I sprint towards them as fast as I can, my body growing larger, ripping through my jacket and tightening my holsters around my shoulders as I purposefully lose my focus to undo the shapeshift. Just in time, I catch the debris above the humans. Their shocked expressions are now fixated on me. 

"Don't just stand there, fracking run!" I exclaim. 

The humans scream and flee. Quickly I scan the area, ensuring no more people are in danger before tossing the chunk of concrete away with ease. As I turn to pursue Ezekial, chunks of cement block my path. 

I try to maneuver around them, but more debris continues to fall. I pause to look up, realizing the entire stadium is collapsing.

Frack me…. I sigh, the stadium crumbling atop of me.

Outside, humans scream and scatter in all directions, fleeing the destruction. Amidst the rubble, I shove chunk after chunk off myself, coughing as I finally stand, dust billowing around me.

“Fracking frack, what a pain in the...” My voice trails off as I notice Ezekial running about a hundred feet ahead.

Springing after the winged man, I get closer as Ezekial looks back to see me approaching in his vision. Ezekial, seeing no other option, extends his wings and ascends upward.

“Not so fast!” With a roar and a forceful push, I spring off the ground. I jump into the air and catch one of Ezekial's legs.

Pulling him down with me, both of us thud to the ground and roll to a stop. I grab Ezekial's wings to keep him from flying off again.

“Your fanatical days are over, jackass,” I growl, tightening my hold on Ezekial's wings, evoking an agonized cry from the captive.

“They were happy!” Ezekial shouts.

“No one feels happiness under the power of suggestion—which is what you used, Ezekial. I know what your tricks are.” I shackle Ezekial’s hands behind his back and secure him in the red Charger. I shrink back down to my smaller stature, then toss my torn jacket into the passenger’s side of the vehicle.

Making my way past the frantic mob, who were all desperately trying to get away from the destruction. I shake my head with disdain. “Take a look at the chaos you've caused for these people; it'll be months before they can put their lives back together again.”

“Like you give a damn, Kayden Royal; you're just a rogue agent. Those freakish dark eyes, gross mutations and your damn disabled arm,” Ezekial says with utter contempt, “Yeah, I recognize you.” 

I give a stern glance in his direction through the car's rear-view mirror.

“You're space trash! Not even the Guardianship wants you!” Ezekial laughs. 

I grit my teeth and buckle my seat belt before putting my foot to the pedal. I brake abruptly, causing Ezekial to be flung violently against the window.

“I may no longer be a Guardian, but that's bad news for you. That means there are certain rules I don't have to follow to get you to your destination of Macca Nine,” I state, my voice hardening as I cast a glare at Ezekial in the mirror. “You could go there in pieces in my irresponsible care. Who knows?” I say menacingly.

Ezekial’s face pales at my words, grimacing as he tastes regret on his tongue. “Ah, hell…”

My wristband starts to ping before it vibrates, indicating the proximity of my ship. After a startling burst of speed, I slam on the brakes, sending Ezekial crashing head first into the windshield. After coming to a stop, I fling open both doors and drag Ezekial out of the vehicle. 

“Not Macca Nine! No! Don't take me there!!” Ezekial begs, his voice desperate. 

“Macca Nine is where they want you. You've gained notoriety on the lesser planets by gathering followers and exposing them to the dangers of black magic. What awaits you is a long sentence in a cryogenic freezer, a memory wipe, and a life of reform,” I explain as I haul Ezekial on board and lead him through a pair of double doors to the side of the bridge. As soon as the doors open, a cloud of fog rolls out, revealing three glass pods encased with metal.

Releasing the prisoner out of his confines, I shove him into one pod with urgency. Ezekial turns around and bangs against the glass as he is shut inside. His face distorts with hatred. “You'll never regain the fame and honor you had as a damned Guardian, no matter what you do or how many of us you put away, Kayden!”

I sneer and slam my fist against the big red button on the side of the pod, instantly freezing Ezekial. My hearts sink as I glance at the cryo-pod, his words resonating in my mind.

Looking downcast, the bitter realization haunting me yet again of my sin. “I know that long by now.”

I sigh and stare blankly into the distance.

The craft rises off the ground and into the air. Careful to avoid the planet's space station, I bump into a satellite and hear a resounding CLUNK.

“Damn humans and their space trash,” I murmur as I speed up.