Halo

As the speed boats sped off into the distance, leaving waves in their wake, the Emperor stared at them, watching, like a hawk, unfazed.

"Your majesty!" the voice of a soldier was heard from behind him. He briskly turned around, his cape closely following him. The soldier was knelt down on the ground as a show of respect. "What are your orders sir?" the soldier kept his eyes low, afraid to gaze at the night.

"Why are the ships not firing?" the emperor turned away, gazing where the boats just were. His question had an air of calmness, at the same time, it had a cold hint which would put anyone on edge.

"The rebels are in possession of imperial transponders it seems. We detected no discrepancy or intrusion."

The Emperor turned upon hearing this. His aura grew more dangerous. "And?" he asked, his voice growing even more cold.

"And... And our communications are b-being j-jammed. We had no way of conveying orders." the soldier was utterly terrified of his master's presence. If he made one wrong move, his head would surely be separated from his shoulders.

"Very well..." The emperor said as he turned away. The air around him was still filled with devious intent, though it seems that he has lightened up abit. The soldier looked upward slightly, to gauge the situation; however, he was still overwhelmed with fear. "Have the gunships track them down. They will not escape."

"Right away sir!" the soldier scrambled off, stumbling slightly as he stood. The Emperor walked back to the entrance of the pier. His imposing presence causing all soldiers to bend the knee immediately. The cold air of the night and his deadly aura seemed to have followed him wherever he went. His limousine pulled up. Stepping out of it was the old General, wearing his usual uniform.

"Glory to the night, his majesty, the almighty emperor. How goes the battle?" the general audaciously asked after greeting. Though his head was slightly bowed, he seemed to be aloof to the eminence of malice coming from the the emperor.

"We seemed to have the wrong guy. Ballasteer is dead. Have Captain Ixiom be promoted ASAP." Hyder commented quickly without context or explanation as he slipped into the limo. The general got in as well, sitting across from the Emperor and crossing his legs.

For a few minutes there was only silence. They rode through the ragged underground's. People being forced and pushed around without mercy. Some pulling out weapons to retaliate but ultimately failing. The Emperor had his eyes closed, seemingly giving an air of disinterest for the fight that just took place as well as his surroundings. The general on the other hand was still looking earnestly at his boss, with a slight itch of curiosity for his dark brooding nature. The Emperor eventually slowly opened his eyes. His dark pupils drilled into the old man.

"You wish to know more?" The emperor asked in a condescending and challenging manner. The general nodded, slightly on edge. "As you wish... That man did not have the right features. The only matching description would be his cybernetic enhancements and prosthetic right arm. Furthermore, the Altora I know would beat me into the dirt in an instant, and would not be afraid to use his powers. He is like a living weapon. A fighter with no equal. Even after all these years. I am certain he has only gotten stronger... "

After the emperor's sharing, he looked out the window once more. Contemplating and evaluating his thoughts. The general was in awe. This is the first time the most powerful man on the planet talked so highly about another. The look on his face and in his eyes was one of admiration, yet resentment. This man, Altora, his name was familiar, he must have been powerful to be able to defeat the Emperor.

"That said..." the Emperor restarted, sitting up straight. "Hunter... He is an interesting man. He is not the one we are looking for, but he is still dangerous. Even after being beat, he picked himself up and escaped. Impressive. He could become a problem. Have Ixiom continue pursuing him. And have Commander Gregor join the search and lock down. " The Emperor gave his orders. The general nodded snappily, pulling out his phone to make arrangements.

****

*Hunter's POV*

I gazed into the distance, our escape boats just by passed the giant ships guarding the pier. It was cold. Seeing the Emperor was chilling. I never would have thought that he would get his hands dirty. I never would have thought he could so easily beat me to a pulp. Within mere seconds I was already on the ground begging. I never had a fight I could not win. Unless the circumstances were manipulated heavily, I usually always pulls out victorious. I guess there is a first time for everything.

By highborn standards, he is unique. No highborn i have faced ever expressed such mastery or even competency in their powers. To say that I'm in awe would be an understatement. His power was beyond my comprehension. I could still feel the lingering sting of lightning upon my skin. It felt as though I could have been paralysed. Simply thinking of it makes me shudder. His speed and skills in combat seem to be unparalled. I have seen many highborns, fought many of them, killed many of them. But this, it was different. Cold, dark, yet familiar.

Draco caught me staring at nothing, I could hear his footsteps as he walked over to me and patted me on the shoulder. I blinked and looked up at him. "You actually did it, you crazy son of a bitch," he said in a friendly manner. "I'll be honest, I didn't think it would go this smoothly. Well, aside from the mighty Hand of Darkness coming down to kill you himself." he said with a slight sigh. The Hand of Darkness. That was what some called the emperor. A being so powerful, he might be the incarnation of night and darkness.

I looked back at him, staring in silence for a bit. In all honesty, it was a miracle that we lived. Shortly afterwards, I smirked. "His majesty is certainly imposing. He is powerful, a threat to be sure. But one day, he will lay dead at my feet, just like all the rest." I trained my eyes back at the open sea. I could a fire burning in them. One of hatred, vengeance. But the reason for it was beyond me.

Shortly afterwards, I heard the thumping of footsteps and running behind me. It was followed shortly by frantic shouting and even louder footsteps. The ground shook and the deck of the boat started vibrating quickly with the increasing footsteps and running. " Halo down! Repeat! Halo, down! Need a medic, stat!" Halo. That was one of Angel's code names. My head had never turned so quickly. Before I even knew what I was doing, I bolted to the cabin on the boat where she was resting.

When i got outside, i saw a large group of my men gathered outside the door, staring at it with slight fear and concern in their eyes. The moment they saw me, they saluted, nodded and verbally acknowledged them. I said nothing as they parted to allow me to get out the door. Blood was rushing to my head, I can't think straight. I burst through the door and felt my heart skip a beat. Angel lay on the bed, unmoving. There were 3 medic all tending to her. I quickly strode to the foot of the bed, looking over her body. "Status?" I calmly asked. However, on the inside I was in pain. What happened to her? Did I push her too hard?

"Vitals detected Cap. She seems to be exhausted. Or she had a panic attack." One of the medics replied. I looked down at her. It seemed that she was distressed before. She was crying. Streaks still clearly visible, reflected on her cheeks reflected under the bright light of the room. Most strikingly, her hair colour became much lighter. It was now auburn and light brown. However, there was a streak toward the front now that was extremely bright in colour, it almost appeared blonde.

I was confused, and extremely worried. Maybe she passed out from stress. But it was strange, how did it change colour? I was much more worried for her than most other members. Her face looked as if she had been worried and crying for a long time. Seeing her distressed face, I instinctively reached out to her face. I could not stop myself, it felt as though there was something attracting me, compelling me to move. When my fingertip touched her cheek, I felt a warm feeling rush inside of me. It was warm, but it was too much.

I grunted and stepped backward. The feeling was overwhelming. When I pulled back, I was sweating all over. However, the pain and exhaustion I previously felt seems to have faded away instantly. I felt energetic. It must have been some sort of healing pulse. I seemed to have also surprised the medics in the room. Even more astonishingly, Angel's expression lightened, her lips even curled upwards in a slight smile. Seeing this, I smiled myself.

Without warning, one of my men burst into the room. "Captain! Gunships inbound! They have already opened fire on one of the ships!"