Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 22

"An envoy?" Marcus pondered out loud, remembering the conversation the four of them had shortly after crossing the bridge.

"From Michael, no doubt. Crazy fuck tryin' to control everything," Damien ranted, "and killing anyone that opposed him."

"That the reason you guys left?"

"One of 'em," Damien replied with a nod.

The door opened with an abrupt swing, the Doctor emerging followed by Derek.

"People of Columbus," Sarah's voice called out, silencing the murmurs that began as the third individual stepped outside.

"Detroit has offered their aid in our efforts to rebuild Columbus," She called out, waving a hand back towards the unknown man. "They've sent an envoy to see our progress and offer their negotiations."

"Bullshit," Damien spat, "We all know that the Ravenports don't negotiate."

Sarah frowned, nodding with a sadness evident in her eyes.

"I must place the survival of the community, of our colony as a whole, above my feelings," Sarah pleaded, her eyes gazing around the crowd. "I'm asking everyone to do the same and at least hear the offer before making a decision."

Damien stepped forward, his body tensed and his eyes staring at the man standing behind Sarah and Derek.

"Michael... Kyle... Detroit, all of 'em can go to Hell!" He shouted out, scattered applause echoing his words. "We left Detroit and that tyrant, so why would we deal with 'em now?"

"Survival."

Silence followed the answer as the envoy stepped past the duo and stood in front of the crowd.

"Your Doctor here says to listen to the negotiations, but we all know she's being generous in her terms."

The man stood smiling as whispers shot through the crowd, the unspoken threat looming on the horizon. As the sunlight stretched into the morning gathering, Marcus caught a full view of the ominous individual.

Clad in a black sleeveless shirt, a charcoal grey vest, and dark cargo shorts, the man must've been no older than his early thirties. His hair, short and rugged, had lost the sheen of a younger man. A few years separated Marcus and the envoy, from appearance's sake.

"Detroit would appreciate your cooperation," He chuckled, glancing back at the Doctor. "But Michael demands it."

Damien laughed with a demeaning bark,  glancing between the Doctor who stood shaking her head and the devilish grin worn by the envoy.

"Choose your next words carefully," the man threatened, raising his arm and pointing his index finger towards Damien. "You can die and they'll accept the terms, or you can live and accept them. Your choice is simply life or death."

Damien smirked, "Hold up. Lemme hit this real quick and we'll settle this."

The man's face went rigid, his upper lip raising up into a snarl as Damien pulled out the handheld metal box.

"Are you serious?"

Damien's eyebrow shot up, his lips around the cylinder; inhaling as he held up his right index finger.

Anger flashed across the man's weathered face as he brought his elbow back, thrusting his hand forward a split second later. Crackling electricity arced forward, closing the distance in mere seconds.

Damien's eyes shot wide open as surprise, fear, acceptance, and elation rushed through his mind. Less than a foot in front of him, the arc slammed into a black blade; coiling around the metal as the wielder slashed towards the ground. Dust and dirt flew into the air, clouding his vision as Marcus stepped beside him.