The year is 2183.

Ten years had passed since the Hero of Eldrant prevailed against the Kaynian Lord Atlant.

For ten years, the Ghost had floated in space, lost.

The elves of Eldrant had prospered after the defeat of the Kaynian invaders.

However, not everything is at peace, for a new threat emerges, and they call themselves the ''Arc Dominion.''

Without warning, they arrived on the planet known as Babylon and engaged the Fourth Fleet, led by Fleet Admiral Lowe Mendelez.

In three days, Babylon was no more.

But hope lingers.

The return of the hero is at hand.

His name will be glorified as he faces his most powerful opponent yet.

Thus, he shall become the Arc Killer.

* Date: January 22, 2183

* Time: 6:45 AM

* Location: Unknown Space

Floating endlessly in the vast emptiness of space lay the Hero of Eldrant. Ten years had passed since his battle over the elven world, and for ten years, he lay dormant. The armor he was encased with was currently in full lockdown mode, protecting him from harmful elements and hazards of space.

'Ten years. Ten years since my master and I drifted into the void...'

'...I have failed to awaken my master, although it is probably for the best. Having my master awake wouldn't be good for his mental health. No one could save us; we have only ourselves.'

Sarroth sighed, looking at her master's face. It was only because of him that Eldrant had survived. Without Tale, everything she held dear to her heart would have been lost. Hence, she doesn't mind being alone, out in the vastness of space.

'But it's not like I mind at all. For ten years, I have familiarized myself with my master's armor. All of its features, functions, and information. I have learned and enlightened myself with all things related to the Unified Government of Earth and her people...'

'...Truth be told, I was awed and shocked at the civilization from which my master had originated. They were more than us elves. I say they alone could be Eldrant's salvation. Their power, drive, and willingness to survive against all odds...'

'...The prophecy I predicted back then was merely a faint image of a larger picture. Their struggles against the Kaynians and their advanced technologies showcased their knowledge, strength, and unity. Billions of lives were lost, and yet they never gave up. They have lost so much that they wouldn't consider surrendering an option.'

Contemplated the legendary blade spirit, but a hint of sadness also accompanied her thoughts. The fact that surrender wasn't an option any longer because Humanity and their creations were a threat. This brought a new perspective on how desperate things were for her master's people and Eldrant.

'I grieve for those that had lost their lives against the Kaynian menace. Human, A.I., Elve, or spirit. I can only hope that things have gotten better since our departure.'

Shedding a tear, Sarroth straightened herself and faced the ever-darkened guise of space. Her golden figure shined brightly on the Ghost's heads-up display. As she observed the void, a thought lingered on her mind.

'I knew before this. That master agreed to imbue himself with magic to even the playing field, but it would take ten years to accomplish. And ten years had passed since that fateful decision was made...'

'...So far. I have altered his body so that he can generate magic. All that needed to be done was to let him be exposed to my magical properties. Because of that, my master has been alive but is still unconscious. He doesn't need to drink and eat to survive. I've modified his body so much that magic alone could sustain him.'

The Ghost's body has been altered to solve the issue of sustainability while in space. Being unconscious not only makes it harder to survive, but with magic flowing within his veins, Tale has survived despite the chances of being slim. But survival wouldn't matter if rescue was still far off. The chances of being found were little to none. But still, hope lingers on through the heart of the blade spirit.

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'Isabella. Gabriella. I hope the two of you are safe and are leading our people to prosperity.'

She whispered, hoping that all this time, her daughters were doing well for all of Eldrant. But as she imagined the faces and expressions of her children, an unlikely rescuer would come to their aid.

[SLIP SPACE PORTAL DETECTED! SLIP SPACE PORTAL DETECTED! SLIP SPACE PORTAL DETECTED!]

The failsafe A.I. on board the MK48G3 informed as ten equally sized wormholes materialized, and what came out of them were ten Kaynian vessels—a Kaynian scouting squadron composed of seven Corvettes and three Frigates.

'Oh no...'

'...No, no, no, no! Not them, by the pantheons, please! Don't let it be them!'

Panic twisted Sarroth's emotions as she observed the situation. At the same time, one of the frigates moved closer to the unconscious body of the Ghost. Watching the approaching Kaynian vessel, the blade spirit couldn't shake the fear of what might happen to her and her master.

[WARNING! UNKNOWN ENERGY SIGNATURE DETECTED! UNKNOWN ENERGY SIGNATURE DETECTED!]

As the frigate got above the Ghost. An unknown energy reading spiked and enveloped him in a field. The instruments and failsafe A.I. tried their best to read its properties but weren't fast enough.

[ATTEMPTING TO ANALYZE! ATTEMPTING TO ANALYZE...]

[...CANNOT ANALYZE! CANNOT ANALYZE!]

The failsafe A.I. pointed this out. Its coding and processing power weren't enough to predict what would come for them. The only thing Sarroth could do was watch as the Kaynian frigate completed its task and initiated a teleportation sequence.

'May the pantheons save us, for I know not what will happen next.'

She whispered as she felt the frigate's teleportation field envelop her master's power armor. Every inch of his armor was locked by a red field; not only was the Ghost unable to move. Sarroth was also struggling with applying her magic across her master's armor. The flickering of yellow and red lights meant that the blade spirit's magic and the frigate's teleportation field were clashing. But it wouldn't be long until Sarroth's magic was overwhelmed, and the red field quickly took over.

'Damn it, it seems I am unable to usurp the Kaynian vessel's influence on my master's power armor...'

'...I may now be forced to awaken him from his deep slumber. That is the only way we could survive this.'

Sarroth thought as the red field began to glow, signaling that the teleportation sequence was about to commence at any moment. Preparing for her magic to awaken her master, Sarroth neglected her attention outside. Choosing to focus her attention on the magic she would cast.

[WARNING! WARNING! UNKNOWN ENERGY SIGNATURE REACHING CRITICAL!]

The failsafe A.I. informed as the Ghost suddenly vanished from sight like magic. Accompanying the Ghost's disappearance was a burst of radiation from the Kaynian Frigate.

TALE: Arc Killer

''A demon? Why is it here?''

Asked a Kaynian Farer; beside him, a guardian inspecting the Ghost they had picked up. Minutes after the ordeal with the teleportation, they finally found the source of the Psionic energy echoing in the void. It looked crude to their definition and lacked aesthetics, a black slate of armor, and nothing more.

''I haven't a clue...''

''...Let the warlocks and the lord handle this. They are the most proficient in handling demons.''

Answered the guardian as he signaled to his colleagues to pick up the Ghost. Approaching the Ghost, the guardians placed it on a sustained hover pad ready for transport.

''The demon is set for transport.''

One of the guardians informs, gaining a nod from his fellow guardian. But as he turned around, he met the gaze of an approaching lord and his knight escort.

''Guardians, what is the status of the demon?''

Asked the lord in charge of the scouting squadron. The guardians and farers immediately kneeled to show respect, prompting the lord to hold out his hand.

''My lord, we have secured it to the hover pad and are ready for transport to the jail cells for containment.''

Spoke the lead guardian as he looked up at the lord while holding his hand on his chest. The lord saw the gesture of his subordinate and nodded to him with approval.

''Good, perform the transport and send this 'thing' to its cell...''

''...I will call upon the warlocks to study it after we have returned. And if it ever wakes, do not hesitate to end it.''

''Understood, my lord. It shall be done.''

The guardian replied, causing the lord to turn and resume his previous duty. Meanwhile, the guardians carried on with their task, escorting the captured Ghost to its cell. This escort comprised eight guardians equipped with direct energy rifles. As they traversed the deck of the frigate, they arrived at the cell section of the vessel, where several imprisoned Kaynians were held. In contrast to the escorting guardians, who wore red, these captives donned the iconic blue of the Kaynian forces from the battle for Eldrant.

''Ha, Imperial scum!''

''Root in that cell, you're Imperium will not save you!''

Several Kaynians taunted the imprisoned Imperials. But this did not deter the guardians from moving forward. Soon, the hover pad halted afterward; the guardians lifted the unconscious demon and placed it in its cell.

''The demon is placed and secured.''

''Good...''

''...I will proceed with the energy barrier activation.''

''Understood.''

Hedding their leader's command, the guardians stepped back as the energy barrier erupted and sealed the cell shut. Seeing their task meet its end, the guardians stared blankly at the demon with satisfaction.

''The task is done. Let us report back to the lord for confirmation...''

''...Soon, the warlocks will arrive. Let us not wait any longer.''

''Of course!''

The guardians responded in unison. Turning their backs, they left the premises and marched toward the exit. Once the Kaynians had departed, silence filled the prison hold of the frigate. The unconscious body of the Ghost lay motionless on the solid floor of the cell. Clearly, the Kaynians had never suspected they would find anything on the Ghost's person, and this oversight would lead to their downfall.

'Hmm, it seems they have taken their leave.'

Commented the blade spirit as she saw the events that transpired after she and her master were teleported inside the vessel. Slowly, she manifested herself and ensured no magic of hers was detected.

'This is it, our chance to return to Earth-controlled space. It wouldn't be wise to try and force my way inside the Kaynian's systems. No, that would only lead to disaster. Maybe if my master gained control over the bridge of this vessel, then we can reach Earth or Eldrant, depending on the distance and situation.'

Sarroth thought to herself, and as she did, the frigate shook with a burst of energy from the vessel's slip space drive. This caused a hiccup in the spirit's plan, but it was something she could handle. Moments later, the frigate returned to its routine as the shaking subsided.

'They must have engaged their slip space drive. Well, it seems they wanted to reach a destination of high value...'

'...Well, it seems I must awaken my master. Now that we are behind enemy lines, this should prove excellent for my master's expertise in stealth and assassination.'

Taking a deep breath and a new resolve. The blade spirit accesses the systems of the power armor of the Ghost because If she wants to awaken her master, the Ghost. She would have to perform a restart on her master's power armor, which is easier said than done.

'Hmm, looks like the power source is treading lightly from being depleted with energy. And overriding the full lockdown mode should be easy. I need to input my magic to charge the reactor.'

Analyzing the data about the Ghost's power armor. Sarroth quickly concluded the fault that needed to be fixed. Of course, she would have to ensure no Kaynian would detect her magic, so she focused on maintaining a discrete profile.

''Okay, master, if you can hear me. It is time for you to awaken and face the threats that harbor hatred for our peoples...''

''...Pantheons, please hear my prayers and grant me the strength to ensure the awakening of my master. Please, it is for the sake of us, your children.''

Closing her eyes and taking a breath. The blade spirit released a burst of magic into the Ghost's reactor. This act alone would restart the power armor systems and awaken the long-lost Hero of Eldrant.

''Argh!''

A grunt escaped the mouth of the Ghost as he opened his eyes for the first time in ten years. The first thing he saw was the dark ceiling of his cell, accompanied by the feeling of his body being unable to move in any direction.

''What the, where am I?''

To Be Continued.