((Wouldn’t miss it for the world))
Crimson stared off into the sun. The city was beautiful at this time of day. A sudden chill caused her to pull her red cloak tighter around her body. The woman jumped forward in surprise as a rough hand was laid on her shoulder.
Crimson immediately jumped into battle mode. A scarlet burst of energy began glowing in the palm of her hand as she faced the newcomer. It was Acero.
"You." muttered Crimson closing her hand and extinguishing the glow. “What do you want?â€Â
Acero silently motioned to the dark stairway the woman was standing in front of.
“Yeah, he’s in there. Not that it’s any of your business.â€Â
Crimson straightened her cloak and turned away from Acero. He stepped forward into the sunlight to stand next to her.
“They’re trying to turn her,†Crimson was muttering over and over. “I can’t let him do it… I can’t…â€Â
Acero turned his masked face to stare at her. Crimson spoke to him without returning the gaze.
“Yes, the pyrokinetic. Although I think that nutjob has a few more tricks up his sleeve.â€Â
Acero turned away torn. The women’s paranoia had a reached a new level of insanity. With her measure of power, she was dangerous. He knew others would be here soon to rescue Flame. He couldn’t let Crimson interfere when they did. He needed to find that meeting at all costs.
In one swift motion, Acero grabbed Crimson by the mouth and dragged her into the shadows of a nearby alleyway. She kicked and struggled for air, but Acero’s grip was like steel. Crimson was nearly screaming now and scarlet and purple bolts were flying in all directions as the desperate woman grasped around. The energy bursts began to slow, and Crimson’s kicking began to die down and soon she was finally unconscious. Acero bundled the woman in her cloak and gently set her in a nearby dumpster slowly closing the lid.
The silent man was barely out of the alleyway when he saw two figures at the stairway. One of them was Haze. The other was…
Acero drew a breath. The legendary Oni had just entered the building. Should he alter his plan and attack now? The Oni character was wanted by the authorities in countless districts. No. He couldn’t turn back now. He had to find that meeting.
He turned his head and saw Haze studying him. Panicking he ran.