ISSUE 1: WHISPERS OF A FORGOTTEN AGE
By all accounts: These things don’t care about buildings or inanimate objects. All human population centers are asked to remain indoors. For the duration of nocturnal adventures. Those of a more dubious nature have been found comatose in the streets. Either attempting to rob stores after the allotted cutoff or involved in some other activities of ill repute. The Terran Alliance has also asked rural communities to bunker down after 8 pm. The Living Stone cannot abide by the sunlight. Which means ultraviolet light works as well. Ask your local rep for additional ultraviolet protection today. Shipping expedited. –Terran Alliance Public Service Announcement.
What is this? SO we earn some Uplift Status and the agony of the Universe is unleashed on Earth? Rubbish. The Terran Alliance should prioritize protecting its people first. But we can all see from the Banner’s actions that she favors the Litari. Alongside those Bardaxians. They may look like common Earth dogs but they are hiding something. If the Banner is so powerful then why doesn’t she take direct action on the Living Stone situation? I bet if she sneezed she could obliterate all of them with one stroke.—Anna Preston-McGuire, “Into the Fire.”
Eventually, I did cut loose. Against the All-Father of all people. Dad was right though. Practicing going all out within a realm that I couldn’t hurt was essential. It's just a small part of my mind knew that once outside the training construct: Everything was glass. It's funny, Doc helped with that too. She even made a monitoring module with Jacob’s help. Which told me the various pressures needed or required for optimal limits. He added the material while she added the biological stress feedback. Hands have to know compassion. It was the only way I could counter the absolute destruction the All-Father could wield. Thoth used his armies. But in the end, Thoth and Madame Mayhem were only the beginning of my trials.—Sleeping In Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century.
Golden City Museum
New Ra, Eygpt
January 21st, 2104
Thoth smirked.
That Anna woman was truly god’s gift to idiots everywhere. Star was the biggest threat to his plans. She had an uncanny ability to be where he never wanted her. He’d have to thank Bel for distracting Barracuda and Osiris with her antics. The bride of Chronos. He knew the best way to keep a woman on a leash was to promise more than just basic pleasures. It was how he drove a wedge between Medusa and her brother. Once he was out of the way he had a more compliant subject within the old Atlantian woman.
What fun. The replica of his loss would be the catalyst for launching his new and improved armies.
Pira, on loan once more from the All-Mother, was leaning against the wall. She had no overall stakes attached to this plan or of the Bel woman. The All-Father and his wife wanted more intel about Earth. Wearing this common human face hid other truths. Even from Thoth. His aura indicated this place wasn’t his home universe. Her senses had been warped to track such things for her masters. He was Typherian. There was no doubt. The All-Father could feel the ties within the very DNA. Thoth had some unusual modifications though. She was tasked with discovering what differences were key. She smiled at him. Filling her eyes with vacant worship. He had an ego the size of many universes. So it was ridiculously easy to use that to her advantage.
On some level, many of the Houses of Typha saw themselves as a gift to the universe. It was a very shallow trait on display. It had been a long time since anyone questioned the Council of Five dominance. The All-Father made sure to showcase all the pitfalls within Typha. Even the ever noble House Ayeer had its secrets. She wondered what kind of genetic defects Thoth had within. There was always something. Most pedigrees held a rather sordid past. In her estimation.
Thoth examined the entire area.
How fitting that the apex of this particular building would house the Fire Leyline. Now all he had to do was wait for the celebration of New Dawn to begin. So many bodies for the taking. All of them would be a fine addition to his unstoppable armies. No Ta’mathon around to protect the little dears. He found it quite ironic that the Uplift procedures hampered this version of humanity. By throwing that protective net up around them to prevent pirates from raiding the place, these humans were leagues behind the ones from his universe. For which he was grateful. Demis, no matter the origin, were annoying. But the human-based magic ones were especially vexing. He touched his right hip. The scars from Jennifer Murphy still stung. Which is why he gave Sir Avalon a wide birth here. He hated lightning and the United Earth Front soldier was a thorn. So anyone with the same skillset was a bother.
He would find a way to kill the Murphy clan. No matter what universe they resided in. At least this place’s Jennifer had no powers. From what he could see. Her husband was just as annoying here. Even if he wasn’t Typherian. He grimaced. No matter what universe it was, things like Star and the Murphy family always existed. It was too bad the DNA and family line variables were so different within each universe. He would have strangled Star within her crib if he could. He had tried to use the Slumbering prophecy to pinpoint some variables but it proved to be quite annoying. Often times these things indicated more than one person or group. Buring the Library of Alexandria way back when proved useful. He smiled to himself. There was no use in lamenting the past. He was out to seize the future.
He motioned to Pira. Her hands sparked.
Fire for a sunny celebration.
Excellent.
The Murphy Household
New Ashbury, Texas
January 21st, 2104
I rubbed my eyes.
Pouring over new alerts and reports. Glaive had left on some secret mission. I wished him the best. Hopefully, we would be able to find the source of the Endless Night, Living Stone, stop Thoth, save the Multiverse. Bring home some cookies for Santa and the Bardaxians. Mom battled me on the head with a rolled-up magazine. Most bought physical stuff for the “feel” of ancient pastimes. “Kiddo, just focus on one thing at a time.” She thwacked me again for good measure.
The magazine in question was exclusive.
Anna’s whole scathing “report” on Area 51 included.
She still didn’t know half of it.
“I’ll have you know I won't stand for this abuse.” I waggled a finger at her.
Her aura cleared. This was her way of relieving some kinda stress.
Dad, Zach, and Dexter were off on an assignment as well.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
I mock dodged another flurry of hits. Eventually, a chime sounded and another holo-report was coming in. Or rather more loving hit pieces from Anna.
“The Banner doesn’t care for Earth.”
Mom threw a throw pillow through the display screen. Anna’s face distorted for a moment. Then she continued, “How much you want to bet they want to use us for breeding stock! It's outrageous!”
An old argument. Wrapped in new tinfoil.
Paging Agent X. A part of me decided to take full humor in the face of the situation.
Mom and I shared a look. I grinned, jerking a thumb to my chest, “SURPRISE!”
*****
J’ino propped her feet up as more enflamed commentary oozed from the screen. It felt like Anna had no clue but the Typherian knew that some within humanity’s ranks felt that way. For that matter, so did some of her people as well. In fact, before all this Voyager disk business, J’ino hadn’t really considered many things outside of Typha. Which made her flush with guilt. Many more advanced societies were insular. Which could explain why the various forces arrayed against them were primed. It was hard to see the bigger picture if you only looked at your hometown team rather than the bleachers. She saw Eliza quirk an eyebrow.
Her daughter’s mindvoice was laced with a rare form of wicked humor, >>Iresh is still in my shadow by the way. I don’t think she’s leaving anytime soon. White is also providing some keen observations of info I shouldn’t know but have privy to now.<<
J’ino kicked herself mentally. >>Unoffically: House Community has a stick up its rear the size of Jupiter. Unofficially: One must hit Stage 3 of Uplift to do sensitive business. I swear. I will feel like a stranger within a strange land once I hit Typha again.<<
Eliza muttered audibly, “Kinda like what Y’lansa was doing at Trinity or the Bardaxians being themselves.” J’ino knew her daughter could feel the frustration.
J’ino replied, “Still doesn’t make it right. I can see that now. If we can get humanity on the Council, they can help the Forgers, Litari, and Bardaxians to get the primary vote. Everyone usually has us as the deciding factor because of the Throne Matrix.”
Eliza winked, “Guess that will make me and my brother the supreme card then.”
J’ino still didn’t know what to make of Throne Sight. Her father wasn’t elaborating either. Only to say that her daughter should keep the exploration of it aimed at Earth. Eliza nodded, “Yup. Grandpa Wolf made that crystal clear. Alongside White. It's like seeing everything all at once. I don’t have much of an aptitude for it because I want to be careful. Grandpa said that Unity can sense it if we use it too much too heavily.”
J’ino placed her hands on her daughter’s temples.
Running a quick surface-level scan. That strange black circlet materialized for a split second. It encircled J’ino’s mental barriers and gently pushed her out.
You are not ready Mother of Convergence.
*****
I nudged my Mother. Trying to bring her spirits back up.
“Don’t you worry! I’ll be sure to make all the social gaffs. Gulliver is giving me tips!”
Mom buried her head in a pillow to muffle the laughing.
Her mind was an open book, >>Dear Rulers. Take pictures then.<<
I cracked my knuckles, “Mama. I am a Texas girl. Guns, God, and the Bible.”
J’ino imagined the culture shock to Typha’s systems.
They turned as the door swished open. Grandma Murphy waved us over.
“There’s a hostage situation. Over at Into the Fire.”
This didn’t shock me one iota. Anna had the most zealous fans. Highmarker said the “Dark INet” was awash in various theories. Even Taleer wouldn’t elaborate. I had a hunch they were saving me from many nasty things. Grandma parked the Grav car a few blocks from the overall hustle and bustle of the situation. Mom cloaked. We dashed onto the scene as the Banner and White Lily. The man had a long black bodysuit on to mask his face and other features. He was holding a simple revolver to Anna’s head. That must have been how he got it past sensors. Most were looking for high tech stuff. He waved us over, “Now the fun begins!” His suit wasn’t even reinforced. It was a simple cloth.
Under that cloth, my mind was reeling. He was marked with many tattoos. His face clouded over from something riding him. Was this one of the Night Shamans that the old Bardaxian crew mentioned? From my guess: Since I couldn’t parse out the language on the markings, I could only assume this was so.
*****
Anna was seeing red.
Another day. Another Maniac holding a gun to her face.
She hated Texas. She glared at her captor.”See? The big blue girl scout is here. Happy?”
She took a sip of coffee. It was cool. Her lips pulled back in a sneer. “This man claims he can see the Endless Night. Do the job you damned demi and get out of my sight.”
Her eyes locked onto White Lily. Seeing how that flops fists clenched. So this was another fan of the Banner. This whole town was filled with sycophants. “Well, half breed? GET ON WITH IT!”
The Banner’s green within green eyes narrowed. Her attention locked on something Anna couldn’t see. The man grated out, “You can see it can’t you? YOU CAN SEEEE IT!” He giggled. Spittle running down his chin. “The Night will devour. Just like it has before. The Litari Dreamweavers walk upon the ashes of worlds. Hiding their secrets. Hiding everything.”
Anna blanched.
Not one of those. Jesus.
Why couldn’t everything be simple?
The Cult of Set.
An organization dedicated to the Mayan End of Days.
With the reveal of A51, all sorts of splinter groups had popped up. From Unity fanatics, Cosmic Soothsayers, cultists. Soylent Green is people! The media woman gagged. She didn’t believe any of the nonsense. Only the cold hard facts of fake demis like the Banner. That didn’t stop a sliver of terror running trhough her went he aimed the barrel right between her eyes. She glared at him for good measure. A small part of her brain realizing that she would need to shut up now.
*****
I knew I could move faster than that bullet in the chamber. That wasn’t this man’s mission though. He was a fanatic with the zeal of his particular insight playing out before him.
“Chronos never had the whole picture.”
That got my full attention.
“Fear the Ender of Worlds.” He turned the gun on himself and fired.
Everything was in slow motion.
I cupped the bullet. Disarming him at the same time as his body fell limp. As I pulled off the mask, the Shaman faded. Asi if he never existed. The two burning coals were his eyes had been burned into the floor of the studio. Leaving behind the markings of a Snake with two twinkling rubies.
Anna smirked, “Oh. Looks like he did his job for you. Atlantis isn’t as advanced as I thought.” I ignored her. The snake form curled around the empty black cloth. It shifted. Lashing out. I caught the end of the cloth as it burned my palm. I kept my grip. I had no idea what this thing would do to a normal person. The Emris nanites in my system updated me, <
The cloth dissipated along with any remaining evidence.
Lily encircled Anna with some vines and had her hanging in the air. Out of reach. I got the impression that my grandmother did that to geuinly protect Anna. But there was that added element of lifting her higher than required. The remaining security flooded the room. Paxton entered as well. It was funny how he always seemed to show up to these things. He touched the patch of floor where the man had been. His eyes were troubled.
“Gonna need to investigate this Set stuff as well.”
“Agreed.” Mom placed a hand on my shoulder.
>>I’ll get in touch with your father. See what he knows via Ta’mathon. At this point, I am thinking we should all investigate our ancient pasts. These things seem to be older than our civilizations. They know too much.<<
*****
Argus Paxton frowned.
This would be a puzzle with a disquieting end.
He knew it within his bones.
A blur within his vision caused him to glance up. The elongated body of a Keeper was perched on the ceiling. Behind the massive lights to make Anna look prettier than her black heart was. Its dark unsettling orbs locked onto Paxton.
It hissed. Phasing back to its null ship within the Weave.
It wasn’t Chronos. Merely a puppet.
Paxton resisted the urge to glance at J’ino. He didn’t want to draw undue attention to her or the Dreamweaver. He would leave a message instead.
The game was just starting.
Too many pieces still moving throughout the darkness.
The president’s private link materialized within his HUD.
<