Chapter 23 - Unity(Part 3)

"Right, Riley Moone, the leader of Liberty," I nodded in response.

"Yes...Riley was a huge part of our success early on, but she disagreed with our methods. She wanted retribution and vengeance...initially, she put up with my decision to capture, not kill, but she gradually grew more and more dissatisfied.

And honestly, while I disagreed with her way of thinking, I can't blame her for it...the things we saw done to Alters, even to young children no older than five years of age, it was truly horrific. Eventually, she snapped, and massacred an entire group of anti-Alter terrorists.

We got into an argument, and it soon became apparent that we weren't going to find any middle ground...so, she left and started Liberty. Quite a few others who I've recruited into Unity have left and joined Liberty since then, regrettably.

On the surface, it may seem like both Unity and Liberty have the same goal. But the crucial difference is that we believe that the means do not justify the ends.

It's not just the 'no-killing rule', as you put it...no, Liberty have no qualms with getting innocent people involved in the crossfire of their battles. Even if they come across, say, a terrorist organization that they can't take down without endangering innocent civilians, they won't hesitate. I find that unacceptable," Yale clenched his fists with a grimace.

Yeah, okay, that's not great.

"Well, I can't say I totally agree with Unity's philosophy, I firmly believe that there are some people who are much better off dead. That said...I can probably do a lot more good with you guys than I could on my own.

And if not killing people is what that requires, then fine, I suppose it's a fair compromise. I mean, it's not like I would know how to find anti-Alter terrorists and the like on my own, so I probably won't be able to make that much of a difference solo.

Alright, then, I'm on board, at least for now. I'll join Unity and help you guys make this world a better place. I didn't ask for these powers, but since I have them, I might as well use them, right?" I sighed as I stared down at my hand, opening and closing my fist.

"Speaking of which, that's another thing I'd like to discuss with you. If it's okay with you, I'd like you to tell me everything you know about your powers, Ariodred," He replied with a smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine with that...it won't really make a difference. I didn't notice I had powers till I was, like, eight, I think it was? But, before that, I'd hear a voice in my dreams a couple of times, telling me stuff like I'd inherited this power and that I should bring peace to this world, stuff like that," I recalled with a sigh.

I haven't heard that voice in quite a while now, and I gotta say...I don't miss it.

"A voice, huh? Was it a voice that's familiar to you?" He asked me.

"No, I'd never heard it before...but if I had to make an educated guess, I'd say it's the voice of the Progenitor. I mean, this is the same power he had, right? There's the black blood, of course. Don't know if I can give people powers by letting them drink my blood though, never tried that.

From what I've experienced, I can heal from pretty much any injury, I've been shot through the head a few times and got back up a few seconds later. It still hurts like hell though.

I'm also resistant to poisons and other toxins, and after experiencing one once, I build up a tolerance to it. And I also just found out that I can temporarily nullify the powers of other Alters by touching them. Plus my body is stronger than a normal person, I could lift my bed when I was a little kid. Oh, and when I get enraged, something happens.

I'm not sure what, exactly, it's only happened once so far, and I blacked out during that instance. It was right after my parents were killed, there were around seven men who had broken into our home. By the time I came to, I had a Suppression Collar around my neck, and only two of the men were still alive, both badly injured.

Yeah, that about covers it, I think. That's everything I can do with this power, which I believe stems from the black blood running through my veins," I mused thoughtfully.

"Oh? And what makes you think that?" He inquired curiously.

"Huh? Well, I...I don't know, actually. I just assumed that was the case without really thinking about it. Also, whenever I bleed, I feel strange...like, any blood I lose, it's like I can kinda faintly feel it, I get a slight sensation from it. As if it's still a part of me, even after spilling out...the first time I bled, I washed away the blood in the sink.

And when I did, it felt like, I don't know...like I was washing away a small part of myself. Don't get me wrong, it's not as though something is missing or anything, otherwise I'd be an empty shell at this point, with the amount of blood those researchers extracted from me. Whenever I lose blood, the missing amount is instantly replenished inside me...at least, that's what I heard the researchers say," I recalled with a grimace.

"I see. Hm, most of what you've said matches up with what little historic records we have regarding the Progenitor. But the full range of what he was capable of remains unknown...well, if there are any other special abilities hidden away in you, I'm sure we'll find out eventually.

For the next few months, we'll help you train to gain control over your powers and use them to the fullest. Alter powers are like physical abilities, you have to continually work at them to improve your mastery and use over them. Allow me to officially welcome you on board, Ariodred...welcome to Unity," He remarked with a smile...

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