-The Blue Beast found a nice tree to rest under as he waited for his son-in-law to return. Moments pass as the morning sun soon became high noon. Azune lets out a giant yawn before starting to drift off to the tranquil sounds of nature. It wasn't before long he was roused by Godfrey, who was looking more irritable than usual. The Gnolbold sighs and gestures the behemoth to walk and talk with a sense of urgency-

I'm up! I'm up! Mgghhh! Remind me again why you have me here?

"Simply put: Back up. I couldn't bring Crux because I have a creeping suspicion of the Bolde family's true intentions upon investing in me."

Like...what? You think they are going to copy Crux or something? I don't think Elder Undead Dragon souls are on the market like batteries.

"And you would be correct. However, that doesn't stop them from trying a different power source. I have been investigating this family for months after my showcasing of Crux for investors. Many were skeptical, many were dismissive, but the ones who were intrigued were the ones to truly worry about."

You're losing me. Isn't that good that they want to fund you?

-The hybrid face palms and pulls his faces down feeling himself at his limit with the brute. He sighs before looking around to check if the area was secluded enough-

"Yes. But when it comes to giving "free money" they always have ulterior motives. And, my suspicions were correct. They are building a construct with similar dimensions to Crux, but the worst part is I have seen that craftsmanship before. Unfortunately...it is similar to that of Azune.exe."

-The Azure Mountain's eyes widen hearing that name. He looks into Godfrey's serious eyes shaking his head in disbelief. The trapsmith simply squints and crosses his furry forearms-

...

"You have no idea what I am talking about..."

I'm trying man...I really am...

"Uga La'key Ma Ka...OKAY! When you were in my computer...okay? You got scanned...okay? It made Azune.exe...OKAY!?"

-Azune's eyes furrow as his comprehension clings for dear life. Godfrey could hear the static in the brute's head already but continues anyway.-

"Azune.exe was harmless, but became corrupted. He is now a virus on the internet. He can take form like your Megiddo Soul and possess electronics."

Okay...well...if it is so important to me, why am I now hearing about this?

"Azune...you were in a coma and depressed for three years, but I suppose it was just wishful thinking to expect you to remember. Either way, this information just recently began developing. I'll continue to monitor-..."

-Before the Gnolbold could finish his sentence a huge explosion could be heard in the distance. The two men perk up looking towards the estate they just left. They both nod as the rush back only hear several more sounds of destruction. Upon arrival, Godfrey gives the landscape a quick scan. Smoke began to rising into the air from the buildings as another explosion was set off-

Godfrey! Did you plant bombs in there!?

"What? As good as an observation that may be, I in fact did not!"

-Azune squints as his body soon tensed up. An extremely familiar surge of energy was on the wind as the air began to crackle with electricity. The behemoth summons his glaive and gestures the Gnolbold to fall back-

Godfrey. You have to get out of here NOW! There is something powerful coming this way. If I clash with it, there is no guarantee you will get caught in the crossfire.

-Before he could even react, Godfrey perks up to see a shimmering figure wreathed in an electrical aura approaching the two. He backs away slowly looking at the behemoth and they other-

What in the Nine Hells is that...?

"Azune.exe. Thats is the program! But its...its tangible! They had to be harboring him here when he went rouge!"

-The program's gaze was fixed on Azune as its body glitched as stuttered. It's stability was reflected on its cynical and maniacal grin on its face. Azune grips his weapon out of sheer unease. It was like looking into a mirror. Those eyes spoke volumes to the Blue Beast, but the program spoke louder-

[I C4N PR0TECT! I S-S4VE 3V3RY0NE! HAHA-H-H-H-HA]

-The program's arm folds into an cannon as it aims it at Godfrey. It charges a blast and fires only to be deflected by Azune's glaive-

GODFREY! MOVE!

-The hybrid retreats in a breakneck pace into the forest. Azune.exe gives a skin crawling cackle before rushing after his target. It soon was barred by the original behemoth as it dodged several slashes from him-

[G0DR3Y-Y-Y I5 A THRE4T! SO-O-O M4NY THRE4TS! MU5T PR0TEC-C-CT!]

Listen! I don't know what you are, but you are WAY too strong to be loose like this!

-The program tilts his head as it begins to process information. Azune.exe soon began to speak in a familiar tone-

[I am you! Guardian of S-S----Shima! Everyone-one is in danger! I must protect-protect them all!]

Oh no...no no no no no. You have to be kidding me. You can't burden that responsibility on yourself! Trust me! I know!

[But I am a program-gram! Not restricted by EMOTIONS! I can pro-tect-tect I can protect! Never tire-ire. Never hunger! NEVER REST!]

-The behemoth steps back shaking his head. It was like looking at himself so many years ago. The unnerving stare of the program soon began to bore a hole in his soul. Should he continue to reason with this shadow of himself, or does he eliminate this potential threat. Either way, he took his stance for the great battle that was sure to come.-

Art by the special  nexus