My lonely roadCh.8: Revelations
Exeter walked through the small doorway, finding a curios looking platform. It seemed to be an elevator, since it shared distinct features of GF design, including a control panel and hologram in the middle to activate it.
This elevator was nearly 2 cycles old with signs of wear, but no defects or problems otherwise. He stepped in it, and immediately, the hologram disappeared. Exeter heard an engine fire up, and next thing he, he was rocketing upward.
The surrounding area was moving at an extremely pace, suggesting speeds of more than 150 kilometers per hour. However, The shear g-force was weighing him down. Had he not been wearing this armor, his entire body would have been crushed like an insect.
After what seemed like an hour, the platform slowly halted at the top, where it was stabilized by fins. Exeter had never felt so dizzy in his life; he cobbled off, nearly falling several times.
As he approached the energy door, he noticed two corpses on the side of it. They were elegant, long, and sleek, with minuscule arms and legs. The body looked very brittle, almost like dust as he touched one of them with his armored hand.
SCANNING…
Bioscan complete
Subject is Luminoth species.
Scans indicate numerous beneficial abilities, including heightened reflexes, durability, psionics, and flight. Ability to generate and manipulate energy in unconventional and rather impossible ways. Dating scans suggest an age of 3.20 centicycles. This luminoth seems to have suffered various heavy injuries, and signs of digestive fluids are present in lower abdomen.
Further scanning yielded more information; they were indeed the luminoth, and his computer estimated they had died about 1.8 decacycles ago, which meant they had been dead for some time. Something had killed these, "luminoth" and tried to eat it. Smelled like splinter.
After attaining this valuable information, he left through the door, cautious of any threats. But there were none, and the place proved to be empty. Finding no new life forms or problems, he moved on.
He then came into what looked like a chamber. There were four doors in each direction, but three of those were blocked by giant rotating walls, similar to the one near the ship. As Exeter walked forward, the wall in front of him slowly slid downward groaning, as if aware of his approach. He was now alert swiveling his gun here and there, to check for whatever could have caused this.
Even after his scanner brought up nothing, he was still wary of any traps. Then, he felt a deep sensation. Exeter felt a pull, wanting to go through that door. Was he mental or something? After several more minutes, his fear lessened, just enough for him to keep moving.
He cautiously walked through the turquoise door, to find another platform. Exeter stepped into it, and it instantly began to rise upward. There were wires hanging down the top, glowing an unusual red. The terror inside was still grabbing hold of his intestines as he prepared for the worst.
The platform came to an abrupt stop, revealing a door that looked no different from the one he came from. Exeter pressed himself against the wall next to the door. He could hear a faint humming from the other side, which could mean something was there, or wasn't.
Only one way to find out, he thought and ran through the door, holding up his GF assault rifle, waiting for a materializing enemy.
There was nothing there, or that was in sight, but a huge machine with butterflies fluttering around it. The mood felt so tranquil for and unknown reason, but he was still wary. Exeter took several moments to scan this large object.
Object appears to be an Energy controller. Energy Controllers were built by the Luminoth to regulate Aether's planetary energy. Several wonders are powered by the Energy Controllers, including a weather control system. No other species are known to be able to build this powerful machine. Contains extremely high amounts of energy; unable to calculate precise amount with current equipment. Further information is unavailable. No more files detected on device.
It seemed that the luminoth were living wonders, since they had built something so advanced and with so much energy, current GF technology was nowhere close to its power level. He had only seen such advanced tech from the chozo. Could they be related somehow? Exeter suddenly felt a strange presence, and then a whoosh of air go pass him. He swiveled and pointed his gun at a tall spindly creature.
"Freeze! Don't move!" he exclaimed; it didn't seem that it spoke English. It was a luminoth, Exeter first thought; a live one for that matter. After several seconds of momentary silence the seemingly harmless sentient the replied, "Do not fear, I am U-mos, sentinel of the luminoth, I mean no harm. Please listen and hear of our world's peril."
Exeter stared dumbly at the luminoth, utterly perplexed. It raised its right hand, and out of it appeared a planet, which seemed to be Aether. The whole planet was perfectly visible, like a GF High command hologram projector. Then, out of nowhere, a meteor hit it and the image began blinking and making an eerie noise. Seeing that Exeter had nothing to say, U-mos continued.
"Long ago, a cosmic object fell to our planet, Aether, exploding with a great force. A rift was torn in time and space, and a strange power flowed over our world."
The planet in his hand began to slowly split into two, showing two worlds, nearly merged together, yet still separating moving back and forth.
"Where once there was one Aether, there were now two. One of light………and one of shadow, each existing in its own dimension."
Then in his other hand, a creature materialized. Exeter heart beat faster as he realized it resembled a splinter with one extra leg.
"It was the end of peace on Aether, for a new race was born that day on the dark world…one filled with hate and terrible power. They are the ing."
The Ing then became very violent, letting shrieks of rage and rearing up.
"The ings are creatures of shadow and darkness, knowing nothing of peace or mercy. For decades, we stood against them…yet we now lie on the verge of defeat."
The planet in his other hand than split into a definite two worlds, with some differences here and there.
"When dark Aether was born, our planetary energy was divided, half for our world, half for theirs. Should one gain control of this energy, the other will perish."
It flapped its tiny wing and hovered toward Exeter. In his hand appeared a great glowing blue ball of light.
"A while before you arrived, the ing had stolen from us…one that collect planetary energy. With it they had weakened our planet to verge of collapse. But fortune has now smiled upon us, for the energy transfer module…has now bonded with another, an ally. With it, that person could help restore our world. But she cannot do it alone. You must ensure her safety. In return, we offer our allegiance and gratitude forever. "
U-mos put down his hand and let the image disappear. It seemed that it had read his mind, for he said,"Should we fall, the ing will look to the stars for planets to ravage and conquer. Your species could be their next victims. The ing have taken our energy to three temples. The savior will no doubt find them and bring back their energies to our temples. You must help her and us, or else all of Aether will fall."
Exeter then heard a soft beep inside his helmet, and a data file appeared.
"I have updated your map system with the location of another temple. There is knowledge there that can help you on your way. I have also updated your translator module. You can now access devices and doors coded with violet holograms. Many lands are now open to you."
Exeter then closed the file, and stared back at the peaceful creature. It began to speak once again.
"Prepare well for your journey. The ing now know you are here. The splinters you had destroyed earlier had been there second strike force. They will attempt to destroy you at all costs. "
U-mos then pulled out two strange glowing diamonds like crystals. Using his psychic powers, he fused them into Exeter's armored chest. Exeter then felt a wave of calmness flow through him like spring water.
"Use these to protect you. The atmosphere of Dark Aether is poisonous, and these light crystals will help you survive. In time, they will slowly heal you. Return to me once she has restored the planetary energy to a temple. I will aid you as I can."
He then lifted his long, slender arms up, making small droplets of pure light sprung from it and squeaked, "May the light of Aether shine upon you!"
Exeter felt a strange force go through him, and his sensor showed that he had been completely healed. Exeter was still in awe over the powers the luminoths had. After several more seconds, he began to head back through the door, unsure of his new mission, and quite strange mission.