Here's hoping
This move always works in the movies
If it doesn't, I'm gonna be red and gooey
Skidding the back wheel parallel with the trailer
Leaning far on my side
Don't let this be a failure
Sliding under the truck, barely avoiding being crushed
As my dragon pursuer smashes against the trailer
The force making it jack knife, kicking up dust
Twenty car pile-up
Actually, closer to thirty
But I have no time to count
Nor any to get any more dirty
Hopping back on the bike I rev it to top speed
Open a terminal
And blast through “Wheeeeee!!!”
Back to HQ
With one last shot
To save Leigh
And have them caught
The Sin of Pride
The final relic
What even is it?
There's no tales to embellish
Flying through the portal
I see the exit
Now to hit the breaks
Before I Address it
Crap, too much speed
No way to stop
“Clear the way!” I yell
“I'm coming in hot!”
Trial 15: Lies and pride
Flying in fast
With a boom I crash
O.D.s rushing out of the way
Bad mouthing me and cussing
Calling me names
Sitting up I rub my aching head
As suddenly Jerome grabs me and says
“You've done it now.” He grips my arm
“I'll have you kicked out for sure.
You've really made a mess.
Where's the rest of your team?”
“Well, I'm right here.” Tom chimes in
“And Leigh's been captured by the enemy.
So we really don't have time to deal with bureaucracy.
Where's the Chairman?”
“Bureaucracy?” Jerome scowls
“Is that what you call following the rules?
As for the Chairman, I have no reason to tell you!”
Tired of waiting, swift and clear
I throw Jerome to the ground without fear
“You know, I'm really tired of your attitude.
My partner's life is in danger.
I don't care about your rules.
Where's the Chairman?
How's that for proof?”
“You think you intimidate me Masterson?” Jerome
glares at me
“You're a punk who doesn't deserve to be here.
And now that you've attacked a superior,
To everyone that's more than clear.”
“Screw this.” I say “We'll find him ourselves.”
“Stop where you are.” Jerome stands without help
“You're not going anywhere.
You're being detained.”
“Ok, that's it!” Tom calls “Enough with the games!”
Stepping up quick with a strike to the chest
Jerome falls unconscious like he's taking a rest
A mana strike like he did to me
But this one I guess puts you to sleep
“Let's go.” Tom calls
I'm in awe
And oddly impressed
Aside from Leigh
He might just be the best
When this is all over
Over the course of this case
My respect for him has grown sharper
Searching the halls
Jewl's nowhere to be found
Out the windows
In the streets there forms a crowd
Suddenly, Jewl rushes past
“Jewl!” I call loud
“What are you two doing here?” He looks at us surprised
“What about the case?” There's panic in his eyes
“There's one left.” I reply “Where's the Sin of Pride?”
He looks straight ahead nodding to the window
“France's pride as well as ours.” He says confidently
“The Eiffle Tower?” My tone shocked
“And if they're going after the tower.” Jewl says stern
“Now's the worst possible time.
There are 7 S Level crises all over the globe
“Death is up to something.”
“What?” Tom asks
Jewl's face goes dark “I don't know.
As Chairman, I have to be on site.
You two have to hold down the fort and protect the
tower.
We lose that and we lose all authority and power.
I can't be with you on this one.
It's up to you.”
In half a second he vanishes
Gone
Poof
“Are we really gonna do this?” Tom asks
“It's a lot of pressure.”
“Just means,” I say stern “it's the best way to measure.
How do we stack up against these monsters?
I have to know.
I can't just wallow and give up hope.”
“You don't have your sight.
You'll be killed.”
“It's almost back, I can feel it.
No worries.
What about you?
Is your conviction steady?”
“Yeah.” he responds
“I'm sorry... For everything.
I misjudged you.”
“Join the club.” I say
“You know,” He breathes “I've never had partners
before.
Just didn't play well with others.
But you and Leigh, I'm glad...
After being on this team, I don't wanna find another.”
“Hopefully you won't have to.” I take a breath
“Now let's go save the world.”
“Not to mention the girl.” Tom smirks
“You know she's never gonna forgive us.” I smile
“Yeah,” He says “but at least she'll never lose trust.”
“True that.” I respond as an explosion sounds
Screams and panic from the crowd
“Let's go!” I say
As we make our way to the street
Even without my sight I can see
The most valuable thing I have is my team
To work with them forever, that's my dream
Trial 16: Battle on the bars
Sifting our way through the chaos
My mirror is burning with a major fuss
Jack's voice rings strong and loud
“One of them is here in the crowd!”
“Where?” I ask
But I lose my grip
I hear it crash as it's crushed and kicked
“Jack!” I call
“Damn it!”
“What's up?” Tom asks
“It seems our unwanted guests are here.” I gaze past
Looking over Tom into the crowd
My mana stronger, but I still can't make it out
Suddenly, I see him and meet his eyes
Instantly an explosion sounds
From up on the tower
He falls to the ground
Troah – He simply looks at me, cracking his neck
And with nothing but a finger the blaze is set
Screams from the crowd echo to the sky
The blue flames roaring high
The bystanders burning to the bone
“Why are you doing this?!” Rings my tone
“Because I asked him to.” Leigh's voice calls
Stepping beside her brother, her demeanor calm
“Leigh?” My mind startled and confused
“What do you...?”
“Oh c'mon it must be obvious.
Surely,” She continues
“You can't be this oblivious.
You heard it yourself.
Brother or best friend?
Where friendship ends family begins.”
“But why?!” I call
“Don't you see what's happening?!”
“All I see are corpses who died because of you.”
I look to the dead, but it's odd - The view
They're not the pedestrians that were burning
They're all the Seers, writhing and churning
“Your – fault...” They groan in the dirt
Reaching for me
One grabs my shirt
“No!” I yell “Get off me!
Leigh!”
But where she just stood
He bares down on me, straight
“It's unbearable isn't it?”
Jameson pins me down
His eyes full of anguish
Making me drown
“To know you're at fault.” He presses on
“All that guilt, like a wound filled with salt!
It burns doesn't it?
And they're not wrong you know.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
Your existence is why our clan fell.
And for the sin of living,
You're condemned to Hell!”
“Nate? Nate!” A voice echoes muffled
“Nate, snap out of it!”
Growing louder it over powers
Instantly the scene around me fades
As I'm back in the crowd
At the tower's base
“What is wrong with you?” Tom scolds me
“We don't have time to space out!
We have to get up there!”
I feel my body trembling, scared
It was an illusion
I've felt the effects before
A Jagon in my mind
Used to twist and warp
Swiftly, I give myself a slap
As from up on the tower we hear the attacks
“Let's go!”
Quickly climbing to the top
No time to breathe
No time to stop
The heat of the flames
Reaching farther
Blue vs red
The structure shaking harder and harder
“I guess Leigh and her brother had a disagreement.”
Tom smirks as he screens it
Two levels below where the fires rage
“Two little birdies locked in a cage.”
Jameson stands before us with a grisly smile
“Hiya Nate, it's been awhile.”
“Tom, don't look at his eyes!” I bark fierce
“Awe, that takes away the fun.” Jameson pouts
“So, I'm guessing you didn't like my gift?”
“You mean your illusionary prison?
No, I didn't!”
“Pity.
So I guess that means you still can't face the truth.”
“What truth?” I ask “That Jagon was by no means proof!
I don't even know what you were trying to say!”
“And here I thought I made it clear!”
Suddenly, he's lunging at me
“I don't think so!” Tom attempts to intercept
“Stay out of this!” Jameson barks with rage
“His eyes!” I warn, but it's too late
Instantly, Tom's crying out in pain
Dropping to the floor, writhing in agony
“This is a matter” Jameson scowls
As from above the flames howl
“Between family.”
He looks at me dead
“You and me.”
“Us? Family?” I say
“What do you mean?”
Trial 17: Sight untold
Tom continues his torturous screams
“Jameson!” I call
“Please,” A smile curls his twisted lips
“Call me uncle Nicholai,
Or just Nick.”
“Uncle?” I say “But what...”
“Do I have to spell it out?
Blood, Nathan. That's what it's always been about.
Your mother; my sister,
Too good for her own sake.
She just couldn't follow the rules...”
The pain on his face as he looks away
Clearing his throat “How about a subject change.
I bet you're dying to know; why the Sins?
Every move made to win.”
“And just how do you plan on stealing this?”
I say gesturing to the tower
“We never actually stole the Sins themselves.
Only what lies within.
Lock and key.
But the lock needs a little bit of help.
The sins just give it that tiny little nudge.
Barely an inch, but just enough.”
“What are you after?!” I call
Tom continues to writhe
“Me?” Nick says as his face sinks “Only to go to the
other side.
Sadly, it'll still be a few years.” He looks almost ready to
cry
“But you?” He force a grin “you need to embrace the
fear.
What say I start with Tom here?”
He steps over to Tom
“Get away from him!” I bark
“Is that what you want Tom?” Nick asks kneeling down
“Or do you want me to stop the pain?”
“Yes!” Tom cries
“Good.” Nick smiles
“All you have to do is swear to me your name.”
“Tom don't!” I yell
“Will you do that Tom?”
“Yes.” Tom groans
“And there you have it.” Nick laughs
“I now own
One of your partners.
Don't worry though,
You can keep him on loan
Until we need him.
Well, Tom, a deal's a deal.
Now, look at my eyes and heal.”
“Don't!” I call
As their gazes lock
Suddenly, Tom's pain subsides
As he stumbles in shock
Along with all his agonizing cries