The Unified Soul

Ethereal Bonds

Michael walked onto the podium both angered and yet satisfied with his accomplishments. With the Derek Lycan Relic in hand, he planned to do whatever it took to get his power back. Even if that meant killing even more to gain his strength and rule over the world.

"This entire situation is a complete mess." He said to the Relic in his hand, "Years of planning foiled when you decided to try and be your father. So much planning... wasted."

Michael smirked, "No matter. It seems as I'll have to do things the hard way."

He brought the Relic closer to his chest, forcing the orb of power into his body and absorbing every bit of strength Derek's soul had. The strain was so great that he fell to his knees and groaned in pain, feeling the red hot blood of the Ultima rushing through his body right from his skin to deep down in his soul.

"It doesn't matter how hard you fight it. I will make you obey me." Michael said determined to make Derek comply. Soon, the pain faded and he was able to stand up again, only this time, he felt stronger.

"Sir." A voice came from his radio, "The damaged sections have repaired themselves and the preparations have been completed. We should be ready. Are you sure that you will be able to withstand?"

"I wouldn't have been able to before. But now, thanks to my friend Derek, I can."

"Activate the Ethrid ray. Ready at your command."

Michael smiled at his achievement and was about to give the command to fire the ray, when he was stopped. His body wouldn't move an inch and his voice was stalled. Deep in his subconscious, someone was stopping him from doing so.

"I won't let you hurt anyone else!" Travis, though still trapped in his own mind, continued to fight off against Michael, grabbing him from the back of the collar and pulling him back.

"You forget your place!" Michael shouted.

"I don't care! You won't hurt anyone else!"

Michael turned around and pushed Travis hard enough to force him a good distance back.

"Pathetic! I've grown tired of your interruptions. Don't you see? There is absolutely nothing you can do. Your consciousness belongs to me."

"I don't care. I won't give up!"

Travis glared at the Demon with hateful eyes, determined to let no one else get hurt. And to get revenge for Airis' death.

~~~~~

Terry, Aphmau, Airis and Kim all ran into that large cannon room with the crystal on the ceiling, looking over the large platform where Aaron once stood. And where Derek was turned into a Relic.

Airis couldn't help but feel cold at the sight of this room, the memories from Airis Aianae rushing through her mind like a movie on fast-forward. The screams of those turned into Relics, the sad goodbyes, even the curses of the enemies sent here as their punishment. They all echoed in her mind like a gong or a bell.

"What... happened here?" Kim asked hesitantly, not really sure if she wanted to know what happened in that room.

"Michael's work. I vaguely remember this." Terry answered.

"So, it wasn't from Aaron?" Aphmau asked.

"No. He was battling.... someone else."

Airis walked over to the window overlooking the cannon's target center, the pure white stone tainted with black soot from the cannon's fire. It was almost too painful to imagine what happened here, and yet, she was able to see a fragment of the past through Aianae's eyes.