Talons of Epsilon

Chapter 4 - Unrealistic Reality

"Once we awaken our God, we shall be saved from this hopeless world."

"We will live over the universe as Gods... with him."

 Israel shook the bars wildly.
 "Let me out of here!" He shouted angrily at the two men watching him. "When I'm out, you're all gonna pay!" One man laughed and shook his head at the boy.
 "You see," he began. "That's where you are all wrong. You will guide us to freedom, you will be our savior!" Israel paused to process what the man had said. Freedom, savior. It didn't make any sense to him, but without question, he started to rattle the bars again.
 "Let me out!" He demanded again. Then his calls were finally answered. The other man approached the cage and took out a golden skeleton key. It shimmered in Israel's eyes as he neared the bars.
 "Levi, what are you doing?" The man behind him asked, reaching out his hand. "You know we can't let him out yet. We need to wait for the Phoenix Master's orders."

 "Who cares about his orders? We can take this upon ourselves. Don't be a brat, Archer." Levi jangled the key in front of his friend, teasing him. "Let's have some fun. It's better than just watching this little bastard struggle with the inevitable."
 "The inevitable...?" Israel thought. 

 Archer looked toward the door, an exasperated sigh slipping through his mouth. He looked back at Levi who was smirking all the while.
 "Fine," he said. "But make this quick. If we're caught, we'll be executed."

 As swift as the wind surging through a whirling tornado, Maranda busted down the door with all she had. Whatever happening to her wrist was beneficial at the moment she escaped.
 "Now to find-" She was struck suddenly. The hit threw her off, but she tried to recover fast enough to find the attacker regardless. Easily enough, he was next to her -- Randell.

 "Jeez, kid." He said, holding the knife in one hand and balling the other into a fist. "You know how expensive that door was?" He brought back his fist and threw it forward, aimed right for her face. Just barely did she escape as her body moved on reflex, and the speed enhancement assisted her as well.
 The old man was quickly fearful, so he returned to slashing his knife.
 "You cut me once, you sure aren't doing it again." Maranda stated before she threw herself out of the way, somehow grabbing the knife in the process. "My turn, you old hag." Then... a gunshot.

 Maranda froze in place, the bitter taste of fresh blood filling her mouth. She shook and dropped the knife, dropping to her knees right afterward. The bullet pierced her shoulder enough to fly through and land inside Randell's skull. He had dropped dead first, and Maranda lost her vision. She was well on her way to the same fate, for blood rapidly gushed from the new open wound.

 Israel gasped hearing the gunshot echo through the area.
 "Maranda!" He shouted. By now he was bruised awfully. Levi had opened the cage and taken him out only to beat him, leaving him scarred and afraid.
 Levi groaned and stood up, kicking Israel once more to ensure he lost another tooth.
 "Let's go, Archer! The Phoenix Master is probably on his way now. That gunshot was louder than I thought it'd be." Levi made his way for the door, but his friend wasn't moving just yet.
 "What about the vessel?" Archer asked softly. Levi gave Israel a short, curt stare then shrugged.
 "He's powerless. Now c'mon."

 Archer looked down at the child once more, somewhat driven by guilt and sorrow. Immediately after, he left the room, and the steel door slammed shut right behind him.
 "I'm powerless?" Israel asked. "Then why do I feel so powerful? I think I'm just fine." He stood up and grinned toward the door, his pupil shifting into a tint of teal.

"They've messed with the wrong kids."