"I told you, he already signed th-"
"I don't CARE what he signed, I thought you said we had more time than this?" Beloris loudly interrupted my System Auditor, earning an impatient twitch of the nostril.
"We did, but now we don't." The auditor replied with arms crossed. They both peered down at me in my chair, coincidentally as I realized it was a spinny one.
Look, just come with me." The auditor said, motioning for Beloris to follow. Beloris sighed, rubbing his eyes as he followed after the systems aspect. I got up to follow, when the chair lurched back under my knees knocking me back down.
"Don't. I'll be right back, try not to sign anything." Beloris said, sounding genuinely annoyed at me.
"You're mad I agreed to the literal Systems terms and conditions?" Beloris didn't say a word, instead rushing off to follow the auditor. I nodded, reaching for a stapler to play with that just faded from existence on contact.
"… no, that's fair, yeah."
——————————————————————
"Anything new?" I asked Cassi as my eyes adjusted from the beaming orange sunlight outside to the dim cave light.
"No, he's still out like a damn light. Still a lot of activity out there?" Cassi sighed as she questioned in return.
"No, actually. It was an absolute struggle just to find more than two dozen people before my hour was up. Most of them weren't terrible fights either." I replied, plopping myself beside Korbin laying unconscious beside one of this Galenthelos god's crystal covered desks' water pool. The sentient wave that circled it had stopped its momentum hanging high in the air facing Korbin as he lay, still knocked out after his seizure.
"Shit, did you see any reason why they'd all clear out?" Cassi asked, rushing toward the cave exit.
"No, not really. Everything looked pretty much exactly the same." I answered.
"Good, but I think we should still bunker down between the cave mouth and that secret passage." Cassi replied.
"Why? What are we preparing for?" I asked, curiously.
"Are you serious? How the fuck do you know your here on ti-…OH, it's cause your late." Cass said, slipping her hand under Korbin scooping him up from beside the water. Realizing I'd forgotten it was even there, I pulled up the live feed to see how late I was.
[ KILL & BE KILLED ] - Final Event (LIVE)
Remaining Participants: 2,127,688
Titan's Path: Northeast (36, 872.5 m)
Eliminations: 1,263
Time Until Catastrophic Tectonic Shift: 0:03:32
"Oh SHIT!?" I exclaimed, realizing we were right next to another crystalline base that I'd nearly been crushed by the ocean collapsing in the cave walls during the last tectonic shift. Grabbing Korbin's feet, I began heading for the cave's exit when I felt my momentum halt.
"Wait, hold on!" Cassi barked, my body whipping back from being unable to move Korbin an inch out from her grip.
"Last time I was hit by one of these, a tsunami ripped the entire grotto in half! It's time to go." I shot back urgently while fully releasing Korbin.
"And during the last shift, I was gliding along a river. The ground folded over itself, creating an avalanche made from this planet's crust. Korbin was atop a bluff that compounded into a mountain range under his feet. We have no clue how this region will respond." Cassi rattled off in response, tearing Korbin's foot from my grasp and placing him at the center of the cave between the secret crystalline passageway and the exit.
"So, what? We're just going to wait around and find out?" I asked, feeling more than uneasy at the idea.
"Basically. Though hopefully this will be the last time we're in the dark about the nature of these shifts." Cass explained, though her tone was less than even and confident.
"I think I'd prefer we hunted out the other 2,000,000 left before having to deal with another 'natural' catastrophe." I said with a scoff. Maybe I'm a bit bias as it was my first experience with one, but being swept up in a fucking tsunami is actually quite scary turns out.
"You're not going to have much of a choice in 8 seconds." Cass replied, preparing her feet in a runner stance on the ground with her arms under Korbin. We both fell silent, leaving only the occasional shifting stone to fill the cavern.
*…rumble*
Slowly, the ground below shifted from side to side, strangely emulating the sensation of standing on a boat at sea. Then, without warning, it was as if the floor fell out from under my feet before rubber banding up again. The sudden jolt nearly knocked me off my feet, barely managing to keep my footing when the ground yet again plunged down several feet. Stones shattered all around us as Cassi and I fought desperately to use each other as a means of balance. She still managed to keep Korbin in hand, only slinging him over her shoulder and covering his skull with her other hand.
*THUMP*
The floor shot up catapulting both of us aloft, forcing me to flip around and land shoulder-first to avoid smashing my head on the cave ceiling. Cassi managed the same while keeping Korbin on the opposite shoulder at impact. Both of us landed harshly to our feet. Staggering over both the fallen debris and each other's feet. The ground rocked, dropped, and shifted chaotically underfoot, its destructive rhythms slowly pushing the three of us deeper into the cave. Seeing a pile of rocks collapse cut out the sunlight ahead, I decided we were better off moving in A direction and shoved Cassi though the passageway to Galenthelos' little hideout.
Stone fragments pelted and congested our path, the walls seemingly expanding then compressing in harmony with the throws of the Tectonic Shift. Dust and an all too familiar sour iron stench filled my nasal pallet as we pushed through the shifting mess, ignoring every rock thumping off my head and shoulders. Finally, the three of us fell forward through the end of our narrowing passage, popping out beside the wall of water protecting a dead god's table. Oddly enough, there were minimal signs of debris scattering the area. Though much of the ground was a water pool, meaning the bottom's liable to be covered in stone. The ground shook just as radially, yet it seemed like this cavern was a bit more sturdy than I anticipated. After a few more minutes of fighting to stay afoot, the final aftershock appeared to settle.
"…huh, and you said the last one collapsed on you?" Cassi asked with just a tinge of sarcasm.
"Yeah. Maybe the shift stemmed from where I was or something." I proposed, still trying to rationalize why this place remains in one piece.
"Like a fault line? Yeah, that's certainly a possibility. Either way, it looks like we'll be good to hold up here for a while. At least until he wakes up." Cassi said, gesturing down at Korbin laying shrimped where she'd left him looking weirdly peaceful. I sighed at the impending boredom, only to immediately kick myself for not recognizing the clear opportunity that just leapt into my lap.
"Guess so. Welp, with nothing else to do for a while, I guess I'll just get to meditating." I said, unable to hide my giddy excitement from leaking into my upbeat tonality. Cassi postured as if to refuse the idea, only to pause in place for a few seconds.
"…actually, go ahead. Just don't whine when I pull you out, I think I might have an idea." Cassi said, walking over to the edge of the water wall hovering over Korbin's body and sitting under its shadow.
Is…is she going to meditate?
I could've sworn I felt a tear of joy snake down my cheek seeing her sitting cross-legged with her eyes clamped shut. Inspired by her efforts, I trotted over and sat next to my dear friend and joined her in mediation. With any luck, maybe I'll finally crack whatever skill's been hovering over my head. And with water mana here is remarkably potent…well, a little mana manipulation training would do me some good.
———-———-———-———-———-——————
My stout, khaki-loving system auditor was the first to return to our little cubicle, wearing their usual dead expression.
"Is it my fault mom and dad argue?" I asked him, sarcastically batting sad eyes in his direction.
"Yes, but it's not your fault, little Korby." Beloris answered for him, turning the corner and plopping quickly in the rolly seat beside me.
"The both of you remind me time and time again why you infernal types require the treatment you receive."
"Damn?!"
"Damn?!" Both Beloris and I shockingly exclaimed nearly in sync. The auditor rubbed his eyes under his spectacles, sighing before leaning forward and typing busily on his computer.
"Hey, what in the hells was that all about?" I asked in a hush, leaning in closer to Beloris.
"Much. Too much, in fact." Beloris answered, still facing forward. I shook my head with a quiet scoff at his closed off energy.
"You're still butthurt about me signing shit, huh?" I asked, jabbing my elbow into the gods shoulder.
"No, well a little actually. But it doesn't matter, they're right, these are things you must see." Beloris replied, his face softening only a moment before once again staring stoically forward.
"Oh, okay. Work's with me."
"Alright, it looks like the records we used to generate the prior assessment were corrupted by our dear demon of decorum here's intervention. We either generate and run you completely through a batch entirely, or you can proceed with the second evaluation instead." The system auditor offered with a raised brow.
"Second one sounds fine, it's not like I left the prior memory feeling terribly uninformed." I said, still trying to process what the hell that big-ass lightning realm was all about, or how Galenthelos was so easily lured in there at all. And…how old was he out there?
"Excellent, then go ahead and relax, as this won't take longer than a moment." The auditor replied, standing back up and stepping around the desk. His arm extended out, surging in blue and white light before feeling my body sucked into his fingers from my forehead. Yet again, every sense escaped me as I faded away, only to feel my mind slowly being reassembled…
>Commencing Assessment of (Galenthelos) #2:
[Power And Progination…]
—————————————————————-
"So then why must we fight? They clearly have no chance?" My niece asked, peering up at me standing at her mothers hip.
"You and I share that sentiment, little Anutir. I've offered them peaceful resolve, all they had to do was disavow the demon that corrupted their world. They simply refused." I answered, shaking my head disappointedly at the circumstances. Her little eyelids narrowed, clearly analyzing my words far deeper than I'd expect a young one her age would.
"…you said all infernals are inherently evil, but…whoever decided that?"
"Sometimes it isn't a choice, as much as simply the nature of things. Take the Korytzl from Myzur." I proposed. Anutir shuddered, instantly flashing a look of genuine fear at the word.
"Scary." She quietly said from behind my sister's knee. I looked up at Lilian, who glared at me with that hawking, motherly stare that somehow managed to make my hair stand on end.
"You're right to be apprehensive of them, they're a formidable race of Myzurs finest predators. But, do you believe they hunt with hate in their heart? Or is it simply what comes natural to them, no different than what compels you to learn, love, and rest?" I asked my favorite and only niece, who's fearful eyes relaxed into sheer curiosity, moving every which way as she internally mulled it over.
"I'm…I'm not sure." She finally answered, her quiet voice choking up as she stared down at the ground. I smiled, kneeling down and placing a hand softly on her shoulder.
"You will be."
"Sir, we've just received confirmation that the Xeodyles have refused to abandon their strikes on untainted systems." A soldier said as he bursted in with heavy breaths, clutching his knees as he spoke.
"As expected, did they at least provide some sort of cause for their conquest on holy land?" I questioned, hoping to find any reason to further our negotiations.
"That's the thing sir…there's been recent reports stating their general has instructed his army to accept tributes from those loyal to the Void Bringer." The soldier said. Immediately, I reached back and grabbed the soldier by his chest plate and walked him several steps away from Lilian and Anutir. The soldier's eyes lit up with fear as I brought him in close.
"Then kill them." I commanded.
"I-I don't understand. Do you mean their general, their armies or th-"
"ALL of them. I want that planet either purged of that infernal abomination's influence, or turned into an asteroid field before I arrive." I instructed, trying my hardest to keep my voice below an angry bark. The soldier nodded in confirmation before I released him.
"Good, I will depart for their infected lands after I've finished dealing with the last of these infernal cultists that have sacrificed our own people for their own benefit for too long." I replied, peering over the cliff overlooking a complex I hadn't seen in over 140 years. The exact building I was trained in for just a single day's cycle before they allowed me to join the war that painted my bare blue skin red with infernal gore for years. The same ones who've refused to cut off their trade with several infernal factions, my conquests revealing our very own council has been allowing millions of our people to die in exchange for rare, hellish items. They never showed a single soul mercy, so today they will receive none.
"Come on, sweetheart. It's time we let your uncle do what he must." Lilian said, guiding Anutir away by her shoulders and glaring angrily at me over her shoulder. She hated when I brought up the nature of things to my niece, regardless of her potential it seems.
"Stay behind me, sergeant. You and our soldiers will breach the first floor from all four entrances on my signal." I said to the wide-eyed soldier at my side.
"Yes sir. And what signal should we expect to act on?" The sergeant asked.
"You'll know." I answered, taking a single step off the cliff. The wind whirled through my light blue armor plating, closing my eyes and fully embracing the moment of free fall. Then, opening my hands wide, a Lightning Storm raged from my fingertips and feet, webbing wide under me as my falling momentum halted to a hover. Slowly, my eyelids peeled open as the channeled Lightning mana circulating my system fully stabilized. Gaining total control, I willed the Lightning Storm lift us over the walls surrounding the compound. Several filthy loyalists stared in awe with their heads leaned up at me. A single arrow whistled in from my side as I easily leaned out of its path before snatching it with my lightning mana. Locating the bowman responsible, a cluster of Lightning Bolts loosed from my finger tips, followed swiftly by a jet of water allowing my lightning to ripple through every inch of his body. The bowman screeched for a moment before his vocal cords were singed silent.
"Bring me the council, or ALL of you will suffer the same fate." I commanded, letting my lightning mana loose and sending several jagged storms rippling through several other surrounding loyalists. Dozens began to flee in response as I turned around and released several concentrated beams of lightning mana that destroyed the front gates, allowing my soldiers to pour in and begin the promised purge. Unwilling to harm my own men, my body contorted as I shot across the sky, releasing a torrent of electrified water atop the loyalist soldiers closer to the Proof Of Devotion's main building. The natural water mana lining many of the Myzurian loyalists wafted a familiar stench that hung on their collector steam cloud. One that'd grown familiar, only to be associated with the retribution of our people.
"Hold on! Wait! We surrender!" A familiar, whiny old voice croaked from the building entrance. I lifted my hand and fired a confined ball of lightning up into the sky, one that hovered high above my open palm and absorbed the bolts of lightning shooting into its rippling blue and white surface.
"Ahh, Councilman Thyleus, I see the centuries have been unkind to you." I noted, hovered lower toward the man who personally promised to find me my sister. The same one who accepted a bribe from infernal demons that led to the village raid that murdered my mother.
"I'm sorry, I don't believe we've been properly introduced." Thyleus replied shakily.
"Right, of course. I wouldn't expect you to remember me, not with how many other children you sent to fight for your own personal comfort." I replied, relaxing my clenched fist. His eyes grew wide, his shaky legs stumbling as he retreated.
"Listen, you're right. Clearly, we weren't worthy to lead our lands to ultimate victory. But you, dear child of the Devotion?! You were destined for this." Thyleus proclaimed, folding his hands together and bowing his head submissively.
"Tell your men to stand down, and to turn over their loyalty to me and the people of Myzur." I said. The crooked old man began stuttering in response, fumbling over excuses I didn't care to listen to. Snapping my finger, a bolt of lightning propelled me directly in the murky old Myzurian's face.
"Do it, now." I commanded, letting lightning mana slip from my mouth as I spoke and zapping the old man across his face.
"P-people, hear me now!! I proclaim a total surrender, lower your weapons!" Thyleus called out, his old voice only reaching a select few of his soldiers that had to echo his command across the battlefield. My own soldiers knew better than to slaughter unarmed opponents without my explicit instruction, allowing a hush to fall over the compound. Coincidentally enough, the rest of the council decided to exit the compound shortly after the lull arrived.
"Thyleus?! What is the meaning of th-" a younger, clearly newer member of the council barked before their jaw slumped open glaring at me rising high above them.
"You and your crooked ways have led to the death of millions of Myzurians, in a warring time where our very survival as a species has been threatened on several occasions along the way. For this, me and those you've betrayed to the highest order deem you all guilty of treason." I proclaimed, now with every living soul's undivided attention.
"We are prepared to serve whatever punishment the people will see fit, your majesty." The young councilman whined meekly. I allowed the full range of my disgust at their weakness to pour into my mana as I replied.
"The only penance for your devilish existence is death." With a single thrust, the ball of lightning erupted at the center of the councilmen, immediately turning each of them into dust as the storm blasted across their backline, slaughtering the majority of the loyalists away from the outside walls.
"Any soldiers who wish to repent shall be examined and tested properly. Any who are deemed worthy will be allowed the pursuit of peace. Those tainted few however are to be disposed of indefinitely." I proclaimed, earning a hardy cry from my army. Leaving my soldiers to separate the recruits from the traitors, I flew up to the top of the main building overlooking the compound. Seeing many responding rebelliously below, I decided now was as good a time as any to find myself a real fight. Raising my hand and focusing deeply on the mana passively channeling through the atmosphere, a massive white flash roared down beside me. My knees nearly buckled from the exertion required to conjure the doorway, forcing me to take a second to collect myself before confidently striding back into the Lightning Realm.
Immediately, bright bolts of lightning struck my body from every direction, bolstering me with its unending energy. Continuing deeper through the wondrous waves of lightning mana thrashing all around me, it didn't take long for a familiar lithe shape to form from several lightning bolts merging as one.
"I was beginning to wonder if you were going to return." The Lightning Elemental said, his voice echoing metallically. The same old friend I've spent years teaching to fight, in exchange for an adversary worthy of my efforts.
"My responsibilities have kept me busier than usual. Make no mistake, I enjoy our bouts too much to abandon now." I replied, not breaking stride even as he fully materialized.
"Clearly. Before you do, I find it important that I share news. I have selected a title." He replied, though I had already fired a streak of lightning that disintegrated his arm at the shoulder, earning no reaction from the sensationless elemental.
"Hurry then and proclaim it or not, for you've already perished once." I jeered in a readied stance. The elemental didn't react, other than allowing a stray bolt of lightning to reform his arm.
"I wish to be calle-" my own bolt of lightning surrounded by a ball of water mana engulfed his face, muffling his words.
"You may share your name when you've earned its acknowledgement from a true Myzurian, my little Spark." I cut off, knowing I had little time to enjoy a proper battle before my army finished up at the compound. The elemental's face reformed with a bright flash, summoning a pair of jagged bolts to form an arched brow above his glowing white eyes.
"I accept your terms."