Arrogance: Volume One of Ebb & Flow

Peaking my head through the gap, I don’t see anybody. All I see are large wooden crates stacked high and metal shelving that reaches the ceiling. I use my helmet to finish breaking the window, and it might be unnecessary, but better safe than sorry. There isn’t any easy way down, but a large, almost pyramid-shaped stack of boxes is nearby. All it’ll take is a short jump, but if I miss, I will fall over thirty feet onto concrete.

I’ve lived my whole life on mute, unable to experience any emotions. Even basic instinctual ones like fear are out of grasp. I am cursed to live while only being able to feel bodily sensations like pain, pleasure, and exhaustion. I imagine this sensation is similar to what drugs do to you. I will chase this even if it leads me to hell. It isn’t a hard decision; the excitement I have felt since entering the docks is undeniable. I’m in the air, my body moving as my mind dallies. I stick the landing perfectly, but the crates are old and rotted. The box I’m standing on falls apart under my weight. Tumbling down through the boxes, I’m thankful for the helmet protecting my head and neck.

The rest of me isn’t so lucky as I manage to hit every part of me on the way down. My left side crashes into the concrete, and I feel something give. Gingerly moving my hand, I press against my rib cage, sending a jolt of pain throughout my body. I let out a hiss, and the helmet makes it sound like a family of robotic snakes. The pain is terrible but manageable. Wait, where is the fucking gun? Shuffling around on my hands and knees, I search everywhere. I see a glimmer in my peripheral; the thing is stuck under one of the shelves. Crawling my way over to it on my stomach, I give it a once over, and it looks fine.

I need to find Aubrey and get both of us out of here. Watching those two titans duke it out has shown me that I was naive to the realities of Neuvohuman fights. There is no way to leverage either of our powers to allow me to take their abilities. Either one of them could kill Aubrey and me easily. I should have talked her out of this; we are not dealing with a deranged rookie like Davis. These people are gangbangers with powers. Once I am home I can take the time to create better than this.

It’s arguably better to hurt my ribs and not a leg. At least the injury won’t impact my mobility. I move as quickly as I can without making a sound. Do not let the past few weeks be wasted; I would prefer not to have to restart my plans with Jean-Luc. He isn’t as malleable as her and is likelier to get cold feet. She can be influenced and molded into a perfect pawn. No one has come, and Aubrey is standing still. With my entrance and subsequent fall, I made so much noise, yet no one came running. I continue through the warehouse, careful of what might await me ahead. Raised voices break the silence, and I quicken my pace. I duck down behind some boxes as I get closer.

What awaits me is a three-way standoff between Aubrey, a jacked Korean man, and a middle-aged mafioso. The Korean man is a bald, bulging mass of veiny musculature, taller than me by a good bit, and his arms are the size of my torso. He’s wearing grey basketball shorts and a white V-neck. On his arms and legs are thick golden bands. The older man has slicked hair and a goatee. Why is everyone dressing like idiots?

"Give it up, criminal scum. Cause Queen Bee is here to stop you." Aubrey's voice has a slight buzz added to the overlapping voices, giving it a more bee-like quality.

The Korean man starts laughing. “Gio’s scraping the bottom of the barrel now, huh? Sending bitches and cokeheads to do his dirty work.”

“I don’t know who this Gio guy is, but I am here to stop you both. Surrender now and come along quietly.” Aubrey said

“Shut your mouth, whore. I could snap you in half.” The Korean man said. His voice is hoarse, and his grin is wolflike.

The Italian chuckles and then says something so softly that I’m unable to hear.

“Quit mumbling, Froggy, and say it with your chest bitch,” the Korean man said, thumping his chest with his hand.

“I said we don’t know the bug girl. And my extracurricular activities are none of your business, little Ji-Hoon.”

“DO NOT CALL ME THAT! I go by Dynax. I’ll crack your skulls together and then finish off the rest of you for betraying us,” said Dynax.

So the Italian’s Cowl name is Froggy? And the Korean Cowl is Dynax? Why are people so terrible at naming?

Froggy jumps across the room and lands on Dynax’s back. He climbs effortlessly around him, trying to plunge a knife into the mass of flesh. Dynax’s shirt is getting shredded, but the knife isn’t making a mark. The blade repeatedly bounces off of him, unable to pierce his skin.

“Haha. That tickles,” Dynax laughed.

Dynax tries to swat Froggy away, but he can’t reach him. The smaller man is sticking to him like a fly on excrement. Crawling all over him, he’s making sure to stay just out of reach of his grasp. Dynax starts walking toward one of the giant metal shelves, turning around to try and scrape the smaller man off. Froggy jumps off his back and scurries up the shelf. Dynax charges, barrelling into it and sending it toppling over. Froggy leaps off, but instead of falling toward Dynax, he rights himself in midair, landing on the ceiling.

“You’re nothing but a brute. Think, you mindless idiot. What would we have to gain by fucking over the Dragons?” Froggy asks while standing upside down, defying gravity.

Definitely a Cowl. What kind of power would let him do that?

“Italians and greed are tale old as time. Now get down here and fight me, you coked-up pussy.”

Dynax stomps the ground, sending cracks through it. He picks up a piece of broken concrete the size of a garbage can and chucks it at his opponent. Froggy hops over it, still walking on the ceiling.

“Why would I do that? You really are stupid. How do we know you people didn’t bring her? Maybe you guys are the ones who got too greedy and wanted more. None of that matters now. I’ll bring the head of Lee Daeshim’s enforcer to Gio and get a nice reward.”

My assumption about Aubrey being the cause of the gang war was correct. The Italians and the Dragons were partners in some manner of drug trafficking until my friend showed up and blew up an already volatile situation. I watch as she yells at them to give up once again. Aubrey’s attempts at heroism are pitiful; the only thing people like this respect is might. Without a significant show of force, they will not listen. How long will it take until she explodes with rage? I could barely keep it in check, and I don’t have an underlying anger issue.

I can’t see her face due to the helmet, but I don’t imagine she’s looking too happy. The two of them dismissing her and making rude remarks are only going to fuel the flames inside her. Aubrey finally reaches her breaking point, and the antennas on her helmet light up before discharging electricity at Dynax. It erupts, arcing through the air and hitting him in the back. The sound is decidedly unique as it hits, almost like an egg frying crossed with TV static. Thick black smoke billows off his back as he falls to his knees. Well, that is a surprise. Aubrey’s helmet has, at minimum, two different features: electrical blasts and some type of highly potent paralytic. Despite the power of Aubrey’s attack, Dynax climbs to his feet and stares at her with rage contorting his face.

“I was gonna leave you till I finished him off, but congrats, you get to die first bitch,” Dynax said while cracking his knuckles.

Before Dynax can reach her, Froggy drops down and plants both feet into Dynax’s back, sending him onto the floor. He pulls another knife out and slashes at Dynax’s calf. It doesn’t do anything. He keeps jumping around Dynax, striking out to no avail before he speaks.

“The roid rage beast is chastising me for doing drugs? Jesus fucking Christ, you’re a hypocrite and an idiot. You have super strength, and you’re using muscle enhancements and steroids to look bigger? Me, I know what I am, and don’t try to act otherwise.”

“BOTH OF YOU BASTARDS NEED TO LISTEN TO ME!” Aubrey screamed at the two cowls.

She shoots a bolt of electricity at them. Dynax grabs Froggy’s leg, crushing it and using the man as a shield. The bolt races through the air, hitting him in the center of his chest. The mafioso flies through the air, landing right where I am hiding. His screams sound just like those Marcus made before I killed him. Froggy’s chest is a bright reddish pink and missing enough layers of skin that I see muscle. The attack annihilates his shirt and coat, and his pants are charred and blackened. Aubrey turns to the remaining Cowl and continues shocking him. Dynax is using his massive arms to shield his face.

“You’ve both been given extraordinary gifts that most could never dream of. And you WASTE IT. Instead of helping people or making a difference, you choose to participate in this petty crime power struggle in some backwater city. People like you don’t deserve powers. People like you don’t deserve anything.”

Even through the voice changer, I can tell how furious she is. Froggy’s body keeps twitching violently, and he’s stuttering uncontrollably. This is my chance. I rip my glove off, press my hand against Froggy’s neck, and begin to siphon his ability. Just survive for five minutes, Froggy. Five minutes, and I will help Aubrey. I hear them fighting but can’t see anything. The five minutes end, and I put my glove back on. Oh, Froggy, your ability is quite unique. Just like with Davis, a part of him came with it. Instead of an emotion, it’s something different. It’s weird to describe it, but I somehow stole his addictive nature from him. I can’t worry about that now. I need to see how their battle is going. Aubrey is now on the back foot and being chased around by Dynax. He’s destroying boxes, shelving, and anything else in his way like an out-of-control bull.

"GET BACK HERE BITCH!" Dynax screamed.

She doesn’t respond to his taunts, ducking under shelves and weaving around boxes. The warehouse lights up every time Aubrey blasts him with electric shocks. It doesn’t look like it’s hurting him, only destroying his clothes. Why hasn’t she used whatever she used on that random thug? Does she not have any more of it? My original plan was to wait until she was over her head and then either wait till they knocked her out or do it myself. Then, kill these two and steal their powers, but she’s gone off the deep end and is acting like Davis. She’s prolonging this fight, and it catches up to her. Dynax backhands her, sending her flying into the wall. I’ve made a mistake by waiting to do something. He might kill her. I’m going to lose another friend. Well, at least this one isn’t my fault.

“Your little bee stings aren’t enough to put me down; I’m built of stronger stuff than the fucking addict. I can’t believe I thought you were with the Italians. This is why rookie Capes have such a high mortality rate. You idiots just don’t have any sense in you. But don’t worry. I won’t kill you. Daeshim’ll want to pimp you out first and make some money. The Johns’ll love fucking a Cape,” Dynax says as he reaches for her helmet.

“Fuck you, prick.”

A green gas pours out of the wasp’s mouth, covering both of them in a dense smog. She wasn’t being cocky; she waited, brilliant Aubrey. Now, take advantage of his hubris. Do enough damage so that I can act. Wait, why don’t I hear Dynax coughing? Out of the green gas comes Aubrey’s body flying through the air, parallel to the ground. She lands on the concrete hard and rolls until she hits one of the shelves. Dynax emerges out of the gas immediately after.

“As long as I don’t inhale, your gas can’t do anything to me. And I got lungs of steel,” Dynax said, tapping a finger to his temple.

Dynax is calm and relaxed as he approaches her. She’s groaning and cradling her arm to her chest. I cannot wait much longer. Should I try and gun him down from here? Do I let Aubrey die and escape when he isn’t looking? No, if they capture her, then my secret will be exposed. She is weak and will fold to torture. I may not be the most well-versed in the broader Neuvohuman world, but my power is one of a kind. Capes and Cowls would both literally kill to keep the status quo. No, either Dynax or Aubrey has to die.

I stand up with my gun hidden behind my shirt. Am I acting recklessly? Could Froggy’s addiction issues exacerbate my need for a thrill? Is it already compounding my problems with chasing excitement? Focus. None of those questions are relevant in the current. Dynax needs to die immediately.

“Stop right there, Dynax.”

“And who the fuck are you? Where are you fuckers coming from?” He asked me.

“It’s over for you. Give up, and I won’t hurt you too badly.” Bluff and lie; my most significant advantage is that Dynax doesn’t know what I can do. If I can convince him I’m too dangerous to fight, I can give myself time to think of a way out.

“Oh yeah? Show me whatcha got,” Dynax’s smile is nasty and promises violence.

He will beat me to death if I can’t surprise him. I see Aubrey behind him; she’s facing us and struggling to get up. There is exactly one possible way we succeed here. Get him talking long enough that Aubrey can gas him again. I can use my remaining bullets to make sure he doesn’t just hold his breath. Think Eryk, how do I tell Aubrey the plan?

“It’s already begun. You haven’t even noticed yet, have you? Guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re a Bruiser, not a Mentalist. And you look just stupid enough not to realize when someone’s vastly out of your league.”

His smile turns to a snarl. “You’re lying. If you’re so strong, why didn’t you get involved before?”

It’s working. I see Aubrey shakily stand.

“Because I didn’t need to. My protege singlehandedly busted a drug deal and thrashed you and Froggy. I figured I should let her get some on-the-job experience.” Fall for it. Fall for it. Fall for it. I’ve gotten under your skin, pretending to be a bigshot Cape. You have to be questioning why I appear so confident. I have already won. He signed his death warrant the moment he didn’t immediately rush forward and attack.

“Who are you, and why are you here in Crimton? The kickbacks we send are meant to stop you guys from showing up,” Dynax said.

Thank you for that nugget of information. I can use that to my advantage. “I’m Nobody.”

“Nobody? I’ve never even heard of you. Are you trying to fucking lie to me? You’re just like her, aren’t you? Some rookie bitch who thinks he can fuck with the Dragons,” Dynax said.

I can’t make a move as he comes closer because I run the risk of costing Aubrey her chance. Come on, Aubrey, do it now. Just use the gas and knock him out. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her helmet’s antennas light up as she fidgets with it. What are you doing? You idiot, your shocks did not affect him.

“GET AWAY FROM HIM!” Aubrey yells as electricity explodes out of both antennae at Dynax. Instead of multiple attacks, she fires a continuous stream across his body. Dynax laughs until the attack hits his face. He holds his hands up, but Aubrey doesn’t relent. I must make do with what I have, so I pull the gun out from behind my back. While she’s keeping him busy, I sneak up until I’m right behind him. I can’t miss this giant target before me, but I aim at his spine and fire three of the remaining bullets into him. Froggy proved that knives were ineffective, and I doubt that bullets will do much more. But this might allow her to get off another blast of gas.

“Haha, that tickles. Bullets won’t work, idiot,” Dynax said, turning toward me.

“Now! Don’t hold anything back!” I yelled out.

Once again, Aubrey releases her paralytic miasma while Dynax focuses on me. The green mist floods out of her helmet in far greater quantity than before. My helmet filters the gas, but Dynax is holding his breath again. I need to get him to breathe, but Aubrey is on the ground, cradling an injury. The two of us are inside the cloud, but only one of us can see. I need to use this to my advantage. I crouch down, sneaking around Dynax, who seems content to wait for the gas to dissipate.

I drag my hand along the floor, searching for a projectile. There are broken pieces of concrete from the fight, and I chuck one of them right at Dynax’s face. It hits him square in the jaw, and he whips his head in my direction. I roll away as he sweeps his arm where I just was. There is an audible whoosh from how fast his arm moved. I start to pepper him with chunks, immediately moving after throwing each piece. Each second feels like minutes, and I’m doing everything I can to stay alive. He continues trying to grab me, forcing me to start dodging as soon as the concrete leaves my hand. Each time I narrowly avoid Dynax is another roll of the dice. A change of strategy is required. I grab another rock and get closer to him. The next chunk I throw at his dick and quickly unload the remaining bullets into his face. The two-pronged assault surprises him, and I hear him breathe in. Now or never. Through the gas, I see him starting to sway from side to side. I spot Froggy’s knife on the ground and chuck my pistol away in favor of it.

Dynax falls to his knees, and I cautiously approach him, wary of any sudden traps. My heart is pumping harder than ever before. This is it. This is what I have been craving. The giant man’s mouth is open and numb as his eyes bore into me. He falls into me, and I start stealing his power immediately. The gas is almost gone by the time my five minutes end, and I insert the knife into the depowered Cowl’s ear, plunging it into his brain. I hear Aubrey to my left, coming over to check on me. She looks at the dead body, then the knife, and then back to me.

“Oh god. I, I, I had to. He was going to kill us.” The emotion isn’t really translating well through the helmet, but it should be enough for her.

Aubrey rushes to my side and removes her helmet, exposing her face. Her face is flustered, but she looks happy. She isn’t appalled at his death or even upset by it. Aubrey is glad he’s dead. I had thought she would try to stop the bleeding, but she isn’t moving to do anything to help. Shouldn’t you comfort me, your dear friend, who has just had to murder someone? Hello? Why isn’t she talking or doing anything? Slowly the happiness transitions into concern, and she finally speaks to me.

“You did what you had to do. Don’t beat yourself up about it, Eryk.”

Why the hell are you using my real name? Are you so sure Dynax is dead that you think secrecy doesn’t matter? My clothes are soaked in his blood now. I’m going to have to get rid of them. I can feel his power now within me. The other part of him I took is another weird one; it’s his fierce loyalty. Will this even affect me? Without emotions to form attachments, I have nothing to be loyal to. Regardless, I have to thank you, Dynax, for both gifts. His power isn’t super strength; it is something much more complex. He and Froggy weren’t taking full advantage of their talents. Aubrey was right; they are wastrels. I’m playing up the shock of killing Dynax, which gives me plenty of reasons for not talking.

“Should we call the cops? There’s a chance they might be able to save both of them.”

A flicker of anger crosses her face; it might’ve slipped past another person, but I have a lifetime of recognizing facial expressions.

“They won’t make it in time, and honestly, maybe that’s for the best,” Aubrey said coldly.

God, the party really broke her. Before that night, the old Aubrey would never have said something like that. That’s no way for a Cape to talk; she sounds more like a vigilante Cowl. Can I swing her further in that direction until she’s willing to kill? She has no problem letting them die, but intentionally taking a life is a bigger deal to regular people. If we keep getting involved with society’s worst sides, she will eventually break, which will be a sight to see. I stealthily slide my glove back on and get up off the floor, facing my friend. It isn’t intelligent, but I remove my helmet. This conversation needs to be face-to-face.

“What are you saying? That we leave two men to die?”

“They’re drug-dealing murderous animals, not men. People like them don’t deserve sympathy or compassion. Would they be showing us either of those if the roles were reversed? No, they wouldn’t. You heard them, Dynax was going to force me into prostitution, and I’m sure the other guy is just as big a piece of shit.” Her face is flustered again, and she looks like she’ll cry. Eryk is meant to be kind and he wouldn’t want his friend to talk like this.

“You don’t mean that. That’s the adrenaline talking, not you. We need to check on the other guy and get an ambulance here.” I just need to put up the barest form of argument long enough to guarantee both Dynax and Froggy die.

“No, I mean exactly what I’m saying. We should escape now. My arm might be broken, and I want to get it looked at. They made their bed, and now they have to lie in it. Also, do you even have your phone on you? I left mine in your truck, so I don’t know how you expect to call for help.”

She’s being so stubborn. I only have to argue for a bit more, and then I can graciously accept defeat.

“It’s not right. I may be new to all this, but this doesn’t feel heroic,” I said.

“That’s because being a Cape doesn’t mean playing the hero. Being a Cape is about making the hard choices. I’m not going to waste my energy on people who are cancerous to society. You don’t understand Eryk. People like Davis, Froggy, and Dynax don’t care about collateral damage. They don’t care who gets hurt by their meltdowns or the drugs they peddle. The world is better off without any of them. I’d rather make a difference than be heroic,” she spat.

“I’m too tired to fight on you this, but just know that I disagree. At least let me check on the other man before we leave. I’ll meet you outside.”

“Fine, I’ll check to see if the coast is clear.” She puts her helmet back on before heading toward the exit.

Her opinionated attitude is going to be a problem at some point. I still have the final trump card of my ability; I can always take back what I’ve given. Five minutes of physical contact to take and to give an ability, but I don’t need anything other than intent to retrieve an ability. No matter the distance, Aubrey, I can take back what I gave you. I will get rid of her if she can’t get in line. I have no use for a pawn that doesn’t listen.

I walk over to where I left Froggy—time to check on the other soon-to-be casualty. He’s right where I left him, only he’s stopped twitching. His torso rises slowly, and his skin looks terrible. Branching pink lines like tree limbs are burned into his flesh. There’s barely any skin on his chest from Aubrey’s attack. I stare at his ruined body, still feebly holding on to life. He will take away my anonymity if he wakes up without his power. Questions I cannot have asked will shed light upon me. It is too early for me to be exposed to the global stage. He must die, and I can’t use the gun without alerting Aubrey. I am going to have to do this the old-fashioned way.

I press my boot against his sternum, testing to see if he wakes up. I push harder and harder until I feel his ribs begin to give. The pain would be unbearable for anyone to continue pretending to be asleep. He groans faintly, the gurgling sound of a blood-filled throat. I remove my foot before stomping down again and again and again until his chest cavity caves in. It’s been at least six minutes since we split, meaning I should find my friend now. My bloody boots squelch as I emerge from the warehouse to find her leaning against another building. Her jacket is off, and she’s using it like a makeshift sling. The night is still young, and already we are both injured. No more surprises would be pleasant.