"How are there so many?!" The dwarf's angry cries reverberated around the town. His back was against Rythian's, the two slashing and hacking at the creatures. None of them could dissolve them in one shot like Xephos did but they could at least stun them or knock them out. What they'd do with them after that...they hadn't quite figured that out. For now the bodies were left where they fell. Honeydew clambered up on top of the growing pile of bodies in front of him, bringing his axe down firmly on the next one. "Will they stop?" He asked, glaring at the already advancing replacements. He was about to take a swing at the next one when they suddenly stopped. Rythian paused, an inch away from being stabbed in the throat. They seemed to lose all strength in their arms, their weapons clattering to the ground. Soon their bodies followed suit, falling and dissolving like before.
"What...happened?" Rythian asked, the streets now clear of the bodies. He knelt down, running his hand through what looked like blood on the floor; blood with flecks of purple in it. "Blood...why is there blood? There wasn't any when Xephos destroyed that one..." He stood, hearing footsteps rushing towards him. In a second Zoeya was in his arms, hugging him tightly. The two stood in silence, only the quiet padding of their dinosaur friend cutting through. Honeydew watched the three, smiling. It was like him, Xephos and Lomadia, in a way. He watched the remaining townspeople, which was very few, peek out of their hiding places. Due to the sudden silence, they had decided it was safe to at least look. Some were even brave enough to exit the safety of the buildings. Children huddling with their parents, the men protecting their families...Honeydew had never quite seen something like this. How to explain it...he couldn't. His eyes caught the sight of two people; one dressed in green and one with stunningly beautiful pink hair. He immediately ran over to them, seeing the relieved looks on their faces.
"I-Is it over?" Kaeyi whispered, her hands gently around Martyn's arm. Honeydew looked around. Everything seemed ok. Was everything alright now? Just a sudden rush, and then that was it? He began to nod, before a scream ripped through the atmosphere. Everyone turned, just as a loud boom echoed down the street. A machine, slightly larger than normal people, had landed. It's visor flickered before it settled on a bright red glow; a glow that pierced through a smear of blood across the visor. It's gaze shifted over the people, from one side to the other. The gaze settled on Martyn, who looked heartbroken at the sight.
"B-Bebop...?" He asked quietly. Honeydew wasn't exactly sure what he meant, but it seemed like he knew this creation. Was it one of Lalna's? It couldn't be; he would've known about it. So how was it created? Was it Martyn himself? The dwarf quickly ducked as a sword was thrown at them. Now wasn't the time for questions. He wielded his axe as he ran towards the machine aka Bebop. Taking a large swing as his head, Honeydew was shocked when he nimbly dodged and countered. "Honeydew!" Martyn, light on his feet as always, quickly pulled the dwarf to his feet and away from danger. "Y-You can't just hit him like that!"
"Why not?" The dwarf questioned, as the two jumped back from another attack. "It's just a machine. We need to protect these people." He replied. Martyn shook his head, his gaze casting a sad look over the robot. The two were given reprieve as Rythian, Zoeya and Teep distracted Bebop. "What is it to you, Martyn?" Honeydew asked. Martyn clenched his hand around his arm nervously, glancing away.
"...A friend." He mumbled. "He was a friend." He replied simply. "But...I guess not now." The two were taken from their conversation when Teep was sent back into a wall. Even though he did not talk, he made sounds of pain. Zoeya cried out, rushing over to her injured friend. Rythian stood over the two, a strange mist-like aura surrounding his hands.
"What the hell are you two doing?!" He growled, his piercing gaze shocking Martyn and Honeydew into action; even if he was a friend, they had to at least do something. Quick on his feet, Martyn was up next to Bebop in a flash. Although he was fast, his strength wasn't quite as good as the machine's. He was easily knocked down, at the mercy of his former friend. Honeydew's axe impacted Bebop's head hard, causing him to malfunction for a few moments. Martyn dashed away, catching a purple glow in the corner of his eye. He clenched the back of Honeydew's clothes, dragging him back as Rythian sent his aura forward. It encased Bebop, trapping him completely. Honeydew tapped the aura which was solid.
"So...what do we do with him now?" The dwarf asked. The three stood quietly for a while, not totally sure on what to do. They'd have to keep him contained, but was just standing around the best idea?
"I have to be near him to keep the containment at it's strongest." Rythian explained, a slight hint of struggle in his tone. "And I cannot do this forever, friends. I can keep it for a while, of course. But we do need to decide what to do with him."
"Leave that to me, my naive magical friend." Lalna hobbled, with Lomadia's help, over to the group. "I have a thing for science and machines. I'll be able to work out how to fix him." He explained. He tapped on the aura, which opened slightly for him. A few buttons pressed and flipped switches in Bebop's back and he was turned off. "See? This way Rythian will be able to end his aura containment, while I'll still be able to work on him." Lalna smiled proudly. Rythian glanced away, refusing to be impressed by something as simple as random buttons and switches. He cautiously lowered his aura, just in case Bebop suddenly booted back up. But there was no response. The masked male then turned to Lomadia, a look of questioning in his eyes. The female shrugged, a little smile on her face.
"I tried to keep him back, but he just wouldn't listen." She replied to his silent question. "If you were in the same situation, would you really want to just sit around doing nothing?" She asked. Rythian chuckled; Lomadia knew that, in some aspects, he and Lalna were alike. Only some. "Now, you get going after Xeph. I have a feeling he might need you." Lomadia added, glancing at Rythian and then Honeydew. The two nodded, leaving the rest behind. Martyn sat down, his legs crossed as he sighed deeply. Kaeyi stumbled over, practically falling into her partner's lap. He ran his fingers through her pink hair gently, knowing how that calmed her. The street was filled with quiet murmurings from the villagers who had dared come out for a second time. Lomadia paid no attention to them, though; her mind was only focused on Xephos' safety. 'Please be ok.' She prayed silently, her eyes drifting over to the marble castle. 'Be safe, Xeph.'
"So who exactly are you?" The hybrid glanced at the demi-god, who was helping his mortal friend. After getting over the fact of what had happened, it did confuse him why this demi-god had returned; especially after asking him to tell Xephos he said 'hi'. "I mean...one minute you're talking to me, the next you're gone and helping these guys." He pointed out. Ridge grinned, a look that had become famous amongst his friends - both mortal and not.
"Well, I guess now that we're not being attacked, I should introduce myself." He did an elaborate twirl, which was unnecessary, before he continued. "I am the Demi-God, Ridgedog! Protector of Minecraftia! But just call me Ridge~" The demi-god finished with a flashy pose, using that same grin again. Xephos just groaned from embarrassment, whilst Xena giggled quietly. "That good enough for ya?" He winked. Xephos face palmed, causing a laugh to come from the other males.
"Since when are you 'Protector' of Minecraftia? You don't do that much anyway, apart from fly around and do some pranks every now and again." He pointed out, causing the male to turn slightly red.
"I've saved many people's lives!" Ridgedog replied, almost like a childish whine. "Come on Xeph~ Just let me have this~" He twirled the mortal around, who felt slightly dizzy after. "Anyway..." He coughed, composing himself. "There's no time for this. We must hurry. Lead the way." Ridgedog said to the three, who just shrugged to each other before continuing. Only Xephos was the one to hear his quiet mutterings of how he has done many great things, a smile forming on the dark haired male's lips. The large arched door soon crept up on them, appearing on their right as they walked. The three stopped before it, obviously recognising it. Xephos, however, was not familiar with this. His memory of the layout and areas of the castle had faded after a while, especially with coping with a sudden rush of new ones if he wasn't careful. But, seeing as they were trying to find the King, he assumed it was the throne room. The actual door only went a metre above head height, but the archway was a few more than that. All made from the finest mahogany, of course, by Sjin himself.
"Do you think he's in here?" Xephos asked, glancing at the two males and female ahead. Xena nodded, her gaze firmly staying on the door. A look of determination was clear in her dark eyes.
"He was here when I first left. He should still be here now." She replied. Xephos took a deep breath, suddenly feeling nervous. His brother, TWIN...the King. Now he would most likely have to fight him. Would he die? No. Neither of them will die. Xephos promised. He reached out towards the handle, feeling the presence of the demi-god behind him leave. He spun round, watching the demi-god leave.
"R-Ridge?" Ridge smiled slightly, holding a hint of sadness.
"Sorry Xeph. This is your fight. I've got to go help the others. They need it more than you do. I'm always in here." His palm pressed flat against Xephos' chest. "See ya." He saluted before vanishing. Xephos felt tears forming, quickly shaking his head. Now wasn't the time for this. He turned back to the door, grasping the handle firmly. Without hesitation he pushed the door open, which creaked slightly as it opened, and the four trickled inside. The doors slammed shut behind them, the room darkened slightly.
"Hello, brother." The King wore a sadistic smirk on his face, the blue previously in his eyes swallowed by the blood red. It seemed like his old self had been swallowed by this new one. "Oh...and you. Traitors." His hand moved slowly through a mess of dark hair. After taking a few moments, the group realised what he was stroking was a person. One Xephos knew well.
"Toby!"