Great Escape

"Are you alright?"

Caught up in his mind, Eric did not respond until his body was slightly shoved by his associate. Coming to his senses he cast his eyes on Samantha. "What happened?"

Staring at her companion Samantha eyebrow raised. "You good, I mean you haven't taking a bite out of your food yet."

Prodding the food with his spoon he moved the mushy substance around the plate. "Yea, I have been trying to find a way to complete our mission."

"Mission? What are you talking about? I don't have a mission."

"Are you sure? My screen is telling me to escape this prison."

Checking her objectives Samantha shook her head. "Maybe it has something to do with what you want. I have realized that this game follows our desires or thoughts rather than give us random mission to go on."

Pondering this idea Eric slowly nodded his head. "That would make since considering this is my first time ever being locked up. From the moment we stepped in this cell, all I could think about is leaving."

"I have been thinking that this is all some mistake and that they will be letting us go before too long" said Samantha kicking her crossed legs as she laid on her bed of straw.

"Yea, I'm not going to wait on some miracle. I am going to act now."

"If that's the case I suggest that you do not eat the food." Turning their heads to face the old man who had remained motionless in meditation, from the moment they reached their cell. Reading the looks on their faces the elderly man chuckled. "It's obvious that the two of you have never been incarcerated but let me give you heads up. The food keeps us from shifting."

"Shift? I am an Ogre we don't…" Pausing for a second a light bulb went off in his head. "I got an idea, but it could be risky."

"If you want things to go your way in life you will have to take risks in life. Just make sure it is the right ones." Said the grey bald headed old man.

"At the moment this is the only way of escape."

"Then let's go for it." Commented Samantha. "What are the risks?"

"You aren't the ones who have to worry. I am. If my HP reaches one, then I automatically shift into a giant and lose all control. The only way to revert is through the consumption of human flesh."

"Wow, that's messed up." Replied Samantha.

Chuckling in his corner the old man shook his head. "That is no risk, that is called life."

Looking at his cellmate with a twisted face Eric voice rose a little. "And how losing control and having to eat innocent people considered life."

"If you believed in what I believed in then your question would sound stranger then my comment. You say you lose control when you are in your Ogre form but that is a lie. You just aren't aware of your state. Even the belief that you have too, rely on some external force is entirely preposterous. I have a question for you kid. Have you ever seen anyone, control their form without eating human flesh."

Placing his hand on his chin Eric reflected on his battle that he had with the Ogres of his tribe upon entering the game for the first time. "If I remember correctly, I have. When I was banished from my homeland, I had to fight my fellow ogres. And If I recall one of them expanded his arm before punching me."

"Hah you see, no external force needed. So, tell me, would you like to learn how to use this innate power."

Looking at the old man with through squinched eyes as if he were trying peer into his cellmate's soul for the truth Eric slightly tilted his head upwards and to the side. "How could I do that? You're not an Ogre and I don't know any Ogres." Bobbing his head, he looked the old man in the eyes. "Seems impossible to me."

"You must take the word impossible out of your vocabulary for everything I possible if you have faith. And who says that you need another ogre to teach you how to be you. I am an Insectoid, and we have similar transformations. The only difference is that we turn into giant insects while you merely transition into a larger version of yourself but at the end of the day it all reverts back to one theme."

"What's that?"

"Awareness. In our primal forms as some would call it, the only thing we lack is awareness that we are in it. Which comes to no surprise considering that most ninety-seven percent of the world runs on autopilot. You see in order to take control of you must first be mentally adapt and aware of the form. On top of that you must accept the fact that at the end of the day that, that form part of who you are, and you chose it rather or not you know it."

"I'm confused?" Said Samantha.

"Get us out of here and I will happily show you the way of the universe." Shooting his eyes from one person to the next the old man smiled. "This way of life will change everything around you and open your eyes to unfathomable powers."

"Why can't you teach us now?" Samantha asked sizing up the man. "Seems like to me you are only trying to escape."

Chuckling the old man shook his head. "Escape, Escape I could've done that long ago but I knew that there was a reason for my being here. And I finally found you. The Universe works in mysterious ways and may not always help you the exact way you want it but if you have faith in it, you will get desired results."

Glaring at his cell mate the rumbling of his stomach convinced Eric he had no time to mess around. Letting out a sigh he stretched his arm out. "You know what it doesn't matter. I'm just trying to escape."

"Alright cool so how do we get your HP to drop."

Drooping his shoulders Eric inhaled deeply. "I haven't thought of that yet."

Smiling the old man stood up and walked over to his bed of straw. "No worries I can help you with that."

~Training~

Dropping to her knees, Mariah shoved herself up for about the fifteenth time. She refused to give up and even more she refused to accept that all her training in MMA had no measurements to the physical and mental effort she now expended. To make it worse her mentor absolutely shrugged off her prior training. Saying that all it did was teach her how to conform to other people ideas. The only good thing seemed to be the fact that at least she had discipline. Kneeling on one knee sweat poured from her face on to the soft grass that would be writhing in pain from her grasp if it were alive. "It could be worse. I could be having as hard of time as Ace." The Chisapho thought, picturing all that her associate had to endure. Shaking her head, she wondered if Crayne was legit trying to help him or break him. I mean he was still "Human" after all.

Dragging on all fours pulling a stone behind him Ace slumped down next to Mariah. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Of, course this is nothing for me just taking a quick break. Know what I'm saying letting catching my second wind."

Shaking his head Ace laughed. "You are stubborn I can see. Well, just don't force yourself take it in bit by bit."

"Yea I don't know what mean."

All I'm saying take one obstacle at a time, I've been doing each training one day at a time. I might not complete it but at least I know where I stand later. By time you get to the next obstacle you are already at your limit. A motorcycle wasn't built in one day it took steps. The rest was added over time."

Staring at her associate for awhile Mariah took in what he said. "You right but the competitive spirit in me won't let me do that so easily. I guess that's something I need to work on."

~Revert~

Laying on the cold stony floor Eric watched his HP slowly drop as blood slowly leaked out his body onto the cell floor. Eyann doosch! "The guards are on the way" Frojin whispered recognizing the familiar creak of the door.

Pushing her head in between the iron bars Samantha spun around. Walking over to her comrade she smacked her lips. "Sorry but we're running out of time." Snatching Eric up by his shirt she punched him in the face with all her might.

HP 2/45

"Okay Eric and Samantha, you are free too. What happened?" The guard shouted staring at a puddle of blood.

Dropping her friend Samantha held up her hands. "Nothing."

Stepping up to the cell the officer jaw dropped. "What did you…."

HP 1/45 Survival Mode Triggered

"Aaaaagh" Eric begun to scream in torment as the bones in his body cracked, snapped and shifted places.

"Immediate medical attention needed in cell…" Gawking at the prisoners expanding body the guard watched the Ogre grow until everything inside of the cell was pushed into the wall or bars including his cellmates. Booosch! Punching a hole to the next cell Frojin yelled, "You got to let us out. Immediately or we all going to die."

Still ogling at the prisoner, the guard snapped out of his trance snatching the keys off his belt. Fumbling through them he could not get to the right one in time. Dooosch! Eric grew so big that his body took up two cells. Crawling to his feet the Ogre stood up head smashing through one ceiling to next until he reached the fifth floor. "Raawgh!" Letting out a menacing roar Eric took his first real breath. "Hum" facing the east he catapulted out of the building leaving a gaping hole.

Shifting into her Ornithion form Samantha darted through the air dodging debris while Frojin bounced from one fallen fragment to the other until there was none left. Landing on the part of the fifth floor that was still intact the old man grinned and waved at the prisoners of the cell he entered. "Pardon the intrusion." He said before turning to face the bars. Lifting his right hand, a blue orb floated above his palm. Pooosch! Blowing away the bars he smiled. "The rest up to you." Showing their gratitude, the prisoners bolted off no questions asked.

Staring at the gaping hole left by Eric, the old man shook his head. "Whelp that's ruined." Taking a deep inhale of the fresh air Frojin smiled getting from the high of being free once again. "Source works in wondrous ways." Stretching his body and cracking his neck he transformed into his insectoid form.

Escaping the havoc and destruction Samantha gazed down at the aftermath of Eric's transformation. "I didn't take in account all of the people who would be effected by our actions." she thought trying to hold back her tears.

"Are you alright?" Frojin asked joining her in the sky.

Ya…ya…yeaah." Samantha stuttered checking out the green and blue exoskeleton that the old man now wore. "Just thinking about all the innocent bystanders that got caught up in our mess."

Slowly bobbing his head Frojin grabbed his new comrade by the hand. "Their deaths were swift and painless. Most importantly he ended the torment that each one of the prisoners faced every day."

"What do you…?"

"Don't move." multiple officers shouted weapons trained on them.

"I will tell you later first let me take care of them." Unleashing his G-Force Frojin disappeared out of sight in a blink of an eye.

Observing guard after guard being taking out Samantha knew it was ally even if she could not keep up with his movements. Snapping the neck of the final officer the old man casually walked away from the body. "Now what we were talking about? Oh, right the torment?"

"It's okay" Samantha remarked feeling that enough negative energy had been thrusted upon her. Hundreds of prisoners died during their escape, she was sure of that. What all they went through wood only add to the flame already burning in her chest. "What I really want to know is how did you turn into that I thought you said that the food kept your from shifting."

Chuckling Frojin wagged his finger. "You are very observant. And it does. Just so happen a three days ago I got this urge to fast after a morning meditation. Look at me now." Rotating in the air hands out Frojin put himself on display.

Taking in the Cicada wings and tiny antennas what really caught Samantha's attention were the bulging red fly-like eyes. Both the two that set up on his face like regular eyes and the three that formed a triangle around the center of his forehead where his third eye should be.

Dooosch! Plunging his arm through one of the towers made to torture the prisoners Eric yanked the only human in the entire facility out of the chains he was held in. Screaming in pain, blood squirted out of the man legs and arms from having his hands and feet being separated from his body. "No, Noooo!." He shouted as he was flicked in the air. Flailing his arms and legs the human fell into the mouth of the Ogre. Once done with his snack he faced northwest. Taking a whiff of the air a maniacal grin posted on his face. Breaking into a sprint with a leap he spanned hundreds of yards.

"So, what's next?" Frojin asked watching the Ogre fade away into the background.

Before the thought was fully processed a green arrow materialized in front of Samantha. "Just follow me.

~Way out~

Booosch! Rattling the earth upon his landing Eric sniffed the air his dinner was nearby. Rotating his head, he continued to sniff like a hound dog analyzing the environment in search of his quarry. Booosch! It seemed that his prey got to him first. Stumbling from the plasma grenade going off in his face turned to face the assaailants.

Standing side by side five humans draped up in cyber suits that resembled ninja armor stood side by side. "Go back to where you came from you, hideous beast." The warrior in the green armor shouted. Tilting his head to the side and roaring the Ogre charged club in hand. Scattering in different directions the ninja in pink rushed forward hopping on top of the club when it crashed into the Earth. Bouncing from spike-to-spike Sarah catapulted forward kicking Eric in the middle of the forehead.

Staggering from the blow Eric lunged his arm into the air with the intent to snatch his aggressor out of it, but she had different plans. Tossing a flash bang in the air Sarah allowed her friend in the purple Anawai wisp her way using her psychic abilities. Stepping behind the ogre the two males of the males of the group that wore green and blue cyber suits spread a chain behind it.

Booosch, tripping over the chains Eric fell crushing everything underneath him. Letting out a devastating roar the ogre searched for his attackers using the vibrations in the Earth. Locating his targets stone columns sprung up hitting his opponents like pinballs. Rolling over to his stomach Eric pushed himself to his feet and snatched the warrior in red out of the air.

Zipping through the air and punching the Ogre with a glowing purple fist Anawai shot her eyes over at her comrade Michael who was smoldering in flames. Releasing his grip around his prey Eric waved his hand furiously. Glaring down at the red warrior he stomped. Fleeting out of the way using his superspeed Michael relocated himself next to his associate in green Ecto.

Himf, Himf catching a whiff of something in the air drop of saliva rolled from his lips to the Earth. Ignoring the pests that he had to fight to obtain he set his sights on another meal. With two large strides he bounded into the air and out of their presence.

~Human Graveyard~

Crash landing in the soft fertile soil the smell of freshly dead corpses permeated his nose. Clapping his hands jollily he waddled over to a cemetery like a kid in play. Reaching the unmarked graves, he took a whiff of the above it as if it were a pot of food. Bobbing his head Eric raised his arm up then plunged it into the Earth pulling out his first meal. Tossing the corpse into his mouth he sniffed the next one. Booosch once located he thrusted his hand in tilled soil popping another body in his mouth before moving on to the next.

"Geon…Abby" Anawai cried staring at the head of a young girl with long black hair hanging out of the monster's mouth. Slurping the upper half of her sister in its mouth the Ogre tossed her deceased lover in his mouth next. Standing there in shock for a few seconds tears began to fall as she trembled with anger. Throwing her head back and looking towards the clouds she inhaled deeply. "Geon…Abby I will allow your soul to rest in peace. Glaring at the Ogre she raised both arms in the air ripping out two of the trees next to her.

"Aww man Anawai's pissed." Remarked Ecto.

"I would be to" Sarah admitted. Watching the floating the trees be strip down to they resembled stakes. "Far as I'm concerned it needs to die. It already munching on our dead relatives what's next our living ones."

"That is a great point." Said John.

Haaggh! Launching the first stake at her enemy it penetrated his shoulder. Levitating into the air Anawai ripped two more trees out of their homes then hurled all three at once.

Spinning around in a roar, mashed up dead bodies fell out the Ogres mouth as it rose to its feet. Cocking his arm back its club materialized in his hand. Urrrawwwf! It groaned smashing through the stakes. Peering down at its wounded shoulder it grabbed hold to the stake enlodged. Pulling it out he launched it at Anawai who dodged with ease.

"Come on." Ecto shouted dashing forward. "We have to help."

Looking at each other the squad nodded their heads then broke in two. "I'm going to kill you!" Anawai screamed hurling tree after tree at the Ogre. Breaking through one spear after the other Eric grew tired of this Charade. Placing a rock wall up he tended back to his buffet waiting on the ground. Flopping to the earth he grabbed the three awaiting corpses slinging them into his mouth.

"Ughhh. What's going on?" Becoming conscious Eric realized that he was engulfed in darkness. "Where am I?" Veezump a giant screen popped up in the void displaying a giant arm breaking through the Earth retrieving a dead body from its resting place. "Is that my arm?"

Humans Consumed 10/11

Standing on the Ogres blind side both Mike and Sarah combined their abilities of fire and wind to produce a giant raging ball of flames. Letting loose the blast upon their foe a second wall of earth sprung up blocking the attack but also exploding in the process. Sweeping his comrade off her feet Mike sped out of the way of the flaming projectiles making sure neither one of them got hurt.

"What happened to teamwork?" John grunted from the flaming debris pelting against his ice barrier.

Moving ahead Ecto phased through whatever rained down on him in the fire storm. Sliding to a halt a couple yards he stretched both arms out towards Ogre as if he were saying a prayer for it. Tiiitiiiiizzzzzzz Green sparks of electricity coiled around his hands before making green strand that stretched from one palm to the next. Becoming an electrical ball of energy, the blast grew to the size of a car.

Booom! Batting away the consistent hailing of trees the Ogre staggered from a blast to the back of the head. Snatching one of the spears out of the air with a rotation of his body Eric was able to knock down multiple projectiles while hurling the spear at Ecto even though he was still injured during the process.

Skating along a trail of ice John launched a giant diamond of ice at the tree before it could reach his comrade. Showing his gratitude Ecto raised his arms up and immediately commenced to fire multiple blasts of electricity at the Ogre. Joining in on the barrage of attacks Sarah and Michael combined their attacks one again to keep the monster busy long enough to allow John to finish turning the ground underneath Eric into ice.

Stomping his feet in rage like a wild ape Eric slipped and fell to the frozen ground. Letting out a thunderous roar spikes sprung out of the ground trying to impale the warriors brave enough to fight him.

"Aaagh!" John cried grabbing hold to the bloody nub of what use to be a leg. Glancing over at he injured companion Anawai became even more vexed. Tearing all the trees she could manage she hurled them at her opponent pinning him down with two of the stakes in both the arm and thigh.

Letting out menacing roar the Ogre ripped the stakes out then crawled on to its battered leg. Releasing another roar, it set its sights on the maimed blue warrior. Bending over to grab his meal booom he was run over by a giant cicada. Skipping along the ground like a rock on water after about twenty yards Eric slid to a halt.

Swooping out of the sky Samantha snatched John up in her talons then flew to safety. "Are you alright?"

Gazing up at his savior John nodded his head then asked. "Who are you?"

"I'm Samantha and sorry for all of this. My friend over there does not mean any harm he is just trying to revert to his normal self."

"Normal Form? What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about that Ogre that's not who or what he is. When he is near death, he turns to that to survive. The problem is he has not control."

Taking in what he was being told John gazed into the Ornithion eyes. Bobbing his head, he wasn't sure how, but he could tell that she was telling the truth. Sitting up and leaning against a tree the blue warrior searched her eyes one more time. "How do we get him to transform back to normal?"

"He has to eat human flesh."

Knocking his head against the tree John shook his head. "That's why he came to the cemetery."

Hovering above the ground Frojin watched the Ogre crawl to his feet. He didn't want to hurt his new friend, but it was his job to duke it out with Eric until Samantha could either whisk the humans to safety or find a way to revert him.

"Aaagh!" Eric screamed glaring at the insect. Charging forward he whirled his club around his head ready to smash Frojin like the bug he was. Darting forward himself the insectoid tilted at an angle to avoid his opponents club. Continue to rotate once pass the weapon he sliced the monster along the cheek with his wings as he sailed pass.

"Anawai" John called through his communicator. "If we are going to defeat that monster, we must feed it human flesh."

"What! And condemn our family and friends to a fate worse than hell I think not."

"Anawai we can't protect what is already dead. Our job is to protect those that are living. And we can't do that if we're dead."

"But...ahhhhh." Tugging at her head Anawai glared at the Ogre with disgust. "Fine then but this better work." Flying over the remaining four corpses on the ground she caused them to levitate. Clenching her fist her body quivered with rage but what could she do. If innocent people got hurt all because of her she would not be able to live with herself. Sighing the purple warrior lifted her head up and placed her eyes on the insectoid spiraling around the Ogre before zipping into the sky.

Reaching a thousand feet Frojin swooped back down headbutting the Ogre in the gut. Chunking the bodies into the mouth of her adversary as it jaws, slung open from the blow. Folding her arms Anawai hovered in the air waiting to see what would happen next.

Human Consumption Reached Survival Mode Deactivated. 100 EXP gained for every extra human consumed. 300 EXP gained TOTAL.

"Ugh!" Grabbing hold to his head Eric felt as if he had a hangover. Staring at the four warriors surrounding him he smiled when Samantha and Frojin landed next to him.

"Alright Ogre you are coming with us."

"Sorry but we can't allow you to take him." Said Frojin converting from his insect form to his human state. "Now we can explain to you our reasons are we can battle it out." Stepping forward the old man grinned. "And trust me you have no chance in hell of defeating me."

"Well then a battle it its." Anawai shouted.

"I don't know what happened between you and Eric, but I do know whatever the problem is. It is not worth turning him into a giant again."

"I think you should hear them out. The Ornithion was telling me a little bit of their situation while those two were battling it out."

"I'm willing to listen." Said sarah with folded arms. "But if I'm not satisfied with the answer then I will be taking him with me."

"What are you serious?" Anawai shouted throwing her arms around. "Ecto, Mike, I know you don't agree with them."

Shrugging his shoulder Mike replied. "It doesn't matter to me anyway."

"Ecto?" Looking into the eyes of the green warrior was all she needed to know his answer. Huffing in frustration she flew off yelling. "If you get eating don't blame me."