Come on, let's gang up the shifting bat dude in the stinking toilet

LANCE

"Hello Lance." Magnus greeted. The shade of light from the window illuminated only some part of his face. Making his grinning face more villain and evil like.

"You said about killing an 'Auf' right? Wanna try this one?" He jerked his head at the webb hand ripping the upper part of the ventilator, destroying the fan.

I gulped.

"Sorry. Wrong bathroom." And I instantly bolt from the scene. Leaving him screaming for my name.

I passed students on their way to class. Most of them loitered in the corridor. Banging lockers, some smooching girls. Most gave me a stinking eye as I shoved their heads on the girl's forehead.

"Scram off moron!" Someone behind me shouted.

I don't know why I did that. I'm just in the mood to do it. Moon rose is nowhere on site. I honestly didn't notice her leave. And there's Magnus.

I can't let him know I'm responsible for the cornfields. It's enough I told him about his possible old buddy turn to ashes without fire.

When I take the stairs two steps at a time someone yank me by my shirt and drag me down.

"An Eklektos chickening out from a fight?! Who gave you the right to escape a hero's duty?"

Magnus is hauling me back to the bathroom. I flail to get out from his grip.

First, I used half of my strength, then a vein of his wrist pop out and his grip tightens.

No choice, I resort to crush his wrist in my palm to remove his hand. Still, it didn't work.

Another vein pops out, doubling his strength to drag me on my feet. The more I stared at his hand, the more I'm convinced he had some sort of super power in his blood vessel.

Does that make it Super Vein Power?

He shoved me back in the bathroom, just an inch away from kissing the ugly butt of ragged looking dude with bat wings.

I backed away, determine to put as much distance as I could from this skunk.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I yelled.

"I want you to kill that thing." Magnus simply said, crossing his arms. He's standing in front of the door, glaring down at me.

So you won't let me get out huh?

The thing...I mean it's face is slightly green, with purple veins rapidly growing and throbbing from its temple down to its neck.

"I - I can't."

"Of course you can. You have powers flowing in your veins."

"And who's the idiot who still believes that crap? Five year old kids playing superheroes?"

He exhaled an irritated sigh.

"You have extraordinary abilities inside you, Lance. It's just waiting for you to use it."

I looked over my shoulder.

"Oh really? Does that make me Superman then?"

The frown on his forehead deepens.

"I don't know what you're playing at but you can't deny you're one of the chosen. The deities favored you."

"You mean gods?"

"You could say that."

I snickered.

"So who chose me then? The god of newbie bullies?

Frowning wasn't enough for him, he started to growl under his throat.

"Did you perhaps see our epic battle earlier? It was in this very stinking toilet you see. I thought I was done for. God, who punch that reeking little sh*t out of their butts without flushing anyway?"

His growl sounded deeper and has more annoyance with it. He forcedly shut his eyes.

"You carry the Mark in your very being. The Mark of FIVE imprinted deep into your skin proves you are one of the Chosen Twelve - the Eklektos."

"Chosen Twelve? You sure its not a tattoo? I firmly believe it's a tattoo. My Dad sometimes has that kinks. You know for C - stuff."

I emphasize the C (crazy) with a twirl of my index finger to my temple.

Magnus looks like a bloating fish who's about to pop. With a jerk, he forced me to face the man shifting bat, shaking me in one mind blowing judder.

"Look at that creature in the face Lance. What do you see? Human? No it's not. That's a monster who feed on someone's flesh. With just a word from its Master, it can rip a five year old's heart without hesitation. Eat their brains and tear their limbs one by one." Magnus hissed in my ear.

When I look at the man shifting bat's eyes, an image of dismembered bodies crossed over my head. Blood drips from its mouth. Soiling the ground with red splashes. Like water.

I gulped.

Was that another vision?

I removed Magnus' hand from my shoulder and take two steps forward. Folding my sleeves so I could show the creature the tattoo of five.

"Here, wanna have this in your skin too? There's a local tattoo shop one mile from here. I can refer you if you want. Big discounts. Dad is not a tattoo fan but the owner is his best pal. I assure you the big guy is awesome. Just a bit cranky at times -"

I was cut off when the creature growled and lunge at me, webb hands directed to slash at my torso.

It was too late I realized my virgin chest is in danger. I don't have time to time to dodge. He spread his oversized bat like wings with sharp talons meant to strike me if I dare to jump on either side.

Damn. My jokes went too far I expose myself to danger. And after Dad told me to 'Don't be stupid.'

Chuck it.

I fling my arms in front of me. Preparing for the agony of his talons slicing my skin.

It didn't happen.

Instead, someone pushed me back and struck the creature somewhere between its neck, making it scream in agony.

I drilled my hands to my ears when its shriek became painful.

"Oh funking little piece of shizt."

That's the words I first heard after the scream. Everything died down. No more mad bats, no more attacks, all that's left is Magnus, standing still in front of me with hands basked in green slimy liquid that bubbles as seconds passed.

"Damn. I thought you're a fighter Lance. Can't believe you just expose your Mark like that. If you tell me that's your way of 'bait' I would have struck your head until your brains bust out because of how stupid you are."

He's ranting. I know he is. Why does he sound like Dad? Isn't he supposed to be a friend of that creature? Why'd he kill it?

"Why did you... sa - save me?"

Dude, can't believe I'm stuttering at this epic fail moment.

Magnus crouched down in front of me, stretching his long black sleeves at his neck to show me something black on his chest.

"I may not understand the hardship you're facing right now, with all the magical and ugly creatures popping from nowhere, but believe me when I say I'm on your side. I'm a Ranker. I have the same Mark as you do."

He revealed a circular tattoo with strange intricate drawings on both inside and outside the circle, but no number. Unlike mine.

I gasped.

"Are you... the Seeker?"

He blinked in surprise before he said,

"Yes. And I'm here to find Chosen ones like you. To save you from other beings trying to rip the Mark out of your skin. My duty is to teach you how to make proper use of your blessings, but above all, I must protect you at all cost."