Crystal Symphony

Bonus: Book 4: Edition 1 2013: Ch-5 and Ch-6

Bonus Chapter: Original Version of Ch-5

Author's Note: This was the original script I wrote back in 2013 from book 4. As you can see, there are notable differences. A lot have been changed overtime from my writing:) At the time I did not wrote book 1 so a lot of the ideas and concepts I had at the time were very rough and not polished. This was the easiest starting point for me to write back then. The changes have been made for the best to improve the flow and development for the characters. Also, the changes where made to tie in with the events of Book 1.

Chapter 5

Winds of Change

Minutes before Alistor arrived....The Crystal Vortex army arrives at the center of the main

fountain within a tornado. Heavy winds begin to thrust as day turns to darkness with clouds

covering all light.

-Auroa-

Well we got here early. Let’s return the favor with a nice welcome hoo hoo. We’ll leave

something for them all to clean up this time.

-Havok-

“Let's take our sweet time here. Before he even arrives I’ll have half this city block

completely destroyed.”

Their army of Vortex soldiers and monsters begin rummaging through the city causing all

forms of damage. The sound of people in fear and running away.

-Kabuki-

Well it seems they’re running for a change this time. They know us well by now.

Filled with complete fear.

-Auroa-

As long nobody gets in our way. They have nothing to fear. We’ll return the favor.

The Vortex army splits up taking of valuables resources from the most protected strongholds.

They crash through many businesses and stores where they felt entertained. Havok splits from

Auroa and Kabuki’s group to handle whatever retaliation and defenses the kingdom sent to stop

them. The damage quickly leveled off. A battlefield before Alistor arrives.

-Kabuki-

“Ah the royal kingdom treasury. Such selfish ones with all the wealth can care less.

We’ll have the fun clearing them out.”

As Kabuki rounds the monsters to smash open the vaults, Auroa took a glance at the local

jewelry at the corner. Through the glass window he starred frozen and speechless. A special

amulet displayed at the front fixates him. His mind went off to another time and place.

-Sarah-

“Ah no parents to worry about.”

A time in place he recalls. A young boy and a girl away from their village walking down the

kingdom’s square at night. Merely just kids in an innocent time.

-Auroa-

My parents would kill me if they knew and what about the others?

-Sarah-

“I know… I want to see when that day too. Things will change one day. I just know it.

Don't worry, you don't need them. I’m here for you.”

-Auroa-

“You’re right! All I need is you to make me feel complete.”

The two continue their stroll in town. They pass by the town’s jeweler. Sarah's eyes gets

transfixed on an amulet right outside the store window.

-Sarah-

Oh...... It's beautiful, Auroa take a look.

-Auroa-

Hmm? Oh you like it?

-Sarah-

“Maybe one day you'll be able to get it mhm…”

He goes to take a closer look.

-Auroa-

“Hot damn! That's very pricey.”

They were both laughing and not caring as they continued walking down. A nice full moon

comes as the clouds cleared away. They sat together somewhere by the benches.

-Sarah-

“Don't worry Auroa..... I'll be there for you. You’ll never be alone. No matter how far or

worlds apart we are.”

The Wind ruler snaps out from his flash back as Kabuki tapped him. The Valaura crystal in

his pocket starts emitting a faint glow around for the moment but stops. He finally comes back to

his senses.

-Kabuki-

“Snap out of it, is something the matter?” He was concerned.

-Auroa-

“Oh sorry just..... Another pointless memory. Something not that important.”

They take everything from the vaults. Auroa only took the amulet displayed at the front

corner. Havok signals the sound of call. The rest of the attacking monsters fell back as Auroa

and Kabuki arrives to the front scene.

-Kabuki-

Havok’s calling to us. Alistor must have entered the city. Well it's about time we get back.

The rest of you fall back.”

They witness Havok cutting through warriors trying to defend the kingdoms city. Royal

knights and guards slayed here and there. The sight of an ignorant public caught within the battle

cut down to size. Auroa and Kabuki joined in the destruction.

-Auroa-

“Oh just look at them all squirm. They fight for nothing as Moon would say. Let’s finish

this once and for all ha ha ha.”

Auroa just laughed at the sight of spilt blood along with Kabuki and Havok. A huge amount

of wind was felt by Alistor. A cyclone at the town’s central square quickly ends the battle. He

goes to witness the horror with Swifter. The last man choking in Auroa’s grasp for air.

-Auroa-

“Now you can join them…”

He bursts a hole through his inside with air. Casting him aside for Havok to kick up and

disintegrate in one s***h. Alistor stands there. The sight of dead body’s lie around.

-Alistor-

“Auroa? Is that you?”

The wind master turns around. A creepy smile to greet him home.

-Auroa-

Mu ha ha ha ha ha ha. How so much have changed Alistor. A lovely day isn’t it? So where

have you been all these years?

-Swifter-

The Crystal Vortex…Is this them?

-Alistor-

You changed so much. What happened to you? Why? Why are you doing this?

-Auroa-

You don’t say? Many reasons and other technical difficulty's that’s why. I despise them all.

Ever since you disappeared the rest of our old team have left. Sairori passed and that made things

difficult. Mathias is nothing but a selfish pack of ignorant bigots who won’t look from a

different perspective. Art is alive.

-Alistor-

What do you mean?

-Auroa-

I have come to realize Moon’s vision. This world we live in will never be perfect. Others will

suffer more if we don’t act now. The Crystal Vortex shall restore balance and overthrow this

current law of corrupt order. There's more my old friend.

-Alistor-

What? I don’t understand…

-Auroa-

“In time the people will thank us. To allow a world of free thought to expression in the arts.

To expand on culture and entertainment.”

Kabuki got into a stage pose.

“You see… This is a revolution just like what Baronia and Aggerona was originally standing

for. Mathias old ways won’t fit. No longer will we fall under the epitome of one law and rule to

follow. No religion to be bound to. To allow others to grow and expand for a new and better

tomorrow. We’re just having our little fun time. We won’t stop till they realize our vision and

soon the rest of the world. So… As an old friend I ask you. Stay out of our way, we have

nothing against you.”

Alistor was nearly left speechless. His hair covering his eyes as his head went down trying

not to show emotion. He felt slightly heartbroken hearing this, but kept strong and faced him.

-Alistor-

“You've lost it Auroa. You’re insane! If you continue hurting others. I’ll have to take you

down. Please! Stop this madness at once.” He quietly spoke.

-Auroa-

Fool… They’re the monsters. They just got in our way. Art is alive! Art is what give me a

new purpose to exist. Art is what I'll show to bring Mathias to a new light. Mu ha ha ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

-Alistor-

“You’re insane! Damn it!” He shook his head.

Alistor makes a charge towards them but Havok intercepts. He is surprised by the general’s

quick reaction. Havok knocks him back. Auroa simply just slaps his forehead pestering him

as something comes to his devious mind.

-Auroa-

Wait! How about a proclamation.

-Alistor-

“How so?” He got himself back up.

-Auroa-

“Is this what you’re seeking?”

He brought out the object he desired most. A piece of the Valaura crystal. His eyes widen for

the slight moment.

-Alistor-

“The Valaura crystal of Mind….” He uttered.

-Auroa-

“Yes! You seek Mind, Body, and Soul. This is the mind piece and you can have this. All I ask

is no further interference in our plans? Let us take over this entire kingdom and we’ll even

help you locate the remaining pieces after. How does that sound? More than fair enough?”

It was bribe yet painful choice for him to make.

-Alistor-

The Crystal…. For Rena….Let Mathias fall...Or Rena…..

-Auroa-

“Yes! You want your beloved Rena back don’t you? Give up now and you’ll be on your

way. It’s a win win.”

A tense moment in the passing. The flames died away as the cold winds breeze through the

whole city. Both sides at a standstill. Alistor quickly decided.

-Alistor-

“No…..I can’t do this. It’s not right. I won’t sell out Mathias for this.” His mood suddenly

turned around.

“Besides… It wouldn’t be fun after all if I didn’t try. I want to know how strong you guys

are? You’re my next challenge that lies in my path. So I won’t give up without a fight.

I’m taking the harder path Auroa and I’ll earn that Crystal fair and square. Just like Sairori once

said. There are no short cuts in life…”

He felt better after that speech. Pointing directly towards them ready for anything. This got

the Wind ruler smiling once again. Havok and Kabuki gets into a dramatic pose.

-Auroa-

“Just like the old times. Four years may have passed, but you remain true to your roots.

Very well…Since you made your choice. Let us begin! Allow us to introduce ourselves.”

Auroa begins posing for his first on screen debut.

“In no longer just Auroa, I’m WIND RULER AUROA!!!

Havok jumps into the scene cutting and showing off in the air. He lands on the ground posing

with his blade.

-Havok-

“Havok’s the name, and pains my game.”

A stage emerges for Kabuki to dance around in. He waves and spins his hair around for a

brief moment before posing.

-Kabuki-

“Kabuki is the name and I’ll bring new wave of culture crashing to this world.”

All three of them go to say one last thing at the same time. Alistor and Swifter were left

speechless.

“WE ARE THE CRYSTAL VORTEX!!! A NEW WAVE OF DEVASTATION

WE”LL ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE.”

An unnecessary disco ball shines above them. Swifter gives them a round of applaud while

Alistor lost them.

-Kabuki-

Man that felt pretty good.

-Havok-

Indeed! You got this all on camera?

-Kabuki-

Sure did!

-Havok-

Awesome! Our first unintended moment on stage.

-Auroa-

Yes….Now we can say we’ve done it.

-Alistor-

“What was that all about?”

He stood there mildly confused.

-Auroa-

Oh well you look at the time! We got to get going. Au Revoir!

-Alistor-

Hey get back here.

-Kabuki-

If you want to know your next challenge playing hero. Head to the Hydra Desert. The next

key will be there.

-Havok-

“Yeah! Our next set of monsters will be waiting there. They’re dying to face you….

If you can make it there alive ha ha ha.”

Auroa casts a vortex of air to teleport away and the next moment they were gone.

Alistor and party heads to Tazuma's meeting up with Alshrya.

-Alshrya-

“Oh so you've come.”

He fills them in on information the kingdom knows on Vortex activities regarding the

Hydra Desert. They are briefly astonished to hear of an enemy base set in the middle of a

hostile environment.

-Alistor-

What? A base in the middle of a vast desert? How is that even possible? So you're saying a

base being constructed in Hydra Desert.

-Swifter-

Well what choice do we have? The next piece of the key lies there.

-Alshrya-

Yes you two must prevent them from completing this base. Take these explosives to take out

the boulders blocking the way to Hydra Desert.

-Alistor-

Boulders?

-Alshrya-

“Yes! The enemy has blocked our access for quite a while now from entering that part. With

these you can clear a path to get to the base. Be careful not to get lost in that desert.”

And with that the two take leave making their way to the Hydra region of Mathias.

Meanwhile...In another village Sarah is seen returning to her home. Holding on to an old broken

half crest like Auroa had. A warm red scarf by her shoulders.

-Sarah-

Auroa…I’ll be the one to finish you.

Later that night at the dark fortress…

-Kabuki-

“Auroa what shall we do with with the pile of riches and spoils of battle?”

The Wind ruler looked at the huge mound of gold piled up high in the room on the manor we

effortlessly attacked. Unimpressed with not much to say he gave the command.

-Auroa-

“Just distribute it out to the poor I guess. Get Havok and the others to assist as well.

We have no use or value in such material wealth; we’re just here to take what is needed. Let us

be off to return some good. ”

What was right or wrong didn’t matter. Mischief mischief mischief all it was. Going against

friends and comrades was a thrill... Though we’re not really that evil. The majority of our attacks

consisted of property damage, targeting on the nobles the rich, then there’s taking what was

necessary, free shopping, and of course territory for our own operations. We only hurt

those that got in our way. We’re only doing this for the greater good.

---------------------------

Bonus Chapter: Original Version of Ch-6

Author’s Note: This was the original script I wrote back in 2013 from book 4. As you can see, there are notable differences. A lot have been changed overtime from my writing:) At the time I did not wrote book 1 so a lot of the ideas and concepts I had at the time were very rough and not polished. This was the easiest starting point for me to write back then. The changes have been made for the best to improve the flow and development for the characters. Also, the changes where made to tie in with the events of Book 1.

Chapter 6

Hydra Desert

The two are walking through the desert in search for the hidden base said to lie deep

somewhere….Mindlessly wandering for hours till finding a nearby oasis. Relieved to finally

made progress they head to it. Suddenly they feel shaking , something below in the line of the

sands.

-Alistor-

Something’s following us, be on guard.

-Swifter-

“One of their monsters perhaps? No! Wait this one’s different.”

Bursting out from the sand a massive sand hydra blocks the path. A wild creature from the

desert nothing more. They arm themselves ready to face the beast as it roars down at them.

-Alistor-

“Looks like we’ll have to take care of this one first. Damn….I was looking forward for a

quick drink. Come on you big ugly beast. Give me your best shot.”

The wild creature makes the first move diving down to battle as they clashes with it. A dust

storm begins to pick up. Annoyed they must fight….

Back from the dark sky fortress…

-Kabuki-

Finally! Done with counting all the leftover gold and jewellry we stole. There’s still so much

left. We must disburse these somehow later…

-Havoc-

How much value is this all worth Kabuki?

-Kabuki-

More than we could imagine…Approximately at least an easy 6 million in gold and

valuables.

-Havok-

“Oh goody! Let it be stored into the fortress treasury. To keep everything in balance. We’ll

distribute a fair share through the poor and pay among our entire staff later. This will keep

everything into sufficient.”

The both of them divided out the valuables evenly.

-Kabuki-

“I'll go give Auroa his share. Be right back…”

He goes to find Auroa sitting by the main hall fixated with a broken half of the fire crest in his

hands. Looking at his reflection in the mirror. He begins to worry.

“There you are. Well here is your share from the spoils of battle.”

-Auroa-

I have no need in it Kabuki I’m good.

-Kabuki-

What? Are you sure?

-Auroa-

“Yes….” He nodded. “You both can have my stash. This amulet is all I need for now.

It speaks to me somehow…”

-Kabuki-

“Huh why? Is something the matter? I see you still have your eyes on that crest. Was

there something special about it? First it was the amulet from that store and now this.”

Auroa is seen gloomy and less lively. He gets up to look at the viewing screen. Alistor and

Swifter in the middle of a battle against the sand hydra.

-Auroa-

I see Alistor wandering that vast desert trying to find the base. Crazy enough to even fight

that big thing. How so about that Amulet you say?

-Kabuki-

“Ever since you laid eyes on that thing back in Mathias you weren’t feeling your usual

self. Nostalgia I can put it.”

He closed his eyes.

-Auroa-

Hmmm it just feels..... It just hurts! That you can never forget. I look at myself in the mirror

day by day after what she said. What have I become?

-Kabuki-

“Yes you were once a man.” He nodded. “How painful it can be to suffer from experience

on the inside. What is your story behind this flaw within?”

Auroa cleared his mind. He got up turning around to face him as the Moon shined from

the window background.

-Auroa-

“I am going to tell a tale from another time and place. No matter how hard I try and forget,

this worthless human side resides in me. A heart that still yearns on the inside. The only thing

left of my humanity. I have completely changed on the outside and taken a liking to this new

form. The crest I hold was from a special someone far too long ago. Here goes…”

Auroa’s tale…

To a time and place, a boy playing in the forest.

“Why are you crying?” The boy wonder.

“Don’t look. Go away.” She muttered quietly at the corner.

“What’s wrong?”

The girl was butchering up her bright red hair, shying away.

“It’s hideous…”

“What is?” The boy still didn’t understand.

“You know what it is. The color of my hair.” She mumbled quietly.

“I don’t find it too bad.” The boy said.

“Really?” She slowly stopped her weeping and turned to him.

Suddenly she approached close to him. Examining the bit of detail upon curiosity with her

large red eyes.

“Are you a girl?” She asked.

His hair past beyond the shoulders reaching down at the chest, covering a part of his eye.

“No, I’m a boy.” He said.

“Really?” She reacted sarcastically. “You sure don’t look like one.”

“Are you a boy then?” He asked.

“I wish.” She said.

Both flattered they giggled at one another. She went up and grabs his hand.

“Want to play dress up?” She asked. “But you will be the girl and I’ll be the boy.”

“If it makes you feel better. Ok then.”

“The names Sarah. What’s yours?

“I’m Auroa.”

Together off deep within the forest, and the beginning of a new friendship.

We started seeing each other from time to time by the same spot. We did everything together without our parents even knowing. From hide and seek to tag. We skipped stones, threw rocks, caught lizards, butterflies, and even pretended battling monsters. By the end of the day, before sun set she always combed my hair. Feeling her soft warm hands creep down every long strand. Feeling her breath breathing at the back of my neck blanketed in her arms. The scent she emits was burnt up and crisp at times to my wonders.

“So where are you from?” I one day asked.

“I’m from the fire. The Inferna Flame Heart tribe, what about you?”

“From Airyglyph, a village within the Winds.

“That’s cool.” She smiled. “So same time tomorrow?”

Though never caring less, we knew nothing of the world outside beyond our boundaries.

Both young from different clans and villages. The illusive forest was the one place that took us

to another time and place. Like time never even mattered, shrouded within its protective

darkness. An everlasting eternity I only wished could last forever, but all a fantasy. Then

one day it happened.

“What shall we do today Sarah?” I asked.

“Let me think…Ah!” She screamed by surprise.

Her parents pulled her back as I stood there facing them. My parents pull me away as well. Never had we knew we were from completely separate enemy villages. Both drawn by hate and unbound rivalry. I was scolded and sent to my room upon return home. I snuck out that night to keep the promise we made to spend the night outdoors together.

Later that day we met up as planned, deep within a part of the forest not many knew of. Pitch

dark in the night she lit the flames for us to see. When I took a look at her I was horrified at the

sight of her face.

“What happened…?” I whispered quietly.

She was in tears as I went to comfort her. Her parents scolded her even more than my

parents even did. Bruises and cuts with some burnt marks at the side of her face, a feeling

of deep anger sparks in me for the first time.

“They just beat me senseless.” She cried out leaning to me, griping my hair.

As we watched the beautiful cherry blossoms bloom deep within the forest, time slowly

healed the wound inside. In each other arms the whole night keeping warm till morning was

barely an hour from breaking in. Suddenly an idea came to me.

“Sarah...”

“Huh?” Her red eyes caught my attention.

“Want to run away? Together and never looking back.”

She hesitated for the moment, confused and scared like I was.

“I...I don’t know.”

“I know, I’m scared too but life can be more than fantasy.” I got up reaching to her. “Take

my hand, follow me.”

She slowly got up on her feet. Hands close and tight, suddenly an explosion set off from the

distance.

Followed the smoldering smoke back to my home. When we arrived I could see at last

what I only assumed before. My home village set ablaze in an inferno as I witnessed my clan

cut down and slaughtered by her village. Burning with a vengeance, my eyes burnt from the heat.

The very sight of my beloved parent’s home burned to the ground, my eyes fill with tears. A

bittersweet relief from the heat I fall to my knees in despair. Looking at Sarah in sadness as we

run to the only grove of intact woods we can find. Glancing back at my village, nothing remains

but ash and nothing will ever be the same.

“I’m so sorry.” She went to comfort me at the sight of my dead parents.

A loud voice can be heard yelling. About to be soon discovered not much time was left.

I saw her parents within part of the crowd of attackers.

“Sarah, Want to run away? Together?” I asked again.

She looked back. They were closing in and time was thinning away.

“They’re probably looking for me. I can’t…” She whispered. “They’ll hunt us down from

times end.”

Sarah suddenly brought out an amulet she was wearing. She broke the amulet

off her neck.

“What are you doing?”

Her eyes rolled to the sides, a voice from the crowd yelling this way. Pressing her fingers

down on till it snapped in half. Placing one of the half in the palms of my hand.

“Here…take this. So that way we’ll remember each other.”

Giving one last final kiss, she turned the other way. Running to the growing flames in

opposite direction as I escaped.

“No matter how far apart may we be. The only thing keeping me from the darkness is my love for you, and the only thing that I want to do, is to see you one last time. May our paths cross

one day again.” That was the last time I ever saw her till many years later to come…

His story ends from there…

-Kabuki-

“Such a bitter end…. Have you two ever met again?” The only thing he could feel was

sadness by this unfortunate end.

-Auroa-

By chance we did a decade later. Our first encounter rounded up in a first fight pitted against

one another during the war against Moon and the Aggerona Empire. An illusion and spell

cast on both our sides for their amusement. I hate to admit it was an embarrassment on our part

that time. We attacked our own reinforcements but I putted up a good fight with her.

-Kabuki-

“How so?” His mood began to cheer.

-Auroa-

“ Funny thing, she couldn’t even remember me after. But that is another tale to tell for next

time. Let us be off on our way ha ha.”

Returning to the Hydra Desert… The two have finally taken out the massive Sand Hydra

lying flat dead on the ground. They take the time to refresh by the Oasis cooling off in the

shades by the trees.

-Alistor-

Glad that’s over with it. I wonder what Auroa and those guys are doing now. Man I wish

we don’t have to leave now…

-Swifter-

“I know what you mean…”

Suddenly something inside the Hydra’s mouth they noticed. They both took precautions

once more. Bulging out from the dead things mouth was a person. Part machine and fairly

cloaked.

-Swifter-

“What is that? “ He went close to poke his blade at it.

It immediately reacted and startles them by surprise. An unknown robotic android thanking

them for their help. Alistor and Swifter stumble upon a random Baronia model that was

originally lost. An abandoned model apparently.

-Alistor-

Wait…So let me get this straight. That thing swallowed you and you’ve been trapped in that

thing since Baronia was around?

The robot nodded.

-Plasmus-

“Oh I forgot to introduce myself. You can call me Plasmus. Thank you very much it’s been a

long time since I last seen any day light. Yes! I was a Baronia model, an abandoned design but

since you fellows save me I don’t know how I can repay in any way.”

The robot suddenly came to a solution.

“I know! I’ll join you in your quests for whatever you’re seeking.”

-Alistor-

“Wait! Hold on a minute. We didn’t agree to anything yet.” Surprised how quickly

the robot made a decision.

-Swifter-

“I say sure! The more the merrier.” He had no formal objection towards it. Alistor looked

at him.

-Plasmus-

I can possibly navigate us through this desert. If my system is still functioning still that is.

What do you say?

-Alistor-

“Sigh….You too? Fine if you can get us through you can join the bandwagon. Let’s get

moving…

Plasmus joins them on the journey. Not too soon they were wandering aimlessly once again.

Hours past and they round back at the Oasis once again. He begins to lose his cool and

patience.

“Argh! We’re going in circles... At this rate we’ll be stuck in this accursed desert forever. Are

you sure it’s even working? No wonder Baronia left you out here.” He goes to sit back and clear

his mind up.

-Plasmus-

Well this area was purposely aimed to delude us of our paths. An entire maze of mirages we

must look out for. If there’s a way I suggest we take the paths that are not too good to be true.

-Swifter-

“Like the time we decide to take the one with the spa and hotel resort? That didn’t

go very well ha ha. Fell for that obvious one good.”

They sighed for a slight moment of disappointment. With the daylight nearly ending

they decide to call it a day and set camp.

Later that night…

-Alistor-

“Just where is a real guide when you need one…”

Just as he begins to get some shut eyes Plasmus sounds the alarm alerting the team of

an incoming enemy assault. A set of Vortex guards pops out from under the sands.

-Swifter-

Well the least of all it’s an ambush!

-Alistor-

“Let’s take this pack of garbage out. I had it with this desert.

They charged in against the leading assault. Plasmus provided support from behind as the two

took on the offense in a clash. Sparks of lasers shot out from the tip of the Vortex soldier’s

spears. A gale force of wind pushed them back. The soldiers closed in surrounding them in a

circle dancing around.

-Alistor-

“Enough! I had it.” He hacks and slashes with Swifter. Breaking away from the guards

surrounding offense. Alistor finishes them with a pair of the mirror striking technique. Two

waves of cutting energy knock the Vortex guards down on the ground rolling.

-Plasmus-

“Two more enemies are approaching! Their different.”

Just before they were in the clear two monsters emerge out from the sands. Heavy and seemed

as if they were quickly made. Their weight makes an impact on the field.

-Mecheye-

Not so fast!

-Gear Star-

“Hold it right there.” This monster spun around.

-Mecheye-

“Think your goanna make it to that base? This is Vortex territory now.”

Both monsters charged into the group forcing them all make a run to the sides. Mecheye starts

locking on his targets. Gear Star begins to spin around creating a dust storm. Alistor and the

party was unable to see their foes. Plasmus gets knocked down by one laser attack.

-Swifter-

Damn! I can’t see them.

-Alistor-

“You can say that again. Damn…If only we got a wind master right now…

Well no time for regrets....”

He blindly fires his attack in the dust storm missing. Swifter does the same thing as well. The

both of them get hit by Mecheye’s projectiles. The storm continues on pummeling them.

Plasmus gets back up to cover for them.

-Mecheye-

Ha ha ha. How will you ever beat us if you can’t see?

-Gear Star-

“Commander Norverious will be proud!”

The dust storm continues on. Alistor then realizes something and comes with a plan for the

team to follow. Remembering one of Auroa’s moves in a jam like this. The other two get into

position.

-Alistor-

“Just follow my lead.”

A plan set for action Plasmus gets completely charged up for a mass attack. Alistor gets

to the center in the open while Swifter stands by. Mecheye’s laser comes in and soon

reflected back hitting Gear Star directly. An artificial spiked tail comes out from the energy

formed by the crown sword. The dust storm stops from its tracks.

-Swifter-

What was that?

-Alistor-

“Auroa’s basic counter technique back in the days. He used this both offensively and

defensively in a blind situation.”

Gear Star was still dazed from the attack while Mecheye was clueless what just went wrong.

Swifter and Plasmus goes in for their attack. Leaping from two sides in midair the both of them

unleash their special. Spheres of lightning bursts out from Plasmus.

-Plasmus-

Raiton!!!

Both monsters fell back.

-Mecheye-

“Whoah……” The monster loses its balance.

Gear Star immediately tries to counter back with a wave of shooting stars to defend itself but

it ends up hitting Mecheye in the spot. Both monster takes massive damage from Swifter’s

Dark blade. Down but not out these monsters where quickly overwhelmed.

-Mecheye-

They’re tougher than I thought.

-Gear Star-

We must retreat… Commander Norverious will deal with you.

Both monsters made a quick getaway leaving the party to pursue them as fast they can.

Taking a bunch of mixed passageways they discover a tunnel. Arriving at the newly built

Machine Fortress that was still undergoing construction.

-Plasmus-

“It’s the base…”

-Alistor-

“They both purposely led us here for a reason. Their commander must be waiting at the

top inside.”

Both monsters were nowhere to be seen. The moment they stepped within foot of the

gate a mass army of Vortex guards wait from all sides. Spears ready they quickly spot

Commander Norverious at the top. Holding a great spear and gear for a shield. The commander

stands strong looking down below them.

-Norverious-

“So you’re the one my upper commands speak of. You want this Crystal key?”

He brings it out to show off.

“Think again! I shall defeat you here and put an end to your quest.”

Norverious takes a leap down crashing the party. All of them jumped back amazed from the

size of the massive machine commander. The Vortex guards begin to move in.

-Swifter-

This one seems more brutal than the last monsters. Be careful!

-Norverious-

“Vortex soldiers! Take care of the other nuisance. Leave Alistor to me. I want my go

at him.”

The commander gave his orders and everyone engaged in their own battles. Swifter and

Plasmus are left with their hands full as Norverious take large steps towards him. Alistor makes

the first move with a charged mirror attack but the commander blocks it with ease.

“Now it’s my turn.”

Norverious makes his first heavy jab with his spear. Alistor loses his balance forced to roll

out of the way. He continues on with multiple jabs with the spear not giving him a chance

to retaliate back.

-Alistor-

“Damn! This guy is good. I can’t even get close to him.”

He decides to gain some space and distance from the monster. Resorting to ranged

energy attacks while he charged for his big finisher. The monster unexpectedly surprises him,

putting the pressure on.

-Norverious-

“No way are you stalling for game! Take this!”

The commander tosses his gear shield at Alistor catching him off guard completely. He takes

a direct hit from the object getting knocked back to a wall. The shield flies back to the

commander’s hands like a boomerang.

“Ha ha ha!” Pointing his spear at him. “Are you ready to admit defeat? There’s no chance

you can beat me.”

-Alistor-

“Damn…This guy got me cornered... “

Right at the moment he believes his life was going to flash before his eyes. Rena was at his

side in spirit. Norverious attack gets stopped in its track. His Crown sword barely holds off the

weight from the monster’s great spear.

“I’m not going down that easy. Especially from the likes of a hunk of junk. If I would

fail now I’ll never forgive myself. For Rena….”

Taken back to another place in time in the middle of a struggle. A flashback of a battle he’s

been through with Rena. The very moment they took on General Taishae together as a team.

Scenes from the battle come to his mind. Remembering how they both triumphed over Amulius

metal general in an untimely fashion.

-Taishae-

No!!!! I am the metal general Taishae! The one and only true leader of Aggerona. Why won’t

you both die?”

-Rena-

“Enough with the charade. We know already.”

-Alistor-

“Let’s do this Rena. Together!!!”

They overcame Taishae and his memories end from there. Returning back to their battle this

was nothing compared to what’s he’s been through in the past. He begins to push Norverious

great spear back unexpectedly.

“This is almost just like my battle with Taishae.”

-Norverious-

“What is going on? I don’t understand. Where are you getting all that power from?” The

commander puts more pressure into his grip.

The monster loses his grip. Alistor breaks free snapping his spear in half. A smirk on his face

as commander begins hesitating.

-Alistor-

“Here’s something I picked up from a sarcastic marksman I once knew. This dirty trick

Kaminari!”

-Norverious-

“What? Gaaaah!!!”

A burst of thunder at the commander’s face sent him flying back as a part of his mechanical

face sheds apart. Dent marks and wires dangling from one side. Back on its knees the monster

was furious.

“So…I’ve underestimated you a bit. Don’t think it’s over yet. I still got one trick up my

sleeve ha ha ha.”

Norverious gets out a new spear lighter and flimsier than the first one. He begins getting in

a battle stance. Waving and swinging the spear around. Illusions of himself begins appearing

from side to side. Picking up the speed the commander goes in to strike at Alistor.

-Alistor-

Gah! Damn! He made copies of himself. I can’t keep track which one is the real thing. A

different twist in the battle. Oh well I’ll have to adapt to this.

He gets knocked down but quickly gets back up. The monster quickly strikes at him

again leaving him to his knees again. Alistor takes multiple blows from the commander’s

top notch speed.

-Norverious-

“Ha ha ha you will never land a strike on me now. If you can’t keep up you’ll

wear down eventually. Defeat is inevitable!”

-Alistor-

“Come on Alistor think….” He continues taking damage as he struggles to remain up and

standing. “I can’t go down like this... Not after all I’ve been through...” He takes a defensive

stance for the moment. Closing his eyes.

“I got it!”

He rams his Crown Sword again plunging the ground unleashing Sairori’s shocking phoenix

technique once again. Flames and and lightning veils him from all sides within a ring of fire. A

small crashing vortex stops Norverious on his tracks. His illusion dissipates.

-Norverious-

“Ah! Hot! hot! hot!” He drop duck and roll to put the flames out from his cloth. The

commander did not anticipate a full ranged attack. The moment he had a chance to look back

Alistor was already at his face. Norverious tries blocking with his shield but it was too late.

-Alistor-

Abyss of Mirrors!!!

-Norverious-

“Nooooooo!!!!!” The shame……..”

Dark light cuts through the commander. Sparks of explosions spewing out from all

his sides. Norverious self-destructs leaving the 3rd Crystal key intact for the taking.

-Plasmus-

“He did it!”

The battle was over and the remaining Vortex soldiers didn’t stay around long. They obtain

the third Crystal key at last. Plasmus and Swifter exits the fortress carrying Alistor out from both

his shoulders.

-Alistor-

“Man… I think I’m beat…Don’t think I can fight for the rest of the day.”

The other’s shared a laugh with him.

Alistor and the party successfully retrieve the third Crystal key. The Crystal Vortex plans

from expansions have been foiled for now. They return back to Mathias for leads on the

next key.

Back from the dark fortress…Kabuki’s astonished at what went down on screen.

-Kabuki-

“What? He beaten our Machine Commander? I had my money on Norverious to win.” He

slaps himself handing some money to Havok on wager. “Ah oh well…One good base down the

drain. It’s back to the drawing boards.”

-Auroa-

“Alistor is starting to really get on my nerves. Can anybody do something right? Come on?

Did he really learn that much from us? We should do something immediately.”

Havok takes the stand.

-Havok-

"Send me down. I took the liberty setting another base myself already within the Northern

region of Mathias. The Glacier region of Mathias is a strategic post to start the beginning of our

initial invasion.”

Havok shows them a premade layout of a tower on the Crystal screen like Moon had. A tall

and dark massive tower stands at the foot of the Glacier mountains. High up at the top it stands

strong. Cold and breezing snow rains down on it.

-Auroa-

“My my Havok you’ve outdone yourself. A lovely work of art. Yes! Begin our operation

down at that region.”

Havok takes a bow.

-Havok-

One thing I like to request. To increase our chance of success you don’t mind. I like to round

up a battalion of monsters from our staff. I will lead them in this assault. The Glacier

region is as good as ours.

-Auroa-

“Yes! Gather as much.” He quickly decided in a cheery mood. “Find anyone you can get

in this fortress to help in this plan.”

Havok leaves to gather an army.

-Kabuki-

Auroa is that a mannequin? It’s damaged.

-Auroa-

“Yes it’s an old replica of my human self. It’s fairly damaged but it has already served its

purpose ha ha ha.”

The Crystal Vortex army is now in Havok’s hand. What lies next for Alistor and his

traveling companions?