Afterschoolers: Destiny

Chapter 6: Darkness

Cord took off his mask, looking at Zander's vulnerable but stone cold face. For once, the headmaster was speechless in the face of an adversary. The intruder's eyes after telling his tale were not wallowing with tears, but still with determination.

"Now you know why I'm here. Why I'm out for your blood."

"I... I'm sorry," said Cord. "We can talk about this. I can help set you up with a new life."

"I don't want a new life! I just want yours to end." Zander pulled down a white cloth over his face. The tightly made mask had only thin slits for eyes and a few for the mouth. All together, Zander's attire was as white as a ghost.

"Copying my style?" Cord asked, comparing his mask to Zander's.

"To beat an enemy, you must think like them. Call me Igneo."

"You don't want to do this, Zander. There are other options."

The white warrior reached into his coat pocket and swiftly tossed a small metal capsule at the headmaster. Before Cord had a chance to mask up, the device exploded into a blinding light. Although no damage was dealt, Cord was left writhing in pain as he covered his eyes.

"Flash bangs. Perfect for fighting wannabe ninjas like you."

"Very well... I guess we're doing this." Leaping in from behind the real Mr. Cord came a clone that roundhouse kicked Zander back. When the intruder finally balanced himself out, he was surprised to see the multiple Cord clones at the ready.

"You've failed to see the genius of my attacks," Zander commented.

"Tell me... What is it that I've failed to see?"

Casually, the young man pulled out another flashbang and pulled the pin before dropping it on the floor. When the grenade popped, all the clones were vaporized.

"H-How?!" Cord asked.

"Your clones are made of shadows. Exposure to a sudden bright light is enough to obliterate them. I've had time to study you for so long that finding your weakness was simple."

"Fine... I don't need my powers to beat you." Cord lunged forward and attacked, but Zander caught the jab and counterattacked. The strength of the veteran was no match for the speed of the assassin. Although their fight was hard fought, they maneuvered over the furniture with grace. When Zander managed to distance himself from his attacker, he detonated another flashbang that blinded the headmaster. As Cord groaned and covered his eyes, he was struck repeatedly in the head and back.

"How does it feel?! To know that your greatest threat was the outcome of your failures!"

When Zander swung his fist to hammer down the headmaster, he was blocked by a set of hands from the side. Only one clone stood before them, with a look of hatred and vengeance.

"I take it you're a special one," Zander taunted.

"Yeah. I'm his bad side. Call me Jay."

"Don't kill him," said Cord.

"No promises." Jay backhanded Zander and smashed a vase upon his head. The onslaught continued when the rogue clone kicked the student onto the coffee table and started strangling him.

"That's enough!" Cord had to forcefully pull his dark side away, allowing Zander to catch his breath.

"We can't let him live. Not after what he's done!"

"We can find a solution. We always do."

As the two clones looked to each other with contrast, Zander began to chuckle to himself until he rolled off the table.