Parallel World, Round Two

--Gatix--

``How are you feeling?''

``Just peachy, boss!''

``Your injuries?''

``Head's back to normal.'' A lie. ``All healed up.'' The truth.

``Hmm...''

I heard his hesitation but didn't pay it much mind. I was too focused on the spot where the white ring would form, practically dancing with pent-up energy. I felt like a boxer punched in the teeth dying to return the favor.

``Sure you want to go back in? It's only been two days.''

``Gotta make the client happy.''

``Having you die will put a dent in our resources.''

Aw, shucks. The Boss could never be direct about his feelings. ``Don't worry, Boss. I'll fire two shots instead of one this time.'' Which was my way of being indirect as well. What were we, high school sweethearts? Ew! I shook my head to rid myself of that thought. ``Start it up, Dax!''

Receiving the affirmative nod from Boss, Dax started typing away. The familiar hum filled the room a few seconds later, the white star already visible. ``Establishing handshake...''

C'mon, c'mon, c'mon...

``Relax, Gatix.'' Boss's voice came from within my helmet this time. ``Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.''

``Yet fortune favors the bold, Boss.''

``Opening the bridge!'' The star expanded into the circle.

``True, but you got hurt. It's been more than half a year since that last happened.''

``Accidents happen. Can't be top-notch every second.''

``Yes, but there's something strange about your injury. Dax reported there was still something there he couldn't identify.''

``'Long as it doesn't kill me, can't complain too much.''

``Bridge opened!''

``See ya, boss!'' I launched myself forward, running at full speed while only professionalism prevented me from yelling a war cry. Ahead of me, the black circle grew bigger and bigger...

--POP--

No teeth, claws, and angry red ladies awaited me upon my entrance, but nothing was the same as before, except for the halo sun. Replacing the war-torn hellscape was a lush green thicket, albeit with significantly more blue plants than Earth. Thankfully no carnivorous flower buds turned toward me, and no vines snaked through the ground to pull my feet out underneath me.

I was a bit disappointed.

``Hey, Nev?''

``How can I help you, Agent?''

``See anything in the vicinity?''

``I detect several biological signatures, but nothing similar to the species we encountered during our previous visit.''

``Nothing planning on eating or shooting me?''

``Not unless the trees house some internal offensive measures.''

``Hmm...'' I lowered Scythe but didn't risk sheathing it. No sense in another return trip due to carelessness. ``Detecting any trisortium?''

``Scanning. Possible signature detected.''

I didn't expect that. ``Possible?''

``I am detecting a signature matching that of trisortium, but it seems part of something larger. That, or the biological elements are interfering with my scanner.''

``Get closer, is what you're saying.''

``Like you read my mind.'' I started to walk in the direction the newly formed diamond in my visor indicated.

***

First impressions were misleading, for the thicket turned into regular woods after ten minutes of stumbling. I was happy about that. In addition to avoiding any surprises like a snake-like creature coiling itself around my leg, it takes a while to cut through the foliage. Now my biggest obstacle was dodging the occasional tree trunk. Being able to see the snakes on the ground was another advantage. After assisting about thirty of them into the afterlife, Scythe warned about overheating. Fortunately, the snakes seem adverse to electricity, and a burst from the electro-glove sent them skittering toward safety.

Traveling through the trees revealed the woods were less desolate than expected. I crossed more than one footpath, some even featuring wheel tracks with hoof prints, though not created by anything I was familiar with. I debated whether to follow them, but since their destination was not assured, I opted for the direct route through the trees. Humans usually avoid this route due to fear of injury. Something my state-of-the-art armor seemed to have covered, for now at least.

But, no matter how advanced the suit, human limitations still applied, and two hours of walking warranted a break. ``Hey, Nev? Any place to take a load off? My feet are killing me.''

``I detect a clearing west of here. It could serve as a viable resting point.''

``Swell.'' I glanced at the tree canopy. One disadvantage of the halo sun: significantly less light, especially as dusk approached. I'm not superstitious, but daylight generally brightens the mood.

I arrived at the clearing twenty minutes later, and greeted it with a smile. Two large trees covered the central area, with a large rock nestled in between. With a landmark as unique, I wouldn't be surprised if it served as a beacon. The number of footpaths leading to the clearing supported that hypothesis. Hopefully, I'd be left alone for a while. I walked towards the rock, intent on placing my posterior in front of it and lying back for a few seconds.

But that had to wait. ``Agent, I am detecting signatures, heading straight for the clearing.''

``Seems the universe insists on making friends.'' I sighed. ``Which direction?''

``East.''

``ETA?''

``Thirty seconds.''

``How many?''

``I am detecting nine signatures.'''

`Our lady-friend amongst them?''

``No, but one signature is familiar.''

``Oh boy...'' Sure enough, emerging from the tree line was the Knight with the broken helmet, an entourage of footmen following in line. ``Of course.''

``You seem unsurprised upon seeing somebody you've shot through the head.''

``I've read enough books.'' The Knight spotted me near instantly, upon which he drew his sword and signaled his troops to fan out. I merely waited against the rocks, watching as a circle of swords and intimidated faces formed around me. I'd be surprised if any of the footmen could inflict damage, but since the Knight could hold his own against the red lady, he warranted some caution.

``***** *****!''

``Think he's talking about me?''

``It would be a safe assumption, Agent.''

``Making progress with the translation algorithm?''

``Yes. Keep him talking.''

``Oh, that I can do.'' I straightened myself, reaffirming my grip on Scythe in the process. ``Hey, asshole!''

``****?''

``You make a habit of going around torturing people?'' I kicked some dirt in his direction. ``Or are you just an idiot cosplaying as a knight?''

``**** *** **** *** *** ******?" The Knight asked one of the footmen, who could only shrug in return.

``Agent, I need more.''

``Damn, I hoped he would talk back. Well, if that's the case...'' I raised Scythe and squeezed the trigger. The explosion was most magnificent, as was the amount of dirt spraying over the footman next to the Knight. Almost resembled an anthill before the shock took over three seconds later, and he promptly fell over.

Everybody watched in stunned silence. Except for me, I was grinning. However, somewhere the Knight made a connection, for he turned toward me and pointed an accusatory finger in my direction. ``***!''

Didn't need Nev to translate that one for me.

``***'** *** *** **** ******** **''

``Got him talking for you, Nev!''

``Analyzing.''

``* ***** **** ******* ** ***! *** ****, *** ******! *** **** * ****** ****** ** ** *****, *** *** ****** ** *** **!''

``Finalizing.''

``***'** ***** *** ********* ** **! * ******* *** ** *** ***** ******* **** ****, *** *** **** *** ***, ******** **! *******!'' I didn't need a translation for the last bit. A raised sword while charging forward is universal. A problem I resolved with a simple dodge and a kick to the back to send him crashing against the rock.

``Feeling better?'' I asked him

``******!'' He tried to strike at me despite not being on stable footing. Not a smart decision: a simple tug on his wrist sent him sprawling on the ground behind me, with a second boot print on his ass. Looking up revealed a sea of mixed expressions, the footmen switching between wanting to attack me and not wanting to get their asses kicked. Except for one fella - he actually seemed happy. Heh, somebody doesn't like their boss.

``So...'' I spoke as the Knight scampered backward while I pressed myself against the rock a second time. ``You had enough?''

``***...'' The wobbly Knight got to his feet, deigning to use sword as a crutch for a second. ``**** ***** ***** *** *rowess ** *he Dread Knights of before.''

Ah, Nev's translation must have kicked in. ``Dread Knight? What's that?''

The hole in his helmet wasn't too large, but I could see the eye widen. ``You... you can understand me?''

``I'm a quick study. Now that the language gap has shrunk, is there something you'd like to talk about? Or will you kindly piss off so I can get along with my mission?''

``Mission?'' The Knight spat. ``Dread Knights don't have missions. Their goal is to destroy what they see.''

``I'm the special kind.''

``Yet you still work for her.''

``Trust me, buddy. I don't work for anyone.'' Well, except for Boss.

``Lies! You killed me as I was about to end the war! Why do that if you were not working for her?''

``I just don't like you.''

``What?!''

``Listen.'' I was already weary of this conversation. ``I was going along my merry way when I saw you torturing some lady. I didn't like it, so I brought an end to it. End of story. Even if she looks like a demon queen or som-''

``She is!''

Knew it.

``She is evil incarnate! She drains the life from the world we live in!''

``Really?'' I made a show of looking around. ``Seems pretty damn lush here.''

``And the whole world could look like this! I was on the verge of making it happen until you attacked me with your fireball thrower.''

``Fireball thrower?!'' Words not meant to be spoken. ``Listen here, boy, this is Scythe!'' I made a show of showing him exactly what I was talking about. ``We're not talking a wooden stick with a crystal casting party tricks while the wielder mumbles in a forgotten language, we're talking twenty-five kilos of pure metal. Capable of firing slugs at Mach 5 and piercing ninety-nine percent of known materials. But wait, there's more! Something in your face and you don't want it there? Switch firing mode! Short-range blasts turn everything you see into mincemeat. Peace of mind and a morale break like n-.''

``Enough! Dread Knights are destined to be killed, especially those that work for Azala! You must di-''

BANG.

Everybody watched as the Knight's remains fell to the ground. Nothing else moved. I think the footmen were too busy contemplating what exactly they just saw. What did I tell ya, instant morale breaker.

``Ahem.'' Several heads turned towards me. ``You all have borne witness to what happens when you piss me off. The rest of you have a choice. Leave now, and live. Attack me, and...'' I nudged a perforated gauntlet with the tip of my toe. No more words needed to be said. ``Make your decision.''

It didn't take the footmen long to break ranks and head for the tree line. Oddly, I did get an appreciative glance from the one guy before he ran, this movement not as enthusiastic as the others.

``Now.'' I stretched my back. ``Shall we get going, Nev?''

``Yes, Agent, we sh-''

``Going where?''