Chapter 279 - Operation Begin (2/2)
”The price you pay...”
”What?” The girls asked in unison.
”Nothing...”
”Alright. Pair up and the girls and I will be watching. We can only do three matches at a time, but that way we can give our insights on those we are observing,” Laz said, taking control. This wasn't something he would normally do, but once again, in the car ride, the girls suggested this. They also assured him they would be backing him up so that he could have the courage to.
Everyone in the room knew Laz for one reason or another, but most people were interested in getting Malene's and Ruby's help. Due to this, the que lines for them were much longer.
Laz didn't mind and everyone got to work.
As the time progressed, Malene and Ruby were able to help individuals with ideas about their abilities and some people even got in line for Laz. What they found was that he was able to help them out just as well as the ladies could.
Everyone benefited immensely from this exchange and new friendsh.i.p.s formed among the various groups.
This was exactly what Laz, Aaron and Madam Cal wanted to see. Had Freya been here, Laz was sure she would have approved as well, a fact that her assistant confirmed after she had fought Dwayne under Laz's observation.
As the day progressed, food was brought in at various points as everyone felt far more relaxed. A lot of the people gathered had actually forgotten what it was which brought them here in the first place.
But that wasn't meant to last.
Around five in the evening, Aaron had a few of his guys go and get the suits he had promised and brought them in. Then, hanging up a few blankets for privacy sake, everyone proceeded to change as the mood became somber.
”I'd really like to know where you ended up getting all of these military uniforms from,” Laz said, straightening his clothes. They were all field suits and in good condition. Even better was that they were all pretty much the same with a huge selection of sizes so there was extra left to spare.
”With enough money, you can get anything. But this was the easy part. The hard part will be the rune you have to draw,” Aaron replied back.
”True.” Laz didn't mince words.
”Alright everyone. This is it. Your last chance to back out now. Once we get going on our way, you are locked in no matter what,” Laz called out, getting everyone's attention. Laz had to give credit to both Aaron and Freya as their people looked to be the most calm and determined. In contrast, although the people from the council were staying stoned face on the surface, Laz could detect their racing heart beats and stressed breathing.
Laz asked the question, but no one stepped forward. It seemed like even though some were nervous, they were all in.
”Alright. I need groups of ten to stand in front of me,” Laz said, ordering them to line up. The total number gathered was around thirty five so there would be a total of three groups plus a few. That wasn't counting Laz or Ruby though.
The first group of ten finally stood in front of Laz, not sure what was happening. Aaron, Madam Cal and Dwayne had been a part of the talks, but for everyone else, this was something new.
Malene was even recording Laz's actions.
Laz circulated his energy and raised his finger, causing the black flame to appear as though his finger was a match. Normally, Laz would start writing in the air as soon as he summoned the flame, but he was trying something new this time. As his energy became more and more dense despite being unable to advance, he noticed that the more concentrated it was, the more he could bring out at one time. In this instance, he was about to use it like ink, so he was making sure there was enough in the pen.
Drawing the almost N shape in the air, Laz mumbled Halgalz to himself while picturing the rune. He didn't need to name it, it just helped him to focus.
As the rune took shape, the air itself seemed to distort as the power of his black flame spread out. Those gathered in front of him couldn't help but step back.
Just as it seemed like Laz would loose control, he waved his hand, causing the rune to split into ten, equal copies that rushed towards their intended targets. Even if they wanted to avoid it, it was too late.
Not that anything bad happened. Instead, the rune merged with the ten people and disappeared. Not only that, but their overall presence seemed to dim and diminished. Even though the ten of them were standing right there, it was hard to spot them unless you looked right at them.
This was what Laz had intended.
”Amazing...”
”Damn...”
”F.u.c.k.i.n.g awesome bro.”
They had seen it before, but this showed a level of control that no one had imagined was possible. Perhaps in several years this kind of thing would seem natural. But for all those gathered today, it was a first unlike any other.
”It's like a group buff or something,” someone pointed out, causing almost everyone else in the room to nod their head in agreement.
”Excellent baby.”
”That's my man.”
Only Malene and Ruby really understood what this meant in terms of actual fighting. Since Laz had now proven that 'group buffs' were a thing, they would make sure to do everything possible to use it as well. This was a mindset instilled in them by Kennedy.
'Strength is king.'
As for Laz, it took a bit out of him, but it was pretty small in comparison to his overall energy. Had he done each one separate, it would have taken a lot more energy and a lot of it would have been wasted. He had thought it was like filling a pen with ink, but it more felt like he was just using a stamp.
Before long, all thirty five people along with Ruby and Laz had been stamped with the rune, disrupting their presence.
”From this point on, Laz is the commander of this operation. You either listen to him the first time or I shoot you myself, is that understood?” Ruby yelled out in a voice much like a drill sergeant.
”Yeah,”
”Yep,”
”Got it.”
”SHUT THE F.U.C.K UP. WHEN I ASK YOU A QUESTION, YOU SAY 'YES SIR.' IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?”
”YES SIR,” everyone yelled back, once again feeling terrified of the Ruby Snake.
”Good,” Laz said, looking at everyone's faces. ”Move out!”