Chapter 9 Rise of the greatest paragon. Part 1.

Act 1 Neighborhood patrol. (Emily Jones). Earth 0.

An armored van-like car, was cruising along a city filled with submersions of old, ancient, classical, medieval and gothic wonders. 

From large circles of megalithic monuments made of weathered boulders, within eco parks. To step pyramidcal structures and tombs made out of granite, from columned marbled temples to old gods to fortresses of high towers of stone and wood . . . and of cathedrals and great palaces still in use of those that govern this wondrous city.

But there were few of those historical structures, compared to those built closer in this humanity's modern realm. more common was the modern brutalism, of high skyscrapers and factories and other rectangular monstrosities of steel and glass.

But those brutalities upon the city were hampered by the creations of the futuristic idealists of the near past. Those creations were once called neo-punk, solar-punk, and eco-punk.

As most apartment complexes were as much a forest sanctuary as residential homes to the many who live within this city.

Of commercial and entertainment districts fully embracing the old tech wonders of this land's ancestors. Neon signs, virtual projections as small as the fairies in tinkerbell that hooker goods, to the giantests that appeal to both the desires of lords and ladies.

And finally of the educational districts having their classes in wherever one must be taught, may it the eco-parks, the virtual space. Or the solaris gardens.

Within this city we come back to a police cruiser designed for the enforcement of law in a city where many are able to break stones and bend steel with their hands.

Or be able to parkour through the city fast enough to deliver a still steaming pizza across a city five sizes larger than the city of angels that we have today.

Within its protective yet spacious interior. Four were comfortably seated, two wore badges and stun blasters, at the hip of their civilians yet underneath their ordinary clothes one would not mistake the skin tight synth-suits they wore.

Developed to be a second skin, that anyone can wear to not have a hole in you when fired or stabbed upon. But useless against the true evils of this world.

One of the detectives appeared to be older, in her later or mid 30s, her green violet eyes observant yet relaxed, her earthy skinned hand, taking sips on a cup of steaming coffee. As her light brown hair loosen from her tight bun.

The other detective was younger in his 20s closer to his late than early. He has short dark blond hair, and lighter skin, his eyes blue. He was holding up a pad while explaining things to the other two within the APC police cruiser.

0 0 0 0 0 

Who is this kid? That was my thoughts ever since I met Becca's partner . . . he looked young like he's still in college but he's a paragon so I trust him being capable enough, but still.

I pretended to listen and watch as Jake gave a crash course in city patrol to the kid. He looked very much, enraptured by the lesson. 

This made me trust the information set I was getting as I looked at the kid, a simple view lens on my left eye, and tier 1 brain augment to be able to access security files. And it gave me the ability to look into people's information by just looking at them.

{Name: Daniel Fyrebird /Civilian/

{Name: Star of the Abyss /Paragon//Classified/

{Race: Human Blank /Civilian/

{Race: ??? Meta-Human /Paragon//Classified/

{Meta ability: D class intelligence /Civilian/

{Meta ability: ??? class psionic energy /Paragon//Classified/

. . .

The information had many blanks that means I'm too low rank to access them, an odd thing being a 1st rank investigator. Well hopefully I wouldn't need it.

(Jake Parolta) Ma'am?

(Emily Jones) Yeah?

(Jake Parolta) disturbance reports at meerwoods residential complex.

Jake was showing his pad with a red pinging, I smiled at it.

(Emily Jones) alright kid let's see what you got.

He gave a charming cute smile, something only someone much younger could have pulled off. Without looking like a fool.

0 0 0 0 0

The call was of a store owner that was being racketered by a new local gang, that might have splintered off the Synthware gang. The group of four seems to be all D class cyber-metas.

There augments are very much overtuned civilian specks, except for there weapons Emp pulse charges, plasma pistol and carbonized stun blades there all peacekeeper level gear, and there probably overtuned too making them lethal. 

There's probably a mechanic-meta in their base if they have this much firepower. I might need to call in backup, if I wanted to keep this peacekeeper business.

That was my thoughts as I stood at the side of my cruiser with Becca and Jake. She assured me the kid can handle this, I appeared calm but I was no better than Jake who was silently begging Becca to help the boy out or atleast call for reinforcement.

But he stopped, his worrying as we both saw what was happening not far from us.

(Gang girl) ha ha ha! They sent a cute meat stick to us! 

The other monstrously augmented meta's laughed with her as she confidently walked towards the kid her threateningly arcing carbonized katana sheeted

Her cyberwared clawed hand holding the kid's shin, drawing a drip of blood that she leaked with an unaugmented tongue. She whispered to him I was hearing it with my earpiece.

(Gang girl) I'm gonna enjoy, every, inch, of you.

Then it happened the kid's enchanting smile stayed but disgust was apparent in his eyes, as blue brilliant flames bursted from him.

A halo of flames crowned his head as a flowing cape crested his back, it took a second to manifest, half a minute for the gangsters to react drawing their weapons the closest one to Abyss, swinging her arcing blade toward the kid's neck but after a full minute.

All the boastful gangsters were at their metal knees, crying or clinging to Abyss like children, begging for forgiveness. His eyes were still that of disgust but it had softened paring closer to his light smile.

(Emily Jones) huh? Didn't expect that.

Becca was smiling as she spoke.

(Rebecca) that's one of his gifts, he calls it "1st circle, Karmic retributionary repention" powerful stuff really, makes people feel unbelievable pain depending on how much violence they've inflicted on others.

(Emily Jones) That's a long name. An ability. . . is it Accurate?

Becca gave me a shrug as she kept watching. I saw her twitch a little as one of the gangsters tried to kill herself by shooting her head, but Abyss just took away her weapon casually and gave her a hug which made them cry louder.

I was honestly feeling bad for them at this point.

(Jake Parolta) How long does this last?

Jake asked, he looked unsettled by the sight, and that's saying something. I once brought him into a blood cult, hideout. blood and gore orgies with very drugged up people and he didn't even flinch just started arresting them.

(Rebecca) A while. . . he tested a smaller version of it on me and I woke up a few hours feeling good about myself. . . I think it's better if you call a peacekeeper ambulance.

We did and after that we watched as Abyss rounded them up, confiscated their weapons and some external augments, and placed soft bindings on them that is very much not regulation.

(Abyss) Now ladies, be good girls and stay in the car while I talk to the store owner. And listen to my partner.

They nodded and he gave them each a light hug and a pat on the back as he took the credit chip from them and a bag of stolen goods. And went inside.

We helped them inside the holding chamber of the APC.

(Emily Jones) Jake, go and help the kid.

Jake nodded hurried inside as I walked forward and took the evidence bag the kid left. Inspecting the weapons.

(Rebecca) So you think he can help with your little operation?

I ignored her at first inspecting the gun but I sighed and spoke.

(Emily Jones) When you said your boy's a telepath I thought scaring him a little with this, would help him not do anything stupid later. . . but you never said he was a powerhouse! 

(Rebecca) You never asked! you were so happy finally getting a telepath that you didn't hear that he was in the ace program!

(Emily Jones) I recruited a golden boy in the ace program. . . fuck. . . and I asked him to handle street trash. . . I hate you Becca! How the hell are you guiding a future Ace candidate!

We kept arguing, but we both felt happy about it as we did.

Act 2 Talk between guide and apprentice. Rebbeca. Earth 0.

On top of the city of independence, a young man was looking up, as he stood upon an apartment midrise surrounded by stars and the light of this city of wonders. As a short lady, of carefree beauty, took her steps to his side.

He looks so adorable! I thought as I looked at my deeply thinking rookie, as he was looking upon the uncountable stars that weren't affected by the lights or clouds above my city.

I gave him a slap on the shoulder making sure that my strength was that of a young girl, rather than the cybernetic demi god that I am. But he didn't look like he noticed.

(Rebecca) Comeon kid! you worried about the gig? 

I asked him playfully as I looked down and saw our target, a wreck of a shipping depot. Where a bunch of scavs turned into their trafficking base. . .

The mission was to make sure friendlies were inside and secure them before the peacekeepers could go in guns blazing. . . or you know eliminate every unfriendlies there before the peacekeepers came.

I didn't notice but the kid was leaning on me. . . even in our first week together. . . I mean working with each other, he was always so touchy with me. . . and it's not even sexual, even tho I wouldn't mind. . .but it makes me wanting to take him to a hotel much harder, without making it feel like I'm trying to fuck one of my cousins.

(Abyss) Your galaxy is small. . . and everything beyond it is so empty. . . nothing but light yet extinguish. Only 3 starfields with a handful of star clusters each.

His voice sounded solemn, like he was talking about how his dad passed. . . and what he and his mother went through in the early days.

(Abyss) You know what I'm, don't you? Of how I'm both Daniel and someone else. . . of how I love my Miyu, but I feel her touch to be that of a stranger.

Is he? Fuck! I haven't even gone to third base yet! 

(Rebecca) Yeah I do, but does it matter? No matter if you're Daniel or Abyss. . . you are what you are now. . . and I'll keep being your guide until you're a proper paragon!

After I gave my thoughts like what I usually do to cheer up the more brooding types. I worked with. . . and it worked. He stopped leaning on me and gave that adorable smile of his and then with a hand gesture he made something he called a projection.

Much like the magic of some of the other paragons or very realistic holograms the kid sent a giant whale-like creature bathed with the flames he was beginning to be known for.

It was swimming through the light bathed skies and as it neared the depot, sounds of alarm came to be, some of the scavs started shooting at it, but every lazer, pulse fire or bullet just passed through it.

And then it jumped higher, and dove down headfirst with its breathing hole pumping even more fire, and then I thought Abyss was about to obliterate the depot nuking it to ash, but then as it crashed on the depot I remembered.

My partner was a paragon of the mind and not fire or magic. . . the "whale" turned into eternal flames bathing the area with it making those shooting stop. . . but unlike real flames where one would hear screams of agony and explosion. . . depot turned quiet yet bright.

(Abyss) Sorry, I wanted to do this the right way, but. . . I don't like dealing with ms.Emily, she appears to want something from me that I'm not sure I can give. . . I like Jake though he was really friendly.

I gave him a nod, as he returned to lightly brooding, while hugging me from the side until he fell asleep, breathing slowly but deeply, in a predictable rhythm.

I sat down and played his head on my thighs. . . I've been giving him a lap pillow so often that I actually added more synth flesh on them to make him more comfortable. I gave a sigh of exhaustion and frustration as I answered a vibrating call in my head.

Infront of me appeared a floating holographic video call from Emily. She looked both pissed and horrified.

(Emily Jones) Becca! Mission canceled, a giant Warp beast appeared suddenly. I need you and Abyss to hold your position just in case we need back up. . . it was you!

I couldn't keep my smile hidden when my friend noticed, I started to laugh, but before I continued another caller came in, it was my uncle, Sandevistan of Santiago.

(Daved Martinez) Hey small stuff! Oh hey, little Emily! How's Jake?

My uncle appeared to be Mexican in race, but he was dressed like how he appeared in the old movies about how he protected Independence, against those tyrannic corpos. Still wearing that jacket from grandma. Over casual street wear.

His vibe of being a friendly old man was turned off as he saw Abyss on my lap, and then he started to smirk, his eyes clearly showing the things he was about to say but I stopped him.

(Rebecca) So what did you call for?

(Daved Martinez) Oh nothing much, just wanted to make sure that our friend, on your thighs, hasn't gone renegade. . . but from the looks of it the taming mission the old bat gave you is succeeding.

He started to laugh after that, Emily looked like she finally understood something and started laughing too. I was soooo done with this so I canceled their call and started to pat Abyss's beautiful ocean hair, as it started to slowly turn back to it's natural dark hazel hair. 

Act 3 Rookie work. Abyss. Earth 0.

In a street like many others in the city a young man was holding a grandma as she walked across a street.

(Grandma) Thank you deary! Here, it's my grand-daughters Facechat. Also, are you sure about leaving them?

The grandma took out her phone and sent something into mine, as she asked me about the small drones that were carrying her groceries.

(Abyss) Of course granny, they'll come back to me when they're done helping.

I felt a beep on my chest as it started to blink green.

(Abyss) Sorry but I need to go.

She smiled at me and gave me a laugh as she pushed me forwards.

(Granny) Go, go! I know you paragons are always needed, I already enjoyed having one for myself! Thank you!

I was running when I heard the thank you. So I shouted back. 

(Abyss) your welcome! And don't forget to watch your back granny!

As I saw the granny turn a corner and leave my sights I answered my beeper, as it started to vibrate harder.

(Abyss) Hello? This is Abyss Paragon in training.

(Male voice) Hello this is Crisis management, your closest to the area please follow the drone while I explain the situation D class paragon Star of the Abyss.

I saw a cleaning drone appear in front of me. It was circular with track wheels, dusters, vacuums and other urban cleaning devices. . . It appeared like a 21st century rumba.

I followed it as it guided me somewhere.

(Abyss) What's the problem? Lost school children?

There was a silence beyond the speaker. I don't why there should be one.

(Male voice) . . . a shooter was Identified going to a library, near you. . . I saw your files. You have Empath abilities, I didn't know you were still working the publicity paragon work. . . please. . .

I stopped listening when I heard a ballistic shot, I ran towards it ignoring the begging of my impromptu handler, he was asking me to retreat and wait for a more experienced paragon.

When I got to the library I saw people running away and telling others to do the same. I sent a pulse out scanning the area, I felt fear was the main emotion next war confusion and then I found who I needed to find. And moved.

I found someone bleeding out at the front door, took out a spray and an epipen. I sprayed the bloody holes and then stabbed his chest with the epipen.

That should keep her alive until the health core arrives. I saw her uniform. She was part of city security. It really is a shame they don't give them more than a stun club.

I left her after giving her a good dream, and releasing her of her pain.

0 0 0 0 0

I was in the lobby as I looked at a young cute girl struggling to use a forcefield, while an ugly fat lady was shooting at her.

I burnt the shooter with my fire as I moved slowly towards the girl who was still panting from using her meta ability.

(Abyss) Are you alright? 

I said as I kneeled down with her, there was a girl fainted behind her.

(Brave young girl) Ha, Ha, I.. . I'm fine, thank you.

I took two small bottles from my belt and gave one to her.

(Abyss) I'm a paragon, Star of the Abyss. This will help you recover. You're a brave girl. I'll give one to your friend now.

I left her to recover as I checked on her friend. She was fine, exhausted but fine. 

I placed my hand on her head and focused, gently touching her soul, filling it with energy so it may awaken her flesh.

And she did stir awake, a blush was present as she looked at my eyes, almost making her standup from my hold, but she was too weak and fell back on my lap.

(Abyss) Easy now, you're still weak. Drink this slowly, it'll help you.

I patted her hair fixing it so that it wouldn't be a mess later on.

When the brave girl was able to walk towards us and reach us I gave her the girl I was holding. And went and checked on the shooter.

As I reached her she was in a karmic coma, her spirit, her soul, her mind and body. Slowly being purified by my flames burning away the evil from her whole being.

She'll be fine after the purification and a few days of rest.

I nodded to the girls and then waited for the peacekeepers to arrive.

Act 4 Union class courses. Abyss. Earth 0.

In a small park woods a woman on a carved boulder, sat as she was bringing attention with her motions to the 4 meter block of wood at her side.

(Paragon teacher) Now as I lectured, even the most lethal meta-ability can be used in the creation of art. observe.

Flames erupted from her hand engulfing it and becoming the paw of a large feline, then she started clawing and burning the block of wood, turning it black but also shaping it, until it became a statue of the silhouette of a woman.

The flames faded as she placed her fedora on the fire hardened and barely scorched mannequin. And it took her a few minutes to make.

(Paragon teacher) It is all about control class, now you can practice with yours.

The clearing within the woods is filled by a collection of youths and young adults, as they use their meta abilities to shape their preferred material.

One was bending a block of steel by vibrating it. Another was freezing water as a small hose was flowing over her medium. Another was trying to imitate her teacher but kept burning her block of wood. . .

Many others use different kinds of meta-ability to shape their art while one kept sitting on his boulder meditating while his peers worked on the activity.

The teacher noticed and walked towards the young man. He had Hazel hair reaching the top of his ears, his skin was smooth and unhealthily pale, his figure was slim, devoid of fat and lean in muscle. . . but unnaturally soft and warm to touch.

(Paragon teacher) What are you making Abyss?

She asked the young man. The young man's burning blue eyes opened and with it a projection of enormous proportions appeared a large whale of alien origin looking down upon the clearing.

Its eye was that of a universe, as its eye was the only thing those below can witness, the teacher was shocked in wonder while the students started to panic or in awe but then the magnificent being disappeared as quickly as it appeared. 

The young man's eyes once again closed, now he was breathing deeper with a practiced pace. Then with one last deep exhalation his eyes opened this town it was a shade of light brown.

(Abyss) I am crafting a projection ma'am, something that can challenge a great wonder in beauty.

I then looked around and looked at my classmates, as they were still in shock at the sight of my recreated body in the form of a pure psionic construct.

(Abyss) By using the emotion and thoughts of those around me as a medium, I have made what I used to look like.

The teacher was quiet at my words before she gave me a stiff smile and spoke.

(Paragon teacher) Didn't I say it needs to be permanent? Atleast enough that it can be used to decorate this park!

She was pinching my ear as I struggled on my boulder.

(Abyss) Ma'am! Look at my table!

She did and after which she stopped pinching my ear. It was a painful affair.

(Paragon teacher) Oh, you did make something physical. . . well it should be bigger.

There was a half meter big statue of crystals on my table. It was in the silhouette of a mermaid breaking the water as they dove up. 

(Abyss) Please touch it ma'am.

She did and afterwards she looked up again with shock and then let go of the statue.

(Paragon teacher) well you pass the activity Abyss. You are free to leave or observe the rest of the class.

I stayed and watched and talked with my classmates.

0 0 0 0 0

In a gym inside a combat ring, a smaller young man was getting his ass handed to him by a taller fitter young lady, as she gently pummeled him to the soft floor of the ring.

(Abyss) Augh!

I was coughing in mock pain as I looked up and saw a grinning girl proud of herself for beating me up.

(Violent girl) ha ha ha! You really need to start exercising more Daniel!

(Abyss) Code (cough) Names. . .

And I blanked out for a second before I felt warm and then stood up. I heard a 

(Violent girl) Still can't believe you can just heal like that. . . I mean, tricking your body and telling it that it's not in pain and needs to heal faster. . . 

The girl was doing things with her hands as if thinking of a good way to put thoughts to words, as the flames around me started to calm down to embers, instead of the fire that came from my flesh burning away bruises and pains.

(Violent girl) It's a lot more complicated than just having a regeneration factor. Like mine works, by having a special kind of Mitochondria inside my cells that overcharges things instead of the "magic" you do.

She said by pointing her fingerless gloved hands on one of my forearms that still had a small flame lightly burning away a clump of blood just under my arm.

(Abyss) Leah. . . I mean Power girl, you should be softer if you're that uncomfortable with me healing.

I said giving her a soft pathetic smile, she gave me a cringe for my efforts of being persuasive. A look of mock horror on her Amber eyes.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) Yeah not falling for it, I've read the reports not gonna go easy on a potential Ace.

She said grinning down at me as she was two to three heads taller than I was and she was close enough for me to smell her sweat and for her to not smell mine, for I noticed that I do not sweat.

Then she pushed me lightly and gave a small push with her feet, giving us space as she put on her serious face and even more serious moving stance.

0 0 0 0 0 (Leah Sander - Power girl)

Within a room of steam and hot water, of baths and showers of the smell of mountain salt and freshly cut grass and dried herbs.

A girl of Amber sat within a tub of steaming milky water, as she was joined by a smaller young man, 3 heads shorter than her, soaking nakedly on the water. Much like her.

Sigh this feels nice, I'm so lucky most left early. That was my thoughts as I saw some of my classmates soaking or washing up before soaking in the tub.

I looked to my side and saw a very relaxed Daniel, his eyes closed as he was slouching on a hot tub chair used by the younger students. . . Cute.

I saw his towel slipping from his light brown hair covered head, so I picked it up and placed it where It should be but I just couldn't help myself and patted him on his head and that was a mistake. . .

I suddenly saw the bath house, not of the lightly lighted hall, or the steaming sanctuary that it was. but a room filled with colors and flavors as each person within was both lamp and candy to my senses.

But then everything became normal as I heard a voice that returned me to reality.

(Abyss) Leah? You know I have a girlfriend right? She'll be jealous if you keep patting me like that.

I looked at him, and then to my hand that was hand combing his head, I quickly used my other hand to take it off him.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) Sorry! It's a force of habit!

He looked at me in my eyes, his expression neutral, almost a little tired and sleepy. and then he gave me that soft smile of his, that reached even his eyes, but I knew it was fake, much like my father's.

(Abyss) Sure. but I'm serious about Miyu, she's been a bit possessive ever since she met Rebecca.

Sigh. . . other girls again. . . well that means his available wonder if I can sneak into his pants while those two go after each other's necks, based on how talks about them. . . lovely girls, not likely to share tho.

0 0 0 0 0 (Abyss)

In a night so young the moon had yet given her yawn, a young man above the city of wonders, on a tower of such a city.

Sat a young man listening to a lecturer on how to stabilize a highly cybernetically enhanced meta, as he drank hot milk, while looking at the bright and faint stars above.

(Miyoung Kitsune) Are you getting homesick love? Even with me here?

I felt softness at my back and warmth on my shoulders and chest, as arms wrapped around them. I gave the interloper a soft kiss on her cheek.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) I am, it's been almost a year, this realm has grown on me, but. . . I do Miss Sister Maria. . . Elder song of Harmony . . . the researchers and other acolytes. . .

I kept talking of my time before this place, of the first time I was fully conscious, but more of a child rather than the new being I am now. . .

She listened to me like any lover would as she comforted me and I her, as she spoke of her own heavy heart, of her work, of the people she misses, of her time in university or those that she will never meet again. . . it was a good night, of soft conversation under a beautiful night sky.

Act 5 Paragon rookie against a force of evil. Abyss. Earth 0.

A young man was smiling as he held the hand of a young girl as they made their way in an ancient town street of sandstone store fronts and marbled commercial apartments. The architecture was classical roman, like base on the vaults and arches of the structures around them.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Don't worry little one, I already talked to your mom, I'll get you to a peacekeeper office, to wait for her.

The kid gave me quick nods as she enjoyed her Jelly salad Milk Ice, I got for her. . . she was cute, I just wish some of the women in my life were half as cute as her.

I nodded back and we continued to walk but then I felt danger, with nothing but instinct guiding me I made the girl weightless, as I jumped. Holding her.

Below us a van suddenly stopped as it opened, revealing a group of very dangerous looking people and then one of the women saw us above them.

(Scary woman) Above us! Remember! No damaging the goods!

I saw them pulling out stun blasters, as I dropped on their van and then jumped towards one of the cafe's roofs. As they shot at us, I was nicked on the arm.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Sorry kid, but I can't protect you while I deal with them. Rest.

I simple hypnotic projection and she's asleep. I smiled a little and then looked at those pursuing us. Brave, seeing a meta move the way I did would make less professional criminals flee. . . but not this bunch.

My smile grew larger, as excitement took me in as I jumped down, facing them. I sense mostly hostility in them but as I confronted them I now feel some fear and worry. What kind of person would flee and come back? Someone who's confident.

I focused closing my eyes as they shot at me, I moved to avoid their blaster fire, leaving instincts and danger sense to do their work. As I focused and then I opened my eyes as I was bathed in blue flames.

(Thug) Everyone move! His Flame Esper!

The one who yelled said as he threw some kind of grenade at me my danger sense wasn't picking it up. I ignored it as I sent a wave of blue flame towards the group that was only a few dozen meters away from me.

But then the grenade erupted bathing my flames in a puff of blue dust extinguishing my flames. I was shocked at that. . . These weren't above average criminals. 

there the real deal. . .Professionals hired for a job. That means I looked around as they organized after being almost broken by my flames.

I saw them, In a dark blue and shadowed full body tattered hooded cloak. I sense great power and danger from her, but not evil. . .atleast if you ignored that artifact on her chest. 

She was watching me, the group of evil and the sleeping child, yet she does nothing and her thoughts are heavily shrouded by a shadowed haze. . . if she's not the leader then who?

My body moved quickly to my right, as someone from my blind spot suddenly appeared and tried to stab me. 

(Ninja) Oh? Your senses are sharp or was that your instincts? Well impressive for a kid nonetheless.

I jumped backwards and then sent another large gouge of flames behind me as I felt the group of thugs was finally organized. This broke them again making them scatter giving me a few minutes.

My action made the beautiful man infront of me raise his eyebrow and then laughed. As he was looking me directly in my eyes looking for something, he pressed something on his ear and said.

(Ninja) Girls! I got this, find the girl.

He said and then took his earpiece and crushed it with his fingers. And then he lunged at me with two katanas in hand. He was fast, my eyes barely following him.

I took my stance like how my master told me, and then with a fist infront, I sent a weaker wall of fire towards the black blurr, but he moved to the side avoiding my flames trajectory entirely.

And then with my fist I opened it into a palm and with chop splitted my flames in two, one aiming for the black blur but he jumped and made a flip. He was only two arm lengths away as he slashed down.

0 0 0 0 0 Black Flash.

(Villain:Black Flash) Easy.

I said as I looked in the confused and pained eyes of the young Paragon I was fighting, I'm not that happy fighting an amateur but a job is a job. 

I took a step back as I saw a bloody full body red line on his body, Synth suit or not he's gonna die from that. I love how they keep depending on their power suits.

But then my self satisfied smile disappeared as my victim kneeling, pooling blood on the sandstone ground, gave me a soft smile, his eyes, almost pitying this made me angry but also cautious as I looked around seeing and hearing nothing. . . nothing.

I took a spare of my earpiece in my breast pocket and yelled.

(Villain:Black Flash) Report!

Nothing. . . no sounds, no static, I heard nothing but the heavy breathing of the dying paragon. My eyes narrowed as he drew my sword and pressed it on his neck.

(Villain:Black Flash) What's happening! Do you have a partner!

No answer, but he looked up at me with the same smile and eyes as before.

(Villain:Black Flash) Answer me!

I was about to cut him again until. I heard a whisper. I leaned in closer to hear him.

(Pargon boy) Wake up boss!

That was when my eyes opened. I looked around, I was tied up my hands and feet, bound. I was in an old cafe. I saw that I was surrounded by the thugs that were hired to come with me. Some had vacant eyes, while others looked like they just stopped crying, I looked to the older woman who woke me.

(Villain:Black Flash) What going on!?

After that outburst I calmed and as I breathed out. And asked.

(Villain:Black Flash) Where's the kid I was fighting?

She looked away from me, and gave a look of complete fear. As she stumbled to tell me what happened.

(Thug) He. . . It was a monster, when you told us to look for the girl, we gave you two a wide berth as we were expecting an epic fight between metas but no. . . you were about to run at him but suddenly you went down sir. . . after that, it became the most non-lethal massacre I've seen.

 I was confused by her words but then I counted the thugs I was with, they were all here. . . no wounds on them, no broken bones. . . I think I was the only one bleeding, and it think that was an accident by how I fell, but even that was properly bandaged. . .

(Villain:Black Flash) How?

The girl looked almost like she's going insane but then calm, appearing in her face it was unsettling seeing that abrupt change. . . as she spoke again.

(Thug) He isn't a flame esper sir. . . his Psionic. . .

(Villain:Black Flash) Fuck. . . it was all an illusion. . . his eyes!

After saying that many of the thugs started to struggle desperately out of their bindings. "No more! Please! I'll be a good girl! No! No! No!" Complete cause erupted in the room.

0 0 0 0 0 Abyss.

Outside the cafe, a young man was speaking with a well dressed peacekeeper. As she gave not so subtle glances on the cafe filled with criminals begging for mercy.

(Peacekeeper) I know you're new to this kid, but it's against union code too. . . do that to them.

She pointed at the chaotic impromptu prison. I gave her a shrug. It's either trap them in a perpetual nightmare, or force their souls out of their bodies. . . I really doubted the hypnotic word of them thinking their tied up would work until the peacekeepers arrived.

I explained this to the officer and how I didn't have the skill or equipment to handle that many people without using my meta abilities. She nodded at my explanation before calling for backup, and a bigger transport.

(Peacekeeper) Well less paperwork atleast, we don't tell you guys this, but the reason why we like some of you paragons with non killing codes more than the others is that we don't need to write multiple reports. . . when you call us. . . it actually gets very complicated if deaths happen and need to process them and. . .

She went on a rant on how they peacekeepers became more desk jockeys than enforcers of law. . . well some of them still enforce it but most of the time it's in courtrooms, and public offices not much in the streets since the new governor came to power, his very pro Paragon from what I've learned.

But I ignored her and focused on the lost girl I was helping earlier. She was playing games on a pad in the peacekeeper cruiser. I smiled at this and the peacekeeper noticed and gave me a grin.

(peacekeeper) It's fine boy. I'll drive her to the station when backup arrives. Let the others deal with that.

She pointed at the room filled with crying or begging thugs, and one very pretty looking ninja dude.

I nodded and then I looked up. The lady was still watching me, still partially hidden on the roof of an apartment. I was curious so I told the peacekeeper I saw something that she should stay here.

(Mystery Lady) You finally wanted to see who I was?

She was far younger than I thought. I only felt she was female but now looking at her she was only a head taller than I was. I gave her a soft smile. 

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Sorry but I was. . . distracted? Are you my monitor? I know Reb. . . I mean, Little Mercenary was busy doing something at cyber town.

The young lady didn't respond to that. Just looking at me, I could see her violet eyes underneath her pointed hood. Then one of her hands turned covered by shadows as I heard a muttering chant.

(Mystery Lady) Albion Maetron Zintues!

Then a dozen shadowy tentacles came from a magical circle infront of her hands. . . I guess this is a fight. I thought as flames erupted on me and I sent a burst of flames towards her.

The tentacles were engulfed in my blue flames going towards her, she spread her shadow tinted hands as a circle of dark energy enveloped her negating my flames.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) A magic user! I only met a handful in the academy but that looks cool! So what's your name, hoodie girl?

I said as I kept sending out flames towards the barrier the girl was using to defend herself. She didn't answer my words as I heard chanting. Then everything turned dark. But it was warm.

0 0 0 0 0 Mistress Raven.

Within a very dark and gothic decorated room, a girl was panicking as a young man laid, in a canopy queen sized bed, breathing deeply. Yet steadily.

(Mistress Raven) What do I do! What do I do! What do I DO!

No, I shouldn't panic. . . even though I took a raising Rookie. . . I can just toss him in the streets! No if I did that a veteran paragon would start hunting me down!

(Mistress Raven) Aaah! I just wanted an autograph and selfie! Why did I panic! I could have just said hello like a normal girl! But then he started looking cool, sending those not very hot fires at me and then. And then. Sigh. . . 

I took a seat to calm myself down as a cup of warm milk tea went to my hands and I took a sip at it. It tasted good, not something I can make. . . 

I looked at my side and saw the boy I thought was still unconscious on the bed. . . I tied him up! Why!? He smiled at me and sat on a chair across from me steering a cup of tea.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Sooo. . . You're pretty and this is my first time being kidnapped but I was trained for it. . . how much do you want for a ransom?

Ransom! pretty?! . . . What, whaT!. . . My mind was in chaos as I looked calm and took a sip on the really good tea. Giving him an amused smile.

(Mistress Raven) Ransom? I am Mistress Raven, Sorceress of Shadow Isles. Why would I need something so crude as gold?

Fuck! I'm roleplaying again! Please just burn me now, so I pretend to fight and then teleport you out of here. . . my prayer wasn't answered as the boy looked excited and very interested.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Shadow Isles? Sorceress. . . That's so cool! I'm Star. . . no I mean, I'm Daniel my Paragon name is Star of the Abyss or Abyss for short. Haven't been doing this long. But. . . can you be my nemesis?

What. . . is this boy serious? Good thing I'm using glamor looking like a woman in her sexy 30s rather than what I actually look like. . . but Nemesis? that's not how it works right? A paragon can't just ask for someone to be there. . . 

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Mistress Raven? Why did you take me if it's not for the ransom. . . Is it for sex? "Creek"

I held my cup a little too tightly, at those words as I saw him looking around my bedroom, ending on a set of toys near my live streaming setup. I had enough.

(Mistress Raven) Zadria Matren Santos!

And then he was gone, teleported him a few miles away. . . 

(Raven) That was too much.

I said as I stood up and looked at myself in a large mirror. I saw a girl in her late teens, raven black short hair, dressed in shorts and a skull shirt, the sexy hooded woman gone.

(Raven) Sigh. . . next time, I'll just ask him out in the academy. . . next time I see him visit. . .