Zalvar Online/Story

This is the story writeup for Zalvar Online.
==Chapter 1: A Mercenary with an Attitude==
An armored figure approached a sul'krik salesman in a shady alley. Their armor has green stripes on it and a helmet with an orange visor, with the bulk of the armor having a grey color.
"Got the money you told me to get," uttered the figure. Their voice almost sounded robotic. "I can see why you hate that Malganor guy."
"He's a douche," replied the sulkrik. "Won't pay back his debts."
"Anyways, I upheld my end of the deal," the figure replied. "Now you uphold yours."
"Oh, uh..." replied the sulkrik, in a nervous manner. "Yeah, about that..."
"I don't take that for an answer," uttered the figure as they pulled out a pistol. "You promised good money for this job!"
"Geez, calm down," replied the sulkrik. "Twenty thousand?"
"For an assassination?" replied the figure in a questioning voice. "You're pathetic."
The figure fired their pistol at the sulkrik, killing him on the spot. They then took off their helmet, revealing a human female. She had a short black haircut and a red tattoo around her right eye, and appeared to be quite young.
"Let's see what this guy's got," uttered the girl as she pickpocketed him. All she found were some credits and a pocket knife as she grunted.
"This liar had fifty thousand," uttered the girl. "Cheapskate."
----
"Welcome back Taikari," buzzed an automated voice. The girl now identified as Taikari walked into her ship's cockpit. Computer screens buzzed to life around the cockpit as Taikari sat down. "Where are we off to now?"
"Just head on over to Neolight Station," uttered Taikari. "I need to get a drink."
"Certainly," replied the voice as the ship began to fly into the air. It resembled a cargo vessel, but had been modified with various kinds of weapons. As the ship began to fly off to Neolight, Taikari turned her gaze to a nearby computer screen that had a news broadcast on it, coming straight from the NeoNet.
"Earlier today Forgelight Industries announced a decision to build a new series of refineries on Ouzuno," stated a rul'kor anchor. "Concerns about space pirate attacks are a big issue, however."
As the news broadcast went on, Taikari laid back in her chair. Her mercenary career was ruthless, merciless, and most importantly, violent. The Zalvar sector was a tough place, and she had adapted to it. Yet, Taikari found herself wondering if the various gangs and groups she'd pissed off would be waiting for her in Neolight Station. It was the "capital" of the sector, and the closest thing to a city in space.
----
Taikari entered a bar in the lower levels of Neolight Station known as the Dripping Bottle. Various individuals sat in the bar, and gave Taikari dirty looks. After all, she frequently visited the bar and had a reputation in this area of the city. People called her the "Silent Scythe" due to her tendency to kill those she didn't like quickly and effectively. Taikari sat down at her usual stool at the bar as the bartender poured her her usual drink. He was a volant, with white feathers and a large beak.
"You've got some nerve showing your face around here," the bartender told Taikari. "Everyone here wants to beat you to a pulp."
"They'll have to try it," replied Taikari. "Then they'll know not to dick around with me."
As Taikari drank her drink, she could overhear a nearby table arguing about whether or not to take her on. She rolled her eyes, knowing that they'd end up in the same place as those who tried it before her. Eventually, they all cheered as the largest member of their table, a krexxon, got up and approached Taikari. The krexxon were a squidlike race with purple skin and tentacle-like arms.
"I've had enough of you showing your face around here," uttered the krexxon, as if he was disgusted. "We'll settle it right here. Like real fighters."
"It's a cruel place here," replied Taikari. "Only the strongest survive."
"If you two are gonna fight, take it outside," stated the bartender. As Taikari and the krexxon went outside, many spectators followed. Eventually, they found themselves face to face.
"No weapons," uttered the krexxon. "Unarmed only."
"Suit yourself," replied Taikari as she leapt at the krexxon, landing a sucker punch in his eye. As he took the hit, he grabbed Taikari with his arm, putting her in a chokehold as the crowd gasped.
"Don't you DARE try to sucker punch me," uttered the krexxon in an angry voice. "I'm unstoppa-"
The krexxon's phrase was interrupted by Taikari hitting him in the groin with her knee. As the krexxon fell back, Taikari pinned him down with her feet as she let out punches to his face. She made sure to make him suffer. To make him beg for mercy.
"Stop, please!" exclaimed the krexxon. Taikari lowered her fists, but kept him down.
"Fine," replied Taikari. "But here's a parting gift."
Taikari headbutted the krexxon's head into the ground, causing blood to pour out. She then looked around at the gasping crowd.
"And THAT's what happens if you decide to mess with me," uttered Taikari. "Anyone else?"
The crowd quickly scattered as a hooded figure approached Taikari, He pulled off his hood to reveal himself as a scarred zalnik. The zalnik were a canine-esque race that were known for their domination of the criminal underworld.
"You look like you could be useful for a job," uttered the zalnik. "I've got a task for you."
"If it's a simple assassination, I'm not doing it," replied Taikari.
"Nonsense, it's nothing like that," replied the zalnik. "All I need you to do is go to Scakomia and secure me some files the Blackskull Gang took. They have a base there."
Taikari nodded in response as she walked off, putting on her helmet in the process. She was willing to do this job, but should the zalnik offer bad payment, he'd pay with his life.
==Chapter 2: Scakomian Pirates==
Taikari's ship landed on Scakomia, in a small ridge. This volcanic world was known for its erratic gravity, with the lava often creating floating islands and the like. In the distance was a pirate camp, surrounded by guards and a few speeders.
"If we snipe one of 'em, it'll leave them scrambling," Taikari told herself. She readied her pistols and got them into position, aiming at one of the guards. As his body fell to the ground and the other guards began to search the area, Taikari continued to use the nearby rock for cover, before eventually coming across an unguarded entrance. As she entered the compound, a nearby guard charged at her. She sighed before pulling out her pistols and shooting him. It was boring to be this good of a mercenary. Yet, more guards came after her, and she knew her pistols wouldn't cut it.
"Time to tip the scales," thought Taikari as she activated her wrist-mounted flamethrower and fired off a pulse of flame at the pirates. They began screaming in pain as they fired on her, but Taikari leapt out of the way, behind a watchtower. There, she shot at the more armored guards as the flames spread. Once they were all dead, Taikari contacted her employer via a communicator in her helmet.
"Guards are neutralized," she uttered into her communicator. "Where are those files?"
"They're in the main data storage facility," her employer replied. "Just don't die."
"Karvan, how much am I getting paid for this?" asked Taikari in a cocky voice.
"Payment'll be discussed once you uphold your end of the deal," replied Karvan. "The files are in a folder called 'Discovery Z'."
Taikari grunted as she kicked down the door of the data storage facility and pointed her weapons at the technicians.
"Hands up," uttered Taikari. "I'm looking for some files in a folder labeled 'Discovery Z'."
One of the technicians downloaded the files onto a data storage crystal and handed them to Taikari. She placed them in her pocket.
"Now here's one more thing," uttered Taikari as she aimed her flamethrower at the technicians and their computers. Since they were unarmed, they'd be helpless. Taikari smirked as she walked out of the building, and went for the compound's generators. She pulled out some remote-detonation bombs from her pockets and slapped them onto the generators before making her way back to her ship.
"Gravis, detonate the bombs," uttered Taikari as she got into the cockpit.
"Certainly," replied the automated voice now known as Gravis. As the ship flew into the air, the pirate compound exploded, leaving behind no survivors. Taikari turned on her communicator as the ship made its way back to Neolight.
"Got the files," uttered Taikari. "I'll meet you in Neolight."
"I'll send you the coordinates of my home," replied Karvan. "It's in the upper levels of the city."
As the communicator ended, Taikari looked at the data storage crystal, admiring it for a few seconds. Then, out of curiosity, she inserted it into her ship's computer. Countless pictures emerged of ancient ruins, and robots wandering around in them.
"No..." thought Taikari. "A facility left behind by the Makers?"
The Makers were the original inhabitants of the Zalvar Sector, who built up an immense empire. However, for unknown reasons, their empire collapsed. The pictures Taikari was looking at were of a fully functional facility they had left behind.
"I can make a FORTUNE raiding this place!" exclaimed Taikari.
----
Taikari walked into Karven's home. It was a small apartment with a nice view of Neolight Station's upper levels. Karvan was sitting down at a table, with a briefcase.
"Now it's time to discuss payment," stated Karvan. "Hand me the data first."
"How about no," replied Taikari as she pulled out her pistols. Karvan, however, pulled out his own wrist-mounted blaster.
"So you DID look at those files!" exclaimed Karvan. "Should've known not to trust the Silent Scythe."
"EVERYONE knows not to trust me," replied Taikari. "I do whatever the hell I want."
Taikari kicked the table towards Karvan as she fired her pistols at him. His body lay on the ground of the apartment, bleeding out. As Taikari grabbed the briefcase, she picked Karvan's pockets before leaving. She had a facility to plunder.
==Chapter 3: Chased Down by a Rival==
Taikari flew through an asteroid field, making her way to the planet that the data storage crystal had the coordinates of. Wrecked ships could be seen floating through the area alongside scraps of destroyed weaponry. An eerie vibe filled the area as well.
"Just a bit longer," Taikari thought to herself. However, she began to receive an incoming transmission from a transmission frequency she recognized.
"Uugh, not this guy," she muttered as she activated the communications console and came face to face with a gringar bounty hunter. He had a skull-like mask over his head and a rifle.
"Looks like I've found you again," uttered the gringar. "It's always good to have a rival."
"You too Kalgosh," muttered Taikari in an irritated voice. "What is it this time?"
"You made quite a scene back in Neolight," replied Kalgosh. "What with the dead zalnik and all."
Taikari immediately expressed a face of shock as Kalgosh laughed.
"Believe me, I see these things," replied Kalgosh. "You know, there's a massive price for your head right now."
"Who asked for it?" replied Taikari, clearly intrigued.
"You don't need to know," replied Kalgosh. "Because you'll be dead when I claim it!!!"
The transmission immediately ended as a beeping noise started coming from the console of the ship, indicating that two missiles were coming towards it.
"Gravis, enter combat mode," uttered Taikari. "We've got company."
"Activating weapons array," replied Gravis. Taikari immediately did a somersault maneuver with her ship, placing it behind Kalgosh's whilst avoiding the missiles. His ship had a daggerlike shape, and had spikes on it, to look intimidating. Taikari knew Kalgosh had a passion for spikes on his equipment and ship. She activated an ion missile and fired it at Kalgosh's ship, stunning it. As she let loose a round of blaster fire, Taikari began to near the planet. It appeared to be a desert planet, devoid of most life.
"Enemy ship recovering," uttered Gravis. "Estimated time until recovery: thirty seconds."
"That's enough time for us," replied Taikari. The asteroids surrounding the planet were beginning to make navigation difficult, and battered Taikari's ship. Suddenly, a beeping noise emerged from her ship's computer.
"Enemy ship recovered," uttered Gravis. Taikari grunted as she did a U-Turn maneuver to face Kalgosh's ship as the two of them battered each other with blasterfire. The fight was getting intense, with both ships utilizing the asteroids as barriers. Taikari, however, kept pushing towards the planet whilst fighting off Kalgosh. He was attempting a maneuver where he'd use the bladed ends of his ship to ram into Taikari's ship, a risky, yet rewarding, tactic.
Suddenly, as Kalgosh neared Taikari's ship, a particularily large asteroid hit both of their ships, causing massive damage. As both of their ships spiraled down to the surface of the planet, Taikari activated her transmissions, and came face to face with Kalgosh. He was furious, and glaring at her angrily.
"Don't think you've won," uttered Kalgosh. "I will rip you APART when we meet on that planet!!"
"Good luck getting off it though," replied Taikari as she turned off the transmissions. Her ship entered the planet's atmosphere, and crashed in a small ridge. Fortunately, the life support systems allowed her to survive. As Taikari stepped out of the ship, she could see that the damage was quite apparent. The bulky, freighter-like design of her ship did soak up some of the damage, but the engines were heavily damaged and covered in sand.
"Let's see what's in this hellhole," muttered Taikari.
==Chapter 4: The Desert Society==
The desert planet was hot. Extremely hot in fact. The temperature sensors in Taikari's armor picked up temperatures of around 60 °C as she walked through the desert's dunes. Strangely, the planet was dotted with both ruins and crashed ships.
"Almost out of water," muttered Taikari. "Hopefully there's some here."
Suddenly, a creature emerged from the dunes. It resembled a snake, but was covered in sand and had massive teeth. Taikari fired a shot from her pistol at the snake, but it darted out of the way, wrapping itself around Taikari. As she braced the pain, the snake bit through her armor, injecting a poison of sorts. Taikari immediately felt even more dehydrated than usual, and fired off her flamethrower at the snake, causing it to run away in fear. Taikari, however, was extremely dehydrated and fell to the ground.
----
"She's awake!"
Taikari woke up in a crudely-made bed, within a room of sorts. Medical equipment lined the shelves. As she looked around, a krexxon walked in. He had torn clothes on, and appeared to have no weapons on him.
"Scouts found you unconscious," uttered the krexxon. "We treated the condra poisoning and gave you some water."
"Condra?" asked Taikari.
"The sand snakes," replied the krexxon. "I don't actually go out there, since I'm a doctor."
"Where am I?" asked Taikari again. She was clearly confused.
"We call this place Navisca," replied the krexxon. "The home of the stranded."
"Do you have a leader I can talk to?" replied Taikari. "I'm curious to see what's here."
"Certainly," replied the krexxon. As he led Taikari out of the room, she could see that their entire civilization was built inside a wrecked ship, with people setting up homes for themselves inside the rooms of the ship. The ship itself seemed to be extremely old, and like nothing she recognized. Eventually, Taikari entered the bridge of the ship, which looked decrepid and barely maintained. The person she assumed to be the leader was a rul'kor. She had a large spear of sorts and heavy armor.
"So you're the newest person here," uttered the rul'kor. "Name's Rohiku. I lead the people of Navisca."
"Look, how did this all start?" asked Taikari.
"It started twenty years ago, when I was on this very ship," uttered Rohiku. "I used to be a technician for the Blackskull Gang. However, our ship hit the asteroids here and was forced to crash on this alien world. Most of the crew died, but I survived. The rest of the crew and I turned this ship into a home for ourselves, and whenever stranded individuals like you end up here, we induct them into our society."
"Look, I didn't come here to join some little civilization," uttered Taikari. "I came here because of this."
Taikari showed Rohiku the data storage crystal she had discovered the planet with. She inserted it into what appeared to be a functional computer, and saw what Taikari saw.
"I remember seeing ruins like those a few years ago," uttered Rohiku. "If you want to go after those, suit yourself. I'm not endorsing your little expedition, but you're welcome to find anyone who wants to join you."
"Very well," replied Taikari. As she left the room, Rohiku motioned for an individual to enter the room.
"So this is the one you were talking about?" asked Rohiku. "I don't like her already.
"Believe me, our rivalry is deep," replied Kalgosh. "And I fully intend to kill her."
Kalgosh's armor was repaired, and he now wielded a new sniper rifle that had a skull dangling from it.
"If I lend you some of my finest fighters, will you ensure she doesn't get into trouble?" asked Rohiku. "Just keep an eye on her and whoever sides with her, and strike when you have the chance."
"Will do," replied Kalgosh. He left the room with his rifle hauled onto his back, with a grin on his face.
==Chapter 5: The Team of Outcasts==
"So you three were also considered foolish for wanting to explore this planet?"
Taikari stood in a small room within Navisca, where a volant warrior, a saff sniper, and a green-furred cat-like entity were sitting down alongside her. While she knew of the volant, and the saff had a reputation for their affinity for exploration, the cat intrigued her.
"I used to be one of Navisca's best scouts before Rohiku decided to discourage exploring the outside world," uttered the volant. He wore a set of armor that was augmented with electricity, and had a hammer on his back. "I'm just itching to get out there again."
"For me, it all boils down to my distrust of Rohiku," uttered the saff. "I've always been the kind of guy who gets on the nerves of Navisca's highups, and I want to defy them again."
Taikari nodded before looking at the cat. She had a bag on her back full of explosives, and a grenade launcher on her belt.
"You here for a reason?" asked Taikari. "Never seen your kind before."
"That's because we're not exactly from here," replied the cat. "I'm a Catonean. My species's homeworld was destroyed by some monster years ago. I just happened to be fleeing the planet at the time, and my ship ended up in a wormhole before crashing here, in what I presume is a different galaxy. Name's Keraniza."
"Might as well introduce myself too," uttered the saff. "Name's Gralnin."
"I'm Zerrik," uttered the volant. The trio then looked at Taikari curiously.
"Oh, I'm Taikari," uttered Taikari. "I'm just a mercenary seeking to find stuff to plunder from the ruin."
"Really, I'm mostly interested in the technology there," replied Keraniza. "Lots of stuff I can hopefully use to escape this hellhole."
"Let's make a deal then," uttered Taikari. "My ship crashed some distance away from here, so if we find parts to help repair it, I'll help you guys return to society."
The trio nodded as Taikari smirked. It was clear that they were willing to help her in what she considered to be a near-suicidal mission.
----
Taikari's team found themselves walking through the desert, towards a large mountain. Surrounding the mountain was a ruin, that was almost built into it. Unlike the area near Navisca, this part of the desert was dominated by rock instead of sand, and had strange-looking trees. Crashed ships also dotted the landscape.
"Almost there," uttered Zerrik. "Soon we'll be able to delve into that ruin and see what's in there."
"Hopefully this is worth the two-hour walk," replied Taikari. "At least we picked up the heat resistance packs for our armor."
The road the group was walking down looked metallic to a degree, though the rock had eaten away at it over the years. Nearby however, they were being watched.
"There's the scumbags," uttered Kalgosh. He was aiming at them with his sniper rifle as a grovarn, rul'kor, and zalnik squatted behind him. "When I fire, the one in the green armor'll be dead, then you'll finish off her cronies."
Kalgosh fired a shot from his sniper rifle, with Taikari kneeling on the ground in pain. While her helmet had shielded her from the shot, it still hurt due to the impact. Kalgosh and his allies stood before the group, weapons in hand.
"Rohiku sent us to ensure that you don't inspire others to adventure out into the desert," uttered Kalgosh. "Now it's time to pay the price."
Kalgosh and his team charged at Taikari's group as she got back up. However, Kalgosh landed a punch to her helmet with his gauntlets, which were covered in spikes.
"You just love spikes, don't you?!?!" exclaimed Taikari as she punched Kalgosh right in the chest. "Makes you feel like you're compensating for natural strength."
"Meanwhile you're sitting here clad in a metal suit!" exclaimed Kalgosh as he headbutted Taikari with his spiked helmet. Taikari activated a blade at the end of her elbow armor, before using it to slash open his skull-like mask. His face was scarred from the crash, and his left eye was now bloodshot.
"Cheeky tactics," replied Kalgosh. "Just like usual."
Kalgosh gripped the armor surrounding Taikari's neck, choking her in a sense. However, she kicked Kalgosh right in the groin, sending him to the ground in pain. Meanwhile, Zerrik, Gralnin, and Keraniza had managed to eliminate Kalgosh's allies. Their lack of combat prowess aside from putting down minor rebellions had made them awful at taking out Taikari's hardened team, who were used to fighting. As they loomed over Kalgosh, Taikari pulled out her blasters, and fired them at his legs. They were bleeding out black blood as Kalgosh screamed in pain.
"We'll leave this scumbag to die in the sand," uttered Taikari as her team departed.
----
"Looks like we're here," uttered Gralnin. "This place looks creepy."
The group stood before the ruin​s, which had an architecture that mainly consisted of white and blue metal. Crystalline lighting detailed it as well.
"Let's head inside," replied Taikari.
==Chapter 6: The Ancients' Domain==
The ruins were dark, only lit up by a few functioning machines. Rocks had protruded into the ruins as well, with debris blocking off some sections.
"Hopefully this place is worth the trip," uttered Keraniza. "Don't want to be stuck here without some sort of reward."
Taikari walked silently through the ruin. In reality, she planned to kill the trio once they had proven to be useful, knowing that she couldn't trust them with knowledge of this planet. The group entered a large spire of sorts, which had blue energy coarsing through it. Statues of avian beings could be seen nearby.
"Perhaps what we're looking for is near the bottom," uttered Gralnin. However, as they walked down into the depths, they could hear footsteps. Something was here.
"Keep your guard up," uttered Zerrik. The group took out their weapons, and descended down the staircase. At the bottom was a completely functional computer console, with two other hallways nearby.
"Let's see what's in here," uttered Taikari. Using a device of hers, she hacked her way into the system, causing multiple files to come up on the screen. One was labeled "Keranor Test Failure", which Taikari opened up. Her device had managed to translate the contents, which read as the following:
Our final test on Keranor has proven to be disastrous. Attempting to utilize the life energy of a planet to power something should never be attempted again, for our calculations failed and turned this jungle world into a barren desert. The lifeforms here have been twisted beyond belief by our machinery's energies, and the facilities of this world have mostly fallen into disrepair. I suggest that we find a new world to test out our machinery on.
-Grand Exarch Xanvor
"So this was a testing world?" asked Keraniza. "Interesting."
As the group walked over to the nearby hallway, a robotic sentry of sorts emerged, armed to the teeth with weaponry. It had a humanoid shape and its head had a pyramidal shape.
"UNIT X-871 MUST BE PROTECTED," uttered the sentry. "UNIT X-871 MUST BE PROTECTED."
The robotic sentry fired a blast of energy at the nearby wall, sending rubble to the ground. Taikari and her allies began to attack it, but it pulled up a shield of energy and began to absorb the blows, before unleashing a shockwave of energy from the shield that knocked back the group.
"INTRUDERS WILL BE ELIMINATED ON SIGHT," uttered the sentry as it fired off a large blast of energy. However, Keraniza managed to fire off a grenade that rolled under the robot, before it detonated and destroyed it. The group analyzed its machinery, with Gralnin taking parts of it for himself.
"Whatever it's guarding must be in here," uttered Taikari. As the group entered the room, they noticed seemed to be a massive chamber of sorts, with a deactivated robot in the center, one that resembled the sentry seen earlier. However, it seems to be more ornately designed, with gold instead of white for its parts. Zarrik kicked it slightly before it booted up and looked at the group.
"I thought all the lifeforms were wiped out," uttered the robot. "Survivors exist?"
"That's us," replied Gralnin. The robot tilted its head slightly, before approaching them.
"Well, we'd like to ask you if there's any equipment we can use to repair our ship," replied Zarrik.
"I can certaintly help with that," replied the robot.
----
"So you want us to call you Payload?" asked Taikari. The robot nodded in response. Currently, the group was in Taikari's repaired ship, which was fortunately still intact aside from the previous damage.
"That's the only name I know of that I was identified as," replied Payload. "My memory banks are relatively fragile at the moment, and I don't remember much."
"Well, I think we should head to Neolight Station," replied Taikari. "Once we're there, I can help you guys find a new start for yourselves in a sector you haven't seen for years, or maybe at all."
"Sounds good," replied Keraniza. The ship took off, and flew away from Keranor.
----
"He's still alive, but barely."
"Out of all the people the master chose, he chose this...bloody mess."
"He's losing blood at a rapid rate. The only way we can keep him alive is if we take his spirit to the master."
"Fair point. We've got magic on our hands anyways."
----
Taikari's ship neared Neolight Station as they looked at the city fondly.
"Once we're here, I'll take you guys to a favorite tavern of mine," uttered Taikari. "My treat."
Taikari was still planning out for the inevitable murder of the trio, so that she could take Payload as her trophy of victory. Yet, as they neared the spaceport, Payload's lights began to flash rapidly.
"Memory banks stabilized," uttered Payload. "New memory..."
Payload flashed a hologram of three avian beings similar to the statues seen at the ruins building him for the first time, within a crystalline ship filled with gold and blue coloring.
"This scouting sentry will inform us of the presence of any shadow magic users in the sector once he awakens."
"Are you sure you want to hide him on Keranor though? That hellhole is far away from everything."
"Trust me, when someone awakens the thing, it'll tell us to bring it to them. Think of it as a...payload of sorts. One that'll conduct its search while it travels through the cosmos."
The hologram ended as Taikari and her allies stared at each other.
"I think we know what to do," uttered Zerrik. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Well, those guys will probably pay us nicely for it," replied Taikari. "Let's do this."
Taikari steered the ship around, knowing that she'd find another time to enact her plan. For now, they had a robot to deliver.
==Chapter 7: A Dark Pact==
Taikari and her crew had stopped at a small space station to refuel and plan out their course of action, sitting within a diner on the station.
"It seems like Payload isn't from the sector," uttered Keraniza. "Though he sorta resembles the tech used by the ancient inhabitants, it's also different at the same time."
"It's intriguing," replied Gralnin. "Never seen a unit like this before."
"Really, I'm intrigued by how his creators mentioned "magic" in that memory," replied Taikari. "That stuff's just an urban legend."
As the group talked, a hooded figure in an adjacent booth listened intently to their conversation, picking up on the phrases "magic" and "isn't from the sector" in particular. He pressed a button on his wristwatch, and smirked beneath his hood.
----
"Rise, Kalgosh," uttered a voice. "Your destiny awaits."
A figure emerged from a nearby corridor, within a dark, towerlike room. In the center of the room was a convalescing green flame, with two purple "eyes" emerging from it. The figure that was emerging had cybernetic parts built into a strange-looking head, and limbs made from an amalgamation of flesh and cybernetics. Somehow, he seemed weak.
"Why did you deny me my death..." uttered the figure. "And give me THIS piece of shit you call a body?"
"It's not the body we were after," replied the flame. "It was the mind in control of it. Your mind, Kalgosh."
"So that's why you extracted my spirit from my dying body," replied Kalgosh. "But why me?"
"Being as powerful as I am, I've seen...visions of the future," replied the flame. "It involved you acting as my 'champion', the public face of my crusade. You possess extraordinary willpower."
"What is this crusade of yours?" replied Kalgosh. "And why should I care?"
"It's simple," replied the flame. "I seek to...bring peace to the galaxy, and possibly even the entire universe, in a way. You've seen the chaos of the Zalvar Sector, correct?"
"I have," replied Kalgosh. "It's horrifying. Full of betrayal and infighting. Nothing but violence and selfishness."
"The rest of the galaxy isn't any better," replied the flame. "But my belief is that these kinds of people are what makes the galaxy inherently chaotic. They have to be purged from existence. Otherwise, the cycle of violence will keep on going."
"Make sense," replied Kalgosh. "I'd be happy to help you. Truth be told, I only became a mercenary due to how the Sector's environment required it. And besides, it's not like I can refuse after your servants saved my life."
"Then it's settled," replied the flame. "You shall be blessed as my champion. My instrument of destruction. The Soul Grazer."
Green fire wrapped around Kalgosh as he screamed in pain. Yet, despite the pain, he felt immense power flowing through his body. He felt stronger than ever. After the flames dissapated, he fell to the ground.
"From this moment, Kalgosh is no more," uttered the flame. "Rise, and forever be known as The Soul Grazer!"
The Soul Grazer got up, and clenched his fist as he smirked. He now had a new purpose in life, and a new identity.
----
Taikari's ship began to fly through the cosmos, heading outside the boundaries of the Zalvar Sector. As Taikari piloted it, she thought to herself about her plan to take out her "allies". They didn't seem like they shared her view on merciless acts of mercenary work. Zerrik and Keraniza were sitting at the back of the ship, playing a tabletop game of sorts that used holograms, while Gralnin was monitoring the scanners of the ship. Suddenly, a beeping noise went off as Taikari received a transmission.
"Let's pull it up," uttered Taikari. On the screen was a Catonean, which led to Keraniza giving the screen a suspicious look.
"Your ship is passing through private property," uttered the Catonean. "This area belongs to the New Zeonian Republic!"
"Zeon was destroyed years ago!" exclaimed Keraniza. "You can't just declare the birth of a new Zeonian state!"
The rest of the group looked at Keraniza intriguingly.
"Well, it happened," replied the Catonean. "As you speak, our B-0RN-class combat robots have already begun the process of boarding your ship. You'll be dead within the next hour."
The transmission ended as the door to exit the ship was forcefully opened. Five robotic soldiers emerged, with cannons for arms. Strangely, they resembled humanoid bears. Taikari immediately got out her pistols, and fired on the robots. Their armor, however, was highly resistant to blaster shots. One of the robots responded by unleashing a shock of electricity from its cannon arm, paralyzing Taikari and leaving her on the ground, injured. As one of the robots brought out its cannon arm to finish the job, Keraniza fired an EMP grenade from her grenade launcher.
"Get Taikari to safety!" exclaimed Keraniza. Gralnin and Zerrik quickly brought Taikari away from the robots as the grenade detonated, electrocuting them. From there, Zerrik brought out his hammer and managed to rip off portions of the robots' armor. From there, Gralnin sniped their weak spots, defeating the robots. Taikari, despite being alive, was injured, albeit conscious.
"Thanks..." uttered Taikari. "But why save me? I've been treating you guys poorly."
"Well, you're the one who got us to come on this little journey," replied Gralnin. "You're the captain of our voyage."
Taikari grinned as she got back up.
"Well, truth be told, I was planning to kill you guys and take the robot for myself," uttered Taikari as the group looked at her in anger. "I sorta had a cruel attitude before I met you. But you've proven something to me. That you genuinely care about me."
Taikari sniffled slightly, and began to cry on the dashboard of the ship. Zerrik comforted her.
"I'm just so happy to have finally found good friends!" exclaimed Taikari in happiness.
"I'm detecting levels of hospitality here," uttered Payload. "This group has a 94% attachment rating to each other."
"That's good shit right there," replied Gralnin. "Let's make the most of this journey."
==Chapter 8: The Circle Reveals Itself==
"Incoming!" exclaimed Zerrik. "Unknown projectiles!"
Taikari immediately did a barrel roll within her ship to dodge the missiles, much to the chagrin of her allies. The projectiles flew by, but didn't look like ordinary missiles. They were more like massive green fireballs.
"Never seen these before," uttered Gralnin. A ship then appeared out of nowhere, apparently having used a cloaking device earlier. It unleashed a flurry of blaster shots at Taikari's ship, causing considerable damage.
"Everyone, man a cannon!" exclaimed Taikari. For years, her ship had come with three secondary cannons, but she had never used them due to them requiring a person to man each cannon. Now, the time had come. Zerrik, Keraniza, and Gralnin each manned a cannon, and proceeded to shoot the strange ship. It had a sleek design, and two large cannons on each side. Taikari fired off a round of heat-seeking missiles at the enemy ship, which dealt considerable damage. However, the enemy ship responded with two more of the strange fireball projectiles, which dealt tremendous damage to Taikari's ship. At that point, a transmission came in.
"Must be the attacker," uttered Taikari as she activated it. A strange, hooded figure could be seen.
"Trespassers, you hold something of great value to us," uttered the figure. "Deliver it to these coordinates, and you will be spared."
A set of coordinates appeared on-screen, and Taikari placed them into her ship's computer.
"Thank you for cooperating," replied the figure as the transmission ended.
"You're really gonna go there?" asked Keraniza. "Remember, they're trying to kill us."
"I mean, it's better than getting shot down here," replied Taikari.
----
"You've got quite the affinity for magic," uttered the green flame. The Soul Grazer was sitting in a chamber of sorts, meditating.
"It does come to me naturally," replied the Soul Grazer. "Your blessing opened my eyes to this phenomenal force of power."
"Well, I have one more gift for you," uttered the green flame. "Step into the chamber to your right."
The Soul Grazer entered the chamber, where a large double-sided axe could be seen on a pedestal. In the center of the axe's blade was a giant green gem, which was pulsating constantly and "leaking out" shadow energy. The actual axe blades themselves were spiked, and the end of the axe was pointed.
"This is Vorsalach, the Blade of the Annihilator," uttered the green flame. "A war axe forged to destroy those who oppose us. We spent years assembling this weapon to be utilized by my champion. By you."
The Soul Grazer gripped Vorsalach, and suddenly felt a rush of energy. It seemed as if the axe augmented his magical powers.
"Now go forth Soul Grazer," uttered the flame. "Go lead the Circle of Shadows to victory. Soon the Hour of Reckoning will finally come to pass."
----
Taikari's ship arrived at the spot the group was directed to. A large warship was flying overhead, with a green coloration. Suddenly, Payload began to flash lights again.
"Memory banks restored further," uttered Payload. 'New...memory..."
A hologram emerged from Payload's body, showing a battle between a crystalline ship and a ship similar to the one right in front of the group. Projectiles were coming from both ships, and the hologram eventually zoomed in on the crystalline ship, where robots similar to Payload's design were performing functions while the three avian beings from the last hologram watched.
"Looks like the Nullifier's forces got us."
"Keep sending out fighters. They may have magic, but they're no expert on space combat."
"Grand Exarch, with all due respect, the krexxon did-"
"Yeah, I know they managed to beat our species into near-extinction. But we found this new path for ourselves. The path of defending the spirits from these monsters."
The hologram ended as the group looked at each other nervously.
"This is 100% a trap," uttered Gralnin. "They just want Payload."
"How do we evade this..." muttered Taikari. As she pondered the situation, a transmission came in. As Taikari answered it, a sulkrik appeared, with a hood on. A green tattoo could be seen over his eye.
"Looks like you answered the call," uttered the sulkrik. "The Circle of Shadows demands that you hand over the robot in your possession immediately."
"And what if we say no?" asked Zerrik angrily. The group looked at him in concern.
"Then you pay with your lives," replied the sulkrik. "You have ten minutes to decide before we blow your ship apart."
The transmission ended, which was counting down from ten minutes. The group began to panic, but Taikari then stood up.
"How the hell are they supposed to track us down?" asked Taikari. "Tracking devices are rare out here. We can just be constantly moving, and evade their grasp."
"Seems reasonable," replied Keraniza. "But very risky."
"If we die, we die for an honorable cause," replied Gralnin. "Let's do it."
"I've got an idea to screw them over," replied Taikari. "Leave it to me."
Taikari reactivated the transmission while smirking, coming face to face with the sulkrik again.
"Made a decision?" asked the sulkrik. Taikari nodded.
"We've made our decision," uttered Taikari. "We're going to fuck you guys over and lead you on one hell of a goosechase!"
Taikari flipped off the sulkrik on the screen while laughing maniacally, before shutting off the transmission and maneuvering the ship away from the flagship using faster than light travel.
----
"My lord, we have some news," uttered a rul'kor. He had strange green-colored, crystalline spikes emerging from his back, and looked more menacing than other rul'kor. Standing on a large platform overlooking a view of a planet infested with shadow energy was the Soul Grazer.
"Go on," replied the Soul Grazer. The rul'kor readied a holographic display of Taikari's ship, and presented it to the Soul Grazer.
"This ship holds one of the Vanguard of Spirits' robotic drones that we've been trying to capture," uttered the rul'kor. "They got away after denying our peaceful offer and...offending one of our agents. We need to-"
The rul'kor's speech was interrupted by shadow energy wrapping around his throat and choking him. The Soul Grazer looked at him as he glared at the hologram. That ship was the last remnant of his old life.
"Bring that ship to me," uttered the Soul Grazer as he let the rul'kor go. "I want them ALIVE."
"You seem awfully interested in the-" uttered the rul'kor, but he was interrupted again.
"Do you DARE question me?!?!" exclaimed the Soul Grazer. "BRING. ME. THE SHIP."
==Chapter 9: False Information==
"These guys just don't give up," uttered Taikari as she flew her ship through a squadron of three fighters that belonged to the Circle of Shadows. "Top-notch pilots too."
The ships were facing off within a small, abandoned minefield, using the nearby asteroids for cover and to distract their opponent. Taikari fired off several missiles at one of the asteroids, sending debris everywhere. The debris hit one of the Circle's ships, and sent it flying down into a nearby ruined warship.
"One down!" exclaimed Zerrik. The ships continued to face off, with Taikari flying inside the ruined warship. It was cramped, but allowed for her to gain cover and ambush any incoming foes. Immediately, she released small mines from the back of her ship, which floated in midair. One ship attempted to chase after Taikari through the large warship, but she detonated the mines right as the ship flew past them, tearing it apart.
"Only the leader's left!" exclaimed Keraniza. The leader's ship was slightly different, and seemed to be much faster. It could evade quite a few blaster shots, and had powerful weaponry, including the magic-enhanced missiles seen before. It fired off two of those missiles, with Taikari performing an evasive maneuver to get out of the way. The missiles proceeded to hit one of the massive mines within the minefield, causing a chain reaction of explosions. Taikari's ship was hit by some debris from it, but the leader's ship was immediately torn apart by the explosions.
"There's apparently a space station nearby," uttered Gralnin. "We can rest there for a bit and plan out our next move.
----
"The squadron we sent failed," uttered a human cultist. He was standing beside the Soul Grazer on a warship, presenting a view of the galaxy on a screen. The Soul Grazer immediately slammed his fist down on the computer console, and glared angrily at the cultist.
"Where are they headed now?" asked the Soul Grazer.
"I'd assume they're refueling at Transtellar Station," replied the cultist. "It's a small space station, but we have some operatives there. Shall we order them to prepare to capture the group on their arrival?"
"I have a different idea in mind," replied the Soul Grazer.
----
Taikari's ship touched down within Transtellar Station, with the group walking out of it almost immediately. Payload was remaining behind due to him being a valuable target for mercenaries, and so he could watch the ship's computer consoles.
"Let's find a bar," uttered Taikari. "We can grab drinks and plan out our next course of action."
As the group walked through the streets, they took in the atmosphere of the station. It seemed like a tight-knit community, as well as one that would get lots of visitors passing through. All sorts of species were here that none of them recognized.
"Weird place," muttered Keraniza. The group managed to find a bar, and entered it. It seemed seedy, with a krexxon bartender giving the group a dirty look as they walked up onto the top floor and sat down within a booth.
"So we're quite far away from the Zalvar Sector now," uttered Gralnin. "But I've been noticing a trend with the planets we've passed by."
"You have?" replied Zerrik. "What is it?"
"A lot of them seem to look as if they're dying, or have suffered immense pain," replied Gralnin. "Most likely from this "Circle of Shadows" group."
"Makes sense," replied Taikari. "Seems like this is their turf."
"But I've been scanning maps, and there seems to be a "border area" of sorts," replied Gralnin. "There's not much data on those planets, and any data on the planets here is either outdated or nonexistent."
"So you're saying to essentially "escape" this part of the galaxy?" asked Keraniza. "I mean, it'll be harder for them to track us down if we're outside of their territory. Where does this station lie?"
"It's on the very edge," replied Gralnin. "One of the last areas here that hasn't suffered."
"We better get out of here soon," uttered Taikari. The group nodded as they left the bar, but they were suddenly approached by a zalnik who was wearing some ornately-designed armor.
"Where you four headed now?" asked the zalnik. "I'm always interested in where travelers are headed."
"We're just planning to see what's out there," replied Zerrik. "Just visiting all sorts of planets and having a good time."
"A bold task indeed," replied the zalnik. "Might I suggest visiting the planet Wyunvar? Its ruins are marvelous, and definitely worth visiting."
"Sounds interesting," replied Keraniza. "We'll look into it."
The group eventually proceeded back to their ship, with Gralnin doing research on Wyunvar before takeoff. According to the database, it was described as a jungle world with ancient ruins that belonged to the empire that once held major parts of the galaxy, and was located on the border area mentioned earlier. However, the most intriguing part was that it was mentioned to have once possessed many robots under the control of said empire.
"Wyunvar's the key to unlocking Payload's potential," uttered Gralnin. "We can repair him and fully restore his memory banks."
"Let's do it then," replied Taikari as she fired up her ship once again.
----
"My lord, they fell for both my persuasion and the tampering of the station's access to the planetary database," uttered the zalnik from earlier, via hologram. The Soul Grazer smirked.
"Excellent," replied the Soul Grazer. "They've fallen right into our trap."
==Chapter 10: Showdown on Wyunvar==
"This looks nothing like what the database said," uttered Taikari. The group had finally arrived at Wyunvar, but it looked nothing like the jungle world mentioned before. Rather, it was leaking out green energy, and the ground itself was a blackened purple color.
"Information could've been outdated," replied Keraniza. "Let's head forward."
Suddenly, a massive warship warped in, and looked as if it belonged to the Circle of Shadows.
"Scratch that, it's a trap!" exclaimed Gralnin. "They must've tampered with the information!"
----
The Soul Grazer stood on the bridge of the warship, grinning. The time had finally come.
"Bring down that ship," uttered the Soul Grazer. "Fire EVERY gun we have!"
The warship fired a barrage of cannon blasts at Taikari's ship, causing tremendous damage. Every shot caused some sort of damage.
"Interstellar engines are down!" exclaimed Zerrik. "We won't be able to escape."
"There's one option," replied Taikari. "Crash landing, and fake our deaths."
Taikari steered her ship towards the planet, going at an alarming speed. The rest of the group began to panic.
"Are you INSANE?!?!" exclaimed Keraniza. "How the hell are we supposed to survive this?"
"It's better than being shot out of the skies up there," replied Taikari. The ship began to enter the atmosphere of Wyunvar, with a sickly green fog consuming their vision.
"Now here's where we turn the tides," replied Taikari. She immediately landed the ship, with the group instantly hitting the walls of the ship due to the impact.
"We can hide out here," uttered Taikari. "The fog will conceal us."
----
“My lord, they must've crashed on the planet,” uttered a general aboard the Soul Grazer's shop.”
"I wouldn't be so sure," replied the Soul Grazer. "Ready a landing craft. I want to personally ensure that they're dead."
"It shall be done," replied the general. The Soul Grazer continued to stand on the bridge of the ship, gripping Vorsalach.
"It's time to end the past," thought the Soul Grazer.
----
Taikari and her allies stood outside their ship, attempting to repair it.
"If we can repair this thing, they won't notice our absence," uttered Gralnin. "We just need to be extra careful."
As Taikari looked through the engine of the ship, she began to think about how dire the stakes were. The repair of the ship would determine whether or not they'd survive. Suddenly, Payload walked out of the ship, looking at Taikari.
"One of my past functions is now available," uttered Payload. "I can set up a beacon of sorts to identify other ships in the galaxy of our location."
"Not now," uttered Taikari. Suddenly, the fog began to clear as a strange spacecraft landed on the ground, and three individuals walked out. One of them wielded a massive war axe.
"On second thought, activate it and get in the ship," muttered Taikari. Payload immediately walked into the ship and locked it down as the rest of the group joined up with Taikari.
"At last, we've got you cornered," uttered the Soul Grazer. "Hand over the robot, and we'll grant you a clean death."
"Why the fuck should we listen to you?" uttered Taikari as she pointed her pistols at the Soul Grazer. He simply smirked before pulling Vorsalach off his back.
"Looks like you made the wrong move...Silent Scythe," uttered the Soul Grazer. He charged at Taikari with his axe, but she parried the blow using a shoulder blade on her armor. Yet, the Soul Grazer managed to push her down onto the ground.
"Do you know how much pain you caused me?" uttered the Soul Grazer. "I cried for months when you took her away from me."
"I have no fucking clue what you're talking about," replied Taikari. "And how do you know who I am anyways?"
"Oh for fuck's sake, you never knew?" replied the Soul Grazer. "Did you ever wonder WHY I constantly tracked you down and tried to kill you?"
"You've got to be kidding me," replied Taikari, having clearly figured out that Kalgosh was the Soul Grazer. "How the hell did you survive?"
"The Circle of Shadows saved me," replied the Soul Grazer. "And now I'm known as the Soul Grazer. Kalgosh is no more."
"As if you weren't edgy already," replied Taikari as she smirked beneath her helmet. "First the spikes, now that name?"
"Well, let's see how you like this edge," replied the Soul Grazer. He grasped Vorsalach tightly, before slamming it down on the ground in an attempt to kill Taikari. Yet, she rolled out of the way. Zerrik, Keraniza, and Gralnin immediately got out their weapons, and turned to face the Soul Grazer.
"You are the LAST remnants of my old life," uttered the Soul Grazer. "A life that I must erase from existence."
The Soul Grazer slashed his axe forward, but Zerrik's hammer caught the blow. As they each pressed their weapons forward, Taikari fired her pistols at the Soul Grazer. His armor, however, deflected the blow and sent the shots back towards Taikari, injuring her immensely.
"Conventional weapons are useless here," uttered the Soul Grazer. "It's time to-"
The Soul Grazer's thought process was interrupted by his shuttle being blown apart. Everyone looked upwards to see a large crystalline vessel in the air, one that Taikari's group recognized.
"Looks like the beacon worked!" exclaimed Taikari. The crystalline ship landed as multiple soldiers walked out. They seemed to wear gold and blue armor, and wielded impressive weaponry. Some of them even wielded magic, and their ranks were made up of various races. Yet, it wasn't all good news. The Circle of Shadows's warship had also landed, with troops heading out. Payload immediately unlocked Taikari's ship and walked towards the crystalline one.
"Get in here if you want to survive!" exclaimed Payload. Taikari nodded as she led the group into the ship, with the Soul Grazer staring at them in contempt.
"You win this round," muttered the Soul Grazer. Suddenly, the opponents of the Circle of Shadows went into the crystalline vessel as it took off. The battle was just a distraction.
----
"Thank you," uttered Keraniza. "Where are we?"
"This is the Relendar," uttered Payload. "The flagship of the Vanguard of Spirits."
"Vanguard of Spirits?" replied Taikari. At that moment, a krexxon walked towards the group. He was clad in gold and blue armor.
"Everything will be explained on the bridge," replied the krexxon. "The Grand Exarch wishes to speak with you four."
==Chapter 11: An Endless War==
Taikari and her allies were being led though the Relendar, to the bridge of the ship. Throughout the ship, soldiers-and robots-were all talking with each other, training, or preparing their equipment.
"Looks like there's a lot of you here," uttered Gralnin. The krexxon then looked back at Gralnin.
"We accept anyone who's willing to dedicate their lives to our cause," replied the krexxon. The group eventually arrived at an elevator, with the krexxon entering a number into the keypad before the elevator closed shut. It ascended several floors, before arriving at the bridge of the ship. Three avian beings could be seen, wearing ornately-designed armor. One of them in particular wielded an impressive sword.
"Welcome," uttered the sword-wielding avian being. "My name is Grand Exarch Xanvor, one of the leaders of the Vanguard of Spirits."
"I recognize the name," uttered Taikari. Xanvor then smirked.
"Ruins on Keranor, right?" replied Xanvor. "That's where we left Payload. I'm sure you four are confused as hell about what's going on."
Taikari and her allies nodded in response. They were confused, but eager to know what's going on.
"The story is quite long," uttered Xanvor. "Thousands of years ago, we were once members of the great zalvosh empire that once inhabited the Zalvar Sector. Our empire was large, and quite powerful too. Our affinity for science and technology allowed us to build a powerful nation."
Xanvor sighed slightly. He looked to be upset.
"I was among our empire's chief researchers," uttered Xanvor. "Keranor was a...testing grounds of sorts. They wanted me to see if utilizing the life energy of a planet was possible. It wasn't."
"The planet's environment made that clear," uttered Keraniza as she smirked.
"Either way, they assigned someone else to that project, and I believe a large-scale project was eventually planned out for it," replied Xanvor. "My team and I shifted our focus to studying a strange force of energy that was being used on small planets. Something known as magic."
"Isn't that stuff just a myth?" uttered Zerrik. Xanvor shook his head in response.
"Nope," replied Xanvor. "We studied how these small civilizations utilized magic. But our research didn't last long. The krexxon empire came for us. Our people were proud scholars and scientists. Fighters, not so much."
"Ouch," uttered Taikari. Xanvor shed a tear as he continued his story.
"They were merciless in their invasion," uttered Xanvor. "They razed our cities, slaughtered our soldiers, and enslaved our people. But my allies and I escaped. We simply went on the run, evading krexxon forces for years."
"Then how did you end up in this situation?" asked Keraniza.
"We eventually came across a planet known as Kalnar," uttered Xanvor. "The magical spirits there had been expecting us, and had a task for us. Said task was forming the Vanguard of Spirits."
"What exactly do you guys do?" asked Gralnin. Xanvor smirked in response.
"We exist to prevent the Circle of Shadows from achieving their "Hour of Reckoning" that they prophecize about," uttered Xanvor. "They exist as the antithesis of the magical spirits, and their master is even worse."
"Oh, we've encountered the Soul Grazer before," replied Taikari. "He's bad news."
Xanvor chuckled in response. Clearly, something was up.
"Oh, the Soul Grazer isn't their leader," replied Xanvor. "Their actual leader is far worse. Known only as the Nullifier."
Taikari and her allies shuddered in response. The name just felt evil.
"The origins of the Nullifier are best explained in a trip to Kalnar," uttered Xanvor. "Our "base of operations" of sorts. But first, I'd like to ask you four a question."
Taikari and her allies stood at attention, ready to hear it.
"We'd like you four to join our ranks," uttered Xanvor. "As commanders within our armies."
"Well, we have nowhere else to go after this series of events," replied Taikari. "I accept."
"Me too," replied Keraniza.
"I'm in," replied Gralnin.
"Why not?" replied Zerrik. The four of them nodded.
----
"Master, what are your orders?," asked the Soul Grazer. He kneeled before the green flame of the Nullifier.
"We cannot afford to pursue that group anymore," uttered the flame. "Chances are, they're aligned with the infidels now."
"I understand," replied the Soul Grazer. "What shall we focus on then?"
"The Zar'kesh are continuing their efforts to secure allies near the weapon," uttered the flame. "As for you, you'll be overseeing some...different operations."
==Chapter 12: Spirits' Blessing==
The Relendar landed on Kalnar's grassy soil, with Taikari and her allies walking out of it. The planet was nothing like anything they'd ever seen, with large waterfalls, floating islands, and jagged crystals poking out of the landscape. The entire planet felt alive somehow.
"This is incredible," uttered Taikari. "I'm honored to be fighting for this."
"The planet Kalnar is the very soul of all magic in the universe," uttered Xanvor. "It was here that the first magical spirits formed. All magical energy, one way or another, flows through this world."
"Then what about the Nullifier's energies?" asked Zerrik. "Shouldn't they be defiling this world?"
"Shadow magic is tethered to the planet Jalgor, the Nullifier's domain," uttered Xanvor. "It also works differently, in that shadow magic is the result of all existing elements being twisted together."
The group continued to walk through Kalnar's vast landscapes, looking at the sights. It was clear that this world was one of the galaxy's greatest wonders. Xanvor eventually led the group into a large cavern, where five immense spirits rose out of a pool of water.
"Elder Spirits, I bring you the four individuals who delivered us the robot successfully," uttered Xanvor. One of the spirits, who was covered green, smiled at Xanvor.
"Leave us to speak with them Grand Exarch," uttered the spirit. Xanvor nodded before leaving. Taikari and her allies kneeled down in respect.
"Kneeling isn't necessary," uttered the spirit. "You're not slaves."
"Sorry," muttered Keraniza. "Anyways, it's an honor to be in your presence."
"All new members of the Vanguard of Spirits go through this ritual," uttered the spirit. "My name is Ralnu, the first of the magical spirits."
"So, what's the deal with the Nullifier?" asked Gralnin. "How did he come to be?"
"It all started about two-hundred thousand years ago," uttered Ralnu. "On a planet known as Jalgor. It was blessed with magical energy, and its residents formed a utopian society dedicated to studying and utilizing magic. Yet, one of their mages discovered shadow magic. Him and his people were blinded by the power of shadow magic without realizing the addictive, destructive side of it. The planet began to die as a result."
"Greed at its finest," uttered Taikari.
"One of the magical spirits of the planet chose to embrace shadow magic too," uttered Ralnu. "He asked to be infused with it to help combat the other magical spirits, but he betrayed them with the combined power of both his natural magical energies and shadow magic."
"I assume that's the Nullifier you're talking about," uttered Zerrik. Ralnu nodded in response.
"Correct," replied Ralnu. "He proceeded to kill the other magical spirits of the planet and drain them of their power. Jalgor was transformed into his stronghold, and the first of his servants became known as the Circle of Shadows. He sent them out across the universe to corrupt more worlds and allow himself to achieve godhood."
"A dark task," uttered Keraniza. "They need to be stopped."
"The Nullifier wants Kalnar under his control," uttered Ralnu. "If shadow magic infests Kalnar, then ALL magic in the universe will cease to exist, and be replaced solely by shadow magic. Nobody will be able to stand against this unstoppable wave of shadow magic."
----
The Soul Grazer sat within his chambers, meditating. It was his way of strengthening his ties to shadow magic and to the Nullifier. Yet, he began to receive a cryptic vision of sorts.
"What have you become?"
Within a void, the Soul Grazer looked to his right to see Varzuka. His deceased wife. He teared up slightly.
"I had to pursue this path. I'd be dead if I refused."
"This isn't the Kalgosh I fell in love with."
"Kalgosh is no more. He died alongside you."
At this moment, the green flame of the Nullifier appeared before the Soul Grazer.
"Strike her down, and your transformation will be complete."
"I...can't..."
"Your old life is over. Take out the last remnant of it."
"I'm...sorry...my love..."
The Soul Grazer brought out Vorsalach, and struck down Varzuka. As her spirit lay there dying, she looked at the Soul Grazer with sadness in her eyes.
"You're breaking my heart..."
----
Ralnu was filling the bodies of Taikari and her allies with magical energy. They felt revitalized, and stronger than ever as Xanvor and a few other members of the Vanguard of Spirits watched.
"Rise, new champions of the Vanguard!" exclaimed Ralnu. "And know that the true battle has begun!"
Taikari smirked slightly. She had spent years struggling to find meaning for herself as a mercenary. Now, she had found a cause she was willing to fight for. As she and her allies left the cave, Xanvor approached Ralnu.
"The first of the four has been found," uttered Xanvor. "The woman with the pistols."
"We still need the duo of avian defenders and the swordsman," replied Ralnu. "In time, they will show themselves."
THE END
Category:Zalvar Online
Category:Subpages
Category:Storylines
Category:Ghostrealm Stories
Category:Ghostrealmverse