„Your spirit never dies”
Gasping for breath, Tony cursed himself and the NoMas around him. Himself, because his instincts had forced him to reach for the envelope when he saw it and knew it couldn't be good. He cursed the NoMas for taking away his silver bracelet, which was so much more. There was something in it that he could use to bring him relief, or even healing. If they would leave him alone. But no! In their - unfortunately partly feigned, oh how he hated his abilities sometimes - concern they did not let him out of their sight, wanted to help him. But alas, in doing so, they only made it worse. His secret would be kept, but at what cost? He noticed himself weakening and screwed up his face. Would anyone care that the traditions of his origins were preserved? Unlikely. No one knew who he really was.
He closed his eyes, knowing, suspecting, that it would be the last time. His breathing slowed, then he thought he heard a panicked cry.
Even from a distance he could hear the noise of fighting and the maniacal laughter of his crazy cousin. That they had tried to prevent him from coming to help. That they had briefly tried to stun him, only for him not to leave the house. That was something he would never forgive them. They were too few as it was. And the way the warning had been delivered... If anything happened to the children, someone would pay; and pay big. Heads would roll without taking a prominent place afterwards. He wouldn't care if they caught him and locked him up again. At least this time it would be deserved.
They had done it, had prevented worse. It was a miracle that none of the children had suffered life-threatening injuries. None had escaped without scrapes, but they would survive. The mental scars would take a lot longer to heal. He turned his head to send him away, the one he had mainly come for, when he perceived two things at once. The panicked look in bright green eyes and a beam of red light shooting towards him. He tried to duck, but knew it was in vain. The years in captivity - and he included the last twelve months in the dark hell that called itself headquarters - had ensured that he was completely out of shape.
He was hit in the chest and the last thing he heard was a panicked scream.