Gargoyle led Faery Fire and the Sailors down the street, moving adjacent to Gamer Man and the New Adventurers. Gargoyle grabbed at the radio in the armored personnel carrier the army had lent the team.
"All units report in," Gargoyle ordered, "Unit one In position."
"Unit two in position," Gladiator said from the New Adventurers' APC.
"Unit three in position," Gamer Man said from his motorcycle.
Behind him was the rumble and thunder of mortar and artillery teams, and ahead was the thickest part of Gorestrike’s mutant army the two teams had encountered.
Gargoyle grabbed at the radio in the jeep the army had lent the team
Shells ripped through the sky, tearing the mutant army apart.
"Go!" Gargoyle ordered, shouting over the crack of explosions and rumble of artillery fire.
Gargoyle, Faery Fire, and the Sailors charged before the shelling had even stopped. Mutants roared in fury, charging fearlessly at Gargoyle and his team as the bombardment ripped them apart.
"Flack guns are firing!" Gamer Man shouted.
“Too many of those things are still standing!” Gladiator said, “Gamer Man, clear a path!”
The arms of Gamer Man’s power frame detached and pulled up a rifle from the side of Gamer Man’s motorcycle, firing into the horde of monsters as he focused on maneuvering through the tide.
“Can we fire the mortars again?” Faery Fire asked.
“Negative,” Gargoyle responded, “Artillery teams would need to recalibrate their aim, or else they’d be shelling us!”
“We can probably take it,” Wytch said.
“Are you trying to get blown up?” Gargoyle demanded.
“I’d rather-” Gamer Man said.
“We’re in armored cars,” Zealot said, “And we all have some superpowers.”
“I’d really rather-” Gamer Man said.
“Could we take it?” Faery Fire asked.
“I- Maybe?” Gargoyle barked, “Rather not test it.”
“I think we can take it,” Zealot said, “Zealot to Viper Base, sound off!”
“This is Viper Base,” Christopher said, “What is your status?”
“We need you to fire the guns again,” Zealot said, “The crowd is still too thick.”
“I’ll send word to the artillery teams,” Christopher said, “Move to evac the targeted area.”
“Good copy,” Zealot said.
“You people are insane,” Gargoyle said.
“That’s what Victor tells us,” Wytch said, “Personally, I think what we do makes sense.”
“I’m moving ahead!” Gamer Man barked, weaving through the crowd, “Did HQ give us an ETA?”
Gamer Man heard the heavy “Thwump!” of mortars firing, quickly followed by screeching air.
“Ah, jeez, really?” Gamer Man whined, firing into a monster until he could ramp off its corpse.
“Hold on girls!” Faery Fire ordered, a wave of mortars exploding over the armored vehicle.
“Who’s shooting at us?” Blue yelled over the din.
“We are!” Faery Fire said.
“Why?” Red demanded.
“Viper Base, this is Gargoyle,” Gargoyle yelled, “Reporting damage to one of the wheels. If you ever receive a command from Zealot, I order you to ignore it.”
“Hey!” Zealot yelled, “My plan worked!”
“Zealot, I think our engine took a hit,” Gladiator said.
“Should we engage in melee?” Zealot asked, a gleam in her eye.
“No!” Gamer Man said, “I cleared the blast site, and I can lead the horde away.”
“They seem awfully interested in us,” Faery Fire warned, “Are you sure you can make it?”
“Do either of your cars still run?” Gamer Man asked.
“Sputtering, but I think she’ll do fine,” Gladiator said.
“There’s a lot of debris to navigate,” Gargoyle said, “But I should make it.”
“Good copy,” Gamer Man said, “I’ll try to keep the worst of them off you.”
“Ah, such daring!” Gorestrike cheered, watching the heroes approach from his throne, “Such resolve! My comrades, assemble in the front gate! Should anyone pass you, I shall challenge them! Ladies, take your places at my throne! Appear helpless to bolster the hero’s fighting spirit!”
“At once, Ser Gorestrike,” a harem girl said.
“Making final approach,” Gargoyle said, “Faery Fire, tell the girls the plan is to hit hard and fast. We’re going to rescue any hostages and leave.”
Castle Gorestrike loomed over the heroes. A massive, red skull with fires blazing in its eyes and jaw lowered making the front gate. The heroes parked outside, as close as they dared, and crept into Castle Gorestrike. Inside, the place was made from dark red brick and trails of fire lit up the walkways. The low crackle of fire echoed through the castle’s halls, and the scent of blood and brimstone washed over the heroes.
“Contact,” Gargoyle said, keeping low to the ground as he peeked around a corner, “Looks like three manifested.”
“I like those odds,” Zealot said.
“I don’t,” Gargoyle said, “These are Gorestrike’s people. Whoever they are, they’re going to be strong.”
“I don’t see any other ways forward,” Gamer Man said.
“I can caste an illusion over us,” Wytch suggested.
“Better than nothing,” Gargoyle said, “Everyone, prep for combat. Enemy manifested in route.”
Psychedelika sat lazily on her chair, giving her a wide view of the room as GianTessa and Ascension stood ahead of her. The heroes stalked in, covered in silence and illusion as Wytch focused on her spell casting. Psychedelika quirked an eyebrow as she looked down the entrance to the arena.
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“I sense minds,” Psychedelika said.
“More than the three of us?” GianTessa asked.
“A lot more,” Psychedelika said, grabbing at a bottle of pills and taking a swig. Psychedelika’s aura flowed out from her, and with the training from Ascension and Gorestrike she was able to move it around Ascension and GianTessa. Wisps of technicolor lights, reds and blues and yellows, flowed around the room, hitting the heroes like a tidal wave. A wave of nausea slammed into Wytch, breaking her concentration and forcing her to drop the spells.
Drowsiness and exhaustion settled over the heroes, the magical and biologically enhanced immune systems of the New Adventurers, Faery Fire, and Gargoyle working to clear toxins as the Sailors stumbled about.
“What-” Faery Fire said, panting for breath, “What was that?”
“Sleeping pills,” Psychedelika explained, “Simple, over the counter medication.”
“I-” Gamer Man said, his teeth grit with strain. His body wanted to collapse over, succumb to the sleep and surrender the fight. Whenever his eyes fluttered shut, visions of the mountain flashed across his mind, the bard shouting encouragement to stay awake, to stand up and fight. Gamer Man’s boot hit the ground with heavy slam, and Gamer Man pushed Psychedelika’s aura off him.
Psychedelika narrowed her eyes, directing her aura back towards Gamer Man, only to watch in bewilderment as it seemingly deflected off Gamer Man’s head.
“That,” Psychedelika muttered, “Has never happened before. Be sure to take out the blue guy first.”
“I can do it!” Gamer Man growled. His head felt like it was on fire, eyes straining just to stay in their sockets. He could hear the blood pounding across his head, his teeth locked in a rictus of sheer, unbreakable willpower.
“I’m going ahead!” Gamer Man declared, “To rescue the hostages!”
“You’re going nowhere!” GianTessa shouted.
“Allow him,” Gorestrike declared, his voice crackling in over a loud speaker.
“You sure?” Psychedelika asked.
“Lady Psychedelika, you spoil the fun!” Gorestrike declared, “You claim this warrior has done something no other has. It would be my honor to face him in single combat.”
“If you say so,” Psychedelika said.
Gamer Man charged forward, boots and armor clunking and clanking on the hard floors.
“Now, with that out of the way,” Ascension said, gesturing to Faery Fire, “My darling work of art, return to my side.”
“I’d sooner die,” Faery Fire muttered.
Zealot and Gargoyle dove for Ascension, only for Pink and Faery Fire to watch in disbelief as Gargoyle’s body simply folded as Ascension punched him.
Gamer Man ran into Gorestrike’s throne room, his eyes scanned the harem of captured, trapped young women, and moved on pure instinct. Gamer Man leapt forward, somersaulting through the air as the power frame disengaged from him.
“Get out of here!” Gamer Man told the women, telepathically commanding the power frame to move, “Follow the robot, I’ll hold him off!”
“You would challenge me?” Gorestrike bellowed, rising from his throne as the harem fled from him, “To face me in single combat?”
“I’m a superhero!” Gamer Man told him.
As Gorestrike stepped down from his throne, a ring of fire appeared around Gamer Man, trapping him in with Gorestrike just as the last of the women made it out safely. Gamer Man readied his electric club and shield, activated the haste ring, and Gorestrike brought his sword and axe up in a wide, sweeping gesture.
Gorestrike was fast, freakishly fast for how tall and bulky his armor was. Gamer Man opened with a thrust from his club, trying to zap Gorestrike, only for the giant knight to sidestep so precisely Gamer Man was certain he saw the shock baton connect. Gorestrike brought his axe down, and Gamer Man’s whole body buckled as he raised his shield to block, only to catch the full weight of Gorestrike. Knocked to the ground, Gamer Man swept the club out at Gorestrike’s ankles, only to see Gorestrike skip over the strike. Gorestike swung his axe down again, the heavy blade cutting a rough gash in the floor as Gamer Man rolled to one side and leap back to his feat, rifle in hand.
Knowing the shield would do him no good, the axe had nearly cracked the thing completely in half, Gamer Man fired the gel rounds from his custom rifle into Gorestrike, splattering them across his armor.
“Fight me!” Gorestrike roared in demand, “Lest I skewer you with my crossbow!”
Gamer Man hit a button on the side of his rifle, and all the gel rounds that stuck Gorestrike surged with electrical power. Gorestrike staggered mid charge, and Gamer Man swung his shock club down across Gorestrike’s head, sending the knight reeling backwards and leaving a black scorch mark on his helmet.
"Courageous," Gorestrike growled, sweeping his sword out as he rose back to his feet, "Cunning."
Gorestrike pivoted forward, thrusting his sword forward and forcing Gamer Man to dodge to the side. Gamer Man saw Gorestrike’s axe sweeping low and leapt into the air to avoid it. As Gamer Man dove over the axe, Gorestrike twisted his sword and drove it back towards Gamer Man. The violent sword dug into Gamer Man's thigh, the hero punching down with his club to stop the sword.
Gorestrike watched Gamer Man slam onto the ground, weapons still raised.
"Is that all?" Gorestrike inquired, "I had such high hopes for you."
"Don't insult me," Gamer Man said, rising to his feet. He tested his injured leg. The armor there was broken, but thanks to the regeneration ring he was unharmed. Gamer Man came in fast and low, aiming to strike Gorestrike in the knee in the hopes of toppling the giant, but Gamer Man’s club clanged against Gorestrike’s sword as Gorestrike thrust it downard to intercept the blow. Gamer Man staggered backwards, knocked off balance by Gorestrike’s ferocious block, and Gorestrike swung his axe out. Gorestrike’s aim was percise, his axe taking Gamer Man’s arm just above the elbow, sheering cleanly through the young hero’s power armor.
Gamer Man grit his teeth in pain, blinking back tears and working to keep his focus on Gorestrike. That hand had worn Gamer Man’s ring of regeneration, and Gamer Man knew he had to finish this now if he wanted to live. It was a gamble, desperite and foolish, but Gamer Man leapt at Gorestrike with his club raised high. Gorestrike’s absurd speed matched Gamer Man with his haste charm, and Gamer Man had barely enough time to block Gorestrike’s swing as it dug into his lungs.
Gamer Man took one last, shuddering breath.
Gorestrike stepped forward, tilting his mighty blade Gorestrike upwards to let Gamer Man slide down it.
“Why?” Gamer Man whispered, “Why do this?”
“Ah, the eternal question,” Gorestrike responded, “Truthfully, we act on the same impulse, seeking the same goal.”
“I’m not-” Gamer Man let out a rasping cough, feeling the taste of iron in his mouth, “Not evil.”
“No, you are not. But what would you say if I repeated your question?” Gorestrike inquired, “I watched from my throne, you, knowing you were outmatched, were given a chance to leave the battle. Retreat back to your comrades and rally them. Yet you boldly pressed on. You chose to enter my lair and face me in single combat.”
“You had- hostages,” Gamer Man said.
“Ah, yes, my harem. Do you know any of their names?” Gorestrike inquired, “I was honored with knowing them on an-”
“Dude, gross,” Gamer Man wheezed.
“Not like that,” Gorestrike declared, “I am a man of honor, I would not dare defile their purity. But my challenge still stands. What were their names? You don’t know, and so, you can hardly care. After all, people starve while you can have food whenever you want. People you have never seen, nor talked to, nor met in any way. And they live in a town you’ve never heard of, near a place you’ve never been. You don’t care about them, how could you? What you care about is the same thing I care about, glory.”
“Not true,” Gamer Man choked.
“Do not lie to yourself, mighty warrior,” Gorestrike instructed, “I have heard your origin, and I have heard the people’s response. They laugh at you and mock you, they taunt your righteous actions! You have strived to be the greatest version of yourself, yet this has earned you shame. You want glory, you crave glory. You want to stand at the pinnacle of heroism, and let those who mocked you eat their words. You came here, because you wanted the glory of defeating me.” Gorestrike saw the light fading from Gamer Man. “Alas, while you have fought with honor, courage, strength, skill, grace, and tact you, Gamer Man among men, are beaten. You fought well, I shall not defile you. But I must be going. You have allies I wish to meet.”
Gorestrike’s heavy steps rumbled in Gamer Man’s ears as the knight stalked away. He needed to get to his severed arm, to somehow reattach the bloodied stump. Gamer Man tried to balance himself on one arm, only to collapse in pain. His whole body hurt, Gamer Man realized, from the fight against Gorestrike and his mind ached from many other injuries he thought he could ignore.
Gamer Man reached his arm out, dragging himself towards the severed limb. The thing seemed so far away, Gamer Man thought, as he pulled himself forward inch by inch. A single thought grew in Gamer Man’s mind, one that he couldn’t banish no matter how much of his flagging will he called on. He wasn’t going to make it. And even if he did make it, what then? Hope that the magic would somehow reattach his arm?
A trail of blood marked Gamer Man’s slow passage, pouring from his side and stump of an arm. He fought to keep his eyes open, fought with all he had just to stay awake. Knowing that if he closed his eyes, let darkness take him, he would never open them again.
Gamer Man heard the rhythmic click and clack of foot steps. It took him a long time to process the information, too long he thought, and knew that Gorestrike had returned to finish him. An odd, metallic hand reached down and grabbed Gamer Man’s severed hand, and odd, metallic feet strode over to Gamer Man to place the hand down next to Gamer Man, sliding the severed hand back towards Gamer Man’s arm. Life swelled in Gamer Man as he pressed his limb together, and a coughing fit came over him to clear the blood from his stomach.
Gamer Man craned his neck up, trying to process what he was seeing. It was the power frame he had ordered to lead Gorestrike’s harem to safety. How did it get here? Gamer Man was certain he had never ordered the thing to return, and didn’t know if the telepathic commands had a range limit anyway.
The machine waved at him, and a crackling, synthetic voice came to life in Gamer Man’s helmet.
“Hello world.”