Love

The Same Old

Blue flames hungrily licked the concrete walls, occasionally leaping outward as if alive, towards their original target who had already escaped to safety. The retardant mixed into the building material prevented too much damage to the structure, though the space the fire occupied as it expanded became charred with constant exposure.

Ehrziel immediately set Adam on fire again and gritted his teeth when his power proved to be ineffective once more. Damn it! He moved, aiming to get closer, although this was a definite risk. He’s physically stronger than me and my right hook isn’t as powerful as it could be. Lingering effects from the severe injury to his right wing weakened his arm as well. Still, he swallowed the hesitation and struck out straight with his right fist, putting all he could muster into the punch straight at Adam’s grinning face.

Adam’s grin widened just before he grabbed Ehrziel’s fist. “Bad move.”

Ehrziel snarled, increasing the power of the fiery shield around himself as well as setting Adam on fire a third time in as many seconds.

“Heh,” Adam deeply chuckled. “Does this mean you give up?”

I don’t think that’s even an option. Ehrziel glanced to his left, at the observation deck high above them in the dimly lit arena. He could almost make out some silhouettes watching them. What’s the point of this exercise? They’ve seen I can’t beat him many times before.

Adam pulled him closer in the brief moment of distraction, twisting Ehrziel’s arm in the process and pulling it down. “Well?”

“Ugh!” In retaliation, Ehrziel struck with a flurry of punches using his free left fist, straight at the persistent grin on Adam’s face.

“C’mon, Ehrzi. At least let up with the fire,” Adam implored, a slight wince showing through as Ehrziel punched.

I know. The mental link between them made sure he felt the pain of his own strikes and his fire, but he had to keep going. They can’t know it’s hurting me too, even though Adam is suppressing it as much as he can. “I’m not supposed to go easy on you,” Ehrziel said.

“Maybe I should kiss you,” Adam whispered. “That’d make you back off.”

Ehrziel glared, his breaths hard and forceful after all the exertion. “Be more serious.”

Adam flashed his teeth. “I’m always serious when it comes to you.”

Ehrziel shifted, raising his left knee towards Adam’s groin while using his stronger right leg for leverage.

“Whoa!” Adam released him and with a quick flap of his wings, put some distance between them, telepathically sending a message at the same time. [That was dangerous! You could’ve put me out of commission for a bit!]

[I told you to be serious.] Ehrziel replied. He set Adam on fire once more, the blue flames blooming over his chest and spreading fast.

The fire didn’t seem to do any damage to Adam, though he was now nearly naked, his clothing having suffered throughout.

“Enough,” a voice said, booming from the various speakers embedded throughout the arena.

Ehrziel immediately turned to the observation deck, ending all aggression as he stood at attention with his hands clasped behind himself. Dr. Skyler.

Adam sighed, the sound clearly one of relief. “About time,” he mumbled as he too turned to the observation deck and stood with his hands at his exposed hips.

“TH-AV’s healing still easily counters TPK-EL’s power after all this time, despite impressive heat measurements. We are of the opinion that TH-AV’s progeny will also be able to withstand such extreme damage. We are seeing slow but continuing progress with them. They may become assets as useful as their sire,” Skyler said.

Ehrziel noticed Adam scowl. His kids were hiding their power, but the Illuminati people hurt them and figured out they could heal. He breathed deeply to remain calm. The Illuminati could try anything to make mine show if they have any powers too. I’ve asked my kids to be extra careful, but I still haven’t given them all the details. He gritted his jaw. They don’t need to know all of this…do they?

“However, since it seems TH-AV can only produce offspring with healing, further breeding has not been pursued as of yet.”

“What, is that supposed to be some kind of insult?!” Adam yelled.

Laughter echoed in the arena. “Not at all. Simply my own frustration at organizational red tape. Well, regarding TPK-EL,” shuffling of paper preceded the next words, “the currently existing progeny, not sired under our selection process, are still under review. Most wish to breed this asset regardless of the unproven status of the existing offspring, but some more influential board members insist on waiting. We are considering the cost-to-benefit of such endeavors at this time.”

[So that means my kids are still safe, right?] Ehrziel asked.

[Nothing’s changed yet with them, but they’re thinking about forcing you to have more.]

[I’ll refuse.]

[Doesn’t matter. Do you think I wanted it? The ‘collection process’?]

Ehrziel bit his lower lip. Something like what Dr. Baize tricked me into? Then I’ll kill them like I did him.

[Sure, but more than that, we need to escape.] Adam sent.

Everyone is old enough to use their powers. We can get out without as much danger to them now. [Hurry and find out where your other two kids are.]

Adam gave him a short nod just as the door to the arena opened. “Looks like we’re heading back.” The men began to restrain him with leather cuffs and a cloth blindfold.

The Illuminati’s men worked on restraining Ehrziel too, being rougher since he was considered more dangerous. His usual leather eye covering was secured tightly with four straps going across his head and face while the chains were cold and heavy against his arms and ankles as he was shoved to start walking.

The ride back to their home base was uneventful, as it usually was, and neither man engaged in conversation whether telepathic or verbal for some time.

For Ehrziel, this was more because he was tired from the sparring he’d been made to participate in. Concern for both his kids and not wanting to create problems led him to always perform at a high level which, along with the effects of their link, meant he was drained and used the travel time to rest. The metal cuffs on his wrists and the weight of the attached chains had him hold his arms down on the uncomfortable metal bench he sat on.

[Why don’t you sleep?] Adam asked.

[I’ll just get shaken awake by the bad ride.] Ehrziel answered.

Adam chuckled aloud, the sound practically reverberating in the metal space of the vehicle they rode in.

It wasn’t until after he was shoved into his room a few hours later that he contacted Adam. [When do you think you can look for more information?]

[Oh, I’ve already started.]

[You got into their files that fast? We didn’t even go on a mission to create a distraction.]

[Not like that. I’ve got a horny visitor.]

Ah. Sex. Ehrziel sat on his bed, well aware that whatever Adam felt would be coming through to him soon. It wasn’t long before vague sensations began to transmit through their mental link. He’s holding it back as much as he can, but I can tell what’s going on. [Why don’t you hurt him and make him leave?]

[Not yet. He’s talking. Do you remember that one guy, Atkins?] Adam asked.

Ehrziel narrowed his eyes. [He was the Illuminati guy you fixed up two weeks ago, right?]

[Yeah, I cured his limp dick. The same one he’s ramming me with right now, actually.]

Ehrziel shook his head. I can tell, but how can he be joking about it? The phantom sensations were uncomfortable at best and would inevitably erotic, when Adam’s control slipped, making him experience it as if he were in Adam’s place.

[A guy has to have humor in this sort of situation.]

[It’s not any guy. It’s you.]

[Even more important. I’d be like I was before if I didn’t find it funny. Anyway, this guy says he’s trying to quit the Illuminati.]

[Good for him. How does that help us?] Ehrziel gripped the edge of the bed. Prostate… He felt the stimulation as get stronger. His breaths became heavier and he glanced at the camera hanging high in the corner. They’re watching. I need to act normal so they don’t find out about this. I can handle it for a little while longer.

[Information in exchange for whatever help we can give him.]

Ehrziel leaned forward, his brows furrowed. [Can you trust him?]

[I don’t trust any of them.] Adam replied. [But this could be important.]

[Did he already tell you something?]

[Just a little bit here and there in my ear when it wouldn’t look suspicious. He said there are some new programs they’re working on, but I don’t think he knows many details. He’s mumbling what I think are code names for this stuff, so I’m not sure what any of this could mean. PWII. PWDP. Project CS.]

Ehrziel glared at the floor as the erotic feelings now intensified. He got up with a quick huff and swiveled to his bathroom. What do those letters stand for? Could one of those programs be something to trick my kids? Project CS…child. What could the s be for…surveillance? He shook his head, the worry of his wild guess increasing. [Does he want to run away because of these programs?]

[I’m not sure. He’s only said he doesn’t agree with how the Illuminati want to unnaturally control others, whatever that means.] Adam sent.

Ehrziel shut the bathroom door after entering, although it didn’t make much of a difference because there was a waterproof camera in the corner above the mirror. He stared at his reflection, his mismatched eyes returning his annoyed expression. I hate giving them a show, but I really can’t help it. He closed his eyes and looked inward to try to push back against the increasing sexual tension in his body. He soon saw the mental links with his children in the imaginary landscape of his mind. Each ball of warm light glowed in a unique way. Nearby was a larger one that made his heart race. Adam’s link with me. Unlike the others, this one didn’t glow but pulsed instead. Adam’s heartbeat. The one in his mind reflects my heartbeat. It’s so strange.

At the moment, it was pulsing in a fast rhythm.

And so was Ehrziel’s own heart. There was no avoiding it anymore, so he undid his pants and stroked himself.

[Listen, he said they’re definitely going to try pressing your kids into revealing if they have powers like they did to mine.] Adam sent.

Ehrziel stopped pumping his hand, edging himself on only the sensations from Adam while his thoughts briefly pivoted to focus on what Adam had sent. He made a fist and tapped it on the edge of the sink. Damn it…this isn’t good. They’re careful, but they’re still just kids. [Would the Illuminati kidnap them anyway to force them into using their powers?]

[Atkins says no. At least, not yet. They don’t want to end up on the wrong side of any fire powers like yours if your kids do have them.] Adam responded.

None of them have fire like me. But it’s good if the Illuminati’s people are afraid of that. [I’ll tell them not to be alone.]

[Sounds good. So, will you help him?] Adam asked.

[Why would I?]

[The trade. Info for his escape. He said he knows where I can find the information for where one of my kids is.]

That’ll help… [What if this isn’t worth it? What if it’s a file that says, ‘Dr. Skyler knows?’]

[Can’t hurt. I’m blindly going through files as it is.]

Ehrziel scowled. [I don’t like it but…fine. How does he expect me to help him? If I could get anyone out, I’d get us out first, but we have to keep our kids in mind. I can’t make any direct moves because of retaliation.]

[He plans to be at our next mission location. Just make it look like you accidentally killed him there.] Adam sent.

[He’d better not be lying.]

[I’ll make sure he isn’t.]

[How can you do that?]

[Taking him to Heaven a bunch of times should do the trick.]

A bunch of times? Ehrziel shook his head and finally let his furrowed brows relax. That means I’ll have to… He held himself up as he suddenly felt way too close to an orgasm. However, it seemed Atkins had stopped just before pushing Adam over the edge. Ehrziel growled and finished the job himself.

[Thanks. He held my arms and wouldn’t let me touch myself.] Adam sent.

[Right.] After the feeling passed, Ehrziel turned to the showerhead on the opposite corner of the small bathroom and stripped completely. If there was going to be more, it made sense to just stay here to make clean up easier. He’s going to build up again.

[Cuddling for now so we’ve got time. I’ll see if he’ll say more. Maybe he’ll let some secrets escape.] Adam sent.

Time for more important things. Ehrziel focused on his oldest child first. [Little Nina. You must be careful. I’ve heard the people watching you all might try something. Please make sure not to be alone if you can help it.]

[I still haven’t ever seen any of them. Are you sure anyone is watching us, Papa?] Nina asked.

There wasn’t any clear proof of this, but it would’ve been too naïve to think otherwise and he wasn’t a young, trusting teenager anymore. [Yes. I’m sure.] Ehrziel answered.

There was a delay before Nina replied. [Okay. I’ll be more careful. I’ll watch out for the others too.]

Ehrziel felt a distinct sense of skepticism in her telepathic wave, muted though it was. She doubts me but I don’t blame her. There’s only my word and I haven’t been with them for so many years. [Be safe.] Just be safe a little longer.