Echoes within echoes trilled throughout Naomi’s heightened sensibilities. How long has it been now? Minutes! Hours!

Time had no meaning here, within the lost veracity of her novel existence. It fractured off in a slew of directions all at once. And not all of them were conventionally linear. Days could have passed, even weeks. Events might not have even happened yet. . .

. . .Why oh why did I contemplate such a stupid course of action!

You know why—why—why . . . a voice replied from among the refracted halls of her augmented perceptions.

Who is that? Where are you? She replied, curious to discover as much as she could about her inimitable condition. Especially if someone or something was in here with her that might be able to help her find her way among the multitudinal byways surrounding her.

Whatever it was proved elusive, and receded at an alarming rate. She set off in pursuit immediately, relishing the opportunity to explore her strange new world.

As she went, Naomi found herself attuning to that milieu instinctively. On every occasion a thought entered her head or she acted on impulse, a euphonious tone chimed, meshing to the diverse fabric of her environment as if they had always been there.

At first, Naomi found those tones distracting, for this experience was unlike anything she was used to. But then she remembered. It would be part and parcel of who she was now. If she chose to embrace it, doors of opportunity would open. How did Adam put it?

. . .OH YOU’LL SURVIVE, NAOMI. BELIEVE ME. . .

. . .JUST PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE CHANGE. TRANSCENSION ASIDE, YOU’LL BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU ARE NOW. SO LONG AS YOU CAN ACCEPT THE REGENESIS FOR WHAT IT WILL ACCOMPLISH, YOU WILL COME TO LOOK ON IT FOR WHAT IT IS. A UNIQUE GIFT!

. . .CHANGE IS NECESSARY, NAOMI. EMBRACE IT AS I DO, FOR YOU WILL BECOME A GUIDING LIGHT ONCE YOU’VE MANAGED TO ACHIEVE A DEGREE OF EQUILIBRIUM. . .

So, rather than act from a purely human perspective, Naomi stopped listening and tried to savor the spirit of the experience instead.

An electric buzz coursed through her being as variant music washed over her, bringing with it a concordance of polished clarity.

. . .ACCEPT THE REGENESIS FOR WHAT IT WILL ACCOMPLISH. . .

Abruptly, the odd frigidity that had gripped the center of her existence flared brightly. The gemlike facets petrifying her in place started to glow with an inner, deeper warmth, sending waves of pleasure undulating along her synapses. I’ve been given a gift. It will require certain adjustments, but if I welcome them, support them, I’ll be able to. . .

A webbed tracery of dazzling contentment bifurcated throughout the prism of her soul, branching inward and outward, and every-which-way imaginable.

. . .Thaw!

Buds of super perception thrust up through the loam of her essentia. Flowering, they unfurled in a sudden onslaught that showered fresh seeds of hyper-cognition through her psyche. Charged beyond reckoning with psitronic energy, they burgeoned into something else entirely.

The razor-sharp contours of her hybrid form rippled and flowed, crackling with a liquid radiance that infused her psi-well with ancient understanding.

And a revelation!

Well, well, well. This is going to be fun! An overwhelmingly powerful voice boomed within her consciousness.

A chill of recognition radiated throughout Naomi’s memories. YOU! But . . . how?

Now, now, the entity chided: Don’t start slipping backward after you’ve come so far. You know who and what I am. Stop trying to think so hard. Just let yourself feel and enlightenment will flow.

But you’re dea . . . sorry! My apologies. You re-ascended! I saw it in Adam’s mind.

Making an effort to still her thoughts, Naomi let the limitless well of her inquisitiveness drain away. In this place, she knew everything and nothing. The height and the depth and the breadth encompassing the entire cosmos. . .

. . .But not the familiarity of her own humanity.

Feel it. The entity repeated.

She did.

Oh, oh . . .WOW!

Distraction vied for dominance against delight; artifice with candor; composure amid a backdrop of bewilderment. And to cap it all, a bolt from the blue that she had known was there all along!

Good humored approval thrummed in the ether as Naomi realized who it was she was actually talking to: You . . . you’re an echo of your creator, and yet—in a strange way—you’re also him at the same time!

Crudely put, little nestling. Sariel-Jeh’oel replied, his joy bubbling over into an overt expression of fondness: But it will suffice. You—?

Hang on! Naomi cut in, a tangential connection flashing before her eyes: But that would mean . . . ?

Sariel-Jeh’oel paused, his satisfaction clearly evident as the younger mind cast her stupendous senses about; hunting, seeking, searching.

Without warning, Naomi checked what she was doing: I’m doing it again aren’t I? She griped: Reacting like a human. I know he’s hovering nearby, though. You two were so intimately involved in your transformation. A reflection of him or part of his essence will also live on here. You used his energies to get home and create this construct at the same time.

An insubstantial sigh trembled along the lattices.

Naomi stopped trying and simply . . . did!

Otherworldly laughter reverberated about them.

A different voice teased her: And the penny drops!

Addressing Sariel-Jeh’oel, Sachael-Za-Ad’hem declared: Did I not say she was a treasure, my friend? Like Gregor before his passing, she is a rare gift among starlike minds.

You did indeed, brother. Sariel-Jeh’oel replied: I look forward to seeing how she tackles her present conundrum.

Oh, I have no doubt once she grasps the distinction of her present condition, she will proceed as she always does. With speed and dedicated precision! I would love to . . . ?

And she’s actually present with you in the flesh! Naomi emphasized, indignantly: Esoterically speaking of course. Please don’t carry on a conversation about me as if I wasn’t here! Come to that, why are you here? Surely it’s not to deliver a running commentary on my pathetic attempts . . . ?

Further amusement strummed the energy fields about them as Naomi caught herself.

She adopted a more calculating approach. Within moments, an intuitive timbre pulsed through her anima: Aha! You’re like über AI constructs, here to instruct and guide me!

It wasn’t a question.

She is sharp! Sariel-Jeh’oel chuckled, astonishment radiating throughout his complexus.

I told you! Sachael-Za-Ad’hem countered, his astral veneer smoldering with self-satisfaction: That’s why Andrew’s so taken with her. How did he describe her to me again? Oh yes. ‘She’s a captivat. . .’

DON’T START THAT AGAIN! Naomi’s mind thundered. Otherwise, once I find out how to control this damned freaky medium, I’ll make your lives a. . .

. . .Andrew said what about me?

It took a determined effort for Naomi not to get sidetracked.

In the silence that followed, the inevitable compulsion to dig for further clarification built ever higher. Somehow, she controlled it. Asking would serve no useful purpose . . . yet. Regardless, I won’t forget that little snippet in a hurry.

Impenetrable walls slammed into place. Behind them, argent blooms of purpose and focus manifested, creating a labyrinth of dogged determination.

Suddenly businesslike, Naomi said: As things are different here, you can’t disagree there’s no time like the nonexistent present to get on with it!

Referring to the framework, she extended an invitation: Please, let’s begin. The sooner I adjust to the new and improved me, the sooner we can all get on with something useful again, and. . .

. . .And, if you can manage to control your banter for long enough, would you be so kind as to ask Anatt to look after Lucifer for a while? Oh! And don’t forget my family. They’ll need to know I won’t be home for a while.

Sariel-Jeh’oel’s thoughts rang with profound respect: But of course, Naomi. Appropriate steps have already been taken.

Turning to Sachael-Za-Ad’hem, Sariel-Jeh’oel added: It appears our girl has accepted her path. A true star-mind indeed.

The nimbus surrounding the former Overlord glittered fiercely as he savored the strength of spirit flourishing about them. He replied: More than that. If what I suspect is true, an essential aspect of the Pathfinder to Unification may have surfaced this day. I can feel it in my bones . . . excuse the turn of phrase!

Pathfinder? Naomi had never heard that expression before. Somehow, she held her tongue and waited, for Sachael-Za-Ad’hem had lapsed into silence, as if reminiscing on long lost memories.

Nevertheless, Naomi increasing acuity allowed her to overhear a more distant aspect of the Overlord’s mind. He was muttering to himself. If only I could get Andrew to accept the coming changes with as much fortitude and resilience! My true self would be a lot happier—happier—happier. . .

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

He seemed to recall where he was. Out loud, he suggested: Okay, let’s get on with it and see what you’re made of young lady.

Sariel-Jeh’oel’s concern was evident: Before we do, have you determined the long-term occlusion quotient of our candidate?

I did try, old friend. But Naomi continues to present something of a paradox. We should be looking at a protracted linear time span. Ten, perhaps twenty fleshly cycles at least. But every time I employ the probability lattices, the climax is confounded. I have a sneaking suspicion her ability to compartmentalize—blended as it is now to her hyper-cognivity—will cut that period drastically. And all the more so if she grasps the multiverse theorem quickly.

Then perhaps that would be the most appropriate place to start?

Agreed!

Coming together instantly, the two Fallen brothers of the Primary Echelon of Heaven combined. The bonded clarity of the harmonic symphony they produced was as exquisite as it was terrifying.

A fanfare proclamation rang down on the child before them: PUT ASIDE YOUR MISCONCEPTIONS AND PRECONCEIVED IDEAS. JOIN US NOW, IN UNITY, SO THAT ILLUMINATION MAY BE GRANTED REGARDNG ORIGIN.

IN THE BEGINNING. . .

*

Ambient illumination within the Crystal Chamber suddenly flamed with the majesty of a million suns. Once again, the myriad facets adorning this, the rarest expression of the universe’s dominion made manifest, began rotating like a rabid blender. Its surface shattered, hurling a lethal fusillade against the tiles lining the interior walls.

The unique resonance of the cavity amplified that barrage, fusing the sound together into an agonizing wash of brain bursting pain.

A clarion call heralded the appearance of multiple ruptures along the exterior of the psitronic crystal. The ruptures deepened and widened. Burrowing inward, they created vents through which an ever-increasing volume of pressure escaped in shrill piercing whistles.

Fresh prisms snapped to the surface along the eastern aspect of the construct, marking a noticeable separation from the main body of the gem. Then the radiance, threatening to blister the very fabric of the walls cut off, as if a switch had been thrown. Blinding white gave way to tranquil gloom, revealing a brand-new entity.

Divided into two distinct parts, it now looked as if the old psitronic crystal had attempted to grow a malformed twin. Instead of the graceful lines and edges of a multi-faceted andradite garnet, however, this latest addition was roughly humanoid in shape. And while it had retained a razor-sharp profile, its contours were somehow fluidic in character, as if unsure as to the purpose of their own nature.

Even more alarming was the fact that this new arrival had grown close to nine feet in height.

Everything went still.

Whatever was happening must have been conducive to proper balance, for the psitronic splicing recommenced its former arcane functioning.

Music graced the ether, a tinkling sound reminiscent of glass flakes on blue ice. A legion of whispers exuded from all places at once. Each of the multi-faceted prisms resumed their playful dance, folding in and out of sight and offering tantalizing answers to unfathomable questions.

Nonetheless, a stark difference was immediately apparent. The crystal appeared to have lost its subdermal luminescence.

Dark, almost colorless layers sank into its jet-black depths, giving the impression that an ancient sentinel now stood guard, awaiting instructions that would never come.

Time passed. . .

Sadly, no one was there to witness the instant the gloom was thrown back by a declaration of argent purity.

Over before it began, the sterling flare sizzled around the room, reflecting from thousands of different angles simultaneously. As it died, a resonating boom careened off the walls, shaking dust free from the ceiling.

That dust eventually settled and serenity returned once more.

Second ticked slowly by, evolving into minutes with regular monotony. . .

Another coronal discharge broke free. As before, aftershocks propagated the enclosed environment, amplifying those energies involved as they muted their dreadful potency.

A watchful stillness descended yet again.

After an age—in which the very orbit of the Moon seemed to stutter in anticipation—atmospheric tension relaxed . . . only for a third eruption to split the night.

This time, iridescent arcs of silver and purple lightning stabbed out. Humming and spitting as they played across the exotic tiles lining the chamber, they appeared much like fulgurous fingers, intent on searching out suitable targets to incinerate. Rebounding at last into the crystal, they commenced feeding an inner furnace hidden within the heart of the smaller segment.

To someone looking on, it would have appeared a battle was taking place inside the artifact’s core, for this latest discharge was much stronger than the ones preceding it.

And those bystanders wouldn’t have been far wrong.

As each random outburst manifested, micro-fissures formed along the bluff forming the bridge between the two halves of the crystal. Little by little, bit by bit, those fissures grew larger and larger as the smaller section of the pairing struggled to separate itself from its larger cousin.

And it was working.

Oh, it would take an age—certainly—but the portent of what would eventually transpire was already etched in stone . . . a two million carat gemstone at that.

*

So! Have you prepared yourself sufficiently?

Yes, Father, Andrew replied: As sufficiently as anyone can when they’re contemplating a ‘goodbye’ that will last for all eternity.

Opening himself fully, Andrew displayed the intricacies of each stage of the forthcoming procedure in the minutest detail.

Checking the composition before him, Adam was surprised to find several adaptations had been added. Examining those revisions in particular—and working them through to a conclusion—he was pleased to note they would enhance the overall process.

Wryly, he acknowledged Andrew’s skill, for it was clear that one day, his son would surpass him: Well done! That’s an excellent set of adjustments. While they’ll extend the pain quotient somewhat, it won’t really matter, as I won’t really be able to comprehend anything by that stage anyway. Physical sensations will cease once I reach critical mass . . . do you see? Everything will be phasing toward a self-sustaining accretion disc, Brilliant!

Nearby, five blazing entities radiated their approval and support.

Ignoring them, Andrew replied: Yes. Well. I had a good teacher. His shields slammed into place as an overwhelming surge of anguish threatened to crack his composure.

The entities withdrew, moving farther away to allow father and son a degree of privacy in their final moments together.

Encompassing his offspring within a halo of bolstering neural energies, Adam tried to keep the conversation flowing: And what about your sister? How is she managing?

Keeping herself busy, as she always does when she wants to avoid thinking too deeply about things that upset her. As I’d be doing . . . given half the chance.

Ah, but those who lead don’t always have that luxury, my Son. You’ll come to appreciate that as the years go by.

Go by without you, you mean! Andrew’s riposte was blunt and laced with anguish. Breakers of unbearable sadness piled high against his barriers, breaching their integrity in one place after another with scarlet outbursts.

The strength of the enfolding solace increased.

Son. You know I need to return home. I have to. Now, more than ever! The darkness rises, and for everybody’s sake, I have to keep to the path I’ve foreseen. . .

But Victoria and I weren’t included within your vision. Andrew cut in: We’re beyond your precognition. You say that one day we’ll both exceed you. Isn’t there anything we could do to stop . . . to prevent all this?

An incorporeal hand reached out to silence him. The titanic intellect turned fully translucent, revealing at last the full travesty of what could occur if he was not very, very careful.

The younger mentality was moved to silence.

Eventually, Adam sighed: There is only one being outside of existence with the fortitude to quell the black fires of Tartarus within me. Only one has the capability to purify me, thereby transfiguring the shadow into light. There’s only one place where it’s truly safe for me to exist. . .

He gestured to the vastness of the universe around them.

. . .And it’s not here.

The inevitability of the situation finally pierced Andrew’s to the core.

Adam was keenly aware of his son’s bitter hopelessness, and his aura dimmed slightly. Embracing Andrew more intimately, he moved to console him: You are entirely correct to say you were outside my temporal acuity. Both of you were. And you’re both a wonderful blessing too. A priceless gift beyond the value of existence itself. Having you in my life has enriched it more than you will ever know. It’s kept me focused on the goal I set myself and what needed to be done to achieve it. Believe me when I say, my grief is just as harsh as yours. Can’t you see? I never envisaged having to leave my own flesh and blood behind. Were it not for the danger to this realm, I would gladly forsake my proper dwelling place in heaven for all eternity so I could remain by your side. Although I would eventually darken, and. . .

And?

As redoubtable as I am, removed from the Source, my tincture wanes with every passing millennium. Though it would take trillions of years, eventually all that would remain would be the reverberations of my memories as they scattered on cosmic tides.

So there’s nothing to be done?

Of course there is, my Son. We can accept the hand we have been dealt with dignity and see how it plays out. We can only ever try to do our best. And who knows the consequence of boldness, eh?

Boldness! What do you mean? Andrew countered, confused by his father’s line of reasoning.

One thing I do know for certain is that everything the Source does is motivated by his cardinal attributes. My just proscription took place because justice demanded it! It was also a course of wisdom, for it protected those who remained steadfast against our corrupting influence. You could say it prevented the rot from spreading. His power ensured we were removed to a place where our putrefaction would be contained. The thing is, that act was also motivated by love. Think about it. He would have been completely justified in casting us away to Tartarus and death and leaving it at that! But He didn’t. He also made a way back for those humble enough to seek it. Remember, at the time, this was a much lower plane that seemed hell-bent on self-destruction. It would require a great deal of patience over a protracted period to lead its denizens away from the futility of their own dark desires. . .

. . .But who would have the integrity to take on such a task? The acumen to plan it and see it through. Who would fight to overcome their own shortcomings, thereby ensuring their superior gifts were devoted toward an age of nurture? Don’t forget, not all of the Fallen were truly repentant. Not all sought to exercise love toward those they viewed as lesser beings. Yes, we were all dealt the same hand. One of us has already played his cards masterfully and returned. Others . . . well. Others simply folded without trying.

And me? Perhaps I tried too hard. But look at the results! Not only are a people who were doomed to failure now on the narrow path to elevation and Unification, but you and your sister are a wonderful surprise . . . An ace up the sleeve, you might say. He loves it when unexpected blessings pop up out of the blue. I can’t wait to see how he reacts to the way you play.

Signaling for a moment toward the waiting entities, Adam sent them an encrypted message. Four immediately jumped even farther away, and took up positions at pre-designated points within a vast, invisible quadrant. One moved closer to Andrew.

Satisfied everyone was now where they needed to be, Adam commenced separating a heavily shielded portion of his own persona from within his psychic nexus.

Tendrils of incredible might began flowing toward his son. As they neared the younger demigod, a burgeoning luminescence grew brighter and brighter until Andrew was surrounded by a helix of immense energy. Slowly, the dazzling radiance frittered away, leaving a flame of undeniable purity and clarity hanging in the void between them.

Referring to it, Adam said: This is Phoenix. It is for you, and you alone, my firstborn joy. It contains the entire sum of the Divine Flame remaining to me. Will you accept the office of Overlord with all the obligations, responsibilities, and privileges that will entail? Do you swear to support others to the best of your ability, always putting their interests before your own? Do you promise to lead by example, to set the highest standards of service, sacrifice and honor? To always seek to temper justice with love, and power with wisdom? Will you agree to bear this burden alone, knowing that the future of everything you hold dear hangs upon your shoulders?

Adam could see his son was still hesitant. After all, Andrew’s acceptance would signify his acknowledgement that things would never be the same again. Fortunately, Adam knew exactly what was needed on such an auspicious occasion.

An ethereal smile overlaid his complexus. More gently, he concluded: I guess what I’m trying to say, is . . . Andrew! Will you play or will you fold?

Andrew stared into the potent well of dominion before him, savoring its vitality with the full range of his exceptional talents; feeling the urgency of its invitation; listening to the vibrancy of its allure; tasting the unadulterated essence of magnificence incarnate.

Adam followed closely, sensing his son’s resolve stiffening as his unwavering devotion to life and duty was kindled anew. That’s my boy!

His awareness skipped to the five entities about them. He tried to gauge their reactions, but like him, the inner thoughts of Aslan-di’el, Gaia-le’el, Gazad-riel, Olinda, and Ocean-az’el were all but walled off. The only discernible hint he was able to detect, was a feeling of eager expectation humming in the ether about them.

Gradually, he became aware of the fact that Andrew’s astral sight had come to rest solely upon him. Only now, his aura possessed a fierce glacial overtone.

Adam sighed: Well, my Son? Do you accept the mantle of Overlord?

Andrew’s psyche radiated with unshakable confidence and hope.

Blending with the fringes of his father’s essence for one last time, he subsumed the Divine Flame into his own nexus, and thundered: I DO!