The Cascade was felt all across the world, but few were there to witness the explosion from Miami. Many who saw it with their naked eyes become blind, mad, or bear witness to something they shouldn’t have. To uncover secrets that were buried for everyone’s safety. Many also mutated in Miami, but those who did often died minutes after the catastrophe happened. The people there watched the end of an era and the beginning of the apocalypse, and none of them could understand how or who had caused it. Instead, choosing to blame the Ra Engine and ProTech, even if details don’t make sense or the fact that an attack took place. It was just easy to blame the company for everything.
However, what was more surprising was how little it actually destroyed. The only building destroyed was the power plant itself, but it is only regulated to the Ra Engine itself. Yet its destructive yield wasn’t the most important thing, though some might wish it was. The magical energy that rippled around the world was not destructive, but the seed to birth nightmares to haunt humanity.
After they found each other in the chaos of Miami, trying to recover from the explosion, followed by their immediate escape from the city. Jackson told Mark what he needed to know. He explained what The Cascade was and how it could be caused under strict magical conditions. He also conveniently left out the fact that he knew what the Ra Engine was and the fact that he was willing to let a city of hundreds of thousands die because of his selfish desire for revenge. Nor did Jackson intend to tell anyone the truth of his actions that day.
With the world in crisis and under threat from new horrors. It needed new defenders, and Jackson had to step up to fight once more. Regardless of how he felt about it.
Inevitably, Mark asked questions about magic, The Cascade, the secret history, everything. The more Jackson revealed to Mark about the truth, the more curious and disturbed he became. His understanding of the world and the order of things was wrong, a false reality from what truly happened behind the scenes. Yet if he wanted to know more about the truth of the world, he knew he had to follow Jackson to where they were needed.
Journeying through the forest of the Appalachian Mountain Ranges. The two men stopped near the base of a rocky mountain to take a breather. To Mark, he couldn’t understand how Jackson could have easily recovered from The Cascade. But deep down, he understood the reptile was perhaps used to darker secrets he wasn’t privileged to know yet.
‘Who are we trying to find?’ Mark asked. He wasn’t told by Jackson why they had to go to the mountain ranges, only that they needed to. However, Mark could see clearly that they were searching for a person or group. It just so happened that Jackson wasn’t sure where they were.
The reptile took a deep breath, smelling the air to look for any strange scent before taking a drink of water. ‘Old associates. They are here, so we search.’
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‘Can you at least tell me who they are?’
‘Only if you will join,’ Jackson revealed with an emotionless expression. ‘You know much, and if you join. There will be more for you to learn.’
Mark frowned. ‘Not like I have a choice. Given that I am one of the most wanted man in the world, and that I am in the forest with you. I don’t think I can afford to reject whatever offer there is.’
‘The offer is that you help me deal with whatever The Cascade caused. You will be paid, fed, housed, and supplied. Your needs will be met. All you have to do is use a gun when told to.’
‘Yeah, and it still sounds sketchy as hell. I fought as a uniformed soldier before, becoming one again is low on my priority list.’ Mark replied before walking up to him. ‘Look, scaly boy. I thank you for keeping your promise and being willing to answer whatever questions I have to the best of your ability. But I will not lie, you are coming off as dangerous.’
To demonstrate trust, Jackson reached for his weapons and chucked them at Mark’s feet. ‘My offer requires cooperation, not submission. You are free to leave whenever, but I will need help.’
‘But why my help? If there are people out there just like you. I assume they can help you out.’
‘I was gone for nearly a century. I know no one, and I didn’t validate their skills. You are trustworthy and keep promises. That is what I need in a team.’
Mark smirked. ‘I doubt that. Not many people call me “trustworthy” or believe I am safe enough to keep around.’
‘Then they are fools.’ Jackson retorted. ‘But enough chatter, act professional.’
‘Why? We are in the middle of nowhere.’
As soon as he said that, four armed figures in black emerged from the forest with their weapons at the ready. Unsurprised, Jackson raised his hands in the air and used his tail to gesture for Mark to do the same. They were in the presence of their future employers, and they had to act the part.
‘You two, state who you are and why you are here!’ One figure demanded.
The reptile spoke up, reciting the thing he said over a dozen times whenever he retired and needed to come back to the Order. ‘I am Jackson Abernu, former operator of Unit 247, Butterfly Legion, Order Horrifica. The man beside me is Mark Esmen. We are both here to speak with a representative of the Order Diplomatics in regards to our recruitment into the Order.’
What should be the next arc?
