[August 12, 4045] [12:00 PM]
I squatted behind a crumbling hunk of wall, gazing through the cracked lens of my scope and lining up the shot. Just barely clinging to its frame, the billboard swayed gently in the wind, waiting for the right nudge to come crashing down. This would be a chance for the perfect diversion. I found the spot, steadied my aim, but just as I was about to squeeze the trigger a voice echoed through the empty street.
[Stop what you're doing, boy.]
I froze. That voice, cold, mechanical, there could be no mistaking it. I turned my head slowly to the right to see the Black Android a few meters away, its dark, sleek form blurred into the shadows of the ruined cityscape. Its red eyes glowed faintly as it took one step closer, raising one hand in a gesture that could almost be considered calming, if not for the underlying menace.
[Let's not make this more difficult than it needs to be] the android continued, modulated and smooth.
[I am not going to kill you, if you cooperate. Lower the pistol, and we can talk.] I held the Nova Pistol in a firm grip as my mind raced. I had not been expecting to bargain with an Inquisitor this morning.
"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, trying to sound steady though my heart was racing.
The black android raised one eyebrow. [About the girl] he said, his voice flat. [We're not here for you, Zane. Hand her over and this ends without any unnecessary bloodshed. There's no need for bloodshed.]
I swallowed, and my gaze flicked to where Lynsithea was hiding. She wasn't that far from the emergency exit. The owl on her shoulder shifted uneasily. I was not going to let this thing get to her. Not without a fight.
"And if I don't?" I challenged, my finger hovering over the trigger.
The android's red eyes narrowed a touch. [Then you force my hand. And I assure you, that won't end well for either of you.]
First of all, How did he know that I was here?
The skin crept up the back of my neck as the thought crossed my mind. So here it was, this Inquisitor, of whom I now held to be mythical, a thing of another age, stood before me talking to me as if it knew my every move.
The eyes of the Black Android flickered, as if he had noticed my unease.
[You are wondering how I found you, aren't you?] he said, his tone hinting at amusement. [There are still cameras in this city, Zane. Old, battered, but functional. You've been watched since you entered this area.]
I gritted my teeth as a wave of nervousness flushed over me. It reads minds? I tried to maintain calm, but this idea of being so easily followed around, my every move monitored, made my blood run cold.
[You're not as invisible as you think] the android continued, his voice nearing mockery. [I know more than you realize. Your every thought, your every doubt....it's written all over your face.]
It took another step closer, its gaze unwavering. [You can't hide from me, Zane. So, let's make this simple. Give up the girl, and I'll forget this encounter ever happened.]
If all of the cameras are on… It hit me like a ton of bricks.
Lynsithea mustn't use that emergency exit. My heart sank as it finally hit me.
Why didn't I think about this before?
These Inquisitors weren't ordinary androids either. They possessed special powers: advanced technologies for one purpose: to hunt, track, and investigate. They would more than likely sense every movement she made before she does it.
I swore under my breath. I have put her in more danger. The plan to mislead them was falling apart right before my very eyes. I need to think of something else, fast.
A new plan was forming in my mind, shaky but the best I had. I straightened up, meeting the Black Android's gaze.
"If you want the girl, you will have to answer one question for me first," I said, my voice steady despite the tension coiling inside of me. "Why did you come back after all these years?"
The Android paused, narrowing its eyes; it almost seemed to consider my words. [That's none of your business boy] he answered in an icily mechanical voice.
"But it is my business," I shot back, stalling for time. "You disappeared during the Quantum Exodus like everybody else. So why now? Why come back to a world that's practically dead?"
The Android tipped his head a fraction to the side, as if he were considering whether or not to answer my question. [We are here for unfinished business] the words clipped, devoid of emotion.
[That is all you need to know.]
Unfinished business? That could be anything. But I needed to keep them talking, needed to keep them focused on me. Come on, Zane, think.
I could feel the tension as I took a deep breath. "Is it about Hanz Taylor?" I asked, watching the Black Android closely. The instant the name left my lips, something crossed its face—shock, maybe even surprise.
The expression on the Black Android's face altered, a sickly combination of curiosity and something else that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
[How do you know that name?]it demanded, the cold edge to its voice now more pointed.
I shrugged, trying to keep my voice light. "Let's just say I've been doing my own investigating. Seems like Hanz Taylor's death is causing quite a stir."
The android's expression was now narrowed, and for that second, he almost looked. .. interested. [You know more than I expected] he said with an unnaturally calm, ice-like voice. [But that will not help you.]
"But it could," I said, my mind reeling. "If you answer my questions, maybe we can make a deal. I know things you might want to hear."
The reply came back in a mix of surprise and suspicion from the Red Android. [He knows Hanz Taylor's name? Could he be the one who killed him?]
The Black Android's tone remained controlled, though a hint of frustration seeped through. [It's possible, but we need to focus. Don't jump to conclusions. Keep searching for the girl. She's our priority.]
The voice of the Red Android returned, unmistakable with the undertone of determination. [Understood. I will track her. We shall find her wherever she might hide.]
The Black Android turned back toward me; its face was expressionless.
[I suggest you just stay out of our way. You have already drawn enough attention to yourself. We have more pressing things to attend to.]
The Black Android's expression changed, its mechanical eyes narrowing in a manner that seemed genuinely curious. [I am Sentinel. And you are?]
"Zane, Zane Liebert."
The surname seemed to strike a chord in Sentinel. His voice took on a far more interested pitch. [Liebert… intriguing. You don't happen to know an Ethan, do you?]
And that question threw me off. "Ethan Porter? Yeah, he's—"
Sentinel interrupted me, his voice much sharper now. [Ethan Porter? Is he alive?]
I hesitated before nodding. "He's still alive. Why?"
Sentinel's expression changed, a movement barely perceptible.
[It seems we have more to discuss. Ethan Porter is a key figure we've been searching for. But for now, I suggest you stay out of our way.]
My curiosity wouldn't bite back. "What is the connection between Ethan and the Inquisitors?"
Sentinel kept his eyes fixed on me.
[Ethan Porter has been a problem for us for a while. His knowledge and actions have messed up our plans. He's more connected than you think.]
I frowned. "What about the girl? Why are you so interested in her?"
Sentinel's eyes became even sharper. [Where is she, Zane? We must know where she is.]
I kept quiet, my mind working fast as I thought about what to do next.
I took a deep breath to keep my voice steady, hiding my increasing worry. "If you locate her, what are your plans for her?"
Sentinel's face became stern. [The girl is responsible for all this trouble. We think she knows something important about the problems we've faced. Once we catch her, we'll get the information we need and make sure she doesn't cause any more trouble.]
I shivered. "Get the information? You mean—"
Sentinel cut me off. [It's not just about getting information. It's about stopping the chaos. Her skills have made things difficult. We need to handle her before she creates more problems.]
My mind was racing, and I wondered what about Lynsithea made her seem so dangerous.
The Sentinel interrupted the tense conversation.
[That's enough talking. You're coming with me. If you know anything about her, you should tell me now.]
When the Sentinel drew his gun and aimed it at me, my heart started pounding fast. I didn't have a plan to get away right away. But then, I saw a snowy owl flying around above the billboard.
It was a sign that Lynsithea had made it to safety and hadn't been seen on any cameras.
In my thoughts, I wished she was well hidden and possibly far enough away for now.
I started to talk, but the sudden noise from the communication device interrupted me. The red robot's voice came through loud and important.
[Sentinel, I found her! She's close to the emergency door that goes to the highway.]
Sentinel's eyes got smaller as he listened to the message. [Found her? Where exactly?]
The red robot's voice made noise again. [She's by the emergency door. I can see her. She hasn't see the cameras yet.]
Sentinel's face looked serious, and he looked back at me. [It seems I have a job to do. If you know anything helpful, now is the time to share.]
'They found her?!'
The realization struck me hard, like a physical blow. I had no choice; I needed to move quickly.
Without any delay, I aimed and shot at the billboard. The sound of the gunshot reverberated, and the large structure creaked before it fell, crashing down and obstructing Sentinel's view.
I didn't stick around to watch his response. I ran as fast as I could, my heart racing as I hurried towards Lynsithea.
[Hang on, I'm on my way.]
Sentinel's response was immediate, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. He didn't expect me to shoot the billboard to block his view, and for a short time, he just stood there, trying to understand what was happening. Then, he saw me using the small, nano-capsule, which looked like smooth metal wrapping around my wrist.
[Just as I thought…] the guard said quietly, sounding both annoyed and curious.
The red robot's voice came through the communication system, loud enough for me to hear bits of it as I ran. [He's going to the emergency exit! Northwest corner! Stop him before he gets there!]
I ran faster, my legs feeling the strain as I heard the guard's voice giving strict orders, [Keep following him. I don't care how, don't let him get away.]
The billboard fell down, making a big cloud of dust and pieces of stuff, and the air near me got really thick and hard to breathe.
I could hardly see anything, but I kept going. I had to. My chest hurt as I ran fast, moving around the old buildings that were now like broken pieces of a mouth along the street.
There were pieces of rock and bent metal all over the ground, so I had to jump over things and crawl under fallen wood. My heart was beating really fast when I heard the sound of a plasma shot go by my head.
Sentinel was chasing me, not giving up.
[Don't run anymore, Zane!] Sentinel's voice sounded cold, as he shot again, the hot shot burning the side of a rusty car I hid behind.
[You can't keep running away from me]
But I didn't answer. I just kept going, jumping through a broken window of an empty building, hoping the tight alleys would make him slower. The air was thick with dust, but I kept going, my only thought on getting to that emergency door before it was too late.
As I ran through the rubble, I noticed a faint light from a camera lens shining through the dust. It was still working, watching my every step.
I didn't think twice; I pointed my gun and shot, causing the camera to break with a spark. I kept going, knowing there would be more.
I ran ahead and saw another camera on a broken wall. I quickly shot it, and it stopped working. Every few steps, I found another camera, and each time I fired my gun, taking them out one by one.
Over Sentinel's communication system, I picked up the red android's annoyed voice coming through.
[He's destroying the cameras! How are we going to follow him if he keeps this up?!]
Sentinel replied with a firm tone. [Keep sending me his latest known position, and stay concentrated! We can still see him!]
I could tell he was nervous. The more cameras I broke, the more difficult it would be for them to work together, and I knew this was giving me valuable time.
Time I needed to get to Lynsithea before they did.
I was almost there, just a few more steps to the emergency exit, and I would be safe.
But suddenly, intense pain shot through my right shoulder as if I was burned by a hot iron. My steps became unsteady because the impact of the bullet turned me around, almost making me fall.
"AAAAH"
I shouted and clenched my teeth, holding my shoulder where the bullet from Sentinel hit.
Blood was coming through my fingers, and I could feel it spreading across my chest. The exit was so close, but the pain was making my vision blurry.
The Sentinel's voice cut through the disorder, firm and relentless.
[You won't escape me, kid. Not with that injury.]
He was drawing nearer. I could make out his deep footfalls and the steady hum of his mechanical parts as he advanced, each step more precise than the previous one.
As I staggered ahead, a gunshot sounded. A fierce, searing agony burst in my left leg.
"AAAAAAHHH!!" I yelled as my leg gave way, causing me to fall hard to the ground. The fall took my breath away, and for an instant, everything went dark.
His footsteps stopped right beside me. I barely had the strength to lift my head, but I could feel his cold, mechanical gaze piercing through me. He crouched down, his shadow looming over me like a death sentence.
He spoke, low and deadly. [Why did Ethan, an android with no purpose left in this world, choose you? What makes you so special, Zane Liebert?] He snatched a fistful of my hair, yanking my head up to meet his eyes. [I wonder. will your answer be worth anything, or just another worthless lie?]
I tried to clear my thoughts, but everything seemed to spin around me. I was in so much pain, and my vision blurred.
Sentinel's grip tightened as he slammed my head down onto the cold, hard ground. Stars burst into my vision at the rattling impact that shook my brain.
Sentinel's voice dropped to a mocking tone as he continued, [And what of your parents, Zane? They left you behind, didn't they? Abandoned you to rot in this dying world. Ever wonder why they never came back for you? Maybe you were never worth saving.]
My blood boiled at his words, though my body was too battered to react. He saw something in the flicker of my anger-filled eyes and smirked, knowing that raw nerves had been touched.
[Maybe they saw you as nothing but a burden] Sentinel sneered, the scowl all the more menacing the closer he leaned in.
[Or perhaps, like everybody else, they're just gone... leaving it all on you to scrounge around in this wasteland. What an existence... to chase ghosts and cling on to memories of those who didn't care enough to stick around.]
I bunched my fists, trying to force myself up, but my strength was waning. Sentinel's grip on my hair tightened, and he slammed my head into the ground again. The blow to my skull sent nausea and shockwaves of pain through me.
[Is that what you're fighting for, Zane? For the memory of people who forgot you?] Sentinel's voice was venomous, the words dripping off his tongue. [Or are you just too scared to admit that you're alone, just like the rest of them?]
The anger.... I could feel it.... but the blackness was coming in fast. Sentinel's final words seemed to resound in my head as everything faded to black.
[Your parents didn't care and neither does this world. You're nothing, Zane. And soon you will be nothing more than just another forgotten name in the dust.]
Sentinel leaned in, his voice so soft, whispering, [You are but another soul lost in a world that forgot you long ago.]
Anger now fueling me, I turned my gun into a sword. Its sleek, black blade was slightly curved with intricate mechanical parts at the handle. The cyan accents glowed against the dark metal, a mix of old and new. With great effort, I forced myself to stand, gripping the weapon tight.
"You shouldn't have mentioned my parents," I growled, my anger fueling every movement.
Sentinel's narrowed. [Let's see if that sword can save you now, boy.]
I could hardly stand, my body thudding with pain at every breath. Just about to charge at Sentinel, however, I saw something very weird.
My wounds, they were covered with flowers. There, bright and delicate, they had bloomed over the holes in my shoulder and leg, closing them up as if nature was trying to protect me from further wounding.
Sentinel's eyes slitted, flicking over my head to focus on something above me.
[What in the—?] he trailed off, craning his neck upwards. I did the same, and my jaw dropped at the sight of Lynsithea standing on top of the city wall, her arms spread out, her eyes closed in concentration. The same flowers that seemed to be blooming over my wounds were blossoming around her, bright splashes of color against the dying city.
"Lynsithea…" I gasped, realizing that it was her who had been helping me, lending me her power and will to continue this endless battle.
Lynsithea now clear before my very eyes as her white locks shone with an otherworldly light from the concentration she put forth. I could feel her flowers around me go wild with that energy, and their healing touch bound with these flowers invigorated me even through the pain.
"Zane, do not you dare give up! I am here!"
Sentinel's face hardened, now a mix of confusion and frustration. [What is this? How is she doing that?]
I grit my teeth as I raised my newly equipped sword; its blade shone ominously. "Lynsithea's power… She is more than you think. And I'm not going down without a fight!"
Sentinel's expression darkened, his eyes flicking back and forth from the spectacle of magic to the challenge of my stance.
[This isn't going to save you, Zane. You are out of your league this time.]
Now, however, standing my ground, I felt that strength in its glory run through me again with Lynsithea's aid.
I watched as his weapon crackled into life, Sentinel's [Whip-blade], how the plasma red blade cut through the smoke and dust. Cold fury laced his voice as it cut through all the chaos.
[Let's settle this] he sneered.
I grit my teeth; pain flared through my shoulder and leg, but I refused to fall.
"Bring it on" I growled back, forcing myself to stand tall through my wounds.
The chain hissed hardly as it whipped around, and Sentinel's words were laced with disdain.
The red plasma popped and crackled as Sentinel's whip-blade lashed through the air. Each swing was a blur of light and energy, deadly in its precision. I forced my battered body to react. My sword clashed with Sentinel's blade in a harsh clang that reverberated down its length, the shockwaves jabbing my bruised shoulder and leg like a thousand tiny knives.
I gritted my teeth, fighting to focus through the haze of agony.
'I can't let him push me back.'
'Not now'
Our blades crashed together, sharp and resounding, drowning out the sound of the city's ruins.
[Is this all you've got?] Sentinel sneered, his voice cold and certain. [You're barely standing. Your strength is a joke!]
I met his gaze, the determination in my eyes cutting through the haze of pain. "I'm not giving up," I spat back. "Not while there's still breath in my lungs."
With every parry, I could feel the strength waning in my arms, but I forced myself to stay focused.
'I have got to keep him occupied.'
If Lynsithea can finish her work. The thought of her glowing above, working with her magic, drove me to push through the pain. I just couldn't let Sentinel win. Not now. Not ever.
Again, Sentinel's whip-blade lashed, its red plasma scorching the air with that menacing hum. I turned around the strike, dodging by inches as the blade cut through where I had been an instant before.
I used the remains of a crumbling building to shield me from his attack, stepping behind a fractured concrete pillar just in time for it to deflect the next swipe. The pillar shattered under the force, sending debris everywhere, but giving me a precious moment.
The environment was on my side now.
I dodged between fallen walls and broken billboards whereby every piece of wreckage became an improvised defense. In that instant, Sentinel's blade came crashing down; I was just in time to block it off with a twisted metal beam. The vibrations traveled through into my arms.
I could hardly keep up but continued to move anyway, using the rubble and ruined structures to force Sentinel to change his angles of attack.
A jagged arc of shattered glass caught the edge of Sentinel's whip-blade, deflecting it just enough to avoid a killing stroke. My breath came in ragged gasps, but I used every ounce of my strength and agility to stay ahead.
[Not fast enough!] Sentinel's voice echoed, full of frustration. [You're running out of room, Zane!]
Despite his taunts, I gritted my teeth and pressed on, determined to stay out of reach. The ruins of Æsir City were both my battlefield and my sanctuary, and I was going to use every advantage I had.
"Just a little longer, Lynsithea'
'I need more time'