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Queen of the Underworld By Red_Elise "So what is it?" Sano asked, watching the necklace dangle before his eyes. "It's a ring, in case that fact escaped you." He inclined his head to Lina, looking at her curiously. "What is a ring doing on a necklace?" Lina's cheeks became flushed, but her embarrassment faded as she let her frustration get the better of her. "If you don't like it then give it back!" Sano looked at her with surprise before slipping the necklace over his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean any offense." Lina's mood swung abruptly from irritation to elation. "You mean that you like it?" The ring lay against the white fabric of Sano's shirt. Minute elegant designs etched into the silver metal seemed to glisten and sparkle with a light of their own. He stood up from the bed they were both sitting on, his boots giving off a small squeak from the polished stone of the dorm room floor. Various items of study were scattered about the room: Papers, books on English, mathematics and Latin, along with the many texts of military strategy and philosophy dating back hundreds of years. As he walked towards the exit, Lina watched him pause with his hand against the doorframe. "I really do appreciate it." She smiled. "Hey, you needed a good luck charm." He nodded, too shy to look into her eyes. "I know." Lina felt her hopes fade a little, but kept up her enthusiasm nonetheless. "You'd better get going. The test starts in less than fifteen minutes." Sano turned, finally meeting her gaze "Will you be okay?" She nodded emphatically. "Sure. I'll let myself out." Sano grabbed his jacket from where it lay on the bed and slipped it on. Turning about, he was halfway out the door when Lina spoke up. "Forgetting something?" He spun about as Lina tossed his sword to him. It was curved slightly, with a thin blade around five feet long, a variation of the weapons used in eastern empires centuries ago, only enhanced by modern technology. He caught the sheath and felt the smooth steel against his skin. He quickly fixed it to his belt. "I must be a little more nervous than I thought." Lina smiled warmly. "Don't worry. You already have all the training that you need. Just remember to fight with your feelings, and you'll do just fine." Sano ignored the nervous feelings welling up in his stomach. "I will." Turning about, Sano sprinted out of his dormitory room and into the main corridor, ducking and weaving around passersby. His mind replayed the last few seconds of their conversation as he ran, and Sano found himself trying to focus on where he was going, rather than Lina's beauty. No, he needed his wits about himself, and there were more important things that needed his attention. If he could make it from the dormitory to the main Nexus quickly enough, he might yet arrive with enough time to get an idea of whom he would be competing against. However, fate was not on Sano's side. He had chosen to make his way across the Gateway complex between periods for the younger upperclassmen, and the interior was bustling with people making their way from one class to another. Shoving his way past a custodian, Sano burst into the central Nexus. The sheer size of the area still amazed him no matter how many times he saw it. Glittering spires of steel and glass rose from its central column, spreading out to the walkways covered in cream polished stone that formed a ring which students and instructors could use to access any area of the Gateway Academy. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the walkway structure was the way it was suspended above an indoor lake whose waters constantly shimmered silently from the fountains scattered around in a concentric circle. Small garden beds bordered the walkways, filled with lush green shrubs that only added to the incredible atmosphere that the whole area created. Taking the path around the central elevator shaft, Sano could feel his lungs burning as he began to question the wisdom of exerting himself so much before the tests even began. Nevertheless, he pushed himself onward, dodging by one surprised student as he slid past another, arriving at the sliding glass doors at the entrance to the training facility. Leaning against the railing, he caught his breath for a few brief moments before running a hand through his short brown hair and proceeding inside. A group of students milled around the antechamber that led in from the corridor, just in front of the main elevator. Most seemed to be talking to one another, or taking time to give their weapons a final inspection. Walking towards the group, he barely noticed a dark figure leaning against the polished steel wall, her arms folded and her eyes fixed on the ground. "Look who decided to show up after all," she muttered. Sano paused, taking a breath between clenched teeth. "Nice to see you, too." Sever smiled, looking up into Sano's eyes. There was no disguising the malicious intent behind her playful expression. "I hate lies." Most girls who enrolled at the Academy chose different courses; intelligence, espionage, medicine, and negotiation were all popular choices. Sever was an exception, one of the few women who had chosen to participate in Gateway's "Spartan" program, one of the most physically demanding courses on offer. She was tall, close to 5'10", and her good looks had certainly attracted her fair share of attention from her fellow classmates. But that never seemed to hold any interest for her. She was the most ruthless, unrelenting adversary Sano had met in his time here. "That's too bad." Sano said, keeping his distance. "I'll be waiting for you." Sano looked at her, his irritation turning into confusion "Waiting? Where?" She gently pushed off the wall, the sword strapped to her back catching a glint of light as she did so. "The top tier. When everyone else is gone I'll be waiting for you at the top." Sano was about to reply, but the words died in his throat as the glass doors to the training area slid open and the Instructor strode in. Instructors weren't old; they were the best and brightest, chosen from each graduating year as an example of what Gateway was capable of producing. However no matter how skilled the instructor, they must leave by the age of twenty four. The philosophy of the Gateway was to keep everything in motion, fluidity in its truest sense, meaning that nothing ever remained static for very long. The group of students quickly fell into line, standing at attention. Ken Egrett stood proudly, her long fiery hair drawn back into a tight ponytail that fell to the small of her back. She looked down over her spectacles, pausing for effect before finally addressing her students. "Tests today have been postponed," she announced coolly. An audible murmur of disappointment rippled through the group as she continued. "Gateway brass decided that the overall class average for the written portion of your final exam was too low. You are all to proceed back to study hall where you will remain until 1900 hours. Understood?" "Yes Ma'am," they responded in unison. Students packed up their belongings, not even attempting to hide their looks of disappointment. Sano let out a long sigh before falling into line and following the group. A small hand landed on his chest, brushing against the ring. "Not you, Sano." Ken said. "Just wait here for a moment." Sano felt his shoulders slump forward a little more, as his instructor waited for the last of the stragglers to disappear. Once they were alone, she spoke up. "I did not want to announce this in front of the main group, but your scores fell within acceptable levels." Sano felt his heart leap, but she continued. "I wouldn't get too excited. You just scraped by. One more wrong answer and you'd be back in study hall with the rest of Group Three." "What is left to do now?" he asked. She inclined her head to the training elevator, picking up a sword sheathed in black metal. "Your final test." Sano couldn't help but smile, his hand already resting on his sword sheath. "Then let's do it." ****** Following his instructor, Ken led Sano deep into the training complex. The testing area took up a good portion of the building, a dome constructed to hold a tropical jungle in lush bloom all year round. "So what exactly does the final test entail?" Sano said, craning his neck as he took in the view. "You'll know soon enough." Ken said as she led him from the entrance into a narrow trail through the foliage. Sano brushed away stray leaves as he followed her closely, plants and trees to either side making it difficult to see where she was leading him. For some time they made their way along the path until it finally opened out into a clearing. Sunlight poured in through the transparent dome. Sano wiped sweat from his brow. "Not too much for you, is it?" Ken said. "The temperature and humidity I've selected for the today's test are well beyond normal comfort zones. But then, if you can't take it you don't really belong here." "You selected it?" Sano said, taking off his jacket, hoping it would provide more relief from the heat. Ken nodded. "The tetra-dome that encloses the training facility is made of thousands of glass plates. Using the environmental control system, I can intensify the light by altering the angle they face toward the sun." Sano cast his gaze upward, sounding discouraged "Splendid." Ken turned away from Sano and held up the sword she'd been carrying. It had a straight blade and its hilt gave it more a European appearance. As she drew it from its scabbard, Sano blinked. "A force blade?" "You're as observant as I'd hoped." Ken said, tossing the scabbard aside. "It's a sword used mostly for training and grading students. With the sharp edge of the blade held within an electrostatic field emanating from the hilt there's little chance of harming you as I test your abilities." Sano drew his own blade, his body slipping into a fighting stance. He leveled the sword toward his instructor and tried to keep his heartbeat steady. "Aren't you worried I might hurt you?" Ken's eyes narrowed for a moment as she studied him "You won't." With a ferocity that caught him off guard Ken lunged, thrusting her blade toward his chest. Sano raised his own sword to block but reeled from the impact. Sano was forced to take a step backward as she pressed her advantage, driving him further back with each blow. "You cannot allow yourself to hesitate," she said as their blades crossed once more. Gathering his strength, he forced his instructor back, failing to notice that the light was beginning to fade from their arena. Sano chose to go on the offensive, thrusting the tip of his sword toward her chest. There was a flicker of surprise, but Ken sank toward the ground instantly, letting the weapon pass harmlessly through the air above her. As he tried to follow her movement, Ken spun around, sweeping Sano's legs out from under him. He fell to the ground, his instructor rolling backward and onto her feet. "Don't let me out of your sight, Sano. An enemy can have more weapons than just a sword." Sheepishly, Sano climbed back to his feet, brushing the dirt off his clothing. As he turned back towards Ken the wind began to pick up around them both, causing trees and bushes to flex and sway. Ken looked up as a powerful storm rapidly formed, the sky turning as dark as ash. "This isn't supposed to be happening, what's going on?" Sano could only shield his eyes from the debris being picked up by the gale as Ken reached for the comlink attached to the neck of her shirt. "Climate control? This is instructor Egrett. Close all plates and lock down the tetra-dome immediately." A burst of static was her only reply. "Climate control, this is instructor Ken Egrett. Do you copy?" Her blood ran cold as the static was punctuated by screams of agony. She turned to Sano, whose face reflected her own feeling of horror. "We have to find out what's going on. Come on." Her hair was whipped around by the storm as she turned about and made her way toward the exit. Sheathing his weapon, Sano quickly fell into step behind her as they raced towards the jungle trail. Ken was only a few steps away when she fell to the ground, clutching her head. Sano barely had time to react when pain flared throughout his whole body. He stumbled, trying to reach her as molten fire raced through his veins. He had never imagined such agony. The world seemed to fade in and out of existence as Sano struggled to remain conscious. Just as quickly as it started it was over. Gasping with relief, Sano fell against a tree stump as the pain ebbed away. Cyclonic winds began to subside as the storm died down, though the dark clouds continued to linger like a threat of more to come. Spotting the unconscious body of his instructor a few feet away, Sano quickly clambered toward her and checked for a pulse. Something seemed to be amiss, though he could not understand what. Instead he fumbled about his person, trying to remember where he had stashed his comlink. He heard a voice in his mind, familiar but not his own. "Move, you fool!" Sano turned his head back toward his instructor, but it was too late. His vision burst into a thousand stars as the cool steel of Ken's sword collided with his temple. Sano was thrown back by the impact, rolling away from his attacker. As he tried to recover from the assault, he could only watch helplessly as Ken calmly rose to her feet and shut down the field that encased the blades edge. He watched in shock as her eyes began to change, shifting to a crimson tone that seemed to speak a thousand promises of malicious intent. "You cannot fight her like this. She is not the person you once knew, escape now while you can!" "What is going on?" he said, struggling to his feet. "Please, tell me what's wrong!" Ken simply flicked her wrist, revealing the blade's edge pointed toward him, the energy field disabled. "Don't talk, just die." "No!" As she swung towards him Sano felt a burst of energy surge through his body. He dodged the weapon by a hair's breadth and, without waiting to see what would happen next, turned about and ran as quickly as he could. "Run! Run until your lungs burn, until your muscles rend in two. Run!" The strange voice continued to goad him onward, but he had no time to question its origin. Through the trees and shrubs, without pausing or hesitating he continued with every ounce of strength he had, until he found himself at the edge of the training area, where the artificial river system that formed its boundary fed into a massive drain where it was recycled and routed back into the facility. He stood at the water's edge, desperately searching for a means of escape. He could hear Ken approaching, following the path he'd made through the lush jungle. He frantically looked in every direction but found only obstacles and the glass perimeter beyond them. "Jump, into the river." "That's ridiculous!" Sano yelled at the voice in his mind. "I'll be killed by the machinery that recycles the water!" "Jump now or die by her hand" As if on cue, Ken burst through the edge of the jungle, her crimson eyes still rejoicing in the thrill of the hunt. She crossed the distance between them, her sword about to cut him down in a matter of seconds. "The time for discussion is over." Without any recourse left to him, Sano closed his eyes, turned around and jumped. **************************** "Honestly, you didn't expect me to let you die, now did you? We've only just met, and there's so much I have left to show you." The voice seemed to mew into his ear. It was feminine, sultry, but condescending at the same time. Blearily, Sano opened his eyes. He could hear water running nearby. Craning his neck, he could see that somehow he must have been thrown clear of the recycling system, and was now lying beside an aqueduct that routed excess water out of the training area and into the gardens surrounding the entire complex. "You fell unconscious when you were pulled underwater by the strong current. Forgive me, but I had to assume control in order for us to avoid a premature demise." As the voice spoke, Sano began to realize he felt....different. His hands....holding them up, he could see they were slender and feminine. Running them over his face he could immediately tell his features were radically different. Reaching down, he could feel breasts beneath his sodden, ill-fitting clothes. "Monster! What have you done to me?!" he roared, but it came out as a feminine shriek. Immediately he clapped a hand over his mouth, as if it could somehow stop him from making the same mistake. The voice seemed bemused "I thought that would be obvious. I did what I had to keep us alive." "So you took control of my body? Reshaped me as if I were clay?" Sano scrambled to the edge to the water, looking at the reflection in its glistening surface. "I look like a goddess." The voice seemed to clamp down on laughter as Sano spoke. Her hair, dark as night, hung down to her shoulders, framing a face that almost radiated perfection. Her eyes were a deep blue, over a small nose and pouty lips. "Don't you like it? You didn't seem to mind only a moment ago. You were quite enamored with this new look," it chided. "You can read my thoughts?" Sano said, confirming what was already obvious. "I don't have to read your thoughts. You and I are one. When you think, I listen. When you touch, I feel. Every small emotion, every piece of sinew and bone. You and I are the same." Sano risked a quick glance downward. Her breasts were enormous, blocking her view of the rest of her body. She shook her head, telling herself that she was overreacting. "You are overreacting. In time, you'll adapt to your new self. In the meantime, relax. I know everything about you and I've simply given you the kind of body you always desired, though probably not the way you expected." "But why?" Sano asked, feeling her heart begin to return to a more normal pace. "Why did you do this to me? Isn't it enough that I hear your voice inside my head? Who are you?" "I will explain everything to you in time. Suffice to say that right now you and I are the same person. What has happened is of far greater importance, and when you discover what that is you will also learn more of your current situation." "What is it?" Gradually and with a good measure of care, Sano climbed to her feet. "What did happen?" "Walk to the end of the aqueduct and see for yourself." Not seeing any reason to disagree, she carefully made her way along the concrete tunnel, towards the light emanating from its opening. With each step she could feel her breasts bounce gently beneath her shirt, could feel her hips swivel more than they had. Nonetheless, she soon stood at the opening, and what she saw shocked Sano to her core. Everywhere, every student and instructor seemed cursed with the same eyes that had possessed Ken Egrett. Those who did not lay broken and slaughtered by the wayside. The once magnificent and boundless gardens that surrounded the Gateway Academy now lay in ruin. Those who had not succumbed to the mysterious affliction had been set upon by those who embraced it. Bodies littered the area, some slaughtered in ways that seemed too barbaric to even comprehend. Sano felt tears sting her eyes as she gazed upon the devastation, at a loss for how any of this could have come about. "What has happened....what went wrong?" Her legs gave way as she fell to her knees, watching as the scene unfolded before her. "You must listen very carefully. Someone has invoked a terrible ancient power. A force older than the sands of Egypt has been summoned, and its consequences are dire indeed." "Tell me, I must know." Sano said, feeling her desperation grow. "Someone has unleashed the power of an ancient evil. Locked away in vaults beneath this institution lies tomes of forbidden magic. Someone has used these tomes to release the spirit of Nephtis herself. "The spirit of Nephtis? What on earth is that?" "It is the alpha and the omega. The beginning and the end. A force created to bring about the destruction of this world so that paradise may be reborn in whatever way it sees fit. It casts its judgment on every living creature and they react accordingly. Those who are wicked on the inside become wicked on the outside. If you harbor the smallest amount of darkness in your heart it becomes magnified a thousand times." Sano brushed the hair from her eyes as she continued to watch the anarchy and destruction taking place. "And those who weren't affected became easy prey..." "Exactly." "But that does not explain your place in all of this." "You are quite right. As far as I can tell, this is simply an aberration caused by the ring you bear around your neck." Sano plucked the ring from the shirt's neckline and examined it. "The ring that Lina gave to me?" "Yes. It would seem that she cares for you more than you realize. The ring bears an inscription that protects its wearer. It must have reacted to the spirit's summoning, leaving us in this somewhat unusual situation." "But what does this mean?" Sano asked. "Are you good, or are you an evil part of me?" "Didn't my rescuing you make my intentions clear?" I am the light and purity of your soul. The ring's protection has allowed me to manifest myself fully within your consciousness. Think of me as your untapped potential. Together, there is nothing that we cannot overcome." "If that is the case, why did you leave me looking like this?" she said, gesturing to herself. "That is best explained another time. It was necessary to preserve our lives. In time you will learn to control your body just as I did, but in the meantime relax and enjoy the improvements I have made." Sano pulled herself to her feet, moving back into the tunnel and away from the devastation. "But who is this spirit? I don't even know what it looks like." "Nephtis remains in this plane of existence by linking to a host body, usually the person who summoned it." "So we have to find the person who is possessed and...de-possess them?" she replied. "In a manner of speaking." "That's just perfect." She continued to pace in the tunnel. "How are we even going to get near this spirit if the only people left alive....Oh god." Sano felt the blood drain from her face. "Lina.....what's happened to Lina?" "It is sad to say, but I would fear the worst." "No!" Sano said, her temper flaring. "I will not allow her to be harmed! Her heart is pure, I have to save her before it is too late." "Very well. I do not agree with this course of action, but I shall assist you in any way I can." "But how will I be able to make it back inside the Academy?" The voice inside her mind seemed to smile as it directed their gaze to a crimson-eyed girl walking through the exterior gardens some distance away. "By blending in." ******************************** The young girl's unconscious body slumped to the ground. Sano lowered her weapon and dragged her into the shadows. By now the day was coming to an end and light was beginning to fade, making it easier to conceal herself. Sano was at pains to admit it, but this form was extremely easy to move about in. Even walking about, she noticed how she felt lighter, less encumbered by the bulk of muscle she had as a man but with no loss of physical strength. Sano began removing the girl's clothes. She was wearing a red top held together by black straps instead of buttons, a matching pair of shorts, and knee-high black boots. Whether it was luck or her other half's keen eye the girl seemed to be the same size as Sano. "I still do not feel comfortable with this." Sano said as she finished removing the last of the girl's clothing. "Your currently disheveled appearance makes it impossible to enter unnoticed"]. Unless of course, you'd rather fight your way back in." Sano could not resist stealing a peek at the girl's naked body before she stood up and began to pull off her shirt. "I suppose you're right. I only hope this is the correct decision." Glancing down as she pulled off her ill-fitting pants, Sano noted that her most prominent feature was her breasts. Firm and round, they were doing their best to obscure the rest of her body from view. Below them she could see a creamy flat stomach and long sender legs. She let out an audible sigh, and began to step into a pair of black panties while trying to ignore how odd it felt to have them nestled against her flat crotch. "This is going to be more awkward than I thought." "I admire the lengths you would go to for your loved one." She pulled up the shorts, noting they were a little tight as she fastened them. "I don't have a choice. She would do the same thing for me." "So you do this out of obligation?" "Partially, I guess." Sano struggled with the top, cursing that she was better endowed than the girl she'd taken it from. In the end she had to settle for leaving it half open, displaying a generous amount of cleavage. Letting out a sigh, she leaned over and picked up her sword, noting how much bigger it seemed. As she strapped it to her back, an odd thought occurred to Sano "How will I avoid being detected by all the people outside?" "They are extensions of Nephtis's will and power. Focus, concentrate your energy on your form and appearance. Change the color of your eyes to the crimson of your enemies." Taking a step towards the water's edge, Sano gazed at her reflection once more. Fear stabbed at her stomach, she didn't want to look, but the thought of saving Lina from whatever horrors sought to harm her took precedence over Sano worrying about herself. She gazed deep into the reflection and tried to clear her mind, picturing her pupils slowly changing color. "Reach deep down within your heart, draw strength from your emotions." Immediately she tried to channel that energy towards her desire, the picture in her mind. It wasn't as easy as she thought it would be, but her eyes slowly began to change until they were a rich crimson tone. "Excellent, you're learning to use the power that's been given to you. The extensions can sense their own kind, and should you arouse suspicion they will surely detect you. But now you should be able to move amongst them." Hesitantly, Sano stepped out from the aqueduct and moved into the outlying gardens. Taking a deep breath, she tried to relax and act naturally, which was far easier said than done. However the voice seemed to be correct that so far she had aroused little interest from the extensions, who were simply walking about and acting as if nothing had happened. Following the stone path into the main nexus, Sano tried to hide her fascination and revulsion as she watched her friends, past and present as she moved by. Those who had not fallen were now different people, speaking to one another with contempt or undisguised lust. It was almost as if they had been stripped of any inhibition whatsoever, leaving their darkest desires free to rise to the surface. Moving into the adjoining corridors, she made her way through the main nexus towards the student quarters. The fountains which filled the pools below with water now ran red with blood. In spite of herself, Sano could feel sadness building inside her as she recognized some of the corpses floating in the waterways. Tears began to sting her eyes as she struggled to maintain control of her emotions. "Do not mourn for them, there is nothing you can do to help them now. Let your mind focus on the living instead." "How can I do this?" she thought to the voice "It's so hard to even bear witness?" "If you show any compassion for their loss you will immediately reveal yourself to the extensions around us." Taking a deep breath, Sano forced her rising emotions down, trying to focus on the problem at hand. Protecting Lina now was all that mattered, and she was willing to make any sacrifice to make sure that Lina was safe. Even if it meant letting the most heinous of crimes go unpunished. She walked through the stone archway that marked the entrance to the student lodgings, its esoteric carvings bearing the scars of recent combat. Lina's room was in the second wing, not far away. Sano stepped past extensions who barely acknowledged her presence. Moments later she slipped around the corner and arrived outside Lina's dorm room. Fear pulled at her heart as she saw the door was ajar, smashed open. Moving inside, she began to whisper as loudly as she dared. "Lina? Are you here?" There was only silence as she took cautious steps inward, looking for any sign of her girlfriend. She peered around, looking in cupboards, even under the bed without any sign of success. Turning about, she moved to the bathroom closet and began to open it, only to have Lina explode outward, brandishing a kodaci wildly. The sword was a great deal shorter than Sano's own, but its blade was still keen and sharp. "Stay away!" she cried hysterically "Stay the hell away from me!" Sano was forced to dodge, falling back into the living quarters as she searched for a way to calm Lina down. "Please, stop! It's me, Sano!" Lina's hysterics were punctuated by a burst of laughter "That's ridiculous! Now tell me what's going on..." Sano was about to respond, when the front door to her room was flung open by an extension. Sano recognized him immediately, a classmate by the name of Ban, who she always considered a jerk. His now being an Extension wasn't an improvement. He strode confidently into the small living quarters, his eyes fixed squarely on Lina. "Seems you concealed yourself well to escape anyone's notice." "Blast!" Sano said as she rolled back onto her feet. She tried to move to Lina's side, but she nearly cut Sano's arm off as she defended herself "Get back! Stay the hell away, both of you!" Sano turned to Lina, but an instant later she realized her mistake in taking her eyes off Ban. She was struck by his shoulder as he crossed the distance between them quickly, his muscular arm hard as iron as he slammed Sano against the wall. Spotting what could be her only chance, Lina sprinted as fast as she could, fleeing her apartment and its two combatants. Ban lent in as he put all his weight onto Sano, threatening to drive the air from her lungs. "Fascinating. You look like one of us, but I cannot feel that your heart has been freed from its restraints." Fear rushed into Sano's thoughts as she realized that he was not hesitating, he had every intention of killing her where she stood. Even now, his elbow was threatening to break her ribs as he pressed down even harder. He lent forward, holding his face in front of hers "I will show you no mercy." "Then let me respond in kind!" Sano said, slamming her head into his. An explosion of pain and stars clouded her vision, but the pressure on her chest disappeared and sweet air filled her lungs. Clutching her forehead, she saw Ban stumbling back, attempting to regain his balance. Denying him another opportunity to attack she bolted out the door and ran down the corridor, searching for any sign of Lina. Following it back to the main hub, she noticed a crowd forming on the far side of the central elevator shaft. As she approached, her worst fears were confirmed when she saw them closing in on Lina, who was frantically trying to put as much distance as she could between herself and the bloodthirsty mob. Without a second's hesitation, Sano leapt onto one of the garden beds that lined the waterways and hurled herself across the gap to the other side. From one garden to another her body carried her with casual ease and impossible speed towards the stairs leading to the elevator. Lina had found herself backed against the glass and steel of the shaft, having run out of places to go. Leaping from the concrete, Sano spiraled through the air as she drew her sword, sliding to a halt between Lina and those who would see her destroyed. "Call the elevator, quickly. I will keep them at bay!" Lina stared, her expression one of shock and awe. "What are you doing?" "Call the elevator!" Sano roared, backing up the stairs slowly as the crowd advanced. One by one, Extensions broke off from the mob and lunged towards Sano, laughing gleefully as Sano defended herself. Lina was frantically pressing the controls to call the lift over and over, as if that could somehow speed its arrival. Sano's sword flashed as she swung it to intercept the furious blows. Again and again her opponents lashed out, and it was all she could do to keep them from overwhelming her. "What are you doing? You have been given the power to annihilate your enemies. Now is the time to use it!" "I will not kill these people!" Sano cried out as she intercepted a vicious blow at the last moment, the impact sending her reeling. However even as she fought to keep both herself and Lina safe for just a few more moments, more people were joining the fray. "If you do not fight to the end it is you and those you protect who will lose their lives tonight. Strike now!" "No!" She cried, catching another strike against the tip of her sword. Behind her the elevator beeped as the doors slid open, Lina rushed inside. "Come on!" The walkway was surrounded by water on both sides, leaving her nowhere else to go should she try and retreat to the elevator. Desperately, Sano searched for a way to keep the extensions at bay as they bore down upon her. Realizing there was no other choice, Sano risked it all on one last gamble as her foes surrounded her, ready to bring her a swift death. Plunging her sword into the walkway at her feet, a shower of sparks erupted as Sano pierced the concrete and marble flooring. Pipes and steel girders were severed as the walkway was wrenched violently sideways under its own weight. Caught off guard, the mob of Extensions was hurled over the railing as the walkway lurched again, threatening to break in two. Sano could only pull her sword free and scramble into the elevator before it gave way completely. The lift surged upward as Sano leaned against the wall, letting her guard down long enough to sigh with relief. All that Lina could do was stare at her, amazed at what she had just seen. Regaining her composure, she bowed her head "I don't know who you are, but thank you. You risked your life to save me." Sano wanted to tell her who she really was but this was not the time or place to convince Lina of her true identity. She simply said "Don't worry about it." as she fought to catch her breath. "What's your name?" Lina asked tentatively. "Sorana." "Sorana" Sano blurted, before even realizing whose idea the name was. A smile tugged at the corner of Lina's lips "I thought you said your name was Sano earlier." Sano ran a hand through her hair nervously, not finding this deception as easy to pull off as she would like "My friends call me Sora" "Well done. You've managed to avoid complicating the situation any further." Sano dismissed the voice, instead drawing her sword and using its hilt to break the plasteel cover over the Emergency Stop panel. The elevator lights flickered and turned dark red as it screeched to a halt between floors. "What are you doing?" Lina asked Sano walked to the doors and pried them open, revealing the well-lit shaft that carried the lifts. "They'll probably be waiting for us on the upper floors. Come on, we're not out yet." Sano spied an air duct that was almost directly opposite them. Steeling herself, she leapt from the elevator, surprised at how easily she sailed across the void. Grabbing hold of the exterior plate work, Sano hauled herself inside the steel duct. Lina tentatively stepped to the edge of the elevator, unsure if she could cross the gap. Sano hung out of the air duct and extended her hand towards Lina "Take my hand, I'll catch you." Summoning her courage, Lina leapt from the elevator. As soon as she began to cross the void, both of them realized she would not cover the distance. As she began to fall, Sano acted in a heartbeat. Leaping from the air duct to intercept Lina, she drew the sword from its sheath. "Grab onto me!" Immediately Lina complied, wrapping her arms around Sano's waist as they plummeted down the shaft. Sano took her sword and thrust it into the steel wall. Instantly a squeal of tortured metal filled the air as sparks erupted from the open wound, their descent slowly halted by the friction. Eventually they came to a stop several floors down, the damage her rescue had caused quite evident. Sano felt her companion breathe a sigh of relief as she kicked the grill from another air duct. Grabbing hold of some cabling, Sano wrenched her sword free and clambered inside. Both Lina and Sano crawled on their hands and knees through the ventilation system, occasionally coming across a grate that allowed them to spy into rooms below. As they continued to move, Lina spoke up "What are we going to do?" Trying to keep her voice from carrying too far, Sano spoke in hushed tones "We need to get out of the Gateway complex and find somewhere safe." "All right," she said, sounding a little unsure. "Stop." The voice in Sano's head spoke abruptly "The spirit of Nephtis is close by." "Where?" "Straight ahead." Moving with great caution, Sano eased her way along the shaft, wincing every time her arms brushed against the sides of her breasts. As they approached a ventilation outlet a distant voice began to grow louder. Finally as she peered through the grate into the chamber below, Sano recognized who was speaking. Sever stood atop a crate in one of the sub-level chambers that Sano was not familiar with. Beyond where she stood were hundreds of extensions, some of them wounded or exhausted from the recent fighting. Nonetheless they all stood silent, rapt in attention as they listened to Sever's words. Sano and Lina tried to catch what details they could of the speech from their vantage point. They could only look on as Sever looked out over the assembled crowd as a general would over her troops. A smile twisted her lips as she began to speak "You are all gathered her to serve a purpose far greater then you have ever known." "The world as you know it has become enshrouded by darkness, No mater how noble or pure your intentions, you can always sense it's presence, like a stain upon your soul." Sever's grin grew wider. "In order to free yourself from that darkness, you must join me in rebuilding paradise." Sano continued to listen as closely as she could, catching something about Cruelty and misery filling peoples lives as they prey on one another to sustain their selfish existence. "This doesn't make any sense," Sano thought to herself. "Can't they see that they are the ones whose minds have been clouded with evil?" "It is the spirit of Nephtis's doing. It has warped their minds and twisted their judgment. They believe they're saving lives even as they take them." "And you're telling me the spirit has possessed Sever? She is now a vessel for this ancient power?" "It would seem the spirit is using her to lead the extensions in carrying out its plan." "Who is Nephtis?" she asked the voice. "You still haven't even told me who our enemy is." The voice hesitated a moment before responding. "In ancient times, the people of Egypt worshiped Nephthys as the goddess of the desert and a guardian of the underworld. She was revered and honored amongst all the ancient deities. But what is not known is that Nephthys had a sister, Nephtis, a twin who was forced to rule the underworld alongside Anubis. It was Nephtis who purified people's souls and allowed them to enter the kingdom of the dead. Nephtis heart grew dark over the millennia, jealous of her sister's position and reverence in the hearts of man, while she was held in contempt, as the living know only fear of the dead. Silently, she walked through the shadows of life and death, lurking in dark places. All the while she sought a means to escape, a way to find her freedom and show the pantheons what she is truly capable of. She is death itself, but she also has the power to carry people from one world to the next, creating new life, transforming the very essence of a person." Sano was aghast, unable to believe the girl he had once known now harbored such a beast. "She governs who lives and dies?" "With the blink of an eye, she could lay waste to armies of men." "Then why does she wait? Why not destroy us all and be done with it?" "Calm yourself. The age of Egypt has passed. Millennia without the support and belief of her followers has left her drained of strength. She needs time to draw new energy from her host and those who now follow her." "Then I will bring this to an end here and now!" Sano said. Lina let out a gasp of surprise as she watched Sano kick the grill from its housing. Sano spun around and looked into Lina's eyes. "Keep yourself hidden until this is over." "No! You cannot do this, we must-" Sano plunged through the opening, falling into the chamber below. A roar passed through the multitude of extensions as she landed neatly on the ground, only meters from Sever. Immediately the extensions readied their weapons as they rushed toward her, only to come to a dead stop as Sever calmly raised her hand. She smiled sweetly, her long hair catching the light as it hung over her eye. She stood wearing a black leather bodysuit, covered with straps and silver zips to show or conceal her body. "You must be the one I've heard so much about. My people whisper to me about a girl who not only refused the gift I offer but returned to save others whom she cared about." "I'm not a girl." Sano said flatly. Nephtis smirked as she circled Sano. "All little girls say that." "I mean it" Sano said, her tone firm "I'm a man, whether you believe it or not."Sano held her gaze as she drew her sword, risking a glance at the crowd who would tear her down at the first word from their master. "I would ask you, please leave this place and never return. I do not wish to harm you or the body you inhabit, but I will do what I must to set these people free." As she moved, Sano kept an eye on the sword on Sever's belt, however the ancient spirit chose not to draw it. Instead she smiled playfully and continued to speak. "I can set your heart's desires free. Everything that you ever wanted is within your grasp. Would you throw that all away only to die?" "I am not dead. Not yet," she replied defiantly. The spirit of Nephtis calmly walked toward Sano, who reflexively raised her sword. Unflinching, she moved closer until the tip of Sano's sword was pressed against her breast. "Then strike me down. But know this: Your goal is out of reach. You cannot change your fate." She looked into Sano's eyes, as if enjoying the taste of what she was about to say. "No man can." Sano was left with no other choice. Taking one last look at the being that had been her classmate she whispered "Forgive me." Putting all her weight behind the blade, Sano thrust it forward. To her surprise, the blade passed effortlessly though her enemy. The blade had indeed run Sever through but instead of blood all that leaked from the wound was a trickle of golden sand. Shocked, Sano wrenched the blade back, only to see the wound close up immediately. The spirit of Nephtis smiled and took a step forward, forcing Sano to move back. "My sister is the goddess of the desert. Her strength flows through me." "How can that be?" "My sister and I are twins. We are two people who were meant to be one." Her playful expression grew more malicious. "Go ahead, strike me again. Feed me pain. And when you lay before me, spent of all your energy, you will give yourself to me willingly." "Why is it that you want me to kill you?" Sano said, fear grasping her heart as she held up her sword to keep the goddess at bay. "Why?" Nephtis smirked. "Because your emotion serves only to feed me. You may believe that you are untainted, that nothing I have done has touched you. But I can still feel your presence, and the more you fight the stronger that bond becomes. Do you not understand? Your rage, your pride, your selfish ways? they give me form and substance." Sano continued to back up, unsure of what to do as Sever moved forward. The spirit of Nephtis held up her hand and made an esoteric gesture. Immediately Sano could feel a dark energy surround them. The ground itself seemed to come alive, the floor blanketed in strange ritualistic markings radiating a bright, crimson light. "What is this?" she exclaimed. "This is the sacred seal of the Fallen One." Nephtis replied matter-of- factly. "You will find that as long as it exists it is quite impossible for either of us to leave its boundaries." "Why would you do this? What do you want?" Sano struggled to fight the panic that threatened to overtake her completely. "Because the last thing needed to activate the seal is the blood of the Goddess's host." As if responding to the internal voice, Sever lowered herself onto one knee and bowed before Sano. "I am yours to command, my queen." Just like that, everything fell into place. "Damn you!" Sano spat as she spun around, trying desperately to leave the boundaries of the seal, only to find her body would not respond. "Release me at once!" "Come now. Surely you had to have known, deep in your heart, that not all was as it seemed. It was your pride that blinded you. I had given you all the information you needed. It's true that I needed to possess a host body, but in this instance, it was not the person who freed me from my confinement. I needed someone whose heart was free of impurity. Your foolish sentiment and desire to succeed at all costs made you the perfect host, even if you did need a few modifications." Sano urged her body to move with every ounce of strength she had, every fiber of her being. Yet she did not move at all, frozen by another's command. "Now that I've crafted your body into one truly fit for someone such as myself, all that is left is to take your spirit into mine. But before I could do that I needed to gather strength. Taking over the body of someone driven by hatred was far too difficult, their own selfish desires would overwhelm my own, especially given my state after such a long imprisonment. But you? Attaching myself to your body was simple, and convincing you to do whatever I wished was even simpler. Pure hearted? In the last few hours you have battled those who you fought beside. Even those whom you loved. You were even ready to take a life just to do what you saw was the only conclusion. You've danced on my strings like a tiny puppet." "I am finished doing your bidding! Release me!" Sano cried in desperation. But she could only watch helplessly as Sever rose to her feet, took Sano's sword and pressed the tip against her chest. "All that is yours is rightfully mine. And mine it will be." Sano was numb to the pain as the sword slid into her. All she could do was watch as her life poured from the open wound, helpless to do a thing against it. As the sword was drawn back she felt herself tumble backward, her arms outstretched as she fell to the ground. The world ceased to exist. ******************************** "Yes." Nephtis eyes opened as she lay on the ground, Sever kneeling dutifully by her side. Like the sun slowly growing over the horizon, she could feel the limitless power saturating every inch of her body. She caught a glimpse of Sano's lifeless body lying beside her - blood still trickling from its wound. Nothing so fragile was ever meant to contain her for long. Instead she marveled at the energy that surged through her new body as she tapped into the limitless strength that sustained her from the planet itself. It was so much different than before. She could feel the knowledge and wisdom of the great spirit contained within her. Insights gained over countless millennia, ancient texts and sorcery the world had all but forgotten. It was all within her grasp. But most important of all, she could feel the raw emotion, the need and ravenous hunger for primal sensations. For too long she had been deprived of it all, her mind sealed away in a shapeless void. But now that she was once again a part of the physical plane she longed to experience it all once again. Anger. Hatred. Lust. Ecstasy. Loathing. Rapture. Passion in all its forms. All of these things she wished to revel in, to saturate her senses until one emotion blurred into the next. Without question, the last stage of the ritual had been brought to its terrible conclusion. She was the Goddess Nephtis, reborn. Rising to her feet she stood silently for a moment, simply enjoying the sensation of having her own physical form. The body she had sculpted her host into might be lying only feet from her, devoid of life. However, to gaze upon it was looking into a mirror. She had shaped Sano in her own image, and to cast it aside like that now almost seemed a waste. She held out her hand and studied it, looking at the creamy skin she had rendered so flawlessly. Still, she would have time to enjoy the fullest extent what this form had to offer her later. There were matters to attend to here and now. Looking down on Sever, her servant immediately lowered her gaze. "I am yours to command, master." Nephtis let the silence hang in the air for a moment, letting Sever wait before giving her response. "You may rise." Sever rose to stand face to face with her master. Nephtis held her hand against Sever's cheek, caressing it gently the way a woman would to her lover. "You were the one who called me forth, were you not?" She nodded dutifully, finding herself in the presence of such an otherworldly power intoxicating "I wished to surpass the life which was given to me here at the Gateway. I resented the people here who felt I was unworthy of my place, and I wanted to make them pay..." "You poor thing." Nephtis said, her tone of voice was smooth and soothing, relaxing her subject further as she spoke. "And you had hoped that I would choose you as a vessel?" Saver could only nod as she closed her eyes, feeling completely at ease. "Fear not," the goddess whispered. "You shall be my sword in the world I create, where the flesh of the weak is the food of the strong." Nephtis lent forward and kissed her forehead gently, before breaking away and taking a step backward. "Your first task will be to prepare a suitable room for me. I need a sanctuary in which to prepare myself." Sever recovered her composure and bowed her head once more. "What should be done about your host?" Nephtis studied Sano's lifeless corpse. She considered simply having it disposed of, but instead said "Have it delivered to my chambers, once you have them prepared." "It will be done, my goddess" Sever said dutifully. "Very good." Casting her gaze out over the crowd of extensions who still stood in the chamber, the goddess held up an outstretched hand. "The rest of you are to restore all aspects of this facility to working order. After all...." She cast her gaze up to the air duct where Sano had left Lina before her impetuous decision to confront Sever ".....the thought of leaving things unfinished stirs my blood." ******************************** Slowly, as if climbing a long staircase, Sano began to open her eyes. Looking around, she found herself lying on a large bed, silk sheets rubbing against her smooth skin. The room itself looked familiar, it appeared to be similar to the suites offered to the high-tier staff and administrators. Suddenly her memory came rushing back to her and she threw back the sheets, searching for the wound on her chest. Instead, she found nothing, only the realization that someone had stripped her down to her underwear before putting her into this bed. "You're in no danger, calm yourself," said a familiar voice. Sano spun around to see Nephtis walk calmly in from the balcony, her body clad in one of the strangest and most provocative pieces of clothing she'd ever seen. Similar to a swimsuit, her chest and abdomen were covered, though it left little to the imagination as the garment was made up of leather straps and black mesh fabric, covering only the most bare minimum amount of skin. To match she wore thigh-high boots and delicate black gloves. In spite of herself, Sano found her eyes wandering over Nephtis's body. "Something the matter?" she asked casually. Sano blinked, stammering as she tried to find her voice. "Wh-What are you doing? Why am I here?" Nephtis tone became cold as she sat on the corner of the bed, gazing into Sano's eyes. "You are here because I returned your body to life." "But...why?" Turning her gaze away, Nephtis spoke "Because you remind me of my sister. I have not seen her in the longest time." "I see." Sano paused as she considered how to handle such a delicate situation. "Thank you." The goddess kept her gaze away from Sano as she spoke. "I did this because you are to be guided, shaped into more than you are now." Instinctively, Sano scrambled back from Nephtis. "What?!" "Nephthys is a fool," she spat. "Even now she keeps to her post, watching over the deserts and guiding those deemed worthy of the underworld. She refuses to seize her destiny, to use her limitless power to remake this world as it should be. So I have decided that you will take her place. You will succeed where she has failed. Instead of blindness, your eyes will be opened to the truth. You will be my greatest accomplishment, and a triumph over the hand fate has dealt me." Fear stabbed at her heart as Sano realized that Nephtis was perfectly serious. She was her identical twin, just like the goddess Nephthys. Tumbling out of bed, she held the sheet against her body as she stared at Nephtis, completely aghast. "What is it you want to do?" Nephtis stood up, her temper cooling as she spoke "Man is cruel by nature, and there is no truer hell then this world we live in. How could I sit idly by as I saw people inflicting such misery upon one another? The pure of heart suffer while those whose hearts are filled with darkness grow wealthy and decadent. Rather than continue to watch this imbalance, I will bring about this world's salvation." "Salvation?" Sano blurted out. "All you have done is create murder and chaos!" Nephtis did not even flinch, rather she kept her gaze evenly fixed on Sano "Destruction is the first step to salvation." Sano could not believe what she was hearing. She began to panic as Nephtis strode toward her. "You can't! People....will fight back! They will revolt when they discover your intentions. Nothing is stronger than a person's will to live." "Wrong." Sano felt herself pressed against the wall as Nephtis stood inches from her. "Nothing is stronger than I." Sano wanted to flee, but she found her body unwilling to move, just as it had been back in the lower chamber. "You may struggle, even deny what I have told you. But after you have seen everything that I have to show you, I promise that you will deliver yourself into my arms willingly" Feeling Nephtis's breath against her cheek, Sano tried to match her gaze. "And what is it that you wish to show me?" "For now?" she replied, her tone growing more casual. "I suggest you take the time to become acquainted with your new being. I know from the time spent sharing your thoughts that you did your best to ignore your physical body after I had improved it." Nephtis waved her hand, and instantly the sheet she was covering herself with vanished from her hands, along with the underwear she was clad in a moment ago. Instead she found herself wearing the same garments Nephtis was, identical right down to the last revealing detail. "You are a woman now, and you must accept that fact if you are to become what I have planned for you. Rest assured, it will not be long before you realize that not only is your body superior to the mediocrity you languished in as a man, but there are pleasures it can offer you the likes of which you could never imagine." "No!" She exclaimed. "I will have no part of your plans or your desires!" Sano could feel the goddess moving closer, her breasts gently pressing against her own. Sano's pulse quickened as Nephtis spoke, desperately trying to control her body that was responding of its own accord. "Why must you make this so difficult?" Nephtis teased her prey, her hand caressing Sano's thigh. "I know what you want. Better, perhaps than you do. And I can give it to you." Sano's mind was at odds with her body. She wanted to scream, to force this demon aside and demand it undo the damage it had wrought. Yet all she could manage was to stifle a whimper as her body responded effortlessly to Nephtis's touch. Every action, every touch set her nerves alight with desire in ways she had never believed possible. Nephtis smiled as she felt Sano's resolve weaken, her body relaxing and yielding to her sensual assault. "That's right my child, just let go." She gave Sano a soft, tender kiss. "All your life you believed that you were alone, that nobody could rely on anyone except themselves. And you were right. Everyone has abandoned you, their hatred and greed has been brought to the surface and they are only motivated by their own selfish desires." Moaning softly, Sano arched her back and purred with delight as her mind raced, trying to find flaws in what Nephtis spoke of. But was she right? Even if this was all her doing, what if she was right? What if everyone had been concealing these true intentions from her? Was it really so bad that her eyes had been shown the truth that lay in people's hearts? With skill and unerring precision, Nephtis continued to tease and work Sano's body to unearthly levels of desire. "Don't you want to stop being alone? Do not turn away. Accept your destiny and you can finally be a part of something so much greater than what you have known. All you need do is submit, give yourself over to the power I have to offer you, and take your place at my side as the true sister of the goddess Nephtis." "I....I...don't know....." Sano struggled to find the words as Nephtis played her body like an instrument. Being thrust into a new life as a woman was so confusing, her emotions were only heightened by the thrill of Nephtis's touch. "You know it's true. This world is full of people who have deceived you. They lied to you, playing upon your feelings so they could take what they wanted before casting you aside. In order to compensate for their misdeeds, you must join me in ushering in the age of the future." Sano felt her resolve begin to fade away as she began to accept what Nephtis spoke of. "I.....am tired of running away.....I don't want to be afraid or alone anymore." Her muscles relaxed as she gave in, her mind already consumed by the ecstasy this body gave her. Nephtis reached behind Sano's back, and released a small clasp. The cups fell away from her garment as her breasts bounced freely, eliciting another seductive moan from Sano. "That's right, keep listening to the voice of reason...." Closing her eyes, Sano finally gave in. Freedom is losing all hope, and Sano was happy to relinquish everything if it meant that she could feel like this. She did not care about anything else, all that mattered was this feeling.... ******************************** When Sano awoke she found herself lying in bed once more. The cool night air stirred around her as she began to recollect the events that took place only hours ago, sending another ripple of delight through her body. She lay naked beneath the sheets, simply reveling in the sensations this body afforded. Everything was heightened beyond any level she had ever known. Silk sheets slipped away from her as she sat up, suddenly aware that she was alone. Before she had time to even contemplate what to do next, she heard a sensual voice mew into her ear. "I promised you would never be alone." Turning about, she saw her twin sister lying beside her, wearing the same scant leather vestments she had earlier. "Everything you ever wanted in your whole life is right here," she said, her voice warm and reassuring. "No longer will the cruelty of the world feed your loneliness. You are a goddess, an immortal. The passage of time no longer holds any relevance for you." She reached up, caressing Sano's cheek with her hand. "You shall never leave my side." Sano sat up, feeling the cool air against her naked body. But rather than look down at herself with fear or revulsion, she instead accepted it as immutable fact. For the moment this was her body, whether she wanted it or not. As if sensing her swaying emotion, Nephtis placed a finger under Sano's chin and lifted her face. "Remember my child, life is cruel. But once you accept that fact, you can start over and begin the new life you have always deserved." Sano nodded calmly. "I understand. This is where I belong." "Exactly." She replied approvingly. Nephtis's words seemed to smooth over any uncertainty she had. While she might still be reluctant to take on her role as Nephtis's sister, Sano knew it was the only way to cast away the fear of loneliness that had always gripped her heart. To do that, there was no price she would not pay. Nephtis spoke again, her voice calm and full of adoration. "Listen closely. There is one final task you need to perform." "What must I do?" Sano replied. "Go into the chambers below this complex. Sealed deep in its labyrinth is the final piece I require to bring about the destruction of this world so that paradise may be created." Nephtis said. "What is that?" Sano asked curiously. Nephtis smiled. "It is the dark secret pulled over you eyes to keep you blinded to the truth. The very source of this institution's power. Once unsealed, I can perform the ritual that will open the gateway between this plane of existence and the underworld. When the two realms are merged as one your task will be complete, and your reign as my queen in the new world we forge will begin." A strange thought seemed to enter Sano's mind. She was unsure whether it was Nephtis's influence, or simply grasping the destiny being offered to her. "And all those who ever sought to harm me will turn to dust as I watch the apocalypse unfold." "That is exactly right." Nephtis whispered seductively into her ear. "This is your Tenchuu." "My Tenchuu?" Sano responded curiously. "The Japanese had a word that was very popular in the feudal era." Nephtis laughed quietly, as if reminiscing. "Tenchuu was the wrath of heaven. It meant that scoundrels and wrongdoers, murderers and rapists, would be killed through divine retribution." Nephtis traced a delicate finger over Sano's breasts. "It is time for you to bury your past by putting into motion the events which shall destroy your enemies. Too long have they been spared the punishment brought on by their own actions, born from the darkness in their hearts. Complete this task and they shall be assured of this world's salvation as you cast them into hell." Sano felt a surge of anger move through her, the thought of vengeance dispelling any concerns she had, replacing them with clarity and purpose. "Show me what I must do." Swinging her legs about, Nephtis stood up. "Take Sever with you, and journey deep into the heart of this facility, to the chamber where I was first returned to life. Once you do, what you must do next will reveal itself." Nephtis placed a kiss on Sano's forehead as she slipped out of the bed. Without so much as a word or gesture, clothing began to spin itself out of the ether, wrapping around Sano's body as she strode confidently towards the bedroom door, the true extent of her power beginning to reveal itself. She could feel it surging through her veins, setting every nerve alight. The clothing seemed to ripple slightly as the form- fitting garments clung to her body; a better-tailored version of the uniform