Kassandra sat on a small wooden chair near Grey's unconscious body while the Priestess and local healer, Lyle, used their magic to heal his wounds. Once they had finished, everyone left the room, leaving Grey asleep. However, his mind was anything but sleeping...
In the inner confines of his mind, Grey and the many vestige souls within him were discussing the outcome of the battle, and the many battles since they'd fused to him. Of the "Big Four", it had been determined that John Henry, Badman Stagolee, and Samuel Kier were all unique enough to retain their respective spots. The main concern was with Lemuel Curtis, the Redtail, and Jesse Brown, the Bluetail. They both occupied spots and had similar abilities. However, this wasn't the only topic of discussion...
"Alright, alright, settle down.", said John Henry attempting to quiet the sea of voices, "it would see Grey Ghost may have something for us." Grey nodded and took the center of the circle of souls. He'd been considering an idea ever since the Goddess had mentioned that several souls sacrificed their own to ensure his soul's passage to this world.
"I have a theory... just bear with me.", started Grey, "Reflecting on all the battles I endured and ended, it has become clear that my original strategy was based on the original purpose of the abilities I was entangled with. That being said, two trains of thought have been circling my mind." Grey paused as Stagolee and John Henry stepped to either side of him. "John here, not only can enhance my physical strength but when combined with my anger the ability you all know as "Override" but which I call "Torque Over" seems to greatly enhance my ability to enter a state of rampage." Grey shifted the group's focus over to Stagolee. "Stagolee, unlike John Henry, is a character of folklore based on a real person. Now, if my understanding of this is correct... Stag, go ahead and tell them what you've discovered.
Stagolee adjusted his ghostly Stetson and smiled something maniacal. "Well now, all y'all are familiar with the... "mystic" art of voodoo I have control over. However, in my experimentation, I found something rather... intriguing." With the snap of his fingers voodoo energy coursed through his body, while Chuck Yeager materialized his "Bell X-1" experimental aircraft. When Stagolee touched the aircraft, the energy took control of it, all of it. He then allowed the spirit tendrils to appear from it, all while everyone watched in deafening silence.
"As I have demonstrated, there are ways to enhance each and every one of your abilities. John's strength alters Grey's strength and rage, while I can manipulate all of your abilities to further bolster them." Grey nodded and stepped back up. "I too have been wasting resources that I purposely had infused into my body. The living metal intertwined with my body is formerly known as the aircraft carriers Enterprise and Lexington... along with this." Grey points to an image of the automaton Constitution's head.
Grey inhales deeply and points out across the sea of souls before him. "I will not waste any more time... Will you all fight within me, or fight with me?" The many vestiges nod and some cheer throwing Grey back into his conscious mind, snapping him awake. A day and a half had passed since he'd gone unconscious and the Priestess, Knight Jasper, and Kassandra had all been changing his bandages. Grey hopped out of bed, put on the black Sherpa, and made his way outside. As he did, villagers rushed to get Knight Jasper and Kassandra. As they arrived at the shielded temple, Grey was taking in deep breaths as they approached him.
"Hero Grey!" called out Jasper, rushing towards him followed by Kassandra. However, Grey held up his hand to stop them. As they came to a stop, Grey spoke three words that augmented his body, "Sentry... Nightstar... Format." With those words, Grey's living metal began to move around his body. Voodoo energy crackled and slapped the ground as SR-71 Blackbird and Bell X-1 parts, Enterprise and Lexington parts, as well as Constitution parts began to take form onto his body. Both carrier decks formed a shield on his left arm that could double as a launcher for the "Innovators of Flight", the SR-Mask was repurposed to create a vocal manipulator attached to Constitution's reduced tri-laser eyebar.
Kassandra and Jasper lost sight of Grey in the whirlwind of energy, parts, and dust. However, when everything went quiet again, Grey was standing with his back facing them as he pressed his palms against the barrier of the temple. "Grey wait!" called out Kassandra. Much to their surprise, Grey turned to look at them and spoke three simple words... "Must... Help... Shiva." His new metallic voice startled them as Grey absorbed the barrier's energy into his body and ripped the heavy stone door off of the temple. As the villagers gathered around, they watched as this black, red, and blue armored person, supposedly Grey, marched straight into the temple, causing a bright beam of light to be released into the sky, towering far above the village. The villagers watched in awe as the pillar of light rose higher and higher into the sky, seemingly piercing the heavens.
The Priestess and Knight Jasper exchanged a quick glance with one another before Emilee rushed into the temple, with her knight sprinting after her. "M'lady! Wait! It isn't safe yet! EMILEE WAIT!" However, as the Priestess and Jasper rushed into the temple. As they rounded the corner, Grey had his fist raised and punched the seal keeping the Goddess locked away. He carefully picked her up and marched out of the temple.
However, this beam of light had attracted some attention... some holy attention...