As I looked through three of the seven orbs, I noticed that the area surrounding Tigress, Crane and Mantis began to morph into the shapes of buildings and structures of certain areas which only I would have been able to recognize.
For Tigress, she seemed to have found herself now standing within a large aluminium tube fitted with padded seats at the sides. Looking through the glass windows from left to right it seemed that it was moving at what I bet she would have claimed to be a ridiculous speed. In other words, she was trapped within a moving train. That was really going to make it hard for her to move around when it come to dishing out attacks I'm sure. Then again it's not like her target is going to be hard to hit now is it? Even with her reputation as a strong and courageous leader, she would most likely struggle to beat the Empress. Still, I can;t help but hold onto some form of hope for her.
Crane, he seemed to be within a large cave with no way out. The ceiling stood maybe over a hundred feet and at the sides were carved thick stone pillars resting on a ten foot platform on both sides of the room. At one end were two large metal doors, of which I doubted Crane could have opened if he tried, while on the opposite side were several steps leading to what looked to be some kind of throne... Oh, that must have been the Locust queens throne room. Well I suppose that was kind of a good thing. At least the avian will be able to fly around freely. To be honest, I am a little surprised that he would just be facing a simple mauler. I was certain that Kèxīng would have brought forth something far worse. Same for the necromorph. Maybe she overestimated them? Still, it didn't mean to say that said creatures would be a bunch of pushovers.
Speaking of necromorphs, I looked over to the orb showing Mantis. The room he was standing in showed to be a little... ugh... messy. Dry blood could be seen along the floors, as though someone who had been bleeding was dragged around before being pulled into a side vent. From there, the blood trail continued and led to God knows where, probably someplace just as bad. The room itself was made of metal and reminded me of a waiting room. There were even luggage bags off at the side. A glass barrier separated a small section of the room and presented on the other side some sort of blue holographic panel showing off some kind of spaceship. I haven't played the first dead space in such a long time, but it looked to be the area where the player first encounters the necromorphs before being forced to run through a narrow hallway to the elevator.
All together, the three were trapped in an area that none of them were familiar with. I could only imagine what each of them were thinking at this point.
"You can't possibly expect for me to just sit here and watch the people I care about fight for me like this". I spoke up, turning my head from the orbs for a brief moment back at Kèxīng.
"So long as they withstand the oncoming battle... you have nothing to fear"...
"If I were to put myself in their place I would. Fear or not, I feel just as bad sitting here".
The Mèngyǎn said nothing, only grunted in response. She then slowly walked over to the door where the three creatures had appeared from. I just ignored her and focused back on the mirrors. It seemed I had missed the first few seconds of fighting as the monsters had seemed to have already reveal themselves.
Tigress had engaged the empress almost at once. Thankfully she was faster than her opponent. Especially since it was carrying a big heavy double sided chainsaw. She landed strike after strike, kick after kick, wearing down the empress as much and as quick as she could while avoiding the sharp teeth of the chainsaw. From what I could tell, it was only making the empress angry.
Crane, as I had expected, had taken to the sky at once and tried attacking from above. What I hadn't expected was for the mauler to use its shield to defend itself so well. Usually these guys were meant to be slow, but even between seconds, it was able to identify where Crane was before raising its shield. The only disadvantage was that it was unable to use its own weapon since the avian wasn't letting up.
The last one wasn't as much a fight as it was a game of hide and seek. The necromorph seemed to have lost sight of Mantis and was looking everywhere for him. Under benches, around corners and so forth. I wasn't having much luck either trying to look for him myself. It was enough to get me to give a weak smile. Hopefully his stealthy tactic would give him enough time for him to work out how to beat it, although I'm not sure exactly how he will since the only way to stop it is to cut off its limbs. So at least so far, for all three battles, things are going well. I just hope it stays that way.
"Perhaps you would do better knowing that I can offer one of your friends a way out"...?
I turned back round to see Kèxīng right back behind me. The door was now sealed off with iron bars for whatever reason. Not that it mattered right now of course.
"Why? Why offer one of them a way out when you could easily kill us all right here within my own mind"?
"My quarrel does not lie with anyone other than you at this moment... As far as you're aware, they are... I struggle to call them innocents, but they are not deserving of the word... I could kill them, yes, but what good will that do me when you are the one I need? None... So it is only fair you do something for me, should I do something for you"...
I glared at her for a moment before looking back at the orbs. So far they seemed to be doing fine, but I might as well face the truth. Anyone of these fights could just as easily turn tide. This was obviously a trap for me. I don't entirely know what it is I'm being lured into, but I don't see myself having much else of a choice. Besides, I know that they would do the same for me. It's only right that I respond in the same manner.
"... Exactly what is my forefit"?
"That you fight a beast of your realm... One of my choice... As well as one more request"...
"And that is"?
I heard a snap of her fingers and I felt a tingling sensation. I quickly looked down to find myself as my human self once again... Figures. On the bright side, at least I have the same amount of strength due to all my training. I mean, I do seem to have slightly larger muscles from the last time I... Anyway, that's enough self admiring.
"Very well. I suppose I'll accept. As long as you don't mind me making a few requests of my own".
Kèxīng passed a glare of her own.
"First, I get to choose WHEN one of them leave".
The demon nodded once.
"Second, whatever I face has to be beatable. Nothing that can kill me in the blink of an eye".
I heard a small growl, but was met with another nod.
"And finally, I get to use this favor as many times as I want".
This time, I was met with a sound of confusion. The Mèngyǎn tilted her head to the side.
"For what reason would you make a request like that... And further more, why should I allow it"?
"Didn't you say that I was the only one you needed? Killing my friends will do you no good. And... if I lose against any of my own fights, then I'll do what you ask. Just one favor so long as you don't make me harm anyone".
I really did not know what I was doing. If there was an award for stupid bargaining, I'd be sure I'd have received first place for it. Whatsmore, there's no telling what Kèxīng could make me do. She was cunning, I'll give her that. She could have easily just said no and left me to suffer as-
"I accept your terms"...
... What?
"You're accepting? Just like that"?
"Indeed... I have already chosen my favor... And as promised, your friends shall be left out of it... But I will grant only two their freedom since you appear so protective... Do not argue, but be thankful that I was willing enough to agree"...
She had a point. Despite what I've gone through to get these... choices or whatever, they could easily be taken away. It wasn't a risk I was willing to take. Still, it didn't stop me from feeling helpless oddly enough.
"...okay. Fair enough. So exactly what is it I'll be facing"?
"Your answer shall be revealed in time... For now, witness only the struggles your brothers and sisters endure"...
I looked back once more and chose to look through the orb showing Mantis who had now revealed himself and was now fighting the slasher, attacking it by zipping past it, managing to get a few decent hits in. What seemed odd was that the elbow of the slashers left arm was now bent backwards at a sickening angle. Mantis must have broken it, although how he did I don't know. Maybe it was because necromorph flesh wasn't as strong as normal flesh? Heck if I know, I'm just running on theories now. Still, it seemed to be useful since it could no longer use that arm. I just continued to watch. Mantis was able to deliver a flying kick to the necromorphs face where I managed to hear a snap. I couldn't help but cringe. I think he had now just gone and broken its jaw. Apparently, he had! The second I saw the front of the slasher, its jaw was just hanging down, lifeless. Mantis had things under control at the least, making it easier to switch onto Cranes orb.
Crane kept up his "attack from above" routine for a little while longer. Surely he would have realized that he wasn't doing anything to slow the mauler down. Turned out he had. His next attack seemed to be another dive at the shield, but instead of scraping his talons against the petal layer harmlessly, he grabbed onto the edges and tried pulling it away with the momentum of his flight. It was almost amusing as it partly worked. The mauler almost got dragged up into the air with him. But since it was too, well, fat, it only managed a few feet before slamming back onto the ground with a thump. Turned out that Crane had made a bad move. The mauler activated the square shaped shield, making it enlargen at all four of its sides, and since Crane was holding onto two opposite sides, he let out a surprised squawk as he was forced to nearly do the splits and... well, let's just be thankful that he has long legs otherwise he'd be experiencing a LOT of pain right now... ouch... Still, it was enough to force Crane to fly off, just as the flail of the mauler came down, smashing into the ground and leaving a big round hole. For now, Crane was still stuck fighting.
Tigress was the most surprising. She was not doing all too well to my shock. The empress had pushed her further back through the train cars and had ripped its weapon in half, giving it a chainsaw for each hand, just like it does in the game it comes from! I had to face facts, if she didn't think of something, and soon, she would be killed. She couldn't even attack anymore as the empress had begun swinging both chainsaw wildly, cutting apart everything in its path, even the sides of the train. I know she's probably punch me for saying this but right now, she was helpless. She wasn't showing it, but she was thinking the same thing. The empress roared and begun to advance! I had no choice! I spun round to Kèxīng as quick as I could!
"Tigress! I'm choosing to save her! NOW"!
The demon sighed and did what I commanded with a snap of her fingers and evaporated into thin air. I turned back to the orb. Tigress remained for just a second longer before vanishing just as the two chainsaw swiped down. The empress looked round in confusion before realizing that its prey had gone before roaring in fury. The orb shut itself down and I could no longer see it. Not that I would have paid any attention as I heard a familiar voice calling my name.
"Mike"?
I turned to see Tigress looking at me. She didn't seem to be hostile anymo- wait...
"How did you know that it was me"? I asked, realising I was still human.
"You showed your human self to everyone before with the shiftstone, remember"?
Ah. Well, I suppose that would explain it. Anyway, that's besides the point right now.
"Tigress, I need to"-
"Mike? Tigress? Hah! I knew I wasn't the only one to kick monster butt"!
Both myself and Tigress spun to my left and saw... Mantis? Wait, then what about the...
I looked into the last orb and found the Necromorph just lying there on the ground, gurgling away. It looked like three of its limbs were now broken. Both its arms and the right leg. Now it was more or less harmless looking. Heh. I guess since it can no longer fight back, Mantis wins. I mean, technically he did go for the limbs, but since he only broke the primary bones, the slasher was still alive, but now served no purpose other than now being an organic doormat. At least that's two done. Only five more to go. But first...
"Guys, there's something you need to know". Both warriors gave their full attention. "Kèxīng, the Mèngyǎn, she's trying to get us to fight against an opponent each as I'm sure you've realized by now, right"?
Mantis nodded, looking impressed with himself.
"I'll say. It's not everyday you go against a freak with built in blades".
Putting his cockiness aside, I continued.
"Since you two are now... done, I guess. My best guess is that you'll be sent back to the real world. Which is why I need you two to find a way to get everyone else out of my head".
"Hm. I wondered why it was so hollow in there"...
"Ha ha. Real funny Mantis. Still, could you guys just... please, just find a way. Okay"?
I bet I just sounded like a frightened little kid just then, asking for help so simply. Still, it got Mantis to shut his mouth for now. Then, Tigress asked a question.
"What about the demon"?
"I think I can buy some time. I managed to persuade her to pull two of you from battle should I need to at my own risk, but I'll see what else I can do".
Tigress took an interest at what I had just said.
"Pull two of us from battle"? She looked a little ticked off. "So am I to assume that you're the reason I was forced to retreat from my opponent"?
Oh boy...
"Well, being fair Tigress, I did see the position you were in, and it did seem like you... may have been a little... helpless"?
Not one second passed before I got clocked round the side of the face. Bloody called that one didn't I?
"Okay, now that that's out of the way, could you guys just do what I asked"?
Tigress and Mantis looked to each other, then back to me. The pair of them nodded.
"We'll do what we can Mike". Mantis nodded before the pair of them bowed respectfully, of which I returned. A sudden thought popped up into my head.
"Hey Mantis, quick question? How did you know that I was me"?
"Oh that? Who else would have such an annoying voice"?
Annoying voice? I don't have an annoying voice! do I?
"Moving on, do you think there's anything within the scroll room that"-
Before I finished my sentence, the two vanished before my eyes. It passed so quickly, neither of them had time to react until it was too late. Of course, that had to happen just before the Mèngyǎn reappeared. Oh I wonder what the odds of that were eh? I was about to speak up before she beat me to the punch.
"Do not rely on those two to offer you any further assistance... their role is over while yours has just begun"...
She raised her hand and gestured towards the door with the iron bars on. I turned to it and from there, I heard a low growl before something tried ramming into the bars. It was too dark to see, but I could see a part of its face. A large knife-like nose took up the majority of its front face while four blue eyes, two on each side of the face, stared at me. It's beefy looking claws were trying to tear down the bars but with little success. If that was what I thought it was, I am going to suffer.
"You made the choice to save one life... Only you can be held responsible for whatever follows"...
I gulped as the words cut through me like a knife.
"So, how long do I have until I have to fight that thing"?
"Until your third friend is defeated"...
I scowled.
"Or until he emerges victorious". I challenged. Kèxīng took no note of my words and allowed me to turn back to the final orb. As I watched, I tried to block out the sinister and feral snarls from behind.
...
This chapter was a pain in the backside to do, I'll say that. And I'll have a heck of a job for the next few too. Still, I hope that reading it was durable for you guys. Also, sorry for the small delay. I had to travel back home for the weekend to celebrate my dads birthday ^^. Still, at least I'm making progress right? Cheerio!