Chapter 216 - All Hell Breaks Loose (4)

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OBJECT: Xeno Emitter core (Disassembled) 

TYPE: Energy Emitter

GRADE: A

REMARK: A one of a kind device developed by the first of automatons. After being assembled and coupled with a generator, this emitter can emit xenoic energy generated by the beast crystals in a certain direction in form of an invisible energy beam. The beam could be lethal to the general masses hence should be used with extreme caution. The flow of energy can be regulated by regulating the source, that is, the number of beast crystals used. Higher the grade of the crystals used, more would be the energy output. 

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The wave of positive news didn't stop there. Talos had successfully created an emitter which when coupled with the generators, can produce Xenoic energy from beast crystals as well as eject it as an invisible beam towards a certain direction. Thankfully he had made two of them. So Arnold could take care of both portals at the same time. The only problem was... they had no way to test it. 

Xenoic energy needed a medium to travel. Think of it like electricity, which required wires to travel from one place to another. But unlike electricity, Xenoic energy needed a magnet. A portal could readily absorb any and every bit of xenoic energy around it and hence acted as a magnet. The Emitter could only convert and direct it towards a general direction but it had some issues. The beam of energy was invisible, hence they couldn't see immediate effects after using it. Moreover, xenoic energy wasn't something to be trifled with. In Talos' words, "If used carelessly, one can end up mutating everyone and everything around them."

Remember Xenoic energy needed a magnet? Turns out, humans and monsters were excellent magnets as in way all of the warriors obtained their abilities after coming into contact with xenoic energy. However, it was refined by nature. Non-lethal. The Xenoic energy Talos was producing using beast crystal wasn't refined. Not even a tiny bit. He simply didn't know how to do that. Even with all his intelligence, there was no way for him to know nature's secrets.

Anyways, the point was, if the used the emitter then and there, they would expose the warriors to its effects which could lead to either of the cases, increasing their strength or turning them into unrecognisable monsters. Something Arnold had already witnessed during his first visit to the city of Angels. When he discovered the other use of the beast crystals. 

Arnold thought of a plan. He wanted to use void travel and go to the Alpha base, and test the emitter on the ogres he was keeping as captives for Talos to research the effects of consuming beast crystals. The only problem was... he couldn't.

His weakness hadn't disappeared yet and if accessing the domain was causing him so much trouble, one could only imagine what would happen if tried using void travel. This was also the reason why he wasn't using it to travel there along with his troops to the forest. Thus he decided to test the emitter once they reached the portal itself. None of Talos' creations had failed before so Arnold was fairly sure that it'll all work just fine. 

By this time, Asterios returned with Anna and Josh. They were surprised to see everyone all equipped up and battle-ready. It was expected as they didn't know about the newest development. Only after one of the family members was done explaining the situation to them, they realised how dire the situation was. Josh didn't hesitate for a moment and after being treated by Alice, immediately took a sword to join Arnold's makeshift army. Anna, however, had no experience whatsoever so she decided to stay behind but not before giving a quick peck to Josh. This incident finally gave her the courage to do what she couldn't for all the years she had known him. 

Talos and the automatons were also carrying bags filled with beast crystals of all grades. They had nearly emptied the vault, in which the crystals were kept in. This was most of the beast crystals Arnold had collected so far. They were worth millions yet Arnold was totally willing to use them all up if it meant saving millions of lives.

But he couldn't do it alone. Thus needed the army. In front of him stood more than four hundred proud soldiers. Both monsters and humans stood side by side, looking at their leader with admiration in their hearts.

"Alright everyone, it's time to-"

Arnold's communicator started buzzing once again. This time it was Nina. 'Right, I forgot to inform her about the dungeons.'

He proceeded to pick the call. Nina was the first one to speak. 

"Arnold! Thank god the call went through. We know the locations now. The geoscan revealed two locations with abnormal xenoic energy levels. One of them is at Griffith observatory and the other one-"

"Is at Angeles National Forest."

"Correct. Looks like one of them finally talked, huh. Either way, Syndicate is assembling a task force to investigate both the places." Nina explained the situation on her side. 

"No. There's no need to divide the forces. Just focus on locating the portal at Griffin observatory, I'll send Talos with a device that can stop the breakout or at least slow it down. The rest of us would take care of the one in the forest. Just send me the approximate location of the weird activity."

"No, you won't-"

"Nina, there's no time to argue. Please just do as I said."

"..."

"Okay okay, I promise I won't put myself in unnecessary danger. Moreover, Johnny, Kolt, Steve and my summons are there to ensure my safety. And considering I'm their target, I'll be safer with them rather than staying behind by myself."

Nina let out a heavy sigh. Arnold was making pretty good arguments here. It was either that or he knew exactly which switches he needed to click to meet his demands. Nina hoped it was the former but she knew both of the cases were true. Either way, she finally caved in but she had her own condition: she was coming with him. Arnold knew better than to argue with her, so they agreed to meet at the entrance of the forest. She sent him the location. Once the call was over, Arnold spoke up once again. 

"Well, you heard the lady. Let's go!"

Everyone went out of the room. Hurrying towards the garage, but Arnold's summons didn't move. They knew their master had something else in mind.

Most of Arnold's summons wouldn't fit into regular vehicles, and he knew it. Also, an army of monsters running around the streets of LA would throw the city in chaos. Thus he once again, begrudgingly open a portal to the void and the soldiers walked back inside. 

'Why did I call them out in the first place...' He thought as the last of the undead went inside the portal. 

He wasn't going to leave the people who stayed behind defenceless either, hence he left a dozen automatons to protect them along with Natasha. He didn't leave Alice behind as they might need a healer with them. Also, in the event Arnold was forced to use his newly obtained light affinity, Natasha, having Shadow affinity might be at risk. Especially if Arnold ended up summoning the Guardian Angel. 

Steve and Talos went towards the HQ, as promised. Once everything was taken care of, he rushed towards the vehicles along with Johnny and Kolt. It was time to kick some a*s.