Gods & Mortals

As soon as Klaus saw the caller's name on his screen, he immediately understood the reason for the call.

"Hello?" Klaus answered as he picked up the phone.

"Hey, NightShade. I was wondering if you're free tonight. It's been a while since we've all hung out, and I've been out of town for a few days. Thought it'd be cool to catch up with everyone."

Klaus took a moment to consider the invitation. He didn't have any pressing plans, but recent encounters with the Gods and Demigods had left him feeling a bit self-conscious.

"What if they're watching me now?" Klaus pondered in frustration.

Ultimately, he decided he didn't really care. He wasn't about to let the Gods dictate how he lived his life.

CONVERSATION

Klaus: Sure, Where are we meeting?

Karma: We can meet up where we first met you if that's fine.

Klaus: Fine. I'll be there in a few seconds.

Karma was shocked by Klaus' comment.

Karma: Seconds?

Klaus: Yeah, I'm already around the area.

Karma: You're around with your graffiti stuff?

Klaus took a second before responding.

Klaus: My apartment's a bit close, so I can just head back home and get it.

Karma: Oh, that makes sense. Well, we'll be expecting you.

Klaus: Alright.

Klaus found himself without a legitimate excuse, so he simply spoke what came to his mind. Since he didn't have a personal connection with them, he wasn't too concerned about the response.

After grabbing his graffiti attire, spray can bag, and skateboard, he instantly arrived in the vicinity. To keep things plausible, he skated the last few blocks, aiming for authenticity.

Klaus noticed an interesting difference in his burst of speed compared to his usual pace. While he still felt the energy drain from using his ability, he wasn't getting as winded as before. The exertion seemed to be becoming more familiar, leading to improved endurance. It was as if his body was adapting to the intense energy expenditure.

As he entered the alleyway, he was greeted by Karma, Ghost, and Aura. Aura offered a wave, with a hint of a smile visible behind her mask.

"Hey, NightShade. It's been a while," Aura greeted warmly as Klaus dismounted his skateboard and approached the group.

"Hey, Aura," Klaus replied, recalling her name on the spot.

Ghost, on the other hand, seemed less enthusiastic about Klaus's arrival. He didn't offer any words of greeting, and Klaus, equally unbothered, walked past him toward Karma, unintentionally leaving Ghost feeling somewhat embarrassed.

CONVERSATION

Karma: Hey, NightShade. It's been a minute, hasn't it?

Klaus: I guess.

Karma: So, how have you been? Anything new?

Klaus: Not really.

Karma: Well, honestly, there isn't much happening these days.

After a while, Ghost discreetly beckoned Karma aside to have a private conversation. Meanwhile, Aura approached Klaus and struck up a conversation with him.

Aura: Hey, so you've been away for a while?

Klaus: I guess.

Aura: You really DO say that a lot, don't you?

Klaus: I guess.

Aura: Haha, very funny. But I hope you're okay.

Klaus: I am.

Aura: I dunno, you seem a bit sleep deprived. At least more than usual.

Klaus: I'm fine, relax.

Aura: Alright, I believe you.

Klaus found himself bewildered by Aura's genuine concern for his well-being, even though she didn't technically know his identity. However, he chose not to dwell on it too much, considering it was harmless.

Eventually, the entire crew regrouped and made their way to the designated location where they planned to work on their art. For Klaus, this presented an opportunity to free his mind from the unsettling memories of Higher World, and he poured more passion into his work than usual.

The crew collaborated seamlessly, covering each other's weak points and blind spots as if they shared a single mind. After approximately an hour of concerted effort, they stood back, satisfied with their latest masterpiece.

As Klaus stared at the finished piece, his thoughts wandered to his future and the decisions he would have to make in the coming years. The realization that he was a child of a God brought with it the weight of potential obligations and destiny. This made Klaus question whether he would be content being bound by a predetermined path, as opposed to pursuing his own desires. He contemplated whether returning to Higher World was the right choice for him.

Suddenly, Aura broke his reverie by waving her hands in front of his face and playfully suggested that if he wanted to drift into thought, he should do so while lying down and gazing at the artwork. Karma liked the idea and proposed that they all do the same.

So, they settled in the alleyway, sprawling on a piece of cardboard salvaged from a nearby box, fixating their gazes on the intricate artwork.

Just as they began to immerse themselves in this collective contemplation, voices reached their ears from the alley entrance. The crew had caught the attention of law enforcement, leading to increased police patrolling during those hours.

A group of five cops approached, abruptly disrupting their serene moment of imagination. In a swift response, the crew gathered their belongings and stood up, ready to leave. The cops had effectively blocked their exit from the alley, but the crew's experience and parkour skills were not to be underestimated. They promptly made their escape.

Although the initial batch of cops had been eluded, more reinforcements were on the way, with the officers radioing for backup under the pretense that they were pursuing "Wallpaper." The crew increased their pace, now pursued by over ten determined cops. Facing a situation they hadn't encountered before, the crew was unsure if they could successfully evade capture.

While Klaus understood that he could easily slip away, he found himself oddly unwilling to abandon his companions and escape on his own.

He reasoned that part of the motivation was the fear of drawing attention to himself as a superhuman graffiti artist and becoming headline news. However, he acknowledged to himself that a deeper sense of loyalty held him back from leaving his crew behind.

The situation escalated, with the police deploying vehicles in their pursuit, underscoring the urgency of their capture. The growing presence of law enforcement made evasion more difficult, as their paths were blocked at every turn.

Spotting an abandoned building, Klaus proposed taking refuge there temporarily, allowing them to regroup and devise a safe exit strategy. The group readily agreed and hurried inside, leaving the pursuing officers to comb the surrounding area while they strategized.

Karma, the apparent leader of the crew, seemed unusually uncertain, even behind his mask. Sensing the need for direction, Klaus stepped up to the task.

"Why not split into two teams? It would confuse the cops and provide a better chance for at least half of us to escape," Klaus suggested, offering a pragmatic solution.

Ghost, appearing flustered, countered, "Wait, why? Are you just trying to decrease your own odds of getting caught?"

Karma then responded calmly, dismissing the suspicion, "No, it's a valid strategy. Dividing into teams might disrupt the police's pursuit, enabling us to escape through opposing routes. We're surrounded here; this could give us an edge."

Karma supported Klaus' plan, and despite Ghost's reservations, he reluctantly agreed, opting for the divided teams' approach.

Karma inquired, "So, who goes with whom?"

Klaus suggested, "Aura, you go with Karma. He's possibly the most skilled, and pairing with the weakest link could enhance our chances."

"Uhh, ouch!" Aura winced in response to Klaus' pointed words regarding her skills.

Klaus, realizing the unintended impact of his comment, swiftly interjected, "Sorry about that, but we need to assess the situation objectively."

Her surprise at Klaus' unexpected apology was palpable, but Aura swiftly brushed it aside, assuring him, "O-Oh, it's fine."

Ghost raised another concern, proposing a different team arrangement. "I don't know NightShade well, and our chemistry might not work. How about the three of us go one way, and he goes alone?"

Karma insisted that they stay true to the initial plan, emphasizing their team dynamic, but Klaus surprisingly supported Ghost's idea, acknowledging their incompatibility. Karma, swayed by Klaus' argument, showed willingness to consider the alternative.

Aura then suddenly stepped in, sharing her perspective. She believed that Klaus was adept at parkour and evasion, making him a suitable companion. With her assurance, she accepted the role of going with NightShade, leaving Ghost with a surprised expression at the proposition. Before they could further debate, a cop unexpectedly entered the room, alerting others to their location.

Given the circumstances, they hastily adopted Aura's suggested team formation and fled the building to implement their plan.

Following Klaus's plan, the split worked like a charm. The diversion caused by their divided presence created enough confusion to grant them an escape route, distancing themselves from the pursuing police officers. Yet, they weren't entirely in the clear, with a few determined officers still on their tail. Evading capture remained their immediate goal, and they knew they had to outwit their pursuers before regrouping later.

As Klaus and Aura dashed through the streets, their urgency was palpable, driven by the need to shake off the relentless pursuit. However, their evasive maneuvers appeared to be insufficient against their persistent pursuers.

The chase persisted, and the foot-bound officers started to show signs of fatigue and eventually retreated, ceding the pursuit to the officers in the vehicles.

Simultaneously, Aura's stamina waned under the pressure of maintaining the pace. Her struggle to keep up with Klaus cost her considerable energy.

With limited room for respite, a pivotal moment arrived when Aura slipped while attempting to cross an open road. Her right ankle twisted painfully due to the speed of her fall.

Klaus had already made it to the other side, and upon realizing Aura's predicament, he immediately turned back to her. At that moment, a speeding car, unaware of her presence in the dimly lit night, bore down on her.

Locked in a gaze of shared fear, Klaus and Aura found themselves helpless as the car rushed toward her. The heart-stopping impact resonated as the car collided with Aura.

Moments hung in suspension, the nearby pedestrians startled by the sudden noise and rushing to the scene.

The driver, his eyes filled with dread, had tried to hit the brakes upon noticing Aura, but time was against him. The tragic outcome seemed unavoidable – she appeared to be fatally struck.

Yet, amid the aftermath, a remarkable turn of events unfolded. Just as Aura closed her eyes, prepared for the impending embrace of death, a sudden collision sounded from her side.

Summoning an extraordinary burst of speed, Klaus had lunged forward, his left hand enveloped into the front of the car as he shielded Aura from the shattering debris of the impact with his back.

With a swift motion, Klaus straightened, assessing the situation. He noticed Aura's injured ankle and wasted no time. He gathered her into his arms, defying the chaos around them, and began sprinting anew as the newly arrived officers were left stunned by the scene of pedestrians.

"Oh Gods, I may be screwed for that," Klaus thought to himself as he carried Aura across the street, leaving behind the confused pedestrians who had gathered and the driver who was too bewildered to comprehend what had just transpired.

Coming to a halt on the other side before the pursuing police could close in, Klaus turned his attention to Aura.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his worry apparent despite the shards of glass embedded in his back and the bleeding wounds on his arm.

As Aura heard his concerned words, she was taken aback. "How can he still care about me at this moment?" she wondered, her gaze dropping to his injured arm.

Despite the evident pain he was in, Klaus's focus remained on her well-being. She wiped away the tears that had welled in her eyes and nodded, too shocked to question how Klaus had reached her so swiftly.

"Ok. I need you to do something for me," Klaus began, and Aura, her confidence in him unwavering, nodded again in agreement.

"I need you to close your eyes while I carry you so that we can be able to escape."

Aura wanted to ask why but realized that Klaus's confidence indicated there was a good reason. She nodded once more, complying with his request.

Klaus secured his graffiti bag over his shoulder, making room for his skateboard, which partially protruded from the bag. Gently, he lifted Aura into his arms and turned his face to hers, silently signaling for her to proceed with his instructions. Aura closed her eyes, trusting Klaus.

Klaus moved with the careful gait of an ordinary person, concealing his true abilities. He traversed the streets, taking his time to appear like any other pedestrian fleeing the scene. However, when the moment came to cross the street, where the police cars were positioned, he unleashed his burst speed to pass through undetected.

His immense speed remained virtually silent and left no traces, making it impossible for the pursuing officers to notice. For Aura, who still kept her eyes tightly shut, the transition was seamless, as the shifts between his normal pace and light-fast dashes happened faster than the blink of an eye.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally eluded the police, capitalizing on the opportunity to exit the city and head to the suburbs.

Arriving there, Klaus instructed Aura to open her eyes, and she complied.

Upon gazing around, she realized that Klaus had successfully led them out of the city, and they were now perched atop a building in the suburban area.

Rushing to Klaus, Aura embraced him tightly, her tears flowing freely as she expressed her remorse for causing him such pain and effort.

Turning her attention to his injured left arm, she noted the torn hoodie and the visible wounds. Klaus gently withdrew.

"First, let me help you with your leg. You can worry about me after that."

Aura was on the brink of voicing her objections, but Klaus continued, his tone resolute.

"I know you'll probably protest and try to be stubborn, but just this once, don't argue."

Perplexed, Aura was at a loss for words, so she consented with a silent nod amid her tears.

With Aura biting down on a makeshift cloth through her mask, Klaus expertly reset her ankle. Then, he allowed her to tend to his injuries.

Although Aura lacked proper equipment, she was meticulous in removing glass shards from his bleeding back. Afterward, she removed her hoodie, tearing it into makeshift bandages to clean and dress his wounds. She fashioned a makeshift sling to support his injured arm and stem the bleeding.

Shortly thereafter, a call from Karma came in, confirming that both he and Ghost had successfully evaded the police. Klaus shared the same news for himself and Aura.

As the sun began to rise, the group decided it was best to retreat to their respective homes and lay low for a while until the heat died down with the police. Klaus ended the call, prompting Aura to ask why he hadn't spoken about what had just transpired. He replied that it would serve no purpose and would only burden him with more stress, so he chose not to address it.

Aura was bewildered by Klaus's ability to maintain composure despite his injuries. She resolved not to press the matter, understanding that he had endured a great deal to present himself in such a composed manner.

After a brief moment, Klaus proposed that they part ways for now. He inquired whether her slightly bruised ankle could bear her weight or if she required assistance. Aura promptly assured him she was capable of walking without aid.

Commenting on her actions earlier, Klaus remarked that she needn't have torn her hoodie to help him and that he was fine. This comment unexpectedly triggered her frustration, leading her to raise her voice in exasperation.

CONVERSATION

Aura: Promise me!

Klaus: Huh?

Aura: Promise me you'll go to the hospital and get better.

Klaus: I said I'm fi...

Aura: Just promise me... PLEASE.

Aura's head drooped in shame, realizing the trouble she had caused Klaus.

"I don't make promises that I can't keep..." Klaus began, his voice steady. "But I promise that I'll be fine, so don't worry too much about me."

Completing his reassurance, he gently placed his right hand on her shoulder, offering a gesture of comfort before heading toward the door that led back into the building, preparing to leave.

"Make sure you get back home safely. And I'm sorry again about your hoodie," Klaus muttered as he exited the building.

With no words left, Aura simply watched him depart.

Having worn an undershirt beneath her hoodie, Aura was fortunate that she could still walk back home without drawing undue attention. A few moments later, she began her journey as the sun began to cast its early light.

Meanwhile, Klaus made his way back to his house and settled on the front porch, lying down on his stomach. He understood that his mother would be worried if he entered the house in his current condition, marked by injuries and scars. So, he took a moment to contemplate his next steps.

A creak sounded as the door swung open, revealing Shade stepping out, a first aid kit cradled in his hands. He approached Klaus, who gazed up from his prone position on the porch.

"You seem a little troubled, brother," Shade remarked with a smile as he drew near.

"What gave it away?" Klaus retorted with a hint of sarcasm in his tone, prompting a soft chuckle from Shade.

Settling down beside Klaus, Shade opened the kit, extracting tools and supplies needed to cleanse Klaus's wounds and provide the necessary care.

Klaus's curiosity got the best of him. "How did you know?"

Shade pointed at Klaus's shadow, which suddenly shifted back toward Shade, leaving a patch of shadowless ground beside Klaus.

"I did mention the shadow, didn't I?" Shade replied knowingly.

"And about those cameras around where you used your abilities," Shade continued, "I made sure to cloak them with my shadows when the incident occurred. So the world is still in the dark about NightShade's superpowers."

Klaus turned his gaze to Shade. "How long have you known it was me?"

"Same time I realized you were heading out for some graffiti work. Connecting the dots to NightShade's elusiveness wasn't too difficult," Shade replied, infusing a touch of humor into the situation.

Shade then playfully pondered, "You know, I've wondered what name I'd use if I were a graffiti artist. My name's kinda taken already, isn't it? I know, how about NightWalker?"

A faint chuckle escaped Klaus as Shade's remark elicited a genuine smile.

"Don't worry, Mom's asleep. You can come in without a fuss once we're done," Shade reassured Klaus.

"Thank you, Shade," Klaus said sincerely.

Shade took a brief moment before responding, his voice warm, "That's what brothers are for."