Chapter 25

"This time is different," Salem thought to herself as she plummeted down towards the surface level of Lacuna. "It's not holding back like the others."

After the explosion at the opera, Salem found herself falling helplessly next to her child Anger, who seemed comparatively calm. The machine had confidence in his ability to land, and judging by his mother's lack of fear, he had no reason to assume she was in peril either. After some time was spent descending towards the city, the red mother looked towards Iris and frowned.

"Here you go," Salem sighed as she grabbed onto the falling Tella, her red flower appearing beside them. "So you don't become a bloody stain on the ground."

"What the hell!" Iris gasped, trying her best not to panic as rubble fell all around her. "Are you mad?!"

Suddenly a pair of red wings sprouted from Salem's back, their smooth glowing surface shaped like a butterfly. Using her power the red mother then began to slow her descent, landing gracefully on the top of a black skyscraper near the city's surface. Iris looked at the woman with shock and surprise, having never seen such an ability before.

"How did you...?"

"No time for that. Just stay close."

A wave of rubble then crashed onto the pair, shattering into tiny pieces as Salem unleashed her flower. After the dust settled Anger appeared before the women with a loud thud, his durable frame more than capable of taking the fall. But even as a feeling of relief washed over her, Salem continued to feel uneasy.

"My family," the red mother gasped, looking up to see the ruined opera above. "We have to get back up there."

"We must stay vigilant," Anger responded as he pointed towards the constant barrage of rubble. "The enemy is hunting you. No time to speak or worry."

Just then several figures emerged from the sides of the building, their twisted metal faces obscured by yellow masks. Unlike the Vornex, Kalamis's crazed fighters were akin to Valekry, their previous glory still somewhat visible on their mutated bodies. But the ferociousness was all the same, proven by the speed of each creature as they lunged at Salem.

"Gah!" Salem screamed as one of the machines tackled her, striking her in the face with its large fists. "Get off!"

Blasting the creature away with a palm full of energy, Salem began to realize how little her enemy cared for her well-being. In every past encounter, the enemy was prone to holding back; but the yellow flower seemed to show no mercy.

"Move away from the opera," Anger explained as countless spurned creatures began to descend like rain from the sky. "This is too much for you mother. I will hold them off."

"Come with me," the red mother gasped, placing a hand on her bruised face. "Please!"

"I can survive. You on the other hand, will not," Anger stared. "Run Salem."

"I know a safe place, come!" Iris snapped as she watched the woman fend off a second assailant. "Quickly!"

The building then began to tip over, its mostly glass structure unable to withstand the chaos of battle. Salem did her best to remain calm, grabbing hold of Iris as she unveiled her wings once more. A volley of projectiles then shot past the women, no doubt flung by the creatures pursuing them.

"Just a bit further, if we can get to the streets, I know a safe house!" Iris panted, narrowly avoiding the grasp of a spurned Valekry as she spoke.

As all hell continued to break loose, Salem continued to utilize her flower like never before, knocking away enemies and projecting her wings with unmatched skill. But her efforts could not last forever, no matter how well she avoided the mess of debris and gunfire.

"The walking corpse runs away?" A raspy voice boomed. "We shall not abide."

Just as Salem reached the surface, a familiar portal appeared in the neon-lit street, its misty surface revealing Kalamis who towered over the pale woman. Chaos then began to spread around the machine, as more of the spurned rallied around their leader. Left with nowhere to run, the red mother prepared herself for the worst.

"Shit," Salem groaned. "What do you want!?"

Pointing his staff at Salem, Kalamis answered with fury in his voice, "You. We will end you."

_________________________________

"Salem! We have to help her!" Regret panicked as the theatre crumbled around him.

"Trust in your mother, for now, focus on Ali," Valor replied calmly, staring at the chasm left in Kalamis's wake. "Come now, follow me."

A cascade of gunfire erupted in the building as the Valekry guards began to engage the horde of spurned monsters that crawled out of several emerging portals. The battle was chaotic and impossible to track, forcing Salem's family to navigate their way around it. Unsheathing his blade, Valor took to the front of the group and began to lead.

"Stay close Ali!" Sorrow nodded towards Valor as she too prepared herself.

A tall machine suddenly emerged from the row of seats, his twisted chassis far larger than most Valekry, and covered in various sharp protrusions. Lunging towards the group, the spurned creature then prepared for a sweeping attack, only to find its limbs tangled in some sort of blue wire. It was Sorrow who stood in the monster's path, wielding her chosen weapon.

"Sister," Ali gasped in amazement, staring at a pair of two rapiers clutched firmly in Sorrow's hands. "Be careful!"

Using her dual blades as a form of whip, Sorrow skillfully danced around the spurned monster, tearing its body apart before transforming her blades back into a solid form for the final blow. Her style of fighting was refined and graceful, not unlike the Zealots her family had faced before. But in addition to the typical forms used by warriors of the past, Sorrow took on a feminine approach to her swordplay, using her rapiers like ribbons in a dance of death. Suffice it to say, the female Valekry took pride in her duty.

"Very good Sorrow," Valor laughed as he narrowly ducked under a large crooked mace from another spurned. "I see you have put your training to good use."

Just then a second spurned emerged from beneath the opera pews, clawing at Sorrow's legs before its face spit in two from the thrust of a spear.

"There's just too many," Regret panicked, seemingly unaware of how skilled he was with his own polearm. "Are you sure we've prepared for this?"

"A true knight does his best, no matter the odds brother," Valor explained as the group continued to work their way to an exit. "I see you also have learned an art. In fact, I feel almost lacking in style with how you two carry yourselves. Where is my flashy weapon?"

"Please focus," Ali reprimanded the tall machines. "You all need to find Salem the moment you get rid of me."

"Get rid of you? Don't say it like that little doll, mother was very earnest about your protection," Regret explained in a disappointed tone. "You matter Ali. Sorrow always speaks of you."

Ali smiled meekly in response, before pointing towards a small door in the corner of the opera, "Never mind all that, look!"

As if navigating a drunken bar, the doll ducked and swerved, narrowly avoiding the chaos around her. But eventually, the family progressed towards the door just as the opera began to fill with spurned monsters. A group of sane Valekry met the group as they ran out, firing their rifles at the horde of enemies in a desperate attempt to contain the violence. Things were no better around the outskirts of the opera, as both sides met each other in droves.

"Evacuate to the landing pad miss," a tall Valekry spoke, falling in line with a formation of his brethren as he waved his energy blade toward Ali. "Make haste!"

A barrage of plasma then began to bombard the opera house, the direction of the fire coming from the sky as a fleet of Valekry ships arrived. But even against overwhelming might, the spurned continued to pour out of the ruined section of Lacuna, their will unbent as long as Kalamis remained in charge.

Ali screamed as she clutched her ears, the sound of battle proving far too much for her to bear. In response, Valor plucked the doll from the ground and began to run with her. His siblings followed suit, battling any spurned that got in their way - all the while a wave of spurned crashed into the formation of Valekry.

"Go forth my forsaken children, for your queen!" A bellowing voice spoke mockingly from seemingly everywhere all at once, commanding the army of creatures to continue their rampage. "Four your queen!"

Using their swords and shields, as well as supportive fire from the air, the brave Valekry held the line against the spurned, giving their Tella masters time to flee. The machines knew it was not the first time Lacuna had faced the calamity of the crazed, nor would it be the last. Such violence had almost become common in the so-called land of paradise.

"Keep moving, calmly please," a higher ranking Valekry spoke to the family in a deep voice, his commanding pauldron shining atop his broad shoulders. "The ships are waiting."

Having gained a fair distance from the battlefield, Valor took a pause to check in on the doll. He was terrified of the possibility that she could be injured once again. But to his amazement, neither Ali nor his siblings were harmed.

"Well done everyone," Valor nodded, pointing calmly towards the silver courtyard where the group once landed. "Let's keep moving."

"This can't be happening," Ali whimpered, looking over to a panicked group of Tella crowding onto the landing pads, waiting desperately for the promised rescue. "Did Alia foresee this?"

A small fleet of passenger ships descended in the distance, filled with Valekry who began to calmly shuffle the scared women onboard. For a time, it seemed the situation was under control. But Valor was smart enough to never trust the calm before a storm. Just then, a slim figure appeared behind the group, his face concealed by both cloak and armor.

"What the hell is going on here?" Corian groaned, rubbing a piece of twisted metal off his sword. "I let you guys out of my sight for one second."

"Salem is missing. The attacker has pursued her," Valor explained hastily. "Have you seen the vessel we arrived on?"

"Yeah, it's right where you left it. And what do you mean Salem's gone missing?"

"We will pursue once the doll is safe, now let us-."

A loud rumbling suddenly shook the entire branch of Lacuna's upper level, as a yellow beam of energy shot up into the sky. The bright light shimmered in the distance with blinding fury, before transforming into the shape of a colored tree. Realizing there was no time to lose, Corian was the first of the group to step forward, his demeanor becoming suddenly more tame.

"You've seen this enemy before?" Regret asked as he pointed his spear at the young knight.

"No, but I'm well aware of what this power can do. Salem needs our help more than ever," Corian muttered.

"But she told us-," Valor rebuked.

But before the knight could finish, a large shimmering portal appeared in front of them, its power amplified by the emerging yellow tree.

"I know I know!" Corian groaned. "One thing at a time!"

Several large creatures then tumbled out of the portal and onto the ground, their large bodies dripping with a foul liquid. Standing clear above the other spurned, the towering behemoths then began to attack the weakened surface of the opera's exterior, their twisted limbs each clutching onto a long black pole. Using their mighty strength, the spurned would slam their staffs down onto the floor again and again, causing a large crack to form along the surface of the platform. In response, a volley of projectiles came from the Valekry as they hurried to evacuate the Tella, tearing several of the creatures apart. But the spurned had only one mission and did not care if they died in the process.

"They are attempting to plunge this platform onto the city below!" Valor explained, uncertain of whether or not he should even engage the beasts and leave Ali alone.

"It's too late! Grab onto something!" Corian ordered as an ear-deafening boom reverberated through the air. "Now!"

Ali found herself flung into the arms of Valor just as the floor beneath began to give way. Too scared to scream, the doll could only stare with wide eyes as the bright city streets of Lacuna appeared beyond the rubble, her small body plummeting down. Doing his best to claw onto a solid piece of debris, Valor bravely pulled the doll closer, committing everything he had to her safety.

"Valor!" Ali whimpered through the howling of wind and screeching metal.

"Do not look down little doll," Valor calmly reassured. "You will be safe."

In the meantime, Corian fell with his usual lack of grace, banging against several pieces of debris without a care in the world. In his mind, it was just another weekday, with the true struggle still yet to be faced. 

"See? It's like a puzzle piece. Just look for the right gaps," Corian chuckled as he motioned towards Regret and Sorrow, who seemed too shocked to respond. "That's how you fall."

"Are we dead?" Regret asked wryly as he drifted towards Sorrow in total freefall.

"No. We can survive. Just clear a path for the doll," Sorrow responded confidently, using her blades to shatter every large rock that came in the path of her descent. "And look at the silly man. He is used to this."

"There's an art to falling through the sky I tell you. Oh, the perks of cool armor and uhh...well...being a robot in your case," the young knight jeered, his voice barely audible through the rush of air. "It ain't all that bad."

As their descent came closer and closer to the city streets of Lacuna, the group prepared for landfall. But as each member of Salem's family came crashing down, their bodies became separated, dividing Corian and Valor from the twins - rubble continuing to fall onto the flaming surface cementing their divide. Having closed her eyes minutes before impact, Ali was surprised to awaken in an entirely different setting, surrounded by darkness in a wrecked apartment of sorts. The building was different compared to her home with Alia, with a much shinier and cramped interior - now diminished by the destruction and lack of flowing power.

"Valor?" Ali asked with a shy voice, looking up at the machine as she placed her hands against solid ground. "Are you alright?"

"Only if you are a little doll," Valor beamed, his body having taken minor damage from the fall. "Let us regroup with the others."

Ali struggled to stand, her balance offset by the tilted room she had fallen into. Taking a moment to gather herself, she became confused even further, as she realized the true extent of the desolation Salem's enemy had caused. Looking to her left, a bloodied hand submerged in rubble confirmed the worst had come to pass, causing the doll to release a deep sigh.

"Why?" Ali frowned, brushing her hand against a fragmented table. "Did it really have to come to this?"

"Such is the reality of war Ali. My mother is locked in battle with those who do not share her sense of mercy."

"But does it have to last forever? How many more battles must we bring upon these people?"

"It has never been this severe Ali. Salem has done well defending herself thus far. I do not believe our enemy would simply spare the innocents if my mother had not been here."

"I see. We need to find the others," Ali squinted her eyes, focusing on the path ahead as she carefully slid down towards the apartment's door.

"Stay close to me little doll."

___________________________________________

"Goodness, where are we?" Regret asked with an innocent chirp, shaking his head as a pile of dust fell to the ground.

"Some kind of living space. We need to move brother," Sorrow replied calmly as she helped the machine orient itself. "I promised Mother I'd keep you safe."

"Well, I think we've done quite alright so far. For our first outing."

"Yes, I'm glad you've found something to be proud of."

The siblings then began to navigate their way across the darkened apartment complex in unison, carefully pointing their weapons at every flickering light and shadowy corner. It was unusual to see the city of Lacuna so decrepit and ruined as if the show of lights they had seen in the distance was all a lie. But after an attack of such scale, even the polished furniture and high-tech landscape of the city had been tarnished.

"Stay alert," Sorrow warned just as a howling screech could be heard in the distance. "This is what we were made for."

"What do you mean?" Regret asked, pointing his spear toward the direction of the frightening noise.

"Finding our mother through Chaos. Protecting her."

"Well, we have yet to accomplish that last goal."

"You feel afraid?"

"Of death? Never. But what if we fail Mother? She had such high hopes for us."

"Regret," Sorrow stared into her brother's quivering eye. "We are family. Not some material investment. As long as we stay together, Mother will be glad."

"How do you know? Mother speaks very little."

"And yet, we understand her. Try talking to the doll more why don't you? She explains everything."

"She makes me nervous," Regret shrugged.

"Hah!" Sorrow laughed. "I'm sure she makes plenty of boys nervous. Look brother, be calm, stay close to my side, and everything will be alright. Have confidence in yourself. That is what Ali gave me, and I will ensure you receive it as well."

"Confidence," Regret pondered. "Very well."

After finishing their rather loud conversation, the twins continued to venture forth, stepping carefully around the wreckage. But as they wandered deeper into the apartment complex, a series of hallways lay before them. Any single within the hall could contain an enemy, heightening the danger. But the twins remained vigilant - ready for anything.

"Almost through," Sorrow whispered.

Suddenly, a frail figure bumped into the Valekry, causing it to crumple to the ground.

"Momma!" A feminine voice called out to the machines.

"What is this?" Regret pondered, lowering his spear as he stepped in front of his sister with a curious expression. "Not an enemy?"

"No," Sorrow sighed, staring down at a pale woman and the tiny girl standing next to her. "Just Tella."

"My apologies ma'am, we didn't see you there," Regret beamed with an open hand.

The woman was dressed in a white nightgown, covered in what appeared to be fashionable bandages adorned with jewelry. She was weak and small, unable to withstand her contact with Sorrow. Along with her little daughter, who was dressed similarly, it was an obvious miracle they had managed to survive the spurned.

"Y-you aren't one of them?" The mother spoke in a soft tone, hesitating to receive Regret's aid. "Those insane creatures?"

"No. We are knights. Here to help."

"Regret!" Sorrow hissed as quietly as she could. "We have to find the mother."

"You speak of the purpose behind our creation sister. I believe this too, is why we were born," Regret gestured with his spear. "Now then. Are there other survivors Ma'am? Perhaps we can guide you to safety."

"Not any that I know of," the woman frowned, clutching her daughter after Regret picked her off the ground. "Those...things...kill everything in their sight. They look just like you Valekry. I thought you were supposed to be our protectors!"

"I...do not believe everything is so simple. But what I do know, is that we will get you out."

"Fine," Sorrow sighed. "But we need to find Ali before we retreat."

A second screech began to echo through the halls, signaling the coming tide of spurned. But as the creatures began to turn the corner - their many limbs and sharp claws twitching with anticipation, the twins remained focused. They had found their purpose.

"I'll take the enemy armed with weapons, you handle the crawlers," Sorrow spoke calmly, stepping forward with her two rapiers in hand.

"Yes. Together," Regret nodded, walking in confident unison with his sister.

Ducking under a large misshapen club, the brave Valekry kicked his enemy against the wall, its fallen body cut to pieces soon after by his sister's blade. Using his spear to then outrange the next foe, Regret impaled a vicious spurned scuttling on all fours. Sorrow then followed her brother's assault, transforming her rapiers into their whip-like state, spinning them about like elegant ribbons as the pair worked their way through the hallway. In the meantime, the helpless Tella followed from the rear, too afraid to make any noise.

"Out there, in the courtyard," Regret pointed beyond the hallway after impaling another spurned. "We can climb up and search for our family."

"Yes, but the wide space will allow us to be surrounded. A narrow hallway negates superior numbers."

"Then we will make our own chokepoint."

Stepping onto the smooth blue grass of the courtyard, Sorrow casually tossed one of her weapons towards Regret who caught it with ease. Together without a single word spoken, the twins then snapped their whips into position, creating a large formation of metal shaped almost like a heart. And just as they had planned, the coming tide of spurned rushed towards them from every angle.

"Get down Ma'am! You and your daughter!" Regret warned.

"Now is the time!" Sorrow commanded.

The twins then began to dance in unison, cutting apart every spurned monster that dove at them from the courtyard. With the helpless Tella taking cover as ordered, the sibling's whips were free to create a surrounding field of death, like flowing kelp in the water. Sorrow made sure to add her finishing touch with a press of her blade's hilt, infusing the whips with blue fire akin to her own resemblance. With both fire and steel, the resulting battle was a graceful massacre, each spurned that came close unable to survive.

"Well then," Regret laughed, passing Sorrow back her weapon as he stepped over the smoldering remains of their adversaries. "Maybe I should have been a girl too. Whips are fun."

"Look at you. Not so timid anymore," Sorrow hissed.

"Maybe it's just you sister. I feel more at ease around you."

Signaling for the Tella to follow along, the twins set out for both family and survivors, their minds remaining calm and at ease.

__________________________

"Careful Ali this place is unstable," Valor panicked, reaching out for the doll.

"Yes, Valor I understand. But please, you don't have to carry me the whole way. I'd rather you be free to protect yourself."

Ali did her best to remain patient as she tip-toed her way through a series of damaged walkways, her guardian nagging her every step of the way. She knew the danger of the present scenario, yet remained unable to fight her urges of reaching Salem. Somehow, Ali felt she was desperately needed by the red mother.

"You are my only concern, Ali. Last time I allowed you to wander-,"

"I survived. And that wasn't your fault," Ali frowned. "Please, stop blaming yourself for my misfortune."

"How can you ask that? After what I saw happen to you."

"I don't want you to feel that way Valor, to rely on my well-being for your happiness," Ali frowned as she looked up at a broken roof, the night sky of Lacuna shining through its splintered surface. "Do you understand that?"

"No."

"Well. Maybe one day you will."

Ali then continued down her treacherous path, with Valor following close by. The purple decorum and midnight lighting gave the Tella apartment an unusually depressing atmosphere, causing the doll to become increasingly impatient. She wanted nothing more than to sprint recklessly out of the silent grave and into the arms of Salem. But with an overprotective Valekry mere steps away, she knew better.

"Beside's Valor, with you here, I feel rather sa-."

Just then, the floor beneath Ali collapsed causing her to plunge into a dark hole. Not hesitating for even a second, Valor sprung into action, diving after the doll before she could even scream for help. But once the machine caught up to the doll, he found himself in a precarious situation.

"Wait Valor!" Ali called out.

Beneath the floorboards stood the doll, her petite frame dwarfed by a nearby spurned creature. But instead of attacking Ali, the masked entity merely observed her, plucking her off the ground like a radish. Valor stepped forward slowly, blade drawn in preparation for violence.

"Let her go," Valor ordered. "Or die."

"Valor!" The doll insisted. "Just stay there! I don't think it wants to hurt me."

The larger spurned stood a head taller than Valor, its four separate limbs twitching with what appeared to be excitement or confusion as it stared at the doll. But after a brief moment of inspection, Ali was placed back on the ground, the crazed machine having become calm and unusually still. Valor did not believe what he saw at the time, and prepared to lunge at his enemy. 

"Please," Ali whispered, stepping in front of Valor's blade. "It just wants to live."

"How can this be?" Valor asked with a frustrated groan, looking over at the creature as it stared into Ali's soul. "They are monsters. Korus said they lost themselves."

"But did he say why?" The doll frowned, turning to face the spurned creature. "I feel...we can help them if we dissect the error's source."

Ali then placed her soft frail hands against the machine's mask, lifting it to reveal the face of a normal Valekry, its singular eye dimmed and cracked. Somehow, the very presence of Ali had calmed the spurned, causing it to become docile even around Valor. Perhaps, the doll believed, violence was only a habit for the monster if it saw an enemy. Valor on the other hand continued to watch in disbelief.

"Have they...ever once attacked you alone?" Ali pondered. "I mean...without Salem or another Tella present."

"No," Valor replied. "They have not."

"Well then. Now we know what happens when they see neither. What you heard from Korus about the other crazed Valekry Salem encountered before-."

"This is different. I see that now."

"They have a motivation. Come let us tell Salem, maybe she can come up with something," Ali smiled as she walked around the spurned.

________________________________

Back in the city streets of Lacuna, Salem was struggling to fend off Kalamis. The massive Valekry was much larger than her and withheld nothing as he slammed his staff against the ground. Having narrowly avoided being squashed like a bug, Salem turned to run only to receive a yellow beam of energy to her back.

"Has the walking corpse no stomach for fear?" Kalamis sighed, plucking Salem's limp body off the floor before flicking it away like trash. "Why flee?"

Thanks to the massive yellow tree that had sprouted behind Kalamis just moments ago, his power seemed to be enhanced beyond measure, causing Salem to become helpless. It seemed none of her usual tricks or strategies were working, and Without any clear way to win the battle, she had no choice but to speak to her attacker. Kalamis paused for a moment, curious to see what Salem had to say for herself.

"Why?" Salem groaned, picking herself off the floor. "What did I do to you?"

"Nothing scared creature. You are no threat to me, and you do not deserve this. But we know your kind. What you will do to achieve your goals. Kalis gave you a chance," Kalamis explained with a clenched fist.

"You are his brother?"

"I am his legacy. You Salem, stole his chance at a peaceful resolution. Now, all must suffer at my hand. He warned you."

As the carnage appeared to slow for a brief moment, Iris emerged from the shadows, having been previously chased off by the spurned. All she could do was watch helplessly as Salem was surrounded by an unbeatable enemy. But after much thought, she decided it was time to give in and commit the one deed she swore never to even consider.

"Gods, I don't even like this girl," Iris hissed, pressing a button on her silver bracelet. "Or do I?"

A mechanical voice then spoke from within her bracelet, its tone deep and threatening: "I am already en route. You can't hope to stop me."

"That's not why I'm calling asshole! I want you to get here faster!" Iris screamed.

"Really now? After so many years of politics and shenanigans? Now you want me to do my job?"

"Yes. You have full authority."

"I never needed it."

"To hell with my blessing, just get here!"

The voice then abruptly hung up, signifying its disdain for Iris. But the proud Tella knew there was no other way and swallowed her pride. Staring at Salem beyond the rubble, she prayed silently for the woman's survival.

"What even are you?" Salem continued to speak in a raspy breath, trying her best to stall for time.

"Your sister would call me fear," Kalamis gestured.

"The yellow flower. But you know of Ina?"

"My brother was so very polite when he concealed the truth. I am not, little corpse," the Valekry bellow as he stomped closer to Salem.

"Why call me that!"

"It is what you are. All of you. Call yourselves Tella and lie to the world, but my brother saw the truth."

"I wanted to help your brother. But my sister...it doesn't have to end like this!" Salem pleaded. "You know I'm not like the rest!"

"This is true," Kalamis hesitated. "It is wrong. But we have no choice. The cycle ends now."

Kalamis then raised the sharp end of his spear above Salem, prepared to smash her into bloody pieces. But just before he could swing, a large mace struck him in his mask, sending him back one step. Salem smiled, knowing exactly who had come to her aid.

"Hey asshole, hands off the lady," a familiar voice spoke.

"Corian?" Salem's eyes widened. "It's you?"

"Oh and grumpy of course. I lent him a hand with all those other goobers holding him back. Superior numbers really are a hassle."

"You are much better at facing hordes than you are a single opponent," Anger complained, his gaze fixated on Salem. "Now. Get to work."

Realizing he had been played for time, Kalamis ceased all communication and lunged at Salem. Using his tide of nearby spurned as a shield, the large machine quickly closed the distance and swung his staff at Salem, barely missing her as Corian jumped in the way to intercept with his shield. In the meantime, Anger recalled his mace using the same gravity tech built into his arm, cleaving every spurn that got in his way. But no matter how well they fought, it was impossible to save Salem from all danger. Eventually, the woman would have to stand up for herself and fight.

"There's got to be a way to get his attention," Corian growled as he jumped on top of Kalamis's broad shoulders, narrowly avoiding the large staff in the process.

"Mother can you not fight?" Anger spoke calmly, his hand dug into the face of a rather large opponent.

"I...," Salem stammered as she watched her child skillfully snatch a twisted staff out of the hands of his enemy, using it to then impale the creature. "I can't. Somethings wrong!"

"It's the yellow flower. Fear stops your flower from syncing with your mind," Corian explained. "I've seen it used before."

"Not that I'd win with the damn thing anyway," the red mother pouted, looking down at the ground after getting knocked over by a nearby shockwave. "Look at me. Useless."

"Yeah, lack of confidence is part of the deal too. Just focus on what you want to fight for," Corian forced a chuckle, his shield barely withstanding another blow from Kalamis's staff. "Sometime soon maybe?"

Focusing on the battle in front of her, Salem thought deeply for only a moment. The answer to her issue was rather obvious. It was simply difficult for her to accept the way she felt after so many years of isolation.

"I have a family. My sister. My children. Maybe even this man...and Ali I...," Salem paused. "I cannot be a coward while they fight for me."

With narrowed eyes, Salem suddenly rushed past Corian, sliding under Kalamis's tall legs and making a successful beeline toward the yellow tree located behind. Three large spurned stood in her way, one of the creatures lifting a large vehicle like a club. But just as the object was thrown at Salem, she shattered it into a thousand pieces with her hand before redirecting all the loose shrapnel into a barrage of red diamonds.

"I refuse to stay useless. Not while others give their all just for my sake," Salem muttered to herself, focusing everything she on spurned in front of her.

After devastating the enemy with her flower's reflective attacks, Salem conjured a large black hammer in her palms, chucking it at the tree with all her might. At first, the assault seemed rather pathetic, with the large glowing tree simply responding with a blast of yellow energy. But Salem had planned ahead, and was more than ready for another deadly retaliation from the yellow flower.

"Gotcha," Salem smirked. "Can't help wanting to destroy the puny little girl huh?"

Holding out her hand, the red mother then began to absorb the beam of energy, producing an assortment of floating black weapons behind her back as the yellow tree continued its assault.

"Alia taught me well asshole," Salem's smile turned into a frown as she continued to absorb the attack, her pale hand quaking in the process. "You can't stop me. No sacrifice is too great."

Suddenly, Salem's last remaining arm began to falter, its flesh disintegrating into thin air before her very eyes. But regardless of the pain, she remained focused on the deadly tree. Even if it cost her another limb Salem was deadest on proving her worth.

"What was that human phrase? What doesn't kill you...," Salem whispered.

A volley of blades then came whirling past Salem's back, cutting into the tree branches with great effect. Again and again, the energy she stored would produce another volley, creating an endless stream of sharp objects for her to utilize. It wasn't long then before the tree crumbled and fell beneath the weight of the red flower's attack, along with the rest of Salem's disintegrated arm.

"Got you," Salem muttered before collapsing to the ground.

_______________________

"Ali I don't understand your objective here," Valor sighed looking over the horizon with unease. "Your intellect is never in doubt but your priorities..."

"Nothing is stopping you from running ahead and helping Salem," Ali explained as she stepped around another docile spurned. "But I believe getting to the bottom of this will aid her as well, especially since I'm rather useless in battle."

"But...to put your life at risk like this? Have me leave you? Salem is just around the corner, who knows what kind of collateral damage can befall you."

"You are not the only one who can be brave Valor. Please, let me help."

"I know of your bravery little doll, more than you realize," the tall Valekry continued, closely following Ali's trail in the process. "But what if you find something you will not want to see?"

"So that's what this is about. You wish to protect me from the truth," Ali frowned.

"The principles of war can be...cruel Ali. You humanize your enemy, with no guarantee they can be saved or spared."

"I never knew you to be a pessimist Valor," the doll continued to show disproval in her face as she gently brushed her hand against another spurned monster. "Never."

"I only wish to protect you."

"Yes, Valor. But think, why do you feel the need?"

"I never knew you to be so skeptical," Valor retorted. "But yes...I care about you."

"Then for my sake, let me do this. I care about you too Valor, and I'd never get in the way of your knightly duties."

The pair continued to argue as they wandered closer to Salem, navigating the ruined buildings and streets almost subconsciously in the process. But as Ali rounded the corner of an intersection, she noticed a figure huddled up inside a ruined building, it's body quivering and pulsating. Realizing it was not a Tella, the little doll rushed over with great haste.

"Wait, Ali!" Valor implored.

Before the doll knelt a Valekry soldier, his bright yellow eye flickering in what appeared to be some kind of malfunction. But upon closer inspection, both Ali and Valor could see the knight was losing his mind. Although not yet fully transformed, he was in the middle of becoming spurned.

"Hey there," Ali spoke gently, kneeling with the Valekry and placing both of her hands into his. "It's okay. Just look at me. Focus."

"Ali..." Valor sighed, unable to process just how kind his companion truly was. "I don't think..."

The crippled Valekry continued to shiver, his mind seemingly lost in some kind of trance. But after enough coaxing from Ali, he looked up and stared into her eyes. A look of guilt then washed over the machine as if he had done something wrong.

"I-I'm sorry ma'am. Did I fail to protect you?"

"No-no mister. I'm in no need of assistance. I'm like you see?" Ali smiled, gesturing towards her blackened joints. "You've failed nothing."

"But I have I'm...I just...I'm scared," the Valekry explained. "I shouldn't be scared."

"Scared of what?"

"What I have to do. They made me to kill but...I can't find anything. There is no fight not unless...I become one of them."

"Korus spoke of this," Valor looked away. "The warrior's curse. To be obsessed with duty without a way to fulfill it."

"Listen...tell me your name," Ali pleaded.

"Reven."

"You are not going to become a spurned Reven."

"Why?"

"Because we need you. I need you."

Ali then silently motioned toward Valor, urging him to join Salem. Understanding the doll's message, Valor reluctantly turned to leave. If Ali could be protected by another knight, then he was free to seek his mother.

"You said there was no danger, Ma'am," Reven explained, his quivering voice becoming more stable by the second.

"Not at the moment no. But my companion there needs to find another. And without a guardian, who's to say I won't be threatened by the chaos?"

"But...you are not Tella. I don't understand."

"We all need help from time to time Reven. Even us machines."

"I see...you need my physical protection."

"And you need my comfort. A simple transaction really. One I believe you were...lacking," Ali giggled. "Come on let's stand up and stretch our legs."

Redrex then suddenly sprung to his feet, standing an entire body's length above Ali as he surveyed the horizon. With his confidence and sanity restored, he could properly understand his surroundings, and quickly took to examining the doll. It wasn't long then before he became rather intrigued with his new and unusual friend.

"Thank you very much, Ali. I heard your name from the other knight, it is a very pretty name. What...are you?"

"Your welcome Reven," the doll bowed. "I am what I am."

"Hmm, that is an unsatisfactory response. What is your duty?"

"My duty is to the people I love. Whatever they need."

"What a strange program."

"Yes it is...but I find it to be more...free."

"Interesting," Reven pondered. "And completely ridiculous."

Ali then burst out into laughter, unable to contain her joy. Despite her outward expressions, she was very uncertain of what to say to Reven. But as she continued to speak, her own made-up banter had materialized into a form of truth.

"I suppose I've become a bit of a trailblazer for our kind. I do what I please," the doll shrugged.

"And that helps others? Perhaps I can understand...a little."

"Now then Reven. Have you seen any others like yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

"Spurned we can save."

"I am sorry...I do not know. All I can do now is keep you safe."

"That's quite alright Reven. How about you guide me through this city towards my family? They are just over there," Ali pointed to a large yellow tree in the distance, its branches beginning to crumble as a massive red explosion erupted near its base.

"My goodness. What a battle. Are you sure?"

"It won't be easy. But I think you can manage."

Reven's eye suddenly squinted as he picked up a discarded firearm off the ground. Without speaking a word the Valekry had displayed his intent. He would take Ali to Salem, no matter the cost.

"I'll lead the way," Reven spoke in a deeper tone. "Stay close."

Ali simply smiled in response, clapping her hands together with joy. She had found a least a partial solution to her problem, as evidenced by her friend's rapid recovery. The machines were beginning to learn.

______________________________

After the collapse of the yellow tree, Kalamis was visibly altered, the intensity of his powers having been diminished. But even with such a disadvantage, he continued to fight, tossing Corian across the streets with his large hands. His mission would not stop till the one who wielded the red flower was dead.

"Mother," Anger spoke softly as he rushed to Salem's side, narrowly dodging the crumbling branches of the fallen tree along the way.

Cradling the woman in his hands, Anger looked down with a tender gaze. It was unusual for him to allow the events of battle to affect him at all. But at that moment, he was proud of his mother.

"You are growing strong."

In the meantime, Kalamis continued to push his way towards Salem, ignoring the knight in his path. But just before he could reach the fallen branches surrounding Anger, a silver rapier struck him in the head, followed by a spear and a flaming whip. Recognizing the new challengers, the wielder of the yellow flower then raised his staff, summoning another wave of spurned to his side.

"Oh thank god," Corian sighed in relief as he watched Salem's children arrive from seemingly every corner of the city intersection. "Listen I know I'm the distraction man but that was getting ridiculous."

After pushing toward their mother with great haste Valor, Sorrow, and Regret were all eager to battle the monster standing before them. Standing as one alongside Corian they prepared to face the tide of spurned. Unlike their mother, there was no fear in the heart of each warrior.

"Well done my siblings. How did you get here?" Valor cheered, seemingly unconcerned with the mob of creatures rushing toward him.

"Through blood and glory what else?" Sorrow joked.

"Em well actually, we had to escort some Tella first. Once they were retrieved by the Valekry, we came as fast as we could. There was fighting yes, but it wasn't all kill this kill that," Regret explained much to the unamusement of his sister.

"I liked her story better," Corian laughed. "Anyway less banter more killing."

Together the group battled the spurned as one, with Corian and Valor taking the front, skillfully parrying and deflecting each spurned only for them to later fall into the flaming tips of Sorrow's whips. All the while Regret stayed by his sister, ensuring anything that crawled too close was struck down by his spear. As long as the family continued to fight, there was an effective wall between the unconscious Salem and her demise.

"She inspires such loyalty. How unexpected from the red flower," Kalamis muttered to himself before firing another blast of energy from his staff. 

"Why bother complimenting her if you're still just going for the kill?" Corian complained as he shielded Salem from the blast, allowing her children to protect him in the meantime.

"I do not hate her. But to ensure victory, I am afraid you have forced my hand."

Kalamis then slammed his staff into the earth, causing a rumbling sensation in the process. Above his head appeared the symbol of a yellow tree, flickering with light as its power began to coalesce. Realizing Kalamis intended to unleash his power in an uncontrollable torrent of destruction, Corian called out to the monster with an earnest voice.

"Shit, don't do it you fool! Your brother couldn't have wanted this!"

"His brother died long ago I'm afraid. If I must give up what is left of me to end his mission, so be it," Kalamis replied calmly, his body beginning to tremble as energy continued to build up within him.

But before the towering monster could detonate the flower within him and destroy Salem's family, a barrage of red plasma suddenly began to rain down upon the city, devastating everything in the process. Both the spurned and Valekry were caught in the blast, causing even Kalamis to falter before at last he became the center of the assault, causing his entire body to explode in a flash of yellow. Salem herself fared no better, with a beam of plasma striking close to Anger's body, causing them both to slide across the concrete.

"By the gods, get down siblings!" Valor motioned to Regret and Sorrow as they too became enveloped in the barrage. "This is madness! Who would order this attack?"

"Salem!" Corian cried out desperately, reaching for the mother and her child as red plasma rained down all around.

The explosions continued for what felt like hours, as everything around the city was inevitably struck, toppling buildings and turning any hiding Tella into ash. The only survivors were those around the fallen tree, sheltered by its powerful branches. Only after all life had been visibly destroyed would the barrage come to an end. Overhead, the soft humming of a large airship could then be heard by all who remained, as a large Valekry ship came into view.

Iris was the first to crawl out of the rubble, disheveled and angry as she cried out: "You clumsy bastard! Redrix!"

The Tella woman limped her way towards the hovering ship, eagerly awaiting those within. She glared as a long gravity beam touched the ground, followed by a horde of bulky Valekry soldiers stomping their way through into formation. Among their ranks stood an incredibly tall machine, who strutted confidently toward Iris with a complete lack of respect.

"Council leader," Redrix spoke to Iris in a booming voice.

"This is your idea of fixing things?!" Iris screamed.

"It was necessary. That...thing...was not the only threat."

Redrix then motioned for his soldiers to surround the tree, his large arms gleaming with a mix of crimson and white. Judging by his apparel and intelligence, it became clear to all that he was yet another one of Korus's brothers. But unlike the white knight who served Ina, Redrix preferred to be a merciless shipmaster. He organized his troops silently and with ease, using them to both secure the area and escort Iris away from the premises.

"Make sure she doesn't escape," Redrix commanded. "Keep her followers away."

Clawing his way out of the rubble, Valor looked on in horror as a large Valekry approached his mother, her feeble body barely visible in a crater of ash. Anger was left disabled at her side, his stronger body having taken all the damage in her stead. With nothing left to do, Valor desperately rose to his feet, his own chassis having been thoroughly ravaged.

"Sorrow...Regret," Valor called out as he walked slowly towards Salem. "Where are you?"

"Over here!" Sorrow called out from beneath a layer of rubble, much to Valor's joy. "Regret is alright too he's just...he can't move."

"Stay there Sorrow. Protect your brother. I will help mother."

Shuffling closer to Salem, Valor was far too slow to prevent what he could witness unfolding before his very eyes. Redrix approached Salem with a judgemental stare, waiting for her to rise and speak. And after a brief moment passed, the pale girl opened her eyes to see a row of guns pointed at her face.

"Who...are you?" Salem questioned.

But instead of a response, the girl received the blunt force of Redrix's hand as he brandished what appeared to be a massive rocket launcher. Pointing the heavy munition straight at the woman's face, he began to charge its deadliest firing mode with the intent of vaporizing his foe. Weakened and battered, Salem simply looked up at the glimmering barrel from Redrix's gun and closed her eyes.

"You have been a threat to this city long enough woman. Time and time again, ever since you set foot in Lacuna, disaster has torn apart our paradise. No longer," Redrix bellowed. "Die."

But just before Redrix could pull the trigger, a small and petite doll stepped in his path, her tiny frame allowing her to easily sneak under his soldier's legs.

"Stop! Please!" Ali whimpered, stretching her arms out to cover Salem. "You don't have to do this!"

"Out of the way little girl," Redrix growled, seemingly impressed by the doll's bravery. "You should not have to pay for her sins."

"I won't let you."

After some hesitation, Redrix continued to charge his weapon regardless of the doll in his path. But just before he could launch his attack, a smaller Valekry pushed his way through the crowd, reaching out toward the shipmaster with panic in his voice. Instantly recognizing who had come to interrupt him, Redrix paused in an uncharacteristic display of awareness.

"Shipmaster! She is a friend!" An earnest voice called out.

"What?" Redrix paused. "Reven...you live?"

"Yes shipmaster, but barely," Reven explained, reaching out to the doll with his large hands. "She saved me when all hope was lost. Without this doll, I would be dead."

"What are you implying soldier..."

"I believe she is an ally. One with wisdom and patience. For she is not Tella."

"Not...Tella?" Redrix pondered, lowering his weapon. "And you trust her judgment?"

"She had no reason to save me. Or at least, that's what I believed at the time. Perhaps she has cause to save this woman as well," Redrix pointed to Salem, the red mother still unconscious.

"Is this true little doll," the shipmaster bellowed as he signaled for his troops to lower their weapons. "Do you have a reason to save this...creature?"

"Yes. I do. She is not your enemy," Ali pleaded.

"And yet, she is most certainly a threat. That monster Kalamis was thought to be nothing more than a rotten memory deep within our home. But this woman, she brought it out. She brought them all out. Every evil of Lacuna is drawn to her like a moth to the flame."

"But still shipmaster, with all due respect that does not make her an adversary. None of this was her fault. She's tried to be peaceful since the first incident, I promise. Salem has fought and bled for this city. She wants to protect it, just as much as you!"

"You claim to know my motivation?"

"You are like all Valekry mister. Brave and unrelenting. Protecting your home is all you know, for better or for worse. Only...you lack temperance, and instead pursue action."

"And you see this in me how?"

"Salem is quite similar. She wants the same thing as you."

"Hmmm," Redrix continued to think deeply. "I will be the judge of that. Thank you for your clarification doll. What is your name?"

"Ali."

"Well, Ali...you saved my friend Reven. From here on, I consider you a friend. You are welcome to follow us as we take our prisoner."

"Huh?!" Ali muttered.

"Secure the woman," Redrix motioned towards his army. "She will be questioned by our war council. The Tella has had enough chances to fix this problem, and now it falls to us."

Ali attempted to protest, only to have her arms gently held in place by Reven, who looked down at the doll with a gentle gaze.

"It's alright Ali. The shipmaster is showing more mercy than I've ever seen. I'm sure your friend will be fine after she talks this through."

"She's more than a friend Reven," Ali tried to push herself away, reaching out towards the pale woman as her limp body was taken away by the Valekry. "Salem is..."

"Your purpose. I understand. But what of the others?"

Ali then looked behind to see Valor, his damaged eye staring at her with what appeared to be a relief as the soldiers around him began to leave. In the distance, Regret and Sorrow could be seen struggling to carry an unconscious man in their arms. Ali then pulled herself together and sprung into action, ashamed she had momentarily forgotten her family.

"Anger," Ali knelt to see the fallen machine still cradling the spot where Salem once lay. "Are you alright?"

A single red eye flickered before a weak voice escaped the Valekry, "You've decided then."

"What?" Ali paused, surprised at how calm and unconcerned Anger appeared. "Aren't you afraid for Salem? Or yourself?"

"No. I did my job. And you did yours. That is how trust works."

"I don't understand."

"I told you once doll, you must choose a side or face the consequences. I could protect Salem from every physical danger, but when it came to negotiating with such a threat, you were all I had to place faith in. Seems you chose correctly."

"Oh Anger," Ali smiled. "Are you always so aloof?"

"No. But you are," Anger growled as he picked himself of the floor, his limbs seemingly ruined beyond repair. "Follow them. Now."

"How are you even moving?" Reven made a noise akin to a gasp. "That is impossible...with such damage."

"I don't care," Anger retorted. "Move. Follow her."

Ali nodded her head before leading Reven towards the large vessel, tip-toeing her way around the rubble as fast as she could. Knowing Redrix would soon leave with Salem she had very little time to lose. In fact, not even a goodbye was said as she stepped into the gravity beam that transported her away.

"Where is Ali going?" Regret asked with sadness in his voice as he looked down at Corian.

"To help mother. We've done all we can. Now it's up to her. Come, let us tend to the wounded. Mother wouldn't want us to get hurt," Sorrow explained softly. "I trust Ali."

The rest of Salem's family then convened at the center of the ruined intersection, battered and bruised by the seemingly endless conflict. But in their voices, a tinge of hope remained, as if Ali could not possibly fail. They had all come too far to lose their mother.

"I am proud of you. All of you," Valor spoke to his siblings while Anger stared at Redrix's large vessel in the distance. "Even though calamity strikes us again and again, you stand strong. What an honor it is to have such a fine family. Even you Corian."

"That's cool and all but can't we just follow them?" Corian muttered under his breath, still limp in Regret's arms.

"And reveal you to everyone? Jeopardize Ali's negotiations? No brother, she must do the talking when we cannot fight, and you good sir are far too squishy to do anything."

"Who ya calling squishy."

"The organic creature who narrowly survived a bombardment of catastrophic scale. We Valekry can cling to life rather easily but you-."

"Fine," Corian sighed. "Just call Korus. He can help me. Let's hope Salem will be alright."

"This is what she wanted," Anger interrupted. "An audience with the Valekry's leaders. Our victory may not just end with the destruction of Kalamis."

"Well, aren't you hopeful."

"I am not hopeful. I am merely aware. She is not scared. Trust me."