Location: Terra Colony Andromeda
North Sector - Training Field Septa
Time: 1445
January 31, 2050
[This is a bad idea.] Richard mumbled under his breath as he kept pace with Amanda. He tried to ignore the loud booming going off around him. It was easier said than done. [Just focus.. Think about the facts. It all sounds good on paper.. But..] The ground suddenly shook with a quake that rattled his brain, he stumbled and almost tripped. A ringing filled his ears. It was like the world was trying to knock some sense into him. [C-Can we even do this?]
[Of course we can.] Amanda’s snappy interruption brought him back. [Stop muttering to yourself and watch your step.]
Richard realized that he had forgotten to close his side of the comm and went a bit sheepish. [Sorry, I guess I’ll shut up.]
It wasn’t like him to slip up. Amanda expected that he of all people would know when the comm was on or not. But who am I to talk? I’m still getting the hang of this thing. She glanced over, seeing the little quivers in Richard’s hands. He’s nervous, and so am I.
And if Richard was nervous he probably had a good reason why. He was smart, a capable mind, and had the reaction and reflexes to back it up in a fight. She didn’t admit it aloud, but Richard was the smartest and most reliable guy she knew. So if he was shaking, then what they were about to do was definitely going to be risky and difficult. There was a big emphasis on the difficult part.
Minutes ago, they had gathered themselves and split from their squad per 00’s suggestion. The AI directed the pair of upperclassmen to hold as many of the hounds' attention for as long as they could. At the same time, 00 marked a route for Amanda and Richard in their HUDs. It was a short distance, except there were a number of twists and turns with how the landscape had changed from all the clashing Itsuki and Sinder were doing. Maneuvering was tough. There were dozens of patches of burning earth they had to avoid, jutting mazes of raised rock and split boulders, and an insane number of potholes in the ever changing terrain. Not to mention, every step was harder to take because it could possibly draw the attention of Sinder’s hounds.
Amanda stopped, coming down into a crouch as she put her back to a ridge line. So far so good. By the sound of it, Alpha 1 has their attention as well. Checking the route and their relative position to everyone, she and Richard were now about 50 meters behind Itsuki. Popping her head up to check, an abrupt shockwave hit her straight in the face. She ducked back down, shaking the dust and blinking the blurry vision out of her eyes.
Yeah, it seems like we’re here. This was the closest they could get to the fight without being caught in it. A few steps more and they’d be in the blast radius of the hound’s fiery barrage. Amanda peeked again, this time edging her eyes slowly over the corner. All around, the ground was on fire in molten patches of charring earth. Dirt was being sprayed up in 10 feet geysers, and it was as if everything had been raked with lines of lava. In the middle of all that, Itsuki stood his ground.
Amanda opened the comm to 00. [Alright, we’re in position. Are you sure we haven’t been spotted?]
[Query.. Affirmative.. I have allocated part of Group Alpha to draw fire. Additionally, Itsuki has been pressing his attack. Unfortunately, the number of hounds has not lessened. I suspect Sinder will summon more of her constructs should she notice Alpha 1’s movements.]
[But that’s where we come in, right?] Amanda was without doubt onboard with the plan, but.. [Can we really take them out? I see about over 20 or 30, and that’s just the ones I can spot from here. What if we aren’t able to get them all in time and more arrive, or they just outright overwhelm us?]
[Query.. Then I suggest that you switch to a defensive role. Remember, you and Richard will be acting in a support role. User Itsuki will be able to handle the hounds as long as you can keep up with him and not get in his way.]
That wasn’t much comfort or assurance. Amanda was putting a lot of her faith in the hands of a person she considered an asshole. She didn’t get along with Itsuki all that well, mostly because his attitude and outlook were always too cynical, brutish, and stoic. She also suspected something was wrong with him. Suicidal, maybe even crazy.. Jeez, this is not making me feel any better. Not only that, but why am I trusting this AI? I don’t even know it. Or is it a he? Or a she? Jesus, there are just too many unknowns.
[Query.. User Amanda, are you ready?] Asked 00. [When you are, we will go on your mark.]
Amanda nodded, then looked over to where Itsuki was. She watched barrage after barrage consume his position in ash and fire. By all means, he should’ve been a pile of cinders by now. Instead, he fended the attacks off as if they were nothing but hindrances. In the short lulls between attacks hounds sprung at him. They snapped their fangs at him, swiped their fiery claws, and snarled with stares of unbridled bloodlust. Itsuki tackled one of the hounds to the ground, not even flinching as one of them bit into his arm. He tore that one off and bashed his fist into its head, then threw it like a projectile at another.
“Savage, just.. savage.” Amanda gulped, wondering if she remembered to turn off the comm. She clenched her sword, taking in her reflection in its golden hilt. I’m afraid. I’m scared. When was the last time that happened? She recalled her childhood. The orphanage, the storm. We were scared for our lives. The roof creaked and we weren't sure if it was going to fly off or not. It was such a hazy memory for her.
When it ended.. I.. I.. She had been the first to step out of the dilapidated building and admired the clearing sky. The familiar feeling of the cold mud under her weak legs tugged at her heart strings. The emotions are still there, the fear and guilt. The world is a scary place.. And not everyone can survive.
Richard put a hand on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. Amanda sighed, somewhat relieved. She shook her head. No, this time it’s different.. She wasn’t going to fall into desperation and let fear control her like before. This time.. I’m going to face it.. I’ve come this far. I can go further. I want to go further.
Pressing her fingers to her earpiece, she sent off a signal. There were a couple seconds of dead air, and she thought she had messed up using the device. Technology just really wasn’t her strong suit. She was about to try again until a returning ping chimed in her ear.
Amanda smiled, a little glad and embarrassed. Phew. Looks like I did it right this time.
***
His mind raced. He couldn’t stop himself. A voice echoed at the forefront of his mind, his own voice, bellowed like a man on fire. Except instead of pain and concern, the voice was a monotone copy overlaid with other mouths all speaking at once.
Attack Pattern Identified
Recalling - Memory Line - 6342-SINDER-ALPHA251
Analyzing - Assessment Complete - Initiating Countermeasure
Recalling - Memory Line - D213-HOUND-BETA251Z
Analyzing - Assessment Complete - Initiating Countermeasure
Fire flashed around him in a haze of heat. The ground flickered with flames and their floating embers brushed against his chest. Not even blinking when they fluttered across his eyes, Itsuki moved through it all. His intent was fixed on the lines of enemies ahead. A group of 5 hounds scattered at his approach. He caught one by its black tail and smashed another by throwing the first. The bodies cratered the ground, limbs flying away as they dissipated into particles of core energy.
Speckles of blazing dirt threw up the air from the hounds barraging him from all sides once again. Itsuki blocked the incoming projectiles, using his fists like shields and weaving himself through. He kept low but was still hit. Some fire pinged off his body like bullets deflecting off of tank armor. His brain felt it, it was a brief sensation of astonished pain that was quickly ignored. ADJUSTING! ADJUSTING ADJUSTING! The voice at the forefront screamed, then settled as one voice, then two, then three, and so on and so forth joined the cacophony.
Defensive Pattern Identified
Recalling - Memory Line - 23342-D8SINDER-GAMMA662
Analyzing - Assessment Complete - Initiating Countermeasure
Recalling - Memory Line - D243-SINDERD-45-GOLD251H
Analyzing - Assessment Complete - Initiating Countermeasure
Every thought spurred him further, his actions moved faster than thought, faster than any human’s reaction time. The natural core energy inside him, once a consistent stream, was now a rapid churning of tides. And it was only getting faster the more overriding control he exerted. It was like tightening the flow of water in a pipe, it sped up, going faster and faster as it was focused and forced through a smaller point. Becoming stronger. Lethal even.
His HUD blared an alert. The built in Biomonitor of his earpiece displayed all his charts red lining. Anymore and he’d be dead. But Itsuki, his subconscious mind that was in control, ignored it all. Just like it had for the last 10 times, he didn’t care. There was only one thing on his mind.
Win. Kill. Enemy. Target. Complete the Mission.
It all repeated like a prayer, a mantra, a promise, an oath. No matter how burdening it was to undertake each action, Itsuki pressed on, shattering himself if needed. Every piece of him, like glass shards of a cracked pane from a window, voiced a cry of need and desire. All of them were him, but not him. They were broken, changed, echoes of who he was seconds, minutes, hours, days, or years ago.
The enemy is right there.
Kill it!
Quickly!
6 more on the left.
Dodge. Block. Raise your arms.
Channel the energy there!
Let it permeate over you.
Strike! Kill it! Kill it now!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! DIE! DIE! DIE!
WE’LL KILL THEM ALL!
Keep calm. Focus.
LET IT RUN WILD!
Hone yourself. Control your will!
Fight for them! Protect.. Defend.. DIE! DIE! DIE!
Too many voices, too many suggestions, ideas, ideals, and emotions. Itsuki verged on letting it all spill from the pot that was his mind. Would his vessel crack and spill? Would it be pushed to its limit?
It doesn't matter. It will do.
The smoke cleared around him. Sinder’s recent barrage had set him back, she was getting further away. UNACCEPTABLE. This distance between them gave her ample advantage to whittle him down with ranged attacks. And her hounds kept getting in the way. Again, a new wave of them charged at him like a tide of hungry demons.
20.. No.. 30.. Itsuki set his stance, arms up and energy humming from his silver gloves. The cracking lines across his body spread. Power surged and a warm sensation crawled then rose up into his skull. Analyzing.. Attack Pattern Identified.. Countermeasure..
The train of thought stopped as the charging hound slowed and scattered. Ice hailed down on them, skewering some and enveloping others in a cold embrace. Those that remained went for him. He punched away the ones going for his neck, shattering teeth and feeling the crack of skulls vibrate on his knuckles. There are too many. Can’t.. ADJUST. The pause in his thinking left him vulnerable, and the hounds pinned him. They bit at his legs, his arms, and chest. He was riddled with the beasts, all of them trying to draw blood. His blood.
A mistake. The voice in his head said. Analyzing.. MUST.. KILL.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Maybe, but Maybe you need to look around. Itsuki thought. There was another pause, a gap in his subconscious thinking. A part of his mind was stunned, like it was a numb arm. That was a first. He then sensed the pair of students behind him approaching, and that something was flying his way.
“Hey! Itsuki!” There was a voice, Amanda’s. Why is she shouting? She could’ve just used the comm. “Catch!”
Itsuki turned his head to look. His subconscious thoughts raced once again.
New Variable Added.. Recording Event.. Beginning Analysis.. Counter Attack Advised.. Previous inquiry from 00.. Unblocked.. Analyzing.. Unpacking Data File.. Possible solutions found.. Suitable.. To an extent..
Recalling - Memory Line - I8639-PUPPETEER-SIERRA3342
Recalling - Memory Line - Z46173-JOWOL-JEMNA666
So be it.. The end result is the same. KILL. KILL. KILL.
A sharp stab of static brained Itsuki, bringing a crackling waver to his vision. Ugh.. guess this is.. Going too far.. Not enough.. space.. His thoughts became harder to perceive to make out from his fogging mind. The inputs into his stream of consciousness weren’t flowing. They were like drops of oil trying to mix with water. Nothing was meshing, it wouldn’t take. I’m.. Losing.. Control.. Can’t.. Can’t.. Can’t..
Tens of voices screamed, drowning out Itsuki and pulling him into a maelstrom. One thought prevailed in the middle of it all. The core of his being.
Kill. Kill. Kill.
***
Amanda watched what she had thrown reach its mark. Amongst the hounds swarming Itsuki, his fingers curled around the smooth and cool hilt of a saber made of ice. Fashioned by Amanda herself, her control over creating and using ice was second to none. The creation seemed flimsy, fragile, and thin, as ice would usually be thought of. But not her ice.
Itsuki brought the clear blade down and its tip went clean through the hound’s toughened fur. He twisted it to deal a killing blow and swung again. The movement was so quick that Amanda saw only a flash. The next second the hounds were dashed away. Clawing and skidding, the beasties did their best to ground themselves. A gust whipped in every direction, making her flinch and then she lost sight of Itsuki.
Guess 00 was right. While Amanda was no doubt onboard with the plan, she wasn’t all too sure if what 00 suggested was true. The AI had summarized that Itsuki’s disadvantage at the moment was his lack of weapons. She didn’t seem true, he made easy work of the hounds as is, though it made sense if she thought about the last time they had sparred. This battle with Sinder would’ve been over far quicker if he had used the ridiculous amount of firepower and equipment he usually brought along. But is this going to be enough?
“Amanda! We got incoming on our right.” Shouted Richard. He stuck to Amanda’s side, blocking an incoming slash from a pair of hounds. With a twist of his wrist, his sword thrusted and fended them off. He then went for one of their eyes. “Damn, they’re fast.”
Unlike the earlier hounds, who only charged and attacked mindlessly, the ones closer to Sinder were faster and smarter. Whether it was because they were closer to Sinder or not didn’t matter right now. The pair of beasts jumped away, snarling and howling balls of fire in return. Amanda snapped her attention back to the fight and threw up some protection for him. One bolt hit while the other crashed a few ahead of them. Richard lost his footing, debris flying into his eyes.
Amanda stepped in and swung her frosting sword, snuffing out another volley of blasts. All around, she sensed the numerous sharply animalistic intents and gazes. Not good. We’re surrounded. Her little stunt had kicked the bees' nest. The HUD’s mini map filled with enemy icons. They were like sitting ducks waiting to be eaten by a predator. More warnings blared and red enemy icons came closer. And coming in fast.
[Hey, 00!] She opened a line and conjured up a barrier of ice around them. It held out against the first volley and was holding off the second. [We’re not going to last that long. What now?]
[Query.. Hold position.. My assistance will arrive soon. User Amanda, focus on supporting User Itsuki. User Richard, defend User Amanda.] 00 paused, then it’s voice turned alarmed. [Number of enemy contacts rising.. I advise getting to cover. Next barrage incoming.]
[This is what I was worried about.] Richard mumbled. [We weren’t expecting this much attention.]
Fire ripped at the barriers of ice. Brilliant white flakes flew, startling Richard. He pressed his back to take cover, wondering if Amanda’s ice would hold. Fire beat ice in his book, and it was only a matter of time and temperature.
[Query.. This is still within calculated prediction.] 00 said. [Please, remember the plan.]
[Yeah.] Amanda rolled her eyes. [Like we have a choice now.]
She fired off a returning attack of ice bolts in an attempt to suppress their attackers. Their incessant howling didn’t lessen no matter how much she threw at them. Their numbers kept growing. If Sinder wasn’t dealt with, Amanda was sure they’d be here all day.
Richard leaned out of cover to gauge the situation. His face dropped. A pack of maybe 20 hounds were charging and they’d be on them in seconds. [They’re getting closer. What do we do? We can’t..]
A pained howl and a whimpering squeal cut him off. Amanda looked over, seeing Itsuki plunging a sword of ice into beast after beast. Silver arcs slashed the air, cutting the black hounds down one after the other. All of it happened so fast and with a power that was unnerving to watch. Then Itsuki turned to them.
Amanda flinched, spooked by the stoic calm his face radiated. For a split moment, she saw him flicker and then disappear. She turned left and then right. Nothing. Another howl roared behind them, this time it was closer. They spun around and their mouths hung open. Itsuki was so close now, his back was only a couple steps away.
But what had left them dumbstruck was how he collided with the hounds sneaking up on them. He drew out two quick and silent slashes. That was all Amanda could make out before the rest of Itsuki’s slashes blurred together. The ten or so attacking hounds went for him in all directions. There was a hum in the air, then they were all gone by the time Richard and Amanda realized they had blinked.
[Query.. Incoming enemy reinforcement..] Reported 00. [Target Sinder is reinforcing her numbers. New enemy waves incoming, ETA 1 minute.]
Richard didn’t know what to do with his hands. [I.. uh.. Understood.]
Trying to get her racing heart under control, Amanda took a breath. She hadn’t realized the mental fatigue she had built up. Shaking it off, she moved onto the next part of the plan. Holding her sword to her chest, she muttered softly to herself.
“Breath from the void of creation, let be the end of the final flame.” The words came naturally. Incantations like these were specific to each explorer. Some believed speaking helped to channel core energy through thought, and it seemed to help get her on point. “Niflheim’s end. Form Zero.”
A circlet crown of blue flames hover around her head. Amanda felt her power increase and the weight in her chest lessen. She could also tell that her control over ice became even more natural and refined, sharper even. The top right corner of her HUD then opened as a message came in.
00 then spoke. [Query.. User Amanda.. User Itsuki is sending you instructions.. He will be on standby as I guide you through his orders.]
Amanda raised a brow. [Uh.. yeah.. Sure.. but it can’t be that hard to..] She spoke too soon. As she thought to open the message, the icon expanded and exploded up a countless number of displays. [W-What the?]
00 sighed, as if fed up and silently reprimanding Amanda. It was like the AI was saying.. I told you so. [Query.. As I said.. I will guide you through this. Please create the following.]
Diagrams of weapons, like daggers, swords, polearms, lances, and more, listed themselves. Amanda got to work making them, but then a shiver ran down her back. A new buzzing in her ear distracted her.
[Does anyone hear that?]
[Hear what?] Richard scanned the surroundings, all tense with his hands gripping his sword like a vice. He was watching out for more hounds. [I don’t hear any rumbling, do you?]
Amanda shook her head. [No, but.. It’s like a buzzing. Is the comm on the fritz?]
[Query.. Negative.] Said 00. [Comm lines are secure and encrypted. I do not detect any incoming signals or interference.]
A second later the buzzing got louder. Amanda felt compelled to pick her ear. She resisted and put her attention back to making the ice weapons. She needed to get this done quickly, the next attack was coming. Even still, her thoughts wandered. There it is again. What is this noise? She followed it with her ears, and ended up facing Itsuki.
“Uh? Itsuki? Do you hear that buzzing?” She asked.
Itsuki slowly moved his gaze to her. As soon as she made eye contact, the buzzing got louder and then she heard voices from the random sounds.
Kill kill kill.
Mission. Objective. Incomplete.
On standby. Memory Cycling.
Kill kill kill.
Annoyance.. Can she hear.. us? Me?
She’s looking at me? Threat! Kill kill kill!
No.. Recognize.. Amanda.. Irritation.. Kill.. Annoyance.. No No No..
Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill.
Amanda inhaled a cold sharp breath. She rapidly looked away, busying herself with shaping her ice into weapons. But she couldn’t stop the voices. Now that she had heard them, she couldn’t stop hearing them. It was like madness given a personality. She wasn’t sure if this was a power of her’s. Was it a kind of mind reading or telepathy? In either case, she was scared of what she had discovered.
What the fuck is going on in that asshole’s head. Finding out that a person on your team was possibly psychotic wasn’t reassuring. Would Itsuki turn those thoughts to her, would he act out, go out of control? No.. he doesn’t seem like the type.. Right? I’m not wrong.. Right? But.. I’ve only known him for.. A month.
She gulped heavily, then carefully glanced at Itsuki. His blank black eyes still had that thousand yard stare, only now it was accompanied by those silver colored slit shaped irises. They gave off a malevolent energy that visibly spilled off of him in shimmers of white energy. His blond hair had also turned a sickening dark silver. And what are those lines on him? Are those cracks? Is he breaking down?
Itsuki seemed like a machine, a weapon that was whittling itself away. Every word she could hear from him through this new ability of her’s was single minded and without any.. Emotion.. Soul.. or even identity. He only wants to kill everything. Amanda got a bad feeling in her stomach, as if they were all in danger, Sinder included.
[Over there!] Richard drew everyone’s attention to an outcropping of rocks a distance away. Shadows moved between them, likely hounds. [Amanda, are you ready?]
[N-no.. not yet.. I need a few more seconds.]
Itsuki didn’t wait. He rushed ahead, brandishing the second sword she had made with the first.
[Query.. User Itsuki will push forward..] 00 said. [User Amanda, you will need to create weapons as we follow. If we do not move now, Sinder may regroup and recover.]
Amanda sighed. If she hadn’t been so caught up and distracted, then she could’ve saved time. Damnit. [Alright.] She nodded to Richard. [Stay close and cover me.]
Richard smirked and jerked his chin towards Itsuki. [I think he has you covered.]
Amanda tried to smile. She wasn’t all too happy with the situation.. Or feeling all that safe. [Yeah.. Great.]
Their HUDs changed as 00 displayed Itsuki’s orders on the right side of their vision. The first one was easy enough.
Follow. And don’t die.
Was this humor? Or was Itsuki being serious? Amanda really couldn’t tell, not after hearing whatever was going on in that head of his. They stepped out from her barriers of ice and sprinted to catch up. Itsuki was fast, faster than he had been during their spars.
[On our right!] Richard shouted.
Three hounds rushing for Amanda. Richard threw himself at them, swinging and taking their claws on his arms. The attacks screeched off his aura, which was incredibly sturdy when compared to Amanda’s. He was coming to understand that his ability must’ve been a defensive type or was useful for defense. Every time he went to block an attack, his core energy stirred, and his body tingled as if a layer of static electricity protected him. The momentum of the hits didn’t diminish, and it still hurt, but the pain was fleeting, as if negated entirely.
[Warning.] Said 00. [6 incoming on the left. User Richard, please engage.]
[I’m on it.]
00 then said, [User Amanda, are the other weapons ready? I am not sure when User Itsuki will break from our formation. He seems to be moving erratically.. Odd. How.. very odd.]
[I am working on it.] Amanda complained. [But these last few ones are tough to make.]
[Query.. Understood, but..] There was a sudden break in the communications. That was cause for concern, and it worsened when 00’s voice sped up. [New enemy contacts. User Amanda, no time. Throw the weapons to User Itsuki will handle the rest. Move onto the next part of the plan.]
Amanda heaved a sigh. [Alright, but this is going to get really crazy, isn’t it.]
[Query.. I must say.. That I agree.. Today.. Will be one of.. Those days.]
It was strange how personable 00 sounded right there. He related to you on a level like a person would. Amanda needed to remind herself that 00 wasn’t just a machine or thing, it was a person with a.. Personality? She shrugged. I’ll think about that later.