The depth of the pit Frank made was almost five hundred feet. It took him and Zeth to free-fall for twenty-seven seconds before being imploded into oblivion by an idling and unscathed Zach.
They fell into their inevitable doom, passing by multiple layers of earth, and shred each other into a thousand pieces, only for Zach to end their fight in mere seconds.
The same person whom Frank thought had ended with such ease was just waiting for them, standing on the head of a granite rock buried in the sedimentary part of the planet's outer layer.
The effect of Lifespark was evident. It did send Zach to hell, only it didn't kill him. He cherished the fact that the powerful strike pushed him down and gave him his very own man-cave, dirt and all.
He owned it so much that he did some landscaping, planting trees, and installing sod on top of the rocky, sedimentary surface. There was little to no moisture, but a source of water was present. A small river ran downstream to a tiny pond, where insects and frogs flew and leapt.
Next to the stream was a family of deer, enjoying a leisurely sip. On the branches of one of the trees is a bird's nest with a squad of chicks being fed by their mother. Butterflies, worms, and everything else that are usually seen in the forest are here, living as if they've been here for centuries.
And they owe it all to Zach, whose Zystem made it all possible, considered to be the strongest of all underlings that ever existed. Although his fame is limited to the Force, Zach has established a reputation among his peers. Some might say he is either too valuable or too dangerous.
Zach is yet to explain his powers, but Frank knows bits of information regarding his Zystem's lethality.
For one, his leading and go-to move when using his Zystem is to violently compress a lifeform into minuscule clots of flesh. It essentially destroys their physical form, but it preserves the target's soul, imprisoning them and putting them in Zach's mercy.
Frank knew he had experienced that part of Zach's power already, yet he was somehow back in his usual physical self. He found himself naked and standing beside an unclothed and unconscious Zeth, who was also undoubtedly turned into a ball of blood by Zach.
Observing his hands, Frank sighed with relief at knowing his body had regenerated. He assumed it was Zach's powers doing: no bites, no tears, and no shreds, as if he were healed.
Examining more of himself, he realizes the metal coils melded behind his back are gone. He touched the skin where it was supposed to be, and all he felt was more rugged skin. He couldn't believe it himself; without it, it would make it harder for him to control his Zystem the next time he plans to use it.
But why would he, when he is in the presence of the God of Death?
Frank watched Zach pet one of the animals so casually and without worry.
"You like it? I built it myself. I've got a few extra critters and a couple of greens in my pocket. The water was already here, though. Dunno how that happened. I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts because you can't grow life here when there are lots of rocks. Plus, it's kinda warm in here."
Zach explained as he watched the deer he was petting stride away.
"How did you manage to do this?"
Frank asked, defeated, but in peace.
"Simple. My Zystem did this. It also did what happened to you. Bet you felt that."
"Turning your enemies into marbles?"
"Did your intel tell you that? More like reverting you to molecules. You see, I can shrink you down to the smallest cell and restore you as if nothing happened. I may spill some of your blood and guts, but that's how compression works! But it doesn't matter. I can bring you back as easily as I can make you disappear."
"Molecules. So you collect your kills?"
"I put them in jail!"
"And that is only the basic power of your Zystem?"
"Correct."
Zach answered confidently, smirking at Frank.
"Now I wonder what your advance and ultimate are. I only embarrassed myself by showing mine too soon."
Frank let a bird land on his shoulders, and he looked at it melancholically before it flew away.
"You don't wanna know."
"You won't entertain me with the knowledge? How rude."
"Heh, I assume your Creator already knows. Isn't he listening to our conversation?"
"Since you somehow restored my body, you must've forgotten the metal coils. I need them in order to use my Zystem. It is also how the Creator communicates. Without them, I am useless."
"Ah. So they're like a telegraph?"
Zach rubs his chin. His turn to figure out Frank.
"What is a telegraph?"
"Never mind. Continue, please."
"They are my stabilizers. The first time the Creator granted me my Zystem, my body combusted because of the electricity flowing through my veins. It also helps regulate the energy I release and collect."
Somberly, Frank details his powers.
"I see. Well, I can only restore living beings. So your metal rods are a goner."
"My Unholy Intentions is a defective Zystem."
"It was never yours to begin with."
"Indeed."
"So what now? What's your plan here, Frank? Because I still have a lot of juice, if you want to fight! And I don't plan on running out anytime soon! Either I end this, or you turn yourself in. Your choice."
"Let me think about it."
The birds continue to chirp, the insects make their noises, the frogs croak their songs, and the deer munch their sods. It was total silence, and only the ambient sound of Zach's manmade landscape could be heard.
Frank's eyes wandered for a bit. He thought about the beauty Zach had created. He thought it was ironic that the pit was caused by his intent to annihilate, only for Zach to build life upon its mark.
He could challenge Zach's combat prowess, but he refused to deny himself the thrill of fighting the strongest underling that the Great Cities can offer. For fifteen years, he mastered his own Zystem, fought worthy opponents, and defeated countless equals.
His years of ravaging and harassing the Zoldiers of the Great Cities have led him to his ultimate fight for his life, only for him to come up short and be handicapped. He, too, wishes to unleash his Zystem unto Zach, but with his current limitation, his turn will have to wait.
If only that brat didn't interfere, if only I had ended him earlier, Frank thought. He nods to appreciate his fights with Zoey, Zion, Zephyr, and Hannibal instead. He was already worn out before he reached the final boss.
While his mind explores, Zach joins him in the calm and serene moment. But Frank is not done with his questions. He wonders if he still has time to ask.
"Ah. I wish to know more about your Zystem, Zach. But, I don't wish to experience it any further."
Frank finally breaks the silence.
"Good. Why do I feel like you're not done talking?"
"Because I have lots of questions. But, it seems you don't want to indulge in my curiosities."
"What makes you say that?"
Zach lets out a grin, ready to fight.
"So, all you have to do is do that with your hand and you control their life?"
Frank nods at Zach's readied hand, already positioned to its usual gesture.
"Ha! You noticed, huh? Yeah, I was thinking about turning you back into a ball of booger."
Zach chuckles, shaking his head slowly.
"But?"
Frank could anticipate that there's more to Zach's words.
"But I think I'm just gonna put you in jail the old-fashioned way."
It took Zach more seconds to admit before blurting it out.
"Heh."
Frank said, dragging a long intake of air before releasing them with a satisfying sigh.
"Then I surrender to you, Zach. May both our benefactors find us on good terms. I fear that my Creator shall send his retaliation soon."
"The Great Cities will not like what you guys did here once news spreads about you guys terrorizing a city for nothing. Was it worth it?"
"It was in our duty to carry out the Creator's wishes. One of them is to plan an abduction if the need arises. But, alas, we were mistaken. Terribly. Instead of a newborn, we were met with battle-hardened underlings."
"Burn Abbey is not like any other town that you and the other Idiotloins harass!"
"Eidolon."
Frank corrects him, raising a brow.
"Right."
Zach said.
"So what do you call it?"
Frank asked, forming a genuine smile.
"My basic? I just call it Imprison. So people are gonna be like, 'Whoa! He used Imprison!' something like that."
Zach jests as he relaxes his hand.
"No. I meant your Zystem."
Responding with a chuckle, Frank corrects him again.
"Oh, that?"
Zach said, pausing before continuing.
"We call it the Omnipotent Authority."