ISSUE 23: BY THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH
Look how they mourn. Pathetic.—J’anu Urraden
My wife underestimates these creatures. These humans have never known the collar of slavery. Even the smallest of them would stand against us. We must escape via other means. Lull them into a false sense of security and motive. Even if it takes years.—Ta’rammon
J’anu knew what she was doing. The stakes had changed. She had something that Unity wanted. A child. But not just any child. Lorain told me what Unity had attempted with the All-Mother while imprisoned with Sy’ra. This child would not only have the abilities of the Urraden. It would be able to tap into the magic of its father’s line. In the end? It wanted to be the Highest. The purveyor of Life. Of Legacy. It wanted that shard of the Divine. To capture the father of all Creation. It was what She wanted. It never realized….—Sleeping in Starlight: The Vigil Remains.
The Bulwark (Edenverse)
Omega Cell Block (Exercise Yard)
June 8th, 2116
J’anu yawned.
The mournful trumpeting of the Alliance instruments a victory cry to her ears. She rubbed her jaw. Remembered the fury in J’ino’s face. How that fist had connected with her flesh. Well, who was laughing now? An empty casket ceremony played over her feed. She was shocked that these jailers let them keep basic connections. Even for entertainment. Ta’rammon reclined next to her. So close she could touch him. They dared not. The guards here didn’t allow for extra activity. The first time they tried the shackles around their wrists and ankles gave them a rude surprise.
He spat out his toothpick, “Look at how lovely the funeral is!” Shrouds of mourning were everywhere across Earth. All the citizens of New Ashbury had turned out for the main event. A carriage with 20 horses pulled the coffin. There was no corpse on display. Nothing left of the Star-Spangled Banner.
J’anu grinned, “I did tell her she would die if she went up against the World Eater.”
The cheer faded. Ta’rammon said harshly, “And now it has a direct line to you, my dear!” He feared for her. Their baby. The only thing keeping it all in check was that doctor’s healing containment. The baby was safe. So that meant J’anu was safe. It was why he endured this prison alongside her. He wrapped one arm around her. No feedback from the prison monitors. She leaned in for a moment. Memories of Hilary’s hideous visage threatened to overwhelm her. A jingle resonated through their bracers.
Ta’rammon’s fingers danced down her spine. Then he broke contact.
<
*****
Lorain Lanis couldn’t bear to watch any feeds.
She walked briskly to the changing room. Donned her medical gear and waited. The images of the Crystal Coffin burned into her memory. The collective mourning of Earth pressed against her temples. Theirs was a public pain. Her heart squeezed against the threads of her private sorrow. The Vigil remained. Every night she dreamed. Eliza was caught in a maze. The vines rippled across her flesh. Leaving welts. Doc was always there. Patching her captain up. Upon waking?
The cold side of the bed was a stark reminder.
That spark remained. She clung to it akin to a drowning woman in a raging sea.
J’anu stepped into the medical booth. The circles closed about her. Doc read the baseline updates. Urraden called out, “What a lovely ceremony.”
Lorain pressed her lips together behind her medical mask. The remaining embryo within Urraden was healthy. Caught in stasis. Just as Doc had done with J’ino. The latter was already showing. It wasn’t the optimal time for children but these days? Many took it as a sign of rebirth. Against the onslaught of Unity. Or what the general population thought the fallout of the World Eater lead to.
Eliza had slain a dire foe. It wouldn’t be the last.
Her HUD updated:
///Cystal Home Matrix: 7,297 days remain. Rejuivnation at .002% ///
Every time that display ticked away, Lorain’s breath would hitch. She couldn’t stop herself from staring. Have faith. It's all Cooper or Augustus would repeat to her. In the middle of the night. They each took turns monitoring the Crystal matrix. She couldn’t bear to call it a coffin. She immobilized Urraden. “Timestamp June 8th, Wednesday. Based on current readings….”
*****
J’anu floated. Shocked by the care that Lanis took with her body. Nearly all her internal injuries were healed. Even those she had suffered as a child in the battle pits of her home sector. These people were insane. Patching up their enemies. Ta’rammon indicated he had received medical practices beyond his wildest delusions. Eden was a paradise. She would take every advantage of it. She wasn’t suicidal. That was why they immobilized her. The evaluations indicated depression.
Injury beyond the pale.
J’anu shied away from those memories.
Those twisted knobby gray fingers.
Lanis sent a burst of energy into Urraden. The horror faded.
When J’anu could move again she glanced away.
*****
Lorain weaved the stasis bubble around the baby. In its current state, it was 3 months into development. The Arcane Order notes indicated that performing this operation would prevent Unity from finding a new host. One capable of tapping into Elysium and magic. That was the real reason to keep the leylines separate. Only the Highest was permitted to wield everything at once. Otherwise, another Shattaring would occur.
The only reason why the Urraden line had been allowed that much independence from Unity was to create another convergence. One it could use for its dark purpose. It had tried. Through mirrors of Eliza and herself. Pairs able to have children. Then it discovered J’anu through Hilary's “interrogation.” Not so much J’anu herself but who she bound her affections towards. The other babies were lost.
Turned into Brood. Until Abyzou could find that perfect form. Perfect child.
A mother with no soul to call her own.
J’anu said, “Nyx is hers you know.”
Lorain held her head high. Met J’anu’s challenge. Urraden nodded slowly.
“You’ve seen it.”
Lorain stated flatly, “Yes.”
In a rare moment of vulnerability, J’anu asked, “This will prevent it from taking my baby?”
Lorain nodded, “If you see Morgana? Run.”
J’anu narrowed her eyes, “Why her?”
Lorain replied, “Not all Flesh lives.”
J’anu paled. “She is the Matron of Chains?!”
Lorain packed up her kit. “I’ve told the warden to let Ta’rammon place wards on your body. You will need them.”
The Bulwark (Edenverse)
Omega Cell Block (Residential Section)
June 8th, 2125
Ta’rammon paced. J’anu watched as another report flashed by.
//Allied Forces push back the Living Stone Hoards. Children of Chains incursions into the Freehold halted!//
J’anu remarked, “Interesting choice for the escaped ones.” They got to have just enough information to peak curiosity. Her dreams had been darker of late. Mordred hung by lava-bound chains. His face was ruined. More skeleton than man. His dark brown eyes were near liquid black. He would remark endlessly, “Here comes the three-headed dog. Its teeth are sharp. What shall you sacrifice?!” Spittle hit her neck.
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“THE DARK SEES YOU!”
Ta’rammon reared back as his wife lashed out. He shouted, “By the Nine Hells Below!” He made motions into the metal of their shared cell. Blood red ribbons coiled about her. She screamed, “My body is my own!” Guards raced in with two Weave Speakers. An Irish bloke intoned, “By sight and soul: Cut the threads of the dark!”
J’anu sagged against the bedpost.
Ta’rammon pulled his wife behind him.
*****
Andrew McQuire, the High Orator for the United Earth Front, grunted as Ta’rammon’s sigils hit his barrier. “Excitable ain’t ya?!”
He waited for the Empire despot to sheath his khopesh. The bugger did remind him of Thomas Murphy. The deadly side of that Terran Alliance officer. Andrew warded off the rest of the guards. Eliza Odessen took off her black gloves. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She always had a knack for environmental imagery. “Mordred has fused with the Lure of the Eternal Empire. Unity is seeking King Urraden.”
Ta’rammon sneered, “That is not our fate. We are too valuable for you soft shells.” Eliza Odessen raised an index finger, “The child shall not follow the path of its parents. The last act shall seal his fate.”
Ta’rammon snarled, “He is for us alone. Weave witch.”
Odessen’s milky white gaze locked onto J’anu, “When the choice is to face the maw or hand the future to Unity? You must choose.” The guards caught the Typherian as she lost balance. She groaned softly as they exited. Andrew glanced back at them, “There is no way out for you. But you can find solace within the Middle Road.”
Ta’rammon seethed. Purgatory? What use would that be?! Black Scrawl poured from his mouth. It slammed against the barrier. He dared not look away. Endless souls reached outward. Their lifeless fingertips touched the barrier. At the heart was the 7 Amarche who started all this. He saw his wife buried under the rotting corpses. That thing, who possessed his son’s body, stood over the others. Its feet crushed the skulls as it walked toward him.
“For all your service. A fitting reward!” The obsidian spikes impaled him.
He watched as Unity devoured his soul.
Ta’rammon sprung towards the barrier. His meaty fists struck it repeatedly. Until his palms bled. “HOW!” Andrew nodded towards the sleeping Odessen in the guard’s arms.”When offered the maw of Cerberus. Take its mercy.” J’anu crawled towards her husband. She had seen the vision as well. She howled.
The Bulwark (Edenverse)
Orbit Above Gas Giant D0land
August 8th, 2128
Pyra stretched. Her shoulders popped as she hit the holo displays. She guided the Alliance Hauler closer in. Just like before they would drop the supplies and leave. Striker Nix scratched at his human nose. “More secure than Unity’s home universe down there.”
Pyra replied, “They learned from Stonewall.”
Snake Charmer deadpanned, “Nice to know my sister and I made an impression. Along with the Hanged Man.” As if summoned Medusa sauntered in. In a black one-piece bodysuit. She wiggled her fingers at Pyra. The former assassin ignored the come hither stare. Striker Nix chortled, “I do find it hilarious that we managed to come off as simple traders.” He patted his belt buckle.
Pyra rolled her eyes. “It’s due to that cracked Muthra tech. Helps that we’ve all behaved. Along with the Breach War. They have bigger fish to fry.”
Nix smiled from ear to ear, “So sad about what happened to their Star-Spangled Banner.”
Medusa said, “Indeed. Gave us the opening we needed. Before they shored up their defenses again.” The Shield Wall around Eden had fizzled for a few days. While Medusa didn’t trust Lucifer one Iota the intel had been gold. It had been crazy how powerful that defense had been. Still was. It had protected not only Eden from the backwash of the World Eater’s collapse, it had rippled across the multiverse, protecting endless others from the onslaught. Medusa shuddered when Morgana dragged herself onto the bridge, “We get them out? The woman is mine. No one is to touch her.”
The old witches’ skin pulled over her bones. Her hair was stark gray. The ends had a hint of her former black.
Twin pitiless orbs burned out from their sockets.
Her voice was sandpaper over knives. “Do not disobey me.”
The hoary corpse shuffled out. Pyra shivered. “I need coffee.”
Nix motioned to the snake siblings, “That thing isn’t her you know.” He spoke in the shared cant of the Pirate’s code.
Snake Charmer kept his voice low, “It hasn’t been since he showed up.”
Medusa hugged herself. Lucifer.
Medusa eyed the metal iris. “I say we drop her off. Let the Alliance deal with her.”
Snake Charmer added another set of codes within the mainframe of the ship. That one would get thrown into the closest Sun. No bones about it.
*****
The Hollowed Ones rose from Morgana’s skull. For she no longer had hair. One owl hopped onto the bed, “They wish to throw that bag into the closest star.” The 2nd bird chortled. It was a dry rasping sound. It lifted one clawed leg. Tapped the edge of the murky crystal. Morgana recoiled. “Shhhh. Only a bit longer my dear. So good. Useful yes!” They were the lost Twins of a universe never born. They hopped up onto the rafters of the room. Their heads entwined for a brief moment.
“What fun shall we have today sister?”
The other bird’s black beak opened. It hissed. “The Bone Bearers track the Ayeer Weave Speaker. Let us create a distraction at this palace of mirrors!” They felt the pull of the Abyss Thread. It was the personal link to Unity that each pair had grown with. Not all of the Faithful were allowed access.
//Apex: Bring Morgana’s soul shard to us once you have confirmed Urraden’s fruitful labors. We will keep the Bone twins on the girl. You lovelies? Our dear Mother wants you to use the body. Find the Winged Brothers. Cherubs are quite resourceful. No matter what form they hide within. Do not underestimate them.//
The Bulwark (Edenverse)
Jupiter Rising (Docking Bay)
September 8th, 2132
Trouble flapped his black wings, <
The white duck in question winked, <
Arch Demons were a pain but separated they were a bit manageable. Even now the greater evils of the multiverse left the “ducks” alone. Gulliver knew he put a target on his back. As well as Trouble’s but it had to be done. Many demons laughed at his powers but Mama knew different. She had always known.
Came from having a foot in each world. He rummaged through his orange bag. In this world? That was its form. As the cord came loose he came upon the wooden chess piece. It was in the shape of a knight. Its valiant steed reared to combat any foe.
Trouble said, “That was momma’s piece!”
Using his orange belt he floated the object before the airlock. “Time for a special delivery.” The Duck Brothers waddled over to the main complex. To all other eyes? Two guards were going about their normal patrol. Upon review of audio playback, many would swear they heard the slight quacking of ducks.
*****
J’anu and Ta’rammon faced the wall. Hands planted on the firm surface as the two guards circled. Their faces were impassive. “Should we?” The question left J’anu perplexed. A clatter of wood struck the side of the wall. Both knelt to pick it up. The wooden horse phased into Ta’rammon’s outstretched palm. While the knight, with its cross-shaped breastplate, phased into J’anu’s womb. They collapsed.
Forgetting all about the guards.
*****
Trouble remarked, “Does he know?” Gulliver nodded. “Oh yes.” Cerberus was well aware of his role. From the seed of great evil, a new life would form. One untouched by the corruption brought forth by the Shattering. A gift to the later cycles. Even if they would not be around to see the fruits of that labor. Gulliver floated upward to tap the code into the main walkway. “Sul and Taleer should be done by now!”
They greeted the Markav pair, “We did it.”
The ancient admiral of the stars bowed, “Utterly devious. The both of you!”
Gulliver preened.
“That’s the nicest thing next to Mama awakening that anyone has said this week!”
Taleer replied, “I’ll hold you to that.” Every time he thought of Eliza’s sacrifice he wished for the umpteenth time it had been him beside her in the gullet of that monstrosity. He pictured the Puzzler’s wan complexion from that event. The horror radiated outward that day. From Eddie’s viewpoint, the Crystal Coffin had become the ultimate tomb. How anyone could come back from that?
Taleer marveled. These days only the immediate Murphys and Ayeer clan held out any hope. Besides the dogs of every stripe and color. He marshaled his thoughts as Lorain Lanis passed by. Her green eyes were unfocused. Looking at her HUD no doubt. She bid them an absent greeting and hurried to the medical bay.
*****
The numbers raced across Lorain’s vision.
///1,458 days remain. Crystal Home Matrix at 70.002%. Subject able to receive Union dreaming.///
Doc found the closest medical pod.
“Set for controlled bursts. Unless someone is dead or dying? Notify other Alpha class medical responders. Set for rapid awakening if needed for X-Class Disaster.” She was well aware of the Living Stone incursions. Their resources were endless in comparison to the combined might of the Arcane Order Alliance and Gilgamesh Sector. Eliza’s spear shield wiped the floor with 80% of the repeated intrusions. When one was fighting the soulless trillions of conquered universes, they needed all the artillery they could get.
The remaining 20% had to be covered by defenders in space and on the ground. As the blue fluids filled the pod her eyes closed. She whispered, “Find the name.” Just as the messages indicated. Over and over she pleaded. Within her mind, a blood-red sun burned down on the cracked surface. Barren rock and black slag.
She dug. Until she found the face she was looking for.
Her tears soaked the pale flesh. Eliza’s eyelids fluttered. Yet remained closed.
“Remember your promise. Find the Shroud. The Hidden Name.”
Fresh shoots of grass dotted the outer layer of the hole.
The Bulwark
April 20th, 2136
//All system alert. This is not a drill. Unity Prime corruption detected. This is not a drill. X-Omega Alert. All Protectorate respond. //
The space around the prison expanded. J’anu bolted upright. Ta’rammon was already dressed to kill by the doorway. He pressed a finger to his lips. Then pointed at the ground. His prison bracers were inert. She held up her arms. A slow crooked grin formed. Then she got dressed. The dark probing fingers elongated over the Bulwark.
J’anu watched as Ta’rammon beheaded the first Living Stone gargoyle that poked its snout through the entryway. She unshielded her knives. Licked her lips. Ta’rammon grinned. His eyes filled with bloodlust.
“Shall we dance my dear?”
Her response warmed his blood, “Lead on husband.”
Ta’rammon gloated. It was quite the boon. Those Weave Speakers and Light Shamans. For all their wisdom? Never thought to look deeper into his wards. No one would ever defang the Ruler of the Eternal Empire. Or his wife. J’anu leaned against his bare chest. The marks of power flowed across his skin. His boots gleamed gold and black.
While his belted armor about his waist glimmered with green gems. It's pristine white soon to be stained with crimson. She howled a warcry and followed her husband down the hall. The emergency lights flickered on. Orange fire crisscrossed the artificial sky. Ta’rammon shouted, “Warships!”
The Protectorate had arrived.