Shadows of Atlas

8- Escape

"Oh shit. We've been discovered," Abner cussed. A tall spiky raven haired man with black glasses entered the room. He was wearing a blue and black tuxedo, indicating he was a guest at the party. His eyes held a cold and piercing expression which made Eto shiver.

"Hmm," the man fixated his attention at Eto. "Who are you?," Eto asked as he shot back a glare. It was not one of fury, but one in which a wild animal does when it's cornered. "The name is Yael Braxstone, son of Lucius and Lusmarie Braxstone," Yael introduced himself. "So you're the spawn of those who killed my parents and did this to me?!," Christian snarled in anger and revealed his vines. "Your parents were killed? Why did you hide this from us?," Abner asked in shock. "Because it would make you pity me," Christian confirmed. "Oh! How the puppy came running back to his masters," Yael said mockingly. "You bastard!," Christian said as he was about to attack him until he felt Eto put his arm on his shoulder.

"Chris... I'm sorry, but this isn't the time for reckless violence," Eto said in an attempt to call him down. "How about we make a little deal? If you...," says Yael while pointing at Eto, "manage to defeat me, I won't sound the alarm," he finishes. "Eto, don't do it," Abner warned. "What other option do we have? We are cornered in enemy territory. Fine, I accept your deal," Eto said. "Splendid! Accompany me to the company's personal arena. Do not fret about anyone hearing the battle, it is soundproof and I have restricted the access codes," Yael informed. "How convenient," Christian mumbled, but Yael heard it. "Well, we can't have explosions being heard constantly, can't we? It would disrupt our scientists' concentration in the building, plus we could get sued for noise pollution. Can't have any of our mutant experiments like you be heard while screaming in pain," Yael said with a mocking yet cold tone in his voice, causing Christian to glare at him with hatred.

'He is acting too nice, it would've been easier to sound the alarm straight away... What are you thinking of doing with us,' Abner thought. "Here we are, this is where we test our latest armor and weapons," Yael said as he stood on the left part of the arena and Eto on the right.

"Begin!, Boom-ex Power!," Yael said as he transformed into his battle outfit. His hair got even spikier, his eyes turned fiery red and an ear piecing hung from his left ear with an orb at the end of it. His outfit consisted of a blue kimono top with beige pants and a large staff. "He uses the -ex transformation style?," Abner asked in shock. "I have traveled across the many kindoms of this world and studied their styles. One of the perks of being the heir of StriveCo.," Yael explained. "I won't lose! Chaos Star Power, Rank Up!," Eto said as he transformed. Eto lunged at Yael and tried to slash at him, but Yael easily blocked with his staff.

"Interesting, you seem angry, but I can't sense any other emotion," Yael said. "Trying to disrupt me? That's a cheap tactic," Eto replied as he jumped back in order to gain distance. "No use, Flame Arrow!," Yael said as he turned his staff into a bow and shot an arrow made out of fire. "Stardust Shield," Eto guarded himself from the attack, but Yael used it as a distraction and hit him from behind with his staff. "Such a primitive fighting style, but I guess that is to be expected from someone as empty as you," Yael gloated.

"Shut up! You don't know me! I'm not empty!," Eto said as he let his anger get the best of him and shot multiple stars from every angle possible. "All those emotions you feel, they're all just the residue left from when you did feel. You might make everyone happy, but you're dead inside. Wanna know why?," Yael asked as he dogded every single star and appeared next to Eto. "It's because you're a husk...," Yael whispered as he hit Eto with the staff and sent him crashing hard against the titanium wall. "Eto!," Christian and Abner yelled in worry.

Yael was about to deal the final blow, when he heard footsteps echo from the hallway. "Hmm, I thought they'd stay at the party for a little while, I guess it's your lucky day. Take your friend and leave," Yael told Abner and Christian. "What? Aren't you going to turn us in?," Abner asked in surprise. "And isn't this room soundproof?," Christian added. "As much as I want to eradicate the Corans, I don't want it under these pitiful circumstances. In fact, I'll even tell you what happened to the prince," Yael said as he carried an unconscious Eto and gave him to Christian.

"You see my father and the king were old friends, however they had contrasting views. The king believed in letting the people be free to choose their lifestyle, while my father had a different opinion and knew that the king and especially the prince would prevent him from acheiving his goals. So he got rid of the prince and erased the king and queens memories and implanted the idea that the prince was missing. As for the prince, even I don't know where he is," Yael explained as he broke into laughter.

"What?!," Abner asked in shock. "Quiet down, or else we'll get discovered," Yael scolded. Abner quickly regained his composure and kept walking. "All the company knows is that the Odd Eyed Phantom appeared one week after the prince disappeared and that Eto holds a piece of vital information for finding him," Yael revealed. "Eto... he doesn't have his memories," Abner said which caused Yael to look at them with a surprised expression. "So the husk doesn't even know who he was, the drama keeps building up," Yael said softly. "Why do you call him a husk?," Christian asked angrily. "Your little friend cannot feel any emotion," Yael started to explain. "But I've seen him happy, sad, angry, and even annoyed when I call him a kid...," Abner replied. "You see, he has no real emotions aside from anger. His origins are the reason he can sincerely feel anger, but he reflects the other emotions back at people. I mean a beast like him only has one purpose: to kill. You've seen him fight, he does so like a heartless and cruel assasin and all under the macabre guise of a performance. Don't try to argue because you know I'm right," Yael said with a smug attitude.

"That's not true! I felt his desire to help me when I escaped from the facility!," Christian argued. "Oh poor Christian, he outright attacked you in that forest. He sensed your sorrow, fear and aggression and responded by reflecting those feelings back at you. But if you believe a lie long enough, it will eventually be known as the truth. We're here and next time we meet, I will kill you," Yael said coldly as he led them out. As soon as the Corans were out of sight, he shifted the gaze towards the castle of Atlas and said: "Soon, it shall all come into place my friend."