Paladin's Path

Ego Tools.

Ego Tools are objects and weapons that are are infused with Od, there are differences in some of them though. There are common tools that anyone can use whether that be a sword or even a pair of glasses.

But certain people are simply given Ego Tools in correspondence to becoming awakened. Instead of a natural born power they are given a tool that can only be used by them and will get stronger with them just as any power would with an individual.

A major difference between standard ego tools and ones awakened through a crisis manifestation is the fact that the latter contains a large portion of the individuals soul which brings in benefits that other awakens do not naturally have.

And an Ego tool is what Theon instantly noticed in the hands of the blue haired Charlie Liber who had crudely made his presence known throughout the training grounds on their campus.

Theon looked to the barrier but disregarded it, 'Ms Wilson had obviously not made it past the barrier in time.'

But then how did he get in past everyone's notice.

"Too slow!" the voice of the intruder was more alive now. Not in the same way as someone who is constantly battle hungry but more so as someone who had truly just woken up.

He said that as he blocked another one of Corbin's throws. Lugh stood in the background clearly not sure on what to do.

'Even though he has such a useful power.'

Theon believed that sitting still in his position and gaining information on the enemy was best, but if Lugh was going to offer minimal aid and the intruder not even showing off what he can truly do while basically making fun of Corbin then there wasn't much to gather.

'What a bother.'

Theon jumped down and landed on one of his dragons that were flying by and it veered toward the direction of the fight in rushed speeds.

"Finally out of your hiding place." Theon was in range and that wasn't missed by the blue haired man. He brought up his sword and swung it across intending to hit something.

Theon had flipped over the swing and let his dragon take it head on by biting onto the sword to hopefully keep the man in place for even a short instance.

"Hit him now!" Theon yelled to Corbin who had a very unpleasant look on his face.

Corbin charged up a dense amount of Od into his fist and threw a hit, but not in time to actually hit his target.

Charlie Liber quickly cut the mouth and sliced through the dragon until it disintegrated and dodged the hit meant for him.

"Dragons huh?" That was strange. Theon noticed a hint of familiarity laced within that voice.

"And the one stood away can use ice, and then there's you and the two girls on their way here."

Two people had already shown off their powers while he was completely aware of the movements of everyone partaking in the mock hide and seek trials.

'And we're yet to see what his sword can do, if it can...'

Theon stopped thinking and followed his instincts and ducked immediately carefully dodging the thrust of sharp metal.

'His speed is great but so far nothing I can't keep up with.'

Another dragon came barrelling through buildings and raised its claw with its mouth and swiped down only to hit ice.

'What!' Theon looked toward the culprit who had a look of shock and instant regret. Actually Theon thought that Lugh was on the verge of a panic attack.

'That's not good.'

"I'm... Sorry..." he muttered out with his legs shaking.

Theon barely had time to respond with a simple wave to say 'its fine', before he slid out of the way of another jab from the sword.

"Stop fuckin up Cry Baby." Corbin voice, still loud as ever, berated the mistake from the Lugh and stepped in with no fear or maybe it was just a simple lack of regard for his safety and threw a punch that wasn't directed at the man but the floor between us instead.

A large crack formation appeared and then we started stumbling and losing our footing.

'Good.'

The dragons that Theon had on the two girls were much closer now and with a spike in his energy Theon made one much bigger than it originally was and sent it flying with the smaller one hidden on its back which probably gave the two a jump.

Charlie quickly recovered but not quick enough for Corbin to jump in and manage to throw a hit that made contact... with his sword.

Ego tools brought forth from one's soul rarely broke unless one was fighting a much greater opponent, but even then they could just reform with time.

There was a sharp sound that came about from the hit and to Theon's surprise Corbin had actually managed to push back the lazy eyed individual.

And in pushing him back allowed for the dragons to slither through the air and sneak behind him.

Charlie, clearly experienced, flipped backwards dodging the initial bite which was expected from Theon which was why his second dragon that was hidden had finally grew and managed to grab a hold of the man.

"Guys!" Blazing red hair had called out to the three boys from an elevated street ready to jump down with assistance.

Without even signalling her, Ava had seen the open chance of attack and jumped down and seemed to be going for a knockout hit to the temple. Well that was one of the only free spaces to hit since Theon's dragon held most of its body.

In spite of that, just before she could deliver the blow sharp streams of water had built up and twisted in a way that instantly obliterated the dragons hand and torso turning it into dust.

'Shit.'

And just like that Charlie was free and in his free state he stabbed his sword into the ground creating a wave of water burst out in all directions which was strong enough to push back his attackers.

All but one.

One had the foresight and was quick enough to jump into the air and be caught by a flying beast of the same size of Charlies previous captor.

Charlie looked up toward Theon with intrigue and also familiarity.

"You look incredibly familiar." he touched his chin with his free hand in a thinking gesture. He then clicked his fingers.

"You're like me." What! Theon was confused now since he was certain that the man was wrong in every way, not in stature, tone of voice, attitude, and especially not appearance... "You're from (Grid)"

And just like that every previous inclination that Theon was starting to make to disprove the intruders, Charlie's, statement had disappeared. A chill ran down his spine at the unexpected name of a place that the world at large has no knowledge of.

Theon now felt more at stake here.

His tilted his head trying to show a questioning glare but he knew his reaction was too delayed.

But how could it not be, the mention of a place that he only knew as home some time ago was brought up by someone he had never seen before. Looking at the mans features he knows for certain that he has not met him before, there was simply no way that Theon would forget such information anymore.

"You're not fooling me with that." Charlie was clearly amused by the look Theon was giving which certainly did not entertain him in the slightest, he felt like a toddler amusing their parent by falling over or doing something even more embarrassing while trying to show off.

"What's your name?" Theon gave no answer and just kept staring. "Well its whatever anyway. Join me."

Theon had almost forgot what the mans initial prose was. It was recruitment of some kind.

"No." Theon said solidly.

"Why not it'll be a great ride. You'll meet the other guys and gals, have fun eat and sleep whenever you want and even get to expose that crappy organization to the world with us."

'Expose the Grid.' That was their goal.

Theon didn't know how to feel about that. He had never thought about that place too much since it had been at least five years since he and the other people in the same program with him were freed. Well not completely anyway, there were things that he would never not go a day without thinking.

"You know." Charlie had spoken up again breaking Theon out of reminiscing during what was supposed to be a fight of some kind. "I had a sister there that was brought with me."

"'Had' So past tense, She dead?" Theon asked already knowing the answer, still he received a nod of affirmation for his question, and all he had to say in response was... "Tough shit."

Charlies eyes widened in shock and from Theon's superior hearing he could hear his heart skip a beat and see the man's Od that was circling around him grow while slowing down only to spike with intense bloodlust and a dark chuckle upward at the face of the caramel skinned boy who had an unbothered look on his face.

"Don't worry, I don't actually think I'm mad by what you said, but I did all the things that someone mad would do right. I stopped my hearts natural drumming for a brief second maybe it was too long or not I dunno. And I even showed off some killing intent." Charlie now had a blank face that replaced the usual droopy eyed man that he was portraying. While speaking he was waving his hands in the air animatedly swinging his sword without much care or direction.

'Oh... I get it.'

"I should probably be mad at what you said and I think that there was something I felt, but I don't care about that honestly. I just want them to pay. They should pay... Everyone should know what we went through, they should know...."

"Oh shut the fuck up." the loud voice coming from non other than Corbin broke Charlies monologue. Theon was starting to wonder if his throat ever hurt from how loud he could get.

Corbin was the first to walk after cracking his shoulder but every step he was taking left the ground shaking. The Od around his legs was more dense and also had a wavy expression.

"You break in and think you can start spouting crap about a bad past." Theon was silently hoping Corbin hadn't gotten close enough to hear all of the conversation. "News flash retard, everyone here has had a shitty past why else would we be here. Its not like we want end up like you."

The smirk was what came first from Charlie before a short giggle at Corbin.

"Fine." His Od burst even further outward and Theon and Corbin were getting ready to defend themselves if need be. The barrier that was brought down with his entrance had now disappeared. "Quicker than I expected." he sounded almost too confident.

In the next instant Caleb Adams and Robyn Wilson had appeared. Caleb's greying sides and slight wrinkles didn't make him any less intimidating, and Robyn Wilson had the same dry and robotic look that if one stared to long at could be unsettling on its own.

Mr. Adams looked at his students briefly and lowly said. "Leave." He wasn't too far from them but his voice shouldn't have been so clear to the ears.

Theon had been speculating on what his powers could be from the start of the year...

"Screw that, we were doing-"

Corbin was cut off by Mr. Adams as he quickly spoke up again.

"Pick up your classmates and GO!"

After that both teachers dashed off in a mad animalistic sprint toward their foe.

The first punch was thrown by Caleb Adams which scraped the cheek of Charlie who had earlier showed off his speed and reflexes.

Ms. Wilson on the other hand, in a puff of smoke a sword had appeared out in thin air to which she caught and swung downward with greater reach than her ally.

Charlie had blocked the swing and then twisted his body only for the sword to disappear allowing for him to dodge Ms. Wilsons attack and let her sway forward due to momentum.

He then heard what felt like her readjusting herself and get ready to turn so before that could happen he lashed out a devastating kick which missed widely as she was not where he speculated.

A wild flying fist came close enough to his face only to be blocked again by the butt of his sword that materialized again through his Od.

"My hearing." he touched at his ears as he moved backward looking around to see that the children he was previously fighting were now out of sight, he then looked at the older man who he had not given much consideration prior. "You affect sound I take it."

Mr. Caleb had assumed a shocked look on his face for a brief moment and then tilted his head to hear a light crack.

"I'll happily answer your questions after putting you in the back of a police van."

Charlie laughed and then turned his head to see that same familiar dragon from the dark skinned boy he was intrigued by. Only this one was bigger and the one riding atop it was a girl with long ashen blonde hair.

Charlie had spent a lot of time in the underworld after his initial release. And in doing so had ran into all sorts of people good, bad and just the slightest bit of scummy. And one man or rather one group were some of the scummiest he had ever seen before.

And whether he is thankful or not, while Charlie was stuck with in the Grid... his memory was much sharper.

So when he caught a glimpse of the girl sat on the forefront of the flying beast of myth he stood in place for barely even a second and gave a slight smirk.

'That's a money shot.'

Charlie nimbly dodged out of Ms. Wilsons next attack and his Od spiked as he quickly scaled the roof avoiding the jarring sound coming from a bell that was in the hands of the elder.

'Better idea.' Charlie lifted his sword and cut straight into his ears. 'Now your dumb power won't work.' With the added thought that he could heal later Charlie moved on to his next plan of escape.

His sword was dancing in the heat of the sun and seemed to be flowing in and out into a liquid substance... water, actual water.

Ms. Wilson was making her way to him but she watched on as he lifted it to the air only for a miniscule bubble to appear at the tip of his weapon with the sun reflecting off of it and blinding her.

"Maybe one of you should have made sure the students got out safely instead of putting all that attention on little old me!" and FIRE!

A ray of light looked as though it appeared from the mans weapon and had travelled in speeds that they could not react to.

"JUNO!" a scream from Mr. Caleb was let out as he could not see what had become of his student after seeing the attack aimed off at her.

The silence and shock lasted for a cool five seconds before everything cleared up.

Instead of a beam of light having gone straight through their student, the teachers had seen it go through the dragon she was on that had seemed to have the forethought to flip itself at an awkward angle only to fall release the girl into the grips of another flying creature of myth and take her out of sight.

"Awh, I missed."

There was an intense bloodlust coming from Mr. Caleb as he jumped up the building to meet the foe...

Only for the lazy expression to return back to the young mans face with his hands stuffed back into his pockets.

"Guess its time to go home." Charlie Liber hopped backwards off the ledge of the building and once the two mentors had reached the edge they could not even smell the man anymore.

'Teleportation!?'

After some time had passed and the two had received word that their students are safe and accounted for they let their guard down slightly.

"Now how the hell did that happen!?" the tone was clearly laced with anger being held back, held back since it had nowhere to release it.

"Truly I don't know, once the barrier went up I went fully on autopilot and did my best to decipher and break it quickly."

Mr Adams looked on to Ms. Wilson. He knew that she held no blame at all, she truly did her best while he stuck in the waiting room with the students for safety reasons while contacting the schools staff and all paladins nearby.

"Its just a good thing that the students were capable enough to handle themselves before we intervened." judging by her dry and stable tone it would be hard for anyone to tell if she truly cared, her power made her like that, but Mr. Adams knew she cared and was happy that he went to her for class assistance since she was probably the only one other than the principal to be able to break the barrier as quickly as she did.

"We'll be talking more about this incident later during the emergency meeting. And to think all the security measures all programs across the country have put in after the last great attack on that program in Washington, meant nothing." Caleb thought long on that, the news went on for months talking about the damage done and lives lost, what happened here today at the San Diego branch was minor compared to Washington's incident only six years ago. "That one didn't even stick to the program's campus it spread to major parts of the city."

Ms Wilson, Robyn, picked up her associates anger as well as his worry and in her best efforts wanted to bring the conversation to a new topic.

"About Corbin..." Caleb already knew where this conversation was going and fought hard not to show any anger on his face, that would only accentuate the wrinkles on his face. "He seems to have some unresolved issues with Lugh O'Hara."

Caleb tilted his head till he felt and heard it crack, releasing some tension laying there.

"I think everyone can see that the both of them have some past, since only I could properly hear the audio till the barrier went down its quite clear that Corbin is the aggressor. Acts like the typical middle school bully."

Caleb knew that was something that had to be taken care of, but they still had a long three years ahead of them.

"What's his past like?" he asked the walking memory bank, that's what some called her anyway since she seemed to never forget a thing that she came across.

"A boy born into growing wealth. His Father was a hedge fund manager but died when Corbin would have been nine. And his mother is a model and Corbin himself has been featured on some child magazines when he was younger."

Born to get anything he wanted, even if he didn't choose the path of a paladin there were still many options to go. Corbin Monet.

Caleb tried remembering if he may have heard the name of a model with that name, Robyn seemed to guess his though pattern and supplied the answer herself.

"Valerie Monet. She hit her peak years ago but still has her moments with other endorsements."

Caleb remembered now, he remembered seeing her face on billboards or ads on tv. She was a beautiful woman who usually had a stern expression on her angelic face, her dark hair would flow all the way down to her back straight or short and barely touching her shoulders depending on the season. She was a first rate model who held great influence over the fashion industry.

The older man sighed... "And Lugh."

"Lugh O'Hara, was born into a middle class family but his mother died while giving birth to him so he was left with his father. He seemed to have many troubles in school causing him to move. These troubles were almost wiped out... but they occurred in an affluent area in California. The same one as Corbin Monet."

Caleb was connecting the dots. Lugh was most likely the bully victim of Corbin.

But with all information being wiped out, most likely due to the aggressors large amount of wealth, it was not something that could be brought up without any information.

Caleb thought on some of his other students, ones with shady or almost unknown backgrounds.

"This year is certainly a troublesome batch isn't it."

Robyn stayed quiet and gave a simple nod.

"But all the more reason to guide them on the right path. We'll just have to be a bit more delicate."

Soon they received messages from the the head of the program, Ms Juniper Fay.

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