{Even hidden by the white clouds, the blue sky is much more appealing than the orange yellowish we used to have in the planetary forcefield}
The beautiful snowy meadow of reddish grass fills most of Marshack's sight, as trees with red leaves are spreaded around with no particular pattern, showcasing the placid freedom this plants enjoy.
"This sight is beautiful". Murmurs the Apex with a faint smile as he does a really deep inhalation, agglomerating inside of his lungs, a good portion of the freezing air around him.
The lingering aroma of wheat comes along with a mild chilling morning breeze, making the Hûrngöth to be aware of his naked state.
Looking downwards, he notices his slender but toned silhouette, having a dark maroon skin, that is quickly covered with a metallic layer that resembles a burgundy bodysuit, the Active Adarga.
Marshack's hair is dark purple at the top, and more short at the sides, showing a black obsidian tone.
In opposition to his obscure hair, the Apex irises are a bright shade of light lilac, glowing menacingly, even if his appearance looks melancholic rather than aggressive.
{How much time has passed since the last occasion I gave myself the opportunity to pay attention to something so simple and banal as it is to look into the horizon?, *Sigh*, Probably nine decades}
Even if Marshack appears to be distracted, the truth is totally different, because he is paying close attention to the terrain that is near him, and simultaneously, he is aware of the four people that are coming hostilely in his direction.
While the individuals wear leather brown vests and black gambesons that resembles the same affiliation. They have different skin colours, not tones, actual colours that differ from each other, white, orange, black and yellow.
However, their alienation is a bit strange, as they are riding bipedal birds with grey feathers that do not seem capable of flying.
"A barbarian!. Shoot him down!".
The order is given by the orange skinned man, who points his index finger forward.
There is no reason for Marshack to turn around, he is aware of being the only individual in the area.
The yellow skinned man wields what looks like a rifle, aiming at Marshack's chest, and firing with exceptional precision, even through the bumpy ride provided by his bird mount.
The moment in which the weapon's dark yellow flash appears in the barrel, is the same instant in which Marshack's first instinct reacts, using Adrenaline to accelerate his overall movement, and Quelizt to slow down his mental perception, gaining even more control over his body as a third enzyme enters his blood flow, the Adrenalayzt.
Receiving the incoming attack is not the most sane option available for the Apex. Because he is standing in an unknown location, and proceeding with caution, may be beneficial or even mandatory.
Tilting his body towards his left, Marshack easily dodges the approaching immaterial projectile.
Seeing pass right in front of him, a dark yellow energy mixed with a black shade.
The Apex regrets his decision immediately, trying to intercept the bullet with his right hand, but failing in the motion, as he is not totally used to his self recalibrated body.
{Photonic Matter!}
Marshack panics, the mere thought that the beautiful snowy environment will be evaporated and transformed into a barren infertile land is so preposterous, that the Apex becomes completely and utterly enraged.
The bullet of Photonic Matter impacts the frosted reddened grass, perforating the earthy ground for one and a half feet before detonating in a concentrated explosion that eliminates everything in a radius of five centimeters.
The somewhat positive result calms down Marshack's troubled mind, sighing in relief with the rollercoaster of emotions he is going through.
Yet, he can't stop being furious about the crime he thought those attacking him would commit.
"The Barbarian is scared!. Surround him so he doesn't escape!".
The black and white riders obey the orders issued by the orange skinned man, making their mounts to gallop faster.
The Apex throws away his initial approach of moving with caution, growling with an intimidating savagery, as he is ready and even eager to face his attackers.
Lifting his left hand, Marshack canalizes the Pyro Plasma within his body, gathering it in his palm, but being unable to shoot it out.
{Strange}
Not knowing why he is unable to emit Pyro Plasma, the Apex disregards any ranged attack he should be capable of perform.
Instead, he goes for an engage more upfront, and personal, sprinting at increasing top speed towards the attackers, adapting himself to the shorter body he possess.
The unexpected behavior confuses the riders, but that surprise causes their demise.
Without the slightest hesitation, Marshack launches himself against one of the mounts, clapping unevenly his hands, obliterating the birds head.
As his motion goes on, the Apex reverts the clapping, smacking with the back of his hands, the chest and belly of the white skinned rider, parting him in three pieces as if the anthropoid were a simple dried wood stick.
Growing a feline tail with three terminations at the end of his back. Marshack pounce at the black rider, spinning vertically in the air, and using his tail like a whip, though it looks more like a saw, cutting the rider along his mount.
The sudden change in the tiles is evident in the faces of the orange and yellow skinned anthropoids.
Strangely, the bipedal birds seem to understand the situation, and not only because of their instincts of self preservation, had kicked in after seeing two of their peers being killed with such ease.
The yellow skinned man fires his rifle again, missing even with his target being closer to him, as Marshack reads and predicts the trajectory of the incoming bullet, starting to evade the attack, shortly before the shooter even moves his finger to pull the trigger.
Terrified of the so called Barbarian. The two remaining attackers try to turn around and escape from the way they came.
A mistake that costs the shooter his life, as the Apex quickly catches up to them.
Before dying, the orange skinned man manages to say. "I demand a Duel". Abruptly, and for apparently no reason, Marshack's body is quantum locked, preventing him from executing the person who attacked him without prior provocation…