Chapter 221: Rise of a Hero Part 1 (2/2)
That name couldn't help but ring a bell. Syndicate, then Alton remembered hearing about the families' past; they were the rulers of the old world before the fall. This would only hinder more to the fact this father Alton is hearing so much about must be the Syndicate family leader in this time. Raising his hand, Alton sighed, nodding. ”I apologise, Kira, for any inconveniences. I just feel a little off today.”
”And there's the heroic Phantom we all know and despise. Always apologising for no bloody reason. No matter, we wouldn't want to keep father waiting.”
Alton turned to the old worn-down pawnshop lost. ”This is the base of the infamous Syndicate family?”
”Ever heard of don't trust a book by its cover Hatching,” Shane grumbled. ”But I suppose you've never met the father in person. This could prove to be interesting.”
Kira stood in front of the door puffing up her fluffy hair smirking. ”I tried getting matching haircuts, but the messy nature of yours is depressing. Never mind. Please, sir, we welcome you to the pits of hell.” As expected, walking insight was a simple pawn shop lost to time with spider webs and dust piled up everywhere. Not to mention the foul smell crept over, never leaving. This was a shop no one in their right mind would dare shop at. Kira danced her hand around the large pile of junk before pulling out a thinker statue. Humming to herself, quite proud like she skipped over the counter, dropping the item giving the owner a warm smile. ”I'll have this, please!”
The owner peered up, glancing at Alton before looking down, talking in a brittle tone. ”$30.”
”Ahh, come on about ten percent off?” Kira begged in a sarcastic tone. The owner continued to glare at the three before Kira rolled her eyes, frowning. ”Fine, tell me, does the moon shine brightly on your future?”
He tilted his head to the curtain at the back of the shop, nodding. ”Come with me.” Kira spun around, looking too proud of herself as Alton and Shane soon followed her to the back, not 100 percent sure of what was to come next. Alton stepped through to see an old elevator glooming at the end of the shop with a broken light shining over it. The owner ripped the set of metal bars apart, showing through his body language it was for them. ”May the Blight Father bless your soul.”
Kira bowed faintly, stepping in as Shane followed without much thought. Alton, however, was more hesitant, staring idly unsure what to do. Even after all he had been through, this felt terrifying. He wanted to just run; the idea flooded his mind. At least that's what Alton Brantley would do; alas, he wasn't Alton Brantley right now and to get to the bottom of this mess, Alton knew what he had to do. Giving the owner one last dodgy look, he stepped into the elevator, watching his freedom fade as the bars were shit on him once more. The elevator creaked before chuckling along down, making eerie scraping noises against the walls. Kira leaned against the bars, just staring at Alton with a childish look. ”I bet you didn't think this would happen when you started trying to play the role of a hero, right?”
”Kurt's no hero. At least that's what he told me at school.”
This got a small reaction as Kira eyed Alton down, shrugging her shoulders. ”It's too late to back out of your little fantasy now Phantom, the father has turned his sight on you, and now there's no escaping your fate.” Alton turned his head, not giving them any sign of satisfaction as he saw lights creeping in from the darkness. Only a small lantern held up was their source of light. Having to squint, Alton gripped onto the bars making out what was in the distance. The light soon brightened at full speed, revealing a substantial unground system—multiple floors with dozens of computers and workers alongside. Alton had never seen anything like this, reminding him heavily of a spy film. ”The hell is this place?”
”It used to be an old wartime bunker back during world war two. I guess the government got paranoid the Nazis were planning on attacking New York's heart, so they built this in private for the rich and powerful. The Blight Father reconstructed it to the benefit of all of us.” Kira told him.
”The Blight Father, I take it that's the leader of the family.”
”Correct.” She smiled, folding her arms. ”He gives us all a purpose in this world, and soon he too will give you your own purpose.”
”And what purpose has he drawn out for you two?”
”We make sure his dreams are drawn out and propelled into reality. We're the lieutenants of the family.” Shane explained with a rough tone.
”And I could be called the so-called raven of the family. I seek out wannabe heroes and villains and allow their roles to become their very way of life. That's how we met seven months back, remember?” She taunted with a wink.
Alton was given any time to respond as the elevator came to a sudden halt. Everything went silent as the metal bars opened. Alton was about to step out as Kira gripped onto his arm. ”Everything you knew about this world, throw it out the window. The moment you step outside these doors, your life will change forever.” Alton pushed past Kira staring on into the ever-growing darkness. Both lieutenants bowed before their master. ”Father, I have returned with the man you've been asking for. The newest hero of New York, the Phantom.”
Alton knowingly kept his distance as the uneasy feeling kept creeping through, tingling at the back of his mind. His legs began shaking, his body sweating. There was no doubt about its what Alton was feeling was the purest form of fear. Fear of whatever was on the other side of the room hidden in the darkness. Shane looked up at Alton as a smooth well-spoken voice echoed out, causing them to drive their head back down. ”Let me get a better look at him.” Alton felt his heart rise to the back of his throat as he couldn't for the life of him speak up. Not anymore. Taking a deep breath, he allowed himself to be escorted forward closer to the soft voice. At the end of the room was a man, or what looked to be a man. It was so dark his facial features could not be made out. He had one arm out hanging over his leg, his body wrapped in a golden yellow robe. The man laid back, casually holding a wine glass in his other hand. ”I can smell great fear; tell me, have you ever felt true fear before you, have you? You would never have known true fear. Until you met me, isn't that right, Alton Brantley.”
Alton's heart dropped back down as his voice stuttered, trying to let any sort of words out. Licking his lips, trying to put on some false confidence, Alton spoke up, uncertain of his future. ”How do you know who I am?”