by Adair Hart
Lord Vygon narrowed his eyes and scowled.
Evaran raised a finger. “Hadryn spawn should not be able to come here.”
“Things have changed, plane traveler.”
Evaran wrinkled his eyebrows. “Even so, the plane would not have allowed your passage.”
“And yet, here I am,” said the overlord. He tilted his head. “I don’t suppose you’ve come to accept my offer …”
Evaran shook his head. “No. I cannot allow you to exist here. Your use of the rift doors to enact genocide on nonhumans is unacceptable. You must be removed.”
The overlord laughed. “So righteous! You never change, no matter what form you’re in.” He waved a finger at Evaran. “You know, the last Evaran I met failed miserably. Oh … she put up a good fight, but in the end, she learned what you will today.” He gestured outward. “You may be godlike in the plane system void, but here,” he said, pointing downward and with a raised voice, “in this plane, you are my equal.”
“I do not know of this other Evaran that you speak of.”
The overlord smirked. “You don’t … need to worry about her anymore. Thanks to her, I could sense you the moment you stepped out of your ship.” He raised his right arm at a ninety-degree angle. “No matter. Your time has come, and I will consume you and your abilities, whether you’re dead or alive.” He waved his hand forward. “Kill them.”
The four bodyguards rushed forward and began to fire heavy bursts of energy fire. The other guards moved to the left and right behind the overlord and began to fire. The overlord angled his staff at Evaran and fired a purple beam.
Evaran stepped back and raised his forearm shield. The impact of the incoming fire sent him sliding backward. He snapped his head at Lord Vygon. “Guards, go!”
Lord Vygon streaked out to the right side. With his blunted blades, he struck both strikers before they could stealth and five of the regular guards, sending them flying. Two of the heavy guards peeled off from firing at Evaran to focus on Lord Vygon. Lord Vygon rushed the first heavy guard, and after a flurry of blows, the guard crumpled to the ground.
The overlord turned toward Lord Vygon. He stepped forward and knocked Lord Vygon back.
Lord Vygon flew into the second heavy guard. He crumpled against the wall along with the unconscious second heavy guard.
The overlord looked at the remaining three heavy guards and five regular guards, then pointed at Lord Vygon. “Finish him.”
Evaran pulled out his utility handle and extended it into a baton with a glowing white end. He swept it in front of him and to the left. Boom! The five remaining regular guards went flying back and slammed against the wall. Several of them hit the heavy guards that were advancing on Lord Vygon. Evaran’s repulsion blast only knocked the overlord’s staff away. Other than that, it had no impact on the overlord and his bodyguards, as they had leaned forward and braced themselves.
Lord Vygon crawled under the unconscious heavy guard nearest him as the other heavy guards stood up and opened fire. The body took the brunt of the incoming fire. Lord Vygon tilted the now-dead heavy guard’s head. After sinking his fangs into the heavy guard’s neck, he began to drink. After a moment, he reared his head back and let out a loud growl. With red eyes and fangs extended, he tossed the body he had fed on at the other heavy guards, bowling them over. He streaked over to the regular guards who were just beginning to stand up and knocked them out with his blunted blades. He then proceeded to do the same to the three prone heavy guards.
Evaran tapped at his utility handle, causing the baton to extend into a staff, with glowing blue ends. He stepped into the first personal bodyguard and swept his legs. With a tap on the chest as he fell forward, the bodyguard stopped moving. Blue arcs danced around the unconscious bodyguard. Evaran rolled to the side as the second bodyguard did an overhead swing with his massive sword. As the sword embedded itself into the floor, Evaran hit the midsection of the second bodyguard. The bodyguard fell to the ground as blue arcs washed over him.
“Hold him!” said the overlord.
The third bodyguard tackled Evaran on the ground, sending his staff skipping along the floor. With the third bodyguard’s arms wrapped around Evaran, the fourth bodyguard rushed in and held Evaran’s legs.
Lord Vygon rushed toward the overlord. When he came within striking distance, his speed slowed down.
The overlord watched as Lord Vygon approached, then sidestepped and grabbed a startled Lord Vygon. With a toss, he sent him bouncing off Evaran and then into the wall.
Lord Vygon struggled to get up.
Evaran broke one arm out and tried to reach for his staff.
The overlord rushed over and placed his knee on Evaran’s free arm. With a hand on each side of Evaran’s head, the overlord moved his face close. The crystal in his headband began to glow a light yellow. “Time to feed.” Glowing tendrils reached out from the crystal toward Evaran. When the first one reached Evaran’s face, Evaran cried out in pain.
Lord Vygon stood up and shook his head. His eyes popped open and head snapped toward Evaran upon hearing him cry out. He charged the overlord. When he got near, he anticipated the slowdown and grabbed the overlord under the armpits, then threw him into the air. He slammed his blades into the head of the bodyguard wrapped around Evaran’s legs. The bodyguard released his grip and stopped moving. He jabbed his hand into the neck of the one holding Evaran’s arms.
The bodyguard grunted as blood spurted out, then went limp.
Lord Vygon pulled Evaran out.
Evaran coughed as he squinted.
Lord Vygon extended a hand and helped Evaran stand.
Evaran picked up his staff, and with Lord Vygon, they faced the overlord.
The overlord sneered as he looked at his hands. “Ahh … your power … it’s … it’s … so much …” His eyes widened. “I want more!” He charged forward.
Lord Vygon glanced at Evaran, then down at the overlord’s legs, then back at Evaran.
Evaran nodded.
Lord Vygon streaked forward.
The overlord aimed a strike at Lord Vygon as he approached.
When Lord Vygon was within striking distance, he slid into the overlord’s legs, launching the overlord forward.
Evaran ran and jumped into the air. When he flew near the overlord, he knocked the overlord down with a strike from his staff.
Lord Vygon streaked to the overlord. He grabbed his legs, then raised them, leaving him on his back.
Evaran landed and rushed to the overlord. He placed his foot and staff end on the overlord’s chest.
The overlord placed both hands on the staff, but could not remove it. “You’re not a murderer!”
Evaran raised his head a bit. “You are a Hadryn spawn, and I banish you from this plane.” He pressed down on his staff, which went through the overlord’s chest.
The overlord cried out as a glow erupted on his face. After a moment, his body went limp and the glow dissipated.
Lord Vygon walked up next to Evaran and put a hand on his shoulder. “Glad I came now?”
Evaran winced as he turned his head toward Lord Vygon. “You are quite formidable.”
Lord Vygon smirked. “Don’t I know it.”
Evaran half smiled, then turned toward the hallway leading out of the room. “To the main rift room.”
Dr. Snowden watched as the projection faded. Hearing Evaran cry out had sent shivers down his spine. It was a first for Dr. Snowden. He could not fathom what the glowing tendrils did to make Evaran do that. The overlord was dead, as were multiple guards.
He glanced at Organic Emily. A chill went through him as he realized that she had made the same decision as Evaran in regards to ending a threat. He rationalized that the overlord was different due to the power discrepancy, a menace that had to be ended. The striker Organic Emily had hit was not a danger that needed to end in a death. He did not want to argue with Organic Emily about it. Maybe that was more of him not wanting to see her as someone who cou
ld kill. He sighed as he stood. His eyes popped open when he felt Organic Emily give him a bear hug.
“Let’s not fight,” said Organic Emily.
Dr. Snowden swallowed hard as he returned the hug.
After thirty-five minutes, Evaran and Lord Vygon entered the room.
Dr. Snowden calculated that they had made good time, even with any guards that might have woken up.
Nanobot Emily rushed over and bear-hugged Evaran, then Lord Vygon. “You two were amazing!”
Lord Vygon bobbed his head. “Can’t let Evaran have all the fun.”
Evaran eyed Lord Vygon.
Dr. Snowden nodded at Evaran and Lord Vygon. “That was quite a fight.” He looked at Lord Vygon. “I noticed you … had a drink.”
“Yeah … and I know Evaran doesn’t like it, but in that fight, I needed the boost.”
“I wasn’t judg—”
Lord Vygon smiled and slapped Dr. Snowden on the back. “I know.”
Evaran looked at Organic Emily. “You did well getting here.”
“You didn’t do so bad yourself,” said Organic Emily.
Evaran bowed and then walked up to the main rift stone. He scanned it with his ring and tilted his head. His eyes narrowed after he placed a hand on it.
Dr. Snowden cocked his head. “Evaran?”
Evaran swallowed hard as he staggered back. He looked down while flexing his hand. After a moment, he faced the group. “The … other Evaran … that the overlord mentioned. Her being was … absorbed by the stone. I can feel her. The absorption was not pleasant.”
Dr. Snowden glanced at Lord Vygon. “A future Evaran?”
Lord Vygon looked down. “I can’t say either way.”
Evaran shook his head. “No. This one is not the same as me, past or future. She was unique, like me. I do not know how that is possible. It would explain why we cannot smash it. The orbs would not nullify that energy. Due to the intermingled nature of the stone now, we would need something made of the stone to affect it.”
“So … uhh … what do we do then?” asked Dr. Snowden.
Evaran snapped his head toward the entrance.
In the room preceding the hallway of the room they were in, a large, dark-skinned male appeared. Behind him were three of the overlord’s bodyguards and a small army of heavy guards, strikers, and regular guards. Dr. Snowden noted that the man wore the same clothing as the overlord but had a beard and was physically bigger. The man’s smile made Dr. Snowden rub the goose bumps on his arm.
“The overlord,” said Evaran. His hands were a blur as they flew over his ARI. A semitransparent light-blue shield flew up on the other end of the hallway that the overlord was approaching.
The overlord paused in front of the shield. He shook his head. “I understand how you have control of my systems now.” He cocked his head. “Surprised to see me?”
“Actually … yes,” said Evaran. “You were dead.”
The overlord laughed. “I was. However … ,” he said, gazing at his hand as he flipped it back and forth in front of him, “not before getting a piece of your essence. Like my new form?”
“Not particularly,” said Evaran. “I see you brought your friends.”
“Ahh … yes,” said the overlord, gesturing around him. “Another ability I obtained a while back. Resurrection of others, as long as it is within one hour. Never thought I would use it, but it came in quite handy here. Just like the ability to re-form that I have now thanks to you. You’re quite tough. Nonetheless, I have a new proposal.”
“Go on,” said Evaran.
“I’m willing to let you and your little friends go … if you give me more of your essence. I would ask for it all but … ,” said the overlord as he waved dismissively, “you would never accept that. A personal sacrifice, though, to save your friends …” He put his hands together in front of him. “If you’re thinking of fighting your way out, think again. Your ship’s landing pad is now heavily guarded. Not to mention, everyone you fought is now back up and between you and your ship.”
Evaran looked down. After a moment, he responded. “I need some time to think about it.”
“Go on … go on … It’s not like you’re going anywhere anytime soon.”
Evaran motioned at V, who flew over the entrance on their side.
V shot a wide solid beam over the door.
“V has put up a visual and audio barrier. We can talk freely.”
“You’re not seriously taking this into consideration, are you?” asked Dr. Snowden.
“I do not want to. However, since we cannot disable the stone, the only other option is this, or to fight our way out,” said Evaran. He clenched and unclenched his jaw. “I do not think we would all make it.”
Organic Emily stepped forward. “Well … I think we fight our way out. There’s no guarantee that he’ll keep his word. What if he decides to take all of you? Then what?”
Dr. Snowden glanced at Organic Emily. “I agree. I wouldn’t trust anything he says.”
Organic Emily half smiled at Dr. Snowden.
Evaran faced Lord Vygon.
“I think we stand a chance if we fight. However, he just had a taste of your essence. He will be stronger now, but like an addict, he will want more. You think he would stop at half? And what happens to us while he is doing it?”
“A fair point,” said Evaran. He turned toward Nanobot Emily, who had her hands on the main rift stone. “Your thoughts?”
Nanobot Emily crumpled to the ground.
Everyone rushed over to her.
Nanobot Emily raised a hand as she stood. “Sorry … I’m okay now.”
Evaran scanned Nanobot Emily with his ring. “You have lost roughly sixty percent of your mass.”
“I know … and I am giving you another option,” said Nanobot Emily. She grimaced and grunted. “After five minutes, release the shield on their end and have V drop the barrier. I’m destabilizing into my base nanobot swarm form. I’ll clear a path to the Torvatta, and you’ll all leave. Once you’re clear, the crystal will break down at that time.”
“Why are you doing this?” asked Evaran.
Nanobot Emily smiled. “Three things. One, the crystal needs to be destroyed, and I have begun that process. We needed something made of the crystal.” She tapped her head. “I have it here. When the crystal goes, you need to be out of this pocket universe. A rift will form from its destruction, at least that’s what I understand from my interaction with it.”
Dr. Snowden let out a measured breath. “Oh, no …”
“Two,” said Nanobot Emily, facing Evaran, “you’re too important. I can’t allow you to sacrifice yourself like this.”
“That is my choice,” said Evaran.
“And this is my choice,” said Nanobot Emily. She faced Organic Emily. “Three, I now understand my purpose. The nanobots made a copy of you. Me. I was the backup. There should only be one Emily, and now that you’re back, you have my memories. We are synced. All that is left is my deletion.”
Organic Emily looked at the ground as a tear ran down her cheek.
Nanobot Emily swept away Organic Emily’s tear and raised her head. “You always wanted a sister.” She swallowed hard and squinted her eyes as she placed a hand on her chest. “And for a short while, you had one.”
Organic Emily let her tears flow as she hugged Nanobot Emily.
Evaran shook his head. “I do not agree with this.”
Nanobot Emily smiled through a pained face. “I’ve made my decision, and you know my reasons. Please respect it.”
Evaran looked away.
Nanobot Emily walked up to Lord Vygon and hugged him. After stepping back, she said, “You’ve proven yourself to be a true friend. You came and helped when you didn’t have to. Just like Evaran would’ve. I wish I would’ve had more time to get to know you better. I’m honored to have known you.”
Lord Vygon bowed. “The honor was mine.”
Nanobot Emily walked over to Evaran and gave him
a bear hug. She laid her face on his chest. With a quivering voice, she said, “Thank you for accepting me.” Her body trembled. “You’re truly unique.” After a moment, she stepped back and smiled at him while wiping away tears.
Evaran’s face showed a slight hint of a frown.
“You may not show emotion well, but I know how you feel inside.”
Evaran looked up and away and then exhaled from his mouth.
Nanobot Emily walked up to Dr. Snowden, who shook with tears flowing down his cheeks. “Uncle Albert …”
Dr. Snowden stepped forward and hugged her tightly as his breathing shuddered. With a cracked voice, he said, “I don’t want you to go.”
“I know,” said Nanobot Emily in a hushed tone. She stepped back and pointed at Organic Emily. “I’ll always be here.”
Dr. Snowden hugged her again and then let her go.
Nanobot Emily walked up to Organic Emily. “You’ll have to keep them in line.”
Organic Emily chuckled and hugged Nanobot Emily. “I’ll try. I’ma miss you.”
“Kinda weird to miss ourselves, isn’t it?”
Organic Emily chuckled again as tears fell, and in a weak voice, she said, “Yep.”
Dr. Snowden’s throat constricted as he watched them hug. He had gotten used to both Emilys, and he did not want to lose either of them.
Nanobot Emily pulled away from Organic Emily, then faced V. “V, thank you for being my friend. Although my existence was brief, I feel like I’ve known you for much longer. Keep everyone safe.”
“Acknowledged,” said V as his lights dimmed.
“I better get going,” said Nanobot Emily. She extended a hand to Dr. Snowden and Organic Emily. “Before I go, I want to give my nanobots a boost.” She glanced at Dr. Snowden. “Let your rage go unfiltered. No waves.” She glanced at Organic Emily. “Let your vengeance flow.”
Dr. Snowden grabbed Nanobot Emily’s hand and began to think about the situation. The Purifiers had hurt Emily and condemned her to die. His face turned red. Nanobot Emily was being taken from him due to the Purifiers’ genocidal tendencies. He gritted his teeth. Evaran had a piece of him taken by the overlord. His breathing staggered. He thought of how difficult it was trying to be normal when everything around him was not. His tingling sensations had begun to intensify, but he did not picture waves.
