*Upon reaching the final staircase to the top of the tower, Martin noticed the ravaged body of Alice, most of her mechanical limbs had been severed as she laid motionless on her back, before Martin had time to analyze her body, a shadow pirate caught him off with a swift strike of a scythe, Martin rose his spear to block but the force threw him into the wall. It was at this moment that the pirate gave an uncharacteristic apology as the jovian transformed back into her usual self. Martin regained his composure and thankfully noted that no damage had been done. Araysia gave him a soft smile upon seeing that he was ok but Martin noticed her feigned strength as he could see the exhaustion in her eyes. On the prior level, all of the creatures had been killed by various attacks, he pulled a few of her jovian daggers that he had collected and moved to hand them back to her. Araysia batted his hand which caused them to fall to the ground, metallic noises chimed when they hit the floor. The jovian looked to be in a mix of anger and tears*
Martin: I’m sorry, I never wanted to drag you-
*Martin also looked back to the luminoths, Arius had already started checking and analyzing Alice’s vitals during the exchange*
Martin: Or any of you into this...
Araysia: Quit being so damn stoic! That psychotic witch is up there summoning demons, and she barely won without dying! Yet you insist upon us saving her! We both were doing this for you!
*Martin took a moment of consideration at the fuming jovian, her anger was merited*
Martin: I know, I don’t deserve it. You wouldn’t have that opportunity if it wasn’t for her, she saved my life, gave me another chance. I owe her at least the same. Thank you for saving Alice.
Arius: Martin, from a more level head. This realm was sealed for a reason. We don’t know what her or her sister are truly capable of. Even if we succeed in freeing her, we may be best to leave this realm as it is, and ours the same.
*Martin looked over at Arius, he noticed the scanner he had used read that Alice was in a stable condition. Elyria made no comment on the subject, yet seemed eager to climb the steps*
Martin: Well, standing here won’t solve anything. Araysia, please hang back. You’re not in any shape to fight.
*Araysia was ready to protest before Arius stepped between them with an extra pistol in his hand, which he promptly gave to her*
Arius: Hold out just a little longer, you can shoot him once it’s over.
*The joke helped ease the tension a bit, Araysia took the pistol and sat down next to Alice’s body as everyone else climbed the final steps leading to the top of the tower. The air above them moved with a swirling darkness, tendrils connected it to the unconscious Elira. Martin moved to help her but in that moment, Elyria crumpled to the ground screaming*
Martin: What’s happening!?
*Veins of light became visible in her body as she writhed on the floor, she struggled to talk to the others*
Elyria: A...sum..mon...ing. So...much....rage....
*Martin was trying to think of solutions when the swirling darkness began to pull towards the center of the tower’s platform, causing a violent wind storm in the immediate vicinity. Martin magnetized his boots to maintain balance. He looked over to Elyria who had fallen into a similar trance as Elira. Light emitted from her body and began to fill in the core of the dark mass centered on the platform, clearly forming a portal as an entity began to emerge from it. A sizable sword began to protrude from the portal attached to armored hands.Then in one moment, all of the energy seem to center around the blade before exploding into a blinding light. Martin’s visor filtered for a few seconds before regaining vision. A humanoid being now stood in the center of the platform, veins of light and dark coursed through it’s armor. Hardened crystallizations of both energies made it hard to tell where armor or flesh was melded. It seemed to take in the the surroundings for a moment before letting out a scream of unbridled rage at the sight of Martin*
Arius: Does this thing know you?
*Martin’s first thought brought Gorea to mind but regardless this foe had seemed to have lost its sanity*
Martin: I’m not sure, but I’m gonna need help on this one...
*With the ritual stopped, it seemed that she had regained control, Elira let out a faint smile before passing out from her body’s overburden*
*With another yell, the energy infused being charged Martin*