Strange Cosmology
Page 9
“Who are they?” Crystal asked.
Dianmu smiled. “Children of the district. Ones I was able to help.”
“That’s... that’s great, love,” Crystal said with genuine warmth, although she couldn’t keep a tinge of jealousy from creeping into her voice.
Dianmu evidently heard it. “You helped people too, Crystal.”
“I did, yes, but never…” Crystal gestured towards the photos. “I help people. You change lives.”
“We all do what we can,” Dianmu said. “Are you Hungry?”
Crystal shook her head. “Thank you, though. Just got back from Olympus.”
Dianmu raised an eyebrow. “One would think that a journey like that would inspire Hungers, not be a reason to not have them. Then again, it has been some time since I’ve heard word from there. How are the Olympians?”
“Missing. Looks like for some time, actually.” Crystal didn’t bother to hide her grimace. It was one more mystery she didn’t have an answer to, one more problem that was weighing her down. So many stupid, trivial things. The world is going to end. I don’t have time to chase after missing gods.
Dianmu studied Crystal’s face, “You’re serious?” she asked. “I’d heard rumors, but I assumed they would have turned back up by now.”
Crystal nodded. “Only ones I’ve seen lately are Athena and Hades, and they haven’t been near Olympus in quite some time. Looks like the Olympians left centuries ago, and never came back.”
“So it doesn’t relate to your current…problems?” Dianmu asked delicately.
“No.” Crystal flopped onto the futon. “I almost wish it did. There’s no time for another mystery right now, love.”
“How bad is it?” Dianmu asked, sitting next to Crystal. She sat with the same natural poise Crystal had always associated with the storm goddess, who always seemed to be hyper aware of where her body was and what it was doing. Usually, Crystal found it charming. Right now, she felt an overwhelming temptation to kick her. She tried to shake off her edginess and focus on the conversation.
“Very bad.” In spite of her best efforts, Crystal felt anger bubbling up. “Enki almost killed me twice. Damn near killed the bloody Eschaton. Hell, if he hadn’t gone for a sodding double-cross, he might have had us. Twice. We had to drop a nuke on him.”
“Crystal…” Dianmu said, reaching out.
“Where were you, Dianmu?” Crystal snapped, the anger boiling over. She was nearly shouting and couldn’t find it in herself to care. There had been too much going on to dwell on Dianmu’s absence back then, but it had cut more deeply than she’d realized. “I had to ally with Moloch. Which turned out to be as bad as it sounded. I didn’t expect many people to show up. But you – I was counting on you.”
Dianmu withdrew her hand. “It was that bad?”
Crystal gave her a curt nod. Suddenly, she wondered what she was doing here. What explanation could possibly make her trust Dianmu again, after she’d left Crystal behind on the most important days of the last million years?
“Then I am truly sorry I couldn’t be there. By the time I got your message, the battle on Graham Island was over. I assumed that meant it was the end of it.” Dianmu’s voice was sincere, her eyes full of sorrow.
“Where were you that a curator couldn’t get to?” Crystal spat. She’d expected a lot of excuses from Dianmu, but not such an obvious line of bullshit. “Because they’re even better than us at getting to wherever they bloody want. I’ve had one of the wankers show up when I was in my nanoverse before, so please, tell me where you were that you couldn’t get a sodding message!”
“Dead,” Dianmu said simply.
Dianmu couldn’t have cooled Crystal’s rage better if she’d thrown her into a glacier. “Oh.” Crystal coughed and felt herself flush. “I’m sorry for-“
“Jumping to conclusions?” Dianmu asked with a sparkle in her eyes. “Don’t be. If you didn’t, you’d hardly be you.”
Crystal found she couldn’t meet her friend’s eyes at the moment. She instead let her gaze wander back to the photos that adorned the walls, young adults that Dianmu had helped get out of the slums and into new lives. Yes, that’s an excellent way to feel less guilty for being judgmental, Crystal thought. Remind yourself of all the reasons you were just a massive git. “Still, I am sorry. I should have known...I shouldn’t have assumed. What happened?”
Dianmu settled back, and Crystal felt a smile tug at her lips. Dianmu did love a chance to tell a story.
“People were going missing,” Dianmu began, “In too great a number to be accounted for by normal means. It disturbed me, and then became extremely concerned when I realized they were all people either living on the highest or lowest floors of their buildings.”
Crystal frowned and nodded in understanding. “A predator,” she said. Monsters that prey upon humans tend to avoid exposure. They knew that if humanity banded together, enough of them would be able to kill any threat - especially now, in the modern day, when humans had so many weapons. To prevent detection, they tended to attack from below the ground or from the air.
Dianmu’s poise cracked as she clenched her hands with hard, cold anger. “Not many things can come from both above and below. Even fewer that would risk hunting in a city.
“Except for anthropophages,” Crystal said, her voice mirroring Dianmu’s fury. The thought of them disgusted Crystal to her core. They were vile creatures. The best-known examples of anthropophages were vampires, although there were others. Aswang, werewolves, wendigo, just off the top of her head. Unsurprising, since anthropophage literally translated to “eater of men”.
Dianmu nodded in agreement. “However, the pattern didn’t fit one of their ilk. You know the old tale that vampires need to be invited in to enter someone’s home?”
Crystal nodded. It was a myth she was familiar with, but she’d never learned any factual basis for it. Then again, she hadn’t exactly ever made a study of vampires. She’d just killed them.
“In my dealings with anthropophages, I’ve learned it has some vestige of truth in it. Of course, they do not require an invitation to enter your home, but they do prefer it. It means they have your trust, that your guard is down.” She shook her head. “They would never need to focus on the ground floors, and would never, ever risk having to fight their way through a horde of panicked humans from roof to floor. I honestly was at a loss of what could be causing it. Anything more monstrous, and the risk of being caught is much greater. Even if mortals don’t target you, you risk drawing the attention of a god or goddess. Which, of course, this one had, but at first it managed to utterly confound me.”
Dianmu sighed and looked out the window, where a bird had landed and begun preening. Crystal didn’t recognize the species but was still surprised to see it. Birds were rare in the dense parts of the city, preferring instead to inhabit the less settled portions outside the town. “Then, the first body was found. It was labeled as a ritualistic gang killing, which is what municipal police across the world use most often to describe monster killings.”
Crystal frowned. “I’ve seen what monsters can do. You’re telling me the cops write that off as being bloody gangsters?”
“What else are they supposed to do?” Dianmu asked. “If they say it’s a cult, they’ll have a panic on their hands. If they say it was a wild animal, in a city as densely populated as this, people will call them incompetent or liars - and they’ll still have a panic on their hands. If they blame it on gang activity, however, people can sleep safely. They can tell themselves, ‘I never angered any gangs, nor do I know anyone in a gang. There is no risk to me.’ They might become frightened, they might cry out about the crime, but ultimately, it’s criminals killing other criminals. It’s a safe lie to cover the real horror.”
Crystal’s frown deepened, and she rubbed her temple. “Bloody hell, that sounds far too plausible.”
“You’ve never paid much attention to the aftermath. You show up, fight the monster, and leave the h
umans to fend for themselves,” Dianmu said.
Crystal thought she heard an accusatory note in that, but decided she was just paranoid. If Dianmu was angry with her, it wouldn’t be like the lightning goddess to be subtle about it. Although she’s not in her role as a lightning goddess right now, is she? Crystal reminded herself. It was easy to forget that, for all the flash and pomp of the storm, Dianmu had another association - that of hidden crimes.
“One thing I’ve learned over thousands of years,” Dianmu continued, “is that human nature never changes. We like our nice, comfortable lies more than the hard, brutal truth that we are as vulnerable as anyone else. When a civilization is exposed to that truth, panic always follows.”
Crystal pursed her lips. “I didn’t even sodding think about that.”
“What’s wrong?” Dianmu asked.
“You’re right, love. You absolutely bloody are. And during the whole mess with Enki, we all appeared on bloody national television.”
Dianmu nodded. “I do feel the fallout from that is still floating in the air, waiting to fall to Earth.”
Crystal scowled and shook her head. That was a problem for the future. “So...a body was found?”
“Yes,” Dianmu said, quickly picking up the thread of her story. “I was able to get my hands on the police report. The victim’s brain and liver had been removed. That told me everything I needed to know.” She gave Crystal an expectant look.
Crystal cursed. “Fangliang,” she whispered. They were a rather unique creature, demons that savaged corpses to feed on those two organs. And when they couldn’t find bodies...well, they were not above making their own.
Dianmu nodded. “Fangliang. Have you ever dealt with them?”
Crystal shook her head. “Believe me, love, I would have told you if I had. Hell, for that matter, I would have been asking you to come along when I did.’
“True. Well, they favor being below ground, but they can fly through the air on transparent wings. It was the only thing that fit, although I was surprised they were operating in a city. The only way to kill them permanently is to bury them alive. Otherwise, they keep reforming and coming back at every full moon.”
“So you had to take it alive and bury it?”
“Yes. And that was my plan, when I delved into the burrows it had dug in the foundation of a condemned building. Find it, capture it, and bury it.” Dianmu’s eyes flashed at the memory. “I wasn’t expecting an entire nest of the creatures. Over three hundred of them.”
Crystal let out a low whistle. “How did that go undetected?”
“They were spreading out their hunting and focusing on poorer areas. They were organized, and they were smart.”
“So that’s how you died?” Crystal asked, “Sheer numbers?”
“Oh, no.” Dianmu’s smile took on a fierce edge. “I don’t know if I could have defeated three hundred of the creatures in combat. But I didn’t need to. I had come to bury them alive, after all, and the building above us was condemned.”
Crystal stared, her mouth hanging open. “You collapsed a building on yourself to take them out?”
“Yes. One of the beams impaled me, and I had to immolate myself so I could resurrect back in my nanoverse.”
“Bloody hell,” Crystal whispered. After a few seconds process how casually Dianmu was talking about being buried, impaled, and immolated, she let out a soft breath. “Dianmu? I think you spent too much time around me.”
Dianmu laughed softly. “Hardly, Crystal. I’m reasonably certain I was perfectly capable of stupid plans long before I met you.”
Crystal nodded, then paused to think. Something in Dianmu’s story seemed off to her. “Pretty big coincidence, happening right around the time I needed your help.”
“Oh, not in the slightest. I went back after I resurrected. Human sacrifices were used to summon and focus the creatures.”
“Moloch,” Crystal spat.
“I’m almost certain of it. Other gods who resort to such abominations at least have the shame to hide it.”
“I’m sorry for assuming.”
Dianmu waved the apology away. “Think nothing of it. You had no way of knowing, and...well, you know what I thought about your belief in the end of the world. I could see where the assumption comes from.”
“So you still don’t believe it?”
Dianmu shook her head. “I trust you, Crystal. You’re a friend. But the idea that any one of us could have the power to end the world... it’s hard to swallow.”
“I suppose it was too much to hope for.” Crystal sighed.
“Cheer up,” Dianmu said with a twinkle in her eye. “I never said I wouldn’t help you.”
Crystal’s forehead furrowed. “Why-”
“If you’re right, and the world can be ended, then your reasons must be right as well, and it must be protected. If you’re wrong...then the only real threat here is gods like Enki who believe you and try to stop you. In short, the only real threat is to you. Either way, you’re in danger.”
“That’s not the entire reason, though, is it?” Crystal asked. “You’re holding back something.”
“You won’t like the other reason,” Dianmu said, her smile vanishing. “It’s a bit offensive.”
“I spent the last few weeks dealing with Enki, love. I doubt you’ll be able to offend me too much.”
“Fair,” Dianmu said. “And you won’t let this go if I refuse to tell you. I know you, Crystal.”
“So save us both time and tell me.”
“As long as I’ve known you, you’ve believed the world was in danger. That an Eschaton would arise, and that you’d be responsible. It kept you going where other gods have given up and sought oblivion. I’m worried what it’ll do to you if it turns out you’re wrong.”
“Worried I’ll snap?” Crystal said, trying her best not to let her hurt show. She looked out the window again. The bird was gone now, having flitted away to wherever it made its nest, or wherever it found food. Crystal, at that moment, envied it more than she could say. The bird lived a simple life, with simple concerns. Wouldn’t that be nice for a change?
“Yes,” Dianmu said simply. “And, as your friend, I want to be there if that happens.”
Crystal sighed. “I should have left that one alone.”
“I warned you.”
“Yeah, you did.” Crystal shook her head, not in denial, but to clear it. “Well, love, as much as I don’t like that answer...I’ll take it. I need your help, and even though you think I’m crazy...I could use another friend in all this.”
“And if nothing else, I can give you that.”
The smile that spread across Crystal’s face was far from forced. “Well, then. Shall we be going?”
Dianmu answered by rising. “I’ll need to leave some instructions behind before I go. To make sure these people are cared for. And I promised the children a noon meal. Then...yes. I promise I will be beside you in your next fight.”
***
Under ordinary circumstances, entering El Ávila would be easy, but these were not ordinary times. Athena crouched in an alley just across from the park, watching the soldiers. These were not bored men trying to do the minimum amount of work. They were sharp and alert, their eyes scanning for possible intruders. If they were not actively impeding me, I’d approve, she thought. The military had cut off public traffic entirely, and there were armed blockades at every point of entrance.
Usually, Athena wouldn’t worry about the soldiers. It would be simple to turn herself invisible and phase right past them. Doing so, however, would burn her divine power. The mission was only supposed to be reconnaissance, but there was a risk of being seen by Moloch, his cultists, or his monsters. If she found herself in a fight, she’d need every scrap of power she could hold on to. If she could find a mundane way into the park, she would take it. If she couldn’t, she would have to burn power rather than be stuck outside or forced into a fight with the soldiers who were just doing their jobs.
One soldier in a portable watchtower had spotted the couple and was already raising his assault rifle. Athena reached out, ready to forget her need to conserve power and intervene, but it was too late. A short burst of automatic weapons fire cut through the air.
The bullets sparked off the ground a few feet to the left of the teens, who froze with fear. Athena let out a sigh of relief as soldiers swarmed over the pair. The troops weren’t shooting to kill.
“On the ground!” a soldier screamed in Spanish. “On the ground and your hands over your heads!”
Crying, the teenagers complied. The soldiers reached for their backpacks, tearing them open with the gentle care of a wolf with a rabbit’s carcass. Athena watched as the usual harmless goods fell out of the packs - pens, notebooks, cell phones, and black hooded robes inscribed with red thread. Oh, Athena thought grimly as the soldiers began to cuff the two. That’s what they’re looking for.
“You are under arrest for association with the cult of Moloch,” one of the soldiers intoned.
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the pair’s crocodile tears dried up. “We have rights!” the boy shouted.
One of the soldiers brought a rifle butt down across the boy’s face. “You’re trying to sneak into a national park and join a terrorist group. Shut the hell up about your ‘rights’, son.”
“You’ll regret that,” the girl hissed through gritted teeth. “Moloch will-”
She stopped abruptly when the soldier raised a rifle butt. Another soldier reached in and grabbed his arm before he could strike her, too. “C’ mon. They’re kids. Let’s just take them in.”
Satisfied the soldiers weren’t going to execute the two teens in the street, Athena began to creep down the alleyways near the perimeter. No point trying to get through here. They’re on alert.
The next group of soldiers had the same rigid professionalism. I think I’ll end up waiting too long if I keep trying to find a slacker, Athena thought.