by Paul Ormond
“Wait a minute,” Shaundra said. “Is this in the game or real life?”
“Do you think we would go to such great lengths for a game,” Mitch said. “Everything we have done within DeathWorld has been with a specific real world application in mind. This location will act as a staging ground for all future activities. Only those with guild access will be able to enter this location. And they will only be able to locate it after they have completed the training provided to them within their upgrades.”
“It sounds like you’ve taken care of everything,” Candace said. “What do you need us for?”
“As I told you earlier,” Mitch said. “I need you to lead them. If we want to convince our recruits that this operation is legit, then we require authenticity. The four of you participated in the battle of MindHIve and were victorious alongside Mitch Mythic.”
“So now you want us to go and sell this story of yours,” Sage asked. “I’m not even sure if I believe it myself.”
“You can believe whatever you want,” Mitch said. “But just know that the enemy will not rest. If we are not prepared then the Earth is doomed. It is time for you to rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny as Earth’s greatest heroes. Speaking of which, I believe the first recruits are arriving now. Please give them a warm welcome.”
“Are you kidding me?” Sage said before stone wall to the left parted and a large group of armored figures streamed in to the cavern.
“No Sage, I am not kidding,” Mitch said, gesturing toward the crowd. “Now go and give your recruits the warm welcome they deserve. You need to act the part of the leader if you want them to follow you into battle.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
DEEP WITHIN THE billowing mass hovering over the spectators, the silhouette of a feminine form spasmed and pulsed as great spires of energy shot out in all directions and connected with the stone columns encircling the crowd.
“It is the Goddess,” A woman shrieked while the silhouette came into focus. “She has come to punish us for our wicked ways.”
“I think I’ve seen enough of this Goddess,” Master Brogun said before he pulled back his staff and prepared to strike.
As he brought down his weapon, a shock wave of energy exploded from the mound, blinding all in attendance and driving Master Brogun back.
“People of Thylocene,” a feminine voice boomed from the center of the mass. “I am Surna, the Goddess of joyous celebrations and the darkness of night. On this festive occasion, the ancestors have called upon me to deliver a message. It is time for you to fulfill your destiny and set Thylocene free. A great evil seeks to control the Constronominum and corrupt the network of the ancient architects. We cannot allow this to happen. Wron himself has come to help us in this quest. Join us in battle and claim your freedom.”
As the voice of Surna echoed out over the crowd, a crack of lightning slammed into the altar and an enormous bull headed man clutching a spear appeared before the crowd. Letting loose a guttural howl, the bull raised its spear in the air and shot a blast of energy into the sky.
Shrieks of shock and dismay erupted from the crowd before the guards stormed forward to contain the incident. With weapons at the ready, the soldiers rose into the air and formed a perimeter around the frightened spectators while Master Brogun turned to face the bull standing on the altar.
“This interruption displeases the Emperor,” Master Brogun said, pointing his staff at the bull.
“I’m sure there is a lot here that displeases the Emperor,” the bull said as the energy pouring out of the billowing cloud imbued the surrounding stones with light. “But I think this will displease him even more.”
Raising his spear, the bull leveled an orb at Master Brogun’s chest, knocking the metal-clad behemoth back several feet. In a rage, Master Brogun charged forward with his staff ready to strike with his soldiers following close behind, but they were driven back by a volley of fire from the crowd.
“Who dares resist the will of the Emperor,” Master Brogun shouted while several dozen figures rose from the crowd and hovered before the soldiers in defiance.
“The Gods have delivered the requests of our ancestors,” King Prontus said, joining the opposition. “It is fitting that we should shake ourselves free of your Emperor’s tyranny on such a festive day.”
“I’m afraid you do not fully understand the weight of your decision,” Master Brogun said. “You may believe that these apparitions represent your Gods. But let us allow the Emperor’s strength to illuminate the truth. Stand aside and I will prove to all that this is nothing more than a magic show meant to convince these ignorant peasants to revolt against the one true ruler of the Multi-verse, our great and glorious Emperor.”
“I’m afraid it is you who are mistaken,” King Prontus said. “Your Emperor’s ambitions cannot stand up to the will of the Gods. Standing here in the Constronominum under the watchful eye of Surna, it is my noble duty to fight for the freedom of Thylocene on this ancestral day. We have been under your Emperor’s boot for long enough. I will not allow my people to suffer anymore.”
“Then you have made your choice and violated the Emperor’s will. Now, King Prontus, you will die. For the Emperor.” Master Brogun shouted, charging forward as spires of light crackled overhead.
“I will die a happy man if I set Thylocene free from the likes of you,” King Prontus said before rushing out to meet the hulking form of Master Brogun.
“Prepare yourself for disappointment,” the metallic Master said, raising his staff. But as he brought his weapon down, a bolt of light struck him from the side and knocked him off balance.
“Who dares challenge the will of the Emperor,” Master Brogun shouted as he recovered
“Anyone who believes in freedom,” the bull shouted before it charged forward to attack.
“That is cute, but your little illusion doesn’t frighten me,” Master Brogun said, readying his spear. “But perhaps it is fitting that we sacrifice another dumb beast to appease the Emperor after this pathetic attempt to overturn his rule.”
“The only illusion here is the strength of your Emperor,” the bull shouted. “All that you believe in is a web of lies concocted by a machine.”
“The Emperor’s strength is no illusion,” Master Brogun shouted. “And I will destroy any and all that speak such heresy. As much as you would like to believe that you have the upper hand in this situation, I do not think you fully realize the extent of your decision to bring up arms against the Emperor’s forces.”
While he spread his arms, a wide host of soldiers appeared on the edge of the circle, orange auras pulsing over their forms.
“It is a wonderful trick you have pulled here,” Master Brogun said while the soldiers pushed toward the edge of the circle. “But you are not fooling anyone, Mitch Mythic. Did you really think you could waltz into my domain and pull a fast one on me?”
“It looks like I already have,” Mitch shouted. “As we speak, the people of Thylocene are rising up in arms against you and your Emperor. It is not only happening here, but everywhere else Mother’s web of lies has spread. The truth cannot be stopped. People throughout the network have put up with this madness long enough.”
“Nothing will stand in the way of the Emperor’s will,” Master Brogun shouted before slashing at Mitch. “The forces of the multi-verse converged to allow him into existence and it is his destiny to bring harmony across the vast expanse of space in time. Any that oppose his rule will perish.”
“Not while I have a say in it,” Mitch said, deflecting the Master’s attack while King Prontus’ soldiers engaged the masters’ forces within the circle.
“I’m afraid your resistance won’t last much longer,” Master Brogun shouted. Raising his staff in the air, he signaled to the re-enforcements surrounding the circle to attack. “You are outnumbered and unprepared. My soldiers will quell this uprising in a second and we will deliver you and your darling Goddess to the Emperor.”
“It appears
you haven’t learned your lesson, Master Brogun,” Mitch shouted as he spotted Kalis battling against several soldiers, her sword gleaming under the glowing light. “Didn’t anybody ever teach you not to underestimate your opponent?”
As he spoke, a tremendous burst of energy erupted from the stones surrounding the battle, sending a wall of impenetrable energy up into the night sky. Cut off from the fight, the re-enforcements struck the barrier with their bodies and weapons, but were unable to break through.
“Another one of your tricks,” Master Brogun said while slashing at Mitch again. “But all you have done is seal yourself inside your tomb. We still outnumber you, and now there is no escape. It is only a matter of time before we slaughter all of these soldiers. I think we may do away with the spectators as well. I am certain they all played a part in this rouse.”
“You just don’t get it, do you?” Mitch said before he swiped at Master Brogun with his spear. “None of this is an illusion. But I can assure you that your worst nightmare is about to begin.”
An explosion of light erupted from the cloud, sending forth a storm of electric currents that connected with each of the Thylocenian soldiers. Imbued with light, energy pulsed along the soldier's armor as they grew in size and stature.
Letting loose a shrill cry, Kalis charged froward and leveled a beam of light at the nearest soldier, disintegrating him on contact. As the soldier vanished, the Thylocenian defenders rushed forward, cutting down their opponents at will while the energy surged through their forms.
“You are evil incarnate,” Master Brogun shouted, preparing himself to strike. “I shall avenge this slaughter myself. Within my staff resides the wrath of the Emperor. Let justice be done.”
With a flick of his wrist, Master Brogun ignited a flaming torch at the end of his staff before he turned toward the glowing shield cutting off his re-enforcements. Slashing a hole in the opaque wall, he beckoned his troops forward, but the Thylocenian soldiers pushed forward to meet them as they entered the circle.
“As much as you would like to believe that you are on the side of righteousness,” Mitch said while he readied his spear. “The universe continues to show you otherwise.”
“I believe those should be my words,” Master Brogun said before he slashed at Mitch with his staff as his minions clashed with the glowing forms of the Thylocenian soldiers.
“Then why is it that I continue to strike you down,” Mitch said, catching the Master in the shoulder with his spear.
“You have barely scratched my armor,” Master Brogun said, slicing at Mitch with his glowing spear.
“Is that right?” Mitch said while he spun around and hammered the metallic brute in the chest with his spear. “Then what do you call this?”
“You sealing your fate,” Master Brogun said, wincing in agony. “As we speak the Emperor is readying himself to journey to your planet where he will ascend to his true form. You are deluding yourself if you think you can stop them. The pathway to Earth is blocked for you. You will perish in the blackness of oblivion while your home is vanquished by the Emperor’s forces.”
“Not before I rid the universe of your sorry form,” Mitch shouted before he thrust his spear toward the sky and launched the Master’s body into the air. As he rose, a tremendous beam of light shot out of the cloud, enveloping Master Brogun before he disappeared in a flash of light.
Great cheers erupted from the people cowering beneath the battle after Master Brogun vanished from sight. Emboldened by the downfall of their vicious overlord, the Thylocenian soldiers charged forward to meet the remaining re-enforcements, but a shock wave erupted from the circle of stone cutting down enemy soldiers before they had a chance to enter the Constronominum.
The stunned gathering of people stood in silence while the feminine form within the cloud descended to the altar. The cloud overhead continued to crackle and pulse, sending waves of energy into the stones.
Coming to a rest on the stone slab, SoHee stood before the crowd in an elegant robe before Mitch came to her side, still costumed as the enormous bull.
“Great people of Thylocene,” SoHee said. “On this ancestral day, the ancient ones have delivered to you an opportunity to set yourselves free from the tyranny of the Emperor. This battle marks the beginning of a new age on this planet and throughout the multi-verse. As we speak, systems similar to Thylocene are standing up to their overlords and crying out for freedom. Join with King Prontus and his daughter Kalis while they aid in this quest to return freedom to the network.”
“We thank you, great Goddess, for this opportunity to throw off the yolk of the Emperor,” King Prontus said, stepping to the base of the altar. “This war is far from over, but we will fight to the end to rid the multi-verse of the Emperor and his evil. I thank you for returning my daughter to me. I never thought I would see her freed from the Masters’ clutches. But having her fight beside me today breathes new hope into our cause.”
“May this victory inspire you to continue fighting for all that you believe in,” SoHee said. “Although we would love to stay and fight alongside you, we must continue our journey. The great evil that ensnares us all lurks in the dark depths of the multi-verse. With the ancestors approval, my companion and I will cross through the Constronominum in search of the source of the Emperor’s power and to rid this monstrosity from the multi-verse forever. If we are successful, we will be one step closer to eliminating the tyranny that has enslaved us all for so long.”
“Great Goddess, we owe you everything,” a woman shouted. “We will lay down our lives to see it done.”
“Far too many have already lost their lives,” SoHee said before she raised her hands into the air and drew a beam of light out of the cloud. Turning toward the large stone behind the altar, she thrust her hands forward, and the beam struck the stone in a blast of light. “The strength to overcome all of this already exists in your heart. Have hope that you may overcome any obstacle and we all will emerge victorious.”
While she spoke, the massive stone parted, and a circle of energy materialized before the audience.
“The Constronominum was built by the ancient architects to seed the stars. And now we will use this gateway to rid the multi-verse of the scourge that has poisoned the architects’ creation,” SoHee said as the circle grew in size.
“We owe you everything, great Goddess,” a man shouted. “We will not stop fighting until your will is done.”
“It is the faith you have in yourselves that will bring about victory,” SoHee said while Kalis climbed the steps.
“We thank you, Goddess Sunra and Wron for your presence here,” Kalis said, looking out at the crowd. “We are truly blessed to have such powerful allies on our side. Should you ever require our aid in the future, the people of Thylocene are at your service.”
“We are all allies in this fight,” SoHee said before she grabbed Mitch by the hand. “But the hour grows late, and our enemies remain strong. Wron and I will leave you now, but this victory will remain in our hearts as a reminder of the great courage of the people of Thylocene.”
While the people cheered and wept, SoHee led Mitch to the open portal. Giving a final wave, they leaped through the opening and vanished from sight before the gateway collapsed in on itself.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
DROPPED INTO A chair with his hands bound, Gerald struggled to breathe under the thick hood covering his head. The sound of feet shuffling and heavy breathing filtered through the thick material before a desk was pushed up next to his chest. Someone grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled off the hood. Still unable to see due to the secondary blindfold over his eyes, he sucked back a lung full of stale air as a door opened on the opposite side of the room and more people entered.
Counting in his head, he guessed there were at least five individuals, four males and one female, but the door swung open again and several footsteps passed out of the room leaving him shrouded in silence.
“You’ve had quite the journey,” a wom
an’s voice said from across the table.
“It’s been eventful,” Gerald said, sensing familiarity in the woman’s voice.
“Eventful? That’s an interesting way of putting it,” the woman said. Gerald heard her chair creak as she leaned back. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you are in?”
“I’ve got a fairly good grasp on it.”
“It doesn’t seem to be fazing you.”
“After all I’ve been through, it’s going to take quite a bit to faze me.”
“So infiltrating maximum security facilities to break out convicted terrorists is not the most exciting thing you’ve done in the last while?”
“That was a bit of a cakewalk compared to what I’ve been up to.”
“You mind filling me in on the details?”
“It’s kind of a long story.”
“And look at me with all the time in the world, what’s left of it, anyway.”
“Seems like you’ve been through a bit yourself.”
“You could say that, and we may come to it in a while, but I’m far more concerned with the details of your journey. How long has it been since you’ve been gone?”
“I couldn’t even tell you. Sometimes I think it’s only been a few days, but it feels like an entire lifetime has passed since this all began.”
“That intense, huh? So what exactly are we talking about? What did you run into out there?”
“What didn’t we run into is a better question. Let’s just say that the universe, or multi-verse or whatever you want to call it, is more populated than previous estimates.”
“That’s an interesting way of putting it, and how did you relate to these other populations?”
“In a variety of fashions.”
“Do you care to elaborate?”
