previously:
*A king is clashing with the Panditys' son, Orbit.
*The sword of the king is making a presence.
*Oddo burying a hovering cloaked figure under the VIP floor.
*Bronze Mist agents on clash with the assassins: Baboon, ManyToys, and FastQ.
(SlemHal - Harbor City - The Humble Bees)
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Unlike other realms, the Harbor City of Slemhal still experienced pouring rain. In fact, the downpour had intensified, and storm lightning flashed as brightly as the sun. Thunder echoed, reaching the cold ears of the orphans huddled beneath their blankets in their beds.
In the infirmary room, a somber atmosphere hung in the air. The wronged infant, who had tragically passed away along with his culprit mother, now lay on a small table, covered with a piece of blanket. The mother's body had already been taken away by the nuns, leaving the child in the room.
Father Saxomilian stood beside him, deep in prayer. He clasped his hands under his forehead, his head bowed toward the ground. They were the only two in the room.
However, the 9-year-old girl, with sun-kissed skin, quietly descended the stairs that connected the infirmary to the upper corridor. She had been watching the entire scene unfold from the beginning.
Sensing her movement, father Saxomilian turned and saw the girl approaching.
"Lila, my child, why are you here?" Father asked the child with concern. She was shivering, barefoot and not properly clothed for a cold night like this one, her arms wrapped around her shoulders.
"Is he dead, father?" Lila asked the father of the Humble Bees, who swiftly moved into a closet in the room, searching for a blanket and a pair of warm slippers.
"My child, were you here all this time.." After finding what he was searching for, he went to Lila, wrapped a warm blanket around her, lifted her onto a table, and placed the warm slippers on her cold feet.
"This is a boy who was wronged by this world, my child," father stated.
"Was his mom a bad person too?" The warmer Lila asked with innocence in her eyes. Father hugged the child with one hand, brushing her hair with the other.
"All children have the right to be loved, dear Lila," Saxomilian said, showing his care and love with his words. "I'll keep loving as long as i'm breathing, my dear bees," the father added while gazing at the window that displayed the bright dances of rain and wind.
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( Mungaria - PearlMere - Upper Floors )
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The upper floors of Green Greed Hotel were filled with a buzzing silence, the rooms devoid of any residents. The hasty footsteps of evacuees were evident in the wear and tear on the plush, lengthy carpets. These corridors were dimly lit, with neon lights intermittently flickering.
"I've reached the sixth floor," Rum relayed through the transmitter as he ascended the narrow staircase. He pushed open the door to the sixth floor, where distant, muffled shouts echoed towards him.
As a matter of natural caution, Rum readied his revolver and proceeded with deliberate steps instead of running. "I can't believe the DireDom's chaos reached this level." Rum commented while scanning the corridors.
"Rum, I can't be certain if it's the sixth or the fifth floor," Atkis admitted over the transmitter. "I wish I could check again, but I'm preoccupied at the moment." The assassin named ManyToys had just deployed another shooting-gun that was relentlessly firing at the protective barrier created by Atkis's tie.
"Things are getting challenging here," Atkis acknowledged. "It's an intense situation."
"It's alright. Think I'm on the correct floor, over for now." Rum assured Atkis.
As Rum cautiously advanced along the endless, dimly lit corridor, he couldn't help but notice the faint, distant shouts growing progressively more ominous. With his revolver at the ready, he stepped further into the eerie darkness, each footfall seemingly amplifying the eerie cries.
When he reached a corner, an uncanny sensation washed over him, prompting Rum to press his back against the wall, his senses acutely attuned. With bated breath to conceal any sound, he readied his firearm, aiming it towards the bend ahead. An eerie stillness pervaded the corridor.
A sudden dive to the side brought his weapon to bear, but the turn yielded nothing but empty space in the horizon. Confused but undeterred, Rum continued onward, only to have his progress interrupted by a grotesque squelching sound beneath his boots. He glanced down to discover three lifeless men, their pallid faces frozen in terror, blood slowly pooling around their lifeless forms.
His shock palpable, Rum murmured, "What the..." As he inspected the bodies, he realized they were in extravagant yellow suits, adorned with gaudy diamond rings. One even sported gilded gold sunglasses. "Julio Seas' men... I must be on the right floor, i don't like this, not one bit." Rum muttered to himself.
His nerves tingled once more, as he quickly reacted, weapon trained towards the corridor's turn. Though he spotted nothing in the distance, only the corridor's dim, flickering lights, were the lingering cries now began to clarify into the voice of a child. Yet, amidst the shifting shadows, one flicker outlined a distant figure in dark cloaking, capturing Rum's unwavering attention.
"Who are you, robed fuckface?" Rum growled, his finger tensing on the trigger. The shadowy silhouette remained still, unresponsive. Without a second thought, Rum squeezed the trigger, sending a bullet hurtling towards the enigmatic figure. In an instant, the figure vanished amidst another flicker of light, leaving a free falling piece of cloth.
"Come out, you son of a bitch," Rum declared with a mix of confidence and nervousness etched across his smiling face as he continued his eerie march down the dim corridor. A tension raising in the air..
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( VIP Casino Floor )
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While suspense unfolded on the upper floors, chaos and combat reigned supreme on the VIP floor.
Here, Orbit Panditys, and a golden-haired knight with shimmering yellow eyebrows, faced each other at a distance. Orbit gingerly massaged the back of his head, still feeling the impact of a recent kick.
Meanwhile, King Razmuth observed the impending duel with detached anticipation. He paid no mind to the ongoing skirmishes behind him, where Atkis defended against ManyToys' relentless bullet barrage from the pointing-gun using a protective barrier. Baboon, on the other hand, launched a series of packing kicks at the mounting Oddo, who managed to hold his ground with apparent ease.
Unperturbed by the events unfolding above, where FastQ, displaying impressive agility, matched Rin's speed. He thrust the pointed tip of his cue stick towards Rin, who adeptly blocked with the sides of his shining sword. Rin efficiently parried, dodged, and blocked the rapidly launched cue balls hurled by FastQ in a display of artful precision.
"The reigning champion of the Myre Tournaments, the Sword of the King," Orbit acknowledged the blonde knight with whom he shared the duel on the dancing floor. "Orbit Panditys, the sole son of Albert the Firm," the knight replied to Orbit.
"You're not quite like the knight i saw on TV, Sir Eric," Orbit remarked, a smile gracing his lips. "And how am I portrayed?" Eric inquired with raised eyebrows, his expression filled with assertive pride.
"You appear more dangerous here, especially with those swings," Orbit responded. "I can see you've done your homework on me," Eric said, sounding impressed. "On all six of you," Orbit corrected, adding, "especially you. I watched all your tournaments while growing up, mostly behind my parents' backs, of course."
"I grew up idolizing your father as an Ironee himself," Eric replied. "You don't appear that old, but it makes sense," Orbit remarked to Eric.
"For fuck's sake! Would you both stop cuddling each other's cocks and put on a proper display for me?" King Razmuth said with irritation, a bored expression temporarily breaking into a grin.
Both combatants turned their attention to the towering king, who watched idly. "Let's see how his son fights with all his might, Eric!" Razmuth ordered his knight.
"Unlike my child of a king here," Eric explained with a scornful look into the king, as if he were a parent dealing with a mischievous offspring. The king giggled, and Eric added, "Considering this situation, despite my king's sporadic outbursts and these zoo of assassins, I must carry out my political duty of eliminating you here with those rebels."
"May I have your autograph before I die please?" Orbit quipped confidently, his tone laced with sarcasm and a wide smile on his face.
Orbit acted without hesitation, leaping towards Eric with his fist aimed at the knight's head. The small metal objects scattered around the leap, drawn by the force of Orbit's extraordinary ability.
The culminating fist didn't land on Eric's head, as the knight easily dodged the attack. He executed a graceful flip backward, his hard golden armor not hindering his agility. After landing on his arms, he contorted his arms after standing on them and leaped legs-first into Orbit's chest bones, sending him flying through the air. However, Orbit managed to regain his balance while airborne, thanks to his Magnet Dagger ability, allowing him to hover effortlessly.
"This Dagger power of yours is truly fascinating, allowing you to hover mid-air thanks to the metal surroundings," Eric addressed Orbit's ability.
Orbit pointed with two fingers at Eric's armor, gazing at it as if he were expecting something. He commented, "I guess your armor is just like that old fart over there."
To which Knight Eric replied, "Sadly for you, you're right. Even your magnetic body can't exert control over the SAB metal created by his grace's Mask ability."
Orbit added, "The SAB metal mask that lets its user turn willing subjects into weapons and use their Dagger abilities. Masks are an annoying pain."
"Bored with all the cats and bugs in your home already?" Eric wondered a cryptic phrase aloud to Orbit, his tone laced with sarcasm.
The golden knight conjured two long, sharp-edged black blades attached to the tops of his wrists and launched himself at Orbit, the blades aimed at the young man's throat. Orbit, hovering in mid-air, forced himself to drop to the ground, narrowly avoiding the deadly attack. He panted heavily, feeling the intensity and power of Eric's relentless assault.
"What the hell with those attacks! They're more terrifying than they should be!" Orbit murmured to himself. But Eric was not one to remain idle; he leaped once again, conjuring another pair of blades, this time from the bare bottoms of his metal footwear. Orbit barely managed to roll backward to evade the slashing strikes. The ground where the attacks missed was torn into pieces, as if a knife had sliced through butter.
"I never quite figured out your ability while watching your fights, but I think I now understand why they say that you damage the very soul of your foes," Orbit remarked, sharing his thoughts with Eric.
"They always figure it out, right before they die anyway," Eric replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
"It's the Pure Hit Dagger, or at least that's what I call it, hahaha," King Razmuth chimed in, adding, "No matter the race or the kind of creature, as long as it's living, the attack will strike straight at its soul." A wide grin adorned the king's face as he chuckled and laughed heartily.
"I guess then that taking you down is nearly impossible," Orbit declared.
"You can try, I suppose. You might not be able to affect our unique metal, but you can still be affected by it," Eric stated to Orbit, to which Orbit replied, "You're too small of a target to rely on, anyway." His expression turned serious.
The magnet user then ascended slightly and stretched his arms out to each side, his hands poised as if in a powerful stance. After a few seconds, two thick walls, one on each side of Orbit and Eric, began to vibrate as if they were about to be plucked apart. Observing the scene, Eric commented, "I don't suppose you're trying to smack me with this slow method." Orbit replied with a touch of sarcasm, "I'll try, I suppose."
Eric, seemingly unimpressed, prepared his blades to cut through the incoming hefty plates of the walls. King Razmuth wore a wide smile, expecting an exciting confrontation. However, to their surprise, the walls merged in the blink of an eye, converging onto Razmuth, creating a resounding metal collision.
"Well played," Eric commended Orbit, applauding his move. The joined walls then rapidly shot back to their original positions. Eric felt the need to inform Orbit, "This does count as a defeat, indeed," closing his eyes in peace, and adding, "But now your death is no longer soft."
With that, Eric disappeared, leaving behind a furious King Razmuth, who conjured a massive broadsword into his hands.
"Anger is bad for your heart at your age, Your Highness," Orbit remarked with a sly grin, observing the furious king clenching his teeth. "I'm Orbit fucken Panditys!" Orbit shouted, his anger emerged momentarily. He then added in a calm tone, "Keep that in mind."
In response, the king transformed his clenched teeth into a grin and held his broadsword with a formidable stance. "Know your place, brat," he retorted.
With a powerful buildup for a strike, the king raised his broadsword high, gripping it with both hands, and brought it downward at Orbit. However, he didn't use the sharp edge; instead, he swung it with the wide side, aiming to crush his target rather than cut him.
It was as though an invisible, solid force field prevented the crushing blow from reaching Orbit, causing him to be flung even further away from King Razmuth, all thanks to his extraordinary ability.
The king swiftly followed with a side rotation to his left while firmly holding his massive black weapon in his right hand. He built momentum to deliver a successive swing at Orbit, this time using the sharper edge. However, Orbit was once again veered away, redirected by the magnetic nature of the metallic broadsword.
The attack missed Orbit, causing him to land at a distance, but it severed most of the speakers and lighting equipment on the dancing floor, resulting in sparks and the cacophony of metallic destruction.
"Do you want to know why the sudden march on your family's land? On Amali?" King Razmuth inquired, directing a question to Orbit after his attempts to strike him. Orbit focused his ears on the king, his curiosity piqued.
"I don't think it's a matter you should discuss, Your Grace," a voice emanated from the broadsword that the king was carrying. It was the voice of Sir Eric.
"He isn't going to leave here alive, and no one is escaping this place unscathed. Shwartez will take care of his family, and I'll rid myself of this brat. It's like a reward for my brother managing my land," the king explained with a sinister smile and continued, "Brother Daud swore he had never seen daggers like them, three daggers that glow in different colors and have unique shapes, unlike the plain daggers you idiots use." His eyes sparkled with astonishment behind his black sunglasses.
The king went on, "He said he found them somewhere in Phir Country, you know, where that old hag of a DireDom resides. He said, 'Gazing at them was enough to give me a vision curse that lasted more than a minute,' said the bastard brother who could tolerate the curse, hahahaha. He could feel that these were unique Chaos Daggers, powerful enough to use against the Panditys rats." A wide smile grew even wider on King Razmuth's face, while Orbit wore a grim expression.
Plunging his broadsword slightly into the ground, the king delivered a solemn warning, "Do yourself a favor, kid, and think of your father, mother, sisters, and loved ones, even that child, whoever she may be." He then initiated a circular motion with his hands, as though they were moving through an underwater current. This gesture began to conjure a sinister line of impaling, scale-black metal spikes between the king and Orbit. These spikes were long, massive, and thick, forming a menacing prison that entrapped Orbit beneath it. Orbit desperately tried to hover and escape but found himself confined by the imprisoning metal spikes.
With a simple stomp of the king's foot, like pressing a gas pedal, smaller black spikes emerged from within, leaving Orbit with no choice but to navigate through the magnetic currents of his ability, veering and propelling himself to evade the incoming small attacks. Orbit was wounded by some of the inevitable spikes, unable to fully control the black steel conjured by Razmuth.
In a split second, a spark of inspiration struck Orbit. He reached outside the spikes with his powers and forcibly plucked another chunk of metal wall from its place. This time, he didn't aim it at anyone but directed it at the king's broadsword. The wall hurtled toward the plunged sword, sending it flying away and breaking the prison of spikes. Now free, Orbit, bloodied and wounded, received an unavoidable punch from the DireDom, a painful, low blow to his chest that banished him into the ceiling, creating a gaping hole.
"I need a drink.." the king demanded, turning to observe the commotion unfolding in the middle of the floor.
"This is bad! We're in a tough spot here, Oddo!" Atkis expressed his concerns to Oddo, barely managing to hold back the barrage of bullets from ManyToys's machine gun with his Holo barrier. Oddo replied, "This monkey bastard kicks like an elephant with those legs!" describing the relentless attacks he was blocking from Baboon.
"I think I'll play with those rebels for a bit, go and finish off the Panditys kid," Razmuth stated, ordering his sword. The broadsword shape-shifted back into Sir Eric and was hurled into the newly created hole in the ceiling, only to be stopped by a purple blind swordsman, Rin.
"I won't let you through, Sword Ironee," the Bronze Mist agent, Rin, declared as he clashed swords with Sir Eric, both standing among the golden branches on the ceiling. "Remarkable strength, young one," Sir Eric acknowledged Rin.
FastQ had no intention of idling for a moment. He lined up a cue shot aimed at Rin with professional precision. The shot found its mark in the tissues of Rin's right shoulder, weakening him and forcing him to fall, although he managed to land on his feet, sword in hand, biting back the pain.
Eric landed and said to the assassin named FastQ above, "Is that how they teach you to fight in the URH?"
"Hey, ASSes! I don't like someone to intervene in our hunts!" the king shouted at FastQ, and FastQ replied, "My orders are absolute, King of SwestinBerg. We answer to MainStays only, mate."
The king grinned and conjured a blade that he threw at FastQ. FastQ agilely evaded it and aimed at the king, declaring, "This was your last free attempt to harm us. Even for a king of one of the Realms, this will not go unpunished, DireDom Razmuth!" With precision, he fired a cue shot, which struck Razmuth's head but left the king unharmed.
"Rin! Are you okay?" Atkis worriedly inquired about Rin's condition through the transmitter.
"I'm alright, agh," Rin responded, battling through the pain he felt.
"I guess I'll have my fun with all of you guys!" the king declared. He summoned Eric again, wielding him as a weapon, and swiftly threw him at FastQ. FastQ managed to evade slightly to the side, with the king's broadsword embedding itself into the wall behind him. This time, Eric proceeded to transform back into his knight form and deliver a satisfying kick to the back of FastQ's head, knocking him onto the dancing floor. "That's how you cheap-shot, you scum!" Sir Eric commented after the attack.
"SwestinBerg's King! This is an act of treason!" ManyToys exclaimed to King Razmuth and his knight, to which Razmuth responded with a double middle finger gesture and a crude statement, "Bite a kangaroo's penis," followed by a chuckle and a facepalm from Sir Eric, who reacted to his king's response with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
The shooting machine gun fell silent, and an uneasy quiet settled over the confrontation between the different parties. Baboon wore a furious expression as he gazed at Razmuth, with ManyToys standing behind him. "This giant bastard..." he muttered, his anger evident.
Meanwhile, Atkis and Oddo, placing their trust in each other, stood back to back, facing the other two parties.
However, Baboon's annoyed expression suddenly transformed into a smile, as a subtle vibration emanated from beneath the ground, as if he knew the reason for the tremor. "Allow me to introduce my friend who was trying to join us earlier, JetRed!"
Moments passed, and nothing seemed to happen. A silence engulfed the scene, leaving Baboon in an awkward stance. "What a mood-ruiner," Baboon commented and added, "I set up a dramatic introd...." Before he could finish his sentence, the ground nearby began to crumble. A wide, fiery beam of intense heat shot upward, radiating a blinding light across the floor. From within the aftermath emerged a figure, this time without a cloak, flying gracefully. This entity appeared as a being composed of metal and electricity, radiating an aura of danger. His robotic body was shaped like a human, entirely white as snow in bright sunlight, with red stripes encircling his form, and his eyes shone with exceptional intensity.
The menacing figure hovered above the floor, emitting smoke and light from the bottom of its legs, its body facing King Razmuth while its gleaming eyes fixated on Oddo and Atkis.
"This is the robot-like that burned all the casino's security guards..." Oddo commented to his partner Atkis, his voice cautious and hushed.
"Y'all are in trouble," Baboon declared to everyone on the floor, to which Atkis replied in the same cautious tone, "Indeed we are."
Baboon added, "The strongest robot the company ever created." However, ManyToys interrupted Baboon, correcting him with irritation, "He is no robot, you ape-head! He is the epitome of UnTech's cybernetic harnesses! JetRed, to your left! Take down Bronze Mist agents!" ManyToys ordered JetRed.
In a fraction of a second, the cyborg named JetRed swiftly turned to face Oddo and Atkis. His pointed right arm revealed a dark hole in his palm, and a laser beam shot forth, targeting Oddo. In response, Oddo grabbed Atkis and began to phase downward. The beam was intensely bright, with edges glowing a blood-red hue.
It pierced Oddo's body, as he descended beneath the VIP floor, leaving a trail of confusion and chaos in his wake.
Phasing through two floors below, Oddo and Atkis came to a halt on a basement level. Oddo was bleeding from the hole in his body, which emitted intense heat. "You phased us through! How on earth did you get injured?" Oddo panted, blood coming from a cough. "Heat is something else, man. I can't phase through energy."
Atkis stood on his feet and grabbed Oddo's arm, supporting him to stand. "Easy now," Atkis said to his partner, helping him regain his footing.
Back on the VIP floor, the cyborg once again faced King Razmuth, hovering with energy. The king's grin was as wide as it could be, and Sir Eric stood beside him.
"King Razmuth SwestinBerg and his Ironee, JetRed!" ManyToys shouted names to the cyborg, assigning him new targets. Without hesitation, JetRed pointed both his arms, each targeting a unit.
However, the king's sudden leap left all the assassins stunned. In an instant, King Razmuth closed the distance with JetRed in mid-air, charging his massive sword first.
"You're dealing with a DireDom now, prepare for the worst of the worst!" Sir Eric, in the shape of the broadsword in the king's grip, shouted.
"Pure Hit!" the king roared, a wide smile on his face as he swung his fastest attack so far.
With a simple and clean slash, JetRed's lower and upper sections were severed. The DireDom, propelled by the high momentum of his charge, continued his descent, crashing into the middle of the floor where the circular bar was located. The bar collapsed, glasses shattered, and fine wine spilled. With a confident grin, the king remarked, "Not bad, yet very disappointing."
Biting his lip, ManyToys displayed frustration while looking at the king. He equipped two glass vials containing blue liquid and threw them at Baboon, telling him, "One for you, and one for FastQ. Let's get the job done." Baboon drank one vial while on his way to FastQ.
His body grew paler, revealing swollen pink veins that turned into a deep blue. The redness in his eyes darkened, and his animal legs became more muscular, enhancing his leaping speed.
Meanwhile, ManyToys removed one of his gloves, known as UN44. Activating a button on it, the glove emitted blue light. He threw it in the direction of the upper part of JetRed. With the other glove in his hand, he materialized white Holo parts aimed at JetRed, which took the shape of body armor. These parts attracted JetRed's lower section, assembling into a larger conglomerate of JetRed, now with a blue hue.
"You guys take care of Orbit and those rebel clowns; JetRed and I will deal with the king," ManyToys stated over the transmitter.
"You noticed, my king? This is the Blue Blood technology that the UnTech company is creating. These rats are the test subjects," Sir Eric informed King Razmuth, to which the king replied with a chuckle, "They must be crazier than me to come up with these messed-up creations, hahaha." The king stood a fighting stance.
"Bring it on, fake warriors! Show me your strength!" the king challenged the assassins, spreading his arms wide, welcoming what they were about to unleash.
The modified JetRed, now larger and more dangerous, gathered a grim energy in the center of his chest. The energy shone brighter than his previous harnesses, gleaming white and blue, larger in scale and thicker.
The king gripped his broadsword and took a fearless stance, waiting for the attack. JetRed, feeling his energy charge ready, released it in one concentrated beam.
At the start of the release, Razmuth realized that this attack was different. The light of the beam filled the entire VIP floor, as if a sun had suddenly appeared in the hotel. The heat was intense, and the king's grin faded.
"Mother f..." The king muttered as the beam approached. When it was almost upon him, the king bent his left arm in the direction of the beam and was entirely engulfed by it. ManyToys grinned.
Moments later, when the blinding light faded, the king stood with a black broadsword in his right hand and a dark, massive shield on his left. The shield was covered in sand, protecting Razmuth. "Your Highness! How stupid can you be? Summoning me on this important day! And is this how you babysit, Eric Voutqa?" A voice emanated from the shield, and the king chuckled at the question. The sword, which was Sir Eric, irritated, replied to the shield, "What am I to do here, Sir Javad Ulf Lad?"
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(Upper Floors)
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The corridors of the upper floors of the hotel were bathed in the flickering neon lights, now weaker, as an ominous darkness slowly consumed the atmosphere. No longer were there echoes of screams to be heard. At the end of a crossing hallway, a heavy, whole piece of dark green cloak lay, illuminated by the focused flashlight of Rum's black eyewear. "This was what was hovering in mid-air for whatever damned reason," Rum commented as he carefully examined the piece of cloth.
"Orbit!" A louder, more terrifying shout echoed through the corridor, unmistakably the voice of a young girl. It sent shivers down the spine of the Bronze Mist agent, who left the cloak piece behind and aimed the flashlight in his black glasses into the direction of the chilling scream. With painstaking care, Rum continued to advance, each step taken with extreme caution. He pointed his revolver, ensuring every shadowy spot in the dark corridors was secure.
"Someone, help me! I can't move! It's painful!" The screams rang out, now crystal clear and at their loudest, emanating from a room's door that Rum had reached. As he cautiously grasped the doorknob, Rum realized that this door, which had appeared securely closed, was not locked. With a gentle push, the door creaked open, revealing a dimmer suite.
Inside, a pair of small eyes watched from the far end of the room as Rum intruded. "Orbit?" came the voice, a soft and frightened tone from a girl. Still cautious, Rum remained silent initially. He reached out to press light switches on his right, as many as his hand could reach. A bathroom light fulfilled its purpose, and a single flickering neon light further in the main room revealed a beautiful girl with ginger hair, striking diamond-blue eyes, and a small nose. She stood barefoot, wearing a fancy pink dress.
"Who are you?" the girl asked, fear evident on her face, a glint of tears in her eyes, and her nostrils dampened.
Rum, still near the door and not yet responding, approached steadily. He scanned the bathroom to his right, weapon aimed, but found it empty. Continuing his advance, "Don't come close!" the little girl shouted. "Enough with all of you already!" Her voice quivered, and more tears fell.
"Who's 'us'?" Rum wondered, raising his revolver away. "I'm helping Orbit, you're this girl he mentioned, right? I'm not a bad guy, kind of," he added. The girl stopped shedding tears and looked at Rum with an innocent gaze and said: "Orbit?". "What's your name, cutie?" Rum asked, and the girl narrowed their distance with small steps and responded, "Orbit is here! Who are you?" Her expression was determined, and her tone little rude for an eight years old girl.
"I'm Rum of the Bronze Mist. Long story short, I'm here to help ensure your safety, little princess," Rum replied. "But I'd like to know the name of the princess I'm saving." He added. The girl retorted, "I'm not a princess."
Suddenly, a loud shot rang out, and the atmosphere grew tense, it was Rum. He aimed a shot slightly near the girl's head, leaving her in shocked disbelief.
"Listen now, princess," Rum said coldly. "I've seen many terrible things in my life, demons, monsters, capable of cruel deeds. My own brother fell victim to such deeds. So drop the load of shits and cloaks and nonsense. I felt something was off ever since i located only 4 out of 5 cloaked figures. The second shot won't miss. Give me your name if your life means anything to you, or I'll reveal my darker side." Rum elaborated, his expression unwavering.
Speechless and phased by his actions, the girl shouted in a frightened manner, "Someone, help me!"
A gunshot rang out, the bullet piercing her forehead and silencing the screams instantaneously. The impact forced her body to slide and sit along the wall until she came to a lifeless rest. Rum, the shooter, stood behind his sunglasses, his gaze cold and emotionless as he reached for the transmitter button. "Atkis, there was no girl up here," Rum informed his partner, his voice calm but devoid of any remorse. However, there was no response from the other end.
"Guys, are you listening?" he repeated, turning to face the exit room door. Just as he did, a sudden noise startled him, causing him to shift his attention back to the girl. It was only that her lifeless body had fallen to the ground like a limp ragdoll, the sound of her head and body hitting the floor reverberating through the room.
"I'm here," Rin replied over the transmitter, his breathing heavy. "There was no girl. How are things on your end?" Rum informed and asked his blind brother, Rin, who was seated in a corner of the dancing floor, legs crossed as he caught his breath. He observed two assassins, Baboon and FastQ who regained their balance, approaching Rin, their blue, swollen veins prominent. "Nothing we can't handle, hah. Later, brother. full hands here," Rin answered before hanging up and preparing his purple sword to engage with the assassins.
Finding no further purpose in the room, Rum made his way to leave.
"Hahahaha," a sinister male voice suddenly laughed from behind him. "What gave away my act, clever one?" the voice inquired of Rum. Turning around with a self-assured smile, Rum responded, "I had my suspicions."
When he fully faced the room, he saw the girl's body standing, a menacing expression on her face, blood from the gunshot wound on her forehead splattering across her face.
"Hahaha!" echoed the chuckle, though it sounded ill-fitted coming from the girl's body. "You know you're not leaving here alive, right?" the body of the girl declared to Rum, her voice now that of a man. With a resolute expression, Rum left no room for a reply. He fired another bullet into her head, blood splattering upon impact, yet the girl's body remained standing and smiling. Two more shots struck her chest, followed by one to the heart. Still, the girl stood unfazed. "Shoot as many as you want, I'm just a body," she stated to Rum, her voice taking on a dark tone. Then, she leaped with her bloody body toward Rum, who responded with two more rounds, forcing the body to retaliate.
A dirk, a small and deadly type of dagger, found its way into the depths of Rum's back. From the darkness, a man emerged to backstab Rum, the dirk aimed for his midsection, but it curved, inflicting a deep wound on the left side near his spine.
The assailant was a discreet figure, concealed behind a garnished black mask. He wore a dark gray leather suit with green sleeves, a green pointy hood, and a matching green tie.
At the very moment of the backstab, the lifeless body of the girl fell to the ground, her head near Rum's legs. Rum, coughing blood and attempting to turn toward his attacker, found his strength waning, and his body falling. The room bore witness to a crimson scene..
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(VIP Floor)
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The once-boisterous dancing floor was now engulfed in an eerie silence, the aftermath of a brutal battle laid bare for all to see. Rin lay prone on the ground, his blood mingling with the floor beneath him, his sword just out of reach, a mere meter away. Baboon and FastQ, their chests heaving with exhaustion, bore the visible marks of their fierce confrontation. "I've never seen a swordsman like you, gotta give you that." Baboon acknowledging Rin, he sported a deep gash across his animal-like chest and several smaller cuts on his arms and legs. FastQ's cue stick had been cleaved in two, and a fresh scar marred his left eye courtesy of Rin's earlier assault.
"Texture, what's your status?" FastQ inquired over the transmitter, concern evident in his voice. Texture, the assassin paired with Rum, responded, "I've taken care of the other twin. You two handle the rest. I've located Orbit. Leave the king to JetRed and ManyToys."
FastQ and Baboon swiftly pivoted on their heels, diverting their attention from the formidable king holding both shield and broadsword. Despite the king's menacing presence and their ongoing struggle, their unwavering focus remained fixed on Atkis and Oddo, who had descended to lower floors.
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(Somewhere above the VIP floor and below the corridors where Rum was)
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"Goodness, i get hits left and right?" Orbit muttered, his body still throbbing with pain from the king's devastating punch that had sent him soaring through the upper rooms. He found himself in yet another dimly lit chamber, his vision clearing to reveal a dark figure clad in black and green. Texture, the assassin who had previously tangled with Rum.
"You people just never quit, do you?" Orbit spoke with an icy calmness, a palpable weariness in his tone. Texture, his intentions clear, delivered a grim ultimatum, attempting to shatter Orbit's spirit. "Your friends are gone, your family's fate is sealed. Accept the inevitable and meet your end," he declared.
Orbit remained silent, seemingly unfazed. Texture couldn't resist a sly grin beneath the mask, unseen by the others. "Even that girl Julio Seas claimed to have had was a fabrication," he continued, relishing Orbit's surprise. "You see, the walls have ears." With blinding speed, Texture lunged at Orbit, each hand brandishing a dirk, murderous intent in his voice. "It's time to die, Albert's son!"
Upon hearing these words, Orbit's mind conjured a vivid image of Lucy and another woman embracing her. His eyes closed briefly, the surge of emotion and determination welling up within him. Just as Texture's attack was about to connect, Orbit evaded effortlessly, soaring upward, hovering mid-air. As the assassin sailed beneath him, Orbit's eyes snapped open and, in a burst of rage, he yelled, "I've had enough of your nonsense!"
In a blink of an eye, Orbit's fist crashed through the floor, striking Texture squarely and propelling him downward the hole made by king Razmuth, causing a cataclysmic impact that obliterated the dancing floor below.
But Orbit was far from done. He tore the door from the refrigerator in this room, fashioning it into a makeshift projectile which he sent hurtling through the hole, swiftly following it with a powerful kick of his own. Both objects homed in on Texture, causing further devastation as the dancing floor cracked and shattered. The fate of Texture remained unknown under the crumbles.
Orbit touched down on the remains of the dancing floor, his gaze falling upon the fallen Rin, blood staining the ground beneath him. He knelt beside him and checked for a heartbeat, finding a faint but discernible pulse. Gently, Orbit hoisted Rin onto his shoulders, shouldering the weight of his injured ally.
Keeping one eye on the ongoing battle between King Razmuth and the assassins, Orbit noticed the king who still wore his DireDom grin, gesturing at him, pointing to a particular direction on the floor.
Orbit shot the king a venomous glare but paid no further heed to the monarch's indications. He leaped through the newly created opening, determined to navigate the perilous path ahead.
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(Somewhere bellow the VIP floor)
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The two Bronze Mist agents, Oddo and Atkis, dashed underground through a labyrinthine maze of laundry rooms, storage areas, and staff passages. They were both panting, wearied from their run, and Oddo was doing his best to manage the injury he had sustained from the searing laser beam.
He couldn't help but express his concerns in a serious tone. "Are you absolutely certain about this, Atkis? We're in quite a predicament here, and I can't get in touch with Rin and Rum."
Atkis, his eyes glowing with his dagger ability, responded with conviction, determination etched in his expression. "I'm certain. I can see her aura, Oddo. We need to find her."
With unwavering resolve, they continued their pursuit, driven by the belief that they were on the right path, determined to locate the little child.
In a room filled with washing machines, Oddo and Atkis came to a halt before a locked metal door. Frustration and urgency filled the air as they faced this obstacle.
Atkis, clearly agitated, couldn't contain his frustration any longer. He shouted at Oddo, "What are you waiting for? Phase us through you fucker!"
Oddo, struggling with his injuries, shot back, "I can barely move, let alone expend energy for phasing, you dumb!"
Amidst their heated exchange, Atkis proposed an alternative plan. "Let's use brute force to break it down," he suggested. The idea seemed like a way forward, something they could both contribute to.
Atkis agreed, explaining the plan to Oddo. "We'll count together to three. On my signal, we hit the door. Got it?" A simple nod on Oddo.
With their makeshift plan in place, Atkis initiated the countdown, "One... two...," but before he could finish, Oddo misunderstood, thinking they were to hit the door before the count end. He struck it prematurely.
Atkis, infuriated by the miscommunication, shouted, "You idiot! I clearly said 'on my three'!"
Oddo, his anger matching Atkis', retorted, "I thought we were supposed to hit it after 'two!' Not three!"
"Why are you a donkey! It's a door!" Atkis angrily inquired as he struck the door with intensity. Simultaneously, Oddo, fueled by frustration, also hit the door, muttering, "Fuck this!" The combined force of their blows shattered the door wide open, causing both of them to stumble and fall to the ground due to their own momentum.
A petite girl loomed over their heads, brandishing scissor in her hand as a threat. Her soft voice conveyed menace. Raising their heads, Atkis and Oddo observed a young girl, her gaze as sharp as a cornered cat. She possessed raven-black hair, eyes wide akin to the deep ocean, and was clad in a black dress, with matching black nail polish and lipstick.
"I don't know what's happening up there, and I won't wait for Julio Seas' men to take me again. If you're his men, i will kill you!" She declared. "Name?" Atkis slipping a mini question. "Lucy." She said. Ignoring her threatening tone, Atkis and Oddo remained on the ground, exchanging glances of delight upon hearing the name "Lucy." They then promptly stood up, hugged her, and began to swing her around jubilantly, paying no heed to the scissors she held.
"Put me down! You idiots!" Lucy exclaimed, her face blushing anger, struggling in their arms. Oddo, holding her high, reassured her, saying, "We're here to take you to Orbit."
"Orbit! I don't believe you!" Lucy retorted, her skepticism evident.
The trio's commotion resonated through their new surroundings, a spacious and well-lit garage, housing the vehicles of affluent patrons. Oddo turned to Atkis with a query, "Should we leave and ensure her safety for the moment?" Meanwhile, Lucy struggled in Atkis's arms, her adorable yet irritated expression showing her discontent. She insisted, "I'm not going with you! Put me down already!"
Atkis pondered the situation and was about to respond, but they were suddenly jolted by an unexpected event. The steel ceiling, not directly above them but nearby, crumbled, and a man descended from it, landing in the vast garage.
This sight brought a smile to Lucy's face and moved her to tears. Her cheeks flushed with emotion, she rushed to the man and embraced him tightly. "Easy now child! I'm hurt." The newcomer, Orbit, winced from the pain her exuberant hug caused due to his injuries. He was carrying Rin on his shoulder, and upon seeing his new allies, Atkis and Oddo, he gestured for them to help.
"What happened to him?" Atkis inquired with concern. Orbit, handing Rin into Oddo's arms, replied, "I don't know. I found him alone on the floor above."
Meanwhile, Lucy, overwhelmed by wild emotions and tears, cried out, "I thought you were never going to come for me!" Orbit gently stroked her dark hair, offering comfort and assurance. However, Lucy, still emotionally charged, let go of her embrace and kicked Orbit's leg lightly with the pointy tip of her boots. "Hey! That hurts, you rat!" She followed up with a series of small punches, her fists barely reaching Orbit's chest.
"Why were you late?" she questioned, her voice a mix of anger and relief.
Orbit, understanding her emotions, replied calmly, "I'm here now, aren't I?"
"You owe us a favor, Panditys. Our job here is done," Atkis declared to Orbit.
"I am indeed grateful. Thank you for everything, and best of luck with whatever you're doing here," Orbit responded with respect. Atkis wore a proud expression, while Lucy mockingly stuck her tongue out at the agents, which prompted him to gently tug at her hair and say, "Behave, little rat." Oddo responded with a gentle smile as he tended to Rin on the ground.
As they proceeded the depart, Atkis inquired, "With the child now safe, I'm heading back up to find Rum. Are you with me?"
Oddo nodded and replied, "Always, my friend."
"Let's depart from here, Lucy, and head to Amali. I know you've never left Mungaria, but I'm confident you'll enjoy it, especially my sisters, you will love them i promise!" Orbit assured Lucy. She smiled, holding his hand as they approached an ascending path leading to a massive metal exit door.
What appeared to be a happy ending quickly turned sour. Multiple small metal white spheres, cue balls to be precise, began to rain down on Orbit and Lucy. In response, Orbit swiftly scooped up the little girl, leaping backward several times to rejoin the Bronze Mist agents who had adopted defensive stances. The source of the attack was FastQ, emerging from the exit side, wielding another metallic cue stick. From various directions, more threats materialized: an assassin with kangaroo-like legs approached from the opposite side where Oddo and Atkis had broken through a door. ManyToys followed Baboon, leaving the direct combat of DireDom Razmuth to the augmented cyborg, JetRed.
Frustration etched the faces of the encircled allies, Orbit holding Lucy close as their arms shielded the frightened girl. Baboon declared, "You're fucked! Hah!" FastQ chimed in, "A job's a job. Mate." Both of them were enhanced, their gray skin and visible blue veins highlighting their transformation. Feeling trapped, the Bronze Mist agents and Orbit found themselves in a dire situation. But to their surprise, reinforcements rose. Rin, the blind swordsman, managed to stand, clutching his sword and panting. Atkis respectfully acknowledged Rin's presence and explained, "I would say you're not in a condition to fight, but we need all the help we can get. Because we are, fucked." Rin replied with a determined spirit, "I'm far from my limit yet, hahaha." A tense standoff permeated the air, a quiet moment preceding an impending storm.
"RUN!" Atkis shouted, his gaze fixed on the exit path, and the entire team sprinted away, with Orbit carrying Lucy. FastQ unleashed a barrage of projectiles, which were initially blocked by Atkis's Holo Barrier. They all ran as fast as they could, with Oddo assisting Rin by having the blind swordsman place his hand on Oddo's shoulder for support. The incoming shots grew more intense this time, and Atkis's Holo Barrier couldn't withstand the pressure, eventually breaking. The heavy shots were closing in, but Rin, summoning his last reserves of strength, intercepted and deflected them with his gleaming sword.
From another direction, an attack came in the form of a leaping assault by the beastly Baboon, aiming for all his prey. Orbit, utilizing his hovering ability, stretched his arms wide to push his allies forcefully out of the way, knocking them down to the ground. The attack missed everyone, but the sheer force of Baboon's kick caused the ground to crumble entirely.
With his remaining strength, Orbit used his ability to move an entire parked car, hurling it toward Baboon and sending the menacing assailant sprawling. Understanding the grave peril they faced, Orbit made a difficult decision. He turned to Atkis, looking at him with determination, and asked, "Can I trust you again with Lucy? I'll owe you one more time. She's meant to reach Amali." Atkis and Orbit exchanged a serious and respectful glance, and Atkis gave a nod.
"No, no, no!" Lucy cried in frustration, tears streaming down her face. She continued, "You can't do this to me! I want to go with you! You promised!" She struggled with all her might, but Orbit held onto her tightly and said, "Just like always, I'll manage my situation. I promise I'll come back for you." His eyes conveyed the care of a protective older brother. He nodded back at Oddo, and Oddo took hold of Lucy, who was still sobbing and resisting. "No! Let me go!" she pleaded with intense emotions.
As they started running, they noticed Rin still standing beside Orbit. Anticipating Atkis's unspoken question, Rin spoke up, "Go, my friends! I'll be fine. Besides, a brother is waiting for me." Atkis stood for a moment, looking at his comrade, and Rin raised his voice, urging: "Go!" With a heavy heart, Atkis turned and ran alongside Oddo, holding the crying girl.
"You're a resilient man, I can see you're the strongest among your crew, and I respect that," Orbit acknowledged Rin's strength. Rin smiled and replied, "My brother and I endured a life of slavery in HolySphere. We never truly experienced the beauty of this world until the Bronze Mist took us in. We've learned the difference between right and wrong, and that's why I stand here with you, Orbit Panditys, committed to doing what's just until my last breath." Rin's unwavering spirit allowed him to keep clutching his sword, both him and Orbit prepared for what was to come.
"How cute! Hah!" Baboon scoffed after quickly recovering from the impact of the car. "No one is leaving alive, I guarantee that," he added. Baboon leaped toward Rin at the speed of sound, attempting a powerful kick, but Rin expertly blocked it with a clash of his sword. Orbit moved to react, but his actions were interrupted by the appearance of two gigantic Holo hands summoned by ManyToys, grabbing him.
The situation grew increasingly dire, even for those attempting to escape, who are Atkis, Oddo, and Lucy. Oddo, with little energy remaining, was phasing the three of them through the chaos, narrowly avoiding the barrage of metal cue balls. FastQ, realizing their escape, switched his bracelet, shifting from creating holographic cue balls to targeting the trio with a laser beam that penetrated Oddo's phasing ability, injuring him. Despite the pain, Oddo continued their retreat.
Atkis noticed the colossal metal door that they needed to reach for their escape. He turned to Oddo, saying, "Keep moving, my friend! Hold on and phase the girl through. Someone must stand against this assassin, and that someone is me." A faint smile crossed his face as he readied his firearm and opened fire at FastQ, who deftly evaded the shots. Oddo, deeply concerned for his friend's safety, kept his emotions to himself.
Atkis gazed at Oddo, raising his fist as he said, "Always friends?" Oddo reciprocated, lifting his own fist to join Atkis's, his voice filled with both camaraderie and sadness, "Friends always, for life."
Yet another laser beam streaked toward Oddo as he continued his retreat. The blue-veined assassin lunged with his metal staff, aiming at the injured Oddo, who clung tightly to Lucy. However, before reaching, he was suddenly interrupted by the sheer force of Atkis, who grappled with FastQ, holding back his assault.
Atkis was aware that he couldn't hold off FastQ for long. Gasping for breath, he urged Oddo, "Go, Oddo! Preserve your strength! Phase! Just phase!" His own strength was waning rapidly. Oddo, facing a similar struggle, felt his consciousness slipping away as he clutched Lucy tightly and released his weight, initiating the phasing process downward. They descended, still phasing more then needed because Oddo lost his conscious. They phased bellow into an endless journey through concrete, stone, and dirt.
Atkis, unable to withstand the might of the blue-veined assassin any longer, was overpowered, and he fell to the ground after taking a blow to the head from FastQ's own head, knocked out cold in the process.
Orbit observed the chaotic situation from a distance, desperately trying to hold off their relentless attackers. He seized the opportunity and propelled two more cars at ManyToys, compelling him to release his grip on Orbit in order to defend against the incoming attack.
Meanwhile, FastQ, growing increasingly frustrated by the escapees, targeted Rin and fired a metallic cue ball that struck him from behind once more. Rin, who had been locked in combat with Baboon, was knocked out too on the ground, his condition becoming dire. Orbit, attempting to deliver a powerful punch to Baboon, found himself evaded, and Baboon responded with a swift kick to Orbit's abdomen, sending him staggering but still on his feet.
Suddenly, a shadowy figure materialized behind Orbit, and a vicious stab struck him in the back, causing blood to spew from his mouth. The figure, known as Texture, clad in dark green attire, spoke after the brutal backstab, saying, "The SwestinBergs send their warm greetings. They said: 'Congratulations on being the first of the Panditys to die.' Hahaha" Texture laughed sinisterly.
Baboon delivered another formidable kick, sending Orbit sprawling onto his back. Texture followed up by thrusting a gruesome dagger at Orbit's throat. The young man, with his striking purple eyes, was gravely wounded, his life hanging by a thread. Orbit coughed up blood, his strength waning, unable to lift his arms to resist the relentless assault.
Four members of the Astral Steppers Squad-Baboon, FastQ, ManyToys, and Texture-stood triumphantly over Orbit Panditys, who struggled for his very life. With Texture, nearly touching the tip of the grip of the dirk dagger with his bottom boot. It was a tragic turn of events at the break of dawn in Mungaria.
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(SlemHal - Harbor City / Still at the Garage of Green Greed Hotel)
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The dawn of Harbor City in SlemHal bore an unnatural incident inside the Humble Bees orphanage.
Father Saxomilian stood in a moment of profound shock and disbelief, his eyes widened like gates to an extraordinary revelation. "Dear God!" he exclaimed, a prayer and an exclamation all at once.
With the first light of this dawn, a once lifeless infant, believed to have succumbed to the clutches of death, had emerged from the abyss of mortality. The very notion of this miraculous rebirth sent shivers coursing through the spine of the father of the church. He cradled the bewildered and silent little girl named Lila, who had been his sole companion through the long night. Together, they had gazed upon what they long believed to be the lifeless form of an infant, their faith in hope unwavering.
Gone, were the pallid skin and ashen lips of the infant, replaced by vibrant and fervent cries that permeated the orphanage. The infant boy's resounding cries resonated like a clarion call, a testament to the undying will to live. Father Saxomilian's eyes brimmed with tears of awe and gratitude as he raised his voice to the heavens. "Dear God! What an extraordinary miracle you have graced upon us and this innocent child," he declared, his voice carrying the weight of a profound revelation.
The infant's inaugural cries bore witness to the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination to embrace the gift of life.
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Meanwhile, amid the massacre of a battle occurred, Orbit lay helplessly, grappling with the last vestiges of his strength as the world around him darkened. A sinister presence, Texture, taunted him with sadistic glee, reveling in his agony.
"How does it feel to die in agony?" Texture's words pierced the air, a cruel reminder of Orbit's impending fate. "Knowing you will never see your family again?"
Then, a ruthless plan unfolded among the assassins. Baboon's voice cut through the tension, outlining their sinister scheme. They had been recently instructed to leave one member of the Bronze Mist alive, to serve as a scapegoat for the chaos that had erupted in the wake of their mission. King Razmuth and his Ironees remained untouched, leaving the agents with limited options.
"We can't pin it on King Razmuth, nor can we eliminate him. JetRed is struggling, and Razmuth has only deployed two of his Ironesses so far," Baboon explained to his compatriots. ManyToys, in his eerie wisdom said: "This purple blind swordsman in still kicking, i demand we take him instead of ending him. He may be proven valuable in the company as an experiment rat." Baboon added: "Ill grab him for you."
As Texture continued to stand over the dying Orbit, he removed his hood and mask, revealing his true identity to the wounded man momentarily before concealing again. Orbit's shock and despair reached a crescendo as he gazed at the ceiling, tears welling in his eyes knowing the identity of Texture, the light within them slowly fading.
However, a sudden interruption shifted the balance of power. Someone was approaching, a figure determined to challenge the malevolent assassins. Rum, injured and filled with pain, ran towards them, shouting: "Leave my brother you damn fuckers!"
A single shot from Rum's revolver found its mark, striking Texture in the arm and causing him to wince in pain, though not fatally wounded.
Tragically, his intervention had come too late to save his twin brother, as FastQ took aim and unleashed a lethal shot that pierced through Rum's head, ending his life abruptly.
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In the hallowed sanctuary of the church, a congregation of devoted sisters encircled the crying child, their faces etched with a mix of joy and tears. They witnessed the remarkable resurgence of life in this once-desolate infant, and their tears flowed freely as they drew nearer to the innocent child, a soul whom even his own mother had rejected.
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Within the depths of the encroaching darkness, Orbit's voice grew faint as he whispered, "Father, mother..., sisters...." The deep purple hue in his eyes began to slowly wane. For Texture, plunging the dirk dagger more deeply in Orbit's throat.
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In the Humble Bees, the infant cries slowly came into halt. Stopping.
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Orbit Panditys, the valiant hero, met his demise, his once vibrant purple eyes now white, forever shrouded in the darkness of death. For they turned white.
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And an infant, pulsing with life, gazing at the ceiling peacefully on his own.
His eyes opened. White at first, they turned violet.
To Be Continued.