by R J Triveri
“Critical Shot!”
But it wasn’t Wrath.
And it wasn’t Athos.
From her outstretched hands, Sally had perfectly replicated Athos’s attack from before at a much closer range, with a very different result as white energy surged from the resulting explosion and found a waiting home inside of Wrath’s metal. The cries of excitement from the crowd were better described as a frenzy as Wrath bellowed. Whether or not she had expected the reaction, Sally didn’t let it show as she backed off and watched as the orb of glowing energy grew from the inside out to engulf Wrath. As the creature vanished within the orb, the crowd hushed awaiting the results of combat.
The others weren’t as quiet about the turn of events.
(Party) Trina Rorna: Sally, what was that? Was that really you?
(Party) Athos Aramis: What the hell!
Only Athos could see the grin on her face flash for a moment before it hardened again. As the new text appeared, Athos couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t tell the rest of their group.
Sally Queen => Athos Aramis: Factotum. It’s a mimicker class. The entire crowd must all be factotums copying each other, and I just got swept up in whatever did this.
Athos Aramis => Sally Queen: But why?
A roar broke through and shattered the energy orb as Wrath reemerged. What flesh hadn’t been overtaken by the corruption process was more than burned as lightning still danced across the rest of the armor trying to find its way out. Wrath wasted no time as his bullets left the arm cannons without hesitation or skill trigger, but Sally had been waiting.
In an instant, she went from standing still to a mad dash behind the attack and kneeling next to Athos.
Sally Queen => Athos Aramis: Don’t know. Don’t care at this point. As long as I see an attack, I can store it to use later. I’ve got a few more of tricks up my sleeves!
As always when it came to those sorts of requests, it was easier said than done. Wrath had turned himself around and put the two squarely in his sights.
“I’m going to kill you!” Wrath’s arms raised again quickly, only to have a fist collide with the side of his face.
“It’s not just them. There’s four of us! Don’t forget about me!” Trina said as she gave him a physical reminder of her presence.
(Party) Trina Rorna: Torrent’s safe as any of us. He should be fine until things have settled.
(Party) Athos Aramis: As long as he’s okay. We just need to keep Wrath’s attention on us.
(Party) Sally Queen: If you can keep him off me so I can stockpile a few more attacks, I’d owe you one.
As Wrath got back up, Trina looked back at the pair a little confused as Athos got to his feet.
(Party) Trina Rorna: Do you know what she’s talking about?
(Party) Athos Aramis: It’s her new class. Trust her. She’s about the only hope we’ve got right now.
Quickly firing off a few shots, Athos didn’t need to be told twice to keep her safe. He didn’t really know how her new abilities really worked or how the critical shot had been lightning based instead of fire, but he didn’t care. Armed as he was, and whether he was doing damage or not, he knew how to get to Paul now.
“Hey, Paul!” He screamed as he pulled away from the three, pinging him with a few normal shots as he went. “I get it, you hate me. This could have gone another way though. Look at yourself!”
He looked from Athos to Sally and Trina, then back again as if he were trying to decide something. A scream escaped his mouth before his attention focused back on Athos. “I want to kill them. Why can’t I kill them first!?”
A thought occurred to Athos and left just as quickly as he put a few more rounds into Wrath. Athos had an idea why, but he wasn’t going to tell him that. The beast wasn’t moving as quickly as before, but that didn’t mean he was any safer. “You can still give up.”
He scoffed as his hand cannons pointed squarely at Athos. “That doesn’t answer my question! Why can’t I target them!”
Athos smile grew a bit at the pure confused anger that seethed in Wrath’s voice. “Because you’re a weak-willed bastard?”
One of the first things Athos learned when he arrived was something simple: everything has a positive and a negative. A Child of the Forest attracted the aggression from the unnatural Wild Ones like fire was fueled by oil. At one time, Wrath may have just been a normal human, but that time had long passed. Until Sally and Trina did more to regain his attention, there was nothing the Paul still within him could do to take his attention from Athos. He was a natural spirit, and Wrath was an unnatural monster.
A shot exploded towards him, nicking his arm in the process and reducing his integrity further.
Damage Received - 52% integrity remaining
If he could stay alive, that is.
****
Data Extraction: 99% complete
Ferris willed the extraction to finish faster. A single fraction was all that remained between her and ending this chaos.
-Wonderful! Did you see how the factotum responded to the chaos?-
Her work stopped for a moment in confusion at the words. That response was… unexpected. “You’re happy about it?”
As if it were the most natural response in the world, Ella spoke again.
-Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I enjoy an exciting turn like that?-
Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t hide the disbelief in her voice. “Because you’re losing our wager?”
The voice of Ella said nothing as the news the Auxi had been waiting for flashed across her screen.
Data Extraction: Complete!
Things were looking up as Ferris began sorting the data, searching for the source code for the data she needed. However, to her worry, her change in attitude didn’t go unnoticed.
-I wish you would let that wait. It really isn’t as important as this.-
Ferris nodded to herself as she continued her work, “That’s a matter of opinion.”
Command authorization accepted: Data Saved
De-fragment and Recover Corrupt sectors? Y/N
-Yes, it is.-
Command override accepted: User - Auxiliary Reporter One Access Removed from the System
The words lingered on the screen for a moment for Ferris as the Ella pulled another ace from its incorporeal sleeve.
-And I wouldn’t want you to miss this.-
“You can’t do this!” the Auxi screamed at the absence of life.
-You were going to interrupt the game. It isn’t fair to them.-
“We both know how this is going to end,” she added quietly. In her mind, the four were already lost.
-Would you sacrifice all of this effort without a second thought after all you’ve done for them? I must be getting old to have seen hope in you.-
“You want to talk about sacrifice?” Her voice grew dangerously quiet. “I can’t begin to list the sacrifices we’ve made…”
-You have no right to speak of sacrifice! Mind your tongue or lose your right to speak.-
And her voice was silenced before she could finish. Her hands reached for her throat, for her mouth, for her lips. They moved, they reacted, but nothing came out.
-Now, be silent and watch. The end approaches, and I refuse to let you ruin this.-
So, Ferris watched with no other options, and in the back of her mind, she knew that the Ella watched too.
****
Damage Received - 32% integrity remaining - Performance Affected
“You can’t run from me forever!” Wrath screamed as the Scattershot connected with Athos’s back.
Athos’s stumble on the upturned sand had cost him. The pain rushed through his being, but he had learned to deal with it. Everything hurt, and his ears rang out as the shots continued to fly at him. Again and again, the bullets kept coming, and he did his best to keep up his pace. All the while, he knew there was a purpose to it. Every shot that Wrath used was being stored, every effort he made wasn’t wasted.<
br />
(Party) Sally Queen: I think I’ve got enough to finish this. Athos, bring him back!
Easier said than done, he thought to himself. The shots were getting closer with each step. Every shot that Wrath took, he was closer to landing that final shot.
(Party) Athos Aramis: Meet me half way? I don’t know if I can bring him all the way.
(Party) Trina Rorna: We’ll make it work.
It wasn’t the caved in stone assurance he wanted, but it worked for him. As he ran, he opened his inventory and materialized the last vial of Leritate Omnes. Popping the top, he downed the brew and sighed happily as the weight left his legs. It wouldn’t last long, but it was enough for him to outrun another shot and start his trek back towards the girls.
He didn’t risk a response as the two continued towards him. Each step in his mad dash brought the trio closer to reuniting, and the wrath of Wrath closer to an end. At least, that’s what he hoped at the bottom of his heart. He could see the pair setting up, Trina taking point while Sally brought up the rear. He could imagine the horror in Paul’s mind as the Wild One’s logic kept him bound. It was almost enough to make him smile as the ground under him exploded in a shower of sand and pain.
Damage Received - 7% integrity remaining - Danger! Recovery is advised!
“Shit, Athos!”
He couldn’t tell who had said it as Wrath caught up with him in a heartbeat more. His shadow loomed over Athos as he towered over the fallen form. The stench of metal and gunpowder was stronger now than it had been, polluting the air around the alchemical arm until he could taste its unnatural flavor.
“There’s no more running now.” Wrath’s voice was cold and measured as the cannons on his arms cocked. “Your time is up, Athos.” The sneer seemed painted on his face as he leaned just a bit closer, wanting to see the terror in Athos’s eyes. “Then I’m going to make them learn what it means to suffer.”
Athos pulled Magus from his side and fired a Scattershot into Wrath’s chest. The creature’s face contorted for a moment in what he could only imagine was pain, but only rose back to a standing position. The deep, red eyes homed in on Athos’s chest as the running foot fall rapidly closed the gap, but a silence filled the stadium as a shot was fired.
A burning echoed through his form, a hot fire erupted from his core as a scream soon followed, but like a stone dropped in the ocean, soon there was nothing left while the crowd of factotums went wild.
Party Member: Athos Aramis has died.
“Athos!” Sally’s voice cut the air as Wrath stood over his kill for a moment more before his attention turned back to the remaining two combatants. Her face was wild with water and rage as she ran towards the metal monster. Passion assaulted his ears as her scream echoed even in the noise of the crowd. “I’ll kill you!”
Part Four: The Endgame
Mom,
I don’t know how I’ll hear from you, but there’s so much I want to tell you. There are so many things I’ve experienced, so much I’ve learned in the part few months. I never thought I’d be able to call this place home, but then again, I didn’t know what I was getting into.
I was scared when I first got here. I don’t think I showed it, but I was scared for so long when I first got here. I was attacked by deer with knives in their heads and living shadows, but it got so much better. I got to sleep in the woods under the stars, met so many people that I can call friends, and best of all, I can finally rely on myself when push comes to shove. You never have to see me like that again…
People call me a hero, Mom! People actually look at me like I’m more than just some guy. People know my name in Oenus. That’s the city I’m staying in for now. I’ve got friends here, guild-mates, and even people I could see myself calling family one day.
Get this, Mom.
I’ve even met a girl.
A crazy, strong wonderful girl that would give you a run for your money. Well, you know what I mean. You’re both stubborn, fierce, driven...
Umm… well, I think I’ve gone on too long at this point. I only get one chance to settle things, and I don’t want to waste it. The important thing, Mom, is that I’m okay. I’ll be okay. I’m becoming a real Inciperian, and things couldn’t be going better.
When she’s old enough, tell my baby sister about her brother, about how he became a dungeon diver, an alchemist, and even a hero to his friends.
I know I won’t see or hear from you again, but please, you need to know, I’m okay.
Don’t worry about me anymore.
I’m fine, and I love you.
-Item: What to Say: Personal Note of Athos Aramis
-Item Fragmented-
Wrath and Scorn
The roar of the crowd was nothing compared to the scream that echoed from Sally’s lips as Wrath turned back towards his new prey. Passionate rage painted the words as she dipped into her attack store again. “Scattershot!”
The glowing orbs of light that erupted from her hands did more than enough to get Wrath’s attention and send sparks dancing across his metal body as he slowly turned on her as the crowd devoured her response.
To them, it was nothing more than a stage show.
“Scattershot!” and the beast was pushed back.
To them, it was entertainment.
“Critical Shot!” and a scream erupted from the metal monster.
To her, it had become more than personal.
“Critical Shot!”
Tears continued to flow past her cheeks as the beast emerged once more from the carnage. On one knee, it drew deep, heavy breaths, but it still lived all the same. “Critical Shot!”
Out of reflex, Wrath guarded himself as the shot collided again with his metal frame. To those that were watching, Trina namely, it was clear that Sally couldn’t think straight as her last ranged attack was drained from her cache.
“Sally! Pull back!”
Trina’s voice echoed in her head for a moment before she lowered her hands. Tears streamed down her face as the electric explosion continued to engulf Wrath for a little while longer. Her eyes wouldn’t leave the glowing orb as the sand kicked up around the edges.
“Sally!”
Her voice was almost deathly quiet as the words escaped her lips. “He didn’t deserve that.”
Trina’s hands began to glow in preparation for another strike as the explosion began to recede. “He didn’t, Sally, but he knew the risks. Athos did it for us.”
Her head snapped back towards Trina as the explosion vanished. “That doesn’t make it better!” As the shimmering golden air cleared, Wrath was on his knees. His metal danced with electric light and his eyes were darker as he warily returned to his feet. “Nothing will.” With one skill left in reserve, Sally pulled out her last trick and changed her hands to act as if she was holding a sword. As if she had a blade, the effects of the elemental discharge danced in the air outlining her attack radius.
“I don’t know about you,” Trina began as a darkened smile grew on her face. In a fluid motion, she began grinding one fist into the palm of her other hand. “but this’ll make me feel a hell of a lot better.”
“For Athos?” Sally half-asked, half-told as electricity danced in the air around her hands.
“For Athos.”
****
-He fought well.-
Ferris said nothing, her voice still disabled by the Ella as she watched the data of her charge vanish. For the second time today, she had failed herself and Unum.
-Your charges have done better than I could have imagined.-
She wanted to scream at Ella.
She wanted to know why it was so… so neutral about things! Why was Ella enjoying itself even when the tides seemed to swell against it?
Ferris wanted answers, but she would receive none.
As the voice went silent again, she could only watch the frozen control console and turn her attention back to the screen as Trina, the martial magus, and Sally, the newly born factotum, squared off against
what was left of the gunmetal vanguard.
****
Sally didn’t need to be told twice as she drove the lightning of her attack home into the heart of Wrath. There was no holding back anymore. No more plan other than to inflict the most damage she could. For the moment, Trina stood back, watching until the attack broke.
Wrath’s screams were music to Sally’s ears. Bittersweet, sad music that did nothing for her pain.
Without a sword, there was no resistance as the energy of her strike continued unabated through the slowed form of Wrath. It didn’t give her the satisfaction of impact, of returning the pain he had wrought, but it also meant the skill wouldn’t end until she released it or the timer ran down.
Again, he screamed in that half-metallic, half-human voice. Again and again, she impaled the energy-riddled air through Wrath. On the fourth strike, the smell of ionized air vanished, and the attack had run its natural course. Wrath was left panting, gasping for breath as his limbs fell to the ground like boulders.
Trina cautiously took a step forward and watched Wrath’s face contort and struggle. “You paralyzed him.”
“Good,” she said taking a knee in front of him. Sally didn’t know how long it would last, but Wrath was going to learn something very important. “You should have killed us when you had the chance, Paul.” The edge of her voice would have cut his skin if it wasn’t for the metal that flowed across it. She leaned in closer, using her hands to help him lurch his head up to look her square in the eyes. “You should have killed me, but, then again, I’m harmless, aren’t I?”
She let his head drop back to its resting position and spit before her fist connected with the side of his face.
Damage Received - 97% integrity remaining
“Aren’t I!” Trina noticed the wince cross her face, but Sally had nothing left in her list to use. It didn’t stop her from punching him again…
Damage Received - 94% integrity remaining
“Come on! Don’t you have anything to say!” Her words were like acid as her fist fell again…
Damage Received - 91% integrity remaining