Null In Void (HIVE)

"You!" The Prior regarded Pix with a sigh of exasperation, "It cannot be. I sent your soul on. They rejoiced your passing already. Why do you not die? This tenacity grows trite. Even stars know when to yield!" It took millions and millions of years but every star expired eventually. Before tonight Ekmed had believed himself destined for just such a long life. But as the assassin burst free of the conflagration a gasp caught in his throat. "Stay back!"

He stopped his manipulations of psionics, fire falling out of sky like patches of deadly rain. Wanjack raised his staff and swung it overhead. Like swatting at a gnat. There came a sudden burst of smoke, obscuring the confrontation momentarily. His staff flew clear of this cloud. Ekmed shortly followed, landing stretched out full in his robes. The Prior crawled backwards as well as his garments would allow and fell onto his stomach, gazing at the floor.

Sobbing sounded beneath Ekmed's mask. "They abandon me! I can but come to death." The Prior would wait until Kristoff was upon him again, before using his Nth Metal shard to move sharply. No longer in tears, Ekmed would drape a gilded sleeve at Zero. Beneath that sleeve was the pistol he'd picked up from the ground. Zero's pistol. He fired at his attacker. "Ah-ha!!"

Kris was shot in the shoulder, but was too hyped up on adrenaline to feel it at that moment. He grabbed Ekmed's wrist and attempted to smash the pistol out of it, if the pistol got free, Kris would take it and put it against Ekmed's head. If it didn't work, Kris would just continue with the CQC, knees to the kidney, jabs to the neck, that sort of thing. He wasn't letting Ekmed get away.

The whole building was ablaze now. Embers found their kindling and began to erupt into a crescendo. The fire was alive, a living creature that hungered. It had broken free of its psionic parameters and was invicting destruction voraciously. Hotspots grew. Sections of the building became untenable. A thick blanket of smoke weighed heavily about the air, threatening to descend and strangle everyone. Except for Pix. Although smeared with ash, the sprite had reassembled himself. The prior cold snap still stung every pain receptor in his body, but the metahuman pushed on.

His natural survival instincts told him to hold his breathe. Logic reminded him that he didn't need to. Pix took shortcuts through less habitable areas in order that he may reach his teammates quicker. At length he sat down besides Quinn. He didn't know what had been done to her. "Get up!"

Prior Ekmed struggled for the pistol. Zydons had long ago cured what humans knew as arthritis so his advanced age did not betray him. While battered and bruised, his fingers kept curled around the trigger hole, as if given strength from the Almighty. Kristoff compensated and struck elsewhere. An errant jab tore free Ekmed's mask. A subroutine in the Prior's holograph generator kicked in. Before his face could be exposed, and shame his disowned family, an image engulfed his head. It was that of a black hole.

More black holes would materialise around the two combatants. These images would advance upon Kristoff's line of sight, disappearing at the moment of imminent contact, and reappearing back at their starting point, only to approach again. It was sensory overload. Ekmed brought the gun to bare, and shot Zero again. When the young man was off of him, he would telekinetically fling Kristoff into a pylon. Last but not least, Ekmed would summon the raw psionic energy of his minions outside, and fire another psionic beam. Let the Heathen die experiencing unparralleled mental anguish.

((OOC: Permission given by St to move his charrie. Permission likewise returned now.))

Kris fell to the ground holding his head, "GRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kris closed his eyes, the pain was unbearable, he had a broken left arm, two gunshot wounds, cracked ribs, now this mental attack. Kris had a realization that he was going to die, but all of a sudden, he was back in Atlantic City. It was Winter, the cold air chilled his bones. In front of him was a 6 foot tall woman with long black hair and amber eyes, the same pale complexion as Kris.
"M-Mother?" Kris's mouth was a gape, he was in disbelief, he saw her gunned downed.
"Kristoff, shut your mouth, you don't want flys, yes?" She chuckled and embraced her son, she was warm and felt good in contrast to the cold weather. "Where is Axle?" Kris turned his head. "I see, well you go out there and find him!"
"But I'm dead!"
"No, merely in pain. Now open eyes. Fight! And come back in time for dinner, I am making shashlyk!

Kris opened his eyes and stood up, he was in the observatory, facing down the preacher, "Your time is up!" Kris ran at Ekmed, dodging every time Ekmed would fire the gun, clearly refilled with a new vigor. When he got up to Ekmed, Kris grabbed the preacher by the neck and slammed him down. Once Ekmed was on the ground Kris would begin stomping the hell out of him. The first stomp slammed on Ekmed's jaw, breaking it, the next on Ekmed's face, breaking his nose and smashing his teeth in. Kris would then stomp on Ekmed's chest, smashing his sternum, a gargling sound came from Ekmed, "I'm sorry, what was that?" Kris laughed as he kicked the sighed of Ekmed's head a loud snap was heard, but kris didn't care he was dead, he continued kicking and stomping Ekmed. Finally Kris was exhausted and he sat down, only to pass out from blood loss.

Things began to get worse before they got better. Sure, Kris may of prevailed over Ekmed. But he wasn't their only concern, no. The fire on the roof had been spreading, smoke beginning to fill the room - at least Quinn had a pass when it came to toxic fumes at least. The fire had been spreading, and as such was weakening the roof. Loud cracks could be heard where the roof was starting to give way, soon it may even collapse in on the three. Quinn had been hit with a psionic blast, a mental attack. To everyone she looked stupid, whining about an attack no-one could even see. But with Ekmed's death, the pain had stopped, though a ringing noise remained - that's annoying. Opening her eyes, Quinn would see Pix staring back at her, speaking some muffled command. It cleared up though, and what could be heard was; 'get up'. Hmm, point to captain obvious.

"Oh I'm sorry... have you just been... mind fu- whatever!". Quinn would say, coughing lightly as she rolled over onto her hands and knees before picking herself up. Pix didn't even offer her a hand to get up, some gentleman he is. "Guess I am not the only one to escape death, hmm?". A glance across the room, and Quinn would see Kris over to one side, passed out. That's all they need. "We need a plan". Another point to Captain Obvious!

((OOC: Sorry for the delay.))

An explosion of agonising pain gave way to euphoria. It was as if all his worldly bindings had been undone. Ekmed was now detached, his spirit floating free. The ragged and deformed cage that was his body lay in a heap beneath his soul as he ascended, higher and higher, until that grisly scene was nothing but a dot on the horizon.

A vague concern remained. That he had lost. That he had failed. But those petty worries paled in comparison now. He was on his way to join his makers. Ekmed would be justly rewarded for his pious living. His stolid dedication to Void cause. He would stand amongst his idols and they would call him Brother. If he could cry he would have.

The observatory left his sight, then the city, then the ground, then the atmosphere, until at last Ekmed was totally immersed in space. On all sides he was surrounded by the twinkling blips of starlight. One by one these stars disappeared. He felt a part of his consciousness ebb away with each. It was like fighting to stay awake at midnight. A darkness descended.

And then there was nothing... And then there was nothing... And then there was nothing...

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

"Working on it!" Cried Pix above the rising cacophony of burning timber. Stressful situations made some people excel at what they did. Hugh would rather be sat comfortably in an armchair taking his sweet time deciding their next move. The fighting had stopped. Pix moved over to check on Kris, glass crunching underfoot. An oppressive fug coated one side of his body closest to the blaze. They couldn't have long left. Pix was only happy he didn't need to breathe unlike his comrades.

Without touching Zero, Pix made an evalution of his friend's condition. There were several open wounds that oozed blood. The sprite decided he was in critical condition and shouldn't be moved. Then again, not moving threatened to induce an even more critical condition. That of death. Kris may have been able to recover from maybe things, but death was the kicker. Hugh reached out for Quinn in the growing smoke. His diodes glowed to produce more light, "They use toxins in medicine, right? Stabilise him. Figure it out." If she could just slow his blood loss that would suffice.

Pix stepped back under the presumption Quinn would now deal with their friend. Out the corner of his eye he saw the body of an acolyte lying half in the flames. An idea came to him and he braved the inferno to drag it free. He returned to Quinn baring two cloaks, "Hey. Look what's flame retardant." He draped one over Kris to provide some much needed heat protection, but it reminded Pix of a death shroud. He recoiled and almost tripped over the mask at his feet. Pix turned and jumped () as he witnessed the sight of Ekmed's levitating corpse.

"...He didn't levitate. His robes did." The sprite struggled to get the garment free, "I have a plan! Its an observatory. It has a skylight. We find that, we have our way out."

Quinn had followed Pix over towards Kris. Keeping her distance as the Pixel Junkie made an evaluation of Kris' current predicament. Arms crossed as she waited, looking above a fair bit as the fire only got worse above them - time was not something they could afford. Upon hearing Pix's idea, Quinn glanced over, stunned, really. Was he mad?! "Okay, first things first... I wouldn't touch him if you paid me... and secondly, you may not of noticed, but... my thing is sort of, killing people, not healing them...". First aid wasn't something that Quinn had been taught, and she had no experience in using her talents for 'good'. She was taught how to avoid being hurt, how to hurt others before they could hurt you. Quinn didn't move closer, she only unfolded her arms as she had to quickly move out of the way of some falling debris that had caught under the intense flames. Close one, but Quinn was unscathed by it. When she looked back towards Kris, Pix had moved to grab a garment off the now dead Zydon. Then... Captain Obvious struck again! Genius! "You mean the skylight that... will be found on the roof... which is on fire... great plan, Pix, great plan!". The enthusiasm, it's too much, stop, please stop.

It didn't surprise Pix that Quinn's entire education had been centred around killing. Though it did concern him that she hadn't explored these possibilities, "Toxins change body chemistry. Medicines change body chemistry. We need something that coagulates blood and numbs pain without, as you said, killing him. You're the poison master. You figure it out." The alternative was that they carry Kris while he leaked life-ooze everywhere. It made theoretical sense that Quinn's powers could be used in this manner. If she was willing to try. The sprite really didn't think they'd happen upon a first aid kit in the middle of a raging inferno.

Pix had gotten Ekmed's robes, but grimaced at the sight of his corpse (°△°). He snatched the cloak off of Kris and put the robe on him instead. Levitation made dead weights easier to carry. But instead of carrying him Pix began walking off into the hallways. "I'll explain the great plan on the way. Course I need both hands free!" If Quinn continued to be stubborn on the issue, then they would be forced to play 'rock, paper, scissors'. There was no other way around it.

"Okay, okay, okay! I'll try... BUT! If he dies, it's on you...". Right, deep breath. "What if I trick him into feeling he isn't in pain, would that do?". Quinn was grabbing at straws really. Numbing the pain wasn't something she had any experience in at all. However, she had tricked the thalamus in targets before to make them believe they were in pain. Perhaps the same idea can be applied for a target to believe they aren't in pain. Would that be enough? For now? Just to get them outside... that would be step one completed.

Pix peered across the blaze and recognised a handrail which he knew was part of a pair that outlined a set of three marble steps leading into the observation dome. He was a mere five steps from initiating phase two of his plan. Then he could deal with how to handle his almost catastrophic mistake in protecting Ekmed. What worried him most was that his confidence should be shaken, but he was barking orders as headstrong as ever. Maybe, he told himself, it was because he found it hard to work under the assumption that he was wrong. "That'll do. Hurry it up." Pix didn't like the noises that were coming from the roof beams.

The plan was all set. It was simple really, bite down onto the arm or shoulder area of Kris and numb the pain. Easy. It was easy, and that is something that Quinn needed to tell herself as what was a more prominent thought in her mind was whether or not she may kill Kris by accident. Still, there was no time for doubt here. She proceeded to kneel down at Kris's side, softly talking to herself; "don't kill him, don't kill him, don't kill him". This is the moment where Pix should slap Quinn across the face and tell her to pull herself together. Deep breath, Quinn leaned down towards the shoulder area of Kris and clamped down on him with her fangs. She held her clamp there, as poison would be transferred into the bloodstream of Kris with the hope of the effect being just as they had planned. A few seconds past, and then Quinn let the bite go and backed away. All they could do now is watch and wait to see what happens.

Pix was getting edgy. Sure he'd be alright if the building caved in on them, but he doubted all the poison in the world could save his comrades. Heh. That was gonna be a thing now, Pix told himself, He's hurt! Quick! Get the poison! For I am Pix! Starter of memes! They would make Quinn team medic. Get her a little fist aid satchel and ask her for chicken soup whenever they caught the sniffles. All of this would come to pass, if only she would get a move on and carry Kris clear of the blaze.

Pix opened his mouth to usher her again (D=<) but at that moment Kris moved violently. The sprite paused as their friend too went still. When suddenly Kris broke into more spasms. His body constricted as it tried fighting off an invisible menace. The poison was... killing him! This was so unexpected. So instead of minutes to save Zero's life, they had seconds. Pix could beat himself up later about it. He needed to think. No, he needed to act.

"The poison wasn't... No time to explain! Throw him in the fire!" Pix didn't like this plan. It went against logic. But sometimes a superpower defied logic. He prayed that this was one of those times. Otherwise he would have to explain to TIBERIUS just why poison and fire were prescribed to a dying man.

Come again for big fudge? "You want me... to throw Kris... into the fire?". What sort of plan was this? They had just seen their 'friend' fail to take the poison well, to be pushed ahead on the Grim Reaper's list and now Pix wants to throw him in a fire? "Are you INSANE?!". Quinn asked, surprised if anything. This was the type of idea she would normally have, of course she would be fully aware of the results it would likely produce. But in an odd switch of fortune, it was Quinn now supplying the team with the voice of reason. A glance towards Kris, only looking worse before she looked to Pix once more. He couldn't be serious. "You must see what's wrong with this plan, surely".

This was so not the time to be second guessing Pix. Their comrade's life hung but by a thread. And Quinn wanted to debate the wisdom of a plan she didn't even know the reasoning behind? Yes. If Pix was wrong (again) then Kris died. But considering they'd already killed him there was nothing to lose. By that merit, it was a far better plan than standing around going 'oops'. The sprite barged passed the assassin and levered Kris up to his feet. A shot of pain went through Pix as the effects of the ice still played havoc with his pain receptors.

"Your...  Not a psychopath anymore." Pix looked back at Quinn as he struggled to pull Kris forward, "Good for you." Without further prompt or ceremony he tipped Zero into the flames. The intense heat forced Pix to step back.

The heat pulled away from them and towards Zero, racing to the wounds, healing them on contact, the bullets being pushed out and the bones being pushed back into the original placement, Zero stood up, looking as though he was a phoenix who was raised from the ashes. He looked around, assessing the situation, building collapsing, Zydons that retreated earlier most likely surrounding the building. Kris walked over to collect his weapons, putting them in the proper holsters, it was clear he had a serious attitude adjustment, "What should we do?"