The Forgotten Slayer-Chapter 23: Reborn

Clyde had been wondering around in darkness. Sometime or another he realized that he was in his own head.

'It's getting a bit tiresome.'

As if it was on que, a bright light appeared.

'Finally.'

In a weird trance, the light was getting closer to him while growing dimmer. When the two became one, Clyde experienced a profound change.

***

Bell was making her way to check on Clyde. She hasn't stopped believing he would wake up but that didn't help her feelings.

'If only I was stronger, then I could have helped.'

The streets of Avalor were significantly less crowded. The population of twenty thousand dwindled to six thousand during the first wave of attacks. By the end of it all only four thousand and six hundred people were left. Many people were already planning to move somewhere else. The mayor was killed during the blackout, leaving Ava as the top authority in the city. She was busy and didn't have much time to check on Clyde.

It has been over a month since he's been in a coma. During this time herself and Lapis had been training for the tournament. At first Bell was against participating, but Ava explained that the city needed the support and funds that could be gained. It made sense so Bell was giving it her all.

Approaching the building Clyde was located in, the ground shook. Following up was a familiar sight to Bell. The sky became grey and cloudy, then her hair started to rise.

A thunderous crack spread across the city. Then another

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Lightning struck the building multiple times. When it was all over, there was a final explosion on the floor Clyde was staying on.

Bell disregarded any hesitation she had and ran inside. The building was empty so she did not bother checking for anyone injured. Climbing the stairs, running down the hallway, she reached the room.

The door was blown off onto the ground and smoke was coming out of the room. Inside she saw him.

"Bell! How are you doing?"

He had changed.

His dark hair had became more blonde, especially on its ends. There was more but she couldn't put her finger on it.

She ran to hug Clyde, but as she touched him she jumped back in pain.

"You're insanely hot!"

Clyde laughed.

"Why thank you very much."

Bell responded agitated.

"That is not what I meant. Seriously you're scorching."

"Well I did just get struck by lightning a few times and burst with energy. Speaking of I think I got an upgrade."

It wasn't just the way he looked, his personality changed as well. Clyde was somber but now he was full of life.

"Clyde... Are you okay?"

Looking at her with a strange expression he raised an eyebrow. He scratched his head as he spoke.

"I guess.. I am a bit hungry. How long have I been out?"

'This prick!'

"A little over a month."

"I see, well then, I guess I missed the fallout and drama regarding John's exposure."

Bell forgot he wouldn't know. Her eyes darkened.

"The body was never found."

The shift in Clyde's demeanor changed, making him for frightening. His hair began to stand on its own in addition to the room temperature rising.

"Where is Avelyn?"

The calm question coming from this form of Clyde scared her. It only took a moment for her to gather her composure.

"She's acting as mayor, but right now she would be meeting with the guild members to discuss repairs."

"I'll be off then."

He took one step and then everything was a blur for Bell. Her hair flew in all directions as fierce wind blew in her direction.

Clyde was gone.

***

'I'm going way to fast!'

After going by a few blurry buildings, Clyde stopped.

It took a lot of energy out of him to move that fast but he wanted to test his capabilities. This wasn't the same ability that he used to kill John because his perception wasn't also affected.

At the exchange of cost he lost control.

'Could be useful.'

The distance he just covered was impressive for the few seconds it took him to get here. Although the journey made him realize he had no shoes once his feet started to burn. From there he noticed that he had nothing but underwear on.

Fortunately, no one was around to see him.

'One of these days I need to get a set of gear that isn't trash.'

There was an unused clothing store nearby that Clyde went into and borrowed clothes from.

'This will have to do for now.'

Wearing a white button up and blue jeans, Clyde was ready to discuss matters with Avelyn.

Leaving the store, Clyde fell to the ground and began to vomit.

'Seems there are side effects to the speed.'

His body felt weaker now as well, though this was probably because he hadn't recovered from his battle with John. The energy he had been moving with up to this point was because of his second awakening.

In other words he was in overdrive and now paid the price.

As Clyde was on the ground groaning, a woman and her daughter were walking by.

"Mommy look!"

The woman grabbed her child and covered her mouth hastily walking away.

'Great, not exactly the look I'm going for.'

A few minutes went by until Clyde collected enough strength to move forward. It was a fifteen minute walk from his location to the guild hall.

After some occasional stops to rest, Clyde was here. Thankfully he didn't need to climb the steps up the door because Avelyn just exited.

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"We need to talk."

Her pompous act dropped immediately upon seeing him.

"Clyde, you're finally awake."

She ran up to him and hugged him. Letting go she pointed to his hair.

"What is up with that?"

Clyde hadn't seen himself since he became awake so he did not know what she was referring to.

"What do you mean?"

"Your hair is.. dirty blonde."

It was as if you could hear a pen drop.

Clyde's eyes widened in disbelief. He slowly cracked a smile and laughed.

"Stop messing with me."

"I'm serious."

Ignoring her Clyde asked another question with a dark expression.

"What did I miss with John?"

"We never found a body when we got to you."

"I need sometime, I'll meet up with you later."

Clyde ran away before she had a chance to respond.

'I'm such a fool!'

Clyde had not taken out the threat like he had believed. There would be no room for complacency in the future.

Next time, Clyde was determined to crush John, the Saint of humanity, on his own.