Slavery?

"Sloppy? Are you qualified to say such a thing?" Keason asked.

"I take it this formation is meant to suppress the strength of everyone within the formation.

Everyone lacking a thingamajig or doohickey, or maybe even a doodad would suddenly find they were only about half as strong as they usually are. Am I right?" Kyle said confidently.

Riley was listening to Kyle and was both surprised that Kyle identified the formation, and explained its use. He even remained confident although its function didn't bode well for them.

"Kyle, what should we do?" Riley asked nervously.

"Don't worry too much; we don't have to do anything. I just wonder what they're going to do," Kyle said.

"We're going to restrain you while Keason puts a slave seal on you, stupid brat!" Kim said laughing.

"Is that what you think is going to happen?" Kyle turned toward Kim and asked him mockingly. Kim was suddenly startled by Kyle's response. The boy wasn't scared at all.

Kim and Major decided to not take any chances and started by attacking Riley. He was startled but managed to catch both of their hands like it was nothing.

These two were both Lvl 30, but according to Kyle's HUD, they were now at Lvl 15. Kyle used a chop on both of their necks and knocked them out. Kyle was stunned by the easy victory.

"What did you do?!" Keason yelled fearfully.

"Riley, please help everyone take a nap and tie them up," Kyle said. Riley didn't understand what happened but this kid was full of surprises. He quickly knocked everyone except for Keason out.

Kyle looked at Keason for a few moments. "As I said, your formation is sloppy. It seems like a good idea to make the formation ignore people holding a key or whatever.

The problem is that someone who understands formations, like me, can easily reverse the formation to only work on those with the key. We'll talk again soon," Kyle copied Riley's move and knocked out Keason.

Gathering everyone together, Kyle made sure they were unconscious and then started making signs with his fingers as array symbols appeared.

The symbols flew into each of the people present. The process took about an hour. After he was done, he woke Keason up.

Keason looked around slightly bewildered. When he saw Kyle he became very respectful. "Master?"

Riley was utterly floored by what he saw. Was this the legendary Keason who made others into slaves? How did he become slaves? Could it be that this kid was a Spirit Man?

"You're a Spirit Man?" Kyle asked.

"Yes, master," Keason responded.

"Do you have any books on your profession?" Kyle asked.

"Yes, master, I have every book I've ever used in my residence. From Spirit Man initiate to Spirit War Cheif Lvl 2," Keason responded.

"What's your level?"

"Master, your servant is only a Spirit Warrior Lvl 1," he answered.

"What do you think of my slave seal?" Kyle asked. He could feel a connection between him and everyone he put the seal on.

However, to keep things from getting out of control; he created a slave hierarchy. He had leaders and followers.

The Leaders had control over those under them. Kyle's main slave was Keason, who then had control of the seals of the others.

The warriors were lead by Bolk with Kim and Major sub-leaders. Steward East was a leader of the servants.

"Master's slave seal is far superior to the one I've always used. Perhaps it is also sloppy," Keason said as he boot-licked Kyle.

"Ha-ha, I'm surprised the moral and upright superhero would deign to use something as immoral as a slave seal. Aren't you white people notorious for slavery in your world?" Gramps laughed at his expense.

"I...I don't like it! But I don't know what else to do. If I don't do it then I would have to kill everyone or they would come after us later.

Besides, all of these people are bad guys. I think it's a good means to punish them. I can release them later after they've made restitution."

Kyle wrung his hands and looked very troubled by the conversation.

"You better be clear about how much restitution you require from each of them or you'll probably wind up keeping them as slaves forever." Gramps was very amused by Kyle's "moral" dilemma.

He didn't understand what his problem was regarding slavery. These were enemies, it was already a kindness not killing them. Why not have a few powerful servants?

"Keason, is the Barron home?" Kyle asked the all-important question. The answer would determine his next actions.

"No, master, he is on his way to the dungeon. He is expecting us to arrive soon to supplement his dungeon team," Keason responded.

"When are we supposed to be there?"

"No later than ten days from now," Keason responded.

"How many days does it take to make the trip?"

"Between six and seven days, master." Keason was very placid currently. He patiently answered all of Kyle's questions.

"I'm going to teach you the slave seal to use on the key personnel of Barron's household. Next, I want everyone to write out all of the crimes they've committed over the years.

I also want to know everything about the Barron and what his plans are. I need to know his real strength and allies. I'll give you more instructions as needed. Riley will help you," Kyle said.

"Yes, master," Keason bowed respectfully and left to get to work.

"Are you a Spirit Man?" Keason asked.

"No, but I have my own abilities,"

"I'll say so. I just don't understand why you let me capture you. If you can shut down a powerful Spirit Man like Keason; you should have been able to resist me," Riley said.

"I was curious, but let's not worry about this for now. Right now I need you to help Keason," Kyle said.

"You trust me? You don't want to put a slave seal on me?" Riley asked while hesitating.

"My friend, you and I have gone through life and death together. I have entrusted my life to you for the last two weeks. Of course, I trust you. We're friends aren't we?" Kyle responded with a smile.

Riley looked at Kyle a bit surprised. "Yeah, we're friends. I won't betray my friends," Riley said.

"We both think the same. If you want to leave and pursue your own matters you're free to leave whenever you desire. If you want to come along; I'll appreciate having your help."

"I'm curious to see what you're going to do next, I'll travel along with you for now." Riley left to help Keason.

"Hypocrite," Gramps said.

"I'm going to come up with a way to determine the length of slavery based on the wrongs these people have done," Kyle said.

"What if you discover some of these people are completely innocent. Will you risk having your movements exposed to act out whatever arbitrary notion of justice you possess?" Gramps asked.

"It isn't arbitrary, if it were then I can do whatever I want to without a conscious, like you," Kyle spat back.

"Oh, you've killed a few monsters and now you have a backbone? Whatever, go ahead and make your plans, slave master," Gramps laughed cruelly as he left.

"I don't have a choice," Kyle said to himself while wondering if he did have a choice.

*****************************************************

We've started with 11 power stones and need 89 more power stones to reach our first bonus chapter goal.

Today's power stone heroes are: lover_of_Milfs, and darrel

Thank you all for your support! This book wouldn't be possible without you.

--Straythought