Continuing Chapter 3...
It is a great thing that intuition exist. Just after getting away from the old man, Donovan boosted his hearing to listen the call between Mr. Lorenzo and Hjalmer.
Hjalmer ??: “No way, for real? How the hell did you found him?”
Mr. Lorenzo: “He appeared out of nowhere asking for the mafia’s location. He even lifted me up like he was about to knock me down.”
Hjalmer ??: (Laughing) “Pfft. He’s desperate. I know what to do with him. Hear me out carefully.”
6 meters away. 7 meters away. 7.25 meters. 8 meters away. The footsteps got slower as Donovan got far from Mr. Lorenzo. From loud and fast steps to slow and gentle steps. The same pattern god’s rend user used before leaving the mall, indicating a fancy move will appear.
Hjalmer??: “Ko told me Donovan left Porta Di Roma Mall an hour ago. I plan to buy time.”
Mr. Lorenzo: “How do you plan to buy time?”
Hjalmer??: “We’ll talk about that later.”
Hjalmer hangs up the call to buy time.
Mr. Lorenzo puts his phone in his pocket and in a blink, Donovan disappeared from his sight like a light bulb’s turning off.
Mr. Lorenzo: “?! Where? Where is he?!”
The old man turned his head in all directions quickly as he tried to find Donovan. Mr. Lorenzo seemed confused and terrified, he never encountered someone like Donovan. The golden particles tracking him did not appear this time, instead, they vanished as soon as Donovan left. Donovan jumps from structural modern buildings and levitating plants with the help of futuristic devices. The cityscape seems to be painted in a bright clean light of a noon where light maximizes the beauty of its surroundings. Some of his golden particles vanished away with the soothing wind. He cared so little for the people watching him leap, his main goal was stopping his ex-best-friend at all costs.
Donovan: “Buy time, buy time, buy time. What does this stupid low temper guy plans to do? Jesus Christ, I’m starting to get pissed off.”
More golden particles appear swirl quicker around his legs; He is Running out of time. Some people gazed in confusion and were terrified thinking “those boosters” seek chaos. Some children reacted surprised, their eyes brighten up and their smiles were as the sunshine. Children grabbed their parents’ wrists tightly and pulled them in gently, as they pointed to them a guy with a blue jacket who has golden particles swirling his legs as he travels in the air.
Donovan: “Maybe I should go back to the base that got destroyed, there might be some useful information.”
Leaping from building to building until he lands abruptly on an abandoned and dirty incomplete hospital to take out his phone and search the location where the base in ruins is at. Donovan exhales like he’s tired from a 9-5-hour shift. His eyebrow muscles tense as a response to the long path he has to recover to arrive at Hjalmer’s destroyed base. He leaned forward gently, reaching his toes with outstretched arms. God’s rend user slowly closed his eyes, focusing on every sensation of each muscle loosening at his rhythm. He stood up and stretched once again for the relieving sensation. He slowly lifted his hands up to relax his entire back. A deep inhale enhanced his blood flow gradually to resume his mission. He puts his phone in his pocket, preparing the athletic legs for another jumping session. A deep to pitch stuttering sound increases its volume as glimmering particles appear around his body. Donovan jumps with the enough force, creating a shockwave which cause the once-durable carbon-fiber concrete material to succumb. From traveling in car, his destinated location could take an hour, however, since his alternative is traveling in mid-air, things are quicker.
At a tall high, Donovan’s eyes scan the natural terrain. The dense and big forest took his impression, as he never saw this forest before and maybe due to being focused on the last mission he had. Healthy, thick pure green leaves with a dark brown trunks highlighted from a far view.
Donovan: “I’ve never seen trees like these before… Are they applying new technology or it’s my surprise Italy became one of the cleanest countries?”
Following his surprised reaction, he searches for other natural resources in a good state, like the rivers. A river’s clean water and greenish tint followed the healthy state of a river, fishes swim with no concern. In fact, it was a translucid view from far away.
Donovan: (low tone) “This is getting me more concerned.”
He continued scanning the place until his gaze settled a familiar structure in the distance, being the base. The base is now in ruins which stood there with no human interaction. Light could only pass through 3 big spots as the evidence of how much destruction Eleorona and Ko caused. Donovan entered through one of the three big spots. As he explored the blue-themed base, he found out they broke camouflaged windows and doors. Donovan wandered around, catching a metal filling cabinet half-buried under the concrete slabs. He clears the debris and opens it. Inside, weathered folders held Hjalmer’s hitmen personal files. Each of these documents mentioned criminal contexts, combat specialties, aliases and hints of their roles within the mafia. The first file Donovan grabs is an old, dirty file with some ripped documents. Though, Donovan could not understand the Italian language, he grabbed his phone with anticipation of finding something interesting from Hjalmer’s hitmen. His phone translated the file successfully. As he read the case, he shouted an enormous ‘huh’ which depicted his surprise with no efforts.
Donovan: “A skinny man with ripped burgundy clothes killed and tortured USA’S prime minister before his discourse about the legal and illegal rights of so called ‘Boosters’.”
Donovan sighs with his last exhale, giving up from trash-talking by the ridiculous action. He puts the page as the last one and moves to the next one. An unclear image of who’s supposed to be the skinny man, covering his face with a dagger, showing an exposed chest and smudged scars on his collarbone. The assassins’ name was in english, known as Kael Keen
Donovan: “Kael Keen? This is the guy who killed the prime minister of United States?”
Something was off with the image, even though Donovan could understand what he saw, an uncanny feeling was potrayed from the picture.
Donovan: “Kael Keen… Kael Keen…”
He clenched his fist while gently closing his eyes, as he attempts to remember anything related to this person but failed. His curiousness was enough for him to take a picture and save it for extra information. Moving on, Donovan grabbed a crimson folder slightly wrinkled, showing a paper exposed from the file that caught his attention. He read a personal text from a woman named Vera. A strategist who seemingly mastermind many of Delta’s operations.
Donovan: “21 Years Old… Vera likes cranberry cake, sharks and filipino men…? Okay, but why even put her taste in men? Hjalmer is getting weirder now.”
As Donovan’s interest died, he took the pictures of all the files in the crimson folder in case an advanced plan gets executed. The information he found did not seem enough to him, inquiring for more answers to his thousands of questions, going through the three remaining drawers of the cabinet, without running into anything interesting, only blank papers. Donovan checked the place where he stood, seeing some metal debris, destroyed self-defense gadgets, and dust being reflected by the light from the large hole. At first glance, the materials were not striking, nor with any strong shape or color. Donovan, with his mindset of trying things out of curiosity, searched the rubble of the concrete. From the ground, a golden line becomes wide, reaching 4 meters wide and becoming a material that displaces the concrete waste sideways, allowing Donovan to find efficiently. Dislodging the concrete waste, the only thing he finds is an open half-letter. Donovan bends down and picks up the letter to read the contents. He realized that the writing is by Hjalmer. Ivanel was surprised that they continue to use papers even to send letters, at the time in which they live, technology has advanced enough for scarce resources to be recovered. Returning to the topic that Donoan can't read Italian, he uses his cell phone once again, using the translator, he realizes what Hjalmer is planning to make dirty plays with a prosecutor. In addition to the letter, find some notes from Hjalmer. As he scanned the text, each word gradually weighed, as if it were the weight of a bottle filling with water. Donovan's pulse was slowly racing, searching for more information in the rubble to clear up more doubts.
The house, with its soft, ambient lighting and familiar smells, settled around them like a protective shell, coaxing Eleorona, Aeris, and Lawrence into a rare moment of ease. Donovan moved through the rooms with quiet purpose, his presence commanding yet familiar, and the others trusted him without question. Lawrence sat next to his window, holding his coffee cup with anticipation. The world for him seemed distant, even though it was right there, a familiar world Lawrence never fit into. Technology with its stimulating and flashing screens left him derelict. For him, it consumed precious time, pulling friends and people away from simple joys like taking a walk or hanging out with no phones. That made him feel uneasy. Today, though, Lawrence looks at the sprawling vineyards as the sun comes up with it’s delightful beauty. As a man living all his life on the Italian countryside, he longed for walks among the tall & thick trees, where silence and simplicity calmed his mind. At last we got Aeris, curled up on her bed while scrolling inattentive through social media. However, her typical distraction didn’t placid the way it usually did. This time, she put the phone down and stood up slowly to leave her room. As she went downstairs, her steps were almost silent to prove she is not forcefully rushed to do something. She could take all her time and so she did. Aeris opened the sliding glass door to exit and stay at the glamorous backyard. Her body moved with ease as she breath deeply and exhaled the air to start her new habit. Aeris began to form a peculiar fighting stance, which seemed to be her own style. AT noon, the light streamed gently through the windows. Eleorona filled the quiet room with her powerful and controlled humming as she rehearsed her next song called “In a splendid way”. She did gestures with her hands as she hums, her hands go up and down as guidance of her tone. At the end of her song, she stops for some seconds, looking at her door. Eleorona sighs, unsure if something is missing in the song. Her facial gesture shows the boredom she is in, so instead, she decides to go out and find an alternative of fun. Eleorona leaves her room as she scans the inside of the home, planning out what to do.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Eleorona: “Sigh, what are they doing right now?”
The silence in the hallway pressed down on her. Deciding to go to the backyard to appreciate the noon with the breeze. Aeris was already out there with metallic small pieces around her hands and thick long metal rods on each side that jutted from the ground, as they rise and infuse with each other, forming a sphere. Aeris had a focused and serious expression, her eyebrows and eyes were tensed making her look ‘mad’. Aeris’ breathing was slow, just like her movements, but rather precise. The metal sphere started rotating as it shine in the sunlight, slowly gaining speed as the seconds pass by. Her memories of that day appeared again. Her fingers touched the metal out of the sudden, causing the metallic sphere to form bulges that vanished and appeared rapidly. Her face hardened more and more. Her teeth clashed into each other with such pressure she couldn’t control it anymore so her sphere melted and bursts away. Aeris sighs and growled in frustration, holding her fists while putting them close to her face, covering her angered face. Her body curls into a loose ball as she lay on the grass. Her eyes were closed, avoiding any type of image, her breath, calm but her posture, was stiff just like a shell cracked many times which never fully healed.
Eleorona leaned against the doorway, watching how Aeris explodes. She stepped forward as her voice breaks the silence.
Eleorona: “Aeris? Are you okay?”
Aeris: (Muttered & muffled) “Just… The usual.”
Eleorona scowled without saying a word. The discomfort appeared in her chest. Eleorona has seen Aeris having that behaviour before.
Eleorona glanced down at her hands, looking at some small wounds she had when practicing with many instruments
Eleorona: “I-I just- I’m not feeling it today, kay? It’s like, yesterday things were flowing and now, It’s all stuck, somehow.”
Aeris: (Uncovering one eye) “Don’t expect it to be daily.”
She says, as she shows a soft grin even though her eyes didn’t reach Eleorona’s gaze.
Aeris: “Even good singers need their rest, y’know?”
Eleorona rolled her eyes but couldn’t help a small gentle chuckle. The ambient changed, making it as a comfortable silence, as the breeze agitate the leaves of the backyard’s big tree. After a moment of silence, Eleorona broke it again.
Eleorona: “So, what about that basketball match you’ve been talking about?”
Aeris: “Hah, now basketball? You’re asking about sports now? I can barely keep up with my own shadow.”
Eleorona: (Shrugging) “Maybe we can try something else. Or.”
She turned as if she’d had an idea.
Eleorona: “What about sparring?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Lawrence appeared in the doorway with a relaxed posture but his eyes remained active.
Lawrence: “Sparring? Did I hear that right?”
Aeris sat up slowly, the tiredness and frustration vanished away, her facial expression suggested the motivated version of Aeris, her lips curl into a grin
Aeris: “Wanna spar?”
Lawrence: (Exchanging with a smile) “Sure, why not, I’m curious on how you fight.”
Aeris: (laughing) “Alright, bring it on, old man!”
Eleorona chuckled before stepping back, letting them have their moment.
Eleorona: “Wait! Before you spar, hold on!”
Aeris and Lawrence were already in their own fighting stance, but looked at Eleorona with a concerned face. Eleorona sprints with excitement to her room to grab her phone. She comes back with her phone horizontally.
Lawrence: “What are you doing?”
Eleorona: “Oh, just going to record you guys.”
Aeris: (Tilting her head) “Why?”
Eleorona: (Rolling her eyes while smilling) “Just, spar, please.”
Aeris & Lawrence shrugged their shoulders without thinking what Eleorona had in mind, going back to their fighting stance and starting the spar.
Coming back to Donovan’s scenario, his heartbeat gradually increased as he read the many plans cryptic plans Hjalmer had in mind for Italy. The idea of silently shaping the country’s economy sounded dangerous, but also lethal for many grotesque consequences. Even his pulse kept its beat, his expression showed off a brooding one.
Donovan: “Hjalmer… Why are you planning all of this in the first place…?”
A key question that made Donovan be concerned about Hjalmer’s health behind all of these ongoing events. He walked sprinted away from the destroyed place, but as soon as he was nearby the door, his foot struck a box lying in his path. He stumbled, falling and knelt to inspect it. The box was nondescript, however, inside it lay a collection of destroyed gadgets and a QR code printed on a glossy card. As he narrowed his eyes to the card, he pulled out his phone and scanned the QR code. The screen lit up in a white themed-screen, directing him to a secure website.
Donovan: (reading out loud) “SerpentX would like to access your location. Mhm, nah, I’m good.”
He rejects the allowance and relies solely on the glowing pin. He zoomed in, which turned to be Hjalmer’s other base.
Donovan: (whispering) “I got you, dumbass.”
He stood up and slip the card into his pocket, glancing the place in ruins, knowing Ko isn’t there. Donovan bounds, leaving the place in ruins intact to now stop Hjalmer from his plans. While he’s in the air, he glances modern shops far away. Deciding to rest a bit from all the leaps he has done. Eventually landing on ground and walking to the streets like nothing happened. Ko leaned against a shaded wall at a nearby café, sipping his favorite boba smoothie. The gratifying sugary drink released some stress away from Ko for a moment of calm. Nevertheless, Ko remained attentive despite the soothing & amicable ambient. Finishing his drink, he walked to a trash can to throw away his finished smoothie. Resuming his job, Ko began his search for Donovan again. With the many people passing by, Donovan slipped away around the thousands of people who were walking and Ko rubbed his eyes, unable to believe he was seeing a tall guy with an iconic blue jacket. Despite many people walking, there was a single person’s presence he could feel. A mischievous presence he felt some hours ago.
Donovan in his mind: “ Might that be…? The only evidence I’ve got is his presence. I’ve felt this before, I’m sure that’s him. I want to make sure that’s him by turning my head but, I can’t, I shouldn’t.”
Ivanel walks calmly in disguise, ignoring Ko. But this was not enough, Ko began to walk while looking at Donovan, unable to believe that he met him again. Every second that passed, Ko headed to his left as he walked, the tension gradually increasing that Donovan didn't think twice and fled desperately, pushing people out of the way. Ko matches Donovan's speed, causing him to turn his head and narrow his eyes for the credibility. The golden particles cover Donovan's developed calves, propelling themselves abruptly as the wind moved people and signs out of range of his jump. Ko’s lips curled into a smirk as he reaches his KRISS Vector, pointing at Donovan’s legs. Horrified screams were coming from the many people walking at their own pace, teenagers, families, foreign. Mothers grabbed their children wrists tightly and encouraged them to run away from the violent action. In fact, people who bought their meals & deserts, left them exposed forgetting about it and prioritizing their life instead. A bullet tore through Donovan’s calf in the middle of the air. The agonizing pain shoot up his leg as blood streamed into the air like crimson ribbons. He could not bear with the pain, descending with his arm handling his bodyweight for the coming impact. Ko was already closing the gap, like the cheetah he is. He moved fast & forward as his boots heavily stomp the asphalt, Donovan grunts as he slowly breathes from the 16 meter fall. The heavy stomps were loud enough to make Donovan slowly turn his head to the right and ‘pop’ out his eyes of surprise due to Ko’s speed.
Despite his right leg is wounded, he sweep it to the front for a pistol squad. He held his own bodyweight onto his left leg to launch himself, thus, Ivanel didn’t dare stop to heal, not with Ko pressuring him. Eventually launching himself into the air successfully. However, as soon as Donovan reaches 2 meters from the ground, Ko grabs his injured leg mid-air with a sharp lunge, wrenching him downwards. Ko’s grip force sent them both towards a nearby bridge. All that twisting pain exploded in Donovan’s calf, grunting and aggressively insulting Ko. Donovan swung his uninjured leg with raw power, like a horse kicking someone from annoyance. The kick connected on Ko’s chest, sending him to the ground and colliding his body in a resounding crash. The impact was enough to make Ko spit blood. Donovan managed to steady his descent, shifting his weight to his right arm once again for damage absorption. Ko groans, moving his arms to stand up, but his arms were shaking, hardly bearing with the damaged taken. While the protagonist avoids further injuries, he heals his leg and stands up easily.
Donovan: (whimpering) “Tsk, Just as crazy as Hjalmer. I don’t care what happens to him, I’m leav-”
A cracking sound coming from the ground. Ko has his left hand slowly gripping the surface with ease. Donovan steps back, showing off the danger Ko holds inside him. Ko gets up with no injuries or bruises, sliding his hand into his pocket and calling his boss.
Ko: “Boss Hjalmer. It’s me, Ko.”
Hjalmer ??: “What’s up? You found glimmering kid?”
Ko: (slightly grinning): “He’s heading for the location.”
Donovan: (Shouting) “Don’t ignore me, bald-head!”
That shout was not enough to make him ‘pay attention’ even though Ko clearly heard him. Donovan amplified his hearing just in time to listen to Hjalmer’s words.
Hjalmer??: (Sigh) “I’ll send my top five. They’ll leave for Croatia in the skyrocket.”
Donovan opens more his eyes for the sudden comment, unable to say anything for a moment.
Ko chuckled, taking out the holstered gun at his side pointing Donovan as he hangs the call and slides his phone back into his pocket. Ko began to move close to the protagonist but he steps back. They were just getting closer to the half of the bridge.
Ko: “Come on, Dov. Hjalmer’s already three steps ahead.”
Donovan: “You’ve got an annoying voice it makes my ears bleed.”
Ko fires two bullets abruptly, penetrating the air with it’s sharp point. However, in a swift motion, God’s rend reflects the bullets redirecting them back at Ko. The counterattack forced Ko to dive but still get the shot graze his arm.
Ko: “Piece of-”
Ko groans as the blood erupts making him grab his arm. Donovan took advantage of the situation, zapping to Ko’s location for an uppercut.
Donovan: (Low & cold voice tone) “Stay down.”
With no further responses, he pivots & runs to the edge of the bridge. He takes out his phone out of his pocket to make a call.
Donovan: “Eleorona!”
Eleorona??:”What’s up?”
Donovan: “Hjalmer’s sending his five strongest hitmen to Croatia! They’re using something called skyrocket. This is urgent!”
Eleorona??: “Y-Yeah I see- Wait WHAT? CROATIA?”
Donovan: “I’ll send you the information in the meantime, I have to go back to Croatia!”
Eleorona??: “Wait, Donovan hold on!”
Donovan: “And please, don’t hold back.”
Eleorona rolls her eyes while Aeris and Lawrence listen to her and replies with a “Don’t understimate me.”
Donovan grins, closing the call and sliding his phone back to his pocket. The protagonist looks at the sun with little hope of things to outcome well, but his anger is what drives him motivated to keep moving on.
He takes out a modified aviator goggles from his rear pockets, putting them on.
Donovan: “Danko gave me these goggles… Thing is, he never told me how to use them. Lame. But… It is now time for this new path to form on its own.”
Chapter 4 ends.
