Heroes of Mavia: The Final Fight — Part 1
Phoenixfire083 | BOGG
Mira stood at the centre of the alliance army. A mass of organized squares of different units and vehicles that stood ready. Soldiers nervously clutched their weapons in anticipation of the battle ahead. Silence permeated in the air as eyes gazed towards the towering, massive central ruby. Dark storm clouds were enveloping the peak of the tallest ruby spire with their dark tendrils. Crimson light radiated through the thick clouds as lightning flashed within the storm’s depths, unleashing thunderous grumbling over the land. A brisk wind flooded the area filling the air with the thick scent of petrichor, causing the jungle trees to moan in protest as their roots desperately clung to the earth.
The soft vibration of the idling tank engines shook Mira’s feet. Watching as her fellow soldiers looked to each other with nervous confidence. Sharing subtle nods of encouragement to help ease the tension in their fast-beating hearts. Staring down at the tablet in her hand, Mira studied the base layout that she had already burned into her mind. Going over the plan of attack one last time. Even with the confidence of numbers on her side, Mira knew that once the attack started all they could do was adjust to whatever traps or surprises the Big Hammer King had in store for them. Mira wasn’t naïve and knew that the Big Hammer King had been more than aware of their intensions to stop him, and he would do everything in his power to gain the power he craved. What scared her was the length this madman would go to sacrifice everyone to attain his dream.
A soft hand graced her shoulder, and Mira turned to see Daphne. A loyal friend and confidant that had helped Mira to organize the alliance and get everyone to this point. Usually equipped with a tablet and headset, Daphne wore her blonde hair in a ponytail, and rested her sniper rifle over her right shoulder. Daphne’s eyes locked onto Mira’s and that allowed Mira to relax and exhale a long deep breath. To her right was Clay. He was a late addition to her army, and the fearless leader of the jetpack troops. Clay wore a smile of confidence, as if he were excited to launch headfirst into battle. Mira chanced a quick glance behind her to where lines of AI choppers and healcopters awaited orders to lift off. Mira admitted to herself that she hoped to see King Diamond Hand’s standing sternly behind her. Mira knew Diamond Hand’s was near the front of the line. Since the death of Axel, all he wanted to do was be in the front lines with the soldiers. Diamond Hand’s only focus was ending the threat of the Big Hammer King.
Mira didn’t know what the state of mind was of her friend and mentor. There was an anger within him for that she knew, but after the last battle, she found him gone, and the unconscious body of Nero. The young ape who followed him during the great war and had a hand in the death of Axel. Yet, he lived. It showed that Diamond Hand’s didn’t want to end life mercilessly, and that there was a semblance of mercy within him. A blast of cold, moist air hit Mira causing her to close her eyes and feel her purple hair dance wildly on her head. Mira breathed in the atmosphere, the coming storm, and the energy of the coming battle. Opening her eyes, she witnessed the storm unleash a wall of water that poured out of the dark clouds above. That’s what she was waiting for. The storm would help disrupt the enemy’s radar systems and give them a bit more cover to her armies advance.
Mira’s hand’s quivered as she raised her right arm above her, touching her left hand to the comms on her ear, “Charge,” she ordered and dropping her arm, pointing it towards the base.
King Diamond Hand’s stood at the front of the army, behind the line of tanks. Standing as a lone effigy between squares of barbarians, and soldiers. Standing tall with shoulders squared, he was the epidemy of calm. Behind him was a group of fellow diamond hand gorilla’s who had come together after the alliance army united. Most were veterans of the war; the rest were eager youths who fled home to try and relive the glory of the war that the veterans warned them to stay away from. Most importantly, they had come together behind King Diamond Hand’s after his defeat of Nero. Strength was paramount in diamond hand gorilla society, but so was wisdom. Seeing him not only defeat Nero, but showing mercy was a sign to them that King Diamond Hand’s was still a leader they could trust. A sign of stability in a land of constant battle.
It was an interesting feeling for Diamond Hand’s. Realizing he had fled from the guilt after his exile by the elders of his land. So much in fact, that he forgot what it was like to be around the people he once led. After the fight with Nero, Diamond Hand’s realized how he let the anger and pain control his life. Losing Axel was the last straw to him, but he knew that he had let the anger fuel his strength, but the need to maintain integrity. This fight was going to be his way to give back to his people. Give them the strength to fight but give them the hope to grow beyond the need to destroy. Rebuilding started now, and when Mira signalled to the army to charge, he was the first to spring forth.
The army roared to life. Screams of defiance overwhelmed the revving of tank engines as they accelerated to life, kicking up rocks and dirt as they charged forward. Barbarians screamed as they lifted their hammers. Doge rocket troops howled in glee. Diamond Hand gorillas pounded their chests in defiance. Diamond Hand’s charged behind the line of tanks and ran into the wall of approaching water. The soft ground turned into deep pools of mud as his feet followed behind the tracks of the tanks. Each step squelched into thick mud. Turret fire lanced out to greet the tanks, lines of red tracers that materialized out of the storm-soaked base. Mortar fire whistled to life, and soon the charging army felt the strong defence of their enemy. Explosions of mud and dirt erupted into the wet air, as a couple tanks leading the charge burst apart in a fiery burst as a rocket tower countered their approach. Another tank rushed by Diamond Hand’s right flank, and blasted a couple rounds towards the base, DH watched the yellow tracers arc over the red laser walls and connect with a sniper tower. A blast of wood and debris splintered in the distance as the tower buckled and fell over. Before anyone could celebrate, the tank drove over a mine and flipped over in the blast. Troops hid behind the chassis of the tank as a barrage of bullets rang off it. Panicked voices could echoed from within the tank as smoke poured out of the view holes. Using his ruby infused strength, Diamond Hand’s gripped the edge of the tank and lifted. The mud made suction noises as DH lifted the tank out of the mud, giving enough room to expose the main latch. Other soldiers ran to help pry open the door and pull the wounded from inside before fire fully engulfed the interior.
Explosions within the base radiated and outlined the defenses, as did each flash of lightning. Doge rocket troops used the moments to line up shots to keep the heavy barrage on the base going. A defensive turret exploded in a shower of sparks and flame as a couple of missiles made it past the laser fence. A line of suicide cars drove past Diamond Hand’s towards the line of tanks sending a spray of water as they drove by, almost skipping across the pooling water. The first line of cars exploded as they ran over mines or were picked of by the eagle eyes of the defending snipers, but one car was able to reach the outer wall and explode against one of the pillars. The lasers flickered but resonated strongly as the fence pillar tilted slightly. The front line of tanks had halted their advance, treads slowly sinking deeper into the soggy ground. Troops huddling behind for cover, as they attempted to fire beyond the fences. A group of soldiers huddled behind one tank disappeared in a blast of mud when a mortar strike hit them. Diamond Hand’s winced as so many lives ended so abruptly. Diamond Hand’s knew that they had to breach the wall soon or more soldiers would die. Attempting to peak around the overturned tank, a sniper bullet barely missed his head, clanging off the tank in a bright spark. A doge warrior ran from behind another tank and lined up a shot. His head snapped back, and he fell backwards as his rocket shot forth, disappearing into the dark storm clouds above.
Diamond Hand’s gritted his teeth as he gathered his wits to charge forward. Suddenly, the odd sound of laughter echoed through the chaos. Diamond Hand’s turned to see Clay and his unit of rocket troops skimming quickly along the ground, kicking up a trail of water.
“Where do you need us big guy,” Clay’s voice echoed over the comms. Diamond Hand’s quickly peaked again from over the edge of the tank.
“Southwest corner. There is a group of heavy defenses and a sniper tower that has us pinned down,” Diamond Hand’s quickly commented.
Diamond Hand’s watched as the dozen jetpack troops shifted directions and started to ascend skyward. Lightning lanced out overhead, as the unit crested the laser fencing of the outer wall. They landed next to an anti-air missile turret in a shower of submachine gun fire. Creating a defensive position while a few members planted C4 at the base of the defensive buildings. Before their group became overwhelmed, they dropped smoke grenades that covered their position in thick black smoke. Diamond Hand’s watched as flashes of submachine gun fire popped within, then went silent. Pillars of white smoke emerged from the black cloud as the jetpack troops flew into the air. One jetpack troop got clipped on the ascent, and he spun uncontrollably sideways into a building. As Clay’s units reached the apex of their ascent, they detonated the C4, the base exploded in a bright ball of fire.
Diamond Hand’s knew that this moment was his best chance. More lightning cracked in the sky above, and the ground shook from its thunderous bang. Jumping from cover, he let the ruby energy fuel his attack, letting his diamond hand fill with crimson energy. With a mighty punch, Diamond Hand felt his fist penetrate the hard metal pillar of the fence and watched as it buckled and collapsed inward. The laser fence died as soon as the connection severed, and as the pillar crashed into the buildings inside the base, Diamond Hand’s led the charge through the breach. Barbarians and his fellow diamond hand gorilla’s flowing in behind him like a flood.
Mira watched as the explosion at the southwest corner of the base erupted brightly in the dark sky, then watched with focus as the fence fell before her army. Knowing the defenders would focus their attacks on the breach, Mira used her tablet to order in an air strike. Drawing a path through the base with her finger, Mira hit a button stating “execute.” With that, Mira stored her tablet to the ground and pulled out her sword, it was time for her to enter the fray. The line of AI choppers launched into the air behind her as Mira ran forth. Mira ran towards the breach as lines of bullets peppered her army as they flooded in. AI choppers flew in a line towards the base, soon unleashing lines of missiles and gatling gun fire onto the path Mira had pathed out. Mira’s heart sank as she ran across the decimated land outside the base, past numerous bodies of alliance soldiers.
Diamond Hand’s fought frantically as he spun, punched, and slammed any enemy troop that came within his reach. A hammer clipped his hip, and he turned and backhanded a grinning barbarian away into the air and into a trio of approaching soldiers. Another soldier pointed his machine towards Diamond Hand’s, but he lifted his hand in time and blocked the shot with his indestructible hand. Grasping the barrel of the gun, Diamond Hand’s bent it backwards to the shock of the soldier, before slamming his fist downward onto the soldier’s head. The body of soldier collapsed to the ground. Another trio of barbarians rushed him, and Diamond Hand’s greeted them with open arms to accept their challenge. One fell to the ground, his head snapping backwards from a sniper bullet. Before they reached him, a crimson light flashed past him to the right, and Diamond Hand’s watched as Mira materialized between the last two barbarians. A quick flash of her sword and both bodies collapsed into the mud.
“Let’s end this big guy,” Mira flashed him a smile before following a group of their soldiers down one of the main lanes of the base.
Diamond Hand’s smiled and pointed towards another lane of the base that ran parallel to the one Mira had charged. Barbarians and diamond hand gorillas followed him as he led the charge.
The alliance army was gaining ground as both columns of troops poured down each lane. Destroying any resistance that they encountered. Mira was a blur of crimson light, her sword an extension of her arm as she twisted, flipped, and unleashed a devastating display against groups of enemies. Defenders didn’t have a chance to regroup of fight from a defended position.
Diamond Hand’s punched and bashed his way down his lane. Using brute force to tear through defenses, buildings, and whoever was silly enough to try and stop his advance. Even tearing a tank barrel off an enemy tank and using it as a club to take out swaths of enemies. They came across an internal defensive turret, and Diamond Hand’s tore a heavy metal door off a wall and used it as a shield to block the turrets bullets to get a doge rocket troop close enough to blast it. Soon both groups reached the inner wall of the base. Laser fencing humming in defiance of their approach, defenders closing the gates on those who were too slow to make it safety.
Black storm clouds roiled above as rain poured down soaking the ground in mud and blood. Rain extinguished the fires as quickly as they started, and a thick gray smoke filtered through the base. Lightning flashed with a crimson radiance, as the storm intermingled with the energy of the giant ruby. Ominous crimson light that added to the chaotic ambiance of battle.
Soldiers hid behind defensive positions and buildings from the defenders on the other side of the laser wall. Tanks couldn’t make it this far into the base due to defensive blockades. Mira had a duo of doge rocket troops with her. Both had tongues hanging out of mischievous grins as they waited to shoot.
“Covering fire,” Mira ordered, and troops began to fire wildly towards the laser fencing.
Beyond this fence was the headquarters, and the bases research facility, and Mira knew somewhere lay the Big Hammer King. Using the moment of cover, both doge troops took aim and fired. Both rockets connected to the fences pillar creating a breach.
“Forward,” Mira roared through the comms as she ran towards the new breach.
Diamond Hand’s led his group towards the new breach. Before reaching it, they found a group of smoldering defensive turrets. The remnants of bodies from the battle lay strewn about his feet. Bodies of defenders and those of the jetpack troops. Diamond Hand’s stopped as he saw the body of Clay laying motionless on the ground, his face caked in blood and soot, but a large smile spread across his face. Clay lived his life fast and embraced the idea of dying in battle. Shaking his head in disbelief, Diamond Hand grimaced at the loss of another life, one that helped turned the tide of battle. DH had to make Clay’s sacrifice count; he thought determinedly as he continued through the new breach.
Mira led her forces into the interior of the base, and a new fight started. It became a bloody melee, as most soldiers were out of bullets at this point. In the mass of bodies fighting around her, Mira saw one that looked too familiar. The short-haired Viking woman who Mira had faced before strode confidently towards her with a heavy shield in one hand, and large sword in the other.
“It’s time you die,” the Viking woman’s gruff voice called out, her short blonde hair clung to the side of her face from the rain.
Mira didn’t give her opponent time to settle, and channeling her ruby energy within, Mira phase shifted towards the Viking in a crimson flash. The Viking shifted her stance as soon as the light appeared, bringing up her shield. Mira’s sword scraped against the shield surface causing sparks to ignite. Spinning, Mira shot her grappling gun at another enemy soldier and retracted the wire to trip and pull the soldier back towards her. As the Viking thrust her sword towards Mira, Mira did a back handspring and pulled the soldier into the back of the Viking. Falling backwards, the Viking fell atop the soldier. Mira tossed one of her stun grenades onto the Viking’s shield. The grenade exploded in a shower of arcing energy, blue tendrils coiled around the bodies and in the pools of water on the ground.
Quickly, Mira charged and jumped forward knowing that the Viking wouldn’t stay down long. The Viking growled and with tremendous strength pushed herself up to her knees, bringing her shield up to block Mira’s attack. Mira phase shifted again and appeared behind the Viking. The Viking turned to follow Mira and was confused to see her continuing down the lane. Alliance troops overwhelmed the Viking, and as ferociously as she fought them all, she fell. Mira grinned as she glanced over her shoulder towards the woman as she attempted to fight off the onslaught, but the numbers were too much for her. This battle wasn’t about selfish squabbles.
The army of alliance soldiers gathered outside of the headquarters. The numbers had dwindled, and those who remained were exhausted. Mira could still hear sporadic sounds of battle as defenders still fought in pockets of resistance. Mira and Diamond Hand’s met with haggard looks in their eyes, but deep down they knew that the fight was far from over. Built against the base of the giant central ruby, the two turned to face the research facility. They knew who lay beyond, and what he stood for. With determined looks they walked towards the entrance of the facility.
“I’m impressed,” A familiar voice echoed suddenly over the bases speaker system, one from the Mad Engineer.
Diamond Hand’s and Mira looked around quickly as the Big Hammer King’s voice echoed throughout the storm.
“But know, that your efforts are for naught,” The Mad Engineer mocked, as the doors of the research facility slid open, bathing the ground outside in a bright white light. A large silhouette materialized and emerged from the facility. The Mad Engineer erupted in a cackle of maniacal laughter.
It was a large automaton. Like the ones that Mira had fought before. The machine rode along twin tread like feet that tore up the ground outside the facility. A spray of bullets lanced out from two shoulder mounted miniguns, catching alliance troops by surprise. Mira phase shifted away, and Diamond Hand’s punched the ground and tore up a thick slab of cement to use for cover. Flecks of debris chipped away as the minigun fire pelted DH’s position. The bullets stopped when the automaton’s ammo depleted, and it sped forward, lifting two metallic arms into the air which split into two additional appendages. Each hand transforming into a different weapon, sword, axe, flamethrower, and energy whip. Alliance soldiers attempted to take aim and fire back, but the bullets bounced off the machines body.
The machine charged forward and plowed through a group of barbarians whose hammers attempted to fight back. Bodies flew away like leaves in a strong wind. The sword cleaved alliance soldiers in twine, the laser whip cracked with devilish ferocity. The machine spinning and attacking in four different intricate ways. Mira ran towards the rear of the machine, thinking she could take advantage of it as it focused on her soldiers. Jumping into the air, sword drawn downwards to stab into the neck of the machine, the head spun 180 degrees. Mira’s face lit up in surprise as one of the arms quickly shifted into a hand and grabbed her out the air. The automaton stuffed Mira into a hidden compartment within its body before Mira even realized what had happened. Trying to shift her body into a more comfortable position, Mira strained to see in the darkness of her prison. All she could hear was the bullets from outside, and the muffled screams of those who tried to fight the machine.
Diamond Hand’s watched in shock as Mira disappeared within the machine. The alliance soldiers tried desperately to attack in unison, and Diamond Hand realized the growing fear if their attacks penetrated the thick chassis that they may hurt Mira. Clenching both fists, Diamond Hand’s dropped the cement slab and charged the machine. The machine detected his approach and quickly squared up to Diamond Hand. Still fighting the soldiers with the whip and axe, the machine thrusted its sword towards Diamond Hand, as the fourth arm transformed from a hand back into a flamethrower. Diamond Hand’s caught the thrusting hand of the machine, his feet creating deep gouges in the earth as he stopped the blade form penetrating his stomach. Diamond Hand rolled forward as the machine unleashed a blast of fire which singed his hair. Using the momentum of his roll, Diamond Hand twisted the wrist of the sword arm and used the blade to sever the flamethrower from its arm. Black oil spewed out wildly and mixed with the cold rain that fell in sheets. Fire spread from pockets of fuel-soaked inferno’s to where the oil poured out, creating a ring of fire around one side of the fight. The automaton wrestled with the Diamond Hand’s strength as it tried to pull the sword away from him, but to no avail. Using his ruby infused strength, Diamond Hand jumped and stabbed with the machine’s own sword into the head of the automaton, blinding it. The machine flailed its arms wildly as its sensors shut off. Using his weight, Diamond Hand’s dragged the sword blade down the body of the machine rending a large gash along its body. The whip flew towards Diamond Hand’s, so he jumped away, as the body of the automaton began to spin. The machine spun in a blur as it frantically tried to stay alive, decimating alliance soldiers too slow to evade its attack.
Daphne watched in horror as Mira disappeared into the machine. Focusing with unblinking eyes as she took aim to do what she could to help her friends. Watching Diamond Hand’s single handily fight the giant automaton, using its own sword to open a massive gash along its body. Remembering the reports she studied of Mira’s earlier encounters, Daphne knew Ruby powered the machine. The fight around her dissipated, the sounds of the storm abated as she focused through the sight of her sniper. Timing the spinning body and the exposure of the gash, she waited and counted down, “one, two, three…” and she fired. Time slowed as the bullet flew forth. Drops of rain froze in the air as the bullet drove past retreating bodies of her fellow soldiers. It passed through the metallic gouge and connected with the exposed ruby within. The Ruby shattered, and the machine fell to the ground in a splash of mud and sparks.
Diamond Hand’s ran towards the downed automaton. Grimacing as he grabbed both sides of the torn metal and he pulled with all his might. Metal tore in his grip and the machine split further in half exposing the inner intricacies of engineering supremacy. As well as the inner compartment that held Mira cramped within.
“That was unpleasant,” Mira grunted as Diamond Hand’s pulled her out of her prison.
“Well, lucky for you, the Mad Engineer hasn’t found a way of making these things indestructible yet,” DH replied with a calm smile as he pulled her free.
“Let’s hope this is the last one,” Mira chuckled.
There was a calm that fell over the army as Mira stood atop the downed machine. The rain started to slow down to a soft trickle as the dark clouds abated to a light gray color above. The sounds of battle had stopped as well throughout the base, and the two friends both knew that the fight was finally over. They had won.
“Isn’t this fun,” An ominous voice boomed over the bases sound system, both Mira and Diamond Hand’s turned to face the research facility.
“You think you can stop what has already begun?” the Big Hammer King’s voice mocked as he began to chuckle, “Did you think that this would be easy?”
Suddenly, the giant central ruby pulsed with ruby energy. The translucent surface radiated with deep pockets of crimson light, as if a storm raged within the solid stone. A lone figure appeared in the entrance of the research facility. Heavily donned in thick armor, eyes glowing with a ruby tint through a full medieval looking visor, a giant axe held in his right hand. The army fell silent, as this lone figure strode confidently out of the building.
“And here you think this will be the final bout,” The Big Hammer King added as he approached Mira and Diamond Hand’s, “but it is easy to fool those blinded by fear.” Suddenly their comms lit up with chaotic chatter. Sounds of battle thundered to life in the distance,
“The trick to destroying one’s enemy is giving them hope,” The Big Hammer King explained, and Mira’s stomach tightened as the sounds hit her, “Make it look like they have a chance to win, let them throw everything they have at you, give them a glimpse of victory, before crushing them.” The man swung the haft of the axe into his other hand.
“Daphne, lead a counter-attack,” Mira ordered quickly as the figure approached, and soon the soldiers behind Mira and Diamond Hand’s hesitantly turned to face the new threat, “Diamond Hand’s and I will take out the Big Hammer King.”
“Who?” the man chuckled unimpressed as his feet sunk in the mud with each step, “A silly title, given by those who lack the capacity to see beyond fear. I never proclaimed that title as my own, no.”
Mira and Diamond Hand’s glanced at each other out of the corner of their eyes as they both squared their bodies to the approaching menace.
“The people of this world lack imagination. So lost in their fears they indulge their consumptive desires in hopes of giving themselves meaning and purpose. Quick to vilify anyone who tries to take their comforts away, like children screaming for their bottles.” The armored figure said spitefully. “It was too easy to turn people on themselves, and pit nations against themselves due to the greed of their leaders. Like puppets on a string, it was easy to set in motion a path that would lead this world to a greater peace.” The man paused a few feet from them, looking at the axe in his hand, “Hammer, Axe, pen, or treaty. It matters naught the tool I use for my design. I am the Big King this world deserves, one that will lead it to prosperity and balance.”
“You are wrong,” Mira answered defiantly, “Everyone fighting together today is proof that there are people of this world who refuse to live in fear.”
The Big King stopped and started to chuckle. At first it was a low and guttural but slowly increased in a crescendo of malice. “You still think you are here on your own volition? No.”
The sounds of battle erupted in the distance behind them as the alliance army faced the forces counterattacking. Fighting together against a man who stands for destruction of the world they grew up.
“You are all here because I led you here,” the Big King admitted confidently, “I allowed you to find the facilities of my work. The data that uncovered my plan.”
“Why?” Mira asked as the tip of her sword dipped towards the ground in confusion.
“Because my plan only works if free will is given,” the man answered honestly, “What you don’t realize is that you are the last remnants of the world who would refuse my rule. You all arose to stop me, but I need you to, so that I could end your threat once and for all.”
Mira stood confused, shocked, uncertain to want to believe in the words that the Big King spoke. It was impossible to think that he could have orchestrated such a web.
“I told you once Mira, that you would do better to join me. I see in you someone who would do anything to keep those in need from harm. You may not see it now, but that’s what I am trying to do. The world was falling into chaos before the discovery of Ruby energy. Things had to fall apart a certain way so that out of the rubble a new world could arise out of the ashes. Now everyone wants to live in comfortable servitude,” The Big King ended with a narrowing of his eyes.
The world would not end today. Mira thought. She would die stopping this madman from achieving his dream. Mira’s eyes narrowed in anger, flipping the sword in her hand, she dashed forth. Diamond Hand’s followed behind her just as she shifted into a crimson blur. Mira appeared to the left of the Big King and with a quick swing of her sword tried to cut him from behind the knee. The King surprisingly lifted his leg just missing her blade. Quickly countering, the Big King swung his axe down, but Mira rolled out of the way just as the blade embedded itself deep into the wet ground. Using the anchored weight of the axe head, the Big King jumped as Diamond Hand arrived, kicking the ape in the face. Diamond Hand’s stumbled and fell to the ground as the armored figure landed gracefully while pulling the blade free from the ground. Spinning the axe in a circular display around his body, he swung the blade upward and let loose a wave of crimson energy. Mira turned to face her opponent just as the wave of crimson energy struck her head on. Mira’s body convulsed as arcs of red energy coiled around her body, and she flew backwards. The Big King then slammed his axe blade back into the ground and with a growl, tore a spray of rock and cement towards Diamond Hand’s.
Diamond Hand’s shielded his face from the shards of rocks with his diamond hands. The Big King charged forward with surprising quickness, appearing with his axe held high. DH brought both hands up to block the blade of the attack, his feet sinking into the mud beneath as the Big King pushed down with his strength. Diamond Hand’s couldn’t see any features through the full helm and didn’t see the Big King as he swung the bottom haft of the axe upward and connected with DH’s groin. Pain shot through Diamond Hand’s body, his knees weakened, and the air left his lungs. Lifting his axe above him with victorious triumph, the Big King swung down to finish off the King of apes.
Mira crawled to her feet, while trying to wiggle her appendages that tingled with numbness from the crimson blast. As she stood up, she watched as Diamond Hand’s engaged with the Big King. Picking up her sword, her grip was loose, and she strained to hold it. The Big King raised his axe to finish Diamond Hand’s off, who knelt helplessly before him. Letting the Ruby energy course within her, she allowed the energy to phase her from view. Being invisible to the eyes of the Big King. Every ounce of strength focused into each of her bounding steps. Sliding along her knees through the mud and water, she planted one of her stun grenades against the buttocks of the Big King. Before it exploded, she wrapped Diamond Hand’s in her arms and phase shifted away. Mira had never tried to phase shift with someone before, and she wasn’t sure if it would work. They didn’t go far, but it was enough to miss the biting energy bolts of the stun grenade that coiled around the body of the Big King.
Mira smirked thinking that she got the upper hand, but the axe still crashed down to where Diamond Hand’s once knelt. The energy of the stun grenade dissipated, and the Big King stepped forward without hinderance. Mira looked down to Diamond Hand’s who still was gathering his senses after the low blow. Defiantly, Mira turned and charged back towards the armored figure. The Big King swung his axe diagonally, and Mira flipped over the blade, landing just as the Big King himself jumped and spun as she normally would have. Her sword blade missed the Big King, and he swung his large axe as if it weighed nothing. Mira found herself doing everything she could to dodge, flip, or deflect the man’s aggressive attacks. Anything that caught her straight on pushed her backwards, the weight of the Big King’s attacks was beyond anything she had faced before.
Diamond Hand’s finally stood up, the pain and discomfort subsided. Watching as Mira desperately backpedalled to avoid each of the Big King’s attacks. Roaring in anger, he bashed his closed fists into the ground. Using the force of his fists and the strength in his arms, he pushed himself forward, with the help of foot and fist, the feeling of ruby energy swelling with each step.
The Big King revelled in the combat with Mira, and she could hear his mocking laughter as he chased after in her desperate retreat. Mira focused, and both fell into a flow state of battle. Mira trying to stall for Diamond Hand’s to reengage and turn the tide of the fight. Seeing the Diamond Hand’s charging towards them both, Mira felt relief, and the Big King saw it in her eyes. Before DH could reach her, the Big King doubled back suddenly and jumped. Diamond Hand’s dove passed the Big King and crashed into Mira. Both bodies tumbled in a tangle of limbs as they rolled through mud. The Big King didn’t hesitate, he shifted his weight to his feet and jumped, calling for the power of all the Ruby within into one massive downward strike.
Diamond Hand’s stared up to the cloud-filled sky, and the sight of the Big King about to striker. Mira was on his stomach, and didn’t see the attack coming, so DH did all he could do in that moment and threw her off him. With a twist of his arm, Mira’s body tumbled away, and Diamond Hand’s stood up and pushed his left arm upwards using his diamond hand to block the attack. An explosion of Ruby energy flashed and sent out a concussive blast of crimson energy. The blast sent a wave of destruction through the center of the base, and even evaporated storm clouds above, and AI choppers nearby fell from the sky. The dust settled, and the Big King stood over Diamond Hand’s who lay unmoving on the ground. The axe blade of the Big King shattered, as was the diamond hand of DH.
Mira stood up and saw her friend unmoving and diamond encrusted stump where his hand used to be. Eyes quivered in disbelief as she saw what he just sacrificed for her. Even the Big King looked shocked at the result. Rage filled Mira, her heart drumming rapidly within her chest. This would not be the end of freedom and good will in the world. Rushing forward, Mira allowed the ruby energy to consumer her. Letting it all in, and channeling it through her rage, she phase-shifted. The Big King turned to face her and reacted by using the haft of his axe as a staff. The two engaged in a furious battle. Weapons sang as they connected in rapid succession.
This was it. Mira knew. If she could stop the Big King now, then his armies would stand down. Falling back into a focused state of flow, every movement made was purely reflex. Those who witnessed the fight were in awe of its beauty. Mira’s blade flashed like the lightning of the storm, and the Big King was unable to push back the attacks, and sparks illuminated where Mira’s sword connected with his armor. Mira’s mind focused. Focused on Agartha where she grew up, where countless people suffered and turned on each other throughout the war. Focused on Diamond Hand’s whose life was rife with the trauma of the same war. Focused on all those who felt they had no place in the world, so they came to Mavia to find purpose. It was all a play, all controlled by this man.
Flashes of crimson light pulsed as lightning struck the ruby crystal. The storm began to rage again, as thick drops pelted against the Big King’s armor. Mira and the Big King broke part, staring at each other with respect, heavily panting as they calculated their next attacks. Mira felt the heavy cost of expelling the ruby energy within, and if she felt it, she knew that the Big King was feeling it too. The sounds of the outside battle caught up to Mira then. Daring to turn and face the open field outside the base, she watched armies clashing on a battle scorched field. Whale blimps hovered over the jungle trees as smoke rose through the emerald canopies. The alliance forces looked to be barely holding on as the other hidden forces attacked. Feeling her side quickly, Mira realized she was out of tricks.
“I give you credit Mira,” the Big King spoke suddenly, “You are a light that inspires, and only if you saw the beauty of the world I want to create, your light could be used to brighten a different path.”
“I would never follow you,” Mira responded defiantly, “The world does not need another tyrant.”
The Big King chuckled as he shook his head, “No, not a tyrant.” He raised his arms to the sky, “but a God. One that the world can see with their own eyes. One that dishes out justice to those who seek it, and uplifts those who needs it.”
“And destroying the world was just a means to an end?” Mira asked in disbelief.
“The world was already destroyed, Mira. I just took advantage of the chaos to put in place my designs. Fear is what fuels this world. Which makes it easier to control those who are blind. If I wasn’t here to take control, would the world evolve into a peaceful oasis? No, Mira. I am here to set it free. Free of fear, free of pain and suffering. Like I said before, people are tired and want comfort, and when you give it to them, they give you power. That is the promise of Ruby.”
“And how you control it,” Mira shook her head in disgust, shifting her stance.
“People choose to suffer Mira because they don’t want to deal with the discomfort of change. If only they knew how to speak truthfully. To give unselfishly. Then we wouldn’t be here fighting.” The Big King continued to speak calmly. “In any momentous change, there is sacrifice. You stand for something in the world that doesn’t exist anymore. So, it is time for a harsher rule, but one that will bring strength and unity. It is time.” The Big King turned away from Mira and started to walk towards the research facility. Mira knew what he was going to do, so she charged.
“A waste,” The Big King whispered to himself as he sensed Mira’s approach. Lifting his staff into the air, he summoned all the Ruby energy he could muster into the weapon. A bolt of lightning descended form the sky and struck it.
Before Mira could get to the Big King, he slammed the base of the staff into the earth and unleashed a torrent of crimson energy. Time slowed for Mira. Tendrils of crimson lightning lanced out from the base of the Big King’s feet. Mira jumped as a tendril of lightning reached for her feet. Leading with her blade, she closed her eyes as she felt the edge of her sword piece the armor of the Big King. Then black. The concussive force of the blast erupted. An explosion of light that blinded any unlucky enough to stare directly into it. The armies outside the base all fell in the blast.
The blast left the area outside the research facility a smoldering and scorched ruin. The headquarters was ablaze, and the laser walls disabled. A faint tracer of a scarlet bolt of lightning still hung in the air. Mira opened her eyes, and found her body covered in mud and debris. Diamond Hand’s still lay unmoving, a soft smoke lifting off his body. Mira coughed as she stood up and walked towards the epicenter of the destruction. Mira found her sword, dark lines burnt into the ground where the lightning crawled. The Big King was gone. Picking up her sword, she followed a set of footprints in the mud towards the research facility. The Big King had left to claim his unlimited power. She didn’t know how, but she was going to stop him.
Stepping into the familiar main hall of the research facility, she followed the muddied tracks into the main circular room of the facility. An entryway greeted her on the back wall. The doors slid open, and Mira was surprised to see a hallway of perfectly cut ruby. The Big King had carved his way deep into the central ruby, and Mira stepped into the hall. It was like staring into red glass, the floor was translucent, yet there was something effervescent by looking through its surface. It was time to end this or die trying. The fate of the world depended on it. Checking her grip, Mira took a deep breath and stepped into the Ruby corridor, and to the destiny that lay beyond.
