The Uplift Protocol Blood Feuds: Dark Matter Cluster

 

Interlude: Dark Matter Cluster

 

            Drink of the Water. It will pass. On to the next. To breath into life renewed.—Hatheon Blessing

            I stand as a witness. Until the stars go out. One final time.—Dexter Murphy

            Every time I awaken I remember that cry. The combined might of Earth, The Milky Way Galaxy, Our Universe. The mirrors that joined us during the Long Dark. We would not lose that day.—Sleeping In Starlight

The Dark Matter Cluster

Heart of the Multiverse

Lighthouse of Reflections

 

            Dexter Murphy moved past the middle tier. Crystals floated in a semi-circle around him. Hatheon guards saluted as he floated past. The chimes echoed as events demanded his attention….

            “…I will break you Golden Dart!”

            “On this day? We ride to victory!”

            “Huston? We have landed. One small step for….”

            “…The Eternal Empire shall never die….”

            “…cripple…”

            “…on this day we award the medal of….”

The shard of the Highest within rang louder as he approached the earliest portal allowable along his sister’s lifeline. Eliza’s features were fresh. At four years old she was attempting to stand. The angry red line of her spinal injuries evident under the upper portion of her white shirt. The Captain Cosmos emblem, in its red and gold, complete with fishbowl helmet foremost. Dexter stepped through the portal.

His form changed.

To that of a small black kitten.

The first step among many.

Earth

New Ashbury (Texas)

November 9^th, 2078

 

            I turned as the kitten pawed at my shorts. It was hard to move. But I hid my tears.

            I didn’t want to upset my parents. The cream gran gran put on my back helped. My grandfather exclaimed, “Found you!” His smile faded as he crouched. “Back troubling you again? It’s alright to admit it.”

            I gave a tiny nod. “Am I broken? I heard the doctor say…..”

            Grandpa picked me up. “You got hurt coming into this world. I trust what your father said. It was no fault of yours.” He didn’t notice the kitten floating over his head. The cat in question shook its head. I could sense the caution coming off of him. I knew him. From my dreams.

            >>We gotta be careful! Your back will change. This is hiding us both!<<

            I thought back hard: To hide us from the Shadow Man?!

I still saw fragments. A blonde man with cold blue eyes. His face was not right.

Dad was right. I had been hurt. But not by the Shadow Man. Her face had been burned.

Red needle over harsh white lights….

I screwed my eyes shut and leaned into my grandfather’s chest. His heartbeat was slow and steady. Like a metronome on the old vids. Grandpa placed me in the Rocket. It was my favorite. A nice red color. It floated next to him as he hit the buttons. He winked at me, “Ready for scout mission?”

I saluted, “To the Horizon! Planetary Defenders go!”

My brother sat in my lap.

Why can’t I tell them you're ok? Momma cries. She’d…

He patted me on the cheek, >>Can’t let the one who controls the Shadow Man find us. We aren’t strong enough yet.<< 

I nodded. 

My hands rested on the steering nobs. I circled Grandpa.

“Maybe when I get older Jacob can show me all the models he works on. He’s smart!”

Brother purred. The sound soothed the ache in my chest.

His voice quickened, >>Remember. When Captain Cosmos shows you the boy in the mirror? That will be me as well.<<

I leaned over and told Grandpa, “I promise to be on my best behavior!”

A dark blue aura surrounded him for a moment.

He was upset but it didn’t show on his face, “I know kiddo. I know.”

That was how I knew my brother was real. He gave off auras as well.

His tiny paws tapped my shoulders.

>>I promise. We will fly. You will anchor me when the time comes.<<

We crested the hill and the base came into sight. Nice houses in neat little rows. A new shuttle runway was being constructed. I winced as the pain lanced up my spine. Tomorrow was another day.

One filled with adventure. I put on my Cosmos Helmet. “TO THE MOON!”

That brightened my Grandfather’s aura.

He pointed skyward, “…and beyond!”

Together we shouted, “For the United Collective of Planets!”

It was the best show.

Issue 33: Here

Book 10 Prologue: Here

The Uplift Protocol Blood Feuds: Issue 33

Issue 33: Blood Ties Abandoned

 

 Which side of the coin do you fall under? Not all histories are recorded. Cataloged or remembered.—Partial Inscription on the Doors of Nodohri

They all forgot about little old me.—Hilary Brookes

The histories ask why I spared Hilary. Evil begets evil. Her fate was sealed the day she absorbed all of them. The consumption destroyed what remained of her shriveled soul.—Sleeping in Starlight: True Fragment Recorded. Store in Database 55.

Planet Ilax

Mechanda System

June 19^th, 3196

 

        Hilary swallowed.

The remaining bone settled neatly. The final Apex bird glared. She whistled merrily at it. “You all tasted delicious! It's too bad Unity never warned you. You did all that hard work.” It was frozen in its owl form. It snapped at her, “You will regret this.” She pulled at its wing. Using the mor’ku blade’s milky white edge to tear the meated joint. A clean slice. Hilary’s mouth extended. Her Dominion form elongated. White hot tattoos swirled about her body. She sliced off the other wing.

“I will assume control of the Bone Throne.”

The high demon of Unity examined Dominion through its Necrotic senses. All was going according to plan. Abbadon would be pleased. In the end? She would not be able to control the souls already devoured. The perfect weapon to unleash upon an unsuspecting Universe.

In the end, they would all serve Abbadon.

Even Unity.

The final demon joined its brothers and sisters along the rope.

They had never needed a physical form.

Patience was its own reward.

*****

Hilary hooked the shriveled sets of eyes around the cord. Unity’s current host stepped forth from the shadows. Its cold blue gaze calculated. “The captured souls will give you temporary power. Once you use all of it? What remains of your shard will join them in oblivion.”

Hilary nodded, “Means I'll have to be picky!”

Dominion would crush Murphy. Not directly. That was not how one bested a merciful hero such as she. The true path to destroying that particular demi would start with friends. Then family. The final nail would be that elusive brother called Dexter. Let them destroy Chronos. That was half the battle. She would outlast them all. Doc could heal all sorts of damage. Hilary’s lips twisted into a parody of a smile.

“The All-Father missed his chance. I won’t.”

*****

            This was a dead world. The bodies of its former inhabitants worked endlessly. Constructing ships. Chronos would re-appear soon.

Unity consulted the Fallen Amache within: Has anyone seen Lucifer?

            Satan replied, “Oh yes. He is leashed. Same as we are.”

            Leviathan said, “On a shorter one.”

Abyzou gloated, “As we lost consciousness I heard the word mentioned. Tears.”

Unity’s minds flowed together.

Tears. Not of mortal make.

The first waters of creation!

*****

            Hilary slid through the ruins. The faces around her were etched in fear. Those unwilling to serve the Night Realm. The other half of the population toiled away. Their bodies were given over to the cause. The moment of the planet’s death. Where had the mythical Highest been as his brother devoured this place? Abbadon thought himself the Lord of Flesh but a counter signal was growing. One that Hilary had sensed before.

            In New Ashbury.

            Eliza Murphy was a piece of the puzzle. A valued piece but expendable.

            The Highest pretended. Abbadon didn’t bother to hide how he saw everything. If Unity was cast aside so easily? Then the rest of them would be seen as mere speedbumps.

*****

            I followed Hilary. My formed phased through the remains of the buildings. The people.

            She was half right. Abbadon used his followers. The Highest did as well but he also put himself on the front lines every time a piece of his soul connected to mine. My younger self called me Silver Fox, for she saw me as clever and all-knowing. None of them came close to the truth. Even I dared not speak it. Hilary climbed. The combined Fallen essence within her had twisted her body further. Granted Void Walkers had never looked pretty in the first place but she would shine in the horror department next to Sister Nyx.

            Abbadon forced corpses to be his eyes and ears across the ages. The Highest had to ask. To place a mote of awareness into all who listened. Thus the Weave Speakers were born. From the waves of the Hatheon to the far future of Shield World Elysium. The Vigil remained. A change in management needed to occur.

My brother was always the stronger.

Out of habit, I ducked low.

Meathook had a similar ability when Abbadon road around within that desiccated shell. A  ying for yang. It was likely I wouldn't remember this moment either. To protect the timeline? I had already agreed. The Highest coiled tight, >>We will restore that which was lost.<<

I smiled. >>Promise made. Promise kept. I shall walk the Path set before me.<<

It was an old refrain. Long ago I had gotten my answer. Within the Dark Matter Cluster.

At the height of my memory blockage.

            I had pleaded with my brother. What was so important?

They had shown me.

A world without change. Without Death. Life had no meaning. The soul cycle was ruined.

I clutched my chest. It throbbed where Nyx had stabbed me so long ago. Even with prolonged life extension? One eventually had to face the gates of tomorrow. Every action would lead to that final climb. Not only to save myself but to bring the cycle back into balance. One enemy would perish. My brother would ascend.

I phased through the ground as Hilary whirled.

*****

            Hilary paused. Her eyes glittered. Only death greeted her senses. She doubled back.

            Just to be sure. The silence of a tomb. She shivered. “Just the wind.”

            The voices took a hold of her.

            See what lies beyond.

            A stonework doorway rose from the mountainside.

            She felt the giddiness take hold.

            Upon the Bone Throne, she sat. Her father and Thoth were thrown into the pit under the grasping hands of the living and undead. Next to her was that hideous Doctor Lanis. Hilary paced about the expanse. Drinking it all in. Chained between them was a man. His face was a mirror of Eliza Murphy. She crouched. At eye level, she stared at the symbol carved into his head. Three bloody circles. Black within Black eyes blinked and she fell backward into the pit of trash. Clawed fiends tore at her body. Lanis said, “I know the taste of her Tears.”

*****

            Sweat ran down my face.

            The Highest said, >>The link is polluted. We must play this angle a while longer. Please bear with me.<<

I shot him a tired grin within my mindscape.

            >>You got it bossman.<<

            He withdrew my hand from the Night Realm bubble. The Left Hand and Arm that was not my own. Just as he had mine. Two sides of the same coin. What Abbadon should have been with his brother. Lorain Lanis had a direction connection. Not to the Highest or his Fallen Brother. The one that created them had pulled her directly from the early mists of Creation.

            She was the progenitor soul. Of the mortal world.

            It was she who tasted the first tears of mortality that began the cycle.

            When I was younger I thought I had a big enough burden.

            Lethe had been commanded to forget her origin.

            Her touch, in the end, would recombine the Realms torn asunder.

            The Highest murmured. Awareness faded.

Shield World Elysium

Age of Twilight (XX 35)

Temporal Throne Sight Portals Detected

 

            Lorain Lanis shielded her eyes as Eliza materialized over the Lake. The light of the artificial suns beamed down on their shield world abode. She smiled as she pulled Murphy from the waters. She asked for the thousandth time, “Penny for your thoughts?” Eliza peered up at Doc. The medical demi’s hair was pulled back in a messy bun. Green eyes as bright as ever.

“Yep! I collected a whole nickel this time of mental awareness!”

It was a familiar ritual.

            Lorain sighed, “The troubles have passed. Why does he send you on these errands?”

            A shadowed figure rose from the shade of the trees.

*****

I ambled over.

My brother shielded his eyes. I sent the command and the environment dipped towards a pleasant moonlit evening.  I jerked a thumb at Dexter, “Just a few remaining pieces to the Vigil.”

            Lorain shook her head. Her expression troubled, “Have any escaped the sight of the Titans?”

Dexter replied, his voice barely above a rasping groan, “None. But the game remains in play. Just from another point of view.” Lorain glanced away. Unable to hold the gaze of those black within black orbs. Incessant whispers emanated from my brother. His Throne was hard on anyone. A grateful smile formed on his face as I wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

With my other hand, I poked him in the ribs.

            “Did I hear correctly?”

            My brother ruffled my silvered hair.

            “Indeed!” That proud glint in his eye told me all I needed to know.

            Starlight rings floated around us.

            Another link in the great tapestry.

            Lorain pursed her lips, “How do you do it?”

            I replied, “So others can live in peace.”

            Dexter added, “Each to their burden.”

            My brother held the memories for us both.

*****

            Hilary finished the final preparations. She would bring her fleet into the battle. The Ark was meaningless. The owls within told her so. They couldn’t hide any information. Not from her. If they all were expendable? She would make her mark. Survival was secondary. Abbadon had groomed Unity to be its attack dog. Beyond that? They were the pawns it desired for its heavy work. She knew when her father would re-appear. The ants of Earth had no say in the matter. If he was a backup form for Abbadon? It was time to take him off the playing board.

            Blood called for blood. All ties be damned.

            She snarled, “I deny all of you.”

            Abbadon, Unity, the Flesh Barons, High Demons, The Lower Night.

            She would not be a link in the chain.

She hooked her mind into the control units of her fleet. “Initiate Secondary FTL, stay within Normal Lanes, relay to Last Marker.”

Endless waves of saucer-shaped ships rose from the planet. Each rising from the hidden valleys, old mining cores, to join the ones already amassed in space. Every asteroid held additional forces. By her calculations, her fleet was four times the size of her father’s at this point. All they would need is his genetic key.

She gloated as the fleet moved as one.

Blood upon the stars.

Issue 32: Here

Interlude Dark Matter Cluster: Here

The Uplift Protocol Blood Feuds: Issue 32

 

Issue 32: The Last Stand of the Bright Clan

 

            We have a long history. We dwelled within the Cluster alongside the Amache. Just not the frequency they expected.—Annals of the Sea: Hatheon Codex

            Posideon. The First of our Kingmakers. He was the one who lead the Highest of the Oversoul to the shores of our people. For we tasted the first Tears of Awakening. Of the network between stars. The Ouro that tied us all together. Unseen and Known. Brother fought Brother. The Vigil was corrupted. Life unfettered turned to rot. This is the responsibility Abbadon denied. So he made others in the form of his hubris. He is known by more than one name. We shall not utter it here. The false Lightbringer thinks the records were destroyed. –The Tablets of Yun’hala

            Do you see it now? Dear reader. The words stand across the ages. Each carried by those who are dead. Do you think the flesh remembers? It merely houses the soul. The repository of the divine. Abbadon has no power here. He merely plucks the strings. He cannot hear the song. Not like we do. Not all that slumber are dead. Can you hear it Healer of the Way? Can you?—Sleeping In Starlight: Meditations on the Abyss

Earth

Temple of Slumber (Sleeping Starlight Archives)

12^th Orbit of Awe (Local Timekeeping)

 

            Abbadon stared at the words. There must be a cipher. The dead. What nonsense. No dark matter patterns. He sniffed delicately. No hint of Necrotic sigils. The ravings about the Healer. That must be Lanis. Unseen Order. He controlled the Night Realm. That pathetic pyramid had been destroyed. The Amache along with it. Chronos had seen to it. He controlled every aspect. No hint of the Usurper crossed the Lord’s senses.

 “Tell me, why place so much value on this Lanis woman? Not the mother but the daughter.”

The black-robed librarian bowed, “She was the Lady of the Isles. Forever young and evergreen. It was said that she possessed the Tears of….”

Abbadon tapped the holo display, “The Golden City. Find all references to Healer of the Way.”

A tall broad-shouldered figure appeared. Its silver Anubis helm reflected the setting rays.

Figures surrounded them. The voice was augmented but Abbadon knew. Eliza Murphy. The armor hid her true form. Behind the would-be demiurge, the Curator held his breath. Thank the Three for small mercies. It was the lord of the Night Realm. But below that? It was blind. Well and truly blinded! All those years weren’t wasted. What remained of his flesh prickled. His soul shard quaked yet Dexter’s wards held. The combined might of the Three Thronebears swirled to mask his purpose. His thoughts.

The enemy spread his arms wide, “History is a fickle thing.”

*****

            Thoth examined the records through his sliver of mind.

            He recalled Chronos saying often, “I know the taste of her tears.”

            What kind of tears? A misty form coiled about him. “I see you here. You think me stupid?” Abbadon leaned in close, “It does come down to Tears. One’s that fell. To create everything. Do not speak to me of the Ways boy. You are but a footnote.”

The pressure abated.

He noted caustically, “You see this place. Nothing of Humanity remains but these archives.”

The rest of the planet was automated. Every tree. Animal. Blade of grass. He had seen the endless swarm of servitor bots. Even that thing cowering in the corner in its black robe was a Sleeve. It no longer orbited Sol. The color of the sky was wrong. The set of stars. The milky way must have been a distant memory by now. This Lordly Demon had won.

Thoth shouted, “Why worry?! This place is a monument to a dead people!”

*****

            I padded carefully around the Ouro barrier. It hummed with the Archives. Just as it was meant to. I shifted from one foot to the next. Mimicked the gait of a deer. High above the new sun hid the complete population of Earth. To say the new hab rings were a marvel would be underselling their abilities. I proceeded to crouch next to the base of the lowest scaled ring. I pressed my left palm to it. Our blood flowed from that hand. Mine. Overwatches’.

            Dexter’s.

            We were the Three and our Enemy would not pass. The Thronebearer sigils for Life, The In-Between, and Death combined. The curator walked resolutely through that barrier. The golden script poured from his hands.

            The trap is set. The cliffs await you both.

            I rose as the temporal shift carried Abbadon away.

            The Duat’s cold winds rose.

            I activated Thronesight.

            “…though I walk among the stars….may the light of Sol carry me home….”

            Each bright orb of the Defender Corps entered my body.

            I would not walk alone.

*****

            Abbadon reclined against his throne.

            Mordred’s lanky form prostrated before him. “I have seen the future. We must kill the past.” Abbadon brought up the display of the Golden City. “Find the slumbering forms of Lanis and Murphy. I have a present for them.”

            Those records had shown him the way. All other players were a distant consideration.

            What was the best way to thwart an enemy? Hide the key piece next to its strongest pawn. Not the endless rows of knights. Until he had proper conformation he would examine Lanis from every angle.

 If she housed the Tears of the Way? Her soul was forfeit. He clasped his hands before him. “She will serve. One way or another.” A pity his former mortal shell had never suspected her value beyond the obvious. As the All-Father he could have snapped her neck but then the Tears would have been lost.

Mordred raised his head, "We have detected Icath activity."

Abbadon smiled, “Perform the rites.” His grin widened. “Lucifer shall do nicely.”

The bound Fallen Golden Host appeared in a ring of fire. His features were twisted by the energy of the Night Realm. Abbadon commanded, “We have found Murphy’s form within the Dreaming Halls of the Golden City. Peer through the Veil constructs. Kill Murphy. Take Lanis.”

Lucifer frowned. Gave a stiff bow.

“As you wish.”

Abbadon placed a finger of pressure on the soul shard within the former Thronebearer. After a moment Lucifer fell to his knees. He squeezed out the words “…master…of All.”

Ironic that it was the idea of Sleeves that gave him the motivation to travel across time. The minds could wander. It went both ways. Chronos had been such a faithful servant. Having Nyx plant so many useful toys across the temporal passageways.

He crossed his legs. His boots were impeccable in the gloom.

“Your move dear brother.”

Earth

Golden City (Dreaming Halls)

Date Redacted

 

            Lorain leaned back as the Sarcophagus enclosed about her. When she next awoke? They would be returned to their proper time. She snorted. Worry lined her features. They had armed the past as best they could. The Icath Ruling Pair had taken Samantha and Jacob forward in time. All both would say was, “When they were needed most.” Her eyes closed as the magical energy flowed from the carvings against all sides.

            Her last thoughts lingered on the visions.

            A being of white light. It had lifted her up. She couldn’t see his face.

            The howling dark below her feet raged against the injustice.

            “What makes her worthy?!”

*****

            P’tah watched as Eliza carried the Dreaming Unit to the easternmost corner. A set of shimmering rings rose. They would protect Lanis from Abbadon. Her body at least. Eliza said nothing as she placed a replicated Sleeve in another container.

            Ta’mathon asked, “Won’t he sense….”

            P’tah circled. His whiskers tickled Murphy’s right hand.

*****

            I held up Lorain’s Union bracelet. “There’s enough residual soul energy to…”

            My friend glanced away quickly. “..to fool anyone’s senses.”

            I gave P’tah another scratch under his chin.

            I placed the bracelet on the Sleeve. Doc had always wondered why she and Jacob had “invented” them for this era. The Sleeves had been a boon to our side as much as it had been a thorn. Humanity had been prepared from the start. Now the final curtain call would begin. We would be placed within the Crystal Coffin. I would experience that second death within the 42^nd century. My memory of this time blocked off. Until ready.

Temporal Loops.

It was in these quiet moments I missed my parents the most.

            For the first time, I was genuinely thankful for that early swissed experience.

            It had made my formative years kinder. My left hand twitched.

            ///Unseen Script Package activated: Our parents placed a certain Ally into the Crystal Coffin. The rest of the Usual Suspects in tow via the Ur. Ready to re-meet yourselves?///

            Tower of the Lidless. Had it already been that long? I reached out to shake Ta’mathon’s hand. “Remember. Have three stone sphinxes guarding our resting place. Lucifer will key in on the Old Way to the letter.”

            I hauled my Sleeve into the adjoining stonework unit. Placed the circlet on its head.

            Silver Fox winked into existence next to me. >>Place the knife shards into the body!<<

            Time travel. A complete bag of mixed nuts on steroids. I did as requested.

            I raised an eyebrow, >>Just how weak do you….oh.<<

            Silver Fox eyed me closely, >>Exactly. Now you are thinking correctly of the 4^th dimeson of chess.<<

            Now Doc’s powers made sense. Just as I was a Thronebearer she was…

            My thoughts scattered to the winds. Dexter’s words flowed, >>All will make sense in the end. Trust me. Trust yourself. And your other selves. Plus the one across the street….<<

 Silver Fox motioned to “Lorain” again.

            >>Make the incision just so. Place Di’axi’s crystals here and here!<<

            One was just above the breast bone. The wound healed near instantaneous.

            Di’axi had given these to my mom. During that long ago Prom of yesteryear. Silver Fox nodded. Her hands indicated the Sleeve’s forehead. I watched as the incision closed up around the thumb-sized clear crystal.

*****

            Ta’mathon followed P’tah out into the sands. This remote entrance circled the mighty Nile River. Accessed through an old tributary. He said, “Murphy will never remember everything will she?”

            The Icath replied solemnly, “No. But the core will remain. Time travel isn’t meant for mortal minds. Even we Icath go only forward. Unless it is the Ruling Pair.” Ta’mathon stumbled back as an ancient Eliza smiled. As if from the sands themselves.

He reached out, “By the Three…”

She was the shard bearer for….

        The Highest stated calmly, “I will keep all my Children safe.”

            Silver Fox rested a hand on Ta’mathon’s forehead. “Rest now.”

            He studied P’tah. Found the thread of Abbadon’s wound in the old feline’s rib. Thoth had tried three times to take the Golden City. Each attempt ended another thread of possibility. Until only one end remained.

            The Icath sighed as the pain receded. “I am ready to stand with the rest of the Bright Clan.” Silver Fox reached down. P’tah raised his paw to meet the outstretched fingers. The skies and stars whirled past. The sun rose and fell. P’tah circled. The air was warm.

            Figures raced towards him. He greeted his brothers and sisters.

            “Now we join the Three.”

            They would need everyone to survive the Cliffs.

Issue 31: Here

Issue 33: Here

The Uplift Protocol Blood Feuds: Issue 31

Issue 31: The Golden Defender

 

            We got out of the Duat but that wouldn’t be the last adventure within that Realm. Not by a long shot.---Arthon

            Unity did have a way to travel. Into the future. The trick was finding the trash it had planted.—Arcane Order File 2-55.96

            I understand why I had to be the main “face” of the Highest’s plan. My side was banking on my ability to be blunt. Unable to hide who or what I was. It wasn’t only to help my brother but Doc as well. In the end? What they concealed could have destroyed everything. –Sleeping in Starlight: Vol 18

Earth

P’tah’s Terrace

12^th Orbit of Awe (Local Timekeeping)

 

            Home.

            It had been many cycles since I visited.

Lorain ran a keen eye over my uniform. “Nostalgic?”

My old Banner outfit. I crossed my arms. Protectorate phase drones circled.

Their greetings indicated all was well upon the pale blue dot. I drank it all in. The united communications network. The Terran Typherian Union accords. Gilgamesh Sector and its expanded territories. Dexter phased in behind me. His golden chest plate was adorned with the circular symbol of the Ouro. A black scythe imprinted in the middle. His black within-black eyes met mine. That remembered scar on my left arm tingled. Lorain shivered and I draped my cape over her shoulders.

            “Time to give Thoth a show.”

            Lorain hit the coordinates on the feed.

            Right on time. I snorted. “For him? Based on the temporal readings? He just finished stabbing….” Doc pressed an index finger to my upper lip.

            “Don’t you tempt fate.”

            I smiled widely at that. I cupped her hand.

            “It's not every day we get to see history made.”

            I wrapped my free arm around her.

            She examined my left arm. “The Highest knew.”

            Dexter nodded. It was hard. Clipped. Genuine.

            He responded, “The Golden Path encompasses all.”

*****

            Thoth sputtered.

This should not be. It couldn’t. A malignant voice tore through his remaining bits of soul. Make for the histories of this place. His feet moved. He had no control. Fear boiled in the pit of his stomach. The spray of Murphy’s blood coated his chest. Why did this place not react? The entity within him cared not. Humanity had ascended! The monkeys ruled the asylum! He gritted his teeth. The muscles of his jaw sent spiking pain to his temples. He screamed against the confines of his mind. It would not listen.

Madness lingered.

Thoth had figured it out. He beat against his mental prison yet Abbadon shuffled forward. Above them, the words formed. “Sleeping in Starlight: A Convergence Holo History.”

An automated electronic voice exclaimed, “Welcome!” An android of shimmering mirrored glass on a tripod extension maneuvered over.

He finally got a good look at his body.

Abbadon had warped it. Gone were his Typherian features.

A regal face stared back. Hair of starlight. Honeyed eyes. Resplendant white tux.

Abbadon smiled warmly, “I wish to survey this historical repository.”

He would take all of the Highest’s prized secrets. The words his enemies tried to hide.

Thoth screamed, “THAT’S WHAT THEY WANT!”

Abbadon didn’t hear. He had only wanted Thoth’s flesh.

Thoth laughed. The sound was brittle against the endless black of his mind.

“It was never Eliza at all. Well played.”

The knife had never been the weapon of Abbadon. Or Unity. It had been the vehicle for the true Avatar of Death to trap evil. Thoth stewed. His eyes brightened suddenly. A gleam of insight wormed its way to the top. He could watch. He would wait. This story had an end in mind for Abbadon. When that final curtain call hit?

He would breathe on the embers.

No wonder Lucifer had abandoned them all.

He wasn’t the only one waiting for devils to die.

*****

            The Curator greeted their enemy warmly.

They had been preparing this place since the start. If one had just enough truth sprinkled about they would fall into the trap. One curated specifically for Abbadon. Without Life, there was no Death. Without Death, there was no Life. A responsibility that the Starlight King had forgotten. One couldn’t rule all domains. He touched the sigil of the Three on his black robes. He had been many things across the renewed cycles but now his Vigil was ending.

            He felt the cool regard of the Watchers. Those beings who guarded each Death Domain.  Abbadon asked, “Where should one begin?” The demon lord’s face twisted in a mockery of polite interest. Curator responded, “With Khepri. The birth of the Golden City!”

            The former Amache leader smiled wanly. Time to throw that old fang for a loop.

            Thoth as well. As Khepri he could see the remaining embers of the Urraden floating within the soul-shard aura. Feed them both what they wanted to hear and see. The one “weapon” that could destroy the Highest. The greatest trick one could devise against their foe? The illusion of total victory. The Twin Rulers of the Sky would carry on the Vigil. Long after Earth herself re-seeded the Multiverse.

            His body would be given to the stars.

Earth

New Ashbury MilSec HQ

Present Time: March 9^th, 3166

 

            Feet planted. I let out a grunt as Mighty Mallet struck me with his newest creation.

            He whistled, “That one gave you a bloody nose!”

Half of the Old Guard Demis were present. White Lily shouted, “Just imagine what that will do to the dark underbelly of Chronos’ hoards!” I gave her a double thumbs up. It was true. The better tech I could give the Alliance? The more that would survive what was coming. I was all about giving Life a chance. It helped that all the Archangels within my completed Spear gave me pointers.

June 20th, 3266 wasn’t that far off now.

Dexter’s voice rolled through my mind, >>A certain set of ducks are right on TIME.<<

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

As if summoned they both waddled between Golden Bulleteer.

Trouble quacked, <<All specials delivered! First class!>> Judgment rolled his shoulders, “How about another match?” I held my spear at the ready. He unsheathed his khopesh. The sound of metal echoed through the hall. Dad was as fast as ever. The weighted dark matter suit forced me to slow down to half speed. So I could master the spear at a normal rate. He scored a hit across my right shoulder.

Doctor Impossible’s worry flooded our Union Link. We didn’t need our alternative IDs anymore but most loved to call out “Star!” or “Banner!” Always at the forefront. Stories had power. The power to change everything. Keep the attention on me. I would still wake up in a cold sweat. That vision of Abbadon within Dexter’s body on one seat. Doc on the other. The pale white thrones hugged their forms like a second skin.

Stars danced before my eyes as my father dashed in to strike his hilt against my solar plexus. He pitched his question for my ears only, “It’s not like you to be distracted. Even during practice.” Dad didn’t play around. Even in training bouts. He figured the best way to teach was when your heart was in it. I realigned my stance. That stillness infused my body. He feinted to the right. Metal clanged as we fought. He switched hands. His sword flashed.

The point rested just above my throat.

I tapped the flat of my spearhead against his thigh. We could have joined each other in critical condition.

He withdrew. “Remember, In battle? All other distractions must fade.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Message received loud and clear.”

Mom added, >>Worry later. I’ll even ground you for old time’s sake!<<

The other Murphy children in the room pretended to look elsewhere. I couldn’t even keep track of how many were in the Protectorate nowadays. Horus added along a private channel, <<Currently the Demi Protectorate League/Program has over 50 members directly correlating to…>>

Dad noted lightly, <<Yes. We are prolific.>>

Mom’s keen sense of proprietary glee followed.

Jace and Tobin coughed. While Zachary ambled over with a few fresh drinks. His Blue Blaze uniform that traditional blue, white, and silver with a big blue bolt in the middle. I made this proclamation over the general family line, <<Murphy Battalion assemble!>>

Gwen cackled. Others chimed in with various levels of groaning.

My youngest sister, Hailey, aged 7 screamed, >>I made sparkles! Can I sit in the big seat?!<<

I turned my head as the wall glittered and warped. My sister stepped out. Beaming at everyone with her self-styled suit. It was all pink. Her sneakers squeaked as she jumped. Another display of sparks erupted around her. I noted the high energy output in each blue, green, and pink “sprinkle”. She had shaped many of them as her favorite kinds of animals.

Elephants, Dogs, Cats, and Ponies.

HeroNet updated.

Precious Princess of All The Sparkles

The bright flash of holo cams followed. Grandma was on cloud 9. Again.

*****

            Lorain Lanis finished her report,”….Sparkles can tap into energy from beyond our universe. At 7. Due to her size, it's localized to about standard solar system range.”

Zach held back. Gwen didn’t.

She wheezed, “When…when can we expect….pink…..apocalypse…..”

            Mom noted, “Not until she’s 100.”

            Gwen sucked in a huge gasp. “Ok. I’m better. It's just I know what it's like.”

            Eliza leaned back in her chair. Feet at an angle so they didn’t brush the tabletop.

            Hailey’s singsong voice rippled across the Family Line, >>Training Training cause my dad says so! There goes the test dummy. I sent it to the moon! See? It's pink! The best color.<<

            Zach said, “We will watch over her. Not the first Murphy but won’t be the  last.”

*****

            Dad’s face flickered over the holo. His hands hooked into his military belt. I knew that expression. At this rate, my parents would repopulate the universe all on their own. Additional Human and Typherian pairings were cropping up with interesting results. Demis with wild card genes. Each one would have a role to play. Chronos would be in for one heck of a surprise when he finally landed.

Noah’s Ark still had its role to play.

****

            Jacob Murphy marveled at the newest ships of the line.

“I have to hand it to you, Mr. Fletcher. You and the Commons do excellent work.” The Englishman in question grinned crookedly, “Well you Arcane Types did give us the keys to so many fun toys!” Project Freefall had been quite enjoyable.

From a creative standpoint but this?

This was the masterpiece.

The W.R.E.A.K unit spun. Its rings hummed as another ship rolled off the assembly hub.

Warp Replication Energy and Assembly K-Field device. In layman’s terms? Feed it raw materials and it could generate whatever kind of ship you needed. Normal Space FTL to Near Necrotic Stealth drives. All Fletcher had needed was a bit of Dark Matter. Everything came back to the Cluster. Jacob asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Fletcher held the vial up to the sunlight bouncing off the hidden space station arrays.

“Never been more sure than now.”

He would share in the dreams of the Hatheon. 

Issue 30: Here

Issue 32: Here