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Chapter 10 Awaken Metagolem
Cathy wasn't sure what she was thinking. She had been a seeker, no scratch that. She had been a seeker in training for only a few days. Almost a week, she had two spells in her repertoire. A weak Boltflare, and a decent Hyperstride. The starting points of seekers, yet something had possessed her to stand before her little brother.
Looking at the seventeen year old, she couldn't help but think about the time she had lost. How many nights did she cry to herself? How many times did her mother try to hide her tears at the diner table? She had lost count, however she would remember the pain. Her own, and her mother's. She had dreamed about what she would do if she found her brother. Unfortunately, her dream turned into a nightmare.
Standing before her, was something that had her brother's name, and his face. Although, something was off. Like if you were to look at a painting long enough, you would see the individual brush strokes that the artist had made. If you found yourself staring at it, you no longer could see the painting. Just the strokes of the brush.
She found her self staring at the painting before her, no longer could she see the painting of her brother. No, now all she could see was the strokes of the artist. She knew deep down, who ever the artist was. They are a monster.
"That's a catchy tune." Cathy spoke aloud, not realizing how dry her throat felt. Her palms feeling damp, she resisted the urge to wipe them on her pants. Feeling like any quick movement would trigger the explosion waiting to happen.
Lok simply tilted his head, she couldn't see behind his sunglasses to look into his eyes. However, she felt that if she could. She would see his eyes analyzing her, and her statement. Picking both apart, just to see what she was getting at.
After a few moments Lok's face shifted a little. The expression was natural, but Cathy could see a small smile fighting its way to his lips.
"Ah, what I was whistling a few minutes ago?" He asked as his right hand went to his chin, making a thinking motion. "Ya know ? I'm not sure where I heard it from." He took his right pointer finger and tap his right temple. "Just something that popped into my head one day. Just stuck with me."
"My mother use to sing a song like that to my brother and I when we were little kids. Always stuck with me as well" Cathy said in hopes of trying to stir some memories, something that might feel familiar, something that she or even he could latch on to.
It seemed like her plan backfired however. Lok's face turned into a deep scowl after hearing her old bed time ritual. "Look, Cathy. I'm only going to say this once. I'm not your brother." He crossed his arms over his chest, after letting out a deep sigh he glanced back to her. "Sometimes, you have to accept reality for what it is. Now, run along before you get hurt."
Cathy's eyes sharpened at his words. "Like you hurt Sophie ? Like when you hurt Wilder ?" She had started screaming. Clenching her fist at her sides. She wasn't sure if it was sweat or blood running from her palms. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. Lok shifted his head from her to Sophie.
Lok looked at the problem girl, no he looked at Sophie. She was fighting to stay conscious. Had he gone too far ? A small pain shot through his skull. He fought back a hiss before it could escape his lips. The headaches, they were back. Had he gone too far ? Maybe he did. The pain was getting worse. Lok felt a pressure building up behind his eyes. Now he was bitting his own tongue. Had he gone too far ? Looking at Sophie, he felt something deep with in his chest. What was it? Was it regret? Lok's hands went to his temple. The pain was now unbearable, regret ? What did he regret? Had he done something horrible ?
He looked back at Sophie, no he looked back at the problem girl. Had he gone too far ? No, no he did not. The words he told his father. He wouldn't fail, he couldn't. Lok took a deep breath. Letting out a sigh as devilish smile graced his lips. His eyes locking on Cathy, his leather gloves groaned that oh so delicious sound. "No Cathy, I didn't hurt Wilder. I did much worse. I killed him."
Cathy's face went into shock, her mouth hanging open at the words of confirmation, before she could say anything in response Lok cut her off with his next words. "I'm going to do the same to you, and your little team."
Without saying a word, Grand Facade let out a battle cry as it rushed past Lok, drawing its fist back. Freelancer responded with its own charge. Shield forward, it would protect its seeker with everything it had. Two sets of heavy footsteps charged at another at great speed.
The two titans rammed into each other, fist meeting shield. A loud crash echoed through out of the section of the building they were occupying. The two titans were locked into a contest of strength.
Grand Facade roared at Freelancer. The blue glow of Freelancer eyes narrowed, the shield was knocked to the left as the lance was rammed into the center chest plate of Grand Facade. A massive spark filled the impact zone. The taller blue titan didn't even so much as budge. With a mighty crash it knocked the lance away and delivered a devastating punch to the chest of Freelancer.
A groan came from the armor of Cathy's titan. Flying back the chest armor of Freelancer now sporting a massive dent. As the titan crashed into the wall, it looked up to see its opponent charging. Quickly the titan raised its shield and lance, preparing to charge again for their second clash.
Lok followed the example of his titan and charged towards Cathy. A faint red glow covered Lok's body. With a chant of Shadow speed he charged after her. However, when she made a call of Hyperstride he immediately slammed his heels into the floor. Barely missing the glowing empowered kick.
Cathy had noticed his hesitation and charged forward, her legs still powered up as she made a series of kicks. The blue glow filled the distance between the two, Cathy spinning rapidly shifting heel to heel she almost appeared to be forming a blue ball around her self.
Finally the attacks stopped, the two just a few feet apart. A small grin appeared on Lok's face. "Very nice. You are keeping the Hyperstride spell active to power up your melee attacks. Did you do ballet?"
Cathy returned the grin, seeing him on the defensive boosted her confidence ever so slightly. "plus five years of gymnastics. Had to stay in top form."
Lok let out a small little laugh. "Well aren't you just full of surprises." He shifted his stance to where is left foot was behind him. His left arm at his face, his right swaying side to side in front of him. "Unfortunately, you aren't the first person to try that."
With that he shuffled forward, taking a strikers stance. His right arm jabbing at Cathy's face. The blue glow reforming on her legs she stepped back a few yards to avoid the hits. Unfortunately, she did have to use her left forearm to guard. Even more unfortunately, she was hit three times. Her arm already felt numb. Using the close quarters to her advantage, she moved her weight to her back foot and spun. Delivering a powerful spin kick to Lok's face, well almost. He raised his left hand to block it, the sound of the contact made a sickening slap sound.
Lok's left arm immediately went limp, she wasn't sure if she broke it. However, judging from the heavy bruise that was already forming. That hurt like hell, and she wanted to keep up the pressure. Following through, she sent another succession of kicks his way. Forcing the boy to move back and barely dodge each kick.
After the glow of blue faded again, something went terribly wrong. Cathy let out a loud cry of pain as she fell to a knee. The leg she was primarily kicking felt as if it was on fire. The slightest bit of movement sent a new world of pain through her body. She barely managed to get to her feet until she felt a fist drive into her midsection. As she fell to her knees, a pool of saliva began to line her throat. She fought back the urge to puke.
Lok grabbed a handful of Cathy's hair, making her come face to face with him. "Remember how I said you weren't the first person to try that ? Well, turns out. If you keep the spell up, it has a nasty side effect. So it's best to use the spell in moderation." Lok balled up his free hand as a yellow glow followed by red lines of electricity covered his fist. "Dragon fist !" He yelled as he drove it into Cathy's face.
All Cathy saw was a bright flash of white as she went flying. Her eyes barely open, all she could see was a bright light. A heavy ringing was filling her ears, she saw specks of something in the air. At first she thought she was seeing stars. Until she looked closer, what she was looking at was in fact not stars. However it was streams of blood, her blood. As she came to this realization, she felt gravity take a hold of her. Slamming into the floor a shot of pain ran through her back. A warm sensation ran up her spine.
She somehow rolled onto her stomach, looking around She realized she had been knocked into one of the many side rooms of the building. Her brain caught up to her eyes, she was in a big empty room. Looking forward she saw a door frame that was missing a chunk of the right side. That would explain her sudden shoulder pain. She tried to move only to realize she couldn't. She was lucky to make her fingers twitch. Her body hurt, she didn't know what to do. If only she could get her body working again. With that one thought, she realized what she had to do.
Lok let out a sigh, looking at the direction he punched her towards he put his hands in his pockets. "And the crowd goes wild." He said to no one in particular, taking a few steps towards the room he was suddenly stopped as he heard a grunt of pain.
Turning around he was looking at a shaking problem girl. Her feet were staggering, she was breathing heavily. She raised her shaking hands in front of her face. "You have to stop. I-I won't let you."
Lok's face turned into a neutral expression, a small grin came to hips lips. "I like you problem girl, never change." He spun on his heels and began to walk towards Cathy once again.
Sophie took a single step forward, she felt light headed. Her feet stop responding to her commands. She began to fall forward, she had lost consciousness in that moment. Right before her face made hard contact with the floor a two leather gloved hands caught her.
Lok let out a sigh, he had rushed over and caught her. Gently placing her on the ground, he stood back up and gazed at her. Giving her a once over, a faint frown tugged at his lips. "I've put you through shit that had left tougher opponents than you crying on the floor. Begging for mercy. I mean it when I said I like you problem girl. A shame you are on the wrong side." Saying his piece he turned back to his newest challenger.
Making his way into the room, he saw Cathy lying in the center of the room, appearing unconscious. He let out a huff as he made his way to the unconscious woman. Seeing a small pool of blood beside her head. He stopped about a few inches away from her. "Welp, you did better than I thought you would."
As soon as he opened his mouth, in a flash Cathy was up driving a blue magic covered kick into his stomach. Lok tried to say something, anything, the only thing that escaped his lips was air as he was sent flying back across the room. Landing on his back he skidded across the floor. The center of his vest was now ripped, buttons now gone. His tie swinging freely over his white button up. Lok was barely able to look up. His teeth now having a small lining of blood over them. "H-how?" He choked out.
Cathy gave him a little smile, her legs were still shaking. Her right knee was on the verge of buckling. "I saw Zhalia do a neat trick. Ever fight is a hell of a spell." She was able to stand again. However, she was fighting for her life to stay standing.
The wall to their side exploded, Grand Facade was charging into Freelancer. Using it as some sort of battering ram. Taking the shield titan and bashing it into the wall. Grand Facade knocked the lance to the side, and the shield away. Using its fist, it punched, bashed, and smashed over and over the downed titan again relentlessly. The crashing and scraping of the metal drowned out everything around them. After it was all said and done, Freelancer was hurt.
The circular helmet was dented downwards, the chest plate was caved in completely, gash lines covered the place where the ribs would be located. Dark blue smoke was escaping from the cuts and holes that littered Freelancers body. Even the shield, the symbol of protection was cracked along the front, the top right corner was missing.
Cathy wanted to scream out for her titan. Until she had seen something out of the corner of her eye. She had only taken her eyes off him for only a second. That moment was all that it took. She heard Lok whisper something, however she was preoccupied by something else. She felt a small pinch at her hip. Looking down, her eyes went wide and her cheeks went pale.
Looking down she was seeing Lok's hand covering her hip. Not only that, a puddle of her blood was leaking from his palm. She was impaled, her legs went numb. "L-Lok." Was all she could say as his hand was removed roughly from her side.
Cathy had fallen to the ground, she felt cold. She was shivering, was this what death felt like? Was she going to die alone? No she wasn't alone. Her eyes looked ahead, Lok was limping away. Grand Facade walking in front of him. Looking behind her, she wanted to puke. She saw her titan Freelancer, Freelancer was in bad shape.
She slowly began to drag herself towards her friend. "F-freelancer. Hey buddy, I'm here. Don't worry, I'm coming to save you." She gave off a weak chuckle. Freelancer's head slowly lifted upwards. Seeing its seeker on the ground, and bleeding out. it tried to move. It immediately fell back into the wall.
"H-hey it's okay Freelancer. I'm here." She finally crawled a few feet away from him. After a few more moments, her back was against the wall beside her titan. Her heavy head resting on Freelancer's shoulder. "Some big sister I turned out to be huh ?" She choked out, tears running down her cheek.
Looking up to her titan, the blue glowing eyes looked down at her. She gave Freelancer a bloody smile. "At least we still go each other." She said weakly, Freelancer's blue glowing eyes slowly went dull. "Taking a nap big guy ? Hehe that sounds like a good idea." Following her titans lead. She closed her heavy eyelids. Going off to a peaceful sleep.
"But sis, I don't wanna go to school. I don't know anyone." A small child voice called out to her.
Why did that sound so familiar? She couldn't think of where this was from. She just wanted to sleep.
"aww come on Lok, it's kindergarten. All kids go through it. Even your big sis did."
Now that brought the memory closer to home, she remembered it now. She was taking her little brother to school with her for the first time. He was so scared, he was dreading it all summer. He wouldn't go, not until he found out she was gonna be with him almost every step of the way.
"yeah, but you are you. I'm me. New people make me feel nervous. I'm not like you." The younger boys voice responded.
She never knew if he was buttering her up or being genuine. However, she wouldn't imagine he would lie about his amazing older sister.
"you promise what ?" The confused Lok asked his sister. "I promise littler brother, I'll have your back." The two younger kids made a pinky promise to one another.
"always." Cathy said to her self in a whisper, her blue eyes slowly open. Her hand reaching for her hip injury. "Ever fight." At that moment the blue glow of Freelancer's eyes returned shining bright like two big blue fire.
Lok had been limping back to his teammates, he felt as if his ribs were broken. Each step felt like his ribcage shift like a maraca. His legs gave out as he fell to his knees. Sweat running down his face like a water fall. Trying to control his breathing was next to impossible.
Grand Facade had turned to its seeker, noticing his pained expression and lack of movement, it tried to go to its seekers side, only for a shaking hand to holt its movement.
"I'm fine." Lok said through gritted teeth, the mere act of breathing giving him great discomfort. "Go, help out the others." Lok told the giant in front of him. Grand Facade waited just a moment. Not wanting to leave its seeker behind in such a damaged state.
Unfortunately the action only made Lok's bad mood even worse. "Are you deaf ? Go !" Lok shouted at the titan. Instantly regretting the action as Lok hand went to his damaged midsection. The blonde's forehead slammed into the floor in pain. Another small trail of blood running out of the bottom of his lips. "Please." Lok whispered out gently. With a shaky breath he steady himself as his blue eyes met the red visor. "Go." He commanded gently.
Grand Facade waited, before giving a gentle nod to the command as it turned and began to make its way out of the room. Lok only watched as the titan made its way towards the door. He looked back to his right hand, it was still shaking violently. "Why?" He asked himself, he impaled Cathy in the hip. Leaving a devastating life threatening injury. That wasn't the problem, the problem was she was supposed to die in that moment. He had been aiming for her heart. She was supposed to be dead, out of his hair, gone forever. Unfortunately for some reason he couldn't explain, his hand didn't follow through. Without his control his hand went downward. "Why? Why won't it stop shaking?"
Lok grabbed is right wrist with a iron clad grip. The hand still wouldn't stop, as if it had a mind of its own to ignore his commands. "Stop shaking damn it !" He roared, the room filling with the echos of his rage. He slammed his wrist into the ground. Feeling the pain immediately shoot through his arm. The hand still proceeding to shake uncontrollably. He gritted his teeth and let out a growl as he slammed it into the ground again. "Stop! Shaking! Damn! You!" Each word was yelled out loud followed by a sickening thud after every word. After the fourth hit, the hand finally stopped. Lok let his hand stay on the ground, all he could do was stare at it. A single drop of Cathy's blood fell from the leather and onto the cold floor.
Taking a moment to collect himself he stood back to his feet. Almost falling back down to the ground, he managed to stay upright. Taking a few steps forward his arms hanging limply at his sides. Until he heard a crash of metal, his eyes widened as he spun around. A wave of nausea and pain creeping through his body as he done so. Looking around, standing before him was Freelancer. The titan barely able to stand but managed to do so all the same. However, the first thing that came to Lok's mind was one simple question. Where was Cathy ?
Looking upwards what he saw he almost couldn't believe. At least fifteen feet in the air was Freelancer's lance. Another foot above the lance was Cathy, she was in the air about to deliver a double kick to the handle of the lance. She was going to impale him, immediately Lok's hands shot to his chest. "Armor Brand!" He yelled out as the fear he felt turned into confidence.
This was her dying breath, her hail mary, her last shot. She wasted it, he was going to tank the hit and kill her for good. A predatory grin came to his lips, she couldn't breakthrough the spell. He was going to win, he wasn't going to fail. This was his victory.
Cathy had dug deep inside of her self. She let out a gut busting scream. "Hyperstride!" With the battle cry her legs began coated in the familiar blue glow. Driving her feet into the top of the lances handle it shot downwards like a torpedo.
To Lok's horror, he realized he wasn't the target as the lance sped past his barrier. He spun around, the spell dropping as he went to cry out. "Grand Facade look out !" His pled went unanswered as the lance drove deep into the back of Grand Facade. The titan couldn't even let out a cry of pain before it was forced back into its amulet.
Lok immediately spun back around feeling the drain of a titans loss. Once again Lok was caught off guard, as before him was the giant hand of Freelancer, and the left hand of Cathy, her fist covered in small sparks of red electricity. Lok did the only thing he could do to think of. He raised his arms over his chest, the two fist made contact with his body. The only thing he could feel after that was pain. The feeling of air leaving his body once again, and the feeling of airborne. Before he could realize he was flying backwards he made hard contact with the wall. The wall having gained a new spider web pattern crack on it. Lok was seeing stars, he couldn't breathe, the only thing he could do was choke out two words. Almost barely able to do that. "D-damn it." He grunted the word before he managed to shift out of the wall and slam into the floor unmoving. He had lost.
Cathy stood tall and proud, trying to catch her breath. Looking down at her left hand, the red electricity was no more. She didn't know where it had came from, but she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. She looked ahead of her, seeing her brother's unmoving form. However she could still see his back moving up and down gently. Thankfully it still seemed like he was alive.
Before she knew it, she was on the ground in pain. Her legs not responding to her commands. Looking at her hip, blood still came out of the front of the wound. The spell ever fight had managed to close the back of her wound. Unfortunately the front had still been bleeding.
Realizing what she had to do, she place her hand a few inches away from the bleeding hole. With her breathing increasing dramatically she hyped her self up. "Bolt flare!" She yelled out as the orb burned her flesh. She kept up the spell. The sound of her sizzling skin reminded her of her morning bacon she had with her mother. After a few moments she looked at the injury again. Now angry red and smoking. She looked up to Freelancer, who was by her side. "I'm okay now buddy. Return to your amulet."
Freelancer took a moment to look at her, before gently nodding and returned to its amulet. The long forgotten shield and lance returning as well. As Freelancer returned she felt another wave of exhaustion hit her like a truck. Black spots began to fill her vision. She reached out to the unconscious blonde in front of her. Trying to desperately to reach him. "Lok." Was the only word she could say as her head gently hit the ground. The two siblings both unconscious. The fight and injuries finally catching up to them as an eerie silence filled the room.
Dante and Zhalia had been cleaning house. The suit that was battling Zhalia had put up a decent fight, but unfortunately for her still lost all the same. The two had now began to work as a well oiled machine. Defoe and Grier had a hard time dealing with the make shift team.
Defoe was a slippery foe, however Zhalia had his number. He had tried everything thing in the book to gain an advantage against her. Little did he know, Zhalia had not only read the book, but fixed a few mistakes as well. Kilthane had made short work of Kreutalk and was helping Caliban keep Breaker at bay.
"Zhalia, think you can keep our friends distracted while I go collect a titan ?" Dante asked jovially to the blue haired acquaintance. Zhalia merely scoffed and flicked her hair over her shoulder. "Why Dante, I'm offended you even have to ask." Her tone not holding any sort of real fire in it.
With that Dante made his way to a selection of clay vases. Thankfully Caliban had blacked the path from Grier. Reaching his hand out he felt for the titan. "Come on, I know you're in there somewhere. Come to me." He whispered out, closing his eyes he began to feel something reach out to him. Calling for him, a strong sense of power and protection washed over him. Concentrating on that feeling he felt something hit his hand.
Opening his eyes he looked at his hand. Insides of his grasp he was now holding an amulet. It appeared to be made out of stone. Five sharp protrusions in the shape of an almost star shape. On top of that was a dark gray stone. With an oval purple gem, surrounded by gold trimming. Clenching his hand over the amulet he began the bonding process. Reaching out to the titan inside he felt a stream of power as an image of a giant golem wearing a long white cape, gauntlet with golden accents and a matching chest plate. On top of the golems head was a golden crown. Opening his eyes a small smile graced his lips. He had succeeded in bonding with the titan.
Turning around his hand reached in front of him, showing off his newest addition to his team. "Do your worst! Metagolem!" He yelled out followed by a grunt. A purple light filled the room as the golem appeared. With a ground shaking stomp the titan stood at its full height. The suits immediately retreated back.
"Grier we are falling back." Defoe growled out, the suit foot soldiers immediately retreating at his orders. Grier looked back to Defoe for confirmation. "They have the titan and the advantage." Defoe finished out before making a hasty retreat.
Grier took a single moment to look back at Dante. A semblance of respect in the man's eyes. "Until next time Vale." He stated returning Breaker to its amulet and following after them.
After the suits cleared the room Dante waited for a few minutes. His eyes never leaving the door way that went to the exit. Dante let out a sigh as Metagolem returned to its amulet. After the shine of purple faded from his body Dante staggered. Before he could fall Zhalia had found her way under his right shoulder. Keeping the red haired man still.
"Well Dante, consider me impressed. Summoning a titan like that would normally leave people drained." Instead of a scowl a playful grin formed on her lips. Dante only smiled at her. "Well years of training has to come in handy one way or another." Gently he removed himself from her grip. Able to stand on his own once again.
"come on we need to find Sophie and Lok, we got separated during the fight." Dante gave the order as they went looking for the younger duo. After looking for about a few minutes they found a hurt but mostly intact Casterwill.
Sophie managed to get back up with a helping hand from Dante. Sophie gently shook her head, a small groan came from her lips. "Dante, we have to find Cathy. She fought Lok on her own. She might be in danger."
With that the team followed the damaged pathway, only to find a heavily injured Cathy alone in the room. Looking to the crashed part of the wall, they saw a small trail of blood leading out of the room. Someone was once there, not anymore however. If it had been Lok, he was definitely hurt himself.
While Dante kept Sophie standing up right, Zhalia made her way to the downed blonde. Gently rolling her on her back, Cathy's eyes shot open as a load yell of pain escaped her lungs. Zhalia immediately grasp her shoulders. "Hey, hey, you're okay. It's me." Zhalia said in her famous not so happy tone.
Glazed blue eyes looked up to Zhalia. A small smile coming to her lips. "Oh, hey Zhalia. Guess what ? I won." She gave out a little horsed laugh. She tried to move only to have Zhalia's firm hold back on her. "Don't move, not until we get you looked over.
Cathy wanted to protest, her head looking back trying to see the wall where her brother was once unconscious. "He is gone Cathy" was all she could say to the her. Watching as small trails of tears ran down her cheeks. A small sob following afterwards. Filling the room with a sense of loss, the team may have won. Cathy may have won her fight, but she had lost her brother yet again.
After a few hours the team picked them selfs up and collected Judas Lore's notes. Making their way out of the building Zhalia was holding Cathy upright still. The two being a few steps behind the others. "Hey Cathy." The blonde looked at her a curious look in her eyes. "Yeah, what's up ?"
Zhalia's eyes were kept forward however a small grin formed on her lips. "You know, when I first met you. I thought you were kinda pathetic. Foolish, and honestly a hindrance." It was now Cathy's turn to frown. Giving her a dead pant look. "Is uh, is there a point to this ? " Zhalia made a sound, Cathy could almost have sworn it was a chuckle.
"My point is, that was my first thought. However, after what you did today. You have a shot of being a half way decent seeker." Cathy's frown turned upside down, a small blush came to her cheeks at the praise from Zhalia. "Coming from you, I feel like a compliment like that means a lot." Zhalia shook her head, a small grin on her face never leaving. "Don't get a big head, if you do. I'll make sure to humble you again."
Author's notes- hey guys, surprise. Less than a week and another chapter. I had to make up for the lost time. Hopefully you guys enjoyed, and I'll catch you all in the nextone.