Standing alone in the crater, John tiredly sighed.
Damn… Shit got out of control. He thought, his eyebrows furrowed tightly, exasperated at the current situation he found himself in and also the pain he was going through.
How did things develop into this? He continued his thoughts while he crawled out of the hole.
It shouldn't have been a hard task, was what John imagined. He would fight Sofya, let himself loose a little and enjoy a good duel before getting his reward.
Sure, there was the small problem of him being slightly frightened of killing someone, even if that wasn't a permanent result. But that was the least of his problems now.
Things weren't as expected because of a small detail. Sofya was much stronger than he expected, as it could be obviously seen now from the result of his clashes.
It wasn't a matter of strength or speed per se. What Sofya did that surprised the young man was how skilled she was.
At those last moments of the fight, Sofya didn't give him a moment to think or react. Every single one of her strikes were precise, with the intention of creating an opening in his posture, so she could hit him in a vital area and make his guard fall even more, initiating a series of strikes that would end up severely wounding or killing her opponent.
If he hasn't fought with Jeremy, someone who solely relies on skill to kill beings many times stronger than him, John would easily think Sofya was the most skilled person he has ever seen fighting.
But losing to Sofya in a physical fight wasn't the worst part, far from it. The worst was her learning he wasn't a vampire.
That immediately triggered in Sofya a response the young man wasn't ready for. That sudden shift from having a serious spar against him to immediately incapacitating him as a threat contingency took John by surprise.
And to make it worse, when he laid in the crater and Sofya looked down at him, saying the fight was finished, John felt angered. He felt that his person was being looked down to not only literally, but figuratively as well.
So, when he felt that anger, what did he do? He just worsened the situation by confirming even more he isn't a vampire by throwing Sofya who knows where before he could even attempt to maintain his fake identity.
Shit, John! The young man cursed himself, his blood falling on the sands he climbed upon. If it's to get mad, then get mad for a good reason. What does pride serve for?If it's to get angry, get angry for not being able to help her! John was pissed at himself, the emotions making him deal better with the pain.
The walk out of the hole took a few seconds, which was also equally the time for the sound of Sofya falling in the distance to reach the boy's ears. But truthfully, John's mind wasn't much focused on that right now.
I have to think of a way to deal with this situation. I can't bring problems to Alaric. John thought.
If Sofya learned of his identity – which was possible since she was aware of his connection with Hope – and added the fact he wasn't a vampire despite having the strength of one and she started spreading words of it, who knows what kind of trouble could come to him. And then, in result, get to Alaric.
To be honest, if it only involved himself, John wouldn't care much. But since he enrolled in the school and promised Alaric he wouldn't bring any kind of trouble, he was sure to keep to his word.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
While John was straightening his posture after walking outside of the crater, a very faint sound reached his ears.
At the far distance, at least a couple hundred meters from where the boy was, Sofya landed on the sands of the desert.
She bounced on it a couple times, then she rolled on it for half a dozen meters before she pierced into the sands with her fingers to brake herself.
When Sofya finally stopped moving, her face was glued to the ground. To not stay long in that position, she immediately put her hands against the ground and pushed herself up, the sand glued on her skin falling off.
As she did so, Sofya blinked repeatedly in an attempt to remove the sand stuck under her eyelids.
There were some bruises over her body, a result of the friction between her skin and the sand when falling. They were healing, of course. But if someone paid close attention, they would notice these kinds of injuries were taking more time than earlier to heal.
When on her two feet, with her broken leg now in an almost preen condition, Sofya listened to a heavy breath in the distance.
Immediately, despite the lingering irritation in her eyes, they locked on to the figure of the young man.
John responded in kind, with the temperature around him slowly decreasing as he absorbed the heat of his surroundings to improve his recovery.
Their staring contest gave birth to an eerie silence in the air between them. It seemed one was waiting for the other to answer.
However, between the two of them, one was in a rush for answers and couldn't stay quiet for long.
"I didn't ask properly previously. But this time, I will." Sofya muttered, knowing her opponent could listen to her. "What are you?"
John didn't immediately respond, making use of the time to think of the best way to solve his current situation.
So, if he could stall for some time by going quiet, he would do it.
However, not answering to his expectations, Sofya seemed in a hurry as she quickly spoke up again. "Not willing to answer that? Good. Then, how about you answer me another thing?"
This time, John decided to say something. "About what?"
"About how you made me go flying."
Listening to her words, John was momentarily quiet. But rather quickly, an idea for him to gain some time came to his mind.
Putting up a confused expression despite the mask, John asked with the most innocent tone he could speak up. "Flying? What do you mean?"
And what better way to stall than to act dumb?
Sofya narrowed her eyes. "You know what I'm talking about."
John pressed his lips together, shaking his head. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Really?" Sofya raised her eyebrows.
"Really." Not a lie could be detected in John's voice.
"So you have no idea how I was sent flying?"
"Maybe it was the wind?" John deadpanned, as if that was obvious.
"No, it wasn't the wind." Sofya shook her head. "It reminded me more of a small trick some powerful witches use to control objects around them."
"Then maybe there is some witch around here?" John started looking around.
Seeing the boy's act, Sofya smiled wryly. "You really know how to infuriate someone."
"I will take the compliment." John said, dropping his act. He knew it wouldn't last long anyway.
"It wasn't one." Sofya said, her knees slightly bent. "So, before I get angrier, how about you answer my questions properly? That way, I won't have to break your jaw and make you write the answer on the sand using your broken fingers." She menacingly said.
Damn, that's some threat. John thought. "Is it that important for you to know what I am?"
"Yes, it is." Sofya nodded.
"Why?"
"What should I start with?" Sofya muttered, seemingly thinking about it. "Right, how about the fact that whenever a new species appears in our society, new problems that affect everyone arise?"
"So you are moving out of fear." John replied.
"Call it preventing a disaster." Sofya replied. "You just need to look into the recent past to notice the changes our society suffered upon the birth and rise of new species. All I'm doing is trying to confirm if you are not a threat."
"Because you care about everyone in the supernatural society?" John scoffed, not believing in her words.
Sofya didn't feel angered by the young man not believing her reasons. "Well, I won't deny problems detrimental to me might arise because of your existence. So…" She gave a small apologetic smile. "I am sorry."
Boom!
Sofya suddenly sprinted forward, the air around her violently howling.
The speed she achieved was impressive, with her movements following closely the very sound of the rustle of her clothes and sway of her arms against the air.
Her every step blasted sand and dust outwards, erupting a small sandstorm around her.
She's faster than ever. John noticed, his pupils shrinking while trying to follow the woman's movements.
Despite the obvious signs of tiredness, like her slower recovery and small drops of sweat on her forehead, Sofya was close to breaking the sound barrier.
Facing this scene, John couldn't help but click his tongue, impressed at what he was seeing. That's some bullshit supernatural resilience.
Despite thinking that way, John had no reason to be jealous towards Sofya, for he had his own advantages as well.
As he saw Sofya getting closer and closer to him, John thought even faster on ways to deal with his current situation. And to make sure she would fully step back, there was one particular idea that the boy enjoyed very much.
Since I already got here, let's get crazy and make a bet. With this kind of thought in mind, John's eyes glowed red.
Bss!
From the mask's eyesholes, two crimson rays flew off, coursing through the air and making it shimmering from the heat emanating from them.
As they approached Sofya, the woman saw as the world around her bathed in a red hue, making her heart shudder at the scene. Sofya instinctively knew that if she was hit by those lights, she wouldn't see the next sunrise.
With all the possible strength she could muster, Sofya planted her feet into the sand, abruptly braking in her tracks.
It was right on time. Just when she stopped still, Sofya saw herself forced to cover her eyes as the rays of lights hit the sand in front of her.
Upon contact with the sand, it exploded as the surface of the desert flashed in a red, then orange, then in an incandescent white light, all of it in quick succession.
Crackling sounds came from the area of contact and Sofya felt her skin slightly heat from the sudden increase in the temperature.
The phenomenon lasted a few seconds, with the light quickly ceasing. Yet, the air around was still hot, enough for someone to mistake the night for day if their eyes were covered.
Dropping her hands from covering her eyes, the first thing Sofya saw was the scenery before, which caused enough surprise for her to widen her eyes and almost curse in shock.
Amidst the sands was what could be described as a large sheet of glass–or silica, for a more correct term.
It stretched and covered a large area, with the moonlight faintly reflecting on its surface while enough heat oozed off it to be visible through bare sight.
"What the…" Sofya wasn't capable of finishing her own words at the sight, too shocked for that.
However, despite the emotions, something would still steal away her attention.
"If you don't want me to be sorry as well-"
When the voice reached her ears, Sofya lifted her head to look at the boy again. Immediately, her pupils shrunk at what she was seeing, her shock and surprise skyrocketing.
Hovering above the desert, John's clothes billowed in accordance to the wind.
The air in the environment had become colder now, with frost forming on the surface of the desert–a result of how much heat was absorbed from it.
When breathing, Sofya could see the air escaping between her lips clearly, with the coldness running up her skin and embracing her in a chilly hug.
The mask on John's face started to malfunction, and the illusion that should serve to hide the color of his eyes dispersed momentarily and Sofya could finally see what lay behind the mask.
She couldn't avert the sight. When looking into those two replicas of the sun, Sofya momentarily lost her ability to think.
As his words scattered over the wind, Sofya felt a pressure on her shoulders. Looking around, it seemed like the world stood absolutely still and nothing dared to act without the young man's permission.
"-I'd recommend you to listen to my words." John announced, his words leaving no space for rebut
Gulp…
Sofya gulped loudly, the intimidation working on her.
She had lived for so long, seen so many things and interacted with the strongest beings who have walked on this planet. Yet, nothing could match what was before her eyes.
A man with suns for eyes was flying, changing the world around him.
What in the world is happening? Sofya thought, finally having some trouble to cope with everything that has been happening tonight.
It was supposed to be a boring and normal night, with it turning into a slightly thrilling one when she took up the opportunity to attempt to learn the identity of who was behind the mask.
However, learning that who was behind the mask was an existence resembling a comic character wasn't in her list of expectations.
What the fuck is happening…? She thought again, lost in her own mind.
Snap!
The sudden sound made Sofya flinch, only for her to notice it came from the young man's arms.
After absorbing energy indiscriminately and without a care for his surroundings, it was just a matter of seconds for John's injuries to heal.
Descending back to the ground, John noticed his words and act had some effect on Sofya since she hasn't said a word ever since his little act.
I guess I made the correct decision. Well, until now. John thought, taking a step towards Sofya.
However, as he did so, Sofya took a step back.
Looking down at her own feet, Sofya frowned. Unbelievable. She looked up at the young man again, with him still walking towards her. Am I that scared?
"We got a lot to talk about." John spoke up.
Sofya forced herself to keep her position. "About what?
John softly chuckled when seeing her imitate him from earlier. "Well, didn't you want to know what I am?" He crossed his arms, stopping a couple meters from her. "I will share some info with you. But in exchange, I want one thing."
Sofya, a little skeptical about the turn of events, narrowed her eyes. "That's it? All you want from me are a few things?"
"Well, it's actually two. But one of them is what you want as well." John nodded.
"And you won't try to kill me after giving you that?" Sofya was still suspicious of him.
"I'm not much of a fan of killing." John said, taking a more serene tone of voice. "And I believe that won't be needed, since you will remain quiet about it." He took one more step forward, closing their distance. "There are very few in the world who know about my existence, and you can guess some of them. They won't spread word of my existence, and I believe neither you will. After all, that is what you want, right? For people to not know about my existence and not another problem surge because a new supernatural species was born, right?"
Sofya curtly nodded, not disagreeing with him.
John smiled. "That's the deal. You go quite, I go quite. I tell you a little bit about me to satiate your curiosity and you tell me everything I want to know. Easy to understand, right?"
"It is." Sofya replied, her aspect a little bit less suspicious of the boy.
"Good." Saying that, John turned around, towards where the fight started. "Let's go back. As soon as we settle down, we shall initiate our talk." Before Sofya could say anything, John started walking.
Looking at his distancing back, Sofya let out a sigh she had been holding on for some time.
I thought I would die back there. She thought, moving forth her feet as well.
…
Sat on the sands, John put back his shoes.
Sofya was doing the same, though not as the boy as she kept a constant look on him.
"Still wary of me?" John blurted out, lacing his shoes.
"Yes." Sofya confirmed, not even trying to hide it.
John chuckled softly, not bothering with it. "Well, not that I care. As long as you stick to our deal, we are good."
"Hypothetically," Sofya grabbed her bag, keeping it closer to her. "what would happen if I didn't agree with your words?"
"Simple. I would break your neck."
Following his words, Sofya felt a tightness around her neck, with her freezing out of fear.
Despite his actions, John tried to keep a nonchalant tone. "Then, I would take you to someone who could simply look into your eyes and say a few words to you and then you would be spilling out even your dirtiest secrets."
Finishing his words, John let go of his hold over Sofya's neck, with the vampire breathing in relief when the sensation disappeared.
"… I don't fear the Mikaelsons." Sofya said, massaging her neck.
"You should. They are like the scariest people in the world when someone in their family is involved in something." John replied, letting his back rest on the rock behind him.
Sofya let out a long sigh. "It seems the Mikaelsons haunt my life."
"Well, indirectly, you can say that." John rested his arms upon his knees. "But this one is on you. You were the one to come to me, after all."
"Urgh, I guess you are right." Sofya let out another sigh, this one of exasperation. Right after, she wiped the remaining sand on her dress and adjusted her posture. "All right, let's start this Q&A and be done with it."
"Weren't you eager to know more about me like five minutes ago?"
"Yes, but I am slightly infuriated by the outcome of things now. So, let's not stick longer to it and be direct, okay? Okay." Sofya self-answered herself before the boy could say anything.
In response, John shrugged his shoulders. The mysterious mind of women. "Okay… So, let's start with what I want to hear the most right now." John's voice changed to a more severe tone. "Who is targeting Hope Mikaelson?"
"Well, the answer for that is long. As I said, there is a bounty for her head."
"Okay, then who put the bounty on her?" John asked.
"That I know." Sofya replied, her tone flat. "Right now, Hope Mikaelson has a bounty of one billion american dollars for her head." When announcing the value, Sofya put a little more of a tone in her voice. "Quite the amount, don't you think?" She eyed the boy, wishing to see his reaction, even if by the shift of his posture.
However, to her surprise, John just slowly shook his head. "From my point of view, that isn't enough for a thread of hair from her."
Discreetly, Sofya hid the surprise she felt from his words. So that's the kind of connection, hm. She thought, knowing one more thing now. "Well, I am not to judge people's values, but that is the price going on. Most don't know who put it, and to be honest, many more are not aware of the bounty. After all, despite the fear for the Mikaelsons, who knows what would happen if the masses knew about a girl's life valuing this much."
"A bloodbath, believe in me." John commented.
"I don't doubt that. I know the Mikaelsons killed for way less. That's possibly the reason many were not made aware of the bounty. Who knows what kind of disaster would this earth suffer under their hands if that girl was taken from them." Just from imagining the scene, Sofya faintly shuddered.
"Could you get to the point?" John rushed her.
"What impatience." She muttered, shaking her head.
John narrowed his eyes and raised his eyebrows, dumbfounded. Weren't you the one in a hurry a moment ago?
Unaware of the boy's expression, Sofya decided to be direct. "When I heard of the price, I was curious to learn who was behind it. There aren't many in our society who can move that much amount of money without causing a ruckus. After investigating for a couple weeks, I learned a piece of information quite interesting and also a bit disillusioned at the same time."
"Which is?"
"It seems there are two groups offering the bounty." Sofya raised her index and middle fingers in her right hand.
Quietly, John nodded in comprehension. Rebekah said they are possibly more than one, so…
Since there was no prompt from the young man, Sofya continued. "One of them seems to be a cover-up company for a coven of witches in Washington. Something which has become quite common nowadays."
"Okay…" John curtly nodded. "And the other, who are they?"
"A small pack of werewolves in an even smaller town in the middle of Texas. A place where the richest person is the mayor." Sofya said, drawing circles on the sand. "And you know what the strange part is? It's not that the mayor isn't corrupt or anything. It is the fact that this small pack is most likely the group that is offering eighty to ninety percent of the bounty." She stared at the eyeholes of the mask. "Do you see the strangeness in it?"
"I do. The strangeness is, how a small group in the middle of nowhere has so much money." John said.
"Exactly." Sofya replied, nodding. "The more I investigated it, the more surprised I was. The leader didn't seem to have anything but a bar on his name. None of the members of the pack seemed to be rich or had suddenly discovered a fortune somewhere."
"And even if they did discover one, the first thing they wouldn't do would be to put a bounty on Hope."
"Exactly." Sofya pointed at him. "If you suddenly got rich, the first thing you would do is change your lifestyle. Or at least improve it. But from what I saw, they all live in the bar their leader owns, which is far from pristine conditions." The woman shuddered, acting with a tad of eek towards the image of the place she had in her mind.
Ignoring her antics, John held his chin in thought. "And you are sure they are paying for most of the bounty?"
"I am sure. There are few things I am prouder in my life than my work to find things out." Sofya said, her expression quite showing it as a bit of pride made way to her eyes. "Despite investigating more about them, nothing came out of it. For example, I couldn't find where the money came from."
"Maybe they don't have the money and are just faking it?"
"No." Sofia immediately shook her head to deny the possibility. "I know they have the money. Also, offering this kind of money and you not having it in case someone does the job is just enough reason to have your life shortened. No one in this field is stupid enough to do this."
"I guess you are right." John scratched the side of his head, thinking more about it."But thenN how the fuck do these people have this much money?"
"The question of one billion dollars, don't you think?" Sofya smirked, now drawing some lines in the sand. "Well, I've basically told you what I know. There are a few more details, but smaller and without much importance. If you want, I can write them for you on paper. However, now, I want my answers."
"Right, I would appreciate that." He referred to the paper. "As for your questions, go ahead. I will answer all of them truthfully. However, let me make myself clear, you have only three of them. After that, I won't answer anything else if I don't wish to." John's body relaxed, taking a more calm posture. "Come on, shoot me the questions. Remember, there are only three of them. Ah, and I won't tell you my name. You figure that out by yourself, you have enough info for it."
"I wouldn't ask that anyway." Sofya said, taking a few seconds of silence to think through what she would ask.
At the end of her silence, Sofya nodded as if she confirmed what she would ask. "Okay. Here goes the first question…"
"Shoot it."
"What are you?"
"I'm half-human and half something I am not sure about." John straightforwardly replied, with not a single lie in his words.
However, for some reason, Sofya felt like choking him with her bare hands.
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A/N
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