Bazren: ... Raxyas! Raxyas, wake up!

Xayn: I didn't imagine peering into boxes could lead to such a level of exhaustion...

Bazren and Xayn had already returned to their senses. Yet, once they awoke, they were greeted with the sight of Raxyas collapsed on the floor, still gripping the purple box in his hand. After some time, he finally snaps back to reality.

Raxyas: Qu... Nu... This citadel... They knew. They knew from the beginning...

Xayn: Raxyas, what are you talking about? Are you feeling well? You were out for a good while...

Raxyas tells them what he saw.

Bazren: ... But how... How could they...

Xayn: This is terrible...

Silence filled the cathedral. The three of them attempted to process what they had just uncovered.

Bazren: I must speak with him...!

Bazren attempts to activate the communicator, sending a sharp, piercing pain through her vessel, where the communicator is located. She falls to her knees from the shock.

Raxyas and Xayn: Bazren!

Bazren: The communicator... Something's wrong with it.

Raxyas attempts to channel a small amount of energy through his communicator, but to no avail. It seemed like it had stopped working.

Xayn: Something is going on... How long has it been since you've used them?

Bazren: It was some time ago... Just before we came to the citadel again, when Qu told us about the connection between the void and the watchers.

Raxyas: We need to hurry... Bazren, is it possible that master Qu did something in Karghna that has disrupted the communicators?

Bazren: I suppose there is something we can try to find out... Yes. We should try this.

Bazren takes out the transcriber.

Xayn: Are you sure, Bazren?

Bazren: I want him to know that we know. That I know.

Raxyas: Bazren, I understand how you're feeling, but this isn't-

Bazren interrupts.

Bazren: Don't. You may have had your reputation tarnished and the people you protected turn on you. But master Qu was the only person in Mortmundus that I trusted for the longest time. He taught me all I know, he was always honest with me... There was never any doubt in my mind that his motives were true. But this... Changes everything. It goes against everything he taught me. I want him to know I'm coming and that I won't let what he's done go unpunished.

Raxyas and Xayn looked at each other, as if in mutual agreement that there was no dissuading Bazren.

Xayn: Do what you think must be done.

Raxyas: ... Even though I really think you should reconsider. You're acting while your head's still hot, Bazren. No good will come of this.

Bazren doesn't listen. She opens the transcriber and places the cube within. The receptacle is closed, and the machine starts humming. Suddenly, it stops. Crackling and lightning come from within the device. Bazren drops it, to avoid getting hurt.

Xayn: ... So that too was affected...

Bazren: No...

Bazren was frustrated. After some time, the device fully stops. The receptacle opens, revealing the destroyed cube. She takes a moment to get herself together. Then, she stands up, leaving the device behind.

Bazren: ... Let's go.

Raxyas: Not yet... There's something here we're going to need. That I'm going to need.

Xayn: What are you talking about?

Raxyas: You'll see. For now, just give me your soul spheres. I'll put them to good use. Trust me.

Bazren: Raxyas, whatever you're planning cannot be a good idea. The souls we've collected far surpass the amount any of our vessels can withstand... Unless...

Xayn: Ah... I see.

Xayn hands his sphere to Raxyas. Bazren does the same.

Xayn: It's not every day that a chance like this presents itself...

Bazren: We'll go to Nu. She has a lot to answer for. We won't leave Ragma without you, however, so you better hurry up. Or else we're coming back here to get you... Or, whatever is left of you.

Raxyas: Don't worry! I'm not dying until my mission's done.

Xayn: Good luck. We'll see you soon.

Bazren waves goodbye. She and Xayn move at a rapid pace, making their way out of the citadel. Raxyas stays behind.

Raxyas: Now, to level the playing field...

He walks towards the gigantic vessel that was on the bed.

Raxyas: One last transfer...

At the exit of the citadel, Bazren and Xayn had already entered the corridor that connected to Ragma. Suddenly, everything begins shaking. From the cathedral of the citadel they had just left appears a flash of golden light that enters the corridor, temporarily blinding them.

Xayn: Well...

Bazren: Did he do it...?

Xayn: Either that or he's ash and dust by now... I guess we'll find out soon enough.

They arrive at the door that led to Ragma. It seemed to be locked. On the other side, voices could be heard.

Nu: Guards! Guards!

It seemed Nu was summoning her redeemers to come help her.

Nu: Assume battle formations! Whatever is coming through that door must be destroyed at all costs.

The sound of armor and weapons shifting could be heard. The warriors were getting in position to strike at any moment.

Bazren: What the hell is she on about?

Xayn: My best guess is that she thinks the earthquake was a sign that one of the monsters has escaped the citadel and is coming through... I can't imagine she has any idea that the second box even existed, or that a master channeler's vessel was still usable after all this time. It's quite possible that a hulking beast like the ones we fought would crash and tumble through the corridor with enough force to shake everything around, so that's most likely what she's anticipating...

Bazren (loudly): Nu! It's us, open the door! The beasts are taken care of!

Nu: Bazren...? I thought one of the monsters had finally found its way up the steps! Guards, open the doors at once. No fighting will happen today.

Xayn (hushed): Well, I wouldn't go so far as to assume that...

The doors slowly open. Nu was awaiting at the other side, with four guards protecting her.

Nu: Bazren! Xayn! It's great to see you again... I trust the beasts are taken care of...?

Bazren: Yes. All taken care of.

Xayn: We would like a word with you, master Nu. In private, if possible.

Nu: Of course, of course! But... Where is your other friend...?

Bazren and Xayn went silent for a while. They didn't know what to answer. Eventually, Xayn speaks.

Xayn: He... We could not have done it without him. The monsters put up quite the fight. We ran out of spider vessels, so we could not bring him back. The other ones should be returning soon, it is just that it took your fallen soldiers some time to get used to them.

His lie seemed convincing enough.

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Nu: Ah... Worry not! Guards, listen here! You are to head into the citadel immediately, and retrieve any lost souls therein. Worry not, for all monsters have been vanquished. Make sure you gear up and take an appropriate amount of vessels, then depart at once!

The guards shuffle around, equipping themselves for the unexpected expedition.

Nu: Now, come into my chambers, please! I shall gladly answer any questions you may have.

Nu heads for her chambers. Xayn follows closely behind, while Bazren stays further back.

Nu: I must admit, I am impressed... I was unsure if you three would actually be able to get rid of them all! Sure, you got one... But with how many there were, I did not think it would be so difficult for you to get ambushed and perish...!

As Nu rambled on, Xayn humored her. Finally, the guards had geared up and left for the citadel. Quietly, Bazren closes the corridor door behind them, locking it in the process. She then rushes to catch up to Xayn and Nu.

Xayn: ... And you know what else, master Nu? As it turns out, there wasn't just a single box within the citadel. There were actually two...

Nu: Two boxes...?! That's wonderful news! I'm sure Incola will be thrilled to receive them.

Bazren had caught up. She was the last to enter the chamber, closing the door behind her.

Nu: Oh Bazren, you needn't close the do-

Bazren: Enough bullshit.

Bazren was angry, you could tell as much from her tone.

Nu: ... What is the meaning of this?!

Bazren: Your past is catching up to you, Nu. You knew very well what those monsters were... Didn't you? We know everything. We know about you, about Qu, about the group responsible for creating these purple cubes.

Nu: How could you know...?

Xayn: As I was saying, there were actually two boxes in the citadel... Though, there's no way you could have known. This one was purposefully hidden away from everyone, by master Qu. It contains his memories of what happened back then.

Nu was caught completely off guard. She was at a loss for words.

Nu: Qu... You fool... What we did, what happened... It was a terrible mistake, that much is true. After news got out of the results of our experiment, the group disbanded, some of the ex-members even went so far as to corrupt or hide whatever boxes they could find, to prevent anyone from committing such atrocities again. But...

Bazren: But...?!

Nu: ... They were necessary to get us closer to our goal. I think it is about time you know what happened. I feel like we owe you that much, now that we are so close to the finish line!

Nu grins.

Nu: Incola was built upon the ashes and bones of that former research group. Once I discovered their existence, I knew I had to join them. I gave them knowledge, inventions, tools, and anything else I could to expand the knowledge we had of Mortmundus. We had to continue what the previous group had abandoned.

Xayn could hear a faint, bubbling sound. Although, he could not discern where it came from.

Bazren: You... You would keep doing this? Playing with the souls of those who had already lost so much? You're monsters, Nu. All of you... Once we're done with you, we'll make sure destroy every last purple box, every last trace of Incola, and of that previous group...

Nu: Destroy Incola...?

Nu laughs histerically.

Nu: Incola's plans have advanced to the point where nothing can be done about them anymore... At this point, they should have already left the fortress, and made for their last destination...

Bazren kicks Nu down, and places her foot firmly on her throat.

Nu: Please! You cannot destroy me...! Do you not wish to know about the Thirteen...? About their plans, where they are now...? Where Incola has gone?!

The bubbling sound intensified. It seemed to come from Nu, somehow. Although, she did not seem to be aware of it.

Xayn: We'll gain nothing by destroying Nu, Bazren. Not to mention, doing so would set a massive bullseye on our backs. Even if we managed to escape from Ragma, we'd soon have redeemers coming after us from all corners of Mortmundus.

Nu: I would heed Xayn's advice if I were you, sweetie...

Bazren realized she was acting hot headed. She pulls herself together slightly, before speaking again.

Bazren: Tell us about them. About the Thirteen... Tell us what you know.

Nu: I am glad that you have seen reason... You see, the Thirteen were misguided in much of their actions. Though, I can hardly blame them. What else could you expect of an organization that was founded on the false principles of the corrupted boxes?

Xayn: ... So they were acting in accordance with the information they found in the boxes left behind by the first group?

Nu: Very much so, but sadly for them, the boxes they found were mostly corrupted. They contained vast amounts of false information, corrupted on purpose by ex-members of the group responsible for their creation. The heinous acts that brought them much infamy can all be traced back to those cubes.

Xayn: Wait... Can't any of you hear that?

The bubbling sound grew louder, yet it was still so quiet that only Xayn's hearing could pick it up. No one seemed to pay him any mind.

Nu: ... Except, one day, they finally struck gold. They came across an untouched, uncorrupted purple box, containing promising results that came from a small-scale experiment carried out by some of Mormundus' strongest redeemers. By combining the energy from their weapons, and by doing so in a specific part of Mortmundus' surface, they found out that a small portal could be opened. This point on the surface was the same point where the flight patterns of several watchers intersected, in fact, the only point where they did... A portal that led, indeed, to the world of the living. This point of the surface is exactly where a certain tomb lays... Raxyas' tomb.

Xayn: So... There is something special about that tomb...

Nu: Oh, indeed... You see, experiments that dealt with combining souls had proven unfruitful, and with splitting souls, too. However, one lucky day, a watcher fell from the sky, and was-

As Nu tried to speak, no words could come from her mouth. She fell on her knees, clawing at her throat. The bubbling sound could be heard loud and clear, now. Some type of acid seemed to be dissolving her vessel from the inside out.

Bazren: What... Is that?!

Nu squirmed and twitched, until nothing of her was left.

Xayn: The sound... It began as soon as she started speaking of Incola's past...

Bazren: That was the sound you meant earlier? Sorry Xayn, I couldn't hear it. But, it seemed to grow louder as she told us about the Thirteen's history...

Bazren stops for a moment, gathering her thoughts.

Bazren: I believe master Qu had spoken of this before... There are certain curses that can be placed even on the undead... Some of them have specific trigger conditions, which will prevent the curse from manifesting itself until they are met. And in this case, it seems like the conditions were revealing secrets from either the Thirteen or Incola...

Xayn: This makes no sense... That Incola would place a curse on Nu to keep her from spilling their secrets I can understand. This curse seemed to get stronger the more information she revealed about them... But just now she wasn't even talking about them anymore. She was revealing secrets of the Thirteen, and yet the curse's effect kept getting stronger and stronger...

Bazren: Maybe all it took was for her to reveal any classified information regarding Incola to begin with, and the curse would activate and worsen over time because of that, regardless of what else she shared... There's no way we can know, Xayn. We can't lose more time speculating about things, we must head for Karghna as soon as possible! We'll get some definite answers there.

Xayn: Yes... We must speak with Qu. We'll head for his citadel as soon as Raxyas retu-

Xayn's sentence was interrupted by a sudden loud banging on the corridor doors. It seems the soldiers came back early, only to find the doors locked.

Voice on the other side: Master Nu, are you alright?!

Bazren: Shit... Xayn, get ready to fight.

Xayn: Ready.

They assume battle stances behind the door. The soldiers banged and banged, eventually going so far as trying to knock the door down. With enough force, it was slowly breaking apart. Then, a loud thud was heard. Then another. And another. And one last one. The banging stopped.

Bazren: What is-

Familiar voice from the other side: Lights out.

A powerful kick sends the doors flying off the hinges. A cloud of dust had formed, concealing whoever was responsible for kicking it down. Although, their identity was given away by the presence of two golden eyes shining through.

Xayn: Raxyas...!

Raxyas: Am I late to the party? Where is she?

Raxyas towered above them. His new vessel made him seem more human than ever before.

His new vessel made him seem more human than ever before [https://img.wattpad.com/872bc74b1f1b659478d61539045b7194a50e50e0/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f773233716e4264393630674f73513d3d2d313232333431323236382e313732383732336235323036353933383637393533303133313139302e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

He looked around for Nu.

Bazren: She's... Gone. Incola probably placed a curse on her, destroying her vessel in case she revealed too much...

They tell Raxyas about what they learned.

Raxyas: I see... Well. There's only thing left for us to do, then.

Xayn: Head for Karghna and get answers from Qu... And fast.

Raxyas: Right. You two need to get there as quickly as possible.

Bazren: ... What do you mean by that? You're coming with us!

Raxyas: ... I'll meet you there.

Bazren: Oh is that going to be your thing now? You get to be the last one to enter the room so you can make a grandiose entrance?

Raxyas: Hahah... That could actually be my thing! But no, there's one last thing I must do. One more thing we can get, to ensure victory. To defeat Incola, the Thirteen, and whoever else we may have to face... I may be able to get another one of my shards back.

Xayn: Raxyas, that's incredibly dangerous! Even with that new vessel... You already have two shards inside you, adding a third one... There's no telling what could happen. Are there even any shards left to take...?

Raxyas: I can do it Xayn, don't worry. As for there being any shards left... I don't know. But with this new vessel, I know I have room for much more power. I can't let that potential go to waste. I'll go to the fortress and turn it upside down if I have to. All they need is 13 weapons to open the portal, after all. Maybe they left some soldiers behind to guard the place... Who knows if one of them doesn't have one of my shards? Look, I know this may be a shot in the dark... But all I need is to find one leftover shard. It's worth a shot.

Xayn: There's one other problem, Raxyas... Going from Ragma to Karghna is already quite a trip, but from Ragma to Incola's fortress is even farther away... At least a few days away. When you manage to return, chances are it may be too late already...

Raxyas: Sure, if you go by planeswalker.

Raxyas looks at the flying vehicle Tugs was working on.

Raxyas: But we're going to be using something else...

They follow his gaze.

Xayn: You can't be serious...

Bazren: You don't even know how to fly that thing!

Raxyas: No, but he does.

Raxyas points at Tugs, who was cowering in fear and hiding in one of the corners of the workshop, behind a tarp.

Raxyas: Don't think I didn't see you there, Tugs.

Tugs struggled to speak, he stuttered terribly with how scared he was.

Raxyas: Relax, we're not going to harm you... We just need you to give us a crash course on how to pilot this thing.

Tugs: It-t-t is not ready yet! As it stands, it requires far t-t-too much p-p-power to be flown!

Raxyas looks at Tugs with narrowed eyes, while using both hands to point toward his new, incredibly powerful vessel.

Tugs: I-I-I suppose you may be able t-t-to fly it, yes...

Tugs helps Raxyas figure out how to pilot the vehicle. The trio then flies towards Karghna, arriving in record time.

[https://img.wattpad.com/9e5bb8eaee054eaf7f4cc562f621ae1814eca668/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6244504452537943756345556c513d3d2d313232333431323236382e313732626334336431633033306564313839363937333333393436352e706e67]

The citadel already seemed to be falling prey to the same catastrophe that had taken place in the visions Raxyas saw...

Xayn: Raxyas, please be careful. And meet us back at Karghna as soon as you can...

Raxyas: Of course. We're so close now... We just need one final push. Stay strong you two. We'll meet again soon.

Bazren: Good luck... And, as Xayn said, do be careful. If you get destroyed... I don't think we'll ever be able to find you a vessel as good as that one again.

Raxyas: Don't worry, I'll do my best.

Raxyas flies to the fortress, while Xayn and Bazren head for the gates of Karghna in hopes of getting more answers.