The Phantom Riser

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN - FOREVER (2)

All Revik could do was stare at Kiro. He had his doubts from the start but he was fairly certain at this point. The Phantom Riser has knowledge of the future. That was a fact that he was going to prove in time. But for now, he had to focus on keeping him alive. Perhaps the reason he is feared so much is for that same reason? Well, arguing with Kiro on something he had no idea of was one thing Revik wasn’t ready to do. He just said that Kelleher would kill his teammate; Karenia. The beast girl if he remembered correctly. If that was his drive, it would be perfectly understandable why he was trying so hard to kill Kelleher. Was he really trying to change the future though? Weren’t things like death bound to happen eventually? Even if you decide to take another path? Well, one thing was certain at least. They needed to take care of Kelleher. Whether it was for Kiro himself or for Karenia made no difference.

“I’ll help you. But please, stay away from him now. That amulet is dangerous to your types,” Revik said. He was still surprised that Kiro didn’t recognize it. Even though the normal thing would be for him to be surprised that he did.

“I don’t care what it is. I’ll kill him nonetheless,” Kiro said. He was barely listening to what Revik was saying. Anything that involved him leaving this fight for another was a total waste of his time. Revik was yet to accept this.

“You should listen to him though,” Kelleher uttered. It was a bit of a shocker as to how he heard them from quite a distance. Considering the fact that he wasn’t a Beast type, his hearing was actually pretty impressive, seeing as Revik spoke mostly in a low tone. “I’m actually surprised you don’t recognize this too. Well, maybe because it’s almost extinct, but someone as resourceful as you should know,” Kelleher added.

Kiro looked unfazed. The thing was, in his first life, whatever that amulet was didn’t exist at all. Or it never surfaced around him or anyone he knew. Or maybe he just didn’t remember. It’s hard to see it as important if he didn’t recall what it was. He wasn’t too bothered about it, however. Cheap tricks could only take one far enough.

“Do you know why the Phantom left in the first place? Why she stopped bestowing her powers to Risers? You should at least know that, right?” Kelleher asked.

And finally, he remembered. What that amulet was, the reason the Phantom left the Eight. The reason why he was the only Phantom Riser. A memory from his past life. That amulet was called a Pulser. Almost like kryptonite for Phantom Risers. Phantom Risers grow slowly, but in time become some of the most powerful people in existence. That shift in power, the fear that someday the Phantom would have an army stronger than the rest of the Eight combined, led them to create the Pulser. Once activated, it would significantly weaken any Phantom Riser in range so much that they would find breathing difficult. When this happened, the Phantom left. She felt betrayed. And she was. She no longer granted her powers to anyone to avoid creating targets for the rest of the Eight. Everyone had accepted that. But if there was one more now, if she had granted her powers to someone after so long, then it was possible that she was planning something. And whatever it was, they weren’t going to sit down and watch it unfold. They would nip it right in the bud. Kill the Phantom Riser before he matures into a real threat. The only problem was that he was already a real threat.

Kelleher smiled as he saw the look on Kiro’s face. The utter shock. It might have taken a while, but he was sure he somehow realized what it was. The amulet in his hands was Kiro’s bane and there was no way to fight against it. Revik also noticed Kiro’s expression. He wasn’t sure what happened, but at least convincing him should be a lot easier now.

“I remember,” Kiro said as he stared Kelleher down. He didn’t give him a second out of his sight.

“Good. If you realize what it is, then let me handle this. It’ll be a waste if something were to happen to you.”

“What do you care? You’re only saying all this because Noah sent you.”

“Exactly. If you understand this, then stay out of my way,” Revik said as he readied himself to attack again. Kelleher wrapped the amulet around his arm. A clear target for Revik, but it could also be a trap. He engaged Kelleher in a fight once more, and surprisingly, Kiro stayed back. Even Revik was surprised that he actually listened. But that would help him a lot.

Well, while he might have solved one problem by not having to worry about Kiro, more problems arrived. Theodore came back with everyone. Strength in numbers they might have thought, but it only meant more potential hostages. Why couldn’t they all just do as they were told?

Kiro was devastated to see Karenia present. She was the one person he didn’t want near this battlefield. She was the one he was fighting to protect. “Why are you here!” he yelled. “Why the hell did you come back!!!” The more he screamed, the clearer the vision of Karenia dying became in his head. That moment of distraction was what Kelleher needed. Revik took his eyes off him the moment they arrived. He bound him quickly and went straight for Kiro. It wasn’t going to last long, but it was more than enough time to finish the job. Kiro attempted to attack Kelleher but fell straight to the ground. The amulet had started to take effect. He couldn’t even manage to get to his feet. Karenia stared in horror as she watched. Theodore had attempted to save him, but one look from Kelleher was enough to make him lose consciousness. At that same moment, Isaac, Jovak, and Victor went straight at Kelleher, but he easily evaded them. There was no way they could keep up with his speed. Karenia felt something within her awaken. A power she wasn’t yet aware of. She could feel everything in her environment. Every movement, every vibration. And for that moment only, she was fast enough. Fast enough to catch up to Kelleher before he stabbed Kiro. But not fast enough to evade his attack herself.