Episode 1 / Chapter 1

[ravenwithoutcause]

...There is no such thing as paradise for me anywhere,
No matter where I walk
The same road goes on forever,
No matter what path I choose
I can’t find peace,
And yet...
Why do I feel this urge to press onward?
_______________________________________________
-------------------------------------------------------------------“...This is Halo 1... we found the... cargo and are en route ...to extraction point...”
(Damn radio interference) “... affirmative Halo 1, escort is on the way”.
“Right, cargo is... secured and ready for... evac...”<br>Boooommm!
“The ene..., The enemy found...”<br>“Halo 1, what’s your squad status?”<br>“Were encounter... the enemy and are under heavy fire!
Put a... rush on that escort...”<br>“Defend your position until escort arrive Halo 1!
Radio operator, contact the escort fighter and tell him to rush to Halo squad position”. “Awacs to escort fighter Raven... come in,.. escort fighter come in”.
“This is escort fighter Raven, What’s up your skirt Nouri”.
(Can you be serious for once!) “Start booking it to the extraction point, Halo squad is under heavy fire”!
“Umm... right, I’m en route...” (damn fascist, they willing to bring the fight near the city)...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
-The central governments of the World’s Nation are seeking answers today after a series of coordinated attacks wreaked havoc on Irisa military installations.
The Irisa government announced that unknown assailants with Vertans damage four of its bases beyond repair.
The World Nation central governments has elected to send ISAF troops to the states of Irisa to aid are allies and prevent the assailants continuos massacres.
(Psst... the media love war time drama.) Soon an announcement came over the bus speakers.
“Next stop, Alastair Terminal en route 5".
“Finally, I was getting tired reading this shit on this paper”.The bus driver overheard my remark.
“So, what’s got you wilde up”.
(Man, why the hell he’s got his nose over here). “Hey old man, did a battle come close to Alastair lately”.
“The names Links and speak to your elders with more respect youngen ”.
He was obviously tick off over the old man comment.“Maybe I don’t want to be around when ISAF and Solaris test there weapons in the city”.
“Scare,..the fighting so far was away from the city limits. By the way, what’s your name... and are you Italian or something”.He obviously ask that because of my accent. “...It’s Lumiere, and I’m Franc”.
“ You’re here on vacation, not the best time to go sight seeing...”<br>“You don’t need to know...” Eri probably scare as hell... I coming Eri...
Booomm Sssssshhhhhhhhh!!
Explosions and machine gun rounds echoes outside as an ISAF Vertan crash on the highway.
I shook the shock off and look around the bus, I saw that all the people escape and... They left me onboard... “What the Hell”!! Soon I left the bus and ran outside only to see the strip of road that lead to Alastair was block by debree and other damage Vertan parts. “ Damn, where to now”.
I soon look into the distance and found a building and made a bee line for it.
“(Huff, huff...) Where’s the door, There”! When I got inside, I notice a giant-daunting figure in front of me as I enter.
“A Vertan, I see... the chaos outside was because of you. You do look more special from other Vertans.
“I way different”.
“I know, I was thinking...What!”<br>I reach in my coat to get my gun and pointed it into the darkness in front of me.
“Who’s there”. A voice soon call back.
“Are you the operator of this unit”.
“What the hell are you talking abou... I see, you’re the A.I. for...”<br>Booooomm. Suddenly, a loud sound rumbled throughout the entire room. I stumble as the shaking increased. Explosions could be heard outside. I recognized some of the sounds, The familiar swoop of Necro units in assault.
“Damn, there done beta testing there new toys huh...” I wasn’t going to die here so I jump off the catwalk and manage to grab hold to the unit and craw my way to the cockpit. “Open up dammit”! The A.I. confirm and open up the cockpit so I could climb inside.
“What’s your name”.
“I’m designated as P.N.000001, Iris”.
I responded quickly. “Iris, bring the operating system online and give me the instructions to polit this thing”.
“Affirmative”.
The rumbling increased and I felt the area around me falling. But then, The falling sensation suddenly stop...
I arose into the air and shattered the container I was in, exposing the unit blue and black armored body to an barren world. “Stealing military hardware, not the best idea I came up with... But this is an emergency”. ( Hope I haven’t got rusty)
“What do you wish to do, runner Lumiere”.
I was surprised that she knew my name, “How..?”<br>“From your data file I look up”.
“Like I give a damn, I’m not running from unmanned machine”. (They try to kill me and you think I’m going to ignore them). “ I’ll send Solaris toys back to them piece by piece”!

[Kyoki]

It's really good. I'm really sorry I couldn't reply before today. I really like it so far. Later. ;D

[ravenwithoutcause]

(Man, my whole life revolve around bloodshed and battles..!) “Where are they”!
“No sign of the enemy” Iris said in her no-life having voice.
“No sign... they was they just here”!
“The enemy disappearance could have been cause by several different factors.
1. The enemy transport for this unit got caught in heavy fire and the remaining forces from the earlier battle rush to assist.
2. The enemy retreated because ISAF forces are on there way and they don’t have enough units to deal with another battle.
3. An unit...”<br>“ O.K, o.k, Damn... least I don’t have to see I’m rusty or not”. Iris soon after respond to my criticism.
“What is your next plan of action”.
“Give me a sec to think”.
Irisa. The fiery colored planet named after the Titan God of Chaos, and from the looks of things on the surface, that name is justified. ( From being in that tunnel, I would have never thoughts that this senseless war would get out of hand like this). Ruined structures were scattered all over before me. “What could have done this to an entire world”?
I continued to follow the tunnel to Alastair when I decided to make my way up a hill overlooking a canyon with mor ruins. As I looked, the sun was setting on the horizon. That view seemed to be the only beautiful sight here. Everything else was desolated. This had to be the work of Solaris research and tactics division, who else would those new-unmark-weapons. But why? This was just to much. While I pondered these things, Iris was reporting to me the events that occur.
“257.U.A. a new army of Vertans, developed using unknown technology, finally provided Solaris with the overwhelming military power it needed to begin its conquest of Irisa and Tharsis .
Irisa resistance collapsed in the face of a vicious onslaught by the forces of Solaris and Delacroix , a mercenary hired by Solaris who leaded the assault”...My heart stop after hearing that name
“ Delacroix”!!!?? (That ‘Bastard’ led this massacre) Iris soon continue after my outburst.
“ The terrible power of Azrail, a Vertan resident with Iris who’s been piloted by Delacroix , help reduced the Irisa landscape to ashes, and the Aegir Fleet...”I quickly cut her short.
“Nexus battle ships”.
“ Correct, that fleet is there cornerstone of there reign of terror, was nearing. However, in order to complete there conquest, Solaris needed to deal with this unit first.
This unit was capture by a raid party from Irisa resistence, but having abandoned its attempts to penetrate Solaris controlled network of defenses that surrounded Irisa to reach there allies, they decided to abandon Iris on Irisa, hoping to hide it from Solaris”. While I pondered these things, Iris continued to updating me on the events that occurred during my vacation, I found distracting seeing as how it, I mean her thoughts kept inter linking with mine. Nexus is involve with Solaris ( How could I have forgotten about this project? About Delacroix? Maybe it was... because I wanted to forget. Because I knew that this may...will happen. My life is nothing but conflicts... Shit happens... I guest). “ Well, we should head to...”<br>“Someone’s coming”!
Iris thought alerted my own senses as well. Something was coming, and fast.
--------------------------------------------------------------------“This is Raven, I finish taking care of the windup toys and I’m heading...”<br>“What’s wrong escort”.
“Guest I miss one, this shouldn’t take long”. (Never saw this model before, must be an enemy ace). “This should be fun”!
“ Escort”?
“ Just wear that dress I got you when I get back”.
“You Bastard! We’re not going out, and I’m not wearing that skankys-cheek-high...”<br>(Better turn the radio off to concentrate) “ Alright enemy ace, here I come!
--------------------------------------------------------------------I tried to pinpoint it and I was directed toward the sun. At first, I saw nothing.
But then, a sparkle appeared within. It came closer, at rapid speed. When it was close enough, I was able to make out its shape. “A bird”?
“ Aircraft” Iris said smartly.
“ I know that dammit”! The metallic falcon was flying straight at me, like a bat out of hell. It swooped through the canyon rocks and boulders with great agility.
Suddenly, it shoot beams of light... at me! I barely dodged as the beams destroyed the rocky outcrop behind me. The airlift continued toward me and flew over my head. As it did, I felt something... strange. I turned, ready for it to make another pass, but what I saw instead shocked me. The aircraft had swept its wings forward and suddenly spun in the air. But as it did, it changed. The rolling aircraft became a mass of changing parts.
It then stopped spinning and stopped itself mid-spin. It had transformed into a humanoid figure; with its wings swept on it back. It gave me a glare and I knew this was going to be trouble.“I’ll shoot it down” (no one show me off dammit)! Where”s the damn weapon for this thing.
“Equipping armorment, but you should reevaluate this quandary we’re in”.
But that didn’t stop me from firing a couple of bullets at him. The falcon-warrior dodged the shoots easily and reverted into its bird form. It then swooped off into the sky, circling around me. His wings rose slightly and feathers, I mean missiles, fell off. The missiles swarmed at me and I quickly dodge them. The missiles hit the mountain behind me and destroyed it. He continued to fly and drop his missiles, destroying the area around me as I dodged them. As he flew in for another pass, I aim and shot my rifle.
But the shots were unable to catch up to his speed. I tried again, but with the same results. It was then he slowed down and hovered in one spot. I guess now we can walk. “God I hate being wrong”!
The aircraft screeched out and rockets came shooting out at me. I dodged but was hit by the rocket sonic waves. I was hurled back a bit, but I wasn’t too badly hurt.
“Here I come”!
The aircraft changed into its humanoid form once again and charged. “We got any close quarters weapons Iris”.
“ This unit is equipped with a melee weapon”.
“Whatever, just hurry up and equip it”! I raised the blade just in time to block his strike. Even though he had no blades, his unit had build-in claws were more then enough. We clashed on the ground repeatedly and I could see that this was getting nowhere. He was anticipating my every strike. Just who is this guy? I jump back to reevaluate him.
“ Damn fascist, Solaris got some damn good enemy aces, But no unmanned weapon will defeat Raven of the 112 company”!
Just who is this guy?“Might I suggest...”
“Shut the hell up Iris”. From the looks of that units armor, he looks like an ariel Vertan unit , but unlike any I had seen before, but I certainly don’t remember any of them having the skill to transform.
...Why did he feel so... However, my thoughts were interrupted when I saw a weapon from its body broke off and hovered beside him. It shot an energy shell that slammed into me, really hard. “Why it had to be a flying unit”. I flew back a great distance until I hit the side of a cliff, hurting me more. “Can we fly”.
“Sorry, I’m still learning this unit functions and abilities”.
“ You are an out-of-the-box unit... but hurry up and learn already”! I shook it off just as the soldier came at me again, with talons flailing through the air. I rapidly put my blade up and his strikes were block. A little to well, I noticed. raising my blade once again, we clashed again and as before, neither of us hit each other. Seeing that he was getting nowhere with me like this, he reverted back into his bird form. I watched him swoop around me and release a swarm of missiles. I had to move constantly to avoid them all and he swooped away. Was he retreating? No such luck. The aircraft came straight at me again and let out... a tail?
“Be careful”!
Five blue-glowing feathers were now trailing behind him in a shimmering light.
“ Die would yuh”!
The feather-like missiles now seem to have multiplied as swarms of them came at me. I had to use every skill and maneuver I knew just to dodge them. The aircraft then stopped in midair to let out more mobile weapons from its body and all of them let out a loud screech, sending more rockets towards me. But unlike before, there were now three waves of them coming at me.
“ Alright you flying bastard...” Thinking fast, I shot backward, just enough for the rockets to converse and pass around me harmlessly, looking forward, I saw my opponent was still. “<br>“He’s open”! Iris said quickly.
Quickly I raise my rifle and spray bullets at him and his mobile weapons destroying them in the process. The aircraft was hit hard and was forced to revert into its humanoid state again. Growling slightly, he charged at me again and sparks flew from the exchange. He backed away to charged again, but instead of fighting back, I put my blade up to parry him. His strikes didn’t penetrate me and was left open again. “Now”! Without a second lost, I charged and unleashed my fury against the winged Vertan. He let out a cry of pain and flew backward. “Finally, something going my way”!

[ravenwithoutcause]

“Damn, who the hell program that thing, Solaris now there stuff”!
Somehow, he managed to stop himself in midair and charge at me again. Talon and blade clashed once more and we were held in a lock.
This is crazy. I don’t care if that’s a new unit or not. No one is normally this strong. Who is he? Why I know that fighting style?
“ That unit is with ISAF”.
“ What”!!!? Then why the hell you didn’t say s something earlier.... nether mind! Just open communications with him”.
“ Roger, communications open”.
“ I’m not your enemy”!
“That unit piloted, Intel slack-up on this one”.
“ You’re with Solaris are you. What else can you be”came the shrill reply”.
I continue to struggle with him. Why does he feel so... familiar? I never met this guy before, and yet... wait. That runner. I’ve faced this runner before. No, not faced. This one is too distinct to be someone I fought. Distinct enough for me to remember where I felt this before. That boyish voice, that unique fighting style...
“ Rena”? The winged Vertan jumped back away, Obviously surprised by what I said.
“ How do you know...”? She stopped briefly and then started again. “ Lumiere? You are Lumiere”?
“ Yes...”<br>“ We finally meet again”. Her Vertan spread its wings slightly, “I’m a Aegis Vertan polit. Call me Raven”.
“ You’re a Tharsis pilot”?
“ I will open visual a monitor between these two units”. Iris quickly added.
Her eyes narrowed in the monitor, “ Don’t be so surprised, I needed something to do after The Callisto Affair. Fighting the only way I can survive. You of all people should know that”.
It was true. My true purpose and power could only be released by a capable Vertan unit and the lust for battle was to great to annoy... that’s was... until I met Eri... “
“ What brings you out here”?
“ The same as you”. She then added grimly,
“ You know... Delacroix is leading the forces here “.
“ I know...” I tried to push away the negative thought, but it apparently echoed in my voice.
“ You know your curse right”.
“ Because of my unbelievable-destructive fighting poetical, I call it a blessing”. I wasn’t really surprised by this. Rena was involve in the senseless conflict on Callisto and knew my dark past with Delacroix. I lowered my head, trying to forget my past. “ And your still going”?
“ I’ll settle the past with Delacroix”.
“ So you’re are going. And your A.I. agree with it”.
“ Of course, my duty is to provide my runner with battle support and information”.
“ How the hell you attain that unit anyway”?
“ Long story, sufficient to say”.
“ Sorry Lumiere, but if anyone is going to take down Delacroix and stop Solaris forces, it’s going to be me”.
“ What do you mean”.
“ He made me suffer during that conflict too. I don’t want you to suffer anymore bloodshed from fighting. That’s why I’m going to handle things”.
“But...”
“ Don’t argue. Think of it this way. If I fail my mission, then you can have a crack at it.
I’m going there as soon as I help the Irisa resistance forces”.
“ Fine, fine. Why not? Okay, I’ll give you a head-start”.
“ That’s all I need... what’s wrong with my unit”?
“Hacking accomplish, installing mobile weapon drive”.
“ Iris, what the hell you’re doing”! Rena Vertan clawed hand reached out to me and a shocking pain came over me.
“A weapon drive have been outfitted onto this unit long range weapon”.
“ wait...”<br>“The weapon I install shoot out energy shells that have great stopping power”.
“ Wait!! What the hell you just did”!
“I hack into the other unit’s system to provide you with extra weapons support to aid you in upcoming battles”.
“ Yeah, well... warn me next time”.
“ Don’t worry about it. She just following her functions to assist you”.
“ Yeah, but...”<br>“ My unit all right. Because I’m an allied, she didn’t mess with my systems”.
Man, what ever just happen to me, I hope it was a short glitch... Damn that shit hurt.
“Heh, I suggest you watch yourself”. Her look became dark, “ ace pilot or not, this place is under Solaris control. Proceed with caution”.With that, Rena ariel Vertan turned around and began to morph into its bird form. With a powerful thrust she shot away into the skies once more.
“ Until we meet again, Lumiere”.
“ Where now runner Lumiere”.
Man I feel like pounding my rage down Iris throat from what happen earlier... but I have bigger things to worry about”.
“ Were heading for Alastair”, ( don’t worry Eri, I’m coming...)

[ravenwithoutcause]

“ We arrive at are destination”.
“ Right, all I have to do is get Eri and...”<br>“ Enemy and ISAF Vertans detected”!
“ What? Solaris push ISAF forces back this far”!
--------------------------------------------------------------------“ Replier two and three, move up that side road to flank the enemy from the left”!
“ Roger”.
“ Affirmative ”.
“ This is Replier four, your sure you want covering fire from this location? There’s civilian buildings in my line of fire”!
“ Don’t worry about the civilians. If were taken out of action here, there won’t be much defenses left to protect the rest of this city and it’s useless resident”.
“ Understood...”<br>--------------------------------------------------------------------“ There not answering”!!
“ They came to the conclusion that where with the Solaris forces...”<br>“ Damn them! They going to bring the fight here just for cover from the buildings”.
Iris was sharing the same disgust as me. I can’t just let them do this...
“ Dammit...why me? Why always me”?
“ Do you...”<br>“ Iris, we’ll protect both the civilians and ISAF Vertan’s”.
“ This isn’t like you... I recommend using the sub weapon, Triblade”.
“ Right, keep learning the function of this unit and I’ll handle fighting”.This was not going to be easy. But still, I refuse to just let innocents get slaughter, not if I can help it. Life is far to valuable... I know that this is what you want Eri. I jumped to the streets below and examined the layout. The ISAF units were fighting in among buildings and at this rate, more then just stray fire would occur. I had to stop the ISAF units first, but I can’t hurt them. They mat not be the best people at the moment, but at least there not shooting at me.
“Funny”. Iris suddenly spitted out.
“ What the hell’s funny”.
“ I wouldn’t have thought a stony hearted girl like you would help the innocent”.
“ Shut the hell up! I’m doing this for my own personal gain. Anyway, you leave the criticism to me”.
“ Understood”.
Suddenly a small wave of four legged Vertans came marching over a ridge. “ I remember that model, there...”<br>“ Wasp. A four legged assault Vertan that hover to assualt points then revert, to it’s four legged form to combat opposition in urban or constrict locales. It’s model name is Jelcus”.
“ umm... yeah... damn”. They begin to attack the ISAF units. The ISAF forces fired back, and both didn’t seem to care that they were drawing close to one of the buildings. I moved myself right over to the two ISAF soldiers that were fighting. I quickly tossed a mobile weapon that dispense into three small blades that were each brimming with energy.
“ What the...? I can’t move”!
I almost laughed, but I shook the thought off as I circled toward the Wasps. With my blade extended, I slashed the first one, only to have it bounce around due to its energy field it admitted. Attacking again, the creature exploded and I moved to the next one. But as I attacked that one, I could see that the others were advancing toward the residential areas. So instead of attacking the second, I grabbed it and tossed it at the lead wasp. Both creatures exploded and swooped in and repeated the action with the other two, destroying them as well.
“ Damn, it’s to many”!...
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh”!!!
I heard the cries of people in another building. The Wasps were advancing on it and the ISAF units were backed up against it. The building was a distance away, so I had to move fast. When I gotten close enough, I let some more Triblade mobile weapons loose again, freezing both the ISAF and Wasp. This was more helpful as the Wasp’s
energy fields were off, making destroying them easier. But as I was destroying them, a second group came from behind me, nearly hitting me in the back.
Now if it’s one thing I couldn’t stand was getting back stabbed.
“ You... bastards”!!
“ You should be more aware of your surrounding”.
I turned and was ready to slice them down when my rifle instinctively shot forward and sprays of projectiles shot out, hitting them all at once and eventually destroying them. It took me a moment to recognize what had happen when Iris replied,
“ This would be faster”. More screams could be heard and I had to move fast. I saw the two buildings that were under attack and that were in major trouble. But I had only enough time for one. I choose the one in the distance. It was suffering from more damage than the other one. But as to not forget, as I passed over the first one, I let a shower of Triblades fall. That should hold them for now. I swooped to the building when...
Kaboom!!!!!!!!!
The building had collapsed right before me. The screams of the people inside were accompanied by the sounds of explosions.
“ Damn...”<br>All those people... were dead. Everyone... Men... Women... Children... all of them. I shook it away. I have to keep going. I turned back around at the building that I passed. It was starting to look worse and the Triblades I had launch had died off. No, I won’t let it happen again. I hurry to the building and raise my blade, preventing them from hitting the building. But this won’t work for long. I had to get rid of them fast. I couldn’t shoot the energy shells, not without the shock wave accidental destroying the building. And my rifle was too weak to destroy them in time. Suddenly a ringtone came in the cockpit...
“ Weapon systems have been upgraded, Twilight, this weapon should aid you”...
The Vertan shoulders suddenly glow with an bright wight aura that shot out in a spiraling formation toward them. It hit the first Wasp, bounced off and destroyed another one.
“ Alright, hits may work”.
I let loose another round and they had the same effect, but this time in spades. The Wasps were now all destroyed and I took a breather not noticing or caring that the ISAF Vertans were looking at me. Using all of those weapons was a little draining.
“ Get out of the way! We didn’t ask for your help”.
I wasn’t in the mood. Not for this. Those people could have been saved if they had acted with more care.
“ What did you think you were doing? Many innocent civilians had gotten killed because of your battle”.
“ Fear of his own life instead for others” Iris committed.
The commander grumbled, “ that doesn’t matter. All that matters is getting rid of Solaris forces”. He then added, “ Besides, they’re just back water Irisians. They’re not even runners. They’re expendable”.
If I wasn’t so focused on regaining my strength right now, I would have grabbed him right now and tossed him into the wall. Iris was sharing my anger.
“ Expendable!? Say another word and you’ll be the ones that are expendable”.
Frighten by what I said ( and what me and my Vertan can do) they retreated in disgusted. Why are these people so damn stupid? There’s a big difference between battle and massacre. But they didn’t care either way. These are the ones I am trying to help? I calmed myself. I was angry, hurt, and tired. Not a good combination.
“ Iris, open a communication link to Rena”.
“ Right... link has been made
<“ Raven. Can you hear me”?> Rena soon answered.
<“ Affirmative. I’m with several ISAF soldiers now”.>
<“ There are some more here. You can gather them together”.>
<“ There’s a problem though. These guys insists on attacking the Solaris stronghold”.>
<“ That’s nuts. They wouldn’t last to long”.>
Rena sighed mentally, <“ I’ve told them that already. But they are adamant about it”.>
(Let them do as they wish!!) <“ I guess there’s no way to stop them. Survivors...”>
<“ What was that last part”?>
<“ Never mind”.> I muttered. <“ It’s nothing. Forget it”.> I could sense her disapproval, but she let it go.
<“ Okay. I’ll head there as soon as I can”.> Saying that, our link was terminated. I decided to contact Eri by communicator hoping she wasn’t in the building that was devastated earlier.
A relieve sigh was heard.
<“ Lumiere! Wher were you, how you got here, were you get that machine Thank god you alive, please...”>
<“ Sssshhh, give me your location and I’ll pick you up OK”>
She gave me her location and I rush over to her to get her before I got cut off by another battle.
<“ Hell!.. get in the Vertan hand”!>
<“ What!!! I... ummm...”>
I could tell she was scare about what was going on, but this was no time for pregnant doging. I quickly grab her and set myself for battle.
<“ Wait”!!!!>

[ravenwithoutcause]

Me and Eri were on are way to escape. All we had to do was to fly up to the top of the canyon. The only problem was that the path was blocked by a troop of Gun-Armed, disjointed Vertans.
“ These models are Solaris fame Necro units that help the assault on Irisa military installments”.
“ It’s never easy, is it”? I muttered.
“ The surrounding area gravity level has drop to .091".
“ So... What The Hell Does That Mean In Human”.
“ The gravity is extremely low, That’s why it’s hard to balance”.
“ OK smart ass...” I quickly blurted out.
“ What are you going to do, runner Lumiere”?
I began thinking rapidly. “ What to do? What to do”? I looked over to one of the many ledges on the side and moved to it.
“ You stay here”. I started as I set her down. “ I’ll deal with them”.
“ Wait a minute”. As I about to close the cockpit, her arms quickly hook onto my neck and she quickly pull me to her face and... KISSED ME!! “ Just in case I don’t get the chance later”. She whispered.
I blinked hard and forced myself to turn back to the battle. Then I shot downward from the cliff into the oncoming horde. “ Okay, just Necros. I clear them out, no problem”. I rush at the first one as it prepared to slash outward. I easily evaded the blow, Unlatch my own blade and lurched mt arm upward, slashing it straight through in half. As it exploded, I turned to the next one and gave it the same fate as the first. “ No MATCH”!! As it exploded, I saw the remaining three coming at me. I decided to try something new. “ Triblade! Bring him here”! A blue mobile weapon came forth, encircled in a blue halo. The halo then swarmed at one of the Necros and hooked into it. I snapped my arm back and the Necro was helplessly reeled in. I snapped its head in my grip and looked up at the next one.
“ You two were made for each other”.
“ This should be interesting” Iris said playfully”.
Deftly, I tossed the prone Necro at its compatriot and the two exploded and debris scattered all over the place. The final Necro seemed hesitant to attack.
“ What the hell are you waiting for, a written invitation? Bring your ass here”!! I fired another Triblade that latched onto the Necro. But a cry from behind echoes as I pulled it toward me. Turning I saw another swarm of Necros and a Husky version of Necro (Necromount) attacking Eri. She was helpless behind a structure as they picked at her and slashed at her repeatedly.
“ Back the f**k off”! Reacting, I flung the Necro at them. It hit one and exploded, but the explosion tore the ledge and it collapsed and Eri along with it.
“ Damn it”!
“ You should be more careful”.
“ Shut up...” She was falling slowly, but I still had to reach her. Unfortunately, the
path was blocked by more Necros along with the Necromount. I had to move fast or Eri would be toast. “ Hold on”! I rush upward, attempting to rush through them and get to her, but I was unable to do so they all attacked at once.
“ Damn, they got a reenforce program”?
“ From the battle data, they are enforce with a highly adaptable battle A.I”.
I dodged the first strike by jetting off to the side, but the other attacked there as well. The Necromount grabbed hold of me and soared straight into the wall, smashing me right into it.
“ Arrrggghhhhh”!! This had to stop now! In a rage, I push off the wall and slashed off the arm of the Necromount. The lifeless creature jittered back and I finished him off with another slash.
“ Lumiere, please hurry”!
Eri looking down, I saw that she was nearing death with every strike from the jittery creatures. I was about to jet, but the Necros blocked my path again.
“ Enough of this. Triblade”! I let out a mob of mobile weapons, catching them all and freezing them in place. Then while they were immobilized, I swooped off to the side and fired my twilight weapon. The streaks of light once again spiral to there targets
and they all exploded. Looking down, I saw Eri cover falling apart.
“ I’m coming”. In a rush of power, I dove down toward her as she reached out to me. But as I flew, I could see that she was getting even closer.
I’m not going to make it! Damn if only I could reach... wait a minute. “ Triblade”! The mobile weapon swooped down to Eri. She was about to be crush when the Triblade hooked on to her and swiftly reeled her back up. I held her in my arms and examined her. She was a bit darker from the debris, but not severely hurt.
“ Are you alright”?
“ ...yes... I’m fine. I guess I needed a tan anyway”.
I gave a short laugh and skied up the canyon.
“ Reinforcements are closing in. but at are current speed, they won’t reach us. We reach the top of the canyon and went through a corridor. Once though, I place Eri down. Turning back to the corridor, I switch to my energy shell weapon and shoted it at the corridor opening. The resulting debris crashed down and sealed the opening. We were safe now.
“ Man that was crappy. Alright let’s go...”<br>“ She would be a burden...”<br>“ Iris”!!!
“ No she’s right, please leave me by the alliance cruisers”.
“ But.. (No Wait) fix me a big ass dinner when I get back”.
“ Thank you”.
As we near the street near the cruisers, I let her down.
“ I meet you at my house back on Tharsis once I’m done running errands, OK”.
“ Okay”. She then ran down the street waiving goodbye.
“ Why did you agree with me”? Iris questionly ask.
“ She shouldn’t suffer the hell I’m about to go through. And why the f**k is you questioning me”!
“ Concern” she softly said.
“ damn, I’ll be fine”.
With that, I decided to go to the fortress were I was born. Were my nightmares are waiting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the fortress city...
I finally arrived at the destination. but I had to be careful. According to the information I heard from Iris, the area is literally booby-trap, sp I had to tread cautiously. I would have to listen to Iris instructions on how to navigate through, but that may be more difficult than it seems. It’s bad enough that I still don’t understand how I can feel her damn thoughts directly. If I’m to defeat Delacroix and end these damn nightmares, then I must go.
“ Let’s do this Iris”.

[ravenwithoutcause]

I stood out in front of a vast wasteland littered with Irisa Vertans. A good distance away, I could make out a city. It glowed in a blue crystalline light. It was here that I would find Delacroix. But reaching him would be difficult. According to Iris, this, the entire area was booby-trapped and guarded heavily. The sky above the wasteland alone was rigged to destroy any that ventured close to the city.
“ Huh”?
“ We have arrived at are destination” said once I stop skiing. Looking ahead, I saw the beautiful city before me. I saw no activity within though other than moving lights. But I had a feeling there was more to this place than meets the eye.
“ Incoming transmission. Caller and origin unknown”. Iris quickly said.
<“ You’ve come at last, dear, dear sister”>
<“ YOU...”>
<“ You’ve come searching for me, as I knew you would one day”.>
<“ Delacroix! Where are you”!>
<“ where are you”!?
<“ Here to take my life... I’m within the city. But, if you want to come and meet me, then prove yourself worthy”! The connection was now severed.
“ Prove myself worthy? f**k him”! I soon jetted down a street into the sparkling city and searched. There was nothing around. Nothing at all.
“ There a high probability that this city inhabitants was evacuated”.
“ Yeah, but there’s no sign of enemies either”.
Crrrrrrrrreeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!
That’s when I received my answer. On the ground there were three moving objects, coming right at me. I took a closer look. They were Delacroix troops, but I never seen this type before, Just my luck. They seemed to be digging underground, keeping a part of themselves surfaced. I better get this test over with then. I moved forward to attack when they suddenly leaped out at me. They had bent legs and arms. I would provide a more apt description, but right now there of these guys were coming right at me.
“ model name Necrofear, be careful”.
I dodged to the side, ready to fight when they suddenly fell back to the ground.
“ Huh? Oh, I see. They can’t do an boost maneuver. Well, that makes things easier”.
Someday, I will learn to keep my big mouth shut...
“ Incoming”! Iris blurted out.
Suddenly From behind, several projectiles hit me in the back. Turning upward, I saw a troop of Necromounts and Necros coming right at me.
“ Great, now I had a problem going up and down. Speaking of down, when I turned back to look at the ground Vertans, Necrofear, one of them was already jumping airborne and coming at me. Quickly, I dodged and raise my blade, but it wasn’t enough and the creature slashed my vertans shoulder and cause me to drop. I hit the ground semi-hard and examined myself. My shoulder armor was slashed, but it wasn’t as bad as it looked. However, the Necrofear were coming right at me. I quickly stood upright as they all leapt at me at once. Stupid move. I quickly raise my blade and when they got close enough, I sprung around, letting my blade out and slashing all three at once. They fell to pieces on the ground and I focused my attention to the oncoming force.
“ The energy shell attachment is recommended”.
“ Right. Switch it for me”. I release several sparks of energy at the Necromount, causing it to soar away from the groups. As it did, I attacked the two Necros. One came to slashed at me, but I quickly cut it in two. The second swooped in as well, but it only received the same fate as its partner. The Necromount continued to close.
“ Damn, they just don’t give up”. I let out some mobile weapons that grab the creature and froze it. I flew in to attack when suddenly...
“ More enemy forces to the left”.
From out of the side of one of the buildings, a couple more Necromount appeared, along with some Necros, Wasps, and Necrofears. Where did they come from? Moving fast, I grabbed the stunned Necromount and tossed it at the coming horde. It destroyed a Wasp, but I didn’t stop them from coming, I flew off to the side and focused.
“ Man, this is crappy”!
“ Please think with your head or this unit and your life would be termined”.
“ Shut the hell up and be more helpful dammit”.
“ Using the twilight attachment is recommend”.
“ Oh yeah...”<br>At that, I let out a spray of energy, each spiral flying toward an enemy. Luckily, the Necrofears were weak, so one or two of them were destroyed quickly while the other shots damaged the others. I raise my blade and set myself for the kill when...
“ Come on, how many are there”!
Three more Necromounts emerged, this time from the other side. And they were accompanied by a couple of Necrofears. At the same time, the stunned horde had revived and continued their attack. Seeing the odds, I flew back away from their fire and flew behind one of the buildings. Their fire was trashing the area as they came. I looked over the side, only to see another group join in. I twisted back against the wall.
“ Man this is to much... (a burger sound good about now)”.
“ An unidentified object has been distant from this battlefield for some time”.
“ Right”. Flying around another building for cover, I found my answer. A good distance away from me was a Solaris drop ship. It was currently hovering and new minions emerged out of it.
“ This target is the unidentified object that was distance from the battles”.
“ Right. That thing gotta go”. Without hesitating, I flew toward it in attack. But I underestimated the amount of guards there would be and I found myself facing more than I thought. They seemed to be swarming all over the place, shielding me from the prized possession. And if that wasn’t bad enough. The Drop ship was within a group of pillars, making hitting it from afar difficult. I would have to get in close. Even worse, the group that was behind me had just come around the building and moving toward me.

[ravenwithoutcause]

“ Just great”.
“ Recommend another plan of attack”.
I would have to use every skill I have to defeat them. “ Triblade”. The mobile weapon grabbed one of the Necromounts and reeled it in. Then on reaction, I quickly tossed it behind, destroying a Necro and disorganizing the group. I then flew backward and focused on the guards now. I let out three energy shells at them, each one destroying an enemy. A Necro jump at me, but was quickly disposed of with a quick vertical slash across. I let that guide my attack and dived in and began to slice the enemies furiously. But despite these efforts, the drop ship continued to hover and drop enemy new opponents for me to fight. It would be extremely difficult to get in close now. And the enemy began to close in and surround me. I quickly shot straight back into the wall and away from them. But they were beginning to close in on me once again.
“ Damn, if only I could blast it from here. But the pillars are in the way... wait a minute. Iris, can you change the twilight weapon configuration to long range”?
“ Yes... configuration complete”.
I shot off to the side to get away from the advancing horde. When I reached a good distance, I set myself to fire. But the enemy was coming closer. If they attack now, I won’t be able to do the damage I want. “ hurry dammit”. The shoulders mounts finally reached its full power. A Necro swooped in and slashed at me, but not before I set the massive spheres of energy down at the drop ship. The sphere hit the pillar, but it didn’t stop it as the pillar exploded and the drop ship along with it. With the drop ship gone, I was free to attack.
“ Now your bastards are mine”.
“ Please act with care”.
I dove into the enemy formation once again. What happened was a series of events I can’t remember. I lost myself in the destructive dance as I slashed, chopped, ripped, tore and dismembered every enemy that came closer. Whenever I was done with one, I would dive to another group and repeat the dance. When I came to my senses, all of them were destroyed. I couldn’t believe what I had done. There were so may that I destroyed.
“ Man I”m good”, but I was still surprised”.
“ Excellent. If you was here during the Irisa raid, you would have change the outcome”.
“ Damn, straight”.
Shaking it off, I lowered down to the alcove. Behind the area were the drop ship once was, there was a large gate.
Moving to it, it opened before me and I entered. The door closed and the elevator lowered down.
It then opened up to another room. Before I could think, a group of Necromounts, Wasps, and Necros all appeared and attacked me.
“ It’s a trap” Iris quickly said.
“ Yeah. Hiding in a dark room, then pouching on your enemy is call a trap”.
I quickly raised my blade as one of the Wasp attack. But the blow was hard and I was slammed against the wall. The Necromount summoned a powerful attack and almost pinned me to the wall, but I managed to dodge it. Standing in the corner, I set myself as one of the Necros flew in to attack. “ Eat this”! The intense spiraling light emerged out of my shoulders and the Necro was destroyed. The spirals continued on and destroyed both a Wasp and the second Necro. But that still left the two Necromounts and a Wasp. Kicking off to the side, I stabbed the blade into the Necromount, which was fortunate seeing as how it was still firing. Grabbing the massive shielded minion, I spun around wildly as the Wasp came at me. But it was caught in the whirlwind and bashed aside. Dazed, it began to recover. But not before I released the Necromount and sent it smashing into him at high speed. Both minions exploded and I was left with the last Wasp. But not for long...
Shhrrrraaaaaaaaaccckkkkkkkkk!!!!!
Now that everyone was destroyed, I calm down. I dove down through the end of the corridor through a long trail. It ended with another exit which opened before me. As I jumped out, I found myself in another massive corridor. But it wasn’t like the last one. True, there were moving platforms within, but they were so far apart that they never met. The corridor was also a dark brown instead of blue like the last one. Most important, the corridor was massive. the other end was a far distance away, my vision only barely seeing it. But that didn’t matter, Iris observation alert me and I sat myself.
“ enemy Vertan ahead... it Azrail”.
(I found you) “ Delacroix”!

[ravenwithoutcause]

“ You Bastard”! I seethed. His usual grin was crossed on his face as his Vertan stood in front of me. His vertan tail danced around aimlessly,
“ the power we both posses. Within you lies a dead soul, alive again. While I have taken the living and granted them death with a single wave. Don’t you see? We are gods as was always meant to be”.
“ gods”! I shot back. “ You think killing innocent lives and destroying a planet makes you a god”?
He shrugged, me? Hahahahaha!!! I have nothing to do with it. I’m merely following my aura. The blood that surges within me and you”.
“ You’re insane”!
Delacroix didn’t respond. Rather, he raised his Vertan unit shoulders into the air. Volts of red energy crackled above his head. I stood ready to fight when he swung his gun, not at me, but at the floor below. The shots of energy smashed into the ground. After several blasts, Delacroix stopped.
“ This is my power”!!!
He looked back at me.
“ that was pointless” I grumbled.
“ Humm... oh yes, of corse. You treasure life”. He folded his arms once again, “well, how would you feel to know that your existence has cost many lives already”?
“ What? What the hell you mean”?
“ You don’t remember huh... those who gathered the technology for are creation have paid with their lives. Fitting task for a species whose life means nothing”.
I didn’t believe it, he had to be lying. But I barely remember the past... only being in Rena arms on a space shuttle escaping from Callisto. No he has to be wrong.
“ You mean... people have died for me”?
“ that’s right. Like cockroaches”.
I growled, but I began to sense Iris’s present thoughts.
“ Lumiere...”<br>“ enough. I don’t care what happened in the past. You will not destroy and kill anymore. I will stop you”!
He crackled, “ Hahahahahaha!!!!!! you and what army? Or maybe I’m mistaken. Maybe you can defeat me now. Let’s find out”. He suddenly raised his arms up and outward.
“ Come on. Get Me”!!!!
“ RAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH”!!!!!!
I wasn’t aware of my rage I was building up in me since his arrival, but now I went at him in a murderous frenzy. Delacroix smirked at my attack and as my blade was ready to come down on him, he disappeared.
“ Damn, he can speed of like that”!!
“ Sorry, no combat information is available. Recommended action... retreat... or wing it”.
“ Hearing you with no solution just made this fight more interesting”. I snapped my head upward, but there was no sight of him anywhere. Looking around, I could barely make out his shadowy visage warping through the columns. I began to calm down.
“ alright, let’s review. I’ve obtained more weapons and gain more strength from my previous battles, so I might be able to do something to him”. I doubted that they would have any effect on a Vertan like Azrail. I would have to rely on my natural power.
“ what’s wrong, Sister? Having second thoughts”?
I turned around to see Delacroix a short distance away. He was hovering at me with his blade out. I quickly unsheathed my own blade and blocked. But Azrail’s force was too great and I was slammed backward, almost hitting the wall. I skid to a stop myself just in time to see him disappear again.
“ Where the hell is he”?
“ Behind” Iris alerted me”.
“ Ha”!
Delacroix suddenly reappeared right in front of me. His blade was about to stab into my Vertan’s chest when out of sheer luck, I dodged to the side, causing it to impale into the wall. Taking advantage, I moved in to take a slash at him, but he had pried the blade from the wall and warped again. I had to focus. We both had the same skills, so I should be able to trace him somewhat. The shadow of his being were moving around the chamber rapidly, almost untraceable.
“ Almost... there”! I suddenly shot my rifle toward the mid-corner and fired a volley of bullets. Just at that moment, Delacroix reappeared and the shells hit him full on. But he had made no attempt to defend and the shells did absolutely nothing to him. He gave me a wry look.
“ What was that supposed to be”?
“ Awww hell...”<br>I growled and made ready to fire another wave, but Delacroix had warped again, this time to top center of the chamber.
“ Sister! Let me show you how it’s done”! Stretching his Vertans hand again, he fired his own wave of energy beams. The beams soared around in a strange zigzag formation like blaring veins. The beams were curving at high speed, all coming, no matter where I went. I quickly full speed to my right side and hide behind a column. The beams smashed into the wall.
“ you can’t hide from me”. Delacroix warped and reappeared at another area. His wings converged together and dark energy began to surge within him. He suddenly released a thick flare of energy and it came right at me. How could he know where I am? I dashed away again, with the flare flying right behind me. I swooped upward and caused the flare to hit the column, causing it to explode and crumble. Backing away from the damaged area, I waited for Delacroix to appear. I tried to sense him, but it was too difficult. But there was a reason for that. He had appeared right behind me.
“ fooled”. His blade bore down on me. “ It was over before it began, Lumiere”. With one deft motion, he tossed me backwards. I managed to stop myself, but he was gone, again. He continued to disappear and reappear around me. I can’t stop him. He then appeared... right in front of me. I backed away, but it wasn’t enough as his hand shot and grabbed me. I screamed in agony as ripples of energy found their way through my Vertan, to my body.
“ I can’t stop him! Ahhhhh!!!! I was in too much pain to notice that Iris was shutting down as well down. He then stopped, but kept his hold on me. I was to weak to fight back as that shock drained me totally. He then reared back again and launched me at the wall.
“ This is the end”.
I raised his blade and spear it into my Vertan’s chest. I screamed in sheer agony while a Red stained Necro went to the side of its master, who had been watching the whole time. Despite my pain and anger, I managed to cast a glare at Delacroix.
“ Damn... you...”<br>He chuckled, “ Now, now. What kind of language is that to use on your dear brother”? He whipped his tail a bit, “ You’ve weaker than before, lumiere. Look like you’ve been asleep in the sand for far to long”. The pain was beginning to increase and I was losing consciousness.
“ Kill me and get it over with”.
“ heh, don’t be in such a rush to die. This Necro wants you alive... interesting is it”<br>Soon the Necro spoke up. “ I’m here and I’ll take care of you”<br>“ If I wanted to kill you, we wouldn’t be having this conversation now. But enough of death. Guess what. The time is approaching”.
“ what... are you talking... about”?
“ oh, you know. The reason why we were born to begin with. The time has arrived to complete our destiny”.
“ I... don’t... understand”.
“ too bad. Well, you can find out when the time comes. Or you can try to defy me and get killed. Either way, the time is coming. And it is close”. His head cocked slightly, “ time for you to go to sleep, Lumiere. My vision blacked out.
“ Nighty, night sister”.

[Kyoki]

This story is really good! I can't wait to read more! I wanna read more!!! ;D

Anywho. I will try and put more of my story up tommrow. I have to get off right now. I forgot to post another chapter. Gomenasai!!!

[Hikaru]

I really like this story! Can't wait to read more!