Estranged [Completed]

Reunion

SWORDE responders pulled up to Stanley Park in two vans, blocking each end of the street as a crew of ten fully suited and armed Wardens stepped out. They took up positions behind the row of parked cars lining the outer edge of the park, training their weapons on Xamic, watching him carefully.

Kalei climbed out of the cabin of the first van, along with Terin and Erit, and she followed the two not-so-young men as they moved to stand behind the Wardens. Terin didn't crouch behind the car or pull out a weapon. He simply stood there in the street, not even suited up, with Erit and Kalei flanking him on either side. Even Erit had neglected to put on Warden gear, leaving Kalei to feel very out of place with her two companions.

But that was the least of her anxiety. As she looked across a mere fifty feet to the fountain guarding the park's pedestrian entrance, she saw Xamic standing on the stonework, grinning ear to ear like a boy who knew it was his birthday. Kalei swallowed and fought off the urge to duck down behind the cars with the other Wardens.

Xamic saw the show and clapped his hands together. "You made it! Wow." Xamic fixed his eyes on Terin, his mood becoming grim. "You finally grace us with your presence. It's been, what? Nineteen years? I'm sure Erit here would say that time flies, but for me, it felt like nothing less than centuries." Like flipping a switch, Xamic's face brightened again, and he casually waved off the mood. "But that's all over with now. You picked a good day to come out of your hidey-hole, bud. You're gonna be glad you didn't miss this. Now, let's get this party STARTED!" He gave a WHOOP! and hopped off the fountain. "Hey, coppers! Fuzz heads! Get out here before I have to do something stupid. Yeah, I see you with the newspaper. Cut the crap. You're going to want all eyes on this baby!"

A man on the corner lowered his newspaper and turned to give his full, frowning attention to Xamic. A couple more cops stepped out of the coffee shop across the street, hands on their guns. Marley climbed out of his sedan, shotgun in hand.

Xamic noticed the shotgun and laughed. "See! He's got the right idea! You other boys better man up! Your little pistols ain't gonna do dick!"

Terin shouted, "Xamic! What's the deal?"

Xamic held out his arms and grinned. "Check it out!" He had a small remote in his hand. Kalei raised her rifle, but before she could lift in an inch, his thumb slid over and pressed the button.

Four of the Wardens dropped their heads back and released a frenzied roar. Similar sounds drifted from the park and echoed off the city streets. Then the four Wardens ripped off their gloves and tackled their comrades.

Kalei moved forward to break up the madness, but then she heard Xamic yell, "Alright! It begins!"

She looked up in time to see Xamic tear off into the park, Terin flying past her after him, shouting over his shoulder, "Erit! Find the source!"

Kalei dropped her rifle and ran after them, determined to help Terin put an end to Xamic. Breaking up the scuffles wouldn't help. They had to take out the mastermind.

They had just passed inside the gate when Terin noticed her and ordered, "Go back to Erit."

"Like hell!"

She expected him to protest, but Terin grunted and kept running. Kalei was relieved that he had his priorities in order. All that mattered now was taking out Xamic.

Xamic was already at the far end of the path, and the gap between them was only widening. Gritting her teeth, Kalei shifted her darkness to all the necessary muscles and took off at twice the speed. She passed Terin and started gaining ground on Xamic, unable to contain a wolfish grin.

She was only a few feet away when Xamic looked over his shoulder and flashed a grin to match her own. Then his speed tripled, leaving her in the dust. Before Kalei could react, Terin flew past her, matching Xamic's burst of speed step for step.