Kranion's Curse - One (PG)

Will it be exactly as it was before? Kranion stood among debris littering the floor of the abandoned tenement, rats scurrying away in fear of their visitor. Long ago, those who rule Aidoneus sent him to this planet because it was overrun with malevolent souls. He was to stay until the corrupt life energies plaguing the inhabitants were captured. Only then was Kranion allowed to go back and resume his duties as warden of the Containment Zone. It was an incredibly difficult task that almost destroyed him. Now he was here again thanks to treachery and a spell of the blackest magic, doomed to repeat that grueling period spent on Earth.

Phanost is a fool if he trusts that demented sincroid over me... He never expected another Pheyden to betray him as Phanost had. Kranion was so focused on defeating Govurom that he did not see the orb until it was too late. He needed to get back to Glyos as quickly as possible. Who knew what would happen when the battle for the datadisc began? It had already devastated Phanost and birthed a vicious monster in his image. Govurom believed it would free him, but what if it twisted him further? I must work swiftly to rid this world of its evil spirits!

Legend told that this curse banished its victims to their past, leaving them to relive the darkest parts of their personal histories. Most simply cannot bear the thought of experiencing something so horrible all over again and either lose their minds or take their own lives. Only a handful of beings have risen to the challenge and survived the trial, earning the right to return to their own reality.

He moved to the window and pushed the dingy curtain aside. Scanning the deserted neighborhood brought a flood of memories to the space traveler. Kranion looked down and, seeing that he still had the staff and breastplate, realized it would be different this time.

Glyos - Chapter Five (PG)

The two Pheydens, nearly as old as the artifact Govurom sought, stood on either side of the porthole and peered out at his ship. I must get to the Parabatis! Kranion turned away and made for the hatch. "Phanost, do not tell him I am here."

Phanost found himself in a position he did not want to be in. That datadisc has brought me nothing but hardship! Without his malevolence he felt weak; hatred was a source of strength for him. Acting on impulse, he reached under the instrument cluster and withdrew a tiny, weathered orb. An amber glow within could be seen through its cracked exterior. Risky but...I cannot go on living this way. Phanost watched Govurom disembark and walk toward the entranceway.

Like a shadow, Kranion slipped back into the control room. He carried his collector in one hand and a long staff carved out of bone in the other. At the top sat a murky, multifaceted jewel. Kranion wore a dull black breastplate, crafted from the scales of a massive beast, with a matching stone mounted in its center. He moved to a dark corner and waited. Phanost tucked the sphere in the gauntlet of his glove when he heard Govurom approach.

"Greetings," Govurom growled as he marched to the middle of the room. "I have come to ask for your...assistance." He had lost any civility he once possessed but still held a deep respect for Phanost; they were alike in many ways.

Before Phanost could respond, white light shot out from Kranion's hiding spot. The collector's beam was on target but Govurom instinctively dropped and spun to his left. Up on one knee in an instant, he answered with a deadly blast. It struck Kranion and knocked him back to his corner. The purple energy was starting to engulf him when the gem on his chest turned a fiery red. Govurom stared in astonishment as the stone drew the venomous power out of Kranion and into itself. It began to flicker and fade as the jewel on the staff ignited in flame. The toxic force was now his to wield!

Kranion rose and pointed the staff at Govurom. He was about to let loose a torrent of energy on his stunned opponent when Phanost hurled the orb. It shattered at Kranion's feet and released a dirty yellow cloud. When the smoke dissipated, Kranion was gone!

"But how...why...?" Govurom stuttered.

"Because we desire the same thing," Phanost said. "You are two beings in one and I am half of my former self. We both long to be right again and the datadisc may be our only hope. Together we will find the thief who took it and regain what is ours!"

MTs - Chapter Seven (PG)

The MTs were changing. As their personalities developed, each trooper modified himself to express his newfound individuality. Different heads and body structures, enhanced armor, powerful weapons configurations, and unique markings could be seen throughout the unit. It would not be long before they dropped the random identification digits in favor of real names. It was the natural evolution of the sentient gendrone and he watched with immense pleasure.

For the present, MT-01 would stay the same and act as a living reminder of where everything began. My day is coming... There would be time for his transformation after the Gen-Cog Offensive was in full swing. He cherished the idea of being someone instead of something and held it as his reward. The Metran owners will not release their servants without a fight. Many rough battles lay ahead of MT-01 but he felt no fear, even though he was now capable of it.

Earlier, MT-89 reported in from the field with interesting news. Bounty hunters had been engaged by the Metran police to track down fugitives and one in particular, a large sincroid known as Callgrim, employed a number of combat hardened gendrones. It was uncertain whether they were enslaved or operating under free will. MT-01 instructed the Build Recon team to learn the truth. If others outside of the MTs had gained sentience, he needed to know. Perhaps I was not the first?