Legend of the Flaming phantom

Chapter 8: Group History

After leaving the training room, I headed for Jericho's room. I turned down the hall that lead to my room and walked three doors down from my room. I knocked on the door and waited for a response.

"Come in," I heard through the door.

I opened the door and entered the room. When I got in, I closed the door behind me and looked toward Jericho. He was lying in his bed. He wore a short sleeved, red shirt and jeans. His room was relatively clean, besides a few clothes on the floor.

"Ashley said you wanted to see me?" I said.

"She told you right," Jericho replied.

"What did you want?"

"Well, I know that Ashley told you about all the special types of Yondites, but I wanted to tell you our personal story."

"Your personal story?"

"Yes, the story of how we all made it here. Do you want to hear it?"

"Of course I do. I've been wondering how you guys got this place."

"Well, in that case, I'll start with that. This underground base was here long before we were here. I'm sure Ashley told you this, Yondites were never meant to live a simple life in a village. Before the Yondite villages were set up, Yondites lived among everyone else. They were the reason society had moved forward... until one man had the nerve to stop all of it."

"What?" I said. "How can one man stop an entire race?"

"I still don't know all of the details of how he did it. All I know, is he somehow managed to persuade enough people to help him take down the Yondites. All of this happened three hundred years ago."

"Three hundred years! This has been going on for that long!"

"Yes, and since there haven't been any Yondites in the modern world. Ever since the Yondites were put in villages, there haven't been many technological advances. It's pretty much the same now as it was three hundred years ago."

"You're saying, no one has has made anything worthwhile in three hundred years?"

"No one that I know of. Anyway, this underground bunker was created by the Yondites to hide from their pursuers. It allows airflow and keeps us at a comfortable temperature."

"So, this was made by Yondites?"

"Of course it was. No one else could make anything like this."

I understood everything he was saying, but I still had more questions.

"How did you guys end up here?" I asked.

"Well, that's another story of its own." Jericho replied. "It all starts with Ashley."

"Ashley?"

"Yes, she was the first one here. She found this place after she escaped her village. You see, Ashley is fifteen, but her village was attacked when she was ten."

"That young?"

"I know, it's sad. Anyway, she had a friend named James who also came from her village. He was very brave, but at the time, she wasn't, even though she had those amazing powers, she was just too scared."

"So, you're saying Ashley was weak?"

"No, she wasn't weak. She was very strong, but she didn't want any part in fighting. So, anyway, she escaped her village with James and, long story short, ended up finding this city. They went into the building that hides this place to hide from Overmaster soldiers. While they hid, they decided to search for supplies, and James ended up finding the hidden switch that opens the door to get into this bunker."

"Wait, so Ashley and her friend were the people who found this place?"

"Yes, and they knew it was their best shot. About three months after they found the bunker, they found Dakota wandering the streets. Dakota didn't know better, so she ended up telling them her entire story. She was lucky they found her first. They took Dakota back to the bunker and took care of her."

"So, Dakota was the first one here besides Ashley and that James guy?"

"Yes, but unfortunately, that isn't where this story ends. A few months after finding Dakota, Ashley and James left to look for supplies. They left Dakota to watch the Bunker. Before I continue in this story, I need to tell you, James wasn't part of the Supernatural category, his inborn ability was increased intellect."

"So it was like my situation with Addison?"

"Yes, but not quite. I can tell your friend looks up to you very much, well, Ashley looked up to James instead. So, while they were on their supply run, they ran into some Overmaster soldiers. Ashley and James attempted to run, but they were cornered. The soldiers were after Ashley, but James defended her. The soldiers didn't hesitate to shoot him to death. After that, Ashley lashed out at the soldiers with her SpiritFrost. Starting from that day, Ashley is the only one of us who has taken the life of a human."

"She killed them?"

"Yes, and she was never the same. When James was alive, Ashley was one of the happiest people you could meet. But, don't take it from me. If you want to know more, talk to Dakota, she was the only one who knew Ashley then."

I walked to a chair in the corner of the room and sat down. I scooted a little closer to Jericho.

"How did all of you get here?" I asked.

"I don't know everyone's story, but I do know the order of when they got here." Jericho replied. "After Dakota showed up, April came, then Austin, then Chris, then another guy who Ashley assigned to be your friend's trainer, Simon. Me and Tasia showed up at the same time."

"Were you two from the same village?"

"Yes, we were the only two members of the Supernatural category who were born in the same village. Our story of finding the Bunker isn't very exciting, so I'll spare you the details. Anyway, I should be getting some rest. Do you have any questions first?"

"Actually I do," I said.

"What is it?" Jericho asked.

"I heard something happened between you and Chris to prove he isn't the strongest person here. No one told what actually happened though. What happened between you two?"

"Well, I assume you already know that Tasia is very shy?"

"Yeah, I could tell."

"Well, when we first showed up here, Chris saw that and thought he would be able to turn her into his own personal little servant. He didn't take into mind that I wouldn't let that happen."

"What did you do?"

"I told him to back off, but you could probably guess that didn't work. He pushed me aside and continued to bully Tasia. I got up from the ground and ran at him, but he punched me in the face. The punch cut my lip open, so I took the advantage and activated Blood Rage."

"That ability that Ashley forbid you from using?"

"Yes, but this was how she found out about Blood Rage existing. It took everyone to restrain me. I ended up leaving Chris bedridden for weeks. If he wasn't part of the Body category, he definitely would have died."

"You did that for Tasia?"

"Of course I did, she's my best friend. She's one of the reasons I don't use Blood Rage unless absolutely need to now. I know she hates seeing me in that state, and I don't like seeing her hurt in any way."

"Looks like we both have someone to protect."

"Ain't that the truth. Anyway, like I said, I should get some rest."

"Alright," I said, getting up from the chair. "I guess I'll see you later."

"Definitely."

I walked to the door and exited Jericho's room.