Chapter CLXXIII: Inferna, Inferno ~The Markior

Executor's Log, entry 147.
I dislike the fact I have send a Koopan soul against Ulrezaj. I am avoiding my own responsibilities. If anything happens to that... that turtle, I shall blame myself.

Executor's Log, entry 148.
I have just realized that the lessons learned in the Nexus have not stayed with me. I am still unable to think equal of all species. This means I have not yet achieved perfection. I've scheduled a meeting with my parents through the Xel'Naga Shouldershield.

Executor's Log, entry 149.
The meeting has proven to be valuable. It seems there is one major event that must happen before the lion-share of the lessons I've learned will be 'activated'. Additionally, the coffee machine in section E-3 is broken.

Executor's Log, entry 150.
Work on repairing the Ganthritor II has been shut down in order to let the probes fix the coffee machine.

Executor's Log, entry 151.
Lich has gone missing, and I feel quite worried. I am beginning to consider him as my Right-path brother, thus I shall not rest untill I find him. Yet I feel that he might be on the trail of retrieving the Xol'Arago, but that is pure speculation. The coffee machine is fixed, and repairations on the Ganthritor II have continued.

Executor's Log, entry 152.
Dragon has returned to us. My heart is filled with as much glee as worry. I can't help to think something is wrong about her. However, the possibility that Ulrezaj learned his 'peon' the ways of the right path in order to make her more effecient, remains.

Executor's Log, entry 153.
The Coffee Machine gives horrible espresso. Otherwise it's been a quiet day... if something like that excists on Zolott. How I long to return to Yamauchi and play chess with Bowser again.

Executor's Log, entry 154.
Prism has come out of the meditation area. I have begun to do research on some of the scrolls in the Templar Archives, in order to see if there's a way to channel the Star Road's power through the Pylons.

Executor's Log, entry 155.
No feedback is coming from Observer #72. Either the Observer is broken, or Tob isn't using the map anymore. Seeing as how it is essential that he does, I have ordered a replacement Observer to head out.

Executor's Log, entry 156.
A busy day it has been today. The research have proven to be most resourcefull. According to Observer output, the Star Road is actually visable from Zolott. Prismaya will be most pleased to hear this, yet I do not know what she will do with this information. I must say that even for me, the chance to return home is a very tempting offer. But knowing her, she'll most likely use the Star Road for her increase in power. Near evening, I have once again searched for Lich's emanations. Nothing. I fear the worst, yet I know it cannot be so. A question has arisen whether this world has a Light and Dark Gaia. Additional research will commence within a few days.

Executor's Log, entry 157.
I have not checked on Dragon yet, but she seems to remain in her quarters. I guess she needs the sleep. Today I shall seek Prism and tell her the good news...

The Markior rose up from the hovering platform which made out his desk, his eyes lighting up. With a gesture of his hand, the virtual display of the outline of a book closes, and the screen shuts off. Moving slowly from his desk to one of the circular windows and plazing his hands on his back, he sighed. Never before had he achieved such power, and all of it had seemed as nothing in comparison to Havering's. So many things went though his mind, it was nearly impossible to make out any distinctive emotions from the Yoshian spirit. Upon this world, he had encountered people unlike any, each with their own view of power, each with their own view about life, about everything. It was like losing all sense of direction and proportion at the same time. Turning around, he drifted out of his quarters, the light shutting off shortly after his departure.

Once outside, he found Prism standing near what seemed to be a red robot of some sort, looking hostile and arrogant in it's own way.. That was another thing. Arrogance from machines was something mister Xel'Naga Grey could not fully comprehend... He moved towards the robot, but the red construction pushed it's rifle against Prism's back. A million thoughts crossing the spirit's mind at once, selecting one of them.. keeping silent and observing.

"What do you want from me?" Prism asked softly.
"I told you, princess." Pyrak smirked. "It's time for you to die."
"Havering sent you, no?" The Yoshi spat, tears of anger forming in her eyes.
"Smart girl." The robot replied. Prism rolled her eyes.

With lightning speed, Prism's right wing suddenly hit Pyrak, knocking the hellfire rifle out of his hand. She turned around, facing the robot, as the Crystalo staff appeared in her hand.

"Then it's just too bad he wasted his time." She challenged with a smirk on her face.

The Markior crossed his arms infront of him, with one eye widened as if quirking a brow. The robot already had retrieved it's rifle with speed hard to follow. Naturally, he must've been one of Havering's Infects. Yet seeing as how Prism had managed not to get killed, there was something odd about the entire scene. With gathered courage, the princess dodged a lethal blast of singing unholy fire, landing rather stylish on the ground for someone who had just escaped death. Markior smirked.. now he was certain something strange was going on. The display of gracefull dodging angered the Infect, although remaining it's arrogant additude.

"I'm somewhat impressed, girl. But as for wasting time.. ya wont be able to waste that which ya don't have!"

The infect's rifle shifted, growing larger and definatly more threatening looking. The infect's shoulder and elbow moved backwards from the backfire as he fired, a giant flame which looked like it was composed out of millions of smaller flames fired straight at Prism. Amazingly, she disappeared in a blue streak, and reformed to the right, the light and warmth of the blast still radiating on the side of her arm and face, yet she remained unharmed.

Markior slowly looked up.. moving his hand towards the sky. With an audible sigh and glowing eyes, he made a sideway movement with his hand. As if touching the water on a silent lake, the sky's blue rippled. At the center, where the ripples were formed, the blue of the sky faded away to show the stars of outer space... And within the middle of that, one big star. The Star Road. The spirit looked at Prism, golden light slowly flowing from the visual 'hole' in the blue sky and moving towards the princess. This was why she had been able to withstand the Infect's awesome power.

The Markior finally spoke towards the red android, "You know as well as I do that fighting against someone with their source of power in visual range is something you shouldn't do... Retreat now, Infect. Or wait untill that golden light there touches the girl." Slowly lowering his arm while keeping the blue of the sky moved aside to let the Star Road's light shine on Prism, his eyes widened at the sound of multiple smaller explosions from within the stranded Carrier. "Dragon.." He thought. "I knew it."