Beta Earth: Between Worlds 2.0 Edition

by Napier, J. R.

  “I … I can’t believe it. He’s been dead for ages, but his—” Kara composes herself. “We are members of Final Bloodline. We are supporters of the Avatar and await his return.” Vin looks at the cult members and examines the design on their robes.

  “Supporters? Why?”

  “Well, it has been prophesied that God would come to bring Armageddon to this world. It was proven by the arrival of the four horsemen—Anubis, Setmet, Deis, and Tryle. We have not forgotten like the others.” Kara rests on her gun. “But because of the U.F.’s intervention that prophesied event was stopped. However, our leaders discovered that not all the traces of the horsemen vanished. The white horse Tryle remained in the blood of a few and we members of the Final Bloodline watch over them.”

  “You all want to die?” Vin asks.

  “He will destroy the sinners and rapture the remaining into another world and then with his chosen few. He will storm Paradise and create a new land.” Kara explains.

  “So the members of Final Bloodline are the chosen few to start this new world?” Vin asks.

  “We believe so.” Kara says. The rest of the cult members nod in agreement. “Even if we aren’t the chosen somehow. We still believe this is an event that must happen. My brother, he saved me from the streets and this idea gives me hope … gives all of us hope.”

  The desperate cling to anything … I know this well. So who am I to judge them? Vin thinks. “Well, some of it does fit with what I saw.” Vin says as he stands and heads toward the door. The cult members pick up their weapons.

  “Sorry, you might be an innocent in all this but we have more questions. And, well, we can’t let you go. Because you know the location of this place.” Kara says.

  “Then I must thank you.” Vin says.

  “For what?” Kara asks.

  “For giving me a moment to rest.” Vin replies. He shadow-shifts to the other side of the metal door and closes them in. The cult members are stunned by the action.

  “What was that? How did he do that?” one of the members asks.

  Kara runs for the door and finds it locked. “Damn!” She reaches for her com. “Ivan! We have an intruder! Try to take him alive. He has information.” Kara announces.

  “Understood.” Ivan Freeland calmly replies through his com.

  Chapter 32

  Zero to Hero

  On the other side of the door, Vin holds his stomach. He wipes sweat from his forehead. Then, with little warning, he throws up. “I’ve overextended its usage.” Vin says while wiping his mouth. After a moment rest, he heads down a long hallway. The red carpeting is emblazoned with the Final Bloodline emblem every few feet or so. On the left and right there are rooms back to back. The setup is like a hotel.

  Vin searches a few of the rooms for a window to escape out of. The rooms only have tiny medieval slits instead of full windows. Vin heads down a flight of stairs and runs along another hallway. This hallway is more advanced but still carrying a medieval feel.

  Two Final Bloodline guards in full red and black robes appear. They wield their cult-issued carbon staffs as they approach Vin. The staffs are impressive, jet black with gold lacing and small grooves that pulsate slightly with a green glow. The two guards lightly crack the staffs on the ground.

  This makes them flash dimly with light. The ground cracks and then dents at the points of contact. Vin realizes quickly that these staffs are dangerous and one hit could be fatal. One of the guards holds up his com and prepares to speak.

  Vin charges and the guard doesn’t get a chance to report. “Defend, brother!” the guard yells. The two guards attack Vin. He dodges them and gets close enough to grab on to one guard’s robe. He holds on tightly. “Remember!” Vin says to himself. While struggling with them, he flashes back to his training with Abel. Remember, Vin, the mind and body are separate. Both have to be trained to properly utilize the other. Even when you think you’re fatigued, that may not be the result of a poorly trained body, but a poorly trained mind. The body is much more resilient than we think. Work on pushing and finding your true boundaries.

  Vin moves the guard and uses him as a shield against the other guard’s attack. The guard strikes the other man in the back, instantly knocking him unconscious. Vin throws his body down and grabs his staff. He twirls the staff skillfully and poses for combat.

  The remaining guard attacks Vin, who parries the staff blow. Before Vin can counterattack, the guard charges, smashing him up against a wall. The guard isn’t particularly strong but Vin is very fatigued. He struggles to push him back.

  A voice comes from one of the locked rooms. “Hey, is anyone out there?” the voice says. Vin continues to struggle with the guard.“Hey, if you survive, can you release me?” the voice asks. Vin finally manages to push the guard back and disarm him. “Please.” the voice says in a begging tone.

  Vin hits the guard in the head with the staff. The blow causes him to drop to the ground motionless. Vin turns around and rests on the door for a moment before trying to open it. “Don’t bother. It’s locked. You’re gonna have to smash it with something. It’s only wood with metal hinges. Almost anything should do.” The voice says.

  Vin lets out a sigh. He winds up the staff. He poses and then strikes the door, making only a small hole. The person looks through the small hole. He sees Vin and two guards knocked out next to him. “Oh, hey, those guards! Just grab one of their hands and put it on the side panel next to the door.” The voice says.

  Vin, still tired from his fight, picks up a guard and places his hand on the panel. The door opens. “These are low-security holding cells. Thanks by the way.” Vin takes a good look at the stranger. He’s about sixteen, fit, a little bit scruffy and he carries himself almost like a prince. He doesn’t look like he’s been starved and he is carrying a small bag with him.

  “Who are you?” Vin asks.

  “Oh, people on the streets call me Zero G,” he says. Vin is unimpressed.

  “What do people ... off the streets call you?”

  “Zero G is fine.” he replies.

  “Thanks, um …”

  Vin realizes he is still holding the guard and drops him. Then he picks up the staff that isn’t stuck in the door and starts to walk down the hall. “I’m Vin. You should get out of here now.” Vin says. Zero G follows after Vin.

  “Well, since we are both escaping. Let’s stick together.” Zero G says.

  “Can you fight?” Vin asks as he keeps an eye out for more guards.

  “A little, but my specialty is a little game called Blitzball. Ever heard of it?” Zero G asks.

  “No.” Vin says abruptly.

  “Yeah. I didn’t figure you would’ve. It’s still too underground. But it’s a great game. It involves two teams and we use these shoes that let us fly. The creator of the game stole the technology from the U.F. That’s why the game is still underground. But it’s gaining momentum fast, and—”

  “Listen.” Vin pinches his nose and closes his eyes. He thinks of all the things he wants to say in his tired and irritated state but instead he calmly replies, “This is not the time.”

  “Gotcha.” Zero G replies with a smile. Vin and Zero G run down the hallways until they reach what looks like the main stairway down. Vin stops when he sees the backs of two guards. I gotta take them out fast. I’m too tired to survive a prolonged fight. He dashes behind them swiftly and takes them out in a flash. Zero G watches Vin’s skillful stealth takedown.

  “Nice! I gotta remember that. I like the way you—”

  “Let’s go.” Vin says. The irritation is clear in his voice. He and Zero G run down to the main courtyard. There they are greeted by fifteen Final Bloodline guards and Ivan Freeland. Ivan is wearing the traditional cult robes. However, his are laced with gold.

  “This is far enough. You two, kindly come with me.” Ivan says in a deep calm voice. Vin whispers to Zero G.

  “I hope you’re good at improvising.”

  “As a matter of fact, that’s w
hat Blitzball and sky riding is all about.” Zero G whispers back. Vin looks Zero G and whispers.

  “Don’t half-ass it. These guys are dangerous,” he says.

  “Don’t worry, I full-ass it every time,” he says out loud as he stands up and prepares himself. A look of confusion crosses Vin's face as he watches Zero G take his time and stretch. Zero G then takes off toward the guards at full speed and throws his bag high in the air. The guards swing their staffs at Zero G. He skillfully dodges all of their attacks by sliding, jumping, and dodging out of the way. His overall confidence and execution is impresses everyone in the room, including Vin.

  Zero G runs out behind the guards, catches his bag and briefly looks back. He tosses a small salute. “Thanks for the help!” Zero G says. He then throws his bag through a stained glass window and leaps out after it. Seven of the guards follow after him.

  “Well, that was unexpected.” Vin says.

  Chapter 33

  Interception

  Ivan snaps his fingers and one of the guards approaches Vin. He fights with the guard using the carbon staff. After a lengthy battle he eventually manages to hit the guard in the leg, crippling him. He finishes the guard off with a rap on the head that knocks him out cold. Ivan simply observes Vin.

  “I see he is formidable. However, he is tired and struggled against that one. All of you attack him at once. Leave him no room to recover.”

  The Final Bloodline guards walk toward Vin. He backs up and prepares himself for a final fight. He wipes the sweat from his head and takes a few deep breaths. The guards charge and Vin defend himself.

  He doesn’t focus on attack, just defense. If I can hold out long enough to make it to a window. Vin thinks. One of the guards hits Vin’s staff incredibly hard. The force causes Vin to hit himself in the side with his own staff. He yells in pain as he falls to one knee. The other guards attack.

  Vin musters his strength and manages to throw his body out of the way. He slides along the ground and then tries to get up but he is now under full attack. Vin narrowly escapes the staff blows. Even the nicks and indirect blows make him cringe with pain and lose focus. The guards surround him.

  Ivan watches as Vin desperately struggles against the onslaught. “Good, keep it up. He is losing consciousness.”Vin’s focus is failing. If I use it now … I can’t concentrate … and I could end up anywhere … but if I don’t—There is a loud clang, Vin realizes he has lost his staff. The guards surrounding him are poised to strike. “It’s now or never.” Vin says.

  He closes his eyes and concentrates and a puff of smoke appears around him. Vin opens his eyes and finds himself in the same spot. “Damn.” Vin whispers disappointedly.

  “Did you just—” Ivan steps in closer. “What did you just do?” The guards stand around confused by the situation.

  Now! Vin commands himself. Vin darts between the guards and jumps out of the window. The rain splashes on his face. He doesn’t look back but he can hear the guards following him. He is losing consciousness. Everything is becoming blurry. Vin doesn’t know where he is running. He is just going forward. The guards are getting closer. Vin can hear their flopping footsteps gaining on him.

  “I must make it … I must—” Vin falls and slides along the wet ground. The guards approach him when a mobile unit pulls up in the middle of the street. Lana Mizrahi steps out of it. “What the hell is going on here?” Lana runs over to Vin. He is badly injured and breathing heavy.

  “Keep moving. This isn’t your business.” One of the final bloodline guards says. Lana recognizes Vin from the video.

  “The hell it isn’t!” She steps in between Vin and the guards. “Redemption Riot Control Unit.” Lana shows her ID.

  “Leave now and I won’t ask any questions.” The Final Bloodline guards continue to approach Lana.

  “Figured as much,” she says. Three guards attack her and she does her best to repel them. However, the guards overwhelm her. Lana backs up to Vin, who is starting to stand up. This guy fought these guys and still has enough energy to move. Amazing! Lana thinks. I need more training.

  Vin stands up and starts to run. Lana darts after him. “No!” Lana yells.

  Vin, without realizing, falls down a steep hill. The guards watch him tumble down and get lost beyond some bushes. Ivan Freeland walks up and Lana is surrounded.

  “Not good.” Lana says to herself.

  “Where is he?” Ivan asks his guards. One of the guards steps forward.

  “He fell. Should we risk interception?” Ivan takes a look at Lana and notices her uniform. He shakes his head.

  “Redemption is on to us here.” Ivan turns to head back to their base. “You two, take care of her.” Ivan orders. Lana over hears Ivan mention quietly.

  “Tell the others. It’s time we head back to H.Q. on Beta Earth.” Two of the guards stay behind and face Lana. They crack their staffs on the ground. The pavement breaks under the pressure. Lana whips out her standard-issue R.C.U. baton and prepares herself for combat.

  The guards charge Lana. She evades both of them, giving her the perfect vantage point for an attack. Lana cracks one of the guards over the head with the baton, causing him to fall. “Not bad.” the other guard comments. The remaining guard swings his staff at Lana. She tries to block the blow with her baton. As the staff connects with the baton, it breaks it and thuds against Lana’s shoulder. Lana grabs her shoulder and screams in pain.

  The guard takes another swing at Lana. Hitting her directly in the stomach and winding her. The guard looms over Lana twirling his staff, whipping the rain around, preparing for the final blow. Lana regains her composure and kicks the guard in his shin, causing him to collapse.

  She then rolls out of the way and grabs the unconscious guard’s staff. With a quick swing, Lana smashes the staff against the guard across the back, knocking him unconscious. Lana rests on the staff, breathing heavily. She holds her stomach and coughs.

  A little blood comes out. Lana slowly walks over to the cliff where Vin fell. “I couldn’t protect him,” she says disappointedly. Lana looks at the guard’s staff and notices that it’s glowing. “Even these guys are skilled and equipped like that. This world is becoming very dangerous very fast.”

  Meanwhile, Vin rests on the soft grass at the bottom of the hill as the rain beats down on him. He is not unconscious yet and ahead of him he sees a large, grassy field. “Well, well.” a voice says as two feet appear before him. Vin manages to look up. “You made it. Sorry I had to lure some of them away, but once I did, I came back and followed you.” Zero G says as he tries to help Vin get on his feet. Vin struggles. His entire body is in pain and he just wants to rest. “I know you wanna rest but this is not the place.” Zero G says.

  “Vette.” Vin says weakly. Zero G looks at Vin.

  “You know a place?”

  “Yes.” Vin weakly replies.

  Chapter 34

  Dreams Pt. 1

  Location: Sprawl 15—Vette’s place.

  Vette is on the com with Faux Forsaken members. “Let me know the second you’ve heard from him, okay? Keep up the search.” She hears a knock at the door and walks over to answer it. “Keith, did you—” Vette is in shock as she looks at the stranger holding up Vin. He is injured, wet and fatigued. “Who are you? What’s happened to him?” Vette asks.

  “It’s okay. He is …” Vin’s voice trails off as he loses consciousness. Vette helps Zero G bring him inside. They lay him down on the couch.

  “I know he’s not critically injured but he does need some medical attention. Maybe we should—” Before Zero G can finish. Vette runs off. A moment later she returns with an advanced first aid kit.

  “Ah, now I know why he wanted to come here.” Zero G says. Vette starts taking off Vin’s shirt and Zero G looks away. “Well, since you’ve got that covered. Do you have a place where I can dry off?”

  “Bathroom.” Vette says without looking up. She is concentrating intensely on Vin.

  “Thanks.” Zero G rep
lies. “Maybe I can take a shower while I’m at it. That cult gave good food but had bad water pressure. I swear you would think a cult like that could—” Vette cuts him short.

  “Don’t take too long. I need you to help me take off his pants.”

  Zero G sighs.

  “Right.” With Zero G’s help, Vette manages to bandage and dress most of Vin’s injuries. She leaves and returns with two cups of hot tea. “Mmmm, tea. They don’t have this where I’m from on B.E.” Zero G says as he accepts the tea. Vette sits down on a couch across from Vin. Zero G rests on the floor next to him.

  “So, you’re from Beta Earth. um …” Vette realizes she doesn’t know his name. Zero G stands up to shake Vette’s hand.

  “People call me Zero G.” She places her tea on the coffee table and shakes Zero G’s hand.

  “Well, thanks. Mr. G.” Zero G shakes his head.

  “Ugh! It kinda loses its spark unless you say the full thing. Just Zero G. if you please.”

  “Sure. Thanks again for—” Vette looks over to Vin.

  “Vin. He means a lot to us,” she says. Zero G looks at Vin, he seems to resting peacefully.

  “Who is he?” Zero G asks.

  “He is the leader of our sprawl gang, Faux Forsaken,” she says. A shocked expression crosses Zero G’s face.

  “I … I didn’t know. I can’t believe he helped me.” Vette smiles. “That’s what we do and why we are so important. We all need him. He is a beacon of light in the dark zones.”

  “I see.” Zero G stares at Vin.

  “I like him. I hope to make a difference like him one day.”

  “How did you find him?” Vette asks.

  “Actually, he found me.” Zero G takes a sip of his tea. “Somehow he ended up in a cult’s base, where I was trapped. He rescued me.”