Several minutes earlier.

Soren Mudrose, Chief Strategic Officer and third in command after José and Megla, slowly paces down the halls of the UTC Bloodbearer. In her claws rests a datapad with a screen visually linked to Admiral Rodriguez's cerebral cortex. This useful tool allows her to see through the Admiral's eyes and hear what he hears so she can survey the situation from above.

As Soren watches the Admiral and her sister trudge through the underground passages, she slowly walks the Bloodbearer's halls. Several Kessu trot past her and wave politely or keep their distance, but none of them bother her, given how busy she appears.

On Soren's datapad, the Admiral finally emerges into the Kessu's hiding hole, making her sigh in relief. As José starts assisting the injured Kessu, Soren walks toward a door, her eyes still fixated on the datapad.

Dong!

The Kraktol's long, crocodilian snout, bonks into the door, startling her. Soren jumps back in surprise, only to gaze at the unopened door with a look of curiosity.

"...Huh? Oh. Wrong room. I wasn't paying attention."

Soren glances to the left at a different door some 100 feet further down the corridor, one with a sign above that says 'Shuttle Maintenance Facility.'

Shaking her head, Soren sighs. "Need to watch where I'm going. Hm? Why didn't this one open, though? I thought the Admiral fixed every rusted door on the ship."

Slowly, Soren raises her eyes to the door she just ran into. Above it, a clearly marked label reads: Restricted: Psionics.

"Err, Umi?" Soren says. "Why can't I enter here? Did the Admiral not repair its entry mechanisms?"

From above, the synthmind speaks. "Officer Soren Mudrose. Your clearance level is insufficient to enter any facilities of Gold Level and above. As an Interim Officer, you must obtain special permission from the Admiral or myself to enter the Psionics Laboratory."

"Oh?"

Soren blinks in surprise.

"I didn't even know there were any restricted areas on the Bloodbearer. Can I ask what's inside?"

Umi beeps in response. "Affirmative."

After a few seconds of waiting, Soren's expression falls. "No, I mean, can you tell me what's inside this facility?"

"Negative. You do not have the proper credentials to enter the Psionics Laboratory."

"Can't you give me a hint?"

"Negative. Only the Admiral can grant access to the Psionics Laboratory."

"But, you just said that you could- sigh... never mind."

Soren shakes her head and resumes course for the shuttle maintenance bay. As she walks, she mutters something under her breath about annoying smartass synthminds.

The red-scaled Kraktol's eyes drop to her datapad once again. As she enters the Shuttle Maintenance Facility, where the slowly incrementing repairs on the Bloodbearer's countless broken shuttles progress ever so slowly, the scene from the Admiral's viewpoint changes. Thanks to his advanced iris imaging capabilities, he spots countless monsters lurking in the darkness ahead, making Soren's heart jump out of her chest.

"What! An ambush?!"

The Kraktol stops dead in her tracks. She gazes at the datapad in shock as the Admiral launches into a ferocious round of combat. His vision becomes a blur, making the screen a jumble of useless images.

"Umi! Is the Admiral okay? What's going on down there?!"

"Admiral Rodriguez has initiated combat with several unknown biological entities," Umi responds.

The synthmind relays the situation to the chief strategic officer. Given how dizzying the Admiral's speed is, Soren can't even follow what's happening via the datapad, so Umi's condensed version is all she has to go on.

Several minutes pass.

Inside the Shuttle Maintenance Facility, countless synthetic holo-personnel work together to repair a combat shuttle, one far more advanced than the Third Era Interceptor José stole from the Kraktol months before. Along with the holo-crew, a small number of relatively intelligent Kessu pitch in a little bit, trying to understand the craft's more complex inner workings. Despite many of their primitive origins, these Kessu still seem to have a light grasp on interstellar mechanics, though their learning speed proves slow and unwieldy.

However, Soren pays them no attention. She continues to stand in the doorway, her eyes wide and a look of shock on her face. The datapad finally stops its frantic gyrating as José comes to a stop, his gaze locked on the darkness around him.

Suddenly, Umi blares a loud and violent alarm overhead!

"Warning. Demonic presences detected on planet Tarus II. All crew to battle stations. Ramma's Prime Directive: Eliminate all heretics and threats to humanity. The Demon Emperor of Shadows, Yama, has been located. This is not a drill. Admiral Rodriguez's life is in imminent peril."

The entire battleship changes its interior colors as countless warning lights activate, bathing every Kessu, synthetic officer, and Soren in an eerie blood-red glow.

"Spare combat personnel: Insufficient. Demon Emperors must be eliminated at all costs. Officer Soren Mudrose: Report to Planetary Outfitting immediately. Specialized combat equipment is required to combat the unique demonic life-forms known as Shades."

Soren's heart races. "Demon Emperor? What's going on? I don't understand! Is the Admiral in danger?!"

"Affirmative," Umi beeps. "Admiral Rodriguez is incapable of killing a Demon Emperor on his own. In addition, he is at extreme risk of losing his life due to a vast quantity of demonic sub-entities. This ship must preserve the last Terran's existence at all costs. Report to Planetary Outfitting. This order is mandatory. You must comply."

Without giving Soren a chance to reply, a teleportation beam suddenly grabs hold of the Tactical Officer. Two seconds later, her body transmits from one end of the ship to the other, placing her smack in the middle of a vast weapon and armor storage area.

"Huh?"

Soren, having never used a transporter before, suddenly feels sick to her stomach. It takes her several seconds to deal with the nausea that wracks her body, but she manages to stagger against a wall and steady her mind.

"Ohh, kyargh... my head hurts. U-Umi... the Admiral is in danger, right? What should I do? Can I somehow save him on my own?"

"Probability: Uncertain," Umi beeps. "However, this synthmind must preserve the last Terran's existence at all costs. Your compliance is irrelevant. Immediately equip yourself with the following devices: Mark II Titan Battlesuit. High Intensity Ray Bombardment Tube. Deployable Photon Shield. Short Range Noxious Dispersion Device..."

Soren's mind focuses as she listens to Umi's orders. One by one, she grabs the items the synthmind points out, her nerves causing her to shakily drop some of the devices before picking them back up again.

"...J-Type Ionic Field. Outfit yourself with these devices immediately. Once you have finished, travel to corridor B-3 and enter the Emergency Launch Tube. I will send you to the planet below. Move expediently, as saving the Admiral's life will depend on your actions."

Soren doesn't hesitate. She quickly steps inside a gigantic, twenty-foot-tall, heavily-armored battlesuit. As she climbs into its wide-open chassis, the suit morphs to her body shape and wraps around her, even going so far as to reshape itself to her long, pointy snout and tail.

Suffocating!

Soren holds her breath as countless layers of 50th Era metal engulf her. Eventually, the suit comes online and it gravitically seizes the devices she picked out a minute before, yanking them to its body, where they adhere via magnetism.

"Officer Soren Mudrose, proceed to the designated launch bay at once. Do not delay. The Admiral has already begun initiating combat with the demonic life forms. His brainwaves have become erratic, and his life signs are already in decline. Time is of the essence."

Soren, now more than twenty feet tall, thrice her normal height, stumbles out of the Planetary Outfitting bay. Her gigantic, metallic feet smash against the deckplates with thunderous force, making several nearby Kessu hiss and flee in fright.

Slowly, Soren begins stomping in the indicated direction, her movements progressively becoming more adept.

"Can't you transport me to the planet from here?"

"Negative. The Mark II Titan Battlesuit possesses several advanced technologies which would interfere with my transportation locks. Due to its highly radioactive core, teleportation would have a high probability of detonating the suit with the explosion threshold of a thermonuclear warhead. Continue to the launch bay as directed."

"I'm going, I'm going."

Soren stomps down the hallways and travels to a room she's never entered before. Among the endless number of facilities aboard the Bloodbearer, this one exists on the periphery, the underside of the ship.

When she enters the Launch Bay, she spots a dozen gigantic vacuum tubes, each one twenty-feet-tall, open, ready, and waiting. The tubes stand vertically, and rest atop what appears to be a gigantic cannon aimed outside of the ship at the planet below. Several synthetic officers materialize inside the room and beckon toward the tube.

"Enter immediately," One of the holo-personnel says. "The Admiral's vital signs continue to grow more erratic. His battle is intensifying as we speak."

Soren doesn't answer. She merely nods while stomping toward the nearest tube. She steps inside the tube and holds her breath as its door swiftly closes.

A terrible sense of claustrophobia seizes Soren's mind as the darkness engulfs her. Inside the Titan Battlesuit, a monitor relays to her the Admiral's situation, detailing his failing vital signs. Seeing her friend slowly losing his life, Soren swallows her complaints.

"Attention, all personnel: Tactical Officer Soren Mudrose is preparing for launch. Acting Fourth Officer Nyoor will stay in command of the ship until her return."

The tube whirrs to life, and an abrupt jolting sensation startles Soren as Umi rapidly calculates the launch vectors needed to reach her target destination.

"Launch coordinates calculated. Firing in three... two... one..."

THOOMPH!

Soren shrieks involuntarily as the ship launches her out of the firing tube toward the planet below.

"Ahhhh!! Thülvik protect meeee!!"

Umi's voice, on the other hand, is as calm as ever.

"Titan Battlesuit inbound."

.......................................

Somewhere underground, deep within Tarus II's depths.

Emperor Yama gazes at the seemingly insignificant Terran from the shadows. His eyes quiver as the being which formerly resembled an ant in his eyes quickly becomes much more fearsome, emitting a soul-shaking pressure without moving a muscle! The human's glowing body slowly shifts its color from white to a light sky-blue, while a faint, shimmering force-field of cyan coats his skin from head to toe.

What power is this? Yama ponders. It feels like magic... it reminds us of the ancient Heroes, the humans who once stomped demonkind underfoot! But... the Heroes disappeared long ago! They've not been seen for countless eras! How could this human be one?!

Yama snaps his head to the side. Unseen by José, but very visible to Yama, innumerable 'eyes' peep out of the walls, gazing at the human with curious and malicious intent. Yama's 'harem,' his army of female Shades, lurks within the smallest shadows of the cave walls.

"What are you waiting for?!" Yama bellows. "Kill the human, then snatch his women! We want them alive and struggling!"

[Yes, Master!]

The Shades answer in unison, their replies transmitted telepathically through their mental link to Yama. Unable to disobey his commands, the swarm of Shades emerges from the walls, their heavy iron rods held at the ready.

Whiff whiff whiff!!

A hundred missiles fly toward José from every angle, their trajectories aimed at all of his vital organs. Even with his incredible speed, the human hasn't a chance at dodging his imminent death.

However, at that moment, the Admiral's eyes rapidly flick around, as if targeting the iron bars mid-flight.

His palm jerks up.

Whoomph!

The iron rods freeze mere inches from his body!

As if stuck inside an invisible wall, the steel projectiles hover in midair and tremble for a split-second before falling and clattering to the ground.

Yama's expression turns to one of shock.

The human... he... he used telekinesis! That's magic! Only a Hero could use such a powerful ability!

José lunges forward. He jumps toward the wall where the Shades continue to hover and stare, their eyes fixed on him in shock. Before they can react, José rushes toward a small cluster of six Shades and stretches out his hand.

"AaaaRRGGHHH!!"

The females scream in unison. Their bodies collapse as a formless pressure grabs hold of them from all angles and forcibly rips them out of the shadows. Unable to fight back, they fly toward the human and become engulfed in the bright light radiating from his skin. José squeezes his hand and crushes the life out of all six Shades, killing them before they can beg for mercy.

The moment their life forces disappear, Yama's fear transforms into rage. "NOO! Slaughterer, Madness, Hatred! All dead! Wretched FLESHBAG! How DARE you kill our women!"

All of the Shades disperse, now realizing the human has a method for killing them. They quickly retreat to put distance between themselves and the Terran, but not one of them gives up the fight. A terrifying battle unfolds as Yama's harem begins unleashing hell on José, summoning the metal rods to pelt him from afar, while Yama himself also takes action.

The Shadow Emperor conjures magic from his vast reserves. He fires explosive shadow-balls at José, detonating them with chaotic mana not far from the Terran's body. José's telekinetic abilities allow him to tank the damage, so Yama follows-up by binding José's feet in place with shadow manipulation. Even with his skin glowing radiantly, the Terran still possesses a small amount of darkness right where his feet meet the floor.

However, Yama's shadow binding only momentarily stops José's movement. The Terran turns his head to gaze at the Shadow Devil.

Screeeeee!!

A terrifying, high-pitched noise erupts inside Yama's mind, stunning him and making him lose his focus. The Emperor of Shadows howls in pain and falls out of his dark enclave. He hits the floor and explodes into a soot-like cloud before reforming into the body of a man equal in stature to Admiral Rodriguez.

"Hahaha! We see now, human!" Yama roars. "Do you think you can kill us simply because you're a Hero?! We've survived Joan of Arc, and King Arthur... and we will certainly survive you!"

José yanks three more Shades out of the walls. He crushes them to dust, then turns and glowers at the Emperor of Shadows. "I'm not a 'Hero.' I'm one of Ramma's Chosen, you pathetic false Emperor. You'll die here today, just like all the other heretics I've killed."

"Liar! We see through your deceptions, Hero!"

The Admiral snorts. "Believe whatever you want."

.......................................

Minutes before.

José, having made up his mind to wipe out all of these demons, no matter the cost, sighs within the depths of his heart.

He closes his eyes and transmits a command to his inner biomods.

[Umi. Activate the Psionic Enhancer. Limit its power to the first level.]

[Orders acknowledged, Admiral Rodriguez. Special-type biomod 'Psionic Enhancer' set to Level One. Psionic limitations removed. Safety restrictions are still in effect.]

As the Admiral opens his eyes, a shimmering sensation of power wraps around his body, transforming into a psionic barrier similar in nature to Megla's Survival Suit.

[Admiral,] Umi says, her tone carrying no emotion. [Proceed with caution. Ramma's Chosen are not supposed to use the power of the Psions wantonly. Even though humanity has gone extinct, revealing this trump card could-]

[I'm aware.]

José's eyes flick toward the Shades in the room as all of them rear their arms back and prepare to hurl their metal rods at him.

[Humanity is dead. It doesn't matter anymore if the current Milky Way inhabitants learn about my abilities. They aren't technologically advanced enough to copy my powers.]

[Besides,] He adds, [my primary purpose is to slaughter heretics. With a Demon Emperor in front of me... how can I hold back?!]

A storm of iron rods flies at José. Before they can strike the Admiral, his eyes flash with psionic might.

Freeze!

Instantly, the rods halt their momentum mid-flight. They hover inches away from his body, then fall to the ground.

The Admiral's vision changes. Rather than merely relying on his iris modules, he draws out the psionic power within his brain to locate the the soul energy of the Shades surrounding him. An army of demons becomes visible, dying the darkness in a flood of bright-green 'blips', each shimmering globe representing one of humanity's heretical enemies.

Whoosh!

José launches forward from a standstill, his already incredible movement augmented by the power of the Psions, the ancient Volgrim known for their awe-inspiring telekinetic powers!

His hand darts forward, and he grabs at the air.

"AaaaRRGGHHH!!"

Six Shades fall into the Terran's clutches. He crushes them into pulp while bombarding them with his skin's bioluminescence.

Yama howls in rage from one of the distant walls, his globule of light appearing even brighter than the other Shades surrounding him. "NOO! Slaughterer, Madness, Hatred, All dead! Wretched FLESHBAG! How DARE you kill our women?!"

Unaffected by the Shadow Emperor's rage, José continues his destructive tour unabated. He flits from side to side, dodging or deflecting countless lethal attacks with split-second reaction times. Not only the mysterious iron rods, but shadow bombs, rocks ripped from the ceiling, and even shadow bindings fail to meet their mark.

José smashes through any barrier blocking in his path. He slaughters three dozen Shades within minutes, each one only making Yama more violent and rage-crazed than the ones before.

"Hahaha! We see now, human!" Yama roars. "Do you think you can kill us simply because you're a Hero?! We've survived Joan of Arc, and King Arthur... and we will certainly survive you!"

Admiral Rodriguez ducks a sweeping shadow-scythe attack launched by one desperate Shade, only moments before crushing her with his mind. He glances back at Yama cooly.

"I'm not a 'Hero.' I'm one of Ramma's Chosen, you pathetic false Emperor. You'll die here today, just like all the other heretics I've killed."

Unnoticed by Yama or the other Shades, a moment of searing agony wracks José's brain, causing his right eye to twitch. The human grits his teeth as the backlash from using psionic abilities begins injuring his brain.

José's expression darkens.

That's right. I'm not a Hero. If I were a Hero, I could kill every filthy demon on this world without batting an eye. I'm only a man, a human who has forcefully broken through the limits of my biology via the power of a higher being.

But even with that being the case... it doesn't matter.

As long as I'm alive, I shall follow Ramma's will to the very end! I must purge the galaxy of demonic filth!

Gritting his teeth, José sweeps his gaze around the halls, toward the countless Shades he still has yet to kill.

[Umi! Adjust the Psionic Enhancer to level two! I need more power! I need to wipe out every demon in these caves!]

[Admiral!] Umi replies. [Terran physiology is unable to withstand the mental stresses caused by psionic powers. Raising the special-type biomod 'psionic enhancer' to Level Two is certain to cause moderate cerebral damage. Are you certain you wish to proceed?]

[Yes! Increase the level to two!]

[Orders acknowledged. Special-type biomod 'Psionic Enhancer' set to Level Two. Psionic limitations removed. Safety restrictions removed. Warning! Consult a level five neurosurgeon immediately, or you will suffer permanent damage-]

[I know, god dammit!]

A drop of blood drips from Admiral Rodriguez's nose as he strains his brain even further. He aims his left palm at Yama and coils energetic power into the illusory space before his hand.

Energy Manipulation... if it's level two... I can just barely...

The Admiral's eyes bulge with strain as a massive condensing of electrical energy begins to form in front of him. Lightning bolts arc toward the nanosword in his right hand, but they only serve to slightly energize its spent fuel batteries, rather than electrocute the Admiral himself.

"Rrrrggghh!!"

José's grinds his teeth together. Sweat builds on his forehead. Hundreds of Shades use this moment of distraction to fling their iron bolts at him, but instead of deflecting them, the Admiral remains perfectly still and relies on the skin-tight Psionic Barrier surrounding him to protect himself. The iron bolts bounce off the barrier and fall to the ground with loud clattering noises, startling the Shades.

"What is that human doing?"

"Ehehe! It's his last, desperate attempt to hurt us! Look, he's bleeding from his nose! His head is sure to explode soon!"

"Quick, while he's distracted, keep pelting him!"

Over and over, the Shades bombard José from all angles, but the human stubbornly holds on, glaring at the distant Emperor of Shadows while continuously building up the electrical orb held in front of his chest.

Suddenly and without warning, the lightning globe fires from José's palm! It races across the 300 meter gap toward the Emperor of Shadows in the blink of an eye and explodes, sending thousands of lightning bolts in every direction.

"Eeeyyaaargh!!"

Yama howls in agony as pain tears across every inch of his smoke-covered form. Not only does the lightning contain immense electrical power, but its sheer brightness and luminosity burns his soul, forcing him to leap out of the darkness and skitter along the ground like a spider missing half its legs. Yama screeches repeatedly, each howl containing the misery of a dying dog, yet he somehow survives José's brutal attack, revealing just how durable his Emperor-level body truly is.

The Shadow Emperor eventually slithers past José and leaps onto a shadow-covered wall. He spares a glance backward, only to feel his soul shake as he realizes more than a hundred of his females perished to José's lightning orb! Their scorched miasma lines the distant alcove where he proudly hovered only a minute before, sending heart-rending pain throughout his body.

"Filthy HERO! We won't let you live! We will rip the skin off your bones and flay the tendons from your flesh! We'll grind your skull into powder and feed it to the wargs!!"

As the Emperor beats a hasty retreat, José breathes heavily.

"I'm not a Hero. But after I kill all of you... they might just make me a legend."