V.I.R.A.L

Chapter 198: It's my Power

The calm natural wind blows through the trees swaying in perfect harmony, a soothing whisper echoed across the land, everything was at peace at least that's what it seemed to any outsider. The Garden wasn't something to take so lightly, however. Ragnar wasn't aware of this as he awoke to the beauty with little understanding of where he was. Standing in the middle of a long-winded field which stretched for miles. However, in the far distance, a small set of houses could be seen. This still didn't make the situation any less confusing for the man.

"Ragnar Brantley, we've been waiting."

"Who said that? Hello?"

"There is no point in searching for me. My physical form is impossible to see by such weak mortals. However, you show promise. A desire to make something for yourself. We have brought you here today with an offering."

Ragnar looked doubtful and somewhat worried. He wasn't sure if he was still dreaming, but the everlasting feeling of dread stuck with him as the voice whispered in his ear. "What sort of offering?" Was all he could mutter out.

"It's terrible to imagine the pain you and Lily are going through Ragnar. Not being able to bring a child into this world no matter what you do. The joy of life is one everyone should share. It isn't fair, is it?"

"How do you know that?" The wind blew heavily as the trees all shook in one direction. A small cavern just beyond the fields. "What the?"

"Find what you seek. We wish to aid you. However, we can." Without much choice, Ragnar followed the wind making it to seeing a sizeable frozen cavern. Standing at the helm, Ragnar stared down, seeing a large frozen flower holding something inside. "Your salvation lies below Ragnar. Go."

Ragnar began descending the cavern shivering at the sheer cold he felt which only grew worse as he got closer to the flower. He didn't stop, however, as he soon made it to the flower. It was transparent with a muggy picture inside, but there appeared to be a small child trapped in the flower in front of him. Ragnar was shocked, stepping back in fear. "Hello? Little boy, can you hear me? Hello?! Shit… This isn't good."

Fearing the boy was trapped Ragnar naturally snapped into gear trying to free him. His hand touched the flower, causing sharp ice layers to stab into his arm, causing extreme pain. Ragnar fell to the ground holding his arm breathing heavily. He wouldn't stop though, now more prepared he went back tearing at the flower absorbing more of the icy terrain into his own body. Soon, the pain numbed down as he was completely engulfed in the ice. But one more pull did it as Ragnar tore the boy from the flower holding him in his arms. The boy was still breathing but freezing. His skin a cold blue and his hair a bleach white. His eyes stared blankly forward, flatulating between blue and yellow. "Congratulations, Ragnar. The boy is yours."

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"What?"

"You wanted a son, so we provided you with one."

"What sort of sick place is this?!"

"You have no need to be alarmed. We mean you no harm, this boy is a lost soul not born of this world. If left here any longer, it could leave this world unbalanced. Therefore, the people of this world will forget who he is, and you will care for the child. In your world, he can live again with your love and care. The moment you step foot back into your world, he will be apart of your family as if he always had been. And to celebrate your Salvation, we have left you both with a gift. A power far greater than most in your world."

Ragnar stared at his icy hand as it faded away. "What do you want in return."

"Nothing. Just for you to take him. You have nothing to lose Ragnar… Do you accept?"

Ragnar stared at the boy feeling nothing but sorrow and sadness for the lost child. He knew it himself, the boy needed a home, someone to love him. This was his only chance. "I will. I'll take the boy on my own."

"Perfect. The contract has been sealed, and the Bargain is complete. The child will need a name."

Ragnar stared at his new son moving his hair behind his ear with a smile as he whispered. "Alton. Your name will be Alton Brantley. Just like your great Grandfather."

****

Ragnar stared down at his cursed hands, seeing the ice consuming his body. Clenching his fists tightly he looked up at his son one last time, the everlasting feeling of guilt and remorse clutching tightly to his soul. "I was a fool to accept you so quickly. I was so swooped up at the moment with the possibility of having a child of my own I didn't think of the responsibility I had taken on. Everything that happened will forever be my fault, and I accept that burden from you, my son. But this guilt for the life I threw away the woman I loved will never stop until I free you from this world. No matter what it takes, I will save you, Alton."

Alton shot his arm out as a massive burst of flames ignited lighting the area up. "Father. I can see the great torment and guilt I cause you. You blame yourself for bringing me into this world. You've caused me great terror and regret as I constantly fled, ready to abandon everything, I cared for… But if it wasn't for you, I would have never gotten the chance to have a family, to meet the amazing people like Team Rhapsody and Hero's Might. I'm not ready to give that up. Call me selfish all you like, but this is my power, and I want to live!" Ragnar gave a guilty look clenching his fist summoning dozens of intense ice bombardments from the ground devouring all in its way. Alton took a step back, readying himself as he slid his leg around. Throwing a flaming roundhouse kick, he ignited exploding the area around him completely countering Ragnar's attack.

Crouching down Alton shot himself forward towards Ragnar. Propelling both arms in the air Alton was crushed by an unrelenting blizzard blocking him from view. Twisting his hands around the blizzard was engulfed by a sudden iceberg as serval icicles stabbed and cut through the giant block of ice breaking it in two. Crumbling apart a thick layer of fog and smoke chugged out, leaving the area blinded. In the fog cracks, a bright orange light grew in intensity before bursting forward crashing to the ground before Ragnar. Alton glanced up at Ragnar throwing a flaming fist forward. Ragnar avoided the attack with a mere inch from the punch unleashing a hailstorm above him taking the attacks head-on himself. Blood trickled out, falling to the ground but before it could the small amount of blood swirled around Alton splattering against Ragnar burning his face. Holding his face in pain, he stumbled back only to find himself stuck with chunks of hardened ice holding him down. "Using all your stolen powers at once, not bad! But I haven't finished!" A large pillar of ice smashed Alton into the air as a large avalanche roared up the walls propelling towards Alton with an enviable hit. "Never-ending Avalanche!"

Alton snapped from his dazed state seeing the almighty attack moving towards him. Still, in the air, he closed his eyes whispering. "Sam, lend me your strength… Please help me defeat him!"

Turning his whole body around the flames rapidly grew all around him, making Ragnar flinch. Tugging his right leg back, all the energy expanded outgrowing behind him. A giant flaming phoenix appeared consuming the entire sky. The night turned into day as all the snow was evaporated from Ragnar's attack. Rippling his leg around Alton kicked the air as the Phoenix roared down breaking through the defence Ragnar had set up. With no way of avoiding, its Ragnar stared on blankly dazed. "So, this, this is what true power looks like! Sam Belling! The Phoenix of Hero's Might!" Letting out a loud scream, the phoenix propelled into Ragnar ripping him around the wall over the edge holding him in a constant damning attack. The phoenix flew high into the air spreading its wings out before exploding into a fiery dance of brilliance defeating Ragnar once and for all.

Alton remained floating in the air holding the small dying flame in his hand, smiling. "Sam… Thank you, rest easy big sis…"

"Alton!" Scarlett yelled. Alton turned, seeing his allies standing and staring in awe clapping away. He gave a smile giving the crew a thumbs up. From the corner of his eye, Alton saw the fireball crash down near the edge of the wall. Looking back to the others, he shook his head, knowing it wasn't time for celebration just yet as he went to confront his father one last time.

****

Ragnar lay motionlessly in the wreckage of the old warehouse Alton had used to hideaway. Every time he tried calling his ice powers up the undying flames would devour them with no chance of winning. He was utterly overwhelmed by his son. Crumbles of rubble were heard as Ragnar turned his head, seeing his son staring down at him. Ragnar tried moving only to fail time and time again. "Don't bother, those flames aren't going anywhere anytime soon. You're powerless."

Ragnar eyed his gun down, giving it a thought. Alton too noticed this ready to stop him, but Ragnar never went for it lying back to his confusion. "I don't know if I should feel devasted or proud my own son defeated me in battle."

"It took a few helping hands to get where I am today… You sure are my father, there's no questioning that."

"I can't let you go like this… As long as you live, the world is forever endangered. I must."

"Why?" Alton whispered, wiping his eyes. "Why can't you just trust me to make my own decisions. You're my father, out of everyone in the world you trust in me is all that matters… Why can't you trust your own son to do good by his word?"

Ragnar fell silent, unsure what to respond with. He stared at the sky whispering. "Do you know what? Lily said something like that too."

"I loved your father. I looked up to you, so God damn much, you were my hero, and I wanted to be just like you. When my powers were getting out of hand, I thought you'd be there to help me. Pave the way for my future. That's what you should have been there for. Instead, you took the easy way out and tried killing me. I could never understand why. I would always ask mum time and time again, but she never gave me a straight answer. I would always ask her, does he hate me? Does father hate me? The pain we caused her was unacceptable. The pain you caused me was unacceptable but likewise, the pain I caused you was that too… I could easily sit here and blame you. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have lost control and killed everyone at Sunset Peak. If it wasn't for you, mum would still be alive. I could scream till my face turns blue with the nightmares you've caused but… I'm just as to blame as you are. I want to prove you, wrong dad. I want to show you I can be the person you wanted me to be. I want to punch you in the arm and laugh all day long shouting see Dad I did it… Whether you want to believe that or not is up to you. But if you ever were my father, if you did ever love me, you'd trust me…"