The Phantom Riser

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - THE STRANGER

Kiro, Karenia and Victor stalked around the empty chest cautiously. They couldn’t quite make out the figure of who was lurking in the shadows. But they all had one name in mind; Jovak! But how wrong they were. A young man in his early thirties walked out of the shadows. He wasn’t someone they had come across before. Even Kiro didn’t recognize him. “Hope I didn’t scare you too much,” he teased. He was clearly having fun at their expense.

“Who are you?” Kiro moved cautiously towards him. He couldn’t read him at all, and that itself was enough worry. Not to mention that he got there before them. Maybe he was sponsored too.

“I’m afraid I can’t answer that. But know that I am not your enemy. You are not supposed to see my face but I thought you’d hear me out if you could at least see what I look like.”

“We’re listening.” Kiro and his team listened with rapt attention. What was so important that he had to say?

“You are all in danger.” And the curiosity died there. Of course, they knew they were in danger. That was like Apocalypse 101. “You don’t look surprised. Why aren’t you surprised?” he watched as their interest faded. He could have gone straight to the point, but he loved drama. He wanted to get their attention and drop the news as captivating as he could. And nothing catches an audience faster than ‘you are all in danger’. But not this audience apparently.

“Of course not. Whose life isn’t in danger in this stupid test? You’d be a fool to think you’re safe.” Karenia rolled her eyes at him. He had some interesting features. He was tall and very well built. He was ridden with scars, each scar having a story of its own to tell. His face was rugged. It was daring, but at the same time calm. And his eyes were just like hers. Eyes that loved the thrill of a fight and adventure. She didn’t know him, but she felt close. Like they were family.

“Well, you have a point.” And she did rightfully so. “But this time is different. You may have gotten away so far from all your troubles, but this is different. You won’t be able to contain it.” This time though, he caught their attention. Kiro’s eyes narrowed as he put his thoughts together. He had a rough idea of what was going on.

“Noah sent you?” Kiro asked, throwing the man before them off guard.

“How did you know?” he said, staring long at Kiro. He chuckled at last, breaking the silence. “So, this is what he was talking about. I’m impressed really. I thought he was exaggerating. Though, I don’t know why they would go as far as to send a Ranger to kill you. That’s taking it too far.”

“A Ranger!” they chorused. They took defensive stances. “Is that why they sent you, Ranger?” Kiro challenged. The ranger stared at them, amused at the futility of their actions. He burst into an emphatic laughter.

“What do you think you’re doing. Even with your powers you don’t stand a chance, much less without it. Or did you mistake this place for the temple?” -  How did he know about the temple? Even though they shivered, they didn’t show it. They didn’t back down. - “Wait, you think now that we don’t have powers, you finally stand a chance? Why don’t you give it a try then? You might not get a chance like this again.”

Kiro weighed the risk. They didn’t need to attack first. If they could somehow get out of this without a fight, it would be the best result. But he had to be careful. He had no idea what he was up to or capable of. Kiro took a few steps back and Karenia and Victor followed suite. They increased the distance between themselves and the Ranger. Enough that they would be able to react if he suddenly attacked them. They resigned themselves to a neutral position. A move saying ‘we are willing to talk’. But was he willing to talk too?

“Smart choice,” he chuckled. “Yes, I’m a Ranger but I’m not the one sent to kill you. I was sent to protect you from the Ranger and the Ranger only.”

“Why? Why would Noah go that far?”

“Sending in a Ranger is an infringement on the rules. But the person behind is too big to bring to justice. And we can’t cancel the test at this stage. So many people have lost their lives. So, I will be in your shadows till the end and I will only interfere if you are attacked by the Ranger. If you are killed by a fellow Riser, that’s not my problem. I won’t lift a finger.”

“Do you know who this Ranger is? Or where he is at the moment?”

“I don’t know who he is, but it's of little consequence," he said confidently. "But I know he is in the Mesh currently. I came to use the map to find him, but he’s not on it either. He must be very good with stealth. An assassin maybe.”

“Dum-Dum’s ability,” Kiro blurted out. The expression on his face showed that he regretted doing so.

“How did you know that?” - the Ranger became even more cautious of Kiro. - “Who’s your sponsor?”

“I don’t have one.”

“I know. And that is very surprising. You three are some of the most promising Risers we’ve ever had. I would expect that sponsors would be flocking towards you. Or you haven’t picked one yet?”

“We haven’t received any offers,” Karenia said.

“Strange. Even stranger that I can’t view your details boy. It says my level is too low. Isn’t that hilarious. Who are you really, Phantom Riser?” his eyes narrowed, fixated on Kiro.

“You said it yourself.”

“Let me guess, you made a deal with Noah that wouldn’t allow you three receive messages from sponsors?” Kiro’s silence confirmed his claims, and even worse, Karenia and Victor’s surprise meant they knew nothing about it.

“Is this true?” Victor asked. But Kiro said nothing. “When were you going to tell us? Were you going to tell us?”

“Victor, are you doubting Kiro? After everything?” It was a cheap shot but emotional blackmail was the only way she could convince Victor to drop it.

“I’m sorry. I should have let you know first. It won’t happen again.”

“I really hope you can start relying on us. You’re not alone you know. We’ve got each other.” Karenia said. The three of them put their heads together like some sort of calming ritual. The Ranger smiled at them. A strange feeling of nostalgia seeped deep into his bones. In a way, it reminded him of his fallen comrades.