章 48: Chapter 48: Malevolent Entity
Chapter 48: Malevolent Entity
It was a quiet night at the Central City Hospital. A nurse was walking through the corridor, checking on the patients and making sure everything was in order. She noticed one room was emitting a strange light, like a flickering flame. She frowned and went to check on it, thinking that maybe there was a fire or a malfunctioning device.
She opened the door and gasped in horror. In front of her was a patient lying on the bed, his skin shriveled and his eyes sunken. He looked like a mummified corpse, drained of all life and moisture. And above him, hovering in the air, was a demonic skull covered in black and blue flame. It had long horns, sharp teeth, and glowing red eyes. It was sucking the patient's soul through its mouth, making a slurping sound.
The nurse screamed in terror, dropping her clipboard and backing away. The demon turned its head and saw her. It let go of the patient's soul, which dissipated into smoke. It muttered "More... more..." in a raspy voice, as its eyes settled on the nurse. The nurse tried to escape, but it was too late. The demon shot out its tongue, which was long and barbed, and wrapped it around her neck. It pulled her into its mouth, silencing her screams forever.
The demon swallowed the nurse whole, feeling a surge of energy. It muttered to itself "More... need more..." as it looked around the room. It saw a TV on the wall, showing the news about Tachyon and Flash. The reporter was talking about their latest fight, which had caused a lot of damage and chaos in the city. The demon slowly leaned towards the screen, watching as Tachyon and Flash exchanged blows at super speed. It saw their power and their determination. It felt a spark of interest and curiosity.
It grinned, revealing its fangs. It muttered "They're good enough..." as it licked the screen with its tongue.
The next morning, the hospital was surrounded by a crowd and police officers. They had discovered the bodies of the patient and the nurse, along with several others who had been killed by the demon during the night. They were shocked and horrified by the sight of their corpses, which looked like they had been mummified by some ancient curse. They had no idea what had happened or who was responsible.
They did not know that somewhere in the city, a demon was hunting for more souls.
And that it had set its sights on Tachyon and Flash.
***-
Barry and Joe Allen arrived at the hospital, the atmosphere charged with tension and unease. Darryl Fryre, the captain of the CCPD, greeted them with a somber expression. His voice carried a note of uncertainty as he recounted the horrific scene they had discovered. He speculated that a metahuman might be responsible for the night's gruesome crime.
Barry's brow furrowed as he absorbed the information. His mind raced with possibilities, trying to piece together what kind of threat could cause such a macabre transformation. He glanced at his adoptive father, Joe, and they shared a silent exchange of concern.
"Any leads or clues?" Barry inquired, hoping for some thread to follow in the face of this chilling mystery.
Darryl shook his head, his frustration evident. "We've got nothing, Barry. It's bizarre. No traces, no evidence—just the corpses and those burn marks."
Barry nodded, his determination hardening. "Thanks, Captain," he said, his voice resolute. He began to make his way toward the entrance of the hospital, his thoughts consumed by the urgency of the situation.
Yet, before Barry could take another step, a distinct sound caught his attention, a sound he knew all too well. The crowd's murmurs shifted into panicked screams and a commanding voice—Joe's voice—pierced through the chaos with a single word: "Freeze!"
Barry turned back, his heart sinking as he saw the figure that had disrupted the scene. Myles, clad in his Tachyon jumpsuit, stood with an air of defiance. A curse slipped from Barry's lips, frustration gnawing at him. He was caught off-guard, unable to change into his Flash costume without revealing his identity.
Simultaneously, the police officers raised their weapons, their guns pointed squarely at Tachyon. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to suffocate. Joe's stern command echoed, instructing Tachyon to raise his hands in surrender. The scene teetered on the edge of a deadly confrontation.
Tachyon complied, but his gesture was far from submission. With a mixture of arrogance and defiance, he raised one hand and extended the middle finger to the crowd. It didn't take long for the officers to realize something was amiss. Their guns transformed into mere toys, levitating into the air before their eyes. The officers themselves were lifted, hanging upside down from an unseen force, their expressions of shock and disorientation stark.
Barry, Joe, and Darryl were spared from this bizarre phenomenon, standing their ground as the chaos unfolded around them. They watched helplessly as the police force was contorted into a painful, unconscious heap after being squashed onto each other. Their bones were fractured and some broken.
Tachyon's voice cut through the chaos, laced with an unsettling calmness. "I'm not here to fight," he declared, his words carrying an air of dangerous assurance. His blue eyes bore into Joe's furious gaze.
Joe's voice trembled with anger as he reminded Tachyon of the havoc he had just wreaked. "After what you did? You're not here to fight?"
Tachyon merely shrugged, a sardonic grin playing on his lips. "I felt threatened," he replied dismissively, his tone cold and detached.
The scene hung in a tense standstill, the hospital's surroundings tainted with an atmosphere of unpredictability and menace. But Barry can tell that Myles was not in a good mood. He can feel it.
Myles' presence in the tense standoff was suddenly interrupted by a digital voice that echoed within his mind. Gideon, the artificial intelligence, transmitted a message to him.
"Contamination detected. Radiation levels in the hospital have reached hazardous levels," the voice intoned.
Frowning, Myles muttered to himself, his thoughts racing. "Radiation? Nuclear?" he questioned aloud, seeking confirmation from Gideon.
The AI's response was swift and clinical. "Affirmative, the radiation is consistent with nuclear contamination," Gideon's voice replied, a tone of urgency in its electronic cadence.
Myles' expression shifted, a flicker of concern crossing his features. He muttered a name under his breath, his thoughts seeming to wander momentarily. Then, addressing Barry with a hint of urgency, he issued a directive. "Get back, Barry."
Barry, perplexed, raised an eyebrow in query. "What's the reason?" he questioned, his voice edged with curiosity.
Myles' gaze met Barry's, a flash of intensity in his blue eyes. "Radiation detector. Do you have one?" he asked, his tone insistent.
Understanding dawned on Barry's face, and he quickly reached into his pocket, retrieving a compact device. The blinking lights on the small screen indicated that the radiation levels were dangerously high, pushing the readings into the red zone.
Barry's eyes widened, and he turned to Joe and Darryl, the urgency evident in his voice. "We need to get the crowd away from here," he stressed, his words quick and precise.
Joe and Darryl nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Together, they approached the gathering crowd, urging them to disperse for their own safety. However, the crowd seemed reluctant to heed their words, an unsettling mixture of curiosity and skepticism keeping them rooted to the scene.
Frustration etched into Barry's expression as he watched the crowd's hesitancy. Then, to his surprise, Myles stepped forward, his voice resonating with an uncanny clarity. "Attention, you dumbass-bum-ass monkeys and gorillas," he called, his tone enhanced to carry over the growing din of annoyance.
With a disinterested air, Myles continued, "The radiation levels in this area have surged to dangerous levels. You should probably consider leaving before you start glowing in the dark." The words were delivered with a chilling indifference, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
A ripple of panic spread through the crowd like wildfire. People began to scramble, a tide of unease overcoming their initial reluctance. The urgency in Myles' voice had struck a nerve, driving home the reality of the threat they faced.
"Oh and be at least decent enough to die in your homes, not on the streets. I'd rather not deal with the cleanup. And it's not a good look for the city, and the smell will be atrocious," Myles added casually, his words carrying an unexpected bluntness.
Barry's gaze shot daggers at Myles, his frustration palpable. Myles met his glare with an almost amused smirk, as if he found the situation to be an entertaining diversion.
"Why the glare, Barry? Can't stand a little honesty?" Myles mused, his voice dripping with nonchalance. He leaned against a nearby wall, seemingly unaffected by the chaos around him.
As the crowd slowly began to disperse, Barry turned back to the radiation detector. The readings were still dangerously high. Without hesitation, Myles took a deep breath, his body tensing. Then, with a sudden surge of energy, he absorbed the radiation into his own form, the hazardous energy dissipating within him.
With the hazardous radiation now safely contained within him, Myles began to turn away, his intention clear—to leave the scene behind. Yet, before he could make his exit, a familiar presence stood in his way. Barry Allen, his expression a mixture of annoyance and determination, blocked Myles' path.
Myles raised an eyebrow, his annoyance palpable. "What do you want, Barry? I'm a busy guy," he retorted, his voice laced with impatience.
Barry's gaze met Myles', unyielding. "Why the sudden help? After everything you've caused?" Barry's voice was edged with frustration and suspicion.
Myles stared at Barry as if he had uttered something utterly absurd. He regarded Barry with a bemused look before responding. "Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?" His tone held an icy edge, a hint of something far darker lurking beneath.
Barry's frustration boiled over, his voice carrying a mix of anger and incredulity. "Starting a gang war, a hostile takeover, causing massive destruction, robbery, and bombing the city. Do you remember any of that?" he accused, his words sharp and accusing.
Myles tilted his head, his gaze never wavering as he considered Barry's accusations. Then, with a chilling tone that echoed through the air, he responded. "Barry, if you're implying that I wanted to destroy the city, I could use my speed to create an earthquake that would level everything. Those bombs were a means to an end—a little motivation for you to step up your game. I needed to figure out why YOU suddenly kept 'leveling up' every time we fought. And thanks to our clashes, I got my answer. TNX BTW" His words were delivered with a detached calmness, as if discussing the weather.
Barry's glare deepened, his frustration mounting as Myles seemed to toy with him. "So, what now? You have your answer. Are you going to get rid of me?" Barry's voice held a mixture of challenge and bitterness.
Myles' response was cryptic, a question that hung in the air like an unspoken threat. "Why would I get rid of a free security guard? Do you have any idea how much I have to pay you for life and property you save if I hired you?" he countered, his words laced with a disturbing nonchalance. "You want be a hero? go for it. It'll help me focus on my growing business while you take care of my competitors without getting sued."
Myles knew he could take care of those problems but why bother doing that when someone is gonna do it for free? And who's brave enough to sue him? The IRS? Please the only thing they can do is take his property while he'll be taking away their dignity piece by piece. Money was power but against a superpowered psychopathic demi-god? Yeah money is just trash at that point.
Without waiting for a response, Myles vanished in a blur of black and white, his form disappearing from the scene as quickly as he had arrived. The tension that had gripped the hospital grounds began to dissipate, leaving behind a sense of unease and unanswered questions.
Barry remained in place for a moment, his thoughts a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
****
Night descended upon Central City, casting a shroud of apprehension over its streets. The city was on high alert, its usual bustle replaced with a tense silence. The CCPD forces patrolled the area diligently, their vigilant presence a testament to the heightened state of caution that had gripped the city.
Amidst the vigilant forces, the red streak of Flash and the calculated movements of Myles' team added to the night's atmosphere. The pursuit of the mysterious criminal remained relentless, every corner and alley scrutinized with an intensity that matched the gravity of the situation.
In one such alley, the darkness was tainted by the malevolent presence of the flaming demon. Its form coiled with an unsettling aura, its eyes aflame with an otherworldly light. A homeless man, his frail form cowering before the impending horror, had the misfortune of crossing paths with the entity. Without mercy or remorse, the demon lunged forward, its fiery maw devouring the man's essence, leaving behind only smoldering ashes.
With a perverse satisfaction, the demon shifted, assuming a humanoid form, its body adorned with the lingering flames that danced along its contours. But as it basked in the aftermath of its cruel act, the atmosphere shifted. Another presence brushed against its awareness, a sensation that drew its attention.
The demon's gaze shifted, its fiery eyes settling on two figures that approached—a mirrored reflection of its own form. The demon's voice, a twisted resonance that reverberated in the air, cut through the silence. "Have you found her?"
The first copy nodded, its voice carrying an eerie resonance. "Yes, she's still in her apartment. Mourning for our death."
The second copy corrected the first with a chilling monotone. "Mourning for HIS death."
The original demon interjected, its voice holding a note of cold finality. "He is now us."
The second copy relented, its tone submissive but tinged with a hint of resentment. "Of course, I apologize. But it's a delicate situation now."
The original acknowledged the concern with a nod, its agreement tinged with an undercurrent of acceptance. "True, but we must continue to sustain ourselves."
The first copy chimed in, a reminder that held a shadow of uncertainty. "We still don't know what that foreign cosmic entity did to our body, aside from this insatiable hunger."
The original demon's flaming hand ignited with a primal intensity, its flames taking on a new dimension of ferocity. "I've come to understand one thing," it announced, the flames radiating an almost primal energy.
As the flames grew, a palpable sense of dread filled the air. The original demon spoke with an unsettling calmness, its words resonating with an eerie truth. "Fire consumes all."
A torrent of flames erupted from the original demon's form, its inferno spreading like a relentless tide. The very air seemed to burn and crackle with an ancient, destructive force. Everything it touched succumbed to its ravenous appetite, turning to ash and smoke in its wake.
The night was painted with the grotesque dance of fire and devastation, the demon's malevolence leaving an indelible mark on the city. As the flames spread, consuming all they touched, the chilling realization set in—a force of primordial chaos had been unleashed upon Central City, and no corner would remain untouched by its insatiable hunger.
In an eerie twist of fate, the relentless inferno that had consumed the night suddenly halted, frozen in time like a grotesque tableau. Yet, amidst this unnatural stillness, a reversal began—a rewind of events that unfolded with eerie grace, a distorted echo of time itself.
While the flames receded, three demonic figures remained untouched by the reversal, their forms flickering with a malevolent energy that defied the laws of time itself. They watched with surprise and unease as the world around them twisted and shifted in reverse, a paradoxical sequence that only they were privy to.
Amidst the chaotic symphony of time's reversal, a voice resonated, taunting and defiant. Myles' voice, laced with an unmistakable mockery, addressed the demons. "You really shouldn't be burning my city," he remarked with a hint of amusement.
The three demonic figures converged, merging into a single entity that stood resolute amidst the temporal upheaval. As the world returned to its rightful course, Myles, now in his civilian attire, strode casually towards the demonic presence that stood before him.
With an air of audacity, Myles greeted the demon with familiarity, his voice dripping with a dark sort of camaraderie. "Hello, Robbie," he greeted, his eyes shifting to an unsettling combination of black and white.
A cocky grin spread across Myles' lips, his voice laced with a hint of provocation as he taunted, "Or should I call you Deathstorm?"
The standoff between Myles and the now singular demon was palpable, the air thick with tension and menace. The demon's flaming gaze met Myles' unwavering stare, a challenge and recognition sparking between them.
Author's Note:
Hey there, readers! I hope you enjoyed this latest chapter and keep you invested in the story.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, reactions, and speculations! Your feedback fuels my creative drive, and I'm genuinely curious about your take on the unfolding events. So, whether you loved the tension, the dialogue, or the unexpected twists, don't hold back—drop your comments and share your insights!
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So, don't be shy—let me know what's keeping you hooked, and remember that your active participation is like a writer's fuel. Until the next chapter, stay curious and keep those comments coming!
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