Another chapter has come! I hope it is all right, I tried to find all of the mistakes but I always fear I miss some. I hope you all enjoy it, and I will respond to reviews when I can. Thank you all so much for the support!


Liberate te ex inferis.


"We're approaching Abyssus." Holiday said, her eyes narrowing as she studied the small screen in front of her. She briefly glanced at Rex before she let go of the controls, flicking one of the switches to autopilot before unbuckling herself from her seat. Bobo glanced at her as she made her way to the back, eyes zeroing in on her guns as she adjusted them at her waist.

"Well...that's great and all." Noah said, lifting the buckle from himself. The metal strap slowly shifted above him, coming to rest behind Noah as the blond stood. He wobbled slightly as he adjusted to the moving ship before glancing at Rex, "But does he even know what he's going to do once he gets there?"

Holiday closed her eyes, letting out a small sigh, "I think he'll know." Holiday looked back at Rex, watching as the teen began to stir, "The nanites seem to be running a program. Even if they don't know what it is, it seems to be leading them to a solution for this whole mess. They don't have to understand it to follow through." Holiday grew quieter as she mused to herself, "But that brings up the question of how they even know about the program in the first place. Besides...the nanites treat Rex as a host, so does that mean that Rex could command other nanites if they were in their more complete form? Or is it only because the nanites are inside of him? And what will this program do-"

"Doctor Holiday?" Six said, raising an eyebrow. Holiday jumped and brought a hand to her mouth, face turning a light shade of pink.

"Sorry about that. It's just..." Holiday trailed off, losing herself in her thoughts again. There were so many questions when it came to Rex, each one leading them a step closer to maybe, maybe, finding some answers. Holiday glanced at Rex and took as step toward him, but stopped when the controls at the front began to blare, filling the small space with the loud, shrill noise. "Bobo!"

Bobo whipped around in his seat, rolling his eye, "Looks like Abyssus wasn't all that empty." Bobo said as Holiday rushed back to her seat, vaulting herself over the arm of the seat and landing with a soft thud. Holiday scanned the monitors as Bobo started to flip the dials, the ship shifting with each motion.

"It may be some remnants of the Pack…" Holiday said, pressing a bright blue button, "But we won't know until we see-" She was cut off as the ship rocked, Noah letting out a small shout as the ship jerked them back and forth. Bobo muttered under his breath and lifted the controls, sending them higher into the air.

"Or until they start shooting as us." Bobo said, glancing at the screen as the image finally showed. The image flickered black for a moment before solidifying and the great, green Skalamander came to life. The crystal armed lizard raised his hulking arm again, green shards of crystal shooting out as Biowulf sprang up from behind him. Holiday gritted her teeth as they were jostled, several more alarms joining the increasing chaos.

"We need to fly higher or land." Six shouted, already slipping his blades out of his suit, "Otherwise they'll shoot us down before we can make the choice."

"Higher then…" Holiday said, leaning over and flipping several switches, "We need to put some distance between us and them or else we'll just-"

"Guys!" Six and Holiday turned to Noah as the blond continued to shout, holding down Rex as teen tried to move away from his seat. "I need some help here!" Noah said, grunting when Rex hit him in the chest. Noah stumbled back, hitting the metal wall and sliding down, breathing through his mouth as he tried to catch his breath. Six was on Rex in a second, grabbing him by his shoulders and trying to wrestle Rex back to his seat. Rex growled and shoved the agent, his weak struggles leaving him winded as sweat beaded at his temple. Rex gritted his teeth and shoved himself away, stumbling back and hitting the wall himself. His hand scrambled to find a hold but met only smooth metal, and Rex was falling over before he could stop himself. Six rushed at Rex, grabbing him by the arm and slinging it over his shoulder as he eased Rex to the floor.

"Easy Rex." Six said, the tiniest slivers of concern managing to sneak their way into his voice. Rex moaned and tried to pull away from Six, his dull blue eyes looking pleadingly at the agent.

"We cannot…cannot dawdle here! We must get down there…fulfill the protocol. The host…the host…" Rex shook his head and groaned, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

"We'll get you down there Rex." Noah said. Six glanced at him, raising an eyebrow, but said nothing. Instead Six leaned away from Rex and allowed Noah to scoot closer, the blond wearing a weary smile. It looked off, almost crooked on Noah's face, but the blond hid with forced enthusiasm in his voice. "But you know, none of us will be getting anywhere if we're killed before we even touch the ground. So just…be patient. Kay?" Six's eyes narrowed as Noah finished, the blond looking away from both Rex and him. There was a slight waver in his voice, the barest beginnings of uncertainty. And as much as Six could relate with Noah, Rex's fate growing more uncertain the closer they got to Abyssus, the agent did not have time for hesitation.

It seemed Rex didn't either.

"No! You don't…understand-" Rex cried out, flecks of blood flying from his mouth as the airship was jostled again. Rex was bounced on the floor, but he gritted his teeth and curled into a ball, allowing himself to slide away from Agent Six and Noah. Rex pressed his hand against the walls of the ship and closed his eyes, the thrum of his nanites making his head rattle as blue, vein-like lines crisscrossed on his arm. For a moment it felt as if he were wading through water, a sea of nanites assaulting him and voices he had never heard before ringing like bells in his ears. The pain in his chest swelled, a balloon fit to pop, and he cried out again as he forced the pain away and down into the nanites he was surrounded by.

No time for talking...just open the door!

The nanites thrummed again, shot up like needles trying to break free from his body, the skin almost lifting. Yet somehow, miraculously, the nanites listened and the door began to slide open. The whoosh of air took what little breath Rex had from his lungs and the wind roared in his ears, drowning out the other voices. There was no Agent Six or Noah, no Holiday or Bobo, and for one blissful moment, no strange dismembered voices. Only Rex. And Rex knew he needed to get off the ship now.

You listen up nanites, I'm the one running this show. Rex was practically screaming at himself, his own voice almost grating his ears. But he kept going, refusing to relinquish his brief clarity into what was going on. The haze was gone, the voices had died, and he was going to be the one to decide what to do. We need to get down there right? Well, we need to get past ugly and uglier down there. Which means either I let you go down there and get your cans kicked. Or I go down there and actually show 'em whose boss.

Rex shuddered and gripped the edge of the open ship, swinging himself over before Agent Six could reach him. Rex could almost hear the agent behind him demanding for a hoverboard or for Holiday to land, but the deep voice was soon lost to the air currents. Rex squinted his eyes but did not dare to reach for his goggles yet. He wouldn't until he was sure he could do this without any interference.

From anything.

Rex's hair flew back as he swiveled and glided, arms splaying out as he twisted in the air, his jacket flapping wildly behind him. His sides and stomach were beginning to sting with renewed vigor, the bandages starting to peel under the constant pressure from the wind, and Rex thought he could feel something warm licking his sides. Below him he could just make out the shapes of Skalamander and Biowulf, one hulking and the other small but dangerous looking, and could just see the sharp reflective edge of Skalamander's green crystals. Well? Rex demanded, narrowing his eyes into slits, What's it gonna be?

"But the host-"

You think I'll survive if we wind up down there and I have to fight them? With you in control?

"The sub-routines...protocol! We know how to handle them, the programming-"

Just isn't the same as me. Rex closed his eyes and waited for a response, but all he got was fuzzy, crackling static. He almost smirked as he snapped his eyes open, slamming his fists together even as his muscles screamed at the action. He felt pain jolt from his hands and up his arms before the pain rested in his head, rattling his brain in its cage before settling into nothing. His breath blew from his lungs as his machines coated his arms, sheets of gray metal to large, orange machines. Rex panted as he lifted one of his slam hands, shielding himself from a rain of jagged, green crystals before throwing his other fist back and slamming it toward the ground.

Rock cracked underneath the pressure, bursting from the earth in chunks and leaving Rex disoriented as a shockwave thrummed through him. Rex shook his head as a wave a nausea hit him, the world spinning in fast, blurring circles before his eyes managed to focus on Biowulf. Rex gasped as one of the crazed wolf's claws slashed at his face and he leaned back to avoid the strike, the wind whistling in his ears. Rex stumbled back and fell to the ground, rolling over the dirt as Biowulf slashed at him again. Biowulf's claws dug into the earth but Rex hissed as his arm stung, a crystal landing dangerously close to his head. Rex cupped his now bleeding upper arm and pushed himself up, glaring at Skalamander as he called more of his machines. He groaned as a sword formed over his right arm and he sank under the weight, the blade pressing on him as if it weighed tons.

Rex clenched his jaw and charged at Skalamander, barely managing to keep his sword raised to block the green lizard's attacks. His arms shook as he lifted his blade to strike, only to hit air as the lumbering lizard dodged his strike with a simple sidestep. Rex's sword struck the ground, digging deep into the crust before dissolving into scrap, and Rex gasped to catch his breath. His eyes widened as more crystals came flying at him, Biowulf closing in from behind, and Rex shook his head as his jet pack sprouted from his back. He pushed himself from the ground as the blades in each large circle began to spin, propelling him away from both attackers. Skalamander was already aiming at him, the drooling lizard releasing several shots. Rex swore under his breath and tried to move himself away, yet several quartz like bullets managed to slice his arms, Rex only managing to avoid the most deadly of the missile like crystals.

I can barely hold my own... But even that was a lie. Rex knew, painfully so, that he was far from holding his own. Unless holding his own meant he hadn't died yet.

Then yeah, he was holding his own.

But not for long! Rex jerked his head back as more claws came flying at him and more crystals shot at him from behind. He grunted and hissed as the crystals sliced at him, smaller ones digging into his legs and leaving trails of blood on his torn pants and skin. I'm slowing down...I'm slowing down! Rex clenched his teeth as his machines gave a rough jerk, careening him off his path and nearly sending him to the ground. Rex flew lower to the ground as his machines began to fall apart, small bits of metal tumbling away as he got closer to the dirt. He stumbled as he landed, the machines finally breaking apart completely, and he skidded to his knees. Rex's head snapped up as he heard rough scratching, only to duck as the wind whistled by his ears again. Rex fell onto his back, hissing as his battered body connected with the rough ground, and closed his eyes to fight back the pain.

He tried to open his eyes or lift his arms, but all his muscles did was throb and hurt, like he was being peeled away from his own body, and he could feel pressure on his chest. The air was heavy and thick, and Rex could practically feel Biowulf breathing against him. He tensed, body strung out like a bow, but a rush of air made Rex open his eyes.

"Wha-"

Biowulf was flying off him, soaring through the air before landing in a giant heap on the ground. Rex blinked, trying to push himself up, and the static that had been so silent before returned full force. The noise hit his head in waves, crashing against his brain as it throbbed from the abuse. Rex shook his head and his vision became a swirl of dark colors, the trees mixing with the dark red sky and a strange green figure-

Green?

"Rex!" Rex winced at the sound, trying to lean away, but he was stopped as strong, warm hands gripped his shoulders and forced him forward. "Holiday, will you take a look at him?" Rex clenched his eyes tighter and tried to pull away again, but sighed in relief as soothing hands cupped his face. He leaned into the touch, shivering as he realized how hot he was and how cool the hands were.

"Rex? Rex, can you open your eyes for me?" Rex almost smiled at the voice, clenching his eyes once more before forcing them to open. Anything for you. Rex blinked his eyes open, squinting as the world came back into focus, and soon he was gazing at Holiday, her green eyes wide with concern. "Good, now just sit still for a second while I look you over." Rex said nothing as she started to feel around his face and neck, her cool hands almost feeling like a blaze wherever they touched his skin. It almost hurt, yet the coolness of her hands was too much for his too hot body. He winced when her hands pressed against his sides and stomach, feeling an unpleasant lurch in his gut as the world spun again.

Rex tried to fight through the fog of his mind, grabbing onto the pain and letting it yank him forward. "I-I'm all right Doc. Really. Just had to show them who's boss."

Holiday tsked and shook her head, "Rex you should have waited. There's no telling what you've done to yourself now. I know you want to-"

"I had to." Rex said, wincing as he forced himself up. Holiday grabbed his arm and helped to hoist him up, her hands hovering nearby as he wobbled on his legs, "I had to do it. This place is just…" Rex stopped, breathing hard through his nose before speaking again, "I need to get there soon Doc. I couldn't wait for you guys to work around Biowulf and Skalamander."

"That doesn't mean you have to charge right it in and get yourself killed." Holiday said, shaking her head. Rex smiled at her and winked, holding back another wince as pain flared through his body. His head whipped around as he heard shots and shouting before he glanced at Holiday for an explanation. "Well, we couldn't exactly let you go down here alone now could we?" Holiday asked. She smiled at Rex's worried look, "Don't worry, they'll be fine. Six is with them after all. Noah seemed distraught when you just jumped out like that though…"

"Noah's always distraught over something." Rex said, but his eyes trailed over to the sounds of battle, and he glared when he heard one scream that sounded just a little too familiar. Holiday smiled again before squeezing Rex and making him lean against her, keeping one hand loose enough to reach for her gun if the need would arise. They made slow progress toward the noise, Rex's steps uneven as he quickly found himself out of breath, and by the time they reached Six and the others, Skalamander and Biowulf nowhere to be seen.

Six straightened himself out, replacing his blades back into his jacket, and glanced at Holiday and Rex as they approached. Rex studied the field, eyes zeroing in on Noah and Bobo as the later helped the blond to stand. Rex's stomach tightened as he watched Noah wobble for a moment, but then the teen stood straight and smiled, smoothing out his hair and pressing a hand to his forehead. Rex jerked in Holiday's grip, wanting to go and see Noah and Bobo, but the doctor held him fast as Six came to inspect him.

"You all right?" The agent asked.

Rex flashed Six a look of surprise, his eyebrows disappearing into his bangs, "Um…yeah, I guess. As good as I can be." Rex looked around again, waiting for Biowulf or Skalamander to come charging out of nowhere. Six watched as Rex surveyed the area before he cleared his throat.

"We drove them away from now but they'll be back. We shouldn't waste time here." Six turned away but Rex pushed himself forward, nudging Holiday to let him go.

"But why were they here in the first place? I mean…"

"Van Kleiss wouldn't have left this place unguarded. Now come on Rex. You jumped out of the ship to get here, no time to slow down." Rex bristled at the comment but said nothing as Holiday began to lead him forward again. Noah and Bobo came running up to them, both looking tired and slumped but none the worse for wear. Noah fell into step beside Rex and Holiday, glancing liver Rex before snapping his attention ahead of him. Rex raised an eyebrow at Noah but said nothing as the blond chewed his lip, refusing to look Rex in the eye. Bobo shrugged at him, mumbling the he was going to die if Rex kept up with those stupid plans of his, but Rex just smirked at him.

Yet Noah remained silent.

Rex shook his head and finally looked ahead, taking a deep breath as his legs flared, his knees quaking as he walked. A crumbling building stood before them, looming over Abyssus and challenging the red sky it stood beneath. The stone was rough and jagged, sticking out at odd ends with giant holes in the walls, gaping maws that offered a look into the almost endless darkness within. Strange and deformed plants circled the area, the gnarled roots and vines climbing up the walls and branches encroaching on the windows and broken walls.

The air was almost still as they approached, the building almost a wall in itself as it stood against them. Rex's heart jumped to his throat and hammered against it, almost making his choke and cough as the building stared at him. His blood rose, as if it would be siphoned from his body and whisked into the building. His body itched and his arm started to shake, and before he knew it, he was pushing himself away from Holiday.

"Rex!" She called, grabbing his arm as he stumbled, "I know you're eager but-" Her voice disappeared into the ocean of white noise, the fog gripping his mind again as he stared into the building as it was enshrouded by mist. He was alone then, wading through the thick, gray cover and trying to find the entrance. His body hummed as he got closer, or thought he got closer, to the building. He ached to get inside, to find the room that called him, told him that he needed to be fixed and soon.

But he needed to get out of the fog first or he'd never find a way there. He had to…He had to! But something was grabbing him and yanking him backward, away from the building, away from his cure! He knew what he wanted rested there, he could almost hear the words be whispered to the nanites as their own buzz of excitement thrummed through his body. But the force was resilient even as he shrugged it off, and he threw his hands out in a desperate attempt to just touch what was there. Voices were coming, loud and insistent, and Rex couldn't seem to shake them off. He wanted to disappear beneath the noise again, the constant, soothing static that kept his mind at ease as he tried to find his way through the mist.

"Rex!" Rex grunted as his jaw throbbed, feeling a mass of pain bloom on his cheek as the world forced itself back into view. The mist was gone as quickly as it had come, the static a distant and quieting crackle. Rex blinked as a mess of blond hair reared up, then a hand reached down toward him. Rex reached for it without thinking and was yanked up by the hand, Rex's own legs stumbling as he regained his footing.

"What was up with that?" Noah asked, raising eyebrow at him. But there was something else in his face, the way Noah's blue eyes had darkened. Rex felt the look burn itself into his memory like he building had, and the task before him seemed to take on a whole new weight. He could feel it crashing into his body, a drill in his back that dug in the longer it was there. Ugh…all I want to do is sleep.

"Rex?" Rex blinked as fingers snapped in front of his face. Rex looked toward the ground as his body set itself aflame, and he could feel their eyes boring into him, studying him, and he wanted to get away. "Hey…" Noah trailed off, looking away from Rex, "Don't-Don't worry about it so much. Let's just get going." Rex nodded, chewing his cheeks before forcing a smile onto his face.

"Race you there then?" Rex said, raising an eyebrow as at Noah. Agent Six came up beside Rex and was already slinging Rex's arm around his shoulder. Rex could practically hear the eyeroll and he only snickered harder.

Noah glanced back at him and snorted, "Like you could. In case you haven't noticed, you're not exactly fit at the moment. If I could run circles around you before, I can sure do it now."

"Are you kidding me? I have the green, agro ninja on my side. You can't do anything." Rex grinned as he glanced at Six, eyes flashing, "He's just cut off your legs."

Noah paled at this, throwing Six an uneasy look before hurrying his steps, "Like he would." Noah mumbled to himself, although there was a drop of uncertainty in his voice. Holiday put a hand to her mouth, a small smile forming, and Bobo rolled his eye, but it was all snuffed out when they finally reached the entrance of the building. Rex tilted his head up to get a better look, leaning against Six to keep his balance, but his eyes met only stone.

He took a deep breath as Six began to lead them inside, but the darkness Rex had pictured as he looked into the holes of the walls was nowhere to be seen. Instead it was under the same red sky as it had always been, the holes letting in more light than there should have been for a building so old and abused. The plants had wound their way inside the crumbling building, climbing and winding around the walls, ominous flowers blooming on the ground as their roots inched closer to other plants. Around them were old and dirty or broken pieces of tables, coated in dust and spiders.

"Well, this look pleasant. I'd like to move in today, if possible." Rex said, grinning when he heard Bobo snort. The laughter made his chest throbbed and Rex stopped, hand pressing against his chest as his heart fluttered inside. Rex stilled as the sensation didn't go away, the drumming of his heart growing louder and louder in his ears until he was sure the others could hear it to. The constant pounding, Bum, bum, bum, bum-

"Turn."

"Rex, what is it?" Rex ignored Holiday as he looked around, eyes narrowing on a small corner to the right of the room. Rex shuddered as he stared into it, the small niche hidden well in the dark shadows. Rex started to walk toward it, ignoring the calls of the others as he increased his pace, and even tried to shrug off Agent Six's hand when the man caught him by the shoulder.

"Listen to Doctor Holiday Rex-"

"It's there." Rex said, trying to shrug Six off when the man increased his grip, "Whatever I'm supposed to do is there!" Rex whipped around, grinding his teeth together, "Six, I don't know why, but whatever is going on is telling me to go there-"

"Rex?" Rex stopped, mouth dropping open at the smooth, feminine voice. He turned, eyes wide and questioning, even as his heart continued to thrum in his chest. He could feel his legs lock in place and his vision swayed for a moment, but he forced himself to look ahead.

Only one word managed to escape him, "Circe?"