The Uplift Protocol Twin Ruler of the Skies: Issue 28

 

Issue 28: Red Sun White Moon

    There is a way to Yak’tish’s homeland. The first go around Eliza and I had been summoned. This time would be a bit different. This time Gwen, Tobin and Jace would be joining us.--Lorain Lanis

    We know what must be done. Everything was on borrowed time. What mattered is how we used it.--Jace

    None can access the Ninth Circle sector now. Thanks to the Living Stone Wardens and the Three. We merely safeguard the next cycles to that never again shall evil walk our shores.--High Orator Mysis of Atheoa 7

    Convergence was many things. Our enemies saw it as a signpost. In reality? It was a wave continually lapping upon the shore. Until all that was left was the multiverse as we know it now. Wonders abound even in this reborn cycle of mortals.----Sleeping In Starlight: Post Convergence Files (Conclave Access Required)

Union Island

Council Chambers

Earth

    Gwendolyn Murphy stared at the unveiled map.

    Tobin highlighted the landmass of Ahpaktu. The visions were intensifying. She walked a path filled with stars. Below her feet their current Earth circled. Above her Typha’s wider orbit obscured the four suns. Bardax to her left. She approached the white basin. Water flowed over the rim. Adding more stars.

    Frost curled about her legs as she finally reached the lip of the basin.

    She peered into the depths.

    Three cowled figures stared back at her.

    The first intoned, “What shall you endure?”

    The second added, “We are within the Wall.”

    The last closed off with, “Each shall give onto the other. The Stone Endures. The Soul resides within.”

    Endless Living Stone Wardens swarmed the black planet. No. Not a planet.

    A portal. An inverted Ouroborous pulsed. Its pale green innards pulsed. Gwen flowed through the battlefield. Countless cycle Avatars of Dexter and Eliza were fighting side by side to keep the arch fiends from breaking through. Yak’tish’s tribesmen, their white and gold tatoos gleamed under the light of the stars. An endless rain of spears held the enemy back. Three figures in gold, black and white held their hands high.

    Their bodies swayed as they chanted an endless refrain. Their voices haunting. Familiar.

    It was her voice. Alongside Jace and Tobin.

    Within the Weave their soul forms grew.

    A blue gloved hand reached out. Moving past Gwen’s phantom sight.

    “I can’t just leave you here! We all climb together!”

    The plea wasn't just directed at them.

    The Star-Spangled Banner.

    Star’s Dark Matter beams shot out. Her eyes blazed with that golden cosmic fire. Bisecting one of the Inverted Spawn. A child of the Fallen Ouro. Bits of molten brown scale dug into the barrier about the Three. One sharp kick sent Lucifer sprawling. He had three white leathered wings on the right side. Three black on the left. His golden hair fell in splotches about his face. His mouth parted to reveal a purple forked tongue. Across his bear chest a circle of pale gray arms grasped. He raised his blackened sword. Its pommel of bone weeping Black Scrawl.

    Gwen blinked.

    Her vision wavered. For a moment Jace and Tobin mirrored their future selves. Across all points of time and space. Gwen dashed for the refresher on the far side of the room. She sealed herself inside. She splashed water on her face. Gwen bit back a scream as the cowled face peered at her from the reflective surface. It pulled back the hood.

    Three white rings etched on her forehead. Her black and copper eyes were piercing. Her face ancient. Not with age. White Scrawl flowed over the mirror.

    You are the Wall.

    Even One Brick can block the Flow.

    Remember who you are.

∞

    Tobin watched as ships darted across the ocean of water. Their star born brethren echoed from above. “She’s getting an eyeful now too!”

    Jace replied, “We know our time here was limited. Same as the Void Man. The Silver Lady.” Like many who fought for the Oversoul they had a sliver of his consciousness within them. To help keep the Threads in check. After countless cycles their true memories had been unlocked. They were the original Three.

    Weave, Body, and Soul.

    Placed here to keep each realm whole.

    Lucifer’s fall had changed all that. This time their threads would weave together.

    While the Devourer consolidated its power into one Avatar. Chronos.

    They would be the bricks so no other would have to live in fear.

    Jace held out a generous cup of water as Gwen rejoined them. Her eyes bloodshot.

    In a subdued voice she proclaimed, “I’m...going to miss...” She sucked in a heavy breath.

    Tobin wrapped an arm about her shoulders. “I know.”

∞

    I spotted Gwen and my brothers near the terrace.

    Union Hall wasn't all that different from how I remembered. Consistency was nice. Doc had gone to the lower levels to collect some gear. It had only been a week in the waking world. But for us it had been decades. A way to get reacquainted. Test out our powers. Anything and everything needed. Without the weight of past memories it was like being reborn again. Like the early days of the Eden Cycle. I hurried over as the faint scent of tears registered.

    Gwen dashed over. I didn’t ask. All I could make out was, “Forgive me.”

    She quaked like a leaf in the wind. Like all of Creation was on her shoulders. Weave forms clung to my siblings. One was known to me. Lazarus. The other two remained shrouded. They pressed fists to their chests. One was clearly feminine in shape.

∞

    The Silver Lady reached out to Gwen.

    There is still time. We will not yet pass into the Threadhome.

    The Void Man, in a rare display, activated one of his gauntlets. Its space black segments rolled back to reveal a pale human hand underneath. This was always the Path. In order to learn. To feel as they do.

    Gwen shot back silently, Why does it hurt so much?

    Tobin answered audibly, “Because its real. A bond that cannot be broken.”

    Jace pointed to the grav lift. “Ill go grab our gear. The 5 of us are needed.”

∞

    I asked, “Do you want an hour in the J’kua Sphere?”

    Gwen finally pulled back. I offered her a tissue.

    She replied firmly, “No.”

    I gave her a lopsided grin, “Family trip though! Should be illuminating. Doc will have you set in no time!”

    There was a renewed set to her jaw. “You and O’rioh showed me the way. I won’t fail you again.”

    A bright golden radiance flowed past us. Someone was a Defender again!

    Gwen smiled, “Choice will be honored.”

    I tilted my head to the side. Gwen let out a soft peal of laughter at the sight of it.

    She pulled me after Doc, “Let’s go.”

∞

    Sentinel circled the Three Aspects of the Oversoul.

    <<Star’s aura healed me back to full strengthen! Eden was the needed foundation!>>

    The Bardaxian’s bushy black wolf ears tilted forward. His nose quivered expectantly.

    Lazarus answered for his cohorts, “Ahpaktu will harden our mortal bodies. Our soul will reform in the process. But memories of all three shall remain.”

    Eliza Murphy was a shield. A banner. The glue that held many together. The Wall would endure. So as long as she remained within the physical realm. She would fight this. Wanting to save everyone. It was what He appreciated the most about the demi. No matter how dark everything got? She still climbed one more step beyond. It had taken her life countless times. Across all cycles. Yet she remained determined.

    No matter the incarnation.

    That element would save them all.

The Outer Planes

Cosmic Void

Reliquary of Woe

    The Devourer sent a tendril of itself deep into the bulk.

    Flesh coiled around bone. He had done it. Taken the most precious commodity of the Oversoul. Inverted its purpose. Where his birthed new souls, this Ouro would collect them. Helios was a lesson. It was useless to store souls within an Aspect. Even cordoned off from the Oversoul somehow he and his minions stuffed out each avenue.

    This would ensure that reach would never subside.

    The Oversoul would never be rid of the Devourer.

    Soon the Tapestry would be his to control.

    An endless feast.

Ahpaktu

Cove of Stars

Earth

    Yak’tish’s clan symbol remained.

    

    This was the same place he took us after I inadvertently destroyed a Devourer Totem.

    Didn’t realize it at the time. The vines were green but the flowers that bloomed on each twinkled with a faint silver light. 8 pointed stars. Gwen plucked one gently from its groove. She did this all throughout the grotto. Until she had made a crown. She pressed her palm to the surface of the crystal clear waters. A pedestal rose. With one sweeping motion she secured it there.

    I did a double take as the Silver Lady formed behind Gwen.

    “Why are we really here?”

    Jace replied, “To forge a new beginning.”

    Tobin rose. The Void Man’s gauntlets materialized on his hands.

    He placed his hands on my shoulders, “It was an honor to be your brother.”

    “So what is Lazarus then?”

    Gwen interjected, “Much how you and Dexter formulated the Living Stone Wardens from your past soul incarnations? The ones you know within our shadows are bits of ourselves. Broken up over time to interact with the mortal planes.”

    Jace cupped the waters in his palm.

    He drank deeply. “I’ll miss this. But we….I had to understand. Had to understand demis, women, men, all our levels of Creation. The temptations you face. Sorrows. Triumphs.”

    Adam’s rib pulsed within me.

    I took up my customary stance. Hands on hips.

    “You’ll always be Murphys to me!”

    Tobin chortled. The sound was clear. It lanced through my heart. Bringing a sense of calm I never thought possible. This wouldn't change anything. They were still my family. Doc asked, “How will this help with sealing away the Devourer?”

    Jace answered, “Because it has absorbed so many souls that it also hungers along the mortal plane. I had to know the stakes. Understand them from your level. Perspective. I apologize if this comes off as overtly straightforward.”

    I marveled at it. The tone was sincere. I slapped my knees. My breath came out in a rush between fits of mirth. “I can do strait! Considering!”

    Doc held out a hand to steady me. “Better?”

    Gwen snorted.

    All three crossed their arms resolutely, “Not until I’ve properly settled this issue once and for all.” Perfectly synchronized.

    Doc inhaled sharply, “Wait. Does that mean we get mind wiped.”

    The Three put their hands to their lips. Index finger motioning for silence.

    “Not this time. This final cycle shall be yours. We only ask you uphold the Wall.”

Issue 27: Here

Issue 29: Here

The Uplift Protocol Twin Rulers of the Sky: Issue 27

Issue 27: Mordred’s Hook

    I saw it while the Highest was locked in battle with the various faces of Unity. We arent going to win this war. Not the war of flesh. The war of souls.--Mordred

    We kept calling it a finger trap. It was more than that. But it was the only way.--Dexter Murphy

    The multiverse wants a council of the best and brightest. I say we should have a mix of everyone from every angle of life. That way we don’t blind ourselves to the obvious. It is because I am a symbol that I cannot take the role they wish upon me. Where I go? Many will follow.----Sleeping In Starlight: Post Convergence Files (Conclave Access Required)

Ahpaktu

llaros Territory

Earth

    Mordred possessed the body of the Inktu.

    It was this world’s word for imp. It mattered not. He would never go back to the Ninth Circle. He dug through the mossy earth. His bulbous orange eyes flicked to the left as foliage rattled. He sliced his palm. Green ichor dripped. Three sets of spears impaled his chest. Dull thuds resounded in his ears as the tribesmen approached.

    They made a sign to the sky. Invoking the Oversoul for protection.

    Mordred smiled, “This...rite...was not...for you….”

    He laughed as the lead hunter ran his knife across his throat.

    He had done his work. All those years trapped in the Ninth had given him insight he never shared with any other inmates. The Oversoul never wanted the utterly destroy them. That one desired peace by obedience. What little shreds of soul they had left? He wanted to purify. Only Good would think it could save them all. It was why J’anu and Ta’rammon had taken that slim chance of lesser damnation.

    Fools.

∞

    Mordred crawled to the edge.

    The Highest summoned lightning. It struck Unity, Abbadon, and anyone else foolish enough to be close to the innermost rings of the Ninth Circle. Cain ran a callused thumb across his bristling yellowed beard.

    “Chronos keeps his other selves distracted.”

    It was a shock to learn that every bit of greater Evil he knew of spawned from one entity. The Devourer. In retrospect the name Chronos should have set off warning bells. Each cycle he began anew. Sampling species from all across the universe. Testing the makeup of souls to steal the wisdom of his enemies. Karvax no longer remembered his former life. That was the danger here. Promise too much with your mortal skin? You found yourself the unwitting puppet of the insane asylum.

    X’mil would find himself here. There was a price for hanging on to Dark Shaman abilities outside the norm. Convergence had been obtained. It hadn’t come with the first death of the Banner. No, the Oversoul had been slowly purging the influences of the Devourer across all the ages. The Cycles. Not just from the physical realm. He wished to purge soul corruption. The newest incarnation of the Multiverse gleamed as a set of silver stars circling over the aura of the Highest. Even in this blighted place.

    New paths to burrow into.

    Even now the tendrils of dark power tugged at the edges of his mind.

    The heavy thrum of leather wings pulled him sideways off the cliffs. J’anu’s cold crimson eyes, the one feature that remained from her previous life bore into him, while her spiked tail coiled about his chest and waist. He bit back a hiss of pain as Ta’rammon wrapped one massive clawed appendage about his neck. Shadows clung to the former human. That one had been vain in life. Mordred stilled as a pale figure approached.

    A patchwork cloak of skin obscured its features. Cain lowered himself. He bowed cautiously to the newcomer. He never looked up from the scorched earth. A delicate feminine hand appeared from the cloak. She hummed as she ran her fingers through Cain’s hair.

    “The new wheel rises. Even now this place is being positioned at the heart of the Elusian.”

    The murder’s voice was oddly respectful.

    Karvax had met this woman once. She had professed to serve Unity. It had all been a lie. She served the Devourer. They all did. In one way or another. Mordred cursed silently for the gifts given to him. He was one of the Blood. One of Chronos’ prized experiments. The answer to the Vigil of the Three.

    There must be a way to break these bonds inside him.

    The skinned one pressed one palm to his chest.

    “You will walk the path. Knowingly or not. It is too late for you to choose.”

    Mordred’s mouth opened in a silent scream of despair as every nerve in his body burned white hot. His soul grew taunt. Then it was sucked into a whirlwind. Enteral cold shot through him. He shivered. There was nothing beyond the void. Nothing awaited him except for the blasted abyss of the Ninth Circle.

    He caught sight of the curvature of the planet. It was massive. Triple the size of Earth.

    His heart skipped a beat. He inhaled sharply.

    He recoiled from the purple flames encircling him but his limbs wouldn't respond. Frog-like beings peered up at him through the flames.

    “The Eyes of the Devourer.”

    Metal and bone clanked against his chest.

    A small frogman, with red stripes along his back bowed, “I greet you. Bound you are. To the will of the Devourer.” His mouth sac expanded. He let out a croak that resonated within Mordred’s chest.

    He held his staff aloft, “By the Blood. The Bone. The Sand. You are known.”

    Mordred moved beyond the circle of fire. He left the darkness of the cave. It didn’t hurt. His limbs were longer. A surreal strength filled his core. He crouched near the stream of water. His features were harsh. But fitting. Two curling horns on his head behind each ear. Four red horns poked from his smooth skin above his eyebrows. His skin was charcoal dark. His irises were a dark purple. He had no need to blink. He opened his mouth.

    Black tissue. Black tongue. His tooth was a dagger.

    He held his 4 fingered hands to the sky.

    No hint of black scrawl.

    This form was not tied directly to Chronos.

    What plans did they have for his Eden cycle form? The Ninth Circle contained nearly all evil from all Cycles since the start of the Oversoul’s reign. But what happened to all the physical shells? Where did the Oversoul store them?

    Where.

    The Answer would save him. He was certain.

∞

    Charon lifted the obsidian scale. Darva murmured, >>All their former shells are contained. What little soul connection was left is completely severed. Shall I run all threads through containment?<<

    >>From the Eden Cycle. But yes. Keep up the wards. Run all processes.<<

    Every piece of the board was in play now.

    These would provide the glue that would seal away all Evils forever.

    Mortals would still be imbued with the power to choose. That was the promise of the Oversoul. Charon was put here for a singular purpose. The world of Man and Divine would be separated. So that Evil could be denied the pull on the soul. No longer would the Devourer lay claim to those who came after.

∞

    Mordred returned to his fallen shell.

    Chronos’ Will plucked away at the outer edges of his mind.

    But unlike his half human form? This body was insulated. Due to its summoning ties to the Frogman. Mordred didn’t bother learning their names. They were beyond notice. Only put on this earth to serve. The fact that a baseline primitive landmass had more raw power than the typical Light or Dark Shaman gave Mordred ample concern. Chronos was prepping everyone for a feast. One he intended to use to break past the bonds that held his main bulk in place. It was never about freedom. It was about the Devourer consuming all. Apsects, Angels, Demons, Demis and mortals. None would escape. It was sheer folly that the Oversoul even attempted such a thing.

    He needed to find a J’kua Learning Sphere.

    Have one of the sanctimonious graylings activate it.

    He’d bury himself deep within his enemy’s priceless artifacts. Live out ages in the blink of an eye before the end game. All he had to do was get off this backwards hovel. He painted additional wards onto his forearms. All he had to do was make enough noise to catch the eye of the Protectorate. America and her erstwhile allies were finally reformed into nations he remembered. Now it was time to prod the Frogmen.

    Make a bridge to the outside world.

    He inhaled the salty air.

    Lucifer would arrive. Mordred would be ready.

Issue 26: Here

Issue 28: Here

The Uplift Protocol Twin Rulers of the Sky: Issue 26

 

Issue 26: Breakthrough

    I didn’t mind giving up those memories during the Ceremony. If it gives my daughter the edge she needs to hold strong against the Devourer. It will be worth it in the end.--J’ino Murphy

    The drones were the least of our worries.--Thomas Murphy

    Now you know why I was the one hidden from all for nearly all my life. No matter the incarnation. The Oversoul got quite adept at it. He always knew that the Devourer desired the perfected form to inhabit. But my sister and I were never perfect. Evil only sees raw power. We accounted for that as well.----Sleeping In Starlight: Post Convergence Files (Conclave Access Required)

Icath Pyramid (Duat Pair)

Soul Layer

February 19^th 5490

    J’ino tossed three spheres out.

    Gravitonics swirled about. Each rolled about the plains. Crushing more drones by the minute. Micro black holes sucked more bodies towards the spheres. Even though they were hardly bigger than her hand her powers made escape impossible. Normal metals would have disinigrated. So Thomas had imbued each with the magic of the Golden City. The more drones they destroyed here would prevent additional forces for Chronos later.

    Unless he meant to tap into those trapped within the Ninth Circle.

∞

    Sweat trickled down my back. The waves were endless. But we needed Chronos to expend what he could while we “rescued” the Duat Pair. This was his answer to the Living Stone Wardens. Where other experiments like Unity had tried to mold them into weapons for evil? This time around we had turned that table. It was nice to cut loose just on the physical side. These drones weren’t acting as conduits for Chronos.

    I was moving at normal human speed.

    My mother’s gravity ability was formidable. She could imbue objects with bits of gravity.

    It had saved Eddie a time or two before we had arrived.

    I let the gravitational pulls guide my fists.

    Drones flew a few feet from me.

    Their flesh dissipated in a crimson haze. The black and silver pyramid rose another foot.

    We had to get the apex to reach the upper limit of the Soul Layer.

    Then the twin suns of Typha could do the rest.

    I wanted Chronos to be all in on pillaging the Ninth.

    He had already chosen his final sleeve.

    He wanted me. I would oblige.

∞

    Thomas Murphy took a swing from his water pouch. A sense of renewal rippled across his tired muscles. Void Maiden’s visor rose half way. He poured the crystalline water into mouth. After 10 swallows he pulled the pouch back. She smiled brightly before the visor clamped shut with a minute hiss. At one point Dexter reentered the magical barrier.

    He gulped down every drop within the pouch. Even as it renewed itself.

    “Had enough of a work out?”

    His son took a moment to rest his head behind his clasped hands.

    “As long as we close off all avenues? He will have no choice.”

    Thomas thought of his daughter’s old damaged nodes. They were present. Grafted onto an imperfect form of his son’s double. They would give Chronos his desired form. Just not in the way he wanted. The game was on.

    Now to only close in the final trap.

    Evil was constrained within this cycle. Just as the Oversoul promised. It would be up to mortals to perform the final pushes to cleanse it from direct intervention upon these plains. That was how much faith the Oversoul had in everyone. Thomas only hoped to live up to that level of trust. Since Eliza’s old nodes had been with her from the start, partially grafted with Dexter’s, alongside the many incarnations her body had experienced. It was the perfect trap.

    Chronos would only detect Dexter.

    Every action had a reason. His daughter’s crippled nodes were the key.

    The Oversoul had been watching. Time was a Wall for Mortals.

    Thomas lashed out once more with his Khopesh.

    Tick. Two more heads flew from desiccated shoulders.

    Tock. Their forms regressed to earlier cycles.

    No longer Void Walkers. These earlier husks resembled Lizard men. Much like the ones reported by Yak’tish. One step at a time. Thomas dared not breathe a word to his wife or daughter. Everyone had their part to play in what would become the final curtain call for Chronos and his fallen ilk.

    He reversed his blade.

    Brought his hilt up into the jaw of the closest coal black 6ft husk. Its teeth shattered. Magic flowed through his veins. His bloodline through Ta’mathon purified from the crossing of Cycles. Convergence had changed them all. They had to win. The alternative was unthinkable. The Pyramid floated another 100 feet off the ground. All would fire off in sync when the time came. All would understand the sacrifice. The choice remained.

New Ashbury, Texas

Protectorate HQ

February 20^th 5490 A.C

    Hilary let out a soundless scream as her spine twisted.

    Abbadon dug his blackened fangs into her neck.

    Chronos’ clinical gaze drank in each twitch. Each trembling finger. Her medical smock was in tatters. Probes floated at eye level to administer pain killers, liquids and various vitamins. It was surreal. Nothing was magic based. Not like their paltry divine tricks would work. If anything it would set her skin on fire. She panted, “Enjoying the show?!”

    No response.

    Chronos bent down. He closed one rigid fist over her right wrist.

    Fire crawled up her arm from the contact.

    She welcomed the pain. It would keep her focused.

∞

    Eddie winced. “Her human form hid the marks of the Devourer.”

    He watched as each aspect of Abbadon, Unity and Chronos appeared. Their forms hazy. Each left their mark upon Hilary. Lorain turned away. She couldn't even meet my eyes. The probes recorded every bit of physical data. Nola raised her mirror once more.

    “Half her organs are imprinted with Black Scrawl.”

    I pushed a thumb to my chest. “What about me.”

    “Your nodes are humming with White Scrawl. Nothing present in your organs.”

    Eddie noted, “Another benefit of being aligned with Good. Black Scrawl takes a toll on the body. White Scrawl is powered by the soul itself.” I wondered why I hadn’t noticed the inverse during previous cycles. Lorain asked, “How do you figure that?”

    Eddie waved at the mirrored screen. It dimmed.

    “Its a part of the fabric of this new dimension. It was always present but only detected by a few. Its how Light Shamans and Weave Speakers developed their own brand of skills across the cycles. But each time it had to be refined. One of the main goals of the Eden cycle was to cleanse as much Black Scrawl as possible.”

    Abraham Murphy entered. His fingers formed into a warding sigil.

    “Leave others to monitor this for now.”

    We entered the main lift. It let out a faint trilling sound as we arrived at our destination.

    My grandfather pushed Lorain and I through. The lift sealed itself. Energy prickled my skin. It kindled ancient memories within me. Nola and Eddie were nowhere to be found. The room was 10 miles across. 3 miles wide. Broken into sections.

    I focused on the domed roof above us. J’kua markings.

    Doc threw a training uniform at me. I caught it in my left hand.

    She raised her index finger and thumb. As if measuring my face.

    “This is more my speed!”

    We changed in the locker rooms. She leaned in, “I could see her bones breaking and reforming. Chronos never had a daughter. Hilary is a chimera. With one small sliver of a soul remaining.”

    Lorain shuddered, “It's studying how to consume souls. To make the process last longer.”

    I replied, “Can you see that or….”

    She met my gaze. “Not the soul aspects. The mirror recorded that but….”

    She pressed her head to my chest.

    “Physically its like massive tumors as the base of your neck and spine. Then tendrils explode outward. Curling about every major organ….”

    I wrapped my arms around her. “Did that happen with the cultists?”

    Her fingers curled. Grasping bits of my uniform.

    “It's like cancer. Its not quick either. Even micro contacts with Ninth Array energies suck a person dry. Demis and a few others have proper defense against it but...”

    I  brought up the cult data.

   Everyone had been fighting them for over 10,000 years.

    Even as we lived in caves. But this time we had better defenses.

    The Dreaming wasn’t compromised here. Or the Weave. No false Uplift Protocols.

    Lorain pushed back just enough to look up at me. “This isn’t training for you.” Her voice grew despondent. Breathless.

    “It's for me.”

    I examined her with darkmatter sight. Her healing powers registered the same. Her body could heal near instantaneously. Muscles. Bones. She could still hold her breath for a world impossible record. Silver Fox cut in. Within the Soul Layer.

    ///She’s worried about not having Lethe’s experience to fall back on. We all decided it would be best she’d practice on you. Besides it will be old territory anyways! Tower misadventures! Packed in enough materials to last years! Lethe often worries to the same degree. Truth be told.///

    Lethe interjected. ///I was there to mainly contain and cleanse the other Tear.///

    Silver Fox sent a burst of encouragement. ///Yes but that’s not all you did. You both undercut your contributions.///

    Lethe closed down the link but not before I caught the same expression often plastered on Lorain’s countenance when it came to their personal accomplishments. It wasn't shame. The pressure of obligation? No. Professional duty covered under a calm demeanor. Even if she was panicked.

    A wave of warmth tingled along my spine. Clever of all of them really.

    I pressed my fists to my hips in that classic pose.

    “Don’t you worry Doc! It will be just like old times.”

    I smiled slowly as she glanced up.

    “Demi volleyball reporting for duty!”

    She bit her lip.

    I continued to beam.

    “I'll even let you take control of my boots!”

    She let out a quiet sigh. “Cornfed.”

    I gave her a thumbs up, “Texas Grade!”

    I picked her up. Spinning in a tight circle. “Besides! We get a whole entire real world week in here!”

    She perked up at that. “What are you going on about….”

    I whispered conspiratorially, “J’kua training sphere….”

    Lorain let out a short burst of laughter. She covered her face. “This go around I’ve been far too caught up in my job.....”

    I gave a courtly bow, “This way! Delayed reward after so many ups and downs!”

    I reached out to give her a hand up to the main boxing ring situated in the exercise portion of our temporary home. My legs tingled as I dropped to my knees. I couldn’t feel a thing from my waist down. I let out a bark of laughter, “Just like old times.”

    Doc flipped me over on my stomach.

    The tingling faded after 5 seconds. Feeling returned to my lower extremities.

    Lorain gawked, “I did that?”

    “You can paralyze with a touch!”

    Her cheeks reddened.

    “I’ve...I’m not...”

    I held up a hand. “Let’s go back to basics! For the both of us!”

    I suddenly recalled her new life within the current cycle. Unlike our Eden days? She had never been a combat medic. Auxiliary. Pure defense.

    The shoe was on the other foot.

J’kua Sphere Polaris

Project Hotfoot

5 Years Within

    Eliza jabbed high.

    Lorain blocked. She sent her energy out as their arms brushed against each other. Doc blinked. Amazement caused her to fall back on the padded ground. Eliza crossed her legs and floated next to Lorain. A curious glint in her eyes. Lorain reached out. She plucked at the line of energy radiating from Murphy.

    She groaned, “I’m a moron. Class A!”

    Eliza cocked her head to the side. She jabbed herself in the chest. “No. I take that crown. I had to have multiple Bardaxians, a Markav VI matrix, Eddie, my parents….”

    She had a wicked twinkle in her eye as she elaborated,”….all giving me pointers on how to date properly. You? Hopeless. Not even once.”

    She nodded firmly. As if this explained every chaotic thing that had ever happened to them. Lorain bit the inside of her cheek. Eliza continued, “I was and still am a Black Hole in the social ques department!” Lorain snorted.

    “You may not have empathy powers anymore but I know what you are doing!”

    Eliza tilted her head in the other direction, “Oh?”

    Murphy tapped the side of her nose with one index finger.

    Lorain continued to tug at the aura surrounding Eliza.

    She hurriedly added, “Please tell me if any of this hurts!”

    “Girl Scouts Honor!”

∞

    Everything shifted.

    Colors, sights, sounds, even smells that should have been recognizable went out the window. I wasn’t in pain. Lorain blinked rapidly. Feeding more data into her H.U.D. She was like a kid at Christmas. My ear drums popped and all senses returned to normality. She muttered, “Ill have to practice!”

    I ran my thumb along her jaw, “So what did you learn today? I saw purple!”

    Those clear green eyes peered right through me.

    “I can enhance a demi’s powers. Through their aura.”

    I whistled, “Well we have quite a few years left in here!”

    Doc leaned in. “All Demis have this aura. I even looked at mine.”

    “What did you see?”

    She buried her face in my shoulder.

    “Lethe was diluting my powers on purpose.”

    “We have to be ready.”

    The Oversoul had seen to everything. The path was set. All we could do is walk forward.

New Ashbury, Texas

Protectorate HQ

February 24^th 5490 A.C

    Abraham Murphy triple checked the readouts.

    There was no mistake. Eliza and Lorain’s bio readouts had spiked beyond known demi outputs. He turned to his wife, “We are going to have to add another range to the ability scales.”

    Eleanor Murphy pulled Mary Herbert-Lanis over.

    “That’s what the Oversoul hid. Lorain can still heal but she was always meant for another role.”

    Mary highlighted the blue bar.

    “How many will she be able to enhance?”

    Abraham replied, “Based on what I see here? By the time they are done in there? She may well be able to enhance everyone.”

    Proctor Gansys nodded, “Bring up everyone we know isn’t compromised.”

    He linked in with At’lan.

    <<Implement Project Safehold.>>

    The Markav Gateway Ascended VI ran the calculations across all multiversal points.

    <<Shall I inform Captain Overwatch and the Rest of the Cauldron?>>

    Gansys sighed. <<On my authority. Triad Echo Delta Niner.>>

Issue 25: Here

Issue 27: Here