Morrigan came to with a pained groan. Her body ached as she slowly pulled herself up off the stone floor. “What the hell happened?” She groaned out.
You let your happy out and it got your ass nearly killed, that's what, Apollyon quipped in drained annoyance.
“What?” she asked in an effort to recall recent events
She took a moment to let her eyes readjust and took in her surroundings. The bodies of inmates littered the central warren as well as the massive hole in front of her.
“Where’s Pops and Henry?” her eyes widening at the devastating scenery in panic.
Dead, probably. Your happy psychosis was hell bent on making friends with a monstrous worm rather than killing it and saving your friends. Including the big guy Atlas.
Morrigan’s heart tightened as she stood up and took a step forward. Bodies were crushed and stone was shattered in nearly every direction. All she could wonder is how she could have let it happen. With as powerful as she was, the only friends and comfort she could find should have been protected. Now she was alone.
I did say emotions are key, and your happiness is a few strings short of a mariachi band… not that it stops it from playing with the enthusiasm of a five year old, Apollyon said as it read her thoughts.
And let me remind you that the damn thing nearly killed you by crushing half your damn bones as well, Apollyon scolded.
“Well thanks for the save,” she said coldly as she started looking for the bodies of Pops and Henry.
An audible crunch echoed down one of the tunnels causing Morrigan’s head to jerk upwards. The crackle of energy radiated along her body on instinct.
The sound of chewing followed, causing Morrigan’s heart to race faster as her anger and adrenaline kicked in.
Yeah that was almost us by the way.
“Apollyon, shut the fuck up,” Morrigan growled as she released energy into her arms.
Morrigan cut swaths into the bodies around her feet and drained the cold blood that would serve as a replenishment before finding a clear spot on the stone floor and driving her fist into the ground. The energy that reinforced her bones and increased her strength split the ground with a thunderous crack.
Within mere seconds the stone burrowing worm slithered into the warren and let out a hiss that emanated both surprise and threat.
A scowl formed on her face, “you took what was mine,” she stated loathingly before unleashing the energy coalesced in her right hand at the creature.
That's my girl, Apollyon beamed in delight.
The spectral claw that she had sent towards the creature was adeptly dodged as the creature coiled underneath the strike meant for its head.
Oh shit…
Morrigan shouted in anger as the monster shot forward like a bullet, impaling is face into the stone as Morrigan funneled energy into her legs and leapt over the attack.
Landing on the creature, Morrigan clawed at the dense plating that coated the worm, slicing through spraying its thick sticky blood.
The creature’s entire body writhed as it let out a piercing screech. Morrigan tumbled off its back landing on the ground on her elbow, sending a sharp pain through her arm. Morrigan ground her teeth as her anger rose higher.
Ah, sweet anger! How much I’ve missed you! Apollyon sang in delight which annoyed Morrigan even farther.
The worm coiled back defensively and lashed out with its tail. Morrigan rolled out of the way of the impact and sent her claws out slicing down the length of the offending appendage.
She clamored to her hands and knees in a defensive stance ready to counter attack as the monster opened its maw and roared.
The worm was surprised when the little girl capable of hurting it howled back defiantly. “Come on!” she screamed not that it could understand her.
Nevertheless, the worm shot forward in an attempt to swallow her. Morrigan grinned, the thrill of catching her prey bringing a joy that swirled with her rage. Reaching forward, a giant special clawed hands grabbed the creature by the maw.
It was a peculiar feeling to feel everything the projected energy felt, being able to feel her quarry squirm in surprise under the iron grip of her power. The feeling was enticing, nearly gratifying as she felt the fear emanate from the monster that killed her only friends in the hell hole she had been sentenced to.
“This is a special kind of revenge,” Morrigan said to herself in a blissful tone right before gripping part of the creature’s jaw and tearing it from its respective head.
The grin that spread across her face would have sent chills down anyone’s spine if they had been alive to see it. Morrigan grunted as she felt the creature try to escape her grasp. With a savage snarl she held on tight and strained to slam the creature into the stone wall, it’s face grinding into the stone.
She pulled her right arm back and knifed her fingers to strike, watching the paired spectral claw mimic her hand.
“Now die damn you!” she roared as she thrust her hand forward and watched the claw tear through the worm.
Blood, entrails and mounds of meat poured from the creature as it thrashed and flailed about, letting out a gurgled screech of dying agony.
“I feel so much better,” she thought as she released the dead worm to crash to the ground, letting her body soak in the blood of her newly fallen prey. She let out a pleasant whine as the draw and restoration of her energy reached a peak of ecstasy.
That makes two of us girl. It's really good to have you back.
“Its good to be back, though what are we going to do now?” she asked as her hazy mind started to clear. Absorbing that much blood was mind-numbing she realized. As good as it felt, there was danger in how enticing it was but she was thankful the threat was over and did not have to worry about being too foggy to defend herself.
Well I certainly opt for the getting out of here option, but if you wanna stay and get cozy I'm okay with that too…well until the bodies start smelling, Apollyon mused.
Lighting a cigarette, Morrigan licked her lips looking around. She studied the open shaft from afar and tried to come up with a plan.
“Okay, so I think I can climb up but we have no idea what to expect on the surface… supplies, and hopefully a weapon,” she hammered out aloud with a hint of excited nervousness in her voice. It had been so long since she had seen the sky- the stars.
She remembered vaguely that the surface was devoid of atmosphere which meant she had to find somewhere to escape either by stealing a ship and praying she could successfully pilot it, or some kind of emergency escape pod.
Morrigan turned back and dug through the burrows the inmates used as sleeping chambers finding very little since most inmates kept their precious belongings on their person.
Her next stop was Atlas’s private chamber where she found an respectable stockpile of rations, clothes and amenities, even finding three large bottles of alcohol. She found it mildly irritating just how well off Atlas lived in comparison to the rest of the inmates, but he was a fair man and treated everyone with respect despite his position and often bribed her bad behavior with his own private stash. So she let the annoyance go because in truth she would miss the man.
She never found Pop’s or Henry’s bodies, which she presumed they had been eaten by the worm. The pain of never seeing either man again wrapped around her heart.
Come on, let it go girl. Neither were long for existence anyways.
Morrigan scowled at Apollyon’s carelessness but chose not to engage. She would mourn the two kind old men whether Apollyon liked it or not.
She made a makeshift bag out of various shirts and a set of trousers and stuffed it full of what she seemed necessary for survival within a ship and started making her way towards the elevator shaft.
She considered taking one of the sonic drills but decided it would be too unwieldy and relatively pointless to serve as a combat weapon.
The lower girders of the shaft were crumpled inwards so there was no way to get the elevator to move however, the structural integrity of the shaft was sturdy enough to climb.
Climbing over the Viridian that was in the dumpster was a challenge as Morrigan nearly fell from her wrapped foot stepping on a sharp stone.
Falling let Morrigan stumble upon one of the guards whose crumpled body was half buried in Viridian.
Didn't those guys carry guns? Apollyon reminded her.
With the new found prospect of a real weapon, she dug out the corpse and scavenged what magazines that had not been damaged. She also found the man's weapon broken and bent, to her disappointment. Morrigan knew there were two guards though, which kept her digging around.
Her search was fruitless in finding the other guard nor his weapon however, if she managed to get her hands on one, she had a decent amount of ammo for it now buried in her makeshift bag.
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The climb was meticulously slow but to her luck, given her ability to jump higher than her natural height, Morrigan was able to climb the elevator shaft and make her way to the large sliding steel doors that blocked her from the surface.
The higher she reached, the less restricted she felt as she broke the threshold of the metaphysical barrier that separated her from the cosmic ambient energy from the world below the surface. It was like her soul breathed a sigh of relief.
Morrigan made the mistake of looking down and the vertigo of being hundred of feet in the air hit her and nearly caused her to fall. Her chest heaved in panic, her powers responding by digging her hands into the steel girder that she clung to.
Listen kid, I may be able to repair most shit you get yourself into, but I think you smashing your skull like a tomato is beyond my abilities so, you know, don't look down again… Apollyon commented. Morrigan could hear the uneasiness in its voice.
She nodded fervently as she looked up to find the trigger that opened the steel doors when the elevator lifted. With her enhanced vision revealing her surroundings in grey scale clarity, Morrigan found the mechanism that opened the door in one of the corners. It was a simple pressure lever which she used a spectral claw to press.
She watched as the doors opened with a hydraulic hiss, revealing two armed guards and a vehicle designed to unload the dumpster that had been waiting.
Morrigan cursed herself for not remembering that everything had happened during the unloading of the day’s haul.
In the split-second decision, Morrigan sent a spectral claw through the windshield of the vehicle and impaled the driver as she took a flying leap across the shaft through the sliding doors.
In a flurry of crimson energy, Morrigan eviscerated the guard to her right and toppled them over down the elevator shaft. Using the shock of her tiny frame committing such carnage instead of being the normal dumpster filled with Viridian, she tackled the other guard as he fumbled with his weapon.
The guard struggled underneath her as she straddled him. The last thing she wanted was for the guard to do anything that would alert the prison. Aggravated at the guard’s squirming, she raked her claws across his chest and throat, holding him down until he finished bleeding out.
You seem to have a streak going with climbing out of deep dark holes and murdering everything in sight, you know that right? Apollyon quipped jokingly.
“Oh, shut up,” she thought back as she let out a sigh of relief. “Guards that would try to kill me for trying to escape and wolves acting upon their base nature are two different things.”
Are they though? You humans are a jumpy lot. Humanity has a history of killing what they fear, from people to animals and everything in between.
“Now is not the time for a philosophical debate,” Morrigan snapped aloud as she took in her new environment.
Oh, there is always time for a bit of philosophy hehe
Morrigan ignored the deity in her head as she studied her surroundings. There were many numbered sliding doors similar to what she just climbed out of, 43 to be exact. The complex was built in an outdoor design, a tower in the center of a massive open space, edged with an outer wall that the gates were built into. She could see the colossal anti-starship cannons lining the edge. There seemed to several buildings that she was sure to serve as the guard barracks or even the warden’s office at the far end of the diamond shaped complex. Above though, was the most impressive sight she had seen in a long time.
“Stars…” she whispered as she felt tears well up in her eyes as she looked above to find that the complex was built underneath a see-through dome. A maelstrom of greens and purples filled the sky surrounded by the eternal darkness of space speckled with tiny lights of distant burning suns. She didn’t know if it was another galaxy or some cosmic phenomenon but it was one of the most beautiful sights she had seen, like a still frame photo of the Aurora Borealis.
Yes-yes, they’re pretty and such but let’s not forget why we’re here.
Apollyon’s reminder snapped her out of her daze. Wiping the tears from her eyes she stood up from the guard and took his rifle.
The burnish orange dirt between her toes felt good as she started to figure out her bearings. When she was brought to Castile V, she was led through a transfer area built into what seemed like to be a mountain, however, she was blinded by a bag after the admittance process and the next thing she knew she was in Mine 16. With 43 different mines, there were a lot of prisoners in the planet.
However, she could not see anything that seemed remotely close to being the transfer area nor could she see anything that looked like a space port. Her heart sank as she felt the dread of being stuck on Castile V forever despite escaping the mine.
What about the tower? Apollyon asked.
“I doubt it has a way off this place…but maybe it has something I could use?” Morrigan asked herself before starting her trek towards the tower, rifle at the ready.
It was bizarre to Morrigan to find this large open area so desolate aside from the three people she ran into. She felt that it was borderline creepy.
An alarm blared through the open expanse like a doom siren, Morrigan’s eyes going wide in panic. Before she could locate what triggered the alarm, she saw five flying drones soaring towards her like mechanical bats from hell.
Without thinking, she raised her rifle and pulled the trigger in a burst of fire. The rounds pelted into one of the drones which returned fire sending short bursts of blue energy towards her.
One of the pulses of blue energy nicked her upper arm and sent an intense electrical sensation through her entire shoulder. She realized quickly as the numbness in her shoulder faded, that the drones were equipped to stun their target.
Morrigan dodged and weaved between the pulsating blast of energy as she fired back with her rifle, growing ever more furious every time she was clipped by the stunning energy.
One of the drones fell from above as the assault of bullets tore into its chassis and crashed into the ground behind her while another exploded from a violent slash of crimson claws.
Morrigan pirouetted between the oncoming fire from the three remaining drones in an elusive dance. Figuring out the simplicity of the machines’ targeting systems made her more easily elusive as she counter attacked, wielding the assault rifle with one arm as another drones collapsed to the ground and ignited.
A lucky shot seemed to bury itself into part of the propulsion system as one of the drones careened to the right and smashing into the last one, sending them both toppling towards the ground, towards her.
In the moment of surprise, Morrigan lashed out and let a large spectral claw slash through both machines, igniting them both three feet away from her.
The explosion blinded her in smoke as she was thrown on her back.
Well… that was fun, Apollyon said with a confused undertone.
Morrigan grunted as she sat up waving away the smoke from her face. The detonation made her body sore though she was thankful she was not hit with any shrapnel.
“Yeah, all the fun…” she groaned as she stood up. “Who would’ve thought they’d have drones here, those blasts kind of hurt,” she added while inspecting her body for any real damage around the areas she had been hit.
My guess is… those guys,
Morrigan looked up to see over 20 guards standing in front of her, their rifles all pointed at her. Her eyes widened in panic before instinctually crouching down to grab her gun off the ground.
Several of the guards opened fire. One fired at the weapon she moved to grab, the rest aimed at her. There was a brief second of searing pain throughout her body before she blacked out from the pain.
Several of the guards fanned out to discover the two dead guards and open elevator shafts, while others searched Morrigan's suspected corpse, all the while Apollyon inaudibly ranted and raved about the girl’s foolishness while funneling as much energy into the most detrimental wounds to her vital organs.
After a few moments, Morrigan’s eyes shot open to see the dreamy starry sky. She let out a wry, hoarse laugh as she forced the blood in the back of her throat down as it tried to come up.
“That definitely hurt…” she said aloud roughly.
She watched as the guard digging through her makeshift bag nearly jumped out of their skin with a yelp.
I fucking bet it did! You god damned idiot, you're fucking lucky none of these assholes put one in your brain! The bullet through your throat was bad enough…god damn it girl if I would have known you would do something that stupid I would have said something! Apollyon scolded her.
Morrigan chuckled as she tried to sit up only to wince and cringe as she felt Apollyon put part of her ribcage back into place. “Ow!” she forced out as she attempted to breath.
Stop moving moron before you do any more damage…
“I’m sorry, it was instinctual…” she said before looking up to see all the guards now had their weapons trained on her again. She raised her hands slowly with a curse as she watched over a dozen frightened fingers fall on their triggers. “No worries guys… don't think I want to try for a second round,” she said with a pained amused chuckle.
For the love of me… please shut up!
“Hey no need to be a dick! I get it, I fucked up…” Morrigan replied in her head, wincing again as she felt one of her lower ribs mend back together.
The guards seemed lost on what to do with her until one spoke up, “tie her up! We’ll let the warden decide what to do with her.” The guard pointed to the other that had been going through her bag.
The appointed guard shook his head and took a step back, “hell no man, she just took a barrage of bullets and is talking as if nothing even happened. She’s a freak!” the guard raised his hands in surrender, shameless in his act of cowardice.
Morrigan turned her head towards the man with an amused smirk on her face, “well that’s just not nice to say to someone.”
The guard flinched and stammered out, his pitch higher than socially acceptable from a man, “this is her! The chick from 16 we were warned about!”
The rest of the guards shifted nervously which piqued her interest. With a raised an eyebrow at the defacto leader of the guards, “well… now I’m curious to hear what's been said about me,” playful amusement mixed into her voice.
“Would someone just restrain the bitch?” the leader called out as he held his weapon aimed directly at her face. She could even see his hands begin to shake as pieces of the puzzle fell into place. When no one moved, Morrigan scoffed and crossed her legs to sit up straight, causing several of the guard to flinch.
She smiled, “sorry, back was beginning to hurt,” she said shamelessly.
Damn it woman, I just fixed you. Lucky for you we’re on the surface or you and your addled brain would be dead. Just focus and don't get shot. I can feel your grasp on reality slipping…
Morrigan pouted with an emphasized lower lip, “fiiiinnnnee, ugh!” she groaned before returning her attention to the guards. “Since none of you are man enough to do it why don't one of you just throw me a pair of cuffs, and I'll just do it myself!” she complained sassily.
The guards all looked to their leader who was visibly becoming more irritated than warranted before he reached behind his back with his rifle shakily still aimed in her direction and threw a thick set of folding shackles.
The shackles landed next to her and she scowled at him, “don’t throw things mister!” she pointed at him before singing, “or I’ll have to cut off your hands!”
Bloody hell and all that is supposedly holy woman, I’m glad your murder happy crazy is back but for your sake just pick a lane! Either kill these pricks or behave! Apollyon reamed into her brain.
Morrigan felt that Apollyon really didn’t like her, which caused her eyes to tear up. Sadness hitting her like an oceanic wave. “But, but… I don’t think I can get them all…” she muttered loudly to herself as she leaned over and grabbed the shackles while sniffling and choking on the tears that threatened to break loose.
“Great… she gets knocked out by a hailstorm of gunfire and she’s back to being loony. What does a guy have to do around here to just go back to the seemingly mild mannered, sane vessel he had once before?” Apollyon said to itself in the hidden recess of Morrigan’s mind.
Apollyon sighed, okay, I’m sorry for yelling at you. I’m only trying to keep you alive.
Morrigan sulked on the ground in front of a very troubled and confused group of guards as she sniffled, “but you don’t like me,” she mewled just loud enough for the guards to become more confused and terrified of the psychotic little girl before them.
That’s not it… Apollyon groaned trying to placate to Morrigan’s emotionally sad lunacy. Which had apparently been the equivalent of a sulking ten year old. The last thing it was curious about, was to find out how a tantrum would play out.
Listen, you’re the most special creature I’ve ever seen and you’re perfect the way you are. I only said those things to try and remind you what’s at stake… you know, your life, Apollyon drawled out slowly.
Morrigan let a smile creep across her face, “I’m special?”
Sure are kiddo, so just… no more being sad okay?
Feeling contentment settle, Morrigan preened with a huge grin and looked down at the shackles. She slipped one wrist into the one of the slots and locked the shackle enough to fit but not be uncomfortable. She put her other wrist in the other side and used her knee to lock her wrist in place. Satisfied with her work she beamed at the guards and showed them that she was now restrained.
“See! That wasn't so hard,” she teased.
Two guards moved to haul her up to her feet which she feigned imbalance playfully. When one of the guards caught her, she looked up at the guard and batted her eyelashes and bit her lip, “such a gentleman.”
Creeped out, the guard shoved her upright and took a lengthy step back. Now that she was in shackles, the guards seemed to relax a bit as they waited for the warden show.