Issue 17: Past Imperfect
Eliza doesn't talk about her first adventure in the Lost Lands of Ahpaktu. Whatever happened did sharpen her relationship to Lorain however. One day I hope to understand why. For now all we can do is figure out how or why this whole landmass was shielded from us. -- Conclave Level 5 Update
I hope the Banner can re-establish herself sooner rather than later. I count the days when I can mingle with friends on the Jupiter properly. Keeping everything professional and polite is taxing. But the enemy will be watching me. No wonder my memory was shrouded the longest.--Lorain Lanis
Nola gave me a bit of news. We will get to see this Lost Island. Excellent! Doc did give me a solid picture. Spears. Dinosaurs and three giant volcanos.--Jonas “Eddie” Olsten
The Lost Lands. At first my body had to acclimate. I still had all my normal Banner abilities. For the time. It was rather early within my Eden cycle adventures. No Thronebearer grafting to recharge Black and White just yet. No, it holds a special place in my heart because for once? Lorain didn’t have to worry about her powers. That amazing outerwear blocked most of her abilities. Expect for the accelerated self healing. Good thing. The whole altar ceremony had been a trial and a half. Even with Yak-tish’s assistance. –Sleeping In Starlight: Post Convergence Files (Conclave Access Required)
Ahpaktu
llaros Territory
Earth
Yak-tish thumped his spear against the obsidian rocks. The signs did not lie.
The Lady of Light’s blessing was fading. The new Earth would know of his people.
Convergence had carried them forward across the Coiled Rings.
A squad of Eleth Riders burst forth from the treeline. The great beasts hissed. Their calls filled the cliff side as another massive shape, bristling with white and gray fur exploded from splintered trunks. Its 8 limbs gyrated as its claws dug into the obsidian shale. Mammalian body with a serpent’s head. Yak-tish held his spear high. He would not go down without a fight. His skin itched. Strange white markings rose to spread across his arms and legs.
His chest tightened as a singular white pearl rose from his breast bone. The fires of the cosmos entered his eyes. This was power. As promised by the Lady of Light. His combat hides stretched. No longer just covering his waist. A thick set of black furred pauldrons settled over his shoulders. A metallic crown shifted. A segmented T section covered his forehead and nose.
He howled at the greater Terratek as it charged.
He feinted to the left.
His spear dug into the massive creature’s side. Opening it to the bone. Its purple blood splattered on his face as he rolled out of the way. He would win. Protect his people. Just as he had promised. He would see the Captain once more. The one dubbed Murphy. The Lady of Light was never wrong. The Ilaros would rise. Spears against the Dark of the Fallen. Its black scrawl no longer controlled this land.
No longer demanded the blood sacrifices. Murphy and the Lady had put a stop to such atrocities. A few dissidents resisted. Calling to the old ways. Yak-tish would have their left hands in payment. So they could no longer complete the summoning spells of the Dark Ones. He grunted as another Eleth beast snapped its jaws at him. He reversed his spear and slammed the butt of it into the lizard’s face. Its teeth shattered in a hot mess. He landed a spin kick to the sly one attempting an ambush.
He gathered himself and sprang skyward. It wasn’t as advanced as the Captain’s ability but he nearly brushed against the upper layer of the barrier.
He could jump good.
His laughter filled the sky.
∞
Mordred summoned more of the raptor creatures dubbed Eleth to these primitives. His wraith-like limbs moving in time with the necromancer that had summoned him to this place of existence. It was better than surviving the Ninth Circle. It was a small humanoid. Its rough features nearly frog-like. Gaping mouth. Its tongue a splash of purple and green.
His “master” pointed one arthritic finger skyward, “NOT POSSIBLE!”
Demi energy flowed from the high hopping barbarian.
Morded considered the situation. A majority of the Black Scrawl practitioners here could only do basic summoning from the lower end of the Ninth Circle. He had tricked the threads that had bound him to the innermost regions. Allowing a lower level Fallen to take his place. Just before that old fool Aether had initiated the lockdown. His patience had been rewarded. Ironic that Eliza Murphy had been the one to mistrust his late repentance the most. He would have figured her brother to lead that charge. The Eden 42nd century linchpin had been a boon to many of them. Giving up Lucifer hadn’t been an option.
He had distracted J’anu and Ta’rammon long enough to guarantee escape. Such as it was.
Using the Urradan King as leverage had been a gamble but it had paid off.
A weakness even to the former Eternal Empire despots.
Mordred hoped the Jailbirds enjoyed their endless vigil.
He murmured sweet commands into the meat puppet. These primitives had no idea.
He would escape this island. Find Camelot.
Raze it to the ground.
∞
Yak-tish landed with a thud.
His feet skittering along the sands of the western beach side. He had jumped many leagues. This was Fi’an territory. The bird people. Said to be able to hypnotize any man. He pressed one palm over his mouth and nose. It wasn't enough. Light blue pollen clung to his armor. He made it a few more steps then collapsed. Two webbed feet the color of corral approached cautiously.
Green feathered fingers stretched out. Hovering a mere inches from the Ilaran.
Power radiated from his left shoulder. Images flowed.
This one would help save the island. Help save everyone from the Devourer. A sphere of honeyglow surrounded the barbarian. Moments later he disappeared.
∞
I could hear the screaming.
I dashed towards the central square. Wishing I could use my proper speed. My HeroNet profile indicated Flight but that would have given me away. At least by running I could hide the fact longer. Crossguard went flying as a massive bear of a man decked out in battle furs, black at the shoulders, backhanded another member of the Protectorate.
They were attempting to hold him down. He bellowed, “Where is your Banner? I must find her!” I knew that voice.
His form was changed. He had been quite tall. 6Ft 5 inches when I had met him on the Island. Mystic and the Void Maiden dropped down into the square. White Lily, known as the Lotus this time around, advanced. Her vines held me in place. She was doing that to most of the Orbital division of the Protectorate. She was considered 2nd Tier.
Ludicrous Speed’s quizzical expression blanked for a moment.
He caught me looking, “No idea what that cave man is going on about. What banner? A flag?”
Crossguard held his head. Groaned and unsteady got to his feet.
“He hits hard enough. That is for certain.”
His crusader knight’s helm hid the upper portion of his face. His heart rate was elevated. Breathing evened out. This would have been easier had I still maintained access to a sliver of Thronebearer affinity. I had become accustomed to a veritable buffet of powers. I realized with a start just how much I had relied on my House empathy ability. Discovering Nyx had been a lucky break. But she would not give up Lucifer or any other escapee willingly.
Her devotion to Chronos was unwavering. Unlike most of the beings trapped within the Ninth. I gathered the magical threads around the area. The vines fell away as I teleported next to Yak-tish. It wouldnt do well to have him spill more Conclave level information. As my arms locked around him I made it seem like I was barely hanging onto his armor.
I jumped through the Weave. Homing in on a signal I recognized.
Emris noted, <<Welcome back.>>
Yak-tish leveled his spear at me. I spoke the words of friendship.
“Spear Brother. I require your fists against the Devourer.”
His bright golden eyes peered up into my maroon hood as I floated 2 feet off the ground.
The power flowed through him. Another Tear shard. I removed my hood and the extra ID sleeve. His fingers tightened about the shaft. “It is true then. The face of shrouds.”
He could see my real face. Not even as Eliza Murphy but my first face. That of the shield demi. My brother and I never took names. But we were known by many. Ingrained into myths, legions and iconography. Because that’s how the Oversoul wanted it. From the start. Yak marvelled at my uniform.
“Not just the captain who freed us. Does the Devourer still bear the blow of the Spearwielder?”
I nodded. “The Banner is going to need your help.”
Yak replied, “Is that the final form you shall choose then?”
“Yes. Of my many lifetimes? That one holds the most ties to the Mortal realm.”
Yak-tish grinned. “Oh! Is that all?”
I winked, “Not even close!”
The burly Ilaran noted, “What will replace your emerald?”
He was talking about my Union piece with Doc.
“I’ve got a few ideas.”
He tapped the deck with his spear. Held out his other hand. “I renew my pledge! How can I help you?
Emris trilled, <<Simple! We disguise his form to that of a Markav. Many Soul Templars are known to be as energetic as your friend!>>
Sul’s holo flickered to life, “Ill create the background. Emris will handle the logistics. At’lan also wishes to contribute. Expect company soon!”
∞
Yak was known as Y’aktan.
His Markav cover in place due to Emris’ old Eden cycle technology. This chess game was entering its final form. We materialized back on Earth. Void Maiden gave me a proper dressing down in public. Since I was supposed to be a mere newbie. A demi with more enthusiasm than brains. No limits. As the Banner I always came off enthusiastic but I had also been perceived as fairly controlled. Because the world was fragile. Still was in many ways but since the Ethereal Titan was listed as a magical channeler? I’d have to play it headstrong. Mom was relishing this.
“You are an Orbital. Newly minted at that. What possessed you to think you could fill in for Mystic?”
Her voice was modulated on purpose. So it was like a robot giving me a pep talk.
I made sure to hunch my shoulders.
Mom continued on for a solid 10 minutes.
Yak-tish thumped his “Markav Trident.” It was done in the style of my brother’s old weapon of the Eden cycle. Nice touch.
“Orbital should behave! Magic not safe!”
Emris gave him an outer colonial accent. Whatever amused Yak was fine by me.
I think he thought it was the Texan equivalent of the Markav dialect.
Mom linked in afterward, <<Get back to your ship when you can.>>
I used Horus as a go-between, <<Had a whole lot to get off your chest huh?>>
Mom replied, <<You have no idea.>>
I took a running leap and half floated to the main Protectorate HQ situated within the Golden City. I made sure to smack into the reinforced shutters on the way down. Crossguard was smiling from ear to ear while Ludicrous Speed was holding his gut. His laughter hitting a high pitched frenzy.
Another orbital by the code name Fire Cracker muttered, “That’s who they let in? Don’t they usually train a bit more before admittance into the Protectorate. It will make us laughing stocks.”
I added him to the growing database. Lucifer could be any of the Orbitals or support staff.
My HeroNet Profile updated:
///Report to Icherson FOB for Flight Training. 0900.///
Success. I really did hate to have dad control my boots. He was having far too much fun.
But it was the only way. My training would have betrayed me otherwise.
Mystic sent a flow of energy into my frame. Forcing me to zigzag through the Protectorate training complex. I reached out to grip the wall. Another group wandered in.
One demi called out, “Make sure you never drink anything more than coffee! My goodness!”
I settled my cape over my shoulders. Stepped into the transport array.
I waved back at them before the beam took me away, “Quite!”
∞
Lucifer mused.
Could this Titan be connected to the Banner at all? Sure, Nyx got a hit on old cycle blood sympathy but that didn’t guarantee this trainee was Eliza Murphy. For one? She flew beyond clumsy. Preferring to run. A reborn Star Spangled Banner would have taken to flying like a troublesome duck to water. Old memory and muscle reflexes would kick in. Just as it did for Nyx and the rest.
It was why Striker Nix was on the Protectorate’s radar. He didn’t hide his old vices too well. It was a useful distraction but time was running short. He would wait for her to gather the Tear shards. Oh yes. With them he would draw the Nothing into himself. All of death and creation would bow to him. He just had to get the other players off the board first.
No, this Etheral Titan wasn’t what he was looking for.
A clear indicator was the fact that Doctor Impossible and her civilian form hadn't attached to any potential mate. She had no memory of the Banner. If she did? The reaction would have been instant. That one loved too deeply. She would cling to her beloved until the end of all things. He double checked her latest movements.
In this life her military job was a glorified stamp card called Cargo Imports Officer.
Even though her mother was directly attatched to demi deployments.
Mary Herbert-Lanis was the Director of the Protectorate. US Space Operations Division.
Her daughter lead a lonely existence. While so many meat suits glorified their social exploits on I.Net she was the odd man out. Only listed in family updates. He’d even overheard other officers in her division plotting a birthday celebration. In order to facilitate drunken heights within the woman. She was devoid of joy.
The clearest sign that Eliza Murphy had never arrived after the Ark of the Covenant cleansing. He fed this information to Striker Nix. One had to ensure once Hilary arrived she’d have all the proper reactions.
Everything was going according to plan.
∞
I entered my quarters with a sigh.
I shouted over the coms, “I get it. Who’s gonna help me fly next?”
No one responded. My doorway sealed and the sound dampeners came on.
My nose twitched. I knew that fragrance.
Doc had twin trays on a floating server. With a flick of her wrist she tuned into another favorite from this cycle. “Cosmic Countdown: Moments Beyond the Hour Glass.”
She always did love her soap operas. I handed her a bowl of grapes.
Lorain rested her head on my shoulder.
We’d make whatever time we could.
∞
Hilary glared at Earth.
It was all sickening.
One thought infused her with energy.
Eliza Murphy was dead.
This new world would burn with her.
Issue 16: Here
Issue 18: Here
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