The Great Iarlan Mines are a maze of floating islands interconnected by bridges that span for miles. There are multiple large mining settlements scattered across this region that surrounds Tep-Tep City. Just outside one settlement, called Notia, is a floating steamship called the Storm Bryx, which resembles a hawk.

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Within Notia is widespread panic as Veguhl men, women, and children race to the deeper reaches of the caverns to escape their Veguhl pirate-clad pursuers.

Lightning escorts Lady Agatha and a few other elders into a grand chamber filled with many women and children. Lady Agatha is carefully sat down in the most comfortable chair in the room. A small crowd gathers around her in reverence.

Lightning: Don’t worry Lady Agatha, I’m not leaving your side for one moment.

Lady Agatha: While I always welcome your company your brother needs it more than I do right now. Go and remind these reprobates why they should fear the might of the Thunder Twins.

Lightning: But…

Lightning looks hesitant.

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Loc, Rivna, and Hannah race down a tunnel of the Notia mines, in the opposite direction of the fleeing miners and their families.

Rivna: I can sense a powerful warrior amongst this group of pirates.

Loc: I think you’re right. They must be Palyth Tier, at least. So stay sharp.

Rivna: Right!

Hannah chuckles.

Hannah: Look at you two trying to measure the threat of these hooligans. Don’t you know there is no threat with me around?

Loc: Keep those sharp claws of yours tucked away Hannah. I’ll let you accompany us as long as you stay invisible.

Hannah frowns.

Hannah: How do you expect me to have any fun if I can’t beat up any bad guys?

Rivna: If you wish to indulge yourself why don’t you head back and frolic with the village children while we settle this?

Hannah: Why? So you can frolic with my big brother once you’re through with these pirates?

Rivna growls as she materializes her Steam Sword.

Loc: That’s enough you two.

Gidget enters the tunnel from a fork along with a fleeing crowd. He’s carrying a large electronic backpack on his back.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Gidget: Captain! You’re finally up?!

Loc: What’s going on Gidget?

Gidget runs at pace with them.

Gidget: We have a real nasty gang of pirates attacking the village. They’re not as vicious as the Bloodtooth Brothers’ crew but they’re definitely no saints either.

Rivna’s eyes glow.

Rivna: I can sense Bolt’s vyrkra. He must be doing battle with that strong power I just sensed.

Hannah: That power is much stronger than the Witch Tier’s. Are you sure you don’t want me to do anything Loc?

Loc: You heard what I said Hannah.

A Iarlan Veguhl pirate enters the tunnel chasing a mother and her son with an ax. Rivna grunts in anger and leaps ahead of the others. She punts the Veguhl into the tunnel’s walls, knocking him unconscious. Rivna rejoins the running crew.

Gidget: Wait a minute. If that power is stronger than the Witch Tier’s then what the hell are we doing running towards it? We gotta get out of here!

Loc: These people were kind enough to take us in. The least we can do is help them with these lowlifes.

Gidget: Always a magnet for drama. Well, if you’re hellbent on getting your hands dirty here then at least take this with you--

Gidget produces the Steam Buster, a large black and gold gatling gun that fires steam instead of bullets. He tosses it to Loc who examines it in fascination.

Gidget: It’s my latest invention. I call it the Steam Buster. It’s still in the prototype phase but it should take full advantage of your massive potency with vyrkra.

Loc smirks at the weapon. He produces his golden M.O.D. and scans the weapon. It dematerializes.

Loc: Thanks for the new toy Gidget. I’ll let you know how well it does. Go and see to it that all of the women and children are safely escorted to the shelters.

Gidget salutes by placing his right fist over his heart.

Gidget: Will do, Captain!

Gidget turns around and heads back deeper into the tunnel.

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At the large entrance to the mines Bolt, Zephyr, Squall, and Gust are squaring off against Armolos, a tall and intimidating Kaigan Veguhl man with a very long beard. Bolt and the others look beaten and battered while Armolos appears to be unscathed. Bolt is on one knee.

Armolos: I should have known this would be an easy victory. You haven’t grown at all Bolt.

Bolt: (Damn, my wounds from that last battle still haven’t fully healed yet.)

Bolt: I once had great admiration for you. How could you throw aside all of your honor to serve the queen? You were the one that instilled hope and perseverance into us. What spell can be so potent as to seduce my great old master?

Bolt staggers to his feet.

Armolos: One day when you’ve lived the lifetimes I have, you may acknowledge the folly that it is to place hope in the Sagi.

Bolt: Folly? And in the wake of these recent victories? We are in the dawn of a new age! The Will is finally answering our prays for justice.

Armolos: We are in the dawn of a new age, but it is not an age you will welcome.

Bolt grunts and fans his wings, causing Armolos to slide back a few yards, but he remains composed. Bolt charges after him with the Aeon Rod in hand.

Squall: Wait, Bolt!

Armolos catches the rod mid swing, surprising Bolt. He punches Bolt in the stomach and uppercuts him, sending him flying away but takes his weapon in the process. Bolt lands on his back defeated.

Gust: Bolt!

Armolos reveals a slight smirk while examining the rod.

Armolos: I truly had high hopes in you when you earned this from me Bolt. But now all you are is a disappointment.

Bolt: Those should be my words.

Armolos: Which is why they should perhaps be your last.

Armolos raises the rod above him ready to throw it. His eyes glow bright brown.

Rivna bursts forth from the cavern’s walls yards above the ground and lands down on Armolos swinging her Steam Sword. Armolos effortlessly blocks her strike with his hand, stalling her in the air. He smirks.

Armolos: Ah, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, daughter of Roh.

Rivna’s eyes widen in complete shock from his words.

End of Part I