"Unarm yourselves."
August's whisper was all it took for the archers to drop their bows, the Hybrids with their rifles, pistols, the like. Flickering air slicking his hair to shield his crimson retina, the shining emerald coloring emanating out his right pupil sent relieved breaths to the powerless subjects. A kind smile sent Azazel to cringe, but the submitting outsiders to near tears. Sharply inhaling, Karlo's palms protected his ears from falling victim to the Reaper's deafening cry. One he used to start his speech, that was.
"HELLOOOOO!!!!! Evolutionary natives, Hybrids, it's so nice to formally meet you all, heh! My name is Augustus Rivera, the Requiem Reaper, son of the New Allfather of the New World! In my son's blessed mind, what he holds is the key to survival! None other than my consciousness's special signature, housing infinite power that can potentially surpass all levels of present power in this twisted deformity you call 'Earth!' I have been alerted to the situation, that we have but one collective enemy after Callum fled and I defeated Naraku singlehandedly. The Jester, the orchestrator of this society's descent to chaos. However, that chaos did not diminish slowly. It was perpetuated by the very Evolutionaries who dare name themselves humanity's saviors. To think yourself elite and then to oppress another group for the sake of ruling when you'll eventually fall apart anyway... that is the very definition of human nature. Animals, in our own right. The Evolutionary leaders of that wretched organization will be punished rightfully when the time arrives! As for the Hybrids, who only defended themselves during the conflict in fear of their freedom, you'll be granted luxurious lives in service for the needless abuse you suffered at the hands of merciless tormentors. Others will be granted fair pay as military guards!! And now, for my biggest announcement!! Starting on July 27th, 2022, we'll start the reestablishment of the fallen Capital of Evolutionary City! At the head of the overseeing government will be none other than me: August Rivera! My military commander will be Azazel Karlo, and other military leaders will be elected at a later time. That is my call! Heed my demand for mandatory renewal or flee! Those are your only options!"
August's demands were crude but fair, those who sinned, that earned retribution, would be punished properly to fit the crime. The Evolutionary archers, heeding the Reaper's words, turned to face one another with sweaty faces and bowed their heads in a newfound respect for their heavenly superior.
"We're truly and deeply sorry for our actions against the Hybrid race!" Cried the Evolutionary leader archer.
Rivera gazed upon the voice with apathy radiating in Convergence's degrading glare. Slowly but surely, what replaced the kind grin was none other than that smug smirk staining his face. No matter the time, no matter the place, without fail, that cadence sent a smile, proud or not, to his black-haired partner's face. Katie could've sworn she heard him laugh, but when she locked onto his face, his mouth was covered and he continued to watch. Shrugging with a knowing hum, she turned back to face the Reaper, still menacingly smirking at the Evolutionary archers who dared to submit at the sight of strength that bypassed their own.
"No, you're not, you're just scared of death. If you were truly sorry, you would've dropped your bows a long time ago, but you continued because you're shitty people. In the New Evolutionary City, we will tolerate scum like you in a utopia like ours. Get lost."
Like God smiting an unworthy sinner, three red thunderbolts split apart the clouds and invaded their safety. Within seconds, their forces were decimated, and their lives were ended. All that remained was flaming buildings, fire washed away by something as simple as the Reaper's wave. The crowd stood stunned, as did June and Katie, but Azazel never faltered, he kept his eyes trained on his partner.
'To think you, of all people, would return. So noble and trustworthy, so cruel and ready. If only they knew the extent of your lineage, the limit to your mercilessness. You've always intrigued me, August, but never like this. As your father did, you set ablaze the hearts of the masses, knowing they will obey only you until the time comes for their flaming lives to be extinguished. But you're not like your father in one way. The struggles of having lost someone you love, being so strong and never being able to save anyone, tearing down authority for your loved ones' freedom, all inspire you. Even in this New World, you are so admirable... Rivera.'
...
In the days following August's message to the Hybrid crowd, a purge occurred. Beings deemed to be sinners, destined to be heading for Hell were already sent there via his demeaning will. On July 27th, the Evolutionaries' leaders all surrendered once August raided their camp, however, all of them were slaughtered, and only one survived. The only survivor would be kept as a prisoner, named 'X'. He would be the witness to the rebuilding of the Evolutionary Capital.
From July 28th to August 4th, construction started on the Head's former tower. The building would be refurbished with slick paint flapping along the skyscraper's exterior and the building would be architecturally redesigned with replaced structural integrity around the interior.
Among the painter unit was none other than the vessel Ace Wilder. Above the clouds and donning his leather jacket, the ginger's fingers handling the brush gradually slipped over these lengthened walls, draping it in a snowy drip.
Continuing this motion casually, Ace's Eternal Sight was unaware of the infiltrating eyes of his stalker, the identity being none other than his lover. Kima's pupils mimic a heart's shape, for while lovestruck, Katie's raspiness embedded in her feminine vocalization invaded upon her shameful stalking,
"Dreamy, huh?"
"Hmm?" She lovingly droned while continuing to paint.
"Damn. He got you whipped, huh? Or maybe you're just falling for his dad," Katie said, suppressing a smile.
"EWWW! That's nasty... even though Mr. Rivera is insanely hot," Kima commented.
"S'not the word I'd use."
"Oh really? Ok, well, what word WOULD you use?"
"He's a good person, that's all it is. And men, especially pretty mare rare these days,"
"Hear, hear!" Kim cried.
The duo high-fived without even sharing a glance immediately afterward. Neither of them spoke to one another for the entirety of their task, instead, they grew accustomed to the summer's rushing winds sending their hairs afloat. Katie found comfort in not only those soothing breezes but the awe-inspiring scenery of the setting sun vanishing behind the distant mountains. In the age of dawn, there came twilight to reign over it all. Hands settled onto the serpent's scales she sat upon, an avian caw penetrated her ears.
'More seagulls?' Thought Katie.
Instead, it was quite the opposite. Kima proudly stood her short figure atop a winged chimera sporting a hawk's beak and an eagle's torso. In her hands, she held two black containers with plastic covers revealing the covered food.
"No veggies, right?" Kim asked.
"Yup," Katie affirmed, slipping her food over to her lap.
"You know you're disgusting, right? You can eat those fucking birds but you can't EAT SOMETHING GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?! THAT'S WRONG!!" Kima's shout garnered the other painters' curious stares, nevertheless, her bloodshot eyes kept trained on Moon's face.
"Lighten up, Kim. Maybe then, Ace'll finally fuck you again! Hah!" Katie laughed as she shoved the spoonful of food into her mouth.
"Yes, yes, very funny. At least I have someone to worry about fucking me, Katie. Unlike SOMEONE I KNOW!!"
"You make it sound like I couldn't get any man I want just by walking past them," Said Kate with a mouthful of rice with chicken.
"I guess that's true. Ya know who can't get anyone, though?"
"June!" They said in unison with differing tones; Kima with a happy announcement contrasted to Katie's soft-spoken deduction.
Myers enjoyed a hearty laugh, hand over her mouth, to which Katie joyfully continued chewing away at her meal. Eventually, Kima's chortling grew quiet. The last remnants of the sun's fiery influence vanished and what remained, even with an angel aiding them, was darkness. Ensnaring the Tower was the World Serpent's summoned mass, the beast soundly sleeping with cycled snores, Kima's petting hand soothed her friendly familiar to that slumbering state.
"Do you think this reconstruction thing is gonna work without anyone attacking us for the rest of the year?" Katie abruptly asked.
Kim fidgeted, quite literally, twiddling her thumbs. She seemed to be enthralled by that blinding light, as snowy as the City's during the dead of winter, Myers shrugged. An honest answer, subconscious in its truth. Accompanying the action, however, was a verbal reply, too.
"I can only hope. After all, for a whole year, we haven't even been to school. Ain't that something?"
"I'm surprised you still think about school. After all, didn't you hate being the 'bossy' girl or whatever? The den mother of the group, since you had two Artifacts and all."
"Well, that was my fault. You were right, back then. I should've just told Alex and got the burden off my shoulders," Kima strongly affirmed her fellow black-haired companion.
"No, I was blind. When I heard about what happened, I thought Ace had a reason, and when I heard you left him, I was... jealous. You had the strength to leave him behind, continue on your path, but I didn't. I was unaware of the chain Ace had on me but I think he was unaware too. I think we were just confused, back then."
"Whatever you saw or experienced after you caused that storm made you realize that, huh? The error of blindly following someone to the point you ignore their sins. A good friend always tells their friend when they're doing something wrong, so you don't wanna turn a blind eye when they properly wrong someone. Me, on the other hand... I turned into a slave. I wanted to escape it, but I wasn't a slave to Alex, I was to myself. I let myself believe I hated something I allowed. I wasn't strong enough to destroy it and become myself without anyone binding me. The real me is during battle when my life is on the line, I feel my blood rushing. When I try my hardest to win during a fight or lose with an honorable death. Only then would are my true desires realized.
But, what about you? How'd you come to realize you were idolizing Ace?" Kima asked, affixing her position with a hand on her turned cheek, admiring Katie's silent beauty.
"I was thrust into a version of my father's memories where the Old World was never destroyed. It continued with our lives. I saw... someone being abused. I saved that someone-that youth. I ensured someone would live to tomorrow, or rather, I held the potential to guide someone like that to a better tomorrow. It conflicted with the way I saw things. Would Alex allow this to happen-would Ace? I hadn't realized how different yet similar he and I are. As long as someone, whoever it may be, gifts me with their gratitude upon saving their life, I'll be happy to have lived my life. That's my justice. And yours is..."
"Fighting! C'mon, we just went over this. But, all jokes aside, I'm glad you realized that. Truth is, I've been meaning to thank you. Ever since you beat me to a pulp, we never got the chance to talk. I thought I'd hate you after that, but... you made me realize the truth about myself. I couldn't find my happiness with Ace before so I sought out this corrupt government that toyed with me; made me their slave. But I rebelled, thanks to you. Thank you! I love chu lots, Katie--"
Holding up her fist, what she expected to be a bump was replaced with an embrace. A hug so tight the others' bones could be squished, but neither of them showed any care, instead, they just sat together. Their arms around each other's necks, drawing tears out her eyes corners, Kim stroked her friend's head as muffled sobs entered her neck. Through these desperate cries in the middle of the night, where the moon reigned supreme and when the stars decided now was the time to shine the brightest, Katie choked out one reply to Kim's affectionate thanks.
"I-I... luv... you too!"
'All the detriment in the world stems from a lack of individual ability.'
How right she was. For it is only within ourselves are we truly able to accept our faults.
To Be Continued.