Episode 35: Last Breath
Galatea sprinted through the darkened streets of Tokyo, weaving her way past buildings, signs, and the occasional pedestrian. She moved with remarkable speed, her tiny boomer legs carrying her faster than any human could ever hope to achieve. It wouldn't take her nearly as long to reach her destination as it had taken the Knight Sabers, especially since she wasn't relying on the plodding procession of boomers to show her the way. She knew where she was going, and she knew exactly how to get there. Still, the opportune moment for her escape from the Knight Saber's hideout had arrived much later than she would have liked. It took awhile for Macky's attention to stray from her, and he would never have willingly let her leave.
Time was running short. The Knight Sabers would certainly be approaching Mason soon if they hadn't already arrived. Galatea's body tensed as she pushed her legs to work harder. She needed to get there as soon as possible. She might already be too late.
Priss landed on a rooftop about thirty meters away from the monstrosity that was Mason. He was far more hideous up close, although Priss was hardly surprised by this. His body was skeletal in its structure, which made it clear that there was still some time before completion. At its feet a mass of mangled torsos, heads, and limbs were writhing violently as they melded together to cover the skeleton with flesh.
said Nene with disgust as she and Linna landed next to Priss.
I'll admit, it's not pretty, said Linna in response to Nene's reaction, but it's not like we haven't seen plenty of stuff like this before.
Well it's still gross! said Nene. It looks like it's decomposing in reverse!
said Priss with a hint of satisfaction, and we can use that to our advantage. Look. She pointed up at Mason's chest, and Linna and Nene soon saw what Priss was talking about. Inside the massive rib cage the source of the sickly glow pulsated like an enormous heart. It was the core.
That's the biggest core I've ever seen! exclaimed Linna.
But it's exposed, said Nene. All we need to do is get inside that thing's chest and we can take it out.
Easier said than done, remarked Linna. Mason isn't gonna let us in there without a fight.
Which is why I need you two to distract him, replied Priss. If you can keep him busy, I might have a shot at getting in there.
said Linna. Nene, let's go draw his attention.
With that, Linna and Nene leaped off the the building and landed on the opposite side of the street. It wasn't long before Mason realized that they were there and turned his massive body to face them. Linna let out a ferocious cry as she and Nene charged toward him. Mason's arm extended, growing in length as it shot at Linna. She swerved to the right and retaliated, slicing into the gigantic arm with her ribbon cutters. The arm quickly repaired itself and began to take another swing in Linna's direction, but Nene intervened, leaping above the limb then hurtling down on top of it to knock it out of the way.
Nice one, Nene, said Linna as Mason's arm crashed to the ground.
Hey, I'm not on this team for nothing, said Nene, giggling.
Stop chatting and distract him! Priss' voice commanded inside their helmets. If you can get him to turn a little more to the right he'll have his back to me and I can get in.
Linna and Nene didn't waste anymore time. The two women hurled themselves to the right, drawing Mason's attack. As he prepared to strike again, he turned. His back was now facing the blue Knight Saber, and an opening between his ribs was now accessible to her. Priss took a deep breath, trying release some of the tension that had welled up in her chest.
Priss whispered. Here goes nothing.
The car skidded sideways as Leon slammed on the brakes. Above them loomed the immense figure of Mason. Leon didn't think that he had ever driven so frantically in his life. Sweat was trickling down the back of his neck and his face felt hot. He had been clutching the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles were almost as white as Daley's face.
Daley gasped once the car had come to a halt. Leon ignored him completely and flung open the car door. He jumped out of the car and bolted forward, violently pushing through the sea of boomers ahead of him. Using nothing but his fists and determination, Leon made his way toward Mason. Daley ran after him, desperately trying to get him to stop his erratic behavior.
Leon, come back here! Daley screamed as he chased his partner. This isn't something we can handle! It's suicide, Leon! Come to your senses!
But Leon didn't need to come to his senses. He wasn't going to listen to Daley and he wasn't going to turn back. He had to reach the Knight Sabers. They needed to be warned. He had to get to Priss.
I won't lose her! he said through clenched teeth as his fist sent a boomer flying. I will not let her die!
Priss launched herself at Mason, twisting her body sideways as she slipped between ribs and landed inside Mason's chest. She found herself standing on a strange surface that she was unable to identify but was fortunate to have landed on. In front of her, the core pulsed. It was slightly larger than Priss herself, and was attached to a large metallic spine.
Mason's body was lurching back and forth as he continued to fight with Nene and Linna, but for some reason Priss found it rather easy to keep her balance. She had expected this endeavor to be more of a challenge than it was turning out to be. Mason wasn't taking any measures whatsoever to stop her.
Doesn't he realize I'm here? Priss thought. Why isn't he trying to stop me?
Priss began to approach the core cautiously, half expecting something to lunge out and attack her. But nothing happened. Nothing got in her way. It seemed that Mason had no idea that she was there. She reached the core without any problems and pulled her fist back, ready to punch. But before she could strike she was interrupted by a familiar voice calling from the streets below.
Priss! Priss, you have to get out of there!
Priss would know that voice anywhere, and as she looked down she caught a glimpse of the police officer it belonged to fighting his way past through the hoard of boomers.
It's a trap, screamed Leon frantically. He knows you're there, Priss! That's where he wants you!
Priss looked at her surroundings, thinking that it had been all too easy to reach the core. She looked down, and it suddenly dawned on her that she was standing on a circular platform. This wasn't some essential part of the structure; it was designed so that she could stand on it! How could she have been so stupid? The whole thing was a setup, and she fell for it.
Priss bolted for an opening, but she wasn't fast enough. The enormous rib cage constricted around her, sealing all gaps and encompassing her in a metallic sphere. Several tendrils sprouted from the spine and lashed out at Priss, seizing her. The whole thing happened within a matter of seconds, and before Priss had time to react she was slammed up against the wall with her arms pinned to her sides. Mason let out a sinister laugh that caused the sphere to vibrate.
It seems you have made a foolish mistake, Knight Saber, said Mason, his voice dancing with delight. I will very much enjoy killing you.
Mason's grip tightened, and Priss could feel her hardsuit beginning to fuse with the restraints that bound her. Searing pain surged throughout her entire body, and she found herself unable to stifle a scream.
Leon stared up in horror as Priss disappeared into the sphere. The other two Knight Sabers had obviously seen what happened. Linna and Nene were fighting fiercely to get to Priss, but Leon saw that it was to no avail. Any time they got anywhere close to the spherical prison, they were swatted away like insects.
Leon felt sick. He couldn't move. He couldn't breath. It felt as though a vice were tightening around his heart. He had failed. He hadn't gotten there soon enough, and now the woman he loved was going to die a horrible death. He knew that Mason was going to make her suffer before finishing her off, and knowing that made it all the more unbearable.
I have to do something! he thought to himself desperately. He doubted that he could actually make a difference, but he had to try. He couldn't just stand there frozen like an idiot while Priss was in danger. Forcing his body to respond, he pushed himself back into motion. For lack of a better idea, Leon pulled his gun from its holster and charged wildly into the fray. Shooting, punching, and screaming madly, Leon had no idea what he was doing. All thoughts drained from his mind as he began attacking everything in sight. While he might not have been a threat, he certainly was a distraction, apparently causing enough of a stir to draw the attention of the boomers congregated at Mason's feet. They turned, breaking their focus from Mason for the first time. Leon wasn't quite sure what he had done, but somehow he had pushed the boomers past the brink of agitation. As the boomers rushed toward their new target, they failed to notice the tiny figure racing toward Mason's massive feet.
Priss cried out in agony. She could feel Mason reaching into her hardsuit – reaching into her – and it was almost more than she could stand. Pain shot up her spine like lightning and burst out through every nerve in her body. Her eyes burned in her skull like coals, and the taste of blood filled her mouth. She knew she was going to die.
Then the world around her started to fade, all sensation slipping away. Pain melted into the cool relief of numbness. Priss felt like smoke, slowly drifting away from all things physical, floating toward the blackness of eternity. She could still hear Mason's sadistic laughter, but it seemed very far away now, as if separated from her by a great chasm.
I guess this is it, Priss murmured, resigning herself to her fate.
No, replied a voice, it isn't. Not for you.
Priss didn't know where the voice had come from, but she knew who it belonged to.
I'm sorry I disobeyed you, Mom. I know you told me to stay with Macky, but I couldn't let this happen.
Galatea, what are you doing here?
What I came to do.
What the hell does that mean?
I can't destroy him. But I can weaken him. I have merged with him, and I can save you. I can trade my life for yours.
Yes. This is what I came to do. This is how it's supposed to be. You are still needed here.
No! You're needed too! I need you! I need you to live, Galatea, even if I can't live with you.
I'm sorry.
Galatea, please! No!
I love you, Mom.