by Paul Centeno
Swiping their enchanted blades, Shirakaya and Yarasuro cut through the fireballs. Xorvaj, however, wasn’t able to repel one of the bolts of lightning, which sent him smashing against a wall. Rah’tera hurled plasma daggers at the cultist who harmed the ghensoth, piercing her neck. Upon her death, another cultist summoned a bitter-cold gale that doused the flames of every torch in the hidden lair.
Feeling blind, most of the mercenaries withdrew to the cave’s ramp. Yarasuro was one of the few who remained, swiping his enchanted blades at the cultists. They attempted to hide but failed miserably, either being sliced in half or decapitated in the process. Now, only one of the cultists remained. Frantically, she reached into the tomb and grabbed the kidnapped boy.
“Retreat or suffer the prince’s demise!”
Shirakaya peered out from the corner of the ramp and hurled her sword at the last cultist, jamming the blade deep into her forehead. Blood splattered everywhere. The boy screamed and took off, but he was snatched by Shirakaya who quickly managed to calm him. In the midst of the dying chaos, Xorvaj got back on his feet.
“What in all the hells was that, Dojin?” Shirakaya said through gritted teeth, holding the distressed boy.
“What? Did you expect to have a conversation with these sisterhood scumbags?”
“Goddess, that’s not the point! No one hates that cult more than me, but we don’t go in guns blazing when there’s a hostage! Not ever!”
Dojin rolled his eyes. “Who knew there was a kid, more so that the prince has a twin.”
“Twin?” Vokken interjected via KLD. “The prince does not have a sibling, let alone a twin.”
“In that case, payback is a bitch!” Xorvaj roared, charging toward the stunned boy.
“No!” the freelancer cried out, standing in front of the prince. “Can’t you brutes just think for once before taking action? I told you about the echoic igsus. The prince was kidnapped. For what purpose? I don’t know yet. But this is him.”
“The-they wanted a de-demon to po-pose as me,” the boy said between sobs. “It w-was th-their desire to ta-take control an-and invite the em-emperor to ki-kill him.”
“I’m sure Myris would’ve loved—”
Shirakaya pinched the renegade’s shoulder, ignoring his piercing whimper. “Vokken, has Eladoris returned?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“We’re on our way back. Myris is in grave danger. You must get her out of the castle immediately.”
“Did you hear that, Oracle?” the AI said, transmitting the message to her.
Back in the royal bedchamber of the countess’s fortress, Myris shrugged. “I don’t get it. Why? This place is totally loaded with guards, and the boy is unconscious. I have things under control.”
The boy abruptly roared, his body floating, expanding, and shredding apart. Within the torn flesh manifested a demonic being whose skinless, prickled body looked as hideous as its horned face. It slapped the shrieking countess to the floor and levitated toward Myris who remained motionless and pale.
The demonic being extended its needle-shaped hands at the oracle in attempt to pierce her face. Just then, one of the stained-glass windows shattered as a poisonous-looking flow of power consumed the demon, sucking its life force. Emerging through the window, Eladoris focused her leech-like spell on the insidious creature.
“Elly!”
Eladoris ignored the overjoyed oracle. Despite the strength of the necromancer’s dark magic, the demon used telekinesis to hurl its adversary back into the midnight sky. It rapidly flew toward the heavens, confronting Eladoris. Murmuring an incantation, she tried subjugating the demon.
“Pathetic,” it said monstrously. “Your proficiency in demonology and necromancy are abysmal.”
To no avail, the demon produced an ear-shattering roar as it swiped its needle-like fingers at the necromancer. Wings extended, she veered aside and dodged the attack while summoning an enchanted pitchfork. Not wasting any time, Eladoris hurled the weapon into the demon’s spine. She then murmured another incantation, gaining control of its bones and ripping them out of the skinless body.
Myris cheered from the window. “Hell yeah, necro!”
“If you can’t mind-control the damned thing, conquer it with death.”
Eladoris descended back into the chamber. Yet, before she could reenter the castle, she was blasted with a fireball from behind. Mana shield decimated, she fell flat on to the roof of a turret. Myris shrieked, witnessing skin and muscles reforming on the skeletal entity. As the demon replenished its body, it launched multiple waves of flame at its adversary.
“Look out!” Myris shouted.
The necromancer flew up just in time, fireballs destroying the turret’s roof. She swiftly descended to the surface, waiting for the demon to pursue her. Though it did follow, Eladoris staggered when it slammed onto the ground. Not only did it cause a tremor upon landing, but the demon also transformed into a giant.
“Conquer with death?” the demon bellowed, its body enflamed. “I am death!”
Villagers and nobles from Omav’s castle scrambled, running for their lives. For the first time since her battle with Shirakaya, Eladoris looked as if she’d met her match. Nevertheless, she refused to flee like the humyn colonists. Flying up toward the fiery fiend, she attempted to smite it with an enchanted scythe while simultaneously putting a curse on its soul.
The demon, however, merely cackled, immune to curses. Its flame-filled body also caused the scythe to dissolve. The demon whacked Eladoris down to the ground and was about to step on her when it was unexpectedly blinded by a bright light; it was followed by Myris whose eyes glowed as she descended on her hovering chair. Serene and focused, she extended her hands and released a magical nimbus, its radiance surrounding the demon until seizing it.
“Su-krey al’sa fum-na,” the oracle said, composed. “In the name of Maz’hura and all that is holy and pure, I banish you back from whence you came!”
“Your feeble power can never banish me!”
“Bek-na ghem jah-rey var’la,” the oracle continued.
Some of the lingering colonists gazed at what the oracle was doing. They were frightened by the demonic monstrosity but also mesmerized by the white magic. Myris continued to remain focused, ignoring the demon’s screech. As she thought of the wellbeing of her people, the power of her divination increased. The arcane nimbus grew until it engulfed the entire colony, causing the demon’s corporal form to decompose and disintegrate.
“Well done!” Eladoris said, unable to avoid a tone of envy.
“Yes,” Vokken said via kinetic link. “I am truly impressed. For a fleshling, your power in divination is remarkable.”
Villagers and soldiers in the vicinity cheered, Lady Niksa included. Myris saw all her people return and celebrate. Thrilled to see a moment of peace in one of her colonies, she felt tempted to reveal her true identity. In what felt like an instant to the oracle, her former life of royalty flashed by her mind. For a moment, she earnestly wanted to resurrect her old life. Yet she thought about how hateful the Lojarians had been, especially with magic. In the end, she shed a tear and kept her mask on.
“Lady Niksa,” the oracle began, “for the safety of my people, please ensure the events that occurred here don’t reach Lojarian ears.”
“I…I’ll make sure of it.”
Moments later, the countess joined them. Though relieved that the monstrosity had been banished, she couldn’t help but weep for the loss of her son. Eladoris saw the frail countess, who looked dismayed, and scoffed.
“Useless humyn,” she muttered to herself.
“My baby boy,” the countess said, weeping. “How can this happen? How can he be gone?”
“He’s not,” Vokken said aloud via Myris’ kinetic link device.
“Where in oblivion are the others?” Eladoris asked, her brow furrowed.
“Calm yourself, my Queen,” Vokken responded. “They found cultists from Sisterhood of Light and put a swift
end to their vile scheme, but not before they summoned that doppelganger. Shirakaya has the real prince and is bringing him back as we speak.”
“What?” the countess said, her voice filled with hope.
“You heard right, my dear Countess,” Myris said, maintaining her mask. “Your son was kidnapped, but our fearless leader found him and is bringing him here. All is well between the heavens and hells. Now, where’s the mula?”
Forsaken
Abandon not those who care for your wellbeing. Neglect only what harms the body, mind, and soul. For what greater bliss is beyond love? There will be pain. There will be joy. There will be sadness. There will be peace. There will be Chaos. But in the end, Order shall prevail. Believe in yourself. Have faith in those around you. But most of all, take comfort in the power of love. For with the Great Love, there can be no abandonment.
Apophthegm of the Divine 61:25
Chapter Eight
Permutations of a Demented Mind
I
Upgrade
When returning to the bridge of Marauder, Shirakaya revealed an amused expression. “We’re all impressed with your divination, Myris. But it’s the Guild Master who actually provides us with the mula.”
The oracle playfully stuck out her tongue as she cuddled Xeza. In the meantime, Dojin prepared drinks and served them to the crew. With the exception of Eladoris who preferred to be alone, Shirakaya and her fellow mercenaries shared a toast and drank with relief. Myris was about to sneakily taste a yushkar cocktail when Khal’jan ported into the bridge via an X-Phaser along with Del Vayso and Jai’ryndar.
“It’s a bit premature to celebrate,” the scientist commented.
“I think this is for something else entirely different,” Khal’jan said. “Besides, they don’t even know yet.”
“Ah,” the scientist responded.
“Myris just helped us earn eighty thousand reons,” Shirakaya said. “Care to join our little party?”
“I’d love to, but we’re still working on a way into the Spectral Pulse,” Khal’jan said. “I just thought it would be great for us to share something special.”
“Share what, Khal?”
“Del Vayso, I’ll let you do the honors.”
The scientist shook his head. “Nonsense. It was a joint experiment. Besides, it’s much better for the uganda to explain.”
The mercenaries appeared baffled until Jai’ryndar stepped into the light, revealing that the many empty holes he once had throughout his body were filled by what could only be described as implants. They illuminated, a vein-looking light rushing up to his throat where an artificial thorax appeared to have been surgically implemented.
“I am honored to join your mission in vanquishing the koth’vurians,” he said, his coarse voice sounding more mechanized than organic.
“Holy fuck balls, the dude can talk.”
Eyes wide, the freelancer approached him and shook his hand. “Incredible. Welcome to the team…officially.” She then turned to her brother. “You guys did this?”
“We had some assistance,” Khal’jan said, looking up at the mainframe.
“Robo guy?” the oracle said.
“Of course I helped,” the AI responded. “You didn’t honestly think I’d be a translator for this entire mission, did you? Just think how difficult it would be to communicate with him during combat.”
“It’s okay, Vokken,” the freelancer said. “Your secret is safe with us. Eladoris won’t find out that you care about our wellbeing.”
Most of the crew laughed.
“I’ll be assisting Dr. Del Vayso and noble Khal’jan with the interdimensional research,” Jai’ryndar said. “However, should you need my assistance with one of your missions, do not hesitate to ask for my help.”
“Thank you so much, Jai’ryndar,” the freelancer said with a smile. “I know we can count on you.”
II
Insurgence
After a couple of hours, Dojin returned to his quarters. Despite being tipsy, he managed to find his bed. While he was resting, a blackout swept across the cabin. At first, Dojin couldn’t care less. When his KLD vibrated, however, he attempted to check it. Dribbling all over himself, he noticed an email. As soon as he opened the message, it read: Gritu! Help me before Vo—
The power abruptly returned, and the lights came back on. Dojin gazed up at the sudden luminescence, squinting. He hastily dimmed his room and then focused on his KLD, but the email was gone. Dojin thought to himself, Was it deleted? Wait, did I do that? He flopped onto his cushioned bed without another thought, feeling the urge to vomit. Barely able to think, he closed his eyes and passed out.
A few hours later, the renegade woke up on the floor. Groggy, he climbed back on to his bed and rested for a while longer. He wanted to keep sleeping but couldn’t get a particular word out of his frayed mind: Gritu. Dojin belched and cursed under his breath, wondering to himself who or what it could be.
“I’ve gotta chill on the drinking,” he said aloud, groaning.
“Is there a reason why you should?” Vokken said via KLD.
“Huh?” the renegade mumbled, trying to center his mind. “There’s always a reason. I just never found one good enough to make me stop.” He sat up, thinking hard. “Damn it all. Fuck. This hangover sucks like rotten testicles.”
“Hmmm…get some more rest,” the AI said, ending the transmission.
Dojin furrowed his brow, wiping drool off his mouth. “I’ll have plenty of rest when I’m dead. Now is not the time.”
Something isn’t right, he thought to himself. That bizarre message was sent to me twice. I’m too fucking stupid for my mind to come up with complicated shit like that when I’m drunk. Someone must be deleting the messages. Thinking hard, he went on, Vokken? If that shithead is behind this, I’ll terminate his ass.
“Fuck me,” he muttered aloud, continuing to rub his throbbing head.
Looks like I’ll have to play detective for a day or two, he conceded. And no more freakin’ alcohol for me. The first thing he did was search Gritu on the TDE. When it finished loading, the ethernet revealed Gritu as a planet in the Maga’Dar Galaxy. Getting to his feet, he left his private quarters.
Walking in the hallway, Dojin activated his KLD. Using his own funds, he rented an intergalactic shuttle. Staggering toward an X-Phaser, he stepped inside and inputted a code, teleporting to the cargo bay on the lower level of Marauder. After materializing, he programmed the rented vessel to materialize in the chamber. He then contacted Xorvaj via kinetic link.
“Hey, you know how I am about goodbyes...tell Shira I’ll be back as soon as I resolve some unfinished business.”
Xorvaj scowled. “What nonsense is this?”
“I’ll tell you when I have more details,” he said, entering the rented ship. “First, I need to confirm a few things. It may take a day or two before I contact you again. Who knows, I might even need your help.”
“If it involves smashing skulls, I’m in.”
“Sounds good. I’ll keep you updated.”
Bypassing the battleship’s security codes, Dojin opened the cargo bay’s exterior door and turned on his shuttle. The first thing he did was set up his navigation system. Before anyone could question him, he flew out of the battleship. Promptly activating the cosmodrive, he vanished from Marauder’s sensors.
Flying at full speed within the dimensional chasm, Dojin left the current galaxy and made his way to Maga’Dar. As he focused on the map that showed his destination, his KLD vibrated. Glancing at it, he acknowledged Shirakaya attempting to contact him. Though it pained him to do so, he ignored her call.
The renegade wasn’t in the mood to explain himself to anyone. Even he didn’t know what he was doing. A part of him wondered if he’d lost his mind. The other half—his remaining sanity—tried to convince himself that the obscure messages he’d received via email over the span of a few weeks were no hoax.
To his lack of surprise, his kinetic link device vibrated
; Shirakaya was calling him again. He rolled his eyes, continuing to avoid her. She wouldn’t, however, hang up. What a fucking stalker, he conceded. The renegade let out a heavy sigh, cursed under his breath, and, regretfully, accepted the call.
“Dojin?” she said as if out of breath. “What are you doing?”
“Well, if it isn’t Captain Cunt. Can’t you mind your own damn business for one day? Why do you need to be so far up my ass?”
“What the hell are you talking about? I thought we were a team.”
“Not today, bitch. I have my own shit going on. I’ll come back when I feel like it. Now leave me the fuck alone.”
“Wait!” she called out before he ended the call. “Dojin. I know this mission has been all about me. But it’s not supposed to be. I know everyone has their own baggage. Tell me what’s wrong. We can help.”
“Nobody can help me,” he snapped. “I can’t even help my fucking self. But you know what? I’m still gonna try to figure this weird shit out.”
“Please come back. Remember what I said. This mission isn’t just about me.”
“Oh, now you’re all philosophical and encompassing? Fuck that. Do me a favor and smack the shit out of yourself to sleep.”
Dojin ended the transmission and ignored his kinetic link. Breaking out of dimensional space, he approached an intensely dark-gray planet. Examining the cosmic map, he confirmed the celestial body before him to be Gritu. Taking a deep breath, he kept his shuttle steady with a reasonable velocity.
“What in all the hells is down there?”
Closing in on the planet, Dojin accelerated and embraced the burn-up phase. Entering the vile atmosphere, he saw remnants of skewed, dilapidated towers. Not only did the clouds beneath the corroded skyscrapers appear noxious to him, but his shuttle’s digital interface alerted him to that fact. Selecting one of the many towers, he landed atop its roof.
Exiting his ship, the renegade ported a plasma shotgun and checked his surroundings. Not noticing anything out of the ordinary, he made his way to an elevator shaft. After locating the panel, he pushed a button that made the constricted platform descend in such an idle manner that it was as if someone had slowed down time. Its metal screeched, making him grit his teeth.
