Chapter 112: Im Your Salvation (1/2)
Zinnia had landed in the snowy mountains without much conflict. She hadn't come across any streamers since the initial drop. The streamers weren't what concerned her; however, she had her own demons to worry about. ”You can't ignore me forever, my dear Zinnia, I am inevitable when are you going to accept that?” Zinnia prowled through the snowy environment, trying her best ignore the piercing whispers. It was eating away at her with little chance of escape, but yet she pushed on her wish insight. ”I know what you're trying to achieve little one, all your thoughts are an open book to me. Do you really think it will be that easy to rid of me? Why I must wonder, do you not realise what would happen if you don't keep me around. You need me.”
”Enough!” Zinnia roared falling to her knees, holding her head. ”Leave me alone! Get out of my head, I don't need any of this. I don't need you.”
”Oh, but you do.” Bargaining grinned kneeling down, holding Zinnia's cheek. ”Look at you, you're falling apart with conflict. Let me take this pain off your shoulders.” He lifted her up hugging Zinnia stroking her head. ”You need not go through this pain anymore.”
Zinnia snapped away from him horrified as for that split second, she felt safe in his arms. Her lip was trembling as she kept stepping away from him. ”Who are you?!”
”I'm your friend.” Bargaining whispered appearing behind Zinnia bowing slightly. ”One who can give you whatever you want. Deny it or even accept it that doesn't matter. Our bargain is what matters. If your father saw that he might be here today.”
”Don't talk ill will of my father. Don't you dare!”
”Well, I will admit that boy was something else. The Phantom.” He began chuckling to himself, clapping his hands. ”What a guy, you know he was one to never give up. You should have seen his face when everything he knew fell before him… Couldn't help but sorta feel sorry for the guy.”
”Who are you?”
Bargaining stepped back with an arrogant look crawling across his face. ”Who am I? You sure you want to know? The story of my life is not for the faint of heart. I suppose there's no harm done. Before I was blessed with the Garden, my name was Adam Hawthorne ring a bell?”
”Hawthorne… No way!”
Bargaining began nodding smiling all the same. ”In life, I was one of the four legendary heroes who fought back against evil for justice and peace. The world knew me as the Time breaker. Don't you see Zinnia, don't you get it? I'm the closest thing you have to family. I knew your parents very well, indeed. See me as your Godfather, why don't you?”
Zinnia was left shocked as her hand was trembling. ”My parents… Impossible, the legendary heroes, wouldn't join the ranks of the Garden!”
”Yet here I am. I all of people know you cannot beat evolution. You cannot defeat something infinite you can only bargain with it for a better tomorrow. You need not fear me Zinnia, I obviously mean you no harm, I want only to help you. Deep down, you know this to be true.” Bargaining places forward walking around Zinnia. ”Percy's death was tragic. He was taken from this world too quickly; he was a hero and died nothing short of a hero's death. But why should that happen? While your friend died, the villains got to live. They are locked away, ready for their moment to strike once more. I hardly see that as fair. Look at everyone else gravely injured by our enemies. Paradox almost ended their stories completely the final page ripped never to be completed, and there was nothing you can do about it. How long will it be before another one is stolen from you? Iris? Scarlett or how about Gale? Sooner or later, you will be left alone or sharing their fate in hopes of saving them. It doesn't have to be this way. We can stop that; we can stop you ever going through that pain again. You already have the tools to achieve anything I'm mealy the teacher who can guide you.”
”By killing Alton?!”
”I know how it looks—one life for many others. But you've seen what he is now, haven't you? He's shown a smidge of his true colours. A child of the Garden is nothing less than monstrous, he will destroy everything you hold dear just like what happened to your father. You can either learn from history or see yourself doomed to repeat it. The choice is yours Zinnia, but just know this disposing of that monster will not only save your friends but the whole world. Isn't that what a hero does.”
Zinnia looked conflicted as she gripped her shaking hand. ”I- I just… I do-.”
”Now is the time to strike while the animal is down on his knees! His powers have been sealed; he has no hope of victory! Deal the blow before it's too late!”