Spex said in shock, “Guys!”
They quickly made their way over to them closer and saw vines infused to their bodies. He examined their bodies, checked their motionless eyes, and then came to a conclusion.
“I can’t take these vines off, or else they will die. These vines are keeping them alive but they are in an unconscious state. Damn her,” Spex explained.
“Damn it,” Icarus grunted, “Okay then, I’ll stay with them. You figure out how to save them.”
‘Killing that woman must be the only way to save them,’ Spex thought.
Spex turned to looked in the opposite direction and punched the nearby support beam.
“This is all my fault,” Spex said, “I can’t go back and prevent this because I was here. Seeing myself would cause a paradox if I did, and would break the timeline. I just wish I could use that power that I used around the time I first started using my powers. But it’s forbidden.”
Icarus put his hand on Spex’s shoulder and said, “Don’t blame yourself. You can’t control everything, Spex.”
Spex took a breath. Tana then popped into his head and a light bulb turned on in his head.
He replied, “You’re right. I think I already figured out how we can help them. I’ll talk to you later, Icarus. Thank you for watching them,” Spex said to him.
Icarus nodded and Spex disappeared into his aura and back to his house.
“Tana is the one that will save them. I must see what she is doing,” He said to himself.
He quickly made his way over to the terminal and continue where he left off from earlier.
I made a lot of progress with my training, but the shadow was powerful. I can hold it back now, but I’m not sure if I can do it a hundred percent of the time. When I go into my Shadow Form, it’s a controlled form. The only change is just the skull helmet and my sword. it would still transform to a black sword, which is called a Shadow Sword. That’s what Obris called it. Other casts get Shadow Swords too, and each sword has a different shape to them.
My sword skills improved too. It was never night time in the room, so I couldn’t really tell how long I have been in here. We’ve been only taking long breaks. When I got too tired, I would end up sleeping on the ground, which wasn’t very comfortable. that only happened every so often though, because I would push myself to train. We also ate from a stash of food that in the ground covered by a door.
One day after getting more rest than Obris usually gives, I woke up to Obris already up and was waiting for me to wake up. He had his arms crossed and had a smirk on his face.
“Why are you smirking like that?” I asked him, as I got up slowly.
I was so exhausted and sore. I don’t know how I’m not dying right now.
Obris answered back, “I think you’re ready. There is not much left for me to teach you.”
“Really? Then, why do I feel like I need more time then?” I asked.
“Well, I got you mostly in control of your shadow. I do see that there is something holding you back from getting complete control. However, that is something that you need to figure on your own. Not that I don’t want to help you, but it’s something only you can fix,” He replied.
I thought about it more and then nodded, quietly. Obris then smirk again while his way passed me and then stopped. He reached out and turned the air like he was opening a door, which turned out to the door that we used to get it.
Obris held his hand out to me and said, “Hang on to me. We’re flying back to the hotel.”
I smirked and replied, “Sounds good.”
I held on to his shoulders from the back, and then we flew off into the air. We flew up high, then straight down into the clouds fast. The clouds formed a tunnel again as we passed through them. We made it through and we were flying high above Central City. It was a beautiful, sunny day out and it was mostly clear skies. We got closer to the city, leveled out, and fly straight for the hotel. As we approached, we slowed down and landed in the open window. My mother was sitting down on her bed, on her tablet, when we turned to see us. She was wearing her normal comfort clothes, which was baggy sweatpants, a tank top, and slippers. She smiled as she stood up, and made our way over to us.
My mother greeted me, "Hi, guys. Welcome back.”
“Hi, mother,” I replied.
“How was your training?” she asked.
“Good. I think I finally have a grasp on my shadow powers. How is everything going here?” I answered back and questioned her.
She answered, “I’m not sure. We haven’t heard from Regan and Ayla. The others haven’t gotten back from their training yet. Ryuu has been a mess, but he went to go search for Regan and Ayla.”
I started to look worried.
Spex then said, “I want to step in, but my past-self should be making an appearance soon, so I shouldn’t have to.”
Just then, I sensed a master power nearby.
“I sense it too. I’ll go with you,” My mother suggested.
“I’ll see you later. I have to get back to The Creator,” Obris said and flew off.
“Hold on for a minute.” My mother asked me, in an excited tone.
My mother ran over to the bathroom. I crossed my arms and waited even though I didn’t want. She came out a few minutes later. She was wearing a red sleeveless top, a red frilly skirt, black gloves, and knee high black boots. I was a little surprised. She then went to her bed and grabbed her sword and attached around her waist.
“Okay, let’s go,” She said and turned to walk to the door.
I didn’t move and asked, “Uhh, What’s with your clothes?”
“Oh, these? I picked these up, recently. I figure I would need to fight and fighting in normal clothes isn’t the best. These clothes have protective properties and are made for fighting in,” she explained.
I thought for a moment then started making my way to her side.
“Okay. Mother, I need to do this alone,” I told her.
My mother stopped and looked confused.
“Why?” she asked in response.
I sighed and started walking past her, “I just do, alright. I’ll see you after.”
My mother stood there, lost as I ran down the hall. I ran out toward the woods outside of the city. The energy I felt was getting stronger. I started seeing the trees move. Just then, I sensed Master Plant nearby. I made our way to a clearing. On the other side, there was a blonde-haired woman standing there, surrounded by vines, next to a man. She had a cut up sleeveless top with a bare midriff, jean short shorts, and has vines around her arms and legs. The man was in rebellion robes and his hood was down. He had mid length slick backlight-blonde hair with a loc of hair that was in front of his face. The both turned and saw me.
“Katana,” He spoke.
She added, “Oh great, and now I have to deal with you, Tana.”
“You mean both of us? You're hurt,” The man questioned.
She replied, “No lord Cignas, I’ll be fine. You go on ahead.”
“Arrrgg,” Cignas grunted in pain.
He put his hand on his forehead.
“He wants to come out because she is here. Go now,” The woman told him.
“Who are you?” I asked them, angrily.
Cignas turned and disappeared into a black aura, similar to how Vlaykre disappears. She put her hand up and said “My name is Heldin. Part of the Dark Rebellion. You and your precious government will pay for your cruelty!”
She pointed her hand at a nearby tree and a branch started moving rapidly towards me. I pull out my sword and cut it in half and jump at her. The other vines came out from either side and grabbed me while in the air. they wrapped around me tight and I could budge free.
“Well, that was easy,” Heldin smirked.
The vines were set on fire with Fire Blast that came from the direction of the trees. I quick transformed into fire form to avoid getting burned. I feel down on one knee and transformed out of the fire form. I looked up to see my mother a
s she landed in front of me.
She looked angry and stated, “No one hurts my Daughter.”
Heldin then put her hand up then pointed to her commanding another vine to attack my mother. Other vines were commanded with Heldin’s other hand It dug into the ground. I lost track of it. It then burst out shortly after and hit me. I did a flip, created a boulder, and threw it at Heldin. She jumped out of the way and my Mother rush behind her and slashed her back she went flying down and crashed into the ground causing a dust cloud to rise up. I landed and looked at where the dust was. Just then, a vine shot out and caught me by surprise. The vines were blocked cut in half. It wasn’t by my doing, but my mother. she turned around to look at me.
“Don’t lose focus, Hun,” My mother said to me.
Just then, the woman jumped out with another vine attack. My mother jumped up and set her sword on fire, creating Fire Blade. She slashed the vines in two and set them on fire. The trail of fire led straight to Heldin, setting her on fire. She landed and looked at me again.
“That’s how it’s done. Now go get the power,” My mother told me.
I walked over and when I got close, a bunch of energy exploded around Heldin. I felt her get more powerful. The smoke cleared and there she was in Nature Form. A bunch of vines shot out of her body. Some of them wrapped around my mother. It squeezed her hard, making her pass out.
“Mother!” I yelled.
Other vines wrapped around me and tried to squeeze. I didn’t know what to do at first, but then it came to me. I focused and transformed into my Shadow Form and broke free with my darkness sword. I landed in a crouched position and then sprinted over to her, slashed at her cutting her vines and her body. Heldin went flying back but then grabbed two trees with her vines and sling-shot back me. I quickly went to block with my sword. As she got closer, a black fog covered around her. I looked over saw Ansel jumping in the fog. I jumped in too knowing what was going on. Kaido’s fog form was being used to get an advantage on the Heldin. She got scared after we kept appearing, quickly attacking her, then disappearing back into the fog.
She then yelled, “Where are you?!”
She started to shooting vine out in different directions. She then stopped and stood there. Ansel and I jumped out at the same time. Heldin quickly sent out multiple vines and grabbed us. Kaido changed back while in the air and swung down to try and hit her from above.
She spun around fast and quickly grabbed Kaido before he got too close. She then threw us all in different directions. I landed on my back hard and it hurt. I checked to see if I was alright. I then got up on one knee with one of my hands on the ground. I heard a yell of pain. I looked up to see Heldin being held down by my Mother, who was in Fire Form. I didn’t hesitate, as jumped up into the air and then charged down. I created a fireball that was surrounded by a dark aura and threw it and at Heldin, setting her on fire. She screamed in pain as I touch her body and absorbed the power. I know had Master Plant’s orb. I landed away from Heldin followed by my mother we both changed back to our normal forms and looked over to see Ansel and Kaido coming out the woods.
Kaido replied, “Hey there. It looks like you finally tamed that anger of yours.”
“It seems like you guys made some progress as well. Especially you, Ansel,” I said, after letting go of Kaido.
“Yes, I have. Thank you,” Ansel said, with a smirk.
“Good job, guys. I hate killing people but, she needed it,” My mother said, walking up to us.
“Yes. Looks like we’re getting better as a team too,” Ansel added.
“Yeah, we really are,” Kaido agreed.
He had that look in his eye and I just stared at him. I then looked down and thought about what just happened.
“Hey guys, let’s head back to hotel room. I think Tana has something she wants to talk about,” My mother said walking over.
I was startled a little, and I quickly looked at my mother. I started to wonder if she thought of how I felt, which was that I wanted to do the rest of the journey on my own. It’s something I realized while I was in training with Obris. If I do the rest of my journey alone, no one can get hurt if I somehow lose control again. I then realized something was missing.
Chapter 16 – Blind Betrayal
“Wait, where is Vlayru?” Spex said.
Suddenly, something hit my foot and I couldn’t move it. I looked down and saw ice grow over one of my legs. I turn around the best I can and there stood Vlaryu. He had his hand up towards me. His blindfold was off and was starting with dead looking eyes. He also had ice spikes sticking out of his back. Ice was also formed around one of his arms and both legs. Everyone else stopped and turned.
“Vlayru, what are you doing?” I asked him.
“He’s been awakened,” said a familiar voice.
Crios walked out from behind a tree. My mother took a ready position with her sword drawn out. She looked angry.
He continued, “He came to us for guidance. We told him what he needs to do to resolve his problems.”
“You mean you and the Dark Rebellion?” Kaido asked.
Crios smirked and chuckled.
Ansel then ordered, “Vlayru, snap out of it!”
He didn’t say anything. He moved his hand and prepared an ice attack towards Kaido. Kaido ran towards Vlayru and phased through Vlayru’s ice attack and swung his sword. Crios lunged in for a critical blow at Kaido, but I quickly managed launched a Water Blast at him with my free arm. Crios flew backward into the air. Vlayru grabbed Kaido’s sword by the blade, stopping the swing, and the sword began to ice over. The ice worked its way up Kaido’s arms and then covered his entire body.
“Damn you, Vlayru,” Kaido grunted, before getting completely encased in ice.
I changed into Fire Form and broke the ice on my leg, and used fire blast. My mother teleported through a fiery portal she created and appeared behind Vlayru. An ice spike appeared from the ground and impaled my mother through her side.
“No!” I yelled.
She quickly melted the ice and fell to the ground. I saw her then lost consciousness. I ran towards Vlayru. He created an ice sword and blocked my attack. I looked at his face and it looked lifeless. There was no life in his eyes. something definitely was wrong with him. He grabbed me and I couldn’t break free of his grip. He then tossed me into the air and quickly launched an ice spike he created at me, impaling me through the stomach. I felt a great pain shoot through my body, as I feel back to the ground on my back. I started to feel myself lose consciousness, but I fought against it. I saw Ansel walk up to Vlayru. Vlayru didn’t do anything, surprisingly. All he did was stare back at her. She looked upset and scared, as she made her way up to him slowly.
“Vlayru. Why are you doing this?” Ansel quavered.
Vlayru said nothing and continued to stare back at her. Ansel got closer, her trembling hand reaching out to him.
She continued, “Vlayru this isn’t you. I know I just met you and I know you have been going through a lot because of your dad, but this isn’t the way. You should know that.”
Ansel put her hand on his face. Vlayru was still silent.
She continued, “This isn’t the Vlayru that I know behind this darkness.”
Vlayru’s face changed slightly. A twinkling of light was in his eyes, a tear ran down his face.
“I’m sorry,” He said, softly.
The twinkle disappeared and his eyes went back to looking lifeless. A sense of fear came over me.
I quickly said, “Wait, Vlayru!”
She then met the same fate as Kaido and became frozen completely in ice.
“I have to step in!” Spex said jumping up.
He was about to go into his aura, but then stopped as he felt something. He turned back to the hologram and continued.
I started feeling angry and lost control of myself. I went into my Shadow Form, but it was uncontrolled. The ground was shaking and energy was bursting off my body, causing the wind to blow hard around me. I
put my hand on my stomach and the pain subsided. I lunged towards him, shadow sword in hand. He didn’t move an inch.
“Vlayru!” I yelled and in anger tone.
As I got close, I was ready to slash my sword at him. Vlayru created an ice sword, ready to do the same to me. It was then that Vlaykre appeared in-between the middle of us. He grabbed my hand that was holding my sword and threw me hard to the ground. Vlaykre then used his gravity powers to stop Vlayru’s attack. Vlayru lifted up off the ground and then pushed him backward fast, through a tree. My Shadow Form wore off as my anger subsided and I blacked out.
“At least that’s over,” Spex is said, sighing in relief.
He calmed himself, sat down, and continued watching.
I awoke, sprang up, and yelled out,” Vlayru!”
I had a nightmare involving Vlayru. It was the similar situation from earlier. We were fighting, clashing our weapons. he knocked me back hard. I fell back and landed up against a support beam sitting down. I looked up and then Vlayru stabbed me with my own sword. I looked around the room and saw I was on a couch. I felt sore and was bandaged up. I was in the hotel room the adults were staying in again. There was a sunset coming from the window and without the lights on, it made the room dark orange. No one was around, so I went back to sleep and had another weird dream. In the dream, I was about to be killed by a figure in all black armor, wielding an over-sized black sword. Sabre appeared in front of me and saved me from what seemed to be certain death. The next morning, I awoke in a different room and Ansel was lying next to me and Kaido was lying in the next bed over. Ansel opened her eyes and looked at me.
“Good morning,” I said to her with a smirk.
She smiled back, “Morning. How are you feeling?”
“A little sore, but that’s it, surprisingly,” I replied, putting my hand on my stomach.
Ansel closed her eyes and said, “That’s good. I, on the other hand, are still a little numb. I never want to be covered in ice again. Kaido probably feels the same, too.”
The Masters: RE: The New Cast (The Crisis in Time Series Book 1) Page 13