Chapter 35: Fighting Till the End

The manifestation turned into a puddle of liquid,

a reflective surface that made it easy to spot.

Almost like it had melted into a gigantic blob. I had won the round… But there was no telling it was over. As my suspicion grew larger by the minute suddenly the liquid began to twitch. Slight movements could be seen as struggled to maintain its shape.

Was this it? Was the battle finally over?! It couldn't be the end of it, right?

My suspicions were correct as the liquid struggled to regroup back to the center of the battlefield. What was on its mind? Clinging on to life so desperately, only one logical conclusion could be made… Like myself… It refused to go down and give up on life itself.

I rushed after it knowing I had to finish the job, charging straight at the liquid it must have known that I would follow it as it began to desperately defend itself. Splitting into multiple pools they began a barrage of metal-like shards. I needed to reach the main body in time,

but was I able to? Deciding it was best to think about my safety I slammed the ground summoning walls all around me, hoping it would hold against the metallic substance.

As the hail began raining down, the situation became eerily similar to that of the punishment… Was the punishment a means to prepare me for what lay ahead?

Who might have known… The only thing crossing my might was my survival…

And the victory over the battle was far from over.

It had become clear that both sides were desperately clinging to their lives as a glimpse of victory presented itself towards each side on multiple occasions, none had seized the opportunity for themselves. That was when Geo knew he had to go about this in another way… A path which he had not dared to cross before…

It was clear that the attrition was turning into a slugfest when ultimately both sides just wanted the battle to end. But, like Geo had learned with most animals… They first have to calm down before you could talk some sense into them. This too had proven to be very true as he stood there facing his deepest regrets and darkest demons of old.

The liquid began to take shape once more, hoping this would be the last time Geo gave it his all as he knew it was only a matter of time before either side could cave in…

Turning it truly into a battle of the wills…

After an endless hail of metallic shrapnel, the liquid metallic bodies reached the center.

The orb floating in the air came down as it was spinning around its axis, slowly but surely the bodies got absorbed by the gigantic spherical structure, which steadily increased its speed. Surviving the multiple volleys of metallic shrapnel Geo boggled his mind about the fact that it suddenly had become really quiet.

"I had thought there would be more, maybe I was wrong? Am I too late?"

Geo opened up the earth walls in front of him allowing him to see what was happening in the center of the battlefield. Confused and mesmerized by the beauty of it he didn't understand what it was he saw. Only that it didn't make much sense…

A spherical structure floating in mid-air while rapidly turning around its axis?

"Makes you look back at the planet I once lived on… Earth…"

Slowly coming to a realization Geo began closing in on the sphere.

Because whatever it was… It must have a close link to the manifestations as they desperately tried to get back to it. As soon as Geo abandoned his post,

the sphere began to glow. Light-filled the battlefield,

showing that they were enclosed in one of the largest rooms thus far.

Mesmerized by its beauty Geo continued towards the now pulsating orb of light.

What could it be? Could it be the base of operations? A stronghold of some sorts?

But the questions only grew larger as there were no answers to be found or given.

When suddenly the pulses became more intense Geo could see something being thrown into the air. Tiny blobs of metallic substances floated motionlessly into the air before they were smitten down to the ground. One of them almost colliding with Geo. Thankfully he saw it coming and was able to dodge in time. The orbs liquified slowly and gained a shape very familiar to him. The manifestation was back… But this time it had brought some friends with it to play. Smaller than before although many Geo knew he had his work cut out for him.

"Elemental Armor"

Geo prepared as best he could, before the manifestation closest to him charged straight for him. Without hesitation, the manifestation's arm turned into a sharp spear-like shape and struck at him. Barely gracing his skin Geo dodged for bare life. Knowing he couldn't half-ass this as the enemies were now many he once again gave it his all.

While Geo was busy fighting one of the many manifestations the others rooted themselves around the spherical object. Rapidly turning their arms as metallic shrapnel began to hail down from the skies… "Guess playtime is over now… And here I thought it couldn't get any worse… Boy! Was I wrong…" Geo said disappointed, as he held on for dear life.

He knew he had to use his expertise but with all the artillery support,

was he able to take out those who charged straight at him?

It had become clear what he had to do, having found the base of operations the enemy had become desperate. A crucial sign in warfare allowed Geo to see that their morale and stamina were coming to an end very soon. The only thing he had to do now was to hold out

till then, but could he? As he too was close to the end of his seemingly endless supply of stamina…

The close combat manifestation became desperate as his attacks became sluggish,

revealing more openings than the earlier rounds. The others carefully worked around it trying to cover up the openings, but to Geo, it was clear as the blue sky.

The only problem at hand was to find a way around the flying shrapnel, but maybe…

Just maybe there was a possibility to get around it…

Thinking hard as he dodged the incoming attacks Geo concluded,

He hypothesized a way to slow down the assault mode of the manifestation.

Every time it struck at him its javelin-shaped arm crashed into the ground.

[Stone Spikes] Geo shouted as another chance presented itself.

Locking the Assault form into place. Seconds later it began to once again liquefy.

Trying to get out of its locked state. The others kept hailing down the shrapnel,

so he still needed to find a way around that, but at least it was a start.

There were now moments he could move freely towards the destination of his battle plan.

When the assaulting form finally broke free it instantly rushed after Geo,

almost as if predictable Geo knew what was waiting for him. Forming arced walls around him defending himself against the shrapnel, he knew the assault mode had to go first.

The assault mode manifestation charged at Geo blindly unaware of his plans,

almost as if they were controlled by something else… The battle between wills had turned into that of control… A battle against his darkest desires had turned into a slugfest…

A battle of attrition with nothing close that could still be called his…

"I have enough of this… This isn't me… Mark my words… I'll prevail…"

Geo had made a declaration of victory, which angered the one controlling the manifestations. Which at first closely resembled Geo Birchwood, but now…

Were nothing but mindless puppets… This was the moment…

The chance Geo had been waiting for!

"You're not manifestations anymore… Not even close… I would say you resemble dolls more… You know, more like a mannequin or a drone of some sort."

Geo said nonchalantly as remembered something related to those who keep saying the exact opposite of what they mean. There was no point arguing with an entity that only consisted of the will to survive. The battle began drawing to an end as the assault mode mannequin crashed to the ground, laying there motionless Geo knew this was his chance.

If something inside really resembled him, he should be able to take it and strengthen his resolve. Deciding he first had to finish the battle Geo then set out to take down the spherical structure that seemed to have stopped turning around its axis.

The Artillery drones all stood there motionless staring into the depths of the room.

When Geo finally arrived at the center he knew something was amiss…

But he wasn't able to place it.

Nothing seemed to be happening… It felt so anticlimactic that he didn't know what to do with it… Eventually, when looking around the area it dawned on him, as the trail said something about fighting the innermost demons, did that mean he had to come to terms with himself?

He had tried the hard approach, maybe it was time to accept all the parts about himself, good and bad alike…

With that thought, he knew everything had to become whole again…

Although he wasn't certain he still wanted to try it. Geo headed back to the drone that had dropped to the floor and began dragging it to the core. Once arrived he didn't know if anything would happen… But he had to wing it on the slim chance which his instincts told him about… A chance of acceptance and new beginnings.