Chapter Thirteen: Remember the Name

Exodus ran until he could not anymore. The shouts from Rachel for his return died out ages ago, yet he came to a panting halt beside a tree, desperate to get his breath back. Angels wishes, Catastrophe unleashing chaos and raising this…Angel. It was too much for him. Everything he had been told were simple folktale and lies was, in fact, true. He was panting and leaned against the tree nearest, wiping sweat from his brow and ready to start his running again. However, he was not running away. He had to know the truth. He was going to find the enemy himself. He was going after Catastrophe.

***

The leaves and branches parted as the two figures approached Rachel from behind, both their fists made of wavering fire that flickered and sparked in the soft breeze. Rachel was kneeling before the lake alone, and the two seized their chance. One stepped forward, outstretched their hand and produced a burst of fire. Rachel disappeared, and when the fire cleared, only a pile of ask remained. Chuckling, the two from Flame turned to leave, but their path was blocked by Rachel. "Thought it would be that easy?" she asked, and when the two were too shocked to reply, she disappeared in a blur of movement. Fury and Hellfire looked around in confusion, their fists glowing fire as they looked at their surroundings. A flash of movement, and Fury spun, aiming his hand and firing into the trees. As the flames hit, Rachel appeared in the air on Fury's other side.

She shot forward like a bullet, her foot outstretched, and it smashed into the side of Fury's face. Fury flew to the side as Rachel landed, and then she disappeared as a fireball hit where she had been milliseconds ago. Hellfire snarled and began spinning on the spot, firing fireballs everywhere he could, a desperate attempt to hit Rachel. It seemed to work as Rachel hit the ground, hissing in pain as Hellfire towered above her, the breathing from his helmet fast and, if anything, excited. "We have found the Angel's Lake and destroyed Paradox's bratty sister. We will be rewarded greatly for this," he said. Rachel slowly attempted getting to her feet, yet Hellfire spun and landed a kick across her face, sending her sprawling back into the ground. Rachel scrambled back as Hellfire's fist erupted fire, then Rachel once again disappeared. Hellfire halted, glancing around for some sign of the girl.

Fury got to his feet, and then Rachell appeared behind him, in Hellfire's line of sight. Hellfire shouted out in rage and threw his fists forward, sending a wall of flame rushing to the two of them. Fury wore an expression of surprise, and raised his forearms in defence, the flames licking his body while he remained unharmed. Hellfire spun, and Rachel had appeared behind him.. "A little trick I learnt from my boyfriend and his brother," she said, a grin flashing across her face despite the pain of the burns, and then she outstretched a hand, flicking her pointer finger forward. It hit Hellfire in the chest, and he was sent flying backward, crashing into the dirt and then remaining motionless. He was knocked out. Rachel turned, only to find her path blocked by Fury, his features twisted with rage as he charged forward.

He threw his fists forward, several balls of roaring fire streaking forth as Rachel charged toward him. She disappeared once more, only to reappear behind Fury instantly, wrapping her hands firmly around his neck before twisting her body and tumbling to the ground, dragging Fury down with her. The two struggled before Rachel rolled atop of Fury, raised her fist and struck down. The blow cracked him on the side of the head, and Fury fell limp, his eyes closed as Rachel slowly rose and stood over him. Crunch. Rachel whirled on the spot and locked eyes with the person who had been creeping forward behind her. She lowered her fists once she realised it was Henry, who quickly removed the helmet from his head to stare at her. "A rather impressive display," he murmured, nodding his head in approval to the two unconscious villains.

"Where's Nathaniel?" Rachel asked immediately, and Henry looked around, a look of clear surprise upon his face. "I thought he got ahead of me and beat me back here." Rachel's eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. Henry's mouth fell open, and Rachel turned to the lake, only to find Chloe was still there, standing at the water's edge with her boots only millimetres away from the sand. It appeared she did not have the ability to step onto land. "I do agree with your friend that you have mastered the skill with your power…However I suggest you get moving quickly. Those two have gone." Rachel turned to where she had left Fury and Hellfire, and discovered Chloe was correct. They had vanished. "They will be here soon. My suggestion is that you hurry after my student's brother. He has gone to finish this battle."

Rachel's eyes widened, and Chloe indicated to the forest that hid their hiding place. "Go and save him!"

***

Exodus scrambled over the next hill, and then the one after that. His gloves and suit were worn and dirty, yet he continued his journey. This was no longer simply a Hunt. This was a war. He did not know what to expect when he discovered their base, and it certainly was not an incredibly large, rectangular, concrete building that was obscured by the trees unless you were up close. Exodus stared at it, his eyes wide, before he saw his first obstacle. It was Tough, marching around the perimeter of the building. Possibly making sure no one was sneaking in. Exodus took a deep breath, felt his legs charge up, and then leapt up high into the sky. Tough heard the whooshing of wind and looked up, but by that point it was far too late. Exodus rocketed down, his foot outstretched, and landed a devastating kick to Tough's face. Tough flew back, smashing against the concrete wall behind him, and then he crumpled, unconscious.

Exodus jumped high again, this time managing to land onto the roof. He looked around, the breeze ruffling up his hair as he approached a skylight and smashed it with his fist, then jumping down the dark shaft and landing in the centre of a room. He rose from his crouch and looked up, only seeing another pair of eyes staring back into his, full of fear. It was Paradox, and he seemed frozen with shock, because Exodus snapped his hand forward, grasped him by the neck and flipped him through the air. Paradox landed with a groan on his back, and Exodus quickly spun, kicking Paradox across the face and watching him too fall unconscious. Exodus turned and began sprinting down the stone corridor. He skidded around a corner with his fists raised, and once he saw there was no one more in sight, he continued on his way.

Shouting filled his ears, and he dove into yet another corridor, his feet echoing off the walls loudly as he ran hard. "TELL ME WHERE IT IS!" a deep voice roared, and Exodus came to a halt beside a doorway, panting but keeping still, desperately trying to listen to whatever it was that caused this fury. "I do not know why you are searching for legend. I do not know of the Angel's Lake that you claim exists." Exodus felt his breath catch. That was Nathaniel's voice. Had he and Henry failed? He risked a peek around the corner, and saw Nathaniel suspended in the air by multiple chains, his hands encased in metal gloves and his entire body bound. "You have two choices. Search for it and tell me where it is, or I will kill every one of your little friends. Starting with your brother!"

Nathaniel's exasperated sigh filled the room, "I do not know where it is, and as for my brother, I have no idea where on earth he is. Possibly as far away from this place as he can be." Exodus took a deep breath, and stepped into the room, his fists glowing. "I always have ignored your instructions, then," he announced, and Catastrophe, who had been the one questioning Nathaniel, spun on the spot, his expression full of surprise. Exodus then charged forward, leaping toward Catastrophe and throwing his right fist forward, Hope sparkling from his knuckles. The blow crashed into Catastrophe's chest, and he was flung backward, smashing through the wall of the room and out of sight. Nathaniel let out a gasp and locked eyes with Exodus, who stared back, a small grin upon his face. "You shouldn't be here," whispered Nathaniel, and Exodus rolled his eyes.

"Says the one wrapped in chains in the enemy's hideout!" Nathaniel chuckled at Exodus and nodded, "You raise a good point, little brother." Exodus nodded and hurried to his brother's side, grasping a handful of chains, letting his hands glow strongly and then snapping them easily. Nathaniel landed feet-first onto the smooth stone floor, and then flexed his arms, which now glowed freely, and the metal encasing his hands shattered. He was now free. Nathaniel reached forth and gently grasped Exodus' shoulder, and then Catastrophe re-entered the room. The wall opposite Catastrophe burst open, and in stepped Destruction. He met Exodus' eyes, and Exodus raised his fists as Nathaniel turned to Catastrophe, back-to-back with his brother. "I don't think I've training you properly for this," whispered Nathaniel, but Exodus reached down to firmly lock hands with his brother.

"Together," he whispered, and he felt Nathaniel firmly squeeze his hand. "Together," he replied. Destruction charged forward at the exact same time as Catastrophe, both charging to the brothers. Nathaniel, still gripping Exodus' hand, turned and flung Exodus toward Catastrophe, who it appeared had not been expecting a sudden assault. While Nathaniel turned to land a firm kick to Destruction's stomach, Exodus twisted through the air, outstretched his leg and collided it against Catastrophe's face. Catastrophe stumbled to the side as Exodus landed smoothly onto the ground, and then he rolled backwards as Nathaniel turned yet again and swung a mighty fist to the stunned Catastrophe. Exodus rose, raised a glowing fist and blocked a punch from Destruction, who snarled, pushed Exodus back and advanced yet again. Exodus ducked under yet another punch, feeling the Hope rushing through his veins as he leaned back and let Destruction's foot pass before him.

The Hope gave Exodus a sudden burst of adrenaline, and instead of moving back, he planted one foot against the ground and leaned forward, throwing his right fist as he did. It smashed into Destruction's chest, and he skidded back, but a grin was upon his face all the same. "You don't have enough will to break me," he hissed as he started forward again, then he was thrown from sight. Exodus looked around, and watched as Nathaniel withdrew his outstretched fist, panting and turning to Exodus. "We need to go, now," he whispered, and Exodus agreed, wiping sweat from his brow. Then the floor collapsed, sending the two of them spiralling onto the floor below, lying among the rubble and coughing in pain. Exodus sat up, and as always, Nathaniel was already upon his feet, not taking down so easily.

Towering on the floor above, Catastrophe stood, his black armour covered in soot and dust, yet the expression upon his face furious. "You wanted me, and here I am!" Nathaniel shouted out. Instead of causing a snarl or hiss like Exodus expected, Catastrophe began chuckling loudly, the sound sending a chill down Exodus' spine as he stared up at the enemy. "Then it looks like our confrontation can be put off no longer!" Nathaniel gently patted Exodus upon the shoulder, and then he stepped toward Catastrophe, staring up. "What is it you want, then?" Catastrophe chuckled again, a smile on his lips as he stretched out his pointer finger and jabbed it in Nathaniel's direction. "You!" Nathaniel looked down, slowly nodding before shooting a glance at Exodus. "It is time to finish this," he said, and then, he grinned. Exodus felt his stomach churn into knots as Nathaniel's entire body began glowing as he locked eyes with Catastrophe once more.

Catastrophe began glowing red, and he jumped down, leaping to Nathaniel with fist outstretched. Nathaniel jumped up, streaking up to meet Catastrophe, and they met in mid-air. There was a sound like a thunderclap, and the walls shook violently against the shockwaves of air as Nathaniel propelled Catastrophe high and then smashing out the roof. Exodus heard the rocks next to him shift, and he spun, only to find the beautiful eyes meeting his. It was Rachel, although how she had found him, he had no idea. "I'll lecture you if we get out of this," she whispered hotly, and Exodus chuckled, "You mean when we get out." The rubble on the other side of the room shifted, and out rose Animatronic, its green eyes blazing as it took a mighty step forward, its claw-like hands outstretched. Then it toppled forward, Henry standing behind it with a metal beam

"Next time you run off to the battlefield, invite us!" he said loudly, and then he dodged as a fireball streaked where he had just been. Fury emerged from the dust, Hellfire just behind him as they locked eyes with the three friends. "Don't suppose any of you have fire-resistant mittens?" Exodus asked as he rose to his feet. "No, but I have the next best thing," replied Rachel, readying herself as Fury and Hellfire both threw their fists forward and sent jets of heat toward them. Then, they appeared just outside the building, where Exodus doubled over, the urge to throw up rattling him. "You'll get used to it." Rachel said as Henry did the same thing, trying to catch his breath. Exodus heard Rachel gasp, and he looked up to where she was pointing. High on the rooftop, the battle continued.

As they watched, Nathaniel ducked a barrage of fists and stepped back at lightning speed, the air around them swirling and exploding in shockwaves as the two fought. Catastrophe advanced and struck forward, his rage-powered fist striking into Nathaniel's right soldier, and Nathaniel turned away slightly, absorbing the impact before turning back to Catastrophe and striking him in the chest. Catastrophe stumbled backward, snarling loudly and then launching at Nathaniel once again. Nathaniel leapt high into the air, spinning and then shooting down like an eagle, his hands outstretched as he slammed into Catastrophe. The rubble and dust filled the air, obscuring the two figures as they battled, and Exodus looked down as movement caught his eye. "Get ready," he whispered as Fury and Hellfire stepped out of the entrance and approached. "You guys stay back. I got this one," murmured Rachel.

Before Exodus could say anything, Rachel began stepping towards the two from Flame, her gaze fixed onto them. Both of the brothers raised their fists, and four blazes rushed forward, tearing up the ground as they spiralled. Rachel didn't disappear like she usually did when using her speed, but she used it to spin in an incredibly large circle just before the flames struck. The flames were blocked by an incredible force of wind, spinning upward in a large fire-like cyclone. Rachel continued moving at her super speed, and Exodus watched in amazement until he heard her scream, "PUNCH NOW!" Exodus was unsure, yet he still charged forward. Time seemed to slow down as he jumped up high into the air, his right fist behind him and glowing powerfully as he shot like a bullet, his eyes trained onto the fiery blaze before him.

Before he reached it, he struck his fist through the air, watching as the shockwaves erupted from the area around his knuckles and hurtled into the fire. The blaze instantly changed direction and sped back to its casters, Fury and Hellfire, who stumbled back in fear. They were thrown back against the heat and smashed through the walls of the building as Exodus fell onto one knee, panting and clutching his arm. He had been so careful recently, but now he had gone to his full ability and broken the bones which resided in his arm. Rachel was at his side instantly, crouching next to Exodus on his right side while Henry crouched on the other. "Are you alright?" asked Henry, and Exodus nodded, taking deep breaths to try and sooth the burning pain. "Come on, we need to get out of here," murmured Rachel, helping Exodus to his feet.

"We can't, not with Nathaniel still fighting!" Exodus protested, yet the very second the words escaped his lips, Nathaniel came crashing in the earth, grunting in pain. He rolled onto his back, and Catastrophe landed atop him, one hand already wrapped around Nathaniel's throat and ready to squeeze the life from him. "So falls the Hero of Hope," whispered Catastrophe menacingly as Nathaniel desperately attempted to force the hands away from his neck, but it was no use, he was at Catastrophe's mercy. A sharp, mechanical voice cut through the air as something large and heavy lumbered up behind Catastrophe, "NO!" Metal, claw-like hands wrapped around Catastrophe's chest and hauled him off Nathaniel's chest before tossing him away. Animatronic reached down, and Nathaniel took the hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. "Get them out of here," he muttered as he turned back to Catastrophe.

Animatronic and Beast both began moving Rachel and Henry gently away, but Exodus slipped away, unnoticed, to assist his brother. He kept low to the ground as Nathaniel punched mightily, his blows glancing off Catastrophe's suit, and Catastrophe continued his advance, unphased by the multiple strong attacks that seemed to shake his body. Nathaniel ducked aside of another punch and landed an uppercut to Catastrophe's chin, now seizing the chance to strike with his right fist. Catastrophe moved aside easily, now grasping Nathaniel's outstretched arm and forcing Nathaniel to double-over. "This is your last chance to help me with my goal!" Catastrophe roared into Nathaniel's face, and Nathaniel chuckled. Exodus was shocked. Why wasn't his brother scared at all? "Go to hell," muttered Nathaniel, and Catastrophe snarled, his hands sparking with Rage. His knee began glowing, and then he launched it into Nathaniel's side.

Nathaniel gasped in pain, and Catastrophe continued, brutally smashing his kneecap against Nathaniel's ribs again and again. "STAND UP AND SHOW HIM WHY YOU'RE BETTER!" Exodus found himself screaming as his brother was again and again beaten by Catastrophe. Then, Nathaniel's trapped arm glowed mightily, and he ripped it from Catastrophe's grasp, quickly turning and smashing his glowing left fist into Catastrophe's side. Catastrophe hissed, and Nathaniel roared out as he launched his right fist. He smashed it against Catastrophe's face, pulled back, and went again a second time. Catastrophe stumbled back, apparently in shock, and Nathaniel hooked his left arm behind his enemy's knee and pushed, hard. He and Catastrophe toppled to the ground, and Nathaniel rolled to his knees, quickly turning, raising a glowing fist and striking it into Catastrophe's face.

Catastrophe went limp, his eyes snapped shut as he slipped into unconsciousness. Nathaniel raised both fists, ready to put an end to Catastrophe, but then he fell to his knees, coughing loudly as blood splattered from his mouth and onto the ruined stone ground. "Nathaniel," whispered Exodus, coming up beside his brother and crouching, placing a steady yet firm hand upon Nathaniel's shoulder. "We can beat him another day. The most important thing is getting you safely out of here!" Nathaniel seemed to try to protest Exodus' words, but then he coughed again, sending more blood flying onto the concrete and dirt. Then, he collapsed forward. Exodus caught his brother, and Animatronic lumbered over to his side, gently picking Nathaniel's unconscious form from the ground, pivoting and then marching away with Exodus in tow.