Chapter 20: The New Magic Knight
Zill Dreadnought Adjudicator
Admiral Rahksha was walking down the corridors of the ship, eyes narrowed behind his helmet. For all intents and purposes, the invasion was going well, so he should have been happy. However, things had happened that were agitating him and causing him concern. First and foremost, the Magic Knights had escaped from his clutches. Second, both the War Wolves and the Black Dragon had sided with Cephiro against him. Third, their enemies had been launching a greater number of successful hit-and-run attacks against the Zill ground forces. Now he was hearing unconfirmed rumors that Zill traitors were on the ground as well.
He didn't need this, not now. The Emperor was going to be arriving within the next forty-eight hours to inspect his progress. And the last thing he needed right now was to have to explain how he'd lost not only their elite mechanized infantry unit but also a highly valuable hired gun in addition to suffering losses on the ground. All he could do was hope that his next project was going to put things right in time.
He stepped through the door of the ship's massive science center, heading straight for the back. The science teams didn't even seem to notice; they were totally engrossed in their work. The only scientist to acknowledge him was standing in front of a glowing tank hooked up to a variety of machines.
"Director Mammon," said Admiral Rahksha, greeting the scientist.
"Admiral Rahksha, sir," said the Director, saluting him. "This is a pleasant surprise. I trust you're here to check on my pet project?"
"Of course," said Rahksha. "This project of yours is exactly what I need to get this invasion back on schedule. I want to ensure that everything is going smoothly."
"It couldn't be better, sir," said Mammon, looking at the tank. "I admit, it was a bit unusual working with the alien DNA samples, but we cracked the genetic code swiftly. The subject will be ready within the next twenty-four hours."
"So quickly," said Rahksha. "I know I wanted her as soon as possible, but even I'm impressed with the speed of your work."
"Of course you are," said Mammon. "You only accept the absolute best there is, and there's none better than me. Particularly in the field of military bioengineering."
"So true," said Rahksha, putting a hand on the tank, looking at its lone occupant.
It was a human shape, female from the curvature, tall and slender of build. Long flowing hair was floating in the tank fluid, and her eyes were closed as if she was asleep.
"Just one more day," said Rahksha, looking at her. "Then you will be complete…my personal Magic Knight. And when you awaken…kill them!"
As he laughed maniacally, the girl's eyes opened, one blue and one red. Her mouth curved upwards into a sinister smile and her eyes glowed with wicked power. As if in anticipation of her release, and the destruction of the Magic Knights.
Cephiro, the Next Day
Hikaru was content wrapped in Kefka's arms, cuddled up underneath a shady tree. Soon they would have to go out on patrol again, doing what they could to disrupt the Zill's operations. But for now, she would make the most of every quiet moment with Kefka.
Kefka was smiling, his eyes shut. "What are you thinking about, Hikaru?" he asked, opening one eye and glancing at her.
"Just how lucky I am to have you," said Hikaru, looking up at him. "What about you?"
"Well, definitely that I'm lucky to have you," he said. "Also, wondering about where we'll be going next."
"You're always thinking ahead, aren't you?" asked Hikaru. "You're such a soldier," she added with a laugh.
"Sorry, old habits die hard," said Kefka with a chuckle. "But, yes I am always looking ahead. I like to be as prepared as possible."
"So what kinds of things have you been looking ahead to?" asked Hikaru, snuggling closer.
"Mostly about you and me," said Kefka. "Been thinking about what the future has in store for us, and what we'll do."
Hikaru blushed and said, "I've been thinking about that myself. About what will happen if I can bring you to my world, or if you must stay here."
"Yeah, I don't think your Earth has many Zill walking around," said Kefka. "Or anything of a similar nature."
"That's true," said Hikaru. "And I don't know how to explain to my family if I keep travelling between worlds all the time to meet you. They'll start asking questions soon enough."
"Something for us to figure out," said Kefka. "Thankfully we have time to do that. Just remember, no matter what happens, as long as we're together everything will be fine."
"Yeah, you're right," said Hikaru, leaning up to kiss him.
Before she could, however, Mokona suddenly came bounding up to them in a panic.
"Puu puu, puu puu!" cried Mokona, bouncing up and down.
"Mokona? Hey, what's the matter?" asked Hikaru, worried. "Did something happen?"
"Puu puu, puu!" he replied, pointing towards their main camp.
"Come on, Hikaru, we better see what happened," said Kefka, standing up.
Hikaru got to her feet with a nod. "Right, it must be something really serious."
They rushed back to the camp. It was essentially a joint operation between the Magic Knights and their allies and the 169th Infantry, who served under Harkoss and the 9th Fleet. Their commander, a wolfish looking Zill named Krieger, was inside the main tent, along with a few other officers. Umi, Fuu, and the War Wolves were there as well.
"Oh good, you're here," said Krieger when Kefka and Hikaru entered the tent, followed by Mokona.
"General Krieger, sir, what's the situation?" asked Kefka, quickly saluting.
"We just lost an entire unit of our rebel soldiers, that's the situation," said Krieger. "Lafarga and Lantis were leading a unit against some of Rahksha's forces when they were suddenly attacked. We don't know exactly who or what they encountered, but it's wiped out all but Lantis, Lafarga and a few officers."
Hikaru's eyes shot open. "Lantis and Lafarga? Are they okay?" she asked.
"For the time being," said Tino. "They're currently hiding from whoever or whatever attacked them."
"We have to go help them, now!" cried Hikaru. "Before something happens to them!"
"Exactly," said Krieger. "The War Wolves and the Magic Knights need to go rescue them at once, and determine just what happened there."
"Then there's no time to waste," said Kefka. "Men, to your mobile armors!"
"Right!" they all said in unison, running to the landing area.
"Come on, girls, let's go!" said Hikaru, following Kefka and the others.
Soon the mobile armors and the Rune Gods were in flight, heading for the last known position of the rebel unit. All around were signs of a vicious battle: scorched earth, flames, and smoke. Along with the bodies of slain soldiers.
"This isn't good," said Kefka. He switched on his comm. "Lafarga, Lantis, can you two hear me?"
After a few tense seconds there came a reply. "Keep your voices down," came Lafarga's reply, spoken in a whisper. "That warrior is close by."
"Warrior? You lost all these men to a single warrior?" Kefka responded, whispering as well.
"Yes, that's right," said Lafarga, hiding behind a tree. "Keep your distance or she'll come after you too."
Lantis was crouched behind a boulder close by where Lafarga was hiding. "It's been a long time since I faced an opponent like that. Her power is immense, and her skill with the sword was even a match for you, Lafarga."
Lafarga turned to him. "Don't remind me," he said. "The question now is, where is she?"
With them were a few surviving soldiers, all of them shook up and terrified.
"This is it," said one of the soldiers. "We're all going to die here."
"Don't lose hope yet," said Lafarga. "The Magic Knights are coming to help and so are the War Wolves. We just have to hold out until then."
"Don't be too sure of that!"
Lafarga gasped and turned around to see who had spoken. He'd heard that voice so many times before, only before it had been familiar and welcoming. Now it only filled him with dread. When he looked, he saw nothing. But he could sense that ominous presence all around him.
"No…no no no she's found us!" cried one of the soldiers in a panic.
"Stay calm, spread out and keep your eyes peeled!" said Lantis, drawing his sword.
The soldiers all took position, hiding behind whatever cover they could. They watched carefully for any sign of an approaching threat, from all directions. Despite it all, they couldn't see anything. But they could hear something. Like something rushing through the shadows of the forest around them, moving with blinding speed. Or stepping on twigs to alarm them and draw their attention.
"I can't see anything," said one soldier.
"It's all around us!" cried the terrified soldier.
"Calm yourself," said Lafarga. In truth, though, even he was beginning to panic.
There were more ominous sounds, the whooshing of air and the snapping of twigs. All the while coming closer and closer.
The soldier suddenly screamed and ran out from cover in a blind panic. No sooner had he left the safety of the forest, a blast of light struck him, incinerating him instantly. Before anyone else could react, a figure landed in the very spot where the soldier died. Wearing a hood and cloak, wielding two swords of magic energy, she stood there like a specter of death.
"Damn, she's found us!" cried Lafarga, drawing his sword and swinging, sending a shockwave towards the hooded attacker.
She simply grinned under her hood and dodged, charging right towards him. Her blades clashed against his, over and over. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lantis and the other soldiers rush her, hoping to overwhelm her. However, she successfully blocked and countered their attacks, dodging and weaving about like a dancer. She ducked under one soldier's blow and struck upwards, cleaving him nearly in two. Not stopping, she cut down the rest of the soldiers as easily as if they were reeds.
"Lightning Ball, come forth!" called Lantis, firing a burst of electricity at the warrior. She saw the attack coming and fired a very familiar burst of flames from her hand, countering the spell. "Wait…only one person can use fire magic like that," said Lantis, stunned. "But how…?"
Before he could finish his thought the warrior attacked, delivering strike after strike, pushing him backwards. He blocked and countered as best he could, but she was relentless. She pulled back both blades, as if charging for an attack. Bolts of electricity formed around the blades like a casing and she struck hard. Lantis blocked but the electric energy exploded on impact, sending him crashing back hard against a boulder.
"Lantis! Hang on, I'm coming!" shouted Lafarga, coming at the warrior from behind. He swung his sword, and she effortlessly blocked him without even turning around.
"You're getting slow, Lafarga," she said, her voice eerily familiar. She smirked at him and began attacking, putting him on the defensive.
"Who the hell are you?" demanded Lafarga, blocking her strikes. "Where did you even come from?"
"I think you know the answer," she replied, knocking the sword from his hands. "Now carry that knowledge to the grave!" She struck what should have been the final blow, but another sword blocked it. "What?"
Hikaru stood between Lafarga and the warrior, blocking with her sword. "Don't you even think of hurting him!" she growled, pushing back.
The warrior jumped away, doing a backflip. "So, you finally show yourself, Hikaru," she said with a grin. "Umi, Fuu, are you here as well?"
They were indeed, but they were caught off guard by hearing their names spoken. "How on earth did she know our names?" asked Umi.
"I do not know," said Fuu. "Perhaps the Zill told her when they sent her."
"So you know I serve the Zill," said the warrior. "Good, glad to see that I inherited your intelligence."
"What are you talking about? Who are you?" demanded Hikaru, gripping her sword tightly.
She laughed and stood up, pulling her hood off. "Take a look and see," she said.
The girls all gasped in horrified shock. The face that looked back was familiar…too familiar. The warrior's face had features from all three of them. Her long flowing hair resembled Umi's, but it was white with colored streaks of red, blue and blonde. She had Fuu's eyes, one red like Hikaru and the other blue like Umi. But that was where the similarities ended. Instead of warmth and friendliness, there was only cruelty and malice.
"This…this isn't possible!" said Umi, feeling her knees shake.
"She looks like us!" cried Fuu. "She looks like all of us!"
"But how is that possible?" asked Hikaru, her mind racing.
"Don't worry your little heads about it," said the warrior. "After all, once I sever them from your shoulders, you won't be a problem ever again! Emerald Typhoon!" she shouted, firing off the powerful wind spell.
"Winds of Protection!" cried Fuu, throwing up a protective barrier around her friends.
The warrior attacked the girls, fighting all three of them at once. She kept switching styles, easily guarding against all of their moves. It seemed they were evenly matched, but that just meant the Magic Knights weren't gaining any ground. "Come on, don't you three have anything new to show me?" she laughed, parrying one of Umi's strikes and countering with a thrust. "I can read each of you like a book!"
Hikaru glanced at something, then smirked. "I don't think you're ready for this move," she said.
Just then a searchlight passed over, stopping on the warrior. Startled she turned around and found herself facing a Zill mobile armor. It had its machine gun trained on her, ready to fire at any moment. She slowly stepped back, glaring at the mechanized unit, twirling her blades as if readying for a fight.
"Nobody messes with my little Hikaru," said Kefka to himself, staring down the warrior from inside the cockpit. "Let's see if you can survive this!" He opened fire with his machine gun.
The warrior threw up a protective barrier against the first volley of shots, then took off running at blistering speed. The gunfire continued, chasing her around everywhere she went. She continued running and evading until a Zill dropship suddenly flew low overhead. She jumped up, landing in its open bay, and turned to the Magic Knights. "I suggest you prepare yourselves! Because by tomorrow's end, I'll destroy you, Magic Knights! You and your little dogs, too!" The troop ship flew away, with her laughing the entire time.
"We have to stop her!" yelled Lafarga.
"There's no time," said Kefka. "We have to get you and Lantis back to the castle so we can regroup and plan."
"What about the others?" asked Lafarga.
"There were no other survivors," said Lantis, holding an injured arm. "I'm sorry, she killed them all."
Lafarga shut his eyes and sighed. "Understood…let's get out of here."
The Magic Knights nodded and looked at each other. They had survived this bizarre encounter, but would they survive the next?