Chapter 8

Tarin ran all throughout the city, trying to find where Velmora had taken Myer. He stayed particularly away from The One World Trade Center, if he did go there he feared the prophecy would start to make sense. Which nobody wanted right now. He ran back to home base, and found Max, Sorra, Lily, and Colton telling Tarin’s mom that everything was going to be ok.

She looked up and smiled, but frowned. “Nothing?”

Tarin shook his head, “Nothing.”

She stood up, “Did that prophecy have anything to do with this?” She said this directly at Tarin, who’d been technically studying time magic in school.

I shook my head, “No, the prophecy spoke nothing of this.”

His mom looked back to the floor, and shook her head. Tarin couldn’t stand this, his mom was so upset and he couldn’t find Velmora anywhere. How could you understand someone like Velmora though? First you’d need to know how they thought of the world, especially when you were given extreme power and gifts. Then used them to try and take over the world… Tarin jumped, could he? He was pretty sure he knew where he was, and knew he could easily get past security. 

Tarin looked at his friends, “I have to go see someone, maybe they can help us. Or help us understand what Velmora is planning.”

Max looked at him, “You're going to see Méndez, aren’t you?” 

Tarin stopped, he wanted to say he was wrong. He was going to do another loop around, but he knew they’d just see through that. “Yes, if anyone in this world is as crazy as Velmora. It’s Méndez.”

Max and his friends were silent for a long moment, “Go, maybe we can try and figure things out with what you learn. Just don’t come back with a lunatic.”

Tarin smiled, “No promises.” He ran off into the direction of the government's new organization to hold superpowered beings that would cause harm to the world, Tarin was pretty sure they’d gotten some help from the magicians though. He ran straight through the building right to Dark Dash's cell. Tarin stood in the dark, in front of a man. He sat on the floor of his cell, and looked down. He was a man evil enough to kill whoever was in his way. A laugh was heard from the cell.

“You know, I think this is all very funny.” Said the man in the cell, “You come to me, just like destiny foretold. I hate destiny.”

“It’s the one thing we have in common.” Tarin mumbled, he didn’t even bother to put on his suit. Méndez already knew him too much. “I need someone to talk to about… everything.”

Méndez nodded, “That happens much when people learn of the magical world, especially the government. Oof, what I’ve heard these guards talking about.”

“Is it true? Prophecy, destiny, all of it?”

Méndez sighed, he stood from his spot. He nodded, “I was given the ability to see the future, another power I refused to tell you.” Tarin was shocked by the admission, “But I always see it coming out in a different way every time, the magicians told you about that, yes?”

Tarin nodded, “Key points in time that can be changed in small ways.”

Méndez nodded, “And as the ripple effect foretells, it creates a new world. I saw my defeat, multiple times. I was abandoned as a child, you know?”

Tarin was once again surprised, “Is that why you're so cruel?”

Méndez nodded, “Partially. I was thrown into the portal of The Great Knight, and sent to live a better life. At least I hope that’s what it meant, I came here and started a life for myself. I dwelled in my past too much though and found a way to connect back to it, and I was able to create my superpowers.” He got up and started passing the room.

“So it’s true? You're an elf?” Asked Tarin.

The doctor moved his hair to show a cut and scraped ear, which was probably from somewhere in his past. “I was, until I came here. People cut out my ears, and thought I was strange. I built my empire from the hatred I was given by humans, but I never doubted them. No, I couldn’t. You're all too fun, and too needy for power.”

Tarin nodded, “So, you don’t believe in prophecy?”

Méndez nodded then shook his head, “I believe it is a thing yes, prophecy. I don’t believe in destiny, but I do believe in prophecy. And believe me, if this prophecy doesn’t come true. This city’s going to fall faster than I ever could make it. You are the only hero that can stop Velmora, and you know your connection to magic makes it a part of you. As for me.”

“What about you?” Tarin asked, “How will you spend the rest of your life?”

Méndez shrugged, “I’ll go through with the destiny you’ve given me, I truly believe it best. I haven’t felt more at peace than now. This is the true Méndez speaking, and I thank you for what you’ve done.” He nodded to the exit, “Now go help that stupid knight, he truly wants to help you. He knows what you're capable of, and he knows where you're going to end up anyway.”

I nodded, “You should have been a therapist, if you weren’t a supervillain that is.” The doctor laughed as Tarin ran out, and back to his friends with a new mindset on what it is to be a superhero.