The Deplosion Saga

by Paul Anlee

  “You know, when I first met him, I thought he was an Emissary from Alum, and then, a Shard. When he fought the Angel Mika in the dessert outside Alumston, I became convinced I’d been fooled by a demon.”

  “No!” Crissea laughed.

  “Oh, if you’d only seen him! He brought down two Securitors without lifting a finger, and he brushed Lord Mika aside like it was nothing. Besides Alum himself, who else could have done that?”

  Crissea was amused, but offered no reply.

  “And that’s not all. Just a few days ago, I watched him take on an entire Wing of Angels in a battle out in space.”

  “A whole Wing? How could he survive that?”

  “Truthfully, I don’t really know; I couldn’t see very well. Most of it happened kilometers away in deep space.”

  Her eyes widened. “You were there?”

  “Indeed,” the monk replied. “Well, more or less.”

  She looked confused.

  “As Darak explained it to me, most of my body was outside this universe except my eyes, my retinas in any case, which he kept in this universe so I could watch.” The very thought of it still made him squeamish, and he shook his head to help erase the image from his mind.

  “The Angels trapped us with some kind of ‘jump blockers’ so we couldn’t shift away. Darak didn’t want to fight but they forced the issue. And we won. Well, he won.”

  Stralasi stared out across the pond. “And then the tri-star exploded and billions, hundreds of billions, of people died.”

  “What?”

  He returned his gaze to Crissea. She was horrified.

  “I’ll let him tell you about that part. I can’t bear to think of it, nor of the evil required to do such a thing.”

  “Alum,” Crissea said. It was not a question.

  Stralasi shrugged and sighed. “Darak can be infuriating, sometimes,” he continued. “His arrogance knows no bounds. Yet he’s also shown endless patience and kindness to the common people…and to me as well.

  “I’ve seen his fierceness in battle, his courage against unbelievable opposition. I can’t decide if he simply knows everything about everything, or if he’s blessed with God-like powers.”

  “From what I’ve heard,” Crissea replied, “a bit of both.”

  “Mmm. You could be right. He’s still a mystery to me, and I have no more idea now why he chose me for this journey than I did at the start.”

  Crissea took Stralasi’s hand in hers and looked directly into his eyes.

  “Oh, Ontro. Don’t you see? He needed someone to see what he doesn’t, and to be what he’s not.”

  “Which would be, what? Quivering? Powerless and naïve?” Stralasi grimaced. He plucked a twig off the stone and threw it into the water.

  “No, silly,” Crissea chided him, but with a gentle smile. “Human. Completely and utterly human.

  “Before Darak became a god, he was human, too. He could’ve been content, just lived his life, and ruled his own universe or almost any part of this one. But he chose a different path. I think he fears forgetting what it means to be simply human, and he wants a human judgement of the Living God’s plans for us. He can no longer do that, himself.”

  “Hmph. And to represent humanity, he chose…me?”

  Crissea pulled Stralasi’s hand closer to her. “Not just you. But he knows that you are kind and brave, and wise, and…resilient.”

  “Resilient?”

  “Absolutely. You are a worthy representative. I’ve watched you deal with new wonders thrown at you by the minute. Things that would’ve made most men curl up in a fetal ball of denial. You struggle, it’s true. But you think. You accept. You integrate the new with the old. I’ve seen you stand steadfast against Darak, a being you know to be as powerful as a god. Few men would do that. I think he chose wisely.”

  Stralasi stared at her, a lump in his throat. Did she really see him that way? It was too much to hope for. Then, she did something that only ever happened in his dreams. She leaned in and kissed him.

  It was a tender kiss but it set his heart roaring. Her lips lingered briefly, a mere second that felt like a divine eternity. When she pulled back and looked at him, he knew he would move heaven and earth for her.

  “Ahem.”

  Stralasi whirled around. The adrenaline jolt sent his heart pounding. He would’ve fallen off the boulder and into the pond had Crissea’s grip on his hand not saved him.

  Darak laughed.

  Crissea frowned disapprovingly at first, and then even she was forced to giggle as Stralasi’s arms wheeled in a desperate attempt to regain balance.

  “What are you doing here?” the Brother asked. He glared briefly at Crissea whose hand now covered those soft lips that had touched his a moment ago. Though her mouth was hidden, he could tell she was laughing, and at his expense.

  “I’m sorry for laughing, Ontro,” she apologized. “But you almost jumped right into the water.” Another giggle escaped her lips.

  Stralasi was less than amused. He crossed his arms and scowled at Darak.

  Crissea attempted to look serious. “Darak, that wasn’t fair just popping in on us. I said I’d call when everyone was ready.”

  “Yes, I apologize for that. I was listening in on your channel.” He held up his hand to forestall her objections. “I know, I know. I apologize for that, too. But time is of the essence. At any rate, when I saw responses flooding into your mail, I assumed it meant nearly everyone was ready.”

  A look of reproach furrowed Crissea’s brow. Darak hurried to explain. “Don’t worry; I didn’t open any of the responses. I could see the traffic had peaked and dropped off. I figured almost everyone had checked in.”

  Crissea’s eyes took on that distant look as she quickly scanned her own lattice. “You’re right,” she said. “Everyone’s gathered.”

  She slipped down from the boulder, all business. “Come, Ontro. Duty calls.”

  “Again,” grumbled an unhappy Stralasi as he clambered down.

  “I am sincerely sorry,” Darak offered, “both for my impatience, and for the intrusion. The matter I wish to share is extremely important.”

  “It always is,” Stralasi muttered.

  The three of them set off along the path in silence. Crissea’s fingers sought Stralasi’s but he pulled away, half in anger and half in embarrassment. She was fairly certain a brief smirk crossed Darak’s lips in that moment. She chose to ignore it. Even for a women like her, who had lived hundreds of thousands of years, relationships could still be mysterious.

  Between one step and the next, the trio was suddenly in the Amphi. Crissea stumbled in surprise at the sudden change in surroundings, but Stralasi stepped smoothly through the transition.

  “He does that a lot,” Stralasi explained. “You’ll find it easiest to just ignore the surprise changes.” He made no mention of the fact he hadn’t laughed at her misstep.

  Crissea noted his graciousness, anyway. She walked to the center of the Amphi as nonchalantly as she could and extended her arms. Viewing screens rose from the ground. Interested expressions of thousands of Coordina members from all over the ringworld looked back at them.

  “Hello. You all recognize Darak Legsu of the Da’ark Triad. He has returned to us unexpectedly, so soon after his departure. I’ll let him tell his story.” Crissea gestured for Darak to proceed.

  “Thank you. I am happy to see you all, and to visit Eso-La, as always,” he began. “I wish I had better news to relay. When Brother Stralasi and I left some days ago, we travelled to the far side of the Realm, to the system known as the tri-star.”

  The audience gasped and murmured. The tri-star system was known in ancient times even to the founders of Eso-La.

  Darak continued. “The tri-star’s unique formation drew me there eons ago. No equivalent triple sun system has been discovered anywhere in the visible universe. I established an observation station there, as well as an independent soltron detector to verify my readings from other stations throu
ghout space.

  “While you are assuredly familiar with the legendary tri-star, you may be surprised to learn a triple ringworld had been constructed around those stars. I was as surprised to learn this as you are, now.

  “The rings were almost certainly constructed by Alum, yet Brother Stralasi and I had heard nothing of it during our stops in the Realm over the past months. I would expect such a marvel to be touted proudly everywhere. Billions of voices should have been rejoicing Alum’s magnificent achievement. But there was no word of it.

  “So why would I ascribe this monumental feat to Alum? Well, because shortly after we arrived, an entire Wing of Angels surrounded us and made it impossible to leave the area without engaging them.”

  The monitors filled with cross-talk as neighbors discussed the implications of taking on Angels in battle.

  “I know most of you will be surprised Brother Stralasi and I are still alive to bring you this story.

  “I assure you that even a Wing of Angels is no match for my capabilities. I chose to engage with them in the least destructive way possible, while trying to find a way to escape.”

  Darak hung his head and his voice lowered. “Nevertheless, they aggressively pursued us, intent on capturing or killing us, I am not sure but I was not about to let them take us. It breaks my heart to say that thousands of my former brethren fell to my sword. Before I could make our way clear of their imprisoning fields, Alum elected to take an action that made my toll in battle pale by comparison. He destroyed the entire tri-star and surrounding ringworlds.”

  The faces on the monitors conveyed astonishment. In a moment, realization set in, and their surprise turned to horror and disgust.

  “The ringworlds were occupied by humans. I estimate some hundreds of billions of people died when the supernova shockwave tore their worlds apart.” He paused for a moment of silence. He looked miserable, dejected.

  “Clearly Alum has decided nothing should interfere with his Divine Plan. He would casually discard the lives of billions, trillions even, to see it through. But, as horrible as this news is, it is not why I have come to see you today.

  “I wish to ask you if I may remove the soltron detectors from the stations in this system. I believe a threat may be on its way to Eso-La and I need the stations to help me locate it.”

  Crissea spoke the instant consensus of the Coordina: “They are yours to take; you have no need to ask our permission.”

  Darak bowed graciously. “Thank you for your support. I will do my best to prove it well placed. You’ve heard me speak before of the Eater. It is an ancient anomaly, something that shouldn’t exist in this universe.

  “Whatever comes into contact with the Eater is instantly absorbed, that is, removed from the universe of real matter. As matter is absorbed, it gives off exotic particles, which I call soltrons. My devices can detect these particles. Indeed, the entire array of soltron detectors is dedicated to sensing these particles. Collectively, they should be able to determine the location of the Eater to within thirty light years across the entire Realm.”

  Darak checked the monitors to gauge if people were following him. “My most recent survey of the detectors indicated something strange. At first, I thought it was a simple anomaly affecting the data. The soltron detectors are old and the particle interactions with matter in our universe are poorly understood.

  “They suggested the Eater had suddenly changed location, possibly by millions of light years and accelerated to near light speed on a new course. At any rate, it wasn’t where I expected to find it.”

  Crissea nodded. “I see. How can we help?”

  “I’d like to move the detectors out along the projected path for the Eater so I can pinpoint its location and velocity.”

  “The soltron devices are yours to use as you wish. Why do you seek our permission?”

  “As a courtesy. My real reason for calling this meeting was to deliver a warning.”

  Crissea’s calm demeanor gave way to concern. “A warning? What kind of warning?”

  “There’s no easy way to deliver this news. I believe the Eater has been targeted to intercept your world and destroy it. If my projections are confirmed, you may need to abandon Eso-La.”

  16

  “Can’t we rest for a few minutes?”

  “You don’t need to rest.” Darya stood en garde, her fencing épée pointed over Timothy’s head, ready for the next round of thrust and parry, feint and counter.

  They stood on a grass-covered hilltop occupied by a single, resplendent maple. As far as the eye could see, the world was an endless plane of hilltops with maple trees identical to this one. She would add more trees, some creeks, stone walls, houses, and other such complicating features to their virtual training ground later. They’d only been at it for three weeks and Timothy wasn’t ready for that level yet.

  The former First Footman of Casa DonTon dropped his arm to his side. “No, I don’t need to rest. I realize you’ve altered things in this world so I don’t fatigue. It’s just that we’ve been practicing twenty hours a day for weeks now. It’s getting…tiresome, if not actually tiring.”

  “Should we switch weapons? A change can be as good as a rest, the ancients used to say.”

  Timothy glared at her in exasperation. “I was hoping we might have a little fun for a change.”

  “Isn’t this fun?” Darya, former warrior Princess of Lysrandia, returned the glare with open innocence.

  Timothy picked up the nearest rock and whipped it at her head. She casually deflected it with the edge of her sword.

  “See?” Timothy wailed. “How can this be fun when I don’t stand a chance against you?”

  “You don’t learn anything against a weaker opponent.”

  He threw up his hands, turned his back on her, and walked away.

  Darya watched him retreat without comment. She let him get a seven or eight meters away, grabbed her épée by the shaft like a spear, and launched it at his back.

  An instant before the flying sword met its target, Timothy wheeled and knocked it from the air. He roared in protest and charged back up the incline, yelling the whole way.

  Darya picked up the fighting staff at her feet, spun it in a blur in front of her, and brought it to an abrupt halt with one end under her arm and the other pointed directly at Timothy’s nose.

  “What are you doing?” he demanded, hands on hips.

  “We’ve been practicing sword-on-sword, hand-to-hand, ever since I transferred the basic weapons and combat concepts to you,” Darya replied. “Clearly, you think you’re ready for something more. Here it is.”

  The staff blurred and one end struck smartly across Timothy’s arm, liberating his fencing sword.

  “Ow!”

  The pain in his arm pulsed long enough for him to consider the consequences of inattention and then shut off, thanks to Darya’s altered virtual biology.

  “Pick it up.” She motioned with the stick, “Let’s see how your blade fares against my staff.”

  Timothy stood, rubbing the memory of the blow to his arm. “I’d prefer something with an edge,” he said.

  “Very well, saber, katana, scimitar, or jian?”

  “In keeping with your martial arts style, I’ll use a jian, please.”

  His fencing foil instantly transformed into a heavier double-edged Chinese sword. Timothy stretched out a hand to retrieve his weapon, and it leaped eagerly into his palm. He experimented with the grip and twirled it to get a feel for the weight. His third spin ended in a sideways slash at Darya.

  Her staff whistled upward, deflecting the broad side of the sword and sending the jian gracefully over her head. The trailing end of the staff swooped under and behind Timothy’s swing, and connected against his shoulder with a loud “thwack!”

  Timothy grunted and staggered but kept his balance.

  “Would you prefer a different sword? Or maybe two jians?” she taunted.

  He glowered as he grabbed his weapon and faced off again.
He advanced steadily and flourished the blade in an elaborate pattern intended to impress and intimidate.

  Darya retreated in pace. The wooden staff blurred in her hands as she expertly mirrored the motions of the slashing blade. She saw an opening, and her staff poked through and caught him in the solar plexus.

  Timothy fell backward with a gruff, “Ooof!” His sword landed a couple meters away. This time, he rolled backward and onto his feet immediately, instead of licking his wounds. He picked up his jian and advanced.

  “That’s more like it,” Darya encouraged. “The faster you recover from a blow, the less chance it’ll be followed by something that kills you.”

  Timothy’s sword chopped down and back up, flicking a few inches of top soil at his opponent. Darya released a hand from the spinning staff to block the dirt from reaching her eyes. As she did, his blade swept outward, where its movement was hidden by her own hand. Before she knew it, the sword slashed inward again, cutting her triceps.

  Darya gasped at the sharp pain, and the fighting stick flew out of her grasp. She leaped into a back flip, putting some space between her and her opponent.

  Sensing he had the advantage, Timothy rushed forward, stabbing and slashing.

  She flipped backward several times to avoid his attack. Her last flip arced wider than the others, and she landed in side splits on the ground. Timothy’s sword sliced down in a killing blow aimed at her head.

  She clapped her hands together, pinning his blade between her palms. A single drop of blood fell from her joined hands as Timothy strained to complete the blow. Darya twisted her body, and suddenly he was falling face down into the dirt. Instantly, Darya was on him, knife pressed to his throat.

  “See,” he said. “I can never beat you!”

  Darya pushed herself off him and dropped her knife back into its sheath.

  “You don’t have to beat me,” she replied, “just whatever Trillian throws at us.

  “Ready!” she commanded. “Again!”

  17

  “Do you really live here?” Timothy, in his spherical trueself Cybrid body, followed Darya down a long, narrow tunnel in Secondus. The passageway joined two of her laboratories in a rabbit warren of corridors and chambers comprising her secluded asteroid base.