Crystalis Mu Part 9
Author: James Bullock
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Crystalis Mu (A Part of The Crystalis Saga)

Copyright © 2013 James Bullock

Copyright Registration #: TXU001847418

Cover art and design: Vickie Bullock (vickiesart.com)

All rights are reserved to the author. No part of this ebook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, character, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Recourse

Quaking, cracking and burning the ground was a large energy fireball thrown by the original Queen of Gonaga, Onyda, atop a motionless Russell – who became enveloped in a green energy that flowed from the planet moments before Onyda’s attack. With the help of that same mysterious, viridescent essence, Queen Athena magically reappeared at the battle site. Using her life’s energy, the ruler saved her daughter, Princess Onita, from the brink of death. Unfortunately for Gonaga’s current queen, her want to help Russell, Rini, Ken and Jade in restoring themselves & their used energy was for naught as saving Princess Onita weakened her tremendously.

Onyda, floating high above Gonaga, watched with glee as her inferno of energy enveloped Russell. By Queen Athena stood Dash with a worried look on his face. In his heart, Dash believed if one person had the strength to stop the individuals possessed by Oni’s spirit – be it Princess Onita, Jade, or Queen Onyda – it was Russell.

But what hope do we have now? Dash thought.

After several seconds of what seemed like an eternity to the ruling Queen of Gonaga and her friend, Onyda descended until she stood before her enormous, roaring creation. Onyda thrust her right arm inside the fiery contraption, apparently grasping for something. A momentary gasp exited Dash’s body when Onyda’s crystalline arms reached inside. To everyone’s shock, Onyda pulled Russell out of the fireball with her right hand clutching his neck. The once ferocious fireball dissipated into a smoldering ember after Russell’s removal from its inside.

Grinning at the singed body of Russell, Onyda said, “You see, even with that fog you’re no match for me. Look at me when I’m talking to you!”

Russell slowly lifted his head so he and Onyda were eye to eye. Though Onyda’s face was covered in thick crystal, a great trepidation shown in her eyes. The source of Onyda’s fear emanated from the sight in Russell’s once hazel irises. Reflecting off Onyda’s crystallized face, Russell’s optics resembled the darkest night being ripped apart by lightning strikes.

Onyda released Russell from her chokehold; muttering, “I’ve seen those eyes before. But only those of pure blood can…. That must mean his father--”

“That’s right, Onyda!” Dash yelled. “Russell is the pure mix of blessed power and royalty! He has found the long-fabled ‘golden sea of pure energy’, you witch!”

Following Dash’s proclamation, Russell started screaming. From Russell’s body rolled sonic waves of energy that knocked the original Queen of Gonaga back several yards. Onyda stopped herself in midair after moving outside of Russell’s energy radius. The sudden trembling of Gonaga due to Russell’s energy convinced Queen Athena and Dash that it was time to find safe haven. Thankfully, Dash had enough strength to sling Ken across his shoulders before hooking Rini and Jade underneath his arms. Inside a building that somehow withstood the shaking, Gonaga’s matriarch and her only conscious ally watched Russell’s body pulsate alongside sweeping winds. The green energy wrapped around Russell’s frame until his hair temporarily turned the same color. When the leafy-colored essence returned to the planet, the schism that split Gonaga’s port & the road leading toward the Marketplace completely closed as the air calmed. Everything became eerily still; just like Russell.

Like she did before using her fireball attack, Onyda approached the motionless Russell to tell him, “So, young man, you’re a pure blood? Do you realize that I’m a pure blood, too? I am the original Queen of Gonaga. Actually, I’m more than just a pure Gonagan. Do you know what that means? Do you know the real history behind this world? Do you know why we are here? We are not pure. We are not just. Gonaga and the people that created it, including myself, are cursed with death. That’s why I will kill you. We were cursed and destined to die, yet live. That’s why the world needs to be cleansed. Cleansed of the traitors who would forget their own. Cleansed of it all!”

Onyda lunged at Russell to punch him in the face. Vanishing, Russell avoided the strike.

Astonished, Dash pondered, How can Russ move that fast? Did that green energy make him that powerful? I can’t sense his energy though. Did he run?

Queen Athena and Dash observed Onyda scanning the area for her adversary.

Onyda’s search turning up nothing caused her to verbalize a decision, “I guess the boy realized he wasn’t strong enough to defeat me. Very well. If that’s the case, then I’ll destroy that imposter queen.”

Onyda flew toward Athena, only for Dash to guard his queen. With great ease, the former Queen Onyda avoided Dash’s sword swings; kicking him in the stomach following his failed barrage. Onyda used her crystallized right boot to slam Dash face first against the concrete by stomping his bent body.

Turning ever-so-slightly, Onyda refocused on Athena, “So you’re the Queen of Gonaga?”

Onyda stepped over the fallen Dash to say more in Queen Athena’s direction, “The continuation of a bloodline containing nothing but traitors and thieves. You are scum just like my husband was. And now I obliterate the reason for my return!”

Charging forward until she was directly in front of Athena, Onyda hoisted the Queen of Gonaga by her throat; opening her left fist in front of her capture’s face. Dash tried to stop Gonaga’s first queen, but Onyda easily kicked him several yards away.

“Please don’t,” Queen Athena begged through tear-filled eyes upon feeling Onyda’s energy moving her way.

As Onyda’s energy left her hand, Athena shockingly disappeared. Unlike Russell, Athena’s vanishing wasn’t of her own will. Queen Athena was yanked from Onyda’s clutches. Above Onyda floated Russell – his hair emerald in color yet again – holding his aunt underneath his right arm.

For the first time since Ken attacked Onyda, Russell spoke, “This is my battle, not Athena’s or anyone else’s for that matter. And that’s the first and only time I’ll warn you of that.”

“And what if I don’t adhere to your little warning?” Onyda asked.

Sincerity ran through Russell’s answer, “I’ll kill us both.”

Queen Athena and Dash’s eyes bucked upon hearing Russell’s cold response.

After Onyda tried to call Russell’s bluff, Russell said, “Why wouldn’t I do it? For me to sacrifice myself to ensure you can’t hurt someone else is somethin’ I would gladly do in a second; especially if you can’t come back with the Gonagan Crystal destroyed. Onyda, this is your last chance. Fight me and me alone or die now.”

Onyda understood Russell meant business, slightly nodding as a sign that she agreed to a one-on-one battle. In less than a second, Russell flew from his spot in the sky, dropping Athena beside Dash prior to flying in his adversary’s direction. Before the fight could commence, Russell requested that his friends and family be able to leave the area.

The original Gonagan queen was hesitant, but expressed no harm in letting them go, “They won’t factor in this. You’re more of a nuisance than they could ever be. But know this – when you die, so will they.”

Russell actually thanked Onyda for the acceptance of his request.

Turning around to look at his approaching teacher was Russell with an order, “Take them to Jarad. There’s nothin’ there now and it’ll give you guys time to recover if somethin’ happens here.”

Queen Athena vehemently disagreed with Russell’s command, “I’m staying. I can save him if I need to like I did for my daughter.”

No matter how much Dash – who was in the process of picking up Rini, Jade, Ken, and Princess Onita’s bodies – agreed with Russell, Athena stood her ground. Russell moved from his position in front of Onyda to confront Queen Athena.

“Aunt Athena, thank you,” Russell told his quivering queen. “I thank you for bein’ the person you are: a true beacon of hope for Gonaga when this is all over. Your job isn’t done just yet and I won’t allow you to quit that duty because of me. I won’t allow you to be like them.”

“‘Them?’” Athena asked.

“Mother and Father, you can’t be like they were. They walked into a losin’ battle. You stay here and you will help Onyda complete her goal because I’ll be too busy concentratin’ on protectin’ Gonaga’s lifeline; makin’ my fight against Onyda a failure. Please, follow my order. Live. That’s what my mother wanted.”

A smile appeared on Athena’s face as she said to Russell, “You truly are whom my great-grandfather wrote about: the pure of heart & blood will stand up to fight any incarnation of evil.”

Overhearing Queen Athena’s latest statement, Onyda replied with a question, “So he’s a savior now?”

Russell didn’t give Athena an opportunity to answer by stating, “I’m not a fairy tale. I’m the one who will destroy you.”

“Big words,” Onyda remarked. “But that’s all they are. Your eyes & hair having the ability to change doesn’t mean a thing in battle. I’ll prove to you that you are as much of a weakling as your parents were. Now tell those insects to leave before I change my mind and kill you all.”

Dash hastily told Russell, “I guess that’s our cue. I know this won’t be the last time we talk, but just know that you’ve grown into a fine young man. Your parents would be proud of who you’ve become. I’ll protect Rini, don’t you worry about that. You take care of that witch.”

As Dash turned to leave, Rini regained consciousness. Rini’s heavy eyelids opened to find her green-haired brother waiting for Dash to carry everyone to Jarad. Rini slid off of Dash’s shoulders, trying to gain her balance.

“What’s going on here, Russell?” Rini asked. “And what happened to your hair?”

Russell giggled prior to responding, “Guess the planet didn’t like my old hair. Sis, Dash is carryin’ everyone to Jarad while I take on the purple rock behind me. Now you can help him.”

Rini fell into her brother’s chest after her legs gave out on her for a second.

Fully regaining her balance, Rini told Russell, “Help him? I should help you. I’ll be with you until we win.”

Astonishment was in Russell’s voice as he asked, “What is with you women wantin’ to stay here?”

Seeing his sister’s mouth open for a response, Russell spoke up again, “I need you to follow Dash to Jarad. If somethin’ happens to me--”

Rini abruptly blurted out, “Don’t say that!”

With her fists clinched and face pointed to the ground, Rini couldn’t bare the thought of losing another family member.

Russell understood how Rini felt, but had no time to console his sister outside of declaring, “I won’t die on you.”

Grabbing Rini’s right hand, Dash insisted they go now. Rini wiped the tears lightly streaming from her eyes, embracing Athena to begin their journey behind Dash toward Jarad.

Onyda waited for Russell’s family and friends to move out of sight before saying, “The insects are gone. Shall we begin?”

Calm in tone was Russell during his answer, “Whenever you’re ready.”

Russell sidestepping her long, razor-sharp fingernails halted Onyda’s initial rush. When she figured out that Russell couldn’t be hit this way, Onyda switched her strategy by moving so hastily it appeared she’d vanished.

Onyda’s voice echoed, “You can’t hit what you can’t see.”

A solid punch to Russell’s jaw followed Onyda’s statement. The strike rocked Russell, but he quickly composed himself. Before Russell could do anything to counter Onyda’s next attack, another punch collided with his ribs. Russell understood the need to catch his breath quickly or take a third strike without retribution. Closing his eyes and concentrating, Russell felt the air break to his left. The quick action of ducking saw Russell avoid a nearly invisible incoming punch. Russell latched onto Onyda’s appendage before she could retract her arm, back kicking his opponent’s crystalline abdomen.

The kick bent Onyda in line with Russell’s impending uppercut that dropped Onyda onto her back after his punch connected. Russell didn’t give his opposition a chance to get up, mounting her so he could pepper her hard face with fists that would hopefully crack the shield of purple crystal. With her wits still about her, Onyda threw her left leg upward, hooking Russell’s elevated right arm to yank him backwards; freeing herself in the process.

Both fighters returned to a standing position, making Onyda remark, “I guess you’re more skilled than I expected.”

Like Onyda moments earlier, Russell took the opportunity to seemingly dematerialize.

Onyda quickly commented, “I see you’re also unoriginal,” while peering around for Russell.

Behind Onyda came a response from Russell only seconds after his adversary’s statement, “I don’t think so.”

Onyda carelessly turned around, only to be knocked backwards by a simple palm strike aim at her chest.

“How could he be so quick?” Onyda said to herself without thinking about Russell overhearing her.

Upon seeing her words were heard by Russell when he reappeared only to disappear no less than a second later, Onyda changed her tune by saying, “Nice work. I must admit that you’re more impressive than your pathetic parents.”

“And how would know?” Russell retorted, fully showing himself again. “You never fought them. You’re just gettin’ a secondhand report from your daughter – who, by the way, was whooped by my parents while you were still a frozen cadaver. Why don’t you save your energy and quit now? No matter what you do there’s no way that I can lose to you.”

“Says the fool to the executioner!” Onyda shouted before jumping into the air; preparing for another attack.

From the tip of her right index finger formed a dark energy sphere that covered at least a fifty-foot radius. Hurling the energy toward Gonaga and Russell actually caused the ball to expand. Once again, Russell stood steadfast in the face of imminent danger. As the energy approached its destination glass shattered, buildings crumbled, the ground cracked and shifted. Through all of the noise, Russell could hear the Onyda’s maniacal cackling. Unbeknownst to Onyda from her perch was Russell lifting his hands above his head when her attack was in touching distance. Noticing her sphere stopped moving before it hit the surface, the laughter exiting Onyda ceased. The original Gonagan queen flew down to find out what was going on. To Onyda’s shock stood Russell; holding her energy sphere over his head.

Russell calmly exclaimed as he locked eyes with Onyda, “I really hope you’re holdin’ back some energy for later! ‘Cause if that’s the best you got, we may as well end it now!”

Doing a squat & press, Russell pushed the sphere upward so he could use a single energy beam to destroy Onyda’s intended weapon. The sky lighting up perfectly highlighted the anger seen behind Onyda’s translucent, purple-tinted mask.

Onyda abruptly said, “I will not allow you to defeat me, you worthless peon! No child shall defeat me.”

Russell slightly laughed prior to responding, “So we’re back to name calling now, huh? Okay, this comes from a woman who was almost killed by her little daughter. Then that kid grew up to be beaten by a woman who didn’t even believe she could win, let alone understand the depths of her power. Yeah, I love my mother, but was she really that powerful; especially compared to me?”

Furious was Onyda during her retort, “How dare you? A weakling could not defeat my daughter! Your mother was the most powerful person on the planet until her death and my existence alongside my daughter.”

“You’re about half right. While an argument can be made that my mother was the most powerful person livin’ at the time, you takin’ that position is a joke. Sorry to tell you this, but you’re lookin’ at the strongest person livin’. And I know what I can do against a weaklin’ like you.”

Onyda bellowed, thrusting her left hand and nails at Russell. With ease, Russell sidestepped Onyda’s arm; grabbing his attacker’s wrist. Onyda couldn’t free herself in time to stop Russell from breaking four of Onyda’s five fingernails with his right hand. The attack didn’t necessarily hurt Onyda, but visibly worried her about what Russell was about to do next as he hadn’t released her arm.

It was almost like Russell read Onyda’s mind when he said, “I’ll chop you down limb by limb.”

Hooking Onyda’s left arm, Russell tripped her and kneeled atop Onyda immediately after the fall. Russell’s powerful yanking on her limb removed the original Queen of Gonaga’s left arm from her body. On her back lay a writhing Onyda as Russell tossed her arm into the sky to destroy it with one energy beam. When Russell’s focus returned to his target, Onyda started laughing. From Onyda’s left shoulder suddenly sprouted an arm made of pure crystal to replace her original.

Rather than be upset, Russell enthusiastically said, “I guess you’ve got a few more tricks.”

“That’s right,” Onyda gloated as she sat up. “You may be more powerful, but I’m more durable. When my daughter fought your parents she had to change forms to gain enough energy to regenerate her body. But with the full power of the Gonagan Crystal and my daughter’s knowledge flowing through me, you can do whatever you want and it won’t stop me.”

“That’s an interesting belief, but can your regenerate your head?”

Immediately after his question, Russell shot an energy beam that obliterated Onyda’s head. As the former ruler’s body collapsed backwards, the particles of purple dust that was once her cranium shimmered in the sky. Russell turned his back to Onyda’s lifeless, decapitated body; walking away from this potentially successful battle. Three steps forward were all Russell could make before he felt another person’s life energy rising.

“I thought you said you wanted to fight, boy?” Onyda’s voice cried out.

Russell quickly spun around to discover Onyda standing before him with her entire body in tact.

Russell couldn’t help but laugh until he said, “I guess you can regenerate everything. This should be interestin’.”

Jumping into the air, Russell signaled for Onyda to follow. Onyda obliged while Russell flew higher. When Onyda almost grabbed Russell, her target disappeared. Instead of playing tricks and waiting, Russell reappeared behind his aggressor almost instantly after his vanishing.

Onyda said, “You need to learn some new tricks,” before throwing her right arm backwards.

Once again, Russell avoided Onyda’s strike, gripping her wrist. Russell trying to take advantage of the situation ended with him being punched on the jaw. The attack caused Russell to descend with Onyda in hot pursuit. Onyda’s next attack saw her stomp the airborne Russell’s abdomen with both of her spiked feet so she could drive him against the ground.

“Let’s see him avoid these,” Onyda commented; back flipping from Russell’s body to shoot off several energy beams.

Russell looked up to witness multiple rays coming at him. Unfortunately, Russell had no time to move as Onyda’s energy collided against Russell and the concrete; sending slabs of rock skyward. The dust settling was Onyda’s signal to check out the outcome of her work. Like Onyda apparently predicted, Russell lay in the crater her energy caused; bleeding from the mouth and cut all over.

“Get up,” Onyda demanded. “That was nothing. If that’s the best you can take, then--”

Before Onyda could finish her statement, Russell’s eyes opened. Though she ordered Russell to rise only seconds ago, Onyda stepped away; startled that Russell moved so quickly.

Without so much as a limp, Russell returned to his feet with a question in his mouth, “So, shall we continue?”

Taking a page out of Russell’s book, Onyda flew into the air so Russell would trail her. Onyda didn’t fly at a consistent pace; picking up speed the further she went.

Russell thought to himself during his flight, So, make me lose you, then come at me from behind. Smart, but elementary at this stage of the game.

Stopping, Russell hovered in midair awaiting Onyda’s impending attack.

“This is weird,” Russell eventually said to himself after an unusually long amount of time passed for Onyda not to recognize Russell wasn’t chasing her any longer. “I can’t believe she still hasn’t attacked me. The angle of her body was almost like she…. No! That witch is headin’ to Jarad!”

By the time Russell made it halfway between Gonaga and Jarad, the first Queen of Gonaga landed on the rock she once called home. It didn’t take long for Onyda to find her targets. While Dash first recognized Onyda’s approaching energy, it was Queen Athena who initially spotted their enemy. Gonaga’s current queen alerted a now awake Ken about their situation, but himself, Jade and Rini – who lost consciousness shortly after arriving due to exhaustion – were still too hurt to fight something like Onyda.

Struggling to his feet, Ken told his brother, “Dash, please get Rini and Jade away from here.”

“There is no way you can fight her in your condition,” Dash responded while watching Ken labor to keep his balance. “There is only one way we can fight her: together.”

From a hovering Onyda came the statement, “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that,” prior to her shooting a fire-encased energy beam in Ken’s direction.

Without hesitation, Dash dove; shoving Ken out of the way. The fiery beam ripped through Dash’s right forearm. The pain Dash experienced was excruciating as he clutched the burning, inch-round hole in his arm. Beside an injured Dash sat a stunned Ken. Mentally shaking himself out of the stupor paralyzing him, Ken went to move. Sadly for Ken, Onyda drove her spiked left foot through Ken’s right hand. Onyda smacked Ken so she could pin his left hand to the ground by stomping the appendage as well.

Standing above Ken, Onyda told her crucified foe, “My daughter says that she created you from (Dash). What a failed experiment you are. Why don’t I just save you the humiliation of being made from trash by destroying you?”

A female abruptly shouted as Onyda squatted atop Ken with her right palm positioned at his face, “Leave him alone!”

Ken’s intended murder’s attention turned to the source of this command. Standing with Rini’s sword was none other than Princess Onita. Athena gazed at her daughter’s once wrecked body now fully healed thanks to Queen Athena’s actions on Gonaga.

Princess Onita continued speaking when Onyda removed her spikes from Ken’s grunting body, “I am the vessel your daughter used to return. I have retained the knowledge of what my power can do. And I will use it to destroy you!”

Instead of being fearful of this new opponent, Onyda began laughing.

“You?” Onyda said at the end of her amused moment. “You believe you can defeat me? You couldn’t even stop that rodent with the sickles. There’s a reason why my daughter’s spirit left you: it’s because you’re weak. Just like your dead aunt, uncles, soon to be parents--”

Princess Onita rushing Onyda interrupted the first Queen of Gonaga’s spiel. Using her left hand to easily deflect the wild sword swing from Princess Onita, Onyda unleashed a vicious headbutt to the princess’ forehead; sending the Princess of Gonaga sailing backwards. Queen Athena ran to her daughter’s side after she hit the damp ground to find Onita unconscious again.

Feverishly shaking, Athena told her child, “Why would you do something so stupid? Please don’t leave me, too.”

Onyda’s incredible speed allowed her to grab the unaware Queen of Gonaga before Dash or Ken could stop her.

Clutching Athena by her throat again, Onyda gleefully said, “Goodbye, you worthless excuse for a great-grandchild.”

The sound of something soaring caught Onyda’s ear. That object Onyda heard turned out to be a brown energy beam eventually hitting Onyda’s back and forcing her to drop Athena. Looking down at her transparent body revealed to Onyda that the beam opened a hole in her lower back.

The person responsible for the attack spoke with a voice familiar to everyone, “I told you in Gonaga this is between you and me, Onyda.”

As the wound healed on her back, Onyda turned to discover Russell standing in front of Rini and Jade’s sleeping bodies.

“Gonaga is the battle ground,” Russell said. “The place you want to destroy, not here.”

Onyda vocalized her reason for returning to Jarad, “This is the place I feel connected to the only thing I created that I’m proud of. And she knew… knows that this planet needs cleansing for it to gain absolution. That’s what my idiot husband thought he would gain in creating Gonaga. Yet, the creation of that land you fight for wasn’t made because of salvation, but greed; the lust for power. I attain power only to use it to wipe away that gormandizing desire. You attain power for security. Just like your ancestors, you are petty in mind.”

Russell cracked his knuckles while walking toward Onyda.

“You know what, Onyda?” Russell said when he and his adversary were face to face. “I’ve never been one for big speeches, soliloquies and such, but I have to correct you. I don’t fight for Gonaga or security. I’m fightin’ for the people who made me who I am. The same people who had and have nothin’ to do with your banishment. You want to cleanse the world of greed and evil? Well that’s funny because I want to do the same thing… startin’ with you. Onyda, great-great-grandmother, the time for talkin’ and runnin’ is done. Lets find out who decides the fate of the world right here, right now!”

…to be continued