Joshua Zotack's Story

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Zotack's own page.

Zotack looked at those large impressively beautiful doors that cover the mouth of the grand vaults of Atlantis. His Eyes scanned the doors with intrigue though his facial expression on the rest of his face never shifted as he thought about their current situation. He hand reached up and rubbed his chin then the right cheek as his head tilted. His eyes began blinking wildly and he began seeing images and symbols that were neither Atlai or english, yet he understood there meaning and what it was telling him. Then a sudden and sharp pain pinned his eyes and his arm came in to cover his face. Bending slightly at the mere pain. He grunted and turned his face from the others.

His hand began rubbing his eyes. "I'm sorry...My contacts are messing with my eyes. I must be the salt water." he lied. He rubbed his eyes some more then reached into his armor's compartment and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. Keeping his face from the others his covered his eyes and looked back at the vault. John looked at Zotack with his brow raised in puzzlement.

"Everything alright, Zotack?" he asked. Zotack nodded his head and then looked at the doors some more. "I remember the scientists talking about how the doors can only be opened by the language of your people, Ikiros. That's all I really know since the scrolls weren't very clear in their meaning." he said. Zotack sighed as his head tilted as if he was looking at something other the doors. His very body language suggesting that he was seeing something that he was seeing that the others weren't.

Zotack watched as the years of age that the doors collected over the centuries seemed to crack and peel away from the travelers very sight. The complex technologies and magic that flowed through the doors that seemed to flow through the city and come to life by the very presence of Ikrios and his words. The Doors sliding back away from the path of the group and in no time Zotack would be the first to make a move. While the others stood in amazement and awe as the very Vault and it's secrets were unleashed, Zotack, only smiled and walked ahead.

When they would enter the place would be as Ikiros descried it. A large and beautiful museum and library that seemed to be influenced by the cultures of all the great civilizations that lived in the ancient days. The floors and walls made of all forms of precious metals and marble. The Halls and Aisles of books lined with information from all the empires. And Each aisle would guide visitors to a different area devoted to a certain empire. Zotack looked around almost awestruck. He turned to look at the others though as he did his gripped his head in pain and gave a loud shout.

Zotack nearly fell to his knees in pain but maintained his strength in order to keep on his feet. His breathing was deep and fast and a small green glow seemed to come from behind his sunglasses. "God, the virus...It's acting up. It must be the presence of the Mayan technology." he thought to himself. He shook his head and looked away from the others. "So, is this place empty? Or do you think someone could have lived down here this long?" he asked.

Zotack and John did as Ikrios commanded and followed running behind the guide to the Library that Ikrios had just become. And as they ran down aisles of scrolls and books that lined each side of them they couldn't help but slow down to look. The different ancient texts that seemed well kept and ageless. The scrolls still looked new as if they hadn't aged after all these years as if they were kept fresh either by powers in this vault or perhaps this was just the work of those that trapped themselves inside. Rewriting and recreating every scroll and book to make sure all in this library was kept alive.

The Mayan and Atlantis symbols and items that were placed in different shelves and alters. Technologies as they went further in and the closer they got to the war records the more sinister the magic artifacts and technologies on displayed grew. Weapons and vehicles of all kinds as well as ancient elemental magic ritual symbols. Though for now they kept as close to Ikrios as they could without losing him in such a vast place while being caught up in the slender.

Zotack and John nodded their heads and while John lowered himself in respect Zotack remained standing up straight and watching curiously as the elder laid dying. John would stand next to Ikrios and then placed his hand over the Atlai's shoulder and gave it a caring squeeze. He watched with his head bowed in small pray for the man who seemed to be on the verge of death. Zotack on the other hand leaned against a mayan book shelf and then felt a sudden pain shoot into his head. He kept the pain to himself but his eye began twitching and a loud ring buzzed in his ears. The ring though seemed to be coming from a direction. Zotack clenched his temples in his hands and looked in the direction of the source of his pain. And without delay he made his way towards it without making a sound.

John would lean close to Ikrios to whisper in his ear. "What has happened? Who did this to him?" he asked. John asked hopping Ikrios might have an idea of what was going on and why all this was happening.

John watched the display and looked around to see the area they were in then to look back at the elders and the three Atlaia who laid on the ground before their leaders. John made sure he was well in the realms of being respectful but was never urged to fall to his knees before the men like the others were. He watched as the elders all began glowing in a bright red color and he covered his eyes. "Who did this to him? Who would do something like this and why? To what end would the murder gain anything from the killing of the last of his own people?" he asked.

It was a lot for John to take in at the moment even with himself being immortal and being here before he never truly met and the elders of Atlantis. He would stay back though so not to step out of his bonds thinking that asking so many questions was already pushing it.

John looked concerned for everyone in the room and let out a sigh as he tasseled long brown hair with his hand. He then fixed it back into his pony-tail and then turned around so that something else may catch his attention. What was happening here may never be seen by another human, but this was private and paying attention to such a ritual might as well be disrespectful. Though as he turned around he noticed that Zotack was no longer in the group and had left without anyone noticing. John looked around for a few minutes himself before coming back.

He leaned toward Ikrios and whispered in his ear. "Zotack, he is gone...I can't find him." he said. Only wanting Ikrios to hear this so as to not cause any kind of stir or panic among the others. "I've looked a few places but I'm getting nothing. I fear Zotack may be pursuing his own goals once more." he said. John stood up and then began walking off to see if he could find Zotack. Though he had no real knowledge of this place and didn't know where to start looking.

Zotack on the other hand followed the loud buzzing in his ears his his eyes glowing a brighter green until finally they could be seen straight through the lenses. His head rushing with all kinds of images and symbols that were unearthly, sinister, and terrifying. Until he then noticed in all the floating imagery were Mayan symbols and letters. "The Virus...It's progressing further...but i've already had treatments to prevent this." he said. "Guiding me...showing me where to go...something is here." he said.

John followed Ikrios after being called out and then commanded to stick together. This was Ikrios' home after all and he knew far more about it then John did. And when they got to the armory John nodded his head as he witnessed the armor that Ikrios donned and the weapons that he commanded with his arms and his very thoughts. John began taking off the very suit he wore into Atlantis that was given to him by the Temple Empire. Though underneath the Temple Empire's bulky armor John was wearing his blessed Roman segmentata armor and the spear of destiny's blade in his belt. With the spear handle gone it acted more like a dagger.

"The Spear of Destiny's blade. The very weapon that priced the side of Christ on the cross. This holds the ability to kill any immortal or god of any kind because the blood that was spilled on it. I assume this will be all I need." he said. John smiled and knocked on his Segmentata. "And the Armor was blessed by the god of War, Mars, to be nigh-indestructible. Both of these are long stories. Perhaps I could tell you them later if Zotack doesn't beat us." he said with a chuckle. Trying to make the situation light to ease nerves.

Zotack continued to follow the noise and then he finally saw the source. An Atlantian whose very appearance was changed. His skin ripped open in places where the muscles had expanded as they lit with a faint blue color. The Mayan Virus changing this body in a way that his very body grew Mayan Style armor and feathers. Zotack walked closer to the being you seemed to be sleeping. It's chest pumping up and down slowly. When Zotack finally reached the being he looked at the face. It was if the skin had almost all been torn off and all that remained was the skull, machine like organic tissue and the dim glowing eyes. Zotack slowly lifted his hand and placed it on the being forearm. Suddenly an energy straight through Zotack and he let out a ghastly yell.

John caught the blades and did a few moves to show off his skills with the rapier and main gauche which were impressive. "Well, I know how to use them if thats what your asking, but I was always more of a claymore kind of guy. This will do just fine though I suppose." he said smiling. Until he heard the sound of Zotack's yell in the very air of the entire place. Never in all of John's years has he heard such an awful sound as that. It was unearthly like some kind of new race of being malice was being born. He looked at Ikrios and nodded as well following close behind Ikrios.

Zotack remained standing in the same position he was caught in when he touched the arm of the sleeping being. The creature was still asleep, but as it laid there it spoke to zotack telling him how to free him. Smoke rose from Zotack's gapping mouth. And when it had finally stopped funneling through he lowered his head and removed his hand from the beings arm. Zotack's eyes glowed an even brighter green and his skin near his sockets were split open and cracked. Glowing a dim green color.

"Zotack, It's me Rasputin...I have made it finally and am ready with the key of solomon." a voice said in Zotack's ear piece. "Good, I was beginning to worry that you'd miss all the fun." Zotack chuckled. "Now, If you don't mind keep The Immortal and Ikrios busy. I have a friend to free." he said. And within the blink of an eye Zotack jumped into the air and landed on one of the book shelves. From there he ran and jumped on each to make it back to the elder's group. Rasputin using his book used a spell that teleported him close to John. Where he would appear in the way of the two.

"John, It's been too long. And Ikrios it's good to finally meet you after all this time...I've heard so much about you when they created your daughter." he said. The Man looked like some kind of mad priest. His robes long, black and flowing. And a large white book under his arm.

Rasputin never moved or flinched, but instead he remained calm and one might even say they could see a smile in his heavy black beard. The book he held under his arm was nestled tight and with no hint of fear in his voice he answered Ikrios. "I am Rasputin, the worlds most powerful sorcerer, and what I possess is the book written by the ancients. Solomon as king had over 500 wives all from different lands and nations, even Atlantis, when Atlantis was powerless and the mayans vanished the Hebrews became the new power after Egypt. What I possess is magic presented to the most wise of kings by his wives from every land. And when one can speak to the dead of this land...and bend them to their will the ghosts of his lost city are very helpful." he said.

After his last word a sudden terrifying energy came from Rasputin's body. Ghostly entities that were once natives of this great city and now bond to the dark priest. They would flow out of the man's body and push Ikrios with a great amount of force. The claws and fists of the dead ones pounding on Ikrios as they attempted to throw him back towards John. And all this while Rasputin never even moved the book. Then after uttering a small prayer he let the book go, though it floated in mid-air and Rasputin raised both his hands in different symbols.

"Ikrios, go find Zotack and i'll take care of my old friend here. I've fought him before So I know all his tricks. I'll be fine." he said. John pointed his blades towards the dark priest. "What say you, Rasputin? Since it's me your really here for." he said. The Dark priest looked at Ikrios and tilted his head as if telling him he may pass.

Zotack on the other hand would find the group and land in the middle of them all. And in a quick and fluid action he drew one of his pistols that were mounted on his armor and aimed the gun straight for the elder and attempted to take the shot.

Zotack looked at Avaraen and gave him a smile as his green glowing eyes shined a little brighter for a second and within seconds Zotack made his move. He was fast before but now he was even faster now that he was fully in stage one of the virus. His thumb flicked a pin on the gun which separated the top and allowed the metal barrel that the Atlaia held in his head to fall slide out while he continued to grip the top slide. The gun was free now but wouldn't fire without the top slide. Though Zotack wasn't done and he continued to move fluidly and faster then a blink. Zotack would ram the metal of what was left of his gun in his clenched fist into Avaraen's throat. While his other hand grabbed the metal slide in the Atlaia's hand and then rebuilding his gun.

After that he would point the gun at Afen's head and shook his head. "What I do is for the betterment of humanity and the safety of the innocent. Afen, look at yourself your not just a Atlaia...your also a human and Patrick is your father. Just because you share Ikrios' DNA doesn't mean he's your father. Your our creation a tool for humanity." he said. He drew his second pistol mounted to his armor and aimed it at Avaraen. And you know I do what I can to protect my people...you should understand that! Let me do is! Let me protect my people!"

"Your right...But, I...the virus...it's...I feel like I have to kill you. I'm fighting it as best as I can, but the urges are growing stronger...The Mayans must have really hated you to make something like this." he said. His finger on the trigger of his gun as he resisted the urge the virus was forcing on his mind to kill those with Atlantis blood. His mind had never been this fogged before and he began to lower his gun until the spear came and his armor deflected it off his person. Though the armor protected him the attack sparked a survival instinct that the virus only strengthened. The guns were no longer on Ikrios' family but now on the Atlaia himself. His eyes flashed green and the cracks on his face stemming from his eye sockets glowed bright green. Zotack began firing his weapons at Ikrios.

"Ikrios!" Zotack yelled.

[color=black]Zotack was banished from Atlantis like that, but his actions weren't his own when he killed the elder and through all this he was still aware. It was like he was being possessed by the virus and he was in his own mind trapped and pleading for treatment so that he may turn back into his original self. Though because of his banishment the virus seemed to only spread further through his body as his mind receded further down into madness. It would take months to reach a higher stage of the Mayan Virus where the effects couldn't be reversed, but he was under the virus' control. All he had now was an objective he had to complete.

Zotack fired his gun at Ikrios, but his enhanced eyes could see the aura of mental energy that he created that nulled any effect they had. The armor that Zotack wore though was the very kind that could absorb mental energy and turn it against the enemy. Zotack placed his guns away and then waited for when Ikrios got close enough. And when he did he sidestepped the sword attack grabbing Ikrios' arm and allowing the suit to absorb that mental barrier and channeled it as energy to increase the strength of the wearer. Zotack threw his punch at Ikrios' jaw attempting to send him flying.

"Do what you can, Ikrios. This Virus though and the knowledge I reaped from the memory from the sleeping Atlaia in the back I have what I came for. All your people's secrets our in my head as well as the Mayans and the most powerful stuff from the others. And the best part is all I have to do is think and It shoots off as information...I never imagined that this is what it's like to become a god, Ikrios." he laughed. "And speaking of gods...I think someone should be waking up." Zotack said. And as he did the Infected Atlaia awoke from his long slumber induced by the elder. And it let out a ghastly yell just like Zotack's. After which Zotack fell to his knees in pain holding his head. "It was that...It's not like my virus...we took out the mayan's proto

protocols...that must have reprogrammed them in me." He said. His face falling to the ground screaming in pain. "I can hear his voice in my head!" He yelled. Zotack continued to fight the programming as much as he could until he passed out. His eyes glowing bright green again and the scars on his face growing. The shell stood up again. And stood there looking at Ikrios.

Zotack was about to make a move to defend himself as the shell attempted too start an entirely new fight with the Atlaia. Though before any of them could make a move John came in grabbing Zotack and pulling him out of the way of danger. The Shell attempted to struggle with John, but before it could throw a punch John placed his hand on Zotack's forehead and shushed him. The very glow of Zotack's eyes began to recede and even the scars began to heal. John using his spiritual connection to the holy grail, which keeps him immortal, also gave John the ability to heal and raise the dead. Zotack's mouth was left agape as John seemed to heal Zotack's body and draw the virus from his body.

When it was done John let go of Zotack who fell on his hands and knees before John and began puking an almost solid grey mass from his gut. The mass collection of nano-machines that had be reproducing in Zotack's body. When it was said and done John picked him up and Zotack looked around the library. "Oh my, God." he paused. "We made it into the vaults! Ikrios! This place is amazing I bet we can get everything we need to stop the Aschen!" he said laughing.

Zotack was almost as excited as a small child in a candy store as his eyes darted from one thing to the next. Really he felt like this was all a dream because he couldn't recall how he got where he was. It felt like he was just now walking in on the middle of something important. His eyes darted to Ikiros. "An hour? That can't be right we just now got the Aschen running away...and then the we walked towards the doors." he looked at John then at everyone else around him.

"I don't understand? All I remember is touching the vault door then a voice in my head, and now i'm standing right here." he said. Zotack rubbed his head and gave a sigh looking around the vaults then back at Ikiros as he began loosing his balance by just standing in place. Then the floor itself carrying Ikiros around as he willed. Something was happening and as long as he had access to Atlantis there was hope for the Temple Empire. He nodded his head at Ikiros when given his conditions. Though the moment of relief was short lived because the Atlantian Air Mage awoke from his long slumber. The being let out an ear piercing screech that carried throughout the halls of the Vault.

The Being rose up from it's shrouded bed and it's true self was seen. The Mayan Virus was all that remained of the creature which was an organic machine. A husk of it's living self with almost skeletal features lit up by the wires and machine parts which had slowly replaced it's organic self over so many years. The Creature looked in the direction of the group and in a flash it was gone. Running as fast as any gale force winds and closing in fast.

The Creature screeched once more at Ikiros vibrating the air around it to make the noise it produced louder and ear shuttering. And before it's feet even touched the ground The Creature flew into the air about 50 feet into the air. The Creatures chest swelled as it sucked in air and then blew it out of it's mouth. Shooting out a pinpoint stream of powerful air concentrated into a thin jet. Meant to cut through Ikiros like a powerful laser would against unprotected flesh. This itself sent the creature flying a bit higher into the air until it touched the ceiling of the vault and clung there. Repeating this powerful attack.

John walked towards Afen and took her in his hands and lifted her into his grasp. "Come young one this fight is between ancient powers." he said. He looked towards Zotack and rushed up to him. Grabing the man by the arm and nodding for them to leave. Zotack pulled away and shook his head. "No, I'm going to stay for now. I've worked to hard to get here and i'm not about to loose everything because of some long fight between two dead civilizations!"

John shook his head and made his way out, but not before turning to Zotack and tossing him the blade of his spear artifact. "I want that back." he said. John then left with afen in his hands.

Zotack looked to the side to glance at Avaraen then went back to watching the fight between The Creature and Ikiros and how each moved along. He tilted his head slightly as he calculated everything in his head then nodded his head. This fight might prove to last hours if nothing changed between the two opponents. He popped his neck and looked at Avaraen with a nod and the same serious look the group was use to seeing on Zotack's almost expressionless face. "This fight could last hours and I don't really have that kind of time on my hands." Zotack raised the blade of the spear of destiny that was in his grasp. "But I do hold a key to shortening this little boxing match to a few rounds." he said.

The Creature looked down at Ikiros and as he sent his attacks up at the being it would crawl around on the ceiling like a spider then fell. Turning into a wisp of smokey air that sparkled because of the nano-machines that remained with it beside being in that air form. The attacks passing through The Creature and then with the last panel it became solid once more during it's free fall. The Creature aimed it's arm out at Ikiros and attempted it's own telekinetic power by blasting a large crushing force down upon Ikiros' head then attempting to fall on him with it's feet aimed to stomp Ikiros into a pulp.

The Creature stood up straight and looked towards Ikiros with it's mouth agape and what sounded like a guttural electrical screech passed through it's jaws. The Creature was unable to smile back or even feel the kind of emotions that maybe Ikiros was feeling at the moment towards it. It had one goal and that was to destroy Atlantis and it's natives. The Creature shook it's head as Ikiros spoke in his native tongue. With a smooth motion the creature lifted it's arms and the floor lifted up in a hill. Then it shot both it's arms to the side with it's palms facing backwards. The Creature bent forward and air around the Creature's hands blasted out as if it were acting as jet engines. One leg slid back shaping the floor too it's whim and curving the hill to look like a lunch pad. Slowly it started but then like a bullet the Creature was gone.

Rushing towards Ikiros with jet like powered gusts of wind shooting from it's palms and on a dime it stopped in front of the new elder. The jet like force around it's hands quickly becoming precise and concentrated as thin blades created by air and the Creature moved it's hands swiping at Ikrios.

Zotack looked down at the spear blade he held in his hand and he watched as Avaraen backed off when he looked at it and felt it's energy. Zotack held a true source of power in his hands and he looked back at the fight at hand. He had to time this just right or risk being smashed by this being bending the air and floor to it's will. By the looks of things Ikiros wasn't going to make the move to actually kill this thing. Maybe out of some strange since of pity or hope that it's virus could be cured like it was cured in Zotack. Whatever the cause, Zotack, wasn't going to watch this fight continue as the information in the vaults was being laid to waste by the moves this Creature made.