PROLOGUE: The Problem of Evil
SEASON 1: Rise or Die
PART 1
-Midwest, United States. March 11, 2023
If evil exists and God exists, then either God doesn’t have the power to eliminate all evil or doesn’t know when evil exists, or doesn’t have the desire to eliminate all evil.
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She who holds wisdom above all else. She who wars like no other. She whose wealth even shakes the heavens. I beseech you. I call upon the first ancestor. The first Edryani. No man can best me. No Edryan male has what it takes to conq-
I woke up screaming. My body was drenched in sweat and my bed was soaked thoroughly.
“Huff.”
“Huff.”
“Huff.”
“What the fuck is going on?”
For the past several weeks I’ve been experiencing nightmares. They always start differently. They always end the same. Me dying. A world at war. A mother praying to a Goddess. A [Kingslayer] rising to a throne. An orphan starving on the streets. An empire rising to a new dawn. Slaughtering, conquering, before they rinse and repeat.
“What the fuck is going on,” I repeated.
I checked the time, 6:47 a.m., before rising from the mess and standing. My legs and body still weak from the nightmare collapsed in a heap on the cold hardwood floor. Panting I lay there for a while. My body cooled and the strength of my limbs returned slowly. I always tried my best to keep a calm and collected head. Dreams and nightmares are often related to the subconscious desires of the human mind. These nightmares that I had were nothing close to my dreams and ambitions. They were like visions or warnings almost. Of what? I wish I knew.
My 7 o’clock alarm rang by the time I rose. This time steadier on my feet as I grabbed my iPhone to turn it off. Today was supposed to be the day I asked out Celina, but after waking up drenched and exhausted... I was in no mood to even give it a shot. I went to the bathroom of my apartment and stood staring at myself in the mirror. Deep bags were present darkening my already brown skin. While yellow-tinted eyes stared back at me.
I’ve always wanted to be a hero.
That dream stemmed from the comics my parents brought monthly. Mom and Dad were avid comic fans so it was no surprise that I was one too. My apartment was completely superhero and anime themed and even the way I dressed followed suit. The yearly hospital visits to check in with my doctors never stopped that dream. To be a hero, a star that other people would look up to. Someone who inspires hope and trust in the masses. Too bad my body was weak and sickly. I didn’t let it stop me. I never would. Yet it was a main component in shaping the man I am today. It was probably why I was an even bigger superhero fan than my parents which also extended into manga and anime. That was the card I was dealt in my life, so I chose to make the most of it. Going to college and obtaining my bachelor's. Currently, I was working on my mas-.
BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!
My 7:30 alarm rang letting me know I had an hour left before I had to leave. Shaking the thoughts from my head. I delayed no further and jumped into the shower. Cleaning the grime from my body and ridding myself of the lasting presence of the nightmare.
Today was supposed to be the day I asked out Celina. Already I had gone over the details at least twice of how I planned it. We had been talking for several months and I knew she held feelings for me. I was the one holding us back from progressing.
What if I picked up the wrong vibes from Celina?
If I didn’t then it would turn into the start of a happy relationship.
I always overanalyzed a situation. My best friend Brock told me this too many times to count. I was supposed to be meeting him and Celina for some breakfast before we hit the gym later. My motto was to think twice before acting.
What could go wrong?
What will happen when it goes right?
Sighing, I grabbed a quick snack before heading out the door. Catching the bus to Celina’s place before we’d drive together and meet up with Brock. I smiled when I saw the short and chubby girl. Celina is a short woman standing tall at a height of 5’5.5ft. I can’t count the times she stressed that .5 was important to her height.
“Good morning shorty,” I tease as I saw her. She pouted, her small button nose wrinkling. Her creamy tan cheeks expanded she blew air into them before she scowled at me.
“I’m 5’5 and a half! That is not short!”
I chuckled and bent in for a hug. Breathing in her scent deeply before she pulled back. Her brown eyes stared into my own for a long moment and my heart melted internally. My decision was made. Everything seemed to fade away as I held her in my arms. God, I love this woman. It was time I properly told her that.
“Say, do you want to go out later tonight with me?”
Before I could think twice, I blurted the question out. Her cheeks grew a shade darker, and I could tell the creamy-tan-colored Afro-Latina was blushing. She whispered something as she looked down. I was 6’2 and the fact that Celina was looking down made it even harder to hear her.
“What was that?” I asked as I leaned down to hear her better.
She looked up sharply, her blush turning into anger as she reached up to grab my ear. Twisting it as she pulled me down even further.
“When are you going to let go?!? My parents are home!”
Laughing she released her hold on my throbbing ear as I did the same on her. Externally I kept a straight face but internally I was blushing hard.
“Sorry,” I said. Scratching my head sheepishly.
“Let’s go meet Brock before we’re late.”
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We met Brock at the small family-owned diner, Johnson Breakfast Place. Brock was even taller than me. He stood at 6’4 and was close to 200lb of pure muscle mass. He’d been my best friend since our parents met at a comic convention in the early 2000s. Where I lucked out and managed to get a normal name. Brock was named not after the wrestler or another famous figure. He was named after Brock or Takeshi the Pokémon character and his parents made sure everyone knew this. He was my best friend and since the third grade, we’ve rarely been too far from each other. It was only after the 7th grade that we became best friends. Going as far as to attend the same college together.
After a short greeting, we went inside to eat. Brock served as both Celina’s and my trainer. Although I was decently tall. My weight had always been lacking due to the sickness I suffered. I was just a bit over 160lbs and wasn’t anorexic, but I wasn’t far from it either. Brock was a personal trainer and offered to help me and Celina get in shape free of charge. He was the one who introduced me to Celina after they met at a gaming convention and shared some of the same interests. The three of us had been friends for a bit over a year now while our training started earlier this month.
“Did you guys hear about another one of those spatial anomalies,” Brock asked us.
“Another one?” Where was it this time,” I asked as I perked up from my meal.
Recently there were increasingly weird things going on around the planet. The press and NASA called them spatial anomalies.
“This one was on the west coast and around 20 people died.”
“What are these spatial anomalies,” Celina asked curiously. “I haven’t heard too much about them.”
“From my understanding. Something is going on with the earth's gravity that is causing an area to increase or decrease in gravity. So, like if something fast decreases its speed… with an anomaly, it’d take longer to slow and vice versa.”
“Yeah, they’re really weird but the scientist says it’s because of a massive release of energy from the Sun. Just be careful if you see a twinkle or shimmer in the air. Sort of like a mirage.” Brock said.
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I held my hands over my head. Struggling to allow air to refill my lungs. Celina was on the ground next to me doing the same. While Brock looked over us smiling.
“Good job today guys. You’re really improving. Law make sure you eat enough when you get home otherwise, you’ll never bulk up.”
I waved my hand toward him. Letting him know he was good to leave. After all, we arrived at the gym he worked and took up his first slot. Brock still had other clients and we’d get the opportunity to catch up later. Probably over the Xbox party chat as we gamed together. Celina and I spent a few more minutes recovering before we were both good to go. Stepping out of the gym, we headed across the small shopping complex to cross the street. By now this had become our after-workout ritual of sorts. We would get ourselves something cold and sweet to drink from a local café.
Celina would usually get milk tea boba while I was fine with lemonade. Now that she wasn’t in my arms and my mind cooled, I reorganized my thoughts. Realizing that I began the process of asking her out in the early morning. She hummed happily next to me as she drank her boba tea. Making a smile blossom on my face as I watched. Occasionally bumping into me as we walked. The air slightly shimmered behind her and I gathered my thoughts. I felt lighter as I summoned up the courage. Checking twice as we waited for the light to turn green and the walk sign to appear. A red truck was coming from Celina’s side but began slowing down as the light shifted. The light turned green, and I began to summon my courage to ask Celina again. This morning she was distracted by me holding on to her. This time she was free from my grasp. Once I made a decision I followed through.
It was how I became best friends with Brock. Brock hadn’t always been the big and muscular guy he is now. In the seventh grade, he was just as skinny as I was. He also had a bully problem. What happens when you have a bully, a kid with a slight superhero complex, and the bullied? Three days detention, a police report, and a strong dislike for authority.
A shimmer came once again as we were in the middle of the crosswalk. The red truck slowed to a halt as I recognized the shimmer for what it was. We were entering the middle of march in Midwest America. Chicago was known for having weird weather, but this was a bit out of the norm even for us. That meant it was still plenty cold outside and any shimmer or mirage from the heat shouldn’t be appearing here. Not now.
“A spatial anomaly. We should hurry up and cross.”
The shimmering was easily distinct now. I grabbed Celina’s hand so we could haul it through the crosswalk. Her eyes widen as she looked in my direction. Not at me but something bearing down on me. Allowing me to know exactly how I would die. My body reacted before my mind could fully contemplate what I saw through Celina’s clear brown irises. I pushed Celina out of the way the moment a black truck slammed into me. Tossing my body into the air from the force. Pain erupted nearly scattering my mind but before I could scream out in agony, the shimmer appeared once again. My pain-addled mind allowed me a glimpse of Celina. Boba milk tea spilled over her as everything seemed to move in slow motion. Her wide eyes met my own. Panic, desperation, pain, and a sense of loss where all things I saw within her gaze. At least she’s ok. The last thing I saw was the concrete ground rushing to meet me faster than I thought possible.
I didn’t even get to kiss my loved ones goodbye.
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-ASCENSION HALL – SOLAR CYCLE 669
I came to in a hall with 12 thrones in front of me. On each sat a figure of significance. On the farthest left was a woman with six wings. She wore a diamond tiara and leaned forward on a unsheathed sword. Hawk-like eyes pieced through my own as we made eye contact. I felt as if she saw through everything. No secrets were kept away. Her face constantly changed to my mind. Looking like a familiar face before entirely different. She was old, then young. Her body followed suit with the changes. Petite then fat yet the only constant was the eyes. This was a predator and not prey.
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The far right held a being that was the furthest thing from a human I have ever seen. As I attempted to gaze upon it. They rejected my vision. It was like something rejected the reality around it. I found myself drawn into trying to look at it. A voice stopped me from my foolishness.
“To gaze into the abyss means to allow its vision to look back.”
On one of the centermost thrones was a woman that was hard to describe. Beautiful, fierce, and deadly but so much more. The woman radiated power and I could tell she was by far the strongest of the bunch. Confused, I spoke up.
“Where the fuck am I?”
“Watch. Your. Tongue. Mortal.”
I screamed as the voice reverberated throughout the room. Screaming until my voice no longer worked and all sounds stopped. Soul wrenching pain attacked every single fiber of my being. Blood flowed from my eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. At least, what I thought was blood. I fell to my hands and knees in pain and exhaustion as the bronze-colored man spoke. Not registering my see-through hands as I tried to throw up. I attempted to empty the contents of my already empty stomach. The center woman waved her hand and all negative effects dispersed from my body.
It was quick and efficient almost making me believe the previous pain was a dream… almost.
“Welcome to the Ascension Hall, [Hero],” the woman in the middle began.
“Your actions have brought you a second chance at life. An opportunity should you choose to take one of us as your patron. To offer us your Faith.”
This time the woman with the six wings spoke. Her eyes glinted as she looked at me. Like I was a prime rib ready to be salted and cooked. I saw various looks from the things sitting on the thrones before me. None of them were in my favor.
I took a deep breath and slowly thought about my next words before I spoke. Choosing my words very, very carefully. I stood up in a slow measured manner. We weren’t in Kansas anymore.
“What is this place?”
The thing on the far right spoke. In my stupidity, I gazed in its direction once more. This time my eyes landed on the creature. Thoughts, images, and concepts flashed into my head overwhelming my mind with an explosion of data. Once it was done, I groaned in pain and collapsed to my knees once again. Muttering and mumbling as I giggled to myself. Twirling my hair and dancing with rabbits or maybe hares.
“Please do not break the mortal again.”
“We should just ban ……………. from attending. This happens every time.”
“WE ARE NOT AT FAULT.
MORTAL MINDS ARE TO BLAME.
CURIOSITY WILL KILL.”
The Ascension Hall was the meeting place for the dead Pantheon of #$@#@99... The center woman, Goddess waved her hand again and my mind returned to me.
This time it took me longer to recover. My body felt weak, almost like it was ready to dissipate. I was in the Ascension Hall for a pantheon of similar-orientated Gods. Capital G, Gods. The type that was fabled in the various religions of the Earth. Soul extinguishing. My throat grew very dry as I process and sorted through the message, [He Who Hides in the Shadow Places], sent me. That was the basic translation of his name into English. A Cthulhu-like entity. Before me stood twelve entities of immeasurable power. The Ascension Hall was for worthy souls that found their way here through the might of their actions. Actions that were taken, actions in progress, and actions that would have occurred.
Had I not died early. My actions would have saved plenty of humanity.
‘From what though?’ I thought.
“That thread is severed mortal. Focus on the now.”
This time when the bronze man spoke, I was much more prepared. Standing against the buffering waves of power radiating from his sentence. His voice, Helcantruim, was that of a thousand souls. Fused into one automaton. Could they read my thoughts?
“Hmph, as if we’d bother reading the thoughts of a mortal.
Your emotions are open for all to see.”
My jaw clenched at Helcantruim's words. Anger flared but I kept a cool head even as the being snorted. I did not like authority especially the rampant use of that authority. After I saw Brock bullied several times and even told the teachers about it to no avail, I took matters into my own hands. It wasn’t weird for a kid to bring a baseball bat to school. I just waited for the bell to ring and for the bully to go to his usual rounds. When he got to Brock I struck.
For the first time, I raised my gaze to that of the automaton. Meeting the fiery pits, it called eyes as I spoke.
“Do. Gods. Bleed?”
“I invoke the Right of Champion,” a soft voice whispered.
If my bladder was full. It’d be empty right about now. The large hand of Helcantruim withdrew before it could crush me where I stood. I was an ant in front of an elephant. It was stupid of me but sometimes… I couldn’t help myself.
“Hmph, having this whelp as your Chosen??? So early in the game? A waste.”
One by one the other thrones disappeared. Helcantruim – The Automaton was first. The other twelve left slowly after. He Who Hides in the Shadow Places was one of the final. Unera, the Goddess with the hawk eyes was the very last. Until I was left with Madris. The strongest of the pantheon and the one who healed me time and time again.
“You are very foolish, Lawrence Brown.”
“Helcantruim would have extinguished your soul if not for my intervention…
How are you going to compensate me?”
I stayed silent. Processing not only the words of Madris but processing my situation. The last thing I remembered was dying. Yet I felt no horror from that thought or much regret. I managed to save the girl I loved in the end. That was a worthy hero’s death if there ever was one. My eyes met Madris and I truly studied the goddess in question. Taking a much longer look than the first time I saw her.
Grand.
That was the first word that came to mind.
Imposing.
This was the second.
Cold.
This was the last yet most important.
This Goddess did not save me out of the goodness in her heart or some sort of just right. I don’t know how but I could sense something kindred with Madris. Think twice then act. She did not save me out of the goodness of her heart or because I impressed her in some format. She saved me because I was to be part of some scheme. Some greater calculation.
She smiled down at me as I realized this. My thoughts all but confirmed the implication.
“Your debts are many,” her voice seemed to whisper in my ears like the very devil himself.
“Yet opportunity smiles down upon you. Your soul is powerful. Five times your soul should have been eviscerated. Five times you survived. Thrice I’ve helped you. Thus, thrice you WILL serve me.”
I didn’t speak only listened as Madris spoke. My body is held by some invisible magic that prevented me from interrupting her.
“Queen Titiana has prayed for a child. No man of her kingdom can best her in a fair battle. A child she will have for I Will Deliver. Her faith in me has not been small. You will be my Chosen. You wished to be a hero in your mortal life? Then you shall have it.”
“You will be born anew on the Prime Plane.”
“Administrator Privileges 001 – Induction.”
“For one minor favor, I will give you 1000 points. Choose what perk or perks you wish to have in your new life. Know if you die again. I will personally reap the potential from your soul.”
My view of reality shifted as I regained control of my body. What I could only describe as a video game text box popped up in front of my vision.
Welcome to the Wider Cosmos Lawrence Brown.
Human Species designation: 0-000311-9713-7 Primate Descendant.
Congratulations on your ascension to a higher plane of existence. You have been offered the opportunity to choose one or more starting perks. Take note that only three perks may be used during your existence. These perks are interchangeable. Yet once lost one may never be regained.
Codex of Earth
Description:
Gain access to the library of knowledge humanity has researched for thousands of years. What humanity of 0-000311-9713-7 know. You can know through a quick search of the Codex of Earth. Record, document, and analyze all things underneath the sun.
Points: 1000
Accept
Decline
Last Sun of Earth
Description:
You are the Last Sun. You MUST shine brighter than those around you. 25% increase in all types of experience earned.
Points: 1000
Accept
Decline
Sins of Seven
Description:
Tap into the emotions of those around you with ease. Persuade, lie, cheat, or reshape, teach, and mold those into your ideal persona.
Points: 1000
Accept
Decline
Ironheart Body
Description:
Cultivate your flesh. Shape it until it's extraordinary. Then do it again, and again, and again…
Points: 600
Accept
Decline
True Intent
Description:
Intent is already an attribute which can push your reality onto the world. Take it a step further. Your reality becomes their reality.
Points: 350
Accept
Decline
Prodigy
Description:
Learn better, faster all in a short amount of time. There is no text you cannot learn, and no magic will hold long against you.
Points: 200
Accept
Decline
Dragon Amongst Men
Description:
No Power can hold against your own. No Mind can be held against your own.
Points: 100
Accept
Decline
The list was long… as in hundreds of pages long. I could clearly see there was a way to manipulate the list into being more precise and exact. The color grading was clear as Common was black and the text held no weight. Uncommon was green and held a slight weight to it. Rare turned to purple while Legendary and Mythical were orange and red respectively. Each held what seemed like a weight or presence to them.
There was a Best Pick For Me feature that I didn’t hesitate to take advantage of. Truly I still had no clue exactly what was going on. If I picked up enough context clues, I was in the afterlife. It was nothing like those of stories. Not the waters of the Styx or eternal torment. From the might radiating from Madris, I doubt I was not far off from such an option.
The perks best suited for me were three maxed perks. From there, there was a host of Uncommon to Legendary perks available all in different colors. The tapping of Madris's fingers against the armrest of her chair alerted me of my dwindling time. She would not wait long for my choice. I looked at the three maxed perks available to me.
The descriptions weren’t anything I could really base my pick off. It was clear each had a different advantage. [Codex of Earth] would allow me to tap into the collective knowledge of humanity from my assumptions. The [Last Sun] would give me a 25% increase in all experiences. Experience for what? Was I to enter some new world or reality with video game-like mechanics? The [Seven Sins] was my final option and one that I disdained. Manipulating the emotions of people was not something I was interested in. What type of hero would choose that path? My only options were the [Codex of Earth] or the [Last Sun of Earth]. After a deep breath, I made my choice.
Madris smiled and she waved her hand over me. Giving me one final sentence before my world went black for the second time.
“Welcome to the Prime Plane. Rise or Die.”