“How is he?” Sister Valeria asked Tikai who returned with just a shrug. The two were gathered in the church’s courtyard tending to some simple chores at the moment. Only a single day passed since the city sustained another strange attack, this one from a man named Sonaris.

“I haven’t checked up on him yet. He’s still asleep I think,” Tikai replied.

“That’s strange, he’s been like that for over a day now,” Sister Valeria mentioned, slightly concerned with the state of the albino. It was impossible to really see if he was alive or not.

“I think he’s alright, he mentioned how he didn’t get any sleep for a week or two,” Tikai pointed out, a quiet “ah” coming from the nun. The conversation dissipated at that point, discussing Airaxen was increasingly more and more awkward as time went on. The man was infamous for the slough of misfortune and destruction that followed in his path.

“I suppose I’ll go check in on him,” Tikai declared, concealing her worrying with a casual stoic wave of the hand. Sister Valeria didn’t object and continued with her work as the blonde left quietly.

When Tikai was out of earshot from Sister Valeria, she let out a sigh and shook her head slightly. The matter of the enigma that was Airaxen (Nexus?) was starting to bother her more than anything else.

::Maybe I should talk to Father Franz and talk to him about finding somewhere else to stay…No, I couldn’t do that to him just because he scares me a bit…:: Tikai thought to herself, her fear stemming from the strange appearance of Nexus.

She paused in one of the hallways and looked ahead at the door to Airaxen’s room, unsure of what to do next. Tikai thought for a moment longer and turned away from the room, moving down a different hallway. After a few minutes of travelling through the halls, she came to another room, this one led to Father Franz’s office. Tikai knocked on the door and then opened it slowly to find Father Franz was leaning back in a chair, a cigarette in his hand. He peered over Tikai and then smothered his cigarette into an ashtray before turning to face her fully.

“What is it, Tikai?” He asked with an air of intrigue. She rubbed the back of her neck gingerly and sat down in the chair across from Father Franz’s desk. Tikai opened her mouth to start speaking, but decided to stop herself, she wasn’t sure how well Father Franz would appreciate her saying bad things about Airaxen since from what she noticed, the albino was a good friend to the priest.

Father Franz raised an eyebrow and then leaned back in his chair some more.

“Something troubling you?” He asked casually. Tikai thought again and nodded. “What is it then?”

“It’s…Airaxen, he has a…I don’t know, it’s hard to describe…” Tikai muttered, trying her best not to sound crazy. However Father Franz nodded his head and glanced towards his door to make sure it was closed.

“I know what you’re talking about, or rather, who,” Father Franz began, Tikai’s face perking up slightly, having not received any flak from the priest. “Yes, I’ve talked to him before. He startled me the first time he came to talk me in the middle of the night. It was as if darkness itself entered my presence, simply freezing all my senses. A truly terrifying experience…” Father Franz recalled, Tikai beginning to worry as she recalled the alter ego, Nexus held an interest in her. But, Father Franz wasn’t finished speaking.

“But then,” he continued, the blonde blinking confusedly. “It was strange, we spoke. About himself, and his fears and nightmares. He scared me at first, but in reality I saw him as no more harmless than Airaxen,” Father Franz concluded, the contradiction floored the girl.

“But, how can you be so sure, Father?” Tikai inquired sceptically. Father Franz shrugged his shoulders.

“I just am. How is he anyway?” He asked. Tikai didn’t respond and shook her head.

“I think I’ll go check in on him then,” Tikai declared, standing up from her chair and heading to the door, feeling a bit awkward.

“Tikai, try and give him a chance,” he requested, Tikai blinking and then nodded.

Tikai returned to the door to Airaxen’s room and paused in front of it once more, still unsure of what she could expect. With Airaxen she knew where he stood, broody, full of angst, quiet, but reliable. With Nexus she couldn’t tell one bit.

Ultimately she opened the door to find the albino still asleep on top of his bed. Tikai blinked and then hesitantly walked into the room, closing the door behind her. She then quietly walked over to his bedside, to get a better look at him. Currently, the albino was dressed in light blue pyjamas, the ones that Sister Valeria put on him whenever he was unconscious. However she noticed that the golden markings on his face were still there, Tikai frowned slightly and then decided to leave.

However when she turned around she felt the very distinctive sting of what would be a pinch to her butt. Tikai let out a loud and startled squeak, and leapt forward, spinning around to find that Nexus was sitting up on the bed, grinning largely.

“W-What are you doing?!” Tikai demanded indignantly. Nexus returned her anger with a confused look of innocence.

“I was just greeting the lovely temptress in a way I saw fit,” he said, weaving his words to try and deter her from her anger. However, Tikai didn’t appear any less angry. “I mean, I waited all day just laying here waiting for you to visit!” Nexus explained, a coy smirk going over his face.

“I can’t see how Father Franz found a good person in you! Go away! I’d rather deal with Airaxen!” Tikai exclaimed annoyed at the pompous behaviour of his other half. Nexus frowned slightly and then pulled the covers away so he could stand up freely.

“You’re too mean! Give me a chance, at least!” He pleaded with a slight chuckle, Tikai muttering something under her breath in response. Nexus sighed quietly and sat back down on the bed, crossing a leg and resting his head in his hand.

“Take me somewhere,” he suddenly said, Tikai surprised by the request.

“What do you mean?”
“I want to…Do something fun. Take me somewhere?” Nexus asked again. Tikai turned back around to face the strange new albino and looked at him carefully.

“Why?” Tikai finally asked, Nexus tilted his head slightly.

“I want to have some fun, and I want to do it with you,” Nexus explained, his tone suddenly becoming startling sincere. Tikai was once again surprised by the change in attitude, debating whether or not to trust him. Nexus sighed and straightened up.

“Nevermind then, Tikai. I don’t mind,” Nexus gave up and laid back in bed. The blonde raised an eyebrow and went closer to the albino.

“You’re not going to try and…You know…” Tikai’s face turned red as she couldn’t find it within her to finish the question, however Nexus immediately picked up on the innuendo.

“No, if I wanted to do that to you, I could’ve had my way with you,” Nexus explained, a certain glint in his eye returning that scared Tikai slightly. “Besides, I enjoy wooing my lady interests, let them come to me willingly,” Nexus explained, a malicious smile forming over his face, or maybe it was something else…

Regardless, Tikai couldn’t shake off Father Franz’s words, and decided it would be best to learn about the enigma that was Nexus first hand.

“Alright, Nexus. I’ll take you somewhere, but afterwards, you let Airaxen come back,” Tikai stated, Nexus nodded his head, the conditions didn’t bother him.

“Where is there to go?” Nexus asked curiously. Tikai thought for a moment, it was a bit more difficult to answer than usual since a good portion of the city had been laid to waste. But suddenly she gained some insight to the question.

“I remember there was a amusement park over on the other side of town. It should still be open and running,” Tikai mused, Nexus suddenly standing up and unbuttoning his pyjama top, Tikai moving away from the albino, blushing heavily.

“W-What are you doing now?!” She shouted, Nexus pausing in the deed.

“I’m just changing into something more comfortable,” he explained, an expression of innocence forming over his face.

“But why are you doing it with me here?!” She continued, Nexus grinning at her lasciviously.

“I wouldn’t mind if you began to undress in front of me, I thought you wouldn’t mind either,” Nexus concluded. Tikai’s face flushed once again and she delivered a swift kick to Nexus’ stomach, effectively knocking the wind out of him. The blonde grumbled to herself and left the room, slamming the door behind her, Nexus chuckling a bit to himself, he always enjoyed a girl with fire.

* * *

Sonaris sat at his cold metallic desk within his laboratory built into the mountains. A dark and dank structure that was modelled in the design of the first lab, to Sonaris, it was welcoming. The man sat there in his chair in front of a computer and waited, pondering silently. Currently it was the matter of what course of action to take next that was weighing heavily on his mind.

At that point a small automated mecha wheeled itself in one a large single wheel, the body was simplistic and virtually just a block with short stubby arms and a head with a single camera eye. The automation held in one of its hands a tattered and slightly burnt notebook, it was worn throughout the ages, but was valuable regardless.

Sonaris turned around in his chair to look at the automation and then noticed the book, taking it from it.

“Have you found the location mentioned in these notes yet?” Sonaris asked slightly impatiently. The mecha nodded its head and handed the man a small sheet of paper. Sonaris took it quickly and read it over, his dull eyes lighting up somewhat.

“And…This was the last of his notes?” Sonaris inquired, the robot nodding its head quickly. Sonaris shifted his gaze back to the paper. “This was the legacy he left behind…?” Sonaris’s brow crossed slightly and he stood up.

“Alright, I’m heading to the first location, in the meantime continue construction,” he instructed, walking over to the wall and taking his two swords from their respective stands. With that he wordlessly ventured out of the room and lab silently.

* * *

“Ok, Nexus,” Tikai began, lecturing the albino as he leaned against the door to his room, dressed in a jacket and shirt like normal. “Keep yourself contained, and try not to do something…Undesirable,” Tikai warned. Nexus grinned at her, trying his best to keep an innocent look, but it wasn’t working very well. She let out a sigh and motioned for him to follow her.

Tikai glanced around anxiously as they walked through the church. Although it was night time, there were still plenty of people roaming through the church. She didn’t want anyone to know that she was taking him out. But, thankfully they experienced no encounters, and left the enclosure of the church, venturing into the night.

“How are we going to get to this amusement park you mentioned?” Nexus asked, Tikai didn’t think that far ahead and was rather stumped by the question. Nexus took note of the confusion and laughed, swinging an arm around the girl.

“Well then, do you know how to get there?” Nexus asked, Tikai nodding slowly, mostly eyeing the arm he had around her suspiciously. But regardless she nodded her head and Nexus grinned. In one swift motion he lifted the girl by her jacket collar and in a most unceremonious manner, slung her across his shoulder.

“Alright! Point out the way!” He shouted as he suddenly leapt straight into the air, the poor blonde letting out a startled yelp. Nexus sneered to himself and shouted out for her to point out the way. The albino then progressed through the city by leaping from roof to roof with great speed.

“Oh get over that initial shock!” Nexus shouted over the whipping winds, shooting a wily glance at Tikai. “Enjoy the fresh air and the view! The rush is wonderful!” Nexus cried out, laughing once more. Tikai opened her eyes slowly, the wind making it difficult. However she couldn’t argue with the view that she had, Nexus was right after all. The city was smaller than it was before, the lights from streetlamps and buildings emitting glow that illuminated the city’s dark structures. She looked over at the albino quizzically, wondering at his nature.

“Are you wondering what kind of person I am?” Nexus suddenly asked, taking note of Tikai’s stare. Tikai looked away quickly, she was doing just that, but she couldn’t admit to it.

“It’s alright,” Nexus said, suddenly stopping on top of a rooftop. Tikai’s expression changed into a confused one. She looked at Nexus again and found he appeared to be somewhat dismayed.

“Many people do not find me very…Approachable. Perhaps we should turn back instead?” He offered, Tikai surprised by the loss of confidence.

“No, lets keep going,” Tikai suddenly declared, the albino perplexed by the statement. “We’re almost there anyway,” She insisted, Nexus smiling at her.

“Alright, lets go” Nexus laughed, leaping once again.

* * *

Nexus revered in the brilliantly colored lights that beamed down upon him from the numerous rides. He looked towards some of the larger of the structures and marvelled at the display in front of him, watching as people shot past in the cars of a roller coaster or sat up in the booth of the Ferris wheel where even he could not leap up to.

“Come on, lets stop looking and try something out,” Tikai jumped in, Nexus nodding eagerly and followed the girl closely as he marvelled at the innovative nature of the technology around him.

“And all of this is meant to entertain you? It almost seems excessive, overly done,” Nexus thought aloud, Tikai shrugging in return, never thinking of the situation like that.

“I guess in a way we can be somewhat frivolous, but sometimes it’s good to just cut back and do something excessive,” Tikai said, Nexus nodding in agreement. He had wanted to spend time with Tikai for a long time, but his alter ego was too stoic for any fun.

“Then, my mistress,” Nexus suddenly began, as he slipped an arm around Tikai’s shoulder. “Please, be gentle, it‘s my first time,” Nexus half-pleaded in a mocked tone of innocence, the result being Tikai nearly leaping out of her skin.

“How-stop saying things like that!” Shouted the poor girl, face red like a beet. Nexus sneered a bit and tightened his grip on her arm. Tikai let out a defeated sigh and tried her best to carry on as casually as she could.

The first place she took Nexus to was a simple ride, the age old classic that was widely recognized by the name of something to the affect of “Drop of Fear.”

“As, I understand it…” Nexus began, as he examined the apparatus before him with a scrutinizing eye. “The whole purpose of this place is to strain the body and terrify yourself for entertainment,” Nexus muttered to himself, Tikai nodding her head slowly as she over heard his conclusion.

“Yup, that’s exactly why this place is here,” Tikai assured, Nexus letting out a rather serious toned sigh.

“People are too reckless with life…” Nexus muttered under his breath, but Tikai didn’t hear him that time.

Nexus thought to himself for a brief moment and then let go of Tikai’s arm, abruptly turning around and crossing his arms like a stubborn child.

“I’ve changed my mind, I don’t want to go on a ride like this!” Nexus decreed, Tikai becoming annoyed with his childish antics.

“And why not? You wanted to come out here, after all!” Tikai nearly shouted at him, Nexus not budging from his position.

“I…I’m…Afraid of heights…” Nexus muttered quickly, Tikai narrowing her eyes slightly, knowing it was a blatant lie.

“Why is it really?” Tikai nearly demanded, trying to restrain herself not to cause any commotion.

“Because, I’m worried about your safety! Why are you such a reckless person? Do you not value your life?” Nexus questioned, Tikai frowning at him annoyed at such accusations.

“Nexus, that…Come on, lets just do something you approve of then,” Tikai submitted very quickly, Nexus worrying that he had upset his lady friend. So he quickly took a hold of her left hand and then got on one knee, people around the two suddenly looked over at the strange event.

“Don’t be like that, I beg of you! You know my intentions are pure and chaste, I only wish for your well being. So you shouldn’t hide such things of such importance. Even if you just remember that I will listen to your ramblings open heartedly!” Nexus declared, his voice getting rather loud.

“N-Nexus! Stop that, people are staring!” Tikai stuttered, withdrawing her hand quickly, Nexus letting out a defeated sigh. Tikai sighed herself and then laughed a bit, helping Nexus back to his feet. “But, that really was sweet of you, Nexus. I appreciate it, and I will tell you one day, but not today,” Tikai reassured, Nexus smiling sincerely for a moment and then laughed.

“My heart! It has been taken away by the hands of a gold haired temptress!” Nexus laughed once more, his theatrics earning him the stares of many a man, and a number of envious women.

Tikai took note of the looks they received and flushed at them, not used to such attention. She took a quick glance at Nexus and then away for a moment, in all honesty, she did have a slight preference towards the first albino she met, Airaxen.

Tikai led her travelling companion to a number of the novelties of an amusement park. A show done by performers, marvelling their audiences with displays agility and nimble motions that made them appear to be alien. Tikai noted Nexus very intent in viewing the show, but she assumed it was also partly because of the women in spandex that took part in the show.

After the show Nexus pointed out an extravagant looking roller coaster that he wanted to try. And after tolerating an incredibly long wait in line to get to the ride, Nexus eagerly strapped himself into the seat of the ride. Tikai sighed a little, she knew that Nexus had no idea what it was like to ride a roller coaster that was inclined to go straight into the air for half of the time on it. Tikai took the spot next to her over enthusiastic companion, strapped in and took a weary note of the near vertical incline. The ride shot into motion and Nexus let out a child-like laugh, he was impatient from the waiting. The automated cranks and gears of the roller coaster began to spin themselves and carry the little vehicle along the track. Up the track at a painfully slow rate, Nexus somewhat bored, expecting something a bit more energetic than a slow climb.

“Be patient, it gets better,” Tikai reassured, shouting over the noise of the machines. Sure enough, Nexus was shoved against the back of his seat from the sudden sharp downhill path of the coaster, then a sharp veer to the left, a loop placed around here and there…

* * *

“Heheh…” Nexus faltered around for awhile when they finished their ride, Tikai amused to watch the albino in a daze and have to flail his arms slightly trying to regain his balance.

“Again! Again! That was marvellous!” Nexus laughed heartedly, nearly falling over multiple times just trying to say a few words. Tikai quickly grabbed onto his arm before he fell over and stopped him from being toppled, but for all that Tikai knew, Nexus looked like he was just having fun being disoriented.

“No, I don’t think we should do that again, Nexus. In fact, you should just sit down for awhile, mostly all of these rides do the same thing to you,” Tikai informed, off hand she wondered how Nexus could be so easily disoriented when she watched Airaxen leap around wildly. Nexus however shook his head and broke free from Tikai’s grip and very quickly began to do a drunkard dance to get around, nearly knocking people over, but fortunately no one was hit.

“Wait! Where do you think you’re going, Nexus?!” Tikai shouted, running after him, for a faked drunk, he could get around rather quickly.

It didn’t take long for the albino to become lost and separated from Tikai, much to her dismay. In the meantime, Nexus lazily glanced around at the things around him, building a scattered inventory of the universe around him, the people, the stands around him and of course the night sky.

As he grazed by the novelty games, he suddenly came to a screeching halt. For some reason a ping of knowledge just struck him, without warning or reason, it sure got his attention. Nexus looked around him for what possibly could’ve done such a thing, then noticed something almost insignificant, almost like it’d be worthless, but he knew it was what caused the sensation; a bracelet.

A simple golden thin metal bracelet with a strange, yet elegant rouge cross shaped gem was embedded into it. Nexus raised an eyebrow and let out a thoughtful hum. With a glance to the actual game under it he took note of people hurling baseballs at plates in an attempt to shatter them. There were four wooden rows that each held one dozen plates, other than that it was nothing more than a simple tented booth.

“Nexus! Don’t run off like that!” Tikai shouted, finally locating the albino, but he didn’t respond immediately, or conventionally. With a quick motion he put his hand into one of Tikai’s pockets and very vigorously began to search through them, the girl letting out a violated screech.

“W-what do you think you’re doing?!” Tikai shouted, throwing punches and kicks at Nexus who took them as they came and muttered and finally began to get fed up.

“Money, I need some money,” Nexus said flatly, Tikai pushing her strange assailant away, grudgingly pulling out her wallet and handing a few bills to him to make him stop. He quickly took the money and strode up to the booth, and even before the carny could start with his spiel, Nexus pointed at the piece of jewellery.

“What do I do to get that?” He asked, the man pointed at it with his cane and then laughed.

“If you want that, you’ll need to break more than just three plates, it’ll take a lot more!” He stated, Nexus paused for a moment and then handed him five dollars, enough for a single throw.

“Will you give it to me if I shatter all of them in one throw?” Nexus asked, a slight grin forming across his features, in turn the carny laughed and agreed. Tikai came up behind him and asked what he was doing, Nexus didn’t respond and stood there for a moment, thinking.

“Watch,” Nexus finally said with affirmation, tossed the ball up, caught it, and with one quick spin of his entire body gathered up speed and flung the ball straight forward. But with all his theatrics, his throw just struck the top wooden support for the plates.

“Wait for it,” Nexus said quietly, and much to both Tikai’s and the carny worker’s surprise, something did happen. The support was struck hard enough to send a perfect crack vertically through the wood. With the support weakened the weight of the plates was enough to bring the top wooden support crashing down, smashing into the other three and knocking them apart at the same time, effectively destroying the entire booth’s purpose to be, but of course, shattering all the plates in a single throw.

“I shattered all your plates in one throw, my prize now,” Nexus nearly commanded, the glint in his eyes was enough to deter the carny from fighting with the albino, not many would want to pick a fight with Nexus when he had that certain shine in his eyes.

With a smirk and his new trinket in hand he waltzed away from the destroyed game stand.

“So what was all that about?” Tikai grumbled, having to catch up with the crazed albino again. Nexus came to a stop and thought for a moment, then tossed the bracelet over his shoulder, the little trinket hitting Tikai on the head and then falling into her hands.

“A meek compensation for your pains, m’lady,” Nexus explained, turning around and taking a bow, and laughing quietly. Nexus slid over to Tikai’s side and swung an arm around her shoulder.

“Did you really think that I would just rummage through your precious belongings for some money unless I had a reason, right?” Nexus sneered, Tikai eyeing the albino in a stupefied manner, as if the answer was as clear as day.

“It’s getting late, I think we should head back to the church for now,” Tikai asked, pocketing the piece of jewellery, something that Nexus noticed and frowned slightly.

“One more,” Nexus said quietly, his demeanor suddenly changing, quietening down drastically. “That last one, I want to see what it’s like,” Nexus pointed towards the Ferris wheel, Tikai thought for a moment and then nodded slowly. She was getting tired with Nexus’ antics, but if it would take a simple three sixty around a metal wheel to get back Airaxen then it would be alright; it was just one more task.

“Alright, but no funny business, and remember, after this you let Airaxen come back,” Tikai restated, the albino nodding. By that time of night there was a little line, so they didn’t have to wait very long before one of the workers was helping them into a booth and then closed the metal door, letting the ride run to let another couple off, and then when a new couple got on the cycle repeated.

Tikai took note that Nexus had suddenly become very quiet and reserved, she feared he would be trying some of his antics again, but he sat opposite of her and was fixated on the surroundings. When they were about half way up Nexus suddenly broke his gaze and looked back at his reluctant companion.

“…The view is…” Nexus began, but his voice had suddenly become melancholy. Tikai was perplexed at the sudden change in outlook, but then she remembered she had disregarded Nexus’ gift among the ruckus he caused to get it. But before she could say something to rectify the situation, he was pointing out the windows at something.

“There…That, what is that?” Nexus asked, his eyes closing slightly. Tikai looked towards where he was pointing, she could make out a city from afar, the ruins of a city to be more precise.

“That, that was the city that was destroyed four years ago. I’m surprised you can see it from here…” Tikai herself began to trail off. Nexus’ eyes tilted slightly he looked more mournful.

“It was…Never rebuilt?” Nexus asked again, Tikai shook her head.

“The city was already in bad shape, when that…Act of God came down and destroyed the city, there was no money, or people left to rebuild. The world kind of, left it there afterwards,” Tikai explained.

“I see…” Nexus muttered.

“…I lost my father when that city was attacked,” Tikai said quietly, Nexus nodding his head slowly. He sighed quietly and closed his eyes for a moment and let out a quiet hum to himself before replying.

“That is why, people can not kill one another, someone else will feel sad…It doesn’t feel very good,” Nexus commented, Tikai nodding at the simple, yet insightful statement. The albino tilted his head back towards the window and watched the scenery in a near trance like state.

“…Tikai?” Nexus started quietly. Tikai blinked, the nature of her companion was becoming rather strange, reserved and cautious. “Am I…What kind of person am I?” He suddenly asked, looking over at her almost desperately. The expression he suddenly bore was so desperate and so fearful that Tikai nearly flinched, almost forgetting who she was with.

“I…Wha…Why are you asking?” Tikai was dumbfounded, it was such a strange question. Nexus retracted himself from the situation once more before Tikai could answer, a thin smile forming.

“You know, Airaxen, he thinks you’re very pretty, and funny,” Nexus commented, Tikai blushing somewhat. “I think, that if you were to die, he would be…Very sad,” Nexus continued, his own expression becoming sorrowful.

“Nexus…You’re afraid of being a bad person, aren’t you?” Tikai deduced, Nexus impressed, or a bit distressed that she figured it out so easily. He nodded slowly, a bit hesitantly, but acknowledged it.

“You’re not, alright?” Tikai replied with confidence, Nexus thinking for a moment, his gaze on the ruined city as their booth began to descend back down.

“…Ok.”

It was a quick ten minute ride around the mass of metal and the two were off the ride, Nexus still thinking to himself in his own little world, hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket.

“I do believe, that’ll be enough for this evening, lets go back,” Nexus submitted and began to walk off. Tikai followed quietly, somewhat saddened at the sudden loss of energy in Nexus, it didn’t seem right. She thought for a moment and then reached into her pocket, remembering that she still had the bracelet that Nexus gave her from the game stand. Upon a careful examination of the piece of jewellery she took note of the little bits of light that reflected off the red gem embedded in the bracelet, twirling it around slightly.

She slipped the bracelet on and then covered over it with her sleeve. Before she could strike up conversation however, Nexus came to a halt in his tracks, peering over his shoulder at her.

“Before I forget…Airaxen…Don’t mention this to him….We don’t get along,” Nexus murmured towards the blonde, Tikai raising an eyebrow slightly.

“Why not?” She asked. Nexus turned back around and assumed the pose of a thinking man, trying to carefully word his response.

“We…Just can’t see eye to eye. Just promise that you won’t, for my sake, eh?” Nexus asked again, this time Tikai nodded, in the motion Nexus saw a glint of light hitting him in the eye from the bracelet. He said nothing, but smiled to himself, turned his head forward and continued to walk along. He began to hum to himself, some of his vitality came back to him, it was a nice sight to see again.

Halfway through the park, something strange began to occur, the lights around the park began to simply turn off, masses of people also sharing in a collective confusion. Nexus’ suspicion was perked, it was enough to launch all of his senses to full alert.

“What’s…Weird, I guess the power must’ve went out,” Tikai said under her breath, but it only got a shake of the head from Nexus. He put his arm around her and with his left arm he held it up and at the ready, despite being unarmed.

“You can’t…This isn’t something out of the ordinary…” Tikai muttered a bit disjointedly. Nexus scanned the skies and his surroundings, finally he saw what he was searching for, a movement from the top of a roller coaster to the top of a tower drop ride.

Nexus looked at Tikai sharply and then motioned to the exit of the park.

“Run, as fast as you can, and don’t come back, I’ll meet up with you back at the church,” Nexus ordered, Tikai looking in the direction reluctantly, but without any means of self-defence, she left wordlessly nodded and then went in the direction, pushing past people and vanishing into the mobs.

::Come on, come on…Where did it go?:: Nexus frantically searched again, but he couldn’t find it again, instead it found him. From behind someone came up and slashed at him, luckily Nexus avoided the attack only due to the shrieks and cries that the people released when his assailant drew his sword. The albino leapt out of the way of the blade, barely avoiding being subdivided.

People quickly parted to allow Nexus to land, low to the ground with his legs apart and with his right hand trailing along the ground to maintain his balance. Across from him was his attacker, the long jet black haired man that attacked him before; Sonaris. He had one of his swords pulled out, the other still sheathed, his blue armor mostly covered by a tattered beige cloak.

“Tch, you don’t waste time, do you? Been only one day and you’re already hassling me again!” Nexus grunted, Sonaris however didn’t look very amused.

“Why are you here? Do you know about the gems as well?” Sonaris inquired harshly, the tone was enough to make Nexus flinch a little, it was terribly rude…

“Gems? I’m not interested in rubies and diamonds! But since you’re here looking for a fight, I’ll show you a good one!” Nexus cackled, green lights forming from midair and wrapping themselves around his left arm, his cannon appearing and encasing the limb. The crowds of people dispersed rapidly, the conflict escalating exponentially.

Sonaris leapt back with silent grace, landing on one of the poles that held a tent up, Nexus took aim and began to fire bursts of energy upon him. Sonaris had no difficulty to avoid the lasers as they ripped the tent apart, the cloth falling upon the people below, the masses tripping and falling down, a chain reaction of bodies hitting the ground.

Nexus glowered and then leapt up into the air after Sonaris who drew his second sword and slash straight down with one sword, Nexus used his cannon to parry the attack, the metal strong enough to halt the blade. Still in midair, Sonaris used his other sword to slash at Nexus’ side, Nexus however ignored the movement and with his own free arm grabbed onto Sonaris’ leg and pulled him down and out of the air, hurtling straight back to the ground.

He wasn’t able to recover in time and with a thud he landed on the ground, now infuriated. Sonaris quickly leapt to his feet and swung both of his swords out around him, the end result being half a dozen nearby civilians getting slashed apart by the blades, crimson liquid flowing through the air.

The albino still being hanging in the air began to rain blasts of emerald lights shot from his weapon, Sonaris lunging forward, just barely avoiding the attacks, but those around the blast area were sent hurtling through the air, or pieces of shrapnel striking those further back and knocking them to the ground; the numbers of the injured and dead began was climbing.

Sonaris put away his swords as he darted through the evacuating people, Nexus landing on the ground and without a second thought began to open fire through the masses, trying to hit the zigzagging target; the air itself was starting to become a red haze.

Sonaris leapt up and grabbed onto a pole and spun around it, shooting himself off to the side and landed on one of the metal supports to the roller coaster ride, kicking off of it and escalating up into the air. Nexus growled loudly, leaping off the ground and following in his footsteps with intense speed, it was difficult to keep up with his target.

The cloaked assailant pointed his right arm down at his pursuer, the blue wolf head cannon armed and ready to fire. Sonaris pelted the area below him with blasts of blue light. Nexus grunted, unable to really maneuver in midair, he was forced to launching counterattacks from his own weapon, the two opposing beams exploding and blasting the surroundings apart, metal girders being blasted to scrap metal as it tumbled onto the heads below.

Nexus backed himself back up against the ruminants of the roller coaster’s supports, as the smoke and dust cleared he found that he lost sight of the target. He let his cannon dematerialize and with a swift motion from his right hand snapped a metal beam adjacent to him, ripping it free to make it into a blunt weapon, something to compensate for the lack of a sword. The albino swung it around and glanced at his surroundings, still no sight of the attacker.

Suddenly from above, a painfully loud screeching entered Nexus’ ears, his head shot up to see that Sonaris had made it high above him, and what he had done was to destroy the entire structure overhead, metal toppling down, scrapping against each other as the masses came crashing down. Nexus growled once more, deciding not to be deterred in his efforts, literally swatting the massive flying shrapnel with his own metal girder.

The heavy masses of metal were simply smashes out of the way, flying in all directions as they smashed into other structures or people for that matter. Sonaris was shocked at the reckless display of bravado, but didn’t hesitate to open fire with his weapon, raining blasts of divine blue light downwards, Nexus was caught off guard by the change in tactics, ultimately struck in the dead center of his chest by one of the beams.

The albino was easily knocked out of the air and spiralled downwards, only fortunate enough to land on one of the still remaining horizontal girders. He let out a pained groan, having landed facedown and had the wind knocked right out of him. Nexus’ senses were dazed and confused at that point, the impact was like a hammer being launched into his head. Fortunately, Nexus did take note how Sonaris didn’t continue his attack, he saw his figure descend to the ground as he rejoined the panicking masses.

Then something clicked in Nexus’ mind, something was wrong with the scene he was watching below. He had become so caught up in the thrill, the intensity of a battle with Sonaris that he paid no heed to what was happening to the world around him. Not only had his reckless actions destroy the innocent amusement park and its novel escapes from reality, but the shrapnel created crushed multitudes. The blood that flowed from those simply mowed down by the tip of a blade lay motionless, and those who were simply blasted apart from immensely powerful bursts of condensed energy. Their corpses polluting the soil with spilled blood, even the air itself had been tinted with a red haze. There was death everywhere, it was overwhelming to witness, too much blood, too much death, too much sorrow.

Nexus shut his eyes from the sight, he couldn’t stand all of the blood and dismembered bodies, not anymore. But it didn’t help, his head was suddenly being filled with creeping voices all whispering one thing; murderer. Constantly, throughout his head, like the word itself had become mist and was filling in through his ears, constantly the whispers of the simple word, it was slowly driving Nexus over the edge.

“No…No! Not anymore! I’m sorry! Sorry! Please, stop! Stop!” Nexus pleaded under his breath, clutching his fists together and hoping and praying for the torture to stop, the voices kept on with their accusations; murderer, murderer, murderer!

Finally, Nexus’ will gave up, he couldn’t stand it! He had to find some solace from the voices, but he was relieved to realize a solution, though in retrospect it should’ve been…Apparent, obvious. He rolled over slowly, the blast he took in the chest left a scorched cavity in his body. But before he could do anything else Sonaris had returned, landing right in front of him, grabbing onto the ruminants of Nexus’ shirt and lifted him up by it.

“Where is it!? The gem! How did you already know about it!? Tell me!” Sonaris demanded in a fit of rage, wielding a sword in his free hand, jabbing it into his neck slowly. Nexus didn’t respond immediately, instead he let his head lull back and around slightly before opening his mouth to speak.

“Sonaris…This can’t keep going,” Nexus murmured airily. He moved his head back casually and then laughed darkly for a moment. Sonaris’ brow contracted somewhat, he didn’t understand the inappropriate gesture. Nexus stopped suddenly, his voice trailing off and fading away.

“We should’ve both died four years ago…Tonight, I remembered this. No more, this must end,” Nexus declared ominously, quietly and with a foreboding air to the statement. Nexus flexed his right arm slightly as it lay dangling in the air. A slight twitch caused movement through the limb, but Sonaris didn’t notice it.

“What are you talking about?! Now tell me where the gem is! Did Dimitri tell you where they were hidden?!” Sonaris demanded once more, the blade starting to slice into Nexus’ flesh.

“No more, tonight this ends, and no one else gets hurt anymore, this is how it’ll end,” Nexus uttered, as he suddenly broke his right arm free from its flesh and cloth covers, into countless blue vines. Before Sonaris could react Nexus shot his fragmented arm up and latched onto his wrists, waist and neck, pulling him off in an instant, and holding him up in the air with his arms out as if on a crucifix, his sword dropping to the ground down below.

“You-! Let go of me! What do you think you’re doing?!” Sonaris tried to lash out but Nexus was successful in holding him in place.

“Look around you, this is not a war zone, but it is covered in enough blood to make them envy these grounds, so this must end,” Nexus proclaimed, eyes to the ground as he worked his way back up to his feet.

“No more bloodshed, there is already too much sadness here, we’ll go quietly into the night,” Nexus concluded, his left arm becoming encased with his cannon once more. Nexus pointed the weapon straight into Sonaris’ face, but instead of firing he began to develop a charge in the weapon.

“What are you doing, you’re going to overcharge that weapon, it’ll kill us both!” Sonaris shouted, the tint of fear carried in his voice. Nexus nodded, a grim smile forming along his face.

“Yes, the entire point exactly,” he replied. Sonaris began to resist and fight against his restraints angrily, desperately, but they did not budge as Nexus’ cannon began to emit an ominous buzzing as light began to seep out of the cracks and crevices of the weapon.

However, right as Nexus was about to discharge the immense energy build up in the weapon his resolve faltered momentarily, enough for Sonaris’ efforts to break through and free his right arm. With his own cannon free he let loose a blast straight into Nexus’ left arm, at the same time however Nexus let loose the overcharged cannon, its load of energy then uncontained exploded violently. Nexus being struck by his double-edged sword and Sonaris’ attacks, losing his left arm in an instant, Sonaris on the other hand faced the brunt of Nexus’ explosion, ultimately the built up volatile energy had become so large the resulting explosion grew in its size and magnitude until the entire roller coaster itself was blasted apart, the sound shattering glass and heard around for miles.

Nearly a mile away Tikai heard the night skies split apart as an almost divinely act of God had just smitten the amusement park she was just in. As she looked back she could see the dust cloud as it stopped expanding and began to settle down slowly. In a few mere hours one of the few salvations from what had become of the rest of the city was destroyed, everything was being engulfed in fire and flame, one city sector at a time.

Tikai turned back through the masses of people that made their escape from ground zero, pushing and shoving past them, as well as fighting to keep from being carried away in the flowing sea of biomass. After travelling a block towards the former amusement park there were no more people, but the after-effects of the engagement between Nexus and his rival were felt far away from the actual battleground, overturned vehicles and blast holes cutting through buildings from stray fires that were shot and never struck the right target.

The path she had just raced through no more than ten minutes ago was nearly impossible to move through with crashed cars of panicked people smashing into each other as they tried to escape. Tikai’s thoughts drifted slightly, she was beginning to wonder if it would even be possible for anyone to survive the explosion she saw, it was of such a magnitude that it could’ve felt a mile away. As she continued to forge through the slabs of cracked and overturned concrete, she could see the crooked distorted metal figures that used to hold up the massive rides for the amusement of the masses, however most of them were damaged or had fallen apart.

Tikai finally found herself at the gates, they had fallen to the ground in the aftermath of the battle, in fact just about everything had been toppled or was structural unsound to go near. She began to walk through cautiously, the ground was scorched and still on fire or smouldering, it was like walking into a distorted reality, the whole area looked like a demonic future of some sort. She stopped for a moment, looking around herself and took note of all the changes, she then really began to think about the situation and she realized how hopeless it would be to find Nexus-Airaxen, or even to find him alive for that matter.

“Is…Anyone out there?” Tikai called out, feeling as if she were in the middle of an unknown land. As she expected there was no reply. She continued to move along slowly, looking from side to side for the signs of false hope. However she noticed something strange suddenly, a figure that was nearly a hundred meters ahead of her.

It was large and black, but she knew that it wasn’t human. Its shape was strange, tall but no limbs, she looked closer and found that it bore startling resemblance to a gigantic owl. It had landed in a crater, huddled over something, but as Tikai got closer, the beast started, turning its head straight towards the girl. She leapt back at the sight of the actual head to the owl, it only had one single large blood red human eye that stared back at her.

The owl stared for what seemed to be the longest time to Tikai, but before long it unfurled its massive black wings and began to take off the ground. As it took off Tikai noticed that within its massive scrawny legs it clutched onto a strange mass, it looked to be part of a person, but if that were true then they would’ve been missing almost half of their body.

She paid no attention to the monstrosity, just grateful that it left. Tikai leapt over the rubble in front of her and dove into the crater, sliding down its sides and to the bottom of it. To her shock she did find Nexus, beaten and bashed apart, was he still alive? She went over, examining him closer to find that his right arm had unwound itself and was a mass of blue vines. The left arm however was completely gone, blasted right off. There was also a heavy chest wound that provided a view into his body, scorched and disconnected blue veins everywhere. Remarkably, Tikai took note that somehow he must’ve escaped the explosion since almost all of his clothing was intact, but how he could’ve avoided such a complete and total display of destruction escaped her.

She went towards him, she was somewhat fearful but needed to know if he was still alive, she could only hope that by some miracle he was alive as well. Tikai did notice that the golden markings were still on his face, so she knew it was Nexus that was in control of the body. She moved a hand towards the albino, but there was movement as she did, the girl quickly withdrawing her hand. Another spasm of movement shot through the mangled body and shortly the eyelids began to open up ever so slightly. A groan escaped through his mouth and soon the vines in his right arm wrapped around each other, the limb reforming itself uniformly.

“Nexus…? Are you? What happened?” Tikai questioned, quickly getting down on her knees and trying to tend to Nexus. However he brushed her off and raised his own hand up to examine it slowly. He finally decided to let it fall back to the ground and heave a heavy hearted sigh.

“I…Tried to kill both of us,” Nexus finally admitted. Tikai looked at him in shock, she couldn’t imagine him doing something so reckless, so careless, so thoughtless!

“But, why?!” Tikai demanded, the thought of him actually succeeding was terrifying to the poor girl, but she didn’t exactly know why yet.

“Because…I’ve killed so many…I…It would be better if we both had died, but yet, somehow I’m still alive…And I don’t understand why…” Nexus trailed off quietly, his voice becoming meek.

“No matter who it is, if someone dies, someone else is sad, didn’t you say that?” Tikai nearly wanted to demand, but couldn’t find it to start shouting.

“Yes…But…Take me home, please…” Nexus suddenly submitted, giving up and looking up at the girl for an answer.

“Nexus, you have to promise you’ll never try this again!” Tikai demanded, but Nexus didn’t respond to the demand, he couldn’t possibly promise something like that…Death might be his only way for finding salvation…

“I’m tired…Please, take me back…I’m tired now…I need to think…Please…No more, I…” Nexus’ voice finally trailed off as he lost the last of his strength, drifting off into the realm of unconsciousness, the golden markings on the albino’s face finally fading away as quickly as they appeared.

Tikai frowned, unsatisfied that she was given no reassurance that Nexus, or even Airaxen wouldn’t try suicide again, but she had no choice but to call it a day as well. With some difficulty she lifted the albino up like the day before and slowly began to make her way to the church, no doubt to be welcomed by Father Franz or Sister Valeria, either of whom wanting to know what had happened this time.

* * *

Tikai arrived back to the church as it was in a state of panic, the nuns were all instructed by Father Franz to search the church for any indication of where their albino vanished off too, and more so of where Tikai ended up. When she shoved through the heavy doors of the building all motion stopped and dozens of heads turned towards her. Among them was Sister Valeria, who quickly rushed over, bombarding the girl with questions and helping her carrying the battered and beaten albino who looked terrible considering how he even entered the night before, and it was already severe then.

“Is he alive?!” She nearly shouted, mostly from her mortification of how bad the situation had become in just a few hours.

“Y-yeah, he is, we had…Another run in with that man from last night-careful, I don’t know how the rest of him is holding up,” Tikai warned, Sister Valeria nodding and leading the two through the church halls as the other nuns dispersed to inform Father Franz about what had happened.

In only twenty minutes Tikai found herself in Father Franz’s office, the dust settling in the religious establishment as personal calmed down, it seemed Father Franz was afraid their residents had been sent up to the Lord much too soon, but he was calming down, though his hand was slightly jittery as he held onto a cigarette.

“What happened?” He finally asked, Tikai giving him a brief summary of the night, how she agreed to take Nexus with her to the amusement park, their antics once there, the talk they had on the Ferris wheel, the attack from Sonaris, the truth from Nexus that he wanted to kill himself…Father Franz took it all in stride, probably due to being a priest and used to hearing many sorts of confessions. He finally leaned back in his chair and smothered his cigarette in an ashtray before collecting his thoughts.

“I’m not entirely surprised,” he began, opening his usually slit closed eyes up slightly. “From my talks with Airaxen’s other half, it does seem he carries a heavier burden than Airaxen does, and repenting with death seems to be the only way a sinner can repent to him. Though, I am surprised he did try,” Father Franz admitted, thinking again.

“What do you think it is?” Tikai asked, but the priest shrugged.

“I don’t know either, it’s sad really. I wonder what it could be that he has to learn through these constant trials. But it must be important, so I hope his will can withstand long enough,” he commented, sad to think that such a miserable person has to go through so much.

“You’re right though, Father,” Tikai remarked, the priest glancing over at her, slightly puzzled by what she meant. “He is scary, but…No more than Airaxen is.” A firm nod came from the priest, pleased to see that they saw eye to eye. Tikai got up to leave but Father Franz beckoned her to stay for a moment longer.

“I worry about Airaxen, but I know he’s very resilient, you however…Why do you keep walking into fights as well? Is it because you couldn’t…” Father Franz stopped, from how Tikai looked away from him he decided he was treading over his boundaries. “Tikai, please be more careful, you might end up hurt and…Well, Airaxen has seen blood, and so have I. Neither of us want to see yours,” Father Franz said quietly, Tikai nodding solemnly. The two sat in silence, though Tikai knew she could leave whenever she wanted, she felt no reason to. Father Franz was off thinking in his own world, one of his rare moments of clarity and serious deep thought.

“Father…I won’t stop. I don’t care what happens to me…I…I want to protect what is important to me, so I’m sorry, Father,” Tikai reaffirmed, Father Franz not reacting. The girl straightened up and stood up, heading for the door until Father Franz could be heard moving, taking out a new cigarette, his lighter…

“You two are alike. So, take care of each other,” he declared, a bit of his usual singsong tone returning to his voice. Tikai looked over at him, and it appeared as if his usual demeanor was back, it was good, his mood could spread through the entire church faster than any gospel he gave.

* * *

The rain began again during the next two days, plunging the city into a grey dreary state of perpetual dampness. It was strange to walk through the city, ruins and rubble everywhere while it was being drenched in rain, simply washing away all of the little fragments of destruction, even the large slabs of concrete began to shift with the flowing waters.

Airaxen was unconscious for the next three days, but he soon found himself sitting up in the same room, in the same pyjamas he’d end up in after being found on the brink of death, and in the same bed, simple looking out the window. He woke up sometime in the morning, unbothered since everyone in the church still assumed he was unconscious which left him time to try and assemble his fragmented memory of what had happened. His body felt worn, more so than usual, he also took note of the chest wound which he didn’t remember receiving and was wondering what happened to his spare set of cloths.

He looked down at his left arm, taking note that his arm cannon was still regenerating itself, it was taking much longer than usual, it appeared to be broken more recently than it should’ve been, Airaxen totally confused at what was going on.

::I normally can recover pretty fast, so why has it been a full four days? This is weird, did something happen…?:: Airaxen continued on in trying to remember laconically, his mind not focused on anything, for some reason he felt incredibly melancholic.

::How strange…Why do I feel so sad?:: Airaxen wondered some more, he also began to wonder why he found the rain so interesting, so soothing, did he do something and couldn’t remember?

Suddenly the door to the room began to open, the knob turning and then being pushed open, silently Father Franz entered the room, not at all surprised that Airaxen was conscious again. He closed the door just as silently, the albino watching him carefully. The priest let out a quiet sigh and pulled a chair up next to Airaxen, the albino wordlessly looking back outside.

“Are you feeling alright, Airaxen?” Father Franz inquired, leaning back slightly in his chair and reaching into his robe, producing his trademarked pack of cigarettes and the same lighter as always. The albino ignored the priest’s question for awhile but eventually nodded slowly.

“Father…I still haven’t told you what I found in that lab, have I?” Airaxen suddenly spoke, reminding Father Franz that he did never tell him what he learned on his excursion into the forest.

“You’re right, what did you find? I have a feeling it has something to do with that gigantic owl that attacked the city recently?” Father Franz speculated, Airaxen nodding his head.

“When I found that lab it was as if it was still frozen in time, nothing changed, it was still blasted apart, scorched and in ruins, I didn’t find anything…” Airaxen began, Father Franz raising an eyebrow. “There was this strange voice. It just began talking, it told me to wait and it still needed me. But before that the owl appeared, it was strange, it had one eye and would just stare at me with that big empty eye…I don’t understand it,” Airaxen admitted exasperatedly, his eyes dulling slightly. Father Franz was struck into a state of thought, trying his best to make sense of the situation as well.

“Well, I remember that in some cultures the owl is considered an omen of death, but I doubt it means your imminent demise,” Father Franz murmured, but Airaxen still overheard and his attention was focused on what the priest said next. Father Franz realized what had happened and quickly waved his hand about, wafting the smoke away in the process.

“But I digress! I wish I understood what that all meant, but I’m afraid I don’t…” He added on quickly, a feeble grin forming as he was a bit anxious around the albino, he appeared so distraught at the moment. The priest appeared sympathetic for a moment and was about to inquire, but Airaxen spoke first.

“Father Franz…Did…I do something? While I was unconscious, did…Something happen? By some odd chance?” Airaxen suddenly asked, Father Franz knew that something did happen, but he never mentioned the appearance of his alter ego, it would lead Airaxen into a fit of rage. So with a quick glance to the side by his eyes-

“No, nothing happened, you were resting all these days. Perhaps you’re just worn out still?” He suggested, Airaxen accepting the conclusion and nodding his head. With a slight turn of his head he looked over at the priest.

“Thank you, but can you leave me alone for awhile longer? I want some time to clear my head.” Father Franz didn’t argue and stamped out the rest of his cigarette before replacing the chair and opening the door, leaving the room as cautiously as he entered so Airaxen would be left in peace for awhile longer as he wished.

Airaxen let out a quiet sigh and closed his eyes slowly, thinking for a moment.

“He’s lying to me…” Airaxen deduced, his perception much sharper than he let on. The albino turned his head back out the window, continuing to watch the rain as he thought on a bit longer.

“I need to find someone to tell me the truth.”

For half an hour Airaxen lay down in his bed, no longer thinking so hard about things, and instead taking a rest. With eyes closed and an empty mind he could feel the tension throughout his body slowly relieving itself, he planned to take the best advantage of his time to let his body recover, it was under an incredible strain from the way he was treating it in the last two weeks.

Eventually he heard the clicking and grinding which was the sound of the door knob’s mechanism being turned and unlocking the door to the room. The blonde young girl Tikai entered just as cautiously as her predecessor. She closed the door quietly and then covered the distance between herself and the albino’s bed as swiftly as a ghost. Airaxen remained motionless, fully aware of her presence, but in his mind he was quickly formulating plans of how to do his dance of words to lure some truth out of his unknowing victim.

Tikai slowly peered over the edge of the bed and right into Airaxen’s field of vision, the view of the ceiling suddenly being blotted out by a face.

“Eh? You’re awake?” She asked, mildly surprised at the knowledge. Airaxen gave a slight nod of his head and then sat up slowly, looking over at Tikai.

“Are you alright?” Tikai inquired tentatively, the albino nodding his head.

“Yes, I feel fine…Hm?” Airaxen’s eye suddenly caught notice of the shine of light off of a very extravagant bracelet made from gold and embedded with a single red ruby. “What’s that?” He asked, Tikai diverting her gaze slightly.

“Oh, it’s just something I got myself when you were sleeping,” she lied, it would’ve been disastrous if she told him where she really got the bracelet. Airaxen however noticed the slight hesitation and decided to press on.

“I see, it looks nice, what have you been doing since I’ve been unconscious?” Airaxen asked firstly. Tikai pausing again, another delay that caught Airaxen’s attention.

“I was just about the church helping out, didn’t really do much at all,” she replied, her tone still perfectly smooth, however.

“I see…” Airaxen didn’t expect that Tikai would be such a smooth liar, in fact he wasn’t as sure that anyone was lying to him. But he couldn’t explain most of his physical defections at the moment unless he was awake sometime during his period of ‘unconsciousness’. However he decided to play his ace in the hole, it would either make him appear crazy or…

“Tikai…Why aren’t you mentioning what happened? You know, a few days ago,” Airaxen bluffed, he had no idea if anything truly happened, but if something did it would’ve gotten him what he wanted to know.

Tikai seized up when she heard what Airaxen said, she thought Nexus said that Airaxen would be unaware of what was happening, yet how did he? She couldn’t lie now that he knew.

“I-I’m sorry, but I didn’t think you would know, I mean he told me you were ‘asleep’ or something, but…How are you feeling? You didn’t seem well, I mean all of that destruction at the amusement park, it left him in a state of shock and-” Tikai’s rambling was cut off by Airaxen laughing to himself, the girl confused, perhaps the albino had really gone crazy?

“I lied, I don’t know if anything happened, but something did, that would explain why my body is still so damaged,” Airaxen paused, looking over at Tikai who was mortified, she was deceived and by such an underhanded tactic too!

“Nexus…Did he get out again?” Airaxen asked bitterly, looking down at his sheets. Tikai nodded and grumbled to herself, betrayal running through her blood.

“The bastard…How did he…? What did he do now?!” Airaxen shouted, his voice probably carrying throughout the general area. Tikai tried to keep him quiet, the albino letting out a disgruntled sigh.

“It’s alright, Nexus didn’t do anything, he even got me this bracelet! He isn’t that bad…” Tikai retorted quietly. Airaxen let out a frustrated grunt and thought to himself for a moment.

“Airaxen, why do you hate him so much?” Tikai asked cautiously, expecting him to explode at her, but he didn’t, simply letting his body slacken, as if he conceded in a bout for his life.

“I…I…It bothers me, I can never forget what he did, what he did in my body! He’s an intruder in my mind! I…Neither of us should be alive, but that doesn’t matter,” Airaxen trailed off in his ruminations, his anger slipping away into depression. Tikai recalled what Nexus had told her, how he tried to kill himself, the death he caused, wondering why he was alive, hearing it come from Airaxen worried her again.

“Airaxen, you can’t die…If someone dies then someone else will feel that, they’ll be sad…” Tikai recited, the same thing that Nexus had said days before in one of his own recollections.

Somewhere, in the deep recesses of Airaxen’s memory something clicked, he had heard that saying somewhere before, but couldn’t exactly recall where.

For a long time Airaxen and Tikai remained silent, motionless even. Airaxen was experiencing a recession into himself, brooding over the past and generalized feelings. Tikai watched the albino, worried about his well being, for once the signs of emotion broke through his stone face, he looked terribly miserable. She paused again and then shifted a hand over to Airaxen’s clutched fist, the albino becoming aware of the world again as she made contact with him. He perked up slightly, confused at the gesture, looking at the girl, she returned the inquisitive stare with a slight smile, Airaxen confused at the sudden change.

“Warm…You’re warm,” Airaxen muttered, he could feel his face light up with red for some reason, an uneasiness had also settled in his stomach, it was all rather unknown, uncomfortable as well. All thoughts of depression and his own demise seemed to slip away, for some reason, Airaxen could not imagine what, he felt remarkably…Calm.

Tikai didn’t respond, she was making her own conclusion about Airaxen, it was that his body was stone cold, no warmth at all escaped it, as if she were touching a corpse. A chill went through her body, it made her sad for some reason, as if the albino’s burdens were being transferred to her ever so slightly, so alone, so cold, so sad. Tikai glanced at the albino’s face, he had taken a great interest in the sheets he had on, staring down at them. She frowned and then leaned over the bed, giving the dazed albino a tight embrace.

“Wha-what are you doing?” Airaxen asked, trying to maintain his composure, but he could feel the uneasiness increase in weight.

“Don’t worry, alright? You always will have someone looking out for you, so don’t carry the world on your back,” Tikai whispered into his ear, Airaxen’s face flushing itself totally, the boy nodding his head quickly. Tikai let go and retracted back to her position over the bed, Airaxen looking out the window back at the rain.

“Airaxen?” Tikai inquired, Airaxen nodding his head, but refusing to look at her. “What is it? Did I do something wrong…?” She asked tentatively, a lump forming in her throat, Airaxen shook his head, Tikai becoming confused.

“Then what-?” She reached towards him, but before she touched him, Airaxen flung his sheets over himself, like a child! Tikai pulled her hand back, utterly confused at what had just happened, the brave knight that cleaved through demons and beasts alike was cowering under a blanket!

“D-don’t look!” Airaxen stuttered, unable to maintain his smooth composure. Tikai blinked and silently grabbed the ends of the sheet without him realizing it and then whipped it right off of him, the albino still looking towards the window and not at her.

“What’s wrong, Airaxen?” Tikai nearly demanded, getting fed up with his antics, grabbing out and spinning him around to face her, the poor albino was as red as a tomato, embarrassment was evident. Tikai suddenly backed off, feeling guilty for tormenting him a bit.

“Oh-sorry! I didn’t mean too-I thought you were-I’m sorry!” Tikai professed quickly, Airaxen nodding his head as he looked back out the window.

“It’s ok, it’s ok, just leave me to rest a bit, I feel better, don’t worry!” Airaxen stated, Tikai apologizing profoundly, excusing herself from his little room.

When the door shut there was no other sound than the rain once more, splashing against the ground like the day he found himself in the church walls again. However he didn’t feel as melancholy any longer, the world around him didn’t seem so frightening, it wasn’t so bad then.

* * *

“It’s wet…” Airaxen murmured to himself. Two more days had past and his body was back in working order, but that meant that he would have to help out with church chores again, he wasn’t so fond of that prospect.

At the moment he and Sister Valeria were heading back from the store, having picked up some supplies to cook with.

“Are you alright, Airaxen?” Sister Valeria inquired, holding an umbrella over her head to keep dry. She glanced behind her at the albino who didn’t even know what an umbrella was, so he was completely soaked through and through, stuck to using his new jacket to keep the groceries from getting wet.

“It’s still wet…” Airaxen mumbled drudgingly, only paying attention to the squishing sound that came from his feet.

“I wonder what Father Franz would like for dinner tonight,” Sister Valeria thought aloud. Airaxen overheard her remark and thought on it for a moment.

“Is there a special reason?” Airaxen asked, the nun shook her head.

“No, but I feel someone should take care of him after…” Sister Valeria paused to consider if she should continue, since it was a personal memory of the priest’s. But since the three of them shared a close bond with one another it didn’t seem to be a bad idea.

“What is it?” Airaxen asked again, Sister Valeria ready to respond the second time.

“A few years ago Father Franz lost his wife, Alice,” she informed, the news surprising Airaxen.

“I never knew he was married,” he remarked, Sister Valeria shrugging slightly.

“Father Franz did a lot of things before he became a priest,” the answer was ambiguous at best, so Airaxen pressed on.

“What do you mean?”

“Before Father Franz was a priest he used to…Be involved in rather shady…Business,” Sister Valeria’s answer was still somewhat vague, so again Airaxen asked more. She began to look a little uncomfortable, gripping and letting go of her umbrella nervously, but again she saw no harm in divulging a bit more.

“Father Franz used to belong to the mafia, and would conduct a lot of underground sort of transactions,” Sister Valeria explained, the news surprised the albino, he couldn’t imagine the priest doing any such thing, but then again…

“What happened to his wife?” Airaxen mentioned, the nun trying to recall for a moment.

“A rival gang found where he lived, she was shot and when he arrived to find her, she had already died,” Airaxen frowned at the response, it seemed like such a strange thing; death, that is.

“At the reading of her will, it turns out she had written a letter for Father Franz, begging him to change. He did eventually became a priest instead, using his money to build a church. When I asked why priesthood he told me it was because in a church people feel safe and get along for once, it’s a good place to be,” Sister Valeria recalled, but she couldn’t remember beyond that. Airaxen nodded, he never really did know that much about Father Franz or even Sister Valeria now that he thought about it.

“I think someone should watch over Father Franz a bit, I think he’s lonely these days,” the nun added, Airaxen nodding a bit absentmindedly. “I think, part of him would like you to be a priest as well, so you could watch over the church when he passes away,” Sister Valeria continued, Airaxen adverting his gaze to the ground, a bit embarrassed, to think, dressed up in the black robes and the collar and everything!

“Me? A priest? I can never imagine that,” Airaxen scoffed, but Sister Valeria shook her head.

“I think you’d be a fine priest!” Sister Valeria laughed, the albino mumbling to himself.

“I don’t want to be a priest…” Airaxen uttered to himself, mostly out of bashfulness. “I’d look funny…”

Upon returning to the church, he parted ways from Sister Valeria and he took an umbrella to stroll through the partly open air sections, there was still rain and he didn’t want to change his clothes again. Airaxen thought upon what Sister Valeria told him-not becoming a priest, but about Father Franz, in all the four years of knowing him he never knew he was married or how he became to be the sole minister to such a large church.

Airaxen stood outside in the courtyard, umbrella in hand with the rainwater coming down upon him. The albino looked around, the grass was wet and soggy, the few trees had their leaves weighted down with rainwater, everything looked a bit dreary.

“Are you being cleansed of your sins?” Father Franz’s voice suddenly called out from the outskirts of the courtyard. Airaxen looked over at him, he was holding an umbrella as well, next to him was Tikai with her own umbrella.

“I like to think that standing in rain cleans you as a person, let the rain just wash it all away and make it clean and anew once more,” Father Franz continued, Airaxen putting his hand out from under the umbrella and letting his hand become wet.

“I see, I see…” Airaxen murmured in response, pulling his hand back under the umbrella. “Where are you going, Father?”

“I’m going to the cemetery,” replied the priest, Airaxen raising an eyebrow.

* * *

::I never knew Father Franz had a car,:: Airaxen thought to himself, sitting in the backseat of the priest’s car and looking out the window, for some reason the simple contraption was very interesting to him, so simple but he never rode in one. Watched them fly by along the ground but he never did sit in one himself, Airaxen was strangely amused.

“You see,” Father Franz began to talk as he drove. “My wife, Alice died on a rainy day. So anytime it rains, I think of her. Today, since I have some time, I decided to visit her grave,” Father Franz explained in an almost carefree manner. Tikai, who was sitting up in the front seat then began to continue the conversation (why does she get to be up there? Airaxen wondered).

Airaxen leaned back in his seat for a moment, thinking to himself. With all matters of Father Franz aside for a moment, he experienced another strange feeling pass through him. It wasn’t a chill or a bad feeling for once, but it was strange, it made him feel contemporary. Simply strange and he didn’t understand why he felt strange, it also persisted for the last couple of days.

* * *

When they arrived at the cemetery the rain had let up slightly, but was still coming down at a steady rate. Airaxen looked around at the surroundings, it was strange, stone tablets all around him with words engraved into them.

“Are all cemeteries so…Empty?” Airaxen asked, Father Franz nodding.

“Yes, I’ve always felt the same way,” he commented, locking his car and walking up to the traditional iron gates. The priest led his two companions along the paths until he came upon what he was looking for. Father Franz cut through the grass until he came upon a slightly worn out stone tablet. He looked at the two with him, Tikai understanding the priest wanted some privacy. So the girl took a hold of Airaxen and dragged him away.

Airaxen watched Father Franz as he kneeled down, mumbling to himself quietly in the rain. He stayed still for a long time, Airaxen somewhat perplexed with all the strange things he never knew about human life. Tikai leaned against a nearby tree, watching the scene was well.

Finally, Airaxen’s curiosity got the better of him, the albino shifting from his spot and walking over to where the priest was situated.

“Please, offer a little prayer,” Father Franz requested, Airaxen nodding awkwardly and then getting down on a knee, putting his hands together like the priest. He wasn’t entirely sure of what to do but he offered his best wishes for Father Franz’s wife, though he never met her, so he felt a bit guilty.

“Father…I heard that you were involved in the mafia before,” Airaxen muttered, Father Franz simply nodding his head, unfazed by the statement.

“I wanted to be rich, really impress Alice. I wanted to treat her like a queen. The night she was shot I finally saved enough money to move away from here and the mafia. But…I suppose I had to be taught a lesson. I hope she’s alright now,” Father Franz murmured, his eyes being a bit distant and glazed.

“It’s sad,” Airaxen replied lowly, the priest letting out a murmur of confusion. “To do things with good intentions and still be punished,” Airaxen trailed off slightly, but was shaken out of his trance with Father Franz standing up.

“It is. You can explore if you want, I just want another moment of privacy,” Father Franz explained, Airaxen nodding and leaving him be.

The albino put the umbrella over his shoulder and looked around, Tikai was examining an impressive stone angel, reading its inscription. Airaxen decided to wander on his own, looking at the tombstones.

Suddenly the strange feeling passed through him again, however it was stronger than before. From out of nowhere a strong gust of wind came and wrenched the umbrella from his hands. Airaxen chased for it, but suddenly the umbrella was caught in the air.

Airaxen’s eyes slowly traced the umbrella’s top, to its handle, to a large black claw…Then to a large bulky body made out of black material…

“What…?” Airaxen focused his gaze on the strange entity then. It was a towering creature, at least 7 feet tall and pure black like the owl that Airaxen saw in the lab. However this creature was humanoid and possessed the features of a dragon. He took note of one distinct feature, its eyes, narrow slits that emitted a faint beastly glow to them. The shadow had a firm grip on Airaxen’s umbrella, the beast looking down at the albino.

“Who…?” Airaxen couldn’t find the words exactly, only the rain broke through the silence. Suddenly the large creature handed the umbrella back to Airaxen. He looked at it strangely, as if it wasn’t his, or a simple umbrella anymore, but some strange alien pulsating organism which would engulf his entire limb. However, he took the umbrella back after realizing there was nothing wrong with it.

“The crystal. Where is it?” The beast growled lowly, Airaxen unsure of what it meant. By then Tikai had grown curious and was searching for Airaxen, and then she found him, along with the spectre that he confronted him.

“Airaxen…What’s going on here?” Tikai asked, suddenly, considering to get Father Franz, though she wasn’t sure what he could’ve done, how she hated to feel so useless…Suddenly the spectre turned its head to look straight at the girl.

“You have it, the crystal, where is it?” The dragon suddenly asked, however it didn’t do so in a threatening away as its appearance might’ve suggested. Tikai wasn’t sure what it was asking for, but suddenly remembered something.

“This? Is this what you want?” She asked tentatively, pulling down her right jacket sleeve slightly, the bracelet that Nexus had gotten for her was underneath. The strangely designed ruby gem shone slightly, giving off a glint.

The spectre quickly swooped in to examine the piece of jewellery, a nod coming from it.

“Airaxen…Your destiny. Are you ready to meet it head on?” The beast asked, Airaxen drew back slightly, what was happening?

“Collect the last six crystals. We will talk again then,” the draconic shadow suddenly vanished into the earth and was out of sight as fast as it appeared.

“What was that?” Tikai inquired, though Airaxen was thinking the same thing. Airaxen examined the area, he wasn’t sure of what exactly happened, something just…

“Tikai, let me keep that bracelet for awhile,” Airaxen suddenly asked, the girl looking at it for a moment, finding it a bit melancholy to part with. But then again, Airaxen himself never did get it for her, and it was important to him for some other reason.

“Here then, but try not to break it, ok?” Tikai said, a bit shakily since for some reason she felt some attachment to the jewellery. Airaxen nodded and took the bracelet from her, looking over the gem carefully before pocketing it.

“Father Franz is waiting for us,” Tikai stated, changing the subject. Airaxen nodded his head and let out a quiet sigh before turning away from where the spectre vanished into the damp ground.

::I don’t like this…:: Airaxen thought to himself, a hand holding onto the bracelet, fingering the design until he came across its gem. ::My destiny? I need to talk to that thing again,:: Airaxen’s resolve hardened then, he had no other choice in what he would do next.

* * *

Airaxen locked himself up in his room upon returning to the church. Tikai stood outside of his room, considering to knock and talk to the albino, but she wasn’t sure how he would react. Suddenly the door was opened for her, Airaxen opened it from within and in his free hand he carried a suitcase.

“Airaxen? Where are you going?” Tikai inquired of the albino, Airaxen dropping the suitcase and thinking for a moment.

“A trip…Where’s Father Franz?” Airaxen suddenly asked, making due note to avoid Tikai’s gaze. Tikai raised an eyebrow slightly and then shock her head.

“I don’t know where he is, Airaxen what are you planning?” Tikai asked accusingly, though the albino did his best to conceal any of his real intentions with the wave of his hand.

“Nothing, nothing. I just want to talk with him,” Airaxen reassured, though he did so in a somewhat sly manner. Tikai shock her head again.

“I don’t believe you. Besides, I don’t know where he is,” Tikai finally declared, Airaxen grumbling to himself. He let out a sigh and moved past Tikai, the albino looking down both ends of the hallway.

“Alright, nevermind then,” Airaxen dismissed, he decided on trying to seek the priest in his office instead. Tikai, suspicious and possibly paranoid of impending doom and destruction that would follow Airaxen’s path, decided on prying as much as she could from the albino.

Though, admittedly, Tikai lacked the subtly Airaxen did, she still tried. However her attempts were herself very closely following Airaxen who looked for Father Franz. Where Airaxen employed subtle lies, Tikai’s sheer overwhelming presence over the albino was starting to make him crack.

“Tikai…” Airaxen growled, the girl backing away quickly, laughing slightly. “Do you want to ask me something?” The albino shifted his gaze at the girl, an irritated gaze that shattered mirrors.

“No, no, just…Around, that’s all,” Tikai sneered cheerily. Airaxen grumbled somewhat, doing his best to ignore her and find the priest. Though Tikai was all smiles she still loomed over Airaxen, it was quite a difficult task to ignore her, maybe if he threw something shiny at her…

Regardless, Airaxen combed the entirety of the church, with Tikai following every step of the way. With the search totally wasted, Airaxen let out a frustrated grumble and sighed, taking a seat on the ground.

“Alright, I can’t find Father Franz, you can stop following me now,” Airaxen grumbled, Tikai sitting down right next to him regardless.

“Be reasonable now, it’s not a bad thing. What do you need to talk to Father Franz about anyway?” Tikai asked again, Airaxen still not responding to the question. With a wave of his hand he dismissed the issue and looked away.

“Oh stop with all this worrying, I’m fine, I won’t do anything rash,” Airaxen reassured, positive the girl was acting strangely because of the encounter with the spectre. Tikai frowned somewhat and rested her head in a hand before continuing the conversation.

“You’re going to do something rash…” Tikai stated under her breath, Airaxen was anything but sensible in reality. Airaxen heard the remark but pretended to ignore it, sad to be caught lying, but she was right.

“My sword…Have you seen it recently?” Airaxen inquired, Tikai shaking her head.

“You don’t need a sword if you’re not doing anything rash, Airaxen,” Tikai remarked, the albino sneering.

“Rash, can be a relative term,” Airaxen replied, having carefully weighed his words before speaking them. Tikai let out a quiet hum to herself and then stood up just as the albino did. He opened his mouth to speak but his words were drowned out by a thunderous crash that came from outside of the church.

Airaxen and Tikai dashed through the halls and doors along with a few other of the nuns to see what had happened. What greeted them though, was nothing they would’ve expected.

Standing tall was Sonaris, though he had donned yet another cloak, the reason being was he did not wish for his partially healed wounds to be in plain sight. The man stood tall, swords on his back and cloak flapping in the wind. However Airaxen took note of the patchwork appearance to his royal blue armor, vines visible, they had not totally reconnected with one another.

Alongside of him however was a true monstrosity. Sonaris had somehow crafted himself an ally for the impending battle, a ten-foot tall automated duplicate of a preying mantis. A body that was formed out of hardened steel with massive claws lined with a glowing red beam tip to each set.

“Father Franz!” Tikai’s mortified voice suddenly rang out, Airaxen’s gaze darting over to its source. On the ground was the priest, he was sprawled out on the wet concrete with rain pouring down upon him, body battered. Tikai quickly went to his side, the priest groaning as he was helped back to his feet.

“Are you alright?” The priest nodded, he laughed weakly but got back to his feet regardless. Father Franz was clutching his torso, he didn’t receive any major injuries, thankfully he only had the wind knocked out of him.

“This joker showed up raving about a crystal under my church. And then has the nerve to hit a priest!” Father Franz grumbled, it seemed if anything else his pride was hurt more than his body.

Sonaris’ gaze drifted from the priest and the girl over to the albino, the man emitting a low growl.

“Why are you here, Airaxen? Come to take another crystal from me?” He spat venomously, Airaxen was confused for a moment, but had to assume whatever Sonaris was talking about was done by Nexus’ hand and not his. The albino thought for a moment of how to respond, but ultimately he just found himself chuckling.

“Bitter much? You look pretty beat up there, Sonaris. I don’t think you want to fight me on my territory,” Airaxen laughed, for what reason he wasn’t sure, there wasn’t anything funny, but still he continued. Sonaris gripped his cloak tighter then, he was being mocked! Mocked by…Suddenly Sonaris took note of a slight change in his appearance and voice, his hair had become more tame, his eyes had returned to their normal dual colors, and the gold markings were gone. But he disregarded it, there was a crystal he needed and it was under that church!

“Out of the way, I’ll blast apart every brick of that church to get the crystal, if you are in it when I do, all the better for me!” Sonaris shouted, voice full of determination and rage. With a wave of his hand the mantis mecha launched itself into the air with its legs, it was looking to enter the church and would make short work of the stone walls.

Father Franz gritted his teeth and began to dash towards the church, Tikai looked at Airaxen who nodded, the girl racing after the priest. Airaxen was left with Sonaris, and to his dismay he had no armor with him and no sword either. With the mantis mecha already tearing through the church Airaxen found himself in an awkward position.

“Why all this effort? What possible reason do you have?” Airaxen inquired, but suddenly Sonaris’ rage flared up, in one swift motion he drew both of his swords and threw off his cloak, face contorted in anger.

“You of all people have no right to ask such a thing!” Sonaris roared, lunging straight at the albino who was forced to retreat. Airaxen formed his arm cannon and fired at Sonaris who leapt up and over the beams. Airaxen grunted, he hated the lack of options he had, and how was he going to stop the mantis mecha?

“Father Franz!” Tikai shouted from behind the priest, he didn’t break stride however, but did look back for a moment.

“Get everyone out! I’m heading into the basement!” He shouted, before vanishing down a corner, Tikai stopping her dash and hearing another crash of bricks as the mantis shredded another part of the church. Tikai entered the courtyard where the noise came from, there she found the mecha as it was clawing at the ground, seemingly trying to dig. Across from her position she saw Sister Valeria shouting to guide everyone safely out of the church since the church was very quickly redesigned and then structural unsound. At the moment she noticed that the mantis was no longer paying attention to people, she had a chance to go searching for Airaxen’s misplaced sword. But as she was heading towards the dormitories the mantis mecha suddenly perked up from its search. Unsatisfied with being unable to dig through the earth with its claws the mantis mecha returned to destroying its surroundings. Tikai took note of it, and how it was becoming dangerously close to the evacuation that was occurring. Sister Valeria appeared to notice the movement of the automation and she gave one final direction to the nuns before she faced the mecha. Sister Valeria ran away from the other nuns and straight into the courtyard, the mantis mecha turning its head to follow her movements. She wasn’t exactly sure of how to halt the mechanical insect, she was unarmed, and the weapons it bore were edged with beams of light.

The mantis was unsure of what to do, but it fell back on its programming, the inevitable response was to raise its claw and slash for the nun. Sister Valeria shut her eyes instinctively, not willing to watch the guillotine like blade cleave her to pieces. As she listened to the claw split the wind, a second noise entered her senses, the whistling of a projectile. Sister Valeria reopened her eyes just as a rocket collided with the claw arm that was about to slice her apart, the explosive destroying the weapon and shattering its blade, effectively destroying one of the limbs.

From the rooftop of the very church itself Father Franz stood with a cigarette in mouth, and a smoking rocket launcher over his shoulder. He threw the empty weapon at the mantis as it tumbled back from the blast, the priest smirking to himself.

Sister Valeria let out a breath she held in, a quick murmur of thanks escaped her mouth before she joined the ranks of evacuating nuns, leaving the mantis for Father Franz to contend with.

The mantis recovered slowly, straightening itself out with the loss of one massive claw it had become unbalanced. Father Franz reached into his robe and produced a hand grenade. He methodically pulled the pin out and tossed the live explosive in his hand up once before he flung the small object downwards at the mantis. However the mantis was more prepared, swinging its remaining bladed arm at the grenade, batting it back up to where Father Franz was stationed. The priest went wide eyed as he saw his own grenade come back up to him, dashing at full speed across the rooftops, jumping onto the roof of the courtyard hallway. The grenade exploded violently, slabs of stone were hurtled through the air, the rooftop collapsing.

Father Franz let out a disgruntled grumbling, his church was being brought down to the ground, and he could only imagine how many were injured. By the raid. As he was dashing, he looked towards the mantis, the two fins on its back suddenly flipped forward, splitting open to reveal dual weapon barrels. Father Franz would’ve cursed had he not remembered being a priest, regardless he had no time, small bursts of light suddenly shot out of the barrels, flying at him.

Father Franz executed a series of leaps and bounds as he raced across each rooftop of the church, the shots from the mantis destroying the path behind him, stone crumbling to the ground. Father Franz grunted to himself, he had another grenade, but he didn’t have the time to counterattack against the automation, and the shots were coming closer and closer to him…

* * *

Tikai left the sounds of crumbling stone and exploding ballistics, ducking into Airaxen’s small room. She threw the door open and scanned the room with her eyes, looking for the glint of polished steel. Then she saw the suitcase that Airaxen was preparing for his journey. She went over to it and undid the zippers, throwing it open to find a few pieces of clothing and mainly the sword she was looking for. She grabbed it and took the weapon out of the sheath and swung it, the air current being cut in two with a gentle whistling sound.

Tikai was about to leave, however she noticed something else in the suitcase; it was the bracelet. She paused for a moment in thought, but when the echoing of another explosion entered her ears she snatched the piece of jewellery from the suitcase and dashed back towards the fight.

* * *

Airaxen growled lowly, leaping back to avoid yet another swipe from Sonaris’ swords. Their battle had moved up to the roof of the church, Airaxen forced to evade the attacks, all he had to fight with was the arm mounted cannon on his left forearm. Against the temper of what he was avoiding, the metal in his cannon would not last long.

Sonaris swung to the side with one blade, the albino leaping back. Another swing that came from below him from the opposite weapon, Airaxen leaping up and over the blade. He then counterattacked with a blast of energy from his cannon, Sonaris ducking low to the ground and dashing under the albino to come around behind him. Sonaris came to a skidding stop while turning around, then shot him in the back before Airaxen could react. The albino’s body tumbled through the air, crashing into the ceramic tiles roughly.

Airaxen had no armor on and he could feel the damage from the attack, there was probably a decent portion of his back that was now visible and charred. But he had no time to try and recover, Sonaris was charging at him once more, the albino flipped backwards through the air with a kick from his feet, ending up vertical again. Sonaris slashed again, first above, Airaxen shifting to the side to avoid it, and once again to avoid the follow up slash from the second sword. The albino gave a forceful swat from his cannon to Sonaris from behind, the man stumbling forward from the attack. Airaxen then exacted his revenge, firing a number of blasts into Sonaris’ back, effectively blasting him far away from the albino.

With an opening in time, Airaxen looked to the church’s courtyard, smoke coming from the area. Airaxen looked back at his personal battlefield, Sonaris was getting back to his feet, unamused by the attack. The albino grunted to himself and shot at the ground in front and around of him, dust and debris being thrown up all around him, shrouding the albino from sight. With the diversion Airaxen slipped out of the area, dashing across the rooftops towards where the mecha had stationed itself.

* * *

Father Franz ducked behind one of the sloped edges of the courtyard’s roof, quickly scampering on all fours as the mantis mecha continued firing randomly to try and strike him. Father Franz lunged forward just as a flurry of shingles were blown away from where he just was. He let out a quiet murmur, hoping that it wasn’t his time yet. However he noticed that suddenly the constant weapon fire stopped. Father Franz waited for a moment, unsure of whether to be relieved or not.

Finally he peaked up and over the peak of the roof, the mantis had indeed stopped firing. However it had turned its attention to Tikai. The girl had mustered the courage to waltz up to the mecha, all she had was a long sword and a small object in the other hand.

As Tikai found herself straining her head to look at the head of the automation she suddenly realized the extent of the deed she was trying to accomplish. She stopped for a moment, taking notice of sweat forming on her brow, the increased heartbeat with the knowledge of a possible demise in her future, the signs of adrenaline coursing through her body. For a moment she could feel her body heat up, she wondered if that was the same feeling Airaxen had when facing an opponent himself. But she noticed something strange, the crystal in her hand was heating itself up.

Before she could look into the matter, Tikai realized the mecha raised its remaining scythe arm precariously…As if the machine could savour the moment. However, fortunately for Tikai, she had divine favour with her as a small grenade came hurtling from the rooftops. The explosive landing on the ground next to one of the legs to the mecha and exploding violently, the limb blasted apart as the entire automation suddenly toppled over onto the ground.

Father Franz remerged from hiding and had lobed another grenade at the mantis mecha while it was distracted, his second attack on the machine had immobilized it, the mecha unable to return to its feet. Tikai nodded to the priest who returned with a grin. Tikai looked back down at the crystal, the gem was still pulsating, becoming hotter and heating up. With newly bought time she then began to pry the crystal from the bracelet, which proved to be a surprisingly easy task, the gem had heated up enough to dissolve the bond that held it in place. Tikai pulled the crystal free, as she held it she could feel heat coursing through her body, everything was becoming warmer, as if she suddenly ignited like a match.

Suddenly the sounds of mechanical joints could be heard grinding, working themselves in a renewed effort to continue in its mission objective. Tikai did not notice the change as Father Franz took note of the two shoulder mounted cannons pointing in Tikai’s direction, much to his dismay.

“Tikai! Get out of there! It’s going to fire!” He shouted from across the courtyard, his voice just barely carrying over to the girl. She looked up suddenly, seeing the weapons pointed straight down at her. Without another thought her body reacted, the girl shoving the red jewel into the base of the sword in her other hand. And then Tikai found that her body was suddenly being propelled forward, her legs were carrying her straight at the automation with nothing more than a sword in her hands.

Airaxen kept racing along, fully aware that Sonaris was close behind him, but he couldn’t leave that mechanized disaster to…Humans…Vulnerable humans who would surely die…Behind him, he could hear the metal footsteps along the roof shingles, and they sounded like they were closing in on him. Guided by instinct and a will to reach the others in time, he leapt forward and in midair he spun around to face his pursuer. Sonaris took his chance and lunged forward with his swords out to strike out. Airaxen threw his left arm up and fired a beam straight at Sonaris, the attack striking his weapons, just what Airaxen had hoped for. Sonaris’ swords were shattered, chips of metal hurtling throughout the area, the man stumbled back slightly from the aftershock as well, it was the opening Airaxen needed. With the opening in Sonaris’ form Airaxen charged in as close as he could and rapidly pelted the man with point blank range beams from his arm cannon. Sonaris was blown clear off of the roof in a mighty blast of flames and chunks of blue armor travelling through the air. Sonaris came crashing down to the ground below, body smouldering, the man incapacitated for the time being.

Airaxen broke back out into his dash, but he heard it, the sound of weapon fire. It was a single shot that was fired, and he had heard nothing more afterwards.

Airaxen came to a halt, he was…Was he too late? Already? So soon? Airaxen went into a daze for a moment, he was in disbelief. The albino gathered his wits and then continued onwards, dashing straight for the courtyard, he had to make sure if his worst fears had come true.

He found himself next to Father Franz in a mere moment of running, and he too was looking in awe. Airaxen’s entire perspective suddenly changed as well, he was relieved, but at the same time, somewhat disgruntled for being so worried.

On the ground below there was one single large freshly created smouldering crater. The girl was not present near it, but was however standing opposite of the wet grass from it. The mantis mecha had lost a claw and one of its legs, the finishing touch was the fact the mecha had been sliced in two. Tikai stood in the