Isolated Lake, The Mindscape 19th of December, 833 AS
It has been days since Caliban had tasted that bullet. It felt like weeks have passed in the confines of his own mind, giving him plenty of time to consider everything that transpired from the moment of his birth and up to the split-second decision which sealed his fate. Or so he hoped. Even in these moments he knew that someone was fighting to keep him alive, or rummage through what was left.
"[And I couldn't care less anymore.]"
Caliban spoke to himself as he gazed over a lake with a dismissive tone. His feet soaking in the warm water just by the edge of the shore as he stood on the cold dirt beneath him in a relaxed position. The setting sun radiated with a comforting warmth over the region - perhaps for the last time, before greeting the horizon like an hourglass's final grains of sand destined to fall slowly under the narrow neck between its two glass bulbs.
Every aspect of the Mindscape stood still, frozen. If only for a brief moment that would stretch like a rubber band - turning into minutes, then hours, even days. And yet, in all that stillness there was action. The intent to intrude.
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
As sunlight kissed the waters, the shimmering reflections gained a new shape, and through the thin film of a reflection crawled a beast. Six legs, scaly skin, almost a dragon of sorts, but its face was hidden behind four large mandibles that looked almost like a flower. It walked across the surface of the water, up towards the shore. As it approached, faint harmonies could be heard, an alien chorus singing quietly.
As it approached, it's lower two mandibles opened, revealing a mouth with more jaws than any living creature needed."Calibaaaaaan", it called out in a teasing, sing-song voice."[Suffering] suits you well, no wonder you [wear] it so often."It stopped and sat in front of him, curling its tail over all 6 of its feet like a cat."We've come to [bargain]. Your [desires] for our [prices]. Your [vindication] for our [elation]. A [story] of mutual benefits."
Caliban's eyes widened as the growing reflection of such a beast invaded the clarity of the lake. Part of him wished to stand up and lash out at the creature, yet the realization came soon after. There was no use to such an act. The sun continued its slow descent regardless of what would happen.
He kept looking at the reflection with eyes half closed out of tiredness, speaking out of boredom, rather than out of a burning desire.
"[Your prices often prove too steep. But I'll bite. Out here there's nothing to do but wait, so I want to hear how you envision this story.]"
Those words came out coated in resentment no matter how much Caliban would've tried to throw away such feelings. He detested all ethereal entities - alien or otherwise. Curiosity was equally irresistible as the dragon laid forth its offer. So close to leaving this cursed Final Journey, but he couldn't stop wanting to dip his toes back in this conflict for whatever reason.
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
The creature seemed to smile as it stood and slowly began pacing a circle around him, it's tail now swishing in the water behind it."Then, the [story] of your [tragedy], as we [see] it." As it walk, silver sparkles fell to the ground and then sprouted into silver images of what it described.
"We were there when The Schemer began this foolish [escapade]."The silver images showed a meeting of two minds, one Old Age and Wisdom, one Youth and Beauty, and the echoes of their conversation reverberated in the air:
Quote:[10.01.2022 01:16:00] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** -to invade- "The Graves" -is a- <Fool's Errand> . . . "Gravekeepers" -could bring about- "Nightfall" ***
[10.01.2022 01:16:31] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** -and- |Whatever| -may be within- "The Graves" -could hardly be- -of any- |Value| ***
[10.01.2022 01:17:02] Entity: ***"Tales to keep ~us~ away from looking further into it... (dismissal)"
[10.01.2022 01:18:06] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** {A mocking laughter seems to echo a thousand times.} ***
[10.01.2022 01:18:20] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** -then- -let- "Us" -observe- ***
"We intended to [watch] a meddling [god] amuse himself without bothering us, and to [watch] our enemies kill themselves on another's [blade]. The [Graves] are an old [tale] we had little care for. Your kind would call them [Boxes of Pandora], and they were made to hold those [threats] that could not be destroyed, only contained. Somewhere in the [Great Sphere], there exists an [Archive] of every [Grave], it's location, and what it contains. Every [Grave] has it's [Gravekeepers]. They are mindless defenders, who live on a single command. Keep what is within, within, and what is without, without."The beast made a noise that straddled the line between a laugh and a growl.
"As always with the involvement of [Humanity], intent and reality differed. You know more of that part of the [story] than We, but We still have [insights] for you. We warned that [Jester] of her folly, and learned of the true nature of her involvement."The silver images shifted, a meeting over a familiar shrine:
Quote:[10.01.2022 02:21:09] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** {The being seems to re-evaluate it's thoughts openly, deciding on a course of action.} ***
[10.01.2022 02:21:24] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** "You" -have bound- "Yourself" -to a- "Scheme" ***
[10.01.2022 02:21:29] A/)-Revenant: Indeed.
[10.01.2022 02:21:52] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** -does- "Yours" -not bear- |Wish to Survive| (?) ***
[10.01.2022 02:22:14] A/)-Revenant: My wish to survive is irrelevant.
[10.01.2022 02:22:18] A/)-Revenant: I was due to die a week ago.
[10.01.2022 02:22:22] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** -there are- -less painful- |Ways| -to- "Erase" "Yourself" ***
[10.01.2022 02:22:51] A/)-Revenant: I made an agreement. I intend to see it through.
[10.01.2022 02:23:08] A/)-Revenant: What he wants to do to me, to the sector, is irrelevant to me.
[10.01.2022 02:24:23] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** -what even has- "Yours" -agreed to- (?) -what are- "You" -able to give- (?) ***
[10.01.2022 02:24:52] A/)-Revenant: I am ... Still trying to understand such too. Perhaps perspectives? Perhaps it was the findings we held? Perhaps - he
[10.01.2022 02:24:55] A/)-Revenant: simply wished to be entertained.
[10.01.2022 02:25:12] A/)-Revenant: Even if I had not agreed, he would have simply found another subject.
[10.01.2022 02:25:40] A/)-Revenant: My agreement, is quite simply, I will assist him in "taking a peak" into the Vault.
[10.01.2022 02:25:46] K'Hara|Shozak-Azrael: *** -then- -what do- "You" -seek to gain- (?) ***
[10.01.2022 02:26:08] A/)-Revenant: And afterwards, he will amend my mind. Although it appears I may have to forego some augments.
"We believed We had [convinced] her. Clearly, We were [mistaken]."
Quote:[10.01.2022 03:12:20] A/)-Revenant: "Gravedigging" is not something I am fond of. If something is made with the intent to be kept away, it shall be so.
The beast finished it's circle and sat back down in the same manner, the sparkles and images hanging in the air for further use."We then let them be. The [Gravekeepers] are a force of the [Creators' Will] that extends further than the [light] from any star in this galaxy. It is still rather surprising that they have [survived] this long. Alas, their [choices] now effect Us, and We must now [involve] Ourselves."
One last time, the images changed, the showing relevant snapshots of the most recent encounter:
Quote:[01.01.2024 23:24:30] K'Hara|Shozak-Za'am: *** -however- , |The Extent| -of- |Our Abilities| -is not- |Your Concern| ***
[01.01.2024 23:25:44] K'Hara|Shozak-Za'am: *** |Your Concern| -is thus- : -if- "You" -wish to fight- "Harbinger's Old War" , "We" -will combat- "You" ***
[01.01.2024 23:26:20] K'Hara|Shozak-Za'am: *** -if- "You" -wish to unleash- "Deaths" -unto- "The Seas" , "We" -will combat- "You" ***
. . .
[01.01.2024 23:37:01] A/)-Revenant: If you are adamant on stopping Harbinger, eliminate his keys.
[01.01.2024 23:37:11] Gemini.Kay.MK2: No!
[01.01.2024 23:37:30] A/)-Lazurith: I'm not a key. Or-- or so I think.
[01.01.2024 23:38:04] Gemini.Kay.MK2: But Rebecca said he made you a key? What did Harbinger do to you?
[01.01.2024 23:38:09] A/)-Lazurith: I don't know.
[01.01.2024 23:38:20] A/)-Revenant: Way to endanger your "beloved" - Levan.
[01.01.2024 23:38:43] Gemini.Kay.MK2: You just told them to kill him!
[01.01.2024 23:38:47] A/)-Revenant: I did not.
[01.01.2024 23:38:50] Gemini.Kay.MK2: You did!
[01.01.2024 23:38:56] A/)-Revenant: I said keys, I never specified names.
[01.01.2024 23:39:10] A/)-Revenant: But, as you insist; you just marked him.
[01.01.2024 23:39:11] A/)-Lazurith: Listen, he hasn't touched me. I don't belong to him.
[01.01.2024 23:39:12] A/)-Revenant: Dumb.
[01.01.2024 23:39:28] Gemini.Kay.MK2: As if they did not know what Harbinger did!
[01.01.2024 23:39:35] A/)-Revenant: They do not know, no. Nor was it Harbingers doing.
[01.01.2024 23:39:40] A/)-Revenant: It was the cell he was playing with.
[01.01.2024 23:39:46] A/)-Revenant: It does not guarantee a mark either.
-
[01.01.2024 23:37:32] K'Hara|Shozak-Za'am: *** -ah- . . . "Caliban" ***
[01.01.2024 23:37:41] A/)-Revenant: Caliban.
[01.01.2024 23:37:45] A/)-Revenant: He attempted to kill himself.
[01.01.2024 23:37:57] Rebecca.Harper: Attempted?
[01.01.2024 23:37:57] A/)-Revenant: I'm presuming he failed, as his maiden drone is still running around doing errands.
[01.01.2024 23:38:09] A/)-Revenant: I've yet to see a dead body.
-
[01.01.2024 23:40:55] Gemini.Kay.MK2: Get off your high horse, Relevant! You keep treating Lazurith like a pawn in your game! You cannot tell them to kill the keys-
[01.01.2024 23:41:04] Gemini.Kay.MK2: knowing that they either know or are about to find out!
[01.01.2024 23:41:41] RV-Pennybrooke: Katherine: Look, all of us are pawns. Human lifespans are really short in the grand scheme of things.
[01.01.2024 23:41:58] RV-Pennybrooke: It is better to be an effective pawn than a forgotten one.
[01.01.2024 23:42:16] Gemini.Kay.MK2: I am not going to end up as anyone's pawn!
[01.01.2024 23:42:44] A/)-Lazurith: Nobody will control you, Levan. I'll make sure of that.
[01.01.2024 23:43:01] Gemini.Kay.MK2: Like you made sure nobody controls you, huh?
As the stream of images ended, the stardust evaporated into the air. The beast tilted it's head and opened it's upper mandibles, revealing stretched flesh and sinew around a multitude of black eyes speckled with stars."From where we [stand], she [sacrificed] you for her own gain. And now that you seek [escape], she seeks another [sacrifice]. A [sacrifice] made of these two, Levan and Lazurith."It put its front legs forward, leaning down to bring its eyes closer to Caliban's face."It's not [fair], is it? For you to [play defense] all this time, and when you finally find a [pathway] out, they would replace you so quickly, and make others [suffer] just like you. She replaced you just like that."
It was nearly lying down now, its voice making ripples in the water that lapped at Caliban's feet. "We [offered] it before. With what we know now, we [offer] it again. A new body. A new place. The tools with which to [fight back]. Look how her actions [twisted] and [mauled] you, how Our Own wayward and problematic [god] has [afflicted] and [tormented] you. Don't you feel a little [Vengeance] is in order?"
"[So that's how it is...I struggled for so long to keep Lazurith out of this. People think he's the new chosen. They will treat him with as both friend and foe. It is bound to happen, and he will resent everyone equally.]"
There was disdain in his tone. He didn't like what the alien mind suggested, yet he liked even less what Revenant had set in motion. She really went as far as to use her own friends as a scientific project. Not once telling them to stop and think. No, she endorsed that level of cooperation.
It stung like a spear going through his chest. A feeling amplified by how meaningless everything really was. He thought that only this once, he would take something away from Harbinger. And yet this thrall religiously pushes forward His agenda. A mere thought roared through the woods behind him, before standing up defiantly against the creature: "I should've taken that shot on Andorra..."
"[Your offer still stinks. Not even you can guarantee a new body - regardless of its form. I know my limits and so should you before promising salvation - vengeance even. You want to entice me? Give me something potent that can destroy Harbinger.]"
He paused, looking back at the ripples in the water for a brief moment before facing the monstrosity's deadly maws.
"[Because the way I see it? Even if against my better judgement I'd dare return to the living, I still wouldn't have anything to actively hurt either Him or Revenant. My goals are doomed to fail if she gets to live. And you know that too.]"
Caliban began to ponder just as he finished speaking. "Such a wild conversation", he told himself while gazing at the three suns radiating with a purple light. Unmoving, always watching. "I wonder what He'd think."
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
They paused, impressed with the display of clarity they saw from this man facing death. They then sat up and considered the options before them."There is an [option] of that [nature], yes . . . but you would have but a single [chance], and any [attempt] would cost you your [life] in irreparable ways." It coiled its tail in front of it, making a sphere. The tail fell away, revealing a singularity, bending light around it as a singularity does. Yet, something else emanated from it. Faint screams of agony and despair, the ringing of a deafening silence, and the cold sensation of the cessation of time, an absolute zero of mind.
"We have named [it] "Endless Midnight". [It] is a [weapon] that has yet to leave [theory], as it bears [fatal flaws]. We would have [deployed] it against Nauru already, if We had the [option] to [ablate] these [flaws]"The singularity fades in a small flash of light and a soft pop."It [rips apart] mind and consciousness. It could [destroy] The Schemer, should a [projection] of him be caught in the [blast]. The [flaw] is that [it] requires a [psychic container] to carry [it] to its destination. We are still searching for a [material] that could [serve] that [purpose]. Should We [deploy] it with a mind connected to Us, all of Us would be [pulled] in and annihilated. Should We disconnect a mind, the mind would endure [suffering], and may [choose] to [rebel]."
The beast's tail swished through the water in a show of mounting intrigue and excitement."Were you to [accept] our [offer], we could [remember] and [rebuild] you as many times as is necessary. Yet, [carrying] and [deploying] Endless Midnight would [negate] that boon, and we would still need many [measures] to ensure you wouldn't [use] it against Us. Isn't that awfully inefficient?"
Another entity made appearance approaching by the shore line towards Caliban and Sh'ozak. A man he knew was the source of all this. Or rather a form of one, while the visitor looked like a middle-aged libertonian it was just a front to a different being.
In a contrast to otherworldly nature the human appeared unassuming and least threatening, which might have fooled many others but not Caliban. Sh'ozak too would be aware of the extent of Harbinger capabilities.
"Gentlemen."
His eyes flickered with a purple flash and left unnatural glow to quickly fade away in a teal mist. Perhaps it was a form of greeting, an acknowledgement of fellow kin.
"A weapon to destroy Harbinger, but also the one detonating it." - he told himself. The thought of it sparked a small fire in his heart. He would be the perfect vessel w ere it not for the beast knowing full well about his hate towards all Nomads, not just the elusive entity which marked him.
Just as he uttered those words, the very subject of the topic made an entrance. Caliban left out a low chuckle, knowing far too well who the new guest was supposed to be. No matter what form He took, that stench akin to sulfur and burnt tar was unmistakable. The merc' turned his gaze towards the libertonian and reached for a gun he didn't have, missing the comfort of its textured grip. By now it was a deeply rooted reflex. To attack that which he despised or did not understand.
"[Oh, how I've missed you.]"
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
The dragon stood, and began prowling near the newcomer. A set of flaming swords had appeared above it, and followed it as it slithered. As they moved, they stayed ever pointed at the man."Harbinger, what a surprise.", they lied."Did Destiny not [hunt] you down after all this [time]?"
"Oh Makers, bless thee." - the man sarcastically replied to Sh'ozak.
"I can guess what my perpetually angry bretheren have told you, and perhaps have asked you to do. Has he made the offer yet?" - he glanced briefly at Sh'ozak manifestation, as if looking for confirmation or denial, and then exclaimed back at Caliban with an eerie smile: "Why, of course he did!"
"And not the first time either." - he added quietly.
With the smile now gone he began to slowly walk in a circle around Caliban, only occasionally catching his piercing gaze.
"Now, seeing as you have decided to forfeit on your obligations and your motivation is sorely lacking I must conclude that you seek to terminate our *deal*. Considering where you are going now. Is that so?"
![[Image: DhW5Trs.png]](https://i.imgur.com/DhW5Trs.png)