Day 67 continued

Why is he calling me a copier? I mean, look at these things I've created. They're based upon existing ideas certainly, but they are all modified and changed from the original forms.

“Oi! Black-hair! What do you mean saying I'm a copycat?! I haven't plagiarized anything I can name. I friggin' reinvented half the stuff here just to get it working! Do you know how complex a steam engine with a secondary electric motor really is?! That's nothing compared to light-based, bio-genic silicone crystals... I grew living computers from sand just to cut production costs on these golems! This is still just the tip of the iceberg!” I yell before muttering to myself: “Can my day get any worse? Geas and genocide and jerk-offs, oh my! Well not exactly genocide but close enough to be really uncomfortable.”

Uh... I kinda want to take back my thoughtless words, now that I think about it.

I'm sure I just stepped on a figurative landmine, somewhere in there.

Eh, fuck it. I'm too tired of all these ups and downs.

Human, rat, cat, dog... in the end in the maze the term only matters as to signify where your biological weak points are.

So you're human and from the same world. You're still an absolute ass-hole.

“You know, you're the first person I've met from Earth since I became special. I have to say, I'm disappointed by your reliance on scientific nonsense as you fool around with magic. Now I'm going to teach you how superior I really am.” [Mystery Man]

Oh shit, he's so fast! Beyond world record level. That's not even close. He's faster than a cheetah. Every time he steps he gets thrown forward like he's using rocket boots.

A barricade golem races forward to place it's body in the way. It blocks a punch at me, the attack itself seems quite slow and telegraphed. This guy obviously has no formal training.

Except at the moment of impact the golem simply shatters into shards of metal. I do not understand how that is possible. He literally has an explosive punch. I guess with a power like that, you don't need training: you just need to touch the enemy and it's over.

Fuck.

This is extremely unfair.

In a straight fight I'm done for. Never-mind the golems and the weapons.

I try out my rail gun golem on Mr Mysterious. Maybe I'll get lucky and snap his neck like the puppet.

Only... he's wearing a barrier certainly. A larger complicated one that has no flat angles and extends a foot outside his body. The bullet deflects with only enough force to make the guy flinch. It'd go clean through me...

This guys on whole different level from his puppet. Great, just freaking great.

His offense, his defense... they are so far above mine it is ridiculous. Plus if he isn't bluffing about the corpse puppet restrained by the last two Willow golems: he isn't even using full force. He's toying with me.

Worse yet, he seems to be getting annoyed.

From his attitude I'm the target, but he clearly has no qualms about killing anyone else. He killed that dogman just to serve as a puppet (probably), he tried to kill Hensai and Karamech and may have succeeded against Hensai.

If I'd been smarter about it, he wouldn't have been hurt (possible).

Plans. Think ratboy, think! How do I stop him?

Hmm. I don't like the only plan I could think of but I have no real options.

I guess I'm bait.

I'll try to draw him away, into one of the more dangerous side tunnels. I have only one advantage I can think of; I'm tireless. I'll have to find somewhere I can wear him down enough he can't use that extreme speed of his to gain ground.

“What are you thinking about, hmmm? How to stall for time? How to trick me? Those kind of things don't work out well for people who use them against me.” [Human] “Also you don't seem really motivated to fight me. How shall we do this? I know!”

He blurred as he moved with superhuman speed.

“I think this one has the most potential...” [Human]

He reappeared beside the group of cats. He's holding Niala by the neck!

“Yes, the look in your eyes says it all. She's important to you.” He sneers. “And now, she is dead.”

His touch alone is enough to destroy solid steel, using that weird power of his. I only have moments to act as he draws it out and strikes through the contact. He's only delaying for atmosphere.

I rammed a barricade golem onto the arm holding her, trying to block the attack, but even so I don't see how she could survive that blast: it ravages the golem and hides the scene in dust. As I watch Theras, that huge, maned warrior crumples, pierced by scrap metal. He protected the others with his body.

DAMMIT.

Why is this happening to me again?

“Not enough? Who else should I kill?” [Human]

What did I do to deserve this?

“Hmm, women or the child... so tempting...” [Human]

All I know: you are to blame.

Therefore you will die!

“Say something, already. I'll wipe them all out if you don't.” [Human]

I look at my choices and the options of my skill. I see the higher level ones available... this is like that time with the geas... words come to my mind, to sculpt the ability into what I desire. This is not magic, this is a mental focus technique... and it feels oddly fitting.

“Arise and crush my enemy! I give you life, I give you purpose! I give you my HATE!” [Rick screaming]

The atmosphere of the room changed. A swirling energy rivaling a storm wind sending the dust accrued from ages spraying, revealing the bare rock under my feet. What have I done?! This... this might be the end. Of everything. And somehow, in a deep twisted part of me I enjoy that knowledge...

You know what? The imagination is a terrible thing. I've been limiting myself for a long time now. Creating crude things and gimmicks. I could have shaped explosives, missiles and at the absolute limits perhaps a crude nuclear weapon.

I'm not regretting my tact. The world isn't ready for unfettered creativity. Because it has no upper limit.

I'm not creating with a blueprint in mind. Without even a dream, a goal or a whim. I'm creating with primal desire to destroy.

The material I'm using?

Pure anti-matter.

The ghostly form rises, swirling from out of my chest, human and female in appearance but gigantic. Shining blackness.

It is unnatural as fuck to see black light. This thing I've created, this is not a golem.

Homunculus. Beyond a golem, a sentient being. I have birthed a creature of unimaginable power and given it just one goal: annihilation of that bastard! This is the danger of imagination. This is also my true hope. Because nothing I can think of can equal this weapon. I have created a being with the might of a god and the unexpressed pain of a fallen sibling; to slay one man.

There is no better explanation of the word overkill than this.

Except, I have underestimated my enemy. For thinking of that thing as merely a man.

He is not on a different level, it is a different plane of existence.

With a wave of his hand the creation crumbles.

That's not possible.

THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE!!!!

No...

It isn't the end.

The homunculus, it didn't die. It is reforming. Solidifying.

Adapting.

You were born with nearly unlimited power, but not expressed power. You have not had time to develop.

That means... the longer this fight goes, provided my creature has power... it can't lose! It will evolve until you are no match, bastard!

The real fight, it starts now!

The female creature, beautiful as an artwork of utter, radiant darkness walks toward the human who is smiling like a lunatic. Not surprising because he is one.

“What have you conjured up, you insane mouse?” [Human, laughing, giddy with glee] “This is marvelous!”

Laugh while you can, fool.

… why am I still furious? I sacrificed my hatred to overcome the skill difference...

The female form walks close to him. She doesn't try to attack. She just glares at him.

“I was born for one purpose: to obliterate you, your name, your past, your soul, your everything. I cannot die, because I do not live. Yet I hate your core self. In the days, weeks and years that we shall know each other, I will ensure that all that you are is ripped apart. It is inevitable. If you defeat me a billion times I shall still reform, stronger and better armed. More efficient.” [Creation]

She seems smug. I like that.

“Is that all? How dull.” [Human]

He's rushing the female figure with his arm raised.

Oh?! The idiot is going to try to punch antimatter? Come on, let's see your atoms violently become pure energy! Sure it'll destroy us all, but who cares, we're dead already with this maniac on top of us.

Only... his fist goes cleanly through her and disperses her body, again.

Huh. That barrier he uses isn't reactive? Well, I'm not exactly sure why she didn't simply flare up and explode like a super-nova upon contact with air and the ground, so it could be using the same principle?

And now she's back again. Nice, she is tough. I can only imagine she's going to mentally wear him out if she keeps this up long enough, if it is too hard to kill him.

“Father, I'm going to hit back now, please leave or you'll be caught up in it.” [Creation]

Um... okay.

“Do as she says, I'll be back for you when I've dealt with her.” The enemy sneers.

I ignore him. That is not even possible...

“Go, Father. I will meet you again. The ring inside you is my home, it calls to me. I will feel you, where-ever you are.” [Creation]

I find Niala inside the train. She is only half there. She is barely alive, her self healing is clearly overwhelmed by the scale of the damage: her legs are gone. Her back is broken. Dammit.

The healing stone! I need it.

I find Theras is dead, his cousin the alchemist is weeping over his body.

Minke is not here, with the others.

I find she isn't far, behind a rock talking to the dying Hensai as his sister watches the human with nothing but naked, impotent fury on her face. Karamech seems quite meek, offering a shoulder to his charge. As a bodyguard he must be mortified by this failure.

I gather them all together, the dead, the dying onto the train and with my remaining golems running alongside, retreat toward the ape city once more.

In the distance there is a rumble, that grows into a shuddering earthquake. The train is thrown around, grinding against the wall.

Again and again the world shudders, blasts of air bursting down the tunnel at the speed of sound.

What we learned:

The Mystery Man is damn near invincible. (After everything he's still only displayed a single power so far! It's just a very flexible one.)

Anti-matter girl is equal to Mystery Man in that she is absurdly powerful. How strong? Who can say? (besides me...)

Will Niala die? Will Rick stoop to the same tactics as Little Rat when desperate?

Who will win the fight? Place your bets!

What we missed:

Before the birth of the anti-matter queen...

“You betrayed me...” [Hensai] “You lied and lead me to my end here...”

“Leave us.” Minke said, indicating Hensai's sister and Karamech.

“If you hurt him...” [Janess]

“Sister, I do not think it matters if I am hurt anymore or not.” [Hensai softly] “let me speak with her alone.”

Minke walks close to him, before shaking her head.

“I didn't lie, I didn't betray you. This outcome, it is the only one that could truly have saved your people from extermination. Because forever after this Chirrik is going to feel guilty over your death and to reconcile he will place down the foundations that keep your people alive and free for many generations.” [Minke] “I never said you would live to see it. If I had told you, would you have died here, for something you don't truly believe? I can say with certainty you would not.”

“I see. If I may ask... can you ensure Janess lives out her life?” [Hensai]

“Somewhat, but she is stubborn. In the end, she will not take your death well, or my suggestions.” [Minke]

“I will speak with her then.” [Hensai wheezing]

“Yes, that would be for the best.” [Minke]

“So I never would have seen my people, my nation whole again?” [Henai]

“No. The King of Death and Ruin would happen.” [Minke] “As he has already has, upon your sole surviving city.”

“Are you ever wrong?” [Hensai]

“No, but this power has a limit, beyond a certain point I see nothing.” [Minke] “That might mean a profound change is coming.”