Marionet's dual nature

80 years ago, a seismic shift rattled the world.

Animals mutated, gaining extraordinary powers, and even trees became animate, wielding lethal abilities.

The world plunged into chaos.

During this upheaval, individuals with unique abilities emerged worldwide, dubbing themselves "Sol" and hailed as heroes.

As more people awakened to their powers, Sol grew in strength and numbers.But within the light, darkness lurked.

A group of mad scientists known as Dolaidh emerged, proclaiming themselves the Origin of The World.

They "acquired" newly awakened individuals through unjust means, subjecting them to experimentation and enslavement.And I was one of their "acquisitions," designated as number 00 and stripped of my true name, known only as "Viper".

Forced into servitude, we were administered mind-altering drugs and fitted with explosive collars, to ensure our compliance.

My consciousness remained intact, but insanity slowly encroached.

In that hellish existence, I encountered a masked man bearing Dolaidh's emblem—a red crescent moon.

He observed our suffering with chilling detachment, embodying the epitome of cruelty.The escape plan was successful, albeit with the sacrifices of a few, and we, former test subjects, formed an organization: Hell Gate.

Five years later, we launched a retaliatory strike against Dolaidh, reducing them to ashes and exacting our long-awaited vengeance.Yet, in the remnants of Dolaidh's research facility, the masked man, their leader, awaited me.

His sinister voice taunted, "Now the dog bites back its owner."

But I was never his dog.

A dark violet flame, symbolizing hellfire, enveloped the room as I confronted him. 

"Your skills are both chaotic and mesmerizing. And you, aren't you going to wield your daggers?"

"I don't need it to deal with you. And silence," I retorted coldly, my words reverberating through the room."Kids these days are disrespectful, Come, and I will demonstrate the power of origin."

As he waved his hand, the objects surrounding the man began to levitate.

His telekinetic abilities manifested, akin to the Masters of Sol.

"You bastard, don't tell me!"

"Now you must die here, kid. "As flames danced around me, the tension crackled in the air like wildfire.

Flames leaped and danced at my command, casting an eerie glow of deep violet over the battlefield as I prepared to unleash my full power.

With a roar, I launched a barrage of fireballs at the man, each blazing with intensity as it streaked through the air.

But he was quick to respond, his telekinetic barriers springing up to deflect the fiery onslaught with deft precision. Undeterred, I summoned a searing wall of flames, hoping to engulf him in a fiery inferno.

But he countered with a surge of telekinetic force, scattering the flames and leaving me momentarily off-balance.

With a snarl of frustration, I intensified my assault, conjuring pillars of fire that erupted from the ground with explosive force.

He retaliated in kind, hurling debris and rubble at me with his telekinetic powers, each blow striking with the force of a sledgehammer. The battlefield became a maelstrom of fire and debris as he and I clashed, each refusing to yield an inch to the other.

My flames danced with renewed fury, fueled by my determination to overcome my opponent, while the man's telekinetic barriers held firm against the onslaught.In a final, desperate gambit, I unleashed a surge of raw, unbridled power, channeling every ounce of my strength into a single devastating attack.

With a deafening roar, I unleashed a torrent of flames that engulfed the man in a blazing inferno, leaving him writhing in agony as the fire consumed him.

"Be wary of the west wind," the man whispered.For a moment, all was silent as I stood amid the smoldering wreckage of the battle, my chest heaving with exertion.

As the flames died down and the smoke cleared, I knew that the fight was over—but at what cost?

Exhausted, I collapsed, only to be roused by Magia's concerned voice, "Ater, you okay?"

"yeah, where are the others?"

"They are still cleaning up.", As she answered, she lifted the mask from the fallen man's face. 

"This!", I was aware that she would be shocked. 

"yeah, he is Marionet, Sol's master."

"We met him in the Meeting of awakened, didn't we? What was this geezer thinking anyway?"

Magia remarked, puzzled by his presence.

I muttered "west wind," a cryptic reference to his warning.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing"

"Okay", Magia was aware but refrained from asking further."Leader! There are subjects locked in the cells," shouted one of our forces.

I flinched, evoking memories of our own suffering "Let's go and check, Ater. Everything will be fine.", Magia reassured me. 

We ventured forth, my emotions laid bare for all to see.Little did I know, a fateful encounter loomed on the horizon, one that would leave me filled with remorse.