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ADRIAN HATED MINERVA. He absolutely loathed her. If there was any way to kill her right then and there, he would no longer hesitate to do it.
He didn’t know the reason for her obsession with him, but from the very first day they met at the academy she seemed to hold a grudge against him. At first he had ignored her, thinking her obsessions might fade away after he made one or two sneaky comments, but the girl seems to be adamant on clinging on to him no matter how much he wanted to shake her off.
Currently they were sitting in the center of the Cathedral, the very place where Adrian had kidnapped Diana, who was now safely tucked in a basement below. It was because of this very reason he had chosen the Cathedral as the exchange spot. There was a secret maze running down below the city and only a few people knew its existence.
This maze expanded like a labyrinth giving entrance to hidden basements of most buildings. No one knew who built it, and Adrian hadn’t known about the maze until a certain someone showed it to him.
“You seem to be thinking a lot,” Minerva pointed out.
Adrian didn’t reply. He was getting tired of teasing the girl. His plan was supposed to be a simple one - when the mages enter the cathedral they’ll sure be surprised to see military academics inside it, and because of the trick Adrian pulled in the market, Quinton would recognize him and in return Adrian could use the moment of doubt to check if the person with Quinton is really the person they call the Father.
“You seem to be really angry with me,” Minerva said.
Adrian couldn’t let that comment pass off so easily.
“I really wish you would stop acting like that.”
“Like what?”
“Following me. Trying to snuggle with me for everything.”
Minerva stretched her hands, yawning.
“Consider these as inspection rounds.”
“Why me?” Adrian snapped. “Inspect Joe, Inspect that weird guy called Iato, or even Braun or Olsen. What the hecks so special about me?”
Minerva looked at him, then her expression changed in a blink of an eye. Suddenly she was alerted.
“Door,” she said.
“Huh?”
“There’s someone behind that door.”
As if on cue, a soft knock was heard on the door.
“Could that be the soldiers that were supposed to train us?” Adrian asked, knowing exactly who it was.
Minerva didn’t reply, and Adrian took the chance to make his move. Signaling Minerva to stay silent, he picked up his pocketknife and headed to the door.
“Ask who’s there,” Minerva muttered in a low voice.
But that would ruin things. If Adrian happened to ask that question, if the party on the other side were the mages they would know something was wrong.
Adrian pretending not to hear what Minerva said and opened the door, to be greeted by the familiar face of Quinton. Beside him was a hooded figure with slightly white hair.
Is this the father?
As he saw Adrian, Quinton’s face widened. “Y-You’re that boy at the market.”
Adrian decided playing along was the best option.
“Oh, it’s that girl’s brother,” Adrian said, making an equally surprised face. “What a coincidence. What are you doing here?”
“I should be the one who’s asking that,” Quinton’s expressions became guarded. “This is the Outercast, you are an Innercast.”
Adrian pretended to make a doubtful expression before saying,
“We are here on a military training,” Adrian said. “The guidebook says any Innercast can use land in the Outcast for military purposes. Now, why don’t you answer my question?”
Adrian gleed from his mind. He had trapped him in a perfect spot. Now all he needed was to take a glance at the man inside that hood.
“Do you know each other?” Minerva appeared behind Adrian.
Adrian wanted to kill himself. She had to come at the best possible moment.
“We are just acquaintances,” Adrian cleared her out. “Isn’t that right Quinton?”
The boy started to nod but stopped suddenly.
“How do you know my name?”
Adrian cursed. They say what ruins a person is his mouth.
“Who’s he?” Minerva asked, throwing a glance at the hooded figure.
“H-He’s just a beggar I found along the way,” Quinton replied, moving his gaze away from Minerva. “I normally like to invite them to my house and provide them with dinner. It’s such a merit act you know.”
Adrian figured out Quinton wasn’t a good liar. Even thirteen year old Ryan told better lies than that.
Minerva moved to open the hood but the figure stepped back. Adrian smiled from the corner of his mouth. He thought Minerva was a nuisance but now she seemed to be doing the thing he exactly wanted.
“What’s so much there to hide?” Minerva questioned, moving forwards.
Quinton blocked her way. “His face is all burnt up. He is too shy—”
Minerva pushed him away and pulled out the hood, revealing a—
Boy?
He was about Adrian’s age with slightly graying hair. Anyone who saw his hair and the slightly overgrown mustache might think he’s an old man, but from the looking at his face and the rest of his body, it was obvious he was a boy.
So they cheated on me, Adrian gritted his teeth. Very well, it’s not like I came without a backup plan.
“Wait a minute,” Minerva pondered. “I have seen your face somewhere before.”
The boy stepped back and lifted his hand to the sky, with his thumb and ring finger folded.
“No, Joseph!” Quinton yelled, but before he could speak another word Adrian heard someone yell Attack! And from the rooftops came several hooded figures.
Adrian wanted to laugh out loud. So that was their plan. Grab Diana and send an all-out attack. It wasn’t bad...... for kindergartners.
“Minerva,” he said, maintaining his composure. “Military alarm bell! Now! We are under attack!”
“No, wait, please listen,” Quinton begged, but none of them were in their right minds.
Minerva picked up the horn from her belt and blew it twice. The white haired Joseph lunged towards her but Minerva ducked, grabbed her pocket knife and stabbed the boy in his Adam’s Apple.
“Joseph!” one of the hooded figures dashed towards the boy who was choking his last breath - blood spurting from his throat - while the rest of the crew surrounded Minerva.
“Come on,” she pulled out her swords. “I’ll take you all on.”
Adrian never knew how Minerva became so cold hearted to stab a boy but he had to praise her confidence. Still, these were mages. And they had magic.
A fiery gust of wind surrounded the area as one of the hooded figures lifted his hand. The air around them were sucked above him as if getting dragged into a wormhole. His free hand crackled with electricity and behind the hood Adrian could see two eyes filled with blue electric energy.
Interesting, Adrian mused. He’s using the air around him to create lightning.
But the man’s reflexes were too slow. By the time he had pointed the lighting crackling hand at Minerva, she had already launched herself at him, blades drawn. One of the other hooded figures lunged at her, with what looked like a rope in his hand, but Minerva dodged the attack and brought both her blades at the electric user, slashing the man’s arms in half. He let out a hollow scream before falling to the ground. Minerva took the chance and with one rapid movement, sent the blade through the man’s heart.
One down. Four more to go.
Adrian never knew Minerva was that much of an expert in melee combat, but he was glad. From the corner of his eye, he saw several military soldiers heading in their direction, Jay and Katherine leading them.
“Shit,” Quinton yelled. “Military is here.”
Adrian looked around one last time. Quinton was distracted, the hooded figures were focusing on their offense, and the military was focused on the attackers and his baby sitter Minerva was surrounded by mages. This was the perfect time.
Without throwing another glance, he slowly retreated to the shadows inside the cathedral. Walking to one of the walls that was slightly blotted, he kept his hand and altered its structure. The wall began to split open and Adrian stepped inside. Near him was a lighted lamp. He picked it up, closed the walls and began to descend the stairs. This flight of stairs were much longer than the ones at the Rat’s Hole, so Adrian hastened his footsteps. Down below was his mask and his costume and after a few steps was Diana’s new cage.
“Time for the climax,” Adrian muttered as he moved his hand to his head to brush his hair.
*
DIANA WAS TRAPPED AGAIN, but at least this room didn’t have any rats in it. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was gagged. Up above she heard noises of the battle and she believed she heard the voice of her brother.
Are things going wrong?
She was blindfolded and gagged before Ace took her through a long walk. She didn’t complain, instead took her effort to memorize the pathway. If she got the chance to escape, she knew where to take turns.
Diana heard the door being opened.
“I’m glad you didn’t do anything stupid,” she heard Ace’s voice. “It’s time for us to move.”
Diana didn’t make a move. She felt Ace’s gloved hands touching her face and the handkerchief that tied her eyes fell down. In front of her stood Ace, fully dressed with jeans and a black sweatshirt. His face was covered by a hood and in the dark she caught the glimpse of a mask and white hair.
White hair, she memorized. Someone with white hair.
She stood up. Both her hands were handcuffed so even if she had any possibility if winning against Ace, she couldn’t move her hands. As usual, her kidnapper pulled out a pistol from his back.
“You know the rules,” he said, poking her skin with the gun. “Start moving.”
Diana didn’t argue. She moved to the door, Ace closely following him from behind. Outside was a corridor that extended to a great distance from both left and right.
“Turn right,” Ace ordered. “Don’t try anything stupid.”
Diana kept moving, occasionally being motivated by the pistol poking her back.
Moving forwards and taking another turn to the left, she was met with a flight of stairs. Ascending, she found herself emerging from a door that led to an alleyway. A few miles away from her, she heard noises of the battle.
“Let’s move.”
Diana obeyed. There was no point in resisting.
“Where are we going?” she asked. “At least tell me that.”
“Back to the place you were trapped,” Ace said. “The deal isn’t complete. I asked for the person you call your father, but your tricky friends gave me a copycat. And now you are paying the price for it back again.”
Diana wasn’t surprised that Travis and Quinton would pull out a trick, but by the way Ace said it, she couldn’t help but feel slightly angry towards them.
“Take me to my brother,” Diana decided to use her final card. “I promise I won’t do anything rash. Just take me to him. I’ll make sure you’ll meet father.”
She wasn’t sure her brother or Travis would agree, but it was worth the try.
“That’s quite a nice voice you have,” Ace’s voice had a hint of sarcasm. “Your brother pulls a trick on me like that and you tell me to take you to him? I’m sorry if you weren’t paying attention but that’s exactly what he wants.”
“And don’t you want to know where father is?” Diana asked. “I know what I am doing. Quinton will hear what I say despite the situation.”
Ace stopped for a moment. At first Diana thought it was because of her comment, but she soon realized there was someone blocking their path.
“Quinton!” she exclaimed.
Her brother stepped out from the shadows. Revolving around his arm were two Scavengers, each reflecting the face of Quinton contorted with rage.
“I’ve had enough of your drama,” he growled. “You had the nerve to kidnap my little sister in the presence of me?”
Ace, who was aiming the pistol at Diana, pointed it to Quinton.
“Don’t be stupid enough to act so suddenly. I am quick with my hand. One second is enough for me to shoot both you and your sister.”
“And one second is more than enough for me to throw these Scavengers away and pull your brains apart.” Quinton snapped.
“I think time isn’t the matter here,” Ace pointed out. “I am currently holding your sister hostage, so I am at advantage here. Besides, I don’t see any fault in what I did. You were the sneaky one to bring out a fake copy of your father.”
Quinton kept a step forwards. Ace followed suit and aimed his pistol back at Diana.
“You think I’ll be crazy to send our old man to a psychopath like you?” Quinton snapped. “We are being hunted like dogs. And I don’t know the reason. Amid all of this do you think we’ll be bold enough to bring father into the open? If he’s dead all is lost.”
“You are talking like you are the good person here,” Ace said. “Only I know what dirty tricks your old man pulls behind your back.”
Quinton gritted his teeth and the Scavengers around him revolved around much faster. Diana knew her brother wasn’t stupid enough to attack with her in the nearby vicinity, but by the anger etched on his face, he wasn’t so sure.
“Don’t you dare insult father-”
“Or you’ll do what? Kill me?” Ace gripped Diana by her neck and pulled her closer to him. “Go on and try. Blast your sister with me you spineless moron.”
“Q-Quinton,” Diana almost pleaded.
Her brother at first seemed to consider the decision out of blind rage, but soon he retreated. He stepped back and the Scavengers revolving around his arm fell onto the ground.
“Just tell me what you want from father,” Quinton held up his hands in defense. “I’ll try to do the best by assisting you in the place of him.”
Ace released his grip on Diana. She fell onto the ground, her vision blurred and lungs choking for air.
“Ask him a certain question. The orphanage fire—”
Before he could speak another word, Diana pushed herself on top of him, releasing his pistol from his grasp. Both of them fell to the ground and Diana was greeted with a kick on her body, which sent her sprawling across the alleyway. Her brother rushed to her side, but by the time Diana had managed to get to her feet, Ace had risen up with the pistol pointed at them.
Quinton opened his mouth to talk, but a shot was fired at them. Quinton let out an painful grunt as the bullet hit his shoulder, tearing his shirt and throwing him to the ground from the momentum.
“Quinton!” Diana rushed to him. Another bullet whizzed past her and hit on the wall.
“I don’t miss,” Ace said, heading towards them. “If I wanted to kill you that would’ve happened before you could blink your eyes.”
Diana was losing her focus again. This was just like last time. Her brother was helpless and she was unable to do anything. If she only had......
She blindly felt her brother’s hand gripping hers, and she felt waves of vibration flowing through her skin. Instantly, she figured out what Quinton was doing.
He’s activating my magical crest.
She felt the mana waves blowing through her again. Her eyes readjusted their focus.
“Thank you Quinton,” she muttered as her brother’s hand went limp and fell down to the ground. “I won’t fail again.”
“What are you saying?” Ace was only a few feet behind her.
Ignoring him, Diana closed her eyes and directed all her energy to the inside of her body. The battle cries, her brother’s painful mutterings and Ace’s nonchalant voice faded from her ears to be replaced by the constant throbbing of her own heartbeat. She felt Ace’s pistol touching her head, but she kept concentrating. She felt her own soul - a mass of energy focused on the center of her body, the place where all her mana nerves connected themselves, the very essence of her.
“What the hell are you doing?” Ace’s pistol poked harder. “I am not going to hesitate to shoot-”
She blocked all signals from the outside and opened her third eye. From a much different perspective, she saw all three of them in the same plane. She felt each of their souls grasping their bodies like hooks, with Ace’s one more strong and steady. With all the energy Diana had, she directed her astral energy to Ace’s body and trapped his soul from her energy.
She felt the pistol falling onto her lap, and as Diana opened her eyes Ace was desperately clutching his chest.
“Do you know what my power is?” Diana spoke, her voice deeper and echoing with layers of mana. “I can control any person’s soul. I can even kill them.”
She wished she could just do what she said. She hated Ace so much she simply wanted to tear him limb by limb. He nearly killed her brother twice, trapped her and traumatized her inside a cage and took her around everywhere like a newfound bitch......
Ace knelt down, his hands desperately clawing for his body. Blood flowed down from the hood.
Diana felt her taking control of his body, his muscles and even his very nerves and heart. She could pull out all the veins running to his heart and call it a victory but no matter how much Ace traumatized her, she didn’t want to cross the line. If she killed him, she’ll be a murderer, and that’s a path where she can never turn back from.
“Never ever come hurting us,” she warned, snapping one of Ace’s arms. For her regret, she enjoyed Ace’s screams. They seemed to be more painful than the ones she threw out inside the cage. “Never again.”
She threw his body like a sack of useless meat to one of the walls. Several bones crack from the impact, and Ace’s screams died along as he fell onto the ground without any motion.
Diana felt her brother’s arm on her again.
“We need to go,” he muttered, desperately trying to stand up. “The military will be here soon.”
Diana lost her concentration and fell onto the ground. That was the risk of using her power. If she used too much, she had the tendency to get dragged in to the Soul Plane forever.
“Are you okay?” she asked her brother, who was desperately clutching his bleeding shoulder.
“This can wait. We need to move.”
Diana looked one last time at the motionless figure of Ace. A pool of blood had already formed around him. His mask was half down but the hood covered his face.
“I know what you are thinking,” Quinton nagged. “We don’t have time to see who he is. Let’s leave the authorities to find him. We are both in no state to fight, and I don’t want to lose you again.”
Diana nodded and swung her hand around her brother’s free shoulder. Now that she had finished using her power, she felt waves of nausea drowning over her again. They moved their bodies slowly and staggered along the alleyway, leaving a nearly dead Ace behind.