Burning Phoenix - Saga 1

(Quintiles 23, 59 / 2:50AM)

(Maverick’s thoughts) Guess I’ll have to build up my militia again. This time, filled with soldiers that won’t choose to fuck each other.

A young man walked with his right hand still clutching to the right side of his stomach. Looking back at the city filled with shimmering lights, Maverick’s eyes remained focused on the high-rising buildings that were trying to reach the heights that Clastine had.

(Maverick’s thoughts) The changing of times huh… how I despise change…

Focusing his attention on his walk, he tiredly walked up the hill he was walking on, his legs barely reaching keeping him up straight as they were exhausted from the running and sprinting from the previous few hours.

Reaching the top, he noticed a large abandoned factory on top of the hill. Seeing the factory from up close, Maverick looked into the wide open door of the factory, the single full moon shining the inside of the building so that Maverick could see in front of him more.

(Maverick’s thoughts) Well, I guess I’ll rest in this factory for a bit.

Walking into the old factory, Maverick inhaled a year’s worth of dust, coughing and gagging as the amount of lethal dust continued to clog his sense of breathing. Slowly breathing in and out, he tried to hit his chest with his fist a couple of times for his lungs to work more, but even then it wouldn’t do.

(Maverick’s thoughts) It’s … pants … unusually dusty. How can … pants … someone work in these conditions?

The more he walked towards the center of the moonly lit factory, his breathing returned to its normal state. Looking back, he noticed that the entire building of the factory had a fog of dust, except for the center where he was.

Not only that, but the roof of the building had a huge hole, the moon lighting Maverick as he looked up towards the rare sight.

(Maverick’s thoughts) I guess I’ll just leave it be, I’m too tired to deal with the dust and the soreness of my legs. Also, the moon’s light puts me to sleep much faster than any other moon cycle.

Putting his bottom to the floor, he lay on the rusted ground as he continued to look up at the single supermoon, his eyes slowly closing as his body continued to rest on its own.

Feeling the cool summer Kepputhan air brustling against his hair and face, Maverick spread his arms and legs open as he had a little smile dawning upon his face.

(Maverick’s thoughts) Reminds me of the good old days…

(???) You know that floor is dirty right?

Fluttering his eyes to open up, he instantly stood up, his breathing irregular as he glanced around the factory. Not knowing where that voice was, Maverick brought out from his jacket his handgun, pointing it to anywhere that the voice would come from.

His face was drenched with sweat as the cold breeze hit his face, Maverick continued to pant as his finger was already on the trigger.

(Maverick) Where and who are you?! Whoever is in here, please come out now!

(???) No, no, no, the question in hand is why are you here? You came in here and decided to lay down on the rusty and dirty floor of an abandoned factory? You’re going to have to shower or bathe after that.

Maverick heard the voice coming from in front of him, which made him point his gun in that specific direction. As he had his right hand on his gun, he used his left hand to extend it for a little hand signal.

(Maverick) Just come out now! I won’t shoot you, but I want to know who you are?!

(???) Hehe … You don’t want to know who I am. I mean, it would be too complicated to explain things to you right now…

A silhouette in the factory can be seen as Maverick focuses his eyes on the tall figure. He didn’t seem that young, with the man’s voice appearing to be in his early to mid-50s. Maverick took a couple of steps back as his right hand that wielded his handgun started to shake violently.

(Maverick) Show yourself! Or else I’ll—

(???) Do what, shoot me? Believe me, you’ll never hit me with that.

A voice spoke to him from the back.

Turning his whole body back, Maverick took many steps back as he adjusted his aim again, his breathing more irregular than before. Wielding his gun, his eyes took in the whole view of the man face to face.

The man had circular-shaped glasses, followed by hazel eyes and many wrinkles. His nose was sharp, followed by his eyes being small and slanted and his ears were normal-sized. The man had a couple of scars on his cheeks, followed by his height and weight being normal.

He wore a white robe, his hands encased into the other hand's sleeves, followed by wearing white sparkly boots that didn’t match his attire.

The man had light green hair.

(???) You seem rather tense. I take it this is your first time seeing someone different than you yeah?

(Maverick) What do you want?!

(???) Come on, you’re supposed to be crazier than this, you’re making me feel like I’m the bad guy.

The light green-haired old man slowly walked towards Maverick. Despite Maverick being taller than him, the man had an aura far more malicious than what Maverick had ever dealt with.

As sweat continued to drip down from Maverick, the man extended his hand towards Maverick, the old man’s hand smooth and clean.

(???) Enough beating the bush, I’m giving you two options. You could work and serve under me without any questions asked, or you could decline. I prefer you if you don’t decline, otherwise…

The light green-haired man sharpened his calm face as he looked directly into Maverick’s eyes.

(???) Well, it's your choice … Maverick Keegan.

Maverick started to hyperventilate as if he was seeing death with his very eyes.

Falling on his bottom, he put his hands onto the rusty floor, his face ghostly pale as he lost the strength to move his legs. The old man, however, continued to look down on him, tilting his head and putting his hand onto his cheek, his hand already in fist form.

(Maverick’s thoughts) H-H-H-H-H-H-H-How… How … How does he know my name?

(???) If you do decide to serve me, you might have to end your playtime with your older sister, but I mean, this is a choice between life and death, I’m sure you’ll put up with it.

(Maverick) P-Playtime?

(???) Well, everything in life has drawbacks. Say, for instance, if you choose work, say goodbye to most of your entertainment. If you choose family, say goodbye to your free time. The same applies if you serve me.

Maverick continued to breathe irregularly, his face already soaked with cold sweat. Thinking more about his previous play times, Maverick slowly looked up towards the old man, his eyes filled with fear.

(???) Nobody wants to die, son, so just serve under—

Maverick used all his strength to point his handgun toward the old man, his face extremely pale as the sweat couldn’t stop strolling down his forehead, his hand shaking violently as he couldn’t aim right. Standing up slowly, his eyes had soft tears coming down his cheeks.

The old man didn’t take it too kindly as Maverick started to showcase a hint of rebellion.

(???) You really wanna do this huh?

(Maverick) I don’t care if you know me … b-b-but if you won’t let me have my fun, then I’ll … I’ll fight for it even if it’s the last thing—

The old man suddenly had his body close to Maverick.

(???) Really bad choice kid. As a leader, I thought you would’ve been a lot smarter, despite having good Eyehawk.

Maverick felt something light within his stomach. As his breathing started to drastically slow down, he turned his head back to see what—

An arm was wedged in between Maverick’s stomach.

Slowly pulling his arm out of Maverick’s body, the old man saw the chunks of guts and blood that stuck to him, his face contorted with disgust as he pinned his nostrils together.

(???) Crap, my robe is soiled. Jason or Pedro, anyone of you, can you bring me a towel, and maybe an extra robe while you’re at it?

Maverick immediately fell onto the rusty floor, a pool of blood already reaching his neck and face as he couldn’t move any limb from its place. His body burned yet it started to freeze, his arms and legs losing control altogether. As fecal matter started to escape from the gaping hole, combined with the abhorrent smell of gestational fluids, the old man took many steps back.

Using the last of his eyes, he noticed a tall-haired man walking near the old man.

He couldn’t feel any pain.

(???) Also check up on Ryan, Gemma, and … what’s his name … Cameron as well.

(Jason) Are we doing this now?

(???) I would say do it next week, we’ve barely reached Lagefor.

(Maverick’s thoughts) G-Gwen…

His life flashing before his eyes, he recalled the many times he played with his older sister, the many years when he could escape the cruel reality he calls hell. The last memory that played in the void of death, he noticed a familiar figure that he never wanted to look back upon.

(Maverick’s thoughts) I don’t want to be touched…

(???) Make sure you get Mia and Kenichi as well too, also Sydney for our trump card, because under this single full moon, we're about to…

As Maverick took his last breath, he heard one last line that came out of the old man’s mouth.

(???) Start this Genesis.

END OF ACT 1