From the Ashes

In this Our World story, the GLACIA generals investigate Klein's death before Vulcan later goes on mysterious business.

This is a transcript from Discord.

## Story

```
One story after the other! Today we're jumping to the night of January 22nd, 2021. The day the new Burning Rangers became official... And the day Hunter Klein was murdered...
Deep in the hidden prison, we find the GLACIA Generals, sans Meadows and Rose, as they have just discovered the body of the fallen Overlord...

Brandon:
"What in Gaia's name happened here?"

Bridgette:
"Inspecing the walls of the cell.* "Hard to tell... There's no evidence of a break-in, nothing pointing to a struggle..."

Inigo:
*Standing guard outside the cell.* "**THEN OBVIOUSLY, HE COULDN'T TAKE PRISON LIFE ANYMORE AND--**"

Fifticinco:
"No... That doesn't sound like Klein. This was obviously foul play."

Brandon:
"I agree... What do you think, Vulcan?"

Vulcan:
*Inspecting the body.* "Well. First things first. We're most definitely dealing with an enhanced individual. Someone with the power of teleportation."

Brandon:
"Do you think it's Chaos Control?"

Vulcan:
"Obviously... Look at Klein's complextion... It's as if he was drained of his life force."
(Impossible... It couldn't be...)
"My fellow Generals... I believe we are dealing with a Chaos Vampire."

Bridgette:
"Chaos... Vampire?! That's not a thing."

Vulcan:
"What else would you call someone who drains energy from another?"

Fifticinco:
"If what you're saying is true, Vulcan, we need to be on high alert. This 'Chaos Vampire' could show up again soon..."

Vulcan:
"Of course. And I will have my investigators start searching for the culprit."

Inigo:
"**I WILL INFORM GENERAL MEADOWS AND GENERAL ROSE TO KEEP WATCH ON CHAOS POWERED INDIVIDUALS, FOR THEIR SAFETY.**"

Fifticinco:
"Sounds good. Let's try and keep this under wraps, everyone. If it were to get out that someone was able to get past our security it would be a detriment to the agency."

Brandon:
"Yes sir..."

Bridgette:
"Yes, Director."

Inigo:
"**MY LIPS ARE SEALED, SIR!**"

Vulcan:
"I think my cooperation goes without saying, sir."

Later, in the dark hours of night... A car pulls up to the ruins of the old GUN fortress.

Vulcan:
*Steps out of the car. And begins walking through the caution tape and barriers to make his way inside.* "Alright, sir. Where is it?..."
*He walks into an old, familiar lab. There are ruined Gundroid parts off in a corner. He moves a stack of papers on a workbench and a keycard falls out.*
"Oh! How clever..." *He walks over to a computer and inserts the keycard.*

The computer displays: "ENTER PASSCODE"

Vulcan:
"F-I-R-E-S-T-O-R-M... Why must he use the same password for everything?"

The computer flashes green: "Access Granted". Suddenly, the computer folds away and a staircase leading downward opens up. There is an eerie, green glow coming from below.

Vulcan:
*He cautiously walks down the staircase, into the subterranean area.* "Would it hurt to turn some lights on?"

The basement is covered in machinery. It appears to be yet another part of the lab. On the wall are seven cases, five of which are glowing different colors. At the other end of the room is a surgical table. A figure lies on it in the pitch black.

Mystery Figure:
"Did you bring it?" *The voice sounds gruff and weak, but not without an air of gentlemanly refinement.*

Vulcan:
"Of course." *He sets a similarly-sized case on another table, within view of the figure.* "It was quite a pain to acquire."

Mystery Figure:
"And you will be rewarded for your efforts." *The figure sits up, slowly.*

Vulcan:
"I would do anything for you, sir. You know that."

Mystery Figure:
"Yes, and that is why you're my favorite."

Vulcan:
"To be honest. I don't know why you even need the others. I am enough on my own."

Mystery Figure:
"When I first met that wretched program back then, it showed me the 'Greater Seven' and I saw the silhouettes of seven heroes wielding their power. That is why you all were created... to save the world."

Vulcan:
"Of course, sir... Now then." *He opens the case, revealing Klein's red Chaos Blade.*
"With the first Spark at large, we must work quickly. Or else she will be the end of all of us."

Mystery Figure:
"Then, by all means... Begin the procedure..."

Vulcan:
"Of course sir..." *Vulcan flips a lever. Turning on a machine that glows with red energy.*
"Brace yourself... It does not tickle."

Red lightning shoots all around the room. The figure screams in pain... This continues for a few minutes, before the machine stops.

Vulcan:
"...How are you feeling?"

Mystery Figure:
*The figure opens their eyes, which are now glowing with the same red energy.* "Much better..."

Vulcan:
"Ahahah! Welcome to the world, number 8. Or should we call you the new number 5?"

Mystery Figure:
"Call me... the world's savior."

Vulcan:
"Very well... Shall we begin the next phase?"

Mystery Figure:
"Yes... It is time Prometheus brought fire to the people."

And there you have it, folks! A clandestine meeting! Secret experiments! CRYPTIC THINGS! Where are these guys up to? Guess we'll just have to find out later!

```

## Characters

*In order of appearance:*

* Brandon Conley
* Bridgette Livegood
* Inigo Mogotsi
* Giovanni Fifticinco
* Eli Vulcan