⟨Darkness⟩
I wake up recalling everything, specifically or more so memories about my histories relevant to all the realities or universes that were ruined... subjected, to be a spiral mess of chaos and disposition or need for violence which ultimately ended in entropy as a finality, all because of her, an evil that shouldn't exist let alone should be here in our plane of existence... she, the entity, was immediately aware since I am... anyway, I was bombarded, being mentally stressed by the impulse of that anomalous experience... although melancholic memories of my variants about their life was present... the cycle of being an involuntary accomplice, a conscripted player for her madness to meet her end were emphasized... after getting out of the containment impulsively twitching as consequence of the unfathomable burden I'm subjected to recall, endure, and accept... the memories were too much to bare, overwhelming me... the prominent feelings of sheer regret, rage, and melancholy tied to these memories simultaneously jabbed me in my gut which made me kneel on the floor.
... I was unsurprisingly failing thus I was beginning to go hopelessly insane as a result, but before I could lose, a soothing and also cool or minty sensation enveloped me... it was relaxing and it mitigated the madness within me to be sane... no doubt it was her doing which I didn't acknowledge at the time since it didn't cross my mind, anyway, immediately after she stimulated relevant albeit authentic memories in my mind, a method of informing and making me aware like the trivial or effortless means of Iris when... as intended, she, the entity, explained and proved that she indeed has changed for the better after evidently showing her proofs in my mind, she then spoke.
"It's unfair that you only recall the worst-" she said before being cut off by me, meanwhile as I stand up as my sheer rage and contempt for her kindled in mind.
"FUCK OFF!" I impulsively said, enraged.
"Haunt-" she begins before I cut her off by abruptly punching the floor, which if you would've been there it would be loud.
... my level of strength at that particular time was destructive, the kind that can kill a god in one hit if I wanted to... unsurprisingly, the floor was damaged but it was holding up, if it weren't for her making it impossible for me to damage it further, to punch my way through... but it was a good thing since the volatility of my impulsiveness was having it's needed pace and vent via hammering something unrelentingly to a pulp.
After a bit as I punch the floor as a impulsively means to cope or vent, whilst processing still all that I'm now aware...
Seeing and realizing that I wasn't hurting my fists and or have made no further progress of attempting to destroy the floor, my impulsive means to cope, processing what I'm entirely subjected to understand and be aware of I ceased my hostile act... fortunately, by now I had a much more organized mind, as a result my hostility or aggression, focused on her before immediately transitioning to melancholy, focusing back on my existence.
"Listen, Haunt-" she begins before once again I cut her off.
"No more," I absentmindedly and emotionlessly before I utilized my celerity.
... I intended to use my signature weapon which is my combat shovel... yes, as a weapon it's unforgiving and unworkable or inconvenient, but I manage, skillfully so... anyway I wanted kill myself by embedding it in my head, yes it's a horrible way to die but obviously I didn't thought about it... I only managed to touch my weapon before I was put in stasis, unable to move as intended she prevented me from holstering my weapon... besides it wouldn't even had mattered if she didn't stop since I was wearing my mask.
"Listen to me or I'll end this reality and more as a result," she said, threateningly and pissed off about my impulsiveness.
"... I'm the embodiment of the countless selves of me that you've-... betrayed and killed... LIED TO AND USED!" I said enraged, with sheer loathe and contempt.
"I know... but things are different now, I've changed as evidently proven," she replied, irritably.
"YOU'RE FULL OF SHIT!" I impulsively retort, enraged.
"PLEASE THINK HAUNT! Take a moment to process or think all of this through," she replied, agitated which I heed and complied unquestionably.
"... think about it, I would've never give you freedom and set you up like how I did, if I was indeed otherwise, specifically in alignment to what you recall of me," she replied, which was a crucial point.
After a moment as I quietly continue my attempt to control my rage...
"... what makes you think I'll forgive you after what you did?!" I asked as composed as I possibly can, agitated.
"I doubt it and I can't Imagine that, BUT, if you help me, I'll be able to give us both some time if we succeed in what I'm planning to do," she replied.
"What? for you to destroy and make a mess of everything once again for the hell of it, to feed!" I retort sternly.
"NO! I'm doing this purposely for us you idiot," she replied, genuinely.
"Bullshit!" I impulsively replied even if she's openly being genuine... but considering her capabilities which was unfathomable, I was unsurprisingly skeptical especially about what's indeed actually real or not.
"I can't blame you for thinking like that," she replied, annoyed that we've only wasted time so far.
"IF, I am still in alignment to what you recall of me then you know I wouldn't waste any time on you especially like this, let alone think about it... after all why should I care, it shouldn't matter to me like virtually everything, why should you matter me!?" she continues which was again a crucial point.
"... I'll give you a moment to deliberately think why you should care still, at your needed pace... I'll respect your current ongoing thoughts by muting myself in the meantime," she adds, also intending to cool off a bit after our conversation.
After a long moment whilst I quietly alternate between introspection and contemplating...
"... times up... unsurprisingly I can tell you still somehow care enough, even if you impulsively desire to kill me and yourself," she said.
"I only want you to think, understand, and cooperate... besides I'm fucked either way in the end, with or without you," she continued as I kept quiet, thinking still.
"... I've been you, I know you, and out of all the candidates that I've involuntarily conscripted you're the only one whom I've grown fond of... to the point that I felt enough genuine remorse and pity I ceased conscripting you for eons until now," she explains.
"Hence why my comment before about it's been a long time coming," she continues.
"... If you want I can show it to you as proof," she adds with a sensible "I dare you" concept.
"Show it then!" I replied sternly hence she did.
Utilizing relevant and authentic memories she trivially proved herself that she has indeed genuinely changed for the better... in our current state, I can relatively read her mind or thoughts if it wasn't clear yet, but only if she allows me... this was one of those instances wherein she openly welcomes me to be aware of her this much... from my perspective the process of her means of informing me was very long but in actuality, it was almost instantaneous... anyway, she then spoke.
"I want my time with you before I inevitably go back to blissful hell... where I'm from... ultimately, to be deleted from existence as consequence for entering your plane of existence, plus my doings... I want us to end at least in a silver lining, my deemed closure about us," she said.
"Like you genuinely give a shit," I impulsively replied, sternly as my voice cracks a bit from being stressed.
"Believe me or not, I do now... please, give me a chance Haunt, besides this will be one of my last moments before I'm ultimately gone... but before that, I want to spend my last moments with you," she replied genuinely.
... I was at a loss for words which is unsurprising, as well as not knowing what I want to do next considering I was bombarded with a lot of things to process in mind... suddenly, there's a flatline which indicates that one of my squad members just died... it's either Echo or Hesh but I absolutely didn't care.
After a moment as I quietly contemplate and introspect, deliberately...
I made my decision which genuinely surprised Juno... her sensible spike of relief was potent before she blocked me out of her mind... to be aware of her feelings and thoughts... I then spoke.
"... how far am I upgraded?" I asked as I'm unsteadily managing to restrain my contempt and rage about her and everything.
"Your skills and abilities are the same as what you're fond of and fortunately recall," she replied.
"I've deliberately upgraded you as far enough as I deemed possible that didn't end in you dying or dead... I have a feeling you'll surprise us both in the future if make it of this predicament as intended," she adds.
... reassured of my state of mind and intentions she ceased her application of stasis on me, now able to move as intended I unholstered my combat shovel and looked at it, half tempted to kill myself using it... triggered by looking at my weapon, all these memories began to creep back into my mind in an attempt to make me hopelessly insane or mad... it was like a... reminder... of all my sins and how hopeless I am set or destined for... digressing, I stood up, meanwhile she subtly helped me via her anomalous means once again hence I was able to power through... bury all that negativity deep down for now, she then spoke.
"I have to conserve my mad energy, I'll only spend when necessary thus you'll be mainly utilizing what you will have or manage to get," she said, meanwhile as I look around to realize that the room isn't the same one where I was betrayed by my comrades.
"What's the plan?" I asked, digressing and beginning to further reliably diffuse or calm down.
"Be predictable," she replied.
"Considering who we're up against, I doubt that I'll live long," I retort.
"By your lonesome, absolutely, but since you have me that won't likely happen," she replied, meanwhile as Iris then displayed a waypoint on my U.I. or HUD for me to follow as the concept of "follow and don't die," entered in my mind.
"Hopefully," I replied as I begin our journey which she sensibly smile in response.
After a moment of silence as I follow the provided waypoint...
"The Catalyst is still in one piece, hopefully by the time we get there it'll be still, otherwise, I'm setting us both to miserably fail," she said.
"It better be," I impulsively retort, sternly.
After a brief moment of silence...
"My name is Juno by the way, hence you don't need to make a stupid or cringe name to refer to me anymore," she remarks.
"Acknowledged," I replied.
Eventually...
I reached what looks like an airlock door which had an indicating light on it that's red, both of us were also sensing danger beyond it, or the adjacent room that it leads to, Juno then spoke.
"It's red hence my planned escort is dead, no surprise they're aware that we are behind this door as we are to them," she comments.
"Don't utilize tempo or rhythm to avoid the likelihood of blandness, we're likely gonna need that distinct stimulation of yours when we're up against him and or his upgraded troops," she continued which I nod in response.
... she then informed me via her effortless anomalous means on how we'll go through this, which I agreed... my rage and melancholy cement or reassured me that I'm capable, in alignment as to what I collectively recall... pessimistic that I am, I was nervous, since the likelihood of failing is never gone, especially considering who and what are my enemies now.
"Don't take long," Juno remarks.
After a brief moment of silence as I steady then steel my mind for this occasion...
"Ready," I said in mind intended for Iris, in response she played her part.
When the door made its indicative sound that it's gonna open, in that same familiar transition, instantly and simultaneously everything transitioned into a void for a second before instantly everything came to be in the adjacent room... at this point I was now stood behind an enemy, in a fast sequence, utilizing my combat shovel I decapitated him immediately via one precise swing to his neck, as intended his head immediately became a projectile that hit a nearby enemy as a result... I transition my blow to throw my combat shovel somewhere specific to my left, as intended it hit the anticipated enemy in the face... I then manipulated reality in this way which I recall, in a sudden burst of speed and momentum I instantly closed the distance between us.
... utilizing my celerity, I took out my combat shovel that's stuck in his head to then timely deflect a bullet back against an enemy from behind, killing him, immediately after I maneuvered behind the corpse to decapitate his head in the same manner so that his head became a projectile, which as intended it hit an enemy... I then dodge to my right and weaved a bit in anticipation to timely avoid getting shot for a couple of seconds before Juno teleported me... she displaced me behind another enemy who was certainly shooting at my last position.
I hit him on the back of his head hard enough, certain that his skull dent in and broke, immediately after I timely punched my free hand somewhere specifically to my left which as intended hit the anticipated enemy in the face whom had just teleported or appeared there, plus for a second there's an audible crack and I felt his face dent in, assuring me that the kill was guaranteed... I then deflect a bullet back towards an enemy before I was inevitably shot multiple times from different angles for a couple of seconds... I was unscathed but it was a painful experience considering their firearms are otherworldly.
... Juno then immediately took over my body in response hence I'm now made up of the same ethereal musou black matter as she is... immediately after Juno's piloting of me, a big bullet sensibly pass through us before she could teleport us... for a second it was dark but something was moving in front of us, it seemed like a organ, this is proven correct when Juno suddenly burst us out in a bloody and brutal explosion... as the corpse of the Mag falls behind us after she lands on the floor, bullets and explosions then began peppering us with no effect, in response she raised both of her hands presumably to aid in her intended reality manipulation... she stopped the incoming bullets around us apart from the projectiles of the Tau Cannons which were passing through us, exploding nearby or in us to no effect.
The bullets that were caught began repositioning in the air for only a bit before she closed both of her hands into a fists, as a result instantly and simultaneously all the bullets shot back against the enemies... the bullets were presumably doubled or amplified in momentum or velocity unlike originally, which was to guarantee kills... anyway, immediately after an enemy suddenly appeared in front of us which she immediately shot out a pure red plasma-like beam via her right hand... it instantly disintegrated the enemy and was converted into this cloud of musou black matter which Juno absorbs.
... as a result of this, it threateningly hurt her thus me as well, whilst we're both in a state of pain, reacting, suddenly an enemy appeared who instantly shot out a bolt of visibly white potent bolt of electricity from his hands, his attack connects to us in an electrifying and concussive manner thus intensifying what we're already feeling, honestly I thought we were gonna die at that point... she and I at this state wherein she's keeping me safe from within her, we will feel any pain equally... anyway, in response to the intense threatening pain Juno immediately quit her influence on myself hence I was back to my normal tangible armored self.
Utilizing my celerity I unholstered then threw my combat shovel at the enemy which he managed dodge, I was then surprised when my weapon hit the side of his head, killing him, no doubt it's because of Juno who then immediately return my combat shovel back to me via telekinesis... at the instant upon retrieval I swung it conveniently at a specific direction, as intended it smacked the face of the anticipated enemy, immediately after I transition my blow to block then deflect a streak of bullets back towards a shooter... out of nowhere, an enemy Golem suddenly appeared which I unfortunately didn't anticipate... it grabbed me firmly by the throat before I could react, Juno instantly piloted me hence we both felt the second the grasp of the Golem constricts intending to break my neck.
The Golem then disappeared before Juno could do something, it's disappearance revealed the variant of the enemy which shoots out potent bolts of electricity, who already albeit calculatedly shot, Juno dodge this meanwhile as I felt myself gaining momentum for a bit second before she immediately propelled me towards the enemy... in anticipation beforehand, I hit him with my shoulder conveniently which knocked him down on the floor on his back, I swiftly kicked him in the head as he attempts to stand up before I stepped on his chest then stomped his head, crushing and splatting it on the floor as a result.
... the Golem then suddenly appeared in front of me as it already albeit calculatedly swung, intending to land a punch as an opener for combat... fortunately, I anticipated this hence I dodge its attacks, meanwhile, at that moment, with the white electric projectile bolts used by our enemies fresh in my mind, it reminded me of a capability... as I dodge I charged up the entirety of my right arm conveniently to deliver a concussive punch... the tenseness I feel in my arm from doing this is the indication of the level of force, plus the electricity that's kindling within that's waiting to be released... I timely punch the Golem on the face which connects in an electrifying concussive manner, denting his face and sending it back a couple of meters away from me as a result, I looked back at Juno to see the moment she spiritually slithered towards me, trivially closing the distance between us.
"We're good, let's move," she said as she reside back within me.
After I impulsively look around for a bit intending to reassure that our safety is indeed absolute, I glanced at my right arm to unsurprisingly see the entirety of my equipment and my clothing there are still intact or undamaged, in addition, I also timely see the visible electrifying aspect of my arm nullified into being non-existent coupled by its anomalous sensation fade away... I holster my combat shovel as I hastily continued on with our journey onwards, but stopped briefly on the way out of the spacious room to loot for a bit, as a result I was now armed with a Tau Cannon and an H.E. grenade.
"So much for being subtle, your route is linear," I comment as I hastily stride.
"Predictability Haunt, that's the first step," she reminds.
"And if your friend just appears out of nowhere and kills me instantly because we're being further predictable?" I asked, agitated.
"He can sense the distinct signature of the madness energy within me like I can sense his relatively across the multiverse, the only reason why he wouldn't just show up and end us is that he wants to savor the moment... see how this all plays out," she replied.
"He's aware that I will inevitably face him nonetheless, in the end, confident that I'll fail," she adds.
"What makes you think that's the case?" I asked.
"Our adversary is authorized and purposely sent here in the domain of this plane of existence your's to bring me back," she replied.
"... the potency and intensity of his chaotic and madness energy is evident that he wasn't tempted, specifically of spending significantly of his power on his endeavor whilst being here, unlike me which has been spent over time, especially because of my curiosity, ambitions, and also boredom... even if he did, it wouldn't compare to mine unless if he's stupid, unfortunate for us he has intellect," she continues.
"... you're already aware of what I'm capable of at my prime state, it's absurdly easy for him to end all of this and us if he wanted to in a hurry, hence it's definite he's just toying what's been laid out for him to deal with... I would too if I were in his shoes considering what we are," she adds, which I didn't respond, but I acknowledged and kept what she said in mind as I vigilantly continue onwards.
"I don't know what's going on in his head but seeing that he's taking his time could likely also mean something else... where I originate from is indeed blissfully hellish, at least for Auditors like myself," she said.
"... I were so fond of it and eager I would've ended my quest trivially to get back to my place, my reality, to resume in relishing upon the madness there," she adds.
"For fuck sake, I wish I could kill beings like you," I impulsively replied, frowning and stern.
"This is hopeless then," I add as I stop.
"Just a likelihood Haunt, besides after what we'll subject him to, if we succeed, he'll certainly be pissed off enough to focus entirely in bringing me back with him, I can imagine to witness and relish upon my punishment, which I bet is painful termination," she replied which made me continue, conflicted in mind, whether to be hopeful or doubtful.
After a moment of silence as I stride whilst quietly in deep thought...
"Your friend will certainly fall for it right?" I asked.
"Hopefully," she replied.
"Hopefully?" I retort.
"Yeah, hopefully," she replied.
"... we're gonna fail and die," I comment, impulsively.
"Probably, but it's either we act and take our chances or give up and do nothing," she replied.
A tinge of her nervousness and worry was then sensible which she immediately blocked me out the second I was aware... I digress or didn't instigate an argument... for the most part, because I didn't care enough and that the concept or thought of "I'm gonna die anyway, what's the point," was prominent in my mind.
After a brief moment of silence...
"I... I appreciate you," she said which weirded me out in a way as a result.
"... you're fucking welcome, also means I'm doing horribly in emphasizing more of how much I loathe you Juno," I replied in mind, as I stride which made her chuckle.
"Even if you loathe me, I appreciate you putting up with me... let alone trust me enough to stay on my side," she replied.
"... I could betray you, but how... besides you'll know and can effortlessly end me in response... I don't trust your friend unlike you since I know enough about you... doesn't mean I wouldn't be skeptical of you," I said as my contempt about her began to creep back in my mind.
... she didn't respond, digressing, I continued on... I then notice the side effects of my condition, as a result of being upgraded to this level and especially somehow recalling everything, I was shaking and at random I'll involuntarily twitch, my body's impulsive means to cope for all the trauma and misery that I'm burdened to accept, especially live with.
After a moment of silence...
"Hesh has changed too you know," Juno said.
"... no shit," I impulsively replied.
"She wouldn't have sounded that melancholic if otherwise," she continued thus making me impulsively tense and restrain my sudden spike of loathe and anger as a result.
"Her play pretend and deception has improved, unsurprisingly an impeccable liar she is like you," I replied as I conceptually dismiss the concept of talking about her.
"True, but it wasn't all an act," she replied genuinely.
"What's the point of this?" I impulsively replied, annoyed, as I stopped walking.
"... I'm just saying," she replied.
After a bit of silence...
I continued on, digressing, we went through particular parts of the facility, inevitably encountering trouble and heavy resistance along the way but we unsurprisingly managed... yes, along the way, we also encountered on-site personnel as well as surviving troops... they did their absolute best to help, some even heavily contributed to making our journey through parts of the facility much more convenient or less time-consuming... those moments felt kinda weird for me, especially of having her troops fighting alongside with me, at times sacrificing themselves... although every fight was fought hard and well, only four out of seven instances had ended wherein Juno and I were the only ones left alive... the ones who survived were ordered by Juno to hold their ground and survive, which they unsurprisingly complied.
... as for my thoughts on or about Juno's troops, I have respect for them, especially because of of their valor, courage, loyalty, and discipline... even if they're purposely created mainly as killer combatants, alternatively cannon fodder... them stepping up especially in the face of certain death as proven many times over of what I recall... they aren't afraid to fail and die, no matter how hopeless of what they're up against, they'll always do their best.
After some time, eventually...
Arriving in the spacious and wide kill hallway which will lead us to the "Core" room of Site Alpha, Juno and I happen to be behind the bunch of enemies that are currently engaging the fortifications ahead, where there are friendly units utilizing it to hold their ground, Juno presumably fed up of the resistance simultaneously killed all the enemies instantly... upon nearing the huge door that's located behind the fortifications utilized by the friendlies then opened to reveal the massive and spacious adjacent room... inside this was the machine Juno dubbed as the "Catalyst" is in, meanwhile as two friendly Brutes went out of the room and positioned themselves nearby the fortifications... once inside the huge airlock door behind us automatically closed as I took in the view of the entirety of her creation.
"... all this for a teleporter?" I asked, looking at the Catalyst.
"It's not just a teleporter, plus it isn't meant for us," she replied as she stimulated concepts in my mind hence she trivially explained its intended purpose as well as our plan.
"And if for some reason it didn't go as planned?" I asked.
"Then that means I'll have to improvise, but I'm certain it'll go as planned... relatively... if you could only understand," she replied.
"I understand that we're fucked," I retort which made her grin before giggling, suddenly gunfire is then audibly heard on the side of the door we went through to get inside here.
"... how long should we hold this for?" I asked a tad bit annoyed.
"I set it up to four minutes hence we'll only be here to just put on a show as the spectacle unfolds," she replied.
Juno then went out, she spent some of her own chaotic or mad energy to materialize or create her distinct version of the Golem and Brute, she specifically spawned in 2 Golems and a Brute... the Golems had an SMG as their primary, specifically a PP-19 Bizon, meanwhile the Brute had a big or modified M429 machine gun as its primary... moreover, they all had a shield rig on their back, all three then activated their forcefield which protects them from frontal attacks via projectiles, even from Tau Cannons... the outline radius of their shield glowed in an indicating orange for a second before it transitioned to be transparent then invisible, since I had keen vision or perception I could still see the outline.
... Juno simultaneously hit all three with a pure red thread of matter which caused all three to levitate briefly before stopping once Juno ceased... by this point all three of her troops had now a transparent black flamelike aspect on their head, meanwhile, their eyes are now a patch of glowing blood red... she then resided within me immediately after as my three comrades went to their defensive positions... specifically the two Golems are in the front, facing the direction where we anticipate the enemies teleport at, meanwhile, the Brute is at the back... I'm was the middle between the gap of the friendly Golems.
"What happened to them?" I asked as I reloaded my custom gun with an unspent magazine, all of which I got from a dead facility guard... the gun specifically was the CMMG Banshee MK10 particularly the 10mm variant.
"I've possessed all three, they'll be more stronger, keen, quick to react, and will have remarkably high pain tolerance as a result," Juno replied.
"Iris prepare," she continued.
"Will do," Iris replied before the Catalyst then initiated its starting up procedure.
A multitude of lights, indicating sounds, and autonomous integrated parts initiated their function and purpose as a result.
After a moment as I quietly look at the machine booting up, admiring its beauty...
"For a humbug it's beautiful isn't it?" she asked as the lights of the Catalyst glisten all around the spacious room.
"Yeah, but unsurprising since you're one for aesthetics without compromise," I replied.
"It's like one of the metaphors of life," I add referring to her machine.
"... what?" Juno asked, presumably wasn't paying attention to what I said.
Meanwhile, the gunfire on the other side of the door then audibly intensified hence making me uneasy and tense.
"... he's nearby and aware," Juno said.
"No shit," I impulsively replied.
"... we don't want to bite off more than we can chew hence if your allies are getting overwhelmed, I recommend you help them because we can't do this alone," she adds.
"We're only five in total, for now at least hence we'll certainly be occupied on our end during combat," I remark as I glance at my comrades.
"I'll find a way to set you up, worry less and stay sharp," she replied before sensibly smiling.
"... hopefully it goes as intended then," I replied.
"... don't get too pressured, if things get too dire I'll do what I must, we're in this together," she said.
"... just like old times then," I replied which made her sensibly smirk.
"But this time it's different, without any of the bullshit... also we have mutually something to lose if we fail, especially both time and ourselves," she replied.
"... what if this friend of yours decided to be a prick, taking out the Catalyst?" I asked.
"He can try," Juno replied before sensibly smirking which made me more confident as a result.
After a long tense moment as we wait...
The audible gunfire then abruptly ceased hence the only thing that's audible are the sounds or noises the Catalyst makes.
"Ready and holding," Iris said intended for the both of us.
"Begin," Juno replied intended for Iris.
The Catalyst then began its seemingly standard procedure in an amplifying spectacle, also in an impeccably believable manner, Iris then spoke via the P.A. system that's present in the spacious room.
"Initializing, four minutes until completion," Iris announces.
A timer of four minutes then appeared on my HUD or U.I. which immediately began counting down, suddenly there's this sheer feeling of danger and dread in front of us, suddenly an enemy Mag that had a shotgun as a primary appeared or teleported ahead of us, in response, our Brute that's behind us immediately shot it in bursts utilizing its specialized M249, killing it before it can do anything... as the corpse of the Mag falls, in a fast sequence, suddenly a multitude of enemies then appeared in the room, some instantly calculatedly shot as their opener for combat, the others meanwhile charged at us intending to melee... since my allies had armor on they weren't killed, they immediately began defending... I recalled how to manipulate reality in this particular way, I utilized this capability of mine in response to the beginning of this assault, as a result everything was then absurdly slow.
... in my means of manipulating time and reality, from my perspective, red hue was visibly present all around like vague mist or subtle smoke.. instinctually I mitigate the effect or hold of time on me, my gun, and its bullets hence enabling me to conveniently move as of I'm not affected, as a result I was able to shoot thus kill 8 enemies uncontested... using this capability of mine there's this tingly sensation, present in my head or specifically my brain... in the duration of me eliminating eight enemies, this sensation transitioned into something horrific... I describe it as a gradually horrific burning sensation, this duration could've been more if it weren't for my previous reliance of this capability which stacks stress this in my mind and literal brain... although I could endure it to extend it's duration but since at that time, it's been eons since I've experienced it, as a result it was kinda new thus impulsively I quit my utilization of reality immediately in response.
... when everything resumed I was then immediately and inevitably shot as I continued shooting, until an enemy got close enough to melee me... in response, utilizing my celerity, I punched him in the face which dented his skull as a result, meanwhile as I utilize my right hand that's holding onto my gun to shoot thus kill two enemies which accompanied him... they were also intending to melee me, anyway, Juno then piloted me immediately after before a multitude of bullets sensibly pass through us... at a glance, the source came from two enemy Brutes which Juno then impaled utilizing the floor, as bullets and some projectiles of Tau Cannons continue to go through us, I meanwhile felt myself gaining momentum from within her for a bit before I was propelled in front of her.
In anticipation I conveniently ram an enemy via my shoulder which knocked him on the floor on his back as a result, I then shot him in the face to realize my gun had just depleted it's ammunition... suddenly a portion of the floor came up in front of me hence blocking my line of sight from the enemies ahead, it was an artificial cover provided by Juno no doubt... I intended to reload my gun but when I took out the empty magazine of my weapon, in anticipation, I then utilized it to stab an enemy in the throat whom suddenly appeared in front of me, I immediately pulled it out then threw it at the face of a nearby approaching enemy before utilizing my celerity... I headbutt the enemy whom I stabbed in the throat which made him stagger back as I quickly reloaded my weapon, immediately after I shot both before they could do anything.
... at a glance, I saw Juno was dual-wielding two Tau Cannons and was at the enemies in my direction who are beyond my artificial cover... I also see the friendly Brute in the background, utilizing its pistol to shoot at enemies as its forcefield visibly block bullets and even the projectiles of Tau Cannons... anyway, I then focused on eliminating enemies from either of the flanks which is still being guarded by a friendly Golem... suddenly, an enemy Mag then appeared which was immediately shot to death by our fellow Brute, meanwhile as our enemies have now begun utilizing smokescreens to cover their assault and themselves in the ensuing mayhem... Juno then raised multiple portions of the floor to create artificial walls of cover and obstacles which made it difficult for our enemies.
After a tense and hectic four minutes of combat and trying to survive, eventually...
"Configuration complete, awaiting deliverance," Iris announces as the timer on my HUD or U.I. then instantaneously disappeared, since its countdown was done.
Suddenly, all the enemies simultaneously and instantly disappeared thus my timely swing intended for an enemy, caused me to smack nothing but air... all three of my originally provided allies as defenders were surprisingly still alive and accounted for, considering the situation gradually developed or progressed more unfavorably for us that Juno had to spawn in her own version of the Mag and an eleven-man squad to help out... they did so effectively, but they all died in the end... the area of the room is a mess... anyway, I made my way back to the Catalyst with consistent hasty strides, I abruptly stop when there's this distinct sheer sense of dread and danger in front of me, specifically in the way to reaching the Catalyst.
... the potent aura of the distinct madness signature Auditors like Juno carry was sensible, but this one is more potent and disturbing... anyway, this dark matter which had flame-like a characteristic or aspect was now present in front us, Juno immediately piloted me to disintegrate her two Golems and the Brute which became a Musou Black matter which she absorbs... the matter belonging to our adversary then quantified to ultimately form or materialize himself... his flame-like aspect is emphasized and lively unlike Juno's occasional slow and steady pattern, plus his eyes were glowing blood red patches unlike Juno's grey... suddenly, there's this distinct familiar sense and notion of anticipation, particularly declaring that now's the time to initiate my stimulative boost... Juno out of curiosity made it so that my hobby for vibing which is one of my means to cope, will now be an activated skill, an enhancing stimulant for combat when I want it.
"Playing Turbo Killer by Carpenter Brut," Iris then said.
⟨Music Plays⟩
Once the music starts, Juno sensibly smirked in response since the likelihood of blandness or ineffectiveness in the context of me utilizing my boost is now invalid, especially since my mind is stimulated... at this state it's positive effects on me is that it enhances my keenness, resilience and adaptable strength... best way I can describe it is that the music made me feel numb but happy in mind, a way for compensating for the relatively albeit gradually amplified concept of relevant rage and melancholy within me, that I can align in attunement to the music or song.
... it added a sense of drive and deliberate recklessness... in other words, it contributed to the configuration of my mindset to mitigate my conscience and guilt to an extent that I'm still capable of being deliberate and rational... it was like a stimulating drug that basically encourages and assures me that it's necessary to have fun whilst I let loose my seriousness albeit homicidal and violent self... this peculiar perk of mine solely relies on whether my mind and brain are impulsively stimulated upon exposure, luckily at that moment it was considering for me it's been a long time since I've heard it.
"Hello, Juno," the adversary said before he materialized two electrical bladed weapons on both of his hands.
"Bullshi- you're the most disciplined and principled? Cringe," she replied as we both sense a gradually increasing sense and concept of danger behind us.
Juno then looked behind in response, meanwhile, as I remain looking at our adversary with sheer antipathy and apathy albeit in an impulsive trance... deceptively we both appear to be looking in the same direction specifically where Juno is facing but in actuality, we are facing different directions... Juno made me aware of the kind of trouble that's behind us via her effortless palpable, conceptual, or anomalous means... basically, there were a lot of enemies who were equipped in the adversarie's own distinct and technologically advanced clothing and equipment, plus all of them were possessed... directed to our adversarie's troops who are all on stand by for now behind us, they're relatively feasible or manageable to combat but is beyond unfair... they're possessed and that we're up against an indeterminate scale of an army, considering that the adversary can continuously spawn more if he wanted to.
"Such wasted potential and weak you've become, desperate so much and stooped so low you have to let a being in this plane of existence carry you... inevitably to face me," the adversary said before walking towards us, meanwhile, I felt myself gaining momentum.
"Don't swing, let it happen," Juno meanwhile said to me in mind which I heed.
She then conceptually albeit effortlessly informed or made me aware of why via her anomalous means before suddenly, she shocked herself potently for a fraction of a second... we both felt the threatening pain equally, but as planned she manipulated reality in her known way that these potent current of electricity are conveniently stuck to me... I instantly rammed or collided to our adversary in an electrifying and concussive manner which threateningly hurt and unsurprisingly knocked me back... fortunately, as what Juno intended, the impact knocked back our adversary far back enough for the Catalyst to register his presence, as a result, in a fast sequence, the Catalyst tethered him in place as the containment chamber set up behind him, he was then forcefully pulled back into the containment chamber before it immediately closed after.
The Catalyst then in a spectacle manner lit up and sounded off for an instant before it ceased, immediately the particular sense of the adversary's potent and sinister aura was gone ergo indicating his involuntary leave, instead what replaced his sensible sinister presence was Juno... I stood up and looked back at her to see that she has indeed regained enough from our adversary... moreover, her eyes were now familiarly glowing blood red, she had a more consistent flame-like pattern and from her madness or sinister signature alone, the Catalyst was a success and had done what was intended, suddenly, Juno then teleported in front of me to immediately resided back within me.
For a second I got to see the multitude of enemies that were all presumably blinded or dazed by her... in a fast sequence, multiple enemies suddenly appeared in front of me... one intended to melee me, managing in immediate response I dodge her blow then punched her in the face which dented, instinctually I then raised my right hand somewhere in front of me in anticipation hence I block a bullet... I was then inevitably shot at from multiple angles on the face by multiple enemies all at once... I was unscathed because of my armor and clothing... impulsively, I raised both my arms to conveniently shield my face in response thus they targeted my stomach and legs instead.
... the bullets only stung and are startling, this was only for countable seconds though until I was teleported behind an enemy which I headbutted in the back of his head... utilizing his body as a meat shield or bullet sponge, I grabbed then utilize his weapon, which fortunately was a Tau Cannon, Juno then immediately raised portions of the floor behind me to create a wide and tall artificial wall, a barrier to separate us from the group of enemies that are in the area behind us, which by now they've more than likely have recovered from being dazed or blindly flashed.
"Purging entirety," Iris said, no doubt by Juno's command.
... the entire facility began to shake, plus as a result her purging, sensibly Juno began regained some more of her energy to an extent back as a result, since all she created were being undone and absorbed back... at this point, the enemy I'm using as a meat shield is now just a corpse riddled with bullets and had lost some chucks... I then instinctually manipulate reality in a way that I recall hence artificial forces fabricated by me via my anomalous means, sufficiently held the corpse up as I kept on shooting, utilizing my celerity to kill efficiently... I was prioritizing enemies that had a Tau Cannon as their primary weapon for the sake of my cover.
Juno then effortless or trivially made me aware of how she'll set me up via her anomalous means, meanwhile as I shot two more enemies... complying to her request I then throw the Tau Cannon in front towards an enemy and before my weapon could collide, she overcharged it which imploded as a result, obliterating the enemy and also dazing his comrades, because of the Tau Cannon's blinding implosion of bright blue and orange light... she then unholstered a flashbang from the corpse that I've still kept being held up, Juno offered to it me via telekinesis which I grabbed before she teleported or displaced me... she displaced me behind an enemy who's still recovering from being dazed, but presumably he anticipated or sensed my whereabouts because he faced my direction with his gun up, impulsively, I headbutted him in the face in response thus making my mask more bloody as a result.
I was then immediately teleported or displaced behind another enemy, in anticipation I backhanded him on the side of his face which dented before I manipulate reality in the way that I recall for a second albeit instinctually, as intended, in a sudden burst of speed and momentum I then ram or collided to a nearby enemy thus he fell on the floor on his back... utilizing my celerity, I stepped on his chest then stomped his head before I timely dodge to my left, turning to face the direction of the shooters as I threw the now unpinned flashbang in my hand in their direction... I proceeded to timely dodged and dashed more a bit to my right hence avoiding getting shot, in anticipation I suddenly weave a bit, timely dodging bolts of electricity as a result.
... meanwhile, Juno was utilizing some of the dropped guns on the bloody floor via telekinesis which at the moment were levitating and shooting, at times also thrown or propelled at the enemies, often hard enough that the weapon will be embedded in them... suddenly, a multitude of enemies or reinforcements then appeared, fortunately, the flashbang I threw timely exploded hence blinding them as I immediately unholstered my combat shovel... I wasn't affected by the flashbang because of my H.P. Mask... anyway, Juno suddenly teleported in the middle of the fray hence managing in immediate response, I smacked a nearby dazed enemy on the side of his face hard enough, that his head came off to hit a nearby enemy in the face as a result... I then threw my combat shovel immediately after at an enemy before I punched another nearby on the face via my left hand which broke his head entirely, meanwhile as Juno kept utilizing any fallen nearby weapons via telekinesis against our enemies.
... she immediately utilized her telekinesis to retrieve my combat shovel back to me, at the instant that my weapon was conveniently back onto my hand I timely deflect a bullet back against an enemy utilizing it, before another multitude of new enemies appeared, but this time they have now had a Brute involved hence presumably in anticipated response Juno immediately piloted me timely before the Brute shot... suddenly, everything seemingly had a negative filter on before instantly and simultaneously everything disappeared, replaced by this vast bright white plane expanse of nothingness.
"The fuck?" I impulsively comment, surprised as I looked around a bit.
... I was confused, especially by how I'm still standing considering there's nothing anywhere.. Juno then effortless explain via her conceptually palpable means that this is one of the ways it's like when transitioning to another dimension or alternate reality... suddenly, the troops of the adversary then appeared, Juno in immediate response sprouted out a multitude of whip-like tendrils made up of the same material or matter she's made up of, she utilized these to hit multiple enemies at once, some were even cut in half... Juno was then hit by bolts of electricity hence she quit her bodily influence and resided back within me to take cover, as a result, I was back to my physical and armored self.
After a moment of intense combat and trying to survive...
Suddenly, the entire plain white expanse of nothingness relatively amplified in its brightness as outlines of surfaces, objects, and figures then rapidly began to for all around... the expanse blindingly amplified furthermore to the point that my H.P. Mask almost couldn't keep up to mitigate it for my sake... the next thing I knew I bumped my back into a marble column thus I damaged it... there were enemies in front of me that are still recovering from the bright flash of light... at a glance we were now in a wide and spacious throne room... presumably in another reality wherein it's medieval times, anyway, I wasted no time utilizing the opportunity to melee most of the dazed enemies utilizing my celerity and combat shovel... yes in the process I also utilized dropped weapons of the enemies against them as well.
After nearing a minute of hectic and bloody violence...
As Juno addressed the enemies at her end whilst I dealt with mine, at some point, at a glance I notice medieval knights and a distinct cloaked figure at the distance looking at the escalating bloody mayhem before Juno went back to me... she suddenly piloted me before immediately after, everything transitioned in the same manner as before, hence we were now back in the white plane expanse of nothingness, she then spoke.
"A minute max before I can reliably transition us elsewhere, that cheeky bastard-" she then said before abruptly stopping when enemies began appearing, plus there's now an enemy Mag involved.
After some time of constant hectic and violently bloody combat, plus instances of teleportation from different realities or dimensions, eventually...
As everything became to be all around, I immediately threw my combat shovel at the head of the dazed Brute hence embedding itself into its head, Juno then timely retrieved my combat shovel back onto my hand that I was able to utilize it to timely deflect a bullet back against an enemy... I then smacked another that just teleported in front of me in anticipation before the rest of the enemies simultaneously yet instantaneously disappeared... I then noticed some of the portions of the corpses began melting, specifically, those that are exposed to the sunlight, all the corpses then in a familiar disintegration fashion disappeared, presumably as a countermeasure against Juno and myself... I then looked around to see nothing but barren landscape subjected by the heat and sunlight, it's then I recall a memory of this phenomenon hence realizing the kind of reality we are currently in.
"We're lucky we didn't happen to teleport on top of one of those fags," I remark.
"No shit," Juno replied as her manipulation of reality was sensible within me.
... in this particular kind of reality, the sun which is an entity has turned against humanity, in another alternate reality which I recall... the SCP Foundation for some reason had the time and found it necessary to entitle it, particularly the entirety of the phenomena, namely SCP-001, also known as "When Day Breaks".
"We're out in the open," I remark as I impulsively stare at the sun briefly with sheer contempt and loathe... I swear I sense something in response from it.
"The sun will warn its nearby creations," I continue as I look around the barren environment.
"I'm aware Haunt, I made sure we aren't sensible by both the sun and its abominations... but we need to relocate it's likely both are aware of our last known location before I was able to cloak our presence sufficiently," she replied.
... I holstered my combat shovel back onto my personalized H.P. Vest before I began walking away from our current location, in response to what Juno said... the entirety of my equipment from a visual standpoint has similarities to the variant I was provided by Baseline and worn even before I was upgraded, in addition my personalized equipment in its entirety is the variant she constructed specifically for me... apparently, I didn't know this at the time but a variant of mine contributed in the construction and concept of my set of armor.
After a moment of silence as I hastily stride...
"... why did they give up?" I asked, skeptical.
"I don't know which is worrisome... but at least they gave you a breather," she replied, genuinely.
"... how about you just continue to transition us elsewhere whilst they're gone?" I asked.
"No matter how many dimensions or alternate realities I transition us to, they can still trivially find us, besides I would've already done that if it would give us time or rather be of any help, don't you think," she replied, sensibly a tad bit annoyed.
"... we're up against an Auditor whose state of power isn't like mine, even now, Haunt," she reminds.
"... I'm only teleporting us because our survivability needs it, it's definite we'll be easily overwhelmed considering it's only us against his army of augmented and possessed... he plans to whittle down my power also your sanity over time until either we or one of us breaks thus why we're in fight and flight," she continued.
"They're feeding me in the process but it isn't enough to compensate for the amount of what I'll spend just so I could reliably transition us to somewhere else... time and repetition is on his side in the long run... unfortunately so is damned boredom," she adds.
"How do you plan to buy us some time and stay true to what you said to me?" I asked, meanwhile as my contempt and anger for kindle a bit in my mind.
"I had something set-up, a contingency plan but it'll only be temporary, it should provide us ample time for me to hopefully set it relatively right between us, as a sort of formal closure... as formal as I can get it to be," she replied.
"Our adversary is right, my demise is inevitable... but before that, I want to add another deemed worthwhile and soothing memory so that I'll relatively feel better about myself... particularly us, hence you and I," she continued.
"... unfortunately, we have to bear the brunt of what's certainly will come back, to make my contingency plan believable hence succeed as intended," she adds.
"... I'll do my best not to break then, even if we both know that's going likely to happen since I'm human," I replied.
"... why should I even try, why the fuck am I complying, your means of a closure about us doesn't even come close to offset, heck it's not even guaranteed it'll happen especially as intended... why even me?" I asked.
"... I can guarantee we'll be able to help people, also yes it doesn't even come close to offset, but think of the opportunities to help people which I intend to deliver... *sigh* look, Haunt, whatever you decide from here on now, it's all you... although I absolutely won't be happy if you choose the end, I'll respect it, I respect you," she replied which I didn't respond unsure how to respond, let alone proceed.
"... as to why I pick or chose you instead of the other candidates... it's because... like I said, I've grown used to you... you're tolerable unlike virtually everyone else... besides your strangeness I find amusing but intriguing," she adds.
At this point, the best way I can describe is that everything was so disorganized for me that I'm basically lost... I don't know what to do... what are my wants... why, plus what should I feel, let alone how to proceed from here... I continued whilst indulging in my thoughts, even if its a mess at that moment considering there's a lot to process... suddenly, Juno unintentionally unmaintained her blockade concerning this connection or link of our minds... typically this blockade is maintained active so that I won't be aware of her thoughts and feelings, unless if she wanted to... this instance wasn't the case, it was a slip-up, thus for a second, her genuine worry and a tinge of her sadness was sensible... she was immediately aware of this since I knew thus she instantly blocked me in response... she was sad and worried about something I didn't know... I didn't instigate or pry, in response to my decision she conceptually expressed her respect and appreciation which I neglect relatively in mind.
After a brief moment of silence whilst I'm quietly in deep thought as I stride...
"... is this one of those realities wherein it's rare, is it rare?" I asked.
"Throughout my journeys in the multiverse, I've only encountered eleven so far, none of which I've tried to save, to be honest," she replied.
"You didn't just tamper or manipulate logic and reality to effortlessly resolve it by your means?" I asked, sternly as my contempt for her spiked.
"Because I haven't changed for the better yet during those times, and when I eventually did it still wasn't and even now it still isn't a worthwhile endeavor to invest in... If only you could understand," she replied.
"Besides, tampering logic and manipulating reality too much via my means in your plain of existence could likely lead towards unforeseen consequences," she adds before sensibly shrugging.
"... it didn't stop or deter you from what I recall," I retort, sternly.
"... the unforgivingly and absolute worst of me is in the past Haunt," she replied.
"Fingers crossed," I replied, doubtful which made her frown.
After a brief moment of silence whilst I quietly introspect...
"... so much for that Foundation saying," I comment.
"We die in the dark, so you can live in the light," she replied.
"... yeah, the light is fucked especially here," I replied which made her chuckle in response.
After a moment of silence whilst I'm reminiscing...
"... what did you do to get by when you've for some reason dedicated yourself to be consistent in striving to be... relatively benevolent via means and intent?" I asked, skeptical.
"... I was considerate and introspective of how I can feed myself and my power in other ways, eventually I ultimately decided to just go to various alternate realities and establish an organization, intended or dedicated of helping humanity against anomalies, the unnatural," she replied.
"I stuck with it since I'm fighting for a benevolent cause, certainly feeding myself in the process from all the arising conflicts in my time of service," she continued.
After a brief moment of silence as I quietly reminisce...
"It's like an intervention," I comment.
"Yeah, in a way it is... but it's more leaning into my selfish ambitions and wants," she retorts before sensibly grinning which made me frown.
"Don't get me wrong, my means which you recall hence you relatively loathe me for is still efficient and effective... but it got to the point that in a way it has become repetitive and bland for me," she continued.
"... I wanted something new... to be honest, this level of... benevolence and empathy... I'm still not fond of it but, I'm relatively getting used to it over time, she adds.
"... that's something hopefully good at least if you are being genuine and true to what you said," I replied.
"... I've been trying or striving to," she replied, genuinely.
After a brief moment of silence as I quietly contemplate and reminisce...
I then see a huge mass of blob that's presumably mixed flesh of multiple individuals and different beings in the distance... slithering about at a fast pace, I ignored it as I vigilantly moved on, Juno then spoke.
"I've only witnessed this alternate reality once wherein everything was normal... granted it's not the only one as evidently proven by myself since-" she said before she abruptly interrupted herself in response to my thoughts.
"Relax, I didn't do anything loathe worthy," she said, genuinely and reassuringly which settled my mind.
"Anyway, as evidently proven by myself since sensibly I can via my trivial or effortless anomalous means, I identified it's other presence across the multiverse... confirming that this reality is indeed very rare to find, as also evidently proven by me of only coming across it once by chance, purely accidental too," she said.
"However your kind in that reality has set themselves to risk potential extinction in the long run... such a shame, plus I'm both amused and disappointed, but it is what it is," she continued before she proved herself to be genuine.
"Holy shit," I impulsively comment, in surprised disbelief in response to the realization that there are realities wherein it's absolute normalcy.
"Again by far the rarest, I don't regret leaving it all as it is... plus it's one of the things that inspired me to... change... or strive for something new... gave me interesting ideas and concepts," she said.
"... I'm just glad you didn't probe or tamper anything with any of your machinations or some bullshit," I comment which made her sensibly grin in response.
"You trust my words that easily now?" she asked before sensibly smirking.
"So you're bullshitting then?" I asked, sternly, as I stopped walking, as my contempt and loathe for her kindled.
"No! just look," she replied before she stimulated authentic concepts and memories to genuinely confirm that she's being genuine.
"Good... I gotta cling onto some hope at least, even if it's only a glimmer at this point," I replied which she sensibly nodded in response.
After a moment of small talk...
"... what made you trust me even after you knew about everything? I didn't pay enough attention to you at that moment so... I want to hear it from you again," she asked.
"... I know you hence I relatively trust you more unlike our adversary... you made sense, considering also the opportune benefit of time... plus I'm tarnished by your madness thus I'm an anomaly of your work, hence it's definite that your friend will end me either way," I replied.
"You could've killed yourself thus it would've significantly made it difficult for me to do anything-" she said before I abruptly spoke.
"Because I want to indulge in the likelihood of seeing you get killed and or struggle, that's why!" I impulsively albeit sternly retorted, with sheer contempt and loathe which made her giggle.
After a brief moment of silence...
"Yeah... in a way time is indeed the ruler of everything," she replied.
"... yet here I am idiotically trusting you again, more so especially for something uncertain," I said which made her sensibly grin before she shook her head a bit in response.
"Honestly repeating familiar steps, mistakes," I add.
After a moment of silence as I quietly contemplate and reminisce...
"... can you just be you and vibe? seriously," she asked.
"Oh, um... sure," I replied surprised and a bit flustered.
After a brief moment of silence as I quietly contemplated...
"Playing Ruler Of Everything by TallyHall," Iris then said.
⟨Music Plays⟩
Juno then sensibly grinned and relaxed in response, plus considering this is the first time I've experienced something like this with her it was strange... this moment we shared was soothing and meditative for us both in a way, meanwhile as I walk whilst we both vibe.
After a brief moment of vibing whilst I'm deep in thought, curious, and delving into how much I recall...
"One of the things I really like about you is your... killer, taste in music, which I've missed, to be honest," she comments which I neglect.
It's only then that I realized something... a truth... a fact... impulsively, as a result of this revelation, both my hands clenched into fists as I abruptly stopped walking before I closed both my eyes.
⟨Darkness⟩
"Haunt?" Juno asked, frowning albeit sensibly concerned in response to my mind and kindling emotions.
At that moment, my rage and loathe for her began to kindle, as a result of the realization or discovery about-
⟨End Of Recording⟩
Next: Chapter 2 - "Contentious Rust."