Vrin: Ten Mortal Gods

by John Michael Hileman

“We’re not dead. I was mistaken. It hadn’t occurred to me before because I never bothered looking for clarification on the matter. I believe we are on the edge of death. Yes, that’s it.”

  “The edge of death?”

  “Ask your scientist friends! What I say is true, to the best of my knowledge.”

  All was quiet for a moment.

  “Do you-- want me to try to contact them now?” I said, examining his face for a response. “I’ll need to use the power.”

  He hesitated, then nodded slowly. “As long as you do not effect this world or its people. And I thank you for your consideration.”

  “No problem. Will you be joining me?”

  “I will observe.”

  I pulled my concentration back in on itself and the web appeared. The thread I had used before was long gone, so I chose another, stretched it, and tracked down the remark. A new message read, “Waiting for a response.”

  I answered, “I’m here,” then created two clamps and pulled a thread taut between them.

  After a few moments the thread began to vibrate. “Robert?” came the voice of Dr. Solomon.

  “I’m here, Doctor.”

  “What happened? We lost communication with you.”

  “I was interrupted. Sorry. I got back to you as soon as I could.”

  “We were worried about you.” He sounded genuinely concerned.

  “Well you should be. But I’m fine for the moment. Look, I’m going to ask you a question and I want a straight answer. It is very important that you answer this question.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Am I dead?”

  Silence. Then I heard an audible burst of air escape from his mouth.

  “Doctor, am I dead?”

  “No, Robert, you’re not dead. You are very much alive. I was just surprised by your question. And before you ask again, as I know you will, I will tell you where you are. We discussed it with the psychologist and he said as long as we don’t get into any repressed memories you should be okay.” He paused.

  “Well?”

  “You’re not dead, Robert. You’re in a coma.”

  “--What?”

  A coma. I know this will sound strange, but the world you perceive around you is being fed to your mind by a computer. You’re in a simulated level four non-REM sleep state. The computer is artificially planting sensory information into your mind through electronic stimulation. The results, as you can see, are quite real.”

  “That explains the program.”

  “Yes.”

  “So-- you hooked ten of us up to a computer and gave us an environment we could relate to.”

  “Well, almost. We made the basic structure but you’re finishing the work we started.”

  “Are we all in comas?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you that.”

  “Okay,” I said, getting frustrated again. “Then why did you ask for me personally in the program?”

  “Look, Robert, this isn’t easy for me either. I want to tell you what you want to know, but I’ve been advised not to share certain things. You have to trust me. Our primary goal right now is to get you and the others out of there. But before we can do that we need to learn more about why you’re not coming out on your own.”

  “I’ll tell you why,” Humphrey interjected.

  I’d almost forgotten he was in the room.

  “Our souls have lost their way back.”

  “Who am I speaking with?” asked Dr. Solomon.

  “I don’t remember my name but you can call me Humphrey, it’s the name I’ve chosen for myself,” he said, displaying his grumpy nature.

  “Okay, Humphrey, are you one of The Ten?”

  “Yes.”

  “And what makes you think your soul can’t get back?”

  “It told me it’s trapped here.”

  There was an awkward pause.

  “Humphrey talks to his soul, ” I said.

  “I see,” said the doctor. “I noticed a tinge of sarcasm in your voice, Robert. Don’t you believe him?”

  “Well you have to admit, it sounds a little... ah... He does spend an awful lot of time alone.”

  Humphrey shot me a look and opened his mouth to speak.

  “It’s very likely Mr. Humphrey is correct.”

  Humphrey looked as surprised as I was.

  “Come again?” I said.

  “I know it sounds far fetched but hear me out. In order to design this system we needed to conduct extensive tests on brainwave activity. As I’m sure you both know there are countless chemical and electrical operations that take place within the human body. We had the arduous task of mapping those electrical pathways. The computer is using the map we developed in order to feed impulses to your brain, and your brain is interpreting these impulses as sight, touch, and so forth. Right now you are using the portion of your brain, which controls your sense of hearing. When I speak my voice is translated into the computer as electrical impulses, which your ear would have sent to your brain. In a sense I am talking directly to your brain. And in turn you are sending back vocal responses, which are translated and reproduced by a synthesizer. The computer is monitoring all of these sensory operations.”

  “O-kay. But-- what does this have to do with Humphrey talking to his soul?”

  “I’m getting to that,” he said, showing restraint. “So far we’ve isolated all of the electrical signatures and their corresponding responses. That is, all except one. We call it the phantom signature. When we tested normal subjects this phantom signature was a source of much frustration because it caused a bleed over into the other channels. But when we tested coma patients we found this particular signal to be absent. Some of my colleagues believe a person will go into a coma when there has been major damage to the portion of the brain which generates this phantom signal. When the signal is removed consciousness ceases to exist. We don’t understand how or why. It just does. And this energy leaves the entire body not just the brain. Something definable departs. --So, why not call it the soul?”

  Humphrey looked skeptical.

  “But he’s not really talking to his soul. Is he?” I asked.

  “He believes he is and his perception is very important to his recovery. The mind holds a great many secrets and we have only begun to scratch the surface. If we can somehow guide his soul back to his body perhaps his brain will turn the function back on.”

  “It’s more than that!” Humphrey protested.

  “I would be the first to agree with you, Humphrey,” said Dr. Solomon. “I’m sure it’s more than just a chemical process. I would love to be able to claim fame as the man who discovered the soul. But from a scientific point of view we can’t prove anything.”

  “I’m done listening to this technical mumbo jumbo,” said Humphrey heading into the kitchen.

  “You’ll have to excuse him, Doctor. He's easily agitated.”

  “I can see that.”

  “I should let you go. I’ll contact you later.”

  “Okay but don’t keep me hanging long, I have questions too.”

  “I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” I let the web disappear and went after Humphrey. “What’s wrong?” I asked rounding the corner.

  “I don’t care what he says. I know what I know.”

  “He was agreeing with you.”

  “He was humoring me!”

  “Well you do have to admit it does sound a little… Do you hear hoof beats?”

  Humphrey quickly moved to the window and pushed the curtain aside. Orange light cascaded in. With a jolt he burst from the kitchen. I followed to see him leap out into the night air and down the front steps. Staying in the shadows, I watched as several dark figures on horseback came out of the forest. Their heads were covered with black hoods. Each carried a torch.

  “What do you want?!” Humphrey waved a wooden staff in the air. “Get away!”

  “Greetings old sot,” the first one hissed in a nightmarish whisper. “Nice night f
or a fire isn’t it?” The dark figure moved his horse in sideways waving his torch toward Humphrey. “Why don’t you use your power, old man? Oh that’s right, you don’t use your powers do you?”

  “You have no business being here!” Humphrey pounded the ground with the staff. “Now go away if you know what’s good for you!”

  “What are you going to do, hit me with your stick?”

  Humphrey swung the staff toward the figure.

  The rider retreated with a quick kick and a pull on the reins. “That was not wise,” he hissed. His hand disappeared into his cloak. “We do not have time for your feeble threats, however amusing they may be.” His hand reappeared holding a blue glowing ball. It sparked and whined.

  Before I could respond the horseman had hurled the orb at Humphrey’s chest. The impact sent the old man flying backwards.

  “No!” I screamed, jumping from the shadows of the porch. Instantly the web ignited around me. My anger took the form of an explosive wind and the shock wave knocked the dark figure and his horse to the ground. I leaped through the air, landed full force on the sprawling phantom, and struggled to get my hands on his throat. One of the others came in from the side and took me to the ground. “You like to play with fire?” I grabbed his cloak and it ignited in a ball of flames. He let out a startled scream and began clawing at his garments. I set my foot on his chest and pushed him from me.

  Another figure advanced. With a quick jab I pushed my fingers into the hard soil. The ground began to tremble as a jagged outline quickly formed around me. He struggled to keep his balance as I rose high into the air on a pillar of earth.

  I needed a better view.

  I stood and peered down at the remaining marauders. Two were frantically trying to snuff out their flaming friend so I turned the ground beneath them into quicksand. Two more were attempting to set fire to the cabin. I pinched a thread, sending my energy into the frame of the house. Two rectangular slabs bolted outward and connected with their faces. They were knocked cold. With a sweep of my arm I brushed their lifeless bodies into the pit of quicksand.

  A sharp pain shot through my shoulder. I looked down to see an arrow sticking from the socket. “Who the… ?” I looked up and saw a figure poised to fire. With a thought a shield formed in front of me and the bolt glanced off of it. Using the threads around the creature and the sheer force of my will, the threads took on a substance of their own and coiled around his chest and arms. I lifted him high in the air before me.

  “Now I’m REALLY angry!”

  He clutched frantically at the hidden cables as I launched him into the air. If the initial tug didn't break every bone in his body, the fall certainly would.

  The remaining three, including the one who had attacked Humphrey, began circling the land pillar. “You took me by surprise. That will not happen again,” he hissed.

  “We’ll see about that!” I said, turning myself invisible.

  He continued to look right at me, while his associates looked around.

  I was unable to hide my surprise. “Are you-- one of The Ten? Are you Gaza?”

  “Gaza would not waste his time with you.”

  “Then who?”

  “You are in no position to ask questions,” he hissed.

  As we talked I searched for a thread that would bring me in behind him. With a flash of blue energy, I transported, reached up, and hauled him off his horse.

  “How's this position?” I said with a grunt.

  He disintegrated from my grasp.

  I looked up at the figure on the horse next to me. “You want a piece of me?!” I lunged at him an his horse reared. I brought up the web and spun about. “Where’d you go, coward!”

  “Watch out!” That was Thana’s voice.

  I dove to the side as a huge block of granite hit the ground where I had stood.

  “As much fun as this is,” came the raspy voice of my enemy, “I am being summoned. You will live a while longer.” I saw a puff of smoke. Then the two remaining horsemen disappeared into the forest.

  I fell to my knees. The pain from the arrow was catching up with me. Placing my hand on the shaft I concentrated on its material and turned it to air. Fortunately it hadn’t hit any major organs; I didn’t know how to fix a heart or a lung. As I sealed up the wound Thana came to my side. I looked up at her. “How’s Humphrey?”

  She could barely reply. “I-I think he’s dead.”

  We walked over to where Humphrey lay. His chest was still smoldering from the attack. I examined his structure.

  “Can you heal him?”

  I looked at her. And sadness welled up inside me. “I’m sorry, Thana, there’s too much damage. Even if I use my power I don’t know enough about anatomy to heal him.”

  A single tear trickled down her hard cheek. Here was a girl who was no stranger to pain. She knelt down and took his hand in hers. “Good night, great one,” she whispered. “I will look for you in the light.”

  CHAPTER 10

  THE DARKNESS EMERGES

  001001011001110

  The smell of death hung in the air like a dark cloud.

  After a brief memorial service for Humphrey we placed his body in a grave near the waterfall. Thana said it was his favorite spot. I did not know Humphrey very well but I missed him anyway. A deep sadness pulled at my heart and I couldn’t help but think that my chances of leaving this world may have perished along with him. His death signified a new era of darkness and confirmed my deepest fear. We could die in this place.

  Our trip back to Ristol was quiet and uneventful. Thana's quest was over but mine had just begun. When we arrived I thanked her for her company, and although I didn’t mention Humphrey again I was sure she could see the sorrow in my eyes. We shared a hug and parted ways.

  At a reasonable distance from the town I reached out with my mind to Kitaya. I was anxious to tell her all I had been through and everything I’d learned. But there was no response. I repositioned the thread and tried again. Still nothing.

  I tried Corel. My mind pushed out into the expanse of the web and I connected with her presence. She was worried.

  “Corel, what’s wrong?”

  “Now is a bad time, Jason!”

  “Where are you? I’ll come.”

  “Not a good idea! Go to the castle and wait for us!” I felt her push me from her mind.

  That was odd. I couldn’t reach Kitaya and Corel was in trouble. My heart sank as a disturbing vision formed in my mind. I saw Kitaya, lying broken on the cold dry earth. I would not believe it! She was okay. She had to be!

  I found the thread that would take me to Armadon’s castle and pushed my energy into it. In a flash of blue I was on the battlement-- what was left of it. The castle was in ruin, with smoke billowing forth from every broken orifice.

  Down on the ground I saw a man trapped underneath a hefty stone. I went to him. His eyes pleaded up at me. Touching the threads of the stone I transformed the granite exterior into air and the man gasped as the hollow wire frame rolled off him. I stripped away the textures of his clothing and flesh in order to examine his internal structures. His ribs were broken in many places and one had nearly punctured his lung. I placed my hands on his chest and molded the threads of his body to fix the damage then applied tissue to where tissue had been lost. Soon the man was breathing easier.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Yes. Thank you,” he responded dryly.

  “What happened here?”

  “Kric’ tu.” I believe was his response, but it could just as well have been blood gurgling in the back of his throat.

  “Is that a name?”

  “Yes,” he breathed. “The Dark One. His army attacked soon after Armadon left for Stormhaven.”

  I thought for a moment. “Rath’s castle?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve never heard of Kric’ tu. Does he go by another name?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Is he one of The Ten?”

&n
bsp; “No. He is the maker of darkness.”

  That didn’t sound good.

  I helped the man to his feet then went about looking for other survivors. In the courtyard the putrid smell of flesh rose from a raging fire. I stripped away the texture of the flames and through the dancing threads saw two figures fighting for safety from the smoke and heat. I pushed my energy into the threads and transformed the flames to water. It splashed to the ground. A large cloud of steam billowed upwards. I repeated this process with every fire I could find, healed as many as I could, then turned the thick dark smog into clean fresh air. With the smoke removed I could see that the devastation was complete. The ground was littered with lifeless bodies. I made one last search for survivors and healed the few I found.

  Finally I pushed my mind out into the web. This time I would talk with Armadon. I felt his mind. He was very strong, his will impressive.

  “How are you faring?”

  “Rath has aid,” he said shortly.

  “Who?”

  “Some say Kric’ tu, others say Gaza.”

  “What do you think?”

  “I say both.” The link became weak.

  “Armadon?”

  He was distracted. “We can’t hold out m...”

  The connection was lost.

  I stood staring down at the carnage desperately considering my options. Kitaya was unreachable and I was unfamiliar with Tiko. If Armadon and Corel fell I would be left alone. I could not let that happen.

  It was time for the god of reason to make a formal appearance at the capital. With a flash of energy I stood in front of the capital building at Oonaj, where I had attached a thread earlier. I emerged from the bushes and walked up to the gate. Two guards followed me with their eyes.

  “I am Sam’ Dejal,” I stated in my best god-like voice. “I wish to speak with Sajin Barrows.”

  One stood with his mouth gaping but the other recovered quickly. “Yes, right this way, lord.” He bowed and gestured toward the doors. I followed him in through the huge iron doors, down winding corridors-- past open-mouthed patriots and wide-eyed diplomats. When the doors to the great chamber were opened, every face turned toward us.

  “Gentlemen,” I announced, “there is a battle going on and we need your help.”