Streetlight Tango

Naraga was pulled out of the freezing water gasping for air. She heard laughing, but didn't know who it was since see was blindfolded. Her hands were bound behind her back, and a gloved hand rested on the back of her neck. Everything had gone downhill fast once she had been kidnapped off the streets while searching for a quicker way to the market. Even in broad daylight, the former lower commons were not a place to tread without careful forethought.
"Just tell me what I want to know, and Eribold will stop," high shrill voice said to the side of her.
"Like I said before, I don't know!" she said in between gasps for air. Her head was dunked under water again. Water flooded into her nose and down her throat. She closed her eyes trying to hold her breath. She started to black out when she was pulled up again. Naraga took a huge breath of air, not knowing if it would be her last. More of the high squeaky laugh, which was so irritating, came from the side of her.
"You are strong willed, but it would be so fun to break you," it said. Naraga hair and her shirt was soaking wet, she was cold, and was tired. She really didn't care anymore.
"Go to hell," she said, while coughing water out of her lungs. She was getting use to this routine of torturing. She didn't know long she was held prisoner, because time seem to escape her, but she stop being scared. She accepted death, and sometimes welcomed it with open arms. She didn't care about the squeaky mouse boy or her own personal torturer, Eribold. She just didn't care anymore.
"Lucky for you I have a meeting in a few minutes, so we will continue this later. For now you'll just spend time with Eribold." Then Naraga heard a metal door slam. She guessed it was just her and her torturer now. She leaned down, and just gathered herself. She was sitting in the most uncomfortable chair she has ever been in, and felt a table in front of her. She guessed a tub was on it filled with ice water and her blood. Beatings were always involved in her interrogations, which she also gotten use to. She could feel blood run down her nose, and the side of her lip. Still gasping for air she tried to hear what Eribold was doing, but as always he never made a noise. She could see a little bit of light come through her blindfold, but also saw a figure standing right in front of her.
"Just get whatever you're going to do over with. I'm tired and I want to get some sleep," she growled at the figure. In all the time she has been in this hell hole she has never heard Eribold speak. She heard a little chuckle from him. Great I make him laugh, she thought. The figure started to move toward her and she tried to tilt her head to get a look at him, but all of her attempts were failures. He knelt before and gently untied one of her hands, and bought it toward him. He felt her forearm very gingerly, like he was looking for something. His gloves were as soft and smooth as butter, and she shuddered at his touch. Then he put a little pressure on one spot, then a sharp quick pain, just like a needle from a dart. Naraga gave a little yelp because didn't expect that. She struggle for a bit, and Eribold kept a good hold of her, but never hurt her. Naraga all of the sudden started to get very sleepy. Her eyelids kept getting heavier, and her head swayed side to side trying to keep consciences. Then her vision went blurred, and just went dark.
She awoke in a damp, small, musky cell. Her blind fold was off for the first time in a long time. The light above her actually burned her eyes. She looked around to discover there was nothing in the cell except her. The concrete was gave her chills up her spine, and she lay down, and closed her eyes. She still did not understand why she was here, but like before she was too tired to care. She fell off into a dreamless sleep just like every other night. When she awoke for the second time she had the blindfold back on again, hand bound behind her, and sitting in a rickety chair. She cursed out loud, because her resting period went by a lot faster the usual. Then to her utter displeasure, mouse boy spoke.
"Tell me where the spirit and those humans are hiding now!" Naraga could tell he was not in a good mood which meant that he would tell Eribold to be hard on her. This was going to be a really bad day. Hopefully, for her sake, those from her home would figure out what had happened, and search for her.


eight eight three

Angela sat across from me, while one of the villagers who had called for me paced back and forth across my office. It was difficult to say whether or not things were going the way they had been intended to. What was definitely sure was that someone out there had a beef with me, and they knew it. They knew I had returned, and also were aware of who I was. With the abduction of one of our girls, I knew that I would have to step in once again. Already, my strength was returning at an alarming rate. M y control over lightning, my primary element and focus for combat, had become perfected even to a level I had not anticipated before. I sa t there, half listening to the issue at hand, half pondering which old turf boss managed to get his hands on a few good men and think they could stand against me. It brought my mind in deep thought, back to the days when I was able to level entire city blocks with my power. Between that, and being able to punch a hole through the side of a steel wall, I had a long way to go still. A sigh would come from my lips while the villager finished, nearly in tears. I got the point, and someone else was trying to make a statement. My eyes would wonder over to Angela as she started explaining where we were at this point. We had three solid builders and a hand full of now skilled soldiers. It would have been great to call in a favor from Domen, but I didn’t have time for that, and neither did the girl.
She was a nice lady, her name was Naraga. She was young, probably in her mid twenties. I guess at my age, everything was young down here. Time was relative for spirits, and there were those of us who could live lives longer than entire civilizations. Not wanting to waste time or details, I had him explain the entire thing again. She was going to the market, and was abducted. Several witnesses saw two men grab her and pull her into a building. I thought about it for a moment, trying to figure out which boss was in relation to that territory. My name was already being spread across the former lower commons from my last escapade, so another one could be both a great thing and a really bad thing all at once. At this point, however I would have to just go with it and take things in stride one day at a time. I had my concerns on this issue, but would keep them to myself for now. As he continued to pace, Angela would simply stare at me, waiting for an answer. Finally, with others looking on in wait, I would give my response.
“well, we obviously have an issue that needs taken care of. I assure you, whether we find them, or they finally come to us, those who dare to bring harm to anyone who gives open loyalty to the heavenly bodies will be brought to their knees. I give my word as your protector this will happen.”
There were sighs of relief and cheers across the room. It wasn’t something I was used to, and it nearly reminded me of being at a press conference. The humans would slowly flood out of the room as I gave the order to prepare for combat. Our soldiers, the primary squad charged with defending this academy, were also tasked with training the humans in the art of defense. Hopefully it would be enough to get things taken care of here. Angela would stare at me, wondering if I had any idea what I was actually doing. After all, I had no idea who the enemy was, where they were, their numbers, or any kind of actionable intel. Right now, it was a shot in the dark to see if I would even be able to rescue this human girl. I had my own concerns about figuring these things out, but that would have to wait until later. Slowly, my chair would lean backwards, giving me a solid sigh of comfort and look of disdain at the entire situation. This was not in any way an ideal position to be in. failure was not an option, and the odds of making it out without casualties were slim at best guess.
“Angela.. get the medical ward ready, you will need it.”
Shooting a heart felt, but saddened look my way, she would stand and depart the room at my orders. She had been loyal, and always followed my instructions to the T, even when she disagreed with them. I could not ask for a more loyal partner, and a more loyal lover.

837 / 1,720

"Naraga! No please don't; stay with me! Just stay I can get help I promise just stay put…! I promise! Doctor!!"
The door to my office would burst open before two of the clansmen entered, panting and covered in sweat from their travels. Angela shot to her feet, instantly calming them. As for me, well, I would sit there, silently watching. I could hear the cries of someone in the background. Did I hear the name right?
“angela, go.”
“yes sir.”
“come with me.”. She departed, with the other two following her. I had been correct. It would have gone either way, and this one was for the worst. Standing in the dim light, I would get the jacket and pull it over my shoulders before departing the room with the intent of heading up to the medical room. It had only been a day since she had been reported missing. I felt a small bit of dread in my stomach, knowing that something like this happening was not going to be a joyful, happy event. Taking flight, I’d grab the hand rails that led me to the open elevator shaft and fly straight to the surface before sliding out into the hallway. There were others running across the hallway towards the medical bay. Angela’s voice was carried across the hall, shouting for medical instruments, hot water, and people to get out of her way. As I approached, some of the clansmen would bow their heads and move to the side, allowing me through. Not wasting time, I would enter the room to see the damage that had been done.
It had been confirmed, Naraga had been returned. At least what was left of her. There was a pool of blood on the floor underneath the table where Angela operated on her from. With the last line of people parting for me, I was able to see the damage. It was absolutely horrifying, even for me. Her legs were mangled and twisted, as if she had been twisted in circles and dropped off a rooftop. Her clothes were torn, and there were holes all across her body, each one lined with burnt skin. Her eyes were shut, with blood dripping off the corner of her lip. There was bruising across her right eye, with blood patched and dried around it. I felt nothing but anger for what I was witnessing, nothing at all.
“who found her.”
A hand was raised and one of our younger scouts stepped forward.
“I found her about six streets west while I was on my way back. She was dumped in an alley, I could hear her screaming from the road.”
“Do you know who’s territory that is?”
“It’s Boss Wrigley’s.”
“That will be all. Angela, can you save her?”
Turning, all that I could see was a tear on Angela’s cheek as she pulled a sheet across the young human girl. She was only twenty, young by human standards. Her hands were shaking, and her voice was quiet, reserved, but filled with pain. “she could have been saved if we had gotten there sooner. . anyone who would do this does not deserve the privilege of life.. please.. “
I place my hands on her from behind, leaning down behind her. I had already made full intent of taking care of this issue, Anyone who would dare do something like this to someone who was under my protection, well, they weren’t about to have a good day. Turning, I would give my first orders for our next operation. I was past anger, and this was personal.
“Prepare our soldiers, and send two scouts across the rooftops to that location. I want every piece of information on Wrigley that you can gather. You have four hours to report. After that, I will personally handle this issue. “
Lifting off the ground again, I would not waste time departing the academy building. I had taken action too slowly, and it had cost the tribe one of their women. For that, responsibility would not only fall on me, but the right to bring retribution upon those who were enemies of my academy and those I protected. I could feel the pain from Angela inside me, knowing well that she had never failed to save a life. I trusted her with my own, remembering full well that she labored for months attempting to figure out how those nanomachines inside of my body worked. If something was troubling her, I would handle it myself. If something was able to hit both of us, then my fury would not be withheld. Floating several stories above the academy, I would stare in the direction of the finding, and wait for the return of my scouts.

858 / 2,578

Wrigley sat in a large chair behind two long tables, gnawing at what was left of a large bird that had been cooked for his men. They would not eat until he had finished, and sometimes that took a rather long time. His men would be seated down around the table, socializing and enjoying the day’s expansion. Panting, a small group would enter the room before waiting at the end of the table to get recognized by their leader. A few minutes would pass before he sighed and raised a hand, silencing everyone.
“what is your report.. “
“Boss, we discarded the girl like you told us to. When we went back, she was gone.”
“she should have been dead..”
“sorry boss, we can’t confirm that..”
He would look at all of his men for a moment, stuck in thought. There were signs of intelligence in the old lower commons, but they were rare and far between. His eyes would gaze across the room, looking at each of his men. He had a reason to be concerned. Right now, he was slowly expanding but was unable to recall enough troops back to deal with a direct assault. From what he could tell, while he was attempting to invade and capture the territory of this unknown being known as the ‘lightning tiger’, the reputation that he had established was not something to be taken lightly.
“pull back as many men as we can spare.”
“but sir..”
“do it. This mistake may cost us.”
The order was sent out immediately to the center of the city, where they were beginning to gain popularity and territory. It may have only been a block at a time, but it was what it was. Sitting across the street, seven stories up in the back of a small apartment bedroom was one of the scouts from the Venturion Organization. He sat there, crouched in the shadows, watching the entrance to the old public gym. Seeing several men leave in a hurry, and split directions, he knew the report had to be returned to his boss. Heading out from his location, he moved quickly through the empty building until he hit the old wires that still remained between some of the buildings. A quick shimmy across to the neighboring building and he would be off, moving across the rooftops until he reached the main road. From here he would continue on foot to the Academy gates.
Catching his breath, the other scout would be right behind him. Their reports would each reach the leaders office, before they gave the lightning together all of the intel they had gained. Their men were moving north and fast. Something had them spooked, and these words would only put a smile on his face. The enemy knew he was coming, and that anticipation was something that would breed paranoia, and lead to their destruction.
It was somewhere between morning and afternoon when one the Lightning Tiger found himself walking the streets towards the enemy headquarters. Both hands were planted deep into the pockets of his black pants, all three layers of his clothing - the jacket, the vest, the shirt under them - clung to his body wetly. It matched his hair, several shades darker from the rain and slicked flat against his face. The sky was crying tears for the lost girl, a death that was still felt across those who resided in the academy. Day and night the lightning flashed across the sky while hard rain poured until the gutters overflowed. The enemy had holed himself up in his central compound, already awaiting the pain that was to come. Parts of the area were closed off and people who had bad luck with umbrellas were soaked to the bone within five minutes. It was downright lousy for the most part, unless you were about to do something extremely dangerous.
He was alone, his body a single matte against the grey landscape. Where he normally garnered all white, the current black was a sign to those who were close to him that war was coming. It was a war inside of his mind, and a war with himself. He had never been one to actually care about those below him. He had worked and operated with a professional intent to get rich and rebuild the world as a better place. It had to have been the old spirit outlook, the ancient beliefs that our duty was to protect those of the lower realms. Whether it was true or not, and whether or not he was capable of doing that was completely different. Stopping in the center of the street, a shout came from the doorway before a single figure ran across the open area, rain beating off of his body as he raised a single plank of wood. Instead of backing down, the lightning tiger stepped forward, planting his hand on the chest of the attacker as the bat struck his side, echoing off of a resounding thud from the armor he wore.
A yellow spark would emerge, spreading across the man before his body tensed, muscles entering a tight spasm. A quick arm would raise, fingers curling into a single pointed shape before he placed it right into the man’s right eye, an eye that had been bruised from the beating the girl had sustained.
“ignite.”
It was rare for the tiger to ever use words with his lightning. The blue bolt would erupt forwards, splattering blood across area before the man fell to the side, pushed to the left so he could continue. The cloudy sky would continue to pour on the battlefield, it was game on.

1,041 / 3,619

Blood would drip slowly into the water that was creating ripples across the street. Thunder sounded overhead, almost a precursor to the battle that was beginning below. For the residents in the area who looked out their windows, they would be able to see flashes of light, with bolts of lightning flying in random directions through the lower commons. Two steps would be taken forward before the tiger was surrounded. Closing in on their target, weapons would be raised before a flash of light swirled around his body. The crackle of lightning spun outwards in a blue orb of static light, pushing the energy outwards before it encompassed his enemies. Their bodies landed several yards away, sizzled with the electrical discharge that had come from their enemy. On the balcony overseeing the compound, a large man stood with an angry scowl on his face. His gang members that he had called back were yet to show themselves.
While the six slowly climbed back to their feet, the first would receive a bolt to the chest before he could reach his knees. To the tiger, it was much like conducting an orchestra. His body would move fluidly, with his hands releasing strategically placed bolts at his enemies. A quick turn, a half step, and another bolt would strike the leg of a warrior on his feet, sending him back to the watery ground. The other arm would come in, folding itself into a short straightened form while another of the gang members came from the front. The hand placement would emerge with a flash of blue light as the tiger planted his palm on the incoming fist. The arm would crack backwards sharply before his index finger sprung forward, releasing a bolt of lightning at point blank. With little time wasted, half of the assailants were dispatched. Raising upward a foot or so off the ground, that same arm would point towards the sky before immediately striking towards the ground. Like before, but a different color, the yellow glowing light would erupt outwards, sizzling with energy as he mumbled two words. As the electrical blast, a colorful spray of light that wrapped nearly thirty feet around him expanded, a pocket of steam would expand outwards from the sizzling water. The water would quickly move into the now empty area, quickly replacing it before the tiger started walking towards the building.

470 / 4,089

There was stillness in the air, even though the sounds of human voices rung through the rain drops. The crashing rain struck off the buildings, resonating across broken glass and filling the street with water. Every breeze was eerie and foreboding in how it caused the water to move across the way, the dried out foliage impacting windows with a ghostly wail, scratching the glass with a high, frightening pitch. The moon and stars were invisible in the overcast skies. Darkness consumed all, and the winds were heavy and unwanted. The air was frozen stiff, a pregnant silence pervading, and time was all the more valuable right now.
The six figures slowly began to rise to their feet, having been carried backwards. A hiss would be unheard, but the cries of pain from two of these soldiers would not. Arrows had pierced their unguarded backs, sending them face first into the water. It would be a slow, painful death. Whether they drowned in their own blood, or from the rain water filling the street, their deaths were inevitable. Another two men came to the top of the building, drawing their old rifles, and aiming them at the single figure which strode towards the building’s main entrance. The first traced the shifting blackness with the barrel, savoring the thought of the blood spatter whilst it rained down from the skies. Savoring the perfect shot which would make this enemy fall, fall from his proud demeanor unto the wet, unforgiving Earth below, and how it would still live, although just barely, and remain consciousness enough to endure his wildest dreaming of torture and merciless sadism.
The perfect shot was key, but the rain and winds were giving him a disadvantage. The water, a natural conductor for electricity, was currently aiding this enemy. He would signal for his partner to move. The second man would disappear into the building, heading towards the next one to gain a higher advantage. He would look down towards the lightning tiger, noticing the steam that came from the crackling lightning surrounding his body. Each step would bring him closer to the entrance, untouched.
A shot from above rang out, grazing the left shoulder of the tiger. The pain was nothing in comparison to the will that kept him moving forward. A single step would be taken forward, planting itself inches above the ground, with the next step inches above that one. While the human was reloading, and taking aim, the space between the two was crushed. A sharp glare, freezing the human with fear would cause him to stumble backwards into the open doorway. A sharp scream would pierce the air, breaking the tiger’s concentration as the body of the human flew past him, bouncing across the water below. Striding casually out onto the balcony was a being clad in black, wielding a metal spiked gauntlet and crooked, evil smile.

568 / 4657

“Sanzon Loki.”
I could barely hear his voice before his image blurred through the rain. The next feeling was unmistakable. Sharp, hard, and with enough force to send my body flying back down to the street. The shock of it had caught me off guard, and as my back planted into the sidewalk and bounced backwards I would spin to balance myself and become upright. There was a strike of pain across my shoulders from the impact. The figure had disappeared from my sight. The black clothing, darkened skies, and rain put me at a disadvantage here.
A splash would come from the right, causing my body to react and turn, bringing both arms up. Nothing would be there, and my eyes would blink before the same metal fist struck my side, sending my body skidding away again. The metal armor was dented, and that impact had caused it to be a bit more uncomfortable than I was used to. Again, the figure was gone. Was he using some form of teleportation technique, or was he just that fast? My right hand would come across my side, feeling the cold.. colder than normal dent that had been placed.
“ice?”
There was no way to clear all of the water here. That was absolutely impossible at my current level. The most I could do was try to catch this opponent in a blast and hope for the best. I’d catch a glimpse of the figure, and again my body would react out of instinct, moving backwards before he landed, leaving a spray of ice across the water. I had been correct in that theory, and now that I could face him to the front, it was time to get some answers.
“what is your name warrior.”
“Eribold, servant of the lord of this area, Wrigley.”
“So I am in the right place. I have a little bit of a bone to pick with your lord, would you mind letting me pass?”
“That I cannot, you are an enemy to my Lord’s expansion. “
The spirit slid his body to the side, taking another offensive stance. It was a shame that I had to spend so much time fighting a spirit of this caliber. A true shame. Trying to shake off the pain from his first strike, I watched him closely, trying to see if there were any motions he made before attacking. If he could move through water like I moved through electricity, I would be down before I knew what happened. As expected, his image would blur. I’d count to two, and move to the left, making my maneuvers based on how fast I was capable of moving. Returning the attack, my arm would fly up, releasing a single bolt that would strike concrete. He was faster than had anticipated, and his ability to dodge even at that range was highly impressive. The only way to take care of him at this point would be to do something absolutely insane. It wasn’t really unexpected that someone would make me pull a stunt like this one, but I guess it had to happen sooner or later.
Relaxing, I would stand up, lowering my arms. The only thought in mind was to expand a current across my body. There would be no glow, unlike most of my techniques. Without wasting a motion, I would take a defensive stance, anticipating an attack. One.. two.. the seconds would be counted briefly in my head before the technique was actually used. The figure would come from the side, as expected. I had left it open for a reason, and he had taken the bait. His fist came forward as my body crackled with lightning. His fist would come into contact with my body, causing his arm to contract, muscles tightening as his nervous system was screwed with.
I would not waste this opportunity. Sliding my body around, my left arm would come up, planting my elbow directly into the side of the enemy’s face. The force was enough to send his body flying. Not wanting to let him get away from me, I would do the same, immediately moving after him. His recovery was quick, but before he could teleport away, or get control over his body again I would strike. My left fist came forward, planting into stomach to send him down to the pavement. Flipping over him, I would skid to a stop before charging forward towards him while he slowly got up. His arm would raise, releasing a spike of ice that coursed through the air towards me. It would be an easy shot to dodge without slowing me down. Throwing a bolt of lightning at him, the stream of electricity would shoot forward at full speed while I muttered two short words, flash step. With an instant disappearing, so would my body.
He had brought his arms up to shield, but nothing would hit. Opening his eyes, he would find me at point blank, and a glowing, yellow fist coming straight between his arms. Knuckles would crack as they planted into the middle of his face, sending him flying backwards yet again. Before his body could get too far, both hands would come up, releasing a single bolt of electricity one after the other. The two strikes were spot on, sending a sizzling, smoking body to the ground. The enemy would skid to a stop in the water. Both of my arms would stay raised, waiting for him to rise. Fortunately, moments would pass and he remained still, lying silent in the rain. It was a shame that he had not just let me pass without incident.


1018 / 5,675