Chapter 55
Golem stared defiantly up at Alexander and raised its metallic fists.
"Earth Guard!"
A giant image of Golem's hand appeared and sunk into the ground in front of it. Alexander lumbered forward and opened up its shoulder panels.
"Holy Light!"
A white beam of light sliced into Golem, throwing it back. It plowed through several trees, scattering leaves and branches everywhere.
"Dammit!" hissed Ifrit.
Cyrus grabbed his arm. "We gave our word not to intervene!"
Ifrit pulled his arm away. "This isn't a fight, this is a slaughter!"
"Maybe it's a mercy killing," replied Cyrus sadly.
Golem emerged from the undergrowth, twigs and leaves stuck into its armor in odd places.
"Blessed Goddess, bring succor to those in pain…Cure All!" called Golem. Green sparks of energy swirled around Golem.
"Saints of the past protect us now…Shell!" chanted Alexander. A white glowing disk appeared in front of it and vanished.
Golem ran forward and punched Alexander in the chest, its fist causing Alexander's chestplate to buckle slightly.
"Incredible," said Alexander, "Your workmanship is exquisite!"
"I am not obsolete!" retorted Golem.
"I never said you were," said Alexander swinging a front leg at Golem. A metallic hand rose from the ground and absorbed the blow, then vanished.
Golem leapt up and struck Alexander in the face. Its helmet took most of the damage.
"Divine Maker, purify all sins…Pearl!" chanted Alexander. White swirling spheres of light circled around Golem, knocking it to the ground.
Golem got up slowly. "Time, grind to a halt…Stop!" A clock face appeared in front of Alexander and the hands froze at noon.
As the clock face faded Alexander looked from side to side. "You missed."
Golem got a defensive position as Alexander unleashed its Holy Light. Again it was knocked backwards into the woods.
"Alexander," asked Ganamede, "Are you alright?"
"I'm still functioning," it replied.
Golem slowly lumbered into view again.
"You should yield," said Cyrus.
"Golem can still beat Alexander!" snapped Ifrit.
"Ifrit, do you want Golem to die?" retorted Cyrus.
"I would die trying!" shouted Ifrit.
"Colonel MacKenzie is correct," replied Golem, "I cannot compute a winning strategy."
"You coward!" snarled Ifrit, swing his fist at Golem. A hand rose and absorbed the blow.
Cyrus pulled Ifrit back.
"What about Jidoor?" yelled Ifrit.
"Jidoor is not my concern," replied Golem, "I have failed."
"You were outmatched," said Alexander, "I am a later model, but that does not make me superior."
"Yes it does," replied Golem, "The Mage Knights created me, then discarded me when they made you."
Alexander stood there silently.
"Destroy me and claim Jidoor," said Golem quietly.
"Why destroy a work of art?" inquired Alexander, "Besides, Jidoor does not concern me either."
"What?" said Ganamede.
"I am leaving," replied Alexander, "I have fulfilled my obligation."
Ganamede touched Alexander's foot. "But I need your help!"
Alexander stared down at her impassively.
"Not anymore," said the giant Esper, lumbering off into the forest.
Ganamede turned her gaze back to her opponents.
"Your toy won," said Ifrit in a surly tone, "You can have Jidoor."
He slumped onto the ground next to Golem.
"The town surrendered quietly to me," said Cyrus, "You will not need to pillage."
Ganamede stared at them oddly. "You can beat me though!"
"If we broke our word," replied Cyrus smirking faintly.
"Why don't you then?" snapped Ganamede angrily, "The Raj would have!"
"I sleep better at night this way," said Ifrit sullenly.
Cyrus threw down his lance and held out his wrists. "Prison is going to feel like a homecoming for me."