Chapter Fourteen: Battle-worn

Exodus sat beside his brother, carefully watching his chest rise and fall almost peacefully, his eyes closed gently. "He'll pull through, I am sure of it," Rachel said as she entered the small cave and sat down on the sand next to Exodus, watching him worriedly. "And while he is out, I think it is better for us to have a talk," she continued, making Exodus glance at her, his eyes slightly wide. "For example, running off like you did to go hunting for someone you brother barely defeated!" She said hotly, and Exodus winced at her voice, shame filling him as he slowly nodded. "I think there's only one way for you to learn how to not get yourself killed," Exodus looked up again, curiosity on his face as Rachel took his hand and they both stood. "Henry and I will help train you to be able to fight better. It could save your life in a fight!"

Exodus wanted to protest, but the glare he got from Rachel made him shut up and nod his head. Rachel gently led him outside of the cave and to stand near the lake on the sand, where Henry appeared to already wait. "Are we ready then?" he asked, helmet discarded, and Exodus nodded, although he couldn't help feeling nervous. "I will kick his ass too," Rachel said as she came up beside Henry, and Exodus' mouth fell open in surprise. "I can't hit you!" he demanded, and Rachel chuckled, raising her fists. "You'll just have to think I'm an enemy then." Henry charged first, quickly spinning in front of Exodus and kicking through the air. Exodus ducked the attack and moved back, raising his fists as Henry kicked twice more before he placed a foot against Exodus' stomach and pushed back.

Exodus stumbled, and then Rachel leapt over Henry's back. Her foot struck Exodus across the face, and he stumbled yet again, looking up and receiving an uppercut to the chin, which sent him even further back. "Come on!" Rachel shouted loudly as she punched Exodus several more times in the chest, spun and kicked him across the face. Except the foot never collided. Exodus grabbed her leg, took a deep breath, and twisted. Rachel spun through the air and landed on the ground, hard, and Exodus leapt over her form. Exodus raised his glowing fists, and time seemed to slow down as he blocked a punch, ducked under a kick, rose and dodged yet another punch. Then he dove forward, and his fist smashed into Henry's chest. Henry staggered, a look of shock across his chest as Exodus swept his leg across the ground, caught Henry in the back of the knees and sent him toppling onto the sand.

He looked up in amazement, watching as Exodus backflipped to dodge Rachel, who appeared to punch at super speed. Exodus landed, his feet glowing brightly as Rachel zoomed towards him. He moved aside quick enough to shock her before spinning again and kicking her in the stomach, hard. She flew back and hit the sand, and Exodus stood between them, panting and holding his side but a look of relief washing over his face. "It's clear we don't have to teach him much," Rachel murmured as she got to her feet, wincing in pain. Exodus was immediately at her side, yet Rachel ignored his offerings of assistance. "I'm fine, really," she said impatiently as Animatronic emerged from the cave. "Your brother is in a stable condition. He is just battle-worn and has a few broken ribs. It will take him time to heal."

Exodus nodded but did not raise his head to meet Animatronics' glowing eyes. He still felt resentment and hate to the new ally. It seemed that he was the only one to have this feeling, because Rachel and Henry both nodded and began discussing the battle they had just had and next moves, Animatronic making suggests here and there too. Finally, Exodus decided he had had enough. "Stop!" he demanded, and the others fell silently as he whirled on Animatronic, his eyes burning with hatred and confusion. "Why," he shot at Animatronic, and whilst Rachel and Henry exchanged confused looks, Animatronic seemed to know exactly what Exodus meant. "If you are referring to my change of allegiance, along with my brother," Animatronic said, and Exodus nodded quickly, "I am." The suit of Animatronic suddenly creaked loudly, and before Exodus' eyes, it began dissolving.

The top half slowly disappeared, revealing a young man. He was Asian-looking, with black hair, brown eyes and soft brown skin, his expression somewhat tiresome. "My name is Terrel. My brother's real name is Daniel. He's currently out collecting wood for a fire, I am sure, although my brother is not what we wanted to discuss." Exodus was staring in shock. He had often wondered who the suit was underneath. He expected a white, balding man with greying hair, yet here stood Terrel, the handsome example of the exact opposite. "So why did you decide to help us?" Exodus asked, not as much venom in his voice this time, although still a hunt of anger, and Terrel nodded. "I was beginning to question the choices of my alliance. Fury and Hellfire are often the ones suggesting we come and exterminate you all, yet they too believe that Catastrophe is the wrong choice.

"I was not sure of my own intentions, right up until the recent fight. I realized that Catastrophe would kill us without a moment's hesitation after the Hope House were eliminated. Daniel and I rescued you because we knew that if Catastrophe could be defeated, we wanted to assist in his demise." Exodus slowly nodded after several quiet moments, staring at Terrel in both surprise and wonder. "So…you're willing to help us?" he asked, and Terrel chuckled, quickly nodding his head excitedly. "I would sacrifice my life to see Catastrophe six feet under the ground."