Boy Behind The Mask

The meteor was accelerating downwards as it shook the ground beneath it. The commoners panicked, screaming out their lungs and praying to their god, Ferdows.

Emma Ironheart was the first to meet with the collision of the meteor, or so they thought.

["EMMA!"] Margret screamed in panic, seeing the meteor crash into Emma's body, however, that wasn't the end of it.

The large meteor stopped in place.

It was as if its momentum just vanished from thin air.

["W-What?"] Margret widened her eyes in shock.

Emma Ironheart looked to be holding up the meteor with her strength alone, but that exactly wasn't the case.

["How did you—?"] Margret questioned it, and quickly analyzed the situation in front of her, coming up with a quick conclusion. ["Did she control the meteors inertia?"]

["This won't be enough to beat me. You can have this back!"] Emma cocked her fist back and slammed it against the meteor's underside, sending it upwards.

("That has to be it. Emma isn't physically capable of holding up a meteor with her strength alone — I fought her, so I know firsthand. She must've reduced the meteors inertia and forced it to change direction.")

["Incredible, how did she stop that meteor? It had to have been created by three powerful earth magicians, yet she sent it away by herself!"] The villagers all looked up at the sky, wide-eyed in disbelief.

BRMMMM!

All of a sudden, everyone fell.

They fell like a bag of rocks, flat on their faces, even Emma and Margret, however, they could sit on their knees at the least.

Something was weighing them down... or rather... someone.

In the sky above them, two figures appeared.

Around their bodies was an ominous aura that weighed everything around them down, as if gravity increased tenfold.

Their magic was powerful, unstoppable, and fearful.

They both were in dark robes, wearing masks with spirals on the front and two holes so they could see.

They carried unique weaponry in their hands.

The one with brown hair carried a sword with a blue grip and golden blade.

The one with black hair carried a rigged bow, with alien-like designs embedded into them.

They were powerful, without question. Not just their magical power, but their weapons, especially.

Everyone who glanced up at them was stunned with fear.

The weapons these two carried, anyone could tell what they were.

["T-They have Vessels! Oh dear god, who are these people? What have we done to attract Vessel users?!"] One of the villagers shouted in pure fear, as multiple others whined.

["Vessels? You have to be fucking with me!"] Margret looked up at the sky, frowning at the realization of what they were carrying.

Vessels were ancient weapons found only in old religious areas, dating back to when Ferdows roamed the earth. It is said that vessels were created by Ferdows, and given to the most loyal followers that worshipped her. Inside vessels host a divine entity, that protects the wielder and bonds with them.

Each vessel has a symbol implanted on them, that being an X with one red line, and one blue line.

["Throughout my entire life, I didn't expect to run into you again. Erebus must've blessed me with this opportunity."] The brown-haired invader spoke.

["Who are you, people?"] Margret shouted.

["We are known as the BlackWing's most gifted fighters. We raise soldiers and lead them into battle when the time calls for it, in the name of Erebus."] The Black haired boy spoke.

["You said that you 'didn't expect to run into you again' — who are you refereeing to, exactly?"] Emma questioned, while still on her knees.

["Oh? So you do not remember me, Emma Ironheart? Ah, I expected this... of course, you wouldn't remember the person you cast away!"] The brown-haired boy proclaimed.

["The person I cast away?"] Emma looked confused, gaining Margret's attention.

["All my life I was lost, stranded, and alone! I had no one, because of you! You did this to me, you made me who I am! You wicked woman, how can you be her? How can you be one?!?"]

["How can I be who? Reveal yourself, do not hide your identity from me!"] Emma slowly stood up, despite the overwhelming aura that was crushing her body.

She forced herself up from willpower alone.

["Tell me who you're!"] Emma clenched her fist, frowning at the accuser.

["Bahahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!"] The accuser began to laugh, placing his hand over his mask. ["Kahahahahaha! Amazing, amazing!!! You can stand up, even through our aura! You are incredible! I heard so many stories about you, I can't believe they're true! They call you the Iron Queen, didn't they? I see why now! The Iron Queen was your nickname during the Great War of Daguro!"]

["Bastard, expose yourself!"] Margret managed to cast a ball of flames inside her hand, threatening to attack them, but—

["I wouldn't be so reckless if I were you."] The black-haired individual stood behind Margret, holding an arrow at her neck.

("H-How did he get behind me? I-I didn't see him…!") Margret froze in fear, dispersing the flames inside her hand.

["How long are you gonna keep your auras leaking from your body's?"] Emma smirked, suddenly erasing the effects from their aura out of existence.

The two of them glanced at Emma, shocked by the unpredictable action.

["Ahhh~! You purposely hide your true power, I see!"] The brown-haired individual slowly hovered to the ground, landing on their feet. ["My new name is Prometheus, and my friend here is known as Edith. Nice to meet you, Emma Ironheart, and Margret Field."] Prometheus walked toward Emma, standing at her exact height of 5'9.

["What business do you have with us?"] Emma questioned them both, while the commoners inside the village stood up, running away from the commotion.

["We are to restrain you both, under the orders of Lady Mammon."]

Emma widened her eyes upon hearing that name… and then clenched her fist.

Anger built up inside her body, unable to control herself any longer.

["BASTARDS!"] She swung her fist, decking Prometheus in the face, however, he didn't budge.

Prometheus gripped her wrist, flipping Emma over his shoulder, and against her back.

["Iya iya~! I expected this reaction out of you. Mammon was the one who fought your husband before he died, wasn't she? It must make you angry hearing that she's still alive, doesn't it? Aww, poor thing!"] Prometheus leaned his head back, laughing hysterically. ["Kaaahahaha! This couldn't get any better, I love seeing you suffer! Cmon, give me some tears!"]

["LEAVE HER THE HELL ALONE, YOU SADISTIC FUCK!"] Margret shouted, gaining Prometheus' attention.

["Such a bad mouth, I expected more from a mother."] Prometheus proclaimed.

["How can she be alive? They died… my husband sacrificed himself to kill those wretched demons! I refuse to believe that she still walks this earth!"] Emma laid on her back, screaming to the sky, enraged.

["It isn't only Lady Mammon who's alive, but everyone that Richard had fought in the war, and supposedly killed. They still roam this earth, freely."] Edith proclaimed.

["No… this… can't be happening…"] Emma closed her eyes as tears started to swell up.

["Yes, that's it! Show me those tears, show me more!!!"] Prometheus crouched down, getting in her face… but Emma held her emotions together, not showing weakness to her enemies.

["You mentioned that your new name is Prometheus… what was your old name? Is it a name that I know of?"] Emma opened her eyes, showing no tear falling down her cheek. It annoyed Prometheus and he grunted.

But he did reply.

["Tch. Yes, it is… and I'm sure it'll click in your head once you remember 17 years ago."]

["Remember 17 years ago? Those times were blurry. 17 years ago I was at the lowest point of my life, I refuse to send my mind back into those times."]

["Well do it!"] Prometheus slammed his hands on the ground next to Emma's face, angry at her words. ["Remember those times! You say it's the lowest point of your life, then how do you think I felt during those times!"]

Emma lifted her eyebrows.

It felt as if her heart had sunk into her chest.

Her body felt a shiver… she felt cold.

She remembered.

She remembered 17 years ago, during the lowest point in her life with Richard.

She remembered what she had done.

It stayed with her and always beat her up, either through accidental memories, or dreams.

Her hand extended forward, as she placed her palm against Prometheus' mask.

["It can't be you… no… it can't be…"] Tears streamed down Emma's face.

She started to cry, for the first time in ten years, after Richard's death.

She cried.

Margret and even Edith looked at the display, confused about what was happening.

The villagers watched in the distance, also bewildered.

["You're him… you're my son. You're Godfrey Ironheart, my first newborn child!"]

Margret had dropped her jaw in disbelief, as her eyebrows rose.

Was it true?