Archcore: Echoes of Ion

[23] - [Let's Meet Again, Under Neon Skies]

Azuma began to breathe heavily as he felt his heart beating faster and faster. His breathing was becoming weaker, as if Azuma was forgetting how to do it. His vision began to blur as his consciousness was fading. Any feeling he had was disappearing, as if his whole body was beginning to disappear.

"Azuma!" Gale yelled as the Polaris flew towards the Nobel.

"He's losing himself to the Ion." Kate said, "Killing Fives, I think that's what did it, Azuma lost the grip on himself and the Ion in both his body and the Dreadnought quickly took over, it's trying to absorb his consciousness into it."

Azuma began to convulse as his body began to tighten. Before Azuma knew it, he had completely lost consciousness. As for the Nobel, it deactivated just as the Polaris reached it. Taking the Dreadnought, Gale quickly returned to the Delphinium.

In the moment, both Proxima's ship and the Delphinium came to a complete stand still.

The Raven and ODIN were defeated, meanwhile Azuma and Nobel were out, leaving only Gale and his Polaris as the last Dreadnought available, but still damaged from the battle on Vanadis, it was in no condition to fight.

As for Azuma, he was removed from the Nobel and brought to the medical bay.

"The ODIN is destroyed, Fives is dead. Please, stop this Proxima." Licca said.

"What's going on out there?" Freyja asked, "What happened to Azuma?" Proxima just smiled at her.

"Isn't it obvious? From the looks of it, it would seem the Ion inside the Dreadnought has taken over him. It would be a miracle if Lynx survives it, though I doubt I see that happening. If you want, we can create another one just for you." Proxima laughed.

Doors from the opposite end of the room opened as more men came in, each having guns aimed at the four. AS they entered, Proxima got up and took Licca's gun from her, "Now then, while I have lost both ODIN and the Raven, it would appear I've gained something else in return. Set up communication with the Delphinium."

* * * * * *

"As far as physical injuries go, Azuma is fine there." Carla said, "However, due to the Ion's attempted takeover, almost half of Azuma's blood has been replaced with Ion. Had it continued, he would've been absorbed or he would've died."

"It's because he lost his grip." Erin said, "The Ion in him, we told him not to let himself go, but killing Fives seemed to have caused something to change. Azuma let himself go and the Ion was quick to grab at him."

"Freyja..." Azuma said weakly as he began to wake up, "Eld... Nina... where are they? Are they safe?"

Erin looked at Carla, "They're still with Proxima." Gale said as he came in.

"Then we have to... save them." Azuma said as he began to get up.

"Azuma, you shouldn't be moving right now!" Carla yelled, but Azuma ignored her as he continued.

Getting off the bed, Azuma's feet touched the floor, but just as they did, he fell to the floor, "Azuma, are you alright?" Gale asked as he came to his side, grabbing Azuma's arm. Azuma didn't respond as he looked at his legs, "I... I can't feel my legs..."

Again, Carla and Erin looked at each other before giving Gale the same concerned looks.

"It's likely due to the Ion. In its attempt to absorb you, it took away all the functions in your legs." Erin said, "Beyond that, I don't think there's any other serious damage to your body, none that we could see or the machine could detect at least."

The doors into the room opened and Hilda came in with Kate and Emil.

"What's the damage?" Hilda asked as she looked to Azuma.