The Phantom Riser

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO - MY CHILD (2)

Kiro awoke with a headache. It felt like he had fallen off a cliff and hit his head on hard rock. He was still not aware of where he was or what had happened after he passed out. His surroundings were a bit blurry but as it cleared up, he noticed Karenia and Victor beside him. At the other end of the room were Lucas, Theodore, Olivia, and one more person he did not expect to be there; Remi!

Kiro jolted to his feet as he took cognizance of her presence. It was at that moment that he remembered that the one who had subdued him was Remi; Plasma of the Eight. She was one of the few members that preferred to use their actual names rather than their titles, so very few people knew her as plasma. Kiro excluded, however.

“Plasma!” he said in shock. In their presence, he preferred to address each member of the Eight with their title. He was aware of their real names, but it was a habit he picked up in his past life. The only reason he would call any member of the Eight by their real names would be if he was talking to someone. That was in cases where that member was generally addressed by their actual name.

“Oh, it’s been a while since anyone called me that,” Remi replied. The unease in the room was hard to miss. The only person who seemed a bit calm was Karenia. Maybe because she was relieved that he was alive and okay. Wait, Karenia? How was she alive? He saw her die. He was sure she had died.

“Karenia? How---” Kiro tried to speak but Remi cut him short.

“I healed her. She held on somehow. Long enough for me to be able to do something about it. She’s quite the tough one,” Remi replied. Karenia held Kiro in her embrace for a while, as Victor placed his hand on his shoulder. He was also relieved to see both his friends okay. More relieved than he cared to show, however. Remi smiled as she watched how strong their bond was. The road ahead was rough. Far worse than what they had just experienced. But maybe, just maybe, they had a chance. If they stuck together, they might just be able to pull it off.

“What about the test?” Kiro asked. There was still quite some time before the test would end when he lost consciousness. And the items they had secured, were they able to put them to use? If Remi was around, then they probably didn’t need it again.

“I ended it. It was almost time anyway. And your team finished top of the test center. You know what that means right?” Remi asked.

Kiro didn’t know what to make of that question. It wasn’t yet known to the others but if Remi expected him to know such a piece of information, then was she aware of his reincarnation? It wasn’t impossible. She was a member of the Eight after all. If that was the case, then were the other members also aware? Was that why they were after him? Because in his previous life, they didn’t seem to care this much about him. At least not this early. No, it seemed unlikely that that was the case. But yet, she still expected him to be aware of the situation they were in.

“What’s going on again?” Karenia asked. She was the only one who could muster the courage to speak.

“You may not know this, but your performances in this test were graded and a ranking system was established. Based on the points acquired, your team is the highest, with Kiro standing at the top of all the test centers after defeating a Ranger. All six of you made the top six, along with some other four that I’m sure you know well.”

“Team Jovak,” Karenia said disdainfully.

“Yes. You’ll hear the rest of the news later. But for now, congratulations. You have all done well. However, you won’t get my help again after this. Neither will I allow your test administrator to interfere. If they are going to come after you and they will, you need to grow. And fast. The fastest way is if you can tough your way out of these situations. But I’m sure you’ll be alright.”

“I was thinking about something,” Karenia said. She had her eyes completely on Remi.

“What is it, my child?” Remi asked.

“Your aura, it's not so scary. How come?”

Remi laughed at her question. Even more so at how petrified everyone else was after she asked that question. Karenia had guts and Remi loved her for that. She seemed reliable enough to keep those other two in check.

“Well, I’m currently suppressing my powers. I’m using less than 1% at the moment. Any more than that and you could all die from shock. Well, maybe not those two. But still, no member of the Eight lets out the full extent of his aura, except in battle. And we haven’t been in any battles for more than a million years now,” Remi replied.

“You have your own battles too?” Karenia asked.

“Well, before the universe became stable, we battled a lot of ancient creatures. That was when we were truly great. Now, we just go about giving out orders or just whiling away time. it’s been a while that something as exciting as you two showed up. Kiro and Victor.”

Kiro, alongside everyone else, watched as Karenia and Remi continued their discussion. She asked so many questions and Remi answered. She was totally amused by Karenia who was completely at home with her. That was a member of the Eight! And she was talking to her like they were friends. But thanks to her, the tension in the air cleared up. Remi was actually not so scary. Well, as long as she wanted to remain so.

“Have you heard from Elena?” Remi asked Kiro out of the blue.

“The Phantom?” Kiro instinctively responded.

Remi’s eyes narrowed. Her expression was bordered by a bit of sadness or disappointment, but none was dominant. “You call her by her title as well? I expected you’d be closer.”

“Well, I have never seen her before,” Kiro giggled awkwardly. Even in his previous life, he had never met the Phantom. Anything he knew about her was simply things that he heard or read.

“That’s disappointing. I really hoped she would have made contact with someone. After all these years. And if she didn’t contact either of us, then maybe she isn’t back yet after all. There’s something I would like to discuss with you if you don’t mind,” Remi said.

“Of course, I don’t,” Kiro hesitantly said. it was weird that a member of the Eight would seek his permission to talk to him. In fact, the very thought that she had something to say to him was a surprise and it scared him. What was so important that a member of the Eight would want to discuss with him, so much that she had to seek his permission first?