"We need to now move." Tank ordered everyone. Jade and Summer woke up and looked up at the massive knight. "Woah, what's wrong? You're acting like something-"
"Trust me, Sendra. We move. NOW!"
*****
Jerome looked around to see a giant being watching over them within the shadows. Everywhere he looked, darkness fallowed. The only thing glowing was the people within the dark domain.
Aubrie, Jericho, Splinter, Minus, Plus, and Bane were all inside the dark domain. Above them, was Adisa, who was floating inside of an egg-like object. "You all are inside the dark dimension. Do not fear." Rala said, her voice shaking the insides of everyone.
"Adisa…" Bane said while looking up at him. "Don't get any bright ideas, you damn ape." Jerome said, glaring at Bane.
"Even if I did, what would you possibly-"
"What are we doing here exactly?! What happened to Captain?!" Splinter asked, flying towards the egg.
"You mustn't touch!" Rala yelled out, stopping Splinter in his place.
(What's with this…pressure? This knight…this dark soldier…this power is enough to hold me?)
Splinter thought as he tried to move his body. "Mortal, wait. I'm not asking you…I am telling you." Rala said. "Right now, all Adisa needs is rest and time for his body to recover. He was involved in a fierce battle. He managed to clear only 3% of the zone that is beyond the current one you all fight." Rala explained.
"Zone?" Minus asked, picking at his teeth with his nail. "Yea, bro. We're in the beast lands of the great beyond. The beast lands is the closest land to earth compared to the other areas. The beast land has…I think five zones? Maybe less." Plus explained. "This guy…managed to clear 3%?! Ahaha! Fascinating! I'd love to fight him sometime-"
"We don't have time for that, brother." Minus interrupted.
"Well, yeah, that's why I said "sometimes", jackass!"
"Hmph. You all are about to be teleported to- oh? Wait…hold that thought." Rala said, holding out her slim arm and hand, opening a portal within the dark dimension.
Tank, Summer, and Sendra were flung through the portal. Tank grabbed all three of the women and landed softly. "Ahh…mighty knight of the lowest of lows." Rala said. Tank ignored her and placed his hand over Adisa, his body also massive like Rala's inside of the dimension.
"Adisa." Sendra said softly. Sendra looked over to see Summer starring at Adisa with anger and hate.
"Don't do anything to him, Summer." Sendra warned. "Tank and I…wouldn't hesitate to stop you."
"Tsk. Right, Sendra. Right…" Summer said as she began to look around and look at everyone.
"Look what the damn cat dragged in." Jerome said as he walked towards Summer. Summer smiled at Jerome, raising her aura in response.
Jerome stopped in his tracks and put his hand onto his sword. "Just look at you. You haven't changed one bit, Summer. It's a shame…that you let Frost ruin you in the manner he did. I feel sorry for you…truly." Jerome said.
Sendra looked deep into the eyes of Summer. Behind those angry eyes, was something that hid deep within the waters of the ocean. Like a giant creature that hasn't been discovered or hauled in yet by a person or being. (She…envy's him…)
"All talk and not much action…even after these years. Even now, I could easily kill you where you stand-"
"Then try it." Jerome said.
"…I'll save it for your brother."
Jerome's eyes immediately grew wide. (How does she know?!)
"We've been in contact. Even amongst that group…Adisa still has people wanting his death. It's a shame. When I mentioned you, he didn't even know who I was talking about. How does that feel, Jerome? Your own brother…doesn't even know you or care about you. It's…it's pathetic really."
Jerome stood in silence before bursting out in laughter. "Ahahahaha!! Look around you, Summer. Who's with you? At your side?"
Summer didn't bother to look. She knew she was alone in this dark dimension. She looked around Jerome to see Aubrie and Jericho standing a few feet behind him. "You can pretend to have anger in your heart…but deep down, you…are just another sad…kid." Jerome said.
Summer hadn't realized it, but Jerome had been moving closer towards her the entire time.
Jerome reached out and placed his hand on top of Summer's head. "Despite all the things you've tried to do, I can relate. I used to mask my true self too. If you cling to that version of yourself, you'll only end up alone in the end. You are my opponent when it comes to what is waiting after this war, but you are NOT my enemy." Jerome gave Summer a little nod and walked off.
"Jer…." Summer hesitated, and decided to stay quiet. Aubrie smiled at Jerome, looking at her brother with pride and joy. In that exact moment, Jerome felt a powerful burst of wind from behind him. He turned his head to see Tank holding Summer by her wrist, stopping her time blade from stabbing Jerome through his heart.
(What unique strength this one possesses. This has to do…with…it.) Tank thought as he pushed Summer away. "To attack one when their back is turned. What a cowardly tactic to resort to." Tank said, his deep voice striking with power.
"Jerome. You don't know me. You don't understand me. If you look up, you'll see the reason why we're all here in the first place! Why do you all ignore this fact?! It's because of Adisa-"
"HE HAD NO CHOICE!" Jerome yelled, his voice echoed across the dimension. Summer jumped back, his voice slicing through her ears like a knife.
"Adisa…Adisa didn't ask to be judged! We all have done wrong! Tell me, Summer and be honest with me. Do you really think…Adisa would've turned out the way he is if you and the others didn't trap him in that damn spell?!"
".....absolutely. It's in the prophecy, right? He's destined to end up that way and he's on track to being the reason why our world-our race ends. You don't get it. Even if we somehow win this war…we all die. Because HE lives."
Jerome smacked his lips and turned his back. "Four years. Four years ago, you and him…were damn near like brother and sister. Now you…I don't even know anymore."
From his cocoon, Adisa could only hear small portions of the conversation and commotion. Adisa was walking a great field that was shrouded with a dark storm, it was almost completely overtaking the great field he walked on.
"Do you need a coat?" An old man asked him.
"Tsk. I'm fine how I am." Adisa said as he walked past the man. "I am but your true inner self. I feel the pain you decide to hide. I know-"
"YOU KNOW NOTHING!!" Adisa yelled, the storm growing in strength and size. Adisa slammed his sword into the ground and leaned against it, his hair falling over his face and dangling in front of his eyes. The rain fell and flowed down his face, his teeth beginning to chatter from the emotion build inside of him.
"I'm going to kill them all. I'm going to burn the whole damn world after this war is over!"
"Lies." The man said. "Even I do not know your plans after this war, but I can sense it. Even you believe you'll die here. You have to let it go, child of darkness. Let it go."
"Let what go?! Huh? What the hell do you actually know?! My old master is dead! My crew is dead! My old friends tossed me in some pit like trash! My own race fears me! They judged me without even knowing! It's like…like I'm fated to…to not be with anyone. Whoever is close to me…they die. Solitude is what makes you stronger! You don't know the first thing about me! No one does…no one…"
"Dark child. You…are filled with anger and sadness. I hope…this is not the end of you."
******
Adisa opened his eyes to see everyone gathered in the dark dimension. (When did…)
"I put them all here. These are some that I was able to find. I'm not sure on the others." Rala said as she held out her hand for Adisa to walk on. "Take your time, Adisa. You've been sleep for about an hour or so." Tank explained.
Adisa looked around to see Jade, Summer, Splinter, Plus, Minus, Sendra, Flow, Colt, Jerome, Aubrie, Rogue, Bane, Elizabeth, Blizzard, Sleet, Jack, and thousands of civilians.
"Too many damn people." Adisa sighed as he stepped onto Rala's massive hand. "We haven't even begun the first step. We need him. We need…to capture Lapris and turn him into Udo!"