DreamWorld
Xander and Ian face off as Ian strikes but Xander blocks, Ian blocking as the two traded footwork and went for blow for blow blocking and striking as neither were seemingly trying to actually hit the other, simply gauging each other as Ian took a step back and shook his head.
Ian: This...whatever this is...it has to stop.
Xander: You're holding back.
Ian: I have to believe you're not so far gone...I could not reach you before...that is my failing...my greatest shame.
Xander: You think too highly of yourself.
Ian: No... i simply no the truth...a truth you've long since ignores...I will make you see it again.
Ian attacks as Xander counters as he can see the fury as Xander and Ian trade blows, Xander landing a knee that hits Ian in the stomach but as Xander goes to elbow Ian down across the neck, Ian sidesteps and hits Xander with a hook to the body that causes fun to groan out loudly as Ian goes for another shot but Xander blocks it.
Xander: The best Dreamer to ever work for Orion...does it sting to know your greatest student will be the defining mark of your legacy!
Ian: I care not for that...I care only for you…
Xander: And saving Winston's ass.
Ian: If only you could open your eyes! Listen to my words, Xander! please…
The two begin trading blows as Valencia and Michael are standing off to the side watching cloaked in shadow as Valencia rubs her hands.
Valencia: Such pain...from them both.
Michael: You can feel them, can you not?
Valencia nods.
Valencia: The older one...his pain is that of a failed mentorm..maybe even a father...the other...it's heavier...darker... incoherent...lost.
Michael: Then you understand.
Valencia: What's that?
Michael: That the battle we have to fight...isn't made of flesh and bone and even of the mind. It's here (touching her heart) the very nature of internal human conflict. You mustn't lose sight of that. You can't...or all will be lost.
Valencia looks at him and then over to the others as Ian steps back, panting as Xander stalks him as he wasn't showing any signs of fatigue.
Xander: This is pointless, Ian. I've already won.
Xander holds his hand out towards the door as the chain codes he gathered spiral out in a mist of merging colors as the door hums and begins to glow before the gates move and the door opens as Ian seems disappointed.
Xander: I could've opened the door at any time.
Xander smirks as he watches as the stream of code changes bright orange as his changed color.
Xander: Downloading now…
Ian: Xander...stop this!
Xander: You're still more than welcome to try.
Ian doesn't move as he looks down to see that his legs were suddenly clamped down to the ground as Ian punches down and breaks the steel but in doing so he's suddenly encapsulated up to his neck with metal and rock as Xander's muscles strained as he screamed.
Ian: Xander….you have to stop!
Xander is engulfed in a bright light as Ian looks away and mutters something before the bindings crack and break as Ian shakes the residuals off and rushed towards where Xander had been as he looks horrified as the light slowly dissipates and the stream of code is gone as Xander was on a knee, panting and huffing as his muscles were straining and protruding his veins which were shimmer with swirls of code.
Ian: You'll never find what you're missing this way...Xander, please...I'm begging...stop this.
Xander stands as he looks at himself before he looks at Ian and smirks as he touches the ground and watches as it lights up with strands of code.
Xander: Pause.
Xander watched Ian suddenly stops moving as Ian's eyes dart about as we see this happening all over the Conclave as Courtney freezes as she was about to deliver another forceful blow to Artur's face which was heavily bruised. Tegan comes too as she sees Ash was staring closer to her but was unable to move as Leon slows down and looks to see all of the Mech Units and Hovercrafts had all stopped.
Xander walks by Ian and taps him in the shoulder.
Xander: One left...we both know what will happen then. You should've killed me when you had the chance. It would've spared you if what's to come.
Ian: I don't want to kill you Xander...I want to save you…
Xander: Why?
Ian: You know the truth...you just chose to ignore it.
Xander shakes his head and walks on as Ian tries to move but can't.
Xander: By the time it wears off we'll be long gone. Next time you interfere, I will kill you.
Xander is gone and suddenly Ian can move as Valencia wipes a tear from her face as Michael sighs.
Michael: Come.
Michael touches her forehead and they disappear as Mario runs inside as Ian looks at him with a defeated look.
Mario: Was to be expected.
Ian: He is….
Ian shakes his head.
Ian: Pull yourself out. We've got to prepare.
Mario nods as Ian folds his arms and looks about with a sad expression across his face.
Elsewhere
Xander stands by the shoreline of the Rumbas the water soaldhes along his boots as he smiles at the crescent moon as Tegan looks at Artur who turns away from her.
Tegan: Artur…
Artur: I have failed…
Xander: You have done nothing of the sort. Artur: Look at me!
Tegan moves away ad Artur's outburst scared her as Leon folded his arms as Xander turns to his Echo who has tears forming in his eyes.
Artur: I have tasted defeat...for the first time ever..
Xander: And now you know what it will take to make you stronger.
Tegan: Where are we?
Xander: At the Rim. The outer zone of the Dream Share...where time is displaced.
Leon: Tegan...how the fuck did you...you know…
Tegan: I just could. The illusion ability was something I sorta stumbled upon by accident. Don't remember why or how.
Leon: Damn that's awesome. I wish I could learn some shit like that.
Xander: Why do you think we're here?
Leon looks at Xander as Artur looks at him also.
Xander: Tegan and Myself will do all we can to draw you and Artur's inate ability out. The ones who stand against us will be just as powerful and unforgiving.
Tegan: But you got the second master chain code did you not?
Xander: Yes. But it is a temporary power. I can stop the digital self but I cannot control it, bend it to my will. That is what the last source code will be for. For now. We train. And we prepare the next course of action.
Artur looks determined as Leon shrugs and nods his head as Tegan looks at the three and smiles.
Elsewhere
Michael and Valencia watch from afar as the D.R.C pick at their ruins as Valencia turns to Michael.
Valencia: What happens now?
Michael: Lucifer may have you think that the only way to win this is to be strong and powerful….but he fails to grasp, what he always fails to grasp...is that you cannot change the course of fate through sword and fists. Compassion. Love. Understanding. There will be moments where this will be what will save you all, but those who need to know it most will falter. If they do all will be lost. You. You have to be the one to remember.
Valencia nods as she takes it in as Michael extends her a hand.
Michael: Take my hand. I shall lead you to the Paragon.
Elsewhere-Inferno Bar
Kami and Blayde drink as Lucifer perks up and looks at the door.
Lucifer: I think your Calvary has arrived.
Lucifer smiles as he drinks as Kami looks to see the doors open as Vade, Tobias, Alex, Hazel, Charles and Esmeray walk in.
Esmeray seeing Kami and Blayde as she stops cold as Kami smiles at her before looking away.
Kami: Ray.
Esmeray eyes the Echo of her brother as Blayde stands and goes to her as the others look on a bit worried as Blayde and Esmeray look at one another before Blayde goes to speak but Esmeray just smiled and began to cry as she hugs him as Blayde is a bit caught off guard as he simply wraps his arms around her and holds her as she sobs.
End of chapter.