(Previous chapter - Aero piercer reveals his identity to be Lucius Marcus. Once the King of Lucia - Now overrun by a tyrant whose motives are unknown. He tells them about the Soul prism. Marcus was exploiting the tournament to collect money and save his people.)
Xerxes, Var and Marcus were sitting at the centre of the vacant arena. Marcus continued,
"Once I and my alter ego became famous, The organization agreed to my terms. We were never matched up before the finals. And when the time comes, I simply ask him to forfeit. Until you guys showed."
Var felt a bit guilty from hearing. He asked,
"What did happen the night before the tournament?"
Lucius retrieved his own Riftcore, pulled out the messages section
"I got this message from them."
Var received the device and looked at the message,
Dear Champion,
We regret to inform you that tomorrow will be the last tournament conducted in Rafter. We are planning to sell this arena. On account of that the prize amount tomorrow will be 10,000 units. NO entry fee for newcomers.
With regards,
Tournament Organizers
Var was shaken. His guilt deepened. Marcus continued,
"I only needed 10,000 units more to save my people. Unfortunately this cheat code to power had its drawbacks. Along with speed, Ego and cockiness also incorporated to this body. I couldn't see I was standing in the face of a strong opponent.
That kind of currency is easy to make only thanks to the tournaments. I need to find a way to earn."
Var looked at Xerxes, who gave a nod of approval. He turns back to Marcus and said,
"I don't think he would release your people even if you gave him 1,00,000 units."
Marcus looked at Var. Var carried on,
"He sounds like he had a purpose to enslave your people. If possible he might've chose you people. I don't think it's just about units."
Marcus panicked. He stood up nervous, pulled his hair and stated,
"No! NO NO NO! he promised me...he...pr.."
He looked at Var who swayed his head with concern,
"He promises mean nothing Marcus."
Marcus fell on his knees. He started crying aloud,
"AGHHHHH.... NOOO! All these years for nothing!"
Var stood up and walked up to Marcus,
"Do not worry.....Our as friend, as you saw, is really powerful. He can defeat the demon for you once he has he recovered. Until then we need your help. Show us the way to this 'Chamber of Truth' you were talking about."
Marcus couldn't speak, he only nodded. Var remarked,
" Let us grab Gauge and then we'll...."
"Wait, I'll bring my other half too." He was interrupted by Marcus. the latter got up, shook his head a little.
Var thinks for a minute and then agrees,
"Okay....But why?"
Marcus prepares himself and replies,
"There is something I must have done, long ago."
"So when are we leaving here?"
A sudden voice pops out Startled everyone. All the turn around to find Gauge standing with bandages around his arms and heels. The only one not surprised was Var. He suggested,
"HUhhhh....Marcus get the big guy and we'll get going."
Marcus nodded. He whistled loudly. *THRDDD* The champion broke through the Recovery room walls. Var remarked,
"Well the recovery room definitely needs recovery now."
Gauge and Feryx alone were laughing. The others did not get the joke.
Var sighs and follows Marcus to the chamber.
Hours later they arrived at the gates of the chamber. It was filled with Ancient runes and was oddly ancient amidst the modern city. Marcus conveys,
"This is as far as I can go. Last time I had to beg the organization for a golden pass. Now that they are no more, the pass is worthless."
Gauge and Var gaze at each other and smirked. Marcus asked curiously,
"What?"
Var replied,
"Nothing let's just say that we know important people."
Xerxes stepped up. The ancient runes on the ancient gate started to gleam. The enormous door opened. The vibration from the gate rumbling shook the ground. Marcus was frozen in place. The duo pulled him inside along with them.
Inside the Chamber was a grand archive of knowledge. A large dome shaped building, filled with holographic glitches everywhere. At the centre of it was a large platform. All 5 curiously walked towards the platform. A holographic woman popped out abruptly. she spoke with a calm and welcoming tone,
"Welcome to the chamber of truth, a place where the truths of the universe are formatted as data. I am Veyr, an artificial intelligence currently in charge of guiding visitors in their search for knowledge. What would you like to know?"
The woman was pale blue in colour and transparent. Gauge approached her while Var was reading an instruction manual displayed before her. He asked,
"Hey Veyr is it? so are you a ghost?"
Veyr made a confused expression. She laughed awkwardly, as if her efforts to explain him were futile. Feryx takes over,
"No Gauge, she is an artificial intelligence like me. Forgive me Veyr."
Gauge looked at Feryx in disbelief,
"I thought you were really intelligent. why fake it?"
Now both of them sigh, Veyr tries to explain,
"We are called artificial intelligence, because we are a program meant to imitate the self thinking nature you living beings have."
Gauge, snapped his fingers with an excited expression as if he got it,
"Ahhhh! So you are pets!"
Feryx was annoyed and called out Marcus,
"YOU! take me and stab this guy..."
Marcus was confused and thought what an odd bunch of people. Var finished reading walked up to Gauge. Gently tapped his shoulder,
"Maybe you and Feryx should discuss before you talk more to Veyr.(His gaze turned to Veyr) Hello Veyr, It says here that you can measure people's IQ based on their previous battles?"
Veyr was finally relieved. Var was more mature than Gauge. She answered,
"Of course! Also i can convert them into Synapse units for you if you want. But you will need a platinum pass to do so."
Var now thought to himself hmm...best we have is a gold pass. Veyr looked at Xerxes. She automatically responded,
"High judge of the universe - Identity confirmed
Evoking platinum pass
Now please upload any footage of the battle you've had."
Var was astounded yet kept his composure. He thought, It's on me for not expecting this from a Supreme tier god. Xerxes stood as if he had no part in this conversation. Var pulled out his riftcore, scanned the H code and uploaded a footage.
Gauge noticed this and asked,
"You record all of our fightings?"
Var responded,
"Isn't that obvious. Researching other worldly beings is kind of my thing. You do realize you are alien to me right?"
*zwoop* a footage popped up on the screen. It was the their fight against Thornbane.
Veyr answer systematically,
"According to the data I collected from the footage provided, here are the results." Text appear in the air,
Var'zek - 210 IQ
Mordan Gauge - 190 IQ
Thornbane - 140 IQ
Veyr continues to inform,
"210 synapse units transferred to Var. Thornbane and Gauge please connect to recieve your converted units."
Gauge hesitantly scanned the H code and received 190 units. Var mocked,
"Hey don't feel to bad. You are still smart. Just not as smart as me."
Gauge snatched the device from Var. Var shocked, yelled,
"Hey!!!"
Gauge uploaded a different footage. The finals of the tournament popped on the screen. Veyr analyzed and declared,
"According to the data I collected from the footage provided, here are the results." Text appear in the air yet again,
Mordan Gauge - 270 IQ
Var'zek - 200 IQ
"corresponding units will be uploaded to the users." Gauge smirked, Var was irritated. They both start bickering. Marcus grew impatient pushed them aside. Walked up to Veyr desperately and asked,
"Where is Dr. Gabriel Klyne."
a powered up explosion from the neighboring room caught their attention.....
Next chapter- Glimpses of the Mad Scientist