Issue 23: Ancient Memories
Well, this is it Trouble. This is the moment we gotta put more of our cards on the table. Meet me at Io, we got some work to do before Eliza and her brother arrive.—Gulliver
Our magic is much more potent now. Is that because of the Ouro ringing outwards? Touching each star? My teacher believes this to be so. Sir Avalon is rarely wrong. Earth will need all the help she can muster. That World Eater and other things will be coming for us now.—Dr. Zanzibar.
Something moves within the Duat of the Golden City. Professor Wyrd and I will investigate. –Mehet, Seer of the Scales. In the service of Ma’at.
Yes, activating the Eden Ouro provided us some protection. What Io did was buy us more time. While some of Unity’s servants knew what planet we were operating on, as long as we kept things quieter, it was harder for the World Eater to pinpoint us. In fact, according to Rune, their version or piece of Unity, caused it to focus on their universe because their Demiurge was using creation-level tech. Imbued with the power of the Weave. They mistook it for Scholar knowledge but it was originally from my universe. Rune’s eyes got big as saucers at that. Based on what he was saying, I better arm him with some extra firepower before he travels homeward. What they call a Greater Shade is a corrupted Weave Speaker mixed with some demi shadow abilities.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century.
Thoth climbed.
His arms were on fire. The brand had spread from his arm and shoulder to his back.
Set had not enlightened him. At this point, he would have happily gutted someone for water. Even Medusa. The rocks were outlined with a green haze. His jaw ached. The grit and stone mocking him. His lips cracked. The blood was caked with sand. “I will kill you Ayeer bitch.” Remembering that white armored demon. Those cursed eyes. He would kill all of them. That clan, no matter the universe, deserved death. His head broke the surface. The sky was dark. The stars. His eyes narrowed.
The stars were missing.
The sand picked up as a cold wind pricked his exposed skin.
He walked. Each step was outlined with that strange green light.
Find the codex. I need it boy.
*****
The voice of her god guided the young seer. Professor Wyrd walked beside her. His white hood pulled over his eyes. This place had no stars. How odd. He leaned in, “Where does Ma’at lead us?” She turned her milky white eyes to his face. Her staff thudding with each step. “She leads us to Rune. Within a gold ringed city. To the future.” Wyrd smiled.
“Ahh good! It has been a very long time since the Shattering. I thought we’d ever find him. The pathways of magic are nearly depleted from our realm. “
*****
Rune bowed. Bastet lowered the wards. Giving him just enough time to cross over to the main gate. The mighty Sphinx growled low in her throat. Giving him the impression she was merely tolerating his passage through the great city. He quickened his pace. Bastet said, “Do not worry. Friends will be here soon. I am just glad Lady J’ino was able to grant you a safe passage. This place is already on high alert.”
“Who’s coming? “
“Ones that were invited by…” Her voice trailed off. Her form changed. To that of a mighty cat. Her eyes glowing red. “The sands bring danger! The one marked by Set!”
He sprinted to one of the watchtowers. Taking the wall in one giant leap. Off in the distance, a sandstorm approached. A green murky sigil in the form of a snake at its head. He donned his glasses. Not good. This thing had the taint of the massive Anubis they had fought within the Museum. His Star had nearly lost control. He prayed backup would get here soon.
*****
Thoth reached out.
Giant sandworms burst forth from the ground. A good distraction. He burrowed beneath the sands. His skin hardening. Tiny scales crisscrossing his skin. He felt his face. It was no matter. It wasn’t like he needed it to seduce anyone ever again. His spine contorted. He flowed through the earth. Set’s commands pulling him onward.
He didn’t care what this codex was.
But if it allowed him to kill the Ayeers of this universe, it was a small price to pay.
*****
Thomas entered the Orb Chamber at the same time his father and son did. His face was etched with disquiet. “I must go to the Golden City. It screams in terror.” Blue Blaze said, “We will come with you. Dexter is handling the creepy lady.” Judgment opened the portal. A shimmering white rope wrapped itself around Bulleteer and Blaze. Keeping them anchored to Thomas.
The Orb of Ta’mathon sealed the chamber as they departed through the portal.
As the golden towers rose above him the Sun rose. Thomas shouted, “Hear my command city of Ancients. Let the will of Ra flow through this place. The Shields of Ta’mathon rise!”
Rune dashed over to Thomas. “Tell us what to do! I can vouch for Wyrd and Mehet!”
The magical lexicon etched along his skin flaired.
Thomas pointed, “Help handle those worms. I will check the inner courtyards.”
Professor Wyrd shouted an incantation. The shields ignited with flames, glassing the first worm that hurled itself along the walls. Mehet gripped Judgement’s purple cape. “He seeks the codex. It is not important. Not to Thoth. But to Set. That one wishes to find the Well of Creation. That codex has clues to the Scholar homeworld.”
Judgment kept a grip on the seer.
The time for questions would come later.
They ran. Sphinx joined them. Her headdress rattling with each thunderous step.
*****
Thoth sprinted.
Lungs burning.
Knowing that the master of this place would find him soon. The book he sought was here within this library. Among the oldest of records. From before even the existence of Earth. Set's ghostly commands grew. The leather was fragile. He opened it. No time to take the book itself. The wards held fast. So he memorized the passage. His eyes glimmering red within the dim light of the room.
Coordinates and a phrase.
Walk the path of the ancients.
He hurled himself over the towering windows. The bolt of energy from Judgment missing him by a hair as he landed roughly on the other side. Set’s venom dripping from his lips. A kiss to seal everything. He would introduce it to Bel eventually.
*****
Thomas dived through the window as well. His son and father blazing past him. But Thoth was nowhere to be found. The remains of black soot marking where he stood. The young Egyptian woman placed her hands on the sandstone. “Set disabled the security for a moment. Using very old magic. Of the Creation Cycle. My goddess says this was pre-ordained.”
A platform rose. A crown of Twin Serpent’s rested upon a simple cloth.
Thomas verified that the wards around the object hadn’t been breached.
It returned to its resting place. The floor panels clicking back into place.
Its location outside the library was on purpose. Close to the magic but not within the extremely sensitive areas. Ta’mathon wouldn’t speak of it but the burst of relief coming off of him via Judgment’s gauntlets told Thomas that they had dodged an even greater threat.
*****
Thoth stepped through the maze of dark mirrors.
The smell of blood drawing him through a particular one. He yelled in astonishment as a white trident pierced his left eye. Its mark burning all vision from it. He reared back. Dragging a heavy form with him into the murky glow of the dark mirrors. Bel shoved him away. Kicking him in the process. Mordred’s cruel smile upon her lips.
“Oh, I see. Set is gathering more puppets.”
Thoth lunged but found himself staring at the point of the cursed blade.
Its Markav script mocking him. Soul Stealer. Fountain of Blood.
Thoth snarled, “As expected from a mongrel begging for Keeper scraps.”
Bel removed her Madam Mayhem mask. Thoth shuddered. Instead of the usual blue, two dead brown eyes stared out at him, her hair had a streak of black in it. Her voice grew deeper, “Oh but we are all damned here.” It had Bel’s memories but the son of the Morrigan stared out at him. It had finally eaten what remained of Cathrine Bel. There was no Mayhem. Just him. An idiot with a murder momma complex. Thoth decided an alliance of convenience would be best until they escaped this hellhole called Earth. He would take his revenge upon the surface of Typha itself.
What a wondrous return it would be.
How was this version of his home fairing?
*****
Dawnbreaker carefully stored the blood upon the tip of his weapon. They would need this to develop ways to track Thoth. He was no Weave Speaker but Black knew. His belt had detected the change within the Weave as Thoth used the dark paths. Mirrors that are only known to Set. He asked, <<Black, how does it go then? Does Set control Chronos?>>
Black replied, <<No, Set collects useful puppets. Eventually burning them out with his influence. But in the end, he gains their abilities. He is an anathema to you and Eliza. A “Defender” of Unity. With aims to devour his master.>>
So the Gray Devourer didn’t consider the Keepers useful.
Troubling indeed.
Even morso considering the Hilary situation.
They had been so concerned about who her father was that the bloodline of the mother never registered. That would have to be remedied.
Dawnbreaker said, <<He was the one who nearly killed White that day. Not Unity.>>
Black shuddered. Its black and golden cloth constricting around Dexter's waist.
Dexter saw flashes and consoled his friend. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to drag up…”
Black responded with, “No. We have hidden things long enough. When Eliza returns we will tell you both.”
*****
I entered the Jupiter’s docking bay.
Doc practically bowling me over in the process. I held her close for a moment. Just savoring it. She usually didn’t get like this unless there was trouble. Her head snapped up as she eyed me critically. I kept forgetting she was the one who inherited those Typherian bond marks. She hooked her hands around my neck, “And don’t you forget it! But yes. You aren’t wrong. I’ll tell you on the way back to Earth.”
White added, “Yes. We have much to discuss. Earth must be warned.”
Comet buzzed around my head, “I know were some things are hidden. Along the Path!”
I reached out and cradled him with my free hand.
“Living up to your name already my friend!”
Union Hall
Orb Room of Ta’mathon
March 5th, 2104
Mom greeted all of us. Besides Rune, the two beside him gave off a weird vibration. White said, <<Ahh! I see you can tell they are from the same place as Rune. Very good!>> I coughed into my hand. Just what other talents would be at my disposal? White mental glow was ecstatic. Her humor flashing for a moment, <<You always had some of these abilities. I just forced them to remain dormant until your body acclimated to me.>>
We had to ready ourselves. Soon everything and the kitchen sink would fall upon Earth.
My father placed a leather bound book in front of me.
White translated the words.
“In the beginning there was the Void….”
*****
Trouble sat.
His black wings expanding.
The hidden doorway to Io’s White Repository still sealed. Very soon many defenders would be present. The way forward opened. Once that happened true rebirth would begin. He knew that this place would give them time. Gulliver waddled up next to him. His orange aura protecting him from this planet’s harsh climate. They missed their Eliza but this couldn’t be helped. They would see this mission to its end.
Her life depended on it.
As the personal bodyguards of the Twins, it was on them to ensure that the future unfolded properly. Even those who had yet to exist relied upon it. They noticed a temporal shimmer. The same man that gave Eliza the letter within Avalon peered out for a moment. Nodded to himself and sealed the breach. Even that one risked everything to ensure success.
They would not fail.
Above them the spark of blue splashed against the atmosphere.
The Jupiter Rising had arrived.
Di’axi phased in, “I will summon the Titans.”
The primordial forces that protected Earth in the name of the Weave.
Each resting within a leyline.
Which was why they had warded them against Thoth's tampering.
More first ones for the cause ahead.
The Scholar gazed out into the Infinite.
“You will not win Chronos. I will protect the Keys and the Twins. Even beyond the Veil.”
*****
Thoth awoke with Mordred’s lips pressed against his neck.
“I have marked you. Just in case. I have the antidote. Behave yourself. Urraden!”
Set’s coils burned across his spine. Thoth would remember this.
He stuck. His fangs digging into Mordred. Joining them in mutual destruction.
He laughed as the would be assassin pulled back. Its face twisted with loathing and a glimmer of respect. As long as he got to watch Earth and Typha burn it would all be worth it.
Issue 22: Here
Issue 24: Here
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