Fan Fiction ❯ Aether Psychoses: Tales from the Planet Solstice ❯ Phase 1, Episode 6: Will - Duty - Freedom ( Chapter 6 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Triple Peeps 
Pasts questioned, present squandered, future unknown.
It is human nature to walk forward while forever looking back.
A strangely comforting madness.
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Drama / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.15.2005 | Pages: 11 | Words: 7.3K | Visits: 154 | Status: Completed
Pasts questioned, present squandered, future unknown.
It is human nature to walk forward while forever looking back.
A strangely comforting madness.
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Drama / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.15.2005 | Pages: 11 | Words: 7.3K | Visits: 154 | Status: Completed
===> C M A <===
RATING: This story is rated "R" for mature subject matter, violence, and language.
DISCLAIMER: This story, its settings, its characters, and all its distinctive likenesses are Copyright 2004-2005 Carlos Alexandre. This is an original work and may not be published without Carlos Alexandre's written consent. Characters, settings, personas, etc. may not be used without, again, Carlos Alexandre's written consent. Any relation to this story and any real-life events, past or present, is entirely coincidental. And all that other crap.
If you're reading this anywhere but at www.triplepeeps.com, I recommend you go there instead; some places this fic is posted in might not be formatted or italicized/bolded/underlined correctly.
Author notes and special thanks are further down.
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HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1050
Mantra Tower, Chamber of the Night's Lantern
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Watching this battle is akin to watching a game of paper-rock-scissors.
One in which the participants can read each other's minds.
Each and every move that Sieg and Tealla throw out is met and countered by the other. Indeed, they must not have been fighting at their full potential when they last faced each other, likely for fear of damaging Phoenix Station or hurting Tealla's would-be hostage, Armen Stratos.
Sieg parries a kick with the Crimson Edge, turning around, bringing the aether "blade" down hard. Tealla sees the maneuver and, with an aether-shielded forearm, deflects it, throwing her own counter back.
This continues for some time at close quarters, neither combatant gaining much ground over the other, until Sieg sidesteps another of Tealla's attacks, spying an opening.
Sieg roars with fury, tagging Tealla's midsection with the Crimson Edge. Her shield doesn't give in, preventing a potentially lethal cut, but the sheer force of the blow sends her flying back a ways.
The man smiles, holding the Crimson Edge in his left hand as he unsheathes an aether pistol, holding it with his right.
"DANCE, BITCH!" he shouts, firing rounds quickly.
The woman sees the oncoming fire, dodging each aether bullet, running laterally, strafing about and looking for an opening to return to melee range.
... Or is she?
________
Shit, that last shot hurt.
No time to nurse bruised pride, Tealla. Sieg earned that hit. This is what you trained for, so shit like this shouldn't phase you.
And it won't.
He keeps firing. Idiot. Compared to the point blank scrapping we were just doing, swerving around his petty little gunshots is nothing.
In fact, I intend to kill some time doing this. It's not wasting much of my energy, and soon my gut will be good enough to take another pounding.
________
Something's up.
She's toying with me. By now she should be back in my face.
So why isn't she?
"Don't be thinking that this gun will go through its aether reserves so soon," I call, hoping to force her hand. "Not only will the aether cartridge last a full twenty-four hours under heavy usage, but I've got another gun on me to boot!"
She doesn't reply, instead just smiling that cocky smile of hers as she continues dodging.
No good, I can't hit her like this. Even if we go at this for forty-eight hours straight, she will avoid every single shot.
Unless I change up my tactics, that is... but she'll use that opportunity to strike.
I could release the Crimson Edge and use both pistols; I'd connect with a few shots at least--
Nah, I wouldn't have the Edge at the ready, and I'll be needing it.
Screw this, it won't help. I stop firing, but I keep the gun out. Maybe I can catch her by surprise with it.
"Giving up already, Sieg?" Tealla taunts. "That's not like you!"
"Even I know a pointless struggle when I see it," I reply. "I do find this rather interesting, though. I beat you out in melee, your ideal zone, and you're making my normally top-notch gunplay look foolish."
"Indeed," she says, ready to dash in at a moment's notice. "So let's get this over with."
"Certainly!" I complete my chant under the disguise of putting away my pistol, knowing full well that she didn't see it. "NOVA!!!"
________
Though lacking the solar system-destroying power of an actual nova, the common incantation Nova envelopes a large area in a globe of burning aether.
Crap. First Willis, and now Sieg.; that's twice today I missed a painfully obvious chant.
I really have to find out how the Essex's crew is managing to mask their chanting so perfectly.
The fiery spell engulfs me--and almost the entire room--in heat and power, but not enough that I can't keep shielded and move at the same time.
I can't sense where he is. Not good. We have a psychic bond, my brother and I, but lately I suspect that he's able to hide himself from me.
No matter. He's the one more reliant on the cheap tricks, not me.
And if I know Sieg, he'll be...
"OVER THERE!" I roar, jumping blindly into the orange cloud of fiery energy, tagging him in the head with a kick.
His Nova dissipates as he reels back.
He laughs. "Not bad, sis!" he compliments, nursing his new sore spot. "Not bad at all!"
I bow a little. "Glad you approve."
I follow it up with a flood of close range attacks, ensuring my fists and feet are delivering a cold aether chill with each strike.
You aren't winning today, little brother. No chance in hell.
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HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1101
The Essex's Bridge, Holding Position Outside Mantra Tower
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"Still quiet out here," I tell Meander. "You sensing anything?"
"No, Amy, I am not," she answers, sounding a little annoyed. " I lost all trace of our friends' mental signatures when they entered the tower, even Sonny's. And Sieg doesn't want me probing harder for fear of alerting the Centauri's people. So, as I told you before, I'm blind for now."
"Just checking, girl. You've been on edge since Sieg and the others left; I just want to make sure you're okay."
Meander stutters a bit as she answers. "O-oh, yes, of course Amy! Please accept my apologies; I did not mean to snap at you just now."
"No worries, Meander, no worries at all--"
"Hey, y'all out there?" a voice asks over the comm system.
"Sonny!" Meander nearly shouts, relief evident in her voice. "Is everything alright? Is anyone hurt?"
"Only our pride, babe, only our pride. Tealla beat us but good--"
"Not to be rude," I interrupt, "but why exactly is it that you're breaking radio silence, Sonny, if none of you are hurt?"
"Well," he explains, "I figure it didn't really matter. Hear that rumbling in the background? We can sense Sieg and Tealla fighting, even through all of Night's Lantern's interference. They're there already, and they'll be determining who walks away victorious, not us. Even if we happen upon the Centauri's crew, or they intercept this transmission, they'll likely be in the same boat, just waiting to hear from Tealla."
"Sonny, I'll ask you again," Meander says, her voice a little firmer. "Is anyone hurt?"
"No, babe, I told you, we're fine, but we're not in well enough shape to do any good down here. Would you please guide us back?"
"Do it, Meander," I order, opening another comm channel, the one the Essex and the Centauri commonly use to communicate to each other. "Centauri, this is Amy of the Essex. Looks like our respective leaders are locked in combat over Night's Lantern. We don't want to fight; we'll let Sieg and Tealla decide the outcome of this. Please reveal yourselves; being deep in Cruz Foundation's airspace is creepy enough without needing to worry about a concealed enemy ship."
No answer.
I guess I'll repeat myself. "Centauri, this is--"
"Hey, Amy," I hear Tommy's voice say, his face coming up on a view screen. "We've confirmed the same thing with Maxwell. Our airship will be coming up from below, so don't freak out and fire at us or anything. Can I ask that Meander use her abilities to guide our people out as well?"
I look at Meander, who nods.
"Got it, Tommy," I reply. "Our guys are a little bruised up, so if you and yours can lend a hand--"
"We're no different, I'm afraid," Tommy retorts, cutting me off. "Let's get them to each other and have them stay together."
"Sounds like a plan!"
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HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1116
Inside Mantra Tower
________
"So who was it?" I ask the big guy, supporting his arm on my shoulder.
"Sieg," Maxwell confirms. "You?"
"Your dear Lady Hyrem," I say, trying my hardest to sound regal.
"Do you need some help, Sonny?" Asha asks me. "That guy looks heavy!"
"That's Asha," I tell Maxwell. "Don't mind her, she's blunt."
The big man laughs. "So I see! I am Maxwell Farthas, young lady. Pleased to meet you."
"I'm Willis," my crewmate introduces, being helped up by Galvanos. "Sonny told us about you, Maxwell. If we ever find the time, I'd be interested in examining that weapon of yours. For purely scientific purposes, of course!"
The big man laughs again. "Certainly, Willis. I have heard of your legendary curiosity. Maybe you can even help me find out a little more about it."
"You don't know everything about it?" Lemires questions, able to walk under her own power alongside Asha.
"Enough to use it, and a little about its internal workings, but that's it."
"This way, you guys!" Asha calls back, staying focused on Meander's psychic beacon. We'd have a tough time getting out of this maze without it.
I smile, happy with the little party we've assembled here.
I like these people, the Centauri's crew. I really do.
Despite it all, it's good to know that if anything ever happens to the Essex, these people, who will quickly fight us as their enemies when necessary, will come to our aid just as fast.
I talk with Meander all the time about how great it would be if it was only one ship, led by Sieg and Tealla together. We'd be quite the force, the twelve of us.
But she and I also agree that part of what makes us all strong is the conflict between our two crews. If we didn't always have to outdo the other, we would weaken.
Still, I wonder if being weak is an acceptable price to pay--
Nah. Get that shit out of your head, Sonny.
I have a good life, I think. In the time I've been with the Essex, I've grown so much stronger, and not just as far as fighting is concerned. I've learned so much about Solstice and its people, made wonderful friends, and met the girl I love.
Yeah. A good life.
Marred only by the mark on my chest. The one that I must get revenge for before I die.
Maxwell... I wonder if your mark, your reminder of the Great Purge, lusts for vengeance as much as mine...
"I think I can walk on my own, now," he says, lifting himself up off of me.
"You sure, big man?"
"Yes. See? It is not a problem."
"Good, good! The rest of you okay?"
"I'm doing much better now," Willis says. "Thanks, Galvanos."
"No problem," the robed boy answers solemnly.
He's been real quiet this whole time. Wonder what's eating him up inside; Galvanos is usually quite jovial.
"He's taking his loss to Sieg rather hard," Maxwell whispers.
Makes sense. Galvanos is talented, but he's the sort who really punishes himself over mistakes, legitimate or otherwise. It's really too bad the guy doesn't have more confidence in himself; he has so much ability and works so hard.
"Come on, everyone!" Asha yells. "We're almost out!"
________
The two run around the room, closing the gap to clash every second or so, aether sparks flying about the room.
Above them, Night's Lantern watches... and waits...
________
"Are you sure it was wise to conspire with Tealla Hyrem, daddy?"
"Don't worry, my dear. She'll play right into my hands."
"And what about Sieg Hyrem, daddy?"
"He won't dance so predictably, I'm afraid. He may have to be... disposed of..."
________
AETHER PSYCHOSES
Tales from the Planet Solstice
An original fic by Carlos Alexandre (CMA)
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This episode was originally released on Wednesday, June 15, 2005.
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AUTHOR NOTES
I'm slightly late on this one; it came out a little after two weeks of releasing the last chapter. No worries, right?
As always, I accept, welcome, and encourage criticism. Send it to cma@triplepeeps.com or visit www.triplepeeps.com and post in the forum.
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SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to my fellow Triple Peeps, Grand Master Shoma (Apollo Alexandre) and Judge Neusy (Neusa Gaspar), for their support and kindness. They have good fics too, mostly of the fanfic variety, and they and I write some works together. Please check out www.triplepeeps.com for more!
Thanks to "Supafly" (David Hackman, also known as Majere) for inspiration and for letting me base a character in Aether Psychoses on him.
Thanks to the plethora of anime, movies, and video games that inspired me to envision and create this original work!
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Pasts questioned, present squandered, future unknown.
It is human nature to walk forward while forever looking back.
A strangely comforting madness.
-= PHASE 1
--== EPISODE 6
---=== Will - Duty - Freedom
________
Six years ago...
HSD 226 - 08 - 01 - 1956
Seymour's Grave, Somewhere on Cipher
________
"I can't believe he's really gone," the boy says, his deep crimson hair dancing in the wind.
"That's life, Sieg," the girl replies as her own light brown hair follows suit.
A few more moments of silence pass, leaves flying in the air, as the two siblings look down upon the grave of their late master... and the only parent they had after their own mother and father were taken from them.
"What are you going to do now, Tealla?" the boy asks, facing the girl.
"Don't know," she curtly states, not moving.
"You know what we should do, sis?" the boy offers optimistically. "We should go into business together!"
"Business?" she asks, dumbfounded, now looking at the boy. "What kind of business could we run?"
"Well... We're both smart, having skipped grades and graduated early and whatnot. We're both strong, and probably more than a match for a lot of the people out there--"
"What're you getting at, Sieg?"
He looks her dead in the eye, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Let's become bounty hunters, Tealla! With our brains and brawn, and the two of us working together, we could bring down anyone, and make good money doing it!"
The girl looks down, seemingly pondering the boy's proposition. "Bounty hunters, eh, Sieg? ... Actually, I must admit, I like the idea!"
The boy's eyes sparkle, a happy smile building--
"But we aren't working together," the girl finishes.
"Why not, Tealla?" the boy asks, looking as saddened and confused as he sounds.
"What if I told you that, to me, becoming a bounty hunter means working for anyone paying the right price, no matter who they are?"
"Well, that's part and parcel of--"
"Even if it's the Cruz Foundation?"
The boy becomes silent, slowly letting his hands fall off the girl's shoulders.
"Maybe... maybe you're right," the boy acknowledges. "We wouldn't be good bounty hunters if we became picky. What if I told you I'm with you one hundred percent? We'll work for Cruz or anyone, no matter how much I may hate them, and we'll get our money."
The girl's eyes widen. She was not expecting that answer.
"You serious, Sieg?" she says. "You'd do that... for me? Even if you think it's wrong?"
"I love you, Tealla," the boy says sincerely. "I'll do anything for you."
The girl shuts her eyes tightly, fighting back tears.
Then, after a few seconds...
"No."
"What?"
"No, Sieg. We can't ever be bounty hunters together."
"Why not!?"
"You'll understand someday, little brother," the girl says, feeling the boy's cheek with her palm. "But promise me you won't ever betray your ideals. Become the best bounty hunter you can be, but don't work for anyone you hate."
The boy takes the girls hand into his own. "Okay. I promise. But what about you?"
"I'll do what I think is right, Sieg. Even if that means working for Cruz."
The boy nods, giving the girl's hand a gentle kiss. "I understand. But that means we'll be rivals. So don't think, for the slightest second, I'll hold back if you decide to cross my path."
She giggles. "Right back at you, jerk. And I'll kick your ass if you piss me off."
"So this is how it is from now on..." the boy says solemnly.
The girl leans forward and kisses the boy on the cheek. "Yeah, I guess."
________
The boy looks back, watching the girl disappear over the horizon.
"I love you, Tealla. I'll do anything for you."
He takes one last look at his master's grave.
Nodding in appreciation, he walks away, hands in pockets, not yet really knowing where he'll go or how he'll start his new life.
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HSD 226 - 08 - 02 - 0036
Somewhere on Cipher
________
"I shouldn't feel bad," the boy mumbles.
He sits under a tree, his chin resting on his knees.
"This is what Tealla wants, right? She doesn't need you, Sieg," he tells himself.
The stars shine with a radiance only visible from the rural areas outside of Cipher's main cities.
"Why did this have to happen to us?" he asks the night sky. "If it wasn't for them... if it wasn't for the Cruz Foundation..."
"Me and Tealla would still be together. We would be happy together."
________
"Me and Tealla would still be together," I think aloud. "We would be happy together."
... Cruz Foundation.
I hate Cruz.
I hate them with every fiber of my being.
I hate them for this misery I feel.
Chirping. A gentle breeze. Rustling grass.
This night is certainly calming.
What would you say if you were still alive, Master Seymour?
"You'd probably tell me to stop my whining," I answer myself. "You'd tell me that who I am now is what matters. You'd say that if Tealla wants to become rivals, that I should do it, because proving I love her means giving her the freedom to grow."
I stand up, feeling a little better. "Yeah, that's what you'd tell me, isn't it?"
Maybe it's time to do just that.
"Then that's what I'll do!" I announce.
I'll become a bounty hunter and, someday, make enough money to buy my own airship.
I'll gather a crew--not one of servants, but one of friends--and we'll fly across the sky together!
And if I run into you, Tealla... we'll either talk about old times, or we'll fight.
And I'll win every time!
Yeah. It'll be great!
________
The present...
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1120
Sky Current
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"So they're in the Night's Lantern chamber now?" I telepathically ask Shire.
"Yes, Master Sorel," he replies. "Currently the Hyrem siblings are locked in combat."
"Who's winning?"
"Neither one at this point. Each had moments where they appeared to be advantageous, only to have the other suddenly fight back enough to balance the scales."
Figures they'd be fighting each other like animals.
Those two monsters are bred for war. They thirst for blood and combat...
And they don't care about the consequences.
"Or who they might hurt," I mutter, only partially aware that I spoke out loud.
Sky Current... how much I hate this place.
A beautiful port city and commerce center.
Yeah, right.
Sky Current is the worst city I've ever had the misfortune of living in.
Its municipal government is corrupt, bribing officials to win elections, embezzling funds, making the rich richer and the poor poorer.
The schools here are a joke, to boot, and that didn't make my time here any easier. Each school might as well be a gang. We all fought one another, sometimes killing one another.
"Like animals," I mutter.
From what I've seen, things haven't changed.
Sky Current...
Mom... dad... why did you leave me alone here?
Are you stupid or something, Sylvan? They didn't leave you! They had no choice! They were murdered--
THEY HAD A CHOICE! They didn't need to visit Hyperion. Not then...
And what if history had played out differently, calling the disaster the "Sky Current Incident?" You'd be dead and they'd be alive--
It doesn't matter. What *they* did... is inexcusable.
I'll make you both pay, Sieg and Tealla.
I'll make you pay for not killing me instead!
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HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1122
Celestial Quarter
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"We grow impatient, Celestial Knight," the first silhouette voices. "We have not seen any real progress on Project Estrela for a long time now."
"These delays are becoming tiresome," the second one adds. "We invested time and money in you to see results, not to hear excuses."
"You all must have patience," the sitting man answers, pale light barely illuminating his wicked smile. "Why, even now, real progress is being made! Have any of you read the data I've forwarded? The Hyrem children are fighting each other right now before the presence of Night's Lantern. There are some interesting statistics to see, I assure you."
"...What!? Impossible!" the first shadow exclaims. "These numbers can't be right! Seven-three-three-R and seven-three-three-S cannot be at this high an EPL!"
The second one cackles evilly. "This is truly spectacular!" it exclaims. "I had no idea these two were hiding so much power!"
The sitting man leans back. "I thought you might enjoy that--"
"I still don't believe it!" the first one barks. "Are they still fighting at Mantra Tower? Can we see the raw data in real-time as proof?"
The sitting man leans forward, tapping a few buttons on a terminal. "Help yourself! But if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
________
Buffoons, all of them.
Not at all beautiful.
But they are necessary if I am to complete Project Estrela, unfortunately.
"My lord?" Her voice in my head again.
"Yes, my student. Speak."
"It is as you suspected, my lord. He is watching... and waiting..."
"Good, my student--"
"There's more, my lord. I can sense someone with him. It seems like a Rift Wraith, but... different somehow."
Hmm... How very peculiar...
"Keep an eye on it, my dear girl. Perhaps we can use it to our advantage."
"Yes, my lord." She is gone.
Very odd, wretched one. What is it that you have planned for this world?
"Computer," I command, "bring up profile seven-three-three-Q."
"AFFIRMATIVE," the monotone female voice responds.
A hologram appears, showing a scale version of the most beautiful one, the most ugly one, of them all...
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> SUBJECT 733Q
> ARMEN STRATOS
> Age: 43
> Height: 5' 10"
> Hair: Gray (natural)
> Eyes: Dark Blue
> Known Living Relatives: None
> Estimated Power Level: 23,500
> Armaments and Tactics: Extensive martial arts mastery, extensive weapons mastery, extensive aether mastery (all types)
> Subject is currently CEO of the Cruz Foundation. He rose to power through means unknown.
> Subject professes a mission of peace and has gained impressive popularity the world over. Subject claims his goal is to end the Trinity War.
> Subject possesses vast and varied combat abilities, from armed and unarmed physical combat skills to powerful, quickly chanted aether incantations. Subject is a natural born combatant and generates an immensely powerful aether aura. Currently, however, subject does not frequently engage in combat.
> Before leaving Cruz Foundation's private army, subject was known to have taken down, unaided, 432 battleships over the course of 10 years. He played a major role in the pacification of the renegade Testament-class capital warship Stasis.
> Subject currently spends most of his time at Phoenix Station. What the floating outpost possesses formidable firepower, we have compromised her defenses before, and can do so again with minimal trouble. In the unlikely even that Phoenix Station builds an immunity to our hacking attempts, covert operations and sleeper agents are recommended over brute force.
> Subject is a desired objective in the completion of Project Estrela, though not technically necessary. However, subject's substantial formidability and political influence must not be ignored. Exercise extreme caution in all matters concerning subject.
> Threat Potential: A+. Very high risk, motives unknown.
> EOF
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HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1130
Mantra Tower, Chamber of the Night's Lantern
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"WHIRLPOOL!" Sieg announces, summoning a tornado of water to envelope Tealla.
The woman, confident, runs into the liquid, knowing that she has enough momentum to make it through--
"BLIZZARD!" Sieg yells, focusing the icy power onto his previous incantation, freezing the watery wall solid... with Tealla inside.
Realizing her folly, she smashes through the ice, but not before her brother reaches her. Seizing the opportunity, Sieg strikes fast and hard with the Crimson Edge, the red "sword" clashing against Tealla's shield.
The woman tries to defend as best she can against the repeated strikes, but is being slowly overwhelmed.
"IT'S OVER, TEALLA!" Sieg roars.
Finally, it seems as if one side is gaining the upper hand.
________
I can't believe he duped me with such an obvious trick.
Am I really that foolish, that headstrong, that he knew I'd try to go through the Whirlpool rather than around it!?
Shoulder... hurts...
STOP IT! NOW'S NOT THE TIME TO WHIMPER! HE'S BEATING YOU!!!
He keeps swinging, not letting up for even a moment. I have to think of something fast.
If I can pull off a full-power Cold Shadow, it will be all over. But if I start chanting now, I'll be vulnerable.
... Fuck it. I can keep enough of a shield up to last until the ice aether barrier Cold Shadow emits comes up. I begin willing the incantation to life...
________
You've got to be kidding me! You're chanting now?
Fine, sis. Your loss.
I mercilessly beat down on her rapidly failing aether shield, hoping she'll do the right thing and just surrender soon--
What the!? Something's pushing me away!
But... but she's not finished her chant yet!
Raw determination crosses her face as she smiles through gritted teeth, now completely abandoning her aether shield and relying on this strange force to keep me at bay.
"I gave your crew a small taste of this, little brother!" Tealla yells. "But I'll give you the full meal deal!!!"
I press on, trying to get through the barrier, deflecting as much of the ice-type aether as I can with the Crimson Edge, but to no avail.
Instead, I opt to jump away and ready my defenses. Whatever incantation she's chanting is going to happen.
"COLD SHADOW!" she announces.
Interesting, Tealla. Naming your new unique incantation after your "handle" of sorts.
So what is it going to be, I wonder? A super-powerful ice-type attack to rival Avalanche, maybe?
Or... maybe something else entirely...
"... Cool," I mouth, watching what appears to be a floating white and blue aura in the shape and visage of a female silhouette take form above Tealla.
Speaking of my dear sister, her nose is bleeding, and I'm pretty sure I didn't cause it.
Maintaining this new "Cold Shadow" incantation must take some huge amount of concentration.
"Game over, Sieg," Tealla says as the blood trickles down her face--
She disappears from sight before I can finish my thought!
But... But she was so strained, so exhausted!
How can she still move this fast?
This... this feeling...
It feels like Tealla's aether signature, but far more intense!
... So you've been holding back on me, Tealla.
Heh, and I thought I was sooooooooo smart masking my presence from you back on that abandoned ship outside Phoenix Station. I was so happy.
So happy... that I didn't even think you might've been doing the same thing.
The next thing I see is a fist coming at my face faster than I can react to it. It hits, and boy, does it ever hit good. As I fly back, I spit out some blood.
The silhouette is suddenly floating above me! I swing at it with the Crimson Edge, but it dodges the blow and descends, pummeling my shield relentlessly. As it does, Tealla sneaks up from behind, and the two sandwich me, surrounding me in a gauntlet of smashes that I'll be hard-pressed to escape.
Amazing, big sister. Simply amazing, to be striking with such power while still maintaining something so complex and powerful as your new Cold Shadow incantation.
I abandon my hold on the Crimson Edge, watching it disappear from existence, using aether to propel myself away from the beating.
Unfortunately for me, Tealla anticipates my direction...
And, in tandem with her aether "double," she strikes me in the head with an aether-charged foot.
So strong... so brutally accurate...
Though I stay standing for a while, I know it's over. I wobble, fighting with everything I have to keep my balance.
Finally, I fall.
I lost.
Crap. Now she's one up on me again. And just when I evened out the score, too--
No, I didn't even out shit. Our last fight wasn't that long ago. I was holding back, but she was suppressing her power even more than I was.
Sure, she may have trained hard since then, but not enough to be at this level so soon.
She's been this strong for a long time; I realize that now, and I feel stupid for not cluing in sooner.
"Good work, sis," I'm barely able to say, sitting back against a wall. "Good work. I concede. You win."
Tealla falls to one knee, breathing heavily, and releases Cold Shadow.
She looks up at Night's Lantern, which slowly lowers, still within its aether bubble.
________
You idiot, Sieg.
What the hell are you feeling so down for?
Counting today, Tealla's defeated you only one more time than you've beaten her. So why all the feelings of inferiority?
You beat her on Phoenix Station legitimately; the two of you were fighting on the same level, on the same terms, even if neither of you were giving one hundred percent.
You beat her countless times before Phoenix Station, both by taking advantage of her mistakes and by simply outperforming her.
And you've known, for a long time, that she's, technically, more powerful than you are. And not just in terms of EPL, either.
Which means that, next time, you just have to be better.
That's it.
She isn't out of your reach, Sieg. She never will be. Don't ever forget that.
________
"Great, now I'm talking to myself via inner monologue," I sputter.
Night's Lantern hovers a few feet above the ground, almost beckoning Tealla to take it.
Tealla...
"I love you, Tealla," I told her so long ago. "I'll do anything for you."
Ignoring my body's cries for help, I stand up. She doesn't see me; I'll make this quick.
"I'll do anything for you," I whisper. "No matter what."
________
I won!
I won I won I won!
I told you, Sieg.
I told you that you didn't stand a chance.
You fought the good fight, though. I'm proud. And I know you'll get all psyched up and ready for our next fight, so I can't slack off now!
But what matters, for now, is my prize!
Night's Lantern is all mine!
My bait to nail Chrysalis and my bargaining chip with Armen Stratos; it's all mine!
All I have to do... is take it...
________
As Tealla Hyrem approaches the relic, intent on claiming it as her own, she doesn't notice that Sieg has returned to his feet.
Having jumped into the air, the Crimson Edge re-formed, Sieg holds it in both hands, ready to thrust the weapon downward as he lands.
He falls, and strikes...
And the Night's Lantern, Sieg's target, breaks into several pieces.
Tealla, wide-eyed and shocked, sees and feels an evil energy seeping out of Night's Lantern's remains, forming a ghostly human shape.
"A... Rift Wraith!?" Tealla whispers.
The Wraith cries out, screeching with fury and rage.
"You have freed me, humansssss," it hisses. "In return, I will make your deathsssss painlessssss--"
The visage then yells in agony, its ethereal body splitting in half.
It disappears from existence, revealing, behind it, Sieg Hyrem, Crimson Edge drawn, finishing the follow-through of his swing.
"Stupid ass Rift Wraith. Shut the fuck up." he spits before collapsing, now unconscious.
Tealla stands there for a while, sorting out her thoughts.
"What the hell was that?" Tealla breathes.
________
"What the hell was that?"
No... you were right.
You were right, Sieg!
There was something evil inside of Night's Lantern!
And if you hadn't just destroyed it, I would be carting it around in my ship by now.
"You... you IDIOT!" I scream at the passed out Sieg, not really sure what I'm doing or why. "Who asked you to interfere, huh!? Who the FUCK ASKED YOU!!?"
He can't hear me.
What's this... tears?
Am I crying?
Oh, FUCK me!
"The fuck am I crying for!?" I ask myself, my breathing quickening. "I didn't do anything wrong! I didn't ask for any help!"
All of a sudden, I feel violent shaking.
Oh, shit. Think for a moment.
Was Night's Lantern holding Mantra Tower in the sky?
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I dry my eyes. Whatever the fuck I'm crying about, I can do it later. I have to get out of here now--
"TEALLA!" It's Tommy, over the TPC. "Tealla, the whole tower's coming down! Listen: follow Meander's psychic trail! She'll lead you out!"
Meander!? What's going on out there?
"I'm on my way, Tommy!" I tell him.
"Tealla, this is Meander!" I hear in my head. "Is Sieg with you? I sense that he is unconscious--"
"He is!" I respond telepathically, cutting her off, as I hoist Sieg's body up on my shoulder. "It's a long story! He'll explain it to all of you later, I'm sure! For now, don't worry! I've got him!"
"Understood! Just follow my lead!"
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1150
The Essex
________
"Is he okay?" Amy asks, trying to sound calm.
"Yeah, he's fine," Tealla answers, setting the unconscious Sieg against the corridor wall.
"So... who won?" Asha asks.
"I did," Tealla replies proudly.
"Was it close?" Asha presses.
"Does it matter?"
"No, it doesn't," Amy cuts in. "What happened to Night's Lantern?"
"Sieg destroyed it. That's why Mantra Tower is about to make a rather large crater in Cipher's countryside."
"I see. Well, thanks for bringing him back, Tealla. Can I get you anything before you go?"
"Nope," Tealla curtly answers. "Make sure Sieg remembers that he lost. Tell him he better be worth the fight next time."
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1332
The Essex, Sieg's Room
________
I hate this damned guilt.
Why the fuck am I feeling it?
I don't regret destroying Night's Lantern, nor do I regret killing the Rift Wraith that lay within. Not one bit.
I had to do it, even though I lost to Tealla. I had to prevent her from making a big mistake.
"So why the damn guilt?" I say aloud. "I never promised I wouldn't destroy Night's Lantern if I lost!
I hate the damn guilt.
I fucking hate it.
Forget it. I have to focus on what comes next.
I made a promise to Amy, after all. I promised her I'd tell Asha... about Sledge...
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1410
The Essex's Bridge
________
Asha stands before me, hands balled up into fists and teeth clenched.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, kid," I offer. "I didn't want to--"
Though I see it coming, I don't try to stop it. She reaches up and slaps me across the face.
"I hate you," she whispers before running out of the bridge, with Amy in hot pursuit.
I sit in my chair, still sore from my match with Tealla.
"Please do not concern yourself too much, Sieg," Meander says soothingly. "Asha will not try to run away. Of this, I am certain."
Thanks, Meander. "Oh, I know that," I lie. "Don't you worry about me, kid."
"We all worry about you, Sieg," Willis says. "You should talk to us more often! We all love you, and we'll all follow you to the gates of hell. But we want to know more about you!"
"Yeah, man, tell us more stories about you, Tealla, and your master!" Sonny says jovially. "I want to hear more about the man behind the badass!"
I laugh out loud.
Thank you, my friends.
"You guys crack me up! Tell you what; I'll tell you another story tomorrow, one that I think you'll enjoy. Deal?"
The three youths yell the same thing in unison: "DEAL!"
________
Elsewhere on the ship, two crying girls embrace each other.
The younger of the two, Asha Hendrik, buries her face in the chest of the older one, Amy Corsair.
"Don't hate him," Amy begs, sobbing. "Please don't hate him, Asha. He only wants to protect us. He spends his entire day thinking of us!"
Asha lifts her head, meeting Amy's eyes. "I don't hate him," Asha replies, "I really don't! I'm not mad! I don't know why I said what I did! I have to tell him I'm sorry!"
"It's okay, kid. He knows you didn't mean it. Talk to him again a little later. He'll be fine, you'll see."
Asha nods, sniffling.
________
"My lord?" Her voice in my head. "We have an unexpected development."
What is it now?
I bring up the data that Circular sends me--
No!
NO!!!
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE!!!
"Circular, return to me immediately! We must prepare!!!"
________
--== EPISODE 6... END.
RATING: This story is rated "R" for mature subject matter, violence, and language.
DISCLAIMER: This story, its settings, its characters, and all its distinctive likenesses are Copyright 2004-2005 Carlos Alexandre. This is an original work and may not be published without Carlos Alexandre's written consent. Characters, settings, personas, etc. may not be used without, again, Carlos Alexandre's written consent. Any relation to this story and any real-life events, past or present, is entirely coincidental. And all that other crap.
If you're reading this anywhere but at www.triplepeeps.com, I recommend you go there instead; some places this fic is posted in might not be formatted or italicized/bolded/underlined correctly.
Author notes and special thanks are further down.
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1050
Mantra Tower, Chamber of the Night's Lantern
________
Watching this battle is akin to watching a game of paper-rock-scissors.
One in which the participants can read each other's minds.
Each and every move that Sieg and Tealla throw out is met and countered by the other. Indeed, they must not have been fighting at their full potential when they last faced each other, likely for fear of damaging Phoenix Station or hurting Tealla's would-be hostage, Armen Stratos.
Sieg parries a kick with the Crimson Edge, turning around, bringing the aether "blade" down hard. Tealla sees the maneuver and, with an aether-shielded forearm, deflects it, throwing her own counter back.
This continues for some time at close quarters, neither combatant gaining much ground over the other, until Sieg sidesteps another of Tealla's attacks, spying an opening.
Sieg roars with fury, tagging Tealla's midsection with the Crimson Edge. Her shield doesn't give in, preventing a potentially lethal cut, but the sheer force of the blow sends her flying back a ways.
The man smiles, holding the Crimson Edge in his left hand as he unsheathes an aether pistol, holding it with his right.
"DANCE, BITCH!" he shouts, firing rounds quickly.
The woman sees the oncoming fire, dodging each aether bullet, running laterally, strafing about and looking for an opening to return to melee range.
... Or is she?
________
Shit, that last shot hurt.
No time to nurse bruised pride, Tealla. Sieg earned that hit. This is what you trained for, so shit like this shouldn't phase you.
And it won't.
He keeps firing. Idiot. Compared to the point blank scrapping we were just doing, swerving around his petty little gunshots is nothing.
In fact, I intend to kill some time doing this. It's not wasting much of my energy, and soon my gut will be good enough to take another pounding.
________
Something's up.
She's toying with me. By now she should be back in my face.
So why isn't she?
"Don't be thinking that this gun will go through its aether reserves so soon," I call, hoping to force her hand. "Not only will the aether cartridge last a full twenty-four hours under heavy usage, but I've got another gun on me to boot!"
She doesn't reply, instead just smiling that cocky smile of hers as she continues dodging.
No good, I can't hit her like this. Even if we go at this for forty-eight hours straight, she will avoid every single shot.
Unless I change up my tactics, that is... but she'll use that opportunity to strike.
I could release the Crimson Edge and use both pistols; I'd connect with a few shots at least--
Nah, I wouldn't have the Edge at the ready, and I'll be needing it.
Screw this, it won't help. I stop firing, but I keep the gun out. Maybe I can catch her by surprise with it.
"Giving up already, Sieg?" Tealla taunts. "That's not like you!"
"Even I know a pointless struggle when I see it," I reply. "I do find this rather interesting, though. I beat you out in melee, your ideal zone, and you're making my normally top-notch gunplay look foolish."
"Indeed," she says, ready to dash in at a moment's notice. "So let's get this over with."
"Certainly!" I complete my chant under the disguise of putting away my pistol, knowing full well that she didn't see it. "NOVA!!!"
________
Though lacking the solar system-destroying power of an actual nova, the common incantation Nova envelopes a large area in a globe of burning aether.
Crap. First Willis, and now Sieg.; that's twice today I missed a painfully obvious chant.
I really have to find out how the Essex's crew is managing to mask their chanting so perfectly.
The fiery spell engulfs me--and almost the entire room--in heat and power, but not enough that I can't keep shielded and move at the same time.
I can't sense where he is. Not good. We have a psychic bond, my brother and I, but lately I suspect that he's able to hide himself from me.
No matter. He's the one more reliant on the cheap tricks, not me.
And if I know Sieg, he'll be...
"OVER THERE!" I roar, jumping blindly into the orange cloud of fiery energy, tagging him in the head with a kick.
His Nova dissipates as he reels back.
He laughs. "Not bad, sis!" he compliments, nursing his new sore spot. "Not bad at all!"
I bow a little. "Glad you approve."
I follow it up with a flood of close range attacks, ensuring my fists and feet are delivering a cold aether chill with each strike.
You aren't winning today, little brother. No chance in hell.
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1101
The Essex's Bridge, Holding Position Outside Mantra Tower
________
"Still quiet out here," I tell Meander. "You sensing anything?"
"No, Amy, I am not," she answers, sounding a little annoyed. " I lost all trace of our friends' mental signatures when they entered the tower, even Sonny's. And Sieg doesn't want me probing harder for fear of alerting the Centauri's people. So, as I told you before, I'm blind for now."
"Just checking, girl. You've been on edge since Sieg and the others left; I just want to make sure you're okay."
Meander stutters a bit as she answers. "O-oh, yes, of course Amy! Please accept my apologies; I did not mean to snap at you just now."
"No worries, Meander, no worries at all--"
"Hey, y'all out there?" a voice asks over the comm system.
"Sonny!" Meander nearly shouts, relief evident in her voice. "Is everything alright? Is anyone hurt?"
"Only our pride, babe, only our pride. Tealla beat us but good--"
"Not to be rude," I interrupt, "but why exactly is it that you're breaking radio silence, Sonny, if none of you are hurt?"
"Well," he explains, "I figure it didn't really matter. Hear that rumbling in the background? We can sense Sieg and Tealla fighting, even through all of Night's Lantern's interference. They're there already, and they'll be determining who walks away victorious, not us. Even if we happen upon the Centauri's crew, or they intercept this transmission, they'll likely be in the same boat, just waiting to hear from Tealla."
"Sonny, I'll ask you again," Meander says, her voice a little firmer. "Is anyone hurt?"
"No, babe, I told you, we're fine, but we're not in well enough shape to do any good down here. Would you please guide us back?"
"Do it, Meander," I order, opening another comm channel, the one the Essex and the Centauri commonly use to communicate to each other. "Centauri, this is Amy of the Essex. Looks like our respective leaders are locked in combat over Night's Lantern. We don't want to fight; we'll let Sieg and Tealla decide the outcome of this. Please reveal yourselves; being deep in Cruz Foundation's airspace is creepy enough without needing to worry about a concealed enemy ship."
No answer.
I guess I'll repeat myself. "Centauri, this is--"
"Hey, Amy," I hear Tommy's voice say, his face coming up on a view screen. "We've confirmed the same thing with Maxwell. Our airship will be coming up from below, so don't freak out and fire at us or anything. Can I ask that Meander use her abilities to guide our people out as well?"
I look at Meander, who nods.
"Got it, Tommy," I reply. "Our guys are a little bruised up, so if you and yours can lend a hand--"
"We're no different, I'm afraid," Tommy retorts, cutting me off. "Let's get them to each other and have them stay together."
"Sounds like a plan!"
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1116
Inside Mantra Tower
________
"So who was it?" I ask the big guy, supporting his arm on my shoulder.
"Sieg," Maxwell confirms. "You?"
"Your dear Lady Hyrem," I say, trying my hardest to sound regal.
"Do you need some help, Sonny?" Asha asks me. "That guy looks heavy!"
"That's Asha," I tell Maxwell. "Don't mind her, she's blunt."
The big man laughs. "So I see! I am Maxwell Farthas, young lady. Pleased to meet you."
"I'm Willis," my crewmate introduces, being helped up by Galvanos. "Sonny told us about you, Maxwell. If we ever find the time, I'd be interested in examining that weapon of yours. For purely scientific purposes, of course!"
The big man laughs again. "Certainly, Willis. I have heard of your legendary curiosity. Maybe you can even help me find out a little more about it."
"You don't know everything about it?" Lemires questions, able to walk under her own power alongside Asha.
"Enough to use it, and a little about its internal workings, but that's it."
"This way, you guys!" Asha calls back, staying focused on Meander's psychic beacon. We'd have a tough time getting out of this maze without it.
I smile, happy with the little party we've assembled here.
I like these people, the Centauri's crew. I really do.
Despite it all, it's good to know that if anything ever happens to the Essex, these people, who will quickly fight us as their enemies when necessary, will come to our aid just as fast.
I talk with Meander all the time about how great it would be if it was only one ship, led by Sieg and Tealla together. We'd be quite the force, the twelve of us.
But she and I also agree that part of what makes us all strong is the conflict between our two crews. If we didn't always have to outdo the other, we would weaken.
Still, I wonder if being weak is an acceptable price to pay--
Nah. Get that shit out of your head, Sonny.
I have a good life, I think. In the time I've been with the Essex, I've grown so much stronger, and not just as far as fighting is concerned. I've learned so much about Solstice and its people, made wonderful friends, and met the girl I love.
Yeah. A good life.
Marred only by the mark on my chest. The one that I must get revenge for before I die.
Maxwell... I wonder if your mark, your reminder of the Great Purge, lusts for vengeance as much as mine...
"I think I can walk on my own, now," he says, lifting himself up off of me.
"You sure, big man?"
"Yes. See? It is not a problem."
"Good, good! The rest of you okay?"
"I'm doing much better now," Willis says. "Thanks, Galvanos."
"No problem," the robed boy answers solemnly.
He's been real quiet this whole time. Wonder what's eating him up inside; Galvanos is usually quite jovial.
"He's taking his loss to Sieg rather hard," Maxwell whispers.
Makes sense. Galvanos is talented, but he's the sort who really punishes himself over mistakes, legitimate or otherwise. It's really too bad the guy doesn't have more confidence in himself; he has so much ability and works so hard.
"Come on, everyone!" Asha yells. "We're almost out!"
________
The two run around the room, closing the gap to clash every second or so, aether sparks flying about the room.
Above them, Night's Lantern watches... and waits...
________
"Are you sure it was wise to conspire with Tealla Hyrem, daddy?"
"Don't worry, my dear. She'll play right into my hands."
"And what about Sieg Hyrem, daddy?"
"He won't dance so predictably, I'm afraid. He may have to be... disposed of..."
________
AETHER PSYCHOSES
Tales from the Planet Solstice
An original fic by Carlos Alexandre (CMA)
________
This episode was originally released on Wednesday, June 15, 2005.
________
AUTHOR NOTES
I'm slightly late on this one; it came out a little after two weeks of releasing the last chapter. No worries, right?
As always, I accept, welcome, and encourage criticism. Send it to cma@triplepeeps.com or visit www.triplepeeps.com and post in the forum.
________
SPECIAL THANKS
Thanks to my fellow Triple Peeps, Grand Master Shoma (Apollo Alexandre) and Judge Neusy (Neusa Gaspar), for their support and kindness. They have good fics too, mostly of the fanfic variety, and they and I write some works together. Please check out www.triplepeeps.com for more!
Thanks to "Supafly" (David Hackman, also known as Majere) for inspiration and for letting me base a character in Aether Psychoses on him.
Thanks to the plethora of anime, movies, and video games that inspired me to envision and create this original work!
________
Pasts questioned, present squandered, future unknown.
It is human nature to walk forward while forever looking back.
A strangely comforting madness.
-= PHASE 1
--== EPISODE 6
---=== Will - Duty - Freedom
________
Six years ago...
HSD 226 - 08 - 01 - 1956
Seymour's Grave, Somewhere on Cipher
________
"I can't believe he's really gone," the boy says, his deep crimson hair dancing in the wind.
"That's life, Sieg," the girl replies as her own light brown hair follows suit.
A few more moments of silence pass, leaves flying in the air, as the two siblings look down upon the grave of their late master... and the only parent they had after their own mother and father were taken from them.
"What are you going to do now, Tealla?" the boy asks, facing the girl.
"Don't know," she curtly states, not moving.
"You know what we should do, sis?" the boy offers optimistically. "We should go into business together!"
"Business?" she asks, dumbfounded, now looking at the boy. "What kind of business could we run?"
"Well... We're both smart, having skipped grades and graduated early and whatnot. We're both strong, and probably more than a match for a lot of the people out there--"
"What're you getting at, Sieg?"
He looks her dead in the eye, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Let's become bounty hunters, Tealla! With our brains and brawn, and the two of us working together, we could bring down anyone, and make good money doing it!"
The girl looks down, seemingly pondering the boy's proposition. "Bounty hunters, eh, Sieg? ... Actually, I must admit, I like the idea!"
The boy's eyes sparkle, a happy smile building--
"But we aren't working together," the girl finishes.
"Why not, Tealla?" the boy asks, looking as saddened and confused as he sounds.
"What if I told you that, to me, becoming a bounty hunter means working for anyone paying the right price, no matter who they are?"
"Well, that's part and parcel of--"
"Even if it's the Cruz Foundation?"
The boy becomes silent, slowly letting his hands fall off the girl's shoulders.
"Maybe... maybe you're right," the boy acknowledges. "We wouldn't be good bounty hunters if we became picky. What if I told you I'm with you one hundred percent? We'll work for Cruz or anyone, no matter how much I may hate them, and we'll get our money."
The girl's eyes widen. She was not expecting that answer.
"You serious, Sieg?" she says. "You'd do that... for me? Even if you think it's wrong?"
"I love you, Tealla," the boy says sincerely. "I'll do anything for you."
The girl shuts her eyes tightly, fighting back tears.
Then, after a few seconds...
"No."
"What?"
"No, Sieg. We can't ever be bounty hunters together."
"Why not!?"
"You'll understand someday, little brother," the girl says, feeling the boy's cheek with her palm. "But promise me you won't ever betray your ideals. Become the best bounty hunter you can be, but don't work for anyone you hate."
The boy takes the girls hand into his own. "Okay. I promise. But what about you?"
"I'll do what I think is right, Sieg. Even if that means working for Cruz."
The boy nods, giving the girl's hand a gentle kiss. "I understand. But that means we'll be rivals. So don't think, for the slightest second, I'll hold back if you decide to cross my path."
She giggles. "Right back at you, jerk. And I'll kick your ass if you piss me off."
"So this is how it is from now on..." the boy says solemnly.
The girl leans forward and kisses the boy on the cheek. "Yeah, I guess."
________
The boy looks back, watching the girl disappear over the horizon.
"I love you, Tealla. I'll do anything for you."
He takes one last look at his master's grave.
Nodding in appreciation, he walks away, hands in pockets, not yet really knowing where he'll go or how he'll start his new life.
________
HSD 226 - 08 - 02 - 0036
Somewhere on Cipher
________
"I shouldn't feel bad," the boy mumbles.
He sits under a tree, his chin resting on his knees.
"This is what Tealla wants, right? She doesn't need you, Sieg," he tells himself.
The stars shine with a radiance only visible from the rural areas outside of Cipher's main cities.
"Why did this have to happen to us?" he asks the night sky. "If it wasn't for them... if it wasn't for the Cruz Foundation..."
"Me and Tealla would still be together. We would be happy together."
________
"Me and Tealla would still be together," I think aloud. "We would be happy together."
... Cruz Foundation.
I hate Cruz.
I hate them with every fiber of my being.
I hate them for this misery I feel.
Chirping. A gentle breeze. Rustling grass.
This night is certainly calming.
What would you say if you were still alive, Master Seymour?
"You'd probably tell me to stop my whining," I answer myself. "You'd tell me that who I am now is what matters. You'd say that if Tealla wants to become rivals, that I should do it, because proving I love her means giving her the freedom to grow."
I stand up, feeling a little better. "Yeah, that's what you'd tell me, isn't it?"
Maybe it's time to do just that.
"Then that's what I'll do!" I announce.
I'll become a bounty hunter and, someday, make enough money to buy my own airship.
I'll gather a crew--not one of servants, but one of friends--and we'll fly across the sky together!
And if I run into you, Tealla... we'll either talk about old times, or we'll fight.
And I'll win every time!
Yeah. It'll be great!
________
The present...
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1120
Sky Current
________
"So they're in the Night's Lantern chamber now?" I telepathically ask Shire.
"Yes, Master Sorel," he replies. "Currently the Hyrem siblings are locked in combat."
"Who's winning?"
"Neither one at this point. Each had moments where they appeared to be advantageous, only to have the other suddenly fight back enough to balance the scales."
Figures they'd be fighting each other like animals.
Those two monsters are bred for war. They thirst for blood and combat...
And they don't care about the consequences.
"Or who they might hurt," I mutter, only partially aware that I spoke out loud.
Sky Current... how much I hate this place.
A beautiful port city and commerce center.
Yeah, right.
Sky Current is the worst city I've ever had the misfortune of living in.
Its municipal government is corrupt, bribing officials to win elections, embezzling funds, making the rich richer and the poor poorer.
The schools here are a joke, to boot, and that didn't make my time here any easier. Each school might as well be a gang. We all fought one another, sometimes killing one another.
"Like animals," I mutter.
From what I've seen, things haven't changed.
Sky Current...
Mom... dad... why did you leave me alone here?
Are you stupid or something, Sylvan? They didn't leave you! They had no choice! They were murdered--
THEY HAD A CHOICE! They didn't need to visit Hyperion. Not then...
And what if history had played out differently, calling the disaster the "Sky Current Incident?" You'd be dead and they'd be alive--
It doesn't matter. What *they* did... is inexcusable.
I'll make you both pay, Sieg and Tealla.
I'll make you pay for not killing me instead!
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1122
Celestial Quarter
________
"We grow impatient, Celestial Knight," the first silhouette voices. "We have not seen any real progress on Project Estrela for a long time now."
"These delays are becoming tiresome," the second one adds. "We invested time and money in you to see results, not to hear excuses."
"You all must have patience," the sitting man answers, pale light barely illuminating his wicked smile. "Why, even now, real progress is being made! Have any of you read the data I've forwarded? The Hyrem children are fighting each other right now before the presence of Night's Lantern. There are some interesting statistics to see, I assure you."
"...What!? Impossible!" the first shadow exclaims. "These numbers can't be right! Seven-three-three-R and seven-three-three-S cannot be at this high an EPL!"
The second one cackles evilly. "This is truly spectacular!" it exclaims. "I had no idea these two were hiding so much power!"
The sitting man leans back. "I thought you might enjoy that--"
"I still don't believe it!" the first one barks. "Are they still fighting at Mantra Tower? Can we see the raw data in real-time as proof?"
The sitting man leans forward, tapping a few buttons on a terminal. "Help yourself! But if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
________
Buffoons, all of them.
Not at all beautiful.
But they are necessary if I am to complete Project Estrela, unfortunately.
"My lord?" Her voice in my head again.
"Yes, my student. Speak."
"It is as you suspected, my lord. He is watching... and waiting..."
"Good, my student--"
"There's more, my lord. I can sense someone with him. It seems like a Rift Wraith, but... different somehow."
Hmm... How very peculiar...
"Keep an eye on it, my dear girl. Perhaps we can use it to our advantage."
"Yes, my lord." She is gone.
Very odd, wretched one. What is it that you have planned for this world?
"Computer," I command, "bring up profile seven-three-three-Q."
"AFFIRMATIVE," the monotone female voice responds.
A hologram appears, showing a scale version of the most beautiful one, the most ugly one, of them all...
________
> SUBJECT 733Q
> ARMEN STRATOS
> Age: 43
> Height: 5' 10"
> Hair: Gray (natural)
> Eyes: Dark Blue
> Known Living Relatives: None
> Estimated Power Level: 23,500
> Armaments and Tactics: Extensive martial arts mastery, extensive weapons mastery, extensive aether mastery (all types)
> Subject is currently CEO of the Cruz Foundation. He rose to power through means unknown.
> Subject professes a mission of peace and has gained impressive popularity the world over. Subject claims his goal is to end the Trinity War.
> Subject possesses vast and varied combat abilities, from armed and unarmed physical combat skills to powerful, quickly chanted aether incantations. Subject is a natural born combatant and generates an immensely powerful aether aura. Currently, however, subject does not frequently engage in combat.
> Before leaving Cruz Foundation's private army, subject was known to have taken down, unaided, 432 battleships over the course of 10 years. He played a major role in the pacification of the renegade Testament-class capital warship Stasis.
> Subject currently spends most of his time at Phoenix Station. What the floating outpost possesses formidable firepower, we have compromised her defenses before, and can do so again with minimal trouble. In the unlikely even that Phoenix Station builds an immunity to our hacking attempts, covert operations and sleeper agents are recommended over brute force.
> Subject is a desired objective in the completion of Project Estrela, though not technically necessary. However, subject's substantial formidability and political influence must not be ignored. Exercise extreme caution in all matters concerning subject.
> Threat Potential: A+. Very high risk, motives unknown.
> EOF
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1130
Mantra Tower, Chamber of the Night's Lantern
________
"WHIRLPOOL!" Sieg announces, summoning a tornado of water to envelope Tealla.
The woman, confident, runs into the liquid, knowing that she has enough momentum to make it through--
"BLIZZARD!" Sieg yells, focusing the icy power onto his previous incantation, freezing the watery wall solid... with Tealla inside.
Realizing her folly, she smashes through the ice, but not before her brother reaches her. Seizing the opportunity, Sieg strikes fast and hard with the Crimson Edge, the red "sword" clashing against Tealla's shield.
The woman tries to defend as best she can against the repeated strikes, but is being slowly overwhelmed.
"IT'S OVER, TEALLA!" Sieg roars.
Finally, it seems as if one side is gaining the upper hand.
________
I can't believe he duped me with such an obvious trick.
Am I really that foolish, that headstrong, that he knew I'd try to go through the Whirlpool rather than around it!?
Shoulder... hurts...
STOP IT! NOW'S NOT THE TIME TO WHIMPER! HE'S BEATING YOU!!!
He keeps swinging, not letting up for even a moment. I have to think of something fast.
If I can pull off a full-power Cold Shadow, it will be all over. But if I start chanting now, I'll be vulnerable.
... Fuck it. I can keep enough of a shield up to last until the ice aether barrier Cold Shadow emits comes up. I begin willing the incantation to life...
________
You've got to be kidding me! You're chanting now?
Fine, sis. Your loss.
I mercilessly beat down on her rapidly failing aether shield, hoping she'll do the right thing and just surrender soon--
What the!? Something's pushing me away!
But... but she's not finished her chant yet!
Raw determination crosses her face as she smiles through gritted teeth, now completely abandoning her aether shield and relying on this strange force to keep me at bay.
"I gave your crew a small taste of this, little brother!" Tealla yells. "But I'll give you the full meal deal!!!"
I press on, trying to get through the barrier, deflecting as much of the ice-type aether as I can with the Crimson Edge, but to no avail.
Instead, I opt to jump away and ready my defenses. Whatever incantation she's chanting is going to happen.
"COLD SHADOW!" she announces.
Interesting, Tealla. Naming your new unique incantation after your "handle" of sorts.
So what is it going to be, I wonder? A super-powerful ice-type attack to rival Avalanche, maybe?
Or... maybe something else entirely...
"... Cool," I mouth, watching what appears to be a floating white and blue aura in the shape and visage of a female silhouette take form above Tealla.
Speaking of my dear sister, her nose is bleeding, and I'm pretty sure I didn't cause it.
Maintaining this new "Cold Shadow" incantation must take some huge amount of concentration.
"Game over, Sieg," Tealla says as the blood trickles down her face--
She disappears from sight before I can finish my thought!
But... But she was so strained, so exhausted!
How can she still move this fast?
This... this feeling...
It feels like Tealla's aether signature, but far more intense!
... So you've been holding back on me, Tealla.
Heh, and I thought I was sooooooooo smart masking my presence from you back on that abandoned ship outside Phoenix Station. I was so happy.
So happy... that I didn't even think you might've been doing the same thing.
The next thing I see is a fist coming at my face faster than I can react to it. It hits, and boy, does it ever hit good. As I fly back, I spit out some blood.
The silhouette is suddenly floating above me! I swing at it with the Crimson Edge, but it dodges the blow and descends, pummeling my shield relentlessly. As it does, Tealla sneaks up from behind, and the two sandwich me, surrounding me in a gauntlet of smashes that I'll be hard-pressed to escape.
Amazing, big sister. Simply amazing, to be striking with such power while still maintaining something so complex and powerful as your new Cold Shadow incantation.
I abandon my hold on the Crimson Edge, watching it disappear from existence, using aether to propel myself away from the beating.
Unfortunately for me, Tealla anticipates my direction...
And, in tandem with her aether "double," she strikes me in the head with an aether-charged foot.
So strong... so brutally accurate...
Though I stay standing for a while, I know it's over. I wobble, fighting with everything I have to keep my balance.
Finally, I fall.
I lost.
Crap. Now she's one up on me again. And just when I evened out the score, too--
No, I didn't even out shit. Our last fight wasn't that long ago. I was holding back, but she was suppressing her power even more than I was.
Sure, she may have trained hard since then, but not enough to be at this level so soon.
She's been this strong for a long time; I realize that now, and I feel stupid for not cluing in sooner.
"Good work, sis," I'm barely able to say, sitting back against a wall. "Good work. I concede. You win."
Tealla falls to one knee, breathing heavily, and releases Cold Shadow.
She looks up at Night's Lantern, which slowly lowers, still within its aether bubble.
________
You idiot, Sieg.
What the hell are you feeling so down for?
Counting today, Tealla's defeated you only one more time than you've beaten her. So why all the feelings of inferiority?
You beat her on Phoenix Station legitimately; the two of you were fighting on the same level, on the same terms, even if neither of you were giving one hundred percent.
You beat her countless times before Phoenix Station, both by taking advantage of her mistakes and by simply outperforming her.
And you've known, for a long time, that she's, technically, more powerful than you are. And not just in terms of EPL, either.
Which means that, next time, you just have to be better.
That's it.
She isn't out of your reach, Sieg. She never will be. Don't ever forget that.
________
"Great, now I'm talking to myself via inner monologue," I sputter.
Night's Lantern hovers a few feet above the ground, almost beckoning Tealla to take it.
Tealla...
"I love you, Tealla," I told her so long ago. "I'll do anything for you."
Ignoring my body's cries for help, I stand up. She doesn't see me; I'll make this quick.
"I'll do anything for you," I whisper. "No matter what."
________
I won!
I won I won I won!
I told you, Sieg.
I told you that you didn't stand a chance.
You fought the good fight, though. I'm proud. And I know you'll get all psyched up and ready for our next fight, so I can't slack off now!
But what matters, for now, is my prize!
Night's Lantern is all mine!
My bait to nail Chrysalis and my bargaining chip with Armen Stratos; it's all mine!
All I have to do... is take it...
________
As Tealla Hyrem approaches the relic, intent on claiming it as her own, she doesn't notice that Sieg has returned to his feet.
Having jumped into the air, the Crimson Edge re-formed, Sieg holds it in both hands, ready to thrust the weapon downward as he lands.
He falls, and strikes...
And the Night's Lantern, Sieg's target, breaks into several pieces.
Tealla, wide-eyed and shocked, sees and feels an evil energy seeping out of Night's Lantern's remains, forming a ghostly human shape.
"A... Rift Wraith!?" Tealla whispers.
The Wraith cries out, screeching with fury and rage.
"You have freed me, humansssss," it hisses. "In return, I will make your deathsssss painlessssss--"
The visage then yells in agony, its ethereal body splitting in half.
It disappears from existence, revealing, behind it, Sieg Hyrem, Crimson Edge drawn, finishing the follow-through of his swing.
"Stupid ass Rift Wraith. Shut the fuck up." he spits before collapsing, now unconscious.
Tealla stands there for a while, sorting out her thoughts.
"What the hell was that?" Tealla breathes.
________
"What the hell was that?"
No... you were right.
You were right, Sieg!
There was something evil inside of Night's Lantern!
And if you hadn't just destroyed it, I would be carting it around in my ship by now.
"You... you IDIOT!" I scream at the passed out Sieg, not really sure what I'm doing or why. "Who asked you to interfere, huh!? Who the FUCK ASKED YOU!!?"
He can't hear me.
What's this... tears?
Am I crying?
Oh, FUCK me!
"The fuck am I crying for!?" I ask myself, my breathing quickening. "I didn't do anything wrong! I didn't ask for any help!"
All of a sudden, I feel violent shaking.
Oh, shit. Think for a moment.
Was Night's Lantern holding Mantra Tower in the sky?
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
I dry my eyes. Whatever the fuck I'm crying about, I can do it later. I have to get out of here now--
"TEALLA!" It's Tommy, over the TPC. "Tealla, the whole tower's coming down! Listen: follow Meander's psychic trail! She'll lead you out!"
Meander!? What's going on out there?
"I'm on my way, Tommy!" I tell him.
"Tealla, this is Meander!" I hear in my head. "Is Sieg with you? I sense that he is unconscious--"
"He is!" I respond telepathically, cutting her off, as I hoist Sieg's body up on my shoulder. "It's a long story! He'll explain it to all of you later, I'm sure! For now, don't worry! I've got him!"
"Understood! Just follow my lead!"
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1150
The Essex
________
"Is he okay?" Amy asks, trying to sound calm.
"Yeah, he's fine," Tealla answers, setting the unconscious Sieg against the corridor wall.
"So... who won?" Asha asks.
"I did," Tealla replies proudly.
"Was it close?" Asha presses.
"Does it matter?"
"No, it doesn't," Amy cuts in. "What happened to Night's Lantern?"
"Sieg destroyed it. That's why Mantra Tower is about to make a rather large crater in Cipher's countryside."
"I see. Well, thanks for bringing him back, Tealla. Can I get you anything before you go?"
"Nope," Tealla curtly answers. "Make sure Sieg remembers that he lost. Tell him he better be worth the fight next time."
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1332
The Essex, Sieg's Room
________
I hate this damned guilt.
Why the fuck am I feeling it?
I don't regret destroying Night's Lantern, nor do I regret killing the Rift Wraith that lay within. Not one bit.
I had to do it, even though I lost to Tealla. I had to prevent her from making a big mistake.
"So why the damn guilt?" I say aloud. "I never promised I wouldn't destroy Night's Lantern if I lost!
I hate the damn guilt.
I fucking hate it.
Forget it. I have to focus on what comes next.
I made a promise to Amy, after all. I promised her I'd tell Asha... about Sledge...
________
HSD 232 - 06 - 01 - 1410
The Essex's Bridge
________
Asha stands before me, hands balled up into fists and teeth clenched.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, kid," I offer. "I didn't want to--"
Though I see it coming, I don't try to stop it. She reaches up and slaps me across the face.
"I hate you," she whispers before running out of the bridge, with Amy in hot pursuit.
I sit in my chair, still sore from my match with Tealla.
"Please do not concern yourself too much, Sieg," Meander says soothingly. "Asha will not try to run away. Of this, I am certain."
Thanks, Meander. "Oh, I know that," I lie. "Don't you worry about me, kid."
"We all worry about you, Sieg," Willis says. "You should talk to us more often! We all love you, and we'll all follow you to the gates of hell. But we want to know more about you!"
"Yeah, man, tell us more stories about you, Tealla, and your master!" Sonny says jovially. "I want to hear more about the man behind the badass!"
I laugh out loud.
Thank you, my friends.
"You guys crack me up! Tell you what; I'll tell you another story tomorrow, one that I think you'll enjoy. Deal?"
The three youths yell the same thing in unison: "DEAL!"
________
Elsewhere on the ship, two crying girls embrace each other.
The younger of the two, Asha Hendrik, buries her face in the chest of the older one, Amy Corsair.
"Don't hate him," Amy begs, sobbing. "Please don't hate him, Asha. He only wants to protect us. He spends his entire day thinking of us!"
Asha lifts her head, meeting Amy's eyes. "I don't hate him," Asha replies, "I really don't! I'm not mad! I don't know why I said what I did! I have to tell him I'm sorry!"
"It's okay, kid. He knows you didn't mean it. Talk to him again a little later. He'll be fine, you'll see."
Asha nods, sniffling.
________
"My lord?" Her voice in my head. "We have an unexpected development."
What is it now?
I bring up the data that Circular sends me--
No!
NO!!!
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE!!!
"Circular, return to me immediately! We must prepare!!!"
________
--== EPISODE 6... END.