Void Horizon: Illuminati Ex Machina
The Storm Hawks world concept is copyright to Nerd Corps and Asaph Fipke.
Aerrow, Stork, Piper, Starling, Junko, Finn, Radarr and other Sky Knights are the intellectual property of Asaph Fipke and copyright to Nerd Corps.
Master Cyclonis, Dark Ace, Ravess, Snipe and the Talons are the intellectual property of Asaph Fipke and copyright to Nerd Corps.
Repton and the Raptors are the intellectual property of Asaph Fipke and copyright to Nerd Corps.
Ageless Specter, Lord Xivor and The Ancients are the intellectual property of AgelessSpecter and used with permission.
Marrshal, Psychos and Lord Astrel are my intellectual property; please credit them as such if for some reason you use them.
Chapter 1
Three months after the events of Legacy of Deceit…
It was a terra that personified desolation, even before the Stormweaver Order had laid waste to the few bits of civilization that clung to its edges. Since that time it had become a completely barren waste, home to creatures more terrifying than those found in the Black Gorge; the only reason it had even been inhabited was because it had been a vital navigational marker in a time when the Timepulse had not yet become the standard of navigation. Only one thing marred the flat sandy surface of the terra now, a massive canyon that consisted of eight separate canyons that all ran into a circular crater filled with crowds of rocky spires scattered throughout. In the very center of the canyon a stepped pyramid had been built, although this pyramid far predated any inhabitation of the terra and was unusual in that no secondary ruins surrounded the structure, it stood alone and independent. The pyramid was topped by a simple circular table with a design carved into it: two concentric circles pierced by three lines that met in the center. Where the three lines met there was a small socket and there were three additional sockets, one along each line in-between the concentric circles.
As he looked over the design, Marrshal sighed and checked a unique timing device that he pulled out of his sleeve pockets. The energies contained within the Crystal of Infinite Skies were almost synchronized with the energies of the three Dying Light crystals. If the chaotic energy contained within the Dying Lights had been more potent, he could have completed this process months ago, but one had to make do with the materials on hand… By the looks of things though, he only had to wait a few minutes more and then the Dark Oracle, the Ageless Specter, would walk the surface of Atmos.
From a distance, if such a thing truly existed in this realm, the dark capital of the Specters and the Illuminati they led appeared as any other highly advanced city would. Tall futuristic skyscrapers decorated with intricate ornamentation soared high into the eternally dark sky, their general profiles giving the vast city an impressive skyline. Lower buildings formed much of the outer areas of the city but grew in height as one progressed inward until a rapid increase in height was observed near the city center. There, seated atop the two of the tallest skyscrapers in the city center, was the Royal Palace, where the Ageless Specter resided. The palace base was a large ovaloid structure with tunnels through to allow the taller spires from below to poke through without being connected to the palace itself. However, none of these spires could compete with the height the palace towers soared to, towers resting on the tope of the ovaloid and soaring upward. At the highest point on the ovaloid, a massive spired castle sat, gossamer bridges running from the castle's floating gate ring to several of the various towers that rose out of the ovaloid that formed the castle base. The entire city was surrounded by a wall with gates and massive arches rose from the wall itself to connect with the ovaloid portion of the Royal Palace far away, spanning over the massive city itself to reach the palace. Amidst the skyscrapers and arcologies of the dark city, small points of light floated. In a normal city, these lights might have been some kind of aircraft such as a blimp or a floating car if the city was advanced enough. However, such was not the case here, as became quickly apparent as one approached the floating lights.
It was here that the true scope of the city became apparent, as these floating pinpoints of light, so insignificant compared to the size of the buildings around them, were actually entire cities or floating bio-domes which served as resorts for the common people as well as the vacation estates of the incredibly wealthy, entire platforms or cities owned by single individuals or resorts. The Specter City was unimaginably massive, its population even more so. Such was why the Specters could run an organization as massive as the Illuminati, and it was here where the Ageless Specter commanded his empire from.
"Well, Psychos, it would seem that all is in readiness…" The Ageless Specter said as he contemplated the chess boards that surrounded his throne and moved a few pieces here or there. "Our invasion of this particular universe is ready to proceed, we will correct the damage The Oracle has done and reset events to a more natural, beneficial flow."
"As if anything we do is natural." Psychos said with a chuckle, "Nonetheless, what we do is necessary even if others do not understand. Are you ready for the portal to open sir?"
"One instant is all I require." The Ageless Specter said as an illusionary form of himself stepped out of him, quickly solidifying into a physical state. "You know what must be done?"
"As well as you do." The new Ageless Specter said confidently as he turned to leave. "Do not worry, I will not fail… Coming Psychos? The portal should be open soon."
"Another me will meet you there, I have other business to deal with here. Enjoy your trip; make sure you integrate your experiences when you return." Psychos said as he vanished in a flash of black light. As he vanished, the duplicate Ageless Specter melted into the floor, only to reappear an instant later in a distant plaza of the palace far from the throne room. With a simple gesture from the Ageless Specter, a large black ziggurat with Psychos standing at its summit rose out of the plaza. With an additional gesture, two additional figures rose out of the plaza, having been summoned by the Ageless Specter.
"Greetings Lord Xivor, Lord Astrel, are you both ready for your formal introductions?" the Ageless Specter said as Psychos leapt down to the plaza floor and walked over.
"Yes, it is about time that we get to play with the Sky Knights. Sneaking around and orchestrating events to serve our purposes is all well and good, but it has been too long since I had a decent fight." Xivor said casually as the vampiric assassin quietly as he too walked over to where the Specters were gathered. "What with most universes currently stable…"
"So we should thank the Oracle for screwing up then I suppose." Lord Astrel said stoically as he remained where he originally stood. "Of course, it would have been equally beneficial if Aerrow had chosen to embrace his abilities, even if it was a subconscious rejection of his skills. That would have led to the rogue forces of chaos being sealed forever as would have originally happened had the Oracle not interfered and forced us to create an impossible future to break her control over fate."
"But she did and thus it was necessary for us to create a world in which both Aerrow and Night Aerrow exist simultaneously." The Ageless Specter interrupted as he held up a hand to quiet the two avatars. "And we have planned for every possible outcome… We will succeed or we will conquer their world to ensure events there do not led to the premature death of their entire universe."
"Metaphysics in action." Psychos agreed silently as a ring of energy slowly coalesced about the peak of the ziggurat. "It has begun, the link is established…"
Marrshal gently withdrew his hand from the Crystal of Infinite Skies, having inserted the gem into the central slot of the slab. As he did so, prismatic energy flowed out from the crystal, filling the engraved design as if the energy were some kind of fluid and not plasma. Once the energy had filled the design completely, Marrshal pulled out the first of the three Dying Light crystals and locked it into the first of the three outer sockets. In response, the glow of the liquid energy in the design grooves flared to a brilliant shine that turned the top of the pyramid into a beacon of prismatic light. After taking a moment to admire the sight, Marrshal inserted the second Dying Light crystal into the slab sockets, turning the energy and associated light a deep crimson red that shone like a red star. Wordlessly, he then pulled out the final Dying Light crystal and stood next to the last socket.
"So ends the world we knew…" Marrshal whispered quietly, reassuring himself, "The Darkness of the Ageless Specter will crush everything that was and give us a new future. All to save my world…" After he finished speaking, Marrshal locked the final Dying Light into place. In response, all four crystals in the engraving melted into pure energy and the design changed to the symbol of the Illuminati, the same eight-pointed compass that had decorated the floor of his lair. Around him the entire structure shook as two massive pylons of obsidian and a ring of gold rose out of the pyramid. Two prongs of gold formed off of the ring, sloping back over the center of the ring. At the same time, a blood red crystal coalesced out of the fluid energy in the seal and floated over to position itself between the ends of the two prongs. Immediately a dark portal appeared under the crown formed by the ring and expanded outward to form a gate large enough for a skimmer to fly through. Out of the darkness stepped four figures, the first one was a tall figure wrapped entirely in a black hooded cloak with crimson edging and wearing obsidian gothic-style chest and shoulder armor. On this figure's head he wore a crown identical but smaller than the crown that had formed the portal. His face was not visible save for his eyes which glowed bright red with the fury of a thousand dying stars. Behind him was a shorter cloaked figure dressed in similar grab except he wore no crown and his chest armor consisted of a circle of armor draped in front and back. An additional line of armor extended down the middle of the front semicircle to near where his waist might be. Both of the figures wore the golden compass of the Illuminati prominently on their chest armor over where the heart would be on a human.
The other two figures where much different in their appearance, the first being a pale human dressed in a long robe with a high collar that obscured the lower half of his face. Additionally, a blindfold covered the area around his eyes so only part of his forehead was visible. Two long strips of fabric extended down the figure's back and ended in two golden rings. The last figure was dressed in a ground length surround cape under a shorter surround cape that likely only extended down to the man's elbows. His face and head were obscured by a black metal helmet, the only exception being two small horns that stuck out straight back from his head, only curving downward slightly.
"Ageless Specter, you have arrived…" Marrshal said as he bowed.
"Yes, thank you Marrshal, you of course have met Psychos and two of my eleven Avatars: Lord Xivor and Lord Astrel."
"Of course sire."
"Well, now that we have introductions out of the way, let us take the time to bestow your full membership in the Illuminati upon you." The Ageless Specter said as he handed Marrshal a golden ring with mounted with an obsidian crystal. Without hesitation Marrshal took the ring and put it on, ending his trial membership in the Illuminati and establishing him as a full operative.
"Now the festivities can begin." The Ageless Specter said as he spread his arms wide, black energy flowing along the length of their span to concentrate in his hands. In an instant the energy had reached critical mass and exploded outward in a massive ring of dark energy. The wave swept over the terra and out into the surrounding Great Expanse, disintegrating the ancient seals put in place by the Ancients to safeguard the world from the terrors contained within. As the last vestiges of the Great Expanse faded into nothingness, the skies around the terra filled with thousands of creatures: leviathans, Sky Sirens and numberless other horrors that Atmos had not seen in millennia. At the same time, the clouds that normally hid the Wastelands dissipated as the higher clouds above the terras blocked out the skies and reflected the orange light from the lava flows below.
"Greetings Master, we have long awaited your return." A figure said from off to Marrshal's right and the spymaster turned to see a group of nine figures dressed in robes similar to those worn by Master Cyclonis. Behind these nine figures though was a massive army of soldiers, all armed with crystal based weaponry. There was one constant among every person in the army though: each wore a symbol depicting two hands holding a thunderstorm.
"Ah, so good of you to join us Nunes, I see you and the other Stormweavers have been returned to your physical forms and are no longer trapped in the dream plane the Archoni'ent trapped you in." the Ageless Specter said casually, almost dismissively. "You will follow me, but I have other plans for your creations."
"As you wish master."
"Of course." The Ageless Specter said before he amplified his voice so he could be heard by all the assembled creatures in the skies around him. "All of you go and sow havoc and terror to every corner of Atmos! Let them know that the seal of the Ancients is broken and the Stormweaver Order has returned!" A thunderous roar greeted this announcement as every creature in the horde spilled outward, each eager to get out of the former Great Expanse as soon as possible. "Now then…" the Ageless Specter said as he turned back to his assembled group, "We have an appointment in Cyclonia and I do not want to be late."
As soon as Vespos had heard the startled conversations of the other Sky Knights on Atmosia he had raced outside to confirm that what they were saying was true. As he had run through the halls of the Council building to reach the doors he had constantly hoped against hope that it was just an abnormally strong storm or some other innocuous occurrence. As he exited the building however, his hopes died in his chest as his worst fears were confirmed. Without the Crystal of Infinite Skies the seal crystals in the Great Expanse had not held, the Great Expanse had shifted fully back into this plane of existence. While this meant that the region could be explored since the disruptions caused by the dimensional shift would no longer be present, it also meant that everything once contained inside was free to attack Atmos once more. Including the ancient enemy of all life on Atmos, the Stormweaver Order.
"It has begun then… We could do nothing to stop this; the promise of the Dark Oracle was absolute." Vespos said quietly as he stared up at the lava tinted skies.
"Vespos! What's going on?" Aerrow asked as he and the other Storm Hawks arrived outside, having noticed the Ancient leader's flight. As with Vespos and the other Sky Knights, they had been attending a full meeting of the Sky Knight Assembly to discuss the possibility of an assault into Terra Deep to finally eliminate the threat of the Murk Raiders. Those discussions had been postponed however due to the odd occurrences outside, not that Aerrow would have waited that long to find out what was going on.
"It is the end of our world, the Stormweavers have returned and the Great Expanse is no more…"
