09-13-2013, 07:36 AM
Michael was unsure how much time had passed since he resolved to hunt down his hunters. The days blurred together into one continuous search.
He had found no trace of any organized cult. The symbol of the Ouroboros could be linked with any number of ideologies, however, Michael could not find any that would hunt people with mysterious powers.
That he did not uncover a mass conspiracy did not bode well. It meant that these people were organized and dedicated. They were likely more than a degenerate cult. Nobody would take such pains to conceal the existence of a cult unless they were extremely serious.
That they were concealing themselves, Michael had no doubt. They had chased him for over two years and attempted to end his life on dozens of occasions, and they persisted even though he was sure they knew what he could do to them.
He needed a break from the frustration of the fruitless search, knowing that at any moment he could find a group of armed assassins striking from the shadows, to disappear as fluidly as they had appeared. So it was he found himself strolling through the Izmailovsky Market. It was supposed to be summer, and most people went about their business in loose clothing but Michael could not stand the cold without a singlet under his long-sleeved black and blue shirt.
He chose the bustling shopping district carefully. If they were as good as he thought they were, the assassins would know he was searching for them. He doubted he was important enough to warrant constant surveillance - but he did not not think he was important enough to warrant assassination either, so he would not take any chances.
They had two options if they wished to strike at him here. The first was a long range sniper assassination. So far, they had been careful not to involve others, so he doubted they would chance a shot at him in the middle of a crowd and if they did, there was not much he could do about it.
The second was a more dangerous prospect. They could use the crowd to their advantage and strike up close and escape into the confusion. Very dangerous indeed, but Michael had prepared for the possibility, and he would not be caught unaware. He had discovered something particularly useful while experimenting with the Power - Tony frowned on the risks, but he had been conspicuously scarce since he had resolved to make something of his life.
No. He would not be so easy to take down now.
His heightened senses were a disadvantage in the bustle of the markets. The tumultuous din harassed his ears, the stink of countless bodies packed in the streets, his nose.
However, his sight proved useful. If it had not been sharpened, he doubted he would have spotted the tiny woman standing in what seemed to be a leather work shop.
The last - the only - time they had met was in the Undercity, and it had been brief, but Michael felt comforted to see a familiar face. She had not betrayed his secret, and her reaction to it had been a welcome surprise. He did not know why, but he felt he could trust her.
Michael made his way towards the shop but stopped dead as he watched her peel off her gloves to try a pair from the store.
The Ouroboros.
His mind ticked over as he spun a net of his newly discovered talent. It would alert him of any hostile activity. He was not exactly sure how it worked, but he knew it would give him enough time to prepare if there was an ambush set.
It seemed too convenient that he would find one of them now, and her at that. It made a kind of sense now that he thought about it. If these people were hunting him and those with his power, it stood to reason they would hunt things like the monsters they encountered.
If it was a trap, they would not find him easy prey.
He approached with a cautious eye, his net spread precisely. She did not notice him as he approached and spun threads of Air and Fire if she made a move. Those around them would think she had merely fainted.
He held his fury in check. She had shown him a kindness down in the Undercity so he would give her a chance. He stopped behind the tiny woman - leaving enough distance between them in case she had one of those blades hidden on her -and spoke in a low voice. "I did not think we would ever meet again."
He waited until she had registered his presence before continuing. "I have questions for you. I have been hunted like a rabid dog by people with that mark."
He gestured at the tattoo on her arm. "I want to know why. Come with me and I will not harm you."
He had found no trace of any organized cult. The symbol of the Ouroboros could be linked with any number of ideologies, however, Michael could not find any that would hunt people with mysterious powers.
That he did not uncover a mass conspiracy did not bode well. It meant that these people were organized and dedicated. They were likely more than a degenerate cult. Nobody would take such pains to conceal the existence of a cult unless they were extremely serious.
That they were concealing themselves, Michael had no doubt. They had chased him for over two years and attempted to end his life on dozens of occasions, and they persisted even though he was sure they knew what he could do to them.
He needed a break from the frustration of the fruitless search, knowing that at any moment he could find a group of armed assassins striking from the shadows, to disappear as fluidly as they had appeared. So it was he found himself strolling through the Izmailovsky Market. It was supposed to be summer, and most people went about their business in loose clothing but Michael could not stand the cold without a singlet under his long-sleeved black and blue shirt.
He chose the bustling shopping district carefully. If they were as good as he thought they were, the assassins would know he was searching for them. He doubted he was important enough to warrant constant surveillance - but he did not not think he was important enough to warrant assassination either, so he would not take any chances.
They had two options if they wished to strike at him here. The first was a long range sniper assassination. So far, they had been careful not to involve others, so he doubted they would chance a shot at him in the middle of a crowd and if they did, there was not much he could do about it.
The second was a more dangerous prospect. They could use the crowd to their advantage and strike up close and escape into the confusion. Very dangerous indeed, but Michael had prepared for the possibility, and he would not be caught unaware. He had discovered something particularly useful while experimenting with the Power - Tony frowned on the risks, but he had been conspicuously scarce since he had resolved to make something of his life.
No. He would not be so easy to take down now.
His heightened senses were a disadvantage in the bustle of the markets. The tumultuous din harassed his ears, the stink of countless bodies packed in the streets, his nose.
However, his sight proved useful. If it had not been sharpened, he doubted he would have spotted the tiny woman standing in what seemed to be a leather work shop.
The last - the only - time they had met was in the Undercity, and it had been brief, but Michael felt comforted to see a familiar face. She had not betrayed his secret, and her reaction to it had been a welcome surprise. He did not know why, but he felt he could trust her.
Michael made his way towards the shop but stopped dead as he watched her peel off her gloves to try a pair from the store.
The Ouroboros.
His mind ticked over as he spun a net of his newly discovered talent. It would alert him of any hostile activity. He was not exactly sure how it worked, but he knew it would give him enough time to prepare if there was an ambush set.
It seemed too convenient that he would find one of them now, and her at that. It made a kind of sense now that he thought about it. If these people were hunting him and those with his power, it stood to reason they would hunt things like the monsters they encountered.
If it was a trap, they would not find him easy prey.
He approached with a cautious eye, his net spread precisely. She did not notice him as he approached and spun threads of Air and Fire if she made a move. Those around them would think she had merely fainted.
He held his fury in check. She had shown him a kindness down in the Undercity so he would give her a chance. He stopped behind the tiny woman - leaving enough distance between them in case she had one of those blades hidden on her -and spoke in a low voice. "I did not think we would ever meet again."
He waited until she had registered his presence before continuing. "I have questions for you. I have been hunted like a rabid dog by people with that mark."
He gestured at the tattoo on her arm. "I want to know why. Come with me and I will not harm you."
"She saw a flaring halo around his head, radiant in gold and blue. It shouted of glory and power to come"
"No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it."