Issue 16: Heavy is the Crown
We conspired to make sure a few notable territories made it through to this new Earth. I have to admit: I have a fondness for those Yanks. –Elias Payne: Private Journals
I watched as Eliza studied the new maps of Earth. The greatest shock to her was the fact that many former Floridians had created their own corner of our dear blue dot. It is known as Alturia. –Black
We have kept the Ninth Circle in check since the beginning of this Universe. We shall do so until our lights ascend to the Heavens—The Conclave
It only took me a moment to recognize Black and White in their human covers. White had made a necklace out of my last feather. How I had missed the both of them. The command to reset the Multiverse had come from my Throne Matrix. Dexter’s and Captain Overwatch. It was why we could only use full Throne Sight at a certain moment. It was the direct power to turn the key of the Oversoul’s tapestry. – Sleeping In Starlight: Post Convergence Files (Conclave Access Required)
New Ashbury
NANN Studios
Present Day
I poured over the world map.
The Earth didn’t have as many nations this time around. Elias told me that from the start King Arthur and the others wanted to recreate America. Alongside our formerly northern neighbors. Without the advent of Void Walker interference and lack of Mordred? Camelot had grown. Each territory had coordinated with the Round Table to hold back the Ninth Array influence. Unlike before where the enemy had the resources? This time around they had to be beyond subtle.
I felt the currents of the 4th aspect fill my body.
This universe had the protections of Eden. Alongside all past boons from Heaven.
Elysium was a vital point within what people called the Golden Sector. A place within the Weave that could channel additional forces or aid to a planet under siege. Shifting from one fixed point to the next. Using the Triad as its anchor. Earth.
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The fact that all of Florida was a nation onto itself was incredible. I pointed at the landmass between Canada and Ta’mathon’s Golden Kingdom. “What about this place?” King Arthur and the two news announcers examined the map. Then me.
Arthur noted carefully, “What landmass?”
Queen Guinevere placed her hands on my head. I took out a pen and began scribbling.
It had a purple outline. Silver and gold specks.
The twin news reporters watched as I finished off the remaining details.
Mr. Douglas Oldswald. His sister? Christine Oldswald.
Douglas noted dryly, “Are you sure you are just a Channeler?”
My eyes flickered to the corners of the room. Christine put her hands on her hips.
“We have other material to use for the show.” She inclined her head to Arthur.
I waved Doctor Impossible over. “This look a bit familiar?”
She leaned in. “Oh no.”
It was the very same land we had gotten trapped in within the Eden Cycle.
The Lost Realm of the Ahpaktu: Ilaros.
Doc whispered, “I hope Yak-tish and the others are ok.”
Christine twitched. She circled me. Much like she would have in that tiger form of hers. Her gray eyes flashed. There was that speck of gold I remembered all too well. Elias Payne whistled sharply. His corgis dashed in. A merry band 2.0. They circled me in a frantic figure 8. Christine practically tackled me.
“What took you so long?!”
I pressed my forehead to hers. Giving her a piece of the puzzle. My brother had already done the same for Black. In the end? He knew what drove me. Yes, I had wanted a piece of a normal life. But my duty compelled me to protect.
Always.
The In-Between
Remnants of Z’ahramdus
Arc of the Covenant Activated
I dragged myself across the stone scaled surface.
Thoth’s clawed weapons had tore into my flesh but it had given Dexter enough time to immobilize our enemy. Just long enough for me to pluck the prize from the despot’s grasp.
This dragon had killed me once before. This time the Dreamweaver had summoned it. I gripped the Tear in my palm. It sizzled against my flesh as I gripped it tighter. Letting the White Scrawl combat the wards. The last remnants of my Eden shell faded away. My first form reconstituted itself as I reached the hollowed portion of what remained of the Unity Dragon’s eye. My brother plunged his spear into the rocky out cropping. He pulled me the rest of the way in.
“Not done yet.”
I added my strength to his. Using his spear as a staff we hobbled foreward. Our original bodies still marred with open wounds. Dexter wrapped one arm about my shoulders. “What do you think...get reincarnated as….”
We caught each other as we stumbled onward. Golden sparks danced around us. Leading us deeper into the central hollow formerly called a skull. My old shield clanked against my back. Its metal providing warmth for the both of us. Our white combat suits where made of cotton. Twin silk golden belts lined with white scrawl. Basic sandals that came up to my calves. Unlike metallic armor every fabric had been bathed in the first waters of creation.
Two figures formed from the golden sparks floating around us.
The Void Man and the Silver Lady.
They were the first Thronebearers. Their images crackled. They were being pulled into the reborn multiverse. Water filled the chamber. My wounds faded. Dexter gulped in as much as he could bear. He had taken a few hits so I could remove the Tear. The Void Man passed through my body. While the Silver Lady did the same for my brother. Equal yet opposite. They were shielding us as we passed through the rejuvenated barrier. The Oversoul spoke through them.
“Do you wish to remember?”
∞
I broke away.
Some questions should remain private. At least for the time being.
Christine Oldswald prepared to scan me. Not with conventional means. I put out a hand to stop her. “Not yet. You know what will happen if you use Thronebearer sight now.” It would alert Lucifer.
Douglas reached out, “We have our verification. She knows the words.”
My parents and Uncle Paxton entered.
They placed a few choice monitors around.
Dad explained, “For the regular audiences.”
Holos of myself and the Oldswalds came into being. We started talking.
Dad motioned to the golden triangle that manifested towards the rear of the room.
He gathered up the map I had altered.
Doc remained behind. To augment the holo’s biofeedback signal.
My skin tingled as we passed through.
A verdant green valley rose before us. The cliff was steep. Allowing for the rays of the sun to send a jolt of warmth through me. Sol yelled cheerfully, <<Welcome Friends! To the Golden Realm of Ta’mathon!>>
Typha’s Twin suns sent out their greeting as well. <<Excellent! No incursions of the Ninth to report.>> Their accent reminded me of the lost colony of the Eden Cycle. I hoped O’rioh and the others fared well.
Aunt Q’vera landed. But she didn’t speak to me. The Bardaxian to her left did.
His collar lit up as he spoke, <<Welcome Ethereal Titan! First note of business. Get you situated with the magics flowing from this delightful planet called Earth.>>
I got it. My parents were in their civilian gear. All a part of the show to get on Lucifer and the Orbital member’s radars.
Bardax One added , <<Only you and Dexter can hear us on this bandwidth for now. That was also a flag to the others within the proper Conclave. We will help you track Lucifer once he is discovered.>>
Magic thrummed at my feet. I could fly yet…..
Dad clicked a few notifications on his holo tablet. I should travel a bit differently. Since I had to separate myself from my usual MO as the Banner. I snapped my fingers in time with the magical pulses. I rose from the earth. Sliding along the rivers of magic within the Golden Kingdom. I materialized on the highest Pyramid within the reborn City. I was channeling the 4th aspect. To mimic the powers of a magical demi. It was a source many couldn’t access just yet. So much to learn about our new world. My place in it.
Ludicrous Speed zipped up next to me. His uniform emblazoned with a Silver Flame. The colors of his suit contrasted with a gold and red combination. A silver V bisected the bottom and top portion of his suit. I noted that others within the Orbital ring of the Protectorate had gathered at the base of the pyramid.
He observed, “You got the attention of the Triad Sector Defender Corp. Not bad for a newbie!”
His eyes flickered to my chest. To see the patterns of magic shifting around the breastplate. “….its almost akin to Mystic’s runic forms….”
I smiled.
“Makes sense. He said I was a channeler.”
Ludicrous nodded, “Based on the domain...” He clapped me on the shoulder.
“Crossguard and I want to show you about town!”
In the back of my mind I wondered: Which of the Orbitals was Lucifer? He would appear as a demi to my senses. Just as the Void Man had warned. All the escapes had shifted to a mortal form this go around. Maybe not all human either. I floated downward. Taking care to examine the Pyramid’s wards on the way down. A flash of blue flickered within the Weave.
That wily sphinx. A weave shrouded paw swat at me playfully.
As I landed dozens of Protectorate Orbitals called out.
“Hey! NEW FACE!”
“ROOKIE!”
“One of us! One of us!”
“Can you get me Void Maiden's autograph!”
I let my suit imprint all of it for examination later. Faces. Names. Questions.
That was one of the primary functions of my suit. Record everything. Not only physical but other patterns. Ones within the Soul Layer and the Weave. It would help but we had to locate Lucifer ASAP. The rest of the escapees wouldn't be far behind.
∞
Sister Nyx watched as the demis fawned over the new Channeler proxy.
That’s all they were. Meatsacks.
She plastered a pleasant expression on her face. Cheering alongside those stuck in the Orbital tier. She was certain that Mystic was one of those who remembered the previous cycle before Convergence. How Void Maiden had managed to climb the ranks was still a mystery. All evidence pointed to her being a reconstituted android. This cycle was so open with information it was illuminating.
Perfect for one such as her.
Her green within green eyes narrowed as other Markav moved in to greet the newest member of the Protectorate. This would be a perfect time to taste. Humans and Typherian mixed mutts usually developed these “blessed” powers. Nyx had never needed powers. Everything could be broken down to its base DNA.
She reached out to shake this Etheral Titan’s hand.
She bit the inside of her cheek to prevent herself from crying out.
She had marked this one in a past cycle.
Excellent.
∞
I knew who it was even as I shook her hand.
She had held that syringe above my chest.
The needle pricking the skin. The nosebleeds.
Nyx. Given the form of a Markav this time around. Doctor E’lari Travos. Third Circle of Matos. One of the medics attached to the Protectorate to help injured demis. A perfect test bed. I did a full sweep of her profile. She controlled it well but I knew. The slight raise in heartbeat. That moment had bound us. One doesn’t forget it. I saw a spark enter her eyes. She knew I was one of the kids.
Children that had been experimented on.
That was all she knew.
The reaction would have been absolute if she knew who I really was.
∞
Nyx stated pleasantly, “I look forward to adding your profile into the databases.”
The gold, black, silver and maroon demi inclined her head, her outer hood hid the top of her face. The lips pulled back in an absentminded greeting. “I’m sure you come highly recommended!”
Nyx bowed.
“You honor me.” It was akin to pulling teeth.
She had to behave. That was what Chronos had commanded as she had devoured his flesh. His eyes. Be the upstanding doctor. Study them. Use their technology as intended. Wait and watch. This one she would watch intently. Maybe she’d even warn Lucifer.
For a price.
Children always aimed to misbehave.
∞
J’ino blinked.
Thomas gripped her hand tightly, “Not here. Just go about everything as planned.”
She exhaled. Right. It would look downright outrageous to study a trusted Protectorate doctor. Had all the escapees managed to get to the Sol system already? It was ludicrous that they could all be on their best behavior.
Unless they arrived later than intended.
Like Striker Nix. He already had thrown his flag out into the open.
Arthon was sure of it. Just as he was sure Lucifer was feeding the former Artock information that assisted in his escapes. The Muthra still existed but instead of being At’lan’s silent protectors? They were the Markav’s special forces. At’lan and his sister AI were at the heart of a multi-galactic network. Seeking out Ninth Array breaches.
Eliza’s voice echoed on their private line, <<Nyx is a key point. I’ll see if she has any notable patterns. She’d be careful but no one is perfect. Now I get why Doc is staying as distant as she can. I’ll understand if you guys have to do it to! Ill mix things up with Mallet and some of the others.>>
J’ino wanted nothing else but to hold her children again but Dexter and Eliza were right. Polite interest only. Nothing more. Nothing less. In public and private. It was why Lorain only went to the Jupiter once a month. As a daily report. She was expected to check over all ships landing for medical clearance. It wasn't a glamorous job but vital. With her memories back in play they hoped to catch other Escapees attempting to land within Triad Territory.
∞
Lorain finished inspecting the rest of the Jupiter’s crew. They were all as she remembered. Ritark’s ungainly form overshadowed her console, “It will be alright. Once we can all fly out into the open!” Lorain leaned back into the chair. The back pads conformed to her spine. She crossed her hands. Thumbs against her lips.
“I hope so. This part is harder.”
It was still a wonder to see the Litari as they should be. Ritark was a teenager once more. Only just recently awakened to his old cycle memories after his age of majority. For his race that was 16. He would grow out to his full measure soon enough. “How are your parents doing?”
Ritark’s solid yellow orbs lit up. He babbled excitedly, “My parents remember too! They will come to Sol to help. Even if my father is no longer Sir Avalon? He has other skills that can provide insight!”
Doc paused to look at her hands. Even her powers weren’t the same as in Eden Cycle.
She replied softly, “I hope so.”
Issue 15: Here
Issue 17: Here
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