"Let's do this," I said, and got into my stance.
The first guy attacked with knives. I dodged and weaved around him. From his perspective he may as well have been swinging at a ghost. I quickly tripped him after a few seconds, and shoved him off the edge with my shoulder. He fell to the ground, surprised, since we started fighting in the middle. He had no idea I lured him there.
"You need to keep balance and be aware of your surroundings. That was a light push. By the way, why do they always go for the head?"
"What?" Asked the defeated recruit.
Suddenly someone started running up behind me, and I ducked just in time to avoid his sword hitting my head. I gave him a jab to the stomach with my elbow, turning as I kicked them in the stomach. He went flying and landed on his back.
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results," I said. "Learn from their mistakes, attempt a new approach."
Just then, a guy with a staff approached me along with someone who must be his slightly younger brother with two swords.
"Dual wield. Just my style kid, I like you already."
He didn't waste time and came charging after me. I quickly rushed too close for him to use his blades and drove my knee into his stomach. He was on the ground when his brother's staff was swinging after me. I caught it and pulled him towards me to trip him, jumping away in time to avoid an attack from the younger one. While this was happening I noticed the others in a kind of huddle, so I need to take these two out now. I ducked under a sword, went for a leg sweep and soon as he was falling I jumped up for a flying kick to knock him off the stage. The crowd cheered. The older brother came for me, doing a kinda spin that would hit anyone approaching the front regardless, but I already have a strategy for this. I side-stepped and as I passed him I brought the steel toe of my boot to his hand. His staff went flying out of his hands and I did a one-inch punch to send him off the side.
"Ok," I said, "you took my advice, distracted me and planned something. But I'm not attacking, you are. I would've let you plan out and you would have those two still in. That's a note for whoever the head planner was, to be observant, but good strategy regardless. So, lemme see what you ha-"
I ducked, just in time to dodge a hastily-made spear I barely sensed. They weren't playing, and he must've gotten behind me when I was dealing with the brothers. I caught the spear with my mind before it went into the crowd, and called it to me. The guy who threw it charged at me, and I threw it back at him, with the handle first. The blunt end knocked him in the head, and he fell off. They didn't stop moving tho, all ten charging from all directions. I went for the weakest looking one first. He threw a punch, which I dodged and grappled his arm with mine, tossing him off the stage. I turned in time to side-step a downward strike from a staff. I jumped up using the weapon for a boost, kicked the attacker in the chest, which propelled me at another opponent and grappled his neck, rolling to the ground. He tried to out-wrestle me but I quickly got to my feet keeping him down. I turned around to punch someone in the face, but they ducked, sweeping my feet. I pushed up soon as I hit the downed opponent, knocking the air out of his chest, punching the other in the thigh, blocking a punch to the face. They went for a kick which I caught, and threw them to the side, not off the stage. Then the others came for me. I blocked two sword strikes by catching their hands, and pushed both off. 7 left, one being Taylor. I ran in, hitting pressure points too fast for them to react, and by the time I made it to Taylor I grabbed his throat.
"You're coming with us," I said, letting him go. "I have my task force, thirty minutes to recover, thirty minutes to prepare what you need. I'll meet you at the entrance in an hour. Dismissed." They began going on to do what they needed before heading out, and I turned back to my friends. "Everyone else, here's your job for now, get to organizing the camp and assist anyone in need. Encourage people working together, and selflessness. Keep the peace please," with that last word to them, I turned to my friends.
"Show off," Kate said, trying to get on my nerves as usual.
"Dude, nice job!" Nick says, giving me a high five.
"Well'" I said, sitting down for a second, "with our friends captured we didn't have a choice. I took control and displayed my strength enough to establish understanding."
"And you did great," Tris gave me a tight hug, "and probably saved a lot of people from a lot of trouble."
"Thanks. But I have a job for you while I'm gone, if you don't mind."
"What's that?"
"Well, let's talk on the way."
"So, organization of a military style camp?" Tris asked.
"In a way, yes, for now we need a vehicle area, restroom area, food and water sources set up, as well as a recreational area, build upon what the other guy was doing already. Divide the tasks among you and Kate while we're gone."
"Where are you really going?" She asked, her eyes tinting blue and grey. She's getting worried.
"Auburn. The origin is no doubt near that area, most likely in the canyon. Me and the boys know it better than most, as well as Lane. I also intend to find a few other people." We're at the batman ride already, and sure enough a lot of people I knew were there. Lane, my best friend John, my parents, and then there were just a few others. I assume people who sided with my friends most, and didn't agree with the guy I just overthrew. They were tied up to a coaster, which actually looked operational. They were wearing clothes that looked like survival gear made in a hurry. I also noticed that by the control area were boxes with a lot of my gear, looks like all of it actually. I guess that they had it with them when this place was taken, and no one else saw any real use to it.
"Guys, finally!" I ran to give my parents and friends a group hug and cut them loose.
"What happened?" My mom asked.
"Are you captured too?" My dad looked worried.
"No. I'm the leader of this camp now. We own six flags, and with my plan and our numbers we'll have all of Atlanta in a month, and etcetera."
"Alright, I knew they couldn't take you!" John said, "so, what about him?" He gestured to the overthrown leader, who lay unconscious by the entrance.
"I have a few ideas, but let's tie him up here for now," I turned to a few men that now worked for me. "Get those boxes and weapons to the control area, I'll want it in my room. Also, get him securely tied up. Here's some rope that'll work great, it can take up to 900 pounds of force." I handed one of them a bundle of rope. I braided and tested it myself, using microchord. One strand is almost as thin as thread and can carry 100 pounds.
He looked at it and shrugged, "with the stuff you did just minutes ago, I wouldn't be surprised," he said.
"If only I had a nickel for everytime I impress someone like that, but that's all I need you to do. Soon as all of you are done, report to Tris or Kate. They'll have assignments for you."
"Yes, Sir." They went off.
I flinched slightly at 'Sir', and I guess Tris noticed it.
"You ok?" She asked.
"Yeah, it's just for three letters that word is really big all of a sudden."
"Well get used to it," my dad said, "you're giving these people hope, I saw the way those men respected you. It wasn't fear, it was genuine respect."
"I know, and I have to work hard to keep it."
"You'll do great," Tris jumped in, "I know it."
"Yeah. Anyways, we have a lot of work. Mom, Dad, can you guys work on a place for us to stay for now? And help out wherever you're needed after?"
"Of course," they both said together.
"Our son is trying to lead something better for a brighter future," my mom said, "it's the least we can do."
"Thank you, guys, seriously."
"So what is the whole mission?" Alex said.
"Supplies. Motorcycles, weapons, food, vehicles, explosives," I said. "And to at the extreme least, get a look at what I believe the source is. The canyon."
"Ok. That's a lot, are you sure so few people?"
"I looked on the way in, only one good armored vehicle with good gas mileage and a big carry. No quiet motorcycles. It's the safest option. We don't attract attention, and on the way we find survivors. If they're strong enough to survive this long alone, they're strong enough to fight."
"Always thinking and calculating in that big brain. You terrify me sometimes."
"I know, I try. Anyways, I'm gonna get my stuff together and work on a room for myself. And since we're all probably going to stay close together, tag along if you want."
We all left to find where we'll be staying and get ready for the adventure ahead.
After fixing up my new room, I got to preparing for a real fight. Navy BDU pants, black steel toe boots built for pretty much anything, a padded jacket and my motorcycle coat. The coat is a custom trench coat/assassin's cloak, with hidden knives in almost every other seam and is perfect for any battle. On top of that, I had extra throwing knives, throwing axes, and my dual swords on my belt. The swords are more of a machete size, but they're light, strong, and for some reason always my go-to weapon, fast and deadly.
Just then, I heard a knock. "Hey, it's Lane."
"Come in dude."
He opened the door and saw me just finishing getting ready. "Dude, nice suit."
"Yeah, what's up tho?"
"Wanted to thank you for freeing me, but we all knew you were coming."
"Yeah, I left Florida as soon as I saw the snow. Came to Georgia and when I heard about motor kits and six flags I knew you were here bud."
"Yeah, it was crazy. And you were right about blades on demo-"
Just then, we heard a scream and went outside to see what was happening.
"Those people," I said, pointing. "Wait, are those statues?"
"Yeah, where'd they come from?"
"Wait, Medusa. It's Medusa."
"Oh, no."
"I got it, don't worry." I walked towards the screaming, right towards the danger with a smile on my face. I quickly put on a blindfold, eliminating her favorite way of killing. Of course, I can fight just as well without my sight, thanks to the force.
"What is that presssencsss?" I heard a hissing voice speak. "What are you, boy?"
"A warrior," I answered, unsheathing my blades, "and your worst nightmare."
"You don't have celestial bronze, yet you think you can kill me. I thought you knew your Greek mythology."
"I don't need it." I ducked, avoiding some type of weapon and sliced her arm clean off.
"How did you dooo that?"
"I have my secrets," I said, swinging for the head.
She ducked and I instantly blocked her weapon with my left sword, going for another stab. She twisted, bringing the other end of her weapon around, which I've come to the conclusion that it's either a spear or a trident. I blocked the blunt end and slid my blade down to her hand. Finally, it connected. Her fingers were now useless, so with one final swipe her head was clean off. I took off my blindfold, seeing the tragedy around me. She was dead, her eyes closed even, and I sheathed my swords.
Just when I thought it was over, the ground rumbled, growing more and more. Something was coming from under the ground. I jumped back, and just when I thought a rollercoaster may fall over from so much movement, a snake 10 feet wide came out of the ground. It hissed at me, lunging for a bite.
I dodged it, throwing a hatchet at it. Sure enough, the blade went right into its head. Only pissed it off, but proved I'm able to injure it. It came at me with its tail like a whip, and I charged, jumping out of the way and onto it's back. It flung me up and I used it, diving back down. I aimed for its head with another hatchet, using it to break my fall like an ice climber. I dropped, kicking off part of its midsection to go straight for the throat with one of my most deadly moves, the Chidori. I pulled out my tanto knife, and focused my energy. Within a split second, the entire blade was coated in lightning. With a little direction, it pretty much pulled me with it and slashed through the thing's scales like butter. I managed to stop 20 feet away from the thing as it fell to the ground and began burning away into ash, which meant the battle was over.
"Finally," I sheathed my blade and went to recover my axes, "it's safe! You all can come out now!" As I was sheathing my last blade, they all came out to look at what just happened.
"Woah dude, you ok?" Someone asked.
"Yeah. I'm a little tired, but I'll be ok. How is everyone else?"
"Everyone who didn't get frozen didn't get hurt, but the snake crushed a few statues.." He trailed off, "what do we do?"
I looked around, saw people hugging the statues and trying to talk to them. Friends, family, acquaintances, even people they didn't know. A lot of people were crying even. "I have an idea."
I sat down, legs crossed and closed my eyes. The clouds hang overhead the whole day, pure gray. I could feel a block, some kind of pressure blocking the rain, it was struggling. But it was no match for me, just a challenge. I grinned, putting my focus on the water. I could feel the flowing of it, and used all my willpower to pull it down. I felt a drop of water, and opened my eyes. It was slowly sprinkling, but surely picking up. I looked at the closest statues and with every drop I could see the stone texture on the people washing away.
"How? How did you do any of that?" Asked the same guy.
"Practice. But let's not worry about how, only on the miracle. We only lost 17, it could've been wo-" I heard people start gasping. The ones who were statues a few seconds ago were breathing again, and soon they realized what'd happened and were happy. I felt real joy surrounding me, the first time I've felt this kind of hope since before yesterday. It gave me a sense of relief. If they can push through something like this and be strong enough to be genuinely happy, there is hope for the human race yet.
"Holy shit, what happened?!" I heard Tris yelling as she came running.
"Nothing. Just Medusa, but I took care of that. However, we have to do something with the ones who were destroyed. Maybe a memorial?"
"For what?"
"To symbolize our clan, our people, the Rising Wolves. To represent how we don't let stone boundaries stop us, that the human race will always rise in the end if we work together like a true wolf pack. Have someone melt down the stone remains and make what you guys can best come up with, please."
"Well, sure. Inspiration has done nothing but wonders so far anyway."
"Thank you, anyways, I have to get back to the mission. You have everything handled?"
"Yes. Be safe, please."
"No promises."