Broker

Chapter 155

Amos marched past the screens, a small box in his hands. He frowned a little, his eyes shooting over to Da-Som who gave him an uneasy look. He exhaled through his nostrils and stopped next to a portion of wall that seemed innocuous at first. With a flex of will he urged the false wall to part and slide open, a portion of the lab hidden from the less trusted techs, students, and instructors revealing itself. On the other side, five figures stood with an eerie stillness. A light came on and he leveled them with a stare. They had once been dolls created by Forge Tactical. He had visited their labs numerous times since The Hague, exchanging notes and ideas with their top scientists.

These were the fruits of his own study. Five dolls remade with all the skills he’d acquired since the flash. I just hope I don’t have to use them yet. Just in case, though… He trailed off as he opened the case, revealing five long slightly rounded cards that had been plated on one side with that bone-colored white metal. He clicked his tongue and walked around the first one, glancing at the back of its neck where a slot just large enough for one waited. 

“Are you sure?” Da-Som asked, “What if-”

Amos snorted, “I can handle it,” He said before he flinched and glanced at the screens. “Things are getting worse out there,” He scoffed, “They were going to film everything and doctor it up before releasing it to the public, nasty,” He muttered and looked back at the machine in front of him, “They’re going to regret not coming in prepared for a live-stream.”

He paused and blinked before looking at the screens again, lowering the box in his hand. He tilted his head and raised an eyebrow as the idea that struck him caused his heart to start thundering. He looked back at the dolls and began to slide the cards into their necks one at a time, e on Chunhua,” He murmured, “Give me a reason to do it. Put on a good show and I’ll make sure everyone sees,” He thought as he glanced at another screen where over a dozen faces were flush with anger.

Carla could really use it.

–

Chunhua trembled with rage, watching as that woman with the ashen hair stalked back and forth in front of the doors. “Black Lotus! Come on out!” She called, meeting her eyes. Chunhua set her lips into a thin line and held her ground before glancing past her towards the other two that were standing behind her comrades, just waiting for an excuse. Rouge, Axel, Canis, Bedrock, Crowley, she thought, searching their faces. Axel was bloody but defiant in his stare. Canis wasn’t faring well, she could die at any moment, and Crowley’s face was stricken. Rouge held her head high despite every attempt to push her forward towards the ground. Bedrock… Bedrock was half-dead from the looks of it.

The woman glanced over her shoulder at the others, following Chunhua’s stare and whipped her head back, eyes narrowed. Something tingled in the air and mana drew towards the woman as she took a step forward with a quick swing of her sword. The glass of the door shattered in front of Chunhua who didn’t so much as blink. Chunhua looked down at the glass and then up at the woman. That felt like my ability, Lillians. A cultivator? She narrowed her eyes as the woman smirked at her and rested her sword on her shoulder, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “I think you need some motivation,” The woman said, “Come on out or-”

“Why?” Chunhua demanded. “Why don’t you face me here?”

The woman tilted her head and shrugged playfully, “You think I’m stupid? We know ASTA’s chief scientist is in there as well as all those students of yours. Who knows what kind of trap you guys have set,” She said before scratching her head and meeting Chunhua’s gaze with one eye open. She sighed, “Fine, have it your way,” She grunted, “Sir Ellis, how about the half-dead one? She’s almost done anyway,” she shook her head, “Nah, do the annoying earth guy.”

Behind her, the lanky man sauntered over to stand behind Bedrock, a small chime ringing out over her ears now that the glass was gone. Chunhua tensed, Shit! They’re going to- Ahead of her, the others whirled and tried to pull from their bindings only for the red light user to clench his fist and pull them back down to a kneeling position. He grinned at them and then at Chunhua. Ellis flexed his fingers and held up his hand before swinging back down to strike. Chunhua squeezed her eyes shut and cursed, Damn it! She swore before stepping out.

“Stop!” Chunhua barked.

Ellis froze and looked up at her, disappointment flickering on his features before he lowered his hand to his side and took a few steps back from Bedrock.

“What do you want?” Chunhua asked, her heart pounding in her ears.

“A duel,” The woman said, pointing her sword at Chunhua’s heart, “You and me, ‘World’s Strongest’. I want to know who’s better.”

Chunha gave her a flat stare, she didn’t have any choice in the matter but maybe she could set the terms. “No powers.”

The woman smirked, “That’s your choice,” She said with a snort, “Not something I’m going to abide by.”

Chunhua glared at her but didn’t dignify her with a response. She let out a sigh through her nostrils. She was more than strong enough without her abilities to handle most Light-Touched.. Even if this woman was powerful, she couldn’t use her powers, that’s what they wanted from her. She would never give them the satisfaction. She ground her teeth as she drew her sword and leveled the woman with a stare. “Your name?” She asked.

“I’m not usually in the habit of giving dead people my name,” The woman said, checking her nails, “But if you must know, it's Dame Kant, a member of Lady Liberty’s Round Table. Though you can call me Heavenly Demon.”

Chunhua’s shoulders stiffened, Worse than a cultivator. She thought before taking a fighting stance. Her weapon held up before her as she shifted her weight. She wouldn’t be lured into using her abilities here, no matter what. Dame Kant held her own weapon out lazily, her head tilted as her eyes began to glow with a dark red light tinged with orange. She sneered before kicking off the ground in a flash of movement. One moment she was there, the next she was- Chunhua spun, raising her weapon and bracing herself as an attack came from behind and to the left. The strike pushed her back, her feet sliding against the ground as she met a pair of burning crimson eyes with her own black stare.

Dame Kant sneered at her, “If you cheat, I’ll know!” She laughed and her body moved impossibly, her waist twisting before she whipped her leg out to catch Chunhua on the shoulder. Chunhua pulled her arm back and pivoted, avoiding the strike as something wet struck her in the eye. Spit? She blinked, her eye stinging just when a fist drove up and into her gut. She was launched up a foot and a half before she came back down, rolling out of the way and whipping her leg out to strike at the woman’s ankle. The woman hopped back lightly, laughing, her feet stepping on thin air as she got a little distance before launching herself forward with a snarl.

Chunhua flung herself to her feet with a quick kip up, turning as fast as her body would allow, pushing down every instinct to amplify her reflexes and speed with her abilities. She brought her sword up just in time, the two blades clashing as she was driven back. “I hate you,” Dame Kant snarled, “You and your pretty ability,” The woman pushed hard, shoving Chunhua’s sword back.

“You talk too much,” Chunhua bit out through the sword lock, “This is a fight.”

Dame Kant’s lips curled into a sneer before she punched Chunhua in the mouth, her fist as fast as lightning. Chunhua saw stars as she staggered, training the only thing that caused her to pivot just as a stab snapped out to catch her in the abdomen. “I could have been a hero too,” Dame Kant continued despite Chunhua’s statement. “But my powers, my ability, they thrive on suffering.”

A blow came from above, and then to the left, and then the right. Chunhua blocked, pivoted, redirected, taking step after step backwards as she looked for some kind of opening. Every stance was perfect, every movement practiced. She’s trained hard, kind of sad really. Chunhua thought as the woman bore down on her. She deflected each attack as she followed the woman’s movements, picking up on tells from her style. Next will be a retreat and then a jab.

 “Who needs a hero that needs people to be in pain to grow?” Kant bellowed before leaping back several meters, leveling her weapon with the ground. Blood-red light began wrapping around it as her eyes grew dark. The wind up happening in the span of seconds. “Liberty gave me purpose and the chance to kill the person who has everything I wanted!”

Chunhua didn’t dignify her with a response, she set her jaw as she judged the distance in a heartbeat. Too far to interrupt her, she figured and readied to defend. The first couple of jabs came in fast but manageable. She turned them away as more and more red streaks began to dart in her direction. Soon, though, her vision turned red, so many strikes coming at once that there was just no way. A crash rang out behind her, crumbling masonry. She shifted from a total defense to protecting her vitals, deflecting blows aimed at her torso, head, and thighs, while strikes glanced off and cut against her arms and calves. She pushed through the pain, her eyes fixed on the woman’s face, unblinking.

When the strike ended the woman was just… there. Dame Kant swung down with a powerful blow that Chunhua could only block, throwing her weapon up and planting her palm against it to hold it off. She winced as her knee buckled and bore her teeth at her enemy. She shifted her right hand up, letting Dame Kant’s weapon slide down and to the left, she drew her knee up and into the woman’s gut. Dame Kant let out a gasp as Chunhua stepped past her, swinging her sword down hard. Kant was fast, though, and she rolled out of the way to avoid a fatal blow-not without her side getting cut in the process.

Chunhua panted as she turned to face the woman, “I’m not even using mana,” Chunhua spat at the ground, “How shameful,” She rumbled as blood dripped from every limb, from her lips, her nose, her bones creaked and groaned under her own weight. 

Kant tilted her head and looked down at her injury, she stood up straight and laughed before gesturing towards one of the cultists she’d brought with her. The man let out a cry of pain and collapsed, a black energy ripping through the air to collide with her hand. Chunhua took a step back, horrified, as the wound on Kant’s side healed. Her knee buckled and she slipped, hitting the ground and catching herself. Kant threw her head back in a peal of laughter, “You were saying?” She snarled, “Come on! This duel is boring! What happened to the world's mightiest hero?”

–

Carla leaned forward in her desk, she was standing, her eyes fixed on the screen. Still nothing but inconsequential bickering. Her lips trembled. She didn’t know when to do it, what the timing was, was this the moment that Sonya talked about? Did she dare waste what political capital that Sonya had scrounged together for her? What if the gambit failed? She resisted the urge to rub the bridge of her nose as her heart leaped to her throat. If only you were here, you’d know what to do. She thought, wishing, praying, hoping that she could feel her somehow. Know that she was coming or watching or somehow, some way, supporting them.

She was about to glance at the cameras to check on Chunhua, she hadn’t in several minutes and she was beginning to get worried, when a message appeared on her screen. Just a few words. ‘Check the News’.

Amos?

Her eyes widened and she turned fully away from the camera to the television in her office. As she did so, the other representatives and administrators paused their howling at one another to regard her. The image of a reporter appeared on the screen, words trailed on the bottom: ‘Liberty Attacks Pandora Committee, Hero Training Camps’.

The reporter looked gravely at the camera, “...with the currently suspended Black Lotus being the sole remaining line of defense. We’re not sure where this live stream originates from, but there is no doubt what we are watching is unfolding in real time. I’d ask the viewers at home to be aware that the footage you’re about to see may not be meant for the weak hearted.’” 

Chunhua was standing, swaying a little, her sword drawn as a woman with ash-colored hair stood across from her with her own weapon pointed at Chunhua. “Come on! This duel is boring! What happened to the world's mightiest hero?” The woman laughed, “I thought you were supposed to defend this place! What’s wrong with breaking a couple rules to get the job done? Use your powers! Show everyone that the Heroes and the Pandora Committee are just arbitrary and fake!” The woman laughed, “You’re the strongest, aren’t you? If you’re the strongest, then no one can stop you, right? That’s the point! That’s what it means to be free in this new world!”

Carla looked away for a moment at the faces on the screen, she chewed her lip and looked back as Chunhua stood up straight, blood dripping from her arms.

“And that is exactly why I follow the rules…”

Carla whipped her head towards the screen, her heart clenching in her test. She stared at the faces on the screen, she could tell they were watching the same thing she was. She chewed her lip, You aren’t fighting alone, Chunhua. No way in hell. 

“I’ve had enough!” She barked at the screen, the faces all whipping up to look back at her, startled. She slammed her fist on the table, “We are an organization dedicated to supporting the heroes! To making sure this world is safe from people like Liberty! If there aren’t regulations in place to handle the situation then damn the regulations!” She said and stood up straight, her stare cold, her jaw set, her fists clenched. “I’m taking over,” She declared, “I am hereby tendering a proposal to the committee. I will serve as acting Chairwoman of the Pandora Committee until this crisis is over, after which we will hold an election,” She scanned the faces on the screen that had gone pale.

A general proposal wasn’t something she was allowed to tender, she was just an administrator. Even if they allowed it, she’d need at least five votes in favor for it to nominally pass with those present. 

Please.

“The United States endorses the proposal,” Representative Harman said and gave her a small nod and she nearly felt her knees give out beneath her.

“All in favor?”

–

“You’re the strongest, aren’t you? If you’re the strongest, then no one can stop you, right? That’s the point! That’s what it means to be free in this new world!” Kant roared, throwing her arms wide. “Liberty has it right! The strong survive, the weak serve! Heroes go against the natural order of things!” She bellowed and started striding towards Chunhua while pointing at the cultists. “They’re here because they want to be! Because they know they serve a higher purpose. Us!” She roared, “Don’t you get it? We mythics are the future of mankind!”

Chunhua glowered at the woman from where she knelt, blood dripping from her body. Her vision wobbling. She frowned. You’re wrong. We have a responsibility. She thought as she tried to get up. Her heart sank as her leg trembled. What can I do? Even if I beat her, I still have the others to deal with. They could lash out and kill them as soon as it’s over. She bit her lip. She looked the woman in the eyes as she got even closer.

“Screw the rules, am I right?” Kant laughed.

Rules. Chunhua thought and looked down at her knees. Do I even deserve to call myself a hero? She thought about Sonya. About that day in her office. About what she’d done. About how much Sonya had given to a world that would never forgive her for saving it. About how every single day she struggled to compromise her feelings, her respect, and her desire to do what she needed to do and stop Ishtar, regardless of her intentions. Rules. The World’s Strongest? What a joke.

Her shoulders sank and the woman stood over her. What am I supposed to be? She thought. Who am I supposed to be?

‘Stand up little hero, that’s not all you’ve got, is it?’ Ishtar’s mocking voice sounded through her mind. A memory, a message, a challenge. Kant raised her weapon and snorted as Chunhua’s heart pounded in her chest. 

Not even in the slightest, monster. Chunhua snarled back. I’ll be there. I’ll fight you every step of the way. I’ll be there for her and I’ll fight you. I’ll beat you. Somehow I’ll make it work. Because that’s what a hero does. They make the impossible possible.

Chunhua forced herself to her feet and got in Kant’s face. The woman leaped back, surprised as Chunhua held her sword out. “And that is exactly why I follow the rules!” She shouted, “Because if I’m the strongest, if I can do whatever I want, and I make that choice, then everyone behind me will know it’s okay to do the same! That it’s the right thing to do!” She bellowed. “So I’ll follow those rules, even to my dying breath!” She shouted and marched forward, weapon at her side, “Come, villain! Because that’s all you are, and all you will ever be!”

Kant bore her teeth and stalked forward in response, a sneer on her face, “Have it your way!”

BRRZZZT!

Both of them froze, Chunhua looked up, The intercom?

“Attention invading force. My name is Carla Mint of the Pandora Committee. I am asking you to lay your arms down immediately and surrender. This is non-negotiable,” That small woman said in a hard voice, “Respond at once.”

Kant snorted and raised her voice, “No!” She laughed and looked back to Chunhua.

“Very well,” Miss Mint said, “Then as acting Chairwoman of the Pandora Committee…” She began and Kant’s head whipped towards the building, her eyes going wide before looking back at Chunhua, “I hereby temporarily reinstate Lian Chunhua, Black Lotus and end her suspension until the time that all existing threats are dealt with,” there was a heavy pause, “Black Lotus!” she snapped with a commanding tone.

Chunhua felt something fall off her shoulders she didn’t even know was there, she stood up straight and squared her shoulders, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Yes Ma’am!” she barked with all the strength in her lungs.

“Do not hold back under any circumstances, bring them to their knees and show them exactly what the world's strongest hero is capable of!” Carla commanded and cut the signal.

To all the world around her, Chunhua’s eyes started to glow. The ground shook. The clouds moved. The earth cracked. She gripped her sword tight as she took a thunderous step forward, “Hero Black Lotus, on duty!” she rumbled as she raised her sword.