by Paul Centeno
“Such a waste of time…I might as well have flown up here,” the witch said, brandishing her wings with pride.
Dojin snorted with amusement.
“I prefer we stick together as a team on this one,” Shirakaya said. “I hope you can respect my wishes.”
“For now,” Eladoris said snootily.
The crew were halfway across when a tremor occurred. Khal’jan lost his balance as the castle shook. Seeing the archeologist fall backwards, Xorvaj held him up with his leg and kicked him forward. Just before Khal’jan could reprimand the ghensoth for being so rough, the rampart split. Myris accelerated across on her wheelchair while most of the crew charged ahead as fast as they could. Dojin and Jai’ryndar took longer, doing their best not to fall to their deaths.
“What in the twelve dimensions is going on?” Khal’jan yelled.
“I’m detecting an energy distortion,” Zadoya said. “It’s approaching from the soudarian quadrant of the asteroid.”
“I sense it too,” Myris said, placing a hand on her constricting chest. “Not energy. Not unless you consider it to be no different than magic. It’s incredibly powerful and approaching us fast.”
The mercenaries readied their weapons, trying to find areas to position themselves while the quake persisted. A form of mist with lightning contained within it pulsed toward them from below. When it reached the castle’s rampart, it grew in size and morphed into an aerial entity that resembled a lich whose vapory and eye-less face looked like a skeletal corpse.
“What matter of beings are you?” it demanded, its voice cold and eerie.
“I am Shirakaya of Aarda,” the freelancer responded. “This is my crew, Shadow Mercs. We are on a quest to vanquish Koth’tura. During the mission, one of his minions consumed my arcane gift. I cannot hope to defeat the koth’vurians without magic. I have come here seeking a cure. Are you by chance the demigod, Xen’tarza?”
The lich screeched at the mention of such a name.
“Probably not,” Dojin muttered, taking a step back.
“We have traveled across dimensions,” Yarasuro said. “Can you help us?”
Again, the lich did not respond as it examined the interlopers with distaste.
Open mouthed, the scientist rose from crushed stones. “Could it truly be? Are you the legendary sorcerer known as Soth’yugon?”
The lich fixed its eye-less face upon him. “This one speaks with intelligence.” Gazing at the crew, it went on, “There are no cures for such a disease. Only a vile curse can reverse such a defect.”
“Curse?” Khal’jan said.
“Yes,” the lich hissed, growing greater in size. “No cures flourish here, mortals. Gaze beyond the dark, inky veil of this shattered kingdom. The void is empty of hope. This realm is nothing more than an eternal prison. And believe me, it shall remain this way until the multiverse is no more.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” Shirakaya said. “Help me reclaim my power.”
The lich gave her a wicked glare. “Do you truly wish to erase what has transpired by means of an irreversible curse?”
“Be careful, Shira,” Yarasuro warned.
Shirakaya acknowledged his concern, pondering the situation. “Whatever it takes,” she finally said.
“A curse it is,” the aerial being said. “However, you shall first be tested. If you can defeat the insurmountable power of Soth’yugon, who is none other than me, I shall curse you with my boon.”
Before they could digest the lich’s identity or the thought of a test, Soth’yugon raised his hands. In an instant, whirlwinds formed from both sides of the cracking rampart. Dojin, Xorvaj, and Rah’tera ported out guns, firing at him. The enchanted bullets went through his misty form, causing his body to appear hazy for a few seconds, but he wasn’t harmed.
“Motherfucker!” Dojin yelled, switching to a plasma rifle instead.
Eladoris flew up as she cast a leech spell that the aerial being repelled. She then hurled fireballs in his direction. To her surprise, he deflected them too. In the meantime, Shirakaya and her bodyguard promptly dropped down the rampart using broken parts of its wall and swiped their enchanted swords at Soth’yugon.
Evading their vigorous attacks, Soth’yugon released a sphere of frost magic that froze both Xorvaj and Dojin. Rah’tera hid just in time, using his cloaking device to avoid detection. The battlement continued to collapse, causing the frozen ghensoth to fall and shatter into pieces. Myris hovered back, horrified. Zadoya carefully pushed Dojin to a more secure part of the battlement and jumped down, her arm transforming into a cannon; she released a fusion beam at the lich, blasting a hole through his vapory form.
Soth’yugon smirked at what she’d done as the hole refilled with mist. He then waved his hand, producing a tempest that lifted the cyborg off the ground and slammed her against a tower, which collapsed on top of her. As this took place, Myris promptly used white magic to unfreeze the renegade who hastily rejoined the battle.
In the meantime, Rah’tera uncloaked from behind and pierced the aerial being with his enchanted daggers while Jai’ryndar emerged sidelong, cultivating dhi-cha and blasting him with it. For a moment, their attacks dazed Soth’yugon. This allowed Shirakaya and Yarasuro to step in and thrust their blades at him. Gaining a burst of courage, Khal’jan stepped out from a corner above, using a laser pistol to fire at the being’s head.
Eladoris continued launching fireballs at Soth’yugon, who abruptly dissipated, his mist reforming right above the necromancer. Dojin shot at the lich just before Eladoris could taste its wrath, at which point it launched bolts of forked lightning at the renegade instead, electrocuting him to death.
“Dojin!” Shirakaya cried out in horror.
The lich turned, summoning a wave of flame below that scorched Jai’ryndar whose body turned to ashes. Rah’tera uncloaked himself across the battleground, hurling poisoned darts. The toxin interfered with the lich’s vapory form, causing him to descend. At the same time, Eladoris blasted Soth’yugon with a fireball and then attempted her leeching spell on him again.
Teary eyed, Shirakaya charged at the stunned being and continuously thrust her sword through him. The mutant joined her—at least until a shockwave knocked both of them off their feet. In that instant, Zadoya burst from the crumbled tower, her eyes releasing steady beams at the lich while discharging bombs from her cannon-shifted arms.
Soth’yugon screeched, gripping the cyborg by means of telekinesis and slamming her multiple times on the ground until her dented body flickered with malfunctioning wires. The oracle saw this and shivered, but she nonetheless emerged from her hidden corner. Descending on her hover chair, she manifested a nimbus of pure light.
The lich scowled at the radiant power. Snatching the chance, Shirakaya swiftly rolled toward the blinding light, striking it to receive its enchanted power. Screaming with rage and vengeance, she hurled the sword of light at the aerial being who gasped and produced an ear-piercing screech. His toxic, misty form started to dissipate as the light enveloped him. Then he vanished altogether.
“That power,” he began, his echoic voice filling the survivors’ ears, “is impressive. You have staggered me. Combined with my immense power, the lot of you may yet stand a chance against the wrath of Koth’tura. Well done.”
“Who gives a damn when you’ve killed half my crew!” Shirakaya retorted, her tone full of rage. “Reveal yourself so I can destroy you completely!”
The aerial being reappeared before her eyes. “I did say this was a test.” He snapped his fingers, reversing time up until the moment of the battle. Just as the mercenaries were flinching at the idea of a test, Soth’yugon announced, “You have passed.”
“What the fuck?” Dojin said. “Passed what?”
“Half of you were killed in the most pathetic way. But you nevertheless managed to show me that together, we have the potential to stop the Lord of Chaos.”
Everyone looked at each other with unease.
“Half of us died?” Kh
al’jan said, looking pale.
“Correct. But you have nothing to fear. By manipulating the law of arcane astrophysics and creating a tear within the multiverse, I reversed time before the battle started.”
“I wonder who died,” Rah’tera pondered aloud.
Yarasuro shrugged.
“Definitely not me,” Xorvaj said.
The freelancer stood still, pale as a ghost. “You’re alive. You are all alive. She rushed over to Dojin, embracing him. I remember it. I remember every frightening second of that battle. Thank the Goddess you’re all right.”
“Thank me…not your voiceless deity,” Soth’yugon retorted.
“Damn,” the renegade said, pulling away from Shirakaya. “Calm your tits.”
“Sorry,” she muttered, slightly embarrassed. Turning her attention back to the lich, she went on, “So, we passed your test. Tell me, what is this curse you speak of?”
“Ah, yes. The curse. Allow me to start from the beginning. Eons ago, I taped into the tapestry of creation. I was to become an immortal god akin to Xen’tarza. The primordial deity, however, did not appreciate my ingenious power. Ergo, my reward was eternal life in this void. Ironically, shortly after my imprisonment, Koth’tura swept across our dimension and devoured the very soul of Xen’tarza. His self-righteous ego was the death of him. Regardless, I remained herein…forgotten. Until now. Alas, with such a curse, it is impossible to leave this prison…at least in this form.”
“Your harrowing tale is extraordinary, but what does this have to do with me being rejuven—”
Before the freelancer could finish, Soth’yugon rushed toward her and merged his vapory essence with her body. Shirakaya shrieked as she was lifted into the air, hovering while every element ignited within her. She then fell to the ground. The others, especially Khal’jan, were distraught. Without hesitation, they ran to her aid.
“Shira!” Khal’jan cried out. “Shira!”
“By the stars,” Yarasuro said, horrified. “What is transpiring?”
“I understand,” the oracle answered. “Shira can never recover from her curse. Nor can Soth. In order to counter both curses, he fused himself with her. Their souls are now intwined forever.”
“It makes logical sense,” Del Vayso said. “A worthy theory.”
“It’s true,” the freelancer replied, coughing as a slight aura of Soth’yugon formed around her. With the help of her brother, she managed to stand on her feet. “I feel him. I’m not sure if this is a good thing. But if I can contain him and control my body, I’ll be able to channel his power.”
“Incredible,” Khal’jan commented.
“Fuckin’ awesome,” the renegade said. “Does this mean we can get the hell out of this creepy ass place?”
“That and then some,” Rah’tera said.
“Right,” Shirakaya responded. “Don your helmets and zitrogen tanks, mercs.” As they complied, she waved her hand at the mana shield, dispelling it. The crew cheered. Even the necromancer appeared impressed. “Vokken,” the freelancer called out via KLD with a smile, “we’re ready for pickup. And one more thing: When we go through the Spectral Pulse and return to our realm in Ensar, set a course for the Gydeim Scor.”
“Affirmative,” the AI said.
Eyes glowing with renewed arcane power, Shirakaya looked up as she declared, “It’s time we stopped our stars from dying.”
Unity
The selfless are not absorbed by ego. Wisdom and strength guide their motives. For these people are the ground we must walk upon with reverence. Their integrity and altruistic nature are forces that can never be reckoned with. They are the source of eminence we must embrace in order to reach out into the great beyond and transcend. Such is the only way to harmonize the soul and return to our sacred origin—the eternal unity of child and Mother.
Aphorisms of Yun’sara 29:13
Chapter Ten
Dark Horizon
I
Calm Before the Storm
Vokken flew the crew back to the arcane gateway. With the powerful magic that Shirakaya now wielded, aided by Eladoris and Myris, they conjured an impenetrable mana shield to protect them as they flew back through the Spectral Pulse. Upon returning to Ensar, while recuperating on the bridge of Marauder, Shirakaya told her crew about the grueling battle they had experienced with Soth’yugon; she was the only one who remembered it. Not even the other survivors recalled the fight.
The mercenaries sat in their seats, appreciating a long moment of silence. Myris managed to remain composed, cuddling Xeza. It wasn’t easy for them to grasp the concept of reality being altered and never knowing about it. Even the renegade had a difficult time accepting the fact that he’d died. Xorvaj simply waved the thought away, denying such a thing could happen to him.
“Entering dimensional space,” Vokken said, breaking the silence. “Our course is set for the Drift Void.”
“Thank you,” the freelancer replied. “But don’t take us all the way to the Void. We’ll be dead before the battle begins. Bring us to the outskirts—Gydeim Scor. We also need at least a day’s rest before investigating the dead zone.”
“Yeah, I seriously need to sleep for sixty hours,” Dojin said.
“Sixty hours? You might as well hibernate for the remainder of the cycle,” the ghensoth said, cackling.
“Says the dead alien.”
Xorvaj snarled. “You died too!” he retorted, causing the renegade to laugh.
“I’m sure we’re all tired,” Shirakaya said. “Get some rest, everyone. Right now it’s 1800 hours. We’ll be ready for our next mission at 3400.”
She said nothing more, retiring to her quarters. The others soon left as well, including Dojin who, instead of going to his cabin, wandered aimlessly around the corridors of Marauder. When he reached the gymnasium on the second level of the battleship, an intercom activated at his side.
“I’m surprised you’re not with Zadoya,” the AI said.
Dojin frowned. “Do not speak to me. You are absolute scum. I know you were up to something. She was a pawn in your sick game. One day I’ll find out what you’ve been doing, and I’ll have Shira shut you down.”
“Strong words for a fleshling. No matter what you assume, I saved Zadoya. You should be grateful.”
“Fuck off!”
No longer able to hear the AI via intercom, Dojin continued wandering through the ship’s halls. He was beyond tired but felt he wouldn’t be able to sleep because he kept thinking about Zadoya. After a few minutes, Dojin found himself in front of her quarters. Though hesitating at first, he knocked on her door.
“Yes?”
“It’s me,” he said, at which point he heard her door unlock. Entering the cabin, he smiled despite her looking melancholy. “How’re you holding up?”
She didn’t respond to him, stargazing at her corner window.
“I missed you,” he said, approaching her. Even though she held her hand up, he ignored her gesture and stepped closer. “Seriously? After everything that’s happened. Why won’t you open up to me?”
“Are you blind? Look at me. Look! Zadoya is dead. She died during that tournament. I’m simply a remnant of her.”
“Total bullshit. This is just another one of your garbage excuses to push me away. It’s not happening tonight,” he said, placing his hand on her metal shoulder. “I don’t give a flying fuck if you’re half machine. You’re still humyn. We all have problems. You’re not running away from me this time. Tonight will be like the old days for once.”
Tears dripped down Zadoya’s enhanced eyes. “I’m sorry. I can’t comfort you.”
“Stop talking trash,” he said, holding her waist. “You’re my partner-in-crime. We’re bound together in this fucked-up universe.”
The cyborg shed more tears and unexpectedly embraced her former lover. They lay on the bed and held each other. Dojin caressed the remaining hair she had on one side of her face. She jolted as if uncomfortable but allowed him to continue. They eventual
ly closed their eyes, holding each other. For the first time in cycles, Dojin felt a great weight lift from his shoulders. Feeling at peace, he fell asleep in Zadoya’s arms.
II
Transcendence
After a few hours of much needed sleep, Shirakaya woke up and took a shower in a stall inside her cabin. A few minutes later, when she had dried herself, she sat on her bed and looked out into space. Though a few suns had vanished over a period of months, there was still an innumerable amount of them.
Looking at them, however, didn’t give her the peace of mind she needed. Right in the moment—the here and now—she yearned to be held. But there was no one to care for her. Even if there was someone, it wouldn’t be genuine love, she conceded. Clicking her KLD, she ported an old picture of her and Jedalia together.
The image showed them having a picnic on a verdant field of grass. In small digital letters underneath, the caption read: Recreational Park of Xu’jato, Pravura. A teardrop fell from her eye, splashing on the glossy frame. Despite such sadness, she managed to smile and rubbed Jedalia’s beaming face with endearment.
“The pain of losing you is still too much for me to handle,” she said aloud, rubbing her face once more. “I’ll always love you.”
You were in love with that woman? Intriguing…
The voice tore through her mind without warning. She dropped the photo, groaning. “Get out of my head.”
That isn’t how this works.
Fingers curled, she pressed her nails against the skin of her forehead. “Get out! Get out! Get out!”
You wanted to have the arcane gift again, Soth’yugon said without a trace of malice in his tone. Such incredible power can never be given without consequence. My ethereal nature is what allowed me to merge with you. My magic may save your people, but make no mistake about it: This is the curse you must bear for such power.
“Please do not torment me. Please. You’re not supposed to be my enemy. Our enemy is Koth’tura. I won’t beg. I’m simply asking for respect. Please let me keep my sanity.”
