DAY 47
The no roof auditorium was abuzz with excitement; cheers so loud, they could be heard miles away. It was the championship game between the Yuni Fireballs and Unity United that had the spectators in a frenzy. The fourth quarter was well underway and the score, depicted on boards above the crowded bleachers, showed it was tied. The game had been brutal so far; blood was splattered on sections of the court and both teams had to use players from their bench, due to numerous injuries.
Kane Urasa sat in the presidential booth set up by people from Earth for the event. It was constructed of oak wood and was nestled comfortably between two bleacher sections, overlooking mid court. The booth was spacious enough to seat twenty-eight Humans in comfort on soft cushion recliner chairs, with room for two tables full of refreshments. The only empty seat was next to him in the front row; every other had a member of the President of Utopia's cabinet, along with selected friends and family, who felt watching the final game of a battleball legend was worth intergalactic travel.
Kane was munching on popcorn, feeling a conflicting set of emotions, as Jormicha deftly steals the ball from Gravel, who gave chase to the bounding theft with hands of fog-glass, formed from the court.
Kane (voiceover)
This is one game I would rather bet on, than play in. Even though I had big money on the Fireballs, meeting Jormicha and learning he was as cool in real life as he appeared on holoview, and that this was his retirement game, made me not want to see him lose. When he wasn't kicking me in the face, he had me enthralled with stories of his rookie year. When he publicly announced his retirement after our meeting, my voice was just as loud as the gathering of fans in our chants of "Thank you, Jo!" Gravel, on the other hand, is a jerk, but his team is undefeated, thus a surefire for a gambler of my renown. But still, if Jormicha and the United come off with the upset, I won't be disappointed.
Kane cheers, as does the entire booth, when the United scored. Even in his excitement, he still felt the man who invited him, climbing the small set of stairs to the door, with his Awareness. President Jerry Lake entered, greeting some with handshakes, hugging others, before taking his seat next to Kane. He smoothed out wrinkles in his golf shirt, taking in the action.
Lake
Sorry about that. Had a little presidential business to handle.
Kane
Everything okay back home?
Lake
This had more to do with the security here. Bodies of mutilated Pians have my Secret Service on edge. They suggest I cut my visit short and head back to Earth.
Kane
What bodies?
Lake
Over the past five days, no less than eight people have been found murdered within Humburg. One, not a mile from here, yesterday. All same manner of death, dismemberment by something very sharp.
Kane
Sounds like a typical night out around here. Every Pian seems to carry a sword.
Lake
Apparently, these deaths resemble the deaths that were discovered in the wake of the Competition's departure from Dycord. But, I don't believe this has any political involvement.
Kane
What do you think happened?
Lake
I think a serial killer is traveling with the Competition. No way to know for certain, until you all get to Aphlis.
Kane (voiceover)
I was quiet for a while after that. My thoughts were on the events that happened a couple days ago. Could any of this have to do with the Only? Maybe the virus made you homicidal, as well as religious. Like a side effect. I doubted it, but what do I know of alien viruses that give creepy grins.
Kane missed a big play that resulted in a foul. The booth erupts in more cheers and Lake leaned in close to him.
Lake
I know of one member, but there are seven in total.
Kane (voiceover)
I had no clue what he was talking about. Then, I remembered why he invited me here to begin with.
Kane
Is this the place to talk.
Lake
Everyone in this room is completely loyal to me. This booth has anti surveillance equipment covering every inch, which is how I designed it.
Kane
Okay. So, who's the one you know?
Lake
His name is Karl Haim.
Kane (voiceover)
I repeat the name in my head, writing it on my heart.
Kane
Never heard of him.
Lake
Didn't expect you to. He's a financial mogul, living in Nouvelle-Paris.
Kane
Now that you mention it, I think I saw a story about him pop up in my news feeds one day.
Lake
Tabloids sometimes contain truth, dismissed, out of hand, by the public.
Kane
How can I get to him?
Lake
You don't. Let me deal with him. I'm fully aware of his power and influence and have planned accordingly.
Kane
What about his friends? He could sic one of them on you.
Lake
I know the risks. Once I go public about the deal my previous colleagues, God rest their souls, and I made with Quil, the scrutiny I will be under will be a temporary shield against immediate retaliation.
Kane (voiceover)
We went silent again, as the crowd cheered another score. I didn't see the need in telling him what little I knew of the Quil deal. I did think of the assassin the Lord of the Guardian Caste, Gilmesh, showed me; the one that killed Presidents Gilbert and McDonald. I was suddenly worried for Jerry. When the crowd got worked up by some play, I focused on what was happening and instantly noticed the box shaped cut of striking white hair, moving up the aisle of the bleachers across from us.
Lake was cheering at a United score, as Kane got to his feet.
Kane
Will you excuse me, Mr. President.
Lake
Now? It's two minutes left in the game.
Kane
It's important, sir. I'll be back shortly.
Lake
Alright. When you do, we'll go over what I want from you.
Kane
From me?
Lake
Go, we'll talk.
Kane hesitates half a second, then turned and rushed out under his normal speed.
Kane (voiceover)
The Illuminati's assassin, Marcus Blair, was here. I learned Soul Style just for him. First, Blair, then, Haim.
PAST
The Dark World is a place of terror, never experienced anywhere else in Creation. A planet of unbridled violence, involving creatures so vile, they even hated each other. All over the world, monsters of every conceivable nightmare, feasted on one another with reckless abandon. Blood as black as oil, ran in rivers through a canyon of onyx; cries, roars, and sounds of death, filled the air.
A scaly monstrosity, with an oval body and serrated teeth, was plucked by oil covered fingers that emerged from the river of black blood. The smaller monster thrashed wildly, as it disappeared beneath the current. A horned, hairy beast was chomping on a centipede with the face of a goat, while goat face returned the favor by biting the beast's leg off.
Kane stood within a clearing of about a hundred feet, face scrunched in concentration. His right hand was stretched forth, curved in a half fist, as if he were holding something unseen. Sweat stained his shirt, more from exertion, than the suppressing heat of the midnight sun. Across the clearing was a monster the size of a hauler truck, facial features flowing over its trapezoid head, like stirred soup. Its toothy maw was on one side of the head, then the other, its one eye following suit. Atop its back, stood a bald man in silk robes, that shone like polished silver. In his hand was a staff with a topper of orange fire.
Glyp
What's taking so long? Mortals can be a bit dim, but can you not visualize a weapon?
Kane
I'm trying to make a sword.
Glyp
Why?
Kane
Because they're cool.
Glyp
Are you familiar with them?
Kane
Well, no, but in the cartoon, Galactic Samurai Jill, the main character uses a sword, without any formal training and becomes the greatest sword user of the story.
Glyp
You are basing your decision on a fable?
Kane adjusts his stance, arm still outstretched.
Kane
No, my dad used to collect them. Come on! Why can't I make one!?
Glyp
Maybe some incentive.
Glyp rose to the air and the liquid face monster beneath him starts charging towards Kane, whose eyes grow big at the coming danger.
Kane
I'm not ready!
He uses his new Quickening ability to avoid the monstrosity. It barreled past, its mouth detached from the rest, to nearly bite his head off in passing. It lumbered on four hooves, turning to come at him again.
Glyp
Better do something fast.
Kane
Why don't you help me!
Glyp
I did that already. Only you can decide what to do now.
Kane
You suck as a spirit guide!
Glyp
You're a scaredy cat. I'm surprised you have the willpower to get out of bed.
The words of the spirit moved Kane to rush at the dark creature. He put as much of his soul energy into both fists, as he could; when the beast tried to step on him, he sidestepped and punched the tree sized appendage. The limb quivered slightly, but didn't faze the creature, its mouth detaching to chomp at him.
Glyp
Maybe you still got daddy issues to work through.
Kane zipped across the monster, rapid punches to its tough hide, produced little results. Suddenly, its single eye separated from its head and squirts a black liquid. He activated his Aura Cloak almost a second too late, a raindrop of the stuff made it through before the Cloak sealed, hitting the right side of his chest. He yells upon contact, his skin burning, as the rest of the acidic substance sizzled on his Cloak. He had seconds before it would vanish and the acid would dissolve him to pudding.
Glyp (laughing)
You jumped in here, thinking 'I got the will to conquer this' and was completely wrong. 'Daddy abandoned me when I was a young snot and I'm still morose'.
Kane had managed to dislodge every drop, running about, dodging vicious bites from the sharp jaws.
Kane (voiceover)
The anger I was feeling was more to do with the annoyingly dressed spirit's words, than the pain that was spreading on my chest. My dad didn't abandon me and my mom. He was piloting a survey shuttle for some corporation, that exploded. I learned later, the debris examined, suggested pilot error. All I could remember of him were the times we spent watching cartoons and him cleaning his precious sword collection. I remembered, vividly, his favorite, just then.
The midnight monster was charging again, eye and mouth detached, anchored by tendrils of saliva. Kane met its charge head-on, avoiding a spray from the eye and stomps of the huge hooves, reaching its underbelly. Channeling all his anger into his fists, he released a series of punches, unaware that each strike with his left fist, caused significantly more damage. He was grateful, by the end, that the creature's blood wasn't also acidic; for when the tip of the blade emerged from the back of the monster, he was drenched in its innards.
The beast was in two writhing halves. Kane shook with disgust, covered in dark blood, silver light over his left forearm. From fist to tip, the wide energy blade was over three feet. Just when he was feeling a sense of satisfaction, half of the blade disappeared, its end, now, a faded nothing. Glyp floated closer to his charge.
Glyp
Why on your left hand? Are you not right hand dominant?
Kane
I don't know. It just happened.
The monsters outside Glyp's barrier had been continuingly eating each other, but several of those closer had been watching what was happening inside, with the eagerness of starving dogs. They started pushing against the barrier, when Kane stared in their direction. He waved the blade in front of himself, flicking his wrist, over and over.
Kane
Come on, get big.
A monster, whose body looked made entirely of dreadlocked hair, sprinted through the barrier. The second monster was cut in half, as neatly as the first. A third monster, this one with five heads, charged, before the barrier closed.
Glyp
You got time to figure it out.
PRESENT
Kane exits the presidential booth and hops the stairway, before Quickening past Secret Service and other personnel around a caravan of guarded wagons. He passes concession stands hocking food, weapons, armor shells, and other items, focusing his Awareness on the particular signature left by Blair's soul. He slowed to normal, startling a large Pian woman, who drew her sword at his sudden appearance. Kane backed away, hands raised; she snorts a rude comment about Humans, sheathes her weapon and strolls to a booth serving alcohol.
The wide, pebbled walkways were filled with people, mostly the husky Pians, with a scattering of Yuni, Dagon, Human and Dycordian. The man he sought was smoking on a cigar, next to a booth selling realistic masks of the battleball players. A group of Pian kids were excitedly discussing which masks to buy. Kane refrained from bringing out his blade and rushing for an instant kill. Those around couldn't see the aura he generated around himself, but they would clearly see his blade. He calmly walks to striking distance, stopping to stare at the smirking former boxer.
Kane
Let's go somewhere with less folks.
Blair
I like it right here.
He blew out a lung full of smoke, gesturing at the children around them.
Blair
You were around the size of these little tykes, when we first met. Remember? In fact, that mask I was wearing back then, I stole from a mask story! Why does every civilization have a mask store?
Kane
You came to talk me into a coma?
Blair
You could say that. I want you to stop looking into the Illuminati and focus on the tournament.
Kane
You the one who spilled the beans on them in the first place.
Blair
I know. I was feeling myself back then. Ran my mouth, which is unbefitting of us guys of shadow. Real tip, some of these guys value privacy, above all else. If they order me to kill you, despite how much I like you, I will do it. No questions asked. Even if it means sacrificing winning the Competition.
Kane
Like you care. I die anyway if I win, right?
Blair
Damn, you know about that, too? Ain't this the same thing that got your mother killed? Have you learned nothing?
Kane
I learned a martial art, like you told me.
The children had rushed off without purchasing anything, though the owner did chase after them. Kane activates his Will Blade, no longer caring if anyone noticed.
Kane
Let's see how Xingyiquan pairs with boxing.
A Pian couple were shopping for knives across the aisle and noticed the standoff. They point, drawing others attention. Blair remained in his leaning position, blowing puffs of smoke.
Blair
You use your mother's style, when barehanded, but switch to Piguaquan, when you got your Will Blade out. You can't trick me, kid; I've been keeping tabs. Still, fighting me will end the same as last time. I'm here to deliver a message. Not to you. This here is just a friendly warning. But that nosy politician-
Kane
Stay away from him.
Blair
Oh, I will. Especially, over the next few seconds. Had to make sure you did, too.
Kane had quickened away, before Blair finished the sentence, onlookers knocked back in his wake. He heard the explosion en route and arrived, seeing the booth engulfed in flames. The stands nearest the blaze were empty and on fire, as well. His right wrist glows and he angrily punches the air, sending his Sutúraito Ringu into the inferno. The argent ring grew to encompass every flaming surface, willed into only absorbing the deadly fire, transmuting it into energy Kane could control. He released the stored power in a flash that blinded all spectators in its brilliance.
Thirty seconds later, Kane was walking into the charred and smoking booth, Sustenance active, so as to not choke on the smoke and smell of crisped flesh.
Kane (voiceover)
I wanted to vomit. I found a corpse in the seat next to mine and knew I lost another person to the Illuminati. No use going after Blair now, he'd be long gone. I knew pretty soon, though, I'd be paying one, Karl Haim, a visit.
PAST
Kane's Will Blade glew bright in the gloom, as it sliced through another monster of the dark. Glyp stood to one side, watching passively. More of the monsters had taken notice of the Human slaying them and were going so far as to swarm over Glyp's dome like locusts. Kane stuck his middle finger at the sky, circling all the creatures, overhead.
Kane
Let's go!!! Bring it on!!!
Glyp
Feeling motivated, are we?
Kane
It's been days and I still feel as fresh as when I first stepped into your sandbox. Send in the next monster.
Glyp
How about two.
Two creatures fell into the dome with shrieks, the others, left to claw, bite, and batter against the barrier. The two creatures were as black as space, one was a half dog, half shark, the other was a blob of snot, with shaved hair poured over it. Sharkdog opened its muzzle and its sharp teeth shot out like bullets. Kane extended his right hand, wrist as luminated as his blade. Nothing happened, except the teeth bullets bouncing off his Aura Cloak.
With a smack of his lips, Kane moves to meet his attackers, slicing the sharkdog down the middle. Its top half still attempted to bite him, until it was consumed by snothair. It spit hairy globs at him and he raised his hand, again nothing happened. One glob nearly makes contact, but Glyp bats it away with his staff. Kane went on to slice the blob, which melts into the ground.
Glyp
What's your current goal?
Kane
Countering projectiles. I'm trying to shoot out this energy around my wrist.
Glyp
Why concentrate the energy there?
Kane
I don't know. As good a place as any.
Glyp
Does the right arm, wrist, hand or fingers hold any significance to you?
Kane contemplates this for a moment.
Kane
Not really. My mom loved her wedding ring. She would take it off and play with it all the time. Spinning it on the table to see how long it would go, playing hacky sack with it. She never lost sight of it.
Glyp
What's hacky sack?
Kane
Nevermind. She called the ring Starlight because it sparkled in the sun. She said that always reminded her of when she first met dad.
Glyp
How did that make you feel?
Kane
At the time, I wanted to punch him in the face for leaving. You know what? Let the next one in.
Glyp
No. This time, we're going out to meet it.
Without warning, the dome of protection disappeared and the nightmares flung away, like leaves caught in the wind. The other creatures, not giving them the slightest attention, continued to feast on themselves.
Glyp
Over there.
The bald being points with his staff behind Kane. He turns and beyond the sea of ferocious carnivores, was a monster the size of a hundred story building.
Glyp
Think you can conquer that?
Kane
Yeah, I can't beat that thing.
Glyp
Guess you can't. Marcus Blair did. Is he better than you?
Kane
Hell no!
Kane flashed like a silver beacon in the darkness, as he advanced into the midst of the monsters, killing any who came close enough. He took no heed in their grotesquely unique features, lest he disgust himself. Glyp danced about him in a display of power and finesse, kicking a creature, that should outweigh him by hundreds of tons, into the far horizon. Their target monster was four miles away, yet with the constant attacks, it took six days to reach it.
It walked on four crab-like legs, covered in spiky hair, and had a humanoid torso with no arms, jutting into the sky; it had writhing tentacles for a head. Kane wondered how the creature fed, being so much bigger than its food source; the tentacles didn't look long enough to reach the ground. At some point, the titan began producing a high-low bleating from somewhere on itself. None of the smaller monstrosities came near it.
Glyp
Bend it to your will.
Kane looked at his half blade, then, at the tentacles, so high up.
Kane (voiceover)
I had no idea how to go about doing this. If I stuck it, would it just step on me? I was starting to feel fear again, when the issue was settled for me.
Something flew out of the dark skies; a small figure, compared to the building monster, hidden in shadow. It was like a comet, leaving a trail of red sparkles, as it slammed into the titan, just below the tentacles. Kane felt the impact through the soles of his feet. The giant legs buckle and the beast starts to topple.
Glyp
Hold back, young soul.
Kane
What was that?
Glyp
An Eclipse. A monster who ate so many of the others, that its power eclipses that of its siblings. It is beyond your current capabilities. Besides, it took longer to reach it than I thought, with how weak you are. Your time is up.
Kane
It's been thirty days already?
Glyp
Time flies when you're having fun.
Kane
How soon can I come ba-
He felt a jerking motion in his chest, like someone pulling a string attached to his heart. He gasped, opened his eyes and saw he was back in his apartment bedroom. The narclite candle, still full, as if just lit. Its flame, flickering in the cool breeze wafting through the open window, allowing the candle's sweet scent to drift out.
He tried to stand from his chair and groans. His chest was on fire. His second attempt had him stumbling to the bathroom, ripping his shirt off, as he went. His reflection in the mirror showed a more defined body of toned muscle, covered in cuts and bruises. His chest was red raw, nipple to nipple. He staggered back into the living room, glancing at the holoview displaying the date and time.
Kane (voiceover)
It was true, just as Glyp said. One day in the Dark World, was one second in the real world. Thirty days in thirty seconds. Soon, I could enact my revenge.
PRESENT
DAY 48
Kane stood looking out the window of the accommodations provided by the Biquin kingdom. This wing of Castle Mishoria faced a waterfall, that fed a river, two miles away and faced the lilac sunrise.
Kane (voiceover)
My thoughts were a chaotic mess that day. It was exactly two years, to the day, that I saw my mom's video warning. On top of that, another world leader was gone, in a time my world needed good people in control. I was thinking of visiting my buddy, Claude, when I got a surprise.
An owl landed on the window ledge in front of him. He looked at it in confusion, the brown feathered animal gazing back, bobbing its head. He finally noticed it held a rolled up scroll in its beak, that it wanted him to take. He does and it takes off in a flap of feathers. He unrolls the scroll, silently regarding the contents. It read:
Greetings Superstars, this is Roxy Boss informing you, via the Pian Avian Network, of the next optional event; a twenty-four kilometer sawhorse race, with the winner receiving the fabled elixir, Rising Phoenix, which can heal injury. I'm sure many of you will need it, in the future. If any Superstar wishes to compete, please meet me at Hearith, Pia's world hub, in five hours. Contact a Biquin representative for travel details.
A second owl of yellow feathers, lands on the seal before him. He was startled at this sudden appearance, but noticed the scroll right away. He snatches it from its beak; it cawed like it was annoyed, then, was gone. This one read:
Good morning, Kane. Could you meet me at the landing tower, on the east side of the castle, as soon as possible. Thanks in advance. Your friend, Claude.
Kane rushes to the tower where dragonflies land. It wasn't the tallest tower of the mega castle, but was the most spacious, with plenty of room for resting or feeding the great lizards. There were two currently on the stone landing; a red one, which was sleeping, and a white and red one, laying next to Claude and Kane's worrisome Syncs. Claude was patting it with one hand, while engaged in conversation with Kane's twins. They stop as he ran up, a look of suspicion on his face.
Kane
What's going on? I thought you two were still on Urland.
Claude
I sent for them.
Dane
He pretended to be you and said he would let one of us take the next fight.
Claude
Again, sorry for the deception, but I really wanted all of you present for this.
Kane
For what?
Claude rubs a hand on the dragonfly and it opens its mouth wide. Striding steadily on the creature's tongue were two exact copies of Claude. One carried a lancer gun on his hip, the other, a book in his hand. They both wore footwear.
Claude
I would like to introduce to you, Maude and Klaude, my Syncs.
Kane
They finally show up.
The one holding the book, raises a hand.
Klaude
Hello, all. I'm Klaude, with a K. I just know we will be great friends.
Zane
Like hell.
Maude
You got a problem, homeboy?
Zane
What?
Maude
My brother here was being courteous and you dissed'em.
Zane
Dissed'em?
Maude
What're you? Stupid?
Claude raises a hand.
Claude
Calm, everyone. We are all friends here. Dissed is old Earth language. Means you insulted Klaude.
Dane
Both names are pronounced the same. It's confusing.
Klaude
Call me KS if you want. The S stands for Styfe.
Kane
We know.
Maude
Well, smart guy, call me Blaster.
Kane
Hey, your old nickname.
Claude
Yes, he regressed to my younger personality.
Blaster
And I'm fighting the next battle.
Claude
I am fine with that.
Dane
Wow.
Zane
You are a good Base.
Blaster
Too bad you guys fought already. You look like you need a good slap in the face.
Zane
You talking to me?
Blaster
The ugliest one here, yeah.
Zane's Will Blade was out and Blaster held his lancer pointed at Zane. Claude was waving his arms between the two.
Claude
Hold it! No fighting! And that firearm is forbidden on this planet.
Blaster
I go nowhere without my blaster, chum. You'll have to pry it from my cold, blue, dead fingers.
Kane
He is you. You got this, buddy. I thought this was important. I still gotta shower.
Kane heard the winds pick up behind him, but knew Claude could handle the Syncs, if things got out of hand.
Kane (voiceover)
I didn't feel like being near all that, at the time. Lake and I didn't know each other long enough to become friends, but he seemed genuine. Blair killing so many, just for one man, made me think Lake truly was a threat to the Illuminati. Why kill their own leaders, though? One thing was certain, Blair had to die for every death he has caused. What was going on, that I still couldn't see? A partial answer was waiting for me, in my room.
When he opened the door to his chambers, he caught a slight glimpse of a hooded figure, leaping from the window.
Kane
Hey!!!
Rushing to the opening, he saw a green hood and cape, Quickening through the city, nearing the river.
Kane (voiceover)
At first, I thought it was the assassin from the video back on Dycord, but the quick look I got, revealed this man was bigger in size. I was sure he was Human, as well. I gave my room a thorough once-over, looking for anything missing or a bomb. I found a piece of parchment on the table. I didn't recognize the hand writing.
Kane
'To find the answers you seek, look for Nemesis on Ksush'. What the hell? Who's Nemesis?
Kane (voiceover)
It wasn't too long after this, that I found out.