Issue 24: The Coffin Conundrum
Lucifer recovered the Union Bonded items. Before he ran off to Elysium. These are not the Arbiter and the one known as the Lady of the Isles. This reeks of the Highest. Why would they give up these artifacts to sell a lie? I will throw these items into the pits of the Night Realm. Let this come back to haunt Abbadon.--Sister Nyx
There was nothing for Sister Nyx to use. I know she holds back information but what kind I wonder? Lucifer brought back the artifacts buried within the Golden City constructs. They think to harvest my power. Fools. If he wishes my sight? He will have to earn it.--Abbadon
Dear Nyx, his eyes aren't within his head. Oh no. They reside within another kind of pocket.--Chronos
I still remember that line, “It's not who he is. It's what he wears.” Which did Cooper mean? Chronos? Thoth? Abbadon? The answer would unfold later. It was an item of note. One passed down across the cycles. Eons in the making.--Unseen Archives Vol 4
The Night Realm
River of the Lidless
Sister Nyx dissected every inch of the “sleeves.”
The two forms had nearly fooled her. The angelic embryo’s reaction had given it away. As its blood flowed through the sleeves? The inert reaction from the Arbiter of the Sands Sleeve confirmed it. Anyone or anything with that level of Arcane Order upgrades would have had a reaction to the influx of near Thronebearer level angelic interference. What a waste. Why place these Union pieces with the Sleeves? Nyx hissed as the Light Shaman wards faded.
No information remained.
The bodies sank into the River of the Lidless. Nyx hurled the Union pieces in as well. She watched as the bracelet and circlet crossed paths then sank under the raging flow of the brackish black waters. Whatever trap was inside could fester for Abbadon.
Nyx patted her belly, “Hush hush little one.”
∞
Abbadon brought the memory orb to his chambers.
Far below the necrotic energies fed. Each soul writhed then gave up its last spark to fuel his dark mirror network. Soul energy was the peak prize within any universe. Once he had the Thronebearer who dared to take the mantle of Death? Everything would end. Then he would continue on. Reshape the fabric of all reality. The slap of tentacles upon a marbled floor drew his attention. “Ahh. Nyx. So why did you throw those sleeves into my river?” Spikes shot out. The sudden intake of breath let him know she was immobilized.
Nyx simply stated, “Because I need your eyes.”
Abbadon whirled as the void walker spat out an abundance of white liquid.
It writhed and continued its advance across the floor. Abbadon raised one hand.
Nyx’s head twisted to the side. Sparks rose from her neck. They met the undulating white liquid. Abbadon raised his personal shields. He sank into the obsidian wards behind his throne.
“Insolent She-Cow!”
Nyx’s words broke past torn lips, “You are not the only one with Sleeves my lord.”
The liquid was sinking into the stone! Past his defenses!
∞
Nyx sent the final codes to the Sleeve. She had to admit? The humans had given her the idea on how to use such a thing offensively. The price would be paid. She was not concerned about her soul. Keepers were beyond the providence of the spirit. Leave that to the old world of Abbadon.
Blood dribbled down her chin as her nanites attempted to stave off the hemorrhages within her brain. It had to be done. In the distance, Abbadon’s mighty fortress shuddered. Just long enough to bring his network down. She pried open the two circular doors. A simple yellow orb sat on a docking pedestal. That was the bait. She flowed past it. The embryo squirmed as she transversed the great hall.
Images writhed, constantly shifting. She paused.
Where would he hide the eyes?
She only wanted a tiny sliver. The world beyond the Oversoul would be theirs.
∞
Abbadon reached out. Drawing upon all the stolen Typherian souls.
He lifted the white liquid from the ground. Examined its contents. Down to their atoms.
His lantern eyes rose to the three broken circles stationed above the iris.
“All according to plan.”
Chronos would be the blunt instrument to pluck out the Oversoul’s connection to everyone. Delicious. Now to sell the rest of the plan to the Sister. He summoned Mordred, “Take her for a ride my boy. Let her see all that she desires!”
Let her see a future where Chronos ruled.
Abbadon muttered, “Oh do shut up.”
Mordred bowed. Careful to keep his eyes downcast.
The half burnt sleeve continued to smoke upon the central dais.
Thoth’s efforts to retake his body were gaining ground.
How interesting!
Morded allowed the necrotic energy to envelope his feet.
He commanded, “Take me to Nyx.”
∞
Dexter waited until all he could hear was the low level groaning of the “river.”
Even the sleeves had shadows. The point wasn't to get anything Eliza or Doc had past Abbadon. He needed a foothold in this realm. He pulled the Sleeves to the darkest alcove. That was where the light would creep back into this world of misery. He placed the Sleeve forms back to back. In “Eliza’s” left hand he placed a crystal. Then the circlet in her other. For “Lorain?” He wrapped the bracelet around her right arm. One crystal in each palm. A perfect circle. Their forms sank into the bedrock of the river until only the barest hint of the crystals remained.
A glint of light pulsed.
Pale fingers stretched out.
Dexter disconnected from the Sleeves.
This River of Souls would soon be given a choice.
∞
Nyx examined the film covering her body.
Microbes attacked her thickened skin. She would not be denied. Within this soul conversion chamber was the Sight that would allow Chronos to see beyond the Oversoul’s nets. It allowed Creation to expand but only according to its will. Or Abbadons. Each was a parasite to true expansion. Abbadon only wanted ultimate control of the Oversoul’s Design. Chronos wanted to go beyond it. She reached out as a mosaic rose from the floor.
It was Abbadon’s origin.
Nyx hesitated. Her fingers just above Abbadon’s helmet.
No, he wouldn't keep it here. That would be far too obvious. Her eyes scoured the rest of the mosaic. The angelic embryo stilled as her hand passed over the moon’s shadow. Her lips pulled back as she leaned in to sniff the mosaic. A sharp scent of oranges, pears and apples with a hint of cinnamon.
Why would the Strand of the All-Seeing have any kind of aroma?
She plucked it from the mosaic. A single sample.
Mordred whispered, “Because our minds are attached to such things.”
She glared at him. “Keepers have no such….”
He reached out to tap her belly, “That does.”
She hissed. “You presume too much Carrion Eater!”
Mordred’s lips pulled back. His smile as cold as the void.
“Be seeing you. Pit Mother.”
Mordred knew the title wouldn’t be understood. He knew their fates. All of them.
Cat quick he leaned in and cupped her face. His mouth opened. Green mist flooded the room. She would understand. After that door closed. When the abyss consumed her.
Nyx flinched. Her vision cleared. White pillars. Clear waters ran along each side. Above? Endless stars. A girl with light blue wings walked ahead of her. The taller woman leaned down. Another angel. Guardian Class. Nyx clawed at her belly. The embryo! Not possible. Her dark gray tentacles shot out. She howled as an invisible wall crushed the tips of the longest. What living nightmare had Mordred sent her to? The crippled Thronebearer walked through Nyx. She shouted, “You were mine!”
Murphy didn’t turn. She walked further ahead and scooped the child high onto her shoulders. Nyx trembled. Murphy’s face. The hair was silver white. It wasn't the age that terrified Nyx. It was the aura around Murphy. Eliza glanced heavenward. “Here. Take your girl.”
The mother curtsied.
Eliza scooped up the water from the right side of the expanding marble corridor. It changed constantly. Black. White. Purple. An endless refrain. Madness. Mordred had granted her insanity. This was the path to Chronos’ victory? Hardly!
She flinched as that gaze passed over her. Murphy was talking with another entity.
Those gray irises had flecks of gold in them. Urraden blood cleansed of Abbadon’s influence. The black sclera of her Typherian heritage only accentuated the unsettling features. This was not the same Eliza Murphy who flew the skies of New Ashbury. Spouting ridiculous platitudes of “I am here to help!” and “I will destroy the Living Stone as necessary.”
This was a paladin for the light of Creation.
A creature that had seen the Cliffs of Helios and survived.
Nyx shuddered. She must warn Chronos!
This was the purpose of the Highest’s convergences. To forge Eliza Murphy into a weapon! One that even Abbadon would succumb to. Pain erupted in her belly. Those eyes pinned her to the floor.
∞
I knew that stench. It had been countless eons.
The Sister. Not as she was. No, this was the moment my brother warned me of.
Mordred’s gaunt face materialized. The fires of the Ninth Circle flitted across my vision.
<<You will keep your end of the bargain?>>
My brother had promised Mordred a less unfortunate role within the Ninth Circle.
I forced myself to peer directly into his wasted features.
<<Yes. As was promised by the Arbiter of The Way. Your scales shall be rejudged.>>
They would never get my brother’s true mantle name from me. Or anyone. Not even for this. The phrase, “Trust but verify” came to mind.
Mordred examined my unflinching countenance. <<You don’t agree with him.>>
I answered truthfully, <<No. Each within the Ninth earned their place long ago.>>
Mordred replied, <<You still seek Thoth. That last Knot that escaped Final Vigil. Will you judge him as you did me?>>
My voice grew distant, <<By all that remains. Yes. Help us find him and I will throw my vote behind my fellow Arbiter. You will not escape the Ninth. You will be granted reprieve alongside Ta’rammon and J’anu.>>
A spark of humanity entered those orbs.
He placed a hand over his fist. <<You shall have it.>>
Mordred shuddered as Throne Sight pierced what remained of his soul.
Little as it was.
This Eliza, the one at the end of the Vigil? Reforged into a shield that never moved. Nyx was a moron. That Thronebearer wasn't dangerous because of her offensive abilities. He recalled the Climb as well. She had borne the sacraments made to bring forth all from that darkened realm. Not only pulling innocent souls from damnation. Taken by Unity at Abbadon’s behest. But those who had been condemned by following the Evils of the world.
The Ninth Circle was an improvement.
A shield forged in fire. One who had seen beyond the realm of the Oversoul. Just as he did. But where he had desired pure power? She had taken the path the Highest had granted. To guard people from Chronos’ folly.
I concurred, <<Indeed. The Veil beyond the Oversoul is not meant for us. Even I dare not peer into that dimension for too long.>>
Mordred concentrated, <<The 42nd has the data you need. Start there.>>
I turned. Pitched my voice low.
“She is not yours to keep. Pit Mother!” My lips pulled back into a snarl.
I focused on the bright spark within Nyx. I cradled the half formed soul shard to my chest. I drew forth my spear, “Begone.” The tip grazed her eyebrow. Add that to the collection instead demon!
The Sister’s twisted pitiless orbs widened as the force of my command sent her back.
Dexter’s voice flowed over me, >>Which era do wish the Brothers to send her?<<
Lethe phased in. Her hands clasped over mine, “Let me cleanse...”
Additional layers formed over the child’s shard.
“Take her to the Twilight Throne.”
Lethe pressed a thumb to my forehead. Just above my inner eye.
I leaned forward, pushing against her callused finger, saying, “Make sure that Capt Overwatch….”
Lorain and Lethe’s voices chorused together, “...removes the memories of her abduction. I know.” She touched my cheek. It was the little one’s wish as well. The naming would come later. I used Throne Sight to guide Lorain to the hairline fractures. Lethe gained dominance as she used the three Tears of Creation to reforge the little one’s inner barriers.
I would not stop. I would not surrender.
I recalled my parents smiling faces.
We would meet again.
Lucifer’s mocking laughter rippled from the deepest reaches of the Ninth Circle.
<<You still believe in Hope? Charity? Mercy? While you lock us up in the Circle?! F’ah! Holier than Thou patriots of a bygone age!>>
This was an old game. He howled in response as I let him have a piece of Throne Sight on full blast. His form twisted. Into a giant bat. His laughter followed. An ugly undercurrent brushed up against my barriers. He crashed into the side of a broiling volcano as I sent him a reflection of Sol. The words of my youth echoed, “I still believe in Truth, Justice and the American Dream.”
I exited the Soul Layer.
The Curator glanced up from his monitors.
Back to the 42nd. Its why we had to plant the idea I couldn't interact much with this era.
My three Sleeves looked up from the Sleeping in Starlight Memorandums.
I spotted Gulliver, Black, White and Cooper toting additional recording spheres into the room. Black groaned and asked, “Do I want to know?”
Gulliver deadpanned, “Nope! Carry on!”
My dear duck brothers. I smiled. “My friends! Quick question…..”
Issue 23: Here
Issue 25: Here
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