Issue 16: Escape Vector How?!
Always watching. The Eye of the Uncowled One. The babies cry out. No mother to be found. Nothing but ash.—Alvara, Twin of At’lan. Shardbearers of Eden
No one knows the whole of the tapestry. Only the Highest. That was our salvation.—Sul’sandra
What is real? The blood that runs through our veins or the soul that powers us?—Taleer
I did not break my cage on my own. That was never in the cards. As I hunted for the name that would reveal all? My family and friends were at the precipice. How did they escape from a Mars gone mad? Unity already mentioned it. Whatever did happen with that dragon?—Sleeping in Starlight: Sleeping In Starlight: The First Death
Alvara’s Eye
Eternal Empire Node:2254
Orbix (Black Rock Markav)
Draken Nix noted the battle-scarred hauler phasing into orbit high above Orbix. Unlike the lush world of Mars within Eden? This place was as vibrant as a banshee in a volcano. The sensors picked up a fully automated fighter wing. Over 500 strong. Smart. This place was a hub of trade for many within the Empire. He motioned to the guards. “Find One Claw.”
*****
J’anu rubbed her wrists. She had broken them. Just to see how the Doctor would react. All business. She didn’t know what battle suit the meat puppet was in. She assumed Thomas Murphy would come down to the planet as well. Let them experience the horrors of Orbix.
Her father’s mindvoice was hard. Calculating.
>>If we are to escape Unity, help them take the mirror of At’lan. You know how the Shrouded One is towards us. We are no one’s slaves. Let Mother and Father kill each other. We shall survive.<<
The last of the micro tags burrowed under J’anu’s skin. The “pirates” weren’t taking chances. She smiled sourly at Lady Adena. “I know you are of Eden. In retrospect, I should have seen through the ruse.”
Q’vera said, “You want us all to kill one another.”
J’anu inclined her head, “Of course!”
She sent out probes. The ship’s nanites countered them. Lone Ranger observed, <<You live within the mercy of the Bone.>>
J’anu paled. She snapped, “Lies!” Her heart sank. Their enemies knew. To what extent? That remained to be seen. Arthon raised his head, “I have Alvara on my outer sigils. She’s within the heart.”
The last of the helms shifted into place. A faint snap-hiss followed as the final seals shut.
Only J’anu was without armor. Lanis handed a fresh change of clothing to J’anu. “I'll monitor you through my uplinks. The refresher is yours. Please refrain from self-harm.”
*****
Alvara dreamed. Not of ash.
Nor the pits of Orbix.
The tall grass tickled her hands. In the distance, she could hear singing. Markav voices. Not the harsh tones of the undead. Living Voices. They praised the Wall. “Within the Veil, the Heart Endures. Within the Fire, the Soul Abides. Within the Cosmos, the Highest watches All.”
Yes, the part of the Ouro.
It had been so long. Noah.
The Exodus. Her mind was finally clearing. She turned. A woman stood next to her. Bathed in the soft moonlight. Over 7 feet tall. Her white long-sleeved shirt was marked with Typherian Soul sigils. Black pants. Bear feet. Her left sleeve hung empty.
The brown-haired woman remarked, “Now I know why I lost that arm. The Titans needed the fuel provided within my blood. My friends are coming for you.” Alvara saw the silver threads weaved through the soul of the woman.
She ran her hand over the empty material. “The Crystal guides your path. Your essence. I see it now. A precious gift. Arbiter.”
The Arbiter bowed. Plucked a thread from her shirt’s collar.
“It is nearly done. Soon all of my past and future Shards shall converge. The Dragon shall encompass Orbix. But not in the way they intended.”
Alvara inhaled the familiar scents of home.
“I miss my brother.”
The Shardbearer Twin of the Markav asked, “What do you require of me Arbiter?”
*****
The blasted surface of Orbix was ghastly.
Obsidian crags were pot marked with battle damage.
In the distance, fire rained down. Volcanic ash littered the air.
Thomas Murphy waved his crew forward. They took up “honor guard” positions around J’anu Urraden. The other pirates shied away from them. A mixture of envy and terror was reflected within numerous eyes. J’anu called out, “Draken Nix!”
*****
Nix took stock. To his enhanced senses, J’anu had suffered multiple wounds. Expertly healed but a sliver of Void Walker abuse remained etched on her skin. Within her bones. Around the mass of muscle she charitably called a heart. Her womb. All material had been harvested.
His milky eyes rolled back in his head.
//Unity Subordinate Node: Bel//
A distant thread of power connected him.
//The Womb of the Shard has been spoiled. As you wished.//
A cosmic hunger licked at his mind.
//Noted: Chronos has been notified. Transfer of material will commence.//
ABH Lone Ranger
Command and Control
In Orbit of Orbix
C’alain had control of Eliza’s shell once more.
J’ino called out from the weapon’s station, “All systems online. If anything looks at us funny, I’ll blow them out of the sky!”
Athlass hovered nearby. Doc remained at the sensor suite.
Lorain glanced at C’alain, “Did you have to put her in that?”
The pain within that statement squeezed at the old King’s heart. “Yes. This will help her find her way to the Crystal Home.”
J’ino stepped over to inspect Eliza. “Those black slacks need more trace sigils.”
Athlass winked out of the C&C. A rush of cool air hit Lorain’s face as the ghostly figure dropped a handwoven bag onto the deck.
J’ino asked, “How can you do that?”
C’alain answered, “We are all connected to your daughter now. It allows us a moment to touch the physical plane. It will be required.”
J’ino reached inside. Pulled out the threads. Used her matter manipulation to sew the required burial rites onto Eliza’s clothing. She reached for the left sleeve. C’alain had put a glove over. No. J’ino didn’t look away. It was artificial. J’ino could sense the metals that powered the hand. It didn’t stop there.
She asked, “What happened to her arm?”
Lorain flinched. Held her breath. Counted backward from ten.
“The Titans ate it. To capture Z’ahramdus.”
J’ino raised the needles. Other pairs of hands steadied her.
Athlass said, “Finish the marks of mourning. My husband will do the rest.”
J’ino bit the inside of her cheek. A memory rose to the surface.
Eliza ran. Her 7th birthday. A small red spaceship in her hands.
“Coming in for the landing!” She jumped into the pool.
“Captain Cosmos going into dive mode!”
*****
I reached out.
On the top shelf, which had been barren beforehand, a red rocket appeared. Its windows were careworn. I grabbed for it. Turned it over in my hands. The Captain Cosmos jingle played within the back of my mind. It was a retro style. A domed silver nose in the front. With three rocket boosters on the back. The four black tail fins were made for motion control. While in space. It always had to take off with an assisted booster rocket on each side. Then it would break through the atmosphere at the end.
The golden bolt of lightning on the side reminded me of those lazy days of summer.
I opened my backpack. Placed it next to the knives. They couldn’t see the bow. Those things wearing the faces of my family. My friends. The only face they didn’t use against me here was Lorain’s. Dexter hopped onto my shoulder.
>>It is because Lilith isn’t here to whisper lies to you. She always favors that tactic.<<
I didn’t dare whisper back to him for now. A miniature white wolf pawed at the ship. <<Good memory. Will help. Keep it within!>> I rubbed my face. Mom appeared in the doorway. “Want some tea? Work bothering you today?” I couldn’t see the demon lurking under that false promise. Its eyes were that same gray-green I remembered so clearly.
I waved the offer away.
“I’ll be ok Ma. It's just been quiet. Not used to it.”
It smiled. Each familiar line sent chills up my spine. Still, it couldn’t see the weapons arrayed around me. Did they think so little of me? It frowned. Feining concern. “Eliza Murphy! The world is at peace. Won’t you sit for a while?” The hand was warm. I waited. To see if the skin would peel back. Reveal the evil.
Mom poked me on the nose. The motion was familiar.
They had copied all my memories but never understood the person underneath.
Dexter nodded, >>You see? It can mimic. But never create.<<
Mom would always include my middle name when scared or angry.
Even though I was nearly invulnerable.
I walked out of the room. Took to the illusionary city.
Names were given at birth. Etched into the soul.
Dexter said, >>Yes. When mortals are born. But we aren’t 100% mortal.<<
I ran. Away from the city. Listened to the piece of dread that resided within me. The crimson corruption mingled with the angelic resonance. Nyx’s gift. Then I heard it. I wanted to kick myself. Of course! The Urraden within me. That would guide me to the Shrouded One. The name that was hidden. I tuned into that part of myself. It sang with Nyx’s fell poison.
Mother.
That was the endless refrain.
I was a tool. But I would cross whatever fire remained.
To save the ones I loved.
*****
Alvara’s third eye cracked open. Unity’s hold on her slipped. It was focused on the conundrum of Z’ahramdus. Of the Thronebearer of New Elysium. The Arbiter of the Black Throne. It was blind. The Three Thronebearers were already in play. As the Highest foretold through the legacy of Noah.
The Black Throne. Guardian of the High Path.
The White Throne. Protector of the Low Path.
The Twilight Throne. Defender of the In-Between.
Life, Death, Rebirth. There were many names.
The High, the bright spark of Life.
The Low, the Silent Realm of Death.
The In-between. Where new souls awaited. Where old or forgotten souls dwelled. Those who had been abandoned. But no longer. The Shattering would come to an end. The Soul Cycle would be renewed. Rebuilt. Protected from the Fallen. So that they could all finally choose. Alvara linked with the Muthra that walked upon the surface of Orbrix.
<<Honored champion. I bestow the first of Symbology. The legacy of Elysium.>>
*****
Arthon sucked in a sharp breath. His HUD went wild.
//By the grace of all that endures. I give unto you my champion: The lexicon of Muthra-Tarin. The first tongue of Man.//
The sky crackled. Streaks of red, black, and silver darkened the ominous skies. An emaciated Markav screamed, “The World Eater comes!”
Arthon noted distantly, That’s just a tip of a talon that grazed the surface.
Thomas shouted across his private com channel, <<Execute Plan Delta Firma.>> That shook Arthon out of his stupor. They dashed towards the towering citadel. Their exo combat suits carried them miles within a few jumps. This planet had less mass than his Mars. J’anu’s face twisted. Q’vera muttered, <<Just give us the codes.>>
J’anu smirked, “Yes. Of course! Meanwhile, we shall be an opening appetizer!”
She frowned as the single digit of the World Eater remained stationary. Q’vera skimmed through the update from the Lone Ranger. The entire system was cut off. By the expanse of its wings.
“Shit.”
*****
Augustus opened his collar.
The coffin unfurled from the energy array. It filled a specialized corner of the cargo hold.
Its crystalline surface glimmered.
//Systems online. Awaiting the Thronebearer. Defenses online. Linking to Soul Shard of the Black Throne. Phase One.//
*****
I left the bonds of “Earth.”
Pushed past the membranes. As I flew towards the ashen globe that rested within the orbit of the false Mars, a voice called out, “What shall she be named?” It was masculine. Golden hair upon a perfect brow. Deep swirling energy flashed within his eyes. The clearest blue. A figure wreathed in white fire replied, “She is Abyzou. The 2nd of my children. Guide her Lucifer. In my name.” I screamed a warcry as the putrid eye opened.
The crimson liquid spilled from my hands as the flesh of the orb burst open. Its defenses laid bare. A chorus of voices rose.
“False Brood! Lies! Bound under the silver oaks! Urraden betrays us!”
I kept my backpack sealed. The bow appeared in my hands. The remaining fluid from Nyx’s syringe formed into an arrow. I knocked it. Aimed. My eyes locked onto the corrupted shard floating within the silky membrane beyond its outer core.
“Return to sender.”
I fired.
The shard hummed. My ears bled.
The illusion shattered completely. Abyzou screamed. I fired again. Even as her pale talons ripped at my face. A three-headed White Owl. Each set of eyes glared at me. I said, “By the Three, the Wall Endures.”
The 2nd Arrow was the purest white. The first head toppled to the side as the shaft penetrated the feathered skull. Arrow number 3 glinted black. Darker than the void.
It sang true. Dexter shouted, >>The Blood Reveals!<<
The final arrow was not visible to the demon before me. It rippled with dark matter-energy. The Amarche chanted.
>>Faith renewed. We crawl from the Hidden Realm.<<
Abyzou screamed. Her three heads lashed out. Black ichor poured from her wounds.
“I deny you! AND YOUR PUPPET! BEGONE!”
I was cast into the void beyond. My soul crashed into the putrid barrier of Unity’s purgatory. I turned. Withdrew the knives that Q’vera’s blessing had given unto me. The bow melted into my being. Dexter whispered, >>Claw through. The broken mirror splinters upon the shore!<<
I struck the slimy surface. With each strike, the mirror chipped away.
Until only I remained.
*****
J’ino fell back as her son materialized within the C&C. He caught Eliza as C’alain left her body. She pointed. Dexter glared at the readouts, “Get ready to dive. Eliza won’t be able to hold Z’ahramdus forever. Just enough for the Titans to….”
C’alain finished, “…transport it.”
Issue 15: Here
Issue 17: Here
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