Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 59

I notice that a large crowd had gathered around a large, sleek-looking machine sitting beside the town. I recognize it as the one Etirn and I tried to take a while ago; it looks so beautiful out here in the sun.... Demi steps in front of us as we approach. This is the Hydrofoil. It's a small, high-speed landing craft capable of amphibious operation. Two-stage plasma emitters generate a cushion like a hovercraft on land, or adaptive underwater wings for high-speed aquatic movement. At 500 knots on open water, It'll outrun anything short of a space/air fighter. I don't know my units that well, but I think that's pretty fast.

I notice that a few people seem to be prodding the machine like a beast. The town folk seem to be interested as well.

As I drink in the machine's curves, I hear someone in the crowd, Is Etirn behind this?

I look at Dora, who nods. Let me clear the crowd. She turns to the spectators. ATTENTION! THIS IS PROPERTY OF MOTAVIA ACADEMY! PLEASE STEP BACK SO WE CAN USE IT! The people begin to filter across the bridge back into town. I catch a glimpse of the town sheriff among the group. We board the vessel, and Demi demonstrates the raw speed of the hydrofoil as we lap the entire sea-sized lake in under 5 minutes, before we pull onto the sole island just east of Krup. I think the machine's a bit overkill for such a short trip, but it's pretty fun, anyway.

At the foot of the island, I can just see an imposing marble temple standing atop a plateau. It seems that the easiest way up is through a cave that runs into the side of the island. I notice something flying overhead, but I don't say anything before we enter the cave.

After a thorough testing of my armor against the denizens of the cave, we reach daylight once more... and see Etirn leaning against the temple. He's still bandaged up, but he seems happy to be out of my bed. Etirn! I run up and give a friendly hug. I notice him silently wince at the pressure, so I back off. I notice a strange triangular object of cloth against the wall.

Nice seeing you too, Marika. How's Ray?

He's in Termi. He said we're even.

Glad he finally got that payback bullshit out of his system.

Dora picks up the cloth thing. I notice a couple straps and a little framework on the underside, but nothing to suggest what it is. It's extremely simple. What is this thing?

An old glider prototype from the Technology Lab. It was all I could steal without anyone noticing. I just had to get out for a little air before I deal with my suspension.

Jeetoh pushes open the door on the temple. We are here for the Aero-Prism. We don't know why we need it in particular, but I have a couple ideas on what it does.

The moment we step into the temple itself, both Etirn's and my headsets go off.

This is Kadary Hunter's Guild, with an urgent announcement. There is a live arrest warrant being issued for a student of Motavia University, Etirn Bay. He is wanted for a charge failure to appear in the jurisdiction of Piata. Target is a registered hunter, and considered armed with secret technology from Mota U. Considered extremely dangerous, may or may not be mentally sound. The warrant is valid for all jurisdictions under the Mahlay Directive. Bounty is currently set at 1,000 meseta for his safe return to Piata Authorities. That is all.

The principal really hates you.

Let me try something. Kadary? Outerbeast 1.

What do you need?

If I turn myself in, do I keep the reward?

Hunter Bay? That is the most absurd thing I've ever heard. I recommend that you turn yourself in so you may explain the situation with Piata authorities before things escalate further.

Etirn shrugs at me. Well, it was worth a try. I thought I had filed the paperwork to delay the hearing with the principal, but I guess I need to head back that way after we're done here. Maybe. I know it's absurd, but being declared an outlaw, I almost feel that Etirn likes the title more than student. Let's find that prism thingy.

The interior of the temple appears to be hundreds, no, thousands of years abandoned, and a thick layer of dust covers the floor. Terraced like a small stadium, I can imagine several dozen men lining the edges of the dark room, standing at attention and listening to their commander, in the pit in the center, giving a final speech before they were to march into battle. We climb down the stairs in the rear, and gather around an ancient chest, clearly undisturbed for longer than we personally were of this world. Holding my breath, I undo a simple metal clasp, and lift the lid...

It's empty!

Jeetoh looked like this is the first time he'd ever been wrong about something. That's not right. We're missing something....

A sudden wind picks up outside, and Etirn goes to the door. There's some storm clouds coming in, really fast!

I reach to my headset. Motavia University, do you read? Were there any storms expected near Krup today?

I...n't...ear y...... I can't make out the words.

Hello? I don't get another response. I look at Etirn, who seems worried.

That isn't good. Your radio shouldn't be affected by interference here. Even I can't hear you on my headset, and I'm right here.

Dora looks up after inspecting the inside of the chest. I don't see anything hidden in here.

Demi taps on my shoulder. We should leave now and return later, or wait out the storm here. I don't want to risk the Hydrofoil on choppy waters if I don't have to.

Keep looking. Etirn, keep an eye on the storm. Etirn runs outside, while the rest of us begin to search the entire room for an off-color stone, a small crack, a loose cobblestone, anything that might hide our prize.

Only a couple minutes into the search, I hear rain begin to pelt the stone outside. What the-Ow! That shit burns! I look up to see that the rain is an unnatural black, disappearing as soon as the drops hit the ground. Light, damn it! Somebody help! Hearing the pain in Etirn's voice, I begin to run outside without thinking.

Demi grabs the back of my armor before I could leave. Don't do that! If that's strong acid rain, you'll need rescuing too! Wait until the rain stops. I helplessly stand by, looking at torn shards of bandaging on the ground outside, with Etirn grown silent, somewhere out of sight. Fortunately, the rain stops within a minute. I rush out, but see no other sign of Etirn. I'm about to step back inside when I hear something make a guttural roar behind me. I turn to face a beast of teal and purple, its right hand a sickening bulge of flesh.

I scream. I don't like to admit my emotions, but I'm truly scared by the monster as it begins to approach. Demi, Dora, and Jeetoh rush to my aid. The beast roars at us again. Jeetoh launches a fireball at the ground in front of the monster, but it only seems to aggravate it further. I cast Deban on everyone, and Demi opens fire.

Efess! A column of light engulfs the monster as Dora and I charge at the same time. I manage to dodge a blow, but Dora goes flying as I sink my claws into an arm. The beast looks at me, and throws me away; I land on my feet and immediately start my charge again. Suddenly, a wave of dark energy rakes over us, knocking us all to the ground.

I spit out a mouthful of sand as I stand up. Are you guys okay?

It knows Corruption? Is this Dark Force?! Jeetoh almost seems panicked by the technique. I realize that the monster seems just as intrigued, so I charge in and unleash a volley of blows while it's distracted. I thrust my claws into the beast's larger hand, and it begins to shake me violently, trying to force me off. A loud,pulsating sound echoes through the air; I can feel the sound tear at me and my foe....

Jeetoh! Demi! Do something! I find myself unable to do anything beyond hold on for dear life as the other two begin to use their various ranged attacks while I keep the monster distracted. Suddenly, it slams its fist into the ground, with me under it. I nearly black out from the impact, I find myself airborne again, this time slamming into the temple so hard that something makes a cracking sound. I notice that Dora isn't moving at all next to me, as the beast strikes Demi so hard that her gun breaks in half. I invoke Res on myself, and force myself stand up on shaky legs as I rapidly limp back into the fray. I'm shocked as the monster's hand points at Jeetoh, and erupts with fire. Just like Etirn's weapon...? The beast roars as I try one final time to beat it away from the others. Instead, it grabs my leg, and carries me to the edge of the plateau, overlooking the Hydrofoil. There's no escape this time... It roars into my face one more time, and I spit blood back at its face. It drops me onto the ground below, and I black out....

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