42 Aftermath

Jayce eyed him suspiciously, "Oh really?" His reaction prompted a chorus of laughs from Neith and the man standing before him. "Yes really!" He patted Jayce on the back as Neith conjured three chairs for them to sit in. "You used my powers to conjure those shadow blades. I have to admit I am impressed you can already reform them into different shapes. Like that greatsword, you used to finish off my brother's pet."

Jayce wasn't sure how to react to all of this so he just listened intently while the towering man spoke freely. "Neith told me that you had something special about you and I can see she was right." Neith smiled and leaned a head on his shoulder. Jayce felt a pang of jealousy watching this but quickly pushed it aside. "It was never going to happen," he mentally reminded himself. "But my ability to harness my powers are a fraction of what they once were. I can't teach you how to use them." He frowned as he looked at Jayce. "I'm afraid you won't have much time to learn either. I doubt our brothers have any intention of letting you live. Especially because you carry the remnants of my power within your body."

Neith then spoke up, "It's true, they probably are completing their preparations for the grand competition as we speak." Jayce thought this was good news but decided against saying anything. The tanned man nodded and then looked Jayce in the eyes, "Jayce if you die that's it. Neither one of us has the power to revive you. So you must be wary." He closed his eyes and rubbed his temple as he spoke. "Neith I feel the exhaustion returning." Before opening his eyes that seemed to have aged 500 years in a second. "Jayce you mustn't fail. For the sake of every living being in the simulation."

Neith helped the man stand and walk into the distance. The powerful man who had entered was now a frail husk of himself. Once Neith had helped him back to where ever they had come from she reappeared before Jayce. "He wanted to see you." She said with a thin smile. "I told him it was going to be a lot of work but he's come so far from that day..." happy tears fell from her eyes briefly before turning her attention to Jayce. "We hadn't planned on revealing your power to the world so soon but the situation forced our hand. Now that we've unlocked the door it's up to you to figure out what's left inside." She stroked the locket around her neck silently far away in her thoughts. "Miss Neith?" Jayce asked hesitantly.

She blinked and looked back at Jayce, "Tohil's powers didn't vanish when his physical form was destroyed. But you'll have to reawaken it. He doesn't have the strength to do so." She wrapped an arm around Jayce and came within inches of his face. "You must revive us. Or I'll kill you myself."

The thrill of being so close to her and as close to his death sent Jayce's mind spinning and he nodded dumbly. She laughed and kissed his cheek, "You did well though, our brother is not going to be happy about losing that beetle." The webbed world faded away and Jayce opened his eyes in a starch white hospital bed.

...

The team Pure base was a tornado of activity. Most of the team members had been watching the Coliseum round and had seen Jayce use the shadow swords. Though initially, they had feared that a malfunction was going to kill these four kids the ending of the fight was what had caused this explosion of activity. The gate to their base had been locked down tightly and hundreds of team members scrambled around looking for clarity on what they had just seen.

Anna sat by herself in the library rewatching Jayce's fight and pausing it second by second analyzing every inch of the screen. She had zoomed in on Jayce alone and created a 360-degree coverage map of his every movement. "Impossible," she said for nearly the hundredth time, "it's simply impossible." She rewound the battle to just before the blades appeared from his arms and began watching it yet another time. She sighed and stood up swiftly and headed for the chapel. She passed dozens of groups of teammates who were examining the same footage that she had been reviewing. Sighing with frustration she continued her march to speak with their priest.

She opened the door to see a spirited debate was already taking place within the chapel and she looked around for a familiar face. Spotting Arik standing against a wall she moved through the crowd until she was next to him. "What's happening?" She whispered. Arik gave her a quick smile before lowering his head to whisper in her ear. "People have questions and the priest doesn't have good answers. Somebody mentioned that Oriphael might be coming but that was a while ago." Anna nodded and then leaned against the wall next to him.

"Priest that doesn't make any sense! That human just used powers that we know come from the fallen brother! We've looked at every single inch of that video and there is no way that he used some hidden weapon to do it!" A passionate team Pure member was shouting at the priest standing on stage. The priest was drenched in sweat and was desperately wishing someone would come to help him. "Brothers, sisters, do not fear this! We will soon have word from our high angels and they will explain to us what the meaning behind this is!"

A veteran member sitting in front of Anna then spoke up. "You can't explain how there were black webs extending across his whole body though! That is from the sister and we've been told repeatedly that she is dead too! This boy has the blessing of two, TWO, Overwatchers!" The priest started to sweat even more profusely. He hadn't even looked at the kid's skin. He was too stunned from seeing shadow weapons form. The priest tried to stammer out a reply but couldn't come up with anything that made sense.

Groans and shouts of anger rose from the crowd and the priest wiped his brow nervously. Anna sighed deeply and looked at Arik, "What do you think?" He was silent for a long time before answering. "I think that we've been lied to." Anna was stunned. She waited for Arik to same more but nothing came from his lips. "Arik..." He cut her off, "I'm sorry Anna I have to go." He strode out of the chapel quickly. Anna watched him go and knew he was never coming back. She turned her attention back to the priest. He continued to give them standard issue answers that didn't satisfy anyone.

"I guess I have to go talk to that boy myself then." She decided resolutely and marched out of the base towards the train station.

...

Jane sat in the taxi silently and wondered where she was going. She watched buildings zoom past her but she didn't seem to be leaving major hub one. "Excuse me, driver, can you tell me where I am going?" The robots head rotated to face her, "I am sorry Ms. Good but I have been requested to share nothing about your whereabouts in case someone is listening." Its head returned to face forward and Jane sighed.

The taxi zoomed up a mega-skyscraper and coasted to a stop on the top floor. Jane hesitantly stepped out and was greeted by two immaculately dressed robot butlers. Their shiny chrome bodies were well maintained and Jane knew that they had each cost more than she would make in her lifetime. They bowed to her and then turned and began walking into the penthouse. She followed after them head spinning as she noticed how far above the clouds they were.

Ionas was seated inside reviewing the film of Jayce's performance. He smiled at her brightly as she entered. "I'm so glad you're okay Jane!" He hugged her and she was somewhat taken aback. He released her and smiled. "I must apologize, I'm a hugger." She laughed and let go of the unease she had felt moments before. He sat down again and resumed playing the clip. "Jane I was worried that someone may try and kidnap you to get to Jayce. I insist you stay here until we can guarantee your safety."

Jane was shocked and looked at Ionas with her emotions easy to read. He smiled, "I know it doesn't make any sense right now. Wait until our young four adventurers get out of the hospital and then I'll explain it to all five of you at once." He smiled and then returned his focus to the clip. Jane managed to utter "thank you" and Ionas waved her off graciously. "Please make yourself at home. There's a spare bedroom up the stairs to your right. The four of them are living a couple floors below us so when they're released we'll pick them up and have a chat in their little loft."

Jane had more questions than answers but Ionas was totally absorbed with watching their children's performance and seemed disinterested in anything she might say. She climbed the stairs slowly as she wondered how long the four teenagers had been living together. "I hope it doesn't smell like his dorm room," she said to no one in particular.

...

The roundtable where Zakzakiel had made his announcement was bursting with life. All nine elite teams had sent their entire leadership teams to an emergency summit. Little Blue pounded on the table to quiet the room and slowly the energy was controlled. "Everyone here saw that right?" Eight team leader's heads nodded. "Then we need to decide what to do with this human team." Silence filled the room as all eyes were turned to the small silver and blue cat standing on two legs. "It would be unfair for any team to have them on their team. No one should be allowed to bring a demi-god into battle." Nods and grunts of agreement rung out throughout the room.

C-4 spoke up. "But we can't just kick them out. If they have any ambitions at all then they will pull an Arthur and form a team that will rock the competition." Again sounds of agreement spread through the room. Team Templar's King stood, "We were the original team to have a member with negative potential. We know how to ensure there is competitive balance if they join our team." A rain of boos and shouts of disagreement rung out. C-4 looked at him with derision. "You had Arthur on your team and won three elite competitions in a row. That doesn't sound like competitive balance."

King shrugged, "It was worth a shot." A mixture of laughter and groans accompanied his admission. In truth, every single team wanted this human more than ever. He was going to single-handedly win them dozens of trophies and they eyes gleamed with desire. Little Blue pounded a paw on the table again. "It is unfair. One team will be invincible for decades to come. If there are any ideas then I would be very interested in hearing them."

A hand covered in power armor raised slowly and a helmeted head leaned into the light. Little Blue raised an eyebrow, "Stone? You have something to share?" The heavily armored body nodded and a muffled voice escaped its yellow helmet. "We can share."

...

Micu opened his eyes slowly and groaned as a wave of pain washed over him. He touched his chest and felt thick bandages covering his entire torso. He slowly removed the blanket covering his body and saw that three thick lines of red had stained his bandages. He gingerly touched the spot and grimaced in pain. He looked up at the ceiling and pulled the blankets back up to cover his body. "I should be dead..." he said shakily as the realization dawned on him.