(Let's see if I can stay up long enough to finish the chapter…
Dark Link: Hey, Teefa, you single?"
Didn't I put you in THE CLOSET? Besides that, I think she has a boyfriend.
Dark Link: Where does he live! Dark Link grabs a knife and hockey mask.
Damn! Stupid Dark Link! Oh well, if I survive this and stop him from killing your boyfriend, can you each donate two bucks to charity? If you do, I think you saved a person's life… You're not going to travel, like thousands of miles to kill someone because you're jealous! Points to Dark Link.)
The Myth of Crystaelius:
Chapter Three: Lost Forever II
Enrique yawned before stretching his arms. "How long until we get there?" he asked as the group neared the ruin.
"We're close, just a few more minutes," Aaron replied as Jet walked up to him. "I hope you know what you're getting us into; I didn't wake up early to get my ass burnt."
Aaron chuckled. "Don't worry; you could've stayed behind at the inn. I was just curious as to why this ruin was here. I'd never seen it before."
Jet shrugged as Todd ran up. "Wait, I think there's an entrance," he stated as the structure became viewable.
The group quickened their pace and finally reached the ruin. Aaron's mouth widened slightly. "You're right. I hadn't noticed there was an entrance."
"But wouldn't that mean someone's gone in already?"
Aaron nodded. "It's very possible, but all it really does is make it look that much more suspicious. Let's go."
The interior of the ruin was composed, from what it seemed, entirely of solid glass.
"Don't you think that's weird?" asked Enrique as he studied the place. "It's weird; the ruin should be very fragile, but it's in perfect condition. I don't see anything wrong with it."
Todd nodded. "You have a point, it is a little peculiar."
Aaron sighed as he continued up the stairs that connected from the center of the room to the next floor. "We can ponder about it later, but let's hurry." Jet, Virginia, and Todd followed, but Enrique was a little hesitant. "Fine, I just have a really bad feeling about this."
Janus snorted. "Are we almost there?" Zane looked back at him. "Yes, I've just been studying this place. Each room is identical, but every time we ascend a staircase, it feels as if we're descending one."
"That's impossible," Janus stated as the sound of footsteps could be heard entering the room.
The two turned to the entrance to see Aaron and his companions enter. Zane stroked his chin. "I think I understand. It seems time is inverted here, I can feel it."
"Janus Cascade!" Virginia shouted, raising her pistols; the others grasped hold of their weapons.
"Janus, do you mind occupying them for a small amount of time as I acquire the key?" Janus smirked. "Go ahead and get your key; I have a score to settle to Princess here." Zane smiled before turning to the group and stating, "It seems time has caught up with us my friends. I have to take care of a small errand." He then began to advance up the stairs.
"Jet, go and stop him," Aaron ordered quietly. "Just me?" Jet asked. Aaron nodded. "Don't worry; we'll be done in time to help you."
The silver- haired Drifter shrugged and ran off, leaving the others to contend with Janus.
"Long time, no see, huh, Princess?" he asked, his smirk growing that much larger. Virginia scowled. "Yeah, but this time you're going down for good!"
Janus laughed and unsheathed his sword. "Just as feisty as ever; good." He then swung the sword, shooting a wave of energy at them.
The group rolled out of the way and retaliated. Virginia shot, twice, hitting him once as he jumped out of the way of the second bullet.
"Let's see you handle this; Negative Rainbow!"
The streams of energy collided with the unexpected Enrique, but Aaron and Virginia, having experienced the attack, quickly evaded it.
Virginia reloaded and attacked again, but Janus disappeared and reappeared behind her, preparing to strike. However, Aaron read his move and assaulted the immortal with a combo of slashes. Virginia then fired a few rounds, and the overall impact sent him crashing through one of the many pillars which lined the rooms.
"Done yet, Janus?" Virginia called, a sly smile appearing on her face. The blue- haired warrior shakily stood up, and dusted himself off. "I'm just warming up, Princess, you should know that by now."
He then raised his left index and middle fingers, shouting, "Proton Beam!"
Virginia and Aaron jumped to the side, and Enrique scurried away. However, just as Enrique was about to counter, Janus shifted his open palm in that direction, causing a small explosion which knocked him into the wall.
He then raised the sword and a purple aura surrounded it. Multiple small energy orbs floated up beside the blade as Janus aimed it at his two remaining adversaries. "Here's a new attack, and you're all the first to witness it; Blazing Impact!"
The many energy orbs raced at Virginia and Aaron. She quickly ducked behind a pillar, but Aaron quickly deflected some of the weak orbs with his sword and leapt into the air, bringing his sword in a downward motion to slash Janus. His enemy quickly raised the sword to block the attack, but Aaron swiftly landed and impaled Janus in the abdomen.
He removed his weapon as Virginia began to use Gatling and unleash all of her rounds.
After she was out, Aaron executed one final combo, his last slash knocking Janus into the staircase.
"I'd be surprised if he got up from that," he stated, swinging his sword in the air to remove any blood while it was still fresh.
Virginia nodded while she reloaded. "Yeah, but what about Enrique; he's hurt."
"He's fine," Todd stated, inspecting him. "Just a few minor bruises and scratches; you basically avoided the main power of the attack. You didn't have that much contact with the shattered glass either."
Enrique stood up. "Whatever, at least I tried to fight and not hide behind a pillar."
Todd smiled. "Sorry, it's just that I really don't have much experience with fighting, and have only wielded an ARMs once or twice."
"Some help you are," he muttered as they began to advance up the stairs.
Zane finally entered the main chamber. A great altar was located in the back of the chamber, and small waterfalls fell on the walls. Their crashing noises were the only sound in the emptiness as he approached the altar, studying the intricate golden object resting on the structure.
He was just about to grasp it when a series of bullets crashed against the glass steps.
"Hold on, but you're going to have to deal with me before you touch that."
Zane turned to see Jet holding his ARMs in an attack position. "How interesting, but I didn't expect less from the second user of the planet's energy; the Filgaia sample, or perhaps imitation?"
Jet gritted his teeth. "Call me whatever you want, but I'm not letting you do whatever you're going to do."
Zane laughed. "Oh well, then I suppose we have to resort to violence," he stated while fixating his right hand under his cloak. He then unstrapped a golden ARMs from his side. It had a somewhat large cannon for the barrel and was powered by a small drill which could be seen within the gun next to the trigger.
"Whenever you're ready… Adam."
(I was finally able to get Dark Link back inside THE CLOSET.
Kratos: What was all that commotion? Are you all right? You have a small scratch on your cheek.
I'm perfectly fine. Oh well, Happy New Year's! Oh, and by the way, you don't have to donate two dollars if you don't want to.)
