Chapter 22

ALVIN RAYOR

If not for the fact that Terrence said this was an art taught to him specifically by my mum, I would've concluded long ago that he was just trying to show off his seniority. I didn't know even Guardians were susceptible to migraines. Aren't we meant to be like humans, but better? If I'm not immune to a glorified headache, then Guardians are basically humans with innate fireworks. Far as I'm concerned anyways. Another stab of pain hits my gut while I'm in my thought and I wonder why I haven't stood up yet. Maybe I'm subconsciously scared of Terrence still watching me, waiting for me to spring into his trap.....or maybe, just maybe I'm a masochist. I don't get to continue my train of thought for much longer however, as I catch a glimpse of his trademark white Converses. His first few words however, take me by surprise.

"Why didn't you get up?"

"....What?"

"You weren't meant to stay in that position any longer than five min-"

I throw my right fist to his face and it connects, quite splendidly I might add. Holding his jaw in his palm, he looks at me "What'd you do that for?"

"You said to stay till you came back!"

"Oh, well what are you going to do about it?"

"Beat you down"

"You're welcome to tr-"

I turn on him again, going for the same spot, but he seems to have predicted this and teleports out of my immediate line of sight. His voice rings behind me "Not very fair, are you?" I turn around and scowl. "Stop talking"

This time, he kicks towards my head and I intercept his foot with my arm, my reflexes surprising even me. He grins and kicks again, but faster. However, instead of trying to block, I outrightly dodge and his leg spins through the air. Before his leg comes back down, I kick at his other ankle and he comes crashing down. But not before I catch a grin. 

"You passed level 1, now let's actually begin!"

GORDON FROST

It's like we're co-tenants in my mind, me and Frost. It's weird and exciting all at the same time. I wonder what could have caused this. Am I simply insane? Is it due to my compound bloodline? Or is this a coping mechanism for Jack's likely death. I didn't notice before, but my hands are trembling. The adrenaline must have worn off. Am I alone now? Again? I was just getting used to the change of pace. Sigh, It's almost like I can hear his voice right now, telling me to run. Wait. I turn and see Jack, with no sign of the bloody hole that was in his torso. That's not the only thing though. What the hell are those things?! It looks like- 

"Huurrrryyy up, you fool!"

As we sprint through the foliage once more, I realize that the plant nest we disturbed is after us again. This time, with a whole community of reinforcements.

DOPPEL ADEDAYO

I wake again, this time with an even worse headache. It's like needles stabbing into my brain. Blinking my eyes repeatedly to adjust to the light that's being pointed in my face.

I realize with a start that I am shackled to a metal table, like the ones in torture rooms. I can also predict the face that I'll see first and find that my hypothesis is correct. Zariki, my 'merciful' captor has probably thought of a new way to make my life more miserable than it already is. How long have I been here? It feels like two weeks, but with me switching frequently between life and death every few hours, it's hard to know for sure. Logically though, it should only be three days. As for the logic itself, I can't seem to grasp it. Her voice, sometimes raspy and sometimes alluring, breaks my trance.

"Cloner, I have realized something. I have been treating you as I would a mere human subject, but you are so much more. Your skillset thrives only amongst other Guardians and you are built like a spring, to come back from scenarios that were meant to leave you dead and become stronger. It's an admirable trait. And even more interesting, you're the first Cloner I've managed to find even after all these years, and yet you don't know what you are! Your life itself is a paradox and I have absolutely no idea how you managed to survive till now."

She pauses. 

"I'm going to see how far you can bend. And oh, how I will relish your despair. But first, a social experiment."

Then she smiles. 

ISAAC GRAVIT

After arguing for several minutes that I wasn't ready to play Match Up with my self proclaimed mentor, I still didn't manage to convince him to bring out actual clothes. If he even had those. After donning my 'uniform' which was surprisingly a perfect fit, I ask him for tips on how to better control my powers. He then narrates a bunch of sentences that he terms 'Guide for novice destruction-type Guardians'.

"Rule 1...The magnitude of power you summon depends on the emotions you draw, and the purpose for which you draw them"

He pauses, then raises two fingers.

"Rule 2...flair does not necessarily equal maximum damage, it's mostly just a waste of energy"

Three fingers this time.

"Rule 3...NEVER depend on just your powers, they might not always be the best solution"

Four fingers are now in the air, with his thumb still tucked in.

"Rule 4...consciously place a limiter on your power all the time, our bodies have to slowly adapt. Going all out in a battle will damage your iota"

Now, his whole hand is in the air

"Rule 5 and the golden rule...always have an emergency snack bar"

I blink "What?"

"I've found that sugar is quite vital during on-the-go missions."

"Okay. Good to know."

He smiles and stretches out his palm, revealing a rapidly expanding flame. "Time for practical sessions"

Sigh.