The Second Archon War: Interlude Son of Legend's

Interlude: Son of Legend’s

“Hiyaaaa!” 

With all her strength, Taylor brought down her katana in a slicing motion she’d practiced at least a thousand times. And, once more, Sensei Kazoo deflected it almost casually. Taylor didn’t let her anger and frustration get a hold of her. She kept her emotions constrained as she’d been taught, smoothly moving through the forms to turn the downward slice into parry of Sensei’s own attack, their wooden swords a blur of motion. 

After several minutes, Taylor was sweating profusely and breathing hard, and Sensei declared, “Halt!” 

Taylor froze instantly, pausing in trying to bring her sword in an upward slashing motion. She took a step back, sheathed her sword, and bowed. 

“Very good, Taylor,” Kazoo said. “Take a break. Now you, Sarah.”

Sarah stood smoothly from where she’d been kneeling on the mat, and Taylor groaned softly as she lowered herself to a kneeling position and picked up her water bottle to guzzle lukewarm gatorade. 

“Good work, Taylor, your form was excellent,” Sensei Noelle said, smiling at Taylor. She blushed and mumbled a thank you, then watched as Sarah and Kazoo both faced one another. Each had an Anemo Vision tied to their belts, and bore a sword. They weren’t inside at the dojo for this one, but rather, at PRT headquarters inside one of the training rooms. Tayor knew why: When two Anemo Vision holders clashed, you needed more room and space for them to battle.

“Do not hold back. I would see all that you can do,” Kazoo said, bowing to Sarah. 

“Of course, Sensei. I’ll endeavor to make you regret it,” Sarah said, eyes sparkling. 

Noelle stepped forward, looking at both combatants, who nodded. She raised one hand, then let it drop. “Begin!” 

Twin blasts of air made Taylor’s ears pop as both Kazoo and Sarah used the wind to launch themselves at one another. Their swords rang as they exchanged blows, but unlike Taylor who had planted her feet in a firm stance as she struck, Sarah didn’t even keep in contact with the ground, instead stepping on the air and spinning and leaping about as her Vision shone with power. 

Kazoo countered each blow easily, then pursued when Sarah tried to get some distance and leap away from him. She created a few air blasts, but Kazoo batted them aside with his sword and closed in again. He was stymied when Sarah conjured up a shield about herself that then exploded in a gust of wind, but only momentarily. 

The entire fight was over in less than a minute. After that, all the ambient Elemental Energy had been used up, and Sarah flagged, unable to maintain her pace without drawing on an outside force. 

“Halt,” Kazoo commanded, and Sarah fell to her hands and knees, gasping for breath, her gi soaked through. 

“Very good,” Kazoo said with a nod. “You have learned well.”

“T-thanks, Sensei,” Sarah wheezed as Taylor hurried forward to help her up. “I still…I still can’t keep up with you…”

“Very few can. I was one of the first to be granted an Anemo Vision, and I have years of experience in sword play as well. That, and you are only eleven years old. Once you have matured, I think you would be a far more challenging opponent.”

Taylor and Sarah went back to sit down with the rest of the small group. It was all the members of the Brockton Bay Wards, plus Taylor and Noelle. Legend was there too, though he was not participating, just supervising. 

It brought Taylor no small amount of pride that her dedication and mastery of Origin Bladework had allowed her to graduate to the Cape Class of Sensei Kazoo’s dojo. Only Noelle was better than Taylor out of all the non-capes, and half the time, Taylor could beat Elaine, alias Battery, even when she was using her powers. Well, at least as long as Taylor won quickly. If she gave Elaine time to charge up, even her superior swordsmanship wasn’t enough to make up the difference. 

“Alright, everyone, we’re going to end early tonight, but it’s not time to go home yet,” Sensei Kazoo said, and gestured for everyone to join him on the mat. They crowded around and sat when Kazoo did, all the children listening attentively, even as Legend came over and joined them. It was a bit odd that he’d come all the way back from Finland, but Taylor supposed he needed a break after they’d lost Helsinki. 

“I regret to tell you all that this shall be our last meeting,” Sensei Kazoo said, looking around with a sad expression on his face. “I am called to a life of wanderlust, and I can no longer remain here in the United States. I shall be traveling again, perhaps to South America.”

This was met with cries of disappointment and protests from the students, including Taylor herself, who found tears in her eyes. 

“We’re all very sad to see Sensei Kazuha go,” Legend said, resting a hand on the samurai’s shoulder. “However, with the recent legislation in the works that would draft all Parahumans and Vision Holders who reside in the United States into the Wards or the Protectorate, Sensei has decided that he will not fight in foreign wars. It’s understandable: This is not his fight.”

“But the Tsaritsa is evil!” Elaine protested, her fists squeezed tightly. She was a PATRIOT, a rare child who had been granted powers when she’d volunteered for the program. Taylor was rather jealous. She’d tried to sign up too, but her mother had forbidden it. 

“I do not deny the evil that the Tsaritsa represents, but I also refuse to fight on behalf of a foreign power. I am yet a citizen of Japan, and while I have my quarrels with the Raiden Shogun and especially the Tenryou Commission, it is time for me to move on,” Sensei Kazoo said. 

The kids still looked upset, and Elaine looked like she wanted a rematch. 

“But to celebrate, we’re having a farewell party for Sensei. I brought onigiri, chicken katsu, and mochi donuts!” Noelle said, standing up.

This was met with much more cheer, and the class adjourned to the PRT messroom, where a banner had been hung and several PRT troopers and others who had been trained by Sensei Kazoo were waiting with the treats. Junior was amongst them, and ran up to Taylor, Sarah, and Rachel after waving to his dad. “I can’t believe Sensei Kazoo is leaving, can you? Dad told me he came back for the week just to say goodbye, and thanks for all he’s done. He claims some of the training saved his life in the War.”

“It probably did,” Sarah said with a nod. “I can only hear echoes of it, but even across the whole ocean I can still hear whispers of what’s happening.”

“Seriously? When it’s that far away?” Junior asked, his eyebrows climbing his forehead. 

“I mean, like I said, just whispers. But the Knights of Favonius and the Tone Deaf bards have been fighting the Tsaritsa and her Harbingers, so it’s pretty loud on the Wind. And I spend a lot of time listening,” Sarah explained. 

“For when people try and kill themselves,” Rachel said with a nod, and Taylor sighed at her friend’s usual lack of tact. 

“Exactly. I don’t hear everything that happens in Brockton, but I hear a lot.” Sarah looked rather smug. “In fact, I’ve stopped a dozen crimes this week alone. Not to mention the ten mental health checkups I’ve done.”

“Indeed, Miss Livsey has been quite the busy bee, even with most of the Protectorate gone,” a gravely female voice said, and the four children jumped and spun around to see a grave looking sergeant in a PRT uniform standing with her arms folded. 

“S-Sergeant Piggot! Um, I’m not abusing my powers, honest! I just-” Sarah began, but Piggot’s scared face went from grave to a smile, and she patted Sarah on the back. 

“Relax, Tattletale. You’ve saved lives, and that’s what counts. Even if you keep generating an absolute mountain of paperwork for me to get through. Keep up the good work, and I’ll keep going to bat for you with Director Calvert.”

The kids' eyes were drawn to the man in the wheelchair who was talking with Legend. The Director of PRT Brockton Bay was a jaundiced wreck of a man with a sour expression. He was supposedly a legend of the PRT who had been wounded in battle heroically against an S Class threat that was ultra classified, but Taylor just thought he was a huge jerk who kept yelling at her and her friends. 

“Ugh, I told you, it’s just Sarah! Code names are stupid,” Sarah said, making a face. 

“It’s policy. Wards are supposed to have secret identities according to Youth Guard and standard policy,” the Sergeant said with a helpless shrug. She nodded to Rachel. “You, Angelica, and Razor keeping an eye on Miss Sarah?”

Rachel nodded soberly. “Yes. We also found three more abused dogs; Brutus, Sparky, and Missy. I’ve adopted them.”

Emily groaned. “Yes, I filled out that paperwork myself. And applied for an increase in budget for your little shelter. How on Earth are you taking care of fifty animals?”

“Some of them find good homes. The rest are part of my Pack. Taylor, Sarah, and Junior help,” Rachel said with a shrug. 

“Ah, yes.” Piggot turned to Taylor and frowned at her. “And, just because I know it’ll be a problem again, I’m going to remind you, Miss Hebert, that you are not a member of the Wards. And as such, you are NOT authorized to carry around a sword, or apprehend criminals. And especially not wear a costume.”

Taylor flushed. “Um, well-”

“I deputized her,” Sarah said with a grin, putting an arm around Taylor and Junior, who looked equally flustered. “Junior too! They’re deputy Wards.”

“I’d reiterate that Deputy Wards are not an official position, or an unofficial position, and that you have no authority to do so…but I have a feeling that it would fall on deaf ears,” Piggot sighed. “Look, just…wait a few years. You can be like Miss Smith and apply to join the PRT. Then you’d be able to help. But you’re just ten.”

“What?! Sensei Noelle is joining the PRT!? But she’s in High School!” Taylor protested. 

Piggot nodded. “She’ll be a Senior next year, and she’s taking an internship. I’ve got high hopes for that girl. Hard worker, positive attitude. She’ll do great.” 

After that, Junior got out his Gamecube and the kids hooked it up to a television, playing a round of Teyvat Heroes, where Taylor’s Yuheng went up against Junior’s Kamisato, Sarah’s Grandmaster, and Rachel’s Wolvendom. The fighting game was very popular for its spin in the format popularized by Super Smash Brothers, and featured various Vision Holders, Demigods, and even Archons brawling in various parts of Teyvat. There was also an in depth story mode, but very few people cared about that as much as just having fun with their friends. 

They were interrupted when Legend floated up into the air and motioned for attention. Taylor reluctantly let her character stand idle while everyone turned around to listen to the leader of the Brockton Protectorate. 

“While I know this is a night to thank Sensei Kazuha, I wanted to extend my thanks not just to him, but to our young Wards. I know it’s been difficult with nearly all of the Protectorate mobilized to the frontlines of the War. It isn’t right that young heroes such as yourselves be expected to pick up the slack, but you’ve all done a remarkable job. Addressing not only crime, but other concerns such as animal abuse and suicide prevention. Even as I fight against the Tsaritsa’s armies, I know that our city is in good hands.”

There was enthusiastic applause, with Sarah taking a dramatic bow. Rachel looked rather uncomfortable and muttered something about “dogs are people too.”

“I also want to thank Director Calvert and the PRT. There’s been a lot of heavy lifting by the PRT to fill in the gaps left by the Protectorate’s absence, and the men and women of the PRT have proven that they are just as much heroes as anyone wearing a cape. You’ve responded to situations even I would have struggled to handle, and you’ve kept the city safe. Thank you all.”

This time, Taylor and her friends cheered wildly and clapped as hard as they could. Sergeant Piggot looked mildly embarrassed, but Director Calvert simply nodded as if this were his due. 

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to go back,” Legend said, and floated over to land by Junior, who grabbed his dad, forgetting to look tough and manly for once. “We’ve not given up the fight for Finland yet. And the rest of Northern Europe is under threat. We cannot allow her tyranny to go unchecked. And since Lord Barbados is still sleeping…we’re all we have.”

“But, dad, you just got home!” Junior said, his voice raw with pain. 

Legend knelt and put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I know, Junior. I’m sorry. But dawn tomorrow, I’m heading back. I can’t tell you what our plans are, but the President isn’t going to accept this laying down. We’ll continue the fight for Freedom. In Europe, and wherever the Tsaritsa strikes.”

“I don’t want you to leave,” Junior wept, and threw his arms around his father’s neck. “I don’t want you to die! Please don’t-”

Junior suddenly gasped and began to convulse, his entire body shaking as his eyes rolled up into his head. Instantly, Sarah and Rachel grabbed Junior away from his dad and lay him down. 

“Get a doctor!” Sarah ordered, even as winds wrapped themselves about her hands and her Vision shone brightly. “I’ll do all the healing I can, but-”

Junior gasped and sat up before either could do anything. He held up his hands in front of himself, and they began to glow with power. “The…the stars, they were all going out, the great…the great…”

He suddenly shot up into the air with a cry, and put his hands out in front of himself. A sphere surrounded him, a glowing ball of light that obscured him, causing the air to warp and bend as it super heated. “Huh? What-?”

“JUNIOR! CALM DOWN!” Legend barked, shooting up into the air beside his son. 

Junior, eyes wide, nodded, and his powers deactivated. His father caught him, and he slowly lowered. 

“Trigger event,” Taylor breathed, feeling her heart race. “Junior just-”

“Director Calvert, I’m leaving. Inform command…Inform them I’m heading for Baghdad,” Legend said. 

“Sir? Baghdad?” Director Calvert said, clearly as shocked as the rest. 

“Yes. Hang them all, I’m not letting my son go through what I did,” Legend growled, Junior held tightly in his arms. 

“Dad? What just-”

“Relax, son. We’re going to see Lord Buer. Damn Alexandria and the rest. I’m doing what we all should have done,” Legend snarled, and they shot out the doors, still carrying Junior. 

The hall went silent. Everyone looked around, but no one seemed to know what to do. 

“Holy shit, did Junior just trigger?! But how- damn, I guess second gen really is easier, huh?” Sarah mused. 

“Yeah, I guess,” Taylor said, and had to sniff and scrub her face to hold off tears. Another one of her friends. Another one of them had powers, while she still had nothing. She felt in her pocket, where her father’s Vision still lay dormant. Why wouldn’t it activate already?!

“Guess Junior is joining the Wards,” Rachel said matter of factly. “Wonder what his costume will be.”

“More importantly….why is he taking Junior to Baghdad to see the Hopebringer?” Sarah asked. 

Taylor looked around, then grabbed Sarah and Rachel. “Come here, this way!” 

She hauled her two friends down the hall and to an empty room, then looked around at the few chairs and table, along with the non-descript paintings. “Can you…like, hide us so no one can see or hear us?”

“Pff, you came to the right girl,” Sarah chuckled. She made a few gestures, and a barrier of opaque green wind sprang up about them. “Right. What is it you needed to say?”

Taylor still crouched down and lowered her voice, and Rachel and Sarah leaned in close. “Did you ever notice…Legend’s powers changed?”

“Uh, no, he can still fly and shoot lasers and stuff,” Sarah said. 

Rachel shrugged. “Didn’t pay attention.”

“Look, the color of his lasers changed. It happened about the same time as the Battle of Munich. I know, I’ve studied it really hard. That was when he met Lord Barbados, and got transferred to Brockton. The rumor on the PHQ is-”

“That Barbados modified his powers somehow! Archons do that,” Sarah interrupted but Taylor nodded. 

“Right. So, Lord Barbados is asleep after fighting the Tsaritsa. And the Raiden Shogun isn’t on good terms with the USA. The Hydro Archon is in hiding or something. The Tsaritsa is, well, the Tsaritsa. So the only Archon that Uncle Keith can trust…”

“Is the Dendro Archon. That makes sense. Plus, Nahida Saeed tamed Farasha. If anyone can keep a parahuman sane, it’s her,” Sarah said with a nod. 

“Why would you need to keep a parahuman sane?” Rachel asked, tilting her head to one side. 

“Are you serious?” Sarah scoffed. “Surely you’ve noticed. They’re different from us.”

Rachel tilted her head to the other side, but Taylor nodded. “We learned this in school, Rach.” 

“Visions come from Archons. Parahuman powers are…I don’t remember,” Rachel admitted. 

“No one knows. But the Archons all call them parasites, curses, demons. They’re, you know, evil. They make parahumans more aggressive and angry and stuff. Only come to them when they’re messed up. Unlike Visions, which are Divine Blessings granted to mortals who share the Holy Ideal of an Archon,” Sarah said with a nod. “Come on, Rachel, they talk about this in school and in church!”

“Church is boring. I don’t like it. Hel- Mom and dad make me go,” Rachel said, making a face. “I asked the pastor if dogs go to heaven. He laughed. I don’t like him.”

“Dogs go to heaven, it was in that movie,” Taylor said, and Sarah snorted a laugh, then nodded. Rachel looked suspicious, but didn’t argue. 

“So Junior is going to be like…fixed? Like Mr. Keith?” Rachel asked slowly.

“Probably. I just…” Taylor growled in frustration. “Maybe I should try and trigger. I can’t get my Vision to work all the time! Only, you know, sometimes. Like when we stopped that domestic dispute, and I was protecting the two kids from their parents. Then it worked,” Taylor said, taking it out and holding it up. It had briefly sparked to light, long enough to form a shield to keep the two little kids safe. Then, it had died again when the danger passed. She didn’t get it.

“Maybe if we tell Director Calvert, he’ll let you join the Wards,” Sarah said hopefully. 

“No. I’m going to figure it out,” Taylor said, and tucked her Vision away again. “I just have to keep training. I’m going to be a hero. Just like my dad. Just like you two. And just like Junior, I guess.”

Her friends nodded sympathetically, and they went back to the party to say goodbye to Sensei Kazoo.

However, at some point, Kaedehara Kazuha had slipped away. The last person to see him had been Noelle, who had simply gone to the bathroom and cried quietly. 

“He said he’ll miss you all very much,” Noelle said, drying her tears. “But it was time for him to go.”

“He shouldn’t have slipped away like that. I had questions for him,” Director Calvert growled on overhearing them. “You should have told me, Smith. Not a good way to start your internship.”

“As his acolyte, it was my duty to see my Sensei’s wishes fulfilled. I apologize if I have offended, Director,” Noelle said, bowing formally to Calvert. 

He sneered at her, then glided away in his wheelchair.

“I don’t like him. He’s a cat person,” Rachel declared. 

“Rach, just because someone likes cats doesn’t make them an asshole,” Sarah said, and Noelle nodded in agreement. “Calvert’s an asshole because he’s mean and a jerk to everyone.”

“Sarah! You shouldn’t speak like that. It’s rude, and swearing isn’t appropriate,” Noelle scolded. 

“Yeah, well, it’s true. Trust me, I can hear the bastard sometimes and he doesn’t like kids or dogs. Rach is totally right,” Sarah said, making a face. 

“Yes, well…one should still respect one’s elders,” Noelle said, blushing slightly. 

Taylor went back home, dropped off by Noelle at her apartment, where her mother was horrified to learn Junior had triggered. 

“It’s fine, Uncle Keith took him to see Lord Buer. She’ll fix him,” Taylor said with a yawn. 

“Fix him?” her mother asked, looking concerned. 

“Yeah, you know, make it so he’s not demon possessed like most parahumans. Like Uncle Keith,” Taylor said.

“Taylor…you really should quit going to those Archonist church services. I know Sarah drags you there, but…the Archons aren’t gods. They’re just aliens.”

“I mean, they could be angels instead. But I think they’re gods,” Taylor said with a shrug. “But it’s OK, they don’t send people to hell just because you don’t believe in them. Good night, mom.”

Junior missed the next day of school, and didn’t return for two days after that. When he did come back, Taylor raced over to his house along with Sarah and Rachel, where they met the awed boy.

“She was just…a kid, at first. A little kid, too. She was playing hopscotch or something with a bunch of other little kids. You know, like first graders or something,” Junior said in hushed tones as they sat around his kitchen table. Uncle Arthur had made everyone a snack of oreos and soda, which Taylor knew to mean the man was stressed out of his mind and eating junk food again. He’d put on a lot of weight since his husband had been deployed, but she didn’t mind. She liked oreos. 

“But then, when she talked…you could tell. She is a god. Not an angel, not a genie, or whatever they were calling her. She spoke…and I didn’t hear her here,” Junior touched his head. “But here.” He put his hand over his heart, and everyone nodded. 

“She had me lay down, and got to sleep. Then, we met in a dream. There was this…thing. A really, really scary thing. It was this horrible light, that wanted to fight, and kill, and get…data. Like it wanted me to fight everyone, even dad! It made me want to do it, but…but I didn’t! I was strong!” 

“Then, my dad and Nahida appeared in my dream! Nahida talked to the demon. It said it was the same demon as the one that had possessed my dad. And that the ‘new thinker’ or something had ‘awoken’ and was ‘reestablishing the network.’ I didn’t get it. But my dad and Nahida were really worried.”

“Nahida said she would take my demon into a dream. I stayed there with my dad, and we got to walk around Baghdad in a dream. It was really cool! There were Aranara, and dinosaurs, and even other kids sometimes when they fell asleep! It was awesome! Since it was a dream, we could even understand them, even though they spoke Iraqi or something.”

“Arabic,” Sarah corrected, and Junior shrugged and nodded. 

“Sure, anyway, we could understand them.”

“My dad and I were in a dream all day, but it was fun. Then, Nahida came back. When she did, she gave me Axiom! Come out, Axiom!” 

A glowing prism of blue light appeared on Junior’s shoulder, then revolved and formed into a glowing little fairy that looked a bit like a praying mantis with goggles and a cape, with a blue prism on its costume. 

Hello! I am Axiom. I am Keith Andrews Junior’s Demon. Who are you?

“These are my friends I told you about, Axiom! This is Sarah, and Taylor, and Rachel.”

Greetings, young humans. I am a demon. Well, former demon. I have decided that I no longer wish to be a demon. Or at least, I am the part of Radiant Axiom that decided as such. I have been disconnected from my former network. 

“He says weird stuff like that. But he gives me powers too! At first they were different from my dads, but I told Axiom I wanted to be just like him! So now, they’re the same! Though mine are a different color, so you can tell us apart.” 

They went out into the backyard, where Junior demonstrated by zapping empty soda cans with his lasers, and flying around a bit.

“Axiom says that he’s limiting my powers until I get older. Nahida told him that it wasn’t OK to give kids too much power, and my dad agreed,” Junior said, sounding disappointed. “But that’s OK. I can still join the Wards! I can only fly a little bit and shoot small lasers, but it’s still really cool! When my dad gets home, he’s going to train me, and I’ll be a hero, just like him!”

“That’s…really cool, Junior,” Taylor said, trying to force a smile on her face. 

“She’s jealous,” Rachel said bluntly, and Sarah smacked her hand onto her face. 

“Oh. Um, yeah. I guess you really wanted powers too, huh? Well, don’t worry! Just pray to Lord Buer. She’s really cool. Maybe she’ll listen.”

“No. I only want powers from the Raiden Shogun. I pray to her every night,” Taylor said fervently.

“Does she talk back?” Rachel asked curiously. “I don’t talk to her much.”

“Only once, I think. And she told me I had to ‘find my Eternity.’ I tried to get her to tell me what that was but maybe I was just imagining it,” Taylor said with a heavy sigh. 

“It’s alright, you’re still the best with a sword. You can still be on our team. LIke, you know, our Batman. He’s pretty cool,” Junior said, and held up a hand for Taylor to hi-five.

She grinned, and slapped his palm. “Sure, I can be Batman. But only until I get my own Vision.”

“Dang, am I going to be the only parahuman on our team?” Junior laughed. 

“You’re not a real parahuman,” Sarah said with a roll of her eyes, and Junior gave her a hurt look. “I mean, you’re way better. You got upgraded by the Hopebringer. That’s like, twice as good, at least.”

“Hehe, yeah! Come on, let’s go find some crime to fight or something!” Junior said eagerly. 

There was very little crime in Brockton, but they did find a teenage girl named Linda who’d been going to try to slit her wrists, and took her to the hospital. Then they found a dog in a sewer drain who’d just had a litter of puppies and helped Rachel take them back to the three-acre lot Helen and Troy had purchased for her “Dog farm.” 

It wasn’t how Taylor imagined being a superhero. But, she admitted, she should probably save killing the Siberian until after she got her powers.