Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 40

"Blake," Leo began, glancing at the duo. "Marcus, I have a task for the two of you. I think you two might be the most qualified... Or at least, our best chance right now."

"General Roderick, I'm not str---" Marcus interrupted, but Leo raised a hand.

"I understand that, Marcus, which is why I'm having Blake go with you," He paused, meeting Blake's eyes. "For the actual kill."

Blake nodded, "I won't let you down, General."

Marcus looked over to Blake, "If he's more powerful than Kyle, I don't know how we'll beat him."

Blake frowned, pulling free his pistol and examining it.

"I've seen some unimaginable things in my life, kid. You'd be surprised how much a single bullet can make a difference," Blake holstered his pistol, raising his gaze back up. "You get me a clean shot, I'll take him out."

Marcus nodded, unsure if he could completely trust this stranger, but there was only one way to find out.

"Your best bet," Leo announced, pointing at the hellish flickering outside. "Is to head closer to the Lake and come in behind them. Try to get an angle on Michael and take him out without the main body engaging you two."

"Sounds good, General," Blake acknowledged, stepping away, towards the front door of the lobby. "Where are you going to be posted during the battle?"

"A click south of here, since it's likely that Michael will be making a push towards the Tower," Leo replied.

"Here." He added, handing him a rifle, "You need this more than I do."

Blake gave a sharp nod and a salute before turning and exiting the lobby, Marcus on his heels. The duo stepped into the night, gazing about at the destruction caused by the indiscriminate projectiles. Whistling broke up the eerie silence of the night, Marcus glancing to the sky as it became illuminated with hellish light.

"Young Marcus..." Kou whispered, a warning in his pause as the brightness sent monstrous echoes down the streets, impacting against another building. "That power is unlike anything we've seen before."

He gulped, his throat stricken with a sudden dryness, "Worse than Kyle?"

Blake glanced back, an unsure eyebrow raised, "You say something?"

Marcus waved away the question, "Just talking to myself."

With a frown, Blake turned and motioned for Marcus to follow, "Come on then, we got a mission."

The duo began to jog away, Marcus throwing another glance to the sky as more whistling filled the air.

"The orbs converging... Must've been Michael," Kou remarked, speculating with the limited details. "It's similar to your own ability of amplifying your element, but that worries me even more. That's not just strength or control..."

Blake stopped on a dime, lifting his rifle up to scan the abandoned street.

"... It's intelligence," Kou finished, flickering lights coming into view, breaking through the smoke.

Spinning back around, Blake grabbed Marcus by the shirt, yanking him over to a nearby alley. Holding up a finger to his lips, Blake motioned to remain quiet. Confusion gave way to clarity as Marcus watched the lights grow more prominent, revealing a small detail of armed troops.

"Detroit forces," Kou revealed, Blake reiterating a second later.

"Michael's troops," Blake whispered as the torches cast dancing shadows against the buildings.