"Finally. Twelve o'clock." Horatio mumbled to himself, shutting off the alarm he had set for midnight and sliding his phone back into his pocket. He stood, taking a few steps forward.
In the dark quiet of midnight, the dirt shifted loudly under his feet. Horatio took in a deep breath, feeling the night.
"This is great," Horatio said, shuffling his feet across the ground. He took in a deep breath. "Midnight is really underappreciated, don't you agree."
"You've basked in the moonlight long enough. It's time for us to work." The Analyst responded sharply.
Horatio sighed, "You're a real wet blanket you know that?"
"If you intended to hurt my feelings with that remark, you should remember that I am a purely logical being, and as such have no feelings, no matter how I may simulate them."
"Whatever." He reached into his pocket, pulling his phone out again. The picture of he and Nora was still on the screen. "Wouldn't want to break this." He said, walking back to the bench where he had sat, placing it screen-down on the dark, rotting wood.
A hooting caw rang out, followed by fluttering wing-beats. Horatio looked up, watching the murder of crows that had flown from their rooftop perch.
"Is that a rift effect?" Horatio asked. He had been learning more about rifts, if he was to fight them, he wanted to do so knowing it was the right cause.
"The possibility of that being the case is quite high. Still, how much do you know about crows?" The Analyst answered. Horatio laughed it off. Even though he was not a crow expert, the effects rifts had on animals was undeniable. Insomnia, agitation, feeding issues to name a few.
He looked off down the street, there was nobody nearby. He looked the other way, that side too was clear.
"It's great that rifts have negligible effects on humans." He said then paused, thinking on it.
"What if, there's a correlation? What if animals could sense rifts? And that's why they're affected by them?"
There was a moment of silence. He could feel the analyst musing over his statement. "If that was true, then the insomnia would be for fear, but wouldn't they just leave the area if that was the case?" It responded.
It was a solid observation, indeed the fauna would evacuate a potentially dangerous area.
"Then could it be, that they are affected by the energy coming through it?" Horatio asked again. Knowing how rifts and non-sapient animals interacted would be quite useful.
"I advise you ponder on this later, our time is limited." The Analyst reminded Horatio. "But...for a person to enter the rift plane they need to have knowledge of the existence of rifts. We haven't seen any animals enter the rift plane so I believe it is safe to say they cannot sense rifts"
"Hmm." Horatio understood The Analyst's conclusions, he would have to experiment more to truly understand the mystery of the rifts.
He breathed deeply, letting his lungs fill up. He closed his eyes, focusing his mind inside, within him. He felt his body become lighter and lighter. He clenched his fist excitedly, the feeling of the energy building up was highly euphoric.
Horatio's hair began to light up, a faint glow began to form over his body. He kept focusing, letting the glow become brighter and brighter. A smile spread across his face. He let out the breath and took another one, deep and calming, letting the oxygen run through his body.
"Begin energy cycling." He called calmly. The energy began circulating slowly but began to pick up speed. He felt it all, rushing through his body. He let it speed up, more and more. Faster and faster.
He opened his eyes finally. They glowed brightly, electric blue, powered by the energy within.
He was ready.
He began forward, heading towards the centre point.
"Jermanson park, you've been silently under siege for too long. Now I shall break the veil and unmask your assailant. I will take them down, to bring safety to this realm. I am your savior, Horatio Peppingar!" Horatio said cooly. He pointed his palm ahead of him, pouring energy straight into it.
There was no physical mark of the rift's existence, only the strain the world felt. Once he tapped into that, he could force it open, fast-forwarding the rifting process.
"There." He called, finding the centre of strain. He forced his energy into it. Stressed scratching filled the air, like that of a piece of paper being scrunched up. It built up, becoming louder and louder until it was so loud it made Horatio's ears hurt. Then it crashed.
The world around Horatio changed suddenly as he was pulled into the rift plane, the gateway formed between worlds.
"Open energy receptors." He called out. In a moment he was pulled from his body, alien energy pouring into him. He felt like he was drowning, far beneath the ocean's surface. He could feel the wetness, the crushing pressure of tonnes of water. Then he came back, thrust back into his body which was now powered with new energy.
"Water?" He questioned, flexing his muscles to familiarise himself with his changed body.
"The realm of Aquidonis. Be careful, that world is almost as advanced as this one." The analyst warned.
Horatio looked at his hands, his fingernails had turned to a light blue. "Classy." He muttered, turning his attention to the rift.
"Something's coming" The Analyst warned.
Horatio watched as a shadow from beyond the rift began to take form. It pushed through, one blue limb at a time. The invader pushed through, a humanoid form coming into the rift plane.
'What? It, it looks human.' Horatio thought to himself.
"He might be one of the Aquidonians Margulis once spoke about, the sapient race of Aquidonis."
'He?"
"Its physique resembles a human male's, do you disagree?"
'No, no. But, if he's sapient, he might listen to reason.' Horatio thought. The Aquidonian stood near the rift, eyeing Horatio intently. He wore a strange raiment. It seemed to be made of cloth, the white fabric shifted while the intruder stood still.
"Hey, can you understand me?" Horatio called out to the Aquidonian.
"On what basis do you assume he speaks any human language?"
'It's at least worth a try, we won't murder needlessly, we are not Voidwalkers.' Horatio thought, his mental voice was sharp.
"You are not Voidwalker." The Aquidonian spoke, his voice was incredibly deep, like a dog's growl. He spoke with some disdain, as though Horatio were in the wrong for being human.
'That's quite a surprise, he speaks it.' Horatio thought happily.
"Barely." The Analyst responded.
"I'm human. I don't work with the Voidwalkers." Horatio said, immediately distancing himself from them. He reasoned that the Aquidonian would be more open to talking with an unaffiliated person.
"That's a shame." The Aquidonian spoke again, his voice sounded Russian, as though he had learnt English from there.
'A shame?' Horatio thought, but glossed over it.
"I apologise for this, but I might have to ask you to leave," Horatio said, calmly but firmly.
"I would rather have fought a pure Voidwalker, but a human would do." He said, his tone carried no malice even though his words hinted such.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Human, I believe I heard you announce yourself as Horatio Peppingar?" The Aquidonian paused, Horatio nodded "Your kind has thought me a lot of things, the most useful being how to communicate. That was thirty years ago, in a nation called Siberia. I was shown great hospitality, something Voidwalkers have never shown my kind. I desire to meet a pure Voidwalker, to test my skills, I would have fought you, if you had announced yourself as a Voidling but since you bear no ties with them I will let you go."
"I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I still perform the same task as them, I cannot let you through. I must keep incompatibility from spreading." Horatio immediately corrected the man. He watched him, noting the spear he wielded. It was simple for the most part, until the head, where there was an intricate weaving of metal, depicting two snakes coiling about each other, uncannily similar to the universal symbol for healthcare.
"Sir Peppingar, my grudge is not with your kind, but with the Voidwalkers of this world, let me pass, or I will have to kill you." The man said again, this time his voice held the same antagonism as his words. Horatio noticed instantly and dropped into a fighting stance.
"I'm sorry Sir, but the only place you're going is back home." He said, cycling his energy.
The man's face showed discontent and sadness. His hand moved to his back, grabbing the spear. He twirled in in an exciting display, it spun so quick Horatio could not even trace its point. He was obviously skilled.
"Great mother Stella, forgive me for this young blood I shall shed. Gezeela Orntuom." The man said. The spear tip began to darken, in a moment it had changed from peerless silver to obsidian black.
"He's coming." The Analyst warned.
The man began a swift charge at Horatio, decently quick but easily avoidable. Horatio avoided it, easily, jumping over the man and landing behind him.
"Please don't take me too lightly, I could have ended your life there," Horatio warned. He heard the man jump back, away from Horatio. He turned to face him. His face was a grim mask.
"I apologise, that was disrespectful. Allow me to fight at full strength." He said.
"I would prefer that. No true fighter enjoys unfair fights." Horatio responded. He watched the man take his palm towards his face, covering it. He heard him muttering but couldn't make out the words. He could only pick up the name Stellaris being said several times.
Horatio's senses pricked suddenly, his survival instinct warning him. He began to watch the man more carefully as he pulled his hand from his face.
"What?"
Over the man's face was a mask.
"He didn't have one in his hand," Horatio noted, he felt adrenaline begin into his bloodstream.
"I sense strange energy coming from it, be careful." The Analyst warned. Horatio nodded.
"Now, I am ready to battle, as a true warrior. Ready yourself!" The man said. His voice came twice, echoing within him.
"I'm coming," Horatio announced, sprinting towards the man. He flashed, closing the gap instantly with his amazing speed. He threw a punch aimed at the man's face.
He dodged it.
"Wha-" Horatio hadn't finished when heavy blunt force struck his side. He felt his feet leave the ground as he was thrown into the sky.
Horatio pushed energy out, righting himself in the air. He saw the man returning to his stance, his raised foot lowering.
"That was a kick?" Horatio wondered aloud, landing about seven metres away from the man. Sharp pain rang through his side again, dropping him to one knee.
He quickly moved energy to that point, reinforcing the injured area. "Dammit, I got too cocky." He noted, standing up.
"I shall be making the attack this time around." The man announced and began another spear charge. It was much faster this time around but Horatio was ready.
He narrowly dodged the tip as it passed by his head, then reached out, grabbing the spear's shaft.
In the last moment, he noticed something, but was too late to do anything now.
As his hands closed on the shaft, a horrible sound came out, like nails being scratched against a chalkboard.
"What the- the spear is barbed?" Horatio gripped harder, pushing energy to his pal, forming a protective glove.
Now's my chance!' Horatio threw his fist but it was caught in the man's hand. He felt the man push against him, forcing him down.
Horatio pushed back, reinforcing his back, legs and arms. He was not about to lose this contest.
"How does a human have this much power?" The man asked, his voice was strained. "Still, I have the upper hand."
"You act as though you've seen my full power," Horatio said through gritted teeth. He poured in more energy, gripping the spear tighter. He pushed down, forcing the man's arms down with his. He quickly exploited the opening with a headbutt against the man's own skull.
The man reeled back, giving Horatio some space.
Horatio came after him quickly, delivering a water-energy empowered blow to the man's mid-section. He caught the spear, pulling the man closer for a devastating knee to his nose which sent him falling to the ground.
Horatio moved quickly, mounting the man and aiming his fist towards his face.
"This is over, give up," Horatio said. Both of them were breathing heavily. Horatio noticed the man's expression didn't soften.
"You're not admitting defeat?"
"What warrior would I be, to let a fight end so soon?" He replied laughing. "It's a beautiful night out. Your world's night is so beautiful, peaceful. Unlike mine."
Horatio looked up, the rift plane was dissipating. Had the fight really lasted that long?
"Tell me, human; what pleases you the most, about the night sky?"
Horatio looked back at the man quizzically. "What pleases me the most?"
The man nodded. "Your 'favourite' if that word means what I believe it does."
Horatio looked at him in silence. His favourite? "The moon..." he said uncertainly. He did like the moon, how it held such prominence amongst the stars.
"I see. So you desire a light which is not yours...We are not so different, you and I. I suppose there is something I can show you, a reward for your culture."
Horatio watched the man speak. He was intrigued by the sudden questioning and his interpretation of Horatio's response. At the same time, he flats something strange. His survival instinct warning him to stay alert, and so he did.
It was for his alertness that he noticed the sudden change. It was unnoticeable to the eyes, but to the soul, it was screaming. Horatio jumped off just before the man exploded in a dark shadowy show. It was as though sentiment shadows were coming from him, yet he felt no umbral energy.
"What is this?" He asked, cycling his energy. There was no response.
Horatio jumped back, readying himself for what was to come. He washed as the shadows drew away from the man, revealing something frightening.
"What do you think of this, my regal moon gown." Horatio heard the man's voice coming from what stood before him.
"Who...what?" Horatio was speechless, for before him stood something unexpected. The man's energy was gone, replaced by something strange, unreadable. He was covered completely in a white plate, as though it had replaced his skin. There were small black decorative spots lined down the suit. The spear had gone completely black, almost invisible in the dim moonlight.
"Horatio, I request a duel. As envoy of the Queen of Shadow, I ask that we settle this fight here and now." The man said.
"What? Queen of Shadow?" Horatio clenched his fist, shaking his head. "No, I can f=worry about this later." He looked around, at the failing rift plane. "I don't have much time."
"Alright, I accept your duel. Prepare to lose." Horatio flashed behind the man. He had put all his energy into this, there was no second chance to win this encounter.
The spear came whistling through the air, cutting towards Horatio's head. He dodged backwards, closing in again.
Horatio's fist found home on the man's abdomen, forcing energy into a devastating hit. He felt the air rush by him, the shockwave rippling through the space.
Horatio dodged a swinging hand, landing another blow to the man's side, and another and another. He pivoted, swinging his foot such that it crashed against the man's head, staggering him.
"You're slow." Horatio taunted, huffing.
"Your strikes have little force behind them, a single hit of mine would have the same effect as a hundred of yours.
"Doesn't matter if your attacks never land." Horatio flashed before the man, his fist coming to his midsection again.
The spear swung. Horatio blocked the hit with his ar and hit the man again.
He kept attacking, avoiding the spear and blows whenever he could and softening their impact whenever he couldn't.
More and more blows began to land, but more and more the man's attacks came closer. Horatio realised he was dodging so few that his blocks became weaker and weaker. But he was not about to lose here.
The spear was swung low, towards Horatio's feet. He leapt over it gracefully, spinning and directing his heel towards the man's head. It connected powerfully, stunning him for a brief second.
Horatio swiftly exploited that opportunity, pushing massive amounts of Aquidonian energy into his fist and smashing it into the man's chest.
There was a sharp crack on impact and the man lost his footing. Horatio made quick, flashing behind the man and grabbing his arm. He twisted it violently, flipping him over and slamming him to the ground.
The man bounced, giving Horatio enough time to plunge his foot meaningfully into his side, flinging him away.
The man slid across the dirt, tumbling to a stop. He lay there for several moments motionless. Until he coughed forcefully.
"Thank god." Horatio sighed, dropping to his knee. He had not used that much energy since the fight with the Horde.
He stood, trudging over to the man. Upon closer inspection, Horatio realised the cracking sounds to be the suit, it had broken up in several places.
"At least he's not too injured." He hoped. The man seemed to be conscious.
"It's over, admit defeat," Horatio demanded. He was met with silence.
He looked around, the rift plane was vanishing, he had no time to waste.
He sighed, forcing himself back onto his feet. he took the man by the arm, lifting him up.
"Please don't try and open this again, I would hate to have to kill you." He said, supporting the man, leading him towards the rift.
"Thirty minutes." Horatio huffed, looking at his phone. The adrenaline was wearing off and his injuries were beginning to show after using most of his.
He smiled, looking at Nora's picture. She had forgiven him, he did not remember when or why, but he knew she had. He got up, pushing his phone into his pocket.
"I need a bath."