Awoken

by Alex South

  Oa patted his friend on the back. “I understand. You will never be just the Destroyer to me.” He was not bothered by Ohm’s actions. Time and disfigurement had blinded the ancient Awoken to his own nature, but Oa knew who Ohm truly was. The Traveler turned and put his remaining hand on Oa’s shoulder in gratitude.

  At the top of the stairs Lida’s faceplate pulsed rapidly in fear. “Destroyer, why are you getting in the way?”

  Ohm bowed his head for a moment, then whirled around angrily. “I have been measuring this world’s worth since its birth, and it pales in comparison to Oa’s potential. You would selfishly sacrifice him to try and hold onto the belief that you were meant for great things. We both remember what you did. You and I are responsible for what happened to the Great Planes.”

  “It was your power that desolated this world, and you’ll only fail it again,” Lida accused.

  “Only because you sought to control it, or do they not know?” Ohm roared furiously, scanning the soldiers motionless before him.

  “You all follow a coward and a fraud. The head of the regime that brought this world to its current state stands before you, and yet you follow blindly,” Ohm shouted out for all the Enlightened to hear.

  Several of the warriors turned and stared at Ohm “Why should we trust you? If you’re the fabled Destroyer, then you have more ember dust on your hands then anyone alive,” a random voice in the crowd spoke up.

  “The Awoken would choose now of all times to reject my help,” Ohm grumbled in frustration. His time was short. Water was leaking from his side. “None of you are old enough to truly know what the world used to be. Lida has led you to worship the past. Her vision will only leave you with longing and regret for what you can never recover. Here stands Oa, an impossible Awoken with no ember. With nothing to leave behind—he only moves forward. He can forge life where none exists. His mind is meant to see the path ahead that we cannot.

  “You ask him to die for you? Well, I say we fight for him. If we stand together, we can defeat Eol. Even if it costs all our lives, it would be better to fight for someone who can make this world beautiful again than to submit and continue our stagnant existence. If you let me, I will lead you this final time,” Ohm said stiffly. Resolve sounded clearly through his pain.

  Oa looked at his friend. He was thankful for Ohm’s faith in him. Every Awoken in the chamber had turned to listen to Ohm. Oa felt their gaze on him as well. He stood to the side of Ohm, not knowing what to say. One by one, the Enlightened soldiers stepped forward to show their allegiance. Only Abur, Trae, and Kendry did not move; hampered by their loyalty to Lida.

  “Very well. I shall kill that abomination atop a pile of your corpses,” Eol hissed down at the warriors. He casually spun around and drove his Void staff through Lida. “You proved less than inspiring,” he taunted as she faded away into Void.

  With a yell, Abur, Trae, and Kendry raced up the steps at Eol. Their hands swirled with ember energy. Eol spun the Void staff casually in his hand as Abur sprinted up the last few steps. Eol halted the staff’s spin to hold the weapon behind his back. The noble Abur swung his fists, but the monster deftly dodged between the blows. Eol took a slight step back then moved with unnatural speed as he whipped his staff forward, driving it through Abur’s chest.

  “Now!” Abur cried out, as he gripped the staff and dropped to his knees. His whole body surged with ember energy holding off the consuming power of the Void. Trae and Kendry bounded over their fallen leader, simultaneously striking down on their enemy.

  Eol was caught off guard by the ferocity of the attack. He stumbled back onto one knee, letting go of his weapon. He did not shatter from the ember-energy attack, but instead began to flicker in and out of existence. On the ground, Abur pulled the staff from his chest and melted away, unable to fight the Void any longer. Trae and Kendry were unable to grieve as they stood ready and wary of their foe. Eol flickered more erratically, emitting a screech of rage. He lifted his hand and the Void staff leaped from the ground toward him. It caught Trae and Kendry in the back of the knees cutting them down. As soon as the deadly weapon hit his hand, Eol vanished. His screech remained, echoing eerily throughout the temple.

  One of the Enlightened warriors cheered awkwardly. “Too soon, stupid! It can’t be that easy,” his comrade whispered harshly, nudging the applauding fool.

  Sirens sounded from the city below. The wailing echoed through the hall. Everyone spun to face the doors as the sound rang ominously through the chamber. Suddenly, the guard from outside the gates came rushing in screaming. “It’s the city. We’re under attack by the Le—” His words were cut off as a nihilistol blast silenced him forever.

  Eol strode through the temple archway; the Legion following behind him. Far below, the Void ravenously feasted on the final city of the Awoken. Oa and Ohm looked at each other in shock. There was no time to register the sudden tragic turn of events.

  The ice sword and shield formed on Ohm’s arms. He raised the shield up, shouting for all the Enlightened to hear. “Warriors of the fallen, you know better than I how to draw strength from the memories of those you loved. Remember your past, hope in our future, now defend the moment!”

  Together, the final hundred Awoken rushed to meet the Legion. Ohm tapped Oa on the chest with the ice shield. “You stay safe while we take care of these guys. When it’s over, you’ll be free to make that vision of yours a reality. Just promise me you won’t forget why I woke you,” Ohm said. His voice was hopeful and courageous, drowning out the weariness his wound was causing.

  “Thank you, Ohm. I won’t doubt my purpose again,” Oa promised. He climbed onto Susan’s back and wrapped his arms around her neck. Together, they flew to the top of the stairs.

  Ohm waved to his friend one last time before he turned and sprinted to join the battle. He pushed the pain and fatigue from his mind as he lunged into the fray alongside the other Awoken. Ohm became a blur as he blocked Legion attacks, spinning rapidly as he sliced through his foes. Around him the Enlightened soldiers fought valiantly, their hand-to-hand combat unmatched. Countless cycles of training and discipline had rewarded the Awoken with the strength to hold back the tide of doom at the entrance to the temple. The close quarters kept the Legion from using their weapons to full effect. They began to burn through the protective shell around the arch. The walls melted away under the onslaught of the Void. The Legion opened a gash in the Temple of Souls through which they pushed forward, stronger in numbers and unrelenting in will. Ohm watched noble warriors fall around him as they fatigued under the unending flood.

  “Fred, we have to reach Eol and end this,” Ohm shouted through the fury of the battle.

  “I would not advise it. We will be vulnerable from nearly every angle,” Fred warned his master.

  “We have to try. For those that are giving their lives right now,” Ohm insisted, accepting the risk.

  “Reckless as ever,” Fred responded.

  “This time, it’s necessary, my friend,” Ohm said grimly. He lifted his shield and plowed through the Legion soldier in front of him. He dove under a nihilistol shot then rolled to his feet, slicing the legs out from under several Legion. Ohm gave a mighty leap and the aqua jet activated, aiding his jump toward Eol. He held his shield in front of him with sword drawn high for a final blow. Fred’s concern proved valid. Ohm’s speed was not great enough to evade a stray bolt that grazed the pack’s side panel. The aqua jet shut off, and Ohm tumbled to the ground short of his target. He felt the blow as if it were to his own body. “Fred, are you alright?” he called out in pain.

  “My wound is consuming me at a rate much faster than yours. I am afraid my functions will be fully impeded shortly,” Fred replied, his voice cutting in and out.

  Ohm cried out in frustration. He lashed out at the nearest Legion soldier, slicing it in two. He spun around trying to find his way out of the chaos. All at once, the Legion backed away. Ohm realized he was alone. The remainder of the brave Enlightened warriors had
fallen. Eol stood at the center of the gateway, his minions surrounding Ohm completely.

  From the top of the stairs Oa started to rush down. “Stay there, Oa!” Ohm yelled, turning slightly. The young Awoken obeyed, watching in horror.

  Eol’s chilling voice spoke. “A worthy effor—”

  “Shut up!” Ohm snapped cutting him off. “Fred, can you still activate a full fusion?” he asked softly.

  “Aff-ir-mati-ve” Fred replied, faltering as his circuitry broke down.

  “One last time then!” Ohm yelled. Fred lit up bright blue as he poured water forth. The liquid gushed out of the pack, spreading rapidly across the floor of the chamber. The light within Fred became dazzling until it sparked, flickered, then faded altogether. The water stopped, and the pack dropped lifeless from Ohm’s back. Fred’s final act had been to detach from Ohm to keep the second Void wound from spreading to his master.

  Ohm hunched over as the injury in his side crippled him with pain. The microbur canister was empty and the Void was now eating away at his body. He did not let himself collapse. He knew he had one final gambit.

  “This one’s for you, Fred,” Ohm said quietly as the pack disappeared behind him. He concentrated and droplets of water rose into the air. The drops closest to the old Awoken began to wheel around him slowly.

  “End this!” Eol commanded. The Legion rushed forward raising their Nihilistols.

  The Traveler drew upon his power one last time, draining the energy from the water. Harmless drops of liquid became unbreakable projectiles. He sent the ice whipping through the air in a tight vortex around him. The vortex spread as Ohm lifted more water from the floor into his maelstrom. The Void bullets were deflected harmlessly as the Legion tried to carry out their leader’s order. In the center of the storm, Ohm rose to his feet. He readied himself for one last duel. He took a step forward and then another, feeling his weakened legs steady. Ohm started to trot towards Eol, intent on killing the demon. He accelerated to a sprint, hurtling through the Legion.

  Eol’s army was torn apart by the fury of the ice. Eol stood motionless as the edge of the storm rapidly approached him. His shrouds fluttered in the wind, and suddenly he was standing in the tempest. Countless Legion soldiers were shredded, but the ice never hit Eol. He stood calmly waiting.

  In the midst of the gale, the Traveler appeared. Charging forth, he sliced his sword with deadly speed and accuracy at Eol’s head.

  Eol parried the blow with his staff, taunting Ohm, “Your words to Oa where truly words of a friend. I’m sorry you will turn on him,” he taunted cryptically as the two fiercely struck at each other, evenly matched in a dance of death.

  “Silence!” Ohm yelled, driving Eol back.

  “You can’t keep this up. You are broken,” Eol continued, enraging Ohm even further.

  “I have to! I will not fail Oa,” Ohm gasped, fighting within himself to become faster and stronger even as his senses dulled and his energy drained out of the wound in his side.

  “You are a creature to be pitied, but the Destroyer will be whole again. I will make sure of it,” Eol said, dodging to the side of Ohm’s attack. He slipped his hand through Ohm’s defense grabbing him by the side of the head. “It is time for you to remember, Ohm. It is time for you to accept your purpose,” he snarled.

  ***

  Oa stood atop the stairs, holding Susan tightly in suspense as he watched the ice storm rage below him. The ceiling above had been torn apart, and the ember stalactites had crumbled under the force of Ohm’s fury. Suddenly, Oa saw a blue flash from the center of the vortex, and then the maelstrom ceased. As the white storm cleared, Oa saw Eol at its center. In his hand he held Ohm’s mask. Oa spotted his friend a short distance away, lying on the floor. Fred was gone and so were Ohm’s weapons. The hole in his side had grown to a gaping wound, and water was now only dripping from it. Ohm feebly tried to crawl away from Eol but the shrouded monster strode forward and gripped him by the tunic. Eol dragged Ohm up the steps toward Oa. Oa was frozen in horror when he saw what Ohm’s mask had been hiding. Half of his head was gone, eaten away long ago by the Void. Eol tossed Ohm to the ground and stood facing Oa.

  “I’m sorry, Oa. I failed,” Ohm said wearily.

  “You were never meant to serve him!” Eol snapped. He knelt down next to Ohm, resting his hand on Ohm’s damaged head. “You strayed from your path, but you can never escape your fate. I am you. The part of your programming you tried to rid yourself of in that cave so long ago. Your negligence killed Ari. So you threw your gift into the abyss. I was too weak to stop you then, but I am stronger now. You will submit to me. You will submit to our purpose. Now remember!”

  “No, you can’t be. The researchers at Istaar must have triggered my power when they detonated the ember fission bomb. You, I mean it, killed Ari …” Ohm recalled in shock, refusing to accept the truth even as the gap in his mind was mended. “But I drove my right arm into the Void core, I-I got rid of you.”

  Eol shook his head slowly. “I am you, Ohm. Now turn on this enemy of ours. Accept the responsibility you forsook—Me! The will of the Void! Our purpose is good—it’s what the Creator intended.” Eol lifted Ohm off the ground and drew him into the shrouds of Void. The rags wrapped around Ohm, slowly enveloping him until he had disappeared into them. One of Eol’s eyes turned blue as Ohm remerged with his lost programing. The Destroyer stood anew in front of Oa.

  Finally the infection and disfigurements made sense. In an attempt to cleanse himself from the title of Destroyer, Ohm had unwittingly created Eol.

  “Ohm?” Oa asked hesitantly, hoping his friend was still alive somewhere in the darkness. There was a long pause as he waited in suspense.

  “Oa, they’re here. Everyone is here. Ari and Kai, all of them,” Ohm replied slowly. There was another long pause. Oa could not fathom what his friend meant. He put his hand on Susan for comfort. The varl growled reassuringly, adopting a defensive stance.

  “Their souls now rest in me. I-I wasn’t a Destroyer … I preserved them,” Ohm stammered in realization. His voice began to mix with Eol’s. The demons voice was an ominous whisper, it waited patiently as the old wanderer gradually lost control of his will.

  “But Ohm, I don’t understand,” Oa said, growing increasingly worried as he tried to grasp Ohm’s words. Next to him, Susan bared her fangs at the shrouded figure before them.

  The menacing shadow paid no attention to the varl’s threat. “I see it now, the reason I devoured the soul embers. The Creator knew all things must end, so he built me to protect this world, to preserve it. Every memory, every joy, every pain, every success, and every mistake of this world—it’s all here, frozen in my ember. I can see Ari and you and Kai, everything all at once. It’s chaos, but it’s how things should be. It’s how they’ve always been,” Ohm said in bittersweet acceptance. He took a step toward Oa.

  “You said I needed to trust my cause and not follow the past,” Oa said, nervously taking a step back.

  “I am sorry, Oa; my purpose has always been to protect what the Creator made. I have not failed yet. My greatest challenge was always meant to be you. The Void is closing in, Oa. Only one of us will be left. You must yield,” Ohm said with an eerie calm. Eol’s voice softly echoed each syllable he spoke. Oa backed up through the archway between the pillars onto a round platform. There was no roof or walls aside from the pillars. A hole the size of a birth cell sat in the center.

  “You made me promise never to let go of my vision,” Oa pleaded. “You awoke me!” Susan growled a warning as the Destroyer stepped through the arch and onto the platform.

  “I was wrong, Oa. I know what it is like to feel betrayed by the Creator. I know you must despise yourself as I did, but it is not your fault. Without you, I would not exist. Our conflict is inevitable, but I will preserve your memory for all of eternity here,” Ohm said, tapping his chest. His voice had grown cold.

  Oa felt alone, more alone then he ever had before. He wondered why he had to be pitted
against his friend. He tried to think of a way around the situation, but the Void had already eaten halfway through the temple. The oily black tide erased everything in its path. Oa never wanted to fight for just himself; he had hoped others would join his convictions. Now his friend, who had encouraged him the most, was telling him he was wrong. Oa looked next to him. Susan was still by his side; she turned and opened her jaws in a smile, her tongue rolling out to lick his face with an explosion of sparks. Oa knew he had to trust in himself and in the comrades who had gone before him. I must trust in their faith. In Susan’s faith in me now, he decided.

  “Ohm, I don’t care what you know now. I see a better existence than this. I see a future, and I will fight for it. I will not die and leave you trapped in this incomplete creation,” Oa said. His words were steely.

  Susan roared. She lit up, preparing for a final fight. The remainder of the sky above still shone bright as the energy from the pillars coursed up into it.

  “So be it. I cannot protect you any longer,” Ohm said. His voice splintered, then shattered. The pieces drifted away as madness took him. The blue eye beneath Eol’s shroud changed back to red.

  “Do you know how a lightning varl is born?” Eol’s voice oozed out like poison to fill the air. Oa could no longer hear any trace of his old friend. He did not respond as Eol stalked around him on the platform.

  “Two varls must meet—a male and a female. They must spend a lifetime together for their energies to merge. When they are completely attuned to one another they die together. Out of their ashes, a newborn varl rises—a complete combination of the parents. The species progressively dwindles down, leading up to an ultimate varl, the culmination of the entire species. Wouldn’t that be special? The beginning of something new.

  “There were two penultimate varls. I hunted down and slew the one atop my head, but the other stands beside you now. Susan, you call her? Kai thought she was the ultimate varl; but alas, she is merely the failed remnant of a species I broke,” Eol said, his voice even and deadly. Despite the danger, Oa was still sadly reminded of one of Ohm’s lectures. The memory drove him to fight for the Awoken’s legacy all the more.