What the hells is wrong with Arizona? That's the one thought in my head as she's on top of my body pounding my face with her fists.

That Usurper — she did something to Arizona and now she's attacking us like a feral savage. I didn't realize how strong Arizona can be.

A sudden blast of air knocks Arizona off of me. I glance to the side. My blurred vision can make out the animal features of Samza and Mezos, and Prince Alphio's staff. Behind the three is a feathered eikon. Garuda, I think. Maybe not. The eikon has the same green feathers and wings I'd expect from Garuda, yet this one looks masculine, displaying a muscular physique and a flattop hair style.

Of course! That must be Samza's re-imagination of Garuda. I should have known that. Many of her eikons seem to deviate far from the source material.

Samza says, crossing her arms, "Bitch, you ain't sending nobody to Memphis?"

I slowly pick myself up. My head still stings, but I'm recovering. "I don't know what that place is, but I'm not about to find out what's there."

Arizona, looking feral with her eyes glowing red and the sounds of snarling coming from her mouth, lunges at the eikon.

"Yo, Alphio! Watch this." Samza points at Arizona and commands the eikon. "Colonel Garuda, it's time to keep the skies safe, and we're gonna do that one Flash Kick at a time! Here we go."

Garuda performs a somersault kick, the clawed foot striking Arizona's chin, sending the feral gunbreaker to the skies. The eikon then unleashes a blade of wind at Arizona and leaps high to deliver yet another somersault kick.

Alphio gasps. "Your version of Garuda is wild."

"That's how professionals do it in The Streets!" Samza says with a hearty laugh.

Arizona appears passed out. I try to reach out, but a cloud of purple smoke forms around her. A moment later, she's gone. "Fuck! The Usurper must have taken her."

Mezos says, motioning a hand, "Let's get out of here before it gets real stupid."

—————

All of us gather inside the Grand Hall of the Figarosa Royal Palace and huddle in a circle. Going clockwise, there's Cammy and Alphio standing north. Rin stands with her arms crossed on the east. Then Lyne and I at the south. Finally, Samza and Mezos at the west.

A familiar engineer arrives at the scene. It's Cidolfus olm Meteora, and he places an aetheric projector on an end table. "I have some news to share," he says as he activates the projector. "By the way, where is Arizona?"

I answer, "The Usurper took her. She mind-controlled Arizona, and the gunbreaker went berserk and attacked us."

Cidolfus scratches his head. "I see. Perhaps there might be a way to bring her back. Not sure how, but there must be a way. For now, we already know that one of the Sky Fortresses is making its way to Mysidia. The other two I have tracked with the help of Alexander's power."

Mezos adjusts his glasses. "We found out where Sky Fortress Camcapre is going. It's in Arizona's world. It is heading to a major capital city."

Cidolfus swipes through projections, revealing buildings of odd shapes and simple colors. One building resembles a pentagon when viewed from the sky. A garden or courtyard houses itself in the middle of this pentagon-shaped building. Another projection reveals a simple white mansion with four pillars supporting an awning at the front of the building. At the front of the mansion, a small fountain with a circle of roses surrounds it.

Cidolfus says, "The Usurper seems to have an interest in these two buildings." He sets his gaze at the fae summoners. "I don't suppose you two have any idea what significance these buildings hold, do you?"

Mezos points at the projection of the pentagon-shaped building. "This is The Pentagon. Yeah, the people of The Otherworld prefer very simple names. Anyway, The Pentagon is a military facility and headquarters for the United States Department of Defense. To put things into perspective, it's like Sanctum Mandatum. It's the one building where military plans originate at a grand scale."

Sanctum Mandatum. That is the headquarters that facilitates the orders to all the legions of the Figarosa Imperial Army, including the Figarosa Holy Judges of the XIIth Legion. Military plans involving many legions happen in that building.

Samza points at the projections of the white mansion. "They call this building The White House. Why? Because it's white and it's a big house. Anyway, the President of the United States lives there. They just had an election recently, so who knows who's running the show."

Cammy scratches her chin. "A president? Is that like an emperor? Also, they have an election?"

Mezos says, "Unlike the nation of Bektorias, where the leadership passes down to the next of kin, in America, the people vote for their next leaders every few years. The President is a bit like an emperor."

Cammy's gaze wanders, but she says nothing.

Alphio says, "That's how Mysidia runs their government. They vote for new council members every five years. Some run for reelection while others retire. I believe they call their kind of government a democracy."

Samza shrugs. "Same shit with America, but they do every four years."

I scratch the back of my head. "I was never a fan of politics. As long things work the way they should, then I don't really care how the government runs."

Rin laughs. "I figured as much, partner. Anyway, how about the other Sky Fortress?"

Cidolfus swipes through the projections and displays one resembling the crystal temple on the White Moon. "Sky Fortress Baschenoa is on the White Moon. I believe it's trying to attune itself to the Crystal Palace. I'm not sure why. My knowledge about the White Moon is sparse."

Cammy says, "If there is one group of people who might know, it would be the Mysidians. However, they're not exactly on good speaking terms with the royal family."

Mezos says while adjusting his glasses, "I'm sure I can figure something out, in case we have to pay them a visit. Samza and I visited the city-state several times during our adventures decades ago. Though, as you said, Alphio, their leadership changes every five years. Their new council may not recognize us as former acquaintances."

I suggest to everyone, "Until we can further understand Baschenoa's purpose at the White Moon, I think it would be best to travel to Arizona's world and deal with Sky Fortress Camcapre. I'm sure Samza and Mezos can attune themselves to that gate."

"Rin as well," Cammy says.

"Perhaps I should have been specific." Rin lets out a heavy shrug. "Fae mages can attune to those waygates. I'm not a mage, even though I have some aetheric attunements. I'm a fae warrior."

Samza points at Rin while fixing her gaze on Cammy. "Yeah. She built different. I mean, if you see a tall or swole person of our kind, 99.9% of the time, they're a warrior. Especially if they're holding a big-ass weapon like that gunblade."

Cammy smiles. "Very well. I say we proceed to the northern waygate. It's time we set forth into The Otherworld."

Cidolfus motions a hand. "I would like to accompany you. After all, if both the legendary Rowynn Thoriana and my son, Vahn'dien, are alive and well in The Otherworld, then I would like to pay them a visit."

"Of course." Cammy nods. "Rowynn is a member of the race of pointed-eared, machine-like beings known as the En'ari. The last of her kind, I believe, after the fall of Yuna'tora. I'm sure she has a trove of knowledge worth sharing."

Alphio turns his head to Rin and asks, "Do we have a transport unit ready that can take us to the waygate?"

"We sure do," Rin says. "It's the near the Market Square, the place where we landed."

"Then we shall proceed," Cammy says.

—————

Before reaching the magitech dropship, Cammy spots Arizona's gunblade on the grass and picks it up.

"Gods!" Cammy gasps while struggling to carry the weapon. "I didn't think this weapon is as heavy as it is. Yet, she carries it with one hand."

I recall when Arizona tackled me and started pounding my face. The strength she demonstrated with her fists felt unreal, as if my skull was being bashed in by a dark iron hammer. I suppose I should have known of her strength. She did, after all, punch through a wall of ice at Mount Tribulation.

Cammy hands over the blade to Rin. "Take this. Perhaps Arizona's friends on the other side of the waygate would appreciate the knowledge of her whereabouts."

Rin takes the gunblade and holsters it on her side. "Of course, your highness."

We arrive at the magitech dropship near the Market Square and all of us board it. In less than five minutes of air time, we arrive at the waygate.

Just like the waygates Lyne and I have seen before, this one appears no different, made of stone and iron, as it stands on top of a rocky hill. Glancing at the west, it seems the sun will set soon, painting the crest over another hill with a faint orange light as clouds shroud the skies of blue and green. At a distance, Sky Fortress Lisaenaud floats above the clear waters of Lake Kohlin as it makes its slow glide to Mysidia, about two-hundred mallums northeast. The menacing tower-like structure floats. It doesn't look like it's moving quick, but it's only a matter of time until it arrives at the fae city-state.

I'd give it a day, assuming the conditions, which makes me wonder how long we'll spend venturing into Arizona's world — The Otherworld.

Samza and Mezos complete their attunement and the waygate activates, a purple swirling vortex materializing inside the ring-shaped structure.

Mezos says, "I hope you're all ready. It's gonna look real weird on the other side."

Rin lets out a hearty laugh. "I ain't afraid, kiddo. The Latrodectus has seen worse."

Samza twitches a brow. "The Latro-what?"

"My gunblade." The fae warrior pulls out her oversized weapon. "Isn't she beautiful?" She laughs.

"Yeah, it's kinda big," Samza says, gazing in awe of the weapon's impractical size.

Rin places the weapon back in her rear holder.

Cammy lets out a breath. "Well, I hope all of you are ready. Only fate knows what the world on the other side will bring to us."

All of us nod, acknowledging the princess.

"How about you, Mathilde?" Cammy asks. "You are, after all, the Warrior of Light. Surely, something must be going on in your head."

I wonder what challenges The Otherworld will pose to us. With Sky Fortress Camcapre lurking there, it's only a matter of time before the Nightmares will make their move. Whatever their plan is, we'll be ready. I say, "Well, as Rin would put it — let's rock!"

Samza and Mezos laugh.

Rin says, "That's right, kiddo. That time has come. It's time to find your one way."

She's right. This is my one way — the way of the Warrior of Light. Darkness may escape these lands, but I'll be there to vanquish it somehow. Even if it means crossing through different realms and waygates.

All of us step through the vortex and prepare for the hells that Sky Fortress Camcapre will bring to Arizona's world.

==============

END OF ACT 1

ACT 2 will commence early-March! Thanks for reading!