Xen'tarza
Chapter Six

Dimensional Collision

I

Supersede

In a dark quadrant where stars had begun to vanish, Ashkaratoth appeared. Expanding his four wings, he flew through space and approached a red chasm that was none other than the Drift Void. Drawing closer, he no longer needed to fly—the deadly, magical current surrounding it pulled him until he drifted directly before it.

“You have summoned me?”

The void breathed with fury, nearby asteroids breaking apart. Despite such paranormal phenomena at hand, Ashkaratoth remained unshaken.

“Once again, you have failed to remain as a myth. I have forbidden you from making your presence known in Ensar and yet you seem to have your own motives, using my swarm to attack civilization.”

“I must eliminate the sorceress who knows of our existence.”

“You must? What you must do is be silent! You have grown far too arrogant, and your overconfidence has caused yet another failed attempt to slay her. Because of your impatience, she not only lives but has gained the faith of another Ruzurai.”

Ashkaratoth sneered. “The legendary Ruzuari do not intimidate me. I almost killed—”

“Hear me one final time, whelp: You will not be forgiven again. Remain in the shadows as we have done for eons. It is only a matter of time before my prison shatters. Await my return or suffer my wrath.”

“Is that so?”

A terrifying roar echoed throughout the cosmos, an unnatural force of power surging from the void. Every asteroid in the vicinity crumbled apart. Ashkaratoth merely hissed at the chasm, extending his claws. Tremendous arcane power from all the protostars he had recently consumed abruptly projected from his scaly palms, flowing directly into the red chasm.

“Traitorous whelp! You dare defy your Lord?”

“That prison has made you weak. I have become infinitely more powerful than you. There is even dubiety among us on whether you truly have the necessary strength to break free. Remain in pandemonium until the prison drains whatever is left of your feeble soul.”

Koth’tura let out another vicious roar from within the Drift Void.

“The eternal swarm shall hide no longer. Now is the time to make myself known. Soon the universe will know me as the true Lord of Chaos!”

II

Revelation

Back on planet Pravura, Myris entered an atmospheric station with the necromancer. She passed the time by petting Xeza, waiting for her comrades. Eladoris, on the other hand, paced back and forth until Marauder approached. Once the interstellar craft docked at the capital’s Sky Launch, the trio boarded it. They waited in the hatch while the decontamination spray activated. When it finished, Shirakaya greeted them.

“Welcome back, Myris. Vokken told us everything. I can’t believe it. Why didn’t you tell—”

“I don’t wanna talk about my past.”

“Oh. Um…okay. Are you all right?”

“Not really. I just need rest. But don’t worry, fearless leader. After a few hours, I’ll be back to normal.”

Eladoris passed the freelancer without making eye contact.

“Glad you’re back on the team too,” Shirakaya mumbled sarcastically. She was activating the hatch’s seal when her KLD vibrated. Acknowledging her brother’s abrupt transmission, she answered the call. “Not sure this is a good time, Khal. Dojin’s in the infirmary recovering after a terrible beating, and Myris barely escaped a kidnapping.”

“I heard about Dojin. I’m not surprised. As for Myris, that’s extremely disturbing. Is she going to be okay?”

“I think so,” the freelancer said, walking toward an X-Phaser. “Anyway, what’s up?”

Khal’jan hesitated. “When the others are feeling up to it, gather them in the conference room.”

“Why? Did you translate something?”

“Yes and no,” he said. “Just get everyone here as soon as possible. If they’re truly a part of your team, they need to hear what I have to say.”

“Let’s give them a few hours to recuperate,” she replied, ending the link at his nod.

In due time, Shirakaya made an announcement via the intercom for Shadow Mercs to gather together. Without wasting any time, they convened in the conference room. Though he was severely bruised, Dojin stood among them. Rah’tera acknowledged the renegade’s injuries, glancing at him with amusement.

“Trying to compete with me?”

“No burns,” the renegade responded. “Just a shit ton of pain. Ain’t no ghensoth punch me so hard. Took a day for the Sci-Doc to fix my broken ribs. Say, any reason why the fuck we’re standing here like losers instead of sleeping?”

Before the sandstalker could respond, Shirakaya walked in.

“Thanks for coming, everyone,” she said, taking a seat. “My brother has an important update for us. Care to share it, Khal?”

The archeologist delicately placed Medeix Et Victum on the conference table. “Alternate realities. Infinite portals to other dimensions. Magic. Science. The unknown. Tell me, have any of you ever heard of the Spectral Pulse?”

“Enlighten us,” Rah’tera said.

“It is a fascinating myth few know about,” Khal’jan said. “In truth, the Ruzurai deemed it blasphemy. From what I learned at the university, primordial gods and goddesses—divine lords of science and magic—tampered with space and time eons ago. Most of their names have been lost to us, but one remains…Xen’tarza. Such a being, according to Medeix Et Victum, is said to have altered the quintessential cosmos we have come to know as Ensar.”

“The dissolution of the multiverse?” Shirakaya said in a skeptical tone.

“On the contrary, it’s formation. Order and Chaos are only the beginning. Regardless, it is said that the Spectral Pulse is a transdimensional passage into the transmundane elements beyond space and time—an arcane realm whose every particle is nothing short of pure magic. If you can somehow tap into its wellspring for even a second, I’ve no doubt you’ll regain your power.”

“You’ve stirred my curiosity,” Eladoris said. “Go on.”

Dojin groaned, rubbing his head. “This shit’s too deep for me. I just wanna sleep or fuck shit up. Plain and simple.”

“There’s no going on,” Shirakaya said. “Has that book driven you mad, Khal?”

“I’m afraid it’s possible,” he said with a soft chuckle. “After spending endless hours and days attempting to research this damn compendium, I’ve come to accept the grim reality that mere simpletons and dreamers like me will never comprehend its cryptic secrets. I fear such conjecture on the validity of the Spectral Pulse and its link to the divine is beyond my expertise and that of everyone I know.” From the corner of his eye, he could see his sister’s frown. “There is, however, someone who may be able to assist us.”

“Please tell us before your sister kills you,” Yarasuro said.

“The one who discovered this book in the first place,” Khal’jan replied. “Wyneim Del Vayso…an extraordinary mind beyond our time.”

“Ingenious,” the freelancer said. “Problem is, he’s supposed to be stark-raving mad. Even if he isn’t, how in all the heavens are we supposed to replace him? It would take a miracle to locate him.”

“Maybe not a miracle, but rather, an oracle,” Khal’jan said, sliding the compendium across the table, over to Myris. “Care to touch it?”

The young oracle shrugged. “You’re a clever bloke. I suppose this shouldn’t hurt.”

Xeza urped, cheering her on. Myris smiled at the sìsô as she reached for the book. She then tossed a few runes in the air. Each rune remained suspended as she delicately touched the compendium’s trim. Lifting it with both hands, she let the residue of fingerprints flow into her mind. Eyes closed, she furrowed her brow and saw an imprint of Khal’jan at an excavation site.

Myris flinched. Within mere seconds, she witnessed the haggard archeologist morph into Owendar. Even the environment changed. The deceased wizard sat in a library, reading Medeix Et Victum. In time, he, too, altered. Another old man sat in darkness. Books around him aged and withered away into nothingness. Wooden shelves rotted, replaced with metal walls.

Unable to see his facial features, Myris advanced in her hovering chair. “I see you,” she muttered, approaching the silhouette. “Why do you hide?” Just before Myris could step into the light, however, the shadowy figure dissolved. “Wait!” she yelled out, extending an arm. “Don’t run. You’ve nothing to fear.”

“Nothing to fear? If that were true, I’d be a fool,” an echoic voice whispered into her mind. “Do not seek death so eagerly, Oracle.”

“On the contrary, I seek life.”

“Do not exaggerate…I can see right through you. Abandon your imprudent struggle. Your pernicious and ignorant actions will lead them straight to me! Begone!”

“Who or what is them?”

Silence descended. The environment continued to decompose. Surrounded by an oasis of utter darkness, Myris sat in her chair alone. Unafraid, she reached into the pitch-black chasm that resembled a black hole. She abruptly fell from her seat and dipped her hand through the void, where she gripped a finger for a split second. That brief touch awakened her third eye, revealing a desolate wasteland blanketed by miasma, decomposed alloys, and craters.

The oracle opened her eyes, sitting before her fellow mercenaries. “Del Vayso is in hiding,” she said. “Some kind of threat.”

“It worked!” Khal’jan said excitedly.

“Not entirely,” the oracle said, disheartened. “I wasn’t able to pinpoint his location. Some kind of place full of decay. A devastated and forgotten world. Rusted metal from all corners of the rotten world. Ruined buildings. Corpses. Everything decomposed.”

“Then we search the stars for a dead planet,” Shirakaya said.

III

Void Racer

Initiating long-range sensors, Vokken searched both the TDE and Marauder’s starmap database for a planet resembling what the oracle had described. The mutant and the sandstalker joined the AI’s search, manually attempting to locate a ruined world via computer terminals on the bridge. Each celestial body, however, revealed various lifeforms.

Despite their lack of progress, they kept exploring nearby systems. Broadening his range, Vokken scanned the Syichi Photh-Kos galaxy. Focusing on the soudarian quadrant, every planet he checked revealed lifeforms. Advancing wescaria on the map’s screen, he eventually came across a planet named Ruegan’Uganta.

Before notifying his comrades, Vokken surveyed the world that he found. Right away, he detected solar radiation surrounding the celestial body. Wrapped in a field of debris, the planet looked as though it once parented multiple moons, all of which had crumbled apart over a span of millennia. Upon further examination, the AI discovered a sweltering landscape devoid of life, blanketed by corroded metals, enormous sinkholes, radioactive water, asteroid-size craters, and distortions in gravity.

“I found something,” Yarasuro said.

Shirakaya raised her head, beaming at him. “As usual, you’re always diligent. Show me what you discovered.”

“Here,” he said, transferring his data to the main screen. “Croma.”

The freelancer and her crew examined his replaceings along the noqurian border of Wulga Fein. Even though the celestial body lacked an atmosphere, it revealed biomass readings that indicated parasitical entities, which still formulated as lifeforms. In addition, they spotted fiery emissions capable of engulfing the terrain worldwide for hours on end.

“Seems decayed enough,” Xorvaj said.

Rah’tera tilted his head. “What about the factor of alloys?”

“We need to be certain,” Shirakaya said. “Considering the cost of hyirum these days, traversing from one galaxy to another for no reason can be expensive.”

“I have another candidate,” Vokken said.

“Really?” the freelancer replied, immediately surveying the primary telecommunications screen whose pane of glass shifted from Croma to Ruegan’Uganta. She read Vokken’s analysis of the planet and shook her head sarcastically. “Yaro, you’re losing your touch.”

“Hard to compete against an AI,” he said with a lopsided grin.

Shirakaya smirked back at him, pushing her hair back into a ponytail. “Well, mercs? Any thoughts on this planet?”

“Gravity distortions? Sinkholes the size of your ass? Water that can kill just from looking at it? What the hell are we waiting for?”

The crew members relatively agreed with the renegade.

“Ruegan’Uganta it is,” Shirakaya said. “Vokken, set a course for Syichi Photh-Kos and get us there ASAP.”

“Commencing dimensional space.”

Activating the ship’s cosmodrive, Vokken opened an aperture several kilometers beneath a nebula. Entering the prismatic chasm, Marauder accelerated through dimensional space at an incredible speed. Motion dampeners and mana shield initiating, the mercenaries relaxed in their chairs as though they were flying ten times slower.

Innumerable stars flickered by them, appearing like continuous streams of light frozen in time. For almost an hour, the battleship zoomed beyond myriad star systems. They traversed through a tunnel until reaching a deformation that caused the cosmic passageway to bend. As a result, Marauder decelerated so suddenly that the motion dampeners malfunctioned.

“An enigmatic wave of death,” Myris said, her eyes dilated. “Like a vacuum of energy, we’re swept away from tides of darkness. Only to drown in a silent void.”

“Another prophecy?” Shirakaya said, looking pale.

Xorvaj drooled, and the sìsô vomited.

“What’s happening?” Rah’tera inquired, his face contorted.

“Brace yourselves,” Vokken warned. “Upon midflight, a super-massive black hole has formed at the heart of a star cluster we’re passing through. The entire quadrant is collapsing. It’s affecting our velocity.”

“What the fuck?” Dojin said, trying not to barf.

“Codswallop!” the oracle blurted, unaware of her vision.

Shirakaya swallowed heavily, sweat pouring down her forehead. “Is it going to pull us out of dimensional space?”

“Under normal circumstances? Yes. We would essentially be pulled out and sucked into the void in an instant. With me at the helm? Negative. I transferred power to emergency thrusters while simultaneously activating our arcane engine.”

“Using the cosmodrive and arcane engine in tandem can cause a meltdown,” Shirakaya managed to mutter, the taste of nausea on her lips.

The arcane intelligence ignored her, continuing to use both flight methods until the vessel was out of harm’s way. Once they were safe, Vokken deactivated the arcane engine. Returning to its normal velocity via cosmodrive within dimensional space, the spaceship finally arrived at Syichi Photh-Kos. Traversing soudaria, Marauder exited the chasm through a sleek aperture and approached a star system swathed in a hoarfrost field.

“Fascinating,” Khal’jan said. “That must be dark matter or anti-mass energy developing from gravity distortions, which is undeniably affecting the electromagnetic forces in this sector, as well as the planets’ orbit.”

“Don’t give a shit,” Dojin said.

“Shut it, you wanker,” the oracle retorted. “I happen to appreciate his knowledge.”

“In any case, let us proceed with caution,” the freelancer said. “We can’t afford to fall into another death trap.”

“Affirmative,” the AI said.

He decelerated the battleship, penetrating the misty-blue field. The strength of their mana shield fluctuated. Dense waves of cosmic dust brushed against Marauder’s wings, causing it to tremble. Vokken spotted frozen energy shaped like tendrils and avoided them by maneuvering between the stems.

“What in oblivion is that?” Xorvaj said.

Yarasuro shrugged. “I haven’t the faintest idea.”

“These stalk-like stems might be a form of dark matter,” Khal’jan responded. “However, it’s possible they are also the result of elemental energy leaking from a rift. Considering we’re seeking Del Vayso, who’s obsessed with the multiverse theory, I’d assume the latter.”

“Whatever this funky stuff is, you don’t need my divination to let you guys know that touching these things ain’t gonna be good,” Myris said.

As the vessel progressed deeper toward the star system, Vokken unleashed gamma rays at some tendrils in close proximity. Eladoris assisted him from space, conjuring up hellfire along frozen webs of energy that blocked the way. The duo worked together, launching energy beams and fireballs until they cleared a flight path.

“Watch out!” Shirakaya cautioned.

Beyond the ice-covered tendrils, interstellar clouds of electricity roamed the sector. The arcane intelligence dodged them, but vicious apertures tore open in space, unleashing waves of flame for reasons unknown to the crew. Vokken preformed several evasive maneuvers, the fire missing Marauder’s wings by mere meters.

Xeza produced a whiney urp.

“Damn!” exclaimed Dojin, his eyes fixed on the elemental phenomena. “I’d be lying if I said that shit didn’t make my dick tingle.”

The crew ignored him.

“Do you know what this means?” Khal’jan said, in awe. “Forget about dark matter. This is no longer a scientific endeavor but one of magic.”

“Music to my ears,” Shirakaya said.

Despite being surrounded by insurmountable masses of confined elemental energy, the arcane intelligence wasn’t intimidated by the interstellar threat. Even though the magical barrier continued to fluctuate while they maneuvered past ice-covered tendrils, Marauder entered the star system without damage.

“We have reached Fhen’gu Hyron,” the AI said. “Ruegan’Uganta is the fourth planet from its blue giant. I estimate we’ll reach our destination within eleven minutes.”

“Excellent,” Shirakaya said. “Any additional info on the environment?”

“I’m already obtaining radioactive readings from the world’s atmosphere,” Yarasuro said, accessing his computer terminal. “It’s apparently so unstable that our EX-600 spacesuits may not be enough to endure the environment.”

“I replace that hard to believe,” Rah’tera scoffed.

“We’re in serious trouble,” Myris said, thinking differently.

Xorvaj shrugged. “Not me. Quashia. Zitrogen. Yelium. Hyirum. You name it. My lungs can breathe anything.”

“Quite impressive,” Yarasuro responded. “However, is the rest of your body immune to nuclear radiation?” At the ghensoth’s hesitation, the mutant knight went on, “I thought so. But don’t feel deterred. I’m quite sure none of our bodies can handle that.”

Khal’jan cursed under his breath. “Does this mean we won’t be able to explore the planet on foot?”

“Not necessarily,” the mutant answered. “I’ll have more data when we arrive.”

“Thank the Goddess I purchased a ZX-9000 on Qyon’tog,” Shirakaya said. “If it turns out the environment is too hostile, we have another means of traveling on ground.”

“Super cool,” Myris said. “You think of everything.”

The freelancer smirked at her comment. “Sometimes.”

“I’d be more concerned about the humyn you’re seeking,” Eladoris said. “If he is as fragile as you, then he’s already dead.”

“True, my dear,” Vokken said. “At any rate, we shall discover his status soon enough.”

Shirakaya nodded at his pixilated visage on the screen, her face rather pale. “He needs to be alive. We simply must replace him and learn if he knows a way to restore my power.” Bringing her attention back to the group, she continued, “It’s time to start planning our descent. Normally, it would be good to have at least one person stay aboard in case of an emergency. But since Vokken is omnipresent and in control of our ship, I feel we should all go and figure out what’s happening down there.”

“With the exception of Dojin and your little pet, it is a sound plan.”

“Ignore the cyber dickhead,” the renegade snapped, struggling to stand. “An achy body ain’t gonna stop me.”

“Maybe he’s right for once,” Shirakaya said.

Dojin squinted. “Fuck that. Consider my saggy balls radioactive. I’m a part of this mission whether your bitch ass likes it or not.”

IV

Remnants

Passing through the hoarfrost field, the crew saw Ruegan’Uganta with their own eyes from the windowpane. Despite its icy surroundings, the tawny-hued globe appeared unfrozen. Vokken maintained a fast velocity until entering the planet’s atmosphere, at which point he decelerated the Marauder.

“Radiation levels are increasing exponentially,” Yarasuro stated. “It’s unnatural. Based on these readings, our armor wouldn’t last ten minutes.”

“Are you certain of this?” Khal’jan inquired, dispirited.

Before the mutant could respond, Vokken intervened, “I can attest to his analysis. The data I am receiving after scanning each continent is bleak. I’m detecting billions of cadavers as well as no life readings. If there was ever an ecosystem here, it collapsed decades ago.”

Rah’tera shook his head. “Be that as it may, my EX-600 spacesuits are made for hazardous environments like this.”

“Not when radioactive levels are catastrophic,” the mutant said.

The freelancer cursed under her breath. “Eladoris, would you be able to conjure mana shields for each of us?”

“I could if I wanted to. But considering how long you intend to be here, maintaining them for an extended period of time isn’t something I can ensure.”

A couple of crew members sulked at her words, especially after seeing miasma.

“In that case,” Shirakaya began, “since you have wings, conjure a mana shield on yourself and scout around the region we are descending toward.”

Eladoris snorted. “I will do so on my own accord. I’m here out of mere curiosity. Nothing more than that.”

“So be it,” she replied, deciding not to snap at Eladoris who left the bridge.

“What now?” Khal’jan asked.

“We bring out the tank,” Xorvaj said.

Shirakaya gave him a faint nod. “Saddle up, Shadow Mercs. We’re entering a realm of the unknown.”

The mercenaries went down to the cargo bay, where their leader had parked the ZX-9000 tank. Entering the vehicle, they seated themselves and waited for Vokken to unseal the ship’s hatch. As the ramp descended, Xorvaj accelerated the tank out of the vessel. Plummeting fast toward the terrain, he activated hover-thrusters.

By pure chance, while passing a wave of clouds, the tank avoided what seemed to be pebbles or debris. At first, Shirakaya thought it was an illusion caused by the radioactive atmosphere. Descending farther, however, the substructure of their vehicle crashed onto a large piece of granite that shattered upon collision.

“Meteorites!” Rah’tera blurted.

“No fucking way,” Dojin responded, his eyes peeled on the windowpane. “We didn’t see any comets or asteroids in space.”

“That’s because there aren’t any,” Khal’jan said, his mouth agape.

Myris understood what he meant. “Wowzers,” she muttered, gazing at a mixture of clouds and floating granite in the sky.

“Evasive maneuvers!” Yarasuro shouted.

The tank slammed against another large boulder. An alarm went off, causing some of the mercenaries to become flustered. Xorvaj lost control of the tank, cursing. In an attempt to regain control of the careening vehicle, he activated emergency boosters to assist the hover-thrusters. With great difficulty, Xorvaj avoided several rocks suspended alongside clouds and eventually regained control of the craft. After a few seconds, the alarm turned off.

“Slow down,” Yarasuro said, getting out of his seat and walking over to the ghensoth. “I see some of them and can help you avoid them.”

Xorvaj complied, decelerating as much as possible. Beyond the last wave of clouds, they came across clusters of floating granite. Most of them appeared ruptured. Thunder bellowed all around them like a raging god. Bolts of lightning struck with tremendous wrath, splitting a gigantic boulder before their eyes. Pieces of it rotated toward the vehicle, leaving Xorvaj with no choice but to smash through a couple of them.

“Slightly different than Star City,” Rah’tera said.

“You said it,” Shirakaya replied, her heart pounding. “Why do I get the feeling that magic isn’t playing a role in this particular phenomenon?”

“Because it’s not,” Khal’jan said.

“How is this possible?” she asked.

“The planet’s gravity distortions,” he answered. “There’s no other explanation. For all we know, these huge rocks levitating among the clouds may have once belonged to a continent torn from the surface.”

“Neither magic nor tech?” Myris said. “No way…”

The ghensoth snorted. “Hover thrusters are overheating. Be ready for a rough landing. I won’t warn you a second time.”

Yarasuro returned to his seat, securing himself. The crew stayed quiet, placing their trust in Xorvaj as he prepared to land the tank. Although past the majority of floating granite, he still needed to concern himself with several boulders hovering closer to the planet’s surface. Upon descending thousands of kilometers, he delicately evaded them. Luck on his side, he finally saw terrain.

Landing smoothly in a deep crater, Xorvaj drove out of it and onto cobblestones. Partial buildings stood on either side, their upper halves peeking up amid rubble that was strewn along the ground. The ghensoth zigzagged around corroded framework. For a few minutes, the passengers sat silent, observing the derelict and ruined environment while the tank accelerated.

“What in all the dunes happened here?” Rah’tera asked.

“I intend to replace out,” Shirakaya said in a dismal tone. “Eladoris? Vokken? Any updates on other regions?”

“So far there is only death and decay,” the witch said via KLD. “Eroded roads. Corroded alloys. Destroyed buildings. Cadavers. Fossils. I’m currently flying over a contaminated sea. I’ll think about letting you know if I come across something interesting.”

Shirakaya grimaced.

Not a moment later, Vokken appeared on the tank’s main screen. “From what our queen has stated, it explains why I haven’t been able to hack into anything. I am maintaining orbit until further notice.”

“Keep me apprised.”

Advancing through the wilderness, Xorvaj came across a mountainous slope. When the tank struggled to ascend higher, he activated eight-wheel drive and rose up the bumpy terrain with ease. Arriving on the summit, the crew found themselves in a deserted metropolis whose metal structures barely remained standing.

For countless kilometers, the tank drove over crushed bricks. The coarse path revealed no signs of life. Tilted framework, which had once belonged to buildings, soared among floating islands what with the gravity distortions. The crew hoped to spot at least one thing that remained untarnished, but even the tawny-green sky revealed excessive pollution.

In time, they came across a blockade of debris. Xorvaj promptly fired his cannons at it. Destroying the obstruction, he cleared a path down the mountainous terrain. Once below, the ghensoth zoomed along a contaminated riverbank. The desolate canyon they rode through felt less bumpy, but the tank still shook. Ahead lay a seemingly endless expanse of mountains.

After what seemed like ages to the mercenaries, they spotted what appeared to be a bunker in the distance.

“Yaro, scan that fortification.”

The mutant complied. “I’m detecting an unknown energy source. Radiation levels have also decreased in this region. We might be able to explore on foot.”

“You heard the man,” Dojin said, charging his plasma shotgun.

Xorvaj nodded at him while increasing his speed. Burning rubber, they reached their destination in mere minutes. The ghensoth parked in front of the octagonal bunker, which somehow remained intact despite the destruction of every single building they had seen along the way.

The squad got to their feet, weapons at the ready. Using the tank’s built-in X-Phaser technology, Shirakaya and her comrades materialized outside. Sensing the travelers disembarking, the vehicle generated a barrier. In circumference, the defensive shield extended three-hundred and fifty-six meters. Within the protective sphere, it allowed them to utilize the tank’s life-support functions via ZiFi without the use of their own breathing apparatuses.

Distancing themselves from their ZX-9000, they checked their surroundings. The mutant fixed his eyes on the bunker’s sealed entrance when he heard something galloping behind him. He turned, unsheathing his enchanted sword; yet he didn’t see anything emerge other than toxic air. Gazing up at the hovering oracle, he realized she looked somewhat flustered. Dojin noticed her expression too.

“Sense something, kid?”

“Thought I did,” she said, biting her lip. “Whatever it was I felt...it’s gone. Happened so fast. Maybe it’s just my imagination?”

“Nothing is imagination on this planet,” Khal’jan said.

“So it would seem,” Rah’tera commented, daggers at the ready.

“Group up, mercs,” the freelancer said. “Right now, our top priority is getting inside that bunker. We need to replace out what’s down there.”

Yarasuro waved his KLD, scanning the structure. “The energy source is definitely coming from here. Strange. Whatever was used to construct this bunker isn’t too strong. Not sure how it’s still standing. Good thing is, it shouldn’t be difficult for us to infiltrate.”

“Leave it to me,” Xorvaj said.

Reentering the tank, he aimed every cannon at the bunker. Acknowledging what he was about to do, the crew took cover. Unleashing a barrage of fusion missiles, Xorvaj blew up the door. Walls on either side crumbled, and parts of the ceiling collapsed. The explosion caused the vehicle’s shield to dissipate. Myris peeked out from behind the tank, blinking in disbelief.

“Bloody hell,” she muttered.

Dojin touched his chest. “An asshole after my own heart.”

“That’s one way to put it,” Rah’tera responded, his mask hiding a smirk.

Xorvaj rematerialized outside. “Act now. Think later,” he said, bazooka in hand.

“Isn’t it supposed to be the other way?” Myris commented. “Oh, never you mind. Follow the big guy!”

V

Anomaly

Entering the dark structure, the crew spread out. Descending a ramp, they reached another sealed door. After checking for possible traps, Xorvaj rammed his way through it. The oracle shrugged at Shirakaya who couldn’t help but grin. Advancing through the dim tunnel, Yarasuro heard something scuttle by him. Again, he raised his sword at the musty air.

“Hmmm...”

“Something wrong, freakshow?”

The mutant gave him a long look. “There will be if you call me that again.” Seeing the renegade raise his hands in surrender, he went on, “I keep hearing something.”

“I’m sensing it,” Myris intervened. “It’s brief. Sudden. But there’s definitely something odd.”

“Explain,” the freelancer said warily.

“I’ve been getting this strange vibe that we’re being followed. I know it sounds like I’m totally mental, but it’s as if an entity or entities know we’re here.”

Xorvaj snarled at her words. “Ghosts?”

“No,” the oracle said. “My third eye is telling me otherwise. Neither the living nor the undead are pursuing us. Not machines either. I can’t explain. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever encountered before.”

“That...is troubling,” Shirakaya said, loading a cryo cartridge into her rifle. “We’d best remain vigilant at all times.”

Pressing on, the wary mercenaries stepped onto a cracked platform. At the center of the chamber stood a pedestal, upon which rested a dull orb. Myris approached, hands extended. As she reached for it, the orb shone in the darkness. She flinched, hovering back. When the oracle dared to approach it a second time, the crew did not stop her. This time, it reacted to her touch. Myris gasped as the orb glowed and rose on its own. Suspended in the air, its spherical form illuminated the structure.

“Magic!” Shirakaya exclaimed with elation.

“And science,” Khal’jan added, while the rumbling platform initiated its descent like an archaic elevator. “This technology is a hybrid of both.”

The primeval elevator accelerated, plummeting at an extreme speed. To the group’s utter astonishment, foreign symbols appeared in the air, accompanied by a robotic voice: Welcome to Last Haven. You may experience a momentary lapse in gravity. With the exception of Myris, the crew lifted and hovered a few meters above the metal floor.

“Blimey!” the oracle blurted, letting out a faint chuckle at them.

“What the fuck is this gay shit?”

Rah’tera shrugged. “At least it spoke in the Ensarian tongue,” he said, gripping the central pedestal before lifting too high. “Though, not sure of the consequences what with us not being in outer space.”

“This is degrading,” Xorvaj said.

Just as the others started to grow anxious, the lapse in gravity dissipated. Myris remained hovering in her high-tech wheelchair while the squad gently floated down. Once their feet made contact with the rumbling floor, the platform decelerated. In a matter of mere seconds, it came to a full stop.

The door ahead opened, revealing a cavernous chamber before them. Although it was pitch black at first sight, the circuitry of the ceiling and walls illuminated a missile silo. The lighting was a gradual process, beginning with a flight of grated steps leading down to a sector loaded with nuclear warheads. Somewhat apprehensive, Shirakaya and her crew stared wildly at the underground facility.

“Well, kiss my dick and call me snippy. Think that Del Vayso guy is down here?”

“There’s only one way to replace out,” Shirakaya responded, stepping forward and taking the lead.

Proceeding down the staircase, they split up into different aisles. Though inactive, the presence of the missiles disturbed Shirakaya a great deal. Again, the mutant heard a noise. This time, it sounded like something flying over him. He gazed up, but, no different than before, he didn’t see anything. Heart pounding, he checked his flank and leaned against a warhead.

At the opposite end of the chamber, they regrouped. In front of them lay a tunnel with the same walls containing lit-up circuitry. The squad entered an artificially illuminated passageway that curved and twisted for a while before they came across an intersection. Indicating to the others to disregard the side passages, the freelancer strode forward.

It wasn’t long before they reached another crossroad. Shirakaya ignored the other paths, continuing to walk straight. At the third junction, though, she hesitated. Knowing there was pressure to make a quick decision, she turned and signaled everyone to go left. A couple of kilometers ahead, Yarasuro heard more subtle thumping. To his surprise, nothing approached him.

“Did you hear that?” he asked.

“Hear what?” Dojin said.

Yarasuro appeared more pale than usual. “Never mind. I think my heightened senses are making me go crazy.”

“I trust your senses, Yaro,” Shirakaya said. “Stay alert, mercs.”

The mercenaries complied, following her. Even though the mutant could still hear subtle but nevertheless audible and strange noises, he shrugged them off as though they were in his head. Not a single person, including Myris, affirmed the scuttling, thumping, or guttural sounds that Yarasuro had heard.

Approaching a fourth intersection, the freelancer halted. “Why do I get the feeling that this compound is a maze?”

“Because it is,” Dojin said flatly.

Khal’jan laughed. “For us it seems that way. But considering how deep these tunnels are, I’m going to assume this isn’t just a nuclear silo.”

“It’s an underground bomb shelter,” Yarasuro said.

“Precisely,” the archeologist replied. “And these junctions are a network that probably lead to other silos.”

“This sucks balls.”

“Quit complaining, ya nitwit.”

Shirakaya activated her KLD, using its radar to design a digital map. “According to this grid, we’re approximately three kilometers away from an antechamber. I’m hoping it’s some kind of control room.”

“How accurate is that map?” Rah’tera inquired.

“I’m not sure,” she said, walking toward a wide passage on the right. “But it’s better than getting lost.”

The group progressed through the winding tunnel, searching for the zone that Shirakaya had mentioned. Coming across numerous intersections, the crew waited each time for their leader to choose which path to take. In one of the sectors, the lights began to fluctuate. Reaching the end of that passage, they arrived at a sealed entryway.

“This must be it,” Khal’jan said.

Shirakaya nodded. “There might be something important in there, so I don’t want us using explosives. Think you can open it?” she asked the ghensoth.

Xorvaj’s response was a mere snort. The squad backed away in sync while he bashed the thick metal door. At first, he only dented it in the middle. Snarling in reaction, the ghensoth mustered all his strength and struck the alloy door with both arms, dislodging the upper part of it from the circuited walls. Though the ghensoth received a sharp shock, he didn’t stop attacking the door until it fell flat on the ground. Shirakaya noticed that he appeared embarrassed for taking longer than usual, so she clapped half-heartedly, along with the oracle.

“Nice one, big guy.”

Stomping over the door, Xorvaj was the first to enter the room. The chamber revealed a wide mainframe. There were also empty capsules nestled into a side wall with wires linked to them from top to bottom. The archeologist checked each cable, noticing that they were plugged into various CPUs, which were, in turn, connected to the massive mainframe. With the exception of Khal’jan, the crew refrained from touching anything.

“Can you use these terminals to locate Del Vayso?” the freelancer asked her brother.

Khal’jan gave her a skeptical look. “I can try.” Approaching the mainframe, he fiddled with numerous buttons until he pushed one that turned it on. “Huh. Seems like there’s still juice in this thing.” The archeologist waited for the interface to load, at which point he tried navigating its programs. “It’s some sort of archaic network.”

“Intriguing,” Vokken said via KLD.

The freelancer crossed her arms. “Does that mean you’ll be able to tap into some kind of server and pinpoint his whereabouts?”

“I doubt it,” he said gloomily.

“Transfer the Transdimensional Ethernet Protocol address to me so I can hack into that network,” the AI said. Not getting a response right away, he went on, “We are losing precious time, fleshlings. Another star has vanished. Now stop squabbling and give me access because it will be impossible for any of you to comprehend such foreign tech without my help.”

Shirakaya hesitated but eventually gave an approving nod to her brother.

“Give me a sec,” the archeologist said, searching the main program. “Got it. Transmitting the EP address.”

“Excellent,” the AI said. “Obtaining the EP network. Proxy detected. Subnetting. Unicast finished. Initiating hack now.” Silence descended over the room, broken only by reverberations produced by the rumbling machines. “Hack successful. Translating each program’s language and coding.”

Silence fell again for a minute.

“Well?” the freelancer muttered anxiously.

“Patience,” he said. “Whatever kind of civilization existed here prior to extinction, they were well on their way toward the digital age.”

She rolled her eyes, disinterested.

“You actually located files on this race?” Khal’jan asked. “Do you know what that means? This is another incredible discovery, Shira. It’s big. Maybe not as big as replaceing remnants of the Nempada Empire, but it’s serious.”

“What about Del Vayso?”

“I’m working on it,” the AI said, his cybernetic voice revealing irritation. “That...is odd. According to the network, it’s telling me all lifeforms died one hundred and forty-nine cycles ago on the day of DAR.”

Dojin raised an eyebrow. “What the fuck is DAR?”

“You might not believe me,” Vokken replied. “Based on the information in this database, a race known as the Uganda tapped into another dimension. In point of fact, scientists claimed to have created a new dimension altogether.”

His mouth agape, Yarasuro muttered, “A thirteenth dimension?”

“It’s a conspiracy theory,” Shirakaya said. “Nothing more than a bunch of mumbo-jumbo to make us second-guess our knowledge of the universe.”

Khal’jan shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m willing to keep an open mind.”

“The probability of it being accurate is less than ten percent. If anything, the evidence points to an artificial dimension...not one of innate origin. However, something went terribly wrong with their experiment. An anomaly. It caused them to nuke their planet and perform a worldwide system shutdown.”

“You still didn’t answer my question,” Dojin said.

“Dissimilate Augmented Reality, otherwise known as DAR,” Vokken answered. “It refers to the annihilation of the thirteenth dimension.”

The ghensoth scratched his rigid cranium.

Rah’tera wanted to do the same thing with his dreadlocks. “As fascinating as this sounds, it’s beginning to give me a headache.”

“Regardless,” the AI continued, “we are a century too late.”

Shirakaya cursed, kicking one of the numerous computer terminals.

“None of this is making sense to me because I still sense Wyneim Del Vayso,” the oracle said. “He’s alive.”

“I am merely relaying the information on this database to you.”

The freelancer rubbed her chin. “Much appreciated, Vokken. But something’s definitely amiss. We need to do more digging. Khal, keep fiddling with the mainframe. See what you can come up with.”

“You got it.”

While the AI navigated through each program, Khal’jan continued to examine the primary computer too. The ambitious archeologist, however, struggled to understand its coding. His passion was the only reason why he remained seated, determined to figure out every command. Despite his zeal, after half an hour, he hadn’t discovered anything.

Vokken, on the contrary, had already translated half the syntax. Not long after, he learned the entire language. He then hacked into its software, deciphering the coding. Thoroughly scanning each file, the AI narrowed his search down to an automated program based on digital simulations.

“I’ve found something unfathomable,” Vokken said. “It is unlike anything I have ever seen, and I have witnessed a great many things throughout the eons.”

Shirakaya furrowed her brow. “What?”

“A doorway into the thirteenth dimension,” he answered, hearing an uproar in the room via the freelancer’s KLD. “I take it you want me to open it?”

“No!” the archeologist sputtered. Some of the mercenaries appeared confused by his curt response. He promptly went on, “There’s a reason why it was sealed. For all we know, unsealing it might lead to our deaths.”

“Agreed,” the mutant said, sheathing his sword. “It would be unwise to leap into a pit before knowing what’s below.”

The ghensoth snorted. “Dull as ever.”

“This isn’t a game,” Shirakaya said sternly. “But sometimes we need to take a leap of faith.” She paused for a long moment, staring hard at the mainframe. Eventually, she fixated on Vokken via her kinetic link device. “Activate it.”

VI

Augmented Threat

Hacking into the computer program, Vokken triggered a sequence of commands designed to unseal a dimensional gateway. Yet they neither heard nor felt anything inside the control room. Even the mainframe didn’t make a sound. An awkward silence fell over the chamber, but it was soon broken when Myris shrieked.

Shirakaya flinched. “What happened?”

“The capsules!” she shouted.

To their surprise, each pod contained a creature in suspended animation. Considering how similar they all looked, it became apparent to Shirakaya that the strange beings were part of the same race. The only difference was that only one out of the seven creatures seemed to be lacking fatal wounds.

Their purplish, muscular frames defined them as a naturally strong species. With rigid, square-shaped craniums, their faces appeared robust. Tendrils grew from their chiseled jawlines, and their husky chests revealed small cylindrical holes as if surgically implemented for artificial implants.

“Who the hell are these ugly bitches?”

Shirakaya examined the unharmed being. “This is the only one that’s alive. Could it be? Is this him?”

“That would be rather convenient,” Khal’jan replied, skeptical.

“And here I thought I was the grotesque one,” Yarasuro said.

“No way, Xorvaj still gets first place,” Dojin said, ignoring the ghensoth’s growl. “But yeah, Del Vayso’s one fucked-up looking scientist.”

“That’s not him, dummy,” Myris responded. “Wyneim Del Vayso is humyn like us.”

“It is only logical to conclude that this entity is an indigenous being,” Vokken said.

Metallic tubes inside the capsule automatically connected to the empty sockets throughout the creature’s body. A duct opened beneath its feet, fluid emptying. Various robotic equipment became active, motioning up to its neck and injecting multiple serums into its veins. Simultaneously, an infrared-like wave of mist enveloped the native being from head to toe, unfreezing it.

Seconds later, it breathed life. Inhaling and exhaling heavily, the mouthless creature moved its four-fingered hands. Eyes opening, it revealed ivory-blue irises. Just then, the pod’s glass unsealed. A couple of mercenaries stepped back from the capsule while the others stood their ground but remained watchful, unsure of the creature’s intentions.

“Greetings,” the freelancer said. “I am Shirakaya of Aarda. I represent the humyn species from Copia Deiga. These are my companions.”

The indigenous being did not respond.

“Can you hear me?” she asked, gripping the hilt of her sheathed sword. “When we entered this facility, an artificial voice spoke to us in the Ensarian tongue. Surely you know the universal language.” She paused, not receiving a reply. “We’re looking for somebody. Humyn like me. His name is Wyneim Del Vayso. He’s a scientist. Can you help us replace him?”

Again, it remained silent.

The renegade spat on the floor, glaring at the sentient creature. “Hey, dick face, answer the question.”

Maintaining a neutral expression, the indigenous being lifted its four-fingered hand and drew in the air. Magical symbols formed, appearing like runes to the mercenaries who gazed at the unknown icons in awe. As they evaporated, the creature motioned a single finger, creating more images.

“Remarkable,” the archeologist responded. “But it’s extremely complex. I’m not able to interpret these symbols.”

Dojin sulked. “Don’t tell me this asshole can’t speak.”

“Of course he can,” Xorvaj said, gripping his battleaxe.

“There’s no visible mouth,” Rah’tera said, carefully examining the creature. “I’m going to assume it’s a mute by nature.”

“Greetings,” the AI said. “I am Jai’ryndar Aij Kai-Re Teikon, one of the last surviving uganda and lead engineer of augmented reality. Are you the ones responsible for awakening me? If you can see me, this means the others must be in the same dimension too. Can you understand me?” He paused for a moment. “That is what the indigenous being has conveyed.”

Shirakaya looked stunned. “Wh-what?” she stuttered, slack-jawed. “Yes, we understand. Tell him, Vokken.”

“What did he mean by the others?” Khal’jan asked.

“Yes,” the freelancer said, nodding at her brother. “Ask him to reiterate. Also answer his question: Tell him that we awakened him and need help replaceing a humyn scientist by the name of Wyneim Del Vayso.”

Using the creature’s dialect, Vokken created a response via Shirakaya’s kinetic link device. At first, similar runes formed on the freelancer’s KLD screen. She saw them but couldn’t possibly begin to understand the pictograms. Clicking a button on the side of her KLD, she activated a holographic display of the icons in midair. In response, Jai’ryndar formed new symbols.

“Before the apocalypse of our world, my team of engineers and scientists researched dimensional theory,” Vokken said, translating for the uganda. “Crossing over from the virtual world to augmented reality, we successfully tapped into another dimension. Albeit, an artificial one. But it is nevertheless real and—”

“Get back!” the mutant intervened, stepping in front of Shirakaya.

He swiped his sword at a shadowy figure that pounced toward her. The digital six-legged beast produced an ear-piercing, static-sounding bawl as its energized body dispersed and dissipated. Another creature manifested with digitized wings, swooping down in an attempt to strike Xorvaj who split it in half with his axe.

The freelancer composed herself. “What in the twisted heavens are those things?”

After a minute of the uganda forging runic words, on his behalf, Vokken replied, “When we opened the virtual doorway and paved the way for augmented reality, a rift formed. At that moment, our dimensions collided. Entities we created for test simulations emerged. Then they multiplied...fast. Nuclear warheads proved ineffective against them. Within days, we were nearly extinct. The only way to seal them was to shut down our systems.”

“And us fucktarts undid everything,” Dojin said.

Myris abruptly shrieked, falling off her chair. “Eladoris!” she blurted, her head throbbing as she climbed back in her seat with the help of Yarasuro. “I sense danger. They’re surrounding her. Eladoris needs our help.”

“That crazy bitch needs our assistance?” Dojin retorted. “Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”

“We need to get out of here,” Shirakaya said, uploading the map. “Vokken, inform the uganda he’s more than welcome to join us. Goddess knows how long we’ve waited for a new engineer. Besides, he still might be able to help us locate the scientist.”

“With those augmented creatures on the loose, it’s best we remain vigilant,” Rah’tera said, plasma daggers in each hand.

“Agreed,” the freelancer replied. “Let’s move.”

VII

Catastrophe

The group made their way out of the control room. Thumping noises, which Yarasuro had previously thought were inside his head, now resounded louder than before. Weapon at the ready, he strode through a tunnel beside the freelancer. At a corner, four digitized beasts emerged and scuttled toward the crew. Shotgun charged, Dojin blasted them without hesitation. Shirakaya assisted him, using her rifle whose cryo-fused cartridge slowed them down until each one was destroyed.

Advancing, the crew turned and reached an intersection. The freelancer promptly chose to go left but came across a pixilated entity that moved like slime from wall to wall. It leapt up onto the dim ceiling and slithered across menacingly. Shirakaya fired at it, but the cryo beams didn’t affect it.

“Damn it,” she said, switching to incendiary.

She fired at the creature again, but her enflamed ammunition still didn’t cause it any harm. The ghensoth snarled, charging and unleashing a plasma shockwave from his axe. Walls cracked from the energy blast, distorting the slimy entity and causing it to dissipate. Relieved, the crew progressed through the tunnel. At another junction, Shirakaya hesitated, checking her map via KLD.

“There’s a lift nearby,” she said.

“What about our tank?” Myris mentioned with concern. “What if the surface is flooded with those crazy things?”

“Staying down here is just as dangerous,” Rah’tera said.

“Right,” the freelancer affirmed. “If those things are up there too, which I have no doubt, we’ll have to improvise. Besides, I have an idea.”

The mercenaries continued to follow their leader who continually checked her kinetic link device. Sure enough, after a few more twists and turns, they reached a platform. As soon as they boarded the elevator, Jai’ryndar activated it. As they elevated, a collection of data particles formed into a pack of flying creatures that swooped down on them.

“We’ve got company!” Dojin yelled, aiming his gun upwards.

Rolling aside, Yarasuro narrowly evaded a set of sharp talons. Swinging his sword in an arc, he cut through one of the pixilated beasts. Dojin simultaneously opened fire with Shirakaya while Rah’tera hurled plasma daggers at the approaching enemies, disrupting their corporal frequency. Khal’jan assisted them with his pistol, firing cryo bullets in an attempt to decelerate them. In the meantime, Myris took cover behind Xorvaj whose energized battleaxe cut through the remaining creatures.

“Everyone okay?” Shirakaya asked. When her crew gestured that all was well, she went on, “Our tank has a tracking sensor. I’m directing it to my KLD via ZiFi. By the time we reach the surface, it should arrive.”

“Good because the radiation levels will kill us if we stay on foot,” Khal’jan said.

After a couple of minutes, the elevator stopped. When the door unsealed, the mercenaries exited the bunker and stepped outside. A gargantuan beast halted them, producing an ear-piercing siren so loud that they all dropped their weapons. Dazed by the siren, only a couple of them thought to cover their ears. Though difficult to make out its features, it was evident to the crew that whatever animal it resembled was originally enormous, powerful, and extremely ferocious.

The large creature thumped forward. It was about to crush them when their ZX-9000 tank intervened, ramming the entity off course. Producing a pained bawl, it fell sideways. Meanwhile, the vehicle stopped several meters away from the crew, its exterior force field generating and enveloping Shirakaya and her squad.

“Move! On the double!” she commanded.

They broke into a run, reaching the dented tank in a matter of seconds. Disengaging autopilot, Shirakaya took control of it and drove opposite where the beast lay. Accelerating through the wilderness, she observed the radar and spotted myriad lifeforms. Though cursing under her breath, she nevertheless remained focused on the road so as not to crash into any of the hundreds of augmented beasts that were roaming around.

Their zooming vehicle attracted a great deal of attention as multiple creatures scuttled along, pursuing them intently. Noticing the entities, Xorvaj took command of the tank’s weaponry, firing gamma rays from dual cannons. Feeling restless, Dojin climbed a ladder and elbowed the hatch open. He rose up and ported a bazooka. Aiming at the tank’s rear view, he noticed a pack of advancing beasts and targeted them.

“Fuck off!” he yelled, launching a fusion missile.

“No offense, Dojin,” the freelancer began while decelerating, “but I need you to get inside right now.”

Out of curiosity, Dojin turned and realized they were approaching a cliff. Gripping the hatch, he sealed it and slid down the ladder. At that moment, their tank flew off an escarpment. The freelancer activated substructure thrusters, allowing the vehicle to glide onto a floating rock that fractured upon impact.

“Hang on tight!” she blurted.

Shirakaya drove across the cracked rock until approaching another piece of granite suspended in the air, at which point she used anti-gravity thrusters to launch the tank skyward. Ascending onto the rock above, the freelancer accelerated and zoomed off its precipice. She then aimed for the other half of the split mainland. Upon touchdown, the tank shook violently but didn’t suffer any damage due to its advanced suspension efficiently absorbing the shock. Still, the hover-thrusters overheated.

“I think we can breathe now.” Clicking her kinetic link device, Shirakaya contacted the Marauder. “Vokken, where is she?”

“On another continent. Standby for pickup.”

The bumpy terrain caused the tank to shake incessantly. Despite this, the crew remained seated and composed. Xorvaj continued blasting nearby entities. The renegade wanted to help but decided to keep the hatch sealed, his eyes fixed on the radar. At times, the creatures came too close for comfort. The ghensoth, however, never failed to decimate them.

Out of nowhere, the ground ahead cracked and ruptured. From the depths of the valley’s abyss, a fiend emerged. The crew could only describe it as a titan; its elongated, legless body rose sky-high as it produced a thunderous roar that pushed the tank off course through sheer volume. Ramming into a cluster of boulders, Shirakaya and her crew gasped in pain from the sudden collision.

Reversing fast, the freelancer managed to avoid the titan’s descent. It collapsed heavily onto the terrain, causing a devastating tremor that split a part of the ground in two. Shirakaya drove over the developing pit before the separation became too severe. As she accelerated, the pixilated mammoth of a beast slithered after them.

“Vokken!” she yelled out. “We need you now!”

Xorvaj reloaded the tank’s cannons with energy-disruptor ammo, unleashing a devastating salvo. Yet the augmented being appeared unharmed, slithering even faster in response. As the ghensoth continued firing, Dojin rose up the ladder once again, opened the hatch, and launched several more missiles. As the creature gained on them, it extended its mouth. It was on the verge of swallowing them when a bombardment of gamma rays from above blasted it off course.

Between a mixture of clouds and floating granite, Marauder emerged. Descending fast, Vokken kept shooting at the slithering beast. Zooming down, he activated a tractor beam that caught the ZX-9000 and lifted the tank into Marauder’s cargo bay. Knowing his fellow Shadow Mercs were safe, he ascended back into the polluted sky.

“Um…guys,” the oracle began while pointing down, “it’s still tailing us.”

The creature rose, its head mingling with the clouds. Just when it was about to bite the battleship and force it down to the ground, it accidently bashed its cranium against a piece of granite, stunning itself. Marauder zoomed away, leaving the beast behind. The crew cheered, beyond relieved to have escaped.

“Excellent timing, Vokken,” the freelancer said.

“Indeed,” the mutant said, wiping beads of perspiration off his pale forehead. “Not bad. Not bad at all.”

Dojin slid down the ladder. “Where to now?”

“I’m taking you overseas to another ruined metropolis,” Vokken answered. “Only this one is surrounded by a desert and infested by those augmented, artificial entities.”

“I can’t sense Eladoris,” Myris said, her eyes downcast. “I hope she’s okay.”

“The necromancer can handle herself,” the ghensoth responded.

Shirakaya didn’t feel worried yet, but she wasn’t convinced by his words either. “I need Jai’ryndar to give us more information about the situation. Vokken, ask the uganda if he knows about the continent we’re heading to and if he happened to have met a scientist by the name of Wyneim Del Vayso.”

The arcane intelligence complied, using her KLD to form runes. Shirakaya then displayed the symbols via its holographic feature. Once the uganda saw her runes appear, he formed his own in response. It took longer than usual for him to articulate his response, but he finished after creating an entire paragraph.

“I never had the privilege of meeting the humyn you speak of. However, I can provide detailed information about my planet…at least how it used to be before its destruction. To begin, the eastern region that your AI informed me of is known as Daskand. It used to be a tropical paradise. After the bombings, it was reduced to a wasteland. Your missing compatriot that the arcane intelligence spoke of seems to be in the ruins of our capital city. If we can save her, we can search for the missing scientist there.”

“Why? How come?” Shirakaya asked.

Upon an exchange of symbols, Vokken translated and replied, “Daskand was where our research began. If we can locate another bunker and enter its underground network, we’ll surely replace the primary facility. Perhaps the scientist’s research led him there?”

“It’s worth a look,” she said. “Thank you, Jai’ryndar.”

“There’s hope after all,” Yarasuro said, patting her shoulder. “These days we need all the hope we can get. Right?”

“Right,” she replied, beaming at him.

Her brother revealed a faint smile, happy to know his sister’s bodyguard remained loyal and dedicated even after her excommunication. He tried not to gawk at the indigenous being; though, considering how fascinated he was with the planet and its species, he couldn’t help but stare.

“Those apparatuses throughout his body,” Khal’jan began in a pensive tone, “I bet they’re implants. Vokken, do you think a mechanical larynx could be adapted into an implant so he can speak like us?”

“Anything is possible,” the arcane intelligence said. “Like all things, it would just take time to manufacture.”

“Fascinating,” the archeologist said.

Dojin sighed. “How much longer?”

“I was wondering that myself,” Xorvaj said in a grumbling tone.

“Using the planetary engine, our ETA is thirty-five minutes, eleven seconds, and twenty-six nanoseconds.”

Myris chuckled. “Nanoseconds? Really?”

“You can’t expect normal responses from a cybernetic stiff ass,” Dojin said, shrugging at her.

“That’s rich coming from you,” Myris replied.

“Me?”

“Yeah,” she said, giving him a long look with another chuckle. “You’re a genuine, certified asshole.”

“Thank you.”

A couple of the others laughed at their squabbling.

Silence fell shortly after, broken only by the muffled sounds of heavy artillery as Vokken attacked incoming augmented beasts of flight. With the exception of the Psychomania brutes who sat restlessly, the crew managed to settle down and keep to themselves, hoping Marauder would reach its destination in one piece.

Using the planetary engine, Vokken flew the battleship across a radioactive ocean. In time, he reached a coast where a dilapidated, half-sunken harbor drifted. The waterfront lay in ruins with no signs of life in the environs. Passing the desolate zone, the Marauder reached a seemingly endless desert.

Dune hills littered the entire region. Remnants of collapsed buildings were barely visible, covered in reddish sand. Dust devils roamed the barren expanse. Powerful gales struck the vessel, pushing it off course. Vokken, however, promptly used thrusters along the battleship’s wings as immediate countermeasures.

“We’re approaching the queen’s location,” he said. “Also, she has just informed me that she’s found Del Vayso.”

“What?” Shirakaya exclaimed.

“For his own protection, she has hidden him in a bunker nearby. While we initiate an aerial strike, you can assist from the ground. I’ll open the hatch now. Beware: There are countless augmented entities in this vicinity.”

“Time for carnage,” Xorvaj said.

“Fuck yeah,” Dojin agreed with a smirk.

Myris rolled her eyes. “You guys are mental.”

Acknowledging the AI’s warning, Shirakaya reactivated the ZX-9000. Once it started up, Vokken opened the cargo bay’s hatch. The freelancer accelerated down Marauder’s ramp at full speed, leaping off and using substructure thrusters to slow her descent. While she descended, Xorvaj used cannons to blast apart small pieces of floating granite. Not long after, a couple of mercenaries spotted Eladoris who flew above them, summoning bolts of lightning and striking several creatures.

“There she is!” Myris said, pointing up.

“So what?” the renegade retorted.

Myris frowned. “We need to help her, twit face!”

“Vokken’s got that covered,” Shirakaya said, watching Marauder launch missiles. “We’ll focus on rescuing Del Vayso.”

Just then, a gargantuan flying beast emerged from a dense cloud. Shirakaya’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of it, activating emergency thrusters to avoid the creature. Ascending toward Eladoris, it unleashed a biochemical wave of energy akin to an electromagnetic pulse. As a result, the EMP deactivated Marauder and the tank.

“Vokken?” the freelancer called out, watching the vessel plummet. “Vokken!” Shirakaya cursed under her breath. She then saw Eladoris approach the battleship, witnessing her use magic to negate its fall. She sighed with relief, grateful for the necromancer’s assistance. “Seems like Marauder is in good hands.”

“Yeah and we’re in shitty hands,” the renegade said.

“How endearing of you to say so,” Shirakaya replied, strapping on her seatbelt. “Prepare for a rough landing.”

“You mean prepare to explode?”

“Dojin, you’re not making me feel any better,” Khal’jan said.

Without power, the tank plunged at an incredible speed. It flipped in three-hundred-sixty-degree movements on numerous occasions, vibrating and displacing the crew. The ghensoth drooled, purple foam coming out of his mouth. Dojin vomited and farted at the same time. Even the assassin couldn’t help but groan.

“Something smells nasty,” Myris said.

“That would be me,” Dojin said in a tone mixed with pride and fear, eyes widened and fixed on the pane that revealed terrain.

“Ewww, you’re so disgusting!”

Despite his apprehension about blowing up, he grinned at her comment. Meanwhile, the others grunted and wheezed from the extreme plummet. Mere kilometers away from smashing and exploding against the contaminated soil, the tank slowed down and maneuvered away from a pit. To their astonishment, it landed gently beside a tilted skyscraper.

“You’re on your own from here,” Eladoris said, extending her wings and rising back to the obscured heavens.

“Good to always have a witch on our side,” the sandstalker said.

Shirakaya didn’t move or speak for a solid five seconds. “That’s an understatement,” she finally said. “Listen up, mercs. We need—”

“I am back online,” Vokken interjected. “Jai’ryndar has attempted to convey the following message: Rifts keep opening. Data particles from the virtual dimension are continuously pouring into our universe. This bizarre manifestation is a form of augmented reality. It will only worsen. We must detonate all nuclear missiles and destroy this planet.”

“Destroy the planet?” Khal’jan said. “And lose all this history?”

The renegade scowled. “Fuck history. These fags need to be blow up before they rape our universe.”

“Unfortunate but true,” Rah’tera said.

“Fine,” the freelancer said, walking toward the ladder. “But first things first: rescuing Del Vayso. We’re only going to survive this hellhole by sticking together. Let’s move out and get to the bunker ASAP.”

She climbed up and exited the ZX-9000 with her crew. Realizing the bunker stood across from the pit, they had no choice but to replace a way across. Shirakaya led them near a collapsed building and strode along a ledge, avoiding the abysmal hole. Halfway across, a tremor struck and caused all but Myris to stumble. Dojin grabbed Khal’jan, preventing him from falling to his death.

“Watch it, bub.”

Leaning against a part of the fallen structure, Khal’jan gulped. “Thanks...”

Passing the pit, they saw the bunker ahead. As the squad charged toward it, a digital entity resembling a uganda appeared from a rift behind them. Conjuring augmented power, it hurled a wave of energy straight at them. The discharge knocked them off their feet. Yarasuro’s helmet cracked; yet the radiation did not mutate him further.

The augmented being floated toward them, unleashing another shockwave. This time, the wave of energy reshaped and manifested into digital manacles that shackled them against the bunker whose wall cracked upon impact. Shirakaya, like the others, struggled to move. At that moment, her KLD vibrated. Glancing at it, she noticed Xethren on the screen.

“Can’t you see I’m busy?” she snapped.

“I have another mission available,” he said, observing the obscure fiend approaching her. “But it looks like you’ve got your hands tied. Quite literally. Contact me if you survive whatever it is you’ve gotten yourself into.”

As the transmission ended, the powerful entity drew closer to the mercenaries, conjuring yet another wave of energy. Before it could unleash the full extent of its devastating power, an old man attired in an environmental suit emerged from the bunker and hurled an AMG-467 antimatter grenade at the augmented being. The detonation temporarily disrupted the creature’s form, which bought Shadow Mercs the time they needed to free themselves.

“There’s a time to fight and a time to retreat,” the old man said, his mutton chops sizzling a little from the radiation.

“It’s him!” Myris blurted, ecstatic. “That is Wyneim Del Vayso!”

Xorvaj took full advantage of the explosion, breaking free of his shackles. Unsheathing his energized battleaxe, he slashed everyone else’s manacles. The freelancer gave him a grateful smile, porting her enchanted ghanis sword. She then signaled her fellow mercenaries to assault the hovering entity.

“Del Vayso!” she called out. “Get behind us!”

The scientist glowered. “Do not battle what you cannot slay. An infinite number of those entities will keep manifesting from the virtual realm into augmented reality, striking until we’re dead.”

“Right,” the archeologist said. “There’s no shame in staying alive.”

Hesitating to launch an attack, the freelancer considered their words. “Vokken,” she said via KLD. “Del Vayso is with us. We need immediate extraction. I repeat: we need immediate extraction.”

“Calm yourself, fleshling. I am on my way.”

Despite the bombardment that caused the augmented being to implode, more creatures approached from all directions in a seemingly relentless stream. Shirakaya and her bodyguard struck with their blades, dispersing a couple of them. The ghensoth unleashed a shockwave from his axe while heaving it in arcs, tearing through a dozen beasts. Rah’tera used his cloaking device to get near his foes and then revealed himself, stabbing them from behind with dual plasma daggers.

Dojin and Khal’jan shot from a distance, using cryo ammo to slow down their enemies. Yet more airborne creatures swooped down, attempting to claw the mercenaries with static-like talons. Other beasts scuttled forward at them from the ground. Another tremor caused the squad to stumble. The humyn scientist and uganda engineer stood in the middle as the others encircled them, fending off the incoming swarm of augmented entities.

When the battleship arrived, a colossal hand emerged from the nearby abyss. To the slack-jawed crew, it appeared like some kind of demigod rising up from the depths of the planet. As soon as Xorvaj forged a path from his sweeping strikes, the others followed him back to the tank. Once they were inside, Shirakaya activated the tank and initiated hover-thrusters that lifted it just enough to land on Marauder’s ramp.

“Get us out of here!” she shouted.

Vokken accelerated the battleship, zooming into the hazy heavens. A multitude of entities pursued him until Eladoris flew downward, conjuring a tremendous gale that sent them crashing into the rising titan. She then returned to the starship, regrouping with everyone. Once united, Shirakaya and her companions went to the bridge. They watched, mostly with anxiety, as the AI attempted to escape.

Passing clouds and floating granite, Jai’ryndar pulled out a device from his backpack. He waited until they reached outer space, which seemed like a miracle to him, and then inputted a code on his device. Moments later, mass explosions erupted throughout the planet. Everyone witnessed the menacing explosions and watched the planet crumble into oblivion, deducing that Jai’ryndar had detonated every nuclear missile.

“Don’t know why we had to run like pansies,” Dojin said. “Xorvaj and I could’ve fucked them bitches up.”

Myris gave out a sarcastic laugh. “Sure.”

“I was confident until seeing that giant,” Rah’tera commented.

Khal’jan wheezed. “You said it. That thing was even bigger than Vokken back when he was an asshole.”

Some of the crew laughed.

Shirakaya was the only one who paid any attention to the regretful-looking uganda. “You did what needed to be done,” she said, aware that he couldn’t understand her. Yet from the tears he shed, she had a feeling that he at least comprehended her intentions to comfort him. “Vokken, tell him: Your race may be gone, Jai’ryndar, but they live on within you. And now you’re one of us. Welcome to the family. Welcome to Shadow Mercs.”

“Enough pointless banter,” Del Vayso intervened while Vokken translated Shirakaya’s words. “I think it’s time for a proper introduction, and that includes explaining how you found me and why you have come.”

Masquerade

Beware of the deceivers—they who are birthed from the throes of Chaos with the innate curse to delude my children. One must be fully aware and in touch with the six senses of divinity to weed out hidden pestilence. With the faculties of faith, devotion, and hope as allies, you shall discover the festering blight and eliminate it, restoring Order to the cosmos.

Proverbs of Discord 54:8