The Meta Code (Updated Sporadically)

『Chapter ❸❻』

Rolling backward as Maya struck my blade, I was able to send her into the ground headfirst. While I - on the other hand - landed back on my feet.

"Trained ninja, er, monk, er, assassin," I shook my head. "whatever you are, you're no..."

I could feel a warm - syrupy - liquid oozing down, and over my lips. Somehow Maya had been able to throw a rock - or something similar - into the bridge of my nose, breaking it. The shock never had time to set in as my training took over.

I easily took in my surroundings around me with a new clarity. I saw every potential danger, as well as every opportunity. I was fully in control, and yet I wasn't.

I watched as Maya slowly began circling around me, aware of the sudden change. We both studied each other intensely. I could feel the same cold calculating gaze from Maya as I was giving her.

I was lightly bouncing on the balls of my feet. Excitement and energy kept building through my veins until I felt like I was going to explode. All the while I was keeping myself centered with only one goal.

I narrowed my eyes as I realized what I was doing. While I was wasting my time protecting a few animals the Creators were most likely gathering their forces against us. I had no time to be wasted on a few animals. I knew what I had to do.

Leaving myself wide open for an attack, I let my sword disappear. "I don't have time for this. Do what you want, but I'm not going to be a part of it."

I stormed off towards my base before she could say anything. I had instigated a battle between giants and titans. I figured if word of what we did ever got out to the rest of the Metas we would have a full-on war. Some siding with us, some siding against us. I would make sure that everyone knew about it.

I stopped in my tracks as I got within eyesight of the base. A huge mob like crowd had gathered around it. Most of them were just chanting, but a few brave ones where attacking it - or at least trying too. Johnson somehow had managed to cover the entire building in a shimmering transparent aqua blue force field. Anything that touched it was vaporized instantaneously.

I walked up to one of the Metas in the far back and asked her, "What's going on?"

"What?!" The crowd's noise was drowning out my voice.

"What is happening here?!" I yelled back.

The girl's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You don't know?!"

"No," I shook my head for emphasis, "what happened?"

"I'm surprised that you haven't heard about it. They broadcasted it only a few minutes ago through every electronic device with a speaker." She nodded towards the base, which was still undergoing a strenuous attack. "They infiltrated and attacked the Creators' base without reason. They're saying whoever defeats the traitorous team gets..."

Her hand raced to her mouth as she saw the power arcing across my fingertips, and finally realizing who I was. "You - you're the team killer, you're Hunter!"

Those close enough to the girl to be able to hear her turned around to look at us - mainly just at me. Like a ripple in a calm pond after a stone had been tossed into it, everyone started whispering and turning to look at me. Within a minute all eyes had their steady gaze upon me, even the assault had stopped.

One of the Metas - a guy big enough to rival Goliath himself, said. "You're dumber than a rock. This here will be your death."

"You truly think so?" I flashed him a taunting smirk.

"I know so!" He motioned around him. "There's nearly a thousand of us, and only one of you."

"Yet I killed at least 25 other Metas." The venom in my voice was as cold as steel.

"25 is nothing compared to..." His body went flying into the force field as my energy hit him. His skin aged rapidly until it was nothing more than dust, and then even his bones turned to a white dust.

"Anyone else want to add to that?" I cupped my hand to my ear. "No, no one? Good."

As I stared out at them I was met by terror filled eyes while others had admiration or hatred. Standing up straight, and my head held high, I began moving towards the building. Not one person moved for a full five seconds, then like a wave they all separated to make a path.

The hairs on my arms and neck tingled as I felt their eyes track me. In a way, it felt as if I was walking to the gallows of old. It was nearly silent, except for the quiet murmurings of the onlookers.

As soon as my feet touched the cold hard cement the crowd closed in around me. Some were asking questions, others looking like they might kill me. The noise was overwhelming.

I put my hands up to quiet the crowd. "I know you want answers, and possibly blood, for what happened here this night. I won't judge you if you decide to do what you think needs to be done. But just know this if you decide to act now, you haven't been told the full truth."

Mumbling they shuffled uneasily in place, exactly what I had hoped for. "My team did infiltrate the Creator's mansion, yet it wasn't us attacking them. It was a rescue mission. Half my team, along with another team, had been captured as a punishment for killing two spies. We saw thousands of other Metas imprisoned, and I personally saw the kind of people the Creators are. They are monsters!"

"The Creators don't care about any of us! All they want is for us to be their ultimate weapons of destruction. Tools that can just be discarded when we don't work 'properly' anymore!" My voice shook the air like thunder.

Energy started dancing across the expanse of the sky, reflecting my mood perfectly. Lightning struck around me as I stared out at the crowd. Most of them looked terrified as the lightning kept striking around me. While they were distracted Maya had snuck out of the forest and into the base. I had no clue how the force field hadn't hurt her.

"At high noon we will recruit everyone willing to free themselves of these monsters." I turned and fazed through the force field into the base.

A/N

First off I'm so, so sorry for how late this update is. I've been so busy lately, and so tired/drained, that it's been hard to write.

So, what do you think of Hunter's speech? How about what's to come? What about his sudden decision?

As always votes and comments are greatly appreciated!