FAITH

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The drive was an hour-long, curves and zigzag roads made the trip feel bearable.

 My eyes fixed on the shield, observing the world around us, until, something appeared for a brief second in the reflection and disappeared. I rubbed my wrists feeling a little moist, that could mean only one thing, it’s a damn entity. 

“S’matter?” Nara adjusted her mirror’s direction to mine, looking towards her. 

“Random chills, again, mom.” I responded to her. 

“It’ll pass.” Mom nodded her head at me. Wish you could understand the truth. Mom slightly raised her foot off the gas pedal, parking the car infront of a fancy building. 

“Is that the place?” I tossed my thumb to my right side, mom laughed at the top of her lungs and extended her finger to the building next to it. The building looked like a foster home.

Well, I just thought, that with all of mom’s money she’d have a personal hotel of her own, sigh. Unlocking the door to my left side, doing the etiquette manner of exiting before shutting the door. I followed my mom, when my mom caught sight of me she dangles an arm over my shoulder. “Well, I can tell you something about our group. The first member, I met him at Comic-Con I think I saw Markiplier there too, but anyway. I met a bunch of people along the way, though, some shady stuff happened in the sidelines so we acted as a group to stop it, and until this day we’ve maintained our base and crew. You’re the newest addition, hon!” 

The doors roared open, then, a robot butler appeared in the doorway greeting us. “It’s a pleasure to meet the daughter of Nara,” He bowed kindly. Mom led me to the living room, everything my eye caught met curiosity until them. The interior design of the home the walls were beryl-painted. The wooden floors were all of rosewood. The living room had the fanciest furniture. The kitchen was big as the living room while at the end of the room a spiral staircase led up to their rows of dorms. There was more than enough dorms for everyone in the team even the newbies. I noticed two males sleeping on the couch.

 “Wake up!” My mom shouted loudly at them. They snapped out of their sleep, stood up and saluted infront of Nara and I. “HAHAHAHAHAHA!” Nara was expecting them to respond like that, doors opened on the second floor and other people head down to the noise. She recognized them as Chuck and Charles.

“What’s so funny?” One of the males said. Charles. 

. Upon reaching the living room, everyone was in their pajamas infront of their leader. “Erm… hey… Nara.” Ginalyn waved to their leader. 

“Aren’t you going to greet my daughter? She is going to be a new member of the team!” Nara pointed at me, intentionally. 

“Didn’t think Nara’s kid would’ve been interested to join this kinda joint. She never seemed to be the energetic type either… but..” Tilda uttered to herself, that night Nara and Faith fought in the ring made her wonder. It’s strange to believe she changed instantly! She counted the number of times she had seen the lass, eight, and she remembered she was incapable of doing such things.

 “All right! Mama’s girl, let’s see how you do, tonight.” It was settled.

Later that evening…

The Social Justice Association decided on the entire nomination of the patrol remained in their town. California, San Diego.

 “See anything, rookie?” The whole team was on observing the course of events – nothing too large or unusual so far. 

“Not yet.” I responded to the male. 

“I’ve heard a lot of things about you, Faith.” Chuck starts the conversation. “Oh yeah?” I avert my gaze, locking it with his.

 “Tilda told us you couldn’t do any of that.” Yeah. I got bullied. Like a lot. I’d cry to myself to sleep and hurt myself.

 “How do you mean?” I was trying to figure out his incomplete sentence.

 “Pfff—I left my sentence unfinished. I mean, the cool stuff you did at the ring?” Ah, that makes sense. “Who taught ya?” Clifford wondered about who taught me all those things. I told him the same thing I’d tell ‘em, nobody special. 

“You can’t be serious.” Charles responded. Nobody special taught Faith skills achieved by the finest athletes of today? They all wanted to know the truth. 

“Well, would you believe me?” I brought up the statement. To see is to believe. To hear something is only semi-partial of the truth. 

“Of course, pumpkin.” Nara placed her hand on my small wrist. I lay it on ‘em.

 “You’re telling me, there is another version of yourself, who taught you all of this?” Nara blinked, rather confounded by this new information. I didn’t tell mom about being a target by a group of assassins, that’d worry her too much. 

“And the perfect memory? I thought Arbatel De Magia Veretum could only do that!” More questions. “As I’ve said.” I referred to the thing I told them.

 “You should take an acceleration exam, don’t waste your potential!” Tilda exclaimed.

Oh, here we go, I hate hearing crap like that. “

Matilda Flynn!” Nara barked at her. 

The woman hung her head, well, mom just said her entire name, isn’t that scary. 

“You ever wonder if we have different versions of ourselves?” Chuck breaks the silence, intrigued by my tale. 

“Considering my duplicate was my direct opposite, maybe, just maybe. I wouldn’t know, a perfect memory is completely different from omniscience.”

That word, brought up an interesting matter. “Did she tell you about it?” Chuck wondered about it. 

“She told me to look up a dictionary.” I made a very stale joke.

 “Hah!” Clifford lets out a snort.

 “Actually, the thing about it. It can only be attained by free scholars.” “How do you mean?” Finally, I can share this information my duplicate has given to me. 

“It’s not like anybody else can share this information, don’t hesitate, hon.” Nara sided with whatever I’ll say next.

 “The Free Scholars – once known as The Unfettered Minds, once teachers to those who seek enlightenment. What drove them to become something more? The first one, Sanchez, he had a beautiful and chubby wife, raised ten kids; five boys and five girls. He discovered an ancient technique, this allowed him to access 100 percent of his brain’s abilities. He led a wealthy life, maintaining a healthy relationship with his family, but a tragedy transpired on his second son’s birthday. A group of mercenaries, gunned down his family – Sanchez including. He survived that tragedy, he ought revenge but how was he going to do it if he lacked something. He discovered a bizarre symbol, searched its origin, and found an entity that granted omniscience, he kept this secret to himself. He got his revenge and killed those mercenaries, he then, abused this new power. Though, he hid, until everybody would forget about him. 

The second, Oval, a child who was fond of fairy tales and emotional events. He lived life with chronic depression, but there was a voice, a raspy one, he was constantly riddled with what purpose does he serve. He consulted a therapist about it, the therapist told him he was just hearing things, then, prescribed him some pills. Oval heard a story about the “Perfect Man’’, the story was sort of distorted due to them being just rumored, but when he hit the hay… he was before this silhouette. 

The figure that called himself The Perfect Man. He tried to wake up, but nothing, the perfect man told him absolutely everything about Oval, things Oval didn’t know. Oval said that he wanted to be like him, The Perfect Man said not yet, and Oval woke up remembering that creepy grin. Years later, Oval found out he had a relative in his neighborhood, and the two got along well… and got close.

 Incestuous desires drove Oval, the thoughts he held about his older relative. The hints were clear to his relative, she committed suicide. He cried for several hours until he was pale, then, his soul was in the universe searching for The Perfect Man. 

The Perfect Man ordered Oval to follow his instructions, to achieve the power he did. Oval showed this knowledge to communities, then he built a school dedicated to The Perfect Man. He was good all right… but his intentions from within contradict. 

The third, Craw, already with the mind of an adult and deviations of a madman. He killed his bestfriend, blamed his bestfriend’s death on someone more likely, that someone was an ex-criminal, Wilson. Though, many haters bashed him, while he was offended by many, Craw climbed into his home and murdered Wilson. The murder scene appeared to be a suicide when discovered by the people, no witnesses were found, and the government believed it to be Wilson’s former cellmate – Averse, who clearly loathed Wilson’s very existence. While nobody knew the true murderer, 

The Perfect Man appeared before Craw and enlightened him. The effect was opposite, all of that evil residing Craw converted into benevolence.

The Fourth, Tony. The surviving child of Sanchez, the things he accomplished through natural talent seemed unbelievable. Though he looked back at his father’s background, it all ends at a disappearance. He got bullied for being a tyrant’s child, others respected it because the whole story kept getting distorted by rumors, nothing precise or exact. 

Unlike the first three free scholars, he discovered the exact book, his father found before becoming the perfect man. The bizarre sigil etched into his mind, the same words echoing in his mind “Ascend or Remain”. When he opened the book, his soul drifted across a myriad of dimensions, things people wouldn’t believe.

 He witnessed his father’s temptation to it, the power drew him in to obtain Omniscience, as for the other two, and he saw himself looking into the abyss. He attempted to draw himself away from the abyss, but it pulled him into the abyss.

 The two fought while falling into the abyss, the battle ends with one of them ontop of each other. The defeated copy dispersed into a pile of cherry blossoms, the world around him distorted, cracking like adjacent shards that allow him to view the beaten paths of the Free Scholars. 

The world mended itself around him, and that entity who granted Sanchez omniscience, appeared and asked him the same question. ‘Will you Ascend or Remain?’ With its deep monotonous voice. He took the same route as his father did, the path to power. He no longer questions, he only answers.

As for the fifth one… 

Earlston, it’s like a prophecy waiting to be fulfilled but as of right now. There is no story to tell,” If you didn’t piece it together quickly. The Free Scholars spell out ‘Socrates’, wasn’t obvious, was it. By the time I finished, the group scattered and went off. I remained with Chuck, Nara with Tilda, Benjamin and Clifford, Ginalyn with Charles.

 Absolutely nothing had happened for an entire hour. 

But the team wasn’t going to give up. “Hey, Faith.” Chuck turned his gaze to meet mine, mine already locked with his. 

“What do you want.” I turned to him, my expression stayed the same. “Your story about five dudes, how come there isn’t a chick?” Chuck wanted to know more.

 “Dudes? They’re genderless.” I corrected him. “Whaaaaaaaaat --- plot twist!” He was taken aback by that fact.

 “Look, I don’t have anymore information about the Free Scholars anymore. My duplicate didn’t even tell me about her origin,” Chuck understood why the Five Scholars chose to ascend to greater heights. Even with perfect memory, omniscience outweighs its abilities. 

“Faith! Do you copy?” I pick up Ginalyn’s voice through my communicator.

 “Charles and I discovered some unusual activity in our area.” Ginalyn’s details of her section, a white van parked at Witch Kendall’s Pizzaria, I knew that place. That place brings childhood memories, but to hear shady activity about it… just we’ll have to wait and see. “Sweetie, do you copy?” Nara’s motherly words – spoke to me, clear as glass. 

“Yeah. Mom. What’s the sitch?” Kim Possible reference. 

“Seen a few silhouettes bouncing off rooftops carrying some weapons, I think. As of right now, they’re nowhere to be found.” I knew they’d finally turn up.

 The next oncoming event, a white van stopped infront of a school and a group of hooded figures began… vandalizing the place with eggs and toilet paper. 

“Be right back.” Nara signs off. Nara and Tilda, westward from where we were dealing with some vandalizing. It’s not too big. Though, I don’t have to wait for Clifford, the guy can handle it. I’m more interested with what’s going on at Witch Kendall’s Pizzaria.

“You’re… really fit.” Chuck stopped behind me, we met up with Ginalyn and Charles, just several feet away from the building. 

We hid behind some barricades, discussing our plan of action before pressing on. I agreed with their approach, going around the back seems smarter, don’t know if there’s a guard on patrol inside the building. We take the beaten path, that leads probably through the kitchen.

 The backdoor, for some reason, it was left open. Maybe because they intended it or maybe a forgetful employee left it that way. 

Either way, we took advantage of this opportunity and stealthily made our way in. The kitchen was empty, but we heard footsteps elsewhere in the building. If I can reverse time with my brain, also known as panmesia, if it's coming from ahead it’s the main hall of the pizzeria. Where families bond and connect, see animatronics or people in strange humanoid costumes, but it was nighttime so its more hostiles out there. I went on ahead while the others were cautious of their surroundings, but Chuck grabbed my wrist preventing me from moving forward. 

I yanked my wrist. “I’m not some damn princess in distress, Chuck.” I stated. 

“Well, how sure are you that there’s nothing here?” Chuck replied in a low tone. 

“I already have this whole place memorized. I’ll head over to the footsteps.” I bade the male farewell, heading to where the footsteps were.

 “That’s insane… did she access her childhood memories just like that?” It was astonishing, really. Ginalyn and Chuck shake off the trance they were in and resume their investigation.

I appeared in the main hall – which was already lit up, and an assembly of masked men was on a three meter stage, opening talking about a certain matter. A bouncer stood in the path I was headed for, a guy twice my height. “How dare you – INTRUDER!” From sentence to exclamation in seconds. “Well, you left the backdoor open.” 

I commented. “Gives you no right to be here!” He reared his fist, and threw a right jab. I ducked and threw a short jab to his stomach, then threw a right hook across his jaw dropping him to the floor quickly.

The men on the stage, turned their attention to me. “Took you long enough to realize that.” I swayed my hand towards the unconscious man lying on the floor. One against many, though, this didn’t result in a clash of fists rather in a wordy conversation. 

“Well, well, if it isn’t… our classmate.” The masked individuals dropped their masks, it turns out to be my friends from school.

 “What? I… I must be dreaming.” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. 

“This is real as it gets.” Bacon said to me.

 “You’d join shady crap, Bacon?” I knew all of their names. “Well, they promised to grant our wishes if we did as they asked, really.” People who I actually liked… turned out to be like this. 

“What about Hans… is he with you?” I raised my tone.

“Hans didn’t have many friends, it was pretty easy to persuade him into it. Though, he hasn’t started yet, we’ve only sent him text messages to see if he’s capable.” They talked in unison.

 “I’d rather prefer if one of you talked, hearing all voices at once is just weird.” I extended my palm. 

“Very well then, wouldn’t you mind sticking around? Our boss is going to show up anytime now.” Irene responds to me. A not so important person.

The front doors swung open, three muscular individuals – something about them feels strangely familiar. When at a closer range, the trio was none other than – Shackle-Man – Telekinesis – and Irk – don’t see Bedlam with them. 

“Who do we have here? Waitaminnit! It’s you!” Shackle-Man thought it was a new joiner, but to his avail – it’s just me. The obvious attitude could lead to a beatdown. “Who invited you?” Telekinesis raised his tone. 

“Or did you come uninvited?” Irk narrowed his brows at me. “You left the backdoor open.” I repeated it in their faces.

 “I’m surprised the bullies from school aren’t in this cult.” I added.

 “Who?” Telekinesis questioned.

 “How come you aren’t attacking me, aren’t you supposed to be a meathead?” I focused on Shackle-Man. 

He chuckled in response.

“We do that for money, girl, this however. We could use you to force Nara out of her position.”

 “What do you mean by use? Are you going to kidnap me and blackmail my mom? That’s real manly of you.” My statement made Irk snicker under his breath. 

The men on the stage put on their gasmasks, including the three. 

Shackle-man pulled something out of his pocket and it was a button, the ventilation systems released gaseous particles into the air. I recognized this scent, it was tear gas, and I’ve got no protection like they do. “Kill her.” The three men ordered as they left the area, leaving me to my demise. The remaining enemies charged me at my vulnerable state. 

Though, that doesn’t mean I’ll run away, 

I’ll take up this challenge even if I’m ebbed of vision.

Meanwhile… Ginalyn, Chuck, and Charles were already in the admin’s room trying to undo what was happening in there. Nothing, so from their position they started searching for gasmasks – can they make it in time or will they have to run before all of that tear gas meets them?