33 Out of control

Hearth residence, Training Facility

"Oh, hey big bro" Andrew greeted as June entered the training facility, "Where have you been?"

June came in a little late for training today, because of the unexpected events that happened today. Andrew and Caleb are on the gym, working out while Alisa's doing some unbelievable stretching on the barre.

"Had a late talk with one of the teachers about stuff." June said, dropping his bag on the corner.

"Are you okay? You look sick" Alisa said, while doing an effortless assisted penché.

June looked so tired and so drained, that there were dark circles under his eyes.

June was about to answer but then Maria entered the training facility with a grave expression.

"What happened?" Caleb was immediately up.

"There has been an attack on the Hollywood branch where your father has been working for the past month" Maria said, keeping her voice calm. "We received the surveillance footage from two nights ago, when the attack happened-"

Caleb didn't let her finish as he rushed out of the training facility, followed by his sister. June and Andrew followed Maria to the living area, where Caleb and Alisa already are. Caleb's pushing some buttons on the remote and when, his finished the TV lit up.

The clip started playing, and everyone silently watched as the events unfold. It started as when Harper was walking down the parking lot and stopped. Then he seemed to be talking with someone. Alisa gasped when two familiar schoolmates walked out of the shadows.

"Is it just me or are they actually, who I think they are?" Andrew said, his voice full of surprise as well.

"That's Leo and Seth from the football team" Alisa said, her voice filled with confusion and surprise, unable to make of off what's happening.

Then the battle happened. The clip was cut off when Harper got hit and flew across the parking lot, hitting the post where the surveillance camera was. Then everything went blank.

"Oh God" Alisa said, almost a whisper. Her shaky hands covering her mouth.

Andrew went and wrapped his arms around Alisa, comforting her. Alisa wrapped her arms around Andrew, clutching the back of his shirt as she cries on his chest.

Caleb on the other hand is standing right there, still starring at the TV, both his hands clenched into fists.

"Caleb, you need to calm down" Maria said, her voice gentle as she approached Caleb with caution.

Alisa wiped her face as she faced her brother. A red fire like aura started manifesting and materializing around Caleb. The lights started flickering and the furniture started shaking. The aura let out a burst of energy, destroying everything it touches.

Everyone took a step back, careful not to get hit by the aura.

"Caleb!" Alisa shouted over the chaos that is happening. Her eyes full of tears, as Andrew held her tight to keep her from running to her brother.

But Caleb just stood there, un-moving. His eyes filled with rage, as his left eye glowed.

"Get back" Maria said, stepping in front of June, Andrew and Alisa, while still keeping her calm demeanor.

Caleb turned to them, but he was different. He didn't recognized any of them, like he was a completely different person.

"What's happening with him?" Andrew asked, a hint of fear in his voice.

"Caleb's Gift is a very unique one. It is very strong but it also takes a lot of time to master it" Maria said, "Now, whatever happens be careful" she said.

Then suddenly clawed hands made out of shadows, stretched out from the floor under Caleb. The shadow claws swiftly wrapped around Caleb, constricting him. Caleb thrashed as he tried to get free.

June and Andrew stood frozen in place, as they watch in awe mixed with panic.

"That's Maria's Gift" Alisa said simply, as they watch the events happened before them.

The shadow claws were disintegrated, as Caleb's aura flared. Caleb took out his spear and charged at Maria with no hesitation.

Maria extended her right hand, and as she did a shadow claw appeared in thin air.

Caleb swiftly dodged the claw but Maria wasn't finished. She swung her arms continuously. Right arm going to left, her left to the right, both to the center, right arm upward, then both arms downward like a "X". And with every swing of her arms, shadow claws conjures from thin air, mimicking her arms.

Caleb sliced the first three claws but got hit with the next claw that emerged from the ground, launching him to the air, then get hit by twin claws coming from above, knocking him straight down to the ground.

June now is starting to understand how Maria's Gifts works. The shadow claws acts as an extension of her arms, being able to hit her opponents from a distance. It amazing how a calm, composed elderly woman possesses such a formidable and fearsome Gift.

Caleb didn't stay down. As he rose, his aura became more out of control and dangerous. A flare of aura bursts out, heading straight to June, Andrew and Alisa's direction. Andrew immediately covered Alisa with his body, guarding her but June's body moved on it's own. June's hands came together like they were holding a hilt of a sword. Golden fire bursts out in thin air, and when the flames vanished, June is now holding his broadsword.

June swung his sword, slicing the aura coming at their direction.

Caleb roared and went for June. Andrew created an ice wall to protect June but Caleb just shattered it to pieces. Andrew created a kaleidoscope of butterflies made out of ice, swarming Caleb.

Caleb didn't falter, as his aura just melted the butterflies. Caleb went for June again, this time both of them went head to head.

Caleb is no doubt the more experienced one, but June kept up with him, to the best he can. Then out of nowhere Alisa joined in, welding her chakrams, as she teams up with June.

Alisa's graceful and swift dance combat combined with June's devastating slashes made it really easy for Caleb to be open. Maria saw an opening and summoned her shadow claws to wrap around Caleb, making him immobile. As if that's not enough, Andrew made chains out of ice, wrapping around Caleb, making him completely immobilized.

"Was that really necessary?" June asked, a little unsure.

"It is better to be safe" Maria said, commending Andrew.

Andrew felt more guilty by his actions that being happy, receiving a praise .

Caleb thrashed, as he tries to get free.

"Caleb, stop.... Please" Alisa sobbed, begging her brother.

A flicker of recognition lit in his eyes, distracting him for a split second but it was enough for Maria. She stabbed Caleb with a syringe in the back of Caleb's neck, injecting him with some kind of green liquid.

Caleb passed out in an instant and his body went immediately limp. Maria and Andrew released Caleb, making him collapse to the ground.

"Caleb!" Alisa was about to run to her brother when Maria raised her hand stopping her.

Maria walked to Caleb. She checked all his vitals first then when it was safe.... "It's okay now" Maria's said and Alisa ran to her brother side.

"Calming serum" Maria said, "Your father instructed me to use it, if ever your brother went berserk" Maria explained, to Alisa.

Alisa nodded, understanding it but there were tears in her eyes. It must be really hard for her to see her brother like that.

"We will be calling it a day" Maria said, looking at Andrew and June "We will be continuing training tomorrow at the same time, yes?"

Without waiting for their response, Maria, surprisingly carried Caleb in her arms, effortlessly and walked up stairs.

"I'll see you tomorrow guys" Alisa said, giving Andrew a quick kiss on the cheek and hugging June. Then she hurried upstairs.

June honestly doesn't know what to feel right now. He just went from discovering that Jordan is missing and has a high chance that Luke took him, And now they just watched Harper be attacked by two schoolmates. The Luke problem is already taking its toll on June not just mentally but more so emotionally as well. And now adding this? Its making June's vision spin.

June released his hold on his broadsword, bursting into golden flames, then it was gone.

"C'mon let's go home" Andrew said. "You look tired. I'll just leave my car here and I'll drive yours, so you can rest"

"Are you sure?" June asked

"Yeah" Andrew said, like its no big deal

"Thanks" June said, grateful to his brother

June has no energy left, so he was grateful that Andrew volunteered to drive.

June let out an exhausted sigh, as both he and Andrew walked to his car.

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Somewhere in Crystal Mist

"How's our guest doing? Treating him well?" Luke said, entering a dimly lit room.

"I think he's getting a little cozy" He said, gripping the hair on the back of the "guest's" head so hard and pulled, making the "guest" look at him. "Are you getting cozy, Jordan?"

Both of Jordan's wrists are chained to the ceiling, as his body hangs limp. He's so beat up that you wouldn't even recognize him. Bruises on the face, broken jaw, blood stained shirt and pants, broken ribs and his bare feet are covered in cuts. If that's Luke's way of treating his guests "well", then you already know he has a very twisted sense of humor.

Jordan moaned in pain. He cannot even open his eyes because their all beat up.

"What was that? I can't hear you" Luke said, mockingly as he moves his head a little closer to Jordan's head.

"Please... Stop...." Jordan begged, his voice hoarse and barely audible.

"Stop?" Luke, letting out a humorless laugh "Oh, no no no" he said, releasing Jordan's hair, making Jordan's limp head hang forward.

"You see Jordan, I hate your kind. And just seeing you makes me sick and makes me wanna kill you" Luke said walking around Jordan's hanging body, removing his leather jacket and throwing it to one of his goons.

"But I won't, because you know why?" Luke said, standing in front of Jordan "Because as much as I hate you and your kind, I hate June more!" Then he went on and punch Jordan straight in the stomach, making Jordan groan in pain, as blood drips from his mouth.

"He humiliated me!" *Punch* "He mocked me!" *Punch* "He wiped away my army!" *Punch* "And most of all he betrayed me!" *Punch* "He was my Friend!" *Punch* "and he replaced me with scums like you!" *Punch*

Every time Luke punched Jordan, Jordan groaned in pain, blood coming out from his mouth. Until his body can't take the beating anymore, making him lose consciousness.

"And there's nothing more I want to see, that the look on June's face as I kill you slowly in front of him!" Punching Jordan for the last time. Luke backed away from Jordan's limp body, panting after he made Jordan's body a human punching bag.

"Luke" Jess peeked from the door, "preparations are ready, we're good to go"

"Good" Luke said with a triumphant smile "Wait for me June. You'll finally get a taste of my revenge" Luke said, walking out of the room.