"As you can see you've got two options, both have the same outcome. Surrender peacefully, and we will be gentle. Refuse, and it will hurt." The Leader declared.
Charles took a step forward before turning his head back to Ray, "stay behind close behind me. Keep your eyes open and cover my back." He then turned back at the Leader. "I have a counter offer. Let us go or join your friends." He said whilst pointing at the pile of dead bodies lying behind him.
The Leader then seemed to pause as if weighing his options, but Ray heard distinct sounds, and he soon realized they were talking through their comms.
"I think…"
"I know, I can hear them too. You better remember the few things I taught you. The plan is simple, there is the door, we get out at all costs, there would probably be some heavy guns waiting for us outside, but I have a plan. Are you ready?" When Charles was done talking, the enemy's team leaped into action.
"Watch out for the plasma bolts. They are lethal to humans and instantly kill if hit anywhere above the waist," Charles warned.
Four bolts were fired after which Charles screamed at Ray to spread out. He went to the left while Ray went to the right letting the bolts pass them harmlessly. They quickly got back to their initial formation as Charles led a charge. The team however anticipated this kind of attack and broke into three smaller units. Six flanking on each side while twelve remained at the center forming a semicircle around the leader and began firing.
The Leader, however, dropped to his knees as he brought forth a long metallic device that he started setting it up. The two flanking teams reached their sides, and they immediately engaged him in melee. One went attacked Ray's right with a cross while the other went for a low left sweep.
Ray easily dodged the first attack. The other one wasn't so lucky as Raymond jumped and dropped down on his ankle, effectively breaking it. His opponent screamed through his headgear before raising both his hands and fired two rapid shots, he was able to dodge the first but the second tagged him on the chest.
The impact knocked Raymond off balance whilst he let out a scream of his own. Dropping on his back, he glanced at his chest. A small sized portion of his t-shirt was burnt entirely, and his bare skin was coal black, almost charred with the smell of roasted flesh assaulting him. He almost puked; good thing he had yet to eat anything.
Ray tried to heal himself but nothing happened; so, it was magic he was using. Remembering his situation, he got up and saw that all the soldiers stopped advancing on him, maybe they thought his threat was neutralized and they were all focused on Charles who had taken down two but at the state his was in with a burnt hand and a scalded back, Ray was sure he wouldn't last very long.
Fuck the rules, was his last thought before he reached out with his power. Wind came rushing in, and everyone was thrown off balance before Raymond raised his right hand and sent out a ball of concentrated air. It was a gamble, and it worked.
It smashed on the back of one of the shoulders, and he was violently thrown forward, crashing into three others in the process. That got the attention of the Leader who immediately left his weapon and came after him; realizing he was their greatest challenge. The Leader moved at blurring speeds, and before Raymond could properly process everything, the Leader was right in front of him with a hook that connected.
Raymond was immediately thrown back. He knew his cheek was severely charred even without touching. Without his healing, he knew sooner or later his damage-soak was going to be overwhelmed. He turned to see the Leader looking at him.
"What are you?"
With a frown, Raymond didn't reply but build another large pool of compressed air around his hands. Since his earlier attack in the van had gratifying results. He was definitely going to use it again.
As for the Leader, after getting no response he attacked Raymond attacked again, this time, however, Ray was ready and waiting. He saw the Leader's approach, he was exceptionally agile and easily moved with an inhuman feline grace. Under any other circumstance Ray would've admired him but unfortunately the Leader was after him.
Just as the Leader was about to deliver his next gruesome attack, Ray let go of his power. A fairly loud boom escaped as a small shock-wave smashed on the leader's chest, even Raymond heard a few ribs crack as he was sent crashing at a support pillar, almost knocking it down. "Damn!"
Ray heard Charles say over five meters away. He had five bodies down, and a good chunk of his opponents peeled off him and began coming after Ray. Right then there was a loud chime followed by a hissing sound coming from the device the Leader had set earlier on.
Its top end began rotating while flashing a blinking red light as if on a countdown.
"Not good!"
"What?" Ray asked before the weapon came to life releasing a pulse.
"Raymond run!" Charles got out before he suddenly dropped onto his front legs and gritted in pain. "Run now!"
Raymond immediately sprinted for the large doors. Two bolts zipped past him as he ducked, four more were fired with one hitting him on the arm but did nothing to slow him down. He went past the large doors and out to find the helicopter waiting with four more soldiers standing guard. They each immediately aimed at Raymond forcing him send a large gust of wind that knocked all of them down on their asses. He then ran straight for the ocean. Without wasting time, he took a deep breath and dove into the ocean. He immediately began powering through the ocean, going deeper and deeper.
Luckily for Ray, he never heard sounds of the helicopter following him which was so far a good sign but was soon replaced by guilt for leaving his friend behind. While he pondered with the decision to go back, he heard a splash next to him. Ray did get a chance to have a good look at the intruder as pair of hands grabbed him. The next thing he knew they were no longer in the ocean but standing in the middle of a large room filled with several women.
'Strange,' that was the first thing that popped into his mind.
There were at least six women in the room, and they were all looking at him now. Some with curiosity-filled eyes, others with a little bit of indifference while a few were showing open hostility. Raymond then had a chance to look at his abductor again. It was Adrastea, drenched like he was.
"I need to go back, Charles got caught. He needs my help."
"Sorry Raymond, my orders were to come get you."
"Where is Athena then?"
"She left, I don't know where."
"I can't stay here then. My friend needs me," Ray grew anxious.
"Then I'm sorry, but we can't let you leave." Adrastea said in a stern voice.
One by one he saw the women getting ready for a confrontation. Looking back at Adrastea, she was silently chanting, and it took Raymond a couple of seconds before he realized she was casting a spell.
Ray was about to retaliate when his body suddenly became groggy and foggy. His vision slowly became hazy as he fought against the need to sleep. "What have you done to me."
"Sleeping spell," Adrastea said before Ray dropped on the floor like a sack.
"Take him to one of the private chambers and post two guards on him." Adrastea added before leaving for her chambers to get some fresh clothes; hopefully, the situation was contained. She knew Athena would want answers soon. Adrastea had better get her gear and go back at the warehouse for her own investigation.