Chapter 4: Engage
"I won't let you stop me!" Alex shouted, the thrill of the fight awakening something primal deep within him. His heart pounded, raw excitement flooding his veins.
The mechanical arm, unfazed by his defiance, twisted and reoriented itself, its glowing runes flaring brighter. The sound of grinding metal filled the corridor as internal gears shifted, the arm preparing to strike again—like a predator closing in on its prey.
Alex could feel the energy shifting inside him, sparking like a growing hum of music through his fingertips. He was the choirmaster, and he was ready to compose.
As the arm lunged again, he dug his heels into the ground, summoning the energy around him, willing it to respond. But it wasn't enough. Not yet. This wouldn't even dent the machine.
"Awaken!" The word tore from his lips, instinctive. The air shimmered, a faint vibration thrumming through his body, blending with the pale golden light and dyeing it a vibrant hue, alive and powerful. He could feel it—something ancient was coalescing in his hands.
A blinding flash of golden light erupted from him, illuminating the dim corridor and casting long, flickering shadows along the walls.
The mechanical arm froze mid-strike, its joints hissing and whirring as though confused by the sudden flare of power. It recoiled from Alex, hovering indecisively, recalibrating. Metallic fingers twitched, but Alex felt the energy waning within him, the tightness spreading from his core to his limbs.
He didn't have much time. He needed to end this, and fast.
The arm began to move again, preparing for another attack, and a flood of memories assaulted Alex's mind. Disjointed images and disembodied voices blurred together. He saw her—long black hair framing a face twisted in a mischievous grin. Her voice, like a haunting whisper, echoed inside him. The face was hazy, shrouded in fog, but he knew it was beautiful.
"You know the funny thing about control? It's all in your head! What makes us different from the rest of you? We—well, I—use my head. You wouldn't know anything about that, right? Cyber-Lex?"
Alex gritted his teeth. The irritating nickname buzzed in his thoughts—Cyber-Lex. She always had a knack for getting under his skin.
Who is she? The question lingered, confusion and determination swirling together in a chaotic mix. He could feel the conflict making him just a little bit stronger, like a blade over a whetstone.
He focused everything he felt into his magic. With a final, desperate burst of will, Alex unleashed another wave of light. The golden energy surged from his palms in an arc of raw, blinding power.
The mechanical arm reeled, its joints screeching as it struggled to withstand the impact. Metal clanged, sparks flew, but it held its ground. The runes on the arm flickered ominously. Alex's breath caught in his throat. The arm straightened, fingers flexing as the glow intensified around it.
It looked pissed.
"Engaging battle mode." The voice was mechanical, cold, devoid of emotion.
Alex's eyes widened. He'd barely scratched the surface of the arm's capabilities. Everything so far had been a warm-up.
"Battle mode? You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, frustration rising as the mechanical arm's movements became more precise, its power clearly ramping up. The runes shifted from yellow to a dangerous red, pulsing ominously as blue lightning flickered around it.
The arm lunged with newfound speed, a blur of motion. Alex barely dodged, his body moving before his mind could process it. His senses heightened, every twitch and shift of the air registering in crystal clarity. But even with his speed, the arm was relentless, launching a barrage of magical attacks—little bolts of lightning that chased him cruelly, like a cat toying with its prey.
I can't keep this up forever, he thought, muscles aching, the magical strain wearing him down. His golden light flickered, dimming as his mana reserves drained dangerously low.
The arm shot forward again, faster this time. Alex raised his hands in a last-ditch effort to block the strike. A shimmering shield of light manifested before him, but the arm's force shattered it, sending him skidding across the floor.
His vision blurred, and for a split second, a memory broke through—clearer this time. The black-haired girl again. Her laughter. Her eyes gleaming with madness.
Figures I'd remember her while getting pummeled— No! Not now! Alex forced the memory down, clamping it shut. He needed to focus. He had to win this.
The arm loomed over him, lightning crackling, ready to deliver the final blow. Alex braced himself, magic pooling at his fingertips, ready to launch one last strike—
"Stand down, now." A commanding voice pierced the tension, stopping the arm mid-motion. Alex blinked, breathless, as the arm retracted, its fingers curling into a non-threatening position.
Becca stood at the end of the corridor, eyes flashing with annoyance. The glowing runes around her hands faded, signaling her control over the mechanical summon.
"You really don't know when to quit, do you?" Becca's voice was stern, but amusement danced in her eyes as she approached, shaking her head like Alex was a child caught misbehaving.
"It's not shameful to avoid fighting an overwhelmingly superior enemy, you know."
Alex sat up slowly, his limbs trembling from exhaustion. He wiped a bead of sweat from his brow and shot Becca a weary look, still catching his breath.
"I was trying to leave, not pick a fight with your... arm thing," he muttered.
Becca raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Well, my arm thing wasn't ordered to let you leave yet. But you're not a prisoner."
"So, I'm supposed to chalk this up to your mech not being the brightest crystal in the cave?" Alex retorted, annoyed.
"You're two peas in a pod if you ask me. I mean, I haven't even heard a proper thanks for saving your sorry hide."
Alex scowled but couldn't argue. She had saved him. "Thanks, Becca. For everything." He bowed slightly, offering a rare, genuine apology. "And... sorry for the trouble."
Becca waved it off. "It's fine. Besides, you looked like you were really enjoying yourself."
Alex paused, thinking back to the fight. The rush of adrenaline, the power surging through him... it had awakened something. Maybe he was made for battle. A warrior. He had definitely been trained for it.
"Alex!!" Becca's voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back to reality. She glared at him, hands on her hips.
"Oh, sorry. I was just... reminiscing."
"Yeah, I could tell. You're a certified battle junkie, huh? A Light Elementalist as part of the Stormreaver Vorta? Could be fun," she said, flashing a feral grin.
"I'm part of the what of the what now?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"You don't know about the mage castes?" Becca looked at him, surprised.
Alex knew the basic lay of the land, so why was this part missing from his memory? "Amnesia. Remember? Wow, and you were questioning my intelligence."
Becca just stared at him, deadpan. He cracked first. "Sorry, that was out of line."
"I think it's time we engaged in a little tête-à-tête , Alex. There's a lot we need to discuss." Becca's voice softened as she motioned for him to follow her.
Alex gulped. This conversation was going to be heavy.