Act I – The city
Chapter 1 – The way
Towering skyscrapers scrape the clouds, adorned with flickering neon lights that cast an eerie glow on the rain-soaked streets below. The heavy rain pelts down, reflecting the neon lights and turning the city into a shimmering maze of shadows and reflections. The once-glorious city is now a bleak and foreboding landscape, a labyrinth of oppression and despair.
Amidst the chaotic streets, a lone figure emerges from the shadows. Anax Eris, with his imposing physique and chiseled features reminiscent of an ancient Greek god, strides with purpose and confidence. The rain cascades off his broad shoulders and iron-like muscles, giving him an almost ethereal appearance. His face remains expressionless, a mask of intensity that conceals the torment and darkness lurking within.
As Anax moves through the city, the people around him avert their eyes and part like waves, instinctively sensing the power and danger that emanate from him. Whispers follow in his wake, rumors of his agelessness, his brutality, and the cosmic force that drives him. His reputation as a harbinger of chaos and vengeance has reached mythic proportions, yet the truth behind the legends remains elusive.
In the distance, sirens wail, and the thumping of omnicopter blades echoes through the skyscraper canyons. The oppressive regime, led by the alien Xelarians, maintains a tight grip on the city, subjecting the human population to brutal subjugation. Human collaborators, marked by their distinct Xelarian insignia, roam the streets, enforcing the alien overlords’ will with unyielding cruelty.
Deby Rezal, the skilled mercenary with a fiery mane of red hair, observes the scene from a hidden vantage point. Her keen green eyes scan the city, always vigilant, always calculating. She senses Anax’s approach and tenses slightly, knowing that her world is about to change once again. Their paths have crossed many times, but tonight feels different, as if the stars themselves are aligning for an uncertain destiny.
As Anax draws closer, the streetlights flicker ominously, casting fleeting shadows across his path. He seems untouched by the rain and the cold, an enigmatic figure disconnected from the world he traverses. The people around him whisper desperate prayers and superstitions, their fear mingling with awe at the sight of the man who defies time itself.
Deby’s heart pounds in her chest as she observes Anax’s every move. Despite her tough exterior, she knows that encountering him always tests her emotions. There is a magnetic pull that she can’t explain, a connection that defies rationality. She tries to remind herself that she’s just another player in his game, but a part of her longs for something more.
In the distance, a Xelarian enforcer confronts a group of helpless civilians, his cruel laughter carrying through the rain-soaked air. Anax’s eyes flicker, a spark of something primal, something dangerous. A decision is made, and the journey of vengeance and cosmic bloodshed begins.
As the Xelarian enforcer’s cruel laughter fills the air, a primal fury ignites within Anax. He takes a step forward, his eyes locking onto the oppressive figure with an intensity that sends shivers down the enforcer’s spine. In that moment, the world seems to shrink, and all that remains is the imposing bio-engineered warrior and the symbol of the city’s torment.
Without a word, Anax moves with lethal grace, closing the distance between himself and the Xelarian enforcer in a heartbeat. In a blur of motion, he disarms the enforcer, sending the weapon clattering to the ground. The enforcer’s bravado crumbles in the face of Anax’s wrath, and fear replaces the arrogant sneer on his face.
As rain continues to pour around them, Anax’s face remains a mask of stoic determination. With a single swift strike, he incapacitates the enforcer, leaving him crumpled and helpless on the rain-soaked pavement. The echoes of the enforcer’s screams mix with the distant sounds of suffering in the city, a haunting symphony of anguish, his last image of his own blood draining away with the rainwater.
Deby watches the scene unfold with a mixture of awe and trepidation. She’s witnessed Anax’s brutal efficiency before, but each time it sends a chill down her spine. There’s a raw power within him that defies explanation—a force that makes even the most hardened adversaries cower.
With the enforcer dealt with, Anax doesn’t spare a second glance, resuming his journey with resolute determination. Deby follows, her heart pounding in her chest. She knows that being in Anax’s orbit means confronting the darkness that resides within him. But it also means being a part of something larger than herself—a chance to strike back against the Xelarians and their oppressive regime.
Deby stands there for a moment, grappling with her emotions as she watches Anax’s retreating figure. Her heart yearns to reach out to him, to speak the words that have been kept locked away for so long. But she knows the reality of their complicated dynamic, where Anax sees her as a useful ally and nothing more.
As the rain continues to pour, Deby wipes away the raindrops from her face, her mind made up. She decides to continue following Anax, to stay by his side despite the pain and uncertainty it brings. It is not a decision driven solely by love but also by a burning sense of purpose—to be a part of the cosmic symphony of vengeance and redemption he is orchestrating.
With determination in her eyes, Deby quickens her pace, navigating the labyrinthine streets with a newfound resolve, there is a bond that connects them, forged through trials and battles, and she believes that together, they can make a difference.
As she catches up to Anax, he glances at her with a hint of acknowledgment, as if he knew she would follow. He doesn’t speak a word, but his eyes convey a mixture of appreciation and warning. He understands the dangers of their journey, and he is well aware that Deby’s presence makes her vulnerable to the malevolent forces that have shaped his own existence.Then again, she is always up to the task and has a great butt, the cosmic scales balancing in a twisted way in is mind.
Despite the unspoken complexities between them, Deby finds solace in Anax’s company. There is an unspoken camaraderie that exists between warriors who have faced the darkness together, a shared burden that only they truly understand. Together, they venture deeper into the heart of the dystopian abyss, where cosmic malevolence and the Xelarians’ tyranny await. As they walk side by side, they become two enigmatic figures cloaked in shadows, their footsteps echoing through the rain-soaked city.
Chapter 2 – The underbelly
As Anax and Deby venture deeper into the hidden underground network of resistance, they find themselves in a dimly lit, subterranean sanctuary. The air is thick with tension and secrecy, the walls adorned with makeshift symbols of defiance against the Xelarians. The sound of hushed whispers and muffled sobs fill the air, painting a haunting portrait of the suffering endured by those who seek refuge here.
Stepping further into the heart of the sanctuary, the resistance members come into view—men and women of all ages, their faces etched with the weariness of a life lived under the oppressive rule of the Xelarians. Their eyes carry the burden of loss and pain, and yet, a glimmer of hope burns within them—the hope that someone like Anax can be the harbinger of their liberation.
And amongst them, some seem to already know and recognise Anax. He makes a hasty indroduction for Debby, this is Helena, that is Soren, the kids are Marcus and Lilly and the older gentleman most people call him the Sage. She already knows it did not matter enough to learn the actual name, the reason must have been enough.
Anax approaches Helena, who clutches a faded photograph in her trembling hands. He speaks softly, his voice laced with empathy, “Helena, I see the pain in your eyes, the longing for answers. I cannot promise you miracles, but I vow to uncover the truth behind the Xelarian raids or exact revenge. Your daughter’s fate will not remain veiled in darkness.”
Helena looks up at Anax, her tear-filled eyes meeting his unwavering gaze. “I don’t know if I can bear the truth, but I need to know. Please, find out what happened to my little girl and make them pay.” she implores.
Anax nods solemnly, placing a reassuring hand on Elena’s shoulder. “I will do everything in my power to bring you closure.”
Anax then observes over Soren, his scarred body a testament to the Xelarians’ cruel experiments. Few know how much he feels for him. He approaches the resilient survivor, a mixture of admiration and determination in his eyes. “Soren, your strength and resilience inspire us all. Your survival against such atrocities is a testament to the unyielding spirit of humanity.”
Soren looks back at Anax, a flicker of hope in his eyes. “We’ve endured so much suffering, but we won’t back down. We must make them pay for what they’ve done,” he says, clenching his fists.
Anax places a hand on Soren’s shoulder, a silent show of solidarity. “We will fight together, for a future where no one else will suffer at the hands of the Xelarians. Your strength will lead us toward liberation.”
Anax then moves onwards to the orphaned siblings, Marcus and Lily, huddled together, seeking comfort in each other’s embrace. He kneels down to their level, offering a reassuring smile. “You both have been through unimaginable pain, but remember, you are not alone. We stand as a family here, and together, we will protect each other.”
Marcus looks up at Anax, his young face resolute. “I want the Xelarians to pay for taking away our parents. I want them to suffer like they made us suffer,” he says, his voice tinged with anger.
Anax nods, understanding the burning desire for vengeance. “We will make sure they answer for their crimes, Marcus, but we must be careful not to lose ourselves in darkness. Our journey ahead will be dangerous, and we’ll need each other’s strength.”
Lily clings to Marcus, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and hope. “Will we ever find a safe place to call home again?” she asks.
Anax’s gaze softens, and he gently places a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “That’s what we fight for, Lily—to create a world where children like you can find safety and hope. Together, we’ll forge a path toward a brighter future.”
Anax then singles out the enigmatic figure known as “The Sage,” the one who holds the key to cosmic lore and the secrets of the artifact. As he approaches the elderly man, a sense of reverence fills the air. “Sage, you understand the cosmic forces at play. Tell me, what must I do to wield the artifact and bring about the Xelarians’ downfall?”
The Sage looks at Anax with penetrating eyes, a mix of caution and wisdom in his expression. “To wield the artifact is to tamper with the very fabric of reality. It is a power that can consume even the noblest souls. But I sense something within you—a strength to resist its allure. Remember, Anax, vengeance can be a double-edged sword, and the path you choose may shape the fate of the cosmos.”
Anax absorbs the sage’s words “I accept the consequences of my actions. If wielding the artifact means ending the Xelarians’ tyranny, I will face whatever darkness lies ahead.”
The Sage nods gravely. “Your conviction is commendable, but the journey you embark upon will be fraught with challenges. Stay vigilant, Anax, and never forget that the cosmos is a tapestry of interconnected destinies.”
As Anax sits with “The Sage” in the dimly lit chamber, he listens intently to the elder’s words, eager to uncover more about the enigmatic artifact and its cosmic significance. Deby stays in hearing distance but does not impose on them.
“The artifact you seek,” The Sage begins, his voice carrying a weight of ancient knowledge, “is not of this world. It predates the existence of the Xelarians and our civilization. It is said to hold the essence of cosmic energies, capable of reshaping reality itself. Legend speaks of its creation by ancient beings who transcended the boundaries of time and space.”
Anax leans forward. “Can it truly grant the power to challenge the Xelarians’ dominance?”
The Sage’s expression darkens with caution. “Yes, it holds immense power, but such power comes with great risks. The artifact can be both a tool of creation and destruction. It has the potential to bring hope and liberation, but in the wrong hands, it can lead to chaos and catastrophe.”
“How do I harness its abilities ?”
The Sage’s gaze meets Anax’s, his eyes filled with the wisdom of ages. “The artifact is drawn to the intentions of its wielder. If your purpose is pure and driven by a desire for justice, you may be able to temper its influence. But you must be vigilant, for it has a way of probing into the deepest recesses of one’s soul, testing the resolve of even the most stalwart hearts.”
Anax contemplates. “Vengeance has guided my path for so long. Can I truly wield such power without it consuming me?”
The Sage’s expression softens, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “Your journey, Anax, is not merely about vengeance. It is a journey of redemption. You must confront the darkness within yourself and find the strength to rise above it. Only then can you hope to wield the artifact with purpose and clarity.”
Anax nods, a sense of determination settling within him. “I will embrace my journey and confront my demons. For the sake of the resistance and the city’s liberation, I will find the strength to overcome the darkness.”
Debby listens to Anax’s conversation with The Sage from a distance, her sharp green eyes filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. As Anax delves into the details of the artifact and its cosmic significance, she can’t help but feel a sense of unease. The knowledge that such power exists and the potential risks it poses weigh heavily on her mind.
For Debby, the journey alongside Anax has been one of loyalty and dedication. She has trusted him implicitly, believing in his ability to lead them to victory against the Xelarians or any other past foe. However, hearing about the artifact and its ability to reshape reality makes her question the consequences of such power falling into the wrong hands, even if those hands are Anax’s. The idea of him wielding such power made her equally unease.
Debby realizes that her loyalty to Anax and the resistance is not solely based on her feelings for him. It is driven by her desire to be a part of something greater than herself—to fight for a cause she believes in and to stand with those who have suffered at the hands of the Xelarians.However deep inside her, she can’t help but feel something is amiss.
As Anax finishes his conversation with The Sage, Debby approaches him, her gaze determined yet tender. “Anax, what you seek to accomplish is noble but perilous. I trust you, but I worry what one might sacrifice in the way” she admits, her voice filled with sincerity.
Anax meets her gaze, his expression softening. “Debby, you’ve been by my side through it all. This journey will challenge us all, but we must remain steadfast in our purpose. Together, we’ll find the strength to confront the darkness that lies ahead and unravel its black tendrils.”
Debby nods, a mixture of resolve and vulnerability in her eyes. “I’ll stand by you, Anax, no matter what lies ahead. But promise me that …” her sentence not finishing as Anax reaches out, gently cupping her cheek with his hand. “I promise, Debby. We’ll face the darkness together, you are a beacon of light in this eternal tenebris, and I won’t forget that.”
The Sage places a hand on Anax’s shoulder, a gesture of guidance and support. “Remember, Anax, your journey is not one you must walk alone. The fate of the cosmos weaves a tapestry of interconnected souls. Seek solace and wisdom in the bonds you forge with those who share your purpose. All of us will stand by you in this.”
Chapter 3 – Deby Rezal, the Survivor
Deby is a woman of contrasts and complexities. As a skilled mercenary, she has navigated the treacherous landscape of the dystopian world, honing her survival instincts and combat prowess. She’s faced dangers that would break even the most hardened souls, and she carries the scars of her past as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of their reality.
Her reputation precedes her, and her sharp-tongued demeanor and quick-witted responses have earned her respect and fear among those who know her. Deby’s utility jumpsuit, bearing the marks of countless battles, becomes both her armor and her cloak of anonymity, allowing her to blend into the shadows where danger lurks.
Yet, beneath her tough exterior lies a woman burdened by a longing for connection and affection. Anax’s presence has always been a paradox to her. Drawn to his charisma and enigmatic aura, she finds herself both allured and wary. The bio-engineered warrior embodies strength and power, a force of nature that commands attention. But she has also witnessed the darker aspects of his personality—the twisted sense of humor, the cold indifference, and the unpredictable nature that make her tread cautiously around him.
Deby has always been adept at reading people, and with Anax, her instincts are on high alert. She knows there’s more to him than meets the eye, and while she trusts him as a fellow soldier and leader, she’s also aware of the emotional distance he maintains. Despite this, she finds herself clinging to any scraps of affection or attention he offers, a subtle hope that maybe, one day, he’ll see her as more than just a tool or an ally.
Her feelings for Anax are a delicate balance of admiration, desire, and vulnerability. She longs for the comfort of his touch and the reassurance of his affection, yet she fears that giving in to these emotions will expose her to more heartache. Part of her recognizes the danger of becoming entangled with someone as unpredictable as Anax, but she cannot deny the yearning in her heart.
In the face of danger, Deby’s skills shine through. Her expertise in wielding a gauss assault rifle and a sharp blade make her a formidable force in combat, and her fierce loyalty to Anax and the resistance fuels her determination. She fights alongside him with unwavering dedication, determined to prove her worth and to be indispensable to his cause.
But behind the combat-hardened exterior, there’s a vulnerability that few see. The scars on her soul run deep, and while she’s become adept at concealing her emotions, Anax’s presence has a way of cracking the armor she so carefully dons and he plays with her she knows that. Playing with her heart like an expert conductor the orchestra but there’s always an angle of something greater, something that in all respects make him shine and excuse his shortcomings.
When the Sage imparts information about the artifact and its cosmic significance to Anax, Deby listens attentively, absorbing every word with a mix of curiosity and concern. The knowledge of such a powerful artifact raises questions and uncertainties within her. She wonders if Anax fully comprehends the gravity of wielding such cosmic power and the potential risks it poses.
Her instincts tell her that Anax is capable of handling the information, but she also knows that his relentless pursuit of vengeance may cloud his judgment. She worries that his determination to confront the darkness and the Xelarians’ leader might lead him down a path of self-destruction.
Despite her reservations, Deby ultimately trusts Anax with the Sage’s information. She knows that he is their best hope for challenging the Xelarians’ dominance and bringing about change. Their bond as fellow warriors and survivors has given her insight into Anax’s strength and resolve, and she believes that he can rise to the challenges ahead.
Chapter 4 – The shaddows of a soul
In the shadows of the dystopian world, where the Xelarians reign with an iron fist, lies the truth of Anax Eris’ existence. He is not merely a product of human ambition; instead, he is the creation of the very beings he seeks to challenge—the Xelarians themselves.
In their pursuit of military supremacy, the Xelarians delved into clandestine experiments, seeking to engineer the perfect weapon to ensure their dominance. They sought to create an unstoppable force, a bio-engineered warrior capable of countering any resistance and preserving their rule for eternity. Their hubris and desire for absolute control knew no bounds.
Anax’s creation was a result of these dark and sinister experiments. The Xelarian scientists subjected him to inhumane procedures, combining advanced biotechnology with their mastery of cosmic energies. Their goal was to imbue him with the essence of their own agelessness, making him an eternal servant of their empire.
The process was grueling and cruel, with every fiber of Anax’s being altered and manipulated to serve the Xelarian’s insidious intentions. They bestowed him with physical enhancements, rendering him stronger, faster, and more resilient than any mortal. His body was infused with Xelarian nanites, allowing him to harness cosmic energy and wield it as a weapon of immense power.
For centuries, Anax Eris was an enforcer of the Xelarians, an unyielding creation born of their dark and sinister experiments. His existence was bound to their will, serving as an instrument of their oppressive rule over the dystopian world. At the onset of his creation, Anax’s memories of his human past were suppressed, and he lived as a loyal weapon, unaware of the life he had once led.
However, as the years passed, fragments of his forgotten humanity began to surface, haunting his dreams and moments of solitude. Vague memories of a distant past, of loved ones lost and a life of freedom, whispered like fleeting echoes in the labyrinth of his mind.
The turning point came during a fateful encounter—an event that would crack open the door to his past and kindle an ember of awakening within him. Amidst a battle against a group of resistance fighters, Anax found himself face-to-face with a young woman, her eyes mirroring a depth of emotion he could not comprehend.
In her gaze, he saw the reflection of his forgotten humanity. In her pain and defiance, he witnessed the consequences of the Xelarians’ oppressive rule. Something stirred within Anax as he saw the innocence shattered before him, and a rush of emotions surged through his veins—emotions he had long believed extinguished.
As the young woman lay wounded before him, she whispered a name—a name that sent tremors through his very being. It was a name he knew from a life he had once lived, a life that had been suppressed and hidden away by the Xelarians’ manipulations.
In that moment, Anax’s heart shattered, and the chains of loyalty that bound him to his creators began to crack. The Xelarians’ control over him weakened as his past, emotions, and the truth of his existence surged to the surface, overwhelming him with a tsunami of memories and feelings.
Haunted by the pain of both his forgotten past and the suffering he had been forced to inflict, Anax’s desire for self-governance and justice ignited. His awakening was a tumultuous storm of conflicting emotions, struggling to reconcile the loyalty he had known with the humanity he had rediscovered.
He uses his superior skills to fake his own demise and out of necessity he carves a life for himself as a mercenary, a hired gun moving in the shadows of the underhive of the dystopian planetwide city that birthed him.
While working as a mercenary, Anax occasionally encounters remnants of his forgotten past. Cryptic messages and symbols lead him to question his true identity, but the memories remain elusive, like fragments of a puzzle he can’t quite put together and thus he is sometimes not whole.
As Anax continues his mercenary work, he starts to take on contracts that directly challenge the Xelarians and their interests. While his motivations are not yet clear to him, he finds himself drawn to missions that hinder the Xelarians’ hold on power and protect the oppressed.
His skills and abilities to evade the ruling Xelarians in an uncanny but constant way, soon earned him a name in the ranks of the underhive and a notoriety few could match.
Chapter 5 – A spark in the darkness
The rain poured down relentlessly, cascading through the decrepit alleyways and adding to the dismal atmosphere of the city’s underbelly. Anax Eris moved with the agility of a predator, his ironclad muscles coiled like a spring, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. The crimson glow from a nearby neon sign cast eerie shadows, heightening the tension in the air.
The Xelarian target was exactly where the plan had ordained. The local overseer was a female Xelarian of lesser statue targeted by another of her own but to Anax Eris it was a paid job to kill a Xelarian, if there was a win win situation this was it.
Suddenly, the silence shattered with the metallic clang of blades. Out of the darkness emerged a group of rival mercenaries, their faces obscured by the shadows of their hoods. They had been lying in wait, poised to strike when the moment was right.
Without a word, the fight erupted into a whirlwind of violence. The rival mercenaries lunged at Anax, their blades flashing like streaks of lightning in the rain. Anax deftly parried their attacks, his movements a deadly dance of precision and power.
Rain-slicked pavement became a battleground as Anax engaged his adversaries, each strike unleashing a symphony of clashing metal. The sound of metal against metal reverberated through the narrow alley, mixing with the sound of the rain. The Xelarian cried in panic and started to flee.
Anax’s eyes gleamed with intensity, and a twisted smile crept across his face. For him, combat was a primal instinct, a dance of blood and steel. His twisted sense of humor came to the fore as he taunted his opponents, savoring the chaos he wrought.
Just as the fight seemed to reach a stalemate, a figure emerged from the shadows, her red hair a fiery contrast against the darkness. Deby Rezal stepped into the fray with a lethal grace, her gauss assault rifle obliterating what was the head of the Xelarian.
Anax’s eyes met Deby’s sharp green gaze, and for a moment, they shared an unspoken understanding. Their goals may have been different, but in this moment, they had a common enemy—the Xelarian’s unexpected guard.
As the two skilled mercenaries fought side by side, a symbiotic rhythm emerged between them. They moved as if they were one, anticipating each other’s actions with an uncanny synergy. Deby’s gauss rifle roared to life, sending deadly energy bolts into the midst of their enemies, scattering them like leaves in the wind.
Anax’s fists became a whirlwind of destruction, pummeling his foes with unyielding force. Each strike sent shockwaves through their ranks, and their adversaries fell like dominoes, unable to withstand the relentless onslaught.
The rain-soaked ground beneath them became a canvas of gore, painted with the blood of fallen mercenaries and their protectee. The alleyway echoed with the screams of pain and the thud of lifeless bodies hitting the ground.
Anax and Deby fought with a deadly determination, their alliance forged in the heat of battle. The rival mercenaries realized they were facing a force unlike any they had encountered before. They were outmatched, and fear crept into their eyes.
In a final, decisive move, Anax and Deby cornered the last remaining enemy, leaving him with nowhere to escape. As the defeated mercenary trembled with terror, Anax leaned in close, his voice low and chilling. “There are always consequences” he growled, as a smaller blade unused till now, found itself embedded at the last mercenary’s right temple.
Deby’s gaze was unwavering, “I was paid to kill you, you know, but I could’t let such a specimen drop and they never did tell me whom `or what` you were here to hunt…”
With that, she found herself pinned to the nearest wall, out of breath and something sharp was hungrily bleeding her thigh. He was going for the artery and how many blades does this bastard have??? She locked her eyes defiantly with Anax’s and waited for the killing “I was expecting to get wet between my thies in a different way, you know.”
Anax laughed in a genuine way, she would live to see another day and from this moment onwards the two mercenaries would be a force to be reckoned with.
Act 2 – The rebellion
Chapter 1 – The time before
As Anax and Deby’s paths cross during one of Anax’s solo missions, and he finds himself unexpectedly aided by Deby’s timely intervention. Intrigued by her combat skills and sharp instincts, Anax decides to keep her around, recognizing her usefulness in future endeavors.
Over time, Anax and Deby develop a partnership built on mutual respect and admiration for each other’s abilities. Anax, who is not accustomed to relying on others, slowly starts to trust Deby, appreciating her loyalty and dedication.
Anax’s formidable physical prowess complements Deby’s sharpshooting and tactical expertise. They become a formidable duo in their own right, seamlessly working together to overcome various challenges.
As they continue to work side by side, Anax and Deby share stories of their pasts, revealing vulnerabilities and fears they seldom disclose to others. This deepens their connection and creates a bond founded on shared experiences of loss and suffering.
While their partnership is primarily professional, an undercurrent of attraction simmers beneath the surface. Deby’s feelings for Anax are evident, though she masks them with a sense of duty to their cause. Anax, though aware of Deby’s affection, is unphased yet intrigued.
Deby serves as a confidante for Anax, offering emotional support as he grapples with his forgotten past and the burden of agelessness. Her unconditional love and devotion give him a sense of comfort he hasn’t felt in centuries.
As Anax learns more about his past and the true cost of his agelessness, he starts to experience moments of vulnerability and emotional awakening. Deby’s presence becomes increasingly important to him, but not for the reasons Deby longs for.
Anax and Deby’s partnership with the rebel extremists begins as a forced collaboration, born out of necessity when they encounter the extremist group during a critical mission.
Initially, Anax and Deby join the alliance to further their individual quests for revenge against the Xelarians. The extremist group sees them as valuable assets to their cause, given their combat skills and knowledge of the Xelarians’ tactics.
Anax and Deby’s independent approach to the fight against the Xelarians clashes with the extremist group’s willingness to embrace violent and morally ambiguous methods. This creates tension within the alliance, as Anax struggles with the group’s extremist tactics that he deems simply inefficient.
As Anax and Deby witness the suffering of the people under Xelarian rule, their perspectives begin to shift. They come to realize that their fight extends beyond personal vendettas—it is about freeing an entire society from tyranny.
Anax and Deby find themselves navigating tensions between their duo partnership and the alliance. They are torn between their loyalty to each other and their growing sense of duty to the greater cause. Anax has already decided on his path, Deby can only follow. She fears that his quest for vengeance and the allure of the rebels plight might lead him down a dangerous path, his calculating methods and unwavering determination only cementing the inevitable.
In this intricate interplay of partnerships, Anax and Deby’s personal bond influences their actions within the larger alliance. As they confront the oppressive forces of the Xelarians, they must grapple with the consequences of their choices, their growing feelings for each other, and the true cost of their rebellion in a dark and tumultuous future.
Chapter 2 – The Raid
The rebel extremists receive intel about a heavily fortified Xelarian outpost responsible for conducting cruel experiments on captured resistance fighters. Determined to put an end to the atrocities and gather valuable information, Anax, Deby, and the rest of the alliance plan a daring raid on the facility.
The team approaches the outpost under the cover of a moonless night. Armed with stealth suits and silenced weapons, they creep through the shadows like wraiths, aiming to surprise the Xelarians and their collaborators.
The infiltration begins with deadly precision. Each member of the alliance executes their assigned tasks flawlessly, silently taking out guards and disabling security measures. Anax and Deby move together as a seamless unit, her sharpshooting skills and constant overwatch compliment his efficient and bloody penetration of the facility.
Wherever he moves, bodies drop and her voice guides through the com link always from some obscure vantage point. He instictively knows when to stop, how much time she needs and her little deviations of his carefuly devised masterplan.
As they breach the inner sanctum of the outpost, they come face to face with a chamber of horrors. Rows of caged prisoners, their bodies mutilated and minds broken, stare back at them with hollow eyes. The brutality of the Xelarians’ experiments sends a shiver down their spines.
As they step deeper into the dimly lit chamber, an overwhelming stench of decay and suffering assaults their senses. The smell hangs heavy in the air, causing even the hardened members of the alliance to gag and falter.
The chamber is divided into sections, each showcasing a different aspect of the Xelarians’ sadistic experiments. Metal tables covered in bloodstains hold the remains of once-human subjects—now disfigured, mutilated, and barely recognizable.
In the dim light, the horrified rebels witness nightmarish beings writhing in pain. The mutated creatures have been subjected to horrendous transformations, their bodies a grotesque fusion of flesh and metal. Limbs extend where limbs should not, and their faces contort into expressions of unending torment.
The abominations emit gut-wrenching cries, their voices warped and distorted by the horrors they have endured. Each pitiful sound cuts through the silence like a serrated blade, stirring feelings of pity and rage in the hearts of the rebels.
The walls of the chamber are adorned with sinister-looking machinery, dripping with viscous fluids. The machinery’s purpose becomes apparent—the Xelarians sought to force unnatural metamorphoses, forever altering the essence of their victims in a quest for ultimate power.
Amidst the twisted experiments, the rebels notice that some of the creatures possess a glimmer of awareness—a spark of the individuals they once were. The recognition of their own humanity in these mutilated forms fills the rebels with sorrow and anger.
The sight before them is both repulsive and haunting. Anguish and revulsion mix with a profound sense of sorrow and pity for the tortured beings. The rebels find themselves grappling with an array of emotions, their resolve to fight against the Xelarians strengthened by the need to end such unspeakable cruelty. The rebels stand in silence, haunted by the images before them and the weight of the mission they must undertake, no longer to decomission the facility but to bring justice to those responsible for this abomination. The sight of the horrific experiments further solidifies their determination to end the Xelarians’ reign of terror and put an end to the suffering of their people.
Among the tortured captives, Anax stumbles upon a familiar face—an once young woman he had believed long dead. The shock of the discovery leaves him reeling, and the memories of the past resurface with a vengeance. Deby realised instantly somethings is wrong, as for the first time over the coms, she notices his immaculate breathing that she almost used as a timer between shots is now erratic and abandons her overwatch running frantically to him.
Chapter 3 – The way out
In that moment one of the facility’s guards that in any other occassion would have been summarily executed by her trusted gauss riffle raises the alarm. The Xelarians call in reiforcements, trapping the alliance inside the outpost.
The Xelarian reinforcements swiftly converge on the rebels. The alliance is caught off guard, facing a barrage of laser fire as they race toward the exit. The corridor leading to the outpost’s entrance becomes a deadly battleground. The deafening sound of blaster fire echoes through the narrow passages, illuminated only by the flash of lasers and the flickering emergency lights.
Deby is by Anax’s side shooting frantically, her armor sizzling under the laser fire, holding her screams by seer determination. She can feel endless pain and burning but she still puts her body as a shield over Anax. In the meanwhile Anax is slowly putting down a captive he s holding as if it were the most precious thing completely disregarding everything around him.
He sees the recognition on the captive’s face as her rugged voice asks but for a final respite, a respite he delivers almost ceremoniously in one fluid motion. He casually avoids a blood spatter as he realises that Deby is barely conscious standing above him, shielding him from the incoming fire.
Without taking a second gasp of air, he grabs the rifle from Deby’s failing hands and starts shooting at the Xelarian enforcers, picking them out one by one, all shots, kill shots. He walks towards them avoiding incoming fire as if dancing amid the blaster fire without breaking his fire rate.
His eyes burn with determination, taking out Xelarian enforcers with calculated shots and then entering into hand to hand combat in a ritualistic precision using everything in his path as a weapon. Without any pause a cord, a cup, a piece of tube and the back of a blaster become a lethal weapon and the Xelarian enforcers die.
The rebel alliance members those that are still standing follow behind dragging along their fallen comrades and whatever captive can still stand on the path of mayhem carved by Anax.
The Xelarian enforcers pour through the other side of the compound as well in hopes of encircling them in a deadly pincer move and as the firefight intensifies, the rebels realize that their chances of escape are dwindling. With a heavy heart and a final act of bravery, somestay behind to hold off the pursuing enforcers, giving their comrades a chance to escape.
The rebels fights tooth and nail, their desperation mingling with a fierce determination to honor the fallen and ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain as the unstoppable Anax reaches the gates and then they run. Once outside, the surviving members of the alliance regroup in the darkness, their breaths heavy and their faces streaked with dirt and sweat.
Deby is but a bloody mess yet somehow still breathing, she dreams that he is holding her in his arms caressing her red hair. It will be a fortnight till she again open hers eyes, he is nowhere to be found. A note besides her just says “I have found a way”.
Act 3 – The search
Chapter 1 – Questions
It has been two months, since the “Sage” gave them a semi-probable lead of the wherabouts of the artifact. Anax’s cruelty and callousness become more evident, even shocking Deby at times as he intergogates, coarces and kills Xelarian enforcers, collaborators or mere public servants of the regime.
While she witnesses the brutality of his actions, she remains steadfastly loyal to him, convinced that they can find redemption through their shared quest for vengeance and a possible road to freedom for the first time after centuries of Xelarian rule. Their missions become more like surgical strikes than reconnaissance.
In the heat of battle, Anax’s aggression knows no bounds. He fights with a ruthless efficiency, showing little regard for the lives of their enemies. His brutal tactics and willingness to inflict suffering on the Xelarian enforcers cause Deby to question the depths of darkness within him.
Anax’s strategic mind often leads him to make cold and calculated decisions that prioritize the success of their missions over the well-being of their allies or enemies. At times, this ruthless approach puts him at odds with other members of the rebel alliance for they fear to become what they hate. His desire for justice or revenge overshadows any sense of mercy or compassion, leaving Deby taken aback by the intensity of his fury.
Deby fears losing the man she loves to the malevolence that has engulfed him or even lurks within him. Despite Anax’s darkness, Deby clings to the belief that his connection with her and their shared fight for justice can be a beacon of light to guide him back from the precipice of the abyss. She sees a glimmer of hope within him and believes that love and compassion can temper the cruelty that consumes him.
Deby’s devotion to Anax is unyielding, driven by the hope that together, they can find redemption for their actions and pave the way for a better future. She refuses to abandon him, convinced that their love can help him resist the darker forces that threaten to consume him. The same though cannot be said for the rebel alliance as their former protector and hero is on par with their oppressors.
Deby often serves as a voice of reason, attempting to temper Anax’s violent tendencies and advocate for more merciful solutions but her attempts fall on deaf ears as those that follow Anax now are more like a cult blindlingly following his divine commands than a rebel alliance.
Still Deby suppresses her own reservations and emotions, focusing on the larger goal of taking down the Xelarians. She is willing to endure his cruelty if it means staying by his side and protecting him from succumbing entirely to the darkness.
Chapter 2 – the answers
The Xelarians, led by their sadistic leader, relentlessly pursue Anax and his allies. The confrontations escalate, leaving a trail of bloodshed and despair. For every action taken by Anax and his people, countermeasures in the tenfold are taken by the Xelarians.
Their enforcers are swamping the city with executions, public trials and capturing of real or imaginary dissidents. Thousands upon thousands are dragged into the inner city, the part of city previously reserved only for theose working for the regime and alien functionaries of the Xelarians.
As Anax and Deby venture deeper into the heart of the city in their relentless pursuit of the artifact, they find themselves immersed in a nightmarish landscape that embodies the dark essence of the Xelarians’ experiments. The atmosphere is suffused with body horror and gore, a chilling testament to the depths of the Xelarians’ depravity.
The city itself appears to have transformed into an unholy metropolis, where every corner exudes a sense of malevolence. The once bustling streets are now dimly lit by flickering neon lights, casting eerie shadows that seem to dance with the grotesque mutations lurking in the darkness.
As they make their way through the desolate alleys, they catch glimpses of horrifying scenes—mutated beings shuffling in the shadows, their bodies contorted into nightmarish shapes. The grotesque mutations serve as a haunting reminder of the Xelarians’ unyielding pursuit of power and their disregard for the sanctity of life.
The city’s landscape has transformed into a grotesque dystopia, where every aspect of life has been tainted by the Xelarians’ malevolence. The architecture now bears sinister motifs, serving as a constant reminder of the city’s descent into darkness. With each step they take, they encounter more abominations, each more horrifying than the last. Their senses are overwhelmed by the nauseating stench of decay and the sight of twisted, mutilated bodies.
As they delve deeper into the city’s heart, they are confronted by hordes of mutated creatures—guardians set by the Xelarians to protect the artifact. The battles are grueling and intense, as they must navigate through waves of grotesque monstrosities to reach their goal.
Amidst the horrors they face, Anax’s darker tendencies threaten to surface. The grotesque sights trigger memories of his own cursed existence and the torment of watching his loved ones suffer and die. The darkness within him inches closer to the surface, causing Deby to fear for his sanity and their mission.
Anax’s cult now enforces the same rituals as their oppressors, creating their own creatures of the abyss. Mutated monsters by gene substitution treatments or plain cybernetic implantation, are what is left out of collaborators or suspected Xelarian affiliates.
Chapter 3 – the truth
The “Sage” knew, he knew all along where the artifact was hidden and now it has been revealed and the “Sage” punished for his insolence. As Anax and Deby finally reach the long-sought location of the artifact, they are met with an ominous presence that emanates from the ancient relic. The artifact, seemingly dormant at first, reveals a malevolent consciousness that latches onto their deepest and darkest desires.
As they draw nearer to the artifact, it stirs to life, its presence pulsating with an unnatural energy. The relic seems to awaken, revealing an ancient intelligence that transcends time and space. Anax already knows as Deby has yet to realise, the Xelarians were not always this, they were made.
In the presence of the artifact, Anax and Deby hear haunting whispers in their minds—insidious voices that encourage them to embrace their darkest desires, to give in to their inner demons, and to unleash their wrath upon the Xelarians without mercy. Deby for the first time is consumed by the madness of Anax’s cult. Slowly, the whispers begin to plant seeds of doubt in her mind, sowing thoughts of vengeance as the only path to closure and justice. Change by desolation.
As Deby continue to listen to the whispers, the malevolent consciousness pushes the boundaries of their morality, urging them to cross lines they once thought they would never cross. The artifact dredges up painful memories of her past losses and trauma. Deby’s deep-seated longing for justice for her fallen loved ones becomes overwhelming. She now leads the cult in his name to make more abominations to fight the Xelarians. In the name of justice noone is spared.
Anax presses on, to activate the artifact and the chaos in the inner city reaches its crescendo. He waits for the perfect moment, when the Xelarian leader and their forces are fully engaged in the relentless battle against the abominations of the rebelion. With a sinister smile, he steps forward, drawing attention to himself amidst the mayhem. The charismatic faηade he usually wears for his allies and enemies alike melts away, and in its place emerges the true cunning and calculating nature of Anax. His allies, including Deby, are taken aback as they witness this darker side of him.
Anax reveals that he has been harnessing the malevolent power of the artifact to set his plan in motion. The relic’s malevolent consciousness has been his secret ally, amplifying his own desires and ensuring the success of his scheme. Anax’s ultimate goal was never just to defeat the Xelarians but to entrap them forever. With the artifact’s power, he has created an impenetrable barrier around the iner city, sealing the Xelarian leader and all their forces inside, cutting them off from the outside world and leaving room for his own eternal reign.
In a moment of clarity Deby’s eyes lock onto Anax, but she sees him differently now—no longer the charismatic and alluring figure she once admired, but someone with a darkness that chills her to the bone. She finds it hard to reconcile the man she thought she knew with the manipulative strategist who orchestrated so much suffering.
Emotions clash within Deby as she confronts the truth, no longer under the spell of the artifact. Love wars with betrayal, loyalty with the need for self-preservation. Her heart yearns to believe that there is still good in him, that their bond can redeem him, but her mind is plagued by doubts about his true intentions. The pieces of the puzzle fall into place, and Deby realizes that Anax’s cruelty and disregard for life were not merely a means to an end—they were integral to his plan. His use of the artifact to trap the Xelarian leader and everyone else forever leaves her feeling shaken and vulnerable.
Summoning her courage, Deby approaches Anax, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and anger. She knows she must confront him, to make sense of the reality she now faces. Her heart trembles as she speaks, her voice barely above a whisper. “Was it all for this? To exchange one tyranical regime with another?”
Anax meets her gaze without flinching, his expression revealing little. There is no hint of regret in his eyes, he holds a golden chain in his hands. “You asked for this for a long time, just not the way you expected” and as he laughed in his own predatory way, he continued “Now I only need to evolve you in the way I have expected”.
