CHAPTER TEN: I WANNA ROCK RIGHT NOW PART VI
SMASH
Rex's body met with layers upon layers of stone and timber with every story he crashed through.
The castle suffered massive damage as a result, but the pain he felt from the same attack couldn't be compared — because the levels merely broke and crumbled after each collision whereas his typically resilient bones splintered and then regenerated at the very same time.
Comparatively it felt like his entire body experienced sharp pains akin to being pincushioned by rusted knives, while his ears were nearly rendered deaf by the thunderous roar of each impact.
It was agonizing. But that was the nature of Rex's work and he didn't expect any other outcome against such powerful, reality-defying enemies.
However, the acceptance of that fact and his tolerance for pain didn't make it any less real or hurtful. So Rex considered himself lucky when he finally crashed into the ward of Abysus' castle, still populated with wallflowers and the depleted husks of once-living EVOS.
And in the same courtyard where Van Kleiss would restore his life force so long ago, Rex laid motionless without the strength to twitch or even breathe — despite how desperately he wanted to.
Meanwhile, at the top of the castle stood four of the five members of the Consortium with wide eyes and straightened backs. Looking down at Xanubian and the story-spanning craters he created, Reddick, Roswell, and Sir Scott were awestruck at Xanubian's incredible mastery over space-time.
And though it drained Xanubian of both his glow and energy for the day, it was a reminder to both sides that the Consortium was not a force to be reckoned with and that Rex was to die by their hand. That is, if he hadn't passed already which was likely if that move was as lethal as it looked.
"What in tarnation...showdowns in westerns don't even end that fast." mumbled Roswell.
"I was fast to be certain, but not fast enough!" Xanubian huffed with his hand over his head — much to the surprise of his allies who never heard him complain, let alone emote with such vindication. "I felt resistance towards the end of my attack. Despite my power I suspect he may still be alive..." He briefed before losing consciousness and collapsing into a pile of rubble.
"And I suspect your botched approach screwed us over." Black Knight rebutted while Reddick and Sir Scott rushed to Xanubian's aid.
Although it was only a hunch on his part, she knew Rex was prepared for the attack upon eavesdropping on his conversation through his ear piece using her nanites; an involuntary habit given her affinity with technology that was second only to Rex and his abilities.
But it was too little too late to warn the others. And unfortunately that meant Rex was still in the fight and in the most critical location to the success of their mission.
"Do you three remember what lies inside this castle?" she berated. "Rex is severely wounded, no doubt. But it's over for all of us if he starts snooping around and finds our machine—"
"So let's make sure humpty dumpty don't put himself back together again." Roswell interrupted with a heated glare and a blazing palm. "You're joining him down there one way or another."
Glowering back, she took two steps towards him and her arm flashed before a lethal, glowing shortsword materialized. "Rex won't be the only casualty today."
"Right." He replied while taking two steps of his own so that he could stare down at her. "So you best respect the choice we're giving you, because us four won't be the ones accompanying him in death."
Enraged by his attitude but still wary of his opposition, Black Knight headed his warning, set her sights to the rubble, then leaped head first towards her final confrontation against the hero.
His force field and gauntlets shattered at the end of his violent fall. And for a moment, Rex laid in a cloud of dust feeling nothing but a numbing cold — unable to determine whether he was in an abyss of darkness or a sea of light. Of course, he was still present in Abysus where the land basked in a red glow; but he felt none of its warmth or radiance.
Instead, those things seemed to be absent entirely and the only things he was aware of were nanites and himself. It was similar to the state he occupied when using the Dominion Code, but not quite the same; because at that moment it felt as if time stopped and everything had become motionless.
...Or perhaps...still?
A second ago Rex was transfixed by his injuries from the Consortium's attack. But once that word entered his mind he opened his eyes and endured all of his pain — yet none of it as well.
He furrowed his brows trying to make sense of this dual-state of suffering and relief, and realized that in the process of raising a shaky hand to his face that he regained full control over his body — and not a second too late! He felt another shiver from his nanites detecting a volatile force approaching, one identical to the ill-intent he felt prior to another consortium members' strike.
So he somersaulted to the side, narrowly dodging the high velocity impact from Black Knight's blade before landing on his feet and cringing in response to hearing the bones in his body audibly crack. Remarkably, he stood defensively and breathed heavily without feeling any serious fatigue — but he wasn't sure whether to attribute that to adrenaline or his nanites getting involved in some trickery.
Whatever the case was, he needed a bit to catch his second wind — so a second he would make. "Well if it isn't Black Knight and the Consortium. It's been a while but I gotta say, you look just as breathtaking as I remember!" Rex joked nonchalantly. He panted with a hoarse voice, but it still resounded with his usual confidence; even if it was a facade to distract Black Knight and himself.
"Oh, if you truly want to flatter a woman then you must be willing to die for her Rex." She responded while moving forward and exchanging her blade for two charged gauntlets that sparked menacingly.
Rex winced upon witnessing her newly unveiled build. He was in poor condition to counter any new machines, so the least he could do was stall longer until he could devise any plan to deal with it.
"I see the desperation in your eyes. It's a look I know far too well," she interrupted. "So hopefully you understand that resisting is useless. Your death is inevitable but I'll do my best to make it merciful."
"Really, BK?" he groaned in disbelief. "It's my Birthday! Can't we talk this over like adults?"
"Maybe over a pint." She humored. "Then again you're not quite old enough to drink are you?"
"Well, uh, no. Not really...So how about we hold off this reunion for another three or so years, hmm?" he suggested with a sincere shrug. For a moment Black Knight paused and held her chin, leading him to genuinely believe she considered clemency. But that deluded fantasy disappeared as quickly as it arrived with Black Knight leaping at Rex and pummeling the force field he hastily conjured.
"Time is of the essence young man" She retorted before delivering a furious series of jabs, the last of which shattered the shield and sent Rex careening several meters. "Who knows how long any of us have left. But no matter the circumstances I will outlast you and the rest of those traitors."
Rex scowled before wiping the blood dripping from his nose and picking himself up from his knees. "And who would that be, Providence or the Consortium?" He posited idly. "Lucky for you Providence is about to become a relic of the past. And so should the Consortium should for all the harm it's caused." Black Knight narrowed her eyes and refused to comment, despite her complete agreement.
"So why don't we fix this? If anything, we're obligated because the Consortium only started their quest for Godhood after we got our powers from my parents...Which might not mean much to you, but it should mean everything to us." He solemnly expressed while shakily extending a bare hand.
"Together we can put an end to the Consortium and give you a second chance. It isn't right for you to be resisting them on your own. So please, let me help you." He pleaded. Black Knight's shoulders relaxed as she thought of reaching for his hand, but then she looked up at him and removed her faceplate to reveal the face of a tired woman who meant no harm, but would cause it all the same.
So with a heavy heart, Rex brought back his hand, clenched his fist, called upon his BFS, and set focus on Black Knight. It had been too long since he fought a real opponent, but he was determined to win and fight another day. Likewise, Black Knight followed suit and substituted her gauntlets for a longsword that accounted for Rex's reach and would end him in just one slice once it connected.
But she knew Rex wouldn't make it easy, as evidenced by his focused stare and cautious footwork. In turn, Black Knight paced around him — neither swordsman daring to make the first strike. As such they continued to circle around one another for a second or two that felt like an eternity before until Reddick, Roswell, and Sir Scott crashed into the ward with war on their mind.
"IF IT AIN'T MR. CURE ALL! Still alive I see!" Roswell shouted at the combatants while adjusting his belt. Both of them flinched upon hearing him and his heavy southern accent, and when their eyes connected again it felt as if they reached a seemingly mutual understanding of a common enemy.
"How disappointing is it that you still haven't disposed of him yet?" Sir Scott sighed.
"In the amount of time it took for us to take care of Xanubian and that intruder, too." Reddick furthered, causing Rex and Black Knight's blood to turn cold at the thought of the latter man's fate.
"Right? But by all means, you two can keep on dancing two-step if you'd like!" Roswell jeered while the trio marched over to the pair. "I mean, y'all might as well have some fun before I remind you both that this is a real man's world." Roswell declared before flinging his arms outwards.
As he continued his advance, the glow of his armor turned from a neon turquoise to a brighter shade of red. Sparks then began to fly off the energized portion of his armor before his entire body combusted and was engulfed in a roaring, vengeful fire. And with every step, Black Knight felt the heat on her back increasing until she couldn't bare it anymore and screamed "That is ENOUGH!"
After her outcry she created another longsword and pointed it in the direction of the trio. The other members of the Consortium froze in place, but Roswell was ultimately unfazed and continued once again — his intentions and fate now made clear.
"That was your last warning cowboy. I might still forgive the other three, but in your case?" She paused before standing straight, raising her blades, and converting them into a bulkier version of her energy cannon that she held by her side until she turned around and looked straight at Roswell.
"Be a doll and tell Vostok I said hello." She suggested with a sudden grin flashing on her face.
And so she whipped her rifle into position and fired without hesitation, striking Roswell straight through his chest. Everyone was shocked by Black Knight's betrayal and her admission of a long forgotten crime. Unfortunately, some shock and penetration weren't enough to put down Roswell.
Especially when her highly-concentrated projectile merely tore through his non-vital organs and the wound was immediately cauterized by his unbearable fire. And though his flames were temporarily quelled when he stammered backwards from the force of the shot, once he regained his footing the flames erupted to become twice as bright and twice as hot, nearly blinding everyone in the ward.
And to finish off his grand display, Roswell brought his arm back as if he was winding up for a punch — then all the flames that covered his armor crawled their way to his claw shaped hand until it coalesced into one damnable fireball that he furiously pitched at Black Knight with a barbaric shout.
It took no time for the ball of fire to travel within a meter's length of her body, and at that instant she was completely vulnerable to its explosion since a great deal of her energy went into the construction of a build that she was convinced would eliminate Roswell.
It was a grave miscalculation on her part, and it would have been her last were it not for Rex charging in front of her and taking the whole force of the explosion with a fully charged Block Party.
A dome enveloped the two while the rest of the ward was reduced to ashes that propelled across the fields and well into the sky above. The ground and the walls tarred with soot and burnt organic manner, while the smoke was so thick that nobody on the floor could see beyond arm's reach...
"...Which means they can't see us either. This is our chance! Shields down Rex, we don't have much time before Scott does his thing." Black Knight commanded Rex, and he did so dutifully but with a puzzled and slightly aggravated expression on his face.
He was undoubtedly exhausted and sore from recent events and her presence certainly didn't help, but now the two of them were next to one another without the glow of their machines to give themselves away. Thus, they had the perfect cover for Black Knight to support and guide Rex across the Warren to the nearest entrance of the castle where they took cover in a shallow trench.
"You feeling alright?" She asked him while peeping above seeing the smog clear instantly. The three men that appeared in its wake were looking around frantically, and were in quite the furor doing so.
"I was feeling a lot better before your friends attacked me." Rex wheezed with a forced smile.
"Breathe easy Rex, they were never my friends to begin with." She reassured him after coming back down and lightly patting his shoulder. "And thanks for the save by the way, I really appreciate it."
"Right." Rex warily responded. "For the record, a confession booth is a much better place to admit your misgivings against a dead person compared to the group that represents said dead person."
Black Knight suppressed the urge to laugh at his example. "You Salazars are so, so innocent..." She whispered with a smile on her face. Words couldn't describe how thankful she was for his assistance, but she knew that Rex didn't share her relentless, bloodthirsty drive for survival. So instead, she would clarify her intentions and present to him their next course of action.
"See, Vostok was the first of the Consortium to disappear when I ascended in power. And now that my power is being questioned I have no qualms about what's going to happen next. Nor should you."
His eyes widened when he made the connection between Vostok's sudden departure and Black Knight's methods of dealing with those who displeased her. "You know, I was hoping that was just a warning shot." Rex lamented. "But you're planning on murdering them all just like Vostok."
Black Knight drew close with a stern look on her face. "Rex, I know you're more about containing and curing, but killing is our only way out of this one. Accept that the others believe the same."
"But—"
"No buts!" She snapped back. "Clearly you're unable to cure us otherwise we wouldn't be in this situation. And since you've offered to put an end to the Consortium that is precisely what we'll do."
"Then what?" Rex argued, with his rising anger causing him to get up and crouch at her level. "Providence has protocols to deal with this and they'll want answers for what's going on here."
"I'm sure Providence will be able to piece together what we're doing once they arrive. But we won't last that long if we aren't in agreement on this." Black Knight concluded with her hand extended.
Rex frowned as he looked down at her hand. He pressed his comm device desperately hoping for a second opinion, but all he could hear was static. So after closing his eyes and mulling over his thoughts he sat still in silence — dreading the looming approach of the Consortium until he finally made up his mind and looked back up at Black Knight with determination in glimmering in his eyes.
And so he lightly smacked aside her hand in a high five-like motion, mischievously grinning at her with the glow of a burning sun, shining in a void of darkness, as he stood up and put on his goggles.
"In that case I think it's best we go our separate ways. Head up top, find our nameless pal, and if he's still alive take him to a hospital asap. Time is of the essence." Rex proposed while stretching his body and adjusting the collar of his suit. Black Knight reacted by scoffing and preparing to ridicule him until he admitted his foolishness, yet a second look at him was all it took to change her mind.
"You're willing to go that far to save even your worst opponents…while I leave you to face the most dangerous EVOs left on the planet alone?" she inquired while stepping aside to stand between Rex and the Consortium. At that point she certainly didn't intend on stopping him, but she couldn't possibly leave Abysus without first knowing the motivations that drove Rex to such lengths.
Much to her chagrin, however, Rex simply shrugged and stated "I did it once before, didn't I?"
'So that's really all there is to it.' Black Knight thought to herself. There was plenty about his statement to reflect on, but at the time had no further comment and stepped out of his way. But before she left, she placed her hand on his shoulder to give him a few parting words.
"Good luck Rex. For the sake of everything and everyone you love, don't die. And if — once you deal with the Consortium, you will find the key to our plans in the chamber of the same name."
Rex nodded in appreciation of her tip before she backed off and stealthily flew up the building. And now that there was nothing left between him and enemies, he stepped forward with all his pain, doubts, and fears cast the wind; all while he marched against the current of a hurricane.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Howdy! For a while I lost interest in updating this fanfic (and nearly Gen Rex as a whole if you can believe it) but recently I felt the desire to continue what I started, so here I am again. I haven't touched this chapter in over a month (after struggling with it for several months) so pardon if it seems rushed; going forward I'll try to update whenever I can, but the quality might be lacking since I don't know how much energy is worth investing in this project anymore. Also, *next* chapter should be the final one in this episode, as well as the one where the real battle takes place...building up a fight is much easier than writing one.