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I stared at the hand extended toward me. Go to Cindar with him? This sudden? I hadn't started my day planning to go to another world. The furthest I'd ventured out from Earth was the moon. I mean, when I thought about it, I was pretty excited to go, but was that the best thing to do?
I continued staring at the hand with a shocked expression. Something told me if I grabbed it, I'd be wisped away in an instant. I had half a mind to say no, but I knew that though he may have asked, it was only out of courtesy. It wasn't a request I could decline.
"I'll go with you," I answered, surprising the others. "But I won't be going alone, and there's something I need to do first. Can you give us an hour, and we'll meet back here?"
"It's the least I can do," Rabae responded politely after a staggered pause. I could tell he wasn't used to being told to wait, but hopefully, he didn't take it offensively. "Ah, and I have returned the water levels across the globe back to normal. Any areas affected should no longer be in danger of flooding. Please consider it a gesture of goodwill."
I did notice how everything seemed calmer now. There were no abnormalities with the water. Subconsciously, with All-Sight, I could see that the flooded cities had, in fact, been drained of the water. I was thankful for the gesture, but for some reason, it almost felt more like a threat than anything else.
Michael. Damien. You two stay here to keep watch, I instructed telepathically. If he tries anything, don't engage him. Keep your distance.
I second glanced at them. Michael could survive pretty much anything and could keep Damien safe if needed. Still, I couldn't help but notice how Michael had changed since we met. He briefly mentioned it once this past year. After feeling what it was like to be mortal, having to be protected, and then basically dying last year, something in him felt different.
I'd spoken to Viraa about it, hoping to get a clearer answer to why. After mentioning to her how, after regaining his regenerative powers, he'd somewhat become confident again, he'd still help those weaker than himself. That hadn't changed, but he was abnormally quiet–his haughty attitude was pretty much gone. Viraa deduced that his perspective had shifted and that it was something I'd have to let him get through on his own.
He'll pull through, I thought to myself as the rest of us took off.
Where are you leading us? Arne questioned from behind as we rocketed across the day sky.
After a moment's pause for consideration, I answered.
I'm going to wake up Avarice, I told them.
What!? They exclaimed in unison.
Why would you want to do that? Tymon asked flatly.
The guy caused us hell..., Za'Fia commented.
And tried to commit mass genocide..., Naomi added.
Right, and you want to just set him free? Za'Fia concluded, perplexed.
I sighed, expecting as much.
What about you, Michael? Any words of disapproval? I asked, nudging him a little.
I'm...at a loss for words, he replied, but with his tone, I could practically see his look of disbelief, just like the others.
It's certainly a bold move, Damien said before I could ask for his input, too.
Guys, I get it, it's not like I trust him either, but we just got our butts handed to us by one pneumarian. If we're about to go to a planet of them, his strength could help should things go south, I explained, trying to reassure them and myself. I also don't like the idea of leaving the planet with him still on it. Even if he is comatose.
Hm. He could be used as a meat shield at least, Tymon pondered the thought. Not like he'd stay dead.
That's not exactly what I had in mind...
Everyone gave it some thought, and after we discussed who'd be leaving and staying behind, we eventually came to an agreement. Not too long after, we'd crossed from the Atlantic to the Pacific and arrived at an island not far off the coast of Washington.
It wasn't the first time we'd been there. Over the past year, some of us would go to check on the situation to ensure the humans weren't doing anything that would risk their lives. However, this was the first time so many of us came.
As usual, their sensors detected us incoming, and the warden was arriving to greet us. He was a highly decorated, retired army general before choosing to take command of containing significant threats. He was always well-shaven, reeked of cologne, and wore expensive shades and watches. Initially, he wasn't very warm to us, but he quickly changed after learning who we were. Pretty sure he figured he could get one of us into his pocket with time. Like that'd ever happen.
"Whoa, this is a first. We usually don't get this many of you. What is this, a prison break or something?" The warden said jokingly.
"This'd be overkill if it were. Don't you think?" Za'Fia remarked, winking at the warden as she flicked a spark of flames from her fingers.
"Don't worry, we're not here for a prison break. Well, not exactly," I told him. "We do need to free Avarice. And a couple of the others."
"Are you insane!?" He exclaimed. "We have enough of you running around as is! Hell, you're probably somehow involved with the mess going on around the globe, but you expect us to let those alien monstrosities out into the world again?"
"Some of us will be leaving soon. I'm taking Avarice off world with us," I said abruptly, catching his attention. "We don't know what could happen, so the others will stay behind. I assure you, should something powerful attack while we're gone, you'll need them to protect the planet. Now that someone's come here, we can only assume others know about Earth now, too."
The warden stared me down and stood his ground.
"Alien invasion or not, unless you plan on attacking us, I'm not releasing those monsters."
Despite his words, I could see he was on the verge of agreeing.
It would seem he is looking for a better incentive, Viraa said. It is surprising that the fear of death is not enough.
There's only one thing that'll move guys like him, Tymon said, coming to the same conclusion.
I sighed as I pulled out a bag from my spatial bag. I extended my hand over it. As I concentrated on the makings and design down to the smallest detail, I constructed a stack of perfect replications of the then version of the hundred-dollar bill. Then another, and another until the bag was full.
"What about now?" I asked, offering the cash while feeling sick and grimy about what I was doing.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uAbyeY9yw
