King Me

Holocaust

Yancey was jostled awake. She wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep, but it was bright outside, and Aurelia still lay beside her. Faust stood overhead, nudging her with the heel of his black boot, "Collect yourself. Our adversaries draw near,"

Yancey, grunted, giving Aurelia a shake, awakening the roman woman who yawned. The two stood, Yancey's blood pressure rising, the thought of battle nearing. Heading outside, they found Conner and Adoltlin glancing over a hologram that emanated from the hovering vehicle, displaying the tracker that Conner had placed on the cyborg. 

Aurelia rushed to their side, "Brief me on the current events,"

Conner pointed to the screen, "The speedster got to the edge of the forest, but stopped. When I zoomed in on a live feed of his surroundings, I saw at least a dozen others,"

Yancey's heart sank, "A dozen?! Are they bringing a fight towards us?!"

Conner shook his head, "Worse. Looks like they've formed a multi-team alliance. Probably all got word of how strong Faust really is from the teleporter, so they're gonna hit us with everything left."

Everything was unraveling so fast. Was the final confrontation upon them, without warning, without preparation? No, that makes perfect sense. When has anything been predictable since we've been here? And I'll be damned if I'm not prepared. Everything I've learned, everything I've done since coming here has lead up to this moment. Her grip tightened on the sickle, the screams of hell growing louder in her ears.

Faust's tree spoke, "One approaches our location. Intentions are not combative. A message bearer. Shall I consume it?"

Faust began to answer, but Aurelia spoke up, "I believe we should. Perhaps if we allow it give break words, we may decipher what their strategy will be."

Faust pulled his scythe from his back, slamming the blade into the ground, "Nonsense. No matter the foe, they all will inevitably fall,"

Aurelia countered, "Yes, but with needless loss of energy, as with the elementals. Had you listened to my guidance then, Doctor Faust, you never would have waisted your strength upon them,"

For once, Faust actually considered someone else's words. He pulled the scythe from the ground, lofting the blade towards Aurelia, "I accept your proposition, Strategy. I will give you the same terms outlined in my dealing with Bard, your head forfeit should you be wrong." Death. Faust was more of a threat to their team on several occasions than any of their foes. And yet Aurelia stood strong, stepping towards him and extending her hand. He grasped it, sealing the deal with one firm shake. Yancey's grip tightened further on her sickle.

Try to kill her, and I'll bury the weapon you made for me in your back before you know I've moved. To hell with this tournament, and to hell with you, you sad, lonely old bastard. Faust's head turned to Yancey, but she did not flinch away. She met his cold stare with her own fiery passion, locking sights. Perhaps he knew what she was thinking, perhaps he could sense her intent, but whatever the cause, he gave in first, turning away. And the thing neared.

One of the native bug race, but far larger than the ones they'd seen to this point. It was some alpha version, tall and glistening with layers of an exoskeleton that resembled armor. Behind it, came a mass of the other insects, all walking in pace at the leader's heel, clacking along the path towards them. As the crowd drew near, Yancey realized the alpha insect was wounded, missing three of its four sets of arms, most of the armored exoskeleton shattered. In a pitiful show of defeat, it raised its last arm, displaying the fact that it carried no weapons.

It's voice, deeper than that of its brethren, called out to them, "I come bearing a message from the other teams,"

Aurelia beckoned it to come closer, "Speak it,"