Paragons: Rise of the Dark Scions

Chapter 7: Cane & Abel

We last read Chapter 6, in which Hailey goes to a gazebo on her church's estate in order to be alone, clear her head, and pray to her God for peace and guidance in the midst of her rather turbulent career as a superheroine. Once she finishes speaking to Him, she packs up her things and prepares to return to the Paragons' compound, when she eventually becomes interested in a nearby sermon being held by Dark Scions leader Damien Kraft, as well as his two subordinates: Maya Masterson---a deaf and mute woman---and her interpreter, Casey. Kraft preaches Anubis's supposed "goodness" to the crowd and invites volunteers to be judged based on their life's deeds; while an aged man manages to be deemed worthy, a younger woman is instead judged to be unworthy, and seemingly killed by Kraft on the spot, much to the distress of the crowd.....Hailey included. As Hailey sticks around to gather more information, Duncan and the rest of the Paragons prepare to attack the sermon, with the goal of stealing Kraft's cane so they can begin the task of tracking down Anubis's ushabti and preventing his second coming. This time, we bear witness to the hectic attack on the sermon.....

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"Though you may be unnerved by this woman's death, rest assured that it has not been in vain," Kraft claimed. "In fact, she has still served Anubis and the Dark Scions a different way. She may not be able to see the Scions' ultimate victory.....but her soul has found its way to Anubis's grasp, further empowering him and increasing his strength in preparation for his second coming. A death like this should not be mourned, but welcomed; the most devoted of you should think the same. For it is nothing more than the will of---"

"SHUT UP, MAN!" an echoing voice suddenly boomed from above. It was none other than Dr. Duncan Drevis, using the wired speaker on the control console of his airship to communicate with Kraft from the skies.

At that moment, Casey---the man with the brown, curly hair and the orange trench coat---tapped Kraft twice on the shoulder to get his attention; the cult leader had, up until his interruption, been so engrossed in his speech that he had neglected to notice the gigantic dropship closing in on the block.

"Sir.....?" Casey said. "What is that?"

Hailey noticed the airship immediately, as well as who was at the helm.

Guys, what? What are you doing? she thought internally. What's going on?

The crowd began mumbling amongst themselves; some with excitement, and others with confusion. Their lines were many, but a few stood out:

"Whoa! Look at that ship!"

"That's Dr. Duncan Drevis, isn't it?"

"The Paragons? What are they doing here?"

"Yeah, what? Nothing's going on!"

"Maybe they saw Kraft kill that woman....."

Maya squinted her eyes as she tried to center her vision on the cockpit to determine who was at the helm. She and Casey's eyes widened as they recognized the ship's pilot as none other than Dr. Duncan Drevis.....the same "Dr. Duncan Drevis" that had teamed up with James Markovsky, a.k.a. Powerhouse, to take down the Avian Wing brothel three years prior. It had been a long time, but they could never forget the face of someone who had changed their lives to such a degree.

She began signing. "The doctor is back," she said in American Sign Language, with her friend Casey audibly translating her signals. "He and his friends are nothing but trouble."

"Hmm....." Kraft mused, completely unfazed by Duncan's outburst. "If this is true.....then it would appear that we have company. Dark Scions! Defend the ceremony! Anubis's herald demands it!"