Castaway Planet

Galactic Calendar 259872/ 2000 [ Sol Year 4387/ Day 153 of 365. Sol standard year]

Days after of Crash landing/ 2

Unknown Island / Run/ Corridor out of Cavern Entrance/ Field of Centipedes / Complex Rooftop

Galactic Standard Time / 0830

When Je’ndra heard the man call the monster Starlsia, all she could do was stare for a second. And when he mentioned a potion, her mind went blank. The idea that a potion could affect the result of the Chimera was beyond everything she thought she knew. The very idea…..

Then she snapped to reality and realized what she had to do. “[Aether run, up the rest of the way! We go over their heads and let them handle the horde! Once we’re through, we hold until we close the door! Got it]!?”

“[YES captain]!” Every one of her team roared as they started to run.

The man looked at them, smirking. “So, thinking to charge us? Well, try and break though! Defend! And that means the Strongest!”

A his roar, the men in armor moved backwards. And in that instant, the group of survivors all fed aether to their legs mad ran. They moved so fast they ran into the air, to the shock of the man and his followers.

Once in the air, the group saw the door was fifty feet away. It was as wide as the field, a hundred feet wide and it disappeared into the ceiling three hundred feet above them. Thankfully it was pushed open towards them in a triangle shape. The opening between the doors was wide enough for two people walking side by, and that made Je’ndra smile. That meant that the doors had been forced open, whatever moved the doors in the Ruin could only be forced so far. So there was a better chance to close them than she hoped for.

But what surprised her was what was before the doors, a field of corpses. For a good thirty feet wide and long, there were bodies of over one hundred humans in purple robes. Here and there was a spider centaur or one of the strange chitin-covered biped corpses. These had staffs or swords by them. She had thought that the group that stopped them was part of the creatures that tried to trick them but now? It seemed that this might be a civil war between two makers of Chimera.

The group sailed through the air towards the door and Je’ndra reacted. “[Hit the wall feat first and jump down! Then most of you prepare to defend who’s closing the doors! Olv’xic that’s you! I need that door ready to close on my word]!”

“[Me!? Surely someone else…]” Olv’xic began only for Je’ndra to interrupt him.

“[You repaired an Aether Shadow and know how to spot a Forbidden! You can do this Olv’xic]!” Je’ndra barked as she turned to hit the wall. As soon as she made contact she pushed off and angled down. As soon as she landed she started to fire at the flyers, hoping to buy time. She killed three of them before the other two both flew upwards.

As she fired she heard Ken’tricx land and summon his floating rotary cannons. Within a single moment, he started to fire and killed one of the large bulky ones. As soon as that happened, the others fell back.

“[These things are smart]!” Tar’lroia said as she fired at the figures as they retreated.

The group could hear the sounds of combat, the horde must have met the figures. That meant that the giant thing was coming up as well. And that meant that they had to move into the Ruin soon.

“[Yeah, too smart. The Chimera destroys the mental…… wait],” Je’ndra said as she blinked. She suddenly realized that something that happened was impossible. They had been talking with the spider centaurs, and that wasn’t right. If they had been made with the Chimera Ritual, then how were they able to talk? Just what were they?

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Once Olv’xic landed he dashed towards the doors, trying to keep his mind on track. He was shocked that Je’ndra would have him do this, but he couldn’t let them down. Running through the small opening, he looked around, shocked at what he saw. Instead of walls crumbling and broken, the walls were made of polished steel. On them were purple tapestries, most torn off the walls. Here and there were more bodies of the robes figures.

But what really made him smile was the computer terminal set in the right wall. For a moment seeing the active screen made him think that everything would be easy for once. But then he saw just what was in front of the terminal. He looked at a small table with candles and religious icons on it. But all the icons were of a strange-looking creature from the ocean, and for a moment he felt a spark of fear. Something told him, that this was what this Cult worshiped. And that same thought told him that this image had been made from something alive.

Shaking his head, he ran over and pushed the table aside. He removed a cable from his right gauntlet and another small piece of tech appeared in his right hand. With a simple mental command, a small spinning drill darted into the terminal. Removing the drill and inserting the cable, he grimaced. Within seconds, the Ruins code appeared on his HUD, and scrolled down.

His eyes flashed as he read the lines of code, all in his language. A program he created translated it before the data was relayed from his gauntlet. “[Okay, okay. This program, it's fragmented, but I expected that….. no. It’s not fragmented, it’s just not there! That means the lines connecting the AI controller here was destroyed, but how? No, not important. Most of the power in this sector isn’t there. The door has a battery system…. Great. Now how…….]”

Olv’xic went still as he saw the data. His eyes shrank as he saw the truth. “[Wonder full, one speed only].”

Zalorix laughed to himself as he slashed his sword through one of the charging creatures. The works of these heretics were quite easy to kill, and they were running right at him. But all he could think of were the powers displayed by the strange figures. That speed, that quickness! When his people took that wonderful strength, he wondered if a new war form would be birthed. The armor they were wearing was something else as well. The way it had to empower them was amazing. And their weapons!? Those let these people handle the hordes of these heretics, oh how he wanted some of his own!

A screech from the wonderful mutated Starlsia caused him to sigh. The way that woman had changed was mind-boggling. The sheer potential that potion had when the Cult gave it to the proper people. Being that the Cult could control.

“My lord!” One of the people in knight armor called out as it slashed down its axe through the head of a spider centaur. “The giant is almost here! We need orders, sir!”

“We will fight and win! That is all there is to it!” Zalorix called out, the battle lust consuming his mind.

“But could you give us orders on how to handle the giant sir!?” The knight asked as he slashed his weapon through the neck of a chitin-covered creature.

Zalorix blinked and looked around, nodding. “Of course. Aim for the legs of the giant! And stay away from the hands if possible. All those who aren’t awake, do so if you must! Together nothing can stop the followers of the Great Beast!”

As his forces all roared, their morale high, Zalorix grinned. This was meant to be nothing but finishing off the heretics before the ceremony, but this was so much better. With those few taken and their power given to those who deserve it, they would rule! All those years the followers had spent in the darkness were finally paying off! Nothing, Nothing at all could top them now!

“LORD!” Another voice called out, fear in his voice.

Zalorix looked up and saw a soldier coming down towards him. This one was who he had ordered to watch the armored figures, to report when they entered the Realms. So the time was now then or had something happened?

“What is it? Have they going into the Realms yet?” Zalorix asked with a grin. He could leave his second here and take a handpicked squad of his troops and chase them down! Once that happened, he could take them to the ceremony and their power would be the Followers! All he had to do was wait until they made a mistake, he was right!

“Yes sir,” The knight said with a nervous tone.

Zalorix gazed at him and tried to understand why he would be nervous. If they were going into the realms, wouldn’t that be a good thing? “What is it? What are they doing?”

The knight looked around at the battle and moved closer to Zalorix, swallowing as he did so. “The doors sir! Their closing. And those people are moving with them, they’re defending the passage!”

Zalorix stared at him and blinked, not understanding how those words worked together. Then he did and his eyes widened in shock. Somehow, they could control the Builder’s work?! That changed everything! They needed that power, the Followers had to have it! with that one power, they could change everything.

“Yes sir, they are! And their weapons are still very strong! We can’t hold them!” One of his soldiers cried.

He looked around, trying to find the people he needed to give orders to.

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Directing the Giant War form was harder than Starlsia had thought it would be. It was like she was wearing the largest clothing ever, and every step was like walking through mud! Thankfully the others were able to hear and understand her orders. She looked down and felt her anger rise. She saw the giant slaves that the Bishop was creating from captured slaves. The idea behind them was to throw them at the Strongest of the followers and then kill the survivors. But they had broken minds, they hated all but their own.

Finally, the Bishop had been able to create artifacts that grew with the rituals. And that they were able to control the brutes. But looking at them she thought she saw scars on their arms. If she was right, then one of them had lost their arms. The regeneration that the Bishop had been after, the large things must have it after all. But for them to use it against the Sect!? how dare those slaves do that!

A strange grinding sound caused her to look up. Somehow she knew that it was from the plaza. But what could it mean? What was up there that might even make……. “No. NO!”

She looked at the hordes and hollowed. “Ignore the Followers! Charge past them, stop the invaders! Keep the doors open!”

The smaller ones roared and charged upwards. She could hear both the ones on the roof and the ones within the building and she felt pride flow through her. This was why no matter what, they would win today. Throw everything at them and they will survive. But as the Followers forces started to fight against her minions, she knew what she had to do.

Looking upwards, she took in a deep breath and prepared to use her newest weapon.

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As the team moved back, Ken’tricx grinned under his mask. The kid had pulled it off, they were closing the door! All they needed to do was hold for a few more minutes and then they could rest. Of course, the way that the kid talked about what was inside was concerning, but beggars could choose.

Still, the Chimera and their controllers were actually staying back. He half expected them and the others to join forces. They were closing the doors and that would probably change a lot. But then why ask for trouble? All they needed to do was keep moving as the doors closed and this battle would be over!

“[Just a few more minutes people! Just keep holding strong]!” Je’ndra yelled over the comms.

Ken’tricx let his smirk grow wider. Leave it to the boss to keep their morale up. But he didn’t know why she bothered. All they needed to do was keep doing what they were doing and then they could rest.

A loud mind-breaking screech echoed off the walls! The whole group yelled as they held their heads in pain. For a moment he thought he heard something fall to the ground next to him, but he couldn’t concentrate at all. All he felt was pain and suffering for the next minute. Finally, that pain died down and he could think again.

As he tried to remember who he was and where he was, all he heard was a strange roar in the distance.

“[What in the name of the Empire was that]!?” Tar’lroia murmured.

“[Did anyone get the make of that crashed starship]?” Ro’borlar croaked.

“[Wait, everyone move! The doors will crush you all]!” Olv’xic exclaimed.

That prompted Ken’tricx to remember everything. The crash, the battles, and where they were. The fact that the doors were closing on the Ruin escaped him for a moment. But then he realized what it meant and tried to get back to his feet.

After a moment, he looked up, panting as he looked around. He found his team to the sides of him, all of them slowly getting back up. But when he looked behind him, that was when he felt fear. At first, he saw that the prince had fallen off Kon’gric and breathed a sigh of relief as the prince started to move. But that relief died when he saw that next to him were two of the flying figures! They were on the ground and one of them looked right at Ken’tricx for a moment.

“[My Prince, move]!” Ken’tricx bellowed as he raised his rifle.

Kon’gric looked up and tried to move when the flyers reacted. One of them grabbed Ar’thor and threw him upwards. They jumped after him and one of them caught him in his talons.

“[NO! After him]!” Je’ndra cried out in anger

“[I can track him! But we have to move now]!” Kon’gric bellowed out as he got to his feet.

Ken’tricx heard a screeching sound and looked back to the doors. Over thirty of the spider, centaurs were charging the doors. Taking into account how fast the doors were closing, they would make it here before they were closed. “[We’ve got gatecrashers]!”

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Je’ndra felt shame that whatever had hit them had driven them to their knees. The fact that the prince was captive, was something that shamed them all! they were supposed to protect him, not let monsters take him captive!

[GO! I’ll hold them here until the doors close]!” Ken’tricx bellowed.

And then Je’ndra knew what she had to do, what she had to order. “[NO! Ken’tricx, go with Kon’gric! Olv’xic, does the door need you there to keep it closing]?”

“[No, it’s automatic! I can leave and help hold the door]!” Olv’xic called out.

“[NO! Back up Ken’tricx and Kon’gric, and rescue the prince! Ro’borlar will be able to track you. Just go]!” Je’ndra bellowed as she raised her rifle and fired at the oncoming horde.

“[What? But commander! Surely someone else]!” Olv’xic stammered.

Je’ndra felt it, she had finally reached her limit. And she didn’t think that she even had one.

“[Enough! Olv’xic what is your problem!? Since you’ve joined you’ve always been putting yourself down! So why!? Just why]!?” Je’ndra demanded with anger in her voice.

Olv’xic looked at them and then looked down. “[I’m part human]!”

Je’ndra felt her mind go blank for a second, not understanding what he meant. “[Wait, what? We’re all human]!”

Olv’xic went still and slowly looked at her, and then asked a question in a voice full of shock. “[Excuse me]?”

Je’ndra looked at him and then realized that this wasn’t the time. “[We’ll talk later, just go and save our human descended prince]!”

As Ken’tricx grabbed Olv’xic and thundered after Kon’gric, she felt that when next they talked, she would learn a lot. And most of what she was going to learn, she knew that she would hate it. For a split second, all she could do was wonder just what kind of world Olv’xic had grown up on.

Je’ndra just fired at the onrushing horde. For a moment, she wondered where the leader of the other group was.

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As he followed the signal, Kon’gric felt his heart seize. There might not be a better chance to kill the prince than this. He just had to not follow the signal right. This was a Ruin, after all, they did all kinds of things with signals. He could get away with not following it, couldn’t he?

“[So you gotta tell me what that was about kid! I mean, part human]?” Ken’tricx said with a laugh in his voice.

“[And you’ve gotta tell me what this is about all of us being human! I mean, I thought…..],” Olv’xic said with a shocked tone in his voice.

Kon’gric kept one eye on the tracker, and the other looked at Olv’xic. The man before him was smart, strong and now he was clearly so misinformed it was criminal. He had been to the heart of the Empire, he had seen where they had come from. Everyone was taught that when they were in school, just where was he from?

“[What kinda world did you grow up on kid]? Ken’tricx asked as they ran.

Olv’xic stayed silent, but it was a silence that Kon’gric knew well. Olv’xic was thinking about everything he thought he knew, and how it was wrong. He had been there, and he knew that Olv’xic would have a lot of terrible times ahead, thinking all what he was wrong about.

“[Later Ken’tricx, later. But all of us, the Empire. We’re human!? How]?” Olv’xic asked in shock and wonder.

Before anyone could say anything, a loud roar came from ahead of them. Standing there were five of the large bulky figures, but these were different. They only wore the remains of robes and they were unarmed. At first, Kon’gric thought someone had left these poor brutes here to wander and slow them down.

But when one of them pointed at them it opened its mouth and roared. “For the Glory of the Beast, kill them! Their flesh will give us power!”

As all the brutes thundered towards them, Kon’gric snarled. He summoned his rifle as Ken’tricx and Olv’xic both summoned theirs. Without a moment’s thought or a word, they opened fire as one.