Page 17 of Powerless

Only the most desperate Defensive and Offensive Elites find their way to the slums to beat down beggars for the few coins they have. With that in mind, I let the Blazer’s power seep into me, let the flames flick over my fists.

Another Brawny comes charging at me with a smile.

They’re always so cocky. And that’s coming from me.

I crouch low right before he collides with me, his momentum sending him rolling over my back to land hard on the cobblestone. My flaming fist connects with his jaw and the sickening stench of burned flesh stings my nose.

I look up to see the Crawler scaling up the wall, intending to drop on top of me and pin my body to the ground. As he leaps from where he clings to bricks, I drop the Blazer’s power and take on the Brawny’s. My now supernaturally strong fist meets the Crawler’s stomach in midair, and he’s thrown backward against the wall before falling to the ground with a thud.

The Blazer stalks towards me, his mouth curled into a snarl.

He chucks a ball of fire in my direction, and I leap to the side to avoid it—not quickly enough. I curse colorfully as fire scorches the outside of my bicep, burning my flesh and slowing me with the pain.

My mind is racing nearly as fast as my heart. I can’t get close to him when he’s forcing me to play defense and dodge his fire, but I know if I start throwing it back, we’ll most definitely burn a street down.

I am not in the mood for this.

I let the Crawler’s power quite literally crawl to the surface before grabbing hold of it. Dodging balls of fire as I go, I run up the side of the alley wall and along the building until I’m parallel with him. In one swift movement, I leap from the wall, tackling him to the ground before quickly switching powers to raise a flaming fist at his face.

“Y-you’re Prince Kai,” he stammers. “The ... the future Enforcer.” Being so close, he’s finally recognized me and my ability, now clearly regretting his decision to jump the prince.

“Unfortunately for you, I am.” I cock back my blazing fist and—

A piercing pain cuts through my skull like a dull knife.

The Blazer’s power flickers out, and I’m unable to do anything but clutch my pounding head, panting from the pain. I’ve grown very familiar with torture over the years, but this is like nothing I’ve ever endured.

Through the haze of agony clouding my vision, I see a tall figure step into the alley. His hand is raised towards me, face grim, thin lips pulled downward in a scowl.

Silencer.

Impossible.

My thoughts scatter, leaving nothing but pain to ponder.

The Silencer smothers my power. Smothers me. They can do more than just strip you of your ability, making you no more than an Ordinary. He’s incapacitating me. My mind, my ability, my body.

My vision goes blurry, spots swimming before my eyes.

Fight it.

I can’t. I’m going to pass out. Die. Both. And there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

Fight. It.

I slump to the ground, my head slamming against the stones.

If Father could see me now…

I’m fading fast. Even with all my training, I’ve never felt so weak, so powerless, so out of control. I take one last look at the man leaching me of my strength. I hadn’t realized we’d drawn a small crowd until I see faces swimming in my vision.

They have no idea who I am.

An unsuspecting audience to watch me drift into darkness.

Or worse, maybe they do know who I am. Maybe they’re celebrating at the sight of the monster finally being put down, put out of his misery.

And then something catches my eye.

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