Diana "Fuck!... Why is this taking so long?!"

Kanji "I think we just need a bit of patience... though I say that this dirt is a bit tougher than the previous batch."

Diana "Yeah, this dirty is weird. I thought I felt a rock into there somewhere but there was no rock."

Dave "Yo, that's some schizo stuff."

Kanji "Whether or not it is just a trick of the mind. A test must be conducted."

He digs out a clutch of earth, his irises twirling to create an azure halo at their core.

Gwen "That's an interesting way to examine. Similar to my method but there's a difference. Let me guess, nanobots. Does it hurt? If so I could fix you up with some eye modification. I guarantee it is way safer and effective."

Kanji "Enough with the jokes. My method is far superior and besides doing this is quite pleasant thank you very much. Now let's see what's up with this-

In the spaces between the dirt particles, an anomaly lurks.

Kanji "Curious. An unfamiliar foreign substance. Possibly from alien origin. Did those Castastrians prepare this beforehand or did they put these here knowing that we were digging?"

Mina "I can vouch to say that they just put this here. I can tell that this dirt is flesh. Trust me, I have been to a lot of places."

Azan "I'll support that they definitely made some last decisions. Seeing as the last two rooms had extra steel walls."

Dave "Yo. I'm going to say something out of topic, Kanbro. If you discover new shit but aliens already know that shit, do you get to name that shit or not?"

Kanji "Ah yes, Xeno-discovery Opposition Paradox. This topic was debatable for a short while but it ended with everyone coming to the conclusion that we should treat it like how we interpret things in different languages."

Amelia "Oi, you mean like how I say mate which can mean a friend. Right?"

Claire "Exactly, Amy. Right now... speaking of a mate. I'm more worried about Sarah."

Noah "Why? She is stronger than you think... Okay... maybe I'm a bit worried."

Azan "Not to worry everyone. I still have a single change slot left. I could teleport our location based on your device, Kanji. However, I don't know if we would be at the right elevation."

Kanji "Yeah, that is a glaring issue. Let's say we teleport as a last resort. With a little effort, we can dig up or down until we find her. For now, Adrian. Keep track of her breathing and let's continue digging!"

In perfect harmony, they roar out in joy and plunge their hands into the fertile loam.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Sarah "412... 413! Ha....fuck! That's my limit! Man... that was exhausting."

With an effortful gasp, she rises, twirling to face a decorated wall. An uncanny masterpiece, more extravagant than her wildest dreams, presents itself on the wall in front of her— a torrent of curving gashes, indentations, and holes whirling inward to a perfect larger crevice at the epicenter. Retreating for a more complete view, she unwittingly backs into the icy, rigid steel of the facing wall, her daggers teetering on the edge of falling.

Sarah "Oh shit! That was close. Okay now for the second test. One... two... three!"

In the blink of an eye, her daggers shimmer and switches into a powerful metallic ring.

Sarah "There you are, old trusty. Now we wait for our prey..."

Sinking to the ground, she extends her limbs outward. Time trickles by...

A sudden burst of light assaults her vision, yet she makes no attempt to shield her sight.

?? " Wow, this is quite the surprise. You look like you have gotten more capable."

Her grin widens at the sight of the silver-maned cultist standing merely strides away. As her adversary spins to face the artwork in surprise, she recoils at the abhorrent crudeness of the design. Feeling offended, M124 retreats a few paces...

M124 "What an ungodly sight?! You haven't improved one bit! There is no structure in any of that!"

Sarah "Does that really matter? What counts is the will to win."

M124 "Great. Now, I would really rather fight your gorilla bitch of a friend."

Sarah "Hey! You really think she's stronger than me."

M124 "You can't be serious. She is definitely stronger. Your ego is getting to you."

Sarah "Fine, you may be right but I'm enough to defeat you. Hold on... why her?"

M124 "It's a personal issue. Isn't that why you're here too? Shut up. Let's fight."

Sarah launches her ring toward M124's skull. Smirking, her foe vaults over it...

M124 "Nice try-

In a sprint, Sarah closes the gap, near enough to land a blow. M124 raises her arms, intercepting a pair of Sarah's direct punches. Sarah retorts with a smug grin and conceals her arms behind her back.

From out of nowhere, twin daggers appear and Sarah pierces M124's torso.

The blades barely break the skin, sending Sarah into a state of panic. She wrenches the blades free, retreating as a stream of blood gushes forth. Within a couple of blinks, Sarah could have sworn something squirmed within the wound before it miraculously closes shut.

Sarah "What the hell was that? Also, why is your flesh so tough?!"

M124 "Isn't there an obvious answer? Cricket flesh, sis! It's harder than human flesh! You can't hurt me that easily!"

The spilled blood begins to crystallize.

Razor-edged and glass-life formations protrude from the floor and M124 shatters several large fragments with a swift kick. She scoops one up wielding it like a dagger, gesturing at Sarah's own weapons. Sarah observes her blades, the bloodstains beginning to harden before suddenly pausing...

Sarah "Ah, so there is a limit. I'm guessing it has to do with the amount the blood."

M124 gawks as Sarah skilly twirls the dagger, its weight seemingly insignificant as if it was a toy.

M124 "H-How?! How are you swinging those heavy crystals?"

Sarah "Training. Lots of training. Hey... do you want to see a magic trick? Take a good look at these daggers."

M124's eyes are glued on Sarah's hands as they spread open. The daggers vanish only to reappear as though they had never been stained. M124 backs away in shock, retreating to the crooked wall behind her.

M124 "What?! How?! You didn't have that power last time."

Sarah "What's wrong? Are you going to piss your robes or are you going to continue fighting?"

M124 "Fuck! I don't know what you did but... it isn't going to save you this time!"

Biting down on her lip, she spews a volley of crystalline shards.

Sarah "Wow! Eww!"

Sarah swerves and darts beneath the airborne shrapnel before springing up in a leap, ready to plunge down her blade. M124 swings her crystal weapon forward... Their weapons clash, causing the crystal to shatter.

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A storm of blood shards pierces her arms, and Sarah... releases her daggers.

Touching down, she lands a blow to M124's gut— the residual crystal falls. Following it up with an uppercut and a powerful kick, she sends M124 rolling across the room. Sarah surveys the battered cultist. In her hand, The Aspect of Fiction now carries a Zweihander.

Sarah "Any last word? You ignorant bitch."

M124 "Fuck you! This fight is pointless! You will lose in the end!"

Sarah heaves the colossal blade but narrowly misses her throat.

Sarah "Why did you dodge that then?"

M124 "I'm not dumb enough to-

Pinning the cultist's chest underfoot, Sarah swings again. M124's arms rise in a guard...

They push against each other but Sarah gains the upper hand. The blade slices through, severing her forearms. Unfazed, M124 chuckles at her predicament. Sarah scowls and points her weapon at her throat.

Sarah "What's so funny?!"

M124 "You haven't improved at all. You merely used tricks to your advantage. Now... I will show true power."

The viscous blood flow retracting from her stumps begins to encircle her upper body.

The liquid seethes as if it is sentient, crystallizing into an armored shell encompassing her arms, neck, and torso. Spikes sprout from the shoulder pads and chest plate. Sarah manages to pull away her feet just in time. M124 seems satisfied with her new protection. Seizing the opportunity, Sarah extracts the implanted shards from her arms.

She takes the bandages and covers the wounds as her hands move in a blur.

Sarah "Whew, I was getting a bit itchy from those crystals. Hey! M124! You look a little heavy there! Let me guess! You didn't about that. Did you?!"

M124 "Shut up! I know what I'm doing! At least you can't kill me anymore."

Sarah "You seem confident. Let's see if that is true!"

Bolting forward, their meeting is once again marked by conflict. M124 delivers with a punch.

Sarah dodges it and grabs her opponent's arm, dragging the cultist towards her before slipping to her rear. Her back aligns with the chaotic mural on the wall. Flashing a mischievous grin, she settles onto the floor, launching a casual whistle, seemingly oblivious to the ongoing battle.

M124 "What are you doing?! Take this fight more seriously!"

Sarah "I'm just taking a little breather. You should try it too."

Teeth grinding, M124 charges forth, determined to smash Sarah into the graffiti-ridden wall.

M124 "Here I come!"

Sarah rises, retrieving her metallic ring from the dusty floor.

Sarah "Checkmate. With this, My revenge is done."

Swinging with intent, M124 leans back just in time, saving herself from a fatal blow. The weapon only succeeds in slicing halfway into her torso before bouncing back to her.

Sarah "Shit! Too swallow. Dam- Woah, what the fuck is that?!"

A creepy, elongated creature writhes out from the fresh wound, its scream reverberating off the walls. Sarah studies the bizarre being with bizarre fascination as M124 watches in terror. Resembling a blood worm, its countless vein-like limbs are a sight of pure horror. A sudden pang of excruciating pain detonates within M124's chest. Frantically, the cultist breaks off a piece of her armor to impale the creature.

It proves futile. She repeats her attacks with growing desperation.

M124 "Dammit! Help! What is this fucking thing?!"

Sarah "As awesome as it is... I can't allow a third party to join our fight."

She hurls her metallic ring at the creature, only for it to ricochet.

The parasitic worm squirms, eager to break free from its host. M124's flesh gradually bloats, taking on a crystalline appearance. Her screams fill the air until her voice gives out. With a pitiful look, she extends her hand toward Sarah.

M124 "Help... pl-please."

Sarah "Fuck. This wasn't how things were going to go. I have no choice. Come one... Sciophobalos!"

A veil of shadow emerges from behind, cloaking her body.

Drawn to the menacing figure with glowing crimson eyes, M124's emotions waver between fear and relief. As Sarah closes in, the entity lashes out, its attack phasing through her head.

Sarah "Sorry but that's not gonna work. Only extreme light can hurt me but I guess you're too stupid to figure that out."

Transforming her right arm into a spear-like extension, she impales the creature.

The creature's vein-like limbs flail out of control, its form expanding and collapsing into a goopy mess. Sarah gazes at the gaping hole in her adversary's chest, a sense of regret passing over her.

Sarah "Nononono! This can't end like this! We must have a proper fight!"

M124 "He..heh. This is.... it for me. It was a good fight."

Hesitant, her hand delves into her inventory. M124 witnesses a syringe plunging into her chest as her vision blurs and then clears. Rising, M124 confronts Sarah once more...

M124 "Shit. I forgot you guys have that. Are you sure want to fight me? That was your last chance to end me. Why?-

Sarah "I want a fair fight! No third party no backup! No nothing!"

M124 "You'll be upset that your friends are digging to here as we speak."

Sarah "Then I'll tell them to stay on the side and watch us fight! If I die, I die! Got it?!"

M124 "Sure... but one small issue. My powers are gone."

Sarah "WHAT?! How?!"

M124 "I... don't know. My memories are in a bit of a shuffle. There appears to be some stuff I have forgotten but I do know that thing was the source of my power."

Sarah "What the hell? Why would it want to kill you?.... No way, I think I saw this before. It was trying to transform you! Right?!"

M124 "Yeah that sounds about right. I remember that my leader told me to repeat a certain phase for it to happen but I didn't know that worm was the catalyst. Well, I can't do anything. I can't give you the fight you wanted."

Sarah "Hey! When were you such a pussy! Didn't defeat me with just your hands last time? Come on! Put them up!"

M124 "That was a bit rude but isn't this a bit unfair-

Sarah stows away all her weapons...

M124 "Well very. We shall have a good old fistfight."

The adversaries engage once more, their palms locked in a test of strength. Despite their best efforts, it results in a deadlock. Breaking free, Sarah swipes her hand across M124's face, causing her to shield her eyes. Seizing the chance, Sarah lands a kick to the right side of her head.

M124's mind rattles... but then... a chink in her mental frame appears.

M124 "I'm... er... my name. MY NAME IS SELINA!"

Sarah "What? Woah, was that your real name? My kick was that good."

Selina "Yeah, it was. Let's keep going! I need to know more!"

Sarah "Okay then here comes more knuckle sandwiches."

Sarah delivers a side kick but Selina strafe to the left, causing Sarah's foot to meet the steel wall. Landing a punch to Sarah's liver, Selina hurls her across the room. Rising, Sarah guards her hip with both hands. Selina, feeling a pang of apprehension, charges at her. Sarah smirks and tilts her head back. Then—

Their heads collide... both combatants fall to the ground. An image burns itself into Selina's mind.

Selina "What? What the hell was that? Was that a basement? I think I was a kid back then. Why were my legs chained up to a bathtub?"

Sarah "You sure are having fun recovering your memory. I'm kinda glad to have this fight you know. Though it won't be revenge until I beat you?"

Selina "You... can try... G-good luck."

Strangely, Sarah notes a tremor in Selina's voice. The thought fades as Selina assumes a fighting stance. Mimicking her, they begin to circle one another. Selina initiates, unleashing five quick jabs. Despite missing two, three land squarely on the joints of Sarah's right arm. A numbness sets in...

Sarah "What the hell? Acupuncture? How does that even work?"

Selina "You just... hit one point really hard. It's that easy."

Sarah swings her right shoulder, sending her arm forward like a whip.

Sarah's palm connects with Selina's head. Fleeing in pain, Selina's gaze fixates on something beyond what Sarah thinks. She stumbles on her rear, shielding her face before kicking away to the other side of the room.

Selina "No stay away! Mother! Please! Put that syringe away!"

Sarah "What the- Hey! Snap the fuck out of it! Are you going to take this seriously or not?!"

Selina's vision vanishes and she looks at Sarah.

Selina "W-what? What the hell is going on... I-I...

Rushing towards her, their faces draw close. Sarah's hands frame Selina's face, shaking it vigorously in every direction. However, her efforts only succeed in pushing Selina deeper into the abyss of her memories. Her eyes become vacant and her lips begin to move, forming words...

I was six and my name was Selina Golworth. My family was poor after my father died. Despite the financial trouble, my mother loved me with all her soul. One day, I got my blood tested at a specific hospital. My type was RH null. She told me that I was special and it could lead us out of poverty.

For a couple of months, my mom would send me to that hospital to sell my blood once per week. It wasn't that bad... until greed caught up with my mother. I found myself locked up in a bathtub slowly bleeding and filling it up. She would often come to shove strange food down my throat and if I refused, she would beat me til I was conscious. It was like this for twelve years...

One Saturday, someone saw me through a small window and reported it to the authorities. My mother was arrested for life and I became an 18-year-old orphan. No one would adopt me until one day a man named "John Calsion" approached me. He promised to relieve me of my trauma if I joined his cult so I did.

Now, however, I know the truth. My blood test was a lie. That hospital was all operated by members of the cult. They corrupted and tricked me.

A shift from her serious tone, her body quivering in fear. Selina curls up into a ball and crawls to a corner, her gaze averted unable to meet Sarah's...

Sarah "So that's a truth. I understand now... but that doesn't mean you get to go off scott free you know! Come on! Stand up and fight me!'

Selina "N-N-No... ple-please... le-let me b-be."

Sarah grinds her teeth and walks over to her.

Each stomp amplifies Selina's crying. Pausing, Sarah sees nothing more than a fragile girl before her. Too battered, too scared, and too shocked to fight back. The opponent she sought was no longer there. Instead, Selina looks like someone who just got... bullied.

Tears well up in Sarah's eyes...

Sarah "Dammit. Why are you so... why are you like this?! Are you just... just... JUST LIKE ME?! MY STUPID! WEAK! FUCKING PAST!"

Selina "Wh-what ar-are you... ss-saying?"

Sarah turns away from Selina.

Sarah "Please. Just get out of my sight. I recommend you think about your future. Hold on to what connection you have with your friends. Keep them close and cherish them with all your heart. Only then can you move on... your position as a major is probably at risk right now. Good luck."

Selina gazes at her trembling hands. Sarah's words spark a resurgence in her will, her hands gradually stopping and her eyes closing in silent acceptance.

M124 "Our main base is in the Netherlands... right under The Rjjksmuseum. Thank you."

A flash of light fills the room, and she vanishes. Suddenly— An opening forms in both the ceiling and the floor...

Dave "Yo, Sas bro! We here... Oh... Are you okay?"

Sarah "I'm not okay. That fight was more... emotionally draining than I thought. I know what we must do. Their base is in the Netherlands, right under The Rjjksmuseum. We have to kill their leader, John Calsion."

Kanji "Wait, you managed to gather all this info during your fight! Interesting. I'm super curious about what happened."

Gwen "Hold on. John Calsion? Calsion... this might be a coincidence but I think I can draw a vague theory on what's going on here. I can discuss it once we escaped from this dirty hell hole."

They exchange a nod, and Sarah leads the way, shovel in hand, towards a new dawn.