Originally uploaded Jan 24, 2024

Demeptah Pov

"I have returned father." My words echoed through the endless void.

I was met by only silence. The void that contained whatever messed up throne room this was, was completely lacking in any other source of sound.

It was eerily silent, to the point that it was unsettling. I could hear my own heartbeat as I knelt before what was my father.

My feet were touching solid ground. But my eyes confirmed there was nothing beneath my feet. Just an endless ocean of purples and blacks that took on the forms of ocean currents.

Slowly raising my head I squinted my eyes as I stared directly at my creator. I instinctual raised my hands to shield my eyes the blinding light that surrounded him.

From what I could make out of his form, it was disheartening. The once proud man that led an entire race to rise up against the gods. A man who commanded legions of man and women for their salvation. A man who had to power to challenge the heavens themselves.

But nothing from my past memories remained. Only an empty husk of a man sat upon the djinn throne. His form was withered, so much so that he resembled a living skeleton more than anything else. His parchment-thin skin was a sickly mix of grey and brown, stretched so thin on his bones that his eyes were just large pits of darkness.

But even now his true form was shrouded. He whole body was surrounded in a halo of light as what seemed like a hurricane of screaming souls danced around him. The throne he sat upon was more than just a seat for royalty. Mile long cables and wires snaked their way around his body. Extending for as far as the eye could see in every direction. The remaining djinn have no doubt turned to arcane methods in an effort to keep his physical vessel alive to anchor his soul.

The device that was keeping him alive was also the source of his pain. Seemingly keeping him alive in an eternal cycle of death and rejuvenation. I pondered if I could be the one to free him. To allow his soul to pass and to give him a death he no doubt desired after thousands of years of torment.

"Father." I beckoned once more as I stared into his dead eye sockets. I could feel tears begin swell up in my eyes as I gazed upon what my father has become.

"Father. Its is me. Demeptah, your son." I pleaded as I rose to my feet in an effort to reach for him. But the sheer pressure he naturally emitted halted me in my tracks.

It was then when he stirred. Not his body, but his soul. The currents of aether that surrounded us suddenly shifted. As the halo of light from his body seemed to shine brighter than before. And the pressure that bore down on my entire body seemed to ease up a little.

A voice, no. To call it merely a voice was no correct. A sound, it reverberated all throughout the void. It came from no where but at the same time everywhere. I could feel it in not only my thoughts but also my very soul.

I covered my ears as my senses were bombarded by pain. I reeled back as I screamed out in pain, only for my own screams to be drowned out by the screams and shouts of pain from countless other voices.

I fell to my knees as my head threatened to explode. I heard wails of pain and cries for mercy. My body felt as though it was on fire.

My vision went in and out as I threw up bile. My mind was assaulted by things. Images, visions.

I saw myself on my father's throne. My sickly thin fingers gripping the armrests as I writhed in pain. Cables entering my body pumping myself with aether and mana to keep me alive. Every nerve in my body screamed as I begged for all of it to end, for the silent abyss of death to relieve me of my pain.

My vision shifted again. This time I saw a man. Pale skin, hair lighter than his skin. One of his eyes a pale frost blue with the other a blazing violet. He possessed no aura, he didn't need it. There was nothing to prove, or nothing that could prove of the power I knew this man possessed. But there was nothing beyond him. A shadow that hung over him like a veil.

My soul was violently ripped away from the vision as I stood before my father again. I stared down at my own body as I gasped for breath. And this time, he spoke.

His voice was just a scream, a fury of souls that struggled to make sense of its words. Like a feral creature that was trying to craft words.

I could feel my ears burst as warm blood ran down the sides of my face. I winced in pain but I didn't take my eyes off of my father.

"Son." He finally spoke, his voice shook the entire void. Even though he was right in front of me it felt as though he was speaking to me from every direction.

"Yes, father. I have returned to you." I shouted, as a cloud of souls shrouded the decayed form of our Emperor.

"No. Not son. A thing. Thing. A tool." His words came out in a flurry.

"A vessel. A failsafe. A weapon. Failure."

"Father. What has happened to you?" I asked trying to ignore his words that stung like poison.

"Hubris." The creature's voice echoed as it seemed to gather what little remained of its sanity. I could feel the strength it took to muster the willpower and focus on conversing with me.

A small window of clarity in which he could speak to me. But that was enough.

"Pride, it is the greatest sin. Which is why I suffer such punishment." My father's words took on the same tone he had when he was of flesh and blood instead of the otherworldly one of a thousand souls screaming he had just used. A familiar voice I haven't heard since I served directly under him.

The voice the commanded and led us in wars that would shape the very land..

I steeled myself. I didn't try to imagine the pain my father has been through. He was always reserved, never letting his inner emotions show through. Always sure of himself and guided our race with his own two hands. But now with his body withered and soul damaged, there was a crack in that mask.

Even now with him somewhat lucid I could sense it. The sorrow and regret he felt. Of not only failing to save our civilization, but also being the one who doomed it to a slow death.

"Father. You need not carry this burden alone." I tried reassuring my father, but it seemed hopeless. The sheer aetheric might he seemed to command now in this ascended form, he was more akin to a deity than a mortal I once called father.

"You speak of fulfilling my vision, Lord General. When the last of our kind fled to the void I already knew that my dream died with them." He spoke again, his tone and voice fluctuating between a myriad of voices. Young and old, male and female. All intertwined together in a paradox of noise.

"But father I-"

"You are not my son. You never were. You were merely a backup plan. A vessel-in- waiting. My last resort to be reborn. And when I gave you purpose far beyond my original design, you allowed everything I'd given you to be squandered." Father speak with poison. Each word striking my very soul, so much so that I flinched and took a step back.

I had always questioned my existence. The earliest memory I had ever had was being trained by my father. He had drilled into my head the art of military combat as well as dueling. I had no mother. I had no other family, he was the only one who guided me for all my life.

Even during times of peace before the Great Scouring he kept me hidden from any others of my kind. My upbringing wasn't the only strange thing. When I had come of age I had undergone procedures that melded a blackstone carapace directly onto my skin. Basically becoming a second layer of skin.

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I was bred and trained for war. For the war that would befall our race not only after I had reached adulthood. Almost as if it was all planned. And to find out that I was originally nothing more than a spare body for my father to use when his own was destroyed. Which did make me question.

Why am I still alive? If my original purpose was to be a new vessel for the Emperor than why? Had something changed his mind? Or was it something else entirely?

There was a creeping suspicion in the back of mind that was growing. This... thing that sat upon the throne. This thing that the rest of the realms call Emperor. Something was different about him. Not just his physical appearance or amped up power. It was something I couldn't quiet place my finger on. But I knew one thing for sure.

This man, or whatever he has become, he is not my father. He is my creator and I am his creation. But a familiar bond we once shared. Or I had thought we shared no longer existed.

I stared back at my creator. And stared directly into his face, which was now a whirlpool of wild souls that gave off light like that of a sun. His time in exile has changed him into something that is more than a mere lesser.

"I will not allow us to go gently into the light. Do you hear me? You may have given up hope but I will never betray our kind. Even if it takes the last drop of my blood, I will led our race to see the sun shine upon us again." I proclaimed as I stood tall in defiance.

The well of souls around the Emperor came to a still for a moment. His burning form dimmed a couple shades as he answered with his final breath.

"As is your choice. Lord Commander."

I jolted awake. The warm desert air washed over me as I straightened my posture upon my throne. My meeting with the Emperor was a strange one. These visions were becoming more and more common, showing me our meeting. But every time it was slightly different, to the point that I couldn't tell which was the truth. Or was there even a true one? Or am I just hallucinating and slowly going mad?

"My lord?" A voice to my right spoke.

Turning my head I saw my attendant. A Highlord I had mindshackled to my will. While he still retained most of his personality and memories he was nothing more than a slave to my commands.

Having shacked many of the Highlord who were still not satisfied with my rule over them. I had plenty of opportunity to scour through their memories to gleam through the years I have missed since my slumber.

Even just looking at these people that called them Highlords. What a joke. That title was given to only those who served the Emperor with loyalty and proved their worth. And in the thousands of years since his absence they were left to rot.

Once I had secured a realm to reside in and after releasing all of the Highlords it became clear to me that infighting was a major problem. Many realms were either lost or were greatly diminished in strength due to waging war amongst each other. If nothing was done it would no doubt lead to the slow and pitiful death of our entire culture and race.

It made Vago's decision to execute all of them seem quiet a rational decision. Of course the Highlords within my ranks were swiftly disciplined. Any who opposed my rule were either publicly executed or mindshackled.

And while it did seem unethical to reduce these once very powerful and influential people that no doubt had years of history, it was a small price to pay for the survival of our entire race.

I scrunched my face in disgust as I turned away from the attendant.

"What is it?" I grumbled as I rose from my throne. My cloak made from dragon scales softly bellowed in the warm breeze as I approached a large window that overlooked my realm.

A wide main pathway led from the entrance of my pyramid fortress to the outskirts of the desert. Two bright yellow suns shinned down upon the yellow sand as the air was filled with the sounds of construction and weapons clashing.

The horizon was blocked, by massive warships as they rose from the ground. The largest fleet assembled since the great war with the asuras. I must thank Vago when I meet him again. Having so many Highlords at my disposal only meant that all of their resources were now mine. And in turn I pondered the idea of laying siege to the throneworld itself.

But that would be hypocritical of me. I dare not waste any more manpower in fighting my own kind unless absolutely necessary. And the throneworld is still largely unknown to me.

As well as having a master chronomancer leading their army, it would result in more losses than I would like the deal with for now.

Although it did make me question why Vago was so casual about the whole matter. He was one of the few people I had contact before the times of war. As well as the one who taught me a great deal of things about farseeing. Alias I had no innate talent for aevum, but I still incorporated any of his teachings to my way of warfare which granted him with great victories.

What was he truly planning. Handing me a giant army on a silver plater without any strings attached wasn't like him. And it all sounded a bit too sweet and easy for me. Was I perhaps a distraction for him? Knowing I plan on attacking the asuras head on?

I shrugged off the thought. Trying to outplay a man who could peer into the future seemed like a fruitless endeavor and a waste of time. And I was always critical of his ways of thinking. Believe everything has a determined end? Then what was the point in struggle? What was the point in trying?

No, I have made an oath that I shall carry on to my death. I will see to it that our race is the dominant race. I shall take back the world that was rightfully ours.

"My lord, there has been fleet movement detected from the throneworld." My attendant who I couldn't bother to learn the name of spoke.

His words gave me pause.

"Fleet movement? Size?" I asked without turning to look at him.

"While our readings aren't clear from the analyzing the aetheric disruption from their warp at least a full company my lord."

A full company? While that was nothing to scoff at it was still minuscule to what I had seem from my brief visit. And not what I would consider a full army going to war. Although with proper command it would be sufficient in dealing with one realm.

'What are you doing Vago.' I cursed in my head.

There was no way they were coming to me. If it was a envoy then a full armed company fleet would only invite misunderstanding. If it was for war than they would have taken the proper measure to be undetected and with enough firepower to decimate me.

"Continue your monitor on them." I said back as I retrieve my Lance of Light from its dimensional sheath. A weapon crafted for my by the Emperor's very hands.

It sung in my hands as it rejoiced being reunited with its master. I could feel my mana flow freely between my weapon and my core. It was felt like a breath of cool fresh air. My attendant backed away and cowered at the sight of it.

I walked towards the main entrance of my fortress. The suns beat down hard on my skin. Just by the door was Captain Boraka. His large form casting a shadow over me as he walked towards me and fell to his knees.

He was a trusted captain who has served me while during our bout with the asuras. While his methods were... unorthodox to say the least, I always deemed it helpful to have a differing opinion at the table of war. I had retrieved him during a short detour to Oliurk's realm. He seemed to have taken the news of my new found independence quiet well and instantly pledged his loyalty to me.

I did enjoy his presence, and was one of the reasons why I hadn't killed all of the Highlords in a fit of rage at seeing the state they had left our empire.

"My general." His deep voice rang out as he bowed to me.

I waved off his formal greeting. "Rise my old friend. You and I have much to discuss."

I began walking down the steps of my fortress to the grounds below as my captain joined me.

"Have you heard my lord?" He questioned a few steps down.

"Yes. It seems Vago is making a move. Although we don't seem to be his target."

There was a moment of silence, filled with passing wind before he spoke again.

"What do you know of Highlord Neoth my lord?"

"Neoth?" I questioned. If I remember correctly he was quiet a famous historian and museum curator. But now seems to have drawn ire from many Highlords for his kleptomaniac tendencies.

"He was one of the Highlord who first awakened. And during that time greatly expanded his collection in his realm."

I slowly nodded as his words.

"And he hasn't been put on trial for such acts?" I mused.

"He has my lord. On many occasions, but his political skills are..."

"Or course he is. You don't memorize thousands of years of history and culture and end up being an idiot."

"He always has quiet the history with Lord Vago, lord."

I stopped in my tracks as I turned my head to look back at Boraka.

"What kind of history?" I questioned.

Boraka seemed to hesitate for a moment before he finally answered.

"It wouldn't be deemed weird to say they hated each other. Highlord Neoth covets history and the reservation of past knowledge, while Lord Vago wishes to pave a new path into the future. Highlord Neoth's galleries also make divination difficult, all of the artifacts and specimens plucked out of their respective time make peering through it quiet arduous, my lord."

Yes, it would seem even their own fundamental ideals clash with each other. One peers in the past while the other seeks the future. And if I remember correctly Neoth wasn't among the Highlord I was given by Vago. While it was unlike the chronomancer to allow personal feeling to cloud his judgement I wouldn't put it past him. The rest of our race has done acts among each other that are far worse than that.

Perhaps I will get to enjoy a good show as the two enemies clash. While I would personal bet money on Neoth getting absolutely trounced it would be entertaining to say the least. But it was also time I begin to make my move as well. And with Vago occupied I suppose now it a good time.

I continued to walk down the steps as legions of djinn warriors stood at attention below. It was a familiar and comforting feeling. The battlefield was where I felt at home. A place where I had trained my whole life to be in. And this time, this time I shall be the one to rule and guide my race towards salvation.

I beckoned Boraka to join me as I came to a stop. Standing a couple steps above the ground and looking down at the gathered forces of my new realm.

It was time for round two. And this time we have come prepared. This time we will topple the gods from their towers.

I took a deep breath as I spoke words. Not for the soldiers below me, or even for Boraka who stood next to me. But more for myself. To reassure myself, of the future and bloodshed that is yet to come.

"Order. Unity. Obedience. We have taught this world these things once before. And we shall do so again."