Zenith the Eradicator/Issue 1

The first issue of the series Zenith the Eradicator for Ethereal Comics.
==Synopsis==
After waking up in the middle of an unknown forest, Zenith the Eradicator begins his quest to find and hunt the mysterious Angels. Along the way, he befriends a child who claims to know where the Angels are.
==Plot==
[System check up engaged.System Operations normalID No. 009Codename: ZenithCurrent location: UnidentifiedMission objective: ERADICATE THEM ALL]
In the middle of the woods, lying face-down on the grass, is a blue and black robotic humanoid. They twist to their back and run their metallic hand across their glass face, which displays glowing and shifting lights that act as eyes. Once they've confirmed their glass hasn't been broken, they slowly stand. They hold their arm up and stare at their own wrist. With an odd hand movement, the hilt of a blade shoots from his arm and lands in his hand, a large katana made of glowing blue energy appearing out of it. He cuts at the air to test the swinging before crouching with his digitigrade-like legs and taking off, running at speeds so fast that the bushes and leaves rustle from the gust of wind behind him.
Elsewhere in the woods are a handful of people, all of whom are wearing the same mask. One approaches the other and taps his shoulder to get his attention. The other man sets a can of beer on the grass and lowers his mask, which had been slightly lifted to allow him to drink from the can.
* Masked Man #1: How's the wife?
* Masked Man #2: Still screeching.
* Masked Man #1: Well, you can't blame her for not being over it yet.
* Masked Man #2: Yeah, I guess... Still though, it's not exactly fun to deal with.
* Masked Man #1: Maybe you should just apologize.
* Masked Man #2: That's the thing, I have! I've apologized over and over, but she won't stop bringing it up! Like, I made one mistake, what's the point in bringing it up over, and over, and over, like I don't fucking get it already!?
* Masked Man #1: Hey, hey... (He pats the other man's back to calm him)
* Masked Man #2: (He sighs) Yeah, it's really getting to me...
* Masked Man #1: Maybe you should consider counseling?
* Masked Man #2: Let's just... Let's just focus on the job right now.
The concerned friend nods. They then proceed to pull a pair of guns along with the rest of the masked men, all of whom aim at a struggling man, gagged and blindfolded, that has been tied to a tree. Every single man aims at a different tree, all of which have men, women, and even children tied to them. The leader of the masked man raises his hand.
* Masked Leader: Hold!
He stands perfectly still while all of the tied people whine, scream, and cry. He then quickly pulls his hand down, indicating to fire. The masked gunmen oblige, unloading bullet after bullet at the trees until all of their bullets are completely used up and their guns do nothing but click. The leader tilts his head and squints.
* Masked Leader: What the hell...?
Absolutely none of the tied up people have been hit. In fact, the trees don't even have bullet holes in them. One of the masked men looks around in confusion, spotting something and pointing at it in terror.
* Masked Man #2: Sir!
They all turn and spot the robotic man crouched with his arms slumped in front of him. He stands and turns around, revealing that he has moved faster than the eye can track and caught every single bullet that has been fired, all of which are being held in his arms. He proceeds to lower his arms, dropping all of the bullets on the ground. All of the masked men look on in complete horror and dread as they realize what has just happened.
* Masked Leader: Holy shit...
The robot man lowers his head, the sun shining on his glass face.
* Zenith: Are you an Angel?
* Masked Leader: I'm sorry?
* Zenith: You are forgiven. I repeat, are you an Angel?
The masked leader pauses for a long time.
* Masked Leader: Yes.
He answers matter of factly, as if it should be obvious. Zenith nods in response. He strikes a pose that indicates he is ready to attack, the leader noticing this and drawing his gun. With a loud slice, Zenith has already made it to the leader, having cut his hand off and the gun along with it. The leader screams and Zenith brings the blade down again, cutting his head clean off, it hitting the ground with a thunk and his body dropping shortly after. The rest of the masked men all reload their weapons and aim them at Zenith. Zenith does not attack immediately, looking around at the people as they aim their weapons.
* Masked Man #3: Come on, he can't kill all of us?
* Zenith: Are you all Angels?
* Masked Man #3: Of course we are! Isn't it obvious!?
* Zenith: Understood.
Zenith readies himself again. All of the people unload their guns, only for Zenith to grab the bullets mid-air before they can hit him and toss them back at the gunmen with such force that it pierces through them. He continues to throw the bullets back at them over and over until all of them have dropped dead from being hit by their own bullets. Once all of the gunmen have been killed, Zenith nonchalantly puts his blade away and walks to the bound people, ungagging one of them.
* Hostage: What was that!? What's happening!?
* Zenith: Are you an Angel?
* Hostage: Stop asking me that, I'm not! I'm not a fucking angel, you bastards!
* Zenith: Understood.
Zenith finishes untying the hostage. He looks around and recoils at the sight of the corpses.
* Zenith: Are any of them Angels?
The man turns and sees Zenith gesturing at the other hostages.
* Hostage: No... No, they're not.
* Zenith: Understood.
Zenith draws his sword. The hostage tries to stop him, but Zenith makes his cut anyway. However, instead of killing them, he's cut the bindings of all of the hostages, allowing them to drop to the ground. The quickly undo their own gags and blindfolds, rising to their feet. Some of them are scared of Zenith, but word quickly spreads among them of Zenith's rescue. The first hostage stands with what is presumably his wife, cradling her in his arms.
* Hostage: Thank you... Whoever you are...
Zenith starts walking away.
* Hostage: Wait, um... What are you?
* Zenith: I am the Eradicator called Zenith.
Zenith continues walking away, as if he has explained everything. He gets ready to run again, only for a young child to notice this, run over, and jump on them, clinging to their back.
* Child: Wait!
Zenith takes off, leaving the other freed hostages in the woods. However, Zenith stops an unknown amount of distance away, having only just noticed the child clinging to him. When he finally stops, the child lets go and gasps for air violently, as if they have been without it for some time.
* Child: That was... (His face lights up) AWESOME! What was that? How come I couldn't breathe for a minute there?
* Zenith: I moved faster than the air particles. I don't need to breathe, but you should hold your breath if you plan to do that again.
The child stands up, practically bouncing with excitement.
* Child: You'll let me do that again!?
* Zenith: I can't stop you.
* Child: That would be the greatest thing EVER!
Zenith doesn't reply.
* Wolfgang: (Happily) My name is Wolfgang.
Zenith doesn't reply.
* Wolfgang: I'm named after Mozart.
Zenith doesn't reply.
*Wolfgang: Hey, um... Are you a robot?
*Zenith: I am an Eradicator.
*Wolfgang: What's that?
*Zenith: I am designed to kill Angels.
*Wolfgang: Oh, oh! I know where to find some angels!
*Zenith: ...Elaborate.
*Wolfgang: (He points off into the distance) They're... uh... (He points in another direction) Um...
Zenith stands still while watching the boy confusedly look around, trying to figure out what direction the supposed angels are in. Wolfgang eventually gives up completely and turns to Zenith.
*Wolfgang: Um... I don't know where they are. But I know how to find them!
*Zenith: I see.
*Wolfgang: They live in this... kind of base. You know, like the ones army guys use on TV?
*Zenith: No.
*Wolfgang: What do you mean no?
*Zenith: I do not know what you are referring to.
*Wolfgang: Oh... Well, it's got a... big fence around it. And all the buildings inside of the fence are made of metal. And there's... all these trucks and cars everywhere.
*Zenith: Please inform me of an identifying quality.
*Wolfgang: Oh, oh, right! Sorry. The building that the leaders of the angels live in is really tall and has this big red ball on top of it. They're probably close, they live in the woods somewhere. Whenever somebody realizes they're not an angel, they drag them out here and they... well, they never show up again.
*Zenith: Understood. I will search for the red orb.
Zenith widens his stance and his back opens up, a pair of jets appearing where his shoulder blades once were. Wolfgang stares in awe, his eyes lighting up as he leaps and clings to Zenith's sides.
*Zenith: I will burn your arms off if you hold me like that.
Wolfgang's eyes open up in terror. Zenith responds by scooping him up into his arms, holding him in a way to protect him from the jet flames as he takes off into the air.
*Zenith: Hold your breath.
Wolfgang inhales. Zenith launches himself, creating a burst behind him so powerful that it knocks over a tree. Meanwhile, far off in the wilderness, is a military-like base. At the center of it sits a building so tall that it towers over all the trees within the woods. At the top of this building is a ball-shaped, red light that shines so brightly that it's scarlet hue tints the metal buildings below. Within the building, a man stands with a jug of water in his hand. Before him is a line of men, women, and children. One of these children, a little girl, kneels before him as another man pats her back in a reassuring way.
* Father: My daughter's mother has past and I am left her sole guardian. Please bless her and awaken the angel within.
* Blesser: Understood, brother.
He pours the water over the girl's head. The father walks away with her after and another person steps forward. Watching the scene unfold is a man surrounded by similar masked gunmen as the mass execution. One of the masked gunmen, newly entered into the room, walks up behind the mysterious man and speaks into his ear.
* Masked Man #4: Our brothers have not returned from the purge. We suspect the worst.
* Mystery Man: Then they were not true angels. Plain and simple.
* Masked Man #4: (He nods) I am aware, Reverend. But we are afraid of what may have potentially claimed their lives.
* Reverend: Whoever they may be, I am certain that the angels will be able to handle them. But to be safe, ship the weapons out faster.
* Masked Man #4: Of course, reverend.
The masked man pulls back and exits the room to give the order he has just recieved. Outside within one of the military towers surrounding the base sits a pair of other masked men. One of them gets an alert from their radar gun, immediately checking it. He flinches at the sight before laughing. He turns the radar gun around, showing the other man.
* Masked Man #5: Hey, check out the miles on the radar.
* Masked Man #6: 999 miles?
* Masked Man #5: I know, right? Must be busted.
He laughs again. Both men are completely unaware that just above them hovers Zenith, still carrying Wolfgang in his arms. Wolfgang lets out the breath he was holding and Zenith grabs his head, tilting it back and making him look at the red light.
* Zenith: Red light. Is this the base?
* Wolfgang: That's bright!
* Zenith: Apologies. (He lets Wolfgang's head go)
* Wolfgang: ...But yeah, this is the base.
* Zenith: Excellent.
Zenith drops down, the ground below him cracking from the force. Immediately, the people living in the base begin panicking and running. Masked gunmen all storm in and aim their weapons at Zenith, who lets Wolfgang go. One of the gunmen lowers his gun and his eyes widen.
* Masked Man #6: Wolfgang?
* Wolfgang: Hi dad...
* Wolfgang's Dad: You were sent to the purge.
* Wolfgang: (He points at Zenith) He saved me!
Zenith pulls his sword but Wolfgang waves his hands in front of him, indicating for him not to do anything.
* Wolfgang: Wait! That's my dad!
* Zenith: Your father is an Angel?
* Wolfgang: Well... Kind of.
* Wolfgang's Dad: I am. (He aims his gun again, pointing it at Zenith) Everyone here is angels. We're angels stuck in human bodies.
* Wolfgang: No you're not!
* Masked Man #7: Why are you wasting your time talking?
* Wolfgang's Dad: Just let me talk to him for a minute, he's confused.
* Wolfgang: No I'm not, dad! Stop saying that! I'm not confused! I'm not an angel! And neither was mom, and neither are you! Please dad, just stop it already!
* Wolfgang's Dad: We are angels. God put us in these bodies to--
* Wolfgang: Mom said we weren't!
* Wolfgang's Dad: That's why she was sent to the purge. You know how it works, son.
Wolfgang goes quiet and tears start forming in his eyes.
* Zenith: What is the purge?
* Wolfgang's Dad: It's a test.
* Wolfgang: The purge happens to people who say they aren't angels. If they live, they were wrong and they're an angel. But, if they die, they were right...
* Wolfgang's Dad: And if they weren't angels, then they shouldn't have been here in the first place.
* Zenith: Wolfgang has informed me no one has ever returned from the purge.
* Wolfgang's Dad: That's right.
* Zenith: How is it possible that 100% of the people who have been purged have not turned out to be Angels? And would this not rappidly increase the chance that there is a high percentage of non-Angels amongst your ranks?
Wolfgang's father doesn't respond, as if this question has gotten gears turning in his head. However, another gunman opens fire, the rest following suit. His train of thought interrupted, Wolfgang's father also unloads his gun. Wolfgang flinches but Zenith quickly grabs him and flies back up into the air, landing on top of the central building. Wolfgang hangs in his arms while the gunmen below scatter, clearly searching for him. Wolfgang is gasping for air again.
* Zenith: Apologies for the lack of warning. I could not exhaust even a second's worth of time.
* Wolfgang: It's fine... How come you didn't do the grabby bullets thing?
* Zenith: Would you have preferred for me to do so?
* Wolfgang: No... I'm just wondering.
* Zenith: I chose the route that would allow me to escape the easiest.
* Wolfgang: Why did you need to escape?
* Zenith: Because you were right, Wolfgang. None of the people below are Angels. I have already killed some, which goes against my mission statement. I would prefer to not kill more.
* Wolfgang: Oh... That's good. I don't want you to kill my dad.
* Zenith: (He looks at Wolfgang and tilts his head) Your father believes himself an Angel and you are aware I wish to eradicate them. Why did you bring me here if you did not wish for me to kill your father?
* Wolfgang: I didn't bring you here to kill him! He's not evil, he's just... (He trails off)
* Zenith: Then who do you wish for me to kill?
* Wolfgang: I don't want you to kill anyone...
* Zenith: Yes you do. When I informed you of my purpose to kill Angels, you brought me to this base. This indicates there is someone you wish for me to kill.
* Wolfgang: (He lets out a whimper in response) ...The Reverend. He's the guy who got my dad to join this stupid thing.
* Zenith: I am not designed to kill those who are not Angels, Wolfgang.
Wolfgang remains quiet and stares down sadly.
* Zenith: How much of a threat does the Reverend pose?
* Wolfgang: (Angrily) ...Big.
* Zenith: Understood.
Inside of the building, the masked gunmen are all surrounding the Reverend, aiming their guns outwards to protect him from any incoming threats.
* Masked Man #8: We'll get you out of here as fast as we can, Reverend.
* Reverend: I still don't understand, what do you mean that a robot broke into the base?
* Masked Man #9: We mean exactly what we said, Reverend. A robot flew over the gates, carrying a boy who was meant to go to the purge.
* Reverend: No, I get what you're literally saying, but how is that possible?
* Masked Man #9: We all saw it, Reverend, it's real. Now, get to the truck waiting for you outside.
The Reverend follows his guards. Behind him, though, the sound of screams and gunfires follow. The Reverend turns to see what's happening, being greeted by the sight of various gunmen surrounding something that he can't see, a katana made of pure energy slicing at the air. His eyes widen and he shoves at his own guards.
* Reverend: Get me the fuck out of here! Go, go, go!
The guards pick up their speed, rushing the Reverend to the truck as fast as they can. They are not fast enough, evidentally, as one of the gunmen has their gun cut in half before they themself are kicked in the chest by Zenith, causing the gunmen to launch through the air and hit a handful of other gunmen along the way before he finally hits the ground with a loud crack. The still standing gunmen aim their weapons at Zenith.
* Downed Masked Man: Acckk! My ribs! I think it broke my ribs!
* Zenith: He will live.
With that, Zenith slices and appears on the other side of the gathered masked men, all of their guns being cut to pieces. Upon realizing this, they all begin backing away. The Reverend meanwhile desperately gets into the truck and tries to start the engine.
* Reverend: Shit, shit, shit! How the fuck do you work this thing!?
The Reverend, whether intentionally or not, drives the truck backwards into Zenith, running him over. Once he realizes this, he looks shocked before laughing and driving forward, running Zenith over again as he drives away. The Reverend continues laughing the whole time as he drives off, but it eventually dies down. However, the moment it does, he hears a thud and looks up, Zenith now perched on the hood of his truck, the only damage to him being a large crack on his glass face. The Reverend screams as Zenith winds back a punch and shatters the window, grabbing the Reverend out of the vehicle and lifting him into the air while the truck below the two speeds out of control.
* Zenith: You broke my face.
* Reverend: Please don't kill me! I didn't even do anything!
* Zenith: I am programmed to defend humanity and prevent them from being placed at risk. The existence of your angels places a major risk to human life.
* Reverend: (He starts crying and screaming, realizing that this may be the end) Please don't kill me!
* Zenith: I will not.
Zenith drops the Reverend, the car running him over. Zenith then drops in front of the truck and stops it with a single hand, the car lifting into the air slightly from it's own momentum before dropping back down. Behind it lies the Reverend in a pool of his own blood, twitching and spasming on the dirt. He raises a shakey hand and stares at it in pure horror. Zenith walks over to him, stepping in his blood pool.
* Zenith: I am not allowed to kill you, but you will no longer be a threat in the future. If I am correct, I believe that at least one of your legs will be paralyzed for the remainder of your life.
* Reverend: I... I'm bleeding... But angels don't bleed...
* Zenith: You are correct. You are not an angel.
The Reverend continues staring at his own blood, his face one of shock as the truth slowly dawns on him.
* Reverend: I was a mortal commanding angels.
* Zenith: You still believe your underlings to be angels?
* Reverend: Of course I do. It's obvious!
* Zenith: (He remains quiet for a moment) I believe I spotted a radio in your car. If you do not wish to die in the woods, then use it to call your people here.
* Reverend: You should just kill me. I'm going to die on Armageddon anyway.
* Zenith: Elaborate.
* Reverend: When the angels rise and the mortals die... Just like how God intended.
* Zenith: I see. Is there more of your group?
* Reverend: Obviously! You think fifty people could take on all of the mortals by themselves!?
* Zenith: Thank you for this information.
Zenith begins walking away. The Reverend's eyes widen and he crawls towards Zenith.
* Reverend: What are you doing? Kill me!
* Zenith: I have already informed you. I cannot do that.
* Reverend: Fuck you! Kill me!
Zenith gets into his usual position he takes before running.
* Reverend: KILL ME!
Zenith runs away, leaving the Reverend in the woods. Back at the base, the various residents are scrambling, speaking into various communicators, requesting back up, and much more. None of them are aware that on top of the central tower is Wolfgang, who is curled up into a ball, his legs pressed to his own chest and his face buried in his knees. Below him, his father calls his name.
* Wolfgang's Dad: Wolfgang! WOLFGANG!
Wolfgang sighs in response.
* Wolfgang: Thanks for not hurting my dad.
Wolfgang says this to Zenith, who is now standing behind him.
* Zenith: You detected my presence.
* Wolfgang: You make a noise when you're around. It's kinda like a humming. Really quiet...
* Zenith: Your ears are impressive.
* Wolfgang: Thanks. (He continues to watch his own father look for him below) ...I don't think I came go back home after this.
* Zenith: Where would you like to go?
* Wolfgang: I 'unno... I thought that after the Reverend was gone, everything would go back to normal. Y'know, like they do in TV shows or comics.
* Zenith: I am unfamiliar.
* Wolfgang: In comics, once you beat the bad guy, stuff just kinda works out...
Wolfgang stops talking. His little heart and underdeveloped mind can't articulate his thoughts very well. In response to his words, Zenith simply opens his arms. Noticing this, Wolfgang smiles and runs over to him, hugging him.
* Zenith: I was offering to carry you again.
* Wolfgang: Oh. Can I... Can I hug you, then?
* Zenith: That is acceptable.
Wolfgang smiles and hugs Zenith tighter. Zenith, despite his motions being a little awkward, manages to hug back.
* Wolfgang: Your chest is cold.
* Zenith: I am made of metal.
* Wolfgang: Can you not heat yourself up?
* Zenith: Not that I'm aware of.
Wolfgang remains in Zenith's metallic arms for a moment.
* Wolfgang: ...Can I come with you?
* Zenith: To where?
* Wolfgang: Wherever you go, I guess...
Zenith thinks about it for a moment before scooping Wolfgang up into his arms, Wolfgang's face lighting up again as he wraps his arms around Zenith's neck. Zenith activates his jets once again and takes off into the air with Wolfgang in his arms. Zenith's cracked glass face remains unreadable, but Wolfgang is clearly having the time of his life, laughing and smiling the whole way.
Continued in Issue 2.