Disclaimer: Same as always. I do not own this.
Chap. 22
Glaive fired its boosters and entered the large doors Darkhand went through earlier. Before him was a massive pillar-like structure. Computer technology swarmed around it.
"So...this is The Controller."
"Help."
Looking to the left, they saw Darkhand high above them, being blasted by the last remaining defense lasers.
"I dropped my gun down there somewhere."
Looking down, Glaive saw the Karasawa gun. Picking it up, Glaive quickly fired the defenses, blowing them to shreds. However, the lasers then locked on to him and began firing. Glaive blocked the barrage, but the right arm, along with the gun was sliced off. Glaive fell to the ground.
"Uggggghhhhhh!"
The lasers continued firing and Glaive was getting beaten.
No. Not like this.
Suddenly, a red blur shot straight past them and slid on the ground. It was Darkhand, and he had just retrieved the laser rifle.
"No Glaive. This is how it's done."
Darkhand fired, destroying the defenses effortlessly. When they were all gone Darkhand pointed upward.
"The weak point is there."
With one shot, Darkhand fired up toward the center of the pillar. It exploded and revealed the computer's energy reactor. Darkhand aimed at it.
"Like shooting fish in a.....Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!"
Unfortunately, Darkhand had missed one of the laser defenses and it hit him hard. Darkhand stumbled back and the cannon were about to fire again when...
"My turn."
Glaive suddenly over-boosted up to the laser and with the left hand, sliced it down to size.
"Darkhand, it's clear. Take the shot."
"I can't. That damn laser damaged the rifle. I can't use it now."
It was then that more laser cannons emerged. Glaive looked up at the core.
"I'll deal with it."
Glaive over-boosted again, straight at the core. The lasers began to pummel him, but Glaive kept going. Glaive then reached the core and raised the blade.
"It's over!"
The blade struck the core and it began to spark. Glaive quickly jumped away as the core computer began to explode. However, something new suddenly happened.
The Controller began to speak...
Energy supply diminishing
Executing final directive
Surface access unlocked
System shut...ting d...o...wn.
"What was that? Something about the surface?"
A low rumbling suddenly sounded throughout the entire chamber. Glaive and Darkhand looked around, searching for the source.
"Where's that coming from?"
"I don't...wait. Up there."
High above, an opening appeared and widened open. Looking up, they could see the door locks that separate them from the surface slowly opening. Bright light slowly crept in and they opened.
"That's...sunlight."
"The surface. But how..."
Executing final directive
"Was this supposed to happen? What does it mean?"
Glaive looked over at Darkhand. "Darkhand, I'm going to check it out. Will you be okay here?"
"No prob. Go on."
Glaive ignited his boosters at full charge and slowly began to lift up toward the light. It increased in speed and it finally entered into the light. Inside, both Cain and Aria's eyes widened.
"Wow!"
Glaive landed in the middle of a grass-laded field, covered with various types of flowers. The sun shone brilliantly through the clouds in a multi-colored atmosphere.
"The surface."
Aria looked around, "It's healed. The entire planet."
Suddenly the cockpit opened and Cain stepped out.
"Cain, wait!"
Cain stood outside out the cockpit hatch and looked around. The wind blew lightly through the air and Cain took a deep breath.
"Cain." Aria stepped outside. "It could have been radioactive out here. You could have been killed."
Cain turned to her and Aria found something that she had never seen before.
Cain smiling. A true smile.
"It's just the way I always thought. Now I understand. The Controller. The directive. We are free now."
Suddenly Cain jumped down and began running. Aria watched in disbelief as he ran laughing wildly. Shaking her head, she climbed down from Glaive and went after him. As she touched the ground, she instantly felt...something. This is new. Looking up, she saw Cain still running and disappearing into a tall field of grass. Aria ran and entered through the grass, looking for him.
"Cain? Cain where are you?"
She moved deeper in and looked further, but found no sight of him. She began to worry that something may have happened to him.
"Haaaaaa!"
Suddenly, Aria was tackled into the ground and she fell into the grass. Looking up, she saw Cain holding on to her, a big grin lined on his face.
"Gotcha."
Aria glared, "Oh, so you think that's funny?" She grabbed some of the grass and tossed it at him. Cain playfully shielded himself as she did that. Aria then shot up and tackled him back.
"Not so funny now, is it?"
She looked down at him and saw that the grin had faded into a smile.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"My dream. Thank you for letting it come true."
Aria stayed on him and moved closer, "You're absolutely welcome."
"I'd like to return the favor now."
His hand rose up and caressed her cheek.
"I...love you."
Aria smiled and moved in, "Strange words for a Raven."
Their lips connected in a loving kiss as Glaive stood nearby, looking at the new world that was now open.