A flash of light released from the orb, illuminating the room.
Jameson and Butch shrieked, while Ethan and Leo were knocked back. Leo dropped the orb. Ethan crawled his way towards him.
"What did you do?" Ethan asked him.
"I need that back," Leo replied.
“No...” Ethan rejected. “We're not doing this?"
Jameson and Butch both teleported to Leo. Ethan scrambled away and found a pistol. He fired at the creatures but both shrieked in unison. The orb fell before Butch. Ethan ran toward it, dropping the flash drive.
"Get the orb," Hunter directed.
Butch grabbed the orb. Jameson teleported and clawed Ethan’s back.
Leo stared at Butch as he held the orb. He fired his gun at the demon. The bullet richocheted and hit Dr. Belmont's shoulder. Another glow from the Occulus flashed. It blinded Butch and he dropped the orb.
Ethan was bleeding as he crawled towards the Occulus. Leo stood over him. Hunter picked up the orb.
He pointed at Ethan and fired a projectile. Ethan limped as Hunter approached him.
Another light emulated from the orb.
Ethan reached down at his leg and pulled out a dart. He followed Leo as he noticed him jumping down a vent shaft in the floor. He picked up the flash drive then entered in the ductwork after him.
Hunter typed on his wrist a sequence of buttons. He tossed in a grenade down the shaft.
***
Leo landed on a pile of dirty clothes. As Ethan slid down the shaft, he landed there too. The rattling of the grenade bounced off the walls in the air duct. The two men jumped from the laundry cart as the grenade exploded. Piles of clothes flew in the air. Ethan looked up as a heap of white shirts fell upon him.
He turned his head suddenly.
"Kindle water," he cried out. He stared at the pallets in the underground warehouse.
Leo approached Ethan as he rose to his feet.
“Get ready...” he uttered. “You're gonna need your strength”
Ethan looked up at him. His smile still stuck on his face.
“Get ready...” he mocked. “Get ready for what? We still have unfinished business, me and you!”
Leo grabbed Ethan by the collar.
"You're in my house kid, that is not a request."
He threw Ethan down and stepped on his fingers.
"Now... since you insisted... I'll take that flash drive of mine.”
Leo lifted his boot and smashed it against Ethan's face.
ARBITRATION
First Aid
Erebus hid in the shadows. From the deepest depths to the darkest of caves, he found solace in the void. Its unyielding nature was familiar and somewhat a comfort. He could stalk from a distance. The abyss kept him safe. As the Titans search the for the primordial being, his raven black eyes watched in secert.
An immense heat charred the cavern, as a blaze of fire trailed behind Hyperion.
Erebus winced. His abdomen was bruised and a scar was placed upon his chest. This is not right, he thought to himself. My wounds should have healed.
He scurried to his feet. The flame of Hyperion illuminated his corner. Erebus noticed a rodent and he took possession of it.
Keep moving.
He raced through the cavern using the cover of darkness as his shield. He distanced himself from the flame only slightly. The burden of his tiny legs proved tiresome for the primordial.
The fire raged on in pursuit.
A white horned owl flew directly above him. He looked up and noticed it. As he reached the end of the cavern, he hid behind a nearby rock.
Hyperion halted. As the white horned owl perched itself nearby, the titan waited.
Erebus sat in silence while the heat of the fire urged him to move. He looked up and watched as the fowl flapped its wings with contemplation. The light grew brighter around him. Hyperion edged forward, closer to the rock. Fire and smoke singed from off the rodent’s fur. Erebus peered out his head, disclosing his location. The owl sprung forward and flew in his direction.
Hyperion hissed as the owl soared over him. He combusted into a flare as the bird grabbed Erebus. It pecked at the rodent then dropped it mid-flight. As it swallowed some meat, it flew into the darkness.
Hyperion materialized from the fire. He took his titan form and picked up the chewed rodent. He stared at its dead pink eyes then peered overhead. The light in the cavern grew dim as he burnt the maimed creature in his hand.
Disbanded
The owl’s black eyes locked in on a campsite. It landed on a stalamite and watched as Dr. Belmont and Hunter returned to the reservoir. The smoke filled cavern concealed it from view of the humans.
***
Hunter carried a metal case as he approached Chronos. He opened the briefcase and presented the Occulus. "It's done," he uttered.
Chronos glanced down at the orb. The titans all gathered around him. He reached out his hand.
The case was slammed shut by Dr. Belmont..
"We’ve held up our end," the doctor insisted. "One orb for one life."
“Your tongue should be still,” Chronos uttered. “A human is before his king!"
“A arbitration on our part then,” the doctor replied.
He clutched the briefcase from his son.
Chronos stared down at the humans. He held out an arm and a scepter flew towards him.
"I was not aware it was a king I served," the doctor uttered. "If you kill us you may not have the loyalty you desire."
Hunter stepped forward.
"Give me the life I was promised!” he ordered.
His father interrupted.
“My granddaughter!” he blurted out. “Return her to me.”
"What!"
Hunter snatched the briefcase.
The doctor turned towards his son.
"I am not wasting this opportunity!” he shouted. “If you want to standby, go sit in the corner! You saw the destruction in New Gate-”
“We just left the city!” Hunter replied.
Chronos slammed his scepter.
“The request is void!”
The two men looked up at the Titan.
“I will honor our agreement as such... but your loyalty is to be pledged."
Chronos leaned in forward. He towered over the humans. "You will die otherwise."
He stared down at the doctor and placed his palm on his forehead. A golden light emitted from the tip of his fingers.
"The child is alive that you speak of."
The titan released his grasps.
Dr. Belmont fell to the ground.
“Unbelieveable!” Hunter exclaimed. “Where is she now?”
The titan did not respond. Chronos and his brothers returned to the fire pit.
Hunter picked up Dr. Belmont.
"We should go son,” his father whispered.
Hunter held tight to the briefcase. “Not without Angela!” he replied. He approached the Titans.
"Revive my wife!” he ordered them.
The titans did not respond.
He opened the metal case and pulled out the Occulus. He raised it in the air in front of them.
"Is this yours?”
He dropped the orb and pulled out his shotgun.
"Bring me, Angela, now!"
He cocked his weapon.
The brothers waited for their king’s request.
Hunter picked up an Oblivious flower. He tossed it in the flame. The fire erupted, flaring in Hunter’s face. He fell back and covered his eyes as the Occulus lit up.
"Moonlight," Chronos whispered.
Butch teleported towards Hunter and drew out his claws. Hunter reached for his shotgun. As Chronos stood up, he reached out his hand. Stuck in mid-air, Butch was frozen in time. Hyperion pointed out two fingers and a fire erupted.
Hunter scurried to his feet.
Chronos reached for his scepter as the creature continued to burn. He flew Butch’s body into the firepit. Rotted meat fell from his bones
and a shrilling cry escaped his mouth. Chronos uttered a chant.
"Reversus est mihi bellator," he whispered.
The fire erupted. Instantly it dead out.
Smoke obscured Hunter's vision but the crackling of tinder remained in earshot. He advanced through the fog. As it dissipated, Hunter looked upon the firepit. He lowered his weapon as he saw Angela cradled in the fetal position. She rose to her feet and emerged from the ashes below.
Jameson snarled.
"Atlas," Chronos directed.
The titan pounded his foot on the ground and charged towards Jameson. With a thunderous clap, he bashed the skull of the demon. A shadowy mist was released and the body of Jameson dropped to the floor.
Chronos turned towards Hunter.
“The heart of a demon and the bloodline of Nyx. My Osira shall be born from your mate.”
Hunter looked up at the titan. He fell to his knee as Chronos waved his scepter.
Atlas picked up Jameson. He crushed his remains using his mighty hands. He reshaped the bone creating a long lustrous crossbow. Angela walked passed Hunter and retrieved the contraption. Hunter struggled to stand up.
"Release the Soulstring," Chronos demanded.
"No!" Hunter exclaimed. "This is not her fight."
"I have saved her life and you have given me nothing.”
"We returned you your orb!"
Chronos crushed the Occulus with his foot.
“You have brought me to my enemies with this beckon!”
Dr. Belmont looked at his wounded shoulder. He held it with his hand.
"That flash of light was a signal to Nyx. If she isn’t already here. That beckon will bring her!"
Chronos turned to Angela. He banged his scepter on the ground and a loud thud verberated in the cave.
"You are Osira... my ultimate weapon.”
"Hey!" Hunter shouted. "Leave her alone!”
"Dismiss yourself!”
Chronos flung Hunter against the cavern wall.
Dr. Belmont stumbled towards his son.
"The girl..." Chronos whispered. "She’s a product of the Occulus!”
Chronos turned towards the doctor.
Hunter reached for his shotgun.
“Direct your displeasure with the man who keeps secrets. I know all his thoughts.”
Hunter glanced up at the titan then turned towards his father. Dr. Belmont released his grip on Hunter. They stared at one another before Hunter stood up.
"She’s Ethan's isn’t she..."
"Son."
Hunter lunged at his father. He fell to the ground as Dr. Belmont tripped him.
Chronos approached them both. "Pathetic.”
"We will get you the Occulus...” replied Dr. Belmont. “The real Occulus!”
Hunter backed away from him.
“Hecatan’s replica was a distraction... but the truth is out now!”
Dr. Belmont rose to his feet. “If the beckon is for Neoma... Hecatan will be at my sanitorium-"
Hunter picked up his shotgun. He fire a shot in the air.
“No...” Hunter interrupted. “I’m done with the games! I’m killing Ethan.”
Dr. Belmont clutched his wounded shoulder.
The titans all nodded at Chronos.
"Embrace that rage... let it consume you.”
Chronos looked over at the woman. Hunter stared at her as she held the crossbow.
“Use it... and become my enforcer yet again."
"I won’t do it," Hunter uttered.
He raised his gun and pointed it at his head.
The woman raised her crossbow.
"Enough," Chronos commanded.
He froze Hunter in time and removed the gun from his hand. Hunter shook his head as he became reanimated.
"While your father is tasked with retrieving the Occulus, I want the two of you to seek out and find the young girl."
Hunter stared at Angela.
Pontos approached her. He dropped a speck of water on her hand. The woman flinched as her hand corroded.
“Angela is no more.”
"But our daughter...” Hunter uttered.
Chronos reversed the damage to her hand.
She looked up at Hunter.
"I don't want you... or the child," she replied.
She turn towards the titans. "I am here to serve my king."
Hunter lowered his head. A tear drop fell to the ground.
“I will do as you ask...” he responded. “I will bring you the child..." His eyes burnt red with anger. "But after I do Ethan will die by my hands."
Chronos acknowledge the request.
The cavern shook as Atlas removed the blockade to the entrance.
The white horned owl flew from its perch. Hyperion unleashed a fireball, as it passed over the Titans. As the bird escaped the cavern, Erebus was released from his possession. He descended to the floor in his humanoid form. He held on to his ribs as he shuttered in pain.
Osira fired her crossbow. It stuck to Erebus. The Titans surrounded him as he knelt upon the ground. Atlas swung his fist like a hammer. The blow missed its mark as Erebus counterattacked with his long sword. A wave of water crashed against him. As he was pushed to a wall, Pontus emerged and he rushed towards Erebus again.
The primordial removed the arrow from his chest. As he laid on the cold wet ground, he unleashed a herd of terror demons from the scar. The shadows disoriented the titans as they flew throughout the cave grotto.
Hyperion burst into wildfire. He illuminated the cavern as he scorched the approaching terrors that surrounded him.
Erebus glanced at the passageway out. He rose to his feet and ran towards the exit.
Osira gripped her crossbow tight. She took aim at the primordial and fired another shot. With a retractable line attached to her arrow, she pulled the primordial back towards her. Erebus reached for the arrow in his back. She squeezed a trigger and a stream of energy raced through the retractable line. It stunned Erebus, draining his lifeforce in the process.
Hunter picked up his father. They ran towards the exit but was attacked by a terror as they fled. Osira retracted her arrow from Erebus. Smoke emulated from the stock of her weapon. She held on to the Soulstring as it blackened her hand. She turned around quickly as two of the creatures attacked her. She kicked one in the face then flung the other over her hip. The demon landed on Dr. Belmont’s back.
It bit him on his wounded shoulder. Continuing its assault it then ripped off his arm. As Hunter bent down to help him, Osira unleashed the dark energy from the soulstring. The blast of dark energy consumed Hunter and Dr. Belmont. The two demons took them into possession without haste. They laid on the ground and clutched their chest in torment.
Erebus rose to his feet. Rocks crumbled from the ceiling as the entryway closed in front of him. He transformed into a dark mist and seeped through a crevice in the blockade.
FREED
Prisons
Sweat dripped off the tip of Neoma’s hair. With her head hung low, she fought to catch her breath. She looked down at her bloodstained gown. All she could think about was him.
Any minute now... she thought to herself. He’s coming for me... He’ll be back.
Her restraints were free but the energy it took to unbound herself had ravaged her. She was alone.
I must leave... If he catches me...
She focused on her breathing, embracing the moment of solitude.
Footsteps trampled in the distance. She looked towards the door. A shadow appeared beneath the entryway. She scrambled across the floor and hid in a corner far across the room.
Find something... her thoughts echoed.
Anything.
Quickly.
She stared at the examination table in the middle of the room. She noticed a tray with the various tools he had used on her.
The footsteps drew near.
As the doorknob turned, Noema braced herself for what lied behind the door. She heard a knock, a twisting of the doorknob, a
pull of the door, and then another knock.
She whimpered as the jingling of keys echoed beyond. She covered her mouth but her heartbeat thudded with a resounding thump. She looked at the tray.
The door swung open and Neoma rushed towards the medical instruments. She grabbed a pair of shears while knocking over the table. As she raced towards the man in the doorway, she pierced the shears through his glasses. The figure disolved away while Neoma stood crying in the doorway. She fell to her knees defeated.
***
Sweat dripped from the tips of Neoma's hair. Her breathing was short. She looked down at her bloodsoaked hands.
A shadowy figure walked pass her face.
"Relax, my dear child," a gentle voice spoke. "His concoction is wearing off."
Neoma stared down at her blood-soaked hands. The blood boiled violenty, evaporarting into gas, until nothing was left.
"How?" Neoma uttered. "What is happening?"
"A fever is in you..." the voice replied. "You will recover but your senses have accelerated.”
“Is he here?”
“The doctor...” the voice replied. “He has aquired our blood...”
The shadowy figure caressed her face.
“He inflicts you with terrors. He's been using it to control your abilities... I am released from my prison... and now... Now I will remove you from yours."
Neoma looked up at the pale skin, raven hair woman that approached her.
"Nyx..." Neoma whispered. "What has happened? Where am I?"
"The new world is upon us."
"I need-" Neoma uttered as she slumped to the floor.
"You are weak now, but soon-"
"No..." Neoma mumbled. "I have to find-"
"The child..." Nyx interrupted. "She's safe."
Neoma fell out of consciousness as she gazed into Nyx’s red eyes.
***
Jubilee, my darling.
You died in the flood, but I promised you more time... I promised you more...
Your father and I...
How do I deal? No parent should deal?
Chronos. He wielded the shank that took you away. I will place no such burden on your father.
***
"Where is my son?" Neoma asked. "Where is Chronos?"
Nyx laughed as she walked away from the woman.
"I've been bound to you for ages..." Nyx uttered. Sheturned around towards Neoma. “You would asks me such questions.”
Raising Sera- Lineage Page 15