Chapter 9: The Bitter Taste of Betrayal and a Spark in the Ashes
The chaos of the Chitauri energy bomb explosion had momentarily taken Kael's consciousness. When he opened his eyes, he felt a searing pain radiating from his shoulder, along with a strong smell of burning and a ringing in his ears. When he reached to his shoulder, the hot, sticky blood on his fingers brought the seriousness of the situation to his face. A piece of shrapnel from the explosion had entered a weak spot in his armor. But more acute than the physical pain was the sudden weakness and confusion that had washed over him. His perfect aim had become blurred, as if he were looking through fogged glass, and the absolute clarity in his mind had vanished. The price of Roric's betrayal coursed through his veins like poison.
"Kael! Are you all right?" Aslan's anxious voice was an anchor amidst the chaos. The young man crouched down beside Kael, shaking him. His face showed the shock of the explosion and deep concern for Kael's condition.
Kael tried to sit up, clenching his teeth. "Where is Roric…?" he asked, his voice raspy.
Aslan glanced around quickly. The crowd was running in panic, police sirens could be heard in the distance. "I can't see. I think… he escaped." The disappointment and anger in Aslan's voice deepened the pain of betrayal Kael felt. Roric had spurned the trust and opportunity Kael had offered him, falling victim to his own cowardice and perhaps the Iron Fists' hidden agenda. Perhaps Roric had been a decoy all along; his loyalty had never been real. This thought explained why his powers had weakened so drastically in Kael's mind. The deeper the betrayal, the greater the cost.
"We must rise," Aslan said, supporting Kael by the arm. "The Iron Fists could be here any minute. The police are coming too." The pieces of Chitauri technology they carried—especially the power core on Kael's back—were no longer treasures, but dangerous burdens that would give them away.
Despite his weakening powers, Kael tried to gather his thoughts. Aslan's loyalty was still there, a faint warmth he could feel, but Roric's betrayal was clouding even that connection, almost completely dulling Kael's ability to absorb talent from others. Right now, he could only rely on his own wounded body and Aslan's unwavering support.
Aslan's street knowledge—no longer an echo from Kael, but his own experience—led them quickly down side streets, away from the crowds and main thoroughfares. Every step increased the pain in Kael's shoulder, but they could not stop. The danger behind them was tangible. Several times, they heard what they thought were Iron Fists vehicles, but Aslan's skillful maneuvering managed to throw them off their trail.
Finally, they took refuge in the basement of an abandoned apartment building in an even more seedy, almost forgotten part of the city. It was much more miserable and unsafe than the Echo's old headquarters, but it was their only refuge for now. Aslan used a rusty barrel he found lying around to create a simple barricade against the door.
Kael sat down on the ground, leaning against the damp wall. His wound was throbbing. Aslan came to Kael anxiously, trying to dress Kael's wound with a piece of his own shirt that he had torn off. "We need to clean this," Aslan said. "It could get infected."
Kael nodded. He closed his eyes and considered the situation. Their losses were great: his health, a significant portion of his strength, his sense of trust shaken by Roric's betrayal, and probably some of the Chitauri technology they had captured (they might have dropped a few small pieces during their escape). But they were still alive, and most importantly, they still had the Chitauri power core. This small, humming sphere held the potential to make up for all his losses.
Despite his anger and disappointment, a strategy began to take shape in Kael's mind. First, he had to heal. Then, he had to better understand how his forces would respond to this betrayal. As important as loyalty was, the cost of betrayal was devastating. This meant he would have to be even more careful in choosing future members of the Echo. The dream of the Empire had been struck, but it had not been extinguished. This was simply an unexpected test.
"Aslan," Kael said, opening his eyes. There was a determination in his voice, despite the pain. "Give me that power core."
Aslan carefully handed the Chitauri power core to Kael. When the sphere settled in Kael's palm, it emitted a faint warmth and an unfamiliar energy. Kael focused all of his attention on the sphere. Perhaps this alien technology was not just a weapon or a source of energy, but the key to reviving his waning powers. Or it could destroy him completely. The risk was great, but Kael had never been one to shy away from taking risks.
In the dim light of the basement, the Chitauri power core began to hum ever so slightly brighter. Kael's destiny lay once more at the intersection of unknown technology and his own unwavering will. Amid the ashes, a new spark was about to strike.