2: The Omega Man

Out of the many changes to the House, one of the things that remained the same was the highest demesne. The true epicenter of the universe: The Incomparable Gardens. Though, really it was the Elysium, but, it was the same difference.

The same false sun still moved overhead, there were still sectioned gardens, all inersected by the huge hedges. There were still large, insectoid Nithlings guarding the Gardens from any who would try to attack it – though, these days nobody really had the mind to rebel or usurp like they did before the Will of the Architect was done.

Partial contribution went to the fact that the New Architect made sure to keep the new Court of Days in order. Though he did give them some level of autonomy. They had to be capable of running the House should – in some extremely unlikely event – he could not be present.

Though the new Morrow Days were kept in order quite efficiently by the new ruler of the Gardens: Lady Sunday. Viewed as quite eccentric – which the lesser Morrow Days would never say to her face – she managed to keep them busy and from doing anything stupid. Needless to say, she was an effective leader, even without the New Architect's presence.

Most Denizens were either absolutely terrified of her or simply saw her as quite amusing.

The Elysium was still the same. Still with the multiple levels, and the highmost tier still had the same fountain and other arrangements – though minus the sorcerous cage that once housed Part Seven of the Will. Though there was now in its place a tent. Quite sorcerous as well, for though it did not look large on the outside the inside was a huge building all on its own.

A white, layed back chair was set near the front edge of the Elysium, and on it sat Lady Sunday, previously known as Suzy Turqouise Blue – though still called Suzy by the New Architect and the new Captain Keeper of the Front Door – whose mortal name was once Suzanna Dyer.

She was laying back on her chair, eyes closed and with a small smile turning her lips. Around her neck was a chain, and on the end was a very tiny golden key. In order to properly rule her demesne she needed the Seventh Key, after all. And the New Architect had long ago found that he no longer required the Keys to rule the House.

She frowned when an odd shadow was cast over her eyes and grunted with displeasure before opening them. She flinched and though her lips tiwsted into a grimace there was a mischevious sparkle in her eyes, "Blimey, Art! Ye' ought not to be sneakin' up on people like that!"

The New Architect – or Art, to his second-in-command – chuckled at the once Piper's Child's comment. He was turned towards the sun, and wore an ensemble of what would be considered modern clothes from the Earth he had once come from. A pair of sunglasses covered his eyes, and his thick head of hair had lost its appearance of spun gold. He had changed it to look more like his old hair, though it still looked a little too perfect.

"I didn't sneak." he stated simply, casting a glance down at the woman.

"I count them Stairs as sneakin'." Suzy replied. "I can never tell when you're gonna be poppin' up!"

Art shrugged, "I'm sure you'll get used to it." he said. "Eventually." he added after a quick afterthought.

"Right." Suzy grunted. She sat up and looked out over the Gardens. "So, how 're thing goin' in the Far Reaches?"she asked. She knew that parts of the House were still problematic, but she wasn't the one who dealt with them directly.

"Better." the New Architect answered with a sigh. He lowered into a sitting position and removed his glasses. His eyes rolled to Suzy and he continued, "Tuesday isn't like the first, so-"

"That ol' Grim Tuesday sure was a piece o' work." Lady Sunday grumbled, remembering the old Morrow Day.

"He became worse after he disobeyed the Architect. Tuesday knows what will happen if she delves too deep like Grim did." Arthur explained. The new Tuesday was a female Denizen. She had been allowed to take her own title. Much to both the surprise of Art and Suzy, she picked "Dark Tuesday".

Suzy had later remarked, "I don't know if that's better 'er worse than Grim."

"Just tell 'er to watch them eyebrows." Suzy said with a laugh. "So ye' think she'll be orright with just the spring?" she asked dubiously. She still didn't completely trust the new Morrow Days.

"I can only hope." Art answered seriously. "That's one of the problems with free will. You can make your own decisions, but-"

"Don't mean ye' ain't gonna blow up the universe!" Suzy finished enthusiastically, beaming down at the New Architect. A wide grin slowly broke out on Art's face as the two began to laugh.

"Your optimism is encouraging." he answered dryly, though still with a hint of amusement. Suzy had always been that way. Just a little off, though he still trusted her judgement entirely.

Well . . for the most part.

"There's ought to be someone 'round here wit' a lil' sense o' humor, Art!" she replied, acting a little shocked. "Else it'll be just like in the ol' days! All the Denizens'll be just a bunch a' narrow minded twits!"

"I suppose it's not good for one's health?" Art asked, smirking just a little.

"Right on it." Suzy confirmed with a quick nod.

The New Architect slipped his glasses back on and stood back up, "I think I've rested long enough." he said. "There are still a few problems on the Border Sea I need to look into."

Suzy nodded solemnly, "The Line 'o Storms actin' up again?" she asked.

"Mm." Art nodded.

Suzy's shoulder sagged and she looked back to the Gardens, "Ye shouldn't be workin' yerself so hard, Art!" she said earnestly. The New Architect sighed and was about to speak when she cut him off with, "You're doin' so much work, but ye don't take any time for yerself!"

"I'm needed, Suzy." the New Architect insisted. "I can't just sit by while there are still things in the House that need to be fixed. I can't just recreate it and expect everyone else to follow me as a leader if I can't – or don't – make it safe for them."

Suzy started to pout, "Fine." she looked back at the New Architect, "But ye do need to rest more often."

Art smiled, though it looked a little strained, "I don't need rest, Suzy." he said. "Remember, I'm the Architect, now."

Lady Sunday rolled her eyes and turned away from him, "I think all that power went right t' yer 'ead." she muttered. She barely registered his shadow vanishing and looked to see he was gone again. "Yer getting' rude, too!" she grumbled.

She scooted to the edge of the chair and stood up. She wasn't wearing any shoes, but she didn't need to worry about stepping on anything. She looked back at the tent and called out, "Sunday's Noon!" unlike before, her Dawn, Noon, and Dusk were not plant-like. Why? Because she found it rather off putting.

Instead, she'd opted for more normal Denizens to fill those posts. And she had hand picked – in a sense – her Noon. Just to spite him, the old Lord Sunday was now her Noon. Though without the silver tongue.

The tent flap opened and the Denizen who had once been the Lord of the Incomparable Gardens stepped out. Now cured of his sin of pride, he was more willing to work as Sundays' Noon – though the New Architect had offered him the position of Saturday, first. He simply loved the Gardens, and even if the only way of remaining in them was to be Noon to the new Sunday he would do it. Suzy was mostly civil to him, but every so often would make one crack or another about his old post or the like.

He tolerated her.

"Yes, milady?" he asked, standing still taller than Suzy. He clasped his hands behind his back and stood ready. Suzy hid a smile, she never called Art "Sir" and had usually acted as improper as she could get away with around Dame Primus, but she had to admit, she liked being called "Ma'am" or "Milady".

"Call down t' the Great Maze n' ask if they're still avin' troubles wit' the tiles." she ordered. It had not taken her much thought after Art had left to decide what she needed – or wanted – to do. She would try and help him any way she could. The Seventh Key was paramount, wasn't it?

Sunday raised an eyebrow, "Ma'am?" he asked curiosly, his voice close to monotone, "I mean no disrespect, but . . isn't that more a job for the New Archi-"

"Well I'm his right-hand-man aren't I?" Suzy asked. She paused. "Woman." she corrected quickly.

Sunday's eyes shone with slight amusement, "Yes, milady." he asnwered stoically.

"Then why shouldn't I be helpin' 'im when e's off tryin' to fix sumthin' else?"

"I never said that you shouldn't help him." Sunday stated.

Suzy crinkled her nose, "I'm the 'ead o' the Morrow Days 'n I think I should be doin' my part, too." she insisted.

Sunday nodded, "Very well, milady." he relented, and went back into the tent.

Suzy smiled, He seems to be comin' 'round right nicely.

An odd feeling made her turn back to the edge of the Elysium. She squinted and noticed that a winged figure was coming towards her. She raised her right hand and closed it around the Seventh Key. Her eyes magically zoomed in on the incoming figure, which was her Dusk. He was still called "The Reaper" and even had his own scythe, but he was not green nor did he seem like a plant.

Large, midnight black wings were worn on the back of his black frock coat. He also wore black breeches and shoes, which were covered by black spats, as well.

He began to slow as he neared the Elysium and righted himself as he flew over Suzy. He landed in between her and the tent. His wings folded closed and he bowed his head in greeting to Lady Sunday.

"Sumthin' wrong, Dusk?" Suzy asked. Every so often something would require her intervention, but for the most part her Dawn, Noon, and Dusk ran the Gardens efficiently.

The tall, dark Denizen nodded, "Yes, ma'am." he answered. There was something off with him. His eyes kept glancing back behind her nervously.

Suzy frowned and whirled around, but saw no one. She wondered if maybe something had gone wrong with the Drasils, but she was sure that she would notice. Especially since such an incident would mean that the Gardens would start to fall.

She turned curiously back to her Dusk, "Wot's the matter, Dusk?"

The Denizen was about to speak but glanced back when Sunday stepped out of the tent. The two Denizens acknowledged one another with a nod. Sunday looked to Suzy, "Sir Thursday reports no problems with the Maze, milady." he said.

Suzy nodded, "Good." Darn! "Dusk here looks like e's just seen a ghost." she redirected her attention back to the dark Denizen, "So wot's the matter, then?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"As I was working someone approached me, ma'am. He was asking me where the 'ruler of this Realm' was. He looked rather like a Denizen, but there was something off about him." he looked to Sunday and then back to Suzy. "And more than just the way he was dressed."

Suzy was taken aback, "Well wot's the way he's dressed got t' do wit' it?"

Dusk shrugged, "It made him seem all the more off, ma'am."

Suzy rolled her eyes, Denizens!

"Orright, then," she started with a sigh, "where is he?" she asked. Both her Noon and her Dusk were silent.

Sunday lifted a hand and pointed behind Suzy, "I believe that is him." he said. Dusk nodded vigiorously.

Suzy's eyes widened and she sprang forward, turning before she touched the ground. Her hand went to her Key as she faced the mysterious stranger. Her Dusk was right, he was dressed rather oddly.

His hair was thick and black, though kept short, contrasting with the utter white of his flesh. He wore a black pinstripe suit and shiny black dess shoes. Underneath his blazer was dark red dress shirt, with an inky black tie worn over it, tucked under the front of his blazer. His hands were also hidden by black gloves.

Suzy's eyes narrowed at the oddly-dressed intruder, "Who are you 'n wot 'r you doin' in my Gardens?" she demanded of him, her accent thickening.

"In translation-" Sunday began, but Suzy cut him off with, "If he didn't understand me he can ask me 'imself!"

The man's thin lips quirked into a smile, and his blood-red eyes lowered to her hand which was clasped around the Key. He chuckled – a deep, eery sound that sent a shiver down Suzy's spine. Dusk's hand tighened around the shaft of his scythe, and he made to go between her and this man.

"There will be no need for either or those." said the man, halting Dusk in his tracks. His voice was low, yet deep. It sounded more like it came from deep within his throat, and resounded slightly as he spoke. His lips peeled back barely into a wider smile, revealing stark white teeth, "Lest you wish to run off the messenger."

Suzy's eyebrow slowly rose as she eyed the man curiously, "Wot d' ye' mean by messenger?" she asked.

"I was sent here, to this . ." he paused in thought. "What is the name of this place, exactly?"

Suzy furrowed her brow, growing even more confused, "The Incompar-"

"Not the demesne, the whole of it." the man stated, more firmly this time.

"Am I missing something?" Dusk asked.

"More 'n ye' know, Dusk." Suzy murmured, casting a glance back at the scythe-wielding Denizen. He did look rather perplexed. "I'm at a loss, too." this she said a little louder, looking back at the man. "You mean the House?" she asked.

He nodded, "Yes! That was it." he said. "I have not paid much attention to it for some time."

"Where were you sent from?" Sunday asked.

"What he asked!" Suzy snapped.

The man's smile faded a little, "From outside the House."

"That's impossible." Suzy said. "How'd you get in 'ere from the Secondary Realms?"

The man rolled his eyes impatiently, "Beyond those, too." he sighed.

Suzy scratched her head with her free hand, "There's Thirdondary Realms?" she asked. The Denizen who was previously Lord Sunday groaned and covered his face with his hand.

The man's eyes widened, "Who in the Great Void placed you in any position of power?"

Suzy and Dusk both pointed behind him, "He did." they both stated – though Suzy's had a thicker accent, making it sound odd. The man turned and came face-to-face with the New Architect. Art had his arms folded across his chest and he had changed his height so that he was a head above this newcomer.

"At last!" the man exclaimed. "You are the Architect of this Realm?"

Art's expression was serious as he examined the man. He caught sight of his red eyes and noticed something odd about them. Inside the irises, encircling the greater portion of both pupils, were the iconic horseshoe shaped symbols of omega.

"I am." Arthur answered, letting his voice resonate somewhat. "And who might you be?" he asked.

The man took a step back and bowed low, "Numerary Ultima Omega." he answered, rising back to his full height. "And I come bearing greetings from my master."

"Your master?" the New Architect asked. "And just where do you come from?"

"From beyond your Secondary Realms." he answered. He stretched his arms out and said, "Beyond your Realm entirely, New Architect!"

"E's been spewin' gibberish like this for a while now, Artie." Suzy explained, keeping her grip on her Key.

The man's arms fell to his sides and he turned to look at the woman, "Artie?"

Suzy frowned, "Yeah. Ye got a problem wit' his name?" she asked.

"His . . What impropriety!" Omega turned back to Art. "You allow her the disobedience of calling you by-"

Art took a step forward, and Omega one back, "I decide what is and is not disobedience, Omega." the New Architect said.

"Of course, Architect." Omega said in a defeated tone. "I apologize."

Art nodded, "Why are you here? And what do you mean by beyond the Secondary Realms?"

Omega smiled, "Your lack of knowledge is exactly the matter that is to be addressed, great Architect, but not by one such as I." he explained. "I have simply been sent to inform you that my master will be coming soon, he will explain to you what you do not know."

Art took a deep breath, "Who is your master?" he asked.

Omega lowered his head in reverence as he answered, "The great Architect, Majuscule Numerin." he slowly lifted his head. "And now I must be going, you may expect my master soon." he said. Art was about to speak when Omega reached into the inner pocket of his blazer. When he withdrew his hand he held in it a golden pocketwatch. He opened the golden watch and spoke in a commanding voice, "The Tower!" and then he was gone.

There was no flash of light, no noise at all. One moment the stranger Omega was standing before the New Architect, and the next he was no longer there. Art's size changed back to what it usually was and he looked at the three before him, "You are unharmed?" he asked.

Suzy nodded, "I'm orright, Art." she answered happily.

"I'm confused." Dusk murmured.

Sunday slowly circled around Dusk and Lady Sunday, but kept his distance from the New Architect, "It seems we all are at a loss." he said thoughtfully, looking at Art, who nodded in agreement. Though Sunday had once been his enemy, the Denizen was very ancient, and the New Architect new that he could be a valuable asset in certain situations.

Suzy frowned, "How'd you know he was 'ere?" she asked.

"I felt a presence within the House. It was alien, and I felt that I needed to check on it." he answered matter-of-factly.

Suzy nodded, "Oh." she released her Key. "So, everythin' fine on the Sea?" she asked.

"I doubt the Line of Storms will act up anytime soon." Art replied.

"Well, that's good." Suzy paused and looked behind her at Dusk, who was staring at the ground in thought. "Oi!" she snapped. Dusk blinked and looked up.

"Ma'am?" he asked, straightening immediately.

"I don't pay ye t' stand around!"

"You don't pay me at all." Dusk replied, somewhat confused by her comment.

Suzy nodded, "Right." she drawled. "Well . . get back to work!" she ordered.

Dusk nodded, "Yes, ma'am." he bowed to the New Architect before spreading his wings and lifting off.

Suzy shook her head, "Ye still didn't make 'em smart enough, I think." she said to Art.

"Give them time." the New Architect said with a smile. "In the mean time, now that there is a moment of peace I would like you to call together the Court of Days. Have them meet in the Hall." he said.

Suzy nodded, "Ye gonna tell 'em 'bout-"

"Yes." Art answered.

"And where are ye gonna go?" Suzy asked wryly, knowing that the New Architect was going to vanish while she called together the Court.

Art smiled, there was no getting past her, "Monday's Dayroom, there's something I need to tend to. It won't take long." he said. "And besides," he added, "I want to be able to make an entrance." he said jokingly.

Suzy smirked, "Some smoke 'n mirrors, Artie?" she chuckled.

"Do I really need them?" Art asked.

Suzy shook her head, "Nope." she looked around and furrowed her brow, "Now where'd Sunday get off to?" she muttered, heading into the tent. The New Architect vanished via the Improbably Stair, his destination was Monday's Dayroom. He needed to prepare should this Majuscule Numerin appear during the meeting.

He planned on speaking to this "Architect" alone.