Chapter 27: Despira's Curse

  "You had one job!" Slava couldn't believe it, how did she teleport them right in the middle of an intersection?

  "It's not my fault," she screamed as he carried her. "How was I supposed to know that the AITF was already here?" That was indeed odd and it had made him even more anxious. He needed to know what was going on, he needed to get there as fast as he could. "They probably put up some security measures that disturbed my sight," she said, grabbing her head. "Give me a minute." He'd been able to avoid them for now, but he was basically wandering aimlessly through a maze at this point. It would only be a matter of time before people began to notice them. Sure he was fast, but he couldn't run forever.

  "Alright, put me down," she finally said. Turning a corner, he swiftly put her down firmly grasping her hand.

  "It better work this time," he said, closing his eyes. He knew that they'd detect the traces of his domain soon, just like they always did when he and Sasha sparred. This time would probably be faster because of this intense security. He hoped they'd have enough time.

  "I can't Loyd, I can't…" hearing a familiar voice, he opened his eyes. He knew this person, but he'd never heard her so distressed. Slightly pushing the door he tilted his head. What he saw shook him to his core.

  "Argh!" Seeing her scream he flinched. How was his mother…

  "What's going on?" Not bothering to answer Sasha's question, he moved his hand and his suit followed, merging with hers. "Jesus what the fuck," she could now see what he saw.

  His mother was laying on a bed, his father by her side. She was screaming her lungs out as her left hand glowed in a golden light. Looking closer, he could see the outline of an ethereal flame dancing on the back of it. The previously harmless patterns turned into chains that looked to be tightening around her arm making her skin sizzle.

  "It's alright Despira, Stop!" His father was frowning as he grasped her by the shoulders. In the small room, the glow was almost blinding.

  "No you don't get it, I have to tell you," she grunted, "he's a monster! I saw it!" She grinned nervously, "it all made sense once I saw his eyes again, those drawings, he's just like it, he's that demon's…" her sentence was interrupted by another scream of pain. The light was getting brighter, the skin around the chains turning red. "For 20 years I cared for him like my own son and this is what I get? You bitch!" She screamed.

  "What's going on, what is she talking about?" Sasha suddenly said. Slava was stunned he couldn't recognize her. He'd never seen her like this. How could this… was she…

  "Fuck it all, you can't control me anymore! I'll become infertile? Well fuck you I won't trade the life of my daughter for my own future! As long as I'm here, you can't touch her!" Despite her words, as she looked at her shining arm, tears ran down her cheeks. This expression of fear, he knew it too well. It was ingrained in his memory from the first moment he saw it.

  "I think… she's talking about… me," he finally said with difficulty. It took a second for Sasha to process what he'd just said, when the confusion began to show on her face and she was about to speak, a loud voice overpowered her.

  "Enough Des! I told you, the child is innocent! I promised we'd find them, but…" not letting him finish, Despira desperately grabbed his face with her sizzling hand.

  "No, you have to believe me," her voice was much weaker than before and her eyes were slowly closing. "He's…" before she could finish, her eyes completely closed and she fell on his lap.

  Seeing her tattoo dim back to its original color, Slava was about to open the door when Sasha grabbed his hand. Looking to the side, he met her gaze.

  "What are you doing? Keep it together, we can't get caught here! Let's go back!" Snapping back to his senses he answered her.

  "You're right but let's stay a bit more, I need to…" as he said those words, a knock was heard. Swiftly closing the door Slava signaled for Sasha to stay still, he could feel something was wrong. Not taking any chances he severed the link his suit had made with Sasha.

  "Come in," said Loyd. Hearing the door slide open, Slava instinctively held his breath.

  "What are you doing here Anyxa?" Hearing the name, Slava shivered.

  "How cold General, aren't you the one who called us?" He heard her distorted voice say. "But don't worry, I'm simply a messenger this time." As she said those words, an unlocking sound resounded throughout the room, followed by a new yet familiar mesmerizing voice.

  "General…" hearing the voice left Slava stunned. The room fell into silence and he didn't hear anything for a while until his father finally spoke.

  "Why have you come here?" He could hear a tinge of anger in his voice. At the same time, he felt some movement to his side. Under the darkness, he spotted Sasha's hand reaching out for the door. Before she could reach it though, he grabbed her wrist. Meeting some resistance he roughly tugged on it, restraining his friend with difficulty. He couldn't use his domain, not here, not now. He had no choice.

  "How dare you!" Anyxa suddenly exclaimed, stunning them both. Feeling familiar energy extending from her, Slava's eyes grew wide. This was bad, his parents were being threatened and he would be detected soon. Loosening his grip on Sasha, he was about to move when the mysterious voice spoke again.

  "It's fine young one, let it be," at these words, he felt Sasha's shoulder twitch. "This is no official setting, I willfully invaded his privacy." After a short pause that led to the pressure dying down, it continued, "I came here to ask, your wife's 'event' seems to coincide with increased recent Tainted activity…"

  Slava was baffled, how did this guy know? Who was he? He clenched his fists as his anger rose. It was clearly a veiled threat. But unlike him, his father's voice remained calm when he interrupted.

  "Do you honestly think I would side with those who did this to my wife?" He scoffed. Slava could hear the disdain in his voice. Clenching his teeth he closed his eyes.

  "Other factors might influence you other than her, like…" the voice halted. Surprised, Slava's eyes shot open. Grabbing Sasha by the shoulders, he swiftly pinched it.

  "It seems like someone is spying on us." Feeling the darkness spreading towards them, he looked at Sasha whose suit was already glowing. Right as the door slammed open, they disappeared.

  Materializing in the alley both of them lost their balance and fell to the ground. As they lay on their backs, their suits slowly retreated.

  "Ah, that was close," Sasha finally said, regaining her breath. Her eyes were glowing so bright that even her ocular implants couldn't mask them. She was visibly sweating and as the glow in her eyes dimmed Slava stood up.

  "Yeah, let's leave before they get here." Following his lead, Sasha nodded and they walked onto the main street blending into the crowd.