Cut Short (11-04-2022)

## Unknown Planet, CRDNCE-218 [11-04-2022]

A Pioneer goes through a portal into a planet he’s never seen before. He was tasked by Commander Carson to do a training run with his superior. When he asked where, Carson just smiled and opened up the gate. He looks around at the barren wasteland. When he looks up, he only sees the dark depths of space. He then realizes he’s not on Earth, seeing as the sun appears to be giant and Red. In the distance he sees Xeno-Sorceror, meditating and waiting for the Pioneer’s approach. Once close enough, a guttural voice is heard that rings through the entire planet, “The Lancer approaches.” Xeno-Sorceror immediately looks towards the newcomer and greets, “Iovis. I’ve heard a lot about you.” The Pioneer, revealed as Iovis, responds, “Sir?”

“When our Earth was around, I heard you held your own well against the Blights. Even took down a few Monarch Blights with your crew.”

“Thank you, sir. I only did my duty to protect the world.”

“Didn’t we all.”

Xeno-Sorceror looks up at the Red Giant Star seemingly looming above them. He speaks up again, “So you’re aware your duty is still the same, just slightly altered?”

“Yes, protect this Earth, as well as Terrian.”

“Good. Carson briefed you well. She was always good at that. Now, I need you to prove it.”

“We’re sparring?”

“Yeah, have any questions?”

“Well, I’d like to ask where we are?”

“A random planet, far away from the solar system. Found it orbiting this giant star. What did Bellona call it….Stephenson? Apparently it’s the largest known star in this universe.”

“So…how are we…here?”

“I created the atmosphere.”

“I’m…sorry?”

“You use Gravity magicken like me, right?”

“Yes, Sir?”

“I’m using it right now to create a breathable atmosphere. That’s why you didn’t start suffocating as soon as you stepped foot in here. I’m also constantly fighting against…Stephenson’s…gravitational pull.”

Iovis looks back at the star and realizes that it wasn’t the planet moving, it was the star itself, moving around the planet. He looks back at Xeno-Sorceror in a mix of awe and terror. Xeno looks at Iovis and puts his hand on his sheathed Miaodao. “So, are you ready?” he asks, getting into a battle stance. Iovis snaps out of it and readies his lance and shield, “Yes, sir.” The wind blows gently across the wasteland, with the two staring down at each other. A guttural voice calls out again, “Steel yourselves….and…*begin*.”

The two take one step at the same time and accelerate at blinding speeds towards each other. Xeno-Sorceror swings his first, which is blocked by Iovis’s giant shield. The two stop each other completely, causing a massive shockwave that causes dust to stir. Iovis uses his offhand to plunge the Lance at Xeno, who slides his sword across the shield to gain momentum and deflect the lance. Iovis loses his balance but quickly regains it and charges shield first, hitting Xeno square in the chest, pushing him back. Xeno changes his stance for the defensive and walks around Iovis. He says, “The most dangerous creature to kill is a human.” Iovis watches Xeno closely and also paces parallel to him. The both stare each other down, until Iovis makes the first move by shooting his Lance out from his hand at the speed of a bullet. Xeno ducks in the nick of time and kicks the lance high into the air. Iovis takes the opportunity to bring the lance down at high speed to try and hit Xeno. The Sorceror smiles while commenting, “Not bad Lieutenant.” before manifesting a shield that expands to 9 feet in diameter. The Lance hits the shield and causes another shockwave on the planet, causing it to rumble.

Iovis looks surprised at the sudden appearance of Xeno’s own shield, but regains focus and charges in while he’s distracted by the lance putting all of its gravitational weight on its target. Xeno looks over and smirks, then changes the trajectory of the lance, embedding itself directly into the rocky terrain. He makes the shield disappear and immediately throws out a flashbang grenade, forcing Iovis to use his shield to protect his eyes, taking them off of Xeno even for a split second. When he lowers his shield he sees that Xeno is gone. He looks around and just barely blocks a vertical strike from his superior. He pushes him away and Xeno lectures, lowering his sword, “Our main enemy is someone that can nullify magicken. You rely on it too much.” Iovis rests and asks, “Nullify? Someone like that exists?”

“Yeah, and she’s dedicated her life to killing me and the Nine-Star. Along with all magicken users.”

“How do we fight that then?”

“Was that a real question? Have you only used your magicken during your missions?”

“That’s what I was taught, sir…”

“Well, I’m here to teach you differently. Things have changed. We are in a new universe with new threats. These aren’t Blights anymore. We have Demons, and even people themselves. That lance and shield you carry around? You have to learn how to use them without magicken. Lest you’ll be forced to do it anyways when she shows up.”

“I see. I’m honored to learn from you.”

“Good, okay, let’s start by-”

Xeno-Sorceror looks over his shoulder and falls silent. Iovis looks concerned and asks, “Is everything alright sir?” The guttural voice calls out, “Something bad is happening in another world.” Xeno nods and adds, “The dragon’s right. I have to go. We’re gonna have to postpone this.” Iovis stammers and nods, “A-Alright. When will you be back?”

“Probably soon. I just have to make sure someone’s okay.”

“Understood. Good luck sir.”

“I don’t need luck Lieutenant. But thank you.”

Xeno-Sorceror slices the air, creating a portal to a place not familiar to Iovis. It wasn’t Earth nor was it Terrian. Xeno waves his hand and jumps in, the portal closing behind him. Iovis uses his wrist watch and opens a portal back to base, to which he quickly gets in, seeing that the atmosphere of the planet quickly disappeared as soon as Xeno left, with the star also immediately pulling the planet in.

Carson looks at Iovis and asks, “How’d it go?” Iovis salutes and answers, “Ma’am. Xeno left to attend to some matters but I learned quite a bit from our training.”

“At ease Pioneer. He must’ve left for something really important. Even so, it’s good that you learned at least something. That guy’s always running around.”

“A voice said that something bad was happening…?”

“Oh, that was Cadmael’s sword. It talks.”

“It…talks?”

“Yep, it was his first Blight. It bonded with him and infused its soul into his sword. So now it’s like his companion. Kind of like how Creed has Jehv.”

“I see.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure whatever’s happening, Cadmael’s got it.

> He’s one of the best Pioneers after all.”
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