EVERGREEN RESIDENCE A

  VIRTUM, GRATA - 8:25 PM

  In the living room of Zack’s Virtum house, an awestruck Luke and a nonchalant Celeste stare at the man before him - a much cleaner Entro Gruff who was driven with a newfound motivation.

  “I have to commend the two of you for subduing Project Bivelli; I’m sure he was no pushover. Believe it or not, I was actually searching for him for decades. To think that he was holed up in a motel in Briken…” He tells the two young demedioms in front of him.

  “Thanks, but we also had help from two Palladium officers. One A-Rank and one B-Rank.” Celeste answers.

  “Palladium is aware of the rogue demedioms? Why have they not taken action?”

  “I don’t know… I ask myself that everyday.” Celeste comments.

  “So you’re the guy from the hacked broadcast?” Luke asks Entro.

  “Indeed I am.”

  “Woah… How’d you do it?”

  “It’s all due to Zack’s genius that we were able to gain access to a device that allowed us to infiltrate the Eternal Server.” Entro answers.

  “Damn. You still got access to that device?”

  “Unfortunately I disposed of it so as not to be traced.”

  “Aw, that’s a shame. I wanted to broadcast porn just to fuck with E-Drive for a little.” Luke comments as Entro stares back at him, slightly weirded out.

  “Luke, stop harassing our guest, would you?” Celeste says as she climbs down the stairs, having overheard their conversation. Zack follows behind her.

  “Oh, come on. I’m just trying to break the ice.” Luke reasons with her as he sits on Zack’s sofa, turning the TV on.

  “Right, I’m sure you aren’t just looking for someone to annoy now that Nick’s…” Celeste says, letting her words trail off. She had gotten used to being separated from Nick as a result of their jobs as arms dealers, yet she was missing him dearly even though it had only been a day since the two last saw each other. At least with arms dealing, Nick was guaranteed to return. There is no telling with his current plan to wage war on Eternal Drive.

  As the TV turns on, it plays a live broadcast in Doslight of an individual fighting countless soldiers through the streets. Luke quickly adjusts his position as the four all turn their heads to the television showing the current happenings.

  “...Is that Nick?” Entro inquires as Luke nods, continuing to stare attentively at the TV.

  DOSLIGHT SQUARE

  DOSLIGHT, NAZENDEL - 8:28 PM

  Sitting on the edge of a skyscraper in the middle of Doslight Square, Nick rests, awaiting Elena’s go signal. He takes a brief look at the city overtaken by technology before inserting wireless earbuds and playing his favorite song. His phone vibrates from Elena’s text.

  We really have no choice, Nick. We have to force our way through.

  After failing to negotiate with the guards one last time, Elena sends Nick the go signal by firing a huge beam of light that Nick sees while atop the skyscraper. He braces himself as he jumps down with the people below screaming and filming, expecting a suicide in the middle of the square. They do not expect, however, several lightning bolts dashing in between the buildings right before Nick hits the ground. The lightning bolts bounce off the monitors, forcing them to flicker and malfunction as Nick makes contact with them. He continues rushing through Doslight, outspeeding several vehicles before finally colliding with an armored car, sending it flying and crashing onto an outpost. Countless Eternal Drive soldiers begin rushing towards Nick in the midst of an empty intersection. The soldiers shoot him to no avail as he dashes through them, knocking them out by hurling debris from the earlier crash. He slashes a traffic light with his dagger, picking it up and using it as a pole to subdue the soldiers closing in on him as he spins it around the intersection. With the guards from the initial outpost dealt with, Nick continues making his way as several pillars of light appear in the distance as Elena deals with the guards at the border.

  EVERGREEN RESIDENCE A

  VIRTUM, GRATA - 9:07 PM

  The four demedioms bear witness to Nick’s forced entry to Nazendel, with three of them particularly stressed.

  “This fucking-” Zack thinks to himself before storming out, heading to his basement.

  “Where’s he going?” Asks Entro.

  “Dunno. Probably venting out his frustrations.” Luke replies as Celeste sighs.

  “I wish they’d just get along again.” Celeste comments as the broadcast is cut off when Nick tosses his chakram towards the camera.

  Zack scours through his underground laboratory, rushing to pick up a peculiar handheld device shaped like a clock. He twists the handle thrice before placing it on the ground.

  RIPPER ALLEY

  DOSLIGHT, NAZENDEL - 9:15 PM

  As the recording helicopter falls to the ground, hordes of soldiers continue to assault Nick who defends himself with ease by dodging their bullets with his lightning-quick speed. Indeed, Damon was right; a demediom is equipped well-enough to take on an army. The margin between that of a regular human and a demediom was far too large for the Eternal Drive soldiers to handle, even with their advanced suits and weaponry.

  With the streets cleared for the time being, a bloodied Nick takes a moment to catch his breath. Taking him by surprise, the holographic dancing stripper next to him suddenly turned into Zack Evergreen, projecting himself from his basement. Nick stares at the hologram, unsure of what he was witnessing before Zack speaks.

  “Nick.”

  “Zack.”

  A moment of silence is shared between the two as Zack struggles to find the words to say.

  “What do you want?” Nick annoyedly asks, wanting to rendezvous with Elena as soon as possible.

  “I- uhh…” Zack mutters, bowing his head as Nick looks to his side, witnessing brief flashes of light.

  “...I wanted to apologize for the way I treated you and Elena.” Zack continues as Nick looks at him, in disbelief.

  “This isn’t gonna make me come back.”

  “I know- I know. Just please- hear me out.” Pleads Zack as Nick stares at him in silence.

  “I… What I did was fucked. It wasn’t right- pushing the two of you like that. I’m not gonna make any shitty excuses either. I was an ass, and I’m sorry.” Zack apologizes.

  “It was stupid and selfish, trying to put the blame on Elena like that. At that point I wasn’t any different from them.” Zack continues, referring to Eternal Drive.

  “...Okay.” Responds Nick, unsure of what to feel.

  “I… projected all of my insecurities onto you. All my failures, my regrets…”

  “...and yet I’m still proud of you. You know I refused to believe it at first, but I can’t deny it any longer. I see my younger self in you; full of vigor and dreams… I don’t want to take that away from you. And as much as I’d wish for you to return, I know that holding you back won’t do either of us any good.” Continues Zack as Nick listens.

  “Thank you…” Zack says, getting choked up.

  “...for being the son I never had.”

  Nick turns his head away, trying to hide his emotions but fails to control them. Tears fall down his face as he shakes his head, conflicted. If these two resolved their problems earlier, perhaps it wouldn’t have come to this. Perhaps they could have figured another solution together.

  Nick wipes his tears with his sleeve, getting blood on his face. He looks back up at Zack.

  “...I have to finish this.” Nick states, having fully decided his path. There is no turning back.

  EVERGREEN RESIDENCE A

  VIRTUM, GRATA - 9:23 PM

  “...Alright.” Zack replies before solemnly hanging up. He clutches his forehead, disappointed in himself. He could not save Lily. He could not save Jason. If Nick were to die as well, there is no telling the kind of man Zack Evergreen would become.

  It was their first sentimental moment in years. He could not accept that it would be their last. Using his genius intellect to think, Zack quickly develops a plan to back up Nick and perhaps save him, too.

  He could not bear to lose another person he loved. Not again.

  EVERNIGHT GATE

  DOSLIGHT, NAZENDEL - 9:24 PM

  Nick arrives at the Evernight gate, witnessing Elena battle hordes of soldiers. He decides to jump in, creating a ring of electricity that slowly pulses outward while Elena fires beams of light at faraway adversaries.

  “What took you so long?” Asks Elena, blasting a horizontal ray of light forward that knocks away a dozen soldiers.

  “Zack called.” Nick replies as he manifests his bow, shooting out energized bolts while his ring expands even more, further pressuring the soldiers. With the majority of the soldiers being either taken out or forced to back forty feet away, Elena grabs Nick, covers themselves with a barrier and flies upward. Soldiers shoot at the two to no avail as they go over the gate, officially arriving at Evernight.

  EVERNIGHT GATE

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  EVERNIGHT, NAZENDEL - 9:36 PM

  “Is everything alright?”

  “I’m fine.” Nick solemnly answers as Elena holds his hand. Their moment is interrupted, however, as the soldiers break through the gate. This time, Nick grabs Elena by the arm and dashes through the city, losing the soldiers in the flashing city lights. Holographic advertisements take turns lighting up the night sky as the roars of supercar engines blast throughout the busy streets,

  Nick and Elena arrive at the top of the Nazendel Bridge as countless vehicles pass by under them. Nick takes an extended glance at Whole In One, which prompts Elena to speak.

  “Are you really hungry right now?” Asks Elena as Nick shakes his head.

  “No, that’s… That’s the restaurant my family and I last ate at. Over there should be the fair, but…” Nick says, pointing to a cybernetic workshop. The grounds used for the Nazendel fair had been turned into capitalist property.

  Sirens blare in the background, getting Nick and Elena’s attention. Arriving at the Nazendel Bridge were even more armored vehicles which immediately block the entrance and exit, much to the dismay of the people. Loud horns honk as frustrated drivers attempt pushing their way through, only to get gunned down by soldiers.

  “Can’t ever catch a break, huh?!” Nick exclaims, appalled at the massacre occuring below him.

  “They’re gonna pin their deaths on us, too. Come on, we need to leave.”

  “Laine…” Nick says, turning to Elena with sympathetic eyes.

  “We can’t just leave them.” Pleads Nick as Elena nods. The two proceed to jump down, with respective blasts of electricity and light taking the soldiers aback. Nick tosses his chakram and spins it around, taking out the soldiers by the entrance while Elena blasts a wave of light, taking out the ones by the exit. Upon seeing the face of a wanted terrorist, the horrified citizens feel even more panic as they hide inside their vehicles. One such citizen was a middle-aged man dangling over the edge of the bridge. The man calls for help, with Nick peering over, stretching out his hand. The man hesitates, but as his grip loosens, is forced to grab onto Nick. Nick pulls him up as the man looks at him, confused and terrified.

  “You… Please, don’t hurt me!” The man begs Nick.

  “Relax.” Nick replies before seeing his wanted picture pop up on a skyscraper in the distance.

  “You shouldn’t believe everything you see in the news.” Nick comments before walking towards Elena.

  “What’s our next move?” Asks Nick, out of breath.

  “Jeez, you look like you won’t hold for much longer.” A concerned Elena says as she caresses Nick’s chest, his heart beating wildly.

  “I spent a shit ton of energy traversing through Doslight.” Explains Nick.

  “...I told you to pick a closer recon point so we could rendezvous faster.”

  “Hey- absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Nick jokes as Elena turns her head to hide her smile. She looks back at Nick with a forced serious face.

  “Be serious for once, please.”

  “Okay, okay. In all seriousness, I’m pretty gassed.” Replies Nick.

  “Aw, you poor thing.” Elena jokes back, touching an annoyed Nick’s cheek.

  “We need somewhere to hide if you want to rest for a bit.” Suggests Elena, contemplating their next move.

  “Yeah. I was thinking the Mibuki Hotel.” Responds Nick as Elena raises her eyebrow.

  “This isn’t a vacation, Nick.”

  “I know, but there’s like, thousands of people there everyday. We could blend in pretty easily.” Nick reasons.

  “Yeah, that’s if you don’t trigger every security measure they have from scanning your face.” Elena argues, leaving Nick to contemplate. He looks over to the side, getting a new idea.

  “Okay. How about the factory over there?” Nick asks, pointing towards the cybernetic workshop.

  ABANDONED WORKSHOP

  EVERNIGHT, NAZENDEL - 10:16 PM

  Searchlights illuminate the area as helicopters hover through the air. It is futile, however, as Nick and Elena had successfully infiltrated the workshop wherein the countless cybernetic products disrupt the search signals.

  “Your suggestion wasn’t half-bad.” Elena comments, settling down as she leans against a table.

  “What, did you think I picked this place just because it was close and I could rest easily?” Nick sarcastically asks.

  “I mean, yes?”

  “Well, you aren’t wrong about that.” Nick replies as he lays down, making Elena chuckle.

  EVERGREEN RESIDENCE A

  VIRTUM, GRATA - 10:21 PM

  Huddled around a table, the four demedioms discuss their next move after witnessing Nick and Elena break through Eternal Drive’s defenses. In the background, a muted interview of a brunette actress plays on the television with the headline EILEEN UMA SLAMS ETERNAL DRIVE’S USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MEDIA.

  “What’s the plan, Evergreen?”

  “...I’ve been thinking of using the chaos they cause as a distraction.” Answers Zack.

  “What?” Celeste concernedly asks.

  “Those two are headed straight for the heart of the beast; Estreval’s going to send more and more of his army the closer they get to him. Now, we could use their distraction to our leverage.” Zack replies as he pulls out a device that displays a map of South Lavia.

  “If Nick is to be believed, then there should be a rebel movement down south.”

  “...Aurus?”

  “Exactly. Now, do you remember the name of the shop he brought up?” Zack asks, wanting to gauge their memory.

  “Tina’s Tailory.” Answers Celeste.

  “Sounds familiar, doesn’t it, Entro? We’ll head there, try to negotiate and gain allies. It’s the best chance we’ve got.”

  “Hold on.” Entro suddenly says.

  “The three of you can go to Aurus. I’ll be heading to Briken.” Entro continues.

  “What’s in Briken?”

  “Another rebel movement. If you can recall, a mass protest occurred just days before we tried to assassinate Estreval. I’m sure there are remnants waiting to be found.” Answers Entro as hope and determination begins to collectively fill the four’s hearts.

  “Sounds good. Now, we can’t let Nick and Elena’s efforts be for nothing. We need to strike while the iron’s hot, so as early as 1 AM later, we’ll make our move.” Zack responds as Luke looks dismayed.

  “You can sleep on the train. It’s an eight hour ride.” Zack assures Luke, who smiles at the notion.

  “Remember, this a gamble we’re taking that Nick and Elena manage to distract their army for at least a day. I just hope… they won’t run into him.”

  “Who’s him?” Celeste asks.

  “Brian Mathers- E-Drive’s lapdog who does Estreval’s dirty work for him. They call him the enforcer, but I call him a piece of shit that needs to die with the rest of them.” Answers Zack.

  ABANDONED WORKSHOP

  EVERNIGHT, NAZENDEL - 10:21 PM

  Nick and Elena’s brief respite is interrupted as a pair of black boots marches towards them. Alert, Nick draws his bow, ready to fire. A hooded individual slowly steps out of the darkness and into the light, revealing Zack’s fear.

  Brian Mathers, the man with ringed tattoos, stands before the two demedioms. Recognizing him from the Aurus Festival, Nick immediately shoots a large arrow, hoping to dispose of him in one hit. Brian, however, creates a violet circle with his right hand that blocks the arrow. Elena draws her sword as Brian tosses the circle towards them. She reflects the circle, making it fly upwards and create a coin-shaped hole in the ceiling.

  Nick separates his bow into daggers, rushing Brian. Brian summons another circle and pushes it down, cutting the ground as Nick teleports behind him. Nick tries to slash Brian’s neck, but fails as two miniature circles block his attack from the sides. He jumps back to think, unsure of how to bypass Brian’s barrier.

  Meanwhile, Elena summons spears of light from every direction, circling Brian. She closes her fist as the spears collapse on the enforcer, though they fail to pierce him as a violet dome protects him. Brian counterattacks, shooting out a purple beam which Elena blocks with her own golden barrier. The beam is several times stronger than that of the tarantula mech which she blocked for ten minutes, thus pushing her back as Brian continues blasting away. Nick tries to attack Brian with arrows and slashes, but fails to scratch his barrier.

  Nick looks over to Elena, struggling as Brian’s beam continues to push her back, pinning her against the wall. Nick decides to take a gamble and jumps in front of the beam, spinning his chakram to deflect Brian’s beam. Brian's blast is indeed deflected, firing back towards him and shattering his barrier. Nick rushes Brian once more, who barely dodges as Nick cuts a part of his chest. The cut is shallow, however, prompting Nick to follow up with another attack as he teleports above Brian. This time, Brian anticipates it, creating a barrier at the last second. Nick struggles to back away as his daggers are stuck inside the barrier, unable to pull them out. With Nick unable to move, Brian creates a circle just above the barrier, blasting Nick as the circle props upwards.

  Catching her breath after struggling with Brian’s blast, Elena runs up to assist Nick. A loud crashing is heard, however, as a Tarantula mech bursts through the factory walls. A shocked Elena looks over to an injured Nick, who coughs up blood from Brian’s attack. Nick looks back at Elena, signalling her to take out the mech. A hesitant Elena accepts, wrapping the mech in countless golden threads and flying outside of the factory, pulling it with her.

  Brian cracks his neck, ready for another round as Nick readies himself to retrieve his weapon, currently in Brian’s vicinity. Brian stretches his arms and manifests two circles around his hands, charging a massive attack up. Nick contemplates whether to retrieve his weapon or land an attack, eventually choosing both. He kicks Brian away, sending the latter flying while he retrieves his weapon. Brian’s charge, however, is not disrupted as he sends two beams from both sides. The beams melt through the factory walls, making it collapse as Nick retreats while Brian continues to destroy the area.

  NAZENDEL DRAWBRIDGE

  EVERNIGHT, NAZENDEL - 10:34 PM

  Elena continues flying through the air, dragging the massive mech with her. She flies towards the Nazendel Drawbridge, dissipating her threads and dropping the robot into the water. It initially sinks, before blasting a beam at her which she dodges. The mech flies upwards, the water having only served as a nuisance to it.

  Elena circles the mech mid-air, trying to bait it into using its laser once more to expose its core. The mech exposes a massive blade on its right arm instead, rushing towards Elena. Elena flies to the opposite side of the bridge as the mech cuts through it, sinking the several vehicles which were abandoned after she and Nick allowed the people to escape on foot. Elena summons a barrier just as the mech tries to stab her, blocking its attack. She flies away once more, needing to bait the mech.

  Witnessing the sudden collapse of the factory, Elena begins to worry and redirects her flight towards it. The mech, however, launches several missiles at her. Elena opts to dodge instead of wasting energy creating barriers, eventually passing by the factory as the missiles make contact with the already collapsing building.

  Flying around in circles, Elena leaves several spears waiting in the corners of the streets. On their fourth lap around the city, Elena launches the spears at once, immobilizing the gargantuan robot as it gets engulfed in a net of golden spears. With its arms, legs and jets unable to move, the mech is forced to expose its core in a last-ditch effort to eliminate Elena. Elena, having already familiarized herself with the mech’s weakness from the Neverglow battle, tosses one last spear into its core as it bursts into pieces.

  ABANDONED FACTORY

  EVERNIGHT, NAZENDEL - 10:42 PM

  Several pieces of concrete are launched in different directions as a violet dome rises from the rubble. Brian steps onto the ruined remains of the workshop, blasting various walls to weed out Nick. As he walks towards the last standing piece of concrete, he feels something pierce his chest.

  Nick, who deliberately buried himself in the rubble, took advantage of Brian who was checking the wrong corners. Manifesting his weapon, Nick charged at Brian and stabbed the distracted enforcer from the back with the edge of his metallic greatbow.

  Contrary to Trent, who panicked after suffering a major injury at the hands of Nick, Brian stayed calm. As Nick separates his bow into daggers to launch the killing blow, Brian blasts him away once more, sending him flying and colliding with the ground. Approaching the unconscious Nick, Brian prepares to retrieve him alive in accordance with Damon’s orders. Ready to pick him up, Brian grabs Nick’s right shoulder. Nick, however, wakes up, and slashes Brian’s face with his dagger that he was still holding on to. The entire left side of Brian’s face is left horribly disfigured as blood gushes out from the deep scar Nick left. An enraged Brian pushes Nick back to the ground and covers him with a purple orb that slowly gravitates downward. Damon’s orders were to retrieve Nick Altair alive, but he had gone too far this time. Brian did not care if he were to face any repercussions, it was the first time he was bested in battle and he did not take it lightly.

  Nick grunts in pain as Brian continues to flatten him, crushing his ribs in as he struggles between the orb and the ground. A golden ray of light arrives at the area as a winged Elena witnesses the horrible sight.

  “WAIT!” A distressed Elena calls out as Brian looks over to her.

  “Please…” Elena continues, raising her hands as if to surrender.

  “I’m the one Damon really wants, right? I’ll come with you, if you let him live.” Elena offers as Brian contemplates, staring at Nick who was in tremendous pain. Realizing the countless possibilities that would occur, Brian dissipates the orb, freeing Nick who was now fully passed out. Brian laughs maniacally, unsettling Elena as his psychotic laughter echoes in the night.

  “You… don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.” Brian says as he picks up the unconscious Nick.

  “No. I know damn well what I’m doing.” Elena retorts, determined to finally have a conversation with the Prince of Esper, Damon Estreval.

  Brian boots up his phone, calling Damon. It rings for a few seconds before Damon answers.

  “...Have you retrieved him?” Damon asks, referring to Nick.

  “Yes… but not just him. I have the woman here, too.” Brian answers.

  ETERNAL TOWER - 50TH FLOOR

  EVERNIGHT, NAZENDEL - 10:50 PM

  A devious smile curls on Damon’s face as he realizes his initial plan not only succeeded, but advanced into the next step.

  “Good. I always knew I could count on you.” Damon replies before hanging up, staring outside the window of his office. Even from the 50th Floor, Damon could witness the carnage left by the three demedioms. The bridge had fallen, the factory left to bits and pieces as the smoke covers a large portion of the city.

  The scenario Zack Evergreen feared was now fully manifested. Nick Altair and Elena Mordegarde were being held captive in the Eternal Tower, with Nick’s wanted picture on the Eternal Server updating itself to NICHOLAS SIRCHEN ALTAIR - KILLED IN ACTION.

  To Be Continued…