A Winter Story 

 {picture}

Artis and Breder POV 

As chilly snow fell from crying clouds, the foggy trees stood tall and motionless, as Artis faced off with a monster, he didn't understand… but he did know one thing. And that was the fact that this alien-like monster was similar to him… in more ways than one… simply understanding this fact coupled with his memory he wanted to protect, he realized that this fight might just be the most important one in his new life, going forward! And that if he failed to face him now… it would only mean he was still afraid… afraid of what he has become… in what he always was. 

Knowing this, Artis raised his fist like that of a boxer, for his arms were the only weapon he had. Now seeing his opponent defending himself, Breder got on all six of his appendages and paused for a moment to let out a hot steaming breath… as the smoke from his breath floated upwards, Breder tail change forms non-stop from blunt weapon to sharp swords, never stopping but for a few seconds to keep his enemy guessing, Now though Breder was never much of a fighter himself, he trusted his body… he trusted in the instinctual nature of his alien blood! 

For as they locked eyes, a thunderous boom echoed in the back singling Breder to charge ahead right at the man! Seeing the monster right before his eyes move as if slowed by time, Artis clumsily threw out a right hook with the intent of hitting Breder in the face, while also dodging Breder curved blades that rested on his arms. But while his body was in motion, the snow swept his feet! causing him to fall backwards instead, much to Breder confusion. 

Seeing his opponent fall for no reason other than his own ineptitude, Breder was really disappointed in this machine… hoping it was but a stupid mistake, Breder tried again, only to this time watch the man clumsily avoid his attack by rolling on the snow, while tripping! Annoyed by the stupidity of this farce, Breder hissed an order to his children! 

As Artis got back on his feet, he was immediately jumped by four of Breder kids! Not able to move an inch, he stood there like a punching bag as the aliens tore into him! His only saving grace was that his body made of a special iron was able to hold back his death! As his frustration reached its peak, Artis threw out a random punch hitting an alien square in the chest knocking it to the floor, however it did not have much of an effect like he had hoped! 

But ignoring that one for now, as he was still being bullied by the other three, he turned to face them, when suddenly the one like him appeared at his side! Surprised, he could only watch as a tail in the shape of a hammer hit him right in the chest! Slamming him against a tree! As the black blood escaped his mouth, Artis fell out of consciousness! 

Inside Artis head: 

[Beep… main conscious offline…. Scanning memories… scanning the body… Danger! Host body in Danger! Monsters nearby! Activating emergency protocol! Body assist AI taking over…time to shut down 10 minutes] 

Looking at his pitiful opponent, Breder was about to behead the machine, when he felt a cold shiver! Confused, Breder blades were but inches away from the machines neck, when suddenly… 

[Beep... Boop… I suggest you run!] chimed in Vice 

{Run? No! I have to see where this goes!} replied Breder 

[beep, Boop, why?] 

Unfortunately, Breder didn't have the time to answer Vice! For the machine eyes lit up like that of twin suns! Looking into those cold dreadful eyes, Breder knew that this… this was the machine he wanted to fight… what he feared! 

For though his blade were but inches away, the machine that once laid out against the tree, moved his head ever so slightly to the creepy tune of a snap! Then with a smile to boot, the hands of the machine moved beyond Breder comprehension! For when his enemy hands were at his chest! He was hit with such a thunderous wave of force! He was sent flying into trees! As his acidic blood escaped his mouth, through his caved in chest! Only to finally come to a stop, as he was impaled through the shoulder in a tender tree embrace! The pain caused him to roar in excitement! 

But though he was excited, his children didn't share the same sentiment! Instead, they were angry… angry not at their father but that they failed to guard him! With an unquenchable furry, the aliens jumped at the machine, only for the machine to return their furry with a plastered smile! As a single punch of his, blew the head of an alien like a balloon! 

While bathed in its acid, the steam rolled off his metal body as he reached down to tear off the alien tail from his headless body! And while he examined the tail in his hands, he kept up his side steps in dodging all the aliens' attempts to kill him. As light shined in the tail in his hands, Breder thought to himself: 

[so, this is a rank four monstrosity huh… interesting!] 

When the brightness ceased its light, all that remained was a katana in the tails place! 

[Did this freak really just turn my child tail into a freaking katana right before my eyes! That's so cool! I want that ability!] yelled Breder in his mind, while his heart bleed for a child's loss. 

With a katana as pitched as the void, Artis moved with the experience of a seasoned samurai, as he cut down all the aliens around him! Whether it be horizontal or vertical, through hardened exoskeletons or sharpened tails, none could block or parry his swings! For, as he danced beautifully in the rain of acid blood and melting snow, Breder was lost in the beauty of it! For as the steam from his children's blood intoxicated the air, Breder forced himself off that frozen tree that contained him! 

But even with his help it didn't stop the 'monsters' rampage! In fact, it only made it worse for him! For every time he tried to sneak in an attack, by using his own children's lives as a distraction or as a form of protection for them. only made the 'monster' before him, strike harder at them! With a smile the machine could twist his hands in impossible ways to get in cheap stabs! But they were never aimed at Breder! 

Deep down Breder knew why… for as he locked eyes with that monster, he knew that it was purposely aiming only for the children! Breder even tested out this theory by putting himself at the distraction! Only to be ignored or parried, as it stabs that pitch blade through the head of an alien that was right behind Artis! 

Many times, did Breder attacks collide against the machine, and many times they were repelled. As the fight continued, Breder was looking for a quick break! Not because he was tired but because he wanted to understand. But when that breaking pause finally happened… Breder soon realized as he looked around to a sea of dead children… He was all that was left! He was all alone now! 

He failed to protect his children… and as he stared at those corpses… smelled their oozing blood… memories of their crying times embrace Breder mind! But knowing the rage would do him no good, not in this fight… not in a fight where death could happen in the slightest of errors! He pulled those feelings deep down into his hunter heart! Into his hungering heart! 

While his warm breath combined with the raising steam of vapor snow, Breder looked at the 'monster' twisted smile… At his twitching mannerisms… Breder said 

{vice…} 

[Beep Boop... yes?] replied Vice 

{do I have a chance at winning} questioned Breder 

[....no…] replied vice 

{I see… then vice…} replied Breder 

[yes?] replied Vice 

{remove two of my four arms! And use them to reinforce my main two! We're going to replicate what we did before!} replied Breder 

[Ah! I see where you are going… But Breder I must ask... are you sure… remember you don't have the minerals on hand like you did that last time for an upgrade… what you're asking me to do… will be far more painful than you realize! I will be effectively undoing changes that were meant only during times of evolution when you're asleep! I'm only asking you this because in this situation you can run away… I don't believe this 'thing' will chase after you.] replied Vice 

{I know… but do it! And remove a lot of my extra weight… keep my form of that of a ravager and warrior! You gave me too much plating again!} replied Breder 

[oh! Please, you asked for it! You wanted a bigger appearance… Well, this is the result!] replied Vice 

{Hey vice…} replied Breder after a mental chuckle 

[Ya?] replied vice 

{wish me luck… ok} replied Breder 

[good luck… partner] replied vice concerningly 

As Artis stood there, his internal clock hit the five-minute mark! Registering the importance of the situation the AI turned to leave, as Breder wasn't moving for a while. But then suddenly the monster Artis thought had given up, abruptly started to change… 

Artis watched as Breder's arms melded back into his body! He saw frenzy steam rushing out of him! And then he heard it… the screams of a tortuous monster! At that moment… Artis… The real Artis felt it…. He felt Breder pain as his body remolded itself like hot candle wax! 

But through the pain and emotion that Artis could feel, he never felt rage or hatred from Breder… nor did he feel sadness or grief… neither did he taste hypocrisy from him… he only felt a deep yearning inside the creature… 

But while Breder hatched from his metamorphoses, the AI felt the change in wind… for though it stood and watched with great interest… it didn't see the white blade heading for its head!