The Beginning of the End of Magic

Grimoire 01 - Chapter 04 - The Might of the Empire [Part 03]

"Hey, is this the Lab for Alternative Energy?"

"Huh? A kid...? Yeah, it is. But it's closed, so get lost. Come back another day."

Finn simply walked towards the gate and hollered towards one of the guards.

"Wait what? No way. It's within operation hours, no? It says right there." Finn mentioned out loud as he pointed towards the sign that was placed right on the gate itself, while showing the time on his wristwatch towards the guard.

The guard simply looked back round, clicked his tongue, before turning back to Finn, with a sterner expression than before.

"Closed for private matters, kid. We don't have time to play around. Come back another day."

"Eh? Wait a minute, no way. That can't be right. My friend is in there, and I'm supposed to meet with her. Private matters is one thing, but how can the entire facility be closed? Where can I get a pass?"

Finn raised his voice and stepped closer to the guard as he continued arguing his case. Which only served to increase his annoyance and ultimately earn his ire.

"Didn't you hear me? I said back off!"

Along with his shout, he took a step forward towards Finn and raised the butt of his shotgun, thrusting straight towards Finn's abdomen. However, Finn was quick to react, and avoided the blow with a step to the side.

"Woah! What was that for?"

Though the very action only served to further annoy the guard.

"All right, kid, you're asking for it. I'm gonna remove you by force." The guard said as he holstered his shotgun behind his back and cracked his knuckles and his neck, flexing his muscles all around. Due to his natural big size and muscular body, the guard honestly resembled that of a typical bouncer for a club, or perhaps, even much more menacing, thanks to his fully decked out equipment.

"Eh, wha? Wait, hold on! Let's not get rough now, yeah?"

Finn backed away a step, with every step he took towards him. He held his hand out, palms facing outwards, as if he was trying to coax him. But of course, that was of no use, and in any case, it was not his intention either.

He was simply trying to buy time.

"No hard feelings, you asked for it, kid."

As the guard raised his fist up high and locked his elbow, ready to launch a strike, a faint grin could be seen forming at the edge of Finn's lips.

"Urgh?!"

The sudden grunt came from the other end of the gate. The guard who was just about to hit Finn quickly turned back around to take a look. His fellow ally, who was guarding that very same gate with him, hit the floor with a thud. In his place, stood a young girl, who had long golden hair.

She looked at him straight in the eye.

Despite her adorable appearance, the guard instantly knew she was trouble. Without hesitation, he pulled out his shotgun and aimed it straight at her within the next second, and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

But that did not happen.

The moment the guard took his attention off his initial target, proved to be a fatal mistake. Finn moved quickly and silently, sliding up right behind him. With one hand, he cupped the guard's mouth, and with his other, he locked it around his neck, and tightened down with force. Ice started to form on Finn's hand which covered the mouth and expanded out, covering the nose. It sealed off any chance the guard could get in breathing oxygen. The guard resisted by giving an elbow straight towards Finn's stomach. The blow was strong, and caused Finn to lose a breath, but even so, he stifled the pain and strengthened his hold. With Finn clamping down hard around his neck with his arm, the guard ran out of breath fast, and fell unconscious within the next few seconds, despite his constant struggle.