Joy Pursuit: Steel Dragon [Sci-Fi Fantasy | Horror | Action]

Two figures maneuvered under the crimson night sky, sliding, jumping and climbing across white stone architecture. There was an unnerving tinge of energy in the air, mixing with the refreshing scent of sea breeze and dusty stone. Savagrios and Aria had kept to the roofs as they traversed toward the ranger lodge.

But something was off. There was a needling sensation that had nestled in the back of Savagrios's mind. His Kyyr receptors were flaring vividly as a surge of Kyyr lightly picked at him. What the hell is the old Eel dealing with? We cannot sense the reason behind such wide and powerful sweeps of Kyyr. What are you fighting Eel-man? A ghost? Yourself?

Aria came to a stop as they reached the main courtyard—the manor's main nexus for foot traffic. There many rangers were shouting over each other as they rushed into the main building. She leaned back and whispered, "Are they freaking out because of you?"

Savagrios frowned, crimson scales flourishing around his ears as Coarseblood's auricular organs formed. His crimson eyes swept across the chaos before locking on an unassuming patch of garden. "No… something else. Deep under there." He pointed at the ground. "We sense the Eel-man's Kyyr flaring deep under the earth. And—" Savagrios's eyes grew wide. Death? Someone's dying… multiple—no… no no no…. What the hell is happening down there?. He glanced at Aria who was gawking at his crimson growths. She hasn't noticed?

"Ahem." Savagrios cleared his throat. "Do you have any idea what might be beneath that area?"

Aria blinked, snapping back to the present and following his finger. "Ah—ummm… I think the Logistic Bay is around there."

"What is this Bay?"

"It's where boats carrying supplies come in." She frowned, the corner of her mouth tightening. "I used to work down there when I was kid. I spent months working down there with Serfet, and Holly—just unloading cargo the mechanoids could've handled in seconds." Her voice soured a little. "Uncle Morray said it was muscle training."

Savagrios listened, lost in thought. Was it that place Carrion took us through… There were rangers… "Miss Aria, is it perhaps near the furnace chamber?"

"You mean disposal—the uh, big hot room with all the pipes?"

Savagrios nodded. "Mhm."

Aria thought for a beat as she moved forward. "I've never been there, but I'm pretty sure there's a special corridor that brings cold ocean water in to cool some reactor thing. It wouldn't be a stretch for someone to crawl through there. Why?"

Savagrios followed, casting one last glance towards the surging Kyyr weakly rising through the ground. "Nothing. Just a thought." Carrion… is that you?

It didn't take long for the two to reach the ranger lodge—but there was a surprising amount of activity as rangers were spilling from the dorm struggling on their crystalcomms.

Aria suddenly grabbed Savagrios's shoulder. "There she is!"

There, looking a little lost, was Mera, who was idling on the porch of the ranger lodge. Tapping away at her crystalcomm with a nervous look on her face.

"I was scared we'd missed her," Aria sighed, already pulling out her own device. "Let me give her a ca—huh? I have no bars? Give me a se—Woah!"

Savagrios's senses shuddered. "We don't have the time."

"Ehh? Wha—"

Before she could finish, Savagrios swept her off her feet. Kyyr pulsed through his body as he leapt down, shielding her head as they rolled to a stop. Savagrios smoothly stood up, with Aria still in arms as he marched toward a surprised Mera.

"Hello, Miss Mera. You may not remember, but our name is Savagrios—we are an aspect of Gira."

Mera just looked at him bewildered. "Huh?"

Savagrios gently set Aria down beside her. "Miss Aria, please exchange information. I'll be gathering some things before we leave."

Mera looked between the two. "Leave? Wai-wait, what's happening? What's with the commotion—where's Capt. Morray? Why's the network down?"

Savagrios walked past her his face awash with uncertainty as he opened the lodge. "Forgive us. We do not know." He shook his head faintly. "We'll be back in a moment."

Aria blinked, raising a brow. "Savagrios?! Wait—is this that weird multiple-personality thing?"

Savagrios shrugged as he disappeared into the building, leaving the two alone on the porch. His gaze fiery as he rushed through the lodge's living room and towards the stairwell, following the narrow hallway until he reached his room. He slid inside and sat on the edge of their bed as he clamped his eyes shut.

Entering their throne.

"Gira, where are you?" Savagrios called, pressing a cold hand to his forehead.

From within a small pillow fort, a muffled voice replied. "In here!" Gira popped out from behind a blanket, hair sticking up wildly. "What's happening out there?"

Savagrios walked over to him and knelt down. His crimson eyes met Gira's—and he froze. He looked at Gira, his childish face marred with deep sunken bags under those weary gray-black eyes. An awkward, yet anxious smile pressed on his pale face. Ghostly. Exhausted beyond measure.

We cannot tell him… Carrion. What kind of being are you? What's happening in those depths on this exhausting night? Savagrios drew a long breath. "Rest easy Gira. We'll wake you when we reach Krreat."

Gira smiled weakly. "Thanks Savagrios. And, um…did you manage to meet with Miss Mera?"

Savagrios nodded. "Yes, we're just getting a change of clothes before we leave."

"Cool… Uhh, could you ask her about Xizu and my sisters? Oh, and don't forget to ask about Serfet!" He yawned. " Oh man, I'm a lot more tired than I thought."

Savagrios smiled. "Very well. Rest easy, friend."

Gira nodded as he receded into his pillow fort.

Savagrios got up, letting out a long quiet sigh. Let us borrow your appearance… and may your rest be refreshing.

Savagrios left the throne, his body hissing softly as he began to shrink—muscles thinning, features softening, his eyes flashing gray-black for a fleeting second before turning crimson red once more. Savagrios walked over to their closet and grabbed whatever was available.

With that, he left behind that quaint little room—the one place that had been solely theirs in those fleeting days they'd spent in that white-stone manor.

That manor—whose depths were filled with shrieking metal and muddled darkness.

In the blackwater of the cold leg tunnel that helped cool the furnace's reactor. Morray scrambled to his feet as a Hollow's claws narrowly missed his head. The sweeping strike tore into the metal wall, buying him just enough time to retaliate. He drove his knife deep into the creature's body—Kyyr flourishing at the tip, its force blasting the metallic fiend far into the black, crashing into another Hollow as horrid metallic roars echoed through the tunnel.

Through the dark, Morray caught a glimpse—dozens of crimson eyes staring deep into the battered ranger. He pulsed Kyyr into his legs, the sting of sea salt creeping up his body as he clambered out of the water, struggling to his feet as the structure shuddered under the weight of the horde of Hollows. He pushed forward with all his might, his goal the distant light of the Logistic Bay.

What the hell is happening? The network—the Hollows… His Kyyr sense flared as another Hollow lunged at him, narrowly missing him as he rolled to the ground, picking himself instantly as he dodged a follow-up strike. He raised a hand, channeling Kyyr through his body—his uniform flashing a purply azure as a bolt of lightning burst from his hand, tearing through multiple Hollows. The surge rippled through the black water, the current racing into the tunnel's depths.

The recoil sent him flying back, but the Hollows were stunned—buying him a brief window of escape as the distant Hollows flickered back to life.

Where did this Carrion bastard come from? He slammed his shoulder into the gate sending it clattering open as he stumbled into the Logistics Bay. A breath of relief escaped him—only to be strangled.

Carnage.

A ranger's body lay before him—crushed against the metal grating. Blood rattled and dripped into the dark water as the Hollows closed in from behind. Morray felt his guts churn. All around him, the gored remains of dozens of rangers painted the Bay. Bodies splattered red on the ground, decapitated, skewered, crushed. Red. It was all red. The foul stench of iron filled his lungs as Hollow's drenched in blood, turned to face him. There was no hesitation—they instantly swarmed towards him, the sound of scraping metal consuming him in despair and rage.

He charged headlong into them, his body rumbling with Kyyr. Sliding beneath a pair of swinging claws, he rolled past and ducked another strike.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Morray's eyes had narrowed. His breathing slowed into a steady rhythm. He reigned his emotions, eyes gliding all around the room until he spotted a particularly damaged building. Kyyr pulsed through his muscles as he weaved between claws and tails, sprinting through the mire of blood and scattered remains.

KKKKKKRCH!!!

The gate holding the Hollows in the tunnel exploded, letting more Hollows slither out into the open. And at the heart of the chaos emerged a larger one; gunmetal black, its elongated snout gaping as it scanned the room.

"MORRAY HASSLE!" Carrion roared, voice glitching as more Hollows slipped out of the tunnel and into the Bay. "I've been watching you." Its voice modulator warbled into an inhuman croak. The metallic warble caused several of the Hollows to stop, their attention shifting toward the main doorway that led into the manor.

Morray grimaced. "And you're still choosing to fuck with me?!" he shouted back as he reached the tattered building, his gaze cold as he studied the remains of the structure for any sign of a weapon. Damn it, they destroyed the armory. He didn't linger and pressed on, the clattering metal of the Hollows gaining on him.

Carrion roared once again. "You were always one of my favorites—a pathetically tragic Vileblood Prince casting everything away for his nitwit siblings. How noble."

Morray scowled. Who the hell is that wireheaded asshole? What's with the sudden attack? Think! Gira was taken by that thing—and then what? If he was dead, there'd be no point. So he must be alive. Was this planned? A Hollow's claws ripped through the dock beside him, spraying shards of metal as Morray leapt back. The Hollows aren't using their ranged equipment either… just blindly attacking like a bunch of animals.

Carrion's voice blared through the violence. "You rangers have grown so PATHETIC! I never thought you—of all people—would kill such an intriguing individual." Carrion's voice warbled into a solemn-sounding whimper.

Is he talking about Gira? Morray's eyes flashed past a bloodied body, the echo of Gira's body causing him to swallow his emotions. Deeper, farther.

Carrion roared again, his tone twisting from grief to fury. "Fear wasn't enough—so you animals had to tear him apart!" He over-dramatically emoted in the distance.

Morray's frown deepened as he spotted Carrion proudly perched atop a metal container. Morray shook his head as he jumped onto one of the smaller cargo boats, the Hollows crashing onto its metal hull as they clambered up in pursuit.

Is this in retaliation? He rushed across the ship, jumping down with a suave roll as he scanned the ground for any weapons. It's not out of the question—but that thing's rubbing me the wrong way. That Hollow… Carrion. It's abnormal—and definitely behind the errant behavior of the other Hollows. But how? His eyes caught the lower torso of a fallen ranger. His eyes flashed with mild hope as he skidded past the remains, swiping an M.K. Blade off their belt. This'll have to do…

Swwwsshhh—

He unfurled the flame, an arc of fire blooming from the silvery hilt. His crimson-gold eyes glowed in the firelight. Reflecting the warped image of animalistic Hollows rushing toward him. He calmed his breathing, the saber's light condensing into a compressed blue-fire flame.

"I'll need its core drive if I want any answers," Morray whispered, repositioning himself—aligning his stance with Carrion's. Time seemed to slow, a glowing red thread guiding his vision past the mess of metal and toward Carrion, who sat in the far back, his crimson eyes watching.

Death be not proud, mighty and dreadful, you are so—

Fated strings of life, guide me to overthrow—

Dye myself in my enemy's blood. Flow—

Hunting Art: Fate.

He compressed his muscles, Kyyr weaving tight around his frame before—

BOOM!

Swwwwwshhhhhh—HISS!

Thunder cracked through the bay's hollow frame. Metal grating lurched, and a surge of fire erupted outward, devouring the Hollows in weeping steel.

Molten.

Hollows screeched as they were consumed. The electric stench of wires and melted plastic warped the air in fumes as the loud clang of metal crashed against the ground.

And through it all—following that crimson thread that ominously hung in the smoke—was Morray. Who in a burning flash had crossed the room, his M.K. Blade warping loosely, the flames lapping against Carrion's snout. Between them, a wall of melted Hollows was the only thing separating the two.

The heat popped and crackled as the two met eye to eye.

Carrion let out a metallic cackle. "A Hunting Clan Technique—how terrifying." Its head tilted as it scanned the smoldering room. "Impressive. 24 units with a single strike…yet you failed to reach me. Pathetic—and well within expectations."

Morray gritted his teeth, forcing the blade harder against the twisted barrier, the flame sputtering short of Carrion's frame. "Ugh!"

Carrion's massive arms clamped onto the molten wreckage. "It'd be a shame to kill you tonight. So—"

The air vanished from Morray's lungs as the wall of melted Hollows twisted around him, the warped metal crushing his ribs before Carrion hurled him backward.

"AGH!"

Carrion let out a mocking hiss as his ear probe shot straight up. "Ah. Well—Mr. Hassle—it was fun toying with you. But, unfortunately, I'll have to end things here."Its voice dropped to a low, distorted purr. "How… unsatisfying." Carrion hissed as it slithered past Morray, the sound of grinding metal fading into the smoke.

Morray grunted, muscles straining as he tried to shove the mass of steaming metal off his body. "Wait! What happened to Gira!? He can't be—"

Carrion stopped mid-slither. "Dead. You did kill him after all."

Morray tightened his muscles, bending the metal remains. "Liar!"

Carrion pressed a claw against the warped metal and lowered his head beside Morray's. "All these rangers died—because you killed him. Something so—SO AMUSING!" Carrion dramatically clutched at the air. "Cut short… all because of your human insecurities."

Morray stared up in disbelief. "We didn't kill him…"

Carrion snapped his head back as the sound of gunfire and screaming approached from inside the manor. "Sure. You may choose to believe whatever comforting delusion best suits your fragile human ego." It leaned closer again, voice distorting to a wet, mechanical growl. "But he is. His body gone—reduced to nothing more than wilting carbon and steam. Flash-boiled so you greedy humans couldn't scavenge his remains for your filthy purposes." The gunfire echoed ever closer. "Wallow in regret Mr. Hassle," Carrion hissed. "For you are just as PATHETIC as the day you first arrived on this forsaken planet."

Morray pushed harder, the hot metal searing his arms. "No… I'm—who the fuck are you!? CARRION!" he shouted, but the mechanoid had already begun to slither away, vanishing into the fire and smoke.

Leaving him alone, surrounded by the dead—again. The molten metal pressed tighter, the blood of his comrades bubbling in the heat. Morray closed his eyes, the flames licking at his uniform, the searing pain a faint, cruel reminder of—

Come on, kid!

You're not giving up on me, are ya?

…If not for yourself—then for them!

Onward! Forward!

A cheery voice called out in the back of his mind.

"Sweet Symbols…" He muttered. The scene around him flashing echoes of a bygone time. It's just like when I met him. People dead for no reason—and a gloomy moron, still alive for no reason. And you, trudging through the snow, looking for anyone. "Onward. Forward." He almost smiled. "That idiot and his shitty one-liners." A breath escaped him—half a laugh, half a groan. "Damn, what a shitty time to reminisce." Morray drew a deep breath. "That stupid metal lizard thinks he knows me so well."

An azure glow pulsed through the tubing that lined Morray's uniform, the mangled shell of molten metal around him beginning to swell and crack.

"Carrion, whoever you are…" Morray growled, Kyyr surging higher with every breath. "I'll have your head."

BOOM!

Shrapnel exploded—electric Kyyr twisting through the air. Azure and violet entwine—the fulgor flash energy ripped through the air, rising with Morray as he stood in the glow of lightning-charged haze.

"I'm not some gloomy teen, you wire-headed asshole." He turned toward the bay's beachside exit, eyes gleaming beneath the storm of sparks. "Not anymore."

Morray burst forward, his half-melted uniform leaking streams of azure Kyyr as he shot out of the bay. His crimson-gold eyes flared—tinged violet-blue—as they swept across the beach. Into the ocean? The tracks led straight into the crashing waves.

He smirked, wading into the ocean, pulsing electric Kyyr through the water, his Kyyr receptors overflowing with information as he felt it. Large. Fast. Parallel to the coastline.

There.

He knelt,raising his hand and aiming a single finger in Carrion's direction. With his free hand, he pulled out another Kyyr Booster. Energy crackled violently as electric-blue Kyyr gathered at his fingertip, lightning arcing across the beach. The heat crystallized the sand as the smell of ozone and sulfur filled the air.

Pain twisted through him. The surging Kyyr tore open his flesh, burning through the remnants of his uniform to expose raw, pulsing muscle.

"If you know me so well—then why'd you jump into the water, IDIOT!" He shouted, as he jammed the Kyyr booster into his arm and—

shhhhht—————SHHOOOOOOOOM!

A flash of ever-consuming energy erupted from his hand. The earth rumbled, the sea split open, as the searing beam of electric-violet Kyyr tore through the current, spreading outward through the surf—straight into Carrion!

The beach exploded—sand and stone fusing into a glassy hellscape as waves of energy warped the shoreline. Rangers inside the manor and beyond felt the shockwave ripple through their bodies.

Morray's arm snapped back, the recoil dislocating his shoulder as it fluttered backward like a victory flag. He let out a throaty roar as he rose to his feet and, with no regard for his body, charged toward his target. His boots shattered the glowing glass beneath him as he pulsed the last of his Kyyr, scanning—searching—for Carrion.

"Got ya!"

Not far—lodged in a stony arch that extended from the nearby cliff and into the sea, far above the waterline—was the upper torso of Carrion, lights flickering weakly.

Morray staggered to a stop, the returning waves slapping his wound, keeping him ever aware of this stinging, meandering moment of his life. A smirk tugged at his lips as he struggled to stand.

He drew in a ragged breath and shouted, voice echoing over the sea. "YOU LOOK PRETTY PATHETIC YOURSELF, YOU CHATTY SCREWHEAD!"

Carrion's voice module sputtered, a vile, glitching warble. "W–whhhhat… an… a͟mu͞u͝s̷s͟sing… shhh—o͜t…" Its tone twisted and fell apart as the crimson light faded from its gaze.