The Ascension: A Super Human Clash (31 page)

SIX YEARS earlier…

Krodin had never been so cold, in so much pain. The darkness pressed around him, blacker than any night he had ever seen.

But he knew he would not die. Not here in this cold and dusty land, wherever it might be.

The burning boy had attacked him, seared his skin, and then died in a blinding flash. For a brief moment Krodin had found himself in an empty field, the damp grass cool on his scorched body. Then, just as suddenly, he was here.

Already the wounds from the burning boy's attack were healing—soon his skin would be as flawless as ever—but the pains in his chest and throat were taking longer to subside.

What did those children do to me? What arcane power have they used against me?

He looked around the vast desert landscape, and vowed that—somehow—he would find a way back, even if it took him a thousand years.

He would have revenge.

 

An excerpt from
Modern Science
magazine:

Analysis of the unusual energy flare has so far proved fruitless. Initial speculation that it was nothing more than a minor meteorite strike was almost immediately dismissed. According to Anita Cairnduff, spokesperson for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, “A collision would have left detectable traces—residual heat, a dust cloud—but our instruments have not yet picked up anything of that nature.”

The true cause of the energy flare seems likely to remain a mystery for some time. Ms. Cairnduff has denied the rumors that the planned course of the next probe will be diverted to pass within range of
Amazonis Planitia
: “The flare is not on our list of priorities. There are far more interesting and challenging sites for us to explore, other secrets to uncover.”

So it seems that this particular secret is one that Mars will be holding on to for a long time to come.

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