The Shadow Man

TwentyOne

He leads the two of us down the hall.
He actually sticks out here, due to his loud clothes and...Colorful personality.
Finley decked herself out in full body armor before we came.
Metal plates cover her body, not to mention the gun she strapped to her hip.
She looks like she fits in here.
From her metal boots to her pony tail.
"Where are you taking us?"
I ask.
"War room."
He says.
We pass a window that overlooks a lab.
Inside I see men and women in lab coats running tests on liquids and testing weapons.
"What exactly do you do here?"
I ask.
"The SCO stands for Supernatural Cooperation Operatives. It is our job to capture and detain creatures and beings that don't belong here, on this planet."
I nod along.
"What else are you keeping here?"
I ask.
He looks at me.
"That, Miss Davies, is Classified."
I shiver as I think of those monsters that nearly overtook the planet.
We enter the war room.
It's a large room with a giant table in the center.
It's big enough to seat at least 15 people comfortably.
"Alison, I would like you to meet Greyson Ford, and JayVetta Ozark. They are two of my best agents, and some of the few Enhanced that chose to stay after the collapse."
Finley stares at them, and they at her.
I remember them.
"They are going to help us find your friends."
I smile.
Now we're getting somewhere.

They lead me down the hall in chains.
"I am Not a criminal."
I growl.
"Than why did you flee to their world? Why did you side with Them?"
Asks the unforgiving voice behind me.
"Did you really think they could protect you? Did you think they could keep you safe from Him?"
I think hard, trying not to see the truth in his words.
"After I heard of everything he had done, I knew he had to be the Strong One."
I hear the low cackle behind me.
"He fights for his life in the arena, with nothing to live for, he's left to die. It's only a matter of time before he expires. You're going to join him."
The door opens, and I'm thrown out into the arena.
I look up at the spectacle in front my eyes.
A pair of Obasy charges at him from both sides.
One of them leaps.
He expertly slashes it's belly before turning and plunging his sword through the other.
With the both of them slain, he turns to me.
His blade leaves streaks of blue as he twirls it around his back, preparing himself for another kill.
"I do not wish to engage him."
I say.
"That's too bad, because the Shadow knows where your clan is, and you know what happens when a clan is not worthy to fight in the Crucible."
I hear the voice growl behind me.
I look up at the Shift, who stands there ready to fight or die.
Igniting my blades of green, I walk out to meet him.
I take the first swing, aiming for his belly to get some distance between my opponent and I.
From here, I can observe his fighting style and analyze him more fully.
A kick from his leg is blocked and countered with a punch to the jaw.
His defense is sloppy, but that is to be expected seeing as he's been fighting nonstop.
I backup slowly, luring him closer.
I swing to the left and right simultaneously.
He blocks the left, ducking beneath the right.
His boot crashes into my rib cage.
He grabs me by the collar and holds me close while he rams my ribs over and over with his fist.
My elbow connects to his face, knocking him off of me.
The crowd cheers as we break away.
"Rone sent me."
I say.
He takes an enraged swing at my head.
I feel the impact through my weapon, it rattles me to my bones.
"Kree says he prefers you as an ally."
He shakes his head, refusing to believe me.
He attacks me with such ferocity, more than I thought his exhausted body capable of throwing out.
"The Girl longs for you."
He slows down.
"Alice, I believe her name is."
I add.
"How can I trust you?"
He asks, placing himself at a greater distance.
"Because I could have killed you three moves ago. You're exhausted, Strong One. You're not thinking clearly."
His blade retracts into its staff form.
He turns to the observers post, and stares at the Shadow.
The Shadow stares back at him through piercing white eyes.
I see him turn away, and vanish into mist.
The ground beneath us shivers and shakes as it changes form.
Some parts Rise, some parts fall.
I fall with it.