* Date: September 30, 2173
* Time: 10:55 AM
* Location: Elvenia Airspace
The Ghost makes his first move and fires at the Kaynian Lord. Atlant dodges the attack by rolling forward and charging at the Ghost. Tale adjusts his aim and follows the Kaynian. The clicking noises from the Ghost's weapon signify that it was empty. This allowed the Kaynian Lord to close the distance and slash at the Ghost. Tale saw the Kaynians attempt, sliding underneath the alien's blade. Getting up, the Ghost places his battle machine rifle away and summons his sword. The legendary blade spirit, Sarroth, complies and transforms into the Ghost's weapon. Turning around, the Kaynian and the Ghost clashed their blades. Both would push each other away before attacking. Slashes, thrusts, and parries were exchanged from both sides. Tale dodged the Kaynian's thrust and sidestepped before delivering a powerful punch. The Ghost's attack would be amplified as Sarroth placed her magic on her master's fist.
Atlant's energy shield nullified the attack and resulted in creating a shockwave. Having no effect, the Kaynian Lord slashes at the Ghost. But Tale, in turn, dodged the attack and switched to his rifle. Taking out the exhausted magazine, Tale loaded his last mag onto his weapon. Atlant steps back and tries to dodge the incoming rounds. Doing so made half of the projectiles miss their mark on him. But several others did damage his energy shield. The Kaynian Lord then levitated several platforms to him before launching them onto the Ghost. But the thrown projectiles wouldn't hit Tale, courtesy of Sarroth creating a magic barrier. It deflects and blocks the incoming platforms. And while the magic was still present. Tale took the opportunity and fired another burst at the Kaynian Lord. Atlant's energy shield took the brunt of the attack and shielded him. Staring at the Ghost, the Kaynian Lord grips his sword tightly. Atlant charged straight into the Ghost with a radiating glow from his weapon.
Tale, in turn, fired another burst at the Kaynian. More projectiles impacted his energy shield, lowering its durability. The Kaynian Lord let out a battle cry as he leaped into the air and slashed at the Ghost. Tale dodged the attack by rolling backward. When the Kaynian landed on the ground and missed his strike. The Ghost went forth and delivered another punch to the Kaynian. This would send Atlant backward and stagger him. Aiming his rifle, the Ghost fired another burst. The staggered Kaynian Lord was still in place and received the full brunt of the attack. Atlant's energy shield would weaken in durability. It didn't take long for the Kaynian to recover from the Ghost's gunfire. Using his psionics, he lifted another platform to shield himself. And as the Ghost's weapon stopped firing, Atlant threw the platform. Tale didn't have much time to react as the platform smashed into him. Sending him toward the edge of the gate platform.
[Tale!]
''Master!''
But the Ghost wouldn't fall, not today. Tale held on the edge of the platform. Pulling himself up, the Ghost saw the Kaynian charge. Atlant's blade would land a blow on the Ghost's shoulder. But Sarroth's magic shield prevented the Kaynian blade from cutting her master. However, it did lower her magic reserve. Tale countered with a punch to the Kaynian's face. This time, the Ghost's fist wasn't accompanied by magic. But it still did its job and damaged the Kaynian. Receiving the fist of the Ghost. Atlant retaliated by thrusts forward. Tale couldn't dodge the attack due to the distance between him and the Kaynian. But he could use his rifle in parrying the attack. Sacrificing his weapon for his benefit. The Ghost's battle machine rifle would be sliced in two, but it did allow him to direct the Kaynian's blade elsewhere. In retaliation, Tale delivered another punch at the Kaynian's face. Imbued with magic from Sarroth, the attack sent the Kaynian Lord backward. Tale summoned Sarroth once again and charged at the Kaynian.
Atlant didn't take long to get to his bearings and saw the charging Ghost. Getting up, the Kaynian Lord and the Ghost clashed blades with each other. But the Kaynian Lord would be overpowered by Tale. Pushing Atlant away before striking at him. Atlant blocked the incoming thrust from the Ghost and retaliated by firing a powerful shockwave. The shockwave was powerful enough to stagger Tale. This left him open for the Kaynian to exploit. Charging forward, the Kaynian Lord delivered a blow to the Ghost's abdomen. Sarroth's magic shield flickered to life and blocked the attack. Atlant would attack again and again to try and shatter the Ghost's shield. Tale would block the Kaynian's fourth slash. Raising his left fist, the Ghost throws another punch at the Kaynian Lord. The impact of the attack would stagger the Kaynian, leaving him open. Atlant would be sent several feet backward. The Kaynian Lords' energy shield was close to critical. If he were to take more damage, the energy shield would shatter. But that won't be enough for him to kill the Ghost. Getting up, Atlant took a stance.
'Sarroth hit 'em.'
'Understood!'
Sarroth would manifest her avatar before firing lightning at the Kaynian Lord. The Kaynian's counter to the spirit's magic was to levitate the platform between them. And block the incoming lightning. The fearsome lightning bolt wasn't powerful enough to pierce the gate platform. After the spirit's magic died down, Atlant threw the platform. But it wouldn't hit Tale as he slid underneath the platform. After dodging, the Ghost would leap into the air to deliver a powerful strike. That shattered the Kaynian's energy shield. With his energy shield gone, Atlant retaliated. A powerful slash was directed at the Ghost's abdomen. But was unsuccessful in cutting through as Sarroth's magic shield prevented it. The Kaynian tried once more and delivered another slash. But this time, the Ghost was able to block it.
Tale blocks the Kaynian's blade but fails to notice the alien's fist charged with psionics. Atlant delivers a powerful punch at the Ghost. This sent Tale several feet backward. A shockwave then followed after impacting the Ghost's shield. The magic shield flickered as the Kaynian dealt damage to it. Atlant fiercely charged forward to meet the Ghost. Leaping into the air, the Kaynian Lord delivered a powerful strike. But missed, as the Ghost dodged the attack by sidestepping. In retaliation, the Ghost slashed the Kaynian's chest plate, which pushed him back. Thinking quickly, Tale charged forth and struck multiple times at the Kaynian. Atlant, in turn, did his best to block the incoming strikes. The Kaynian Lord would catch the Ghost's fist and bring him closer before headbutting him. This would leave Tale open for the Kaynian Lord to exploit once more.
Atlant would strike multiple times at the Ghost to shatter his shield. It didn't take long for the energy shield to shatter. Sarroth's magic reserve was finally reaching critical levels. Getting to his bearings, Tale would block an incoming slash. Pushing the Kaynian blade away. This left Atlant open, in turn, would allow the Ghost to sever his left arm. Having successfully cut off the Kaynian's left arm. The Kayian Lord would retaliate by firing a powerful shockwave. And send the Ghost several feet backward. Atlant kneeled as he tended to his wound. Stabbing his sword to the platform, the Kaynian Lord placed his right arm on his left. And heal it using psionics. Meanwhile, it would give Tale enough time for him to stand up. Both combatants were physically exhausted, but both knew that only one would reign victorious.
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''Let's end this, demon.''
''Agreed.''
Standing up, the Kaynian lifted his sword and pointed it at the Ghost. Tale, in turn, took a stance. Only one shall stand, and one shall fall. Weapons at hand, both warriors hailing from distant worlds, will dictate the course of Eldrant's history. Gripping their swords tightly, both the Kaynian and the Ghost charged. Their blades glowed their respective colors, imbued with magic and psionics. Sarroth had placed the last of her magic in this attack. While the same could be said for Atlant. Both otherworldly combatants wouldn't attempt to block each other but instead strike at the same time. Like lightning, Tale dealt the final blow. The Kaynian Lord was injured and was unable to strike first. Atlant's chest plate had been slashed by the Ghost. The Kaynian Lord would kneel to the ground before succumbing to his wounds and dropping to the floor. The light from his eyes, body, and weapon slowly faded away. Tale stood upright and turned around. The Ghost saw the Kaynian Lord's body and sighed within his helmet. It was finally done; he had killed him.
''The deed is done, my master.''
''I know...''
''...Let's move on.''
Turning around, the Ghost approached the gate. The gate currently boasted nine pillars in total, though it was inconsequential. All Tale needed to do was permit Vee to access and deactivate it.
''Vee, this is all on you. Deactivate the gate.''
[Yeah, no pressure. I have the key for the deactivation sequence.]
Opening his left palm allowed Vee's digital avatar to appear. Hopping out of the Ghost's palm, the made A.I. started to tamper with the device's systems. Already familiar with its workings, Vee gracefully maneuvered to its center system.
[Okay, I am in. Now let's find the, ah-ha! Here you are.]
Accessing the gate's semi-intelligence. Vee purposefully woke up the gate and allowed herself to be seen. With the key in her code, Vee should be able to impersonate the Kaynian Lord and command the device to stop.
[GATE SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL. PILLAR CONSTRUCTION. TIME OF COMPLETION TWO HOURS REMAINING...]
[...WARNING. UNKNOWN PROGRAM ONBOARD.]
[Okay, let's see if this works.]
The semi-intelligence immediately prepared multiple defenses against Vee. And along with a contingent of viruses and termination codes. Of course, Vee expected this, but it wouldn't matter when the gate found out she had the key.
[SCANNING UNKNOWN PROGRAM. SCAN COMPLETE. PROGRAM IDENTIFIED. APOLOGIES FOR MY RUDENESS LORD ATLANT.]
The gate construct apologized. Vee smiled in return, now that the key had worked. The A.I. stepped forth, raising her hand to show it wasn't a problem.
[It is alright. No need to be formal.]
[WHAT DO YOU NEED OF ME, LORD?]
[I require access to all your code and data. And along with the deactivation code you possess.]
[QUERY? I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BRING FORTH A COMBAT FLOTILLA ON THIS PLANET?]
Questioned the gate, Vee, of course, did her best to maintain her impression. Coming up with a logical explanation wouldn't be that hard. With the gate aware of her possession of the key, she only needs to explain the situation on the surface to convince the gate.
[Yes, but as of right now. Our forces on the surface have suffered, and it wouldn't take long for the primitives to capture our technologies. Hence, I am deactivating you. So that you may not fall into primitive hands.]
[I SEE. BUT LORD, YOU HAVE PURPOSEFULLY COMMANDED ME TO DESTROY MY DEACTIVATION CODE.]
[What?]
[WHEN WE WERE LOCATED ON THIS PLANETS TALLEST MOUNTAIN. YOU COMMANDED ME TO DESTROY MY DEACTIVATION CODE. SO THAT NO ONE CAN STOP MY WORK.]
Vee couldn't believe what she just heard. The Kaynian Lord ordered the gate to destroy its deactivation code. If that was the case, the only way they could stop the Kaynians is to manually set the gate's self-destruct sequence.
[Ah yes, I remember now. Pardon me if I have forgotten. I have just engaged with the demon, and I am exhausted.]
[UNDERSTANDABLE. LORD. SHALL I INITIATE THE SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE?]
[Not yet. I may need time to access my options first.]
[UNDERSTOOD, I SHALL WAIT FOR YOUR CONCLUSION.]
Disengaging her connection with the gate. Vee appeared on the gate's console with a troubled look on her virtual face. Tale assumed she had found something worth presenting to him.
''Vee?''
[Tale, listen. The gate would finish the construction of its final pillar within two hours. And deactivation of the gate is no longer possible.]
''What?''
[Turns out. The Kaynian Lord knew that we would try to deactivate the gate. And so, he commanded the semi-intelligence of the device to destroy its deactivation code.]
''So that leaves us with its self-destruct sequence.''
[Yes.]
''So it's going to be like that.''
Vee nodded in return. Tale knew that the self-destruct sequence had to be done manually. This meant that he, Vee, and Sarroth would die in the process but would save Eldrant.
[But I have an idea. On how we can destroy the gate without dying.]
''Alright, what is it-''
But before Tale could finish his sentence, his armor was locked into place. The Ghost knew that this was his partner's doing. And she must've had a good reason, unless.
[I'm sorry, Tale. Since the gate's self-destruction sequence is manual. I have to stay behind.]
''Vee no, we can find a solution together! Don't do this!''
[Listen, you have been my source of hope and motivation. Let me do this for your sake, Tale.]
The virtual avatar of Vee started to cry. Virtual tears flowed down her cheek and a heartwarming smile. The Ghost couldn't accept this; there had to be another way.
[Goodbye, Tale.]
Vee then deactivated the power armor's magnetic boots to allow Tale to float away.
''Vee!''
Now, in the exosphere of the planet. Tale slowly floated away into deep space. Unable to move and watch as Vee went back into the gates system.
''Sarroth! Reactivate the armor's systems now!''
''I can't master. Lady Vee has locked me out of the system.''
''Damnit!''
Suddenly, in a flash of light, the gate exploded. The explosion blasted the nearby asteroids or rocks near Eldrant's influence. This included the Ghost and, for once in his life. Tale cried, although silently, tears flowed down his cheeks. The feeling of losing his partner, friend, and companion was a new emotion felt by the Ghost.
"Vee!"
The explosion lasted within mere seconds. But those seconds were enough for the Ghost to feel new emotions brought by loss. Floating away, Tale's power armor would turn around and be impacted by a stray asteroid.
"Master!"
Impacting the asteroid, Tale would be knocked unconscious. Sarroth would be left trying to aid her master. But her attempts would fall into deft ears. Floating away, the unconscious Ghost would journey across the outer ring of the Milky Way galaxy for ten years. The elves of Eldrant would believe him to be dead, and for ten years, the Hero of Eldrant would float astray. The first contact war of Earth was over, and the new leadership placed after the war would see the U.G.E. prepare for the Kaynian menace's return. For Eldrant, peace would be brought to its continents, and a monument would be created for the Ghost and his heroics. But a certain young elve would weep in her sleep, knowing her savior was lost. Although many around her would tell her that he was dead, Joan would continue to believe that the Ghost was out there, floating throughout the cosmos.
TALE: Hero of Eldrant
By Archer6ald
The End.