The Grand Battle [Game Over!]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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"Lifeform Nathan appears unpredictable and dangerous," Eximo noted. "Recommendation: Allow him to destroy the construct while we maintain a safe distance."

"I doubt he realizes it to be a construct. Which means he'll be all the more unpredictable and dangerous when he realizes it isn't the real Lutherion." Amethyst checked her armband. "Unfortunately, he doesn't appear to be on this cube, which is making it harder to determine precisely where he is."

"That makes a difference?" Aeon asked, without taking his eyes away from the battle. The Lutherion clone seemed to have decided that Nathan was a bigger threat than they were, and was focused on him in the distance. Aeon wasn't eager to get in their way - he appeared to agree with Eximo's analysis.

"This appears likely. Both this unit and Amethyst were checking readings when you came upon us. Neither of us realized you were so close." Or else this unit would not have spoken so freely about its weakness, Eximo thought to itself.

That in itself was strange. The vacuum was used to vocalizing its thoughts; it had never before deemed it necessary to hide them. It was also starting to notice that its speech was growing less formal than usual. Perhaps the healing energy is affecting m- this unit's thought processes? Evidence is inconclusive, but this is the clearest explanation at the moment.

Eximo's introspection was cut short when it noticed that Nathan had made his way back, and was confronting the clone.

"So, you haven't had enough, have you, boy?" cackled the clone. "Well, neither have I!"

Nathan said nothing. It seemed he was too angry for words.