Sirens raged throughout Insmourn. The whole of the CGA force was coming after the monstrosity. Buildings crumbled as it tried to get back up. The core of the giant sphere began to crack again. White and red wings erupted from its back. Legs drilled into concrete. With a burst of power, it lunged back into the air. Tobias watched as it retreated back into the water. Smoke filled the city streets, as heat cooled from the blast.

Tobias watched in a daze as vehicles descended. He barely paid attention to the two that landed right next to him. CGA members ran out with medkits and other supplies. He knelt down on the edge of the building and scanned all the damage.

Sludge boiled from bones. Brave people who fought to defend Insmourn. The ones who put the mines on the monster, had surfaced. They pulled themselves up the now destroyed pier. Silence, as they panted through foggy helmets.

Thrusters teetered off into a soft hum.

A hand reached out and grabbed Tobias shoulder.

“Hey. Hey you okay?” A woman's voice asked. It sounded heavily distorted.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Thank you.” He said. Watching Maxwell with sadness. He was yelling at someone, about not being able to save Baret. It was too dangerous to go in to attempt a rescue. They had no idea what the creature could do. One of the soldiers summed it up to Maxwell, still fuming.

Lydon shook his head and walked off to the side. His sunglasses on as the smoke drifted through.

“Which one of you is Maxwell? The chief of CGA and head of state have called for an emergency meeting, we can do it right here.” A man said.

Maxwell put up his hand. Knuckles torn and bloody. The soldier nodded and motioned Maxwell to follow. Tobias watched as the woman held out her hand. He took it and pushed himself up.

“Do you mind if I take your vehicle down to the pier? I need to check something.” Tobias said. His voice was distant and cracked.

“Are you crazy Tobi? What if that thing is still out there?” She replied.

“I just need to see. Gather some information. There has to be something here. My job isn't done.” He said.

“I suppose so, let's make it quick. In case that thing comes back.”

The fact this faceless stranger knew his name went over his head. Having someone know his name was the last thing on his mind. As he stared at the pier, Onyx was around the woman's feet. She reached down and patted him on the head.

“You are as good as ever Onyx.” She said. Onyx got up on his legs and licked the helmet.

The three entered the black squad car. As it hovered Tobias called out to Lydon, who snapped out and came rushing over.

“Going to take a look at the pier. Get in.” Tobias said.

Maxwell was still in the vehicle on the call. Who knows how long that could take.

Landing a bit farther back from the now severely damaged pier, stones tumbled from buildings.

No one is going to care about that right now. Tobias said. Looking at the vehicle. Not allowed for flight on this side.

Tobias took in the aftermath. The ground ripped open, fissures about as buildings crumbled. Innocents lay dead or severely injured. The CGA medics already on it. Trying to mend broken bones. Bandaging others. Handing out medicine and other materials if needed.

This almost feels like when the zealots of grayland came. Less destructive though. Poor Metlock. Hope he is doing okay. Tobias thought.

“Only if we fully optimized our bodies in Grayland. I'm sure we could have beat that thing to a pulp.” One of the soldiers said.

“Damn right! We should just go get it done now. Why wait? What if that thing comes back within the week? Another soldier said.

“Our weapon may be enough to keep it at bay.” The woman with Tobias and Lydon said.

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One of them spit on the ground. Another scoffed. “Needs to be hunted down then if we got it injured. We can rip it into pieces.” A soldier said. Bluntly stated, behind the helmet with a thousand yard stare.

At the mess of a peer, they searched. Past one of the boats, slime dripped down. It looked like saliva, small bubbles popping as it poured into the water. One of the husks seemed to be completely drained. Feeling, and expecting one of the tentacles to be squishy, it wasn’t. Void of life, the tentacles were hollow as Tobias felt one of its suction cups. The rest of its body had been deflated. Several large piercings through the head.

He counted seven different spots that had been punctured. Every last ounce of fluid that once flowed through, had been sucked out. He spotted some more sea life that rose to the surface. Small fish in the water. Half coated in the substance. Even some skysurfers and seagulls fell to it. Must have gotten extremely unlucky.

This creature. This substance. In kains fish barrel. The incident that happened three years ago. All that crazy shit I saw. It all must tie to Archveil. Whatever it is eating the life away is coming from either the sea, or those creatures. Might even be both.

Lydon walked over to Tobias. His face was serious and cold.

“It wasn’t the Tulere, but if that wasn’t something out of some old folk tale I'd rather have it disappear.

“I’m sure the two of them are in there somewhere. Having a great time causing chaos in the old world.” Tobias replied.

“Maybe the two of them are going to meet up and have a communion later.” Lydon said.

“Octopus guts are on the menu tonight.”

“My friend. That is sick.”

“All right boys, have you finished your investigation? I'd like to leave here soon. Creeps me out.” The woman asked.

“Yes, suppose we have. Thank you for bringing us down here. Let us get back to Maxwell. By the way, what is your name?” Tobias said.

She did not respond. Her face behind the helmet, shrouded.

“You alright there? What if you take the helmet off? Would help us differentiate you from other Cga members.” Lydon said.

“No, no! Sorry, I was just receiving intel on the creature. We did manage to get a tag on it and are tracking its movements. Call me Anne.” She said, her voice still sounded distorted through the helmet.

“Really? Well that's nice. At least all of us combined managed to do something.” Lydon said. His eyes narrowed.

The more she spoke, the more Tobias was reminded of someone. He could not pinpoint on who. One of the CGA came and approached the group. It was obviously a machine. Standing at least 10 feet tall towering over them, it spoke.

“Indigo, it is time to recall back to base.”

“A code name too, Anne? Are you guys really a part of the CGA?” Lydon asked, tilting his head to the side.

“Of course we are. Until we meet again.” She laughed.

“What about your car?” Tobias said. Just as she was about to walk away.

“You two can take it back to your friend. It will come back to the station at the end of the day.”

“Got it. Thanks and stay safe.”

For a brief moment, under that dark helmet Tobias felt the gaze of her eyes. Then she turned and headed out with the monstrously tall soldier. The two of them got back into giant cargo planes and lifted off. Tobias and Lydon made their way back to Maxwell.

“When we meet again huh?” Lydon said.

“Well that is something to look forward to. It better not be under another circumstance like this one though!”

Lydon nudged Tobias. “She called you by your name Tobi. Is there someone special you haven't told me about?”

He was quiet for a moment. Mind racing. He knew that voice. It could have been her. No. We are sure she did not make it. It has been years since we have seen her. Why now at a time like this? Voice manipulation is an easy thing to achieve these days.

“Tobias…she must really be a knockout if you are already daydreaming again.” Lydon said.

“She was a great person, Lydon. We thought she was dead.” Tobias said. As they slipped into the car. He leaned his head against the window. Dark circles formed under his eyes.

The other cars had taken off by the time they arrived. Maxwell was sitting on the ground leaned up against his car.

“Maxy, you still in there?”

“Yes Lydon, I am.” He said. He was slouched staring up at the sky.

“How did it go? Since everyone is already gone, I assume it's fine. Everything will promptly be swept to the ocean floor.” Lydon said.

“That’s right. I'm going to have you sent to the ocean floor as well, if you don't calm down a bit.” Maxwell said. His head slightly banging against the car.

“Well that's rude. I know it's very ugly right now. Trying to lighten the mood a bit.” Lydon said. His sunglasses off with a neutral face.

“As you always do. Let it be for a moment. Those who lost their lives did not get a bit. Not even a heads up.” Maxwell said. Lydon shut up.

“Let’s get out of here and condense everything at the station. Tobias said as he and Onyx got in Maxwell's car.

“Yes. Let's get the hell out of here.” Maxwell said. Before he got in, he stood at the edge of the building. He took off his cap and held it over his heart.

May Parax watch over you. Hoping for swift and easy currents.

Lydon’s stomach let out a loud rip. He held his stomach as the three looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“Hungry much?” Tobias asked.

“Yep, as you heard.” Have not eaten yet today. Burned a ton of calories clenching my cheeks with everything going on.” Lydon said.

“Well, it won't hurt to take a quick stop. How about we hit up Metlocks stand? It has been a long time, I’ll buy.”

Two quick yeses. John the AI heard and set course.