The Shadowverse

by Francesca Gallo

  Another byline popped up. It read ‘ Sonovan Lung.’ Johnny pressed it. What a legendary name, he thought.

  “That’s a badass name,” Sam said. “Like, phew.”

  “It really is,” Dustin added.

  A hologram appeared with his outline. A large man, with long hair, piercing eyes, and a human body popped onscreen. “Sonovan Lung. Sonovan Lung was known as the greatest fighter of Earth before opening a portal into another realm, paving the way for an army of creatures to cross over. This subjected his feeble human body to the utmost outpouring of Ooris in history. In his lust for power and the aid of three others, Sonovan slaughtered them al , including our beloved Titan.

  “But not even death could kill our savior! A hero arose from the remnants of his empire, the Tetra. This hero, who, upon his desire, remains anonymous, resurrected our liberator from the Shadowverse itself, where he had been trapped. He became Solis, Titan’s current Voir, the second-in-command.

  “In penance for his sins, Titan, upon returning, forced Sonovan into hiding, where he currently resides—missing for centuries. As Titan declares, ‘He has become a despicable, ruthless, self-serving threat, and will not cease until he becomes al -

  powerful.’ Sonovan will never inhibit such a peaceful reign ever again!”

  “This is a lot of information,” Dustin said.

  “Something tel s me Sonovan wasn’t the bad guy and this is all a ruse,” Johnny replied. He looked at the others for confirmation.

  Out of nowhere, Jane collapsed. Her mind went blank as if someone had draped a sheet over her eyes. The surroundings vanished. She was alone, but not for long. The blackness subsided. In its place, she was thrust into some form of environment that ran like a movie. There was light everywhere as glimpses of different worlds and people appeared constantly, as if she were omnipresent. There were voices, men and women she did not recognize, and locations she had never observed.

  She saw a man approach a behemoth cave and a subsequent explosion of light, followed by a giant being resembling Titan crawl out of a portal, except there were two of the same. In the first one, she watched as Titan sprang out like a bank robber.

  Seconds later, the scene switched to a dark planet and a cloaked man. The same Titan dropped out, albeit differently, fol owed by more voices.

  I am Solis.

  You wil be my Voir. We shall bring the Justification.

  Like Dave in 2001: A Space Odyssey, Jane was left confused but the scenes kept playing. They were everywhere. She felt everywhere, as if splintered across time and space.

  The original man materialized again, this time shrouded in a dark, almost blueish Energy. It covered him from head to toe and il uminated his eyes into lightbulbs. He was surrounded by other figures she could not identify—all wearing large suits. The scenes were flying by now, this time on an alien street corner outside of a gigantic structure.

  Who are you?

  I am Zydok, member of The Shadows. We want to help you. What is your name?

  Sonovan Lung.

  She could not peel her eyes away as the settings were altered again. She turned and watched as an Asian woman was sucked into a portal, screaming. Sonovan was also there, begging for her to grab his hand.

  No, Aiko! Hold me!

  I cannot!

  Aiko!

  Jane could not help it. Tears streamed down her face though they fell into nothingness. Before she could scream in panic and confusion, the scene switched to Sonovan, handcuffed, in front of Titan who brooded behind him. His voice was unlike anything she had ever heard. And the eyes. They were bright red, analogous to the very same in her bedroom that night.

  Tel me, why do you run?

  Without warning, it switched once more to four armored figures, standing on top of a mountain, arms embracing each other while gazing off into a sunset, colors of yellow and orange skewered in a beautiful, picturesque way.

  Zydok, Orslon, Venarian, Sonovan Lung. That is who we shall always be, warriors.

  We are The Shadows.

  Once more, the location changed to Sonovan Lung again, except he was alone on a cliff overlooking a beautiful valley. Jane walked up to him timidly, afraid. Unexpectedly, a portal opened and out jumped a fully armored, godlike figure. He spoke to Sonovan, who appeared shaken. The figure’s armor was deep gray, while its ribcage region shaped like the bones of ribs, a blue energy bubbling underneath. The figure did not resemble any other she had seen so far. But Sonovan answered.

  Who are you? Why should I do this?

  I am the future, Sonovan Lung. You will pave the way for a new generation. They will find you. You must find them.

  Why must I save them?

  You would always save them.

  Without another word, the spectacle ended. The light of day entered her eyelids. The first sight she saw was Johnny, Ryan, and the brothers. Each knelt down to where she had lain. They jumped when her eyes popped open.

  “Jane!” Johnny screamed. “You are alive!”

  “What the hel happened?” Ryan questioned.

  “Yeah, that’s a big fat Q. What the hell just happened to you?!” Dustin inquired.

  But she did not feel tired, faint, or shaky. She felt more alive than ever. “What didn’t happen? I was…in this world. Everything, even you, disappeared.” She sat up. Amongst the alien society and its occupants who walked by, she knew their purpose now. “But there were these people and images—people I’ve never seen before. Titan…this Sonovan person…but not just them. Others.” She breathed deep.

  “You saw them? What do you mean?” Johnny asked.

  “It was…movie-like, but I could move around in it. There were people and figures everywhere I looked.”

  Ryan was flabbergasted, of course. “I don’t understand. You saw other people?

  Where? When?”

  “That’s the point,” she responded, trying to form words. “I think they were from different times.”

  “Times?” Sam repeated.

  “Like you time travel ed?” Johnny asked.

  “I don’t know. All I know is we must find Sonovan Lung. He was the center of everything.”

  “Anyone else?” Ryan asked. At this point, she stood up and walked to a bench. They watched, bewildered, but followed. She sat there, an iota delirious. Johnny crossed his arms like a detective.

  “I remember some names now…Orslon, Zydok…Vena-something…” she trailed off.

  “Does everybody have awesome names?” Sam interrupted. “Like, damn.”

  “They do,” she replied. “Titan, Sonovan Lung, Orslon, Zydok, that other V dude, and…someone else.”

  Johnny’s expression changed. “What do you mean?”

  He looked like none of the others. He referred to himself as ‘the future.’

  How. Ryan shot a look at Johnny. “Z? Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “He talked to Sonovan.”

  “He talked to Lung?”

  “What the hel did he say?” Dustin questioned, more interested in this than anything.

  “Some gibberish that Sonovan must save ‘them,’” she said, making quotations with her fingers. “But he wasn’t wearing that jacket. He had armor unlike anything I’ve ever seen…like it was alive.”

  “Hold on a second,” Ryan said. “How many characters are there? So far there’s Titan, Sonovan, Z, us, this Zydok fel ow, Orslon, and that other guy. Who are the good guys, who are the bad ones?”

  “I think Titan is not good,” Jane answered. She tried to recollect more. “There is also someone cal ed Solis.”

  “That sounds like the one who control ed the bug, if I remember correctly,” Johnny said.

  “All I know is we must find Sonovan Lung. He’s the key.”

  Johnny turned around and began to pace six feet away and back.

  “So you want us to find Sonovan? Did it even explain more of who he is?” Sam asked.

  “He’s a warrior from years ago. Some kind of hero.”

  “Can y
ou remember any more?”

  “No.”

  There was truly no way out of this one. Of all the things he’d been through, nothing could hold a candle to this. “We must find Rose first. We know where she is. We go to Titan.”

  Dustin faked a laugh. “Really? That the best you got?”

  “You want us to visit Titan himself?” Sam added. “Did you hear what I heard? He’s the ruler of an empire. Ruler of an empire. Are you OK in the head?”

  “I agree with Johnny,” Ryan interrupted, arms crossed. “We find her and bring her back.”

  “And what if he totally outpowers us? What then?”

  “We outpower more.”

  “I can help.” Spinning on his two feet, someone from behind the booth appeared. His skin was composed of green scales, purple eyes with black irises, and pointy ears complete with a few earrings. Despite the differences, he was almost comically human.

  He had been clothed in two layers of interlocking white and black attires, criminally topped by a long, knee-length blueish-brown jacket which fit his frame to the T. He resembled some kind of space pirate. “I couldn’t help but listen in. ‘Ya need help. I’m the help, earthlings.”

  Looking about, Ryan responded, “Who are you exactly? Beast boy?”

  “Name’s Ledarius Wepon.”

  “I’m sorry, is your last name actually weapon?” replied Sam.

  “No, it’s Wepon,” Ledarius snapped, speaking in a peculiarly smooth accent which gave off all kinds of wrong.

  “I was worried for a moment there.”

  “What are you?” Dustin asked.

  “What only matters is that I hate Titan. You want to get to him? Here’s your chance.”

  “Wait, you hate Titan?” Sam blurted. Ledarius tried to cover his mouth, but Johnny stopped him in one quick motion, in turn pushing Ledarius back.

  “Whoa, what was that buddy?” Ledarius whispered. “Didn’t know you were in link with the Energy. Won’t screw with you.”

  “Yeah, so don’t try anything. Wait, Energy? What do you mean?” questioned Johnny.

  “I’m sure you’l figure that out soon enough. And you better not talk hate”—Ledarius leaned in and whispered— “on Titan or we’l both be jail bugs. That’s if we get lucky and aren’t immediately killed.” Ledarius shot looks at several nearby soldiers of the Tetra.

  They wore blue outfits covered in armor, analogous to the very ones the group donned.

  They were spotted everywhere, like bees, in every nook and cranny. The sheer number made the Stormtroopers from Star Wars look minimal.

  “Can you help us or not?” Ryan cut in. Ledarius slipped into bargain mode.

  “What’s your offer?”

  “Offer?” repeated Johnny. For a bit, it seemed he had landed in some 40’s movie.

  “Well, you got to supply the funds if you want the job done.”

  “Look, buddy,” Ryan informed, “We have no funds on us.”

  Ledarius considered their predicament for a moment. “Well, since you’re broke, how about you do a little job for me? We can help each other out.”

  “What’s the job?” Johnny replied.

  “I just got scammed out of a deal. Gal stole 10,000 credits from me. You can say that she’s a criminal.”

  “Like you?” Jane quipped.

  Ledarius chuckled. “Good one.”

  “So, what do you expect us to do?” Ryan replied.

  “Well, since she is currently hiding away like she always does, how about you find ‘er and use your little speedy friend here to apprehend and throw ‘er in a cell, eh?”

  “You want us to make a hit, like in those mafia movies?” replied Sam.

  “I don’t know what that is, buddy, but I’l take it that it’s good.”

  “Always wanted to do that,” responded Dustin.

  “Same!” added Sam.

  Ledarius smirked. “So, it’s a deal?”

  Johnny highly considered it. “Give me a minute.” He huddled with the others. “I think we should do it,” he whispered.

  “Anything for Rose,” Ryan avowed. They each glowered at him.

  “Real y?” Dustin responded. “Damn, at least make it hard to see.”

  “What?”

  Jane whispered, interrupting their chatter. “Let’s do it.”

  “All right,” Johnny ratified. He left the huddle first and held out his hand. “We’ll do it.”

  Ledarius peeked around at their surroundings, making sure no one was listening in.

  “Great choice, speedy. The scumbag’s name is Trypher. She lives somewhere around the slums, probably in her underground hideout. Find ‘er and bring ‘er here.”

  “I thought you said to throw her in the prison cell?”

  “Uh, I have to get my money back first, buddy.”

  “I’m sorry, but why haven’t you gone after her yourself?” Ryan responded.

  “Let’s just say she has a bunch of bodyguards.”

  “When does the bad guy ever not have bodyguards?” complained Dustin.

  “After you hopefully get ‘er, bring ‘er to me. I have a shop right over there.” Ledarius pointed to the small shack that had seen better days. Of course, it was a weapons shop.

  “See you around!” He walked across the street, past the flying vehicles, and into his shop, turning around at the door and encouraged them with a thumbs-up. The door slid vertically closed in an instant.

  Ryan chuckled in nervousness. “Yeah buddy, thumbs-up. Woo.”

  “Are you kidding? This is going to be lit!” exclaimed Sam.

  “Wow, just look at this place,” Jane marveled.

  “First humans to see it!” Sam noted. “Like, just look at that!” A hovering transport vehicle lay within twenty-five feet of them. It was loud, sturdy, and one-of-a-kind. Blue stripes fil ed with magnets connected one transport with another. Passing citizens eyed the group since they had never seen a human before.

  Ignoring them, Ryan turned the information booth on once again. “How may I be of assistance?” it asked.

  “Locate the Slums.”

  “Locating the Slums. The Slums. Tia Corsin. 2.5 lengths away.”

  “Lengths?” asked Ryan.

  “Yes, lengths. The length is a standard of measurement in the Tetra.”

  “OK, well how long is that?”

  “Precisely 1800 minuxes.”

  “Minuxes?”

  The machine rebooted in a split second before a hologram appeared. “Minuxes. A basic unit of measurement in the Tetra. For your examination, here is the specific size of a minux. 1,800 of these equal a length.” The size of the minux equaled about two feet in length, and Johnny measured it to be about three-fourths of the measurement of his arm.

  “OK, so a length is basically two miles,” said Ryan. “So this trip of ours wil be nearly five damn miles.”

  “Let’s go.”

  ~~~

  “Under present circumstances, it appears your friends did not complete the journey.

  While it is possible they are dead, it is likely they were instead dropped off at a nearby planet.”

  “Yeah, right. Considering your resources, I don’t think you would just mess up a transport.”

  “I am not perfect, Adia. The present situation would require orders, by me, to my subordinates. In turn, my officers would decree a search for your friends. It would not take long, Adia.”

  “Please. Refrain from calling me that.”

  “It is your true self.”

  “No, it isn’t.”

  As he stomped back towards the transparent, glass enclosure, he crossed his arms behind his large waist. “All wil be revealed, Rose Johnson. In time, you will come to

  realize your true origin and your true destiny.” Titan turned back to the view outside his ship, taking it al in. Rose felt the aura in the room change, but the opposite of what she desired. Everything felt darker.

  “You can’t force anything upon me. I am my own person, and I’ve
got along just fine without you my whole life.”

  “Yet, your purpose has still evaded you. The people of Earth are perplexing. They seem to revel in their squalor, even though humans can be so much more. Why fight?

  Why hurt each other, instead of uniting and standing as one species?”

  “It’s because of our free will. Humans rarely ever fol ow leaders. Our greed has fueled our desire to be better than every other person.”

  Titan laughed deeply, turning back to her once more. “Fascinating choice of words.

  Why use ‘our’? You are not one of them, Adia. And free wil is a mirage. There is no such thing, and the illusion it is destroys entire civilizations.”

  “I identify more with them than with my own species. I guess you could say I had little time to ever get to know my own.”

  “You need not defend the humans, my dear.”

  “I can do whatever I want.”

  “You were never one of them.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you. Why—”

  “Why did I lie?”

  “Wha—”

  “Oh, please. The abilities of your ‘friends’ are nothing compared to mine, Adia. I knew you were resisting the words I was speaking to you. Did you really think you could fool me?” His voice deepened, almost a chalky albeit firm tone. “My eyes have seen the rise and fall of countless heroes, societies, civilizations, and worlds. Original y, I hypothesized that soft, knowing words would charm you, or even al eviate the anger or stress.”

  Her demeanor changed as quickly as his. “What do you want from me?”

  “Everything. Everything Ta-Vir took from me I will take back. Thus, I wil take all of you.”

  “You wil try.” She leapt into the air, channeling her powers and the training she had received from Johnny and the others. She landed a flying side-kick on his face, pushing Titan back. It was not the end of her fury, because she followed up her first attack with a full onslaught of her powers. Fire streamed out of her hands like a viscous freshwater river in the mountains. “I’m going to kill you!” she screamed, her eyes shifting red.