Chapter 9: The Council of The Defiant
Marco broke from the group hug and stood up, he helped up his family and friends, and then faced Glossaryck. He looks at the little blue man for a moment, then something clicks in his head, "Before we go, tell me, was this all a test to see what I am capable of.", Marco asks, his voice was husky.
"Ahh, I see you've figured it out. Well I can't take all of the credit. After all it was his idea.", Glossaryck says sticking a thumb towards a large figure coming out of the portal.
The group of people, who were now joined by Moon, River, Rhombulus and Omnitraxus, looked at the large figure, most of them knew who it was, Marco was the first to speak, "Hey Vivek, it's been a minute."
Vivek grins, "Yeah it has been hasn't it.", he says scratching his beard, he looks over to see Damien unconscious against a broken wall, "Well, it looks like you and Damien met."
"Yeah... also what's up with him being a demon?", Marco asks curiously.
"I'll tell you later, right now you gotta go. The Council is getting restless and I'm scared that they might start fighting amongst themselves, again.", Vivek says going back into the portal.
"Well you heard him, you better get going." Glossaryck says pushing Marco with a conjured hand.
"Hey wait," Hekapoo says grabbing Marco by the hand, "what about the rest of us.", she says with concern.
"Sorry, but the invitation was for Marco only, none of you can com-", Glossaryck was saying but was stopped by a hand coming out of the portal.
Vivek's head popped through, "Hekapoo you are required by the Council due to your relationship with Marco.", he says, then turns to Glossaryck, "Also Azriel and Derrius are already at each other's throats, so if we could get going, that would be great.", he says while going back through the portal.
Glossaryck sighed and turned to Hekapoo, "Alright, you heard him, step through the portal.", he says with annoyance.
She smiles and holds Marco's hand, which was huge compared to her own, and gives the giant a small smile, he returns one to her as they both go through the portal.
Glossaryck, however did not go through, instead he clears his throat and turns around to the both confused and concerned group of people, "Okay, now who wants to ask the first question?", he says with a cheeky smile.
In an Unknown Dimension
Marco and Hekapoo arrived outside of a huge wooden door, which they could hear muffled shouting from behind it. Vivek stands infront of them tapping his foot, then turns quickly to them, "Listen to me and listen closely, the ones you are about to meet are very dangerous beings and will kill you, if they believe they can.", he says in a very serious tone, "But, as long as you keep the Eclipse Blade within reach they wouldn't dare come near you and take heed of whom you speak to after this, for they may entice you with promises then stab you in the back when you least expect it.", he finishes by looking at the two of them in the eyes, nodded and then turns back around to open the massive door.
As the door opens they were greeted by the sight of an enormous room, that looked somewhat like a courtroom. The floor of the room was made of polished stone, there were nine giant white marble pedestals that formed a half circle around a granite circle in the middle of the room. Carved into the pedestals were golden images, all different from one another and on top of the pedestals were large thrones that were made from black marble with silver lining, there were other thrones up above the main nine that looked to be made from expensive looking wood. In all of the the thrones, except for five of the main ones, were godlike beings that watched as two high ranking members argued with one another, not daring to interfere.
The shouting that they had heard before could be heard more clearly now, the argument was coming from two large men that were in the center of the room, both of them were a little bit smaller than Vivek. As they walked closer to the arguing men Marco and Hekapoo could tell that they were in a heated debate over something.
One of them was covered from head to toe in silver like armor with giant angelic wings on his back, his face was covered in shadows by the helmet he wore. The other one was in had crimson armor with giant demon wings on his back, he had no helmet, for he had massive horns that came from his forehead and curled slightly back over the top of his head that prevented it. The demon looked to be a more monstrous human with jackal like features, he had an unkempt black beard with matching wild hair and two pure red eyes that had beady yellow pupils in the middle of them.
Both had their weapons drawn on to one another, the angelic one had a silver longsword that had blue flames coming off it. The demonic one had a black trident that was ablaze with red flames.
"I should strike you down right were you stand, betrayer.", said the angel.
"Ha, as if you could, you've grown weak throughout the millennia, you couldn't even defeat a hellhound, let alone me.", said the demon.
"YOU INSUFFERABLE DEMON!", the angel yells, ready to swing his sword.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!", Vivek shouted in annoyance, getting everyone's attention. The angel and demon looked over to see that the ones they had been waiting for had arrived and lowered their weapons.
"Took you long enough Vivek, I've been having to deal with his insults for the past hour.", the demon said glaring at the angel.
"Sorry about that Derrius, I had Damien and this one," he says slapping Marco on the back while giving a wide grin, "spar a bit."
"We've been waiting for a mortal to be done with a sparring match? Vivek you yet again waste my time." said the angel.
"Your time? Ha. I'll waste 'your time' as much as I please.", Vivek says getting in the face of the angel, "Now, you will go on to your throne, we will begin the trial and you will behave yourself or will I have to tear off your wings again?"
Azriel take a small step back and begrudgingly flys up onto his pedestal, Vivek then looks over to Derrius who then does the same. Vivek looks at all of the other members of the Council with a deadly glare, he then shifts his focus onto Marco and Hekapoo, who were looking rather concerned about the whole situation.
"Marco, Hekapoo, I need you two to stand here.", he says pointing at the center of the granite circle, as they do so he leaps up into the air, landing on top of the middle pedestal, he sits on his throne and clears his throat, "I, Vivek, High Judge of The Defiant Council, hereby start the trial of-"
"Umm Vivek,", a woman in white robes meekly interrupted, "we're missing someone."
"Who?"
"Kalos."
Vivek over to an empty throne, "Well does anyone know where he is?"
"I do.", a man in black robes says in a monotone voice.
"Okay where is he then?"
"Yeah, he's dead.", the man deadpanned.
Vivek shakily put his head in his hands, a muffled scream is heard, he then shoots up out of his seat, "Death! Why wasn't I informed about this.", he yells while shaking in anger and frustration.
"It's hard to reach you, plus me and Life," Death points to the woman in white, "we're pretty busy keeping the life and death cycles going."
Vivek sighs and sinks back into his seat, he held his head in his hand, "This day just keeps getting better and better dosen't it.", he says already wishing it was over.
Vivek sighs and starts to converse with some of those behind the High Council Members, who were the Council Jury Members, to see if anyone would be interested in a promotion. While this happen, Marco leaned over to Hekapoo, "Hey H-poo, do you know who this Kalos guy is?", he whispers to her.
She shakes her head, "No clue, also, don't call me that.", she whispered back.
"Hey, Marco.", Marco looked up to see Vivek with a serious look on his face, "So we might not be able to judge you until we either decide upon a new high council member or come up with a compromise, but, we can discuss you and Hekapoo's relationship for the mean time as well as have you two answer some questions."
"Relationship? Vivek what are you on about?", asked a woman in golden armor.
"Yes, what are you on about?", echoed Derrius.
Vivek looks at them as if he was looking at two brick walls, he than looks at the woman in white robes, "Life, could you explain to Feroxis and Derrius, please.", he says as if he was in pain.
"Of course, so from what I've been able to deduce, Marco and Hekapoo are going to be the proud parents of-.", she was saying but was interrupted by Azriel.
"Parents!?! Vivek you fool, you allowed for them to procreate.", Azriel says furiously at his superior, "That's it! if you won't kill these pests then I will.", he says while readying his weapon.
Marco moves infront of Hekapoo, ready to kill the angel, but is surprised when Darrius comes to their aid, "Azriel, if you so much as dare lay a finger on them, I will personally unleash the full wrath of the Nine Hells upon you!"
"Derrius? Of all the people here, you would defend the boy, why?", Vivek asked curiously.
"Because Reliquary sought him out, if he sees something in the boy then he and his offspring must be defended at all costs!", the archdemon exclaimed.
Several of the Jury Members gave their approval as well as Life and Feroxis.
Azriel is taken aback by this and sits down to ponder his next action, which puts everyone at ease. However, Marco did not break from his guard of Hekapoo, even she had raised her own, pulling her scissors out just in case.
Vivek looks around at the other high council members, "Well, would anyone like to ask them something.", he said.
A woman in a blue dress with golden accents stood up, "May I speak?", she asks softly.
"Very well, Equinox, you have the floor."
She gives a little bow towards him, "Thank you, High Judge.", she then turns to Marco and Hekapoo, "My question is do you, Marco Diaz, wish to bring chaos and mayhem to the multi-verse or do you wish to help keep the peace?"
Marco steps forward a little bit, still holding Hekapoo's hand, "I only wish to protect my loved ones, and if necessary, to protect those of the multi-verse.", he says with confidence.
Equinox smiles at this, "Thank you for answering honestly.", she says giving him a little bow and then sits back down.
Feroxis now stands up, "I'd like you to answer something as well.", she says in a demanding manner.
Vivek gives her a glare, but nods to her to proceed. She clears her throat, "From what the High Judge said as you walked in, you had just come from a 'sparring match' with the Morningstar himself, Damien, correct?", she asks.
Marco nods, "Yes, that is correct."
"So, who won?"
"I did.", Marco says simply, which sparked hushed conversations behind the High Council between Council Jury Members.
Feroxis taps her chin, "Interesting, that'll be all from me." she says sitting back down.
Vivek looks around again, he stares at Death who is contemplating something, "So, what about you Death, you've been mostly silent.", he asks the Primordial.
"...", Death does not respond, he merely shrugs and continues to contemplate his question.
"Okay... uh, does anyone else have something to say?", Vivek asks the other Council Members.
"I do", said an unknown voice.
The room shook, a blue and black portal appeared above the High Council. A giant muscular six armed man hovers out of it, he wore no shirt, but did have on some kind of battle skirt made of what looked to be leather studded with bronze and runes carved into them, on his arms were matching metal arm bands that glowed light blue. His skin looked to be made of gold, but his most odd feature was that he had no face, it was completely smooth with no features to speak of.
The golden man hovers down, closer to Marco and Hekapoo, which causes Vivek to stand up, "Icon!", Vivek shouts, "Don't you even think about doing anything to them, otherwise you'll wish that I would've killed you with the others.", he said threateningly.
"I only wish to ask a few questions.", Icon says calmly.
Vivek thinks on it, after a minute he sighs and nods to him, but he remained standing.
Icon hovered a few feet away from Marco, "Do you know who I am?", he asks.
Marco shakes his head and stands a little more infront of Hekapoo.
"Then allow me to introduce myself. I am Icon, The Primordial of Personification and The Primordial Warden, I am the one who stands above all," he says with a booming voice, "and you are an unwelcomed anomaly.", he said getting in Marco's face, Marco glared daggers at him in response.
"My next question, why do you posses the Eclipse Blade?", he asked.
"So that I may defend myself and my loved ones from people like you.", Marco responds.
"Oh, and how do you know you can't trust me?", he asks.
"I don't trust people who don't have faces.", Marco said coldly.
Icon was starting to lose his patience with Marco, however, his attention was then moved to Hekapoo, he sighed in annoyance, "And of course you impregnated one of Glossaryck's spawn," he says with a hint of frustration, "but, it is of no consequence, your offspring will still be terminated as soon as possible.", he finishes while turning away from the two, who had shocked expressions on their faces.
"Icon, you will not lay a hand on that child.", Vivek said in anger.
"Oh how amusing, do you honestly think that you'd be able to save them? You couldn't even save your own wife.", Icon says coldly.
Everyone in the room froze, their eyes shifted to Vivek, who's own eyes were pitch black with beady violet dots in the center of them.
In the Dojo Dimension
"Alright, so is that everyone's questions?", Glossaryck said, exhausted.
"I might have another.", Moon says.
Glossaryck sighed, "Okay, what is it-", an extremely cold shiver runs up his spine, he starts to shiver, "Oh no.", he whispers in absolute terror. He immediately turns to the still opened portal and flys right into it leaving everyone in the dojo completely confused.
"What just h-happened?", Star asks her mom, who had felt very cold all of a sudden.
"I-I don't know?", Moon replied, shivering. She looks around to see that everyone in the room was shivering uncontrollably, "What is going on?"
In the Council's Dimension
Glossaryck rushed out of the portal and right through the massive wooden door, "Vivek!", he yells as the flys passed Marco, Hekapoo and Icon, going right up to Vivek, "Hey there... friend... now let's just calm down, alright.", Glossaryck says a little nervously. Vivek did not respond, he only at looked at Icon with murderous intent in his eyes.
As Glossaryck tried to calm Vivek down Marco looked all around him, everyone in the room was shivering, even Glossaryck and Icon, the latter was trying to make it seem like he wasn't, but failed to do so. Marco feels Hekapoo's grip on his hand tighten, he looks down to her to see that she was far worse than the others. She looked to be turning a light blue, her flame was glowing dim and he could see her breath, "Marco... I...", she started to say weakly before collapsing into his arms.
Marco started to panic, he held her tightly, "Glossaryck!", he shouted getting the attention of everyone, except for Vivek.
The little blue man looks down to Marco, Glossaryck's face was now filled with worry as he sees Hekapoo's flame flickered dimly, he turns back to Vivek, "You have to stop this or you'll kill the people you're trying to protect.", he says, which made Vivek's gaze go to Marco and Hekapoo.
He felt his hate fade as his eyes turned back to normal, he shook his head and leaps down to the granite circle to help. As soon as he touches down he kneels right next to Hekapoo and places his hand on her head, he looks at Marco, "Do the same and say what I say.", Vivek says sternly, Marco nods and follows suit. A yellow light emits from both of their hands.
Healing Touch
A moment later Hekapoo skin starts to go back to the alabaster white it once was, her flame stopped flickering and grew a little, she opens her eyes to see Marco's own filled with tears and a large smile formed on his face. "Hey Muscles, you worried about me-", she says before being hugged tighter by him, she thinks for a moment before hugging him back.
Vivek stands back up with a thankful smile, though this did not last long for he turns around to face Icon, "Leave. Now.", he says with sheer anger in his voice.
"Fine, but know this, even if he has the Eclipse Blade, he will never be truly safe from me.", Icon says before another portal appears, he floats through it and it closes behind him.
Vivek takes a deep breath, he looks over to Glossaryck, who is hovering towards his throne, "Glossaryck," the little blue man turns around, "will you withdraw your vote, so that the Council may fairly judge Marco."
"I will.", Glossaryck says without hesitation.
"Excellent. Now, Glossaryck, would you kindly escort Marco and Hekapoo out of the room so that we may discuss amongst ourselves."
"Of course.", Glossaryck said, he then turns to the Marco and Hekapoo, "Alright you two just follow me.", he then hovers towards the entrance of the room, Marco picks up Hekapoo who is still a little weak from before.
As they made it out of the room the door shuts behind them, Glossaryck spins around, "Okay, so this is definitely not going according to plan, but I think we can make this work.", he says as if the two understand what's going on, "Oh, right, I forgot to tell you. Okay, so long story short, Vivek and I want you to be apart of the Council's Enforcers due to your powers."
Marco nods understanding, but Hekapoo narrows her eyes at her creator, "Okay, but what's with everyone trying to either kill or protect our child?", she says with a bit of anger.
"Well... *sigh*... look your child will be one of the most powerful beings in the multi-verse. For the simple reason that they'd be the child of Marco, who has a large portion of Vivek's soul, and related to me, for being part Primordial."
Marco and Hekapoo looked at each other with concerned eyes, "But...", they looked back at Glossaryck, "if you were to be part of the Council Enforcers, then you would have the protection of the Council.", he says giving them a reassuring smile.
This gave them some hope, but Marco had a question lingering in his mind, "Icon said that, 'even with the Eclipse Blade, that we would never be truly safe', is he telling the truth?", Marco asks with a little fear in his voice.
Glossaryck ponders this for a second, "I don't honestly know, but like I said, the Council will use everything in their power to protect you and your family."
Marco wasn't reassured by his answer and his expression showed it. Hekapoo notices his concern, she grabs his chin and pulls his face in her direction, "Marco, I know that we can get through this, you and me, together, okay?", she says giving him a warm smile.
Marco looks into her eyes and nods, "Okay.", he says with a small smile. They leaned into each other for a kiss, but were interrupted by the wooden door opening.
Vivek was standing in the door way, "You may all enter.", is all he says before going back into the room.
The two lovers looked at each other, they nodded and with Marco still carrying Hekapoo, proceeded back to the granite circle with Glossaryck in toe.
Vivek goes back to his throne and sits upon it, he looks at his peers for a moment, and then down to the Marco and Hekapoo, "The final verdict on Marco Diaz has been made.", he says with a booming voice, "We, The Council of the Defiant, here by accept Marco Diaz of the Earth Dimension as one of our own and from here on out you are now apart of the Council's Enforcers. ", he says with a smile on his face.
Marco, Hekapoo, and Glossaryck let out a sigh of relief, the latter turns with a smile on his face, "Congratulations Marco, your now apart of the Council's Enforcers. I'll introduce you to the other Enforcers after you've had some rest.", he says as a portal opens right next to them, "This will take you back to the dojo and don't worry I'll catch up with you two later."
Marco and Hekapoo were about to ask him something, but were pushed into the portal by Glossaryck, who closed it right after.
In the Dojo Dimension
Most of the Royal Families had left, all that remained where Marco's family and friends. Moon, Omnitraxus and Rhombulus were talking separately from the main group about what had just happened, while Kelly, Tom, Janna, Star, River and Marco's parents were talking to each other as well, when a portal opened up and Marco still holding Hekapoo came sliding through it.
"You know that's starting to get really annoying.", Marco said, Hekapoo nodded in agreement as the portal closed behind them.
"Marco!", said several people simultaneously, he and Hekapoo looks over to see their friends rush over to them. Marco finally puts Hekapoo down, now realizing that he had been carrying her this entire time, she give a little smirk.
As the group of people surround them, they start to ask all sorts of questions about what had happened, although one person was not asking questions, in fact, she hadn't even walked over to greet them.
Star merely watched from several feet away as Marco and Hekapoo talked about the Council. She couldn't go near them, particularly Hekapoo, she felt that if she went near her that she might do something terrible to her. She hated this feeling, but she hated Hekapoo even more.
'If you hate her so much, then why don't you do something about it.', an unfamiliar voice said in the back of her head.
Star looks around to see no one but her friends and family, she felt a cold chill go up her spine. She had a strange new feeling, one that felt as if someone was watching her.
END OF CHAPTER 9
Authors Notes:
So another chapter for what I'm calling the 'Council Arc', and trust me I know, the whole chapter bounced around a bit, I'm gonna try and work on that to make sure that it doesn't happen again.
Anyways, I hope y'all like this chapter, it introduces new characters, some background on characters mentioned in other chapters, and a few possible antagonists for Marco to face.
Now, I was asked a question a week ago on where this is going, and to be perfectly honest, it can go a couple ways, I'd like to start a family arc, but that might not be for a minute, unless someone give me an idea on how to start early.
But, like I said before, I hope y'all like this chapter, please remember to leave a review or pm me if you have some ideas, and I hope y'all have a good one.
P.S. I'm currently looking for a beta reader, if interested pm me