Protectors- Wrath of The Stranger

Chapter Five: Steel-Grey Eyes

The heat of the explosion did not reach the Protectors. This was because of a tight purple veil that shrouded them, sealing them away from the raging inferno. The seal was so powerful that it did not just block the flames, but all of the oxygen, causing the group to pass out. Spirit gazed down at the people, who had once fought by her side, noting how far they had fallen, how weak they had become,

"Did you find him?" Hannah asked, speaking to Spirit,

"Noctum's there all right," She replied coldly, "we've got to get them back before more police show up,"

They dematerialised, reappearing in Zachary's car,

"Umm, wrong place," Hannah whispered, "do you need some help,"

"That was Lochlan, obviously using a new device of some sort," Niamh said, pulling off the mask and turning to see that he had finally passed out,

It seemed strange, seeing the group back together after so long. However, nothing was stranger than what she had witnessed back at the station,

"He shouldn't have been that weak," Niamh muttered, "that man shouldn't even have been able to hit him,"

"Maybe Adam's just holding back to spare lives, you know?" Hannah suggested, sounding very unsure,

"It doesn't matter, I'll head on over,"

The drive to the abandoned theatre was short, just leaving enough time to secure the four and their dog before they awoke. Noctum was the first to wake, his eyes analysing the dark dressing room that he had been secured in,

"Good to see you again," Spirit said, turning on the light, "I see I'm not the only one who didn't stop fighting crime after we split,"

Noctum said nothing, his cold stare burning away at her defences, looking for the slightest crack in Spirit's impenetrable armour. Spirit moved to grab Noctum's mask, but the vigilante's neck snapped to the side, avoiding the outstretched hand. Noctum head butted Spirit's hand, batting it away,

"Why did you hold back against that werewolf man?" Spirit interrogated, the seeds of doubt blooming in her stomach,

The cold eyes were unflinching in their gaze. Noctum said nothing,

"I saw how you fought The Stranger, you could have pulverised that guy without missing a beat," Spirit followed up, "So, why didn't you?"

Noctum once again said nothing. Instead, he turned his head to each side, producing a loud cracking sound,

"Where the hell am I?" Lochlan shouted from the next room, "what have you done with me?"

"I'm going to go and check on him," Spirit said coldly, "Don't mistake my leaving for weakness, we aren't done yet,"

Elsewhere, Greiger was giving the report to the Hight Priestess,

"Mistress, my battle was a victory," Greiger stated, "I blew the gas station to all hell,"

"And did you push Noctum to his limits?" she asked, 

"No, ma'am, I do not think that he was using all of his power,"

"Such a shame. That just means that my plans will be more difficult to accomplish than before,"

"Forgive me, mistress," Greiger spoke, kneeling with his hands over his head,

"It is not your fault, Greiger. You were a werewolf long before you met me, which means that you do not have the potential of the others, despite your amazing willpower,"

"Next time we meet, I will force him to fight with his all," Greiger swore, his eyes transforming into deep pools of deep blackness, "I will get back up, no matter how far he pushes me,"