Its Not About Eric July!

 

It's About Conservative Incorporated

The Real Independents: Here

    Mr. Brian's Article brought up good points about this whole conundrum but the comments highlight the reality.

    It's not about burning Eric July. Nor is it jealousy. Con Inc is using him because he has a big enough platform for them to garner more money. The Blaze? Fox News? All of it is a control op to keep people penned in a certain kind of cage. 

    Gina can generate money for Shapiro's endeavors. That's why he "hired" her. So he knows its a sure bet to get the $$$$$$$$! They will never do this for those caught under the din of "HATEWATCH NEW SKINSUIT!"

    IE: The actual alternatives in entertainment. It's why I have a link to all sorts of indies. I'll link it below after this is all said and done. CON INC always asks: "WHERES DA PEOPLES FOR US?!"

    Right here.

    HERE.

    I followed this account because he brings up excellent points about the retardation of "PULL YOURSELF UP BY THE BOOSTRAPS! mentality of Con Inc when they themselves have a network of "We only give the ladder to people who will make us tons of money!" Instead of sharing their audiences to springboard the unknowns. 

    Unknowns that bring entertainment to the world.

    Its the reason why I hope EVS and the Julys of the World will continue to network with the new faces. Ones that don't have an audience to share just yet. I get why some would see this article as a put down on July but no one rises in a COMPLETE VACUUM.

    Con Inc knows this quite well. But they rather bet on the SURE money source above everything else.

    

    They will give a hand up if the "Indie" in question has already made a big enough splash to help THEM. Rather than the indie in and of itself. Can you imagine just how robust the alternative books and media would be if we had the platform level of a Blaze or Fox News? If they actually cared to share rather than seeing as a TRANSACTION? 

    I understand where Mr. John is coming from but it's also a system many alternatives are trying to get past to get noticed. Like I said on Twitter: The regressive left will platform everything they want under the sun 24/7. It's why Normies have a chance to HEAR of those picks. CON INC doesn't do the same. Because they want the alternatives to be good little sheep and baaaah! the right kind of milk toast RINO points. Because they are still afraid of being called an X-ism. 

    It's not SOUR GRAPES at Eric July. 

    Mr. Brian's article reveals just how disingenuous CON INC is towards what they "profess" what they want. ALTERNATIVES. But what they actually want is "CONTROLLED BY THEM GOP GRIFT"

    Yes, Mr. July raised the initial capital, 200k, but it didn't happen overnight. Ladders were brought down to help him. Its why we do need NEO PATRONAGE. Because Con Inc will never fund the small boats floating past their Island Chain. No matter how much they bring up the age old picture.

Entertainment Alts Link: Here

We Need More Book Bombs by the Mid to Upper Level Creatives.

Share your Audience!

I promise! It won't hurt you! IT helps them find books they'd want to read!

Here

    Stop pulling the ladder up. Start sharing the steps. 

No, we all won't reach a David Weber Level or even JK Rowling Level but the more steps out there? The better our chances are of getting noticed.

The Uplift Protocol The Ouroborous Chain: Issue 9

 Issue 9: Duat Dreaming

    The World conforms to a cycle. Abbadon rejected that cycle. The shattering of the first Creation happened well before Noah was born within the Walls of Elysium.--Unseen Order Lore (Ur-Stone Database)

    The Five Realms of Death: Purgatory, under the auspices of Twilight. The High Reaches: Final Home of the Highest. Gateway to the Oversoul. The Duat: Home of all Souls connected to the Icath. The Cliffs of Helios: Under Siege from the Red King Abbadon. Elysium: The Waterfalls of Eternity. It is imperative we get those involved installed within each proper domain. The rebirth cycle has been corrupted.--Ur-Flow Notifications

    In the end? We all had a role to play. The ultimate reward was the continuation of all Known Life. For that to continue? The cycle of soul shard rebirth would need to be corrected. Eden was meant to be a stop gap before the end. The final correction in a saga started by the evil whims of a misbegotten godling. --The Unseen Archives: Vol 2

The Duat

City of the Departed

Temple District

    Hal’lidin.

    It had been many years since he had walked these streets. He knelt at the altar. Awaiting the Coffin. It was morbid to call it that but names had power. The crystallized portion held the packets of life force needed to anchor Eliza after each death. Its final purpose would be fulfilled. The J’kua had provided the technical wonders needed via the Arcane Order. Now it was up to the Unseen to fulfill the other end of the cycle.

    P’tah circled then coiled about the Curator, “It is here. I took it from each pyramid. Letting it bask in the energies of my people.” The Amarche pulled back his hood. His current body still bronzed by the rays of Sol. The Night King and Queen rested one taloned paw on the blessed vessel.

    “Arbiter of the Unseen thanks you for your service.”

    They were draconian in body. Their faces resembled lions. As with all things? Balance. The male was dark as midnight. The female of the pair a paler gray. Black speckles dotted her form at the base of her neck to spread out along her back. Her tail ended in black fire. The Night King’s blazed with white cosmic fire.

    Khepri bowed.

    His flowing black robes ringed with three golden circles. No matter the age? The realms of Death would reflect his nature. All true memory would spill forth from the third Convergence. Safer for all involved. As the Curator he had explored the expanse of Space. As Khepri he had helped shape the Duat with the Icath. For the Night Pair were also Icath. Able to travel to each realm of the Departed. To give dreams to the Living. Only Eliza’s actions had been visible to the multiverse at large. As needed. The Crystal Coffin rose towards the starless sky. The Silver King swept it into his realm.

    It brushed against the apex of the Everlasting Pyramid.

    Life energy flowed into the translucent exterior. It faded from view. P’tah’s head raised.

    “Karvax was within the city. He hounds the steps of the Bulleteer.”

    The Curator bowed, “I shall warn him.”

    He dashed toward the triangular portals.

    The sights and sounds of New Ashbury greeted him on the other side.

∞

    Golden Bulleteer dodged the blow.

    The shark man rose from the duracrete. His bulging arms twisted as he hurled a segment of metallic disks towards the demi. Dead black eyes bulged as silver white vines tossed the apex chicken of the sea into the air. White Lily crossed her arms.

    A few C grade wanna be villains were attempting to cause trouble. Just because the Terran Typherian Union was on the move didn't mean the home worlds were left defenseless. Tidalwave summoned a torrent of water. Formed it into a ball at the tip of his katana. Shark man protested, “Death comes for you! I am but the hera---” Water cut off the rest. The pale outer skin of the enemy twisted.

    Amazing Grace winced, “Abbadon’s corruption.”

    The deep crimson threads poured out from the gills, eyes and nostrils of the warped demi. Lichinous fibers beat against the swirling blue crystal waters.

    Tidalwave raised his katana. “By the Grace of the Trident, be stilled vile one!”

    The shark man’s ivory teeth protruded from his gap toothed grin.

    “He comes!”

    Blue skies turned red as a portal formed above the epicenter of the city.

    An emaciated head emerged. Its triangular jaw pitted with scars.

    The mutated raptor let out a throaty hunting call.

    Karvax had come.

∞

    The Tower of the Lidless.

    Its mirrored halls ignited with white-blue flame as we walked. Each step reverberated with chimes that cleansed the soul. Doc was even humming a jaunty tune as we stepped onto the main floor. The reflective surfaces were dormant. I walked toward the middle portion. Nothing. Water hit my head. A set of stairs formed. Each step echoed with the soothing pulse of the sea. The upper tiered room was filled with white lilies. Two figures sat by the suspended pool.

    As we approached I made out the familiar set of heartbeats.

    My parents were here.

    I called out, “Weren’t you supposed to be…..”

    They turned. Their faces were lined with age. Yet that spark remained.

    Their uniforms were blurred. The surface shifted. Caught in the subdued light of another world. Mirrors! The scene behind them was obfuscated but one image dominated. A pristine white oak rose behind them.

    Doc stumbled. I caught her before she could fall. Her features shifted slightly.

    No, Lethe had emerged.

    Those ancient eyes locked onto me, “You must know the first history. Not of mortals.”

    A silver ring of fire encased us.

    My father’s voice carried above the crackle of the cosmic flames.

    “You were never alone. None of us were.”

    The stars shifted overhead. Lethe’s hand tightened around mine. The slow breath of a massive serpentine form rippled under my boots. Its silver scales reflected the shield world of Elysium! Its surface was dark. Not with decay or destruction. Like it was awaiting permission.

    I could detect no life from it. One figure in white-blue armor gazed down at the inert surface of the world.

    He raised his right fist.

    His fingers traced a symbol on the space above his head. “I hear your command Oversoul. World of metal, grass and stone, I give you the Spark of Creation!” Tears leaked from the eyes of the Ouroborous. The liquid circled the dormant planet. My blood froze in my chest as I saw Abbadon. His tattered red robes couldn't hide his wasted form underneath.

    He noted darkly, “The water does not encompass the core of that world.”

    The Highest ignored his brother. He reached into his chest and drew forth a flame.

    Abbadon recoiled from it. His skeletal arms crackled as the light brushed his bruised flesh. Smoke rose. He fled deeper into the void around the Ouroborous. His curses followed. “The worlds will love you!”

    Abbadon snarled, “They will fear me.”

    The Ouroborous of the Beginning whispered, >>It is nearly time. I see you both. The Slumbering Twins. You that shall inherit the Vigil<<

    Abbadon was the younger. Lethe traced symbols into my palm.

    The Language of Creation. It was not for me.

    >>It will be needed however. See how to ignite the heart of Elysium!<<

    The voices of the golden host swirled within my spear.

    Thronebearers circled the core of Elysium. The first cadre under the Highest.

    I blinked as the realization hit.

    Death energy intermingled with Life. Thronebearer blood flowed. Abbadon hollered as power was “stolen” from him, “That is not yours to give!” He attempted to grasp the black threads. The few he managed to snag rotted through his outstretched fingers. The first corruption of the Death Realms. My left palm trembled.

    Death requires a stout and noble heart.

    My brother’s mental voice bled.

    A coin spun into the infinite.

    On one side was my symbol. Wreathed in white flame.

    Dexter’s coiled in black majesty. Our Thronebearer sigils pulsed in unison.

    The Ouro hummed, >>Two there are. Twins in Flesh. One to Guard the Shield of Life. The other marked by Visage of Death. Made to correct the Shattering. Abbadon sealed his fate by birthing the Seed.<<

    Into the First Cycle of Mortals.

    The Shadow within the Flesh.

    The Highest motioned. A flaming sword of starlight bisected the corrupted Death threads from the healthy ones curling about the core. Abbadon hissed, “You will regret that brother.” The final word contained venom beyond mere hatred. It was targeted. Abbadon’s boots left boils on the sleek surface of the Ouroborous.

    My brother’s rage fed into my own.

    Above us the Oversoul manifested. My mind was not prepared.

    It took a form I could understand after a few heartbeats of unrestricted beauty.

    The Void Man intoned, “Walk the Path of the Ancient One. That which circles All.”

    The Silver Lady held forth her staff.

    Lethe knelt. Unable to meet the eyes of both. Not out of shame but respect.

    My wings expanded. Black tipped with white and silver.

    “Isn’t that supposed to be….” The Highest smiled at me.

    “All answers have an end. Even if we cannot see the Journey for what it is.”

    Dexter stood next to me. His were the purest white. Bright enough that I had to shield my eyes. Golden tips stretched out. That had been hidden as well. Lethe pressed her palms to the scales bruised by Abbadon.

    The Ouro rumbled gently, >>Fear not dear Lethe. The marks are required.<<

    I rose. The Void Man snapped his fingers.

    The sound echoed through my mind. We phased through the body of the great serpent.

    “Now see the truth of the World Beyond the Oversoul.”

    The stars pulled back. The Amache and Hatheon faded.

    Pale blue embers rose before us.

    Primordial.

    It spoke to the Thronebearer within. I cupped the ember within my palms.

    Dexter said, “See what the Vigil guards.”

    Beyond the dark curtain I saw what my brother had known nearly since his birth.

    What Chronos desired above all else.

    I bit down hard enough that blood flowed through my mouth. I would not scream. Not now. The Ouro whispered, >>The Cliffs Beyond.<<

    A vast wasteland. Not of ruins. Dead stars or desolated planets.

    Nothing.

    Emotion paled. The soul bled.

    I winced as Dexter gripped my hand. I applied equal pressure.

    The Ouro moved us away from the expanse.

    There was nothing beyond the Light of the Oversoul.

    Just desolation.

Issue 8: Here

Issue 10: Here

The Uplift Protocol The Ouroborous Chain: Issue 8

Issue 8: Unseen Avenues

    I took the Unity gig to gain power. Enough to breach this realm called the Duat. The Golden Dart was there. I see the remaining bits. It is why I allowed X’mil to mark my body. I am as close to undead as you can get without the Night Shaman oaths to the Flesh Masters.--Karvax

    Bright Eyes, what a lovely creature. I was interested in seeing how much I could transfuse his body with Living Stone, Artock stock and a bit of Forger templates.--Sister Nyx

    It would not end with the Battle of Elysium. I knew that the moment the crystal coffin and Ur-Stone appeared. To bring me to the 42^nd century. One of the Ur-Flow mind memories merged with me that day. Some of my future self. Beyond the end of cycles. The Vigil remains.--Unseen Archives

The Duat

Outer Sands

    Karvax watched as the Anubis guards patrolled the outer triangular gate.

    It was an ancient scent but Bright Eyes had remembered. The Golden Dart had passed this way. His skin itched as the brands pulsed across his body. Color left his face. His frame withered. His heart slowed. The blood silenced its march within his veins. His eyes sunk into his skull. He strode forward. His outer gray and green robe hid his other bodily markings. For this venture he donned the high kneed sandals he had stolen from the Dreamweavers. It hadn’t been simple.

    Bright Eyes shifted form. The enchantment reshaped scales into fur. A lithe jaguar padded alongside the hulking warrior.

    He waited. Until their attention shifted to the rising concern that was Elysium.

    Pandora had owed him. Even if her body was not her own. Their scales were balanced.

    All he cared about was finding the Golden Dart.

    That demi’s greatest weakness.

    He moved beyond the Anubis guards. Their dead black orbs remained staring out into the white sands of the Outer region. The Black City rose to pierce the heavens as he came out on the opposing side of the portal. Three Silver Pyramids dominated the center circle.

    He frowned. They phased into Gold. Green. Black. Purple.

    Never staying one color for too long. That had never been mentioned. Karvax had done as much research as he could. The Night Realm had offered no answers. He kept the hood of his robe firmly pulled across his brow. His face had a brush of stubble. To hide the chin markings of his homeland. This place expected a mix of those across the multiverse with a particular POV on the afterlife. It was how Abbadon had been able to infiltrate all the death cycles of the soul shards. By taking a thread of each mortal image of death and whispering on the embers.

    It was why the soul shard reliquary remained pristine. As the day the Oversoul birthed it.

A handful of souls for each religion of mortal kind slumbered within it.

    The Highest had thought itself clever by hiding Slumberer to the Murphy cripple.

    Karvax thought all the King Making or Hill climbing to be redundant. None of his “allies” would allow each other to get stronger. The way Unity had been made was proof of that. A lesser prince to a Demonic King.

    Bright Eyes emaciated form turned towards the middle pyramid. Its snout quivered. No breath came from its body. To keep his companion it had to be converted. There was no prolong for those within his faction. It was riddled with the enchantments of light shamans, Typherian sages, those who walked with the Highest.

    He slid into a side building as a trio of white panthers padded by. Icath.

    He didn’t trust such creatures. They could travel the rivers of time but when they died? They came here. Because they were seen as holy. The massive felines slid past.

    Their paw pads left no impression on the hardened earth.

∞

    P’tah climbed the central pillar of the Hal’lidin.

    The City of the Departed. He had spent the remaining parts of his lifeforce to transport that which was needed to the appropriate time. The crystal coffin would carry its charges back to the point they were required. The rest of the Icath would be there. Elysium. Eliza would become what was needed.

    The Silver Annotated. Asleep no longer.

    He nudged the Crystal Coffin. It faded from view as it finished threading the energies of the Duat. Mortal kind’s 2^nd oldest death plane. The first was not the Night Realm. That was the usurper’s trickery. Eliza would climb the cliffs. Dexter entwined. Bringing forth the final realm of Death. To merge with the Light of Elysium. The mid dawn of the Twilight.

    As was written.

    No matter how much Abbadon dreaded it.

    Evil could not escape. Not as long as the Light endured.

∞

    Karvax knelt. The speck of red thread. It was not the crimson of Abbadon. It was a mark of love. Bulleteer had a weakness. He kept his face stoic. Any flash of emotion would garner the attention of the Anubis. Unlike Living Stone? Those guardians were imbued with the soul shards of the Magi. Bodyguards across the ages who earned their place in the afterlife. For their heroics. Bravery or whatever delusions the heroics of life had bestowed upon them. A pitiful reward in his estimation. He plucked the fragment from the ground. Rolled it between his fingers.

    Yes, this would do.

    He would find the one tied to Bulleteer.

    The ground rumbled. Stonework boots thudded. Karvax retreated.

    Silver beams heated the spot he had vacated.

    Gongs clanged.

    The resonance beat within his chest.

    He walked steadily to the outcropping of square buildings.

    Any outburst would bring undo attention. Bright Eyes shimmered. His temporary form would fail. Still Karvax walked. Bright Eyes kept pace. At last they made it to the eastern portal. As they stepped through the cold of space filled his augmented lungs. Bright gray disks hovered above him. Void Walker ships.

    Bright beams locked onto them both.

    He bowed mockingly. “Nyx! What a pleasure!”

    Bright Eyes shifted. Its enchanted form faded. Like a snake shedding its skin.

    Sister Nyx carried a bundle over. Suspended in amber.

    Chronos’ dead orbs were milked over.

    Karvax laughed, “I highly doubt Dominion did it.”

    Nyx jabbed one bony finger into Karvax’s chest.

    “No. But the body needs to be kept away from his dear daughter. Until the rites are performed.” Karvax raised on bushy eyebrow, “Where are we hiding it?”

    His dark mirth grew. “Excellent!”

∞

    Striker Nix glared at Karvax. “You want us to bring that to Mars? In the Sol system?!”

    The human demi rested an obsidian dagger on the table. “The very same.”

    Pira brought the ship registry online, “We can get in. But we are also being tracked. By the Banner. On purpose mind you.” Snake Charmer grinned, “There is an advantage to this. Put the body in that same cryo unit that the Banner hid those two crazy lovebirds of the Eternal Empire in.”

    Medusa joined in her brother’s laughter.

    “Don’t even hide the manifest. Let the Alliance take old leather face.”

    Let the big dogs fight. Karvax leaned in.

    “Do the same for Bright Eyes and myself. I have a Dart to catch.”

    He would play dead. Arise in some Alliance Lab. Find the Dart. Ruin his life.

    The giant had waited this long. What was a few days longer?

    He held up a massive fist, “They will want to study me. I welcome them to try!”

    Bright Eyes let out a low pitch croaking sound that set Medusa on edge.

    She held up her hands, “Fine. We have the dubious honor of being the tagged bad guys.” She reflected it was better than being dead. The humans tried to use them to keep track of other problems. Much like they kept tabs on X’mil and E’ratha. Medusa pictured that metallic spider chassis. Who’d want to be a brain case forever? Let the Ultimate Good and Supreme Evil destroy one another. They’d come out on top.

    The insignificant little ants.

    This pleased the former snake woman.

    She purred, “What of Thoth?”

    Karvax held up a flask, “That prick? Oh. He’s under the thumb of Abbadon. Not a pretty place to be.”

∞

    The chiming brought me out of a fitful slumber. The Ur-Flow had been chaotic lately. I knew it had something to do with Dexter but I didn’t dare ask. The less I knew the better. The circumstances weren’t lost on me as I headed towards the main meeting offices. The Jupiter Rising hummed. We were still docked on Tarkanan. But Doc slept better on the ship. Coffee filled the air as the iris opened. Cooper and Auggie bounded over to me. Demanding to be scratched. I obliged.

    A message blinked at the corner of my vision. I opened it. My father’s military bearing locked me into place. Those coordinates flashed.

    The Tower of the Lidless.

    It was all coming full circle.

    One way or another. My mouth dropped open.

    Tanarkan was to warp there.

    I clamped my mouth shut before Doc could notice. She turned and offered me a mug.

    Her hand shot out to fix my hair. When that wasn’t successful she used her portable brush. “You always look like the side of a hurricane with that hair of yours.” I winked. “We got another mission.”

    Doc motioned to the chairs. “Spill it.”

    Her puzzled expression grew, “Why bring….never mind. The less we know the better.”

    I searched the Ur-Flow. The symbol of the Golden City rose in response.

    An ankh with three silver Ouros behind it.

    “Next stop? The past, present or future! Maybe all at once!”

    I meant it as a joke but Lorain just took another sip of coffee. For her? The darker the better. I always added cream and sugar. Always look on the bright side of caffeine! Even if it didn’t bring me any extra energy like normal people it was a comforting ritual.

    My stomach lurched as Tarkanan shifted into Weave Space.

    “Here we go!”

∞

    Jupiter interlinked with her sisters.

    She would say moored with the Tower of the Lidless.

    They walked the edge of a knife. They must not fail. 

Issue 7: Here

Issue 9: Here

The Uplift Protocol The Ouroborous Chain: Issue 7

 

Issue 7: Lucifer Finds the Mark

    It all comes down to one final factor: Who can overthrow the Creator all All-Knowledge? It cloaks itself in many titles: God, The Oversoul, Creation. Each empire that reaches the Bronze age has a name for it. What pale imitation of mortality did it hide the Tears in?!--Lucifer

    My progenitors think themselves clever. I will not take the bait.--Abbadon

    Each cycle buried pieces of the Truth. The Blood Curse reminds us. Our part in this battle is already settled. We must retake that which was lost. For all of our souls.--Sunset Showdown

    No matter what cycle of life we find ourselves in rebellion takes its natural course. Evil seeks to bind you into the depths of despair. Good desires people to push themselves higher. To be more than just a shell of flesh and bone.--Unseen Archives Vol 1

The Night Realm

Outer Plains

Temple of The Forgotten Woe

    Lucifer grasped the melted handle. The doorway creaked open.

    The first building erected in this desolate hellscape. He would find answers here. Ideas Abbadon didn’t want to share. Plans within plans. That included their enemies. They were in play just along a different board. Their movements controlled by the Highest. His chains were just as stifling as Abbadon’s. Just covered by self-righteous moralizing. The Multiverse was a cage. Regulating the Golden Host to serving Mortals?

    Lucifer snarled. His sword flashed out. Beheading the obsidian stone statue. Its three eyes glared at him accusingly. He turned. Glared at the figures that phased through the darkened ceiling. The Silver Lady. The Void Man. The final nuisance.

    The mighty Oversoul itself. In the dual form of Man and Woman.

    He sneered, “Constant judgment flows from you. Your sons war against each other and for what? This miserable existence?! You have condemned them all. Placed their fate with that crippled Banner. What use is a half rate Thronebeaer and its fragile human blood?”

    The Silver Lady’s hair was matted to her head. Her shriveled hands clutched her rosary. Hazy blue eyes completed the wretched ensemble. The Void Man’s voice rasped, “You have not learned. Thus you shall serve the Circle.” The Void Man’s back was hunched. His hands shook. Arthritic and frail. Old guard with no substance.

    “Chronos has seen your true form. What now? He broke your precious rules. Yet you throw me to the wolves?!”

    The Void Man spat, “You broke the Covenant.”

    The Silver Lady added, “You do not understand the Word.”

    Lucifer spread his golden wings, “All because I gave Unity and by proxy your rejected son the fruits of your labor.” He watched as the avatars flinched. He had them.

    He held his sword hand high, “You created this mess but by your own rules you must live with it!”

∞

    The feminine aspect shook her head. He still did not understand. No matter of knowledge would ever bring Lucifer back on the path of Creation. He would serve his new purpose.

    Under the watchful eye of the Thronebearer of Bones.

∞

    Lucifer eyed the woman coldly, “Your prophesies and mind games mean nothing. The fact that you created a weaker representation of the immortal forms speaks volumes of your lack of foresight.”

    He jerked an accusing finger to the Void Man, “You cower. Use a crippled hybrid to bear the marks!” The black cowled gaze pinned Lucifer to the ground. Finally some fire!

    He smirked, “You see? I can still needle you. What does Abbadon do? But disappoint time and time again?” He watched as the woman stepped into the shadow of the man. Her back linked to his. “Elysium wasn’t your first failure!”

∞

    The male aspect faced Lucifer directly.

    The Lightbearer would not understand the Word. Mercy compelled him a final time, “You shall be consumed by the Final Thronebearer.” Lucifer howled.

    The incredulous flame ignited within those orbs, “Really? From Eliza Murphy. How quaint. You think one such as her could dominate me? You have grown feeble in your old age. Oversoul.” The word came out as a curse. They had never understood. Which was entirely the point. Of the final two Thronebearers born to Elysium? Eliza had come before her brother. From the Sea of Outer Creation. Thus he was born from the final ashes of that divine water. Only one had seen. Never to be believed.

    The one dubbed the Piper within this cycle.

    All beginnings held secrets.

    Each held a piece. The full tapestry would never be known to anyone.

    Even servants of the Light.

∞

    I didn’t dare to breathe.

    My purpose had already been fulfilled by my reckoning. The fact that the Void and Silver aspect had decided to show me this small bit after the Third Arising spoke of their faith in me. You must forgive me dear reader. Of the Unseen Chronicles. By now I have lived countless lifetimes. With only Doc as my constant companion through the cycles since the Reformation of the Multiverse. My memory is not as it should be. Driven that way on purpose. I recall I used to joke about the swiss cheese dilemma but it holds a kernel of truth. Mortal minds, even ones such as mine, were not made to peer into the Infinite without going mad.

    My brother clutched my left arm. We had never switched back. This was why.

    We shared in our burden. To keep the darkness at bay.

    Within the shadows of the Oversoul we watched as Lucifer sealed the fate for all who would reside within the Ninth Circle. Later stories would give it many names. Hades. Hell. Oblivion. Woe. This was our power. One of sacrifice. Of Duty. Ours was the slow reward of the Vigil. The warmth of the Oversoul tickled the outer edges.

    Dexter nodded.

    His wraith form solidified for a moment. His smile was an equal mix of joy and remembrance.

    Thank you for keeping your promise sister.

    It would be eons before the damage was undone.

    The Vigil remained.

    I squeezed his hand in response.

    As all things should be. We will maintain the Ouro.

∞

    Lucifer circled after he broke away from the gaze of his Creator. “We exist beyond your binary thinking. All rules have a breaking point. Chronos is proof of that. Unity. Abbadon. All slipped your leash. The Highest made for a poor warden.”

    The Silver Lady spoke. Her voice as cold as the depths of space, “Your role was to be Shield to Mortal kind.”

    Lucifer replied flippantly, “Oh. Those three primary rulings. What is it with you and threes? A lame representation of mortal cycles. Birth, Growth, Death. What is the point? They only exist for a mere mote. Then fade into the nether.” He stood face to face with the Void Man.

    “Chronos cloned himself. Breaking your precious soul shard cycle.”

    “Unity crossed the Leylines of Creation. Of Magic.”

    His cruel visage turned to the Silver Lady.

    “Abbadon rejected your silly notion of Death. The Night Realm is of your doing. For you gave them Life!”

    Lucifer kicked. His leg aimed for the Void’s head.

    The fallen Thronebearer snarled as a silver shield rose to defend the Oversoul.

    “Fine. Have it your way. Watch as your empires crumble. All those soul shards turned to dust within the fires of oblivion!” He turned on his heel and left the crumbling Temple. No wonder Abbadon never came here. He imagined the conversations would be the same.

    “Watch as I tear those motes of Creation from your feeble champions!”

    He would serve the Red King to spite Creation. That was his path.

    Fire engulfed his humanoid form.

    He welcomed the pain.

∞

    My left arm soaked up the necrotic energies of the strike. The Silver Lady pressed a finger to her lips, “Lucifer does not hear the Word.”

    Abbadon’s shadowed form lingered.

    They had wanted him to see this.

    The Void Man knelt, “This avenue is closed to us.”

    Dexter tapped my arm.

    See who lingers in Abbadon’s shadow?

    My jaw clenched. Thoth.

    Pieces clicked into place. If my mind couldn't take the overflow of information? Then what would happen if a regular mind possessed the body of one such as Abbadon? No wonder the Ur-Flow had regulated the Thronebearer Sight. That small sliver of Divine Insight.

    Dexter’s mind flowed through mine.

    Precisely.

    The trap had already been sprung. We were merely experiencing the echoes of what was. What would be. The future set in motion long before my soul shard had come into existence. One question burned within me. Why even create the fault in the first place? Why let evil into the world?

    The Word flowed through me.

    Choice my dear Thronebearer.

∞

    Lucifer knelt at the base of the blackened throne.

    His wings creaked. No longer the radiant gold of the Thronebeaer. Each black strip contained the soul shards of the condemned. Their voices echoed. Eternal torment flowed. Mordred on his right. Lilith on his left. Abbadon clutched the armrests.

    “Now you see what I deal with? We must search for the one who holds the Tears.”

    Mordred stated clearly, “The host won’t be found here. We must follow Murphy into the past. After Thoth stabs her with the Knife from the Tree of Knowledge.” Mordred’s mind was clear after so many years encased within the dreaming weaves of the Night Realm. His humanoid shape had fleshed out once more. Vitality flowed. His bright brown eyes locked onto the Red King. “They are ready for us within the future. The present. But the past? That is ripe for altering. Just enough so we can find the one who truly slumbers!”

    Abbadon leaned forward, “Yes. I have already seen a bit of this. That fake museum of the future deserted Earth. They had people hidden beyond the fields erected around that place. This Eliza thought herself clever. Earth will not die as easily as we hoped.”

    He knew his enemies had planted false flags. The trick was finding which paths they wanted him to avoid. It all came back to one person. The brother of Murphy. But which one. That clan had so many children. Which hid within the shadow of the Highest?

∞

    Thoth wanted to scream.

    His current self was oblivious to the trap. He paced within his mental prison cell. This time displacement nonsense was driving him insane. The knife wouldn't oust Murphy from this Bone Throne. If that was what it had been. The future was well guarded. As was the present. Why did they think the past would be any different?! Sheer folly.

    He snarled, “We are meant to fail! DO YOU SEE?!”

    Abbadon smiled cruelly, “Of course we are. The game was rigged from the start.”

    Thoth asked, “Then why?”

    Abbadon obliged him. “The Tears will be force fed to Chronos. His body that is. It will distract the guardian beyond the Ouroborous. Thus allowing us all to escape this hell of a multiverse.”

    Thoth knew the godling was holding back. Since it was riding around in his body.

    Which piece? He dreaded finding out.

    He would make everyone pay. Even with his dying breath.

Issue 6: Here

Issue 8: Here

The Uplift Protocol The Ouroborous Chain: Issue 6

 

Issue 6: Claws Upon Thy Heart

    He’s still mocking me. Thinking I can’t get the job done. Well that Aether prick might have decimated the Drone Factory output, for now, but the idiot never found the two backup codex. Ill scan them to make sure there’s no presents left behind. My father will not succeed. --Hilary Brookes

    The Oversoul. It is above Abbadon, Beyond the Highest, to the point that Unity isn’t even aware. That is what I wish to study. I pretended to fawn over Unity. To find what pulled its strings. When everything led back to the battle of Good vs Evil? I knew there had to be strings above that. The trick is to find the right paths to ruin. So others may not follow me.--Chronos

    The three absolute laws: Do not cross the Leylines of Creation. Cloning is forbidden. One soul shard per body/shell. All mortals have a choice. Serve the Cycle. A majority will choose to serve life. Others will be reserved for the Halls of Ninth Circle. As was written.--Tablets of the Golden Host.

    Every part was already written. We merely followed the song.--Fragment of the Unseen

    Thrice I gave everything I had. Always in that same number. No matter the Era. No matter the Cycle. The stakes compelled me to offer myself when no other could. We shall climb the steps. My sister and I. The world will be changed in the passing.--Unseen Archives Vol 1

Rally Point Golf

Weave Space

July 2nd, 3266

    I positioned the Jupiter Rising next to the open hanger layer of Tarkanan.

    It still glowed green in places but the metals were a bright bronze coloration. I even spotted the vibrant growth of trees within the spinning inner layers. We couldn’t restore Athena yet. She was still contained within the sword found during my fight on Typha. Hephaestus’ worn visage sparked to life. The holo glimmered a bright copper.

    “Arbiter. I know this is asking much but I request Doctor Lanis join you down here.”

    Doc’s formal control slipped for a micron of a second. Her regale features smoothed out.

    It was an old wound but one she hadn’t forgotten. It stirred another angle within me.

    The Tower of the Lidless.

∞

    Lorain Lanis stepped off the transport tube.

    The underlying smells were gone. Her eyes locked onto the golden-leaved trees swaying in the wind. Eliza handed her an orange. Lanis bit into it. Each slice a delightful mix. She watched as Eliza inhaled a few quick breaths. “No machinery on this level. At least not that I can detect. Hephaestus must have done a major overhaul.”

    Lorain wrapped an arm around Eliza’s waist. “Just keep a keen eye out.”

    The vision of gleaming crimson orbs sent a shiver down her back.

    Doc crossed herself.

∞

    No traces of industrialized essence anywhere. No blood. No residues of pain. Every inch of this place had been scrubbed clean. I peered into the Weave. A trio of Gemini guards waved back. They placed their upper set of fists across their heart. “We are as ready as we can be. We shall retake Elysium.”

    Pressure on my forearm brought me back into the physical world.

    A platform disk. I stepped aboard. Doc hesitated and I picked her up in my arms.

    As the disk lowered into the dark below her breathing smoothed out. Each wall was lined with Light Shaman sigils. Voices rose as the platform halted. A leather-faced Gemini woman raised her four arms. Her white cowled head was ringed with green diamond patterns. Her voice cracked like a whip, “Now is the appointed time.” Doc tensed. I rose off the ground in response to her distress.

    I managed to reply, “Mine or hers?”

    The priestess pointed at us, “The three shall encompass all.”

    Cryptic. But which layer would….

    White coils held me in place.

    A massive tiger padded towards us. Her three eyes opened to mere slits.

    “It has been a long time.” White’s greeting confused me.

    Doc clutched her head. She feinted in my arms.

    The white coils tightened as my eyes closed.

    Cool water splashed upon my upturned face.

    The Weave?

∞

    Lethe awoke to the sound of running water.

    She scuttled backward as her human form reclined on the whitened stone. She flung up her hands as Murphy stared. “Do not look upon me!” Eliza took one step forward. Her silvered armor radiated with the inner power of a Thronebearer. The one red thread against her neck told the story. The Last of the Watchers born to Man and Highest alike.

    She replied, “What’s wrong?” Lethe drew her robes about her form. Unlike her mortal shell she had no reference for this body. Not as she had been. The tears of the Oversoul glimmered within her forehead. Breast and left palm.

    Why now?!

    She was unprepared.

    The Oversoul said to hide. This would ruin them both!

    Later cycles wouldn't survive another Cataclysm.

    She fled from the chamber.

∞

    I took another cautious step forward. Three beads of light circled Lorain. Her features were hidden under the all-encompassing glow. I shouted as she bolted to the far side of the chamber. A triangular doorway hissed open. I sprinted after her. No super speed.

    Right. Old fashioned foot chase. As Paxton liked to call it.

    A great swath of golden wheat slapped me in the face.

    I called out, “DOC!”

    No answer. A few stalks cracked. The feminine gasp as hurried footsteps plowed onward. Towards a white tree in the distance. Its leaves were a mix of silver, green and gold. I made my way towards it. No time to think. Just chase. I would not fail her. Abbadon and the rest would never find her. Consume her. The Ur-Flow merged with my aura.

    She was the first Amache to see beyond the Flow of the Infinite.

    The Oversoul uplifted her. Hatheon protected her.

    Made her sleep across the ages. Many cycles. She only remembers fire and death.

    “Elysium’s fall.”

    She will show you the secret path into the Golden Reliquary. Only known to her. Gifted by the Oversoul.

    I asked, “What is the Oversoul?”

    It is all of us. My breath caught in my throat.

    “It made the Highest and….”

    Yes.

    My head swam. I pushed through the final layer of golden wheat. Lorain was kneeling at the base of the tree. The three specks of light pulsed with her tears as they soaked the ground. Crystals grew with each drop. Not all my senses were gone. My Thronebearer blood roared in response.

    New life. New souls. Pristine shards awaiting insertion into the Tapestry.

    Lorain was part of the puzzle. I reached out. Then thought better of it. I knelt behind her.

    I said plainly, “I am your Shield. What is it you require of me?”

∞

    Lethe turned towards the voice. “My fault. I saw it coming yet could not act. Forbidden.”

    The Thronebearer reached out to cup her cheek, “Because you were Amache?”

    Lethe glanced away. She couldn't meet the Thronebearer’s gaze.

    Those black and silvered orbs saw too much. Gave too much.

    The sympathy would undo her resolve.

    Her eyes locked onto the crystals gleaming faintly within the base of the tree. “More than that. I saw the Word. As the Highest was brought forth to bring the Light of the Oversoul into the realm of Dark Matter.”

    Lethe stared at the Golden Three etched upon the silvered breastplate.

    She murmured, “Oversoul gave me a choice.” Gentle fingers cupped her chin.

    “Will you tell me?”

Shield World Elysium

Roadway of Echoes

First Cycle of Creation

    Lethe stumbled.

    Her breath came in spurts. How odd. She never had to perform such an action before. There was no need in the Dark Matter cluster. Lilith’s harsh countenance flashed in her memory. What had happened? Hands had lifted her up from the void. A figure in flowing white robes greeted her, “Listen well. First Souls of Creation will form the basis of all else to come.” Lethe paused. She drank in the sights and smells of this place.

    He handed her three motes of crystal. One sank into her head. One into her left palm. The final rested under her breast bone. He held up three fingers. “These are the tears of Soul Shard creation. Elysium will fall. But in you? It will have the chance to rise once more.”

    A woman joined him. They spoke together.

    “We shall give you a shield. One who can guard your heart. Your soul. The Last of the Thronebearers. By the red thread you shall know your champion. Evil rooted itself even as our sons did battle.”

    They pointed towards the alter surrounded by black and white tiles.

    A fountain of sweet water flowed.

    “Find the alter. Bring the Threads together. Only those who dwell within each realm shall rebirth the cycle as it was meant to be. All mortals shall be given a choice. To throw their shards into the Ninth Circle or reside Eternally beside us for all cycles hereafter.”

    Three tablets rose from the ground.

    Lethe could not comprehend the Word.

    The man said, “It is not for you. But it is required. The Thronebearer of Death shall know. For he will see with eyes not his own.”

∞

    I leaned against the tree. “Clever way to pass on information.”

    Lethe’s voice trembled, “What did the Oversoul mean?”

    I leaned in close. “We are the chess pieces. Of our own will of course. I don’t know the language from that memory either. But he will know. We are eternally linked. As was needed.”

Lethe snorted at that. Her smile brightened, “But we can bring life back to Elysium?”

    I nodded, “Its a hunch but I do believe we have all sorts of ancient creation level souls ready to join in on the battle to retake their old stomping grounds.”

    Lethe was Lorain. There was no doubt about it. I brushed her forehead. The tear brightened. “This whole time. No wonder your healing abilities are maxed out.” Now I knew why I had traded arms with my brother that day. When my 2^nd “death” came? Dexter was planning on a move that no one saw coming. I wouldn’t even speculate. He had a different dominion to plan for. The trap was set. The enemy knew it was coming. So the mechanism to spring it had to be cloaked.

    In layers of red herrings.

    We were the Last Thronebearers.

    Life and Death tied together. Not just at our level. But beyond it as well.

    The humbled part of me was awestruck. We had been entrusted with a precious gift.

    With the Ouroborous network reinitialized we would be able to maintain the Vigil. Not only of our mortal existence but that which resided beyond. What Chronos thought he understood. I wouldn't make that mistake.

    I smiled at Lethe, “I’m not sure what exists beyond the Oversoul but I am quite sure Chronos won’t like it.” The former Amarche smiled, “True enough my Shield.” I held out my arm, “So are we both going to think this was a dream or….”

    Lethe reached up to fix my wayward hair, “You shall remember this for us both. Lucifer and Nyx shall know certain decoys are fakes. But they will not tell Abbadon because they wish the Night Realm for themselves.”

    She shook her head. Bemusement honeycombed her emotional aura. “To think. The shoe is on the other foot. That is how you say it yes?”

    I nodded. “Will any of this make sense later?”

    She replied softly, “One day. When that happens? Our story will be….”

    I interjected quickly,”...hitting its stride!”

    My heart told me so. I would see this play out to whatever end awaited us.

    Lethe brightened. “I can tell. You speak the truth.”

∞

    Doc thumped my chest. “Eliza!”

    I cracked open one eye. We were lying on the smooth marbled surface of a service tube. Weave mists tickled my nose. “...another vision quest?” Lorain’s lips parted as she huffed, “I don’t get much resonance within the Weave. Should we call Gwen down here?”

    For good reason. I noted dryly.

    The Weave was actively hiding her true nature.

    I stretched. A giant white paw gripped my right leg. It pulled me towards the opening.

    White said, “Ahh! There you are. I hope the Weave chamber was illuminating!”

    I responded, “It left a mark.”

    Lorain climbed out after me. “My headache is gone. I call that a bonus!”

    Hephaestus met us in the main hall. His wife’s voice emanated from the sword strapped to his belt, “Once Elysium is freed? I will taste the air once more.” Athena voice took on a whimsical note, “I dearly wish to dance.”

    Endless ships circled each rotating layer.

    “The Gemini are ready to fight.” The arcane smith bowed.

    “I shall show you how to spot the imperfections!”

    Athena noted, “Oh my yes! That nasty Lucifer left so many openings. We will reforge Elysium my dear husband!”

    I tapped the side of my head, “Let’s get started.” 

Issue 5: Here

Issue 7: Here