"Our mission is to find the third Chaos Key before the League of Hunters do," said Exalndria to the rest of Team 5 that were assembled in Orpos' ward.
"This is the Matter Key and, so, I have calculated it's next appearance by analyzing anomalies in matter throughout the Island." INFOS projected a hologram of the Element Island before zooming in on a small area in the Earth Section labelled 'The Kramble Mountains'. "However, we will only have a small window of opportunity before the Key is gone again. Because of this, we shall be using the Chevron to land here," she pointed at another highlighted area on the smallest of the three peaks of The Kramble Mountains "Before climbing to the top of the highest peak, within three hours. After retrieving the Key, we shall store it in this box," she produced a small black box from behind her, "Which should contain the Key. Any questions?"
"Yes," came a voice from the ward's bed "Can I join you?"
Fam looked round in shock and saw Orpos sitting up in bed, smiling. "Orpos?" she asked, not quite believing it "Are you okay?"
"I believe so. However, I'm not really sure what happened," he looked around at the various tubes and pipes that were keeping him alive before his eyes finally rested on the Lifegiver Amulet "Or what this is." He picked it up and rested it in his palm, reaching to take it off.
"No!" cried Fam, shoving the Amulet back onto Orpos' chest, "You can't take that off."
"And why is that?" Orpos inquired "I'm all better now."
"Is this true, Exalndria?" asked Gedrick, "Is he cured?"
The lexarch hesitated and then shook her head, "I'm afraid not. The Lifegiver Amulet has simply combined with the Dawnbringer antidote so as to give the illusion of health. Despite this, if either is removed, Orpos will die."
"Oh," the oni's face was downcast "Well, I'd best stay here then. Just make sure that you all look after yourselves."
Fam smiled "We'll be back soon, old friend. Try to get better, okay?"
Orpos nodded "Very well. I gather that I now owe you for saving my life?"
Fam shook her head, a tear rolling down her cheek "Consider us even." She turned to Exalndria, Gedrick and INFOS, "Shall we go then?"
* * *
The Kramble Mountains stood resolute against the grey sky; tall bastions of indifference against the chaotic forces of nature. The three peaks rose into the sky like steps to the stars and each was wreathed by a halo of cloud and topped with a crown of snow.
The Chevron landed on the, relatively, flat second peak, its jets blasting a blizzard. Team 5 clambered out of the jet and set off, briskly, towards the peak of the third mountain. They climbed, part way, down the side of the mountain before trekking over a natural bridge of stone, as silent as the stone upon which they walked; the only sounds being their own footsteps and INFOS' whirring generators.
Once they had reached the final path that would take them to the top of the mountain, Exalndria stopped them "The Key should be at the very peak of the mountain in exactly 2 minutes and 37 seconds but we must be quick as it will then disappear again in another 3 minutes and 23 seconds." The team ran up the last few meters of the path and reached the very peak of the mountain just in time to see a black cloud appear above a plateau at the center. The cloud dispersed and a key was left in its place.
"INFOS, scan the Key, please," asked Exalndria.
"Of course, milady," replied INFOS, scanning the Key. After a tense thirty seconds he turned of his scanner "It is, indeed the Matter Key, and we have 2 minutes and 3 seconds in which to pick it up and contain it."
"Exalndria, go on," said Gedrick "It's your mission. Finish it."
The lexarch stared at the key, fear written across her face.
"She can't," said INFOS, his voice crackling with chaotic bursts of static.
"Why not?" asked Fam.
"She already has two Chaos Keys - a third would put her life in danger... and you wouldn't want that, would you?..."
"I'll do it then," said Fam.
"No, you can't!" cried INFOS, static exploding with each syllable, "We mustn't let a Keeper... No, it must be you," the robot turned to Gedrick "And I'd hurry it up if I were you. 10 seconds remain..."
"Oh, fine." Gedrick reached out and snatched the Key.
The change was instant. The dwarf started to disappear, his body appearing to crumble from the edges of his being, down to where the Key touched his hand. Fam dived towards him but INFOS transformed and stopped her. Gedrick stared at Exalndria, a feeling of hatred bursting from his eyes... and was gone.
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