Issue 5: Chronos Ascending
What is Aether playing at. Mustn’t let my “daughter” capture him before the opportune moment. I must find out what he is trying to keep us from. That Terran Alliance fleet has been building up to waylay us. Even destroy us. To protect what?--Encrypted Message to Sister Nyx.
What is the Cripple’s plan this time. She abhors leaving her “friends” behind. What could be so important that they were left as a distraction. The J’kua I can understand. They can temporarily throw off my fleet’s bio readings.--Hilary “Dominion” Brookes
J’kua vs Void Walker. It had to happen at some point. To take back the flesh stolen from them. What I didnt realize then? Aether had other soul shards in tow.--Unseen Archives Vol 1
Outer Shell of Z’ahramdus
Dominion’s Fleet
June 27th, 3266
Aether scuttled along the jagged surface of the Wyrm.
His J’kua strike team behind him. They had located the Drone Birthing vessel. Orange flashes made the ancient J’kua grin. Whitehouse was in his element. Arthon would guide them all through the hidden passages. Not only did his skin bear the marks of the Muthra? He had been training endlessly with J’kua marks. Dominion had only just acquired Chronos’ fleets. Aether would get the codex.
Get her to swallow it. It would delay the transformation.
The pieces would fall into proper sequence.
The Arcane Order had been formed as the distraction. Willingly.
Its mirror? The Unseen Order would be the one to bury the knife.
Eliza would understand. Just as before. He would become the Warden.
A piece of that Codex was meant for him. Dexter linked through the masculine Thronebearer line, <<I thank you brother.>> Elysium would rise. Aether didn’t respond. There was no need. As Uriel he had failed Elysium. He would not do so again. Eliza had gathered the Golden Host into the Spear. Those not bound to current mortal forms. He would loose this life in the end. Then join his brothers.
As Dexter promised.
Aether’s parting gift would be the J’kua people’s freedom. No longer bound to Abbadon’s machinations or Chronos’ delusions. He would miss the soft touch of grass. The bright flames of Sol. But it was a price he was willing to pay. That golden future grew within his mind’s eye. He sent a silent prayer to the Highest.
Protect me as I walk the Low Paths.
∞
Lightbearer aka Arthon jumped down the chute. The Keeper drone hordes didn’t scream. Their feet made a “shkick” sound as they climbed in after him. Orange flashes through the membrane gave the Muthra a sense of hope. Whitehouse was going to town. Matarn and his family were creating Light Shaman bombs to toss into the Wyrm’s central cortex. It wouldn’t kill the creature but it wreaked havoc with his internal senses. All according to the Unseen’s plan.
Eliza would bring the healing light of Sol to Elysium.
The Unseen Order would bring the pain.
How little they had known at the start.
Both orders would be needed for the climb.
To rescue the souls entrapped by Abbadon.
He grunted as he hit the bottom. He whirled on his right foot. Brilliant white sparks flowed into the chute. To fight the Void Walkers? He would burn them with their own tech. Their sigils. From the main source. J’kua formulas danced behind his eyelids as he formed the signs for “Inferno.” Bits of red ash fired from the expanse. He flung himself to the side as the drones fired back.
Catch me if you can!
He grinned savagely as the ash continued to rain down.
Soon she would not even have these.
No endless well to steal living stone or flesh constructs from consumed universes.
∞
Sister Nyx followed Dominion into the cranial ridge of the left eye.
The hybrid twitched as Chronos delved deeper into his “daughter’s” mind.
They would loose the Primary Drone factory.
Nyx cooed at the newest of her children. Its pale white body curled about her shoulders. They still had plenty of DNA subjects. The Forger project had been quite fruitful. It was regrettable that they had lost the codex to the Litari when Murphy had cleansed them. It had been so long ago but even a slice of that DNA had contained a vitality that allowed it to be spliced with other species. Its pink translucent mandibles clicked.
<<Mother! The Brood grows. Chronos is wise.>>
Nyx saved one item from the Drone Matrix.
It had been used in numerous transfers.
Hilary would ascend to greatness. Remolded into the image of her “father.”
∞
Aether shivered. The atmosphere was minimal. His fellow J’kua fired into the mass of bodies crawling towards them. These drones had no protection. Newly formed. Aether sent one final message to Whitehouse, <<When the wave hits? You shall be within Elysium. Find the Cauldron. It will keep you safe. Do not stare into the sky. It is not for you.>>
The human’s response came moments later.
<<May God walk with you in all the dark places.>>
Eliza wouldn't approve. She would move heaven and earth to keep her people safe.
He could not do that within his mortal shell. He had to free the might of the J’kua. It was why the Highest had flung him down to this coil. This time. Cycles had power. His fingers tightened on his pistols as they bucked in his hands. Dozens of drones went flying. He would consume the Codex. Just not the one that Nyx had prepared. The voices of his fellows rose. They sang. Their melody rich. The Drones continued to fling themselves against his team. Only he would bear the brunt of death this day.
∞
Hilary dry heaved into the white expanse. Images flashed.
Chronos had done a transference of memory!
White scales sparked as they walked upon the surface. Outside the coils of Shield World Elysium. There was no divinity. Just the cold expanse of the Void. What existed beyond it drove him. Nyx pointed, <<Do you see it?!>> Her voice was tinny across the communication’s net.
The star consumed all outside the confines of the Shield World.
It had three eyes. All opened to glare at the two specks upon the Ouroborous.
Chronos smiled as the light poured into him.
As if to denounce him.
He sat up as the sound of birds echoed through the trees.
They were back within the cage. Elysium designate Shield World 001.
Technology could break the barriers of magic and those who patrolled the skies above.
The Thronebeaers. Lucifer was their chief. Chronos held out his hand. Dear Nyx took it.
“We have an answer. For violating the “laws” of this land. We beheld the infinite. There is one who is above this Highest that the Noah faction praises.”
We would become gods. Not just servants to a Soul Shard system that kept everyone in light. Uniform. Boring. Submissive. That would be for those Bardaxians. He would lead his people into the promised land. Where they would decide. Not some cosmic entity that sat in its lonely sky and spat at them.
He had the right to choose.
Power flowed into his limbs. His soul shard warped alongside Nyx’s.
Their bodies grew pale. Their eyes darkened. Limbs twisted.
They were no longer J’kua.
∞
Hilary clutched her head.
That was the point of his plan?! To unseat Unity, Abbadon and this Highest character? Folly. The physical realm held more than enough bounty. To turn her enemies into dust? That was reachable. What he wanted was to unseat all order and chaos throughout the Multiverse. Sheer madness! Her right hand moved towards the hard exterior knob. “Activate Last Line. Code 22-49 Omega.” A sharp prick of pain hit her index finger.
The mechanized voice replied, <<Understood. Director.>>
Dominion howled. She still had his body confined within his old flag vessel. What was his angle?!
∞
Nyx planted a kiss upon the top of Hilary’s head. The hard outer ridges cut into her lips. There was no response from Brookes. Glorious. She only suspected mere memory transfer. A few underlying subliminal commands.
Hush Little baby, don't say a word
Momma’s gonna buy you a mocking bird
And if that mocking bird don’t sing
Momma’s gonna buy you a diamond ring…..
A swirl of silver wrapped around Hilary’s middle finger.
A gift. Such a wondrous gift.
Nyx keened as the Drone Ship exploded. Taking Aether with it.
Such a disappointment.
He had never seen the glory beyond the hollowed halls of Elysium.
Worthless bag of flesh. To the marrow.
She whispered, <<As you will it Director.>>
There was no reaction from Hilary. Not yet. Nyx ran her finger down Brooke’s spine.
“Be a good child. Find the codex we left for you.”
∞
There was no pain as the fire consumed his mortal body.
Aether sent one final burst to Marshall. He prayed the human would understand. There would be more work. The divine pattern could not be denied. His eyes snapped open and he bowed his head. The Golden Host Requilary. He had not been in here for countless cycles. His chest expanded. Dark indigo wings spread out from his back. He cupped his chalice towards the moonlight sky.
Eliza would arrive.
So would Lucifer. He would join his brothers in battle.
Silvered waters filled the dark blue chalice.
The Oversoul had forgiven him.
“I swear upon the Three Eyes above, I will not fail you, not ever.”
White robes curled around his frame. No longer in the body of a J’kua.
He was whole again.
Uriel spoke into the silent corridors of the Golden Reliquary.
“Here I stand. Guarding the Door.”
Issue 4: Here
Issue 6: Here
No comments:
Post a Comment