They Called Me FIVE

LANCE

My consciousness went back on when they hauled me inside the van. My hands were heavily chained together with my feet. The driver is beating the red light. Every few second my butt float off the seat. 

My Dad is sitting at my right. Lista on the left, and another skull warrior at his side.  Even now, my Dad..being an Auf hasn't finally sink in. And Lista, an enemy, a Faery, I still look for the traces of the him who trained me with the Beasts at night. 

I'm still not ready to accept the truth. My only family…and my second most trusted person.. betrayed me like this. I bought their stories. I bought their dramas. I grit my teeth. Seven was right. Magnus was right. I was foolish. 

How could I not have seen the sign? Everything has already started ever since the Mark of Five appeared. Dad begins to act not the usual stricter him, he mellowed a bit, he easily showed weakness. After living with him for fifteen years, since when did I hear him talk fondly of Mom? No, it was always the paranoid him. 

The 'Don't be stupid. Steer out of trouble. And whatever happens, stay alive' motto of his. He kept drilling them in fights, he's always harsh in trainings… Breaking a bone or two never mattered to him. 

Why did I never notice the changes in him? He acts calmer now but his actions and decisions are directly opposite to what I watch him become for these past fifteen years. 

And on that time I told him about Magnus…him being the Seeker… his eyes turned completely black and went very still. As if he entered a trance. And then he confessed who he really is. 

About him being a slave… Then Magnus, being a righteous Ranker and Seeker as he is, vowed to kill him to do his duties. I stepped in. I stopped him. I manage to shove Magnus off the picture. And Dad brought me to this place. To Chicago. The hob for the Faery base. 

All these things… happened like a creepy plot from movies. The timing was just too right. As if there's a group of writers or directors controlling the scene from behind. Was this the 'trap' that Twylyth referred to in my dream?

Sending someone to come closer to me. I can't help but laugh at my pathetic self. I can't blame anyone except myself. Why did I never believe Magnus' words back then? Why was I so bent in trying to save souls when it's already impossible?

I can't control my power. I can't protect anyone. Saving someone is pretty far fetch for me… This miserable reality… how long will it take for me to wake from my blissful dream?

Lista is studying something in his hand, twirling it around, trying to discern how he'll use it for another experiment. He put it down. And I notice its another bottle with a black creature thrashing inside. Another Beasts.

I can add this in my stupid – why – I - didn't – notice – bucket – list. There's probably a hundred, possibly two Beasts he made me fight. All different species, different sizes, it's impossible how he hid them all with his 'fake blessings' when they're sent to Earth. 

No matter how good you are as Scientist, you still need hundred of test subjects. How come I never find it odd how he accumulate so many Beasts at the same time. 

Lista noticed me awake and staring. His mouth pursed and I'm forced to shove down the sick feeling of watching his pathetic smiling face up close.

"Adorable creatures, aren't they?" Lista mused. Referring to the creature at his hands. "Too bad, I won't be able to use it to absorb your blessing as torture material for your best pals. Seven and Magnus."

I paled. He watches with annoying glee as I struggle against my bonds. I can't bump his shoulders and send his skully warrior buddy's head banging against the window pane. Somehow, this chain, restricts muscle movements except eyeballs and tongue. 

The doors are tightly secured via chain locks I doubt I could kick down. The space is too cramped I'll be overwhelm immediately and pinned if I dare. There's no escape. They've taken every precaution. 

Of course he would, he trained me himself. He knew what will be my next move. 

"What do you mean by 'torture material'?" 

I give up on trying to escape. I stop struggling. If I'm being captured and brought to where Seven and Magnus are, then that would be great. If I can't save anyone with this power, I'll still try. 

Seven tried to contact me even if she's currently held captive. I should return the favor. But something still bothers me. Her actions…and assuming that man I saw in the weapon room is Magnus… why didn't they mention 'they're caught'? why did they say 'if you're looking for someone to train you, come to this address' (WAYNE REC CENTER equates to Faery Base) no once can train me in an enemy's base. 

And our casual talk with Seven at the rooftop…She looks like she doesn't need help. She even proposed to watch over Meira and other Faeries… Why? Are they really in trouble?

Or these guys are lying just to get to me?

"Oh, your blessing is 'Death' right? Apparently, it has devastating effects if it comes to contact with other live being. Plants and insects die immediately, while in mortals…it slowly kills their cells, their body tissues, then the organs will fail. Heart will eventually stop pumping it starts to really hurts just to breathe." Lista sighed, exaggeratedly.

"If only you know the limitless possibilities your blessing could do… And how lethal it is against your enemies, you would not think wasting your time in crushing girls. My, my, talk about wasting potentials. Seriously, what did that Deity Pente saw in you? You're lazy, you're talentless, you're reckless, you don't know how to formulate a plan and just charge without thinking things twice. You easily trusts people -"

"I don't –"

"Clearly, you can't blame me or your Dad for doing this to you. We just did as we're told. And you…no one told you to put 'useless feelings of love' to Meira or 'unwavering trust' at your Dad. It's all in yourself. So don't blame us. Blame yourself. You brought your own downfall by constantly being stupid."