The Machine Ghost's body slogged through the rising waters as it traversed the vault's pathway. Its steps were slow and labored as the weight of the risen waters pushed against it. The body's limbs creaked. They arched, and blew off steam as it struggled to pull itself backwards, away from the towering robot that loomed above with its metal of crimson and gold. It took a few steps back, and met with a punch to the chest that knocked it backwards!

The waves crashed above it, and rained down as it staggered back up. The Machine Ghost’s body shouldered another punch that knocked it backwards! It crashed into a nearby building, reduced the building to ocean-bound rubble, and an orange shield burst around it as it finally jumped back into the water!

From within the body’s chambers, everyone crowded around the console. All eyes were either on 'Enehana or the Machine Ghost, or the damages that surrounded. Water and steam leaked from the roof as Bouncer attempted to patch some parts with his technomancy, and every step left the room shrieking and creaking. It was as if the whole body prepared to fall apart!

At the console, 'Enehana and the Machine Ghost both winced as they fiddled with the controls. One pressed buttons, pulled levers, did anything while the other struggled to move. Another punch slammed into the body as they flew back once more and everyone scrambled. They jumped onto whatever they could, and clung tight before they could get knocked out!

"What's going on?" 'Enehana shouted towards the Machine Ghost as they gripped the console tight. They winced as the windshield before them started to shatter, but shook their head and focused solely on the Machine Ghost instead. "Why aren't we moving, or punching, or doing anything?"

"I'm trying!" the Machine Ghost cried back, and gripped the controls tight as he swerved to the side. "All this water is impairing my movements! Just walking is a battle in itself!"

The metal creaked as another punch came forward, and shattered their shield completely!

'Enehana snarled. Slamming their hands on the console, they scoured the buttons and levers once more. One hand gripped the console tight as the punches kept coming, but with every punch, their legs trembled, their hands even moreso, as they tried their best to hang on! With one last punch, they grunted as they hit the floor with a hard crash. The Machine Ghost fell beside them, and they snarled as they leaped up and rushed to the console.

"Oh, forget this!" 'Enehana cried, and gripped the console tight as they took control of steering. 'Enehana flipped aside a few controls, pulled a few levers, and pressed the largest button on their side of the console they found. "If I can't fight this water, I'll just work with it!"

Another creaking sound came, but not from a punch. Instead, the Machine Ghost's body groaned as it flew up. Water poured down while it raised above the waves just slightly. The creaking continued as the body held out its arms, turned slightly…

And spun with such speed that it sent everyone spinning around inside, and churned the water outside into a rapid whirlpool! The body flew up as the whirlpool grew even more furious below its feet. The whirlpool ate away at the waves around as it sucked in everything around!

The opposing robot stumbled back and stood silent, trying its best to keep itself free of the whirlpool's grip. Its legs quivered and shuddered, and the keenest of eyes could spy it moving inch by inch.

The body knocked its feet together, cast out flaming jets from its soles, and zipped away with the added speed! The flames evaporated the water underneath, and cast out a thick, steamy mist that hid everything from view.

That included the body itself as it charged!

The opposing robot turned its head and lifted up its palms. It prepared to fire a laser, but petered out as the body kicked right into its chest! The opposing robot fell back at last, sliding across the waters and towards the whirlpool at a much faster speed than before. The speed became even faster as the body yanked it up, and punched it in the back, knocking it right into the whirlpool!

The opposing robot's body creaked as the water seeped into its cracks and joints, but the Machine Ghost's body was still perfectly dry and free! The Machine Ghost’s body hovered above the whirlpool, and rubbed hands charged with lightning.

On the other side of the body's cracked windshield, the Machine Ghost gently pushed 'Enehana aside and took back the controls.

"To add the finishing touch," the Machine Ghost said as he pressed a button. "I'll light things up a little."

With a single clap, lightning crashed down from the body's palms and into the waters, dancing across its surface and rushing into the opposing robot's body!

The opposing robot's body turned red-hot as the lightning hit it, flashing like a time bomb. Its body broke apart, and its severed parts swirled further and further into the heart of the whirlpool. As they all hit the center, a dull explosion bellowed underneath the waves. Hot steam geysers leaped up, and formed a rare dry hole in the ground below that completely covered in moments!

The steam slammed into the Machine Ghost’s body, sent it tumbling back from the force—and completely shattered its windshield!

Everyone screamed as they tumbled out the side of the windshield, and into the depths, but the Machine Ghost’s body quickly snatched them from the air and sat down on the canyon tops. As they all jumped back in the inner room, the Machine Ghost’s body craned its head around, seemingly in search of some kind of opposition. When none was found, its head slunk over as if it rested.

Jorden turned around and waved their hand as the others all crawled in. A bronze light crafted a new windshield in place of the old, shattered one, and Jorden hopped down between 'Enehana and the Machine Ghost as he wiped his forehead.

"Phew! Thought I saw my life flash before my eyes for a second there," Jorden remarked.

"Jorden, we're already dead," 'Enehana said, before they bit their lip and turned back to the windshield while a slight flash of realization crossed their eyes. "We all are."

Their face fell for a moment and they cast a glance down at their hands; they flexed and closing them for moments as they faded and brightened in turn, and shook their head. They glanced up at their reflection in the windshield, one barely there if not for the bright, orange lights that surrounded them, and reached out for a moment.

However, it was another hand that touched theirs next. The cool blue ectoplasm of the Machine Ghost's hand phased right through their own. 'Enehana gasped, and their hand started to twitch before they furiously shook their head. They turned to the rest of the group in back, not even acknowledging the Machine Ghost beside them.

"Anyways, you said the west dam is taken care of, correct?" 'Enehana asked.

Bouncer nodded as he sealed a pair of dented panels back in place with an orange laser. "You got it!" Bouncer said as he turned to 'Enehana. "Both those dams are taken care of, and that vault is ours for the taking!"

"Don't get cocky just yet." 'Enehana's voice turned colder, and they turned back to the control panel once more. Typing away at the controls, their eyes turned glassy for a moment before they shook their head. "The waters may have been lowered, but we can't access the vault just yet. It locks behind whoever opens it."

The Machine Ghost's body lifted off the canyon and flew over the rivers below. The sound of the canyon it once sat on crumbling was only barely heard in the distance as it flew further and further ahead.

The air, once warm with intensity, chilled. It turned the inside of the Machine Ghost’s body into a veritable and metaphorical icebox as the other portal masters glanced amid themselves.

Some examined their bodies as they glimmered, flickered and faded. Others opted to turn away and fix their eyes firmly on the ceiling instead. Above them, the Elder Elementals just winced, whether they awkwardly glanced away from their portal masters or shared in their cold, disheartened glances.

"Say, there's no chance our bodies would have still remained after all these years, right?" Sihiri whispered to Inochi.

"I'm not sure. I only remembered that big flash after the battle. Everything afterwards was one big blur," Inochi whispered, holding a hand to her chin. "For that matter, how did we even get to all these places after then?"

"Does that really matter?" Vatra added in. He glanced down at his own hand as it flickered and winced. "The fact of the matter is, if not for those pendants, we wouldn't even be here. We shouldn't have survived, so what'll happen to us now? Will we just completely fade away?"

Both Sihiri and Inochi glanced at each other, but Inochi was the first to turn back to Vatra.

"I mean, it could be hard, but theoretically, I could use Life magic to make new bodies for us," Inochi suggested.

But, as Vatra's fingertips started to burn, Inochi drifted away.

"Never mind."

Vatra sighed. He clenched and released his own hand as he glanced at it in tension, but finally lifting it up as Nemir brushed a hand against his shoulder.

"Calm yourselves, everyone," Nemir said, lifting up and turning to the others. "Our souls survived this long in dormancy. I'm sure we'll find something—"

"That's not what I mean!" Vatra shouted. He gritted his teeth, grunted as he crossed his legs, and hung his head with a sigh. "Just look at how much time's passed. We've been gone for ten thousand years! To everyone we know, we're dead, hell, they're probably all long dead and in the afterlife now, too! We weren't supposed to be here, and now, and now what are we going to do? Will, will we really have a place…"

"Hey, chill out, Vats! What's the point in getting worked up about all this?" Luz asked. "You're getting way ahead of yourself! Just worry about getting Arkilles first, and then we can worry about all the weird existence stuff!"

Despite Luz saying this, nobody loosened their tense glances or relaxed their postures. At most, a few turned away and glanced, the chilling air dropping even further. The other portal masters moved away from one another, leaving each other to stew in their corners. Well, save for Dej and Jorden, who cast aside tiny glances before they turned back.

"Ten thousand years, huh?" Dej whispered, crossing his arms. "To think, we've managed to get along this long, huh? Wonder how all my old haunts stood up."

"I'll admit, I kinda have a hard time wrappin' my head 'round all this fancy stuff," Jorden remarked as he took off his helmet and scratched his head, "but, getting' worked up over all this stuff's not really my thing, either. I never really had much to worry 'bout anyways." Jorden chuckled and popped their helmet back on their head. "Sides, I'm sure we'll figure out somethin'! We always did, and we always will!"

Jorden turned over to where Tree Rex sat in the corner and grinned.

"Right?"

Tree Rex raised a brow, but only forced a smile and nodded as he turned away.

Even though he seemed to agree, the tension still rang—not that it wasn't unwarranted. A bunch of temporal travelers who found themselves years into a future they weren't supposed to witness… What would become of them after this? Would they fade away into the afterlife, or would they lose their souls in the process, and end up in the world beyond, where they've should've gone a long while ago? Would they be able to find lives for themselves in this new, strange world they once called their home? Surely, none of them truly knew, and that was probably the worst part.

"We're here," 'Enehana said as the robot creaked to a stop.

The view from the windshield changed to a large pair of golden doors engraved with fancy carvings, and embedded with giant crystals seated within the side of a canyon. The Machine Ghost's body didn't stop there. No, it instead shifted gears, and parked near a spiraling building made of worn, but strong stone with spiral pathways curled around it. A solid stone pathway carved out of the canyon rested to the right, near the beginning of the path itself, and the body's gangplank joined it as it opened the door.

'Enehana was the first to leave. They pulled themself away from the console, and trudged through the room with their head hung down and fists clenched.

"Come on," was the only thing they said, their voice as cold as the air around as they left the area.

'Enehana hopped down the bottom of the drawbridge and crossed their arms; they shook a bit when Jorden laid a hand on their shoulder. The warmth of Jorden's touch brought 'Enehana attention up to him, and he only smiled for a moment before drawing back. They seemed like they would speak, but Jorden swept them into his arms and hoisted them on his shoulder. Enehana was only able to make out a surprised shout.

"Think you can see that security system thingie from here?" Jorden shouted as he held a hand above his eyes. "I'm not spottin' anything other than rock, personally! There's some sedimentary, and some limestone, ooh, and I think that has to be some really nice stuff! I wouldn't mind makin' a few places out of this…"

'Enehana chuckled, withdrew a pair of binoculars from their backpack, and peered ahead. "You're right, it doesn't seem like there's anything around. No guards, no traps…"

"So this'll be easy as pie, right?"

"Normally I'd say that" — 'Enehana lowered the binoculars down to Jorden's eyes — "but take a look for yourself."

Jorden frowned and took grip of the binoculars. He held them solidly in front of his eyes, craned a bit to the right and gasped.

"Holy smokes! That's some wreckage!"

The sound of stomping came from behind, and 'Enehana nodded as they took the binoculars. They tweaked the binoculars a little, until a projection of the area ahead emerged from their center in bright, sparkly orange. The projection solidified as 'Enehana hopped down from Jorden's shoulder, yet they still held the binoculars tight as they ran up to meet the rest of the group.

The project cleared a bit, light parting in places, until it unveiled an area pretty much void of anything. The only thing there was the smoking garbage of what was once some kind of machine.

"Bad news, everyone," 'Enehana winced as they held up the projection for all to see. "The outer unlock system's completely trashed!"

A few gasps came from the back of the group, but not from Tree Rex, who steeled his face.

"Chances are, he probably knew we would tail him and tried to keep us from entering," Tree Rex reasoned, yet a twinkle shone in his eye as he glanced down at 'Enehana, "but, something tells me this is the part where you say you have a backup plan."

"You know me well." 'Enehana stuffed the binoculars in their backpack and walked off. "Just follow me."

The others nodded, and consolidated back into a small crowd that trekked along the thin passageways with care.

"We had two unlock systems installed for the vault, just in case something happened while someone else was still in there. The one Arkilles trashed was the outer one, but knowing him, he probably left the inner one intact, just to be safe."

'Enehana came to a stop at the scene of the security's system's destruction, and their glance soured at the sight.

Then again, who could blame them? The sight of charred, melted metal that merged and fused together in amorphous lumps, all so indistinct it was hard to tell they were once a machine, would do that to anyone. Only the faint sights of wiring or broken pieces that poked out left any indication, really. The black smoke that emitted from their bodies burned the air, leaving a few gagging in its wake. Even a couple birds flew over it, only to drop dead in that moment. Its smells and sights were so nauseating that they held no other response!

'Enehana's lip twitched, but they held their head up and scurried away. They conspicuously avoiding the sight as they beelined for a wall on the left-hand side of the area instead. Their fingers withdrew into their hand and reemerged as keys that plugged into the wall. Dust cascaded over them and faded right through, piling at their feet.

'Enehana didn't stop to brush it away, no. They stayed still and silent as they rested in front of the wall, but finally drew away as a string of beeps emitted in faint tones. The wall before them shuddered as their hand returned to normal, and it slowly drew away. The wall sent even more dust falling down as it parted, and revealed a dark tunnel from which the sound of churning gears echoed in a melancholic rhythm.

"It should be right in here." 'Enehana turned back and waved to the others, walked through the tunnel, and disappeared into its shadows. "Come on."

The others followed suit as they tailed 'Enehana into the tunnel. the Elder Elementals had to push and squeeze through just to get in. by the time they all entered, they completely blocked off the view outside and any light that came.

Everything in the room was covered in shadows. The only guide was the sounds of churning gears that grew slightly louder, and the fainter sounds of other machines working away in the distance. Even the ground underfoot was a mystery; its texture was somewhere between stone and metal, and the exact contents were a mystery otherwise.

That is, until 'Enehana pulled a lever and turned on the lights.

The lamps overhead flashed one by one, and revealed that surprisingly enough, the room was much bigger on the inside! Metallic gold lined its whole surface as red floors with machinery embedded into the stone walls. The machines’ gears turned away into nothingness despite the rust and grime that formed on them. Past both the pathway ahead and the distinct scent of oil laid a series of round platforms shaped like gears. Each platform had a large key where the center would have been, and several other square platforms with tall consoles on them poked out from the sides. Beyond that, all that could be seen was murky depths shrouded in mist so thick that it shielded the area below. Hopefully, it wasn't very easy to fall off. Hopefully.

'Enehana grunted as they slid down the path underfoot, and revealed it to be a slope made of what seemed like some kind of worn crystal. They hopped onto one of the clockwork platforms and turned its key. The platform clunked slowly turning around before stopping right where the next platform laid. 'Enehana walked up, turned the key and moved to the next, hopping from platform to platform before finally reaching the end.

As they hopped off the last platform, they found themself by a gate with tall, pronged tops, and a disc bearing a Tech Element symbol attached to a frame of intertwined gears and wires.

"Just take care of the Elemental Gate," 'Enehana whispered as they planted their hand onto the disc's surface, and frowned as the gate unfolded and sank into the ground right before them, "and the console should be here."

The room darkened around them as 'Enehana passed into the narrow passage the gate once guarded. It was lit only by tiny, shining crystals embedded into the ceiling ahead. The path was as short as it was narrow, and led into a rocky dome where the only sign of technology was a rusty pylon charged with electricity that had a control panel seated in the plaque ahead of it. It burned in bright shades of red and gold that painted the otherwise drab stone walls around it in warm, evocative shades.

Yet, for 'Enehana, just the sight left them grimacing and clutching their stomach. They ducked their head low as they ran for the control panel, and flipped it open just as fast with eyes still glued there. In fact, if they hadn't been a ghost, the panel's flaps would have probably smacked them in the face. But, they were, so it harmlessly phased through, and only left them with a lingering shudder.

"Just tap this in, twirl those knobs, and that should be it," 'Enehana whispered as they toyed with the console.

Their hands shuddered with every press and twist, but they still held a good enough grip that their inputs were accepted. The control panel beeped before it folded itself back up and sank into the ground. The pylon, too, lost its shine as it sank back into the ground; its light dulled, and left behind a dark, dully-lit room of brown stone remaining.

'Enehana breathed a sigh and smiled, holding a hand over their chest before lifting it back. "That's right, ghosts don't have pulses," 'Enehana whispered as they turned around. "Not sure why I expected that. Guess seeing those colors together, it just…"
'Enehana shuddered and turned away.

"Anyways, that was the admin code, so I doubt it would've been enough to activate any security measures." 'Enehana ducked out of the tunnel and wiped their hands. "I should get back to the rest of the group. The sooner we stop Arkilles, the better—"

FWOOM!
'Enehana leaped into the air, but not by choice. Rather, a stone slab slammed down over the tunnel before them with such a crash that the whole room shook! A few gears popped out of the walls, and into the depths of the mist. The platforms shook with such fury that it seemed for a moment they would follow. Rattling metal rang in the air around 'Enehana as they crashed back down, falling face-first and quickly pushing themself up.

They shook their head as those red and gold colors poured over the room. Sirens wailed over the sound of working machines. It was unpleasant enough a sight and sound for them that they could only bring themself back to their knees. They shuddered, but quickly clutched their arm to quell the motion as they scanned the area ahead.

Thunking sounds came from underneath the platform, and their glance turned down for a moment as they got louder and louder. Another, closer thunk came right down as a trio of Arkeyan robots flipped onto the platform!

They looked to be knights dressed in shiny green and gold armor with metal bones underneath, and what seemed like sprouts grew from the few cracks in them. The red eyes in their helmets glowered as they pointed their lances straight for 'Enehana's neck. The handles held so tight that, were they not of made of anything other than hard metal, they would have cracked!

'Enehana winced and stepped back. "Only three, huh?" they whispered, still squeezing their arm tight. "I thought they had assigned more—thank the Ancients." 'Enehana winced, holding out their free hand. "Just need to take remote control of their systems, toss 'em off the bridge, and I'll be on my way."

'Enehana held out their free hand as it glowed with orange magic, and the same glow spread to their eyes as they gritted their teeth. Beads of ectoplasmic sweat dripped down from their body as they narrowed their brows. Their strained grunts grew louder as they stepped forward, and they brought their glowing hand close to the robots. They leaped and gripped one of them by the face, and in that moment, their eyes went wide and they collapsed! They rolled back to the wall and grunted as they finally came to a stop, but this time, they didn't pull themself up. Instead, they laid on their side, shuddering and clutching themself.

"My, my technomancy!" they whispered. "Something blocked it!"

Shadows cast over 'Enehana as they turned around. They gasped as the very same robot they tried to hack raised their lance above 'Enehana, and got ready to swing! They clutched their pendant and curled their body around it, eyes shutting and teeth gritting in anticipation…

Of a blow that never came.

The sharp shing of a skewering blow and the twist of split metal hit the air. 'Enehana opened their eyes to find the robot before had disappeared. Its space got taken by a large crystal slide that ended in a pointed ledge, and that same robot's skewered body dangled from its center.

"Ena!" Jorden called from the distance. He came into view quickly, sliding across the crystals before hopping down and scooping 'Enehana into his arms. "Are you alright? I heard this awful racket, and—"

'Enehana nodded, perhaps still a bit too stunned to speak, but stable enough to stand on their own two feet. They slipped away from Jorden's grip. They grabbed a taser from their backpack as the crystals disappeared before them, and leaned forward. The two robots before them backed away with weapons held tight, and 'Enehana stayed still. Their hands twitched, and their legs swayed just slightly as they prepared to leap.

The robots backed into the golden railings that blocked off the platforms from the depths below, but turned their heads aside while stomping rattled the platforms! They started to tip over, and their weapons finally slipped from their hands as they clung to the railing instead! The platforms slid down and dropped their weapons over the edge as the robots clung. The robots quickly flipped back on right as the platforms stabilized, and met with a fully-charged solar laser cannon!

"Alright, Arkeyans," Tree Rex hissed. The rest of the group was armed and ready to strike behind him as he pointed his laser cannon closer to the robots’ necks. "Burn!"

The solar cannon shot its laser, the light burning against the caverns as it shot into the robots, but the sprouts that poked out from their bodies grew! These sprouts a full shield around the robots! The shield absorbed the light and disappeared.

The robots ran right for the platform's key, and spun it around as fast as they could! The platform around them spun so fast that it spread to the rest, and broke them apart. The platforms spiraled, churned, and moved from side to side as they bounced against the walls! The robots stood back and nodded as the sudden speed knocked Elder Elemental and portal master alike off. It was then that the sprouts on their back dove into the deep, and yanked the robots into the depths!

'Enehana grunted as they grabbed onto a gear in the wall just before they could fall, and glanced down. They first winced as the robots disappeared into the deep unknown below, but gasped as Tree Rex went to follow, and the others of their group slipped in after him! 'Enehana turned back to the wall as their body glowed a bit more orange, and kicked it with a grunt!

Orange magic flowed through the cracks in the walls as the others fell in, and the gears that rested in the walls dislodged themselves and flew across. The gears met each other in the air and latched together! They formed a full platform in mere moments, swept down into the mist, and shot back out with such speed that it cleared a brief hole in it. The hole showed what seemed like the glint of an eye before it swept back out with the rest of ‘Enehana’s group in tow!

'Enehana hopped down as the platform passed them by, and winced as they sat next to Sihiri and Inochi.

"Just what was that, 'Enehana?" Sihiri asked as she turned to them.

"Seems like the security systems must have activated," 'Enehana replied as they glanced back at the mists and scratched their head, "but, I don't know how! I used the admin code, and it unlocked like it should've, so the security shouldn't have…" 'Enehana raised a brow and turned to a shuddering Inochi. "Inochi, are you alright?"

"Yes, dear, is something wrong?" Sihiri asked as she drew Inochi close. "You've been shaking like this since we got here!"

"The Life energy here," Inochi sputtered as she clasped her hands. "It, it's absolutely horrendous! Just sitting here is giving me chills. It's like everything here’s been corrupted!"

"Well, it won't last for long." Sihiri turned towards the path ahead and smiled as she pointed. "Look, the entrance is… Right there?"

Sihiri lowered her hand as vines leaped from the ground. The vine split the crystal floors, and wrapped onto the entrance like a spider's threads, so tight and thick that they completely blocked it out! Thorns burst from the vines soon after, and everyone leaped off the platform as it crashed into the vines and bounced off. The platform crashed before their feet, and split into a pile of broken, rusted gears once more. The world around dimmed a bit without the light from the entrance, even though the vines were sharp enough that they almost glowered.

All they were left to do was turn around and glance back at the path.

"Alright, something's definitely wrong here!" 'Enehana cried as they bounded forward. "I definitely didn't install something like this!"

The ground around rumbled, and Inochi yanked them back before they could take a step more.

"Look out!" Inochi cried. "The platforms, there's something coming from them!"

'Enehana grunted as they fell on the floor, staggered back up and ruffled their hair.

The platforms ahead still spun back and forth across the passage, though their speed slowed a little. Groaning, warped beeps and codes entered the air as vines shot up from the mist, and latched onto the platforms! The vines swung up like ropes as Arkeyans of all kinds, all with plants growing from the cracks in their armor, clung to their thick cords and landed on the platforms! The Arkeyans' eyes turned red as they all flew off the platforms, and they bore their weapons as they charged for 'Enehana!

'Enehana yanked a stray, worn pole from the ground and squeezed it tight. The pole glowed orange as the gears from before flew forward. Their shine and luster returned as they latched onto the pole, and refashioned it into a sharp, shiny spear! It fit comfortably in 'Enehana's hands as they rushed forward.

The first wave of Arkeyans came in, but 'Enehana’s sights set on a knight that turned around and blocked their first blow! The staffs of their spears ground together, 'Enehana whacked its knees, turned aside as the head of the knight’s spear flew just inches away from their face, and leaped forward as they plunged their spear right into its chest! Sparks flew from the chest, slapping into 'Enehana's body and leaving them with sharp burns.

They grunted and pulled their spear out from the knight's chest. A few more sparks exploded with enough power that it knocked 'Enehana back! They rolled around the floor and rested on their knee; they clutched their spear tight in hand as they pushed themselves up, and found that a pair of knights joined their injured ally.

'Enehana clutched their spear and rushed forward! With one swing, they knocked the whole trio's heads clean off of their bodies. With another, they smacked each body into the crowd right as they exploded! Severed robot bodies rained down from above, but 'Enehana tossed their spear aside and rushed underneath the rain.

With one last leap, they landed on the first platform and clung to its key, grunting as they tried to turn it—but it wouldn't budge! It just kept spinning. It moved back and forth, up and down, as 'Enehana tried to turn it further. With one particularly powerful spin, however, the key slapped into 'Enehana's gut, sending them flying back into the throes of Arkeyans!

The Arkeyans held out their weapons, ready to strike, but the sprouts that lurked from their body bloomed into masses of flowers! The sudden growth tore their bodies to shreds. Only the flowers were left behind, a cushion so that 'Enehana landed atop a grave of Arkeyans remains. The flowers faded as Inochi helped them up, and 'Enehana rubbed their head.

"It's no use! Those platforms are completely locked! In fact, it's kind of like something's controlling them." 'Enehana said before they lowered their head. "If it were those two robots controlling it, it should've faded. Falling from that height would mean death for even the most well-made robot."

"So what is it, then?" Inochi asked.

'Enehana hummed, now stroking their chin. "Well, when you were coming out of that mist, I could've sworn I saw an eye, or something like it, underneath there." 'Enehana lifted their head. Their gaze now turned to the mist as it churned below, for both bellows, and the scent of something akin to burning wood and oil emanated from it. "If I had to guess, it's whatever is in that mist, but how do we lure it out?"

"Eye will handle that!" Eye cried as he popped off of Brawl, and swooped above the platforms. "Just follow my lead!"

More robots, larger ones that bore shields and swords, groaned as they latched onto the platforms below. The larger robots climbed atop in the dozens, and their combined weight was massive enough that it tipped the platforms.

Eye hummed as the platforms dipped and surface, and zapped a few robots in the back! The sudden sniping knocked them off the edge and back into the depths. A faint explosion sounded, followed by a howling noise from the depths, one that shook the platforms before it sped them up again!

Eye hovered down above one platform, and met eye-level with the robots that stood on it as he giggled.

"Hello, fine fellows, how's the weather today?" he asked, but he gasped and jumped back as one robot swung its sword at him. "Alright, not in the mood for small talk, eye see!"

Eye chuckled again as he zipped away, and dashed from platform to platform as the robots made chase.

"See if you can keep up, then!"

The robots' beeps turned to screeches as they stampeded after Eye. They were all so fast, and so cobbled together, that the platforms below swayed from side to side! The platforms tipped left, pouring robots into the depths; they swayed right, pouring more and thinning out the ranks. The robots charged for the beginning, but right before they could reach, Thumpback swung his anchor and slashed right through their chests!

Thumpback's anchor flew back and slammed into the ground, sending up a wall of ice. The ice acted as a barrier from the explosion that came next. All that could be made out from its mostly-clouded surface was a flash of warm light and a dulled explosion. The ice melted away soon after, and poured into the misty depths, running around the battered helmets and torsos of robots. Thumpback knelt down, gently pried his anchor from the ground, and stepped back as 'Enehana came forward.

'Enehana sighed as they lifted a helmet from the ground, and clutched it close to their chest before they tossed it into the depths. The platforms slowed to a stop and hooked back together as they stood. 'Enehana turned around. They frowned a bit as a low rumbling came from the depths, but shook their head.

"Well, that should take care of that," 'Enehana said as they wiped their hands. A shadow and a small, twisted root brushed by their boot, and they glanced down with a raised brow as it disappeared. "Come on, let's get back. We can't—" Another, thicker and longer shadow ran along the ground as the rumbling returned, and 'Enehana shuddered as they walked ahead. "Can't let Arkilles get away and all."

The rumbling grew louder with every slow step 'Enehana took. Gears dislodged themselves from the ground and pouring in while the ground shuddered. 'Enehana, for their part, hung their head and ignored it. Instead, they trudged forward, just barely reaching the rest of the group's ranks when…

"'Enehana, look out!"

'Enehana turned around as the shadow fell completely over the tunnel, and rolled away right as a massive claw swooped into the ground! Their back hit the wall as shards of shattered crystal flew off to reveal hard ground underneath. They glanced aside as the others crawled back from the onslaught of shattered crystal, and then glanced back to the path ahead—but it was gone!

Now, it was blocked off by a massive bark demon unlike anything else!

The bark demon had to have been as tall as the cavern itself. Its withered top smashed against the ceiling and crumbled it to pieces! The broken remains fell around it, sent light pouring through the road, and revealed withered gray bark so pale and wrinkled that it looked more like the skin of a corpse. The only color from it was a faint, muddled, green and orange glow that pulsed from the few parts of exposed flesh left underneath its cracked face. It radiated like it was radioactive and ready to burst.

Two black voids sat where its eyes would've been, and its mouth held none of the branch-like fangs that bark demons usually held. Instead, it was made of sharp metal swords and spears. Its body seemed bulky, but on closer inspection, it was thin and ragged. The illusion formed from the masses of armor that absorbed into its skin, all rusted reds and golds. Arkeyan armor, maybe?

'Enehana gasped as the bark demon wailed. It smashed through the walls and the rest of the ceiling, and carved out a battlefield of raw, untouched stone while the light shone down. They backed away, too dumbstruck to grab a weapon or even run as the bark demon plunged its hands into the ground. The bark demon sent withered, radioactive roots tearing through the ground, roots that fused into a round bomb and exploded right where 'Enehana stood!

They gasped, rushing to their feet right as the bark came for them. A string of stone pillars blocked the bark off first! 'Enehana turned to their side to find Jorden and Crusher, who held their hands out while brown glows burst from them. 'Enehana gulped and stood to their feet.

"So it was a giant plant?" Jorden cried as he summoned a gigantic stone ax. "Not what I expected, but that's alright! I can do a little weeding!"

Jorden cried out as he rushed down the hill. He held his ax wide over his head as he bounded forward, and flew straight for the demon's left arm! With one cry, the ax doubled in size and slashed right into the armor—but instead of cracking or slashing it, the ax shattered on impact! Jorden gasped as its crumbling bits fell into the mist below, and the bark demon slapped him back onto the ground!

Jorden grunted as he slid across the stone floors below, groaned and pushed himself up. "Alright, maybe I should've used diamond instead?"

Another roar came from the bark demon as it plunged its claws into the ground, and Crusher immediately jumped in as he slammed his hammer down! A shield formed from the cracked remains of the crystal path and landed in front of them. Its body reinforced from layers of extra stone, and stood tall as the bark demon clawed away at it! With every slash, only a few scratch marks remained and vanished as quickly as they came, much to the bark demon's frustration as it roared and scratched away.

"Tree Rex!" Crusher cried as he turned aside. He grunted and shut his eyes with every blow the shield took. "Now!"

"On it!" Tree Rex cried as he charged forward. "TIMBERRRRRRR!"

The ground below Tree Rex glowed green, and out from it sprouted a giant flower! It leaped up, swallowed Tree Rex whole, and set itself forward with a click. With a rumble, it spat him right into the bark demon's path!

Tree Rex roared as his whole body glowed green, and doubled in size for only a moment. He smashed right into the bark demon with enough force to knock it into the ledges it formed! Tree Rex shrunk back down while the bark demon reeled, cast a thick, curling vine towards a ledge, and swung away.

The bark demon's armor cracked as it slammed into the ledge; its bark peeled off and fell into the depths. The green, misty miasma spread up, tickling the bark demon's face and leaving it wailing in agony. Its flesh melted and bubbled! It clawed at the miasma in some kind of failed attempt to send it away, but all that accomplished was burning away the bark around its fingertips. The bark demon wailed, bit into the platforms that still hovered, before it spat them out and knocked them into the ground!

The miasma splintered. Its trails floated over to the path where the Elder Elementals and ancient portal masters laid, and solidified as goopy, green flowers that looked as if they were made of pure acid!

Tree Rex grunted as he swung back down onto the platform. The flowers shuddered, flicking acid drops everywhere and melting away the stone! He gasped as he glanced over the burning stone, and then towards the flowers as round bubbles ran up their stems, almost like…

"They're gonna shoot!" Tree Rex cried.

He slammed down his fist as the ground glowed green. Before he could cast a single spell, a blob of acid shot right for him and nailed him in the shoulder! Tree Rex screamed, and his voice strained and roared with such pain that the world shuddering. He turned over and clutched his shoulder, but the acid spread to his hand! He screamed and panted as he pounded his burning hand against the ground. His bark melted away to reveal flesh, and even that bubbled and pulsed away!

"Tree Rex!" Bouncer and Hot Head both cried.

They ran to his side, but got pelted with acid in turn. The acid slammed into Bouncer's chest first, and he fell to his knee as it poured down, melting away his outer metal covering before leaping for the wiring next. It ate away at Bouncer, and sent sparks billowing from his chest like fireworks! Bouncer spat out garbled nonsense as a shower of sparks burst from his throat. He billowed out and spewed towards Hot Head as the acid hit him in turn!

Hot Head screamed as the acid and sparks alike burnt into his flames. The fire atop his head burst like a volcano as the light around him grew brighter, like a flashbang waiting to happened! The light glowed its brightest as he groaned, but quickly faded as he fell to his knees, and then his side while Bouncer crashed behind him.

The two of them laid aside Tree Rex, groaning and crying in pain. The acid ate into them, melting away their bodies with every single drip. A bright green glow surrounded them, and formed a dome-shaped shield of light that rained down onto the trio! The light blanketed over their wounds, melted away the acid until not even a drop was left, and wrapped around their wounds as it slowly restored their bodies back to their full status!

Tree Rex groaned as his once acid-covered hand restored back to its full, regular state, and pushed himself high enough to peer down below.

Inochi stood there, her hands raising high. More of that sparkling green light poured from her palms as it fed into the shield, and the two only smiled at each other. Tree Rex and Inochi glanced aside as Bouncer and Hot Head's wounds healed enough for them to stand, and Inochi lowered her hands.

While her hands fell to her side, Inochi took in a breath, whipped around and tossed out her hands. She shot raw blasts of poison that slammed into an oncoming onslaught of acid blasts!

The poison blasts soared back, nearly grazed past Ninjini as they shot right for the flowers, and blasted holes into their centers! The flowers reformed quickly; the holes that once burned into them quickly filled from the masses of dripping acid that made up their bodies. The flowers bubbled as they prepared to fire once more—but just before they shot, the bases of their stems turned purple, and they froze! They strained and jerked as the purple glow spread from their stems to their tips in rapid speed. They jerked around, and shot their acid blasts at the bark demon instead!

The bark demon backed away the best it could, snarled, and flung its armored arms in front of its face when it realized it had nowhere to turn. The acid splattered against its armor and spread around, burning away the armor with rapid speed. The acid fell onto the bark demon's thin, withered arms when it ran out of armor to eat!

Green smoke steamed from the bark demon's arms as they withered away underneath the acid's grip. Their remains snapped off, and plummeted down into the depths while the bark demon screamed! It flailed it arms and flicked off the last of the acid, but the acid's effects still remained.

Only stumps remained of its arms, ones that bubbled and withered. Sticks poked out of its severed arms, but broke off and crumbled to ashy bits that floated away in the wind! That smell of burning oil and wood grew even stronger with each attempt, and the bark demon's face strained as it panted out labored, tired breaths. With one last attempt, a few more sticks popped out and crumbled into the depths—but this time, it took the rest of the arms with them!

The bark demon wailed at the top of its lungs. It shook the world around, and nearly blew everyone off the ground if not for Ninjini, who cast up a shield!

Beside her, Swarm flew up and held his arms across his chest. His eyes and stingers flashed azure before he sprung forward and sliced the wind, shooting blades of solid wind and cracking the bark demon's chest! Swarm dropped down beside Ninjini while the bark demon slammed down and slunk into the misty depths.

"What's up with that dude?" Swarm cried. He winced as the bark demon staggered up. "I've never seen a bark demon like that before, and I've seen a lot of bark demons!"

"It's definitely unnatural, alright," Ninjini replied as she held her hands towards the barrier. "With its looks, it should have withered and died long ago!"

"Not to mention, the energy it gives off is so corrupted, too," Inochi added as she stepped up. She shuddered as she held her hands to her face, and a single tear fell from her face. "It's like it's been placed underneath a curse!"

A few whispers came from around the group, but 'Enehana was the only one to step forward and raise their voice. Clearing their throat, they pushed themself towards Inochi and glanced at the barrier, their eyes narrowing at the sight of the bark demon. They breathed in, breathed out, and a low hum came. Their eyes fell on what remained of the demon's armor, then towards the stumps that remained of its arms, which now glowed with light in a silverish kind of blue…

"Or perhaps, it evolved," 'Enehana said.

"Evolved?"

'Enehana placed a hand to their chin.

"Once upon a time, this may have been an ordinary bark demon that got trapped in here, or perhaps, it grew low on prey, came in here, and started feasting on the guard robots as a substitute. Its body would have evolved to accommodate this, but that evolution's proved too much for its simple, organic body to handle."

'Enehana's hand started to tremble as it fell to their side. "It should have died long ago, yet it's scrambling to find whatever it can to sustain whatever frail remains of life it has."

A roar bellowed from the front, and a twisted mass of roots tore through the ground as it smashed through the shield! Inochi just barely pushed 'Enehana aside before the roots plunged into them; instead, it was her they took, wrapping tight around her chest and leaping into the air! Green light trailed down the cracks in the roots. It amplified underneath the sunlight, and glowed even brighter as it sped its way into the bark demon's body!

Thin sprouts of a trunk formed in the spots where the bark demon's arms once rested. They emerged a strong, healthy brown, but quickly dulled and decayed as they grew further. The bark demon snarled as it glanced down at its slowly-regrowing arms, licked its lips and roared once more! More roots burst out from the ground in front of it, lashed forward, and snatched the rest of the group off the ground!

The roots curled around the others tight. In the center of it all, Inochi's head whipped from left to right, shocked gasps bursting from her with the sight of each stolen ally! She grunted and lifted her head as a brighter green glow, one completely unlike the one the roots held came from her. She strained as it glowed its brightest, but exhaled and slumped over the root as it faded.

"It's no use," Inochi panted, and her head hung so low that her face couldn't be seen. "I, I can't untie them! It won't respond to my magic!"

"That's probably because it took in aspects of those robot guards," 'Enehana proclaimed between strained grunts. "The powerful technology must make it immune to the influence of magic spells!"

"Then we'll just have to do this the old-fashioned way!" Vatra cried.

He grunted and kicked the back of the root, shattering its bark completely. It shattered the root with such force that it immediately dropped Vatra! The moment he released, he crafted a sword out of fire, and dashed off into the air As he swung it, the sword sent out a massive burst of fire that sliced through the roots—but it didn't stop there! It powered right through, and slammed into the bark demon, shattering the chestplate on its chest and exploding into flames! The fires lingered on its body, burning away its remains: first the bark, and then the flesh, and finally, a pulsing shell of what may have been a heart.

The flames burned away at the rest of the bark demon's body, and spread along to the chest as the bark demon wailed in agony. Its once powerful cries reduced to shrill wails and screeches just barely loud enough to count as a shout, a chilling sound to any being.

'Enehana shuddered and turned their head as the cries lowered in volume. The cries faded to little more than a whisper in the wind, and they finally stood up and glanced back at the fog, right as the ashy remains of the bark demon poured into the depths, never to be seen again.

"Are we like that demon?" 'Enehana whispered, their glance turning down to the pendant around their neck. "Never meant to live this long, only surviving by a sheer stroke of luck? Are we holding on to an existence never meant to be ours?"

Light poured in from the back of the room, and 'Enehana bit their lip. More weighed on their mind for sure, but they undoubtedly couldn't find the words, so all they did was stand. Still as stone, still as metal, still as the walls that once made up this cavern, they gazed out at the mist as it slowly faded away. Its clouds thinned, and revealed the faint traces of what seemed like a graveyard littered with the remains of Arkeyans robots.

"'Enehana, we're done here!" Vatra called. "Come on, we're making our leave!"

'Enehana sighed and turned away just before the mist cleared. They were all slouched over as they trudged back to the outside world. They walked up to Inochi's side, lifted their head as she laid a hand on their shoulder, and forced a smile as they were met with her kind gaze.

"I understand how much it must hurt, having to fight your own creations," Inochi whispered. "Especially ones rendered in a state like that."

"Ah, don't worry about me, Inochi," 'Enehana said as they pushed ahead. "Let's just take care of Arkilles."

'Enehana ran far ahead of the group, far away from their talk and whispers surely about them and their behavior.

In fact, they ran so far that they arrived back at the Machine Ghost’s body in mere seconds, and hopped in before anyone else! They rushed right for the controls, panted as they held a hand to their chest, but shook their head as the others came in.

Inside, the Machine Ghost hummed as the last of the group entered, took hold of his body’s controls and steered it back to the vault. His hands tensed as the vault hissed and opened before him, its doors slowly creaking open into vast darkness. He gulped as it creaked open to its fullest.

The Machine Ghost turned around, and only one question came from him.

"Is everyone ready?"

Varying degrees of enthusiasm came: cheers from Swarm and Luz, weary smiles from most of their group, a half-hearted nod or two from 'Enehana and Vatra… But they all held one, solid answer.

"Yes."

"If that's the case, we'll be going now. Prepare yourselves."

The Machine Ghost’s body ducked underhead as it crept into the vault, and the doors closed behind it as it trailed into the watery halls.