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Flame Nova
A name that sent a chill down the spines of criminals and the occasional rookie Star Guardian candidate. An exceptional officer from the moment he joined, the higher-ups whispered among themselves that there would never be anyone like him—a thought that made him puff out his chest with obvious pride.
Anyone who knew him well would say he was a bit odd, but it was something that could be overlooked, since if he was given an order, he would carry it out without any trouble. In a short time, he became the head of a division and was no longer dealing with low-level criminals.
He would face the Wild Cardbots, beings infected with a virus capable of killing in a matter of minutes. His processor was filled with numerous warnings and rules, but the most important one was to eradicate them all, without exception.
Buildings collapsed, and many lives were lost as a result; one day, most of his squad was wiped out by the Monohorn tribe chieftain, Solidhorn, as the landscape was engulfed in purple flames and the ground littered with the bodies of the fallen.
He had to step up when only one was left standing, badly injured; he pushed his subordinate’s arm aside and sprang into action. A fierce battle ensued, but eventually the wild cardbot was defeated; the shell covering his head cracked open, revealing optica filled with rage and an injury that was gonna left a scar. He was imprisoned in Trion Prison.
The fights continued and the paperwork piled up; within the core of Flame Nova, a seed of doubt slowly began to take root
Why?
Where did they come from?
They weren’t the usual criminals. A flood of questions—questions he knew he wouldn’t get answers to so easily—began to fill his processor to the brim. He couldn’t ask any of the high-ranking officers like himself, because all he got in response were skeptical looks.
He couldn't go on because his questions were starting to get strange. He would have to find other methods, and it was during a solo expedition deep into the lowest levels of Machina that he saw it
A beast-like creature lay asleep, wrapped in a covering as if it were some kind of cocoon. Purple crystal with a purple colouration growing next to it.
Machina's very first…
He took a few crystals with him before getting back. He found himself frantically searching for information as his facade crumbled away with each passing day. One day, he discovered some photographs hidden inside a book—photographs of a mural created by the Wild Cardbots that depicted that creature.
The day he would wake up Machina will be destroyed.
...Calamity... would be consumed by the flames... an entity formed from two different beings... power sealed within the metal Breath...
His expression darkened when he realized that the main computer should have more information.
Inside the sanctuary, he descended to the deepest level, slipping between those cold walls, locating the door that sheltered the computer, which opened as soon as he approached.
The lights in the enormous room were off; he crossed that narrow corridor, and there it stood before him, so silent. The memory card was ejected from a slot; he took it between his servos.
The lights came on and focused on where he was, triggering an alarm.
ENTERING THE SANCTUARY IS A CAPITAL OFFENSE
His body was wrapped in electric chains. His golden insignia vanished. A manic laugh burst from his voice box.
THEREFORE, I WILL SEPARATE YOUR BODY AND SEAL IT SO THAT IT MAY NEVER BE RECOMBINED
That would be the first and last time he would hear the voice of Deus Machina
He was torn apart, and each of his limbs was secured to a pillar; if he moved, the chains would deliver a painful shock.
The silence and coldness of the room had become palpable.
"Mother… why?"
There was never an answer to his question.
Oh, Flame Nova. No one would ever know what were your true intentions, hiding in your chest.
Your story will be used as a warning for those who dare to step out of the line