Amid the ruins of a decaying building, deep underground, energies of unknown
origins stirred. Many years after Chaz Ashley defeated the Profound Darkness and returned to
the confines of Elsydeon as a protector, centuries later from that time, peace had settled
on the solar system of Algo. However, a thing of the past, a thing thought vanquished, began
to emerge again. Energies of unfathomable power synchronized and coalesced into a vaguely
human form, deep within the heart of the rusting ruins, the remains of Nurvus, itself
forgotten, no longer needed. With an abrupt clap of thunder, the energies disappeared,
revealing a pale human form, lean, with a crop of hair the color of the blackest night.
Naked and shivering from the cold of the underground ruins, Zio, cold and delirious, awoke
from his hell of non-existence. After Chaz Ashley had killed him, with the aid of the fifth
Lutz, Rune Walsh, Zio's immortal body was undone by the power of the Light flowing through
Chaz and Rune. His soul, stuck in a limbo, existing, yet non-existing, floated for many
centuries, dormant. Until a great light, a being of extraordinary power gave him an
opportunity.
Redemption.
He slowly rose, his momentary lapse of sanity brought under control. Before he
had given in to the Dark Force's false promises, Zio had been an Esper of incredible power,
a rival to Rune and was next in line to become Lutz. Swelling with pride and arrogance, he
prepared for the ritual of linking with the Telepathy Ball, to receive the memories of four
different Lutz's. But his pride made him a target of Dark Force, and on Dezoris, the demon
flattered him, and, in his arrogance, he accepted the Demon's proposal. The demon gave him
an immortal body, and powers beyond his comprehension, powers to invoke the Dark Force
itself. Dark Force gave him the suit of black armor, the Blood Gem in the middle to amplify
his powers, and Zio thought he was invincible. However, even an evil immortal body faded
before the true power of the Great Light, and Zio was vanquished.
Floating in his limbo, Zio was ripped out of the dark place in between
dimensions, by someone, or something, he knew not what. It offered him a way to wash away
his past transgressions, to once again become a child of Light, as he once was. Zio,
realizing finally his foolishness at helping a destroyer, believing it's promises of
immortality, when that was beyond it's power, finally made the right choice. He choose good
over evil.
Looking at his confines in the real world, naked and powerless, a mortal, Zio
wondered if he was dreaming, if he was alive again.
" Zio. " A voice called from behind him.
Zio quickly turned around looking for the source of the voice. However, his
human eyes could not see anything in the darkness around him. However, his esper powers were
still formidable and he could feel a great power, all around him. He was awed and humbled by
this overwhelming force. Lifting his hand, he channelled some elemental force into his hand,
and it glowed a soft blue color. It lit up the room some more, and as he looked for the
source of the voice, his eyes beheld a sight so majestic that he came to his knees at the
sight.
Standing before him was a giant of a man, a mammoth of muscle, wearing a simple
loincloth of a white cloth that almost shone. The man's eyes, surrounded by wrinkles, were a
merry blue, his hair long and white, to his shoulders. A great beard, down to the collar of
his neck, almost hid his mouth, which was in a broad smile. A great hammer, emblazoned with
the insignia of Algo was strapped to his side. Zio looked around at the disrepair of Nurvus,
the rusting super-computer and the broken terminals, small insects scuttling about. He
thought of the irony of this being, to bring him back to life in the place of his death, at
his supreme humiliation, where he realized how stupid he had been just before he died. This
being obviously had an obscure sense of humour.
" Zio, do you know what I am? " The giant asked him.
" I know not, great spirit. You have brought me back to this physical world, and
I thank you, but why? " Zio asked, humbled by the giant's presence.
" Zio, I am Le Roof De Rykros, an incarnation of fate. You, my young student,
still have a part to play in the grand scheme of things. Your part is not yet complete." The
giant replied.
" My part? I know not what you intend for me holy one, but I know that, for my
transgressions, I am not worthy of such a task. "
The giant wondered to himself if this was truly Zio, the evil esper who had
almost brought about Apocalypse. This man was humble, almost sacrosanct. The giant then saw
that this was Zio's true self, unclouded by his ambitions, pride and arrogance. Zio had
learned a lesson, albeit harshly, but he had learned that a destroyer does not keep his
promises. Zio finally saw the error of his ways. Le Roof De Rykros then knew with certainty
that he was the one. He laughed at Zio, humbled, and prostrate before him. This whelp, at
least compared to him, was the one.
" Zio, since I am an incarnation of fate, I knew you were destined to do great
things. The Profound Darkness also saw this and tried to warp your soul, but the Great Light
prevented you from becoming evil, from losing your soul. She granted you this chance of
redemption not only out of love for a prodigal son, but because she knew you possessed the
talent to do it. You, Zio, will be the instrument of her return. But even I cannot
completely see the true path of destiny, for it always changes. This does sound to be a
contradiction, but your destiny has always been in your own hands. However, I now know. "
" Now know what, holy one? " Zio asked, bewildered.
" Zio, it is your job to awaken the Great Light from her sleep. " The giant
stated, almost as if it was some menial task.
" What ! A being with your power cannot do it, but I am expected too? My power
does not even compare to yours, yet I will awaken her? I could not begin to understand how.
"
" Zio, you, like many espers, have been touched by a power handed down for
millennia, the power of the Desans, which was given by the Great Light herself. However, in
you, like in Rune Walsh, Chaz Ashley, the androids Wren and Demi, the Motavian Gryz, the
Dezorian Raja, the esper Kyra Tiereny and the parman Hahn is the power of a true protector.
Like them, in you is the true power of the Desans' of old. The rest of the true protectors
have passed away, and now preside in the paradise created in Elsydeon. You, however, have
one last part. You will release the Great Light, who will once again guide the universe, and
you, like all the protectors who reside in Elsydeon, will be at her side, guiding the
Universe. "
Zio was dumbstruck. Here he was, a traitor to the Light, given the task of
reviving a Goddess, to aid her in creating a heavenly kingdom, and to be accepted back into
the light of Creation. Zio was almost in tears. His mind was flying in different directions,
like how was he to do this, why him, why not the giant. But at the same time, he realized
that if ever was to redeem himself, this was the way to do it. At least he would die trying,
and maybe then, have some peace from his guilty conscience.
" Le Roof De Rykros, although I am not worthy, I give you my oath that I will
accomplish this, or die trying. I have much suffering to make amends for, and if it lasts me
all my days, then I shall do it. " Zio replied firmly, the light of determination in his
pale blue eyes, his pale, handsome face set in grim resoluteness.
The Giant smiled.
" Zio, you have just taken the first step into your destiny, and although you
think you can't accomplish this, I see still a great deed in your future. Zio, the prodigal
son of the Great Light, you will indeed be one of the greatest of protectors. "
The smith removed his star-born hammer, glowing an incandescent white, and threw
it at the ceiling of the decaying Nurvus centre. It crashed through the high roof with a
deafening boom, opening a large hole to the outside world, the bright sun of Algo lighting
up the main computer room. In the middle of this light stood a naked Zio, his eyes closed,
basking in the heat of the sun, a sun he thought he would never feel or see again. Tears of
joy streamed from his closed eyelids, a smile of peace on his eyes. All the pain he had
suffered under the power of the Profound Darkness, all his mental torment in the limbo
between worlds, all of the suffering he had been through, for this moment of peace and
tranquility, it was all worth it.
" Ummm, Zio, you might want to do something about some clothes. Just a
suggestion. " The giant said.
To Be Continued......
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