''what is a hero? This might seem like a simple question until you think about it. You the reader are you a hero? do you know hero? have you seen a hero? a hero is the one who sheds his blood for the ritual of peace. The spark that lights up the flame within all our souls to move into action.''
'' EVERYONE HOLD ON''
'' My PhOneeeeE!.....''
'' STAYN DOWN!''
''GRAB MY HAND!''
The roof flew off. Everyone was holding on for dear life. Leon, energy claws active. digging into the wall. The manger, his summon holding two employees and him. Its last hand holding on to a pillar. Amani, hiding under 2 giant clones with Ulam. One of the backers had formed an ice igloo to protect a large amount of people.
'' why are you smiling? ''
'' I tend to smile when I'm nervous''
'' why are you nervous?"
'' my boost has a very short duration'' Amani was trying her best to keep the clones active
'' just a bit longer the HDF should be here soon''.
'' what is this feeling, why does it feel like someone shut of my body. Why can't I move my arms. Do something. Do something. DODOMETHING!''
'nothing'
'' I guess I'm useless, no boost, no future, no nothing. Well, I guess I'm going to die soon I won't have to feel this anymore ''.
'' I'm sorry''
'' I'm sorry''
Huh… what? ''
Amani's clones where shrinking, degrading from the wind and debris. A tear dripped, she profusely apologising.
''whump''
The clones finally fell, ulim holding on to a floor cable and with his other hand Amari.
'' hold on, just a little longer ''
''please''
The HDF hq
''we have gotten a distress call from the east side of the city, a huge tornado is destroying large parts of N13, N14, N15 and N16. It's bad''
The technician casts the information from his tablet to the main monitor
'' most of the people managed to get to safety but- ''
''but.'' Valliant's fixed his gloves
'' there was a gathering in Heartfield hall''
'' and- ''
The heroes where already out. Or so they thought.
'' what? ''
'' guys what's going on?''
The heroes where back in the main room.
'' didn't we just?'
''We did''
'' we are in a time loop '' countdown halted to a stop after several attempts to leave.
The coms crackled to life.
'' now you will know what it feels like to be trapped in a place you believed was safe''
All the monitors where now plastered with her face, Mara.
'' you're going to sit here and watch the people you were meant to protect die. And there is nothing you can do''
'' this just the start of the payback for what you did to me'' her aged hand appeared on the monitor
Disgust and guilt plastered on the heroes faces
'' you did this''
'' there is no need to do this, let's talk'' mystica walked forward.
A bitter laugh rung through the speakers '' now you want to talk ''
'' why didn't we 'talk' before you imprisoned me in that box?''
'' we had no choice we had to- ''
'' no choice, I was the one who didn't have a choice, you had all the options''
'SMASH!'
''we don't have time for your little games'' Valiant's arm went through the control panel
''just a bit longer ''
''Just a bit longer''
''just… a …. Bit''
''long- ''
'' no …Noooo!''
His hand gave way, she was taken by the wind. Leon tried his best to catch her, he was denied. She grabbed on to one of the hanging roof tiles. It was cutting through her hand. But she kept holding on. Ulim felt a bit of relief
''BAM!''
A chair hit her knocked her unconscious, the winds took her limp body, the tornado swallowed her. Ulim shut his eyes tight, maybe this was a dream? Maybe if he closed his eyes enough this would all go away.
'' this is not happening''
'' this is not happening''
'' this is not- ''
'' long time no see''
He opened his eyes, there they were, the other ulim's
'' so, I was dreaming''
'' negative, it's all real ''
The robot stepped forward '' but this is perfect ''
'' what do you mean by that?'' he turned red
'' I want to test something, 3 can you come here for a moment''
''3?''
''I figured that since we all have the same name. We should number ourselves according to long we have been here''
'' ulim 3 was the third one here hance he is 3''
''I'm 7, and we have labelled you 1''
An ulim with huge black wings stood up from his meditative position and walked over.
'' this better be good. I was enjoying doing nothing''
7
grabs both their hands.
'' now you both need to hold hands''
'' what? I did not sign up for this ''
'' trust me on this 3 ''
''yeah, just go with it ''the doubleganger with glowing eyes yelled
'' shut up 5''
He grabbed ulim's wrist
'' well, I guess that works as well. Now 1 I'm going to need you to snap yourself back into your conscious mind
'' why? And how do I do that''
'' he doesn't even know to leave his own mind; we are trapped in an idiot.'' The three cyclops laughed at their own joke.
'' 9 this is not the time for snide remarks; we need this to work''
'' who made you leader huh, we don't even want to be 9. and why do we share one number when there are 3 of us ''
'' yeah…why?'' the other 2 added
''this is not the ti-''
'' I can help with your problem'' a deep primal voice echoed
There it was the thing that had tried to kill ulim the last time he came to this place. Outstretched on the wall. Held in place by a seal, but it still had a giant grin on its face. Ulim's heart started racing
'' don't worry he can't do anything. I'm 10 by the way'' the ulim in robes walked over to taunt the thing
'' and he is 11'' he says as he manifests a maniacal staff and pokes it
''you're going to be the first one I kill when I free myself''
'' yeah, good luck with that'' he places a seal on its mouth.
'' now 1 close your eyes and just drift back to reality''
'' ok I will try ''
'' ready when you are ''
Everyone in the room focuses on ulim and what is about to happen next.