The final bell rang only to be replaced by the march of feet against the linoleum floors. When Claire and Gan split to travel the subway Kage's eyes continued to follow her. A tinge of regret hit him again. He had met her first, so why was Gan the lucky one?
Jacob laid a hand on Kage's shoulder, "You do realize you're staring?"
Shrugging off the touch, Kage barked, "Fuck off!".
"Heh." Jacob chuckled keeping pace with him. "You're right to look though, pretty fine. Alas, she is the only girl in this group of dicks, so that would really complicate things." Some deep thinking later Jacob asked Isaiah for his opinion.
"I don't know... Just tell her. She's the moron who would rather date that ape than someone like you Kage." Such speak was accompanied by a melodically feminine tone which furthered the shock from both Kage and Jacob, the latter shot without words for a moment. Just a moment is all.
Jacob was the first to speak, "Damn. I don't think you've ever had such a strong thought. Guess those quiet types always hold the strongest of ideas."
"I don't particularly enjoy her either." Isaiah turned back toward Kage. "Why wear such heavy makeup? Those girls are always superficial about their looks. Don't waste your time, Kage, find someone else."
Kage bit his tongue. Isaiah's words were just as offensive to him as they were to Claire.
'The mask suffered a crack.'
The thought to disembowel Isaiah grew stronger.
His medication must be wearing off. Kage's hands took out the small capsule from his pocket, tossing a pill down his gullet. While rummaging back inside he realized the cigarettes were gone.
She had taken them.
'Damn! That was my last pack!'
He let go of his tongue, settling into a relaxed position. The pill worked instantaneously.
"I'll consider it. See the both of you tomorrow." Kage waved them off trotting further down the side streets. Soon he had entered the heart of the city taken on all sides by the towering adverts and booms of Evolved demonstrating their skills.
The closer one came to the core the more of the Evolved one could see. Landing pads dotted rooftops with their enhanced material and compressed support pillars gifting the platforms the ability to withstand the fall of those born with flight. Despite their immensity that overshadowed much of the streets below, only three Evolved could even fly within the area. Even from this selection, Claustro was the only one to use the pads. The others would rather tear up the earth beneath them.
Even now, as shimmering glass played out holographic mirages onto the wide-eyed grown children below, Evolved continued their incessant scrounging for attention. A construction site boasted their efficiency since the acquisition of an ability user, a lanky fellow cursed by an elongated jaw and bag stuffed sockets. His arms fell below his knees with hands the size of a baseball glove.
Some simply watched over the denizens of the world as they pushed against one another like sardines. They watched from their perches on rooftops or bars leaving a single eye open. These were those enlisted as heroes, supposed protectors of the world. Identified solely by a red bar stitched to the right breast on a black buttoned shirt. Of course, anyone could recognize them immediately because when they passed near all the hairs on someone's body would prick to a straightened end followed soon by a deep emotion or smell that bloomed from the pores to their body like a pheromone.
Yet, they were silent protectors. In the same bar, two men began to throw their fists. One jostled to his feet outweighing the other by nearly a hundred pounds. His throw was belabored by the fat in his wing of flab. However, the punch still made contact shattering the bridge to the smaller man's nose forcing a deluge of crimson on his lip. Then, the larger man jumped the other to the floor shattering his skull with a bottle leaving him dead. Meanwhile, the hero had ordered some peanuts to go with her gin.
* 60 years since the birth of Evolved and this is what it has led to? *
A slithering sneer plagued him. They were not heroes but simply hired executioners by the state.
Kage wished to block the noise of the world as he started a new novel, this time as an audiobook. While ruminating over a series of descriptively rich diction, Kage retrieved a small journal from his case as well as a pen tied to it by way of a red ribbon. Within the journal were descriptions of hundreds of heroes and villains. Each listed by tier and popularity. Weaknesses and strengths written in precise order.
It was a reasonable prospect to have such knowledge on hand. Just in case, of course. Kage memorized this booklet of his every night. Furthermore, he listened to daily police chatter which included news reports detailing a hero's fight between villains as well as petty criminals.
Every aspect was important to determine a hero's weakness and especially that of a villain. A revelation about his or her past. Injuries from previous battles. Relationships or affairs. It could all be used in the future.
For what? Not even Kage could answer this question. He just had a feeling that it would become useful down the line.
After an hour of his calculated walk, Kage found himself before a fitness center wedged between two octagonal skyscrapers. It's diminished importance constantly found circulation by the businessmen and women that attended when needing a source of relief from their busy lives. The building gleamed with the reflective rays of its solar panels which protruded from its rooftop. This same gleam distracted from the loose bricks in need of adjustment as well as the desperate glares that hid beneath the shadows between buildings.
Opening the door, Kage was thrust face-to-face by a greeting from a woman with a blonde ponytail who looked to be nearly twice his age with exaggerated lashes decorating her eyes.
"Nice to see you here today, Kage! You already got someone waiting for you. He asked for you specifically. Is it a friend?" Her statements were always bright, cheerful and concise. Whether it was just fake kindness was yet to be seen. She had only begun work a month ago whereas Kage joined two years prior.
"Unlikely, since none know I work here." Kage entered the staff room removing his sweat-dampened uniform while dumping his case into a labeled blue locker that had a strip of gray duct tape embroidered with his name. Coming out only minutes later he had tied his hair back with a band then dressed into appropriate attire. Having worked nearly four years to build his body, Kage was proud but not satisfied with where he was.
Quickly surveying the room, he saw many new faces, some of which simply never piqued his interest before while many shook with that subtle anxiousness that arrives with a new experience. Inherently these newbies were the result of a recent deal that gave the first week for free. The vast majority would become what Kage liked to call "One-timers" with this appearance being their first and last inside the building.
At the farthest end in the left corner was Kage's personal area. The facility was composed of these personal outlets lined against the walls surrounding the three boxing rings that were center stage. Originally it had once stood as a place for boxing lessons but due to a switch in management the building was malformed to become a hybrid with a general public gym. Then the greed of profit once more led it to privatizing the premises.
Kage's status as a trainer allowed him to use his corner for a multitude of services. Commonly for his own personal training, renting out to others, or teaching another. Yet, his evolved nature put him in high demand which led to many one-and-done clients unable to take the brunt of their prescribed regimen.
They didn't want to become better; it was to lie to themselves without putting the work in. Those that entered the facility sought a simple escape from their reality. An inescapable job, a dead marriage, an unbearable weight; possibly all of the above.
Today, that person so happened to be a boy. Immediately Kage sized the boy up then down. Average in height, average in body weight. He presented next to no command over the room or atmosphere. A ghost is what Kage would call him. His bright orange mop of hair appeared as if it had been messily thrown onto his scalp with strands standing upright at odd intervals. Kage knew he had to be quite young due to his navy undershirt, the classic design for a first year from the academy. The boy sat quietly fiddling with the brown band to his watch. At a glance Kage saw that the time was stuck; yet, the boy didn't seem the slightest bit concerned about it.
'He won't last.'
Kage approached the boy, snapping his fingers. "What's your name kid?"
Stuttering, the boy whimpered, "Uh, umm… I-It's D-Daniel, sir." He shuffled in his seat rubbing his arm with the opposite hand. The boy was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and sweats. Kage would grimace at his appearance if not for the blistering nerves of the boy.
Scrunching up his face, "Sir? How old do you think I am?"
"Oh! Sorry, I just. I know you're a second year at my academy. So… since you're older I didn't know how else to refer to you." Squatting to his height Kage took stock of the boy's face. There was a childlike softness to his cheeks. The overall structure resembled sphere with the hint of a tip attached to the end. The only irregularities of Daniel were two holes on the top of his nose then another set on either side of his neck.
Leaving a hand on Daniel's shoulder, Kage questioned him, "You were there watching earlier, right? First years arrive at the academy an hour later, so why were you there?" The glare beyond Kage's eyes told him that deceit was being tested.
"I-I-I went to school early to make sure I wouldn't miss the train. I live kind of far out. I guess I got there too early." The final comment was punctuated by a half-hearted smile that fell just as fast as it had formed. Kage was still not satisfied.
"I got to see the th-three of you fight while I was waiting. You were so impressive." The boy was jittering with excitement. The image of their practice sent adrenaline surging throughout his system. "I just had to know what your ability is. I asked some of the second years and found out you work here. I thought I would be imposing t-too much if I approached you while with your f-friends. Instead, I came here."
"And… Is that it?"
"Oh! N-No, no, no. I have to know. What is your ability? It has been eating away at me for a while now. The others paid no attention to you even though you lasted against the others for so long. All they focused on was which one would beat you. I don't get it. You must be near their tier as well, right?"
Kage grew tired of the rapid-fire questions. "You ask a lot without letting an answer in. Hard work is all that is at play. I trained and have been rewarded. All that aids me is my body which, despite my low tier allowed me to even have a chance. If that is all, you may leave." Kage's voice had maintained a monotone pitch as a means to dissuade this child from further interaction with him. This cold appearance commonly worked especially on those that were so sensitive.
"B-B-But then what is your power?" Kage could snarl.
Standing up, he decided to push back onto the first year. "Do you find me an idiot? You must know, everyone does."
Caught by the downcast in tone Daniel somberly whispered, "The others told me it was Inanimate Disintegration, b-but why don't you use it all, then? You could have taken those two on if you at least implemented it a bit!"
"No, I couldn't. I can't even control this ability. I am defective, if I were to even try then who know what would happen." A dark memory strung his vision for a second. A Devil turned its attention onto him.
Daniel flung his face right before Kage's gaze, taking either of his indexes to point at the holes that had been spotted earlier. "You see these indents here? They allow me to send out tunes on a different sound wave only perceived by various animals. I can then ask them to do things. Only small critters right now. Also, I kind of s-suck at it. So, I'm also a d-de-defect. I thought I was the only one in the C-tier, but I guess you must be there with me as well."
"D actually." Waving off the mistake Kage rubbed his chin deep in thought for the utilization of such a power. "Commanding animals? That should at least get you to mid B or low A-tier, why are you ranked so low?" To Kage this was a scenario he had never seen before. How could someone with such potential still be training in their last years of school? Most would complete this segment by year one or two in the middle phase.
Daniel now rubbed the back of his neck still touching the watch, "Well, I never went to a middle school or elementary actually. I got a special scholarship to this place. Had to move out and find a cheap place in the city." Kage thought about this. How could someone miss both their elementary and middle school years? It only took Kage a second to remind himself of his own sickness.
'Not impossible.'
"Anywaaaaay. I told you mine. Now tell me yours!" Daniel had eased out of his anxiety.
'What a lonely child, doubt he has anyone to talk to.'
"Disintegration of inanimate objects. But I must touch them. Since that is all, I suggest you leave now. You shouldn't be wasting my time." Kage had turned to leave. He was done with Daniel, surmising him to be an inconvenient nuisance. Suddenly, there was a tug on his arm. He retraced the hand back to Daniel and stared, requesting a response from him.
"Um… I want to get as strong as you. Even though your power isn't so special, you still hold your own. I want to do that as well." With a fist held high in the air Kage laughed at the kid. Despite his social anxiety, Daniel was able to so valiantly make such a declaration. Nevertheless, something felt nostalgic to Kage about seeing him raise a fist to state his resolve.
Kage snickered. For once he may have someone who will follow his regimen.
Quickly stuffing a hand in his pocket, he removed a printed-out piece of paper with specific exercises listed for each day of the week. "Fine, you get it. Be prepared. If I ever catch you slacking off or not making that goal each day, you get booted out. I have quite some leverage with the manager here. Understand?"
A silent echo fell over the gym. On occasion Kage made this bet with those he trained. Only a handful over ten had ever passed his conditions, the rest were never seen on the premises again. Even those that lasted were viewed as beaten ragged without a breath to converse.
Daniel took the paper, gripping it tightly in his right fist. Kage saw the resolve oozing from his pores. He could no longer contain himself. The boy rolled the paper out memorizing each exercise. This was a matter of life or death to him and with that decision, Daniel immediately got to work.
For each exercise Kage had to constantly reposition Daniel's body and offer tips to strain the boy. With a single glance Kage determined that he lacked both strength and stamina. Characteristics that will hopefully surface after arduous conditioning.
In 40 minutes, Daniel was nearly done with the first phase of the regimen. This was a routine that Kage could do in 20, yet he was still surprised by the boy's effort. His face had procured a bright shade of red, the core of his body trembling, and his orange hair matted down with sweat.
During Daniel's cycling of exercises, Kage took the initiative to practice his own martial arts on a bag successfully keeping a watch on the client all the while. In return a similar amazed gaze fell over him as Daniel strained to study him as well.
The stare only served to irritate Kage more.
Not long after, Daniel dropped the weight and barfed into the nearest bucket. Kage also ended his routine to tend to Daniel. The sight of the boy leaning over the cold metal rim provoked Kage's mind.
'Was this what I looked like to Lisa? A pathetic child taking on more than he could ever handle. Whatever, there is no point in remembering the past.'
Thinking about the past only gave Kage a headache. He decided to toss them away and crouch beside Daniel.
Gritting his teeth while stiffening his body, he let his hand fall into place on the boy's back. He then whispered, "Good enough. Make sure to come here tomorrow." He backed away from Daniel, wiping the sweat from his face. He would let Daniel use his shower pass for the day. Since he had to take a train to get here it was the right choice to make.
Before he could leave, Daniel rushed off to his side grappling onto his arm. Out of breath and utterly tired all Daniel could manage was a wheeze, "Th-th-thank youuuu… For… Today." A lopsided smile spread over his lips. Daniel had experienced for the first time in his life what using 110% of his energy felt like. Keeping his eyes open was a war in it of itself. Kage chuckled at the boy's expression. At least he had found a partner for self-training. How long it would last was surely an unknown factor.
But… it was soothing to hear the exhaustion of another beside him.
"Hopefully he will come tomorrow," was all Kage could think of.
He walked aimlessly through the streets. He was exhausted as well but knew how to persuade the outside world from discovering so. On days like this all he could find himself able to do was wander and consider the people around him.
Just like any other day…
Today, Kage Tesler saw nothing but fools and degenerates. Protestors dressed in suits and t-shirts screaming about injustice just as children too poor to eat sit in their shadows. All of which were encircled by the military police equipped with their exoskeleton frames matched by the large carbines that fed their magazines into their suits while red visors punctuated the falling sun.
Women passed by for Kage to catch the tail end of their conversations, "My husband doesn't even know. We do it every night, yet he works so late that I'm always home on time. What an idiot." In the alley to his left, he saw three thugs beat another high schooler with bats and 3x4s. They hurl insults to deter the victim from going against the natural events of causality. All of them were regulars, seen as the sinfully corrupt.
However, these people were not even the worst in this society. Their presence littering every corner of the world.
As of this moment, he found himself as an observer looking on at the humans beneath his reach.
'They are all disgusting.'
Days like this made him feel grayed out as if he wasn't even part of the conversation. An outsider peering through the looking glass without a means to change the path of society. Yet, Kage would have it no other way. Uninterested in change and the notion to grow he felt perfectly at peace with his group of friends. With the love of his life being an unobtainable facade.
And, with himself never amounting to the level of a hero…
An image suddenly flashed before his eyes. Daniel's lop-sided smile stained with the sweat of hard work. This was someone who will become that hero. A thing to place his own hopes and dreams on.
Deeply unsettling thoughts came to rest in Kage's mind.
'If I am not granted a chance… Then, he must be mine.'
'He must carry out my will. My wants and needs.'
His right hand rose to his scalp. The fingers curled their way through the ropes of hair, all the while, his eyes focused on a crack in the cement path. Ants were crawling from the hole. Each worker carried out the order of its queen. No questions asked.
'Daniel sees me as some type of god.'
Gusts of wind blew new clarity into Kage. He would strive for his path but must use Daniel to obtain it. The others are too conscious, they would never willingly aid Kage in his attempt to become greater. For them, this was a relationship made to fail.
He took another step forward. On the horizon, Kage could just glimpse the sun falling behind the mountains that border the city. It was a solemn sight, one that only he had seen. The star appeared to be wilting away like the dehydrated daffodil.
If Kage could describe the sight in a single word, he would certainly choose: Pitiable.
Like a child pouting on the celebration of his birth that father had not purchased the correct action figure.
"How refreshing…"
Kage reached into his breast pocket only to find air in place of his cigarettes.
"Damn" he muttered.