24 An Invasion

I rolled my shoulders, shaking off a bit of fear. Getting ready for the fight, I cleared my mind, "Eh, it doesn’t matter anyway. My armor’s eating it, not me."

Torix sighed, "Hm...I suppose you're right about that. Regardless, we have far larger problems on the horizon. You two will stay here. I will be the one to handle these two."

Althea chimed, "I can offer ranged support."

I said nothing. Even holding a candle beside Elthodriss or Kelto overestimated my abilities. Some battles were better left unfought, and this was one of them. Torix moved a palm to Althea, "Child, you would be consumed in seconds by their mind magic. You lack the fortitude to survive even a stone toss from Elthodriss. That eagerness of yours is how we caught you in the first place."

Althea peered away, her face flushing. She murmured, “Yeah...Sorry.”

Torix stood tall, “There’s nothing to apologize for. This was merely a teachable moment. Now, if you learn nothing from it, then you may apologize for that.” Torix peered at her, “Understood?”

Althea perked up, “Understood.”

A surge of curiosity flowed through me, and I gestured at the sphere Torix made, “You know, it would be a lot easier to turn her in instead of fighting. I know we both agreed to help Althea, but there’s got to be something more to why you’re doing this.”

Torix paused. He tapped the edge of his chin as he glanced up. His eyes turned green, "This time with the both of you...It’s been rejuvenating. It has reminded me of a different time in my life, one where I looked forward to the future. A time where I saw potential in the coming days. For that reason, and others, I desire to continue this relationship as it is.”

Torix’s eyes turned to their normal navy blue, “Right here, right now, I’m choosing to follow this impulse of mine, along with the responsibilities it entails. Alas, there’s no time for dwelling on such matters now."

Torix focused on the ball of energy that revealed the two others outside. The ball's spinning stopped as it stabilized. Torix gestured at it, "You may watch the fight from here. Perhaps you two may even learn a thing or two about magic."

Torix’s energy blot carried him outside of the colosseum. Once he left, I scratched the edge of my head, but my fingers met metal, scraping my helm. Stopping myself because of the grating sound, I had a lot of unanswered questions about Torix. That's the problem with questions; they're a lot easier to ask than to answer.

Taking me out of my thoughts, Althea’s lavender hair brushed my shoulder spikes, “Torix sounds like he’s been through a lot.”

Memories about Alfred and what happened to him flooded into my mind. I nodded, “Yeah, he has.”

Althea frowned, “He never talked about it. Has something happened since he came here?”

“Yeah. He was looking for his son, and he learned he passed in this cave. Now he’s studying his work.”

Althea peered around, “So that’s what the runes are for. Woah. He has an awesome son. It makes sense why Torix looked for him.”

Althea couldn’t have known, but she reminded me about my father as she spoke. Torix, despite his faults, at least looked for his son. My father hadn’t. Other past moments pressed in from my bitterness. Cigarette smoke. Boozy breath. Fists and Yelling. I sighed, “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

Althea leaned back, peering off, “Are-are you ok?”

I stepped off, “Yeah I’m fine.”

She raised her hands, “I just wanted to talk about the whole family thing. I never had one. I grew up in a lab while doing simulations here or there. I was, uhm, curious about it all.”

I fell into a pit of my own making. My gaze turned hard, harder than a brick breaking a man's jaw. I knew what a family was like, but I also knew what it was like to lose one. My family had died of cancer, my mother’s body wasting to the disease. My father’s spirit died with her. Seeing it unfold, being helpless to it...I found it harder watching something fall apart than never having it in the first place.

I kept those thoughts to myself, but they showed on my face. Althea took a step back, her lips curving into a frown. She murmured,

“Ok, I’m not trying to say anything crazy here.”

We sat there for a tense moment before I got my emotions under control. I hated being like this, but sometimes it just up and raged through me. I quashed those emotions, knowing that snapping at Althea wasn’t fair. I turned to her,

"Look, I'm sorry. You’re not doing anything out of line. I’m just being ridiculous.” I pulled my helmet off my face, the metal flowing down my back. I ruffled my hair, “Bleh, I’m being stupid. Don’t worry about it.”

Her eyes were piercing, “I’m here to listen, if you want to talk.”

I stared back, and a tense silence passed over us. I broke eye contact first, pointing at Torix’s sphere, “I’m good, but thanks. Come on, we’re supposed to watch Torix’s fight.”

She hopped over, glad for the distraction. We paced up, finding Elthodriss and Kelto Drainer still inspecting the Evergreen Ravine. They found no spears or traps left from our fight, the lingering weapons having been removed before. Torix’s minions eliminated all signs of Althea and my battle, but despite that, Elthodriss sniffed us out.

His enormous, hulking form floating across the ground with nostrils over his chest smelling the dirt. Finding our scent, Elthodriss turned towards BloodHollow. Kelto pointed in that direction before his hulking guard stood upright. They paced off from the dungeon at the Evergreen Ravine. Before they left, Torix floated up to them with his form garbed and blurry.

He used illusion magic to disguise himself. Torix spoke with a warped voice,

"Why, hello Elthodriss and Kelto. What are you doing here on this ball of mud, might I ask?"

They glanced up towards him, wordless and spooky. They stared for a moment before Drainer, the controller, spoke with a voice like sandpaper,

"We are here to capture 3298. It’s an unknown. Do you know where it is, mage?"

Torix shrugged, "Bah, so many circumstances have occurred as of late. I can't seem to remember if she was here or not."

Elthodriss, the berserker, spoke with a voice far gentler than his controller. Despite his humane tone, unnerved me more, "We never mentioned her gender. You do know who and what she is, so where is she?”

Torix interlocked his hands behind himself, “Why would you need her?”

Drainer snapped, “You know what we omen, don’t you? You’ve heard of his name spoken in rumors alone, but you’re a fool if you ignore those tall tales. They speak of Yawm’s coming. He is a blinding light, an atomic fire, even an endless darkness.”

Torix tilted his head, “Ah yes, the old fashioned blinding light and endless darkness combo. Quite logical indeed.”

Althea and I laughed before Elthodriss spread his hands, “We can smell the presence of Etorhma on you, or at least near you. This tells us you may be a friend yet. Despite your lack of kindness to us, we both have nothing but respect for you. You may return that favor by having enough respect for Yawm to tell us where 3298 is."

Torix’s eyes flared red, "I do recall having my own requests denied by one of Etorhma’s cults long ago. I asked where my son was, and they offered me no help. They didn't even have the time for someone as small or pitiful as I. It’s quite ironic that one of Etorhma’s cults needs my help now, isn’t it? I wanted a request fulfilled, and now one is asked in turn."

Drainer roared, "You don't want us against you. We will have Yawm tear your soul from that body you have and put it into something more painful. Squirming. Agonizing."

Torix crossed his arms, "Ah yes, then where is this Yawm if he is so powerful and uncaged?”

Elthodriss put a hand in front of Drainer, “He sleeps now, but his strength builds. We are merely the minions of his Followers. Yawm is far beyond us, and he can't allow 3298 to escape. In fact, Yawm is more than willing to throw a batch of resources at finding her." Elthodriss gestured to himself, "We alone should be enough proof of his intentions."

Torix narrowed his eyes, "You’re weaker than even my minions. The only example you serve is a lesson to those that won’t surrender to me.”

Elthodriss shrugged, "And yet, Yawm of Flesh exceeds you in all ways. Shouldn't our allegiance speak for itself?"

Torix burst into laughter, long and loud. He raised his hand, "Do you honestly think I don't know what you're doing here?"

Elthodriss and Kelto Drainer turned to each other and then back towards Torix. The lich spread his arms, "You’re pawns buying time while others from your little cult seek out the dimensional rift that occurred here. I know this, so cease your lying.”

Elthodriss clapped his hands, “Clever, but that doesn’t change the fact you’ve refused to hand 3298 to us. We may save you yet, but further defiance will seal your fate.”

Torix rippled with dark energy, “Oh, threatening me now? Unwise of you."

Drainer leaned forward before his head slung back. Elthodriss turned towards his companion, the berserker’s eyes wide, “You’re attacking us?”

Torix lifted his hand, “Attacking you? I would never do something so trivial.” The necromancer’s eyes burned black,

“I’m killing you.”

Torix raised his other hand, and a rippling wave of energy sizzled between Torix’s arms. The coursing mana ebbed out like a bending bar of steel, the sound forcing me to cover my ears. Even through the orb, it crippled me. Streaks of dark, arcane magic undulated and melded within Torix’s palm, the all consuming black siphoning nearby light. Torix pulled his arms further and further apart,

"Why, I do believe that’s enough chatter."

Elthodriss shook as Torix pointed a finger at him. Torix seethed, "I’ll allow my actions to speak for me."

Clawed, shadowy hands spawned below Torix, each the size of a house. The hand’s fingertips lurched into reality, pulling it apart. From the tear, a behemoth marched out. Orange skin and many limbs squirmed out with vitality. Taller than trees, the tentacle legs of the creature crashed into the earth with deafening booms.

They toppled forests. They smashed boulders. Spines of bone rose up from the beast’s back. The legs and arms of the creature, elongated and blue, led up to a faceless monster. Patches of bone plates formed scales on its chest. Over those plates, parasites swarmed. Torix relished in the display of his own might,

"I’ve never understood people’s ignorance regarding necromancy. It’s such a simple yet profound concept.” Torix’s eyes remained pitch black,

“Why fight with one when you may fight with many?"

Even through the orb, Schema recognized Torix’s monster,

Moloth, Behemoth of the Abyss | Level 1,421 - Once a mindless creation of eldritch, a worthy necromancer harvested this monstrosity from a fringe world and trained it as his own over time. Moloth owns an endless hunger and longing for destruction. Despite this calling, Moloth remains loyal to Torix for unknown reasons using unknown methods.

This creature can move with a surprising speed despite its massive frame. The blue skin on its limbs is laden with a potent neurotoxin and acid. The creature can absorb creatures melted in its hands and tentacles through the orange skin on its body. Some speculate this is a form of predigestion. Regardless, it is brutally effective versus most foes.

The monster even has parasites on it's skin that protect it when small creatures swarm it. These tiny monsters can chew and devour most anything they touch. Interestingly, these parasites are a species unique to Moloth and his kind.

Avoid this creature at all costs.

Moloth's body shivered before Elthodriss raised his palms, "We don’t want your anger.”

Torix generated sharpened ice spines above his head, “And yet, you have it.”

Torix lobbed the ice spines at the two of them. Elthodriss picked up Drainer, carrying him out of the crossfire. As he ran, Elthodriss's body expanded underneath his robes as Drainer's aura thickened into a bloody mass. From the ground, other robed members burst out of the ground. Each carried misshapened bodies from the results of experiments.

They shambled towards Torix, who opened several portals. Torix cackled before shouting, “You do realize a trap is only effective if it catches its victim unaware?”

As Torix finished his words, Moloth moved with speed. Its hands rippled the wind and tore the clouds. When the beast’s hand collided with the ground, giant wedges of earth split upwards as the ground gave way. Two cultists howled out as they sizzled under Moloth’s hand. The behemoth lifted its fist and wiped the two member’s remains onto its chest.

Moloth’s skin absorbed the molten bodies. Althea gagged behind me while I grimaced. Even after all my experience, this monster left me disturbed. Torix stiffened, his demeanor changing. He peered up at us, and his voice radiated through our sphere alone,

"Althea. Daniel. Be ready. A few minions are coming into BloodHollow. This cult has sent them out in mass, and they must have followed me on my way over. I was careless. Avoid or kill them if you can, as they will do horrific things to you. Now is the time to prove yourself, disciple.”

Althea and I looked at each other as Elthodriss leapt from the ground. Like a napalm explosion, the berserker barreled through the air and collided into Torix’s behemoth. Moloth leaned back before grabbing Elthodriss in its hand. With a quick swipe, Moloth threw Elthodriss. Yawm’s underling blurred in the air, the ground exploding as he collided with it.

Even the slightest touch from Moloth sent the tiny cult members flying like cannonballs. I peeled my eyes from the sphere, not having time to stare in awe at the battle. I turned towards Althea. She kept her gaze on the orb. She murmured,

"We-we have to prepare for battle.” She tore her gaze just as I did, “What skills have you been working on these past few days?"

"Burrowing, Blitz, Deflection, and some other stuff. I was trying to come up with a counter for your harpoons."

She grabbed her elbow, "Yeah, I’m trying to see if I can’t mold an arm cannon of my own. It could regenerate then, and I’ll be able to fire harpoons whenever I want. It’s a work in progress."

She lifted her hand, her eyes set. Her jaw clenched shut as her left arm deformed, the muscles and skin splitting. Bones formed into lines and plates, interlocking with a smooth shift as they clinked together. I stepped back as a horn expanded from Althea’s right palm, spiral rivets covering the lance. She placed the spike into the ammo compartment of the new harpoon cannon.

She tapped the rifle, "My eldritch abilities let me pierce most defenses. We can take advantage of that."

I raised a hand, “That’s how you pierced my armor and how you cut through stone, isn’t it?”

A small smile leaked onto her lips, “Heh, yeah.”

I looked at a tunnel, "Eh, I doubt its the eldritch that lets you do that. My armor eats monsters for breakfast, but you slice it with ease. I think it's more likely that your ability comes from something else. Either way, we can't beat these guys if they’re on Elthodriss or Drainer’s level. We're going to need some sort of strategy to stand a chance."

Althea aimed at a tunnel, “I can fire at them while you keep them distracted.”

“We could do that.” I glanced towards the colosseum. Tiny rocks laid out all across the floor. A sudden shock of inspiration electrified me. I turned to Althea, "Alright, here's the plan. I'll create a tunnel system underneath the colosseum using my Burrow skill. We'll place boulders across entrances on the bottom floor. You'll fire pot shots while I keep Oppression active."

Althea frowned, "What do you mean Oppression? Is that what hurt me that one time we fought each other?"

"It is. So for this to work, you’ll have to give me some space.”

"Do you think we can set it up in time?"

I lifted my arms, "I have shovels for hands, and you can chop stone like butter. We got this."

Althea’s arm reformed back to normal, and she cringed in anguish as it did. Taking a breath or two, she growled while spawning two curved scooper claws. I raised a brow, “Holy shit...You’ve really got the hang of that ability, huh?”

A drip of sweat poured from her brow, “I-I’m trying. Let’s go.”

Over the next hour or so, I created a labyrinth of tunnels underneath the colosseum. I created a couple dozen entrances spread throughout the staggered steps, avoiding the runes as I did. Althea found and placed boulders over each of the entrances. After we finished the set up, we ran through the underbelly of the colosseum, marking it in our minimap.

We planned our escape routes, came up with a kiting strategy, and estimated how long each kill would take. I’d draw aggro in the middle while Althea would lift a boulder, fire a shot, then set the boulder down. Her strength made that possible. If needed, I’d hold the enemy down while she ran to a different entrance. Althea came up with the kiting strategy, buying us more time.

Regardless, we waited underneath the emptied colosseum, glancing through peeping holes. Althea carved these spots out with a claw as if drawing in water. Minutes passed, yet none of Yawm’s evil minions flew in. After a while, I grew bored. I whispered to Althea,

"I mean, this dungeon's pretty big. It will probably be a long time before they show up...You want to check out Torix’s fight again?"

She stayed focused, "Come on. These are powerful enemies we're facing. They will rip our guts out if we aren't careful."

I turned, frowning. She was right, so I closed my eyes and mentally prepared myself. A few more minutes passed before a set of footsteps echoed down a hallway. I sprinted towards the middle of the arena before activating Oppression. Althea sprinted over towards the side opposite of the noise. In came one of Yawm's minions, garbed in robes.

Summon of Yawm | lvl 250 - A being Yawm spawned for a singular purpose of capturing subject 3298. Fast, powerful, and extremely cold, this being hugs victims before freezing them completely. It then carries them back towards Yawm. Be careful as it will numb you quickly, rendering you helpless before taking you to Yawm.

For the level requirement, I had to admit, the creature lacked pizazz. Being a catch and grab sort of monster, its combat skills lacked oomph. I walked underneath it, not too difficult a feat. It scrambled to find me, its senses overwhelmed by pain. Despite its lack of combat effect, being near it took a toll on me. It amazed me how loud a creature could gurgle.

When I cut on Oppression, the creature let out a slight squeal before running around with far more vigor. Harpoons impaled right through the monster, each spear slicing into the ground right after. The summon howled in anguish as each lance landed. Our combined onslaught of damage finished it fast.

Too fast.

The creature died in a few seconds from a spike through the rough approximation of a skull. Althea grabbed the experience for the most part as her offensive capabilities maximized here. Considering Obliterator’s requirements, I wasn’t too bothered by it. With that handled, I pulled the creature into one of the many entrances of my labyrinth before whisper-shouting at Althea,

"Ah yeah. We beat the hell out of them."

She stared at her harpoon cannon, the biomass bleeding from the concussive forces of firing. She spoke through gritted teeth, “We...We did.”

Her cannon oozed pain and discomfort. I blinked at her, “So...Are you alright?”

She heaved a breath, “Oh yeah, I’m fine...Let’s wait for another one. Hopefully, it’s a long time before it shows up.”

I kept my eyes on her, making sure her transformations remained contained. My armor indulged in the beast’s corpse before more footsteps echoed in. Taking a glance at Althea, she maintained her composure. Trying to help, I whisper-shouted again, “Make sure to handle your status.”

Her eyes widened, and she facepalmed. She murmured, “Thanks.”

She put points in her skills, and our confidence improved even more. Taking several walkers out wasn't out of the question anymore, especially if we executed well. Oppression could hit a whole group, and her spears could pierce through many foes if she lined her shots up. This made slaughtering them far simpler.

Right as they got close, a message popped up at the absolute worst of times.

Evolution gained. III Harbinger of Cataclysm unlocked. Evolve Y/N?

I frowned before hovering my hand over no. The evolution would have to wait until later. Before I selected no, a tendril of my armor shot outward and selected yes for me. The living metal betrayed me. Adding insult to injury, the transformation hurt more than the last one did. Far more.

As if magma replaced my blood, long needles of armor dug into my body. They sank deep, hitting bones and marrow. Oppression shut down. My breathing sped up. I gasped for air, everything flashing white. Like being covered in bullet ants, my armor writhed under my skin. A countless number of tendrils shifted within me, my entire body engulfing in fire.

My Pain Tolerance reached ninety three earlier, so only 7% of the pain trickled in. That 7% defied reason. It oozed in as an all consuming misery, and my mind roared out at the thought of the pain’s unmitigated might. Writhing on the ground, blood seeped from me, my eyes, my nose. My everything.

I gurgled on it. I drowned in it. I bit my lip, gritting my teeth, and I clenched my fists while crawling on the ground in pain. I tried keeping quiet, but breathing required coughing. I spit out pools of blood, the sanguine stream drenching me. With every ounce of my strength, I stopped my screams. In that eternal quiet, the anguish mounted.

I blustered out bubbles of blood from my nostrils, mucus mixing with it. I sat in silence, but within my mind, I screamed while I lived out a nightmare. Every single nerve in my body was on fire, and I lived it out with an absolute, keen awareness thanks to my perception. Those fire lines traced my entire being. As they crawled, understanding dawned on me.

The armor carved out my nerves, and it replaced them.

It continued. I drooled over the ground. I convulsed, the excruciation driving me insane. From above, a banging sounded. After a minute or two, the rock above me collapsed as three of the robed summons poured in. One opened up, its body showing beneath the robe. Dry, yellow skin crinkled like parchment, lines of strange runes crisscrossing it. Six arms spread wide and energy ebbed.

Mana channeled into its markings, and cooling energy dripped out. It snatched me up, the limbs colder than ice. The frigid feeling splintered into my chest, my blood icing over in seconds. It seeped deep into my bones. As I grew numb, it stole the pain away. Despite the ease of suffering, I fought to keep my eyes open.

The monster crawled back up the wall, holding me in its mass of arms. The monster leaped up the steps, its flat feet landing with surprising elegance and strength. By the time we reached out of the colosseum, the cold wrapped all around me like a loving embrace. My eyesight darkened, my vision’s edge closing in.

Snapping me out of this haze, an intimidating, feminine voice shouted with pride,

"So this is the garbage Torix told me about? He wasn’t kidding about the title, but look at you. The only cataclysm you’re ushering forth is your own."