The Hunt down

Across the globe, a man levitated above a peaceful river in a beautiful forest close to Hong Kong. He immersed himself in deep meditation, crossing his legs and placing his hands on his thighs while taking minor breathing exercises. His eyes were beautifully saturated, mirroring the environment around him.

He harnessed his focus toward the movement of the current. In doing so, he heard a sound echo from a few meters away. He placed his feet on the river's surface and walked toward the bank. He returned to his home when his feet touched the soft and alluvial soil.

When he got inside, he found a spherical, metal object. The object was white and had a button on it. He pressed the button, and in doing so, it projected a holographic image of Ken Sou, the watchful guardian of the multiverse.

"Kuhn Lau!" Said Ken Sou.

"Yes, my Lord, how may I be of your service?" Replied Kuhn Lau, who bowed in reverence.

"The Elite Force has located the whereabouts of the talismans. Regarding this, they have dispatched one of their fleet commanders by the alias of Slicer..."

Ken Sou heaved a sigh and glanced toward the floor. It didn't take long for him to respond; it was as if a particular crisis troubled his spirit.

"However, I'm worried about the fifth Guardian..."

He began slowly, "Reason being is that he is of the most vulnerable. Please find him before Slicer does. And once you've found him, unite every one of them to put his plans to ruins."

Ken Sou's vocal tone firmed with concern as he continued to address Kuhn Lau.

"Slicer's first objective is to eliminate all of you individually! Hence, all six of you must work together as a team to stand a chance against him!"

Kuhn Lau bowed his head and replied to him, "Yes, my Lord! I will do as you ask."

***********

Meanwhile, back in Oklahoma City, the lovely duo arrived at their intended restaurant. Before walking inside, she leaned against his shoulder. His sensory neurons directed butterflies toward his central nervous system.

When they raised their heads to glance at the restaurant, its facade entranced them. It had an outstanding design that included a pair of dazzling glass doors. Not to mention a saturation of warm, harmonious lights that flashed vivaciously from a set of lanterns from above. A tapestry of vibrant, colorful flowers bloomed blissfully around the door frames and the sides of the pathway that led to the door. And above all else, a giant wooden board was hanging above the door frames. It had big, bold printing that read, "Khunta's Exquisite Dining Cafe."

As soon as they stepped inside the building, they were mesmerized by the interior design of the exquisite restaurant. The infrastructure of the building was so spectacular that it had shimmering walls embroidered with butterflies. The restaurant's interior also consisted of cerulean and aquamarine carpeting covering the floor.

Bianca then wrapped her arm around his. She looked around as though in a trance.

"Wow, Pete! This place is amazing, wouldn't you agree?!" He looked around with a blank expression etched on his countenance.

"Eh, it's fine," he muttered as she gently smacked her forehead.

"You don't have a refined taste," she said as she slowly moved her hand down her face, raking a portion of her skin.

He looked around again and casually shrugged. After all, he was interested in the cuisine he would get.

From afar, a waiter approached them.

"Right this way," He led them to their table.

Before she sat down, he rushed to her chair and pulled it out from underneath the table. When she sat down, he tucked her inside as her cheeks flustered red. 

"What? Is there something wrong with my clothes? God, I hope I didn't tear my blazer by mistake."

"Huh, Pete... you are so oblivious," she sighed.

Pete then crinkled, not knowing how to respond to her statement.

"What do you mean I'm oblivious?"

"Just forget it," she insisted.

Their menus are on the table. They picked them up and read through them. Bianca's mind wandered off as a lingering thought dominated the landscape of her mind. Of course, she tried to ignore it but inevitably failed. Then, she tried to ignore the idea once more. However, it was futile. The only way to rid herself of this thought was to ask him. But how could she, seeing as though what she could ask him easily could trouble him?

"Um, hey, Pete!"

"Yeah," he replied with ease.

"I know..." She cleared her throat and continued, "I know that it's um...none of my business, but...what exactly is that talisman for?" 

He sighed before responding.

"If you insist..."

He delved his hand into his right pocket and took out the talisman. He opened his hand so Bianca could take another glimpse at it; however, this proved to be a fatal mistake. The golden aura of the talisman grabbed the attention of a mischievous waiter.

His exterior outlook was that of a man who surpassed his average weight. He spotted an enormous brown beard and a mohawk. This bizarre waiter slowly approached them and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"My father didn't tell me much about the talisman. Rather, he greatly expressed its worth. He said that it was worth millions on the black market. And that meant many people would kill just to have their hands on it. My statement proved true when we were ambushed by a group of men when I was still a child. However, we were fortunate enough to escape from our doom. However, my mother wasn't, and our pursuers set our home to a blaze."

He paused briefly, struggling to continue, which brought more anguish to his heart.

Bianca looked at him in horror, unable to comprehend the trauma that he had gone through.

He continued, "We couldn't help her since we were on the run. Unfortunately, she died there.

Meanwhile, my father and I escaped, and he was shot multiple times in the spine. Before he died, he said, "Run on Peter." There is so much that life has to offer you. Here, take this talisman! Whenever you feel alone, look at it in remembrance of me."

Bianca intertwined her fingers and inquired, "What happened to you? How did you survive in the streets as a child?"

Then, a mischievous waiter inadvertently pushed against his chair.

"Proshu proshcheniya." replied the waiter. They glanced at one another, confounded that he addressed them in a different language.

"Oh, excuse me! I thought that you spoke Russian. My name is Steve-Joe, and I would like to take your order," he said with a Russian accent.

"Please serve me the finest dish of steak au Poivre," Pete said as he held firmly onto the fork and knife set for him.

"Ah, excellent choice! And what would Madam like?"

Amused by his mispronunciations, Bianca chuckled. Quickly, she covered her mouth and looked down. When she looked up, he glared at her.

"I'm sorry," she apologetically said.

Steve-Joe smiled, "I forgive you. What would you like?"

"Um ...I would like a grilled filet mignon with Bearnaise sauce, please."

"Alright, one steak au Poivre for the dzhentl'men. A grilled filet mignon with Bearnaise sauce for the gosphozha. Please enjoy yourselves."

He rushed to the kitchen to place their orders. He jolted out of the building with incredible speed after that. When he got outside, he delved his right hand inside his right pocket and took out his cell phone. He dialed his superior's number and waited for a response.

"Boss, you won't believe what I saw."

"What is it, Steve Joe, man?" A man with a Jamaican accent responded.

"I saw one of the six talismans."

"Finally, an opportunity like this has surfaced upon the waters; this is what we have been waiting for for years."

His superior then instructed him, "Look, Steve Joe, as soon as the man with the talisman leaves the restaurant, ambush him! Ensure he does not live to see the dawn of a new day."

"Understood, boss," nodded Steve Joe.

He went back inside, but he failed to realize that Kuhn Lau overhead their conversation from the roof of the opposite building.

************

Darkness spread across the land, and the moon shimmered beautifully. It shared its light with earth's dwellers. The stars glistened like diamonds while the wind welcomed the earthlings into a freezing hell. A pack of hounds scavenged what was left in the trash bins while the street lights enlightened the city with orange and yellowish hues. 

The two departed from the building. Bianca wrapped her arm around his arm.

Once they got to her car, he opened the door for her from the driver's seat.

"Why, thank you," she responded.

"Why it's a pleasure," he said with a smile.

He closed the door for her and walked to the other side of the vehicle. He opened the door and entered the car through the passenger seat.

She switched the car on and drove away once he closed the door.

Along the way, something peculiar took place. From the shadows, a determined Steve Joe emerged. He was like a bat that emerged from the terrifying, caliginous caves.

What came next was unthinkable; the latter abruptly stood in the middle of the road. Although this was a foolish act on Steve Joe's account, he cared not. Determination drove him wild.

"Wait, Pete, isn't that the same guy who served us?!" Exclaimed Bianca.

She was puzzled by the absurdity that manifested before her eyes. Pete then looked forward, his eyes protruding.

"Yeah, the dude's gonna get himself killed!!!" 

She pressed on the horn. Instead, Steve Joe turned a blind ear to it. He put on a set of gauntlets instead and clenched his fists. He centered them toward the vehicle.

Without warning, he fired a pair of laser beams from his knuckles. Bianca was then put between a rock and a hard place, whereby the car would run through the nearest building if she chose to evade the attack. Also, if she progressed further, the beam would incinerate them.

Therefore, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After that, she opened them and turned the steering wheel to the side with sheer force. The car lost its equilibrium and collided against a street pole. After a dreadful collision, they were rendered unconscious.

After some time, Pete opened his eyes. He winced and held his head. 

"My...my...head," he groaned.

As he struggled to move, a petulant ringing echoed in his ears as his vision blurred. He then turned his head to the side, focusing on what appeared to be a door. He reached his hand towards the handle and pulled it down. The door opened, and he crawled out of the vehicle immediately. Within a matter of seconds, his vision began to clear up.

However, just before his brain could project a clear image of his surroundings, Steve Joe grabbed him by the neck with force. 

"Comrade, let me make this easy for you. Where is the talisman?"

At last, his brain made a visual sense of what was happening. However, he was conflicted.

"I don't know what you're talking about?"

"I will not ask you once more. Where is the talisman?" An aggravated Steve Joe inquired.

"I'm telling you, man. I don't know what you are talking about?" He answered.

"Very well. I hope you said your goodbyes!" Steve Joe snarled, and his brows furrowed.

He tightened his grip around his neck while Pete's face morphed into a red pigment. His eyes slowly ballooned into enormous proportions, ready to spring from his sockets.

Suddenly, a current of water repelled Steve Joe towards the nearest building. Pete then fell flat on the ground.

Pete crawled up to his feet and glanced at an unfamiliar lad. The latter had monolid-shaped eyes with the addition of a shallow crease. He also had creamy white hair and lacked the presence of wrinkles on his facial skin. Instead, his skin was as smooth as a baby's bottom. The name of the latter was Kuhn Lau.

He instantly grabbed Pete by the wrist and pulled him up.

"Are you ok?"

He nodded in agreement as Kuhn Lau continued, "Good, make haste towards a safer location!"

"Wait, wait, wait, Bianca is still trapped in there! Please hold him off just a bit longer," he pleaded as he clung onto his garments and pulled them.

"Fine, I'll do my best."

Pete rushed back to the wrecked car and pulled Bianca out. After doing so, they ran. 

Meanwhile, Steve Joe returned to his feet and exited the building. He looked up ahead and stared through Kuhn Lau's soul. Steve Joe charged at him without a second thought and stretched his clenched fists in his direction. He fired numerous laser beams after that.

Kuhn Lau dexterously performed a somersault over the high beams. When his feet touched the ground, he then evaded a mighty blow from Steve Joe by tilting his head towards the side. Kuhn Lau then responded by landing a spinning kick on the left side of his face.

The force of the kick caused him to fall on his back. Steve Joe yelped with affliction. In response, he flipped himself back to his feet.

Bewilderment was present in Kuhn Lau's eyes that a man of Steve Joe's stature could perform such an outlandish move.

Steve Joe struck him in the gut with his knee. He then lifted him above his head and slammed him against the ground.

A few seconds later, he attempted to stomp Kuhn Lau on the chest, but Kuhn Lau reacted with much-needed haste and moved to the side.

He then struck Steve Joe in the gut with a punch. Kuhn Lau continued with the assault; this time, he landed a hook on the right side of his jaw. The force of the strike repelled him. He landed on the ground a few meters away from him.

He crawled to his feet and charged at him once more. Kuhn Lau blasted a current of water from his palms in return. The current's force further repelled him until he collided against the side of the nearest van.

*********

Pete and Bianca were on the run. Along the way, they encountered another adversary. This time, it was a foe that came at the wrong time.

It was Slicer. The lower limbs of his arms morphed into two blades that surpassed the height of his knees. He swung the blades at them, projecting a wave of air-pressure projectile attacks. Fortunately, Pete perceived the intended attack through the form of a vision. He, in advance, tackled Bianca to the ground as the wave of projectile attacks soared above them. Though the projectile attacks missed them by a millisecond, they slew buildings from behind in half. Bianca was paralyzed with fear, so much so that she froze, remaining motionless as a corpse would.

"Let's go; there isn't much time! Hurry, Bianca!!!" She eventually snapped out of it and fled with him.

Slicer then stretched his right limb towards them, and he propelled the blade from his limb as it traveled with significant speed. With such speed, the sharp weapon rivaled a bullet. Fortunately for them, they took a route on their left just before the blade could slay them. It pierced through the wall of the nearest building. Slicer summoned it. In response, it flew back to him and attached to his arm.

The route that they took led them down an alley. To their demise, there stood a wall up ahead. They halted along the way, bracing themselves for the final moments of their lives. Slicer then appeared from afar, sauntering towards them with melody; this sent a tingling sensation down their spines.

"Peter Xavier Atkinson!" Slicer said as he watched Pete shudder.

"You have treasured something valuable to me, Mr. Atkinson."

"Look, man! I don't want any trouble, alright! I don't have what you are looking for! I'm just an ordinary guy living his life like everybody else!" He replied with his hands raised.

"Fine! Have it your way then!" Slicer propelled the blade from his limb, and it flew towards him with precise speed.