Tame's expression remained as unreadable as ever. Slowly, he stood up, his movements echoing in the tense silence. He met Kiba's glare with a steady, almost indifferent gaze.
"Then so be it," Tame said, his voice devoid of any hint of anger or frustration. "We shall meet again." With that, he turned and walked toward the door. His movements were smooth and calculated—each step deliberate and unhurried. The door swung back with a faint hiss, and Tame left the chamber behind him.
As the door closed with a final, mechanical clang, the room seemed to sigh collectively, alleviating the stifling mood slightly. Omen regarded Tame's withdrawal with a composed, meditative expression, his thoughts immediately returning to the plan at hand.
The silence that followed was thick, almost tangible. Omen broke the silence, his voice steady and purposeful. "We'll need to be prepared for anything. Tame may be out of our immediate concerns, but others will be just as dangerous. We need to focus on our strengths and work together."
Malek's large, red face softened slightly as he looked at Omen. "So, what is the plan?"
Kiba's ruby eyes, gleaming slightly, moved to Omen, his gaze piercing and unwavering.
"Before that. Kiba replied, "Now spit it out, kid." His tone was calm and authoritative. "What mysterious skills do you possess? You may be able to mislead everyone else, but I am the red wolf, and I am not easily deceived.
Omen met Kiba's intense stare with a calm, measured expression. He had expected the question, knowing that his recent displays of confidence had likely raised suspicions. He was about to respond when Malek spoke up.
"Regeneration, enhanced durability, and night vision," Malek said, his deep voice resonating through the room. His gaze was fixed on Omen, a silent offer of assistance in the form of honesty. "Those are the abilities he possesses."
Omen glanced at Malek, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. He understood the red giant's intent—to help him by being transparent of the true abilities he sensed Omen had in his possession, thus avoiding further suspicion and potential conflict within the group.
Kiba's eyes remained fixed on Omen, his expression inscrutable. "Regeneration and enhanced durability," he repeated as if weighing the information. "That could be useful, but it's not exactly groundbreaking. Night vision, though, that's something."
'And everyone says that's the weakest of my abilities,' he mused silently. Omen took a deep breath, sensing the gravity of the moment. "In addition to those, I also possess imperceptible skill, instant speed, and super strength," he revealed, his voice steady despite the weight of the admission. He still wanted to keep the rest a secret incase he'd have to fight them an time soon.
Kiba's eyes widened in shock, and he nearly stood with his jaw slightly agape as he tried to process the details, 'what the fuck is this bastard saying!', unwilling to hold his confusion for long. "Then what the heck do you need us for?" he asked, his voice full of confusion and frustration. "You have seven powers!"
Omen smirked; he had far more than ten and hadn't even given most of them names; he could sense them hovering in his bottomless soul, though. 'What would happen if I told them this?'
Malek's face remained impassive, but there was a glint of understanding in his eyes. He looked at Omen,
"Kiba's right, Omen," Malek said, his tone even but firm. "With these abilities, you're strong enough to take out Jacobi and his henchmen. The most troublesome one, Clay, is already dead…I reckon you killed him."
Omen's expression remained unchanged, though there was a brief flicker of acknowledgement in his eyes. "Yes, Clay was indeed among those I defeated," he confirmed. "But Jacobi is a different kind of challenge. Even with my abilities, there's no guarantee of victory without a solid strategy and support."
Kiba's expression softened slightly as he considered Omen's words. "Alright, I get it," he said, his voice less sharp. "We're stronger together. But if you have all these abilities, we need to be damn sure we're on the same page. We can't afford any mistakes."
Kiba let out a frustrated groan, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I still don't know why you decided to wait till now for a plan," he said, his voice tinged with impatience. He turned to Malek, clearly seeking a way to move forward.
Malek's gaze was steady as he addressed the group. "We need to know the team composition of the other purgers. There are three of us, and we need two more to fill the gap. Any suggestions?"
Omen considered the question for a moment before speaking. "Tame would likely align with Anna and her henchmen if they're still alive. Most purgers either follow Anna or Jacobi. Given the situation, I think I may know someone who could be a valuable ally."
Kiba's curiosity was piqued, and he leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Omen. "Who do you have in mind?". Omen took a deep breath, weighing his words carefully.
….
A few hours later, the group found themselves standing before two girls. The contrast between them was striking: one was tall with flowing blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, the other shorter with short brown hair and a noticeably plump, curvaceous figure. Despite their different appearances, both wore expressions of sheer terror. The taller girl tried to hide her nervousness under a confident demeanour, but it was evident that her bravado was barely masked.
"Are you coming to kill us?" the tall girl questioned, her tone quivering slightly notwithstanding her belligerent demeanour. She stood rigid, trying to maintain her composure in the face of the imposing group.
The boys exchanged uneasy glances before turning their attention to Omen. Malek's brow furrowed in confusion and concern. "I thought you said you knew them, Omen," he said, his voice carrying a note of frustration.
Omen, unfazed by the tense atmosphere, offered a calm, almost serene smile. "Yes," he said, his voice steady and assured. "I couldn't kill them."
The response seemed to take everyone by surprise. The girls' eyes widened; their terror was momentarily replaced by confusion. The tall one's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out as she struggled to process Omen's statement…He couldn't or wouldn't? They nearly died of fright on the island under his imposing figure.
"It's not the same thing; well, never mind," Malek said with mild frustration. He turned to the terrified girls, his imposing figure a stark contrast to their visibly shaking forms. "My name is Malek, and I'd appreciate it if you joined our group."
The girls exchanged nervous glances, their initial panic slowly giving way to cautious consideration. The taller girl took a deep breath, attempting to regain some semblance of control. Her eyes darted nervously towards Omen, who stood slightly apart.
"We'll join your team," the taller girl said, her voice steadying as she spoke. "The other teams were already full, and I was considering whether to ask you guys."
Omen's expression remained inscrutable, but he gave a nod of acknowledgement. "Good decision," he said, his voice measured. "We need all the help we can get."
"Good, the red-eyed boy is Kiba and Omen whom you've already met," Malek said, gesturing toward his friends.
Freya took a deep breath, her fear subsiding slightly as she faced the group. "I'm Freya," she said, her voice steadier now. "My friend here is Sasha." She glanced briefly at Sasha, who nodded in acknowledgement. "I can fly and create wind barriers. They're extremely durable, but I need—"
"Not here," Kiba interrupted, cutting her off as he moved toward the door. "We need to discuss this elsewhere."
He led the group outside, the chill of the winter air hitting them immediately. Kiba guided them to a withered tree standing solitary amidst the snow-covered ground. Its gnarled branches reached out like skeletal fingers against the grey sky.
Omen's gaze lingered on the tree, his curiosity evident. "What?" Kiba snapped, noticing Omen's inquisitive look. "It's not only your favourite spot."
The group gathered around the withered tree, its bleakness stark against the snowy expanse. Kiba, still clearly on edge, glanced around to ensure they were alone before speaking.
"Alright," Kiba said, his tone softer but still serious. "Let's talk details. We need to understand each other's abilities and how we can use them to our advantage. Freya, you were about to explain what you had."
Freya nodded, her resolve firm despite the cold. "I need to gather energy to maintain my barriers for extended periods," she explained. "If I'm interrupted or exhausted, they weaken."
"If we're going to cooperate to take the top five… how do we prevent ourselves from betraying each other?" Sasha asked timidly, her gaze darting nervously between the group. Despite Malek's imposing, muscular figure, it was Omen who unsettled her the most.
"That's a good question," Freya said, her voice firm but her eyes still wary as she stared fixedly at Omen. "The only one I trust here is Sasha."