The trip home went a lot smoother than the trip to Azaacar's embrace, and much faster. It only took a day and a half to get back to Marcus' shack. They rested, and ate while Marcus gathered his belongings. After an hour Marley was already up and pacing, ready to go. Jarka looked at him concerned. The Old Power was an endless source of energy, but the body still needs to rest. The way Marley was pushing himself he would burn out before they ever made it where they were going. "Young Marley," she called out to him, "why don't we rest here for the night, you don't want to wear your body down before the fight." Marley shot her an irritated glance over his shoulder and continued to pace. "I'm fine," he grumbled, "we need to keep going, there's no time to lose." Jarka frowned as she studied the anxious young man. "The body has limits, child, you need to rest." Marley spun to face the older woman, his face full of frustration. "Limits?" He snapped. "Didn't you say becoming one with the Old Power was about surpassing your limits?" Jarka leaned towards him, her face pleading with him. "Yes, but the limits are still there. Azaacar's energy can help you do much more than what you would normally be capable of, but, there is but so far you can bend a stick before it breaks." Marcus stepped out of his shack, having heard the exchange. He looked at Marley and said softly. "The old one is right, my lord, there won't be many good places to rest once we leave here." Marley shook his head frantically, his frustration getting the better of him. "No, we don't have time for this! If you two fossils need to rest, FINE. Stay here and bend your sticks, or whatever! I have a mission to complete, I have people to save!" Marley turned to rush off, only to find himself face to face with a forest panther. The beast was all muscle. Green and black fur rippled across its body. Its golden eyes seemed to bore into Marley's soul. Startled only for a second, Marley crouched, staring down the creature while summoning his energy sword. His eyes narrowed and his energy crackled around him, manifesting tiny lightning bolts that darted around his form. Marley gritted his teeth and spoke in a low menacing tone. "I don't have time for this, beast. Don't make me go through you." To Marley's surprise, the beast answered his threat. "Is that what Azaacar's champion's do now? Mow down potential allies without so much as a hello?" Confusion covered Marley's face, though he didn't dare relax his stance. Jarka climbed on a rock so she could see past Marley. A wide smile crossed her face in recognition of their new visitor. "Damn it Moco! I told you not to sneak up on him like that!"
With that Marley sighed and took a step back, straightening up. "I take it you two know each other." Gesturing between the two of them with his sword before unsummoning it. Moco stepped back and shifted his form. When he was done he was the same height as Marley, with dark-brown, almost black skin. His features were smooth and ageless, his eyes shone with the same golden intensity they had before. He wore a simple black cloak that covered his entire frame. He stepped forward and inclined his head respectfully. His voice was deep and resonated as he spoke. "Yes, I am Moco, protector of the eastern savannah," a smirk played at the edge of his lips, "Jarka and I are… old friends." Marley raised one eyebrow and looked at Jarka who just stood there biting her lips with a coy smile.
A few minutes later they were all sitting down over cups of tea, while Moco explained how Azaacar appeared to him in a dream and told him the new champion would need his help. Marley, though grateful for the assistance, was still raring to go. Moco could feel the anxiety coming off the young man in waves. Finally, he turned to him, " If I may," he began slowly, "I can feel your tension, young champion. I know the pressure, the weight of the role you must now play. Jarka and I have both been there. What I would like to impart to you is a lesson I had to learn long ago." he shifted in his seat to face Marley square. "Emotion, passion, has it's place, but they cloud the mind. They cause one to hyper-focus on one goal and one target, causing reason to fall away. In battle, one's mind needs to be as clear and sharp as their blade. Any detail missed can spell doom for both you, and the people you want to protect." Marley listened and nodded. He had been taught this lesson many times before, and he knew it to be true. Although, clearing his mind, with everything that was on the line, was easier said than done. Marley closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He exhaled slowly allowing all of his tension to flow out with the breath. He immediately felt calmer and more clear headed. He looked at Jarka and Marcus. "Forgive me, let's rest here for the night."
The next morning the four of them were up on their way at first light. They were all refreshed and focused. Four streaks of blue energy zipping over the forest floor, feet barely touching the ground as they ran. It was still a long way to Trench Town but Marley felt much more clear and calm than he had before. There was still the sense of urgency, the feeling that something terrible was on the horizon if he did not get there in time, but he didn't let it overtake him like he had before. As he ran, he reached out with his perception until he found her. Omnira. Even from this distance he could feel her turmoil. She wasn't injured, but he could tell she was in a lot of pain. He decided to try something. He reached out in his mind and touched her, ever so slightly, trying to convey reassurance, to let her know he was on the way. He felt it when they connected. For just one beat their hearts beat as one. One powerful, simultaneous beat, that was enough. Marley smiled and hoped she was too. He looked over his shoulder and laughed out loud as he sped up, challenging the others. They all exchanged confused glances then smiled and sped up to catch him. The race for Trench Town was on.
Greyson stood in his restroom staring at his reflection. He was on the verge of tears as he hardly recognized himself. The darkness in his head was taking over and he didn't even know where it came from. He had grown up on this wretched planet. He had read, or skimmed, the cultural archives, but found no mention of anything like this. He even searched the greater Rednasi archives for any reports of similar symptoms, but of course, there weren't any. No self respecting Rednasi commander would admit that they thought they were going mad. As he stood there staring at his sunken eyes, he figured he had only two options to end his suffering. Either he could give in to the darkness and become the puppet of whatever this dark being was, or, he could take a long walk off the observation deck. He began pounding his head with the flat of his fist. He could hear the voice mocking him, laughing at him. He couldn't take it. He couldn't stand it. He couldn't resist. He was tired, so tired. He let his arms drop and hang lifeless at his sides. He dropped his head and let the tears fall. "Fine," he rasped, his voice barely and whisper, "you win. Take over, just let me rest." There was silence, then laughter. It started as a soft chuckle from somewhere deep in Geyson's mind. Slowly, it grew louder and more maniacal. Before long, it echoed in every corner of Greyson's mind. The last thing Greyson saw before the darkness took him was the wild look in his reflection's eyes as it laughed him to scorn.
Rahtona made her way to the king's quarters to see if he wanted something to eat. She didn't truly care, but lately the man looked like death warmed over. She mused to herself as she neared his quarters, wondering if she should have been using her position to poison the bastard. Worse yet, if he were to die in the state he was in, if everyone would assume she actually had poisoned him. She shook her head. She couldn't think like that. No matter what she had to just do her job and stay invisible.
Just then, the door to the king's quarter slid open and the king came rushing out, his eyes wide and wild. His head snapped to the side and found Rahtona standing there frightened and shaking like a small animal. He sauntered over to her and snatched up the cup on the tray she was carrying. He downed the wine in one go allowing some of it to drip down his chin. When he was done he sighed sharply and tossed the cup over his shoulder. He leaned down, getting right in the small woman's face. "Go tell the kitchen I need food, a lot of it, now." At first, she just stood there, stunned at this complete reversal of the king's demeanor. It was like he wasn't even the same person. She was broken out of her daze when the king suddenly laughed then lunged at her like he was about to bite her nose. "I said now!" Rahtona recoiled, almost falling over, then ran.