CHAPTER 3

The sky returned to its vibrant blue, and the sun's light burst from the horizon, casting golden streaks over the landscape. Among the wreckage of crumpled vehicles and shattered stone at the academy, everyone was miraculously unharmed, including Jeffrey and his band of bullies.

People hurriedly emerged from their hiding places, gathering themselves and scattering toward their destinations, relieved but still shaken.

Gary stepped out from the shadows where he had quietly observed the battle. He joined David, his eyes wide, absorbing the aftermath of the confrontation he had witnessed.

The fight had left him with more than just awe. His usual drive to sharpen his fighting abilities had been ignited with a new, almost unattainable dream. Watching David command flames with such power had sparked in Gary a longing to wield fire himself – an ambition both distant and consuming.

GARY: "Damn, dude. You're fucking awesome. You cleared these motherfuckers like shit!" Gary yelled excitedly.

DAVID: "Cut the flattery, mate. These twats were no walk in the park. I hate to admit but they were capable foes, a big pain in the ass." David replied while yawning and stretching his muscles.

GARY: "[Expresses a thoughtful look.] Maybe, but spill it, Dave. How do I learn to control flames? I've persisted for a long time now. I want in." Gary begged.

DAVID: "[Raises an eyebrow.] Seriously, Gary? I've told you before, it's not something you can learn. You have to be born with it. No shortcuts."

GARY: "Come on, man! There's got to be a way. I want to stand beside you, not behind." Gary persisted.

DAVID: "[Sighs in a mix of frustration and resignation.] Gary, I understand your willingness to help but our elemental powers aren't something you can pick up. You've got to accept that some things are better left unattained. Power isn't everything." David explained in disapproval.

GARY: "So, if power isn't the way, then what is?" Gary inquired, his expression laced with confusion.

DAVID: "[Reveals a sad smile.].... Family.... It is everything, but also the one precious thing I lack currently."

GARY: ".... Idiot, you forget you're not alone. You've still got me." Gary reminded playfully, his words carrying an underlying tone of honesty and subtle disappointment.

Grasping the concealed emotion and sincerity behind his friend's words, David nodded his head slightly in approval before shifting his focus to assessing the current state of the school's wrecked surroundings.

As they walked past the fallen sorcerers, David instinctively reached for his neck – and froze. His cross necklace, a cherished heirloom, was missing.

A wave of unease washed over him as his eyes darted around, searching frantically for the one thing he couldn’t afford to lose. In a brief moment, his gaze landed on it, resting near a neatly trimmed flowerbed.

(Damn it. How could I have been careless enough to drop Mom’s necklace?) The thought churned in his mind, a mix of relief and subtle sadness flickering across his face.

David crouched down to pick it up, but as his fingers brushed against the worn chain, a flood of memories surged through him. He vividly recalled the day his mother had pressed the cross into his palm, her gentle voice soothing him after a childhood injury. She had told him it was special, a token of protection, something that would always keep him safe.

Now, it was more than just a piece of jewelry – it was the last, tangible connection he had to her.

With a bittersweet smile, David picked up the chain, slipping it back around his neck as he exhaled a sigh of relief, the familiar weight of the necklace bringing a sense of comfort.

Just as he and Gary were about to leave, a sudden uproar from the direction of the Beacon Seed Academy caught their attention. The doors of the building swung open, and out stormed Professor Oliver, the dean, his voice booming with an enraged yell that echoed through the battered courtyard.

PROF. OLIVER: "Damn it! These God-forsaken sorcerers actually dared to lay waste to my beautiful car. Someone should pass me their useless bodies. I'd ensure to have them staked on plywood before my house gate!!!"

David and Gary exchanged a quick glance, their amusement bubbling up at Professor Oliver's furious outburst. A shared smirk soon turned into laughter, and the sound spread through the crowd, cutting through the tension and lifting the mood of everyone around.

As they walked away, David’s tall frame stood out against the fading daylight, his unruly dark hair catching the last glimmers of the sun. Beside him, Gary brimmed with excitement, his grin wide and genuine. With a playful gesture, he slung an arm around David’s neck, his footsteps full of energy, his school jacket vibrant against the muted tones of the evening.

In high spirits, they left the campus behind, their laughter lingering in the air as they headed home, the world around them feeling a little lighter.

...****************...

~The US military Army base, L.A~

By the following week, high-ranking military officials convened for a somber meeting. The subject of their discussion was the recent incident at Beacon Seed Academy – a situation that demanded their full attention.

Midway through their deliberations, a young officer burst into the room, urgency etched on his face. He snapped to attention, offering a swift salute before handing over a device containing critical footage.

A projector was quickly set up, and the device was connected. As the lights dimmed, a recorded scene played out on the whiteboard. It showed the events of the previous week – the assault on Beacon Seed Academy by the three Chaos Force sorcerers. The footage captured every detail, leading up to the intense moment when David stood his ground against them.

The room was heavy with silence as the clip ended. The colonel, captain, and major general exchanged thoughtful looks, each formulating their own perspective on the battle they had just witnessed, weighing the implications of what they had seen.

COLONEL: "For a long while now, this union of sorcerers have eluded us. I hear they now engage in blood sacrifice. Alas! Their open filtration during daylight on the Beacon Seed Academy's grounds is a good reason to strike."

GENERAL: "Perhaps colonel, but you realize that these are occultic magic practitioners and not some fire-armed individuals we are up against now. Moreover, let's forget not the reason the state chose to ignore their existence in the first place, to take down the arrogant superhumans who were once a major threat to us firsthand."

COLONEL: "Of course, Major General. But so are the sorcerers. We must now acknowledge that this supposed remedy has come back to bite at us. Moreover, times have changed. The superhumans are now independent on their own and they focus mainly on their custom-made reality. They have no need or reason to pose any threat to our existence anymore."

GENERAL: "Humph, but these are just mere words and nothing more. What necessary proof has been put in place to suit these details?"

CAPTAIN: "Do not be ignorant of even the slightest developments, General. Even now, we already station superhumans who are willing to fight for the great course of this blessed country. They've become a power house that we can reckon with, reliable in superlative wars across all continent, and against any opposing force from the enemy nation."

After speaking, the captain gestured to a nearby officer, requesting the patrol captain’s presence.

Moments later, a young blonde female strode confidently into the room. Though she appeared no older than David, her striking blue eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence, and her graceful demeanor commanded attention. Despite her youth, there was an unmistakable air of authority about her – her composed expression and steady gaze suggesting a maturity that far exceeded her years.

With graceful poise, she saluted the senior officials seated before her, her fearlessness and quiet confidence evident in every movement.

CAPTAIN: "Please meet the Patrol Captain; Fiona Deity. She is one of L.A's youngest captains. She is also a superhuman who hails from the TRIBE.

"She's a classified and confidential means which we use in tracking down any super-related occurrence."

There were expressions of awe on the faces of the colonel and the major general. They were fascinated by this new revelation.

FIONA: "Colonel! Captain! Major General! You all sent for me; Sirs." Fiona abruptly chimed in.

CAPTAIN: "Of course, patrol captain Fiona. Please have a look at this recorded clip and let us know what you think of it," replied the captain as he directed his hand toward the white board on the wall.

The footage of the Beacon Seed Academy incident played once more, this time in front of Fiona. She watched intently, her eyes fixed on the unfolding chaos. At first, her expression remained stoic, a mask of calm professionalism. However, as the scene shifted to David confronting the three sorcerers, a flicker of surprise broke through her composed demeanor, subtle but undeniable.

COLONEL: "Is there a matter of concern?" Inquired the colonel, his tone laced with suspicion as he noticed Fiona's expression.

FIONA: "The boy in the video, I've never seen him within the TRIBE before, yet he wields our flames, same stage as mine. What is more, he was able to take down three high-level sorcerers single-handedly."

GENERAL: "Even for you, Is that suppose to be considered strange?"

FIONA: "Indeed, major general. Even as someone who transcends the boundaries of a mere brawler, I find it inconceivable to fathom challenging these three formidable adversaries simultaneously. Sorcerers of such caliber, pose grave threats to superhumans at both the foundation and saint realm's hierarchy across all elemental tribes. Yet, this boy was somehow able to defeat them without any consequence."

GENERAL: "[Sighs.] Am I to consider this interesting or threatening? Too bad I can't say. Either ways, I need findings on this kid. I want to know why the sorcerers are after him."

The Major General issued a command to the personnel nearby, instructing them to access the supercomputer and retrieve David’s data and profile. Within moments, his information populated the database, the screen lighting up with detailed records, ready for review.

GENERAL: "Ah, I understand now. David Blaze, a native of Los Angeles, caught in the web of extraordinary circumstances. His human mother married a Western superhuman, and tragically, both his parents and his little sister have been lost.

"[Turns his gaze at everyone present.] The sorcerers unruly advance must be halted. I don't know what they want from this kid but they must not get their hands on him."

CAPTAIN: "[Faces Fiona.] Captain Fiona! You heard the general. Gather your patrol units and track down the Chaos Force organization. Take them down and kill whoever resists. They have crossed their boundaries and cannot be ignored."

GENERAL: "...And remember to bring the boy. I need him safe and wish to seek an audience with him. There are crucial aspects I wish to know about the incident that occurred seven years ago at the Vegas neighborhood. There is a chance that he would know about it." The Major General added.

Fiona simply saluted without uttering another word. Though maintaining a stoic expression, she had a whirlwind of thoughts while heading out to prepare her troops for the new mission.

...****************...

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