Staring at the large crowd, Jamal couldn't help but notice the insane military presence at the event. At least a few dozens of geared troops were standing attention across the town's main square, where the so-called ceremony was going to begin. What ceremony he was unsure of, except for what was going to be done at midday. Only ten more minutes was all they needed. At least this abandoned building provided them with a good view and position, less they were disturbed.
"Everyone understands their role?" Jamal turned to ask for nods.
The plan was simple. Barge down into the main square before anyone could react, and let Jamal do his thing: convince everyone, or at least most of the people in the area, that they needed to fight for Saputa again. Hopefully, it went as smooth as possible, before the other agents and conspirators across the city started capturing their planned sections. Overwhelming most of the city's forces should be enough for Jamal and the rest to secure most of the city before they understood what was going on. Else it would get bloodier than they wished for. Jamal wasn't hoping for that alternative.
"Jamal, they look to be starting two minutes earlier." He could hear Leon point out.
Looking back towards the crowd, the swath of people stood attention to a large stage as several cloaked men, dressed as former guards when Youden attacked, walked to its center. The spectacle was almost hypnotizing, as a large bowl was placed in the center before a torch lit up its content. Fire launched into the sky, passing several meters over the buildings until a grunt put Jamal back into focus.
"It's showtime." Heskins nodded, as Jamal took a deep breath.
The show would have to wait, as the others had already started rushing downstairs and out of the building. Not joining them, Jamal lifted himself up through the broken window and looked down at the city-folk. He could hear a few shouts of people noticing him, thinking he was jumping to his death or the sort, but he kept his composure. Time to do what he did best.
"Hey, Port-O-Bea!" Jamal roared louder than the commotion, causing just about everyone in the vicinity to look towards him. "I'm back!"
Still in shock, Jamal had leaped across the huge gap of pavement while using his flames to propel him towards the center stage. Despite his power, he managed to somehow slip against the wood of the stage, as he barely kept his composure and balance. That was close, he sighed, turning to the shocked crowd.
"It's him!" Someone had cried out, as if he hadn't revealed himself. "Jamal Wrint is here!"
"I am, and to spread nothing but the real truth." Jamal could see the guards in the back starting to push their way through, having him have to pick up the pace. "Youden has given you guys nothing but false hope and opportunity. Some of you have fought with me against him and look what it had brought. A sign that we would not stand for oppression, but ourselves and our ideals."
Just finishing the statement, the man managed to duck down before a rifle barrel could crash into his skull, as Jamal jabbed the soldier in the gut. More soldiers started to pile into the city's center, as some of the civilians began to disperse due to their presence. He was losing ground at the rate he was going.
"Is that what you want? To give up now, or fight as the people of Saputa did." Jamal started swerving past the guards starting to converge on him. "This is the life you are willing to live for?"
"You left us for yourself!" someone in the crowd yelled to him.
"Why come back now?"
"He missed what we really had gone through."
"What do you really want, from all of us?"
Jamal mainly heard that last statement through the commotion, and actually thought about everything that had really led to that point. Avoiding the chaos around him, he understood the reasoning and sentiment against his demands. It wasn't because he didn't have the characteristics to lead. He simply never truly had said anything to motivate them to make an actual change against the current regime. A reason that would make them fight for what he knew was a less restrictive life. Maybe they thought otherwise, but lockdowns over one main group and anyone against them for months were quite the extreme.
"Listen to me well, if you may still." Jamal said after some thought, "I understand that many of you might be against what I had done once I had left and Youden unleashed his true power. It was quite shameful now knowing the truth. But I also understand what life felt like without having to worry whether my friend is or isn't going to die for what he stands for. I stand for a life where we can all live in actual peace and harmony, where our children can grow strong and happy, knowing that you were the ones to provide it. You don't want to live with the fact that you did nothing for the better. Pick wisely, and the side that you decide upon for the greater is going to make that change we can all have. This isn't such a way to live, and you all know it."
With those words, the crowd had slowly quieted down until it was nothing but murmurs, with even some of the guards looking at each other. Was this really worth fighting for, even compared to the passion that they had for their homes only a few years ago. They were so willing to give it up for false hope in exchange for stricter freedom and unapologetic oppression. Limited freedom of speech was already starting to seep more and more, with city laws and acts keeping them all quiet, while promising them security. The shackles were starting to be released and it seemed that they could start across the nation at any rate.
"Don't hesitate now, for Saputa!" Jamal raised his fist up, flames glowing around it and standing high.
Most of the people were somewhat hesitant, although it was as if a slow chain reaction was unfolding in front of them. It all started with one person, a young girl near the front, who stood on the tip of her toes, and held her fist high in support. As shocked as some of the guards were, a few more younger people started to join. Realizing that they would be screwed should they stay, some of the guards quickly started backing off from the crowd, to hopefully get some distance. Unfortunately for them, someone had gotten the idea to rip off the rifle of an unsuspecting guard member, who turned around in shock to only get shot in the chest multiple times.
Noticing the chaos starting to ensue, several of the other guards had gotten into position behind some buildings and aimed into the crowd. Jamal could see the fear in the people's eyes, as people were running about for cover or against the system, as many of the civilians started clashing against the militant forces for their weapons and gear. As good as this seemed, it would do nothing but delay the inevitable of fighting against the main group that was yet to come.
"I hope the others are on it as to plan." Jamal fumed to himself, as he was just about to make his way off stage to the next location before a searing burn cut into the side of his stomach.
Crouching down, he sucked in a deep breath as he looked around at what caused the pain. It didn't take long to make eye contact with a more senior officer of the military, as they held a strong grin. Zim was holding a lightly smoking rifle, as it aimed it back at him.
"Men, kill them all! We will have this city under our control!" Zim yelled out to his nearby loyal soldiers, who did as said.
Just as Jamal was quick to put a hand up to start a fire, another shot rang out, causing Jamal to drop it in pain. Seeing black circles and spots across his vision, he managed to barely move near the edge of the stage, before it all went dark. It couldn't be the end now, could it?