Mod Superhero

Chapter 5.11 - Questions and Answers

Mod couldn't help but laugh as their enemies piled up across the subway station. He'd managed to knock away the rogue and the spellsword, and Athena sent the monk flying a moment later.

Of course, they weren't out of the fight completely. Both the monk and the spellsword managed to rise to a knee, but the rogue didn't stir. Mod hesitated for only a second, wondering how best to keep them at bay—

Then Athena dropped a pyramid on top of them. Three interlocking barriers trapped the spellsword and monk in a crouch. The monk glanced around in confusion and hammered a fist at the barrier, but it didn't budge.

Mod didn't need convincing. He turned his attention toward their target.

Across the subway station, bursts of lightning were coming faster. Magus Rollan looked like he was caught in the middle of a storm. Lightning crawled across the ceiling and smaller bolts swirled around the mage. Arsenal's punches and kicks struck the swirling barrier, each one resulting in a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder. Rollan's barrier managed to protect him from a direct hit, but it did nothing to keep his feet planted. Each strike sent the mage flying, making it look like he was being buffeted around by the storm.

The mage continued muttering incantations, even as he was thrown around. He struggled to keep his wand overhead.

"He's channeling that spell. You need to break his concentration."

Mod already knew, but it was nice to hear his theory validated.

Athena stood beside Mod. "Give it up, Rollan!"

Only then did Mod realize that her nose and mouth was red with blood.

"You alright?"

Athena wiped a thumb across her nose, then quickly wiped up the blood with her handkerchief. More blood dripped down Athena's nose. "Bad matchup."

The bursts of lightning were coming faster, the thunder growing louder... Mod knew that some spells continued growing in power the longer they were channeled. He wasn't worried so much about Arsenal or himself, but if Rollan's spell kept getting louder, there was a real risk of the Summit or the Brotherhood hearing it.

Mod pulled his sonic blaster out of his lower leg compartment and dialed it to medium strength. He aimed it at Magus Rollan and fired. Even with the setting, the whine of the sonic drowned out the cracks of thunder. Arsenal was too close to avoid the sound, but her suit would protect her.

The effect was immediate. The mage recoiled, trying in vain to cover his ears. A second later, the spell faded and Rollan collapsed to his knees.

Mod didn't turn off the sonic until Arsenal seized his wand.

She hoisted Rollan up by the collar of his robe and leaned him against a nearby pillar. It took a moment for Rollan to recover. Soon his eyes darted around the station, but his allies were across the platform—still detained.

Arsenal turned on a small light at the end of her gauntlet, casting harsh shadows across the man's face.

Magus Rollan was older than Mod had thought at first glance. He squinted at the light and held tightly onto Arsenal's gauntlet. Deep set wrinkles lined his face. He glanced quickly between the three of them.

Athena stepped forward. "Magus, your friends stole something that doesn't belong to you."

"I don't know what you're talking about!" The words came out a harsh whisper.

"I'm looking for a necklace. A very peculiar necklace... A locket with a drop of blood in the center."

Rollan's eyes widened in recognition. He pawed at Arsenal's gauntlet, but she held him easily.