The Uplift Protocol Twin Rulers of the Sky: Issue 31

 

Issue 31: Throne Sight Prism

    It cannot be. My skin was never my own.--Lucifer.

    Always Three as the saying goes. Which way shall the mirror swing? Each builds upon one another but the final blocks are now in play.--Private Recordings

    You shall remember. Even as your body and soul continue onward...--Translated//File 21-N-19

The Domain of Eternal

First Formation

Time Unbound

    I scrambled over the hedge.

    The entity dubbed the Nothing on my heels with her constructs. She desired the threads within my very soul. Thoth’s cries of delight grew as he allowed the vines to merge with his body. This memory would remain. To be recalled. When I would be truly reborn. Ready to trigger the final binding. It was why I had been created. To house the blood of Ayeer and Urraden. To switch a few bits of note with my brother.

    None of our enemies would see it coming. Never to evade the trap. To step forth.

    The Highest curled his fingers about my heart. Not daring to speak. A Mother’s Madness. But the Nothing wasn't tied to Creation. All her experiments had caused nothing but entropy and pain. She had a name. Unpronounceable by mortal tongues. My direct connection to the Oversoul would be severed here but not before I found the marker. The Source Point.

    You could call it the Splinter of Creation.

    How demis, Humans, Typherians threaded through the Many Worlds.

    I had both. In more ways than one. A plan enacted from the first breath of mortality.

    She resented us. Just as Thoth threw away the last vestiges of his former Typherian shell.

    A deadly mirror. He would wear the face of a friend.

    A door of simple oaken wood formed before me. I sprang forward. Slammed it shut as the dull thuds of vines continued their assault. A temporary shield. The Highest peeked out from under my cape. Its red brilliant against the dull grays swirling around me. His whiskers twitched. Piper would have been astounded.

    This shard had taken the form of a plain cream white rat.

    <<Three mirrors. One true way. Blood will call to blood!>>

∞

    I peered up into the white light of a medical scanner.

    I flexed my fingers. Toes were all there. I didn’t have to say anything. Doc’s expression covered it. I cleared my throat. “No more hiding.” Mom shifted then jerked one thumb to the main holo feed.

    There I was. In all my former Star-Spangled Banner ensemble. My blows fast and precise.

    The headline exclaimed, “Old Glory returned! The Banner prevents Ninth Array Kaiju Invasion!”

    Other sensations ran up my spine. Previous cycle Typherian nodes.

    The way I would close the trap around Thoth. That’s what they had been filled with. Her energies. Crossguard burst in, “Avalon has called a summit!” There would be no more need for my Titan cover ID. HeroNet pinged against the back of my eyelids.

    <<Full access granted.>>

    Messages bombarded me from every sector of space. It took a few minutes to read them all. Paxton’s stood out.

    //Most think it was some super magic whammy that made nearly everyone forget you ever existed. The Banner Museum is back but there’s a few rooms we cant get into. Just a hunch but you may want to swing by.//

    There was a change I could already see by examining the statue plague in the “historical” feeds. My civilian ID had never been revealed. No need. Since Typha was no longer under false Uplift Protocol. I’d be careful. I did wonder though? Would any of our enemies remember that little fact?

    The Highest’s whiskers tickled my chin.

    I would bet good money.

    Doc groaned at the exorbitant numbers of, “Win a date with America’s Number 1 Girl Scout!” I took a chance and through various proxies studied my history as Eliza Murphy. Overall history was similar. No “handicaps”. Since I didn’t really have back troubles. It had never been spinal. No. My body and my soul had been forged for one purpose. I clapped. I was a Triad Officer. Bardaxian sector.

    The tiny paws tapped against my neck.

    Only you can sense me. Besides the Oversoul. I will see through these eyes.

    Flashes danced across my vision. His main focus was still tied to the Ninth. Most evils were still contained. Under the watchful eyes of the Living Stone. J’anu’s twisted features glared down at Abbadon as he arose from the pits. His mortal form burned away. Ta’rammon thundered, “Where is the Third Son!?!”

    Abbadon cackled. His lips split down the middle as his features shifted.

    “I have already paid a toll. The Knife of Dreams. He shall burn.”

    My chrono indicated one second had gone by.

    Crossguard beamed at me. “Fastest medical ward record! She cleared Doctor Impossible?!”

    Mom motioned to me with House Ayeer code.

    Keep things separate for now.

    Made sense. All eyes were on the Banner once again. Doc tight beamed a private commuication.

    //I never thought I’d miss….Never mind.//

    Demi statuses updated. My friends were back in position. The Golden Redeemers flew once more. Minus Doctor Impossible. She was listed as Auxiliary support. I kicked myself mentally. Of course! To downplay what she was capable of. Now to find Lucifer. The First of the Mother’s Mirrors. Chronos was the 2^nd. While Thoth brought up the rear. Each imbued and shaped by the Nothing. N-beams? N-Energy?

    As Void Maiden my mother stated professionally, “Better bring everyone in on this operation. N-Level breaches are no laughing matter.” Old histories merged and settled across the Tapestry. Thanks to the Highest those of us with Key roles still recalled the various differences before Convergence. My rebooted career as the Banner remained mostly the same. Area 51. Our clashes with the Void Walkers had morphed into Ninth Circle breaches.

    The Accord War had been re-dubbed the Incursion Wars.

    Karvax. Anna’s “Into the Fire” segments. Pyra’s attempt on Anna to draw me out.

    Except this time Typha and Earth had rallied with Bardax to cleanse our Triad systems.

    Sol was home to all three of us.

    The Highest touched his nose to the underside of my chin.

    Easier on mortal soul threads to have many major events carry over. Just different factions. Soulmates remain. Those who travel in the same circles. To forever meet within the Flow of Time.

    I had still responded to outer Solar distress beacons but that had caused all of us to find each other quicker. To have a stronger Ouroborous Chain.

    It was good to have unity this time. Doc let out a faint laugh as she tossed my suit onto the bed. “Clear bill of health!”

    The stories remained. Precious amid the drifting cosmos.

∞

    Hilary glared at the news feeds.

    The one thing these jailers allowed.

    The Banner. Whatever magic had hidden her presence from this wicked cycle had been unmasked. Chronos dug his fingers into the back of her skull.

    You have forgotten something dear daughter. I have it.

    But you have to listen to me.

    Hilary bared her mental teeth. Why should I heed you?

    Chronos indicated the feeds with one sweep of his hand.

    Because I still remember who burns under those shining cosmic filled eyes!

    A trap for us all.

    Hilary spat on the ground. Not caring that the nanites recorded every action. Every sample. The Protectorate feared her. A delicious irony. She was still trapped here. Chronos shimmered next to the false walls.

    One long finger tapped a series of notes.

    An ancient tune fluttered against her skin.

    The lights flickered. She was free.

    Sunlight kissed her skin as she walked on the craggy shores. She inhaled.

    Brimstone and ash dotted the outer dunes of shoreline. Pyra scowled, “Took you long enough. What’s inside Protectorate HQ?”

    Hilary’s human facade reformed from her feet to the top of her head. Chronos hissed, “She does not remember how she originally got here. Say nothing!”

∞

    Pyra kept her expression acidic.

    Inside she shuddered. There was a hole in her mind. This creature had the answers. Its alien shape spoke of horrors beyond all understanding. Black pools for eyes. Obsidan flint. Pyra had killed. For sport or money. It hadn’t mattered but when she peered into that thing’s eyes? Only madness remained. One solitary phrase echoed. “I know the taste of your tears.”

    She spat again for good measure.

    This would be the hunt of a life time. She would kill the Star Spangled Banner.

    Her powers assured it.

    Pyra frowned as the intrusive thoughts tugged at her mind.

    She couldn’t kill the Banner. It had been tried. The man’s face burned in her memory.

    Broken glass. Nails against the walls. Dark eyes watching. Padded room. A blonde woman with dead baby blues. No. Wrong. It was all wrong. Hilary pressed one index finger against Pyra’s throat.

    “Such a sweet thing.” Duel voices. What was Hilary? Eventually those alien features formed into the severe expression of a tanned athletic woman. She held Pyra in place with a magnanimous smile. “Time is on our side.”

    Hilary giggled. The sound was girlish. Vapid.

    “Shh. It's alright.”

    Frigid claws seized Pyra by the shoulders from behind. Snake Charmer’s fetid breath tickled her ear.

    “Got your jewel.”

    Medusa glided in next to her brother. “Ninth Array is 2^nd class. This will put us all on the map.” A squat Typherian with a bulbous nose appeared with a flourish of dark smoke.

    “Right. As long as the Merchant Clans fall? I don’t give a shit.”

    Medusa replied, “Throw in the Atlantians? I’m game. Let’s give them all a black eye.”

∞

    Yak’tish barreled into me as I landed at the pier.

    Camelot’s King’s Protectors lined the outer towers of the ancestral gates. Each glimmered with magic across all the Layers. Taleer bowed. His armor bedecked in more sigils than I could recount. Emerald K-9 let out a peel of joyous barks. His paws firmly locked onto my golden pauldron. The Puzzler let out a whoop as he jet packed to land next to us.

    “It's good to be back!” He winked. My roster had updated. Crossguard appeared behind me in a beam of light as the UST Barsoom pinged against my senses. A converted American space cruiser. Dad had still served on her.

    UST. United Solar Triad.

    The paladin demi’s face flushed, “I still can’t believe it. Why’d you pick me?!”

    I replied, “Titan vouched for you!” I winked.

    My alternate cover hadn’t been removed from the fabric. He snapped to attention. I linked to our team channel, <<I promise. Your memory isn’t faulty. I was Titan for a while.>>

    His blue eyes widened within the Avalonian helm.

    <<Oh thank the Creator for small mercies!>>

    Queen Gwenivere arrived. Her staff of pure starlight and silver glinted in the afternoon sun. She gestured to all of us. “I welcome you to our fair shores. The Grail awaits.”

    A knight cried out, “INCURSION!”

    Mondays.

Issue 30: Here

Issue 32: Here

The Uplift Protocol Twin Rulers of the Sky: Issue 30

 

Issue 30: Reality Shift

    He will not devour what's left. I exist. I exist. I exist.--Hilary Brookes

    It is a quaint notion to think she has any will. This last grasp on life. I will allow it. I must see how far I can push this plaything called a soul.--Chronos

    Life and Death have no meaning. All lights shall fade.--Mordred

    We have reached a new era. No longer shall we fear the vastness between the Void. For we carry the Light of Creation.--Noah’s Ark Archives

    Who is she? Really. I’ve examined HeroNet up and down. What is the Star-Spangled Banner?--Crossguard

    Even now I look back. Every step. Not in remorse. Though there are individual moments I regret. Tears I shouldn't have shed. Would I do it all over again? In a heartbeat. To think the answer was in front of us all right from the start. Life and Death. The everlasting cycle.--Sleeping in Starlight: Post Convergence File 238-119A

New Ashbury, Texas

Protectorate HQ

February 26^th 5490 A.C

    Argus Paxton studied Crossguard as the demi dodged another set of attacks.

    Two energy users and a Brick Construct operating at 10% of Dexter Murphy’s capabilities. The paladin of Avalon’s Outer Ring went flying. He twisted his body at the last moment to use the wall. His boots hummed as the defense actuators activated. Crossguard’s knees cracked back into place. The advantages of quick healing. It allowed him to engage demi’s above his weight class. Paxon had recorded every instance of Crossguard’s search for the Banner. He wasn’t corrupted.

    Thomas Murphy had cleared the young knight.

    Crossguard launched himself into a spiral. His sword blazed with blue-silver flame.

    He cut the two energy combatants to ribbons. The sword sparked as it buried itself up to the hilt into the Brick. Crossguard grunted as he pulled his sword downward. Nearly to the enemy’s groin. The battlefield faded as a computerized voice announced,

    <<Crossguard. Report to Alpha 01 Lift.>>

    Now to put the young man to the test.

∞

    Lucifer slipped into the Medical Wing. He allowed the biometrics to verify his status. A sallow Markav face greeted him. “Ahh! Doctor.” Nyx waved him through. He touched that minuscule part of himself he had retained from Convergence. Echoes pulsed against his skin.

    He took a seat.

    Medical equipment hummed as it encircled his forehead. Feather light needles collected a few cell samples. Nyx never wavered. She merely peered down at him from her elevated doctor’s station. “Separating Weave threads now.”

    Samples filled the tubes arrayed around him. The sour bite of ash filled his mouth.

    The one hint of his true nature.

    Sweat ran down his back. Nyx wasnt just taking Weave readings.

    His vision doubled. His chin hit his chest.

    Her Markav accent never wavered. She said, “Tears collected. Weave sampling complete.”

    It wasn’t a usual phrase. The human body was majority water. He wasn’t able to move. So he listened. Nicely polished black shoes edged into his vision. The delicate turn of pages. Lucifer inhaled. Nyx stated softly, “I will test your sample as well. We all must be careful. They have eyes everywhere.”

    Chronos’ line came back to haunt him, “I know the taste of her tears.”

    Tears. Not just a mother’s tears. Deeper. The gateway to the soul.

    The River of All Souls. What had the Devourer been originally?!

    Lucifer’s mind whirled. The Mother was the key.

    The Mother of All Ouros.

    Nyx hummed a lullaby. She smiled and rested one wrinkled hand on Lucifier’s head.

    “So close now. Soon you will see. They will all see.”

    Lucifer let out a mental howl as dark eyes converged upon his mind.

    “Little bird. Did you think you were free?”

    Chronos flicked one elongated gray finger across the Fallen one’s forehead.

∞

    Abbadon lifted the bourbon to his lips.

    Straight from the bottle. Mortal forms had their uses. But the dreams.

    Those were a mandate from fate.

    There was no escape. The Devourer had them all. No matter the cycle. Unity was beholden to it. So was he. Anyone ever touched by the malaise of the World Ender. Tendrils of black ice ran up his arms. The final cards were in play. He had been nothing but a puppet. Never the ultimate. Lucifer and the others would be in for a rude surprise. Chronos formed in the seat next to him.

    “I will grant you a boon.”

    The voice was as dry and emotionless as the despot remembered.

    “Who do you wish to hurt the most?”

    Abbadon took another swig. A rictus grin bloomed.

    The boy king. The Knife Wielder.

    Chronos lifted one white feather, “So it shall be.”

∞

    Moonlighter phased through the building. Gagged behind his mask.

    They were all dead. Every single cultist. Crossguard kicked the door in. His sword blazed with holy wards. The radiance cause the skin to bubble of the closest corpse. He shouted, “Alvec Aluvin Almaris!”

    A shield formed within and without the building. Moonlighter jerked back. Pulled by Argus Paxton as the building disintegrated. All that remained was the slight imprint of the lowest level. A tear in the shape of black eyes stared up at them.

    Grey lids flickered in the radiance of the sword.

    Mocking them all.

    Argus Paxton spat out his cigar. The ashes exploded under his boot heel as he commanded, “Notify Central. Recall everyone. Even the reserves.”

∞

    Anna gripped the handrail. Her face tightened as visions cascaded around her.

    The Twins impaled by black ice.

    Thoth and Hilary back to back on a throne made of Devoured essence.

    Her mind focused on the tendrils raining from the sky.

    Giving shape to the One Above All.

    The Silver Lady pressed one palm to Anna’s eyes.

    “Remember him by his passing.”

    She inhaled.

∞

    Archibald Hammond stared at the holo.

    Chronos had done it. He had consumed the primary essence of the Devourer. How quaint. That one only aimed to invade the body and soul of Dexter Murphy. All this to find the perfect host to house his essence for an eternity. The Devourer had lived off the embers of souls. Thoth had seen within the Nothing and survived.

    He smiled as the stewardess brought another round of refreshments.

    The world would soon know. Chronos had always been shortsighted. The Nothing would command the last bastion of Man, Demi and Dog. No amount of the Oversoul’s light would prevail. He had given his flesh and soul to the Nothing. Making him immune to Chronos’ feeble compulsions. He watched as witch fire danced across the reaches of the Weave.

    Chronos had the numbers.

    Thoth stated firmly into the holo pickup, “I concur. Put everyone at condition one General Murphy. Including the backups. Failsafe 1-10.”

    He placed his glass gently on the tray.

    How ironic that Murphy was under his direct command this time around. What had that Marshall fellow seen in all this? In many ways the Presidency was a cage but it was one that amused him.

    This cycle would be the last.

    All would fall under the sway of the Nothing. For it didn’t need a soul, flesh or trite notions of sapience to function. It was pure power. Even the Oversoul’s precious Wall and Living Stone divisions would not be able to stand. He hummed a jaunty tune as the stewardess left without a backward glance.

∞

    J’ino waited until the presidential suite sealed shut. She took the tray to the middle deck of Space For Ops 1. Lorain Lanis took the glass. All the usual biometrics remained in place. She nodded politely and pretended to empty everything into the recycler. Sometimes the best disguise was the simplest.

    The Ninth Array. It had a double meaning. It was made up of cultists but it had another mission. She tucked the glass into her uniform. Next to the simple holo pad made for orders. She and J’ino continued to fulfill orders. Food. Drinks. Even one dignitary asked for a special round of sweets for an impeding celebration. Not once did the president even look at their faces. They were just mere servers after all.

    Once SFO 1 landed at the Io Shipyards they slipped out without a backward glance.

    Lorain led J’ino to a small shuttle parked nestled in an archway depot.

    It phased into the Weave. The Jupiter Rising was awaiting them. Her hull back to its former white and red color. The shuttle lifted and floated into the awaiting docking bay. Dexter Murphy greeted them, “Funny how old Thoth thinks he’s the only one to survive the Nothing.”

    J’ino pressed one fist to her chest, “Don’t you start.”

    Eliza already had enough on her shoulders.

    Lorain pushed past Dexter. Her green eyes blazed, “I’m just glad I saw enough of the proper future.”

    J’ino press an index finger on the panel next to the southern portion of the bay.

    Jupiter added stoically, “Bloodline recognized. Please note: Triad at Highest level of Alert. Scrambling ID records of SFO 1 visitation. Running usual tags. Activating Passive Scans for N-Level entities.”

    J’ino pressed one fingertip on the blip echoing from the Island.

    Eliza steady heartbeat thrummed. Her daughter had lived through countless cycles. Gathering energies needed bit by bit to survive in the depths of the Nothing. Everything had been a mirror game. Silver Fox linked in, <<I agreed to all this. Once we knew what Chronos was aiming for. But I must admit I am glad one form of myself will get to live out a normal if excitable demi career after all this is done.>>

    J’ino replied, <<Will we remember any of you after all this?>>

    Silver Fox paused. J’ino waited. <<I hope so. That will be up to Eliza in the end.>>

    Lorain cut in, <<Knowing Eliza? She’ll find a way. She always does!>>

∞

    X’mil chanted as the smoke rose higher.

    Karvax whispered in his ear, “Is it just her death you want?” Lately the gnarled pockmarked demon had delighted in tormenting him with insouciant questions. Blood dribbled from his nose onto the Tear of the Devourer’s Heart. It pulsed softly with pale green light. His head tilted skyward as his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

    He pictured E’ratha.

    So proud. He giggled as the magic tore him from Earth.

    “Her first.”

∞

    I blinked as I stared up at HQ. The sun glinted through the leaves.

    New Ashbury.

    The Three. They had transported me back here with a simple message, “Be the Wall we know you are.” Mordred had balked. His form twisted in the grip of the Void Man. The Curator sat down beside me. His black top hat tilted forward. “You are the bridge. Now its time to remember why.”

    I went rigid as powers beyond my ken immobilized me.

    Memory pulled. My other death. After keeping Thoth from corrupting the final cycle.

    We had both found it. Escaped it. He had been forever changed.

    Walls of pale moonlight glimmered. A maze formed. Crimson vines rose around us. Thoth exclaimed, “DO YOU SEE IT DEAR NIECE!” Through me the entire Living Stone Warden Corps knew what was coming.

    I had whirled on my uncle. “That way lies total obliteration! Even for you!”

    The walls echoed, “Little light. So so bright. Whatever shall your wish be tonight!”

    The Devourer curled about us. Desiring the knowledge. No. Not just the Devourer. Chronos. He had watched through blacked tears.

    “The taste. Beyond measure!”

    The Nothing’s essence rippled across my skin. It was here. Not just empty. It desired.

    The Mother denied.

    Unity poured itself into edges of the Nothing. Following Chonos. All the villains each epoch had known cried out. Desiring this power. She had been cast out. Much like the Fallen of Unity. Unable to reconcile her position. She had desired more. In doing so had created the Schism that had released the Mortals onto the multiverse. The Mother hissed, “The Sons of my Sons shall stop you little light.”

    She was of the Oversoul but ran from his light.

    The Highest whispered, “Remember how she corrupts!”

    Abyzou. Aspect of Unity. Caused miscarriages. A mother who snuffed out life.

    Thoth. Born from a corrupted womb. My uncle dove deeper into the maze. This place had been made for him and him alone. House Urraden had been birthed from her. Always her. The Highest’s fingers dug into my forearm.

    “Always both. Had to be.”

    Voices rose and fell. Ayeer. Urraden. Human. Bardaxian.

    Mortal. Demi.

    Until one voice rose above it all.

    “Be the Wall I know you can be.”

    Vines pulled me under as the Mother cackled, “You think this can save you?! THIS PATHETIC MORSEL OF FLESH!?”

    She had three. Always.

    Chronos. Thoth. Lucifer.

Interlude Within the Abyss: Here

Issue 31: Here

The Uplift Protocol Twin Rulers of the Sky: Interlude Within the Abyss

 

Interlude Within The Abyss

    Chronos smiled, “I have always known you. No matter your form.”

    The two doctors moved about the observation dome. AK-1 surmised, “Subject Hilary Brookes. Old Cycle Anomaly. Category Prime. Scans indicate multiple divergent soul shards within.”

    Chronos examined the enclosure.

    It was triple sealed. Weave, Wall and Physical.

    Even the cloaked one watched the in-between. That delicious avatar. Chronos would have Dexter Murphy. Blood sang to blood. Not even Eliza Murphy’s pet doctor would be able to do anything. Oh yes. Chronos summarized that the Oversoul would attempt to hide its final stopgaps in plain sight. The Doctor was a detraction. Just as “hiding” Dexter Murphy had been a trap.

    They were prepared. A pity. There would be no escape for Hilary at this rate. No, he was here to study. As always. She would find a way out of this maze. When the Oversoul allowed it. Chronos tied a few more threads to her remaining embers of soul. Linking past failures to her most recent incarnation. She had no mouth for which to scream.

‘

    An elegant solution.

    She would be the weapon to breach the end of all the Walls. The very fabric of the multiverse would bend. To forever feed his glory.

    Chronos howled, “My threads breed true!”

    Let the Oversoul tremble. All good plans had the best kind of payoff.

    Thoth thought he could escape.

    Chronos would show him otherwise.

    He had already overtaken key points within the Devourer’s domain. Right under the behemoth's nose. It was far too enamored of its feasts. Its endless hunger. Chronos plucked at the threads entwined about Lucifer, Unity, Abbadon and the rest. They would pull the Oversoul’s final tapestry out into the open.

    Thoth would spring the final trap.

    Of that he was certain.

    For Chronos lingered within the insane Typherian’s thoughts. Not as the Dreamweaver. Not as Unity. Nor any other voice clamoring for attention. Chronos smiled.

    He was Thoth’s innermost thoughts.

    Thoth was the final piece. Chronos could not forge a new soul. But he could breathe on the embers of another. The sublime form. Sharing in the strength of all. Brother to none. Hidden until the last note struck.

    AK-1 motioned to the holonet receiver.

    Soul Shard binding found. Inform primaries.

∞

    Thomas Murphy shuddered, “That’s how he did it?”

    Dexter re-read the report. “By taking over key areas within the Devourer? He became fused to it. Still acting on his own but all those various soul threads trapped in that domain? That's the primary poison we have to ensnare.”

    Thomas sent out the notification, “Operation Noise Caster is now in effect.”

    “What happens after we feed Thoth and Hilary your fake body?”

    “Eliza will follow me/it into the breach. By then all of the reinforcements Doc will have made will kick in. Once she’s rescued me? We will throw the switch and it will send the Devourer and all those infected by it into the Ninth proper.”

    Thomas replied, “I don’t like the fact that she will be going in alone.”

    “It has to be her.” Dexter reached out to enhance the image of his sister.

    “We traded a few key abilities going into this cycle you see…..”

    Thomas frowned. He held up one hand. Palm outward. “Don’t say anything.”

    Dexter rubbed his chin, “It's quite the bold plan.”

    Augustus stood. His paws wiggled as he floated above the two men. His nose went through the hologram. He studied the threads around Eliza. The First of all Bardax always had a plan. The white and tan corgi observed, “Eliza won’t fail us. She won’t fail you.”

    Dexter nodded, “That’s what we are all counting on.”

Issue 29: Here

Issue 30: Here