4 Chapter 4: SILVERY STRUGGLE

Ryan instantly realizes that dodging the axe is almost impossible, forcing him to cover the group with a thick glass shield that looks like a large semi-spherical soap bubble on the ground. The ladies scream in terror as the axe manages to dent the glass. Then, the axe strikes again on the same spot, extending the cracks in different directions. And again….

"Ladies, stay calm, okay? We're safe in here. Just… stay calm!" Ryan says. 

"Can't you fix those cracks?" John Paul asks Ryan.

"No. Not part of my power. Don't worry, I can make another one." Ryan immediately creates another layer of bubble-like glass shield. 

"Nice. Make sure it won't get us. I still want my head connected to my body. I'll handle the other one."

"Can't you handle them both?"

"I can restrain only those within my sight. You take care of that axe guy." John Paul focuses on the chain user. Then, lots of glowing green ropes emerge from the ground and strangle his target so intensely that the giant metal looks like a mummified statue. The enemy tries to break free, but the ropes are too strong. "We need to try something else. I can't squeeze this thing. Remember I can't run!" John Paul reminds Ryan.

"Just restrain that guy. I'm thinking!" Ryan says as he looks at his rampaging enemy through his cracked glass. "This one doesn't know how to stop!"

"Then make it stop! And always cover my back, I'm telling you! Or just trap the whole thing for God's sake! Now!"

"Be quiet, okay? This is taking too much of my time. Remember, my glass is not free! And the larger I create, the more time I have to pay."

"What?!" John Paul is almost tempted to face Ryan who is right behind him. But since doing it will mean losing control of his victim, his eyes remain fixed on the target. "Are you serious? You're thinking like that, right now?"

"Shut up, okay? Just mind your own business. We can handle this."

"Just do it! I'm not enjoying this!"

"Let me out. I have a plan," Vincent tells Ryan.

"What? Are you crazy?" Ryan asks.

"Just… let me out. I know what to do."

"What's your ability again?"

"You'll see soon enough. But I need your support in case that guy is faster. Now remove the glass."

"But it's too dangerous! Just stay," Mabel says.

"Be careful," Shaira says.

"I will. Wait…. You care about me?" Vincent asks.

"NO! Just get OUT and DIE!" Shaira says. Her face suddenly turns red.

Ryan removes the shield while the axe user is lifting its axe for another strike. Then, Vincent runs forward. Without a word, Joshua follows.

"HEY!" Ryan shouts upon seeing Joshua. "What are you doing?!"

Ryan immediately creates another shield. Ryan and the ladies hold their breath as they watch the two guys run toward the enemy. The axe user notices them approaching and immediately directs its axe to give a lethal hit. As the axe swings in the air, Vincent manages to touch the enemy's right foot.

"ONE KILOGRAM!" Vincent pushes the enemy at once, lifting it off its feet. As it falls to the ground, Joshua touches its right foot and makes the whole thing "longer". The silver statue becomes so tall that at the moment it hits the ground, more than half of its body hangs on the brink of the cliff. Right away, the enemy tips off. Without a solid ground to push itself back, it falls right into the cliff and hits the raging water about twenty meters below. Ryan and the ladies freeze in amazement. Vincent and Joshua's teamwork lifts their spirits in admiration.

"What's his power again?" Ryan asks.

"Extraordinary strength, I think," Mabel says.

"No. Apparently, he can make things lighter. Very nice. And Joshua's power is surprisingly useful," Kriz says.

"Yes. I admit. I just love what they did…. But we still have one problem," Shaira says, looking at John Paul's target.

"I think I missed something spectacular…. Now what? Should I release this thing?" John Paul asks. "I think I know what happened to his buddy. But I doubt that you can do the same strategy on this one."

"Hey, what's happening?" Ryan asks as black smoke starts to appear from the bound enemy. "The ropes are burning!"

_________

Several minutes earlier…

"Now that our names are revealed, let's talk about our plan and abilities," Aeron says. He is sitting at a rectangular table with five others. Aeron, Jennifer and Cristina are on one side; Jeric, Joriz and Johnrey, on the other. "I think you already know what I can do. But every fireball costs me some time."

"Wait. Jeric, is this the best you can do? No light bulbs? Or even candles? This place is way too dark in case you don't notice," Cristina cuts in.

"I have my limits. I can't create electricity. Electric current is something that can't just be created, if you know what I'm saying," Jeric says.

"Are you implying something?" Cristina asks.

"Is there something I need to imply? Okay, for everyone's sake I can't create light, electricity, fire, air, soil and water. But I can create chaos if you want."

"Just... shut up, okay?"

"Hey, hey, that's enough! We're on the same team here, okay? No fighting!" Aeron says.

"No one is fighting. I'm just expressing my mind," Cristina says.

"Maybe someone needs to know how to be thankful of other's kindness, you know," Jeric says.

"Oh, thank you for your magnanimity! I won't forget this state-of-the-art accommodation."

"Okay, okay, stop! Okay? Stop. Please. Let's pull ourselves together. It's time to think of a plan. If in case we meet other players out there, are we still in the same team? You know what I mean?" Aeron says.

"Yes. You can trust my loyalty to this group," Johnrey says. He's a 26-year old guy with dark skin and lean body. He's wearing a black bull cap, yellow T-shirt and red checkered shorts. His face automatically gives an idea of his habitual silence.

"I thought you couldn't talk. Finally," Cristina says.

"I'm sorry for being silent. By the way… I can produce wind."

"Wait. Hold on. Wind? As in tornado or… something like that?"

"Yes… but…."

"But what?"

"It will be hard for me to breathe for ten seconds afterwards."

"Wow. That's a little funny."

"That's why I don't want to try it. I fear what will happen next."

"I don't want to scare you, but sooner or later you might be forced to use it. Prepare yourself…. And you right there…. Joriz, right? What can you do?"

"I can produce very sticky slime," Joriz says. He is a 20-year old guy with white skin and athletic body. He's wearing red polo shirt, black maong pants and black slippers. He's a type of person that has a high chance of winning school pageants. His Spanish features are just too good to be ignored. "But I can be trapped in my own power if I'm not careful. And if I undo my power, all my slime will be gone. Back to zero."

"Hmmm. That's still useful. You think you can use it to coat Jeric's face? And then just undo it if you feel like it?"

"Or maybe you should use your slime to plug her repulsive mouth, in case you feel like it," Jeric butts in, pointing at Cristina's face. "And, Cristina, what about you? What can you do for this group? Let me guess. You can produce high frequency sound with your golden mouth."

"No. I cannot do that. But I can definitely rip your mouth out of your—"

"Hey, Cristina, let's get serious here. What's your ability?" Aeron asks.

"Do I look like a joke to you? Okay. Listen. I can use my power only to something or someone who wants to harm me. I need to look at the target for ten seconds and then I can turn him to stone if I want to. Now, if you doubt what I said, I am very much willing to demonstrate. Jeric, create a knife and try to kill me."

"You sure you can dodge?" Jeric asks.

"You sure you can survive? Come on. Attack me," Cristina says.

"Hey. That's enough. We believe you. You don't need to do that. We get it," Aeron says. "Your ability is still useful. Just… don't target us."

"That will always happen as long as you treat me well," Cristina says.

"Of course," Aeron says.

"Of course it's a lie, you idiots!" Cristina says in her mind. "Now, I'm perfectly fine. Nobody's gonna target me now. I can't believe they fell for it so easily! I can turn anything to stone whenever I want to, good or bad. I just need to look at my target for one minute straight. That's it. If I change my mind and spare my target, the timer resets to zero. My ability is very technical. Funny, I hate math and timers…. And… hmm… I change my mind. I'll target this foul-mouthed Jeric first as soon as I get the chance...."

"Oh, my Queen! From now on I am your servant. I will make sure nothing will harm y—" Jeric mocks.

"Say one more word! ONE WORD! I swear I will punch your face!"

_____________

The chain user immediately stands up upon escaping from the burning ropes. It is now so hot and glowing that Ryan and the rest can actually feel the scorching heat several meters away. 

"I don't think I can touch that," Vincent says, gaping at the towering menace.

"Yah. Definitely…." Joshua says.

"One more," John Paul says. At once, ropes creep up around the enemy but they easily burn before they can bind the target. "Oh, my."

Without warning, the enemy swings its chain, forcing Ryan to produce another shield. The chain whips the glass and inflicts significant damage. Straight away, the chain user steps forward to punch the shield….

"NO! RUN!" Ryan shouts, thinking that his glass won't be enough to shield them due to the enemy's extreme temperature. He removes his shield and everyone dashes toward the brink of the cliff, dodging the powerful punch that directly hits the ground.

"What are you planning? We jump into that cliff?" John Paul asks Ryan as he runs.

The enemy swings its chain for another fatal assault. Ryan glances back and sees that Kriz, who is running behind everybody else, is in danger. Without delay, he produces a cylindrical glass to cover her. Then, the chain strikes the glass, breaks it and whips Kriz's right side with a force so intense that Kriz is thrown into the air, hits the ground, rolls on shattered glass and hits a tree trunk head on.   

"NO!" Mabel shouts.

"Kriz!" Ryan and Shaira shout.

The enemy continues stepping forward and positions its chain for another blow.

"STOOOOP!!!" Mabel shouts. Her eyes suddenly turn sapphire blue. She looks at the water below and gestures her hands to control it. Seconds later, a large snake-like water monster emerges from the river, rises up above the brink and immediately charges the chain user. All trees blocking the rampaging water snake break like twigs, clearing another path deep into the forest. Then, Mabel falls onto the ground. Everyone freezes in terror….

"What on earth was that?" John Paul mumbles.

"My God!" Shaira says, still terrified of the scene she's just witnessed.

"Hey, Mabel? Are you okay?" Ryan asks while helping Mabel get up.

"I-I-I'm okay. I feel a little dizzy, but I'm okay. Is Kriz… alright?" Mabel asks.

"I'm okay. Don't worry," Kriz says as she walks toward the group, perfectly fine. "I felt the pain but I'm okay now. As long as I'm still alive I can easily recover. Good thing I was the one hit, not you."

"Miracle overload! Too many amazing things. Wow, I'm losing my mind," Shaira says.

"That was terrifying, you know. Why didn't you do that earlier?" John Paul asks Mabel.

"I have to see water first before I can use my power. And… I'm not yet familiar with the things I can do…." Mabel answers.

"And then you will feel weak after you use it?"

"Yes. Even while using it."

"Oh. Not so nice after all."

"It's good that we're all safe," Ryan says.

"What next?" John Paul asks.

"We'll cross this cliff," Ryan replies. "I'll create a glass bridge."

"Yes. Glass bridge. I forgot it's an option. Nice," Vincent says.

Ryan creates a glass bridge and fills-in the 15-meter gap between the two cliffs. He makes sure that both sides of the bridge have high walls for safety purposes.

"I'll go first. See you on the other side," Ryan says.

"Wait. At least make this thing darker! It's way too scary," Mabel says.

"I can't do that. Don't worry, you won't fall. Just move forward. Don't look below," Ryan says. Then, he steps forward and starts crossing the bridge. Soon enough, Ryan reaches the other side and waves his hand. "What are you guys waiting for?"

"I agree with you," John Paul says to Mabel. "But how can you be scared if you can control water? You won't drown if you fall."

"You are idiot number 2. You think you're making sense?" Shaira says, looking at John Paul with an irate face.

"And who's idiot number 1?" Vincent asks.

"Oh my God! I'm surrounded by zombies. I gotta go," Shaira says.

"No. I go first. The stronger one should go first," John Paul says.

"Wooooow!!! I can't believe someone like you exists. Okay. Go ahead. After all we are weaker than you," Shaira says.

"You admit it yourself. See you," John Paul says and walks forward. After several steps, he glances back and shouts. "You cowards! Just cross the bridge already!"

Upon hearing the word "coward", Shaira runs to give John Paul the slap he deserves.

"Hey, hey! Stop! Be careful!" Vincent catches up with Shaira.

Ryan stands and looks at the rest of the group from the other side. Then, out of nowhere, an arrow hits his back. Another one darts into his right leg.

Ryan groans in pain. As he falls onto the ground, another arrow hits his shoulder.

Suddenly, the bridge collapses.

"NOOOOOO!!!" Mabel and Joshua shout as they see Vincent, Shaira and John Paul fall with a rain of shattered glass.