Little given time

Lost understanding

, Etho walks through another door from the hall, appearing on a planet he's never seen before. Etho takes slight notes before exploring, soon hearing a shock behind him, the earth under him feeling colder as he turns to face the 3 people who've appeared so suddenly. “God, why are y'all here?” Etho questions as he recognizes Azalo-S and -Q. “Who are… you.” Etho questions a second time. “Etho, we’re here to stop you,” Azalo-S announces. “Stop me from what? Faker. You haven't even understood the first of this whole grand garbage, let alone what's happening now.” Etho rants. “You're becoming an issue. Just resign, and we can be peaceful about this.” Azalo-S sites showing an empathetic look, though unable to phase Etho. “Really? Already threatening me? How professional, I honestly expected less, but whatever. Do you understand the severity of this situation? This is no longer a big game of control; this is life. People leave, some die, and others go on the path I have. It's called living, if you ever understood.” Etho remarks. “Etho, just stand down, we don't have to fight.” Azalo-S reminds me. “Yeah, you don't understand. You thought this was a good idea, huh? Two planet busters at max with a random could take down a city-level threat, you thought so, huh? Well, there are true levels to this, some you don't even understand.” Etho points at a nearby planet. “See that?” As they look, the planet seemingly shatters like Legos, the shockwave ripping through the air minutes later. “You all saw the fight with Werner and thought I was weak, huh? No, I'm a bigger threat than all of you combined. Now leave.” Etho demonstrates.
All the Azalo conjure weapons from their magic, ready to fight. “This is what I mean, you all only care for the fight. Not the people.” Etho pronounces. “I guess I'll fulfill your shitty desires, just know any casualties today are on your heads and not mine. I never wanted to fight anyway.” Etho’s Terra EX suit forms over him in a flash, and he shoots a green flare into the air moments later. A tornado siren sounds in the distance, the YC-1200 flying by and dropping XF-04. Nearby, XM-08 slams into the ground while rapidly rushing straight toward the Azalo with XU-06 and XA-02 landing atop XF-04. “I wish you the greatest… I actually don't, but pretend I do.” Etho teases as the Terra mechs begin their fight.

Forced upon skirmish

, XF-04 fires its plasma thrower, Azalo-Q, pushing the beam back with her frost as -S  rushes Etho directly. Etho drops Azalo-S, grabbing her leg and throwing her at XM-08, the worm Terra mech wrapping around her and planning to tear her to shreds. Azalo-S makes her body intangible for 2 seconds, flying away enough, and firing a chain net. As XM-08 breaks the chains, the entire net turns to nitroglycerin, detonating everything around XM-08. XA-02 flies over, attempting to assist, but is quickly stopped by Azalo-V, forming a globe of gravity around the mech to incapacitate the mech temporarily. Etho flies to Azalo-V, grabbing her by the face and throwing her straight into the ground. Azalo-V switches before firing a solar blast at Etho, XU-06 forming a shield around Etho to block the blast.


“Why are you even here? Everyone here seems way beyond your own league. I'll give you a chance, leave.”  Etho warns, flying to Azalo-Q to continue the fight. Etho slams into Azalo-Q, interrupting the beam clash and swiftly moving away to prevent freezing. Azalo-Q is forced into a two-way beam clash, blocking XF-04 and Etho’s own blasts with her frost. Suddenly, Azalo-V flies to Etho, body slamming him into the ground and relentlessly punching his Terra suit. Etho grabs one of the punches, whipping her into the floor before throwing her away. “I said move.” Etho reminds before firing micro missiles at Azalo-V. Azalo-V takes out a naginata, deflecting every micro missile. Nearby, Azalo-S releases a strong shock to send XM-08 flying before firing a spear of mana at Etho, staggering him for a moment. As he's staggered, Azalo-Q fires a bolt of ice, flash freezing Etho’s suit as Azalo-V flies in for another assault. Etho’s armor suddenly spontaneously combusts, melting all the ice, with Etho slamming Azalo-V’s head into the floor. XF-04 fires all non-nuclear weaponry it has at Azalo-Q and -S, fully occupying them. “You were given chances, more leeway than most. You waste.” Etho comments as he forms a staff from Terra metal in his suit. Etho fires a red flare in the air, the Terra mechs making a slight adjustment before seemingly directing all attention to Azalo-S and -Q, commencing their full-powered onslaught. Etho twirls the staff a bit before rushing Azalo-V -V rushes with her naginata. Azalo-V seemingly floats with her naginata, demonstrating pure weapon expertise mid-fight.
Etho feints a side step, slamming his staff into Azalo-V’s side. “So much to learn, you achieve. Yet you waste it on this? Why? What are you gaining?” Etho questions as they circle each other. Azalo-V fires a wind blast, Etho dodging effortlessly before they both collectively rush. Etho jabs the staff into her, Azalo-V responding with an overhead slash of her naginata. Etho catches the strike with his free arm, grappling her and firing a micro missile straight into her face. Azalo-V crashes into a nearby mountain as Etho shifts his focus to Azalo-S and -Q. It already seems they are losing, yet Etho isn't feeling fulfilled. Etho fires a blue flare; the Terra mechs stop their assault. “Why do you all try? This is pointless. I've given chance after chance. I SAID IT'S NOT WORTH IT GOING FOR ME! What are you planning?” Etho questions, for once, he seems sympathetic. Atlas Azalo-S doesn't speak; her hope can't be put into a sentence after all. She just wanted to go back to how it was, Perfect. Etho flies at Azalo-S, drilling her into the floor before relentlessly punching her further into the ground. Azalo-Q grabs Etho, throwing him out of the hole to protect Azalo-S. Etho fires another green flare, XF-04 firing hundreds of micro missiles. Azalo-Q summons a small blizzard around her, deflecting and destroying every micro missile that approaches.

 Right, it never had to be

Azalo-V fires a wind tunnel that sends Etho into the mountain she stands on. Etho recovers, calling for XM-08 and grappling onto Azalo-V again. As they struggle, Azalo-V holds a gravity barrier around them, preventing XM-08 from interfering. Azalo-V temporarily overpowers Etho, using her gravity to enforce her strength.
Etho pulls his right arm back, punching at Azalo-V, who swiftly dodges.

The many shotgun shells on Etho’s arm open, Azalo-V quickly forming a small globe of gravity around his arm to prevent the shells from firing. Etho tears out the globe and right hooks Azalo-V, sending her out of the barrier as well, shattering it. Azalo-S tears out the crater and catches Azalo-V, Azalo-Q, holding off XF-04, XU-06, and XA-02 at once. “You got any more mana in you?” Azalo-S questions -V lightly. “Yeah, plenty,” Azalo-V responds. “Let's give it our all,” Azalo-S says before standing up, Azalo-V, holding their hands together as they point at Etho. A ball of pure mana formed at their fingertips, ready to release a blast that could threaten Etho’s life. Etho slams his two arms together, forming many cannons as XM-08 holds Etho’s back. “Let me show you the true output of my powersource!” Etho announces. Azalo-S and -V fire as Etho does, the beams ripping through every little obstacle and shaking the planet itself. The sky brightens with pure energy as they dump every last bit of mana and energy they have into one blast. Azalo-Q freezes -S and -V’s legs to prevent them from flying back from the recoil before going back to pushing 3 Terra mechs back. After 2 whole minutes of clashing, Etho and Azalo-S stop. The air is still filled with the smell of mana and burning rock. “Well, too bad for you guys, I still have a shit ton left in my power source,” Etho says in a cocky tone, showing quite clearly.
Suddenly, Azalo-HP appears beside Azalo-S and -V, “Azalo-H wanted you to have these.” He hands them two syringes filled with a strange purple liquid. “They will regenerate your mana in seconds. DO NOT LOSE THIS. And make sure to close portals when you open them.” Azalo-HP says before fleeing. Azalo-S injects herself and Azalo-V, feeling their mana regenerating to its peak in seconds, as told. Azalo-S fires a mana chain at Etho, restraining him. Etho tears the chain off, the fragment turning into knives and stabbing at Etho. Etho fires many micro-missiles from his back to destroy the knives, and one at Azalo-Q. -Q staggers for a second, making XF-04 get a clean hit with the plasma thrower. Azalo-Q lies unconscious, XM-08 instantly rushing for the kill. Azalo-S stomps the floor in front of XM-08, forming a giant wall of spikes upward. XM-08 tears through the wall, Azalo-V firing a large blast of wind to push XM-08 off course. Etho body slams Azalo-V, attempting to punch her in the head. Azalo-V grabs Etho’s arm, his suit slowly overpowering her. Azalo-V switches identities mid-struggle, grappling with Etho’s arm and throwing him into a nearby hill. As she runs to protect Azalo-Q, Etho suddenly appears behind her. Etho has overclocked every possible system on his Terra suit, along with every Terra mech. Etho haymakers Azalo-V into the same hill before rushing Azalo-S, shattering her defensive barrier and flying off with her.
All the Terra mechs surround Azalo-Q, -Q sensing the danger awakens. Though still dazed, she understands dying even for her isn't an option. Azalo-Q slams her fist into the floor, freezing every Terra mech in place before flying upwards and charging every drop of frost she could gather. XA-02 rushes her after breaking the ice, instantly getting blasted with a fully charged absolute zero, instantly freezing the mech solid as she diverts attention to the rest. Azalo-V breaks out of the mountain, propelling herself straight to Etho with a wind tunnel. Etho fires multiple micro missiles from his back to stop Azalo-V as he struggles with -S. Azalo-S shifts the mass between her and Etho, forcing them to repel as Azalo-V grabs Etho out of the air.
Etho fires his right arm shotgun, forcing Azalo-V off him. In the distance, a large explosion is heard, the XF-06’s kinetic nuke going off right where Azalo-Q was. “Dare I say 1 down 2 to go?” Etho mocks. Azalo-Q’s death shoves the entire planet into a blizzard, though the fight continues.

 Enough Patho

Etho fires a blue flare into the air, the Terra mechs halting their onrush. “Are you two capable of giving up? Look at your situation. Azalo-Q is dead, Azalo-S is heavily injured, and Azalo-V is mana burnt. Just let go.” Etho exclaims. “Or have you seriously forgotten?” Etho asks. “Azalo-G did more damage than all of you. Please, just give up.” Etho says with little hope. ‘I may be mana burnt, but I still can use attacks. I'll dump everything I can into this to win.’  Azalo-V thinks before fully charging a solar attack, firing it straight at Etho. XF-04 fires its plasma thrower, Etho swiftly moving out of the way as they clash with firepower once more. XF-04’s cannon is quickly overpowered by the solar beam hitting XF-04’s plasma thrower square on and melts it completely. Etho fires his own blast at Azalo-V while she's occupied, Azalo-S blocking the attack by inverting the space between her and the blast. Etho dodges his own attack, being deflected, “Congrats, you damaged my mech. Still not giving up, I assume? You're both out of mana by now.” Etho reminds that the micro missiles on his back are ready to fire. “Fine, Etho, we’ll leave. Don't expect this to be the last of our attempts.” Azalo-S assures, opening a portal with her magic and carrying Azalo-V with her.
Etho flies to the Terra mechs, boarding XM-08 as they leave for Spiculum Terra. While on the way, Etho can only think about the fight; he knew Azalo-S could have done way worse. Yet she didn't. Etho could only think about the old times, hanging out and lounging about in what he considered peak life with Azalo-S. Maybe rejecting that name was a bad decision, but as Etho said, "I'm too far gone to stop now. To ever stop.”
With all of that, Etho had won. Though he wasn't proud.
Azalo-S returns to Earth, encountering Azalo-T as she treats herself and Azalo-V. “How’d it go?” Azalo-T questions. “Horribly, Azalo-Q died, and Etho didn't even take minimal damage,” Azalo-S answers, her tone taking a disheartened one. “Is there anything you would have done differently, an action you would take back? Or even a decision before the fight, you would alter.” Azalo-T questions. After only a few seconds of thinking, “To bring you.” Azalo-S mutters. Azalo-T vanishes after her answer. She knew exactly what he was doing.

Burning imagination

. With a large flash of light, Azalo-T intercepts Etho as he attempts to leave. Azalo-T fires a wave that sends Etho and his mechs to a nearby planet, following suit. As he descends, Azalo-T slams the ground with a green energy, the chime of a grandfather clock ripping through the air as time seems to slow. “MAY IT BEGIN!” Azalo-T roars before firing a rapidly amplifying explosive wave at Etho.
XU-06 forms a barrier to stop the blast, and Etho gets his footing before just staring. “Great, she brought her dad of sorts.” Etho remarks, giving a snarky look. “It's time someone around here put you in your place, you think too often, and compare yourself to a god. Now, I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT A GOD CAN DO, PUSSY!” Azalo-T stomps the ground, turning it into a large fan and throwing Etho straight up with wind flying straight at him. Etho blocks Azalo-T’s fist, backhanding him away as XF-04 fires its shock jailer to prevent another attack. XM-08 slams into the fan, destroying it and sending everyone plummeting. XF-06 and Etho collectively fire hundreds of micro missiles, Azalo-T creating an exact copy of every projectile to cancel out every attack. “You’ll make me yawn,” Azalo-T mocks. Etho rushes Azalo-T with XM-08 circling behind -T to prevent getaways. Etho throws various punches and kicks at Azalo-T. -T simply dodging with his hands in his pockets. Soon, Etho almost lands a strike, Azalo-T appearing behind him, with Etho hitting a chicken where Azalo-T was. “Aw, don't you have a heart, and no, I didn't take that from Naoya.” Azalo-T remarks before Etho tries to leg sweep him. Azalo-T leg locks Etho’s strike, using his mobility to throw Etho into XM-08.
Etho stops himself right before hitting XM-08, watching as Azalo-T stirs the residue wind in the air from the fan, forming a hurricane. XF-06 attempts to hit Azalo-T with its inferno cannon, -T grabs the plasma and rapidly turns it to ice. Azalo-T uses the ice to block another one of Etho’s sudden strikes before detonating the chunks somehow, forcing Etho back. Etho fires his hand cannon as Azalo-T. -T holds his hand out, dispersing the beam before it touches him. “ARE YOU A GOD YET?” Azalo-T roars before teleporting in front of Etho, brutally knee striking him. Etho blocks with his left arm, the strike still sending him far back and shattering the suit's left arm. XM-08 rushes Azalo-T, -T backhanding the worm into a nearby mountain. “ANSWER MY QUESTION!” Azalo-T commands as he teleports behind Etho again, haymakering Etho in his right side and shattering that part of the Terra metal. Etho slams his fists together, firing a similar blast he used on Azalo-S and Azalo-V. Azalo-T holds his hand out, firing a blast twice as large and easily overpowering Etho. XF-04 fires its kinetic nuke, Azalo-T, inverting the shockwave to hit the Terra mech. XU-02's body blocks the beam from hitting Etho, a good chunk of its body torn off by sheer physical force. “Why don't we remove the pests?” Azalo-T questions mockingly before grabbing XU-02 and throwing it straight into the ground, sending an onslaught of random explosive objects down towards it. XU-02 protects itself with a barrier. Azalo-T finds out and instantly flies straight into it to shatter the shield and completely decommission the Terra mech. Azalo-T looks over his shoulder, staring at Etho with a formidable gaze. “Fraud,” Azalo-T mutters, though it was loud and clear. Azalo-T appears in front of XF-06, tearing off all its legs before shattering the main armor of the body.
“NEXT!” Azalo-T roars, his onslaught clearly just starting. XM-08 nearby dumps every last bit of energy it has into the mouth cannon, firing a beam directly at Azalo-T. Azalo-T attempts to tear through the beam, his body slowly burning through his power as a god. XM-08’s body emits clouds of steam as it fights to stop Azalo-T and maintain its own existence. Etho quickly tears out the extra powercore he had, inserting it into his right arm before firing a blast given everything in that core. Azalo-T blocks the 2 blasts, his defense only slightly wavering.
Etho soon calls his new weapon, after only 10 seconds of waiting, a beam with the light of a hundred suns, which directly strikes Azalo-T. Azalo-T grabs the air surrounding him, tearing it in half to nullify the beam as he fights to kill Etho. Suddenly, a powerful shock rips through the air, every beam rapidly disrupted with Etho and his last Terra mech out of options. Azalo-T stands, his body is burnt and mangled. Azalo-T stares at Etho for a few seconds, his gaze revealing everything; hes pissed. “Fucking… loser.” Azalo-T before seemingly blinking out of the dimension.
Etho had now truly won. But of course, as everyone has to. He had to SACRIFICE.