The Ejo Dynasty Part 3

— Anti-Human Ejo. — Killerkill says, 10 meters away from him.

— It was you people that killed my family?

— Yes. — She answers fearlessly. — Your Green killed our Captain.

— I see… so we have also inflicted great pain in you. I am ashamed.

The Captain stays quiet, listening to whatever the enemy had to say.

— You came to kill me as well, I presume. You people were particularly capable of besting us. So, I, again, presume that your methods and capabilities surpass ours. And that proves that you have tremendous strength. Destroying powerful opponents in the very first encounter you have with them.

Ejo looks down.

— Or maybe, that proves that I am a fool. And that I thought we could have a say in your world. But you are a race of indominable beings and at the end of the day there is no superhuman being that can surpass humanity itself.

He looks back up.

— With that being said, I still possess a massive quantity of VSS within my body. I can use my abilities to rewrite your genomes and transform you, internally, into someone like me. I believe that with a greater gift, you can do so much more. I am not imposing a rule, or a condition. I am willing to share my power with you and your friends, for your own purposes.

Ejo’s words trigger anger in the group, especially Killer.

— Why?

— I want to see you grow.

— Why?!

— Because I care about you.

— WHY?!

— You don’t need a reason to love something.

Killerkill breathes deeply to calm herself. His kindness was insulting. And that was hard, even for her to grasp. Her allies stay quiet as it was agreed that only Killer would communicate with Ejo. Although right, nothing that Ejo had to say would change the outcome.

— Ejo… Our superiors became aware of your kind. After my reports, the order was simple. You need to be exterminated.

— You speak of me as if I were not a sentient being.

— I know what you are… that’s why I’m willing to follow orders.

— Then I propose another outcome. Allow me to become like you instead.

— They want your body to become dust Ejo. Gone forever.

— I apologize for the wrong doings of my siblings. But I wish to help others. I can repent in their place. Allow me to be a searcher and aid humanity.

— The VSS are markets in development. We are already capable of so much. — Killer speaks with Imperium and Evangelist in mind. — And now only time will tell how far we can go. No one needs you Ejo.

He sighs.

— You refuse me again…

Getting up, he stands against The Ballada.

— How could I prove that I harbour no hatred towards you?

— You could start by explaining a few things.

— You won’t use your eyes on me?

— How do you know of them?

Ejo shrugs. His VSS was like a flowing river. Expanding outwards, he could feel all things living around him. He knew exactly what gifts all of them was bestowed with.

— How did you create your family?

— My VSS allows me to warp the life energy around and within me. And in turn of making sentient beings from the dirt, I can imbue their own bodies with their own cosmic energy. Green had excessive luck, allowing improbable things to happen in favour of his will. Kruger had a pocket dimension, and he could act freely inside it. Vitrolica could freely manipulate and move diseases between bodies.

Killerkill clicks her tongue.

— I didn’t ask you all of that.

— No… no, you did not. My apologies.

— If you’re so perfect. How come the other three were evil?

— What makes you think I’m perfect? I can warp the life around me, but my creations were made out of desire. And some would consider that weakness. I wanted allies. I feared that no one would be on my side… Rationally or not, I faltered, and their conception was not… optimal, for you. I don’t want to say they were born wrong… that would be too cruel.

Ejo clenches his fist, feeling the ultimate power that coursed through him.

— And I failed to be a guide, a friend or even a helper…

He releases his grip, relaxing his body.

— If I failed my family, then I must be imperfect.

Killerkill realized was enjoying herself. At one point she understood they could stay there talking to Ejo for an indefinite period of time. Only if she gets called out for chatting the whole day with the enemy, is when she’d act. But for now, she wanted to hear his voice for a little longer.

— What was the plan Ejo? Your brother Green said something about a Depth 6.

— That was a term we coined. We thought, or well — I thought, that if we could use these objects imbued with cosmic energy to create a new land here in the wetlands. It would be a like a haven, for humanity, to cleanse their spirits.

— That sounds like heaven… — Killerkill says.

— I fought him head on. — Franchise says. — And I find it hard to believe that a guy like him would have done something like that, out of kindness.

Killer glances back. She understood why Franchise had to get that out of his chest.

— Maybe it was the man within, that spilled into them. — Ejo continues. — And I corrupted them. I wish I had a mother to tell me about my failure. To hold me safe, and to allow me to grow. I could attempt again, mature, and wiser than I was yesterday.

The Searchers go silent. Ejo looks back at them. He stares in the eyes of each member. They were determined and fearless. Ejo’s dark, carved eyes looked that way because of his determination. Since his birth, he spent thirty-nine days and sixteen hours awake. All 952 hours of his life without sleep, in order to accomplish his goal. Trying to guide the other three into saving the world, in the wetlands.

— I never wanted to harm any of you.

— That alone makes you more human than you might think.

— You are human because of your boundless willpower. That is your strength.

— Don’t say it like that, Ejo. We have a lot more malice, too. Malice that… I don’t think you’ve seen, or have, to begin with.

— Am I not witnessing your malice right now? You want to kill someone who desires only to help.

— I don’t want to do anything to you. I have orders.

— And how is that better?

She sighs.

— Ejo, nothing you say will change what’s about to happen. Sorry.

Evangelist, Juice, and Killerkill jump back, while Ragnarok, Franchise and Imperium move forward. Their boss snaps the fingers in her left hand, smoothly ordering her subordinates to attack.