The Path of Heroes, Part II (Conclusion)

Posted on Fri Jul 21st, 2023 @ 1:11pm by Head Mistress Absynthe "Syn" Drake & First Lieutenant Bethany Harrison & Private Mattias Tonelly & General Dyami Bentley (Tribal : Bent Leaf) & Carter McMillian
Edited on on Fri Jul 21st, 2023 @ 1:11pm

Mission: The Factions
Location: Drake Academy
Timeline: Present Day

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mattias,” Syn said, nodding sadly as he shared his grief. She glanced at Bethany quickly, then back to the young man, before continuing, “That woman has years of blood on her hands to pay for. Hopefully that can come sooner, rather than later.”

Bethany actually caught her look and chuckled a bit darkly. “He already knows. The kid’s got sharp eyes and a quick mind,” she said, giving a bit of a shrug. “I guess I look a lot more like her when I’m pale.”

Mattias nodded in response to what Syn had said. "Yes Ma'am, she does. I only wish I was fully trained, and not just awakened. I would've loved to be a part of the team that brings her down." There was a tone of anger and thirst for revenge in his voice, albeit controlled. Mostly.

The Shaman of the People added, “You will have your chance young one. Better to be as prepared as possible before facing someone on the Ice Queen’s power level. You have faced your first hurdle in awakening. The next is training, and after that you will need some real world experience.”

Turning his attention to the headmaster, Dyami quickly added. “I have some ideas for Mattias’s training that I can only complete with the assistance of your facilities, we can speak about it later but I would like to confer with you on it later if possible.”

“He is right, Mattias. I don’t even like fighting her, and I’m the only known telepath that can counter her in combat,” Syn confirmed, then looked over to Dyami. “Let me guess, you don’t really know what his power set looks like yet? We can run some tests in DR2 while we do some upgrades on Bethany’s nano. We figured out a way for the nanos to defend against those rounds.”

That got Bethany to look up sharply. It took her a long moment before she seemed to return to the conversation. “He turns into a blonde, muscled giant that seems a little...slow. Or maybe like a giant kid, or something. Doesn’t know his own strength, has zero control, doesn’t think things through. Matty thinks everything through. Like, overthinks everything, so it’s a weird contrast.”

The diminutive administrator raised an eyebrow as Bethany spoke, then nodded a bit, asking, “I assume that you’ve witnessed this?”

“I was there when he awakened,” Bethany said, giving a shrug. “Got into a big fight, killed a few people, gave me a few broken bones. It was a great time.”

Syn raised a small hand to cover her mouth to try to recapture the laugh that managed to escape her at Beth’s deadpan sarcasm. “Alright, we’ll deal with that later, as long as you’re alright with that, Mattias.”

While Mattias still couldn't remember everything that had happened after he awakened, he knew that Bethany told the truth. So, he nodded to Syn. "Yes, Ma'am. Thank you. If I become half as powerful as Bethany said I was, I really need to learn how to control it. I don't want to hurt an innocent person after all.”

Dyami nodded to the young man. “That is the right attitude to have. I keep finding myself thankful that your parents raised you the way they did. It will make everything easier as you learn.” The Indian man patted him on the shoulder. Adding to the diminutive woman across the table, “Also as far as I can tell his transformation seems to have healed his legs. He only needs to grow strong and he will be able to walk again.”

“Unlike me, that has to have everything beaten into her,” Bethany half-muttered, a glint of humor touching her emerald gaze, though fading as quickly as it appeared.

Syn shook her head, laughing softly at Beth’s dig at Dyami. The two had a weird relationship, picking on each other at a nearly constant rate. Their training sessions were a bit scary to witness as well, but it seemed to work for them. “Our medical staff will be on hand to monitor everything, so we’ll make sure we figure things out for you.”

With that, the small woman took a deep breath and let it out slowly, her attention split between Dyami and Bethany, when she said, “The two girls that I want you to speak with have been through a level of hell that very few people in this world understand,” her gaze moved to the young light-bearer across the desk. “You are considered an expert in that area. None of the other survivors are willing to cooperate, and will all have to go through deprogramming before we can even think about moving forward legally. Those involved will pay for their crimes but, for now, they’re being held in a high security federal facility for treatment.”

A large, thin screen lowered above and behind Syn, showing aerial recon of the compound. “From the evidence that we’ve gathered so far, their operation was very similar in practice to the one that you came from. At least when it came to selling off...congregants.”

“How long were they involved?” Bethany asked, her head tilting curiously to the side, studying the images on the screen.

“The elder girl, Jaclyn, was drawn in weeks ago and is the one that awakened. But the younger one, Kai, has been suffering through that existence for a number of years. Her mother disappeared. We assume that she was one of the mutants that were taken, though we have not discussed that with her, since we’ve found no evidence one way or the other yet,” Syn explained, her brow creasing slightly, the weight of the matter breaking her normally calm demeanor. “The elder girl also seems disinterested in staying with us at the moment, and I can’t blame her. She’s been through a lot in a very short period of time, and we can be seen as a bit...cultish, I suppose.”

Bethany at least had the manners to look a bit embarrassed by that statement. “At first, yeah. It’s a little overwhelming. I can understand the comparison and the concern.”

“Which is why I believe that it’s important for you to be the one that they speak to. You truly understand what they’ve been through. What they’re still going through,” Syn said, giving her another soft smile.

“If it’s as bad as it sounds, most of the women are going to be very uncomfortable around men,” Bethany said, giving a heavy sigh, shaking her head, and glancing over at Dyami.

Syn nodded and leaned over, opening one of her drawers and pulling out two sets of files, sliding one to Dyami and one to Bethany. “Jaclyn’s powers seem to be tied to the earth’s ley lines, though we’re still studying them. I’ve never seen someone randomly turn a caravan into a mech before. We’re closer to a nexus point than I’m comfortable with at the moment, but she’s very strong willed. I believe it to be another aspect of her powers. It’s rare that I have to push too hard to get into someone’s mind, even when they’re panicked.”

Mattias listened to the briefing about the two girls. He had heard about cults and how they messed with a person's head. He silently hoped that they could be helped. After a few beats, he asked, but shyly, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

“To be honest I think that Beth should speak with them alone at first. Our presence would only serve as a distraction. We will watch from behind the glass so to speak.” Dyami said addressing the upcoming meeting to Mattias. “Once they are a bit more comfortable with what is going on we can see if there is any need for us to interact.”

Turning to the headmistress, Dyami said, “You mentioned that she may not want to stay here. What are your plans if that is the case.”

Syn shrugged and settled back into her seat. “There’s little that I can do to keep her here. I’d have kept Beth here had I been able to. But, we’d be no better than the cult that they ran from to try to force the matter. I have offered to help with emancipation efforts, and all that comes with being one of my students, however, it is her choice.”

“That’s one thing that I appreciated,” Bethany said, nodding a bit, looking back to Syn. “Being trapped in a cult all of my life, I needed that most basic freedom, to go where I wanted, when I wanted.” The green-eyed brawler knew that bringing her here was one way for the little dragon lady to prove to Jaclyn that she truly would be free to leave any time she so chose. She chuckled softly and sighed. “I’m ready to get this done when you are.”

“I agree that there is not much you can do to keep her here. If you would Beth, let her know there is always the option of coming to the ranch with Mattias and I.” Dyami shifted in his chair and turned to the girl he considered a daughter, “Let her know that I can train her and see to it that, just like you, she will have her freedom and safety while with us. If she wants to return here and study in the future I am sure that Syn would allow it.” He turned to Syn expecting an affirmative response.

Mattias listened to everyone speaking around him. "I could tell them how you saved me?" He said, unsure if he really had anything to offer.

“I’ll let them know,” Bethany said, nodding to Dyami. Then she looked over at Mattias and smiled a bit. “I know that you want to help, but you know the issues we’ve dealt with? That comes from being trapped in a cult like the one that we’re talking about. Miss Syn knows what she’s doing. She’s kind of good at understanding people.”

Syn chuckled softly, and looked to Dyami, “Of course they’ll always be welcome here, though I’d like to see if we can convince them to stick around. Jaclyn seems to have an interest in, and aptitude for, technology, which we are well equipped to train her in. Though, you may be more equipped to help her with the ley line aspect of her powers.”

The diminutive administrator then turned her attention to Mattias again, “We will watch from the glass, like Dyami said. Neither of the girls are very comfortable at this point, and we want them to be as at ease as possible while Bethany talks to them. They will know that I’m there, but I don’t even want to be a distraction to the process.”

“I can come here to teach her about ley line magic if that is needed. I concur that they would probably do best here with more varied educational opportunities.” Dyami said to the Headmistress. “Are the girls waiting on us? If not, I am going to stop by the cafeteria for a snack before we make them wait too long.” The Indian man said with a chuckle.

Hearing the adults talk, Mattias realized just how much he still had to grow and mature. He had to keep in mind that just because he wanted to help, it wasn't always a good time to give that help. He would sit back, watch, listen and learn. "I understand," he said with a nod.

“Trust me, Mattias, your time will come. It comes for all of us at some point or another,” Syn said, offering the young man a gentle smile. “Once we’re done with the girls’ interview, we’ll see what we can figure out about your health and powers. That will give Dyami some direction to take with your training...” she paused, giving Dyami an evil grin, mischief dancing in her red-reptilian eyes, before looking back to Mattias, continuing, “Unless you decide that you want to stay here. That is always an option.”

Mattias looked at all three adults, as they looked at him. He then turned his attention back to Syn. "Thank you, Ma'am. I appreciate the offer to stay here at your academy. Perhaps, in time, I'll come back, see if I can help out here any." He took a breath and continued.

"However, for now, my path lies with Dyami and Beth, in the Mutant Underground." He hoped he hadn't caused any insult by his words. It was just how he felt.

Syn smiled and laughed. “There is no insult in speaking the truth,” she said and climbed down off of her chair, then straightened her robes as she walked around the desk. She motioned towards the door and it opened. “But he’s managed to take a few people from me, so it’s only fair to attempt to turn the tables on him from time to time.”

Mattias gave the older woman a grin. "Perhaps later, after I've learned more about myself." He raised his eyebrow questioningly. "If that's alright?" He had addressed the question to both Syn and Dyami.

“You’re welcome to come by any time,” Syn said, giving the polite, pleasant young man a warm smile as she waited at the door for the others to join her.

Dyami smiled before saying, “I would never keep someone from following their heart. Unless it would cause the death of that person. That said, I believe in giving everyone a chance to choose the path that they will follow.” Dyami stood, and adjusted his chair back to its correct position, turned, and bowed to the Headmaster

Bethany hauled herself out of the soft, squishy chair and stretched a bit before helping Matty maneuver his chair around more easily. She didn’t continue to push him, though, knowing that just the act of moving himself around helped to keep his upper body strong, and the act of taking care of himself would help to keep his mind independent. She pushed the chair she had been using back to its original place before joining them at the door.

Mattias gave Bethany a small grin of thanks. Though he was very adept at maneuvering his wheelchair, he still appreciated her concern for his well-being.

As they left the office, Carter walked in, saying hi to Dyami and Bethany, and greeting the young man with them, before continuing into his mother's office. "The old man has a new recruit?"

Bethany said a brief hello and offered Carter a bit of a smile, but it didn’t quite touch her green eyes. She had known him for a few years now, having spent some time at the academy. He didn’t tend to touch people, since his touch could burn someone to ash, so at least she never had to worry about him having wandering hands. He had been raised at the academy by Syn and was a pretty decent kind of guy.

“Mattias will be working with Dyami, yes,” Syn said, looking up at the tall young man that had entered. “Bethany is going to be interviewing Jaclyn and Kai about their experiences.”

Nodding silently, Carter listened to the person he considered his mother. Of all the people he knew, she was the only one who held his complete trust and faith.

"Do you think they'll decide to stay here, with us…or go off with Dyami?"

Syn smiled a bit at Carter and said, “That’s going to be up to them. I would prefer if they’d stay here, but I can’t force that decision. For now, we just have to make sure they feel safe.”

Carter nodded silently. "Well, that is certainly something that you have done for countless others here, Mom. This place is one of the safest places that I have ever seen."

“That’s the goal,” Syn said, chuckling a bit, and motioning towards the door. “Come. I don’t want to keep the girls waiting. We don’t want them to get more nervous than they already are.”

Nodding again, Carter turned and followed his mother out of her office. He silently hoped that the girls would choose to remain with them. He wanted to get to know Jaclyn more.

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FIN