Writing Arcanum [M-LVS]

[Doublehex]

[RIGHT][B]CHAPTER ONE[/RIGHT][/B]

The sounds of footsteps echoed into Samuel Jackson?s ears as he walked through the halls of the Aaufagen. With it being a battleship, Sam never truly expected the Aaufagen to be silent, but even after a year of practically living on it, he never did get used to the constant noise of machinery, or the drunken laughter of soldiers on their occasional break.

Sam turned a corner, and slid his ID card through what must of have been the hundredth scanner. At first, the Federation?s security on the cruisers was frustrating on a scale he could barely describe, but Sam got used to it in due time. He was more than willing to adapt to achieve his objectives.

The door slid open, and Samuel once again found himself in the research chamber that was essentially his second home. He couldn?t count on his fingers the times he chose to sleep in here rather than drag his body past all the security and twisting hallways to his own room. Its not that he was devoted to his work; after what happened a few years back, it took every force in him to not to go berserk whenever he set his eyes on the subject. He just wanted to get it out of the way ? to never have to work on it ever again, to never have to set his eyes on that monster ever again. He didn?t work for the good of the project, nor was it for the well being of his benefactors, Einzig Corporation (although he was certainly grateful to them for countless things). He worked for a simple goal ? the day the project was complete, His heart would be all the better for it when that day came.

Samuel?s dozen or so staff members greeted him in the same way so many times, it had practically became robotic routine; a simple wave, or a swift pat on the back to get the sleepy morning attitude out of him. Each person did it in their own way, but it was always the same. Even their facial expressions would be identical to the way it was twisted the day before. Nothing truly changed here.

Samuel cracked his knuckles after another associate asked him how he slept, to which Samuel replied, after rubbing his eyes from under his glasses ?Same as last night. Horrible?. The man would chuckle, as he did the day before and the one before that, and would get back to his work. That was when Andrew ? or Andy, depending on whom you asked ? made his entrance. Clad completely in a white shirt and pants and shoes, compared to the more professional gray and blue Einzig uniform of Samuel, the two didn?t appear even closely related. One would never suspect they were close brothers.

Andrew rubbed at his eyes, the nearly completely black circles beneath them almost wiggling in response. ?I see that you?ve slept well enough.? Samuel chuckled softly at the intended irony. ?All right, what?s wrong?? The look on his younger brother?s face told him he didn?t understand. ?Whenever you even [i]look[/i] human, I know by Jupiter?s stone that something is up. Now spill it.?

?I?m telling you, its nothing. Now, boot the Erproben program. The Admiral?s been on my back about its slow state of things.?

?So, I take it you?ll be taking a dive then??

Samuel sighed. ?Once you boot it up I will.?

?Yeah, yeah, yeah, give me a minute.? He walked over to one of the consoles, the letters and images already floating above the keyboard. He typed in a few codes and executions, and a progress bar popped onto the screen. ?Give it an hour. Then you can spend as much time as you want in the Game.?

An hour later, Samuel felt that same uneasiness he always felt as he slipped on the VR visor; he felt that same sickness as the world practically melted away, piece by piece, digit by digit. Worst of all was that all sense of dread of having to face the machine Einzig had him create.

The Game finished its composition, and Samuel was once again in the World. He was in a forest, with the skeletons of a giant ling behind him. Giant worms, birds and other natural beast tripled in size moved about. Samuel rubbed his fingers, warming their nerves; a natural routine of his.

He became tired waiting for the being. ?Come out?, he demanded. He did not need to say its name.

Instantly, the being materialized in front of him. It?s was a beautiful female in appearance, with a body (if it was a human) that looked as if it was crafted by Venus. Her only indication to her true ancestry ? as a bioorganic android crafted by man ? was her ocean blue hair, but that too only added to her beautiful appearance. Samuel sighed out of embarrassment of his predecessor?s choice to make it appear so lustful. Samuel had little doubt that even Jupiter would swoop down as a goose and sleep with it.

?I have come, Samuel.?

?Yes, I see that.? He rolled up his sleeve to look at his watch. ?We are behind schedule?Andy??

?Yeah brudda?? Andrew?s voice echoed into his ear. Whenever he talked like that ? which was a little bit too much for his liking ? Samuel knew that his older brother was in a good mood.

?Start the test.?

?What exactly do you have in mind??

Samuel thought for a moment. ?A thirty six should do the trick.?

?Ya sure about that? This will be its first trial of duty in a couple of weeks.?

?Just do it.?

?All right, all right!? Samuel could hear his older brother grumble from the speaker. ?You got ten seconds.? Even though he couldn?t see him, Andrew knew that his brother silently nodded.

A multitude of digits formed in front of Apera, eventually taking shape into a replication of a monster. More and more followed until dozens of the creatures surrounded the machine.

When Andrew told them to begin the test, the monster lunged themselves at their sole target. The huge, monstrous things that would allow not allow themselves to be slowed as they carved human flesh, the abominations that could cause chaos anywhere they were unleashed, were eradicated in mere minutes.

After seeing the destruction it had unleashed, Samuel took off his visor. The Game world melted away, and he was back in the comforts of reality.

?Had a good trip?? Samuel only glared at him. He knew full well how much his younger brother hated that place. ?So, I take it was a success??

?I saw only with my eyes. You tell me what you saw.?

?Well, if you want to really want to know what me, all these slave laborers under you, and the most high tech computers known man want to think, its that its ready for the real thing.?

?The Endless.? Just thinking of the name sent a shudder down his spine; every child for the past five hundred years were told of the monsters that threatened the whole Galaxy; the abominations who would enter their realm through a rip in the galaxy. They were demons from a world that no human could ever truly comprehend, and that made it all the more frightening. Those things called the Endless, that could actually physically ?rip? the galaxy away, like a blade against cloth, so that they could come and destroy, was a monstrous thought. How the unthinkable could come from a place that is impossible; that was true paranoia. None could become more fearful of an enemy if you couldn?t even understand the very place they came from.

?Yeah. It?s ready for them. That, and our Ausbusten Effect. They?re finally ready for the big time.?

Suddenly, a phone rang. One of the researchers went to answer it. Samuel noticed that he nodded a few times through the silent conversation. ?Understood?, he answered, and hung up the phone. The man turned to acknowledge his superior. ?Samuel, the Admiral wants to see you on the bridge.?

And without saying another word, Samuel left the research chamber for the bridge.

[center]*[/center]

For a brief moment in time, consider what it is like to be Lieutenant Aedo Ohimnim.

You are hated by everyone on the Aaufagen, for being exactly what they are not. They are not cruel, at least to the point of them not showing affection openly or willingly. They, unlike you, have not been forced to bear the blunt of many sarcastic remarks behind their backs for their interests.

Then again, you certainly do not give a damn what they think: you had served in countless battles against the Endless, whereas they are mere pups. [i]They[/i] have never seen corpses so mutilated and desecrated that it was impossible for anyone to tell that they were human to begin with. [i]They[/i] have never seen a living human have his flesh ripped apart, piece by piece, all for the lusts of a single demon.

They were never abandoned by their comrades, by those that they would of have died for in an instant, on a dessert planet with no living human in sight, with their only comrade being the dead.

They never had to eat those comrades ? their flesh, their eyeballs, their fingers, lips and tongues! They never had to become a monster to survive.

After you have contemplated these thoughts, you notice off of the tip of your one good eye that everyone on the Aaufagen knows of, but does not necessarily care for, was striding through the halls, as if he was some grand important person. The name comes instantly to your mind; Samuel Jackson. Head of the two largest projects at the top of the Aaufagen?s priority list, even higher than the protection of civilians from the Endless, Samuel does not acknowledge anyone, nor does he truly give a sense of love for anyone, with his older brother Andrew being the sole exception to the rule.

You lick your upper lip, most of which is just artificial flesh. As you do so, for whatever reason, you decide to take of your right glove to stare at the symbol of what you are.

You know all too well the price of arrogance.

[center]*[/center]

While he was en route to the bridge, Samuel noticed that Lieutenant Ohimnim was starting at him. Although he was just as frightened of the prospect that the infamous man eater was looking at him, Samuel gave him no heed. It was better to move on, to forget about the man, than allow his mind to dwell on it, and create the Gods know what type of hellish nightmare in his sleep.

In a few minutes, he would be standing on the bridge, his hands crossed behind his back in the respected manner that was expected of him. Admiral Mecai instantly addressed him on the progress of Apera. ?Project ARMAGEDDON, including the Vercian and Ausbusten Effect, is fully prepared for offensive maneuvers against the Endless, Lord Admiral.?

Mecia smiled behind his beard. ?Ah good. I was given orders by the Federation to send Apera into combat wherever you deemed her worthy or not, so this is good news.?

?I was not aware that the Federation was intending on releasing my creation without my consent.?

?It never [i]was[/i] your creation, Samuel. Remember that it was Adam?s first. You just put the finishing touches on her.?

?I understand.?

?Good to see that you do. I don?t want you to have any bad feelings when a Thane comes to bless her.?

Samuel almost lost himself when he heard that. But he remembered who he was talking to, and, by the grace of the gods, he managed to restrained himself. ?One of the Valhallians ? Odin?s worshippers ? is coming [i]here[/i]??

The Admiral sighed irritably. ?As much I hate to say it, the Federation is just as much part of the worshippers of Jupiter as it to that one-eyed Odin.?

?But it is a creation of the followers of Jupiter. What right does Odin have to it??

?Because she will save both Olympian and Valhallian.? He paused for a moment, allowing the words to settle in. ?You are excused, Samuel.?

[center]* * * * *[/center]

Valgrad Bearathark pulled on his braided hair as his officers guided the Valhallian battle ship, the Iron Claw, through hyperspace. Being a hunter ? individuals who devoted their whole lives to annihilating the Endless, forsaking fellowship with all men, minus those on their ship ? he was surprised, to say the least, when a Valhallian governor contacted him concerning a certain Vercian. He was even more surprised when he learned that the Federation appointed him to give the blessing of Thor onto the Vercian. He was certainly curious as to why they chose a Hunter, who was often stereotyped as being reckless by even Valhallian standards, to bless the Vercian, even if he was known to be a devoted follower.

Perhaps they wanted a warrior to bless a warrior. Only Odin knows.

?What?s the ETA on the Aaufagen??

One of the navigators, a burly man with a noticeable scar, but not deep enough to consider the man a brute, answered him. ?With the rate we?re going, and if no pirates or other Loki-blessed brutes decide to tempt fate by crossing us, we should be there in an hour.?

?Good. I?d prefer to get this over and done with.?

?Why you say that, Valgrad??

?Because them Olympians are too clean for their own good!? Laughter filled the relatively small bridge. The six or so navigators and their captain and battlemaster were crammed into it. Somehow, Valgrad managed to keep his navigators in high spirits. ?Even their warriors hardly show a scar on their face.?

?Too high and mighty, right Valgrad??

?Nah, I think they just like to stay clean for clean?s sake! Just like how get all bloody and gory for Tyr?s good health!? Laughter filled the chamber. ?Now, hurry it up. I want to get there before Ragnarok!? He lowered his seat to the point where he could jump off without hurting his feet.

?Where you going, battlemaster??

?Got to get ready. I?m representing Thor, and his father and siblings, in front of a bunch of Olympians. Won?t do him much good if I look as messy as Eric the Red, right??

?Indeed sir.?

With that, the Thane left the bridge for his own quarters. Although he told the truth to his navigator - he had a great deal on his shoulders by blessing this Vercian ? he also wanted to meditate a bit on the Vercian herself. He didn?t understand why they chose a bioorganic robot for the savior of humanity. Why not just choose a volunteer with a good track record in battle to implement all the hardware and gears? It would be a whole lot safer, and surely more politically correct with the Vercians.

?[i]Maybe because the only good candidates for that would be us Valhallians. And nobody wants that[/i].? Valgrad chuckled to himself as he walked down the halls.

[center]*[/center]

?A Valhallian? Are you freaking kidding me? The Federation is sending one of those screwballs this way? Gods be damned??

Samuel chuckled softly as he played with a piece of cloth. The two brothers were alone, in his bedroom. Samuel wanted to tell the news to his brother alone. He knew quite a few of his fellow researchers who would blow a top bigger than Mars if word spread too quickly. Then again, if the Thane came without them knowing?

?So, what are you going to do??

?Do what? It?s not in our hands anymore.?

?So? It?s still OUR creation??

?Adam?s?, he interrupted. The name alone kept the room silent.

Finally, Andrew managed to gather up the strength to speak. ?But he passed it down to us.?

?No he didn?t.?

?What are you talking about? You were his second in command on that damned project! You ? ?

?He got killed before he could say a damn thing! We stole it from him. We took it when he died. Just because the higher ups gave that monster to us doesn?t mean a damn thing.?

?He would have given it to us and you know it.?

?It?s not the same. It?s not the same as a living, breathing Adam putting his hands on our shoulders, and saying ?I trust you guys. Take good of her, all right?? Taking things from the dead is not the same as being given to us by the living!?

Andrew paused for saying anything. If he wasn?t careful, there was going to be quite a separation between the two of them, and that just can?t happen. After Adam?s death, his little brother relied on him to keep his sanity in check. Without him, only the Fates know what would happen to him.

?I take it I should get out of here then??

?Maybe.?

?Before you end up killing me.?

?I might just do that.?

?If you did, you?d have to do a whole lot of praying to Adam before you get executed.?

?No more than you, for damning the gods like you did.?

?Probably.? With a wide grin on his face, Andrew left the room, leaving Samuel alone to remember how much he relied on that lazy brother of his.

[center]*[/center]

This is what it felt like to be Andrew Jackson, as he left the room of his brother:

The door closes behind you, and instantly the world feels as if it is spinning around you. Your hand is dragged across the wall as you seem to trip over you feet again and again, tumbling over in an embarrassing stature. Your head ? that [i]stupid[/i], good for [i]nothing[/i] head of yours ? hits the floor hard. You feel a trickle of blood on your lip. Did you break a tooth? You lick your teeth, both to wash the blood off of them as it is to detect any pain from the would-be missing tooth.

No pain.

Damnit.

You push yourself up, but with you feeling as that someone had hit you with a hammer. One of your hands slump to your side, whereas the next relies on the wall to keep yourself standing. Against every will in your body that says ?slump against the wall like every other weak willed man?, you tell your legs to move. ?Move and show Sam can rely on me. Let me be like a tower for him to rest against. I?m not going to fall again??

You fall.

The Gods must hate you. And if the Gods hate you, then how much must Adam hate you? Have you failed Sam? Despite your efforts to remain alive, have you failed your brother? Your [i]one[/i], remaining brother in this dark reality?

Fighting against your body, you struggle to our feet and move across the hall, toward your room. Maybe then, when you get there, you?ll manage to find some peace in a deep slumber.

[center]* * * * *[/center]

Aboard the [i]Iron Claw[/i], Michael was rustling in his bed. He was not having some mind corrupting dream. He was simply just ill. Although the fact that he became ill ever since the [i]Iron Claw[/i] departed for the Aaufagen was slightly curious, Michael thought nothing of it. The silver haired man knew that it would pass, as all natural illness do.

The room was covered in darkness, as Michael felt that heat from the light would postpone his healing of the illness. That darkness dissipated, however, when the door opened and the [i]Iron Claw?s[/i] battle master was found standing in the doorway. Despite the fact that Michael was no Valhallian, or Hunter, Valgrad had found a great amount of respect for him. So much that instead of storming into the small room as, he opened the door only slightly so, so that the ill man would not be awakened from his slumbers.

But then Michael stood on his knees. How he mastered the strength for that the Thane would guess later. Now he knew it was safe to enter.

Even in his weakened state, Michael had a wide and disturbingly comfortable smile across his face. ?Good to see you again, Valgrad.?

?I know it is rude of me to disturb you, Michael.?

?Valgrad, please, don?t fall so beneath your station as to flatter yourself to a mere wanderer as I.? Valgrad didn?t know if it was an insult or praise. Knowing Michael, it was probably a little bit of both. ?What is it that you need?? By now, he had crawled to the end of the bed, with him hugging his knees. His bare toes were hugging the edge of the bed, and he was sucking on the bare end of his thumb. He always sat like that and surprisingly enough, he found it comfortable.

?I have a bad feeling about this.?

?Why is that??

?I just can?t understand why the Federation would send a Hunter, who I certainly don?t need to remind you have a reputation for being brutal to just about anyone ??

?Indeed you do not.?

?To give the blessing of Thor onto a Vercian that could be our only weapon against those damned Endless.?

?If you wish to know what I think, it is these things.? He opened his hands. ?There is a twenty percent chance that the Federation may honestly believe in your abilities as a Thane.? Two of his fingers went down. ?Sixty percent is that you are just a pawn in whatever power game they are playing.? Six more fingers closed into an incomplete fist. ?Fifteen percent says that your gods are intervening.? A finger went down.

?And the remaining five??

?Something is going to happen, and they want you out.?

Valgrad chuckled nervously.

?Would you rather I have had said something you wanted to hear, instead of something you needed to hear??

?No.?

?Then I did all I can.? Shakily, he put a hand on the burly man?s shoulder.
?Believe that you are a Thane, and that twenty percent can become greater.?

?Thank you Michael.?

?That is my toll, no?? He licked his lips to get the dryness out of them. ?Now, I would appreciate if you would let me sleep.?

?Of course!? With that, he got up and left the room.

?Pleasant dreams, Valgrad. Sleep tight.?

[center]* * * * *[/center]

The [i]Iron Claw[/i] docked at the Aaufagen the next day. Admiral Mecia and his subordinate commanders were there to greet Valgrad and his fellow warriors. The Admiral and his commanders were dressed in their finest robes, of which were only succeeded by their ceremonial robes for religious events and occasions. The Valhallians on the other hand, were barely dressed at all. They wore only the necessaries ? pants and shoes. A shirt was the exception, not the rule.

Doing his best not to blurt out any offendable words at the Valhallians, the Admiral gave out his hand. Valgrad shook it enthusiastically. Admiral sighed full of relief when he realized the man dressed in a sleeve-less jacket was the leader of those barbarians. Their commander deserved some credit: he had enough decency to decency towards Olympians of high standings. However, it didn?t help that if this wasn?t Mecia?s first time meeting a Valhallian, Mecia surely would of have thought that they were as brutish as the Endless, if not more so.

?Battlemaster-Thane Valgrad Bearathark, on behalf of the Galactic Navy, I welcome you to the Aaufagen.?

?And I?ll be the first to you, that it is good to be welcomed, Admiral Mecia.?

Mercai raised an eyebrow. ?I was not aware that the Federation gave out the names of their Admirals so easily.?

?It is good to be aware of these types of things when you?re going against an enemy that seems to last for infinite.?

?That is true, although with the coming of Apera, that may all be a thing of the past.?

?Speaking of which, I would like to see Apera now.?

?Master Thane, it is a custom of ours to let our guests relax before they perform the duties the Federation had set upon them.?

?Well, it is a custom of [i]mine[/i] to see the person who is linked to my duties.?

?Very well then.?


One of the Commanders swiped their keycard through the scanner a half hour later, and the door leading into the Research Chamber opened for the Admiral and the Battlemaster. The lights came on, almost dramatically, as they entered. Valgrad had a feeling this was intentional; the Admiral was playing mind games with him. It was subtle, but it was there.

For a research chamber, it was incredibly roomy. The only thing that took up any real space was the monitors on the screen and the consoles that were linked to them. In the center of the room was what at first glanced appeared to be a black and red painted metal coffin. Upon further inspection, after seeing a series of buttons, as well as wires flowing from it into some of the consoles, it was easy to conclude that this was where Apera slept.

?In just one more day, that multi billion credit piece of machinery will be obsolete.?

Confused, Valgrad turned to face the Admiral. ?Why is that, Admiral??

?Because tomorrow, she wakes up.?

?As in, her personality and psychological code will be inserted??

?Precisely. It will be like sleeping beauty waking up from her once eternal slumber.?

?The chief of the project must be very proud, to see his creation finally wake up.?

Mecia sighed irritably. ?Battlemaster, can I be frank with you?? Valgrad shrugged in response. ?If you wish to stay in good standings with the Jackson brothers ? the ones who made Apera ? do not ask if they are proud of her??

?Why should I do such a stupid thing??

?Because they hate her. She killed someone very dear to both of them, and they will never forgive anyone who openly speaks highly of her. Even someone sent by the Federation.?

?But aren?t they like fathers to her??

?If they are fathers, then they would be quicker to burn her at the stake than embrace her like a daughter.?

[center]* * * * *[/center]

Samuel arrived late at the Research Chamber the next day. It was expected that Andrew would be there, but he would tell the administration later that his brother was not well. When he opened that door to the chamber, he would find that his researchers from both shifts ? late and early ? would be there. Today was the big day for them after all: the day that they would finally see the fruits of their labors.
Today, Apera would wake up from her eternal dream and become not just a being of melded flesh and machine, but a [i]human[/i].

The Jackson brothers, on the other hand, would enter an eternal nightmare and become the most brutal of demons.

Samuel, almost as if he was devoid of life, walked towards the console that would make Apera ?human?. He found that it already had the prompt for the password was on the screen. Someone must of thought they were helping him by doing so.

Idiot.

Samuel entered the password; REMEMBER 05/11. And without a second thought, he left the room.

He didn?t wait to see his and his brother?s ?daughter? open her eyes for the first time. Apera entered the world without a father by her side.

[center]* * * * *[/center]

Valgrad bit down on the cigarette offered to him by Mecia. It has been a few days since Apera has been awakened. She had been informed of the role she would play in humanity?s survival by one of the resident priests, and was guided to her room. No one has seen her since, although a few have said that they heard her saying some things from behind her closed doors.

?Did you like what you saw?? the Admiral asked humorously. Valgrad was one of the people among the crowd when Samuel entered the code that had her open her eyes.

?She?s a beauty?, he chuckled. The Admiral chuckled somewhat, but not as much as the Thane expected.

?It?s a dangerous time, Battlemaster. Humanity?s hope is laid in the hands of someone who has never even lived a month. The fact that she?s going mad, or Jupiter knows what, going behind those closed doors doesn?t help the Senate?

Valgrad puffed out a smoke of nicotine. ?Explain something to me, Admiral; why is it that Senate, knowing how the Jackson brothers thought of Apera, didn?t intervene??

?That is a very good question. But I am not one to answer. Nor is anyone else on the Aaufagen.?

?What are you saying, Admiral??

?I am saying, that you should just do your duty as a Thane, and forget the matters regarding Apera. Things will be better that way.?

Valgrad chose not to say anything. It was better to consider just why the Admiral was saying these things, rather than speak some stupidity and get in Odin knows what kind to trouble.

?When will you perform the ceremony??

?When I have a chance to see her alone.?

?Alone??

?It is a private event, between her, and Thor.?

??I see. Shall I force the door open??

?No. She will come out eventually.?

?We don?t have time for an eventually.?

?Thor does, and considering he is the one who will determine if he grants the blessing or not, it would be a damned good idea to follow his lead.?

?The Senate wants her to be blessed by month?s end.?

?Senate is just a bunch of well dressed jackasses, Admiral. Thor is an immportal god who decides everything. HE is the storm. The Senate is just a mere leaf caught in that storm.?

?I believe we have nothing more than to discuss.?

?Damn straight.? He smiled, knowing he had won a battle in the war between himself and the admiral. And then, he left.


[center]* * * * *[/center]

Samuel looked up from the clipboard to stare at his brother. Immediately after Apera woke up, Einzig assigned them to a new project that was placed on the Aaufagen. The project, dubbed NEW DEUS, was based solely on the research of a strange coffin that the Aaufgen discovered only a few weeks back. At first, they took no heed of it ? after all, dumping of corpses on war ships into deep space was, and still is, a common practice. But when the warship?s sensors found that the coffin radiated chaos magic on a nearly impossible scale, it went without saying that they sent their scavenger frigates to pick it up.

?This is absolutely impossible. No corpse should be able to radiate so much energy, forget about chaotic ones.?

?You really think it?s a corpse??

?What else [i]would[/i] it be? It?s the basic shape of one, albeit an overly decorated one.?

?Let?s put it this way Sam.? Andrew leaned on his brother?s shoulder very casually. Samuel didn?t mind it though, despite the fact that some of his subordinates were looking at him strangely. He was used to his older brother treating him like a brother everywhere, even when discussing top secret material. The only exception would be when in front of people who could fire their butts with a snap of their fingers. ?Last time I checked, corpses don?t radiate chaos energy. Period.?

?Well, until you are willing to violate Federal laws and vandalize a coffin, I suggest you just stay with the sensors.?

?Whatever?, Andrew sighed. ?You know what I don?t get Sam??

?What??

?Why the Feds send us to do all this research, when all of they?re laws keep us from doing any researching to begin with!?

?Maybe because they pay our bills??

?Well, there?s that??

?Mister Jackson!? Both of the brothers turned to face the researcher who was approaching them. ?I think you should read this.? He handed Samuel a clipboard.

He skimmed through the report. Halfway through, he went pale. ?By Jupiter??

?Hey, uh, Sam, what?s up??

Slowly, Sam turned to face his brother. ?According to this, whatever is in there?? He paused to get control of himself. ?Whatever is in that thing ? because I?m telling you right now that is [i]no[/i] coffin - is [i]alive[/i].?

[Idyllwyld]

Well, if you don't mind this commentary directly in your topic...

Excellent! Old ideas juggled in a new way! Futuristic, space-faring alliances themed with Nordic and Greek myth. Throw in some demons... and the mark of any good story: conflicting drama.

Humanity's savior is its fathers' bane. The modern Norsemen compete with the modern Ionians. Stern officers are feared by the rest, but they have good reason to be so cold, what with all they've gone through--crusty veterans vs. lively greenhorns.

I look forward to reading more. Good job man, keep it up. At this rate you'll have a novel.

[Sandy]

I said I'd comment your story, so I will.

First of all, like Idyllwyld, I really liked the way you mixed sci-fi with ancient mythologies here. Sure, it's been done before, but in this age and time, what wouldn't be? So the theme was quite interesting, to me. Also I loved how you replaced the "oh my lord"s and "for god's sake"s with references to the gods that the characters worship.

Then the plot... Well, I think I saw a hint of the movie "The Species" in it. Also, the virtual reality world in the beginning is quite a cliché as well, but I reckon you're intending to mix up a bunch of clichés to make something new (at least that's the impression I got). There's too many things going on, however, for a first chapter. You should definitely focus more on introducing the setting and the characters in the beginning, but I know how the story can just drag you along with it, so I wouldn't count it as a big mistake.

As I said, the characters could've been introduced more, and there were definitely too many of them for an opening chapter. To me, it seemed that scene with the Michael-guy was really apart from everything else that went on in this chapter, and should be moved to a later point in my opinion. You were also dropping some obscure names without really explaining what they meant (Vercian? Ausbusten?). Also, as an equal rights -person, I wasn't very fond on the idea that all you characters were male except for the mysterious (nude?) she-android. Women aren't mere sex objects, dammit! I've got to give you props for making the main characters hate her, though. Usually all the men just swoon over characters like Apera.

Okay, then to the language. I really liked the scenes where you put the reader into a character's position - I honestly haven't seen that style but a few times before in my life. The grammar was great as well, but your problem seems to be those irritating typoes that turn words into another words that alter the meaning ("des[B]s[/B]ert planet", "he was star[B]t[/B]ing at him"). Also, the name of the Admiral changed from Mecia to Mecai to Mercai during the chapter. Fantasy names can be tricky, so you should be extra careful with them.

All in all, it was a great read. Although it was long, it also seemed to move forwards quite hastily. Anyway, I hope you take my feedback as constructive criticism! I'd love to read more of this.

PS. I know you have the habit of putting obscure titles to your stories, but could you perhaps elaborate "Arcanum" a bit more? What does it really refer to?

[Doublehex]

[quote name='Sandy']First of all, like Idyllwyld, I really liked the way you mixed sci-fi with ancient mythologies here. Sure, it's been done before, but in this age and time, what wouldn't be? So the theme was quite interesting, to me. Also I loved how you replaced the "oh my lord"s and "for god's sake"s with references to the gods that the characters worship.[/quote]

Well, that was one of my goals for the story - to give a sort of fantasy like feel to an already esatblished genre. We are all familiar with teh standard Star Trek, or Command & Conquer setting, where everything is based on the sciences of a very distant future. I wanted to present a future that was based on the [I]un[/I]believable, where the society worships instead of God, the once dead Zeus and Thor. This is a future where people cast real incantations. In this future, hyperspace engines are enscribed with runes blessed by [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_%28mythology%29][u]Mercury[/u][/url]. This is a future that is just as much fantasy as it is science.

In short, its no Warhammer 40,000, but it sure isn't Star Wars. Its somewhere in the middle.

[quote name='Sandy']Then the plot... Well, I think I saw a hint of the movie "The Species" in it.[/quote]

Never saw it. Link please?

[quote name='Sandy']Also, the virtual reality world in the beginning is quite a cliché as well, but I reckon you're intending to mix up a bunch of clichés to make something new (at least that's the impression I got).[/quote]

Well, don't worry. It won't play a mahor plot device - its just a way for them to test Apera. After all, she is a multi-billion [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius]denarius[/url] project. Can't have her get broken after some mishap in the physical world, now can we?

[quote name='Sandy']There's too many things going on, however, for a first chapter. You should definitely focus more on introducing the setting and the characters in the beginning, but I know how the story can just drag you along with it, so I wouldn't count it as a big mistake.[/quote]

If you thought [i]this[/i] chapter was fast, you just wait until the next one. A new character will be introduced as well. And if you liked Alucard from Hellsing, you'll [i]love[/i] this guy! :D

[quote name='Sandy']To me, it seemed that scene with the Michael-guy was really apart from everything else that went on in this chapter, and should be moved to a later point in my opinion.[/quote]

I can understand waht you mean, with him being introduced 'differently', but I didnt know how to introduce him in the next chapter. So, it was like, introduce him now or not at all.

[quote name='Sandy']You were also dropping some obscure names without really explaining what they meant (Vercian? Ausbusten?). [/quote]

They will be revealed in the near future, most likely after the second chapter.

[quote name='Sandy']Also, as an equal rights -person, I wasn't very fond on the idea that all you characters were male except for the mysterious (nude?) she-android. Women aren't mere sex objects, dammit![/quote]

Well, I'm a guy, and its hard for me to write from a woman's POV. I do have a few other female characters coming later up, though.

[Sandy]

[quote name='Doublehex']Well, I'm a guy, and its hard for me to write from a woman's POV.[/quote]

Always remember that women are humans too, there are just as many different types of women as there are different types of men. You can have a butch woman or an evil woman, they're not all weak princesses only capable of nurturing and childlabor. ;P

As for the movie Species, [url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114508][B]here's the link[/B][/url]. It tells of a "sexy" female alien descending to Earth, then it get's researched and then it escapes causing havoc everywhere. It's one crappy movie, but luckily your story is much better. ;D

[Doublehex]

[INDENT]Everyone, my most sincere apologies. This had be one of the most difficult chapters I had ever written - battle scenes are fun, but extremely difficult to write.This chapters - which spans 20+ pages - was actually going to be longer, but I knew that if it did, my brain would implode. So, I decided to cut it short.

Enjoy.[/INDENT]

[b]Chapter Two[/b]

Two days later, Michael awoke abruptly from his slumber. He was breathing heavily, his eyes in shock of what he sensed.

He was here. Ferin Alengar was here. He was on the Aaufagen. What did he have in store for the humans there? What did his Fuhrer have planned?

Even worse, Michael sensed something else. Was it Ferin?s demonic entity, Gilgamesh? Michael thought on this for a moment, trying to recollect all the information he gathered on Gilgamesh when he served Ferin for five years.

No, it was not Gilgamesh he sensed. Ferin was there, Michael was sure of it. He could never forget him. But what was this other aura of chaos magic he sensed?
Then it came to him. In a flash, he rushed out of bed, and dressed himself. He threw on his usual garments, long grayish pants and a sleeveless leather vest, and rushed out the door, towards the Aaufagen.

The Endless were coming.

* * * * *

It would be mere moments after Michael?s revelation that the sixth fleet would be attacked by the Endless. Slowly, they carved away at the stars; the monsters? blades barely noticeable. Slowly, the ripped fragment of space collapsed into red holes, black thunder crackling from it. Then, they emerged, revealing their demonic entities.

One could say that they were a fleet, in the sense they had creatures the size of the Aaufagen that ?transported? their much smaller minions, and bat like monstrosities that were their response to the Federation?s interceptors. But a true fleet was a coordinated army. The Endless were just a mass of barbarians. They just had one goal, and if something, man or demon (it didn?t matter), got in their way, they were dead.

The giant demons emerged first from the portal. They were shaped like a whale found on Old Earth, in the sense that they were longer than they were wide, eyes were on opposite side of their heads, and a giant mouth erupted from it. Its reptilian tale guided it through space, and its interior was visible from the outside. Rows of organic pods slowly oozed their way through the demonic cruiser?s flesh. They adjusted their aim just slightly enough, and the pods were fired.

Immediately after them, hundreds of Endless from beyond the portal emerged. They flew towards the fleet. More would come.

* * * * *

Roughly half of the Aaufagen?s crew was fast asleep when the Endless launched their attack. At the moment the first of the cruiser?s were hit by the pods, red alert alarms spread through the fleet like wild fire. The moment he heard it, the first thought that went through Andrew?s mind was ?the Endless?. Realizing he didn?t have time to lose, rushed, half naked to a draw, holding two ?Ronin M-57? revolvers, as well as six containers of thirty bullets a piece. He stuffed the bullets into his pocket, and grabbed the revolvers. Throwing on a shirt that was lying on the floor, he rushed out the door, weapons in hand.

He entered the hallways of the Aaufagen just as one of the fleshy pods drilled their way in. A few soldiers poured in from the adjacent areas, more than willing to fill whatever was coming out with led. Andrew cocked his pistols.

For a few moments, nothing stirred from within the pods. But slowly, the ooze that held it together slowly began to give way, slipping down its exoskeleton exterior like poison from an open wound.

And from inside of it, sleeping as if in deep hibernation, the humans could see the monsters.

Finally, the ooze had melted away. The doorway was open for them.

Neither human nor demon moved.

Suddenly, one of them opened its eyes. And it screamed.

* * * * *

Valgrad stood in his room, dressed in his customary leather jacket. His might battle hammer, Baldur, was lying on a desk before him. It was a massive weapon, requiring two hands and all of the might Battle Master?s strength to swing it. But it had runes blessed by Thor himself, and the sheer force it brought upon those it struck with was more than enough to make up for its weakness.

Valgrad picked it up at once; the runes began to glow an icy blue. Seeing that he was being blessed with Thor?s blessings once again, he stormed out of the room. Battle calls!

The moment he entered the halls of the Aaufagen, he saw demons running across its halls. A gargoyle, a hellish bat-man, was crawling along the walls when it saw Valgrad, wielding nothing but Baldur. Thinking the Valhallian was easy prey, it released its wings and flew towards him, hell-blade in hand.

Of course, Valgrad being easy prey was the last thing on its mind when the Valhallian sidestepped the poorly executed attack, and swung Baldur at it. The gargoyle was sent hurling into the wall, all of its bones being shattered instantly.

Seeing the gargoyle was dead, Valgrad sprinted down to hall, swinging the great war hammer with his off-hand against another gargoyle. This battle had just begun, and Valgrad had a sure feeling it was going to be a long one. More fun for him!

* * * * *

Samuel twisted his body as he narrowly escaped death at the hands of a gargoyle?s javelin. A ghoul, a hunched over, cannibalistic and hairy demon, was leaping towards him. Samuel muttered a spell, and his hands were filled the powers of fire. His already magic enhanced vision allowed him to slam his fists into the ghoul, turning its monstrous face ablaze. The resulting explosion sent it flying straight through the same gargoyle that tried to skewer the researcher just moments earlier. The shredded corpse of the gargoyle fell to the floor, and Samuel heard a relieving crack from the ghoul?s body. Satisfied, he sprinted down the hall. He had to find Andrew.


* * * * *

Andrew fired off the two Ronins at the horde of mutilated zombies that made their way out of the pod. He had heard rumors that the Endless, after raiding a planet, would salvage corpses, and then reanimate those corpses into the living dead. He had never suspected that those rumors would be true, and worse yet, he would have to fight his way through a horde of them.

A few zombies staggered back, bullets having penetrated them. But it would take more than a few bullets to take down the living dead, especially those who were the corpses of soldiers.

The soldiers on the Aaufagen had retreated back a few feet, to give them some room to fire off a wave of shrapnels at the zombies. Knowing that if he didn?t move fast, his body would be among the dead, he moved to join them.

?Fire!? an anonymous soldier declared, and the makeshift squad fired magazines full of bullets at the zombies. The pale colored corpses went down in huge numbers. The ones that survived the slaughter were easily taken care of a reload later.

But admits their short lived celebration, Andrew heard the sounds of a dozen or so demons crawling across the wall, head right towards them. Bipedal, their flesh was colored as if it was burnt, and every one of its dozen or so eyes on its head could easily track an individual target with ease.

Andrew wasn?t the only one that noticed the coming horde; the other soldiers saw them as well, and without even thinking, they fired. They were not organized this time; the bullets hit wall more than demonic flesh. Only a few of the Imps fell; the rest leaped at the soldiers, their razor sharp claws cutting away at the humans.
Seeing that the battle was lost, Andrew fired his two guns in the face of one Imp before making a mad dash out of there. He was pursued by a single Imp that sprinted across the wall. After turning the corner, Andrew threw himself, turning in the air so he could aim at the demon. He fired what was left of his clips as he hit the floor, and the demonic corpse fell right on top of him. He threw it off of him, and he hurried down the hall, not exactly having a destination in mind.

He just wanted to get out of there.

* * * * *

Blood splattered onto Michael?s face as he flipped onto a wall to avoid the slash of a gargoyle?s blade. His weapon was Zadikel, a cross between a blade and a chainsaw. It was a one sided weapon, and this would normally be a disadvantage. But it was not meant for close quarters ? it had several smaller ?blades? layered across it, and whenever Michael would whip the weapon, it would move in such, extending if it sensed Michael needed it to. Its many smaller ?blades? would act as a chainsaw, biting and ripping away at the target?s flesh, with each blade becoming larger and larger from the edge of the blade to the weapon?s guard.

He leaped over a gargoyle that was charging towards him, and the silver haired man landed neatly on the ground. He pushed his long hair out of his smiling face, and cracked Zadikel with his wrist. The chainsaw-blade extended forward, cutting straight into the chest of a gargoyle. Michael flung it into the wall, then upwards into the ceiling. By now the blade had cut straight through the demon?s body, and as Zadikel returned to its normal length, the mutilated corpse fell to the ground.
Hanging Zadikel on his shoulders, he sprinted off in the direction he was heading before he was rudely interrupted by the ambushing gargoyles and imps.

He had a sure feeing that Ferin was this way. Or was it the other way? No matter, he would find him when he found him. It would happen eventually. In the meantime, he could always just lend a hand against the Endless. They were very bothersome creatures, after all?

* * * * *

For a long time, he had slept in that coffin. It was by no means an imprisonment; after all, he had put himself in there himself. He was tired of humans; he had been among them since God separated the sea from the sky and called the landmass ?Earth?. He had been among them, manipulating them, pulling the strings behind the scenes.

So, it was pretty obvious that eventually he would leave them?for a time.
But the Endless may actually be a pretty good opportunity for him to wake up, to have some fun for once. Maybe rip a few heads open here and there?perhaps devour a heart even.

So, knowing that the Endless were on the Aaufagen, he woke up.

But the people near the ancient coffin didn?t know that essentially a living demi-god had just woken up from a long sleep. When they saw that the coffin?s cover shattered in a great, red, electrical surge of energy, and they saw a pale hand grip the ends of it, they thought it was the end of everything. When his face, with his long, black hair rose up, they fell to the ground in fear.

And when he turned to him, his eye all blood red, they were sure they were facing a demon god.

They didn?t give him a chance to speak. They just ran.

?Pity. They wouldn?t even let me tell them what my name was.? He shrugged. ?Now, I need to find a corpse,? he mused. ?Or make one at the very least.?

And the very moment that naked being left the chamber, he found hundreds of corpses lying across the halls. Some were skewered by a javelin; others were horribly mutilated. Most were being eaten upon by a demon.

?Does it make you feel good?? he asked. Instantly, they ceased their meal to stare at the man. ?Do you like to make your talents as cannibals public? To bring entertainment to the masses in such a low manner?? He chuckled darkly. ?Only scum would show such low talents with pride. Perhaps you actually enjoy being scum? No, you?re lower than scum. You are even lower than trash.?

?Zaxi nuka zarm?? Who the fuck are you? ?Huga jeharcol exxar kelliest!!? We?ll rip you apart for what you said!!

The man sighed doubtfully. ?I seriously doubt that, but it?s worth a shot. Then again, peons that are lower than trash surely deserve a death glorifying their low station??
The gargoyles leaped for him. One to his side was too slow, and in an instant, he threw his hand through the monster?s stomach. He tore out his hand, revealing a demonic heart. As the gargoyles surrounded him, as they prepared to rip him apart in hellish rage, the enigma did the only thing he could have done.

He devoured the heart.

Instantly, the naked body was clothed in black clothes, over layered with a blood red trench coat. Red particles formed around his back, and instantly, a red-bladed sword materialized. In a flash, the man tore the weapon off of him and slashed at the gargoyles. Those caught in the slash were ripped apart instantly.

He sidestepped a lunge from a lance, and walked on top of it, as if he was as light as a feather. He leaped from it, and cut the attacker down. In the next moment, he flipped, crashing his blade into an airborne gargoyle. The beast was cut in half. The butcher grabbed the lance, and threw it upward. It caught a gargoyle at the ceiling, making it drip black blood.

An imp foolishly leaped at the man. The warrior, in turn, jumped right onto its shoulders, and sent his blade straight through his head. He pulled it out, and casually stepped onto the ground as the corpse bent over. He slashed into the shoulders of a charging gargoyle with his blade, and penetrated the gut of an imp with his hand. He pulled them out in unison, blood flowing everywhere.

At the end of it all, the demon?s corpses were just as mutilated, if not more so, than the humans they were feeding upon moments before.

He raised his blade to his lips, and lustfully licked the black blood. He allowed the taste to sink in.

Then he spat it out.

?Damnit, even their blood is disgusting. The Endless are truly pitiful creatures.? He stared at the eye-guard of his blade. The guard was covered in demonic flesh, with a squirming eye kept in a circular glass container. ?Let?s find some more souls to break apart?Gilgamesh.?

* * * * *

Aedo Ohimnim laughed manically as bullets flew from his Honos class machine gun. Three or four zombies fell down under the wave, but one was quick enough to avoid the assault. Using its unnatural strength it leapt for the Lieutenant.

Aedo, using the agility given to him by drugs he had used on himself, sidestepped the attack. In a quick motion, he slammed the butt end of his rifle into the head of the zombie, sending the corpse into a wall. One magazine full of bullets later, and the creature was dead for good.

He reloaded his rifle before sprinting down the hallway, turning a corner to find half a dozen soldiers leading an attack on a few imps. One of the soldiers was cut to pieces by a slash, and an other would of have had been pounced upon if it weren?t for Ohimnim filling the demon with led.

Sensing that Aedo was a superior soldier than the rest, the remaining imps focused their attention on him. They leaped over the scattered soldiers, and charged towards him, a complete offensive.

They never suspected that the scar covered man was more monster than man. Faster than the imps? dozen or so eyes could trace, he drew one of his back up knives hidden in his pant pockets, and sent the knife up one of the imps heads, allowing the dark blood to stain the area. When he was satisfied with the carnage, he tore the knife from the monster, practically tearing it in half. He twisted his body to avoid a slash from an imp, and jabbed the knife into the demon?s shoulder. In a swift moment, he tore the knife out of the demon?s shoulder, and head butted the creature. The imp was launched backwards, and before it was filled with bullets from the other soldiers, it saw its brother stabbed in the back by Aedo?s brutal tactics.
The man-eater turned to face the stunned soldiers. They had never seen a single human act so brutal in their lives. They didn?t know who to fear more ? the man who had just single handedly killed three imps, something they couldn?t do together, or the Endless. Most of them were heading for the former.

Aedo?s one good eye didn?t blink at the petrified soldiers. He knew very well why they had all became petrified of him. His tactics were something that the Federation did not exactly approve of, but since it killed Endless in an effective manner, the politicians never had any real qualms with it. But it was just as barbarous, if not more so, than the battle motions used by the Endless. Considering what they just saw, as well as his history and scarred body, it was not difficult for the soldiers to think he would slaughter them this very moment.

But there was more to Aedo than appeared from his one good eye.

He slipped the back-up knife back into its pocket, and he whipped the blood from his forehead. He unclipped a magazine from his pant leg, and exchanged ammunition on his rifle. He approached the soldiers. ?If you want a chance of living, then stop acting like a bunch of chickens without heads. You?re gods-damned soldiers! Start acting like it!? He started walking down the hall, away from the soldiers. ?If you want to even have a chance of living, follow me. But if any of you slow down, you?re dead! If I wouldn?t slow down for even Jupiter, don?t think I plan on slowing down for you so you can get screwed back on whatever watering hole world you came from.?
It didn?t take long for them to decide to follow the infamous man-eater.

* * * * *

Samuel?s arcane-powered fists ripped apart another zombie?s jaw. For the most part of twenty three years of life, he had been studying in martial artists. He had never studied in a single area ? he was just as fluent as in the studies of the Red Dragon as he was in the Iron Hand movement. He never specialized in any one school; he knew a good deal of everything. This made him extremely versatile when it came to his combat techniques, and on top of his small knowledge in magics that bolstered his own physical strengths, he was not a researcher to be fooled with.

He ducked under a swift swipe from a zombie?s extended arm, and returned the favor with a quick punch in the rib (or at least where the ribs should of have been). If the thing was human, it would of staggered back at the very least, and screamed in agony. Unfortunately, it was very much dead, and the zombie barely flinched. If anything, it wrinkled its nose.

The zombie raised its fist, and brought it down with greater velocity than a sludge hammer. Knowing that even with his enhanced strength he couldn?t block it, he opted to dodge it. The arm narrowly missed its calculative target.
Knowing that the zombie couldn?t supply the same amount of force after such a strike, Samuel muttered a quick strengthening spell, and slammed his knee into the zombie?s chest. The creature, after its last strike exhausted so much of its energy, was not prepared for the attack. Samuel?s knee ripped away at the gut of the monster, and the zombie went flying into a wall, cracking it.

Despite his apparent victory, Samuel could tell by the multitude of grimly roars coming from the hallway that the battle wasn?t even close to war. Getting on his knees, he casted a spell to numb away his wounds.

* * * * *

?Die, you overgrown mold rats!!? Thus was the common term Valgrad decided to call the zombies he encountered. True, they looked nothing like rats, but after the Thane killed one that indeed had mold covering half of its face, it seemed a proper enough insult.

Baldur swung upward, and a zombie?s head came clean off, red blood spraying everywhere like a fountain. A great deal of the Valhallian was covered in the life giving substance, but it was certainly a great way to instill fear into the weaker thralls to the Endless. True, the zombies lost their souls long ago, and their fear along with it, but that didn?t say anything about the gargoyles?

?Get your grubby, good for nothing hands off of me!? One zombie was unfortunate enough to be caught in one of Valgrad?s wide, group desecrating, swings. Half of the said zombie?s body was cleaved straight off, but it had enough bloodthirstiness left inside of it to crawl its way to the battle master and pin him down by the legs. Of course, this was solved by Valgrad merely kicking the zombie off of him. And to ensure it wouldn?t be a nuisance again, he stomped on its head.

?Damnit!? He cursed. ?That was one of my favorite boots?? He shrugged at the notion, and instead continued in the fight, hollering and singing war songs all the while.

It was a good day to be a Valhallian!

* * * * *

Aedo raised his rifle in protest at the sight of a gargoyle attempting a counter attack from a melee attack in the face. The butt end of the rifle slammed straight into the head of the demon, sending it twirling backwards onto the floor. One of the soldiers proceeded to blasting the dazed bat-man to pieces.

Of the group the soldiers under Aedo have found, only a single gargoyle remained standing. It knew it wasn?t going to survive. But it was hungry; it wanted some meats. And one weary soldier looked like the perfect meal. Just as its fellow gargoyle was blasted to bits, it flew across the room, and latched itself onto the soldier, sending him to the floor. Ruthlessly, it sent its blade cutting into the boy?s face.

The gargoyle was ripped apart by the bullets almost instantly.

The soldiers expected Aedo ? despite his infamous history ? to say something to give back some morale. He just flexed his shoulders, reloaded his rifle, and continued walking. He didn?t even turn to face the dead soldier.

Some of the soldiers sighed. Others glared at the Lieutenant. All of them followed the man eater.

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire filled the hallway. Whatever grudges the soldiers had for Aedo dissipated instantly. A soldier ran across the intersection, firing some random bullets at something that was beyond their sight. Instantly, something that looked like a bird walking on two legs made its appearance, unfazed by the flurry of bullets. It was featherless, its leathery skin a dark red. Its beak looked more than capable of tearing of a man?s skull easily. But what was the most frightening aspect to it were its hands ? they really weren?t hand in the sense of the word. In truth, they were more like scythes that could easily tear any human apart.

It was a hook horror.

The demon charged towards the lone soldier, crying some intelligible scream for blood. The soldier ran off, thinking he could escape the charging death, but it proved to be false. He was quickly skewered, and his last vision of life was him having his head torn off by the hook horror?s beak.

The hook horror flung the corpse away, not because its list for blood was fulfilled (in truth, it was anything but that!), but because it saw more potential in the group of soldiers under Ohimnim.

Head first, it charged towards the group, intending or sending flying anyone that was stupid enough to get in its way. Aedo rolled of the charging demon, and the soldiers scattered, hugging the wall. One soldier moved too slowly, and the hook horror swung its head. The soldier felt like a thousand pounds had slammed into his body, and he was sent flying into the ceiling. The speed he flew was great enough that upon impact every bone in his body was broken, and his brain was reduced to gory jelly. The bloodied corpse eventually peeled off the ceiling.

The hook horror turned to the soldiers who were now regrouping, rifles raised and unified. It straightened itself, barely towering over them.

The soldiers moves as a group around the hook horror, the demon just standing there, observing them, watching them. Its two scarlet eyes followed their movements, its body not moving an inch. This wasn?t no gargoyle; hook horrors formed tactics, strategies. It was difficult to predict their movements.

The soldiers kept their rifles pointed at the demon.

The Hook Horror kept its movements still as stone, it?s moving eyes the only moving muscle in its body.

Aedo watched from a distance, waiting for the perfect opportunity to launch his attack on the demon.

During that time, when man moved and beast remained still, time itself seemed to slow down to a complete stop. For those short, sweet moments, finite became infinite. Tranquility became anxiety; rage became patience.

Then it was all shattered into countless pieces when the hook horror sprung, its scythe-arm splitting one of the soldiers nearly in half. The one right behind him was pierced down the middle, and in an instant, as his last recollection of his short life, he was flung backwards, his spine cracking against the wall.

Bullets showered upon the demon, just as much a result of rage over the deaths of their brothers as it was to kill the damn monster and live another moment. Aedo, full of rage over his stupidity on not acting before the demon, charged towards it, his rifle unleashing bullet after bullet.

The hook horror cleaved a soldier cleanly in half, a gory result of one of its wide swings. It was to be its final action of its dark crusade; a soldier, full of zeal and heroism, leaped onto its back, and filled the beast with bullets. The demon swung it off, and as it towered over him, as it plunged its blade-arm into the courageous youth?s stomach, he plunged his rifle?s bayonet through its throat.

The demon collapsed, dead, and the soldier breathed his last at that moment.

?Being a hero only gets you killed?, the Lieutenant mentored the remaining four. ?Remember that much and you might just keep up.?

The soldiers didn?t have time to respond to Aedo?s words. Instantly, they heard a large boom originating from the walls. It wasn?t just one location; the same booming sound was coming from two other locations on the opposite walls.
In the next moment, they knew instantly what was the cause of it; three hook horrors emerged, concrete flying everywhere as a dark omen of the soldier?s fate.
Within moments, the three beasts ripped apart the stunned soldiers; innards were devoured, heads were split open; torsos were pierced and ripped apart.
The best humanity had to offer; its youth, men who sacrifice their whole lives to save those that they cherished. In an instant, in a blink of an eye, that light, that hope, was covered forever.

And Aedo?s darkness became all the greater, for once again, he was the only one spared. He was cornered now, a hook horror approaching him, as its brothers cannibalized on the corpses.

It was over.

Finally, Aedo could rest.

He lessened the grip on his rifle?

?No! Not now! Not like this!?

?Weak?, came a dark voice.

The hook horrors ceased their meal, and turned their heads to face the approaching figure. It was the man in the red trench-coat.

?So weak?, he stated again, his blade Gilgamesh scratching the wall as he casually approached the demons. ?Pathetic humans?so weak! You are so easily slaughtered by these things! And to think only a scarred old man is the survivor.?
The hook horrors glared at the man.

?But you?? He pointed Gilgamesh at them. ?You are the far more horrible a sight than these humans! They claim you hook horrors have intelligence, that you can form tactics and strategies, that you are the modern day raptors. But I do not see such honorable creatures?I see things who only fake intellect! You are nothing but scum?beasts, at best.?

By then, the hook horrors had more than enough. Screaming a foul battle cry, they charged at the man.

Before he leaped into another slaughter, he smiled a grin that even the highest of demons would be fearful of.

He leaped out of the way of a stab, using the scythe arm as a platform for him to stride on. He leaped off of it, and carved Gilgamesh into the hook horror?s spine. It screamed horribly, the pain was so unbearable for a demon. The man tore the blade out, and the hook horror could barely stand before the wound claimed its life.
The man?s attack was so swift that the other hook horrors had not even lifted their arms. Using the opportunity, he leaped between a pair of one, and sliced it clean off. Throwing Gilgamesh into the body of the last hook horror, he plunged the cleaved arm-blade into the torso of its owner. Pushing ever so lightly, the hook horror was sent flying into the wall, its own arm pinning it.

The final hook horror had no time to charge at the man, with his blade still plunged into his chest, when he grabbed it by its neck. An unnatural amount of strength was pressured on it. Raising it above him, the man took grip on the demon?s flesh, and with a mighty pull, pulled all of its flesh off. Black blood flowed everywhere like a
fountain, making the scene all the more horrific.

All the while, during the thirty seconds of carnage the Gods had forced him to bear witness to, he could not help but fear the man as much as he was mesmerized by him. Hundreds of questions found its way into his mind, but even if he had the opportunity to live until the galaxy destroyed itself, he would never find the answer.

So, he asked.

?What are you?? Aedo asked, putting emphasis on the final word. The man had already licked the black blood off of his blade, had spat it out, and was walking away when the Lieutenant asked him.

The man turned his head to face the Lieutenant, his legs standing strong against the enigma. ?I am He who They named Devil. But if you prefer, you can name me Ferin Alengar.?

He walked a few steps, sighed irritably, and turned to face the Lieutenant again. ?You might think I am something of a demon, and you?re right. I am the first of these good for nothing demons to ever walk any planet, and I plan on seeing the last. Wherether you are going to trust a demon is up to you. Me, I can live without ya, but I have a feeling my life will be a whole lot more interesting with you. If you want to follow?if you want to live, follow me.?

If you want to die, that?s all right too! No shame on my bones.?
Aedo, however, was not satisfied with this ?Ferin?s answer. ?You didn?t answer my question.?

?Or perhaps I gave you an answer that you did not approve of, thus in your rage that is so common in you humans, you decided it was best to ignore the fact, and repeat the question. And thus, the cycle continues.?

?Who the hell are you, you gods damned thing!?

?I already told you, human. I am Ferin Alengar, the half-man who was here since the beginning.

?What do you want here, Ferin Alengar??

?I was bored, so now, I?m just looking for some fun. But while I?m here, I might as well get what those cursed Endless are looking for.?

The words looking for and Endless in the same sentence seemed absolutely impossible. For the past five hundred years, humanity has considered the demons as mindless ravagers, monsters who craved only blood. They didn?t have any true motive; no great conspiracy was driving these monsters. But now this man, this Ferin Alengar, he has claimed the opposite. He is saying they are looking for something?and that something is on the Aaufagen.

?You don?t know what I?m talking about, now do you?? Aedo?s lack of response was the only answer Ferin needed. He laughed. ?You humans; you think you are so high and mighty. But look here; you don?t even know about the Kajjdorr!?

Kajjdorr?Aedo had never heard the word before. Still, it had a familiar ring to it, like some lullaby that he heard when he was a mere boy.

?It?s the Endless? greatest treasures, and even though man laid claim to it, those demons want it back.?

?Why is it so important??

?Well, I could tell you, but you?re just a human.? Aedo grinded his teeth angrily. ?Besides, what would the fun be in giving you all the spoilers?? Ferin chuckled softly. ?If you want to find out, you will have to just have to follow the trail of a demon??

* * * * *

The zombie growled veraciously at Samuel pushed it aside. His hands were bleeding all over; his fingers had gone numb long ago. But he couldn?t allow physical pain to slow him down. After all, if he lessened his pace even a smidge, the zombies would think nothing of tearing him apart.

Normally, Samuel would love to knock the living dead?s head clean off, but he knew his limits. The zombies chasing after him numbered him a dozen to one at the least. One man, even if he was a master at hand to hand combat, would not survive such a battle. The only choice of survival was for Samuel to run very fast in the opposite direction.

As the hallway turned into a corner, Samuel jumped. His feet landed on the far wall, and using the momentum from the leap, pushed himself off from the wall. He landed on the floor, and not even thinking about looking back, continued the race from death. The spectacle of his physical finesse earned him a few extra moments, and he had no intent on wasting it.

The race continued in the same manner. Samuel would be a few precious dashed ahead of the zombies chasing after him, and through some quick maneuvering, he would add a few more. If he encountered some random zombie or demon, he would give them a quick sucker punch in the face, never slowing his movement.

He turned a corner, the martial artist finding himself in a four way crossroad. They were slightly common on Federation cruisers such as the Aaufagen; mostly in the center of slightly important areas, such as residence areas.

Samuel?s eyes gazed from pathway to pathway. With the zombies trailing behind him, one pathway was blocked. With that, only three remained; but for all he knew, demons could patrolling any of those other three. Or worse yet, there could be a dead end at any of those.

He didn?t have the time to rethink the blueprints of the Aaufagen. He had to choose a pathway now!

?Left, right, or straight? One of these has to be the lucky one. But which one, damnit, which one do I go with??

The zombies were getting closer.

?Left??

The monster?s feet could be heard from around the corner.

?Straight??

The stench could be smelled.

?Right??

Their very growls and grunts and screams could be heard now.

He was out of time; his choice was made. He immediately sprinted forward, all of the energy that remained in his body being poured into his legs. He was going to outrun them! He didn?t care if they could leap several feet in a single bound. He didn?t care if a single swing from them could send anybody flying like a missile. Hell, he didn?t care how fast they were when they were crawling on the walls. He was going to outrun, and he?d even defy Pluto himself if he had to!

He was going to find Andrew.

But in that moment, something interesting happened.

He bumped into Andrew. The gunman was running almost as fast as his much better trained brother, obviously on the run from something. They didn?t realize who the other person was, or that they were running into direct contact with the other person. They were both so intent on getting off the Aaufagen that they refused to use their brains on anything except when it involved blowing a hole in something.
At first neither realized who they had bumped into. But when the shock of the collision had finally worn off, and their eyes set eyes on each other, they could never have been more relieved.

?Andrew!? ?Sam!? They quickly embraced, choosing to forget that a horde of zombies was right on Samuel?s tail. They broke the hug. ?Where have you been??

The gunman stared dumbfounded at his younger brother. ?And you call yourself a scientist, Sam? Considering the circumstances??

The sarcastic?s remark was cut off with the growl was cut off with the growl of an imp. The brothers turned around, and were horrified to see that while they were catching up, the Endless and zombies had decided to circle around the two brothers, more than prepared to rip them to pieces.

?Well,? Andrew shrugged, ?Your genius mind wouldn?t happen to have any ideas, now would it??

Samuel?s teeth were shivering too much out of fear to respond.
?Well, this is the end, I suppose.?

Indeed, Andrew would of have been very correct on his assumption. The demons would of have had leaped onto the two brothers, and they would tear their delicate flesh with their razor sharp jaws. Barely a half eaten corpse would of have remained.

All of that would have been true, if Valgrad Bearathark, his face smeared black with the blood of Endless, and a score of his hunters, had not entered the intersection at that very moment.

?Sir, should we help them??, a battle axe and pistol wielding hunter asked, although it was more of a demand in his tone than an actual question.

Valgrad?s bloody grin told them all he ever needed. But for good measure, he raised Baldur, and shouted ?After those damned good for nothing Endless boys! First one to tear off an imp?s head with his bear hands gets an extra beer back on the Claw!?
They all cheered to that, and with weapons raised, the half dozen or so Valhallians charged into almost certain death, with almost no possibility of survival?with Valgrad leading the way.

?Thought you could use some help!? Valgrad roared to Samuel when he smashed a zombie?s head with his war hammer.

?You could say that??

* * * * *

The dark demon blood splashed everywhere, Aedo?s face included, when he smashed the firing mechanism into the mouth of a roaring imp, sending bullets straight through the demon?s head. The head was nearly cut in two, the jaw swinging loosely along with the tongue. Aedo kicked it off of his weapon, and moved onto his next victim, a gargoyle that was flying right towards him.
Rifle raised, he fired away.

Aedo was making very good time; with this skirmish, he had killed three Endless in less than a minute, but he had nothing on Ferin. The warrior would swing his sword brutally, and whatever demonic or undead flesh it would carve into, the dark energies of the blade would devour the victim, black veins emerging the wound, until it would reach the brain.

Then it would explode, streams of blood streaming down from the cracked skull. Ferin would then toss the thing aside, and move onto his next victims.
The final demon in the corridor was killed under a flurry of bullets.

?Pathetic?, Ferin muttered as he licked the black blood off of Gilgamesh, and would then spit the dark liquid out in disgust. ?How can humanity be prey to such trash is beyond me.?

?Not all of us have a blade that can make our foes brains implode.?

?And you never will?, Ferin said happily. ?There are some things that man should never have.?

?I know what you mean all too well?, Aedo mused as he salvaged a clip from a zombie?s corpse. ?Where is the Kajjdorr??, he asked without even staring into Ferin?s red eyes.

?Wherever we find demons:? he vaguely answered as he swung some mock swings.
?Then perhaps here would be a good place, Fuhrer?? came a tranquil voice. With a wide grin, Ferin turned to see the smiling face of Michael.

?Smiling as always.?

?Of course. It has been a long time. Fuhrer.?

?Yes it has, Rommel.? He pointed Gilgamesh at Michael. ?Do not get involved.?

Michael pointed Zadikel at Ferin in casual response. ?Tell me, what name have you adopted now??

?Ferin.? The two created circles around each other as they slowly walked, ever observing the other. Thus was the way of a warrior; see the soul of your enemy, before he does the same to you.

?And now, I am Michael, although I have to admit, I always was Michael, as you were always Ferin.?

He was unmoved by the revelation.

?Now!? Ferin commanded, running into battle. Michael?s face didn?t deter under the shock; he always smiled in battle. With the coordination of a wise teacher, he cracked Zadikel, but not so that it was heading for Ferin.

It went around Ferin, towards his rear.

Ferin didn?t change his tactic; when Zadikel was about to carve into his back, he turned around instantly. He deflected the roaring sword with a slap from Gilgamesh. The giant blade smashed into the wall. Michael cracked Zadikel again, with enough speed and ferocity that if Ferin hadn?t leaped over it, he would of have been cut in half.

The two blades met in midair; electricity crackled as Gilgamesh slid down Zadikel?s many segments. Ferin pushed the blade off of him, and he landed on the ground, his left palm cushioning the impact.

Zadikel returned to his wielded before Michael whipped it again, sending it roaring towards Ferin.

Ferin tossed Gilgamesh to his left hand, and with his right hand slapped the colossal blade away.

Aedo was overwhelmed by the sheer strength of this enigma.

Michael wasn?t surprise in the very least.

Ferin casually licked the blood off his hand.

Michael leaped onto the wall, and sprinted across it before jumping towards Ferin, Zadikel already curving towards his flank. Ferin flipped backwards over the blade, and parried with it when Michael sent it back towards him. Ferin adjusted his hands so that he could force Zadikel to slide over him with a mere push. With the blade crashing to the wall, he dashed towards Michael, tossing Gilgamesh to his left hand and flipping it to the off-hand position.

If Michael was shocked to see that with seconds Ferin had smashed his hand into his face, he did not show it. With his entire palm grabbing Michael?s face, Ferin proceeded to smashing him into the wall repeatedly. He would frequently throw him into the wall, the sheer impact of it more than capable of killing the average man. Eventually, bloody cracks were formed across the wall, and a few drops of blood slipped their way between Ferin?s fingers.

Michael didn?t move; his hands plopped to the ground, dropping Zadikel. Ferin raised an eyebrow in shock; he was surely expecting his Rommel to last longer than this! Aedo was certain he was dead.

The veteran lieutenant?s suspicions proved to be false when Michael grabbed Ferin?s hand and tossed him across the room. ?I am stronger than you think, Fuhrer?, he calmly noted. He grabbed Zadikel and sent the blade towards Ferin. As fast and as strong as he was, Ferin didn?t have enough time to keep the blade from carving into his shoulder. He grunted painfully as each of the blades cut across his shoulder. When Zadikel had enough of its bloody fun, it let go of Ferin, sending him to the ground.

Blood began to flow around the unmoving body.

Moments passed, and Ferin didn?t budge a muscle. His uneasy breathing could have been heard throughout the corridor.

?Please get up Fuhrer?, Michael sighed. ?I know you?re awake.?

Suddenly, the once lifeless body began to laugh. ?You?re good Michael, but you forgot who you are dealing with. You forgot too much.? Ferin rose his feet, as if all he got from the attack was a mere scratch. Aedo was horrified; how could anyone survive that? It was a fatal attack. No one that was human could have walked from such a blow. Even an Endless would of have been mortally wounded!

But it was when Ferin was standing completely that Aedo saw something far more disturbing. The shoulder was erupting in boils; they covered his wound entirely. Bone, flesh, it didn?t matter; they were everywhere. Instantly, they grew until they could grow no more, and erupted in an explosion of blood. When Ferin wiped the blood off of him, his shoulder was completely healed.

?You truly are one of them, my Fuhrer.?

?You expected something else?? He licked his lips lustfully before the two charged at each other.

Gilgamesh and Zadikel exchanged blows as their masters applied all of their strength into every swing and thrust. They would pull back, only to charge again. Seconds turned into minutes; the two seemed to be caught in an eternal battle, with neither willing to let go of victory?s reign.

Suddenly, they stopped. Both lowered their blades.

?So, you have heard battle?s cry as well?? Michael nodded. ?Well, I?m off then.?

?You will be joining us?? Even though he said it as a question, the silver haired man?s smiling face gave the impression of a demand.

Ferin turned to face Michael. ?We are ever the servants of humans. Despite what we would wish, they are the ones that control the worlds. History?s reign has always been in the hands of man.? He licked his lips seductively. ?I could possibly join your little ragtag group.?

?We should fetch the Kajjdorr first.?

?Yes. That would be a very good idea.? He started walking towards where he felt the true battle was taking place. ?Come?, he ordered Aedo when he walked past him. The Lieutenant agreed, and grabbing his rifle, he followed the black haired and silvered hair men.

It would be a lie to the Gods if he were to say he wasn?t scared. He had seen many things; men devoured in front of his eyes, babies ripped apart like pigs. But he had never heard of a man capable of regenerating his own body.

And what about this Michael character? His skull should of have had been cracked when he was thrown into the wall! But here he was, walking as if it had never happened, minus him wiping the blood off of his face.

Were these two even human? Aedo doubted it, especially considering what he had seen Ferin was capable if.

Aedo sighed. His answers would be answered soon enough. Wherether he was going to live long enough to put them to use was another issue all together.

* * * * *

The zombie stared at its opponent with an abhorrent glare, the exhalation of its irregular breathing on par to that of a toxic waste. Its eyes were a pale yellow, the first in a consistent color for the rest of its body. Its black tongue hung loosely from its open jaw, swinging lazily back and forth like a panting dog.

It bent down, its clawed hands digging into the floor. At any moment, it was ready to pounce at its parry. With a mixture of both the velocity of its strike and its sheer weight, it would be more than enough to crush its victim.

All it needed was to hit it?that, and to gather up its unholy strength to actually muster up the power to slam the target.

Fortunately for Andrew Jackson, the zombie never got the chance. He fired off a magazine load of bullets into the zombie?s body. It was not necessarily the sheer amount of bullets that sent the zombie back to its grave, but rather where the bullets hit. Andrew may have been something of a Rambo, but being a scientist, he knew how important it was not to waste resources.

He stepped backwards, his eyes trailing from one end of the passageway to the other. Between the dozen or so Hunters, the Zombies and Endless, Andrew couldn?t make heads or tales of where to go. Technically, he was caught in the middle of the whole thing, but considering the fact that the Endless were just as busy with the Hunters as they were with the Endless, he could easily enter the fray from any position.

He saw his target; a gargoyle that was flying through the air after leaping off of a wall, a crude spear in hand, preparing to pierce a Hunter through his back.

Andrew aimed his two Ronin ?M-57? revolvers, squinted his eyes, prayed a silent prayer to Ares, and clicked the trigger.

Nothing but air.

Andrew examined his guns. ?Aw, damnit?, he sighed.

He took a another step back, and felt his brother?s back against his. ?Wasted bullets again??

?I did not waste bullets. I merely just used too much without realizing how many I had on me, is all.?

?You wasted bullets.?

?Oh shut up?, Andrew contemplated to himself.

?Behind you!? Samuel yelled. Andrew felt his brother?s arcane fueled arms push him towards the ground. He turned around just in time to see a gargoyle speed towards his brother, a short blade in hand. The gargoyle, however, was too clumsy and slow to compete with Samuel. The martial artist pushed the blade away and sent the demon to the ground with an electric powered strike. The demon was dead before it even slid on the ground.

?You all right??, Andrew asked concerning as he got up to his feet.

?I?m fine?, Samuel responded, emotionlessly.

?No you?re not?, his older brother said sternly.

?I said I?m fine?, Samuel growled. Andrew grabbed his brother?s red stained shoulder. The younger Jackson growled in pain.

?See? What I tell you??

?Shut up?.

Andrew just sighed. He had to get his brother out of here and onto an escape pod fast. The Aaufagen, even though it was one of the most powerful ships the Federation had in its armada, would not last long against the Endless. Nothing human ever lasted long against the Endless.

The two brothers heard a large thud, and looked at their feet, where an imp with its skull crossed laid, its brain oozing out of the wounds in a most gruesome manner. The two looked up, to find a Hunter with an eye path and a giant warhammer approached them. He was covered in blood ? both black and red.

?You two are the Jackson brothers, right??, he said with a grin. Samuel wasn?t sure if it was a good thing or an ominous omen. Andrew, however, saw it as a sign of relief.
?Yeah, that?s us?, he nodded. ?I?m Andrew, the guy with the cut shoulder and who is denying his inevitable death of blood loss is Samuel.? The younger Jackson glared at his brother.

The hunter laughed. ?Well, I am Valgrad Bearathark, and those Hunters causing all this chaos, are mine.?

?Well, it?s good to finally see ??

?Where?s your ship?? Samuel interrupted.

?Ship? Ah, we have no intention of leaving.?

The Jacksons? jaws dropped. ?What do you mean you don?t plan on leaving??

??Tis our way. Living is not exactly one of our priorities, you see."

?Then what is??

?Cracking Endless? skulls would be a good place to start.?

Samuel sighed. ?Can you at least get us out of this Pluto blessed hell hole? Mostly in a bloody, quick fashion??

Valgrad laughed. He liked how this Olympian talked! ?I can do that?, he said with a wide grin. He slapped Baldur on his chest. ?Follow me!? With that, he turned around and charged right into a group of Endless.

Although it was true the said group of man eating demons was near a passageway, heading straight for the enemy ? and likely facing a most painful death ? was not what Samuel had in mind for a quick escape.

Then again, that?s what you get for messing with Hunters. Especially a leader of a group of them!

Valgrad leaped into the fray, smashing Baldur into the ground, creating a wave of granite and metal that bisected the group. The demons ignored the Hunters they were currently dealing with (who, by the way, were just as troublesome as their leader), and turned their attention to Valgrad and the two Olympians behind him.
Samuel gulped nervously. Andrew cracked his knuckles in somewhat eager participation (although if it was for the battle or getting out of the war zone was never revealed).

Andrew checked his leg pocket for bullets, but he discovered to his horror he was out of spare. ?Oh no??

?Don?t tell me??

?Yeah.?

?Just follow me.?

?Right behind you!?

The two brothers charged into fray, helping a Hunter smash an imp into the ground with their body weight. In the next instant, they ducked beneath a swipe from a gargoyle?s spear. Before the demon could attempt another attack, Samuel tackled right onto it, and sent a flaming fist the demon?s way. A few multiple punches later, and the demon was dead.

That didn?t mean Andrew was safe. At the moment, two very hungry looking imps saw him as a very hard meal to pass up. They clacked their jaws, eager to devour too prize. They leaped. Andrew knew that in mere moments, those blood stained claws would be ripping his face to pieces.

The Gods must of have been smiling upon him then though; he was saved for a flurry of machine gun bullets. The Hunter approached him, saw him holding his guns, put two and two together, gave Andrew a pack of bullets, and raced off to help his leader.

All this occurred in the span of three seconds.

??Whatever?, Andrew sighed. He inserted the bullets into his revolver, and got back to work.

His weapon aimed, straight for the unsuspecting head of a zombie just getting back up from a veracious attack. Tongue licking his parched lips, eyes glared on the inhuman, he pulled the trigger.

The zombie flipped backwards, its ripped head spilling its blood onto the floor.
Andrew was about to fire a shot at an unsuspecting Endless when he saw the crushed corpse of an imp flying right towards. He ducked reasonably enough, fast enough for an Olympian researcher at the very least.

His eyes trailed up, to see the grinning face of the Hunter captain. ?Watch where you?re throwing those things!?

?First rule of combat, gunman; always be aware. Now, where?s that brother of yours??

His question was answered when out of the blue, an Endless? frosted corpse landed at his feet. Intrigued, he looked at the warrior?s handiwork; even beyond the frost, a multitude of bruises could be seen. They were not at all uncalculated jabs, however; each of them were precise, all of them with a specific intent behind them.
Samuel approached the two, wiping some blood off of him.

?Are all of your researchers this adept at killing demons, or are you just special??
?We?re not easy prey, Valhallian?, Samuel noted.

?For an Endless, at least?, the burly Hunter retorted.

They heard the squeal of a gargoyle flying right towards them. Andrew fired a few shots, but missed. Seeing he wouldn?t have enough time for another volley of bullets, he rolled out of the way of the approaching lunge. Not having enough time to react, Samuel followed his brother. Valgrad sidestepped the brutish attack and simply smashed the gargoyle into submission.

All three turned in unison; a larger group of Endless and their zombie thralls were approaching.

They were being cornered.

* * * * *

The demon was half the height of the Aaufagen?s halls; it skin was covered in fur, a dozen or so fingers and half clawed corpses caught in them. Its jaw was filled to the brim with teeth that were as sharp as any blade. Its one eye was focused on its sole prey, all of its bestial instincts telling it to rip it apart into a million flesh fragments.
Ferin wasn?t frightened one bit. If anything, he found it slightly amusing, how the cyclops thought it could actually kill him.

Roaring so hard portions of the walls actually cracked, it charged forward. Ferin pushed Gilgamesh into the ground, his right foot leading, and leaped onto the giant monster?s stomach. Like a monkey, he crawled up the cyclops? belly. Before it could even remotely think about throwing him off, Ferin had already found himself on the beast?s shoulder. He jumped onto its hairy head, crawling from the back to the front, the idiotic monster rocking its head all the while. Eventually, Ferin found his target.
The eye.

Mustering a slither of his strength, Ferin ripped the eyelids off of the eye, allowing full exposure. The monster screamed as the delicate flesh was thrown to the ground. Uncontrollably, it sent its head into ever direction; into walls, through the air. It just wanted to squash that good for nothing human!
But Ferin had other plans in mind.

He gripped his hands onto the eye, his cold and hard hands digging into the cornea, already blinding the beast. The pain was still there, and the Cyclops struggled all the more.

Ferin did not budge. He planted his legs on the beast?s shoulders, and he pulled back. More and more he pulled, his strength becoming greater with each passing second. In a gory spectacle, Ferin tore the eye free, the nerve leading the flow of blood from the cyclops?s cavity.

It was dead before it even plopped onto the floor.

Aedo had just torn one of his knives free from the neck from a zombie when the Cyclops fell. He was certainly caught in awe of Ferin?s prowess as a warrior; similar feats of strength were common place when Ferin was involved. That didn?t mean Aedo wasn?t taken back by Ferin?s enigma like status; if anything the brutal way he went about things frightened him all the more. He respected his talents as a warrior, but feared his views as a man.

?We should be going,? Michael said in his characteristically calm voice, not taken back by Ferin?s latest accomplishment.

?Just where are we going??, Aedo asked. He had inserted a spare shrapnel magazine into his rifle as he approached.

Michael faced the lieutenant. ?If it concerns you that much, we are holding for the holding cell of the Aaufagen.?

The holding cell; it was usually mistaken by the common populous as a portion of every cruiser that holds criminals on the ship. This misconception could be attributed to the name of the chamber itself; in truth, holding cells held items of important value. These could include people, but they certainly would not be prisoners. The Federal Navy dealt with prisoners in a very simple manner; throw them into deep space.

In this case, the holding cell must have naturally been holding the Kajjdorr.
?If you plan to go in this direction, you?re heading for a horde of Endless.?

?That?s the idea?, Ferin smirked.

?That is the quickest route to the Cell?, Michael added. ?We?ll find a way to deal with the Endless when we encounter them. For now, let?s just head for the Cell, and damn the consequences.?

Aedo licked his lips greedily; as if he wanted to make sure he got most of the action. He followed the two into the halls.

Their journey was long, and repetitive. Every half hour or so, they would encounter a somewhat large group of Endless. The three would proceed to using their skills as warriors to take down the demons in a quick and concise manner. Aedo would be the furthest away from the enemies, offering random support fire when able to fire without hurting his other companions. Michael would be the swiftest of them all, moving along walls without incredible ease when needed, cutting down any enemy he saw with Zadikel?s multiple blades. Ferin would, as one would expect, be the one most caught in each battle, his hand cutting through demonic flesh, Gilgamesh tearing multiple bodies apart with a single swing.

It would be an hour later when Aedo noticed that the sounds of battle appeared to get louder the more he followed the two. It wasn?t so much the quantity of fights. It was more along the lines of an echo that seemed too far away.

?We?re heading for a giant battle?, Aedo reported.

Neither of the two spoke. Aedo knew at once; the revelation was given to them long before.

They did not encounter any Endless or zombies for a significant amount of time. By then, Aedo had forgotten what time even meant; he knew only battle. He was once again that young soldier caught in a conflict on a desert planet thousands of light years away from home. All he knew was survival.

They quickly found themselves in a four way crossroads. Before them were a group of both Endless and their zombie thralls; they were facing a corner, slowly devouring it, one would think.

They were surrounding a group of humans. Hunters to be exact. Aedo recognized some familiar faces among the group.
The Jackson brothers.

?Humans always seem to find themselves in need of aid.? Ferin got himself into a stance; his right foot forward, his left pushed back so he could spring into action at any time. His hands held Gilgamesh, the sword pointed towards the group like an arrow speeding towards its target?s heart.

?The Jackson brothers are there.?

Ferin turned to Aedo; he never suspected the scarred soldier to remember names from anyone on the ship. A warrior can recognize another?s traits through battle. Aedo fired quickly, and counter attacked brutally. Rarely did he try to dodge a swing. Through this, Ferin came to know Aedo as a man who waited eagerly for death?s calming embrace, but would fight to the last breath. Ferin never suspected him to remember something as trivial as names.

And yet, Aedo did. The lieutenant must of have been full of surprises.
Ferin pointed to Samuel among the crowd of humans preparing a defensive maneuver against the Endless. ?That one made Apera?, Ferin said plainly.
Aedo turned to face Ferin, his face full of eager bloodlust. ?How do you know about Apera??

Ferin didn?t answer. He just chuckled.

Instantly, He leaped into combat; the jump cracked the very ground he was standing on just moments ago. The leap was so long that he landed right in the middle of the group; the impact sent the surrounding demons flying. Some of them hit the ceiling; those that did felt all the bones in their body break apart. They fell to the ground, dead.

Needless to say, the Hunters and the Olympian brothers were very, very shocked that a single man ? albeit a man that looked more monstrous than most of the Endless ? could have committed such an impossible feet.

The Jackson brothers just stared at the man, mostly out of fear than awe. The Hunters, minus Valgrad, were doing the same exact thing, except it was mostly out of respect for the dark warrior.

Valgrad was the only one willing to make any movements.

?What?s your name?? His voice was totally emotionless. It showed no signs of horror, dignity or preservation of respect.

?Ferin Alengar.? The black haired man?s response was cold, and ruthless. It was the voice of a man who knew he was a god among mortals. It was the speech shared by tyrants.

Valgrad made no emotional or physical movements to reveal what he thought of him.
Ferin ignored the Valhallian as he looked around him, taking notice of the massive amount of demons and zombies that decided, for whatever bestial reason they had, to focus solely on these twenty or so humans.

?You?ve had best make your move human, unless you want to become a ghoul.?
Valgrad only licked his tongue as a response.

Ferin sighed before he turned around to face an Endless that did not seem to be doing anything important.

He pointed his hand at the demon. The monster glared at him. It knew what he was. It saw him worse than the cruelest of its kind, who would consider ripping a stomach open and allowing the buzzards to feed off his entrails a mere game.
The Endless had no idea who it was dealing with.

So, Ferin stretched his arm beyond lengths it should not have been possible. It caught the throat of the demon that was several feet away?without Ferin even moving a step.

Then Ferin tore the head off.

?It begins!? He shouted, running towards his returning arm.

Valgrad stomped his foot, the unspoken order to charge into combat given. He led the way, allowing his followers to follow.

At first, the two Jackson brothers had no idea what they were to do. This man called Ferin that had just appeared, they knew he wasn?t human. His eyes had the eyes of an Endless; his manner of speech was that of a man who threw off the shackles of society. The way he moved was how someone who didn?t care if he died or lived moved.

His body was that of a mad man.

And yet, he had chosen to save them?or at worst, to intervene. Did he do it out of a slight moment of humanly conscience? Or was it just for another chance to spill some more blood?

Was it both? Was that last option even remotely possible?

In the end, both knew that they had to join in the battle. Ignoring everything common sense told them to do, they charged right into the colossal battle. Samuel infused his fists with some fire arcane, while Andrew loaded some bullets into his gun.

None of them had any idea what they were getting themselves into.