The Legend Of Black Eyes

Heda was struggling with the machine that attempted to cleave her in half. I didn't know how she managed to block such a heavy sword with just a dagger. That only amplified my apprehension of her. Heda was a master at hiding things, and if I revealed all my cards before her, she would probably eat me alive. 

She shot a side glance at me. The machine had activated the steam behind its elbows and was pushing Heda further down. Her knees were bent, emphasizing her small behind. I was glad I could at least find something appealing about the champion of fate. 

"Will you please lend me a hand?" she asked through gritted teeth. 

I shrugged and saw particles of dust fall off my shoulders. "Say the magic words," I plainly stated. 

Heda was struggling to keep a straight posture. Steam whistled as it raged out of the machine's elbows, pushing her down even further. Her pretty little ȧss was getting tighter, and dangerously close to the ground. 

"I'm sorry, alright!" she spurted out in a broken voice. "Now please help me with this thing!" 

"Not good enough," I said. 

I enjoyed torturing this pretty little thing. She was pretty, all things considered. Her beauty, however, hid something more sinister. I dreaded her more than I felt attracted to her.

"Oh, I'll properly apologize to you when we're done. Now pleaaaase help me!" 

Her arms were shaking heavily. She had reached her limit. I couldn't tease her any longer though. To be frank, I still needed her and was afraid of her future retaliation. Heda was a calculating woman. I didn't want to test her vindictive side. I cursed my inability to progress through the Holi Wars without her. Then I ran to her rescue. 

I punched the automaton so hard I sent it flying backwards. The machine spread the poles it used as crude wings and released more steam, halting its retreat. I heard a metallic whir then two giant crossbows appeared above the automaton's shoulders. 

Two big bolts darted toward me. One hit me on the shoulder, destroying my clay limb. The other hit me on the leg. I fell, and the golem that coated me was reduced to bits and pieces. I immediately jumped aside as another bolt zoomed my way. How many bolts did this machine have anyway? 

I willed the clay parts to cover me entirely then, holding both hands together, I brought them down upon the automaton. The earth cracked below us. I slammed my fists on the machine once more, and saw it go deeper underground. I'd broken its long poles in the process, so its steam powered wings didn't work anymore.

As I prepared to land another hit, I heard the other automaton fly toward me. I turned to face it just in time to grab it from its legs. Using its own flight momentum, I slammed it down on its brother. I lifted it once more, as though I was holding a loose piece of cloth, then slammed it on the machine. 

I heard buzzing noises coming from the silver automaton. Then smoke rose from between the joints at its shoulders and legs. I slammed the bronze machine against it once more, and a loud conflagration ensued. 

The blast pushed me backwards. I don't know how long or how far I flew, but when I finally fell, I felt hard clay slam against my ribs. I heard something crack, and I winced in pain. The clay golem had hardened after the sudden fire burst. It didn't even break after I landed. 

With great difficulty, I managed to get on my feet. The warehouse had turned into a flaming battlefield. I got busy redirecting my energy toward my ribs. Healing simple wounds, like cracked ribs and dislocated joints, wasn't that difficult for me now. 

Thank you master Omega! 

I heard Rimbaldi's shrill voice echo through the warehouse once more. His sudden angry bursts, coupled with his annoying voice, made me want to reach him and rip him apart. However, Rimbaldi was as vital to me as Heda. I hated and dreaded both of them, but I needed them all the same. 

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN TO GIVE UP, DO YOU?" He asked in his shrill, strident voice.  .

I didn't know where his voice emanated from. Omega had told me the scientist had no magical powers, that he's found something much more powerful than magic, something called science. I'd learned all about magic and energy manipulation, only to face a man who used none of them. 

"I DARE YOU TO BEAT MY ARMY. ATTAAAACK!" 

We heard multiple metallic whirring noises in the distance. I spread my senses, only to remember that Rimbaldi's small automata didn't emit any energy readings. They were made of materials the scientist made on his own. They didn't even need the spheres I usually extracted from his other creatures. 

A dozen machines buzzed above our heads. They all had poles protruding from their backs, from which steam raged out, propelling them forward. Steam also emanated beneath their legs, albeit in lower intensity. 

Six of them were painted silver, the other six were bronze. They all held the same big swords the previous two had. The silver ones came rushing toward me, brandishing their swords. Their crossbows were already engaged, and they were directing them at me. 

I created another ghost using my own energy, the same I created to communicate with the element of earth. Then I projected it outwards. I concentrated on the now familiar energy from the earth element, and called out to it. 

"Mother Earth, your enemies have only grown fiercer. They've occupied one of your majestic mountains, carving unnatural caves and storing harmful substances. Lend me your devastating strength, for I shall wipe them out from the surface of your precious earth." 

I felt the element reach out to me once more. The feeling I got this time was one of deep sadness and regret. The golem I was riding began shrinking at an alarming rate. I soon found myself standing on my own feet. Rimbaldi's silver automata were flying toward me at full speed. 

I thought I'd lost Earth's support, but then I felt a sudden surge of energy. My eye began seeing things that were hidden from me before. I saw the earth's energy, surging through the floor and the walls that surrounded the warehouse. 

Then I felt this uncontrollable anger. It felt like my ċhėst was about to burst open. The anger kept building up, causing my arms and legs to twitch uncontrollably. Then I let out a deafening roar. I was surprised my vocal chords were actually capable of emitting such a guttural, primal, angry howl.

Every root underground, every particle of dust, every blade of grass above our heads. They were willing to obey all my commands. They hummed the same angry whispers I felt inside me. I could feel their movements, and their willingness to fight beside me. 

Then I heard a soothing voice inside my head. "Avenge the wrongs that were done to me child.. You have my blessing, for the destruction I suffered far outweighs what you could ever achieve."