Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Having spent the better part of a day at Pegasus station, the Ettik and her crew were prepared for the next task at hand. Once the hyperspace window to the Matano system opened, they would leave the station.
Several members of the crew took time for last minute shopping, while Claron and Tab went back to Gabe�s office to apologize for Claron�s earlier behavior. Meanwhile, Cara comforted a recovering Kyra.
Elsewhere: Stryder tried to comfort the recently tortured Katie, helping to heal her wounds before they took her in for another round. Meanwhile; Syne was able to finally locate the rogue fleet and �borrowed� the form and shuttle of one of its members in order to continue his search.
*Time passed: None*
Having arrived in the Matano system, the Ettik found itself near a volcanic planet, with an ice moon, with the debris of a space battle still hanging in orbit around it. Somewhere on the planet�s surface lay a facility owned by an �associate� of Gabe, an individual with knowledge about the rogue fleet.
Alexei shakes his head as the distress signal repeats over the speakers. Feeling Ettik activate its defenses, he pilots the ship closer to the planet�s surface. Meanwhile; Stryder watches the guards take Katie down the hall, sighing heavily.
Katie has a serene smile as she is led away, she is completely unreachable now.
�I suggest that you all prepare yourselves,� Alexei calls out over the ship-wide com. The Ettik sails towards the volcanic planet, Alexei wearily eying the ship debris hanging near the planet�s moon.
Lilly stretches and lets out a soft yawn. �Mmm, seems we have taken off. S�pose I ought to get something to eat.� She gets up and dresses herself quickly. She leaves her room and heads for the galley to find something to eat. Upon arrival at the galley, she goes through the morning ritual of getting her food and sitting at a booth to fill her stomach before a long day.
Meanwhile: After a short pass in hyperspace, Syne glances out the viewport of the shuttle. An array of black ships hover in the void, a look of frustration crosses his unevenly fanged grimace. �Now...to find the right ship.�
DracBlue holds his hand above the door of Tza�s room as the com comes on, and he decides he needs to be with Cara. He quickly moves to the med bay.
Lilly takes a gulp of her drink and sighs as Alexei�s voice comes over the com. �Just like old times.� Finishing her food, she looks around, now just taking in the rest of the room.
Kyra floats, drifting in and out of consciousness. She smiles at Cara as her eyes drift shut, again.
Shadow stands up from the table he was drinking at and checks his axes. �Yes, I�m ready.�
Jonathan bursts awake at the sound of the alert from Alexei. �Great! What is going on now?� He heads down to the galley, assuming that is where all the important information is shared. At least it was a start.
Layers of volcanic ash and dust begin to block any view outside the Ettik�s windows as the ship descends into the planet�s atmosphere. �Blasted ash...sensors are all over the place,� Alexei curses as his fist goes through the holographic control console.
Clarice leans back in the computer chair, unhappy with the first round of results in her search. �Come on, girl. You can do this.�
Valrash looks out the window, �Are we near my home?�
�Certainly not a place I�d consider visiting again�� Eclipse comments as he glances over at the window.
Tewyn sits up at the sound of the com. �So much for five minutes rest.�
Zach yawns and slides from his chair, gaze darts over to Shadow as he shrugs, �Suppose I�m ready for anything.�
Jonathan enters the galley and looks around. Noticing Lilly and a few of the other crew members, he moves towards Lilly but changes direction and goes to sit with Shadow. �This seat taken?�
Shadow looks at Jon, �Not at all, but were about to be doing something.�
Lilly looks up as Jonathan enters. Sighing, she returns to her food and picks at the last few crumbs before leaning back and waiting for Alexei�s next message.
Jonathan smiles and reaches down to his guns. �I know. And I plan on having me some fun. Just was hoping that I could relax and wake up before the action started.�
Clarice raps her fingers on the desk top. Picking up the paper, she folds it neatly, tucking it back in her pocket. �Going to have to find a safe place for you,� she whispers to herself.
After several layers of ash and dust, Ettik clears the cloud cover, giving the windows views of a nightmarish landscape. Lava rivers cut winded paths through the black earth, twisted spires looking like giant fangs spear the landscape; and the uncountable funnels of ash and smoke rise into the dark sky.
Valrash smiles at the land. �Reminds me of home. Such a nice place.�
Lilly gets a sudden chill just thinking of the planet below. She glances over towards Shadow. �Do we know what kind of a planet we are stepping foot on, or are we just going in blindly?�
DracBlue enters the med bay and stands next to Cara. He nods at her �Reportin� for duty,� He says sarcastically.
Shadow looks at Lilly and motions to the window, �You know as much as I do now.�
�Volcanic�good for deep-core mining stations. Friend of the old man runs an outpost here, supposedly.� Zach comments to Lilly, overhearing the conversation.
Luna stares out the window, �I can�t imagine someone lives here.� She stands and holds Eclipse�s armor for him. �I guess you should put this back on.�
�Fuck me running�.� Clarice�s eyes widen as she realizes she may have just found what she was looking for.
�I figured as much,� Eclipse nods as he begins putting his armor back on.
Lilly turns to Zach. �Thanks. But how can anyone live there. It�s like living in a volcano...Oh, wait�it kind of is a volcano.�
Jonathan shakes his head. �What is wrong, Lilly, you scared? Afraid of a little lava?�
Valrash jumps into the conversation, �You can live near the lava. It is a nice place to go, nice and warm.�
Alexei looks at his scanners, �We�re coming up on the installation.� Bringing up a visual on the outpost, he sighs, �Got a viable landing sight on the northern side. Everybody get to the ramp room.�
Shadow heads to the ramp room.
Lilly and Jonathan give Valrash a look. Lilly sighs, �I�m sorry, Valrash, not everyone likes the lava or can live near it. I personally think it would be WAY too hot for my liking.�
Tewyn gets off the bed, �Well, guess it�s playtime.� He heads toward the ramp room.
~Something�s wrong.~ Kyra murmurs mentally. ~Very wrong.~
Elsewhere: The uglier of the two guards � if that were possible � throws Katie up against a humanoid shaped table. Strapping her legs and arms to it, they both chuckle, retreating out of the room as the white haired Calypso strides in with a self-pleasing grin.
Valrash smiles happily that they get to be on the planet. Then says to Lilly, �Eh, you just have to get used to the heat,� as he takes large strides to the ramp room.
Lilly glances up at the sound of Alexei�s voice. �Well, guess its time to go.� She feels her waist to make sure her weapons are secure before heading to the ramp room.
Jonathan hearing the message as well �of course� follows Lilly towards the ramp room.
Tabris sighs, �Once again into the fray,� eyeing Claron, he gives her a nod.
Tzaphiel sighs and exits her room. Heading to the galley, she wonders to herself, �I suppose he�s gone after her, as usual.�
Finally satisfied and having committed the information to a disk, Clarice shuts down the computer and heads for the ramp room as Alexei requested.
Luna�s ears twitch as she listens to Alexei over the com. �Looks like we�re going in.� She reaches for her sword as she watches Eclipse getting into his gear.
Lilly arrives at the ramp room and notices Tewyn for the first time since being back. Smiling, she raises her eyebrows. �Long time no see, old man.�
Meanwhile: Syne presses reluctantly on the com button, hoping his galactic translator wouldn�t fail him. ��requesting docking permission, delivering supplies.� He grunts out, giving a displeased look at the amount of spit accompanying his words.
Claron nods her head, then smirks. �Don�t it just figure, I was just about ready to show you how much I love ya, too.�
Tewyn turns, �I knew I smelled a Halfling somewhere.�
Sliding Morthoseth over his shoulder, Eclipse gives Luna a quick thumbs up. �As ready as can be.�
Lilly giggles. �AWWW, I missed you too, Tewyn.�
Tzaphiel changes direction and heads to the ramp room to find the rest of the crew. She shifts her features to a more fire friendly leather suit and short purple hair.
Tewyn grunts, �Well, can�t say the feelings are mutual, kid.�
Jonathan takes the interactions in and lays low behind the group, still feeling everyone out.
Cara looks at Kyra, ~I don�t know what�s up, Kyra�and I don�t want to leave you here�~
Skirmir, accompanying the typically silent Wraith, approaches the ramp room and gives a nod to the others gathered there. �I suppose, I should expect a fight?�
Lilly�s face turns to a pout, a sarcastic one at that. �Aw, why not? Everyone else was happy to see me. You can not tell me you did not miss me one bit while I was gone.�
~Go.~ The frown is clearly heard in Kyra�s words. ~You must be my eyes and ears. I�ll be fine.~
Tewyn steps up and looks Lilly dead in the eyes. �I did not miss you at all.�
�We�ve got the makings of a small army here, this should be interesting,� Zach comments to himself as he leans against a free wall in the ramp room.
Katie�s breathing is deep and even; and her face has not changed expression.
Lilly lets out a squeak and wraps her arms around Tewyn. �Ok ,Tewyn. I know you have a slight problem accepting your feelings, but you don�t have to get angry to get your feelings across. We are all friends here, after all.� She smiles and then turns to the rest of the group, muttering a bit lower. �Besides, you could cut the poor Halfling a break...considering, I have two of you to deal with��
~I�ll be back just as soon as I can�I promise.~ Cara reluctantly pulls away from the gel tank and heads toward the door. Looking back once more at Kyra, ~I will be the best eyes and ears you have ever had.~ She races out the door to the ramp.
DracBlue keeps pace with Cara.
Ettik groans lightly as its underside is heating up on the approach to the station. Alexei watches the monitor carefully, �Just a bit more�I know it�s hot.�
Tewyn brushes Lilly off of him. �For being gone so long�you still haven�t learned very much, have you? Not all of us here are friends. And there will only ever be one of me. Consider yourself lucky for that fact.�
Lilly rolls her eyes. �You and Arwyn would make a good couple you know.�
Clarice takes a quick detour in order to hide the letter and disk safely away.
Tewyn explodes. �I wouldn�t wipe my ass with her hair, she is revolting to the Elven race.�
Luna nods at Eclipse and opens the door, �We better catch up with the others.� She leads the way to the ramp room.
Tewyn continues, �You�re just lucky there is actually one more person with us that I despise more than you now, kid.�
Elsewhere: Calypso gently touches Katie�s cheek, before sticking a small object onto her temple. �Now to pry those secrets from you.�
Lilly scoffs loudly. �Well, that�s surprising�considering your personalities and feelings towards me are practically identical. But it is fine, Tewyn. I don�t hold it against you�I still care about you.� Lilly grins at Tewyn before moving next to Jonathan.
Tewyn gags. �Then I am surely dead if you care for me. Much less compare me to her.�
Eclipse nods as he follows Luna out.
Lilly sighs. �Come on, Tewyn. Think of it in a more positive way. You found a soul mate.�
Tewyn half-smiles. �You�re right. But she is human.�
�That�s not who I was talking about. I was referring to the other full of herself arrogant elf.� Lilly comments before double checking her weapons.
Tewyn�s eyes glitter dangerously. �The light walker could never have me. I was taken a long time ago.�
Jonathan glances at Lilly. �They haven�t moved, and are in the same place as when you left the galley. Stop fretting.�
Tzaphiel comes up on the others and looks at Drac but doesn�t speak.
Tewyn smiles. �I�m not arrogant, I�m just damn good looking and too smart for you people.�
Lilly turns back to Tewyn. �You are not the one I was referring to as being arrogant. I was referring to Arwyn.�
Mechanical whirring sounds in the ramp room as Ettik�s landing struts extend. The ship skirts the edge of the landing zone before setting down with a shake. The ramp unfolds from the belly of the ship, leading down onto the sleek gray metal of the station�s ore shielding.
Tewyn smirks. �Well at least you learned something. For once.�
Luna looks at the gathered group as she approaches. �Well, this is quite the assembly today. Is everyone ready for this?�
Alexei comes over the ship-wide com, �We�re down. We can�t stay here long unless I deploy some heat shields, which will take a while.�
Arwyn gathers her bow and heads toward the ramp room, arriving there in time to hear Lily and Tewyn�s conversation. �You disappoint me, drow. Would have loved to see you try.�
Lilly turns to Luna. �Always.� She starts down the ramp taking in the landscape of the planet. �Definitely would not want to live here.�
Tewyn turns his head, �Don't tempt me, light walker, I�m not fully rid of my old ways as of yet.�
Valrash walks down the ramp speaking to Lilly, �Ehh, too bad. I�m quite fond of this place.�
Lilly gives Valrash a small smirk. �Sorry, I like grass and sunlight. And water. Man, I love the water.�
Tewyn looks at Arwyn mockingly. �Would be such a shame if you somehow lost all that hair in a flaming mishap while out in this territory.�
The top surface of the station is relatively unscathed, save for a large hole a few yards away from the landing zone. The metal is bent awkwardly, almost as if it had been eaten through. A thin orange shield surrounds the station like a dome, though there is a sizeable hole through which the Ettik arrived.
�So, I take it we aren�t able to wander far from the ramp?� Lilly calls over the intercom to Alexei.
Tzaphiel walks down the ramp and moves a little ways from the ship. She looks around, �Where is the welcome committee?�
Arwyn looks directly at Tewyn, then speaks in Elven, �Would be my pleasure to rid you from existence.�
�I wouldn�t take any strolls outside the shield, but for the most part we�re safe,� Alexei replies. �I have a limited internal scan, but that hole ahead of you leads into a storage facility of some sort.�
DracBlue looks at the metal that looks like its been eaten through, �I wonder if my relatives came here?�
Tewyn smirks at Arwyn's comment. �Must be lonely now, huh? You could try, but my family would stop you. Miss Light Walker is all alone now, quite a contrast of irony, don�t you think?� talking to her in Elven as well.
Tabris gives his sword a few swings as he looks back at Claron, �Coming, dear?�
Shifting into his giant red lion form, Skirmir strides across the station�s surface to the hole.
Luna walks past the Elvin assembly and shakes her head.
�Yes, my love� as Claron picks up Andy.
Wraith narrows his glance, surveying the lava-strewn landscape. �It�s here�.�
Luna looks back at Wraith, �Another weapon?�
Zach follows the group down the ramp, a lightning orb sparking into life as it starts hovering near him.
Wraith nods and heads for the hole in the station, �If we do not hurry, it will be taken.�
Luna draws Luciendar and follows Wraith quickly. �We can�t let that happen.�
Tzaphiel sees the lightning orb and smiles slightly. �Interesting��
�Not at all, drow. Prefer it actually. Definitely better than having the air fouled by the likes of you.� Arwyn moves past Tewyn as Clarice and Cara move up to his side.
~Danger.~ Kyra murmurs groggily, her face twisting into a look of discomfort.
Eclipse slides Morthoseth from its sheath, the silent voice creeping into his head. ~Something dark has been here recently�its taint fouls the air.~
Luna glances over at Eclipse as he draws his sword and nods.
Cara tilts her head as she hears Kyra in her mind.
Tewyn sneers. �Fouled as it may be. I shall never be alone again, light walker. That loneliness will lead to your darkness or something far worse. If your ego doesn�t do it for you first.� Wrapping his arms around Cara and Clarice, �Bout time you two got here.�
Skirmir glances into the hole, at the room below, �The jump isn�t far, I�d suggest you jump carefully though, there is debris.� With a timed jump, the red lion leaps down through the hole.
Kabal joins the group as he jogs down the ramp. Giving a glance ahead, he nods, �Someone did a number on this place.�
Clarice feels Tewyn�s arm wrap around her, �How�s the hand feeling?�
Wraith jumps after Skirmir, landing without a sound against the dusty metal flooring below.
�Feeling ok. Did I make for a good secret ingredient?� Tewyn smirks.
Meanwhile: Syne glances around the empty docking bay, having just parted company with a pair of rather friendly guards. Reaching into his �pocket�, he pulls out the clip. Closing his hand around it gently, he sighs, �Help me find her��
Luna jumps and lands softly in a crouch. She stands quickly, looking around the room. ~Do you know the one we seek here?~ she asks Luciendar.
Cara�s eyes widen, �Oh, no! You mean I was supposed to keep the stuff you bled all over?�
~One here, in this ash pit? It would figure�I can�t sense anything, there is a strong darkness clouding this place.~ Luciendar replies.
Tewyn grins. �Well, yeah! It was the added spice it needed.�
Luna sighs mentally. ~That does not surprise me, considering we are not the only ones looking for them now.~
Tewyn asks brightly, �Well are we ready to jump down the hole? But I swear if we see a guy in a big hat asking us to tea, we are killing his ass.�
Landing next to Luna with a short �oof�, Eclipse dusts himself off. Sniffing the air, he looks around, �Ore...probably in these crates.�
Tabris strolls down the ramp with Claron, giving a whistle as he looks around, �Prime vacation realty, this place.�
Watching the group nearing the hole torn into the station, Stryder smirks before teleporting away.
Tzaphiel sprouts wings in a leather type fashion and soars quickly through the hole, then circles the room surveying the area.
Tewyn starts bending his knees while counting, �One, two, three!� and jumps down the hole.
The room itself is dusty, looking unused overall. Various containers are strewn about the area, some empty and some filled with varying amounts of a dark ore. A conveyor belt, two large doors and a sizeable tear in the wall are the only visible exits.
Cara follows suit and jumps down after her father.
Kabal jumps with the others, a cloud of dust announcing his landing on the floor below.
DracBlue follows after Cara, flying down the hole landing behind her.
Clarice follows after the others.
�Looks like we�re going down,� Tabris eyes the others inside the room as he glances over the edge of the hole.
Zach hops off the edge, landing onto an ore container and flipping off onto the floor, the lightning orb following him like an obedient pup.
�Looks like we�ve got our choice of exits,� Eclipse says as he glances at the doors and the tear in the wall.
Claron starts laughing. �Right here and now? Well if you insist�� Moves her hands towards her legging�s waistband.
Tabris chuckles at Claron and points at the hole, �I meant that, we�ll get to the other later.�
Tewyn looks at Clarice. �Well, seems you and your sister think ALOT alike!�
Luna shakes her head. �I can�t help but wonder why there is no one around here? Is the station still in use?�
Glancing around the room carefully, Wraith shakes his head, �Further down.�
Claron smirks as she grasps Tabris� hand and floats them down the hole.
�There is still power,� Skirmir says, motioning his head towards the dimly lit panels next to each door.
�There�s enough of us to cover all three of these exits, though that conveyor belt looks less hospitable,� Kabal says as he studies the room.
Tewyn raises a brow toward his son. �So you haven�t tried the automated hole covering method yet, huh? Hmm, what bout you, Cara?�
Tzaphiel flies over to the tear in the wall and looks through it.
�Well, what�s the plan?� Eclipse questions everyone in the room.
Arwyn looks down the hole at the others, shaking her head.
Tewyn wiggles his eyebrows. �Well, sounds like we are all picking a hole to plunder.�
DracBlue looks up and sees Arwyn. He flies back up and asks, �You need some help down?�
Tewyn winks. �So who wants the back door?�
Katie fights to remain absent from her body as the pain begins to intrude.
The tear in the wall looks similar to the opening above, as if it were ripped apart. Another room connects beyond the tear, though its ceiling lights have been purposefully broken.
Arwyn nods her head at Drac. �Indeed I do��
Luna looks from Eclipse to Wraith, �Well it seems that he�s the only one who knows where we�re going. So we follow him.�
DracBlue lifts Arwyn up, flies down and sets her down on the ground. �There you are.�
�I do not know this place�I can only sense it,� Wraith shakes his head, glancing between the doors. �We must descend, further into this place.�
�Why didn�t anybody tell me you were giving free rides,� Zach frowns sarcastically.
DracBlue looks down at the floor, �Or I could eat my way through the floor. Shouldn�t take too long.�
Arwyn gives Drac a quick nod, �At least you know how to treat a princess�unlike some others.�
Tzaphiel forms several energy balls in her hand and tosses them through the hole to shed some light on the subject. They float close to the ceiling, giving out a subtle light.
DracBlue looks back at Arwyn. �It�s just common courtesy.� He smiles at her.
The station�s com system crackles static, a few words barely audible through the noise before it cuts out completely ��on? *zzztt*�hear�coming. *crackle* �.oh god!�
Tzaphiel is treated to a gruesome sight. Several feet into the room, a yellow suited body is collapsed against the nearby wall. The amount of blood indicating that the poor soul was used to break the room�s lights. Another body hangs halfway through an opening torn into the floor.
Tzaphiel looks away briefly, �There�s a hole in the floor in the next room. But the scene is not for the squeamish.�
Tewyn ears twitch. �Oh, where!?! Lemme see!� hurrying over.
�Following our enemy may not be the best course of action,� Eclipse comments glancing towards Tza.
�As much as standing around here is, where we going with it?� Tabris shrugs and questions.
Tzaphiel shrugs. �Let them do the hard work of breaking through. We catch them from behind.�
Luna looks around, whispurring to Eclipse, �I don�t know if it�s really a good idea to break up. You know that worries me.�
�I know, but there�s enough of us that getting crowded in could be trouble,� Eclipse nods to Luna.
Luna nods, �I know��
Valrash rolls his eyes at the indecision and decides he�ll make up someone�s mind. He walks into the room with the dead bodies and looks into the hole in the floor.
�We do not have time for idleness,� Wraith eyes the door panel nearest him and shoots it with his handgun. Walking to the door, he forces it open and heads into the corridor beyond.
Claron shrugs, �Well, looks like Wraith has made our choice for us.�
The hole goes to the level below, the body hanging on the edge of the opening�s, head is resting below in the middle of a blood pool. A smeared trail of blood leads out of view down the hallway below.
Tzaphiel looks down at Luna, �I�m going this way.� She flits through the hole to follow Val.
Skirmir glances at the others and nudges through the door to follow Wraith.
Tewyn looks at Clarice, Cara and Kabal. �So, who do you want to follow?�
Kabal shrugs, �Either is fine�this should come in handy,� he says as he grabs a sharp chunk of ore from one of the nearby containers.
Valrash jumps down, letting his wings flap a little bit, and glides down to the floor safely.
Katie�s nose wrinkles as she struggles to maintain her happy thoughts, the pain becoming unbearable.
Tewyn picks up a few shards of ore as well.
Cara shrugs her shoulders, �I kinda wanted to do the conveyor belt.�
The hallway leads either direction for Valrash, though the blood trail heads off to the path ahead, disappearing around corner at the t-section ahead.
Tewyn shakes his head. �Self pleasure is one thing, daughter...but isn�t that a little extreme? My god, what did your mother teach you!�
Shadow teleports down the hole, then walks the same path as Valrash, teleporting down into the same hole.
�Nothing worth keeping,� Kabal comments to Tewyn as he eyes the conveyor belt. �You sure, Cara?�
�Looks like we�re splitting up,� Eclipse watches the group split, then looks at the doorway Wraith took.
Tzaphiel watches Val glide down to the next level and smirks as her electro orbs float down to illuminate the next space ahead of her. She floats along, above Val and Shadow.
Tewyn shrugs, �I almost feel sorry for any man marrying her now�He better be half machine. And I thought you wanted it a lot, Clarice.�
Cara gets a blank look on her face. �I don�t get it,� looks over at Kabal, stupefied.
�Guess we�re following Mr. Vague and Creepy then?� Tabris looks at Claron as he walks towards the doorway.
Kabal shakes his head, �You're better off then.�
Tewyn frowns. �Let�s keep it that way. Shall we? Let�s hope you don�t get it for a long, long, long time.�
Cara nods her head, �Yes, I�m sure.�
Luna nods at Eclipse, �I think I�ll follow Wraith. He seems to have a sense of something.�
Tewyn nudges Clarice. �Though at least I can keep up with you�for the most part.�
Eclipse nods and heads through the doorway after Wraith and Skirmir.
Claron nods as she and Tab follow after Wraith.
Kabal moves over to the conveyor belt and follows it to where it enters the wall and slopes down. �Looks like it goes down a few levels,� he says over his shoulder to Cara, Clarice and Tewyn.
Luna follows Eclipse. ~Luciendar, please don�t keep it to yourself if you do sense anything. I don�t like surprises.~
~You�ll know when I know, for the moment this is all I can do to help.~ Luciendar begins to glow softly, a white light casting a few feet worth of glow around Luna.
DracBlue sighs as Tza goes down the hole, then looks back to Cara, waiting for her to make up her mind.
Tewyn eyes the belt. �Well, he did say we had to go down.�
Cara moves over towards the conveyor belt. �A few levels, that doesn�t sound too bad to me.�
Valrash begins to follow the blood trail, deciding it�s the best course of action.
DracBlue follows Cara to the conveyor belt.
Tewyn stands on the conveyor. �This damn thing better not pinch my ass on the way down.� He slides down.
Kabal chuckles softly as he slides down after Tewyn.
Clarice remains quiet as she follows Tewyn and Kabal onto the conveyor belt.
Tzaphiel�s orbs float ahead of them as they follow the bloody trail. �What if they left this trail to draw us into a trap?� She says softly to Val and Shadow.
Having seen the direction Luna went in, Arwyn decides to follow the drow�s family.
�Well�if we�re walking into the trap, then it might be a good idea to be ready.� Shadow pulls out his axes.
Zach watches the others, then shrugs, �Might as well join the action,� he jumps down the hole, following behind Valrash�s group.
Luna looks down at the softly glowing sword, ~That is rather comforting, thank you.~
Valrash nods and summons a flaming spear to get ready for battle.
The blood trail leads behind a set of doors at the end of the next hallway. From the scratch markings on the wall, it seems as though the bleeder was still alive while being dragged.
Tewyn and Kabal are the first to fly off the conveyor belt into a pit of ore dust. The fine sand cushions most of the fall, but causes a large cloud of dust to shoot into the air.
Wraith continues down the unscathed hallway, pausing at a t-intersection to glance either direction. He narrows his gaze, as if looking beyond the empty corridors. �This way�� He turns to the right, heading towards a circular chamber at the end of the hall.
DracBlue grabs Cara and glides down landing softly on the ore dust.
Tewyn stands dusting himself off. �Well that was fun. Like my ass isn�t gray enough. I will be washing ore out for a week.�
Valrash walks up to the door and opens it. Looking in, his spear at the ready.
Arwyn slides down, cursing in Elven when she lands on the drow.
�It could have been a grinder or furnace, be thankful for that,� Kabal says as he climbs out of the dust pit.
Clarice climbs out of the dust pit behind Kabal.
"Umph! Lonely already, Miss High and Proper?� Tewyn pushes Arwyn off him. �Your just not my type, how many times do I have to tell you?�
Tzaphiel pauses with her orbs above Val. �So?� she asks in a barely audible voice.
Tewyn looks at Kabal. �Maybe we will find the grinder later.�
This room used to be the station�s mess hall, and true to name is very messy. Dining tables are overturned, several are on their sides near another open doorway on the far side and are riddled with bullet marks, having been used as a shield. The blood trail leads to a corpse impaled in the wall with an assault rifle.
Clarice, having heard enough, finally speaks up, �That�s enough, Tewyn,� as she watches Arwyn scramble to her feet.
Luna follows Wraith to the end of the hall. �Where now?�
Tewyn eyes Clarice. �Well, now she speaks.�
The circular room ahead of Wraith has been ripped to pieces. Numerous holes in the wall give view outside to the orange heat shield. A skittering metal noise echoes from the air ducts in the ceiling.
Valrash opens the door the rest of the way and walks in and says to Tza, �Have a look for yourself.�
Tzaphiel looks over to Val and shakes her head. �Damn, I think he was probably used as a shield.� She looks up at the ceiling before entering the room.
Claron looks up toward the ceiling as she hears the skittering noise, �What the fuck is that?�
Tract lighting in the mess hall�s ceiling is blinking off and on, several are completely out due to ricochet damage during the apparent firefight. Something stirs beneath several overturned tables in the corner.
Valrash looks to the thing stirring, battle ready.
Tzaphiel gasps. �Something�s over there,� she points at the corner and her orbs fly over to hover above the tables.
Beyond the dust pit is a vast refining room. Push carts of dust lead to another conveyor belt along the sidewall. A catwalk spans the perimeter of the room, and a set of heavy double doors rests at the room�s far end. Large machinery churns idly; with no ore to process, it sputters pitifully in its attempts to process air.
Luna�s ear twitch at the noises coming from above. �This place is a battlefield.�
Tabris raises his sword at the noises, �Sounds like we�ve got company��
Shadow enters the room and immediately looks at the moving object.
Tewyn starts heading toward the doors. �Might as well see what�s behind here.�
The skitter sound seems to stop when someone speaks, but continues once it�s silent again. A loud skittering sounds from one of the holes in the wall. A large robotic red eye peers in through the hole, taken back a moment as it spots Wraith and the others.
Cara follows her father to the doors.
DracBlue follows Cara.
The sound of troubled breathing accompanies the faint movement from under the tables as you get closer.
Luna just catches the red color from the corner of her eye and turns to see something staring at them.
Wraith looks into the robotic eye, tilting his head as he studies it for a moment.
Tzaphiel moves over to the corner and looks down at the source of the breathing.
Valrash moves over to the source of the breathing as well, standing right next to Tza.
Clarice watches Kabal follow Drac. Then nodding her head at Arwyn, she waves her hand, signaling the princess to go next.
No sooner do Tewyn and Cara approach the doors, they are blown off their hinges. Two large metallic bodies barrel into the room, unfolding after coming to stop in the middle to form 12 foot tall robots.
Tewyn gets blown backward, looking up from his back, �I HATE TIN TINS!�
Tzaphiel looks at Val, then reaches for the table. �Ready? I�ll lift." She grasps the table and picks it up quickly.
A young humanoid is struggling to breathe; one of the overturned tables, resting heavy across his chest, with its leg dug into his side.
Tewyn gets up. �Kabal, help me knock over all this ore, will you?� pushing at the cart.
DracBlue�s claws come out immediately when the doors are blown off their hinges, and he stands in battle position.
�On it,� Kabal grabs hold of the cart as well, helping Tewyn tip it over.
Tewyn jerks his head at the ore. �Well here is our ammunition, now to take these tin tins out.�
The two robots study the refining room and the group for a moment. Letting out an inaudible chortle, they begin stomping off toward their targets. The first heads for Cara, the second aims a makeshift cannon at Drac.
Tewyn thinks a moment. �Cara, remember that old trick you and your brother used on me�well, it might be time to repeat that. Kabal, think you can take out those big eyes they have..�
Looking at Tza wearily with his right eye the humanoid coughs, attempting to speak. �Ro-robots. *cough* Tons�caught us�off guard.�
�I�ll try,� Kabal holds his hand over the ore on the floor, it begins to slam together to form a slender spear-like shard.
Cara nods her head as she picks herself up off the floor. She scurries away from the robot coming towards her.
Tewyn starts manipulating the ore, bringing it up in multiple shards and sends them flying at all parts of the robots. �Cara, light the entire stream!�
A large electronic howl accompanies, the eyes retreat from the hole. A moment later, half the wall is ripped open, allowing a large robot to scramble into the room.
DracBlue takes to the air and dives towards the robot moving towards him. He slashes at it.
Luna screeches and raises Luciendar in front of her as the wall comes down.
Cara brings up her hands and shoots streaming flames of mage fire into the entire stream of shards.
The flaming rocks pelt the robot, but it seems to have a minor effect as it continues to barrel toward Cara, now on fire. Drac�s slash cuts against the robot�s armor, creating sparks as its head swivels to track him. A conductor on its back shoots an electrical bolt at Drac.
�Damn it!� Tewyn continues throwing up more ore into the flames.
Tzaphiel moves the table away from the boy. She lands next to him. �Where are they now?�
Luciendar cuts into the wall, protecting Luna from major injury, but a piece cuts against her shoulder.
Skirmir jumps onto the robot�s back and starts to claw at it.
Tewyn yells, �Hey�flyboy, how well are your eyes. Or yours for that matter Kabal?�
The humanoid motions weakly toward the open door, �Took...took one of others�with them.�
DracBlue flies out of the way. And then, dives onto the armored robot, starting to bite on him, making it his meal.
Valrash looks to the open door and begins to walk towards it.
Kabal throws his spear at the robot, missing its eye but impaling its chest. Growling mechanically, it breaks off the end and tosses it back at Kabal, knocking him back.
Claron immediately tries manipulating the gravity of the robot, trying to slow it down.
Tewyn uses some of the ore and throws the cart at the robot. �Back off from my kid!�
Drac�s teeth begin to eat the metal, but his meal is interrupted when the robot�s conductor sends another electric bolt at him, throwing Drac loose and singeing a few hairs.
Luna growls as her shoulder heals. �Damn you!� She swings her sword at what would be the robot�s knee.
The robot is bogged down by Claron�s powers, but shocks Skirmir, sending the lion to the floor. Luna�s sword cuts into the knee, but rebounds hitting something dense inside the robot�s structure.
Tewyn looks around. �Cara, just how hot can you make this ore?�
Tzaphiel kneels down next to the boy. �Do you know what they are after?� She reaches a hand out to help him sit up.
Cara tries rolling out of the way of the robot. Then jumps up quickly, swinging Elexorian at it.
Tabris eyes the weak spot created by Luna and swings his sword at it as well.
Wraith shoots at the robot�s head with his handgun.
Tewyn runs and knocks over the other cart. �Everyone else get inside here!�
Elexorian cuts into the robot�s armor, but hits something hard inside. The robot�s head swivels to look at Cara as it kicks her and Elexorian loose from its leg.
Cara shouts back, �I dunno, Va. Red hot for sure�but maybe, if I concentrate hard enough, I could make it molten.�
DracBlue sticks his claws into the ground, releasing the electricity into the floor, and then pulls his claws out. He then grabs one of the robot�s legs and tries to pick it up to throw at the other robot.
The robot�s knee begins to buckle from Tabris� attack, and Wraith�s bullets do little against the robot�s head.
Tewyn hisses. �Drac, get in the cart. It�s about to get damn hot!�
Cara feels herself being tossed to the side.
The robot swivels on Drac, shifting its weight, causing Drac to only throw it a few feet. Letting out another growl, it picks up a full ore cart and tosses it at him.
Luna draws back and spins around behind the robot to strike the same knee from behind.
Tewyn asks. �Kabal, can you withstand the heat?�
Cara concentrates a huge stream a mage fire directly into the spot she slashed the robot.
Tewyn starts pulling up all the ore creating a huge tornado like funnel filling the entire room.
The boy coughs again, blood trailing from his mouth, �The�dig site. Boss found�something huge�*cough* help�help my friend�� His eyes roll back as he slumps against the wall, clearly having lost too much blood and thus died.
DracBlue flies out of the way of the oncoming missile, then gets to the cart.
Kabal gets to his feet from his knees. �Well�if those dark wizards did their job, the fire will shift my elemental base.�
�Cara, light this torch and get in with the others.� Tewyn orders.
Clarice drags Arwyn to the cart, forcing her to get inside. She then positions herself on top of Arwyn, �Trust me, princess�please.�
Tzaphiel shakes her head as the boy dies. �I fear it may be too late for your friend as well.� She looks at Shadow and Zach, �We should catch up with Val.�
With Luna�s swing, the robot loses its leg below the knee, and tumbles. Flailing angrily, it tries to claw at Claron and Tabris.
Shadow walks with Valrash to the other door and looks through it as well.
Zach nods, giving a final glance around the room. �Agreed, nothing here for us.�
Tewyn starts condensing and expanding the funnel, fueling it with more air to aide the fire he is waiting for.
Cara nods her head, igniting the huge torch as she races towards the cart and jumps in.
Ahead of Valrash, a short hallway ends in a ramp going down. The hallway lighting is dim, but functional, and faded paint on the wall reads �metal shop� and �med bay�.
The two robots glance around at the tornado; one tries to pass through, but growls as its arm is nearly knocked off in the attempt.
Tewyn pulls some ore over his body for protection and starts collapsing the funnel around the robots, expanding it again to feed the fire and the heat. Then collapses it again with more force.
Luna changes her swings and drives her sword into the back of the robot�s neck, angling up into its head.
Tewyn mumbles to himself. �This better work�You will not harm my family.�
Claron concentrates as she swings Andy at the robot�s arm that is coming towards her.
�Kabal, you ok out there?� Tewyn looks concerned.
Tzaphiel stands and walks with Zach as they follow Val and Shadow. �I hope we find his friend.�
After expanding and collapsing it a few times, the tornado all but ignites. The smell of burning wiring and metal fills the air. Hit head on by a wave of flame, Kabal yells out. The brown earthen color fading from his body and being replaced by a fiery orange instead. Narrowing his gaze, Kabal brings his hands together, the fire rushing together in an inferno.
Valrash asks, �What way? The metal shop or the med bay?�
One of the robots reaches for Tewyn, but its melted arm collapses against the deck.
Kabal shouts over the howl of the wind, �Take it down, they�re cooked!�
Tewyn drops the fiery ore and drops to his knees, the ore shedding off him.
Tzaphiel shrugs, �I doubt a robot would go to med bay. But who knows?�
Andrasil seems to channel Claron�s gravity powers through its blades, hitting the robot�s arm and causing it to collapse in on itself at the point of impact and continuing until its entire arm is the radius of a tin can.
Valrash nods. �To the metal shop it is.� He turns walking towards the metal shop.
~�we�ll do nicely together,~ Andrasil chimes in Claron�s head softly, sounding pleased but still reserved in his tone.
Claron watches as the arm collapses in on itself. �Damn, Andy! I do believe you and I will make a good team.�
Tewyn pants heavily. �You ok, Kabal? And thanks,� falling onto his back.
Kabal cringes slightly as he flexes his arms, but gives Tewyn a nod. �Hurt like hell, but I�ll live.�
Luna looks up at Claron, �Nice!�
Tewyn looks around. �Clarice, Cara�Everyone else ok?�
Claron glances down at Andy, then concentrates again as she swings and strikes the fallen robot across the midsection.
Luna�s sword showers sparks from its impact point when joined with Eclipse�s having impaled its large eye. The robot reaches it arm weakly, then simply�stops.
�We�re fine,� Clarice calls back to Tewyn.
The door to the metal shop is shoved halfway into the wall, smoking. One of the machines in the shop is active, the rest remain silent. As with most of the base, the lighting is dim, giving limited visibility in the dark room.
DracBlue mumbles quietly, �I�ll be fine after I have a decent meal.� He gets up and begins eating the bin that protected them from the storm.
Claron�s next swipe crushes the midsection, but the robot�s dense core prevents too much collapse.
Kabal tilts his head, looking at the two large piles of molten scrap still oozing onto the floor as they cool.
Tzaphiel pauses, glancing first at the med bay door then the damaged metal shop door. �I think that answers our question.�
Tewyn gets up slowly. �You two did good,� looking at the newly changed Kabal and Cara now peeking out of the cart.
Tabris curses as he holds a hand over the scratch on his thigh, �Robots�sometimes I really hate technology.�
Cara smiles as she looks at Tewyn, �Sion�s RULE, yes!!!!!!�
Elsewhere: Calypso lifts the slender pain stick from Katie�s body, noise in the hall distracting her from her work. �What now? You there, find out who that is and quiet them!� She barks at a guard by the door, who leaves swiftly as commanded.
Luna withdraws her sword, then moves over to Tabris and quickly runs her paw over the scratch on Tab�s leg. �All better, now let�s find what we�re looking for and get out of here.�
Tewyn smiles. �That they do, Cara�That they do.� Looking toward Clarice, �But the Penance kick some mean ass also.�
Meanwhile: Stryder watches a group of guards rush down the hallway past him, �Intruder in the cargo bay�disguised as a supply officer!� He overhears them snarl as they pass.
�We know how to make one big pile of flaming shit, that�s for sure.� Tewyn grins.
Clarice manages to smile back at Tewyn, �I take no glory in this; the honor belongs to you and the children.�
Wraith glances around the room, motions at the doorway nearby that somehow survived the chaos. Blasting its control panel, he forces it open. Skirmir climbs over the robot�s form to look at the group and notices Wraith heading out again.
Tewyn steps toward Clarice. �But you will always be my inspiration,� touching her face softly.
Valrash enters the room using the flaming spear to light his way.
�My guess would be to go where they came from,� Kabal points to the large open doorway.
Luna looks at Eclipse. �You alright?�
Tzaphiel follows Valrash into the room with an energy ball in her hand.
Tewyn doesn�t remove his eyes from Clarice. �Can�t let anyone hurt you...or them.� He nods toward Kabal, �Yes, I think your right, Carrot top.�
Clarice stands immobile, touched by the words Tewyn just said to her.
Tewyn helps Cara to her feet. �So, think we could ever make her a Sion? I think she would fit right in, don�t you?�
DracBlue finishes eating the side of the cart as his singed hair begins to grow back. He stands next to Cara, not saying a word.
Most of the machinery in the shop is used to shape and mold metal. The only one active is covered in a large amount of blood and from the noises, one could guess that it�s not processing metal. Further examination of the room reveals the back half of the floor is missing, a metal shaft leading down several stories into an illuminate chamber below.
�Then let�s get going. Enough of this �we�re such a happy family talk�,� Arwyn proclaims as she stands up.
Tzaphiel shakes her head at the bloody machine. �Let�s keep going,� as she moves past it quickly.
Eclipse nods, �Good, more dodging then I�d expected, but we got it.� He turns to head after Wraith, �Best keep moving.�
Valrash walks to the edge of the missing floor. �Looks like this goes down quite a ways. How is Zach gonna get down��
Luna joins him with a sense of relief. �I hope we find it before they do.�
Cara smiles happily at her father, �Oh yes, Va. She�d make a great Sion. SO�when ARE you going to make her one of us?�
�Same way everyone else is, jump,� Zach glances over the edge with a smirk.
�So let�s see where these things came from, shall we.� Tewyn looks over to Cara. �Well. I can�t tell you with her right here. That would ruin the surprise don�t you think?�
Tzaphiel looks at Zach, �You sure? I mean, I could help ya. I�m a better flier than he is.�
Shadow steps forward �Jump, huh? I thought you wanted a ride? Why not ask him to do it?� pointing to Valrash.
Cara nods her head, �I suppose it would.�
Zach shakes his head, �No time to waste,� pointing himself toward the wall of the shaft, he jumps, using his metallic claw to catch the wall and ride it down, sparks showering as he claws into the metal.
Valrash looks at Tza and jumps down, gliding.
Shadow teleports down, looking around as soon as he does.
Clarice hops out of the cart, then offers a helping hand to Arwyn.
Tewyn heads out the door with Cara and Clarice at his side.
Tzaphiel�s ears melt away as Zach�s claw causes an awful noise in the shaft. She steps off to the side and glides down through the tunnel after the boys.
Tabris follows after Luna and Eclipse, motioning to Claron at the door, �Ladies first.�
Claron smiles at Tabris as she walks into the door opening.
Near the bottom, Zach kicks off the wall and lands on the ground in a crouch, looking around carefully.
Tzaphiel hovers above Zach and Shadow, looking around.
Valrash lands on the ground next to Shadow, Zach and Tza.
A large humanoid-operated cargo-loader sits sparking along the passage leading out of the refining room. The robots� path leads to the far end, where the metal passage branches off two directions. One into the complex, and the other towards a shaft carved out of lava-rock.
Katie lets out a little whimper as the pain penetrates further into her dream.
Tewyn rubs his chin. �Hmm, choices, choices. So which way now?�
The chamber at the bottom of shaft is illuminated more so then the other rooms so far. A large drilling device sits on a transport platform under maintenance, though nobody is around to repair it. Half of the chamber is rock, apparently part of the mine. A rocky tunnel leads deeper, sounds of gunfire echoing out from it.
Wraith heads down a curved ramp room, going down several floors before stopping at the bottom. Stepping over the dead body jamming open the doorway, he heads down the hallway, his pistol aimed ahead as he goes.
Valrash begins to walk towards the tunnel.
Shadow follows Valrash.
Tzaphiel flies down the tunnel, following Valrash and Shadow.
Clarice shrugs, �You decide, Tewyn.�
Meanwhile: The armored grunts exchange fire with their unseen foe in the corridor. A flurry of assault rifle fire downs one of the guards as a black haired human dives for cover behind an open doorway. �Kill the intruder!� They snarl as they press forward, another taking fire from the man.
Having followed some of the guards, Stryder peers around the corner watching the firefight, �I wonder who that is��
�Well, we are here to explore the complex, are we not?� Tewyn questions.
Luna follows Wraith with Eclipse. �Are we getting any closer?�
�Yes,� Clarice nods her head.
�Then this way it is.� Tewyn heads into the complex.
�Yes�� Wraith nods, moving his pistol as he turns a corner.
Clarice, Cara, Kabal and Arwyn follow Tewyn.
DracBlue follows Cara.
Wraith brings a hand to his head as he heads down the hallway, �It�s close...but there�s something...dark, it�s him.
Elsewhere: �Damned smelly bastards.� The black haired man reloads his rifle and rolls out into the hallway and downs another set of guards.
Shaking his head, Stryder decides to help the man. Sliding out into the hallway, he sinks his sword into a guard and slices another�s neck before they notice him, �Traitor! Kill the intruder and the traitor helping him!�
Luna grips Luciendar tightly. �Let�s hope the rest of the crew is close enough to help.�
�Who�s close?� Claron whispers, silently hoping it�s not more of the robots.
Katie opens her eyes, the pain finally breaking her concentration. She looks around groggily, blinking. The hurtful implement is paused. She�s disoriented and just a little frightened. A trickle of blood seeping out of her nose is a stark contrast to her deathly pale skin.
Tewyn and the others continue through a metal lined hallway. Ahead, the corridor is blocked by a broken drill, a rocky passage is visible behind a hole in the nearby wall, however. Distant gunfire ringing from it.
Kyra shifts in her gel. ~It�s coming.~
Tewyn muses, �Well, we are headed the right way, I think.�
Clarice nods her head. �Gunfire, you hear it?�
The rocky corridor Valrash�s group finds themselves going through is littered with mining equipment and broken lamps. A dysfunctional mining drill whirrs softy in the air, its user�s severed arm holding down the trigger.
Tewyn nods. �Very clearly.�
Tzaphiel moves carefully past an idle drill as she flies down the tunnel. �Blood thirsty bastards��
Calypso throws the pain stick aside and grabs a gun from the nearby counter, �Looks like I�ll have to deal with this myself.� She loads the gun and heads for the hallway.
Valrash continues down the hallway, moving past the drill.
Katie tugs uselessly against her straps.
With the last of the guards gurgling helplessly as bullets shred through him, the black haired man aims his gun at Stryder. �Where is she? Where�s Katie!�
DracBlue walks up to the drill. �Want me to get this out of the way? Or should we go back?�
Stryder lowers his blade and eyes the man from behind his mask, �Katie? You�re here to rescue her?�
Cara smirks. �If you are hungry, go ahead, chow down. However, it�s not blocking the passageway that the gunfire is coming from.� She moves off towards the passage.
�This way,� Stryder motions to himself and leads the way down the hallway. The black haired man lowers his gun and shakes his head, �You better not be lying to me.� The two continue down the corridor.
DracBlue takes a bite out of the drill and chews on it as he follows Cara.
Tewyn follows the others.
Tzaphiel reaches the end of the tunnel and pauses, watching the scene before them.
Growling, Calypso steps out into the hallway, watching one of her guards run up the hallway to her. �Commander, Cyrus has turned against us and is helping the intruder, what are we going to�� but his words are cut short as Calypso shoots him in the head.
Turning the corner, Stryder notices Commander Calypso standing over the dead guard. She looks up with a sly grin, �So, Cyrus�finally showing your true allegiance?� Raising her gun, she fires, catching Stryder in the shoulder, causing him to collapse against the side wall, but not before the black haired man fires several shots into her chest.
As the Commander collapses against the floor, the black haired man helps Stryder to his feet, then heads down the hallway. Glancing down at Calypso, he shakes his head, �Katie? Where are you?�
�She�s in there�� Stryder grunts as he holds his shoulder. Using the wall, he moves down the hallway towards the man, pointing at the nearby door. The black haired man opens the door to the torture room, stopping dead in his tracks as he sees her. �Katie��
Katie blinks, struggling to see who the newcomer is through the haze of pain.
Shaking it off, the man moves over to Katie, removing the straps and taking her into his arms, �What did they do to you?�
Katie looks up at him, her eyes widening. �Col�Anthony? My God�is it?�.�
He smiles, �Really me? Yes�I�ve got to get you of here, can you walk?� The black haired man�s expression turns to concern.
Katie reaches up wonderingly, running her hand down his cheek. �But�I saw you�di�� Her eyes roll back in her head and she faints.
Shaking his head, the man takes Katie into his arms and carries her out into the hallway. Looking at Stryder, he gives him a nod, �We�ve got to get out of here, they obviously don�t like you, so come with us.�
Stryder gives a silent nod, noticing the look on the man�s face as he looks at Katie. Turning, he follows the black haired man back to the shuttle bay.
Rousing a bit, Katie blinks again. �I�m not dreaming, am I?�
Luna glances back at Claron, �Something bad is close, and we have to get to the prize before he does.�
�No, Katie, you�re not.� The man says as he opens the shuttle and lays her into one of the chairs. Brushing some strands from Katie�s face, he smiles. Opening her hand, he pulls something from a pocket and places in her palm, �I think you lost this��
Claron nods her head back at Luna, �Or die trying,� she whispers.
Trudging to the pilot�s chair, Stryder sits in it, igniting up the shuttle controls and closing the doors. �Closed in�fine, we�ll escape the old fashioned way.� A blue circle hovers across the viewport then beeps, a pair of lasers blasting a hole in the shuttle bay, sucking the air and the shuttle out into space.
Luna shakes her head, �Not if I can help it.�
Stryder brings up the controls, piloting the shuttle quickly away from the fleet as the ships begin to fire at the shuttle. Engaging hyperspace, he looks ahead, �Don�t care where we go, it�ll be better than here.�
Katie stares at her hand before the pain overwhelms her again and she slips from consciousness.
The black haired man leans into Katie, giving her a kiss on the cheek. �I found you, angel�and I won�t lose you again, ever.�
Meanwhile: As the three groups meet in the large underground chamber, the scene they are met with is strange indeed. One of the giant robots and a black armored figure with pale white skin and hair is firing his cybernetic arm-cannon at Stryder, who is wreathed in black fiery tendrils.
Grinning evilly, Stryder destroys the robot. Then sends the cyborg crashing into the cave wall with a black energy bolt. Turning, he moves closer to the large lava-colored crystal hanging set into the far wall. Through the red-crystalline structure is a blurry view of a burning sword.
Zach runs ahead, stopping a few feet from Stryder with a large lightning arc jumping between his hands, �Stop right there�� Zach narrows his gaze, �Shed your disguise, demon.�
Stryder laughs, the laughter growing deeper as the Stryder facade fades away, a large muscular demon taking form instead.
Grinning, the demon spreads his arms, the black flames igniting the ground and blocking off all the exits to the chamber, �Mistress Shaiya ordered me bide my time, but I have endured your taint long enough. In her name I shall bring untold pain upon you all!�