(Outdated) The King of Elements (part 2)

Chapter 21

After giving Keiko a dry stare, Dre continued. "The point is that we're supposed to be a team, and we don't even know that much about you."

"You know, the basis of a trustworthy team is communication," Tiffany chimed in.

"Fine then," Michael said as he paused the game. "If you really want to know, then I'll tell you." He turned towards the group, scanning them with his dark eyes. "Before I do, though, I want everyone in here to tell their deepest fear."

Everyone looked confused as they looked towards one another. "Why fears?" Megumi asked.

"Mrs. Gladestone did say that the basis of a trustworthy team was communication. And this does have something to do with my reflexes. So, communicate."

"You have a point." Tiffany sighed before admitting her fear. "I'm afraid of heights."

Every eye turned towards Tiffany, who looked indifferent as she finished her cup of tea. "I'm going to get me another cup," she said as she made her way to the kitchen.

"Well?" Michael asked the rest of the group.

Sighing, Dre said, "Well, we asked for it. I'm afraid of ghosts."

Michael nodded. "I see. Next?"

He turned towards Megumi. "What are you looking at me for? You didn't even ask Kim and Keiko yet."

"I already know Keiko's fear, and I'll get to Kim next."

"It's a group deal, Gumi," Tiffany said as she sat on the other side of Megumi, her cup of tea steaming in her hands. She took a sip before saying, "Besides, I said one of my worst fears, and I'm not even in your team."

Megumi gave a frustrated groan. "Okay, okay. I'm afraid of mimes," she said hesitantly. She shuddered as she said, "Every time I think about them, I imagine that they are forcing me into one of their invisible boxes and dropping an invisible wrecking ball on me."

"You have a very elaborate horror story," Michael said, looking confused. "Kim?"

Kim flinched as her name was called. She cast a glance at Dre out of the corner of her eye as she said, "Yes, well... my biggest fear is the ocean."

"The ocean? Really?" Dre asked, looking befuddled.

"Well, yeah. I mean, not even half of the ocean's been observed yet. There's no telling what could be down there, waiting to devour us all. That, and I'm afraid of drowning," she added.

"Good point. Michael?" Megumi said.

Keiko's hand shot up. "Ooh, ooh! Can I say mine, too?"

"Let me guess. Monster's in your closet?" Megumi asked.

Keiko looked horrified. "Monsters?"

"Relax, Keiko," Michael began. "There aren't any monsters in our closet. Besides, if there were, they would be too afraid of me to come out.

"Now, about my enhanced reflexes. When I was younger, there was someone that I trusted from the bottom of my heart. He was stronger than any person that I've ever met, as well as a hardened war veteran who cared more about his family and his friends than he cared about himself. He quickly earned his rankings, and before long he became one of the most influential people in the army. Everything seemed so perfect, until someone that he deeply cared about was killed by an Amian. Since then, he had completely changed. He'd made a promise to himself to exterminate every last Amian on Earth, and didn't care who he'd have to sacrifice to get there.

"And then one day, he saw a little Amian girl resting in a forest. She looked so peaceful laying against the tree with a butterfly sitting on her nose, not even considering the fact that her murderer was right in front of her. Only, he'd force his gun on me, and told me to kill her." He shook his head. "There was no way that I could stoop to his level, especially at that age. What kind of person would make a nine year old kill?" Michael reached behind his neck to undo his studded choker. He let the choker fall onto his lap and slowly raised his head. "He didn't take it kindly. This is what he did as punishment." A thin line was etched across his throat; it looked like a gash that healed over time. "This mark is proof that even those that you're supposed to trust with your life can just as easily betray you as your enemies. His face still haunts my memories.

"Before I knew it, I was surrounded by darkness and total silence, and a man in a dark cloak and black glasses appeared in front of me. He reached for me, and as sudden as he did, he stopped. He said that it wasn't my time yet, and instead offered me a proposal. The man said that he'd free me of my human limitations, basically turning me into a superhuman, but in return I'd have to locate the King of Elements for him. I ultimately agreed, and, well, here I am." He placed the choker over his scar again and turned back to the TV. "Now you know, so stop asking me already."

The room was engulfed in silence, with only the sound of the video game playing. "Dude," Dre muttered in a low voice. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Michael only heaved a heavy sigh as he continued to focus on the game.