“Now, we must be quiet when retrieving our sleeping bags from the basement.” Courtler informs Aarón and Mico as they descend the steps. “Why?” Mico asks, his eyes wide. Courtler sighs. “There is an entity who has taken up residence down there who has a temper when disturbed. Now stay as quiet as possible.” Courtler opens the door of the theater basement while dimming the light on his camera head. He, Aarón, and Mico cautiously creep along the sides of the walls, freezing at every eerie creak and moan. The floor is soaked in what appears to be thick black ink. The smell makes Aarón light headed. Courtler halts and points towards a crate in the middle of the room. “The sleeping bags are in there. We have to be extra careful now seeing as he is becoming aware of our presence.” Courtler whispers.
“Got it.” The three slowly approach the crate. “This is heavier then remember…” Courtler says and lifts off the lid. Courtler takes a step forward and slightly loses his footing. Courtler accidentally drops the heavy lid, the old wood hits the concrete floor with a loud CRACK. “Oh no-” The inky substance on the floor begins to flow into the center of the room, building upwards into a monstrous blob. “You have disturbed my slumber!” It roars. Courtler quickly shoves sleeping bags into Aarón and Mico’s arms. “Run! I promise I’ll be fine!” Aarón and Mico reluctantly leave the Objecthead behind and only stop running when they are outside of the building.
“Uh, Where should we put these?” Aarón asks. “Just set them by the traincycle, we’ll take care of loading them in!” Aarón and Mico walk over to Courtler’s traincycle. The traincycle looks like a train mixed with a motorcycle. Two carts are attached to the back of it, one for them to ride in and one for their supplies. Aarón sets his load down before wiping the sweat from his brow. It is starting to get quite warm in the late afternoon light. Courtler finally appears. He holds three more bags and is visibly shaking. “That should be everything, let’s get going!” Roger announces. They all hop into the back cart, it is a tight fit but surprisingly comfortable. Courtler climbs on, turning the key. Steam comes out of the smokestack before the traincycle chugs to life, turning onto the main road and towards the gate to the city. Aarón and Mico gaze around at the landscape outside of the city. The desert is so much like the one they take hikes through back home, yet so much more vibrant with saturated colors in the red rocks that should be impossible to occur naturally.
For the first time since this crazy adventure began, Aarón fully relaxes, purring deeply. “Who are we seeing, exactly?” Mico asks. “We are going to The Moon pyramid which has been around for thousands of years, and it is the home of Khonsu.” Roger explains. “Khonsu? Like the Egyptian moon god?” Roger nods. “In fact all of the Egyptian and other gods are real too! most live in New Egypt, but Khonsu wanted to be somewhere a bit more quiet.” Aarón can’t help but chuckle. “I’ll believe that when I see it.” Aarón has never been and never will be a religious person. But he still respects the beliefs of others, that is unless they are part of a cult or use their beliefs to discriminate. Time passes, and the sun begins to set. Aarón had dozed off during the first three hours of a six hour drive, and now he groans as Courtler shakes him awake. “Hey, we’re making a special stop.” Before them lays a small white farmhouse with a big red barn behind it. “One of your half brothers lives here. Your biological father had a few other mates before he met Scarlet.” Aarón and Mico both climb out. “What’s his name?” Aarón asks. “Aylex Goldenfang. He earned the last name due to a unique genetic mutation that makes his fangs glow. He is around ninety years old.” They knock, and then the door creaks open. Aarón feels a wave of shock go through him. The man looks like him, but more muscular and with a crooked nose. “Who are you?” He looks at Aarón and Mico while sniffing the air. “Aylex, This is your half brother, Aarón Melisandré.” Aylex’s colorful features light up.
“So, you’re the Human-Katian sibling that got sent to earth after our father got killed?” Aarón nods. The door opens wider. “Come on in, I rarely get visitors.” Aarón looks at Tribez. “Go ahead, we will be waiting out here for you.” Aarón and Mico step inside. “So, what is earth like?” Alyex asks as they plop down onto two couches that face each other. “Way different than here, that’s for sure.” Aarón goes on to tell Alyex about his life thus far, but intentionally leaves out the more sensitive bits. “I see, when Circuit-Breaker first attacked Kaleido, I fled to the farthest reaches of the multiverse. But then once things settled down, I came back here” Aylex explains. Mico suddenly stands up. “Uh, where’s the bathroom?” He asks shyly. “Down that hall and to the right.” Aylex points. Mico scurries off. “I don’t have kids of my own, what’s Mico like? “He’s a really good kid! Always honest and hard working.” A strange look enters Aylex’s eyes. “Has he hit puberty yet?” Aarón frowns. “What-”
“I like kids…” Aylex’s fluffy black tail twitches. “First time I realized I did was when I was still quite young, for a Katian at least.” He smiles, showing off his giant glowing fangs. At that moment, Mico walks back in. “Uncle Aarón?” In the blink of an eye, Aylex leaps from the couch, grabbing Mico. Aarón also shoots up, clawing at his half brother with loud snarls. Aylex knocks him to the side with ease, dragging a screaming Mico into his bedroom and closing the door with magic. Aarón slams against the door, leaving long claw gashes in the dark wood. He hears a scuffle, then Aylex lets out a pained ROAR! The door bursts open as Mico runs out, sobbing. Aarón tries entering but Aylex quickly slams it shut again. Aarón grabs his nephew in a tight embrace, leading him outside into the warm air. The first thing Aarón notices is Mico pressing a hand to the side of his neck. “What did he do to you?” Aarón snarls. “He bit me! But I fought back!” Mico sobs. Aarón gently removes Mico’s hand, seeing a big bleeding bite mark on the side of his neck. His face darkens. Tribez rushes over as Courtler and the rest of the theater crew watch on in concern.. “What happened? We thought we heard you fighting?”
Aarón tells Tribez what has just happened, a fiery hot rage building up in him. A feeling of shock and disgust comes from Tribez. Before the Abstraz can respond, Aarón‘s pupils pin and he rushes back into the house. With a loud CRACK, he tears the bedroom door off of its hinges. He locks onto Aylex, noticing that one of the Katians eyes is mutilated, blood streaming down his cheek. Aarón grabs him in a headlock. Pictures and plaster fly from the wall as they fight, biting and clawing each other in a bloody battle. They emerge outside where Aarón finally grabs him in a headlock again. “How many kids have you done this to?!” He roars. Alyex chokes, but then smiles. The world seems to slow down, the only sound is the blood rushing through Aarón ‘s ears. Aarón unhinges his jaw and bites down on Aylex’s neck, shaking his head with great violence until there is a loud SNAP! Aylex falls to the ground, his neck limp and mangled. Aarón looks up, a wild look in his eyes. His fierce gaze lands on Mico who backs away before running off. Aarón’s eyes immediately soften as he watches his nephew disappear into the barn. What have I done?
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Mico lays on top of a stack of hay in the dark barn. He has finally calmed down enough to think straight, but the shock of seeing such violence from the person he loves still lingers. A strange buzzing noise makes him sit up abruptly. He doesn’t call out and instead drops to the ground behind the stack of hay. He listens intently, preparing to bolt at any second. Mico quietly moves along on his hands and knees, and as he peeks out from behind the corner of the hay, a familiar dog-like face greets him. Mico falls back, unable to make any noise as Circuit-Breaker towers over him. “Circuit-Breaker doesn’t want to hurt Aarón.” Mico blinks. The voice that comes from the robot sounds small and childish. Circuit-Breaker, or Michael rather, promptly sits down before Mico who hastily scoots backwards. “I don’t want to hurt anyone either, I just want a friend…” Mico feels his heart pounding in his chest as he is finally able to form words. “You sound like a kid.” Mico says. “That’s because I am one.” “What is your name?” Mico asks. Michael’s ears perk up. “My name is Michael, and I can tell you everything. But first we need to find the other kids that are trapped here.”
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Aarón rubs a special healing cream on the countless deep scratches his fight with Aylex had given him. It stings, but he knows the sensation means it is doing its job. He had taken a long cold shower beforehand, making sure that he scrubbed all the blood off his skin and out of his dense beard. Aarón carefully inspects his arms and chest before putting his beloved blue and gold tank top back on. Tribez had used some miscellaneous magic on his clothing to remove the blood, and made it so that the fabric would now stitch itself back up when damaged. Aarón makes his way through the eerily quiet house and to the back porch. Tribez is sitting on one of the wooden chairs, gazing towards the barn.
“Are you feeling better?” They ask. “Yeah…” Aarón says softly. “We must be heading off now.” Tribez states. “I know, but I’m worried Mico won’t want to go or even listen to me anymore…” Aarón’s face falls. Tribez stands. “There is only one way to find out.” The two walk towards the barn. As they draw nearer, Aarón’s ears twitch, his pupils pinning. Tribez notices. “I sense it too…” They say. The door suddenly opens, startling both of them until they see that it is just Mico. Aarón feels his heart skip a beat. “Mico-” is all Aarón can say before his nephew hugs him. “I was just shocked you did that, I know you’d never hurt me…” Mico says. Aarón hugs him back. “We need to get going, but we can talk things through once we get settled down, okay?” Mico abruptly lets go. " Uh, there were kids in the barn cellar.” Mico says quickly. “What?” Aarón feels his skin prickle. “Are they…?” Mico steps to the side, allowing two deathly thin and pale kids to finally walk out of the barn. The two look around at the outside world with wide eyes. Tribez rushes forward, immediately checking their vitals and placing healing magic on them. “How did you find them?” Is all Aarón can ask. “I heard, uh, crying. And I just followed the noise to this trap door…” Aarón places a hand on Mico’s back. “You’ve seen and been through more today than any kid should in their entire childhood. I’m so sorry, little man.”
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After Tribez sends the children through a gateway that leads to the hospital back in Redrock city, and wakes the Objectheads, the group continues their journey. Another hour or so passes, and the sky fills with bright colors as a giant red pyramid with a blue crescent moon emblazoned on the front comes into view. “I must send Mico to The Newon Safety Force HQ now. He needs to be tested to see if we need to take more serious action. All we can do is hope that Alyex failed to do lasting damage to his neck.” Aarón holds Mico tight. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, little man. No kid should have to deal with this.” Mico fights back tears. “I’m scared, Uncle Aarón. What if… something bad happens to me?” Aarón takes a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “I have the feeling that you’re gonna be okay, no matter what happens. You’re strong, Mico, and you didn’t ask for it. That sick freak did it because he likes being in control. Hurting kids was a choice he made.” They hug again before Tribez leads Mico through a gateway. A few minutes later, Tribez reemerges. “Your nephew is in good hands. As for who we are about to meet, there is no need for any special behavior. All of the Egyptian gods tend to highly dislike being treated as superior beings and are all quite friendly, especially Khonsu and Anubis in particular.” Tribez reassures Aarón . Tribez walks up to the giant double doors and gives three loud knocks before they step back. The doors creak open to reveal a bright passageway that leads to an impressive throne room decorated with silver crescent moons and blue stone. In the middle of it all sits a man in a white and gold pharaoh outfit with a mummified bird head.
“Tribez, it is good to see you again. And it is an honor to finally meet you, Aarón .” Khonsu’s voice sounds old and wise with a warm friendliness to it. “You are probably wondering why Tribez has brought you here, am I wrong?”Aarón nods. Khonsu stands up from his seat and walks down towards Aarón . He’s huge, nearly nine feet tall with rippling muscles under his dark skin. “Come, let us walk together.” Khonsu motions for Aarón to follow him. Aarón looks back at the others, anxious. “We will be setting up our things, go, you will be fine.” Tribez reassures him. He follows Khonsu down a long hallway off to the left, staring at all of the ornate symbols and hieroglyphics decorating the wall, silently wondering what they all mean. “You are still in shock from all of what you have learned, and what has just happened to your nephew, are you not?”
“Yeah, I am. It all feels like some sort of dream that I’ll wake up from. And I’m not sure if killing Aylex was the right choice…” The two of them step out onto a balcony as the sun begins to set once more. Aarón goes through his sundown ritual as usual, not afraid of being judged now. “Sundown rituals are a rare sight to behold these days, with your kind being almost gone. And now it is time for mine, of sorts.” Aarón stares in wonder as Khonsu’s head morphs and changes as the sun fully sets. Muscle and tissue and skin begins to wrap around the bare skull. As the moon rises, pure white feathers grow. “I am reborn again to my full power under the moon.” His blue eyes glow, seeming to stare straight into Aarón . “Now, Let me tell you something that will put your mind at ease regarding Aylex…” Khonsu summons two pillows for both of them, taking a seat.
“Your father, King Hobeara, had gotten word from a tribe that lived in the jungle parts of Kaleido about kits as young as one year of age going missing and later being found as nothing but skeletons with their bones picked clean. Hobeara had personally tried tracking down whatever monster had done such a horrific deed, only to quickly discover that it was his first son who had committed the unforgivable acts of cannibalism. Hobeara gathered all the tribes into the town center where the execution would take place. His son had begged and pleaded, but Hobeara no longer saw that man as his son, or a person. Hobeara then executed him by sucking all of the blood out of his body.” Khonsu says. Aarón feels a chill go down his spine. That’s brutal. “We all had our suspicions that Aylex wasn’t quite right in the head either, and you have stopped him from potentially enacting horrific sexual abuse on children.” Khonsu says. “You hold much pain and repressed anger under all of your friendliness, although that goes with many here in the multiverse that arrive from your world. The majority of people who end up here in the multiverse from Earth hold some kind of pain and trauma. None of you deserved anything you went through, I am sorry.” Aarón blinks back tears, suddenly emotional. “Would you like to share something with me? Perhaps I could help untangle some of the confusion and pain.”
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Khonsu assumes a cross-legged position, floating in the air. Aarón readjusts himself and takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. “I still have nightmares about the day my brother was killed. They feel so real. I also get mad enough to lash out and break things, but I mostly hurt myself…” Khonsu looks over Aarón , acknowledging all of his scars, especially the long one across his neck. Aarón looks away as he puts a hand up to it. “I tried killing myself one night, a year or so after. But as I was doing it, I remembered my nephew. That pulled me back, and my partner managed to get me to the hospital in time…” Khonsu’s eyes fill with great sadness. “You should not feel ashamed or weak. you were no doubt in unbearable emotional pain and turmoil. Your brain was desperately trying to find a way to end that suffering.”
Aarón makes a distressed noise and wraps his arms around his middle. “I was still in physical pain too. The person, who I now know is Circuit-Breaker, nearly killed me. I don’t know what he used to hurt me, all I can remember of him was that he wasn’t in his usual costume. He was wearing some sort of ski mask and bodysuit, but his body looked all blurry like it was glitching or something.” Khonsu’s eyes narrow.
“He was using illusion magic, or perhaps cloaking technology. Thank you for telling this. I know it is not easy to share such things, but telling people who won’t judge you and who you can trust helps you move on and heal.” Khonsu says. but his eyes are distant. Aarón sways back and forth on the floor, then his face abruptly turns into a mask of terror, his chest heaves. He sees a glimpse of Circuit-breaker swiftly moving towards the Moon Pyramid. “He’s coming!” Aarón shouts, his eyes unfocused.” Khonsu leaps up, He gazes out into the desert night. The god spots a pink and green glow.
Khonsu turns back to find Aarón starting to claw at his arms while whimpering. “I’m gonna die…” Khonsu gently grabs the dissociating man and moves his hands away. “I need you to calm down for me, Aarón. He’s not here just yet, but when he is, we will all protect you.” Aarón makes a low humming noise. “There is also one more thing that I can do that will grant you temporary peace. It is a blessing of clarity and calm, something that only a handful of others throughout the history of both the earth and the multiverse have received-” “I don’t wanna sound rude…” Aarón‘s voice sounds distant. “…But blessings haven’t done anything for me. They are well meant, they provide comfort, but are overall useless. Nothing but kind words…” Khonsu doesn’t seem offended by Aarón‘s words. “It is your choice, then. Yes or no.” The fuzz clears from Aarón‘s head enough for him to think. I’ve seen a lot of things I thought were impossible these last two days, and this guy is a real breathing Egyptian god… worth a shot. Aarón makes up his mind. “Let’s do it.”
Khonsu’s eyes glow brighter as he motions for Aarón to sit down once again. The torches go out around them, leaving only the light of the moon. Khonsu stands before Aarón and raises his arms into the air, chanting in a language Aarón does not understand. Blue lights and symbols start swirling around them both, forming a dome. Khonsu looks down at him, completely calm. “I, the god of the moon, grant you my blessing.” A blinding blue light along with wind that howls like a pack of wolves fills Aarón ‘s ears and eyes, then it all stops. A feeling of peace and strength washes over Aarón , his head clearer than it has been for months. Khonsu helps Aarón up. “This blessing will also grant you the power to call upon me for guidance in times of extreme distress, danger, and hopelessness. It is made so you can not abuse it, but I already know that you would never do such a thing.” A thought crossed Aarón’s mind. “You are a moon deity, why reside in a dimension created by a sun god?” He asks as he and Khonsu quickly hurry back down the flight of stairs. “Because without the sun, the moon would not shine so brightly.”
“Khonsu! Circuit-Breaker is coming!” Tribez exclaims. Khonsu bows his head. “I know, Aarón had a vision that alerted me. I have raised the protection around the pyramid, and have sent my guard, Pyra, to fend him off and buy us time. When he does get in, we must be prepared. I have given Aarón my blessing, but he is still in no condition to fight.” Aarón ducks his head. “I kind of had a mini breakdown a few minutes ago when I had that vision…” Aarón admits. “Perhaps it is best if we move Aarón ‘s things deeper into the pyramid? Aarón could rest while we stand guard seeing how us Objectheads and Abstraz’s don’t really need sleep?” Courtler suggests. Khonsu thinks for a moment. “I suppose so. The cellar is quite secure, and there is food down there too.” They gather Aarón ‘s sleeping bag and extra clothes, moving down a long flight of stairs until they reach a large wooden door.
“You must stay here until one of us comes to get you. I will cast an illusion spell on the stairway so it will be hidden. Eat as much as you want.” Khonsu says. With that, they leave Aarón standing alone. Aarón enters the cellar which is just as ornate as the main rooms above. Aarón sets down his sleeping bag and other baggage, looking over the barrels and crates of food. He finds one marked “oranges” and opens it, surprised to find perfectly fresh fruit. Probably kept fresh with magic. He takes three before returning to his makeshift bed, sitting down while peeling it. he bites into it with his fangs, sucking out the sweet juice like a vampire until it is dry. He hates the texture of oranges and other citrus fruits, and so he didn’t actually eat the actual fruit. Aarón pauses, listening. He hears the sound of small paws skittering across the ground, A coral pink mouse appears from behind one of the barrels. Without thinking, Aarón gets into a crouching position. He bears his teeth, moving towards the mouse. “Don’t even try it, pal.” Aarón blinks, snapping out of his trance. “Oh, uh, sorry?” The mouse climbs up onto a particularly tall barrel, looking down at him. “I’ve been living in this cellar for over four hundred years, eating food infused with time and life spells every day and night certainly has its effects on smaller creatures.” The mouse starts cleaning its whiskers and ears with quick precision.
“I saw that Khonsu gave you his blessing. That is quite an honor. I also heard that Circuit-Breaker is coming. Admit it, you WANT to fight him, kill him even.” The mouse stares straight into his eyes with its beady black ones. Aarón shifts uncomfortably. “Yeah, you’re right. I do. After all he’s done, he deserves everything that comes at him.” The mouse hops down. “Believe it or not, I used to be a magic wielder and teacher myself, but I got cursed and turned into a little pink mouse. I may not be able to use magic now, however that doesn’t mean I can’t teach you a few things. Get up, close your eyes and listen only to my voice.” Aarón gets up, shaking himself before doing as told. “I sense that you have used magic once before, fire magic. Let me see you summon a flame in your hand.” Aarón relaxes, letting his mind slip into the falling sensation and stream of energy. He holds up his hand, sending the magic down into his outstretched palm. A warm feeling creeps down his arm, and then a sudden warmth fills his hand. He opens his eyes to find a bright flame in front of him. “Very good. Now I want you to make the fire into a circle.” Aarón ‘s brow furrows. He tries imagining a circle, but for some reason the circle keeps turning into the tiger head on his costume. “Not exactly what I asked for, but very impressive. Now put it out with water. Imagine all things water related, how it feels, how it moves…”
Aarón closes his eyes again. He is starting to feel angry. The fire sputters out, turning into steam. “You’re almost there, but your frustration is getting in the way. Think of calming things…you can do it.” Aarón ‘s brow furrows again, his teeth gritting into a snarl. “I CAN’T.” He hisses, the flame flashes, growing into a giant fireball before exploding into nothingness. “Now, now, calm down.” the mouse chides, completely unfazed by his outburst. “Magic is a very difficult thing to master, but you did very well despite not being able to do exactly as i said.” Aarón looks down, taking deep breaths. “I’m sorry, I always have outbursts when I get frustrated or when something feels like it’s just too much, I’m sorry…” The mouse nods. “Apology accepted. I must go now, but keep on trying. Good luck.” The pink mouse scurries deeper into the basement and out of sight. Aarón looks back at the door. He decides, determined, that he will help, no matter what. He huffs, leaving the basement behind. Aarón ascends the stairs silently, stopping to listen every now and then. What if Circuit-breaker has somehow already snuck in?
He reaches the top, dropping down. Looking around, he realizes that the pyramid is way bigger than he had originally thought, hallways and rooms on every side. A loud screech echoes from outside the walls of the pyramid, making his skin crawl. He’s here… Aarón starts making low humming noises as he moves along the back walls, spotting the others at the entrance. They stand eerily still with weapons and magic at the ready. He stealthily moves to a pile of folded clothing and crates sitting in one of the corners closest to the entrance and sits down, peeking out. A bang echoes from the doors, repeating itself three times. Khonsu steps forward, wielding a giant crescent moon sword. “Leave this place. One does not intrude upon the home of a god and expect to leave unscathed. This is your first and final warning.” His voice booms. There is silence, but then the sound of metal slowly wrenching apart metal fills the air. “Everyone put up more protection spells, now!” Tribez orders. Aarón watches as all of them raise a hand, multiple translucent walls appearing in front of the door. “He is stronger than ever, he would not have been able to rip those doors apart before, and these spells will only hold for so long, somebody go check on Aarón.”
Shit. Aarón sighs. “I’m here…” He walks out from his hiding spot, his hands up guiltily. “Aarón , what are you doing?!” Tribez fumes. “Circuit-breaker is right at the doors! Get back down now!” Aarón ‘s eyes narrow, glowing brightly. “I WANT to fight, I know how to fight.” Tribez sighs angrily, but then gives in. “Fine, I will place an extra spell on you that will protect you like armor, but just be aware that it is only temporary and that you will still feel pain. I can not afford to use up a lot of energy.” Aarón feels warm air wrap around him. “Get ready.” The doors and magic barriers fall apart with an earth shattering boom. About ten gray robots, around Aarón’s height, rush into the pyramid.
The robots wield maces and swords that spark dangerously with electricity. Aarón unsheathes his claws to their full length, bearing his teeth as one rushes towards him. WHAM! He sends it flying backwards with one well placed punch. BANG! He kicks another one in the chest, leaving a giant dent. The robot he had kicked stumbles backwards but manages to keep its footing. Aarón doges the downward swing of its sword and sprints a few feet back, taking in the battle. Tribez and the others are busy with their own robots, and then through the mayhem he spots Circuit-Breaker. The robotic monster gazes back at him, his green mono eye boring into Aarón’s gold ones. Untamed anger floods through his veins. He wants to crush the thing’s wolf like head in with his bare hands, anything to get rid of its mocking golden smile, anything to get revenge.
Aarón is kicked to the floor from behind, a robot striking him in the back. Aarón rolls to the left but is not fast enough to avoid the slashing of the sword. He roars as he feels the pain of the electric weapon, then quickly realizes that it leaves no mark. Aarón snarls, kicking upwards with new found strength. He leaps back up, his own fury blinds him. He tears through the next few robots with nothing but his diamond-like claws, the sound of tearing metal deafening yet satisfying. Tribez sees where Aarón is fighting his way to, alarm racing through them. “Aarón! Aarón you can not take him on alone!!! Listen to me! Get back!” But Aarón is too lost in his fury to hear or care. “You killed my brother!” He yells, picking up one of the robot’s fallen weapons. Circuit-Breaker silently starts walking towards Aarón , pulling out two glowing swords. Aarón leaps at Circuit-Breaker. Their weapons meet with a clang, both of them using their full strength, pushing back at each other. Circuit-Breaker’s swords start glowing, melting Aarón ‘s weapon.
“You’ve made a mistake.” Circuit-Breaker says calmly. “You are weak minded and unprepared to fight me here and now.” Before Aarón can think, a small metal orb floats right up to his face, flashing him in the eyes with a blinding pink light. Aarón cries out, stumbling back. I’m blind! Can’t see- Unbearable pain then slices through his chest, sending him to his knees. Aarón collapses to the floor, the world around him ceasing to exist.
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Circuit-Breaker, or rather his creator who is in control of his body, races through the desert night. Aarón is messily tied to the back of his motorcycle, limp. Just as he is about to open a portal, a giant shadow appears from above, slamming into him and causing the motorcycle to vanish. The giant shadow slashes through the ropes binding Aarón before shooting up into the air with the Human-Katian in its arms. Another figure in the sky greets it and both head back towards the pyramid, leaving Circuit-Breaker in the sand. The sudden impact is enough for Circuit-Breaker to regain full control. He lets out a mechanical whine, the lights on his body flickering. Circuit-Breaker’s body sinks deep into the sand until it is sucked into a gateway.
Circuit-Breaker stands once the gateway closes, beginning to walk down a long passageway lit with green and pink lights. He is deep down in Newon’s complex sewer system, a part that had been constructed thousands of years ago by the dimension’s first peoples. He is not alone, however. Human men clad in tactical gear salute him as he passes, but Circuit-Breaker doesn’t even acknowledge or look at them. He turns a corner where two men guard a heavy stone door that is laced with intricate symbols and phrases in an ancient multiversal language. The guards bow as they open the doors for Circuit-Breaker. Circuit-Breaker enters a dimly lit and massive cylinder shaped room made of what looks to be obsidian. Attached to the walls and ceiling and even below him are huge cages that contain around one hundred Katians each.
Circuit-Breaker walks along the bridge that cuts through the middle of the room and to a center control panel. Circuit-Breaker is about to do something that he had been secretly doing for decades, he is about to activate the Mortal Engine to a little less than a third of its full power. “Please! Don’t do it!” Michael’s voice cries from inside his mind. Circuit-Breaker ignores him and flips various switches and presses a few buttons before pulling a lever. The Mortal Engine gives out a loud screech as it chugs to life. The Katians begin to cry out in pain before growing still as their souls are temporarily extracted from their bodies, all of them flowing into the walls of the room which rotates. The obsidian walls begin to glow a dangerous red. Circuit-Breaker waits until the entire room is engulfed in a blinding red glow until he presses one more button. All of the magical energy extracted from the Katians souls starts flowing into Circuit-Breaker, his metal body glowing a burning hot white. The flow of energy stops, and the Katian’s souls return to their bodies. Circuit-Breaker stands, staring at nothing. He had failed for what his creator vowed would be his last time. Circuit-Breaker feels himself being pulled into the dark void as his creator takes control. Everything becomes a blur.
Circuit-Breaker returns to his senses where once again feels himself chained up, but this time from the ceiling by his wrists. There is also something obscuring his vision again. He hears the door slam open, then excruciating pain just seconds later. “You failed.” His creator says blankly. Circuit-Breaker lets out a long pitiful sounding whine. Circuit-Breaker feels his creator grab his snout roughly. “It really was your last chance, but seeing as I have nothing better to send out, I’m going to be forced to give you extra time…” Circuit-Breaker hears a door slam shut and feels the chains unwrapping around him, his vision returns. “We could run away…” Michael says. “No, I have to do this.”