The portal opened and out stepped the Xenton. They were back at the base. The personnel saw them appear, but nobody reacted. It was assumed that the general had already debriefed his team.

“Wait, one thing is unclear,” asked Sam.

“Of course it is. Only you want all the facts before everyone else,” said Jason.

“How did Mack know where to find us?” asked Sam.

“Arayan came to me just out of the blue and said you guys needed my help. He also had that Cymber girl with him.”

“How did he know?” asked Corrine.

“He said that Cymber reached out to him and filled him in on what was happening. After that he met Zeta and Stro and from there when the Coalts began their attack he reached out to me and sent me to you.”

“Good ol’ Arayan,” said Jason. “Our own personal delivery boy.”

The group of armored heroes walked through the pearly white facility until the General called out for them. He approached them with two soldiers flanking both sides.

“I see you’ve brought the other Xenton. Where is the gold one?”

“Oh, um, training for the big fight ahead,” said Jason.

The General raised an eyebrow. “Do you have an update?” he asked.

“Oh, uh yeah,” said Mack. “The mothership is on the move.”

The General inhaled deeply. “Our satellites picked up movement of a large object descending into Earth’s atmosphere. Seems like those boys were right afterall.”

“How much time do we have?” asked Corrine.

“About three hours until it's overhead.” the General replied. “Should give us enough time to ready the Alpha Cannon.”

“Right, that was our next request,” said Jason.

“I’m sure,” the General replied. “Make yourselves at home for the time being. But do not touch anything! Mess is on Level Three if you're hungry.”

“Where’s Da — I mean the civilian you had with you?” asked Mack.

“Resting in a secure part of the base a few floors up. When the battle starts he will be safe.” said the General.

“Well, is there any way to get him home?” asked Mack.

“Considering the forcefield outside and the looming threat of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of blue-haired alien werewolves just outside ready to attack, he’s a liability even if we try and get him home.”

The siblings looked at eachother. The General walked past them, not saying a word.

“Damn, he’s cold,” said Corrine.

“That’s what years of top secret confidential military service will do to a guy.” Jason replied.

“You think he’d ease up if we knew who we were?” asked Corrine.

“Probably not. Not when there’s an otherworldly army at his front door.” said Sam. “Maybe one of us can fly dad out of here once the forcefield is down.”

“No, that’s too risky. One of us will just have to keep him safe.” said Mack.

“Noted, in the meantime, Sammy, wanna see that stargate?”

It could be stated that for the first time Sam was actually just as excited as Jason over the same thing.

“REMEMBER! DON’T TOUCH ANYTHING!” shouted Corrine as they walked hurriedly down the hall making a quick turn.

“Hungry?” Asked Mack.

“I could eat,” said Corrine, wondering if they could just remove the portion of their helmets that covered their mouths.

MEANWHILE

Feeling a tug on his arm, Dye struggled to open his eyes. He looked up, and found his arms constricted by red-lit ropes, his body on his knees. The shadows of the black vessels covered the floors of the sanctuary around him. Regaining consciousness, his blurred vision started to recover. Picking his head up he saw Arayan standing in front of him.

“Arayan…” Dye gasped, “What’s going on? What are you doing?”

Arayan didn’t reply. Instead, he turned his back and walked away.

Dye struggled with the binding on his arms. “Arayan! Let me go!” he growled. Evident to Arayan that his anger was rising.

“You are not well,” said Arayan, turning around. “Stop struggling.”

“Let me go!” He shouted, struggling to break free. “I need to be out there.”

“In your current condition you will be more of a liability than an asset,” Arayan replied in his usual calm state of mind, despite Dye making things very uncomfortable.

Dye shouted for Arayan to obey him, but the more he tried, the longer Arayan stood and watched. His blueish-black hair covered his left eye as he stood upon the enraged teenager curiously.

But he wasn’t curious.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

He was absolutely sure what was happening to his student and he didn’t like it.

“LET ME GO NOW!” Screamed Dye, his voice echoing all around the Sanctuary.

“Your struggling will only make the binds tighter,” Arayan said, approaching Dye. “Stop fighting and listen to me. You are not well.”

“DON’T TELL ME HOW I’M FEELING!” Dye shouted. “I swear, when I get out of here, I’ll…”

“You’ll what?” Arayan said, crouching down to Dye’s level. “You’re in no position to be making threats,” Arayan tapped Dye’s forehead, which encouraged Dye to fill himself with more rage. “Little fox…” Arayan arose and looked down at Dye. To Dye, this was disrespectful and it only made him want to break the bindings and seize Arayan’s neck. Dye ignited his body and pulled on the ropes, yelling and screaming, as he tried to break free. The ropes tightened and for a moment Arayan was worried that Dye might mutilate himself just to get free.

Then he just stopped.

Arayan took note and waited. Dye huffed to catch his breath and with his head hung low he muttered calmly, “Let me go…,”

“No.” Arayan replied without a second thought.

Dye brought his head up only to reveal that his left eye was entirely blackened. “Let me go, now.” he asked again, this time in a more restrained, but vexing tone.

Again, Arayan said “No” and Dye wrinkled his nose like he was about to regurgitate something foul.

“Fine,” said Dye. His voice gained a husky tremble, almost as though he needed to cough something up. His bound wrists began to contorte along with his neck, legs and ankles.

“Yes, that’s it. Show me your face,” whispered Arayan, not at all disturbed by the ongoing mangling of Dye’s body just in front of him.

The pain became unbearable as Dye winced at the entanglement of his own body. It was as though the Dye, who everyone had known, had returned to his senses, but was trying to resist something trying to take over his body.

“What’s happening to me?” he cried. The joints in his fingers and wrists twisted in many directions. The sound of cracking filled the air as Arayan observed the ghastly display of horror. Dye’s breathing grew sharp and his eyes and hair grew dark. His canines grew to a point and his tongue turned slithery and black. His skin turned into a dead, gray color and his hair stood up in spikes. With a loud cry, Dye’s voice turned demonic and deep. Arayan unfolded his arms and stared with wonder.

“Hello!” Dye spoke with a deep, evil voice. In the pits of his darkened eyes, small, orange glowing specks, looked up at Arayan.

Arayan took off his cloak and dropped it on the crystal ground. He walked over and kneeled down in front of Dye’s corrupted body. The tiny orange specks of his student were fixed on him. Just at the very sight, Arayan felt that Dye’s soul had completely left. Without any warning, Dye lashed out to bite Arayan.

Arayan didn’t flinch.

Dye pulled back and licked his lips with his dark, slithering, black tongue. Smiling maliciously as he fantasized about the horrible things he would do to Arayan if given the chance.

“So, you’re the parasite invading this poor boy’s body,” said Arayan.

“Parasite?” the being said. “That’s a little low, don’t you think – Quailocian?”

“And you have a mind of your own. This is far worse than I thought.”

“Let me go and I’ll show you what else I can do,” it said, followed by a hysterical laugh.

“Hmm…” Arayan thought, “That's not going to happen, Dye.”

“Dye?” The entity hissed. “No — no. You see Dye is gone. I have grown a liking to the name Riley instead.”

“I see,” Arayan replied, still crouched. “Where did you come from and how did you come to be here?” Asked Arayan.

“Silly boy! I am everywhere. Just as the light shines, it cast’s its shade in which I hide.”

Arayan stood up over Dye’s dark, infested body and sighed. “How did this darkness manifest and when did it do so?” said Arayan to himself. “It’s unusual for such darkness to manifest in such a short amount of time.”

“I am the darkness that corrupted Zale, Griflore, and many others! Until I get my own body, I will continue.” Riley hissed.

“So that’s what you want.”

“I will drive out every ounce of good in this soul and fully consume it until there is nothing left.”

“Dye, what did you do?”

Riley laughed. “It only takes a small thought to ensure that power gets corrupted. You’re training and Dye’s desire to become stronger was the catalyst for all of this.”

“I see,” Arayan said as he pondered. “You’re the result of good power gone bad.”

“Precisely,” Riley answered. “You see, Dye hasn’t had the best go at his social life. From his desired girlfriend ditching him to his best friend not even giving him the time of day, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the young Oltalian who reigned in and made it worse. All I had to do was whisper in his ears ‘you have the power. Just take it,’' Riley's grin could almost stretch ear to ear. It was so disturbing to see but Arayan wasn’t the least bit affected. “It was all Dye, I just pushed him in the right direction and as he became more angry and resentful, the more I grew, like a baby chick incubating. From time to time I would get a firm grasp on him and make him act out, ensuring that one day I would be able to take over, and that day is today.” Riley licked his lips again. “Hi…”

“I’ve heard enough,” Arayan approached Riley and placed his hands on the sides of his head. He began to mutter strange words and instantly the hold Riley had over Dye’s body began to weaken. Dye’s hair and eyes returned to their original color and his skin turned back to normal.

“Wh—what happened?” Asked Dye, lost and bewildered.

Arayan released his grip and walked over to his cloak.

“Arayan! What happened?” Dye asked again with more force.

“Do you remember?

“Remember what?”

“Dye, listen to me, do you remember what I told you and your siblings on the day you got back?”

“Huh?” Dye pulled on the red ropes. “I thought I told you to let me go.”

“PAY ATTENTION!” Arayan shouted. Dye was taken aback and was surprised at Arayan’s outburst.

“You did not heed my warning and as a result your body and mind has been corrupted and it’s only a matter of time before your soul is gone as well.” said Arayan, picking up his cloak and putting it back on.

“What the hell does that mean?” asked Dye.

Arayan took a deep breath and replied. “You have an entity living within you. He calls himself Riley. He has manifested as a result of your dark thinking.”

“Dark thinking? Wh–”

“Dye, I don’t know what’s been going on in your personal life but think back. You haven’t been acting like yourself.”

“Or, maybe I’m just sick of everyone’s bullshit!”

“See? That! That, right there! The old Dye wouldn’t have said that.”

“You don’t know what I would’ve said.”

“Perhaps! But the fact remains, that Riley’s influence over you has altered your behavior without a doubt.”

“You’re insane, dude! If there was some evil entity living inside of me I would be aware of it.”

“Just like how Corrine was aware of Griflore?”

Dye was about to respond but thinking for a second it was clear that Arayan could be telling the truth. How would Dye know there was something altering his behavior and perception?

He wouldn’t, just like Corrine didn’t know despite her being aware of her lost time.

“Show me!” Dye commanded.

“Excuse me?” said Arayan.

“Show me this thing! I know you have some mystic mumbo jumbo you can use so do your thing and show me!

“Very well.” Arayan grabbed his medallion and activated it. After posing his hands in very distinct patterns, they began to glow with a pale blue light. He approached Dye. “This is going to feel uncomfortable, but keep in mind, the moment you become aware of his existence it will become harder for you to resist him.”

“You might have mentioned that beforehand!”

“It’s fine. I will teach you how to resist his grasp. But first, you have to see what you’re dealing with.” Arayan seized both sides of Dye’s head and immediately everything around Dye went white.