Four of a Kind

Gaining Overconfidence

But thank god dad made this house REAL soundproof, cause it seems I was the only one who heard that sound.

 I didn’t know why they didn’t hear something as loud as that. Sure, it may not have been loud as a gunshot or cannon but it was still loud given that there was no other source of sound at this time of the night.

I initially thought the blast made a hole in the wall. But it turns out it was just blacked and burned. I guess it was a giant blast version of the lasers I could fire repetitively. So how about the grip on top of the handle?

I twisted it clockwise bracing myself for a surprise. But it didn’t come so I twisted it back anti clockwise after a while.

Nothing happened. So I twisted it once again clockwise and check if something changed with the spear.

That’s when I noticed that my spear wasn’t sturdy as it was when I swung in. It wobbled with every swing. The spear also grew a meter longer wit the exception of the tip and handle. So twisting the top grip right made it wobbly and longer.

How bout twisting it left? I did that and the tip of the spear started spinning and was also longer by one meter. Now I thought that was pretty cool.

Then I had I pretty good idea for a combo.

First top grip twisted left, the blade of the spear started spinning. Then right. The spear grew two meters in total and was VERY wobbly.

Next bottom grip twisted left to charge a big blast to explode upon twisting it right.

I was now holding a longer, wobblier, spinning spear that was gonna make a big blast.

Down below was the kitchens and I doubt no one would be there in case I do blow a hole in the floor.

The room I was in was huge. I walked back to the end of the wall and started running to gain momentum. I treated the spear as a pole and used the sharp end to propel myself to the air. Usually in pole vaulting this is where you let go of the pole. But I held onto the pole and in mid air I twisted the top grip clockwise for the second time without twisting it anti. This made the spear a meter shorter and it stopped wobbling. But the spinning tip was still spinning unless I spun in left I assumed in mid air.

Once it was shorter and sturdier, I spun my body in mid air and jabbed the floor with my spear, at the moment of impact I twisted the bottom grip clockwise to cancel the force of gravity to break my fall.

What happened in reality was that the force of the spear blast combined with the speed of the spinning tip did more than cancel my weight when it impacted. It actually thrown me backwards to the ceiling.

And that’s how I got knocked out with the spear continuously spinning.

When I came to it was morning. Around 6 AM, Thursday. I limped to my bed hoping for a small nap before I had to wakeup and do Heylian’s evaluation of our “combat” abilities.

I heard that Kim was gonna get something as a weapon when the situation didn’t call for Red and seeing how Andy had his reworked gun and robotic hand (thanks to me) and Maq being versatile with his knives I knew this combo I had with my pole vaulting and spear could get me to level with them. Heylian came in my room at 8 AM waking us up and demanding we go downstairs for breakfast.

Kim and Andy was already there, livening up the dinning hall which was usually dead with silence. I guess Kim’s already got him up to speed with where we were and Andy seems to have finally believed us. Judging by the fresh light wounds and sweat Andy and Kim had, they seemed to have done a few sparring exercises or something like that before me and Maq woke up.

“Andy was testing his new hand by sucking out electricity and firing at me. I also got these.” Kim told us both showing us thick fingerless MMA gloves. There was a line on the side of the gloves that were glowing blue.

“Your dad gave them to me to give to your friend.” Heylian said serving us breakfast. It was toast with sugar butter and poached eggs on top.

“When you tap this button-” Kim said enthusiastically showing us buttons on each glove. They were on the side of the pointer finger within the thumbs reach.

“Out comes a big shield.” Maq finished for him yawning. “I’ve seen those before when my teacher used them for sparing sessions.” He explained.

“Yeah, like that!” Kim said pressing them and the backhand part of the glove changed into an 20-inch shield. “I’ve veen with Andy training with these. “They’re pretty handy. They helped block against the fire and bomb vullets Andy shot at me and are free sized!”

I get why he added that last part.

We talked. I told them about the combat thingy Heylian was gonna tell us to do before we could be assigned on the job and go first thing to wherever Mr. Evans was to kill him for his evil deeds.

They were very interested and though I had doubts Andy would join us he told me he couldn’t wait. I guess shooting with his gun helped him decide.

When we were finished with our breakfast I went to find Heylian alone while the others helped with the dishes.

I went to her room first and that’s when I found her.

She was on the phone. I don’t usually eavesdrop on people but this was the perfect opportunity.

“Look, Ada, I told you I’m not coming back. I know they’re more than happy to accept me but I’m not going to. I chose this life and I’m happy with it. Your parents chose you when they were looking for adoption not me.”

There was silence. Ada, who was obviously on the other end was speaking. I didn’t know Ada had Heylian’s phone number. Why couldn’t Ada warn Heylian that her life might be in danger by phone? I thought to myself smiling.

“Look, I know I know!” Heylian spoke. “I know who killed them! And the only reason I’m with this Nato family is to keep you safe by making sure they’re dead. The son of my boss and his team are a group of elites who’re gonna find out who that man truly is and kill him.” she said in a loud whisper.

I felt touched how she complimented me by saying we were elites. But then, I tried to put two and two together.

Mark Evans was the guy who killed Heylian and Ada Monroe’s family.   

 Knowing that just made me want to kill Mark Evans more. At least Heylian would be at peace of mind once we do finish the job. I was getting goosebumps just thinking about it. I knocked on the door and waited for her to say “come in.”

She didn’t but opened the door and met me outside with a quizzical expression.

“What do you want?” she asked suspiciously.

“You did say we were gonna do an evaluation on our combat today.” I told her.

“Oh, I was just making conversation so that I could leave my own room and away from Kim. But that’s actually a good idea. I think testing each of you guys would be a good idea.”

“Yeah…by the way why do you hate Kim that much? He’s pretty good looking and is actually the second most decent person out of the four of us.”

“Really? Whose the first?”

“Me.” I answered instinctively. “But!” I started going red while Heylian started showing me a smirk on top of her quizzical expression. “That’s not the point! Maybe you could take his feelings seriously it’d be better for him. I think he’s still a virgin.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She asked me her facial expression turning into a offended frown.

“Umm nothing. When are we gonna meet you and where?” I asked trying shift subjects.

“Now. Front yard. NOW.” She said that last word with heavy stress.

“Ok?” I answered with uncertainty.

It was now noon me and the boys were on the lawn in the scorching heat waiting for Heylian to come. She told us to wait here and went back in the house. I looked around there wasn’t a soul in sight. Usually around this time of the day there’d be a gardener watering the plants or whatever. It seems unusually silent here. What’s worse was there was nothing to sit on. Even if there was a chair I doubt we’d sit on it unless we wanted to look like Kim when he’s Red.

And yet it seemed awfully noisy inside the house. We were a fair distance from the house but we could hear the sound of furniture moving along the house and the sound of objects crashing into each other.

Heylian then came out and waved us to come in through the main entrance.

We were glad to. Once we were in the air-conditioned hall I realized all the furniture was gone. The walls were covered with a sticky sheet that was glowing. the only part of the room that was left alone was the big staircase that would greet visitors when they first come come in through the big door.

2 more people came in. Our house chef and gardener. Including Heylian there was three of them facing us.

“Nothing too fancy or twisted like yesterday when Andrew went loco. Today it’s gonna be a face on brawl!” She exclaimed.

“I don’t suppose you mean a “head on brawl?” Maq corrected her.

“Whatever, we’re pairing up into two. First to make the other bleed wins.” She declared so casually as if what she said didn’t involve any serious consequences.”

“Hey glasses you’re with me.” Heylian called out to Maq. If you can make me bleed than I’ll declare you’re fit and ready to carry out the mission Reeves’s dad left for you.”

Maqius raised his eyebrows but with a bared expression as if he was ready for whatever Heylian was gonna throw at him. The rest of us backed into the corner to give him space. we couldn’t wait to see Maq in action. Out of all of us I had to admit he was the one with most style and class when fighting.

I wondered if Heylian was gonna use a machine gun like she did yesterday. If she did then we’d know who win. It was no contest.

But she didn’t. She instead used a long katana. I never knew she excelled in swordsmanship. She went in first. But Maq was fast with HIS combinations. He first threw one dagger to the floor behind Heylian between her legs and right before he got spliced in half he disappeared and left blue glowing glitters where he was. He immediately reappeared where the dagger used to be. Heylian turned around to find him. She again engaged him this time with a proper and quicker vertical s***h. I guess Heylian was too fast for Maq to fight properly in his own way. He took out another dagger and used both daggers to deflect Heylian’s s***h. But he wasn’t strong enough. The force of the heavier katana and the weight of gravity worked in favor of Heylian.

If Maq panicked and let his daggers slip upwards, the katana would slide downwards and the tip would cut Maq’s forehead. But he let the dagger slip the blade of the katana to the left side of him. But he was too close to the blade and got cut slightly in the left shoulder.

Heylian was taken by surprise how quickly Maq slipped the heavy pressure she was piling on Maq and Maq took advantage of the split second to kick her with his right leg to her side of the head. Heylian quickly deflected in with the thick end of the katana.

They both hurriedly put some distance in between themselves. They were now staring down at each other. Maq took more steps back and made use of the big open space.

They were now in Maqius’s forte. I tried to sum up what Maqius can do with his knives. First he can throw them really well and hit targets with almost the same precision as Andy. Next he can recall those thrown daggers to him. Finally he can disappear and reappear where he threw one of those daggers. Oh and he can also create wired that are invisible with each dagger.

And that was just about it. I didn’t know what else he had up his sleeve.

He took out 8 daggers and held them between each finger and scattered them. Some landed at around Heylian’s feet and some at the wall close behind her. He still retained his distance. The knives were glowing and I knew something was up. Heylian didn’t seem to remember that she got suppressed by those invisible wires that were tied at the end of each dagger.

Maq threw another set of daggers at her. And Heylian deflected everyone one of those swiftly. But one of them was thrown at her in a way she couldn’t deflect with her katana and had to move back to dodge it. That’s when she tripped but she didn’t lose her balance, she slashed with her katana and regained her balance and slammed into the wall to break her fall.

Unfortunately that’s when Maq activated the wires on the daggers that were pierced on the wall and for the second time in a row pinned Heylian to the way in the same way.

Heylian lost. Maq won. And that all went down in under 2 minutes.

“Impressive, Maqius but you should’ve disarmed me cause-” Heylian bossed. “I can cut these invisible strings up like nothing with the katana.

Using only the movement of her wrist and fingers, she swung the katana to set herself loose.

“I take it I havent passed yet.” Maq said drawing out more of his knives.

“Nope, you already proved how well you can aim those knives of yours so cutting my hand off would be child’s play if this was a life or death situation. Next up is Andy and Mr. Hennessey.

Andy stepped into the middle of the room. I almost forgot that he had a robotic arm. Heylian told me how they managed to make a conductive skintight glove that resembled a human hand.

Amazing, the wide rage of tool we have at our disposal.

“Ummm by the way Rev” He called out to me. He would call me Rev when he was nervous like he used to when we were on with our normal lives. I guess this was a sign of recovery.

“I think your stun gun is broken.” He said showing me his left hand cackling with electricity before turning back to face the gardener.