Archcore: Echoes of Ion

[22] - [Clash of Two Psions]

-[Mars]-

It was an early morning when Shirley woke up. With a quick stretch, she looked outside and froze instantly. Coming back to her senses, she quickly ran outside to see Kokoro standing near the road, looking up to the sky.

"Kokoro, what're you doing out here? In her condition and with no one else." Shirley asked as she walked to Kokoro.

But Kokoro gave no response as she stayed looking to the sky.

Shirley looked at Kokoro for a few moments longer before looking up at the sky as well, "Is it Azuma?"

"I've been thinking of him recently." Kokoro finally said, "It was nice having someone new around, but I wonder if he made it back, and what he's doing now. Do you think we'll see him again?" 

Kokoro looked to her large stomach and gently ran her hands along it, "I can feel them, any day now. I just wish Azuma could see it, maybe he'll come back to see my child." Shirley just smiled.

"I hope we see him again."

* * * * * *

The Raven swung two of its swords at Nobel, determined to destroy it with as little hits as possible while Azuma maneuvered the Nobel to move away and dodge every one of the Raven's attacks. 

"Even now, you refuse to fight! All you do is run away and nothing else, so how? How was it that you were a better choice than me?!" Fives yelled, "Just because you were the fourth?! You were handed everything while I was looked down upon and had to fight for attention! Now it's my turn and I'm not backing down now!"

The Raven swung its sword down but using the Guardian, Azuma managed to block the attack.

"Even if it means killing innocent people? Is that really how badly you want to be seen? To be praised?"

"Open your eyes, Fives! You're only needed because you're useful, Proxima will just make another when you fail."

"Stay out of this Azuma! What happens between me and Lady Proxima is none of your concern!"

Once again, the Raven struck the Nobel with its sword, but like before, the Nobel's Guardian blocked the attack. Still, the Raven continued its offensive strikes, keeping the Nobel in a constant state of defense.

"Why... why do you keep playing defense? Where was that clone who fought tooth and nail?! How much longer will you continue to insult me before you're satisfied, Azuma?!"

Meanwhile, Gale got into the Polaris. Grabbing to the side of a smaller ship, it launched from the Delphinum's docking bay and towards Proxima's ship. But the ODIN reacted, extending its arms out and firing multiple beams from its hands. Gale quickly took over, using the Polaris and its many thrusters, he was able to street the ship faster, avoiding many of the beams. Once putting distance between them, the ODIN stopped its attack.

"Damn, that thing won't let us get any closer." Gale said, slamming the side of the cockpit.

"the way it reacted, it was way more than just what an AI controlled system could do." Nina said.

"What are you saying?" Eld asked, "Is someone controlling it?"

"Azuma," Nina's voice rang throughout Azuma's comms, "We won't be able to reach Proxima's ship with the ODIN there. It may be a lot to ask, but we need you to get its attention, long enough for us to get into her ship."

"You say it like it's easy." Azuma said under his breath.

"Not only am I supposed to keep Fives away, but I also have to get the ODIN's attention, all of that while also trying my hardest not to lose myself in the Ion."