CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The Echo
Rage had consumed Marcus yet again. He hadn't been thinking clearly when he acted, but he didn't care. If he couldn't save Coyote, he would at least save her little brother. While Coyote may have had her whole life ahead of her, Scott's had only just begun. He was three years old…was Kursed really going to kill a three-year old child?
Of course she was. She'd do anything to make Marcus believe that he had nothing left to fight for. That was it, though: he had everything to fight for. His family, his friends, his home, and the people that were suffering on Cerinia. There was another thing…he wasn't on Cerinia anymore. He wasn't even in reality anymore. He was in, as Anna had stated, an infinite plane of existence where time and space bent back on themselves, and it certainly looked like it.
He felt as though he were falling far and fast, though he felt no rush of air around him. He stopped falling so suddenly that he collapsed onto his face from the sudden force. Just like the tunnel leading to where he had fought Coyote, he felt nothing underneath his feet even though he wasn't falling any further, and even though he felt nothing under his feet, it still hurt when he collapsed. Then again, he was used to falling now. After all, he'd performed a free fall from miles above Corneria with no support whatsoever, though that time he had his grandfather's spirit to save him. Now there was no one. He was alone just as he had been in Tartaros, but now he knew that no one would be able to come to help him.
He was in another dimension.
It didn't detract from the task at hand. He began running. He wasn't sure where he was running, and Kursed could be anywhere since this was an infinite plane of existence. That said, he was still half-Cerinian, so he sensed the environment to try and find any clue as to where to go. Thankfully, he found one: a translucent trail leading in the direction that he happened to be running in, thus causing him to run faster. Fast enough to make it feel like his lungs were going to give out. Anything that could have made Marcus run fast popped into his mind. A hungry monster chasing him, the floor collapsing underneath his feet, anything. As long as imagining it made him run faster, he used it.
"Scott…please hold on. I'm coming!"
In the second he had said that, the ground began to shift about, forming into rolling hills that moved as Marcus ran over them. He had the sudden thought that this was Kursed's will: to imbalance him long enough that it would be too late for him to reach his goal. Regardless of that, he pressed onward, stumbling about clumsily as he went. No matter how far he thought he was getting, the ground (or whatever it was beneath his feet) rolled out from underneath him and tripped him, preventing him from making any progress. Not only was he begin to grow more and more frustrated, he was beginning to grow very tired and unsure of whether or not he could even make it in time.
"Goddammit…I gotta keep going…I can't….NO!"
At that moment, he had tripped over his own feet and went tumbling down a slope that had suddenly appeared from nowhere, falling into a pit with visible walls and a bottom. He slammed into the ground at full force, injuring what felt like every part of his body. After laying there uselessly for a moment, he stood up and began running up the opposite slope. Much to his dismay, it was simply too steep for him to keep his balance.
He realized this too late and remained in denial to it, pumping his legs as fast as he could. As was to be expected, he slipped onto his stomach and slid back down into the pit. He ran up and attempted to plant his staff into the wall when all it did was pass through thin air, forcing him to tumble down yet again. In his last effort, he activated the staff's Rocket Booster. While it seemed to work for a moment, Kursed's will stretched even to where he was now as it sputtered and died the second it looked like he was about to emerge from the pit. He fell back down screaming, slamming his back against the ground. Everything hurt. His body, his pride…and now his heart. He sat up and looked all around him. The walls were too steep for him to run up, they weren't solid enough for him to plant his staff into them, and the Rocket Booster refused to work anymore.
He was trapped. He had no way to get out.
"I'm stuck down here…I can't get out." Marcus said to himself, his voice softly echoing throughout the air, as did the steadily growing shakiness.
The heavy thoughts on his mind intensified. Wolf's daughter was dead because of him, his mother's evil twin was growing strong enough to destroy the entire galaxy, and now the brother of the woman he loved was about to die when he had so much left to live for. The worst part about it? There was nothing he could do to stop it.
"This is it…she won…."
The tears began streaming and Marcus pulled his knees up under him, hugging himself as he began to quietly cry.
"I give up…"
The three words he never wanted to hear himself say. They slipped past his lips with no hesitation, and how could they not? He tried so hard, came so far, and meant so well. In the end, however, none of that mattered. It was over…he had lost.
"Malice was right…" he sobbed. "The righteous don't always win out in the end…she stayed one step ahead of me this whole time and just when it looked like I was getting somewhere, I ended up back in the dark again and again and again…now look at me. I'm done for…I swore I'd protect Coyote…and I failed…now her brother is going to die all because I didn't step in and keep Coyote from coming here in the first place…this is all my fault!"
He felt as though he were drowning in his own tears. His eyes had become too watery for him to see past himself, but what was there to see? His heart felt heavier than it had ever felt before. Not only did Scott have so much left to live for, but so did Marcus himself. How could Kursed just take all that away from him by trapping him here in the Echo? Who did she think she was?
"I never should have brought her to this planet…I never should have let her join the team…I should have just sent her home when I ahd the chance. Hell, I never….I never should have even met her. At least then she'd still be alive and I wouldn't be here…waiting for Kursed to come and finish me off. All my life I've been helping the people I love when they needed me…but what about now? …now when I need them…"
Everything around him felt cold like death was slowly starting to wrap itself around him, but the worst part about it was he didn't want to do anything to stop it. If he couldn't save a three-year old child, he couldn't do anything…even pick himself up off the ground. Now because of that thought, he began sadly contemplating everything.
Isaac had said that people saw him as a hero whether he knew it or not. But the truth was (to him, at least) that he wasn't. He was just some teenager who everyone admired going off to war. He didn't help people or rebuild civilizations. He killed people and blew things to smithereens.
He was not a hero. If he couldn't save a child that meant so much to him, that proved it. He was a lonely child just lying there and waiting to die.
Marcus had wiped away the tears, only to see that beneath the heavy fog that circled along the ground, there was a strange mass that he couldn't quite make out. He may have been distraught, but not so much that he couldn't stand and walk over to it to examine it. Upon kneeling down and brushing the fog away, what he found was a surprising sight.
The mass was a humanoid and feminine figure lying on the ground with her eyes closed. She wore no trace of clothing, though there were no indents in her skin, and speaking of her skin, it was black as midnight and wavering like a cloud. All at once, Marcus realized just who this was and allowed a name to slip from his mouth.
"Shadow."
Now he could see clear as day that Persephone had been telling the truth. His maternal grandmother had been pulled back into the Echo after she had sacrificed her mortal body to protect Krystal. Marcus reached out and touched her face. Her skin was as cold as ice, but instead of reeling back, Marcus immediately issued the incantation that he had used three times before. The Purifying Blast emitted from his hand, and Shadow's body glowed a bright blue before the light ceased. For a moment, it looked like it had been ineffective, but Shadow's chest rose and fell as she began breathing again and her eyes quickly opened, revealing them to be completely violet. She sat up slowly and looked about before her eyes settled on Marcus.
"…who are you?" she asked.
Marcus was nervous to talk to this otherworldly being, but this nervousness faded when he remembered that this was his grandmother, as well as the only person around that he could talk to.
"Marcus James McCloud…I was named after your husband." he said.
"My husband…yes…the two of us gave our lives for our daughter…my children! Are they well?!"
"…I'm afraid that…Sabre is dead."
Shadow looked utterly devastated. She was finally awake after God knew how long, and her son had died and gone to Heaven before she could say goodbye. It was just as it had been with Wolf: a child was not supposed to die before their parents, and to see it happen anyway was the greatest pain anyone could ever know.
Still, she hadn't given up hope for her family.
"And what of Krystal?" she asked. "Is she safe…is she alright?"
"She is alive and well…I'm her son."
"Her…son? Then you are…my grandson?"
Without another word, she gently reached out with both hands and felt Marcus' face. The icy coldness of her skin was gone, proven by the warmth of her touch. As she felt Marcus' soft cheeks, Shadow's mouth stretched into a small smile.
"You look so much like your grandfather…but I must ask something. Why are you here?"
The sadness Marcus had felt just moments ago returned full force, as did the tears. He tried his best not to cry in front of his grandmother, but there was no stopping his emotions.
"The girl I love…she died because of me and Kursed brought her little brother here…I wanted to save him, but…I'm trapped down here."
The second Kursed was mentioned, Shadow's expression turned grim.
"My second daughter…so Krystal released her from her body."
"Yeah, and…now she's going to tear everything apart and I can't stop her."
"And why is that?"
"I…I don't know…I guess I'm just not strong enough….I know why she's doing all these things now, but…why take away an innocent child just to get to me?"
Shadow growled to herself.
"So she is still a selfish child even after being sealed away as a punishment…I suppose I can only call it a lust for vengeance. As for why she wants to harm you, perhaps it is just to harm Krystal in turn. She despises all life because it despised her. If put in the same place, do you not think you would perhaps do the same?"
Marcus thought about it for a moment before answering.
"Well…no…I'd try to prove to them that I'm not something that they need to…oh my God!"
"The solution presents itself."
With the final words not making it past his lips, Marcus had singlehandedly reached the greatest epiphany in his young life. He wouldn't stoop to Kursed's level. He'd do what an adult would do: he'd be the bigger man and work at improving himself. Kursed was nothing more than a selfish child that thought it was right about everything.
"So that's it…but does that even matter? Child or not, she's too…"
Shadow laid a hand on her grandson's shoulder and looked deep into his eyes before he could protest any further. Marcus had always wondered where Krystal got her mystifying eyes from, and with Shadow seeming to stare into his soul and mind, he confirmed that this was definitely the mother of his own mother.
"The only limits are those we make ourselves, Marcus." she said softly. "You could not defeat her because you were not pushed to your greatest abilities."
"But…I fought her so hard. I was so angry that I felt I could tear a mountain in two, and yet she still beat me! I tried so hard and I failed!"
"That may be, but you must realize that the only true failure is when you stop trying. You cannot give up until you truly have no strength left to fight."
"…so what do I do?"
Shadow smiled again and took his hand.
"Try again. Help will always be given to the ones who deserve and need it."
The words suddenly empowered Marcus. He had much left to fight for, and the last thing he was going to do was let Kursed get away with murder again. Even more empowering was that Shadow was clinging Marcus against her, and the two were steadily rising up out of the pit. Marcus' brow furrowed with determination.
"Alright. Let's go save Scott! Lead the way!"
"Wake up, Scott…wake up."
"Mmmhmmmm….Coyote…is that you?"
Scott's words were met with a light giggle. His eyes opened and he took a moment to observe his surroundings. Where was he? How did he get here? …and why was Kursed cradling him in her arms?!
Scott let out a cry of panic and tried to get loose, but Kursed held him in a tight embrace, looking almost lovingly into his eyes.
"Hello, Scott." she whispered. "You're so adorable."
"L-let me go!" he cried. "Where's my mom and dad?!"
"Oh, don't worry about them. They can't take care of you like I can!"
"LET ME GO RIGHT NOW!"
"And let you miss out on an oppourtunity to see your sister again? I don't think so."
"My…sister?"
Kursed smiled and gently stroked Scott's cheek. For some odd reason, even though this woman was incredibly frightening in both attitude and appearance, her eyes were calm and soothing…the eyes of a loving mother.
"Yes, dear Scott. She's here. I can take you to her. I know you said some things to her that you wish you could take back, and I want to give you the chance to say you're sorry. Do you want that?"
"…yeah! Please! Take me to her!"
"Of course…but can I tell you a secret first?"
"Umm…o-okay…"
Kursed edged in closer to Scott's face…close enough to kiss.
"You're so brave and strong…and cute, too. I don't have any children of my own. So once we find your sister, how about the two of you stay here with me…forever?"
Scott wanted no part in this. This woman frightened him, and the thought of spending eternity with her made him feel like life would become meaningless, but what he couldn't get over was that her eyes seemed to entrance him into thinking it was a worthy investment. Yes…she would protect him and Coyote…she'd love them until the day they died…she would…
Kursed rasped for a brief moment before she was thrown backward, Scott being pulled out of her arms at the same time. Scott took a moment to regain his grip on reality before looking up into Marcus' face.
"Mark?!"
"It's okay, Scott. I'm taking you home."
"But that woman said…"
"It doesn't matter what she said to you. She's a liar and she would've killed you if she had the chance."
"But…why?"
"…that's just how she is."
Kursed growled and stood up in fury.
"Right when I'm about to have a scrumptious little meal, too, you little..."
The ground between Marcus and Kursed cracked away and separated them far enough that Kursed couldn't simply jump over to him. It was then Marcus noticed Shadow's eyes glowing as she waved her hand about.
"I was created with this world." she said monotonously before conjuring up a portal leading out near to where Marcus was standing. "It is mine to control and destroy if I see fit…and I would say that Lylat has had enough of it."
Marcus nodded and proceeded running toward the portal with Scott hugged against him.
"Mark…is Coyote really dead?" Scott asked.
"Yes, Scott…I'm sorry."
"It's okay…she's with God now, right?"
"Yeah. She's safe with Him."
He had to remind himself to ask someone to hit him for almost saying "I sure as hell hope so." There was no way he could say that to a child. It was enough that Scott had to be put through this after losing his sister, but why break his heart?
"No…she's with God." he assured himself. "She was a good girl. She deserves that kind of peace."
Marcus nearly tripped once the ground began to shake and even started to crumble away. Shadow hadn't been kidding. She was destroying the Echo. It had caused enough problems as it was, so now it was time it met its end.
Kursed, on the other hand, looked at Shadow in shock.
"What…Mother?!" she said in surprise. "You show up after this long and then just take away the one thing that will make me as strong as you?!"
Shadow sighed and looked at Kursed in disdain.
"Power has blinded you, Kursed…you are no daughter of mine."
With that, she began gliding after Marcus as he and Scott dashed through the portal back to Cerinia. As the Echo began to crumble away into a black void, Kursed stood there in complete shock, but that shock quickly turned to anger.
"How dare you…" she growled, clenching her fists so hard that her veins began to become visible under her skin. "Everyone has turned against me…fine! Fuck them all! I'll kill them all!"
Marcus thankfully had left the Echo just in time, because as Kursed's rage reached its peak, she mutated even further.
"I WILL MAKE YOU ALL BURN!"
Okay, so I managed to get one more chapter out before exams started, but now I'm guaranteeing it for real. They're probably won't be another chapter until next month. But don't worry. It'll be worth it because...announcer?
"FINAL BATTLE! FIGHT!"
Ah, you're excited now.
Why don't we talk about something that happened rather recently: Nintendo's E3 presentation...in all honesty, all I can say is that WE'RE IN FOR A GOOD YEAR NEXT YEAR, GAMERS! Mario Kart 8, Bayonetta 2, and best of all a new Super Smash Bros.!
While I'm on the subject of Smash Bros., let's talk about the new characters. Villager from Animal Crossing: Cool, but probably not someone I'm going to play as a lot. Wii Fit Trainer: LOL! Actually looks pretty fun to play as. Mega Man: FUCK YEAH!
Now here's a question: who are the top five Nintendo characters that you want to see in the new game, as well as a potential guest? For Nintendo characters, I'd say Zael from The Last Story, Ghirahim from Skyward Sword, Little Mac from Punch-Out, and our lovely blue vixen Krystal. That, and I'd like to see Roy make a comeback.
As for the guest...Ryu Hayabusa from Ninja Gaiden. Hell yeah, baby. =)
UPDATE June 27th
"Woohoo! I'm a college man! I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T...I mean S-M-A-R-T!"
The point being that now that I'm on summer break, the only thing getting in the way of me working on the story is procrastination. Let's get to it!
SOUNDTRACK SO FAR
Krystal's nightmare/"Save her..."- "Parabola" by Mer (Originally by Tool)
Marcus versus Coyote (friendly)- "Name of the Game" by the Crystal Method
F-Zero race- "F-Zero Medley" by Entertainment System
Space pirate attack- Space pirate theme from Metroid Prime
Ridley- Ridley's theme from Metroid: Other M
Falcon takes down Ridley- "The Meaning of truth" by Hiro-X
The date- Ilia's theme from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Coyote versus the shadows- "The Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson
The star Lylat- Magmoor Caverns theme from Metroid Prime
Marcus and Fox/Marcus and Chase- "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Fox versus Kursed- "Du Hast" by Rammstein
Marcus and Coyote versus Nightmare- Nightmare's theme from Metroid Fusion (ArcX version)
The Nightstriker- "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath
The death of Commander Dane- "Mad World" by Gary Jules
The prisoners of Kew- Byelomorye Dam from Goldeneye 64
Escape from Sargasso- "Hard to See" by Five Finger Death Punch
Marcus and Wolf versus Master Hand and Crazy Hand- Final Destination from Super Smash Bros. Brawl
To Cerinia- "Laser Cannon Deth Sentence" by Dethklok
Aileen- "Working Class Hero" by Green Day (Originally by John Lennon)
The slaves- "Forgotten Children" by Tokio Hotel
Aileen's sorrow- "Narcissistic Cannibal" by EarlyRise (Originally by Korn and Skrillex)
Marcus and Aileen- "Name" by the Goo Goo Dolls
Aileen versus Aphrodite/Marcus versus Malice- "This Fire Burns" by Killswitch Engage (suggested by ianagainstcliffhangers. Thanks, man!)
The river Styx- "Where the River Flows" by Collective Soul
Marcus versus Coyote (infected)- "Mermaids" by Xandria
Coyote's death- Laura Palmer's theme from Twin Peaks
Marcus versus Kursed- "Magia" by Kalafina
Krystal versus Kursed- "Everybody's Fool" by Evanescence
Engaging the final beacon- "I Will Not Bow" by Breaking Benjamin
"I give up..."- "Leaving Hope" by Nine Inch Nails
Escape from the Echo- "Awake and Alive" by Skillet (another one suggested by ianagainstcliffhangers. Thanks again, man!)