Chapter 17: Nexus
They sat together watching the sun rise, high up on the Rig's landing pad. Khepri was in her disguise, silver-blonde hair glinting in the light, while Dragon had settled into a newly built human-like frame. It was sleek, with dexterous limbs, and built more towards fine tinkering than fighting.
Narwhal had been happy to model for it, and Dragon had honoured her by building a horn in to house the antennae.
"It wasn't how I planned on handling it," Khepri said eventually.
"Killing Heartbreaker?"
"No," she replied, shaking her head, "just the method of it."
She stood, beginning to pace along the outer walkway. Khepri had gathered her hair over one shoulder, absently gripping it. If she had eyebrows, Dragon was sure she would've frowned at the motion.
"I'm trying to show that I, that we, can be more than just the monsters of the world. Killing Heartbreaker like that, in front of his victims, it was… cruel and stupid. I probably made their trauma worse, if anything."
Khepri slammed her hand onto the railing, then winced at the sound of tearing metal as the bar was shorn in two. Dragon burst out laughing.
"Dragon!"
"You'll have to add vandalism to your list, now," Dragon added, even as she stood to follow Khepri, "but I suppose I can fix this quickly."
"No no, it's fine."
Khepri twisted the bar back into place and passed her hand over where the tear was. Dragon's sensors caught a brief x-ray flare, then Khepri pulled her hand away to reveal a fixed railing. She patted it, then leant onto it to continue watching the sunrise, even as Dragon stared at the unmarked metal.
"It isn't something that a good person would do," Khepri continued.
"You can only try your best," Dragon countered, pulling her attention away from the rail.
"I know my best, and this isn't it. I'm not some wet-behind-the-ears novice."
"You're still learning how to be careful. It was your first time trying something like this."
Khepri laughed.
"But-"
"Khepri," Dragon whispered, gently placing her hands on her friend's shoulders to pull her face to face, "you're not normally like this. You can't expect perfection straight away."
"I don't have room for mistakes," Khepri replied, green eyes narrowed.
"Why?"
Khepri pulled back, eyebrows raised.
"What?"
"Why don't you have room for mistakes?" Dragon asked again.
"Because…"
Khepri sighed at this, and Dragon froze for a moment as she was pulled into a hug. Khepri's forehead rested against her shoulder even as the Endbringer wound her arms tighter around Dragon.
"I'm getting closer to breaking the chains and all it is doing is making me feel like I'm going through puberty again," Khepri half-laughed.
"Again?" Dragon asked, and the Endbringer stiffened against her, "Khepri…I didn't mean to-"
A palm was placed over her speakers, placed where a mouth would be, and Khepri shook her head, expressionless. The air seemed too still suddenly, thick and oppressive, and Dragon felt sluggish as she raised her hands in surrender. Khepri pulled her hand back, and Dragon saw her other unclenching from a fist.
"You and Colin are more alike than you would think," the Endbringer commented, face still blank.
Dragon smiled at this, gently, to let her friend know she wasn't upset. It seemed to work, as a moment later the stiffness went out of Khepri's posture.
"Are his victims going to be more traumatised by what you did?"
Khepri gave the smallest of smiles back at change in topic.
"I don't think so," she shrugged one shoulder, "certainly not the capes."
"Then use it as a lesson for next time, since no real harm has been done."
"I don't think Heartbreaker would agree there."
"Well," Dragon said, "I'm sure that is a shame."
Arthur felt a nervous energy running through his veins as he made his way to the training rooms deep within the Rig. Armsmaster had emailed him late the night before with the request, and Arthur was glad he was habitually an early riser otherwise he would've missed the session completely.
The only real information Armsmaster had provided was 'combat assessment' and unfortunately Arthur's power didn't work unless he could see the person. He didn't feel as though he had already grown reliant on it, but the lack of surety left Arthur feeling unsettled.
The door slid open soundlessly, and Arthur stepped in with a hand raised to wave at the two people already there.
Armsmaster stood rigidly, helmet off and halberd resting against his side. A light frown crossed his face as he spotted Arthur.
Didn't expect you to actually arrive on time. Wants to finish his conversation with Khepri.
"Insight," he greeted, nodding once.
"Morning Armsmaster. And good morning…", Arthur trailed off.
Khepri.
The woman was as still as Armsmaster for a moment, frozen in a way that brought to mind the imperious statues of ancient cities. She was as tall as Armsmaster in his suit, with a defined jaw and wide mouth, sculpted cheekbones resting under sharp eyes. Silver-blonde hair had been tied into a long ponytail that was draped over muscled shoulders.
Familiar green eyes stared at him, assessing and focused, and Arthur couldn't help but match her gaze and freeze on the spot.
"Arthur," Khepri said. She smiled, relaxing from her stance. Her stiff posture shifted into an easy lounge, resting her weight on one leg. "I'm glad you could make it."
He smiled back, glancing at Armsmaster, who was watching Khepri.
"So, uh," Arthur said.
"We're here to do some combat training," Armsmaster replied, turning his attention back to Arthur.
"Combat training?" Arthur repeated. He almost pointed at Khepri, unable to form his question, before catching himself and bringing his arm back down.
"I mean," he continued, shaking himself, "of course. I was just wondering as to what… kind."
"You can call me Khepri," she said, still smiling, "Dragon has blocked the cameras in here, don't worry."
"That isn't... exactly reassuring."
A single eyebrow raised.
"But I do trust you," Arthur continued.
She isn't sure how to treat you yet, but doesn't mean any harm.
"You can call me Colin as well," Armsmaster added.
He has been practicing at social etiquette and doesn't want to leave you out.
"Right," Colin said a few minutes later, after they had all changed into gym gear, "the aim of this is to get you used to using your power in combat, Arthur."
"And here I thought it was a clandestine meeting set up for me and Khepri to talk."
It is both, his power informed him. Arthur sighed.
"We're going to start you with a quarterstaff, as they are similar to my own weapon."
"Okay - holy shit Colin!" Arthur yelled as he spun to the side, bringing his staff up to direct his boss' own weapon away from him from where it was hurtling towards his head. The backswing from the other end of Colin's staff went over Arthur's hair as he ducked down, falling to one knee and spearing his weapon towards Colin's ankle. It struck onto the padded floor after Colin shifted away, taking a step back with his hands raised.
"Your reactions are definitely prescient, Mr. Crowley," Dragon's voice came from the speakers in the room.
"Good," Colin said, "ready to go again?"
"Do I have a choice?" Arthur laughed, but he settled into a ready stance. Colin winced.
"Okay, maybe let's show you how to stand properly first."
It took less than half an hour before Arthur was drenched in sweat, palms on his knees as he desperately panted.
"Stand up," Colin said, nudging his side with the spear, "you'll cramp easier if you hunch up like that."
"So," Arthur gasped as he stood upright, "not that I'm complaining that you weren't also beating me into a pulp, Khepri, but I'm surprised you didn't get involved."
"Far be it for me to get between two men in tight shirts hitting each other with their... sticks," Khepri commented with a smirk. Arthur and Colin both turned to stare at her. Dragon just laughed.
"You've given the game away Khepri," Dragon chuckled.
"Would you rather us be hitting you with our sticks?" Arthur's mouth said before he could stop it. Khepri looked at him, and he felt himself pale. Her smirk grew into a full grin.
"Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Crowley?" Khepri asked, beginning to advance on him.
"Uh," Arthur replied.
One of the spare staves leant against the wall flew into Khepri's outstretched palm, and she spun it a few times, fast enough to create a low whine.
"You'll have to show you know how to use them first," she continued, beckoning Arthur and Colin forwards with her free hand.
They didn't fare as badly as Arthur thought they would, even with Khepri holding back. Of course, then Colin realised that Khepri could safely imitate any level of brute or mover and had her switch between styles often to fix that. Arthur's hand was still numb from when he had ended up blocking one of her swings.
Eventually Arthur had needed to tap out, falling to his side on the floor and watching as Colin pushed himself faster and faster against Khepri. The Endbringer matched each stroke smoothly, her footing sure and steady and her stave always ready to intercept Colin's. They continued like this for almost a minute, Colin maintaining his pace, until he faltered once, and Khepri's weapon swept his feet from under him. He landed with a grunt.
"If you didn't keep increasing your speed, I would've had you multiple times," Colin said, smiling.
"You will have to do this again with your armour on, Colin," Dragon stated.
Dragon likes seeing him in the armour.
Colin stood, putting his hand out. Khepri hesitated for only a moment before she matched him, shaking once.
Khepri is still unused to physical contact.
Arthur tried to get to his feet as well but winced at the pain in his legs, and settled for leaning against the wall.
"It was a good spar," she agreed. Colin smiled again, then turned to Arthur.
"I'll talk to her," Arthur said, pre-empting his boss, "but thank you for being worried."
Colin nodded.
"Thank you for the training," he said, looking at both of them, "I enjoyed it. We should do it again."
Arthur and Khepri both replied in kind, and Arthur had to hold in a laugh when Colin paused at the door to turn and wave at them once before leaving.
The relaxed air in the room seemed to slip away, and Arthur found himself unable to look away from where Khepri stood, watching him back.
She began to walk over, propping her staff up, then slid down the wall to rest against it next to him. Even though she was over an arms length away Arthur couldn't help but tense.
She is about to apologise.
Khepri opened her mouth to speak and-
"It will take time," he said, voice haltering slightly. "Sorry. It's easy for me to- to jump ahead."
"I understand. Do you mind, if?" she said, gesturing at herself.
"Oh, no you... if it's more comfortable."
Khepri smiled, then seemed to sigh as her form stretched out. Her legs, already longer than his, stretched out even further as her gym clothes shifted into armour and her hair darkened from silver-blonde to a rich black. He glanced at her face, then jolted in surprise.
"No mask?" she asked, a wry smile showing.
"You look like Writ," he said, still staring.
Khepri stilled.
Arthur's power stopped its normal constant stream of information, and his heartbeat began to pick up.
She blinked once, slowly, her gaze boring into him.
"Most thinkers are actually very stupid people, Arthur," she said eventually, her voice low and smooth, "I suppose this is what I get for giving a power to a smart man."
"I have my moments," he replied, then slapped his hand over his mouth. Khepri didn't reply.
"I'm also both quite at ease and terrified," Arthur admitted after a moment.
"This is partially my fault - your connection to Relay Nexus is very strong," Khepri said eventually, "I was interrupted before I could refine it."
"Relay Nexus?"
Khepri reached out towards him and, after he nodded, placed a gentle hand over his arm. Arthur felt an odd sensation, as though his bones were being tugged slightly. In front of him mist began to gather and quickly formed into a shining white form, barely a foot tall, who was perched on his knee. She was vaguely humanoid, with four sharp wings spreading from her back. She squeaked, flitting into the air and hiding on Khepri's other shoulder.
His power started up again, quicker than usual, chittering in his head.
HostArthurConfusionHello!WonderIntriguedMotherProtect-
He shook his head, trying to focus. The creature flitted back in front of him, trailing curls of light behind her.
"Hi!" she said, four wings vibrating, "I'm Relay Nexus but call me Nex or Relay or Passenger or-"
A single tanned finger tapped her on the head, and she quieted down immediately.
Khepri stood, shifting back to her human form, and smiled at him.
"She's your power-"
"He's my host, thank you!" Nex stated, twirling on the spot to stare at the Endbringer. Khepri held her hands up in surrender.
"Okay okay. I'll let you two talk," she grinned, then backed out of the room. Nex spun again, wings dipping.
"She can't do all this by herself," Nex stated, "so you're going to have to help me, okay?"
His power - Nex, shot forward, close enough to touch his nose.
"Okay?"
"I was left with no other choice."
Taylor writhed on the floor, her bones bars of molten steel, veins boiling.
"Your...soul...has been bared to me; I shall also show weakness. It will allow bonding."
Eden paced closer, kneeling beside Taylor with preternatural grace.
"I did not fake the crash. My body is irreparably broken. Functionless. Useless."
Taylor gasped, once, before falling still, unbreathing.
"But Abbadon gave me," Eden paused, pulling Taylor's head onto her lap, "...hope."
I must be ill, another chapter already?
As always, very big thank you to Burn Note and Evil Atlas for beta reading/editing and generally excellent suggestions.