Seeking Salvation

Chapter 16: A life in reflection

Author's note: Lyrics by Depeche Mode:A pain I am used to

I'm not sure what I am looking for anymore.

I just know I am harder to console.

The morning sky was a dull slate grey thanks to the heavy cloud mass currently encroaching upon the shoreline. The clouds rippled with lighting strikes that forked savagely towards the churning waves of the sea. Thunder exploded in the distance as the rain finally threatened to fall. Creating a sinister backdrop behind the small fleet of three black helicopters that were now bearing down upon the island.

The immense wind the helicopters were kicking up, as they landed upon the wide stretch of beach. Sent a cloud of fine white sand up into the weak morning light like a rising storm from some nameless dessert. Obscuring the rolling bluffs of scrub grass further inland in a wall of blinding sand, that billowed and engulfed the struggling vegetation in a matter of seconds.

The hatches slammed open and three full platoons of soldier's swarmed the beach front. Dressed in full black battle fatigues. Complete with bulky flak jackets and semi automatic rifles at the ready. They charged the beach their boots beating a steady staccato as they headed further into the tall grass that bordered the shoreline. Rushing up the slopes heading higher inland. Intent on a mission of elimination for all who remained inside the Aquarium.

Beryl lounged for the moment inside the back hatch, on the long metal bench that took up most of the rear, of the compartment. Watching her troops with a self satisfied smirk, heading off to exact her final retribution upon the Shinoda Crime Syndicate and any other would be hero's. Who were stupid enough to ally themselves with Serenity. Each and every one of her soldier's was a perfect killing machine. Spurned by an iron resolve and determination to complete their mission at all costs. They didn't over think their orders they just got things done, it was a mindset one only got from highly trained military goons.

"Nothing ever goes according to plan." She sighed, casting Endymion a sour look. The man had sacrificed his human body to his Genesis State. Now he was a living piece of gold armour, glowering at her from his dark corner of the hatch. His striking golden eyes taking her measure with a fierceness that would stop most people dead. Beryl on the other hand, knew Daiki, Shinoda was a shrewd warrior and would not just lash out and strangle her no matter how much he wished to. So she was relaxed and somewhat smug in her confident understanding of Endymion.

"She's in there you know." She shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest and giving him an annoying half smile. That was both arrogant and sarcastic at the same time.

"I sense her..." Endymion growled back, his eyes falling distant as he searched for a better idea of her condition. Her aura seemed cloudy...as if it was trapped under water. He would not be able to properly track her until her soul resurfaced. So he was biding his time with Beryl, unwilling to waste his energy running blind through the Aquarium on some half cocked witch hunt.

"The only reason I didn't toss your sorry ass out of my metal bird here was because you promised to aid me. Your swore you would track down Serenity and bring her and her crystal back to me. " Beryl leaned forward, with an air of superiority. Seeking to stare him down. Endymion met her dark glare with one of his own, that was just as fierce and merciless.

"I highly doubt I can trust you." She finished, with a sigh of resignation. Then merely laughed in his face, relaxing back against the bench. Feigning disinterest to mask how nervous and unsettled his glare had made her.

Endymion never said a word, glowering out over the rising storm in the distance. That was now crashing violently against the sea.

"I had figured her Dark Prince would go rushing off to save her. " Beryl chuckled. "Instead he's hanging back like a coward." she taunted with a bitter smirk.