Chaos Mortalitus (25 page)

Raising my hand once more, the power of the stars returns and every element artificial in creation will fall by my will. "What are you doing Ashton?" Mortalitus asks.

"Giving nature a chance to right the wrongs of this Xxirian arrogance."

"I don't understand the necessity."

"A message for any who dare to stand in my way."

Explosions surge in every direction of this planet as a domino effect is unleashed upon the surface of Seithux, sterilizing the planet. Releasing the power of creation in this rebirth as I burn the planet to its foundation. Let the Xxirians return, let them bear witness to the beginning of this revolution. This planet burns as a reminder of the horrors that once occurred daily as they're once more turned to dust and ash. I watch the flames consume the filth below and realize what I've become, realize that the man named Ash Mortal is far behind me, Mortalitus is my legend now, my purpose.

In these moments the truth of my journey is revealed as I think of my wife and how I long for her, to simply talk to her for just a moment. I feel the human emotions that sit deep within my heart return and I long to be with my family as well, my son. Dear God, my son, I hope somehow he can forgive me, maybe one day but for now that remains only my hope. The planet below having been ravaged by flames now glows vibrantly as its cancers are burned away. In time this world will be reborn and maybe one-day peace will finally stretch across the horizon.

Turning from my view of this planet on fire, I dive forward and fly into the singularity as the opening closes behind me leaving only the burning wreckage of the Xxirian military and former slave camp, a prophetic warning.

Angela sits on the beach not far from our home watching our now four and half year old son play near the incoming tide with Michelle Livingston, daughter of David and Naomi Livingston. She sits with Naomi doing her best to enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather, and as the sun begins to set she embraces the ocean breeze. Naomi has become a close friend over the years, helping my wife in any way possible and for our friends Naomi and David, I am truly thankful. "So, how've you been Angela, I mean really?"

"I've been fine, keeping busy you know Seth can be a little monster sometimes. Other than that, same old same old."

"Are you sure? You gotta' make sure you stay active. Try and be social, you know David and I are here for you."

"I know, I know. I'm trying my best, but I really have a lot on my plate these days with Seth and trying to manage everything going on with Ash's artwork."

"Just remember, you're only capable of so much." Naomi warns. "Candles only burn for so long."

Angela's heart feels heavy as she lets out a sigh. "Yeah I know. Just helps me to stay occupied, I mean nothing about this is easy. Never having an explanation for anything."

"We know how hard this has been for you. We're all going through this together, but the years don't stop ticking by. He's not coming back Angela, he's gone. We all miss Ash, more than you know."

"I know he's not coming back, I know he's gone. I'm just not ready to let him go yet, he's still in my heart and he'll always be there." Angela says as she feels old wounds reopen. "Life feels so very different without my husband and I don't know if it'll ever make sense to me again."

"Sometimes I imagine if Dave vanished, if that was it, no good-bye, no answers. When I think like that, I start crying cause we've been friends for so long and I can't stand the idea of you having to go through this." Naomi says placing her hand on her friends in the sand.

"Its hard…I love him so much. I hate how perfect things were for us, I hate this. How does something like this happen?" Angela questions, wiping the tears building in her eyes. "Why did this happen to me, to him?"

"It's all apart of God's plan for us Angela. He works in mysterious ways."

"I wish his plans didn't involve my husband. We had our whole lives ahead of us."

CHAPTER: 20

HOPE

So many dreams in a universe vast on a scale beyond comprehension, so many visions of a goal not yet realized. The reasons for anything become the questions of everything as my new friends struggle to understand what it is they've come upon in this unforgiving darkness. Most lost in the paradox of what is known throughout the universe, a truth that they cannot begin to accept. Ideals of the righteous heart die hard in the minds and hearts of children born into bondage and on this day under thousands of burning suns, hope fades as the blackness of space creeps in.

Avothina is a world beyond known existence left vacant for eons, returned to its primitive state allowing the alien nature to reshape its surface. Like the lost garden once called Eden, like the birth of new worlds, Avothina has a beautiful serenity as lush valleys and perfect landscapes cover the large planet offering a home to those forgotten among the stars. The new home of the declared king of creation, Avothina shines brightly but as most new residents of this world begin to grasp the moment at hand many uncertainties follow closely still.

"How did you do that my Lord?" Xenom asks. "How have we come to this world?"

"I control all things Xenom, my will is that of creation."

The young Mezarian girl makes her way to my side once more. "Are you the spirit of creation Mortalitus?" Tikik asks.

"I suppose a part of me is, yet a part of me is something else entirely."

"How do you control the singularity Mortalitus?" Sirec asks staring out at this endless beauty. "How is this possible?"

"I am a creature from a far away place friends. My intentions are noble, my drive, unbreakable. This power is bestowed upon me from the highest authority among the stars. I speak to you now as the voice of creation, the voice of a king who ruled long ago."

"What king is that Mortalitus?" A voice calls from the thousands that huddle together.

"King Vexicus Miogar, ruler of Edoxus and the Imperial Nations of Siivech. I am the reincarnation from billions of years ago." I reveal.

"You are King Vexicus my Lord?" Halex asks.

"In another life Halex. Today I've become something very different but nevertheless, my concern this hour is the future we will share together."

"Together?" Sirec asks confused on what is to become of his comrades. "We have nowhere to go! What will we do here? You possess powers beyond all known, wielding control of the forbidden technologies of the singularity. How can we trust you Mortalitus?"

"Our journey ends here for now. This valley will be the first home of the Reformed Imperial Nations of Avothina and the birthplace of the last revolution. We will claim this world and gain our strength, sharpen our resolve, helping to ease the wounds and suffering of the weak. We will grow together and then our true journey will liberate those seeking refuge, those feeling trapped in the cruelty of existence."

"I understand your want Mortalitus. My question for you is what will we do now? What of this planet, how will we survive?" Sirec asks searching for hope.

"Avothina is our new home and will provide all we require. A place designed in the graces of peace, a shelter from these daunting storms." I reply.

"Yet we have no shelter! We have no hope Mortalitus! Just an empty planet and a creature that calls himself king. Where is your kingdom?" Sirec replies with harsh criticisms.

"Silence Silokian! You dishonor us with your words!" Xenom shouts to the feline creature. "You're not above judgment Sirec, until Mortalitus you were a slave to Seithux. Show some respect for he who has delivered us!"

Slowly I move toward Sirec, step-by-step my gaze set forth. He is a large creature with a fierce yet weathered look to him, like an abused animal as he cowers at my approach, terrified at the powers I possess. Stopping just short of him, I raise my right arm placing my hand on his shoulder, the calming embrace of a friend however distant. "Do not fear me friend, I am merely a helper. I've come to lend my hand in this final struggle. I choose this existence and make no mistake, I too must sacrifice that in which I hold most dear for the sake of this cause, for this honor that surrounds us today."

"All of you must remember that your lives mean something, that your dreams are windows to your hearts and your honor is second to none in this the darkest of days. Together friends, believe the words that I bring today and watch the wonders of what it means to be free."

Calmly, I speak to the large crowd of creatures huddling together trying to imagine what comes next, how this mysterious figure might react in these moments that follow. Routine is long since passed as each life starts over anew and from the ashes of the lives that were never their own, they embrace the visions of these precious moments in a way that might once again give their hearts a reason to sing. To make this notion of freedom for all beings a little more tangible in the weakened souls and minds of the former slaves of Seithux. Avothina is a new start with new goals to set and a new life to live,
free at last
.

A large Xxirian battleship moves silently through the universe, a technological giant and the deadliest of its kind. More than three quarters of the Xxirian military moves onward away from their home on Edoxus, leaving behind a more than formidable military presence to defend the Xxirian palace and home of Lord Erazux. Veorix Deif is left in command by word of his king and this sudden departure toward destiny. Tensions are high among the Xxirians as no one knows this new plot hatched in the mind of Lord Erazux.

The reptilian king paces across a large open floor on the Xxirian battleship known famously as, the Shadow of Deoth. His view faced down and out through a transparent floor, toward the vastness he longs to conquer for his own. Wondering the secrets of the universe, pondering where this could all possibly end as Lord Erazux has a new plan born within the mind of a mysterious figure, a voice from the darkest of shadows. With this moving army of absolute chaos, the drums of war begin to tap at the call of destiny as the restless seas prepare for the squalls of prophecy.

This vast fighting force assembled under the Xxirian flag bows to the beck and call of one. A target has been selected in retaliation for the disgrace at Seithux and a bold statement declared as Lord Erazux leads his army toward a new enemy.

"How can you be so sure?" Lord Erazux asks his mysterious advisor.

"After all you've seen, you still question me brother. Inscribed in the human book is the truth of creation,
and let us make man in our image, with our likeness
.
We are many
." The cloaked figure responds.

"There is no doubt within me dark one of your truth. Destiny has stepped to my doorstep." Lord Erazux says. "I just ponder this eve."

"What do you ponder?" The figure responds.

"With all this power you possess, why not deceive me? Why not claim my throne as your own?" Lord Erazux quickly responds, ready for any rebuttal.

"I've grown weary of conquering the weak. I desire my enemy, nothing more. Mortalitus is mine, and I shall break every reflection of the human Ashton Mortal."

"What is your quarrel with this human you speak of, this Ashton Mortal of Earth?"

"This universe isn't big enough for the two of us Lord Erazux. Obviously we have a lot in common and I intend to take back what is rightfully mine." The figure responds shedding a cold tone.

"Once we've dealt with Mortalitus and the human Ashton Mortal, we will stretch out to every corner of this universe." Lord Erazux says with an overly confident tone. "My whim will become creations very definition."

"With everything coming, you know what must be done Lord Erazux. Don't give them a chance to react. Once this begins it cannot be undone." The figure explains. "Do nothing until I send word of our first move, and make sure General Raithus understands what must be done as our contingency should the invasion fail."

"We won't fail! I will lead the invasion personally and they will cower in the face of my majesty. No one shall defeat me!"

"Remember my Lord, not a move until I say. This will require patience. The fates do not allow us to begin immediately, we must wait for the proper omen."

"What omen?" Lord Erazux asks.

"Contact."

"I believe in you Mortalitus!" Tikik says. "No matter what anyone thinks, I know you've come to help us. I don't care what they say, I don't, I don't!"

"Thank you Tikik, for honoring me. Now please allow me to honor all of you, my newfound friends." I reply.

The ground begins to shake below the refugee's feet as the former slaves stare upon their liberator. Lighting shifts high in the sky as if suddenly eclipsed as the creature they know little about begins to captivate them all once more. Slowly the armor that coats my body begins to move, stretching and sliding down my appendages as strands break off, plunging into the soil below. My armor flows into the terrain while still covering me, constantly producing as it begins molding itself below our feet. The planet begins to crack and split right before us as a sudden spectacular glow seeps from large cuts in the terrain.

With a deafening sound, massive structures begin to burst through the soil section-by-section, restructuring the calm landscape. Vast technological alien architecture explodes all around the vindicated children of Seithux. Most stare forward gasping for an explanation, the summarized version of everything I am, yet that story is far too complicated for them to ever fully understand. At the will of my heart, from my fingertips I command salvation as my friends tired and weak, lost to the chaos get the first breathtaking views of their new homes. A massive city appears through the large clouds of dust and debris from this newly reformed landscape.