The Phantom Riser

CHAPTER FIFTY - A KING

The battle between Revik and Kelleher intensified. Kelleher could feel his grip slipping as Revik slowly but surely gained the upper hand. He could see how enraged Revik was, but he couldn’t really understand why. Why was he so attached to mere Risers? It hadn’t been long since he met them so why? Well, the same could be said with his superiors’ obsession with the Phantom Riser. He couldn’t wait for his mission to be over. It had been way more hectic than he had imagined it to be. Not to mention how a lot of things also didn’t make sense to him. But it would be all over soon. And he could take a vacation in the…

His thoughts were halted by a sudden surge of energy he felt from where Kiro was. It was so intense that even Revik stopped moving. It was an opening for both sides. Both of them had been stunned by the sudden emergence of that energy, but none of them could capitalize. Because deep down, they knew that the energy they felt coming from Kiro far surpassed their combined energies!

It was so dense, that it threatened to rip the Mesh apart. It was a miracle that it didn’t actually. It was more of Kiro trying to make sure that it didn’t than the energy being unable to. His rage was cool, like sea breeze. He was in no hurry. His prey was within range and there was no escaping death this time.

It was almost like time slowed down. More accurately, it did. Kiro walked slowly towards them. There was a terrifying calm about him. Like the calm before the storm. He didn’t yell, neither did he run. For that was not befitting of a King. “Kneel,” he said.

***

Noah watched from his control room as the test became a complete mess. It was extremely damaging to his reputation. It gave off an impression that he didn’t have control of his territory. No territory has ever had a breach before much less so much drama. The only good thing of it all was that he had an unparalleled number of views. No territory has been so watched ever since the beginning of the Harvests. But that also meant that more people got to see him screw up. But the number of views! Should he call of the test? The viewers would be severely disappointed and it might drop the views drastically for the other tests. Why did he have to be given the most troublesome Risers! He writhed in agony as he fought to decide what route to take. There was no way he could go in himself to end the whole thing. And if he didn’t end the test at that moment, who knew what catastrophe could occur? But one thing bothered him. All through the scandals, he had not received a single caution from his superiors. It was like there were perfectly okay with what was going on. Was it that they were not watching his broadcast? Or was a Riser truly being targeted by those who sat at the top of the food chain?

Noah made his decision. He was going to end the test and pull those Risers out. There had been enough time to clear the basic requirements and anyone who was still yet to do so was completely unlikely to. Just as he stretched his hand to call for the end of the test, a terrifying aura behind him made him stop. He didn’t know exactly who it was, but he knew exactly what class the person belonged to. There was no doubt that it was a member of the Eight!

Slowly, he turned his head to see which one of them was behind him. Remi smiled as his eyes met hers. He stumbled to the ground out of shock but quickly got himself back up. “Easy there now administrator, I’m only here to help,” she said calmly.

“My lady, forgive my rudeness. I was not aware that you would be coming. If I had known---”

“As I said, relax. I’ll handle the rest from here onwards. You don’t mind me appearing on your broadcast now, do you?” she asked.

“I do not have a say in such matters. If you decide it, then it is as you wish,” Noah replied.

“What if you had a say? What would you do?”

“It would be an honor to have you on my broadcast, my lady. Do grace us with your presence,” he said.

She chuckled at his response. She stared at him for a while. He was quite handsome and well built. ‘A suitable mate maybe?’ she thought to herself. “Chivalrous I see. Whether it is out of fear, respect, or sheer adoration, I will always wonder. But I’ll take what I can get. Worry not, you will not be penalized in any way. You have my word,” she said.

“You are too generous, my lady.”

She watched Kiro for a bit longer. She was curious as to what the extent of his abilities might just be. Enough to worry even the Eight themselves.

***

“Kneel,” Kiro said. As if the force of the entire world was against him, Kelleher found himself forced to his knees. All efforts to resist were futile. The more he tried to defy his order, the more intense the force keeping him down became. Revik knew that at that moment, it would entirely stupid to interfere. He kept a fair distance. Revik and Kelleher began to understand why Kiro was a threat enough to warrant an execution order from high above. The ability he displayed, the energy, the aura, the knowledge; these were things that were exclusive to class from Knight above. Even Rangers wouldn’t cut it. Much less a Riser!

So, what would he become if he were left alone to grow? How powerful could he get? And to what extent could he threaten the natural order of things? Kiro stared deep into the depth of Kelleher’s soul. There was no remorse nor regret. Not that it would have meant anything to him. But he understood clearly from the look in Kelleher’s eyes. It was just the job. It was nothing personal. But for Kiro, it was personal. And the pied piper had come for his due. “Break,” he said.