Nr. 3 smiled smugly as he turned back to Roter. Sick and Zack tried to get his attention, but he intentionally ignored them.
"I don't talk to the weak," Nr. 3 sneered.
"Weak?!" Zack exclaimed indignantly. "During our last encounter, you outsmarted us!"
Roter turned to Sick and asked, "What abilities does he have?"
Sick replied perplexedly, "We don't know. He hasn't had to use them yet. It was pure physical strength that defeated us."
Roter: He defeated both of you without Eco abilities?! How is that possible?
Sick: I-I don't know...
Nr. 3 interrupted them with a challenging smile, "So, Roter... a one-on-one against me. If you win, I'll order my men to retreat. If I win, you'll become the Baron's weapon."
Zack: Don't accept the deal, Roter. The three of us have a good chance against him.
"Don't make a fool of yourself, Zack. It wouldn't be a fight of three against one, but a fight of three against an entire army of 300 soldiers. Can't you see how many are here?" Roter explained.
Zack was concerned, but Roter had a condition, "I have one condition, Nr. 3. I won't fight, instead my partner Zack will face you."
Sick and Zack were dumbfounded and exclaimed simultaneously, "What?!" and "Are you crazy?!"
Nr. 3 burst into laughter and said, "Hahaha, deal."
Zack: Roter, what are you thinking?! He already defeated me without using his true abilities!
Roter: I'm aware of that... but I trust you. You can do it.
Sick: Why don't you fight yourself?
Roter: Because he poisoned me in the forest.
Sick: What?!
"When I was fighting a Metal Head, I was stung. The sting felt like being shot from above. Since then, I've been feeling dizzy," Roter explained with a sigh.
Nr. 3 reacted annoyed, "Damn, you don't miss a thing, do you?"
Zack: Roter... alright! I'll be your opponent.
Nr. 3: I'll finish this quickly.
The fight began, but neither of them moved. Tense silence hung in the air.
Suddenly, Zack ran towards Nr. 3 at high speed. He hit him directly, but Nr. 3 didn't seem to feel the blow.
Nr. 3 struck back with full force, and Zack was thrown away with great impact.
Sick shouted in concern, "Zack! Damn it!"
Roter: Don't worry about Zack. He'll win.
Sick: How can you be so sure?
Roter: Don't you know about blue Eco?
Sick: No, do you?
Roter replied with a hint of nostalgia, "Yes, I used to deal with it a lot. It not only accelerates speed, but also enhances all the user's abilities. Slowness becomes swiftness, weakness becomes strength, and stupidity becomes intelligence."
Sick: That's incredible!
Roter: Indeed, but it depends on the user and how they utilize it.
Sick: If that's the case... ZACK, YOU CAN DO IT!
Zack stood up and charged at Nr. 3 once again. This time, his arm glowed and he hit Nr. 3 with full force. Nr. 3 was thrown to the ground.
Sick: Unbelievable! You were right!
Nr. 3: How is this possible?
Zack: Now it's just getting started, Number 3.
Nr. 3: You didn't do that in the mine.
Zack: Yes... I knew you wanted to test us, so I didn't want to reveal too much of my power.
Nr. 3: What did you say?
Zack: Watch out!
Zack ran towards Nr. 3 again. As Nr. 3 tried to strike, Zack skillfully dodged and kicked him away.
Nr. 3: Not bad, I must admit. But you haven't seen my true power yet.
Nr. 3 swung back and struck the air. Suddenly, the gravity around him changed. A powerful gravitational field approached Zäck, but Zäck stood calmly as if it were nothing.
Roter: Hmmm... ZÄCK! MOVE AWAY!
Zäck: Huh?
Zäck moved aside, and the gravitational field destroyed the house behind him.
Sick: What the hell?! What was that?
Nr. 3: My power is gravity.
Roter: I see, he can manipulate gravity. He was able to turn the gravitational field into a cutting force.
Zäck: That's not good. Zäck ran towards Nr. 3 again, but Nr. 3 created a strong gravitational field around himself.
Zäck only lightly touched it and was already cut by the gravitational forces... Nr. 3 struck against the gravitational field, which shattered into many sharp edges and hit Zäck. But that wasn't all. Suddenly, Zäck felt an incredibly strong gravitational force pulling him towards Nr. 3. He fought against it, but it seemed hopeless.
Sick: How unfair! What kind of ability is this?
Roter: Well, I found time manipulation more challenging.
Zäck: Dammit...
Nr. 3 prepared for another strike. This time, he created four gravitational storms that flew towards Zäck. Luckily, Zäck was fast enough. Zäck jumped against a building to cushion the impact and spring even faster towards Nr. 3.
Zäck: Spring Cannon!
Zäck hit Nr. 3 with full force, sending him flying.
Nr. 3: Not bad, kid. But I've experienced worse.
Zäck: This can't be...
Roter: Zäck needs to further enhance his striking power.
Sick: But how?
Roter: I have an idea, but Zäck should figure it out on his own. Maybe he already knows.
Zäck ran towards Nr. 3 again, this time with speed and power amplification. Nr. 3 was once again knocked away, but it didn't seem to have much effect.
Nr. 3: Is that all you've got? Now I'll show you true strength.
Nr. 3 swung back and generated a colossal gravitational field. A massive gravity wave approached Zäck, cutting him everywhere and pulling him forcefully towards Nr. 3.
Sick: ZÄCK! Oh no!
Nr. 3 glided towards Zäck and created a gravitational vortex that sucked Zäck in and flung him away.
Nr. 3: Give up, kid. This isn't your level.
Zäck: No, I still have a chance... I have to go all out.
Nr. 3: Hm?
Zäck knelt down as if preparing to jump. Suddenly, there were flashes around him, and the ground trembled...
Zäck: Amplification by a thousand times... Light speed!
Zäck leaped with lightning-fast speed towards Nr. 3, dragging him along as he jumped from place to place, delivering a powerful blow to his face. After several jumps, they soared into the air together and then descended with full force. There was a tremendous explosion, and Nr. 3 was defeated. With that, the soldiers, Roter and the others, let him go.
Roter: Well done, Zäck! I knew from the beginning that you could defeat him.
Zäck: Thank you, but for now, that's the limit of my ability.
Roter: Understandable.
Sick: The races are starting soon. We should talk to the cool mechanic again!
Roter: Hey, wait up!
On their way to the mechanic, Zäck, Roter, and Sick obtained the urgently needed antidote for Roter from Samos. Now they headed to the stadium where a Class 3 race was about to take place.
When they arrived at the stadium, they entered the workshop where the mechanic was. Sick proudly exclaimed, "We just defeated the third elite soldier!"
The mechanic stood with crossed arms, glaring at them skeptically. "Great. You get a medal. And now I have work to do, so get lost," she said coldly.
Roter was confused by the mechanic's reaction. "Are you always this difficult?" he asked her.
Zäck took a step forward, trying to defuse the situation. "Let me handle this, guys," he asked his friends. "Please, take us into your team. It has always been my dream to race in the stadium."
The mechanic frowned and stood up. "I recognize that voice..." she murmured softly, as she turned around.
Zäck: Roter also has his reasons for participating in the race.
The mechanic hesitated for a moment, then her eyes widened in surprise. "Zäck! It's you!" she exclaimed.
Zäck: Keira?! Sweetheart?!
Sick & Roter: SWEETHEART?!
Keira ignored the others' astonished looks and took a step closer to Zäck. "Oh, I'm so glad they finally freed you!" she said with a relieved voice. "But... you look so different."
Zäck nodded, and his smile disappeared for a moment. "I've been through a lot," he explained softly.
Keira gently placed a hand on Zäck's cheek and smiled lovingly. "I've been searching for you forever, Zäck. And thinking about how we can lead a normal life again."
Zäck: We can start from today.
Roter cleared his throat and joined them. "No, Zäck, we still have a mission," he reminded him seriously. "We need to go to the Baron."
Keira pondered for a moment, then an idea struck her. "You could try to win the championship races," she suggested. "The winner of the championship gets to visit the Baron at the palace. But to qualify, you have to win the smaller races. There's a Class 3 race coming up soon. You can race for my team."
Keira looked around anxiously and whispered softly to Zäck, "But we should really disappear from here soon, Zäck. I don't like this place. Some people here give me the creeps."
At that moment, Krew approached to talk to Roter.
Krew: Roter, my boy. I need the Ruby Key you found, 'ey, for a "special customer."
Roter: Sorry, Krew. Hi, hi. Completely forgot about it.
Krew: Sure thing!
The group prepared for the first race of the championship. The stadium was filled with excited spectators eagerly awaiting the starting signal. Zäck was full of confidence and focused on the race.
Engines roared as the starting signal was given. The drivers raced off, battling for the lead. Zäck showcased his skills, effortlessly overtaking every opponent. His speed and agility were impressive.
"When are we going to get a real challenge around here, huh?" Zäck called out challengingly as he effortlessly passed his competitors.
Roter also fought hard, but he struggled to keep up with Zäck's pace. He fought for every position, trying to make his way forward.
Meanwhile, Sick had a poor start and found himself at the back of the pack. He fought relentlessly to catch up, but the other drivers were always one step ahead.
As the race neared its end, Zäck reached the finish line first, triumphing over the other drivers. He cheered with joy over his victory and savored the moment.
Roter managed to secure the third position despite his difficulties. He was satisfied but also somewhat disappointed that he hadn't performed better.
Sick crossed the finish line last, knowing that he didn't qualify for the next races. He was frustrated with his performance, but he was proud of his friends.
As the group returned to Keira, Red was already waiting there.
Red: "Hey, I saw you in the race today. You were really good out there," she praised Roter. "Is there anything you can't do?"
Roter laughed and pondered for a moment. "Cooking," he finally answered, and they both shared a laugh over the joke.
Red: I'll take care of that then.
Zäck: Oh, Keira, uh, this is Red. She is...
Keira: Everyone knows who she is.
Red stood at the edge of the group, taking a moment for herself. Her eyes were filled with gratitude as she turned to Roter.
"Thank you for your help with the tanker, Roter. You saved many lives," she said with a serious tone. "I'm not like my father. Ever since I was a little child, I looked down from that silly palace and dreamt of a better world."
Keira interrupted her briefly. "Red, I think we got it."
Red lowered her gaze and slowly stepped back. "By the way, they're looking for you. Beware of Number 2. I can't protect you from her," she explained as she walked away.
Sick observed the scene attentively and remarked, "Red seems to really like you, Roter."
Roter turned away and took a few steps. His thoughts seemed to be in the distance as he pondered over Red's words.
"WE NEED TO GO TO THE BAZAR!" he finally shouted, capturing everyone's attention.
When the group arrived at the fortune teller Onin, Samos was also there, confirming, "Birdbrain and I were just talking about you, Roter."
Pecker added, "Onin is very proud of what you've done."
Confused, Roter asked, "Done what?"
Pecker replied with a strange tone, "Done, you have... will do... what's the difference?!"
Sick interjected, "Stop with this deja voodoo stuff! It's creepy! Everything can be logically explained!"
Samos chimed in, "Onin says you must find Mar's Tomb."
Pecker added, "Right now, Baron Praxis is also searching for it, but... arrrrk!!! Only the true heir of Mar can open the seal of the tomb."
Samos continued, "We believe the child is the key."
Pecker continued, "The prophecies proclaim that the true heir of Mar must confront the ancient oracle. He alone must overcome the arduous trials of manhood. He alone must seize the Precursor Stone and unleash its immense... Oh man, just stop with the mystical blabber! It twists my beak!"
Roter asked, "Why is the tomb so important?"
Pecker replied, "Inside that tomb rests the famous Precursor Stone, you idiot! 'Idiot' was my addition! The Precursor Stone holds incredible Eco energy! It can be used for good... or... for eeeevil! I especially love that last part!"
Samos warned solemnly, "The Baron wants the Precursor Stone for himself to rule the world. But he's playing with forces he doesn't comprehend."
Zäck asked, "Alright, Pecker. How do we get this Precursor Stone?"
Samos answered, "First, go to the excavation site and find the Lurker Totem. Onin and I have learned that a part of Mar's seal is hidden within the ancient ornaments of the totem. You must find all three parts of the seal to open Mar's Gate into the gorge."
Roter and the others set off for the excavation site. Along the way, Sick and Zäck wondered about the changes that had been made there.
Roter was there for the first time and was surprised by the metal skulls now adorning the place. The group fought their way through adverse conditions and eventually reached the Lurker Totem. They collected a piece of the seal and left the excavation site to return to Onin.
Upon arriving, they also saw Kor, who was talking with Onin and Pecker.
"It's foolish to believe this boy will save us! He's no match for the Metal Head Leader," Kor said. Then he noticed the group and turned to Roter. "Oh, Roter. We were just discussing Samos' plan."
Pecker said, "Onin says your voice sounds familiar. I bet you two lovebirds know each other from the past, don't you? Onin wants you to prove yourself worthy, Roter. You've shown courage and strength. Now you must show your intellect as well."
Sick exclaimed, "Hey! What about us?!"
Pecker sighed and replied, "While I think she expects too much, I don't have a say in it! If you pass this test, the third piece of the seal will appear."
Suddenly, Roter was confronted with his past. He had to relive his destiny and understand the moral associated with it. A flashback of his story began.
Roter, also known as Amiles Flinn, was born in a remote village. His life was peaceful and carefree until the day he had an argument with his parents and ran away. He wandered lost in the forest for hours until he stumbled upon a Red Well. This well contained the element of fire and emitted intense brightness and heat.
Fascinated, Roter observed the well but also felt a certain fear. As he tried to get closer, the edge of the grass gave way, and he fell into the well. Roter couldn't swim and was swept away by the currents of the well. But something strange happened. The well seemed to engulf Roter, and he lost consciousness.
Some time later, he was rescued by a villager named Samos. Samos took care of Roter and nursed him back to consciousness. During this time, Samos convinced Roter that running away from home had been a mistake. When they finally returned to the village, Roter apologized to his parents, and they spent a beautiful day together as a family. But during the night, Roter was awakened by loud voices. He listened in the living room and realized that there was a burglar. It was the infamous Krimzon Guard he had heard so much about. They raided neighboring villages and abducted young children. And now, they were here to take Roter as well.
As Roter was taken away, his desperate parents chased after him. His father tried with all his might to save Roter but was overwhelmed by the guard. Roter had to watch his own father being killed before his eyes. His mother tried to hold off the guard with her magic to allow Roter to escape, but she was stabbed by a member of the Krimzon Elite. Severely injured, she lay before Roter and whispered her final words to him. Consumed by anger and despair, Roter unleashed a powerful explosion of fire, setting the entire village ablaze. His mother held him in her arms, completely burned, and reassured Roter. She told him to use his power to help others and never to use his powers for evil. Those were her last words before she died in Roter's arms.
Roter struggled to control his anger, but he was on the verge of erupting in rage again. In that moment, Samos returned and managed to calm Roter temporarily. He offered the Krimzon Guard to take him along, assuring them that he would keep Roter calm. A week later, they reached Haven City, where Roter was placed in an orphanage. There, he lived under the care of Samos along with many other orphaned children. Seven years passed relatively peacefully until, on his 10th birthday, the Krimzon Guard appeared with the Baron. They congratulated Roter and took him to prison. There, he was held captive for another 10 years and used for the Krimzon Guard's Dark Warrior program, where he and other subjects were transformed into a new weapon against the Metal Heads.
The subjects were trained and educated daily by the instructor, the number two of the Krimzon Elite. However, once a week, they were taken to the laboratory and filled with Dark Eco, an extremely powerful substance. Dark Eco enhanced their physical abilities tremendously but could also have severe side effects. Over the course of 10 years, all the subjects, except for Roter, died from the effects of Dark Eco.
One day, Roter saw his chance to escape and used the power of Dark Eco to break free from prison. He swore vengeance for what Praxis had
done to his village, his friends, and himself. In a moment of desperation and anger, the apparition of his mother suddenly appeared to him.
"Now that you know the whole story again, Roter," she said gently, "if you had the ability to travel back in time, would you not jump into the well? That way, your life would be normal, and all your acquaintances and family would still be alive. I would still be alive."
Roter decisively shook his head. "No, I wouldn't do that."
Surprised, his mother asked, "Why not?"
"Because I am who I am," Roter replied firmly. "I wouldn't know who I would be if I made a different choice. The only thing I have left in this world is myself. And I know who I am. I am Roter! Mistakes and misfortunes will always happen; it's just about what you make of them. It's not about the beginning, nor the middle, but how it ends. It can start badly but end well. And once I've killed Praxis, the city will become a better place."
His mother smiled proudly. "You have grown up so much, Roter. I wish you luck on your journey. I love you, my son."
"And I love you too, Mother," Roter replied with tears in his eyes.
Reality returned, and Roter gathered all his courage to continue his path. He was determined to seek revenge for what Praxis, the Krimzon Guard, and the Dark Warrior program had done to him and the others. This courage caused the final piece of the seal to appear.