CHAPTER 8

"As you know," Kalb began, pacing his words slowly, as it was obvious he disliked talking and tried to avoid it as much as possible. "After news of the events at Thorney Towers reached the general public, there was considerable… speculation… on the balance between number of Psychonauts and number of tasks to be completed. And after news of the kidnapping of the head of the Psychonauts reached the world, there was a considerable outcry.

Ford Cruller, Sasha Nein, Milla Vodello, and Coach Oleander all decided that the emergencies were getting far out of hand. When it became common knowledge that even the mightiest Psychonauts could be tricked, a new plot to bring them to their knees was hatching at every corner. It was during this period of turmoil that the Psychonauts suffered considerable losses. Plans to start training new cadets were put into motion."

Kalb paused, running his hands over corresponding sides of his visor and up his faceplate. The metal glimmered softly, in accordance to the blue glow of his T-shaped visor. He shifted on his haunches and laced his hands before continuing.

"By now, however, the general public had learned the dangers of being a Psychonaut. New reports had revealed all sorts of unexpected risks, and no one was willing to put their own lives into danger. The tutors at Whispering Rock saw fewer and fewer cadets as the years passed by, and only a small few of them actually qualified to become a Psychonaut. The ranks of the psychic began to fall alarmingly.

"So, only two years ago, Cruller, Nein, Vodello, and Oleander decided that if cadets would not come willingly, they would have to create the ultimate psychic weapon. A living being, more lethal, powerful, and intelligent than any Psychonaut. A being laced to their minds, totally obedient, that they could send on the most perilous journey, and it would emerge triumphant.

"They established the BioWeapons Facility that Tsyr chased you through…" Kalb suddenly paused. A lone cigar floated up beside his face, ignited itself, and inserted itself into a tiny slot in his faceplate. He pulled it out with two fingers and breathed a puff of smoke into the air, just like Sasha had done millions of times in the past. "…you'll have to excuse this habit…"

Raz and Lili watched him confusedly. "…Why do you...smoke?" Razked confusedly.

"Quiet down, and I'll tell you," Kalb said, shaking his armored head slightly. "Anyways… they began to construct a machine that would duplicate and channel their psyche, personality, knowledge… every part of them and blend it. It should have created one being, synonymous with each of them. Instead, a design failure channeled their psyches without duplicating them. Instead, it duplicated the creature… creating Tsyr and I.

"Tsyr inherited their psychical strength and combat prowess. Immediately after separating from me, he broke free of the labs and left, never to be seen again. I, on the other hand, inherited their personalities, their knowledge, and their psychic prowess."

"Which is why you smoke, like Sasha," Lili concluded. "I bet you have a bunch of the other's habits as well. But why do you wear that armor?"

"This is not mere armor," Kalb stated flatly. "Since Tsyr inherited their psychical attributes, my body alone is too frail to move without aid. This armor functions as protection, life support, and enhances my physical functions so I can operate at a level equal to Tsyr."

"So why not fight him?" Raz asked.

"You don't understand…" Kalb said, again sounding very sad. "I can't. I don't know how, and even if I did, it's not a 'part' of me. It is a sacrifice I have paid for my powerful mind… and my soul."

"Which is why Tsyr is just a mindless killing thing," Lili said angrily.

"Mindless?" Kalb said, and began to laugh. It was not a pleasant sound, more akin to a choking noise deep in his throat than an actual chuckle. "Oh, he is far from mindless. He brought you down to the BioWeapons Facility, did he not? He learned how to use psychic powers by watching you. Don't you see? Tsyr holds the most important key to life: adaptability. He can learn."

"Well, then, you can too!" Raz practically shouted, standing up. "Tsyr may be ten times stronger than you physically, but you misunderstand something. Adapability isn't the key to life. Having a soul… being capable of emotions, and friendship… that is the key."

Kalb looked away sadly. The cigar went out, the telekinesis holding it in place following suit. Raz closed his eyes and stretched out with his mind, trying to read the being's thoughts. He was surprised at what he found.

"You admire Tsyr," Raz said, suddenly feeling very sorry for the creature in front of him. "You are tortured by your emotions. You feel chained, shackled to turmoil by them. You want to be free, knowing the one intent in life."

"He is a survivor," Kalb said, raising his long, muscular neck. "Unclouded by delusions of morality. He is alive. Me… I am dead. I am a worthless collection of souls thrown together and encased in a husk. My existence is pain, can't you see it?"

"My existence was pain," Raz said, causing Kalb to turn away but wince slightly. "Every day, weren't you paying attention? But I escaped from it. Because I have a soul, I have a reason to live. And so do you."

Kalb still wouldn't look at him.

"We have no change against Tsyr without you," Raz confessed, folding his arms across his chest. "You may not be able to fight him, but we can. And you know everything about Tsyr… you can predict his moves. With you guiding us, we can put a stop to him."

For the longest time, it seemed Kalb would deny them. Then, slowly, his serpentine neck swiveled and he turned to face him, his visor making him as apathetic as ever.

"Powerful human child," he whispered. Then, in a strangely feral voice, he said, "I agree to help you for the time being. But first we must go to the rune cavern. Far too much has been left undiscovered. If you are to fight Tsyr, you must embrace every aspect of him."