Genesis - the Battle Within (Pillars of Creation Book 1) (14 page)

Salvador, utterly beaten, laughed as he lent back and closed his eyes. He awaited the deliverance expected from fighting an Immortal, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he uttered his last words with a sneer, “You were too slow demon, now you’ll never make it off my ship,” his voice picked up to a shrill pitch, “VIVA OPERATION REVOLUTION, Roach.”

Genesis was taken aback, he had no idea how this Skink knew his old nickname, and bitterness rose inside him. He hadn’t been called Roach in not too far shy of a century. His second personality quickly shut down that part of him, and made him remember why they were here. Salvador began to laugh hysterically as he saw he’d achieved the intended reaction. Genesis finished him off quickly, the Skink’s head rolling and coming to rest next to his body. Genesis didn’t feel relief, despite punishing the Skink for his crimes; he still wondered what he’d meant by ‘Viva Operation Revolution’
…
and how the hell did he know to call him Roach?

Prying his attention away with the assistance of Me’lina’s incessant warnings, Genesis turned and fled, leaving the still form behind.

Back on Earth, Immortal 03 walked hastily through the seemingly endless passageways, leading through the Way of the Sacred’s primary chantry, the giant stone walls and ceilings giving off a vague air of the castles reminiscent of the cultures of old. This was especially so, the Wielder thought, with the hanging holo-tapestries draped down the many walls and recesses. Already pressed for time, he barely noticed the brightly lit and acutely detailed depictions showing off the SED and UPF treaty seals, and Holy words of the Sacred.

He cared nothing for their intricacies, but for one section full of tapestry that always, drew his attention, even if it was for the briefest of glimpses. It was rife with the bloody encounters of the thousands of battles fought against the Tel’nagara and their puppets, the Seekers of Truth – an inspiring reminder of why he hated them so much.

These dazzling glimpses into the past added urgency to his chosen path and increased the irritation he struggled to hold back from those around him. He continued to walk, but after a few minutes, with a sigh, he finally gave in to the emotions evoked in this one section. His shoulders tightened as a few of the more recent battles depicted on the tapestries brought back the actual events he’d seen with his own eyes, the brutal frozen effects fittingly reminding him of why he was here and what he needed to do.

Justice – as most in the Order had come to know him – made himself pass the many exhilarating scenes, all of them blending into one as even the bloodier depictions, which he favoured the most, barely registered. His head was still wrapping around what he’d just learned, the thought causing him to absently quicken his pace, not lingering a second more than he needed as he traversed the long passage sections and halls of the chantry.

Before long he was in one of the chantry’s outer wings, closer to his destination and which, he noted with dismay, contained a myriad of synthetic wooden doors that slowed his pace. Columns of red light filtered through narrow flexi-stained glass windows, adding to his impatience. He cultivated this feeling, allowing it to develop into stubborn disdain, something he could use in his upcoming conversation.

Justice stiffened as his anger grew and whispered into the corners of his mind. Almost as relentlessly,
Her
voice poured darkness into his thoughts like a slow-acting poison.

Immortal 03 fought to hide his feelings from his Sovereign and brethren, as he’d done for the past weeks. Although he loved the power She gave him, unfortunately She was growing, and masking his feelings was taking a physical toll and visible effort. Justice smiled as he yet again gave over to the feeling – none of it mattered, for his powers were also growing—

No. Not yet,
he fought with himself. With a wince, Justice tried to govern his personalities, struggling to keep Her presence hidden while She was corrupting his split mind. He just felt so … so … powerful, and sick of hiding it.
These damn probing minds of the Elders
… his second personality slithered forth the thought,
and your damned Sovereign …
it’s all so … tiresome and seemingly endless. When will you be free?
If you weren’t so strong already they would have surely discovered you by now
…
But surely She too will be ready soon and you can show them how strong you really are.

But, why are you worried, the old fool can’t even remember to keep his comm on, let alone discover what’s right under his nose.
His true identity echoed something in reply from far away, but Her voice strangled its meaning.

Justice knew he needed to be patient, and focussed only on Her
. It won’t be long now. Nobody will discover you, you’re just being paranoid, and Osiris is as weak as the rest of them.
“Stupid old fool, the number of times he’d told me to keep his comm open; even in a lecture,” Justice grumbled.

Osiris never obeyed protocol, and yet he never seemed to really get his deserved reprimand from the Elders either.
If I
was of his ranking, I’d never be so careless
…
Stupid fool,
his class of Immortals were always self-indulged with words, never the reality of what was going on around them
.
Stupid blind fools
—

His thoughts were curtailed as he entered into his Sovereign’s lecture theatre. Over two hundred disciples sat lapping up the Historian Immortal’s words. Justice glared towards his Sovereign in disgust.

Osiris was an older Immortal than Justice, and was devoutly interested in the Way of the Word, an exclusive sector within their Order. These Historian Immortals masterfully utilised the power over specific Holy words, once rumoured to be designed for the Sacred. It was how the Historians gleaned their apparent God-like powers, and were able to unleash devastating attacks and defences against the Order’s enemies – along with giving them a heightened aptitude for psychic energies. Immortal Osiris, from the perspective that Justice now gazed upon, did not look to wield such power at all.

He was smaller in stature than Justice, and looked almost old and haggard he thought with a sneer. The old man was trapped in about his mid-fifties, suspended like all Immortals at the age they became eligible for the program. His eyes flicked judgmentally over Osiris.

Black with two silver streaks, his hair was tied back and banded, falling to his lower back. This style was customary to all Historian Immortals, so looked normal to Justice as he scrutinised further. Osiris was not an ugly man, but rather quite plain, plain enough to make him disappear amongst others yet stand out when one was to really look upon him.

But he knew, if ever one was to look at him truly, the old Historian always had an untroubled complexion, which shone with a wizened and deep well of patience, and which permeated love for his fellow kind. He often seemed like a mystic to Justice, a silly old mystic who had lost touch with reality.

He grimaced as these thoughts angered him even more. Even with his plain mug, Osiris seemed to exude an air of humility, an inner quality unparalleled in their Order.
All this great knowledge and strength plastered to him like a permanent façade,
wasted on someone so unambitious,
Justice thought.

As Justice really took Osiris in, his eyes moved to the weapon by his side, which gave further testament to his weakness. His elegant Sacred weapon was barely used anymore; this Historian erred on the side of study rather than battle. Justice cracked a brief smile, knowing that despite this waste the old man was still required by religious law to carry it. The long blade, despite his protests at having to wear it on such occasions, even now jutting above his right shoulder gathering dust as Osiris gave his stale old sermon.

Justice knew that as a word Immortal, or Historian, Osiris was unable to dissect his weapons as he was, and would find it a nuisance, having to carry it in the more unconventional fashion – strapped to his body, like his human counterparts – unlike his own kind, who held their weapons inside them. This helped lighten his mood as he looked around the room and was forced to wait.

The old Historian’s sermon was one of his basic calling routines, which all new to the Order needed to be familiar with. It was something along the lines of present and past history, the Sacred Portal, the lure of becoming an Immortal and the danger of the Seekers of Truth. And unfortunately, due to the gusto and volume of his lecture, Justice had entered unnoticed and was now forced, although cursing loudly, to wait, listening in on the ramblings.

He continued standing as he shifted from foot to foot, waiting impatiently and trying hard not to listen to his Sovereign’s speech. After a while he leant back against the door grumbling to himself.

µ

“With the Hel’zarta vanquished, the Stygian quelled, it seems all we need do now is follow the path mapped out for us. We only need to replicate our ancestor’s travels across the stars and heed our Creator’s words to skirt the dangers at the place of Armageddon, and we too will be able to travel there, to our Creators’. And brothers, disciples, as I’ve already stated, this search has begun.” Osiris looked out to his audience, expertly avoiding his pupil’s glower as he continued.

“My children, we are strong from the divine insights entrusted to us and once again we are ready to move on. Yes, we have truly flourished as the Creators intended; we are designed to outrun hardship and that we have, in leaps and bounds over the past trials, more and more fluently.

“Earth has colonised eight key planets in our outlying systems, showing amazing progress over the past years. Our newly founded sector has widely come to be known as the Terithian sector, and further known under the more collaborative name of the SED – or Sacred Earth Directives. A nation with an ideal that will not be crushed as it strives forth in technological wonderment and Sacred might, all in the endeavour to find its path home and a gift we shan’t squander.”

Osiris ignored the small voice in the back of his head telling him he was heading off topic again. But the facts, numbers, the smallest of goings on of an entire galaxy, as usual took precedent. His eye twitched again in anticipation as his sharp Historian intellect, never wanting to skip over his knowledge of things, took over.

“These planets are made possible by the SINAI’s ingenuity and intervention. Through its colonisation process alone, it can be seen that our SINAI is a worthy leader. From our Sacred birthplace – Earth – we have reached out far into the many varying factions, with its colonists all deriving from our home world and owing homage to
our
original belief.

“Earth and its sister colonies are united through this bond, and we now inhabit a total of eighteen planets, twelve of which are classed as fully developed, three at forty-five per cent developed, and with three more at ninety-two per cent of their initial tera-formation. Indeed, our empire has grown mighty and vast from this progress, beyond boundaries any once thought possible.

“Yes it is true, within this galaxy that has come to revere, love and hate us, we now protect not just Earth. Our Earth is no longer simply a single sole state. She has developed into these chains of planets, covering the vast eight factions of her jurisdiction. These factions are spread wide, my disciples, and are the direct colonies of the UPF treaties, and which bring to us a total of twelve fully tera-formed planets under our banner. With a further two minor developed planets belonging to each faction’s territories, this obviously makes for a large area to protect for the SED military, and the Immortal government.

“In truth however, we are already spread thin to cover the faction’s seemingly endless problems, which is why our primary focus must always be directed upon Earth’s larger three factions and their endeavours. These factions have proved themselves as the most devout of our supporters, and offer many disciples and resources to back our cause and therefore receive our greatest favour.

“To clarify, these main three colonies and factions of the Terithian sector are Earth itself, Seara and Fiscion. The other five remaining colonies are as you know, Mars Prime, Halution, Stigratia, Plutonia and Harst, which all have varying faction religions, interpreting the Sacred Text to similar but different degrees of integrity. But still, in all, these factions are peaceful enough to be allowed to function alongside Earth’s own endeavours, as long as they do not interfere or hinder the SED’s goals, and assist where needed.

“The treaties between these planets are called the UPF – United Planetary Factions – and for the past few hundred years have been functioning well, as pro-united, societal based peoples. All planets within this treaty, overruling even their local government, are supremely governed by the SINAI, and all are to obey the Elders of our religion, who have great influence over all military and official commands. Their judgement must be upheld, transgressors, as I said, are delivered to the Outer Rim colonies, encountering dangers beyond measure.”

Osiris saw a few strange looks and decided to drop his factoid session a notch. He quickly moved back to something he thought would be of interest to the younger disciples.

“But let’s not focus on the actual factions and politics, let’s just delve into our world order, leading into my conclusion. Be sure to make notes, my disciples, for this is important, and you are all to know this when you are assigned to your various worlds.” He glanced around the room as the audience took interest again.

“Right, where was I …
oh yes
.

“But alas, just as we think we were ready, a final trial has arisen to challenge our integrity and give us what most think to be our final atonement for expiation.

“Before I explain, I’ll set the scene for you. Close your eyes if you will … see what I see … remember as I remember.”

Osiris paused to allow his disciples time to close their eyes, and pushed the silhouette of images through his Rieft talent into each disciple’s mind. He also felt his pupil’s anger – it felt greatly heightened and—

Before he could sense any more, Justice shut him out with an abrupt cutting block. Osiris moved his focus back to his audience as he drew complete attention from all, and didn’t have time to pursue the unusual feeling as he continued.

“Know that after the time our ancestors rebuilt, we had no idea what became of our brethren and how they had opened the portal to journey from our realm – neither the Temple, SINAI, nor the Tel’nagara could rightly say where or how they did this. All traces of their path eventually disappeared, wiped out by the decay of time, and the scent growing colder and colder as the Mars Prime Portal closed down.” He transmitted an impression of this, and heard the entire audience gasp as they watched from deep space the imposing portal vanish.