"Hello?"
"Mr. Bakur here," The voice on the other end told me. "I suggest you get down to the Spirius Corp. as soon as possible," I heard a beep and then nothing.
"Fuck him," I sighed, putting away my phone. "But, I'll play along."
I slung my long sword over my back, put my gun in the holster and put it around my waist. I had no clue why Bisley needed me at Spirius, but just in case, I was taking precaution. I locked my apartment door and headed for Spirius. Maybe I should message Alvin that I was going somewhere. I shook my head. No. If he was in an important meeting with a client, I didn't want to interrupt. I didn't have to tell him what I was doing at every second anyway. I didn't want to worry him either. Whatever Bisley wanted, he wouldn't dare lay a finger on me. First off, I would beat his ass. Second, Alvin would find out and beat his ass also. As I walked up to the entrance, Nova came storming out, looking upset.
"Hey Nova," I smiled at the young lady.
"Hi Achlys. Everyone else is inside," She informed me and continued to charge off.
What did she mean by everyone? I shrugged and jogged inside. Nova had been right. Everyone was there. And I mean everyone besides Bisley. Hm, what did Bisley want with everyone?
"Hey, what's happening?" I asked, stopping alongside Alvin.
"There you are Achlys," Vera sighed with relief. "You are all headed into a fractured dimension with Mr. Kresnik."
I put my hand to my head and grunted. "Is this why Bisley called me?"
Ludger turned to me with a small smile. "You'll come, right? Everyone else is."
I crossed my arms and gave a nod. "Wouldn't want to be left behind."
"Let me commence the briefing then," Vera cleared her throat and began. "The object of each DODA operation is to infiltrate a fractured dimension and destroy it's divergence catalyst. All fractured dimensions form around a catalyst. It could be an object or an entity."
"So, how do we find it?" Alvin asked.
"It's something that will differ from the prime dimension," I replied.
"Correct," Vera nodded in agreement. "You'll need to be cautious, especially when the divergence catalyst attaches to a person," She flipped open her GHS, pressed multiple buttons and then closed it. "I've transmitted the coordinates of the target rift to you GHS. Use it to enter the fractured dimension."
Huh? That's it? "Isn't there more?" I asked, cocking my head.
Vera shook hers. "That's all."
Ludger opened his GHS and found the coordinates to the dimension.
"Wait! Ludger! Don't press the-"
He pressed the button and we were all wooshed into the fractured dimension. We seemed to be in Trigleph station. It seemed pretty normal. People were going about their day like any normal day in Trigleph. But, the fractured dimensions seem normal all the time. It's just a little different.
"I guess this explains that funny feeling we've all been having," Alvin gulped.
"It's Trigleph Central Station!" Elle gasped.
Ludger turned to me and put a hand on his hip. "What were you saying, Achlys?"
"I was trying to tell you not to push the button to send us here just yet," I shrugged, shaking my head. "Too late now."
"Are we really in a whole other world right now?" Elize asked, seeming shocked.
I nodded. "Don't you feel a little... out of place?"
"Now that you mention it," Leia mumbled. "I do feel a little... uneasy."
Ludger's GHS went off and him, and Elle gasped in surprise. Ludger pulled it out and answered. "We've confirmed your entry into the fractured dimension. Commence your search for the divergence catalyst. The catalyst should reveal itself whenever anyone with a chromatus comes near it. Only the wielder of a chromatus can destroy it."
"Vera, are you sure you don't want to tell these marvelous people anything else?" I questioned sternly.
"Well, yes," Vera said. "So long as the divergence catalyst exists, you cannot return to the prime dimension."
"What!" They all yelled while I just shook my head.
"You should have told them before hand, Vera."
"Yes, you're right. Sorry," Vera coughed and then hung up.
"Well, no turning back now," I shook my head.
"So much for goofing off on the job," Alvin tried to ease the tension.
The speakers in the station turned on and a voice came through. "The train to Oscore will be departing from Platform One shortly. Again, the train to Oscore will be departing from Platform One."
"The Oscore train's still running?" Jude whispered.
"We're in a fractured dimension," I reminded him.
"Right," Leia nodded. "Maybe in this dimension, the hijacking never took place."
"It's fishy that Oscore's still in one piece," Alvin stated.
"Let's investigate in two groups," Rowen suggested. "Achlys, you'll be better wherever Ludger goes."
I nodded in agreement. "Right."
"Jude and I will ask around town," Leia declared.
"Ludger, you handle Oscore then," Jude said.
Jude and Leia walked off, leaving Alvin, Elize, Rowen, Ludger, Elle and I. My ears started to ring, meaning that there was a Great Spirit present somewhere in this dimension. Well, we'll just have to see who it was. I wasn't good enough at detecting Great Spirits to be able to exactly identify which one. However, these Great Spirits are not like the ones in our dimension.
"I've never been to the Oscore Plant before," Elize said, getting off the train. "It so big!"
"It is pretty big," I mumbled, not really paying attention.
"Are you okay?" Alvin asked, rubbing my back a bit.
I nodded. "Yes, I just get wary whenever I'm in a fractured dimension."
"You've been in others?" Alvin asked, a little astonished.
"Only a few times when I was a way younger spirit," I answered. "But, I'm fine."
"What's a natural resource plant?" Elle asked.
"It's a factory that puts out veggies and stuff like that," Elize replied with a smile.
"Puts out weird vibes too," Teepo interjected.
"You can say that again," I muttered.
"It's pretty standard for Elympios," Alvin started. "Well, except for its size. None of the others are this big."
As Alvin talked, I saw Rowen's face go from relaxed to surprised in a matter of seconds, looking down the hallway. I turned to see what he was looking at and painted the same face across mine.
"Well, if it isn't Alfred," Gilland smirked, while I took a step back.
Alvin spun around and growled. "How the hell?"
"You'd address the heir of the Svent family like that?" Gillian grumbled at his nephew. "Or has your mind strayed to a time where you were still the legitimate heir?"
"Are you telling me you're the heir?" Alvin hissed.
"Well, you were until you married a non-noble woman," Gilland smirked, looking at me. "And this must be your wife. Please, forgive me," He took my hand in his and planted a kiss on the back of it. I could only stare at the man as he dropped my hand. That's what his real family said at the engagement party a couple of nights ago as well. Was I... really not good enough?
"You know this guy?" Elle asked in a hush tone.
"Knew him, more like it," Alvin whispered back.
"It appears he has confused you with the Alvin of this world," Rowen mumbled.
"He looks like a big wig to me," Elle sighed. "Maybe if you act all buddy buddy with him, he'll let us in."
"They don't really have that kind of relationship," Elize told her.
"Don't forget," Rowen muttered. "We're in a fractured dimension. It just might work."
Alvin nodded slightly and put on a fake smile. "Forgive me, Uncle. I must have forgotten my place."
"You are forgiven," Gilland gave a sly smile and crossed his arms.
"I was hoping you'd give my friends a tour of your amazing plant," Alvin continued to played along.
"Why not?" Gilland chuckled and gestured for us to follow. "Oscore's success will only serve to broaden the Svent family's influence, nephew. You'd better start acting the part. Poor Leticia is quite upset over your lack of decorum... after marrying that girl."
I rolled my eyes and mumbled under my breath. "I'll show you who 'that girl' is."
"Mom?" Alvin murmured, obviously upset over hearing the name.
"Indeed," Gilland replied. "She's had it with your constant gallivanting. Who are these people, by the way?"
Alvin slipped his arm around my waist. "Our entourage. They're quite a bunch, yeah?"
"The world is full of dubious sorts looking to sponge off of us," Gilland warned. "You should choose your friends more carefully."
"They don't get more dubious than yours truly...," Alvin muttered.
"As you know," Gilland started. "The Great Spirit Aska was thought to be nothing more than legend. That is, until I found, captured, and bent it to my will," My eyes widened and I looked at everyone else, but they were paying close attention to Gilland. "Aska's spirit power is more than sufficient to operate this facility in its entirety. I have no doubt that spirits will become a crucial resource in Elympios. The very key to its future."
"Hey," Alvin whispered to Ludger. "My Uncle's not the catalyst, is he?"
"No," Ludger replied.
"So, uh... do you keep Aska down in the basement here or what?" Alvin asked Gilland more forcefully than he probably should have.
"There is no basement," Gilland told him. "Aska's imprisoned in the central portion of the dome."
Alvin whipped out his gun and smacked Gilland in the back of the head with the butt of his gun. Gilland fell like a sack of potatoes to the floor, passed out.
"That was disrespectful, huh?" Alvin joked.
"Alvin!" Elize exclaimed. "Was that really necessary?"
"Well," Alvin started. "If he's not the divergence catalyst, then I'd put my money on that Aska spirit being it. But it's not like he was gonna sit back and let us thwack it, right?"
"Correct," I nodded. "People in this world don't know they're in a different dimension, thus, they don't know that something, or someone, is a divergence catalyst. Well, unless a Kresnik were to snuff it out," I stepped towards Gilland's body and started going through his pockets. "There's going to be a bunch of security points ahead," I took out a key card from his pocket and slid it into mine. In his inside coat pocket was a small book with a bunch of numbers in it. I slid that into my pocket as well and started walking towards the first security gate.
"Hey! Isn't that stealing?" Elle accused.
"Stealing from Gilland is my speciality," I winked at her, putting the key card into the slot. The machine read the card, but blinked red. A little frustrated, I took the card out of the slot. "Hm, expired," I looked back and saw a door with a key pad next to it. "Once, when the schism was still in place, I stole his favorite coat," I opened the little book and looked for the page that said 'Cultivation Room 1'. "And he was really pissed, but he couldn't do anything about it, since I'm a Great Spirit and all."
"Hey, I think I remember that time," Alvin mumbled, scratching his head. "He wasn't pissed that you stole his coat. He was pissed that it had holes in it when he finally got it back."
"I don't exactly remember what I could have done to it to make it have holes," I smiled punching in the code to the room.
"How do you know the guy?" Ludger asked.
I looked at him and grinned. "I used to be the leader of Exodus. Don't tell me no one told you?"
Ludger shook his head. "No, but it doesn't matter now."
I punched the enter button and the door unlocked. I forced the door open and gestured them inside. "After you," Everyone walked into the room except for Alvin. He gave me a smile, crossing his arms and cocking his head to the side. "What?"
Alvin shook his head and laughed. "Nothing. It's nothing. You just really surprise me sometimes," He walked inside and I closed the door behind me.
"Look at the size of these tomatoes!" Elize effused.
"Wanna see how many I can fit in my mouth?" Teepo asked the group.
"Not particularly," I admitted.
"Tomato dishes are my speciality, ya' know," Ludger announced proudly.
"Are you a good cook?" Elize asked him.
"He's pretty good," Elle said.
"Really?" Elize asked, her eyes glistening with excitement. "I'd love to try your tomato omelettes sometime."
"Ah, but roasting a tomato retains its juices!" Rowen interjected. "It's not to be underestimated."
"Blech! Tomatoes are gross!" Elle chided.
"I'm with you. I draw the line at ketchup," Alvin agreed.
"Hey! Whenever I make tomato pasta you eat it," I huffed, puffing up my cheeks.
"Oh, uh...," Alvin averted my glare and scratched at his neck nervously.
"Cats out of the bag," Ludger laughed.
"I'll just make it for myself then," I shrugged, still a bit annoyed. "If I would have known that you hated tomatoes, I wouldn't have made it so much."
"But, I love your cooking!" Alvin exclaimed.
"I think we can talk about this some other time," Rowen laughed. "Right now, we have a job to do."
"Right," Ludger agreed and led the way into the next main hallway.
"Hm," I took out the key card from my pocket. "I wonder if there's a machine to renew this card."
"Probably in the security room," Alvin pointed.
"How convient," I walked over and entered the security room myself. There were boxes everywhere like someone wasn't good at there job with cleaning. I walked up to the machine in the back and renewed the key card. I heard some shouting outside the doorway and ran back out to find a couple of security machines on the floor, and the rest of the group just putting away their weapons. "Hey, you guys fought without me."
Rowen laughed and patted me on the shoulder. "I'm sure there will be more fights to come."
"You have the renewed key?" Ludger asked.
"Yep," I gave the key to the streak haired man and he swiped it in the next doorway, leading to the central dome.
"They can grow trees indoors? That's incredible!" Elize remarked.
"Hm, what's that up in the ceiling?" Rowen asked.
I looked up to see a very bright light. If I wasn't in this human body, I would have crumbled to the floor. "Aska."
"Are you sure?" Rowen questioned.
I nodded. "I can feel it."
"What kind of spirit is Aska supposed to be again?" Alvin sassed, looking up towards the light.
"He commands the power of light," I muttered. "If I wasn't in this human body, I would have crumbled to the floor right now. This light is so intense."
"I hope it's temperament is sunny, too," Teepo blushed and cocked his head to the side.
"I've learned not to expect too much from the temperaments of the Great Spirits. I've had a bad experience or two," Alvin smirked at me and in return I elbowed him in the ribs.
"How many other Great Spirits are there?" Elize asked, tapping her chin with a finger.
"I've read about Pluto, the ruler of the underworld," Rowen replied.
"He's been trapped by Lord Maxwell though. Sealed away actually," I said.
"And Lord Maxwell rules over all of the spirits!" Teepo shouted.
"That's what most people believe," Rowen concurred as we started walking through the plant again. "But some scholars believe there may be a Great Spirit even stronger than Maxwell."
I sucked in a breath sharply. Thankfully, no one had heard it.
"Stronger than Maxwell? Do they mean Chronos?" Elize asked.
"Er, no. Not exactly," I answered. "But, we don't want to run into him either."
"Then, is there a spirit that is stronger than Maxwell?" Elize pondered.
I nodded. "The Great Spirit Origin."
"I've never heard of such a spirit," Rowen marveled.
"Not many have, and my brother would like to keep it as such," I shook my head and laughed. "Chronos, you idiot."
"Why would you call your brother an idiot?" Teepo cried.
"Because he is," I shrugged. "He's not like me."
"But he's still family!" Teepo whined.
I sighed. "If only you knew him, you would understand."
We got on an elevator and started going up a level. I crossed my arms and pursed my lips, thinking of my brother. My brother used to be such a wonderful spirit. But, now he just... doesn't care about anything other than Origin. Not even me. Well, he hasn't really cared about me in 2,000 years. It's nothing new. I still felt a little upset at what he had done. What he did to the humans back then. Ah, who am I kidding? I was still majorly upset.
"This must be where they keep Aska," Rowen interrupted my thoughts. We stood in front of a doorway to the central dome's ceiling area.
"Let's go," Ludger swiped the card and we entered the area.
Elle winced. "It's so bright."
"You said it," I groaned, trying to shield my eyes.
"Are you alright?" Alvin asked, gently grabbing my shoulder.
I nodded. "I'll be fine."
"How do we get it out?" Elize wondered.
"I've got this," Alvin grunted, pointing his gun at the glass surrounding Aska, but there was another shot from behind.
"I can't believe you'd sink this low, Alfred," Gilland growled. "You'd sabotage my life's work?" He shot another bullet at us, just barely missing Elle.
"Hey! Knock it off!" Alvin screamed at his Uncle.
"Such gall!" Gilland shot again, this time destroying one of the security locks on Aska's cage. "N-No! Aska!"
The bright light came out from the imprisonment and turned into what I knew Aska to be- A giant bird like creature. Aska stretched his wings out wide and screeched. He was probably just waiting for someone to let him out. Poor bird. He soared down and attacked Ludger's head, but Ludger was able to react quickly enough.
"Good thing Aska is not strong against dark," I grinned, unsheathing my sword and thrusting it into the ground. "Mystic flames!"
Aska was drowned in black flames and Ludger was able to get some good jabs at him with his twin swords. Through the flames came a ray of light that shot at all of us in range. I pulled up a dark wall to block it from Rowen, Elize and I while Ludger and Alvin were safe close to the spirit.
"Dark radiance!" Alvin shouted.
Rowen threw out a hand. "Fireball!"
Aska flew closer towards us in the back and shot a ray of light at us again. I pulled up a dark wall to block the attack from Aska. It worked, but it made me stumble back at bit. My right hand glowed with black mist and I brought it straight up in the air. A giant, black, misty hand came up from the ground underneath Aska and grabbed at him. Alvin and Ludger were able to get some great hits on him until he was able to break free.
"Pixie circle!" Elize lifted her wand up high and casted a healing circle under both Ludger and Alvin.
Aska shot another ray of light at us. I tried my wall again, but the ray broke it and sent me landing hard on my back. Well, that's great. I jumped up, shook the pain off, and twirled my sword over my head. "Catastrophic tornado!" A black winded tornado with dark spheres grew around Aska. The dark spheres smashed into the spirit and as the tornado died down, Aska fell to the ground.
"It would seem Aska wasn't the catalyst either," Rowen mumbled, putting his arms behind his back.
"What are we going to do with Aska now?" Elize asked.
"Are you gonna let it go?" Elle asked, looking up at Ludger.
Elize pursed her lips. "But without Aska here to power it, they'll shut down the factory."
"It doesn't matter what we do with Aska," I stated. "We have to destroyed this dimension anyway."
"I'll release Aska," Ludger responded, shooting at the other security locks.
Aska raised his head and screeched. "Scion of Kresnik. The Land of Canaan. Do you yet seek it?"
"It can talk!" Elle screamed.
"If you wish to live with us in harmony as your ancestor did so many years ago, you must hasten your journey," Aska warned then turned to me. "You know what you must do."
I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at the spirit. "Aska."
He purred and bowed his head. "Sorry. It was not my place," He turned to Ludger again. "It has been nearly two millennia, but time grows short. Origin cannot continue purifying souls much longer."
I gasped. "No, that can't be! Already?"
"You have been gone for far too long, Great Spirit," Aska cawed.
"Is this the same Origin that you told us about, Achlys?" Alvin asked.
Aska cackled. "There is only one Origin. He is the one and only Great Spirit of the Void."
"What are you babbling about?" Gilland? He's still here? "You fools. Do you have the slightest idea of what you've done? Without Aska to power the plant, hundreds of thousands of people will starve to death! Why would you throw Elympios' future away on a whim like that?"
Aska jumped over to Gilland and started... eating him. I glanced at Alvin who looked mortified. Well, everyone except me looked mortified. Aska cleaned off some feathers and cawed. "Is there no limit to the arrogance that human kind exhibits? I understand now why Chronos feels the way he does!"
"Aska!" I growled, clenching my fists.
Aska screeched, turned into a light and floated away, just as Jude and Leia came running in.
"What the-" Jude perplexed, looking at the half... eaten... Gilland.
Alvin shrugged. "A swing and a miss. Don't ask. How about you?"
"Nothing," Jude sighed.
"But," Leia interjected. "We did hear a weird rumor... about a spirit in the wasteland beyond Helioburg!"
"A spirit in the wasteland beyond Helioborg?" I cocked my head.
"Yeah," Leia nodded. "They said it looked like a woman with flowy hair!"
"Wait, that sounds like...," Alvin trailed off, not wanting to say her name. "Well, it's near the dimensional breach. Let's check it out."
I tapped my finger on my chin. A spirit with flowy hair? I had a really bad feeling about this. At the party a couple of nights ago, my heart had this sicking feeling and I felt twangs throughout the night. I knew it was something bad that was happening, but I wasn't sure what. I couldn't do anything about it either.
"Achlys?" Leia interrupted my thoughts. "Is everything okay?"
I waved my hand dismissively at her. "Everything's fine. Let's go."
"You guys go on ahead," Rowen nodded. "I'd like to give Gilland a proper burial."
"I'll help!" Elize raised her hand.
"Why bother?" Alvin grunted. "This world is going to go poof anyway."
"Because it's important," Rowen told him. "To you in particular."
Alvin closed his eyes and sighed. "Yeah... thank you."
I took his hand and squeezed. "You okay?"
Alvin nodded. "Let's go."
