Mind of War (On Hold)

A Tall Order

"She said what?!" Onyx asked for the second time after Song repeated the message from his mother.

"I've heard of this, but haven't seen it in the context that Song is speaking of. In my research those kind of abilities are not uncommon, I mean look at us. Can you say that we're on the same playing field as the average person who walks through town? We're faster and stronger than the common person." Creed thought deeply.

"Creed, we spent most of our lives training, I hope it did a little something worthwhile." Onyx retorted as he rolled his eyes.

"What about Song, she's never 'trained', she's faster and stronger than the common girl her age as well." Creed pointed to Song.

"Maybe it's just some untapped potential, maybe we just need to explore the possibilities. This could be an opportunity to beat the Shadows," she paused, "What's wrong Onyx? What are you not telling us?"

He hung his head down, "I was waiting for the right moment to tell you guys that my mother told me that my father is completely consumed by the Shadows."

"A daywalker," Creed gasped.

Onyx nodded before putting his head in his hands. Song looked puzzled, "What's a daywalker?"

"A daywalker is a person whose soul has been completely vanquished by the Shadows. See most people just become infected when the Shadows consume the light from the amulet, but in the case of daywalkers the Shadows consumed the soul first. The tricky part is that the amulet in these cases can turn from color to gray in an instant. So, it's hard to pin them down, they can pass for ordinary people. In those cases, in my experience, there's no return for them. Shadowhunters can liberate only if the soul still has light, we aid people who are too weak to fight for themselves, but if the soul is gone, there's nothing we can do to save them. But I thought the SSS had eliminated them, I mean that was my first assignment. I thought I got them all."

"Don't say that! I have to bring him back." Onyx stood up.

"Onyx this is my specialty! This is the most dangerous kind of case, he can walk among common people and infect them when they least expect it. I been sent on these kinds of missions all the time. They fight the most violent fight, they will outright kill you in the process. Every ounce of good has been eaten up by the Shadows. Onyx, at this point your father can kill any Shadowhunter especially those untrained amateurs. You hear me? I didn't say hurt, I said kill!"

"Creed, I know." Onyx whispered.

"Creed is that all, no other options?" Song looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Not that I've seen. It was my specialty for years. But it all makes sense now, my Shadowhunter instincts are fined tuned to this kind of threat. That's what's been itching me, I kept saying that something wasn't right. This is what it was. It hasn't come full circle because I haven't physically come in contact with him. I'm just sensing him, that's the something wrong that's been bugging me."

Onyx got up and started for the door.

Creed followed him saying, "But, I also know that he's your father. And I respect that. Onyx two days, I'm giving you a chance to fix him, but I can't help you. My instincts will kick in and-"

"The two of you will fight to the death, I know. That's why I told you. So, you would give me a chance. Tell the SSS tomorrow to give me a chance to track him down." Onyx looked back with a small smile creeping on his face.

"I'll try to keep the amateur Shadowhunters off the streets tonight. Kai, Free, and I can hold some type of tournament for them, they wouldn't want to miss it. But, Creed, there's something I want to look for in the SSS archives." Song suggested.