Aftermath

"So are you going to tell me what happened Blake"? Morgan says, his intrigue and urgency painting his face.

"Gene hunters managed to get into the sim room I think it was because of Atlas". Blake says slowly recalling the events.

"I managed to hold one of them off, not without spilling some blood in the process. Then all of a sudden the Sim room unlocked" Blake says, forming a white lie through the bubbling memories surfacing.

"Was that you Morgan"? Blake says piecing together the lead up of events till now.

"That was me, quite the shock seeing atlas like that" Morgan says recalling the bone chilling howl and the snapping of flesh.

"Like what"? Blakes curiosity prods at Morgan for an answer.

"Don't worry about it, I think he has been dealt with now". Morgan says.

"Hope so the bastard actually sided with them"! Blake says clenching his prosthetic. Only for it to barely respond. His eyes are drawn to the mangled and short circuiting arm, struggling to respond to the commands it is given. A miracle it's managed to stay attached.

''What the hell happened, I lined these with hyper fuses, they shouldn't have all blown out''. Blake's thoughts slam into him seeing the havoc left behind, his wide eyes stare at the plume of steam dissipating off of his prosthetic. Turquoise permeates into his mind as one word rings out through it "LIVE"!

''Why can't I remember everything that happened''? His thoughts crash together in confusion over the demand of recollection.

''I was forced into sleep, did that thing take that as its que''

"That doesn't explain the energy I received though''

''Who the hell could have helped me''? Blakes thoughts ping together trying to rationalize what the hell just happened.

''I'm grateful for it, but it is worrying. Nova might have drummed some answers up by now''. His thoughts continue to circulate demanding an answer.

''Maybe the system has some answers of what happened''? Blakes curiosity gets the better of him as he discreetly pulls up the system.

''Status''

[You have levelled up]

[+10 Stat points acquired]

[Blake Asteria]

[Level 3]

[Energized human]

[HP 35/35]

[Energy 55/55]

[Endurance 20]

[Strength 7]

[Dexterity 15]

[Intelligence 20]

[Randomized skill generated from the hunter cricket]

[System Skill Unlocked: Inventory]

[Energy capacity was forcibly exceeded]

[Energy threshold has been raised +5]

''Isn't that satisfying to see'' Brushing his chin seeing the volley of new information.

''So it looks like it did take over thankfully. It took one of them out as well''

"But that doesn't explain who provided the energy"? Blakes mind is stumped, drawing straws at what it could be.

"Inventory"? Blake says going down the list provided by the system a backlog of notifications reel their way through as he flicks through it. Looking for anything more notable.

''Isn't this a no brainer why didn't I get this off the bat''.

''Well at least I got something out of that ordeal, I'll save the stat points for when I'm not drenched in blood''. Blake's thoughts run rampant blurring out the outside world as the systems screen fills his view.

"Blake, Oi Blake". Morgan says, snapping his fingers. Appearing through the translucent screen displayed for Blake.

"I don't know what got you lost in thought, besides this whole thing. What are you worrying about when you're gonna get your next box of cigs" Morgan says trying to lighten the mood a little.

"Like I said Blake, we aren't the only ones affected in all of this, we were just the lucky ones if anything. When you step out of the Sim-room you'll see what I mean". He says with a dark expression as the imagery of blood staining the stadium pours into his mind.

"Wait...wait" A knife of terror cuts through Blake.

"If the audience has been attacked then". Horror fills every inch of Blake's face as the realization slaps him in the face.

"RAVEN, RAVEN WAS WATCHING THE MATCH"! Blake says his legs start going into full motion despite the needles of pain shooting through his flesh.

"They have Pyre so it shouldn't be a problem right"? Blakes face becomes washed in anxiety as he slams his toes into the ground as fast as he can.

A green hum begins to pour off his soles as he lunges to get out and to his sister in time.

"We have to move Morgan". Chaos enters his expressions as it becomes harder and harder to hold off the bubbling panic. All the numbness that he once had towards it all melts away in a flash as he's put into a vice grip of panic over this.

"Don't worry about getting there, just please keep your head on straight you don't know what could have happened". Morgan says.

"Just hold still and trust me" Morgan says, sending a comforting smile to him.

*Snap*

"Blake, don't freak out, i said we were not the only ones affected" He says holding back his own shock on the situation.

The once fierce red haired man, standing tall through adversity is nowhere to be seen as red hair clumps in a pool of blood. Labored breath follows suit alongside a faint sobbing. Bone and skin are punctured as bored holes stare into Blakes eyes.

''I…. I…. I wasn't here in time" Slowly shock creeps its way into his mind as the outcome of hell starts to manifest into his reality.

''I….I….I got this power and I couldn't even protect him". Despair starts to cloud Blake's thoughts.

"What...what happened to her"

"K….iara what happened". Blake manages to crack out of his broken voice.

"I…..I….I couldn't do anything Blake, I'm sorry, Pyre was taken out and everything just froze for me" Kiara's speech slows down entirely as she struggles to process what's just happened.

"They got Raven". Kiara says forcibly, the final nail of the coffin is struck as his worst fear is proven right.

"Sh…she's gone"

"I'M SORRY". Kiaras says through sobbing as tears continuously crash down her face.

"Yet again I couldn't save anyone'' Blakes mind goes into overdrive, pieces of information flood through him at a rapid rate as the world around him blurs out of vision.

''WHY, WHY WHY WHY. EVEN WITH ALL MY EFFORTS I COULDN'T PROTECT HER''. Flashes of warm smiles sending him off through rainy days permeate in his mind.

Only for it to all shatter and crumble away into dust. A wail of anguish escapes him as his mind struggles to accept this reality Slowly Blake slips into the primordial blackness of his mind. A hand is put on the mental projection of himself.

''Take some rest it's my turn''. The low reverberating voice starts to fully shape beyond the coalition of static, excitement exuding out of its voice. Echoing out as a deep slumber befalls Blake

"Blake, Blake" Morgan says, waving his hand up and down Blakes face.

"Hello" He says looking deeper into Blakes eyes to see his pupils have lost their focus entirely.

"He's in shock"

"I can't blame you Blake". Morgan says, fighting back his own emotions. Trying to remain focused on the task at hand.

"He must've passed out in defense" He says remembering the feeling vividly in his own shoes.

"Your name was Kiara right"? Morgan says snapping through part of the hysteria.

"Yes, why" She manages to utter out through her tear stained face.

"Are you able to move"? Morgan says, slowly putting Pyre onto his shoulder.

"Yes I think so at least". She says as she slowly wobbles to a stand.

"I need you to carry Blake, I'll carry Pyre''. Morgan says, struggling under the burly man's weight.

"What are you going to do?" Kiara says, grief and guilt still clashed together in her mind..

"They both need medical attention". Morgan clicks his tongue in urgency.

"I'm surprised his eyes are still open," Morgan says, seeing Blakes distraught frozen face.

"I'll message you which hospital, i will be able to find one empty and get there first" Morgan says, waving her off in the same motion.

"Okay no worries". A meek tone escapes Kiara.

*Snap* Morgan and Pyre are gone in a flash.

Slowly She begins to slump Blake over her shoulders as her own guilt adds to the weight bearing down on her. Small green sparks zap faintly out of Blakes hollow unfocused eyes. Tears cascading down his face.

*Ping* An address of a hospital pings on Kiara's watch.

"How did he do that?". Her mind is distracted seeing just how fast Morgan went.

"It hasn't even been a minute yet, That's faster than any speedster i've ever seen". Kiara says, wiping away parts of the tears.

"Guess that's my que to hurry up".

"I'm sorry Blake". She says to herself, commanding her power to move at full pelt. In a blur of orange she's gone.