The Uplift Protocol Union: Issue 20

 

Issue 20: The Word Abides Nothing

 

            Evil cannot bear any form of Truth. It twists it into a broken delusion.—The Word

            I used to joke about what I would do in a world without the Star-Spangled Banner. The reality is bleaker than I could have ever imagined.  What I wouldn’t give to be able to see that goofy grin once more. We have failed. What kind of legacy shall we leave? A pillar of light has left our world.—Anna McQuire

            I didn’t know it until later. All those on the Lone Ranger saw the reality of Nyx’s gift. Eddie took it the hardest. Unity used their despair to tear at me within that nightmare landscape. It wanted me to lose faith in them and myself.—Sleeping in Starlight: Aftermath

 

Hanging Gardens

Inner Shell (Eden Typha)

April 10^th, 2136 (Present Temporal Axis)

 

            Everywhere I stepped, new life flourished. That was why the Healing House had been protected. It was a terraformer and divine engine all wrapped up into one potent lifestream. At the lip of the waterfall, the final Artock waited. Its mishappen head bowed. Its eyestalks were wide. Terror radiated from each limb. I could see it. The pale green crystal in its chest. It groveled as I got closer.

 I knelt. Cupped its chin. Brought its eyes to mine.

            “How many are Gemini? Not clones.”

            It flinched. “The Shrouded Mistress keeps us. Hidden places. Dark crags that eat at our flesh. We number in the millions. She keeps us close. Against her rotted heart.”  The final trial. The final Death. Needed to save them all. The Artock clasped my hand, “It knows where you keep them. The other husks.”

            I reached into his chest. His eyes rolled back. The last glimmer of Aethuron. First Guard of Gemini Prime greeted me. “Will you serve?” The hulking shape of Aethuron rose from the shredded skin of the Artock. His soul wasn’t cleansed.

He nodded. “What I remember is yours to command Arbiter of Shield World Elysium.” His skin was covered in ash. Remembered pain etched within each scar. His third eye had been plucked out. I would have to help the Twilight Throne claim her mantle. Then I would succumb to the 2^nd Death. Thoth thought it was the Throne of Bone. It would be if I let him win.

The final? I would face the cliffs. The Ur-Memory had no path for that event.

I would face it. My HUD shimmered.

It would give me pointers.

Now the meeting at the Tower of the Lidless held a new level of meaning.

//Linking to Second Tier Self: July 24^th, 4201 //V|V\\ time print noted //

Lorain hovered over us. “You know how you asked what the Ur-Memory Flow felt like?”

Robin and Eddie leaned in. I pulled myself up onto the tree. This was not the Cliffs of Nothing. Where Unity kept the stolen souls. I blurted out, “Imagine getting so drunk you don’t know which way is up. Then you have a clock in the corner saying: Currently NOW! Would you like to know more?!”

Eddie handed me his flask. “Sir Avalon put the special juice in it!” I took a swig. Warmth flooded my bones. “Nice.” Doc eyed me and then made her way down into the valley below. While the cadre of the 42^nd century advanced on the remaining forces of Living Stone. “Eddie, it's going to be worse than the first event.” He paled. Then he gripped my shoulder tightly.

 “I’m gonna need you guys to hold fast. This one will nearly break Lorain.”

Robin held my gaze. His blue eyes hardened, “We won’t fail you. Bardax and my corgis showed me that much.”

I said, “Unity knows what I am this time. There will be no Dexter or Nyx’s polluted systems or alchemy to mask it.”

Last time Unity had fed on the sorrow overflowing from Eden. It had cut deeper than most because it was my home universe. All of those fallen Amarche demons had adored lashing out against my soul with the ripples. Even if I hadn’t realized it at the time. Dexter had inhibited the flow. My past self asked, Can we ask our endpoint counterpart questions?

Yes. I can but not about that final Climb.

Phase 1 mulled this over. Her mind sharpened. Our mind. It was strange. Even though I was half used to it by now. More information control, she concluded. I nodded for us.

//Now that Unity knows what we can do? It will seek to undermine all that you love. The first wave hit us across the bow. The general population and a majority of our friends. The 2^nd will entwine with Doc. They didn’t catch on to her at first. The false Dreaming would have been too apparent. But she will see our 2^nd death directly. //

            Eddie said, “When you get back to the proper time point? Take things on Earth one step at a time. Unity’s World Eater managed to get its wingtips past the spear shield. It delighted in giving nightmares to everyone.”

            I said, “She knows. I’ll be able to see past your pain. The guilt. No one was ready for the assault on the Weave or the Dreaming with that first hit.”

            That explained the mishmash across the 42^nd century. The Highest had this all plotted out. Have the people within this century corral Thoth and his forces. Guiding them to the “Bone” Throne. Then Twilight would ring out from the center. Not only would it link Eden to Elysium but then the final curtain would fall. I was connected to everything. Past, Present, and Future. My Third eye was used as the conduit for the Highest.

            The Icath Ruling Pair? They were a Lure. Able to go forward and back.

            Unity would realize this with my 2^nd Death. But the Path remained.

            My past self marveled at it all. No wonder the Highest bestowed that upgrade. With the clocks. I smiled. “Otherwise we’d be lost adrift in the seas of time. Without a compass to guide us.” Her thoughts merged with my own.

            Then what about all those visions I had shown mother and father? In that museum. The mosaic of Ta’mathon’s battles against Thoth. The desert. I recalled this. I gave her the images that were needed. “Time will flow differently for you and Lorain. That cannot be avoided. It was needed to condense certain images. To set them on the path needed.”

            She replied, How old is Silver Fox?

            I replied, “Eons. Countless Eons.”

            Phase one heard the underlying number.

*****

            Arms wrapped about my waist. My HUD indicated the present time.  

            Even with Prolong? We would….

I shoved the rebellious thought away.

//O\\ Eden Typha: Phase 1 Complete. April 10^th, 2136

I said, “We will get to see part of the 42^nd century. Just not in the way Unity intended.” Lorain nodded against my back. I opened a channel to the Jupiter, <<So what's the plan for my homecoming part two?>>

            Dad replied, <<Let’s get Typha up and running first. Earth can wait but more family is inbound.>>

Nola said, “Welcome back.”

Eddie and their grown children were behind her.

I didn’t feel that twinge of doubt. This was indeed the real world. I said, “I remember your faces. The Path is set. I will walk it.” Even if it terrified me. No one should live as an eternal. That was a mystery best left to the Highest. The countless hosts of Arbiter’s cheered within my third eye. Their souls would cross over after the Twilight was enthroned. I reached out to clasp Eddie’s hand, “Forgive me. I was not completely myself upon awakening.” I vowed to memorize their faces. To never forget. I would keep journals. Write them in the language of the Thronebears if needed.

The Puzzler smiled, “Just wait until you see your enhanced HeroNet profile. It’s a doozy!” I brought up the Golden Bulleteer’s profile. They had repelled massive influxes of Living Stone that had poured out from the wingtips of Z’ahramdus. I clicked on the link for my memorial but my HUD locked me out of it.

Eddie said, “Trust me. There will be time for that. You don’t have your old Empath pathways anymore. From what Hidan says? That ability has expanded. Well beyond what you were used to.”

I opened the Omega channel.

//You guys are blunting….//

//Hidan: Yes. Severely. The wounds will not just fade. Eden was ready for a physical battle. A battle for souls. What we got was a deluge of horror beyond all dreams. It turned our fear against us. Even with the barriers provided by the Arcane Order.//

I couldn’t access my whole HeroNet page. I could post to it.

I was tempted to access the Ur Flow but decided that it would be more important to speak from the heart.

//Never forgotten. I am of two worlds. I am returning home. //

An additional inquiry popped up.

<<Would you like to add your Weave imprint?>>

Doc gripped my left hand, “Do it.”

“What’s this?”

Nola replied, “The truth of things. The Arcane Order has augmented the various Nets.”

Eddie said, “You know the part of you that accesses that third eye within the Weave? Use that.”

 I pulled at the threads. It curled around my words along the Net. More than just information across the reaches of space. Responses poured in. Many were overjoyed. None more so than a certain Holo Host.

Anna’s response floored me.

//I swear to the Highest if this is some hoax I will personally rip people’s lungs out. Golden Child, I will personally come over there….//

Anna shouted, “..and kick you in your feathered third-eyed butt!”

I said, “What feathers?” She put her hands on her hips. Only one foot away from me. Gwen interjected, “She can’t see….them.” My little sister peered up at me. “Oh goodness. It's not for her. It's for us. For Earth. Everyone.”

Cooper circled. <<They are so pretty.>>

Anna closed in. Poked me in the chest.

“Don’t.”

Poke.

“Do!”

Harder poke. The index finger of doom.

“That AGAIN!” She was crying. She drummed her fists against my chest. Her hair was cut shorter. For zero grav. Her blue-gray eyes were thunderous. Classic business dress. A rich vibrant green. Jacob appeared along the lip of the Cliffside. I hadn’t noticed the Jupiter landing. My extended family from both planets converged. I didn’t have enough arms.

Lorain said through her clogged throat, “God, we missed you.”

Grandpa V’alkor picked me up. “Welcome back!”

Silver Fox murmured,  Time is vast. Have faith. The Vigil is yours. But you shall never walk alone.

I wanted to know more.

My eldest phase held up her hands within my mindscape. Dressed in the same burial clothing. We cannot give it more clues than already allowed. Faith shall carry us. Family endures. Love is the eternal flame. Urraden forgot that. It supplanted the will of the Truth for the false Dreaming of Abyzou.

The Ur flowed.

//Access to Urraden Ancestral memory is restricted.//

Silver Fox said, “That path will be saved for the Cliffs. The Trial of the Soul.”

*****

            The citizens of Earth cried out. The Star-Spangled Banner had returned. By some act of the divine. Micheal Brookes shared a drink with Argus Paxton. The 20 Year preparations were coming to an end. Brookes said, “All the Light Shamans and Sages were awaiting this day. I wish our faith had been stronger.”

            Argus shared a glance with Aether and Marshall. The J’kua walked openly on the face of planet Earth. Ever since the Breach War. Father Brookes asked his father, “How many more divinity drives will Project Freefall need?”

            Micheal leaned back in his chair. “With Chronos sniffing around? 2000 minimum.”

            The Father rose. Adjusted his collar. “I’ll get the Bardaxians in on this one as well.”

            Proctor Gansys raised a toast, “To the Health and Long Path of our Arbiter!”

            They watched as the news rippled outward. All across Arcane Order space and beyond.

Tarkanan

Inner Spheres

April 11^th, 2136

 

            Hillary Brookes smiled.

Watched as HeroNet filled in new information. “I know what she loves most.” She picked up a lock of Lorain’ Lanis’ hair. Thoth leaned in, “Let’s make sure the next death destroys the Highest’s pet Thronebearer!” He didn’t dare mention Unity’s folly. Or Nyx’s “gift” that made the distraction possible. Unity hated to be reminded that it was inadequate. It wanted them as the next Thronebearer mockups.

Thoth snorted. “You know it wants us to become a pair. Through a broken mirror.”

Hilary giggled. The sound warped within the cavernous space.

She plucked at Thoth’s fancy Urraden colored shirt. That mix of crimson and orange.

“Remind me to pick out a lovely marriage bed!”

Thoth leaned in close, “I'll let you have your way with that Doctor. I just need to plant a knife within Murphy’s heart. I have to think of my family after all!” Hilary curled one gray fist in Thoth’s gleaming black hair.

“Promise?” He grinned. His eyes alighted with unholy power.

“Indeed.”

*****

Deep below Hephaestus toiled. His 4 arms were covered in soot.

“Create the new world. Create….the new world. Create……”

Hunin and Vixrex, the left and right Claw of Unity howled.

“We are reforged!”

Unity whispered, “Watch over Thoth and Hilary. Through them, I shall be reborn.”

Hephaestus continued to hammer away.

His soul shard trapped within the False Dreaming. “I hear my creator and obey. Weapons to defend Elysium. In your name, I pray….”

His muscles bunched as he struck hot metal. The irises were covered with orange webbing.

“For the Golden Host on High.”

*****

Hilary swiped a finger across the screen. “Useful isn’t he?”

Thoth replied, “Yes. I wonder why the All-Father didn’t kill that one on the way out.”

Hammer stuck obsidian. Brookes frowned, “Why endeavor to keep those weapons?”

Thoth grinned slyly, “Because it gives Unity a false sense of security.” He leaned in. Ran a thumb across her jaw, “In the end? It will be us against the remains of the Highest’s corpse.”

Within the depths of Hilary’s soul?

Mammon hissed. How little these fools knew. He relayed every thought to the whole.

Abyzou coiled her arms about her fellows.

“They will obey. Or die. When the time is right.”

She called forth the Twin Owls of Fury and Famine. Their names were known by many. Across all ages. Each holy book proclaimed them Demon. They appeared next to their Dark Mother. “I have a special mission for you.” They took flight. The red hell of Unity’s home universe manifested as they transversed the Dark Weave. The lone crimson star called to them. They gorged themselves on every remaining soul shard left within. Each new sliver added to their power. They paused.

That scent. Excalibur. As it was known in the common tongue. Eliza Murphy.

The Hidden Thronebearer. Who had they found within this dormant tower?!

Who….they circled. Each passing gave the twin Owls additional sensations. They whispered to the damned souls etched within every stone. “Yes. Two had been here. A mirror upon the mirror.”

The High White Owls of Unity screeched, “Enthroned! Twins ENTHRONED! Soul Shard Pairs!”

Unity’s pale orbs stretched outward.

The Highest must not be allowed it's third. It snarled, “Ta’karr Urraden.”

Children of Chains ventured forth.

Seeking the blood of the Fallen Typherian House. 

Issue 19: Here

Issue 21: Here

The Uplift Protocol Union: Issue 19

 

Issue 19: Entwined to the Bone

 

            Lucifer betrayed us. Let him be blinded for his actions.—Unity

            In the last 20 years: Many things changed. Ships, Allies, the Arcane Order out in the open. Mostly. Every night I went to sleep? I dreamed. My waking hours were filled with work.—Lorain Lanis.

            It was many years later before I watched my funeral. That would be the first hurdle. Two more awaited me. I got curious. Not so much for the reaction towards my “death” but towards those who did not react whatsoever. That was how the Arcane Order found entities left behind by Nyx and others. Everything had a purpose. My funeral more so than most.—Sleeping in Starlight: Convergence vol 9

Within the Orbit of the Twin Suns

The Weave

April 8^th, 2136 (Present Temporal Axis)

 

            The twin suns within the Weave were marked with Black Scrawl. Dexter hefted his trident. “I'll take the red first.” That left me to protect those outside this realm of the Weave. I blinked rapidly. New symbols overlayed via my HUD.

            //Ur-Memory Flow engaged.//

            I didn’t fight it. My voice rang out in my head.

            Arbiters all.

            C’alain’s muscle memory flowed through me. Ta’mathon’s knowledge of sigils. Light Shaman rites. Noah’s wisdom. All I had to do was learn. Let their experience roll through me.

Lucifer chortled. “You rely on the ghosts? How quaint.” His full attention turned towards Dexter.

            “You. The true threat.”

            A soft white glow flowed outward. I formed a web around both suns. I was the shield. My brother was always meant to be the sword. Working together to repair all that was shattered.

            Dexter shouted, “//#:#\\!”

            Rows of tridents flowed outward. Pierced the inner corona of the red sun.

            The life of the star dwindled to a thin spark.

            Dexter repeated this process with the yellow sun.

            Our job was not yet done.

*****

            Within the depths of Chronos’ lair, Nyx listened. There is was. The bellow of pain. Lucifer shouted, “You think this will stop me?! I still have my Third Eye!” She relayed this information to Chronos.

Unity still lived. It had merely lost a toy or three.

Chronos’ pitiless orbs sucked Nyx in with their dark beauty, “Tell the All-Father to accelerate the plan.”

She bowed. “As you will it.”

Chronos turned back to the captured segment of Noah’s Ark. The searing pain rippled across his right hand. The wards still held.

“No matter. I will proceed. Its secrets will remain for now.”

*****

            I curled my hand around the remains of the red sun’s core. To my surprise, the dense material melted through my hands. Its structure was revealed to me. //Arbiter. Reignite the Suns.//

It was similar to Sol. The temporal memory across the ages guided me. This was why I had to be ignorant during my initial death. My next meetings with Unity and its direct puppets would hold higher levels of danger. It wouldn’t just be my soul on the line. I would have to free others trapped within the living hell.

            Voices echoed, “The climb.”

            The first souls. Noah had evacuated who he could. Within the Ark.

            Not all were as lucky.

            I spoke the word, “//A:A\\!”

            Within the Weave the suns reignited. Their illumination reached beyond the bounds of their solar system. It echoed across the multiverse. Other Typha's would know what had been done here. Even those within the grip of Unity. It was a clarion call. The fires were lit. As the world faded around us I became aware of the sounds of battle.

            The realm of the physical.

Cooper shouted, <<The Suns are free! To the planet!>>

Waves of Defenders of every color descended. I joined them. Dexter remained within the void of space. >> I'll mop up the stragglers. Free the core. Let C’alain’s wall sing once more.<<

I listened to the heartbeats. I couldn’t see them. Not yet.

The glint of white, red, and silver sent a thrill through me.

My Jupiter Rising had joined the battle.

I bit the inside of my cheek. Not yet.

The white swirling clouds of Typha gave way to a sterile landscape. Time to clean out the outer shell. The inner islands and cities could wait.

*****

            Gwen shouted from the sensor hub, “Where is she going?!” Lorain knew. Once Eliza saw all of them together? It would start a deluge. Typha was not yet free. J’ino said, “Send out probes to the Suns. Then get additional ships to sanctify rites. We are going to scrub the surface of that planet clean.”

            Sul’sandra’s command flowed through the ArcaneNet. <<Understood. Light Shaman transports. Prepare for Atmo Incursion!>>

*****

            C’alain’s Wall.

            Ta’mathon’s ghostly form pointed.

            Between me and the source section? Three White Owls. Their bodies shifted. Black horns sprouted from their heads.  Feathers imploded. Revealed scaled pitted skin underneath. I rolled my shoulders. These weren’t the same ones that hounded Gwen. There were different castes to these fowl creatures as well. Unity didn’t have an original thought in its head. Two flitted around me. Their movements were quick. Not as fast as Bulleteer. I reached out. A black whip of a tongue wrapped around my left arm. It pulled. Smoke rose.

            Black Scrawl poured from the mouth of the third, “Dark Mother commands!”

I jerked the demon toward me using its tongue. Head butted it. Crimson lines flowered across its forehead. An array of energy bolts struck the third. Sent it spiraling backward. Its horns dug into the earth. The outline of the red suit glinted with black and gold. Those pants were a one-for-one replica of Captain Cosmos. A spark of energy flowed over the domed clear helmet. The Puzzler shouted, “Here birdy birdy!”

He tossed a grenade the size of his thumb at the creature. The words for “Purge” and “Ignite” combined. Its body dissipated. I cocked my free fist back. My blow sent the 2^nd White Owl careening into the remaining embers of the sanctified ground. I turned my head back to the unwanted eel that clung to my arm.

It jerked back but found itself unable to dislocate its tongue.

*****

            Eddie grinned as the Jupiter did a strafing run.

            He couldn’t wait until Murphy set foot on her ship. The upgrades alone would make her happy.

The bombs wouldn’t hurt normal people. Or demis like himself or Star. It was all made to cause palpitations for the Birds. Anna had perfected her rites in the intervening years. Gwen had a special interest in providing that extra layer of cleansing. It cut off the second bird’s escape. It howled, “Unity will devour….”

Its head exploded from its shoulders when Eliza shouted, “//*:*\\!”

He watched as the final demon met its demise when a ring of silver fire engulfed its body. Eliza sucked in a breath and bent to one knee. Olsten watched as a flicker of sunlight hit her back. He wasn’t dreaming. Those were wings. Hidden within the layer of the Weave. He reached out one black-gloved hand. “In this episode, Captain Cosmos defeats the Dimond Dwellers of Catheran Six!”

Eliza peered up at him. Her face was controlled.

Like she didn’t believe her senses.

He took off his helm. “It's me. Feel free to poke.”

Her eyes narrowed. The Bardaxians had been right. Their faith had been steadfast. Those 20 years hadn’t been easy on anyone. He just didn’t want the others to face this scenario. The doubt. “Of all of us? Cooper, the Bardaxians, and the dogs of Earth? They knew what was needed. They were stronger.”

*****

            I rose slowly. I didn’t want to dwell upon that time. Was it truly Eddie? Cooper dived down. <<Real! I swear it.>> Another thread around my heart loosened. Valkyrie bounded over. Sparta close behind. Scores of Bardaxians joined them.

Little Jumper scampered to the front. <<Humans reacted poorly.>>

Eddie winced. He nodded, “We did.”

He met my gaze.

“Thank god your parents held fast. Q’vera. The Arbiter brigade.”

            I remembered my mother singing to me.

            Doc’s words. Find the name. Come back.

            My father reading next to my bedside. No. Next to the Crystal that bore me away from the belly of the dragon. An unfamiliar ship’s cargo hold. Auggie’s tail thudded against the surface. <<Heart’s friend will return. We will dig together!>>      

I walked over to the Wall. C’alain appeared before me. “Repeat these words.”

            “By blood and bone. Arise. Beyond the Ouro of Creation. Awaken. Ignite the true face of Typha!”

            The outer shell expanded. At hits heart? The Healing House. Its crystalline waters overflowed. Coated the planet in a brilliant purple aura. Whatever remained of the Living Stone was washed away in the deluge. I reached out pulled Eddie into a half hug. As the waters rushed underneath our feet. Defenders from all over circled us. Those who couldn’t fly were buoyed by their powers.

*****

            M’taris stared. Water flowed from the planet. It was still hollowed out. But above the outer shell? Argax City rose. Islands formed. Floating cities. Whole continents until there were three layers about the planet. The Healing House shifted. Buildings appeared around it. Trees. Birds. The Jupiter noted, <<Three clear Ouroboros outlines detected. They currently encircle the twin suns.>>

            One vibrated. Its scales darkened until the space around it darkened out the stars.

Obsidian.

*****

            I ascended the steps towards the Healing House. Where I had been so named. The doorway opened. Water cascaded from two statuses. Their hands were cupped. One black as night. The other was as white as the dawn. Sitting on the dias was a silver sailing ship. It changed shape as I approached. Expanded. It filled the great hall. I could feel the salt spray on my face. As I touched the hull, words appeared.

            //Gather the Amache. Send them through the waves. You know the way.//

*****

            Eddie said, “She’s inside.”

            Lorain steadied herself. Cooper’s bright brown eyes gave her hope. She asked, “Should you both go in first?” J’ino pushed on the door. Thomas held it open for Lorain. Motioned her inside, “We will have time. All the time in the world.”

            J’ino added, “We can wait. Just go.”

            The door closed with a soft click.

*****

            The ship shrank. I placed it in my backpack. It wasn’t a backpack. It’s what my mind conjured up. At least that’s what I told myself. I turned. Stared. After all this time. Neither of us moved. If we did it might….

            I shook my head. “They had my memories. Yet they didn’t understand you at all. Mother. Father. They didn’t bother to mimic Q’vera either.”

            I took one step forward. Then another.

            That heartbeat was the same. All my senses were screaming. I whispered, “Is this real? I know Cooper is real. Gulliver. Trouble. I accepted them without question. There was Eddie. Yet I hesitated.” One inch separated us.

She met my eyes. Her hands reached up to trace the markings on my face.

“Why did I doubt my best friend?” I fell to my knees. Pressed my ear to Doc’s chest. Letting the beat of her heart soothe me. I repeated the words over and over. A litany. Safe. I was safe. The water rushed through the alcoves.  

It was only us.

*****

            Lorain didn’t say a word. She just cradled Eliza’s head to her chest.

Three sets of footfalls joined them. J’ino,Thomas and Q’vera.

Q’vera said, “Keep the knives.”

That made Eliza smile. The tears kept flowing.

Not a dry face in the crowd here.

 

*****

            I cleared my throat. I was a mess.

 “I dug through that layer with those knives. Auggie was there. That little red ship.” Dad patted me on the back. Mom took out an old handkerchief that Gran Gran made. “Why didn’t Eddie feel real?”

Mom flinched. She continued to clean my face. Wiping away at the burial marks.

Dad’s face hardened. “Noah said there could be none who could doubt near the Crystal Home.”

I leaned back on the balls of my feet. “That piece of Nyx in me. It….”

Lorain nodded, “What you beheld within that connection to Unity? It manifested differently to us. Nightmare doesn’t  cover it.”

I bowed my head. “I did return to sender. It was the only way to…”

Dad finished, “To transport Unity’s prized world eater away. Are the Titans alive?”

Hi'ulk, Timat, and Darva.

I replied, “Yes. They are the Prison. Across all time and space. Awaiting the next arrivals.” I rose. Mom threw her arms around me.

My voice was harsh, “The vigil remains. I will stop them. All of them.”

Dad placed a hand on my shoulder.

I said, “I know. I see the soul patterns they try to hide. I will pull every shard they ever stole. Only then can those entrapped by Unity be reborn into the next cycle.”

I yelled into the depths of the Healing House, “YOU HEAR ME! NOT ONE MORE SOUL FOR YOUR PYRE!”

*****

            Gwen ran towards her sister. Her eyes were wild. Such wondrous wings. Black with flecks of gold at the tips. Eliza pressed her hands down on Gwen’s shoulders. “Now I can do you a solid.” The world brightened.

For the first time in many years, Gwen Murphy’s worries melted away.

The thin gossamer threads snapped.

She let out a watery laugh, “I prayed. How I prayed. I should have believed them.”

*****

            I kept my face cheerful. My third eye carefully plucked at all the webs that encircled my sister’s Weave Sight. I slashed away at their control. The white owls at the other end of that line hissed, “OURS!” I picked her up and twirled her about the lower steps of The Healing House. As the cleansing intensified I let my third eye open another inch.

            Those demons flinched. They were within Eden. My territory.

            I’m coming for you. Not one more.

            They fled. Deeper into another territory I was familiar with.

            The Zygotic Expanse.

*****

         Hi’ulk dreamed.

Timat coiled about the bloated corpse of Z’ahramdus, keeping them all within a pocket of Time outside the normal bounds of the multiverse. Darva coiled the tightest. The baseline for the Prison. For the Vigil continued. Those bound to the realm of darkness would reside within. Not Purgatory.

One day the humans of the past, present, and future would give this place another name.

Hell. The Ninth Circle.

The time of Judgement was at hand.

Issue 18: Here

Issue 20: Here