Elements Enchained: Cosmic Artifacts

ch 8 "The Force"

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??: "In this world, countless forces remain unknown to us. But one power we do understand-a power that can change everything-is trust."

Max:
"Where am I? Who's talking? And why are there so many... dead bodies lying here?"
(Looks down at himself)
"My hair... Is this a dream? Or... is this a battlefield?"

??: "Those lives were lost because of you, and now you'll pay the price!"
"Prepare to Die!"

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Sentinel: "Sir! Sir, wake up!"

Max: (Gasping)
"It was... a dream. These nightmares-they're getting worse."

Sentinel: "After defeating that giant snake, you passed out under this tree. You said, 'Let me rest for a bit; I'm exhausted.'"

Max: "Right... I remember now. Sorry if I caused any trouble."

Sentinel: "No trouble, Sir. But we need to keep moving if we want to end this chaos."

Max: "You're right. Let's finish this."
(He stands, stretching his arms. They begin marching.)

Suddenly, the ground rumbles violently beneath them.

(Cracks spread like jagged veins across the land, and streams of blood erupt from the openings.)

Max: "What's going on now?!"

Sentinel: "Sir, we have to run! If we stay, we'll die!"

Max: "Everyone, follow me! Run straight ahead-don't look back!"

(The group begins sprinting after Max. The ground beneath them continues to split, and the blood erupts higher.)

Max (thinking): "First, those monstrous creatures, and now this. Someone's pulling the strings, but who?"
(Pulls out his phone)
"Aiden... pick up!"
*(Beeps with no signal)
"What now? Even the signal's gone?"

Suddenly, the eyes of everyone around him glow blood-red.

Sentinel: "Sir, I... I can't..."

(Before he can finish, his body explodes into a spray of blood.)

Max: "What the-?!" (Coughs blood violently)
"No... no! I can't let this happen to me too!"

(He closes his eyes, concentrating on his energy flow.)

Max (thinking): "I can see it-my power, the ring's energy, coursing through me.

But something else... something darker is invading me. I have to push it out."

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Meanwhile...(Did you think he will be sleeping)

Dark: "My lady, how are you holding up?"

??: "Fine. But stop wasting time. Weren't you saying something about dangerous frequencies?"

Dark: "Eh, they'll handle it. No need to worry."

(Dark's phone buzzes.)

Dark: "Ugh. What now?"
(Answers the call)
"Speak."

Sentinel (over the phone): "Sir, we're being-" (A loud boom cuts the line as the Sentinel's head explodes.)

Dark: "Hello? HELLO?!" (Slams the phone down)
"Damn it. If they're failing, I'll need to intervene myself."

(Storms out of the room)

Dark: "Driver! Take me to these coordinates. Now!"

Driver: "Yes, Sir."

(As they drive through the dark, eerie forest)

Driver: "Where exactly are we headed, Sir?"

Dark: " Few of my people are stuck nearby."

Driver: "Understood, Sir. I'll help you too ."

Suddenly, a spear shoots through the windshield, narrowly missing Dark.

Driver: "Uhh" (coughs blood)
(Before they can react, an explosion engulfs the vehicle.)

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Back to Max...

Max (panting): "I can't keep this up much longer... but I have to. I can't let myself die like the others."

??: "Foolish boy. Do you think you can escape your fate? My Child will ensure you suffer!" (Laughs maniacally)