PROLOGUE:
Inside a small, cool, damp and mildly smelling log cabin, with cracked rotting walls, a single squared shaped window and little furniture. Rain sounded audibly as Doctor Osborne sat on a dry, roughly textured wooden chair matching the walls. Before him sat someone with dark green crepes and gloves on another chair, his pale and dark face almost concealed in the hood with his amber eyes.
The began talking subtly. "Phillip. I must hope you're not too shaken by Kufre's death, are you?"
"Honestly" The hooded muttered clearly. "I found him to be someone I may not bother missing in the slightest, but he had good visions. I wish I could complete them with him... I'm fine now, thanks." He waved, his back rested.
Osborne sat like so, then moved further. "Were you able to get Mathew Craig's sample?"
Phillip smiled wryly. "Yes Doctor." He took out a vial with red liquid from his pocket, before moving upright, shaking it minutely. "Why though...? He's just a teacher."
"That's a hypothesis." Osborne grinned as his eyes glistened. "You see, Sir Mathew might just be a teacher, or someone valuable who's learnt to hide in plain sight."
Phillip's smile turned curious as he inclined his pose. The atmosphere quieted as the splashing rain felt tensed. What is he talking about?
***
Within a huge, well-lit, giant pillared and cemented ballroom in a castle, a tall, bald, athletic and dark-skinned man stood in the middle. Clothed in a long black robe with gold linings, he pocketed his hands, staring upwards.
Shortly after, from a door far off, silence dropped swiftly as a fair-skinned and athletic man with dark and curly hair walked in. He appeared as though he may have a message for him.
"Loyal," he called. "Fatimah might as well find us here." He waved quickly. "I told you we should go further from Navel Forest."
"Don't worry." Loyal turned to him slowly. "Thing is, Derek has Fatimah's and Japheth's blood sample from World 4... the only thing we have to do is to go back there, hopefully 'actually' get the second Totem of Fates and comeback home." He pointed. "Derek is coming from there in the next one hour... Then with Japheth's D.N.A, let's just hope he can trap him in his world"
The friend then relaxed composure. "Alright then," he spoke. "When are we going to bring my sister then?"
"Soon." Loyal spoke "Gather her and the rest. Larry."
Larry smiled on hearing this. "Yes, Sir."
After this, he then retreated out the room through the door, onward to the mission.
***
SCENE: WOODEN COTTAGE-MORNING.
"Get off your ass and fetch water for the horses." A woman called. "We don't wanna be late for Fatimah."
A tall, fair-skinned, athletic but slender read head with short hair stood above a girl looking like Fatimah, lying asleep on a small and green couch. Cozy breeze entered into the wooden walled and floored cottage-like interior.
The dark girl winced. Whining, she got up. "Screw you, Priscilla." She murmured.
"Oh, trust me Fiona, I bet you'll be doing that a lot." Priscilla smirked as she got up, following her down a corridor matching the room.
Fiona looked up. "By the way, how about you and Japheth... You've never talked in ages, at least weeks for that matter."
"My dear, I just..." Priscilla sighed. "I have work and everything. I'm not even meant to be here... I'm a teacher and-."
"Please" Fiona teased, dropping her bucket. "If you don't get it together, Cecilia will definitely take your man... He sees you as a mom sometimes or a sister. "She raised her voice with stressed hands. "Fatimah actually gave a shot."
"Stop being a kid." The lady whined. "I really like Japheth, but I wish there's more time to give love a chance."
A tall, olive skinned, mesomorph but athletic blond boy met them. "Wassup, guys?"
"Priscilla's still being single." Fiona smirked.
The friend chuckled. "Hehe you're cooked."
The three then continued, chatting with the quiet.
***
At the foot of a huge, well detailed and dark-grey walled castle with tall rooves, fresh air circled the placed in the scorching morning sun. Fatimah stood inches from the coarsely textured andesite stairway from the huge, spruce wood entranced door, staring still at it.
She must have pondered over something at the moment with her steadied gaze. Later on, footsteps sounded behind her. She turned quickly, spying Priscilla, Fiona, and the olive skinned blonde from before.
She beamed. "Manuel." She ran to hug him and the gang. "I'm so glad you were able to make it."
"Honey, we love you too much." Priscilla and the rest released. "Also, Loyal was quite an asshole for all of us so, yeah, he-he... although, I bet he's not like Kufre."
"Yeah, speaking of which." Fatimah withdrew, her composure humble. "I feel really bad about killing him..." I just felt really vengeful, and I didn't want him running more operations like he did before." Her head bent with narrow eyes.
Manuel studied her then smiled mutely.
"Well," he stepped to her. "At least you won't be forced to take lives with your head at stake." His voiced reduced. Fatimah looked, smiling warmly. "Thanks, handsome." Manuel simply chuckled.
He then turned. "Priscilla what's the plan again?"
"Nothing hard." She announced. "We just gotta head to The Cherished Mansion 2 hours past noon... at least before Loyal leaves for that Way Stone to travel again.
"Aight, bet." Fiona smiled. "Hopefully, I won't be taking too many orders from you this time around."
Priscilla just shook her head then beamed. They're definitely out to stop him.
***
As Fatimah walked off, unaware of what brewed beneath her feet, another battle was already underway in the forgotten tunnels
Inside an opening wide enough for 10 people, with rocky platforms, laden with cloth tools, Okon, Jericho and Silver set in the single-lantern lit room, they chatted cooly.
"Dang." Okon's eyes widened. "You mean "the" Manuel Brick... Fatimah's boyfriend, was one of your students."
"Not only." Silver beamed. "That's also my son."
The boy's faces were flat with shock.
"Unfortunately, during one of my missions to defeat Kufre, I was kidnapped by Loyal and dragged along with hypnosis as he controlled me to get rid of Manuel, Fatimah, Fiona and the rest, along with retrieving Larry for him."
He paused with a cold face. "For some reason, it's like someone betrayed him, asking me to go to The Cherished Mansion where I would meet everyone and simply bomb the place... killing everyone plus Larry, Loyal and Kufre."
The boys kept gazing at him. It's quite amazing, so to say.
Silver then smiled as his amber eyes glowed. "I know... silly me and my team facing a monster with Decahedron armor." He stopped. "Why do you think I stole a full set from him, once?"
Jericho's brows raised with a hand on his mouth. "Yooo." He remarked, "With a sick amount of T.N.T, and Okon's potions... we can definitely win this time at the mansion."
"Yeah." Silver cut in. "If only we can-."
"BOOOM!"
"Oh, come on!" Okon whined. "It's nearby."
The trio rushed out of the small cave with panicked faces. On stopping, they spied Loyal atop a tall formation about a mile away. He wore a black and purplish sturdy armor with a sleek look, triumphantly tall as lava illuminated him.
Silver frowned. "How?!"
"I thought I would take more surveillance." Loyal chuckled. He then turned to Okon.
"Finally, the brother of that proud law enforcer." He slyly gleamed. "He and Fatimah make quite a pair... heartless creatures ridding off peace for personal gain."
"You're no better." Okon shouted. "She killed Kufre because he was much worse than you, at least before."
"Oh, don't start judging me, boy." Loyal spoke, tensing his face. "Derek," He turned. "Come along with Larry and his sister."
Derek came from an opening of the cave close to him, along with Larry, Timothy and an athletic olive-skinned red head of average height. Okon's eyes widened as Jericho did same.
"I thought you're in prison!" He harked.
"Bloody hell, that's what happened?" Derek chuckled. "Luckily, shit's different in my universe."
Silver aimed his crossbow. Loyal's gleam seemed to mock him. "Good thing getting the second Totem of Fate's going to be snappy."
"And so shall this fight." Silver gritted glowing eyes.
***
Above the chaos, two brothers watched the world they helped build slowly unravel.
Baldwin and Jackson, in silk and white robes, sat on a black, cream lined big mat with the shining early morning sunlight and wide, flower-filled grassy field. Cool and gentle breeze circled as the tall and handsome fair-skinned athletic men talked.
"Baldwin" Jackson chipped in. "Why didn't you tell me about Timothy?"
"Because... he's behind me and better off than me being an ass of a model to him." He sighed.
"He's a thief." Jackson shot. "Look, I know you've not been the best uncle and leader most times, but I know even Aldous doesn't judge you despite his harsh leadership you took after."
"Hehe," Baldwin's chuckle suppressed. "Aldous was always better, I guess... and to be honest," his face straightened. "Timothy would've been much less happy working with us."
"He almost killed you." Jackson intoned, his voice shocked and hearse. "Do you have any idea what him being your enemy can do to you?"
"He can only remain our enemy because of the terror Aldous and I made to intimidate him."
"But that didn't transform Japheth."
Jackson lowered his voice. "With the right push, he loved himself more... if you do that for yourself, Timothy will do same and even come to you."
Baldwin quieted, staring at the grass then turned. "Thank you, Jackson."
"I love you too, bro."
Baldwin then squinted as Jackson froze his smile at him, hand on his shoulder.
"Jackson."
"Yeah."
"Stop being gay."
"Also," Baldwin pulled out a blue shining orb from his pocket. "I sent Japheth, Fatimah and Cecilia down to locate Loyal below Navel Forest... They probably facing him along with Larry." Baldwin faced the orb. "How's it going down there?"
Back in the underground battlefield, Japheth held a blue glowing orb to his face. "Actually, splendid sir." Japheth was in the same cavernous place Okon and Loyal were. Just about a mile below, at the foot of a big formation, he spied the parties fighting wildly. In an instant, someone stood tall behind Japheth, casting an eerie and slow shadow.
"Hehehe, you bastard."
Japheth turned, his eyes wide, staring at Derek Florian. He then grinned, morphing his shape to look like Japheth. He gasped at this. What bikery?
"See ya, kid." Derek then sped miles from Japheth.
Japheth then tensed his frame. Instantly, he then zoomed the same away toward Derek and his goal.
Meanwhile, Okon, armed with small and spherical shaped vials of various coloured liquids, alongside Jericho with his long iron sword, warred with Larry, who carried his big jet-black sword. KLANG! Lava falls shone on them sharply, as they swung with fierce scowls.
Eventually, Larry pushed Jericho far down a slope. In a quick turn he glared at Okon. One lift of his blade then – SWOOSH! Okon vanished.
About a mile from Larry, a girl patted his shoulders, as if to check up on him. It was Fiona! Okon's' eyes narrowed. How did she... Wow.
"Did you have a hunch?"
"Yeah, he-he." Fiona heaved, "I guess limping thugs still need hypnosis to break a bit... Japheth's busy but we're here now."
The two then smiled. As they turned upward to a tall and rocky formation, atop it Fatimah, clad in black steady, glowed close to lava slashing at a foe.
"POW!"
The girl dashed a blow, blasting Loyal straight in the air. Down to a wall he crashed hard. The villain then relaxed as Fatimah appeared with small purple glitter around her. In a readied pose, her sword aimed at Loyal, as if to rob him.
"What's your problem?" She harked. "Ferrum Terra mustn't be made responsible for Kufre's murder. I..."
"Shut up." Loyal heaved, slowly standing. "You know what? Your disgusting nature actually did more good than bad... fuck, you actually encouraged me further to clean this place off its lack of order... The world is far from reason and trust me, your efforts don't bring it."
"How about some breathing space?" She relaxed.
"Will you... gaah!" He fisted, approaching Fatimah. "Evokers don't get any... Derek's brother is one so he'll definitely back that."
Loyal breathed, scowling lightly. "The unforgivable crimes to compensate for the evil of this world intends for me to rest with Kufre rather than continue his work." He raised his stance slowly. "He knew how to change us better before he was corrupted and selfish."
His sword and head raised. "Edem will be cursed for his vindication, despite Derek's offenses."
He then lifted his hand as a blue and translucent fire shone there. Fatimah's face paled a bit.
"Good luck." Loyal slyly spoke, his face dull.
Instantly, his fingers snapped.
***
While Jackson grieved one truth, Cecilia was about to discover another.
Elsewhere in the forest that night, in a thick forest at night with cool breeze and temperature, a small and arched stone-brick bridge stood above a river by several feet. Well-lit with lanterns, Edem and Cecilia in black combat gear stood resting against its side, spying the river with quiet voices.
"Here of all places." Cecilia motioned. "Mobs spawn like crazy in forests."
"Here's a patrol area... of course the area's well lit." Edem was straight-faced at her scared eyes. "Also, I've been thinking."
Cecilia relaxed her face, leaning to him.
"Am I... too much?"
The lady then squinted minutely, she then smiled a little. "Eddy, what happened?"
"Sometimes, I feel I need to be cold and untouchable as a leader but... Derek's leg-." He fisted, not looking at Cecilia. "Dang, that was pay-back really, but I'm barbaric, how could I... huh."
Cecilia still stared with her former look, then faced the river. "Look, you're a ton of annoying things but barbaric's not in the picture... Jericho thinks you're cool."
"How about Okon?" Edem turned sharply. "There's something about how he handles justice the way I wouldn't."
Cecilia gazed at him. "It's like I'm becoming the old Fatimah and it's reminding me of what Loyal said when we last fought."
Cecilia paused staring.
"We should treat others the way we would want to be treated... I don't know about some cases though." Edem spoke. "And our way of addressing faults should be only constructive... without penance or vengeance."
"Now that's legit but... the penance part?" Cecilia squinted, shaking her head. "Naaah, what are you saying?"
"He might make point." Edem turned.
"You're better than sulking."
It wasn't Cecilia's. They sharply turned back, seeing Doctor Osborne in their attire facing them. "Maturity as a leader comes naturally with experience so it would be best not to see yourself as below humane."
Edem and Cecilia smiled hearing his cool and deep voice.
"Also, there's a problem." Osborne paced. "We captured one of Loyal's men and searched his tent. What we saw was too dark."
The duo clasped hands behind with straight frowns. The atmosphere tensed.
"Japheth nearby acquired his powers fighting The Prime Eclipse from another world. This may explain why he wasn't prepared for what Derek had in store for him." His sad face froze.
"Derek shape-shifted into Japheth and with the help of the speed-force... I'm sad to say that he trapped Japheth in a different world, probably as we speak."
Edem gaped, his eyes wide. "Wow!" He broke waving. "Who'll stop him, then...?" Our only bet may be Timothy but... wait, Derek from where?"
"Loyal brought another one from World 4." Osborne motioned. "But I know who can stop him."
Edem's form relaxed.
"Mathew Craig."
The two gazed with puzzled faces. "He's just an alchemy teacher."
"No." Osborne halted. "Okon was right... It seems Mathew, or actually, Craig, tried to investigate whether he is his distant nephew." The aged man smiled. "When we took his blood sample and gave it to a blood alchemist to match it with Effiong and Okon's... believe it or not."
Edem's eyes panicked.
"Mathew Craig is Shadow Crawler."
"Ahem." Edem winced, folding arms. "Wait, how?"
"Our old enemy turned a new leaf. From Baldwin's reports of The Prime Eclipse's death, it may be because of Effiong's... a shame really." Osborne pointed then face the duo. "I would've still loved it if Timothy helped us though, but it won't mean anything if he and Baldwin were close."
"That's ok." Cecilia shrugged. "Lord Crawler stops Derek, and Priscilla can stop Loyal... they'll be great." She then withdrew. "But she'll be devastated... Japheth's in World 4."
"I know." Osborne frowned, looking down a bit. "But we have bigger problems... Derek's used a Way Stone to come back, but we'll destroy his plans." He waved. "At any point from now, Loyal will wage his war with every inch of lapis he'll share to the public."
The man's face then brightened, facing Edem. "By the way, I hear Okon and Jericho are gifted alchemists some-what in the making, am I right?"
Edem smiled with proud eyes. "You have no idea, sir."
With that, they continued chatting, as ambition rose within the quiet.
***
"WHOOSH!"
A huge trail of fire in the air blasted for about 40 yards across a grassy field in the bright morning. As it settled in seconds, the source showed to be a fist of Okon, right beside someone looking like him but a bit bigger and darker. The duo lightly heaved. Okon turned, almost dancing.
"Effiong, that's crazy."
"For where?" Effiong chuckled, shaking his head. "You haven't used a fire res potion to wrap yourself in fire for a cannon. He-he, this guy?"
"Dude." Okon turned to where the fire reached, smiling with his hands cupped.
"Thanks, bro." Okon faced Effiong. "Someday. I'm gonna be like you... I gotta go now, bye."
He waved, before departing his cousin. Effiong simply stared, beaming at Okon, before his smile turned stale. Jericho then approached him from behind.
"I love how he's like, one of your best friends, no matter who the heck you are." He stopped at Effiong's left.
"I know, but..." He sighed, heaving. "I'm afraid he may take back those words."
Jericho looked to him, dull faced, then beamed lightly. "Last I checked, people aren't good at deciding the worst for themselves."
Effiong faced him.
"Because nobody likes failure." Jericho's calm eyes gazed at Effiong. He faced him, then the horizon, his face copying Jericho's. Chill, huh?
He then lifted his hand, his fingers poised to snap. "You know." He spoke meekly. "You're so freaking right."
His fingers set ablaze incrementally. Thumb, index and ring digit. With the growing flame, they clicked to a spark.
***
BOOOM!
A huge, rocky hill-like formation exploded with massive flames in a dark cavernous place. Above it, Loyal back-flipped high above it from its top, before landing a few tens of yards from it.
On recovery, Larry's sister rushed to him. On spying the wreck, she darted a long distance from its maker... Okon!
The boy, alongside Manuel and Jericho, relaxed, dazzling in light from the flames. They stood tall, eying the duo.
The lady's face fumed. "That will be my kill, thank you very much." She whipped out a gleaming katana from her hip.
"You jeeeaaaalous?!" Okon chuckled, mouthing wide, heaving with eyes closed. "I heard you're good with elemental vexes... Bring it on, bitch!"
The woman's eyes sharpened. Her sword set ablaze. Tension peaked. Hair rose.
The fire whirled swiftly, faster than sound. With a maniac grin, she chanted words, then...
KABOOM!
A huge tunnel of fire began dashing with speed toward Okon. Its colossal glow filled his eyes from a distance. His pale face. Is this it?
Before impact. A figure stood affront him, blocking the attack with his hands. Silver Brick!
The katana still blasted, with Silver wrapping the flames into a ball. You could sense the heavy feel wrecked the scene.
After 10 seconds, finally. The tunnel ceased. Silver cradled a thick, violent and huge ball of fire.
He turned quickly to a vast, abandoned place miles off. In a great push, the flames zoomed the distance, then...
BOOOM!
The damage landscaped. A bloody masterpiece. Silver turned to the girl.
"You sly, old child." He laughed, his frame wary. "Pussy."
Manuel gaped. His eyes wide. He lightly gasped with his hands half-way. "D-dad?"
Silver's brow raised, glancing at the blonde. "Son." He mirrored his face.
Okon copied their looks. His hands on his head. "Guys this chapter is crazy!"
"Who's talking?" Manuel guffawed. "E.A Hogan's probably tripping."
"We'll be if we don't wrap up these two." Silver faced Loyal and his partner. "Tope's like... damn."
Loyal frowned so hard; his fist's solid. "Screw the country."
"And your agenda." Jericho approached, his sword shining in hand.
With that they stood tall, poised for war, as E.A's hands shook penning this glory.