Cyberpunk: Ultimate Cyborg System-Chapter 531: Heavenly Bliss. (Part Eight)
What she saw left her stunned for a moment. A battle between an armored figure and people who couldn't possibly be normal humans. As white light flashed from the armored figure, Rose recalled the heist she had participated in months ago. She recalled the raid on the mansion in Red Garden and the disaster that followed that event.
The armor was different, but something told her it was the same person. She had never seen the face under that helmet, but a face surfaced in her mind nonetheless. That caused the flow of battle to become a source of unbearable dread, and once it appeared to reach its end, that dread turned into a pit of despair.
As she watched the pillar of ice, Rose was overcome with the desire to do something. But what could she do in such a situation? Retreat seemed like the right choice. She could get out and call for help, but would anyone arrive in time to change anything? She had to do something now.
No sooner had she arrived at that decision than the pistol in her hand gained weight. Light shone from the depths of the ice pillar, as if giving her a signal. Fear and hesitation left her body all at once, and before she knew it, her pistol was already aimed.
BLAM
The bullet pierced the ice, and all eyes turned in her direction, casting the pressure of unbridled killing intent. Loud cracks drew it all away, only for it to be replaced the next instant. As the pillar of ice came undone, a wave of suffocating darkness fell on the underground theater.
~[ ]~
The plan had been a simple one. They would surround the target with Sorcerers to lure him into donning the white armor, which apparently has the ability to counter their kind. Once they're past that part, it will be time for the Genomes to make their appearance. They would ensure that he wouldn't have the chance to switch to a different armor until the seal had been prepared.
The Warden was a Sorcerer renowned for his barriers. Anyone sealed within one would never see the light again, unless the caster himself desires it. Once the seal was completed, that should have been the end of it. Nothing could escape from a prison locked by words that bend reality itself, but that was exactly what happened right in front of their eyes.
When the pillar of ice shattered, the realization that they had failed struck them at once, both the Sorcerers and the Genomes.
Frostbite was the first to move, piercing the floor with his sword and summoning another pillar. This one shattered as soon as it formed, unable to suppress the storm created by the countless threads of light. The Warden produced another amulet, crushing it between his bloodied fingers. The light it released spread across the theater, but just as it reached the walls, it suddenly contracted, gathering on the surface of an outstretched palm.
No matter what, they must not allow him to manifest a different armor. That was the one condition for the mission to be a success, and Courtney had stressed its importance again and again, just like what their client did when they first received the mission.
The white threads finished weaving something into existence. Its marble-like pureness matched that of the white paladin they had fought, but its size banished the thought that it might have been worn by a human once.
A colossal monstrosity, it towered over those watching even as it knelt. Three arms extended on either of its sides, each one clad in a different gauntlet, all carved from the same white jade as the ornate armor that monstrosity donned, exuding an aura of dreadful holiness.
Little by little, its upper left hand closed around the ring of light the Warden had released. The rest moved, spreading outward as the creature stretched, and then-
CRACKLE
Spears of light manifested, one in each hand. Witnessing their appearance, horror struck deep within the Sorcerers' hearts, and the Genomes were much the same. All ten of them moved at the same time, scattering as they rushed toward one of the exits. No sooner had they dared to take a step than their will betrayed them, bending to the power of a single word.
"HALT"
The sound was entirely alien to them, but the meaning reached them nonetheless. Their bodies froze mid-motion, defying physics as they remained in place. Trapped inside their minds, they could only wallow in despair as they sensed the jade monstrosity move behind them, its shadow falling on them as it rose.
The first spear fell, piercing one of Warden's guards. His silent cry reached the others, adding to the horror they felt. The second one fell, and the third followed.
The Sorcerers died one after the other, and soon it came Courtney's turn. What came for her wasn't a spear, however. As she fought to release herself from the power of that cursed word, her body was enveloped in a pale white hand, raised effortlessly and made to face the creature. For an instant, the image of its helmet splitting open to reveal rows of viscous fangs flashed through her mind. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
For the first time since she was a child, tears began to flow down her face. Her will returned, but all she could do was shake her head. Right beside her, James was raised to face the creature. Unlike her, the Genome fought to release himself, but it was to no avail.
"ANSWER"
The words pierced their minds like knives cast from hot iron, and once again, their will betrayed them.
"Who put you up to this?"
The question was spoken in a human tongue, but the two felt compelled to answer it.
"I… I don't… know…" James was the first to speak. "I… can't… I can't remember…"
Before she could think of an answer, Courtney's mouth moved, speaking the answer for her.
"I… can't…"
Remember. She had been hired for the job, and she met the client face-to-face. They all did. That was when they received the info regarding Ghost, as well as the plan to take him down. The meeting was still fresh in her mind, even though it took place more than a month ago. Her memory was something she had always been proud of, yet a part of it seemed to be missing, as if edited to leave out certain details.
As the realization filled her with newfound horror, the entity whose palm she was being held shifted its head as if turning to look at her.
"I have no need for you," it said. "DIE"
Courtney shook her head, her mouth opening to plead for her life. Her will refused to obey, however. Her lungs rejected the air she tried to breathe, and her heart halted its beating, her blood resting still in her veins. Darkness slowly enveloped her vision, and before long, all her pain went away.
