There were pieces, parts, and fluids from RAN Androids scattered about the command deck like the aftermath of a hurricane. Among the robots, both Marth and a half transformed Midnight lay semi conscious on opposite ends of the room. The leather wings on her back were wrapped around her torso like a triage blanket. The horns upon her head slowly retracted from their full ram-like spirals, down to two pointed stubs. Kazuna watched as the only two people that remained standing were Karma and Director Jenkins.

Karma cautiously circled the Director, his Katana drawn and ready to strike.

Director Jenkins remained unarmed as he addressed Kazuna without bothering to glance in her direction, "Have you come to talk, or did you wish to add to the violence?"

Karma mistakenly took this casual acknowledgment as an opportunity to slice Jenkins' neck from its shoulders. The opportunity was a lie. Instead of the blade passing through the Director's flesh, Jenkins' barehand had moved impossibly fast to catch and stop the sword mere centimeters before it found its mark. Karma was stunned. Before he could repose and make a second attack, Jenkins stepped forward and grabbed the assassin by the throat. With another precise and fluid motion the Director tossed Karma aside and into the adjacent floor to ceiling window. His body collapsed onto the floor like a wet sponge.

Kazuna watched carefully, fearing that Karma's body had shattered the glass which would break, and suck them all out into the vacuum of space. Fortunately, when the assassin did slam up against the transparent wall, the force was enough to knock him out, but not enough to make even the slightest dent in the glass. Whatever material the window was made out of was stronger than ordinary glass. That was a small comfort. Fortunate for Karma. The fact remained with three of her teammates unresponsive, she was trapped, alone against an opponent that could best two of their tanks and the earth's fastest assassin.

"Let's talk," Kazuna started, calm and poised, "You've something that doesn't belong to you that needs to be released."

Director Jenkins casually strolled toward the computer terminal closest to him, "Who are your companions and how did they get aboard my station?" His tone was relaxed as he dismissed Kazuna's accusation in its entirety.

The Monk quickly assessed her options; Midnight was recovering, still breathing at least. Of her three teammates, the young dragon maiden was the latest addition. Her power may have been impressive, but Midnight's cooperation and coordination in any type of battle plan had yet to be tested. Marth on the other hand was barely breathing. That wouldn't be a particularly high hurdle for Kazuna to overcome. Of the three missions they'd undertaken together, the Shogun's experience and considerable strength was a valued asset. On the other hand, if she were to aid him, Marth's temper could just as easily put her and everyone else aboard the station in equal parts or greater danger as Midnight's lack of experience.

"We are agents of Libra," Kazuna spoke with authority, "We are summoned to correct any imbalance to the order of cosmic justice that binds reality together. You've stolen one thousand souls. We've been sent to liberate them."

The Director was neither curious or shocked by Kazuna's proclamation. Instead, he continued to idly type at the control console; "By what means were you sent here? What sort of technology does this 'Libra' possess?"

Against Kazuna's better judgment, she took a step closer to Marth. She'd risk a familiar challenge than navigate a completely unknown variable; "Libra's ways are not technological, they're spiritual, and only concern you insofar as you comply: relinquish the souls you're holding captive. Now."

Jenkins sighed warily and finally turned his attention from the console to Kazuna. He regarded the Monk and her modest outfit with disdain, "Spiritual? Magic and mysticism? Only the ignorant fail to realize technology for what it is. As for the one thousand employees in my custody. Well, they're mine. They are my property. Legally."

Kazuna subtly reached out her left hand toward Marth. Without taking her eyes off her opponent, Kazuna was mentally able to extend her aura. In contrast to her astral form that was visible to others, she could extend and manipulate her aura without alerting Jenkins and tipping her hand. It was a strenuous process. More so under the pressure of navigating Marth's own aura than facing off against Jenkins. She could not only sense the evil but feel the demonic presence that stained Marth's soul. It was a tangible, unpleasant, almost sickening sensation that brought an intense feeling of nausea. It felt like pushing her hands through molten oil. Still, Kazuna powered through. Her aura grabbed hold of the Shogun's heart that had nearly stopped. Focusing her energy, she gave the Samurai an injection of Qi Energy.

Keeping Jenkins' attention on her, Kazuna spoke, "The authority of Libra is above all mortal law and human legal constructs. Final warning: relinquish the souls you've captured."

Jenkins laughed. At least, one could interpret the sound as laughter. It was truly a hideous, spine-chilling sound that escaped the man's stiff, wooden lips, "First, if the three of you are meant to represent your deity, I can only surmise their power is less than finite. Second, the law I abide by is not mortal. It is eternal. It is my own. Law is defined by the power and ability to uphold it. Clearly, I have the power. Therefore, my word is law."

Kazuna would normally have to expend a significant amount of energy to work through her current pain. Jenkins' pride was nauseating. Marth's soul was depressing. It was almost enough to entertain the idea of Kazuna breaking her vow of nonviolence. Fortunately for Jenkins, she was stronger than that, and Marth was more than capable of dishing out enough violence and rage for the both of them.

"All are temporary. Only Libra is eternal. Their Word and Law will outlast yours. Furthermore, you will find we've more than enough power at our disposal to uphold Their Law," Kazuna stepped aside allowing Marth to jump to his feet. Reaching out his hand, the large buster sword that had been tossed aside and lodged into the floor flew across the room and returned to the Samurai's hand.

Before Marth could charge, Kazuna stepped in front of him, "Marth, Jenkins' is holding one thousand hostages. We need to find their location and condition before-"

"HOW DARE YOU STRIKE DOWN A LORD OF HELL!" Marth screamed loud enough to shake the steel frame of the space station.

Despite Kazuna's own supernatural strength pushing against Marth, it paled in comparison to the former Demon Lord. he wouldn't listen to reason. His rage was all-consuming. Kazuna's only opportunity was to direct that rage in a way that would benefit them both. If they were lucky, Marth could at least buy her enough time to revive Karma and Midnight.

Marth shoved Kazuna aside and charged forward at Jenkins. In that same moment, Kazuna stretched out her Astral Form. Amplifying her strength ten fold, Kazuna conjured the semi transparent golden phantom of her own arm and slapped Marth aside seconds before reaching his target. This sudden and unexpected impact sent the hulking body of Marth through one of the computer terminals. Sparks and metal scraps exploded outward. Both Marth and Jenkins were equally stunned and surprised by the friendly fire, but neither were damaged.

Unable to guide Marth to reason, Kazuna could at least give him guidance in combat; "Marth, attack Jenkins indirectly."

A wicked grin crept over Marth's face as he tightened his grip on the massive black sword.

Hefting up the buster sword, Marth made a wide sweep with the flat side of the blade, carving up a swath of the floor. A three by four meter chunk of the metal and ceramic plating was unearthed and sent flying toward Jenkins. As if only mildly inconvenienced, Jenkins walked THROUGH the debris. Pieces of metal either bounced off of or bent themselves around the Director. Marth was too enraged to notice his opponents apparent invulnerability. Instead, the Samurai had immediately delivered a follow up attack. Before Jenkins could react, Marth's sword arced down like a javelin, impaling and pinning the Director to the floor.

Winded, but managing a satisfied smile, Marth declared, "Never again shall you underestimate the power of a Demon Lord, villain."

Kazuna had nearly finished reviving Midnight when that same hideous laughter once again echoed throughout the command deck.

Despite a nearly two meter long sword sticking out of the Director's midsection, he attempted to stand upright, unfazed; "Demons or angels, heroes or villains, those trivial titles are of no importance. On a long enough timeline, none of you will be remembered. Only I will remain."

"Enough talk," Marth growled, "We'll see how little of you remains once I've finished with you."

Anticipating Marth's head first charge, the Director was able peel himself off of the Samurai's massive sword narrowly missing a fury of wild punches. With every haymaker, hook, and body blow, Jenkins seemingly dodged every punch with ease. He saw them coming. All of them.

Once the Dragon Girl was up on her feet, Kazuna held Midnight's hand in hers, "We can't afford to kill him yet. We need Jenkins to tell us where the hostages are."

Midnight was both irritated at the request and confused, "So? What am I supposed to do?"

A pang of regret shot through Kazuna. She regretted leaving Gene behind. Traditionally, he'd been the strategist, the tactician who saw seven moves ahead. With his memory and aura as unfocused and altered as it was, there was no guarantee they could rely on his strategic mind as they had done so in the past. It was on Kazuna to think of something, and fast.

"Interrupt Marth," Kazuna blurted out, "You can't defeat Jenkins, but if you're in the way, at least Marth will be delayed in murdering him."

"You want me to be annoying?" Midnight asked with a grin, "I can do that."

Stretching out her wings to their full span, nearly reaching either end of the command deck she gave them a single flap. The single motion summoned enough force to send a gale of wind rushing outward. Robot parts and debris were swept forward with hurricane-force gusts. Although not strong enough to budge either Marth or Jenkins, the commotion was a suitable distraction.

While Jenkins turned his head toward the revived opponent, Marth finally landed a wild downward hook. A surprising metaling PING rang out from the blow against the Director's head. Marth attempted a follow up, but the combo wouldn't land.

Jenkins struck back. With a quick and decisive chop to the shoulder, the Samurai was sent face first down into what remained of the floor.

"Brute force. Eloquent threats? This is the best your god can muster?" Jenkins frowned.

A furious howling wind exploded inside the relatively small room as a semi-transformed Midnight dashed into Jenkins. He remained standing, but shifted his stance ever so slightly. The subtle movement was enough for Midnight as she wrapped her enlarged and armored tail around his ankle. The Dragon Maiden spun herself around using her increased mass to toss Jenkins across the room. He flew through the air like a brick and crashed into the furthest section of windows.

Kazuna's eyes grew wide in fear.

Just above the Director's head where he'd struck the wall, a hairline fracture in the glass appeared and branched out, centimeter by centimeter.

She had to act fast. Kazuna had nearly revived Karma. His old soul of an aura was much more focused. It was an easy energy signature to navigate and realign. Judging by Marth's growling however, Kazuna may not get the chance to get the swordsman back to his feet.

"You are not worthy of our best, villain," Marth bellowed. Using his sword to prop himself upright, the Samurai continued, "And we issue no idle threats. We command you to relinquish the hostages or face oblivion."

The director was now once again standing, peeling off his now tattered dress shirt; "Oblivion is a tall order for one so oblivious of whom they address."

"You're a villain of no consequence," Marth spat out as he wiped the blood from his mouth, "Grasping on to power only for someone greater to take it from you."

"There is no one greater," Jenkins stated, "I've mastered immortality. There is nothing in your meager arsenal of limited intellect that could possibly erase my presence. Soon, my will shall spread throughout this universe and whatever lies beyond."

"You talk too much," Midnight spoke with a scowl. Opening her mouth, her jaw seemed to unhinge. Several more rows of sharp teeth shifted up into place as the once petite girl's mouth elongated into that of a full fledged dragon. With a high-pitched scream, a jetstream of fire erupted out from her mouth. The spiraling cylinder of flame hit the director head on and engulfed his body.

Soon, the din of Midnight's scream subsided.

To everyone's horror, the Director remained standing.

His clothes had crumpled away into ash. His flesh darkened slightly and hair charred, but the man of questionable integrity still stood. He even took a step forward unabashed in his nakedness. Hands raised at his sides unapologetic and entertaining another attack.

"I almost envy your naiveté," Jenkins mussed, "To be so unaware of the new order of things to think you have a chance of resisting that you'd continue to fight. Unfortunately, your performance that your will is of any significance has lost its modest charm. It's time for this act to come to an end. As if this were even a contest at all, I've won before you had even arrived."

Marth was furious. Kazuna could set in his eyes as the Samurai's iris shifted from a dark chestnut, to a glowing orange. The Samurai extended his hand out to Jenkins. Kazuna could feel the flow of energy, of hatred and malice out from Marth. She watched as the Samurai took command of the smoldering embers around Jenkins and manipulated them into hellfire. The glowing orange sparks swiftly erupted into a plasma like substance, not simply burning, but eating away at the director's flesh.

Jenkins' expression was more amused than anything else. It was clear the man could feel no pain. He regarded the melting of his flesh with little more than mild curiosity. As the hellfire magma ate away through the flesh and into the bone, Jenkins let out a hollow sigh as he staggered forward.

"Whatever part of this body you manage to destroy is of no consequence," Jenkins hissed out as the hellfire crawled up his midsection. Chunks of molten flesh and bone fell off him now in thick sheets onto the deck. "You will all fade. I. Am. Eternal." With a smile, the director's torso, arms, and shoulders were engulfed in glowing magma.

"Karma, NO!" Kazuna screamed as she felt his presence leave her side.

In the blink of an eye, the Assassin had dashed across the command deck, blade extended, and decapitated the Director's head.

It wasn't just the fact that they'd failed to obtain where the hostages were being held on the station. It wasn't Kazuna's failure to end this conflict without violence. No. The Monk's immediate concern was the high velocity of Karma's Katana had flung Hellfire onto the fractured glass. The four remaining warriors watched as the plasmoids slowly eroded the one barrier that stood between them the infinite void.

---

Luna and Gene watched from the security monitor on the elevator wall as the lights in the command deck suddenly went out. They heard the klaxon alarm blare inside the lift. To further emphasize their imminent death, Æger's robotic and emotionless voice barked out over the intercom, "Warning, structural integrity compromised. Sealing external shielding. Multiple life support systems failure detected."

"Gene," Luna gasped.

"I know," He replied, masking the fear in his voice, "We're leaving. Right now."