The night sky, while usually distorted from the city lights and smog, looked especially ominous on this night. Smoke billowed from burning buildings below, completely blocking out any stars and the full moon. Instead, the clouds glowed a deep red, a reflection of the flames below.
On the ground, sirens could be heard in all directions, as well as shattering glass, gunshots, and screams. Rioters of all kinds stormed the streets: humans, dark elves, and all sorts of creatures of the night. What they all had in common, they were the city's poor, the forgotten, the ones who lived in the slums.
It was as if hell had risen out of the planet's core itself. In fact, the demons below were already on the rise. They could smell the souls above being corrupted, a buffet of the most wonderful kind.
A few of them were already on the surface, those who lived there in secret, possessing humans or other non-magical animals, or simply those who lived in the shadows. With these riots, they no longer had to hide their bloodlust. They could run amok and no one would even notice. They knew, in a matter of hours, their brethren would be joining them. Entire hoards of demons would be joining them.
----
As Valathos exited the building, he took in a deep breath. His eyes moved to the smoke filled sky, the city of fire. His legs carried him swiftly to a beat up vehicle, parked on the side of the imposing mansion. A smile crossed his face as he went to open the trunk of the vehicle. Metal scraping metal could be heard as he put the key into the keyhole.
There was a loud pop as the trunk kicked open. He looked at his watch, then started to undress down to his underwear. Under the light in the parking lot, scars could be seen all over his lanky, almost nude form. He folded his clothing and placed them neatly into a bag, a motion that said he had done this many times. After he set the bag into the trunk, he pulled out some new blue jeans, a pair of black socks, a grey t-shirt, an over the head blue hoodie, and some work boots. Another glance at his watch seemed to put a pep in his step, as he quickly walked to the front of the car. He opened the creaking door, tossed his clothing into the passenger side, and climbed into the driver seat.
There he sat for a moment, taking a measured breath. Then, he grabbed his phone and made what looked like ten phone calls. When his calls were completed, he went to put the keys in the ignition only to recall that he left them in the trunks’ keyhole. A smile crossed his face as he got out to close the trunk, retrieving his keys in the same motion. Quick and precise movements were all that could be seen as he got back in the car and shut the door.
He pulled the seat belt across his chest and tried to start the vehicle. It didn’t turn over the first time, so he pumped the gas pedal twice and tried again. The sound of a coughing old man with lung issues slowly faded as the car came to life.
As he drove, he obeyed the laws of the road to the letter. Ten short minutes later, he arrived in a parking lot, where more than a few moving trucks and semi trucks with trailers waited for him. As he got out of the vehicle, he started to get dressed. First, his pants came on: left leg while skipping on his right and vice versa. Then, he pulled on his grey shirt, while shifting his shoes and sweater between hands.
Some of the forty something people standing outside their vehicles started to laugh. He laughed with them, and as he pulled over his hoodie, he talked with them. He casually gave them directions, as if nothing was strange about what he was doing.
He then tossed his shoes to the ground as everyone pulled out their phones, per his orders. Each of them had Foofle maps open and were entering the addresses that Val gave them. He used his socks to dust off his right foot, then put on the sock and the shoe. While he did this, someone moved over to help him balance. A minute later he had both boots on his feet.
They spoke light heartedly for a few more minutes, before they all started getting into their trucks, one by one. Five minutes later, the last truck pulled away. Val followed behind closely in his car. The truck he was following was part of the caravan headed into the center of the city, where the biggest riots were taking place.
---
Relka sat at her large computer, simultaneously helping organize riot control in the worst areas of the city, while keeping an eye on the mysterious Val. The taped conversation still sitting where she left it. How was she going to get her hands on a shifter? She had been scratching her brain on this for a while. At the same time, she kept her eyes on her computer screens, freely switching through the city’s cameras.
Shooting quick messages to Zaz to keep him updated, she debated leading him astray, but her damn reputation preceded her. She knew the Captain would know right away she betrayed them. She would have to play this closely.
Zazriel pulled out his phone as he and Liel left the mansion, checking the recent messages from Relka as he went, before shutting the screen off and sliding it back into his pocket. He looked up to see Liel hopping into the driver's side of their car. Her door slammed shut, and he followed suit, clambering into the passenger’s seat. They were off and on their way in a matter of seconds, Zazriel giving her directions.
The ride was quiet, aside from the occasional explosion of fire. The carnage outside the car window was getting worse by the minute, but that wasn’t the mission. They had a mystery to solve.
“What do you think?” Liel asked as she rounded a corner, narrowly avoiding running someone over. “This Val guy obviously knows more than he’s letting on, but is this really the best way to spend our effort? Is this really worth it?”
“It’s the only choice we’ve got as far as I can see,” Zazriel said with a shrug. “It isn’t as though we can go to the authorities and bring up the issue with them. You heard the contract just as clearly as I, agreed to it too. And I’ll be damned if that shape changing bastard thinks he can just give all of us the slip. His kin and their problems affect us and this city just as much as they do him.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Liel agreed, not taking her eyes off the road. She remained quiet the rest of the drive, keeping her focus on the chaos in the streets.
It took some time, but they did catch up to the butler, Val. At least, they caught up to the car he’d last been seen driving. It parked close behind a large truck that it had been following, the contents of said truck a mystery.
“So what do you think we do next?” Liel asked as she pulled to stop. Two blocks away, they could make out the tall shape of Mr. Val, stepping out of his car. “I don’t think we should get any closer or get out of the car, not yet at least. What do you think?”
“We definitely don’t want to be seen,” Zazriel said, watching Val through narrowed eyes. “We’ll stay here until he’s out of sight, then we’ll start to tail him. Oh and don’t forget…”
He opened the central compartment and patted the holsters lying within. “Just in case.”
---
Val’s caravan stopped in the heart of the city, near a massive park that would normally be green in the summer. Of course, this time of year, the park would be barren for winter. If only that was the case, because this night, the trees were on fire.
The largest truck placed itself closest to the park and opened up from the side to reveal a stage. As the truck opened dramatically, Val entered through a back door. When the stage was set, he simply stood there, calm, looking at his phone. He was watching a live map of the city, waiting for his other trucks to get into position.
When all the red dots had turned green, he put his phone back into his pocket and looked up to the large crowd that gathered round. Many of them stood there, mouths aghast, deciding what to think of this strange site. Others began to shout profanities. They were in the mood to riot. They didn’t care about the sideshow.
“Everyone, please give me a few minutes of your time!” He pleaded to the restless mob, speaking through the lone microphone, the only other object on stage with him.
Across the city, the other trucks opened up to form similar stages. Except on these stages, there wasn’t a person, not in the flesh at least. Instead, holograms of Val repeated his speech. At first, there was some interference, as the holograms flickered, but this issue cleared up as he spoke.
“I’m sure you are all thinking that I’m a rich spoiled person who doesn’t know the pain, fear, and anger. You believe that people like you, like us, cannot be heard. A few years ago I had nothing, I had lost my wife and child because of the strong, the wealthy. I’m here to be the voice for those they wish to remain silent!” Val stated as he tried to hold back his tears. Sadly he could not and one drop came free. He wiped the tear away and cleared his throat to stop his wavering voice.
“Together we will find a way to work with you and your families to help you all feel secure and safe! There will be no need to hide no matter which race you are! We at Omnicore, welcome all! We will become an omni racial family, closer to kin than anyone! With this, we will be able to speak and have our voices heard! This is the way we will change the world! We will make great strides from within the system! This is the only way to get them to listen!” He stated as he pointed to the corporation buildings.
“Stand united with me and I will lead you to a better tomorrow and a stable future! Please put away your doubt and fear. Your hatred and blind rage. Come and partake of the food we have prepared just for you! Shower, get new clothing, become one with us!” Val waved a hand, and the sides to all the other semi trucks lit up to reveal the Omnicore logo, and each truck had a special label beside the logo, such as a piece of bread or a five pointed star.
Beside the trucks, people were waiting with contracts and other papers that needed to be filled out. The forms asked for medical history, types of food eaten, what they would like to do if given the opportunity. They also asked for current income, current investments, current... almost everything, and an NDA.
“Please read over these contracts as they will assist us in assisting you! You may do so while eating, and if you need someone to help you understand the questions, we have people for that!” Val finished as he moved down to where the food was. He washed his hands and started to help hand out food.
His hologram copies all across the city also went to do the same thing, however as they moved off the stage, his image vanished. Other workers were there to hand out the food. However, TVs mounted on the sides of all the trucks showed him at the main one, as he handed out plate after plate.
While there were many people in line for food or curiously looking through the papers Val’s men had to offer, others were content to go back to rioting.
…
Relka swore under her breath. Val had pulled this into the public eye. It was a masterful stroke really, taking the poor and the weak and forming them into a makeshift army. He could, in theory, make the city a war zone. These people have had to fight for their lives to eat, to make money, to just survive. Those at the top have never had to do that. Everything was handed to them.
Relka had experienced both lives. She came from nothing, no better than a common street rat. She clawed her way to the position she was in now. Building her wealth of knowledge had been grueling. She was a hundred and fifty before she came to power. She had hoped that her reputation to help the slums would offer her some protection, but she also knew some people would only see her as a person of power.
These thoughts drifted on her mind while she watched Val help service the poor masses. She hadn’t reported his exact location yet, but Zazeriel made it to Vals before they moved off anyways. He might be there now if he was lucky, but Relka decided it would be best to keep her mouth shut for the time being. She was determined to come out of this thing on top. So maybe it was time to play both sides of this little game that Val started.
She sent a message to Goose, having him send a couple of his best spies to infiltrate this Omnicore. They would gather information for her on their locations, numbers, those in charge, anything that would help her learn more. One was to also try and make contact with Val himself, to give him Relkas’ direct line so they could discuss a possible alliance, She was the most knowledgeable woman in the city after all. She could make his life easier or harder, if she wanted.
…
Zazriel walked along the concrete path, running the length of the park, nose wrinkling slightly at the acrid stench of smoke as it wafted off the burning trees. He drummed his fingers against the holster strapped to his waist as he looked about in search of their elusive shifter friend before finally finding him, though not in the way he had expected. Val stood in the center of a stage protruding from the side of a truck, his only companion a single microphone and a rather sizeable crowd of onlookers. Curiosity piqued, Zaz stalked forward to merge with the group just as Val began to speak.
Zazriel stood there for a bit, listening with a critical ear. Sure the words were ones of unity and goodwill, but he'd been walking this world a
very long time, and knew bullshit when heard it. This wasn't just an extension of good grace on Val's part, not when you considered the current circumstances. No, he'd chosen tonight in particular to announce his cause, a night in which people's emotions were already stirred up by the riots and looting. He managed to get his message out to a good chunk of the city as well, at least if those screens were anything to go by.
The only question was why. From everything he'd witnessed, both in the meeting and during their pursuit, nothing had indicated that this was his end goal for the night. If anything it had seemed like he was going to meet someone in secret, not pull a stunt like this. Was he trying to build a makeshift army to keep people off his back while he dealt with his kin? Collect information? Something else entirely?
Just what are you up to Val…?Val continued helping those who wanted help, handing out one plate of food after another, despite those that went back to rioting. Just as he had people helping him hand out papers and food, he had others specifically to guard against threats. They were to use non-lethal weapons and tactical gear. They were nearly as well equipped as the police force and equally as trained. Still, the struggle to stop the violence and the fires was quite challenging.
That’s when a man and woman emerged from a white van, with the five pointed star symbol on its side, next to the Omnicore logo. The woman wore a full, hooded robe that covered most of her body. While the man wore only a speedo to cover his man bits, revealing an extremely muscular body. He looked like he could compete for mister universe and win.
The man yelled as he moved towards the fires, a gleeful smile on his face.“Ah! it seems like it is time for us to show off our training!”
“Indeed.” The female stated stoically, as she walked toward a large group of rioters.
The man reached the fires before the woman reached the crowd. He smiled as he lifted his hands, and the fires simply died out. Not the closest fire but all the fires in the immediate area. His muscles started to bulge as he fell to one knee and then the other. Soon he was sitting in a meditative posture. He was focusing on reaching more fires in the surrounding city blocks.
Meanwhile, the female reached the crowd, and someone noticed her approach. Without hesitation, the rioter rushed toward her, with a devilish grin. He aimed to crack down on her with a heavy elbow. Unflinching, she moved under and into his swing. She stood strong as his elbow hit her shoulder and dislocated under its own force. It was as if he struck a brick wall.
“Stand down or continue to break yourself.” She calmly stated, inches from his face. He was screaming loudly in pain, but managed to hear her words. Something clicked in the man’s brain, and he suddenly lost all will to fight. After stifling his screams, he moved toward the vehicles to accept their charity, like a dog with its tail tucked.
“Everyone here!” She yelled at the rest of the rioters. “Please cease your destructive activities!” Her voice was loud yet somehow calm, given the situation.
She then lowered her hood to reveal her face. Many people in the crowd instantly recognized her. She used to be something of a mother figure for the poor in this district. She disappeared months ago. Everyone wondered where she had gone. Some thought that she died. Half the crowd stepped back, while the other half rushed her, brandishing all sorts of melee weapons. Apparently, they had resented her leaving them.
It was strange, yet captivating to watch her fight. She was as fluid as water as she dodged the mob’s attacks and then became ridgid like ice when she countered. This lasted for about a minute, before she closed her eyes and sighed.
“If you will not stop, then you must be punished.” She said coldly as she swept her hand once through the air. As she did, they all stopped, gasping for breath. Then, one by one, they started to fall, until the fight was over. She had pulled nearly all the air out of the area, turning it into a vacuum of sorts.
The rioters that didn’t choose to fight, the ones that retreated to safety, they pointed out someone amongst the rioters that laid unconscious on the ground. This person was dressed like one of them, but he was definitely not a part of their original group. In fact, none of them had ever seen the person before.
Val’s eyes widened in surprise as he too noticed the person on the ground. He was a good distance away, still handing out food when the fight took place, but he had been keeping an eye on things.
The one on the ground was definitely someone he once knew… a shifter.
The woman, hardly phased from her battle, strode toward the muscular man sitting on the ground. She laughed at him slightly.
He let out a sigh as he looked up to her.“A little help, please?” He asked, referring to the fires still burning in buildings down the street.
“Can’t do it alone, little boy?” She asked with a smile, as she held out her hand.
“You know I’m not as precise as you.” He admitted as he grabbed her hand and stood up. At this point his body was covered in sweat.
They stood in silence for a moment, both focusing, one hand in the other’s. As they did, ice started to form over the remaining fires. Slowly, the ice melted and the chilled water began to put out their flames.
Once all the fires they could see were out, the woman directed the smoke to go up into the air, instead of covering the area. By this point, they both were sweating. She grimaced as they let go of each other’s hands and headed back to the picnic tables next to the food trucks.
Val had moved around from behind the food serving station and met the two magical warriors, just before they reached the tables. “Please eat.” Val said as he directed to the food he had waiting for them.
Once the man and women were sat, Val made a quick but smooth path to the unconscious rioters. He picked up the one he recognized as a shifter by the thin man’s shirt collar and dragged him to a table in the park, a good distance away from others. He then pulled something out and waved it under the nose of the shifter, waking it from its slumber.
“Now then, tell me who sent you?” Val questioned flatly only to make the unknown shifter scoff, sleepily. He didn’t speak, only sat there looking at Val. Valathos couldn’t reveal who he was but smiled, as he took a small microphone out of his pants pocket.
“Look at how terrified this person is!” He stated, as cameramen in the area turned to focus on him and the shifter. He looked like a normal everyday guy but something was off. His eyes seemed bigger than normal, his mouth as well.
“He is so afraid, that he feels that he cannot show who he truly is in public!” Val continued. If there were others like him in the other groups, surely they would have been seeing this broadcast.
“Even though he looks like this and is different!” He skipped a beat to turn his head and acknowledge the shifter directly. “We welcome you! No longer will you be alone! No longer will you be led astray by those in power, who have no foresight! You will be part of a grand family who will accept you for who you are, not for what you can do!”
Val placed his hand on the shifter’s shoulder. It was a gentle and loving placement. Like one a father gives his son. “Everyone is welcome to join our family!” He then finished on a softer tone. “All you need to do is take the opportunity.”
Val placed the microphone back in his pocket, removed his hand from the young man’s shoulder, and sat next to him with legs crossed and a relaxed posture. Even seated next to the shifter, he was much taller. He gazed down at the young man with kind eyes.
The camera operators stayed on this sight for a few more moments, until they realized the spectacle had ended. And so, they panned back to the crowds of people, standing in line for free food.
---
Miles away, in the comfort of her own home, Relka pondered the situation. She was flying through information from the people she had infiltrated this new organization. It was only their first night, so she anticipated to get very little, but she could still send instructions and gather what little bit she could. She had to figure out this group's true intentions. This facade, most likely, only held up outside the inner circle.
Alas, Val was so deep in the crowd her messenger couldn’t get to him at this time. Hopefully before he left, they would reach him, or maybe one of the two impressive mages knew something? She couldn’t be sure… and she didn’t like not being sure.
She then pressed a button to her direct line to Zazriel, which would activate his phone and give an alert, as long as it was on. It seemed to work, as there was no error message, but there was no answer. “Zaz, what’s the plan? The captain needs an update.” she asked warily.
All she got was silence. She immediately began searching the cameras near where he was last seen… no luck. So she widened her search, and there was still no sign of him.
Slightly worried, slightly annoyed, she grabbed her phone and sent a message to the captain to alert him of the newest development.
What the hell was going on in her damn city? And where did Zaz get off too?
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