Chapter 128: Chapter 128 The Trench
New Chapter, New Powerstones please. Just so you know, this chapter is just for word count. It's pretty important for transition.
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Atlantic Ocean...
Far off from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge….
It was a dark night. Although there was no storm, the sea waves were just as rough as if it were.
As the turbulent waters rose and crashed against each other, the wind howled in an equally aggressive manner. Looking up, one would see the dark clouds rolling in from the distance, indicating anything but fair weather.
And looking down... The seemingly endless sea. From a normal person's perspective, what could be seen was nothing but pitch-black darkness.
The rolling waters completely concealing anything and everything that lay below them.
This region of the ocean was scarce in fish. At least when compared to other, further off areas, the quantity of the general marine life was very little. However, this wasn't because of frequent fishing practices.
In fact, no boat, ship, or Yacht dared to sail through these waters at night. All because no news was ever received from those that did.
Cause, within these waters, was the home of a race of creatures more terrifying than many things mankind had ever seen.
Currently, Amari was looking at them.
Crash!
The water waves collided against each other yet again as the dark clouds expanded to cover the sky.
A ship sailed on the rumbling sea, heading deeper and deeper into waters that should not have been charted.
Although there was no rain yet, the deck was soaked with seawater and the waves continually lashed at the fishing boat. It wasn't too large, and it wasn't small either.
"Damn!" A young man cussed in a low voice as he rubbed his palms together.
"Cold?" An older male at the side looked at him and asked blankly.
".....Yeah!". He replied after a moment of silence.
"First time at sea, huh?"
"..... You know?".
"I can see it all over you". The man cast his gaze away as he continued his work.
"The way you look, walk, how you seem to be freezing even inside that raincoat.....".
'Aren't you?'. The young man couldn't help but grumble internally, wondering what these people were made of.
His hand held tightly to a short iron pole in order to keep his balance in check.
They were at sea, it was nighttime, and they were a long way from shore. Not to mention he had been splashed with seawater more than once during this journey.
No surprise, the temperature out here was almost freezing.
"You're one of the new guys….". The old aged man with a scruffy beard swept his gaze over him for a second. The dull look in his eyes made the youth uncomfortable.
"The ones who jump in here with no idea what they're getting into".
His calm words made the youth frown.
"I'm not.....".
"Cut the rubbish kid.....". He remarked with a drawl. "..... You're here for the money, aren't ya?"
The middle-aged man's stare chilled him greatly. Whatever impulsive thoughts that were initially brewing quickly died.
"Just like I thought. It's what you're all here for".
The male was silent. Yes…. Why else would he be in this place, doing something that would practically damn him for life?
This..... This was no regular fishing boat.
He swept his eyes around the deck where close to a dozen men were working. Pushing this, pulling that, moving everywhere and back.... Their expressionless faces let him know exactly how bleak his future would be.
The old man paid the youth no more attention. He knew what was lying in store for this kid. And he didn't want to talk about it.
However, the youth didn't seem to want their conversation to end.
"It's not the cold".
The wrinkling hands stiffened slightly.
With a raised eyebrow, old Jim took a look at the youth whose gaze was looking into the far distance.
"Come again?"
"I said it's not the cold". Deep within the youth's eyes, a trace of uneasiness flashed for a split second.
".... I mean…. It is, but, it's just a part of it".
"Oh? Then what is it?"
"I.... I'm a Metahuman". The male said after a few moments of hesitation.
For the first time, a look of surprise flashed across the old man's eyes. Following it, a trace of vigilance.
".... You do know the implications of what you're saying, right?"
".... I know".
The old man wasn't sure he did. Because if he did, then he wouldn't dare to open his mouth to tell him. Or anyone else on this ship for that matter.
"I see..... And you tell me this… Why?"
This time, he didn't reply.
Seeing the youth keep silent, the old man's eyebrows furrowed slightly. The trace of vigilance in his heart increased greatly as he moved one hand to reach for the gun in the back.
When it came to people with abilities, there was never anything like being too wary in their line of work.
Who knows what abilities this kid had at his disposal. As a veteran in the trade, Old Jim had seen many things.
A tingling sensation emerged in the youth's mind as the hairs on his body stood on end. Knowing the cause and seeing Jim's small movements, he let out a wry smile.
"Because..... It might be the only way everyone on this boat, me included, can get to live to see another day".
Click!
The sound of a gun clicking fell into his ears
"What are you talking about? Stop speaking in riddles and get out with it. And unless you're as fast as The Flash from Central City, don't try anything foolish". Jim's voice was grave.
His actions immediately attracted the attention of the rest of the crew.
"Hey! What's up?"
"Jim? What are you doing?"
"What's wrong with the kid….".
The youth resisted the urge to let out a sigh. He knew this would probably be the result, but now, he didn't have a choice.
"The gun is a bit much. My power isn't offensive in any way". The youth raised his hand, greatly regretting why he had come on this boat to begin with.
"So what are they?"
"I can tell when I'm about to die". The crew members had already surrounded them both, and his words caused a wave of silence.
"What?"
"I know when I'm about to die". The youth repeated. "It happened during the first particle accelerator incident in Central City. The days after that, my abilities began manifesting. Everything something bad was about to happen to me, I'd feel a wave of uneasiness deep within my mind. What I feel each time is different depending on the level of danger I'm about to experience". At this point, he didn't care about being exposed and earnestly explained his powers.
"How does it work?" Jim asked.
"I can't say for sure. I don't know what exactly I'm about to experience whenever it happens. For small things, it could range from someone bumping into me, to accidentally getting cut with a sharp object, or even having a bird poop on my head".
"For stronger things, it could be as much as a car accident, a brick falling from the sky, or a building that's about to explode with me in it".
"Point being, I can tell whenever I'm in danger. Like the way you're pointing a gun at me. And right now, my powers are saying.... that if we don't turn back now, we're all going to die".
Everyone's eyes narrowed greatly.
"This... You can't be serious".
"Tch, Bullshit".
"He says he's a meta..... Are you going to rule that out".
"What if he's lying?"
Seeing everyone's gloomy expressions, the youth uttered through gritted teeth.
"I've exposed my identity. Basically, giving away my freedom to let you know this. You have to believe me".
He had felt this way ever since he boarded the boat. But back then, it was nothing more than a slight chill.
This level of warning could mean anything. He could trip, get hit with a rock or get slapped on the back of the head.
At that time, he didn't take it seriously. But that changed the further out they went into sea. From a chill to a ringing in his ear, to a terrible, horrible, ominous gut feeling.
His heart was literally pounding where he stood. This was the disadvantage of his ability. It warned him in advance but didn't let him know where exactly the danger would come from.
A useful and at the same time, useless Meta ability. But in front of these guys, it didn't matter. He knew that his freedom would be gone after revealing this, but he had no other way.
Simply because, he wanted to live.
No one uttered a word. The silence maintained with only the sound of the sea roaring in their ears.
Old Jim was frowning heavily. He should ignore this ... He really, really wanted to ignore this. But if this kid was telling the truth, then the chance of them dying existed.
He wouldn't risk it.
"Take him below deck and lock him up with the merchandise. Then strap a collar on him and see if it reacts. If it does, then we might have a problem".
"With the others?"
"Yep".
The old man with streaks of gray hair watched with cold eyes. As was mentioned earlier, this wasn't a regular fishing boat going out to sea, and Jim wasn't a regular sailor but the boss of this operation.
"Didn't you hear me?" Seeing that nothing was happening except him being dragged away, the youth shouted hysterically.
"If you don't turn this ship around, we will all be buried in this sea without a tombstone to our names".
"Quiet kid". Old Jim uttered coldly.
"Before I verify whether you're a meta, I'm still gonna rely on my instincts that's kept me alive this long".
"Then the fact that you can live to this age is a miracle on its own". Jim's gloomy expression stiffened.
The calm, cold voice that sounded right behind him put his hairs on end in an instant.
Not just him, everyone's faces changed drastically.
"What the.....". The old man hastily turned around and pointed the gun forward. He wasn't the only one.
The dozen or so crew members on the deck immediately drew firearms and blades from their bodies and faces the same direction with a wary gaze.
Right in front of them, was a male with a face just as young as the one that was being hauled away a moment ago. Dark hair, clean clothes, able build, but what caught their attention was the glowing eyes.
Their bodies tensed up even more as the same thought coursed through their minds.
'A Meta'.
"What?" Amari tilted his head slightly. "Am I wrong?"
"Who are you?" Jim uttered in a loud voice. His eyes locked on the body of the new arrival.
"Who am I? Really weird". Amari rubbed his chin in thought. "I thought I'd be famous by now. Yet, it seems like I'm still vastly unknown. Even some random posers can't recognize me".
"What the hell are you talking about? What posers? And why are you on our fishing boat?" Jim was particularly solemn at this moment.
Did this kid sneak aboard their ship right under their noses. This was impossible. The made strict inspections on every corner before setting sail.
"Hehehehe". An eerie chuckle fell into their ears.
"A fishing boat, you say? Funny, because it's the first time I'm seeing a one that's involved in human trafficking".
The expressions on all their faces solidified, followed by a wave of silence.
Old Jim's face was particularly unsightly at the moment.
"It's also the first time I've seen human traffickers pretending to be fisherman, so forgive my rude intrusion. I was just curious".
These people weren't Fishermen, neither were they sailors. Their occupation could be summed up in two words.
Human Trafficking.
And below the deck, there were dozens of children between the ages of five to fourteen, all locked up in cages as merchandise and divided into two groups.
Those who were normal, and those who had Meta human dampeners strapped around their necks as collars.
The latter were classified as the group who had the meta gene. This was why the old man initially suspected that the youth didn't understand what the implications were when he revealed that he was a Meta Human.
Because the boy was nothing but a recruit. He was recommended and had no one to serve as a solid backing.
Once discovered, they would catch him and include him in the merchandise being smuggled, without exception.
After all, Meta humans in this world were a hot commodity on the black market. No matter what his abilities were, he would sell for hundreds of thousands.
The atmosphere was incredibly gloomy.
"You seem to know a lot". Old Jim said with numerous thoughts running through his mind as he processed the situation.
The person before him was most likely a Metahuman superhero or vigilante. No matter which one it was, it wasn't good for them. They couldn't let their operations be exposed.
"It seems that we can't let you leave here alive".
Amari didn't reply. His words were spoken with a drawling tone as he swept his gaze over all of them.
"Word of advice, I wouldn't do that if I were you".
"Bullshit".
Bang!
Without waiting a second longer, old Jim immediately pulled the trigger. However....
Squelch!
Instead of firing a bullet, the gun exploded.
Splatter. Blood and meat pieces flew in all directions.
"Arghhhhh!"
A pain filled roar escaped from the lips of the old man, frightening the lot of everyone present.
"Well, I did try to warn you".
The dozen men subconsciously made way as Jim staggered backwards while clutching his bloody arm that was missing a hand.
Raising his head with a contorted expression, what fell into his eyes was the other party making a gesture.
Before he could understand what was going on, he felt his body being clamped down on by an invisible force, completely restricting his movements.
"Like I said. It's a miracle you managed to live this long".
Following which, the old man was hoisted off the ship boat and cast into the dark sea.
"So..... Is there anyone else who wants to give it a go?"
Removing his gaze from the ocean, he turned his attention back to the crew members, who had frightened looks on their faces.
No one uttered a word..... Until…
"You....".
Despite the sound of the ocean, the voice of the speaker was loud enough to hear within their deathly silence.
Amari turned his gaze to the youth who was being dragged away a while ago.
"I .... I know you".
"Finally". Amari nodded. "Someone who watches TV".
The youth paid no heed to his words, his face looking particularly unsightly.
"You're the cause of all the warnings".
Amari didn't reply, but examined him with scrutiny.
"I heard you say that you don't know the exact cause when your powers are active. So what makes you so certain?"
"I….". His words were stuck at the tip of his tongue.
".... Because it's still warning". Sweat was oozing out of his body, despite being in such a cold environment. He knew this feeling... The feeling of imminent death.
There was no chance of them escaping this place alive. This demon would kill them.
Amari's eyes narrowed as he continued to examine the youth that looked to be the same age as himself. A few seconds later, he shook his head.
"Then your abilities are wrong".
"..... Huh?" Amari's sentence left the youth slightly confused.
"Don't you understand? Something is wrong with your abilities. It's mistaken".
"Impossible". He blurted out. After so many years of use, his powers had never failed him.
"Whether you believe it or not is not my business, but your powers are misleading you. I should know because I don't have the slightest bit of malice towards anyone here".
Amari remarked with a shrug and an indifferent expression.
"I..... You….". The male youth couldn't understand. The first thought that came to mind was that he was being lied to.
But the other crew members had different thoughts in mind.
"Wait a minute ...". A middle-aged man raised his hand slowly.
"Does that mean you won't kill us?" His question was precisely what they all wanted ask.
"Kill you? No. I will do no such thing".
The ship galloped on the ocean waves, causing everyone to feel slightly unbalanced.
"Wait ..... You're serious?" The youth couldn't understand at all.
Was his ability truly wrong?
"Of course". Amari nodded. "However, that's me.... I can't say the same for them".
Everyone was stunned. Then, they turned their heads to the side of the boat and their pupils shrank to the extreme.
Standing on the edge of the boat, was a creature that they had never seen before.
With fins, scales, a bony exterior, Its hands carried five knife - like claws, and the head wasn't a human's but resembled that of a vicious angler fish.
"SHRIEK!"
The heart piercing shriek caused their faces to turn pale.
The Meta youth in particular, finally understood.
'So that's where the sense of imminent crisis was coming from'.
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