ARC2/C35 – Endings

The next few days became a blurr as Sam continued to grind and supply cores to first the Profoss faction and then the Altross Empire.

Sarah applied and was signed up with the Profoss faction while Maria joined the Altross Empire, as new recruits. They would each have to have a few assessment tests. Which Sam was surprised about in these times of war he expected such things to be waved. But it seemed they also wanted to screen for any potential spys, which they were and trouble makers.

He then headed onto the third great power opposing the Seracian alliance, the Antragros faction. Sam didn’t know what to expect but was actually shocked for once. Most of the people he met on reaching a world held under their control, were either snake people or riding on large snakes. Very strange to see for an Earth dweller.

Then he entered the MR to get the customary amount of cores to be given as a kind of tribute before their alliance was regarded as official. It seemed it was a custom. He had to ensure that he gave each faction exactly the same amount of cores, no more, no less. This would identify that they were all held in equal respect.

Hiroma had told him that he may well have problems with the Antragros faction as they did not view themselves in any way as similar to the other two factions and placed themselves far above both. He had planned to get around this obstacle by giving them the same amount of cores, with the inclusion of a large number of higher tier cores. Hiroma had agreed made this suggestion.

There was a deathly silence on entering the MR. Sam and Traksis both simultaneously attempted to exit knowing something was wrong. They were trapped and all attempts failed. Sam immediately alerted Hiroma via AF of there predicament. Not that he could do anything.

For dramatic effect whoever had them trapped there did not appear for some time. Though later Sam thought it was probably simply a show of distain.

They felt it before they saw the being, it was like falling into a well of psi-energy, bottomless and vast as an ocean. Sam thought he might black out for a moment but was stabilised by Traksis using her ability.

The figure was ghostly pale, a male it seemed, with long jet black hair and long black flowing robes, that rippled as he levitated slowly towards them. He had a strange staff with chains hanging from it, as tall as himself. Words then echoed out making Sam clasp his hands to his ears.

“Vermin!” it screamed.

“Do you not have the sense to kneel…Clearly you are an inferior race. Not only fake but inferior too.”

Traksis could sense the killing intent without his ability but it was useful to have it confirmed. This being was not playing with them he did intend to kill them then and there. She thought frantically about how she had managed to escape before. But what would her skill do to something like this.

She had to try.

“But I at least should show you how to behave.” The being said taking an audible breath.

“I Korpos, ruler of the Korinth Vanguard and servant to the true gods, the Vore. Do witness these two abominations. Would though this could be a public ceremony but still I will observe the formalities such as they are.”

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Sam knew he could not win. He had hoped for more time. Time to do what he was not sure. In a multi-verse where the odds were stacked so heavily against him as one man.

Maybe he could injure, the being or distract him long enough for Traksis to get away. This was the time when a telepathic ability would have been real useful but such is hindsight.

Traksis of course was thinking exactly the same thing.

Sam wondered how much information had been gathered on the two of them and did they in fact have anything that the Seracians and these guys weren’t aware of. The being, Korpos or whatever answered his thoughts.

“Come show me what the vore can do. If you are vore then show me your power”

They both had waited long enough with the monologuing menace drawing slowly ever closer, now they aimed to strike.

Shooting forward Sam and Traksis stealthed and reached, Korpos in less than a second. Both delivering what they hoped were deadly blows. Sam using [Pain illusion] hoping to stun his opponent followed by all his up-close melee skills [Heat Absorption], [Absorbtion], [Life-Force Absorption] and even [Energy Drain].

While Traksis punched, aiming dead center on the being’s core center, using [Absorbing Regeneration] and similarly to Sam [Mind Dominion] to try and confuse his opponent.

She even tried to follow up with [Evolved Fusionism] which was her ace but it failed to activate at all.

Korpos, held both of them, one in each outstretched hand. Then flung them away with such force that they were sent spinning in opposite directions.

Absent mindedly, Korpos returned to his monologue. “Interesting abilities and for one of such a low tier…interesting. I am almost glad that I did not kill you straight out. But come show me what else you have to offer. Come.”

Sam flung out [Absorption Field Projection] dispiritedly, it being the only thing that could hit the being at such a range. Korpos didn’t seem to have noticed.

Enraged Sam, attacked using all his ranged skills hoping to chip away at the being defences as it was as yet making no attempt to defend itself. But was just left demoralised, hanging in the air close by to Traksis who appeared deep in thought.

Sam hung there wondering if he could cause some kind of critical mass and explode damaging the being or cause the MR to malfunction allowing them to escape. But remembered he had already been using all his abilities at once on a regular basis causing no noticeable effect on the MR after hours of use.

Sam had nothing. Not even a skill that might tier-up any time soon. Traksis on the other hand did.

[Pursuit Level 200 break through to Tier-E achieved]

[Processing… new abilities]

[Tier-E Abilities]

[Attack Prediction: The user can interpret and predict enemy attacks and react to the incoming attack, brush off or avoid the incoming attacks even from a dead angle. If they possess defensive powers and the attack is coming from behind, the defense power can activate on its own to block the attack.]

[Hyper Fleeing: The user has great ability in terms of fleeing others chasing the user. This is not limited to having enhanced speed but having parkour and overall mobility to escape the opponent. ] [Energy Drain Level 100 break through to Tier-E achieved]

[Synergy detected processing… new abilities]

[Tier-D Ability]

[Automatic Self-Preservation: The power to automatically identify and evade danger without consciously thinking out a plan of action.]

Traksis did actually have time to read through the descriptions due to her increased intelligence but picking the highest tier ability seemed the only sensible option anyway. Though Traksis felt her world falling apart. As she sensed Sam’s anger and then cold fatality as her realised there was no way out of this.

She could of course also sense the being, and tell the very nano second it decided to end things.

With no choice remaining as they were both going to die anyway. In her mind she only wished she could have spoken to Sam first or that they had discussed this possibility.

The skill activated, causing Sam to vapourise, before her eyes.