Journey to Kalavar 3 (Drexx)

[Deleted]

Drexx looked out over the desert. He didn’t know where he was going, and he feared he was leading the children closer to the wave. Zythis’ daughters face would change depending on the direction they traveled and the android had no clue what was going on with her.

“Are you okay?” Drexx asked floating down to her. She turned and faced him. Lifting a finger and pointing off into the desert. Drexx turned and looked, but saw nothing.

“What is it?”

“My sister. She’s there… Her body is there.” Drexx looked harder, but nothing. He looked down at the girl, and the conviction and sadness in her voice told him everything. She just knew. It was the close connection of the Kalavarian’s twin. They all walked in the direction she pointed, and before Drexx knew it they stood near the frame of the door.

“How do I contact Orenji now?” But even as he said it the door appeared. A young face stuck out of the door and beamed with happiness in recognition of his twin within the group of survivors. Zythis walked out with them, looking very pleased to see the android.

“My friend Zuk-send! It is unbelievable that you survived both the storm and the wave. Zuk blessed us the day he directed your pod in our direction. You have brought our sons and daughters back.”

“Is Orenji here safely?” The android asked worriedly. Zythis nodded and smiled and the android let out a sigh of relief. The Namekian was safe. The group all went back inside, fearful that the wave would show up. Drexx walked down the hall looking for Orenji. He found him in the first room off the hallway, two young Kalavarians in his lap, looking perturbed. The girls were hugging the Namekian tightly.

“Good to see you again Orenji. I see you’ve found some friends.” He indicated the hangers-on. It was good to see Orenji having some interaction with beings when he wasn’t fighting them however.

“My friends, Zuk-Sends. We have a plan, if you’re willing to hear it. Please come to the meeting room.” Zythis said over the loud speaker. Drexx left Orenji with his ladies and walked down the hallway into the large meeting room. Zythis brought up the globe of the world, and its dot less surface. It zoomed and magnified as Zythis searched for something. When he finally stopped the holographic blueprints of a tunnel system appeared before them.

“These are the tunnels of Aythis, my great-great grandfather. He had them built as a way to escape the capital city should anything happen to it.” another globe appeared next to it and on it Zythis pinpointed the exact entrance to the system of tunnels.

“The problem being that we are not sure what types of traps my great-great grandfather set up. He was a brilliant man, but shrewd and cunning. He wanted it to not only be a way out for him, but to not be a way in for others. The technology of the times allowed him to be crafty with what they were. So when you’re in there you go alone.” Zythis tried to study the map for traps, but they couldn’t make heads or tails of it, where the traps where was known to Aythis and Aythis alone.

“Is this the only way in the capital? We need a way to bypass the wave… There are just too many of them.”

“This is the only way, and it is only known to us because of the recent sandstorms. With this tunnel you can bypass the wave, get to Annihilus and stop this once and for all. The tunnel system leads you to the palace, there you find Annihilus. And there you learn of Migan and Maku’s fate.” Zythis placed his hands upon the table and looked expectantly at the Android. Drexx turned to face Orenji.

“We need to help these people. We need to get Migan back. What occurred here. It must never be allowed to happen again. Annihilus has commited genocide upon these people. I won’t allow him to harm any other. I’m going. I know you’re coming with me.”

[Orenji]

Orenji was still leaning up against the wall, with the two little kalavarians girls sitting in his lap sleeping. After a while he had forgotten that they were there, and just fell into a deep meditation. Hours passed with him just leaning against the wall, waiting for Drexx to come back to the bunker. HE knew there time here was going to be short lived. The wave was retreating back to the capital, so they were going to have to attack now.

”How are we going to defeat this wave? There are too many on them for Drexx and I to take on. If only the other members of the Protectorate were here, then this wouldn’t be such a problem. We need to come up with a plan, sooner rather than later.”[/i]

Orenji was given a few more minutes of meditation before he was woken up by a familiar voice.

“Good to see you again Orenji. I see you’ve found some friends.”

Orenji looked at Drexx, then down to the children and shrugged. He tried to get up but they weren’t letting him. He could feel their grips tighten as he tried to stand up. After a few tries he was able to get to his feet, but the two girls didn’t let go. Orenji was now standing up holding onto the two kalavarians girls.

“My friends, Zuk-Sends. We have a plan, if you’re willing to hear it. Please come to the meeting room.”

”I will be there in a moment.”

Orenji watched Drexx and Zythis walk away from the sleeping area, making their way to the meeting room. He made his way over to two unoccupied beds, he then put each girl on a different bed after a few seconds of dealing with them struggling to let go. He turned around to see the mother standing behind him.

“Thank you for keeping me and my children safe, as well as for the rest of us.” She said walking over to her kids

”We aren’t done yet, I appreciate the thanks, but it isn’t deserved yet. We still need to take care of Annihilus before and thanking and celebrating can commence.”

Orenji walked away from the mother, making his way to the meeting room to hear about the plan Zythis has come up with. Orenji entered the room to see Zythis, Drexx, Kiiro and several Kalavarian warriors standing around a holographic picture of the globe.

“These are the tunnels of Aythis, my great-great grandfather. He had them built as a way to escape the capital city should anything happen to it. The problem being that we are not sure what types of traps my great-great grandfather set up. He was a brilliant man, but shrewd and cunning. He wanted it to not only be a way out for him, but to not be a way in for others. The technology of the times allowed him to be crafty with what they were. So when you’re in there you go alone.”

“Is this the only way in the capital? We need a way to bypass the wave… There are just too many of them.”

”It looks like this is going to be the only way we are going to get into the capital, that will allow us to bypass the wave. We are going to have to just go through the traps that may be there, it will be better than trying to punch a hole through the wave.”

” “This is the only way, and it is only known to us because of the recent sandstorms. With this tunnel you can bypass the wave, get to Annihilus and stop this once and for all. The tunnel system leads you to the palace, there you find Annihilus. And there you learn of Migan and Maku’s fate.”

Orenji noticed Drexx now looking at him.

“We need to help these people. We need to get Migan back. What occurred here. It must never be allowed to happen again. Annihilus has commited genocide upon these people. I won’t allow him to harm any other. I’m going. I know you’re coming with me.”

”Well its decided then, we will go through the tunnels and make our way for the capital city. I agree with you Drexx we need to stop Annihilus, he has done to much damage to these people to let him continue living. We are going to take him down no matter the cost, and at the same time we will save Migan, save her father Maku, and save the people of Kalavar 3!” Orenji said slamming his fist onto the table.

Suddenly the mother came into the room and quietly made her way over to where Orenji was standing. She leaned in, whispering something to him, and then quietly making her exit from the meeting room.

”Excuse me; it seems someone wants to talk to me.” Orenji walked out of the meeting room and made his way back to the sleeping area.

Upon arriving back into the sleeping area of the bunker, he noticed the two kalavarians girls sitting on the side of a bed.

”You mother tells me you two have something to say to me? What is it? I don’t have much time I am going to be leaving soon.”

Grabbing Orenji’s hand “Please don’t leave. Who is going to keep us safe in here in you go?” the one earing the necklace said.

“You can’t go, just let your friend take care of everything.” The other one said

Orenji got down to a knee, looking at the two children ”I must go; I need to save the person that gave you that necklace. She is in trouble and I am the only one that can get her back. I am sorry, but I promise you that the next time we see each other you will be returning to your homes.”

Orenji got up from the floor and let go of the girls hands, he proceeded to the bunker exit waiting for Drexx.

[Deleted]

Wind swept sand all around them. It wasn’t even a sandstorm and the high-winds were throwing sand like bullets at all who dared step upon the surface of Kalavar 3. Drexx and Orenji waded their way through thigh-high sand. Drexx had gotten a new cloak from Zythis, the former monarch placed a blessing of Zuk on it before hand, saying that they would need all the help they could get. The android hoped that wasn’t the case, but wouldn’t turn down a kind sentiment.

They reached the location where the door to the hidden tunnel was supposed to be, the only marking a very tall blue cactus.

“I suppose we’re here.” Drexx said and walked towards the cactus, a hand reaching inside his cloak and pulling from within its folds a similar long metal tube to the one Zythis had used to uncover the resistance bunker. He blew through the tube and a barely audible sound came out, like a very far away tug-boat.

Under the cactus a door appeared, the cactus had somehow grown over the door. Or had that been planned by Aythis all along? Drexx lifted his fingers and slashed them towards the cactus, a line of energy cut through it at the base. It toppled and the duo advanced on the door. Drexx pried it open and looked into its depths. Light tried to descend into the hatch, but only made it a few feet where it stopped entirely.

“Well looks like I’m going to be our eyes.” He said, knowing full well that Orenji couldn’t see in the dark like he could. He turned and desenced the ladder into the depths of whatever lay in store for them.

This world was nothing like the desert world Drexx had encountered previously. Ra. The thought of it brought pleasant memories to the android. He had met the Pharaohnians and engaged in their culture with them. He had learned so much from Horus.

What if this had happened there? What if the annihilation wave had arrived at RA instead of Kalavar 3. What if the children Orenji had been comforting had been Horus’ kids? The thought chilled Drexx to the circuits.

Or perhaps that was the unnatural darkness. The android stepped off the bottom of the ladder and looked around at the room. It was small, barely enough room for four people to stand shoulder to shoulder in any direction. Worst of all, there were no doors.

“We gotta problem here buddy.” Drexx felt around the walls of the room, but found nothing. Orenji descended into the darkness behind him and the duo went around the room looking for any signs of the tunnel.

“I don’t even sense a door. No alterations in the material.” He ran his hand over the wall. Glowing words appeared on the walls before them.

“Eht si wnaser hsit.” It read. Drexx stepped back and looked over at it, rearranging the letters in every way imaginable.

“This. Is the answer.” It was the only logical conclusion that the android could reach. A glowing door appeared before the duo, the entrance to the tunnel of Aythis. Drexx cautiously walked in, and was subsequently thrown right back out with force, his body snapping the ladder and flopping to the ground.

A roar could be heard from within the now dark portal the android had just been flown from. Drexx lifted his head slightly to look at Orenji.

“I think that’s the guardian.” Drexx rose and charged back into the room, hoping Orenji was right behind him. The guardian of Aythis’ Labyrinth was certainly not going to be a pushover.

It stood close to eight feet tall, horns twisted from its bovine face. Electricity sparked from open spots in its flesh and his eyes clicked as they moved from Orenji to Drexx and back again. A minotaur android? How cliché. It stamped its feet and charged at Orenji.

[/li][li] Daichiretsuzan: With a swipe of the hand with two fingers extended, it creates an invisible cutting beam of that goes a long way. Depending on your power, this can be a very powerful move that can slice through great amounts of land, even islands.

[Orenji]

Orenji was still standing near the bunker entrance waiting for Drexx to leave the meeting room. The two of them needed to act fast, they had to get to the capital and take out Annihilus. Drexx finally got to the entrance, and the two of them left the bunker once again, but this time when they returned Annihilus was going to be gone. As Orenji exited the bunker the rough winds began to whip sand at him, he quickly activated a barrier around his entire body.

”Ahh that’s much better, damn these winds. If the sand wasn’t bad enough I don’t need sand being beaten against my body.”

Orenji let Drexx lead the way; it was going to be easier for Drexx to navigate through the sands than Orenji. It seemed like they were walking for hours, trying to find the entrance to the tunnel in this sea of sand. Suddenly like it appeared out of nowhere, both Orenji and Drexx spotted a tall blue cactus. Orenji was waiting for Drexx to continue on, but Drexx wasn’t moving, perhaps this was the spot.

“I suppose we’re here.”

”Alright then how are we going to get the door open?”

Orenji noticed Drexx pull the same type of object that Zythis pulled out earlier to open the bunker door. Drexx blew into the tube and a door appeared underneath the cactus, the cactus seemed to have grown over the door. Seconds later the cactus was cut at the base, the door opened. Orenji was confused as to how the cactus was cut, but Drexx must have done something to make it happen. As the duo entered the tunnel the light only went a few feet into the door.

“Well looks like I’m going to be our eyes.”

”Well this is starting off to be a great idea, let’s just get out of the tunnel as fast as we can.”

Orenji put a hand on Drexx and followed him into the dark tunnel, Drexx had told him thet they needed to find a door to continue on through the tunnel. Orenji just kept a hand on Drexx and followed him wherever he went. Since Orenji couldn’t see in pitch black, he could do nothing but follow and wait for something to happen.

”We need to find a light source soon or I am going to go nuts in the dark. I can’t see a damn thing and if I happen to lose Drexx I think I might go crazy down here. But I can’t fail I need to give this planet back to the Kalavarians. I need to get those girls back in their homes; I promised them that I wouldn’t fail.”[/i]

Orenji heard Drexx tell him that there was a problem, but he was confident enough that they would find this door soon enough. Suddenly glowing words lit up on the wall in a manner that Orenji couldn’t understand. Mere seconds later Drexx said the answer and a glowing door appeared in front of the duo. Drexx must have walked through the door first, but then a loud roar echoed through the tunnel, Orenji heard a smash. He lifted his hand and charged a small ball of Ki in it to emit light so he could see what was going on. He looked around to see Drexx getting back to his feet.

”Why didn’t I just do this from the beginning! Then I wouldn’t have to have kept my hand on your back.”

Orenji put more energy into his hand, making the light source grow. He looked down the hallway to see an approximately eight foot tall creature, with horns on the top of its head and electricity sparking out of spots in its flesh. Orenji didn’t know why this creature was down here in the first place, but it must have been placed down here by the Kalavarians before Zythis. Either way Drexx and him were going to have to take this creature out in order to continue on.

”Alright lets get this over with quickly, we need to get to Annihilus.”

The creature charged down the hall way at Orenji, but Orenji didn’t move even when the creature lowered his head. He waited for the last possible second, and then moved out of the way making the creature slam its head into the wall. Orenji then followed up with a swift kick to the ribs of the creature but that didn’t seem to do anything. The creature just turned, grabbed Orenji and threw him down the hallway, where the creature was originally.

”Well it appears he doesn’t want to go down easy. I am sorry, but you are going to have to get out of our way. There are bigger threats here than yourself, and we intend to take them out.” Orenji said standing back to his feet, once again gathering Ki in his hand creating a light source.

[Deleted]

Aythis clearly knew his stuff. The Minotaur he designed was impeccable, and even with years of age and decay it still managed to throw Drexx and Orenji around like rag-dolls. Drexx rose to his feet as Orenji too was thrown into the wall.

“You alright there buddy?” The android asked as he brushed the sand off of himself. The Minotaur snorted and stamped his feet. Drexx held up his hands.

“We have no desire to fight you guardian of the labyrinth. We’re only hoping for safe passage through the tunnels.” The minotaur charged before Drexx could finish his second sentence, Drexx dodged to the side, a tile depressing into the floor as he did so. The android looked down at it.

“Crap.” Arrows shot from holes in the walls at the trio, electricity sparking off of the ends of each. Drexx dodged as best he could, but an arrow caught him in the leg. The electricity that sparked through him sent waves of pain through the android’s body. A few arrows hit the Minotaur but did nothing, the electricity seeming to have no effect.

Drexx turned to ask how Orenji fared, but was met with a stiff backhand, sending him sprawling out into the hallway. The minotaur was not one to be ignored. And just as the first one came, a second one appeared, stomping into the room to do battle with Orenji.

“Oh look, a set.” Drexx muttered sarcastically. It dawned on the Android then just how much he had changed. When he had set out on his journey to protect others, he had no clue what sarcasm was. Now thanks to Sohko he was full of it. The android had adapted and learned as he went something that both exhilarated and frightened him. The android Minotaur roused him from his thoughts by grabbing him around the collar and lifting him into the air.

“I don’t suppose we could make some sort of arrangement?” The creature head-butted Drexx, their metals heads meeting and a loud crack issuing forth throughout the hall and the small room. The androids staggered back from each other.

“I never really saw the appeal of a headbutt…” The android shifted his weight and punched the Minotaur in the jaw, shaking his head. Steam puffed out of his nostrils and his irises tightened.

Drexx spun and almost toppled over the edge of a cliff. Stretching out before him into the darkness was a veritable army of Minotaurs and other mythological androids. Aythis had built many androids in order to protect his labyrinth it appeared. Or was that what they were for? Drexx’s eye-brows shot up as they all turned to look at him, activating upon their arrival.

“Orenji… I think we may have a problem here…” The Minotaur charged and tackled Drexx over the edge. He turned just in time to see Orenji looking in horror over the edge of the cliff. They landed with a thud twenty feet down, Drexx and the Minotaur both moaned in pain.

“ENOUGH!” a voice roared out over the sound of the conflict. Drexx looked up and from the other side of the room a figure appeared. He was tall, taller than any other Kalavarian Drexx had ever seen but was hunched over, standing at around 13 feet tall with his hunch. A long flowing charcoal colored beard touched the floor, and his cane clicked as he walked down the steps towards the downed android. The minotaur immediately got to his feet and bowed before him.

“What are you doing here?” He asked in a wizened elderly voice. His eyes were kind, but they held a mischievous fire. Who was this old man?

“We were looking for passage into the capital. We’re hoping to stop Annihilus, but couldn’t get by his annihilation wave… there were just too many.”

“Passage I can offer, but first tell me about this wave…”

Drexx filled the old man in on the story so far. He didn’t completely trust the elderly Kalavarian, but he seemed to have control over the mythological androids, and he had stopped the fighting, and so he felt he owed him that much at least. The old man’s eyes filled with sadness when he heard of all the deaths. Of the genocide.

“My Kalavar… my poor Kalavar… What have I been doing all this time… a thousand years wasted…”

“A thousand years? So you’re… Aythis?” Drexx’s eyes grew wide with realization. The elderly Kalavarian standing across from him was the creator of the labyrinth. Was the maker of all these machines. He nodded and wiped away a tear. An idea struck Drexx as he looked at all of the mythological androids.

“Maybe it hasn’t been a waste after all…”

Drexx looked from the wizened old Kalavarian to Orenji.

“I think we may have found a way to combat the wave.”

[Orenji]

Orenji’s vision was blurred, form being thrown down a hallway and crashing into the wall. He couldn’t see the creature, it must still be fighting Drexx down the hall way. He heard Drexx’s voice come from down the way asking if he was alright. Orenji just ignored the question and continued to walk down the long hallway. The creature was incredibly strong to throw him this far.

”CRAP.”

”Drexx is everything alright?”

Suddenly tiny holes began to open up in the wall, electrified arrows shot out of them at Orenji, and no doubt at the creature and Drexx. He quickly dispersed the ki that was in his hand and activated a barrier around him. The arrows collided into the orange ki barrier around Orenji, and fell to the floor. Orenji looked around the ground to see that the arrows were electrified. He looked back up to see the creature starring him down.

”Well it seems we meet again, now we do not want to fight you. We only want passage through this tunnel.”

He tried talking to the creature, but it didn’t seem to respond. The creature straight up and Spartan kicked Orenji, his foot connecting with Orenji’s chest. Orenji was sent flying back through the tunnel, once again smashing into the wall at the end of it. He bounced off of the wall and slammed into the ground. Pain coursed through Orenji’s body, this was only the beginning of the tunnel, who knows what else they are going to have to go through just to get to the capital. It took a while for Orenji to get back to his feet.

”Well since it looks like talking isn’t going to work, we are just going to have to take him out as well. I don’t want to do it, but it appears to be the only way to get through the rest of the tunnel and to Annihilus.”

Orenji this time quickly made his way down the hallway an through the door. He poured more ki into his barrier making it glow brighter. At that moment he saw the creature charging at Drexx, there was nothing Orenji could do to stop him, it was too late. He stood there watching as the creature speared Drexx off of a cliff. He quickly ran to the edge and watched Drexx and the creature disappear into darkness. He had no idea how long the fall was, Drexx could still be falling into blackness for all he knew.

”God dammit, if only I was faster none of this would have happened. Don’t worry buddy I am going to find you.”

While looking over the cliff he saw a light coming from the bottom of the drop. Looking over he figured the fall couldn’t be that far if he could see a light source. Orenji looked back at the door that they were supposed to go through, but he had to save his friend form that creature. Looking back down he took a deep breath and jumped down the hole. The fall was fast, Orenji landed on his feet after about 20 ft. Orenji was able to see clearer down here thanks to that unknown light source.

“My Kalavar… my poor Kalavar… What have I been doing all this time… a thousand years wasted…”

”A thousand years? So you’re Aythis?”

”Aythis? So you are the one that made these creatures and built this tunnel I presume. Well it appears you have done a good job keeping this place safe.”

Orenji looked around at all the different creatures that were before him. These creatures he had never seen before. Even though they were all made out of technology, he has still never seen these type of creatures in his life. It appears every time him and Drexx do something; he always learns and sees new things.

”I think we may have found a way to combat the wave.”

Looking at the creatures ”I think you are right Drexx, we may yet be able to defeat Annihilus, that is if you are willing to help Aythis.”

[Deleted]

Aythis stroked his long beard and looked over the two, then over his army. His eyes lit up when he caught what Drexx was thinking. They would use his mythological creatures to combat the wave; they were no doubt stronger and sturdier than the average unit of the wave. There were many more of the wave, but perhaps the strength of the androids would be able to overcome that.

“I will. I will help you. I wish I had known of the attack…” Aythis rubbed his eyes, no doubt fighting back the tears that were building there. Like smoke they streaked across his face, the elder Kalavarian unable to restrain the sadness he felt. Drexx placed a hand on his shoulder, the Minotaur looked up suddenly but Aythis waved his hand and the Minotaur was relaxed again.

“Aythis, here’s what I need you to do.” Drexx laid out his plan to the elder Kalavarian. His eyes shone with intensity and he nodded enthusiastically.

“You are not a human are you Drexx?”

“I am an android.” The protector told him truthfully. Drexx felt as if he had no reason to hide anything from Aythis. He told Aythis of his construction, the Kalavarian looking him over as he told the story. He stopped suddenly when Drexx mentioned the name Benjin.

“Ah, so you are Benjin’s last. How is the old man?” Aythis asked as if the two had been good friends. Drexx lowered his head and the fiery alien put his hand on his shoulder.

“For what it’s worth, Benjin was a good man. I’m sorry.”

“We’ll talk of Benjin more later. Right now we have a monster to stop. Can you guarantee safe passage for us through your labyrinth?”

It was Aythis’ turn to lower his eyes. He chuckled and shrugged after briefly thinking.

“My traps were designed to keep others out, I alone know the way. And I must mobilize my forces to move against the capital at your signal. You two must brave the traps alone. I would be of no use to you after.”

Drexx nodded. What Aythis said made sense, and he was certain that he and Orenji would be able to make it through the traps the wizened old Kalavarian had set up.

“A few words of advice before you set off. Avoid the walls at all costs, do not step on black tiles, the trick is not to fight, and the purple one. You should have some advantage because of your non-organic nature…” Drexx raised an eyebrow but said nothing, nodding instead. Aythis began to trail off, and Drexx was sure he would understand when they came to the traps.

Drexx left Aythis, the elderly Kalavarian muttering softly to himself while looking over his creations. As Drexx and Orenji walked through the large chamber they looked at all of the various androids. Hydras, Griffons, Minotaurs, Chimaeras, Manticores, all manner of mythological creatures Drexx had heard about on Earth. Had they existed here as well? Or was the creation of these due to some interaction of Aythis’, Drexx would have to ask him about that later.

They arrived at a large door, which opened easily upon the android’s touch. A pale light emitted from the room, and upon entering Drexx marveled at the sides of the walls that surrounded them.

“Don’t touch the walls.” Drexx and Orenji walked along the corridor, taking twists and turns. Neither had any idea where they were going, but Aythis had told them to follow their instincts. Shortly they came to a wide room, black tiles littered the floor.

“Aythis said not to touch the black tiles. But they’re all black…” Drexx rose into the air and began to float over to the door on the other side. An arc of lighting shot out from somewhere on the ceiling and the android fell to the floor writhing in pain. He slowly regained his feet.

“Don’t fly either…”

Drexx stared at the room. Raising an eyebrow, he switched his vision from the natural spectrum to infrared. Some of the tiles were glowing, clearly heated from below by a source. Drexx told Orenji to follow him, moving carefully from tile after tile. He didn’t know what would happen if they stepped on one of the black tiles, but he didn’t care to find out. The shock from flying was bad enough. They made their way safely to the other side.

On the other side of the door loud breathing could be heard. Drexx opened the door, and a large android troll stood in the center of a ring. It was wide with muscle and tall, a large club crackling with electricity was clutched in his hand. It roared as they entered. Its power-level was unrecognizable because of its android nature, but if the Minotaur was any estimation, this thing was tough.

“Crap.”

[Orenji]

Orenji looked at Aythis waiting for him to respond, if they were going to defeat Annihulus they were going to need any help they could get. He once again looked around at all the creatures; surely they would be enough to hold off the wave while they dealt with Annihilus. Orenji walked around the room still waiting for Aythis to respond to their request, moments later he did.

“I will. I will help you. I wish I had known of the attack…”

Orenji was pleased to hear that Aythis was going to help them. Drexx quickly began explaining their plan once the two of them arrived at the capital. Orenji was looking around the room for a way out, but has found nothing so far, most likely it is hidden like every door has been they have come across. He turned around to hear Aythis say something about Benjin. He has heard this name before from Drexx; it was the person who created him. He usually refrained from asking questions regarding Drexx’s creator.

”Well it seems Benjin has gotten around before. But we have no time to talk about him right now, there are bigger things at play. We need to hurry up and get out of here, I can’t fail my promise I made to those two girls.”[/i]

“We’ll talk of Benjin more later. Right now we have a monster to stop. Can you guarantee safe passage for us through your labyrinth?”

”Yes, that would also be helpful if there was a way around your traps.”

“My traps were designed to keep others out, I alone know the way. And I must mobilize my forces to move against the capital at your signal. You two must brave the traps alone. I would be of no use to you after.”

Orenji looked over at Drexx waiting for him to take the lead once again. He was hoping that there may have been an alternate path through the tunnel, but it appears the duo must pass through all of Aythis’s traps after all.

“A few words of advice before you set off. Avoid the walls at all costs, do not step on black tiles, the trick is not to fight, and the purple one. You should have some advantage because of your non-organic nature…”

Orenji and Drexx left Aythis, he was mumbling something to himself, but the two just ignored it. They made their way through a large chamber; more of Aythis’s creatures were in the chamber with them. Aythis mad more creatures then Orenji originally thought. This he was glad to see, with all these creations they might stand a chance against Annahilus and his wave.

The duo arrived once again at another large door. This door opened rather easily when Drexx touched it, which came to a surprise. Orenji looked at the walls, and remember Aythis saying don’t touch the walls.

”Don’t touch the walls”

Orenji nodded at Drexx and looked to the floor, all he saw across the floor was black tiles. HE then remembered Aythis also saying don’t touch the black tiles, but this wasn’t possible. HE stood at the edge right before the tiles waiting for Drexx to say or do something. Minutes passed by before anything was said or done. He watched Drexx lift off of the ground, at the same time he did that an arc of lightning ran across the ceiling and struck Drexx.

”Don’t fly either…”

Well then now that we have tried that, how are we supposed to get past these tiles?”

Suddenly Drexx told Orenji to follow him, Drexx was stepped on a tile and nothing happened. It appears that he has figured out the way across. Orenji let Drexx get a few steps ahead and then he proceeded to follow. But he made a mistake, he stepped on the wrong tile, he began to hear a clicking sound. Seconds later he fell through the floor, fell into darkness. Mere moments later Orenji smashed into the ground, quickly getting back to his feet.

”Damn well this isn’t good.”

Looking around the room Orenji saw a lit path up ahead, so naturally he made his way up to the path. Upon arrival he could see the path was filled with torches and some kind of green gas. He had no choice; he had to continue moving forward in order to get out of the tunnel. Orenji took a few steps into the gas so see what would happen, but nothing did. He was confused, but decided to keep moving forward.

[Deleted]

The troll let out a roar upon seeing the android, and Drexx barely had enough time to react to Orenji’s misstep. The floor gave way beneath the android and he slid down into the Troll’s pit, standing face to knee with the beast.

“I don’t suppose you want to talk?” The android asked, looking up into the snot encrusted nose of the troll. It roared again. Drexx supposed that meant he didn’t want to talk. The club smashed down near the android, but he rolled out of the way and shot eye-beams at its knee. It roared and looked down at the two cuts across his leg. They closed in a matter of seconds.

“Ah.” Drexx frowned and nodded. The troll’s healing ability was certainly impressive. As was its fist that came forward and smashed into the smaller android’s body. Drexx was lifted off of his feet and smashed into the side of the troll pit. It roared another challenge but made no movements towards Drexx.

“I don’t suppose that means you no longer want to fight?” It stomped at the ground and charged him. He rolled out of the way and the troll impaled himself on a log sticking out of the side. It grunted and slumped over. Drexx sighed and made his way to his feet, walking slowly towards the door on the other side. He turned around when he heard another roar.

The troll pulled himself off of the log and turned to face Drexx, the hole through his chest quickly closing up. Where was Orenji? Why did he have to fight this damn thing alone? He hoped his Namekian friend was okay, he had slipped through the floor and Drexx had lost sight of him. Was he too fighting something like the troll?

The troll charged Drexx again, throwing Drexx against the wall again. He slammed his fist into the android’s face; blood spurted from his nose and mouth. It smacked into him again. He released and let the android fall to the floor. Drexx let out a moan and shot eye-beams into the trolls back. The troll turned around and brought his foot into the android’s stomach. The “air” left Drexx’s chest and he laid on the ground in pain. How would he beat this thing?

He carefully made his way to his feet. His uni-beam port opened and the wave rocketed towards the troll who put his hand up to block it. The skin around his hand burned away but he slowly made his way towards the smaller android. When he reached him he put his skeletal hand around the uni-beam port and head-butted the smaller android into the wall.
“I guess I can see the appeal of that…” Drexx said rubbing his head.

The troll charged the android again who leapt into the air and stayed there. The troll reached up to grab him, but the android stayed out of reach. The troll scratched its head in confusion and sat down on the floor, seemingly giving up. Drexx floated over to the door and looked back at the troll, who was scratching his hindquarters not paying him any attention.

He exited the door and found himself in a circular room with no discernible exit. Crystals lined the walls, the largest of which was a clear three foot tall one in the middle of the room. Drexx walked up and touched the crystal. Suddenly the android’s heads were filled with visions of lightning, of storms raging all across different landscapes. Drexx removed his hand and looked at it; the skin that touched the crystal was singed and darkened.

“The purple one…” Drexx looked all around the room. The problem was there were at least a dozen different hues of purple crystals. Drexx touched one, and suddenly the scene around him changed.

He was standing on Kalavar 3’s surface. The wave appeared above him, blacking out the sun. Drexx heard people all around him running and screaming, forces of the annihilation wave slaughtering innocents in the street. Drexx released the crystal. A wall opened up behind him, and Orenji stepped through, looking as though nothing at all had happened to him.

“Hey buddy… Where’d you go?”

[Orenji]

Orenji continued to walk through the tunnel, this tunnel seemed to go on forever with no end in sight. He was still confused as to what this gas was supposed to do in the first place. Seconds later he noticed a skull on the ground, no doubt someone that tried to get through the tunnel years ago. Orenji just shook his head and continued on.

”I have to find an end to this tunnel soon; I need to get back to Drexx. Whatever was behind that door was no doubt going to give him trouble.”

Dirt from the ceiling began to fall on top of Orenji, something must be going on right above him. Maybe he was underneath where Drexx was. He looked back down and continued to walk through the tunnel, seconds later he came across another drop, but this time there was a ladder he could climb down. He looked down the hole; there were torches at the bottom. He began to make his decent down the hole.

Getting off the ladder ”Great another tunnel to go through, and more of this green gas. I have no idea what this trap is supposed to do. Aythis you are clever, but I think whatever this gas is supposed to do it failed.”

Orenji once again began walking through the tunnel or torches and gas. All he wanted to do was find a way out of it. Minutes later he found another opening and this time he had to climb up a ladder. He made his way to the top of the ladder and once again had to walk through another tunnel.

”Alright this is getting annoying! How long does this tunnel go on for. There has to be an exit at some point.”

Orenji entered the tunnel, but this time he only made it a few feet in before noticing a stone wall. He looked around and noticed a stone brick imbedded in the dirt wall. Orenji walked up to the brick and pushed it in with his hand. Suddenly a rush of air entered the tunnel, blowing the green gas back as the stone wall slowly descended into the ground. He stepped out of the tunnel to notice Drexx standing there.

” “Hey buddy… Where’d you go?”

”Well after I fell through the floor I had to walk through a bunch of seemly endless tunnels. While I was in them there was this green gas that filled the tunnels, it didn’t do anything to me. Then I found the stone door and now I am here. By the way you look terrible what happened to you?”

Drexx began to explain the fight with the troll and how that troll beat the hell out of him. Eventually he was able to get out and made his way to this crystal room. Aythis told them something about the purple one, but after looking at the crystals they were all different shades of purple. Drexx then told Orenji after analyzing the gas that is was poisonous.

”Well then it apparently has no effect on me and thank god for that. Otherwise I would be dead right about now. Well come on let’s find out which one of these purple crystals will get us out of here.”

Orenji walked over to the crystal that Drexx was standing next to and put his hand on it. He was standing on Kalavar 3’s surface. The wave appeared above him, blacking out the sun. Drexx heard people all around him running and screaming, forces of the annihilation wave slaughtering innocents in the street. Orenji recognized three Kalavarians running for their lives. It was the mother and her two daughters; this must have been before Migan found them because they didn’t have her necklace. Orenji watched them run past creatures of the wave slaughtering their fellow Kalavarians. He continued to watch as they ran out of the capital, running across the sea of sand. He had had enough, letting go of the crystal the room became clear to him.

”God damn you Annihilus! You are going to pay for what you have done to the Kalavarian people!”

[Deleted]

Drexx analyzed the poison on Orenji’s skin and cross-checked it with every other poison he had ever encountered. It had no match, but seemed to be designed specifically to kill Kalavarians. Against a Namekian it would do nothing, except perhaps itch.

Orenji walked up to the crystal Drexx had been standing next to and touched it. Drexx knew what he would be seeing; he himself had seen the visions of the attack. It was just further fuel on their fire to destroy Annihilus. Orenji pulled away and swore, cursing Annihilus’ name. This was no longer just about getting his friend back, now they had to stop a tyrant, they had to bring a people back from annihilation, back from the brink of genocide.

Drexx walked over to another purple crystal and put his hand upon it, knowing this time what to expect. It was Aythis and Benjin, both men standing together in Aythis’ lab. Benjin was so much younger than Drexx had ever seen him. Aythis too, was slightly younger, his hunch slightly less pronounced, his beared slightly darker. They were talking amicably.

“I’ve been meaning to tell you Aythis, I’m having a son!” Benjin said, beaming. He looked happier than Drexx had ever seen him, a gold band around his left-hand ring finger. Drexx recognized it as the symbol of marriage on Earth and Vegeta. Benjin was married? The Kalavarian reacted to the news wonderfully, smiling and embracing his friend in a congratulatory manor.

“My friend that is wonderful. Do you have any idea of a name for it yet?” The Kalavarian looked down at what he was working on, an android Minotaur. A number one was painted beneath its cloven hoof.

“Well Claire likes Drego, but I was thinking about naming him after… well after you. You’re my best friend, and you’ve saved my life more times than I care to think about.” Benjin beamed up at his friend. “What do you think.”

“My friend I am more honored than I could possibly imagine telling you. But we both know Claire, and we both know your son is going to end up being named Drego. A middle name would suit me just fine.” The pair laughed and Aythis put his hand on Benjin’s shoulder, Benjin clasped his own hand over it. After a moment they both cleared their throats.

“Back to work I suppose. Could you hand me that welder?”

Drexx released the crystal and took a step back. How could he know if what he had just seen was real or not? And who was this Claire woman? Was that Drego’s mother… he supposed Drego must have had a mother at some point in order to be born… the thoughts all confused the android, and he felt a tear slip from his eyes. Sometimes he cursed his father for giving him the ability to feel emotions. He tried to hide it from Orenji but felt that he probably didn’t.

He walked over to the next purple crystal, hesitant to touch it. The android wasn’t sure what types of magic Aythis had put into these crystals, or if they were science, but he didn’t like the things he was seeing, they invoked too much emotion. Slowly, with great care Drexx rested his hand upon another purple crystal.

He was suddenly in the throne room of the Kalavarian capital city of Zuk. Seated on the throne was Zythis in his entire splendor. He looked much younger, and the crown rested easily upon his head. He was talking to… no it couldn’t be.

Annihilus stood before him.

“Not a chance Annihilus. The cosmic control rod stays with us. Not any of your threats can change that.”

With a start Drexx realized that the man sitting on the throne was not in fact Zythis, but a much younger Aythis. They were over a thousand years in the past, and Annihilus was after the cosmic control rod. Annihilus glared at Aythis, who looked smugly down at him.

“You will regret this Aythis. Someday you will live to regret this. I will murder your peoples in droves; your cities will run with the blood of your arrogance; your cities will burn; you will all die.”

Drexx released the crystal. Was this the purpose of the room? Was the purpose of the room to show them the history of Aythis, and the annihilation wave? Drexx wondered what Orenji was seeing.

[Orenji]

Orenji stood near the crystal he had just let go of. He realized that the purple crystals must be the key to getting out of here. This had to be the final trap for them to get past, after this was Annihilus, there was no turning back now. Orenji looked around noticing that there were approximately twelve purple crystals. If he had touched this one, and he watched Drexx go over and activate another crystal, he would do the same. There was a purplish crystal a couple of feet to the right of the first one.

”Well let’s see what happens this time.”

Orenji put his hand on the crystal, the room around him changed to another Kalavarian city. The mother and children entered the city, they were tired, and bruised. Orenji stood at the entrance watching them, they walked right through him. After all this was just a scene from the past that Orenji was experiencing again. He heard a familiar voice from behind him, quickly running around he noticed Migan. She was running up to the two little girls.

“Oh my god are you two alright! Why are you here I told you I would come back when I was done looking for my father here.” Migan said picking up the two little girls.

“Migan we had no choice, a strange wave of bug creatures attacked the capital village. They were quickly upon us, murdering every person that got in their way. We didn’t know what to do we had to get out of there. They might be heading this way we need to leave quickly.” The mother said taking one of the children from Migan

Orenji turned around to see the Wave blackening the sky off in the distance. They were on their way here and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He was going to watch this family be under attack again by Annihilus and his creatures. He turned around to see Migan and the mother taking the children further into town. Orenji was quickly brought into the house that all of them had entered.

“Migan you don’t understand we have to get out of here! There is nothing that can stop them; they are going to kill all of us if we don’t find a place to hide.” The mother said looking out a window

“I promise you that nothing is going to happen to you or your children. But you know I have to find my father, because if what you are saying is true then he is in danger as well.” Migan said comforting the two girls.

Kiiro entered the building and took a seat at the table.

“Migan we better get going soon, Orenji is going to notice that we have left and you know him he is going to be pissed.” Kiiro said

“He leaves all the time without saying a word to us. Why should I have to tell him every time I want to leave Earth? He obviously doesn’t care about us, otherwise he would tell us when he leaves. Orenji has finally come back to us and we are just supposed to act like nothing happened! He died Kiiro if you don’t remember and when he came back did he even bother telling us! NO!” Migan said turning to face Orenji’s direction. He noticed tears beginning to come down Migan’s face.

”Migan why haven’t you just told me this form the beginning. Instead of just leaving Earth and coming here. I am sorry for everything that I have done, for just leaving and not coming back for months at a time. Migan I am going to find you, I am going to get you and your father off of this planet.”

Orenji looked around the room; the mother was still looking out the window, looking for the wave. Kiiro was still worried that Orenji was going to be mad at the two of them for just leaving the planet. The two kalavarian girls had made their way back over to Migan. They wanted to make sure Migan was alright since tears were almost running down her face. Orenji released his hand from the crystal, the house and everyone disappeared. He was once again in the crystal room with Drexx. They needed to get out of this room fast, so he made his way over to the next Crystal, placing his hand on it.

[Deleted]

Drexx gripped the next purple crystal, and was suddenly transported back to the surface of Kalavar 3. Around him were the ruins of cities. A voice spoke in the back of his mind. It was Aythis.

“This is Kalavar as it will be. The wave takes everything a planet has and moves on to the next one… I tried everything to keep the cosmic control rod from him, but we had a betrayer in our midst and he managed to get ahold of it. He had vowed revenge and we knew it was only a matter of time.”

The wind swept sand up around them, and Drexx gasped at what he saw. Bodies. Hundreds of thousands of them.

“The sand can only hide so much for so long.” Aythis said sadly in the back of Drexx’s mind. They shifted over the sad, a lone Kalavarian stood, clutching a necklace to her chest. It was one of the twins that had sat in Orenji’s lap. She was much older, but there was no mistaking her face.

“Her sister died in the final battle. The resistance held out as long as they could, it took the wave another twelve years to hunt down and kill every last Kalavarian. Save her… I do not envy her fate.”

The scene shifted again and the throne room appeared a much more decrepit version than Drexx had seen before. A body sat against a cracked pillar, Drexx quickly recognized it as his own. It had holes in it and its heart was torn out. He saw no sign of Orenji’s body, but had to assume it had rotted away.

“This is what happens if you lose.”

The scene switched again, this time Drexx was standing in a bustling city center. Kalavarians of all shapes and sizes walked the streets, vendors shouted out their wares. Drexx was astonished. The city was so full of life. Such a difference than what he had seen before.

“This is Kalavar as it could be.”

The air was filled with conversation and laughter. The city was so full of life. It made Drexx yearn to regain the place to its former glory. His sight followed a group of men in white as they made their way to a tall spiraling double-helix shaped building. Inside at the very top the same men sat around talking science with groups of others of different races.

“Kalavar is once again at the height of scientific achievement. We no longer have a problem with any disease, and neither do our allies. We are the forefront of defense technology.”

They once again shifted to the outside of the scientific building, a statue of two heroes stood outside. Drexx realized with a start that the statues were he and Orenji.

“You two are remembered as heroes. We are thousands of years in the future. On the throne sits Zythis’ grandson, a veritable hero in his own right. By your actions you saved this planet and brought it back from the brink of despair. So go, and make the best of this battle. All of Kalavar counts on you.”

Drexx released the crystal. A door slid open next to him. A staircase led up into the cellar of the castle. Drexx looked at Orenji.

“Let’s go stop a tyrant.”

[Orenji]

Orenji was at the next crystal ready to see what it was going to show him. He placed his hand on the crystal, and once again was taken into the home where Migan and the rest were. A few hours had passed since the crystal before this one. Kiiro wasn’t in the house and the two kalavarians girls were asleep. Migan and the mother were sitting at the table, neither of them talking. Migan was just looking down at the table.

”Migan are you sure that you are ok? Ever since Kiiro brought up this Orenji, you have acted differently. Do you care for this person?”

“I am not going to answer your question. We are not talking about this right now.” Migan said standing up from the table

”Migan there is no point in running away from me. Why don’t you just contact this person, maybe he can help us with the wave that attacked the capital. Please Migan contact him.”

“I am not going to message Orenji! He is probably not going to answer anyways, I have no idea where he is or how long it would take him to get here.” Migan said

Orenji was looking at Migan; he couldn’t believe what he was hearing form her. It seems his disappearances have upset her more than he thought. He had no idea that she felt this way; he was going to have to apologize to her when she was found.

”Migan I am going to find you. No matter where Annihilus is keeping you, I am going to get you out. I only wish you had said something to me sooner, maybe none of this would have happened.”

Suddenly the sky turned black, Orenji looked out the window the wave had found this city and was descending upon it. The same creatures that he faced out in the sand had found their way to the village. He looked back, noticing the mother run over to her kids waking them up. Migan grabbed one while the mother grabbed the other. The four of them ran out the back door and into the city. The crystal took Orenji through the city following Migan and the Mother. They were running for their lives, running away from the insect creatures that were right behind them.

”Migan where are we going to go! I can’t let them get my kids.”

“I know that just follow me and you are going to be alright.” Migan said taking a left running through buildings with the mother right behind her.

The four of them entered a house, barring up the door behind them. There was no where they could go, the wave quickly surrounded the house. Migan quickly looked around the house trying to find another way to leave. Seconds later Migan found a door on the floor underneath a rug, it lead to a basement. Migan took the mother and her kids, telling them to go down there and hide. One of the girls refused to go, she held on to Migan.

“You must go with your mother; you are going to die if you stay here with me. I am so sorry to do this to you, but you must go. Please let go.” Migan said forcing the child off of her.

“Please Migan don’t let me go, you can’t leave. You are going to die; I don’t want you to die. PLEASE DON”T GO!” the child yelled

Migan gave the child a hug, taking the necklace off of her neck and putting it on the child’s. She helped the child down the ladder to the basement. She quickly shut the door, got up and walked outside. The creatures gave her some space when Migan exited the building.

”Migan what are you doing?”

“So what are you going to do to me?” Migan said

”Annihilus is going to take you to see your father, and then he is going to help Annihilus. If you refuse then Annihilus is going to kill him and you and those two kids.”

Migan was about to follow one of the creatures back to the capital, but Kiiro came out of nowhere running a blade through one of the creatures. Kiiro was able to take out a few more creating some room for Migan to get away. She refused to move, but Kiiro grabbed her arm bringing her through the wave of creatures. Miraculously Kiiro was able to get Migan away from the house and away from the wave.

“Thank you Kiiro, I am glad that you showed up when you did.” Migan said

“Migan you can thank me later, now we need to get back to our pods and get back to Earth.” Kiiro said

“NO! We can’t just leave these people like this. The kalavarians don’t stand a chance against those creatures and whoever this Annihilus is. Kiiro can’t you just send a message to Orenji from the pod?” Migan said

The two of them went back and forth for a few minutes before two insect creatures flew down. One of them immediately grabbed Migan and began flying away, back towards the capital. The second one tried to attack Kiiro, but he was able to take him out barely, the creature clawed Kiiro across the chest.

“MIGAN!!!” Kiiro screamed

“Kiiro you need to get in contact with Orenji. Tell him I am sorry that I left earth without telling him. Please let him know how sorry I am for dragging him into this, we need him, I need him. Please Kiiro get Orenji here, he is the only one that can help us now.” Migan yelled back at Kiiro

The crystal began following Migan

Tears running down her face “Orenji please…come here as fast as you can. I don’t want to die yet; please you have to save me. I don’t know what to do, Orenji please tell me what to do. I need you, we all need you. You need to get here and help the Kalavarian people, you need to help my father, and you need to help me.” Migan said

Orenji let go of the crystal taking a few steps back.

”I am not going to touch anymore of those crystals. I know what the next one is going to show me and I don’t want to see it. I am sorry Drexx, but you are going to have to finish this one.

[Deleted]

“It’s okay Orenji. It going to be okay. We’re going to kill Annihilus. The door is open. We can finish this once and for all.” Drexx said putting his hand on the Namekian’s shoulder. It was clear he was upset by the visions the crystals had shown him. They needed to end this, and they needed to end it now. Annihilus was a monster worse than most, and Drexx had met and he had met some tyrants in his time.

The duo scaled the stairs up into the basement of the palace. A single Arthrian solider stood guarding the stairs, facing away from them. Drexx snuck up behind him and his khopesh flung out of his arm. He drove it through the things chest. Completely forgetting they had a hive mind.

A roar went out throughout the palace, and a large stomping noise could be heard throughout the castle. Drexx walked over to the door, staring out into the hallway. A swarm of Arthrians were advancing on the doors. Drexx ran towards them and sliced easily through those advancing, fighting his way out into the throne room.

For the first time in person Drexx beheld Annihilus in all his glory. Light seemed to bend around him, as if the very light itself was afraid to go near the being. He stood, and Drexx was surprised at how tall he was, at least in compared to the android himself. He stood at least 6’8, small compared to Kalavarians, but tall compared to Drexx.

“Greetings, you have entered the realm of Annihilus.” He said making his way down the steps towards the duo. The cosmic control rod glinted off his neck. He chuckled and motioned for his soldiers to stand back, the bodies of those that didn’t lying beneath Drexx and Orenji’s feet. He applauded sarcastically.

“Annihilus is terribly sorry but this will be the end of your little rebellion however. You two fought bravely against the wave, and put up more fight than Annihilus gave you initial credit for. For that you will die quick. That is my gift to you.”

He raised his hand and a blast rocketed from it, orange in color and sparking with power, it caught Drexx in the chest and threw him through the large double doors of the palace entrance. He lost sight of Orenji and Annihilus. Out on the street he was completely surrounded by the annihilation wave. Drexx swore and activated the Eye of Horus around himself, throwing those around him into the air and away from him. He drew his pistol and shot six quick shots around him, killing Arthrians around him. He sprang to his feet and ran up the steps, back towards Annihilus.

Eye-beams shot out of Drexx like a shot from a cannon as he was charging, Annihilus backhanded it away and charged as well, the two met in the middle of the throne room, exchanging vicious lefts and rights. Metal clanged as the two beat the hell out of each other. With a wave the floor beneath Drexx turned into a pit, and the android fell spiraling into it at least forty feet down. He smashed hard against his back

“You cannot hope to stand against the Annihilus’ wave. Annihilus can control the very matter around you. You will die.”

With another wave the pit Drexx was in was suddenly filled and he found himself struggling against the weight of the dirt. The uni-beam port opened on his chest and the beam began to carve through the dirt he was buried beneath. He hoped Orenji had been faring better than he against the might of Annihilus.