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Arne and Naomi had returned to HQ two or three hours ago, having not made it in time. They said by the time they reached the area where Michael was attacked, no one was there.
Damien figured they hadn't arrived in time because they tried to get there without being sensed. But if he was being honest with himself, he was relieved since he doubted even Arne and Naomi together would've been able to make much of a difference in that battle.
Since then, Trik had been constantly tracking everyone to detect if someone came their way while the Watchers finished preparing for Avarice's assault on them. Currently, he was quietly floating over the table in their office as he concentrated with his eyes closed.
Suddenly, his digital eyes flickered open.
"I've detected four energy signatures separating from the others. Mr. Gulliver and Ms. Dolores are heading in one direction together; however, the two others are heading west. Based on their trajectory, the individual known as Kaila is racing toward Ms. Akrosa's current location in southern Texas while the Claeg individual is heading toward Mr. Kage's in the Pacific Ocean."
"Since none of us can sense them, they must be running to conceal their presence," Damien commented as Trik contacted Za'Fia to warn her.
The call rang as Trik waited for her to accept. Damien half expected it to be declined, but surprisingly, she answered.
"Trik? I'm busy, what is it?"
"Hello, Za'Fia," Damien said as he stood next to Trik, unable to resist catching her off guard.
"....So they've gone and recruited you already. What do you want?"
"After helping you escape the other day, I figured you'd be a little less prickly toward me. We are on the same side, you know. That is, in terms of wanting to stop Avarice."
"I don't have time for this, Damien."
"Of course, what with all of the sabotage, subversions, and destruction you've been accomplishing," Damien laughed endearingly, the same small laugh he knew made most weak in the knees. Of course, it was one she hated, though.
"I'm hanging up," Za'Fia grumbled.
"That's fine," Damien stated. "But we called to inform you that you have company heading your way."
"And how would you know that?"
"Our friend Trik. He's been given quite the upgrades."
Za'Fia was silent for a moment.
"How many?" She asked reluctantly. Clearly, she didn't want any help from him but was trying to put her pride aside.
"Just one. She goes by Kaila. Apparently, after you and Tymon left, Naomi and Michael had a run-in with her and her brother. From my understanding, she can manipulate her blood as weapons and is more powerful than she looks." Damien informed her casually.
"Would you like me to help you?" he asked, purposefully antagonizing her.
"Like hell I'd want your help," she spat before abruptly hanging up.
"You think she'll be okay?" Trik asked, a little concerned.
"She may not show it much, but she can be a real monster when necessary. She can hold her own," Damien assured him.
Alissia approached them, looking anxious as Damien was about to mention calling Tymon.
"I wish we knew where Michael went. Vicki said she learned they'd found a way to suppress Michael's ability to regenerate. You guys don't think Avarice managed to kill him, do you?" she said, worried. "Even Trik can't locate him. It's like he's fallen off the face of the earth."
"No, everything was unclear with all of the wind rushing by, but I heard him escape on our way there," Naomi addressed as she and Arne watched the civilians on base border up their homes. "Plus, I think we'd somehow know if he was killed. Like we'd sense a change or something."
"I doubt that wood's gonna amount to much defense," Arne chuckled at the futile methods of resistance the ordinary humans were trying to display.
"Perhaps he's angry about having his regenerative powers stripped away," Arne suggested.
"Perhaps. You think they found a way to suppress Tymon's as well?" Damien pondered, feeling a sense of uneasiness creep within him.
Everyone was silent as they thought about it.
"Even if they did, it's Tymon. He'll be fine against one of them," Naomi laughed nervously.
"Maybe, but they got to Michael already. They may have a way to subdue him even with just one High God. As powerful as he is, I doubt Tymon would fare much better," Arne reflected. "Perhaps I should go aid him. Damien and Naomi have both claimed Claeg to be remarkably strong. I want to test my might against him as well."
"No," Damien blurted out immediately. "You and Naomi should stay here and guard Alissia. I'll make sure nothing happens to Tymon. If something happens, I'm much faster than you two, so I can get him out of there quicker."
Before anyone could object, Damien had already vanished through the open window. If Trik were correct, then Claeg would be arriving at Tymon's location soon, so to ensure he'd make it there before him, Damien touched a nearby light post and willed its electricity to him. Once he absorbed enough and fused it with his spirit energy, he was sheathed in an armor of lightning, significantly boosting his speed as he burst across states and even part of the ocean until he quickly arrived at his destination.
The place was a small artificial island hovering over the Pacific Ocean. The island was maybe three of four stadiums wide and floated no more than a few hundred feet above the water. As Damien approached, he was hit with constant gusts of strong winds that carried a heavy scent of seawater. Damien hated that smell.
Looking around, Damien noticed that Avarice was using anti-gravity technology to create the invert of a waterfall somehow, generating high-pressured water columns that moved from the ocean to the island and some that moved vice versa. Some platforms rose and fell with the water, most likely for the humans to use to reach the island.
After stealthily making his way to the top of the island, Damien saw that most of it was preoccupied by the giant installation built on it. On the island was a large, military-esque main base and hangar bay that stored several different aircraft.
Surprisingly, there was no metal anywhere apart from the aircraft. The entire place was made of a strong, plastic-like substance and was powered by running water.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvDXzt9XfS
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