Issue 24: Visions of the Future
Chronos’ plan will not work. Eliza Murphy is missing that vital element to be a true LIFE key. But how will the Oversoul use her? HOW? Reborn to be infertile since the dawn of Heaven. What does he plan to build with that kind of foundation. This changes the plan. I must observe them together. As Twin bound souls? They always flow together.--Lucifer
What is the full saying? Yes. The Markav have “The Wall Endures.” Each race has a piece of the puzzle. You put it all together? That is the tapestry. “The Wall of the First Ouro Flows into the Titan Children. The Scales Balance under the Spear and Shield of the Twin Rulers of the Sky. Death Sleeps While Life Endures. Unto Each Cycle. Fear Not the Path of the Ancients for each Step guides you towards your Final Home.”--Proctor Gansys
Way to go Doctor Lanis! We don’t know who Lucifer inhabits but we did catch a slight quiver of activity while pausing time. Brain activity outside of Eliza that is. Murphy’s is already mapped thanks to the Eden 42nd archives. We managed to gain one word: Kaltesh. From the Fallen Lexicon. Now that we have the proper resonance? We can pin point where the Devourer will attempt to breach our multiverse.--Conclave Report (Hidden Archivist Logs)
My brother has always been a better poker player. No wonder Silver Fox only left bread crumbs for me to follow. Its a relief to know why I had always chosen this path though. No matter the era. One part of the Key was my infertility. The other part? Some would automatically assume it to be Lorain. Or even my brother. Since we are Twins. Thank goodness for additional hat tricks. There’s a reason why I was always stuck in the limelight. So to speak. --Sleeping In Starlight: Post Convergence Files (Conclave Access Required)
Icath Pyramid (Duat Pair)
Soul Layer
February 16th 5490
My mouth opened.
Cosmic heat enveloped the area.
The drone’s skin bubbled as the flames exploded against its chest.
I heard bones snap as countless others tried to move within the gravatonic field my mother was suppressing them with. My father’s khopesh flashed. Silver flames turned additional drones to ash. Nothing would ever hurt my mother again. Not as long as my father had any say in the matter. I aimed a kick. The Walker’s shoulder blades caved in as it went flying off into the darkness. I was still faster than all of them.
I sprinted towards the base of the pyramid.
∞
Atum nudged his mate.
Their inky black coats dotted with purple symbology.
Saah bared her fangs in delight as she saw the humanoid approach.
“Ahh. Just as promised.”
The Cycle of True Renewal was upon them.
Atum placed one massive paw on the seal.
A merry trill of notes echoed through the cavernous space.
<<Arming main arrays. Stand by!>>
They had gathered fallen warriors from all strata of space and time. From the high halls of Heaven to the final breath of the Eden Cycle. Chronos would have not only the vanguard of the Twins endless lifetimes to face but the hoards of the Honored Dead. Evil had never understood the true value of the Living Stone.
The Light of Creation would peel back the endless dark.
Atum singled out the ring of drones attempting to breach the energy barrier of the Arbiter of the Golden City. Purple beams lanced out from the silver speak of the pyramid. Life was good. Destroying Chronos’ decrepit “sleeves” were just the cherry on top.
“Horrid blight of the Devourer. We shall cleanse it from the Duat and our fellow Soul prisms!”
∞
Judgment felt the power of his bracers increasing.
Drones burst into ash as a divine hammer rained down from above. Thomas found himself floating free from his body. A bright red thread tied him to his mortal shell and his wife. Another pulse passed by and J’ino found herself rising as well. A white light carried them forward into a crystallized pyramid.
Voices echoed.
They saw Eliza floating over a balcony. In her Banner uniform. Not in the primary blue. A mix of silver, gold and white. Three golden rings on her chest. Wreathed in a blue star outline. The pyramid floated towards her. Doctor Impossible pushed her in a playful manner.
“You know that the Cosmic Council is nominating you for the job. Again!”
Earth (Union Hall)
Cosmic Council Apartments
February 16th 5500 A.C
I groaned. “I appreciate the sentiments. I do! But….”
Doc pressed two fingers to my neck. She checked her display, “….patient has a case of cold feet! With a dash of Not AGAIN!” Her tone was light. That mischievous twinkle ruined the controlled delivery. Union Hall was as majestic as ever.
Uncle J’dax exclaimed, “You know they won’t stop until you have at least one honorary term as Chairmen of the Cosmic Council.”
I grimaced, “I shouldn’t be eligible. I’m a demi.”
I reached up to grab the pyramid construct. My fingers traced the surface.
A soothing hum ran up my arm.
“I only wish one mantle.”
Auggie pranced around us. <<I think you’d do well!>>
His Yellow Bullet armor immaculate.
Proctor Gansys joined us, “They did figure in a work around. You have been slotted in for First Protector! To represent demis across all sectors.” He handed me a class of wine. Strait from At’lan’s finest fields.
I frowned, “It was a team effort!”
Doc fiddled with the golden clasp connecting my pauldron to my uniform.
“Yes, it was. Is. Will always be but many still see you as the primary beacon.”
No one knew my civilian identity this go around. As far as the general populous went. I held my tongue for a moment as other officials wandered in to shake my hand. One man shouted, “To the Redeemers!” It wasn’t just my original Eden team anymore. Crossguard raised one hand in salute.
“By the will of Avalon and the Round Table!”
He still bore the scars from that battle.
We had endured.
Ritark bowed, “Humanity is more than happy to share the Banner with everyone!”
Most didn’t realize I had Typherian blood this go around either. At least as the Banner. Eliza Murphy on the other hand? I didn’t stick out much. Lots of us Hybrids running around these days. V’alkor Ayeer raised a glass. Tapped it on the side.
Voices quieted.
“Today we remember the fallen.”
I pointedly turned towards the wall containing past Presidents.
You could hear a pin drop. The Duat Pair’s warning ringing clear.
Reveal the Legacy.
∞
J’ino examined every person she could see in the room.
Thomas gripped the hilt of his khopesh. Their daughter plucked at the panel. Removed it from the housing.
“You all want to know why I decline every single time? It’s because of this one man.”
Archibald Hammond.
“We must maintain the Vigil. Anyone can be fooled.”
The room darkened. The infamous holo sputtered to life.
Those crimson eyes blazed as they held Crossguard overhead. Preparing to throw him into the awaiting jaws of the Devourer. Eliza a mere hairsbreadth away. Forever captured in amber. That final confrontation.
Thoth.
∞
Anna pressed forward. Her holorecorder bobbling above.
She asked, “What of the offer of First Protector?”
I turned. “Honorary only. Many of us have powers. A majority choose good. Hammond was by all accounts a generous man. Evil brewed under that veneer. He was Thoth. The Lord of the Bone Throne.”
A few voices rose in disbelief.
“Hidden by the Knives.”
His signature weapons manifested in the middle of the room. Ganysis overrode requests.
I spoke above the rising cacophony of voices.
“I only desire one mantle.”
V’alkor whistled sharply.
The audience quieted.
“To be a Shield. That requires eternal vigilance.”
I released the pyramid. It floated to the top of the chamber.
Anna pressed on. “Then why not take up the Council’s offer?”
It had to be asked.
I replied, “A fireman cannot put out fires sitting at the station.”
I circled the room. Examining the faces before me.
“We demis must be on the front lines.”
The crystal pyramid whirled about. Everything grayed out for a split second.
I saw my parents. I smiled.
“Thoth will lead you to Chronos.”
Everything would play out as promised.
Issue 23: Here
Issue 25: Here
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