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“From the moment we met, I knew he was the right man for the job. He was completely devoted to any task assigned to him, and he kept a watchful eye on each metamorph that was under his purview. He didn't like to interact much with them, and I feel like a part of him was secretly intimidated. Throughout his entire life, Derek had always been the biggest and baddest S.O.B. around. And now here he was, surrounded by men and women who could literally kill him with a thought. It was unfamiliar territory, but he was more than up to the task.
None of the inmates liked him, the freaks often talked crap behind his back. But to his face, they knew better than to open their mouths. Even without powers, Derek gave off an aura of pure intimidation. I can remember one instance in which one of the elementals, that's what we called the ones that could manipulate elemental properties, tried to get smart with him after he had given them an order in the cafeteria. The smart-ass thought it’d be a good idea to comment on his wife. The next thing I know, Derek calmly walks over, smiles, and proceeds to bash the dude’s head in with his own tray. He practically forced the damn thing down that poor soul’s throat. Afterward, he had the audacity to pick up the burger off the floor and finish it over the man's unconscious body, throwing the leftovers in his face. After that, the other inmates left him alone. They had all learned a valuable lesson that day: being dangerous isn't about having powers. It's about how far you're willing to go to make your point."
-An excerpt taken from the pages of Will of Stone: True American Hero-the General Derek Stone Biography
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THE START OF THE BATTLEDOME season had always been one of the anticipated events of the year, so with Team Davids no longer involved, Gabe had taken to being a spectator and cheering on their other friends instead. While he yearned to compete, he understood the risks that lay with their involvement and was willing to witness the success of his other friends instead. Team de Rossi and Team Parra were amongst the top five overall teams this season, with Team Perrotta not far behind within the top 10. Over the weekend, Gabriel and Dan attended the latest match-ups while Tristan and Belle took some time to go out on a date.
Recently, Tristan had been moodier than usual, a fact which disappointed Gabriel given how much progress he had been making. Something had happened within the last few days, although Gabriel couldn’t figure out what. Every time he tried to talk to Tristan about it, his friend would blow him off, claiming that it was just an aftereffect of his training and that he’d been feeling more fatigued. Gabriel took his friend’s word, but there was a part of him that wondered how much Tristan was willing to divulge. Still, it was good for him to get out and spend some time alone with Belle. She had been a rock for Tristan, and hopefully, she could help him get out of this funk.
Gabriel and Dan stayed for the entirety of the matches, listening to the commentary of Cedric Monroe and Jay Fletcher, while they handled the play-by-play for both Team de Rossi and Team Parra that night. Team de Rossi was facing off against Team Logan that evening, a first-year squad whose inexperience showed once they fell before the masterful third-years within the first six minutes. Team Parra were the next contestants, going up against fourth-year squad Team Munroe, a highly rated squad who many felt could make the playoffs this year. After the other three members of Team Parra fell at the hands of their competitors, it looked to be an easy victory for Team Munroe. But such was not the case when going up against Psyborg. In one of the greatest comebacks Gabriel had ever seen, Juan single-handedly took out all the remaining members of Team Munroe before the final bell rang, sparking a massive eruption of cheers within the crowds. At the end of the match, Juan stood in the middle of the ring, arms aloft, as he waved his tired hands and gave an exhausted smile at the fans that were chanting his name.
Gabriel and Dan hung out with their friends following their matches, offering praise and discussing the evening’s showdowns. After eating, Dan and Cynthia eventually left to go "study", which Gabriel silently chuckled about, and the rest soon followed suit. Gabe and Sofi were perhaps the last ones to leave the mess hall, the two talking well into the night before Gabriel walked his friend back over to her dorm. Before calling it a night, Gabriel took a quick look at his email to check for any missed messages and was surprised to see an urgent message from Secretary Cam.
Opening the email, Gabriel scanned the request for him to meet with the principal tomorrow morning to discuss the Escabana events. Gabriel's stomach lurched at the message as he pondered what this could be about. Leaning his head against the pillow, Gabriel's mind raced throughout the rest of the sleepless night. By the time the sun peeked through the dorm curtains, Gabriel was already dressed and making his way over to the Academy, where he took the elevator to the familiar office of Principal Winter. Upon opening the doors, Gabriel found both Juan and Tristan already sitting there, and the headmaster looked up to him a small smile, gesturing to the remaining open chair.
"Gabe, please have a seat. I'm glad you were able to come on such short notice."
Gabriel mumbled in acknowledgment before taking a seat beside Tristan. He shot his friend a glance who simply shrugged in response. The three teens stared at Principal Winter as he finished gathering a few papers upon his desk. The man leaned back against his chair and rubbed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he let out a short sigh.
"I'm sorry to be bringing you all here under such poor circumstances. I understand you’re all tired of revisiting the same story about last December's events. However, I have just received an urgent message from the President of the United States. There’s been a deposition request made by the President and General Derek Stone for all witnesses, both human and metamorph alike. They are planning to have you all stand before a committee and give your statements regarding the event of last year's bombings," Principal Winter explained solemnly.
"But there were six of us involved," Juan pointed out. "Why aren’t the others here?"
"Because as far as the video evidence is concerned, you three and El Diablo were the only ones that could be positively identified on camera and physically described by the witnesses. Luckily, Belle and Dan’s involvement has yet to be established, and they will not be needed for this meeting. While I'm sure the deposition will bring their actions to light, I am not willing to simply hand over my students unless necessary."
"Hand us over?" Tristan questioned. "Do you suspect that something is going to happen to us?"
Principal Winter shook his head, but failed to meet their eyes." I don't believe this is some kind of ambush if that's what you’re referring to. However, if I’m being honest, I’m wary of the government's intentions when it comes to this. It feels as if they need someone or something to blame, and you three may be the scapegoats they’re after. Having said that, I believe that after they hear your testimony, they’ll find that their efforts have been in vain and that you all saved countless of lives in your attempts to rescue Dan. Doomsayer was a madman and an outlier of our people. You all were heroes, and I believe they will see that. There is no better face for our people right now than yours. I will be with you every step of the way, and we will make sure that your story is told."
“Are you sure they can be trusted?" Tristan pressed. "We’re on thin ice with the government as it is. What’s to say we’re not walking into a trap, and they won’t just lock us away the moment we get there?"
Principal Winter shook his head adamantly. "No. I would never allow such a thing to happen. This entire hearing will be behind closed doors. No member of the public is to know that this meeting is taking place. This was a specific request from the President herself, and she gave me her word that this was nothing more than a chance to provide the American people with closure and more information concerning the attacks."
The young men all looked at one another, processing their options, before eventually bowing their heads in agreement.
"Excellent," Principal Winter replied. “We will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning. You don't have to pack much, only some overnight supplies. We’ll be leaving immediately after and back in time for classes on Monday."
Their meeting concluded, the principal proceeded to dismiss the teens, sending them on their way so he could finalize their plans. Following his friends out of the office, Gabriel sensed a sickening knot forming in the pit of his stomach. While Gabriel trusted the headmaster, a part of him couldn’t help but feel that they were making a grave mistake.
––––––––
ONCE THEY HAD GOTTEN back to the dormitories, the three gathered their friends and informed them of what was going on. Although a few openly expressed their concern about the risks involved, everyone seemed to agree that this could be a way for them to help alleviate tensions by cooperating and telling their side of the story. After most of their friends had left, Dan and Belle continued to voice their fears over the matter, worry written upon their faces. It hurt Gabriel to see them this way, but before he could attempt to ease their anxieties, Sofi had lingered behind and asked Gabriel if he could walk with her over by the lake.
Sensing her apprehension, Gabriel acquiesced, and the two meandered over to the nearby pond beside the basketball courts to sit down. For a few minutes, they simply stared into the water, observing the fall air ripple its surface.
Eventually, Sofi turned to Gabe and said, "You know this is crazy, right? You realize you guys are walking into the hands of the people who've been calling you a danger this entire time."
Gabriel swallowed. "Yeah, I know. But it's not like we have much of a choice. This is the only way to clear our names and help repair the relationship between our people and humans. We've run out of options, Sofi, and we need to start being proactive if we're going to stay ahead of this thing. The world is counting on it."
"Gabriel, I get that. I'm not saying that it doesn't make sense, but I'm not going to lie, I’m scared. Scared for what can happen to you." Sofi's eyes began to water, and she turned her face away.
Gabriel placed his hand upon her chin and gently turned it towards his. "Sofi, we've been through plenty of dangerous situations before,” Gabriel stated, meeting her eyes. “We’ve faced down some of the toughest challenges over the last two years and managed to stay alive this long. I'm not about to let a bunch of old men in suits keep me from you. You got that?"
Sofi smiled at this and gave him a slight nod, though the doubts lingered in her eyes.
"Besides, what are you so scared of anyway? You worried you won’t have anybody to beat in that silly video game?" Gabriel joked, trying to alleviate the tension.
Sofi gave him a sad smile before replying. "Gabe, I'll always find someone to beat at that game. But that doesn't mean that they could ever replace you. No one ever could."
Gabriel swallowed hard, a lump suddenly forming in his throat. "Sofi, I promise, I would tear apart hell and everything in between to get back to you. You realize that, right?"
"I know, Gabe. I know,” Sofi whispered. “But it still breaks my heart watching you leave."
With that, Sofi did something that Gabriel hadn’t expected. She leaned over, grabbing the front of his collar, and gently pulled him into a long, passionate embrace. Gabriel had always thought of Sofi in such a way but had held back for fear of ruining their friendship. He no longer did. He allowed himself to finally express his emotions, returning each passionate kiss with one of his own. As far as Gabriel was concerned, this had been two years too long.
––––––––
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, the three teens were set to catch their flight out to Washington D.C. They were to rendezvous with Principal Winter over by the beach where the super-jet was waiting. Before they left their dorm, Tristan brought them together one final time.
"Look," he began, "I know that this is supposed to be a low-key event, and there's not supposed to be any surprises. But that doesn't mean we let our guards down. Last Christmas was supposed to be low-key too, and look how that turned out. One thing I regretted was not bringing my outfit. I don't know about you guys, but I don’t plan on making that mistake again. I got mine beneath my suit just in case things go sideways. I'm not trying to get caught in any craziness unprepared."
While he hoped Tristan was wrong, Gabriel conceded to the wisdom behind his words. Both he and Belle had been nearly neutralized last year without their equipment and had to improvise with several makeshift tools to assist in battle. Gabriel and Juan decided to heed Tristan’s words, concealing their outfits beneath their attire, before following Tristan out to the beach. The three boys convened with Principal Winter once they reached the super-jet, and they entered the large, private plane.
It took Condor a little over twenty-four hours to take them to their destination. They soared within the atmosphere of the nation's capital, cloaked and silenced by the plane’s advanced technology, and Condor expertly landed the vehicle beside Air Force One once they reached the Andrews Military Base.
Upon landing, they were immediately escorted into a long, black unmarked sedan which transported them over to the courthouse where they would be giving their testimonies. Gabriel's palms were drenched in sweat, and he tried to regulate his heart rate as they drove down the busy highway. Glancing at Tristan, Gabriel wondered whether or not his friend was as nervous as he.
Tristan had been staring out the window, silent, a hardened expression upon his face. He was difficult to read, however, the shifting black marks at the base of his neck gave him away. He was certainly anxious, even though he was doing his best not to display it. The metallic brace around his neck was well hidden by his button-up shirt, and Gabriel prayed none of the committee members would spot it. It's hard to make a case for you not being a threat when your people have created a device to keep you under control.
When they finally arrived at the massive courthouse, the four men were led inside and directed through several long winding hallways to a private room. After they were seated, one of the agents turned to Principal Winter and said, “You four are to remain in here for the time being. There are food and beverages on the table in the corner, and there are magazines to the side if you need something to read. Otherwise, we’ll be calling you back on an individual basis and going through the questioning separately. You four will be questioned for a specified period before being brought back into a separate room once you’re done."
Winter nodded in acknowledgment, and the agent left the room, leaving the men waiting to be called. Over the next few hours, each one of them was taken away to the meeting room while the others pondered their fate. While he sat, Gabriel decided to take the time to practice some of the techniques he had been working on with Allen. Closing his eyes, Gabriel extended his mind outward, reaching to feel the concrete below his feet, layered beneath the building’s foundation. He could sense the sand particles within the cement, and Gabriel forced himself even further to meld into the earth below. It took him quite a bit of time and concentration, but Gabriel was pleased to discover that he was getting better at accomplishing this task.
"Gabriel Jackson," a bellowing voice called out, snapping Gabriel out of his focus. Gabriel jerked open his eyes to find that he was the last of the four, and it was now his turn to testify before the committee. Gabriel stood up and arranged his tie before following the guard back into the hallway. He was soon led into the large hearing room where Gabriel found himself staring at a broad oak table surrounded by older men and women in expensive suits. The political leaders stared at him, observing his every step, and Gabriel walked over and sat in the solitary chair within the center of the room. Seated directly before them, there was an air of tension in the room. Their judgmental eyes made him shift in his seat, however, Gabriel did his best to act as if this was not intimidating.
Perhaps the most recognizable figures were the two that were directly ahead: on the right was the President herself, while beside her was a burly man that he had seen plenty of times on the news since Principal Winter's announcement. General Derek Stone gave him a wry smile before glancing back at the papers under his fingertips.
"Good morning, Mr. Jackson. I’m very grateful that you and your friends were able to join us today for this hearing," the President declared, brushing aside her short white hair from the lens of her glasses. "We are going to ask that you recount the events leading up to the Escabana bombings and detail anything of relevance that occurred immediately afterward. Your testimony will be officially documented and recorded for future review, and we will also be videotaping this for further evidence. We ask that you are completely honest and objective in your retelling of the event. Your testimony is extremely important, Mr. Jackson. Do you understand this?" the President pressed, her stern eyes piercing straight through Gabriel.
Gabriel swallowed hard and nodded his head, trying to ignore the sweat running down his back.
"Good," the President replied, though with some hesitation. "I want you to understand, Mr. Jackson, we’re not conducting a police investigation. This isn’t some good-cop/bad-cop act. This is simply you telling us exactly what happened so that we can better understand and help clarify for the good citizens of this nation. They deserve to know the truth, and we need to be prepared to give them the information that they require. As you all know, this has been a very trying time for us as a nation, and there’s been quite a bit of push back with the registration act. However, with your testimonies, we’ll be able to provide not only justification for identifying potential threats within the Metamorph community but also show the people that there are those of you who are willing to step up to the task when called upon and aid us in restraining such people. I, for one, laud your efforts, and I'm grateful for what you did that day."
Gabriel let out a small sigh, visibly relaxing as the tension in his shoulders loosened up.
All right, easy enough. All I have to do is just tell them exactly what happened, we get back on that ridiculous rocket they call a jet, and I'm back making out with Sofi within the next twenty-four hours.
Gabriel lifted his head, staring into the president's eyes, and began to tell his story. It took a little over an hour, the boy only stopping to answer any questions the committee posed to clarify the events. As he recalled the story, it was as if he were reliving the nightmare all over again, and by the time he was done, Gabriel was mentally and emotionally drained, the memories of the event taking their toll upon his psyche. He had gone through a lot that day. They all had, and it was not something he ever wished to go through again.
Upon his conclusion, the committee members glanced at one another with subtle nods, seemingly content with what had been presented. The president turned to face Gabriel and gave him a small smile.
"Well, Mr. Jackson, I think I speak for everyone when I say thank you for your efforts in protecting the people of Escabana from Doomsayer’s plot. We know that, given the circumstances, the decisions you made were not easy. However, it appears that these matters were out of your control, and Doomsayer alone should be held responsible for the deaths of our innocent civilians. All of your stories have lined up, and we can find no objections as to whether or not you all have been honest. We will continue to review and go through your testimonies, but for now, we are finished with this hearing. You are free to return to your friends," the President stated. The hearing concluded, the President and her officials stood up, talking in hushed voices while they made their way out of the room. One of the guards walked over to Gabriel, ready to escort him when the large, stocky figure of General Stone intercepted him and held out a thick palm.
"No need, Rick. If it's all right with you, I’d like to personally escort this hero myself."
The agent nodded his head in obedience and turned around to follow the rest of the committee out the doors. An awkward silence fell upon the chambers, the two men now the only ones within the room, and Gabriel avoided the man’s powerful gaze while he waited to be taken back to his classmates. For what felt like an eternity, the General continued to stare at him, a cold, empty smile upon his lips. Eventually, the man opened his mouth, his deep, booming voice echoing throughout the room.
"Well, Mr. Jackson, it looks like you and your friends are owed a debt of gratitude from the American public. It seems like this meeting has helped clear your names and clarify what happened that day in Escabana. You should be feeling pretty good about yourselves, now that you’re all heroes." The man gave another porcelain smile and shook his head. "At least, that's how all the rest of the committee members see you. But not me. You still haven't pulled the wool over my eyes."
Gabriel started, his eyebrow raised at the unexpected comment. "What? You don't believe what I said?"
"Oh, I believe every word you uttered," the General admitted, "but that doesn't mean you're not dangerous. You see, Mr. Jackson, I have personally worked alongside metamorphs for nearly half my life. I know exactly how you people think, how you freaks behave. You’re all arrogant, self-righteous time-bombs just waiting to go off. Even the weakest of you has the potential to damage the lives of innocent human beings should you so choose. You may have played the hero last year, but it's only a matter of time before you decide that your wants and needs are above our own, that your petty little squabbles far outweigh the real troubles of this world. And on that day, it's humanity that's going to suffer, while you all calmly walk over the bodies of the people whose lives you held in such little regard.
"It's only natural, after all. You people are supposedly our genetic superiors. You have all the power within the palm of your hands. It's only a matter of time before that power taints you. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, Mr. Jackson. Every time. You and your friends are no exception."
A familiar fury rose up from the pit of Gabriel’s stomach, threatening to unleash upon the man. "That's a pretty cynical way to look at things. You don't even know me, but you're willing to judge me based off what little experience you had with my people?" Gabriel questioned through gritted teeth.
The general let out a hollow laugh before locking eyes with Gabriel. "Son, I do know you. You're all the same. I've seen your heroes, and I've seen the worst your people have to offer. You wanna know what the difference was between them? Time.”
––––––––
GABRIEL WAS MORE THAN a little flustered by the time he rejoined the other three in their private quarters. Unsure of what to make of his conversation with the General, Gabriel decided against divulging their unpleasant discourse, hoping to find the time to speak with them alone and express his concerns. At this point, he wanted nothing more than to get out of here and go home. He’d had just about enough of this charade and was ready to be back amongst his classmates at the Academy.
Several minutes later, the four were cleared to gather their belongings and escorted out the doors, their detail prepared to take them back to the super-jet at Andrews Air Force Base. Exiting the building and stepping out into the evening’s fading light, Gabriel paused the moment his feet struck the marble steps. His heart caught in his chest at the sight below, and Principal Winter’s murmur of “Dear God” didn’t help ease his fears.
They were now greeted by a large crowd down at the foot of the stairs before them. There looked to be close to a hundred people surging around the steps, being held back by the overwhelmed guards. The people held signs that stated things like "G.E.I.s need to G.E.T. out of here!" and "My family died in Escabana! Justice for the victims!".
"Principal Winter, I thought this was supposed to be a closed meeting. How could people have found out about this so quickly?" Juan questioned, staring at their headmaster.
Principal Winter could only shake his head in surprise, his expression dropping. "Honestly, Psyborg, I'm not entirely sure. There was no way for them to find out unless one of us or someone from the inside directly informed them. I was told that this was a classified meeting."
At the sight of the four metamorphs leaving the courtroom, the crowd grew more unruly, screaming out in fury. Chants of "Arrest the freaks" began to break out, and the people pushed at the guards, their faces red with emotion. Some of the crowd members began picking up glass bottles and rocks from the ground, hurling it toward the group. Principal Winter simply waved his hands, black holes forming and sucking in the projectiles, causing them to drift into the abyss without contacting any of the students.
"Do not give in to the hatred, boys. Let me handle this. Whatever you do, do not use your powers openly amongst these people. That means no messing with their minds either, Psyborg," Principal Winter warned.
Witnessing the use of his powers, the crowd grew more agitated, this time physically pushing back against some of the standing guards.
"What do we do if they break through the guards? What if they try to attack us?" Tristan inquired, the air around his body heating up, simmering with energy.
"Just do as I tell you, Electro. And make sure you stay behind me. As I said, I will handle it," Principal Winter stated. "Worst case scenario, I will do my best to protect you, but ultimately, the human authorities need to handle this."
As if on cue, the deafening roar of fighter jets boomed above them, and before Gabriel knew what was happening, eight mechanized humanoids smashed into the marble steps before them. The massive robotic bodies straightened up, practically in unison, and faced the crowd before them. Gabriel found it difficult to swallow, his pulse pounding in his ears. The intimidating figures looked like they had been designed to take on an all-out assault in a war zone.
The head mech-soldier leading the pack stepped forward, a human voice emitting out over the internal loudspeakers: "Citizens, we are the S.W.A.R.M. We urge you to step away from the area. If you continue to cause concern, we will be forced to use force to apprehend you. Please cease all aggressive activities immediately."
In response, a stray bottle flew from the crowd and smashed into one of the mech-soldiers, causing the humanoid to immediately scan through the crowd for the assailant. They seemed to process the information for a moment, a thin red beam sweeping across the masses before honing in on an older man, who immediately tried to run away. Before the man could take two steps, the mech-soldier raised its hand before releasing a blast of electrical energy, the taser striking the man directly between the scapula. The older man let out a yelp as he dropped to the ground, convulsing in pain. While the guards rushed forward to apprehend him, it was clear that the crowd was beginning to reconsider their approach.
Suddenly the world around Gabriel flashed in a beam of bright light, a searing explosion wiping out his vision. His feet left the ground as his body was thrown back upon the stairs, the edges digging deep into his spine. The explosion resounded all around him, the reverberations blasting through his eardrums and reducing his hearing to a single endless tone. Stunned, Gabriel attempted to open his eyes and clear his sight, the white light still blurring his vision.
What the hell just happened?!
From the best he could tell, this had either been a flash grenade or someone had set off a bomb. His arms moved aimlessly in their search to find one of his friends as he reached out blindly. His hearing and vision gradually returned to the absolute chaos of the moment as a riot broke out below. Citizens had rushed the guards in panic, knocking them down and crying out for their lives. The mech-soldiers had stepped forward in an attempt to force the unruly mob back, however, it was apparent that they had lost control of the situation. Glancing around, Gabriel could see the others making their way onto their feet, looking at Principal Winter for instructions.
"Someone threw a flash grenade! Stay behind me! Whoever is behind this is trying to incite the people!" he cried out, his tone tinged with panic.
As the people streamed forward, the mech-soldiers repressed them with tear gas and tasers, however, they were badly outnumbered. Several people had managed to get past their perimeter and were charging the four metamorphs. Principal Winter gritted his teeth and released several black holes beside them, frightening the oncoming assailants to a halt.
"Trust me, you don't want any part of this,” Principal Winter spat. “Go home, or enter the abyss. Your choice."
The wide-eyed citizens looked at one another before backing away in panic. They were met by one of the S.W.A.R.M. soldiers who proceeded to tase them to the ground. After the stray civilians were subdued, the mech-soldier ran forward and opened up his visor to reveal a male face inside.
"Ambassador Winter, my name is Lieutenant Chris Terry. We’ll help escort you guys to the airport, however, we’re going to have to clear the path from these civilians first,” the soldier explained while placing his hand on Tristan’s shoulder. “I’ll provide cover for the students, just give us a moment while we—!”
Gabriel never got a chance to hear what the man was attempting to say. He never found out what the plan would be. The next thing he knew, the man was flying back, his body floating through the air as if in slow motion down the marble stairs. There was a massive hole in the center of his chest, the enforced steel of his armor completely torn open, exposing his bloody chest while his empty eyes closed for the final time.
Gabriel was at a loss, unsure of what it was he had seen. It was as if the man had exploded from the inside, his suit bursting from his chest. His body struck the stairs, rolling down unimpeded toward his comrades.
For a moment, it seemed as if time had stopped, both the crowd and the remaining soldiers all turning to face the metamorphs in silence. A stillness hung in the air while the witnesses processed what had just occurred. The moment was broken as the soldiers pressed their fingertips to their temple, in unison, listening to some kind of intercom. Immediately turning to face the four, the leader pointed toward them and stated: "You four! Stay where you are! Don't move! You are under arrest!"
"No, you don't understand! We had nothing to do with it!" Principal Winter cried out, but his pleas were drowned out by the roar of the angry mob. The soldiers immediately went after the headmaster, one of them firing an electrical blast to stun the man. Principal Winter attempted to protest before his body became wracked in pain, their mentor tumbling upon the ground, unconscious.
At a loss for what to do next, Gabriel glanced at Tristan, his eyes shaking. What did they do now?
As if reading his mind, Tristan gritted his teeth.
"Fuck this. I'll be damned if these assholes think they're taking me down without a fight."
And with that, Tristan began to glow.
