The Epic of Leviathan (A Mutant's Ascension)
Chapter 199 - Natasha's Thoughts & The Phoenixes...

[POV Natasha]

It has been the best week of my whole life, I had never imagined that I would be allowed to live freely like this without any strings attached. I stood by the railing on the roof and stared towards the ocean. ​​

My life had changed so drastically, it almost felt like that I was living a dream. I have spent a few nights only thinking that this was a dream, I was way too scared to fall asleep… I was scared that I would fall asleep and found that this was really a dream but thankfully it wasn't a dream.

I woke up in the morning and still found myself in my assigned room, on Elysium. Living here has been really odd… all of the residents here are meta-humans, they don't like me much as I am human but they don't go out of their way to treat me badly… and that is enough for me.

I am at peace on this island, I would have never thought that I would be able to get away from my life as a spy, filled with death and killing but it changed on a person's whim.

"So, what's eating you up?" I heard someone speak beside me and my heart almost jumped out of my heart. Since I was being trained in the Red Room no one was ever able to sneak up on me but this logic doesn't seem to work on this perverted woman.

"Please don't do that!" I said and glared at Nemuri, she just giggled after she noticed that I almost shit my pants.

"Heh… I didn't mean to scare you or surprise you. I saw you standing here and decided to join you" Nemuri spoke while looking towards the ocean, she had a gentle smile on her face while she spoke and she leaned on the railing like me.

This was the first time I have seen her like this not making a perverted comment or something like that. Even when I met her the first time in Mace, New York, she had that dangerous aura around her… it almost scared me, but now I know that my instincts were not scared for my life but for my mental stability…

"So, how have been? I mean living like this" Nemuri asked breaking the silence, I was really confused… she didn't have any of her usual perverted tendencies.

"It's nice… I have never thought that I would be allowed to live like this. This is the first time I have been free in my life… maybe you don't know a lot about me but my life wasn't sunshine and roses" I said with a sad tone, Nemuri looked at me and gave me an understanding look…

"Red Room, I know, I have read all of your files" Nemuri said and I was really surprised… she had previously mentioned that she knew everything about me… I must have thought that it wouldn't matter.

"Don't worry, what you have done there, what you had to do for them, and what they have done to you doesn't matter to me, honestly, I just decided to check you out because you seemed interesting to me" Nemuri said in a gentle tone… is she giving me a talk? At least someone decided to spend their time on me.

"But that's still my past and it's dirty… it can't be changed" I said in a sullen tone.

"No, that is why it is called the past, I know the past can't be changed, for a time I also wanted to change my past but then I decided that I shouldn't bother with what I cant do… instead, I should pay more attention to my present and my future" Nemuri said in a gentle tone. I simply listened to her without saying anything… it was quite clear that Nemuri was much older than me so she must have better knowledge…

"My life was also rough before I met Reo, but it was nothing compared to the pain you had to bear. I had no parents, no there was no one to tell me what I have been doing wrong or the correct path… but when I found what I have been doing wrong, it was too late… there was no going back" Nemuri still had her smile on her face.

"Both of our lives aren't comparable, your life was way too painful for me to understand but I just wanted to tell you that, now that you are free you can have any future you want" Nemuri said gently and turned back towards the door.

"But if you decide to betray Reo, then you will crave for death. Keep that in mind" Nemuri said while walking away, I shuddered, her voice was so cold, I felt a chill run down my spine. I have no doubt she would torture me to insanity…

"I would never do that" I said, I am sure that Nemuri heard me but didn't give a reply. There is no way in hell that I would betray him… even if I am not involved in any way with him, I would never give away my freedom!!

[POV Fleur]

"No, I mean Phoenix, we are both Phoenixes" I said showing her my arm which was surrounded by flames. There was no way she would be able to ignore this… but the expression on her face gave away the answer.

She didn't even know that these were Phoenix flames, even if she never knew about her heritage, Phoenixes can recognize fire of their own kind. I am damn sure that she had some kind of Phoenix heritage. And there is only one way to stop Phoenixes from recognizing their own flames… memory blocking or heritage blocking.

"Is that fire supposed to mean anything?" the redhead asked me with a confused look. I am now pretty sure that someone must have locked away her memories or her heritage… and that person might be here. I need to divert the topic and get her to Reo, Momo, or Luna. They are way more knowledgeable than me in these kinds of things.

"Oh, sorry, please forgive me, I must have mistaken something. I thought you controlled flames… I mean seeing your hair color and all" if I want to become a secret agent then I must know how to divert topics and spout lies like everything is normal.

"Uhmm… sorry to disappoint you but I am a telepath" the redhead said.

"So, how long will it take you to tell the others?" I asked trying to urge her to hurry. I could hear the Phoenix's sadness… I used my powers and reassured the Phoenix… the way the Phoenix inside her is acting, I think the redhead and the Phoenix are completely different entities.

"What are you going to tell others?" someone asked in a gentle voice and I saw a elder man on wheelchairs arrive behind the redhead. The elder was being trailed by a scowling man with odd-looking glasses. I don't know why but my instincts are screaming at me to melt him.

"So, you are the one who attacked me?" I asked in a scathing voice. I don't like people trying to look inside my head.

"Please, you have to forgive me, I noticed you coming towards my mansion and I decided to check… I was merely cautious" the old fool spouted bullshit. My instincts were already screaming, my Dumbledore senses were going similar. I have met Dumbles a few times but these two guys are way too similar… he must be this world's Dumbledore.

(A/N: This is a really valid comparison, Dumbledore allowed his Order members to die while he preached to give second chances to the Death Eaters. Charles tries to protect humans when mutants are being hunted)

"Please, don't try that again, or else, I will trap your mind inside my mental barriers" I said heatedly, the guy behind him wanted to attack me… I could already see from his body language but he restrained himself. Good for him…

"Why don't you go and inform the others" I urged the redhead again, she just dumbly nodded her head.

"May, I ask what you were talking about?" the old fool asked again.

"Leviathan had sent me to take all the willing meta-humans to the safe-haven" I explained briefly.

"Do you have any means to talk with him? I must try to make him understand the errors in his ways" the old fool babbled, I didn't know what he was spouting about but I have no problem allowing him to talk with Reo. I pulled out my phone and called Reo. By this time a lot of meta-humans have gathered in front of the door. Since the redhead is still here… I expect at least they will be able to inform the others.

'Fleur, what do you need?' After accepting the call Reo asked me.

"No, someone wants to talk with you" I said dryly.

'An old fool on a wheelchair with Dumbledore vibes?' Reo asked me.

"Exactly, should I give him the phone?" I asked.

'Yes' that's all I needed to hear and handed the old fool my phone. He curiously looked at it and accepted it and held it similarly like I had done.

"Am I speaking to Leviathan?" the man on wheels asked.

"I must insist that you stop this madness! We will never achieve peace like this" the old fool babbled. Is he senile? He must be off his rocker… yes, that must be the case.

"Then, I have nothing more to say. But know this, I will use all of my power to stop you" the old fool said, yes, definitely off his rocker if he thinks he can stop Reo, anything Reo wants he will get.

The old man returned me the phone with a solemn look on his face… everyone was now at the door. This makes it much easier.

"I think we have been delayed enough this enough, I was sent here by Leviathan to take anyone willing to the safe haven Leviathan had built" I said to the gathered meta-humans, and immediately murmurs broke out in the crowd…