• Date: January 22, 2183


  
• Time: 7:05 AM


  
• Location: Kaynian Frigate Prison Cell


  

  ''What- Where am I?''

  The Ghost spoke while standing before his heads-up display. He spotted his companion, Sarroth—the blade spirit—watching him with awe and shock. Whatever she had done must have pushed her to her limits or something similar. Then, a smile formed over the blade spirit's face as she sighed in relief.

  {Thank the Pantheons!}

  Shouted the spirit as she expressed joy upon reviving her master from his unconscious state. As her emotions stabilized, Sarroth smiled at the Ghost as she calmed herself down.

  {Welcome back, master! I restarted your power armor with my magic.}

  ''Sarroth, why can't I move?''

  {Your armor is still in lockdown. I need to recalibrate your neural connection before you can move, but I don't recommend moving just yet.}

  This confused the Hero of Eldrant further. Why would his eternal servant recommend that? If the ceiling was of any identification, they should be rescued by an A.F.E. warship.

  ''Why is that?''

  {Master Tale, as of right now. Our supposed rescuers are Kaynians.}

  ''What?''

  This took Tale off guard; their rescuers were Kaynians. That wouldn't make any sense. Why would the Kaynians rescue him, let alone spare him? Something was off, and he intended to figure it out.

  {It has been ten years since we departed from Eldrant. In those ten years, I have maintained track of your health and utilized magic to keep you alive, which has altered your body immensely. After ten years of floating a stray in space, at three forty-five A.M., the failsafe A.I. detected ten slip space portals. Currently, we are inside a cell of a Kaynian Frigate...}

  {...But our time is running out. I have listened to a Kaynian Lord and the guardians that transported us. They stated that warlocks would be dispatched to learn about us and how we got here. They would lobotomize you, my master.}

  Sarroth explained. She kept her wording about what had happened in the past ten years as straightforward as possible. As of right now, time is of the essence. She had to inform her master of the events that had led to this moment before the warlocks arrived.

  ''I see. Recalibrate my armor. I have a plan.''

  {Very well, my master.}

  Sarroth nodded before disappearing. A few seconds later, he felt his neck's ability to move again, and appearing in front was his eternal servant.

  {My master, I need you to follow my instructions first to unlock your armor.}

  ''Understood.''

  {Try moving your head in four directions. Left, right, up, and down.}

  Following his companion's instructions, the Ghost moved his head as directed. Gradually, he regained control of his arms and legs, which completed the recalibration of his power armor.

  {Your visor and motor functions seem to be operational...}

  {...You are now free, my master.}

  Hearing his companion's approval, Tale immediately stood up and surveyed his surroundings. The key feature of the cell he was confined in was that it was moderately sized, and he noticed the energy barrier keeping him from escaping.

  {What is your plan, master? If you don't mind me asking?}

  ''Right, I need you to place an illusion of myself unconscious on the floor and cast an invisibility magic on me.''

  {You want to lure the warlock to assassinate, but what of the guardian escorts?}

  ''I'll deal with them conventionally by using you in your material form.''

  Tale responded, but as much as he wanted to reassure his companion. They were treading lightly between life and death. One wrong move could be their end. He just hoped that Sarroth was enough to accomplish this plan. Meanwhile, hearing her master's plan, it could work. After all, there was no way they could escape the cell without causing a disturbance. So, the stealthy approach would prove to be the only way they could escape, but the blade spirit had something in mind to make this easy.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  {My master, may I add my thoughts to your plan?}

  ''Very well, what is it?''

  {I think you would benefit from learning magic now.}

  ''That would take time, and we don't have that luxury.''

  {I am aware. But consider that if I allow you to see through my memories with mind magic. This way, you could learn in a short amount of time but would be limited to how much you like to consume...}

  {...Right now, I offer the chance to comprehend teleportation magic and its advantages.}

  Sarroth offered, and Tale found it logical to proceed, after all, if his body had been altered by Sarroth's magic for ten years in space. It wouldn't hurt to have an advantage of magic by his side, knowing that, without any firearm, he would be at a disadvantage.

  ''How long would it take?''

  {A few seconds, my master.}

  ''Proceed.''

  In an instant, the blade spirit complied with the order from her master. Utilizing mind magic, she melded her mind with the operative. She was essentially allowing Tale to grasp the concepts and techniques of teleportation magic. The experience was surreal, as both Tale and Sarroth saw each other's perspectives and memories. Sarroth saw the birthing process of the fourth-generation Ghosts and their training into becoming operatives. She also saw several glimpses of individuals whom her master had killed brutally, and the amount of bodies that she had seen made her stomach ache. But amongst all the memories she had seen, three stood above all. The first was a memory of Tale and Vee's first meeting, and the second was a memory of another Ghost Operative who taught Tale how to be a Ghost Operative. Second generation Ghost Operative Parka. The third was a doctor of sorts her master had as a mother figure who taught him about everything.

  Meanwhile, Tale witnessed Sarroth's childhood, from her humble beginnings to her gradual mastery of her responsibilities and magic. How she met her future husband and how he was afflicted with a deadly magic plague. He saw the young twins Isabella and Gabriela playing with each other in Gian's gardens. The invasion of the Kaynians on Eldrant two hundred years ago, when Elvania and its neighboring kingdoms burned, and how Sarroth united all of Eldrant to face the Kaynians, or as they called them, invaders. He witnessed Sarroth deteriorate as she glimpsed the future through forbidden magic, ultimately transforming into a spirit. Afterward, the Ghost saw the events that transpired on Eldrant, the first meeting between him and the blade spirit. It was surreal to think that seeing his decision in the past is what got him this far.

  [The process is complete...}

  {...How are you taking this thus far, master?}

  ''Good enough, proceed with the plan.''

  {By your will.}

  Immediately, the blade spirit went to work and replicated a one-to-one imitation of the MK48GV3 Power Armor lying on the floor. She ensured it was as accurate as her master to trick the incoming warlock and hopefully escape this vessel. Afterward, she utilized invisibility magic to hide her master's stature as he stood still at the right-most corner of the cell while the illusion occupied the center. As she finished her work, Sarroth was satisfied and immediately transformed herself into her weapon form.

  {It is ready, my master.}

  ''Good, now we wait.''

  TALE: Arc Killer

  ''Our lord has given me complete authority over the demon's corpse. I do not want any accidents or failures to occur while you escort me...''

  ''...Understood?''

  The warlock stated as he floated toward the prison cells of the frigate. Beside him was a security detail of four guardians. Their duty was to protect him from the operative should it awaken.

  ''Of course, warlock. We shall only perform our best as you discover the secrets of our new foe.''

  ''As you should.''

  Entering the premises of the prison cell, the warlock and his guardians made their way toward the newest prisoner on board their ship.

  ''Hmm, finally, a live demon...''

  ''...Quickly deactivate the energy barrier.''

  ''Understood.''

  Following their superior's command, the guardians deactivated the energy barrier, allowing the warlock to enter. Two guardians accompanied the warlock into the cell, as the others remained outside as guards.

  ''Let's see what lies behind this armor of yours.''

  The warlock stated as he used his psionics to levitate the "unconscious" Ghost, preparing to begin his operation. But as he performed his psionics, the body did not respond to levitate. This confused the warlock as he tried again and did not gain a response from the armored body to levitate.

  ''Warlock is something the ma- Ack!''

  The guardian grunted as a blade impaled his back and burst through his chest. This caught the attention of the warlock and the other guardians as they saw the perpetrator. The Ghost or in their tongue.

  ''Demon!''

  Shouted the warlock as Tale immediately teleported to the other guardian on the opposite side of the cell and sliced him in two before he could react. The sound of a loud thud echoed as the guardian's torso impacted the floor.

  ''Charge!''

  The guardians outside of the cell charged forward with their bayonets armed. But Tale would make short work of them as he parried the strike of the first Kaynian before knocking him out with a punch and deflecting the thrust of the second before grabbing hold of his neck. Snapping it out of place, killing the guardian.

  {My master, the warlock!}

  Sarroth warned through telepathy magic, but it was too late. Before the Ghost could turn around, the Kaynian used its psionics to pin him to the wall. The energy coursing through the warlock was visible for Tale to see as he also saw the alien's hatred for him.

  ''You vile demon! I will put an end to you!''

  Shouted the warlock as he increased the pressure of his attack tenfold, crushing the wall behind the Ghost, but luckily. Sarroth's magic shield protected him, so the strain and power of the psionic attack were lessened.

  'Sarroth...'

  '...A little help.'

  {Very well!}

  Obeying her master's command. The blade spirit transformed into her avatar, taking the warlock by surprise before she utilized lightning magic to eliminate the Kaynian in one shot.

  {Die, Kaynian!}

  She shouted as she unleashed her potent attack on the warlock's body, the tendrils of lightning making contact before erupting into an uncontrollable shock, which killed the alien. With their adversaries disposed of, the Ghost landed feet first to the ground. Rising his head, he saw the electrified body of the warlock before looking over to the side and nodding at his companion for his rescue.

  ''Well done.''

  {It is only my duty to you.}

  ''Now that we're out. We'll take control of this ship and return to U.G.E. space...''

  ''...Sarroth, do you have any intel regarding the layout of this frigate?''

  {Of course, although it is incomplete.}

  Sarroth responded as she returned to the systems of Tale's power armor. Appearing over his heads-up display, Vee presented a layout of the frigate. Although incomplete, it was necessary for a careful approach toward the bridge.

  ''Good enough, we'll compensate with your magic. Where's the bridge located?''

  {Currently, we are at the prison hold of the frigate. The bridge is at least several rooms ahead of us. I expect we will meet heavy resistance should our cover be exposed.}

  ''As it should be. Nothing is always easy with Kaynians.''

  Responded the Ghost as he approached his former cell and activated the energy barriers. Tale knew that the Kaynians would soon take notice of his absences from his cell, along with the warlock and his guardian security detail. The final adjustment he could make was to extend the time during his daring maneuver toward the frigate's bridge.

  ''Sarroth, please hide the bodies and place another illusion of my armor. We don't want the Kaynians to notice our disappearance.''

  {Understood, although since we'll be leaving it here. The quality of the illusion would be minimal. As for the bodies, yes, it should be easy enough.}

  Following the given command, the blade spirit concealed the electrified bodies of the warlock and the guardians within the cell. This act eliminated any suspicion of their deaths, granting them valuable time to execute their plan.

  {It's done.}

  ''Good, we're moving...''

  ''...Cast invisibility magic.''

  Hedding her master's command, Sarroth performed the requested magic. In a matter of seconds, the silhouette of the Ghost disappeared as the spirit's magic hid him.

  To Be Continued.