"…Jeremiah and his buddies had already set up a barricade, preventing the PTF from reaching the apartment," Edward said, his fingers pressed against the earpiece.
Flinch on the other line had already flew for his destination to Moscow; he instinctively tapped across the buttons on the control pannel of the air-craft.
"I'm on my way to Russia; the missiles are prepped to launch an explosion."
***
Elis dragged Jeremiah inside a room by pushing him from the front; both of their faces are bloodied and bruised. As soon as Jeremiah's body slammed against the door, the two of them fell inside the room, stumbling upon two couples making love in the kitchen.
"GAH!!" The lady exclaimed covering her chest with her arms.
Elis was startled then gritted his teeth before grabbing Jeremiah's neck to lift him before kicking him. After his foot landed on his stomach, he flew out from the room.
"…Don't you ever underestimate you son of a bitch!!" Jeremiah exclaimed; he then summoned a flaming sword from his device then sliced the air. A disc shaped fire was sent flying toward Elis, barely dodging it.
"SHIT! WHAT WAS THAT?!" Elis barked, voice laced with confusion. "…That probably costs a lot of battery."
"Indeed…"
Jeremiah lunged forward; Elis teleported behind me as he grabbed a used purple bra hanging on the wall beside him, then whipped him using the lace.
The bra whipping made Jeremiah even more pissed; he felt humiliated by such a nasty attack.
"Are you fucking serious?!"
"…What? Getting pissed off are we?"
"I sure am!"
The teapot whisling on the stove by the corner of the kitchen started to shake eratically; the fire on the stove started forming a shape of a dragon then started diving toward Elis.
"Shit!!"
Elis teleported near the stove; he grabbed the teapot then threw it to Jeremiah, successfully hitting him in the head with a loud hiss and clank.
"Argh!!" Jeremiah growled. "You really thought that could work?! I'm a fire guy, shadow boy!"
"…Hey fire boy, nothing will change the fact that you're working with a 'War starter' without even knowing the consequences of your actions," Elis narrowed his eyes. "Being too arrogant about your ability and thinking you're way too strong than me wouldn't also change the fact that I can still kill you using my teleportation."
"Was that an opinion?"
"It was true…"
Elis began slowly looking at the two couples shaking in fear of the scene.
"…I'll pay for your window."
***
The lieutenant grabbed a blade wielding Triggered by the nape of his neck then slammed him against the window of the PTF's black van.
"Why is Elis taking so long inside that apartment?!" the Sergeant barked.
"Probably that guy with a durag on killed him, no one could survive the heat of his fire," Iris replied, shooting the last thug in the head. "That's the last one of them."
"With that old age and body; I never thought you can still take on with those Triggereds," Private Allan said, looking at Graves with a smirk. "Now, I was wonder—"
The window from an apartment above them suddenly shatters; confetti of glass started to rain. Jeremiah was seen rolling as he fell from the higher floor of the building.
When he finally plummeted hard on the ground with a loud squishy thud; Elis's shadow was seen forming over Jeremiah's limping body.
"H-he—" Iris was puzzled.
After the shadows disappeared; Elis stood over the body, bruised.
"…It was luck," Elis said, walking away from the corpse. "I still haven't gotten any intels about Flinch."
"…That's fine, we can still find more clues inside his apartment," Graves replied.
"I already checked earlier, it has the same contents as the one in his phone—there really is no good intels."
"We could've let one of his buddies talk; Iris killed them all, maybe?" Elis jokingly said.
Iris raised a single eyebrow, "…If it weren't for me, those thugs could've killed us."
"Or maybe I am…" a voice came from the distance.
When they turned to look at the source of the sound; a man with a goatee stood like a deadly mannequin wearing a shocking oversized shirt and a bonnet, both with gradient of colors.
"Who are you?" Lieutenant Phantom coldly asked.
"…I am no one but a guard that prevents government lapdogs from stopping a world changing commitment," the man replied. "Seems like the government had a new law allowing a Triggered like that kid to communicate with the army."
"Are you a Triggered?"
"Take a guess…"
"…We're no servants of the government nor a stupid fortune teller to guess your occupation in this shitty city like your sharp beard that looked like a bent nail!" Elis shouted.
"You're a feisty kid, huh?!"
"I became so feisty, I killed your little fire boy."
"Jeremiah?" Edward smirked. "…He's done a great job buying Flinch some time."
"…World changing commitment, and seems like you and Flinch are former kindergarden sweethearts," Elis replied. "Tell me where Flinch is and I'll go easy on you."
Edward chuckled as he shook his head, "Why does this sounds like a goddamn movie negotiations?"
He walked forward for a bit then stopped for a moment.
"…Since you've read about our intentions to the Killing Trade and Gaò Yang, I have reasons to tell you about where Flinch is," Edward pointed at the sky. "…He already flew to Moscow."
"…Thank you for the good and honest negotiation," Elis gestured the others to enter the van. "See you next time."
"You think I'd let you?"
Mailbox, vending machine, and street lights began to frantically flew into the air then aimed toward the van. Elis was the one who would never let his guard down, noticed it.
"WATCH OUT!!"
The objects the once flew in the air became an environmental missile that dived straight toward to the van, completely crushing it like a fragile wood. Causing the vehicle to explode; the force sent the other PTF flying across the road, losing their conciousness.
Leaving Elis and Edward in a Duel to the death situation.
—PART 2—
To Elis fighting an enemy is like playing a poker with opponents who had their own personalities.
He gave us intels 'cause he's stronger than us? I have no doubts, this guy is cocky and arrogant.
Elis said in his thoughts as he observed Edward's body language.
If this guy keeps on with his cocky attitude during the fight, then he'll be too comfortable to keep on attacking as much as he want. If I can, I could drain his battery and keep his over of confidence as his weakness.
Edward made a smooth swinging motion with his right-hand; the metal pipes on the apartment's unfinished roof deck started to float and aimed straight through Elis's back.
"SHIT!! SHIT!! SHIT!!"
He sprinted across the street as the metal pipes trailed behind him as if he was their favorite. Elis teleported inside a building, successfully blocking the pipes using the wall.
"I thought I was dead…" he panted.
Two vehicles broke in; completely obliterating the wall, one SUV, and a pick-up truck struck him from behind. He rolled on the floor, stopping as soon as his back slammed against the counter.
"…He's a telekinetic bastar—" he began caughing due to cement dusts. "I-I forgot what to call that ability."
"I learned about this," he added. "…Come on, think Elis!"
After a long minutes of thinking, he's eyes started to widened.
M.B.H! Movement By Hands! He can carry 4,600 kilograms of weight! Their ability is spatial, if I can somewhat rush to the van. I know it's already crushed but… the smoke grenades inside haven't detonated yet.
***
He'll probably go outside and teleport to move his buddies into a safer spot, and then it'll be easy for me to crush him with the van.
Edward said in his thoughts before gazing at his TriggerLine that says: 80%
***
"Come out now little kitten!"
Elis listened to Edward inside the building in a muffled tone.
"I'm sorry about the cars; I'll go easy on 'ya."
Elis listened without letting his guard down; one wrong can send him flying across town with Edward's telekinetic ability.
"…"
"ARE… YOU… HERE?!"
A fire hydrant suddenly bursts right inside the building from the left wall, barely hitting Elis on the shoulder. He then, teleports behind the counter to switch position.
A knife, butcher, and some plates started to float, flying inside the building as if it was alive. Each objects hits the wall with loud consecutive clinks.
He keeps bringing environmental objects from outside to here, without even moving a single one inside here until the he broke the second wall that is closer to him. His ability really is spatial.
***
"It's cruel leaving your friends here limping on the ground like gummies; why don't you just die with them instead?" Edward spat out. "…As you can clearly see, I'm starting to get pissed off."
Edward Lim clenched his fist as his TriggerLine beeped; the weight of his telekinetic force started crushing a nearby neon lit store sign into a huge piece of ball.
"Come out now!"
The ball of metal started to surge into the building like a wrecking ball; Edward just stood there expecting for one thing: Elis's dead body.
***
Elis inside the obliterated building was leaning against the counter with the metal ball stopped mid surge, only an inch closer from crushing him to death.
"I didn't expect this thing; I let my guard down. I thought I was safe," Elis panted. "…I'm risking it.
He crawled toward the broken window to take a peek, and saw Edward walking straight toward the building he's currently hiding in.
He began to activate his device; the loud beep echoed throught the building, loud enough for Edward to hear.
"THERE YOU ARE YOU LITTLE SHIT!!" Edward yelled.
Another gray pick-up vehicle obliterated the wall to his left side; the car completely hits him to the side, causing him to fly across the building. His left shoulder slammed against the edge of the wall.
"SHIT!!" Elis grunted as he yelled.
"DOES IT HURT FRIEND?!!" Edward yelled back.
As his device was already activated, shadows emitted from his body as if it was devouring him.
—7 months ago—
"As you can see TriggerLine is also affected with your body's adrenaline. A strong emotion can cause your device to do something more magical," the female teacher exaggeratingly explained.
Elis who was sitting between Annie and Paul started to feel the heaviness of his head: he wanted to sleep.
"…A TriggerLine has its own slot of abilities; A1, B1, C1, then 'Full Potential' a device's ultimate ability."
"I wonder what my B1 looks like…" Paul muttered, loud enough for the three to hear.
Kheyl who was drawing certain shapes on his hands, replied, "…Device Distraction?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"I don't know, probably makes your range more wider?"
Elis sat up from the chair, "I always wonder what my B1 looks like…"
"You're optimistic HA! HA!"
"…Y'know about my little sister right? My friends are like my siblings. I won't let you guys die."
"You're corny," Kheyl replied.
"Yes."
***
—Present day—
I'm corny…
Yes, I am…
I wanted to protect those who are important to me, so it's better to be labeled as corny; I'm sorry little sis and Annie.
The time when Elis Thornes felt a strong emotion; a strong determination to protect [43%], The memories of his failed attempt to save someone felt like a ghost chasing him from eternity [68%].
I will do everything [80%]
Anything! [99%]
Because I'm corny…
[100%]
The day when Elis finally unlocked his B1 ability; 10 pitch-black daggers began to appear from thin air wedged in between his fingers.
He doesn't need to risk his life just to reach their crushed van; all he need to do is—he spreaded his arms as the shadow daggers positioned themselves in a wing position, he then swung his arms in front. The sharp daggers pierced through the van as smokes began to emerge from the van; a sign that the smoke grenades had began to detonate.
The whole street of the 1st District was now covered in smoke; the van who was carrying their weapons and utilities had 300 stocks of Smoke Grenade.
***
Captain Graves who was covered in bruises and was barely burned due to the explosion earlier, slowly opened his eyes. To his surprise, he saw Elis and his 10 pitch-black daggers floating around him that looked like wings.
"Elis?" he exhaustingly called him.
***
"What the hell is this?!" Edward yelled, as he stood in the center of the smoke. "…You think you can scare me like this, huh?!"
Edward began to activate his device, but he felt nothing but air when he swung his hand sideward. He felt no weight like how he controlled the objects earlier.
W-what is this? I can't feel the weight of these objects.
"I'm giving you a headstart; I'm actually a class skipper with good memory," Elis's voice echoed inside the cloud of smokes.
"Have you forgotten? Movement By Hands is a spatial based ability. Using these smokes, you won't be able to use your ability," he added.
Edward heard him talking from the right side; he then lunged forward to the right to restrain Elis who was hiding in the smoke.
But Elis was clever; he teleported in the center of the smoke where Edward once stood there. The daggers suddenly flew toward Edward who's unable to use his ability.
When Edward suddenly turned around; his life flashed before his eyes when he saw those 10 daggers flying straight toward him. The tip of the pitch-black blades couldn't shine under the light but he knew how those blade could literally end him inside the smoke of his death.
No way… I'm dying right here.
He took a deep breath as he closed his eyes; he then opens it.
It's up to you Flinch, bring justice and shelter to those kids.
The daggers pierced through his stomach, arms, and shoulder like butter. His world felt like he was about to fall on the ground of pure plain white. The place felt like his blood would ruin the white color he's about to fall into.
I got killed by government's lapdog…
I'm dying?
When his body slammed against the plain-white ground, his blood crawled and painted it with crimson red.
His gaze drifted to Elis who was walking toward his limping body, when he's eyes started to close, he said, "I'm dying…"
I guess this is it…
"HAAA!!!" Edward gasped.
He woke up inside a hospital; he scanned the whole place only to see Elis sitting on a chair next to his bed.
"Looks like you're awake," Elis said.
"Where are we?"
"The PTF's infirmary, I can't afford to send you to a nearby hospital."
Edward began raising his left hand and clenched it, thinking it would soon activate his ability. In reality, it doesn't.
"Don't even bother trying, we're surrounded by E.M.P.T.D in this base. So I can't use my powers too, and yet—don't do anything stupid, I know how to use a gun."
Edward clicked his tounge before changing his position by facing away from Elis, "Suit yourself."
"…I want to know where Flinch is," Elis asked. "If you can help me, maybe I can—"
"You'll what?"
"…Help him change his life?"
Edward wheezed, "…You'll never know his reason for starting a war between Russia and Greydome."
"Thousands of innocent souls will die because of one action; even if his reasons are ethical, his actions are not…" Elis sat up from the chair. "You're killing thousands of people who never wanted to join the war."
"…What do you even know?" Edward cuts him off.
"What do I—?"
"Do you know about the Killing Trade and Gaò Yang?"
"…I read it through his phone, so…"
Edward then slightly lifted his head so he can lay it over his left arm, "You know how bad that is, right? And yet you government lapdogs acted as a barricade to prevent us to expose Russia and Gaò Yang."
"…"
"Me and Flinch owns an orphanage shelter; we take kids who were starving on the streets then feed them, give them shelter, and teach them basic hygienes."
"How is that even connected from starting a war?"
"Because the children inside our orphanage was abducted by Russian Fixers, a mysterious force that take childrens from their parents or wherever they found them. Then gives them to the chinese Triggered named Gaò Yang—the one who runs the Killing Trade. They force those kids to volunteer through painful experiments, overclocking their TriggerLines, putting Malware Chips so they can act as his bodyguards."
Elis couldn't believe what he's hearing, he began leaning forward then replied, "What the hell are those Russian even doing? Couldn't the president stop his own people or ban Russian transportation?"
"You know nothing, the president was an investor of the Killing Trade."
Silence filled the room, punctuated by the sound of the low-humming of the air-conditioning.
"…Did Flinch flew there alone?"
Edward responded with a nod.
"I have no time; he doesn't know how tough Russian Fixers are… we'll rescue those kids but first, I need Flinch alive." he stood up without saying another word, he slammed open the door of the room then closes it.
Captain Graves was waiting outside the room, "…We need to fly now."
"You heard us?"
"Yeah, and it seems it's gotta be you, me, and Iris. Those three had the most worst injuries."
"…I can go there, alone. I only need Flinch and that's it!"
"…Hey kid, you can't pilot a plane alone. What are you trying to do, being a main character yourself? Come on, get prepared because we're flying to mexico."
"WAIT!"
Elis and Graves turned to the source of the voice, which is Edward emerging from the infirmary, "…I'll come too, it's our biggest mistake challenging Russia for a war."
"I'm not sure that I can trust you—"
Elis cuts off Captain Graves, "…Yes."
"I know where he is; he doesn't answer my calls."
"…So tell us where?" Captain Graves asked.
"…Moscow, Chernogorsk."
—End of the chapter—