"Yeah, I see. It is because of the new reigning religion. Also, the internet and social media isn't helping matters for Darklings," Emilia sighed.
The traffic light went green and the power bike continued on the road. "Also, couldn't the higher-ups come up with a better name other than Darklings?" Emilia asked nonchalantly.
"I agree. But we have been through this argument before. The entire point was to be feared not loved." Adria added.
"Hmmm! And now, they decide to change the brand because of marketing!" Emilia Sighed again.
"Emilia!" Adria called in a subtle tone.
"Yeah!" she answered.
"I heard we lost some of our own again at the 'Hole' last week. I heard it was from our batch."
Those words brought a kind of understanding sadness to both of them. And for a few seconds, no one talked.
"It was David and Victor leading the team," Emilia added.
Adria could not help but imagine two goofy-looking men with cigars in their mouths. Memories of time spent with them went through his mind. Times when they were little, training to be Darklings and as adults chasing after women or getting drunk. He sighed getting rid of the distracting thoughts. Emilia had just made a sharp turn on a wide road with a sign that read: Warning! Avalon personnel only.
The road led through a series of trees on both sides. The cold night wind blew hard and Adria could already feel the need to sleep.
After a while, the bike stopped in front of a very big gate that had the logo of the Avalon company on it.
"Access code please," a mechanized voice asked from the Big gate.
Both Emilia and Adria opened their collars to reveal a set of numbers under a bar code in-between their chests. A laser scanned both of them.
"Emilia, Batch 1. Adria, Batch 1. Access Granted."
A series of bolts against locks was heard and the big gate opened up. Emilia rode her bike through it as it closed behind her.
"Hey! Emilia," A security guard at the gate waved to her as they entered.
She pretended not to notice him as she sped off into the distance.
"Oh! that's just cold. Even for you." Adria commented.
"If I'm right, hasn't that guy been like proposing to marry you for a while now?" Adria teased.
"Adria!"
"Yep, baby face!" Adria teased
"If you keep talking, I am going to throw you off." Emilia threatened.
"Yes ma'am." Adria responded
"The kind of job we do does not permit for such attachments. Besides, after you and your nonsense, I am long done with dating."
Regardless of what she said, Adria still caught her eyes looking at the security guard through her side mirror.
As the bike moved, they passed a squad of Colts (Darklings in training) on a late-night jog. Adria waved at the instructor urging them forward. He waved back at Adria. Emilia also nodded in response to him.
The bike went through rows of buildings on either side. After a few minutes, they were in front of a building that was several feet high. It was weirdly shaped like a giant capital letter 'A' and one look at it could easily tell that the Eiffel tower could very easily be dwarfed by it.
Emilia stopped in front of it and the two alighted. Both of them had just proceeded to the flight of stairs leading to the building when a loud shout was heard.
"ADRIA!!!" the shout had come from above them.
"Oh, shit! He is back!?" As Adria cursed, a fist was already coming down towards his face.
*Boom*
He blocked with his hands, but it still pushed him a distance and his feet screeched against the ground as he slowly came to a stop.
"Hahaha! I heard that you had become a loser. Even your ranking on the Darkling board has dropped most significantly. I was definitely sure that a punch was enough to take you down. But I see now that I made a mistake. If one punch does not do it, then maybe two or three or as many as it takes to pound your ugly face in." Snowbottle jammed his two massive fists together.
"Snowbottle! I knew something stank the moment I got here. No wonder! So it was that bad breath of yours. Are you not supposed to be babysitting a spoilt prince in Europe? Or have they realized that you are worse spoilt than their prince or a bigger baby?"
"You pale-faced skinning shit-ball of dirt. For your information, I did good work abroad and I am only here because shit-balls like you are lacking in their duties. Your mishaps in the Cornerstone district have already gone around. I heard you even had casualties." Snowbottle laughed mockingly.
"While I, your grandfather have been doing my best. The higher-ups have even granted me the permission of having a colt learn and train under my wings."
"Yeah! I heard about that." Adria peeped behind the big bulky frame of muscles that was Snowbottle and at the young teen boy hiding behind him.
"Ahh! I see." Adria sneakered.
"Of Cause 'you see'. You see I'm better than you." Snowbottle added.
"Hmmm!? Better than me!? From what I heard, this is your what," Adria counted with his fingers, "third colt? I'm more surprised that the higher-ups would even let you come close to another colt much less have another one after two had died on your watch." Adria raised a brow.
The Smug look that Snowbottle had on his face morphed into a frown. Adria had obviously touched a sour spot of his.
"At least I've been given one. Look at you! you used to be the face of Darklings but now you are just a useless drunk. You were not even granted the opportunity to F**k up with a colt. You are ALREADY a F**k up!
"Why You...!"
Both men looked sternly at each other. Adria and Snowbottle were of the same height and paled skin. A very distinctive attribute of Darklings. However, Snowbottle was in three words: A muscle man. Every part of him was made of big bulky muscles. The kind he had was just too thick and obvious. Just his chest alone could even embarrass the busts of some ladies. These were muscles he was obviously proud of showing through his tank top and even through his sleeveless jackets. He had a mustache to crown his prominent lips and hard quite a manly jawline.
Adria on the other hand was much slimmer. He was one of those guys that possessed slim-fitted muscles. In fact, one would not know that he was well built with his clothes on.
To add to that, He had looks that could only make him be described as a pretty boy. With jet black hair to booth.
It was no wonder Emilia looked at both of them, and could not help but see the extreme contrast between the two.
"So you are saying that I am a F**k up?" Adria asked.
"And you are saying I'm a bad teacher." Squatterbloat asked.
"YES!" Both responded at the same time.
"Good! Are you willing to put your fist where your mouth is?" Snowbottle asked as he slowly removed a knuckle guard and fixed it on his hands. As he did, the dull-looking knuckle guard suddenly glowed a bit.
Adria also had already brought out his knife and as he cut himself from the elbow down, the blood that came out wrapped itself around his hands also slightly glowing as it did.
Emilia watched them and couldn't help but shake her head. She grabbed the colt that was behind Snowbottle and drew him closer.
He wanted to complain but she shushed him, "Trust me. You do not want to be close when those two go at it."
She had barely finished talking when...
*Boom*