Ch 51: Power Corrupts

Arriving at the Ruins of Raxis, which is actually an abandoned air base, everyone is on edge as Amy senses an enemy that does not appear to be there. Entering the base, they find the airships at last.

            Traversing the frozen wasteland, the group dealt with any monsters that dared to oppose them easily enough, their destination growing nearer and nearer and soon coming into view. As they drew near a rusted chain link fence around the buildings they had seen, the permafrost they had been walking over was replaced with frost covered Deus Calx. Entering through a fallen section of the fence, they stopped a moment to look around. A huge amount of the area seemed nothing more than long a slab of Deus Calx with nothing constructed over it, and scattered debris lay all about on the ground, ranging from battered, rusty old metal barrels to equally battered and rusty hover vehicles. What buildings there were seemed built up around the sides of the area, most of them small with arched roofs, except for one large structure at the far end of the long stretch of bare Deus Calx. Kicking a metal barrel and sending it rolling for a ways, Rufus said, “This sure isn’t the kind of place I was expecting. Though I guess it does make more sense for an airship to be here instead of some kinda temple or something.” 

Looking at one of the abandoned hover vehicles, Amy said, “I wonder why this place wasn’t transported to Teramis like the other human settlements.” Hesitantly, Mythra said, “Well, that’s another ugly side to the ‘solution’ they came up with after the war. We had to choose specific target areas and force the humans to gather there. Pretty much all of the largest human settlements were sent over, but a place like this would’ve slipped under the radar. That also means any humans who were here…” A troubled look on his face, Fenrip said, “They would have been cut off from any friends or family who weren’t here with them. Literally worlds apart.” As Amy dwelt on this horrific revelation for a moment, she suddenly sensed something. Whirling about, certain that danger was near, she said, “Everyone be careful! Something’s here!”

            Turning around and drawing his EDE weapon, Rufus looked around frantically as he exclaimed, “W-what is it?! The Ice Lord?!” Everyone on their guard, as they continued to look around, it seemed clear there was nothing there. Coming out from his hiding place behind a wrecked hover car, Guru said, “I don’t see anything…” Lowering his weapon, Rufus asked, “False alarm?” Confused, as she wondered how she could have been wrong, Amy said, “I… I don’t know, I thought for sure…” Closing his art book and putting it away, Fenrip said, “Everyone makes mistakes. We should be relieved it wasn’t the dreaded ‘Ice Lord’ anyways.” Reluctant to drop her guard, Mythra said, “Yeah, but I don’t think Amy’s ever been wrong like this before. Her ability to sense impending danger isn’t completely without faults, but it’s definitely top tier. Even when Alexander used to tell her to raise her barrier, he was only making sure she reacted in time…” 

Suddenly shooting Amy a suspicious look, Mythra said, “You’re not sick or something are you? Pushing things too hard so we can hurry and save Grey?” Shaking her head, Amy said, “No, I feel fine! I really don’t know why, I felt like it was right there!” Staring in the direction she’d sensed it, she added, “And now I feel like something’s watching us.” Adjusting his glasses and taking another look, Fenrip said, “There’s really nothing there though. You are running around in these cold winds wearing nothing but a t-shirt, you could have easily made yourself unwell.” Glancing at Fenrip critically, Rufus said, “Well yeah, but so are you…” Nonchalantly, Fenrip simply said, “I like the cold.” In frustration, Amy started to say, “I’m-” Interrupted as she let out a sudden sneeze, as Amy wiped her nose, Mythra crossed her arms with a sigh and said, “Yep…” Hanging her head in shame, Amy said, “I guess it must be. Sorry…” Shaking her head, Mythra smiled apologetically said, “You twerp. It’s my fault. I should’ve kept looking for some cheaper coats.” Seeing Guru starting to take off his coat, Amy quickly said, “Oh Guru, no! Thank you, but I couldn’t!” Putting the coat back on, Guru said, “Well we can’t just leave you like this.” 

Getting an idea, Fenrip said, “Say, I’ve got just the solution!” Taking out his sketchbook, he said, “I should’ve thought of this sooner! I can just draw you one!” Taking a moment to draw up some coats, once he was finished, both Amy and Mythra sported some brand new black coats. Looking impressed, Rufus said, “You know, I bet you could make a killing just selling stuff you draw up!” Laughing as he put away his sketchbook, Fenrip said, “Depending on how you look at it, that is how I make my living. Sadly, the things I draw into life cease to exist if they get too far from me. The range is pretty long though, so I could’ve easily been something of a con artist if it weren’t for my sparkling personality.” Rolling his eyes, Grave said, “Oh please…” As Fenrip shot Grave a stare filled to the brim with daggers, Guru said, “Well folks, now that everyone’s suited up, how about we find us some airships?” Yanking Grave along by his chains, Fenrip said, “Yes, let’s…” Following after Fenrip begrudgingly, Grave glanced back as he thought, “That thing is still following us. I’m surprised that one brat could sense it as well, but since they seem to believe it was just her imagination, I think I’ll wait and see if I can’t escape when it attacks.”

            Making their way to the large building at the far end of the area, the group found the entrance locked up tight. Tapping on the door with his hand, Rufus said, “Deus Calx huh? Doubt we can break through.” Forming Insigne Memoriae, Amy said, “If it’s Deus Calx, then it’s time to call on Reaper!” As she formed Reaper’s memory shard, Reaper’s voice said, “At your command, my master!” Rather spooked by his disembodied voice, Guru looked around and exclaimed, “What in blazes was that?!” With a smug grin, Mythra said, “If you still don’t believe we’re who we say we are, get ready to change your tune old man! This ability of Amy’s is exclusive to the Sage of Memories, it’s anything but run of the mill!” Placing Reaper’s shard in the socket, as it glowed with power, Amy raised her hand at the door. The door’s surface fluctuated like rippling water and parted to create and hole through which they could enter, and in great surprise Guru muttered, “Well damn, that was something!” Nodding, impressed as well, Fenrip said, “Control over Deus Calx is quite a unique ability!” Smiling at their praise, Amy said, “As long as it’s Deus Calx, we’ll have no trouble getting through!” Pumping a fist, Rufus said, “Yeah, let’s do this!” 

Everyone making their way through the opening, as Rufus placed Ian on his hat and started to follow after the others, Ian let out a feline growl. Stopping as he heard this, Rufus reached up and took hold of the cat again as he said, “What’s up with you?” Holding Ian before him, as the cat growled again, seeming to be staring at something behind his master, Rufus followed his gaze and looked behind him. Floating in the air, surrounded by what looked like a storm of swirling snow, a large circular object that resembled an eye made out of ice seemed to stare at Rufus. Turning pale, Rufus rushed after the others as he shouted, “I-I-Ice…! Ice Lord!”

            Rushing through the dark hallway after the others, holding Ian against his side, a panicked Rufus shouted again, “Ice Lord!” Colliding with Mythra and knocking her to the floor before falling on his behind, Rufus started to say, “Guys, it’s here! It’s right-” Getting up on one knee and turning to glare at him, Mythra shouted, “What the hell is wrong with you, you cat-hatted freak?!” Turning pale again, Rufus frantically pointed towards the entrance and said, “I-I saw it! It’s coming after us!” Everyone looking back towards the door, as they saw nothing there at all, Mythra’s eye twitched angrily as she stood and said, “Just WHAT exactly did you see?” Getting up and staring back out the door, Rufus said, “B-but it was right there! A big floating eye made of ice with a bunch of snow swirling around it!” 

Brushing herself off, Mythra said, “Right…” Helping Rufus up, Fenrip turned to Mythra and said, “We can’t just write it off as nothing. I mean, do you really think the cold is making this up for him?” Somewhat skeptical, Guru said, “I dunno. The kid seems jumpy to me, and fear can make you see all kinds of things.” Shrugging her shoulders, Mythra said, “Whatever he saw, there’s nothing there right now. Let’s just hurry up and go.” Following after everyone as they headed for the light coming from the other end of the hallway, Rufus put Ian back on his hat and muttered, “But it was really…” Lagging back to walk next to him, Amy smiled and said, “I believe you.” Managing a smile, Rufus said, “Thanks.”

            Reaching the end of the dark hallway, they found a large elevator that led down underground. Everything seeming to still be in working order, Rufus inspected the controls a moment before he said, “Ok, got it! Everyone onboard!” All getting on the elevator, as Rufus worked the controls, they descended into the depths of the abandoned air base. Descending floor after floor, as the elevator finally came to a stop and the doors opened, everyone stepped out and onto a catwalk that surrounded a massive hangar. Lit by floodlights mounted around the top edges of the walls, everything seeming untouched by the passage of time, as everyone moved to look over the edge of the catwalk, Amy exclaimed, “Oh wow!” 

A massive carrier class airship resting there on its landing gear, the ship itself was easily more than 700 meters long with at least a 300 meter wingspan. Consisting of a large main body and two carrier pods attached to the wings, the craft was both well armored and sleekly designed. Its main body was flat on top, and there was a landing pad for command ships like the Audentia, the landing pad capable of opening up and lowering the command ship into the safety of the main body’s armored hold. The carrier pods on the wings were lined with launch bays for the multiple squadrons of fighter ships they could house. Armed to the teeth with EDE cannon turrets, it was in no means just a carrier, easily comparable to the less advanced flagships used back on present day Teramis. 

Staring down at it in awe, Rufus said, “It’s like some kinda air fortress! The carriers we have back home are nothing compared to something like this!” Staring at it as well, Mythra had a serious look on her face as she said, “It’s a Titan Class Carrier. These are one of the kinds of ships we used back in the war a thousand years ago. With one of these in this day and age, you could conquer all of Gaia.” Nodding grimly, Guru said, “Just like I said, this kinda power’s just something nobody should ever have.” Unable to agree, Amy said, “It really depends upon the person I think. Power is only as good or as bad as the person who wields it. A thousand years ago, the world might have fallen to the Nameless One without this power. Just like how it might fall soon without Grey…” Placing a hand on her shoulder, Fenrip grinned and said, “We’ll save him. Now let’s go get the information from those computers.” Looking around a moment, as they spotted a bridge leading down from the catwalk to the ship, they quickly made their way towards it. Tagging along behind Fenrip, a sinister plan forming in his mind, Grave thought, “If I can escape and tell Alastor about this, I’ll be back in his good graces in no time!”

            Finding their way through the carrier airship to the main control room located at the bow, as they stepped in, Rufus looked around in wonder. An enormous room with a large window stretching from one side of the room and all the way around the front to the other side, there was a circle of command stations and control panels around a large holo-projector system in the center. Rushing over to a command post and jumping into the seat with glee, Rufus began to figure out what was what as Guru laughed and said, “He’s like a kid in a candy store!” Suddenly the lights and screens all over the room came to life, and feeling rather impressed, Amy said, “Wow, that was quick Rufus!” Activating the holo-projector in the center, Rufus called out, “It all looks like its working fine. I don’t see any reason the Blade Wings would’ve just dumped it like that. I’m bringing up the data on the navigation computers now. They should show up on the holo-projector.” 

Walking up to the holo-projector, Mythra smirked and said, “I guess you’re handy to have around after all! Way to go cat-hatter!” Looking a bit embarrassed, Rufus said, “Well, I am an Ace Reporter, but I research all kinds of computer systems and stuff like that for fun when I’m back home, so I picked up a few things. I don’t think I could fly it, but we’re just here for the data.” The holo-projector suddenly bringing forth a detailed image of the planet Gaia, as the image shifted and zoomed in, Rufus started looking through the skies themselves. After awhile, he brought up the image of a swirling storm and said, “Well the Vinculus isn’t small, so the only weather pattern I can see it hiding in is this one.” Staring up at the image, Fenrip said, “That’s the Eye of Chaos. It’s a well known perpetual storm that stays near the northern pole, but the idea that anything could survive in it is just crazy.” Pointing up at the image, Amy said, “But the center is calm just like in a tornado or a hurricane. If they made it through to the eye, they could keep moving with it and be fine.” Certain she was right, Mythra said, “That’s gotta be the place!” Moving towards the door, Guru said, “Alright then, mission accomplished. Shut her down and let’s go.” Looking rather disappointed, Rufus sighed and said, “Yeah, ok…”

            As the group made their way back out onto the bridge that led up to the catwalk, Guru leading the way, Mythra suddenly said, “Hey Guru, I’ve got a question.” Pausing and looking back at her, Guru replied, “Yeah, what’s up?” Glancing at the airship, Mythra said, “Your grandfather and the rest of the Blade Wings, they abandoned these ships knowing full well that they still worked perfectly, didn’t they?” With a reluctant smile, Guru said, “Yep. All the talk about them falling into disrepair is a big fat lie they spread around just so people didn’t go looking for them.” Confused, Fenrip said, “Why in the world would they do something like that though? They could have ruled the skies for the rest of their lives with this thing!” 

Staring at the ship a moment, Guru said, “My granddad and his chums were a bumbling band of bandits, but they were good friends too. When they found this thing, they knew they’d struck it big. It was only a matter of time before greed got the better of them though, and after awhile, one of them decided to take things too far. They got into a big fight, and once it was over, one of grandpa’s friends ended up dead.” Turning away from the ship, Guru looked at them all with a sad expression and said, “That’s when grandpa and his friends realized that this thing had torn them apart. They decided it just wasn’t worth it, so they put the ship back where they found it and moved on. Things were never the same though, and eventually they split the loot and went their separate ways. I was there with him when the end came, and I could see the pain on his face when he told me the story and asked me to keep the secret. That’s why I always swore I’d make sure this secret of theirs never hurt anybody again.”

            Everyone falling into quiet contemplation as Guru finished his grandfather’s tale, the silence was suddenly broken as a shrill cry echoed through the hangar. Looking around for the source of the howl, Guru said, “That there wouldn’t have been another one of your powers making that sound would it?” A bit unnerved by it as well, Amy said, “No, I didn’t do anything…” Searching for the sound’s origin as well, as Ian let out another growl, Rufus looked up. Floating above them, the floating eye of ice stared down at him, and as a gigantic clawed arm made of ice formed out of the snow swirling around it, Rufus shouted, “IT’S GONNA SMASH THE BRIDGE!” Running for their lives, they barely got out of the way as the unknown monster’s icy claw smashed into the section of bridge they’d been on, completely destroying it. Rushing onto the catwalk, as they were making their way to the elevator, Grave suddenly picked up his pace and moved in on Fenrip from the side. 

Before Fenrip realized what he was doing, Grave body slammed him into the side of the wall. Losing grip of the chain and falling slumped against the wall, as Fenrip sat there stunned for a moment, Grave made a break for it. As the others turned back to see what was happening, Rufus tried to draw his EDE weapon on Grave, but leaping at him with a jump kick, Grave sent him crashing into Amy and Mythra. Jumping over them quickly, managing to get an arm free from the chains, as Guru hesitantly tried to stop him, Grave slammed his fist into Guru’s face and knocked him to the floor. His opposition thwarted, Grave hurried onto the elevator and activated it, quickly escaping back to the surface as he laughed triumphantly.

            Struggling up, Fenrip muttered, “Damn that b*****d! His power may have been sealed, but I underestimated his skill and base physical strength…” Then hearing the shrill cry echo through the hangar again, he looked to the side to see the floating eye of ice hovering there next to the catwalk, readying its floating clawed appendage to strike again. Dropping to the floor, Fenrip shouted, “GET DOWN!” Swiping its clawed arm powerfully, the creature tore through the wall above the catwalk just as everyone ducked for cover, tearing into the elevator as well, damaging the controls and rendering it useless. Everyone evading its strike, the creature quickly grabbed the part of the catwalk near the elevator and began to rip the entire catwalk free from the wall. Clinging to the catwalk for their lives, as the EDE weapon he’d dropped when Grave had struck him slid down towards Rufus, he let go of the catwalk with one hand and snatched it up. Ian clinging to his hat with his claws, Rufus took aim at the creature’s clawed arm and opened fire. Hitting the mark, the explosive bolt of EDE injured the icy hand and forced it to let go. Yet the section they were on having already been warped and pulled loose from it’s anchoring in the wall, as the catwalk was freed, it leaned out towards the airship. 

The catwalk coming to a jolting stop as the section still connected to the right wall kept it from falling completely, Mythra, Amy and Fenrip lost their grip and fell from it, landing hard on the airship’s wing. Struggling up, as Amy looked up at the catwalk to see Rufus and Guru lose their grip as well, she quickly raised her hands and concentrated as she shouted, “NO!” Using all the power she could muster, knowing that non-energists like them would not survive the fall, Amy slowed their descent with telekinesis. Lowering them to the floor beneath the airship, just as she was breathing a sigh of relief, the eye and its reformed claw descended after them. Moving away as it swiped at her, Amy followed as Fenrip and Mythra leaped off the wing down to the ground to join up with Guru and Rufus. 

Preparing for battle, Amy formed and inserted the golem’s shard into Insigne Memoriae, and Mythra formed her wand and her Elementum Orbis as Fenrip drew his sketchbook. The creature coming down to hover above the ground in front of them, as it placed it’s clawed hand on the floor as though to stand on it, it began to take shape before them. A giant skeletal beast’s body made of ice forming, three more appendages and a tail formed as well. Growing from the front of the body, a skeletal animal head formed, the icy eye resting within its single eye socket, and rows of large icy teeth glinting in its giant maw. Standing on all fours before them, the ice beast opened its mouth and let out a bellowing roar.