"Can we go get Harmon next?" Micho asked. "It's sorta been bugging me that I've left him hanging, so to speak."
"You
know where Harmon is?" Midas queried in reply.
"I sure do." Micho affirmed. "I've spent every morning ritual of the last three months staring into his cold, blank stare. I promised him that I'd come back as soon as possible with the help he needed."
Midas
at first seemed somewhat torn, but it was Creed that stepped forward. "Right. Let's get the brainiac. Besides,
he's pretty much on our way."
The
Dark Summoner shrugged, and said wryly, "Well then… I suppose the decision has been made. Carry on."
Tamara's
eyebrows raised somewhat, and she regarded the form of her significant other,
striding to the lower decks. Perhaps
the others had not noticed it, but she HAD quickly recognized the underlying
biting tone that Midas's voice carried… venom that had been slowly creeping out
into his interactions with others over the last day.
Likely
Trigger had heard it to, for the ninja motioned with his head for Tamara to
follow Midas to the lower decks. Trigger, unlike the others of the group, recognized the budding
relationship between Midas and Tamara almost instantly. No doubt he figured that if ANYONE was going
to get to the heart of Midas's underlying animosity, it would be Tamara.
With
a slight nod, she confirmed to Trigger that she would indeed proceed with the
ninja's request. Tamara casually
stepped down the thin stairway to the crew quarters, and strode purposefully to
Midas bunk.
Rapping
on the door silently, she didn't wait for Midas to respond, opening the door
smoothly inside. The Dark Summoner had
his back to her, and he appeared a little rattled by her impromptu appearance.
"I'm
sorry… did I disturb you?" Tamara apologized.
"No…"
Midas said. "I was just deep in
thought, and didn't hear you come in until you opened the door."
"I
see." Tamara said, slowly slipping the door shut behind her, and taking a seat
next to Midas, shoulders touching. She
leaned forward, and planted a gentle kiss on the young man's cheek.
"Be
careful…" Midas warned, "Anyone could come down here right now."
Tamara
playfully ran a finger across Midas's armored chest. "Trigger was the one who sent me down here. I doubt he'll let any unwelcome visitors
intrude." She then pulled away. "Not that it really matters. I didn't come here to fool around,
anyway. Trigger and I have noticed that
you've been getting awfully antagonized lately."
"What
is THAT supposed to mean?"
"THAT
right there." Tamara pointed out. "A
lot of little things have been getting to you lately. You aren't normally so sour."
"I
guess it's the pressure." Midas admitted. "I've got a lot on my mind."
"I
know… and we're just trying to help you carry your burden. Just like how you were willing to help all
of us. Like how you are helping me
with…"
Midas
silenced Tamara by putting his index finger to her lips. "Thanks. I'm glad for your concern. I'll
try and be more sociable. Put on a
brave face and all."
The
Knight whispered, "You don't need to be so brave around me… I'm here for you."
"I
might need your support in time." Midas acknowledged in an equally quiet
voice. "It's only gonna get tougher the
further along we go."
"Of COURSE this is where Harmon would be." Creed noted.
Micho
agreed. "That pile of rubble that we
managed to salvage together was arguably the most important part of Harmon's
life. Before this place became the
Titan factory, Harmon designed literally HUNDREDS of devices and inventions
that he thought would help people all around the world."
"I
can imagine…" Creed mused. "The guy
always had some crazy idea running through his beat up skull. Fortunately, he often FORGOT them seconds
after he thought them up. He would
sometimes fawn over an idea that he called a… Kum-pute-er… or something like
that. I was never able to totally
follow what he said it would do. All I
could gather was that he seemed to think it could revolutionize the way we
lived."
Midas
shook his head in disbelief. "Looks
like the two of you really bonded while roomed together."
"Well…when
you're crowded into what would normally be a closet with someone else… I guess
you either have to get along, or kill each other. Besides, Harmon was a pretty laid back guy. Didn't make many judgements on people
either. Needless to say, I kinda like
that trait."
"I
suppose you would, of anybody." Midas stated as he motioned for Creed to climb
down off the side of the airship first. The rest of the team filtered down the ladder (with the exception of
Borz, who simply flew down) soon after.
Micho
was last, and then he quickly took the leading, taking them through the
patchwork repairs made on the devastated building. In what was the main production hall, now nothing more than
two-and-a-half walls with no ceiling, was Harmon, trapped in the increasingly
and depressingly familiar green shell.
"Do
your thing, Midas." Creed almost ordered. "My last visit here was slightly less than pleasant…"
Then
a bullish voice interrupted, "And your second one is gonna be worse!"
The
thundering of hoofed feet stormed into the collapsed hall. There was not a soul within a mile radius
that didn't know what was coming. With
a frustrated sigh, Tamara muttered, "Not again…"
Sacred
squeezed barely squeezed through the doorway a split second before Minotaur
smashed through the wall to the entry's left. The impact didn't even faze the large Demi-Eidolon, but that didn't come
to ANYBODY'S surprise.
"How
in the depths of hell did you two get here?" Borz asked painfully. He was not keen on another scuffle with the
beastmen.
"Well…
it WAS quite a swim." Sacred admitted.
"But
we were told to stop you at all costs." Minotaur finished, "We were told to
make sure that you didn't mess with Karma's plans."
Midas
had been on edge for some time, and the appearance of the two minotaurs was
simply too much to handle. It was bad
enough that everything in his life was doomed to fall apart. And while Minotaur and Sacred really weren't
directly related to that, the fact was the Demi-Eidolons had simply been
getting on his nerves, and the two were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Hades
sensed the sudden surge of power. Ooooh… I like…
Tamara
had looked over to Midas for some indication as to what to do, and that's when
she saw the first white fingers of energy that symbolized the beginnings of a
Trance aura.
Tamara
knew first hand the frightening power that Midas possessed while in Battle
Trance. She also had witnessed the
awe-inspiring force that he commanded in the Dark Eidolons. The prospect of those two powerful energies
working at once was enough to make her take several steps back in pause.
Before
any of his allies could react, Midas charged forward, now fully under the
Trance effects. His first target was
Minotaur. For a brief moment, the
Demi-Eidolon paused as he tried to analyze the Dark Summoner approaching.
That
pause proved to be quite painful.
Midas's
burning sword slashed upward with a blur, faster than even the mighty bull-man
could react to. It cut a burning swath
through Minotaur's chin, and lower lip, burning as it traveled, leaving a
menacing wound on the creature's face.
In
horrified reaction, Sacred swung down with his mammoth club to crush the
impudent human. Midas countered, and
with a strength that no mortal should have been able to possess, parried the
blow with such forced that it was Sacred that stumbled backwards.
Pressing
his advantage, Midas leaped, sword coming down in the process. Stunned by the previous exchange, Sacred
simply could not defend against the coming blow. Flaming steel ripped flesh, severed tendons and ligaments, and
split through bone, followed by Sacred's club arm hitting the cracked concrete
floor with a sickening thud. The
minotaur screamed in agonizing pain, free hand clutching the cauterized
stump. Uncaring, Midas struck again,
slashing the Demi-Eidolon from ear to ear, slicing both eyeballs into two.
"BROTHER!"
Minotaur screamed with somewhat of a lisp from his earlier wound, and came to
the defense of his sibling, only to find himself the new recipient of Midas's
offensive.
At
first it was an ear, chopped off with one swift strike, then the other. Minotaur's free hand followed. Leaping over the stunned and wounded
creature, Midas landed in a crouch, then spun around, slicing through
Minotaur's right leg, severing the hamstring. When Minotaur fell to one knee, Midas spun back to the creature's front,
and started beating the reeling beast with the hilt of his sword.
After
raining a relentless barrage on the Demi-Eidolon's head. Midas grabbed the battered monster by the
long hair at the top of its head. Crimson blood flowed liberally from Minotaur's mouth, the monster's
right eye swollen shut painfully. The
beast's jaw hung loosely, most likely broken in several places. With a scowl that promised no mercy, Midas plunged his ignited blade just below
Minotaur's ribcage. With a barely
noticeable slash, he neatly severed the minotaur's spinal column.
Before
Minotaur had lifelessly crumpled face first on the ground, Midas had turned his
attention back to Sacred, who was blindly staggering around the wide hall. Midas raised his left hand, and called upon
Hades' power, once again summoning the Dark Matter.
This
time, the wounded creature didn't fare nearly as well. It was likely that Hades' attack was
augmented by Midas's trance, and it sent the minotaur tumbling helplessly in
it's all encompassing wake. Large chunks
of skin were ripped from Sacred's body, only to be disintegrated in the tidal
energy surrounding it. Sacred was cast
out of the hall through one of the remaining walls, crashing to the ground in a
blackened, charred heap. Sacred
twitched twice, then stopped moving altogether.
His face twisted in fury,
Midas screamed in frustration, "STAY DOWN THIS TIME!" With the threat abated,
Midas's Trance dispelled. The Dark Summoner inhaled heavily, gathering what had
just occurred. His anger melted away
into a mix of fatigue, disgust, and just all around ill temper. Walking slowly passed the motionless group,
he said in frustration, with a hint of weariness, "Let's get Harmon, and get
out of here, all right?"
Midas
did not seem to want to discuss the events that had just transpired, and
everyone else decided that pressing the issue at the moment probably wasn't the
best move. Silently, almost fearfully,
they followed Midas to where Harmon's shell hovered.
As
Midas prepared to touch the cocoon, Creed finally broke the silence. "Midas… I don't know how Tamara did it… but
I was wondering if I could do the talking here."
It might be a good idea. Hades advised. You aren't in top form at
the moment, physically OR mentally.
"All right, Creed." Midas acknowledged,
albeit reluctantly. "Just put your hand
on my shoulder."
The
monk complied, and for a brief moment his vision went black, only to be filled
with the visage of Harmon before him. To his left, Midas sat cross-legged, but it didn't appear like the Dark Summoner
planned to contribute anything to the meeting.
"Creed? Midas?" Harmon said in surprise, "While I am
glad to see you…"
"Can
it." Creed growled, "We're getting out of here."
"But…"
"No
'buts' about it. I'm not going have you
moping about in this little hole. If I
had to leave, then so do you."
"But…"
Harmon tried again.
"You
obviously aren't understanding me, are you? I'm not about to go fighting Karma while she has your energy at her beck
and call. I don't want you to be taking
the heat while the rest of us kick around that power-hungry bitch."
"WILL
YOU KEEP QUIET AND LISTEN TO ME!" Harmon finally shouted. "I was going to tell you…" The Blue Mage
suddenly went silent, lips pursed in thought.
"You
forgot what you were going to say, didn't you?" Creed accused.
"No…
well… yes." Harmon finally said dejectedly.
"Well
then, with that out of the way… come on. We've got one more stop to make, and I'd like to make it as soon as
possible."
"Hold
on…"
"Harmon,
you AREN'T going to remember what you were going to say. Just give it up." Creed sighed.
"It's
not that…" Harmon explained, "I just want to know why you want me to leave
here."
Creed
shrugged, and replied, "Hey, you're pretty good in the thick of things. I'd much rather have you lending your skills
with us rather than against us." With a embarrassed glance in Midas direction,
he added more softly, "And… you're the first real friend I've had in a long
time. I don't know how it started, but
I found myself actually LIKING being around other people… hell, I even liked
trying to understand all that scientific crap you like to spout. When others cast me aside… you liked to be
around this cowardly and worthless monk."
Harmon
chuckled, "There are MANY things I could use to describe you, Creed, many of
them probably less than flattering. Cowardly and worthless are NOT two of them. On the rare times you got over your own suicidal tendencies, you
were a decent fellow to be around. Everyone else already had their own friends that they were more inclined
towards… I guess it was only logical that we'd form an odd bond of our own."
"Yeah…
I suppose that's true… I guess it all started when I played your little servant
in Moros." Creed reminisced.
"A
role you filled admirably, in my opinion. Have you ever thought of acting as a career?" Harmon commented. "You are quite good at keeping a straight
face, even when saying COMPLETE falsehoods."
"Who
is good at lying?" Creed asked, "What about the time…"
"Don't
EVEN go there, friend." Harmon laughed, "I'll NEVER forget…"
Creed
smirked, and with uncharacteristic chagrin asked, "All right… that's enough of
that. Now that you have totally
destroyed my tough guy image before our fearless leader over there, can we get
moving?"
Harmon
grinned triumphantly, and said, "I suppose we can." Turning their attention to Midas, Harmon said politely, "Midas,
we'd like to go home now."
There
was no response from the Dark Summoner.
"Midas?"
Harmon asked again.
"Midas!"
Creed called out. The pair examined the
young man, before Harmon finally gave his expert diagnosis…
"Curious…
I do believe he's fallen asleep."