Chapter 1508 ONS Author's Note: Do Not Unlock ------------ Falco staggered back as his vision plunged into darkness. "Falco!" Endric shouted while extending his hand to use telekinesis. He attempted to hurl Axarof away, but his power rebounded off the Alliance leader, ineffective. Axarof smirked, not even needing to move as he sent a forceful wave that smashed into Endric, launching him across the room and into a wall with a sickening thud. Aildris transformed the environment into a kaleidoscope of shifting colors. He attempted to trap Axarof in a prism of vibrant hues... a prison of light and color meant to immobilize. "You're not invincible, Axarof!" he declared. Axarof merely chuckled, his multiple limbs flexing as he shattered the colorful prison with ease. "Pathetic," he growled while sprinting forward. He grabbing Aildris by the head and slammed him into the ground before he could react. The impact reverberated through the entire alliance, causing its very foundation in space to tremble. Meanwhile, E.E. had been struggling to open vortexes in the right places. "Come on, come on," he muttered as sweat gathered around his brow. Vortexes would appear in places that he didn't intend to open them in. The spatial disruption in the surroundings was no joke. As Axarof turned his attention to him, E.E. succeeded in creating a vortex that materialised from within one of Axarof'srjght leg. Half of Axarof's right leg was immediately consumed. Axarof's roar of pain and fury echoed through the hall. "You'll pay for that child!" he bellowed as blood jetted out from his severed limb. He surged forward as his remaining limbs propelled him with terrifying speed toward E.E., who began jumping from vortex to vortex to evade. Falco, despite his blindness tried to help. He lashed out with whips of dark energy, each strike vicious and wild. "I am not done!" he screamed with pain. The dark energy ripped through the air, severing Alliance corps members in two with their screams mingling in the chaos. Falco was still holding back so as not to put the others in danger and right now more than ever he couldn't go all out. Axarof blocked the dark energy with his limbs as his focus split. He aimed to finish off Falco, but Endric and E.E. combined their efforts to prevent him. Endric used his telekinesis to hurl debris and create barriers, while E.E. managed to create vortexes to redirect Axarof's attacks. The battle raged on... The room was filled with the sounds of clashing powers and anguished cries. Axarof's strength seemed insurmountable as he brutalized the group with devastating strikes. He caught Endric with a powerful blow, sending him sprawling to the ground, blood pouring from a deep gash on his side. Aildris became barely conscious as he tried to summon his strength to help but was crushed under the weight of Axarof's relentless assault. Falco body trembling from blood loss and pain, continued to whip his dark energy in desperate arcs. But not of the attacks missed Axarof since Falco couldn't exactly aim well with missing eyes. Fortunately, two more of Axarf's arms were sliced off but not before he grabbed a Falco's throat to end him. "You've lost," Axarof hissed in pain while tightening his grip. E.E seeing Falco in mortal danger, unleashed a vortex from Axarof's waist, severing the powerful alliance leader in two. "How dare you!" Axarof two halves fell to the sides as a fountain of silver blood splurged out. He was still very much alive due to his strength but his danger level had considerably decreased. Just as it seemed they might gain the upper hand, two more Alliance leaders arrived, their presence as intimidating as Axarof's. One, a towering figure with skin like molten metal, wielded a blade that crackled with electric energy. The other, a slender alien with eyes that glowed like burning coals, commanded an aura of immense psychic power. "We're not finished yet!" Endric gasped, blood trickling from his mouth as he struggled to his feet. But it was too late. The combined might of the three Alliance leaders overwhelmed them. Aildris was impaled through the shoulder by the electric blade, his scream of pain cutting through the air. Endric, trying to protect him, was caught by a psychic blast that shattered his left leg, leaving him crumpled on the ground. Falco, blinded and bleeding, was finally subdued by a crushing blow that knocked him unconscious. E.E., his energy depleted, was the last to fall. He fought valiantly, using every ounce of his strength to create vortexes and teleport around the room. But Axarof's speed and the combined efforts of the other leaders proved too much. E.E. was struck down by a powerful psychic wave, his body crashing to the floor, barely conscious. "Secure them," Axarof commanded, his voice cold and unyielding. The Alliance corps moved in, binding the battered and broken group with energy restraints. As they were dragged away, the last thing they saw was the grim satisfaction on Axarof's face. "You thought you could challenge the Alliance? Pathetic." The facility returned to a tense silence, the aftermath of the battle a stark reminder of the power they faced. The Alliance leaders watched as their prisoners were taken to the holding cells, knowing that this was only the beginning of their ordeal. --- "This isn't working," E.E. shouted. "We need a new plan!" The leader advanced, his energy growing more intense with each step. "It's over. Surrender now, and I might spare your lives." Endric glanced at his friends, knowing they were running out of options. "We can't give up. There has to be a way." Just as the leader prepared to deliver a final, devastating blow, Endric remembered something. "Falco, Aildris—remember what we learned during training. Combine our attacks!" Falco, despite his injuries, nodded. "Let's do it." Aildris, his eyes glowing brighter than ever, focused his energy. "On my mark. One... two... three!" The three of them unleashed their powers simultaneously. Endric's telekinesis, Falco's dark energy, and Aildris's light manipulation merged into a single, powerful blast aimed directly at the leader. The combined attack struck the leader's shield, and for a moment, it held firm. But then, cracks began to appear, and the shield shattered under the pressure. The leader staggered back, momentarily stunned. E.E. seized the opportunity, opening a vortex directly beneath the leader. "Go!" The leader fell through the vortex, and E.E. quickly closed it, transporting the leader to a distant, uninhabited part of the facility. "That won't hold him for long, but it should buy us some time." They hurried towards their spacecraft, their movements fueled by adrenaline and determination. The alarms were still blaring, and they knew more enemies would be on their tail soon. As they approached their ship, they encountered another group of guards, but this time, their resolve was unshakeable. Endric used his telekinesis to clear a path, Falco covered their rear with dark energy blasts, and Aildris used his light manipulation to create barriers and disorient their attackers. E.E. reached the ship first, opening the hatch and ushering everyone inside. "Come on, let's get out of here!" They piled into the spacecraft, and E.E. took the controls, lifting off just as more guards arrived. The ship shot out of the hangar, dodging energy blasts and weaving through the facility's defenses. "We're not out of the woods yet," Endric said, glancing at the sensors. "We need to get clear of the facility's range." E.E. nodded, his focus intense. "Working on it." As they soared through space, the facility's defenses continued to target them, but E.E.'s skillful piloting kept them just ahead of the attacks. Finally, they broke free of the facility's range and entered hyperspace, leaving their pursuers behind. They collapsed into their seats, exhausted but relieved. "We did it," Aildris said, a faint smile on his face. Endric nodded. "Yeah, but we can't rest yet. We still need to figure out our next move." Falco leaned back, his expression serious. "We have Ria's location now. We need to regroup and come up with a new plan to rescue him." E.E. glanced at the navigation controls, setting a course for a safe rendezvous point. "First things first. Let's find a place to lay low and recover. Then we can figure out our next steps." As the ship hurtled through hyperspace, they knew their mission was far from over. But they had each other, and that gave them the strength to keep fighting. ---sss "And I'll gather some supplies for your journey," Uncle Bila added. "I need to find a way to send a message... An intergalactic message," Gustav requested. ... ... ... Days had passed since the Warp Demolator's appearance and subsequent disappearance, leaving Aildris, Endric, Falco, and Ria adrift in uncertainty. They had been scouring the coordinates and searching for any trace of Gustav, their efforts fruitless and their morale dwindling. As they prepared to set a course for a nearby planet in hopes of finding assistance, the console beeped loudly, signaling an incoming transmission that immediately drew their attention. Falco who was closest to the console, quickly tapped to accept the transmission. The familiar face of Gustav appeared in full vibrancy. -"Hey, guys." The group exchanged looks of relief mixed with confusion upon his appearance. "Rival! We've searched everywhere, where did you vanish to?" Ria was the first to yell out. -"I'm on earth," Gustav revealed. "You're on Earth?! How did you end up there?" Falco voiced in shock. -"It's Stark's doing. It's a long story—I'll fill you in later. But I'm alright." "We thought we lost you... How are you going to get back?" Aildris inquired. -"I'm not coming back just yet. I'm actually about to head to Miss Aimee's planet, AGON." This revelation prompted a round of surprised murmurs among the group. "Miss Aimee's planet? Why?" Endric voiced in bafflement. -"It's related to something called the NID—an artifact that pointed me to AGON. I think it's crucial for what comes next. Since I missed the Warp demolator's appearance, this might be the only way I get to planet Humbad." The group listened intently as Gustav briefly explained his encounter with the NID and its mysterious guidance. "So, what do you need us to do now? Head to the Milky Way to join you?" Aildris inquired. -"No, that won't be necessary. You're over a month away, and I can't have you trailing behind that long. Instead, I need you to fix up my ship. I believe by the time you're heading back, I would have gotten what I need." "Okay, we could help with other things while you do what needs to be done," Endric answered with a nod. -"Thanks. I'll keep you posted on my progress and what I find out on AGON." As the transmission faded, the crew sat back, processing the flurry of information. Gustav was safe, but the journey ahead was his alone to tread for now. They turned their attention to the task at hand—repairing Gustav's spacecraft and finding their way back without mishaps. "We are gonna head for Earth afterwards right?" Ria asked. "You bet we are." ... ... Gustav and Stark stood in the dimly lit hangar, their spacecraft prepped and ready for departure. The air thrummed with the low rumble of the engines warming up, a subtle vibration underfoot that spoke of the power at their disposal. Beside them, two bodyguards in silver robes, their features obscured by the high collars and hoods, stood silent and alert. Gustav, checking over his own disguise—a similar silver robe that masked his identity—nodded to Stark. "It's time to go." Although Gustav didn't shapeshift due to the numbers seeing Stark off, he wouldn't shy out of it when the time came. Stark adjusting his own gear, looked at Gustav with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "What should I expect out there, Gustav? It's not every day one travels to a planet crafted by a goddess." "Honestly... it's hard to say what we'll find. Miss Aimee is... unpredictable. But if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that she's continued creating life. She aims to craft a world far different from Earth's—full of diversity and harmony," Gustav responded with a reminiscent look. As they boarded the spacecraft, the bodyguards took their positions at the controls, and Gustav settled next to Stark. The bay doors slowly retracted. With a smooth surge of power, the spacecraft lifted off, leaving Earth's atmosphere in a streak of light. As they ascended, Gustav's mind drifted to his past interactions with Miss Aimee. He remembered the lush landscapes she had shown him, teeming with life—creatures of her own design, each species more fascinating than the last. --------------------- Miss Aimee stood before a sprawling vista, her hand sweeping over a field dotted with two headed creatures grazing under a colorful sky. "Here..." she had said, "I will create a sanctuary where all the life forms I create can coexist in balance. A model of what any world could be, free from strife and inequality." ---------------------- Gustav felt a pang of nostalgia and a deep-seated curiosity about how much her world had evolved since his last visit. He pulled himself back to the present as their ship broke free from Earth's gravitational pull and entered the open cosmos. "Space travel still amazes me every time," Stark mumbled while peering forward. With his eyes, he could see every nook and cranny of the exterior of the spacecraft. "How far until we reach AGON?" Gustav questioned. "We're looking at just over a day's journey with the current hyperdrive settings since AGON is situated at the edge of the Milky Way," Stark answered informatively. The journey through space was smooth, with the vast starlit void offering a display of serene beauty. Stark occasionally attempted to draw out more stories from Gustav, who remained somewhat reticent, lost in his thoughts. "You really respect her, don't you? Miss Aimee, I mean." "More than respect, Stark. I owe her my life. I was hoping I wouldn't need her help anymore until all this was over but I guess, there is no other way," Gustav voiced with a look of admiration and perturbation. As they neared AGON, the planet's image began to fill the viewport—a colossal world, its surface swirling with vibrant colors and cloud patterns that hinted at its dynamic atmosphere. "There it is. AGON," Gustav announced. "Wow, it truly is four times the size of Earth... Very breathtaking. To think one being could create all this... it's beyond what I thought possible," Stark couldn't imagine just how powerful Miss Aimee was. Although he had very much witnessed her might at IYSOP, it was an entirely different scenario to physically be in the presence of an orbital body she created. The spacecraft's approach was carefully calculated, as they prepared for descent. As their spacecraft approached the vibrant, swirling atmosphere of AGON, Gustav and Stark were suddenly jolted by an unexpected resistance. A shimmering barrier, invisible until now, materialized just as their ship was about to enter the planet's orbit. Stark startled by the sudden halt, looked over at Gustav with concern. "What's happening? Why can't we move forward?" Gustav brow furrowed in confusion and surprise, responded, "This... this wasn't here before. Miss Aimee must have later put this in place to prevent external entry." "But she should be aware of my presence by now. Why isn't she taking the barrier down?" Gustav wondered out loud. It was impossible for anything to pass miss Aimee by since she became a goddess so Gustav expected her to have sensed their spacecraft long before it got to this point. Trying to understand the situation, Gustav instructed the ship's AI to attempt a gentle push forward, but the barrier remained impassive, its surface repelling every advance with increasing force. "Let's not force it. We might damage the ship—or worse, trigger a countermeasure we're not prepared for." Uncle Bila watched in amazement as Gustav interacted with the newly revived NID. The artifact, long dormant and silent within the depths of the Vertigon vaults, now pulsed with a vibrant, mystical energy. "Mr Crimson, to use th—" "Don't worry, I understand how it works," Gustav cut Uncle Bila off. He proceeded to place his palm flat against the NID, and the device responded immediately, its surface shimmering with an ethereal glow. The rhythmic pulsing seemed to sync with Gustav's own energy, creating a resonance that filled the room with a palpable sense of anticipation. Gustav's thoughts were singular: 'I need to find a way to get to the remnants of planet Humbad.' He held onto this intention, willing the NID to provide a path forward. After a tense few moments, the artifact responded. A projection of shimmering letters floated in the air before them: **"Planet AGON."** Gustav stepped back, his surprise evident. "AGON? That's... that's the name Miss Aimee calls her planet," The room fell silent as the NID powered down, its task seemingly complete. Uncle Bila, breaking the silence, confirmed what the machine had implied. "It seems that whatever you need, Gustav, is tied to Planet AGON. According to our ancestors the NID has never been wrong." Gustav, puzzled, murmured to himself, "But why there? What could possibly be on Miss Aimee's planet that relates to Humbad or the Warp Demolator?" Miss Aimee's planet was still a very new one so it didn't make any sense to him. Stark chimed in, "Remember, Miss Aimee isn't just your former master. She's a creator of worlds, a manipulator of cosmic scales. There is every possibility that she has foresight of the current predicament." The idea resonated with Gustav but he was still skeptical about it. "You might be right. I guess the only way to find out is by heading there." "I'll arrange for transport," Stark voiced in response.