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
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