Tob and the Soul Beasts Arc
Tob and the Soul Beasts Arc is a continuation from the Darkstar vs. Redstone Arc. Toby Rufus has come down with strange symptoms, and Darkstar must find a way to cure whatever is happening to Tob before it is too late.
Plot
Amana wakes up in the middle of the night to the refrigerator door opening. Amana puts her pillow over her head, thinking it's probably Tob having his late night snack again. Amana wakes up to the refrigerator door opening again. Amana dismisses this as Tob probably being extra hungry, and goes back to sleep when she suddenly hears growling. Concerned, Amana goes to the kitchen to check on Tob. Instead of seeing Tob, face buried in shredded cheese, Amana sees a huge hulking wolf man, a werewolf. The monster glares at Amana, and inches forward. Amana manifests her tail and prepares to engage the monster in combat when the werewolf suddenly collapses. Shrinking, the monster reduces into Tob. Amana, alarmed, rushes forward to catch the boy, and checks his temperature. Amana tries to wake Tob up but to no avail, Amana considers slapping him awake but quickly realizes that he is just asleep. Amana carries Tob back to his bed and watches him the entire night.
Tob wakes up to see the blurry outline of a beautiful woman looking at him by his bedside. Tob groggingly asks the woman if she is an angel and if he's dead. Amana smiles, causing Tob to scream and fall out of his bed. Tob asks Amana what the hell she is doing by his bedside and how long has she been sitting there. Amana asks him if he has any recollection of what happened last night. Tob tells her that he doesn't remember anything. Tob notices the bags under Amana's eyes and asks her if she was by his bedside the entire night. Amana tells Tob that he was walking around in the middle of the night in the form of a soul beast. Tob stares at Amana and asks if she's gone crazy.
Tob is taken to Lazarus' room and asks him to perform a scan on the boy. Lazarus gives Amana a confused look, and asks her why she would ask him to do that. Tob is unpowered and the only times he has used magic was through magical items and runes, which doesn't classify as using his own mana. Regardless, Lazarus conducts a vision spell. To Lazarus and Tob's surprise, Lazarus' spell reveals that Tob isn't human, and has another soul residing within his body. Lazarus asks Tob if he has experienced any weird symptoms, but Tob tells Lazarus that he has never experienced anything weird, until Amana told him that he was walking around as a freaking werewolf.
Lazarus explains that the soul beast is slowly taking over his body. Lazarus recalls studying about soul beast possession during his days in the Academy, and tells Tob he needs to separate from the soul beast before it takes him over. The first sign is temporary possession when the host is at its weakest and the soul beast has resided in the body long enough. Tob exclaims that he has never even interacted with any soul beasts before, even when he fought them, he always killed them with his gun. Amana suddenly remembers when Darkstar attempted to seal the Twin Tears. Amana reminds Tob that when she first met him, he had a bite wound. Tob's eyes go wide, remembering that the bite wound was from a soul beast. Tob freaks out, asking Amana what he's going to do. The last thing he wants is to die a virgin, and now he's going to die a mutt too. Amana calms Tob down, and tells him that she will figure something out. For the moment, they need to worry about planning the next mission.
The members of Darkstar meet at the common room. Reya notices Tob is extra fidgety today and asks him what's wrong. Tob tells her he is fine, but his voice becomes high pitched. Dennis jokes that maybe Tob has finally hit puberty. Tob asks Dennis if he wants to fight. Junon tells the boys to shut up as Amana prepares to give the team her briefing. Amana yawns and looks exhausted, worrying Tob. Ferris asks Amana if she is okay, but Amana tells the team she is fine. The briefing starts.
As usual, Amana shows the team a grid map of the prioritization of resources in the Capita, intel gathered from their hijack missions, and Ferris' seekers. Amana tells the team that The New Militia currently possesses a magical weapon that they plan on invading Croft's neighbouring countries. The weapon's tests are being conducted in the poorer sectors. Failed prototype experiments caused explosions that claimed the lives of many residents, but the Militia continues their tests. Amana wants to take out the weapon, but to do that, she will need a diversion. Tob, Reya, and Trill are assigned to cause a diversion through ranged assault. Lazarus will sneak Dennis and Junon to the weapon's perimeter, where Junon will disable the security. Dennis will destroy the weapon with a Force Cascade. Lazarus will extract the team to the getaway vehicle. Amana looks at Tob, and volunteers to go with his team in causing a diversion.
Weapon Destruction Operation
Amana goes with Trill, Reya, and Tob to the checkpoint. Tob attempts to flirt with Reya as usual, but he stutters more than usual. Reya tells Tob that he is acting very strangely today, but Tob smoothes the situation by saying he is excited for the mission. While walking, Amana legs nearly collapse. Trill catches Amana before she falls on her face, asking if she is really okay to take part in the mission, telling her to take it easy. Amana tells Trill that she is fine, and pops a caffeine pill. Junon gives Tob and Trill the signal. The two charge their attacks, and send it at a barrack formation surrounded by a squad of mage guards. The mages suddenly alert, focus fire on the squad. Amana rushes forward, acrobatically evading the projectiles, and swipes at a row of mages, sending them flying. Amana takes down multiple squads of mages, with Tob and Trill providing cover fire. Reya joins Amana in the fray, providing support with Force Blasts and Sonicwaves.
Junon and Dennis enter the confines of the weapon. Amana manages to hold off the forces but the caffeine pill runs out. Amana's concentration wavers, and a stray energy blast from a mage catches her in the side, sending Amana into the barracks. Reya tries protecting Amana, but is unable to hold off the mages. Tob curses and rushes forward, causing the team formation to collapse. Tob tries to intervene and distract the mages, but is not used to fighting in melee range. The team is overwhelmed by the mages. Trill begins to use more of Hyperborean's power, and freezes all of the mages. However, one of the mages, a fire user, undoes his spell, and launches a massive fire snake at the mage. Trill is buried by rubble. Tob and Reya are defeated by the mages.
Tob attempts to get back up, but is bombarded by multiple spells and falls on his knees. The commander of the unit continues to brutalize Tob, and Amana jumps out to protect the boy. The commander impales Amana with a light construct. Tob watches Amana collapse to the ground. Suddenly, Tob's fear becomes rage, and his body undergoes a transformation, scaring away the mages except for the commander. Tob becomes bigger and hairier, teeth elongating into fangs, and his hands elongating into claws. Amana manages to heal from her wound, and watches as the Werewolf Tob battles the commander. The commander impales Tob with light daggers, but Tob yanks the daggers out of his fur, growling and snarling, charging the mage. The commander curses and bails, but Tob's speed pins the mage to the ground. Tob growls at the commander, and the commander pisses himself, begging for mercy. Amana tries to calm down Tob, but he has gone feral and slashes at her. Amana blocks the claws with her tail, but Tob is much stronger than she anticipates, and is knocked back. Tob bares his fangs at the commander and is about to eat him when Trill immobilizes Tob in a cage of ice. Tob roars and the ice begins to crack, but Trill unleashes more of Hyperborean's power, eyes glowing a bright cyan, and the ice becomes harder. Reya tries to calm down Tob, asking him if he recognizes her. But Tob is too feral to understand. Tob destroys the ice barrier and swipes at Reya, injuring her face. Tob growls and runs into the forest. Amana tells Lazarus to take the others back to the base as she pursues Tob. Lazarus restores Amana's power, and heals Reya. Reya tells Amana she is coming along, as his crush on her may help bring Tob back to his senses. The two pursue Tob into the forest.
Pursuit for Tob
Amana and Reya pursue Tob but lose his trail. The two follow Tob's footsteps and Amana notes that the footprints are decreasing in size, meaning Tob is transforming back. The two find Tob, curled up behind a rock. Tob tells them to stay away, as this time, he was fully aware of the things he did. Reya goes up to Tob and tells him that it's okay, and that when she was traumatized, he was there for her. It's time for her to be there for him. Tob is still hesitant to merge from the rock. Amana tells Tob that they will work together, and Tob tells them that they don't understand. It's not a matter of him needing them, it's a matter of their safety. If Tob loses control, he will hurt them. Tob tells Amana and Reya to go away. Reya insists on helping Tob, causing Tob to yell at them to leave. Suddenly, the plants around the group rustle. Tob continues telling them to leave and run, and suddenly, multiple soul beats, werewolves, coyotes, breeds of wolves emerge from the plants, eyeing the two. Amana realizes that Tob is controlling the animals somehow, and Amana tells him that if they leave, Tob will not be able to return to Darkstar, and he won't return to Sam. Everything the two of them have done so far, helping Jason, forming Darkstar, will all be a waste. Suddenly Tob stops his ranting. The wolves return to the shadows.
Reya kneels down in front of the rock and asks Tob to come out, and they will face this together. Tob stops sniffling, and tells them he can't. Amana asks why not, and Tob tells them he isn't wearing any clothes. When he transformed into the werewolf, the clothes ripped, and he ended up running behind a rock naked. Amana tells Tob that he will call Lazarus, and he will bring him some clothes.
Amana gives Lazarus a call, telling him they found Tob. Lazarus asks what happened, and Amana tells him that Tob's powers have developed, as he is able to command soul beasts too. Lazarus is perplexed, telling Amana he has never seen something like that before. Lazarus calls Trill over to create a portal, and Lazarus emerges to give Tob his clothes. Tob leaves the rock and follows Lazarus to the portal, unable to meet Amana and Reya in the eye.
One Way Trip
Lazarus is contacted by his old friends from Millennium City: Psylen, and Treya for his assistance. Lazarus asks the two what's wrong, and Psylen tells them that Valerian Scarlet has betrayed the group. Lazarus tells them to slow down and ask them what happened. Apparently, Psylen and Treya were helping Valerian Scarlet hunt down certain items to assist in the prevention of the Apocalypse. Their final task was to defeat a mage called Robert Caliburn. Upon doing so, they subsequently gave Valerian the keys to Armageddon. In an attempt to stop Valerian, the Champions were all slaughtered in Vibora, and Therakiel has started the Apocalypse. Psylen tells Lazarus his outrageous plan. Lazarus puts his face in his hands and asks how stupid can they be. Caliburn was one of the good guys. It was Robert Caliburn who taught his friend Tob. Psylen and Treya are quiet. Lazarus takes a deep breath and tells the two he will travel to Millennium City to help them out.
Amana asks Lazarus if he is leaving, and Lazarus confirms he is. Unfortunately, he is unsure how long he will be gone. Lazarus tells Amana that this mission may be awhile, as he fears that he may need to battle Valerian's master, Therakiel. Amana tells Lazarus that she will hold the fort, but asks him if he is sure not bringing the rest of Darkstar along. Lazarus tells her that he is fine. With it being Valerian, she will try to capitalize on a large group. The lower the number, the better. Suddenly Tob asks Lazarus if he can come too, as he was Caliburn's student. Lazarus agrees, and tells him that once the situation is resolved, Caliburn might be able to help Tob with his situation with the soul beast that is currently inside his body.
Tob asks Lazarus how long they will be away, and Lazarus is unsure. He tells the boy that they will need to fight Valerian Scarlet, a powerful mage from Vibora Bay, who was the lover of Tob's mentor. This means that she is extremely powerful. Her master, Therakiel, is a nephilim, a hybrid of an angel and demon. Tob asks Lazarus how something like that is possible. Lazarus tells Tob that he does not know, and he doesn't plan on finding out. While walking back to the common room, Lazarus tells Tob to reconsider. The enemies they face are extremely powerful. If he was being honest, there is a big chance that the two of them won't make it back.
Tob goes to see Reya, but suddenly sees her hanging out with Dennis. The two seemingly having fun with their force powers together. Tob looks at his hands, and suddenly remembers slashing at Reya's face with his monstrous hideous claws. Tob shuts his eyes. He doesn't deserve to be with Reya. She belongs with someone like Dennis; someone with many things in common, not a monster. Tob turns around and leaves to go pack his things.
While he is packing, he hears a knock. Tob turns around, thinking it is Amana, but unexpectedly, Trill asks if he can come in. Tob lets the mage in. Trill tells Tob he knows about the soul beast in his body. Believe it or not, he was also in the mage academy, having studied in there the same time as Jason. Tob nods, knowing full well of Trill's abilities, having went on countless missions with him. Trill tells Tob that the soul beast possession, though dangerous, can be cured. Tob looks at his hands dejectedly. Trill asks Tob if he is still thinking about his actions when he was in that werewolf form, which Tob responds he is. Trill tells Tob that he knows what it is like to be a monster. Back in his days in the mage academy, he was a massive jerk. Thinking he was righteous over everybody, he bullied and ruined the lives of many of his classmates who he deemed inferior, including Lazarus. Tob looks at Trill shocked, having never heard this story before. Trill tells Tob that he hated that version of himself, and it took being tortured by Ariandal to finally wake himself up. Trill tells Tob that what matters is he keeps moving forward and worrying about today, not the past. He managed to get over his past self, and so will Tob. Tob thanks Trill. Trill tells Tob that if he ever feels cornered, he can always let him know.
Tob leaves to meet Lazarus when suddenly someone grabs his arm from behind. Tob turns around and sees Reya. Tob tells Reya that he will be gone for an indefinite amount of time to help Lazarus. In the meantime, she won't have to worry about anything since Dennis is here. Reya tells Tob that she is worried for him. Ever since he transformed into that werewolf, he had never been the same, rarely cracking jokes, rarely making dumb remarks, and rarely competing with Dennis. Tob tells Reya that he needs time to figure out what is happening to him. He tells Reya that he is happy for her relationship with Dennis. Reya tells Tob that she doesn't know what to feel about Wagner. What she does feel, is concern for a man who was always cracking jokes and being lighthearted, even when she was at her lowest of lows. Reya tells Tob that if he is going, then so will she. Tob asks why she would go so far to join them in a mission that will probably get them all killed. Reya responds that maybe it is her turn to be there for him, at his lowest of lows.
Reya, Tob, and Lazarus enter the portal back to Millennium City. Amana waves them goodbye.
