Akazo flew through the halls, the passages dark and eerie with the only sound being his clattering footsteps. He had never felt anything for this place or the people within it save for Verrakoi, and seeing the place so empty gave Akazo an odd sense of calm. As if he had finally figured out the mission he had for this planet all along and was well on his way to finishing it. Though it hadn't been the most interesting job, it had had its moments.
Bursting through the door to the medical bay, Akazo sighed when he spotted a shaking Temra standing against the far well, keeping Verrakoi's neck in one arm and a pistol held to the fish-Soulless's head in the other. Akazo had a slight suspicion Temra might try something as stupid asve this, but part of him was hoping that Temra had just up and ran off. Either way, he was still going to rip this fool apart.
"And what do we have here?" asked Akazo. "Do you really think this will save you, Temra?"
Temra convulsed, his face flushed pale and sweat pouring down his forehead. He squeezed the handle to his pistol, Verrakoi limp in his arms. Taking him hostage had been easy, and for a little while, Temra had thought Verrakoi already dead until the latter began coughing. Aside from a few wet hacks here and there, Verrakoi was quiet.
"You stay the hell back," said Temra. "I know you want me dead, you piece of shit, but you let me go, and your friend lives. The only fucking person you care about."
"You're really threatening me?" asked Akazo. "After all you've seen me do?"
"Like I have a choice!" shouted Temra. "I don't fucking understand you, I don't know why you care so much about fights, or why you give a shit about those three bastards out in the courtyard, but I do know you care about this guy, so that's who I'll use!"
"You're wasting my time. And, threatening a dying man? Oh no no no, Temra, this is beneath even you."
"Hardly," muttered Temra. "Now just promise me you'll let me go, and I'll leave, no harm no foul, right?"
"Very well," said Akazo. He sagged his shoulders, letting his spear tap against the ground. "It's not as if killing you presents any challenge anyways."
Temra's eye twitched. He knew that even if he were to lower his gun, Akazo could impale him in a second, or even get his darts to shatter his skull out of nowhere. He started to shuffle along the wall, dragging a groaning Verrakoi with him.
Akazo snarled in irritation.
"And just where are you going with him?" asked Akazo.
"You're-you're blocking the door," said Temra. "Long as you're blocking the door, I'm taking him."
Akazo shook his head and stepped aside, gesturing to the doorway to let Temra leave.
"Fine," said Akazo. "The exit is yours. And just so you're aware, my dear Temra, if you so choose to threaten another person who I find interesting, I will eviscerate you and hang you from your entrails while you're still alive."
Temra swallowed. If anyone knew how to do that, it would be Akazo. But on the other hand, this sounded as if Akazo was sheltering that monster Blue.
I'm probably going to die either way, aren't I? thought Temra. Doesn't matter, he'll fuck me up the second I leave out that door, I've annoyed him and he has no reason not to kill me. I don't stand a chance in a fight, and this fucking piece of shit has caused me so much trouble. And! And he's taking care of Blue! Fuck…I can either walk out of here an absolute coward, just die right out the door, or I can give one last middle finger to all the bastards that have ruined my life!
Temra glanced down at his stump of a hand, his shaking body, and shattered soul. He had lost so many friends, and was bound to lose more by the end of the day. All to a few bastards who were going to get away with it, scot-free with no consequences. He hated this, to his very core. Hate filled his veins and set his mind on fire, and suddenly all Temra could think of was that tall helmet, speaking to him about his dreams.
People are nothing without dreams, thought Temra. If they don't make an impact, they might as well not exist. Geruk, Merakas, Yuris, they're all going to die to a few strangers with no care for anyone, am I going to let that happen to me too? Be forgotten like them?
Temra knew that if Revair were there, his answer to the question would be no. He clenched his gun harder.
Akazo noticed. Though he wasn't totally sure why Temra of all people suddenly had a burst of confidence, he sent his darts flying into the room, aimed at Temra's skull.
"Fuck you!" said Temra. He fired once right before the darts plowed into his eyeballs.
Screaming, Temra fell back, letting go of Verrakoi as a yellow beam shredded through his helmet and out of his mouth. Verrakoi slumped to the ground, and Temra fell back onto the wall, screeching as he clawed at the spikes of metal embedded into his eyes.
Akazo sighed, his body twitching as a pool of blood seeped out from Verrakoi's helmet.
"He didn't even get his last words," said Akazo. His tone was mournful, filled with an air of sadness and hints of grief. "My friend…I know you were suffering, but I wish your death would've been on your terms, not this moron's."
As Temra screamed and kicked, Akazo walked over and lifted his fallen friend, a frown cracking across his face. It had been a long time since Akazo had truly felt sadness, and while Verrakoi's death was inevitable, everything about how it had just occurred nauseated Akazo.
"I'm sorry, Verrakoi," said Akazo, tilting his head down near Verrakoi's helmet. The opening for the mouth was pitch-black now, Verrakoi having closed his eyes for the last time. "I should've been faster."
Akazo turned and carried Verrakoi over to one of the beds, laying him down atop some white blankets.
"But I suppose…" said Akazo. "I suppose it's not all bad. You did give me a dying wish, and I promise, I will bury you as you asked me to. And…I suppose I'll look keep looking after Blue, even if for a time."
No answer from Verrakoi. Akazo's sadness subsided into rage as Temra's screams continued. He clawed around at the floor, looking for the gun he had dropped not long after his eyes had been gouged into his face.
"You simply went and made your death a hundred times more painful," said Akazo. "All to annoy me. How special you must feel right now."
Temra grabbed at one of the spikes and started to pull it out, sniffling and gasping as the metal scraped against his skin within his eye socket. Blood poured out from his face onto the floor.
"I don't think so," said Akazo. He twisted his hand, and the darts did the same, spinning within Temra's head and turning to the side. Soon they tore out of the sides of Temra's skull, spraying blood onto the wall behind him. Temra screamed incoherently, regretting his decision.
Akazo had the darts rip out of Temra and return to the air, dripping yellow as they went. He strode up to Temra, gritting his teeth in a vile expression.
"I'd torture you for hours," said Akazo. "But sadly, I'm on a strict schedule."
Akazo thrust the tip of his spear into Temra's teeth, piercing them to pieces. Slowly, he turned the spear, scraping the top of Temra's mouth. Temra grabbed the spear in a pathetically weak grip, pleading with Akazo for him to stop.
"I hope you're satisfied," said Akazo. "With whatever moronic delusion you thought killing my friend would bring. Now you will see the consequences."
With one last scream, Temra scraped his hand down the spear. Akazo shoved it straight through Temra's head, skewering him into the wall. Temra's shuddered once and went silent.
Tearing his spear back out, Akazo sighed and ran to the end of the room, retrieving as many needles and bandages as he could. He headed back, stopping at Verrakoi's body. Dipping his head, Akazo reached out and took Verrakoi's helmet off, dropping it to the ground. Verrakoi bled from a single bolt wound out the side of his head, and his skin was crisscrossed with bulging veins and had turned grey as opposed to the normal black. Dull green liquid mixed with the blood, the result of years of poison corrupting his arteries. Akazo sighed, running his hand along Verrakoi's cheek before bolting forward and out of the room, back towards Blue.
. . .
Blue was in terrible shape. Akazo returned as Blue's face had turned gaunt, the blood loss driving him to the edge of unconsciousness as Misha held him from the side and grasped his hand. Charel sat by Misha's leg, grabbing her aunt while she stared at Blue's arm in the corner of the room.
As Akazo entered, Charel stood up, her eyes bright. Misha turned to him, tears still brimming in hers.
"Lanks!" shouted Charel. "He's back!"
"Akazo…" said Misha, spotting the bandages and glowing needles tucked under his arm. His expression, dark and coated with a frown, unnerved her.
"He's lost a lot of blood," said Akazo, glancing over Blue. "I might be able to get his arm to heal back, if he keeps it relaxed and takes enough serum."
"Did…did something happen?" asked Misha. She squeezed Blue's hand, as if to let him know that help had finally arrived.
"That idiot Temra," snarled Akazo. "Killed a friend of mine. He was dying regardless, his body rotting from a…nightmarish scenario, but again, he was robbed. Never died on his own terms."
"I'm really sorry to hear that…" said Misha. "I didn't know you had a friend…"
"Hard to believe, I know," said Akazo. "And funny thing too, he insisted I be closer to you two before his passing."
"He sounded like a good person…" said Misha. She reached over to Akazo, waiting for him to hand over the first bandage.
Charel ran over to Akazo, wrapping herself around his leg. Akazo raised an eyeline at her, walking to the side despite his new ankle-weight.
He retrieved Blue's arm and walked over to Blue, who rasped a few words as he approached.
"Akazo…" said Blue, his voice tiny. "Thank you…"
"Yes yes," said Akazo. "Don't be so thankful just yet. When this is over, I expect you'll bring me some excitement."
"Akazo!" said Misha. "How can you still be thinking about that?! Blue needs your help!"
Blue narrowed his eyes at Akazo, his head fuzzy and light. He was expecting himself to pass out at any moment, his back, arm, and torso all aflame with pain.
"Fine," muttered Blue. "Just…help me…and Misha…"
"Very well," said Akazo. He began wrapping Blue's arm back in place, using dozens bandages as the blood soaked them through. Akazo jabbed a needle into Blue's other arm.
"If you even want a chance of having your arm back," said Akazo. "You'll keep it level and relaxed. With enough bandages and serum, and so long as you don't move it much should it heal back to you…"
"I…don't plan on moving much…" said Blue. He glanced up at the ceiling. "But Revair…"
"I plan on paying him a visit…" said Akazo, grinning. "Don't you worry about that."
"Be careful Akazo," said Misha. "That…that thing is a monster."
"He's just a lunatic," said Akazo. "Someone caught up in their own insane ideals."
You're one to talk, thought Blue. He coughed, sending shockwaves of pain up and down his spine. Akazo shuddered at the noise.
"I'll give you another dose when I get back, your wounds are serious enough to warrant it," said Akazo. "You'll likely be asleep by then, but you need the rest."
"And Misha…" said Blue. "Take care of her…"
Akazo turned, watching as a near-naked Misha turned around to show him her back. She had made a makeshift bra and strip of underwear from the blankets Blue was laying on, two white lines over her chest and lower torso. Her back was oozing blood out of dozens of tiny holes, looking as if someone had painted her shoulders and let the violet run down her skin.
"Seems painful," said Akazo. As he clutched a bandage in his hand, he knelt down next to her, pushing Charel over to his side with his free hand. "But if it was caused by the rain, then bandages aren't necessary…"
He reached out and placed his hand on Misha's back. She let out a tiny yelp of pain, which made Blue shudder.
"Akazo," said Misha as she looked over her shoulder. Akazo returned her look with a mix of confusion and concern. "Thank you."
"It's nothing," said Akazo, grumbling as Charel re-attached herself to his leg. "Only a temporary thing."
"You saved my life," said Misha. "And Blue's. And Charel's. And for that, I'll always owe you."
"I doubt you'd have anything you could possibly repay me with," said Akazo, nonchalant.
"I don't know," said Misha. With a tiny smile, she added: "But my family makes a really good breakfast!"
Blue couldn't help but let out a little chuckle, which felt like it was tearing his lower back apart with every shake of his shoulders. Akazo only raised an eyeline at Misha.
"Yes that sounds like the Misha I know," said Akazo. "But I can't say I'm interested."
"Give it time," said Misha. She winced as Akazo lay his fingers over her back. "Maybe you'll see it's not so bad…"
"My interests are elsewhere," said Akazo. "But I'm flattered."
His eyes lit up with fury as the power he poured into healing Misha's back refused to materialize. Something was nullifying him from above, likely in the vicinity of the ship he had seen earlier. Akazo cackled, picturing the cloaked bastard being impaled on his spear and tossed out of the side of the floating outpost.
"Ohhh you too?" asked Akazo. "Another idiotic decision by a foolish, foolish man."
"What's wrong…" said Blue. "Nullified?"
"Yes," said Akazo. "Irritating, but irrelevant. The bandages will heal her just fine. I'll go deal with Revair and what's left of his failure of a crew, you stay here and recover."
"Bastards…" muttered Blue.
"I'll stay here then," said Misha. "Blue has more wounds on his back, and I won't let a soul touch him."
Akazo chuckled.
"I doubt that'll be an issue if everyone is up at that post," he said. "But I admire your determination, Misha."
She smiled at him.
"No…" muttered Blue. "You need to get out of here, Misha…take Charel with you."
"Nope!" said Misha. "I said I was sticking by your side, Blue, and that's what I'm going to do. I know you'd do the same for me."
Something clogged up Blue's throat, a burning mass that set his esophagus aflame. He started to tear up.
"Do what you three like," said Akazo. "So long as you let Blue rest and you stay away from the outpost."
He unwrapped some bandages and pulled them around Misha's back. Soon the stains on her spine were hidden under layers of glowing gauze, and Misha shuddered as she felt the healing energies within go to work. It was like a series of tiny chips of ice over her skin, at once soothing yet burning at the same time. She sank backwards just as Akazo stood up and headed over to the door.
"Wrap whatever wounds are left on him," said Akazo. "Give him another shot in about ten to fifteen minutes, or if he absolutely has to get up. Keep that arm wrapped to his shoulder, or else he'll never get it back."
Misha stood up and gave Akazo a tiny salute.
"Absolutely," said Misha. "I'll keep Blue and Charel safe, at all costs!"
"Good luck," said Akazo. "Though Misha…what about the rest of your family?"
"Sis was hit in the leg…" said Misha. "But they were ok…" She gasped. "Oh no, they might try and come here!"
"That should be fine if everyone in the outpost up there is dead," said Akazo, chuckling. "Just keep them away should they come. I imagine the rain is delaying them."
"Yeah…" said Misha.
Akazo turned away and waved at the trio before heading out of the door, still annoyed at Revair and his guard's nullification earlier. He closed the door behind him and headed back to the courtyard, listening to the rain pound into the metal from all directions.
As soon as Akazo disappeared, Misha rushed back over to Blue. She slid a hand over his bare chest, unraveling one of the bandages Akazo had left behind and covering Blue's back with it. He shuddered as she did so.
"Misha," said Blue. "You need to get out of here as soon as possible, far away…"
"Not going to happen," said Misha. "Didn't you hear what I said?"
Blue's heart thumped in his chest. He had heard, but part of him was still too afraid to acknowledge it.
"You've seen everything I just brought to you…" said Blue. "Misha…all this was my fault."
"No," said Misha. "You might…you might've been involved with them, but everything that they just did was their decision! You didn't force them to hurt me and Charel!"
"I know," said Blue. "But none of it would've happened had I…not killed all those people."
"You did a bad thing, yes," said Misha. "Even I understand why, I know it's still bad. But…I don't blame you for what Revair and his other monsters did. I know you're still better than them, you protect the innocent with your life while they just stomp on them!"
"I wasn't always this way…"
"But now you are," said Misha. She stroked his cheek, hovering over his body. Leaning down, she planted a kiss on his cheek. "Remember, you still saved Lira and Charel, and you held on to me so I wouldn't get hurt, no matter…no matter how much they tortured you."
Misha wiped a stream of tears away from one of Blue's eyes.
"I still got your family hurt, and you and Charel too," said Blue.
"It's ok now Blue."
"Your back, and Charel must be traumatized, and your family must be desperate to find you…"
"It's ok now, Blue," said Misha, smiling.
Charel bounded up to the bed and grabbed his arm.
"It's ok," said Charel. "It's ok. You're my hero."
That was it. The floodgates broke and Blue burst out into tears, letting Misha cradle his head into her chest. She stroked his chest as Charel clenched his hand, both of them being careful to avoid leaning on his dead arm.
"You…I still think…" said Blue between gasps. "That you're too forgiving…"
"I don't," said Misha. "Blue, I told you, I love you, and you're the one for me. You've come with a painful journey, but you've made me feel so special, and brought so much happiness to me and my family too! And now things are finally starting to look better, we can get through this!"
Blue leaned up despite his body protesting in pain, and kissed Misha right on the lips. She widened her eyes in surprise but quickly kissed him back, pressing herself into his face.
Though Charel was happy to see her two heroes loving each other, the sight of them making out was just too much, and she turned away.
"Yuck!" she said.
Both Misha and Blue started to laugh, pulling away from one another. They were enraptured in each other again, everything else beginning to fade.
"I love you too Misha," said Blue. "If this turns out ok, and your family is willing to forgive me…then I want to spend more time with you. All of my time with you."
"Yes!" said Misha. She pumped her fist into the air, nearly falling on Blue's bandaged arm. Steadying herself on the bed, she leaned down and kissed him on the mouth again for a moment. "We'll be going on adventures, and making food, and taking baths, and kissing, and practicing, and…ooh, even living together! Blue, that's sounds wonderful!"
Blue coughed and laughed at the same time, sputtering in pleasure and pain.
"I'd like that," said Blue. "I really would."
"It'd be a new life for you," said Misha, smiling from ear to ear. "I know you deserve it, and I'll bet…I'll bet your fiancée would've agreed."
"You're going to make me cry again."
Misha laughed. She kept stroking Blue's chest as she kissed him on both cheeks.
"It's ok to cry," said Misha. "It's ok to let it out. You've had so much on your shoulders."
"And I'll do anything to lighten the load on yours," said Blue.
"You can do that by resting!" said Misha. "Really Blue, you've done enough for now. Your body is too beat up for you to move."
"I'll try…" said Blue. "I still don't like you being anywhere in the vicinity of those assholes up there."
"I'll keep an eye out," said Misha. "They seemed pretty afraid of Lanks, so I don't think they'll be a problem for him. I am worried for my family, Lanks is probably right that they're trying to get to us, but going that far in the rain, even with a suit, is really dangerous…especially if there's wind, it can blow the rain right onto your face!"
"I hope they're ok too," said Blue. "If Akazo takes care of the people up there, then the rest isn't an issue though. Everything hinges on him now."
"I have faith in him," said Misha. "He…might not always be well-guided, but you saw him move! He's crazy fast and strong! He's got this for sure!"
. . .
Revair burst out of the side door of the ship, a far cry from his usual elegant gait. His remaining guard was there to greet him in the entrance of the hovering outpost, looking proud.
"The pods have been set my lord," said the guard. "Are we-"
"Quickly," said Revair. "The fool Akazo has joined the degenerates. He will be on us soon!"
"Oh? The…intimidating one?"
"Yes!"
The guard swallowed. This wasn't good.
"To the control room," said Revair. "Where…where are the rest of the workers?"
"They were instructed to wait near the landing dock while I loaded the pods. That way, as you know…they couldn't see me work."
Revair brushed past his guard, the confused Soulless having to jog to keep up with Revair as he ran towards a gleaming staircase. Yellow lights streaked across the grey walls like drops of liquid light along the side of a hunk of granite.
"And how far along is the outpost?" asked Revair. His voice was panicked, his tone shaky. If the guard were able to touch his words like objects, they would be flimsy within his hands. This unnerved him.
"The pods on both the left and right side can be launched at any time," said the guard. "It only takes a short amount of time for them to be readied. The top launchers were unfortunately never completed. And the burner…it is only about sixty to seventy percent complete…"
"Can it fire?!" shrieked Revair. "The gas is one thing, but the burner…the burner is what makes the mark! Our mark on the universe!"
"It…will take longer than it should," said the guard. "It would've been done sooner but the workers began questioning its use when I found them, and refused to finish it unless I told them. I told them it was for base defense, but before they could get back to work, I witnessed your arrival from a window."
"That makes things…complicated," said Revair. "But quickly, quickly! If you can, instruct the workers closer to the entrance, Akazo will surely follow along the same path I did."
"Ah…sacrifices before our grand plan."
Revair ignored him, bolting up the staircase and rounding a corner to head down a hall. The place was not dissimilar to the buildings below, darkened rooms and hallways never to be used surrounded by the same brutalist designs of old Soulless architecture. Somewhere within the building, the pods had been loaded into their launchers, weapons embedded into the outpost for Revair's destiny. To the workers, they must've looked like any other kind of weapons platform, perhaps for massive energy launchers or artillery, beams to rip apart the sky and intruders alike. And considering the circumstances lately, this had appealed to them.
Revair's teeth chattered as he made it to the control room, pushing past the door and silently praying he wouldn't find the workers inside, confused and betrayed. It would only take a bit of investigation to find out just what kind of ammunition was within the building.
He was lucky. The control room, with its flickering boards and switches upon elongated platforms, was empty. Revair breathed a sigh of relief, dashing over to the main controls and looking them over.
"I see…" said Revair, his guard catching up behind him. "Controls for the launchers and burner…set…even a speaker for the building…good…but nothing for the doors, and no launchers on the top of the building."
"I'm afraid this will…lessen our mark," said the guard. "Unless, you want me to try and build them now?"
"No time," said Revair. "I despise it, I despise it! But…we must fire before Akazo gets here, otherwise we will all perish before we can even try!"
I am sorry my lord, thought Revair. The challenge you have presented to me is a formidable one indeed.
The guard fell to one knee, his loyalty never wavering.
"What shall I do, my lord?" asked the guard.
"Gather any weapons you can," said Revair. "I will instruct the workers to gather by the entrance…you will await until Akazo gets to them, then take him by surprise!"
"Very well," said the guard. "For the Brigade, and its glorious leader!"
"For the Brigade…" said Revair, already flipping the switches to warm up the launchers.
As the guard bolted back out of the room, Revair tapped his foot impatiently, watching as a green bar began to rise on a tiny black screen on his boards. Every inch it climbed was a second too slow for him, and Revair's heart pounded. Inches were too little for a goal which seemed miles away. Yet, any progress was still glorious…
It shouldn't take long… thought Revair. If the pods are loaded, and I have them on both wings…that should be enough for the galaxy as it spreads…it's only the burner I'm worried about. That will take longer…
Back in the halls, the guard rushed into the makeshift barracks within the outpost. He snatched up the remaining energy launcher as well as a knife, all weapons carried out from the ship along with the pods. Turning around with weapons in hand, he headed back to the entrance only to find Yuris and the two other workers already there. Yuris stood with his arms crossed and eyes narrowed.
"Well there you are," said Yuris. "We've got a couple of questions."
"Ah…" said the guard, halting in his tracks. Did these fools dare second-guess Revair's beautiful plan?
"What the hell are you loading gas pods for?" asked one of the workers. "Those won't do shit against enemy ships!"
"I mean unless you plan to light it," said the other worker. "But why bother to melt em when you can just blast em away with cannons or elimination missiles? Plus we're way too close to explode pods, unless you want to get gassed too!"
"Relax," said the guard. "They are for…long range targets."
"We saw the launchers full in the right wing," said Yuris. "You've got dozens loaded. Why use just gas? Why no missiles, or cannons?"
"We had…limited supply," said the guard. "Now, listen, it is not your place to question us, and-"
Yuris had had enough. He had been pushed around, ordered to do things he didn't understand, and had lost his friends to a monster who was still on the loose! He gritted his teeth at the guard, who flared up in indignance.
"Alright I'm out of here," said Yuris. "I'm going to go check on the outpost down there, and find Temra, and ask just what the hell is going on!"
"Yeah," said one of the workers. "Let's go guys."
"You have your answer, ingrates!" said the guard. "The pods are merely for self-defense!"
"I worked on a burner down below," said one of the workers. "And the left wing…also full of launchers. Did you put gas in them too? And there's unfinished ones at the top of the outpost…did you fill this whole fucking place with gas?"
Yuris's stomach twisted. Something was bothering him, but he couldn't quite pin down what it was. Revair's odd, cult-like personality and clothes, the Brigader's feverish devotion, something about a master plan…nothing sounded safe. Nothing ordinary.
"So you're going to try and launch a bunch of gas, maybe light it…" said Yuris. "What the hell are you planning to burn? Or poison? Something way out in the galaxy, further? Or…"
Both of the workers tensed, and Yuris lowered his arms, sliding a hand towards his leg. He still had a pistol and a knife, and so did his companions. The guard was too close to use the launcher on them, and he'd have to drop his gun to get his knife. Unless he wanted to blow them all to smithereens, he was at a disadvantage.
"Explain," said Yuris. "I'm getting real fucking tired of running, of not being told what's going on."
The guard was backed into a corner. If he fired his launcher, he risked injuring or killing himself and leaving Revair unguarded. Akazo could easily make it to him before the first pods even launched. But if he tried to back away, the fools in front of him could gun him down. He sighed, twitching.
"We do have a target in mind," said the guard. "A planet…on the far side of the universe. Something Revair has been waiting for a long time."
"And you couldn't just tell us, huh," said Yuris. "Torall, why not go take the pods out from the right side? We'll keep mister Brigader here at bay."
"No!" shrieked the Brigader. He lurched forward, but took a step back as Yuris and the other worker withdrew their pistols and aimed at him. Both smiled, finally feeling in charge.
"Ah ah ah," said Yuris, his head raised to the heavens. "You stay here until we get things sorted out."
"There is no time!" said the guard. "Akazo will be here any second, you fools!"
Yuris's body clenched up, like a clam under immediate attack. The mere mention of Akazo's name sent chills down his spine.
"Akazo?" asked Yuris. "What…what happened?"
"He went berserk," said the guard. "Revair said that he is after us."
"Did…did he kill anyone?" asked Yuris, his voice tiny. He had more friends down and there, and Geruk…he was the last truly close friend he had.
"How would I know?!" said the guard. "I wasn't down there!"
"Fuck…" said Yuris. "Alright, ok…" He turned to see both of his buddies looking at him, pleading with their gazes for any sort of comfort. By now, any plan would be a good one, the three of them lost in a maelstrom of fear and confusion. Friends blended into foes, and foes were coming right for them.
"We…" said Yuris. "We should set up a defensive perimeter…" He wasn't exactly sure what this would mean for their location, but he had heard Temra use it before, and it sounded good. "Uh…you, hand over the launcher, I'll use it…"
"Never," snarled the guard. "You three head to the front entrance, and I will lurk, wait for him, strike from the shadows…"
"As if we'd trust you!" shouted Yuris. "You-"
A ripping sound from near the entrance. A beast was chewing through metal and tossing it out, displeased with its meal. The ship was done for, with Akazo having leapt up from the outpost and clawing into the side of the vessel. He tore through the side with his bare hands and soon made short work of the controls. There was no escape for the people inside the outpost.
"He's here…" said the guard, his legs quivering. "Quick, positions!"
Akazo sped into the room, darts overhead. He was a red blur, eviscerating the nearest worker within seconds as Yuris fell backwards. Yuris screamed, nearly pissing himself as he backed away.
"And just what do we have going on here?" asked Akazo. "A little meeting without yours truly?"
Torall raised his gun to fire, only to have a dart plunge through his fingers and shatter the handle. The remnants of his weapon fell out of his hand, and he stared in frozen terror. Akazo thrust his spear forward, impaling him through the head.
The guard stumbled back, taking aim with his launcher just as another dart flung itself into the barrel of his weapon. Sparks and chunks of metal sprayed forth from the hole created by the dart, but the launcher still heated up, ready to fire. The guard pulled the trigger and the front of the half exploded, the launcher crumbling apart as it blazed its last burst.
Akazo leapt out of the way just in time, snarling as he saw his both his dart within the launcher and the dart in Torall's hand both be melted away by a train of yellow energy. The beam pummeled along through the walls, vanishing metal and grey flooring alike. As the Brigader looked down at his ruin of a weapon, he was promptly treated to a spear through the face from Akazo.
"Gurghk!" said the guard as he dropped his launcher and grabbed the spear. Akazo smiled down at him.
"Very disappointing," said Akazo. "Goodbye now."
He ripped the spear upwards, piercing through the Brigader's brain and ending him. The Soulless dropped like a brick.
"Now for the final one…" said Akazo, whipping back to see Yuris scrambling back towards the entrance.
Funny how you're the last of the original crew to survive, thought Akazo. Guess it's true what they say, cowards are simply better at surviving than others.
"Why…" said Yuris, choking up as Akazo approached. He didn't even bother to raise his pistol, knowing full well that the abomination in front of him was to be his doom. "Why…"
"There was a little incident down below," said Akazo, clutching his spear. It flashed in the lights, to Yuris like the souls of the dead were still embedded within. "So I've decided to get rid of you."
"I wasn't even involved!" said Yuris. "I don't even know what happened!"
"True," said Akazo. "But you are aligned. And of course, once you know what has gone down, I simply can't have you interfering at the moment." He paused, stopping just short of a crumbling Yuris.
"I do have one question however," said Akazo. "Perhaps if you answer truthfully, I'll let you live."
"Please!" said Yuris. "I just want to get back to Geruk and everyone else, and figure out what the hell is going on! They're doing something really dangerous in here!"
"Oh?" asked Akazo, with a slight grin. "Tell you what, you give me the rundown and I'll let you go. So long as you promise to head straight out of here once you're…done investigating, that is."
Best to kill him, thought Akazo. Would be a waste for him to become revenge fueled and find Blue. Me I'm not concerned about, but if Blue is asleep…
Akazo wondered why he was even going to such a length to protect Blue. Were the friends Blue promised really worth it? The answer was likely not, but he figured he'd try. And besides, he might as well honor Verrakoi's last wishes by "being friendly."
"They…" said Yuris, trembling. "They've loaded gas into the launchers, and have some kind of burner down below…launchers on both sides, burner isn't totally done, but-"
Akazo's face fell, to a depth Yuris had never seen before. Suddenly his cheeks appeared sunken, his eyes hollow, all the vicious life sucked out from him with a single sentence. Yuris began to sit up, shocked. Was Akazo afraid?
"Gas…" said Akazo. "What…what kind of gas…"
"It's bright green," said Yuris. "So, I'm assuming the one…the one that'll just eat you up from the inside…"
The dots were connecting for Yuris. Akazo was actually starting to shake, his grip on the spear trembling.
"It should…it should just be Revair left…" said Akazo. His voice was pathetic as well, everything about him draining out and dissipating into the air.
"I get it now," said Yuris. He chuckled. It didn't seem possible, and yet here he was, standing up to the dreaded Akazo! And he was frightened to boot! "You've…you've seen that gas in action, haven't you? And all you care about is fighting, and if you're hit by something that makes your body fall apart, slow and steady-"
Akazo lashed downwards, grabbing Yuris by the neck. Yuris squealed as Akazo's glare burned through his retinas.
"You listen, and listen carefully," said Akazo. "Where exactly are the pods, and what did Revair plan to do with them, hmm?"
"Ack…" spurted Yuris. "They…spewed…bullshit about some planet…targeting planet…"
Unbeknownst to both Yuris and Akazo, Revair had heard the launcher go off from earlier and leaned himself over the screen, clawing at it as the bar steadily rose. There was no time for him left, in his mind he was alone with Akazo bound to find him within the minute.
The pods are not ready, thought Revair. But in a few moments, I can control at least one…if I'm lucky, that should be all I need! It doesn't matter if anyone is still over there, it doesn't matter if I'm poisoned either, so long as I live to launch them all! That's all that matters!
The bar crept upwards, every pixel on the screen an agonizing wait for Revair. He kept glancing back behind him, half-expecting a dart to come flying into his skull. When none came, he went back to the screen. Finally, it elevated to a point where a couple of grape-sized lights came on to his side, and Revair snaked over to them, his fingers unable to sit still.
I can fire one, or two if needed… thought Revair. It will have to work, it has to work!
He grabbed a nearby lever and thrust it forward, then ran over to a controlboard dotted with buttons and flashing lights. As he fiddled with the controls, the launcher under his command at the right side of the outpost opened itself up and pushed a glass container forward, green gas churning within. It began to swivel towards the front of the outpost, red light flickering all around it.
Revair blinked as a warning sign came on to his screen. The target he had inputted was close to the firing position. A prompt came up asking if he wanted to fire regardless.
Revair slammed his fist onto the screen, blasting the pod right around the front of the outpost. It smashed into the ship and erupted into a cloud of green gas, which crawled upwards and swirled around as the rain outside fell through it.
Back at the entrance, Akazo heart leapt into his mouth when he heard a thud outside. Within seconds, bright green gas seeped into the hallway, and Akazo tried to scream. His throat was sealed tight, and no sound could come out.
Everything became a blur to him. Had to get out, had to get out, had to get out! Akazo dashed away from a surprised Yuris, dropping him onto the floor as he bolted back into the outpost. Akazo's head was pounding, his main exit now overflowing with gas. Surely there had to be another towards the back…
Akazo came to two hallways and a staircase, and he glanced behind him only to be met with a rush of green. Screaming, Akazo became enshrouded by the gas, the poison seeping through his skin and down his esophagus. Coughing and sputtering for dear life, Akazo kept running, tears flowing from his face. Everything stung, his body prickling. Nothing else mattered to him anymore, not finding Revair, not Blue, nothing. His senses sharpened into a single point, all directed towards one goal: survive.
He bolted down a hall, the gas rushing faster. The entire first and second floors were flooded with gas by now, and as Akazo ran, he spotted door after door closing automatically, likely the work of Revair trying to deny him any sanctuary.
Akazo no longer cared. He was already exposed, and shivering in sheer terror. The only thing he could think about was getting out of the outpost, as far away as he possibly could. As he dashed down the hall, he found a solution.
Windows. A row of them, overlooking the a roof of one of the buildings down below. The gas already had its tendrils snaking over it, the entire outpost having turned green and tinting Akazo's vision. Closing his mouth and holding his breath in tight, Akazo shot forward, shattering the glass with his spear and tumbling out to fall below. He landed on the roof, gasping.
Above, the outpost was covered in gas, as was the ship hovering by the entrance. Revair had given himself a clouded shield, and anyone who even dared to step within would be poisoned within seconds.
Akazo lay a hand over his chest, his heart pummeling his ribs.
"I'm alright," he said, grinning. "Yes, yes, it wasn't enough, it wasn't enough, surely it wasn't enough."
Crawling to his feet, Akazo chuckled like a madman as he dropped off the roof and back into the courtyard. The rain pattered off of his skin, as his insides tingled.
"Ha," said Akazo. "Ha…"
He had lost it. To a spectator, Akazo would seem the escapee of an insane asylum, his eyes like saucers and a putrid grin on his face, leaking saliva. Ever so often he'd convulse, Akazo being unsure if it was due to the effects of the gas or from his own terror.
The ship up there is gone, he thought. Only one other…
He stumbled back into the halls of the ground outpost, wondering if everything that had just transpired was a feverish dream. Giggling, he found his way back to Blue's room, and pressed his hand against the door.
Akazo pushed it open, smiling wider as he saw Misha and Charel bolt straight up.
"We have a problem," said Akazo, trembling.
. . .
"Gas?" asked Misha, keeping one hand on Blue's arm. He had woken up at Akazo's strangely high-pitched tone, his eyes only half-opened as he used what was left of his dwindling strength to fight off exhaustion.
"Yes," said Akazo. He looked dead, his eyes and mouth gaping like a fish's. "Revair…surrounded his outpost up there with it. He has launchers on both sides, and a burner, however incomplete. With his arsenal, he could light the universe in toxic flame."
"How…" said Misha. She was too tired, too afraid, and more in over her head than any adventure before had done to her. "I don't even understand how he could do that…"
"The gas is made from our elimination energy," said Akazo. "And can be set alight with it if its in a concentrated form. This…can burn away even through space. Mark entire planets in red."
"Kill him," gasped Blue. "Go back. Kill Revair."
"No," said Akazo. "The others are all gone, but he…he must've locked himself in the control room. Any minute he'll have warmed up the pods, they might not've been completed by the time I got there…"
"No?!" said Blue, trying to sit up but finding Misha and a tidal wave of pain knocking him back down. "What do you mean…no?!"
Charel was watching with a mix of horror and confusion. She had no clue what was going on, some kind of adult talk that her mom always said was not for her. This time however, no one seemed focused on ushering her away or comforting her. They all looked as scared as she did, even Blue, who was always so grumpy, and Lanks, who was always so confident.
Even Misha, her favorite hero. She too was trembling.
Charel swallowed her fear and stood up, walking over to Misha. She grabbed her hand, making Misha twitch.
Misha looked down and managed a tiny smile. It was all she could do to try and comfort Charel, but in that moment, it was the opposite party who had the greater effect. Charel's touch made Misha calm a bit, even though she knew the kid was helpless. Even still, her family was still here.
"I said no," said Akazo, raising his dead-eyed gaze to the ceiling. "That gas…that poison! I was already subjected to it, even if a little bit…"
"You…you have to help," said Blue. "I've seen what you can do, killing Revair is easy…"
"I've already been poisoned and lost my friend," said Akazo. "And you saw him, he is an example of what that gas can do to you!"
Blue groaned, still wishing he could get up. He stared at Revair in the eyes, focusing as much mental might he could into the most intimidating glare a bedridden man could make. Akazo needed to go back, and Blue was willing to give up his life to convince him.
"I know," said Blue. "I know, it's a chemical weapon, it can ruin you. But there's a cure right? A way to beat it?"
"Serum," said Akazo. "As per usual. Concentrated doses at regular intervals, at various places on the body. I know…because I didn't have enough. Not for Verrakoi. And…" He glanced over at the small pile of syringes by Blue's bedside. His voice became that of a mouse's when he continued. "We don't have enough here."
"Back at the planet I mentioned," said Blue. "There…there's more. You go back up there, you take Revair out, I'll show you the way."
"No," said Akazo. "I'm sorry my friends, you've been entertaining, but if there's one thing I will not do, it's let my body rot the same way it happened to Verrakoi. I couldn't…I couldn't take that."
"Right," snarled Blue. "Because then, you wouldn't get that good fight. Not on the terms you wanted."
"You can mock me all you wish," said Akazo. "Call me a coward even, I don't care. But I find all my joy in a good fight, and coughing my lungs out as my skin grows mottled and oozing, my muscles and flesh weak, that…that would destroy me. Even if I could still fight in that condition, it would never be the same."
"Lanks…" said Misha. She pulled Charel into her leg, leaning down to hug her. "If what you're saying about the outpost is true…then my whole family, no, the whole world is in danger!"
"It's beyond in danger," said Akazo. "That…hah, that vile fool up there has made one clever trick. The gas he will launch will blend in with the atmosphere you have, and the rain. No one will even know it exists, no one will have a chance to escape."
"Not unless we take down Revair or his launchers," said Blue. "That's all we need, Akazo. Or even…if we had a ship, we could blow the burner down!"
"The ship above is ruined," said Akazo. "The only one left is yours…way out in the field."
"Go get it!" said Blue. "There's no time!"
"I will," said Akazo. "But not to attack that outpost. By the time I get back, it'll already have launched its gas at least, and the ship won't be able to withstand the burner. I would die for nothing."
Misha started to cry, squeezing Charel tighter in an attempt to hide her tears. She glared up at Akazo and fell to her knees. Akazo looked down to see both Misha and Charel silently pleading with him. His stomach churned.
"No…" said Akazo. "You can try and guilt me all you want, but I will not go back up there. The best you can do…is come with me in the ship. Perhaps we'll have time to escape."
"What about her family," said Blue. "Do we have time to pick them up?"
"Too great a risk…" said Akazo. "You do realize, we'd have to escape the entire galaxy more than likely?"
Blue's eyes widened. All of them, back home. Burned alive, without warning.
"No," said Blue. "No, we can't let that happen."
"Disabling the arsenal from the inside is the only way," said Akazo. "You'd have to take the pods out of their launchers, keep them from Revair. The gas inside them can't be burned unless its released, the pods themselves are made to protect from fire to prevent accidents. Time is of the essence, and I'm using mine to leave."
He turned from the trio.
"I would've preferred to see this planet of yours," said Akazo. "But it looks like it too, is doomed. All due to one madman…ugh. It's always the fools who ruin the fun."
"You can't…" said Misha. "You can't just throw everything away like this…"
"Lanks…" said Charel. "But you're my hero…"
"You made a poor choice in role models, child," said Akazo. "I'm going to the ship. If I don't see you within two minutes, I'm leaving."
"Two minutes?!" screamed Misha. "At least get my family!"
"Go with him, Misha," said Blue. "I'll see if I can't disable at least some of the pods. Minimize the damage as best I can."
"You?!" asked Akazo, whipping around. He was incredulous, Blue in his condition could barely walk, let alone suffocate through poison gas to tear pods down. "You're glued to your bed as is, and going in with wounds, however wrapped, will make it easier for the poison to get into your bloodstream. You can say goodbye to that arm, any serum you take will target the poison first before any kind of flesh mending."
"I know," said Blue. "How much of that poison do you think I could take before it kills me?"
"I…don't know," said Akazo, grimacing. "A healthy Soulless, with little protection could withstand about twenty-five minutes of it before dying. You…likely five minutes at most, despite your tenacity. Probably three honestly."
"That's more than enough," said Blue. "I'll worry about the consequences later."
"If you live," said Akazo. He chuckled, an unhappy sound. "Ah, poor Verrakoi was exposed only seven minutes and it took years for it to kill him. Such a vile, vile weapon, won't even kill you outright…"
"Why would anyone make something like that…" said Misha.
"To get people to give up," said Akazo. "Once a Soulless troop knows they are dying, do they go all in and fight, or realize how pointless their orders are?"
He shook his head, as if realizing how pointless his own talk was.
"But enough," said Akazo. "I'll get the ship. See if I can…get to your family in time. If I see any pods going off, I'm leaving."
Blue groaned, swiveling his legs towards the side of the bed. It was a Herculean effort, his legs like logs of timber being pushed over molten rock. Misha let go of Charel for a moment to wrap her arms around Blue.
"Misha, go," said Blue. "With Akazo. Take Charel."
"You can't even walk…" said Misha. She sobbed into his shoulder, melting down over his chest as she already grieved for him. "Blue, Blue, you can't even walk…"
"I'll make it," said Blue. "But there's no time, and no reason for you to be here. Take Charel, and go."
"You better come quick," said Akazo. "You're lucky Verrakoi wished me to be kind to you all."
Blue had to push Misha off of him, his force weak. Charel ran up and tugged at Misha's leg, trying to get her to follow Akazo, who was already stalking out of the door.
"Blue, please, please," said Misha, her mouth stretched out in an ugly frown as she narrowed her eyes from the stinging tears. "Please come back to me."
"I'll try," said Blue. He felt his own heart burn from seeing Misha weep over him.
As Misha backed up towards the door, she reached out to Blue, as if being torn away as he was being sent to hell.
"I want to stay, to stay with you…" said Misha.
"Misha, we have to go!" said Charel. "This place is too dangerous!"
"She's right," said Blue. "The gas will kill you in less than a second. There's nothing you can do."
"Blue…" said Misha. "No, please no…"
"This isn't an adventure Misha," said Blue. "I'm sorry it came to all this…but I promise, if I make it back, we'll do everything you ever wanted. Alright?"
This didn't comfort Misha, instead only making her cry harder. So loud that it competed with the thundering rain outside for dominance. Charel had to pull with all her might to get Misha out the door, and even then, Misha gripped at the doorframe to slow her down.
"Hurry up!" shouted Akazo from down the hall.
"Misha!" said Charel. "We have to go!"
Misha was treated to one last look at Blue, his wounds still seeping and his arm already sliding from its socket. Bags hung under his eyes, the lack of proper rest already wearing his facial features down.
Blue smiled at her, the same weak smile he had always given when he wanted to reassure her that things would turn out ok no matter how bleak they seemed. Misha wanted to smile back, but was pulled away before she could return the expression.
"Charel!" said Misha, down to her niece.
"We have to go!" said Charel. "Come on, with Lanks!"
Misha looked back to see Blue emerging from his room, who then broke into a half-limp, half sprint in the direction of the outpost above. Misha wanted to call out to him, but found herself being turned forward by a shaking Charel. Akazo was no longer in sight now.
"Please…" said Charel, leaning her face right up at Misha's. Her eyes were full of terror, but she was at least headed in the right direction. "I want to see mommy again."
"Ok…" said Misha, choking up with grief. "Ok…"
Before the two of them could chase Akazo down the hall, a grim voice from behind made them both freeze.
"Stop where you are," it said. "I've been waiting a while for this."