Ch 12: Malice
Arris Dome, 2299 Kingdom Calendar
Schala couldn't believe it. She was told there were people in this dome, but... ...their living conditions were even worse than what she and her mother experienced under Belthasar. Many of them were filthy... cold looking... they smelled, yes, but that only made her sadder for them.
"Hey..." someone uttered. "you come from Lab 16?"
"N-no..." Schala spoke. "Sewer Access."
A woman next to him piped in. "But... what about the monsters?"
Schala thought of a good turn of phrase to say that she was able to evade them with her power. "I.... ...didn't have any trouble."
"Hmm...." an old man smiled. "I fear the same cannot be said for one of ours. He went down into the basement early this morning, trying to get some food from the refrigerators, and hasn't yet returned."
"I see..." Schala nodded. "Listen... I have need of this dome's supercomputer. Where might I locate it?"
"Down in the basement..." the old man, Doan, pointed. "Be warned though, there are machines down there which seek human carnage. Please, young lady... do not let yourself fall victim to them."
Schala shook her head. "That's a chance I'm willing to take. I have to get to that computer. If I find your friend... I'll bring him back with me."
Nothing Doan could say would stop Schala Zeal. She climbed down the ladder and into the darkness below. There were some lights down here, but spaces were a little more narrow in the main security room, which separated the refrigerators and the computer area. Unfortunately, the latter path was closed off, so she tried the former. Within, she came across a series of catwalks overlooking a large pit of assorted wreckage and junk. From up ahead she could hear a voice.
"Come back here you little beast!!"
A man was chasing a rat back and forth across the walkways, straight towards her. "Quick!!" he called out. "Catch it!!"
Schala was started by the small creature but quickly moved to grab it before it could dart between her legs and towards safety.
"Squeak!!! I give up!!! I give up don't hurt me!!!"
"I won't hurt you, odd thing... ...but what's so important about you?"
"That rat..." the man called out, "knows the password to the security room. Anyone who wants to use the computer will need that code in order to get in."
"The code... The code!!! Little rat, please you have to tell me!!! You have to tell me what it is!!"
"Squeak!! alright, I'll tell you. It's-"
CRRRAAAAAAAASSSHHHH!!!!!
Suddenly, a gigantic machine burst into the room, followed by two smaller "bits"
"EXECUTING PROGRAM..."
The man stared up in horror. "Oh shit... RUN!!!!
The three of them turned back towards the entrance and ran for it. Lasers were firing in Schala's direction and she was forced to dive for cover, causing her to fall back a bit. "wait!! Help!!!!"
The man looked at Schala. Then back at the machines. Then back at her. "Should have known this is how I'd... HEEEEEEEEEYY!!!! OVER HERE!!!!" he shouted to the machine, waving his arms up and down.
"NOOOOO!!!!" Schala shrieked."WHAT ARE YOU DOING????"
The man smiled back to her. "Getting you out of here. Now hurry!! Go!!!"
Schala bolted for the door, while the man ran in the opposite direction towards the food stores, robots hot on his tail.
"Tell my wife... ...I love her."
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...
Schala sat huddled up in a corner, trying to block out the sound of laser fire and screaming from the other side. Between leaving her mother, defying Belthasar, and now this... She had stayed strong for so long... but this was more than she could take, and finally tears became full-on sobbing.
"I hate this world!!! I tried... I tried to love it... I can't. Why must some creatures always have to die, just so others may live??? It's not fair!! IT'S NOT FAIR IT'S NOT FAIR IT'S NOT FAIR ISNOFAIIRRISN'TFAIIIIRRRRR IT'S NOT.... it's not...."
"...what kind of an existence is this??"
The large rat from before poked its head up at the sound. Seeing Schala so miserable, it took some sympathy on her and curled up in her lap. She couldn't help but stroke its fur as it tried to console her.
"We're the only good meat left around here, squeak.... you humans are dying off, now. Soon it'll just be us, the bugs, and the machines... If some of us get killed off to feed a few humans... honestly, at this point we just do the best we can to survive.... s-squeak."
Schala shook her head. "You're so intelligent... so kind... *sniff*... I could never harm you...
"Thanks... squeak. Um... if you want... I could show you how to... work the password."
Schala sniffled. "Thank you... I would like that very much..."
The rat took her to the console and pressed the buttons she needed, switching the bridge access towards the computer room. On the other side, she found herself needing to avoid more rogue machines as she navigated a few corridors. She briefly ended up confronted by one, but was able to quickly get away, dodging lasers as they scuffed the wall next to her. After locking herself in a large empty room, she turned around to see a gigantic power dynamo of some sort, with several circuits and wires all leading towards a single monitor and keyboard.
"This must be it... The Arris Dome supercomputer. Alright... let's see here... 'Search...' 'Magus'..."
QUERY: MAGUS
RETURNED 431 RESULTS
1: MAGUS (NAME) - ARRIS HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
"Yes..." Schala said. "That should do..."
===========================
Magus (individual)
-From Arris Dome Historical Encyclopedia-
Magus, also known as "The Fiendlord", was a tyrant fiend who threatened Guardia Kingdom from 590 to 600. While his exact origins remain unknown to this day, it is believed his parents were likely casualties of poor human-fiend relationships which preceded his reign (see: humans and fiends) Those who knew him described him as "bitter and angry, eyes of wrath."
Schala scrolled down some. Most of the article just went on about him being a terrifying dark wizard who had it out for humanity, but there had to be something...
~~~~~~~
The Black Wind
"The Black Wind Howls..." was a phrase fiends attributed to Magus, who supposedly spoke it whenever he sensed oncoming death or destruction, whether that of his enemies or of his own kind. It has since become a popular fiend phrase for any kind of "bad feeling", no matter how trivial, and has also become a popular title for several military forces in the centuries since.
"So..." Schala whispered. "Where then did he pick it up... and are there any images of him?"
Appearance
Due to the high prevalence of fiend lore, no reliable description of Magus exists. Some described him as a lanky, grotesque figure "with eyes like an octopus, and teeth like a shark". Others described a hooded, bearded fiend carrying a long staff. However, there is still another curious description of Magus as a more "humanoid"-looking variety of fiend, resembling a human male with long hair and frightening facial features. This depiction of Magus can be seen in the ancient Medina statue "Majesty of the Fiendlord (c.595 Kingdom Calendar)
Schala followed that link, and was taken to an image of a statue, which certainly did resemble a man more than it did a fiend. His hair and cape were sculpted as if it were blowing behind him, and a scythe was in one hand. He had the other crossing his chest, clutching something... she couldn't quite make it out...
Zoom image to full size (100%)
Schala did so, and the resolution increased significantly. Now she was able to scroll towards his chest, seeing that in his hand, he was clutching...
"The... the... it's..."
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Zeal Palace, 65,012,000 Year of Lavos
"Now, take this..." Schala spoke softly.
Janus stared at the odd silver object given to him. "What is it?"
Schala smiled. "It's a sort of amulet, containing my prayers. If something should happen, it will protect you...."
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Arris Dome, 2299 Kingdom Calendar
Schala's jaw dropped. There was absolutely no question now: Somehow or another...
"It's you..." Schala whispered. "My little brother... ...Janus... What happened to you?"
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Mount Denadoro, 590 Kingdom Calendar
"Do what???"
"I have made my instructions clear," Magus repeated. "Leave the mountain and report to Medina for construction of my castle."
"Man..." Axl began, "I've been patrolling this place since before you even showed up!! This is like.. my home!! You can't just tell me to beat it!!"
Magus grabbed Axl by the throat and pinned him to the cliffside. "Then you can stay here as a stain amongst the rocks."
Begrudgingly, Axl obliged, not without some rude comments under his breath.
Magus stepped foot inside the summit cave and approached the Masamune, only to be approached by what appeared to be two children.
"Let me guess: you're here for the Masamune too??"
Magus scoffed. "I did not come here to play hopscotch with children, if that is what you are asking."
"Wow..." Masa replied. "Well, no need to be an asshole, buddy."
Magus's eyebrow raised. "What children are you, to use such language before an adult?"
"You really think we're ordinary children?" Mune replied.
"Just give me the damned trial so I can take the sword an be on my way."
Masa and Mune shrugged. "We don't feel like it."
"WHAT!?"
"See..." they began, "It's not about the sword, but who wields it!! If we gave it to a guy like you, well... oohh boy... Bad things would happen and... Doreen would be pissed."
"Tch!! YOU TWO!!"
Magus finally put two and two together: it was Masa and Mune from Enhasa.
"It is I, Prince Janus you fools!! I need your power if I am to destroy Lavos!! Now, give it to me."
"Huh??? Oh... ...hey, Janus. Weird meeting you here."
"THE SWORD!!! HANDS, NOW PLEASE."
"Look..." they repeated, "We can't. I'm sorry. You're too... ....angry. hateful. just... generally pissy. Doreen said bad things might happen if we fall into the wrong hands, and... well.... you know..."
"Either you surrender your power to me..." Magus growled, "Or I will destroy you here and now..."
"I really don't think you can-"
"MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSS!!!"
That fat fiend, Ozzie, was running into the cave, panting and out of breath. "S... s... some... *huff*... one... ssssssss coming... think... knight... Cyrus..."
"What!?? Now!??? No..." Magus grumbled. "No, no no no no no no no no no!!! They're coming for the sword!! We have to stop them!!!"
"Wait... Lord Magus, you need that sword right??"
"Acquisition would be paramount, yes..."
Ozzie smiled. "I've got an idea...."
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Cyrus had surpassed the trials set forth by Masa and Mune, who deemed him worthy of wielding the Masamune. The brave hero held the shining sword high into the air, as Glenn looked on in awe. "Cyrus..." he thought to himself, "You truly are the light that will guide Guardia to victory and peace once again..."
...what actually happened was far from it. As soon as they exited the cave, they were confronted by the fiendest of fiends, ready to rip the sword right out of their hands.
"So, Magus..." Cyrus gritted his teeth. "We finally meet!!"
"Indeed, Sir Cyrus. I've been looking forward to this!!"
Cyrus laughed. "If it's formality you are looking for, I have none for you. I do have something else, though..." the hero smiled, presenting the Masamune. "Forthwith, I shall slay you and restore peace to this kingdom once and for all."
An unfortunate realization crossed Magus's mind: he would not be able to take the Masamune, for if he did, Masa and Mune would still likely reject him. The only thing it could be used for, it seemed, was his own demise. "Dammit.... dammit dammit dammit... ...I guess that only leaves me with one choice..." he thought to himself.
"No more talk!!" Cyrus shouted. "NIRVANA STRIKE!!!"
...
...
...It all happened so fast. One moment, Cyrus was dashing towards Magus. The next, he was picking himself up off the ground, while Glenn looked at the air in horror, at where the Masamune once was...
"C-Cyrus!!!! The Masamune!!! It's..."
Magus smiled. "That's right. So much for your precious sword. Now, to take care of you..."
Glenn was petrified. How was Cyrus going to get them out of this one?
"C...Cyrus..." Glenn whimpered, "I-I'm a goner..."
Cyrus immediately backed up to Glenn and put a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "No you're not. Listen to me, very carefully alright? I'm going to provide a distraction. When I do, I want you to RUN. Alright?"
Glenn was too terrified to even do that. He could only look on as Cyrus rushed the Fiendlord, only to be met with a scythe through his stomach. Blood sprayed everywhere in thick patches which split into smaller droplets as they flew, and a disembowled Cyrus was sent back towards Glenn.
"Oh no!!! Cyrus!!!"
Cyrus's helmet was obscuring his bloodshot eyes.... blood was pooling from his mouth.
"G-.. g.. lenn.. t-the Queen.. y-you... must.. p... p... p... protect... the..."
Magus rolled his eyes. "Enough. I grow tired of your bloody mucus."
With a snap of his fingers, flesh and steel began to twist, and Cyrus's armor began to crumple like a tin can, with a horrific crunching sound from within. Glenn could only look on in horror as his best friend's body was slowly shriveled and crushed to oblivion as the armor became a flat, bloodied plate on the ground.
...And Guardia's hero was gone.
Glenn was stunned with fear and horror... that was Cyrus just now... and if he couldn't do anything... Glenn was...
"Hmm??" Magus called. "Well?? What's the matter, boy? Aren't going to try your luck?"
Ozzie laughed. "Look at him!!! He's like a frog, without a pond to hop into!! Say, that gives me ideas... What do you say, Lord Magus? Can't we give him a more fitting form?"
A smile crossed Magus's face. He'd been itching to try this spell for some time.
"Sure, why not..." he spoke, looking Glenn right in the eyes.
"After all... ...no insolence should go unpunished..."