Building Up

[Eon Saverem]

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Tegan was elated to see the towering gates of the city. Stones the size of men, both tall and wide, stacked upon one another. A true testament to the strength of a Kingdom is the strength of its walls... or so Tegan had always believed. He was so caught up in the moment he'd almost forgot where he was.

"Oyah! Are you deaf? I said state yer business." A scrawny guard stood at the gate's opening pointing his spear at Tegan and his men. Shaking his head to gather his composure. He looked back at his crew, both Knotch and Plum had similar reactions to the city and did their best to make sinister smiles look like pleasant travelers. He let his hand venture forth and gesture to his men and then swung it wide back towards the guard, finally bringing it into his chest and bowing as he did.

"I meant no disrespect, my fellow travelers and I were just in awe of the city. We're but humble tradesmen. Traveling the dunes scavenging for lost trinkets and things. We only wish to bring our goods and services here to the city of Nippur." Tegan finished with his head down and then glanced up with a smile. As the guard looked past Tegan at Knotch and Plum, who bowed slightly, and then to the ten other men and the cart they pulled. It was filled with all of their weapons, along with the items and supplies of the travelers they had devoured on their journey to the city of Nippur, unbeknownst to the city guard.

The guard stumbled over a retort for a moment but then gave up, "Listen here, there ain't much more I can do in the way of checking you out. The city has gone to shit since that fucking rat banished our King... I'd tell you, if you were up to no good to take it else where. But with whats already been going on within the walls... you try to start something, it won't be the guard that gets to you first. They'll eat ya'll alive mate." Tegan smirked involuntarily at the last comment. Sounds more like a recruiting station to him.

"I just hope we can complete our task at hand..." Tegan gestured to his men and they started to make their way through the gate. He stopped and placed one hand on the guards shoulder and placed his lips near his ear. Tegan whispered, "Even the Chains of the Underverse cannot bind him... this may be a test." The guards eyes became wide and his mouth began to gape, he turned to look at Tegan who merely patted him on the shoulder and continued into the city. Yelling back to the guard, "Keep up the fine work!" His grin was ear to ear. 

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[Eon Saverem]

The young gunslinger followed the biomech along the ever changing path. It had been roughly a two day journey and Kopaka couldn't help but be a little impressed with how long the human, Eon, had managed to keep pace with a Bionicle. He was either extremely well trained and disciplined... or maybe not human at all... Kopaka thought to ask Eon, in order to quench his thirst for knowledge. Then refrained, he had been reserved for most of the journey with Eon. At first he had not known if he were friend or foe, he leaned more towards the first recently. Eon had proved to be no more a threat than Kopaka's other traveling companions of the past. One thing he had noticed was both Eon and himself sought information. He was the Toa of Ice after all, seeking knowledge was his way. Eon had proven to have that same thirst, though a tad more forward about it than the biomech nevertheless, it might have been the first thing he 'enjoyed' about Eon's company. Kopaka had always sought answers, now he could give them. The thought of being a teacher hadn't crossed the solitary Bionicle's mind before... he would have to ponder on this new development more.

"Kopaka..." Eon's voice was soft, the biomech could sense he was becoming short of breath. He halted and turned towards his companion.

"Yes?" His synthesized voice reverberated through the winds of the dunes. Eon had grown to enjoy Kopaka's voice, it sounded like music when it combined with nature. He thought it to be quite ironic that a machine and nature could sound so pleasant together.

Eon placed his hands on his hips and took a deep breath, "Is that the city of Nippur in the distance?" He pointed to what looked to be a walled fortress. It had finally come into view.

Kopaka nodded and faced the direction of the city, "It is."

"I have a confession to make... three days seems to be my limit. I was hoping I could complete the whole journey with you without the need to rest and slow you down. I know you are searching for that Prime, so if you would rather not lose time I would understand if you continued without me." Eon slowly lowered his cross and stood it straight up into the ground. He took a seat on the sand, leaning up against it, arms hung over his knees with one eye peering out from around the shroud he had made for himself earlier in the journey.

The biomech looked at his traveling companion and then at the city in the distance. Eon was right, if he waited he might miss his mark. He had only traveled with the boy for couple of days, he had no real obligation to stay behind. The Bionicle could finish the distance with ease, he looked back to Eon and saw the exhaustion in his eye. Truth be told, he had noticed the fatigue earlier but didn't want to assume Eon did not know when to give himself a break. Something tugged at the back of the Toa of Ice's mind though, if he left Eon here alone in this condition would he be alright? Kopaka thought of all the criminals that roamed the Endless Dunes, being such a new Prime, Eon might be picked off with ease in such an exhausted state. Eon had kept him company the journey so far, possibly even helped Kopaka avoid unnecessary conflict due to the fact there were two of them instead of one lone Prime. His sense of duty began to weigh on the decision, postpone his Empirical duty or leave his traveling companion alone and defenseless... the thought of finding out something had happened to Eon after he chose to leave crossed his mind, and a tinge of guilt... Kopaka was the Toa of Ice first, and a member of the Empire second. "Let us rest for a bit." He finally said after much deliberation.

Eon perked his head up and opened his eyes to see the bionicle taking a seated position facing the city of Nippur. Eon had honestly thought that the dutiful biomech would have left him behind, and would not thought any less of his savior. Yet he chose to wait for Eon, though he couldn't see it from the direction he was facing or the fact he wore his wraps around his head but he swore Kopaka could see the smile he wore.

[Eon Saverem]

The sun had begun to set and the air became cool. The days were far from the liking of the Toa of Ice, blistering heat was not his preferred inhabited environment. As the night came, he realized that the Endless Dunes did not retain that heat. Instead, it became cold. Cold enough for even Kopaka to enjoy. "Do you know why the dessert becomes so cold at night?" The biomech's voice was soft but clearly directed towards Eon. Kopaka wasn't altogether sure why he had asked the question, it might have had something to do with the concept of being a teacher he had thought of right before they rested.

Eon's head perked up, he was pleasantly surprised to hear his companion spark up conversation. "I've always wondered." He replied, leaning his head back against his cross.

"The reason the desert gets cold at night... is that there is virtually no water in the atmosphere. Though the Omniverse's physics may differ in some places. I would assume this fact is the same here in the Dunes." Kopaka raised his hand and lowered it, then raised it slightly again. "Water acts like an equalizer and a distributor... If an area has lots of humidity, the temperature swing is going to be considerable less, if you were to ever venture to the verse the Tangled Green, you would experience this first hand. Water's temperature takes a long time to heat up, but it also takes a long time to cool down, which makes humid areas warmer at night." The biomech reached his hand to the sky and waved it around slowly, "With no water in the atmosphere..." forming his mechanical hand around an invisible sphere, he slowly lowered it "when the sun goes down the air cools nearly instantly, which allows for cooler temperature." When Kopaka finished his explanation he thought of Pohatu and his part of the continent, the Dunes reminded the Toa of Ice of his dwellings.

"Now that makes sense. Water is the vessel for the heat, it holds the energy for as long as it can. The more water, the more energy." Eon gave a small snap of his fingers. "My home planet, was all desert. I don't think I ever experience rain before. It was so rare that many people thought it was a myth." Eon felt his stomach begin to turn, it would seem that even Primes still needed to eat.

Kopaka turned to look over his shoulder, his hood covering his right eyes, "That explains why your endurance in the Dunes was much higher than I had expected from most humans. I find it curious though that you have never experienced rain, how is it your kind on your planet sustained a habitable environment in a desert with no rain?" For the first time in a long while Kopaka found himself interested in learning something. Though it might not have much barring on his future endeavors, interesting knowledge was none the less interesting.

Eon pulled his wraps away from his face revealing a slight smirk, "Your deduction is almost correct." He pointed at the bionicle, "Thought you did open up for an answer to both your question and your next one."

Kopaka had a mix of intrigue and slight aggravation come over him. Almost Correct?

Eon pointed his finger to his chest, "I've never felt I could tell many people this. I think you, in a place like this though, are an acceptable exception." He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Eon knew why he was nervous, he had kept this from nearly everyone he met but here in the Omniverse... did it even matter? "I may look it. But I'm not human." Wow... that had felt really good. Eon had kept this secret for so long, "I am what is called a Plant. Back home Plants are inter-dimensional beings that are tapped within a large device and used as a source of power and energy for the people." Eon for the first time thought about what he had just said... an inter-dimensional being trapped... shaking his head slightly, "They are beings that have the ability to generate energy and even create food and water." Thoughts of Primes and their abilities based off Omnillium flashed through his head. "Plants were invented by humans..." Did Eon believe that? "and are usually kept alive in a glass vessel and used as a power source..." Why all of a sudden was Eon having a brush with his own existence? "I'm an independent Plant, meaning... I can survive outside of a special container normal Plants require to survive." Do they require them or was he just supposed to believe that, because that was what he was told? "Well... anyways that's also why I was able to keep up with you for so long, I'm a Plant raised in the desert."

[Eon Saverem]

The Omniverse once again proved to be a place filled with beings unlike any other. To Kopaka, Eon was identical to any other human. It was a good lesson to learn, in the future he would not be so quick to assume. He wondered how many other creatures traversed the Omniverse that were assumed to be mere humans but were, in fact, alien themselves. This being known as a Plant was very interesting indeed, and Eon seemed to be one of a kind from his explanation.

"Have you ever encountered others of your kind?" He asked sincerely, Kopaka was a solitary being by choice. He had never outwardly sought the other Toa, rather he kept to himself and protected the Matoran of the icy mountains. This didn't mean that he did not take comfort in knowing the other Toa existed and could even admit to being glad he had met them.

Eon's head filled with flashes of Knives and Vash, fingers snapping, being torn into a black hole, wicked smiles across their faces. He slowly reached down to his sides and placed his hands over his two revolvers.

Kopaka watched as Eon seemed to zone off, looking through the Bionicle rather than at him. Had his question struck a nerve? Memory? He noticed Eon's hand hover over his side arms and suddenly the biomech felt a shock rush through his body. His hand began to move to his blade. Was Eon about to attack him? Why? He knew he would not be caught off guard though...

Eon's hands suddenly rushed down and grabbed his sidearms.

Kopaka reached for his sword.

Eon drew the two handguns before Kopaka could grab his Hau te Hoari. The Bionicle was surprised by the speed Eon had, Heavens Last Angel was slightly faster than the Toa of Ice.

"Well there are these..." Kopaka's arm fell, nearly lifeless, next to him... his traveling companion held out both his pistols  in the palms of his hands as if offering for the biomech to take and study them. Eon wore a earnest smile, the empty look he had bore in his eyes was replaced with the serine one he had for the majority of their journey.

Kopaka looked down at the revolver and back at his companion. He had seen men use weapons of its likeness but had never actually held one himself. He reached out and grabbed the silver one, leaving the other black one in Eon's possession. Along the side of he barrel there was an engraving that read AGL Arms .45 Long Colt.

"That right their, and this one are brothers..." The Plant said gesturing to both the colts. Kopaka suspected that they were both the same make and model, and Eon just had some type of sentiment attacked to them much like he did his cross. "They're also my brothers, well siblings to be exact. I have never really been able to tell if they were male or female. Assumed them to be gender neutral." The Toa of Ice looked up at Eon as if he had made a bad joke, but saw that the gunslinger was not fibbing. He studied the weapon closely, then Eon continued, "These revolvers were made to be a vessel much like the ones that housed Plants, they each have a Plant stored within them."

Kopaka looked at the colt for a few moments longer, the idea that he wielded he brethren was something to admire. The Toa also had the ability to carry their brethren into battle in a way, even he would summon Taiepa o Whaiaro, Kanohi Hau the mask of Tahu. For the Toa of Ice it showed much trust that Eon would disclose this type of personal information. The biomech was not one to be so open but something told him he could show Eon a bit more about himself. 

The Bionicle focused for a moment, a soft light began to shine bright for a second as he summoned the Kanohi Matatu across his face again. "This is how I saved you, as you concluded when we first met different masks bear different abilities, this one is telekinesis."

[Eon Saverem]

Eon listened while Kopaka explained how their were many different masks warriors like himself could call upon. He levitated stones before him while he spoke to Eon. Though he left out some more in depth details, like each masks' individual powers, the biomech didn't mind teaching his companion. All the while, Eon listened intently. The Plant was quite taken by the abilities Kopaka held, far different from his own and would sound like pure work of fiction had he not seen the Toa of Ice use them by his own eyes.

Eon must seem like a work of fiction to the Bionicle as well. Yet here, in the Omniverse, it was the norm. There were probably many beings that seemed far more outrageous to exist than the Biomech and the Plant... Kopaka finished his explanation, just as a rumble in Eon's belly erupted.

"You're in need of sustenance." The Toa of Ice pointed out.

Eon placed his hand on the back of his head and laughed, a tad embarrassed, "I was so into your lesson, I had totally forgotten about my hunger." He ended his laughter with a sigh, and then placed both his hands over his stomach. A familiar glow began to protrude from between his fingers. The Bionicle watched, perplexed at first, then realized Eon was summoning his source of Omnillium. After a little over a minute passed, the glowing ceased and Eon leaned back and relaxed on his cross, resting his hands on his chest.

Kopaka, still slightly puzzled, "What was it you were trying to summon? Are you depleted of Omnillium?"

Heaven's last angel shook his head in opposition, "No, I have plenty I believe... I just find it a waste of time and energy to summon something as meager as rations or as elaborate as a steak when all I really need is what both provide after being broken down. So I just focused and thought about creating those nutrients already in my stomach. I'm full now." The Plant smirked ever so slightly.

The Toa of Ice had to agree with the efficiency of Eon's strategy. "Most astute of you..." Kopaka looked back towards the city of Nippur, "We shall finish our journey at first light."

Eon nodded and stared at the distant kingdom and felt the blood in his veins quicken in excitement. "At first light..." his hands clenched into fists and began to glow with the faint glow of Omnillium.

[Eon Saverem]

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The Cannibal Corps. made their way through the walls of Nippur. The streets filled with many different kinds of people. All looking worse for wear, even the richer folk seemed dirtier and unsure of where they were headed. The men looked at the buildings and walls of the city, they bore craters as if a meteor shower had hit the city. They knew what had caused this... it was a truly powerful clash of Primes that had done this.


The city was beautiful! It took much effort for Tegan to hold back his excitement from his face. He could hear laughter from one establishment, and then the cries of women or children  around the corner! People still shopping at what was left at the merchant stands, while lechers lay in wait in the shadows for easy pickings. The place was the culmination of good and evil. It was as if Heaven and Hell had merged together and formed a giant walled city. Those running the streets trying to protect the innocent, in doing so, ended up murdering the thief that was merely stealing for the innocent that were his family... Tegan felt as though breathing in Nippur's air invigorated every muscle in his body.

He turned to Knotch and Plum... he was elated to see the expressions they had were identical to his own, he had picked the perfect comrades... the rest kept looking at all the people then back at Tegan, as if waiting for a signal to unleash feral furry upon the hapless prey. He shook his head defiantly NO and they composed themselves as quickly as possible... it was much to soon to reveal themselves just yet.

"Can you imagine?" Plum's words almost stuttered from his lips.

"This chaos..." Knotch had to cover his own mouth to hide the four sets of sharpened teeth showing as he smiled.

Tegan stopped at a statue that had been struck and broken. Pieces lay on the ground, the head of the statue still intact. He reached down and lifted the heavy golden stone. He held it to his chest, the face of it staring towards his comrades, one hand underneath while the other rest atop. It was Gilgamesh's head, "This Chaos... can you imagine? The type of person this place would need to keep order within these walls?" Tegan finished both of their points. He shook the head quickly.

Suddenly a hand slammed on his shoulder and spun him around, "What the hell you think you're doing defacing that statue!?" What would have appeared to be a town guard member stood inches from Tegan's face. He ripped the head from his hands, then just let his fall to the ground.

"I was merely looking at it... we're new here..." Tegan did not enjoy being talked down to, let alone bullied by a town guard who had clearly grown too big for his britches...

The guard didn't like the look in Tegan's eyes and thought to drop a fist into his gut to teach him a leason... he launched a low and silent blow and felt it impact. He smiled a doofy smile. Then he felt his hand start to hurt, as he looked down he saw that Tegan had caught his fist and had begun squeezing it... harder... and harder... and harder... the guards face reddened....

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[Kopaka]

The following morning was blessedly silent once more. Kopaka very much appreciated that the human, or Plant, rather, had the capacity for understanding when it was time to exchange words and when it was time to think. Kopaka was silent for more reason than simple habit, however. Something had been bothering him since he had rebooted his higher processes that brisk morning. During the days prior, the Bionicle had felt a distinct calling of almost supernatural certainty that the Mouse was in the direction they were headed. With every step they took, however, that certainty keeled over into a sea of doubt.

It would be remiss of the Toa to give up his hunt for such simple reasons, however. Out respect for Eon and for sheer integrity, it was the least Kopaka could do to take a look around the city. As the two trudged through the slowly warming silt, they began to approach a series of heavily laden carriages, drawn by a pair of oddly shaped rahi of burden. Their solid silouhette was clear against the pale lavender horizon that stretched beyond the desert sunrise. The scant wisps of clouds in the sky picked up muted shades of shadowed fuschia, and the glimmering sun invited everything on the ground to cast long shadows.

A curious sigil was emblazoned on the side of the cart; a golden intersection of two perpendicular lines. It was exocative of the object Eon carried on his back, and Kopaka began to wonder what the importance of this glyph had for human beings. As the pair of Primes approached the front of the caravan, the leader of the troupe called out to Kopaka and Eon. 

"Ho there travelers! You look weary! Care for a ride?" the haughty man asked. He was built heavily, equally massive with both muscle and fat. His balding head was capped by a wound cloth, and a long beared hung from his smiling jaw. Kopaka and Eon looked at eachother with a mutual sense of skepticism before the Toa of Ice buzzed out a reply.

"At what cost?" Kopaka asked in his signature flat tone. The caravan leader chuckled and shook his head in a knowing manner that Kopaka found more than a little patronizing.

"Cost? No cost. But you know, if you feel inclined, you could help us divvy out these supplies once we reach Nippur." the man chortled, his grinding voice meshing seemlessly with the racket from the rickety wheels on the transport vehicle. Kopaka was intrigued.

"Is that what you do? Deliver goods and supplies to those in need?" Kopaka said quietly, his reverent tone slightly more intense than usual. The swarthy man scrambled down from the carriage with a trademark smile.

"Of course! The Golden Cross makes it their Duty to help those in need.  Not sure if you men have heard, but Nippur is still in pretty bad shape after having been sacked. They'll need all the help they can get!" The foreman said with another smile. Despite Kopaka's revulsion at such mirth, Eon could see and hear the biomech's spine whir and click, the biomech's eagerly standing erect.

"Duty you say? To the people?" Kopaka repeated. The man nodded. Without even glancing at Eon, the Toa nodded his head yes. Within a few minutes, the two had taken some surprisingly comfortable seats within the carriage designated for foodstuffs...

[Eon Saverem]

The carriage bounced with a softness against the Dunes. The smells of herbs, spices and dried meats and provisions filled Eon's nose. He took some comfort in knowing his companion wasn't so quick to turn down a helping hand. Eon sat next to the biomech, both deep in thought. The two had barely even shared a glance at each other when the caravan had rolled past.

Last night was the first time Eon had gotten any sleep in the Omniverse. Truth be told, a small part of him was worried that if he fell asleep he'd wake up in Hell. That the Omniverse was nothing but the purgatorial void between Life, Heaven and Hell... He was content to find that his theory was not true.

While he slept he dreamt, of the darkness he had floated in when he first saw Omni. It was cold, but not deathly... it was dark, but not blindly... He would gasp for breath but then realize he did not need it... Omni just hovered before him, with his mocking grin. A silhouette where there was no light. Eon reached out to grab him, but the darkness tethered around his limbs. Suddenly the weight of his own Cross began to work against him... and then the tendrils drug him down into the depths of its dark abyss, as even Omni's shit eating grin faded in the distance... then within the black, three lights appeared. Glowing Blue eyes gave way to the form of the Toa of Ice, as an unseen force pulled Eon from the void. All at once he was back in the Dunes, Kopaka standing in front of him with Eon's Cross on his back.

With that Eon came too, the Bionicle patiently waiting for the Plant to gather his belongings and continue on their travels. Then this 'Golden Cross' was upon them, offering passage to Nippur.

Eon might have been a little more skeptic than even his cautious colleague. As Kopaka spoke with the caravan's leader, Eon surveyed the rest of the folks with the convoy. Not that he could really tell the difference yet, but he got the feeling they were all Seconds. For whatever reason, Seconds made the Plant feel somewhat uncomfortable. Since he had arrived here in the Omniverse, Eon had only one encounter with a truly friendly Second. Though that was only a partial reasoning to his distress.

It had really blossomed last night, while Eon and Kopaka rested, telling the other a bit about themselves to pass the time. Eon had been mulling over the concept of his own 'heritage', if you will, and what a Plant was. The people he had wanted to protect and save had basically imprisoned his kind for their own well being. Did they know what they did? Or was Eon the outcome of pure chance? Regardless of the truth, Eon's apprehension towards his own personal discovery was slowly manifesting towards Seconds. In the Omniverse, Primes were no different than his own kind, Plants, and though they're much more powerful than any Second, it was the ratio that gave him slight concern. What if one day Seconds rose up and imprisoned Primes the way the people of Gunsmoke imprisoned Plants?

"ridiculous..." Eon whispered to himself, to develope such an audacious conclusion from nothing but his own fear and confusion was ridiculous. He had only been here a little over a week and only seen the other side of one Gate.

With that Eon followed Kopaka into the carriage and took an adjacent seat.

The Toa of Ice sought a Prime, for crimes against the Empire. Heaven's Last Angel sought a purpose, clarity.

"Woahhhh!!" The caravan's leader shouted out as the convoy came to a slow halt, "You fellas ready to see the once great city??" He chuckled after, though purely for joviality's sake. The city still suffering from the sack was clear.

Eon and Kopaka exited the carriage... would they find what they were after?

[Eon Saverem]

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Bones cracked as the guard's hand buckled, his knees starting to shake. Wanting to let out a cry of agony, his pride to begrudgingly strong to allow it. Tegan took a step towards the man, causing the guard to wince and stumble back.

"Lets you and I have a chat, hmm?" Tegan leaned forward, almost touching his forehead against the man's. The cannibal's eyes pierced through the tormented man. The guard tried to say something but before he could utter as much as a whimper Tegan slammed their heads together a forced him back into an ally.

Knotch and Plum gave a quick and subtle signal to their men and the group moved to block the entrance of the ally and view. Even setting up their wagon as a make shift table. Ironically enough, some citizens of Nippur and other merchants began rummaging through their 'wears'.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the city. Tegan had begun a relentless assault on the guard. His fist connecting straight with the man's eye, causing his head to hit the wall behind him and subsequently knocking his helmet to the ground. Grabbing the back of his neck, Tegan drove his knee into the guard's ribs, audibly breaking some, and then a second knee into his face while simultaneously driving his head and neck down into it. This dropped the guard to the ground, wheezing and coughing up blood. Tegan slammed his foot into the man's chest and hunched over, placing himself face to face.

"So... in the next minute or so... I want you to tell me as much as you know about the state Nippur is in right now..." slowly a toothy grin drug across his face, "... and as much as you knew, know, about your Fallen King... Gilgamesh."

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[Eon Saverem]

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A multitude of sounds filled the air. Merchants yelling out their prices and wears... children crying out for their parents... the sound of stone being moved and repaired... citizens lashing out at one another... and the faint whimpering of a man who had poked the wrong bear...

The guard had finally lost his tough persona and had devolved into a sniveling coward. Tears ran from his eyes, while snot oozed from his broken nose. Blood flowed like streams from his wounds, and the smell alone made Tegan's mouth water. The cannibal's pupils dilated, like that of the ravenous beast before it pounces and devours its helpless prey. He reached out and gripped the man's throat and preceded to squeeze, causing him to gasp for breath and his eyes to begin to bulge. His face reddened and the blood dripping from his eye, nose and mouth seem to increase in volume. As if Tegan was pumping the blood from his veins.

"O-h-kay..." The guard managed to choke out that much and former knight released his grasp. His normal, cool demeanor returned giving off a chivalrous effect.

"See... I'm not unreasonable... go on." Tegan kept his food on the man's chest, letting off a few pounds of pressure.

"The city... its gone too shit." The man had to take gulps of air down while trying to speak. The cannibal knight had nearly broken his windpipe, causing his voice to be low and strained, "I'm sure you can see... just... by looking around. Nobody knows what to do... the guard tried to seek out Sasuke, Gilgamesh's... second in command... but no one can find him... meanwhile... everyone is running around like headless foul..." The man's eyes began to water up and he started to shake his head back and forth as if to plead 'No', "I watched my mom and dad get crushed... by a building's debris... I didn't know what to do... I didn't have anyone..." Saliva and snot began to run together over the man's lips as he spat out his sob story, all the while the look in Tegan's eyes only intensified, "I saw one of the city guard get thrown to the ground... like a rag doll... The King of Evil... Ganan..." He stopped and looked Tegan in his eyes, "Please! I only put on the uniform to protect me from the after math!" His voice cracked, his bodily fluids flung onto the cannibal's unflinching face, "I watched as that mechanical mouse fired a blast at our King... and the chains of the Underverse grabbed hold of him and drug him to Hell! Now Hell is where the city of Nippur is headed! Please!" His blubbering was almost too much.

Tegan slowly removed his foot from the boy's chest, gave him a pat on his shoulder, causing the boy to flinch and tremble in fear and stood straight up, taking both his hands and slicking his greasy hair back. "Don't worry kid. Don't mind if I call you kid? Just that you looked like a man, but now all I see his a crying baby boy." The guard imposter tried to utter a retort, "shh... shh... shhhh... it's alright. I have good news." The boy's lips slowly stopped trembling and his eyes widened slightly in hope, "King Gilgamesh... escaped the Underverse." A tear of joy fell from the boy's eye. "And there's more." Tegan smiled, what would look like the most genuine one he could give, "You won't watch Nippur fall to the likes of Hell." The boy began to form a smile, "Because you won't be here when it does... after I devour your precious King..." Hope ran from the boys face and fear filled it, as Tegan raised his leg and kicked it straight forward into the boy's face.

*THUD* "Gawh! Plea..." His head bounced between the wall and Tegan's boot. Blood spewed.

"Damn it... Deathchew made it look so easy..." *THUD* Smashing his heel into the boy's nose, caving it in.

"Gwaggg...g" The light in the boy's eyes began to fade ass copious amounts of blood shot out.

*THUD*

*THUD*

*THUD*

*THUD*

*THUD* ... The cannibal knight felt his kick hit the wall.

"Looks like this city just had an opening in the Guard Department..." He laughed quietly to himself as he licked the blood from his lips.

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[Eon Saverem]

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The walls spun slowly around, his muscles twitched sending cold chills up his spine, yet the heat within the walls seemed to rise... a sweet and salty taste lingered on his lips, while his tongue hung from his mouth...

A drop of sweat ran down the middle of his forehead, all the way to the tip of his nose. It fell, and his eyes zoned in on the drop until it hit the armor with an almost inaudible...

*Plink*

Tegan's eyes readjusted, all at once he snapped out of his daze. Ever since he had first feasted on the flesh of others, he would fall into killing frenzies whenever he mercilessly murdered. It was like, he got high off of the sensation and would take a few moments for him to come down from his intoxication. The cannibal commander wiped his boot on the ground and slicked his hair back once again, showing he had regained his full composure.

With that he crouched beside the lifeless husk and began removing his guard uniform. As he removed the top portion he held it in front of him, inspecting it, noticing the blood stains he had made. "Would have been a lot less of a mess had I just done as the Baron had... Oh well." he began rubbing it on the ground and covering it in dirt. After removing the rest of he articles, and reusing the same process, he began to change. The uniform proved to be a tad snug, though Tegan did admire the way it made his biceps look. "Should do just fine." As he adjusted his sleeve cuffs he took a glance at the brutalized corpse on the ground. "Now for you... I can't very well gobble you up now... well not that fast at least." He laughed to himself and looked around the ally, noticing a rug that had been hung up along one of the walls. Clapping his hands together he nodded in approval and proceeded to tear it down... His heart skipped a beat...

A child's face appeared from behind the rug...

It had been hung on the outside of an open window.

Who in the fuck builds a window into a dark ally? Tegan felt a rush of anxiety. The boy couldn't have been more that six years of age. What if he saw the whole thing? Heard it? What if his parents are informing the guards right now? His right hand released the rug and inched towards the boy. Preposterous... Why would they leave their child alone after the matter... he's alone... Before he could strike the toddler blurted out.

"Is that a bad guy?" he said brushing his hair out from in front of his eyes, staring at the grotesque remains.

The cannibal knight breathed deep, patting his new attire, Kid thinks I'm a Guard. He felt a flash of relief wash over him. Though he wasn't sure what he should do with the child, he took a quick look at the body and his sinister smile creeped across his face once more...

"Yes he was..." Turning back to the boy, he placed a firm hand on the boy's shoulder. "He spoke ill of our King. So I did the right thing and defended our noble King's honor, because protecting his honor is protecting the city's honor. And protecting the city's honor..." He halfheartedly kneeled and looked intensely into the boy's eyes, furrowing his brow, "... is protecting its people's honor... your honor." With a slight squeeze, he let go and moved over to the corpse. "I should apologize for your..." he hesitated for second, "curtain?" he finished in a rhetorical tone. "I need to barrow it." He laid out the rug on the ground, then grabbing hold of the remains he drug them onto the rug and began to roll it up. "Can't very well leave this here. I'm sorry you had to see that.. what was your name?"

"Matthew." The boy quickly replied.

"Ah, Matthew! A fine name. And a fine citizen you are Matthew. Thank you for all your help. I think I'll make you an honorary Guardsman! Hows that sound" Charisma exuded from his voice, being taught in the way of the Knight had given Tegan a real edge when it came to speaking with others, be it an adult or child.

Matthew smiled and placed both hands on the windowsill, leaning out slightly, "Wow really!? Cool..." a look of confusion appeared on the boy's face though, biting his lip slightly, "but... mommy and daddy said..." He stopped and looked at the rug.

"Go on. You can tell me. I'm on your side." The cannibal tilted his head intriguingly.

"Well... mommy and daddy said the King was a bad man... and that the Robo-Mouse saved us from him..." an aura of guilt washed over the boy, tears beginning to swell up in his eyes.

Tegan's eyes traveled between the boy and the rolled rug, "Oh! Oh heaven's no. Don't you worry. This won't happen." Standing up after finishing, he placed one hand on his hip and pointed a finger with the other at the boy, "This man had nothing to do with the Robo-mouse. I bet you're confused on which side to pick though huh? Would you like me to help you out with that?"

The little boy shook his head, still upset.

"Hey now, you're my honorary guardsman. With that title you have a special test you can give your parents. But I'll have to administer this test on you myself. Would you like to see it?" His enthusiasm enticed the toddler, who began to smile. The cannibal reached behind his back to the guard's belt he wore. Unlatching the strap of the sheath that bore a dagger. He pulled it out... holding it behind his back... "Now.. I want you to pick a side... The great King of Nippur, our city. The ruler who placed himself between a ruthless attacker and us, his beloved subjects. Our fair, just and honorable King, Gilgamesh... or..." He drew out the suspense pulling the boy in closer in anticipation, "... the evil robotic mouse that attack us, destroying our beautiful city and killing many of our friends and family in the process... Proto-mouse... Now, Matthew, you say a name... and we'll see if that name has the power to protect you." Chills ran through Tegan's body, his eyes twitching back and forth in rapid succession, waiting for the little boy's reply.

Matthew thought hard on the question, seemingly weighing his options....

Slamming his hands on the windowsill he jutted forth and happily exclaimed, "GILGAMESH!" As the Cannibal launched the dagger up and over his head, stabbing it downward towards the boys face!

... An unseen force ostensibly stopped the the blade within an inch of the child's brow. Fear shook the boy until he saw Tegan's arm shaking in resistance, as if he were thrusting with all of his might. The Matthew's expression was awe inspired.

"See! It's not possible... I can't pierce you!" Struggling against an imaginary force the former Knight final ended his attack, exhausted, "Our Great King still protects you!"

"He is so amazing!" Matthew seemed over joyed.

"That he is my honorary guardsman. Now that you've passed." He turned the dagger over in his hands and offered it to the child, who accepted it, mouth opened wide. "You shall give this test to your Mommy and Daddy. But you must keep it a secret, only you and I can know about it. So you'll have to wait until Mommy and Daddy are asleep. That's when their hearts will truly decide who will protect them. I'm counting on you Matthew!" Tegan gave the boy a salute.

Matthew nodded dutifully, and saluted his ally.

"Keep administering the test even if they don't pass it the first time. Gilgamesh will save all the good people of Nippur. Like he did you!" Smiling he hefted the rolled rug over his shoulder and began to make his way back down the ally, "Oh and the rug should be our secret too" He winked at the boy and laughed... the boy saluted once more... then gripped the dagger, gazing upon the symbol of the Golden King...

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[Kopaka]

The City of Nippur reminded Kopaka of one of the old cities on the island of Daxia, only without the choking creepers and heavy jungle foliage crawling over every surface. Instead of the gentle ambience of songbirds and rivers, Nippur bustled with the hum of a thousand individual voices, clamoring over the staccato grinding of rickshaw wheels and caravan sleds. The people of the city were dirty, and haggard, but carried an air of nobility and pride that their counterparts in Coruscant lacked. 

As soon as the wagon of the Golden Cross cleared the city gates, the caravan was inundated with a surge of screaming, slapping beggars who cried out for their fair share of the supplies. The guards of Nippur, clad in their tarnished brazen armor, shoved the unruly masses back with the hafts of their polearms, barking savage threats to keep the frenzied populace at bay. Kopaka found it utterly disgusting that humans could give up their sense of composure so easily. Patience, it seemed, was at a premium in an environment where so much had been taken from them. Despite their dire straits, the Toa was suspicious that these people had never had to live in true desperation; to live in the wild, among perilous beasts, with no thronging masses to hide themselves.

Still, that didn't change the fact that Kopaka did indeed have the ability to help them, so help them he would. He would not, however, do any such thing before business had been taken care of. Standing tall on the back of his caravan wagon, Kopaka slapped his steel shield with the flat of this hand several times, causing a shrill gonging to resonate off of the sandstone walls that encircled the dusty clearing.

"People of Nippur. My name is Kopaka. I hunt the Prime known as Mickey Mouse. He is one of the Primes responsible for your misfortune." Kopaka said in a loud, buzzing timbre. A few stray shouts directed at him went completely unrecognized.

"I have reason to believe Mickey is in this city. Anyone with information of his whereabouts can notify me personally, so that justice may be served." the Toa said with a tone of finality. Crossing his arms, Kopaka waited patiently as a soft breeze ripple across the square. 

"What do we get?" asked a high-pitched voice from the far right end of the crowd. Kopaka scowled in the general direction of the question's source. Of course. It would be all-too-simple if people were content with the inherent validity of justice. No, of course they wanted a tangible reward. Very well then.

"Anything you desire. I am Prime myself, and can summon items on request."

The crowd began to murmur excitedly. The Toa began to grow concerned that his announcemeny would overshadow the needs of the caravan leader, so Kopaka tried to turn the attention back to the matter at hand.

"Approach the cart in an orderly fashion and you will receive your rations for the week." Kopaka boomed. It had no discernable effect as the masses immediately resumed their pushing and shoving. With a synthesized growl, Kopaka held his sword aloft and gathered elemental power into the blade. Thrusting it forward, the Toa cast a beam of powdery blue light at the ground in front of the people in the crowd. A jagged wall of icy spikes blossomed upwards from the dust, daring any and all comers to try and pass their razor-sharp points. 

The people of Nippur balked like a gaggle of hens at a thunder clap, as if they had never even seen ice before. Now that Kopaka thought about it, they very well may not have...

[Eon Saverem]

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Emerging from the ally, Tegan patted Plum on the back and gave him a wink and smile. Plum took notice to his comrade's new attire, back handing Knotch in the gut and gesturing towards Tegan as he laid the rolled rug on the back of their cart.

"A good day to you sir." Knotch said to Tegan, while tipping his hat.

"Better than most of late. You group new in the city? I don't believe I've had the pleasure of seeing you here before." The cannibal commander played the role all to well. Just the way he held himself, exuded that of an officer.

Plum's hands waved over their wears implicating they were merchants, "We're but humble travelers, and merchants. When we heard of the state in which the city of Nippur was in, we rushed here to assist in any way possible."

"Their prices are extremely fair. I couldn't afford most of these items anywhere else in the city!" A man interjected. Holding up an item from their selection. The three men smiled in sync.

"Well I hope this rug will be a fine donation to your cause..." The imposter guard said while patting it with the palm of his hand, "You should clean it out before selling it though, it is quite old and smells as if something had once passed on it." He said with a sly wink.

"Oh, of course sir. Thank you." Knotch removed his hat and held it to his chest in great gratitude, and shook the pho guard's hand.

Just then, a large caravan made its way through the gates. It bore a symbol of a Golden Cross. This symbol was clearly well known by the people of Nippur, because the moment it came to a halt it was rushed by every homeless beggar and swine that occupied the mouth of the city.

"Now what do we have here..." Tegan watched as figure emerged from one of the carriages, it wore a cloak and from what the cannibal could deduce from his distance was three glowing blue eyes. Then a second man stood in the door of the wagon, looking over the masses. Knotch, realizing the three eyed cloaked one had to of been the one he was watching in the Dunes the day prior. He knew he'd have to wait to tell Tegan.

The man that had spoken so graciously about the merchant cannibals' prices and wears spoke up again, "Well... that's the Golden Cross sir... the relief effort. They're quite well known around here." The man said in a confused tone.

Tegan flashed a glare of anger at the man, then quickly place his hand over his eyes rolling his head back , "Of course it is... I wasn't referring to the caravan. Rather the two that seem to be tagging along..." Trying to hide his irritation, as gently as he could.

"Oh... right. Apologies sir." The man turned his attention to the horde of people converging on the caravan.

The three eyed being revealed a shield and slammed a metallic hand against it, making a loud bang to echo through the walled city. After the majority of the people's attention was grabbed the metal man spoke. His synthetic voice gave way to the fact that he was in fact mechanical, a robot of sorts. He said his name was Kopaka, and that he hunted the Prime Mickey Mouse.

Tegan immediately locked eyes with his two close companions. Another Legendary Prime was here in the city of Nippur! They all read what was on the others' minds. If they could get the Mouse... they would gain the powers of two god like Primes... This, Kopaka, went on about how he would bring justice to the people of Nippur. The cannibals watched as many of the faces in the crowd began shifting in approval and appreciation. 

The crowd was silent then Plum, in a high-pitched tone yelled out, "What do we Get!?" and the crowd began to stir and murmur to themselves again.

The machine seemed irked by the retort, and then countered with something that got Tegan's, Plum's and Knotch's hearts pounding. This, Kopaka, was a Prime too. If they brought back three Primes to the Baron... they'd be tribe leaders themselves.

Tegan hit Plum in the chest and pointed at the Golden Cross's Caravan, "Your group is a lot like theirs... maybe you should offer your services to assist them."

"That's a great idea." Said the man who had interjected earlier.

They started to make their way over when suddenly a series of spikes shot forth from the ground, creating a wall of what looked like sharp ice. The crowd of beggars were in shock.

Tegan held up a hand to stay the group, "Maybe we should wait for the situation to... cool down a bit." He turned and shared a quick laugh with his comrades.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Eon Saverem]

As they entered the city, Eon peered out the small window of the carriage. The city of Nippur was massive, the size reminded him of the city of Octovern. He could see small shop stands and people huddled around them. It was a lot to take in all at once.

The Toa of Ice swung the door open, and suddenly they were swarmed by awfully poor and hungry individuals. Eon stood up and made his way to the door and stood behind it as Kopaka began banging his shield to grab everyone's attention. The biomech stated that he sought out the Prime known as Mickey Mouse.

He really wastes no time at all. Eon thought to himself as Kopaka explained to the people how he wished to take down the Prime responsible for the sack of their city. Look at these people though... They look like children who have lost their parents, their provider. The city's scars still showed throughout the city. Holes in the walls ranging from small bullet sizes, to massive gaping craters. There was an intense battle here.

He turned his attention back to his companion and his task at hand. Eon could tell the Toa was getting slightly irritated at the chaos surrounding him. He heard someone yell out what they'd get in return for the Mouse's capture. He was surprised to hear Kopaka tell them all he was a Prime and would grant them what ever they needed. The Plant admired his companion's strength. Eon, personally, would rather keep his Prime identity a secret if at all possible. Seemed like it invited confrontation, the unneeded sort.

The crowd began to push and pull at each other once again, trying to get at the Golden Cross's reserves. The biomech asked them to be patient and approach in an orderly fashion. They refused... too hungry to think straight. What Kopaka did next was something that would prove to be the way of the Empire. Order by force. As he summoned forth a wall of jagged ice. A snow flake drifted towards Eon and landed on his nose.

Cold.

[Eon Saverem]

The Toa of Ice's display had done well enough to keep the crowd in check. Though many of them looked more frightened now, the chaos had dwindled to minor murmurs and scoffs. Blade in hand, Kopaka directed the crowd towards the carts bearing provisions. The members of the Golden Cross seemed slightly taken back by the display of dominance, and seemed grateful at the same time. The leader of the caravan wiped the sweat from his brow and gave a hefty sigh, at least everyone would get a fair share. He was happy to have asked the travelers if they wanted assistance.

Eon stood inside the carriage, as he watched silently from behind the biomech, he watched how quickly the show of power brought order to the citizens of Nippur. They would have trampled one another just for bread. Women, children and the elderly would've been thrown to the rear as the rest took as much as their arms could hold and their wouldn't have been a damn thing the members of the Golden Cross caravan could do to stop them, out numbered ten to one. Heaven's Last Angel scanned through the crowd and the adjacent streets, merchants and vendors. What kind of a place was this before the sack? Eon Thought to himself as his eyes studied the damages to the nearby buildings, when something caught his eye. Rather, two things caught his eye. There was something small that moved quickly across the rooftops, and disappeared just as quick. Then, he wasn't completely sure, something followed after. With little time to think on it, he made the decision to investigate. Kopaka was busy fulfilling his current duty, Eon would check this out for his companion and return back if it turned out to be anything of note.

He pulled his head wraps tighter and made his way out of the carriage, placing a hand on Kopaka's shoulder as he passed, "Well done. I'm going to take a look around the city. Shouldn't be gone longer than an hour. I'll be waiting here with the Golden Cross on my return. If I run into any trouble I'll fire" Eon pointed his finger to the sky and made six gunshot noises with his mouth. "And if by some chance you need any assistance... make it snow."

Kopaka seemed to be lost in his thoughts for a moment, then nodded, "And Mickey Mouse..." his synthesized voice was soft.

Eon nodded in reply, "I'll find out what I can." With a slight pat on the Toa's shoulder Eon moved past the Bionicle and slide through the mass of people. As he reached the end of the crowd he turned only to lock eyes with a guard who stood in front of a merchant table. It only lasted a few seconds as he walked past, but Eon had gotten the impression he'd seen eyes like that before... the guard smile and gave a slight nod and turned his attention back to the Golden Cross. Weird...  Eon made his way down one of the streets adjacent the buildings that the two small creatures were traveling across.

"Excuse me..." the gunslinger tapped the arm of a woman sweeping in front of a building, sign out front reading Station 3.
She seemed startled at his touch.

"Oh my... geesh..." She placed her hand on her chest and brushed her hair from her face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you. I was only wondering if I could ask you a quick question on my whereabouts." Eon made a prayer motion with his hands, placing them to his forehead and bowing slightly.

"No I'm sorry... I left my sidearm inside. Thought I was about to be at the other end of one." She seemed to relax a bit, leaning on the broom as if it were a cane.

"Do a lot of robberies happen here?" Eon asked.

"You must be new. Ya, plenty ever since the King was banished. We're almost completely out of stock anyways. So, no real worries there. What did you need to ask?"

"I am new. That easy to tell huh? I was hoping I could ask you where that direction leads." The gunslinger pointed in the direction he had seen the rooftop jumpers headed.

The lady squinted her eyes as if to get a better look at the direction in which Eon had pointed and nodded, "That leads towards the center of the city and Gilgamesh's Palace. And as for being fresh, you stick out quite a bit with that giant thing on you back." gesturing to the Plant's cross.

Eon peered over his shoulder and looked at his trusted cross, "Well, lets hope people come to see it as a good thing. Thank you..." He began to head in the direction of the Palace then turned back, "By the way, the Golden Cross is here, if you're looking to restock. They might have something for you." With that he gave the girl a small salute with his two fingers and continued towards the center of Nippur.

As he made his way through the city, he did notice the looks the people would give him. Some were of intrigue, some of hate, some of awe. Then again, many of the people moved through the debris littered streets like the undead. Not a thought in their heads. What a sad existence these people had fallen into. Part of him wished he could do something, while the other part knew there was very little he could do.

He finally came to an intersection in the street, and before him stood another tall wall. This one was possibly even taller than the outer wall, and about a hundred yards away stood a gate. As he approached, Eon saw a handful of guards occupying the area around it. Not only the guards he was familiar with, but another group of men clad in golden armor surrounded a robed figure. The excessive nature of their armor had nearly distracted him from seeing the short cloaked being in which they all seemed to be focused on.

The robed man ushered the diminutive creature through the gate and out of Eon's sight. He slowly made his way towards the entrance, trying his best not to draw attention to himself. He had no idea what he was so captivated by, his curiosity had taken over and their was much he wanted to know about the city of Nippur, and its former King... especially.

As he closed in on the gate, only a mere ten yards away, one of the guards took notice to him and started to make his way over towards the gunslinger. Just before he opened his mouth to shout out, another shout came from within the walls. The few guards outside the entrance took notice and hastily made their way through the gate and towards the palace. Eon stopped in his tracks in front of the open door that had been left behind.

He looked to his left and to his right... This city is in some deep shit... They don't even have the man power to deal with two problems at once... Eon shook his head and casually walked his way through the gate. What he was met with was more than he could have even imagined.

What seemed like a forest of trees, green grass, the sound of running water and the smell of flowers filled his senses. The Plant had only ever seen a total of maybe nine trees in his lifetime. Gunsmoke was a desert planet after all and many of the oases were hard to come by. When he emerged on the other side of the gate he felt as if he had just walked through another of the Omniverse's portals to another plane of existence. This was where Gilgamesh resided, this is what he called home.

Eon was mesmerized by the beauty. When all of a sudden two being launched themselves from one of the Palace's windows! Heaven's Last Angel watched in awe as the two landed on what looked to be a carpet... a flying carpet! The large of the two carried a strange looking object, while the other branded a steel sword. Then, a third figure launched from the Palace, firing a strange bolt, or sphere of some kind, propelling him towards the carpet. He caught hold of the edge and dangled for a moment. Holy shit, this is some intense shit. Eon felt the youth in him get excited to see the next move. Then all at once, the small being that held onto the corner of the rug fell... crashing through the trees.

Eon flinched at the sound of the impact, then sprinted in the direction of the fallen hero.... Or was it villain?

[Kopaka]

Slowly but surely, Kopaka was growing to resent the unwashed, desperate masses of Nippur. He understood that humans required biological sustenance to function, but really, he was certain all the screaming and shoving was not necessary. In the end, however, the Toa had successfully helped the Golden Cross caravan deliver supplies to the needy, and that was what mattered. By such time, the sun was beginning to move solidly into its penultimate resting place before sinking below the horizon.

Kopaka still hadn't heard from Eon, but the Toa was more than certain that the Plant could fend for himself. In the pre-twilight shadows of Nippur's bombed out residential district, the Biomech began to patrol for anyone who had information on Mickey's location. Unsurprisingly, very few of Nippur's citizens were willing to speak directly to the Bionicle...

Drowsy post , sorry. More to come.

[Eon Saverem]

Six shots fired into the sky. It was a risky move at this point, but something told the Plant that these two guards were not merely going to bring a halt to their pursuit soon. He had seen something he wasn't supposed to, or worse... attacked their ally, and they were going to make sure he knew that one way or another. Eon hoped he would being able to navigate his way through the streets of Nippur well enough, the fact remained he had only been in the city for a few hours.

He zig zagged through the trees, leaping over small shrubbery. The men behind him made their way through the vegetation much like a tank would make its way through an army of foot soldiers. Finally, he made it out of the grove and the gate was in sight. As well as a line of guards.

Oh shit! Great going firing off those shots, that totally wouldn't have alerted the rest of the guards in the area. Gotta think faced Eon!

For a second he thought to unwrapped the bandages on his cross and unleash its power... but quickly threw the idea away, he didn't wish to destroy the few men left that were tasked in protecting and keeping order in the city. The thought of bandages though... he reached up and grabbed the head wraps that had been covering his face.

I hope this works... and doesn't bite me in the ass later...

The guards held a stance to attack, choking up on their blades. A bead of sweat dripped from the gunslinger's temple, his hand trembled. When he first arrived, the act of impersonating the very King that walked these streets was what saved his life. This would be the second time Gilgamesh's ghost would offer its hand in assistance to the Plant... Heaven's Last Angel pulled at the wrap, and ripped it off, revealing his blonde hair and defined features. All at once, the guards gasped, some even dropping their blades and falling to their knees. In that moment of them being dumbfounded he raced through the line and outside the walls.

Ducking through a nearby alley, he placed his head wraps back on... he was both pleased, and slightly worried that it had worked so well. Suddenly, the sound of armored feet crept around the corned of the back street... These guards on the other hand, were not too worried about the event...

[Eon Saverem]

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Boring... how very boring. Tegan stood among his fellow cannibals, twiddling their thumbs. When night fell they took refuge in an abandoned... well, now abandoned... shop. They had finished their small squatter meal hours earlier. The Cannibal Commander was at ends with himself, he wanted to gather as much information as he could of the likely whereabouts of the Golden King. To no avail, it seemed every one they had encountered had no knowledge of his resurgence. Tegan and his men seemed to be the ones with the most intelligence on the subject.

Earlier, Tegan had kept watch over the Ice Machine that had brought aid to the pitiful citizens of Nippur. He was a Prime named Kopaka and was in search of Mickey Mouse. He had hoped that the bounty hunter would lead him to Gilgamesh as well. If the False King had returned, Tegan was sure that he would want revenge on the one that Banished him. So if Kopaka found, or even captured the Mouse, then it might give the 'Return of the King' part of this story the chance to strike. He had sent Knotch to watch over the Ice Prime and track him, if discovered Knotch was to offer his assistance due to the Prime's good nature gesture with the Golden Cross. Something nagged at him though... the man that stood behind Kopaka in the carriage. He wielded a massive cross, as if a poster boy for the caravan. At first sight, the cannibal knight thought little of it... until at one moment the man made a break for the adjacent streets, whispering something to the Prime in passing, his gaze focused on the roof tops...

He ran past Tegan and the two had locked eyes, and in that moment the former knight of Camelot felt a burning inside his chest. One that reminded him of years past when he crossed swords with a worthy adversary. It made him feel like the once noble knight he began as... and it sickened him to his core. Never had he experienced such mixed emotions. It made Tegan want to rip the man's heart from his breast. Yet he sits here, knowing that he must keep an eye on his feral men. They were getting hungry and he would not allow them to venture off to hunt in the streets of the city. It would bring a much to quick end to their charade. Instead, he sent Plum to follow the man. Neither of them had returned yet, and even the Cannibal Commander could feel his blood starting to boil. Quelling his primal urge, he gazed out the window upon the square. Few people still remained in the area, with no homes to return to.

He noticed some of the guards beginning to mobilize, and made their way to the gate. Looking down at his garb he thought of heading out to meet the incoming presence. Standing up and moving to the door he turned to his men, "Listen up... I've got a strange feeling in my gut. I think I'm going to go welcome this new visitor. If any of you leave for any reason... I won't be one of the hungry ones any more. Do you comprehend?" The group of cannibals nodded in acknowledgement. They all knew that they were little to now match for Plum or Knotch... let alone their Leader on this mission. Tegan smirked and nodded.

As he exited the structure he could see what appeared to be a boy clad in red armor being confronted by the guards. He had a red armored dog with him, as well as four unconscious men being carried by it. Tegan thought he had seen the white robes the men were wearing before, but couldn't remember where... As he neared, about twenty yards away. He watched as one of the guards caved the skull of one of the unconscious men in. Blood and circuitry poured out, the boy fired a yellow orb of energy into the guard's chest and Tegan's eyes widened. "What the fuck!?" The boy was the Prime known as Protoman, and the guys he had brought in... a white robed man stood up and yelled out a chant and detonated himself. The explosion detonated the other three, and the blast knocked the Cannibal Commander back through the wall of the shop his men were in.

Fire and destruction raged at the Gate of Nippur... and even the Cannibalistic, Masochistic, and Diabolical Knight Tegan... felt a tinge more pity for the cesspool that was Nippur.

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[Eon Saverem]

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Darkness faded in and out... the muffled voices around him, impossible to understand... transitioning between unconsciousness and complete distortion... from black to blurred double vision... ears ringing, as blood ran from the left... body shaking... and the burning sensation across his face... Tegan retched himself to his side and tried lifting himself onto his elbows... the explosion had sent him flying through the wall of the building. His guard uniform was still smoldering and the smell of burnt leather and flesh would choke any normal man. Shaking from left to right, the Cannibal Commander drug himself across the floor. His comrades watched in silence, none lifting a finger to help, such was the way of the Clan. Should Tegan fall here, he would be devoured and the next strongest would take the role as leader. They were damned wrong if they thought this was going to end the life of the former Camelot Knight.

Tegan, still fading in and out of darkness, managed to make it to the hole his body had made in the wall. Saliva drolled from his mouth, as his blurry vision tried to focus on what once was the West Gate of Nippur. He began to make out some bodies laying on the ground, covered in fire, smoldering... the left side of Tegan's face felt like it too was still on fire... the collateral damage was wide spread. His head shook like a bobble head as he scanned the area. Then he saw a handful of guards unharmed, damn near directly in front of where the blast had occurred! He closed his left eye and watched as the dust and smoke cleared, he saw red. It was the same red armor of the kid he'd seen just before the blast, although the kid looked bigger than before... the cannibal's senses were out of wack... the Preteen Machine held a massive shield, smoke trailing off of it.

"What... the fuck..." Tegan barely able to slur the words. His rage, only subdued by his own injuries. The guards in shock thanked their would be savior, while the furry within Tegan raged, How can they be thanking that son of a bitch when it was him that caused this? What the hell was wrong with these people? The Cannibal Commander's thoughts raged like the fire that engulfed the gate.

Rolling over onto his back he breathed deep, trying to regain his bearings. A shift in movement caught his attention from within the shop. It was quick and ducked through the small group of cannibals. Tegan could feel something lung at him from his left, his eye still shut causing it to be a blind spot. Almost by sheer instinct and reflex, the former Knight of Camelot drew one of his daggers and thrust it into the skull of his attempted assassin. Slowly turning his head he gazed into the eyes of one of the clansman he had brought along. His face drown in disbelief, slack jawed as the blade pressed deeper into his skull.

"You... stupid fool... I will do to the Red one... what I did to you..." Tegan spit out, then drove a punch into the dagger. Submerging it into the clansman skull. The rest of the men reeled in fear. Tegan drug himself to a corner, pointing at the limp form as the blood was poor out. "Eat..." he then pointed to the hole in the wall his body had made, "Cover..." The cannibal corps. starred at each other for a moment and then nodded. Covering the hole with the rug they'd used for the guard earlier, and drug the body to the center of the room, where they viciously devoured it.

You will pay for this HERO... You will be the appetizer. For the meal fit for a KING...