1 Run

After running away for almost two hours, Sloan was at the end of his rope. Even using his ability to open doors in space didn't allow him to outrun this enemy.

"Just give me what I want Sloan and you can leave with your life." Said the approaching figure, shrouded in a dark inky mist making Sloan unable to see any features, just adding to his horror.

"Ha you think I'm stupid enough to fall for that' said Sloan trying to muster his courage while gasping for breath and pushing back his jet black hair.

Sloan was a man most would be envious of. He was 6ft2 had piercing blue eyes, square jaw, styled beard and a muscular physique.

Although his current appearance couldn't be further from envious. Cuts all over his body, bulging right eye after taking a hit to the face, torn cloths and gasping so hard he thought he might suck in a passing pigeon.

'Here's a better idea, why don't you just piss off and leave me alone. I don't know how you knew I was transporting an awakening gem but I'll die before I let you get your hands on it'.

"Come on Sloan you're hurting my feeling, I thought we really started to bond these last couple of hours. How about this, give me the gem and I'll even take you out for drinks and maybe even watch a soccer game you Brits love so much, hows that sound buddy".

Just as Sloan was about to pop, finally having enough of his adversary's remarks, the figure used this opportunity to charge.

Realizing he fell for the man's taunts and left an opening, he immediately went on the offensive.

Sloan wiped his leg to a roundhouse kick, moving so fast to appear a shadowed blur to the average man and being deadly enough to easily snuff out life.

Much to Sloan's dismay, the shadowy figure ducked down with inhumane speed narrowly missing the attack and struck out landing a palm strike on Sloan's chest sending him flying and exasperating his already severe condition.

"Cough, cough, dammit! Maybe standing on top of a skyscraper wasn't the brightest of ideas while being chased by a maniac." Thought Sloan falling helplessly. "Well time to run again," He thought opening his palms and to bring his hand together in a praying motion. A white door suddenly opened up underneath him, swallowing him whole.

A few miles away in Victoria Park London, a white door made of light suddenly appeared out of thin air. A couple of seconds later a man fell out scaring a few pigeons and a young couple going for a midnight stroll.

"What the hell screamed the young woman falling over and cowering behind her boyfriend's legs. Ah, nothing to see here people, just an amateur magician practising for his next show" said Sloan dragging himself across the park trying to catch his break.

"Well hopefully that should buy me a couple of dozen minutes, I've never jumped that far before so I'll need some time to recover. Time to call HQ". Pulling out his phone and calling a number listed as Old Fossel.

"Sloan, why are you calling at this hour did something happen?" Asked the old man trying to hide his annoyance.

"Something happened alright, I'm being chased by some shadow monster, who knows I have the Gem."

"What the hell are you talking about Sloan, calm down and tell me what happened"

Feeling a headache coming on Sloan proceeded to tell the old geezer everything. About how he was ambushed on his route back to base, how no matter what he did and how far he jumped, the shadowed figure always seemed to catch up to him without any apparent effort just simple walking out the shadows.

"Hmm I've never heard of a path to power that allows you to control shadows like that, sounds dangerous. I'll send a team to escorts you, where are you currently?"

"Dragging what's left of me through Victoria park but be careful who you send. He knew my name, the only people who know my name are from the company." "Roger I'll be discreet, just try to hang on for now"

'THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE!!!' shouted Sloan down the phone not realizing the old man had already hung up.

"Well this doesn't look good, it's gonna take the team at least 10 minutes to get here, and in the state, I'm in I won't last even half of that." "In less, in less, I use that". Sloan groaned knowing that if he had to use his trump card he would wish he was dead.

It was a magical ring he picked up in an underground auction. It had a simple ability but that made it no less formidable. It has the power to supercharge the body with magical energy pushing you way past your limits. The first time he tried it he was in perfect condition, while in effect he felt like a God but after it faded he was bedridden for seven days experiencing the worst pain of his life. It was after that he named it "Limit Breaker".

'The first time I used it I was in perfect health if I use it in this condition I might just die after the effect wears off'. Sloan knew the danger but at this point, he really didn't have a choice. It was either risk dying or definitely dying.

Just as Sloan was coming to terms with his predicament he heard a voice he hoped to never hear again in his life. 'Wow, I'm impressed Sloan, didn't know you had a jump like that in you' turning around Sloan could see the shadowed figure emerging from a nearby shadow.

"Really? 5 minutes, it took him 5 minutes to find me after jumping 2 miles what kind of freak is he". Sloan muttered slowly starting to move his finger over to his ring ready to use it at a moments notice. "Should I try stalling? God knows this thing loves to talk"

"Well not that I'm not having fun but I think we should bring this bromance to an end. Give me the Gem or die, I'll give you to the count of 3".

"REALLY???!