Byser: Hello, my name is Byser, Adept of Tigers, cousin to Vyser, Adept of Dragons.
Zeek: So, why are you here?
Byser: Well, you see, Vyser wasn't feeling well, and I took this opportunity to write a chapter of this popular fanfic.
Zeek: I wouldn't be surprised if Vyser came and beat you up if people hate this chapter.
Byser: Is this when Vyser usually does the disclaimer?
Zeek: Yeah, Vyser doesn't own Tales of Symphonia, or the characters that you reviewers submitted. He only owns his characters like me Zeek!
Byser: I'm sure Vyser will like this chapter.
Meanwhile in a closet in some place some where we find Vyser tied up and gagged.
Vyser: Byser, when I get free, you'll be sent to a world of hurt! (Starts untying himself)
Chapter 22: Taking back the BaseWe find Kratos and Andrain walking through the under ground path to the Renegade's base both with their swords out ready for attack at a moment's notice. Soon the two reached an area that was battle damaged; huge pieces of the wall were lying on the ground.
"Any ideas?" Asked Kratos as he and Andrain put away their swords.
"I know a spell that will help," Said Andrain as he began to chat. "It'll just take a few minutes."
Meanwhile, in Yuan's/Skull's office, we find Skull sitting down enjoying what appears to be a steak while looking in some files on the computer. Then as Skull enjoys the taste of his meal, Fiend enters the room with a stern look on his face.
"Yes Fiend?" Asked Skull as he took another bite.
"I have news about the tasks you gave me earlier," Said Fiend as Skull finished his meal. "Status report is optional."
"Give it to me," Replied Skull as he got up and left the room with Fiend following him.
"We're almost finished extracting the Ten-sphere and the summon spirit of war," Answered Fiend as he followed Skull. "Your newly empowered dark spirit has arrived, your scythe has been upgraded like you wanted, and we've established Tech's status."
"How's the rusted geezer going?" Asked Skull as he and Fiend entered the research lab of the base.
In the research lab, there were humans who were actually transformed Skull fiends that had a much higher intelligence level. We find Torii and Genten strapped to metal tables knocked out, next to them are the Ten sphere and a dark red crystal. On a separate table, we find a dark spirit and Skull's scythe looking even more deadly.
"All we know for sure is that he has become a bigger threat than before," Said Fiend as Skull grabbed the dark spirit from the table and then place the jewel on the back of his neck. Skull winced as the dark power began to flow through him, his muscles bulged and his face thinned a little, his hair grew slightly longer, and his breathing was heavy until he adapted to the power.
"That feels great," Said Skull as he grabbed his scythe and raised it into the air.
"Master Skull, we also have the Ten-sphere and the summon spirit of war Arras from these two prisoners," Said Fiend as Skull looked at the crystals. "Your orders?"
"I'll take these crystals, take these two fools to there cells," Ordered Skull as he placed the crystals in his pockets. "Give the prisoners their final meals, for today at sundown, I'll personally be their executioner. But, make sure that Tailys girl is not among them. And I've received word that Lloyd's group should return soon, so have the skull fiends make this place like it was before and have them look like the renegades."
"Yes Master Skull!" Said Fiend as he saluted.
"Now if you excuse me, I'm going to get a drink," Said Skull as he left the room.
Meanwhile we find Kratos and Andrain entering from behind the secret entrance in Skull's office. They quickly make sure that no one is near then they discuss what their plan of attack is.
"Okay, the first thing we have to do is free the prisoners," Said Andrain.
"Then we have to deal with Skull and his flunkies," Added Kratos, "We must not be spotted, at least not until we free the others."
"Okay let's go then," Said Andrain as he heads towards the door but Kratos stops him.
"Let me try something first," Said Kratos as he got on the computer on the desk and began typing. "Okay, the alarms have been shut off."
"How'd you learn to do that?" Asked Andrain as the two swordsmen made their way down the hall making sure that Skull Fiends didn't spot them.
"When you've been around as long as I have, you learn this things," Answered Kratos as the two made their way near the prison were two Skull Fiends stood in front where the cells were. "Looks like we're going to have to fight."
"Now you're talking my language," Commented Andrain as the two drew their blades.
As fast as lightning struck Kratos and Andrain attacked the Skull fiends. The battle was over in less than one minute, Kratos and Andrain stabbed the monsters where their hearts were. As the Skull fiends fell to ground, Kratos and Andrain entered the prison quarters. Unknown to the two, the two Skull fiends began to rise to their feet and were healing where the stabs were. When Kratos and Andrain entered the room, they saw Raine, Locke, Tailys, Torii, Genten, and Yuan inside cells. When everyone noticed the two they called them over.
"Kratos, good to see you're alive," Said Yuan as he stood up Kratos noticed that his left hand was missing.
"It looks like you've been losing yourself," Said Kratos as everyone sweat-dropped.
"Leave the jokes to someone else Kratos," Said Genten.
"Could you free us now?" Asked Raine.
"And hurry, before Skull or that one creep whose name I forget come," Said Tailys.
"His name was Fiend, I believe," Replied Locke as Andrain opened the cells.
After everyone was freed and they grabbed his or her weapons, they approach the door leading to the hallway, Kratos stops them.
"What's up Kratos?" Asked Andrain as Kratos drew his sword.
"I have a feeling," Said Kratos as he approached the door. "Stay here, I'll check it out."
Kratos quickly opened the door, ran through, and closed the door. Kratos observed the scene, suddenly an iron orb attached to a long chain is shot directly at Kratos. Kratos dodged at the last second before the iron orb crashed into the wall behind him. The orb retracted back to where it came, the bottle of Skull's scythe. And there he was, Skull with that venomous smirk on his face as he held his scythe in his hands. Beside Skull was Fiend with his dagger out. Many Skull fiends stood behind the two.
"So you're Kratos, it's a pleasure to meet you," Said Skull. "I heard that your sword handling is impressive."
"Your skills are fine tuned as I heard it," Replied Kratos.
"Let's see who's the better fighter!" Yelled Skull as he charged.
Just as Skull slashed his scythe, Kratos jumped out of the way, Kratos then took a slash at Skull who blocked the sword attack with his scythe. With his blade on Skull's blade, Kratos quickly, went over Skull and ran away from Skull. Fiend and the Skull fiends got out of the way. Skull quickly went into pursuit, but as he passed Fiend and the Skull Fiends he quickly said.
"Fiend! I trust you take care of the others," Said Skull as he quickly ran after Kratos.
"Let's go!" Yelled Fiend as he went to the door.
We find Kratos entering what appears to be a cafeteria, he quickly runs towards the center of the room waiting for Skull who just entered the room and charged at Kratos. Both fighters were silent as the two ran towards each other. Skull started with a vertical scythe, which Kratos easily dodged, but Skull quickly followed up with a diagonal slash with Kratos blocked the attack with his sword. Skull uses all of his strength to try to cut Kratos, Kratos then slide kicks Skull in the legs sending Skull flying backwards. Before Skull fell on his back he put his hands on the ground and flipped backwards onto his feet. Kratos was first to attack this time, he quickly took a slash at Skull who had barely dodged the attack by jumping far from Kratos. Both fighters both were breathing heavily.
"I see you're getting tired," Said Skull through his breaths.
"Same applies to you," Said Kratos before he took a huge breath.
"Yes, but thanks to the dark spirit, I'm not as tired," Taunted Skull.
"Yeah, but if I destroy the dark spirit, you'll die," Replied Kratos as Skull looked a little worried.
"I'll just let my scythe taste your sweet blood!" Yelled Skull as he charged.
"Why do I get the crazy ones?" Thought Kratos as he charged at Skull.
Meanwhile, Fiend has just confronted Andrain and the others.
"Fiend, why don't you jump in a lake," Said Locke as everyone drew his or her weapons.
"As pleasing as that sounds, I'd rather have a fight right here, right now," Replied Fiend as he snapped his fingers and five Skull fiends appeared behind him. "I don't care if Skull wants to have the honor of killing you all, because I'm bored and I want to be the one to have your blood flying!"
"Prepare yourselves guys!" Yelled Genten as everyone readied his or her weapons Even Yuan had his double bladed sword with him.
Fiend began to charge along with the five Skull fiends; Andrain and the others got into a defensive stance. Andrain blocked Fiend's attack, then kicked him in the stomach sending Fiend back a few feet into the Skull Fiends and all of them fell to the ground. Everyone was embarrassed by how easy it was to knock the enemy to the ground.
"Anyone else confused?" Asked Torii as Fiend jumped to his feet.
"You should stay down, you don't seriously think that you can beat us do you?" Asked Raine as Fiend started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Asked Locke as the Skull Fiend got up.
"You see, I'm actually an evolved Skull Fiend," Explained Fiend as the Skull Fiends crowded around him. "And I have the ability to merge with the other Skull Fiends, so see my true form!"
All of a sudden, a bright flash of blood red light covered Fiend and the Skull fiends; everyone covered his or her eyes. When the light died down, everyone was shocked and a little grossed out. In Fiend's place was a red blood colored monster, its torso and head had Fiend's features, however, Fiend's head top was covered with a Skull fiend head. His arms were muscular with claws for fingers, blood vessels were bulging. His legs were actually a long tail with bones on it for armor. The weirdest thing was that his tongue was like that of a snake.
"Great, he got uglier," Remarked Tailys as Fiend cackled with laughter.
"You always mock the one who will destroy you," Said Fiend as he flexed his muscles. "Here comes me!"
Fiend tackled into Andrain, who put up his huge sword to block the attack, Fiend managed to tackle Andrain through the wall. Through the rumble of the wall, the rest of the group saw that Andrain and Fiend were fighting in the research lab. They were going to go join when Andrain yelled.
"I'll deal with this freak!" Yelled Andrain as he pushed back Fiend.
Fiend quickly countered with extended claws, which Andrain was easily able to dodge without trying. Fiend was getting angry at every attack of his failing, Fiend tried to use his tail to make Andrain fall on his back. Andrain saw this a mile away, and jumped into the air.
"Time to end this!" Yelled Andrain as he began to quickly fall towards Fiend, sword in hand. "Take this! Gospel Slash!"
Andrain's sword began to glow white as Fiend put his claws to stop the attack. As the blade of the sword met with Fiend's claws, it was almost as if time was standing still capturing the moment. Everyone held his or her breath. Fiend was smiling, or at least until his claws broke!
"Im . . Impossible!" Yelled Fiend before Andrain's attack slashed right through him.
Andrain landed on the ground with his blade extended and covered with black blood. As he put his sword away, Fiend was wrapped in a bright light white as Andrain's blade was, then suddenly, disappeared.
"That was amazing," Said Yuan.
"Yeah, but now we have to find Kratos," Said Tailys.
"He must be fighting Skull," Said Raine.
Meanwhile, in the cafeteria of the base, we find Kratos and Skull tired from their fighting. Both of their weapons were clean. The two were evenly matched, they were breathing hard.
"I must say, I've never had such a challenge before," Complemented Skull as he started breathing regularly.
"But, you must pay for all that you have done," Said Kratos. "If there were a prison that could hold you then, by all means I would send you there. But we both know better."
"Let's get this over with then!" Yelled Skull as he used the iron orb on the bottom of his scythe.
Kratos lifted his left arm, and the chain wrapped around it.
"Fool," Said Skull as he pulled back on the chain.
Kratos then made his wings appear and he flew backwards until Skull's scythe can flying from his hands. Kratos got the chain off and threw the scythe into a wall. Skull looked a little worried as Kratos started to fly at him. Skull tried to punch Kratos, but Kratos flew under the fist and used his sword to slash the dark spirit that was on Skull's chest. Dark blood spurted from where the jewel was once there. Skull fell to his back as Kratos landed on his feet and made his wings disappear. As Kratos turned away, he didn't notice that Skull's left hand clenched into a fist. Skull quickly rose to his feet and tried to punch Kratos but Kratos was too fast.
"How is that even possible?" Asked Kratos as Skull was breathing hard.
"You didn't know this, but earlier I placed another dark spirit on me," Explained Skull as he began to charge once again. "I am immortal! Fear Skull for I am all mighty!"
Kratos quickly took his sword and slashed Skull's stomach, as he passed, Skull's blood began to pour out. Skull just laughed as saw his own blood.
"Give up, you cannot win," Said Kratos as Skull fell to his knees.
"You should take your own advice," Replied Skull as he took the Ten-sphere and the dark red crystal from his pockets and turned to face Kratos. "I took what I needed from your friends. Now watch and fear me!"
Kratos tried to get to Skull, but it was too late. Skull put the jewels back on were his original dark spirit was. A huge blood red light engulfed Skull as he roared and his muscles began to grow. Kratos jumped backwards with his sword in a defensive manner.
"This doesn't look promising," Whispered Kratos as the light began to take shape.
Byser: I say I did rather.
Zeek: You do know that Vyser did come back before you got Kratos and Andrain to the others right.
Vyser: Byser, you really need to think ahead before you try to take over.
Byser: I'm sorry, can I go home now.
Vyser: Yeah, get out of here cousin.
Zeek: No punishment? No lightning? No pain? What about all the times you did it to me!
Vyser: Byser, would you like to do the honors?
Byser: Sure! (Calls two professional masked wrestlers to the room) Get him boys!
Zeek: Run away!
Vyser and Byser: Reviewers read and review. See you next time!
Vyser: Oh, I have an announcement, don't be surprised if I don't update for a while. I might be going on trip soon. So if I don't update within ten days then I'm on the road with a NASCAR show car! Have a great summer!
