~Raze's Journey;Director's Cut Chapter 10~
~Time Has Passed, But You Can't Rest Forever~
Roarin: Enjoy the new chapter. I worked hard on it, but if you do find some bumps in there.. Remember this. I'm my own editor. Alright, that's it for the commentary till the end.
About a day or so had passed since Kiryu and Ken's bout. Raze had been going over several different training regimens that he was considering for Ken's development. That fight had pretty much shown him that Ken himself needed quite a bit of work. However, Raze had been impressed by some of the movements used in that battle. He felt that with enough time, Ken would be a gifted tactician in his own right.
Several of the children saved from a horrible fate floated just above his head or were speeding around the room. Brass and Raze had taught them how to fly as well over the last five hours since they all got hyped up by Ken and Kiryu. They gathered the basics in that short amount of time and were having all kinds of fun. Cloud blasted past his head, causing his already windswept hair to blow further into the wind. Raze enjoyed the idea that he'd helped them all do something they'd never done before and hoped he'd alleviated some of the trauma of their experiences on Kanaasa, but he knew that it would take time.
Watching them float about made him feel relieved, 'Not much longer till we land on Thaumaturge and everyone can hopefully find their parents, but the ones who aren't so lucky...' Raze was also looking forward to being able to get some gas for the ship which was a significantly more mundane thought to cross his mind.
"This is fun! I wish I'd have learned this years ago! Hahaha!" Cloud exclaimed while zooming around the room.
Ken and Kiryu were in their usual place, the healing pods. They were already fully healed a few hours ago, but they'd fallen asleep in there. Turns out, sleeping in a tank of healing fluid was really comfortable, who knew? Kira, after learning how to fly, had fallen out and was asleep in a nice bed. Everything was coming together and even Brass appeared to be dozing in a different room or he assumed that he was.
Raze's thoughts were drifting toward the destination, being Thaumaturge. He knew someone on that planet. A woman who he'd helped some time ago.
Raze sighed, 'It's a bit lonely here.' Despite the children flying around, Raze felt like he was slipping back into his older habits when he'd been in the castle all those years ago. An ache of depression ate at his mind thinking back to that time.
~Some Time Ago~
Slamming into the floor, a young boy gasped in pain as an imposing figure leaned over him, "Get back up, Son. You can rest when time allows it." The kid struggled as his hands gripped at the floor, but as he managed to try and push himself up, he'd collapse again.
The Boy was a young Prince Raze. At the age of eleven, he'd probably gone through more in his short amount of time alive than he'd ever wanted to. He'd been told that his mother had left when he was just eight years old. His father began brutally training him at the age of ten years old. With this tough upbringing, he'd been filled with resentment and sadness. Yet, he still pushed through it all for a chance at happiness. Whatever he could possibly gain from his continued existence.
Raze's sweat and blood dripped onto the floor of the training chamber as he tried again. This time, Raze caught a glimpse of his father's face, but he only saw the man who was disappointed with him. Though, he wouldn't shy away from him either. He shook once again as he finally got up.
"I- I'm sorry, D- Dad… Jus- agh!" He let out a cry of pain as he began to fall forward again just for Raze to be caught by his father's arm.
His father looked him in the eye, holding up to face level, "How are you supposed to be a King if you can't hold your own against me? Where's the power our family inherited?" He asked his son who had no answer to give his father.
"Prince Raze Vestal, pick yourself up. A King doesn't kneel or stagger. He's the one that everyone looks up to." King Vestal said as he let go of his son.
His father was King Romaine Vestal The First. A man who's legend was told throughout the West Galaxy. He'd fought against the Dark King Dulcian. A namekian who wished to rule all of the West Galaxy. Their battle had been legendary. Several planets disappeared from the log books and even stars no longer existed along the path of their clash that culminated in the penultimate defeat of the Dark King. Ever since that time, Raze's father had wanted to find a true heir to make sure that peace would remain for all time.
But Raze wasn't showing any signs of having the same abilities as himself. This had stressed the King and made him try to push his son to greater heights by personally training him. Though, the fruits of this labor weren't bearing as much as Romaine had thought. Raze wasn't sure what his father was thinking, tossing him around like a ragdoll seemed counterintuitive. Raze struggled further and more so to meet the expectations being pushed upon himself yet nothing was ever good enough. Sure, his father was stressed, but his own stress was much greater than even that or so Raze thought.
"Do you intend to rest on the floor, or get up?" His father asked him again to which Raze slipped on his own blood, hitting the floor again.
Over the intercom, a voice rang out, "You need to stop pushing him like this. Raze isn't prepared for such intensity." That was Garuth, a man that had been a close friend of his father's for years. Raze considered him to be his uncle.
King Romaine sighed, "He needs this training so that one day Raze will be able to ascend to the throne. I had it tough before this and if I could take it that early on, so can he." He finished with a sweep of his hand.
Raze hadn't moved since the last few sentences and was for all intents and purposes, completely knocked out. Garuth had left the mic room only to end up opening the chamber after the Gravity's effect on the place had dispersed. Looking to Raze and then to King Romaine, Garuth was displeased to be sure.
"One day, you're going to inadvertently kill him and then what good will come of that? He's your own flesh and blood for crying out loud!" Garuth exclaimed to the man who just looked away.
"You know why I'm doing this, Old Friend. Things aren't as they seem. I won't be able to maintain this forever. I want peace for all and that means that some of us have to suffer. I'll bear the weight for as long as possible, but in the end..." He trailed off as Garuth shook his head.
Garuth finally replied to him, "You've got at least another thirty years in you despite that. It doesn't mean you've got to torture him to make something happen. Give Raze time." Garuth finished while picking up Raze and holding him on his back, "I'll get him the help he needs. You figure something else out." He told Romaine as he turned to leave.
King Romaine being left alone in the training chamber, wasn't sure how to process what had just happened. He looked at the blood that had pooled on the floor. Romaine watched as it dried, wondering how much longer he truly had. An heir to his throne wouldn't just come along. They had to be strong. This burden would drag him into the darkest pits of hell if he let it. He let out a frustrated roar of anger that Garuth heard as he carried Raze to the med bay.
~The Kind Garuth~
Raze awoke with a panic, only to realize that he was inside a healing pod. The calming liquids and sounds just easily vibrating the machine on the outside was calming. His wounds were gone, replaced with clean healed over vibrant skin. Looking for whoever had put him inside, he saw his Uncle Garuth standing just outside the tank.
Garuth gave him a wide-eyed look, "Ah! You're up! Good to see. How are you feeling?" He asked his favorite nephew.
Raze moved his arm whilst inside the tank, stirring up the fluid inside, "I feel pretty good actually." He said to his Uncle.
Garuth's eyes softened, "I'm glad to hear it. I thought for sure that you'd almost..." He wouldn't finish that sentence.
"It's okay... I get it." Raze said to him as he closed his eyes, content to enjoy the healing fluid flowing around him.
As the time slipped on, Raze's thoughts kept replaying the pain he'd been through for the last many days that had turned into months, which became a year and surely it would continue on that path. Resigning himself to this fate would probably break his mind eventually. Any normal kid wouldn't have this weight on their shoulder, he told himself. Wishing for just a normal existence wouldn't do him any good either. Raze opened his eyes as Garuth was seemingly going over the current events.
"-says here that there's been more skirmishes on border worlds as of late." Though it was a light whisper, Raze could make out what he was saying just slightly.
Raze spoke up from the tank, "Uncle? Is there more news about the Rebel alliance?" He asked Garuth who confirmed it with a nod.
"Yes, but you shouldn't trouble yourself about it. It's about those savages that are laying waste to our military branches out there in the name of who they call, "The Great and Wise Sebastian"." Garuth huffed, shaking his head, "It's all a load of garbage. That man is starting conflict when there is no need for it. Hopefully we'll be able to end his little rampage." Garuth finished as Raze looked to the side of the tank, not knowing what he was in for.
~With King Romaine~
A couple hours had passed, Romaine had made his way back to his throne room only to find more unwelcoming news and as Garuth ended up approaching him. His mind that had thoroughly gone over every incremental detail of the latest attack from Sebastian's forces was at its wits end. What would anyone do in a situation where an entire Kingdom could be destabilized in mere months by such wanton destruction.
"Sir, I saw the news. It's escalating out there. Is it going to be like before?" Garuth asked King Romaine who seemed to be breathing a bit faster.
King Romaine leaned to the side, "It seems that we have a different kind of fight. When Dulcian was active, it was more of a straight offensive. Here... It's trivial. Conniving even." He looked around the halls of Dulcian's brother while continuing, "This won't be easy. They've learned since last time. We couldn't stop them from building their forces in the shadows."
Garuth sighed, stamping his foot on the ground lightly, "Will we never be free of Dulcian's legacy?" He asked the King who shook his head.
"Perhaps not, but we will start gathering our forces to fight back and I came up with a way to make my one and only son stronger." King Romaine said as Garuth's eyes widened in horror.
"No..." Garuth railed off in a faint whisper, but the King nodded and Garuth's eyes narrowed, "You can't do this to him. He's just a young child!" He exclaimed as the King beckoned him to be silent by raising his hand.
"It has already been arranged. I have watched them lay waste to that side for too long. Even if I must give him up, sacrifices have to be made." King Romaine said as Garuth dropped to his knees, the anguish of the situation was setting in. He couldn't protect Raze from this awful reality.
Garuth decided to tell Raze of this and see if he would run away, but as time passed. The future told that Raze would become a hero and a villain to some. Now, we find ourselves on Raze's ship. His mind awash with emotion, remembering when Garuth had told him of that incident and how Raze had resolved to go regardless of the risks he would have to take. Shaping his own destiny to the way he saw fit.
Raze's thoughts continued to eat away at himself, 'I wonder how Kronos is doing or maybe even Karmel too?' Those two had been there for him through hell and back, but he hadn't spoken to them in years. He wasn't sure what their opinion of him was by now with all the news spread about his actions over the last nine years.
Sighing, Raze leaned back in his chair to enjoy the sounds and flow of air around him being provided by all the flying children. That is, until one crashed into the back of his chair with a resounding smack.
"You okay back there?" He asked as he got a, "uh-huh" grunt of pain.
"Lemme help you anyway." Raze said while getting up to get the kid off the ground.
~On Karmel's Base~
Karmel walked through a throng of people as he went to address his second platoon. This meeting was to give them a nice send off and to wish them well. Karmel didn't think too much about this mission. After all, it would be a rather simple one. Allium would get the job done with no problem and be back before everyone knew it.
Having gotten the budget increase since the other day, he'd been feeling chipper. There was almost a real pep in his step due to this great achievement, 'It can't get much better. We don't even have to deal with Sokon. That could have been a real pain.' He chuckled to himself.
'It's nice when things workout.' Karmel thought as he heard a loud stomping behind himself.
"Karmel! There you are!" The familiar voice of Straizo had graced him today.
He turned to greet the man, "Lieutenant Straizo, what's going on?" He asked the huffing Lieutenant.
"J- Just goin- huff! To the send off an- huff… Happened to see you and thought I'd join you." Straizo said as he recovered from his fit.
Karmel knew that Straizo wasn't one to go see off people since he'd gotten his promotion, "That's hard to believe, but I appreciate your gesture." He was still loyal to the cause and a good soldier anyhow. To be Karmel's third in command, you had to be impressive. Though if Karmel thought about it, his third trusted commander was… Not as trustworthy and probably cost them a lot.
Straizo bowed, "Anything for you, Colonel Karmel!" He exclaimed while giving him a salute.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Karmel nodded, "Let's go ahead and get there quickly. Allium is waiting patiently." His thoughts pervaded once again.
Karmel was befuddled, 'My third in command just left a day ago without giving me any warning as per the usual. What am I going to do with him?' Kronos was belligerent, honest, and still an amazing soldier in some ways. If Kronos had just a bit more decorum, Karmel knew he'd have chosen him to be his number two.
He'd always been this way from the beginning. Sometimes he could be quite reliable when he wanted to be. Karmel always figured that Kronos was a tough man to read. He was something else indeed.
Karmel and Straizo walked out the sliding doors to the docking stations for all the ships the Vestal military owned. It was a large expanse of land built for test flights and holding all kinds of vehicles, ships, you name it. This land was the pride of Karmel's military might.
A large group of people had already gathered outside the building in anticipation of this mission. These same people had received news of the budget raise and were giving high praise to Allium for taking up this important mission. He seemed embarrassed, but as Karmel and Straizo joined him, Allium regained his composure. He greeted them warmly.
"Colonel Karmel! It's an honor for you to see me off." He said while saluting Karmel and giving another to Straizo.
Karmel grinned as he returned the salute, "I have to see my second in command off. It's not everyday that we manage to pull off a successful bargain with the King." He looked at the grand ship that was preparing for liftoff, "When you get back, we'll celebrate. A proper one anyway." Allium nodded with a chuckle.
"Beer on you, of course." Allium said to him with a grin.
Karmel smirked, "Of course. I think I can foot that for a successful mission." He was confident in his second in command, but there was lingering doubts.
"Corporal Allium! We need to go! Everything is prepared!" A voice shouted over the ship's intercom. Allium gave Karmel, Straizo and the others a fleeting look.
"I'll be back before you all know it!" He yelled with a final salute that was returned by everyone present. With a nod, he flew up to the open door. Clicking the buttons on the panel, Allium closed the door behind him.
Karmel watched as everyone's hair billowed in the wind and then the ship began to finally lift into the air, 'I know you'll be back. No need to tell anyone that.' He thought to himself as the thrusters kicked in, blowing everyone off their feet. Karmel and Straizo were the only two still standing as they watched the ship blink out of existence above the very stratosphere before going off like a shooting star.
"Godspeed, Allium!" Straizo yelled out as the wind died down.
Karmel couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. This didn't feel like some temporary goodbye. This felt personal. Straizo noticed this behavior on the Colonel. He wouldn't let this sleeping dog lie though.
"Ahem, is there something bothering you, Karmel?" He asked the man who merely shook his head.
Karmel sighed, "Not really sure. I'll let you know if I figure this out." He turned to leave the area with that comment.
'It's probably nothing. That's gotta be true.' Karmel thought to himself.
Leaving the launchpad, the group of soldiers went to do their duty. Karmel found himself sitting back in his familiar chair with yet more piles of paperwork drowning him in a sea of boredom. That would have been the case, but his holophone cut in at the last moment. Karmel went from zero to sixty in about point five seconds, chomping at the bit for something entertaining.
Then he saw who was calling, 'Kronos…' He thought while clicking the button on the table.
"Hey Karms! Whatcha up to?! HAHAHA! More beer to go around!" He yelled as the sound of smashing glass in the background could be heard through the holophone.
Karmel grimaced at the idea, perhaps he should just go back to work. Yet, Karmel already knew that this was going to come. Sighing about the reality of the situation. He clicked the holophone's mic button and replied.
"Lieutenant Kronos? Where are you?" He asked calmly.
"WHAT?! You gotta speak up, Karms! It's crazy over here!" Kronos's voice boomed over the sounds in the background with veritable ease.
"Okay… WHERE ARE YOU?!" Karmel yelled as Kronos finally heard him.
"Oh yeah! I took a trip out to Guerdon! You know?! The place where all bounty hunters end up! Such an amazing planet to hang out on!" Kronos said while looking over two unconscious bodies who had tried to attack him earlier, "You can also cut up pretty well! Nobody really understands how to treat people! HAggrgrgrHAgrgrrergrHAgrgrrr!" He laughed while swigging down some beer.
Karmel was annoyed at this revelation, but it wasn't a bad place to set up camp in. Just incredibly inconvenient at this time when he could really use him better out where he was.
"What about your other men?! Have you accounted for them?!" He questioned the boisterous saiyan.
"YEAH! That hit the spot!" Kronos exclaimed while slamming his glass down on the bar as Karmel gritted his teeth, "Right! Yeah! They're on their way here! I gave them a call about a day ago or so! They were all busy with something!"
Karmel shook his head, but wasn't going to press for too much more in the long run, "Ok! This is another warning, Kronos! You need to stop acting on your own! Am I clear!?" He practically shouted into the mic.
"Sure! Wish you were here buddy to drink with me! Then I wouldn't be acting alone! HAHAHA!" He laughed merrily and completely missed the point of what Karmel said.
Kronos watched the light of the holophone dissipate and Karmel's visage disappeared. Chuckling to himself, Karmel looked at the bartender. The bartender nodded quickly and went to fetch another round. Sitting in this bar, he was sure that Raze would pass through this town soon enough.
'It's only a matter of time. Until then, the brave small bounties that try to go unnoticed or that don't have an easy way off the planet… Well, they're just easy pickings.' He thought as the next round of beer was set down on the table.
Kronos slapped down a coin and grabbed the mug. He took it and gulped some more beer down, 'I sure hope my platoon gets here soon. We can party for a long time!' Kronos's excitement was palpable at the prospect as he sported a wide grin.
~Allium's platoon~
Having been in space for only a few hours now, the excitement was on the rise. Maybe they would be stomping injustice out soon enough. Allium sat in the captain's chair, looking absolutely bored out of his mind. Having heard the story of Kanaasa from the anonymous message. He hoped that nothing more sinister had been going on than what was already described.
"Lieutenant Allium, Sir!" A soldier saluted him, but he wasn't really in the mood for formalities.
"Come on, Garoose. No need for official titles. We're on the move." Allium said to Garoose who blinked and nodded.
"R- Right. I always get a bit too formal because I respect you. Of course, I should probably loosen up every once in a while." Garoose finished while Allium agreed with a nod.
"Yes, I prefer a more down to earth approach." In reality, Karmel was Allium's inspiration. On the battlefield, Karmel was more likely to treat his allies as his brothers than subordinates. Of course, that wasn't always the case when things got serious. Some situations were treated with surgical precision and definitely in front of dignitaries, it was custom to maintain formality.
"Sir, was there more to that report that we didn't see?" Garoose asked Allium who decided not to correct him this time.
Allium had seen the original report and knew that changes had been made, but he was at no liberty to divulge that information currently. So, he nonchalantly shook his head. Garoose stiffened up a bit at that.
Garoose continued, "A- Are you sure? When I read the report it felt slightly off like information had been redacted." He saw and felt the slight glare Allium was casting his way, "I- I- I'm just curious." He said quickly.
Allium was a bit suspicious about that, but he decided to play and see just how much Garoose might know, "I gotta wonder, why do you think that, Private Garoose?"
Garoose panicked, 'He went back to honorifics?! I thought he didn't like that. I'm thinking way too hard about this!' Garoose rolled it back and tried to regain his footing, "Lieutenant Allium, I meant no disrespect with my words. Perhaps my curiosity isn't all that important in the long run." Allium had known Garoose for a while. He might stutter from time to time, but when he was in a more professional atmosphere. The Private tended to be more upfront.
Allium gave him a calculated look only to smile, "It's good to be curious. However, in this case, Private…" He trailed off while looking to the side, "It's not what you're thinking. Everything is definitely as it should be. This will be a typical mission. A mission, mind you, that got us back on the map again."
Shifting back over, Allium continued, "I hope that is enough to sate your curiosity. I expect that you'll perform your duties as directed and help us find out if there is anything more happening on Kanaasa. Is that clear, Private?" He asked the man who gave him a salute, acknowledging that it indeed was.
~Raze's Ship~
Raze had managed to clear most of the kids out of the main room once they got tired. He had made sure they had makeshift beds and were set up well in the kitchen area. His mind was shifting between different thoughts, unsure of what to make about this current situation.
They were just about seven hours out by this point and had made good time getting to Thaumaturge. The training regimens were loaded and ready for his bouts with Ken. If he was correct, Ken had a lot of potential. Making sure that Ken could tap into it at a moment's notice would be vital to making sure he could do exactly what he desired and protect others when the time came.
'It has been a while since I trained someone or trained with other people. I'm going to have to take this seriously.' Raze thought while walking around the circular ship in the main room, 'I'll definitely introduce him to gravity training. That could expedite the process.'
Raze turned back, "You don't sleep long."
"I didn't know that you paid attention to that kind of detail." Brass said as he looked at the map screen.
Raze chuckled, "Nobody ever asked. You kind of just pick up habits as time goes on. Just really depends on the situation." He crossed his arms, "I found it easy to sleep on the battlefield."
"Just like that, I also never asked. Also, I was concealing my energy, your perception is really amazing for how poorly you handle some situations." A backhanded compliment was still a compliment.
"Eh… Sure." No remarks, Raze was truly something else, or he didn't wanna bring up how Brass had gotten caught off guard by Athena.
Brass smirked, feeling like he got the one up today, "Oh yeah, Thaumaturge isn't too far off. That's great, we can get these kids outta here." Raze agreed while leaning back against the center of the room where the Gravity Controls were.
"Yeah, I'm really looking forward to trying to help them out the best we can. I know they went through a lot." Suddenly, Raze thought of something, "I think Ken did mention that they came from this place."
"Yeah, so?" Brass asked him.
Raze looked at the stars passing by, "Just wondering if they'll end up staying or leaving. From what I gather, Ken and Kira may not have any parents to return to. At least, that was the same way as all the other kids that were targeted." He finished as Brass's eyes widened.
"That's pretty good info. How'd you find out?" Brass pressed Raze for an answer, but he was already grinning.
"I may have listened in on someone's interrogation." Raze said as he Brass frowned.
"You were asleep. Don't try to play that off." Brass warned while Raze just shifted to the side.
"I was, but this ship's got microphones in various places. For security anyway." Raze finished just as Brass crossed his arms.
"So, what? You don't trust me?" Brass asked his compatriot.
"Of course I do. I was only curious enough to listen in. From what I heard… Once we turn her in, all bets are off, right?" Raze was treading into a little bit of boiling water with that kind of statement.
"That depends on what you mean by, "All Bets Are Off" For her, it means that if I see Athena again should she escape… Well, she's dead." Brass said as he pensively gazed at the passing meteors, "Our partnership will continue until it becomes too much of a burden." He gave Raze a wicked grin of his own.
"At that point, your bounty is back on the table. You couldn't catch me off guard a second time." Brass said while Raze had a small sweatdrop roll down his forehead.
Raze smiled and nodded, "Cool, I understand those kinds of terms. So, all I have to do is not make it too tough. I can handle that." He said coolly as Brass shook his head.
Brass replied, "Doubt it, but try to impress me." He crossed his arms, "Do you think this planet has a proper way to keep these kids well off?" He asked Raze who nodded.
"Yeah, it's never a surefire thing. After all, no parents…" Raze reiterated as Brass nodded in thought.
Brass shook and then walked off, "I'm going to get some water." He said concisely as Raze grinned.
"Don't eat too much. Wouldn't want you to get fat." Brass flipped him off in turn. Raze took it well though with a chuckle.
~On Thaumaturge Below~
A figure walked down the road. The covered head darted back and forth, looking very suspiciously around several corners. Slipping by undetected by the masses, The shadow moved deftly through the area, avoiding any person or thing that might get in its way. Moving forward when they were sure the coast was clear was key.
The mass of shadow was feeling rather confident, clutching a bag close to its body. Protecting it with their very life. Suddenly, a burst of wind kicked up and the hood was ripped off the person's head by the current of air revealing what appeared to be a woman in her mid twenties. She gasped in frustration, but she wouldn't get the chance to pull it back on as another shadowy figure jumped to where she was in a mad dash.
It landed on the roof above her where she stood in an alleyway. She could see it, but was looking apprehensive. Ready to flee once more, but she knew that getting away might be next to impossible at this point.
"Lyral Hearthsong? Bounty of at least five million. I'm glad you decided to show yourself, Lyral." The shadow's unmistakably male voice rang through the alley, "Your days of running have come to an end. You should prepare to be my meal ticket." He pulled down his own cloak revealing flowing long orange hair, horns sticking out of his head and black skin with red glowing eyes.
Lyral was stricken by panic, she knew this man. He was unmistakably from the demon realm and was a famous bounty hunter, "What would you be doing here, Strife?!" She questioned him loudly to which he frowned.
"You don't have the right to use that name. That old persona is gone with all my old ties and bridges burned away." Strife said indignantly to Lyral who gritted her teeth, "I know you as well foolhardy witch… Raze saved you from a close call with death last I remember. You had been fighting for that dumbass… Oh, what was his name…" He couldn't be bothered to remember because he felt this fight wouldn't last very long if he had anything to say about it.
Lyral had already been preparing herself, whispering incantations under her breath. She tried to keep the game going. It was the only thing that would let her escape this situation. She knew his secret ability and if given enough time. She would counter it with her magic. As her body glowed a light green, it began to glow brighter.
Strife simply opened his arms as the world became shattered glass in his wake. It expanded around him and began to swallow the entirety of the alley. Lyral sweated as she made her final incantation. Within seconds, Strife would appear next to her.
"Time to end this worthless game of cat and mouse…" Strife said with a small amount of what she considered to be glee.
She gasped as an attack made contact with her, a blade ripped through her torso and the ground was splattered with Lyral's blood. As she fell forward, Strife was already appearing in front of her which ended up with her on his shoulder. Lyral let out a wheeze of intense pain as Strife gave her a cold glare.
"This was your mistake. It's Dead or Alive for you." Strife let out a light chuckle as Lyral coughed up blood.
"Yes, it was a mistake…" She let out a breathy gasp of pain as Strife's eyes bulged slightly. The world began to turn back and forth around him. The alley began to look just like glass as if he was moving backward through time. He was back on top of the building soon enough. Just like nothing had happened at all.
"What?" He questioned, but there was nobody there to reply.
He looked around, yet it was too late. Like she said, there had been a mistake. He'd messed up his one and only chance to catch her without her guard up. Now he wouldn't get his meal ticket. He cursed himself, "Shit! I held back too much power. I just thought that this would be an easy pick up…" Strife grunted in frustration about the entire fiasco.
With nothing else to do, he pulled out his holophone, "Putting out a message to all my followers… Lyral Hearthsong is still at large. I have urgent business to do with an old partner of mine, so do your best to get a hold of her." He put the holophone back in his pocket and then went over his next moves.
'I'll have to head to Guerdon. My old friend is waiting.' Strife thought as he pondered on the message he'd been sent earlier, 'I better get a move on.' He jumped into the alley and once a shadow engulfed him, he was gone. Leaving the alley devoid of everything but a few rats.
~End of Chapter~
To Anon919: Ken can't quite bust out Super Saiyan or he doesn't really know how just yet. He only knows that he looked all glowy and stuff. Also, I'm fine with hearing your thoughts. It makes me keep on writing to hear what everyone thinks of this story as it goes on. Also, Brass might be a tough guy, but he won't hurt Ken for outplaying him. He probably respects him for it more than anything. As for Raze teaching Ken the ropes... He more than likely will. It will take a bit though. As for learning about the extended family of the twins. Well, we're not too far away from that. Just gotta keep reading to find out. Thanks again bud!
To Everyone Else reading: Hope you enjoyed the chapter and I can't wait to hear what you thinmk of it. This has been Roarin until next time.