Magic: the Gathering
Chronicles, Volume 18
By Louis Kemner 2009
The shiny, bladed end of Kappa's jointed tentacle protruded from Devin's back, the hard metal bright in the mid-day light. It was almost as bright as the red blood that seeped from the horrendous wound, that caused Devin to freeze in shock, and another trickle of blood to emerge from his mouth. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, making only a few gasping sounds.
"Devin!" Kelly cried, in shock and horror. She rushed over to help her friend, only to stop when a second bladed tentacle shot in her direction. Kappa heaved his misshapen, multi-piece body out of the Drag Down Swamp, keeping the first tentacle buried in Devin's flesh, piercing his vitals. The machine Hunter made a metallic grunt.
"Both lungs, the heart, and the spinal column are critically damaged," he said, standing up straight on a pair of legs. "Only seconds remain until death."
"Death... no! Devin!" Kelly wailed, abandoning her cards and desperately searching for a way to help her friend. It couldn't end like this, Devin couldn't die. Not just for the sake of the Multiverse, but he was her friend, precious to her... that was what kept them going. Each other.
Then she saw the Guttural Response card held limply in Devin's right arm, and the wisps of his red-green mana aura seeping into it.
Devin gave a weak grunt, his body heaving. With a clank, Kappa snapped his gaze onto him, his shining eyes watching. Devin was silent, then gave a low growl, a fierce animal noise. It grew louder, rough and fierce, until it exploded into a rage that repelled Kappa's spike tentacle from his body. His mana aura flared to its full extent, his voice still a huffing lion-like growl, the gaping wound in his torso sealing closed. Even the blood was vanishing.
"Devin, what in...?" Kelly gasped, watching the phenomenon. Devin stood to his full height, squaring his shoulders, looking down in wonder at the now fully closed wound.
"Whoa! What just happened?" he said in amazement. His shirt still had a jagged round hole, but his flesh was renewed. He ran his fingers over the skin, hardly believing what his fingertips told him.
"You don't know what you did?" Kelly asked, recovering from the shock. Exasperation started to seep in; did Devin have to bumble his way out of everything?
"I... no," Devin said in honesty, turning to face her. He gripped the Guttural Response card tight. "It just happened, my mind was in a haze. Wait, what's this card? What do I have that heals?"
He examined the Guttural response card; it was an instant, red-green hybrid. Its effect was to counter a blue instant spell. "But Kappa is artifact, not blue. And he doesn't cast spells or anything... and I didn't think about casting this! I just..."
"Quit yakking for a second," Kelly snapped, taking the Guttural Response card and looking at it. She got the feeling that Kappa was "programmed" for combat etiquette and wouldn't attack them yet, but there was no guarantee. They had to figure this out fast.
"Maybe..." Kelly wondered out loud, her hurried brain working, "The idea of the card is what happened, and not the effect?"
"You mean, like how I roared?" Devin asked, rubbing his throat. "My throat kinda hurts..."
"The thing is, maybe it's your colors, and the connection between them and the card," Kelly said in a rush, her eyes not leaving Kappa for one second. "Red and green are, well, primal, and savage together, instinctive. You don't think with that, you just act and let nature take over. Like when running a red-green deck, as opposed to a blue or black one."
"Does that mean," Devin said with realization, "is that I'm a natural genius at the card game, and was born to play it?"
"I --" Kelly started, then bonked Devin on the head. "No, Devin! The savage nature of red-green took over with that card, with the survival instinct of an injured animal, or you. The card's 'guttural roar' was idealized as the roar of a wounded animal, and gave you primal, emergency strength, including healing to keep fighting to survive. Get it?"
"Oh... yeah! I do!" Devin said, sounding excited. "So, that means that my aura's colors affect how I fight and use my cards? Instinct and survival on my part?"
"Yeah," Kelly said. "Like how Viktor runs green-blue and he's good at handling creatures, and I have the cunning of black, making traps like with Drag Down and figuring this out. And how Ashley has quick wits and desires strongly to protect us, since she's white-blue. And Makoto is sharp and efficient in combat, being red-white."
"Impressive analysis," Kappa grated; he had caught every word. "Lady Elena will be informed of this, to produce effective counter-strategies."
"Huh? You heard us?" Devin cried, wheeling around.
"Stupid but tough, like a red-green," Kelly muttered.
"Hey! I heard that one!" Devin snapped.
Kelly's eyes widened, and she shouted, "watch out!" as she dove to protect her friend. Kappa withdrew his metal tentacles and shot forth a dozen thinner ones, intending to pepper his targets full of holes. The pointed ends sizzled menacingly in the air.
"Well, if I'm primal savagery, then let's go!" Devin exclaimed confidently, enthusiastically flaring his red-green mana aura to full. Streetbreaker Wurm, a 6/4, was launched and it zoomed forth like a missile, propelled by extra red mana. In response, Kappa re-formed, this time into a giant pair of jaws lined with sharp teeth, like a bear trap. Kappa clamped his jaws/body on the Wurm's neck, and the Wurm struggled to free itself and gnash at his prey; it flailed crazily, cracking the street pavement.
"I hope none of the bystanders get hurt by this," Kelly mused to herself, aware of the many Azorius and Boros troops assembled at the street's edge, terror clear on their faces. Why didn't they run away? It should be clear that they could do no good stepping into the fight, no matter what side they took. Oh well.
"Consume Spirit!" Kelly shouted, destroying Streetbreaker Wurm and absorbing mana. Kappa's jaw-body snapped closed, vulnerable. Thinking fast, Devin cast Vengeful Rebirth, bringing the Wurm back and throwing a wave of fire damage at Kappa, followed up by another physical charge. To aid the Wurm, Kelly cast Vicious Hunger on it, altering the effect and driving it into a starving, blind rage. The Wurm collided heavily with a surprised Kappa, knocking him back into a building with a huge crash and dust cloud.
"Whoa! That's insane!" Devin said, impressed. "Vicious Hunger to help a creature? That's new."
"We've got to get really creative here, Devin," Kelly said, holding a card up and pointing it forth. "Just like in a normal game. Find the trickiest methods to win."
"That's more for black and blue, isn't it?"
"For any color. We can't beat him unless we involve a few twists," Kelly told him. "Look over there. We hurt him some more, but he's coming for more."
"Argh! He's coming!" Devin groaned, watching Kappa take a bipedal form with a lizard-like head and tail, stomping grimly toward them. "This is like that one movie, with a robot who kept coming back for more... wait. I shouldn't get distracted."
Knowing that an impaling tentacle would finish it off on the ground, Devin cast a Viridian Shaman riding Dragon Whelp, casting its anti-artifact magic down below on Kappa. This assault was aided by a Dark Banishing, the foul black cloud rushing to destroy the target. When the dust cleared, however, Kelly and Devin were not met with the sight they wanted.
Hardly any more damaged, Kappa had now re-arranged his parts into a hollow ball, the attacks having difficulty striking the smooth surface.
"Uh-oh," Devin said, a possibility striking him, one that was realized. Kappa nudged forth a little, then accelerated into a straight-line roll like a bowling ball, faster and faster. The sphere-Kappa was over eight feet wide, and moving fast; Kelly and Devin had to jump in opposite directions to avoid the ball, and it plowed into another building, grinding to a halt. Then, it rolled back, aiming toward Devin; Kappa, clearly, could steer.
"What?! Why me?" Devin cried, throwing out a Raging Goblin in the hopes of stalling him; Kappa squashed it and rolled on, not even slowed.
"Drag Down!" Kelly exclaimed, and the mire re-appeared right in Kappa's path. It was met with success; the ball-Kappa was stunned for the moment. A Carrion Wall made sure to enforce the trap, the skeletons gripping Kappa tight.
"Now! We've got him!" Kelly called over. A horde of creatures, including Abyssal Spectre, Sengir Vampire, Volcanic Dragon, and Streetbreaker Wurm charged in for the kill. Before any of them could strike, however, dozens of spikes shot out of Kappa's round shell, making him look like an over-sized sea urchin.
These spikes impaled all the attackers, injuring some and destroying the weaker ones. Carrion Wall was broken, too, giving Kappa just enough opportunity to tug himself free of the Drag Down. Then, he assumed the shape of a four-winged drake, hovering a few feet off the ground.
"Um, I don't think this is working so great," Devin said in gloom. Kelly had to agree.
"Grand Arbiter! You've returned!" Waren Lightheart exclaimed, catching sight of his boss emerging from around a bend in Prahv's hallways. The two men stood in the massive central room, with sunlight streaming from tall, narrow windows set high on the walls. The light shafts made Epsilon look all the more impressive and imposing. "Where have...?"
"...I been?" Epsilon finished for him. "That's not for you to know, Waren. However, you are permitted to witness the fruits of what I have accomplished. Tell a platoon of my troops to accompany us. Right away." There. Let Waren feel his superior capabilities and knowledge. Elena had done it often enough to him and the other Hunters before he betrayed her.
"R... right away, Grand Arbiter," Waren bowed, then hurried to gather a platoon of knights, archers, and pikers, forty men in total. That was a standard Azorius military unit. The men assembled around their Arbiter, looking apprehensive; they knew that he was nothing like the last one, and held many secrets. Secrets for them to find out, and secrets for other people to find out.
"What do you command of us, Grand Arbiter?" one of the knights asked. Only a slight trembled of nerves.
"I command you to accompany me and allow me to demonstrate something," Epsilon told him, raising an arm. "It's time that I show you what I really am, nothing like Augustine IV. Behold!"
A great swirling portal roared into existence, similar in design and function to Elena's, except colored after Epsilon, as opposed to Elena's purple and black. She used them to transport her Enslaved army from place to place to terrorize and dominate wherever they set foot. He had better intentions.
The Azorius troops gave exclamations of surprise and shock, unsure what to make of the swirling and crackling portal. Other people, too, stopped and stared in wonder.
"This is what your Grand Arbiter Epsilon I is capable of," Epsilon shouted over the noise, for all to hear. "Don't think me a feeble old man like my predecessor."
Now, facing the assembled troops, he told them, "follow me into the portal. If you wish to prove your loyalty and devotion to your savior, then follow." With that, Epsilon stepped into the portal, vanishing. With encouragement from Waren, the troops followed with Waren taking up the rear. They found themselves in an abandoned field of tall grass, surrounded by hilly forests with a mountain range in the distance. A dark blue river flowed some distance away.
"Wh... where are we?" one of the archers asked, stunned. Living their entire lives in the metropolis Ravnica, they had never seen true wilderness. It was a shocking new awareness opened to their minds, an unpredictable change that invited possibilities. Symbolic, Epsilon thought.
"Grand Arbiter," Waren asked, edging closer to his commander for comfort in their bizarre new surroundings, "what is the meaning of this? Where are we? I see no buildings of any sort, it's not even like the Selesnya gardens... not that I mean disrespect..."
Epsilon made an understanding expression. "Rest easy, Waren," he told his second-in-command. He must make every difference from Elena's defiled army and rule, her insidious methods... he would demonstrate what a real empire-builder was like. "Stand back and watch what I do."
To all his present followers, he said, "Men, I opened a portal and transported us to a new Plane called Dominaria. Ravnica is one Plane of many, and they all differ from one another. You may have your own views from your city-Plane, but be prepared for many new sights such as this. You will have new duties that expand well beyond the Guild wars of Ravnica. You will be heroes to billions of people you didn't even know existed!"
"What would you have us do, Grand Arbiter?" one of the knights asked, sounding eager. Epsilon's mouth curved in a satisfied smile. So they would cooperate!
"I would have you prepare," he told them. "It will not hurt." To Waren, he said, "Prepare to command a lot more troops."
Before anyone could ask any more questions, Epsilon charged green, white, and blue mana in his hands, swirling energy that swelled in power and size. Then, giving a cry of effort, Epsilon threw the mana in sizzling lances at his assembled troops, enveloping them. They couldn't even cry out; their bodies were phased into pure mana themselves, shining white. Waren braced himself against this phenomenon, shouting and covering his face with an arm, which Epsilon ignored.
"Now, one may be many," Epsilon whispered. As he watched, the white-mana soldiers distorted and grew, like amoebas under a microscope. New bodies began to emerge from the old, multiplying. The properties of Epsilon's mana were doing their work; the Azorius troops had their bodies read and copied, splitting into double. There were now eighty soldiers before him, and still the process went on. These eighty troops became 160, then 320, and more continued to emerge. Epsilon kept his hands raised to focus the mana, feeling the drain. Even so, he had to continue. Grass wavered and scorched, the air shimmered, and all wildlife steered clear of the super-natural events taking place.
At last, Epsilon lowered his arms, the mana dying down into nothing, natural calm and order returning to the pristine wilderness. Birds of prey, snakes, deer, and foxes carefully crept closer to inspect what had happened with their probing, primitive senses. A deer sniffed a knight, and he moved, scaring it off. From behind him, several thousand more watched. Terns of thousands.
"My... oh... what in all the fates is this...?" Waren breathed, hardly daring to believe what he saw. What was once a meager platoon of soldiers was now a shining sea of them, lined perfectly in rows and columns, spreading for hundreds pf meters all around. All loyal to their Grand Arbiter, all willing to fight to the end to do battle with Elena's Enslaved army. Their master would will it, and they would obey!
"Waren," Epsilon said, and he jumped. "Yes, Grand Arbiter?" he asked, snapping into a salute, hoping to impress his boss after such a display of awe.
"I hope you're prepared to help me command all these."
"Walking is such a pain," Delta complained, scratching the back of his head and yawning. "Why couldn't that Mothrider Samurai have taken us all the way to Eiganjo Castle, or wherever we're going?"
"The poor thing couldn't take your weight, big guy," Theta said snidely. "Didn't you see it straining and panting just to fly you as far as you went? Maybe walking the rest of the way will work a little weight off?"
"What was that?" Delta snapped back, whirling around to face him; his arms swung out, and his left fist narrowly avoided knocking Makoto off his feet. "Was that a joke?"
"Oh yeah," Omega said. "Hey, Theta, don't make jokes to him. He's too thick to get them!"
"You little –!" Delta roared, lumbering after him; Omega darted out of harm's way, leaving a trail of blue and black behind him. Delta flailed his arms, trying to catch him; within minutes, Makoto watched in disbelief as the three of them chased each other all about, Theta and Omega evading their pursuer with their quick movements, leaving trails of blue and black after them. What was that?
"Ha ha!" Theta laughed. "Is the poor brute too slow and dumb to catch us? Huh?"
"Hee hee, careful, or you'll provoke him!" Omega supplied. Delta frowned, then in a blur of red and green, covered the distance between him and the others, which was more than twenty feet. He could do it too! A massive brute like him, moving at blinding speed? Theta and Omega were shocked too.
"Ack! We give up! We give up!" Theta whined, as he and Omega were held in the air by their heads, their legs kicking uselessly.
"Don't hurt us!" Omega begged, his hands clawing futilely at Delta's massive hands.
"Better not get on my bad sides, boys," Delta warned then, clearly enjoying his position of power over them. "Or else..."
"Or else what?" Omega dared him. "Gonna hurt us? You know what master Alpha would say about that! He doesn't forgive mistakes or bad judgment. Just ask Epsilon, the traitor!"
"No one even knows where Epsilon is," Delta said. "Anyway, guys, harass me any more and..."
"...and nothing, unless you can catch us," Theta said smoothly. In a brief flash, both Theta and Omega vanished. Makoto thought they had gone to another Plane, but they re-appeared right behind Delta in another flash. They could teleport from place to place in the same Plane! Did that mean that Alpha could also...?
"Hey! That's not fair!" Delta whined, whirling around. "You know I can't do that! Heck, Beta can't..."
He tried to catch Theta and Omega, but couldn't; they were too fast. They climbed onto his back, one on each side.
"We're tired!" Theta whined. "Carry us to the Castle! We gotta rest up before capturing the Key Creature."
"What?! I'm the one who'll be doing it!" Delta objected. "Not you! And get off my back!"
"Huh? Then what are we here for?" Omega cried.
"You should know!" Delta told him. "You're the ones who said you are acting on Alpha's orders!"
"Hey, better go get the kid," Theta said suddenly, pointing. "He's getting away."
Indeed, Makoto had made a break for it. He had no cards to cast spells with, but he couldn't be in their presence any longer. He had to get away somehow!
It was for naught. With the super-speed of red and green, Delta was on him in an instant, pinning him to the ground.
"Don't got bolting off, kid," Delta told him. "There's nowhere to run."
"Yeah. We're awesome like that, see?" Theta said, getting up. He and Omega had fallen to the ground when Delta used his fast movement. "Why'd you have to fastwalk so suddenly, Delta? We fell off!"
Delta shrugged. "I couldn't have outrun him with you two on my back."
So it's a fastwalk, Makoto thought, fighting the disappointment of being caught. Without further ado, Theta and Omega climbed back onto Delta's back, throwing off his balance and making him groan in irritation.
"I'm not your mule!" he objected.
"Come on," Omega cajoled, slapping the shoulder pad he rested on. "It'll be fun!" he pointed in the direction of Eiganjo Castle. "Come on. To the Castle we go!"
Delta sighed and collected Makoto, carrying him under one arm as Theta and Omega whooped and cheered their excitement from Delta's shoulder pads. Makoto had always wanted to tour the countryside with a fun, lively group, but this was not what he had imagined for himself.
Beta skidded backwards on thin air, gritting his teeth with effort and strain. How had the damned kids turned the tables on him like this? He was breathing heavily, his shoulders rising and lowering and his armor clanking as his chest heaved. The determination of the two children had amused him at first, then angered him, inviting a return to his more black-red nature. He intentionally restrained that part of himself, fearing the destruction and chaos that part of him brought.
"Hey! We're getting him!" Viktor couldn't help cheering, knowing better than to get too cocky. Thorn Elemental flapped in the air, supported by a pair of shining angel wings proportionately sized; it was enchanted with Asha's Favor, giving it wings and faster movements with the "first strike" ability. An Oakenform-ed Sky Hussar hovered nearby, providing support, along with an Assault Zeppelid and a Wall of Denial. And so far, it was working.
"We're pushing him, yeah," Ashley agreed, watching with a few cards held ready in her hand as Beta collected himself. "Though we should be ready for a turn-around, just in case. We can't be helped by Planeswalkers, not even Sarkhan, who lives here or something."
Indeed, a massive, see-through blue bubble enclosed the volcano battlefield. Beta had created it, boasting that no Planeswalker could possibly go through it or Planeswalk to anywhere inside it. Viktor could recall all the help Ajani, Jace, and Sarkhan had provided for them, and realized that it was just as well; they had to learn to stand on their own, rely on their own strength to stand up for a righteous cause. They couldn't depend on the big kids forever, after all.
Beta wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth, then his gaze snapped up and his eyes widened as Thorn Elemental swooped in for another attack. The Elemental's massive fingers were clawed out, sharp and curving and deadly. Viktor had to admit that the Elemental looked funny but impressive, pouncing in the air on its opponent like a super-sized wooden panther.
"Whoops," Beta jibed somewhat bitterly, as he jumped into the air to dodge the Elemental's hand, which slammed into the volcano wall and created a cloud of debris and dust. Beta fired a cone of red-black fire from his palm, and the Elemental took the brunt of the attack by blocking with its arm, sustaining fire damage. In retaliation, the Elemental swung out with its other hand, and Beta pushed off of it with his hands to propel himself high over the Elemental's head; it looked up at him and growled.
"I think this has gone on long enough," Beta said decisively, then raised a hand. Purple mana swirled around it, and he shouted at it: "Kappa! Get over here! Bring your opponents with you! We can't have then running away. We'll kill them all together, in one place."
"Wait, does that mean...?" Viktor started, then his question was answered as Kappa appeared next to Beta in a blinding silver flash. Kelly and Devin appeared next to him, looking shocked at the sudden change of scenery.
"Whoa! What just –?" Devin exclaimed, before he saw the two Hunters next to him in the air. Sky Hussar swooped forth to collect him and Kelly, bringing them to the volcano edge where Viktor and Ashley were.
"Beta just summoned Kappa here and ordered to bring you two with him," Kelly explained in a rush, her eyes on her two foes. "We're on Jund, and there's an anti-Planeswalker force field or whatever around this volcano. We've managed to push Beta back; we're determined to defeat him. I think willpower and confidence affect how well we do, not to mention teamwork."
"What?!" Devin cried, looking miffed. "You're beating the one stronger than the one Kelly and I fought? We were losing even though we figured out a better way to use the cards! I feel bad now..."
"Don't get down, Devin," Ashley said. "Be strong. And did you say that you found a new way to use the cards? Explain fast; I don't think Beta and Kappa will give us much time."
Devin Viktor and Ashley the run-down of how to use cards in ways other than their effects, simply by channeling creativity and imagination. The cards could have vastly different and often better effects if used the right ways.
"That's great," Viktor praised, already thinking of new ways to use his green and blue cards. He was watching a spot behind Devin's back. "Now use some of that creativity to defend us!"
"Use..." Devin started, before seeing Kappa's now long body with a sharp end shooting forth like an extending rod, Beta holding the other end. Wall of Denial scooted forth to block the attack, mana sparking and spitting at the point of contact.
"I thought we could handle this individually, but I guess there's no replacement for teamwork, huh?" Beta called over to them, retracting Kappa with a cacophony of clanks and clinks. "One could say children inspire me. Now, inspire me with your blood!"
"Adjusting," Kappa said as he flattened his body and gave his edges sharp pieces of his body, the part Beta held turning into a handle. Beta swung him toward his four enemies.
"Okay. We're being attacked by a hundred foot-long sword," Devin said dryly, watching with disbelief. "That talks."
"Watch out!" Viktor cried, pushing everyone out of harm's way and getting Assault Zeppelid to take the brunt of the attack; the flying beast was flung far away, rent almost in half. Kappa was swung again and again, apparently unaffected by his size and length; each blow scored massive scars in the volcano's wall. Viktor shivered as he and the others dodged; one hit from that could kill any one of them beyond healing.
"Okay. Let's try this," Kelly said, raising a new card. "Vicious Hunger!"
A bolt of black mana struck Thorn Elemental, and it rumbled in reaction. Viktor was at first shocked that Kelly would hurt his creature, but then changed his mind when he saw the Elemental rage towards Beta and Kappa, screaming roughly in what he realized was raging hunger, driving it into a frenzy.
With Kappa as his sword, Beta shouted "Useless! Useless!" as he held the Elemental off with repeated hacks and slashes. The two exchanged savage blows until Ashley cast a Surge of Thoughtweft.
"We don't have any Kithkin around!" Viktor started to object, but then remembered their new combat tactic. Now, sparkling trails of white mana flowed out of the card and struck him, Beta and Kappa. Viktor's mind reeled as his conscious was made one of three in his brain. Beta's and Kappa's thoughts shouldered in, competing with his own for his attention and control.
What is this? Why am I--
Error. Unknown entities computing--
What? Why am I seeing what the child sees, what he thinks? Am I being enchanted--
Oh! That Thoughtweft thing linked our minds! I can read their thoughts!
Re-adjusting mental protocols to compensate for--
If this kid is serious, then--
I can predict their moves! I can do this!
Viktor fought through Beta's and Kappa's thoughts, determined to take advantage of his temporary ability. Reading Beta and Kappa's minds, he was able to predict their moves and adjust accordingly, gaining the advantage in battle faster than they could.
Thorn Elemental was able to dodge just right, take the right position, and exploit openings at the last second, even those that didn't seem to exist. The Elemental's massive hands struck Beta twice, forcing him to cry out. Kappa abandoned his sword form and began to consolidate into a ball of pieces, a crackling orb of green mana inside like a heart.
"And... I've got you!" Viktor shouted, commanding the Thorn Elemental to make another decisive blow. Its massive hand closed on Kappa's round body, gripping him in his weak points and crushing him. Kappa screeched an ear-grating metallic noise, both in voice and body, as he was destroyed. Then, he exploded into countless individual pieces, shooting off in a million random directions. As each piece reached a certain point, it vanished in a small flash of silver.
"Did you get him?" Kelly said breathlessly, watching. "He's in pieces..."
Thorn Elemental growled, stepping back on thin air as it hovered with its flapping wings. The Surge of Thoughtweft was wearing off, and Viktor's mind was his alone once again.
"Well! It looks like you've got him," Beta said, trying to maintain his cool, cocky manner, but Viktor could see his seething rage, in his voice, face, and mana aura. He sensed something very bad there... "Kappa can't be destroyed, not like that, but he's in no shape to fight now. You've dealt too much damage to him; he has to retreat, devour more metal to replenish himself. I think Mirrodin will be the place for him."
"And oblivion will be the place for you, once we've destroyed you too!" Viktor declared boldly. Thorn Elemental rumbled its agreement, its arms creaking into combat readiness.
"Not likely," Beta retorted, his manner slipping into madness. A wide, crazed smile twisted his face, a fire in his eyes. He raised his clawed, armored hands and shouted, "I congratulate you, children, for pushing us this far! Lady Elena's right to take you seriously and fear you. Know, however, that it is you who will ultimately feel the fear!"
"Yup. This is getting bad," Viktor had to say, and the others nodded grimly, watching Beta. Thorn Elemental scooted back with its master, now taking a defensive posture.
"I never told you, did I?" Beta said with barely controlled rage and violence. "What the top three Hunters can do? I'll tell you – this body, this form, isn't the full extent of who I am. No, Beta the Hunter is more. I am more! And once I manifest my Ascendant State, I will show you why I am superior in the end!"
Beta let loose a wild, echoing, blood-chilling cry, the very air seeming to vibrate and resonate with it. Black and red mana, more than before, sizzled around him and enveloped him. Beta's body began to change; warping, expanding.
"It hits the fan," Gerbie commented firmly, emerging from Ashley's pocket. She pushed him back in, warning him not to get in harm's way.
"Fine. You fight the big bad fire man," Gerbie said from in her pocket.
"He's right," Ike said, taking his turn to emerge and poking out of Viktor's pocket. "This ain't cool, man."
"Quiet!" Viktor snapped, pushing his own Simic gerbil pet back into his pocket.
"You will fear me! You will burn! You will understand fear and despair!" Beta screamed, his body melting into what seemed like pure mana and fire. His body distorted, taking a new shape. His armor was gone, and so was his human shape. As Viktor watched, he realized that what Beta was becoming. When the transformation was complete, he knew for sure that this battle would not be an easy one.
A wraith of fire stood before them, pulsing with an internal flame. Beta's body was like a semi-solid dark gray shroud or cloak, wispy and tattered, and rather rotund. His head was a gross protrusion from his shoulders, with a jagged mouth curving upwards like an evil jack-o-lantern's. His eyes were red slits over this mouth, dead set on his targets. Two curving horns sprouted from his forehead, curving up and back over his head. His arms were spindly and skeletal, with long claw-like fingers that grasped and twitched in the empty, hot air.
"Well, now. Do you understand why you will die here?" Beta declared, his voice ghostly and echoing, fitting his form. "This is it, children! Your cards and tricks are no good anymore, not against me! You will die, and your friend will help us find the other Key Creatures and then die himself! I will force your Key Creature cards from you and kill you in agony and fire!" He inhaled, his chest swelling, then burst out in maniacal laughter, long and loud.
"I'd say we have a pretty hardcore fight ahead of us," Viktor told his friends. They could do naught else but agree, even the gerbils.