Cage of the Shattered

Chapter 24

Ryan Briggs groaned in pain. He had never been in pain quite likethis. Burns are a bitvh, he thought ruefully. He could hear Cadell's voice, hewas telling him that Cheryl was going to operate on him to fix internalinjuries and that it would hurt a lot. It already hurts a lot, thought Ryan, whowas, for a myriad of reasons, unable to speak at the present moment.Cadell, meanwhile, looked down on his friend with concern. "Whatnow?" he asked Cheryl."Now," replied Cheryl, "we begin."She grabbed the scalpel from the tray and began cutting into hischest. "The first place I'm going to look for damage is the lungs," she tldCadell, "his breathing has been mre sporadic lately, and his condition hasbeen worsening, so this is my first hypothesis."Cadell nodded in affirmation, though he didn't really know what morehe could add to the conversation. He noticed his friend twitching ever soslightly with each cut. "You're doing great, Ryan," he assured him. "Justhold on, and you'll be fixed up soon.""Damn," Cadell heard Cheryl swear."What is it?" asked Cadell nervously."I was right," replied Cheryl, "his lungs have been damaged, but notenough to warrant the symptoms I've been seeing." She continued quietly,"What else could it be?""If he's having trouble breathing, maybe his windpipe is damaged,"Cadell suggested. Cheryl shot a look at him. "Okay, okay, I'll butt out.""No, no, no," Cheryl dissuaded that idea. "you're right! I can't believe Ioverlooked the trachea."The surgical intern changed her focus to the trachea, and found that ithad been severely damaged. If Ryan stayed in his current condition, hewould eventually lose the ability to breathe on his own."What do we do?" Cadell asked Cheryl.Cheryl sighed. "Time to close him up, '' she stated grimly, closing upthe gashes she;d carved in Ryan's chest. After sealing him up, she turnedto talk to Dylan. "Do you have what I asked for?" asked Cheryl."Yes," answered Dylan, "but, I must remind you, the device has yet toundergo any real-world testing.""Looks like that's about to change," noted Chloe."It is," confirmed Cheryl, "bring it here."Dylan nodded and brought forward what looked to be an electronicdevice of sorts. From the looks of it, Cadell could not determine what it'sfunction was.Dylan passed the device to Cheryl, who, in turn, strapped it to Ryan'sback, after having turned him over."Wait, you're an expert engineer too?" Inquired Cadell."Well, with a n IQ over 300, one has to keep themselves occupiedwith a hobby," replied Dylan nonchalantly."Tubes," Cheryl ordered, refocusing the group.Dylan nodded and passed her a set of tubes, which she plugged intothe device on two separate sides."Mask," she held out her hand, waiting to receive the next piece ofequipment.Dylan handed him a metal mask with several gauges over themouthpiece. There was also a red-tinted vizor affixed to the top of themouthpiece. Cheryl placed the mask over Ryan's face and firmly fixed it tohim. She then went on to plug the tubes that extended from the device intothe mask itself.Cheryl then went down to the device and flipped a switch, beforebringing her hand up to the mask and turned one of the gauges. Just then abreathing sound could be heard from Ryan's mask."Is he okay?" Cadell asked hesitantly."For now," responded Cheryl, a relieved sigh escaping her lips."When will he wake up?" Asked Chloe."It's too early to tell," replied Cheryl, "but I think I speak for all of uswhen I say the sooner, the better."Meanwhile, Allen and Calista were still at Raijin's aunt's house talkingabout everything that was going on in the world. The aunt wasunderstanding everything as there was another knock on the door."Stay here." Allen said quietly as he didn't know who it was. Allenslowly walked over to the door as he slowly extended his hand to twist thedoorknob. He opened the door."M-master?" Allen said to Wotai who just now appeared at the door."How did you get here?" Allen said as he was shocked."By airplane of course." Wotai said sarcastically."Well of course but why are you here?" Allen said a little moreconfused than before as he was still surprised."Well, I was seeing how everything is going on and by the looks ofthings, not good. The sky is red, buildings and corpses are flying in the airand lightning is striking around everywhere." Wotai explained."Then how did you get here because an airplane is impossible." Allensaid as he was confused."Now is not the time, is she okay?" Wotai said as he rushed in andsaw the aunt was okay."Yeah, she is fine!" Allen exclaimed. The house then randomly startedshaking. "What was that?" Allen said as Wotai yelled for everyone to getout of the house. They tried to rush out of the house as Wotai tried to helpRaijin's aunt but the tornado then took the house with everyone in it. Allen,Calista, Wotai, Raijin's aunt and the two kids are spinning around in the air."GRAB MY HAND!!" Wotai said to Raijin's aunt. She grabbed Wotaihand with the two kids hand as Wotai then put fire under his feet to speedout of the tornado as they landed on the ground safely."CALISTA, GRAB MY HAND, I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOU!!" Allenscreamed out as Calista and Allen locked hands. Allen then pulled Calistacloser as they accidentally locked lips as they landed on the ground safely."I-I-I'm sorry..." Allen said as he was blushing a lot from the event thatunfolded."It's alright, but we don't have time for this!" Calista yelled out as shewasn't fazed by it at all. Wotai and everyone else started running away. "Idon't ever wanna lose you Calista, you mean the world to me and it wouldbreak my heart if something were to happen to you. I don't care if you likesomeone else or you don't like me at all but I will always be by your side.Even if we both die together, I will always want to be by your side. I hopeyou will always be by my side. I hope that nothing will ever happen to you. Iwill make sure of that, I promise!" Allen said to himself."What was that?" Calista said as he heard Allen say something butAllen just shook his head."It's nothing..." Allen said embarrassed. They kept running for thetime being.William and Ciel reached the island soon after the others. "We needto find cover, this guy is not someone to be dealt with alone." William noted,he grabbed Ciel pulling her into a shallow cave nearby."What about the others?" Ciel turned around to walk back. Williamplaced a hand on her shoulder,"We will help when it's needed, for now we wait." William sat next toCiel, wondering what happened to Phaedra in all this. Will she make it hereor find shelter elsewhere? Ciel curled into a ball next to him. "I hope you'reright, I really really do."William folded his arm around her trying to comfort her. He thoughtback to all the good memories with Phaedra before following Ciel into asleepish state.Noodle was training with Oran. Harder than he had ever before. He wasthe predecessor to negative. But he never knew. Knew that the godsthemselves were scared. Those called gods had one in their face andnever knew it. He was reborn. He was getting closer to the truth about whathe was. Negative could unlock that rage, that power that could only behidden. Not sealed. That continent was the place Noodle would ascend.Not to the power he wants but he has a trick up his sleeve. Then Oran toldhim to go to the continent. He gave the noodles an envelope. It contained100 dollars to get there. Noodle left on his journey eating a MURP Bar.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kawataki pulled up his mask before walking alongside Negative, Wrath'smind control as powerful as ever by removing any happy memory Kawatakihas ever had with his friends he wrapped his hand in blue fire prepared togive his life for Wrath, Kawataki waiting patiently he made a fireball in hishand and throws it and catches it passing time. Meanwhile Kayle closed hiseyes and searched for Kawataki knowing their connection will lead him tohim, his eyes shot open when he felt Kawataki" Did you find him? " Damian asked" Yeah he's over this way " Kayle said grabbing Damian's arm and taking offflying to the location on his way he saw the red sky causing his mind towonder what happened here when all of a sudden he halted to a stop" What's wrong? " Damian asked" Kawataki, his energy is all over this continent I can't pinpoint it " Kaylegasped landing on the ground.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------THE GUARDIANAaron Merger stares at the red sky watching the lightning and roaringthunder. Aaron says "How did I let this happen to the world. I thought afterTyrant was destroyed most of the darkness on this planet would finallyretreat back to its dimension. But it seems now the world has become soconsumed by darkness I'm not even sure if I can reverse at this point. I cansense it...with every second that passes something out there is growingstronger than anything I've ever fought before."Savina looks at the broken windows of run down apartments and says "Areyou telling me there is someone out there that you're actually worried aboutfighting? Must be someone really powerful if he's making you thisconcerned." Aaron stares into the sky saying "I'm not sure who it is yet butbased on what the light told me the foe I would have to fight would be themost powerful warrior on earth. So I'm assuming whoever is responsiblefor this must be the one chosen by the darkness. Savina responds "Waithold on!? Are you telling me one being was capable of turning the sky red,fill the world with creatures I've never seen before and pretty much startthe beginning of the apocalypse!? Who has that kind of power?" Aaronsays "I don't know but whoever they are, it's my responsibility to stop themand put an end to all of this. I just need to figure out where that being islocated." Savina sits back against the wall crossing her arms beforeresponding "Sounds good but how exactly are you going to find them? Andspeaking of responsibility you know that the stone you've kept hidden sinceyou sent Tyrant back to the dark dimension isn't yours. It's a tool used bydark dimension beings to summon creatures from that side. What use is itto you?" Aaron pulls the stone from out of his pocket as it glows all gold,Aaron responds "Whoever is responsible for all of this I will have to facesoon, I have a feeling the light will lead me to them. And as far as thestone goes it wasn't made for dark dimension beings. It was made to assistwarriors on both the light and dark side by its engineer with the purpose tonot choose a side but to help whomever was worthy of its power. With this Imight actually be able to summon a being from the light dimension whenthe time calls for it." Savina says "Well, if you remember, Tyrant was ableto summon something strong enough to nearly kill you during your lastbattle. What do you think will come when you use it for the lightdimension?" Aaron says "I don't know, but hopefully it will save my life ifthat time ever comes." Aaron l still staring at the small gold stone places itback in his pocket and the two continue to walk down the alley. Savinasays "So I know we're supposed to deal with the one responsible for all ofthis but why are we in this city specifically, is he or she here?" While stillwalking aaron says "No, while I was meditating the light gave me the nameof someone who would assist me in this upcoming battle." Savina says "AnWho is that?" Aaron turns back around and says "Apparently someonenamed Jack Weezle I believe. The light told me to stay at this location untilhe arrives, when he gets here i'll teleport us to wherever this adversary islocated and finish this. So until he arrives I'm going to begin my meditationrestoration state and restore my power." Savina looks around the areastretching her arms and cracking her neck before responding "An I guesswhile you do that I'll stay on guard. It's a lot of dangerous people out hereand while you're focused on restoring yourself you'll need protection." Asmirk grows across Aaron's face before he says "Thank you Savina, youknow you don't have to help me. I don't want you to get hurt risking yourlife over issues that don't concern you." Savina says "I'm fine, I told you I'mnot with the darkness any longer. Now that Tyrant is gone I'm going to doall I can to ensure the light wins this fight. So you just focus onreplenishing your energy, we won't win this war if earth's guardian is tooweak to fight." Aaron nods his head in agreement and says "I know, just becareful. I don't want anything happening to you while I'm in this state."Savina doesn't look back at aaron trying to hide her emotions. She nodsand responds "I'll be fine...now hurry up and start meditating we don't haveall night." Aaron laughs a little before closing his eyes as gold energycovers him in the shape of a sphere floating off the ground. Savina opensher hand and a black sword appears with yellow electricity running up anddown the blade and handle. Savina grabs the blade and gets into a fightingstance protecting Aaron until he has fully recovered and awaiting the arrivalJack weezle----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Stay here", Spira says. She closed her eyes and opened them up.She could sense people who had light for miles. Spira then used the light toteleport. She first would appear at Calista and Allen. Spira then looked atthe two. Everyone was surprised at what happened. The two were justtalking. A light shined in front of them. Spira appeared. "Is your businessfinished," Spira asks Allen.The two nodded. Master Wotai moved closer. "I'd like to help out too.Spira grabbed the two by their shoulders, Wotai held onto Spira's arm andreappeared at the spot where Vetto was defeated. Spira then sensed morelight users in the far distance. She then teleported to the location.Rose, Drew, and Ivanna stay staring at the horizon."No idea," Rose replies. From behind the group a large flash of lightbreaks their concentration. The group turns to see Spira appear in front ofthem out of thin air. Rose stands on edge as Drew and Ivanna relax uponrealizing who it was."Sorry for intruding," Spira starts. Ivanna smiles at her before readingthe urgency in her face."Didn't think we were going to see you this fast. Literally just left younot too long ago," Drew remarks. Spira doesn't respond to his statement."I saw there was an allotment of energy and wanted to know if youwould help defeat the enemy," Spira says to Rose, who looks confused toher then back to the other two."Enemy?" Rose asks."It's too much to explain right now but we are going to need your helpin this. Are you in?" Spira asks, extending her hand. Rose looks back at theothers."I don't have time for this," she angrily says as grabbing Rose. Drewand Ivanna grab on to Rose as the light cracks again, teleporting the groupto the final combatant, Cadell. Due to Cadell's high amount of light, shecould tell it was him. Spira then teleported to Cadell. Cadell automaticallyknew what was going to happen. Her sudden appearance did not surprisehim. The two nodded at each other. Spira then grabbed him and returnedback to the spot. Everyone was together once again along with new faces.Everyone was oddly looking at each other. "Everyone stay calm, i'll get usto where we need to be but i need help," Spira says glancing over toCadell."What do you want me to do," Cadell asks while being confused.Without a second thought, Spira grabbed Cadells arm and raised it in theair. Everyone was astonished. Spira and Cadell began to glow."I, the one of light, born with pure and loving intentions, one whomasters the glow, I who shall follow, I who shall purify, I who shall rule, Iwho shall give life, I who shall protect," Spira continuously chants. Yellowmarkings wrapped around her body. A large yellow portal formed abovethem. "I ask that of the light to take me to my destination," Spira sayslooking up. A beam of light shot down from the yellow portal and engulfedeveryone around. Electricity formed around everyone. With Spira andCadell shoving Light energy into the portal, they all disappeared without atrace.They were teleported to Negative's land. A manmade continent. Aboy with white hair named Raijin took notice. He and several others whoalready made their way to the land looked around. A beam of light shotfrom the sky. The group had made it. Negative and Wrath felt the presenceof new people arriving to fight. The two only smirked. This was the war forearth. Kayle's eyes shone a bright silver enveloped in a green and purpleglow dimming down till nothing was seen, Kayle wrapped his chain scythesin dark magic every time he swung his scythe a trail of dark magic shot outfrom it using this he skillfully used his scythes not as a weapon but as anextension of his own body a little trick he learned during his time in theafterlife.