Holmcross Project Deep: A Birth...?
"Beautiful...simply beautiful," a female's voice came from somewhere. It was deep and sensual, speaking directly into the prone figure's left ear.
"Huh," a familiar male voice asked.
"You."
"Aah...yes."
"Do you know me," she asked. "Can you see me?"
"No. I...my head is dizzy. Say, where am I anyway?"
"..."
"Hmm?"
"You'll be fine," the female voice calmly stated. "You're still alive after all."
"I can only see black..."
"That's good to know."
"What?"
"Never mind. Furthermore, you are trapped."
"Trapped?" There was now a tinge of fear in the male voice. "H-Hey! Why am I trapped?"
"You were trespassing. We don't like trespassers in our land."
The male tried to move his body, but couldn't budge a muscle. He felt strong, hard restraints on his arms, legs and neck. "Urrrgh...restraints?"
"That's right. You aren't going anywhere. Sorry."
"It's metal, the man pointed out astutely. "I'm trapped in metal."
Slow, clacking footsteps could be heard moving across the floor. By the reverberations of the sound, the man could tell that the floor was metallic and not wooden. But the sole, important question that lingered in his mind through all of his numbness made him wonder.
"Where am I," he asked.
The footsteps stopped, leaving only the sound of what seemed to be machinery humming at him at a close distance. Now the sounds were flushing in- -something that beeped at timed intervals, a continuous low clicking noise that repeated itself over and over again...where was this?
"Why don't you tell me," the voice said all of a sudden in his right ear. If the man wasn't restrained, he would've jumped in shock.
"I don't know! I...I can't see!"
"Good. Anyway, this will be your new home for awhile. Pretty soon you won't even remember who you 'were', hm-hm-hm..."
A low, seductive laugh penetrated the near-silence of this place, sending a chill up the spine of the restrained man. The footsteps came again, becoming softer and softer until a quick whooshing sound could be heard. After a few more clacks against the floor, the whooshing sound was heard again. Then after that, there was only the humming and the beeping again.
"...Is she gone," he asked to no one in particular. "Am I alone?"
"Not exactly my pet," came a lifeless, grating voice from somewhere.
The trapped man was shocked again. He wasn't alone. Now, it seemed, he was in the presence of something horrible. He could tell by the sound of 'its' voice...whatever it was with him could not possibly be human. The low clicking sound in the background had ceased, he noticed.
"Who are you," the bound man nervously asked whoever it was who was in his company.
"I am nobody," the mechanical voice responded. "And yet I am somebody."
"...What?"
"Let me explain. I am your puppeteer. And you are my marionette. Got it?"
"What do you...mean by that?"
A long silence had resulted after that question. The air around the man had gotten chilly and heavy all of a sudden. Now it was a dire situation that warranted some sort of immediate action. But he couldn't move now. He felt something cold snake across the exposed skin of his left temple, making him scream out in terror. After that, he could feel a wet sensation on the same spot he had been touched at.
"W-What is that," he asked out. "What did you do to me?"
"Helping you to see," replied that wicked, metallic voice in his left ear.
"To see? My vision...what happened to it?"
"This won't hurt...too much," the voice said, ignoring his question. "Here it comes."
Before the man could say anything, he felt something abruptly pierce the left side of his head. Crying out in pain, the person partially raised his body off of the table he was restrained on, nearly breaking the restraints.
"Aaaaaghhh," he screamed. "God, my head! My....aaaaaghh!"
"Calm down," the metallic voice said, lacking any sort of sympathy. "It's almost done! You'll break the needle if you move around like that!"
"Aaaaggh, you...you monster! Aaaghh!"
The pain ceased as quickly as it began, leaving the man limp and dizzy on the table. He now felt slightly heavy and numb, but not numb enough to feel something cover the left side of his head. By the feel of the material, it was probably cloth to cover the puncture. But he didn't care about that now- -he just wanted to get out of there. Almost instantaneously, color and figures began to focus and light up, beginning to restore his vision.
"My...eyes," he said, exhausted and dizzy.
"My toy is getting its vision restored," the voice said. "That's it. You will see again at my doing."
What was now dark and dim was becoming clearer in his eyes. At first, the man could only see a blotchy white figure hovering over him. But now, after his vision had been fully restored to what it was, what he was seeing frightened him. A figure with face masked in gold and jewels loomed over him- -its eyes narrowed and red as blood. Turning his head, the man saw that indeed the being wasn't human- -it's body was elongated and it wore a long white robe that covered its entire body. At its end, a metal tail snaked along the floor behind it.
"What are you," he asked weakly.
"Hm-hm-hm," the hulking, robed figure laughed; its crimson red eyes narrowing ever further. "The question you should be asking is 'what am I?' Sss-sss-sss-sss-sss..."
~~~~~~~~~~
Princess Cecilia and Jack Van Burace, setting off from Baskar the very next day in an attempt to halt the resurrection of the leader of the Demon Race, arrived at the mysterious temple that was rumored to have been built by the Elw. After traveling and resting for two more days, they finally stood at the entrance of the Elw Temple that could possibly be a key factor in accomplishing their goal. The large, multi-storied stone building shaped like a pyramid loomed over them, moss and vines covering its foundation in a show of its age.
"Breathtaking," the girl exclaimed, taking a huge gulp of crisp, fresh air in. "Hey Jack, this is fantastic!"
"Yeah, it looks great," Jack replied in his rustic voice. "Hm, wonder what the Elw would leave in something like this? What do you think, Hanpan?"
The critter, sitting on his shoulder, responded. "The ancient Elw Temple...I bet this specific temple hasn't even been touched. I recall the people of Baskar have great respect for other civilizations. I don't think anyone's even been in here."
"Well, good for us," Jack said with a grin. "Hey, we just may get rich after all!"
Cecilia turned to him, a little angry at what he said. "What? Hey, this isn't about money! We're looking for Guardian Statues!"
"I know, I know..."
Jack walked ahead of her, standing directly at the open entrance of the building. He turned around, still sporting that grin on his face when he said, "But even so...are you saying that I can't get rich?"
"Ooohh," she muttered. "You can be so mean sometimes!"
"Heh-heh-heh," the swordsman chuckled as he entered ahead of her. Rolling her eyes, she followed him into the gigantic structure.
~~~~~~~~~~
Inside the Elw Temple, the air was heavy with age. Moss partially covered the stone floors, and an inside pond teemed with aquatic life. Carved images of stone angels stood parallel solemnly on each side of the interior room, gazing at each other in silence as they emphasized the sheer ancient feeling that the temple gave off. Small man-made waterfalls lined up on the opposite wall poured water out into the pond. That was the only sound audible inside of the temple- -that of the waterfalls.
"Ugh, the air is heavy," Cecilia pointed out while breathing heavily. "Are all ancient temples this way, Mister Treasure Hunter?"
"I guess. But you'll get used to it. What's a little heavy air to the Innocent One, eh?"
"Ha-ha, very funny," she sarcastically countered. "It's not as easy as you think."
"I know, sorry," he apologetically said.
"That's fine. Say...there's something over there. Want me to take a look," she asked him.
"By yourself? Hmm..."
"Oh, there is a safe aura being emitted from here. I felt it immediately when we arrived, so there shouldn't be any monsters in here."
Walking over toward a stairwell in the left portion of the chamber, she turned and waved at him. "Hey, it'll be fine! Trust me! And besides...I feel something magical down there. Let me take care of it."
"Ahh, fine. Do whatever you want. Call out if you need help."
"Okay," Cecilia quickly said, eager to explore the ruins. "Hey Hanpan! Come with me...please?"
The tiny wind mouse hopped off from Jack's shoulder, scurried over to Cecilia and made a quick leap onto hers. Both waved again, then proceeded down the illuminated stairwell into the lower depths of the structure. Jack turned his head to one of the stone angels before him.
"Angels of destiny...will you protect me," he asked the sculpture. Of course it didn't respond though- -it only looked on with its sorrowful eyes.
Jack the swordsman plopped down against a nearby wall and pulled out a smoke. He had gotten this special from Baskar before he left- - the Chief was especially fond of the cloven leaf flavor of the Northern Plains. This particular smoke was a pine-flavored cigar that he enjoyed smoking regularly on a daily basis. Putting the tip into his mouth, Jack pulled his lighter out and lit the end of it up. He inhaled the sweet flavor of the cigar and exhaled a thin cloud of smoke, savoring every bit of taste of the drug.
"Mmm," he sighed, leaning his head back against the wall. "Those Baskarians have pretty good taste. Better than the ones I get out east, that's for sure."
Jack slowly closed his eyes, not trying to drift off but just to let himself go at this moment. It was quiet and peaceful...he hadn't been this tranquil in years. The trial he endured over the time he adventured with Princess Cecilia...the times he himself adventured as a treasure hunter...all of it would be remembered. But a certain time was one that he wanted desperately to return to. A time of peace, stability and harmony. And a time of love. Love...that emotion he had forgotten. What was it? How did it occur? And why did he forget it over the years? Jack's mind slowly drifted off into places unknown as he began to remember the good times...the good times of Arctica...and the good times with 'her'.
~~~~~~~~~~
A youth with short, cropped dirty blonde hair stood erect, looking out over the snow-covered fields of Arctica on the roof of the castle. Gripping his short sword with his right hand, he thought about nothing but his weakness. His position and his lack of strength, he thought, would probably be the end of him. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear a stunning, beautiful woman with long red hair and blue eyes come up behind him.
"Garrett, my sweet," chirped the soothing voice. "Here you are. I could not find you, so I became wracked with worry."
"You," the youth said back in a low and saddened voice, not even bothering to turn around. "Why do you want to talk to me? I'm weak."
"You are not weak, Garrett."
"Yes, I am."
"Please don't say that," she asked him kindly. "Listen...sometimes, we think we are destined for greatness. And sometimes, we are abruptly let down with a hard thud to the ground." The woman made her way over beside him, gripping his left hand. "You are not weak. I, personally, say that without lying."
"Hah, you're talking to a lowly Arm Guard," Garret laughed pitifully. "An Arm Guard! Do you know how pathetic that is? Why couldn't I be the Breastplate? Or even the Sheath? I know you don't lie, but now even I am not sure about myself."
"Garrett, I~~"
"Garret sighed out loud and turned to her. "You don't deserve to have someone as pathetic and as weak as me as your Arm Guard. I know in my heart that I must continue my training to become a better Warrior Rank...for you."
"Listen to me," she asked him. He tried to turn his gaze away from her, but the female held his face there steady with her hand. "Please...do not turn away."
"But~~"
"You are not weak, Garrett. In fact, you are one of the most brave and courageous men I've met in my life. Warrior Rank is nothing but an old army tradition in the elite forces of the Arctica kingdom. It means nothing to me...nothing as long as you are there to protect me."
"An old...tradition. Yes, I know. But even so, It is important to me."
"As it is to me as well," the kind woman reassured Garrett. "But if it serves no purpose but to clog the minds of the people that I feel close to...if it will only create chaos in the hearts of people that I care about...I have no need for such trivial routines."
"...Aah..." Garrett could say nothing- -he could only stare into her eyes.
"Tell me you believe it too," she asked with a wan smile on her face.
"Well, of course. Traditions aren't everything, but~~"
"Traditions are nothing," she said. "Nothing, as long as the people who act them out close their hearts to the obvious. I will not close my heart to you, Garrett."
"...But..."
Suddenly, the female's eyes lit up. "Hey, I have something that will cheer you up! Think of it this way...if you are the Arm Guard, and I am the Sword Princess, then in a way you are the most important piece of armor."
Garrett looked at her as if he didn't understand. "How so?"
"You are the Arm Guard, right?"
"Yeah. So?"
"Well, like I said...I am the Sword Princess. And you are the Arm Guard. Together, along with the Breastplate, Helmet, Shield and Greaves, we are part of the seven Warrior Elite."
"Um...yes," he agreed, not sure what she was trying to convey.
"Think about it, Garrett. As the Arm Guard, what primary purpose do you serve?"
"I protect the arm, of course."
"All right, and the arm with the shield couldn't possibly carry a sword, right?"
"Um...yes, that's right. What are you trying to say?"
"Well," she said matter-of-factly. "Then the arm with the arm guard has to carry the sword. And you, being the Arm Guard, must protect the arm which carries me. Do you understand now?"
After a few moments, Garrett's eyes lit up as well. Finally, he had understood where this was going. "Oh! So I have to protect the sword!"
"Yes, Garrett...protect the sword. Protect me."
In a flash, the young man swept the red-haired woman off of her feet, hugging her and lifting her off the ground.
"Whoooah," the woman moaned. "You seem happy now! I'm glad, hee-hee!"
"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! I feel stronger now!" Garrett put her down on the ground again, regaining his composure at that outburst of feelings. The woman patted herself down and fixed her hair.
"Well, all you needed was a little inspiration. Your strength was always there, but you couldn't draw it out."
"Yes, but without you I wouldn't have realized how important I was!"
"Well...let's just call it even."
"You're my muse you know," he said to her. "A muse sent from heaven."
The two people embraced in a long hug, not wanting to let each other go at this time. It was so perfect...they were meant for each other. The Arm Guard and the Sword Princess. Hand in hand they would go forever, protecting one another through trial after trial in life.
"I love you Garrett," the woman softly spoke.
"I...love you too. I'll love you forever, Elmina..."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Elmina...forever I'll...love you," Jack said softly to the open air.
"Who's Elmina," a upbeat female voice came from out of nowhere.
Jack jumped instantly, shocked to see Cecilia and Hanpan standing right over him. Through all of the daydreaming the swordsman hadn't even seen the two come up beside him, returning from the lower levels of the Elw Temple. Getting up quickly, Jack flicked his nearly charred cigar into the open pond and cleared his throat.
"Aah...hey Cecilia," he said happily, blushing. "How did it go? You sure didn't take long, heh!"
"It was easy," she replied. "Elw technology isn't that tough to comprehend, amazingly. Say~~"
Jack interrupted, getting to the point. "Err, Cecilia...how much of that did you hear?"
"Hm? Oh, well I just heard something about an 'Elmina'. Why do you ask?"
Instantly sighing, he felt relieved at this revelation. "Thank goodness," he muttered under his breath. "Hmm, maybe we should get a move-on right about now."
"Hey, hey, hey! Come on, tell me about Elmina! Is she a girlfriend or something? Or maybe she's your mother!" The girl wasn't letting him off of the hook that easily.
"No thanks. I'm fine."
"Ple----ase," she pleaded. "Pretty please with cherries on top?"
"Nope, sorry. You're out of luck, kid!"
Jack walked away, leaving Cecilia and Hanpan behind. The Princess was left hopping up and down, angry at being called a kid as the swordsman departed for the back of the ancient structure.
"Hey! Don't call me that, you! I'm 17 and I'm not a kid," she yelled. "Come on Hanpan! Let's go teach that Jack a lesson!"
Cecilia ran off, wind mouse clinging to her clothing as she ran after the man who had left her behind.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Last call," a chiseled stone-faced sailor wearing a black bandanna bellowed from the crow's nest of the S.S. Drake, the ship that arrived on the beaches of the northern continent. "Last call for Saint Centour- -all departing must leave now! Last call for Saint Centour on the northern continent!"
Of course, there were only two people getting off the ship. With McDullen, the silent, loyal manservant in tow with heavy baggage in each hand, Jane Maxwell made her way towards the planked staircase on the side of the ship. In the warm, soothing glow of the morning sun, feelings overflowed and rage erupted in what was considered something completely outrageous and unnatural.
"Get a move on, McDullen," Jane snapped at him, her cold blue eyes freezing his heart. "And don't drop my bags, do you understand? I've got my ARM in there!"
"Y-yes, Ms. Jane. As you wish."
"Aah, good," she replied unmercifully. "Hmm, perhaps you aren't too useless after all. I'll give you a raise when we return to Court Seim. How does 10 gella sound? Hee-hee..."
"..." When she turned her back he gave her a wretched look, grinding his teeth with fury. What he wished to do to her went beyond any known words. But then again, he knew in his heart that it wasn't really 'her' talking.
The captain of the ship, Drake, approached the duo with a bottle of liquor in hand. He was unusually jovial today, laughing heartily and walking with a certain swagger that just emphasized it even more.
"My lovely tulip Jane," Drake commented. "I was ordered to bring you to Saint Centour for free, and I did just that...I am quite sure you will have no troubles from here on out."
"Gee, I'd hope so," Jane muttered. She turned around to see a laboring McDullen trying to balance three large cases all by himself. "I said don't drop them! Geez!"
"Errgh...I know, Ms. Jane. Give it time."
"Yeah yeah," she muttered again, not turning back around again to see Drake giving her a strange look. "So Drake...where are you heading from here?"
"Off to Port Timney. I've got some business there to take care of, heh-heh..."
"Like..."
"Oh, you wouldn't believe it," he explained with a wide grin on his face. "There's this short little dwarf of a man named Bartholomew who is getting married in a week or so. I personally find it hard to believe that someone like him could marry ANYONE, let alone a beautiful young woman!"
"Hmm, interesting...yep."
"So that's the case. That, and I've got a big sell of Lanbasta Weed to deliver. Great for business."
"Well, all right. Thank you again for the ride, Mr. Drake. The Maxwell Family owes you, I guess."
"Oh, far from it," Drake said. "If anyone owes anyone, it's me who is on the giving end."
"Thanks. See ya."
Jane and McDullen got off of the ship via stairs that were pushed out onto shore. As they both watched the stairs retract back into the side of the large vessel, they waved kindly to send them off. The ship hoisted its grand white sails and leisurely glided away towards the clear blue horizon. Both people were left standing alone in the warm white sands on the edge of the northern continent, ready to continue on their quest.
"Let's get a move on. Well be there in about a day or so," Jane said with authority, staring at McDullen. "Time is money, like Drake said! The sooner we kill that Night Gaunt, the better!"
The feisty femme fatale with firepower quietly scouted ahead, leaving her servant behind in the open sands. All the man could do was stand there with the large packages in his hands and look on as this strange change of attitude altered the woman who had been kind and gentle before.
"This is going to be a long trip," he spoke woefully, shaking his head as he followed her.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I still feel sick...why me?"
"What are you talking about," Jack asked Cecilia, who still felt the aftereffects of the trip through Elw technology into the stratosphere. "I loved it! Such a rush...those Elw truly are amazing."
"I always thought you were insane. Now it has been verified beyond the shadow of a doubt." Cecilia doubled over, trying to settle the contents of her stomach.
"Hm, crazy to you is a way of life for me! That was more fun than dodging runaway homicidal boulders in the Memory Temple!"
"..."
"So, that Stoldark. That Guardian of Water or whatever said that we're near Saint Centour."
"Umm...yep," interrupted Hanpan, who was lodged inside Jacks front coat pocket. "Apparently a certain power resides in this region- -specifically Saint Centour- -that acts as a prison to seal the evil power of the Demon Queen's heart. Or a chunk of it, that is."
"Well, let's just go get that Guardian, destroy that demon heart, and end it all," Jack reiterated. "This time we won't fail."
Cecilia pulled out a map that she had bought before she left her native kingdom of Aldehyde, showing all the known towns, cities and landmarks in the world. Hanpan hopped out of Jack's coat pocket and jumped onto her shoulder to get a better look. In the dim light of the Elw Temple Transporter Room, it was hard to make out anything. Jack offered up his lighter to see better.
"Let us see," Cecilia slowly said, trying to pinpoint their position. "From Stoldark's information...we should be in the northernmost temple...which is right here."
"So it would take us about..." Jack tried to figure out.
"...Around three days," Hanpan concluded. "Give or take a half-day or so, depending on how stupid a certain swordsman who shall remain unnamed acts."
Cecilia giggled as Jack blushed in embarrassment. "Why you! See if you get any food from me from now on!"
"I'm grown up, I can hunt my own food," the critter retaliated. He also shook his whiskers at the man. "So there!"
"All right, come on you two! Let's just go..."
"Hmph...well I never," Jack muttered.
The two could-be heroes, accompanied by their blue mouse friend, set off for Saint Centour. Their goals in mind and their actions pre-planned, all three felt they would emerge victorious in their quest for peace, life, and prosperity. New people, new places...and new hardships were on their path in their search for the Guardians and the mystical Tear Drop. Maybe, just maybe...they would succeed. Maybe.
In other places, however, something truly sinister was beginning.
A birth.
A horrible demon birth that could potentially lay waste to all life on Filgaia.
Things that would never be said...things that would never be told...
The birth...of the Child of Malduke.
~~~~~~~~~~
In a small, iron-plated room, with large panels, machinery and display screens on the walls, a 'human' laid restrained to a table. Three malicious beings encircling him, an event that could change the future of Filgaia was about to take place...
"Rudy Roughnight," the large, hulking mass of metal that was learned to be called Zeikfried spoke in a metallic tome. He was standing on Rudy's right. "For the life of us...for the life of the Demons, as humans call us...you must become..."
"...The Child," the one with the gold mask and crimson eyes finished. He had become known simply as Alhazad. The dog-like mass hovered over his head, looking down on Rudy as he lay on the hard steel table, unable to do anything. "The Child...you will become our..."
"Saviour," uttered the soothing, seductive voice. The enchanting voice of Lady Harken, the mysterious flame-haired female Demon who, unlike the other two, seemed almost human. But not exactly human, as was sensed when she left her thoughts known. She stood to the far left of the man, draped in red cape and cuirass. "I hate humans. I despise them all. Especially the people of the now-defunct Arctica. You don't know how I wish I was there. To feel the warm, dripping blood flowing over my hands."
Alhazad rotated over to meet her gaze. "You have no idea how sexy you sound when you talk death like that. It makes someone like me feel almost...alive."
In response, Harken materialized her weapon of choice- -a scythe- -in thin air and aimed the hook directly at the crown of its his mask.
"You will cease all useless banter before I split you in two!"
"Oh yes, keep on going. You can be quite the temptress when you desire to be," the beast retorted in its grating voice, it's eyes changing color to a bright yellow. "If I had feelings, I would be giddy with enthusiasm right now."
"Die," screamed the warrior woman, raising her scythe to hack it into strips. Zeikfried stepped over before she could possibly act and gripped her hand so tight that it caused her weapon to dematerialize.
"Do not forget your position," the dark knight hissed. "I won't tolerate Alhazad's actions, but you will obey him. You are, after all, third in rank."
Harken glared at her ally who had halted her progress, then composed herself. "As you wish...Lord Zeikfried."
Alhazad's eyes turned red again, then it shifted back to hovering over Rudy's head. "I suppose my 'Rose Of Chaos' is correct," Alhazad continued, glancing quickly at Harken. She just looked away, not wanting anything to do with it. "The final act...the show must go on!" Now the wicked white-cloaked monster rotated around to a panel behind it. Snaking two titanium alloy tentacles out from under its cloak, it began operating a few levers and buttons on the machinery.
"Who needs the Demon Lab," the monster continued. "This will be much better. The Darkness Tear, our version of the Tear Drop, is incomplete. But its dark energy will enhance you."
"Ugh," Rudy moaned, desperately trying to free himself from his confines. "Why do you have...Cecilia's...Tear Drop?"
"To do away with the Guardians, of course," Harken whispered into his ear. "I just love the cries of defenseless humans in pain and suffering. It's so primal and passionate. Here, you will know how I feel."
"This planet is suitable for us," Zeikfried said aloud. "We will rule this world. We will make it into our very own Hiades. If these humans go against us, we will kill them."
"We'd probably kill them anyway, even if they didn't go against us," Alhazad uttered, not looking back. "Lord Zeikfried, can I keep a few of them as guinea pigs when we take over?"
"Of course. Do whatever you may wish."
"Sss-sss-sss," hissed the monster operating the machine. "Good, good! The time is at hand! Let us see what happens now!" Alhazad turned around and backed up, getting some room to see its diabolical work.
"The unfinished Darkness Tear...in all it's glory! Sss-sss-sss!"
A tiny black shard of shiny glass was lowered down from the ceiling from an iron crane hand, right over the forehead of Rudy. As he looked on with sheer fright, he could only wonder what horrors were in store for him as this evil experiment took place. Looking up at the jagged glass chip, his mind felt as if it were being lured in to some kind of wickedness he could not comprehend.
"Pure...evil," Rudy wrenched, trying to look away. But now his head was held in place by Alhazad's titanium tentacles.
"Sss-sss-sss...here it comes! Here it comes! How absolutely vicious!"
The Darkness Tear dropped a little further. As it touched the skin of Rudy's forehead, a violent surge of electric energy exploded from the tiny shard of glass, flying all over the tiny laboratory. All of the viewers had to shield their eyes from the blinding force of power.
"Guuhhhh," Rudy moaned, shaking violently. "Aaaaaaaahhh!"
"Shut if off," Zeikfried bellowed. "You'll kill us all, you fool!"
"Alhazad, you imbecile," Harken shrieked, shielding her ice blue eyes. "What is this...this energy is nothing like I've ever seen! Shut it off, now!"
"It is, it is," Alhazad stated. "I knew it right when I saw him! He is the 'Holmcross'!"
"Aaaahh, gggaaahh," the youth screamed. "Hi......ad...es..."
"...Hiades," Zeikfried repeated after him. "Did he just..."
"It's working, it's working! Sss-sss-sss!"
"Hi...ad...es...must...kill...all...Hi...ad...es..." Rudy had raised himself off of the table uncontrollably.
"What," Harken asked, amazed.
"Kill...all...shkkkkkkhkk! Hi...ad...es...AHHHHH," the young man screamed.
Finally, the Darkness Tear shattered from all of the force. After that, an eerie quiet and darkness descended upon the lab; Zeikfried and Harken were recovering from the vicious outburst. Alhazad, however, held fast and remained hovering a now silent Rudy Roughnight.
"What...just happened here," Zeikfried asked. "Alhazad, did that Darkness Tear shatter?"
"Yes, sss-sss-sss...it was grandiose. Nothing like I ever expected."
"Idiot," Harken caustically called him, ripping into him for the explosion of energy. "Look at this mess! All of our machinery is fried! The lights are busted, and it's dark in here! You destroyed the Darkness Tear, our prime opportunity to conquer this world!"
"Sss-sss-sss...my rose in bloom...do not worry. All is fine."
"..."
"Look. Look in front of you at what I have created! This is our child. Our savior."
"What do you..." she asked curiously as her gaze panned over to the man now sitting up on the table. What she saw made her mouth drop open and her eyes widen. "Oh my...my..."
"I'll be damned," Zeikfried said, also in amazement. "It is...our child. He's arrived."
Silence. Pure silence. All that remained in the small lab inside of the Photosphere was the darkness and the Demons. All that remained was a former shell of what used to be a kind and gentle soul. As Rudy Roughnight died, a new birth had taken place to fill the void he left. That once gentle man hand passed on, but unknowingly left something hideous in his place.
Emitting raw dark energy, an energy that was on the wavelength of the Guardians but incredibly diabolical and horrendous, a man sat up on the steel table, his wicked violet aura illuminating his shape...his pupils removed and the whites of his eyes turned black as night.
Prepare for the fight of the world. The Demon Queen's secret ally in terror and death was, is and will forever be the Child of Malduke...the 'Unborn Menace'.
"Beautiful...simply beautiful," a female's voice came from somewhere. It was deep and sensual, speaking directly into the prone figure's left ear.
"Huh," a familiar male voice asked.
"You."
"Aah...yes."
"Do you know me," she asked. "Can you see me?"
"No. I...my head is dizzy. Say, where am I anyway?"
"..."
"Hmm?"
"You'll be fine," the female voice calmly stated. "You're still alive after all."
"I can only see black..."
"That's good to know."
"What?"
"Never mind. Furthermore, you are trapped."
"Trapped?" There was now a tinge of fear in the male voice. "H-Hey! Why am I trapped?"
"You were trespassing. We don't like trespassers in our land."
The male tried to move his body, but couldn't budge a muscle. He felt strong, hard restraints on his arms, legs and neck. "Urrrgh...restraints?"
"That's right. You aren't going anywhere. Sorry."
"It's metal, the man pointed out astutely. "I'm trapped in metal."
Slow, clacking footsteps could be heard moving across the floor. By the reverberations of the sound, the man could tell that the floor was metallic and not wooden. But the sole, important question that lingered in his mind through all of his numbness made him wonder.
"Where am I," he asked.
The footsteps stopped, leaving only the sound of what seemed to be machinery humming at him at a close distance. Now the sounds were flushing in- -something that beeped at timed intervals, a continuous low clicking noise that repeated itself over and over again...where was this?
"Why don't you tell me," the voice said all of a sudden in his right ear. If the man wasn't restrained, he would've jumped in shock.
"I don't know! I...I can't see!"
"Good. Anyway, this will be your new home for awhile. Pretty soon you won't even remember who you 'were', hm-hm-hm..."
A low, seductive laugh penetrated the near-silence of this place, sending a chill up the spine of the restrained man. The footsteps came again, becoming softer and softer until a quick whooshing sound could be heard. After a few more clacks against the floor, the whooshing sound was heard again. Then after that, there was only the humming and the beeping again.
"...Is she gone," he asked to no one in particular. "Am I alone?"
"Not exactly my pet," came a lifeless, grating voice from somewhere.
The trapped man was shocked again. He wasn't alone. Now, it seemed, he was in the presence of something horrible. He could tell by the sound of 'its' voice...whatever it was with him could not possibly be human. The low clicking sound in the background had ceased, he noticed.
"Who are you," the bound man nervously asked whoever it was who was in his company.
"I am nobody," the mechanical voice responded. "And yet I am somebody."
"...What?"
"Let me explain. I am your puppeteer. And you are my marionette. Got it?"
"What do you...mean by that?"
A long silence had resulted after that question. The air around the man had gotten chilly and heavy all of a sudden. Now it was a dire situation that warranted some sort of immediate action. But he couldn't move now. He felt something cold snake across the exposed skin of his left temple, making him scream out in terror. After that, he could feel a wet sensation on the same spot he had been touched at.
"W-What is that," he asked out. "What did you do to me?"
"Helping you to see," replied that wicked, metallic voice in his left ear.
"To see? My vision...what happened to it?"
"This won't hurt...too much," the voice said, ignoring his question. "Here it comes."
Before the man could say anything, he felt something abruptly pierce the left side of his head. Crying out in pain, the person partially raised his body off of the table he was restrained on, nearly breaking the restraints.
"Aaaaaghhh," he screamed. "God, my head! My....aaaaaghh!"
"Calm down," the metallic voice said, lacking any sort of sympathy. "It's almost done! You'll break the needle if you move around like that!"
"Aaaaggh, you...you monster! Aaaghh!"
The pain ceased as quickly as it began, leaving the man limp and dizzy on the table. He now felt slightly heavy and numb, but not numb enough to feel something cover the left side of his head. By the feel of the material, it was probably cloth to cover the puncture. But he didn't care about that now- -he just wanted to get out of there. Almost instantaneously, color and figures began to focus and light up, beginning to restore his vision.
"My...eyes," he said, exhausted and dizzy.
"My toy is getting its vision restored," the voice said. "That's it. You will see again at my doing."
What was now dark and dim was becoming clearer in his eyes. At first, the man could only see a blotchy white figure hovering over him. But now, after his vision had been fully restored to what it was, what he was seeing frightened him. A figure with face masked in gold and jewels loomed over him- -its eyes narrowed and red as blood. Turning his head, the man saw that indeed the being wasn't human- -it's body was elongated and it wore a long white robe that covered its entire body. At its end, a metal tail snaked along the floor behind it.
"What are you," he asked weakly.
"Hm-hm-hm," the hulking, robed figure laughed; its crimson red eyes narrowing ever further. "The question you should be asking is 'what am I?' Sss-sss-sss-sss-sss..."
~~~~~~~~~~
Princess Cecilia and Jack Van Burace, setting off from Baskar the very next day in an attempt to halt the resurrection of the leader of the Demon Race, arrived at the mysterious temple that was rumored to have been built by the Elw. After traveling and resting for two more days, they finally stood at the entrance of the Elw Temple that could possibly be a key factor in accomplishing their goal. The large, multi-storied stone building shaped like a pyramid loomed over them, moss and vines covering its foundation in a show of its age.
"Breathtaking," the girl exclaimed, taking a huge gulp of crisp, fresh air in. "Hey Jack, this is fantastic!"
"Yeah, it looks great," Jack replied in his rustic voice. "Hm, wonder what the Elw would leave in something like this? What do you think, Hanpan?"
The critter, sitting on his shoulder, responded. "The ancient Elw Temple...I bet this specific temple hasn't even been touched. I recall the people of Baskar have great respect for other civilizations. I don't think anyone's even been in here."
"Well, good for us," Jack said with a grin. "Hey, we just may get rich after all!"
Cecilia turned to him, a little angry at what he said. "What? Hey, this isn't about money! We're looking for Guardian Statues!"
"I know, I know..."
Jack walked ahead of her, standing directly at the open entrance of the building. He turned around, still sporting that grin on his face when he said, "But even so...are you saying that I can't get rich?"
"Ooohh," she muttered. "You can be so mean sometimes!"
"Heh-heh-heh," the swordsman chuckled as he entered ahead of her. Rolling her eyes, she followed him into the gigantic structure.
~~~~~~~~~~
Inside the Elw Temple, the air was heavy with age. Moss partially covered the stone floors, and an inside pond teemed with aquatic life. Carved images of stone angels stood parallel solemnly on each side of the interior room, gazing at each other in silence as they emphasized the sheer ancient feeling that the temple gave off. Small man-made waterfalls lined up on the opposite wall poured water out into the pond. That was the only sound audible inside of the temple- -that of the waterfalls.
"Ugh, the air is heavy," Cecilia pointed out while breathing heavily. "Are all ancient temples this way, Mister Treasure Hunter?"
"I guess. But you'll get used to it. What's a little heavy air to the Innocent One, eh?"
"Ha-ha, very funny," she sarcastically countered. "It's not as easy as you think."
"I know, sorry," he apologetically said.
"That's fine. Say...there's something over there. Want me to take a look," she asked him.
"By yourself? Hmm..."
"Oh, there is a safe aura being emitted from here. I felt it immediately when we arrived, so there shouldn't be any monsters in here."
Walking over toward a stairwell in the left portion of the chamber, she turned and waved at him. "Hey, it'll be fine! Trust me! And besides...I feel something magical down there. Let me take care of it."
"Ahh, fine. Do whatever you want. Call out if you need help."
"Okay," Cecilia quickly said, eager to explore the ruins. "Hey Hanpan! Come with me...please?"
The tiny wind mouse hopped off from Jack's shoulder, scurried over to Cecilia and made a quick leap onto hers. Both waved again, then proceeded down the illuminated stairwell into the lower depths of the structure. Jack turned his head to one of the stone angels before him.
"Angels of destiny...will you protect me," he asked the sculpture. Of course it didn't respond though- -it only looked on with its sorrowful eyes.
Jack the swordsman plopped down against a nearby wall and pulled out a smoke. He had gotten this special from Baskar before he left- - the Chief was especially fond of the cloven leaf flavor of the Northern Plains. This particular smoke was a pine-flavored cigar that he enjoyed smoking regularly on a daily basis. Putting the tip into his mouth, Jack pulled his lighter out and lit the end of it up. He inhaled the sweet flavor of the cigar and exhaled a thin cloud of smoke, savoring every bit of taste of the drug.
"Mmm," he sighed, leaning his head back against the wall. "Those Baskarians have pretty good taste. Better than the ones I get out east, that's for sure."
Jack slowly closed his eyes, not trying to drift off but just to let himself go at this moment. It was quiet and peaceful...he hadn't been this tranquil in years. The trial he endured over the time he adventured with Princess Cecilia...the times he himself adventured as a treasure hunter...all of it would be remembered. But a certain time was one that he wanted desperately to return to. A time of peace, stability and harmony. And a time of love. Love...that emotion he had forgotten. What was it? How did it occur? And why did he forget it over the years? Jack's mind slowly drifted off into places unknown as he began to remember the good times...the good times of Arctica...and the good times with 'her'.
~~~~~~~~~~
A youth with short, cropped dirty blonde hair stood erect, looking out over the snow-covered fields of Arctica on the roof of the castle. Gripping his short sword with his right hand, he thought about nothing but his weakness. His position and his lack of strength, he thought, would probably be the end of him. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear a stunning, beautiful woman with long red hair and blue eyes come up behind him.
"Garrett, my sweet," chirped the soothing voice. "Here you are. I could not find you, so I became wracked with worry."
"You," the youth said back in a low and saddened voice, not even bothering to turn around. "Why do you want to talk to me? I'm weak."
"You are not weak, Garrett."
"Yes, I am."
"Please don't say that," she asked him kindly. "Listen...sometimes, we think we are destined for greatness. And sometimes, we are abruptly let down with a hard thud to the ground." The woman made her way over beside him, gripping his left hand. "You are not weak. I, personally, say that without lying."
"Hah, you're talking to a lowly Arm Guard," Garret laughed pitifully. "An Arm Guard! Do you know how pathetic that is? Why couldn't I be the Breastplate? Or even the Sheath? I know you don't lie, but now even I am not sure about myself."
"Garrett, I~~"
"Garret sighed out loud and turned to her. "You don't deserve to have someone as pathetic and as weak as me as your Arm Guard. I know in my heart that I must continue my training to become a better Warrior Rank...for you."
"Listen to me," she asked him. He tried to turn his gaze away from her, but the female held his face there steady with her hand. "Please...do not turn away."
"But~~"
"You are not weak, Garrett. In fact, you are one of the most brave and courageous men I've met in my life. Warrior Rank is nothing but an old army tradition in the elite forces of the Arctica kingdom. It means nothing to me...nothing as long as you are there to protect me."
"An old...tradition. Yes, I know. But even so, It is important to me."
"As it is to me as well," the kind woman reassured Garrett. "But if it serves no purpose but to clog the minds of the people that I feel close to...if it will only create chaos in the hearts of people that I care about...I have no need for such trivial routines."
"...Aah..." Garrett could say nothing- -he could only stare into her eyes.
"Tell me you believe it too," she asked with a wan smile on her face.
"Well, of course. Traditions aren't everything, but~~"
"Traditions are nothing," she said. "Nothing, as long as the people who act them out close their hearts to the obvious. I will not close my heart to you, Garrett."
"...But..."
Suddenly, the female's eyes lit up. "Hey, I have something that will cheer you up! Think of it this way...if you are the Arm Guard, and I am the Sword Princess, then in a way you are the most important piece of armor."
Garrett looked at her as if he didn't understand. "How so?"
"You are the Arm Guard, right?"
"Yeah. So?"
"Well, like I said...I am the Sword Princess. And you are the Arm Guard. Together, along with the Breastplate, Helmet, Shield and Greaves, we are part of the seven Warrior Elite."
"Um...yes," he agreed, not sure what she was trying to convey.
"Think about it, Garrett. As the Arm Guard, what primary purpose do you serve?"
"I protect the arm, of course."
"All right, and the arm with the shield couldn't possibly carry a sword, right?"
"Um...yes, that's right. What are you trying to say?"
"Well," she said matter-of-factly. "Then the arm with the arm guard has to carry the sword. And you, being the Arm Guard, must protect the arm which carries me. Do you understand now?"
After a few moments, Garrett's eyes lit up as well. Finally, he had understood where this was going. "Oh! So I have to protect the sword!"
"Yes, Garrett...protect the sword. Protect me."
In a flash, the young man swept the red-haired woman off of her feet, hugging her and lifting her off the ground.
"Whoooah," the woman moaned. "You seem happy now! I'm glad, hee-hee!"
"Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! I feel stronger now!" Garrett put her down on the ground again, regaining his composure at that outburst of feelings. The woman patted herself down and fixed her hair.
"Well, all you needed was a little inspiration. Your strength was always there, but you couldn't draw it out."
"Yes, but without you I wouldn't have realized how important I was!"
"Well...let's just call it even."
"You're my muse you know," he said to her. "A muse sent from heaven."
The two people embraced in a long hug, not wanting to let each other go at this time. It was so perfect...they were meant for each other. The Arm Guard and the Sword Princess. Hand in hand they would go forever, protecting one another through trial after trial in life.
"I love you Garrett," the woman softly spoke.
"I...love you too. I'll love you forever, Elmina..."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Elmina...forever I'll...love you," Jack said softly to the open air.
"Who's Elmina," a upbeat female voice came from out of nowhere.
Jack jumped instantly, shocked to see Cecilia and Hanpan standing right over him. Through all of the daydreaming the swordsman hadn't even seen the two come up beside him, returning from the lower levels of the Elw Temple. Getting up quickly, Jack flicked his nearly charred cigar into the open pond and cleared his throat.
"Aah...hey Cecilia," he said happily, blushing. "How did it go? You sure didn't take long, heh!"
"It was easy," she replied. "Elw technology isn't that tough to comprehend, amazingly. Say~~"
Jack interrupted, getting to the point. "Err, Cecilia...how much of that did you hear?"
"Hm? Oh, well I just heard something about an 'Elmina'. Why do you ask?"
Instantly sighing, he felt relieved at this revelation. "Thank goodness," he muttered under his breath. "Hmm, maybe we should get a move-on right about now."
"Hey, hey, hey! Come on, tell me about Elmina! Is she a girlfriend or something? Or maybe she's your mother!" The girl wasn't letting him off of the hook that easily.
"No thanks. I'm fine."
"Ple----ase," she pleaded. "Pretty please with cherries on top?"
"Nope, sorry. You're out of luck, kid!"
Jack walked away, leaving Cecilia and Hanpan behind. The Princess was left hopping up and down, angry at being called a kid as the swordsman departed for the back of the ancient structure.
"Hey! Don't call me that, you! I'm 17 and I'm not a kid," she yelled. "Come on Hanpan! Let's go teach that Jack a lesson!"
Cecilia ran off, wind mouse clinging to her clothing as she ran after the man who had left her behind.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Last call," a chiseled stone-faced sailor wearing a black bandanna bellowed from the crow's nest of the S.S. Drake, the ship that arrived on the beaches of the northern continent. "Last call for Saint Centour- -all departing must leave now! Last call for Saint Centour on the northern continent!"
Of course, there were only two people getting off the ship. With McDullen, the silent, loyal manservant in tow with heavy baggage in each hand, Jane Maxwell made her way towards the planked staircase on the side of the ship. In the warm, soothing glow of the morning sun, feelings overflowed and rage erupted in what was considered something completely outrageous and unnatural.
"Get a move on, McDullen," Jane snapped at him, her cold blue eyes freezing his heart. "And don't drop my bags, do you understand? I've got my ARM in there!"
"Y-yes, Ms. Jane. As you wish."
"Aah, good," she replied unmercifully. "Hmm, perhaps you aren't too useless after all. I'll give you a raise when we return to Court Seim. How does 10 gella sound? Hee-hee..."
"..." When she turned her back he gave her a wretched look, grinding his teeth with fury. What he wished to do to her went beyond any known words. But then again, he knew in his heart that it wasn't really 'her' talking.
The captain of the ship, Drake, approached the duo with a bottle of liquor in hand. He was unusually jovial today, laughing heartily and walking with a certain swagger that just emphasized it even more.
"My lovely tulip Jane," Drake commented. "I was ordered to bring you to Saint Centour for free, and I did just that...I am quite sure you will have no troubles from here on out."
"Gee, I'd hope so," Jane muttered. She turned around to see a laboring McDullen trying to balance three large cases all by himself. "I said don't drop them! Geez!"
"Errgh...I know, Ms. Jane. Give it time."
"Yeah yeah," she muttered again, not turning back around again to see Drake giving her a strange look. "So Drake...where are you heading from here?"
"Off to Port Timney. I've got some business there to take care of, heh-heh..."
"Like..."
"Oh, you wouldn't believe it," he explained with a wide grin on his face. "There's this short little dwarf of a man named Bartholomew who is getting married in a week or so. I personally find it hard to believe that someone like him could marry ANYONE, let alone a beautiful young woman!"
"Hmm, interesting...yep."
"So that's the case. That, and I've got a big sell of Lanbasta Weed to deliver. Great for business."
"Well, all right. Thank you again for the ride, Mr. Drake. The Maxwell Family owes you, I guess."
"Oh, far from it," Drake said. "If anyone owes anyone, it's me who is on the giving end."
"Thanks. See ya."
Jane and McDullen got off of the ship via stairs that were pushed out onto shore. As they both watched the stairs retract back into the side of the large vessel, they waved kindly to send them off. The ship hoisted its grand white sails and leisurely glided away towards the clear blue horizon. Both people were left standing alone in the warm white sands on the edge of the northern continent, ready to continue on their quest.
"Let's get a move on. Well be there in about a day or so," Jane said with authority, staring at McDullen. "Time is money, like Drake said! The sooner we kill that Night Gaunt, the better!"
The feisty femme fatale with firepower quietly scouted ahead, leaving her servant behind in the open sands. All the man could do was stand there with the large packages in his hands and look on as this strange change of attitude altered the woman who had been kind and gentle before.
"This is going to be a long trip," he spoke woefully, shaking his head as he followed her.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I still feel sick...why me?"
"What are you talking about," Jack asked Cecilia, who still felt the aftereffects of the trip through Elw technology into the stratosphere. "I loved it! Such a rush...those Elw truly are amazing."
"I always thought you were insane. Now it has been verified beyond the shadow of a doubt." Cecilia doubled over, trying to settle the contents of her stomach.
"Hm, crazy to you is a way of life for me! That was more fun than dodging runaway homicidal boulders in the Memory Temple!"
"..."
"So, that Stoldark. That Guardian of Water or whatever said that we're near Saint Centour."
"Umm...yep," interrupted Hanpan, who was lodged inside Jacks front coat pocket. "Apparently a certain power resides in this region- -specifically Saint Centour- -that acts as a prison to seal the evil power of the Demon Queen's heart. Or a chunk of it, that is."
"Well, let's just go get that Guardian, destroy that demon heart, and end it all," Jack reiterated. "This time we won't fail."
Cecilia pulled out a map that she had bought before she left her native kingdom of Aldehyde, showing all the known towns, cities and landmarks in the world. Hanpan hopped out of Jack's coat pocket and jumped onto her shoulder to get a better look. In the dim light of the Elw Temple Transporter Room, it was hard to make out anything. Jack offered up his lighter to see better.
"Let us see," Cecilia slowly said, trying to pinpoint their position. "From Stoldark's information...we should be in the northernmost temple...which is right here."
"So it would take us about..." Jack tried to figure out.
"...Around three days," Hanpan concluded. "Give or take a half-day or so, depending on how stupid a certain swordsman who shall remain unnamed acts."
Cecilia giggled as Jack blushed in embarrassment. "Why you! See if you get any food from me from now on!"
"I'm grown up, I can hunt my own food," the critter retaliated. He also shook his whiskers at the man. "So there!"
"All right, come on you two! Let's just go..."
"Hmph...well I never," Jack muttered.
The two could-be heroes, accompanied by their blue mouse friend, set off for Saint Centour. Their goals in mind and their actions pre-planned, all three felt they would emerge victorious in their quest for peace, life, and prosperity. New people, new places...and new hardships were on their path in their search for the Guardians and the mystical Tear Drop. Maybe, just maybe...they would succeed. Maybe.
In other places, however, something truly sinister was beginning.
A birth.
A horrible demon birth that could potentially lay waste to all life on Filgaia.
Things that would never be said...things that would never be told...
The birth...of the Child of Malduke.
~~~~~~~~~~
In a small, iron-plated room, with large panels, machinery and display screens on the walls, a 'human' laid restrained to a table. Three malicious beings encircling him, an event that could change the future of Filgaia was about to take place...
"Rudy Roughnight," the large, hulking mass of metal that was learned to be called Zeikfried spoke in a metallic tome. He was standing on Rudy's right. "For the life of us...for the life of the Demons, as humans call us...you must become..."
"...The Child," the one with the gold mask and crimson eyes finished. He had become known simply as Alhazad. The dog-like mass hovered over his head, looking down on Rudy as he lay on the hard steel table, unable to do anything. "The Child...you will become our..."
"Saviour," uttered the soothing, seductive voice. The enchanting voice of Lady Harken, the mysterious flame-haired female Demon who, unlike the other two, seemed almost human. But not exactly human, as was sensed when she left her thoughts known. She stood to the far left of the man, draped in red cape and cuirass. "I hate humans. I despise them all. Especially the people of the now-defunct Arctica. You don't know how I wish I was there. To feel the warm, dripping blood flowing over my hands."
Alhazad rotated over to meet her gaze. "You have no idea how sexy you sound when you talk death like that. It makes someone like me feel almost...alive."
In response, Harken materialized her weapon of choice- -a scythe- -in thin air and aimed the hook directly at the crown of its his mask.
"You will cease all useless banter before I split you in two!"
"Oh yes, keep on going. You can be quite the temptress when you desire to be," the beast retorted in its grating voice, it's eyes changing color to a bright yellow. "If I had feelings, I would be giddy with enthusiasm right now."
"Die," screamed the warrior woman, raising her scythe to hack it into strips. Zeikfried stepped over before she could possibly act and gripped her hand so tight that it caused her weapon to dematerialize.
"Do not forget your position," the dark knight hissed. "I won't tolerate Alhazad's actions, but you will obey him. You are, after all, third in rank."
Harken glared at her ally who had halted her progress, then composed herself. "As you wish...Lord Zeikfried."
Alhazad's eyes turned red again, then it shifted back to hovering over Rudy's head. "I suppose my 'Rose Of Chaos' is correct," Alhazad continued, glancing quickly at Harken. She just looked away, not wanting anything to do with it. "The final act...the show must go on!" Now the wicked white-cloaked monster rotated around to a panel behind it. Snaking two titanium alloy tentacles out from under its cloak, it began operating a few levers and buttons on the machinery.
"Who needs the Demon Lab," the monster continued. "This will be much better. The Darkness Tear, our version of the Tear Drop, is incomplete. But its dark energy will enhance you."
"Ugh," Rudy moaned, desperately trying to free himself from his confines. "Why do you have...Cecilia's...Tear Drop?"
"To do away with the Guardians, of course," Harken whispered into his ear. "I just love the cries of defenseless humans in pain and suffering. It's so primal and passionate. Here, you will know how I feel."
"This planet is suitable for us," Zeikfried said aloud. "We will rule this world. We will make it into our very own Hiades. If these humans go against us, we will kill them."
"We'd probably kill them anyway, even if they didn't go against us," Alhazad uttered, not looking back. "Lord Zeikfried, can I keep a few of them as guinea pigs when we take over?"
"Of course. Do whatever you may wish."
"Sss-sss-sss," hissed the monster operating the machine. "Good, good! The time is at hand! Let us see what happens now!" Alhazad turned around and backed up, getting some room to see its diabolical work.
"The unfinished Darkness Tear...in all it's glory! Sss-sss-sss!"
A tiny black shard of shiny glass was lowered down from the ceiling from an iron crane hand, right over the forehead of Rudy. As he looked on with sheer fright, he could only wonder what horrors were in store for him as this evil experiment took place. Looking up at the jagged glass chip, his mind felt as if it were being lured in to some kind of wickedness he could not comprehend.
"Pure...evil," Rudy wrenched, trying to look away. But now his head was held in place by Alhazad's titanium tentacles.
"Sss-sss-sss...here it comes! Here it comes! How absolutely vicious!"
The Darkness Tear dropped a little further. As it touched the skin of Rudy's forehead, a violent surge of electric energy exploded from the tiny shard of glass, flying all over the tiny laboratory. All of the viewers had to shield their eyes from the blinding force of power.
"Guuhhhh," Rudy moaned, shaking violently. "Aaaaaaaahhh!"
"Shut if off," Zeikfried bellowed. "You'll kill us all, you fool!"
"Alhazad, you imbecile," Harken shrieked, shielding her ice blue eyes. "What is this...this energy is nothing like I've ever seen! Shut it off, now!"
"It is, it is," Alhazad stated. "I knew it right when I saw him! He is the 'Holmcross'!"
"Aaaahh, gggaaahh," the youth screamed. "Hi......ad...es..."
"...Hiades," Zeikfried repeated after him. "Did he just..."
"It's working, it's working! Sss-sss-sss!"
"Hi...ad...es...must...kill...all...Hi...ad...es..." Rudy had raised himself off of the table uncontrollably.
"What," Harken asked, amazed.
"Kill...all...shkkkkkkhkk! Hi...ad...es...AHHHHH," the young man screamed.
Finally, the Darkness Tear shattered from all of the force. After that, an eerie quiet and darkness descended upon the lab; Zeikfried and Harken were recovering from the vicious outburst. Alhazad, however, held fast and remained hovering a now silent Rudy Roughnight.
"What...just happened here," Zeikfried asked. "Alhazad, did that Darkness Tear shatter?"
"Yes, sss-sss-sss...it was grandiose. Nothing like I ever expected."
"Idiot," Harken caustically called him, ripping into him for the explosion of energy. "Look at this mess! All of our machinery is fried! The lights are busted, and it's dark in here! You destroyed the Darkness Tear, our prime opportunity to conquer this world!"
"Sss-sss-sss...my rose in bloom...do not worry. All is fine."
"..."
"Look. Look in front of you at what I have created! This is our child. Our savior."
"What do you..." she asked curiously as her gaze panned over to the man now sitting up on the table. What she saw made her mouth drop open and her eyes widen. "Oh my...my..."
"I'll be damned," Zeikfried said, also in amazement. "It is...our child. He's arrived."
Silence. Pure silence. All that remained in the small lab inside of the Photosphere was the darkness and the Demons. All that remained was a former shell of what used to be a kind and gentle soul. As Rudy Roughnight died, a new birth had taken place to fill the void he left. That once gentle man hand passed on, but unknowingly left something hideous in his place.
Emitting raw dark energy, an energy that was on the wavelength of the Guardians but incredibly diabolical and horrendous, a man sat up on the steel table, his wicked violet aura illuminating his shape...his pupils removed and the whites of his eyes turned black as night.
Prepare for the fight of the world. The Demon Queen's secret ally in terror and death was, is and will forever be the Child of Malduke...the 'Unborn Menace'.