped up. "I'm Erica Whypes, I'm 15, I busted the door down during the raid, and wasn't afraid to break open a few skulls. This mallet weighs exactly half a ton. That's 1000 pounds, and I treat it as nothing. I entered the compound after Grogan picked me up after an intense street fight when I was a kid. He's been the father to me I've never had." She finished on a rather sweet note opposing her seemingly crude nature.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
A young man, with a small goatee was next to speak, he had short dark brown hair, he held a razor bladed shield. "I'm Benjamin Tills; I was the mastermind behind the raid, I planned the thing out, and recruited the other members. The point behind the raid was to protect the compound, and our fellow trainees, not to be recruited. But thanks to Chelsea, we got that added bonus." He smirked before gazing off into the distance.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
And a boy resembling Erica entered next. "I'm Eric Whypes; Erica failed to mention she wasn't the only person in that street fight to be picked up. I was the second in command of the raid. It was my equipment that hacked the mainframe and allowed us to discover the base. I use a bow staff-" Devante cut in.
"You fight with a stick."
Eric seemed to immediately become frustrated. "It's not a stick, it's a wooden pole used for combat-"
"A wooden pole is the definition of a stick." Devante intervened. Erica proceeded to slam her heavy mallet down on his foot, resulting in a rather loud yell, and then a nervously quiet Devante.
Wish I had done that years ago.
"Please continue brother." Erica said politely.
"No I'm finished, thank you though." He chuckled.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Next, a man whose face was so scarred with scratches and burns that his actual features were almost unseen. He was 6'4 and very shady, his head was shaved, revealing even more scares. "They call me Doan Rhydor. I got into some trouble some 11 years ago with the government, I had to go into hiding and change my name. Eventually a group of bounty hunters found me, and as you can see, gave me quite the facial reconstruction. If Angel hadn't appeared from the sky like she had, I would have died. I was about 34 at the time, so being saved by a girl as young as her was incredibly embarrassing, but I swallowed my pride, and allowed her to recruit me, after 3 years in the complex, I entered Awaken as an official member. I owe my life to Angel, so I'll keep working under her until I die."
"So what's your weapon?" Robert inquired. A closer look revealed he had no holster or blade anywhere on his person.
He smirked a twisted smile, and from his wrist came a claw like hook and wire, they had shot from a compartment in his gauntlets, and had quickly immobilized Robert by tying up is hands, and bringing him to a kneel on the ground. He retracted the claws and spun Robert around in the process, leaving him in a heap on the ground. "Any other questions?" Robert groaned in response. "Good, whose next?"
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Now a rather short man took center stage so to speak. Only 4'10 he had jet black short hair combed down, he wore goggles with dark green lenses; he was obviously some sort of scientist by the look of his white lab coat. "My names Steven O'Kelly, but everyone here calls me Doc, so let's go by that. I'm one of the 10 founding members that began this organization 15 years ago. I was Michael and Angels Science teacher when they were still high school kids. When they confronted me about the Dictations rising, I gladly joined their small group, and was the main developer of this base."
"Isn't a little weird taking orders from your old students?" Tyson inquired.
"Michael is different from my other students, class leader was an understatement. His determination was so inspiring to me, and his amount of Intel and involvement, it would have been downright stupid not to join. Good thing I did, about a week after we went underground, the entire town was 'investigated' by the new peacekeepers, and that entire school was burned down, during class hours my room being in the middle of the building would have left me trapped and unable to escape."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Next, a more rounded man stood up. He was 7'1, and had a sheathed long sword at his side. He had a blond buzz cut. "I'm George Jury-"
"Wait, the George Jury? Commander of the 4th battalion during WWIII? You're the one who sent his men into an ambush that left you outnumbered 6 to 1 and left there without a single casualty on your side?" Robert asked in awe.
"Yep, that's me. After I found out about the governments true leader, I immediately began looking for a different militia, luckily, I found Carol first, she took me to the compound, and in just two years, I had made it all the way to a member. It was the fastest record before you three. I Hear Tyson had an unbreakable determination to drag you two with him to the top."
"You could say that" Tyson smirked.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Next, a man wearing a monocle and holding a cane approached. He had graying hair, and a small bowler's hat. A small mustache made him look like the ideal monopolists.
"Someone's got money to waste." Devante muttered.
"Ahh! So you understand! I was one of the Original ten members, Fredrick Ribary; I was the one who funded the materials for this base. I was a friend of Doc's, so when he came to me about Michael's situation, I owed him a favor, he saved my life about 20 years ago, we're war veterans. Anyway, I was happy to help." He pulled at the top of his cane and a blade emerged. Said blade was now pointed at Devante's throat. "And I'm not a half bad swordsman, kid."
"Alright, so can do more than just toss your cash around, I get it!" He said in slight frustration of being outdone by two members in the past ten minutes.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Next, a girl still wearing her helmet took stand. She had duel crescent blades sheathed at her side. She was obviously an adept assassin. She was about 5'9, and looked very agile. Her mask hid her features, and her age. A deep, seductive tone emitted from her as she spoke. "Trust me; you don't want to see the battle scars beneath this mask. I'm Patricia, joined around 9 years ago, after 3 years in the complex. Throughout my 9 years here, I've taken enough risks to seriously disfigure my face. On the rare occasions that I've slipped up on the job, and my positions been compromised, I've taken serious consequences. My advice to your kids, learn perfection, without it, you may die in a matter of seconds." One could almost hear the twisted smile in her voice.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
A woman walked up to us next and pushed Patricia away. "Stop teasing, Patty." She smirked.
"Morgan…" The intimidated girl growled.
"Ignore my twin sister, I'm Morgan Dolan, I'm the chef around here, my sister and I entered and left the complex together. Angel found us after our town was attacked when we were 12 years old. The dictation had dragged our neighbor into the streets and had him publicly executed for being a member of some resistance. After seeing someone so close to us being treated like an animal, we decided to oppose the government. On our way out of town, she approached us on an offer of joining Awaken, if we had completed the required training. We agreed, and as Patricia said, went through 3 years of training, and have spent the past 9 years here." She had brown hair, she was similar in figure to her twin, and she had vibrant blue eyes, and looked in her mid twenties.
Patricia then lunged for her sister. "Never interrupt me!" she screeched obviously peeved with a kunai knife drawn. Morgan countered with her own kitchen cutlery and left Patricia with a long deep scratch going through her mask. "You bitch!"
Morgan stood triumphant, flipping her knife around in her hand. "Don't forget who the better twin is sis." She stated cockily.
"Yeah, ME!" Was Patricia's response, and just as she had lunged again, a flash bomb erupted between the twins, leaving them both stunned and laying on their backs.
"That's enough you two!" Carol shouted, Mike behind her.
"What are you two doing here?" Devante questioned.
"We're members too, we are just late, we had put Rose in charge of everyone." Mike stated. Devante's face softened at the mention of Rose.
"Anyway, please continue with your introductions." Michael announced, slightly irritated at the disgraceful display his members had shown.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
A boy stood next. He couldn't have been more than 2 years older than us. He had blond hair; he also wore some sort of lab coat. He was about Devante's height, with a much slimmer figure. "I'm Jimmy, just call me Jim. I was 3 years old when my mom died; she was executed by the government for not releasing her connection with a rebel group. I never knew my dad, and I never learned my last name. Steve found me in the closet Mom told me to hide in, he took me in and raised me, I've become his apprentice, and I'm the one of the exceptions to the rule of at least a year's worth of training." It was obvious from the boy's tone he hated talking about his past. I looked to Michael, and from just the one glance, I learned he knew the boy's father, and has yet to tell him.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Next, a woman in her mid 30's came forward, She had blonde hair, green eye's, she was 5'11, and had hook swords on her back. Tattoo's covered any unclothed skin. "I'm Cindi Natterfall I'm one of the original 10. I was Angel's best friend prior to joining. She was like a sister to me, so when she told me she was running away to become an enemy of society with her boyfriend, I couldn't sit by and let her go without some support. I learned how to use hook swords from my uncle, he was a big blade specialist in our hometown." Her face drooped at the mention of her Uncle. An unhappy history was apparent from the original 10. Angel took her friend in an embrace and walked her away.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
"I'm Econdor Mrishin." Said the man who stood before us, in a thick accent. He was 7'1, and had large muscles. He held a halberd in his hand, an ancient weapon, which combined a spear, axe, and hook. He had short hair, and looked very tribal.
"Finally! I'm tired of being surrounded by Caucasians!" Devante shouted, a bit more loudly than he probably intended. A quick look around confirmed, all of the people we've heard from so far were white.
"I'm from Kenya, or at least what's left of it." Econdor stated. "I was an exchange student at Michael's school, and one of the original 10. When Michael decided to run away, I took him to my country. He took a brief stay there before a quick tour of the world. After his return, he formed Awaken, and brought me back to America."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
"And I'm Econdor's sister, Pauline." Said the dark skin girl next to him. About 6'3, pretty tall for a woman, and dark, long hair pulled back into a ponytail, she looked much more modern than him. She looked about mid 30's as did her brother. She had spiked gloves on. "I like to pound people's faces in when they don't listen to reason." She said when she noticed my gaze on her weapon. "I was the first member to finish the required training and join. I had no choice, seeing as my brother had run away, and that was the only way to get to talk to him on my terms. When I learned about the threat to the world, the Dictation, I saw why went as far as to join a rebel group and hideaway in America." She sighed, likely missing her home.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
An Indian man stepped up, he had brown short hair, slightly darker than his skin, he was about 6'3, and early 20's"I'm Senjen Fusel." He said politely, a slight accent on his tongue. "I work with sedations, and capturing targets. My favorite weapon…" at this he smirked. "Is my taser!" he quick drew a yellow gun and shot at Devante, not a split second before Robert had shot it out of Senjen's hand. The Indian man stood at gunpoint, and watched as Devante on instinct raised a counter shock barrier. The taser had no effect on his body.
He looked to Mike and Carol. "You're training them better and better." He smirked. "Anyway, drop the weapon Robert, it was just a test. Robert uneasily placed his pistol back in its holster.
"I entered the complex 13 years ago after Econdor found me half dead in a desert. I was running away from my small country which was under rule by a fierce tyrant." He sighed in disappointment. "I spent 5 years in the complex." He muttered. That was the longest we had heard so far. And seeing three kids take that place and turn it upside down in a short year was probably killing his ego.
*cough* "Loser." *cough* Robert failed to be discreet and was again tripped by Doan's claw. Senjen chuckled, and stepped away.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Another man stepped up. He was very average compared to the rest of the group. A simple pistol hung in its holster on his 5'6 frame. Short brown hair and brown eyes, he was in about his late thirties, maybe early 40's. "I'm Morese Chyrin. I was one of the original ten, I'm not much for fighting, however, I'm an expert in combat strategies and formations. I'm sort of the advisor around here." He explained.
"Well, you're boring." Devante snorted. Morese hung his head. Patricia chuckled.
"That's what I said!"
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
"You already know me." Mike said, and he began to make his leave when Carol pushed him back. "Alright, my name is Mike Usore, I'm one of the original 10, Carol, Michael, Angel, and I were a friend group in High school, and Michael created Awaken when he came back after running away. Carol and I joined him immediately; he had all the proof we needed. And not much later, our school, our town, was all attacked. My uncle owned a building in Death Valley, you three lived in it for about a year. When he died after Dictation made its appearance, I 'inherited' it. Carol and I turned it into the training Complex." He explained.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Now, another guy took stand. He looked very similar to Mike. "My name is Chancler Usore, Mike's cousin. I joined 9 years ago; I spent 3 years in the complex. I use a whip, just like Mike. When we were kids, I actually taught him to use it. In the complex, he taught me how to use it even better." He said, with a small sigh of shame. "I heard Mike and his friends had a rebel group, I thought he might need backup. I somehow ended up in a training ground at the mercy of the person I came to help." Mike simply stood to the side with a smirk.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Carol stood next. "I'm Carol Blake, soon to be Usore…" She held up a hand with an engagement ring. Mike could be heard whining in the background. "I took care of Angel when Michael ran away. When he came back, I followed him and Angel into Awaken, dragging Mike with me. I had inherited a plot of land from my aunt when she passed away. A huge plot of land, most of this forest is part of it. About 40 acres west of here is a vacation house-"
Robert cut her off there. "And we're here because?"
"A house in open sight isn't very secret, is it?" She retorted.
"Fair enough." Said the short boy with a pout.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Grogan took stand next. "Well, you kids also know me as well. Grogan Vriarie, Poison specialist, and one of the original ten." His deep raspy voice echoed across the entire vast space that we were in, his cloak still hiding his features, but his intimidating 6'7 frame gave the impression of a very masculine face. "I was a drug dealer in Michael's town. Doc was an old partner of mine before he became a teacher-"
"Wait, how old are you?" Devante interrupted. He was quickly silenced with a tranquilizer the Grogan threw.
"52 and it's impolite to ask for someone's age. Oh, and that will wear off in 10 minutes." He chuckled at Devante's surprised face, frozen in place due to the toxin's running through his blood stream. "Anyway, Doc confronted me about an organization he was joining. I saw it as a protection from the law, and a chance to get back at the pigs that mindlessly destroyed a third of the world in a pointless war." He grew very stern at the last sentence. "So I gladly joined, and trust me, your safer here than anywhere else in the world."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Next a figure moved to the center stage, but did not speak. Instead Michael stood next to it, and introduced the mysterious person. "This is not your ordinary member, it's not even human." He said slowly, as he removed the figures mask, revealing a metallic structure that roughly resembled a face. "This is a failed dictation WMD, meet DWMA-3, Dictation Weapon Mechanism Alpha 3. This was an experiment to create a perfect mechanized soldier, built in with human combat instinct and auto upgradeable intelligence, meaning it could learn whatever it needed to. However, this module was defective, it somehow learned feelings, and refused to mindlessly kill targets. Dictation decided to scrap all 5 of the robots for this one's difference. However, we had Doc infiltrating their base at the time, and he snuck away with DWMA-3, having a useless replica destroyed in its place. DWMA-3 has since grown to hate its creators for their attempted destruction of him, and his brothers deaths, he's also grown indebted to us, and has willingly joined our cause."
"Does it, talk?" I asked timidly.
"Yes." Came a vague voice, emitting from the machine.
"Wait, that voice…" Tyson mused.
"Figured you'd pick up on it." Carol said knowingly.
"Then it really is?" He replied.
"Ok, Tyson, it's really cool that you're the deductive genius of the group, but Robert and I are in the dark here, is it the voice of someone you know? Because I've never heard it." Devante ranted, just recovering from Grogan's poison.
"Yes you have, just not like that." The light brown haired boy said in a light hush. "I just can't believe the amount of technology put into that."
"Tyson, you're starting to piss us off." I growl.
"You guys don't hear it?" He gave us a look, a Goddamned irritating look. As if we were the biggest morons on the planet.
"Hear what?" Devante seethed.
"And give me that look again and I'll shoot your brains out." I scold in an equal tone.
"The voice is a combination of everyone's voice in here, even yours in there guys." He stated in slight amazement. "But it's mixed in a way so it doesn't sound like a collaboration; it created its own voice by listening to us talk."
"Correct" Said the machine again. Now that I listen to it, it's impossible to describe it as male or female, but I definitely heard my own voice, Devante's, Tyson's, Michael's Grogan's, everyone's, but at the same time, it was its own.
"Whoop-de-freaking-do, Tyson" Devante spat in irritancy.
"Does it have weapons?" I ask.
Then the machines arms expanded and unfolded revealing an assortment of explosives and built in guns and blades, spikes protruded from joints, and gave the peaceful natured robot a very deadly appearance. "Weapons." It gave the impression of a smirk while I whistled, impressed.
On the pat of the shoulder by Michael, the weapons retracted, and the robot returned its mask. "Be very careful around him, we've done our best not to corrupt his mind, especially with ideas such as hormones, and attitude, things teens as yourselves specialize in." Michael stated.
"Yes sir." The three of us said simultaneously.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Next, Angel stood, her glow as strong as ever. "And I'm Angelica Gates, but just call me Angel. I'm Michael's girl, as you know, and second in command of Awaken. You've heard bits and pieces of how we formed. Shortly after high school graduation, something happened to Michael and I because of the Dictation." Her voice, even though it had started sweet, was growing cold. "If you gain Michaels trust, maybe he'll tell you. Anyway, after the incident, Michael ran away with Econdor to Kenya, for everyone's protection. When he came back around 3 years later, I had graduated collage, but I still remained faithful to him. He gathered up all of us, and formed this group. The goal is to liberate the world from the Dictation, and to protect our own." He voice again became more cheerful. "Over the years, we all had become stronger, and in a few years, we had begun getting members, and we became the strongest rebellion group in the world." She smiled over to the members behind her. "We are family, and soon, you'll be one of us."
We couldn't help smiling. Family. It was a void left unfilled in each of us since Dalthesan's fall. "Right." I whispered, Robert and Devante nodded in equal approval.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Next stood Michael, the only one in the room who had yet to tell of his past, "And I am Michael Cipher, leader of Awaken." His creepy aura seemed to be balancing out standing next to Angel, whose glow had equally deteriorated. "The Leader of Dictation had killed my family personally when I was 18, it was his first strike against the world. He spared me, and for that, I'll never forgive him. Afterwards, I forced Angel to make the worst decision of both our lives, one that forced me to run away, somewhere where no one would be in danger of my uncontrollable rage. But somewhere along the line, I conquered it, and set off to see the world, after a year of torturous solitude. I learned how to use almost every weapon in the world, but I specialize in swords." He continued on, his usually calm voice began change tones throughout his tale. "I began to meet others affected by him, and learned that they were making alliances, making rebellions. I learned from masters of the world, all sorts of skills and qualities a leader needed, what I needed, to prevent this happening all over the world… Unfortunately, since the government is the Dictation's puppets, we haven't been able to stop them at every turn. You witnessed firsthand, and I apologize for your suffrage. I returned after two years of training and studies, and formed Awaken. Slowly, we began to gather members, usually only on the times where we couldn't save a town, they seek us out." Michael looked around briefly. "We are more than an organization, we have become a family, with a common goal. We are Awaken, and soon, you'll be one of us." He announced.
I couldn't help the smile that grazed my face… it felt… strange. I had been hiding behind a fake smile and a cocky smirk for over a year now. But this… it was genuine. For a reason I couldn't explain, I felt like I belonged here, it was as if we belonged here. If this was our destiny, I welcomed it.
Everyone began to disperse. Michael stopped on his way out of the main area, towards the hall everyone had exited to. "By the way, each member of Awaken gets one request per joining. While you three explore, look for an empty space to call your room, and think about what you want." He said, his usually unreadable voice had turned slightly happy. And then he left.
"You guy's already know what you want?" I asked. Both Robert and Devante nodded the affirmative. "Good, me too." I declared in a serious tone. We went off to explore. We viewed the beautiful structure, after we left the dark hall, we found ourselves on a metallic bridge, with artistic swirl like designs chromed onto its sides, below us, a huge battle ground-like training area, about 20 meters below us. We crossed the bridge, and opened the door at the end, to reveal somewhat of a torch lit cave area, which split into five paths. The first had a sign that said 'kitchen/ dining hall'. The second path, 'Training grounds, simulation rooms, armory'. Third path read 'Living areas'. The fourth one read, 'Meeting hall, observation room, exit route.' The fifth read 'Infirmary, lab'. "Looks like we're hooked up!" Devante grinned after reading.
"Let's head to living area's" Robert announced. We nod and follow his lead. The winding rock path led to a large glass elevator. There were 5 floors, reading we were on the second. We headed for the third.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
After a good 45 minutes of looking around, each floor had its own theme, the first, had a darker, more shadowed like feel to it, the third, almost like an apartment, or hotel. 4th, was more like living in a vehicle, all metal halls and armored doors. And then the 5th floor was more natural, more greenery and a lot more basic living.
"I'll be heading back to the 4th floor." I say nonchalantly, Robert quickly agreed. "Coming Tyson?"
"No," He said. "There's a different place for me." He grinned.
"Where? None of the other places seem like your style." Robert questioned.
"Found a place I like." He responded.
"Whatever man, meet back up in the dining hall in an hour?" I asked.
"Yeah, sure." He confirmed. Before walking off toward what we found to be a dead end earlier.
"Where the hell-" I questioned.
"Just forget it, Tyson does what he wants." The shorter boy interjected.
"Ain't that the truth?" I shout as we head back for the elevator.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
I couldn't believe the others hadn't noticed. I tugged on the thick vine in the corner of what Robert called a 'dead end', confirming it would hold. And looking up to the shimmer of light, I knew that's where I wanted to be.
I climbed up the vine, the tiny shimmer slowly growing to a fabulous glow. As I emerged from the fifth floor, I found myself in what was almost a tree house. Looking around, I noticed the tunnel I had been climbing up was a hallow trunk of a very large tree. I was in a lookout. I could see almost the entire forest from my spot, the vast greenery, and the bright blue sky. I could feel the nostalgia of sitting in Dexter's tree house back home. "Here," I state simply. "I'll live here."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
I met up with my friends in the dining hall. Morgan began to bring out some of the most delicious looking meals we've ever seen. We were delighted to have Morgan, Richard, and Cory join us for dinner. Just like a family, everyone waited to eat until everyone was ready for the meal. Angel led a small prayer, and we all began to dig in.
A joyful conversation began at the table; it felt like we had known these people for years. Somewhere in our small talk, a more familiar topic popped up. "I wish I could get some help in that kitchen, it's so tiring to cook for all these people…" Morgan drawled on, while stabbing at the succulent pork chops she had prepared.
"I'd love to help!" Devante and I shout simultaneously. Morgan gave us a hearty smile and a thank you.
"We'll see you for breakfast tomorrow!" Devante piped up.
"So what are you guys going to ask for your requests?" Cory asked. We all shared a look across the table.
"It's a secret!" We all chuckled together at speaking at the same time.
As dinner began to grow to a close, Richard told us to go and report our room numbers to Michael along with our request. We found him in the observation room.
"I'll go first." Robert claimed.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
I entered the room in which Michael had secluded himself to.
"Did you guy's find your way around?" Michael asked warmly.
"We only explored the living areas and dining hall so far, but yeah."
"Good, what did you decide for your room, so we can set you guys up with furniture and such, and know where to find you…" Michaels asked.
"My room is 4D." I say, remembering the plate on the door.
"Alright." He muttered, jotting a quick note on the large computer in the room. "And do you know what you want?" The dark man inquired, revering to my request.
"Yeah…" I say. "I want to make Devante, Tyson, and myself legal brothers."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
After Robert returned from the soundproof room, I walked in, Devante wanted to go last. Michael was waiting, a huge monitor behind him with a series of encrypted messages on it. "Find a room to your liking?" He asked me.
"Yeah, I found the perfect place." I smirked. "On the 6th floor." Michael chuckled.
"You're the first person to discover that place since it was created!" His dark aura seemed to reduce for the moment. "Alright, I'll get some furniture and weatherproofing up there ASAP."
"You already know my request, don't you?" I ask.
"I've got an Idea."
"A list of names and locations of every member of Government Enforcer Squadron 0350" I nearly spat in the angst of my tone.
"You won't rest easy until you get your revenge, will you?" Michael sighed.
"No," I say as I turn my back. "And I've been wondering… Why didn't you tell Jim who his father is?" Michael looked genuinely surprised. "I'm really good at reading someone's eyes." I inform him.
"I noticed." He muttered. "Sometimes, information can hurt someone." He breathes slowly, "I can't tell him yet, it would crush him."
"Alright…" I say as I began my trek back to the others. "But a family doesn't keep secrets from each other." I didn't have to look back; I knew I struck a nerve.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Tyson came back, a slightly grim face plastered on. "Geese man, we've been here for 2 hours and you already manage to piss people off?"
"Whatever, you've been pissing others off when you were interrupting their life stories."
"True!" Robert had been chuckling behind me. I walk into the observation room. I notice the assortment of tech in the room and whistle impressed.
"Remember your room number?" Michael asked.
"Yeah, 4G." I respond.
"And what do you want?" Michael asked.
"Well, we used to be a crew of four…" I start. "So, could you give us the location of Allyvia Fogarty?" I ask.
Awaken
(A.N.) So glad to finally publish this hellish chapter. It give's me migrains to just think about it. Anyway, please review, I'll gladly listen to any advice you readers have!