And now a story from Vexis’ past…

 

The woman’s body landed with a thud, oozing blood onto the smooth, steel floor. Vexis flexed his gloved hand in disgust. He flicked his finger, and the body of a man flew from his path. Vexis turned to look on the carnage he’d created. “I hate these types…” he mumbled.

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The two creatures at his feet were once Yillian. Now they were mangled corpses. Vexis stared at them. The man was so small, as all Yillian were, and yet… Vexis burst into laughter. The sound echoed through the halls of the laboratory like a chorus of chuckling demons. “You were supposed to run!” he yelled. “You thought you could beat me? Did you think you could protect the woman?!” Vexis paused as he looked on the man’s face.

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“No…” he hissed in disbelief. Even in its twisted, dead form, the face seemed to be smiling. Vexis touched the face with his gloved fingers. Several of the Yillian’s green crina were hanging over his face obscuring his smile. Vexis flicked them to the side and let out a sigh. “Why would you smile? Fear… where is it?”

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Vexis turned to the woman. Her brown skin was stained with blood, but the smile on her face was undeniable. Vexis stood and stalked away. “That is just unsettling…”

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He continued through the door and into the lab. The walls were covered in scientific calculations and advanced chemical equations. His eyes found their target immediately. “Titan huh…” he smiled. “Strange…”

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A sudden beeping sound came from his belt. Vexis pulled out a small communicator. “What?”

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“…Are you finished?” a voice asked.

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Vexis sighed, “You could have interrupted… It looks like they were experimenting after all.”

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“…Some can’t leave well enough alone… Vexis, something has happened.”

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Vexis stiffened. “Well Raiden, you always are slow to the point. Spit it out.”

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Raiden laughed, “Impudent… The museum has been compromised…” Vexis was silent. “Several strange creatures broke in and took…the most valuable piece.”

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Vexis struck the wall. “How could anyone know about that?! Argh! Tell me where they’ve gone!”

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“Another has been sent after them…”

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“Who!”

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“Vexis…this is why no one likes you. You are a pain to—"

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“Tell me!”

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“…You are to return to Joniba. A more pressing issue has arisen.” Vexis was silent. “Make sure to clean up before you return.”

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The transmission cut, leaving Vexis to seethe in silence. “Raiden!” Vexis looked around the lab again. It was time to deal with what he’d found. “Fire…consumes everything… Someday perhaps it will even take me…”

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-End