9
Friday came and Cobie and his partner we're finally able to go back to their dorm. "I guess it's good they let you out of the infirmary tonight," Taylor said, dropping down onto the couch.
"I guess so, but Price still never held up his end of the bargain. He was going to tell us something about a challenge or something." Cobie said, laying the envelope on the coffee table before sitting on the other side of the couch. "Also, he never explained anything about me being frozen for that long. It's not I'm mad anymore, I just have to get used to not knowing anything."
"The director usually keeps us in the dark until the last minute on most everything. I've heard he does the same thing with those going on missions or training exercises. Probably to keep everyone on their toes and keep them from getting complacent." Taylor stretched back and groaned. Cobie tried to ignore the fabric tightening around her chest.
Cobie put his feet up on the coffee table and leaned back, putting his hands on his head. "I guess that makes sense, but man am I getting tired of this place."
"You've only been here a few days, most of which were in the hospital," Taylor said. Cobie looked at her and saw that she was looking toward the manila envelope on the table.
"A little over two months if you count that I was frozen. Can you tell me about that?" Cobie said, trying to make sure the conversation doesn't go to the pictures.
"Well, I think it has to do with the fact that you released a huge amount of power. It could be that the director wanted to make sure it was bled out of you when you got here sop you wouldn't kill people you passed in the hallways." Taylor looked at him and gave a small smile.
"You just have all the answers don't you," Cobie said, looking away from here and at the ceiling. "I'm not sure I can do this, the whole fighting thing anyways. All I know is how to make a fist and punch." Cobie punched up into the air as to prove a point.
"Don't worry about that, they'll teach you how to fight. Even better than a punch," She playfully reached over and punched him in the arm. "You'll be strong and have some cool moves, especially since they teach you fighting styles that complement your power. You'll be practically invincible with my backup too."
"Invincible? That sounds pretty fun, plus I've always wanted to learn how to fight, I just didn't have a lot of motivation." He said, rubbing his arm and looking at Taylor with a smile.
"Well now you do," Taylor said giving Cobie a smug smile.
"And what's that, the search for power or the will to crush my enemies? Maybe it's motivation to avenge my mother's death, and all of those people. But, how can I avenge someone when I'm the one who killed them." Cobie's smile faded and he looked at the envelope on the table.
"You can curse God or whatever it is that gave you the power, but what good will that do? I think, instead of looking for vengeance you should look for forgiveness. Not forgiveness from the dead, but forgiveness from yourself. You're living in a dark world that you created. You have to go through each and every one of those pictures and forgive yourself. It was never your fault so you have to come to terms with the fact that you couldn't control what happened." Taylor said, putting her hand on the table.
"Okay, so first off the whole thing about forgiving myself makes no sense," Cobie laughed. "But maybe I can come to terms with it. Just not tonight," he looked at Taylor and smiled, she laughed in return.
"You jackass, I went through that entire speech trying to sound all important and philosophic. And you just crush it, man what nerve. Haven't you ever heard that women are always right?"
"Wait, you're a woman?" Cobie said, laughing as she jumped up off the couch.
"Oh you're so dead," Taylor said, jumping on him. "I'm sending you straight back to the infirmary!" She grabbed his arm and put it behind his head then pulled.
"Ouch, holy crap! Why are you so strong?" Cobie said, wincing in pain.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!" Taylor barked as she started tickling Cobie. He flinched and bucked her away from him.
Out of breath he stood up, "That was totally unfair."
"Afraid of a little tickling?" Taylor asked with a mischievous smile.
"I'm not a fan of touching if that's what you're asking," Cobie said, with a small smile as he bent his knees.
"Looks like you might be lying," Taylor said squinting her eyes.
Cobie was ready to move and dodge her attacks, he was watching her carefully waiting for her strike. Instead she straightened her back and yawned. "It's late, I'm going to bed." She turned around towards her door and gave him a small wave. "Don't stay up too late, Strawberry."
"That's not even relevant anymore, I have my own shampoo." Cobie said trying to make a point.
"Don't care," Taylor said as her door closed behind her.
Cobie suddenly felt tired as well so he turned off the lights and made his way to his bed, but not before looking at the envelope of the table. His dreams haunted him that night as he saw the little girl. He dreamt that she was the one who touched him, and that he had to watch her die in front of him in the band room. He dreamt that the kid's mom cursed him, why wouldn't she? She just watched her baby die. Even in his dreams Cobie saw himself as a monster.
The rest of the weekend went by slowly as Cobie and Taylor just spent it talking and watching T.V. The whole time the envelope sat on the table, Cobie refused to pick it up just yet. The two were becoming closer but they still had a long way to becoming true partners.
That Monday as Cobie was waking up to his annoying alarm clock he could hear the shower running. He wondered how Taylor could wake up so early and still have the energy to tease him all day and night. With a sigh he got up out of bed and walked into the living area and sat on the couch.
His eyes traveled to the envelope and he gave out a small groan. "I guess I have to pick it up sometime," He said as he leaned over and picked it up. With a deep breath Cobie opened it up and took out the first picture. It was a gravestone for a guy he killed. The name was familiar and Cobie put a face to the name. He killed at least half of the school population to include the stat athlete that he was looking at.
"You would have gone far, Brett. I wish that I never went to school that day. Maybe then this whole thing wouldn't have happened. I heard you were going to go to school on a full ride. It was all an accident. I'm sorry," Cobie said, with a tear streaming down his face, he felt some weight taken off his shoulders, but it wasn't enough to stop it from crushing him. He suddenly felt a pull from Taylor who was still in the shower. She was trying to give him confidence and reassurance. He smiled and pulled out the next picture.
He made it through about three more pictures when heard Taylor's voice. "I'm glad you started that."
Cobie jumped not expecting her voice. He never heard the water turn off. When he turned around he saw her in just a towel. He instantly looked away, "why don't you get dressed in the bathroom?"
"That would take too much time for you. I mean you have to take a shower too. Plus we're partners it shouldn't really matter how you see me." Taylor said as she walked to her room. "And stop feeling so embarrassed, you're not the one that's half-naked."
"Whatever," Cobie sighed as he turned towards the shower with a red face. He could feel Taylor's humor as he closed the bathroom door and stripped down.
After he was dressed and ready for school he met Taylor at the door. "So come to think about it, where do we even go?"
"Well, I think we're going to get greeted by our escort soon. So, let's just head towards the school house." Taylor said opening the door. As soon as she did, Dexter had his hand ready to knock on the door.
"Perfect timing I guess," Dexter said smiling.
Taylor exhaled annoyed, "I was hoping to avoid you. We know our way around." She crossed her arms and scowled at him.
"I'm sure you do, but the order to escort you two was given to me by the Director so I'm sure you can understand." Dexter responded, leaning against the door frame. He obviously wasn't going anywhere without the two.
Cobie tried to hold back a laugh, but failed as a weird sound snort came out of his mouth. The two looked at him confused. "What?" Cobie asked giggling. "It's kind of like an anime where the short girl acts all tough to the tall dude." At that Dexter started to laugh and Cobie could feel the anger resonating from Taylor.
Taylor turned back to Dexter, "fine, whatever. Let's just go." Dexter popped off the doors frame and turned away from the two.
"Alright, follow me," he said as he walked away from the door.
After about five minutes of walking the corridors Cobie pulled Taylor farther back from Dexter. "I don't get it, why do you hate him?" Cobie whispered to her.
"He's a terrible person that doesn't care about anyone else's feelings, not even his partner." She said, leaning into Cobie's ear.
"That doesn't make sense, he seems like a good guy." Cobie whispered back.
"That's only because he's under the Director's orders. I know that when his partner died he didn't care. He shrugged it off like it was nothing."
"Wait a second, his partner is dead? But what about when he said he could hide his partner in smoke the other day?"
"He doesn't talk about his partner because he doesn't care. So, by saying that he can hide his partner he was referencing when he was alive."
"So, you hate him because of that? What if it's just a self defense thing he made up? You know like pretend to hate everyone and not care to protect himself?" Cobie said a little too loud.
Dexter stopped walking, "it's true though. I never cared about my partner. He always talked about leaving the city and joining a faction outside the four cities. He always talked nonsense about how he was going to kill all four directors." Dexter turned towards the two, "we went on a mission one day and he was there." Dexter looked at the ground.
"He?" Cobie asked confused.
"Maou, the leader of the rogue faction. He convinced my partner with so few words. He tried to convince me too. I didn't fall for it, but my partner was leaving me. He was going to betray the city. So I killed him."
Cobie could feel the anger welling up in Taylor. "You killed him! He was my brother and you just kill him? He could have been saved, you had no right to do that!"
"He was already under Maou's control, there was no saving him. Me killing him was justified. He would have used his power against the cities. I could not allow that. Our mission is to protect the city system. We cannot fall into darkness."
"I'll kill you!" Taylor screamed, Cobie could feel her summoning her powers.
"Taylor stop!" Cobie yelled as he put his hand on her shoulder. "It's not worth it. I'm here for you, just like you're here for me."
"You don't understand, he was my brother," tears ran down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry for your loss, but in this world of empowered we have to make sacrifices. He defected from the city system. He went rogue and it was my duty to protect the city." Dexter looked at Taylor with sad eyes. Cobie could almost see tears forming. Dexter took a deep breath, "I'm sorry." He looked at the elevator behind him. "We're here anyways, have a good day." With that he disappeared into smoke and dispersed away from the area.
With tears streaming down her eyes, Taylor collapsed into Cobie. Cobie wrapped his arms around her slender frame as she cried into his chest. She sobbed for her brother as he did for his mother, he knew how it felt. How it felt to lose the most important person in your life.
Taylor held onto to Cobie, her hands pulling on his cloths and her hair falling onto her face. Cobie put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her into a hug. "I know that I'm weak right now, but I promise that no matter what I will protect you with all of my might." He whispered into her ear. "You're all I have left." A tear fell down his face.
The two stood there in the hug for a few minutes until Taylor stopped crying. "Are you okay?" Cobie asked, pulling her back, his hands on her shoulder.
"Yes, I'll be fine as long as I'm with you," she said wiping her eyes. "Thank you, Cobie."
"Don't worry about it. Now what do you say we head down to class?"
"Yeah, let's go." Taylor said, grabbing his hand and walking towards the elevator.
Once the elevator opened up they were met by the guards. The same two guards met the duo. "Hold for scanning," the one with the katana said. He held up the device as it scanned the elevator.
"Two entities, Cyanide and Aegis. Cleared for entry," the robotic voice said. The device flashed red on the screen.
"What is it? I thought we were cleared for entry?" Cobie asked.
"You are, but you are to report to auditorium for a briefing." The one with the katana said. "Required for all new students, there you get your schedule and combat tutor. You'll also get any extra information that would be useful to your training. You how that whole thing is," he explained.
"Where's the auditorium at?" Taylor asked, crossing her arms.
"Take a left then it'll be the first door on the right," it was the throwing knives guy's turn to talk.
"Thanks," Cobie said as he grabbed Taylor's hand and walked past the gate.
The two found and walked into the auditorium. It was pretty big, with rows red seats descending down to the main stage. They were the only two in the room, so it was quite and creepy in the dim light.
An automated voice came over the loud speakers, "Cyanide and Aegis, please make your way to the front row." The two looked at each other, shrugged, and walked down the carpeted steps to the front row.
When the two sat down the lights around the auditorium dimmed and stage lights flickered on. Shortly after that Director Price walked onto the stage, making Cobie sigh.
"Haven't we seen you enough man. What is it this time?" Cobie said under his breath.
"Yeah I heard that," Price said. "Don't you want to hear what I have to say? It'll help you out in the long run. Plus you really have no choice." He smirked.
"I guess, go ahead man," Cobie said, annoyed.
"Well then, let me start by saying welcome to your first real day of training! Since you have both technically graduated high school you will not be required to take anymore classes. This, of course, opens up a whole lot of training opportunities in place of classes." Price looked at Cobie, "especially training designed to help control your abilities. I assume that you've started going through the pictures right?"
Cobie gave a nod, "yeah, not like a really have a choice right?"
Price smiled, "exactly the point, but there is another reason why you two are here, besides a formal welcoming. As I already told a couple of days ago the city was issued a challenge from the other three cities. I think you deserve to know exactly what that is now that your schedule will be completely focused on training," the director said, crossing his arms. "The challenge will be held in a year and a half from now. This gives you the opportunity to grow in your powers and become strong leaders that this city needs."
"What's the challenge?" Cobie asked, looking at Taylor to see if she was as curious as him. She was staying quiet, looking down at her lap, her red hair falling over her eyes. Cobie reached for her bond and felt her sadness. She was still thinking about her brother, Cobie thought. He sent her a quick pull of reassurance to her. The corners of her lips rose into a small smile, which gave Cobie some hope.
"The challenge will be a death match. Two teams of two will enter the battle field and fight the other cities team of four. The victor, from what we've been told wins a bounty of resources for the city and a land expansion that expands out to the outskirts of the destroyed Centralia."
The city of Centralia rang familiar in Cobie's head. It used to be the main hub between the cities. It was the corrupt ruling official in the city system. It made the laws of the five cities and dispatched enforcers. It was a cruel reign controlled by a power hungry man, Jacob Casey. After a new law was passed where the cities taxes were dropped too little to nothing, people celebrated. But it wasn't until later that a new tax was created in the form of people. Children were taken as slaves for Centralia. This was the last straw for the four cities. They rose in arms and marched on Centralia. After three years of fighting Centralia and Jacob Casey were dead, but from this, the cities realized the destructive power of firearms. A treaty was made and signed to ban and destroy all firearms. The cities then formed their own governments and left Centralia in runes as a reminder of what would happen if one city tried to control all.
"And, that's important how? Why would we need to expand the city to the outskirts of the destroyed ruins of an old city?" Cobie asked, leaning back in his seat.
"The expansion isn't really the important part, it's the extra resources that will help the city. So, naturally we are going to respond to the challenge and we're going to win. And that's where you two come in. I saw your fight and know that you two are strong, but require training. If I can get you combat ready in time, I'm sure we'll win."
"I already told you, I don't fight for you," Cobie snapped at Price.
"I remember what you said, Cyanide, but what do you fight for then?" Price asked. Cobie didn't say a word, instead he looked at Taylor. "Oh, I see. Spoken like a true warrior."
"I want to fight," Taylor suddenly said, catching Cobie of guard. She looked at him, "I won't explain why right now, but I will later I promise," She explained.
Cobie took in a deep breath and looked at Price, "fine, we'll train for this challenge. And, if we go, we'll win."
"That's what I hope for, Cyanide," Price said with a wicked smile. "Now then, let's move on to training and tutors. They should be here now anyways." Price looked up at the entrance of the auditorium. "You can come in now," he called out. Cobie looked back to see the door open and a line of people entered the room. They walked in silence until they reached the stage, where they greeted Price with a formal greeting then turned towards the two. There were three in total, one, Cobie's seen before.
He was the elevator guard with the katana. "Cyanide, Aegis. Let me formally introduce your training tutors. Cyanide, this is Grimm," Price said motioning for the guy in all black and pale skin to step forward. He had shaggy hair and rings under his eyes like he hasn't slept in days. "He will be your tutor in controlling your abilities. He is very skilled in power manipulation." He then motioned to the girl standing by Grimm. "Aegis, this is Valkyrie. She will be your tutor in combat. She is skilled in the use of spears." She was tall and muscular and her spear was strapped to her back. Her blonde hair fell down to her shoulders in a neat braid. Valkyrie looked like the type to be extremely girly and hated to get dirty. "And finally, I'm sure you've both met Dash. Cyanide, he will be your tutor in combat. It goes without saying that his skills with the sword are above average. Now that you've been acquainted, I'll leave it to them to train you. Good luck you two!" With that Price just vanished into thin air.
"Must have been in a hurry," Grimm said, dropping his shoulders and putting his hands in his black jeans. "Look I'm busy today, so I'm just going to give you where to report to tomorrow for training and what time." He pulled out a piece of paper.
"Grimm," Valkyrie said with an annoyed voice. "You had that prefilled out?"
"Yep, no need to do anything today," Grimm said, moving behind Valkyrie. Suddenly his voice came from behind Cobie, "Here, take this. Dash and I already came up with your training plan." Cobie jumped and let out a startled yelp.
He landed in front of his seat and turned around to see Grimm smiling in amusement and Taylor gave a small laugh. "Expect the unexpected," Grimm said, holding out the paper.
Cobie didn't know what to say so he just reached out and took the paper from Grimm. He looked at it and it had a room number and a time to report by. "That's for the both of us by the way," Dash said from the stage. "We'll see you tomorrow, enjoy your day off," He said as he walked off the stage and up the stairs.
"You two are extremely lazy," Valkyrie said, as she lifted off the ground and flew over by Grimm, holding her hand out. He put a pen and paper in her hand. She quickly wrote on the paper. "It's the same time and place, but just in case one of you two forget," She held out the paper to Taylor. Once she took the paper Valkyrie smiled. "Have a good night you two," She put her hand on Grimm's shoulder and the two melted into the shadows and disappeared.
"Well, I'm always okay with a day off," Cobie said with a smile, but Taylor did not laugh. Instead she put the paper in her bag and started to walk out of the auditorium. "Aegis, wait up." Cobie called out to her, but all she did was look back at him with tears in her eyes. She shook her head and started running up the steps. Cobie chased her but ran right into a shield she threw up to block him from going after her.
Cobie tried to go around it, but he realized he was put into a box, "Aegis!" Cobie screamed as she ran out of the auditorium. Cobie could feel the pain in her. He out his head against the invisible shield as his anger started to build up in his. He thought back to how she was silent for almost the entire meeting. Cobie felt so stupid that he didn't try harder to comfort her. After a couple of minutes he could feel the anger overwhelming him and he punched the shield. A green flash came from his fist and he watched as green cracks formed into the shield. The green cracks grew throughout the entire shield until it shattered. Cobie looked at his fist. Blood was coming from under the bandages. He reopened the wound, but he didn't care. He just ran up the stairs after Taylor.