On the enemy base camp, a silhouette of a man was sitting on a wooden chair. Darkness covered the room, only the lights outside illuminated the area. Inside the room, the man sat alone, looking into the distance, lost in his thoughts. His mind was filled with many different things; fear, hatred, anger, revenge, everything that comes from being betrayed. He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. The coldness of the air conditioning hit his face, making his skin shiver. He opened his eyes again and looked at the dark walls surrounding him.
He stood up, walked to the window, and pulled the curtains aside. Outside, the night was clear and starry, but contrary, the ground seemed lifeless. There wasn't a sound nor a movement anywhere around. Only the distant roar of a helicopter could be heard.
The man shook his head sadly as he watched the helicopters fly over the compound. In his heart, he knew that no matter how much effort he put forth, none of this mattered. All he wanted now was revenge.
Revenge for all the people that he loved and cared about. He looked back at the wall and saw something lying near it. He picked it up and brought it closer to the light. It was a picture of the girl he loved.
He closed his eyes, reminiscing his memories of her. He remembered her beautiful smile and her gentle touch. Her soft, smooth hands. Her warm body. Her sweet lips. Everything about her was perfect. She was his life, his soul, his everything. But she was taken away from him without even giving him a chance to say goodbye.
For weeks now, he had spent every day thinking about what he would do if he got hold of the men who took her from him. Every day he thought of different plans of attack, of ways to kill the men responsible, until finally, he had chosen one and set it in motion.
Now, just days before its completion, there was trouble. And he would not allow anything to get in his way. He placed the photograph back down on the floor and turned back to look out of the window. Then, he felt someone behind him and turned around to see Ember standing there.
Ember looked at the man in front of him. He was tall, broad, and muscular. His black hair was cut short and spiky. His features were strong and hard, showing a determined expression. His eyes were piercing, almost hypnotic, and showed no signs of mercy or remorse. He wore a pair of jeans, boots, and a white t-shirt, with a brown leather jacket hanging off his shoulder. On the side of his neck hung a silver pendant that read 'Blumfield'.
Although Ember was wearing his mask, they were still both at a standstill. Ember's cautious about him. Ember said in the Mind Link, Dr. Lewis, I need more intel on the man in front of me, right now.
No need, already had his details before you even asked. The name is Blake Blumfield. He is a former scientist working for a company called Axel Health Corporation. He used to work in their research facility in South Klivro.
Any other info such as his ability?
Yes, replied Lewis.
Tell me.
He has the ability to manipulate poison gas, and he can create a force field around his body that allows him to survive even the most deadly of poison attacks. Also, he is highly proficient in hand-to-hand military combat and has trained in various martial arts. He is very well-equipped for any kind of situation, so I wouldn't recommend taking him lightly. He has killed several people, including some of our own operatives, so we have reason to believe that he will not stop until he gets what he wants. If you want to take him out, then I suggest that you do so quickly and decisively.
Ember was about to say something when he heard on the other end of the line where Dr. Lewis yelled Val's name.
Ember was listening to the doctor and heard him ask, Val? What are you doing? You are not yet fit to stand up!
The doctor spoke again. Come back inside, Val! Then Ember heard Val say, Are you talking to my brother now?
He could hear Val's heavy breathing, and then Val spoke, Brother, capture that man alive.
Although he's wearing a mask, he frowns when he hears his brother about this man. 'Now this is interesting', he thought.
Ember shifted lightly, which caused the man in front of him to be on alert. He could tell that the man was ready to fight.
Ember replied, Well, hello to you too, brother. But, you better explain yourself once I'm done here why you need this man alive. We have a mission to bring this man, dead or alive.
Val on the other end, still trying to catch his breath, he paused and said, He is a part of the Hades Wrath group.
Hades' Wrath? Ember questioned.
Everyone, both Dr. Lewis and Ember, were shocked when Val dropped the bomb.
Like you asked, I'll explain to you all later why we need that man alive. I'll go talk to the General, Val said.
Then another voice can be heard, No need. I heard it. Val, I know you just woke up, but I would need you to be sure about this. Are you sure that the man there is a part of the Hades Wrath?
Positive. and soon, Val's legs gave away, but Dr. Lewis, who was beside him, standing, caught him in time.
"You don't look so good, Val. Why don't you sit down? You're going to faint if you keep walking like that."
"I'm fine," said Val, but Dr. Lewis insisted that he needed rest.
They were about to leave when Val stopped them by saying, "One more thing. Did you find anything else on him? Anything useful?"
Dr. Lewis answered, "Yes. His name is Blake Blumfield. He is a former scientist working for a company called Axel Health Corporation. He used to work in their research facility in South Klivro."
Val seemed to be in contemplation but soon, he said in a slightly louder voice, so Ember could hear, Brother! That man has a poison ability! Be careful!
General Luis, who was listening, said to Ember, This is an order, bring that man alive no matter what. If you have to incapacitate him not enough to kill, that's fine, as long as he's alive.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ember, with minor cuts and bruises, and some blood, had arrived with Blake in tow, with the anti-ability cuffs bound tight to his wrists, which prevented him from using any power.
When they arrived at the base, a small team of men was waiting for them. They led the three of them to a large room, where there was a single table in the center.
Ember just ignored the stares, whether of shock, disgust or a mix of both while dragging the captured man back to HQ.
Blake, on the other hand, seemed very uncomfortable sitting in a chair while chained up and kept shifting around every few minutes.
As Ember sat down opposite to Blake, a soldier walked in with a tray of food and water bottles and set it down on the table before leaving. After the soldier left, Blake turned towards Ember and started talking.
"So, I guess you are the leader of this bunch."
"And you must be the one they call the Poisoner," Ember responded.
"I am," said Blake. "I guess you guys got your information from my file."
"Well, I've read about you. So, how do you feel about that?"
Blake laughed out loud. "Oh, you should see me when I read something interesting. It's quite entertaining. I love reading stuff."
"What kind of things do you read?"
"All kinds. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thrillers, Horror, Adventure, Mystery...the list goes on and on. And you know what? My favorite author is Agatha Christie. She is the best. I've read almost all her books. Do you think you can beat me in a book challenge? I bet I can read faster than you."
Ember stared back at him for a moment, then said, "Okay, let's try it. But first, tell us what happened."
At first, he talked like he was telling a story, "It's simple really. I was working for Axel Health Corporation. I was doing some research on an experimental drug called 'Mist' which had shown great promise. Then suddenly, they started harassing me, threatening me, even firing me if I didn't stop. They fired everyone who worked on that project because they wanted to make it seem like they never had any connection with it. Anyway, I went to my superior, Mr. Johnson, and asked him to help me. He told me to meet him after office hours. When I met him, he handed me a vial full of a liquid substance and told me that I would die unless I drank it. I refused, and he tried to force me. I took the vial and threw it in the air. It hit the ground, broke, and spilled its contents everywhere. I ran away from there and hid until nightfall. The next day, I found out that the whole place had been destroyed by an explosion. That didn't stop there, they decided..."
However, he paused and lowered his head, with his fists clenched tightly and his jaw tightened. He closed his eyes, and opened them again, staring straight ahead. His face was grim and serious, showing no sign of emotion.
"They decided to kill the one person that is precious to me" he continued, his voice firm. "They killed my wife and still kept pushing me to finish the project. They gave me another vial with the same instructions. This time I had no choice but to drink it. A few days later, I woke up and realized my ability had been boosted! Before, I could only control the poison within my body, but now, I can even control the poison however, I want! If I want the poison to be inhaled by the target, I can just evaporate it using my blood."
"So, that's why." Ember nodded as if trying to fit in the puzzle when he heard Blake's story. "That's why they killed your wife and made you do their dirty work."
The man's lips twitched slightly in amusement. "You have a quick mind. I'll give you that!"
Ember said nothing, urging the captured man to continue.
Blake continued, "I have been hired many times by various companies or groups who want this poison or that poison used on their enemies. I have done so much evil work, I can't even remember half of what I have done, but I've grown tired. I've been having nightmares-"
He was cut off by Ember and said, "Cut the drama part, it's on your file that you wanted revenge. You have already confessed to killing so many people, why do you want more? You have everything you could ever want."
Blake seemed lost in thought for a moment before he replied. "I don't know."
Ember said nothing, and just left the man inside the room wallowing in whatever he was feeling at that moment.