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Call of the Void

I can hear it clearly now. A pulse that beats like a drum through my body. I fear it... but love it. It calls to me. It calls to all of us, but I'm positive the others do not hear it.

_Why do they deny it? This thing that I have created only seeks to reclaim what she stole. I am convinced it isn't evil, but my flesh trembles at the thought of it. Even the Earth is tremulous. Why is it so loud now? Why does it torment me!? Why must I be so conflicted!? Come to me damn you! Take back what is yours! _

I can't think straight anymore... The pulsing calls to me. I want nothing more than to get up and walk to it. You may ask what is wrong with me, but I would not be able to explain it. If you are sensitive to the aura I pity you. For you too know the pain of not going to it. But worry not, it will come to you eventually. Your choice is null and void in his gaze. The urge is compulsive. You will not be able to resist and his servants will tear you asunder. You will be with him once again. Consider these words marked.

Understand.

-One of billions

The Eternal Curse

Qagan walked quickly from the small town and into the darkness of the forest. It calmed him a great deal but his stomach felt twisted in a fearful knot. The moon did not grace the night with it's silvery glow, as if sensing what was to come. He could sense it too. It seemed appropriate that the darkness held the world.

You do not have to do this. The voice in his head said. You deserve happiness for a little longer.

This voice had always spoken to him, so often that it felt totally normal to him to have it.

Yes I do. He thought back. He must die. If there is a chance to kill him it must be done as soon as possible.

You will die. The voice said. You are no longer strong enough, you must regain your strength first.

That is true, but I can no longer give him the power he seeks. The longer I wait the more powerful he'll become. He thought with a grim smile.

Which is precisely why you cannot hope to beat him. You will accomplish nothing but your own consumption. What is it you hope to do?

Qagan chuckled to himself. If I cannot beat him, then I hope to die.

I cannot allow that! The voice yelled. You must live! It is what I command! Why would you waste such a precious gift?

This is the way it must be! I will not drag out the suffering of the ones I love! I will either win or die, but I will not allow myself to keep everyone alive at the cost of their happiness! In a desolate land where all we'll know is war and hate... I would rather die...

The voice stood silent for a moment. That is foolish.

I do not care what you think. I'm tired of living with hatred.

I am disappointed in you. Perhaps my brothers are right.

Qagan ignored the voice and continued on. He was tired of this, tired of life. Death had been denied to him so many times now. Maybe he was seeking it out, but he knew that there was nothing left to bring him back. His mind drifted to Teya. She made him feel like he wanted to live, more so than Moss and his family. Her smile made him feel warm and her voice was musical. Now he walked away from her, having given his entire being to her. He did not deserve to live for leaving her. He had to do this. He could end the suffering tonight. One way, or the other.

It was nearing the middle of the night. He used his aura to walk through the pitch of the forest. Everything seemed to glow a calm blue. The ambiance had grown silent awhile back. He knew that Hatred grew close, he could feel the flow of the aura being pulled away from him. The pulsing grew slightly more hurried as if fear coursed through all things. He could almost feel the earth tremble beneath his paws. The one thing he could most definitely feel was an emptiness. Like a hole in the aura that was approaching him, shivers ran up his spine as the darkness came closer.

"Fury." The voice whispered. "You come alone? How foolish." The creature said.

"Hatred." Qagan replied simply. "I chose to come alone, no one else would be able to help."

"Of course... There's no need to sacrifice more than your own life I suppose. You plan on submitting easily?" The hoarse voice asked. "It would make it easier on both of us."

Qagan could feel a force twisting his emotions abruptly. Trying to get him to surrender with a mix of fear and doubt. "No." He said, not sounding as sure as he meant to.

"Come now, Fury. I know you yearn for the embrace of darkness. To return to what you know. Why do you fight it? Come and empty your heart. Free yourself from the flesh that imprisons you. Return to me." The creature said.

"I will fight it." Qagan replied. "I will not deny that I do wish for the abyss. Though it will come to me eventually, whether I want it to or not. You however, would take it from everything. Never giving it a chance to make it's own decisions. To better the lives of those around it, to experience something new. We cannot make those decisions for them."

The creature was still for several moments. "You suffered at the very hands of the life you seek to defend." It explained. "The same is true for many. The ones who smiled and laughed as you screamed in agony would never defend you. Why must you sacrifice so much while others gain? Why must you suffer while others experience pleasure? You tell me that this is right? They condemned the very body I am within to a life of suffering. I will return it, one hundred percent. They will suffer and die. It is my will."

"Life isn't fair, Zatsule." Qagan stated. "If some didn't suffer, others could not prosper. Life is imperfect, flawed even. But that does not make it evil and worthy of total destruction. It needs to be worked and molded. It can overcome itself but it will not be a quick process. Some, like ourselves, will suffer greatly before we learn that it is unforgivable. We must move on, become better than those who have done us wrong. We must teach them that there are other ways to achieve their goals."

Laughter poured from Zatsule's maw. "You are a fool. I find it very clear that life is not capable of learning from it's mistakes! When they tampered with our bodies, we know what they did! They unleashed a power that they are incapable of wielding! The essence of what they are, I am the only Hate, you are the only Fury! The others are far less potent but just as deadly! Even now they develop weapons that are capable of consuming the world they depend on! The very same that did it before! I will end them all before that happens again! I will not suffer it!"

"You must give them a chance, Zatsule." Qagan pleaded. "Let them live."

Qagan could feel the hate pouring forth from him and feel his rage explode.

" No! They will not get a second chance! They will all return whether they want to or not! I will rip them from their flesh, smash them from their foundations and crush the breath from their world! It is to late, Fury! Their end has already been decided!"

The darkness made a dash toward him. Qagan dodged to the side as he felt the darkness swing an attack just pass his face. He barely had a chance to regain his footing before Zatsule's other fist came around for another strike. He ducked under the strike and pushed himself away with a jump. The darkness swirled around Zatsule, making it harder to sense his movements.

"You feel it don't you? Even now life betrays you." Zatsule chided. "I can see you as clearly as if you were standing in daylight."

Qagan remained silent as the darkness dashed at him once again. He could feel it's excitement as it swung in for an attack. He dodged what he thought was a fist. Yet a fist caught him directly in the gut. He gasped in pain as the creature grabbed him and threw him to the side. Qagan rolled to a stop along the ground. The pain was so sharp now he could barely maintain his consciousness.

Zatsule eyed him curiously. "Stand, Fury. You aren't that weak."

Qagan lay on the ground gasping for breath.

"Stand!" Zatsule ordered again. "Why do you not resist?! Where is your steadfastness now? Have you accepted the Void?!" He walked over to Qagan carefully and stomped on his leg. The sound of bones breaking caused him to smile with glee. He bent down and gripped Qagan's neck. He whimpered pitifully as Zatsule lifted the heap to his eyes easily.

Qagan's eyes were glazed over, barely acknowledging the existence of the creature who held him. His eyes maintained an icy blue and he didn't make any attempt to resist.

"You pitiful creature. Why do you not let Fury defend you?" Zatsule asked angrily.

Still no response passed from his lips. Tears dripped from the corners of his eyes.

"Does he wish to be consumed along with you?" Zatsule smiled at his own words. He dug his claws into Qagan's flesh and felt through his aura. Qagan could feel his blood freezing as this creature searched for his prize. A prize that no longer dwells within him. A worried expression spread across Zatsule's face. "Impossible..." He whispered.

Qagan smiled weakly at his loss.

Zatsule looked to him angrily. "Where is he!? Where is Fury!?" He screamed. "How dare you deny me this! I will consume..." He stopped himself. Qagan could feel the freezing sensation retreat from his body as Zatsule smiled. "No. I won't consume you. I'll do something far worse!" He laughed.

"Leq sh _ä__ dra emure um ú hura! Canm Leq'as h e kan!_"

Qagan felt an terrible sensation course through his body. He convulsed violently as a sharp pain surged in his eyes as if spikes were being driven though them. Never had he felt such a pain. His blood felt like it was boiling in his veins.

When the pain finally ceased, Qagan lay limp in his grip. He gasped and groaned in pain, feebly trying to free himself.

"You have taken what I desired and so have I done to you. Enjoy your service you pathetic wretch." Zatsule stated. He shifted his grip suddenly. A sickening snap came along with it and he threw the corpse to the side.

He stood there silently, stewing in his own madness and rage. How did he rid himself of it? Zatsule thought angrily. It shouldn't be possible. He gave a sideways glance at the broken corpse. He thought back to when he first saw Fury. He stood before him to defend the daughter. Was she special? Not according to his memories. She was defiant and foolish. Yet, Fury shared the same characteristics. Animal attraction perhaps. Was it possible that he had mounted her? He remembered mounting his old mate as well, more for Zatsule's sake than anything. He had given himself to her, it was a strange sensation that he had found pleasurable at the time. After the fact it was strange, he felt a connection to her. Which was lost once he had consumed her.

Slowly he began to draw the lines. They were connected by one simple thing, the birth of their son. Then solidified by the birth of their second child and first daughter, Teya. He remembered that he could often feel their resentment toward Zatsule. It made him so conflicted. He loved them dearly, but they showed him nothing but contempt. He tried to help them and they consistently denied him. It left him feeling bitter, that was when his hatred began to grow again.

Hatred thought for a moment. There was something important among the details here. The husk of Fury managed to shed itself from him. He was connected to the one he had mounted. Hatred paused.

"He gave himself to her..." He whispered to himself. An evil grin spread across his face as he tore his eyes from the corpse and looked to the west. He could feel her, she was changing. He laughed at his own foolishness.

"He's already given it to me." Hatred looked to his claw and focused his power to it. The darkness swirled quietly, slowly a red shade began to invade and combine with the darkness.

It came slowly to him, but time was something he was willing to sacrifice for such power.

Soon I will reclaim what is mine. He thought to himself as he lifted his gaze to the sky. All of it.

Changing of the Guard

Alex directed the military personnel fervently as the last of the civilians were evacuated. They were busy setting up choke-points and wall defenses. Sandbags were being placed in strategic positions rather hurriedly, making them look sloppy and unprofessional. Looks however, were the last thing on his mind. The Assemblymen would be marching on them soon and with stark little notice beforehand. A small group of reinforcements from Jinto command would be flying in soon, but that would be it for a couple days at least. They were really just flying in to bring back as much of the research as possible.

Alex walked down the hallway with Colonel Lossinger and many other subordinates in toe. They were headed to Keldan's office to set up Headquarters.

"Everything's going rather well." Jim said with a grin.

"What makes you say that?" Alex asked giving him a curious glance.

"Well, it's just that no boots have been shoved up our asses yet." Jim laughed at his own joke. "Also, for men who haven't seen any actual combat they're setting up for it pretty well. They're all ready for the worst."

"Are they? I wonder." Alex said as he opened the door to the professor's office. Keldan sat as his desk and was writing furiously through a stack of paperwork. Alex waved to Jim and he starting directing soldiers around the entire room. He walked up to Keldan's desk and stood there until Keldan looked to him.

"So are we ready?" The Professor asked with a frown.

"As ready as we'll ever be." Alex replied. "Reinforcements should be here shortly."

"Good." He replied simply before returning his attention to his work. "The civilians were all accounted for?"

"Yes, the last bus just left. Are you sure you want to remain here?" Alex asked.

"I'm on the military payroll." Keldan replied with a grim laugh. "I can't do much but give advice and be a last line. I can at least be a little bit useful."

"Very well." Alex said simply. He looked around the room and watched the men set up tactical computers and work stations.

"I want you to escort my work back to Kosindra." Keldan said.

Alex spun back around with a surprised expression. "What?! No! I'm needed here!" He objected.

"That's an order from Jinto command. They're sending a replacement for you with the reinforcements." Keldan explained. "They want to reassign you.

His face twisted in anger. "Yes sir." He replied begrudgingly.

"Make sure it all gets there. It seems to have a habit of getting lost in the tide." Keldan ordered.

"Yes sir."

Alex turned to leave the room. "Those of you with secondary posts report to the heli landings." He ordered. Jim and two others quit their work and followed him into the hallway.

Keldan looked after them as they exited the office. It's for the best. He thought to himself as he continued his work.

Jim walked next to Alex as they made their way from the building. Hundreds of soldiers were making their way through the streets, trying to prepare for what could not be prepared for.

"I thought you were supposed to be the head defender." Jim pointed out.

"Obviously they had someone else in mind." Alex replied simply. "My orders are to be changed."

"Shame, you know this place better than anyone. I hope the replacement has done his research."

"You are headed to Sedra, correct?" Alex asked, ignoring Jim's comment.

"Yes."

"Tell Ryan to keep out of trouble and that I'm no longer working in Unity." Alex said.

"I will." Jim chuckled. "I would suggest the same to you."

Alex smiled. "I'll be fine. I'm just mad that they wouldn't tell me of this sooner."

"That's why Ryan stepped down." Jim said. "They don't care for the lower ranks."

Alex nodded in agreement as they approached the landing. Some helicopters had already arrived and unloaded their passengers and were being reloaded with sensitive materials. Alex saw his replacement step forth and approach him. He was a man standing a couple inches shorter than him with dark hair and a burly build. Commander Charles Porsal.

He saluted Alex as he stopped in front of him. "I am here to relieve your command of this facility."

Alex saluted back. "Understood." He stuck out his right hand in a friendly gesture. Charles gripped his hand and shook. "Good luck." Alex said sincerely.

"You as well." Charles offered as they continued pass each other.

The sound of running helicopter filled the air in the still darkness. Morning light was just beginning to fill the sky.

"I'll see you later Jim. I'll be in Kosindra for awhile I think." Alex said as he pulled himself into a helicopter bound for the capitol.

"Alright I'll keep an eye on your brother for you." Jim smiled and twirled his mustache in his fingers. "Watch your ass!"

Alex laughed as the helicopter lifted off the ground. Jim walked to his own transport. The smile on Alex's face died as the helicopter took off to the west. A lot of people were going to die today, there was nothing he could do to help them.

Reclamation

The whole day was spent in a vicious firefight with the Assemblymen. They were unable to gain a foothold within the small militarized town. The death toll was relatively small for the Jinto military compared to those of the Assembly. Even though the Assembly had superior numbers and air support the Jinto squads had the advantage of heavy cover and easily defensible positions. At this rate they should be able to hold this position until the main force arrives within the week.

"The Assemblymen are pulling back, sir." A soldier sitting next to the radios said.

The commander nodded as he walked over to him. "They must be falling back for the night. Those Assemblymen are lightfooters. Keep the men ready for some lighter strikes at the limits."

Keldan laughed as he sat at his desk with his hands folded under his chin. "Do you believe that's wise Commander?" He asked with a grim smile.

"In fact I do." Charles replied. "Unless you would like to suggest another option."

"Private, belay that last order! The Assemblymen must be pulling back for another reason. Ask the one who reported to you what he hears." Keldan ordered.

The Private did so and waited patiently for a response. "He says there's gunfire within the forest... and screaming."

Charles looked surprised. "Do we have men out there?" He asked hopefully.

The Private shook his head. "All squads are accounted for. It must be someone else." He explained.

"It seems someone else has decided to join in. Tell the men to ready for a full assault. I don't want anyone thinking that this is a good thing." Keldan said.

The Private nodded and got to work, suddenly the whole room was bustling with activity.

Charles eyed the professor. "Whoever it is out there is fighting the Assembly. They must be our allies." He noted.

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." Keldan said simply. "Did you read those reports from the reserve?"

The Commander nodded, wondering what that had to do with anything.

"He's powerful. He's coming to get his revenge." Keldan said simply.

"We've got an army here professor. One Charizard will hardly be a concern." He replied as he turned to the computers.

Keldan shook his head. It won't be enough. He thought to himself.

He could feel it. The pulsing had become as loud as a drum of war, relentlessly beating. Calling all those who hear it to darkness. The inevitability of his victory had been realized by Keldan since the resurgence of Hatred. Time was all that stood between him and completion.

"Fall back! We're being flanked!" One of the Assemblymen yelled.

The Jinto soldiers continued to lay down suppressive fire against their attackers on the edges of the abandoned town.

Corporal Collin Naskis was one of the many soldiers tasked with defending the town. Though technically he was an army engineer, he did have extensive combat experience. He and his squad are behind a sandbag barrier in their allotted defensive positions, near the northeastern edge of the town.

"What are they falling back for?" He asked as he fired some more rounds into the forest edge.

"Why don't you ask them, Gasket?" One of his squad-mates joked.

"The Catalyst said there are reports of fighting within the forest." One of the Privates pointed out. "So far they aren't sure who it is. They want us to remain on alert, by orders of the Commander."

"Well, let's hope they're on our side." The Sergeant said. "Don't let down your guard, check your weapons and get ready for round two."

The whole squad obeyed their orders and reloaded their weapons. They all aimed to the forest once again with their fingers resting on the trigger. They all waited and listened. Indeed there was gunfire in the forest, followed by screaming and some very strange screeching noises that made them shiver.

"What in the hell is that sound?" A Private asked worriedly.

"Probably those bitch ass Assemblymen screaming for their lives." The Sergeant said with a wicked grin. "Now hold up, Private!"

The Private stood a little straighter and steadied his aim.

It was getting quiet in the forest, nervousness lay over them like a blanket.

One of the Assemblymen ran from the forest with a look of utter terror on his face. The squad held it's fire as the man in front of them was unarmed and held his hands high as he tried sprinting to the barricade. Something leaped from the forest and landed on him. It was a creature of darkness, even in the failing light it was blackness, total and complete blackness. It tore into the man and seemed to be eating him. The man screamed in agony as the creature tore into and through his flesh. He seemed to be alive a lot longer than possible.

"What the fuck is that?!" One of the men asked. His voice sounding shaky.

They all watched silently as the creature finished the man. Blood soaked the ground beneath it's feet as it looked toward the men defending the town. Naskis looked at the thing intently. The only color on the creature was white, the teeth shone in a terrible grin. Yet no blood stained them. It stood on two legs like a man, but slouched like a beast trying hard to maintain it's balance.

The men stood with their jaws slacked. All of them watched the creature with fascination and terror. Naskis felt like he had seen this creature before, but it was a fleeting recognition, like a dream.

The creature let out a terrible scream and dashed to the men, the scream pierced the hearts off all who heard it. Soon it was running on all fours like an animal.

"Open fire!" The Sergeant yelled. The squad simultaneously pulled their triggers and the hammers fell repeatedly. The creature didn't even slow down, it just kept running and screaming.

The Sergeant picked up his radio. "New contacts are hostile! I repeat, new contacts are hostile!" He screamed into it.

The creature was closing it's distance, it was within twenty yards now. The whole team was terrified. They shot wildly into the abyssal darkness with no hope of bringing it down. It leaped over the barricade, aiming for one of the men. Just as the thing struck him it burst into ash, sending the man tumbling backwards.

The man was screaming as he hit the ground and desperately tried to brush himself off. They all turned to help him. He was crying hysterically.

"Oh gods! Don't, please no!" He was flailing on the ground in a frenzy.

Naskis got to the man first. "It's alright!" He assured. "The thing's dead!" He tried to help him up but the man took a swing at him.

"Get away from me!" The man screamed as tears were streaming down his face.

"Calm down!" Naskis pleaded. "You're alright!"

"It looked right at me! It was going to kill me!"

"Get a hold of yourself Private!" The Sergeant ordered. "Medic! Subdue him!"

"It was going to kill us all! You're all mad!" He yelled as he tried to crawl away.

The Medic made his way over to the man and jabbed a syringe in the soldier's chest. He went limp, but he was still crying.

"What in the hell just happened?" One of the men asked.

The Medic turned and shrugged. "I've never seen something like that happen before. But I would guess it's shock."

Naskis looked to the pile of ash around the man. "That thing just fell into ash... What was it?"

"Might have been a type of Pokemon." A soldier guessed.

"I dunno man. I've never seen a Pokemon like that before." Another soldier pointed out. "Maybe it's a new kind of weapon..."

Everyone shivered at the thought.

"It's not our job to decide what it is. Check your ammo soldiers!" The Sergeant ordered. "I want this man taken to the medical facility. Erics, Peterson, you two make sure he gets there."

"Sir!" The two men replied in unison and moved to shoulder the man. The rest of the squad diligently reloaded their weapons and watched the man get carried away.

"Uhm... Guys..." A Soldier kneeling next to the barricade called.

They all looked back to the forest edge and saw a line of four more of the same creatures. They just stared at them with hungry smiles.

"Get back into position!" The Sergeant yelled. "Get those guns aimed at them!"

All of the men scrambled back to their places and leveled their weapons on their targets. Naskis bit his lip nervously.

The creatures didn't move, but rather just stood and stared. Then more of the creatures began to move from the treeline. The men watched as the things began to mass just out of range.

Then a monster stepped out directly behind them. Naskis could hear his squad gasp in unison as a Charizard walked onto the field. No expression was visible on it's face. It's tailflame as black as it's eyes and the creatures that stood around him.

"What in the name of Linthi..." One of the men swore.

A pulse shot forth from the Charizard as it came to a stop, causing the soldiers to stumble a bit. Suddenly Naskis felt a sudden urge to drop his weapon and give up, but he stood strong. As did the rest of the men.

Only then did the Charizard crack a grin. The several creatures surrounding him burst into a sprint and were swiftly followed by the rest.

" Let them have it!" The Sergeant ordered. The air was filled with the sound of gunfire and the terrible screaming of the creatures running at them. They were unyielding in their momentum. Naskis watched as the creatures made their unstoppable approach and leaped over the makeshift barriers. Some of the men up front were screaming for their lives as the things crashed onto them and started to rip them to pieces.

He kept firing at them. They were undeterred in their feasting. Soon the Sergeant fell back as a creature pounced on him. Naskis screamed in defiance as a creature tried to tackle him only to get the butt of his gun across it's face. He unsheathed his knife and dashed at the downed thing. He grabbed it's side and stabbed at it wildly, the thing shrieked terribly and tried to slash back at him but fell feebly short of it's mark. He slashed into it deeply and it fell to a pile of ash.

He was tackled from the side and his knife fell from him. He looked into the beasts face and was overcome by the emptiness of it.

"Submit, slave!" It hissed at him as it begin to tear into him.

Naskis could feel himself scream in terror and unthinkable pain, yet he felt oddly at peace as his flesh was torn from him and consumed. He knew he should have been feeling pain beyond belief, but his mind seemed to be getting foggy. His vision was fading into darkness. The very last thing he saw was a swarm of the creatures go running into the town, along with the Charizard marching slowly through the streets.

"We're getting Overrun!" The Soldier manning the radio shouted. "Reports from all over say that some kind of creatures are swarming over the defenses! Gunfire is ineffective!"

"Tell the mortar teams to start firing!" Charles ordered. "Cover the remaining defenses with the 50's!"

The Private got right to work.

Keldan sighed deeply. "Grenades will likely be effective. Tell them to not worry about how many they use."

The Private nodded in understanding. The room was in a frenzy, trying to maintain the troops that were left on the field. Directing all squads to defensive positions around the large complex as well as within it.

"Heh." The Commander chuckled. "I don't see why not."

"What?" Keldan asked. "Not worried about the cost?"

"Not if we're all going to die, Professor." Charles replied simply. "You know what these things are, don't you?

"Not entirely Commander. I just know that we have no hope now..." Keldan sat back in his chair heavily. "The past was bound to catch up with us eventually."

"I'm not playing your games Keldan." Charles said wearily. "Is there a way to stop these things?"

"Not that we're capable of. These things are power in it's purest form. If we wish to stop them, we must be able to resist them and overpower them."

"The things have broken through one of the lines! There's a report of a Charizard on the field!" The Private yelled.

Charles paled at the news. "A Charizard?" He asked dumbfounded. He turned to face the Professor. "What the hell is going on with this, Professor?!" He spat.

Keldan frowned angrily. "You know exactly what's going on with this!" He screamed in fury.

"They've broken into the building!" The Private warned.

"They made us do that to him! The ones who give orders at this moment, created these things! I warned them!" Keldan stood from his chair and stared the Commander in the eyes. "But they didn't care! They told us to push him and we did without question, or else they executed us! They didn't understand the power they grabbed for, Commander! The fools went headfirst into oblivion!"

The sound of gunfire and screaming sounded in the hallways. "Get ready soldiers!" Charles ordered as he grabbed his pistol and turned to the door. Everyone stopped their work and grabbed their weapons, lifting them to the office door.

"We dragged back just a small piece of that power! It was the purest part of the void, it sprouted from it, Hatred!" Keldan continued to yell. "They brought this unto us, hoping that they could claim power! More power than anyone!"

The door burst open and gunfire rang out through the room. A terrible screeching resounded through the people within. Keldan kept ranting regardless.

"This is our penance! To be undone in mere moments by the very thing we created, that is our legacy!"

The men in the room were falling swiftly to the rush of creatures, screaming in vain. Keldan watched silently as his comrades were torn into and consumed like useless meat. Slowly but surely they finished their grotesque meals and looked to him quietly. The Charizard walked into the room slowly and stood before Keldan.

"Well said, Professor." Zatsule stated. "I think you are easily the smartest of your race."

Keldan looked into his abyssal eyes with sorrow. "That is the most meaningless statement I've ever heard." He spat. "Are these your Soulless?" Gesturing to the creatures around him.

"Yes." Zatsule replied simply. "You still feel so conflicted... Do you still sympathize?"

"Yes... but only with my family. I'm beginning to feel contempt for them too." Keldan grumbled. "I hate it."

"I could use you, if you see as I do." Zatsule said as he flipped the desk to the side with a crash. "Do you wish for complete and total unity professor?" He asked as he put his claw on Keldan's shoulder.

"Yes... I'm so tired of helping them hate each other. I want to make them be one." He answered honestly.

"I will not deny your assistance in this... It is time for us to return."