Chapter 11: The Heart of the Mannihilators
Sunlight penetrated the tent Jaden was trying to sleep in through openings. The brightness and intensity made it hard for her to keep her eyes closed. It has been an hour and she just could not sleep due to the light. She then began to wonder, “How do the Mannihilators sleep on a place with eternal day? In fact, how do they even know the time of the day? I can’t even tell if it is morning yet.”
Eventually giving up on sleeping, she left the tent to find Reed. Her departure from the city may have started earlier than she had planned.
Jaden peeked out of her tent, looking at the surroundings and scanning for Reed or Vader. Instead of finding them, she saw almost every Mannihilator, walking towards Nightfall’s headquarters and most of them appeared rather distraught. Chatter filled the air and everyone was so distracted, virtually no one was looking out for possible attacks. Curious, she left the tent to see what the commotion was about.
A crowd had gathered in front of a makeshift stage, which seemed to have been built or brought there recently in a rush. Standing on the stage was the Lord himself, dressed in his golden armor, along with his Ohmni Knight, Ser Nora. As she looked around, Jaden saw Reed and Vader standing within the crowd. Still very curious, Jaden grab her sheathed katana, for safety reasons, and approached them, hoping to know what was going on.
Lord Nightfall has not said anything as Jaden moved to the crowd, yet the Mannihilators placed their full attention on him. They did not know whether or not their Lord has anything important to say, yet they come to him and lend him their ears. Was their devotion to their Lord really that great, despite how he seems to put his personal feelings above everything else? Jaden pondered on that question for a while now. She then recalled her previous conversation with him, remembering how he refuses to trust her despite all she did. Regardless, she decided to focus on what the Lord has to say.
As his eyes wandered about, Reed caught sight of Jaden and began waving at her with a child-like smile on his face. In turn, Vader saw her and tried to mimic Reed’s gestures. Jaden observed the Synthetic’s behavior and began to feel that this robot is not just a robot.
“Vader’s tone when speaking sometimes changes and he occasionally displayed emotion. Not to mention the fact that he’s mimicking most of Reed’s gestures. Funny robot. If he’s really beginning to develop emotions, it better not jeopardize my mission.”
“Hey Jaden! Cannot sleep eh? Not used to the eternal daylight?”
“Of course I am not. Besides, Qurrentine is a dark planet. I am not used to all this brightness.”
“Me neither, though I don’t mind sleeping here if I am really tired. After all, when you’re really sleepy, even the floor looks comfortable.”
“Anyway, what’s going on here Reed? Why are all the Mannihilators gathering here?”
“Good ol’Lord Nightfall has an important announcement to make. Since I can’t sleep and Vader just refused to go away, we have been here, waiting for him to begin his announcement. Wonder what he is waiting for.”
As Jaden turned her attention to Nightfall, she realized that he was staring at her. He smiled and gave a nod, apparently trying to tell her something. He then turned to Ser Nora and nodded at her. He inhaled and was preparing to talk. Clearly, he has been waiting for Jaden to arrive.
“Greetings good citizens of Omega City. We gather here for I, Lord Gavin Nightfall, have an important announcement to make. This may be life changing and I hope for everyone to understand that the decision that I am going to make is for the best and for the survival of our kind.”
“I…am stepping down as your Lord. I am Lord Nightfall no longer.”
Much of the crowd gasped at the revelation and the once silenced chatter began again. Reed’s brow rose and shock struck Jaden at the news. The only being not reacting to the news would be Vader.
“Whoa, now there’s a shocker. The Nightfalls have been the Lords of Mannihilators ever since the group was first founded. For one to step down suddenly is huge.”
“What Reed said is true. If Gavin Nightfall steps down now, he would be the first in a long line of Lords.”
“Vader’s right and here I am wondering why? Did you do or say something to him Jaden? Or, did you bribe him?”
“What? No! In case you’re suffering from amnesia, I’ve been trying to sleep for the past few hours. Besides, I don’t even have any credits with me.”
“Silence please!”
“Ser Nora, it’s alright. Let them talk.”
Regardless, Ser Nora’s bellowing silenced the crowd and this prompt Nightfall to continue speaking.
“Now, I’m sure all of you are expecting an explanation for my departure, considering how my family has been your Lords for years. May Ariel respect my decision and Kristoff Nightfall, the founder of the Mannihilators, forgive me for my sins.”
“Now, the recent attack on our city was just one of the many attacks that has happened and will happen. Those cultists, blind servants of the Fallen Angel, have been at our necks for quite some time and frequently, Magic users are amongst them. These are desperate times my friends, and considering out oppositions, we will not survive for long. However, just recently, we learned that someone survived an encounter with the Viper himself. She defeated him in a duel and lived to tell me the tale. Ser Nora confirmed the tale when she sensed mental and Magical scars within her. She’s now amongst us, the Magic user who defended our city against Iblisan’s cultist: Jaden Highland.”
Lord Nightfall pointed directly at Jaden and the crowd turned to look at her. Some showed a spiteful expression, obviously unhappy that a Magic user is amongst them. However, a few others appear astonished.
“I know she’s a Magic user. In fact, we all know it.”
“But why should we trust her? Her eyes are glowing.”
One of the Mannihilators bellowed, referring to Jaden’s eye glow which barely penetrated her blindfold.
“I believe we should stop judging people by how they look or what they do. Ariel herself had an eye glow in life, yet she saved our race from extinction. From the way I see it, Jaden is no different. Not only did she save us, she kept Elysia Starnova from killing any of us, taking most of the punishment of the Viper’s daughter. She has the initiative to take a stand against Iblisan and the courage to face us despite her being a Magic user.”
“I am hereby following her example and resigning as your Lord. I will hand over the title to our city’s sole surviving Ohmni Knight, Ser Nora.”
Nora’s eyes widened with seeming surprise. She knew that the event was merely an announcement, but she had no idea that her Lord would suddenly give up his title to her, out of all people. The crowd gasped with seeming surprise; no Ohmni Knights have taken the role of Mannihilator Lord before. After a few seconds of silence, applause began to sound and Nightfall turned to Nora and told her, “The Mannihilators approve.” Reed, seemingly happy to see his friend get promoted, joined the applause and Jaden, tempted to applause and happy for Nora, followed him.
Nightfall then began to strip off his shiny, golden armor little by little, revealing a leather outfit which he wore underneath. He bundled them together and ordered an astonished Nora to stand in front of him. He passed them to Nora in a ceremonial manner and told her, “May Ariel approve of our new Lord.” As a sign of respect, Nora bent forward to bow and as a sign to show that he accepts it, Nightfall laid his palm on her head.
“From now on, you are Lord Nora.”
Jaden watched with amazement. She never heard of the Mannihilators before she arrived. She never read of their history and of their connection to the Salvagers or Qurrentines. After learning that they are hostile to most Magic users, and discovering that Reed was driven off Mannihilate for that reason, she was certain that the Mannihilators will not listen to reason. However, there was a different side of the people that she only realized at that time. The Mannihilators, devoted to their cause of survival and anti-Magic, are united as one and almost resembled a family. They fight as one and celebrate moments such as Nora’s promotion and Nightfall’s retirement as one. Back at the urbanized planet of Qurrentine, everyone was so engrossed with their own business, she barely knew anyone around there other than her own family. In Mannihilate, everyone is family.
“The Mannihilators believe that a soft palm on one’s head is a sign of respect and acceptance. This gesture follows after a bow and was inspired by a similar action done by Ariel to her twin after his reformation.”
“You barely understood human gestures Vader, but how is it that you know of this?”
“I’ve done my homework, Reed.”
“Hey, I’m serious.”
“But my Lord…”
“I am your Lord no longer.”
“Sorry…Nightfall…but what do you intend to do after you resign?”
“Well, I believe someone needs an extra gun. A Magic user, a former Ohmni Knight and a VX Synthetic is not enough to fight an entire army of mad cultists.”
“Wait, Jaden, is he saying that he wants to join us?”
Jaden turned to Reed and gestured to show that she had no idea.
“Yes, you guessed it. I am joining them. I will be leaving Omega City and venturing with our guests.”
“But, what about us? Are you just going to leave us and…”
“You have your new Lord. She will govern all of us for the time being. And don’t worry. I will not fall so easily. Now, I believe Lord Nora has something to say about her first order as your new Lord.”
“For years, the war between Iblisan and surviving Salvagers has been raging. We Mannihilators, for being human, are one of Iblisan’s target and for far too long we have been pushed around. From this moment on, we are committing all of our resources and efforts to the war, aiding our fellow humans. For too long we have been dormant. Let us show our enemies that we are not to be pushed around for we are Mannihilators, followers of the Heartless Champion of the Light. Let us fight back!”
The crowd cheered upon hearing Lord Nora’s words, reinvigorated and motivated to fight. Jaden have never felt happier in a long time, seeing that the Mannihilator are willing to set their hostility aside for a greater good. She has now gained a new ally and the way to Iblisan’s fall and avenging the death of her family and friends has taken one step further.
* * *
“Now Jaden, I believe I owe you an apology for our previous conversation.”
Nightfall told her after he prepared himself for the adventure that awaits him. Jaden chuckled for a moment before replying, “Already forgiven you Nightfall after seeing what you did. So, you really wish to join us?”
“Of course. Not only do I wish to see the outside worlds with my own eyes, but I think you need me if you wish to gain the assistance of the Snow Mannihilators. Your pet VX Synthetic told me of your plans to go there next. Trust me, you will need me.”
“Really? Why?”
“I will explain on the way there.”
“And what about the rest of the Mannihilator cities? How would they know that they have a new Lord?”
“Don’t worry Reed. Nora already sent a messenger, telling the other city leaders that they have a new Lord and that we are now devoted to the war against Iblisan.”
Minutes passed and Jaden believed that it was time for them to depart. Reed, Vader and their new crew member, Gavin Nightfall, followed. Seeing their former Lord leaving the city, every Mannihilator, including Nora gathered behind them, prompting them to stop for a while. They wished to give their final farewell to their former Lord and the astonishing sight touched Jaden’s heart.
“You will look after Gavin Nightfall, will you?”
A child Mannihilator asked Jaden. She smiled, crouched down to his height and said, “Of course I will. And, I think he can take care of himself too.” She rubbed the boy’s hair and added, “I may be a Magic user but…take a good look at me. I am human, am I not?”
“A beautiful, sexy human.”
“Reed.”
“Just kidding, though it is true that you’re good looking.”
“Stop it.”
The boy giggled at the way Reed teased Jaden before telling her, “You are a nice Magic user. I wish Dark Viper is like you.” Jaden was slightly startled to hear the villain’s name. Once again, memories of what he did to her family and friends struck her thoughts and for so long, she had been craving for revenge. She would never think of Dark Viper to be just like her and she was rather surprised to hear the boy stating that possibility. Regardless, she discarded it as nothing but a mere wish and gave him one last advice.
“Always be careful of your choices. Don’t be like Dark Viper.”
“Be careful out there Gavin. I don’t want anything bad happening to you.”
“Your family, the Bightrise, has been loyal friends of our family for generations. I appreciate everything you have done for me Nora. I will be fine. You can count on that.”
“Very well. May Ariel walk with you.”
“And may Ariel walk with you too.”
* * *
“Alright people, put on your seatbelts…or simply hold on to something. We are officially leaving the tropical side of Mannihilate and now on to the snowy side. This will be a short trip but still, don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
“Just go for it Reed.”
“As you wish Ma’am.”
“You will get yours soon Viper, along with your daughter. Just you wait. This Highland is not going down that easy.”
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