Martin

[martinatfacetroid]

*Martin quickly rolled as the rather hefty sword of the new entity crashed down where he had been but a short moment ago. Sparks of light and dark erupted at the point of impact, making Martin back peddle further. With a screech the monster swung the sword horizontally, the tip of the sword unleashed a focused beam of interwoven energy across the top of the tower, causing the party to avoid its erratic movement*

Arius: To hell with this!

*Arius unleashed a hail of energy blasts to the being’s upper body, a few shots met their marks before the remainder were absorbed into a freshly formed dark portal. A low growl emanated from the creature as it seemed to take a quick moment to assess the other targets on the platform as only just now they had caught their attention. His focus swapped back to Martin quite often, but his fixation also seemed to drift towards the pair of luminoth. With a swift uppercut, a wave of darkness was sent along the floor towards the couple, jutted spikes erupting from the crawling abyss as it encroached*

[martinatfacetroid]

*Upon reaching the final staircase to the top of the tower, Martin noticed the ravaged body of Alice, most of her mechanical limbs had been severed as she laid motionless on her back, before Martin had time to analyze her body, a shadow pirate caught him off with a swift strike of a scythe, Martin rose his spear to block but the force threw him into the wall. It was at this moment that the pirate gave an uncharacteristic apology as the jovian transformed back into her usual self. Martin regained his composure and thankfully noted that no damage had been done. Araysia gave him a soft smile upon seeing that he was ok but Martin noticed her feigned strength as he could see the exhaustion in her eyes. On the prior level, all of the creatures had been killed by various attacks, he pulled a few of her jovian daggers that he had collected and moved to hand them back to her. Araysia batted his hand which caused them to fall to the ground, metallic noises chimed when they hit the floor. The jovian looked to be in a mix of anger and tears*

Martin: I’m sorry, I never wanted to drag you-

*Martin also looked back to the luminoths, Arius had already started checking and analyzing Alice’s vitals during the exchange*

Martin: Or any of you into this...

Araysia: Quit being so damn stoic! That psychotic witch is up there summoning demons, and she barely won without dying! Yet you insist upon us saving her! We both were doing this for you!

*Martin took a moment of consideration at the fuming jovian, her anger was merited*

Martin: I know, I don’t deserve it. You wouldn’t have that opportunity if it wasn’t for her, she saved my life, gave me another chance. I owe her at least the same. Thank you for saving Alice.

Arius: Martin, from a more level head. This realm was sealed for a reason. We don’t know what her or her sister are truly capable of. Even if we succeed in freeing her, we may be best to leave this realm as it is, and ours the same.

*Martin looked over at Arius, he noticed the scanner he had used read that Alice was in a stable condition. Elyria made no comment on the subject, yet seemed eager to climb the steps*

Martin: Well, standing here won’t solve anything. Araysia, please hang back. You’re not in any shape to fight.

*Araysia was ready to protest before Arius stepped between them with an extra pistol in his hand, which he promptly gave to her*

Arius: Hold out just a little longer, you can shoot him once it’s over.

*The joke helped ease the tension a bit, Araysia took the pistol and sat down next to Alice’s body as everyone else climbed the final steps leading to the top of the tower. The air above them moved with a swirling darkness, tendrils connected it to the unconscious Elira. Martin moved to help her but in that moment, Elyria crumpled to the ground screaming*

Martin: What’s happening!?

Arius: I don’t know! 

Martin: Elyria!

*Veins of light became visible in her body as she writhed on the floor, she struggled to talk to the others*

Elyria: A...sum..mon...ing. So...much....rage....

Arius: Martin!

*Martin was trying to think of solutions when the swirling darkness began to pull towards the center of the tower’s platform, causing a violent wind storm in the immediate vicinity. Martin magnetized his boots to maintain balance. He looked over to Elyria who had fallen into a similar trance as Elira. Light emitted from her body and began to fill in the core of the dark mass centered on the platform, clearly forming a portal as an entity began to emerge from it. A sizable sword began to protrude from the portal attached to armored hands.Then in one moment, all of the energy seem to center around the blade before exploding into a blinding light. Martin’s visor filtered for a few seconds before regaining vision. A humanoid being now stood in the center of the platform, veins of light and dark coursed through it’s armor. Hardened crystallizations of both energies made it hard to tell where armor or flesh was melded. It seemed to take in the the surroundings for a moment before letting out a scream of unbridled rage at the sight of Martin*

Arius: Does this thing know you?

*Martin’s first thought brought Gorea  to mind but regardless this foe had seemed to have lost its sanity*

Martin: I’m not sure, but I’m gonna need help on this one...

Elira: You...came.

*With the ritual stopped, it seemed that she had regained control, Elira let out a faint smile before passing out from her body’s overburden*

*With another yell, the energy infused being charged Martin*

[martinatfacetroid]

*At the top of the tower, Araysia wiped sweat from her forehead as she reached the final door alongside Alice. The sniper’s blue eyes turned to meet Araysia’s fatigued state. The cybernetically infused woman certainly had an advantage on the jovian in regards to stamina. Araysia could tell that her condition was being evaluated. Araysia waved her hand in dismissal*

Araysia: I’m fine, if I wanted to quit, I would have done it half way up this freaking tower!

Alice: Yes, but up ahead isn’t a simple beast or over zealous darkling. Elira is much stronger. Those luminoth should have let me kill her when I had the chance. Guard this door, I have a feeling she won’t be held by restraints. It will be better if the both of us could focus on her with our full potential. Worrying about one another will give her an advantage.

*Araysia bit her lip in frustration, she didn’t like leaving Alice alone to battle Elira. Though she was bluffing about her fatigue, the countless transformations that she had used throughout the climb had taken their toll on her body, she knew bravado wasn’t going to get her far. Araysia slumped against the wall and tossed one of her daggers to Alice*

Araysia: Don’t make me open that door. 

*Alice nodded and stood in front of the door. It parted, revealing a short staircase that led up to an opening to the roof of the tower. She stepped out into the dark atmosphere once more and froze. Elira’s body hung, only being lifted up by the chains that were attached to her wrists. A swirling darkness floated above her, and the corpses of her captors littered the floor around her. Despite the grizzly scene, Elira looked unharmed despite being lifeless*

(Does her power have a will of its own?)

*Alice wasn’t going to take chances, she loaded a round of light crystal into her wrist cannon, and aimed it directly towards Elira’s drooping head. She fired, and the sound of screeching metal was heard as her arm was severed from her body. Alice went spiraling towards the edge of tower. She quickly looked up as she had lost her firing arm along with her light crystal rounds. An expression of irritation crossed her face but soon turned to surprise as she recognized the frame of the dark warrior standing in defense of Elira*

Elira: My paladin...my paladin...has come to save me from the nightmare...

*Her word were distant, as if she weren’t in the room, the Paladin held a sizable sword and shield. It moved methodically in an almost mechanical motion towards Alice. She knew it wasn’t Martin. At least, it wasn’t their Martin. Alice wondered if somehow in her distress was summoning a full apparition of Martin unconsciously. Alice activated her scythe on her left arm. She now was at a huge disadvantage with her range gone, the Paladin had melee superiority. With an unyielding run, the Paladin charged. Alice slid under the brutish being as it had lunged for a horizontal strike. She still could outmaneuver the being but one wrong move would end it all. The Paladin simply turned around with no sign of irritation, as if everything that had occurred was natural. It seemed to size down Alice as she examined her opponent*

(If she is recreating Martin in her twisted head, he should still have that chest wound in this state.)

*True enough, the center of the Paladin’s chest armor was fractured. If she could plunge her light scythe into that spot, the beast would hopefully go down. It charged once more. This time, Alice stood her ground,she dodged the diagonal swing of its blade and then moved in to plunge her scythe into its chest. The blade struck against the Paladin’s shield as it pushed her back with it. Alice was faced with yet another charge, she jumped over and past the Paladin. As she turned to face it, she let out a gasp of surprise as she was struck in the center of her body with the Paladin’s thrown shield. Her body got sent hurtling back, metal scraped on metal until she reached a grinding halt next to the edge. She coughed and blood came out of her mouth. Her senses had grown dull. Without a doubt that blow had caused major damage to her mechanical and biological internals. Fortunately, she could still feel her legs do she shakily stood to her feet. The Sniper knew she was outmatched indefinitely as the beast gave her little time to recover, it sprinted towards her with unrelenting ferocity. An idea came to Alice in the moment, as she stood on the edge of the tower, a fatal drop to her back. As the Paladin got close it moved to slow its pace as it moved in for the killing blow. Alice carefully spun, the beast turned with her to avoid falling, leaving the chest exposed to her scythe into the Paladin’s fractured armor as its blade cleaved through her legs. Both of the combatants fell to the ground. The armored apparition writhed as the light energy coursed through it until finally it dissipated. Fragments of the beings dark energy floated back into the dark energy floating above Elira. Alice’s senses dulled as she laid upon the ground, the Paladin had nearly killed her. She struggled but managed to use her only remaining limb, her left arm, to roll herself over. Elira still hung motionlessly as she was suspended in the chains, a newly formed tear had run down her face, perhaps in recognition of the fallen warrior. Alice then began to pull herself towards the witch with her arm. Her metal body screeched as she made her way. With each pull, she could feel her strength fading her body, her senses had all but dulled to numbness. One pull followed by another, and one after that. Everything seemed distant*

(Just...a little...farther.)

[martinatfacetroid]

*Martin and the other had continued their trek through the forest. Sticking close to J-Mos, even more so after her display of combat prowess against the dark beasts. Each member of the group would occasionally look back to see if that pack of predators were in pursuit, but it seemed they had learned to keep their distance from the luminoth. Since the initial attack, there had been no sign of the creatures. Time passed and they found themselves at the base of the large tower*

Elyria: We better be on guard, they must know tha-

*Martin held up a hand as he looked at the entrance to the blackened tower. Corpses of what seemed to be the same shadowy bipedal creatures that had ambushed them on Aether littered the ground. Martin held his light spear out as he went to inspect the bodies. Each seemed to have been brought down by precise shots. Light crystal infused rounds. Arius and Martin already knew who’s handy work this was*

Martin: She’s already here.

*Martin then spotted a jovian dagger potruding from an adjacent corpse, the being had fallen flat in what must’ve been an attempt to escape*

Martin: Araysia and Alice have beaten us here.

Elyria: So that’s good right? Your friends may have already rescued Elira.

Arius: We’re friends yes, but they’re probably attempting the opposite of a rescue.

*Elyria’s cheerful expression turned grim as she hear his words. Martin simply stood as he held onto the jovian dagger. The lightweight blades were well balanced and therefore made great throwing knives. Martin kept his spear at the ready as he moved to enter the tower*

Martin: There’s no time to wait, we have to hurry.

[martinatfacetroid]

*As they began the trek through the darkness. Martin remembered that he still had the light crystal that Araysia had thrown him before she was lost to this dimension. He kept hold of it as a spare while he stayed close to J-Mos. Martin couldn’t disregard how valuable of an ally the luminoth sentinel had been. Martin wondered why she had been in stasis during Aether’s plight with Dark Samus. Not a word was spoken among the party as they traveled through the uninviting environment. Shadows loomed all around them and there was an uneasy stillness that seemed to linger in the atmosphere. It didn’t help that the light crystal that encircled them gave made their position obvious but sadly it was the only safe environment they could trust. If anything was driven to attack from the dark tainted foliage, they would be forced to fight in close quarters around J-Mos. Martin knew it would only be inevitable. Elyria seemed to notice Martin evaluating the situation and made a short comment to temporarily break the silence*

Elyria: I can generate a light shield around us as well if we need it.

*In the distance, a large tower stood on the surface of a rocky cliff, looming over the edge of the forest. Spires jutted out of the top like spikes*

Arius: Let me guess, that’s it...

*Elyria gave a nod as they made their way through the forest in the direction of the tower. As they continued, a very audible snap came from behind them akin to a breaking branch. Martin immediately took up guard as he turned to look behind them. Beyond the light well, it seemed that only darkness stared back at them. Within that darkness, two menacing crimson eyes glowed, Elyria shot a glowing orb to reveal the creature. Large fangs lined its maw as it looked ravenously towards the group within their light bubble. It might have been the size of a large bear but it seemed more built like a wolf. A jagged black mane lined the back of its neck along to the upper back. Martin readied the light spear. One beast couldn’t be that bad. Then a similar pair of eyes lit up to the left, followed by one to the right. Martin clutched his spear tighter as more of the beast appeared from the shadows. Elyria nervously shifted her hands as she silently watched. Arius remained still and aimed his rifle towards the closest beasts eyes. Two of the monsters began to move to encircle them. Then the front beast let out a snarl and lunged with its jaws aimed at J-Mos*

[martinatfacetroid]

*Elyria gave a U-Mos and the others a serious stare*

Elyria: We have to get to the dark side of this world, to their city. It is home to insanity. I believe they intend to drain Elira’s energy and force open a portal to your realm through unconventional means, in an attempt to merge our worlds. Elira is the only one who has been able to openly travel between dimensions, but then she didn’t return after the last time. We’re sisters but I can’t even make portals despite...them forcing me to try.

*Martin took note of the scars on her arms that were just barely visible underneath the sleeves of her robes*

Martin: Let’s get moving then. If we stay here, those knights will find us again.

*As they traveled Arius looked towards Martin, his tone was a bit cautious as he spoke*

Arius: So Martin, it sounds like removing Elira from this place is the solution to keeping this place sealed off.

*Martin just nodded as Arius continued*

Arius: Removing Elira completely would be an option too, which is probably what she’s thinking.

*Martin looked to Arius as they made their way through the light realm. He knew Alice would be able to take care of herself, but they had not seen a single sign of her or Araysia since being captured by the dark beasts*

Martin: Elira saved me when I was as good for dead, not knowing anything about me. She deserves the same chance. I owe it to her regardless.

*Arius gave a knowing gaze from behind his visor*

Arius: I’m not the one you need to convince.

*The group traveled through various land formations, jungles, plains, valleys with an otherworldly light sky residing over them until finally they came to the divide between the light and dark realms of the planet. Martin looked to U-Mos*

Martin: Do you think this atmosphere is poisonous? 

[martinatfacetroid]

*Martin and Arius both plummeted to the ocean, the water overtaking them as they sank into the waves due to the weight of their armor. Martin looked down and only saw a black darkness in the depths, Martin’s only hope was the light spear that he had held onto. He centered himself with the spear and held it tightly before activating the beam function, causing the spear to propel him towards the distant shore. Water began to fill his helmet as he held his breath, he had fired the staff diagonally to also head in the direction of the surface, his eye now stung from the water as he saw the surface of the water draw near. As he reached the surface, the talons of a beast wrapped around his armor. Martin gasped as the water drained from his helmet but now, he was rising above the surface of the water. He could just see the talons of what seemed to be a large bird*

Arius: Hey Martin, I think we both made a good friend today.

*Martin had been so caught up in the moment he hadn’t realized that Arius was being held in the adjacent talon*

Elyria: Don’t worry Martin, Syva is gentle. 

*Elyria sat on the back of the griffon as if it were a horse. Martin remembered the griffon’s name back from the city*

Elyria: Oh hey, that looks like a good spot!

*Martin and Arius both uncomfortably groaned as the griffon made a sharp turn and made its way towards the red sand lining the shore. The griffon flapped her wings vibrantly as it slowed down to land, dropping the two humans face first into the sand as well as the luminoth, which Martin hadn’t realized the griffon had been carrying with her rear talons. The griffon let out a roar of approval as she dug her feet into the warm sand upon landing. Elyria gave an apologetic expression towards the party as they stood and brushed the sand from their visors. Arius gave a short sigh of relief as solid ground was once more beneath his feet. Martin gave a nod towards U-Mos*

Martin: You two saved us back there, thanks. 

*He also looked towards Elyria, who was gently stroking the feathers on Syva’s neck but intently watching Martin and the others. Martin then looked towards the griffin and Elyria*

Martin: You two as well. I doubt I would have been able to pull off that light spear trick in the long run.

Elyria: It made you easy to spot.

*Martin gave a nod and then looked back to U-Mos and J-Mos*

Martin: I’m sorry to have dragged the two of you into this, this is my responsibility.

[martinatfacetroid]

*As Martin and the others strode into the light palace, Martin couldn’t help but notice the reflection of his battered armor in the golden walls lining the hallway that lead to the throne room. More importantly, he noticed Elyria had a downcast expression behind him. Martin stopped dead in his tracks, Arius stopped his gait and looked over at him. The armored knights escorting them held onto their light lances tightly as they looked at the ragged warrior. Martin turned to face Elyria directly, who now feigned an expression of innocence*

Martin: You’re not bringing us to this throne room to have a chat, are you?

Elyria: No-it’s not, it wasn’t my choice-

*It was too late for negotiations, the knights twisted their lances and fired beams inwardly upon the party. Martin still had held onto a dark sword that he had forged with Elira’s power, he shifted to the side as he took several steps forward to the nearest light being past the shaft of the light spear it bore. His sword struck home in the knight’s chest, light flashed and flickered from the holes of the beings mask until it dropped dead. It’s armor fell to the ground as the creature turned to a husk. With adrenaline still flowing, Martin turned to see his other two opponents. Arius had managed to topple the other knight and was unloading a clip f his federation assault rifle into. It writhed under the marine’s boot until finally it stopped moving, the other knight charged Martin. Martin went to block with his sword but the force of the light lance cleaved the blade in two and sent Martin reeling back into the wall. The expressionless knight thrusted the spear towards Martin’s chest area, the armor upon which was still damaged. A blinding light overtook the knight just as it was about to reach Martin, the intense blast of energy disintegrated the warrior. Martin glanced his head to Elyria’s shaking hand, the source of the blast. She nervously looked around. Martin strode forward to her in a threatening manner. He still held the hilt of the now broken dark sword as he stared down Elira’s supposed sister*

Martin: I don’t get what kind of game you’re playing. 

*Elyria shook her head as she seemed to be entering a state of panic*

Elyria: There’s no time, I’m a prisoner here just like Elira!

*Arius reloaded an energy clip into his assault rifle, he looked at Martin, the luminoth and the light woman*

Arius: Which means you brought us into the heart of enemy territory.

*Elyria looked down to the ground, her golden eyes filled with remorse but she had no choice in the matter. At the same time, she realized this party of foreigners could be her only hope to escaping this wretched place. She steadied her breathing as she looked up towards the others, a new sense of conviction over took her as she looked towards Martin*

Elyria: I want to save Elira, and I want to escape, this realm was sealed away by the elder races for the right reason. I can’t make a portal, but I can put up a barrier. 

*Elyria picked up two of the fallen knight’s light lances and threw one to Martin while the other one she gave to Arius. She then held up both of her hands, one pointing out to one end of the hall and the other the opposite. A light barrier formed on each side of the hall way as more knights entered the fray, they fired the light beams in synchronization into the newly formed barriers*

Elyria: Quickly, use those staffs to cut the floor out from under us!

Arius: That will send us plummeting into the ocean!

Elyria: It’s our only chance!

*Martin gave a nod and pointed the light spear down into the floor beneath him, firing a beam into the golden flooring. It heated up and gradually started to melt the flooring. Arius got to work on the other side as they both worked their way to the opposite wall as they cut it. Martin glanced up and could see that Elyria’s barrier was wavering. At this point, he was only half way to the other side with his cutting, with Arius just behind him. Martin looked over to U-Mos, in hopes that he would come up with something to buy them time*

[martinatfacetroid]

*Alone, Alice stood on the bank of a lake touched by the dark energy of the realm that she had been trapped within. The sky had been mixed with strands of dark and light energy, granting her the ability to see a murky reflection of herself, the stillness of the water matched that of her eyes fixed upon it. Her hands tightened as she her eyes seemed locked with a stranger. The rogue Aurora Units had succeeded into turning her into a living weapon akin to Weavel. A crimson light reflected off the surface of the water as her mechanical eye switched to dark vision. One of the shadow beings took a step out of the brush, Alice made no motion to give a sign of acknowledgement that she noticed him. The dark being was cautious but crept forward. Shortly following the first creature’s advance, a few more entities emerged from the brush. With the beings in plain view, a light crystal infused round hit the lead being’s head, causing it to yelp as light energy melted away the fabric of its being. Thinking that they had the advantage of stealth, the other beasts following suit froze in shock at the quick turn of events. Another shot pierced the chest cavity of an adjacent beast, causing it to fall to the ground writhing as the light energy overtook it. The last creature turned to flee but Alice sent a shot straight into its back. In a short few moments, the creatures lied dead in the grass. The stillness to the area returned. A sense of familiarity washed over Alice, the stillness after the targets were taking down. She hypothesized that the world that she had been transported to was similar to Aether, but that the light and dark worlds had become interconnected. She had no knowledge if Martin and he others were in the realm. She acknowledged that Martin’s tenacity would bring him to this place. As she was alone now though, she realized that it would be the perfect opportunity to execute Elira. The walking curse she now viewed herself as, was a blessing in the sense that her augmented body had become a perfect counter to the beings that had brought her to this state. She caught the blade of a humanoid dark being, a scythe emerged from the side of her arm as she punched it into his abdomen. It choked out a few words as it grimaced in pain*

What are you?

*Her red mechanical eye and natural blue eye shifted in synchronization to meet his gaze*

Elira, the witch with the scythe. Where is she?

*The being laughed until he coughed from choking on his own bodily fluids*

You can take a few of us, but you can’t take all of us. That wench is gonna be our slave by the time you get to her, there won’t be any chance for you to rescue-

*A sharp scream erupted from the being as Alice twitched her arm along with the scythe attached to it*

I’m going to end her. 

*As the humanoid figure grimaced in pain it still held a superior tone*

You and you’re little band are the ones who will be-

*Alice drove her blade up through the center of the being, cutting up through the head of the being, it fell motionlessly to the ground. Just as she was about to relax, something poked her shoulder, in reflex she swung her blade horizontally as she spun to face her next target*

Woah woah woah! Same team!

*Alice recognized the jovian as she ducked under her strike, she relaxed from her defensive stance as Araysia lifted her head up*

I’m killing Elira, don’t try to stop me. She’s corrupted Martin’s sense of morals. 

*Araysia rolled her eyes*

Morals? From the ice queen who just cleaved someone in half?

*Alice’s eyes narrowed*

Just don’t get in my way.

*Araysia shrugged as she followed Alice away from the lake*

Why would I? I’m all for taking that witch down.

[martinatfacetroid]

*Elyria heard U-Mos’ words and her eyes took on a remorseful gaze*

Elyria: If only it were as simple as your words...

*After a decent trek, the small group made it to the golden gates of Elyria’s home. Beyond the gates was a bridge that led to a main central structure, with outlying buildings surrounding. The structures seemed to be built in a material similar in appearance as white marble. All of it was built upon elevated platforms that had columns running down into the water. A spherical light was held in a tower of the city, the source of the area’s illumination. Martin was surprised to find such a spectacle in a sealed away land. Elyria saw his awe and shrugged it off*

Elyria: Spectacle holds no value when there is no one to behold it.

*The gates parted and Martin followed Elyria into the city, he noted that it wasn’t very lively. Many of the outlying buildings seemed to be vacant. Martin noticed a fair amount of people had gathered at the end of the bridge, at first Martin thought that they were all curious of his group but as they drew closer, he realized that they had their backs turned away from him. Even Elyria seemed curious to the commotion. Voices became audible as they drew near*

Lady: This foreigner was brought here by this griffin?

Man: Crazy right? For some reason, she has taken a liking to him, hasn’t let him go this whole time.

Elyria: *ahem*

*Upon seeing Elyria, the others parted way*

Man: I’m sorry princess, Elyria.

Martin: Princess? 

Elyria: I had an escort after all.

Lady: Wait, who are they?

*The crowd now exchanged equally confused glances towards Martin and the luminoth. Martin ignored this and approached the griffin*

Arius: Either I’m dead or this is the undying lands, and all of this is real. I don’t know what’s worse.

*In the talons of the birdlike beasts forearms was Arius, Martin was relieved as the marine was probably the most ill suited to take on the dark beasts alone. Martin went to give him a friendly shove but the griffin let out a shrill shriek as he drew near. Its eyes fully tracked Martin*

Martin: Seems you’re popular here.

Arius: This creature decided to jump into my fight with those dark freaks and gave me a hand, then it picked me up and took me here. 

*Elyria walked up to the griffin and she tilted her head, dropping her hostility*

Elyria: Syva, the man will be fine now.

*Syva tilted her head and released Arius, who let out a small sigh of relief. Arius got to his feet and Elyria addressed the group. Martin still couldn’t help but note her striking similarity to Elira*

Elyria: Now that you are here, we should head to the palace and-

Martin: We don’t have time...

*Elyria’s eyes narrowed*

Elyria: If the Maw already have your friends then they are either dead or bait to draw you in.

Martin: The Maw?

Elyria: That’s what we call those dark fiends that brought you here.

*Martin shook his head but noticed the crowd that had formed around them*

Martin: I don’t like this but I will go along with it, I’m not comfortable leaving them.

*Martin continued to follow Elyria through the illuminated city*

[martinatfacetroid]

*As Martin looked towards U-Mos,  A woman with golden eyes appeared before them, clothed in a white golden dress. Martin noticed an unusual similarity between her facial features and Elira’s. Several armor-clad knights emerged beside her, they held halberds composed of solidified light energy that were promptly pointed towards Martin and the luminoth*

???: Why have you foreigners come here?

Martin: We have come here to find our friends who were taken to this realm by shadow beings. Do you know someone by the name of Elira?

*Her eyes suddenly narrowed into a glare towards Martin*

???: What do you want with my sister!?

*A perplexed look overtook Martin as the light being spoke*

Martin: Sister? She’s my friend, saved my life actually.

*One of the knights leaned in to talk to the woman*

Knight: It seems these three have an energy about them akin to us.

*Her eyes shifted to U-Mos*

???: Except that one, he has the taint of darkness.

Martin: Uh...

*Once again, Elira’s sister gave him an unamused look*

Martin: What’s your name?

Elyria: Elyria. 

*She turned towards the knights*

Elyria: They seem friendly enough, lower your guard.

*The knights promptly lifted their lances and held them vertically to their sides. Elyria walked up to Martin and stared into his light visor*

Elyria: May I ask what your relation to Elira is?

Martin: I’m her...paladin.

*Elyria rolled her eyes and turned her back to Martin, walking back to the knights*

Elyria: That’s her alright.

Martin: Do you have any idea where my friends could be?

*Elyria turned around to face Martin again*

Elyria: If hunters got them, somewhere beyond our reach. 

*Elyria looked at the luminoth*

Elyria: Would you be willing to follow us back to our home? 

[martinatfacetroid]

*Martin placed the light amulet to his chest, the initial contact caused some pain to flare up but soon an all new feeling washed over Martin as a golden light enveloped his body as the light energy materialized into a light suit. Martin examined the newly formed armor upon his arm and couldn’t have a temporary sense of awe. This feeling quickly diminished as Martin looked at the portal that had been created as a link to the Undying Lands.  Martin pulled the light spear from the ground and gripped it tightly as he thought of his friends who were trapped within this realm. Martin braced himself as he stepped forward into the darkness. Once he was on the other side, he saw the two luminoth before him as they appeared to be on a form of plain, a dark lake appeared before them, Martin couldn’t help but let out a surprised look at what he saw. The lake seemed to be divided in two, half dark and half light. It seemed the Undying Lands was almost a world like Aether except that both the light and dark versions had been merged into one. One side of the lake glistened in light purity with water while the other side full of darkness. Martin looked towards U-Mos*

Martin: Elira seemed to only mention the dark side of this world...

[martinatfacetroid]

*Elira gave a charmed smile towards U-Mos*

Elira: The two of you are charming. I take back my-

*Elira abruptly grew still as her eyes began to search the area, Martin took notice and began to approach her as he spoke*

Martin: Elira...

Elira: Everyone, get ready! They’re here!

*A portal appeared behind Arius, a dark shadowy limb took hold of his shoulder and pulled him into the void before he could react. Alice quickly ran towards the area where the marine had just been standing, as she ran, the floor below her darkened causing her to fall and vanish beneath the ground. Martin looked to Araysia, who had once again taken the form of a luminoth*

Martin: Where the hell are they?

Elira: All around us!

*A portal formed behind Araysia’s legs, a dark maw emerged and bit her leg. She fell to the ground and began to get dragged in. In the short moments she had, Araysia slid her light spear towards Martin as she was enveloped by the dark portal. Martin quickly picked up the light spear and rolled back to Elira’s side*

Elira: The luminoth, they put a barrier between us and the luminoth! The spear, stab it into the ground!

Martin: But that will hurt you!

Elira: No, it will save you three.

*Elira took a few steps back from Martin and spun with her arms, causing a thin dark mist to spread through the room, revealing menacing crimson eyes all around them. Martin could also see the thick layer of darkness that had been previously invisible to his eye. Martin slid as dark talons swooped down towards him, the claws just missed his head. Martin didn’t hesitate and smashed the light spear into the ground, creating a light barrier that formed around him and the edge of it formed by the two luminoth, placing them within the safety of the sanctuary. Martin’s focus then returned to Elira as the dark creatures swarmed away from the light barrier and towards her. She didn’t resist but looked towards Martin with regretful eyes*

Elira: Goodbye, my Paladin.

*Before Martin could respond, the darkness swirled around her and the bulk of the dark energy disappeared after it converged on Elira. Only stray dark particles danced in the air as Martin fell to his knees in disbelief*

Martin: This isn’t goodbye. I can’t let them go like this!

*Martin punched both of his fists into the ground in a mix of rage and despair. He then turned to U-Mos with an expression of helplessness*

Martin: Please help, I won’t let it end like this! 

[martinatfacetroid]

*Elira had become more of herself thanks to U-Mos’ healing and she was able to stand. She looked toward the luminoth*

Elira: You had no reason to help me but...I can’t return home. It is more dangerous for me to go back than it is for me to exist here.

*She touches U-Mos’ arm and the dark energy that had flared within his body calms*

Elira: Looks like your fear of the dark is merited. I played the loyal puppet long enough to escape, if I go back, they’ll turn me into a slave and force me to connect our worlds. You don’t want that. 

Arius: Why are you suddenly so open?

*Elira looked at the marine, intrigued*

Elira: I am out of time. They’ll have figured me out by now. Hunters will be after me soon enough.

Arius: Hey Martin, this will help.

*Arius tossed him some medi gel for his chest, which Martin promptly used. He also threw Martin a Federation energy beam pistol*

Martin: It’s been awhile since I used one of these. Thanks.

*Arius gave a nod as the two of them turned their attention back to Elira*

Elira: I’m an outcast in both worlds. I would say kill me but my clan back in the Undying Lands will most likely find a way into this world eventually.  

[martinatfacetroid]

*As it seemed the atmosphere calmed, Martin slouched against a wall and breathed a sigh of relief. Martin looked up to the sight of a mechanical leg crashing into Elira’s side. The ambush was so quick that Elira had been caught off guard, she barely managed to throw open a portal into the wall as she was thrown towards it. Another portal formed beneath the floor which Elira flipped out of, materializing her dark scythe. A Federation soldier emerged from a doorway with gun raised. Martin noticed the commander insignia on his shoulder and recognized the marine’s stature*

Martin: Arius, what the hell?

Arius: Martin, stand back!

*At first Martin had thought the mechanical being was an automation of Sanctuary Fortress but now that he had time to focus, he was able to see that it was a mechanized human. Martin assumed it was a Federation prototype until the woman gave him a glance and Martin’s eyes met with a familiar blue eye*

Martin: Al-Alice?

Elira: How are you!?

*She swung her scythe down at Alice, her mechanical blade caught the hardened dark energy blade with her metallic hand. With inhuman strength, she crushed the blade with one arm. Elira backed up and faded from view as she dissipated. Somehow, Alice seemed to track her because as soon as Elira re-materialized, Alice grabbed the dark caster and slammed her into the ground. Spike dark tendrils emerged from the ground in an effort to impale Alice but she leaped above the attack, firing down on Elira with her rotating right arm cannon. Energy blasts rained down on Elira. Several of the round hit Elira as she teleported away. A wounded Elira emerged from a wall as Alice went in for more blows. Elira glared at Alice as she approached, she threw another tendril at Alice, who seemed to dodge the attack effortlessly. With the gap closed, Alice grabbed Elira by the throat with her left hand and began to punch her repeatedly. At this point, Martin and Arius were both by Alice’s side. Martin grabbed Alice’s shoulder in an attempt to get her to stop, Alice turned her head towards Martin with an angered glare*

Alice: She....did this, she’s a....monster! Deserves...to die.

*Alice’s broken speech caught Martin off guard along with the statement that Elira was the reason behind her new state. Alice had stopped punching Elira, who’s face ran with a black blood but she struggled to breathe as Alice’s grip on her throat tightened*

Martin: We all need answers from her but if she dies, we won’t get any!

Alice: Not...negotiable.

*At this point Arius put his hand on her other shoulder*

Arius: He’s right, I hate to say it but he is. She’s a threat but also the only one of her kind in this world. Killing her like an animal may be what she deserves but this isn’t what we do.

*Alice was surprised by Arius’ interjection and she loosened her grip on Elira. The wounded Elira coughed as she collapsed on the floor, Martin helped raise her up to lean against the wall but he met her wavering eyes with a serious stare*

Martin: Is what she said true? Did you cause this?

Elira: I...yes. It was me.

*Martin sat back onto the ground and shook his head in disbelief*

Martin: I stuck my neck out for you and you did this?

Elira: She attacked and I neutralized her.

Arius: You have no self control!

Elira: I have been fighting hatred and rage all of my life. It may have rubbed off on me.

Martin: You almost killed my friend and you still keep that nonchalant tone!

Araysia: Oh you’re hilarious! You don’t care how many people she’s hurt until it’s one of your own. Such a hypocrite!

*The jovian had returned, with a bunch of muck on her legs from Torvus’ marshes*

Elira: The loudmouth is back.

Araysia: I am much more familiar with grenchlers now, I think I can even up the voltage just for you!

Arius: Oh man, I think going back to the Federation at this point will be a vacation. Oh!

*Arius just took notice of the two luminoth in the room and promptly stood at attention*

Arius: U-Mos, I apologize for the commotion. I also have to inform you that by no means are we acting on the Federation’s behest, I followed her on my own accord.

[martinatfacetroid]

*Elira sized up U-Mos*

Elira: You are part of the problem. “Help” me, save me. I didn’t ask for this power yet I have it. Not every dark being is bent on universal corruption. My life has been filled with two things, decisions made for me and people who view me as an abomination. 

*Elira looked at Martin*

Elira: I am the most powerful vessel of dark energy from the Undying Lands. Our seers had a vision of a powerful political figure being betrayed and dying alone. The only one they could send was me, I am the only one capable of opening a portal back to that place. I was supposed to capture the man and bring him back to become a puppet for our clan. 

*Martin’s looked at Elira with concern*

Elira: Yet when I found you, you seemed just as hopeless as I was. You were also the first outsider to not judge me based on my abilities.

*Elira looked back to U-Mos*

Elira: Am I a threat? Yes, I could open the gates to the Undying Lands with ease. Will I? No, that place deserves its name and fate. There’s only one other being in this universe that rivals my abilities. The same being who split your planet in two. You could try to keep me here but I could easily outrun you all. Congratulations, you all are now privy to information I have not told to a single outsider. Though, eventually, hunters from the Undying Lands are going to come for me. I don’t think you’ll want me here when they do.

[martinatfacetroid]

*Elira let out a short laugh*

Elira: I’m the child yet you’re the one who’s afraid of the dark. For such a mighty race, you are very quick to cast judgement out of paranoia. 

*Martin shook his head as he sat back down, before he was able to speak, Elira looked to him*

Elira: You want to know who I am? Perhaps I would be willing to share, only to you.

*Her eyes narrowed as she looked towards U-Mos*

Elira: I have no interest in talking to overgrown insects.