Dawn of the Void

Chapter 156: A familiar form

James fought for calm. The sudden silence, the horrific stillness, only made it seem as if the world were spinning out from under him all the more.

He wanted movement. Noise. Life.

This stillness..

Serenity dropped to her knees beside Kimmie and touched the side of her neck only to snatch her hand back.

Dazed, James blinked and tried to get his shit together.

He couldnt even remember what had happened, exactly. Hed burning through his Aeviternum in what felt like seconds. Had been forced to wait during those crucial seconds for his divine pool to recharge.

Nine Aeviternum. Why had he thought that would ever be enough?

He stated/believed that the symbology was important/amusing, and that more than that indicated a failure to dominate a conflict.

A failure to dominate a conflict. James stared at the corpse of the spider. They sure as fuck had failed to dominate this whole encounter.

Serenity scooted over to Olaf and touched the side of his neck in turn. Hissed and drew it away.

James inhaled deeply. Never had he missed Mental Dominion so much. Even his Arete wasnt helping him do more than just stand there and not lose his shit.

Jason returned. Just appeared in a flash of white fire, staggered as he caught his balance, and then stared, aghast, at the dead all around.

Where did you go? rasped James.

Jason looked up, eyes wide, uncomprehending. Then he blinked. Miriam. I had to get her to safety.

James crossed the intervening yards in a flash. Grabbed hold of Jason by the lapels and sought to lift him off the ground - but the other man clamped him about the wrists and prevented him from doing so.

You left us. James felt blinding hot rage pulsing behind his eyes. You abandoned us when we needed you most.

Jasons face flushed. I had to protect her.

Serenity looked up from Denzels side. That what she wanted?

Jason grimaced. No. She was furious with me. But that doesnt matter. I dont need her to understand. I just need her to be safe.

You fucking arrogant prick, said Serenity tiredly. Did she want to come back with you?

Jason didnt answer.

James pushed the young man away, his fury dying and turning to ash in his mouth. The betrayal felt so huge that he couldnt wrap his mind around it, but compared to the grief?

We need to get back to Mavthua, said Serenity numbly. He can reprogram us to have the resurrection power. We can come back and fix this.

Right, said James, then paused. Wait. Mavthuas dead.

Then we convince someone else to do it for us. Serenity rose to her feet. However we have to do it.

Hope flared in Jamess chest. All right. Yes. Jason?

Sure. The man still wouldnt meet Jamess eyes. Though the Zorathians were pretty intent on killing us the last time we were there. Not sure how were going to convince them.

Jamess attack can kill Zorathians. Mine cant, because we thought Mavthua and his crew were coming with us. But if James takes out enough of them

James frowned. Im out of Aeviternum. Without it, my attack is fifty times weaker. The Zorathians were pretty tough.

We need to fucking resurrect our friends, said Serenity, biting off each word.

I know. James pressed the heels of his palms to his temples. But just appearing in Iron Wave and getting killed wont help anyone.

Jason rubbed at his neck. Then we appear outside it. We capture a Zorathian patrol and interrogate them, find out what happened. If Mavthua is still alive, and if not, if there are any other fragmented Zorathians like him.

Wait, said Serenity. Their substrate shit. What if they communicate telepathically with the fortress while were talking to them?

Then Jasons eyes were empty, no more ideas.

We grab them and teleport them somewhere else. Earth, here, wherever, said James. Out of range. Then we get the info and plan our next move.

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Right, said Serenity. Perfect.

OK. Jason gave a shaky exhalation. So maybe where we first originally appeared on Arkhos?

Sure, said James coldly. He held the young mans eyes till Jason looked away.

Look, began Jason. I know you - I know what I did was wrong. But I love Miriam. In all this shit, shes the one thing that makes sense. I couldnt I mean, I just

Save it, said Serenity. Nobody cares.

Yeah. James gathered himself up. Or if you gotta explain, tell it to the others you left behind.

Jason glanced at the corpses of their friends and looked away as if scalded.

I didnt think, he whispered. To take everyone with me. I panicked. I just thought of her.

And they paid the price. James felt cold disgust settle in his gut. But enough. We need to focus on bringing them back. You ready, Serenity?

Lets take some Cubes with us in case we cant come back, she said. We can resurrect them from wherever, right? Its the time that makes the difference, not the location?

I think so, said James uncertainly. Actually, no. Their bodies revert, so theyd come back to life here. I think?

Lets take some cubes anyway in case we need a power-up. Serenity led the way to the center of the geodome, skirting around the dead spider alien. What the fuck was this thing, anyway?

I caught the word seraph early on, said Jason. Thats a term for an angel. Maybe what comes after Thrones?

Neither James nor Serenity acknowledged him.

Yadriel lay in a twisted heap. James paused beside the corpse. Were bringing him back. This is just temporary. Keep moving.

Serenity moved to the base of the dimensional spindles. The harvesting process had stalled out from the panels that Yadriel had corrupted. Even though the spider had returned them to their original form, theyd not resumed drawing threads from whatever lay without.

Here, said Serenity, crouching beside a small pile of cubes.

How come there are only four? asked James.

Maybe the spider was transporting them away as they appeared. Serenity gingerly picked up a cube. Still warm. Here, two for me, two for you.

Jason went to protest then fell silent.

James accepted two of the cubes.

You have acquired two Reservoir Cubes.

Absorb?

For a second he was tempted. But then he recalled the astral projection that followed absorbing his first. They didnt have time for him to wander amongst the stars. Hed absorb them later once their friends were back.

He slipped the cubes into his pocket. Were going to collect Miriam. We need her power. Then well go after some Zorathians.

Jason shook his head. Shell I mean, I need time to talk to her, to explain

Serenity narrowed her eyes. Dont even.

I right. Youre right. Jason hung his head. Fuck. Fuck. Lets go.

James inhaled deeply. Mavthua had said they couldnt teleport in here, but that was probably when the spider guy was alive. Now that hed died, it was clear they could come and go as they pleased.

Wait for us, James whispered to his dead friends. Well be back, I promise.

OK. Jason raised his palm - then frowned.

What is it? asked Serenity.

Its not working.

What do you mean its not working? James took a step toward him. You better not be fucking with us.

No, I mean, I can sense the power, but when I picture where I left Miriam and try to lock in on it, I cant.

Try again.

Jasons frown deepened. No. Nothing. Its like theres a pane of glass between me and the power.

What the fuck? Serenity looked at Jason. Whats going on?

James turned to stare at the spider. It lay completely still. Maybe its fucking with us. He strode around the huge corpse to the head.

Which was ruined. It was too alien for him to judge if it was still alive in some capacity, but his rage suddenly found an outlet and he began stomping on what remained of its face, crushing the eyes, caving in the exoskeleton, mangling the mouth.

Splashes of white milky blood flew up and coated his legs.

A few moments later he stopped. He was panting, his heart pounding again.

There. He looked up at Jason. Try again.

Once more Jason raised his palm. This time he closed his eyes and grimaced.

Nothing happened.

What the actual fuck? Serenity started to sound panicked. Are we trapped in here?

He got out and came back in, said James. More like hes choosing to not take us to Miriam.

Im not, I swear. Jason raised both palms. I cant access my power.

Or is it that youre still trying to defend her? Or buy yourself time to explain to her later?

James, I promise. I know I fucked up, but I swear to you, on everything - He glanced guiltily at the dead. I swear to you I cant use it.

James raised his chin. He could still hear Kimmies screams echoing in his ears. You know I can drop you right here, right now.

Jason met his stare. I know.

Im going to count to three. If were not by Miriams side by the time Im done, Im pulling the trigger.

I cant do it, man. Im telling you.

One.

Serenity glanced back and forth between them.

Jasons face grew pale. James. I dont know what I gotta say -

Two.

Please. Listen. If I could Id get us out of here, but I swear it, I cant -

Three.

For a moment nobody breathed. Jasons eyes were round, his mouth hanging open in fear.

Fuck, said James, lowering his head.

Thank god. Serenity raked her hair back. Lets just say hes telling us the truth. What could be happening?

Interference. Like I said, it feels like something cut me off from teleporting out.

Mavthua said these locations were shielded. James wanted nothing so much as to sit down, to stop thinking. That the Eluthaarii protected them from portals. Maybe the defensive device has come back online.

They turned in slow circles, studying the interior of the geodome. There was no sign of technology.

If its in substrate space, were fucked, said Serenity.

James continued to study the walls. We need to find it. Theres no other option.

Hold up. Serenity bit her lower lip. Most of what that spider dude said sounded like gibberish. But at the very end, just before it died - it said something about activating a distress beacon?

I didnt hear that, said Jason.

You wouldnt have. James stared at the kid before looking back at Serenity. Right. Now I remember it, too. A distress beacon. Theres only one thing it could be summoning.

Serenitys eyes widened and then she scoffed. Nah.

What? asked Jason.

Mavthua said this thing was the Eluthaariis highest ranked servant. I believe it. Who would the highest ranked servant call for help?

Jasons eyes widened. An Eluthaarii? You think ones coming?

Or already here. James scanned the interior of the dome. Somethings blocking your powers. These facilities are important to those fuckers, right?

Oh shit, whispered Serenity. No no no. Thats not how this is meant to go. We cant face one of them yet.

Yet? James laughed. You mean ever.

Serenity ran to the closest panel that rose up from the ground. Maybe theres a way out of here. Can we get back into the phase bead? Were in a Demiplane right now, yeah? Maybe we can get out, back into the ship

James watched her pound on the marble panel.

Then he closed his eyes, and hands on his hips, lowered his head.

He had the ability to launch a neutered Death Attack. Serenity could drop an crowd control attack. Jason could teleport, but was neutered as well.

They had no other powers. Theyd hyper specialized too much. But then again, if an Eluthaarii was really coming, there was nothing they could do against it regardless.

Think.

There had to be a solution.

A way out of this.

His friends depended on him.

Fuck, for better or worse, humanity did, too.

What could they do?

James frowned. Turned the situation over and over in his mind like a curious kid might a Rubix cube.

But nothing suggested itself.

Maybe he was still in shock from the horrific deaths. The suddenness of it all. Maybe he was just worn out, or had grown too reliant on Mental Dominion and Spiritual Exaltation.

Or maybe theyd finally run out of options.

He could sense Serenity and Jason watching him.

Waiting for him to come up with a miracle.

James stood still. Perfectly still. His mind felt like a highwire trapeze artist, perfectly balanced above the void.

What could he do?

The floor began to tremble.

James blinked, opened his eyes. The perfect white lighting was flickering. Ropes of Void thread swung back and forth.

James? Serenity stepped close to him. What do we do?

He reached out and drew Serenity to him, arm around her shoulders. Time to face the music. All we can do now.

She stared at him in incomprehension that became a moments horror and then settled into resigned resolve.

One curt nod and then she stood taller by his side.

James inhaled deeply, held the breath, then stared up at a pinprick of white light that had appeared in midair.

It burned and scintillated like a snowflake on fire, and then slowly began to grow.

Cmon, you bastard. James clenched his jaw and waited. Come face us at last.

A small form coalesced.

A familiar form.

Sword-armed, gilt in gold, hovering in mid-air.