Chapter 10. read
My lonely road chapter 10: Return
Exeter let his automatic targeting system take control, pointing both of his repeater rifles at the look alike Samus's head. But before he knew it, Dark Samus had flown up and out of his sight.
Exeter swiveled around frantically, trying to find dark again. He could hear a faint crackling noise, and then a gigantic blue energy orb came crashing down on him, landing extremely close to Exeter. The shockwaves of that blast slammed Exeter into the nearby wall. It greatly shook him up, but it also made him wary of his opponent. He then decided to scan this Dark Samus to find weak spots.
Scanning….
Scans indicate the presence of Phazon and the hunter's genetic material within this entity. She wears a version of the Hunter's Varia Suit, altered and augmented by the Phazon, a cancerous and mutagenic material within her. Primary weapons include the Missile Launcher and scattershot variant of the Power Beam.
Boost and Jump abilities are superior to yours and Samus's. The ability to generate Phazon energy shields is also present. She can also ram you with tremendous force generated by Phazon energy. Caution recommended. Scans also indicate slight battle damage. Such thing is almost impossible with the ability to regenerate by absorbing Phazon; she might have come in contact with Samus Aran and done battle. Origins point to Tallon IV. No weak spots identified.
Having superior abilities and no weaknesses to even the hunter was not a good thing. Especially not for Exeter. Dark Samus began charging her deadly turquoise Phazon beam, pointing it directly at him. Uh-oh, he thought, and ran as quickly as he could.
Exeter just barely dodged that blast by leaping at the last second; he was so close he could feel the emanating power of the weapon. The blast hita toppled light crystal, shattering it into a million little darts zinging in every direction.
The sheer strength of Dark Samus' power left Exeter in awe, but he kept fighting even tough he knew he would lose. Dark Samus was too dangerous to fight at long range; he needed to get as close as possible.
Exeter then pulled out his beam sword and activated his it while sprinting at Dark. The beam weapon seemed to have surprised Dark Samus for it lowered its arm cannon and simply stood there, giving Exeter the time he needed.
He leapt, ready to sink the weapon inside of this imposter but the Dark Samus was one step ahead of him; she created a pillar of pure Phazon energy, deflecting his energy blade and sending Exeter sprawling. As the smoke disappeared, Dark Samus still stood unscathed. He could taste a strange salty liquid in his mouth, and realized it was his own blood.
But then a great bang occurred. Exeter glanced over to look where the light crystal had been; hovering above the area was a portal. A portal to the light world.
Exeter had two choices; a) keep fighting and die a painful death while fulfilling his duty or b) Scramble like hell to that portal and find out later. He switched glances between the approaching Dark Samus and the portal. I think I'll take B, he thought, and immediately ran like the wind toward it.
Exeter could fell the energy beams ricochet past him, each time with a whooshing sound. As he closed in on the portal, he leapt and made it through just in the nick of time. Exeter felt himself shoot through time and space and light speeds; it was a rather dizzying experience. Several minutes past until he had the molecule sensation, and then being pulled toward a distant light. He landed on his ass first this time, on a perfectly flat and soft place.
As Exeter rubbed his aching posterior, he knew instantly he was back in the light version of Agon temple. But he wasn't alone. He heard a loud audible buzzing noise right behind him, and turned around to see several large wasps.
They looked very deadly indeed, with a foot long stinger mounted on its rear. It was a very frightening moment, and Exeter desperately brought up his two repeater rifles to bear on this winged insect. He blasted it into dozens of large chunks, and promptly took off running, with a hoard of buzzing behind him. Exeter did not stop until he made inside the door, gasping and shutting the door.
"Once she has restored the power a temple, report back to me. I will assist you as much as possible." the luminoth had told him. He now needed to go inform the U-mos, even tough he wasn't entirely sure Samus had. Oh well, he thought, and the tired and battle scarred soldier made his way back to the temple.
Samus exited the dark Agon temple with the planetary energy, and headed back toward light Aether. As she went through the door, she noticed that the ramp she had come through earlier was blown to bits; only a small piece was left hanging. Also, there were scorch marks all over the walls, and all of the light crystals were missing; there were pieces of a destroyed one scattered on the floor, twinkling in the dark. Someone or something had fought here, and took off rather quickly.
But what? Samus did not have much time to think about; she needed to recharge her ammo and replenish her health. She then went through the walkway on the side of the temple, and continued back toward the light world.
Exeter walked warily behind a storage container next to the temple transport. He had spotted a group space pirate commando and didn't want to take any morechances. He laid himself flat on the open ground, positioning himself in the best possible firing position. He had one commando in his sights, when all of a sudden a two legged beast smashed through the thick foliage. It let out a mighty roar, and hurled himself at the surprised pirates.
One was instantly incapacitated by the creature's elongated horn, and was tossed onto a wasp's nest. The other commandoes scattered, apparently not wanting to suffer the same fate, and were not seen again. Thank goodness, Exeter thought. Know only this thing stood in his way, so he scanned it for weak points. It looked oddly familiar…
Scanning
The amphibious Grenchler lurks in marsh areas in search of prey. However, some wander in the Agon wastes looking for better prey. Fearless, it will spring from hiding and attack anything that moves. If it's unable to fell its prey with its powerful jaws, it will fire a potent burst of energy at them. Grenchlers have one weak spot - a genetic defect makes the shell on their back susceptible to explosive blasts. Remove the shell to expose a vulnerable nerve center, and then target it to eliminate the creature.
Exeter could just see the weak spot, a small, fleshy area right above the tail. He carefully aimed his missile launcher at it, and set the missile and high power. He waited until the beast let down its guard and fired. The missile swam toward its target, and blew off the Grenchlers entire tail section.
It yelped out in agony, and in the process spotted Exeter. It let out another blast of energy and destroyed the crate next to Exeter, revealing a power bomb. Exeter picked up the power bomb, and flung it at the approaching Grenchlers. Its greedy mouth opened to except it, and crushed it with massive force, setting off the bomb.
It exploded in a spectacular of explosions, incinerating the Grenchler entirely. Nothing was left but charred remains. Exeter hurried through the door and up the elevator, hoping to avoid the space pirate welcoming committee knowing that they would "investigate".
After several more minutes of climbing, walking, and running, he finally made it back to the chamber, where the luminoth was. Just as he was about to speak, a ray of light came through and entered the light sphere hovering above the planetary energy controller. U-mos looked down on Exeter and said, "Well done. You have succeeded in the return of Agon's planetary energy. There are now only three more needed."
"You must now head to Torvus bog, once a lush and beautiful forest of life, now a swamp filled with hideous creatures."
U-mos raised both of his hands, revealing a trio of ing in each. U-mos then stated, "I have detected an increase amount of ing in the Torvus region. The ing suffered a blow at Agon; they will now stop at nothing to defeat you."
Exeter heard a soft beep and knew what had happened as U-mos said, "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 orange holograms. Many more lands are now open to you. I also have something for you."
U-mos opened his hand once more to reveal a ball of glowing light; similar to that of the transfer module, except it was a bright yellow.
"Take this with you on your journey. While you were away, I had constructed this to assist you. It is the energy manipulator module. It allows you to locate the planetary but also something else; it allows you to use the planetary energy to increase your strength and to ride on beams of light. You also haveaccess to new abilities, whichyou will slowly learn to use.There is one catch; you must be in within the perimeter of the energies. This limits you to the four lands; Agon wastes, Temple Grounds, Torvus bog, and Sanctuary. Stray too far, and the power cannot be used. The closer, the more powerful. I will also build new items for you to fight against the ing more effectively."
He then let it loose and fly around before combining with Exeter like the crystals. U-mos raised his hands and bellowed, "May the light of Aether shine upon you!"
Exeter felt the strange force go through him once again, and his sensor showed that he had been completely healed. He then walked out, with another mission and new thoughts on his mind.
Exeter must now head to Turvus bog, in hopes of protecting to soon due to arrive Samus. But what about the ing? Dark Samus? Will he be able to defeat a formidable newfoe and protect the light? Find out the next chapter!