Chapter 9: The Revelation
Roter has arrived inside the Mountain Temple. He fights bravely through the dark corridors, valiantly defeating the metal skulls and collecting the three artifacts one by one. As he prepares to leave the temple, a soldier suddenly steps in front of him.
It's Number 4.
Roter: You again... the ex.
No. 4: Finally, I've found you, Roter. You're in deep shit.
Roter: Why?
No. 4: Your visit to the Baron triggered the city's state of alarm. The Baron has ordered us to eliminate you. The other three elite soldiers are after you now too. Looks like your little visit wasn't so smart after all, huh? The Baron really wants to see you dead.
Roter: That works out well for me... then I can take all of you down together.
No. 4: Don't overestimate yourself. Because before that, you still have to get past me!
No. 4 initiated his attack. His movements were lightning-fast and precise as he unleashed a combination of 30 strikes on Roter in just one second. Roter struggled to dodge the blows and was hit multiple times.
Roter: What the hell?! Did he use that against Sick too?
No. 4: Hahaha, your friend looked just as foolish as you do now.
Roter: Did you defeat him?
No. 4: Who else? And you'll be defeated just like him!
No. 4 executed his devastating attack again, but this time Roter skillfully parried and evaded some of the strikes. Roter then launched a counterattack, but No. 4 effortlessly evaded his blows.
No. 4: You don't understand, do you, Roter? I have time on my side. I know what happens, when it happens, and if it happens.
Roter: There must be a catch... He would surely be number one if his abilities were truly superior. Think, Roter...
No. 4: You don't need to think, it hurts you more than me!
No. 4 demonstrated his superior speed and strength as he delivered a powerful kick into the air, which struck Roter just one second later. Roter felt the pain coursing through his body, but he didn't give up.
Roter: Dammit... I need to find a solution...
No. 4: I can see it on your face... "I need to find a solution." That's what all my opponents thought, but there is no solution. I'm invincible. Nobody wins against time.
Roter: Think... Sick fought against him and lost... he didn't seem to have suffered any major injuries... but I see a few scratches... that means... Sick must have hit him... but how did he do it? Also, what did he mean by "4 seconds" earlier? Wait a minute... did he mean... Number 4? If he meant Number 4 with 4 seconds, then I've discovered his weakness. Thank you, Sick, I guess I can't always win alone.
Roter charged towards No. 4, but he was slightly slower than expected. After exactly 4 seconds, Roter struck and caught No. 4 completely off guard. The blow landed with such force that No. 4 was extremely surprised.
No. 4: But how?! This can't be... NRGH!
No. 4 executed his sequence of 30 strikes per second, but Roter evaded every single attack. The fact that Roter didn't succumb to any of the attacks confused No. 4.
No. 4: How... tell me how?!
Roter: If your power were truly as strong as you present it, you wouldn't be just a simple soldier. Your power also has weaknesses and limits. You can only use one of your three time manipulations at a time. Furthermore, your limit is 4 seconds. You can only travel 4 seconds into the future or the past. Once you know that, it's child's play to hit you or dodge your attacks.
No. 4: But how did you?! Well, whatever... then I'll use a technique that no one knows yet.
No. 4 activated his suit and created a clone of himself. Roter was surprised.
Roter: What?!
Nr. 4: Well, Roter, you're impressed, huh? How will you manage now that I'm using double time manipulation?
Roter attacked No. 4 using the 4-second method, but No. 4's clone intervened and kicked Roter away at high speed.
Roter: Damn! How am I supposed to focus on both time and the other one?! I got it!
Roter struck the ground, igniting it. The forest platform began to burn, and the smoke and fire heavily impaired visibility. Roter took advantage of this to quickly launch multiple attacks. No. 4's suit started to melt, and the clone dissolved. Roter sprinted towards No. 4 at full speed, pressing his hand against his abdomen and releasing a small fire shockwave from his hand. This defeated No. 4, and Roter emerged as the victorious one who had overcome time.
Roter collected the artifacts and headed to Torn's location as he still needed to report in. Upon arriving at Torn's place, Kor and the child were also present.
Torn: The city is on high alert. What the hell did you do?!
Roter: I climbed up to the Baron's palace and, in the process, triggered the alarm.
Torn: What? I didn't authorize an attack on...
Roter: Hey, I gave the Baron quite a beating. Unfortunately, he escaped. AND I overheard a secret meeting involving the Metal Skulls' leader.
Kor: So you saw the leader then?
Roter: No, he was on some sort of communication device, but I heard him talking with Baron Praxis. The Baron is bribing the Metal Skulls with eco!
Kor: Hmph... he'll never have enough.
Roter: But he plans to double-cross them!
Kor: Oh, really? Well, our good Baron must have upset someone because word has it that the Metal Skull armies are on the move again!
Roter: Why did you keep it a secret that Red is Praxis's daughter? What do you have to do with her?
Torn: That's none of your business! Since you've stirred up a hornet's nest, you better keep a low profile! Don't get caught, Roter!
Roter went to meet Sick. It seemed that he was doing well again. Roter picked him up, and on the way to Torn, he told Sick everything that had happened. Sick was furious but also proud that Roter had defeated No. 4.
Torn: Scouts report activity in the Dead City. Creatures are moving towards the Holy Site, just like we did before.
Sick: What happened before?
Torn: Metal Skulls broke through the old city wall. We confronted them, but then the Baron retreated, leaving everyone outside the "new barrier" to die. Only the Shadow remained and held off the attack.
Roter: And now you expect us to go back out there?
Torn: You catch on fast! Prevent the Metal Skulls from reaching the Holy Site, and the Shadow will be... very grateful. Maybe he'll even agree to meet you. Hey... it might not amount to much, but I picked up another comrade for you, to make things easier.
The new comrade is waiting outside the door and introduces himself immediately.
Zäck: Hey! I'm Zäck, a mechanic, technician, and racer.
Sick: Hey, I'm Sick. You're exactly what we've been missing.
Roter: I'm Roter. Show me what you've got.
Zäck: With pleasure... hop in.
Zäck raced past everyone like a champion, with incredible speed and without making any mistakes. When they arrived in the Dead City, the first enemies appeared, and Zäck shot them all down with his weapon. Roter and Sick were deeply impressed. They ventured deeper into the ruins, where Sick nearly fell, but Zäck suddenly became extremely fast and managed to hold him.
Roter: Is that... blue eco?
Zäck: That? Uh, yeah... it accelerates and enhances all my abilities.
Sick: Awesome!
At the end of their objective, they spotted a hut. For Sick and Zäck, the hut held no significance, but Roter felt very sad and filled with anger.
Sick: Uh, Roter? Are you okay?
Roter: Let's go.
Sick: Seriously... maybe you want to...?
Roter: NOW!
They returned to Torn, who had already mentioned the Shadow during the ride back.
Torn: The Shadow finally wants to meet you.
Sick: Why is that place at the old ruins so important to you?
Torn: There's a strong power source in that old house. Metal Skulls are attracted to it.
Roter: Seriously? I grew up in that house!
Samos: So, you're the new recruits who keep getting into trouble.
When Roter saw who the Shadow was, he burst into tears...
Roter: Samos...?
Samos: Welcome to our humble underground movement. They call me the Shadow, but you can just call me Samos. And who are you?
Roter: Roter...
Sick: Sick, the mighty warrior!
Zäck: Zäck, the technician.
Samos: Listen, guys, we need to overthrow the Baron, protect the heir, stop the Metal Skull invasion, and save a city. I'd say we have enough to do! I want you guys to take the child to Kor at the power station. He promised to take care of the boy, and I really don't have time to play babysitter. Oh, and take the Croc-Dog from the kid too! Good luck... and welcome to the battle!
Sick: What about the child?
Samos: I found him in the streets, but the amulet around his neck might mean he's the long-lost heir of the city. Take him and the mutt to the power station. And watch out for patrols and protect the child by any means necessary.
Roter and the others fought their way to reach the power station. They managed to bring the child there unharmed.
Roter: Samos said we should bring the child to you.
Kor: Thank you. I'll take good care of him. Hopefully, we have enough eco to keep the Metal Skulls at bay. I've seen some of the bigger ones in the wasteland. Terrible creatures. I have important information for you. The Baron is digging around the excavation site. He's still searching for that ridiculous tomb. I don't believe it exists, but go there and disrupt his excavation, just to be safe. Tear down all his scaffolding there. That should set him back. Here's a pass for the air rail that will take you there.
When they were ready to leave, Roter stepped aside.
Roter: Guys, could you go ahead without me? I have something else to take care of.
I'll try to catch up.
Sick: What do you need to take care of? Can we help you?
Roter: No, no, I have to go alone, and we don't have much time. That's why we should split up now. We'll meet up later at Krew's! See you later!
Sick: Hey, wait!
Zäck: And he's gone...
The Shadow had said that Roter should look after Red, who was at the Bazaar. However, he should do it alone.
Roter went to the Bazaar and found Red with her army.
Roter: Hey, Tory!
Red: Go away, it's the Krimzon Guard's business! One of Vin's eco tanks is returning from the Wasteland, but the handover didn't go smoothly. The driver was scared. We'll check it out - just to be safe.
Roter: You seem kind of nice. Can I help you?
Red: I can handle it.
Suddenly, the tank crashed into the Bazaar, and Metal Skulls jumped out.
Red: It's an ambush!
For some reason, the Metal Skulls were after Red. She could fend off many of them, but not all. When she was about to be captured, Roter stepped in and saved her.
Red: Roter... thank you.
Roter and Red now fought as a team against the Metal Skulls and easily defeated them.
Red: All done! The Metal Skulls are getting bolder. It's like they're testing our defenses. Thank you so much, Roter. Without you, they would have gotten me. I wonder if my ex is behind this?
Roter: No, no, I've already taken care of him.
Red: YOU defeated him?! An elite soldier?
Roter: Yeah?
Red: That's incredible! Roter, you're so cool!
Roter: Huh?
Red clings to his arm.
Red: Can I join you on the next mission? Please!
Roter: Only on one!
Red: Yes!
Red and Roter set off together towards Krew's location.