Welcome To New Orleans

We made it to New Orleans and parked at a private hotel. Wendy gently woke me up and I rubbed my eyes. I opened my eyes then noticed we were at our destination. I got out the car then grabbed my luggage. We all began to make our way into the hotel.

"Welcome, Agency." The hostess said then bowed. She looked at me then smirked. "And welcome, The Ace. My name is Eve Lilac, but you can call me Black Rose."

Eve was a woman with a perfect hourglass body, the perfect sized cleavage, and a face of a goddess. She had long wavy purple hair, beautiful sapphire eyes, and wore blood red lip stick that still made her lips glossy. Her attire consisted of a gothic style attire, she wore crystal earrings, and in her right eye was a rose birthmark.

"Eve is another person who was..." Eliza started then randomly fell asleep.

"She was experimen-" Alice started.

"Experimented on like I was." Eliza said, finishing her sentence.

"Yeah." Alice said, dully.

I looked at Eve. "What's your power then?"

Eve slightly rose her hand then flowers began to sprout from the ground. Suddenly, a giant poisonous black rose emerged from the ground. "I am a Botanist."

I looked at the black rose then took a few steps back as it began to eject clouds of purple pollen in the air. I put on my mask. "Stop."

The Talent Symbol slightly shined then the black rose shined then dispersed into black rose petals. Eve watched and smiled.

"To see The Ace's power first hand is always an honor." Eve said then watched me take off my mask.

I opened my eye then sighed softly. I looked at the mask. "This Mask. When I first saw it in the Weaponry Room...I kinda heard a voice speak to me as Charlotte was explaining something to me. When I wore it...I felt a presence but I could never really tell anyone at the time."

"It is the Soul of The Ace." Eve said. "Actually it's called the Soul of The True Ace also known as the Woman of A Thousand Skills. The Soul of The Ace is named Talenta. If she's speaking to you, it could be a sign that she's trying to build a bond with you. You're just not powerful enough to awaken the Soul."

I had more questions than ever now. Talenta who was she? Why is her soul in this mask. If this exists...are there more? If so, does the Black Market have their hands on it? I didn't know what to ask first.

"We can talk more about this if you'd like. Just allow me to get everyone all settled in." Eve smiled.

I nodded and watched her grab our luggage then walked off.

-----

After everyone was settled in, we headed to the lounge and sat at a table. I had my mask with me as I felt like I couldn't separate from it. Rhea noticed my attachment to the mask then looked at me then looked back at Eve.

"This Mask. The Mask of The Ace. If this exists, are there more?" I asked.

"There are Eight Masks that Shiro left behind for The Boss, Miss Charlotte. The Mask of Fornication, The Mask of The Charmer, The Mask of The Ace, The Mask of The Fortune, The Mask of The Romantics, The Mask of The Empath, The Mask of The Flirtatious, and finally The Mask of Desires. Each Mask grants the wielder an ability. In your case, you become a Master of All. You can even gain powers from the other Masks, but there are limitations." Eve explained.

"Why do these Masks exist? What was Shiro's plan?" I asked.

"It's about time you get the full scoop. The Black Market is a dangerous business. It is a dangerous organization and there are an enemy class called Alchemists. They can seriously hurt Superior Humans like me and Eliza." Eve answered.

"These Masks were used to combat the Black Market weren't they?" I asked.

"Yes. These Masks were given to Charlotte as a gift on her 20th birthday. The day before Shiro disappeared for ten years. They contain the souls of the Legendary Love Demons. If one collects all eight masks, they can forge it together making The Mask of Destiny, the strongest weapon a normal human can actually wield." Eve said.

"Why are we treating these cosmetics as if they are the Infinity Stones?" I sighed a bit.

"That's because they are in a sense. You see these Masks contain the souls of beings that can essentially will anything into existence. The power these items have reserved in there. The power that can essentially destroy our planet." Eliza answered.

"At first I really thought she was crazy, but it's true...it's all true and I was chosen." I said then looked at the mask. I smiled then heard a faint voice in my head.

"Anyway, what's your status with the organization?" I asked and looked at Eve.

"I am an Agent but for someone else like Noel. There are exactly 50 HQs around the United States. Each HQ has their own Boss, but Charlotte is the Big Boss and you all are the Superior Agents. There can only be one Top Agent though and you are it." Eve explained.

"So each state has their own agents as well. I'm assuming you couldn't handle Barbara on your own?" I said.

She shook her head. "My fellow Agents...They were abducted. I had no choice but to retreat. I will get them back."

I nodded then stood up. "Do you have the known whereabouts of Barbara other than she's in New Orleans?"

"No, but we do know she's in a large facility that is stationed near a large lake. It sounds like she's in either a hard to find neighborhood or she's in the forest somewhere." Eve answered.

I took out my phone and contacted Charlotte. I placed my phone on the table then put it on speaker.

"Good morning, my beloved..~ I miss you..~" Charlotte said with a giggle.

I blushed a bit and closed my eyes. "You're on speaker."

"Ahh. That means you've made it to Louisiana then." Charlotte said.

"We were ambushed last night. I lost my left eye and the mask you gave me...it is something strange." I said then heard her getting out of some water.

"Ah yes, the Mask of The Ace. And they caught wind that you were going to Louisiana? That means they got information from an outside source." Charlotte said.

"Outside source? But who could've known we were going to Louisiana? I killed everyone in that building to make sure no one knew our plans and when I called you no one, not a soul was around other than Ryder." Eliza said.

Rebecca walked inside the meeting room in her version of The Ace Attire. She had on a long white cloak with a hood attached, she also wore an assassin's attire underneath the cloak. "I may have an idea on who snitched."

I looked at Rebecca then grunted. "Sis, why are you here?"

"Because I want to help you all out. I didn't tag along with you all just to be a sitting duck. The Black Market kidnapped Agents, our friends. I won't let that shit slide. The person who snitched was Eli." Rebecca said.

"Eli? Why would it be him?" I asked.

"So apparently when you and Eliza went out to seek out Daniel Murillo or whatever his name was, there was someone innocent in that house that was related to Eli. Noel told me that the person that was killed was Eli's cousin." Rebecca said.

"How the fuck was I supposed to know that? Anyone even remotely associated with our targets have to die. Innocent or not. We leave no witnesses behind." Eliza said.

"The damage has already been done...but this leaves one question. Who did he tell?" Charlotte questioned.

"From how we hit the trap...it was set there before hand and perfectly placed in a way that would make it unnoticeable. This means...he was nearby. Ryder have you talked to anyone before this mission?" Rhea looked at me.

"Literally only to Noel going over the mission. We both even made sure she was in a secluded location. That would mean Eli had cameras around." I answered.

"Which would mean...he was working undercover this entire time. Now it makes sense why he would be gone long hours. Everything Noel was going through...makes sense now." Rebecca said.

I sighed and looked at my phone. "To think I escaped to Oceanview because it was a fresher start. We got fucking Dark Web people disguised as students."

"I mean we have an Agent disguised as a male student." Alice said.

"That's actually different. If she wasn't targeted she would've been able to show her face even as an Agent. Eli...he's a threat and a huge one. Can you track him down?" I asked.

"I know he's in Louisiana. Noel told me that he and her were going there so Eli can meet someone there. I'm tracking Noel and they seem to be normal. Noel's recording everything for me using her glasses. If I were you, I would take this chance to eliminate Eli now. Get Noel out of this situation and quickly." Charlotte said.

I put on my mask. I stayed silent for a bit. The Agents watched me then felt a terrifying presence. I grabbed my phone and picked it up.

"Understood." I said, sounding serious.

Charlotte noticed I had sounded more callous and serious. She giggled softly. "Don't go overboard, Ace."

I hung up then heard my phone notification sound. I looked at my phone and noticed she had sent me information on Noel and I looked at everyone else.

"Rebecca come with me. The rest of you, find a way to track down Barbara." I said and walked toward the exit.

Rebecca followed behind me and smiled.

"Let him handle it. It is Noel we are speaking about. The Ace...he will rescue Noel." Wendy smiled.

"No doubt about that." Rhea giggled.

-----

I followed the path leading toward Noel with Rebecca following beside me. I looked up from the map then noticed a few citizens staring at us.

"So, The Ace..~ How are you enjoying the job now?~ You're officially on the frontlines." Rebecca smiled at me.

I ignored her.

Rebecca puffed her cheeks then hurried in front of me. "Hey! Right here bucko!"

I stopped walking and looked at Rebecca. "We are on a mission. We have a certain time frame. We have no time to play around."

Rebecca took my mask off and frowned at me. "So that's your alter ego...I have never heard you speak to me that way. You sounds like...you are angry with the world. Like you want to destroy it."

I looked at Rebecca then sighed. "Because deep down inside I am. I had to kill Matt, I basically got rid of Jaiden, now I'm having to kill Eli. What I did to those people last night...I didn't even hesitate. It was like it was purely instinctual. I don't know how to feel about this Mask.."

Rebecca put it face on my face then smiled at me. "As long as you know who your allies and enemies are, you are fine the way you are."

I closed my eye as she kissed the forehead of the mask. We continued to search around for Noel and Eli until we wandered toward the St. Louis Cathedral. I stopped walking and grabbed Rebecca's arm.

"That's them." I said, pointing to Eli and Noel who were sitting on a bench together. I took off my mask buttoned up my coat. "I'm going in."

"Be careful, if you get compromised.." Rebecca warned.

"Don't worry." I said then walked forward. As I walked past them, Noel noticed me then grunted.

Eli heard her then looked ahead, seeing me. "Hey, Ryder!" He called out to me and stood up. He smiled at me.

I stopped walking then looked back at Eli. "Eli? I didn't realize you were there and Noel is with you?"

"What brings you out here?" Eli asked.

"Just sightseeing for the most part." I answered.

Eli noticed I hadn't turned around to look at him fully. "What's the matter? Why won't you face me?"

I turned around fully and my left eye was covered by my hair. "Nothing is the matter."

"I heard there was an accident last night. It was terrible. Dead people in the fields...but none of it made the news this morning." Eli said.

"There was? Must be strange. It's like the government is trying to keep it secret." I said. "Well it's time for me to leave."

"Your left eye." Eli started. "I know you were with them."

I looked up and stared at Eli. I noticed him reach for something, but I quickly drew my gun then fired his walkie talkie out of his hand. I looked at him with a stoic, emotionless expression.

"I can't let you live, Eli. You can hand Noel over. I know you know her secret. You heard our conversation." I said.

Eli looked at me then put his hands up. He closed his eyes then opened one. "Shoot him."

I noticed what Eli said then groaned as a bullet went through my leg. I fell onto one knee and grunted.

"Ace!" Noel yelled.

I growled and grunted in pain.

"Shoot him again." Eli said.

I listened carefully then heard the gunshot then evaded the bullet. I slowly forced myself to stand up. I looked at Eli and looked around. I couldn't find anyone.

"I came prepared. You see...You Agents really think you're all powerful. It was quite easy to catch onto everything. Finding out Noel is a girl in actually and was cheating on me. You know while I did associate myself with the Dark Web, I never once cheated on you." Eli said. "I was going to let you off easy, but since you feel the need to go behind my back..."

I watched him walk toward Noel and she kicked him away and got up then ran toward me. I held her behind me then glared at Eli. Eli smirked then noticed Rebecca walking toward me.

"Come with me, Noel." Rebecca said then held Noel's hand and led her away from the cathedral.

Eli walked around the fountain, staring at me. "To think you would be Top Agent. You have more talent than you lead on. Sadly you could've stayed safe and left us alone."

I listened to him then put on my mask. I looked up and chuckled darkly. "Eli...I will give you one chance to back down and surrender."

Eli stopped walking then smirked widely at me. "Surrender?! No, my revenge is just starting! Gun him down! All snipers!"

I looked at the roof of the cathedral and noticed multiple snipers on the roof. I chuckled and equipped my gauntlets then held my wrist. "How cute, you need back up just for me? Allow me to tell you...your toys don't mean a thing to me."

Eli felt my cold, intimidating presence then took a step back. He stood his ground then glared at me. "Once I kill you, the others will be light work."

"Oh...we will see." I said then unsheathed my katana and held my arms out a bit. "Let the carnage being."

To Be Continued...