Active Measures (Ares #4)

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Skylar puts down the note, and let's put a deep sigh, before hearing a slight movement in the bed in the next room. She walks into the room, and sees April struggling to move. "Hey, don't push yourself. It's gonna feel like a paralysing pain, you pushed your body a lot further than it's meant to go, and I don't think you intended to" Skylar explains. April winces in pain, unable to move. "I have to go, to be there for Brad. They saw us for what we are, they saw the Kaimen. It's going to be dangerous" April replies, still struggling to move. Skylar frowns, but helps April to get to her feet. Corvus watches from the corner of the room, observing April's behaviour after her display of Ultimate Instinct. "So, Kaimen. How did you do it?" He asks. April looks back, confused. "I asked you a question. How did you tap into that godly technique without any training whatsoever? Your father trained under harsh conditions, and nearly lost his life, before even accessing the form, let alone the mastered version, and yet here you are, tapping into it on a whim!" Corvus shouts in anger. "Are you a bit irritated, Lord Corvus?" Ziis interrupts, "I know you've struggled for years to master the technique, and now two Kaimen have met your level! Most fascinating" he explains. "Don't try and rope me into your prattling, Ziis!" Corvus answers snidely. Skylar shakes her head at the divine pair, and helps April down the stairs to get ready to go to school.

Skylar and April make their way towards the school gate, and along the way meet Brad. "Good timing, I need you to help April walk around, she's still feeling the effects" Skylar explains. Brad nods in agreement, and swings April's arm over his shoulder, helping to drag her along. "You're really banged up, aren't you? And you only just touched that power on accident! I can only imagine the strain on Ares' body" Brad says quietly to April. "Can people stop bringing him up, please? Skylar, Corvus, Ziis, and now you as well, Brad? Please just knock it off!" April shouts in anger, before falling down on one knee in pain. She looks up, and in the distance, she can see a faint figure, with a silver glow around it. "Brad, it's the figure again!" She shouts. Brad looks back and acknowledges her comment, looking shocked at the silently still figure. Both of them stand still, in awe of the figure, before it promptly disappears. "Let's go, April" Brad whispers, helping her up. As the pair walk through the school corridor, stares pierce through them round every corner. "They know, Brad. They're scared, can't you feel it? That tension in the air, the uncertainty of anyone's next move?" April says cautiously. Suddenly, a student pushes Brad out the way, and another student grabs April. She screams out in pain. "That's right, show everyone what you truly are, confirm everyone's fears, you freak!" The student shouts at her. "If you knew what I was, you'd be scared to push me around, arrogant dick!" She replies quietly enough to keep the conversation between her and the student. April begins to grunt and squirm in pain, starting to lose her temper. "Get off me!" Brad shouts, also losing his temper. "Tick tock, which one of you will break first?" The student asks. "THAT'S ENOUGH!" April shouts, as she lets out a wave of energy from all around her body, throwing the student away, as April collapses to the ground. All of the nearby students gasp and stare. Brad quickly runs over to her unconscious body, and throws her over his shoulder, quickly running from the scene.

Skylar and Corvus sit outside, examining the letter addressed from 'Ares'. Corvus grunts at the note, before placing it down next to Skylar. "Whatever it is, it sounds like it's happening soon. This 'General Roarke' noted in there, ever heard of him?" Corvus questions. Skylar shakes her head in confusion. "He never mentioned anyone by that name, but he knows that people are finding out about the Kaimen, and I think it's starting at the school, with April and Brad." She explains. Corvus frowns. "Well, I don't trust this Brad. I had assumed you were the last Kaimen left, and yet here comes a new one out of seemingly nowhere. Skylar, going back to the note, for the first time since the Tournament all those years ago, you may have to start training again. If this situation the note describes is a real threat, then you need to be prepared!" Corvus explains. "Right!" Skylar replies. She screams as her hair shoots a bright red, and her aura slips into a silk, blood red. "Super Kaimen God, yeah?" Corvus questions, before getting himself in a ready position to practice. "I would have thought after all these years, you might have gone after Ultimate Instinct?" He asks. "Nah, it doesn't suit me, and I've seen how dangerous it can be when used without the proper training" Skylar replies. "I thought not, you're more hot headed in nature, a technique that requires a steady mind and body wouldn't suit your style. However, they may be another way for you to get to that power level. Ultimate Instinct isn't the only technique of the Gods, you know?" He explains. Skylar stands back, astonished at the comment. "What do you mean? Could you teach me?" She asks. Corvus yawns and stretches. "You know, training you Kaimen isn't really in my job description, so I'd prefer not to, but if you happen to see any techniques I use, feel free to try and steal them for yourself!" Corvus shouts, as the two fighters lunge towards one another.