Downgrade

Meeting Them Once More

I looked at the woman who’s twenty-eight years old and had a long silky red hair, heavy-lidded chocolate brown eyes and an average body size, who just opened the creaked door. I smelt blood. Fresh. I saw that her cloth was tainted with it. My eyes traveled to her dabbed wrist. They were dripping.

A man appeared from the shadow just behind her. His face was curious for us, their unwelcomed guests. They were familiar. I laid my hands inside my pockets, Trench and Hannah were at the back, waiting for me to introduce ourselves.

“Who are you?” The woman blankly focused her gaze on me as she asked. Is she alright? Is she getting herself killed?

I slowly loosen my hood and revealed myself. In a split of time, Hannah appeared in front of me, clasping my hand. She hugged them directly. “I’m glad to see you again!”

The two were shocked and froze on their feet on the ground. They took turns in examining the child if it’s really Hannah. Suddenly, a five-foot-tall, brown-haired, 20-year-old woman rushed in as she held with her hands a vase filled with a lotus flower. It was her. She looked and gazed at me as she heard Hannah’s name. Vixen Morenz, the Eye of Era. It was nice seeing her again.

I smiled silently.

She directly pulled the child behind her and gazed at both of us.

“What are you doing here?”

I crossed my arms. “I think we’re not that welcoming eh? Well, we just brought the kid to you.”

“But why?”

“Who are these people, Vix?” The woman beside her asked.

“She’s…” She gave a glimpse of Hannah and back to me. “She’s the messenger.” She said timidly.

“Oh, hi. Are you here to hurt us? I remembered you said that the next time you’ll see us you can’t promise that you’ll not get us killed, something like that.” A man with his freshly cleaned eyeglasses stood beside her. It was him.

“I guessed our reunion was just after a week then. But, this time, we won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“W-We just want to talk to you.” Trench added.

“How will I know you won’t hurt us?” Vixen asked fretfully.

“It’s just the two of us. No special forces. No Penelope.” I earnestly uttered.

She looked around and carefully glanced over the corners of the streets. She stared at us for a while and eventually opened the door a bit to let us in. As soon as we entered the house, the smell of blood snuck on my nose. I wriggled. The woman was wiping off her wrist soaked in blood as she preceded the couch to settle in. My sight roamed the place – it was precisely unrecognizable from the outside, but the interior was much lively than what I expected. Thanks to the Informant who gave me the address or else it would be harder for me to locate them. I might as well visit him tomorrow. The antiquity of such ornaments displayed on the wooden pallid drawers and serenely hanged on the walls were enthralling. There was a narrow path that I thought it will lead to their respective rooms and from the right I saw another room which looked like a kitchen. I scanned the surroundings and supposed that it might be like the Old Mill where there are secret doors or passages over the floors or the walls.

Vixen was blissful when she saw Hannah again. Trench and I stood still in the corner and patiently waited for their response, not until the nerdy member of them bluntly asked us.

“What brings you here?” He deliberately pondered. The other man helped the girl in wrapping her wrist with a cloth.

I gulped and reverted my eyes to him. “Penelope and the others with her are planning to exile you.” I candidly said.

They halted from their seats. Hannah sniffed as her obsequious hand laid on Vixen’s lap.

“Are they going to take you too, Aunt Vixen?” She asked, referring to the men who took her brother out of the Orphanage.

The woman forced a smile. “O-Of course not.”

“We only have a week before they we’ll be the ones to knock on your door and forcedly strain you to their refuge.” I added.

“W-We want to help you.” Trench benignly uttered.

I counted them all. Some were missing. Where are they?

“They are going to help me find my brother, Uncle Cody.” Hannah pondered and smiled.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Trying to lend us your help.”

“Because…I still have some unfinished business with Penelope.” I said. “You want to get to the second level, right?”

Everyone looked at me. They would ask for sure why I know their plans. But simply, I was…there…all along, and I just made myself a witness.

“Don’t stare at me like that. I’m no criminal here. It would simply let us know that you want to take down Penelope and that means you need to go to the second level and to her place. That’s it.” I acted normal. If they just know how hard to see things that are unseen, they would feel how vanquish my life’s adventures are. In a sudden, a 5’4’’ tall, slender woman with large glacial blue eyes entered the living room with a man who has luscious lips, a slender body, tanned skin and a pointed nose.

“Oh, what is she doing here?” The man said, pointing to me.

“They came here to help, Miguel…just like what she said.” The man with glasses replied.

The oldest among them seems to be calmed, taking his time in helping his sister.

“Oh, Hannah is here too?” The other woman said.

“Yes. They brought her out the Orphanage, Losh.” Vixen pondered. She stood from her seat and went in my direction, her eyes were locked to me. “Hey. You didn’t give me the right answer when we’re in Neatherock St. So, I want to ask you again. Are you the Invisible Girl?”

I looked back at her as our eyes fought with each other. I sighed. I guess this woman is quite a fun of me since then. “Yes…”

She bequeathed a gratified smile. “So, tell us. What are your plans that will benefit us in the end? You said that Penelope wants to get rid of us. How did you know about such a thing?”

“M-Mr. Everdeen told us.” She turned her face to look at Trench.

“Is he really stuttering?”

“That’s who he is.” I replied.

“You mean, the leader of the Elites?”

“Yes. He’s my father.” I calmly said.

“Spit your plans then.” The woman who got wounds pondered. She didn’t even twitch from the pain she’s bearing, as if she had a deal with it for a very long time. But then, I didn’t recognize the boisterous, ear-splitting member of Era.

“Where’s the noisy one?” I ponderously asked.

Everybody just went into reticence and the atmosphere became solemn. Wait, did he not survive the battle? I waited for a response, not until the Losh girl, I think that’s her name, broke the silence with an answer.

“He’s not…here.”

“O-Oh. So…First of all, I want all of you to know who we are so there will be no…hard feelings. I’m Carmilla…Carmilla Everdeen, and..” I looked at the man beside me. “This is Trench Dickman…uh…my bodyguard.”

He gave me a dubious reaction. Not that I didn’t care, but Dad requested for him to keep an eye on me too. So, basically, he’s my bodyguard. I wouldn’t really care, but try to be grateful for his presence and his company.

“Nice to meet you…again.” Vixen uttered.

“Nice to meet you too, and all of you. I’m sorry if we didn’t reveal ourselves at that time we have sent the message here for you to take. We’re also in a mission that time too-” just before I could finish what I was saying, the man with thick glasses brushed me off. “You mean, you have a mission to get rid of those people who went inside the city again?”

The truth wasn’t easy to accept, especially if it deals with life. I nodded silently as a response.

“Did you even budge when you get vindicated those corpses? Did you even feel guilty?” He added, clenching his hands. Vixen slowly rubbed his tensed shoulders and tried to appease him.

“As far as we know, we’re not responsible for killing them. We’ve told you before, we’re just the ones assigned to burn them off...we did what we can…to give them...a just and acceptable burial.” I sighed.

“You don’t have to believe us wholly but we want you to know that we didn’t like every single bit of Penelope’s doing. I want to face her once more.” I gritted my teeth. “It’s true that Penelope is planning to get you here. My Dad, Zyrender Everdeen, wanted to meet you in the shadows and discuss certain matters. After all, that’s what Era wanted it to be – to get rid of this system. The war had already begun a long time ago and it started from those Three Founders. Those people who left for good, do you think it’s right…to give them what they wanted and the justice for their grievances?” I added looking at everyone.

The woman stood from her seat, rubbing the cloth that had wrapped her wrist. “If it’s true. Then we should trust you for this time, but if we find out that you’re setting a plan for us to get killed by your own kind, then we won’t think twice to get rid of you just like those corpses in Neatherock Street.” Her words slashed me deeper.

“S-Sure. I promise. You don’t have to worry.”

“But first, we need to go to the Informant and settle things with him once more.”

Her face veered in silence, turning into a deranged, ominous one. But, her expression suddenly vanished and looked at me. “So, you’re Carmilla, the Invisible Girl and that is Trench, your bodyguard. I’m Kinzel Flores.” She reached out her hand and I slowly shook it.

She pointed to the others. “That nerd guy over there is Cody Willows. Over the couch, that is my brother, Guilbert Flores. The woman standing is Loshiana and beside her, whom I supposed you already met is Miguel Martin. And that is Vixen Morenz.” She took a breath. “Now, that we already know each other. I want to clear things. Right after we get to the top, I don’t want any interference from you or the others from your level. We will act independently there. You can do anything to that grey-haired woman and we can do our part too.”

___

Thirty minutes have passed and now I’m getting comfortable with Era. Trench was with Cody and Miguel as they played with Hannah. I decided to head to their backyard to get some fresh air when my eyes caught a cross being laid on the ground. Fresh cotton surrounded it. I slowly glanced over the grave, and there it was, his name being engraved in the wooden cross. Quinten Louis. So, it was him – the noisiest. Without knowing why, I felt sorrow. There were footsteps. Slow ones. Coming in my direction. I turned and saw a vacuous face of Vixen. She stood beside me and stared at it.

“I saw you there.” She suddenly stated.

A question ran to my mind. “Where?” I consciously asked.

She gazed at me as her eyes started to water. “I saw you there…at the tunnel’s entrance…you were there…Why?”

I felt my tongue rolled back and couldn’t utter anything. Did she really see me that time? But, I did activate my power.

“H-How did you…How did you know that I was there?” I finally found my voice.

She lowered her head. “Because I saw you…just before we left the place…when Guilbert activated his power again...I had a glimpse of you behind that boulder. Did…” She looked at me as her tears released on her cheeks. “You see everything back then?”

I saw the guilt of her soul, hoping to find any answers, hoping that there’s still a chance to bring back a family. I nodded cautiously.

“Then…why didn’t you help us?”

“Because I’m a coward. I let…my fears be the ones to lead me…to just let it go. I’m sorry…”

She sniffed and wiped her tears. “I know. It wasn’t your business in the first place.”

I looked at her. “Y-Yeah…”

“Sometimes, you just have to step behind for you to succeed.”

I still can remember the last words he had spoken to Era. And yet, it felt like he was staring at me that time when he said those words. As if he can clearly see me and know how fear crippled and embraced me. I felt my cheeks reddened as my eyes began to blur with my tears on the sides.

“I-I’m sorry for your loss.”

She made a warry smile and rubbed my back. “I know how you feel…We were there too. I just want to try everything to save Quinten before I lose myself and hope.”

“I was heading back to the second level that time when I caught you fighting with Jack and the officers. I’m the worst witness, aren’t I?” I knelt in front of his resting place and gently placed a white handkerchief with a knitted rose on it. Thank you.

Vixen shook her head. “I think not. Knowing that you’re there too, did you see what happened to Jack? Miguel wasn’t able to see him when he carried Quinten back to us.” She said.

A Flashback: Tunnel

Everything is in chaos. Why did I even get myself in this mess? The opening is quite reckless for me to pass them right now. I heard the revolvers being shut to Era as they spit nullification potions a while ago. Two of them were now unconscious. I saw her. I saw her cried for help from her team. This is insane. Hiding is my best defense, yet I can’t move any inch of my body. I couldn’t run. I looked at above and saw Jack and a man who got the Anti-Gravity.

“Okay, that’s enough.” Jack said as his hand unforgivingly dug on the man’s chest, clenching his heart. The man yelled in peril, trying still to struggle for his spirit. I turned my gaze to those on the ground. I saw Cody vehemently yanking Vixen towards the other in a corner as she tried to scoot. Then I saw, the guy’s eyes with Transportation power glowed, activating his last amount of it. They were holding each other as they slowly disappeared.

I saw her eyes plead for help in a very small amount of time. She still wanted to fight back.

“We have to protect him!” She yelled, but their faces were hopeless as they cried silently and couldn’t gaze straight into her eyes.

He was not moving as Jack took dominance in mid-air. No….It can’t be. He was frantic. He lividly licked his lips and sipped the blood. He was a wild beast. With a smirk, in a moment, he lashed the man’s heart and pulled it through.

“No!” I heard Vixen shouted in dismay and it was then Era disappeared from the distance. I heard my heart beating hard. I was catching my breath. I raised my head. The Anti-Gravity was slowly diminishing, the men slowly fell on the ground.

Jack was still clasping the man’s heart until he stood again on the ground. He moved his head around and stretched his arms. There was anger in his eyes. and lust for revenge. I heard him tucked his tongue above in annoyance. I gulped as I keep myself silent. I don’t want to do anything with him. I could hear my own breathing. He made a horrendous laugh as he turned to face the man who’s lying lifeless on the ground. He kicked him. Then, there goes another one.

“You piece of junk. Do you reckon you can overthrow me with that strength of yours? How hilarious.” He touched his neck and squirmed. “You did whack me tough."

“Tsk. But, poor you. You shouldn’t be the one who needs to get in my way. Oops, we’re sorry but I think we’re the ones who stumbled on your way here. I’m very sorry. But hey, I was expecting that the Eye has the power to defeat me. Well, maybe she’s still inside her shell. Got to go.” He walked in the other direction, bringing with him the heart and kicking some of the officers. “This will be my souvenir then. Useless. Trash. Why did she even lend me this kind of help, when I can take them by myself? Damn you, love.”

As soon as he vanished from the shadows, I hurriedly went to the man and grabbed him, placing his head on my lap. I could feel my heart will explode at any moment. He’s bleeding hard. I can’t feel any pulse. I know it was useless but I tried to bring him back, using my other power, Healing. I closed my eyes as I sensed my hands glowed in the darkness. I placed them on his chest and tried to revive him. Seconds turned into minutes but there was no difference. He was lifeless. I felt tears rushing on my cheeks.

The rain had stopped. I heard small steps coming from the tunnel. There’s someone coming. I made my pace towards the boulder again and saw a man walking towards us. Slowly, his appearance was visible to me. Wait, he’s a member of Era. H-He was able to get inside?

His eyes roamed the place and eventually glued upon his friend. He ran to him and embraced him tightly. He tried and tried to bring him back to life, but just like me, he can’t do anything. I cried silently as I watched him mourn. After some minutes, he stood up, carrying his pal in his arms. He threw a speck of dust and murmured something, then they instantly disappeared, leaving me with a dreadful, obscure feeling. I just felt empty all of a sudden.

___

“He’s…still alive. He left the others and took the heart with him…” I muttered.

I saw her clenched her fist. “Why did he even bring Quinten’s heart with him?”

“I think for experiments.”

“Experiments?”

“Yes. I heard that Penelope is having her experiments with those who possess such a great amount of power. She put it into two categories; high and low levels. You know what that means right?”

She nodded. She scratched her head. “But, they can still use those from the dead?”

“Yes. Remember in Neatherock St.? Some of those people we burnt lacked some of their parts. Finger, nose, eye and even internal organs.” I uttered and crossed my arms.

“So…they’re taking those who’re high levels?”

“You got it right.”

She thought for a while and said, “How about Hannah’s brother? Do you really know where he is?”

That kid. It might be painful for her if she hears the truth, but I don’t want to break the trust they gave me. “He’s…in the laboratory right now…currently undergoing some experiments.”

Her eyes shut and bit her lip. “This is exhilarating. Did…Did they…use his power? It’s Nullification. Those revolvers…they have the potion. It was nullification right?”

I nodded.

“Among the other children there, his power was dominating, that even a single touch from him works. I don’t know what’s happening to the boy right now, but the last time I saw him, his body was covered with dark bruises and his eye had a patch.”

She gritted her teeth. “Damnit!” She hissed. “They didn’t take him to the training ground. They lied. They took him for their experiments.”

“One thing for sure…he’s in an isolation room where no one can touch or see him.”

“Where’s the laboratory?”

I pointed at the distance and above the Long Range Fountain. “Above there. Third level.”

I heard some steps from the back and a sniff. We both turned our heads and witness Hannah crying. Her eyes were getting sore as her shirt gets wet with her tears. I walked to her and gently wiped off her eyes.

“I-Is it true? T-That…T-That…M-Macky is in a laboratory?” She said between her sobs.

So, the child heard our whole conversation. I flicked my forehead as I felt sorry for her and for myself for being reckless. Vixen knelt and faced her. “Your brother is not in the good hands right now, Hannah. That’s why we need to save him.” She said as she gently squeezed her arms.

“M-My brother is…is a strong boy. H-He's…not dead right?”

“He’s not dead, my darling.” I replied and carried her. I tugged her hair at the back of her head. “Because Macky is a strong boy, that means you need to be strong just like him, for the both of you. Your brother needs you, so we need your help, hero.”

She wiped her face and put on a smile. “I’m going to save my brother and kick those who hurt him.”

“Very good.” Vixen let a soft chuckle escaped her mouth.

We decided to move back inside the house, but before we can enter, I turned my back to face his grave. It’s nice to meet you again Ten, after all these years…I just want to let you know…that I became stronger…and I was able to defend myself…and…I’m sorry for being not too strong enough to save you…

A Flashback: Five Years Ago – Care Orphanage

“P-Please, give me back my doll.” I begged the two boys who are making fun of me right now at the back of the building. My knees hurt and are now bleeding. They pushed me to the ground and forcefully snatched my doll from me. I felt my eyes wet.

I heard them laughed. “Awe. Such a cry baby. Are you going to call your mother right now? Hahaha!” The boy with a red hair and a plumps body teased. His cheeks were flabby that his mouth is pouting.

The other boy elbowed him as they continue to sneer. “Pfft. Come on this is boring. Can you just fight with us?!” He suddenly grabbed me by the collar and punched me on the cheek. I stumbled back but the other boy groped me by my arm, digging his nails unto my flesh. I cried in pain. I shut my eyes as he was about to give me a punch again when I saw them abruptly flew high above. They were floating.

I turned around as I heard several claps from someone. It was a boy with a dark brown hair and I thought that we just have the same age. His bushy eyebrows met in-between as he offered me his hand. I slowly grabbed it and he helped me stand. He picked up something from the ground, tapped the dust and gave it to me. It was my doll. I smiled at him and said thank you, but then I was nagged by his indiscreet.

“Tsk. You’re such a clumsy. You should learn how to defend yourself.” He abruptly said as he scratched his head in annoyance.

I felt my eyes watered again, but suddenly he offered me a white handkerchief.

“Don’t be such a cry baby, like them.” He added, pointing at the two who’re floating. They were crying hard and asking for help.

I wiped my tears with the handkerchief he gave me. I looked at it and smiled as I saw a rose on it. “T-Thank you-” Just before I can lend it back to him, he waved his hand as he walked towards the two elderly people. “Aye. Don’t let them hurt you again. Be strong. You only have yourself to defend you always. Give that to me, when we meet again.” He said.

I heard the woman called him by his name. “Quinten, hurry up. Ten! Just hurry up will you?!”

“Aysh! Will you just wait for a while?”

I stared at his back for a long time until he snapped his finger and straightaway, the two boys fell on the ground, groaning in pain as they rubbed their butts.

“T-Thank you for your help!” I shouted, hoping that he could hear it.